ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND

Lewis Carroll

THE MILLENNIUM FULCRUM EDITION @number@

CHAPTER I . down the Rabbit-Hole

oh dear !

in another moment down went Alice after it , never once considering how in the world she was to get out again .

how brave they 'll all think me at home !

why , I wouldn't say anything about it , even if I fell off the top of the house ! '

( which was very likely true . )

down , down , down .

would the fall NEVER come to an end !

' I wonder how many miles I 've fallen by this time ? ' she said aloud .

' I must be getting somewhere near the centre of the earth .

( Alice had no idea what Latitude was , or Longitude either , but thought they were nice grand words to say . )

presently she began again .

' I wonder if I shall fall right THROUGH the earth !

how funny it 'll seem to come out among the people that walk with their heads downward !

do you think you could manage it ? )

' And what an ignorant little girl she 'll think me for asking !

no , it 'll never do to ask : perhaps I shall see it written up somewhere . '

down , down , down .

there was nothing else to do , so Alice soon began talking again .

' Dinah 'll miss me very much to-night , I should think ! '

( Dinah was the cat . )

' I hope they 'll remember her saucer of milk at tea-time .

Dinah my dear !

I wish you were down here with me !

but do cats eat bats , I wonder ? '

oh , how I wish I could shut up like a telescope !

I think I could , if I only knew how to begin . '

' What a curious feeling ! ' said Alice ; ' I must be shutting up like a telescope . '

I wonder what I should be like then ? '

' But it 's no use now , ' thought poor Alice , ' to pretend to be two people !

why , there 's hardly enough of me left to make ONE respectable person ! '

she ate a little bit , and said anxiously to herself , ' Which way ?

so she set to work , and very soon finished off the cake .

CHAPTER II .

the Pool of Tears

' Oh , my poor little feet , I wonder who will put on your shoes and stockings for you now , dears ?

I 'm sure I shan't be able !

let me see : I 'll give them a new pair of boots every Christmas . '

and she went on planning to herself how she would manage it .

and how odd the directions will look !

ALICE'S RIGHT FOOT , ESQ .

HEARTHRUG , NEAR THE FENDER , ( WITH ALICE'S LOVE ) .

oh dear , what nonsense I 'm talking ! '

Poor Alice !

stop this moment , I tell you ! '

after a time she heard a little pattering of feet in the distance , and she hastily dried her eyes to see what was coming .

oh ! won't she be savage if I 've kept her waiting ! '

how queer everything is to-day !

and yesterday things went on just as usual .

I wonder if I 've been changed in the night ?

let me think : was I the same when I got up this morning ?

I almost think I can remember feeling a little different .

but if I 'm not the same , the next question is , Who in the world am I ?

ah , THAT'S the great puzzle ! '

besides , SHE'S she , and I 'm I , and oh dear , how puzzling it all is !

I 'll try if I know all the things I used to know .

let me see : four times five is twelve , and four times six is thirteen , and four times seven is oh dear !

I shall never get to twenty at that rate !

however , the Multiplication Table doesn't signify : let's try Geography .

I must have been changed for Mabel !

' How doth the little crocodile Improve his shining tail , And pour the waters of the Nile On every golden scale !

' How cheerfully he seems to grin , How neatly spread his claws , And welcome little fishes in With gently smiling jaws ! '

no , I 've made up my mind about it ; if I 'm Mabel , I 'll stay down here !

it 'll be no use their putting their heads down and saying " come up again , dear ! "

I shall only look up and say " who am I then ?

I am so VERY tired of being all alone here ! '

' How CAN I have done that ? ' she thought .

' I must be growing small again . '

and I declare it 's too bad , that it is ! '

as she said these words her foot slipped , and in another moment , splash ! she was up to her chin in salt water .

however , she soon made out that she was in the pool of tears which she had wept when she was nine feet high .

' I wish I hadn't cried so much ! ' said Alice , as she swam about , trying to find her way out .

' I shall be punished for it now , I suppose , by being drowned in my own tears !

that WILL be a queer thing , to be sure !

however , everything is queer to-day . '

' Would it be of any use , now , ' thought Alice , ' to speak to this mouse ?

so she began : ' O Mouse , do you know the way out of this pool ?

I am very tired of swimming about here , O Mouse ! '

the Mouse looked at her rather inquisitively , and seemed to her to wink with one of its little eyes , but it said nothing .

( for , with all her knowledge of history , Alice had no very clear notion how long ago anything had happened . )

so she began again : ' Ou est ma chatte ? ' which was the first sentence in her French lesson-book .

the Mouse gave a sudden leap out of the water , and seemed to quiver all over with fright .

' Oh , I beg your pardon ! ' cried Alice hastily , afraid that she had hurt the poor animal 's feelings .

' I quite forgot you didn't like cats . '

' Not like cats ! ' cried the Mouse , in a shrill , passionate voice .

' Would YOU like cats if you were me ? '

' Well , perhaps not , ' said Alice in a soothing tone : ' don't be angry about it .

' We won't talk about her any more if you'd rather not . '

' We indeed ! ' cried the Mouse , who was trembling down to the end of his tail .

' As if I would talk on such a subject !

our family always HATED cats : nasty , low , vulgar things !

don't let me hear the name again ! '

' I won't indeed ! ' said Alice , in a great hurry to change the subject of conversation .

' Are you are you fond of of dogs ? '

a little bright-eyed terrier , you know , with oh , such long curly brown hair !

so she called softly after it , ' Mouse dear !

do come back again , and we won't talk about cats or dogs either , if you don't like them ! '

Alice led the way , and the whole party swam to the shore .

CHAPTER III .

a Caucus-Race and a Long Tale

I'LL soon make you dry enough ! '

they all sat down at once , in a large ring , with the Mouse in the middle .

' Ahem ! ' said the Mouse with an important air , ' are you all ready ?

this is the driest thing I know .

Silence all round , if you please !

Edwin and Morcar , the earls of Mercia and Northumbria " '

' Ugh ! ' said the Lory , with a shiver .

' I beg your pardon ! ' said the Mouse , frowning , but very politely : ' Did you speak ? '

' Not I ! ' said the Lory hastily .

' I thought you did , ' said the Mouse . ' I proceed .

' Found WHAT ? ' said the Duck .

' Found IT , ' the Mouse replied rather crossly : ' of course you know what " it " means . '

the question is , what did the archbishop find ? '

William 's conduct at first was moderate .

' As wet as ever , ' said Alice in a melancholy tone : ' it doesn't seem to dry me at all . '

' Speak English ! ' said the Eaglet .

' I don't know the meaning of half those long words , and , what 's more , I don't believe you do either ! '

and the Eaglet bent down its head to hide a smile : some of the other birds tittered audibly .

' Why , ' said the Dodo , ' the best way to explain it is to do it . '

at last the Dodo said , ' EVERYBODY has won , and all must have prizes . '

' But who is to give the prizes ? ' quite a chorus of voices asked .

prizes ! '

there was exactly one a-piece all round .

' But she must have a prize herself , you know , ' said the Mouse .

' Of course , ' the Dodo replied very gravely .

' What else have you got in your pocket ? ' he went on , turning to Alice .

' Only a thimble , ' said Alice sadly .

' Hand it over here , ' said the Dodo .

' Mine is a long and a sad tale ! ' said the Mouse , turning to Alice , and sighing .

and she kept on puzzling about it while the Mouse was speaking , so that her idea of the tale was something like this :

come , I 'll take no denial ; We must have a trial : for really this morning I 've nothing to do . "

' You are not attending ! ' said the Mouse to Alice severely .

' What are you thinking of ? '

' I beg your pardon , ' said Alice very humbly : ' you had got to the fifth bend , I think ? '

' I had NOT ! ' cried the Mouse , sharply and very angrily .

' A knot ! ' said Alice , always ready to make herself useful , and looking anxiously about her .

' Oh , do let me help to undo it ! '

' I shall do nothing of the sort , ' said the Mouse , getting up and walking away .

' You insult me by talking such nonsense ! '

' I didn't mean it ! ' pleaded poor Alice .

' But you 're so easily offended , you know ! '

the Mouse only growled in reply .

' Please come back and finish your story ! '

let this be a lesson to you never to lose YOUR temper ! '

' Hold your tongue , Ma ! ' said the young Crab , a little snappishly .

' You're enough to try the patience of an oyster ! '

' I wish I had our Dinah here , I know I do ! ' said Alice aloud , addressing nobody in particular .

' She 'd soon fetch it back ! '

' And who is Dinah , if I might venture to ask the question ? ' said the Lory .

Alice replied eagerly , for she was always ready to talk about her pet : ' Dinah 's our cat .

and she 's such a capital one for catching mice you can't think !

and oh , I wish you could see her after the birds !

why , she 'll eat a little bird as soon as look at it ! '

this speech caused a remarkable sensation among the party .

it 's high time you were all in bed ! '

on various pretexts they all moved off , and Alice was soon left alone .

' I wish I hadn't mentioned Dinah ! ' she said to herself in a melancholy tone .

' Nobody seems to like her , down here , and I 'm sure she 's the best cat in the world !

oh , my dear Dinah !

I wonder if I shall ever see you any more ! '

and here poor Alice began to cry again , for she felt very lonely and low-spirited .

CHAPTER IV .

the Rabbit Sends in a Little Bill

the Duchess !

oh my dear paws !

oh my fur and whiskers !

she 'll get me executed , as sure as ferrets are ferrets !

where CAN I have dropped them , I wonder ? '

run home this moment , and fetch me a pair of gloves and a fan !

Quick , now ! '

' He took me for his housemaid , ' she said to herself as she ran .

' How surprised he 'll be when he finds out who I am !

but I 'd better take him his fan and gloves that is , if I can find them . '

' How queer it seems , ' Alice said to herself , ' to be going messages for a rabbit !

I suppose Dinah 'll be sending me on messages next ! '

and she began fancying the sort of thing that would happen : ' " miss Alice !

come here directly , and get ready for your walk ! "

" coming in a minute , nurse !

but I 've got to see that the mouse doesn't get out . "

there was no label this time with the words ' DRINK ME , ' but nevertheless she uncorked it and put it to her lips .

I do hope it 'll make me grow large again , for really I 'm quite tired of being such a tiny little thing ! '

alas ! it was too late to wish that !

what WILL become of me ? '

I almost wish I hadn't gone down that rabbit-hole and yet and yet it's rather curious , you know , this sort of life !

I do wonder what CAN have happened to me !

there ought to be a book written about me , that there ought !

' But then , ' thought Alice , ' shall I NEVER get any older than I am now ?

that 'll be a comfort , one way never to be an old woman but then always to have lessons to learn !

oh , I shouldn't like THAT ! '

' Oh , you foolish Alice ! ' she answered herself .

' How can you learn lessons in here ?

why , there 's hardly room for YOU , and no room at all for any lesson-books ! '

' Mary Ann !

Mary Ann ! ' said the voice .

' Fetch me my gloves this moment ! '

then came a little pattering of feet on the stairs .

Alice heard it say to itself ' Then I 'll go round and get in at the window . '

next came an angry voice the Rabbit 's ' Pat !

Pat !

where are you ? '

and then a voice she had never heard before , ' Sure then I 'm here !

digging for apples , yer honour ! '

' Digging for apples , indeed ! ' said the Rabbit angrily .

' Here !

come and help me out of THIS ! '

( Sounds of more broken glass . )

' Now tell me , Pat , what 's that in the window ? '

' Sure , it 's an arm , yer honour ! '

( he pronounced it ' arrum . ' )

' An arm , you goose !

who ever saw one that size ?

why , it fills the whole window ! '

' Sure , it does , yer honour : but it 's an arm for all that . '

' Well , it 's got no business there , at any rate : go and take it away ! '

this time there were TWO little shrieks , and more sounds of broken glass .

' What a number of cucumber-frames there must be ! ' thought Alice .

' I wonder what they 'll do next !

as for pulling me out of the window , I only wish they COULD !

I 'm sure I don't want to stay in here any longer ! '

why , I hadn't to bring but one ; Bill 's got the other Bill ! fetch it here , lad !

mind that loose slate Oh , it 's coming down !

Heads below ! ' ( a loud crash ) ' Now , who did that ?

it was Bill , I fancy Who 's to go down the chimney ?

Nay , I shan't !

YOU do it !

that I won't , then !

bill 's to go down Here , Bill ! the master says you 're to go down the chimney ! '

' Oh !

so Bill 's got to come down the chimney , has he ? ' said Alice to herself .

' Shy , they seem to put everything upon Bill !

what happened to you ?

tell us all about it ! '

' So you did , old fellow ! ' said the others .

I 'll set Dinah at you ! '

there was a dead silence instantly , and Alice thought to herself , ' I wonder what they WILL do next !

if they had any sense , they 'd take the roof off . '

so she swallowed one of the cakes , and was delighted to find that she began shrinking directly .

I think that will be the best plan . '

an enormous puppy was looking down at her with large round eyes , and feebly stretching out one paw , trying to touch her .

oh dear !

I 'd nearly forgotten that I 've got to grow up again !

let me see how IS it to be managed ?

I suppose I ought to eat or drink something or other ; but the great question is , what ? '

the great question certainly was , what ?

CHAPTER V Advice from a Caterpillar

' Who are YOU ? ' said the Caterpillar .

this was not an encouraging opening for a conversation .

' What do you mean by that ? ' said the Caterpillar sternly .

' Explain yourself ! '

' I can't explain MYSELF , I 'm afraid , sir ' said Alice , ' because I 'm not myself , you see . '

' I don't see , ' said the Caterpillar .

' It isn't , ' said the Caterpillar .

' Not a bit , ' said the Caterpillar .

' You ! ' said the Caterpillar contemptuously .

' Who are YOU ? '

which brought them back again to the beginning of the conversation .

' Why ? ' said the Caterpillar .

' Come back ! ' the Caterpillar called after her .

' I 've something important to say ! '

this sounded promising , certainly : Alice turned and came back again .

' Keep your temper , ' said the Caterpillar .

' Is that all ? ' said Alice , swallowing down her anger as well as she could .

' No , ' said the Caterpillar .

' Can't remember WHAT things ? ' said the Caterpillar .

' Well , I 've tried to say " HOW DOTH THE LITTLE BUSY BEE , " but it all came different ! '

Alice replied in a very melancholy voice .

' Repeat , " YOU ARE OLD , FATHER WILLIAM , " ' said the Caterpillar .

Alice folded her hands , and began :

' I have answered three questions , and that is enough , ' Said his father ; ' don't give yourself airs !

do you think I can listen all day to such stuff ?

be off , or I 'll kick you down stairs ! '

' That is not said right , ' said the Caterpillar .

' Not QUITE right , I 'm afraid , ' said Alice , timidly ; ' some of the words have got altered . '

' It is wrong from beginning to end , ' said the Caterpillar decidedly , and there was silence for some minutes .

the Caterpillar was the first to speak .

' What size do you want to be ? ' it asked .

' I DON'T know , ' said the Caterpillar .

Alice said nothing : she had never been so much contradicted in her life before , and she felt that she was losing her temper .

' Are you content now ? ' said the Caterpillar .

' But I 'm not used to it ! ' pleaded poor Alice in a piteous tone .

and she thought of herself , ' I wish the creatures wouldn't be so easily offended ! '

this time Alice waited patiently until it chose to speak again .

in a minute or two the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth and yawned once or twice , and shook itself .

' One side of WHAT ?

the other side of WHAT ? ' thought Alice to herself .

' What CAN all that green stuff be ? ' said Alice .

' And where HAVE my shoulders got to ?

and oh , my poor hands , how is it I can't see you ? '

she was moving them about as she spoke , but no result seemed to follow , except a little shaking among the distant green leaves .

' Serpent ! ' screamed the Pigeon .

' I 'm NOT a serpent ! ' said Alice indignantly .

' Let me alone ! '

' I haven't the least idea what you 're talking about , ' said Alice .

there 's no pleasing them ! '

Alice was more and more puzzled , but she thought there was no use in saying anything more till the Pigeon had finished .

why , I haven't had a wink of sleep these three weeks ! '

' I 'm very sorry you 've been annoyed , ' said Alice , who was beginning to see its meaning .

Ugh , Serpent ! '

' But I 'm NOT a serpent , I tell you ! ' said Alice .

' I'm a I'm a '

' Well !

WHAT are you ? ' said the Pigeon .

' I can see you 're trying to invent something ! '

' A likely story indeed ! ' said the Pigeon in a tone of the deepest contempt .

' I 've seen a good many little girls in my time , but never ONE with such a neck as that !

no , no !

you 're a serpent ; and there 's no use denying it .

I suppose you 'll be telling me next that you never tasted an egg ! '

' Well , be off , then ! ' said the Pigeon in a sulky tone , as it settled down again into its nest .

' Come , there 's half my plan done now !

how puzzling all these changes are !

I 'm never sure what I 'm going to be , from one minute to another !

as she said this , she came suddenly upon an open place , with a little house in it about four feet high .

CHAPTER VI .

Pig and Pepper

she felt very curious to know what it was all about , and crept a little way out of the wood to listen .

An invitation from the Queen to play croquet . '

the Frog-Footman repeated , in the same solemn tone , only changing the order of the words a little , ' From the Queen .

An invitation for the Duchess to play croquet . '

then they both bowed low , and their curls got entangled together .

Alice went timidly up to the door , and knocked .

' There 's no sort of use in knocking , ' said the Footman , ' and that for two reasons .

' Please , then , ' said Alice , ' how am I to get in ? '

for instance , if you were INSIDE , you might knock , and I could let you out , you know . '

he was looking up into the sky all the time he was speaking , and this Alice thought decidedly uncivil .

but at any rate he might answer questions .

how am I to get in ? ' she repeated , aloud .

' I shall sit here , ' the Footman remarked , ' till tomorrow '

' or next day , maybe , ' the Footman continued in the same tone , exactly as if nothing had happened .

' How am I to get in ? ' asked Alice again , in a louder tone .

' ARE you to get in at all ? ' said the Footman .

' That 's the first question , you know . '

it was , no doubt : only Alice did not like to be told so .

' It 's really dreadful , ' she muttered to herself , ' the way all the creatures argue .

it 's enough to drive one crazy ! '

the Footman seemed to think this a good opportunity for repeating his remark , with variations .

' I shall sit here , ' he said , ' on and off , for days and days . '

' But what am I to do ? ' said Alice .

' Anything you like , ' said the Footman , and began whistling .

' Oh , there 's no use in talking to him , ' said Alice desperately : ' he 's perfectly idiotic ! '

and she opened the door and went in .

' There 's certainly too much pepper in that soup ! '

Alice said to herself , as well as she could for sneezing .

there was certainly too much of it in the air .

even the Duchess sneezed occasionally ; and as for the baby , it was sneezing and howling alternately without a moment 's pause .

' It 's a Cheshire cat , ' said the Duchess , ' and that 's why .

pig ! '

' I didn't know that Cheshire cats always grinned ; in fact , I didn't know that cats COULD grin . '

' They all can , ' said the Duchess ; ' and most of ' em do . '

' I don't know of any that do , ' Alice said very politely , feeling quite pleased to have got into a conversation .

' You don't know much , ' said the Duchess ; ' and that 's a fact . '

' Oh , PLEASE mind what you 're doing ! ' cried Alice , jumping up and down in an agony of terror .

' Oh , there goes his PRECIOUS nose ' ; as an unusually large saucepan flew close by it , and very nearly carried it off .

' Just think of what work it would make with the day and night !

you see the earth takes twenty-four hours to turn round on its axis '

' Talking of axes , ' said the Duchess , ' chop off her head ! '

I '

' Oh , don't bother ME , ' said the Duchess ; ' I never could abide figures ! '

CHORUS .

( in which the cook and the baby joined ) :

' Wow ! wow ! wow ! '

CHORUS .

' Wow ! wow ! wow ! '

' I must go and get ready to play croquet with the Queen , ' and she hurried out of the room .

the cook threw a frying-pan after her as she went out , but it just missed her .

' Don't grunt , ' said Alice ; ' that 's not at all a proper way of expressing yourself . '

the baby grunted again , and Alice looked very anxiously into its face to see what was the matter with it .

no , there were no tears .

mind now ! '

so she set the little creature down , and felt quite relieved to see it trot away quietly into the wood .

the Cat only grinned when it saw Alice .

' Come , it 's pleased so far , ' thought Alice , and she went on .

' Would you tell me , please , which way I ought to go from here ? '

' That depends a good deal on where you want to get to , ' said the Cat .

' I don't much care where ' said Alice .

' Then it doesn't matter which way you go , ' said the Cat .

' so long as I get SOMEWHERE , ' Alice added as an explanation .

' Oh , you 're sure to do that , ' said the Cat , ' if you only walk long enough . '

Alice felt that this could not be denied , so she tried another question .

' What sort of people live about here ? '

visit either you like : they 're both mad . '

' But I don't want to go among mad people , ' Alice remarked .

' Oh , you can't help that , ' said the Cat : ' we 're all mad here .

I 'm mad .

you 're mad . '

' How do you know I 'm mad ? ' said Alice .

' You must be , ' said the Cat , ' or you wouldn't have come here . '

Alice didn't think that proved it at all ; however , she went on ' And how do you know that you 're mad ? '

' To begin with , ' said the Cat , ' a dog 's not mad .

you grant that ? '

' I suppose so , ' said Alice .

now I growl when I 'm pleased , and wag my tail when I 'm angry .

therefore I 'm mad . '

' I call it purring , not growling , ' said Alice .

' Call it what you like , ' said the Cat .

' Do you play croquet with the Queen to-day ? '

' I should like it very much , ' said Alice , ' but I haven't been invited yet . '

' You 'll see me there , ' said the Cat , and vanished .

Alice was not much surprised at this , she was getting so used to queer things happening .

while she was looking at the place where it had been , it suddenly appeared again .

' By-the-bye , what became of the baby ? ' said the Cat .

' I 'd nearly forgotten to ask . '

' It turned into a pig , ' Alice quietly said , just as if it had come back in a natural way .

' I thought it would , ' said the Cat , and vanished again .

as she said this , she looked up , and there was the Cat again , sitting on a branch of a tree .

' Did you say pig , or fig ? ' said the Cat .

' Well !

I 've often seen a cat without a grin , ' thought Alice ; ' but a grin without a cat !

it 's the most curious thing I ever saw in my life ! '

I almost wish I 'd gone to see the Hatter instead ! '

CHAPTER VII .

a Mad Tea-Party

' Very uncomfortable for the Dormouse , ' thought Alice ; ' only , as it 's asleep , I suppose it doesn't mind . '

the table was a large one , but the three were all crowded together at one corner of it : ' No room !

no room ! ' they cried out when they saw Alice coming .

' There 's PLENTY of room ! ' said Alice indignantly , and she sat down in a large arm-chair at one end of the table .

' Have some wine , ' the March Hare said in an encouraging tone .

Alice looked all round the table , but there was nothing on it but tea .

' I don't see any wine , ' she remarked .

' There isn't any , ' said the March Hare .

' Then it wasn't very civil of you to offer it , ' said Alice angrily .

' It wasn't very civil of you to sit down without being invited , ' said the March Hare .

' I didn't know it was YOUR table , ' said Alice ; ' it 's laid for a great many more than three . '

' Your hair wants cutting , ' said the Hatter .

he had been looking at Alice for some time with great curiosity , and this was his first speech .

' You should learn not to make personal remarks , ' Alice said with some severity ; ' it 's very rude . '

' Come , we shall have some fun now ! ' thought Alice .

' I 'm glad they 've begun asking riddles .

I believe I can guess that , ' she added aloud .

' Do you mean that you think you can find out the answer to it ? ' said the March Hare .

' Exactly so , ' said Alice .

' Then you should say what you mean , ' the March Hare went on .

' Not the same thing a bit ! ' said the Hatter .

the Hatter was the first to break the silence .

Alice considered a little , and then said ' The fourth . '

' Two days wrong ! ' sighed the Hatter .

' I told you butter wouldn't suit the works ! ' he added looking angrily at the March Hare .

' It was the BEST butter , ' the March Hare meekly replied .

Alice had been looking over his shoulder with some curiosity .

' What a funny watch ! ' she remarked .

' It tells the day of the month , and doesn't tell what o'clock it is ! '

' Why should it ? ' muttered the Hatter .

' Does YOUR watch tell you what year it is ? '

' Which is just the case with MINE , ' said the Hatter .

Alice felt dreadfully puzzled .

the Hatter 's remark seemed to have no sort of meaning in it , and yet it was certainly English .

' I don't quite understand you , ' she said , as politely as she could .

' The Dormouse is asleep again , ' said the Hatter , and he poured a little hot tea upon its nose .

' Have you guessed the riddle yet ? ' the Hatter said , turning to Alice again .

' No , I give it up , ' Alice replied : ' what 's the answer ? '

' I haven't the slightest idea , ' said the Hatter .

' Nor I , ' said the March Hare .

Alice sighed wearily .

' If you knew Time as well as I do , ' said the Hatter , ' you wouldn't talk about wasting IT .

it 's HIM . '

' I don't know what you mean , ' said Alice .

' Of course you don't ! ' the Hatter said , tossing his head contemptuously .

' I dare say you never even spoke to Time ! '

' Perhaps not , ' Alice cautiously replied : ' but I know I have to beat time when I learn music . '

' Ah ! that accounts for it , ' said the Hatter .

' He won't stand beating .

now , if you only kept on good terms with him , he 'd do almost anything you liked with the clock .

Half-past one , time for dinner ! '

' I only wish it was , ' the March Hare said to itself in a whisper . )

' Is that the way YOU manage ? '

Alice asked .

the Hatter shook his head mournfully .

' Not I ! ' he replied .

" twinkle , twinkle , little bat !

how I wonder what you're at ! "

you know the song , perhaps ? '

' I 've heard something like it , ' said Alice .

' It goes on , you know , ' the Hatter continued , ' in this way :

" up above the world you fly , Like a tea-tray in the sky .

twinkle , twinkle " '

off with his head ! " '

' How dreadfully savage ! ' exclaimed Alice .

' And ever since that , ' the Hatter went on in a mournful tone , ' he won't do a thing I ask !

it 's always six o'clock now . '

a bright idea came into Alice 's head .

' Is that the reason so many tea-things are put out here ? ' she asked .

' Then you keep moving round , I suppose ? ' said Alice .

' Exactly so , ' said the Hatter : ' as the things get used up . '

' But what happens when you come to the beginning again ? '

Alice ventured to ask .

' Suppose we change the subject , ' the March Hare interrupted , yawning .

' I 'm getting tired of this .

I vote the young lady tells us a story . '

' I 'm afraid I don't know one , ' said Alice , rather alarmed at the proposal .

' Then the Dormouse shall ! ' they both cried .

' Wake up , Dormouse ! '

and they pinched it on both sides at once .

the Dormouse slowly opened his eyes .

' I wasn't asleep , ' he said in a hoarse , feeble voice : ' I heard every word you fellows were saying . '

' Tell us a story ! ' said the March Hare .

' Yes , please do ! ' pleaded Alice .

' And be quick about it , ' added the Hatter , ' or you 'll be asleep again before it 's done . '

' What did they live on ? ' said Alice , who always took a great interest in questions of eating and drinking .

' They lived on treacle , ' said the Dormouse , after thinking a minute or two .

' They couldn't have done that , you know , ' Alice gently remarked ; ' they 'd have been ill . '

' So they were , ' said the Dormouse ; ' VERY ill . '

' Take some more tea , ' the March Hare said to Alice , very earnestly .

' I 've had nothing yet , ' Alice replied in an offended tone , ' so I can't take more . '

' You mean you can't take LESS , ' said the Hatter : ' it 's very easy to take MORE than nothing . '

' Nobody asked YOUR opinion , ' said Alice .

' Who 's making personal remarks now ? ' the Hatter asked triumphantly .

' Why did they live at the bottom of a well ? '

the Dormouse again took a minute or two to think about it , and then said , ' It was a treacle-well . '

' There 's no such thing ! '

' No , please go on ! '

Alice said very humbly ; ' I won't interrupt again .

I dare say there may be ONE . '

' One , indeed ! ' said the Dormouse indignantly .

however , he consented to go on .

' And so these three little sisters they were learning to draw , you know '

' What did they draw ? ' said Alice , quite forgetting her promise .

' Treacle , ' said the Dormouse , without considering at all this time .

' I want a clean cup , ' interrupted the Hatter : ' let's all move one place on . '

Alice did not wish to offend the Dormouse again , so she began very cautiously : ' But I don't understand .

where did they draw the treacle from ? '

' But they were IN the well , ' Alice said to the Dormouse , not choosing to notice this last remark .

' Of course they were ' , said the Dormouse ; ' well in . '

this answer so confused poor Alice , that she let the Dormouse go on for some time without interrupting it .

' Why with an M ? ' said Alice .

' Why not ? ' said the March Hare .

Alice was silent .

' Really , now you ask me , ' said Alice , very much confused , ' I don't think '

' Then you shouldn't talk , ' said the Hatter .

' At any rate I 'll never go THERE again ! ' said Alice as she picked her way through the wood .

' It 's the stupidest tea-party I ever was at in all my life ! '

just as she said this , she noticed that one of the trees had a door leading right into it .

' That 's very curious ! ' she thought .

' But everything 's curious today .

I think I may as well go in at once . '

and in she went .

once more she found herself in the long hall , and close to the little glass table .

CHAPTER VIII .

the Queen 's Croquet-Ground

don't go splashing paint over me like that ! '

' I couldn't help it , ' said Five , in a sulky tone ; ' Seven jogged my elbow . '

on which Seven looked up and said , ' That 's right , Five !

always lay the blame on others ! '

' YOU'D better not talk ! ' said Five .

' I heard the Queen say only yesterday you deserved to be beheaded ! '

' What for ? ' said the one who had spoken first .

' That 's none of YOUR business , Two ! ' said Seven .

' Would you tell me , ' said Alice , a little timidly , ' why you are painting those roses ? '

five and Seven said nothing , but looked at Two .

the Queen ! ' and the three gardeners instantly threw themselves flat upon their faces .

there was a sound of many footsteps , and Alice looked round , eager to see the Queen .

so she stood still where she was , and waited .

she said it to the Knave of Hearts , who only bowed and smiled in reply .

I needn't be afraid of them ! '

' How should I know ? ' said Alice , surprised at her own courage .

' It 's no business of MINE . '

off '

' Nonsense ! ' said Alice , very loudly and decidedly , and the Queen was silent .

the King laid his hand upon her arm , and timidly said ' Consider , my dear : she is only a child ! '

the Queen turned angrily away from him , and said to the Knave ' Turn them over ! '

the Knave did so , very carefully , with one foot .

' Leave off that ! ' screamed the Queen .

' You make me giddy . '

and then , turning to the rose-tree , she went on , ' What HAVE you been doing here ? '

' I see ! ' said the Queen , who had meanwhile been examining the roses .

' You shan't be beheaded ! ' said Alice , and she put them into a large flower-pot that stood near .

the three soldiers wandered about for a minute or two , looking for them , and then quietly marched off after the others .

' Are their heads off ? ' shouted the Queen .

' Their heads are gone , if it please your Majesty ! ' the soldiers shouted in reply .

' That 's right ! ' shouted the Queen .

' Can you play croquet ? '

the soldiers were silent , and looked at Alice , as the question was evidently meant for her .

' Yes ! ' shouted Alice .

' Come on , then ! ' roared the Queen , and Alice joined the procession , wondering very much what would happen next .

' It 's it 's a very fine day ! ' said a timid voice at her side .

she was walking by the White Rabbit , who was peeping anxiously into her face .

' Very , ' said Alice : ' where 's the Duchess ? '

' Hush !

hush ! ' said the Rabbit in a low , hurried tone .

' What for ? ' said Alice .

' Did you say " what a pity ! " ? ' the Rabbit asked .

' No , I didn't , ' said Alice : ' I don't think it 's at all a pity .

I said " what for ? " '

' She boxed the Queen 's ears ' the Rabbit began .

Alice gave a little scream of laughter .

' Oh , hush ! ' the Rabbit whispered in a frightened tone .

' The Queen will hear you !

you see , she came rather late , and the Queen said '

they 're dreadfully fond of beheading people here ; the great wonder is , that there 's any one left alive ! '

' How are you getting on ? ' said the Cat , as soon as there was mouth enough for it to speak with .

Alice waited till the eyes appeared , and then nodded .

the Cat seemed to think that there was enough of it now in sight , and no more of it appeared .

' How do you like the Queen ? ' said the Cat in a low voice .

the Queen smiled and passed on .

' It 's a friend of mine a Cheshire Cat , ' said Alice : ' allow me to introduce it . '

' I'd rather not , ' the Cat remarked .

' Don't be impertinent , ' said the King , ' and don't look at me like that ! '

he got behind Alice as he spoke .

' A cat may look at a king , ' said Alice .

' I 've read that in some book , but I don't remember where . '

I wish you would have this cat removed ! '

the Queen had only one way of settling all difficulties , great or small .

' Off with his head ! ' she said , without even looking round .

' I 'll fetch the executioner myself , ' said the King eagerly , and he hurried off .

so she went in search of her hedgehog .

the King 's argument was , that anything that had a head could be beheaded , and that you weren't to talk nonsense .

the Queen 's argument was , that if something wasn't done about it in less than no time she 'd have everybody executed , all round .

( it was this last remark that had made the whole party look so grave and anxious . )

Alice could think of nothing else to say but ' It belongs to the Duchess : you 'd better ask HER about it . '

' She 's in prison , ' the Queen said to the executioner : ' fetch her here . '

and the executioner went off like an arrow .

CHAPTER IX .

the Mock Turtle 's Story

I only wish people knew that : then they wouldn't be so stingy about it , you know '

she had quite forgotten the Duchess by this time , and was a little startled when she heard her voice close to her ear .

' You 're thinking about something , my dear , and that makes you forget to talk .

I can't tell you just now what the moral of that is , but I shall remember it in a bit . '

' Perhaps it hasn't one , ' Alice ventured to remark .

' Tut , tut , child ! ' said the Duchess .

' Everything 's got a moral , if only you can find it . '

and she squeezed herself up closer to Alice 's side as she spoke .

however , she did not like to be rude , so she bore it as well as she could .

' The game 's going on rather better now , ' she said , by way of keeping up the conversation a little .

' Somebody said , ' Alice whispered , ' that it 's done by everybody minding their own business ! '

' Ah , well !

' How fond she is of finding morals in things ! '

Alice thought to herself .

shall I try the experiment ? '

' HE might bite , ' Alice cautiously replied , not feeling at all anxious to have the experiment tried .

' Very true , ' said the Duchess : ' flamingoes and mustard both bite .

and the moral of that is " birds of a feather flock together . " '

' Only mustard isn't a bird , ' Alice remarked .

' Right , as usual , ' said the Duchess : ' what a clear way you have of putting things ! '

' It 's a mineral , I THINK , ' said Alice .

and the moral of that is " the more there is of mine , the less there is of yours . " '

' Oh , I know ! ' exclaimed Alice , who had not attended to this last remark , ' it 's a vegetable .

it doesn't look like one , but it is . '

' That 's nothing to what I could say if I chose , ' the Duchess replied , in a pleased tone .

' Pray don't trouble yourself to say it any longer than that , ' said Alice .

' Oh , don't talk about trouble ! ' said the Duchess .

' I make you a present of everything I 've said as yet . '

' A cheap sort of present ! ' thought Alice .

' I 'm glad they don't give birthday presents like that ! '

but she did not venture to say it out loud .

' Thinking again ? ' the Duchess asked , with another dig of her sharp little chin .

' I 've a right to think , ' said Alice sharply , for she was beginning to feel a little worried .

' Just about as much right , ' said the Duchess , ' as pigs have to fly ; and the m '

Alice looked up , and there stood the Queen in front of them , with her arms folded , frowning like a thunderstorm .

' A fine day , your Majesty ! ' the Duchess began in a low , weak voice .

take your choice ! '

the Duchess took her choice , and was gone in a moment .

' No , ' said Alice .

' I don't even know what a Mock Turtle is . '

' It 's the thing Mock Turtle Soup is made from , ' said the Queen .

' I never saw one , or heard of one , ' said Alice .

' Come on , then , ' said the Queen , ' and he shall tell you his history , '

they very soon came upon a Gryphon , lying fast asleep in the sun .

( IF you don't know what a Gryphon is , look at the picture . )

I must go back and see after some executions I have ordered ' ; and she walked off , leaving Alice alone with the Gryphon .

the Gryphon sat up and rubbed its eyes : then it watched the Queen till she was out of sight : then it chuckled .

' What fun ! ' said the Gryphon , half to itself , half to Alice .

' What IS the fun ? ' said Alice .

' Why , SHE , ' said the Gryphon .

' It 's all her fancy , that : they never executes nobody , you know .

come on ! '

she pitied him deeply .

come on ! '

so they went up to the Mock Turtle , who looked at them with large eyes full of tears , but said nothing .

' This here young lady , ' said the Gryphon , ' she wants for to know your history , she do . '

so they sat down , and nobody spoke for some minutes .

Alice thought to herself , ' I don't see how he can EVEN finish , if he doesn't begin . '

but she waited patiently .

' Once , ' said the Mock Turtle at last , with a deep sigh , ' I was a real Turtle . '

the master was an old Turtle we used to call him Tortoise '

' Why did you call him Tortoise , if he wasn't one ? '

Alice asked .

' We called him Tortoise because he taught us , ' said the Mock Turtle angrily : ' really you are very dull ! '

at last the Gryphon said to the Mock Turtle , ' Drive on , old fellow !

don't be all day about it ! ' and he went on in these words :

' Yes , we went to school in the sea , though you mayn't believe it '

' I never said I didn't ! ' interrupted Alice .

' You did , ' said the Mock Turtle .

' Hold your tongue ! ' added the Gryphon , before Alice could speak again .

the Mock Turtle went on .

' We had the best of educations in fact , we went to school every day '

' I'VE been to a day-school , too , ' said Alice ; ' you needn't be so proud as all that . '

' With extras ? ' asked the Mock Turtle a little anxiously .

' Yes , ' said Alice , ' we learned French and music . '

' And washing ? ' said the Mock Turtle .

' Certainly not ! ' said Alice indignantly .

' Ah ! then yours wasn't a really good school , ' said the Mock Turtle in a tone of great relief .

' Now at OURS they had at the end of the bill , " French , music , AND WASHING extra . " '

' You couldn't have wanted it much , ' said Alice ; ' living at the bottom of the sea . '

' I couldn't afford to learn it . ' said the Mock Turtle with a sigh .

' I only took the regular course . '

' What was that ? ' inquired Alice .

' I never heard of " Uglification , " ' Alice ventured to say .

' What is it ? '

the Gryphon lifted up both its paws in surprise .

' What !

never heard of uglifying ! ' it exclaimed .

' You know what to beautify is , I suppose ? '

' Yes , ' said Alice doubtfully : ' it means to make anything prettier . '

' What was THAT like ? ' said Alice .

' Well , I can't show it you myself , ' the Mock Turtle said : ' I 'm too stiff .

and the Gryphon never learnt it . '

' Hadn't time , ' said the Gryphon : ' I went to the Classics master , though .

he was an old crab , HE was . '

' And how many hours a day did you do lessons ? ' said Alice , in a hurry to change the subject .

' Ten hours the first day , ' said the Mock Turtle : ' nine the next , and so on . '

' What a curious plan ! ' exclaimed Alice .

' That 's the reason they 're called lessons , ' the Gryphon remarked : ' because they lessen from day to day . '

this was quite a new idea to Alice , and she thought it over a little before she made her next remark .

' Then the eleventh day must have been a holiday ? '

' Of course it was , ' said the Mock Turtle .

' And how did you manage on the twelfth ? '

Alice went on eagerly .

' That 's enough about lessons , ' the Gryphon interrupted in a very decided tone : ' tell her something about the games now . '

CHAPTER X . the Lobster Quadrille

the Mock Turtle sighed deeply , and drew the back of one flapper across his eyes .

he looked at Alice , and tried to speak , but for a minute or two sobs choked his voice .

at last the Mock Turtle recovered his voice , and , with tears running down his cheeks , he went on again :

' No , indeed , ' said Alice .

' What sort of a dance is it ? '

' Why , ' said the Gryphon , ' you first form into a line along the sea-shore '

' Two lines ! ' cried the Mock Turtle .

' Seals , turtles , salmon , and so on ; then , when you 've cleared all the jelly-fish out of the way '

' THAT generally takes some time , ' interrupted the Gryphon .

' you advance twice '

' Each with a lobster as a partner ! ' cried the Gryphon .

' Of course , ' the Mock Turtle said : ' advance twice , set to partners '

' change lobsters , and retire in same order , ' continued the Gryphon .

' Then , you know , ' the Mock Turtle went on , ' you throw the '

' The lobsters ! ' shouted the Gryphon , with a bound into the air .

' as far out to sea as you can '

' Swim after them ! ' screamed the Gryphon .

' Turn a somersault in the sea ! ' cried the Mock Turtle , capering wildly about .

' Change lobsters again ! ' yelled the Gryphon at the top of its voice .

' It must be a very pretty dance , ' said Alice timidly .

' Would you like to see a little of it ? ' said the Mock Turtle .

' Very much indeed , ' said Alice .

' Come , let's try the first figure ! ' said the Mock Turtle to the Gryphon .

' We can do without lobsters , you know .

which shall sing ? '

' Oh , YOU sing , ' said the Gryphon .

' I 've forgotten the words . '

' " will you walk a little faster ? " said a whiting to a snail .

" there 's a porpoise close behind us , and he 's treading on my tail .

see how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance !

they are waiting on the shingle will you come and join the dance ?

Will you , won't you , will you , won't you , will you join the dance ?

Will you , won't you , will you , won't you , won't you join the dance ?

would not , could not , would not , could not , would not join the dance .

would not , could not , would not , could not , could not join the dance .

' " what matters it how far we go ? " his scaly friend replied .

" there is another shore , you know , upon the other side .

the further off from England the nearer is to France Then turn not pale , beloved snail , but come and join the dance .

Will you , won't you , will you , won't you , will you join the dance ?

Will you , won't you , will you , won't you , won't you join the dance ? " '

' Oh , as to the whiting , ' said the Mock Turtle , ' they you 've seen them , of course ? '

' Yes , ' said Alice , ' I 've often seen them at dinn ' she checked herself hastily .

' I believe so , ' Alice replied thoughtfully .

' They have their tails in their mouths and they 're all over crumbs . '

' You 're wrong about the crumbs , ' said the Mock Turtle : ' crumbs would all wash off in the sea .

but they HAVE their tails in their mouths ; and the reason is ' here the Mock Turtle yawned and shut his eyes .

' Tell her about the reason and all that , ' he said to the Gryphon .

' The reason is , ' said the Gryphon , ' that they WOULD go with the lobsters to the dance .

so they got thrown out to sea .

so they had to fall a long way .

so they got their tails fast in their mouths .

so they couldn't get them out again .

that 's all . '

' Thank you , ' said Alice , ' it 's very interesting .

I never knew so much about a whiting before . '

' I can tell you more than that , if you like , ' said the Gryphon .

' Do you know why it 's called a whiting ? '

' I never thought about it , ' said Alice .

' Why ? '

' IT DOES THE BOOTS AND SHOES . ' the Gryphon replied very solemnly .

Alice was thoroughly puzzled .

' Does the boots and shoes ! ' she repeated in a wondering tone .

' Why , what are YOUR shoes done with ? ' said the Gryphon .

' I mean , what makes them so shiny ? '

Alice looked down at them , and considered a little before she gave her answer .

' They 're done with blacking , I believe . '

' Boots and shoes under the sea , ' the Gryphon went on in a deep voice , ' are done with a whiting .

now you know . '

' And what are they made of ? '

Alice asked in a tone of great curiosity .

' Soles and eels , of course , ' the Gryphon replied rather impatiently : ' any shrimp could have told you that . '

' Wouldn't it really ? ' said Alice in a tone of great surprise .

' Don't you mean " purpose " ? ' said Alice .

' I mean what I say , ' the Mock Turtle replied in an offended tone .

and the Gryphon added ' Come , let's hear some of YOUR adventures . '

' Explain all that , ' said the Mock Turtle .

' No , no !

the adventures first , ' said the Gryphon in an impatient tone : ' explanations take such a dreadful time . '

so Alice began telling them her adventures from the time when she first saw the White Rabbit .

' It 's all about as curious as it can be , ' said the Gryphon .

' It all came different ! ' the Mock Turtle repeated thoughtfully .

' I should like to hear her try and repeat something now .

tell her to begin . '

he looked at the Gryphon as if he thought it had some kind of authority over Alice .

' Stand up and repeat " ' TIS THE VOICE OF THE SLUGGARD , " ' said the Gryphon .

as a duck with its eyelids , so he with his nose Trims his belt and his buttons , and turns out his toes . '

' That 's different from what I used to say when I was a child , ' said the Gryphon .

' Well , I never heard it before , ' said the Mock Turtle ; ' but it sounds uncommon nonsense . '

' I should like to have it explained , ' said the Mock Turtle .

' She can't explain it , ' said the Gryphon hastily .

' Go on with the next verse . '

' But about his toes ? ' the Mock Turtle persisted .

' How COULD he turn them out with his nose , you know ? '

' It 's the first position in dancing . '

Alice said ; but was dreadfully puzzled by the whole thing , and longed to change the subject .

' Go on with the next verse , ' the Gryphon repeated impatiently : ' it begins " I passed by his garden . " '

' I passed by his garden , and marked , with one eye , How the Owl and the Panther were sharing a pie '

it 's by far the most confusing thing I ever heard ! '

' Yes , I think you 'd better leave off , ' said the Gryphon : and Alice was only too glad to do so .

' Shall we try another figure of the Lobster Quadrille ? ' the Gryphon went on .

' Or would you like the Mock Turtle to sing you a song ? '

no accounting for tastes !

sing her " turtle Soup , " will you , old fellow ? '

the Mock Turtle sighed deeply , and began , in a voice sometimes choked with sobs , to sing this :

' Beautiful Soup , so rich and green , Waiting in a hot tureen !

who for such dainties would not stoop ?

soup of the evening , beautiful Soup !

soup of the evening , beautiful Soup !

Beau ootiful Soo oop !

Beau ootiful Soo oop !

Soo oop of the e e evening , Beautiful , beautiful Soup !

' Beautiful Soup !

who cares for fish , Game , or any other dish ?

who would not give all else for two Pennyworth only of beautiful Soup ?

Pennyworth only of beautiful Soup ?

Beau ootiful Soo oop !

Beau ootiful Soo oop !

Soo oop of the e e evening , Beautiful , beauti FUL SOUP ! '

' What trial is it ? '

' Soo oop of the e e evening , Beautiful , beautiful Soup ! '

CHAPTER XI .

who Stole the Tarts ?

but there seemed to be no chance of this , so she began looking at everything about her , to pass away the time .

' That 's the judge , ' she said to herself , ' because of his great wig . '

however , ' jury-men ' would have done just as well .

the twelve jurors were all writing very busily on slates .

' What are they doing ? '

Alice whispered to the Gryphon .

' They can't have anything to put down yet , before the trial 's begun . '

' Stupid things ! '

' A nice muddle their slates 'll be in before the trial 's over ! ' thought Alice .

one of the jurors had a pencil that squeaked .

' Herald , read the accusation ! ' said the King .

on this the White Rabbit blew three blasts on the trumpet , and then unrolled the parchment scroll , and read as follows :

' Consider your verdict , ' the King said to the jury .

' Not yet , not yet ! ' the Rabbit hastily interrupted .

' There 's a great deal to come before that ! '

the first witness was the Hatter .

he came in with a teacup in one hand and a piece of bread-and-butter in the other .

' You ought to have finished , ' said the King .

' When did you begin ? '

the Hatter looked at the March Hare , who had followed him into the court , arm-in-arm with the Dormouse .

' Fourteenth of March , I think it was , ' he said .

' Fifteenth , ' said the March Hare .

' Sixteenth , ' added the Dormouse .

' Take off your hat , ' the King said to the Hatter .

' It isn't mine , ' said the Hatter .

' Stolen ! ' the King exclaimed , turning to the jury , who instantly made a memorandum of the fact .

' I keep them to sell , ' the Hatter added as an explanation ; ' I 've none of my own .

I 'm a hatter . '

here the Queen put on her spectacles , and began staring at the Hatter , who turned pale and fidgeted .

' Give your evidence , ' said the King ; ' and don't be nervous , or I 'll have you executed on the spot . '

' I wish you wouldn't squeeze so . ' said the Dormouse , who was sitting next to her .

' I can hardly breathe . '

' I can't help it , ' said Alice very meekly : ' I 'm growing . '

' You 've no right to grow here , ' said the Dormouse .

' Don't talk nonsense , ' said Alice more boldly : ' you know you 're growing too . '

' Yes , but I grow at a reasonable pace , ' said the Dormouse : ' not in that ridiculous fashion . '

and he got up very sulkily and crossed over to the other side of the court .

' Give your evidence , ' the King repeated angrily , ' or I 'll have you executed , whether you 're nervous or not . '

' The twinkling of the what ? ' said the King .

' It began with the tea , ' the Hatter replied .

' Of course twinkling begins with a T ! ' said the King sharply .

' Do you take me for a dunce ?

go on ! '

' I 'm a poor man , ' the Hatter went on , ' and most things twinkled after that only the March Hare said '

' I didn't ! ' the March Hare interrupted in a great hurry .

' You did ! ' said the Hatter .

' I deny it ! ' said the March Hare .

' He denies it , ' said the King : ' leave out that part . '

' After that , ' continued the Hatter , ' I cut some more bread-and-butter '

' But what did the Dormouse say ? ' one of the jury asked .

' That I can't remember , ' said the Hatter .

' You MUST remember , ' remarked the King , ' or I 'll have you executed . '

the miserable Hatter dropped his teacup and bread-and-butter , and went down on one knee .

' I 'm a poor man , your Majesty , ' he began .

' You're a very poor speaker , ' said the King .

here one of the guinea-pigs cheered , and was immediately suppressed by the officers of the court .

( as that is rather a hard word , I will just explain to you how it was done .

' I 'm glad I 've seen that done , ' thought Alice .

' If that 's all you know about it , you may stand down , ' continued the King .

' I can't go no lower , ' said the Hatter : ' I 'm on the floor , as it is . '

' Then you may SIT down , ' the King replied .

here the other guinea-pig cheered , and was suppressed .

' Come , that finished the guinea-pigs ! ' thought Alice .

' Now we shall get on better . '

' Call the next witness ! ' said the King .

the next witness was the Duchess 's cook .

' Give your evidence , ' said the King .

' Shan't , ' said the cook .

the King looked anxiously at the White Rabbit , who said in a low voice , ' Your Majesty must cross-examine THIS witness . '

' Pepper , mostly , ' said the cook .

' Treacle , ' said a sleepy voice behind her .

' Collar that Dormouse , ' the Queen shrieked out .

' Behead that Dormouse !

turn that Dormouse out of court !

suppress him !

pinch him !

off with his whiskers ! '

' Never mind ! ' said the King , with an air of great relief .

' Call the next witness . '

and he added in an undertone to the Queen , ' Really , my dear , YOU must cross-examine the next witness .

it quite makes my forehead ache ! '

CHAPTER XII .

Alice 's Evidence

' What do you know about this business ? ' the King said to Alice .

' Nothing , ' said Alice .

' Nothing WHATEVER ? ' persisted the King .

' Nothing whatever , ' said Alice .

' That 's very important , ' the King said , turning to the jury .

' UNimportant , of course , I meant , ' the King hastily said , and went on to himself in an undertone ,

' important unimportant unimportant important ' as if he were trying which word sounded best .

some of the jury wrote it down ' important , ' and some ' unimportant . '

ALL PERSONS MORE THAN A MILE HIGH TO LEAVE THE COURT . '

everybody looked at Alice .

' I'M not a mile high , ' said Alice .

' You are , ' said the King .

' Nearly two miles high , ' added the Queen .

' It 's the oldest rule in the book , ' said the King .

' Then it ought to be Number One , ' said Alice .

the King turned pale , and shut his note-book hastily .

' Consider your verdict , ' he said to the jury , in a low , trembling voice .

' What 's in it ? ' said the Queen .

' Who is it directed to ? ' said one of the jurymen .

' It isn't directed at all , ' said the White Rabbit ; ' in fact , there 's nothing written on the OUTSIDE . '

he unfolded the paper as he spoke , and added ' It isn't a letter , after all : it 's a set of verses . '

' Are they in the prisoner 's handwriting ? ' asked another of the jurymen .

' No , they 're not , ' said the White Rabbit , ' and that 's the queerest thing about it . '

( the jury all looked puzzled . )

' He must have imitated somebody else 's hand , ' said the King .

( the jury all brightened up again . )

' If you didn't sign it , ' said the King , ' that only makes the matter worse .

you MUST have meant some mischief , or else you 'd have signed your name like an honest man . '

there was a general clapping of hands at this : it was the first really clever thing the King had said that day .

' That PROVES his guilt , ' said the Queen .

' It proves nothing of the sort ! ' said Alice .

' Why , you don't even know what they 're about ! '

' Read them , ' said the King .

the White Rabbit put on his spectacles .

' Where shall I begin , please your Majesty ? ' he asked .

these were the verses the White Rabbit read :

I don't believe there 's an atom of meaning in it . '

the Knave shook his head sadly .

' Do I look like it ? ' he said .

( which he certainly did NOT , being made entirely of cardboard . )

' But , it goes on " THEY ALL RETURNED FROM HIM TO YOU , " ' said Alice .

' Why , there they are ! ' said the King triumphantly , pointing to the tarts on the table .

' Nothing can be clearer than THAT .

' Never ! ' said the Queen furiously , throwing an inkstand at the Lizard as she spoke .

' Then the words don't FIT you , ' said the King , looking round the court with a smile .

there was a dead silence .

' No , no ! ' said the Queen .

' Sentence first verdict afterwards . '

' Stuff and nonsense ! ' said Alice loudly .

' The idea of having the sentence first ! '

' Hold your tongue ! ' said the Queen , turning purple .

' I won't ! ' said Alice .

' Off with her head ! ' the Queen shouted at the top of her voice .

nobody moved .

' Who cares for you ? ' said Alice , ( she had grown to her full size by this time . )

' You 're nothing but a pack of cards ! '

' Wake up , Alice dear ! ' said her sister ; ' Why , what a long sleep you 've had ! '

so Alice got up and ran off , thinking while she ran , as well she might , what a wonderful dream it had been .

THE END

End of Project Gutenberg 's Alice 's Adventures in Wonderland , by Lewis Carroll

THROUGH THE LOOKING-GLASS

by Lewis Carroll

the Millennium Fulcrum Edition @number@

CHAPTER I Looking-Glass house

one thing was certain , that the WHITE kitten had had nothing to do with it : it was the black kitten 's fault entirely .

' Really , Dinah ought to have taught you better manners !

but she didn't get on very fast , as she was talking all the time , sometimes to the kitten , and sometimes to herself .

' Do you know what to-morrow is , Kitty ? '

Alice began .

' You 'd have guessed if you 'd been up in the window with me only Dinah was making you tidy , so you couldn't .

I was watching the boys getting in sticks for the bonfire and it wants plenty of sticks , Kitty !

only it got so cold , and it snowed so , they had to leave off .

never mind , Kitty , we 'll go and see the bonfire to-morrow . '

and you 'd have deserved it , you little mischievous darling !

what have you got to say for yourself ?

now don't interrupt me ! ' she went on , holding up one finger .

' I 'm going to tell you all your faults .

number one : you squeaked twice while Dinah was washing your face this morning .

now you can't deny it , Kitty : I heard you !

what 's that you say ? ' ( pretending that the kitten was speaking . )

' Her paw went into your eye ?

well , that 's YOUR fault , for keeping your eyes open if you 'd shut them tight up , it wouldn't have happened .

now don't make any more excuses , but listen !

number two : you pulled Snowdrop away by the tail just as I had put down the saucer of milk before her !

what , you were thirsty , were you ?

how do you know she wasn't thirsty too ?

now for number three : you unwound every bit of the worsted while I wasn't looking !

' That 's three faults , Kitty , and you 've not been punished for any of them yet .

' What WOULD they do at the end of a year ?

I should be sent to prison , I suppose , when the day came .

well , I shouldn't mind THAT much !

I 'd far rather go without them than eat them !

' Do you hear the snow against the window-panes , Kitty ?

how nice and soft it sounds !

Just as if some one was kissing the window all over outside .

I wonder if the snow LOVES the trees and fields , that it kisses them so gently ?

' And I do so WISH it was true !

I 'm sure the woods look sleepy in the autumn , when the leaves are getting brown .

' Kitty , can you play chess ?

now , don't smile , my dear , I 'm asking it seriously .

and once she had really frightened her old nurse by shouting suddenly in her ear , ' Nurse !

do let's pretend that I 'm a hungry hyaena , and you 're a bone . '

but this is taking us away from Alice 's speech to the kitten .

' Let 's pretend that you 're the Red Queen , Kitty !

do you know , I think if you sat up and folded your arms , you 'd look exactly like her .

now do try , there 's a dear ! '

how would you like THAT ? '

' Now , if you 'll only attend , Kitty , and not talk so much , I 'll tell you all my ideas about Looking-glass House .

I can see all of it when I get upon a chair all but the bit behind the fireplace .

oh !

I do so wish I could see THAT bit !

' How would you like to live in Looking-glass House , Kitty ?

I wonder if they 'd give you milk in there ?

perhaps Looking-glass milk isn't good to drink But oh , Kitty ! now we come to the passage .

oh , Kitty ! how nice it would be if we could only get through into Looking-glass House !

I 'm sure it 's got , oh ! such beautiful things in it !

let's pretend there 's a way of getting through into it , somehow , Kitty .

let's pretend the glass has got all soft like gauze , so that we can get through .

why , it 's turning into a sort of mist now , I declare !

and certainly the glass WAS beginning to melt away , just like a bright silvery mist .

in another moment Alice was through the glass , and had jumped lightly down into the Looking-glass room .

oh , what fun it 'll be , when they see me through the glass in here , and can't get at me ! '

the chessmen were walking about , two and two !

I feel somehow as if I were invisible '

' My precious Lily !

my imperial kitten ! ' and she began scrambling wildly up the side of the fender .

' Imperial fiddlestick ! ' said the King , rubbing his nose , which had been hurt by the fall .

he had a right to be a LITTLE annoyed with the Queen , for he was covered with ashes from head to foot .

' Blew me up , ' panted the Queen , who was still a little out of breath .

' Mind you come up the regular way don't get blown up ! '

I 'd far better help you , hadn't I ? '

but the King took no notice of the question : it was quite clear that he could neither hear her nor see her .

' Oh !

PLEASE don't make such faces , my dear ! ' she cried out , quite forgetting that the King couldn't hear her .

' You make me laugh so that I can hardly hold you !

and don't keep your mouth so wide open !

the King was saying , ' I assure , you my dear , I turned cold to the very ends of my whiskers ! '

to which the Queen replied , ' You haven't got any whiskers . '

' The horror of that moment , ' the King went on , ' I shall never , NEVER forget ! '

' You will , though , ' the Queen said , ' if you don't make a memorandum of it . '

Alice looked on with great interest as the King took an enormous memorandum-book out of his pocket , and began writing .

I really MUST get a thinner pencil .

I can't manage this one a bit ; it writes all manner of things that I don't intend '

HE BALANCES VERY BADLY ' ) ' That 's not a memorandum of YOUR feelings ! '

it was like this .

YKCOWREBBAJ

she puzzled over this for some time , but at last a bright thought struck her .

' Why , it 's a Looking-glass book , of course !

and if I hold it up to a glass , the words will all go the right way again . '

this was the poem that Alice read .

JABBERWOCKY

' Beware the Jabberwock , my son !

the jaws that bite , the claws that catch !

beware the Jubjub bird , and shun The frumious Bandersnatch ! '

one , two !

one , two !

and through and through The vorpal blade went snicker-snack !

he left it dead , and with its head He went galumphing back .

' And hast thou slain the Jabberwock ?

come to my arms , my beamish boy !

O frabjous day !

Callooh !

Callay ! '

he chortled in his joy .

' It seems very pretty , ' she said when she had finished it , ' but it 's RATHER hard to understand ! '

( you see she didn't like to confess , even to herself , that she couldn't make it out at all . )

' Somehow it seems to fill my head with ideas only I don't exactly know what they are !

however , SOMEBODY killed SOMETHING : that 's clear , at any rate '

let's have a look at the garden first ! '

CHAPTER II .

the Garden of Live Flowers

but how curiously it twists !

it 's more like a corkscrew than a path !

Well , THIS turn goes to the hill , I suppose no , it doesn't !

this goes straight back to the house !

well then , I 'll try it the other way . '

indeed , once , when she turned a corner rather more quickly than usual , she ran against it before she could stop herself .

' It 's no use talking about it , ' Alice said , looking up at the house and pretending it was arguing with her .

' I 'm NOT going in again yet .

' Oh , it 's too bad ! ' she cried .

' I never saw such a house for getting in the way !

never ! '

however , there was the hill full in sight , so there was nothing to be done but start again .

this time she came upon a large flower-bed , with a border of daisies , and a willow-tree growing in the middle .

' We CAN talk , ' said the Tiger-lily : ' when there 's anybody worth talking to . '

Alice was so astonished that she could not speak for a minute : it quite seemed to take her breath away .

at length , as the Tiger-lily only went on waving about , she spoke again , in a timid voice almost in a whisper .

' And can ALL the flowers talk ? '

' As well as YOU can , ' said the Tiger-lily .

' And a great deal louder . '

said I to myself , " her face has got SOME sense in it , though it 's not a clever one ! "

still , you 're the right colour , and that goes a long way . '

' I don't care about the colour , ' the Tiger-lily remarked .

' If only her petals curled up a little more , she 'd be all right . '

Alice didn't like being criticised , so she began asking questions .

' Aren't you sometimes frightened at being planted out here , with nobody to take care of you ? '

' There 's the tree in the middle , ' said the Rose : ' what else is it good for ? '

' But what could it do , if any danger came ? '

Alice asked .

' It says " Bough-wough ! " ' cried a Daisy : ' that 's why its branches are called boughs ! '

' Silence , every one of you ! ' cried the Tiger-lily , waving itself passionately from side to side , and trembling with excitement .

' Never mind ! '

there was silence in a moment , and several of the pink daisies turned white .

' That 's right ! ' said the Tiger-lily .

' The daisies are worst of all .

when one speaks , they all begin together , and it 's enough to make one wither to hear the way they go on ! '

' How is it you can all talk so nicely ? '

Alice said , hoping to get it into a better temper by a compliment .

' I 've been in many gardens before , but none of the flowers could talk . '

' Put your hand down , and feel the ground , ' said the Tiger-lily .

' Then you 'll know why . '

Alice did so .

' It 's very hard , ' she said , ' but I don't see what that has to do with it . '

' In most gardens , ' the Tiger-lily said , ' they make the beds too soft so that the flowers are always asleep . '

this sounded a very good reason , and Alice was quite pleased to know it .

' I never thought of that before ! ' she said .

' It 's MY opinion that you never think AT ALL , ' the Rose said in a rather severe tone .

' Hold YOUR tongue ! ' cried the Tiger-lily .

' As if YOU ever saw anybody !

' Are there any more people in the garden besides me ? '

Alice said , not choosing to notice the Rose 's last remark .

' There 's one other flower in the garden that can move about like you , ' said the Rose .

' Is she like me ? '

Alice asked eagerly , for the thought crossed her mind , ' There 's another little girl in the garden , somewhere ! '

' I daresay you 'll see her soon , ' said the Rose .

' She 's one of the thorny kind . '

' Where does she wear the thorns ? '

Alice asked with some curiosity .

' Why all round her head , of course , ' the Rose replied .

' I was wondering YOU hadn't got some too .

I thought it was the regular rule . '

' She 's coming ! ' cried the Larkspur .

' I hear her footstep , thump , thump , thump , along the gravel-walk ! '

Alice looked round eagerly , and found that it was the Red Queen .

' She 's grown a good deal ! ' was her first remark .

' It 's the fresh air that does it , ' said the Rose : ' wonderfully fine air it is , out here . '

' You can't possibly do that , ' said the Rose : ' I should advise you to walk the other way . '

this sounded nonsense to Alice , so she said nothing , but set off at once towards the Red Queen .

to her surprise , she lost sight of her in a moment , and found herself walking in at the front-door again .

it succeeded beautifully .

' Where do you come from ? ' said the Red Queen .

' And where are you going ?

look up , speak nicely , and don't twiddle your fingers all the time . '

Alice attended to all these directions , and explained , as well as she could , that she had lost her way .

' Curtsey while you 're thinking what to say , it saves time . '

Alice wondered a little at this , but she was too much in awe of the Queen to disbelieve it .

' I only wanted to see what the garden was like , your Majesty '

that would be nonsense '

for some minutes Alice stood without speaking , looking out in all directions over the country and a most curious country it was .

' I declare it 's marked out just like a large chessboard ! '

Alice said at last .

' There ought to be some men moving about somewhere and so there are ! '

she added in a tone of delight , and her heart began to beat quick with excitement as she went on .

' It 's a great huge game of chess that 's being played all over the world if this IS the world at all , you know .

oh , what fun it is !

how I WISH I was one of them !

I wouldn't mind being a Pawn , if only I might join though of course I should LIKE to be a Queen , best . '

faster ! ' but Alice felt she COULD NOT go faster , though she had not breath left to say so .

' I wonder if all the things move along with us ? ' thought poor puzzled Alice .

and the Queen seemed to guess her thoughts , for she cried , ' Faster !

don't try to talk ! '

not that Alice had any idea of doing THAT .

faster ! ' and dragged her along .

' Are we nearly there ? '

Alice managed to pant out at last .

' Nearly there ! ' the Queen repeated .

' Why , we passed it ten minutes ago !

faster ! '

' Now !

now ! ' cried the Queen .

' Faster !

faster ! '

the Queen propped her up against a tree , and said kindly , ' You may rest a little now . '

Alice looked round her in great surprise .

' Why , I do believe we 've been under this tree the whole time !

everything 's just as it was ! '

' Of course it is , ' said the Queen , ' what would you have it ? '

' A slow sort of country ! ' said the Queen .

' Now , HERE , you see , it takes all the running YOU can do , to keep in the same place .

if you want to get somewhere else , you must run at least twice as fast as that ! '

' I 'd rather not try , please ! ' said Alice .

' I 'm quite content to stay here only I AM so hot and thirsty ! '

' I know what YOU'D like ! ' the Queen said good-naturedly , taking a little box out of her pocket .

' Have a biscuit ? '

Alice thought it would not be civil to say ' No , ' though it wasn't at all what she wanted .

' While you 're refreshing yourself , ' said the Queen , ' I 'll just take the measurements . '

' No , thank you , ' said Alice : ' one's QUITE enough ! '

' Thirst quenched , I hope ? ' said the Queen .

Alice did not know what to say to this , but luckily the Queen did not wait for an answer , but went on .

' At the end of THREE yards I shall repeat them for fear of your forgetting them .

at the end of FOUR , I shall say good-bye .

and at the end of FIVE , I shall go ! '

at the two-yard peg she faced round , and said , ' A pawn goes two squares in its first move , you know .

' I I didn't know I had to make one just then , ' Alice faltered out .

Alice got up and curtseyed , and sat down again .

how it happened , Alice never knew , but exactly as she came to the last peg , she was gone .

CHAPTER III .

Looking-Glass Insects

of course the first thing to do was to make a grand survey of the country she was going to travel through .

' Principal rivers there ARE none .

Principal mountains I 'm on the only one , but I don't think it 's got any name .

principal towns why , what ARE those creatures , making honey down there ?

' And what enormous flowers they must be ! ' was her next idea .

' Something like cottages with the roofs taken off , and stalks put to them and what quantities of honey they must make !

besides , I do so want to get into the Third Square ! '

so with this excuse she ran down the hill and jumped over the first of the six little brooks .

' Tickets , please ! ' said the Guard , putting his head in at the window .

' Now then !

show your ticket , child ! ' the Guard went on , looking angrily at Alice .

why , his time is worth a thousand pounds a minute ! '

and again the chorus of voices went on .

' There wasn't room for one where she came from .

the land there is worth a thousand pounds an inch ! '

' Don't make excuses , ' said the Guard : ' you should have bought one from the engine-driver . '

and once more the chorus of voices went on with ' The man that drives the engine .

why , the smoke alone is worth a thousand pounds a puff ! '

Alice thought to herself , ' Then there 's no use in speaking . '

language is worth a thousand pounds a word ! '

' I shall dream about a thousand pounds tonight , I know I shall ! ' thought Alice .

all this time the Guard was looking at her , first through a telescope , then through a microscope , and then through an opera-glass .

at last he said , ' You 're travelling the wrong way , ' and shut up the window and went away .

Alice couldn't see who was sitting beyond the Beetle , but a hoarse voice spoke next .

' Change engines ' it said , and was obliged to leave off .

' It sounds like a horse , ' Alice thought to herself .

then a very gentle voice in the distance said , ' She must be labelled " Lass , with care , " you know '

' Indeed I shan't ! '

Alice said rather impatiently .

' I know you are a friend , ' the little voice went on ; ' a dear friend , and an old friend .

and you won't hurt me , though I AM an insect . '

' What kind of insect ? '

Alice inquired a little anxiously .

everybody seemed satisfied with this , though Alice felt a little nervous at the idea of trains jumping at all .

' However , it 'll take us into the Fourth Square , that 's some comfort ! ' she said to herself .

it certainly was a VERY large Gnat : ' about the size of a chicken , ' Alice thought .

still , she couldn't feel nervous with it , after they had been talking together so long .

' then you don't like all insects ? ' the Gnat went on , as quietly as if nothing had happened .

' I like them when they can talk , ' Alice said .

' None of them ever talk , where I come from . '

' What sort of insects do you rejoice in , where YOU come from ? ' the Gnat inquired .

' I don't REJOICE in insects at all , ' Alice explained , ' because I 'm rather afraid of them at least the large kinds .

but I can tell you the names of some of them . '

' Of course they answer to their names ? ' the Gnat remarked carelessly .

' I never knew them to do it . '

' What 's the use of their having names , ' the Gnat said , ' if they won't answer to them ? '

' No use to THEM , ' said Alice ; ' but it 's useful to the people who name them , I suppose .

if not , why do things have names at all ? '

' I can't say , ' the Gnat replied .

' Well , there 's the Horse-fly , ' Alice began , counting off the names on her fingers .

' All right , ' said the Gnat : ' half way up that bush , you 'll see a Rocking-horse-fly , if you look .

it 's made entirely of wood , and gets about by swinging itself from branch to branch . '

' What does it live on ? '

Alice asked , with great curiosity .

' Sap and sawdust , ' said the Gnat .

' Go on with the list . '

' And there 's the Dragon-fly . '

' Look on the branch above your head , ' said the Gnat , ' and there you 'll find a snap-dragon-fly .

its body is made of plum-pudding , its wings of holly-leaves , and its head is a raisin burning in brandy . '

' And what does it live on ? '

' Frumenty and mince pie , ' the Gnat replied ; ' and it makes its nest in a Christmas box . '

its wings are thin slices of Bread-and-butter , its body is a crust , and its head is a lump of sugar . '

' And what does IT live on ? '

' Weak tea with cream in it . '

a new difficulty came into Alice 's head .

' Supposing it couldn't find any ? ' she suggested .

' Then it would die , of course . '

' But that must happen very often , ' Alice remarked thoughtfully .

' It always happens , ' said the Gnat .

after this , Alice was silent for a minute or two , pondering .

' No , indeed , ' Alice said , a little anxiously .

' That would never do , I 'm sure , ' said Alice : ' the governess would never think of excusing me lessons for that .

if she couldn't remember my name , she 'd call me " Miss ! " as the servants do . '

that 's a joke .

I wish YOU had made it . '

' Why do you wish I had made it ? '

Alice asked .

' It 's a very bad one . '

but the Gnat only sighed deeply , while two large tears came rolling down its cheeks .

' You shouldn't make jokes , ' Alice said , ' if it makes you so unhappy . '

' This must be the wood , ' she said thoughtfully to herself , ' where things have no names .

I wonder what 'll become of MY name when I go in ?

but then the fun would be trying to find the creature that had got my old name !

only they wouldn't answer at all , if they were wise . '

she was rambling on in this way when she reached the wood : it looked very cool and shady .

' I mean to get under the under the under THIS , you know ! ' putting her hand on the trunk of the tree .

' What DOES it call itself , I wonder ?

I do believe it 's got no name why , to be sure it hasn't ! '

she stood silent for a minute , thinking : then she suddenly began again .

' Then it really HAS happened , after all !

and now , who am I ?

I WILL remember , if I can !

I 'm determined to do it ! '

just then a Fawn came wandering by : it looked at Alice with its large gentle eyes , but didn't seem at all frightened .

' Here then !

here then ! '

' What do you call yourself ? ' the Fawn said at last .

such a soft sweet voice it had !

' I wish I knew ! ' thought poor Alice .

she answered , rather sadly , ' Nothing , just now . '

' Think again , ' it said : ' that won't do . '

Alice thought , but nothing came of it .

' Please , would you tell me what YOU call yourself ? ' she said timidly .

' I think that might help a little . '

' I 'll tell you , if you 'll move a little further on , ' the Fawn said .

' I can't remember here . '

a sudden look of alarm came into its beautiful brown eyes , and in another moment it had darted away at full speed .

Alice stood looking after it , almost ready to cry with vexation at having lost her dear little fellow-traveller so suddenly .

' However , I know my name now . ' she said , ' that 's SOME comfort .

Alice Alice I won't forget it again .

and now , which of these finger-posts ought I to follow , I wonder ? '

' I 'll settle it , ' Alice said to herself , ' when the road divides and they point different ways . '

but this did not seem likely to happen .

' I do believe , ' said Alice at last , ' that they live in the same house !

I wonder I never thought of that before But I can't stay there long .

I 'll just call and say " how d'you do ? " and ask them the way out of the wood .

if I could only get to the Eighth Square before it gets dark ! '

CHAPTER IV .

Tweedledum And Tweedledee

' I suppose they 've each got " TWEEDLE " round at the back of the collar , ' she said to herself .

' If you think we 're wax-works , ' he said , ' you ought to pay , you know .

Wax-works weren't made to be looked at for nothing , nohow ! '

' Contrariwise , ' added the one marked ' DEE , ' ' if you think we 're alive , you ought to speak . '

' Tweedledum and Tweedledee Agreed to have a battle ; For Tweedledum said Tweedledee Had spoiled his nice new rattle .

' I know what you 're thinking about , ' said Tweedledum : ' but it isn't so , nohow . '

that 's logic . '

would you tell me , please ? '

but the little men only looked at each other and grinned .

' Nohow ! '

Tweedledum cried out briskly , and shut his mouth up again with a snap .

' You 've been wrong ! ' cried Tweedledum .

' The first thing in a visit is to say " how d'ye do ? " and shake hands ! '

I don't know when I began it , but somehow I felt as if I 'd been singing it a long long time ! '

the other two dancers were fat , and very soon out of breath .

' It would never do to say " how d'ye do ? "

NOW , ' she said to herself : ' we seem to have got beyond that , somehow ! '

' I hope you 're not much tired ? ' she said at last .

' Nohow .

and thank you VERY much for asking , ' said Tweedledum .

' So much obliged ! ' added Tweedledee .

' You like poetry ? '

' Ye-es , pretty well SOME poetry , ' Alice said doubtfully .

' Would you tell me which road leads out of the wood ? '

' " THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER " is the longest , ' Tweedledum replied , giving his brother an affectionate hug .

Tweedledee began instantly :

' The sun was shining '

here Alice ventured to interrupt him .

Tweedledee smiled gently , and began again :

the sea was wet as wet could be , The sands were dry as dry .

" I doubt it , " said the Carpenter , And shed a bitter tear .

" O Oysters , come and walk with us ! "

the Walrus did beseech .

the eldest Oyster looked at him .

" no hurry ! " said the Carpenter .

they thanked him much for that .

" the night is fine , " the Walrus said " Do you admire the view ?

" it was so kind of you to come !

and you are very nice ! "

the Carpenter said nothing but " the butter 's spread too thick ! "

" I weep for you , " the Walrus said .

" I deeply sympathize . "

with sobs and tears he sorted out Those of the largest size .

Holding his pocket handkerchief Before his streaming eyes .

" O Oysters , " said the Carpenter .

" you 've had a pleasant run !

shall we be trotting home again ? "

but answer came there none And that was scarcely odd , because They 'd eaten every one . '

' I like the Walrus best , ' said Alice : ' because you see he was a LITTLE sorry for the poor oysters . '

' He ate more than the Carpenter , though , ' said Tweedledee .

' You see he held his handkerchief in front , so that the Carpenter couldn't count how many he took : contrariwise . '

' That was mean ! '

Alice said indignantly .

' Then I like the Carpenter best if he didn't eat so many as the Walrus . '

' But he ate as many as he could get , ' said Tweedledum .

this was a puzzler .

after a pause , Alice began , ' Well !

' Are there any lions or tigers about here ? ' she asked timidly .

' It 's only the Red King snoring , ' said Tweedledee .

' Isn't he a LOVELY sight ? ' said Tweedledum .

Alice couldn't say honestly that he was .

' I 'm afraid he 'll catch cold with lying on the damp grass , ' said Alice , who was a very thoughtful little girl .

' He 's dreaming now , ' said Tweedledee : ' and what do you think he 's dreaming about ? '

Alice said ' Nobody can guess that . '

' Why , about YOU ! '

Tweedledee exclaimed , clapping his hands triumphantly .

' And if he left off dreaming about you , where do you suppose you 'd be ? '

' Where I am now , of course , ' said Alice .

' Not you ! '

Tweedledee retorted contemptuously .

' You 'd be nowhere .

why , you 're only a sort of thing in his dream ! '

' If that there King was to wake , ' added Tweedledum , ' you 'd go out bang ! just like a candle ! '

' I shouldn't ! '

Alice exclaimed indignantly .

' Besides , if I'M only a sort of thing in his dream , what are YOU , I should like to know ? '

' Ditto ' said Tweedledum .

' Ditto , ditto ' cried Tweedledee .

he shouted this so loud that Alice couldn't help saying , ' Hush !

you 'll be waking him , I 'm afraid , if you make so much noise . '

you know very well you 're not real . '

' I AM real ! ' said Alice and began to cry .

' You won't make yourself a bit realler by crying , ' Tweedledee remarked : ' there 's nothing to cry about . '

' I hope you don't suppose those are real tears ? '

Tweedledum interrupted in a tone of great contempt .

' I know they 're talking nonsense , ' Alice thought to herself : ' and it 's foolish to cry about it . '

so she brushed away her tears , and went on as cheerfully as she could .

' At any rate I 'd better be getting out of the wood , for really it 's coming on very dark .

do you think it 's going to rain ? '

Tweedledum spread a large umbrella over himself and his brother , and looked up into it .

' No , I don't think it is , ' he said : ' at least not under HERE .

Nohow . '

' But it may rain OUTSIDE ? '

' It may if it chooses , ' said Tweedledee : ' we 've no objection .

contrariwise . '

' It 's only a rattle , ' Alice said , after a careful examination of the little white thing .

' I knew it was ! ' cried Tweedledum , beginning to stamp about wildly and tear his hair .

' It 's spoilt , of course ! '

here he looked at Tweedledee , who immediately sat down on the ground , and tried to hide himself under the umbrella .

' But it isn't old ! '

Tweedledum cried , in a greater fury than ever .

' It 's new , I tell you I bought it yesterday my nice new RATTLE ! ' and his voice rose to a perfect scream .

' Of course you agree to have a battle ? '

Tweedledum said in a calmer tone .

' I hope you 're a good hand at pinning and tying strings ? '

Tweedledum remarked .

' Every one of these things has got to go on , somehow or other . '

Alice laughed aloud : but she managed to turn it into a cough , for fear of hurting his feelings .

' Do I look very pale ? ' said Tweedledum , coming up to have his helmet tied on .

( he CALLED it a helmet , though it certainly looked much more like a saucepan . )

' Well yes a LITTLE , ' Alice replied gently .

' I 'm very brave generally , ' he went on in a low voice : ' only to-day I happen to have a headache . '

' And I'VE got a toothache ! ' said Tweedledee , who had overheard the remark .

' I 'm far worse off than you ! '

' Then you 'd better not fight to-day , ' said Alice , thinking it a good opportunity to make peace .

' We MUST have a bit of a fight , but I don't care about going on long , ' said Tweedledum .

' What 's the time now ? '

Tweedledee looked at his watch , and said ' Half-past four . '

' Let 's fight till six , and then have dinner , ' said Tweedledum .

' And I hit everything within reach , ' cried Tweedledum , ' whether I can see it or not ! '

Alice laughed .

' You must hit the TREES pretty often , I should think , ' she said .

Tweedledum looked round him with a satisfied smile .

' And all about a rattle ! ' said Alice , still hoping to make them a LITTLE ashamed of fighting for such a trifle .

' I shouldn't have minded it so much , ' said Tweedledum , ' if it hadn't been a new one . '

' I wish the monstrous crow would come ! ' thought Alice .

only we must begin quick .

it 's getting as dark as it can . '

' And darker , ' said Tweedledee .

it was getting dark so suddenly that Alice thought there must be a thunderstorm coming on .

' What a thick black cloud that is ! ' she said .

' And how fast it comes !

why , I do believe it 's got wings ! '

' It 's the crow ! '

Alice ran a little way into the wood , and stopped under a large tree .

' It can never get at me HERE , ' she thought : ' it 's far too large to squeeze itself in among the trees .

but I wish it wouldn't flap its wings so it makes quite a hurricane in the wood here 's somebody 's shawl being blown away ! '

CHAPTER V Wool and Water

so she began rather timidly : ' Am I addressing the White Queen ? '

' Well , yes , if you call that a-dressing , ' The Queen said .

' It isn't MY notion of the thing , at all . '

' But I don't want it done at all ! ' groaned the poor Queen .

' I 've been a-dressing myself for the last two hours . '

' I don't know what 's the matter with it ! ' the Queen said , in a melancholy voice .

' It 's out of temper , I think .

I 've pinned it here , and I 've pinned it there , but there 's no pleasing it ! '

' The brush has got entangled in it ! ' the Queen said with a sigh .

' And I lost the comb yesterday . '

Alice carefully released the brush , and did her best to get the hair into order .

' Come , you look rather better now ! ' she said , after altering most of the pins .

' But really you should have a lady 's maid ! '

' I 'm sure I 'll take you with pleasure ! ' the Queen said .

' Twopence a week , and jam every other day . '

Alice couldn't help laughing , as she said , ' I don't want you to hire ME and I don't care for jam . '

' It 's very good jam , ' said the Queen .

' Well , I don't want any TO-DAY , at any rate . '

' You couldn't have it if you DID want it , ' the Queen said .

' The rule is , jam to-morrow and jam yesterday but never jam to-day . '

' It MUST come sometimes to " jam to-day , " ' Alice objected .

' No , it can't , ' said the Queen .

' It 's jam every OTHER day : to-day isn't any OTHER day , you know . '

' I don't understand you , ' said Alice .

' It 's dreadfully confusing ! '

' That 's the effect of living backwards , ' the Queen said kindly : ' it always makes one a little giddy at first '

' Living backwards ! '

Alice repeated in great astonishment .

' I never heard of such a thing ! '

' but there 's one great advantage in it , that one 's memory works both ways . '

' I 'm sure MINE only works one way , ' Alice remarked .

' I can't remember things before they happen . '

' It 's a poor sort of memory that only works backwards , ' the Queen remarked .

' What sort of things do YOU remember best ? '

Alice ventured to ask .

' Oh , things that happened the week after next , ' the Queen replied in a careless tone .

' Suppose he never commits the crime ? ' said Alice .

Alice felt there was no denying THAT .

' You 're wrong THERE , at any rate , ' said the Queen : ' were YOU ever punished ? '

' Only for faults , ' said Alice .

' And you were all the better for it , I know ! ' the Queen said triumphantly .

her voice went higher with each ' better , ' till it got quite to a squeak at last .

' Oh , oh , oh ! ' shouted the Queen , shaking her hand about as if she wanted to shake it off .

' My finger 's bleeding !

oh , oh , oh , oh ! '

her screams were so exactly like the whistle of a steam-engine , that Alice had to hold both her hands over her ears .

' What IS the matter ? ' she said , as soon as there was a chance of making herself heard .

' Have you pricked your finger ? '

' I haven't pricked it YET , ' the Queen said , ' but I soon shall oh , oh , oh ! '

' When do you expect to do it ? '

Alice asked , feeling very much inclined to laugh .

' When I fasten my shawl again , ' the poor Queen groaned out : ' the brooch will come undone directly .

oh , oh ! '

as she said the words the brooch flew open , and the Queen clutched wildly at it , and tried to clasp it again .

' Take care ! ' cried Alice .

' You 're holding it all crooked ! '

and she caught at the brooch ; but it was too late : the pin had slipped , and the Queen had pricked her finger .

' That accounts for the bleeding , you see , ' she said to Alice with a smile .

' Now you understand the way things happen here . '

' But why don't you scream now ? '

Alice asked , holding her hands ready to put over her ears again .

' Why , I 've done all the screaming already , ' said the Queen .

' What would be the good of having it all over again ? '

by this time it was getting light .

' The crow must have flown away , I think , ' said Alice : ' I 'm so glad it 's gone .

I thought it was the night coming on . '

' I wish I could manage to be glad ! ' the Queen said .

' Only I never can remember the rule .

you must be very happy , living in this wood , and being glad whenever you like ! '

' Only it is so VERY lonely here ! '

Alice said in a melancholy voice ; and at the thought of her loneliness two large tears came rolling down her cheeks .

' Oh , don't go on like that ! ' cried the poor Queen , wringing her hands in despair .

' Consider what a great girl you are .

consider what a long way you 've come to-day .

consider what o'clock it is .

consider anything , only don't cry ! '

Alice could not help laughing at this , even in the midst of her tears .

' Can YOU keep from crying by considering things ? ' she asked .

let's consider your age to begin with how old are you ? '

' I 'm seven and a half exactly . '

' You needn't say " exactually , " ' the Queen remarked : ' I can believe it without that .

now I 'll give YOU something to believe .

I 'm just one hundred and one , five months and a day . '

' I can't believe THAT ! ' said Alice .

' Can't you ? ' the Queen said in a pitying tone .

' Try again : draw a long breath , and shut your eyes . '

Alice laughed .

' There 's no use trying , ' she said : ' one CAN'T believe impossible things . '

' I daresay you haven't had much practice , ' said the Queen .

' When I was your age , I always did it for half-an-hour a day .

why , sometimes I 've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast .

there goes the shawl again ! '

the brooch had come undone as she spoke , and a sudden gust of wind blew the Queen 's shawl across a little brook .

the Queen spread out her arms again , and went flying after it , and this time she succeeded in catching it for herself .

' I 've got it ! ' she cried in a triumphant tone .

' Now you shall see me pin it on again , all by myself ! '

' Then I hope your finger is better now ? '

Alice said very politely , as she crossed the little brook after the Queen .

' Oh , much better ! ' cried the Queen , her voice rising to a squeak as she went on .

' Much be-etter !

Be-etter !

Be-e-e-etter !

Be-e-ehh ! '

the last word ended in a long bleat , so like a sheep that Alice quite started .

she looked at the Queen , who seemed to have suddenly wrapped herself up in wool .

Alice rubbed her eyes , and looked again .

she couldn't make out what had happened at all .

was she in a shop ?

and was that really was it really a SHEEP that was sitting on the other side of the counter ?

' What is it you want to buy ? ' the Sheep said at last , looking up for a moment from her knitting .

' I don't QUITE know yet , ' Alice said , very gently .

' I should like to look all round me first , if I might . '

it 'll puzzle it to go through the ceiling , I expect ! '

' Are you a child or a teetotum ? ' the Sheep said , as she took up another pair of needles .

' You 'll make me giddy soon , if you go on turning round like that . '

she was now working with fourteen pairs at once , and Alice couldn't help looking at her in great astonishment .

' How CAN she knit with so many ? ' the puzzled child thought to herself .

' She gets more and more like a porcupine every minute ! '

' Can you row ? ' the Sheep asked , handing her a pair of knitting-needles as she spoke .

' Feather ! ' cried the Sheep , as she took up another pair of needles .

this didn't sound like a remark that needed any answer , so Alice said nothing , but pulled away .

' Feather !

feather ! ' the Sheep cried again , taking more needles .

' You 'll be catching a crab directly . '

' A dear little crab ! ' thought Alice .

' I should like that . '

' Didn't you hear me say " Feather " ? ' the Sheep cried angrily , taking up quite a bunch of needles .

' Indeed I did , ' said Alice : ' you 've said it very often and very loud .

please , where ARE the crabs ? '

' Feather , I say ! '

' WHY do you say " feather " so often ? '

Alice asked at last , rather vexed .

' I 'm not a bird ! '

' You are , ' said the Sheep : ' you 're a little goose . '

' Oh , please !

there are some scented rushes ! '

Alice cried in a sudden transport of delight .

' There really are and SUCH beauties ! '

' No , but I meant please , may we wait and pick some ? '

Alice pleaded .

' If you don't mind stopping the boat for a minute . '

' How am I to stop it ? ' said the Sheep .

' If you leave off rowing , it 'll stop of itself . '

so the boat was left to drift down the stream as it would , till it glided gently in among the waving rushes .

' I only hope the boat won't tipple over ! ' she said to herself .

' Oh , WHAT a lovely one !

only I couldn't quite reach it . '

' Was it ?

I didn't see it , ' Said Alice , peeping cautiously over the side of the boat into the dark water .

' I wish it hadn't let go I should so like to see a little crab to take home with me ! '

but the Sheep only laughed scornfully , and went on with her knitting .

' Are there many crabs here ? ' said Alice .

' Crabs , and all sorts of things , ' said the Sheep : ' plenty of choice , only make up your mind .

now , what DO you want to buy ? '

' To buy ! '

' I should like to buy an egg , please , ' she said timidly .

' How do you sell them ? '

' Fivepence farthing for one Twopence for two , ' the Sheep replied .

' Then two are cheaper than one ? '

Alice said in a surprised tone , taking out her purse .

' Only you MUST eat them both , if you buy two , ' said the Sheep .

' Then I 'll have ONE , please , ' said Alice , as she put the money down on the counter .

for she thought to herself , ' They mightn't be at all nice , you know . '

and so saying , she went off to the other end of the shop , and set the egg upright on a shelf .

' The egg seems to get further away the more I walk towards it .

let me see , is this a chair ?

why , it 's got branches , I declare !

how very odd to find trees growing here !

and actually here 's a little brook !

well , this is the very queerest shop I ever saw ! '

CHAPTER VI .

Humpty Dumpty

' It can't be anybody else ! ' she said to herself .

' I 'm as certain of it , as if his name were written all over his face . '

it might have been written a hundred times , easily , on that enormous face .

' I said you LOOKED like an egg , Sir , ' Alice gently explained .

' And some eggs are very pretty , you know ' she added , hoping to turn her remark into a sort of a compliment .

' Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall : Humpty Dumpty had a great fall .

all the King 's horses and all the King 's men Couldn't put Humpty Dumpty in his place again . '

' My NAME is Alice , but '

' It 's a stupid enough name ! '

Humpty Dumpty interrupted impatiently .

' What does it mean ? '

' MUST a name mean something ? '

Alice asked doubtfully .

with a name like yours , you might be any shape , almost . '

' Why do you sit out here all alone ? ' said Alice , not wishing to begin an argument .

' Why , because there 's nobody with me ! ' cried Humpty Dumpty .

' Did you think I didn't know the answer to THAT ?

ask another . '

' Don't you think you 'd be safer down on the ground ? '

Alice went on , not with any idea of making another riddle , but simply in her good-natured anxiety for the queer creature .

' That wall is so VERY narrow ! '

' What tremendously easy riddles you ask ! '

Humpty Dumpty growled out .

' Of course I don't think so !

you didn't think I was going to say that , did you ?

THE KING HAS PROMISED ME WITH HIS VERY OWN MOUTH to to '

' To send all his horses and all his men , ' Alice interrupted , rather unwisely .

' Now I declare that 's too bad ! '

Humpty Dumpty cried , breaking into a sudden passion .

' You 've been listening at doors and behind trees and down chimneys or you couldn't have known it ! '

' I haven't , indeed ! '

Alice said very gently .

' It 's in a book . '

' Ah , well !

they may write such things in a BOOK , ' Humpty Dumpty said in a calmer tone .

' That 's what you call a History of England , that is .

now , take a good look at me !

she watched him a little anxiously as she took it .

I 'm afraid it would come off ! '

' Yes , all his horses and all his men , ' Humpty Dumpty went on .

' They 'd pick me up again in a minute , THEY would !

however , this conversation is going on a little too fast : let's go back to the last remark but one . '

' I 'm afraid I can't quite remember it , ' Alice said very politely .

' So here 's a question for you .

how old did you say you were ? '

Alice made a short calculation , and said ' Seven years and six months . '

' Wrong ! '

Humpty Dumpty exclaimed triumphantly .

' You never said a word like it ! '

' I though you meant " how old ARE you ? " '

Alice explained .

' If I 'd meant that , I 'd have said it , ' said Humpty Dumpty .

Alice didn't want to begin another argument , so she said nothing .

' Seven years and six months ! '

Humpty Dumpty repeated thoughtfully .

' An uncomfortable sort of age .

now if you 'd asked MY advice , I 'd have said " leave off at seven " but it 's too late now . '

' I never ask advice about growing , ' Alice said indignantly .

' Too proud ? ' the other inquired .

Alice felt even more indignant at this suggestion .

' I mean , ' she said , ' that one can't help growing older . '

' ONE can't , perhaps , ' said Humpty Dumpty , ' but TWO can .

with proper assistance , you might have left off at seven . '

' What a beautiful belt you've got on ! '

Alice suddenly remarked .

' If I only knew , ' she thought to herself , ' which was neck and which was waist ! '

evidently Humpty Dumpty was very angry , though he said nothing for a minute or two .

when he DID speak again , it was in a deep growl .

' I know it 's very ignorant of me , ' Alice said , in so humble a tone that Humpty Dumpty relented .

' It 's a cravat , child , and a beautiful one , as you say .

it 's a present from the White King and Queen .

there now ! '

' Is it really ? ' said Alice , quite pleased to find that she HAD chosen a good subject , after all .

' I beg your pardon ? '

Alice said with a puzzled air .

' I 'm not offended , ' said Humpty Dumpty .

' I mean , what IS an un-birthday present ? '

' A present given when it isn't your birthday , of course . '

Alice considered a little .

' I like birthday presents best , ' she said at last .

' You don't know what you 're talking about ! ' cried Humpty Dumpty .

' How many days are there in a year ? '

' Three hundred and sixty-five , ' said Alice .

' And how many birthdays have you ? '

' One . '

' And if you take one from three hundred and sixty-five , what remains ? '

' Three hundred and sixty-four , of course . '

Humpty Dumpty looked doubtful .

' I 'd rather see that done on paper , ' he said .

Alice couldn't help smiling as she took out her memorandum-book , and worked the sum for him :

@number@ @number@

@number@

Humpty Dumpty took the book , and looked at it carefully .

' That seems to be done right ' he began .

' You 're holding it upside down ! '

Alice interrupted .

' To be sure I was ! '

Humpty Dumpty said gaily , as she turned it round for him .

' I thought it looked a little queer .

' Certainly , ' said Alice .

' And only ONE for birthday presents , you know .

there 's glory for you ! '

' I don't know what you mean by " glory , " ' Alice said .

Humpty Dumpty smiled contemptuously .

' Of course you don't till I tell you .

I meant " there 's a nice knock-down argument for you ! " '

' But " glory " doesn't mean " a nice knock-down argument , " ' Alice objected .

' The question is , ' said Alice , ' whether you CAN make words mean so many different things . '

' The question is , ' said Humpty Dumpty , ' which is to be master that 's all . '

Alice was too much puzzled to say anything , so after a minute Humpty Dumpty began again .

Impenetrability !

that 's what I say ! '

' Would you tell me , please , ' said Alice ' what that means ? '

' Now you talk like a reasonable child , ' said Humpty Dumpty , looking very much pleased .

' That 's a great deal to make one word mean , ' Alice said in a thoughtful tone .

' Oh ! ' said Alice .

she was too much puzzled to make any other remark .

( Alice didn't venture to ask what he paid them with ; and so you see I can't tell YOU . )

' You seem very clever at explaining words , Sir , ' said Alice .

' Would you kindly tell me the meaning of the poem called " Jabberwocky " ? '

' Let 's hear it , ' said Humpty Dumpty .

' I can explain all the poems that were ever invented and a good many that haven't been invented just yet . '

this sounded very hopeful , so Alice repeated the first verse :

' That 's enough to begin with , ' Humpty Dumpty interrupted : ' there are plenty of hard words there .

" BRILLIG " means four o'clock in the afternoon the time when you begin BROILING things for dinner . '

' That 'll do very well , ' said Alice : ' and " SLITHY " ? '

' Well , " SLITHY " means " lithe and slimy . "

" Lithe " is the same as " active . "

you see it 's like a portmanteau there are two meanings packed up into one word . '

' I see it now , ' Alice remarked thoughtfully : ' and what are " TOVES " ? '

' Well , " TOVES " are something like badgers they 're something like lizards and they 're something like corkscrews . '

' They must be very curious looking creatures . '

' They are that , ' said Humpty Dumpty : ' also they make their nests under sun-dials also they live on cheese . '

' And what 's the " GYRE " and to " GIMBLE " ? '

' To " GYRE " is to go round and round like a gyroscope .

to " GIMBLE " is to make holes like a gimlet . '

' And " THE WABE " is the grass-plot round a sun-dial , I suppose ? ' said Alice , surprised at her own ingenuity .

' Of course it is .

it 's called " WABE , " you know , because it goes a long way before it , and a long way behind it '

' And a long way beyond it on each side , ' Alice added .

' Exactly so .

well , then , " MIMSY " is " flimsy and miserable " ( there 's another portmanteau for you ) .

and a " BOROGOVE " is a thin shabby-looking bird with its feathers sticking out all round something like a live mop . '

' And then " MOME RATHS " ? ' said Alice .

' I 'm afraid I 'm giving you a great deal of trouble . '

' Well , a " RATH " is a sort of green pig : but " MOME " I 'm not certain about .

I think it 's short for " from home " meaning that they 'd lost their way , you know . '

' And what does " OUTGRABE " mean ? '

who 's been repeating all that hard stuff to you ? '

' I read it in a book , ' said Alice .

' But I had some poetry repeated to me , much easier than that , by Tweedledee , I think it was . '

' Oh , it needn't come to that ! '

Alice hastily said , hoping to keep him from beginning .

' The piece I 'm going to repeat , ' he went on without noticing her remark , ' was written entirely for your amusement . '

' In winter , when the fields are white , I sing this song for your delight

only I don't sing it , ' he added , as an explanation .

' I see you don't , ' said Alice .

' If you can SEE whether I 'm singing or not , you 've sharper eyes than most . '

Humpty Dumpty remarked severely .

Alice was silent .

' In spring , when woods are getting green , I 'll try and tell you what I mean . '

' Thank you very much , ' said Alice .

' I will , if I can remember it so long , ' said Alice .

' I sent a message to the fish : I told them " this is what I wish . "

the little fishes of the sea , They sent an answer back to me .

the little fishes ' answer was " we cannot do it , Sir , because " '

' I 'm afraid I don't quite understand , ' said Alice .

' It gets easier further on , ' Humpty Dumpty replied .

' I sent to them again to say " it will be better to obey . "

the fishes answered with a grin , " why , what a temper you are in ! "

I told them once , I told them twice : they would not listen to advice .

I took a kettle large and new , Fit for the deed I had to do .

my heart went hop , my heart went thump ; I filled the kettle at the pump .

then some one came to me and said , " the little fishes are in bed . "

I said to him , I said it plain , " then you must wake them up again . "

I said it very loud and clear ; I went and shouted in his ear . '

' But he was very stiff and proud ; He said " you needn't shout so loud ! "

and he was very proud and stiff ; He said " I 'd go and wake them , if "

I took a corkscrew from the shelf : I went to wake them up myself .

and when I found the door was locked , I pulled and pushed and kicked and knocked .

and when I found the door was shut , I tried to turn the handle , but '

there was a long pause .

' Is that all ? '

Alice timidly asked .

' That 's all , ' said Humpty Dumpty .

' Good-bye . '

so she got up , and held out her hand .

' Good-bye , till we meet again ! ' she said as cheerfully as she could .

' The face is what one goes by , generally , ' Alice remarked in a thoughtful tone .

' That 's just what I complain of , ' said Humpty Dumpty .

it 's always the same .

' It wouldn't look nice , ' Alice objected .

but Humpty Dumpty only shut his eyes and said ' Wait till you 've tried . '

CHAPTER VII .

the Lion and the Unicorn

Alice got behind a tree , for fear of being run over , and watched them go by .

then came the horses .

' I 've sent them all ! ' the King cried in a tone of delight , on seeing Alice .

' Did you happen to meet any soldiers , my dear , as you came through the wood ? '

' Yes , I did , ' said Alice : ' several thousand , I should think . '

' Four thousand two hundred and seven , that 's the exact number , ' the King said , referring to his book .

' I couldn't send all the horses , you know , because two of them are wanted in the game .

and I haven't sent the two Messengers , either .

they 're both gone to the town .

just look along the road , and tell me if you can see either of them . '

' I see nobody on the road , ' said Alice .

' I only wish I had such eyes , ' the King remarked in a fretful tone .

' To be able to see Nobody !

and at that distance , too !

why , it 's as much as I can do to see real people , by this light ! '

all this was lost on Alice , who was still looking intently along the road , shading her eyes with one hand .

' I see somebody now ! ' she exclaimed at last .

' But he 's coming very slowly and what curious attitudes he goes into ! '

' Not at all , ' said the King .

' He 's an Anglo-Saxon Messenger and those are Anglo-Saxon attitudes .

he only does them when he 's happy .

his name is Haigha . '

( he pronounced it so as to rhyme with ' mayor . ' )

' I love my love with an H , ' Alice couldn't help beginning , ' because he is Happy .

I hate him with an H , because he is Hideous .

I fed him with with with Ham-sandwiches and Hay .

his name is Haigha , and he lives '

' The other Messenger 's called Hatta .

I must have TWO , you know to come and go .

one to come , and one to go . '

' I beg your pardon ? ' said Alice .

' It isn't respectable to beg , ' said the King .

' I only meant that I didn't understand , ' said Alice .

' Why one to come and one to go ? '

' Didn't I tell you ? ' the King repeated impatiently .

' I must have Two to fetch and carry .

one to fetch , and one to carry . '

' You alarm me ! ' said the King .

' I feel faint Give me a ham sandwich ! '

' Another sandwich ! ' said the King .

' There 's nothing but hay left now , ' the Messenger said , peeping into the bag .

' Hay , then , ' the King murmured in a faint whisper .

Alice was glad to see that it revived him a good deal .

' There 's nothing like eating hay when you 're faint , ' he remarked to her , as he munched away .

' I should think throwing cold water over you would be better , ' Alice suggested : ' or some sal-volatile . '

' I didn't say there was nothing BETTER , ' the King replied .

' I said there was nothing LIKE it . '

which Alice did not venture to deny .

' Nobody , ' said the Messenger .

' Quite right , ' said the King : ' this young lady saw him too .

so of course Nobody walks slower than you . '

' I do my best , ' the Messenger said in a sulky tone .

' I 'm sure nobody walks much faster than I do ! '

' He can't do that , ' said the King , ' or else he 'd have been here first .

however , now you 've got your breath , you may tell us what 's happened in the town . '

Alice was sorry for this , as she wanted to hear the news too .

however , instead of whispering , he simply shouted at the top of his voice ' They 're at it again ! '

' Do you call THAT a whisper ? ' cried the poor King , jumping up and shaking himself .

' If you do such a thing again , I 'll have you buttered !

it went through and through my head like an earthquake ! '

' It would have to be a very tiny earthquake ! ' thought Alice .

' Who are at it again ? ' she ventured to ask .

' Why the Lion and the Unicorn , of course , ' said the King .

' Fighting for the crown ? '

let's run and see them . '

and they trotted off , Alice repeating to herself , as she ran , the words of the old song :

' The Lion and the Unicorn were fighting for the crown : the Lion beat the Unicorn all round the town .

some gave them white bread , some gave them brown ; Some gave them plum-cake and drummed them out of town . '

' Dear me , no ! ' said the King .

' What an idea ! '

' I 'm GOOD enough , ' the King said , ' only I 'm not strong enough .

you see , a minute goes by so fearfully quick .

you might as well try to stop a Bandersnatch ! '

how are you , dear child ? ' he went on , putting his arm affectionately round Hatta 's neck .

Hatta looked round and nodded , and went on with his bread and butter .

' Were you happy in prison , dear child ? ' said Haigha .

Hatta looked round once more , and this time a tear or two trickled down his cheek : but not a word would he say .

' Speak , can't you ! '

Haigha cried impatiently .

but Hatta only munched away , and drank some more tea .

' Speak , won't you ! ' cried the King .

' How are they getting on with the fight ? '

Hatta made a desperate effort , and swallowed a large piece of bread-and-butter .

' Then I suppose they 'll soon bring the white bread and the brown ? '

Alice ventured to remark .

' It 's waiting for ' em now , ' said Hatta : ' this is a bit of it as I 'm eating . '

Haigha and Hatta set to work at once , carrying rough trays of white and brown bread .

Alice took a piece to taste , but it was VERY dry .

and Hatta went bounding away like a grasshopper .

for a minute or two Alice stood silent , watching him .

suddenly she brightened up .

' Look , look ! ' she cried , pointing eagerly .

' There 's the White Queen running across the country !

she came flying out of the wood over yonder How fast those Queens CAN run ! '

' There 's some enemy after her , no doubt , ' the King said , without even looking round .

' That wood 's full of them . '

' But aren't you going to run and help her ? '

Alice asked , very much surprised at his taking it so quietly .

' No use , no use ! ' said the King .

' She runs so fearfully quick .

you might as well try to catch a Bandersnatch !

' Do you spell " creature " with a double " e " ? '

at this moment the Unicorn sauntered by them , with his hands in his pockets .

' I had the best of it this time ? ' he said to the King , just glancing at him as he passed .

' A little a little , ' the King replied , rather nervously .

' You shouldn't have run him through with your horn , you know . '

' What is this ? ' he said at last .

' This is a child ! '

Haigha replied eagerly , coming in front of Alice to introduce her , and spreading out both his hands towards her in an Anglo-Saxon attitude .

' We only found it to-day .

it 's as large as life , and twice as natural ! '

' I always thought they were fabulous monsters ! ' said the Unicorn .

' Is it alive ? '

' It can talk , ' said Haigha , solemnly .

the Unicorn looked dreamily at Alice , and said ' Talk , child . '

I never saw one alive before ! '

is that a bargain ? '

' Yes , if you like , ' said Alice .

' Come , fetch out the plum-cake , old man ! ' the Unicorn went on , turning from her to the King .

' None of your brown bread for me ! '

' Certainly certainly ! ' the King muttered , and beckoned to Haigha .

' Open the bag ! ' he whispered .

' Quick !

not that one that 's full of hay ! '

how they all came out of it Alice couldn't guess .

it was just like a conjuring-trick , she thought .

the Lion had joined them while this was going on : he looked very tired and sleepy , and his eyes were half shut .

' Ah , what IS it , now ? ' the Unicorn cried eagerly .

' You 'll never guess !

I couldn't . '

the Lion looked at Alice wearily .

' Are you animal vegetable or mineral ? ' he said , yawning at every other word .

' It 's a fabulous monster ! ' the Unicorn cried out , before Alice could reply .

' Then hand round the plum-cake , Monster , ' the Lion said , lying down and putting his chin on his paws .

the King was evidently very uncomfortable at having to sit down between the two great creatures ; but there was no other place for him .

' I should win easy , ' said the Lion .

' I 'm not so sure of that , ' said the Unicorn .

here the King interrupted , to prevent the quarrel going on : he was very nervous , and his voice quite quivered .

' All round the town ? ' he said .

' That 's a good long way .

did you go by the old bridge , or the market-place ?

you get the best view by the old bridge . '

' I 'm sure I don't know , ' the Lion growled out as he lay down again .

' There was too much dust to see anything .

what a time the Monster is , cutting up that cake ! '

' I 've cut several slices already , but they always join on again ! '

' You don't know how to manage Looking-glass cakes , ' the Unicorn remarked .

' Hand it round first , and cut it afterwards . '

' NOW cut it up , ' said the Lion , as she returned to her place with the empty dish .

' The Monster has given the Lion twice as much as me ! '

' She 's kept none for herself , anyhow , ' said the Lion .

' Do you like plum-cake , Monster ? '

but before Alice could answer him , the drums began .

she started to her feet and sprang across the little brook in her terror ,

' If THAT doesn't " drum them out of town , " ' she thought to herself , ' nothing ever will ! '

CHAPTER VIII .

' It 's my own Invention '

only I do hope it 's MY dream , and not the Red King 's !

at this moment her thoughts were interrupted by a loud shouting of ' Ahoy !

ahoy !

check ! ' and a Knight dressed in crimson armour came galloping down upon her , brandishing a great club .

ahoy !

check ! ' and Alice looked round in some surprise for the new enemy .

this time it was a White Knight .

Alice looked from one to the other in some bewilderment .

' She 's MY prisoner , you know ! ' the Red Knight said at last .

' Yes , but then I came and rescued her ! ' the White Knight replied .

' You will observe the Rules of Battle , of course ? ' the White Knight remarked , putting on his helmet too .

just like a whole set of fire-irons falling into the fender !

and how quiet the horses are !

they let them get on and off them just as if they were tables ! '

' It was a glorious victory , wasn't it ? ' said the White Knight , as he came up panting .

' I don't know , ' Alice said doubtfully .

' I don't want to be anybody 's prisoner .

I want to be a Queen . '

' So you will , when you 've crossed the next brook , ' said the White Knight .

' I 'll see you safe to the end of the wood and then I must go back , you know .

that 's the end of my move . '

' Thank you very much , ' said Alice .

' May I help you off with your helmet ? '

it was evidently more than he could manage by himself ; however , she managed to shake him out of it at last .

she thought she had never seen such a strange-looking soldier in all her life .

Alice looked at it with great curiosity .

' I see you 're admiring my little box . ' the Knight said in a friendly tone .

' It 's my own invention to keep clothes and sandwiches in .

you see I carry it upside-down , so that the rain can't get in . '

' But the things can get OUT , ' Alice gently remarked .

' Do you know the lid 's open ? '

' I didn't know it , ' the Knight said , a shade of vexation passing over his face .

' Then all the things must have fallen out !

and the box is no use without them . '

' Can you guess why I did that ? ' he said to Alice .

Alice shook her head .

' In hopes some bees may make a nest in it then I should get the honey . '

' But you 've got a bee-hive or something like one fastened to the saddle , ' said Alice .

' Yes , it 's a very good bee-hive , ' the Knight said in a discontented tone , ' one of the best kind .

but not a single bee has come near it yet .

and the other thing is a mouse-trap .

I suppose the mice keep the bees out or the bees keep the mice out , I don't know which . '

' I was wondering what the mouse-trap was for , ' said Alice .

' It isn't very likely there would be any mice on the horse 's back . '

' You see , ' he went on after a pause , ' it 's as well to be provided for EVERYTHING .

that 's the reason the horse has all those anklets round his feet . '

' But what are they for ? '

Alice asked in a tone of great curiosity .

' To guard against the bites of sharks , ' the Knight replied .

' It 's an invention of my own .

and now help me on .

I 'll go with you to the end of the wood What 's the dish for ? '

' It 's meant for plum-cake , ' said Alice .

' We 'd better take it with us , ' the Knight said .

' It 'll come in handy if we find any plum-cake .

help me to get it into this bag . '

and he hung it to the saddle , which was already loaded with bunches of carrots , and fire-irons , and many other things .

' I hope you 've got your hair well fastened on ? ' he continued , as they set off .

' Only in the usual way , ' Alice said , smiling .

' That 's hardly enough , ' he said , anxiously .

' You see the wind is so VERY strong here .

it 's as strong as soup . '

' Have you invented a plan for keeping the hair from being blown off ? '

Alice enquired .

' Not yet , ' said the Knight .

' But I 've got a plan for keeping it from FALLING off . '

' I should like to hear it , very much . '

' First you take an upright stick , ' said the Knight .

' Then you make your hair creep up it , like a fruit-tree .

now the reason hair falls off is because it hangs DOWN things never fall UPWARDS , you know .

it 's a plan of my own invention .

you may try it if you like . '

the Knight looked very much surprised , and a little offended at the remark .

' Because people don't fall off quite so often , when they 've had much practice . '

' I 've had plenty of practice , ' the Knight said very gravely : ' plenty of practice ! '

Alice could think of nothing better to say than ' Indeed ? ' but she said it as heartily as she could .

' None to speak of , ' the Knight said , as if he didn't mind breaking two or three of them .

' The great art of riding , as I was saying , is to keep your balance properly .

like this , you know '

' Plenty of practice ! ' he went on repeating , all the time that Alice was getting him on his feet again .

' Plenty of practice ! '

' It 's too ridiculous ! ' cried Alice , losing all her patience this time .

' You ought to have a wooden horse on wheels , that you ought ! '

' I 'll get one , ' the Knight said thoughtfully to himself .

' One or two several . '

there was a short silence after this , and then the Knight went on again .

' I 'm a great hand at inventing things .

now , I daresay you noticed , that last time you picked me up , that I was looking rather thoughtful ? '

' You WERE a little grave , ' said Alice .

' Well , just then I was inventing a new way of getting over a gate would you like to hear it ? '

' Very much indeed , ' Alice said politely .

' I 'll tell you how I came to think of it , ' said the Knight .

' You see , I said to myself , " the only difficulty is with the feet : the HEAD is high enough already . "

he looked so vexed at the idea , that Alice changed the subject hastily .

' What a curious helmet you 've got ! ' she said cheerfully .

' Is that your invention too ? '

the Knight looked down proudly at his helmet , which hung from the saddle .

' Yes , ' he said , ' but I 've invented a better one than that like a sugar loaf .

when I used to wear it , if I fell off the horse , it always touched the ground directly .

so I had a VERY little way to fall , you see But there WAS the danger of falling INTO it , to be sure .

he thought it was his own helmet . '

the knight looked so solemn about it that Alice did not dare to laugh .

' I had to kick him , of course , ' the Knight said , very seriously .

' And then he took the helmet off again but it took hours and hours to get me out .

I was as fast as as lightning , you know . '

' But that 's a different kind of fastness , ' Alice objected .

the Knight shook his head .

' It was all kinds of fastness with me , I can assure you ! ' he said .

Alice ran to the side of the ditch to look for him .

' How CAN you go on talking so quietly , head downwards ? '

Alice asked , as she dragged him out by the feet , and laid him in a heap on the bank .

the Knight looked surprised at the question .

' What does it matter where my body happens to be ? ' he said .

' My mind goes on working all the same .

in fact , the more head downwards I am , the more I keep inventing new things . '

' In time to have it cooked for the next course ? ' said Alice .

' Then it would have to be the next day .

I suppose you wouldn't have two pudding-courses in one dinner ? '

' Well , not the NEXT day , ' the Knight repeated as before : ' not the next DAY .

in fact , I don't believe that pudding ever WILL be cooked !

and yet it was a very clever pudding to invent . '

' What did you mean it to be made of ? '

Alice asked , hoping to cheer him up , for the poor Knight seemed quite low-spirited about it .

' It began with blotting paper , ' the Knight answered with a groan .

' That wouldn't be very nice , I 'm afraid '

and here I must leave you . '

they had just come to the end of the wood .

Alice could only look puzzled : she was thinking of the pudding .

' You are sad , ' the Knight said in an anxious tone : ' let me sing you a song to comfort you . '

' Is it very long ? '

Alice asked , for she had heard a good deal of poetry that day .

' It 's long , ' said the Knight , ' but very , VERY beautiful .

everybody that hears me sing it either it brings the TEARS into their eyes , or else '

' Or else what ? ' said Alice , for the Knight had made a sudden pause .

' Or else it doesn't , you know .

the name of the song is called " HADDOCKS ' EYES . " '

' Oh , that 's the name of the song , is it ? '

Alice said , trying to feel interested .

' No , you don't understand , ' the Knight said , looking a little vexed .

' That 's what the name is CALLED .

the name really IS " THE AGED AGED MAN . " '

' Then I ought to have said " that 's what the SONG is called " ? '

Alice corrected herself .

' No , you oughtn't : that 's quite another thing !

the SONG is called " WAYS AND MEANS " : but that 's only what it 's CALLED , you know ! '

' Well , what IS the song , then ? ' said Alice , who was by this time completely bewildered .

' I was coming to that , ' the Knight said .

' The song really IS " A-SITTING ON A GATE " : and the tune 's my own invention . '

of all the strange things that Alice saw in her journey Through The Looking-Glass , this was the one that she always remembered most clearly .

she stood and listened very attentively , but no tears came into her eyes .

' I 'll tell thee everything I can ; There 's little to relate .

I saw an aged aged man , A-sitting on a gate .

" who are you , aged man ? "

I said , " and how is it you live ? "

and his answer trickled through my head Like water through a sieve .

he said " I look for butterflies That sleep among the wheat : I make them into mutton-pies , And sell them in the street .

and thumped him on the head .

but I was thinking of a way To feed oneself on batter , And so go on from day to day Getting a little fatter .

he said " I hunt for haddocks ' eyes Among the heather bright , And work them into waistcoat-buttons In the silent night .

and these I do not sell for gold Or coin of silvery shine But for a copper halfpenny , And that will purchase nine .

" I sometimes dig for buttered rolls , Or set limed twigs for crabs ; I sometimes search the grassy knolls For wheels of Hansom-cabs .

I heard him then , for I had just Completed my design To keep the Menai bridge from rust By boiling it in wine .

' I shan't be long .

you 'll wait and wave your handkerchief when I get to that turn in the road ?

I think it 'll encourage me , you see . '

' I hope so , ' the Knight said doubtfully : ' but you didn't cry so much as I thought you would . '

so they shook hands , and then the Knight rode slowly away into the forest .

' It won't take long to see him OFF , I expect , ' Alice said to herself , as she stood watching him .

' There he goes !

right on his head as usual !

how grand it sounds ! '

A very few steps brought her to the edge of the brook .

' The Eighth Square at last ! ' she cried as she bounded across ,

and threw herself down to rest on a lawn as soft as moss , with little flower-beds dotted about it here and there .

' Oh , how glad I am to get here !

it was a golden crown .

CHAPTER IX .

queen Alice

' Well , this IS grand ! ' said Alice .

queens have to be dignified , you know ! '

however , there would be no harm , she thought , in asking if the game was over .

' Please , would you tell me ' she began , looking timidly at the Red Queen .

' Speak when you 're spoken to ! '

the Queen sharply interrupted her .

' Ridiculous ! ' cried the Queen .

' What do you mean by " if you really are a Queen " ?

what right have you to call yourself so ?

you can't be a Queen , you know , till you 've passed the proper examination .

and the sooner we begin it , the better . '

' I only said " if " ! ' poor Alice pleaded in a piteous tone .

' But she said a great deal more than that ! ' the White Queen moaned , wringing her hands .

' Oh , ever so much more than that ! '

' So you did , you know , ' the Red Queen said to Alice .

' Always speak the truth think before you speak and write it down afterwards . '

' I 'm sure I didn't mean ' Alice was beginning , but the Red Queen interrupted her impatiently .

' That 's just what I complain of !

you SHOULD have meant !

what do you suppose is the use of child without any meaning ?

even a joke should have some meaning and a child 's more important than a joke , I hope .

you couldn't deny that , even if you tried with both hands . '

' I don't deny things with my HANDS , ' Alice objected .

' Nobody said you did , ' said the Red Queen .

' I said you couldn't if you tried . '

' A nasty , vicious temper , ' the Red Queen remarked ; and then there was an uncomfortable silence for a minute or two .

the Red Queen broke the silence by saying to the White Queen , ' I invite you to Alice 's dinner-party this afternoon . '

the White Queen smiled feebly , and said ' And I invite YOU . '

' Manners are not taught in lessons , ' said Alice .

' Lessons teach you to do sums , and things of that sort . '

' And you do Addition ? ' the White Queen asked .

' What 's one and one and one and one and one and one and one and one and one and one ? '

' I don't know , ' said Alice .

' I lost count . '

' She can't do Addition , ' the Red Queen interrupted .

' Can you do Subtraction ?

take nine from eight . '

' Nine from eight I can't , you know , ' Alice replied very readily : ' but '

' She can't do Subtraction , ' said the White Queen .

' Can you do Division ?

divide a loaf by a knife what 's the answer to that ? '

' I suppose ' Alice was beginning , but the Red Queen answered for her .

' Bread-and-butter , of course .

try another Subtraction sum .

take a bone from a dog : what remains ? '

Alice considered .

' Then you think nothing would remain ? ' said the Red Queen .

' I think that 's the answer . '

' Wrong , as usual , ' said the Red Queen : ' the dog 's temper would remain . '

' But I don't see how '

' Why , look here ! ' the Red Queen cried .

' The dog would lose its temper , wouldn't it ? '

' Perhaps it would , ' Alice replied cautiously .

' Then if the dog went away , its temper would remain ! ' the Queen exclaimed triumphantly .

Alice said , as gravely as she could , ' They might go different ways . '

but she couldn't help thinking to herself , ' What dreadful nonsense we ARE talking ! '

' She can't do sums a BIT ! ' the Queens said together , with great emphasis .

' Can YOU do sums ? '

Alice said , turning suddenly on the White Queen , for she didn't like being found fault with so much .

the Queen gasped and shut her eyes .

' I can do Addition , if you give me time but I can't do Subtraction , under ANY circumstances ! '

' Of course you know your A B C ? ' said the Red Queen .

' To be sure I do . ' said Alice .

' So do I , ' the White Queen whispered : ' we 'll often say it over together , dear .

and I 'll tell you a secret I can read words of one letter !

isn't THAT grand !

however , don't be discouraged .

you 'll come to it in time . '

here the Red Queen began again .

' Can you answer useful questions ? ' she said .

' How is bread made ? '

' I know THAT ! '

Alice cried eagerly .

' You take some flour '

' Where do you pick the flower ? ' the White Queen asked .

' In a garden , or in the hedges ? '

' Well , it isn't PICKED at all , ' Alice explained : ' it 's GROUND '

' How many acres of ground ? ' said the White Queen .

' You mustn't leave out so many things . '

' Fan her head ! ' the Red Queen anxiously interrupted .

' She 'll be feverish after so much thinking . '

' She 's all right again now , ' said the Red Queen .

' Do you know Languages ?

what 's the French for fiddle-de-dee ? '

' Fiddle-de-dee 's not English , ' Alice replied gravely .

' Who ever said it was ? ' said the Red Queen .

Alice thought she saw a way out of the difficulty this time .

' If you 'll tell me what language " fiddle-de-dee " is , I 'll tell you the French for it ! ' she exclaimed triumphantly .

but the Red Queen drew herself up rather stiffly , and said ' Queens never make bargains . '

' I wish Queens never asked questions , ' Alice thought to herself .

' Don't let us quarrel , ' the White Queen said in an anxious tone .

' What is the cause of lightning ? '

' I meant the other way . '

Alice was puzzled .

' In OUR country , ' she remarked , ' there 's only one day at a time . '

the Red Queen said , ' That 's a poor thin way of doing things .

' Are five nights warmer than one night , then ? '

Alice ventured to ask .

' Five times as warm , of course . '

' But they should be five times as COLD , by the same rule '

' Just so ! ' cried the Red Queen .

Alice sighed and gave it up .

' It 's exactly like a riddle with no answer ! ' she thought .

' He came to the door with a corkscrew in his hand '

' What did he want ? ' said the Red Queen .

' He said he WOULD come in , ' the White Queen went on , ' because he was looking for a hippopotamus .

now , as it happened , there wasn't such a thing in the house , that morning . '

' Is there generally ? '

Alice asked in an astonished tone .

' Well , only on Thursdays , ' said the Queen .

' I know what he came for , ' said Alice : ' he wanted to punish the fish , because '

here the White Queen began again .

' It was SUCH a thunderstorm , you can't think ! '

( ' She NEVER could , you know , ' said the Red Queen . )

Alice thought to herself , ' I never should TRY to remember my name in the middle of an accident !

where would be the use of it ? ' but she did not say this aloud , for fear of hurting the poor Queen 's feeling .

' She never was really well brought up , ' the Red Queen went on : ' but it 's amazing how good-tempered she is !

pat her on the head , and see how pleased she 'll be ! '

but this was more than Alice had courage to do .

' A little kindness and putting her hair in papers would do wonders with her '

the White Queen gave a deep sigh , and laid her head on Alice 's shoulder .

' I AM so sleepy ? ' she moaned .

' She 's tired , poor thing ! ' said the Red Queen .

' Smooth her hair lend her your nightcap and sing her a soothing lullaby . '

' I must do it myself , then , ' said the Red Queen , and she began :

' Hush-a-by lady , in Alice 's lap !

I 'm getting sleepy , too . '

in another moment both Queens were fast asleep , and snoring loud .

' I don't think it EVER happened before , that any one had to take care of two Queens asleep at once !

' I 'm not a visitor , and I 'm not a servant .

there OUGHT to be one marked " Queen , " you know '

' What is it , now ? ' the Frog said in a deep hoarse whisper .

Alice turned round , ready to find fault with anybody .

' Where 's the servant whose business it is to answer the door ? ' she began angrily .

' Which door ? ' said the Frog .

Alice almost stamped with irritation at the slow drawl in which he spoke .

' THIS door , of course ! '

' To answer the door ? ' he said .

' What 's it been asking of ? '

he was so hoarse that Alice could scarcely hear him .

' I don't know what you mean , ' she said .

' I talks English , doesn't I ? ' the Frog went on .

' Or are you deaf ?

what did it ask you ? '

' Nothing ! '

Alice said impatiently .

' I 've been knocking at it ! '

' Shouldn't do that shouldn't do that ' the Frog muttered .

' Vexes it , you know . '

then he went up and gave the door a kick with one of his great feet .

at this moment the door was flung open , and a shrill voice was heard singing :

and hundreds of voices joined in the chorus :

then followed a confused noise of cheering , and Alice thought to herself , ' Thirty times three makes ninety .

I wonder if any one 's counting ? '

in a minute there was silence again , and the same shrill voice sang another verse ;

' " O Looking-Glass creatures , " quoth Alice , " draw near !

then came the chorus again :

' Ninety times nine ! '

Alice repeated in despair , ' Oh , that 'll never be done !

I 'd better go in at once ' and there was a dead silence the moment she appeared .

Alice sat down in it , rather uncomfortable in the silence , and longing for some one to speak .

at last the Red Queen began .

' You 've missed the soup and fish , ' she said .

' Put on the joint ! '

' You look a little shy ; let me introduce you to that leg of mutton , ' said the Red Queen .

' Alice Mutton ; Mutton Alice . '

' Certainly not , ' the Red Queen said , very decidedly : ' it isn't etiquette to cut any one you 've been introduced to .

remove the joint ! '

and the waiters carried it off , and brought a large plum-pudding in its place .

may I give you some ? '

but the Red Queen looked sulky , and growled ' Pudding Alice ; Alice Pudding .

remove the pudding ! ' and the waiters took it away so quickly that Alice couldn't return its bow .

bring back the pudding ! ' and there it was again in a moment like a conjuring-trick .

' What impertinence ! ' said the Pudding .

' I wonder how you 'd like it , if I were to cut a slice out of YOU , you creature ! '

' Make a remark , ' said the Red Queen : ' it 's ridiculous to leave all the conversation to the pudding ! '

do you know why they 're so fond of fishes , all about here ? '

she spoke to the Red Queen , whose answer was a little wide of the mark .

shall she repeat it ? '

' It would be SUCH a treat !

May I ? '

' Please do , ' Alice said very politely .

the White Queen laughed with delight , and stroked Alice 's cheek .

then she began :

' " first , the fish must be caught . "

that is easy : a baby , I think , could have caught it .

" next , the fish must be bought . "

that is easy : a penny , I think , would have bought it .

" now cook me the fish ! "

that is easy , and will not take more than a minute .

" let it lie in a dish ! "

that is easy , because it already is in it .

" bring it here !

let me sup ! "

it is easy to set such a dish on the table .

" take the dish-cover up ! "

ah , THAT is so hard that I fear I 'm unable !

' Take a minute to think about it , and then guess , ' said the Red Queen .

' You ought to return thanks in a neat speech , ' the Red Queen said , frowning at Alice as she spoke .

' Thank you very much , ' she whispered in reply , ' but I can do quite well without . '

( ' And they DID push so ! ' she said afterwards , when she was telling her sister the history of the feast .

' You would have thought they wanted to squeeze me flat ! ' )

' Take care of yourself ! ' screamed the White Queen , seizing Alice 's hair with both her hands .

' Something 's going to happen ! '

and then ( as Alice afterwards described it ) all sorts of things happened in a moment .

the candles all grew up to the ceiling , looking something like a bed of rushes with fireworks at the top .

there was not a moment to be lost .

CHAPTER X. shaking

she took her off the table as she spoke , and shook her backwards and forwards with all her might .

CHAPTER XI .

Waking

and it really WAS a kitten , after all .

CHAPTER XII .

which Dreamed it ?

' You woke me out of oh ! such a nice dream !

and you 've been along with me , Kitty all through the Looking-Glass world .

did you know it , dear ? '

but how CAN you talk with a person if they always say the same thing ? '

on this occasion the kitten only purred : and it was impossible to guess whether it meant ' yes ' or ' no . '

' Now , Kitty ! ' she cried , clapping her hands triumphantly .

' Confess that was what you turned into ! '

' Sit up a little more stiffly , dear ! '

Alice cried with a merry laugh .

' And curtsey while you 're thinking what to what to purr .

it saves time , remember ! '

and she caught it up and gave it one little kiss , ' just in honour of having been a Red Queen . '

that must be the reason you were so untidy in my dream Dinah ! do you know that you 're scrubbing a White Queen ?

really , it 's most disrespectful of you !

' Tell me , Dinah , did you turn to Humpty Dumpty ?

I THINK you did however , you 'd better not mention it to your friends just yet , for I 'm not sure .

To-morrow morning you shall have a real treat .

' Now , Kitty , let 's consider who it was that dreamed it all .

you see , Kitty , it MUST have been either me or the Red King .

he was part of my dream , of course but then I was part of his dream , too !

WAS it the Red King , Kitty ?

you were his wife , my dear , so you ought to know Oh , Kitty , DO help to settle it !

I 'm sure your paw can wait ! '

but the provoking kitten only began on the other paw , and pretended it hadn't heard the question .

which do YOU think it was ?

A boat beneath a sunny sky , Lingering onward dreamily In an evening of July

children three that nestle near , Eager eye and willing ear , Pleased a simple tale to hear

Long has paled that sunny sky : echoes fade and memories die .

Autumn frosts have slain July .

still she haunts me , phantomwise , Alice moving under skies Never seen by waking eyes .

Children yet , the tale to hear , Eager eye and willing ear , Lovingly shall nestle near .

in a Wonderland they lie , Dreaming as the days go by , Dreaming as the summers die :

ever drifting down the stream Lingering in the golden gleam Life , what is it but a dream ?

THE END

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Through the Looking-Glass , by Charles Dodgson , AKA Lewis Carroll

produced by Ron Burkey

PETER PAN IN KENSINGTON GARDENS

by J M Barrie

CONTENTS

Peter Pan The Thrush 's Nest The Little House Lock-Out Time

Peter Pan

perhaps she has forgotten , just as she sometimes forgets your name and calls you Mildred , which is your mother 's name .

still , she could hardly forget such an important thing as the goat .

therefore there was no goat when your grandmother was a little girl .

if you think he was the only baby who ever wanted to escape , it shows how completely you have forgotten your own young days .

so David tells me .

well , Peter Pan got out by the window , which had no bars .

at first he found some difficulty in balancing himself on a branch , but presently he remembered the way , and fell asleep .

there was something he wanted very much , but , though he knew he wanted it , he could not think what it was .

they are reputed to know a good deal .

to Peter 's bewilderment he discovered that every fairy he met fled from him .

a band of workmen , who were sawing down a toadstool , rushed away , leaving their tools behind them .

a milkmaid turned her pail upside down and hid in it .

soon the Gardens were in an uproar .

a regiment of Lancers came charging down the Broad Walk , armed with holly-leaves , with which they jog the enemy horribly in passing .

every living thing was shunning him .

the reason birds can fly and we can't is simply that they have perfect faith , for to have faith is to have wings .

not one of them wore anything .

the shock was so great that it drove away his cold .

" I think I shall go back to mother , " he said timidly .

" good-bye , " replied Solomon Caw with a queer look .

but Peter hesitated .

" why don't you go ? " the old one asked politely .

" I suppose , " said Peter huskily , " I suppose I can still fly ? "

you see , he had lost faith .

you must live here on the island always . "

" and never even go to the Kensington Gardens ? "

Peter asked tragically .

" how could you get across ? " said Solomon .

" then I sha'n't be exactly a human ? "

Peter asked .

" no . "

" nor exactly a bird ? "

" no . "

" what shall I be ? "

the birds on the island never got used to him .

his oddities tickled them every day , as if they were quite new , though it was really the birds that were new .

all his food was brought to him from the Gardens at Solomon 's orders by the birds .

he would not eat worms or insects ( which they thought very silly of him ) , so they brought him bread in their beaks .

thus , when you cry out , " Greedy !

Peter wore no night-gown now .

but , though he was now quite naked , you must not think that he was cold or unhappy .

but the best thing Solomon had done was to teach him to have a glad heart .

the birds brought him news of how boys and girls play , and wistful tears started in Peter 's eyes .

perhaps you wonder why he did not swim across .

the reason was that he could not swim .

Peter tried it often , but always before he could kick out he sank .

once he really thought he had discovered a way of reaching the Gardens .

after this the birds said that they would help him no more in his mad enterprise .

nevertheless , Peter did reach the Gardens at last by the help of Shelley 's boat , as I am now to tell you .

the Thrush 's Nest

Shelley was a young gentleman and as grown-up as he need ever expect to be .

he was a poet ; and they are never exactly grown-up .

they are people who despise money except what you need for to-day , and he had all that and five pounds over .

and whether you are a lady or only a little boy who wants a baby-sister , always take pains to write your address clearly .

you can't think what a lot of babies Solomon has sent to the wrong house .

they thought this because there was a large five printed on it .

nor was this all that Peter did to pin the powerful old fellow 's good will .

you must know that Solomon had no intention of remaining in office all his life .

when his stocking was full , Solomon calculated that he would be able to retire on a competency .

Peter now gave him a pound .

he cut it off his bank-note with a sharp stick .

this made Solomon his friend for ever , and after the two had consulted together they called a meeting of the thrushes .

you will see presently why thrushes only were invited .

other birds , said Solomon , omitted to line their nests with mud , and as a result they did not hold water .

" consider , " he said at last , " how warm the mud makes the nest . "

the thrushes begged Solomon with a look to say something crushing in reply to this , but again he was perplexed .

" try another drink , " suggested Mrs Finch pertly .

Kate was her name , and all Kates are saucy .

Solomon did try another drink , and it inspired him .

how the thrushes applauded !

after this it was most orderly .

at this the thrushes began to fidget , which made Peter tremble for his scheme .

but still , to Peter 's agony , the thrushes were sulky .

" we are very busy people , " they grumbled , " and this would be a big job . "

" quite so , " said Solomon , " and , of course , Peter would not allow you to work for nothing .

you must remember that he is now in comfortable circumstances , and he will pay you such wages as you have never been paid before .

Peter Pan authorises me to say that you shall all be paid sixpence a day . "

then all the thrushes hopped for joy , and that very day was begun the celebrated Building of the Boat .

all their ordinary business fell into arrears .

what do you think Solomon did ?

you ask them .

Peter was a just master , and paid his work-people every evening .

it must have been a fine sight .

and at last , after months of labor , the boat was finished .

oh , the deportment of Peter as he saw it growing more and more like a great thrush 's nest !

there are also a few feathers here and there , which came off the thrushes while they were building .

his face was flushed , but he never looked back ; there was an exultation in his little breast that drove out fear .

was Peter the least gallant of the English mariners who have sailed westward to meet the Unknown ?

which , having avoided , he passed under the bridge and came , to his great rejoicing , within full sight of the delectable Gardens .

having escaped the danger of which , he was mercifully carried into a small bay , where his boat rode at peace .

when he sails , he sits down , but he stands up to paddle .

I shall tell you presently how he got his paddle .

at least he thinks so , and it is one of the pathetic things about him that he often plays quite wrongly .

every night the ducks have forgotten all the events of the day , except the number of pieces of cake thrown to them .

they are gloomy creatures , and say that cake is not what it was in their young days .

so Peter had to find out many things for himself .

he often played ships at the Round Pond , but his ship was only a hoop which he had found on the grass .

also he found a balloon .

perhaps the most surprising thing he found was a perambulator .

I have promised to tell you also about his paddle .

it was a child 's spade which he had found near St Govor 's Well , and he thought it was a paddle .

do you pity Peter Pan for making these mistakes ?

if so , I think it rather silly of you .

he played without ceasing , while you often waste time by being mad-dog or Mary-Annish .

oh , he was merry .

he was as much merrier than you , for instance , as you are merrier than your father .

sometimes he fell , like a spinning-top , from sheer merriment .

have you seen a greyhound leaping the fences of the Gardens ?

that is how Peter leaps them .

and think of the music of his pipe .

of course , he had no mother at least , what use was she to him ?

it was the fairies who gave him the chance .

the Little House

this is because it is not there when you lie down , but it is there when you wake up and step outside .

you see the light after Lock-out Time .

but if it was the same one , it was Peter Pan 's light .

heaps of children have seen the fight , so that is nothing .

but Maimie Mannering was the famous one for whom the house was first built .

Maimie was always rather a strange girl , and it was at night that she was strange .

she was four years of age , and in the daytime she was the ordinary kind .

she was quite the ordinary kind in the daytime .

it was also a serene look that contrasted grandly with Tony 's uneasy glances .

it was then that Maimie was terrible .

and by-and-by when they were alone with their night-light she would start up in bed crying " Hsh ! what was that ? "

Tony beseeches her !

" it was nothing don't , Maimie , don't ! " and pulls the sheet over his head .

" it is coming nearer ! " she cries ; " oh , look at it , Tony !

but of course it was daytime when they were in the Gardens , and then Tony did most of the talking .

you could gather from his talk that he was a very brave boy , and no one was so proud of it as Maimie .

she would have loved to have a ticket on her saying that she was his sister .

" oh , Tony , " she would say , with awful respect , " but the fairies will be so angry ! "

" I daresay , " replied Tony , carelessly .

" perhaps , " she said , thrilling , " peter Pan will give you a sail in his boat ! "

" I shall make him , " replied Tony ; no wonder she was proud of him .

so she saw that he was waiting for a real good chance .

it read half-past five .

you see the chance had come of seeing a fairy ball .

never , Tony felt , could he hope for a better chance .

he had to feel this , for Maimie so plainly felt it for him .

her eager eyes asked the question , " is it to-day ? " and he gasped and then nodded .

Maimie slipped her hand into Tony 's , and hers was hot , but his was cold .

she did a very kind thing ; she took off her scarf and gave it to him !

" in case you should feel cold , " she whispered .

her face was aglow , but Tony 's was very gloomy .

when the ayah reached the gate and saw Tony far in front she thought her other charge was with him and passed out .

she had shut her eyes tight and glued them with passionate tears .

when she opened them something very cold ran up her legs and up her arms and dropped into her heart .

it was the stillness of the Gardens .

then she heard clang , then from another part clang , then clang , clang far away .

it was the Closing of the Gates .

immediately the last clang had died away Maimie distinctly heard a voice say , " so that 's all right . "

she was not in the least cold .

the rest of her real self was hidden far away inside so many warm garments that in shape she seemed rather like a ball .

she was about forty round the waist .

they moved in a jerky sort of way certainly , but that was because they used crutches .

an elderberry hobbled across the walk , and stood chatting with some young quinces , and they all had crutches .

the crutches were the sticks that are tied to young trees and shrubs .

they were quite familiar objects to Maimie , but she had never known what they were for until to-night .

she peeped up the walk and saw her first fairy .

he was a street boy fairy who was running up the walk closing the weeping trees .

" oh , you naughty , naughty child ! "

Maimie cried indignantly , for she knew what it was to have a dripping umbrella about your ears .

then the whole vegetable kingdom was rather puzzled what to do .

" I think you should not , " Maimie replied , which so perplexed them that they said petulantly there was no arguing with her .

so much walking tired her and she was anxious to be off to the ball , but she no longer felt afraid .

as they said this they looked with affected pity at an evergreen oak , for in winter they are very envious of the evergreens .

" how I should love to see the Cupids in their dear little fools ' caps ! "

Maimie cried , and away she ran to look for them very recklessly , for the Cupids hate to be laughed at .

this night the ribbons were red and looked very pretty on the snow .

Maimie walked alongside one of them for some distance without meeting anybody , but at last she saw a fairy cavalcade approaching .

it was difficult to know what to reply .

" I see you think I have no chance , " Brownie said falteringly .

fortunately she remembered about her father and the bazaar .

Maimie repeated this story , and it fortified Brownie tremendously , indeed she had no longer the slightest doubt that the Duke would choose her .

so she scudded away up the ribbon , calling out to Maimie not to follow lest the Queen should mischief her .

but Maimie 's curiosity tugged her forward , and presently at the seven Spanish chestnuts , she saw a wonderful light .

she crept forward until she was quite near it , and then she peeped from behind a tree .

she was disappointed not to see Peter Pan , and I may as well tell you now why he was so late that night .

the fairies had as yet scarcely missed him , for they could not dance , so heavy were their hearts .

they forget all the steps when they are sad and remember them again when they are merry .

David tells me that fairies never say " we feel happy " : what they say is , " we feel dancey . "

" what 's this ? " he cried , and first he shook the heart like a watch , and then put his ear to it .

everybody stared breathlessly at the Duke , who was very much startled and looked as if he would like to run away .

the suspense was awful !

you can't conceive the effect of it .

thus in a single moment about fifty marriages took place , for if you leap into each other 's arms it is a fairy wedding .

of course a clergyman has to be present .

how the crowd cheered and leapt !

most gladsome sight of all , the Cupids plucked the hated fools ' caps from their heads and cast them high in the air .

and then Maimie went and spoiled everything .

she couldn't help it .

how she ran ! and all the time her eyes were starting out of her head .

many times she lay down , and then quickly jumped up and ran on again .

her little mind was so entangled in terrors that she no longer knew she was in the Gardens .

she thought the snowflakes falling on her face were her mother kissing her good-night .

she thought her coverlet of snow was a warm blanket , and tried to pull it over her head .

but it was the fairies .

I am very glad to be able to say that they no longer desired to mischief her .

when she rushed away they had rent the air with such cries as " slay her ! "

every bride has a right to a boon , and what she asked for was Maimie 's life .

" anything except that , " replied Queen Mab sternly , and all the fairies chanted " anything except that . "

they traced Maimie easily by her footprints in the snow .

but though they found her deep in snow in the Figs , it seemed impossible to thank Maimie , for they could not waken her .

" and it might melt , " the Queen pointed out , so that idea had to be given up .

a magnificent attempt was made to carry her to a sheltered spot , but though there were so many of them she was too heavy .

by this time all the ladies were crying in their handkerchiefs , but presently the Cupids had a lovely idea .

the house was exactly the size of Maimie and perfectly lovely .

so they gave it ever so many little extra touches , and even then they added more extra touches .

for instance , two of them ran up a ladder and put on a chimney .

" now we fear it is quite finished , " they sighed .

but no , for another two ran up the ladder , and tied some smoke to the chimney .

" that certainly finishes it , " they cried reluctantly .

" wait one moment , " said a china merchant , " and I shall make you a saucer . "

now alas , it was absolutely finished .

oh , dear no !

" Gracious me , " cried a brass manufacturer , " there 's no handle on the door , " and he put one on .

an ironmonger added a scraper and an old lady ran up with a door-mat .

carpenters arrived with a water-butt , and the painters insisted on painting it .

finished at last !

oh , how beautiful the little house was now !

but it was at last finished true as true , and they had to leave it and return to the dance .

they all kissed their hands to it as they went away , and the last to go was Brownie .

she stayed a moment behind the others to drop a pleasant dream down the chimney .

all through the night the exquisite little house stood there in the Figs taking care of Maimie , and she never knew .

" Tony , " for she thought she was at home in the nursery .

it so entranced her that she could think of nothing else .

" oh , you darling , oh , you sweet , oh , you love ! " she cried .

the glow-worm fight was waning too , but it was still there .

" Darling , loveliest , don't go ! "

she knew at once that he must be Peter Pan .

Lock-out Time

they are not a bit cunning after Lock-out , but until Lock-out , my word !

very likely if they said this in the Kensington Gardens , they were standing looking at a fairy all the time .

the reason they were cheated was that she pretended to be something else .

this is one of their best tricks .

most of them really are flowers , but some of them are fairies .

another good plan , which David and I sometimes follow , is to stare them down .

after a long time they can't help winking , and then you know for certain that they are fairies .

there are also numbers of them along the Baby Walk , which is a famous gentle place , as spots frequented by fairies are called .

once twenty-four of them had an extraordinary adventure .

unfortunately , what the governess had heard was two gardeners coming to plant new flowers in that very bed .

they were wheeling a handcart with flowers in it , and were quite surprised to find the bed occupied .

" pity to lift them hyacinths , " said the one man .

as for their houses , it is no use looking for them , because they are the exact opposite of our houses .

you can see our houses by day but you can't see them by dark .

this does not mean that they are black , for night has its colours just as day has , but ever so much brighter .

their blues and reds and greens are like ours with a light behind them .

they are very inquisitive folk , and press quite hard against the glass , and that is why their noses are mostly snubby .

the streets are miles long and very twisty , and have paths on each side made of bright worsted .

the birds used to steal the worsted for their nests , but a policeman has been appointed to hold on at the other end .

one of the great differences between the fairies and us is that they never do anything useful .

when the first baby laughed for the first time , his laugh broke into a million pieces , and they all went skipping about .

that was the beginning of fairies .

they are frightfully ignorant , and everything they do is make-believe .

she is talking fairy .

they hold their great balls in the open air , in what is called a fairy-ring .

for weeks afterward you can see the ring on the grass .

it is not there when they begin , but they make it by waltzing round and round .

sometimes you will find mushrooms inside the ring , and these are fairy chairs that the servants have forgotten to clear away .

David and I once found a fairy-ring quite warm .

but there is also a way of finding out about the ball before it takes place .

you know the boards which tell at what time the Gardens are to close to-day .

this enables them to get begun half an hour earlier .

the table-cloth varies according to the seasons , and in May it is made of chestnut-blossom .

Wall-flower juice is good for reviving dancers who fall to the ground in a fit , and Solomon 's Seals juice is for bruises .

they bruise very easily and when Peter plays faster and faster they foot it till they fall down in fits .

for , as you know without my telling you , Peter Pan is the fairies ' orchestra .

he sits in the middle of the ring , and they would never dream of having a smart dance nowadays without him .

" P ..y P . " is written on the corner of the invitation-cards sent out by all really good families .

the way it was done was this .

the Queen ordered him to kneel , and then said that for playing so beautifully she would give him the wish of his heart .

" if I chose to go back to mother , " he asked at last , " could you give me that wish ? "

" is that quite a little wish ? " he inquired .

" as little as this , " the Queen answered , putting her hands near each other .

" what size is a big wish ? " he asked .

she measured it off on her skirt and it was a very handsome length .

then Peter reflected and said , " well , then , I think I shall have two little wishes instead of one big one . "

his second wish he would hold in reserve .

they tried to dissuade him , and even put obstacles in the way .

" the window I flew out at will be open , " Peter said confidently .

" mother always keeps it open in the hope that I may fly back .

" how do you know ? " they asked , quite surprised , and , really , Peter could not explain how he knew .

" I just do know , " he said .

so as he persisted in his wish , they had to grant it .

Peter alighted softly on the wooden rail at the foot of the bed and had a good look at her .

she lay with her head on her hand , and the hollow in the pillow was like a nest lined with her brown wavy hair .

he remembered , though he had long forgotten it , that she always gave her hair a holiday at night .

how sweet the frills of her night-gown were .

he was very glad she was such a pretty mother .

but she looked sad , and he knew why she looked sad .

one of her arms moved as if it wanted to go round something , and he knew what it wanted to go round .

very gently he patted the little mound that her feet made , and he could see by her face that she liked it .

he knew he had but to say " mother " ever so softly , and she would wake up .

they always wake up at once if it is you that says their name .

then she would give such a joyous cry and squeeze him tight .

how nice that would be to him , but oh , how exquisitely delicious it would be to her .

that I am afraid is how Peter regarded it .

in returning to his mother he never doubted that he was giving her the greatest treat a woman can have .

nothing can be more splendid , he thought , than to have a little boy of your own .

how proud of him they are ; and very right and proper , too .

but why does Peter sit so long on the rail , why does he not tell his mother that he has come back ?

I quite shrink from the truth , which is that he sat there in two minds .

sometimes he looked longingly at his mother , and sometimes he looked longingly at the window .

was he so sure that he would enjoy wearing clothes again ?

he popped off the bed and opened some drawers to have a look at his old garments .

they were still there , but he could not remember how you put them on .

the socks , for instance , were they worn on the hands or on the feet ?

he was about to try one of them on his hand , when he had a great adventure .

he remained sitting on the floor and held his breath , wondering how she knew that he had come back .

if she said " peter " again , he meant to cry " mother " and run to her .

it made Peter very miserable , and what do you think was the first thing he did ?

sitting on the rail at the foot of the bed , he played a beautiful lullaby to his mother on his pipe .

he had made it up himself out of the way she said " Peter , " and he never stopped playing until she looked happy .

however , as she now seemed comfortable , he again cast looks at the window .

you must not think that he meditated flying away and never coming back .

he had quite decided to be his mother 's boy , but hesitated about beginning to-night .

it was the second wish which troubled him .

also , if he put off asking for his wish too long it might go bad .

he asked himself if he had not been hard-hearted to fly away without saying good-bye to Solomon .

" I should like awfully to sail in my boat just once more , " he said wistfully to his sleeping mother .

he quite argued with her as if she could hear him .

" it would be so splendid to tell the birds of this adventure , " he said coaxingly .

" I promise to come back , " he said solemnly and meant it , too .

and in the end , you know , he flew away .

one reason was that he had so many good-byes to say , not only to his particular friends , but to a hundred favourite spots .

then he had his last sail , and his very last sail , and his last sail of all , and so on .

this last reason displeased old Solomon , for it was an encouragement to the birds to procrastinate .

the birds pointed this out to each other , and fell into lazy habits .

but , mind you , though Peter was so slow in going back to his mother , he was quite decided to go back .

the best proof of this was his caution with the fairies .

then they would have said that this was his second wish .

but he smoked their design , and though on occasions he began , " I wish " he always stopped in time .

he had to fly back , sobbing , to the Gardens , and he never saw his dear again .

what a glorious boy he had meant to be to her .

ah , Peter , we who have made the great mistake , how differently we should all act at the second chance .

but Solomon was right ; there is no second chance , not for most of us .

when we reach the window it is Lock-out Time .

the iron bars are up for life .

End of Project Gutenberg 's Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens , by J M Barrie

produced by Kjell Nedrelid

CHRONICLES OF AVONLEA

by L M Montgomery

TO THE MEMORY OF Mrs William A Houston , A DEAR FRIEND , WHO HAS GONE BEYOND

the unsung beauty hid life 's common things below .

Whittier

Contents

I ..y the Hurrying of Ludovic

II .

Old Lady Lloyd

III .

each In His Own Tongue

IV .

little Joscelyn

V the Winning of Lucinda

VI .

old Man Shaw 's Girl

VII .

aunt Olivia 's Beau

VIII .

the Quarantine at Alexander Abraham 's

IX .

Pa Sloane 's Purchase

x . the Courting of Prissy Strong

XI .

the Miracle at Carmody

XII .

the End of a Quarrel

CHRONICLES OF AVONLEA

I ..y the Hurrying of Ludovic

they had had their chat out , on this particular evening , and Anne was giving herself over to the delight of building an air-castle .

then she saw Ludovic Speed coming down the lane .

no one else in Middle Grafton had such a tall , gently-stooping , placidly-moving figure .

in every kink and turn of it there was an individuality all Ludovic 's own .

Anne roused herself from her dreams , thinking it would only be tactful to take her departure .

Ludovic was courting Theodora .

Ludovic had been coming down that lane to see Theodora , in the same ruminating , unhastening fashion , for fifteen years !

" there isn't any hurry , child .

sit down and have your call out .

you 've seen Ludovic coming down the lane , and , I suppose , you think you 'll be a crowd .

but you won't .

Ludovic rather likes a third person around , and so do I . it spurs up the conversation as it were .

Theodora never pretended to bashfulness where Ludovic was concerned .

she was not at all shy of referring to him and his dilatory courtship .

indeed , it seemed to amuse her .

but even Anne 's imagination failed her for this .

" anyway , " she thought , impatiently , " if I wanted him I think I 'd find some way of hurrying him up .

Ludovic SPEED !

was there ever such a misfit of a name ?

such a name for such a man is a delusion and a snare . "

as she brought him into the sitting-room she made a comical grimace at Anne over his shoulder .

Ludovic smiled pleasantly at Anne .

but Anne did not affect him in this fashion .

Ludovic was tall and somewhat ungainly , but his unhesitating placidity gave him the appearance of a dignity that did not otherwise pertain to him .

his eyes were dreamy and pleasant , with a touch of melancholy in their blue depths .

he sat down in the big bulgy old armchair that had belonged to Theodora 's father .

Ludovic always sat there , and Anne declared that the chair had come to look like him .

the conversation soon grew animated enough .

Ludovic was a good talker when he had somebody to draw him out .

" it 's star time and good-night time , " she said , and went away quietly .

a wind , odour-freighted , blew daintily across it .

to her eager youth , this courtship of theirs seemed a very amusing thing .

she liked Ludovic , but allowed herself to be provoked with him .

" the dear , big , irritating goose ! " she said aloud .

" there never was such a lovable idiot before .

two evenings later , when Anne went over to the Dix place , she and Theodora drifted into a conversation about Ludovic .

Anne was lying back in a little rocker , with her slim hands folded in her lap , watching Theodora .

when Theodora was not smiling , she looked very imposing .

Anne thought it likely that Ludovic held her in awe .

" did you and Ludovic talk about Christian Science ALL Saturday evening ? " she asked .

Theodora overflowed into a smile .

" yes , and we even quarrelled over it .

at least I did .

Ludovic wouldn't quarrel with anyone .

you have to fight air when you spar with him .

I hate to square up to a person who won't hit back . "

" Theodora , " said Anne coaxingly , " I am going to be curious and impertinent .

you can snub me if you like .

why don't you and Ludovic get married ? "

Theodora laughed comfortably .

" that 's the question Grafton folks have been asking for quite a while , I reckon , Anne .

well , I 'd have no objection to marrying Ludovic .

that 's frank enough for you , isn't it ?

but it 's not easy to marry a man unless he asks you .

and Ludovic has never asked me . "

" is he too shy ? " persisted Anne .

since Theodora was in the mood , she meant to sift this puzzling affair to the bottom .

Theodora dropped her work and looked meditatively out over the green slopes of the summer world .

" no , I don't think it is that .

Ludovic isn't shy .

it 's just his way the Speed way .

the Speeds are all dreadfully deliberate .

they spend years thinking over a thing before they make up their minds to do it .

they 're not lazy , you know , but they love to take their time . "

" and Ludovic is just an aggravated case of Speedism , " suggested Anne .

" exactly .

he never hurried in his life .

why , he has been thinking for the last six years of getting his house painted .

he talks it over with me every little while , and picks out the colour , and there the matter stays .

he 's fond of me , and he means to ask me to have him sometime .

the only question is will the time ever come ? "

" why don't you hurry him up ? " asked Anne impatiently .

Theodora went back to her stitches with another laugh .

" if Ludovic could be hurried up , I 'm not the one to do it .

I 'm too shy .

it sounds ridiculous to hear a woman of my age and inches say that , but it is true .

of course , I know it 's the only way any Speed ever did make out to get married .

for instance , there 's a cousin of mine married to Ludovic 's brother .

I don't say she proposed to him out and out , but , mind you , Anne , it wasn't far from it .

I couldn't do anything like that .

I DID try once .

but it stuck in my throat .

and now I don't mind .

if I don't change Dix to Speed until I take the initiative , it will be Dix to the end of life .

Ludovic doesn't realize that we are growing old , you know .

he thinks we are giddy young folks yet , with plenty of time before us .

that 's the Speed failing .

they never find out they 're alive until they 're dead . "

" you 're fond of Ludovic , aren't you ? " asked Anne , detecting a note of real bitterness among Theodora 's paradoxes .

" laws , yes , " said Theodora candidly .

she did not think it worth while to blush over so settled a fact .

" I think the world and all of Ludovic .

and he certainly does need somebody to look after HIM .

he 's neglected he looks frayed .

you can see that for yourself .

that old aunt of his looks after his house in some fashion , but she doesn't look after him .

and he 's coming now to the age when a man needs to be looked after and coddled a bit .

I 'm lonesome here , and Ludovic is lonesome up there , and it does seem ridiculous , doesn't it ?

I don't wonder that we 're the standing joke of Grafton .

goodness knows , I laugh at it enough myself .

I 've sometimes thought that if Ludovic could be made jealous it might spur him along .

but I never could flirt and there 's nobody to flirt with if I could .

everybody hereabouts looks upon me as Ludovic 's property and nobody would dream of interfering with him . "

" Theodora , " cried Anne , " I have a plan ! "

" now , what are you going to do ? " exclaimed Theodora .

Anne told her .

at first Theodora laughed and protested .

in the end , she yielded somewhat doubtfully , overborne by Anne 's enthusiasm .

" well , try it , then , " she said , resignedly .

" if Ludovic gets mad and leaves me , I 'll be worse off than ever .

but nothing venture , nothing win .

and there is a fighting chance , I suppose .

besides , I must admit I 'm tired of his dilly-dallying . "

Anne went back to Echo Lodge tingling with delight in her plot .

she hunted up Arnold Sherman , and told him what was required of him .

Arnold Sherman listened and laughed .

it amused him to think of hurrying Ludovic Speed , and he knew that Theodora Dix could be depended on to do her part .

the comedy would not be dull , whatever its outcome .

the curtain rose on the first act after prayer meeting on the next Thursday night .

it was bright moonlight when the people came out of church , and everybody saw it plainly .

the boys said he had worn the paint off that particular place .

Ludovic knew of no reason why he should paste himself up against the church door .

Theodora would come out as usual , and he would join her as she went past the corner .

Arnold Sherman asked her if he might see her home .

for a few moments he stood there limply ; then he started down the road after his fickle lady and her new admirer .

the boys and irresponsible young men crowded after , expecting some excitement , but they were disappointed .

Ludovic strode on until he overtook Theodora and Arnold Sherman , and then fell meekly in behind them .

Theodora hardly enjoyed her walk home , although Arnold Sherman laid himself out to be especially entertaining .

her heart yearned after Ludovic , whose shuffling footsteps she heard behind her .

she feared that she had been very cruel , but she was in for it now .

when she and Arnold turned in at her gate , Ludovic had to stop .

Theodora looked over her shoulder and saw him standing still on the road .

his forlorn figure haunted her thoughts all night .

if Anne had not run over the next day and bolstered up her convictions , she might have spoiled everything by prematurely relenting .

then he turned about and went home , not with his usual leisurely amble , but with a perturbed stride which proclaimed his inward disquiet .

he felt bewildered .

worse most unkindest cut of all Theodora had gone with him willingly ; nay , she had evidently enjoyed his company .

Ludovic felt the stirring of a righteous anger in his easy-going soul .

even in the moonlight , its weather-worn aspect was plainly visible .

he thought of the " palatial residence " rumour ascribed to Arnold Sherman in Boston , and stroked his chin nervously with his sunburnt fingers .

then he doubled up his fist and struck it smartly on the gate-post .

" I'LL have something to say to it , Arnold Sherman or no Arnold Sherman .

the impudence of the puppy ! "

Arnold Sherman was there before him , and was actually sitting in Ludovic 's own prescriptive chair .

Ludovic had to deposit himself in Theodora 's new wicker rocker , where he looked and felt lamentably out of place .

if Theodora felt the situation to be awkward , she carried it off superbly .

she had never looked handsomer , and Ludovic perceived that she wore her second best silk dress .

he wondered miserably if she had donned it in expectation of his rival 's call .

she had never put on silk dresses for him .

" you should just have been here to see him glowering , " Theodora told the delighted Anne the next day .

" it may be wicked of me , but I felt real glad .

I was afraid he might stay away and sulk .

so long as he comes here and sulks I don't worry .

but he is feeling badly enough , poor soul , and I 'm really eaten up by remorse .

he tried to outstay Mr Sherman last night , but he didn't manage it .

you never saw a more depressed-looking creature than he was as he hurried down the lane .

yes , he actually hurried . "

the following Sunday evening Arnold Sherman walked to church with Theodora , and sat with her .

when they came in Ludovic Speed suddenly stood up in his pew under the gallery .

" his face was as white as a sheet , and his eyes were just glaring out of his head .

I never felt so thrilled , I declare !

I almost expected him to fly at them then and there .

but he just gave a sort of gasp and set down again .

I don't know whether Theodora Dix saw him or not .

she looked as cool and unconcerned as you please . "

Theodora had not seen Ludovic , but if she looked cool and unconcerned , her appearance belied her , for she felt miserably flustered .

she could not prevent Arnold Sherman coming to church with her , but it seemed to her like going too far .

People did not go to church and sit together in Grafton unless they were the next thing to being engaged .

what if this filled Ludovic with the narcotic of despair instead of wakening him up !

she sat through the service in misery and heard not one word of the sermon .

but Ludovic 's spectacular performances were not yet over .

the Speeds might be hard to get started , but once they were started their momentum was irresistible .

when Theodora and Mr Sherman came out , Ludovic was waiting on the steps .

he stood up straight and stern , with his head thrown back and his shoulders squared .

" may I see you home , Miss Dix ? " his words said .

his tone said , " I am going to see you home whether or no. "

for Ludovic ' twas a crowded hour of glorious life .

Anne walked all the way over from Avonlea the next day to hear the news .

Theodora smiled consciously .

" yes , it is really settled at last , Anne .

coming home last night Ludovic asked me plump and plain to marry him , Sunday and all as it was .

it 's to be right away for Ludovic won't be put off a week longer than necessary . "

" and you are delighted , of course , and my poor pride must be the scapegoat .

I shall always be remembered in Grafton as the man from Boston who wanted Theodora Dix and couldn't get her . "

" but that won't be true , you know , " said Anne comfortingly .

Arnold Sherman thought of Theodora 's ripe beauty , and the mellow companionableness she had revealed in their brief intercourse .

" I 'm not perfectly sure of that , " he said , with a half sigh .

II .

Old Lady Lloyd

I ..y the May Chapter

Spencervale gossip always said that " old Lady Lloyd " was rich and mean and proud .

Gossip , as usual , was one-third right and two-thirds wrong .

" and her just rolling in wealth ! " they said indignantly .

" well , she didn't get her miserly ways from her parents .

THEY were real generous and neighbourly .

there never was a finer gentleman than old Doctor Lloyd .

well , well , let Old Lady Lloyd keep herself and her money to herself if she wants to .

if she doesn't want our company , she doesn't have to suffer it , that 's all .

reckon she isn't none too happy for all her money and pride . "

no , the Old Lady was none too happy , that was unfortunately true .

the Old Lady lived " away back at the old Lloyd place , " as it was always called .

it was a quaint , low-eaved house , with big chimneys and square windows and with spruces growing thickly all around it .

the Old Lady lived there all alone and there were weeks at a time when she never saw a human being except Crooked Jack .

what the Old Lady did with herself and how she put in her time was a puzzle the Spencervale people could not solve .

the children believed she amused herself counting the gold in the big black box under her bed .

Mary Moore was the only one who was quite sure she was not a witch .

" witches are always ugly , " she said decisively , " and Old Lady Lloyd isn't ugly .

she 's real pretty she 's got such a soft white hair and big black eyes and a little white face .

those Road children don't know what they 're talking of .

mother says they 're a very ignorant crowd . "

the Old Lady talked to herself because she was really very fond of company and conversation .

at such times she felt very bitter and resentful toward Fate for having taken everything from her .

she had nothing to love , and that is about as unwholesome a condition as is possible to anyone .

it was always hardest in the spring .

the Old Lady felt as if she could NOT endure the ache of it .

the Old Lady lay awake all one moonlit night and cried for very heartache .

she was living on store biscuits and water , so that she might be able to pay Crooked Jack for digging her garden .

" I hate the new day , " she said rebelliously .

" it will be just like all the other hard , common days .

I don't want to get up and live it .

but the Old Lady got up nevertheless , for she knew Crooked Jack would be coming early to finish the garden .

the Old Lady always wore silk from motives of economy .

it was much cheaper to wear a silk dress that had belonged to her mother than to buy new print at the store .

the Old Lady had plenty of silk dresses which had belonged to her mother .

she wore them morning , noon , and night , and Spencervale people considered it an additional evidence of her pride .

as for the fashion of them , it was , of course , just because she was too mean to have them made over .

it had been a young sapling in the days that were haloed by the vanished glory of the Old Lady 's life .

the Old Lady heard childish voices and laughter afar up the lane which led to William Spencer 's place just above the woods .

the Old Lady shrank hastily back behind a clump of young spruces .

she did not like the Spencer children because they always seemed so afraid of her .

who WHO could this girl be ?

she had heard it before under that very beech tree .

Crooked Jack had seen her go out and had remarked to himself that the Old Lady was losing ground ; she was pale and peaked-looking .

he now concluded that he had been mistaken .

the Old Lady 's cheeks were pink and her eyes shining .

somewhere in her walk she had shed ten years at least .

Crooked Jack leaned on his spade and decided that there weren't many finer looking women anywhere than Old Lady Lloyd .

Pity she was such an old miser !

" Sylvia Gray , " said Crooked Jack .

the Old Lady 's heart gave another great bound .

but she had known it she had known that girl with Leslie Gray 's hair and eyes and laugh must be Leslie Gray 's daughter .

for the first time she enjoyed and blessed Crooked Jack 's garrulity and gossip .

every word he uttered was as an apple of gold in a picture of silver to her .

she sung for us that evening after supper and I thought ' twas an angel singing .

it just went through me like a shaft o ' light .

the Spencer young ones are crazy over her already .

she 's got twenty pupils around here and in Grafton and Avonlea . "

she was tingling from head to foot with excitement .

Leslie 's daughter !

this Old Lady had had her romance once .

then there had been a foolish , bitter quarrel at the end of that golden summer .

" his daughter !

and she might have been MY daughter , " murmured the Old Lady .

" oh , if I could only know her and love her and perhaps win her love in return !

but I cannot .

I could not have Leslie Gray 's daughter know how poor I am how low I have been brought .

I could not bear that .

and to think she is living so near me , the darling just up the lane and over the hill .

I can see her go by every day I can have that dear pleasure , at least .

but oh , if I could only do something for her give her some little pleasure !

it would be such a delight . "

she knew that it shone from the Spencers ' spare room .

so it was Sylvia 's light .

besides , she had thought of something she could do for Sylvia " a little , little thing " that might give her pleasure .

old Lady Lloyd knew better .

old Lady Lloyd found a wealth of Mayflowers on the sandy hill .

she filled her basket with them , gloating over the loveliness which was to give pleasure to Sylvia .

when she got home she wrote on a slip of paper , " for Sylvia . "

then the Old Lady deliberately hid behind the spruce clump .

she had put on her dark green silk on purpose for hiding .

she had not long to wait .

Soon Sylvia Gray came down the hill with Mattie Spencer .

when she reached the bridge she saw the Mayflowers and gave an exclamation of delight .

then she saw her name and her expression changed to wonder .

the Old Lady , peering through the boughs , could have laughed for very pleasure over the success of her little plot .

" for me ! " said Sylvia , lifting the flowers .

" CAN they really be for me , Mattie ?

who could have left them here ? "

Mattie giggled .

" I believe it was Chris Stewart , " she said .

" I know he was over at Avonlea last night .

and ma says he 's taken a notion to you she knows by the way he looked at you when you were singing night before last .

it would be just like him to do something queer like this he 's such a shy fellow with the girls . "

Sylvia frowned a little .

she lifted the flowers and buried her face in them .

" anyway , I 'm much obliged to the giver , whoever he or she is , " she said merrily .

" there 's nothing I love like Mayflowers .

oh , how sweet they are ! "

when they had passed the Old Lady emerged from her lurking place , flushed with triumph .

the main thing was that Sylvia should have the delight of them .

that quite satisfied the Old Lady , who went back to her lonely house with the cockles of her heart all in a glow .

Chris himself denied it , but he was not believed .

was not that enough circumstantial evidence for anybody ?

as for Sylvia , she did not mind if Chris had a boyish admiration for her and expressed it thus delicately .

the Old Lady kept her secret and grew young in it .

every day she loved her more , and yearned after her more deeply .

all the long repressed tenderness of her nature overflowed to this girl who was unconscious of it .

she was proud of Sylvia 's grace and beauty , and sweetness of voice and laughter .

she began to like the Spencer children because they worshipped Sylvia ; she envied Mrs Spencer because the latter could minister to Sylvia 's needs .

the Old Lady never dreamed of revealing herself to Sylvia .

that , in her poverty , was not to be thought of for a moment .

but it might not be .

the Old Lady 's pride was still far stronger than her love .

it was the one thing she had never sacrificed and never so she believed could sacrifice .

II .

the June Chapter

Chris Stewart , when he was teased about the music teacher , merely smiled and held his peace .

Chris knew perfectly well who was the real giver of those flowers .

he had made it his business to find out when the Mayflower gossip started .

but since it was evident Old Lady Lloyd did not wish it to be known , Chris told no one .

the Old Lady went without supper that night because of it , but Chris never knew that .

the Old Lady thought it a most beautiful June .

she no longer hated the new days ; on the contrary , she welcomed them .

Even on rainy days the Old Lady gallantly braved rheumatism to hide behind her clump of dripping spruces and watch Sylvia pass .

one day the egg pedlar had news for her .

" the music teacher is going to sing a solo for a collection piece to-morrow , " he told her .

the Old Lady 's black eyes flashed with interest .

" I didn't know Miss Gray was a member of the choir , " she said .

" Jined two Sundays ago .

I tell you , our music is something worth listening to now .

the church 'll be packed to-morrow , I reckon her name 's gone all over the country for singing .

you ought to come and hear it , Miss Lloyd . "

the pedlar said this out of bravado , merely to show he wasn't scared of the Old Lady , for all her grand airs .

the Old Lady made no answer , and he thought he had offended her .

he went away , wishing he hadn't said it .

had he but known it , the Old Lady had forgotten the existence of all and any egg pedlars .

he had blotted himself and his insignificance out of her consciousness by his last sentence .

all her thoughts , feelings , and wishes were submerged in a very whirlpool of desire to hear Sylvia sing that solo .

she went into the house in a tumult and tried to conquer that desire .

she could not do it , even thought she summoned all her pride to her aid .

pride said :

" you will have to go to church to hear her .

you haven't fit clothes to go to church in .

think what a figure you will make before them all . "

it was too true that she had never gone to church since the day on which she had to begin wearing her mother 's silk dresses .

she sang three hymns in her cracked voice , prayed aloud , and read a sermon .

now the impossible had become , not only possible , but insistent .

Spencervale congregation had a mild sensation the next afternoon .

the Old Lady 's very soul was writhing within her .

she thought how absurd she must look in the eyes of her world .

as a matter of fact , she did not look in the least absurd .

the Old Lady did not know this .

Sylvia Gray had come into the choir , and was sitting just where the afternoon sunshine fell over her beautiful hair like a halo .

Nay , are they not one and the same , differing in degree only , not in kind ?

the Old Lady had never had such a good , satisfying look at Sylvia before .

all her former glimpses had been stolen and fleeting .

the Old Lady listened to the opening hymns with keen pleasure .

Sylvia 's voice thrilled through and dominated them all .

but when the ushers got up to take the collection , an undercurrent of subdued excitement flowed over the congregation .

Sylvia rose and came forward to Janet Moore 's side at the organ .

the next moment her beautiful voice soared through the building like the very soul of melody true , clear , powerful , sweet .

" oh , I 'm so glad I came to church , " thought Old Lady Lloyd .

when the service was over all the Old Lady 's neighbours came to speak to her , with kindly smile and handshake .

the Old Lady was surprised to find that she could command it still , in defiance of unfashionable bonnet and ancient attire .

Janet Moore and Sylvia Gray walked home from church together .

" did you see Old Lady Lloyd out to-day ? " asked Janet .

" I was amazed when she walked in .

she has never been to church in my recollection .

what a quaint old figure she is !

she 's very rich , you know , but she wears her mother 's old clothes and never gets a new thing .

some people think she is mean ; but , " concluded Janet charitably , " I believe it is simply eccentricity . "

" I have been wishing to see her for a certain reason .

she has a very striking face .

I should like to meet her to know her . "

" I don't think it 's likely you ever will , " said Janet carelessly .

" she doesn't like young people and she never goes anywhere .

I don't think I 'd like to know her .

I 'd be afraid of her she has such stately ways and such strange , piercing eyes . "

" I shouldn't be afraid of her , " said Sylvia to herself , as she turned into the Spencer lane .

" but I don't expect I 'll ever become acquainted with her .

if she knew who I am I suppose she would dislike me .

I suppose she never suspects that I am Leslie Gray 's daughter . "

this was perfectly true ; but it is by no means certain that the minister understood her either .

when he was leaving he said , " I hope we shall see you at church next Sunday , Miss Lloyd . "

" indeed , you will , " said the Old Lady emphatically .

III .

the July Chapter

the first day of July Sylvia found a little birch bark boat full of strawberries at the beech in the hollow .

they were the earliest of the season ; the Old Lady had found them in one of her secret haunts .

they would have been a toothsome addition to the Old Lady 's own slender bill of fare ; but she never thought of eating them .

she got far more pleasure out of the thought of Sylvia 's enjoying them for her tea .

thereafter the strawberries alternated with the flowers as long as they lasted , and then came blueberries and raspberries .

the blueberries grew far away and the Old Lady had many a tramp after them .

sometimes her bones ached at night because of it ; but what cared the Old Lady for that ?

Bone ache is easier to endure than soul ache ; and the Old Lady 's soul had stopped aching for the first time in many year .

it was being nourished with heavenly manna .

one evening Crooked Jack came up to fix something that had gone wrong with the Old Lady 's well .

" why ? " asked the Old Lady , turning very pale .

had anything happened to Sylvia ?

" they 're great swells and everybody will be got up regardless .

Mrs Spencer was telling me about it .

she says Miss Gray can't afford a new dress because she 's helping to pay her aunt 's doctor 's bills .

she says she 's sure Miss Gray feels awful disappointed over it , though she doesn't let on .

but Mrs Spencer says she knows she was crying after she went to bed last night . "

the Old Lady turned and went into the house abruptly .

this was dreadful .

Sylvia must go to that party she MUST .

but how was it to be managed ?

Through the Old Lady 's brain passed wild thoughts of her mother 's silk dresses .

but none of them would be suitable , even if there were time to make one over .

never had the Old Lady so bitterly regretted her vanished wealth .

is there anything I can sell ANYTHING ?

yes , yes , the grape jug ! "

up to this time , the Old Lady would as soon have thought of trying to sell her head as the grape jug .

the grape jug was two hundred years old and had been in the Lloyd family ever since it was a jug at all .

the Old Lady had torn the card to pieces ; but she remembered the name and address .

she went to the cupboard and took down the beloved jug .

and , after all , when I 'm gone , who would there be to have it ?

strangers would get it then it might as well go to them now .

I 'll have to go to town to-morrow morning , for there 's no time to lose if the party is Friday night .

I haven't been to town for ten years .

I dread the thought of going , more than parting with the jug .

but for Sylvia 's sake ! "

it was all over Spencervale by the next morning that Old Lady Lloyd had gone to town , carrying a carefully guarded box .

the Old Lady sought out the address of the china collector , trembling with fear that she might be dead or gone .

but the collector was there , very much alive , and as keenly anxious to possess the grape jug as ever .

old Lady Lloyd felt like a traitor to her traditions .

as she marched erectly down the aisle of the store , she encountered a sleek , portly , prosperous man coming in .

as their eyes met , the man started and his bland face flushed crimson ; he lifted his hat and bowed confusedly .

but the Old Lady looked through him as if he wasn't there , and passed on with not a sign of recognition about her .

he took one step after her , then stopped and turned away , with a rather disagreeable smile and a shrug of his shoulders .

nobody would have guessed , as the Old Lady swept out , how her heart was seething with abhorrence and scorn .

SHE , at any rate , had not faltered and coloured , and lost her presence of mind .

" it is little wonder HE did , " thought the Old Lady vindictively .

it pleased her that Andrew Cameron should lose , before her , the front of adamant he presented to the world .

presently , she resolutely put Andrew Cameron out of her mind .

it was desecration to think of him and Sylvia together .

" it 's sweet to sacrifice for one we love it 's sweet to have someone to sacrifice for , " thought the Old Lady .

desire grows by what it feeds on .

it was not enough to fancy her in it ; nothing would do the Old Lady but seeing her .

she wrapped herself in a dark shawl and crept out , slipping down to the hollow and up the wood lane .

Sylvia Gray was standing in her room , ready for the party .

before her stood Mrs Spencer and Amelia Spencer and all the little Spencer girls , in an admiring semi-circle .

there was another spectator .

outside , under the lilac bush , Old Lady Lloyd was standing .

pink as they were , they were not so pink as her cheeks , and her eyes shone like stars .

" that dress couldn't have fitted better if it had been made for you , " said Mrs Spencer admiringly .

" ain't she lovely , Amelia ?

who COULD have sent it ? "

" oh , I feel sure that Mrs Moore was the fairy godmother , " said Sylvia .

" there is nobody else who would .

it was dear of her she knew I wished so much to go to the party with Janet .

I wish Aunty could see me now . "

Sylvia gave a little sigh in spite of her joy .

" there 's nobody else to care very much . "

ah , Sylvia , you were wrong !

IV .

the August Chapter

the Old Lady was on the point of refusing rather haughtily .

but a sudden thought checked her refusal before it reached her lips .

" I suppose some of the young girls go to the Circle ? " she said craftily .

" oh , they all go , " said the minister 's wife .

" Janet Moore and Miss Gray are our most enthusiastic members .

it is very lovely of Miss Gray to give her Saturday afternoons the only ones she has free from pupils to our work .

but she really has the sweetest disposition . "

" I 'll join your Circle , " said the Old Lady promptly .

she was determined she would do it , if she had to live on two meals a day to save the necessary fee .

she went to the Sewing Circle at James Martin 's the next Saturday , and did the most beautiful hand sewing for them .

nobody thought of introducing Sylvia to Old Lady Lloyd , and the Old Lady was glad of it .

she sewed finely away , and listened with all her ears to the girlish chatter which went on in the opposite corner .

one thing she found out Sylvia 's birthday was the twentieth of August .

and the Old Lady was straightway fired with a consuming wish to give Sylvia a birthday present .

old Lady Lloyd worried quite absurdly over this , and it haunted her like a spectre until the next Sewing Circle day .

they were talking of their favourite poets .

Janet , it appeared , adored Byron and Scott .

Sylvia leaned to Tennyson and Browning .

" do you know , " said Sylvia softly , " my father was a poet ?

it was published when he was at college just a small , private edition to give his friends .

he never published any more poor father !

I think life disappointed him .

but I have such a longing to see that little book of his verse .

I haven't a scrap of his writings .

if I had it would seem as if I possessed something of him of his heart , his soul , his inner life .

he would be something more than a mere name to me . "

" didn't he have a copy of his own didn't your mother have one ? " asked Janet .

" mother hadn't .

she died when I was born , you know , but Aunty says there was no copy of father 's poems among mother 's books .

mother didn't care for poetry , Aunty says Aunty doesn't either .

father went to Europe after mother died , and he died there the next year .

nothing that he had with him was ever sent home to us .

HIS book wasn't among them .

I don't suppose I shall ever find a copy , but I should be so delighted if I only could . "

when the Old Lady got home she took from her top bureau drawer an inlaid box of sandalwood .

it held a little , slim , limp volume , wrapped in tissue paper the Old Lady 's most treasured possession .

on the fly-leaf was written , " to Margaret , with the author 's love . "

it was as if she had given away the last link between herself and her youth .

but she did not regret it .

it would give Sylvia pleasure , and that had come to be the overmastering passion of the Old Lady 's heart .

the next night the light in Sylvia 's room burned very late , and the Old Lady watched it triumphantly , knowing the meaning of it .

after all , giving away the book had not mattered so very much .

she had the soul of it still and the fly-leaf with the name , in Leslie 's writing , by which nobody ever called her now .

the Old Lady was sitting on the Marshall sofa the next Sewing Circle afternoon when Sylvia Gray came and sat down beside her .

when she asked Sylvia how she liked living in Spencervale , Sylvia said ,

" very much .

everybody is so kind to me .

Sylvia , being a girl of fine instincts , did not look at Old Lady Lloyd as she said this .

but she would not have seen anything if she had looked .

the Old Lady was not a Lloyd for nothing .

" how very interesting , " she said , indifferently .

" isn't it ?

I am so grateful to her and I have wished so much she might know how much pleasure she has given me .

I have found lovely flowers and delicious berries on my path all summer ; I feel sure she sent me my party dress .

but the dearest gift came last week on my birthday a little volume of my father 's poems .

I can't express what I felt on receiving them .

but I longed to meet my fairy godmother and thank her . "

" quite a fascinating mystery , isn't it ?

have you really no idea who she is ? "

the Old Lady asked this dangerous question with marked success .

as it was , she had a comfortable conviction that she herself was the very last person Sylvia would be likely to suspect .

Sylvia hesitated for an almost unnoticeable moment .

then she said , " I haven't tried to find out , because I don't think she wants me to know .

perhaps some day she will reveal herself to me .

I hope so , at least . "

" I wouldn't hope it , " said the Old Lady discouragingly .

Mrs Marshall came up at this juncture and entreated Miss Gray to sing for them .

miss Gray consenting sweetly , the Old Lady was left alone and was rather glad of it .

she enjoyed her conversation with Sylvia much more in thinking it over after she got home than while it was taking place .

when an Old Lady has a guilty conscience , it is apt to make her nervous and distract her thoughts from immediate pleasure .

she wondered a little uneasily if Sylvia really did suspect her .

then she concluded that it was out of the question .

V ..y the September Chapter

she felt like an utterly different woman ; and other people thought her different also .

the Old Lady had been listening to it , as she plaited a little basket of sweet grass for Sylvia .

she had walked all the way to Avonlea sand-hills for it the day before , and she was very tired .

and her heart was sad .

but the minister 's wife had merely dropped in on her way home from the Spencers ' and she did not make any embarrassing requests .

instead , she talked about Sylvia Gray , and her words fell on the Old Lady 's ears like separate pearl notes of unutterably sweet music .

the minister 's wife had nothing but praise for Sylvia she was so sweet and beautiful and winning .

she would certainly become a great singer competent critics have told her so .

" what are the Cameron scholarships ? " asked the Old Lady .

into the Old Lady 's white face came a sudden faint stain of colour , as if a rough hand had struck her cheek .

" yes , I 've heard of him , " she said .

" well , it seems that he had a daughter , who was a very beautiful girl , and whom he idolized .

she had a fine voice , and he was going to send her abroad to have it trained .

and she died .

it nearly broke his heart , I understand .

" why not ? " asked the Old Lady spiritedly .

" I am sure that there can be few voices equal to Miss Gray 's . "

" very true .

but you see , these so-called scholarships are private affairs , dependent solely on the whim and choice of Andrew Cameron himself .

of course , when a girl has friends who use their influence with him , he will often send her on their recommendation .

well , I must be going ; we 'll see you at the Manse on Saturday , I hope , Miss Lloyd .

the Circle meets there , you know . "

" yes , I know , " said the Old Lady absently .

Abraham Lloyd lost every dollar he possessed , and his family were reduced to utter poverty .

he would see , he told her , that she never suffered want .

Margaret Lloyd flung his offer back in his face after a fashion that left nothing to be desired in the way of plain speaking .

she would die , she told him passionately , before she would accept a penny or a favour from him .

and so , in truth , she would have , had it been for herself .

but for Sylvia !

could she so far humble herself for Sylvia 's sake ?

for a whole week the Old Lady fought her pride and bitterness .

but the Old Lady 's love for Sylvia had grown so strong and deep and tender that no other feeling could endure finally against it .

" guess there 's something wrong in her business affairs .

this is the second time she 's gone to town this summer . "

it was a long walk for her , but she could not afford to drive .

she felt very tired when she was shown into the shining , luxurious office where Andrew Cameron sat at his desk .

after the first startled glance of surprise , he came forward beamingly , with outstretched hand .

" why , Cousin Margaret !

this is a pleasant surprise .

sit down allow me , this is a much more comfortable chair .

did you come in this morning ?

and how is everybody out in Spencervale ? "

the Old Lady had flushed at his first words .

to hear the name by which her father and mother and lover had called her on Andrew Cameron 's lips seemed like profanation .

but , she told herself , the time was past for squeamishness .

if she could ask a favour of Andrew Cameron , she could bear lesser pangs .

for Sylvia 's sake she shook hands with him , for Sylvia 's sake she sat down in the chair he offered .

but for no living human being 's sake could this determined Old Lady infuse any cordiality into her manner or her words .

she went straight to the point with Lloyd simplicity .

" DE-lighted to hear it , Cousin Margaret . "

never was anything so bland and gracious as his tone .

" anything I can do for you I shall be only too pleased to do .

I am afraid you have looked upon me as an enemy , Margaret , and I assure you I have felt your injustice keenly .

I realize that some appearances were against me , but "

the Old Lady lifted her hand and stemmed his eloquence by that one gesture .

" I did not come here to discuss that matter , " she said .

" we will not refer to the past , if you please .

she is poor , so I came to ask you if you would give her one of your musical scholarships .

I understand her name has already been suggested to you , with a recommendation from her teacher .

I do not know what he has said of her voice , but I do know he could hardly overrate it .

if you send her abroad for training , you will not make any mistake . "

the Old Lady stopped talking .

she felt sure Andrew Cameron would grant her request , but she did hope he would grant it rather rudely or unwillingly .

she could accept the favour so much more easily if it were flung to her like a bone to a dog .

but not a bit of it .

Andrew Cameron was suaver than ever .

nothing could give him greater pleasure than to grant his dear Cousin Margaret 's request he only wished it involved more trouble on his part .

her little protege should have her musical education assuredly she should go abroad next year and he was DE-lighted

" thank you , " said the Old Lady , cutting him short again .

" I am much obliged to you and I ask you not to let Miss Gray know anything of my interference .

and I shall not take up any more of your valuable time .

good afternoon . "

" you must be my guest to-night . "

" thank you .

but he insisted on telephoning for his carriage to drive her to the station .

" not at all , " he said .

" please try to think a little more kindly of me , Cousin Margaret . "

she went into the waiting-room and sat down .

she was very tired .

all the excitement that had sustained her was gone , and she felt weak and old .

her head ached and her heart likewise .

she had two miles to walk , and a cold rain was falling .

soon the Old Lady was wet to the skin and chilled to the marrow .

she felt as if she were walking in a bad dream .

blind instinct alone guided her over the last mile and up the lane to her own house .

as she fumbled at her door , she realized that a burning heat had suddenly taken the place of her chilliness .

she stumbled in over her threshold and closed the door .

VI .

the October Chapter

on the second morning after Old Lady Lloyd 's journey to town , Sylvia Gray was walking blithely down the wood lane .

the air was very pure and exhilarating .

Sylvia walked with a joyous lightness of step and uplift of brow .

at the beech in the hollow she paused for an expectant moment , but there was nothing among the gray old roots for her .

Teddy 's freckled face was very pale .

" oh , Miss Gray ! " he gasped .

" I guess Old Lady Lloyd has gone clean crazy at last .

oh , Miss Gray , she looked awful .

her face was red and her eyes awful wild and she was muttering and talking to herself and laughing like mad .

I was so scared I just turned and run . "

Sylvia , without stopping for reflection , caught Teddy 's hand and ran up the slope .

the Old Lady was sitting on the kitchen sofa when Sylvia entered .

Teddy , too frightened to go in , lurked on the step outside .

the Old Lady still wore the damp black silk dress in which she had walked from the station .

her face was flushed , her eyes wild , her voice hoarse .

but she knew Sylvia and cowered down .

" don't look at me , " she moaned .

" please go away I can't bear that YOU should know how poor I am .

you 're to go to Europe Andrew Cameron is going to send you I asked him he couldn't refuse ME .

but please go away . "

Sylvia did not go away .

at a glance she had seen that this was sickness and delirium , not insanity .

by night everybody in Spencervale knew that Old Lady Lloyd had pneumonia .

Mrs Spencer announced that she meant to stay and nurse the Old Lady .

several other women offered assistance .

everybody was kind and thoughtful .

but the Old Lady did not know it .

she did not even know Sylvia Gray , who came and sat by her every minute she could spare .

Sylvia Gray now knew all that she had suspected the Old Lady was her fairy godmother .

the Old Lady babbled of Sylvia incessantly , revealing all her love for her , betraying all the sacrifices she had made .

Sylvia 's heart ached with love and tenderness , and she prayed earnestly that the Old Lady might recover .

" I want her to know that I give her love for love , " she murmured .

everybody knew now how poor the Old Lady really was .

she let slip all the jealously guarded secrets of her existence , except her old love for Leslie Gray .

even in delirium something sealed her lips as to that .

the kindly women who waited on her listened to her with tear-filled eyes , and repented of their harsh judgments in the past .

" but who would have thought it ? " said Mrs Spencer to the minister 's wife .

though I suppose if we had known we couldn't have done much for her , she 's so desperate proud .

but if she lives , and will let us help her , things will be different after this .

Crooked Jack says he 'll never forgive himself for taking pay for the few little jobs he did for her .

he says , if she 'll only let him , he 'll do everything she wants done for her after this for nothing .

ain't it strange what a fancy she 's took to Miss Gray ?

think of her doing all those things for her all summer , and selling the grape jug and all .

well , the Old Lady certainly isn't mean , but nobody made a mistake in calling her queer .

it all does seem desperate pitiful .

miss Gray 's taking it awful hard .

she seems to think about as much of the Old Lady as the Old Lady thinks of her .

she 's so worked up she don't even seem to care about going to Europe next year .

she 's really going she 's had word from Andrew Cameron .

Andrew Cameron heard of the Old Lady 's illness and came out to Spencervale himself .

the Old Lady did not die the Lloyd constitution brought her through .

the Old Lady made a marvellously patient and tractable invalid .

she did just as she was told , and accepted the presence of the nurse as a matter of course .

but one day , when she was strong enough to talk a little , she said to Sylvia ,

" I suppose Andrew Cameron sent Miss Hayes here , did he ? "

" yes , " said Sylvia , rather timidly .

the Old Lady noticed the timidity and smiled , with something of her old humour and spirit in her black eyes .

" time has been when I 'd have packed off unceremoniously any person Andrew Cameron sent here , " she said .

I no longer feel as I felt towards Andrew .

I can even accept a personal favour from him now .

at last I can forgive him for the wrong he did me and mine .

Sylvia , I find that I have been letting no ends of cats out of bags in my illness .

everybody knows now how poor I am but I don't seem to mind it a bit .

I 'm only sorry that I ever shut my neighbours out of my life because of my foolish pride .

everyone has been so kind to me , Sylvia .

in the future , if my life is spared , it is going to be a very different sort of life .

I 'm going to open it to all the kindness and companionship I can find in young and old .

I 'm going to help them all I can and let them help me .

I CAN help people I 've learned that money isn't the only power for helping people .

anyone who has sympathy and understanding to give has a treasure that is without money and without price .

and oh , Sylvia , you 've found out what I never meant you to know .

but I don't mind that now , either . "

Sylvia took the Old Lady 's thin white hand and kissed it .

" I can never thank you enough for what you have done for me , dearest Miss Lloyd , " she said earnestly .

I am so glad and so thankful that you love me , dear fairy godmother . "

" do you know WHY I love you so ? " said the Old Lady wistfully .

" did I let THAT out in my raving , too ? "

" no , but I think I know .

it is because I am Leslie Gray 's daughter , isn't it ?

I know that father loved you his brother , Uncle Willis , told me all about it . "

" I spoiled my own life because of my wicked pride , " said the Old Lady sadly .

" but you will love me in spite of it all , won't you , Sylvia ?

and you will come to see me sometimes ?

and write me after you go away ? "

" I am coming to see you every day , " said Sylvia .

" I am going to stay in Spencervale for a whole year yet , just to be near you .

and next year when I go to Europe thanks to you , fairy godmother I 'll write you every day .

we are going to be the best of chums , and we are going to have a most beautiful year of comradeship ! "

the Old Lady smiled contentedly .

through the open window , where the red vines hung , came the pungent , sun-warm October air .

the sunshine fell over Sylvia 's chestnut hair like a crown of glory and youth .

" I do feel so perfectly happy , " said the Old Lady , with a long , rapturous breath .

III .

each In His Own Tongue

the honey-tinted autumn sunshine was falling thickly over the crimson and amber maples around old Abel Blair 's door .

there was only one outer door in old Abel 's house , and it almost always stood wide open .

just inside the door , on a bandy-legged chair of elder days , old Abel almost always sat .

a strange looking man was old Abel Blair ; and as strange was he as he looked .

lower Carmody people would have told you .

old Abel was almost always sober in these , his later years .

he was sober to-day .

Felix Moore was standing opposite to him , before an untidy stove , where the noon fire had died down into pallid , scattered ashes .

the inarticulate cries of their longings had passed into this child 's soul , and transmuted themselves into the expression of his music .

Felix was a beautiful child .

" Felix Moore will live , " he said positively .

" you can't kill that kind until their work is done .

he 's got a work to do if the minister 'll let him do it .

it 's an awful thing to cross the purposes of the Almighty , either in your own life or anybody else 's .

sometimes I think it 's what 's meant by the unpardonable sin ay , that I do ! "

Carmody people never asked what old Abel meant .

they had long ago given up such vain questioning .

but then , could you wonder at it ?

there was his father , you see .

Felix finally lowered the violin , and came back to old Abel 's kitchen with a long sigh .

old Abel smiled drearily at him the smile of a man who has been in the hands of the tormentors .

" it 's awful the way you play it 's awful , " he said with a shudder .

and to think you make it up yourself as you go along !

I suppose your grandfather would never hear to your studying music would he now ? "

Felix shook his head .

" I know he wouldn't , Abel .

he wants me to be a minister .

ministers are good things to be , but I 'm afraid I can't be a minister . "

" not a pulpit minister .

" YOUR tongue is music .

Strange that your grandfather can't see that for himself , and him such a broad-minded man !

he 's the only minister I ever had much use for .

he 's God 's own if ever a man was .

and he loves you yes , sir , he loves you like the apple of his eye . "

" and I love him , " said Felix warmly .

" I love him so much that I 'll even try to be a minister for his sake , though I don't want to be . "

" what do you want to be ? "

" a great violinist , " answered the child , his ivory-hued face suddenly warming into living rose .

" I want to play to thousands and see their eyes look as yours do when I play .

sometimes your eyes frighten me , but oh , it 's a splendid fright !

if I had father 's violin I could do better .

I remember that he once said it had a soul that was doing purgatory for its sins when it had lived on earth .

I don't know what he meant , but it did seem to me that HIS violin was alive .

he taught me to play on it as soon as I was big enough to hold it . "

" did you love your father ? " asked old Abel , with a keen look .

again Felix crimsoned ; but he looked straightly and steadily into his old friend 's face .

it was old Abel 's turn to blush .

" no , I guess I shouldn't , " he said .

" but I 'm always making mistakes .

I 've never made anything else .

that 's why I 'm nothing more than ' Old Abel ' to the Carmody people .

nobody but you and your grandfather ever calls me ' Mr Blair . '

and the worst of it is , young Felix , that most of the time I don't care whether I 'm Mr Blair or old Abel .

only when you play I care .

it makes me feel just as a look I saw in a little girl 's eyes some years ago made me feel .

her name was Anne Shirley and she lived with the Cuthberts down at Avonlea .

we got into a conversation at Blair 's store .

she could talk a blue streak to anyone , that girl could .

I happened to say about something that it didn't matter to a battered old hulk of sixty odd like me .

she looked at me with her big , innocent eyes , a little reproachful like , as if I 'd said something awful heretical .

Well , the way she looked and the way she spoke made me feel downright ashamed of myself because things had stopped mattering with me .

but never mind all that .

my miserable old feelings don't count for much .

what come of your father 's fiddle ? "

" grandfather took it away when I came here .

I think he burned it .

and I long for it so often . "

" well , you 've always got my old brown fiddle to come to when you must . "

" yes , I know .

and I 'm glad for that .

but I 'm hungry for a violin all the time .

and I only come here when the hunger gets too much to bear .

" he has never forbidden it , has he ? "

" no , but that is because he doesn't know I come here for that .

he never thinks of such a thing .

I feel sure he WOULD forbid it , if he knew .

and that makes me very wretched .

and yet I HAVE to come .

Mr Blair , do you know why grandfather can't bear to have me play on the violin ?

he loves music , and he doesn't mind my playing on the organ , if I don't neglect other things .

I can't understand it , can you ? "

" I have a pretty good idea , but I can't tell you .

it isn't my secret .

maybe he 'll tell you himself some day .

but , mark you , young Felix , he has got good reasons for it all .

knowing what I know , I can't blame him over much , though I think he 's mistaken .

" I don't understand you , " said Felix , drawing his fine , narrow black brows together in a perplexed frown .

" no and I wouldn't want you to .

how do you do it ?

how in how DO you do it , young Felix ? "

" I don't know .

but I play differently to different people .

I don't know how that is .

the strange , golden gleam flashed through old Abel 's sunken eyes .

" what 's that you say ? " inquired Felix , petting his fiddle .

" nothing never mind go on .

something lively now , young Felix .

the Reverend Stephen Leonard heard it , as he came along the way , and the Reverend Stephen Leonard smiled .

he himself was beautiful .

his figure was erect and youthful , despite seventy years .

" old Abel is amusing himself with his violin again , " he thought .

" what a delicious thing he is playing !

he has quite a gift for the violin .

well , it will make my task all the easier .

Abel is always repentant by the time he is able to play on his fiddle . "

Mr Leonard was on the door-stone .

the little black dog had frisked down to meet him , and the gray cat rubbed her head against his leg .

" Felix ! what does this mean ? "

the violin bow clattered from Felix 's hand upon the floor ; he swung around and faced his grandfather .

as he met the passion of grief and hurt in the old man 's eyes , his own clouded with an agony of repentance .

" grandfather I 'm sorry , " he cried brokenly .

" now , now ! "

old Abel had risen deprecatingly .

" it 's all my fault , Mr Leonard .

don't you blame the boy .

I coaxed him to play a bit for me .

I didn't feel fit to touch the fiddle yet myself too soon after Friday , you see .

so I coaxed him on wouldn't give him no peace till he played .

it 's all my fault . "

" no , " said Felix , throwing back his head .

his face was as white as marble , yet it seemed ablaze with desperate truth and scorn of old Abel 's shielding lie .

" no , grandfather , it isn't Abel 's fault .

I came over here on purpose to play , because I thought you had gone to the harbour .

I have come here often , ever since I have lived with you . "

" ever since you have lived with me you have been deceiving me like this , Felix ? "

there was no anger in Mr Leonard 's tone only measureless sorrow .

the boy 's sensitive lips quivered .

" forgive me , grandfather , " he whispered beseechingly .

" you never forbid him to come , " old Abel broke in angrily .

" be just , Mr Leonard be just . "

" I AM just .

Felix knows that he has disobeyed me , in the spirit if not in the letter .

do you not know it , Felix ? "

" yes , grandfather , I have done wrong I 've known that I was doing wrong every time I came .

forgive me , grandfather . "

dusky crimson rushed madly over the boy 's face .

he gave a cry as if he had been lashed with a whip .

old Abel sprang to his feet .

" don't you ask such a promise of him , Mr Leonard , " he cried furiously .

" it 's a sin , that 's what it is .

man , man , what blinds you ?

you ARE blind .

can't you see what is in the boy ?

his soul is full of music .

it 'll torture him to death or to worse if you don't let it have way . "

" there is a devil in such music , " said Mr Leonard hotly .

Mr Leonard looked shocked ; he considered that old Abel had uttered blasphemy .

he turned away from him rebukingly .

" Felix , promise me . "

there was no relenting in his face or tone .

he was merciless in the use of the power he possessed over that young , loving spirit .

Felix understood that there was no escape ; but his lips were very white as he said ,

" I promise , grandfather . "

Mr Leonard drew a long breath of relief .

he knew that promise would be kept .

so did old Abel .

the latter crossed the floor and sullenly took the violin from Felix 's relaxed hand .

without a word or look he went into the little bedroom off the kitchen and shut the door with a slam of righteous indignation .

but from its window he stealthily watched his visitors go away .

just as they entered on the maple path Mr Leonard laid his hand on Felix 's head and looked down at him .

instantly the boy flung his arm up over the old man 's shoulder and smiled at him .

in the look they exchanged there was boundless love and trust ay , and good-fellowship .

old Abel 's scornful eyes again held the golden flash .

" how those two love each other ! " he muttered enviously .

" and how they torture each other ! "

Mr Leonard went to his study to pray when he got home .

Mr Leonard knew that Janet would disapprove of his action as deeply as old Abel had done .

she would say nothing , she would only look at him with reproachful eyes over the teacups at suppertime .

but Mr Leonard believed he had done what was best and his conscience did not trouble him , though his heart did .

thirteen years before this , his daughter Margaret had almost broken that heart by marrying a man of whom he could not approve .

Martin Moore was a professional violinist .

he was a popular performer , though not in any sense a great one .

Margaret had loved him with all her virginal heart in return , and married him , despite her father 's disapproval .

it was not to Martin Moore 's profession that Mr Leonard objected , but to the man himself .

Margaret Leonard did not believe this .

she married Martin Moore and lived one year in paradise .

perhaps that atoned for the three bitter years which followed that , and her child .

at all events , she died as she had lived , loyal and uncomplaining .

her body was taken home to be buried beside her mother in the little Carmody churchyard .

Mr Leonard wished to take the child , but Martin Moore refused to give him up .

six years later Moore , too , died , and at last Mr Leonard had his heart 's desire the possession of Margaret 's son .

the grandfather awaited the child 's coming with mingled feelings .

his heart yearned for him , yet he dreaded to meet a second edition of Martin Moore .

suppose Margaret 's son resembled his handsome vagabond of a father !

or , worse still , suppose he were cursed with his father 's lack of principle , his instability , his Bohemian instincts .

thus Mr Leonard tortured himself wretchedly before the coming of Felix .

the child did not look like either father or mother .

Felix 's only inheritance from his father was his love of music .

but the child had genius , where his father had possessed only talent .

Mr Leonard had taken possession of it and Felix had never seen it since .

he cried himself to sleep many a night for the loss of it .

Mr Leonard did not know this , and if Janet Andrews suspected it she held her tongue an art in which she excelled .

he addressed himself to the keeping of his promise in letter and in spirit .

only once in the long winter did he come near to breaking his promise .

as he descended into the little hollow below the manse a lively lilt of music drifted up to meet him .

then , with it half-way to his lips , he paused .

to Leon 's amazement , Felix threw the mouth-organ back at him and ran up the hill as if he were pursued .

" child , what 's the matter with you ? " she cried .

" are you sick ?

have you been scared ? "

" no , no .

leave me alone , Janet , " said Felix chokingly , dashing up the stairs to his own room .

Mr Leonard scrutinized him somewhat anxiously ; it suddenly occurred to the old minister that Felix was looking more delicate than his wont this spring .

well , he had studied hard all winter , and he was certainly growing very fast .

when vacation came he must be sent away for a visit .

" they tell me Naomi Clark is real sick , " said Janet .

" she has been ailing all winter , and now she 's fast to her bed .

Mrs Murphy says she believes the woman is dying , but nobody dares tell her so .

she won't give in she's sick , nor take medicine .

and there 's nobody to wait on her except that simple creature , Maggie Peterson . "

" I wonder if I ought to go and see her , " said Mr Leonard uneasily .

" what use would it be to bother yourself ?

you know she wouldn't see you she 'd shut the door in your face like she did before .

" what do you know of Naomi Clark to like or dislike ? " she asked curiously .

" did you ever see her ? "

" oh , yes , " Felix replied , addressing himself to his cherry preserve with considerable gusto .

" I was down at Spruce Cove one night last summer when a big thunderstorm came up .

I went to Naomi 's house for shelter .

the door was open , so I walked right in , because nobody answered my knock .

Naomi Clark was at the window , watching the cloud coming up over the sea .

she just looked at me once , but didn't say anything , and then went on watching the cloud .

Part of the time I watched the storm , and the other part I watched Naomi 's face .

it was dreadful to see , like the storm , and yet I liked to see it .

" after the thunder was over it rained a while longer , and Naomi sat down and talked to me .

she wanted something lively , and I tried just as hard as I could to play something like that .

but I couldn't .

I played something that was terrible it just played itself it seemed as if something was lost that could never be found again .

and before I got through , Naomi came at me , and tore the violin from me , and SWORE .

and she said , ' You big-eyed brat , how did you know THAT ? '

" the rude , unmannerly creature ! " said Janet indignantly .

" oh , no , she was quite in the right , " said Felix composedly .

" it served me right for what I played .

you see , she didn't know I couldn't help playing it .

I suppose she thought I did it on purpose . "

" what on earth did you play , child ? "

" I don't know . "

Felix shivered .

" it was awful it was dreadful .

it was fit to break your heart .

but it HAD to be played , if I played anything at all . "

" I don't understand what you mean I declare I don't , " said Janet in bewilderment .

" I think we 'll change the subject of conversation , " said Mr Leonard .

it was a month later when " the simple creature , Maggie " appeared at the manse door one evening and asked for the preached .

" Naomi wants ter see yer , " she mumbled .

" Naomi sent Maggie ter tell yer ter come at onct . "

" I shall go , certainly , " said Mr Leonard gently .

" is she very ill ? "

" her 's dying , " said Maggie with a broad grin .

" and her 's awful skeered of hell .

her just knew ter-day her was dying .

Maggie told her her wouldn't believe the harbour women , but her believed Maggie .

her yelled awful . "

Maggie chuckled to herself over the gruesome remembrance .

Mr Leonard , his heart filled with pity , called Janet and told her to give the poor creature some refreshment .

but Maggie shook her head .

" no , no , preacher , Maggie must get right back to Naomi .

Maggie 'll tell her the preacher 's coming ter save her from hell . "

she uttered an eerie cry , and ran at full speed shoreward through the spruce woods .

" the Lord save us ! " said Janet in an awed tone .

" I knew the poor girl was simple , but I didn't know she was like THAT .

and are you going , sir ? "

" yes , of course .

I pray God I may be able to help the poor soul , " said Mr Leonard sincerely .

the woman had been the plague spot of Lower Carmody and Carmody Harbour for a generation .

finally , he had been compelled to let her alone .

yet Naomi had not always been an outcast .

her girlhood had been innocent ; but she was the possessor of a dangerous beauty , and her mother was dead .

her father was a man notorious for his harshness and violence of temper .

Naomi took up her quarters in a little deserted house at Spruce Cove .

had her child lived it might have saved her .

but it died at birth , and with its little life went her last chance of worldly redemption .

from that time forth , her feet were set in the way that takes hold on hell .

for the past five years , however , Naomi had lived a tolerably respectable life .

when Janet Peterson had died , her idiot daughter , Maggie , had been left with no kin in the world .

nobody knew what was to be done with her , for nobody wanted to be bothered with her .

Naomi Clark went to the girl and offered her a home .

but from the day when Maggie Peterson went to live with her , Naomi ceased to be the harbour Magdalen .

the sun had set when Mr Leonard reached Spruce Cove , and the harbour was veiling itself in a wondrous twilight splendour .

Mr Leonard sighed as he turned from the sinless beauty of the sea and sky to the threshold of Naomi Clark 's house .

a great dread of darkness had always been one of Naomi 's peculiarities .

she was tossing restlessly on her poor couch , while Maggie crouched on a box at the foot .

Mr Leonard had not seen her for five years , and he was shocked at the change in her .

her hair streamed over the pillow in white , uncared-for tresses , and the hands that plucked at the bed-clothes were like wrinkled claws .

they were the eyes of a creature driven wild with torture , hounded by furies , clutched by unutterable fear .

Naomi sat up and dragged at his arm .

" can you help me ?

can you help me ? " she gasped imploringly .

" oh , I thought you 'd never come !

I was skeered I 'd die before you got here die and go to hell .

I didn't know before today that I was dying .

none of those cowards would tell me .

can you help me ? "

" if I cannot , God can , " said Mr Leonard gently .

he felt himself very helpless and inefficient before this awful terror and frenzy .

he had seen sad death-beds troubled death-beds ay , and despairing death-beds , but never anything like this .

" God ! "

Naomi 's voice shrilled terribly as she uttered the name .

" I can't go to God for help .

oh , I 'm skeered of hell , but I 'm skeereder still of God .

I 'd rather go to hell a thousand times over than face God after the life I 've lived .

I tell you , I 'm sorry for living wicked I was always sorry for it all the time .

there ain't never been a moment I wasn't sorry , though nobody would believe it .

I was driven on by fiends of hell .

oh , you don't understand you CAN'T understand but I was always sorry ! "

" if you repent , that is all that is necessary .

God will forgive you if you ask Him . "

" no , He can't !

sins like mine can't be forgiven .

he can't and He won't . "

" he can and He will .

he is a God of love , Naomi . "

" no , " said Naomi with stubborn conviction .

" he isn't a God of love at all .

that 's why I 'm skeered of him .

no , no .

he 's a God of wrath and justice and punishment .

Love !

there ain't no such thing as love !

I 've never found it on earth , and I don't believe it 's to be found in God . "

" Naomi , God loves us like a father . "

" like MY father ? "

Naomi 's shrill laughter , pealing through the still room , was hideous to hear .

the old minister shuddered .

" no no !

as a kind , tender , all-wise father , Naomi as you would have loved your little child if it had lived . "

Naomi cowered and moaned .

" oh , I wish I could believe THAT .

I wouldn't be frightened if I could believe that .

MAKE me believe it .

surely you can make me believe that there 's love and forgiveness in God if you believe it yourself . "

" Jesus Christ forgave and loved the Magdalen , Naomi . "

" Jesus Christ ?

oh , I ain't afraid of HIM .

yes , HE could understand and forgive .

he was half human .

I tell you , it 's God I 'm skeered of . "

" they are one and the same , " said Mr Leonard helplessly .

he knew he could not make Naomi realize it .

this anguished death-bed was no place for a theological exposition on the mysteries of the Trinity .

" Christ died for you , Naomi .

he bore your sins in His own body on the cross . "

" we bear our own sins , " said Naomi fiercely .

" I 've borne mine all my life and I 'll bear them for all eternity .

I can't believe anything else .

I CAN'T believe God can forgive me .

I 've ruined people body and soul I 've broken hearts and poisoned homes I 'm worse than a murderess .

no no no , there 's no hope for me . "

her voice rose again into that shrill , intolerable shriek .

" I 've got to go to hell .

it ain't so much the fire I 'm skeered of as the outer darkness .

I 've always been so skeered of darkness it 's so full of awful things and thoughts .

oh , there ain't nobody to help me !

Man ain't no good and I 'm too skeered of God . "

she wrung her hands .

Mr Leonard walked up and down the room in the keenest anguish of spirit he had ever known .

what could he do ?

what could he say ?

he could do nothing nothing !

in all his life he had never known such bitterness of soul as the realization brought home to him .

" what is the good of you if you can't help me ? " moaned the dying woman .

" pray pray pray ! " she shrilled suddenly .

Mr Leonard dropped on his knees by the bed .

he did not know what to say .

no prayer that he had ever prayed was of use here .

in his anguish of mind Stephen Leonard gasped out the briefest and sincerest prayer his lips had ever uttered .

" O , God , our Father !

help this woman .

speak to her in a tongue which she can understand . "

a beautiful , white face appeared for a moment in the light that streamed out of the doorway into the darkness of the night .

no one noticed it , and it quickly drew back into the shadow .

suddenly , Naomi fell back on her pillow , her lips blue , her face horribly pinched , her eyes rolled up in her head .

Maggie started up , pushed Mr Leonard aside , and proceeded to administer some remedy with surprising skill and deftness .

Mr Leonard , believing Naomi to be dying , went to the door , feeling sick and bruised in soul .

presently a figure stole out into the light .

" Felix , is that you ? " said Mr Leonard in a startled tone .

" yes , sir . "

Felix came up to the stone step .

" Janet got frightened that you might fall on that rough road after dark , so she made me come after you with a lantern .

I 've been waiting behind the point , but at last I thought I 'd better come and see if you would be staying much longer .

if you will be , I 'll go back to Janet and leave the lantern here with you . "

" yes , that will be the best thing to do .

" is that your grandson you 're talking to ? "

Naomi spoke clearly and strongly .

the spasm had passed .

" if it is , bring him in .

I want to see him . "

reluctantly , Mr Leonard signed Felix to enter .

the boy stood by Naomi 's bed and looked down at her with sympathetic eyes .

but at first she did not look at him she looked past him at the minister .

you can't help me I'm done with you .

there ain't any hope for me , and I know it now . "

she turned to Felix .

" take down that fiddle on the wall and play something for me , " she said imperiously .

" I 'm dying and I 'm going to hell and I don't want to think of it .

Play me something to take my thoughts off it I don't care what you play .

I was always fond of music there was always something in it for me I never found anywhere else . "

Felix looked at his grandfather .

Mr Leonard felt that he had failed his religion .

he could not give Naomi the help that was in it for her .

Felix drew the bow softly , perplexedly over the strings .

he had no idea what he should play .

then his eyes were caught and held by Naomi 's burning , mesmeric , blue gaze as she lay on her crumpled pillow .

a strange , inspired look came over the boy 's face .

sweet and soft and wonderful was the music that stole through the room .

Mr Leonard forgot his heartbreak and listened to it in puzzled amazement .

he had never heard anything like it before .

how could the child play like that ?

he looked at Naomi and marvelled at the change in her face .

the fear and frenzy were going out of it ; she listened breathlessly , never taking her eyes from Felix .

at the foot of the bed the idiot girl sat with tears on her cheeks .

then it held the wild , wayward dreams of youth , sweet and pure in all their wildness and waywardness .

they were followed by a rapture of young love all-surrendering , all-sacrificing love .

the music changed .

it held the torture of unshed tears , the anguish of a heart deceived and desolate .

Mr Leonard almost put his hands over his ears to shut out its intolerable poignancy .

the sullen indifference of despair came next , the bitterness of smouldering revolt and misery , the reckless casting away of all good .

again the music changed .

and in it now there was agony and fear and repentance and a cry for pardon .

to Mr Leonard there was something strangely familiar in it .

he looked at his grandson with something like awe .

here was a power of which he knew nothing a strange and dreadful power .

was it of God ?

or of Satan ?

for the last time the music changed .

and now it was not music at all it was a great , infinite forgiveness , an all-comprehending love .

it was healing for a sick soul ; it was light and hope and peace .

Felix lowered the violin and dropped wearily on a chair by the bed .

the inspired light faded from his face ; once more he was only a tired boy .

" I understand now , " she said very softly .

" I couldn't see it before and now it 's so plain .

I just FEEL it .

God IS a God of love .

he can forgive anybody even me even me .

he knows all about it .

I ain't skeered any more .

the minister told me that but I couldn't believe it .

I KNOW it now .

and He sent you here to-night , boy , to tell it to me in a way that I could feel it . "

Naomi Clark died just as the dawn came up over the sea .

Mr Leonard rose from his watch at her bedside and went to the door .

the fir trees on the point moved softly and whispered together .

the whole world sang of spring and resurrection and life ; and behind him Naomi Clark 's dead face took on the peace that passes understanding .

the old minister and his grandson walked home together in a silence that neither wished to break .

Janet Andrews gave them a good scolding and an excellent breakfast .

then she ordered them both to bed ; but Mr Leonard , smiling at her , said :

" presently , Janet , presently .

when Janet had gone , he turned to Felix .

" Felix , would you like to study music as your life-work ? "

Felix looked up , with a transfiguring flush on his wan face .

" oh , grandfather !

oh , grandfather ! "

" you may do so , my child .

after this night I dare not hinder you .

it is not the way I desired for you but I see that I was mistaken .

old Abel spoke truly when he said there was a Christ in your violin as well as a devil .

I understand what he meant now . "

he turned to meet Janet , who came into the study with a violin .

Felix 's heart throbbed ; he recognized it .

Mr Leonard took it from Janet and held it out to the boy .

" this is your father 's violin , Felix .

see to it that you never make your music the servant of the power of evil never debase it to unworthy ends .

for your responsibility is as your gift , and God will exact the accounting of it from you .

IV .

little Joscelyn

" it simply isn't to be thought of , Aunty Nan , " said Mrs William Morrison decisively .

Mrs William Morrison was one of those people who always speak decisively .

moreover , these people are always given their full title by everybody .

Mrs William always improved every shining moment .

" it is ten miles to Kensington , and just think how late you would be getting back .

you are not able for such a drive .

you wouldn't get over it for a month .

you know you are anything but strong this summer . "

Aunty Nan sighed , and patted the tiny , furry , gray morsel of a kitten in her lap with trembling fingers .

she knew , better than anyone else could know it , that she was not strong that summer .

but that was only the more reason why she should go to hear little Joscelyn sing ; she would never have another chance .

" oh , I know I 'm not very strong , Maria . " said Aunty Nan pleadingly , " but I am strong enough for that .

indeed I am .

I could stay at Kensington over night with George 's folks , you know , and so it wouldn't tire me much .

I do so want to hear Joscelyn sing .

oh , how I love little Joscelyn . "

" it passes my understanding , the way you hanker after that child , " cried Mrs William impatiently .

" why , she was a perfect stranger to you when she came here , and she was here only one summer ! "

" but oh , such a summer ! " said Aunty Nan softly .

" we all loved little Joscelyn .

she just seemed like one of our own .

she was one of God 's children , carrying love with them everywhere .

Joscelyn was a beauty . "

" well , that Shirley snippet certainly isn't that , " said Mrs William sarcastically .

" Little Joscelyn wasn't much of a talker , " said Aunty Nan dreamily .

" she was kind of a quiet child .

but you remember what she did say .

and I 've never forgotten little Joscelyn . "

Mrs William shrugged her plump , shapely shoulders .

" well , it was fifteen years ago , Aunty Nan , and Joscelyn can't be very ' little ' now .

she is a famous woman , and she has forgotten all about you , you can be sure of that . "

" Joscelyn wasn't the kind that forgets , " said Aunty Nan loyally .

" and , anyway , the point is , I haven't forgotten HER .

oh , Maria , I 've longed for years and years just to hear her sing once more .

it seems as if I MUST hear my little Joscelyn sing once again before I die .

I 've never had the chance before and I never will have it again .

do please ask William to take me to Kensington . "

" dear me , Aunty Nan , this is really childish , " said Mrs William , whisking her bowlful of berries into the pantry .

" you must let other folks be the judge of what is best for you now .

he has got to attend that political meeting at Newbridge .

they can't do without him . "

" Jordan could take me to Kensington , " pleaded Aunty Nan , with very unusual persistence .

" nonsense !

you couldn't go to Kensington with the hired man .

now , Aunty Nan , do be reasonable .

aren't William and I kind to you ?

don't we do everything for your comfort ? "

" yes , oh , yes , " admitted Aunty Nan deprecatingly .

" well , then , you ought to be guided by our opinion .

and you must just give up thinking about the Kensington concert , Aunty , and not worry yourself and me about it any more .

I am going down to the shore field now to call William to tea .

just keep an eye on the baby in chance he wakes up , and see that the teapot doesn't boil over . "

Mrs William whisked out of the kitchen , pretending not to see the tears that were falling over Aunty Nan 's withered pink cheeks .

Aunty Nan was really getting very childish , Mrs William reflected , as she marched down to the shore field .

why , she cried now about every little thing !

and such a notion to want to go to the Old Timers ' concert at Kensington and be so set on it !

really , it was hard to put up with her whims .

Mrs William sighed virtuously .

as for Aunty Nan , she sat alone in the kitchen , and cried bitterly , as only lonely old age can cry .

it seemed to her that she could not bear it , that she MUST go to Kensington .

but she knew that it was not to be , since Mrs William had decided otherwise .

Mrs William 's word was law at Gull Point Farm .

" what 's the matter with my old Aunty Nan ? " cried a hearty young voice from the doorway .

Jordan was the Morrisons ' hired boy that summer , and he worshipped Aunty Nan .

Maria says I can't . "

" that 's too bad , " said Jordan .

" old cat , " he muttered after the retreating and serenely unconscious Mrs William .

then he shambled in and sat down on the sofa beside Aunty Nan .

" there , there , don't cry , " he said , patting her thin little shoulder with his big , sunburned paw .

" you 'll make yourself sick if you go on crying , and we can't get along without you at Gull Point Farm . "

Aunty Nan smiled wanly .

" I 'm afraid you 'll soon have to get on without me , Jordan .

I 'm not going to be here very long now .

no , I 'm not , Jordan , I know it .

something tells me so very plainly .

" why are you so set on hearing her ? " asked Jordan .

" she ain't no kin to you , is she ? "

" no , but dearer to me dearer to me than many of my own .

Maria thinks that is silly , but you wouldn't if you 'd known her , Jordan .

Even Maria herself wouldn't , if she had known her .

it is fifteen years since she came here one summer to board .

the child was just starving for love , Jordan , and she got it here .

William and his brothers were just children then , and they hadn't any sister .

we all just worshipped her .

she was so sweet , Jordan .

and sing !

my land !

but couldn't she sing !

always singing , every hour of the day that voice was ringing round the old place .

I used to hold my breath to hear it .

she always said that she meant to be a famous singer some day , and I never doubted it a mite .

it was born in her .

Sunday evening she used to sing hymns for us .

oh , Jordan , it makes my old heart young again to remember it .

a sweet child she was , my little Joscelyn !

I daresay she has forgotten me , as Maria says .

' Twouldn't be any wonder .

but I haven't forgotten her , and oh , I want to see and hear her terrible much .

she is to sing at the Old Timers ' concert to-morrow night at Kensington .

only sixteen miles away and I can't go . "

Jordan couldn't think of anything to say .

though , to be sure , it WAS a long drive for her ; and she was looking very frail this summer .

" the sweetest old creetur that ever was created 'll go when she goes .

Yah , ye old madam , I 'd like to give you a piece of my mind , that I would ! "

this last was for Mrs William , but was delivered in a prudent undertone .

Jordan detested Mrs William , but she was a power to be reckoned with , all the same .

Meek , easy-going Billy Morrison did just what his wife told him to .

so Aunty Nan did not get to Kensington to hear little Joscelyn sing .

she said nothing more about it but after that night she seemed to fail very rapidly .

Mrs William said it was the hot weather , and that Aunty Nan gave way too easily .

but Aunty Nan could not help giving way now ; she was very , very tired .

even her knitting wearied her .

she talked to herself a good deal , generally about little Joscelyn .

Justice must be done to Mrs William , however .

she was not unkind to Aunty Nan ; on the contrary , she was very kind to her in the letter .

her comfort was scrupulously attended to , and Mrs William had the grace to utter none of her complaints in the old woman 's hearing .

if Aunty Nan felt the absence of the spirit she never murmured at it .

one day , when the Avonlea slopes were golden-hued with the ripened harvest , Aunty Nan did not get up .

she complained of nothing but great weariness .

but she prepared an excellent breakfast and carried it patiently up to Aunty Nan , who ate little of it .

after dinner Jordan crept up by way of the back stairs to see her .

Aunty Nan was lying with her eyes fixed on the pale pink climbing roses that nodded about the window .

when she saw Jordan she smiled .

" them roses put me so much in mind of little Joscelyn , " she said softly .

" she loved them so .

if I could only see her !

oh , Jordan , if I could only see her !

Maria says it 's terrible childish to be always harping on that string , and mebbe it is .

but oh , Jordan , there 's such a hunger in my heart for her , such a hunger ! "

Jordan felt a queer sensation in his throat , and twisted his ragged straw hat about in his big hands .

just then a vague idea which had hovered in his brain all day crystallized into decision .

but all he said was :

" I hope you 'll feel better soon , Aunty Nan . "

" oh , yes , Jordan dear , I 'll be better soon , " said Aunty Nan with her own sweet smile .

" ' The inhabitant shall not say I am sick , ' you know .

but if I could only see little Joscelyn first ! "

Jordan went out and hurried down-stairs .

Billy Morrison was in the stable , when Jordan stuck his head over the half-door .

" say , can I have the rest of the day off , sir ?

I want to go to Kensington . "

" well , I don't mind , " said Billy Morrison amiably .

" May 's well get you jaunting done ' fore harvest comes on .

and here , Jord ; take this quarter and get some oranges for Aunty Nan .

needn't mention it to headquarters . "

Billy Morrison 's face was solemn , but Jordan winked as he pocketed the money .

Jordan had a horse of his own now , a rather bony nag , answering to the name of Dan .

Jordan hitched Dan into the second best buggy , dressed himself in his Sunday clothes , and drove off .

on the road he re-read a paragraph he had clipped from the Charlottetown Daily Enterprise of the previous day .

" Joscelyn Burnett , the famous contralto , is spending a few days in Kensington on her return from her Maritime concert tour .

she is the guest of Mr and Mrs. Bromley , of The Beeches . "

" now if I can get there in time , " said Jordan emphatically .

Jordan got to Kensington , put Dan up in a livery stable , and inquired the way to The Beeches .

" Fancy me stalking up to that front door and asking for Miss Joscelyn Burnett , " grinned Jordan sheepishly .

" Mebbe they 'll tell me to go around to the back and inquire for the cook .

but you 're going just the same , Jordan Sloane , and no skulking .

march right up now .

think of Aunty Nan and don't let style down you . "

a pert-looking maid answered Jordan 's ring , and stared at him when he asked for Miss Burnett .

" I don't think you can see her , " she said shortly , scanning his country cut of hair and clothes rather superciliously .

" what is your business with her ? "

the maid 's scorn roused Jordan 's " dander , " as he would have expressed it .

" I 'll tell her that when I see her , " he retorted coolly .

" Just you tell her that I 've a message for her from Aunty Nan Morrison of Gull Point Farm , Avonlea .

if she hain't forgot , that 'll fetch her .

you might as well hurry up , if you please , I 've not overly too much time . "

the pert maid decided to be civil at least , and invited Jordan to enter .

but she left him standing in the hall while she went in search of Miss Burnett .

Jordan gazed about him in amazement .

he had never been in any place like this before .

" gee whiz !

how do they ever move around without knocking things over ? "

then Joscelyn Burnett came , and Jordan forgot everything else .

Jordan 's round , freckled countenance grew crimson .

he felt horribly tonguetied and embarrassed .

what could he say to her ?

how could he say it ?

" you have come from Aunty Nan ? " she said .

" oh , I am so glad to hear from her .

is she well ?

come in here and tell me all about her . "

she turned toward one of those fairy-like rooms , but Jordan interrupted her desperately .

" oh , not in there , ma'am .

I 'd never get it out .

just let me blunder through it out here someways .

yes 'm , Aunty Nan , she ain't very well .

she 's she's dying , I guess .

and she 's longing for you night and day .

seems as if she couldn't die in peace without seeing you .

she 's always talking of you .

if you can come out to Gull Point Farm and see her , I 'll be most awful obliged to you , ma'am . "

Joscelyn Burnett looked troubled .

now it came back with a rush .

" oh , I don't know , " she said perplexedly .

" if you had come sooner I leave on the @time@ tonight .

I MUST leave by then or I shall not reach Montreal in time to fill a very important engagement .

and yet I must see Aunty Nan , too .

I have been careless and neglectful .

I might have gone to see her before .

how can we manage it ? "

" I 'll bring you back to Kensington in time to catch that train , " said Jordan eagerly .

" there 's nothing I wouldn't do for Aunty Nan me and Dan .

yes , sir , you 'll get back in time .

just think of Aunty Nan 's face when she sees you ! "

" I will come , " said the great singer , gently .

it was sunset when they reached Gull Point Farm .

an arc of warm gold was over the spruces behind the house .

" this way , ma'am , " said Jordan , inwardly congratulating himself that the coast was clear .

" I 'll take you right up to her room . "

Up-stairs , Joscelyn tapped at the half-open door and went in .

before it closed behind her , Jordan heard Aunty Nan say , " Joscelyn !

little Joscelyn ! " in a tone that made him choke again .

he stumbled thankfully down-stairs , to be pounced upon by Mrs William in the kitchen .

" Jordan Sloane , who was that stylish woman you drove into the yard with ?

and what have you done with her ? "

" that was Miss Joscelyn Burnett , " said Jordan , expanding himself .

this was his hour of triumph over Mrs William .

" I went to Kensington and brung her out to see Aunty Nan .

she 's up with her now . "

" dear me , " said Mrs William helplessly .

" and me in my milking rig !

Jordan , for pity 's sake , hold the baby while I go and put on my black silk .

you might have given a body some warning .

I declare I don't know which is the greatest idiot , you or Aunty Nan ! "

as Mrs William flounced out of the kitchen , Jordan took his satisfaction in a quiet laugh .

Up-stairs in the little room was a great glory of sunset and gladness of human hearts .

" O , little Joscelyn , " she murmured , " it seems too good to be true .

it seems like a beautiful dream .

I knew you the minute you opened the door , my dearie .

you haven't changed a bit .

and you 're a famous singer now , little Joscelyn !

I always knew you would be .

oh , I want you to sing a piece for me just one , won't you , dearie ?

sing that piece people like to hear you sing best .

I forget the name , but I 've read about it in the papers .

sing it for me , little Joscelyn . "

" O , little Joscelyn ! " breathed Aunty Nan in rapture , when the song ended .

Joscelyn knelt by her again and they had a long talk of old days .

one by one they recalled the memories of that vanished summer .

the past gave up its tears and its laughter .

heart and fancy alike went roaming through the ways of the long ago .

Aunty Nan was perfectly happy .

and then Joscelyn told her all the story of her struggles and triumphs since they had parted .

when the moonlight began to creep in through the low window , Aunty Nan put out her hand and touched Joscelyn 's bowed head .

" little Joscelyn , " she whispered , " if it ain't asking too much , I want you to sing just one other piece .

I ain't never forgot how you used to sing that , and I want to hear it just once again , dearie .

sing it for me , little Joscelyn . "

Joscelyn rose and went to the window .

lifting back the curtain , she stood in the splendour of the moonlight , and sang the grand old hymn .

when the hymn ended , Joscelyn came over to the bed .

" I am afraid I must say good-bye now , Aunty Nan , " she said .

then she saw that Aunty Nan had fallen asleep .

" good-bye , dear , sweet mother-heart , " she murmured .

" thank you , Mrs Morrison , but I cannot possibly stay longer .

no , thank you , I don't care for any refreshments .

Jordan is going to take me back to Kensington at once .

I came out to see Aunty Nan . "

" I 'm certain she 'd be delighted , " said Mrs William effusively .

" she 's been talking about you for weeks . "

" yes , it has made her very happy , " said Joscelyn gravely .

" and it has made me happy , too .

I love Aunty Nan , Mrs Morrison , and I owe her much .

in all my life I have never met a woman so purely , unselfishly good and noble and true . "

thus it was that Mrs William found her , going in the next morning with her breakfast .

V the Winning of Lucinda

the marriage of a Penhallow was always the signal for a gathering of the Penhallows .

from the uttermost parts of the earth they would come Penhallows by birth , and Penhallows by marriage and Penhallows by ancestry .

as for the family itself , the exact kinship of all its various branches and ramifications was a hard thing to define .

the rest made a blind guess at it , for the most part , and the younger Penhallows let it go at loose cousinship .

in this instance it was Alice Penhallow , daughter of " young " John Penhallow , who was to be married .

many of them had driven fifty miles .

in the big autumnal orchard the younger fry foregathered and chatted and coquetted .

Up-stairs , in " old " Mrs John 's bedroom , she and her married daughters held high conclave .

Lucinda and Romney Penhallow were also there .

she and plump Mrs Frederick Penhallow did most of the talking .

Mrs. George Penhallow being rather out of it by reason of her newness .

she was George Penhallow 's second wife , married only a year .

Romney Penhallow was sitting in a corner , listening to the chatter of the women , with the inscrutable smile that always vexed Mrs Frederick .

Mrs George wondered within herself what he did there among the women .

she also wondered just where he belonged on the family tree .

he was not one of the uncles , yet he could not be much younger than George .

" forty , if he is a day , " was Mrs George 's mental dictum , " but a very handsome and fascinating man .

I never saw such a splendid chin and dimple . "

she was one of those rare women who keep their loveliness unmarred by the passage of years .

she had ripened and matured , but she had not grown old .

yet Lucinda never aped girlishness ; good taste and a strong sense of humour preserved her amid many temptations thereto .

Mrs George liked and admired Lucinda .

in this case it was Romney Penhallow to whom Mrs George remarked sweetly :

" really , don't you think our Lucinda is looking remarkably well this fall ? "

it seemed a very harmless , inane , well-meant question .

Poor Mrs George might well be excused for feeling bewildered over the effect .

Romney gathered his long legs together , stood up , and swept the unfortunate speaker a crushing Penhallow bow of state .

overcome by the mordant satire in his tone , Mrs George glanced speechlessly at Lucinda .

then Mrs George looked at her sisters-in-law .

they were regarding her with the tolerant amusement they might bestow on a blundering child .

Mrs George experienced that subtle prescience whereby it is given us to know that we have put our foot in it .

she felt herself turning an uncomfortable brick-red .

what Penhallow skeleton had she unwittingly jangled ?

why , oh , why , was it such an evident breach of the proprieties to praise Lucinda ?

Mrs George was devoutly thankful that a summons to the tea-table rescued her from her mire of embarrassment .

the meal was spoiled for her , however ; the mortifying recollection of her mysterious blunder conspired with her curiosity to banish appetite .

Mrs Frederick indulged in a laugh which put the mettle of her festal brown silk seams to the test .

" my dear Cecilia , it was SO amusing , " she said , a little patronizingly .

" but WHY ! " cried Mrs George , resenting the patronage and the mystery .

" what was so dreadful in what I said ?

or so funny ?

and WHO is this Romney Penhallow who mustn't be spoken to ? "

" oh , Romney is one of the Charlottetown Penhallows , " explained Mrs Frederick .

" he is a lawyer there .

he is a first cousin of Lucinda 's and a second of George 's or is he ?

oh , bother !

you must go to Uncle John if you want the genealogy .

I 'm in a chronic muddle concerning Penhallow relationship .

and , as for Romney , of course you can speak to him about anything you like except Lucinda .

oh , you innocent !

to ask him if he didn't think Lucinda was looking well !

and right before her , too !

of course he thought you did it on purpose to tease him .

that was what made him so savage and sarcastic . "

" but WHY ? " persisted Mrs George , sticking tenaciously to her point .

" hasn't George told you ? "

" no , " said George 's wife in mild exasperation .

" why , my dear , it is our family romance .

Lucinda and Romney are in love with each other .

" Dear me ! " murmured Mrs George , feeling the inadequacy of mere language .

was this a Penhallow method of courtship ?

" but WHY ? "

" they had a quarrel fifteen years ago , " said Mrs Frederick patiently .

" nobody knows how it originated or anything about it except that Lucinda herself admitted it to us afterwards .

and they never have spoken .

everybody in the connection , I suppose , has taken turns trying to reconcile them , but nobody has succeeded .

you will notice she still wears Romney 's ring .

they 're practically engaged still , of course .

he hasn't referred to the matter for years , but I presume that he is of the same mind still .

and they are just as much in love with each other as they ever were .

he 's always hanging about where she is when other people are there , too , that is .

he avoids her like a plague when she is alone .

that was why he was stuck out in the blue room with us to-day .

there doesn't seem to be a particle of resentment between them .

if Lucinda would only speak !

but that Lucinda will not do . "

" don't you think she will yet ? " said Mrs George .

Mrs Frederick shook her crimped head sagely .

" not now .

the whole thing has hardened too long .

her pride will never let her speak .

it is such a shame , too .

they were made for each other .

do you know , I get cross when I begin to thrash the whole silly affair over like this .

doesn't it sound as if we were talking of the quarrel of two school-children ?

of late years we have learned that it does not do to speak of Lucinda to Romney , even in the most commonplace way .

he seems to resent it . "

" HE ought to speak , " cried Mrs George warmly .

" even if she were in the wrong ten times over , he ought to overlook it and speak first . "

" but he won't .

and she won't .

you never saw two such determined mortals .

they get it from their grandfather on the mother 's side old Absalom Gordon .

there is no such stubbornness on the Penhallow side .

his obstinacy was a proverb , my dear actually a proverb .

what ever he said , he would stick to if the skies fell .

he was a terrible old man to swear , too , " added Mrs Frederick , dropping into irrelevant reminiscence .

it would have made your blood run cold , my dear , to have heard him go on at times .

and yet he was a real good old man every other way .

he couldn't help it someway .

he tried to , but he used to say that profanity came as natural to him as breathing .

it used to mortify his family terribly .

fortunately , none of them took after him in that respect .

but he 's dead and one shouldn't speak ill of the dead .

I must go and get Mattie Penhallow to do my hair .

I would burst these sleeves clean out if I tried to do it myself and I don't want to dress over again .

you won't be likely to talk to Romney about Lucinda again , my dear Cecilia ? "

" fifteen years ! " murmured Mrs George helplessly to the dahlias .

" Engaged for fifteen years and never speaking to each other !

dear heart and soul , think of it !

oh , these Penhallows ! "

Lucinda still enjoyed dressing for a festivity , since the mirror still dealt gently with her .

moreover , she had a new dress .

indeed , Lucinda and her widowed mother were positively poor , and hence a new dress was an event in Lucinda 's existence .

it was of pale green voile a colour which brought out admirably the ruddy gloss of her hair and the clear brilliance of her skin .

when she had finished dressing she looked at herself in the mirror with frank delight .

the form and face reflected in the glass satisfied her .

the puffs and draperies of the green voile displayed to perfection the full , but not over-full , curves of her fine figure .

she noted , too , how well the gown became her eyes , bringing out all the deeper colour in them .

Lucinda had magnificent eyes .

once Romney had written a sonnet to them in which he compared their colour to ripe blueberries .

" you really look very well , " remarked the real Lucinda to the mirrored Lucinda .

" nobody would think you were an old maid .

but you are .

Alice Penhallow , who is to be married to-night , was a child of five when you thought of being married fifteen years ago .

that makes you an old maid , my dear .

she flung her train out straight and pulled on her gloves .

" I do hope I won't get any spots on this dress to-night , " she reflected .

bless Uncle Mark 's good , uncalculating heart !

how I would have detested it if he had given me something sensible and useful and ugly as Aunt Emilia would have done . "

they all went to " young " John Penhallow 's at early moonrise .

Lucinda drove over the two miles of hill and dale with a youthful second cousin , by name , Carey Penhallow .

the wedding was quite a brilliant affair .

Lucinda seemed to pervade the social atmosphere , and everywhere she went a little ripple of admiration trailed after her like a wave .

" I 'm afraid I 'm losing my capacity for enjoyment , " she thought , a little drearily .

" yes , I must be growing old .

that is what it means when social functions begin to bore you . "

it was that unlucky Mrs George who blundered again .

she was standing on the veranda when Carey Penhallow dashed up .

" tell Lucinda that I can't take her back to the Grange .

I have to drive Mark and Cissy Penhallow to Bright River to catch the two o'clock express .

there will be plenty of chances for her with the others . "

at this moment George Penhallow , holding his rearing horse with difficulty , shouted for his wife .

Mrs George , all in a flurry , dashed back into the still crowded hall .

exactly to whom she gave her message was never known to any of the Penhallows .

thus it was that Lucinda , when she came out to the veranda step , found herself unaccountably deserted .

plainly there was nobody to take her .

Lucinda was angry .

it is not pleasant to find yourself forgotten and neglected .

Lucinda was not prepared for such a walk .

she had nothing on her feet save thin-soled shoes , and her only wraps were a flimsy fascinator and a short coat .

" what a guy I shall look , stalking home alone in this rig , " she thought crossly .

there was no help for it , unless she confessed her plight to some of the stranger guests and begged a drive home .

Lucinda 's pride scorned such a request and the admission of neglect it involved .

she believed that nobody had thought about her at all , which was tenfold worse than premeditated neglect .

Lucinda recognized him with a great deal of annoyance and a little relief .

she would not have to walk home alone .

but with Romney Penhallow !

would he think she had contrived it so purposely ?

Romney silently opened the gate for her , silently latched it behind her , and silently fell into step beside her .

at first Lucinda felt angrier than ever .

what a ridiculous situation !

how the Penhallows would laugh over it !

as for Romney , he , too , was angry with the trick impish chance had played him .

would she think he had schemed for it ?

and how the deuce did she come to be walking home from the wedding at all ?

she was even smiling a little maliciously under her fascinator .

the lane was a place of enchantment a long , moonlit colonnade adown which beguiling wood nymphs might have footed it featly .

the moonshine fell through the arching boughs and made a mosaic of silver light and clear-cut shadow for the unfriendly lovers to walk in .

on either side was the hovering gloom of the woods , and around them was a great silence unstirred by wind or murmur .

midway in the lane Lucinda was attacked by a sentimental recollection .

it had been moonlight then too , and Lucinda checked a sigh they had walked hand in hand .

just here , by the big gray beech , he had stopped her and kissed her .

Lucinda wondered if he were thinking of it , too , and stole a look at him from under the lace border of her fascinator .

Lucinda checked another sigh , gathered up an escaped flutter of voile , and marched on .

when Lucinda and Romney arrived at the brook they gazed at the brawling water blankly .

Lucinda remembered that she must not speak to Romney just in time to prevent an exclamation of dismay .

there was no tree !

there was no bridge of any kind over the brook !

here was a predicament !

Lucinda gasped helplessly .

she could not forbid him and she was so choked with rage over his presumption that she could not have spoken in any case .

then came the catastrophe .

Lucinda was the first to regain her feet .

about her clung in heart-breaking limpness the ruined voile .

the remembrance of all her wrongs that night rushed over her soul , and her eyes blazed in the moonlight .

Lucinda Penhallow had never been so angry in her life .

" YOU D D IDIOT ! " she said , in a voice that literally shook with rage .

Romney meekly scrambled up the bank after her .

" it was wretchedly clumsy of me , but that pebble turned right under my foot .

please forgive me for that and for other things . "

Lucinda deigned no answer .

she stood on a flat stone and wrung the water from the poor green voile .

Romney surveyed her apprehensively .

" hurry , Lucinda , " he entreated .

" you will catch your death of cold . "

" I never take cold , " answered Lucinda , with chattering teeth .

" and it is my dress I am thinking of was thinking of .

you have more need to hurry .

you are sopping wet yourself and you know you are subject to colds .

there come . "

Romney came up to her and slipped his arm through hers in the old way .

for a time they walked along in silence .

then Lucinda began to shake with inward laughter .

" you are thinking of THAT , " she cried , " and I am thinking of it .

and we will go on , thinking of it at intervals for the rest of our lives .

but if you ever mention it to me I 'll never forgive you , Romney Penhallow ! "

" I never will , " Romney promised .

there was more than a suspicion of laughter in his voice this time , but Lucinda did not choose to resent it .

she did not speak again until they reached the Grange gate .

then she faced him solemnly .

" it was a case of atavism , " she said .

" old Grandfather Gordon was to blame for it . "

at the Grange almost everybody was in bed .

Mrs Frederick , Mrs Nathaniel and Mrs George alone were up .

" Lucinda Penhallow ! " gasped they , one and all .

" I was left to walk home , " said Lucinda coolly .

" So Romney and I came across the fields .

there was no bridge over the brook , and when he was carrying me over he slipped and we fell in .

that is all .

no , Cecilia , I never take cold , so don't worry .

yes , my dress is ruined , but that is of no consequence .

no , thank you , Cecilia , I do not care for a hot drink .

Romney , do go and take off those wet clothes of yours immediately .

no , Cecilia , I will NOT take a hot footbath .

I am going straight to bed .

good night . "

when the door closed on the pair the three sisters-in-law stared at each other .

Mrs Frederick , feeling herself incapable of expressing her sensations originally , took refuge in a quotation :

" 'Do I sleep , do I dream , do I wonder and doubt ?

is things what they seem , or is visions about ? ' "

" there will be another Penhallow wedding soon , " said Mrs Nathaniel , with a long breath .

" Lucinda has spoken to Romney AT LAST . "

" oh , WHAT do you suppose she said to him ? " cried Mrs George .

" my dear Cecilia , " said Mrs Frederick , " we shall never know . "

they never did know .

VI .

old Man Shaw 's Girl

" day after to-morrow day after to-morrow , " said Old Man Shaw , rubbing his long slender hands together gleefully .

" I have to keep saying it over and over , so as to really believe it .

it seems far too good to be true that I 'm to have Blossom again .

and everything is ready .

yes , I think everything is ready , except a bit of cooking .

and won't this orchard be a surprise to her !

I 'm just going to bring her out here as soon as I can , never saying a word .

why , daddy ! ' "

he rubbed his hands again and laughed softly to himself .

he was a tall , bent old man , whose hair was snow white , but whose face was fresh and rosy .

to be sure , White Sands people would not have given you the most favourable opinion in the world of Old Man Shaw .

perhaps it was true ; but the old farm yielded him a living , and further than that Old Man Shaw had no ambition .

he was as blithe as a pilgrim on a pathway climbing to the west .

what if he had not " improved " his farm ?

fruit trees would never grow near it , and this had been a great grief to Sara .

his neighbours laughed at him , and said that the fruit of an orchard so far away from the house would all be stolen .

but as yet there was no fruit , and when the time came for bearing there would be enough and to spare .

he knew every word of it by heart , but that did not spoil the pleasure of re-reading it every half-hour .

" the last woman in the world for a farmer 's wife no strength or get-up about her . "

neither could White Sands folk understand what on earth Sara Glover had married him for .

" well , the fool crop was the only one that never failed . "

he would give his baby to no one .

a woman was hired to look after the house , but it was the father who cared for the baby in the main .

he was as tender and faithful and deft as a woman .

she had a way of embroidering life with stars .

she was dowered with all the charming characteristics of both parents , with a resilient vitality and activity which had pertained to neither of them .

Sara never went to school , but her father saw to her education after a fashion of his own .

never was comradeship more perfect or more wholly satisfactory .

" just wrapped up in each other , " said White Sands folk , half-enviously , half-disapprovingly .

she bombarded Old Man Shaw with such arguments that he had to succumb .

" let me take her with me and send her to a good school for a few years .

then , if she wishes , she may come back to you , of course . "

everything , even her own feelings , must give way to that .

but she was to come back to him without let or hindrance when her " schooling " was done .

it was only on having this most clearly understood that Sara would consent to go at all .

her last words , called back to her father through her tears as she and her aunt drove down the lane , were ,

" I 'll be back , daddy .

in three years I 'll be back .

don't cry , but just look forward to that . "

he had looked forward to it through the three long , lonely years that followed , in all of which he never saw his darling .

half a continent was between them and Mrs Adair had vetoed vacation visits , under some specious pretense .

but every week brought its letter from Sara .

he spent every Sunday afternoon re-reading them , with her photograph before him .

he lived alone , refusing to be pestered with kind help , but he kept the house in beautiful order .

" a better housekeeper than farmer , " said White Sands people .

he would have nothing altered .

when Sara came back she was not to be hurt by changes .

it never occurred to him that she might be changed herself .

and now those three interminable years were gone , and Sara was coming home .

Thenceforth Old Man Shaw went about in a state of beatitude , making ready for her homecoming .

there was nothing left to do save count the hours until that beautiful , longed-for day after to-morrow .

he gave himself over to a reverie , as sweet as a day-dream in a haunted valley .

the red roses were out in bloom .

Sara had always loved those red roses they were as vivid as herself , with all her own fullness of life and joy of living .

and , besides these , a miracle had happened in Old Man Shaw 's garden .

it was in honour of Sara 's home-coming so Old Man Shaw liked to fancy .

all things , even the sulky rose-bush , knew she was coming back , and were making glad because of it .

he was gloating over Sara 's letter when Mrs Peter Blewett came .

she told him she had run up to see how he was getting on , and if he wanted anything seen to before Sara came .

" no 'm , thank you , ma'am .

everything is attended to .

I couldn't let anyone else prepare for Blossom .

only to think , ma'am , she 'll be home the day after to-morrow .

Mrs Blewett smiled sourly .

Mrs Blewett was one with whom life had gone awry .

the effect on her was to render happiness to other people a personal insult .

" do you think Sary 'll be contented in White Sands now ? " she asked .

old Man Shaw looked slightly bewildered .

" of course she 'll be contented , " he said slowly .

" isn't it her home ?

and ain't I here ? "

Mrs Blewett smiled again , with double distilled contempt for such simplicity .

" well , it 's a good thing you 're so sure of it , I suppose .

I 'd know perfectly well that she 'd look down on everything here , and be discontented and miserable . "

Mrs Blewett shrugged her sharp shoulders .

" maybe not .

it 's to be hoped not , for both your sakes , I 'm sure .

but I 'd be worried if ' twas me .

look at Lauretta Bradley .

she was up in Boston for just a month last winter and she 's never been able to endure White Sands since . "

" Lauretta Bradley and Sara Shaw are two different people , " said Sara 's father , trying to smile .

" and your house , too , " pursued Mrs Blewett ruthlessly .

" it 's such a queer , little , old place .

what 'll she think of it after her aunt 's ?

I 've heard tell Mrs Adair lives in a perfect palace .

I 'll just warn you kindly that Sary 'll probably look down on you , and you might as well be prepared for it .

of course , I suppose she kind of thinks she has to come back , seeing she promised you so solemn she would .

but I 'm certain she doesn't want to , and I don't blame her either . "

Even Mrs Blewett had to stop for breath , and Old Man Shaw found his opportunity .

he had listened , dazed and shrinking , as if she were dealing him physical blows , but now a swift change swept over him .

his blue eyes flashed ominously , straight into Mrs Blewett 's straggling , ferrety gray orbs .

" if you 're said your say , Martha Blewett , you can go , " he said passionately .

" I 'm not going to listen to another such word .

take yourself out of my sight , and your malicious tongue out of my hearing ! "

Mrs Blewett went , too dumfounded by such an unheard-of outburst in mild Old Man Shaw to say a word of defence or attack .

when she had gone Old Man Shaw , the fire all faded from his eyes , sank back on his bench .

his delight was dead ; his heart was full of pain and bitterness .

Martha Blewett was a warped and ill-natured woman , but he feared there was altogether too much truth in what she said .

why had he never thought of it before ?

old Man Shaw walked through his garden and looked at everything with new eyes .

how poor and simple everything was !

how sagging and weather-beaten the old house !

he went in , and up-stairs to Sara 's room .

it was neat and clean , just as she had left it three years ago .

even the orchard over the hill brought him no comfort now .

Blossom would not care for orchards .

she would be ashamed of her stupid old father and the barren farm .

old Man Shaw was unhappy enough that night to have satisfied even Mrs Blewett had she known .

after a little the worst sting passed away .

he refused to believe long that Blossom would be ashamed of him ; he knew she would not .

three years could not so alter her loyal nature no , nor ten times three years .

but she would be changed she would have grown away from him in those three busy , brilliant years .

his companionship could no longer satisfy her .

how simple and childish he had been to expect it !

she would be sweet and kind Blossom could never be anything else .

Mrs Blewett was right .

when he finally went to bed he did not sleep , but lay until morning with tear-wet eyes and despair in his heart .

all the forenoon he went about his usual daily work absently .

frequently he fell into long reveries , standing motionless wherever he happened to be , and looking dully before him .

only once did he show any animation .

but her doughnuts could not minister to the mind she had diseased .

old Man Shaw took them up ; carried them to the pig-pen , and fed them to the pigs .

it was the first spiteful thing he had done in his life , and he felt a most immoral satisfaction in it .

In mid-afternoon he went out to the garden , finding the new loneliness of the little house unbearable .

the old bench was warm in the sunshine .

old Man Shaw sat down with a long sigh , and dropped his white head wearily on his breast .

he had decided what he must do .

he was still sitting broodingly there when a girl came up the lane .

at the garden gate she saw the bent figure on the old bench , and the next minute she was flying along the rose walk .

" daddy ! " she called , " daddy ! "

" oh , daddy , is it really you ?

oh , I can't tell you how good it is to see you again ! "

old Man Shaw held her tightly in a silence of amazement and joy too deep for wonder .

why , this was his Blossom the very Blossom who had gone away three years ago !

a little taller , a little more womanly , but his own dear Blossom , and no stranger .

there was a new heaven and a new earth for him in the realization .

" oh , Baby Blossom ! " he murmured , " Little Baby Blossom ! "

Sara rubbed her cheek against the faded coat sleeve .

" daddy darling , this moment makes up for everything , doesn't it ? "

" but but where did you come from ? " he asked , his senses beginning to struggle out of their bewilderment of surprise .

" I didn't expect you till to-morrow .

you didn't have to walk from the station , did you ?

and your old daddy not there to welcome you ! "

Sara laughed , swung herself back by the tips of her fingers and danced around him in the childish fashion of long ago .

" I found I could make an earlier connection with the C.P.A. yesterday and get to the Island last night .

I was in such a fever to get home that I jumped at the chance .

of course I walked from the station it 's only two miles and every step was a benediction .

my trunks are over there .

" you must get something to eat first , " he urged fondly .

" and there ain't much in the house , I 'm afraid .

I was going to bake to-morrow morning .

but I guess I can forage you out something , darling . "

" I don't want anything to eat just now .

by and by we 'll have a snack ; just as we used to get up for ourselves whenever we felt hungry .

don't you remember how scandalized White Sands folks used to be at our irregular hours ?

I 'm hungry ; but it 's soul hunger , for a glimpse of all the dear old rooms and places .

come there are four hours yet before sunset , and I want to cram into them all I 've missed out of these three years .

let us begin right here with the garden .

oh , daddy , by what witchcraft have you coaxed that sulky rose-bush into bloom ? "

" no witchcraft at all it just bloomed because you were coming home , baby , " said her father .

they had a glorious afternoon of it , those two children .

they explored the garden and then the house .

Sara danced through every room , and then up to her own , holding fast to her father 's hand .

" oh , it 's lovely to see my little room again , daddy .

I 'm sure all my old hopes and dreams are waiting here for me . "

she ran to the window and threw it open , leaning out .

" Daddy , there 's no view in the world so beautiful as that curve of sea between the headlands .

I 've looked at magnificent scenery and then I 'd shut my eyes and conjure up that picture .

oh , listen to the wind keening in the trees !

how I 've longed for that music ! "

he took her to the orchard and followed out his crafty plan of surprise perfectly .

she rewarded him by doing exactly what he had dreamed of her doing , clapping her hands and crying out :

" oh , daddy !

why , daddy ! "

they finished up with the shore , and then at sunset they came back and sat down on the old garden bench .

before them a sea of splendour , burning like a great jewel , stretched to the gateways of the west .

the spruces were rejoicing in the wind , and even the battered firs were singing of the sea .

old memories trooped into their hearts like shining spirits .

" baby Blossom , " said Old Man Shaw falteringly , " are you quite sure you 'll be contented here ?

won't you miss it ?

won't you get tired of your old father and White Sands ? "

Sara patted his hand gently .

VII .

aunt Olivia 's Beau

aunt Olivia told Peggy and me about him on the afternoon we went over to help her gather her late roses for pot-pourri .

we found her strangely quiet and preoccupied .

we said nothing , knowing that Aunt Olivia 's secrets always came our way in time .

in the south-west room , where there was no carpet to fade , we spread them on newspapers on the floor .

then we put our sweet-grass baskets back in the proper place in the proper closet in the proper room .

what would have happened to us , or to the sweet-grass baskets , if this had not been done I do not know .

nothing was ever permitted to remain an instant out of place in Aunt Olivia 's house .

when we went downstairs , Aunt Olivia asked us to go into the parlour .

she had something to tell us , she said , and as she opened the door a delicate pink flush spread over her face .

aunt Olivia 's parlour was much like herself painfully neat .

every article of furniture stood in exactly the same place it had always stood .

nothing was ever suffered to be disturbed .

no speck of dust was ever visible ; no fly ever invaded that sacred apartment .

she folded her hands in her lap , and looked at us with shy appeal in her blue-gray eyes .

aunt Olivia could never be self-assertive , but if it had been possible that would have been her time for it .

" have you ever heard me speak of Mr Malcolm MacPherson ? " asked Aunt Olivia .

we even forgot to be curious , so astonished were we .

and there sat Aunt Olivia , proud and shy and exulting and shamefaced , all at once !

" he is a brother of Mrs John Seaman 's across the bridge , " explained Aunt Olivia with a little simper .

" of course you don't remember him .

he went out to British Columbia twenty years ago .

" married ! " gasped Peggy .

and " married ! "

I echoed stupidly .

aunt Olivia bridled a little .

" there is nothing unsuitable in that , is there ? " she asked , rather crisply .

" oh , no , no , " I hastened to assure her , giving Peggy a surreptitious kick to divert her thoughts from laughter .

" only you must realize , Aunt Olivia , that this is a very great surprise to us . "

" I thought it would be so , " said Aunt Olivia complacently .

" but your father will know he will remember .

I do hope he won't think me foolish .

he did not think Mr Malcolm MacPherson was a fit person for me to marry once .

but that was long ago , when Mr Malcolm MacPherson was very poor .

he is in very comfortable circumstances now . "

" tell us about it , Aunt Olivia , " said Peggy .

she did not look at me , which was my salvation .

had I caught Peggy 's eye when Aunt Olivia said " Mr Malcolm MacPherson " in that tone I must have laughed , willy-nilly .

" when I was a girl the MacPhersons used to live across the road from here .

Mr Malcolm MacPherson was my beau then .

I think that was why he never said anything to me about getting married then .

and after a time he went away , as I have said , and I never heard anything from him directly for many a year .

of course , his sister sometimes gave me news of him .

but last June I had a letter from him .

he said he was coming home to settle down for good on the old Island , and he asked me if I would marry him .

I wrote back and said I would .

perhaps I ought to have consulted your father , but I was afraid he would think I ought to refuse Mr Malcolm MacPherson . "

" oh , I don't think father will mind , " said Peggy reassuringly .

he will be in Grafton next week , the guest of his sister , Mrs John Seaman , across the bridge . "

aunt Olivia said that exactly as if she were reading it from the personal column of the Daily Enterprise .

" when is the wedding to be ? "

I asked .

" oh ! "

aunt Olivia blushed distressfully .

" I do not know the exact date .

nothing can be definitely settled until Mr Malcolm MacPherson comes .

but it will not be before September , at the earliest .

there will be so much to do .

you will tell your father , won't you ? "

we promised that we would , and Aunt Olivia arose with an air of relief .

Peggy and I hurried over home , stopping , when we were safely out of earshot , to laugh .

only youth can be sentimental without being mirth-provoking .

we loved Aunt Olivia and were glad for her late , new-blossoming happiness ; but we felt amused over it also .

the recollection of her " Mr Malcolm MacPherson " was too much for us every time we thought of it .

father pooh-poohed incredulously at first , and , when we had convinced him , guffawed with laughter .

aunt Olivia need not have dreaded any more opposition from her cruel family .

" MacPherson was a good fellow enough , but horribly poor , " said father .

tell Olivia she mustn't take a spasm if he tracks some mud into her house once in a while . "

she consulted us in regard to everything , and we almost lived at her place in those days preceding the arrival of Mr Malcolm MacPherson .

aunt Olivia plainly felt very happy and important .

I think she looked upon it as somewhat of a disgrace .

the day on which Mr Malcolm MacPherson was expected Peggy and I went over .

she was plainly nervous ; the abstract was becoming concrete .

her little house was in spotless , speckless order from top to bottom .

Peggy and I helped her to dress .

she insisted on wearing her best black silk , in which she looked unnaturally fine .

her soft muslin became her much better , but we could not induce her to wear it .

anything more prim and bandboxy than Aunt Olivia when her toilet was finished it has never been my lot to see .

Peggy and I watched her as she went downstairs , her skirt held stiffly up all around her that it might not brush the floor .

" I wish he would come and have it over .

this is getting on my nerves . "

aunt Olivia went into the parlour , settled herself in the old carved chair , and folded her hands .

Peggy and I sat down on the stairs to await his coming in a crisping suspense .

it was no wonder , therefore , that we positively jumped when a thunderous knock crashed against the front door and re-echoed through the house .

had Mr Malcolm MacPherson dropped from the skies ?

I ran downstairs and opened the door .

on the step stood a man about six feet two in height , and proportionately broad and sinewy .

in brief , Mr Malcolm MacPherson was what one would call instinctively , if somewhat tritely , " a magnificent specimen of manhood . "

in one hand he carried a bunch of early goldenrod and smoke-blue asters .

" good afternoon , " he said in a resonant voice which seemed to take possession of the drowsy summer afternoon .

" is Miss Olivia Sterling in ?

and will you please tell her that Malcolm MacPherson is here ? "

I showed him into the parlour .

then Peggy and I peeped through the crack of the door .

anyone would have done it .

we would have scorned to excuse ourselves .

and , indeed , what we saw would have been worth several conscience spasms if we had felt any .

aunt Olivia arose and advanced primly , with outstretched hand .

" Mr MacPherson , I am very glad to see you , " she said formally .

" it 's yourself , Nillie ! "

Mr Malcolm MacPherson gave two strides .

he dropped his flowers on the floor , knocked over a small table , and sent the ottoman spinning against the wall .

then he caught Aunt Olivia in his arms and smack , smack , smack !

Peggy sank back upon the stair-step with her handkerchief stuffed in her mouth .

aunt Olivia was being kissed !

presently , Mr Malcolm MacPherson held her back at arm 's length in his big paws and looked her over .

I saw Aunt Olivia 's eyes roam over his arm to the inverted table and the litter of asters and goldenrod .

her sleek crimps were all ruffled up , and her lace fichu twisted half around her neck .

she looked distressed .

" it 's not a bit changed you are , Nillie , " said Mr Malcolm MacPherson admiringly .

" and it 's good I 'm feeling to see you again .

are you glad to see me , Nillie ? "

" oh , of course , " said Aunt Olivia .

she twisted herself free and went to set up the table .

" I picked these for you in the river field , Nillie , " he said .

" where will I be getting something to stick them in ?

here , this will do . "

he grasped a frail , painted vase on the mantel , stuffed the flowers in it , and set it on the table .

the look on Aunt Olivia 's face was too much for me at last .

I turned , caught Peggy by the shoulder and dragged her out of the house .

" he will horrify the very soul out of Aunt Olivia 's body if he goes on like this , " I gasped .

" but he 's splendid and he thinks the world of her and , oh , Peggy , did you EVER hear such kisses ?

fancy Aunt Olivia ! "

it did not take us long to get well acquainted with Mr Malcolm MacPherson .

he almost haunted Aunt Olivia 's house , and Aunt Olivia insisted on our staying with her most of the time .

she seemed to be very shy of finding herself alone with him .

she was delighted that we admired him .

" though , to be sure , he is very different in his looks from what he used to be , " she said .

" he is so dreadfully big !

and I do not like a beard , but I have not the courage to ask him to shave it off .

he might be offended .

he has bought the old Lynde place in Avonlea and wants to be married in a month .

but , dear me , that is too soon .

it it would be hardly proper . "

Peggy and I liked Mr Malcolm MacPherson very much .

so did father .

we were glad that he seemed to think Aunt Olivia perfection .

he was as happy as the day was long ; but poor Aunt Olivia , under all her surface pride and importance , was not .

amid all the humour of the circumstances Peggy and I snuffed tragedy compounded with the humour .

Mr Malcolm MacPherson could never be trained to old-maidishness , and even Aunt Olivia seemed to realize this .

he seldom moved in the house without knocking some of Aunt Olivia 's treasures over .

he smoked cigars in her parlour and scattered the ashes over the floor .

he brought her flowers every day and stuck them into whatever receptacle came handiest .

he sat on her cushions and rolled her antimacassars up into balls .

he put his feet on her chair rungs and all with the most distracting unconsciousness of doing anything out of the way .

he never noticed Aunt Olivia 's fluttering nervousness at all .

Peggy and I laughed more than was good for us those days .

once she even got a wing and dustpan and swept the cigar ashes under his very eyes .

" now don't be worrying yourself over that , Nillie , " he protested .

" why , I don't mind a litter , bless you ! "

how good and jolly he was , that Mr Malcolm MacPherson !

he worshipped Aunt Olivia , and his worship took the concrete form of presents galore .

he brought her a present almost every visit generally some article of jewelry .

this hurt him a little , but she assured him she would wear them all sometimes .

" I am not used to jewelry , Mr MacPherson , " she would tell him .

her engagement ring she did wear it was a rather " loud " combination of engraved gold and opals .

sometimes we caught her turning it on her finger with a very troubled face .

" I would be sorry for Mr Malcolm MacPherson if he were not so much in love with her , " said Peggy .

" but as he thinks that she is perfection he doesn't need sympathy . "

" I am sorry for Aunt Olivia , " I said .

" yes , Peggy , I am .

don't you see how it 's hurting her ?

" nonsense ! " said Peggy .

then she added with a laugh ,

" Mary , did you ever see anything so funny as Aunt Olivia sitting on ' Mr Malcolm MacPherson 's ' knee ? "

it WAS funny .

Aunt Olivia thought it very unbecoming to sit there before us , but he made her do it .

to my dying day I shall never forget the expression on the poor little woman 's face .

she became very quiet , and never laughed except under protest .

also , she showed signs of petulance when any of us , but especially father , teased her about her beau .

I pitied her , for I think I understood better than the others what her feelings really were .

but even I was not prepared for what did happen .

I would not have believed that Aunt Olivia could do it .

I thought that her desire for marriage in the abstract would outweigh the disadvantages of the concrete .

but one can never reckon with real , bred-in-the-bone old-maidism .

one morning Mr Malcolm MacPherson told us all that he was coming up that evening to make Aunt Olivia set the day .

but Aunt Olivia looked like a martyr .

she had a fierce attack of housecleaning that day , and put everything in flawless order , even to the corners .

" as if there was going to be a funeral in the house , " sniffed Peggy .

" Mr MacPherson , " I heard her say with double-distilled primness , " will you please come into the parlour ?

I have something to say to you . "

they went in , and I returned to the south-west room .

" Peg , there 's trouble brewing , " I said .

" I 'm sure of it by Aunt Olivia 's face , it was GRAY .

and she has gone down ALONE and shut the door . "

" I am going to hear what she says to him , " said Peggy resolutely .

" it is her own fault she has spoiled us by always insisting that we should be present at their interviews .

that poor man has had to do his courting under our very eyes .

come on , Mary . "

the south-west room was directly over the parlour and there was an open stovepipe-hole leading up therefrom .

Peggy removed the hat box that was on it , and we both deliberately and shamelessly crouched down and listened with all our might .

it was easy enough to hear what Mr Malcolm MacPherson was saying .

" I 've come up to get the date settled , Nillie , as I told you .

come now , little woman , name the day . "

SMACK !

" don't , Mr MacPherson , " said Aunt Olivia .

" there is something I must say to you .

I cannot marry you , Mr MacPherson . "

there was a pause .

I would have given much to have seen the pair of them .

when Mr Malcolm MacPherson spoke his voice was that of blank , uncomprehending amazement .

" Nillie , what is it you are meaning ? " he said .

" I cannot marry you , Mr MacPherson , " repeated Aunt Olivia .

" why not ? "

surprise was giving way to dismay .

" I don't think you will understand , Mr MacPherson , " said Aunt Olivia , faintly .

" why , I suppose it will be rather hard .

but , Nillie , Avonlea isn't very far away not more than twelve miles , if it will be that . "

" twelve miles !

it might as well be at the other side of the world to all intents and purposes , " said Aunt Olivia obstinately .

" I don't know a living soul there , except Rachel Lynde . "

" why didn't you say so before I bought the place , then ?

but it 's not too late .

but I 'll fix it up somehow ! "

" no , Mr MacPherson , " said Aunt Olivia firmly , " that doesn't cover the difficulty .

I knew you would not understand .

my ways are not your ways and I cannot make them over .

for you track mud in and and you don't care whether things are tidy or not . "

" the devil ! " said Mr Malcolm MacPherson not profanely or angrily , but as in sheer bewilderment .

then he added , " Nillie , you must be joking .

it 's careless enough I am the west isn't a good place to learn finicky ways but you can teach me .

you 're not going to throw me over because I track mud in ! "

" I cannot marry you , Mr MacPherson , " said Aunt Olivia again .

" Nillie , it 's breaking my heart you are !

I 'll do anything go anywhere be anything you want only don't be going back on me like this . "

" I cannot marry you , Mr MacPherson , " said Aunt Olivia for the fourth time .

" Nillie ! " exclaimed Mr Malcolm MacPherson .

there was such real agony in his tone that Peggy and I were suddenly stricken with contrition .

what were we doing ?

we had no right to be listening to this pitiful interview .

the pain and protest in his voice had suddenly banished all the humour from it , and left naught but the bare , stark tragedy .

we rose and tiptoed out of the room , wholesomely ashamed of ourselves .

we could not pretend surprise , but Peggy ventured a faint protest .

" oh , Aunt Olivia , do you think you have done right ? "

" it was the only thing I could do , " said Aunt Olivia stonily .

" I could not marry Mr Malcolm MacPherson and I told him so .

please tell your father and kindly say nothing more to me about the matter . "

then Aunt Olivia went downstairs , got a broom , and swept up the mud Mr Malcolm MacPherson had tracked over the steps .

Peggy and I went home and told father .

we felt very flat , but there was nothing to be done or said .

father laughed at the whole thing , but I could not laugh .

I was sorry for Mr Malcolm MacPherson and , though I was angry with her , I was sorry for Aunt Olivia , too .

plainly she felt badly enough over her vanished hopes and plans , but she had developed a strange and baffling reserve which nothing could pierce .

" it 's nothing but a chronic case of old-maidism , " said father impatiently .

things were very dull for a week .

we saw no more of Mr Malcolm MacPherson and we missed him dreadfully .

aunt Olivia was inscrutable , and worked with fierceness at superfluous tasks .

one evening father came home with some news .


" he has rented the Avonlea place and he 's off .

they say he is mad as a hatter at the trick Olivia played on him . "

after tea Peggy and I went over to see Aunt Olivia , who had asked our advice about a wrapper .

she was sewing as for dear life , and her face was primmer and colder than ever .

I wondered if she knew of Mr Malcolm MacPherson 's departure .

delicacy forbade me to mention it but Peggy had no such scruples .

" well , Aunt Olivia , your beau is off , " she announced cheerfully .

" you won't be bothered with him again .

he is leaving on the mail train for the west . "

aunt Olivia dropped her sewing and stood up .

I have never seen anything like the transformation that came over her .

it was so thorough and sudden as to be almost uncanny .

the old maid vanished completely , and in her place was a woman , full to the lips with primitive emotion and pain .

" what shall I do ? " she cried in a terrible voice .

" Mary Peggy what shall I do ? "

it was almost a shriek .

Peggy turned pale .

" do you care ? " she said stupidly .

" care !

Girls , I shall DIE if Malcolm MacPherson goes away !

I have been mad I must have been mad .

I have almost died of loneliness since I sent him away .

but I thought he would come back !

I must see him there is time to reach the station before the train goes if I go by the fields . "

" wait a moment , Aunt Olivia .

Peggy , run home and get father to harness Dick in the buggy as quickly as he can .

we 'll drive Aunt Olivia to the station .

we 'll get you there in time , Aunty . "

Peggy flew , and Aunt Olivia dashed upstairs .

I lingered behind to pick up her sewing , and when I got to her room she had her hat and cape on .

Rings , three brooches , a locket , three chains and a watch all went on anyway and anyhow .

a wonderful sight it was to see Aunt Olivia bedizened like that !

he went tearing down the steep , stony , fast-darkening road in a fashion which made Peggy and me cry out in alarm .

aunt Olivia was usually the most timid of women , but now she didn't seem to know what fear was .

she kept whipping and urging poor Dick the whole way to the station , quite oblivious to our assurances that there was plenty of time .

the people who met us that night must have thought we were quite mad .

in such a guise did we whirl through the village and over the two-mile station road .

I tossed the reins to a boy standing near and we followed .

Just under the glare of the station lamp we saw Mr Malcolm MacPherson , grip in hand .

fortunately no one else was very near , but it would have been all the same had they been the centre of a crowd .

aunt Olivia fairly flung herself against him .

that truly Aunt Olivia touch relieved the tension of the situation a little .

Mr MacPherson put his arm about her and drew her back into the shadows .

" there , there , " he soothed .

" of course I won't be going .

don't cry , Nillie-girl . "

" of course , of course , " he said .

Peggy got a chance home with a friend , and Aunt Olivia and Mr Malcolm MacPherson and I drove back in the buggy .

she clung to him in the most barefaced fashion , and all her former primness and reserve were swept away completely .

somehow , it did not seem in the least funny to me then , nor does it now , although it doubtless will to others .

there was too much real intensity of feeling in it all to leave any room for the ridiculous .

so wrapped up in each other were they that I did not even feel superfluous .

I set them safely down in Aunt Olivia 's yard and turned homeward , completely forgotten by the pair .

but in the moonlight , which flooded the front of the house , I saw something that testified eloquently to the transformation in Aunt Olivia .

it had rained that afternoon and the yard was muddy .

nevertheless , she went in at her front door and took Mr Malcolm MacPherson in with her without even a glance at the scraper !

VIII .

the Quarantine at Alexander Abraham 's

I refused to take that class in Sunday School the first time I was asked .

it was not that I objected to teaching in the Sunday School .

I was noted for that .

it saves a great deal of trouble and it simplifies everything beautifully .

I had always disliked men .

I was noted for that .

my experiences through life only served to deepen it .

the more I saw of men , the more I liked cats .

if he had sent his wife the first time , as he did the second , it would have been wiser .

people generally do what Mrs Allan asks them to do because they know it saves time .

Mrs Allan talked smoothly for half an hour before she mentioned the Sunday School , and paid me several compliments .

Mrs Allan is famous for her tact .

tact is a faculty for meandering around to a given point instead of making a bee-line .

I have no tact .

I am noted for that .

" what class do you want me to teach ? "

Mrs Allan was so surprised that she forgot to be tactful , and answered plainly for once in her life ,

" there are two classes one of boys and one of girls needing a teacher .

you may have your choice , Miss MacPherson . "

" then I shall take the boys , " I said decidedly .

I am noted for my decision .

" since they have to grow up to be men it 's well to train them properly betimes .

Mrs Allan looked dubious .

I knew she had expected me to choose the girls .

" they are a very wild set of boys , " she said .

" I never knew boys who weren't , " I retorted .

" I I think perhaps you would like the girls best , " said Mrs Allan hesitatingly .

not that I disliked her .

but she had such a habit of asking weird , unexpected questions , which a Philadelphia lawyer couldn't answer .

Miss Rogerson had that class once and Anne routed her , horse , foot and artillery .

I wasn't going to undertake a class with a walking interrogation point in it like that .

besides , I thought Mrs Allan required a slight snub .

Ministers ' wives are rather apt to think they can run everything and everybody , if they are not wholesomely corrected now and again .

" it is not what I like best that must be considered , Mrs Allan , " I said rebukingly .

" it is what is best for those boys .

I feel that I shall be best for THEM . "

" oh , I 've no doubt of that , Miss MacPherson , " said Mrs Allan amiably .

it was a fib for her , minister 's wife though she was .

she HAD doubt .

she thought I would be a dismal failure as teacher of a boys ' class .

but I was not .

I am not often a dismal failure when I make up my mind to do a thing .

I am noted for that .

" where does Jimmy Spencer live ? "

I asked him crisply .

" he came one Sunday three weeks ago and hasn't been back since .

I mean to find out why . "

Mr Allan coughed .

" I believe he is hired as handy boy with Alexander Abraham Bennett , out on the White Sands road , " he said .

Mr Allan 's eyes twinkled ever so slightly .

I have always insisted that if that man were not a minister he would have a sense of humour .

" possibly Mr Bennett will not appreciate your kind interest !

he has ah a singular aversion to your sex , I understand .

no woman has ever been known to get inside of Mr Bennett 's house since his sister died twenty years ago . "

" oh , he is the one , is he ? "

I said , remembering .

" he is the woman hater who threatens that if a woman comes into his yard he 'll chase her out with a pitch-fork .

well , he will not chase ME out ! "

Mr Allan gave a chuckle a ministerial chuckle , but still a chuckle .

it irritated me slightly , because it seemed to imply that he thought Alexander Abraham Bennett would be one too many for me .

but I did not show Mr Allan that he annoyed me .

it is always a great mistake to let a man see that he can vex you .

the next afternoon I harnessed my sorrel pony to the buggy and drove down to Alexander Abraham Bennett 's .

as usual , I took William Adolphus with me for company .

William Adolphus is my favourite among my six cats .

he is black , with a white dicky and beautiful white paws .

he sat up on the seat beside me and looked far more like a gentleman than many a man I 've seen in a similar position .

Alexander Abraham 's place was about three miles along the White Sands road .

I knew the house as soon as I came to it by its neglected appearance .

it needed paint badly ; the blinds were crooked and torn ; weeds grew up to the very door .

plainly , there was no woman about THAT place .

still , it was a nice house , and the barns were splendid .

my father always said that when a man 's barns were bigger than his house it was a sign that his income exceeded his expenditure .

so it was all right that they should be bigger ; but it was all wrong that they should be trimmer and better painted .

still , thought I , what else could you expect of a woman hater ?

I had driven up to the house from the back way and now I was opposite a side door opening on the veranda .

I thought I might as well go to it , so I tucked William Adolphus under my arm and marched up the path .

just as I was half-way up , a dog swooped around the front corner and made straight for me .

I never stop to argue matters with a dog that doesn't bark .

I know when discretion is the better part of valour .

I reached it in time and no more .

my time for reflection came when I found myself perched half way up the tree with William Adolphus beside me .

William Adolphus was quite calm and unruffled .

I can hardly say with truthfulness what I was .

on the contrary , I admit that I felt considerably upset .

he bared his teeth and growled when he caught my eye .

" you LOOK like a woman hater's dog , " I told him .

I meant it for an insult ; but the beast took it for a compliment .

then I set myself to solving the question , " how am I to get out of this predicament ? "

it did not seem easy to solve it .

" shall I scream , William Adolphus ? "

I demanded of that intelligent animal .

William Adolphus shook his head .

this is a fact .

and I agreed with him .

" no , I shall not scream , William Adolphus , " I said .

" there is probably no one to hear me except Alexander Abraham , and I have my painful doubts about his tender mercies .

now , it is impossible to go down .

is it , then , William Adolphus , possible to go up ? "

I looked up .

Just above my head was an open window with a tolerably stout branch extending right across it .

" shall we try that way , William Adolphus ? "

I asked .

William Adolphus , wasting no words , began to climb the tree .

I followed his example .

the dog ran in circles about the tree and looked things not lawful to be uttered .

it probably would have been a relief to him to bark if it hadn't been so against his principles .

but I did not pause to take in details .

with William Adolphus under my arm I marched downstairs , fervently hoping I should meet no one on the way .

I did not .

the hall below was empty and dusty .

I opened the first door I came to and walked boldly in .

a man was sitting by the window , looking moodily out .

I should have known him for Alexander Abraham anywhere .

his hair looked as if it had never been combed , and his whiskers were wild in the extreme .

he looked at me with blank amazement in his countenance .

" where is Jimmy Spencer ? "

I demanded .

" I have come to see him . "

" how did he ever let you in ? " asked the man , staring at me .

" he didn't let me in , " I retorted .

" he chased me all over the lawn , and I only saved myself from being torn piecemeal by scrambling up a tree .

you ought to be prosecuted for keeping such a dog !

where is Jimmy ? "

instead of answering Alexander Abraham began to laugh in a most unpleasant fashion .

" trust a woman for getting into a man 's house if she has made up her mind to , " he said disagreeably .

seeing that it was his intention to vex me I remained cool and collected .

" oh , I wasn't particular about getting into your house , Mr Bennett , " I said calmly .

" I had but little choice in the matter .

it was get in lest a worse fate befall me .

it was Jimmy .

for the third and last time where is Jimmy ? "

" Jimmy is not here , " said Mr Bennett gruffly but not quite so assuredly .

" he left last week and hired with a man over at Newbridge . "

I shall go . "

" I 'll let you out by the back door .

then the ahem ! the dog will not interfere with you .

please go away quietly and quickly . "

I wondered if Alexander Abraham thought I would go away with a whoop .

such a kitchen !

Alexander Abraham opened the door which was locked just as a buggy containing two men drove into the yard .

" too late ! " he exclaimed in a tragic tone .

it was old Dr Blair , from Carmody , and he was looking at me as if he had found me shoplifting .

" my dear Peter , " he said gravely , " I am VERY sorry to see you here very sorry indeed . "

I admit that this exasperated me .

besides , no man on earth , not even my own family doctor , has any right to " my dear Peter " me !

" there is no loud call for sorrow , doctor , " I said loftily .

the doctor did not answer my question .

instead , he looked reproachfully at Alexander Abraham .

" is this how you keep your word , Mr Bennett ? " he said .

" I thought that you promised me that you would not let anyone into the house . "

" I didn't let her in , " growled Mr Bennett .

what is to be done with a woman like that ? "

I am going at once . "

this house is under quarantine for smallpox .

you will have to stay here . "

smallpox !

for the first and last time in my life , I openly lost my temper with a man .

I wheeled furiously upon Alexander Abraham .

" why didn't you tell me ? "

I cried .

" tell you ! " he said , glaring at me .

" when I first saw you it was too late to tell you .

I thought the kindest thing I could do was to hold my tongue and let you get away in happy ignorance .

this will teach you to take a man 's house by storm , madam ! "

" now , now , don't quarrel , my good people , " interposed the doctor seriously but I saw a twinkle in his eye .

" you 'll have to spend some time together under the same roof and you won't improve the situation by disagreeing .

you see , Peter , it was this way .

last night she developed unmistakable symptoms of smallpox .

I came down here this morning and explained the matter to Mr Bennett .

Jacob Green and Cleophas Lee will watch at night .

while listening to the doctor I had been thinking .

it was the most distressing predicament I had ever got into in my life , but there was no sense in making it worse .

" very well , doctor , " I said calmly .

" yes , I was vaccinated a month ago , when the news of the smallpox first came .

tell her to give them new milk twice a day and a square inch of butter apiece once a week .

my pony is tied out there to the fence .

please take him home .

that is all , I think . "

" no , it isn't all , " said Alexander Abraham grumpily .

" send that cat home , too .

I won't have a cat around the place I 'd rather have smallpox . "

I looked Alexander Abraham over gradually , in a way I have , beginning at his feet and traveling up to his head .

I took my time over it ; and then I said , very quietly .

" you may have both .

anyway , you 'll have to have William Adolphus .

I 'll have to put up with that dog of yours .

you will have to endure William Adolphus . "

Alexander Abraham groaned , but I could see that the way I had looked him over had chastened him considerably .

the doctor drove away , and I went into the house , not choosing to linger outside and be grinned at by Thomas Wright .

I could not clean house in my new suit and a silk shirtwaist .

Alexander Abraham was sitting on a chair looking at me .

presently he said ,

" I am NOT curious but will you kindly tell me why the doctor called you Peter ? "

Alexander Abraham coughed gently .

" isn't that ahem ! rather a peculiar name for a woman ? "

" it is , " I said , wondering how much soap , if any , there was in the house .

" if I had been a boy my parents intended to call me Peter in honour of a rich uncle .

when I fortunately turned out to be a girl my mother insisted that I should be called Angelina .

they gave me both names and called me Angelina , but as soon as I grew old enough I decided to be called Peter .

it was bad enough , but not so bad as Angelina . "

" I should say it was more appropriate , " said Alexander Abraham , intending , as I perceived , to be disagreeable .

" precisely , " I agreed calmly .

" my last name is MacPherson , and I live in Avonlea .

as you are NOT curious , that will be all the information you will need about me . "

" oh ! "

Alexander Abraham looked as if a light had broken in on him .

" I 've heard of you .

you ah pretend to dislike men . "

pretend !

goodness only knows what would have happened to Alexander Abraham just then if a diversion had not taken place .

but the door opened and a dog came in THE dog .

I suppose he had got tired waiting under the cherry tree for William Adolphus and me to come down .

he was even uglier indoors than out .

" oh , Mr Riley , Mr Riley , see what you have let me in for , " said Alexander Abraham reproachfully .

but Mr Riley since that was the brute 's name paid no attention to Alexander Abraham .

he had caught sight of William Adolphus curled up on the cushion , and he started across the room to investigate him .

William Adolphus sat up and began to take notice .

" call off that dog , " I said warningly to Alexander Abraham .

" call him off yourself , " he retorted .

" since you 've brought that cat here you can protect him . "

" oh , it wasn't for William Adolphus ' sake I spoke , " I said pleasantly .

" William Adolphus can protect himself . "

William Adolphus could and did .

he humped his back , flattened his ears , swore once , and then made a flying leap for Mr Riley .

William Adolphus landed squarely on Mr Riley 's brindled back and promptly took fast hold , spitting and clawing and caterwauling .

you never saw a more astonished dog than Mr Riley .

with each circuit he went faster and faster , until he looked like a brindled streak with a dash of black and white on top .

such a racket and commotion I never heard , and I laughed until the tears came into my eyes .

Mr Riley flew around and around , and William Adolphus held on grimly and clawed .

Alexander Abraham turned purple with rage .

" Woman , call off that infernal cat before he kills my dog , " he shouted above the din of yelps and yowls .

I ran to help him up , which only seemed to enrage him further .

" woman , " he spluttered viciously , " I wish you and your fiend of a cat were in in "

" in Avonlea , " I finished quickly , to save Alexander Abraham from committing profanity .

" so do I , Mr Bennett , with all my heart .

but since we are not , let us make the best of it like sensible people .

and in future you will kindly remember that my name is Miss MacPherson , NOT Woman ! "

there never was any more trouble with Mr Riley after that .

a meeker , more thoroughly chastened dog you could not find .

William Adolphus had the best of it and he kept it .

seeing that things had calmed down and that it was five o'clock I decided to get tea .

I told Alexander Abraham that I would prepare it , if he would show me where the eatables were .

" you needn't mind , " said Alexander Abraham .

" I 've been in the habit of getting my own tea for twenty years . "

" I daresay .

but you haven't been in the habit of getting mine , " I said firmly .

" I wouldn't eat anything you cooked if I starved to death .

if you want some occupation , you 'd better get some salve and anoint the scratches on that poor dog 's back . "

Alexander Abraham said something that I prudently did not hear .

seeing that he had no information to hand out I went on an exploring expedition into the pantry .

the place was awful beyond description , and for the first time a vague sentiment of pity for Alexander Abraham glimmered in my breast .

but I got up a supper somehow .

I am noted for getting up suppers .

that tea and toast mellowed Alexander Abraham in spite of himself .

he ate the last crust , and didn't growl when I gave William Adolphus all the cream that was left .

Mr Riley did not seem to want anything .

he had no appetite .

by this time the doctor 's boy had arrived with my valise .

Alexander Abraham gave me quite civilly to understand that there was a spare room across the hall and that I might take possession of it .

I went to it and put on a wrapper .

there was a set of fine furniture in the room , and a comfortable bed .

but the dust !

William Adolphus had followed me in and his paws left marks everywhere he walked .

you 'd better betake yourself to the sitting-room , Mr Bennett , so as to be out of the way . "

Alexander Abraham glared at me .

" I 'm not going to have my house meddled with , " he snapped .

" it suits me .

if you don't like it you can leave it . "

" no , I can't .

that is just the trouble , " I said pleasantly .

" if I could leave it I shouldn't be here for a minute .

since I can't , it simply has to be cleaned .

I can tolerate men and dogs when I am compelled to , but I cannot and will not tolerate dirt and disorder .

go into the sitting-room . "

Alexander Abraham went .

as he closed the door , I heard him say , in capitals , " WHAT AN AWFUL WOMAN ! "

I cleared that kitchen and the pantry adjoining .

it was ten o'clock when I got through , and Alexander Abraham had gone to bed without deigning further speech .

I locked Mr Riley in one room and William Adolphus in another and went to bed , too .

I had never felt so dead tired in my life before .

it had been a hard day .

but I got up bright and early the next morning and got a tiptop breakfast , which Alexander Abraham condescended to eat .

it took me the best part of a week to get that house in order , but I did it thoroughly .

I am noted for doing things thoroughly .

at the end of the time it was clean from garret to cellar .

the house was full of provisions Alexander Abraham wasn't mean about such things , I will say that for him .

altogether , I was more comfortable than I had expected to be .

I could see he had a wholesome awe for me .

but now and then he seemed to forget his disposition and talked like a human being .

we had one or two real interesting conversations .

Alexander Abraham was an intelligent man , though he had got terribly warped .

I told him once I thought he must have been nice when he was a boy .

one day he astonished me by appearing at the dinner table with his hair brushed and a white collar on .

we had a tiptop dinner that day , and I had made a pudding that was far too good for a woman hater .

when Alexander Abraham had disposed of two large platefuls of it , he sighed and said ,

" you can certainly cook .

it 's a pity you are such a detestable crank in other respects . "

" it 's kind of convenient being a crank , " I said .

" people are careful how they meddle with you .

haven't you found that out in your own experience ? "

" I am NOT a crank , " growled Alexander Abraham resentfully .

" all I ask is to be let alone . "

" that 's the very crankiest kind of crank , " I said .

but cheer up , Mr Bennett .

you may then return to your wallowing in the mire and be as dirty and comfortable as of yore . "

Alexander Abraham growled again .

the prospect didn't seem to cheer him up as much as I should have expected .

then he did an amazing thing .

he poured some cream into a saucer and set it down before William Adolphus .

William Adolphus lapped it up , keeping one eye on Alexander Abraham lest the latter should change his mind .

not to be outdone , I handed Mr Riley a bone .

neither Alexander Abraham nor I had worried much about the smallpox .

we didn't believe he would take it , for he hadn't even seen the girl who was sick .

but the very next morning I heard him calling me from the upstairs landing .

" I 've got them all , " said Alexander Abraham hollowly .

I didn't feel as much scared as I should have expected .

I went to the window and called to Thomas Wright to send for the doctor .

the doctor came down from Alexander Abraham 's room looking grave .

" it 's impossible to pronounce on the disease yet , " he said .

" there is no certainty until the eruption appears .

but , of course , there is every likelihood that it is the smallpox .

it is very unfortunate .

I am afraid that it will be difficult to get a nurse .

all the nurses in town who will take smallpox cases are overbusy now , for the epidemic is still raging there .

however , I 'll go into town to-night and do my best .

meanwhile , at present , you must not go near him , Peter . "

there was a lemon cream I thought he could eat even if he had the smallpox .

" you shouldn't come near me , " he growled .

" you are risking your life . "

" I am not going to see a fellow creature starve to death , even if he is a man , " I retorted .

did you give my poor dog anything to eat ? "

" he has had a better dinner than many a Christian , " I said severely .

Alexander Abraham need not have worried about another woman coming in .

the doctor came back that night with care on his brow .

" I don't know what is to be done , " he said .

" I can't get a soul to come here . "

" I shall nurse Mr Bennett , " I said with dignity .

" it is my duty and I never shirk my duty .

I am noted for that .

I nursed Alexander Abraham through the smallpox , and I didn't mind it much .

he was much more amiable sick than well , and he had the disease in a very mild form .

below stairs I reigned supreme and Mr Riley and William Adolphus lay down together like the lion and the lamb .

I fed Mr Riley regularly , and once , seeing him looking lonesome , I patted him gingerly .

it was nicer than I thought it would be .

when Alexander Abraham was able to sit up , he began to make up for the time he 'd lost being pleasant .

anything more sarcastic than that man in his convalescence you couldn't imagine .

I just laughed at him , having found out that that could be depended on to irritate him .

to irritate him still further I cleaned the house all over again .

" he 'll get fond of you again when I go home , " I said comfortingly .

" dogs aren't very particular that way .

what they want is bones .

cats now , they love disinterestedly .

William Adolphus has never swerved in his allegiance to me , although you do give him cream in the pantry on the sly . "

Alexander Abraham looked foolish .

he hadn't thought I knew that .

I didn't take the smallpox and in another week the doctor came out and sent the policeman home .

I was disinfected and William Adolphus was fumigated , and then we were free to go .

" good-bye , Mr Bennett , " I said , offering to shake hands in a forgiving spirit .

" I 've no doubt that you are glad to be rid of me , but you are no gladder than I am to go .

reformation with men and dogs never goes very deep . "

with this Parthian shaft I walked out of the house , supposing that I had seen the last of it and Alexander Abraham .

I was glad to get back home , of course ; but it did seem queer and lonesome .

the cats hardly knew me , and William Adolphus roamed about forlornly and appeared to feel like an exile .

I didn't take as much pleasure in cooking as usual , for it seemed kind of foolish to be fussing over oneself .

the sight of a bone made me think of poor Mr Riley .

the neighbours avoided me pointedly , for they couldn't get rid of the fear that I might erupt into smallpox at any moment .

my Sunday School class had been given to another woman , and altogether I felt as if I didn't belong anywhere .

I had existed like this for a fortnight when Alexander Abraham suddenly appeared .

he walked in one evening at dusk , but at first sight I didn't know him he was so spruced and barbered up .

but William Adolphus knew him .

" I had to come , Angelina , " said Alexander Abraham .

" I couldn't stand it any longer . "

" my name is Peter , " I said coldly , although I was feeling ridiculously glad about something .

" it isn't , " said Alexander Abraham stubbornly .

" it is Angelina for me , and always will be .

I shall never call you Peter .

Angelina just suits you exactly ; and Angelina Bennett would suit you still better .

you must come back , Angelina .

" what about the other five cats ? "

I demanded .

Alexander Abraham sighed .

but I can live without him , and I can't without you .

how soon can you be ready to marry me ? "

" I haven't said that I was going to marry you at all , have I ? "

I said tartly , just to be consistent .

for I wasn't feeling tart .

" no , but you will , won't you ? " said Alexander Abraham anxiously .

" because if you won't , I wish you 'd let me die of the smallpox .

do , dear Angelina . "

to think that a man should dare to call me his " dear Angelina ! "

and to think that I shouldn't mind !

IX .

Pa Sloane 's Purchase

" I guess the molasses is getting low , ain't it ? " said Pa Sloane insinuatingly .

" S'pose I 'd better drive up to Carmody this afternoon and get some more . "

" there 's a good half-gallon of molasses in the jug yet , " said ma Sloane ruthlessly .

" that so ?

well , I noticed the kerosene demijohn wasn't very hefty the last time I filled the can .

reckon it needs replenishing . "

" we have kerosene enough to do for a fortnight yet . "

Ma continued to eat her dinner with an impassive face , but a twinkle made itself apparent in her eye .

lest Pa should see it , and feel encouraged thereby , she looked immovably at her plate .

Pa Sloane sighed .

his invention was giving out .

she wondered if this third failure would squelch Pa .

but Pa was not to be squelched .

" well , anyway , " he said , brightening up under the influence of a sudden saving inspiration .

" I 'll have to go up to get the sorrel mare shod .

the matter of shoeing the sorrel mare was beyond Ma 's province , although she had her own suspicions about the sorrel mare 's need of shoes .

" why can't you give up beating about the bush , Pa ? " she demanded , with contemptuous pity .

" you might as well own up what 's taking you to Carmody .

I can see through your design .

you want to get away to the Garland auction .

that is what is troubling you , Pa Sloane . "

" I dunno but what I might step over , seeing it 's so handy .

but the sorrel mare really does need shoeing , Ma , " protested Pa .

" there 's always something needing to be done if it 's convenient , " retorted Ma .

" your mania for auctions will be the ruin of you yet , Pa

a man of fifty-five ought to have grown out of such a hankering .

but the older you get the worse you get .

" one might pick up something real cheap at Garland 's , " said Pa defensively .

I know I can't stop you from going .

I might as well try to stop the wind from blowing .

but I shall go , too , out of self-defence .

Pa Sloane sighed again .

it was not exhilarating to attend an auction with Ma

she would never let him bid on anything .

Pa Sloane 's dissipation was going to auctions and buying things that nobody else would buy .

Ma Sloane 's patient endeavours of over thirty years had been able to effect only a partial reform .

to add insult to injury this was the second dasher churn Pa had bought at auction .

that settled it .

Ma decreed that henceforth she would chaperon Pa when he went to auctions .

but this was the day of Pa 's good angel .

" oh , Mrs Sloane , won't you come over to our house at once ? " he gasped .

" the baby , he 's got colic , and ma 's just wild , and he 's all black in the face . "

Ma went , feeling that the stars in their courses fought against a woman who was trying to do her duty by her husband .

but first she admonished Pa .

" I shall have to let you go alone .

but I charge you , Pa , not to bid on anything on ANYTHING , do you hear ? "

Pa heard and promised to heed , with every intention of keeping his promise .

then he drove away joyfully .

on any other occasion Ma would have been a welcome companion .

but she certainly spoiled the flavour of an auction .

the auction had evidently begun ; so , not to miss any more of it , Pa hurried down .

the sorrel mare could wait for her shoes until afterwards .

Ma had been within bounds when she called the Garland auction a " one-horse affair . "

Horace Garland and his wife had been poor .

the house had been a rented one .

the bidding on the various poor articles of household gear put up for sale was not brisk , but had an element of resigned determination .

Carmody people knew that these things had to be sold to pay the debts , and they could not be sold unless they were bought .

still , it was a very tame affair .

" there 's Marthy Blair with the Garland Baby , " said Robert Lawson to Pa .

" I 'd like to know what 's to become of that poor young one ! "

" ain't there any of the father 's or mother 's folks to take him ? " asked Pa .

" no .

Horace had no relatives that anybody ever heard of .

Mrs Horace had a brother ; but he went to Manitoba years ago , and nobody knows where he is now .

somebody 'll have to take the baby and nobody seems anxious to .

I 've got eight myself , or I 'd think about it .

he 's a fine little chap . "

but Josiah Sloane had been commissioned by his wife to bring those flower-pots home to her ; so Pa lost them .

" there , that 's all , " said the auctioneer , wiping his face , for the day was very warm for October .

" there 's nothing more unless we sell the baby . "

a laugh went through the crowd .

the sale had been a dull affair , and they were ready for some fun .

someone called out , " put him up , Jacob . "

the joke found favour and the call was repeated hilariously .

the baby had a mop of yellow curls , and a pink and white face , and big blue eyes .

he laughed out at the men before him and waved his hands in delight .

Pa Sloane thought he had never seen so pretty a baby .

" here 's a baby for sale , " shouted the auctioneer .

" a genuine article , pretty near as good as brand-new .

a real live baby , warranted to walk and talk a little .

who bids ?

A dollar ?

did I hear anyone mean enough to bid a dollar ?

no , sir , babies don't come as cheap as that , especially the curly-headed brand . "

the crowd laughed again .

Pa Sloane , by way of keeping on the joke , cried , " four dollars ! "

everybody looked at him .

the impression flashed through the crowd that Pa was in earnest , and meant thus to signify his intention of giving the baby a home .

he was well-to-do , and his only son was grown up and married .

" six , " cried out John Clarke from the other side of the yard .

John Clarke lived at White Sands and he and his wife were childless .

that bid of John Clarke 's was Pa 's undoing .

Pa Sloane could not have an enemy ; but a rival he had , and that rival was John Clarke .

everywhere at auctions John Clarke was wont to bid against Pa .

at the last auction he had outbid Pa in everything , not having the fear of his wife before his eyes .

" ten , " he called shrilly .

" fifteen , " shouted Clarke .

" twenty , " vociferated Pa .

" twenty-five , " bellowed Clarke .

" thirty , " shrieked Pa .

he nearly bust a blood-vessel in his shrieking , but he had won .

there had not been such fun at an auction in Carmody for many a long day .

Pa Sloane came , or was pushed , forward .

the auctioneer looked doubtfully at the money which Pa laid mutely down .

" I s'pose that part was only a joke , " he said .

" not a bit of it , " said Robert Lawson .

" all the money won't be too much to pay the debts .

there 's a doctor 's bill , and this will just about pay it . "

Pa Sloane drove back home , with the sorrel mare still unshod , the baby , and the baby 's meager bundle of clothes .

Ma was there , too , waiting for him on the back door-step as he drove into the yard at sunset .

her face , when she saw the baby , expressed the last degree of amazement .

" Pa Sloane , " she demanded , " whose is that young one , and where did you get it ? "

" I I bought it at the auction , Ma , " said Pa feebly .

then he waited for the explosion .

none came .

this last exploit of Pa 's was too much for Ma .

with a gasp she snatched the baby from Pa 's arms , and ordered him to go out and put the mare in .

" now , Pa Sloane , you can explain , " she said .

Pa explained .

Ma listened in grim silence until he had finished .

then she said sternly :

" do you reckon we 're going to keep this baby ? "

" I I dunno , " said Pa .

and he didn't .

" well , we 're NOT .

I brought up one boy and that 's enough .

I don't calculate to be pestered with any more .

I never was much struck on children as children , anyhow .

you say that Mary Garland had a brother out in Manitoba ?

well , we shall just write to him and tell him he 's got to look out for his nephew . "

" I 'll find out his address if I have to advertise in the papers for him , " retorted Ma

" as for you , Pa Sloane , you 're not fit to be out of a lunatic asylum .

the next auction you 'll be buying a wife , I s'pose ? "

Pa , quite crushed by Ma 's sarcasm , pulled his chair in to supper .

Ma picked up the baby and sat down at the head of the table .

Little Teddy laughed and pinched her face Ma 's face !

but then , the woman who once learns the mother knack never forgets it .

after tea Ma despatched Pa over to William Alexander 's to borrow a high chair .

when Pa returned in the twilight , the baby was fenced in on the sofa again , and Ma was stepping briskly about the garret .

she was bringing down the little cot bed her own boy had once occupied , and setting it up in their room for Teddy .

then she undressed the baby and rocked him to sleep , crooning an old lullaby over him .

Ma was not driven to advertising for Mrs Garland 's brother .

that personage saw the notice of his sister 's death in a home paper and wrote to the Carmody postmaster for full information .

the letter was referred to Ma and Ma answered it .

they were having a royal good time together .

Pa had always been dreadfully foolish about babies .

he looked ten years younger .

Ma 's keen eyes softened a little as she watched them .

a prompt answer came to her letter .

Teddy 's uncle wrote that he had six children of his own , but was nevertheless willing and glad to give his little nephew a home .

but he could not come after him .

Josiah Spencer , of White Sands , was going out to Manitoba in the spring .

if Mr and Mrs. Sloane could only keep the baby till then he could be sent out with the Spencers .

perhaps they would see a chance sooner .

" there 'll be no chance sooner , " said Pa Sloane in a tone of satisfaction .

" no , worse luck ! " retorted Ma crisply .

the winter passed by .

Little Teddy grew and throve , and Pa Sloane worshipped him .

Ma was very good to him , too , and Teddy was just as fond of her as of Pa .

nevertheless , as the spring drew near , Pa became depressed .

sometimes he sighed heavily , especially when he heard casual references to the Josiah Spencer emigration .

one warm afternoon in early May Josiah Spencer arrived .

he found Ma knitting placidly in the kitchen , while Pa nodded over his newspaper and the baby played with the cat on the floor .

" good afternoon , Mrs Sloane , " said Josiah with a flourish .

" I just dropped in to see about this young man here .

" oh , Ma , " began Pa , rising imploringly to his feet .

Ma transfixed him with her eye .

" sit down , Pa , " she commanded .

unhappy Pa sat .

then Ma glared at the smiling Josiah , who instantly felt as guilty as if he had been caught stealing sheep red-handed .

" we are much obliged to you , Mr Spencer , " said Ma icily , " but this baby is OURS .

we bought him , and we paid for him .

a bargain is a bargain .

when I pay cash down for babies , I propose to get my money 's worth .

we are going to keep this baby in spite of any number of uncles in Manitoba .

have I made this sufficiently clear to your understanding , Mr Spencer ? "

" I really wouldn't think quite so much if I were you , " said Ma kindly .

" it must be hard on you .

won't you stay and have tea with us ? "

but , no , Josiah would not stay .

he was thankful to make his escape with such rags of self-respect as remained to him .

Pa Sloane arose and came around to Ma 's chair .

he laid a trembling hand on her shoulder .

" Ma , you 're a good woman , " he said softly .

" go ' long , Pa , " said Ma

x . the Courting of Prissy Strong

" who do you s'pose Stephen Clark went home with from meeting to-night ? " he said , chuckling .

" Jane Miranda Blair , " I said promptly .

Stephen Clark 's wife had been dead for two years and he hadn't taken much notice of anybody , so far as was known .

Thomas chuckled again .

" wrong .

he stepped up to Prissy Strong and walked off with her .

cold soup warmed over . "

" Prissy Strong ! "

I just held up my hands .

then I laughed .

" he needn't try for Prissy , " I said .

" Emmeline nipped that in the bud twenty years ago , and she 'll do it again . "

" Em'line is an old crank , " growled Thomas .

he detested Emmeline Strong , and always did .

you mark my words , she 'll put her foot right down on this as soon as she finds it out . "

Thomas said that I was probably right .

I lay awake for a long time after I went to bed that night , thinking of Prissy and Stephen .

twenty years ago Stephen Clark had tried to go with Prissy Strong .

that was pretty soon after Prissy 's father had died .

she and Emmeline were living alone together .

she simply ruled poor Prissy with a rod of iron .

Prissy herself was a pretty girl at least most people thought so .

I can't honestly say I ever admired her style much myself .

I like something with more vim and snap to it .

Prissy was slim and pink , with soft , appealing blue eyes , and pale gold hair all clinging in baby rings around her face .

she was just as meek and timid as she looked and there wasn't a bit of harm in her .

I always liked Prissy , even if I didn't admire her looks as much as some people did .

anyway , it was plain her style suited Stephen Clark .

he began to drive her , and there wasn't a speck of doubt that Prissy liked him .

then Emmeline just put a stopper on the affair .

it was pure cantankerousness in her .

Stephen was a good match and nothing could be said against him .

but Emmeline was just determined that Prissy shouldn't marry .

she couldn't get married herself , and she was sore enough about it .

of course , if Prissy had had a spark of spirit she wouldn't have given in .

but she hadn't a mite ; I believe she would have cut off her nose if Emmeline had ordered her to do it .

she was just her mother over again .

if ever a girl belied her name , Prissy Strong did .

there wasn't anything strong about her .

one night , when prayer meeting came out , Stephen stepped up to Prissy as usual and asked if he might see her home .

Thomas and I were just behind we weren't married ourselves then and we heard it all .

Prissy gave one scared , appealing look at Emmeline and then said , " no , thank you , not to-night . "

Stephen just turned on his heel and went .

he was a high-spirited fellow and I knew he would never overlook a public slight like that .

Althea was a rather nice girl , though giddy , and I think she and Stephen were happy enough together .

in real life things are often like that .

nobody ever tried to go with Prissy again .

I suppose they were afraid of Emmeline .

Prissy 's beauty soon faded .

she was always kind of sweet looking , but her bloom went , and she got shyer and limper every year of her life .

she wouldn't have dared put on her second best dress without asking Emmeline 's permission .

she was real fond of cats and Emmeline wouldn't let her keep one .

it used to make me furious to see it all .

they were my next door neighbours after I married Thomas , and I was often in and out .

and now Stephen was going to try his luck again .

it certainly did seem funny .

Stephen walked home with Prissy from prayer meeting four nights before Emmeline found it out .

Emmeline hadn't been going to prayer meeting all that summer because she was mad at Mr Leonard .

all at once I knew she must have discovered about Stephen and Prissy , for Prissy stopped going to prayer meeting .

besides , I knew quite well that Prissy , in her secret soul , was hankering to be married .

so was Emmeline , too but nobody wanted to help HER to a husband .

the upshot of my meditations was that I asked Stephen down to dinner with us from church one day .

she was too bad-tempered , and as mean as second skimmings besides .

Stephen came .

he seemed dull and moody , and not much inclined to talk .

after dinner I gave Thomas a hint .

I said ,

" you go to bed and have your nap .

I want to talk to Stephen . "

Thomas shrugged his shoulders and went .

he probably thought I was brewing up lots of trouble for myself , but he didn't say anything .

" you won't have to miss her much , I reckon , " said Stephen grimly .

" I 've been told I 'm not wanted there . "

Stephen wasn't the confidential kind .

but it really seemed to be a relief to him to talk about it ; I never saw a man feeling so sore about anything .

he told me the whole story .

Prissy had written him a letter he fished it out of his pocket and gave it to me to read .

not much wonder the poor man went to see Lizzie Pye !

" Stephen , I 'm surprised at you for thinking that Prissy Strong wrote that letter , " I said .

" it 's in her handwriting , " he said stubbornly .

" of course it is .

" Emmeline composed that letter and made Prissy copy it out .

I know that as well as if I 'd seen her do it , and you ought to have known it , too . "

" if I thought that I 'd show Emmeline I could get Prissy in spite of her , " said Stephen savagely .

" but if Prissy doesn't want me I 'm not going to force my attentions on her . "

I didn't think it would be hard to do ; and it wasn't .

I went over the very next day because I saw Emmeline driving off to the store .

I found Prissy alone , sewing carpet rags .

Emmeline kept her constantly at that because Prissy hated it I suppose .

Prissy was crying when I went in , and in a few minutes I had the whole story .

Prissy wanted to get married and she wanted to get married to Stephen and Emmeline wouldn't let her .

" Prissy Strong , " I said in exasperation , " you haven't the spirit of a mouse !

why on earth did you write him such a letter ? "

it was a long way to come for a hoe .

" then what am I to do ? " he said .

" it wouldn't be any use to write , for it would likely fall into Emmeline 's hands .

she won't let Prissy go anywhere alone after this , and how am I to know when the old cat is away ? "

" please don't insult cats , " I said .

" I 'll tell you what we 'll do .

you can see the ventilator on our barn from your place , can't you ?

you 'd be able to make out a flag or something tied to it , wouldn't you , through that spy-glass of yours ? "

Stephen thought he could .

" well , you take a squint at it every now and then , " I said .

" just as soon as Emmeline leaves Prissy alone I 'll hoist the signal . "

the chance didn't come for a whole fortnight .

then , one evening , I saw Emmeline striding over the field below our house .

as soon as she was out of sight I ran through the birch grove to Prissy .

" yes , Em'line 's gone to sit up with Jane Lawson to-night , " said Prissy , all fluttered and trembling .

" then you put on your muslin dress and fix your hair , " I said .

" I 'm going home to get Thomas to tie something to that ventilator . "

but do you think Thomas would do it ?

not he .

he said he owed something to his position as elder in the church .

in the end I had to do it myself , though I don't like climbing ladders .

I tied Thomas ' long red woollen scarf to the ventilator , and prayed that Stephen would see it .

he did , for in less than an hour he drove down our lane and put his horse in our barn .

he was all spruced up , and as nervous and excited as a schoolboy .

he went right over to Prissy , and I began to tuft my new comfort with a clear conscience .

I went up and happened to look out of the east window ; and there I saw Emmeline Strong coming home across our pond field .

I just flew down those garret stairs and out through the birches .

I burst into the Strong kitchen , where Stephen and Prissy were sitting as cozy as you please .

" Stephen , come quick !

Emmeline 's nearly here , " I cried .

Prissy looked out of the window and wrung her hands .

" oh , she 's in the lane now , " she gasped .

" he can't get out of the house without her seeing him .

oh , Rosanna , what shall we do ? "

I really don't know what would have become of those two people if I hadn't been in existence to find ideas for them .

" take Stephen up to the garret and hide him there , Prissy , " I said firmly , " and take him quick . "

the minute she clapped eyes on Prissy she suspected something .

it wasn't any wonder , for there was Prissy , all dressed up , with flushed cheeks and shining eyes .

she was all in a quiver of excitement , and looked ten years younger .

" Priscilla Strong , you 've been expecting Stephen Clark here this evening ! " burst out Emmeline .

" you wicked , deceitful , underhanded , ungrateful creature ! "

" this is between you and Prissy , Emmeline , " I struck in , " and I 'm not going to interfere .

I hoped Stephen would see us from the garret window and make good his escape .

but I didn't dare trust to chance , so when I got Emmeline safely to work on my comfort I excused myself and slipped out .

it was fortunate I had come , for he didn't know we had gone .

Prissy had hidden him behind the loom and he didn't dare move for fear Emmeline would hear him on that creaky floor .

he was a sight with cobwebs .

Emmeline began to rage at Prissy the moment they were outside my door .

then Stephen came in and we talked things over .

he and Prissy had made good use of their time , short as it had been .

Prissy had promised to marry him , and all that remained was to get the ceremony performed .

" and that will be no easy matter , " I warned him .

" now that Emmeline 's suspicions are aroused she 'll never let Prissy out of her sight until you 're married to another woman , if it 's years .

I know Emmeline Strong .

and I know Prissy .

if it was any other girl in the world she 'd run away , or manage it somehow , but Prissy never will .

she 's too much in the habit of obeying Emmeline .

you 'll have an obedient wife , Stephen if you ever get her . "

Stephen looked as if he thought that wouldn't be any drawback .

gossip said that Althea had been pretty bossy .

I don't know .

maybe it was so .

" can't you suggest something , Rosanna ? " he implored .

" you 've helped us so far , and I 'll never forget it . "

" I 'll watch here and signal whenever there 's an opening . "

well , I watched and Stephen watched , and Mr Leonard was in the plot , too .

but Emmeline was a match for us all .

she never let Prissy out of her sight .

everywhere she went she toted Prissy , too .

when a month had gone by , I was almost in despair .

Mr Leonard had to leave for the Assembly in another week and Stephen 's neighbours were beginning to talk about him .

I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw Emmeline driving away one day alone .

as soon as she was out of sight I whisked over , and Anne Shirley and Diana Barry went with me .

they were visiting me that afternoon .

Diana 's mother was my second cousin , and , as we visited back and forth frequently , I 'd often seen Diana .

but I 'd never seen her chum , Anne Shirley , although I 'd heard enough about her to drive anyone frantic with curiosity .

so when she came home from Redmond College that summer I asked Diana to take pity on me and bring her over some afternoon .

I wasn't disappointed in her .

I considered her a beauty , though some people couldn't see it .

she had the most magnificent red hair and the biggest , shiningest eyes I ever saw in a girl 's head .

as for her laugh , it made me feel young again to hear it .

so nothing would do them but they must go over with me .

the appearance of the house amazed me .

all the shutters were closed and the door locked .

I knocked and knocked , but there was no answer .

then I walked around the house to the only window that hadn't shutters a tiny one upstairs .

I knew it was the window in the closet off the room where the girls slept .

I stopped under it and called Prissy .

before long Prissy came and opened it .

she was so pale and woe-begone looking that I pitied her with all my heart .

" Prissy , where has Emmeline gone ? "

I asked .

" down to Avonlea to see the Roger Pyes .

they 're sick with measles , and Emmeline couldn't take me because I 've never had measles . "

poor Prissy !

she had never had anything a body ought to have .

" then you just come and unfasten a shutter , and come right over to my house , " I said exultantly .

" we 'll have Stephen and the minister here in no time . "

" I can't Em'line has locked me in here , " said Prissy woefully .

I was posed .

no living mortal bigger than a baby could have got in or out of that closet window .

but Anne Shirley said she 'd put it up for me , and she did .

Stephen wasn't long in getting there and he brought the minister with him .

I agreed with him .

I knew Emmeline Strong would bring an action against him for housebreaking as likely as not .

she 'd be so furious she 'd stick at nothing if we gave her any excuse .

then Anne Shirley , who couldn't have been more excited if she was getting married herself , came to the rescue again .

can't they , Mr Leonard ? "

Mr Leonard agreed that they could .

he was always the most saintly looking man , but I know I saw a twinkle in his eye .

" Thomas , go over and bring our little ladder over here , " I said .

Thomas forgot he was an elder , and he brought the ladder as quick as it was possible for a fat man to do it .

after all it was too short to reach the window , but there was no time to go for another .

I shall never forget the look of Prissy .

the window was so small she could only get her head and one arm out of it .

besides , she was almost frightened to death .

Mr Leonard stood at the foot of the ladder and married them .

she knew perfectly well what had happened when she saw the minister with his blue book in his hand .

never a word said she .

she marched to the front door , unlocked it , and strode upstairs .

as it was , she walked her downstairs by the arm and actually flung her at Stephen .

then she turned to me and Thomas .

" goodness , who wants to , you old spitfire ? " said Thomas .

it wasn't just the thing for him to say , perhaps , but we are all human , even elders .

the girls didn't escape .

Emmeline looked daggers at them .

" this will be something for you to carry back to Avonlea , " she said .

" you gossips down there will have enough to talk about for a spell .

that 's all you ever go out of Avonlea for just to fetch and carry tales . "

finally she finished up with the minister .

" I 'm going to the Baptist church in Spencervale after this , " she said .

her tone and look said a hundred other things .

she whirled into the house and slammed the door .

Mr Leonard looked around on us with a pitying smile as Stephen put poor , half-fainting Prissy into the buggy .

" I am very sorry , " he said in that gently , saintly way of his , " for the Baptists . "

XI .

the Miracle at Carmody

Salome looked out of the kitchen window , and a pucker of distress appeared on her smooth forehead .

" dear , dear , what has Lionel Hezekiah been doing now ? " she murmured anxiously .

" well , anyway , Judith is bringing him in as fast as she can , " she reflected .

dear me , I am sometimes tempted to think that Judith and I made a mistake in adopting the child .

I suppose two old maids don't know much about bringing up a boy properly .

Salome 's monologue was cut short by the entrance of her sister Judith , holding Lionel Hezekiah by his chubby wrist with a determined grip .

Judith Marsh was ten years older than Salome , and the two women were as different in appearance as night and day .

Salome , in spite of her thirty-five years , looked almost girlish .

her face was perhaps a weak one , but it was very sweet and appealing .

Judith Marsh was tall and dark , with a plain , tragic face and iron-gray hair .

her eyes were black and sombre , and every feature bespoke unyielding will and determination .

Lionel Hezekiah , whatever his shortcomings , did not look bad .

indeed , he was as engaging an urchin as ever beamed out on a jolly good world through a pair of big , velvet-brown eyes .

but just now Lionel Hezekiah was under a blight ; he had been caught red-handed in guilt , and was feeling much ashamed of himself .

he hung his head and squirmed his toes under the mournful reproach in Salome 's eyes .

when Salome looked at him like that , Lionel Hezekiah always felt that he was paying more for his fun than it was worth .

" what do you suppose I caught him doing this time ? " demanded Judith .

" I I don't know , " faltered Salome .

" firing at a mark on the henhouse door with new-laid eggs , " said Judith with measured distinctness .

" he has broken every egg that was laid to-day except three .

and as for the state of that henhouse door "

" O Lionel Hezekiah , why will you do such things ? " said Salome miserably .

" I didn't know it was wrong , " said Lionel Hezekiah , bursting into prompt tears .

" I I thought it would be bully fun .

Seems's if everything what 's fun ' s wrong . "

Salome 's heart was not proof against tears , as Lionel Hezekiah very well knew .

she put her arm about the sobbing culprit , and drew him to her side .

" he didn't know it was wrong , " she said defiantly to Judith .

" he 's got to be taught , then , " was Judith 's retort .

" no , you needn't try to beg him off , Salome .

he shall go right to bed without supper , and stay there till to-morrow morning . "

" oh ! not without his supper , " entreated Salome .

" you you won't improve the child 's morals by injuring his stomach , Judith . "

" without his supper , I say , " repeated Judith inexorably .

" Lionel Hezekiah , go up-stairs to the south room , and go to bed at once . "

Lionel Hezekiah went up-stairs , and went to bed at once .

he was never sulky or disobedient .

Salome listened to him as he stumped patiently up-stairs with a sob at every step , and her own eyes filled with tears .

" now don't for pity 's sake go crying , Salome , " said Judith irritably .

" I think I 've let him off very easily .

he is enough to try the patience of a saint , and I never was that , " she added with entire truth .

" but he isn't bad , " pleaded Salome .

" you know he never does anything the second time after he has been told it was wrong , never . "

" what good does that do when he is certain to do something new and twice as bad ?

I never saw anything like him for originating ideas of mischief .

just look at what he has done in the past fortnight in one fortnight , Salome .

and eggs at twenty-eight cents a dozen !

I tell you , Salome , Lionel Hezekiah is an expensive luxury . "

" but we couldn't do without him , " protested Salome .

" I could .

but as you can't , or think you can't , we 'll have to keep him , I suppose .

" there must be some way of managing him , " said Salome desperately .

she thought Judith was in earnest about the tethering .

Judith was generally so terribly in earnest in all she said .

" perhaps it is because he has no other employment that he invents so many unheard-of things .

if he had anything to occupy himself with perhaps if we sent him to school "

" he 's too young to go to school .

father always said that no child should go to school until it was seven , and I don't mean Lionel Hezekiah shall .

well , I 'm going to take a pail of hot water and a brush , and see what I can do to that henhouse door .

I 've got my afternoon 's work cut out for me . "

Judith stood Salome 's crutch up beside her , and departed to purify the henhouse door .

she could not go up and comfort Lionel Hezekiah as she yearned to do , which was the reason Judith had sent him up-stairs .

Salome had not been up-stairs for fifteen years .

neither did she dare to call him out on the landing , lest Judith return .

besides , of course he must be punished ; he had been very naughty .

" I don't hear a sound .

I suppose he has cried himself to sleep , poor , dear baby .

I wish Judith didn't hate ministers so .

I can never believe that Judith and father were right ; I am sure they were not .

there is a God , and I 'm afraid it 's terribly wicked not to go to church .

but there , nothing short of a miracle would convince Judith ; so there is no use in thinking about it .

yes , Lionel Hezekiah must have gone to sleep . "

a year previously Lionel Hezekiah 's parents , Abner and Martha Smith , had died , leaving a houseful of children and very little else .

at first Judith had laughed at the idea ; but , when she found that Salome was in earnest , she yielded .

Judith always gave Salome her own way except on one point .

" if you want the child , I suppose you must have him , " she said finally .

" I wish he had a civilized name , though .

her judgment was the same clear through , from selecting husbands to names . "

so Lionel Hezekiah came into Judith 's home and Salome 's heart .

the latter was permitted to love him all she pleased , but Judith overlooked his training with a critical eye .

possibly it was just as well , for Salome might otherwise have ruined him with indulgence .

she sat on the stairs until she fell asleep herself , her head pillowed on her arm .

Judith found her there when she came in , severe and triumphant , from her bout with the henhouse door .

her face softened into marvelous tenderness as she looked at Salome .

" she 's nothing but a child herself in spite of her age , " she thought pityingly .

" a child that 's had her whole life thwarted and spoiled through no fault of her own .

and yet folks say there is a God who is kind and good !

if there is a God , he is a cruel , jealous tyrant , and I hate Him ! "

Judith 's eyes were bitter and vindictive .

if Salome could only walk like other women , Judith told herself that she would not hate the great tyrannical Power .

Lionel Hezekiah was subdued and angelic for four days after that affair of the henhouse door .

then he broke out in a new place .

one afternoon he came in sobbing , with his golden curls full of burrs .

Judith was not in , but Salome dropped her crochet-work and gazed at him in dismay .

" oh , Lionel Hezekiah , what have you gone and done now ? "

" I I just stuck the burrs in ' cause I was playing I was a heathen chief , " sobbed Lionel Hezekiah .

" it was great fun while it lasted ; but , when I tried to take them out , it hurt awful . "

neither Salome nor Lionel Hezekiah ever forgot the harrowing hour that followed .

with the aid of comb and scissors , Salome eventually got the burrs out of Lionel Hezekiah 's crop of curls .

it would be impossible to decide which of them suffered more in the process .

Salome cried as hard as Lionel Hezekiah did , and every snip of the scissors or tug at the silken floss cut into her heart .

" oh , Lionel Hezekiah , what does make you get into mischief so constantly ? " she sighed .

Lionel Hezekiah frowned reflectively .

" I don't know , " he finally announced , " unless it 's because you don't send me to Sunday school . "

Salome started as if an electric shock had passed through her frail body .

" why , Lionel Hezekiah , " she stammered , " what put such and idea into your head ? "

I don't see how you can ' spect me to behave well when you won't send me to Sunday school .

" would you like to go ? " asked Salome , almost in a whisper .

" I 'd like it bully , " said Lionel Hezekiah frankly and succinctly .

" oh , don't use such dreadful words , " sighed Salome helplessly .

" I 'll see what can be done .

perhaps you can go .

I 'll ask your Aunt Judith . "

" oh , Aunt Judith won't let me go , " said Lionel Hezekiah despondingly .

" aunt Judith doesn't believe there is any God or any bad place .

Teddy Markham says she doesn't .

he says she 's an awful wicked woman ' cause she never goes to church .

so you must be wicked too , Aunt Salome , ' cause you never go .

why don't you ? "

" your your Aunt Judith won't let me go , " faltered Salome , more perplexed than she had ever been before in her life .

" well , it doesn't seem to me that you have much fun on Sundays , " remarked Lionel Hezekiah ponderingly .

" I 'd have more if I was you .

but I s'pose you can't ' cause you 're ladies .

I 'm glad I 'm a man .

look at Abel Blair , what splendid times he has on Sundays .

he never goes to church , but he goes fishing , and has cock-fights , and gets drunk .

when I grow up , I 'm going to do that on Sundays too , since I won't be going to church .

I don't want to go to church , but I 'd like to go to Sunday school . "

Salome listened in agony .

every word of Lionel Hezekiah 's stung her conscience unbearably .

oh ! was it too late to undo the evil ?

when Judith returned , Salome blurted out the whole story .

" Lionel Hezekiah must go to Sunday school , " she concluded appealingly .

Judith 's face hardened until it was as if cut in stone .

" no , he shall not , " she said stubbornly .

" no one living in my household shall ever go to church or Sunday school .

you know exactly how I feel on this subject , Salome ; I believe just as father did .

you know he hated churches and churchgoing .

and was there ever a better , kinder , more lovable man ? "

" mother believed in God ; mother always went to church , " pleaded Salome .

" mother was weak and superstitious , just as you are , " retorted Judith inflexibly .

" I tell you , Salome , I don't believe there is a God .

but , if there is , He is cruel and unjust , and I hate Him . "

" Judith ! " gasped Salome , aghast at the impiety .

she half expected to see her sister struck dead at her feet .

" I mean every word I say .

but , when you were struck down like that , I knew father was right . "

for a moment Salome quailed .

she felt that she could not , dare not , stand out against Judith .

for her own sake she could not have done so , but the thought of Lionel Hezekiah nerved her to desperation .

she struck her thin , bleached little hands wildly together .

" Judith , I 'm going to church to-morrow , " she cried .

" I tell you I am , I won't set Lionel Hezekiah a bad example one day longer .

Salome dissolved into her ready tears , and cried most of the night .

but her resolution did not fail .

go to church she would , for that dear baby 's sake .

Judith would not speak to her at breakfast , and this almost broke Salome 's heart ; but she dared not yield .

after breakfast , she limped painfully into her room , and still more painfully dressed herself .

when she was ready , she took a little old worn Bible out of her box .

when she limped out into the kitchen , Judith looked up with a hard face .

Salome , strung up to the last pitch of nervous tension , felt intuitively the significance of that closed door .

for a moment she wavered oh , she could not go against Judith !

she was all but turning back to her room when Lionel Hezekiah came running in , and paused to look at her admiringly .

" you look just bully , Aunt Salome , " he said .

" where are you going ? "

" don't use that word , Lionel Hezekiah , " pleaded Salome .

" I 'm going to church . "

" take me with you , " said Lionel Hezekiah promptly .

Salome shook her head .

" I can't , dear .

your Aunt Judith wouldn't like it .

perhaps she will let you go after a while .

now do be a good boy while I am away , won't you ?

don't do any naughty things . "

" I won't do them if I know they 're naughty , " conceded Lionel Hezekiah .

" but that 's just the trouble ; I don't know what 's naughty and what ain't .

Prob'ly if I went to Sunday school I 'd find out . "

Salome limped out of the yard and down the lane bordered by its asters and goldenrod .

fortunately the church was just outside the lane , across the main road ; but Salome found it hard to cover even that short distance .

she felt almost exhausted when she reached the church and toiled painfully up the aisle to her mother 's old pew .

she laid her crutch on the seat , and sank into the corner by the window with a sigh of relief .

she had elected to come early so that she might get there before the rest of the people .

the big building , shadowy from the great elms around it , was very still .

a faint murmur came from the closed room behind the pulpit where the rest of the Sunday school was assembled .

in front of the pulpit was a stand bearing tall white geraniums in luxuriant blossom .

the light fell through the stained-glass window in a soft tangle of hues upon the floor .

Salome felt a sense of peace and happiness fill her heart .

Even Judith 's anger lost its importance .

she leaned her head against the window-sill , and gave herself up to the flood of tender old recollections that swept over her .

memory went back to the years of her childhood when she had sat in this pew every Sunday with her mother .

Judith had come then , too , always seeming grown up to Salome by reason of her ten years ' seniority .

her tall , dark , reserved father never came .

Salome knew that the Carmody people called him an infidel , and looked upon him as a very wicked man .

but he had not been wicked ; he had been good and kind in his own odd way .

Judith Marsh loved her little sister with an intensity that was maternal .

she would have a vicarious youth in Salome 's .

all went according to Judith 's planning until Salome was eighteen , and then trouble after trouble came .

everything possible was done for her .

one and all , the great doctors failed .

" I should have stood out against her for conscience ' sake , " reflected Salome in her pew self-reproachfully .

" but , O dear , I 'm afraid she 'll never forgive me , and how can I live if she doesn't ?

but I must endure it for Lionel Hezekiah 's sake ; my weakness has perhaps done him great harm already .

oh , if I 've left it till too late ! "

when the people began to come in , Salome felt painfully the curious glances directed at her .

she could see her home and its back yard plainly , with Lionel Hezekiah making mud-pies joyfully in the corner .

presently she saw Judith come out of the house and stride away to the pine wood behind it .

Judith always betook herself to the pines in time of mental stress and strain .

Salome could see the sunlight shining on Lionel Hezekiah 's bare head as he mixed his pies .

in the pleasure of watching him she forgot where she was and the curious eyes turned on her .

Salome clasped her hands in agony .

what if the child should fall ?

oh ! why had Judith gone away and left him alone ?

what if what if and then , while her brain with lightning-like rapidity pictured forth a dozen possible catastrophes , something really did happen .

every man , woman , and child in the Carmody church followed her , even to the minister , who had just announced his text .

when they got out , Salome was already half-way up her lane , running wildly .

in her heart was room for but one agonized thought .

would Lionel Hezekiah be drowned before she reached him ?

but Salome saw nobody .

she flung herself against the hogshead and looked in , sick with terror at what she might see .

what she did see was Lionel Hezekiah sitting on the bottom of the hogshead in water that came only to his waist .

he was looking rather dazed and bewildered , but was apparently quite uninjured .

the yard was full of people , but nobody had as yet said a word ; awe and wonder held everybody in spellbound silence .

Judith was the first to speak .

she pushed through the crowd to Salome .

" Salome , " she said in a high , shrill , unnatural voice , " where is your crutch ? "

Salome came to herself at the question .

for the first time , she realized that she had walked , nay , run , all that distance from the church alone and unaided .

she turned pale , swayed , and would have fallen if Judith had not caught her .

old Dr Blair came forward briskly .

" carry her in , " he said , " and don't all of you come crowding in , either .

she wants quiet and rest for a spell . "

most of the people obediently returned to the church , their sudden loosened tongues clattering in voluble excitement .

Salome faltered out her story , and her hearers listened with varying emotions .

" it 's a miracle , " said Sam Lawson in an awed voice .

Dr Blair shrugged his shoulders .

" there is no miracle about it , " he said bluntly .

" it 's all perfectly natural .

the trouble was that the muscles were paralyzed by long disuse .

that paralysis was overcome by the force of a strong and instinctive effort .

Salome , get up and walk across the kitchen . "

Salome obeyed .

the doctor nodded his satisfaction .

" keep that up every day .

walk as much as you can without tiring yourself , and you 'll soon be as spry as ever .

no more need of crutches for you , but there 's no miracle in the case . "

Judith Marsh turned to him .

she had not spoken a word since her question concerning Salome 's crutch .

now she said passionately :

" it WAS a miracle .

God has worked it to prove His existence for me , and I accept the proof . "

the old doctor shrugged his shoulders again .

being a wise man , he knew when to hold his tongue .

" well , put Salome to bed , and let her sleep the rest of the day .

she 's worn out .

she wore her best hat and dress , and she held Lionel Hezekiah by the hand .

Lionel Hezekiah 's beaming face was scrubbed clean , and his curls fell in beautiful sleekness over the lace collar of his velvet suit .

" how do you feel now , Salome ? " asked Judith gently .

" better .

I 've had a lovely sleep .

but where are you going , Judith ? "

" I am going to church , " said Judith firmly , " and I am going to take Lionel Hezekiah with me . "

XII .

the End of a Quarrel

Nancy Rogerson sat down on Louisa Shaw 's front doorstep and looked about her , drawing a long breath of delight that seemed tinged with pain .

Nancy had learned many things in her twenty years of exile from Avonlea , but she had never learned to conquer her dread of caterpillars .

it 's as magnificently untidy as ever , and the fence still wobbles .

it CAN'T be the same fence , but it looks exactly like it .

no , nothing is much changed .

thank you , Louisa . "

" you 've held your own wonderfully well . "

" haven't I ? " said Nancy complacently .

" modern methods of massage and cold cream have kept away the crowsfeet , and fortunately I had the Rogerson complexion to start with .

you wouldn't think I was really thirty-eight , would you ?

thirty-eight !

twenty years ago I thought anybody who was thirty-eight was a perfect female Methuselah .

and now I feel so horribly , ridiculously young , Louisa .

" I guess you don't mind being an old maid much , " said Louisa , shrugging her shoulders .

" oh , but I do mind , " said Nancy frankly .

" I hate being an old maid . "

Nancy shook her head .

" no , that wouldn't suit me either .

I don't want to be married .

well , that is precisely my opinion .

I 'd like to be a widow .

then I 'd have the freedom of the unmarried , with the kudos of the married .

I could eat my cake and have it , too .

oh , to be a widow ! "

" Nancy ! " said Louisa in a shocked tone .

Nancy laughed , a mellow gurgle that rippled through the garden like a brook .

" oh , Louisa , I can shock you yet .

that was just how you used to say ' Nancy ' long ago , as if I 'd broken all the commandments at once . "

" you do say such queer things , " protested Louisa , " and half the time I don't know what you mean . "

" bless you , dear coz , half the time I don't myself .

perhaps the joy of coming back to the old spot has slightly turned my brain , I 've found my lost girlhood here .

I 'm NOT thirty-eight in this garden it is a flat impossibility .

I 'm sweet eighteen , with a waist line two inches smaller .

look , the sun is just setting .

I see he has still his old trick of throwing his last beams over the Wright farmhouse .

by the way , Louisa , is Peter Wright still living there ? "

" yes . "

Louisa threw a sudden interested glance at the apparently placid Nancy .

perhaps the exertion of leaning over to do it flushed her face .

all the instinct of the matchmaker flamed up in her .

" indeed he isn't , " she said promptly .

" Peter Wright has never married .

he has been faithful to your memory , Nancy . "

" Ugh !

" that isn't the case with Peter , " protested Louisa .

" he is a good match , and many a woman would have been glad to take him , and would yet .

he 's only forty-three .

but he 's never taken the slightest interest in anyone since you threw him over , Nancy . "

" but I didn't .

there was laughter in her eyes .

Louisa could not pierce beneath that laughter to find if there were anything under it .

" fudge ! " said Louisa .

" what on earth did you and Peter quarrel about ? " she added , curiously .

" I 've often wondered , " parried Nancy .

" and you 've never seen him since ? " reflected Louisa .

" no .

has he changed much ? "

" well , some .

he is gray and kind of tired-looking .

but it isn't to be wondered at living the life he does .

he hasn't had a housekeeper for two years not since his old aunt died .

he just lives there alone and cooks his own meals .

I 've never been in the house , but folks say the disorder is something awful . "

" yes , I shouldn't think Peter was cut out for a tidy housekeeper , " said Nancy lightly , dragging up more mint .

" I guess you are better off as you are , " said Louisa .

" oh , I don't know . "

Nancy looked up at the white house on the hill again .

" I have an awfully good time out of life , but it doesn't seem to satisfy , somehow .

I wouldn't mind his bad grammar now .

by the way , is Peter as ungrammatical as ever ? "

" I I don't know , " said Louisa helplessly .

" I never knew he WAS ungrammatical . "

" does he still say , ' I seen , ' and ' them things ' ? " demanded Nancy .

" I never noticed , " confessed Louisa .

" Enviable Louisa !

would that I had been born with that blessed faculty of never noticing !

it stands a woman in better stead than beauty or brains .

I used to notice Peter 's mistakes .

when he said ' I seen , ' it jarred on me in my salad days .

I tried , oh , so tactfully , to reform him in that respect .

Peter didn't like being reformed the Wrights always had a fairly good opinion of themselves , you know .

it was really over a question of syntax we quarrelled .

Peter told me I 'd have to take him as he was , grammar and all , or go without him .

I daresay it's the latter .

now , Louisa , I see the beginning of the plot far down in those placid eyes of yours .

strangle it at birth , dear Louisa .

" well , I must go and milk the cows , " gasped Louisa , rather glad to make her escape .

nancy 's power of thought-reading struck her as uncanny .

she felt afraid to remain with her cousin any longer , lest Nancy should drag to light all the secrets of her being .

this had been her home in girlhood .

here she had lived and kept house for her father .

when he died , Curtis Shaw , newly married to her cousin Louisa , bought the farm from her and moved in .

Nancy stayed on with them , expecting soon to go to a home of her own .

she and Peter Wright were engaged .

then came their mysterious quarrel , concerning the cause of which kith and kin on both sides were left in annoying ignorance .

of the results they were not ignorant .

Nancy promptly packed up and left Avonlea seven hundred miles behind her .

she went to a hospital in Montreal and studied nursing .

in the twenty years that followed she had never even revisited Avonlea .

her sudden descent on it this summer was a whim born of a moment 's homesick longing for this same old garden .

she had not thought about Peter .

in very truth , she had thought little about Peter for the last fifteen years .

she supposed that she had forgotten him .

" well , he should have got married , " she said snappishly .

" I am not going to worry because he is a lonely old bachelor when all these years I have supposed him a comfy Benedict .

why doesn't he hire him a housekeeper , at least ?

he can afford it ; the place looks prosperous .

Ugh !

well , I 'm not going to moon out here in the dew any longer .

I 'm going in to read the smartest , frilliest , frothiest society novel in my trunk . "

in the week that followed Nancy enjoyed herself after her own fashion .

she read and swung in the garden , having a hammock hung under the firs .

she went far afield , in rambles to woods and lonely uplands .

it 's far worse to feel middle-aged than old , you know .

away there in the woods I feel as eternally young as Nature herself .

and oh , it 's so nice not having to fuss with thermometers and temperatures and other people 's whims .

let me indulge my own whims , Louisa dear , and punish me with a cold bite when I come in late for meals .

I 'm not even going to church again .

it was horrible there yesterday .

the church is so offensively spick-and-span brand new and modern . "

" it 's thought to be the prettiest church in these parts , " protested Louisa , a little sorely .

" churches shouldn't be pretty they should at least be fifty years old and mellowed into beauty .

new churches are an abomination . "

" did you see Peter Wright in church ? " asked Louisa .

she had been bursting to ask it .

Nancy nodded .

" Verily , yes .

he sat right across from me in the corner pew .

I didn't think him painfully changed .

Iron-gray hair becomes him .

but I was horribly disappointed in myself .

do my utmost , Louisa , I couldn't compass a thrill . "

" did he come to speak to you ? " asked Louisa , who hadn't any idea what Nancy meant by her thrills .

" alas , no .

it wasn't my fault .

it would be some comfort to my vanity if I could believe it was on account of rankling spite or pride .

but the honest truth , dear Weezy , is that it looked to me exactly as if he never thought of it .

" if you feel as you said you did the other night , why didn't you go and speak to him ? "

Louisa wanted to know .

" but I don't feel that way now .

that was just a mood .

you don't know anything about moods , dearie .

you don't know what it is to yearn desperately one hour for something you wouldn't take if it were offered you the next . "

" but that is foolishness , " protested Louisa .

" to be sure it is rank foolishness .

but oh , it is so delightful to be foolish after being compelled to be unbrokenly sensible for twenty years .

well , I 'm going picking strawberries this afternoon , Lou .

don't wait tea for me .

I probably won't be back till dark .

I 've only four more days to stay and I want to make the most of them . "

Nancy wandered far and wide in her rambles that afternoon .

when she had filled her jug she still roamed about with delicious aimlessness .

once she found herself in a wood lane skirting a field wherein a man was mowing hay .

the man was Peter Wright .

her calculations proved correct , with a trifling variation .

she came out fifty yards south of the old deserted Morrison house , and found herself in the yard of the Wright farm !

passing the house the house where she had once dreamed of reigning as mistress Nancy 's curiosity overcame her .

the place was not in view of any other near house .

she deliberately went up to it intending low be it spoken to peep in at the kitchen window .

but , seeing the door wide open , she went to it instead and halted on the step , looking about her keenly .

the kitchen was certainly pitiful in its disorder .

the floor had apparently not been swept for a fortnight .

on the bare deal table were the remnants of Peter 's dinner , a meal that could not have been very tempting at its best .

" what a miserable place for a human being to live in ! " groaned Nancy .

" look at the ashes on that stove !

and that table !

is it any wonder that Peter has got gray ?

he 'll work hard haymaking all the afternoon and then come home to THIS ! "

an idea suddenly darted into Nancy 's brain .

at first she looked aghast .

then she laughed and glanced at her watch .

" I 'll do it just for fun and a little pity .

it 's half-past two , and Peter won't be home till four at the earliest .

I 'll have a good hour to do it in , and still make my escape in good time .

nobody will ever know ; nobody can see me here . "

Nancy went in , threw off her hat , and seized a broom .

the first thing she did was to give the kitchen a thorough sweeping .

then she kindled a fire , put a kettle full of water on to heat , and attacked the dishes .

from the number of them she rightly concluded that Peter hadn't washed any for at least a week .

" I wonder where he keeps his dish-towels , if he has any . "

evidently Peter hadn't any .

at least , Nancy couldn't find any .

she marched boldly into the dusty sitting-room and explored the drawers of an old-fashioned sideboard , confiscating a towel she found there .

as she worked , she hummed a song ; her steps were light and her eyes bright with excitement .

Nancy was enjoying herself thoroughly , there was no doubt of that .

the spice of mischief in the adventure pleased her mightily .

the tea was made and set back to keep warm .

" now I must go , " she said aloud .

" wouldn't it be fun to see Peter 's face when he comes in , though ?

Ha-hum !

I 've enjoyed doing this but why ?

Nancy Rogerson , don't be asking yourself conundrums .

Nancy paused a moment and looked around wistfully .

she had made the place look cheery and neat and homelike .

she felt that queer tugging at her heart-strings again .

suppose she belonged here , and was waiting for Peter to come home to tea .

suppose Nancy whirled around with a sudden horrible prescience of what she was going to see !

Peter Wright was standing in the doorway .

Nancy 's face went crimson .

for the first time in her life she had not a word to say for herself .

Peter looked at her and then at the table , with its fruit and flowers .

" thank you , " he said politely .

Nancy recovered herself .

with a shame-faced laugh , she held out her hand .

" don't have me arrested for trespass , Peter .

I thought you 'd be so surprised and I meant to go before you came home , of course . "

" I wouldn't have been surprised , " said Peter , shaking hands .

" I saw you go past the field and I tied the horses and followed you down through the woods .

I 've been sitting on the fence back yonder , watching your comings and goings . "

" why didn't you come and speak to me at church yesterday , Peter ? " demanded Nancy boldly .

" I was afraid I would say something ungrammatical , " answered Peter drily .

the crimson flamed over Nancy 's face again .

she pulled her hand away .

" that 's cruel of you , Peter . "

Peter suddenly laughed .

there was a note of boyishness in the laughter .

it 's all gone now , and I 'll be as amiable as I know how .

but since you have gone to the trouble of getting my supper for me , Nancy , you must stay and help me eat it .

them strawberries look good .

I haven't had any this summer been too busy to pick them . "

Nancy stayed .

she sat at the head of Peter 's table and poured his tea for him .

she talked to him wittily of the Avonlea people and the changes in their old set .

Nancy felt wretched and , at the same time , ridiculously happy .

it seemed the most grotesque thing in the world that she should be presiding there at Peter 's table , and yet the most natural .

there were moments when she felt like crying other moments when her laughter was as ready and spontaneous as a girl 's .

sentiment and humour had always waged an equal contest in Nancy 's nature .

when Peter had finished his strawberries he folded his arms on the table and looked admiringly at Nancy .

" you look well at the head of a table , Nancy , " he said critically .

" how is it that you haven't been presiding at one of your own long before this ?

I thought you 'd meet a lots of men out in the world that you 'd like men who talked good grammar . "

" Peter , don't ! " said Nancy , wincing .

" I was a goose . "

" no , you were quite right .

I was a tetchy fool .

it 's too late now , I suppose . "

" too late for what ? " said Nancy , plucking up heart of grace at something in Peter 's tone and look .

" for kerrecting mistakes . "

" Grammatical ones ? "

" not exactly .

I guess them mistakes are past kerrecting in an old fellow like me .

worse mistakes , Nancy .

I wonder what you would say if I asked you to forgive me , and have me after all . "

" I 'd snap you up before you 'd have time to change your mind , " said Nancy brazenly .

Peter stood up , knocking over his chair , and strode around the table to her .

" Nancy , my girl ! " he said .

End of Project Gutenberg 's Chronicles of Avonlea , by Lucy Maud Montgomery

PETER PAN

PETER AND WENDY

by J M Barrie James Matthew Barrie


Contents :

chapter @number@ PETER BREAKS THROUGH

chapter @number@ THE SHADOW

chapter @number@ COME AWAY , COME AWAY !

chapter @number@ THE FLIGHT

chapter @number@ THE ISLAND COME TRUE

chapter @number@ THE LITTLE HOUSE

chapter @number@ THE HOME UNDER THE GROUND

chapter @number@ THE MERMAID'S LAGOON

chapter @number@ THE NEVER BIRD

chapter @number@ THE HAPPY HOME

chapter @number@ WENDY'S STORY

chapter @number@ THE CHILDREN ARE CARRIED OFF

chapter @number@ DO YOU BELIEVE IN FAIRIES ?

chapter @number@ THE PIRATE SHIP

chapter @number@ " HOOK OR ME THIS TIME "

chapter @number@ THE RETURN HOME

Chapter @number@ WHEN WENDY GREW UP

chapter @number@ PETER BREAKS THROUGH

all children , except one , grow up .

they soon know that they will grow up , and the way Wendy knew was this .

this was all that passed between them on the subject , but henceforth Wendy knew that she must grow up .

you always know after you are two .

two is the beginning of the end .

of course they lived at @number@ their house number on their street , and until Wendy came her mother was the chief one .

she was a lovely lady , with a romantic mind and such a sweet mocking mouth .

he got all of her , except the innermost box and the kiss .

he never knew about the box , and in time he gave up trying for the kiss .

Mr Darling used to boast to Wendy that her mother not only loved him but respected him .

he was one of those deep ones who know about stocks and shares .

she drew them when she should have been totting up .

they were Mrs Darling 's guesses .

Wendy came first , then John , then Michael .

" now don't interrupt , " he would beg of her .

" of course we can , George , " she cried .

but she was prejudiced in Wendy 's favour , and he was really the grander character of the two .

" remember mumps , " he warned her almost threateningly , and off he went again .

she proved to be quite a treasure of a nurse .

how thorough she was at bath-time , and up at any moment of the night if one of her charges made the slightest cry .

of course her kennel was in the nursery .

she had a genius for knowing when a cough is a thing to have no patience with and when it needs stocking around your throat .

there is a room in the basement of Miss Fulsom 's school where the nurses wait .

they sat on forms , while Nana lay on the floor , but that was the only difference .

they affected to ignore her as of an inferior social status to themselves , and she despised their light talk .

no nursery could possibly have been conducted more correctly , and Mr Darling knew it , yet he sometimes wondered uneasily whether the neighbours talked .

he had his position in the city to consider .

Nana also troubled him in another way .

he had sometimes a feeling that she did not admire him .

lovely dances followed , in which the only other servant , Liza , was sometimes allowed to join .

the gaiety of those romps !

there never was a simpler happier family until the coming of Peter Pan .

Mrs Darling first heard of Peter when she was tidying up her children 's minds .

it is quite like tidying up drawers .

I don't know whether you have ever seen a map of a person 's mind .

of course the Neverlands vary a good deal .

on these magic shores children at play are for ever beaching their coracles simple boat .

we too have been there ; we can still hear the sound of the surf , though we shall land no more .

that is why there are night-lights .

" yes , he is rather cocky , " Wendy admitted with regret .

her mother had been questioning her .

" but who is he , my pet ? "

" he is Peter Pan , you know , mother . "

" besides , " she said to Wendy , " he would be grown up by this time . "

" oh no , he isn't grown up , " Wendy assured her confidently , " and he is just my size . "

she meant that he was her size in both mind and body ; she didn't know how she knew , she just knew it .

Mrs Darling consulted Mr Darling , but he smiled pooh-pooh .

leave it alone , and it will blow over . "

but it would not blow over and soon the troublesome boy gave Mrs Darling quite a shock .

children have the strangest adventures without being troubled by them .

it was in this casual way that Wendy one morning made a disquieting revelation .

" I do believe it is that Peter again ! "

" whatever do you mean , Wendy ? "

" it is so naughty of him not to wipe his feet , " Wendy said , sighing .

she was a tidy child .

unfortunately she never woke , so she didn't know how she knew , she just knew .

" what nonsense you talk , precious .

no one can get into the house without knocking . "

" I think he comes in by the window , " she said .

" my love , it is three floors up . "

" were not the leaves at the foot of the window , mother ? "

it was quite true ; the leaves had been found very near the window .

" my child , " the mother cried , " why did you not tell me of this before ? "

" I forgot , " said Wendy lightly .

she was in a hurry to get her breakfast .

oh , surely she must have been dreaming .

but , on the other hand , there were the leaves .

she crawled about the floor , peering at it with a candle for marks of a strange foot .

she rattled the poker up the chimney and tapped the walls .

certainly Wendy had been dreaming .

on the night we speak of all the children were once more in bed .

all were looking so safe and cosy that she smiled at her fears now and sat down tranquilly by the fire to sew .

it was something for Michael , who on his birthday was getting into shirts .

the fire was warm , however , and the nursery dimly lit by three night-lights , and presently the sewing lay on Mrs Darling 's lap .

then her head nodded , oh , so gracefully .

she was asleep .

look at the four of them , Wendy and Michael over there , John here , and Mrs Darling by the fire .

there should have been a fourth night-light .

while she slept she had a dream .

she dreamt that the Neverland had come too near and that a strange boy had broken through from it .

he did not alarm her , for she thought she had seen him before in the faces of many women who have no children .

perhaps he is to be found in the faces of some mothers also .

she started up with a cry , and saw the boy , and somehow she knew at once that he was Peter Pan .

if you or I or Wendy had been there we should have seen that he was very like Mrs Darling 's kiss .

when he saw she was a grown-up , he gnashed the little pearls at her .

chapter @number@ THE SHADOW

she growled and sprang at the boy , who leapt lightly through the window .

she returned to the nursery , and found Nana with something in her mouth , which proved to be the boy 's shadow .

you may be sure Mrs Darling examined the shadow carefully , but it was quite the ordinary kind .

Nana had no doubt of what was the best thing to do with this shadow .

she decided to roll the shadow up and put it away carefully in a drawer , until a fitting opportunity came for telling her husband .

ah me !

the opportunity came a week later , on that never-to-be-forgotten Friday .

of course it was a Friday .

" no , no , " Mr Darling always said , " I am responsible for it all .

I , George Darling , did it .

MEA CULPA , MEA CULPA . "

he had had a classical education .

" if only I had not accepted that invitation to dine at @number@ " Mrs Darling said .

" if only I had not poured my medicine into Nana 's bowl , " said Mr Darling .

" if only I had pretended to like the medicine , " was what Nana 's wet eyes said .

" my liking for parties , George . "

" my fatal gift of humour , dearest . "

" my touchiness about trifles , dear master and mistress . "

Many a time it was Mr Darling who put the handkerchief to Nana 's eyes .

" that fiend ! "

they would sit there in the empty nursery , recalling fondly every smallest detail of that dreadful evening .

Nana , it isn't six o'clock yet .

oh dear , oh dear , I shan't love you any more , Nana .

I tell you I won't be bathed , I won't , I won't ! "

then Mrs Darling had come in , wearing her white evening-gown .

she had dressed early because Wendy so loved to see her in her evening-gown , with the necklace George had given her .

she was wearing Wendy 's bracelet on her arm ; she had asked for the loan of it .

Wendy loved to lend her bracelet to her mother .

she had found her two older children playing at being herself and father on the occasion of Wendy 's birth , and John was saying :

Wendy had danced with joy , just as the real Mrs Darling must have done .

Michael had nearly cried .

" nobody wants me , " he said , and of course the lady in the evening-dress could not stand that .

" I do , " she said , " I so want a third child . "

" Boy or girl ? " asked Michael , not too hopefully .

" boy . "

then he had leapt into her arms .

they go on with their recollections .

" it was then that I rushed in like a tornado , wasn't it ? "

Mr Darling would say , scorning himself ; and indeed he had been like a tornado .

perhaps there was some excuse for him .

he , too , had been dressing for the party , and all had gone well with him until he came to his tie .

this was such an occasion .

he came rushing into the nursery with the crumpled little brute of a tie in his hand .

" why , what is the matter , father dear ? "

" matter ! " he yelled ; he really yelled .

" this tie , it will not tie . "

he became dangerously sarcastic .

" not round my neck !

round the bed-post !

oh yes , twenty times have I made it up round the bed-post , but round my neck , no !

oh dear no ! begs to be excused ! "

even then Mrs Darling was placid .

" how wildly we romped ! " says Mrs Darling now , recalling it .

" our last romp ! "

Mr Darling groaned .

" I remember ! "

" they were rather sweet , don't you think , George ? "

" and they were ours , ours ! and now they are gone . "

the romp had ended with the appearance of Nana , and most unluckily Mr . Darling collided against her , covering his trousers with hairs .

of course Mrs Darling brushed him , but he began to talk again about its being a mistake to have a dog for a nurse .

" George , Nana is a treasure . "

" no doubt , but I have an uneasy feeling at times that she looks upon the children as puppies . "

" oh no , dear one , I feel sure she knows they have souls . "

" I wonder , " Mr Darling said thoughtfully , " I wonder . "

it was an opportunity , his wife felt , for telling him about the boy .

at first he pooh-poohed the story , but he became thoughtful when she showed him the shadow .

" it is nobody I know , " he said , examining it carefully , " but it does look a scoundrel . "

" we were still discussing it , you remember , " says Mr Darling , " when Nana came in with Michael 's medicine .

you will never carry the bottle in your mouth again , Nana , and it is all my fault . "

strong man though he was , there is no doubt that he had behaved rather foolishly over the medicine .

" won't ; won't ! "

Michael cried naughtily .

Mrs Darling left the room to get a chocolate for him , and Mr Darling thought this showed want of firmness .

" mother , don't pamper him , " he called after her .

" Michael , when I was your age I took medicine without a murmur .

I said , ' Thank you , kind parents , for giving me bottles to make me well . ' "

he had not exactly lost it ; he had climbed in the dead of night to the top of the wardrobe and hidden it there .

what he did not know was that the faithful Liza had found it , and put it back on his wash-stand .

" I know where it is , father , " Wendy cried , always glad to be of service .

" I 'll bring it , " and she was off before he could stop her .

immediately his spirits sank in the strangest way .

" John , " he said , shuddering , " it 's most beastly stuff .

it 's that nasty , sticky , sweet kind . "

" it will soon be over , father , " John said cheerily , and then in rushed Wendy with the medicine in a glass .

" I have been as quick as I could , " she panted .

" you have been wonderfully quick , " her father retorted , with a vindictive politeness that was quite thrown away upon her .

" Michael first , " he said doggedly .

" father first , " said Michael , who was of a suspicious nature .

" I shall be sick , you know , " Mr Darling said threateningly .

" come on , father , " said John .

" hold your tongue , John , " his father rapped out .

Wendy was quite puzzled .

" I thought you took it quite easily , father . "

" that is not the point , " he retorted .

" the point is , that there is more in my glass than in Michael 's spoon . "

his proud heart was nearly bursting .

" and it isn't fair : I would say it though it were with my last breath ; it isn't fair . "

" father , I am waiting , " said Michael coldly .

" it 's all very well to say you are waiting ; so am I waiting . "

" father 's a cowardly custard . "

" so are you a cowardly custard . "

" I 'm not frightened . "

" neither am I frightened . "

" well , then , take it . "

" well , then , you take it . "

Wendy had a splendid idea .

" why not both take it at the same time ? "

" certainly , " said Mr. darling .

" are you ready , Michael ? "

Wendy gave the words , one , two , three , and Michael took his medicine , but Mr Darling slipped his behind his back .

there was a yell of rage from Michael , and " O father ! "

Wendy exclaimed .

" what do you mean by ' O father ' ? "

Mr Darling demanded .

" stop that row , Michael .

I meant to take mine , but I I missed it . "

it was dreadful the way all the three were looking at him , just as if they did not admire him .

" look here , all of you , " he said entreatingly , as soon as Nana had gone into the bathroom .

" I have just thought of a splendid joke .

I shall pour my medicine into Nana 's bowl , and she will drink it , thinking it is milk ! "

" what fun ! " he said doubtfully , and they did not dare expose him when Mrs Darling and Nana returned .

Nana wagged her tail , ran to the medicine , and began lapping it .

Mr Darling was frightfully ashamed of himself , but he would not give in .

in a horrid silence Mrs. darling smelt the bowl .

" O George , " she said , " it 's your medicine ! "

" it was only a joke , " he roared , while she comforted her boys , and Wendy hugged Nana .

" much good , " he said bitterly , " my wearing myself to the bone trying to be funny in this house . "

and still Wendy hugged Nana .

" that 's right , " he shouted .

" coddle her !

nobody coddles me .

oh dear no !

I am only the breadwinner , why should I be coddled why , why , why ! "

" George , " Mrs Darling entreated him , " not so loud ; the servants will hear you . "

somehow they had got into the way of calling Liza the servants .

" let them ! " he answered recklessly .

" bring in the whole world .

but I refuse to allow that dog to lord it in my nursery for an hour longer . "

the children wept , and Nana ran to him beseechingly , but he waved her back .

he felt he was a strong man again .

" George , George , " Mrs Darling whispered , " remember what I told you about that boy . "

alas , he would not listen .

he was ashamed of himself , and yet he did it .

it was all owing to his too affectionate nature , which craved for admiration .

in the meantime Mrs Darling had put the children to bed in unwonted silence and lit their night-lights .

danger !

" are you sure , Wendy ? "

" oh , yes . "

Mrs Darling quivered and went to the window .

it was securely fastened .

she looked out , and the night was peppered with stars .

" nothing , precious , " she said ; " they are the eyes a mother leaves behind her to guard her children . "

she went from bed to bed singing enchantments over them , and little Michael flung his arms round her .

" mother , " he cried , " I 'm glad of you . "

they were the last words she was to hear from him for a long time .

they were already the only persons in the street , and all the stars were watching them .

stars are beautiful , but they may not take an active part in anything , they must just look on for ever .

it is a punishment put on them for something they did so long ago that no star now knows what it was .

so the older ones have become glassy-eyed and seldom speak ( winking is the star language ) , but the little ones still wonder .

" now , Peter ! "

chapter @number@ COME AWAY , COME AWAY !

for a moment after Mr and Mrs. Darling left the house the night-lights by the beds of the three children continued to burn clearly .

she was slightly inclined to EMBONPOINT . plump hourglass figure

a moment after the fairy 's entrance the window was blown open by the breathing of the little stars , and Peter dropped in .

he had carried Tinker Bell part of the way , and his hand was still messy with the fairy dust .

she was in a jug for the moment , and liking it extremely ; she had never been in a jug before .

" oh , do come out of that jug , and tell me , do you know where they put my shadow ? "

the loveliest tinkle as of golden bells answered him .

it is the fairy language .

you ordinary children can never hear it , but if you were to hear it you would know that you had heard it once before .

Tink said that the shadow was in the big box .

in a moment he had recovered his shadow , and in his delight he forgot that he had shut Tinker Bell up in the drawer .

he tried to stick it on with soap from the bathroom , but that also failed .

a shudder passed through Peter , and he sat on the floor and cried .

his sobs woke Wendy , and she sat up in bed .

she was not alarmed to see a stranger crying on the nursery floor ; she was only pleasantly interested .

" boy , " she said courteously , " why are you crying ? "

Peter could be exceeding polite also , having learned the grand manner at fairy ceremonies , and he rose and bowed to her beautifully .

she was much pleased , and bowed beautifully to him from the bed .

" what 's your name ? " he asked .

" Wendy Moira Angela Darling , " she replied with some satisfaction .

" what is your name ? "

" Peter Pan . "

she was already sure that he must be Peter , but it did seem a comparatively short name .

" is that all ? "

" yes , " he said rather sharply .

he felt for the first time that it was a shortish name .

" I 'm so sorry , " said Wendy Moira Angela .

" it doesn't matter , " Peter gulped .

she asked where he lived .

" second to the right , " said Peter , " and then straight on till morning . "

" what a funny address ! "

Peter had a sinking .

for the first time he felt that perhaps it was a funny address .

" no , it isn't , " he said .

he wished she had not mentioned letters .

" don't get any letters , " he said contemptuously .

" but your mother gets letters ? "

" don't have a mother , " he said .

not only had he no mother , but he had not the slightest desire to have one .

he thought them very over-rated persons .

Wendy , however , felt at once that she was in the presence of a tragedy .

" O Peter , no wonder you were crying , " she said , and got out of bed and ran to him .

" I wasn't crying about mothers , " he said rather indignantly .

" I was crying because I can't get my shadow to stick on .

besides , I wasn't crying . "

" it has come off ? "

" yes . "

then Wendy saw the shadow on the floor , looking so draggled , and she was frightfully sorry for Peter .

how exactly like a boy !

fortunately she knew at once what to do .

" it must be sewn on , " she said , just a little patronisingly .

" what 's sewn ? " he asked .

" you 're dreadfully ignorant . "

" no , I'm not . "

but she was exulting in his ignorance .

" I daresay it will hurt a little , " she warned him .

" oh , I shan't cry , " said Peter , who was already of the opinion that he had never cried in his life .

and he clenched his teeth and did not cry , and soon his shadow was behaving properly , though still a little creased .

alas , he had already forgotten that he owed his bliss to Wendy .

he thought he had attached the shadow himself .

" how clever I am ! " he crowed rapturously , " oh , the cleverness of me ! "

it is humiliating to have to confess that this conceit of Peter was one of his most fascinating qualities .

to put it with brutal frankness , there never was a cockier boy .

but for the moment Wendy was shocked .

" you conceit braggart , " she exclaimed , with frightful sarcasm ; " of course I did nothing ! "

" you did a little , " Peter said carelessly , and continued to dance .

" Wendy , " he said , " don't withdraw .

I can't help crowing , Wendy , when I 'm pleased with myself . "

still she would not look up , though she was listening eagerly .

now Wendy was every inch a woman , though there were not very many inches , and she peeped out of the bed-clothes .

" do you really think so , Peter ? "

" yes , I do . "

" surely you know what a kiss is ? " she asked , aghast .

it was lucky that she did put it on that chain , for it was afterwards to save her life .

" I don't know , " he replied uneasily , " but I am quite young . "

he was extraordinarily agitated now .

" I don't want ever to be a man , " he said with passion .

" I want always to be a little boy and to have fun .

so I ran away to Kensington Gardens and lived a long long time among the fairies . "

Wendy had lived such a home life that to know fairies struck her as quite delightful .

still , he liked them on the whole , and he told her about the beginning of fairies .

Tedious talk this , but being a stay-at-home she liked it .

" and so , " he went on good-naturedly , " there ought to be one fairy for every boy and girl . "

" ought to be ?

isn't there ? "

" no .

really , he thought they had now talked enough about fairies , and it struck him that Tinker Bell was keeping very quiet .

" I can't think where she has gone to , " he said , rising , and he called Tink by name .

Wendy 's heart went flutter with a sudden thrill .

" she was here just now , " he said a little impatiently .

" you don't hear her , do you ? " and they both listened .

" the only sound I hear , " said Wendy , " is like a tinkle of bells . "

" well , that 's Tink , that 's the fairy language .

I think I hear her too . "

the sound came from the chest of drawers , and Peter made a merry face .

no one could ever look quite so merry as Peter , and the loveliest of gurgles was his laugh .

he had his first laugh still .

" Wendy , " he whispered gleefully , " I do believe I shut her up in the drawer ! "

he let poor Tink out of the drawer , and she flew about the nursery screaming with fury .

" you shouldn't say such things , " Peter retorted .

" of course I 'm very sorry , but how could I know you were in the drawer ? "

Wendy was not listening to him .

" O Peter , " she cried , " if she would only stand still and let me see her ! "

" O the lovely ! " she cried , though Tink 's face was still distorted with passion .

" Tink , " said Peter amiably , " this lady says she wishes you were her fairy . "

Tinker Bell answered insolently .

" what does she say , Peter ? "

he had to translate .

" she is not very polite .

she says you are a great huge ugly girl , and that she is my fairy . "

he tried to argue with Tink .

" you know you can't be my fairy , Tink , because I am an gentleman and you are a lady . "

to this Tink replied in these words , " you silly ass , " and disappeared into the bathroom .

Similar to " cinder " plus " elle " to get Cinderella

they were together in the armchair by this time , and Wendy plied him with more questions .

" if you don't live in Kensington Gardens now "

" sometimes I do still . "

" but where do you live mostly now ? "

" with the lost boys . "

" who are they ? "

" they are the children who fall out of their perambulators when the nurse is looking the other way .

if they are not claimed in seven days they are sent far away to the Neverland to defray expenses .

I 'm captain . "

" what fun it must be ! "

" yes , " said cunning Peter , " but we are rather lonely .

you see we have no female companionship . "

" are none of the others girls ? "

" oh , no ; girls , you know , are much too clever to fall out of their prams . "

this flattered Wendy immensely .

for reply Peter rose and kicked John out of bed , blankets and all ; one kick .

this seemed to Wendy rather forward for a first meeting , and she told him with spirit that he was not captain in her house .

however , John continued to sleep so placidly on the floor that she allowed him to remain there .

" and I know you meant to be kind , " she said , relenting , " so you may give me a kiss . "

for the moment she had forgotten his ignorance about kisses .

" I thought you would want it back , " he said a little bitterly , and offered to return her the thimble .

" oh dear , " said the nice Wendy , " I don't mean a kiss , I mean a thimble . "

" what 's that ? "

" it 's like this . "

she kissed him .

" funny ! " said Peter gravely .

" now shall I give you a thimble ? "

" if you wish to , " said Wendy , keeping her head erect this time .

Peter thimbled her , and almost immediately she screeched .

" what is it , Wendy ? "

" it was exactly as if someone were pulling my hair . "

" that must have been Tink .

I never knew her so naughty before . "

and indeed Tink was darting about again , using offensive language .

" she says she will do that to you , Wendy , every time I give you a thimble . "

" but why ? "

" why , Tink ? "

again Tink replied , " you silly ass . "

" you see , I don't know any stories .

none of the lost boys knows any stories . "

" how perfectly awful , " Wendy said .

" do you know , " Peter asked " why swallows build in the eaves of houses ?

it is to listen to the stories .

O Wendy , your mother was telling you such a lovely story . "

" which story was it ? "

" about the prince who couldn't find the lady who wore the glass slipper . "

" Peter , " said Wendy excitedly , " that was Cinderella , and he found her , and they lived happily ever after . "

Peter was so glad that he rose from the floor , where they had been sitting , and hurried to the window .

" where are you going ? " she cried with misgiving .

" to tell the other boys . "

" don't go Peter , " she entreated , " I know such lots of stories . "

those were her precise words , so there can be no denying that it was she who first tempted him .

he came back , and there was a greedy look in his eyes now which ought to have alarmed her , but did not .

" let me go ! " she ordered him .

" Wendy , do come with me and tell the other boys . "

of course she was very pleased to be asked , but she said , " oh dear , I can't .

think of mummy !

besides , I can't fly . "

" I 'll teach you . "

" oh , how lovely to fly . "

" I 'll teach you how to jump on the wind 's back , and then away we go . "

" oo ! " she exclaimed rapturously .

" oo ! "

" and , Wendy , there are mermaids . "

" Mermaids !

with tails ? "

" such long tails . "

" oh , " cried Wendy , " to see a mermaid ! "

he had become frightfully cunning .

" Wendy , " he said , " how we should all respect you . "

she was wriggling her body in distress .

it was quite as if she were trying to remain on the nursery floor .

but he had no pity for her .

" Wendy , " he said , the sly one , " you could tuck us in at night . "

" oo ! "

" none of us has ever been tucked in at night . "

" oo , " and her arms went out to him .

" and you could darn our clothes , and make pockets for us .

none of us has any pockets . "

how could she resist .

" of course it 's awfully fascinating ! " she cried .

" Peter , would you teach John and Michael to fly too ? "

" if you like , " he said indifferently , and she ran to John and Michael and shook them .

" wake up , " she cried , " Peter Pan has come and he is to teach us to fly . "

John rubbed his eyes .

" then I shall get up , " he said .

of course he was on the floor already .

" hallo , " he said , " I am up ! "

their faces assumed the awful craftiness of children listening for sounds from the grown-up world .

all was as still as salt .

then everything was right .

no , stop !

everything was wrong .

Nana , who had been barking distressfully all the evening , was quiet now .

it was her silence they had heard .

" Out with the light !

hide !

quick ! " cried John , taking command for the only time throughout the whole adventure .

they were really doing it artfully from behind the window curtains .

" there , you suspicious brute , " she said , not sorry that Nana was in disgrace .

" they are perfectly safe , aren't they ?

every one of the little angels sound asleep in bed .

listen to their gentle breathing . "

here Michael , encouraged by his success , breathed so loudly that they were nearly detected .

Nana knew that kind of breathing , and she tried to drag herself out of Liza 's clutches .

but Liza was dense .

" no more of it , Nana , " she said sternly , pulling her out of the room .

she tied the unhappy dog up again , but do you think Nana ceased to bark ?

bring master and missus home from the party !

why , that was just what she wanted .

do you think she cared whether she was whipped so long as her charges were safe ?

we now return to the nursery .

" it 's all right , " John announced , emerging from his hiding-place .

" I say , Peter , can you really fly ? "

instead of troubling to answer him Peter flew around the room , taking the mantelpiece on the way .

" how topping ! " said John and Michael .

" how sweet ! " cried Wendy .

" yes , I 'm sweet , oh , I am sweet ! " said Peter , forgetting his manners again .

" I say , how do you do it ? " asked John , rubbing his knee .

he was quite a practical boy .

" you just think lovely wonderful thoughts , " Peter explained , " and they lift you up in the air . "

he showed them again .

" you 're so nippy at it , " John said , " couldn't you do it very slowly once ? "

Peter did it both slowly and quickly .

" I 've got it now , Wendy ! " cried John , but soon he found he had not .

of course Peter had been trifling with them , for no one can fly unless the fairy dust has been blown on him .

" now just wiggle your shoulders this way , " he said , " and let go . "

they were all on their beds , and gallant Michael let go first .

he did not quite mean to let go , but he did it , and immediately he was borne across the room .

" I flewed ! " he screamed while still in mid-air .

John let go and met Wendy near the bathroom .

" oh , lovely ! "

" oh , ripping ! "

" look at me ! "

" look at me ! "

" look at me ! "

Peter gave Wendy a hand at first , but had to desist , Tink was so indignant .

up and down they went , and round and round .

Heavenly was Wendy 's word .

" I say , " cried John , " why shouldn't we all go out ? "

of course it was to this that Peter had been luring them .

Michael was ready : he wanted to see how long it took him to do a billion miles .

but Wendy hesitated .

" mermaids ! " said Peter again .

" oo ! "

" and there are pirates . "

" pirates , " cried John , seizing his Sunday hat , " let us go at once . "

it was just at this moment that Mr and Mrs. Darling hurried with Nana out of @number@

not three figures , four !

in a tremble they opened the street door .

Mr Darling would have rushed upstairs , but Mrs Darling signed him to go softly .

she even tried to make her heart go softly .

will they reach the nursery in time ?

if so , how delightful for them , and we shall all breathe a sigh of relief , but there will be no story .

on the other hand , if they are not in time , I solemnly promise that it will all come right in the end .

they would have reached the nursery in time had it not been that the little stars were watching them .

once again the stars blew the window open , and that smallest star of all called out :

" cave , Peter ! "

then Peter knew that there was not a moment to lose .

" come , " he cried imperiously , and soared out at once into the night , followed by John and Michael and Wendy .

Mr and Mrs. Darling and Nana rushed into the nursery too late .

the birds were flown .

chapter @number@ THE FLIGHT

" second to the right , and straight on till morning . "

Peter , you see , just said anything that came into his head .

John and Michael raced , Michael getting a start .

they recalled with contempt that not so long ago they had thought themselves fine fellows for being able to fly round a room .

not long ago .

but how long ago ?

they were flying over the sea before this thought began to disturb Wendy seriously .

John thought it was their second sea and their third night .

sometimes it was dark and sometimes light , and now they were very cold and again too warm .

the awful thing was that Peter thought this funny .

" there he goes again ! " he would cry gleefully , as Michael suddenly dropped like a stone .

" save him , save him ! " cried Wendy , looking with horror at the cruel sea far below .

" do be more polite to him , " Wendy whispered to John , when they were playing " follow my Leader . "

" then tell him to stop showing off , " said John .

" you must be nice to him , " Wendy impressed on her brothers .

" what could we do if he were to leave us ! "

" we could go back , " Michael said .

" how could we ever find our way back without him ? "

" well , then , we could go on , " said John .

" that is the awful thing , John .

we should have to go on , for we don't know how to stop . "

this was true , Peter had forgotten to show them how to stop .

" and who is to get food for us , John ? "

" I nipped a bit out of that eagle 's mouth pretty neatly , Wendy . "

" after the twentieth try , " Wendy reminded him .

indeed they were constantly bumping .

if Nana had been with them , she would have had a bandage round Michael 's forehead by this time .

Peter was not with them for the moment , and they felt rather lonely up there by themselves .

it was really rather irritating to children who had never seen a mermaid .

indeed , sometimes when he returned he did not remember them , at least not well .

Wendy was sure of it .

" I 'm Wendy , " she said agitatedly .

he was very sorry .

of course this was rather unsatisfactory .

it is only thus that any one may sight those magic shores .

" there it is , " said Peter calmly .

" where , where ? "

" where all the arrows are pointing . "

Wendy and John and Michael stood on tip-toe in the air to get their first sight of the island .

" John , there 's the lagoon . "

" Wendy , look at the turtles burying their eggs in the sand . "

" I say , John , I see your flamingo with the broken leg ! "

" look , Michael , there 's your cave ! "

" John , what 's that in the brushwood ? "

" it 's a wolf with her whelps .

Wendy , I do believe that 's your little whelp ! "

" there 's my boat , John , with her sides stove in ! "

" no , it isn't .

why , we burned your boat . "

" that 's her , at any rate .

I say , John , I see the smoke of the redskin camp ! "

" where ?

show me , and I 'll tell you by the way smoke curls whether they are on the war-path . "

" there , just across the Mysterious River . "

" I see now .

yes , they are on the war-path right enough . "

it came as the arrows went , leaving the island in gloom .

in the old days at home the Neverland had always begun to look a little dark and threatening by bedtime .

you were quite glad that the night-lights were on .

you even liked Nana to say that this was just the mantelpiece over here , and that the Neverland was all make-believe .

they had been flying apart , but they huddled close to Peter now .

his careless manner had gone at last , his eyes were sparkling , and a tingle went through them every time they touched his body .

they were now over the fearsome island , flying so low that sometimes a tree grazed their feet .

sometimes they hung in the air until Peter had beaten on it with his fists .

" they don't want us to land , " he explained .

" who are they ? "

Wendy whispered , shuddering .

but he could not or would not say .

Tinker Bell had been asleep on his shoulder , but now he wakened her and sent her on in front .

having done these things , he went on again .

his courage was almost appalling .

Wendy said " tea first " quickly , and Michael pressed her hand in gratitude , but the braver John hesitated .

" what kind of adventure ? " he asked cautiously .

" there 's a pirate asleep in the pampas just beneath us , " Peter told him .

" if you like , we 'll go down and kill him . "

" I don't see him , " John said after a long pause .

" I do . "

" suppose , " John said , a little huskily , " he were to wake up . "

Peter spoke indignantly .

" you don't think I would kill him while he was sleeping !

I would wake him first , and then kill him .

that 's the way I always do . "

" I say !

do you kill many ? "

" Tons . "

John said " how ripping , " but decided to have tea first .

he asked if there were many pirates on the island just now , and Peter said he had never known so many .

" who is captain now ? "

" hook , " answered Peter , and his face became very stern as he said that hated word .

" Jas . hook ? "

" ay . "

then indeed Michael began to cry , and even John could speak in gulps only , for they knew Hook 's reputation .

" he was Blackbeard 's bo'sun , " John whispered huskily .

" he is the worst of them all .

he is the only man of whom Barbecue was afraid . "

" that 's him , " said Peter .

" what is he like ?

is he big ? "

" he is not so big as he was . "

" how do you mean ? "

" I cut off a bit of him . "

" you ! "

" yes , me , " said Peter sharply .

" I wasn't meaning to be disrespectful . "

" oh , all right . "

" but , I say , what bit ? "

" his right hand . "

" then he can't fight now ? "

" oh , can't he just ! "

" Left-hander ? "

" he has an iron hook instead of a right hand , and he claws with it . "

" claws ! "

" I say , John , " said Peter .

" yes . "

" say , ' Ay , ay , sir . ' "

" ay , ay , sir . "

John paled .

" it is this , if we meet Hook in open fight , you must leave him to me . "

" I promise , " John said loyally .

for the moment they were feeling less eerie , because Tink was flying with them , and in her light they could distinguish each other .

Wendy quite liked it , until Peter pointed out the drawbacks .

" the big gun ? "

" yes .

and of course they must see her light , and if they guess we are near it they are sure to let fly . "

" Wendy ! "

" John ! "

" Michael ! "

" tell her to go away at once , Peter , " the three cried simultaneously , but he refused .

" she thinks we have lost the way , " he replied stiffly , " and she is rather frightened .

you don't think I would send her away all by herself when she is frightened ! "

for a moment the circle of light was broken , and something gave Peter a loving little pinch .

" then tell her , " Wendy begged , " to put out her light . "

" she can't put it out .

that is about the only thing fairies can't do .

it just goes out of itself when she falls asleep , same as the stars . "

" then tell her to sleep at once , " John almost ordered .

" she can't sleep except when she 's sleepy .

it is the only other thing fairies can't do . "

" seems to me , " growled John , " these are the only two things worth doing . "

here he got a pinch , but not a loving one .

" if only one of us had a pocket , " Peter said , " we could carry her in it . "

however , they had set off in such a hurry that there was not a pocket between the four of them .

he had a happy idea .

John 's hat !

Tink agreed to travel by hat if it was carried in the hand .

John carried it , though she had hoped to be carried by Peter .

in the black topper the light was completely hidden , and they flew on in silence .

even these noises ceased .

to Michael the loneliness was dreadful .

" if only something would make a sound ! " he cried .

as if in answer to his request , the air was rent by the most tremendous crash he had ever heard .

the pirates had fired Long Tom at them .

thus sharply did the terrified three learn the difference between an island of make-believe and the same island come true .

when at last the heavens were steady again , John and Michael found themselves alone in the darkness .

John was treading the air mechanically , and Michael without knowing how to float was floating .

" are you shot ? "

John whispered tremulously .

" I haven't tried myself out yet , " Michael whispered back .

we know now that no one had been hit .

it would have been well for Wendy if at that moment she had dropped the hat .

fairies have to be one thing or the other , because being so small they unfortunately have room for one feeling only at a time .

they are , however , allowed to change , only it must be a complete change .

at present she was full of jealousy of Wendy .

what else could poor Wendy do ?

she called to Peter and John and Michael , and got only mocking echoes in reply .

she did not yet know that Tink hated her with the fierce hatred of a very woman .

and so , bewildered , and now staggering in her flight , she followed Tink to her doom .

chapter @number@ THE ISLAND COME TRUE

feeling that Peter was on his way back , the Neverland had again woke into life .

we ought to use the pluperfect and say wakened , but woke is better and was always used by Peter .

in his absence things are usually quiet on the island .

on this evening the chief forces of the island were disposed as follows .

they were going round and round the island , but they did not meet because all were going at the same rate .

all wanted blood except the boys , who liked it as a rule , but to-night were out to greet their captain .

they have therefore become very sure-footed .

the first to pass is Tootles , not the least brave but the most unfortunate of all that gallant band .

poor kind Tootles , there is danger in the air for you to-night .

take care lest an adventure is now offered you , which , if accepted , will plunge you in deepest woe .

' Ware Tinker Bell .

would that he could hear us , but we are not really on the island , and he passes by , biting his knuckles .

slightly is the most conceited of the boys .

last come the Twins , who cannot be described because we should be sure to be describing the wrong one .

we hear them before they are seen , and it is always the same dreadful song :

a more villainous-looking lot never hung in a row on Execution dock .

Mullins and Alf Mason and many another ruffian long known and feared on the Spanish Main .

as dogs this terrible man treated and addressed them , and as dogs they obeyed him .

but undoubtedly the grimmest part of him was his iron claw .

let us now kill a pirate , to show Hook 's method .

skylights will do .

he has not even taken the cigars from his mouth .

such is the terrible man against whom Peter Pan is pitted .

which will win ?

they carry tomahawks and knives , and their naked bodies gleam with paint and oil .

bringing up the rear , the place of greatest danger , comes Tiger Lily , proudly erect , a princess in her own right .

observe how they pass over fallen twigs without making the slightest noise .

the only sound to be heard is their somewhat heavy breathing .

the fact is that they are all a little fat just now after the heavy gorging , but in time they will work this off .

for the moment , however , it constitutes their chief danger .

their tongues are hanging out , they are hungry to-night .

when they have passed , comes the last figure of all , a gigantic crocodile .

we shall see for whom she is looking presently .

then quickly they will be on top of each other .

all are keeping a sharp look-out in front , but none suspects that the danger may be creeping up from behind .

this shows how real the island was .

the first to fall out of the moving circle was the boys .

they flung themselves down on the sward turf , close to their underground home .

they talked of Cinderella , and Tootles was confident that his mother must have been very like her .

it was only in Peter 's absence that they could speak of mothers , the subject being forbidden by him as silly .

I don't know what a cheque-book is , but I should just love to give my mother one . "

while they talked they heard a distant sound .

at once the lost boys but where are they ?

they are no longer there .

rabbits could not have disappeared more quickly .

I will tell you where they are .

these are the seven entrances to the home under the ground , for which Hook has been searching in vain these many moons .

will he find it tonight ?

as the pirates advanced , the quick eye of Starkey sighted Nibs disappearing through the wood , and at once his pistol flashed out .

but an iron claw gripped his shoulder .

" Captain , let go ! " he cried , writhing .

now for the first time we hear the voice of Hook .

it was a black voice .

" put back that pistol first , " it said threateningly .

" it was one of those boys you hate .

I could have shot him dead . "

" ay , and the sound would have brought Tiger Lily 's redskins upon us .

do you want to lose your scalp ? "

" shall I after him , Captain , " asked pathetic Smee , " and tickle him with Johnny Corkscrew ? "

Smee had pleasant names for everything , and his cutlass was Johnny Corkscrew , because he wiggled it in the wound .

one could mention many lovable traits in Smee .

for instance , after killing , it was his spectacles he wiped instead of his weapon .

" Johnny 's a silent fellow , " he reminded Hook .

" not now , Smee , " Hook said darkly .

" he is only one , and I want to mischief all the seven .

Scatter and look for them . "

the pirates disappeared among the trees , and in a moment their Captain and Smee were alone .

he spoke long and earnestly , but what it was all about Smee , who was rather stupid , did not know in the least .

anon later he caught the word Peter .

" most of all , " hook was saying passionately , " I want their captain , Peter Pan .

' Twas he cut off my arm . "

he brandished the hook threateningly .

" I 've waited long to shake his hand with this .

oh , I 'll tear him ! "

then again he frowned .

" Peter flung my arm , " he said , wincing , " to a crocodile that happened to be passing by . "

" I have often , " said Smee , " noticed your strange dread of crocodiles . "

" not of crocodiles , " Hook corrected him , " but of that one crocodile . "

he lowered his voice .

" in a way , " said Smee , " it 's sort of a compliment . "

" I want no such compliments , " Hook barked petulantly .

" I want Peter Pan , who first gave the brute its taste for me . "

he sat down on a large mushroom , and now there was a quiver in his voice .

he laughed , but in a hollow way .

" some day , " said Smee , " the clock will run down , and then he 'll get you . "

Hook wetted his dry lips .

" ay , " he said , " that 's the fear that haunts me . "

since sitting down he had felt curiously warm .

" Smee , " he said , " this seat is hot . "

he jumped up .

" Odds bobs , hammer and tongs I 'm burning . "

stranger still , smoke began at once to ascend .

the pirates looked at each other .

" a chimney ! " they both exclaimed .

they had indeed discovered the chimney of the home under the ground .

it was the custom of the boys to stop it with a mushroom when enemies were in the neighbourhood .

not only smoke came out of it .

there came also children 's voices , for so safe did the boys feel in their hiding-place that they were gaily chattering .

the pirates listened grimly , and then replaced the mushroom .

they looked around them and noted the holes in the seven trees .

" did you hear them say Peter Pan 's from home ? "

Smee whispered , fidgeting with Johnny Corkscrew .

Hook nodded .

he stood for a long time lost in thought , and at last a curdling smile lit up his swarthy face .

Smee had been waiting for it .

" Unrip your plan , captain , " he cried eagerly .

there can be but one room below , for there is but one chimney .

the silly moles had not the sense to see that they did not need a door apiece .

that shows they have no mother .

we will leave the cake on the shore of the Mermaids ' Lagoon .

these boys are always swimming about there , playing with the mermaids .

he burst into laughter , not hollow laughter now , but honest laughter .

" aha , they will die . "

Smee had listened with growing admiration .

" it 's the wickedest , prettiest policy ever I heard of ! " he cried , and in their exultation they danced and sang :

they began the verse , but they never finished it , for another sound broke in and stilled them .

tick tick tick tick !

Hook stood shuddering , one foot in the air .

" the crocodile ! " he gasped , and bounded away , followed by his bo'sun .

it was indeed the crocodile .

it had passed the redskins , who were now on the trail of the other pirates .

it oozed on after Hook .

the tongues of the pursuers were hanging out ; the baying of them was horrible .

" save me , save me ! " cried Nibs , falling on the ground .

" but what can we do , what can we do ? "

it was a high compliment to Peter that at that dire moment their thoughts turned to him .

" what would Peter do ? " they cried simultaneously .

almost in the same breath they cried , " Peter would look at them through his legs . "

and then , " let us do what Peter would do . "

it is quite the most successful way of defying wolves , and as one boy they bent and looked through their legs .

now Nibs rose from the ground , and the others thought that his staring eyes still saw the wolves .

but it was not wolves he saw .

" I have seen a wonderfuller thing , " he cried , as they gathered round him eagerly .

" a great white bird .

it is flying this way . "

" what kind of a bird , do you think ? "

" Poor Wendy ? "

" I remember , " said Slightly instantly , " there are birds called Wendies . "

" see , it comes ! " cried Curly , pointing to Wendy in the heavens .

Wendy was now almost overhead , and they could hear her plaintive cry .

but more distinct came the shrill voice of Tinker Bell .

" hullo , Tink , " cried the wondering boys .

Tink 's reply rang out : " Peter wants you to shoot the Wendy . "

it was not in their nature to question when Peter ordered .

" let us do what Peter wishes ! " cried the simple boys .

" quick , bows and arrows ! "

all but Tootles popped down their trees .

he had a bow and arrow with him , and Tink noted it , and rubbed her little hands .

" quick , Tootles , quick , " she screamed .

" Peter will be so pleased . "

tootles excitedly fitted the arrow to his bow .

chapter @number@ THE LITTLE HOUSE

Foolish Tootles was standing like a conqueror over Wendy 's body when the other boys sprang , armed , from their trees .

" you are too late , " he cried proudly , " I have shot the Wendy .

Peter will be so pleased with me . "

Overhead Tinker Bell shouted " silly ass ! " and darted into hiding .

the others did not hear her .

they had crowded round Wendy , and as they looked a terrible silence fell upon the wood .

if Wendy 's heart had been beating they would all have heard it .

slightly was the first to speak .

" this is no bird , " he said in a scared voice .

" I think this must be a lady . "

" a lady ? " said Tootles , and fell a-trembling .

" and we have killed her , " Nibs said hoarsely .

they all whipped off their caps .

" now I see , " Curly said : " Peter was bringing her to us . "

he threw himself sorrowfully on the ground .

they were sorry for him , but sorrier for themselves , and when he took a step nearer them they turned from him .

tootles ' face was very white , but there was a dignity about him now that had never been there before .

" I did it , " he said , reflecting .

" when ladies used to come to me in dreams , I said , ' Pretty mother , pretty mother . '

but when at last she really came , I shot her . "

he moved slowly away .

" don't go , " they called in pity .

" I must , " he answered , shaking ; " I am so afraid of Peter . "

it was at this tragic moment that they heard a sound which made the heart of every one of them rise to his mouth .

they heard Peter crow .

" peter ! " they cried , for it was always thus that he signalled his return .

" hide her , " they whispered , and gathered hastily around Wendy .

but Tootles stood aloof .

again came that ringing crow , and Peter dropped in front of them .

" Greetings , boys , " he cried , and mechanically they saluted , and then again was silence .

he frowned .

" I am back , " he said hotly , " why do you not cheer ? "

they opened their mouths , but the cheers would not come .

he overlooked it in his haste to tell the glorious tidings .

" great news , boys , " he cried , " I have brought at last a mother for you all . "

still no sound , except a little thud from Tootles as he dropped on his knees .

" have you not seen her ? " asked Peter , becoming troubled .

" she flew this way . "

" ah me ! " one voice said , and another said , " oh , mournful day . "

tootles rose .

" she is dead , " he said uncomfortably .

" perhaps she is frightened at being dead . "

they would all have been glad to follow if he had done this .

but there was the arrow .

he took it from her heart and faced his band .

" whose arrow ? " he demanded sternly .

" Mine , Peter , " said Tootles on his knees .

" oh , dastard hand , " Peter said , and he raised the arrow to use it as a dagger .

tootles did not flinch .

he bared his breast .

" strike , Peter , " he said firmly , " strike true . "

twice did Peter raise the arrow , and twice did his hand fall .

" I cannot strike , " he said with awe , " there is something stays my hand . "

all looked at him in wonder , save Nibs , who fortunately looked at Wendy .

" it is she , " he cried , " the Wendy lady , see , her arm ! "

wonderful to relate tell , Wendy had raised her arm .

Nibs bent over her and listened reverently .

" I think she said , ' Poor Tootles , ' " he whispered .

" she lives , " Peter said briefly .

slightly cried instantly , " the Wendy lady lives . "

then Peter knelt beside her and found his button .

you remember she had put it on a chain that she wore round her neck .

" see , " he said , " the arrow struck against this .

it is the kiss I gave her .

it has saved her life . "

" I remember kisses , " slightly interposed quickly , " let me see it .

ay , that 's a kiss . "

Peter did not hear him .

he was begging Wendy to get better quickly , so that he could show her the mermaids .

of course she could not answer yet , being still in a frightful faint ; but from overhead came a wailing note .

" listen to Tink , " said Curly , " she is crying because the Wendy lives . "

then they had to tell Peter of Tink 's crime , and almost never had they seen him look so stern .

" listen , Tinker Bell , " he cried , " I am your friend no more .

Begone from me for ever . "

she flew on to his shoulder and pleaded , but he brushed her off .

do you think Tinker Bell was grateful to Wendy for raising her arm ?

oh dear no , never wanted to pinch her so much .

Fairies indeed are strange , and Peter , who understood them best , often cuffed slapped them .

but what to do with Wendy in her present delicate state of health ?

" let us carry her down into the house , " Curly suggested .

" ay , " said Slightly , " that is what one does with ladies . "

" no , no , " Peter said , " you must not touch her .

it would not be sufficiently respectful . "

" that , " said Slightly , " is what I was thinking . "

" but if she lies there , " tootles said , " she will die . "

" ay , she will die , " slightly admitted , " but there is no way out . "

" yes , there is , " cried Peter .

" let us build a little house round her . "

they were all delighted .

" quick , " he ordered them , " bring me each of you the best of what we have .

gut our house .

be sharp . "

in a moment they were as busy as tailors the night before a wedding .

as they dragged along the ground they fell asleep standing , stopped , woke up , moved another step and slept again .

" John , John , " Michael would cry , " wake up !

where is Nana , John , and mother ? "

and then John would rub his eyes and mutter , " it is true , we did fly . "

you may be sure they were very relieved to find Peter .

" hullo , Peter , " they said .

" hullo , " replied Peter amicably , though he had quite forgotten them .

he was very busy at the moment measuring Wendy with his feet to see how large a house she would need .

of course he meant to leave room for chairs and a table .

John and Michael watched him .

" is Wendy asleep ? " they asked .

" yes . "

" look at them ! " he cried .

" Curly , " said Peter in his most captainy voice , " see that these boys help in the building of the house . "

" ay , ay , sir . "

" build a house ? " exclaimed John .

" for the Wendy , " said Curly .

" for Wendy ? "

John said , aghast .

" why , she is only a girl ! "

" that , " explained Curly , " is why we are her servants . "

" you ?

Wendy 's servants ! "

" yes , " said Peter , " and you also .

away with them . "

the astounded brothers were dragged away to hack and hew and carry .

" Chairs and a fender fireplace first , " Peter ordered .

" then we shall build a house round them . "

" ay , " said Slightly , " that is how a house is built ; it all comes back to me . "

Peter thought of everything .

" slightly , " he cried , " fetch a doctor . "

" ay , ay , " said Slightly at once , and disappeared , scratching his head .

but he knew Peter must be obeyed , and he returned in a moment , wearing John 's hat and looking solemn .

" please , sir , " said Peter , going to him , " are you a doctor ? "

this sometimes troubled them , as when they had to make-believe that they had had their dinners .

if they broke down in their make-believe he rapped them on the knuckles .

" yes , my little man , " slightly anxiously replied , who had chapped knuckles .

" please , sir , " Peter explained , " a lady lies very ill . "

she was lying at their feet , but Slightly had the sense not to see her .

" Tut , tut , tut , " he said , " where does she lie ? "

" In yonder glade . "

" I will put a glass thing in her mouth , " said Slightly , and he made-believe to do it , while Peter waited .

it was an anxious moment when the glass thing was withdrawn .

" how is she ? " inquired Peter .

" Tut , tut , tut , " said Slightly , " this has cured her . "

" I am glad ! "

Peter cried .

" if only we knew , " said one , " the kind of house she likes best . "

" Peter , " shouted another , " she is moving in her sleep . "

" her mouth opens , " cried a third , looking respectfully into it .

" oh , lovely ! "

" perhaps she is going to sing in her sleep , " said Peter .

" Wendy , sing the kind of house you would like to have . "

immediately , without opening her eyes , Wendy began to sing :

" I wish I had a pretty house , The littlest ever seen , With funny little red walls And roof of mossy green . "

as they rattled up the little house they broke into song themselves :

to this she answered greedily :

with a blow of their fists they made windows , and large yellow leaves were the blinds .

but roses ?

" roses , " cried Peter sternly .

quickly they made-believe to grow the loveliest roses up the walls .

babies ?

to prevent Peter ordering babies they hurried into song again :

Peter , seeing this to be a good idea , at once pretended that it was his own .

Peter strode up and down , ordering finishing touches .

nothing escaped his eagle eyes .

Just when it seemed absolutely finished :

" there 's no knocker on the door , " he said .

they were very ashamed , but Tootles gave the sole of his shoe , and it made an excellent knocker .

absolutely finished now , they thought .

not of bit of it .

" there 's no chimney , " Peter said ; " we must have a chimney . "

" it certainly does need a chimney , " said John importantly .

this gave Peter an idea .

he snatched the hat off John 's head , knocked out the bottom top , and put the hat on the roof .

now really and truly it was finished .

nothing remained to do but to knock .

" all look your best , " Peter warned them ; " first impressions are awfully important . "

he was glad no one asked him what first impressions are ; they were all too busy looking their best .

what the boys were wondering was , would any one answer the knock ?

if a lady , what would she be like ?

the door opened and a lady came out .

it was Wendy .

they all whipped off their hats .

she looked properly surprised , and this was just how they had hoped she would look .

" where am I ? " she said .

of course Slightly was the first to get his word in .

" Wendy lady , " he said rapidly , " for you we built this house . "

" oh , say you 're pleased , " cried Nibs .

" lovely , darling house , " Wendy said , and they were the very words they had hoped she would say .

" and we are your children , " cried the twins .

then all went on their knees , and holding out their arms cried , " O Wendy lady , be our mother . "

" ought I ? "

Wendy said , all shining .

" of course it 's frightfully fascinating , but you see I am only a little girl .

I have no real experience . "

" what we need is just a nice motherly person . "

" oh dear ! "

Wendy said , " you see , I feel that is exactly what I am . "

" it is , it is , " they all cried ; " we saw it at once . "

" very well , " she said , " I will do my best .

come inside at once , you naughty children ; I am sure your feet are damp .

and before I put you to bed I have just time to finish the story of Cinderella . "

In they went ; I don't know how there was room for them , but you can squeeze very tight in the Neverland .

and that was the first of the many joyous evenings they had with Wendy .

after a time he fell asleep , and some unsteady fairies had to climb over him on their way home from an orgy .

any of the other boys obstructing the fairy path at night they would have mischiefed , but they just tweaked Peter 's nose and passed on .

chapter @number@ THE HOME UNDER THE GROUND

one of the first things Peter did next day was to measure Wendy and John and Michael for hollow trees .

Wendy and Michael fitted their trees at the first try , but John had to be altered a little .

after a few days ' practice they could go up and down as gaily as buckets in a well .

and how ardently they grew to love their home under the ground ; especially Wendy .

there was a strict rule against turning round until one gave the signal , when all turned at once .

it was rough and simple , and not unlike what baby bears would have made of an underground house in the same circumstances .

but there was one recess in the wall , no larger than a bird-cage , which was the private apartment of Tinker Bell .

no woman , however large , could have had a more exquisite boudoir dressing room and bed-chamber combined .

there was a chandelier from Tiddlywinks for the look of the thing , but of course she lit the residence herself .

I suppose it was all especially entrancing to Wendy , because those rampagious boys of hers gave her so much to do .

really there were whole weeks when , except perhaps with a stocking in the evening , she was never above ground .

Make-believe was so real to him that during a meal of it you could see him getting rounder .

Wendy 's favourite time for sewing and darning was after they had all gone to bed .

her face beamed when she exclaimed this .

you remember about her pet wolf .

after that it followed her about everywhere .

as time wore on did she think much about the beloved parents she had left behind her ?

they were the most ordinary questions " what was the colour of Mother 's eyes ?

which was taller , Father or Mother ?

was Mother blonde or brunette ?

answer all three questions if possible . "

only one of these to be attempted . "

Peter did not compete .

he was above all that sort of thing .

by the way , the questions were all written in the past tense .

what was the colour of Mother 's eyes , and so on .

Wendy , you see , had been forgetting , too .

he boasted that he had gone walking for the good of his health .

he often went out alone , and when he came back you were never absolutely certain whether he had had an adventure or not .

but she was never quite sure , you know .

the difficulty is which one to choose .

should we take the brush with the redskins at Slightly Gulch ?

the extraordinary upshot of this adventure was but we have not decided yet that this is the adventure we are to narrate .

or we might tell how Peter saved Tiger Lily 's life in the Mermaids ' Lagoon , and so made her his ally .

fortunately the leaf gave way and Wendy woke , thinking it was bath-time , and swam back .

which of these adventures shall we choose ?

the best way will be to toss for it .

I have tossed , and the lagoon has won .

this almost makes one wish that the gulch or the cake or Tink 's leaf had won .

of course I could do it again , and make it best out of three ; however , perhaps fairest to stick to the lagoon .

chapter @number@ THE MERMAIDS ' LAGOON

but just before they go on fire you see the lagoon .

he gave Wendy one of their combs .

the goals are at each end of the rainbow , and the keepers only are allowed to use their hands .

sometimes a dozen of these games will be going on in the lagoon at a time , and it is quite a pretty sight .

but the moment the children tried to join in they had to play by themselves , for the mermaids immediately disappeared .

this is the one mark that John has left on the Neverland .

it must also have been rather pretty to see the children resting on a rock for half an hour after their mid-day meal .

Wendy insisted on their doing this , and it had to be a real rest even though the meal was make-believe .

so they lay there in the sun , and their bodies glistened in it , while she sat beside them and looked important .

it was one such day , and they were all on Marooners ' Rock .

she was very busy , stitching .

while she stitched a change came to the lagoon .

little shivers ran over it , and the sun went away and shadows stole across the water , turning it cold .

it was not , she knew , that night had come , but something as dark as night had come .

no , worse than that .

it had not come , but it had sent that shiver through the sea to say that it was coming .

what was it ?

they drown when the tide rises , for then it is submerged .

so , though fear was upon her , and she longed to hear male voices , she would not waken them .

even when she heard the sound of muffled oars , though her heart was in her mouth , she did not waken them .

she stood over them to let them have their sleep out .

was it not brave of Wendy ?

it was well for those boys then that there was one among them who could sniff danger even in his sleep .

Peter sprang erect , as wide awake at once as a dog , and with one warning cry he roused the others .

he stood motionless , one hand to his ear .

" pirates ! " he cried .

the others came closer to him .

a strange smile was playing about his face , and Wendy saw it and shuddered .

while that smile was on his face no one dared address him ; all they could do was to stand ready to obey .

the order came sharp and incisive .

" dive ! "

there was a gleam of legs , and instantly the lagoon seemed deserted .

Marooners ' Rock stood alone in the forbidding waters as if it were itself marooned .

the boat drew nearer .

her hands and ankles were tied , and she knew what was to be her fate .

yet her face was impassive ; she was the daughter of a chief , she must die as a chief 's daughter , it is enough .

they had caught her boarding the pirate ship with a knife in her mouth .

no watch was kept on the ship , it being Hook 's boast that the wind of his name guarded the ship for a mile around .

now her fate would help to guard it also .

one more wail would go the round in that wind by night .

in the gloom that they brought with them the two pirates did not see the rock till they crashed into it .

" Luff , you lubber , " cried an Irish voice that was Smee 's ; " here 's the rock .

now , then , what we have to do is to hoist the redskin on to it and leave her here to drown . "

quite near the rock , but out of sight , two heads were bobbing up and down , Peter 's and Wendy 's .

Wendy was crying , for it was the first tragedy she had seen .

Peter had seen many tragedies , but he had forgotten them all .

he was less sorry than Wendy for Tiger Lily : it was two against one that angered him , and he meant to save her .

an easy way would have been to wait until the pirates had gone , but he was never one to choose the easy way .

there was almost nothing he could not do , and he now imitated the voice of Hook .

" ahoy there , you lubbers ! " he called .

it was a marvellous imitation .

" the captain ! " said the pirates , staring at each other in surprise .

" he must be swimming out to us , " Starkey said , when they had looked for him in vain .

" we are putting the redskin on the rock , " Smee called out .

" set her free , " came the astonishing answer .

" free ! "

" yes , cut her bonds and let her go . "

" but , captain "

" at once , d'ye hear , " cried Peter , " or I 'll plunge my hook in you . "

" this is queer ! "

Smee gasped .

" better do what the captain orders , " said Starkey nervously .

" ay , ay , " Smee said , and he cut Tiger Lily 's cords .

at once like an eel she slid between Starkey 's legs into the water .

Peter may have been about to crow , but his face puckered in a whistle of surprise instead .

" Boat ahoy ! " again came the voice .

now Wendy understood .

the real Hook was also in the water .

he was swimming to the boat , and as his men showed a light to guide him he had soon reached them .

he was tingling with life and also top-heavy with conceit .

he signed to her to listen .

" Captain , is all well ? " they asked timidly , but he answered with a hollow moan .

" he sighs , " said Smee .

" he sighs again , " said Starkey .

" and yet a third time he sighs , " said Smee .

then at last he spoke passionately .

" the game 's up , " he cried , " those boys have found a mother . "

Affrighted though she was , Wendy swelled with pride .

" O evil day ! " cried Starkey .

" what 's a mother ? " asked the ignorant Smee .

Wendy was so shocked that she exclaimed .

" he doesn't know ! " and always after this she felt that if you could have a pet pirate Smee would be her one .

Peter pulled her beneath the water , for Hook had started up , crying , " what was that ? "

it was the nest I have told you of , floating on the lagoon , and the Never bird was sitting on it .

" See , " said Hook in answer to Smee 's question , " that is a mother .

what a lesson !

the nest must have fallen into the water , but would the mother desert her eggs ?

no . "

Hook winced .

" ay , " he said , " that is the fear that haunts me . "

he was roused from this dejection by Smee 's eager voice .

" Captain , " said Smee , " could we not kidnap these boys ' mother and make her our mother ? "

" it is a princely scheme , " cried Hook , and at once it took practical shape in his great brain .

again Wendy forgot herself .

" never ! " she cried , and bobbed .

" what was that ? "

but they could see nothing .

they thought it must have been a leaf in the wind .

" do you agree , my bullies ? " asked Hook .

" there is my hand on it , " they both said .

" and there is my hook .

swear . "

they all swore .

by this time they were on the rock , and suddenly Hook remembered Tiger Lily .

" where is the redskin ? " he demanded abruptly .

he had a playful humour at moments , and they thought this was one of the moments .

" that is all right , captain , " Smee answered complacently ; " we let her go . "

" let her go ! " cried Hook .

" ' Twas your own orders , " the bo'sun faltered .

" you called over the water to us to let her go , " said Starkey .

" brimstone and gall , " thundered Hook , " what cozening cheating is going on here ! "

his face had gone black with rage , but he saw that they believed their words , and he was startled .

" lads , " he said , shaking a little , " I gave no such order . "

" it is passing queer , " Smee said , and they all fidgeted uncomfortably .

Hook raised his voice , but there was a quiver in it .

" spirit that haunts this dark lagoon to-night , " he cried , " dost hear me ? "

of course Peter should have kept quiet , but of course he did not .

he immediately answered in Hook 's voice :

" odds , bobs , hammer and tongs , I hear you . "

in that supreme moment Hook did not blanch , even at the gills , but Smee and Starkey clung to each other in terror .

" who are you , stranger ?

speak ! "

Hook demanded .

" I am James Hook , " replied the voice , " captain of the JOLLY ROGER . "

" you are not ; you are not , " Hook cried hoarsely .

" brimstone and gall , " the voice retorted , " say that again , and I 'll cast anchor in you . "

Hook tried a more ingratiating manner .

" if you are Hook , " he said almost humbly , " come tell me , who am I ? "

" a codfish , " replied the voice , " only a codfish . "

" a codfish ! "

Hook echoed blankly , and it was then , but not till then , that his proud spirit broke .

he saw his men draw back from him .

" have we been captained all this time by a codfish ! " they muttered .

" it is lowering to our pride . "

they were his dogs snapping at him , but , tragic figure though he had become , he scarcely heeded them .

against such fearful evidence it was not their belief in him that he needed , it was his own .

he felt his ego slipping from him .

" don't desert me , bully , " he whispered hoarsely to it .

in his dark nature there was a touch of the feminine , as in all the great pirates , and it sometimes gave him intuitions .

suddenly he tried the guessing game .

" hook , " he called , " have you another voice ? "

now Peter could never resist a game , and he answered blithely in his own voice , " I have . "

" and another name ? "

" ay , ay . "

" vegetable ? " asked Hook .

" no . "

" mineral ? "

" no . "

" animal ? "

" yes . "

" man ? "

" no ! "

this answer rang out scornfully .

" boy ? "

" yes . "

" ordinary boy ? "

" no ! "

" wonderful boy ? "

to Wendy 's pain the answer that rang out this time was " yes . "

" are you in England ? "

" no . "

" are you here ? "

" yes . "

Hook was completely puzzled .

" you ask him some questions , " he said to the others , wiping his damp brow .

Smee reflected .

" I can't think of a thing , " he said regretfully .

" can't guess , can't guess ! " crowed Peter .

" do you give it up ? "

of course in his pride he was carrying the game too far , and the miscreants villains saw their chance .

" yes , yes , " they answered eagerly .

" well , then , " he cried , " I am Peter Pan . "

Pan !

in a moment Hook was himself again , and Smee and Starkey were his faithful henchmen .

" now we have him , " Hook shouted .

" into the water , Smee .

Starkey , mind the boat .

take him dead or alive ! "

he leaped as he spoke , and simultaneously came the gay voice of Peter .

" are you ready , boys ? "

" ay , ay , " from various parts of the lagoon .

" then lam into the pirates . "

the fight was short and sharp .

first to draw blood was John , who gallantly climbed into the boat and held Starkey .

there was fierce struggle , in which the cutlass was torn from the pirate 's grasp .

he wriggled overboard and John leapt after him .

the dinghy drifted away .

here and there a head bobbed up in the water , and there was a flash of steel followed by a cry or a whoop .

in the confusion some struck at their own side .

the corkscrew of Smee got Tootles in the fourth rib , but he was himself pinked nicked in turn by Curly .

farther from the rock Starkey was pressing Slightly and the twins hard .

where all this time was Peter ?

he was seeking bigger game .

the others were all brave boys , and they must not be blamed for backing from the pirate captain .

his iron claw made a circle of dead water round him , from which they fled like affrighted fishes .

but there was one who did not fear him : there was one prepared to enter that circle .

strangely , it was not in the water that they met .

Hook rose to the rock to breathe , and at the same moment Peter scaled it on the opposite side .

the rock was slippery as a ball , and they had to crawl rather than climb .

neither knew that the other was coming .

had it been so with Peter at that moment I would admit it .

after all , he was the only man that the Sea-Cook had feared .

but Peter had no sinking , he had one feeling only , gladness ; and he gnashed his pretty teeth with joy .

it would not have been fighting fair .

he gave the pirate a hand to help him up .

it was then that Hook bit him .

not the pain of this but its unfairness was what dazed Peter .

it made him quite helpless .

he could only stare , horrified .

every child is affected thus the first time he is treated unfairly .

all he thinks he has a right to when he comes to you to be yours is fairness .

after you have been unfair to him he will love you again , but will never afterwards be quite the same boy .

no one ever gets over the first unfairness ; no one except Peter .

he often met it , but he always forgot it .

I suppose that was the real difference between him and all the rest .

so when he met it now it was like the first time ; and he could just stare , helpless .

twice the iron hand clawed him .

" they must be swimming back or flying , " the boys concluded .

they were not very anxious , because they had such faith in Peter .

they chuckled , boylike , because they would be late for bed ; and it was all mother Wendy 's fault !

when their voices died away there came cold silence over the lagoon , and then a feeble cry .

" help , help ! "

two small figures were beating against the rock ; the girl had fainted and lay on the boy 's arm .

with a last effort Peter pulled her up the rock and then lay down beside her .

even as he also fainted he saw that the water was rising .

he knew that they would soon be drowned , but he could do no more .

as they lay side by side a mermaid caught Wendy by the feet , and began pulling her softly into the water .

Peter , feeling her slip from him , woke with a start , and was just in time to draw her back .

but he had to tell her the truth .

" we are on the rock , Wendy , " he said , " but it is growing smaller .

soon the water will be over it . "

she did not understand even now .

" we must go , " she said , almost brightly .

" yes , " he answered faintly .

" shall we swim or fly , Peter ? "

he had to tell her .

" do you think you could swim or fly as far as the island , Wendy , without my help ? "

she had to admit that she was too tired .

he moaned .

" what is it ? " she asked , anxious about him at once .

" I can't help you , Wendy .

Hook wounded me .

I can neither fly nor swim . "

" do you mean we shall both be drowned ? "

" Look how the water is rising . "

they put their hands over their eyes to shut out the sight .

they thought they would soon be no more .

it was the tail of a kite , which Michael had made some days before .

it had torn itself out of his hand and floated away .

" it lifted Michael off the ground , " he cried ; " why should it not carry you ? "

" both of us ! "

" it can't lift two ; Michael and Curly tried . "

" let us draw lots , " Wendy said bravely .

" and you a lady ; never . "

already he had tied the tail round her .

Peter was alone on the lagoon .

the rock was very small now ; soon it would be submerged .

Peter was not quite like other boys ; but he was afraid at last .

next moment he was standing erect on the rock again , with that smile on his face and a drum beating within him .

it was saying , " to die will be an awfully big adventure . "

chapter @number@ THE NEVER BIRD

the last sound Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea .

it was not really a piece of paper ; it was the Never bird , making desperate efforts to reach Peter on the nest .

she had come to save him , to give him her nest , though there were eggs in it .

I rather wonder at the bird , for though he had been nice to her , he had also sometimes tormented her .

I can suppose only that , like Mrs Darling and the rest of them , she was melted because he had all his first teeth .

well , not only could they not understand each other , but they forgot their manners .

" what are you quacking about ? "

Peter answered .

" why don't you let the nest drift as usual ? "

" I want you " the bird said , and repeated it all over .

then Peter tried slow and distinct .

" what are you quacking about ? " and so on .

the Never bird became irritated ; they have very short tempers .

" you dunderheaded little jay ! " she screamed , " why don't you do as I tell you ? "

Peter felt that she was calling him names , and at a venture he retorted hotly :

" so are you ! "

then rather curiously they both snapped out the same remark :

" shut up ! "

" shut up ! "

nevertheless the bird was determined to save him if she could , and by one last mighty effort she propelled the nest against the rock .

then up she flew ; deserting her eggs , so as to make her meaning clear .

then at last he understood , and clutched the nest and waved his thanks to the bird as she fluttered overhead .

there were two large white eggs , and Peter lifted them up and reflected .

the stave was still there , and on it Starkey had hung his hat , a deep tarpaulin , watertight , with a broad brim .

Peter put the eggs into this hat and set it on the lagoon .

it floated beautifully .

then he got into the nest , reared the stave in it as a mast , and hung up his shirt for a sail .

at the same moment the bird fluttered down upon the hat and once more sat snugly on her eggs .

she drifted in one direction , and he was borne off in another , both cheering .

every boy had adventures to tell ; but perhaps the biggest adventure of all was that they were several hours late for bed .

chapter @number@ THE HAPPY HOME

one important result of the brush with the pirates on the lagoon was that it made the redskins their friends .

Peter had saved Tiger Lily from a dreadful fate , and now there was nothing she and her braves would not do for him .

even by day they hung about , smoking the pipe of peace , and looking almost as if they wanted tit-bits to eat .

" me Tiger Lily , " that lovely creature would reply .

" Peter Pan save me , me his velly nice friend .

me no let pirates hurt him . "

Peter Pan has spoken . "

secretly Wendy sympathised with them a little , but she was far too loyal a housewife to listen to any complaints against father .

" father knows best , " she always said , whatever her private opinion must be .

her private opinion was that the redskins should not call her a squaw .

the way you got the time on the island was to find the crocodile , and then stay near him till the clock struck .

" Silence , " cried Wendy when for the twentieth time she had told them that they were not all to speak at once .

" is your mug empty , Slightly darling ? "

" not quite empty , mummy , " slightly said , after looking into an imaginary mug .

" he hasn't even begun to drink his milk , " Nibs interposed .

this was telling , and Slightly seized his chance .

" I complain of Nibs , " he cried promptly .

John , however , had held up his hand first .

" well , John ? "

" may I sit in Peter 's chair , as he is not here ? "

" sit in father 's chair , John ! "

Wendy was scandalised .

" certainly not . "

" he is not really our father , " John answered .

" he didn't even know how a father does till I showed him . "

this was grumbling .

" we complain of John , " cried the twins .

tootles held up his hand .

he was so much the humblest of them , indeed he was the only humble one , that Wendy was specially gentle with him .

" I don't suppose , " tootles said diffidently bashfully or timidly , " that I could be father . "

" no , Tootles . "

once Tootles began , which was not very often , he had a silly way of going on .

" no , I won't , " Michael rapped out .

he was already in his basket .

" no , indeed , " replied the twins ; " it 's awfully difficult to be a twin . "

" no , " they all replied .

then at last he stopped .

" I hadn't really any hope , " he said .

the hateful telling broke out again .

" slightly is coughing on the table . "

" the twins began with cheese-cakes . "

" Curly is taking both butter and honey . "

" Nibs is speaking with his mouth full . "

" I complain of the twins . "

" I complain of Curly . "

" I complain of Nibs . "

" oh dear , oh dear , " cried Wendy , " I 'm sure I sometimes think that spinsters are to be envied . "

" Wendy , " remonstrated scolded Michael , " I 'm too big for a cradle . "

" I must have somebody in a cradle , " she said almost tartly , " and you are the littlest .

a cradle is such a nice homely thing to have about a house . "

while she sewed they played around her ; such a group of happy faces and dancing limbs lit up by that romantic fire .

there was a step above , and Wendy , you may be sure , was the first to recognize it .

" children , I hear your father 's step .

he likes you to meet him at the door . "

above , the redskins crouched before Peter .

" watch well , braves .

I have spoken . "

and then , as so often before , the gay children dragged him from his tree .

as so often before , but never again .

he had brought nuts for the boys as well as the correct time for Wendy .

" peter , you just spoil them , you know , " Wendy simpered exaggerated a smile .

" ah , old lady , " said Peter , hanging up his gun .

" it was me told him mothers are called old lady , " Michael whispered to Curly .

" I complain of Michael , " said Curly instantly .

the first twin came to Peter .

" father , we want to dance . "

" dance away , my little man , " said Peter , who was in high good humour .

" but we want you to dance . "

Peter was really the best dancer among them , but he pretended to be scandalised .

" me !

my old bones would rattle ! "

" and mummy too . "

" what , " cried Wendy , " the mother of such an armful , dance ! "

" but on a Saturday night , " slightly insinuated .

" of course it is Saturday night , Peter , " Wendy said , relenting .

" people of our figure , Wendy ! "

" but it is only among our own progeny children . "

" true , true . "

so they were told they could dance , but they must put on their nighties first .

" it is sweet , Peter , isn't it ? "

Wendy said , frightfully gratified .

" Peter , I think Curly has your nose . "

" Michael takes after you . "

she went to him and put her hand on his shoulder .

" no , Wendy . "

" peter , what is it ? "

" I was just thinking , " he said , a little scared .

" it is only make-believe , isn't it , that I am their father ? "

" oh yes , " Wendy said primly formally and properly .

" you see , " he continued apologetically , " it would make me seem so old to be their real father . "

" but they are ours , Peter , yours and mine . "

" but not really , Wendy ? " he asked anxiously .

" not if you don't wish it , " she replied ; and she distinctly heard his sigh of relief .

" Peter , " she asked , trying to speak firmly , " what are your exact feelings to about me ? "

" those of a devoted son , Wendy . "

" I thought so , " she said , and went and sat by herself at the extreme end of the room .

" you are so queer , " he said , frankly puzzled , " and Tiger Lily is just the same .

there is something she wants to be to me , but she says it is not my mother . "

" no , indeed , it is not , " Wendy replied with frightful emphasis .

now we know why she was prejudiced against the redskins .

" then what is it ? "

" it isn't for a lady to tell . "

" oh , very well , " Peter said , a little nettled .

" perhaps Tinker Bell will tell me . "

" oh yes , Tinker Bell will tell you , " Wendy retorted scornfully .

" she is an abandoned little creature . "

here Tink , who was in her bedroom , eavesdropping , squeaked out something impudent .

" she says she glories in being abandoned , " Peter interpreted .

he had a sudden idea .

" perhaps Tink wants to be my mother ? "

" you silly ass ! " cried Tinker Bell in a passion .

she had said it so often that Wendy needed no translation .

" I almost agree with her , " Wendy snapped .

fancy Wendy snapping !

but she had been much tried , and she little knew what was to happen before the night was out .

if she had known she would not have snapped .

none of them knew .

perhaps it was best not to know .

they sang and danced in their night-gowns .

so uproariously gay was the dance , and how they buffeted each other on the bed and out of it !

the stories they told , before it was time for Wendy 's good-night story !

" yes , it is a dull beginning .

I say , let us pretend that it is the end . "

and then at last they all got into bed for Wendy 's story , the story they loved best , the story Peter hated .

but to-night he remained on his stool ; and we shall see what happened .

chapter @number@ WENDY'S STORY

" there was once a gentleman "

" I had rather he had been a lady , " Curly said .

" I wish he had been a white rat , " said Nibs .

" quiet , " their mother admonished cautioned them .

" there was a lady also , and "

" oh , mummy , " cried the first twin , " you mean that there is a lady also , don't you ?

she is not dead , is she ? "

" oh , no . "

" I am awfully glad she isn't dead , " said Tootles .

" are you glad , John ? "

" of course I am . "

" are you glad , Nibs ? "

" rather . "

" are you glad , Twins ? "

" we are glad . "

" oh dear , " sighed Wendy .

" the gentleman 's name , " Wendy continued , " was Mr Darling , and her name was Mrs Darling . "

" I knew them , " John said , to annoy the others .

" I think I knew them , " said Michael rather doubtfully .

" they were married , you know , " explained Wendy , " and what do you think they had ? "

" white rats , " cried Nibs , inspired .

" no . "

" it 's awfully puzzling , " said Tootles , who knew the story by heart .

" quiet , Tootles .

they had three descendants . "

" what is descendants ? "

" well , you are one , Twin . "

" did you hear that , John ?

I am a descendant . "

" descendants are only children , " said John .

" oh dear , oh dear , " sighed Wendy .

" it 's an awfully good story , " said Nibs .

" they flew away , " Wendy continued , " to the Neverland , where the lost children are . "

" I just thought they did , " Curly broke in excitedly .

" I don't know how it is , but I just thought they did ! "

" O Wendy , " cried Tootles , " was one of the lost children called Tootles ? "

" yes , he was . "

" I am in a story .

hurrah , I am in a story , Nibs . "

" hush .

now I want you to consider the feelings of the unhappy parents with all their children flown away . "

" oo ! " they all moaned , though they were not really considering the feelings of the unhappy parents one jot .

" think of the empty beds ! "

" oo ! "

" it 's awfully sad , " the first twin said cheerfully .

" I don't see how it can have a happy ending , " said the second twin .

" do you , Nibs ? "

" I 'm frightfully anxious . "

" if you knew how great is a mother 's love , " Wendy told them triumphantly , " you would have no fear . "

she had now come to the part that Peter hated .

" I do like a mother 's love , " said Tootles , hitting Nibs with a pillow .

" do you like a mother 's love , Nibs ? "

" I do just , " said Nibs , hitting back .

" did they ever go back ? "

" years have rolled by , and who is this elegant lady of uncertain age alighting at London Station ? "

" O Wendy , who is she ? " cried Nibs , every bit as excited as if he didn't know .

" Can it be yes no it is the fair Wendy ! "

" oh ! "

" and who are the two noble portly figures accompanying her , now grown to man 's estate ?

can they be John and Michael ?

they are ! "

" oh ! "

" ' See , dear brothers , ' says Wendy pointing upwards , ' there is the window still standing open .

ah , now we are rewarded for our sublime faith in a mother 's love . '

so up they flew to their mummy and daddy , and pen cannot describe the happy scene , over which we draw a veil . "

that was the story , and they were as pleased with it as the fair narrator herself .

everything just as it should be , you see .

so great indeed was their faith in a mother 's love that they felt they could afford to be callous for a bit longer .

but there was one there who knew better , and when Wendy finished he uttered a hollow groan .

" what is it , Peter ? " she cried , running to him , thinking he was ill .

she felt him solicitously , lower down than his chest .

" where is it , Peter ? "

" it isn't that kind of pain , " Peter replied darkly .

" then what kind is it ? "

" Wendy , you are wrong about mothers . "

I am not sure that this was true , but Peter thought it was true ; and it scared them .

" are you sure mothers are like that ? "

" yes . "

so this was the truth about mothers .

the toads !

still it is best to be careful ; and no one knows so quickly as a child when he should give in .

" Wendy , let us let's go home , " cried John and Michael together .

" yes , " she said , clutching them .

" not to-night ? " asked the lost boys bewildered .

" if you wish it , " he replied , as coolly as if she had asked him to pass the nuts .

not so much as a sorry-to-lose-you between them !

if she did not mind the parting , he was going to show her , was Peter , that neither did he .

then having given the necessary instructions to the redskins he returned to the home , where an unworthy scene had been enacted in his absence .

Panic-stricken at the thought of losing Wendy the lost boys had advanced upon her threateningly .

" it will be worse than before she came , " they cried .

" we shan't let her go . "

" let's keep her prisoner . "

" ay , chain her up . "

in her extremity an instinct told her to which of them to turn .

" tootles , " she cried , " I appeal to you . "

was it not strange ?

she appealed to Tootles , quite the silliest one .

grandly , however , did Tootles respond .

for that one moment he dropped his silliness and spoke with dignity .

" I am just Tootles , " he said , " and nobody minds me .

but the first who does not behave to Wendy like an English gentleman I will blood him severely . "

he drew back his hanger ; and for that instant his sun was at noon .

the others held back uneasily .

then Peter returned , and they saw at once that they would get no support from him .

he would keep no girl in the Neverland against her will .

" thank you , Peter . "

wake her , Nibs . "

Nibs had to knock twice before he got an answer , though Tink had really been sitting up in bed listening for some time .

" who are you ?

how dare you ?

go away , " she cried .

" you are to get up , Tink , " Nibs called , " and take Wendy on a journey . "

then she pretended to be asleep again .

" she says she won't ! "

Nibs exclaimed , aghast at such insubordination , whereupon Peter went sternly toward the young lady 's chamber .

this made her leap to the floor .

" who said I wasn't getting up ? " she cried .

in the meantime the boys were gazing very forlornly at Wendy , now equipped with John and Michael for the journey .

novelty was beckoning to them as usual .

crediting them with a nobler feeling Wendy melted .

" but won't they think us rather a handful ? "

Nibs asked in the middle of his jump .

" Peter , can we go ? " they all cried imploringly .

they took it for granted that if they went he would go also , but really they scarcely cared .

thus children are ever ready , when novelty knocks , to desert their dearest ones .

" all right , " Peter replied with a bitter smile , and immediately they rushed to get their things .

she loved to give them medicine , and undoubtedly gave them too much .

" get your things , Peter , " she cried , shaking .

" no , " he answered , pretending indifference , " I am not going with you , Wendy . "

" yes , Peter . "

" no . "

to show that her departure would leave him unmoved , he skipped up and down the room , playing gaily on his heartless pipes .

she had to run about after him , though it was rather undignified .

" to find your mother , " she coaxed .

now , if Peter had ever quite had a mother , he no longer missed her .

he could do very well without one .

he had thought them out , and remembered only their bad points .

" but , Peter "

" no . "

and so the others had to be told .

" Peter isn't coming . "

Peter not coming !

they gazed blankly at him , their sticks over their backs , and on each stick a bundle .

their first thought was that if Peter was not going he had probably changed his mind about letting them go .

but he was far too proud for that .

" if you find your mothers , " he said darkly , " I hope you will like them . "

the awful cynicism of this made an uncomfortable impression , and most of them began to look rather doubtful .

after all , their faces said , were they not noodles to want to go ?

she had to take his hand , and there was no indication that he would prefer a thimble .

" you will remember about changing your flannels , Peter ? " she said , lingering over him .

she was always so particular about their flannels .

" yes . "

" and you will take your medicine ? "

" yes . "

that seemed to be everything , and an awkward pause followed .

Peter , however , was not the kind that breaks down before other people .

" are you ready , Tinker Bell ? " he called out .

" ay , ay . "

" then lead the way . "

above , where all had been so still , the air was rent with shrieks and the clash of steel .

below , there was dead silence .

mouths opened and remained open .

Wendy fell on her knees , but her arms were extended toward Peter .

all arms were extended to him , as if suddenly blown in his direction ; they were beseeching him mutely not to desert them .

chapter @number@ THE CHILDREN ARE CARRIED OFF

through the long black night the savage scouts wriggle , snake-like , among the grass without stirring a blade .

the brushwood closes behind them , as silently as sand into which a mole has dived .

not a sound is to be heard , save when they give vent to a wonderful imitation of the lonely call of the coyote .

that this was the usual procedure was so well known to Hook that in disregarding it he cannot be excused on the plea of ignorance .

they left nothing undone that was consistent with the reputation of their tribe .

around the brave Tiger Lily were a dozen of her stoutest warriors , and they suddenly saw the perfidious pirates bearing down upon them .

fell from their eyes then the film through which they had looked at victory .

no more would they torture at the stake .

for them the happy hunting-grounds was now .

they knew it ; but as their father 's sons they acquitted themselves .

it is written that the noble savage must never express surprise in the presence of the white .

it is no part of ours to describe what was a massacre rather than a fight .

thus perished many of the flower of the Piccaninny tribe .

Scourie , Chas .

Turley , and the Alsatian Foggerty .

to what extent Hook is to blame for his tactics on this occasion is for the historian to decide .

what he should perhaps have done was to acquaint his opponents that he proposed to follow a new method .

what were his own feelings about himself at that triumphant moment ?

it was Pan he wanted , Pan and Wendy and their band , but chiefly Pan .

Peter was such a small boy that one tends to wonder at the man 's hatred of him .

the truth is that there was a something about Peter which goaded the pirate captain to frenzy .

it was not his courage , it was not his engaging appearance , it was not .

there is no beating about the bush , for we know quite well what it was , and have got to tell .

it was Peter 's cockiness .

this had got on Hook 's nerves ; it made his iron claw twitch , and at night it disturbed him like an insect .

while Peter lived , the tortured man felt that he was a lion in a cage into which a sparrow had come .

the question now was how to get down the trees , or how to get his dogs down ?

he ran his greedy eyes over them , searching for the thinnest ones .

they wriggled uncomfortably , for they knew he would not scruple hesitate to ram them down with poles .

In the meantime , what of the boys ?

which side had won ?

now Smee had found the tom-tom , and was at that moment sitting on it .

never , probably , had this simple man admired Hook so much .

twice Smee beat upon the instrument , and then stopped to listen gleefully .

" the tom-tom , " the miscreants heard Peter cry ; " an Indian victory ! "

the doomed children answered with a cheer that was music to the black hearts above , and almost immediately they repeated their good-byes to Peter .

they smirked at each other and rubbed their hands .

chapter @number@ DO YOU BELIEVE IN FAIRIES ?

the more quickly this horror is disposed of the better .

the first to emerge from his tree was Curly .

a different treatment was accorded to Wendy , who came last .

she was only a little girl .

his lip was curled with malicious triumph .

how to convey them ?

hunched up in their ropes they might indeed be rolled down hill like barrels , but most of the way lay through a morass .

again Hook 's genius surmounted difficulties .

he indicated that the little house must be used as a conveyance .

Hook saw it , and it did Peter a bad service .

it dried up any trickle of pity for him that may have remained in the pirate 's infuriated breast .

dark as were his thoughts his blue eyes were as soft as the periwinkle .

was that boy asleep , or did he stand waiting at the foot of Slightly 's tree , with his dagger in his hand ?

there was no way of knowing , save by going down .

then , silently , he let himself go into the unknown .

he arrived unmolested at the foot of the shaft , and stood still again , biting at his breath , which had almost left him .

on the bed lay Peter fast asleep .

then he decided not to take his medicine , so as to grieve Wendy .

sometimes , though not often , he had dreams , and they were more painful than the dreams of other boys .

for hours he could not be separated from these dreams , though he wailed piteously in them .

they had to do , I think , with the riddle of his existence .

but on this occasion he had fallen at once into a dreamless sleep .

thus defenceless Hook found him .

he stood silent at the foot of the tree looking across the chamber at his enemy .

did no feeling of compassion disturb his sombre breast ?

mastered by his better self he would have returned reluctantly up the tree , but for one thing .

what stayed him was Peter 's impertinent appearance as he slept .

they steeled Hook 's heart .

if his rage had broken him into a hundred pieces every one of them would have disregarded the incident , and leapt at the sleeper .

it did not entirely fill the aperture , and he had been looking over it .

feeling for the catch , he found to his fury that it was low down , beyond his reach .

was his enemy to escape him after all ?

but what was that ?

the red in his eye had caught sight of Peter 's medicine standing on a ledge within easy reach .

he fathomed what it was straightaway , and immediately knew that the sleeper was in his power .

these he had boiled down into a yellow liquid quite unknown to science , which was probably the most virulent poison in existence .

five drops of this he now added to Peter 's cup .

his hand shook , but it was in exultation rather than in shame .

as he did it he avoided glancing at the sleeper , but not lest pity should unnerve him ; merely to avoid spilling .

then one long gloating look he cast upon his victim , and turning , wormed his way with difficulty up the tree .

as he emerged at the top he looked the very spirit of evil breaking from its hole .

Peter slept on .

the light guttered burned to edges and went out , leaving the tenement in darkness ; but still he slept .

it was a soft cautious tapping on the door of his tree .

Soft and cautious , but in that stillness it was sinister .

Peter felt for his dagger till his hand gripped it .

then he spoke .

" who is that ? "

for long there was no answer : then again the knock .

" who are you ? "

no answer .

he was thrilled , and he loved being thrilled .

in two strides he reached the door .

" I won't open unless you speak , " Peter cried .

then at last the visitor spoke , in a lovely bell-like voice .

" let me in , Peter . "

it was Tink , and quickly he unbarred to her .

she flew in excitedly , her face flushed and her dress stained with mud .

" what is it ? "

" oh , you could never guess ! " she cried , and offered him three guesses .

Peter 's heart bobbed up and down as he listened .

Wendy bound , and on the pirate ship ; she who loved everything to be just so !

" I 'll rescue her ! " he cried , leaping at his weapons .

as he leapt he thought of something he could do to please her .

he could take his medicine .

his hand closed on the fatal draught .

" no ! " shrieked Tinker Bell , who had heard Hook mutter about his deed as he sped through the forest .

" why not ? "

" it is poisoned . "

" poisoned ?

who could have poisoned it ? "

" hook . "

" don't be silly .

how could Hook have got down here ? "

alas , Tinker Bell could not explain this , for even she did not know the dark secret of Slightly 's tree .

nevertheless Hook 's words had left no room for doubt .

the cup was poisoned .

" besides , " said Peter , quite believing himself , " I never fell asleep . "

he raised the cup .

" why , Tink , how dare you drink my medicine ? "

but she did not answer .

already she was reeling in the air .

" what is the matter with you ? " cried Peter , suddenly afraid .

" it was poisoned , Peter , " she told him softly ; " and now I am going to be dead . "

" O Tink , did you drink it to save me ? "

" yes . "

" but why , Tink ? "

her wings would scarcely carry her now , but in reply she alighted on his shoulder and gave his nose a loving bite .

she whispered in his ear " you silly ass , " and then , tottering to her chamber , lay down on the bed .

his head almost filled the fourth wall of her little room as he knelt near her in distress .

every moment her light was growing fainter ; and he knew that if it went out she would be no more .

she liked his tears so much that she put out her beautiful finger and let them run over it .

her voice was so low that at first he could not make out what she said .

then he made it out .

she was saying that she thought she could get well again if children believed in fairies .

Peter flung out his arms .

" do you believe ? " he cried .

Tink sat up in bed almost briskly to listen to her fate .

she fancied she heard answers in the affirmative , and then again she wasn't sure .

" what do you think ? " she asked Peter .

" if you believe , " he shouted to them , " clap your hands ; don't let Tink die . "

Many clapped .

some didn't .

a few beasts hissed .

she never thought of thanking those who believed , but she would have liked to get at the ones who had hissed .

" and now to rescue Wendy ! "

it was not such a night as he would have chosen .

he regretted now that he had given the birds of the island such strange names that they are very wild and difficult of approach .

there was no other course but to press forward in redskin fashion , at which happily he was an adept expert .

but in what direction , for he could not be sure that the children had been taken to the ship ?

the morning was needed to search for such guidance , and he could not wait .

the upper world had called him , but would give no help .

he swore this terrible oath : " Hook or me this time . "

he was frightfully happy .

chapter @number@ THE PIRATE SHIP

she was the cannibal of the seas , and scarce needed that watchful eye , for she floated immune in the horror of her name .

she was wrapped in the blanket of night , through which no sound from her could have reached the shore .

of this , as of almost everything else , Smee was quite unconscious .

Hook trod the deck in thought .

O man unfathomable .

it was his hour of triumph .

Peter had been removed for ever from his path , and all the other boys were in the brig , about to walk the plank .

but there was no elation in his gait , which kept pace with the action of his sombre mind .

Hook was profoundly dejected .

he was often thus when communing with himself on board ship in the quietude of the night .

it was because he was so terribly alone .

this inscrutable man never felt more alone than when surrounded by his dogs .

they were socially inferior to him .

Hook was not his true name .

but above all he retained the passion for good form .

good form !

however much he may have degenerated , he still knew that this is all that really matters .

" have you been good form to-day ? " was their eternal question .

" fame , fame , that glittering bauble , it is mine , " he cried .

" is it quite good form to be distinguished at anything ? " the tap-tap from his school replied .

" I am the only man whom Barbecue feared , " he urged , " and Flint feared Barbecue . "

" barbecue , Flint what house ? " came the cutting retort .

most disquieting reflection of all , was it not bad form to think about good form ?

his vitals were tortured by this problem .

Ofttimes he drew his sleeve across his face , but there was no damming that trickle .

ah , envy not Hook .

there came to him a presentiment of his early dissolution death .

it was as if Peter 's terrible oath had boarded the ship .

Hook felt a gloomy desire to make his dying speech , lest presently there should be no time for it .

" better for Hook , " he cried , " if he had had less ambition ! "

it was in his darkest hours only that he referred to himself in the third person .

" no little children to love me ! "

Strange that he should think of this , which had never troubled him before ; perhaps the sewing machine brought it to his mind .

for long he muttered to himself , staring at Smee , who was hemming placidly , under the conviction that all children feared him .

feared him !

feared Smee !

there was not a child on board the brig that night who did not already love him .

Michael had tried on his spectacles .

to tell poor Smee that they thought him lovable !

Hook itched to do it , but it seemed too brutal .

instead , he revolved this mystery in his mind : why do they find Smee lovable ?

he pursued the problem like the sleuth-hound that he was .

if Smee was lovable , what was it that made him so ?

a terrible answer suddenly presented itself " good form ? "

had the bo'sun good form without knowing it , which is the best form of all ?

with a cry of rage he raised his iron hand over Smee 's head ; but he did not tear .

what arrested him was this reflection :

" to claw a man because he is good form , what would that be ? "

" bad form ! "

the unhappy Hook was as impotent powerless as he was damp , and he fell forward like a cut flower .

" are all the children chained , so that they cannot fly away ? "

" ay , ay . "

" then hoist them up . "

the wretched prisoners were dragged from the hold , all except Wendy , and ranged in line in front of him .

for a time he seemed unconscious of their presence .

he lolled at his ease , humming , not unmelodiously , snatches of a rude song , and fingering a pack of cards .

ever and anon the light from his cigar gave a touch of colour to his face .

which of you is it to be ? "

" don't irritate him unnecessarily , " had been Wendy 's instructions in the hold ; so Tootles stepped forward politely .

all children know this about mothers , and despise them for it , but make constant use of it .

So Tootles explained prudently , " you see , sir , I don't think my mother would like me to be a pirate .

would your mother like you to be a pirate , Slightly ? "

he winked at Slightly , who said mournfully , " I don't think so , " as if he wished things had been otherwise .

" would your mother like you to be a pirate , Twin ? "

" I don't think so , " said the first twin , as clever as the others .

" Nibs , would "

" stow this gab , " roared Hook , and the spokesmen were dragged back .

" you , boy , " he said , addressing John , " you look as if you had a little pluck in you .

Didst never want to be a pirate , my hearty ? "

now John had sometimes experienced this hankering at maths . prep . ; and he was struck by Hook 's picking him out .

" I once thought of calling myself Red-handed Jack , " he said diffidently .

" and a good name too .

we 'll call you that here , bully , if you join . "

" what do you think , Michael ? " asked John .

" what would you call me if I join ? "

Michael demanded .

" Blackbeard Joe . "

Michael was naturally impressed .

" what do you think , John ? "

he wanted John to decide , and John wanted him to decide .

" shall we still be respectful subjects of the King ? "

John inquired .

through Hook 's teeth came the answer : " you would have to swear , ' Down with the King . ' "

perhaps John had not behaved very well so far , but he shone out now .

" then I refuse , " he cried , banging the barrel in front of Hook .

" and I refuse , " cried Michael .

" rule Britannia ! " squeaked Curly .

the infuriated pirates buffeted them in the mouth ; and Hook roared out , " that seals your doom .

bring up their mother .

get the plank ready . "

they were only boys , and they went white as they saw Jukes and Cecco preparing the fatal plank .

but they tried to look brave when Wendy was brought up .

no words of mine can tell you how Wendy despised those pirates .

but as the boys gathered round her she had no thought , of course , save for them .

with a hasty gesture he tried to hide it , but he was too late .

" are they to die ? " asked Wendy , with a look of such frightful contempt that he nearly fainted .

" they are , " he snarled .

" silence all , " he called gloatingly , " for a mother 's last words to her children . "

at this moment Wendy was grand .

" these are my last words , dear boys , " she said firmly .

even the pirates were awed , and Tootles cried out hysterically , " I am going to do what my mother hopes .

what are you to do , Nibs ? "

" what my mother hopes .

what are you to do , Twin ? "

" what my mother hopes .

John , what are "

but Hook had found his voice again .

" tie her up ! " he shouted .

it was Smee who tied her to the mast .

" see here , honey , " he whispered , " I 'll save you if you promise to be my mother . "

but not even for Smee would she make such a promise .

" I would almost rather have no children at all , " she said disdainfully scornfully .

Hook smiled on them with his teeth closed , and took a step toward Wendy .

his intention was to turn her face so that she should see the boys walking the plank one by one .

but he never reached her , he never heard the cry of anguish he hoped to wring from her .

he heard something else instead .

it was the terrible tick-tick of the crocodile .

all knew that what was about to happen concerned him alone , and that from being actors they were suddenly become spectators .

very frightful was it to see the change that came over him .

it was as if he had been clipped at every joint .

he fell in a little heap .

even the iron claw hung inactive ; as if knowing that it was no intrinsic part of what the attacking force wanted .

the pirates respectfully cleared a passage for him , and it was only when he brought up against the bulwarks that he spoke .

" hide me ! " he cried hoarsely .

they gathered round him , all eyes averted from the thing that was coming aboard .

they had no thought of fighting it .

it was Fate .

then they got the strangest surprise of the Night of Nights ; for it was no crocodile that was coming to their aid .

it was Peter .

he signed to them not to give vent to any cry of admiration that might rouse suspicion .

then he went on ticking .

chapter @number@ " HOOK OR ME THIS TIME "

odd things happen to all of us on our way through life without our noticing for a time that they have happened .

now such an experience had come that night to Peter .

when last we saw him he was stealing across the island with one finger to his lips and his dagger at the ready .

at first he thought this eerie , but soon concluded rightly that the clock had run down .

he ticked superbly , but with one unforeseen result .

thus many animals pass from land to water , but no other human of whom I know .

as he swam he had but one thought : " Hook or me this time . "

he had ticked so long that he now went on ticking without knowing that he was doing it .

the crocodile !

no sooner did Peter remember it than he heard the ticking .

at first he thought the sound did come from the crocodile , and he looked behind him swiftly .

then he realised that he was doing it himself , and in a flash he understood the situation .

" how clever of me ! " he thought at once , and signed to the boys not to burst into applause .

it was at this moment that Ed Teynte the quartermaster emerged from the forecastle and came along the deck .

now , reader , time what happened by your watch .

Peter struck true and deep .

John clapped his hands on the ill-fated pirate 's mouth to stifle the dying groan .

he fell forward .

four boys caught him to prevent the thud .

Peter gave the signal , and the carrion was cast overboard .

there was a splash , and then silence .

how long has it taken ?

" one ! "

( slightly had begun to count . )

they could hear each other 's distressed breathing now , which showed them that the more terrible sound had passed .

" it 's gone , captain , " Smee said , wiping off his spectacles .

" all 's still again . "

slowly Hook let his head emerge from his ruff , and listened so intently that he could have caught the echo of the tick .

there was not a sound , and he drew himself up firmly to his full height .

" then here 's to Johnny Plank ! " he cried brazenly , hating the boys more than ever because they had seen him unbend .

he broke into the villainous ditty :

at that they fell on their knees .

" no , no ! " they cried so piteously that every pirate smiled .

" fetch the cat , Jukes , " said Hook ; " it 's in the cabin . "

the cabin !

Peter was in the cabin !

the children gazed at each other .

" ay , ay , " said Jukes blithely , and he strode into the cabin .

they followed him with their eyes ; they scarce knew that Hook had resumed his song , his dogs joining in with him :

what was the last line will never be known , for of a sudden the song was stayed by a dreadful screech from the cabin .

it wailed through the ship , and died away .

then was heard a crowing sound which was well understood by the boys , but to the pirates was almost more eerie than the screech .

" what was that ? " cried Hook .

" two , " said Slightly solemnly .

the Italian Cecco hesitated for a moment and then swung into the cabin .

he tottered out , haggard .

" what 's the matter with Bill Jukes , you dog ? " hissed Hook , towering over him .

" the matter wi ' him is he 's dead , stabbed , " replied Cecco in a hollow voice .

" Bill Jukes dead ! " cried the startled pirates .

the exultation of the boys , the lowering looks of the pirates , both were seen by Hook .

" Cecco , " he said in his most steely voice , " go back and fetch me out that doodle-doo . "

Cecco , bravest of the brave , cowered before his captain , crying " No , no " ; but Hook was purring to his claw .

" did you say you would go , Cecco ? " he said musingly .

Cecco went , first flinging his arms despairingly .

there was no more singing , all listened now ; and again came a death-screech and again a crow .

no one spoke except Slightly .

" three , " he said .

Hook rallied his dogs with a gesture .

" ' S'death and odds fish , " he thundered , " who is to bring me that doodle-doo ? "

" wait till Cecco comes out , " growled Starkey , and the others took up the cry .

" I think I heard you volunteer , Starkey , " said Hook , purring again .

" no , by thunder ! "

Starkey cried .

" my hook thinks you did , " said Hook , crossing to him .

" I wonder if it would not be advisable , Starkey , to humour the hook ? "

" I 'll swing before I go in there , " replied Starkey doggedly , and again he had the support of the crew .

" is this mutiny ? " asked Hook more pleasantly than ever .

" Starkey 's ringleader ! "

" captain , mercy ! "

Starkey whimpered , all of a tremble now .

" shake hands , Starkey , " said Hook , proffering his claw .

Starkey looked round for help , but all deserted him .

as he backed up Hook advanced , and now the red spark was in his eye .

with a despairing scream the pirate leapt upon Long Tom and precipitated himself into the sea .

" four , " said Slightly .

" and now , " Hook said courteously , " did any other gentlemen say mutiny ? "

" five . "

how Slightly longed to say it .

he wetted his lips to be ready , but Hook came staggering out , without his lantern .

" something blew out the light , " he said a little unsteadily .

" something ! " echoed Mullins .

" what of Cecco ? " demanded Noodler .

" he 's as dead as Jukes , " said Hook shortly .

his reluctance to return to the cabin impressed them all unfavourably , and the mutinous sounds again broke forth .

" I 've heard , " muttered Mullins , " he always boards the pirate craft last .

had he a tail , captain ? "

at this the children could not resist raising a cheer .

Hook had well-nigh forgotten his prisoners , but as he swung round on them now his face lit up again .

" lads , " he cried to his crew , " now here 's a notion .

open the cabin door and drive them in .

let them fight the doodle-doo for their lives .

if they kill him , we 're so much the better ; if he kills them , we 're none the worse . "

for the last time his dogs admired Hook , and devotedly they did his bidding .

the boys , pretending to struggle , were pushed into the cabin and the door was closed on them .

" now , listen ! " cried Hook , and all listened .

but not one dared to face the door .

yes , one , Wendy , who all this time had been bound to the mast .

it was for neither a scream nor a crow that she was watching , it was for the reappearance of Peter .

she had not long to wait .

then he took a great breath and crowed .

to the pirates it was a voice crying that all the boys lay slain in the cabin ; and they were panic-stricken .

there 's a Jonah aboard . "

" ay , " they snarled , " a man wi ' a hook . "

" no , lads , no , it 's the girl .

never was luck on a pirate ship wi ' a woman on board .

we 'll right the ship when she 's gone . "

some of them remembered that this had been a saying of Flint 's .

" it 's worth trying , " they said doubtfully .

" fling the girl overboard , " cried Hook ; and they made a rush at the figure in the cloak .

" there 's none can save you now , missy , " Mullins hissed jeeringly .

" there 's one , " replied the figure .

" who 's that ? "

" Peter Pan the avenger ! " came the terrible answer ; and as he spoke Peter flung off his cloak .

in that frightful moment I think his fierce heart broke .

at last he cried , " cleave him to the brisket ! " but without conviction .

" down , boys , and at them ! "

Peter 's voice rang out ; and in another moment the clash of arms was resounding through the ship .

they had done for his dogs , but this man alone seemed to be a match for them all .

again and again they closed upon him , and again and again he hewed a clear space .

" put up your swords , boys , " cried the newcomer , " this man is mine . "

thus suddenly Hook found himself face to face with Peter .

the others drew back and formed a ring around them .

for long the two enemies looked at one another , Hook shuddering slightly , and Peter with the strange smile upon his face .

" so , Pan , " said Hook at last , " this is all your doing . "

" ay , James Hook , " came the stern answer , " it is all my doing . "

" proud and insolent youth , " said Hook , " prepare to meet thy doom . "

" dark and sinister man , " Peter answered , " have at thee . "

without more words they fell to , and for a space there was no advantage to either blade .

" now ! " cried all the boys , but with a magnificent gesture Peter invited his opponent to pick up his sword .

Hook did so instantly , but with a tragic feeling that Peter was showing good form .

hitherto he had thought it was some fiend fighting him , but darker suspicions assailed him now .

" Pan , who and what art thou ? " he cried huskily .

" To't again , " he cried despairingly .

and again and again he darted in and pricked .

Hook was fighting now without hope .

abandoning the fight he rushed into the powder magazine and fired it .

" in two minutes , " he cried , " the ship will be blown to pieces . "

now , now , he thought , true form will show .

but Peter issued from the powder magazine with the shell in his hands , and calmly flung it overboard .

what sort of form was Hook himself showing ?

and his shoes were right , and his waistcoat was right , and his tie was right , and his socks were right .

James Hook , thou not wholly unheroic figure , farewell .

for we have come to his last moment .

seeing Peter slowly advancing upon him through the air with dagger poised , he sprang upon the bulwarks to cast himself into the sea .

he had one last triumph , which I think we need not grudge him .

it made Peter kick instead of stab .

at last Hook had got the boon for which he craved .

" bad form , " he cried jeeringly , and went content to the crocodile .

thus perished James Hook .

" seventeen , " slightly sang out ; but he was not quite correct in his figures .

it said " half-past one ! "

the lateness of the hour was almost the biggest thing of all .

he had one of his dreams that night , and cried in his sleep for a long time , and Wendy held him tightly .

chapter @number@ THE RETURN HOME

it need not be said who was the captain .

Nibs and John were first and second mate .

there was a woman aboard .

the rest were tars sailors before the mast , and lived in the fo'c'sle .

the bluff strident words struck the note sailors understood , and they cheered him lustily .

then a few sharp orders were given , and they turned the ship round , and nosed her for the mainland .

hook .

instant obedience was the only safe thing .

slightly got a dozen for looking perplexed when told to take soundings .

do go back and keep an eye on the children . "

so long as mothers are like this their children will take advantage of them ; and they may lay to bet on that .

we are no more than servants .

why on earth should their beds be properly aired , seeing that they left them in such a thankless hurry ?

would it not serve them jolly well right if they came back and found that their parents were spending the week-end in the country ?

this would spoil so completely the surprise to which Wendy and John and Michael are looking forward .

however , we should get no thanks even for this .

" yes , but at what a cost !

by depriving the children of ten minutes of delight . "

" oh , if you look at it in that way ! "

" what other way is there in which to look at it ? "

you see , the woman had no proper spirit .

I had meant to say extraordinarily nice things about her ; but I despise her , and not one of them will I say now .

she does not really need to be told to have things ready , for they are ready .

all the beds are aired , and she never leaves the house , and observe , the window is open .

for all the use we are to her , we might well go back to the ship .

however , as we are here we may as well stay and look on .

that is all we are , lookers-on .

nobody really wants us .

so let us watch and say jaggy things , in the hope that some of them will hurt .

the only change to be seen in the night-nursery is that between nine and six the kennel is no longer there .

to all Mrs Darling 's dear invitations to him to come out he replied sadly but firmly :

" no , my own one , this is the place for me . "

in the bitterness of his remorse he swore that he would never leave the kennel until his children came back .

very touching was his deference to Nana .

he would not let her come into the kennel , but on all other matters he followed her wishes implicitly .

it may have been Quixotic , but it was magnificent .

soon the inward meaning of it leaked out , and the great heart of the public was touched .

on that eventful Thursday week , Mrs Darling was in the night-nursery awaiting George 's return home ; a very sad-eyed woman .

if she was too fond of her rubbishy children , she couldn't help it .

look at her in her chair , where she has fallen asleep .

the corner of her mouth , where one looks first , is almost withered up .

her hand moves restlessly on her breast as if she had a pain there .

some like Peter best , and some like Wendy best , but I like her best .

suppose , to make her happy , we whisper to her in her sleep that the brats are coming back .

let 's .

" O Nana , I dreamt my dear ones had come back . "

outside , the crowd who had accompanied the cab home were still cheering , and he was naturally not unmoved .

" listen to them , " he said ; " it is very gratifying . "

" lots of little boys , " sneered Liza .

social success had not spoilt him ; it had made him sweeter .

" but if I had been a weak man , " he said .

" good heavens , if I had been a weak man ! "

" and , George , " she said timidly , " you are as full of remorse as ever , aren't you ? "

" full of remorse as ever , dearest !

see my punishment : living in a kennel . "

" but it is punishment , isn't it , George ?

you are sure you are not enjoying it ? "

" my love ! "

you may be sure she begged his pardon ; and then , feeling drowsy , he curled round in the kennel .

I feel a draught . "

" O George , never ask me to do that .

the window must always be left open for them , always , always . "

oh no .

Peter 's first words tell all .

" quick Tink , " he whispered , " close the window ; bar it !

that 's right .

this trick had been in his head all the time .

instead of feeling that he was behaving badly he danced with glee ; then he peeped into the day-nursery to see who was playing .

he whispered to Tink , " it 's Wendy 's mother !

she is a pretty lady , but not so pretty as my mother .

her mouth is full of thimbles , but not so full as my mother 's was . "

of course he knew nothing whatever about his mother ; but he sometimes bragged about her .

" she wants me to unbar the window , " thought Peter , " but I won't , not I ! "

he peeped again , and the tears were still there , or another two had taken their place .

" she 's awfully fond of Wendy , " he said to himself .

he was angry with her now for not seeing why she could not have Wendy .

the reason was so simple : " I 'm fond of her too .

we can't both have her , lady . "

but the lady would not make the best of it , and he was unhappy .

he ceased to look at her , but even then she would not let go of him .

he skipped about and made funny faces , but when he stopped it was just as if she were inside him , knocking .

" oh , all right , " he said at last , and gulped .

then he unbarred the window .

thus Wendy and John and Michael found the window open for them after all , which of course was more than they deserved .

they alighted on the floor , quite unashamed of themselves , and the youngest one had already forgotten his home .

" John , " he said , looking around him doubtfully , " I think I have been here before . "

" of course you have , you silly .

there is your old bed . "

" so it is , " Michael said , but not with much conviction .

" I say , " cried John , " the kennel ! " and he dashed across to look into it .

" perhaps Nana is inside it , " Wendy said .

but John whistled .

" hullo , " he said , " there 's a man inside it . "

" it 's father ! " exclaimed Wendy .

" let me see father , " Michael begged eagerly , and he took a good look .

Wendy and John had been taken aback somewhat at finding their father in the kennel .

" John , " Wendy said falteringly , " perhaps we don't remember the old life as well as we thought we did . "

a chill fell upon them ; and serve them right .

" it is very careless of mother , " said that young scoundrel John , " not to be here when we come back . "

it was then that Mrs Darling began playing again .

" it 's mother ! " cried Wendy , peeping .

" so it is ! " said John .

" then are you not really our mother , Wendy ? " asked Michael , who was surely sleepy .

" let us creep in , " John suggested , " and put our hands over her eyes . "

but Wendy , who saw that they must break the joyous news more gently , had a better plan .

and so when Mrs Darling went back to the night-nursery to see if her husband was asleep , all the beds were occupied .

the children waited for her cry of joy , but it did not come .

she saw them , but she did not believe they were there .

she sat down in the chair by the fire , where in the old days she had nursed them .

they could not understand this , and a cold fear fell upon all the three of them .

" mother ! "

Wendy cried .

" that 's Wendy , " she said , but still she was sure it was the dream .

" mother ! "

" that 's John , " she said .

" mother ! " cried Michael .

he knew her now .

" that 's Michael , " she said , and she stretched out her arms for the three little selfish children they would never envelop again .

yes , they did , they went round Wendy and John and Michael , who had slipped out of bed and run to her .

Chapter @number@ WHEN WENDY GREW UP

I hope you want to know what became of the other boys .

they were waiting below to give Wendy time to explain about them ; and when they had counted five hundred they went up .

they went up by the stair , because they thought this would make a better impression .

they stood in a row in front of Mrs Darling , with their hats off , and wishing they were not wearing their pirate clothes .

they said nothing , but their eyes asked her to have them .

they ought to have looked at Mr Darling also , but they forgot about him .

because , if so , we can go away . "

" father ! "

Wendy cried , shocked ; but still the cloud was on him .

he knew he was behaving unworthily , but he could not help it .

" we could lie doubled up , " said Nibs .

" I always cut their hair myself , " said Wendy .

" George ! "

Mrs Darling exclaimed , pained to see her dear one showing himself in such an unfavourable light .

then he burst into tears , and the truth came out .

" I don't think he is a cypher , " tootles cried instantly .

" do you think he is a cypher , Curly ? "

" no , I don't .

do you think he is a cypher , Slightly ? "

" rather not .

Twin , what do you think ? "

" we 'll fit in , sir , " they assured him .

" then follow the leader , " he cried gaily .

" mind you , I am not sure that we have a drawing-room , but we pretend we have , and it 's all the same .

hoop la ! "

as for Peter , he saw Wendy once again before he flew away .

that is what she did .

" hullo , Wendy , good-bye , " he said .

" oh dear , are you going away ? "

" yes . "

" no . "

" about me , Peter ? "

" no . "

Mrs Darling came to the window , for at present she was keeping a sharp eye on Wendy .

she told Peter that she had adopted all the other boys , and would like to adopt him also .

" would you send me to school ? " he inquired craftily .

" yes . "

" and then to an office ? "

" I suppose so . "

" soon I would be a man ? "

" very soon . "

" I don't want to go to school and learn solemn things , " he told her passionately .

" I don't want to be a man .

O Wendy 's mother , if I was to wake up and feel there was a beard ! "

" keep back , lady , no one is going to catch me and make me a man . "

" but where are you going to live ? "

" with Tink in the house we built for Wendy .

the fairies are to put it high up among the tree tops where they sleep at nights . "

" how lovely , " cried Wendy so longingly that Mrs Darling tightened her grip .

" I thought all the fairies were dead , " Mrs Darling said .

" I shall have such fun , " said Peter , with eye on Wendy .

" it will be rather lonely in the evening , " she said , " sitting by the fire . "

" I shall have Tink . "

" Tink can't go a twentieth part of the way round , " she reminded him a little tartly .

" sneaky tell-tale ! "

Tink called out from somewhere round the corner .

" it doesn't matter , " Peter said .

" O Peter , you know it matters . "

" well , then , come with me to the little house . "

" May I , mummy ? "

" certainly not .

I have got you home again , and I mean to keep you . "

" but he does so need a mother . "

" so do you , my love . "

I suppose it was because Wendy knew this that her last words to him were these rather plaintive ones :

" you won't forget me , Peter , will you , before spring cleaning time comes ? "

of course Peter promised ; and then he flew away .

he took Mrs Darling 's kiss with him .

the kiss that had been for no one else , Peter took quite easily .

funny .

but she seemed satisfied .

it is sad to have to say that the power to fly gradually left them .

in time they could not even fly after their hats .

want of practice , they called it ; but what it really meant was that they no longer believed .

she had looked forward to thrilling talks with him about old times , but new adventures had crowded the old ones from his mind .

" who is Captain Hook ? " he asked with interest when she spoke of the arch enemy .

" don't you remember , " she asked , amazed , " how you killed him and saved all our lives ? "

" I forget them after I kill them , " he replied carelessly .

when she expressed a doubtful hope that Tinker Bell would be glad to see her he said , " who is Tinker Bell ? "

" O Peter , " she said , shocked ; but even when she explained he could not remember .

" there are such a lot of them , " he said .

" I expect she is no more . "

but he was exactly as fascinating as ever , and they had a lovely spring cleaning in the little house on the tree tops .

next year he did not come for her .

she waited in a new frock because the old one simply would not meet ; but he never came .

" perhaps he is ill , " Michael said .

" you know he is never ill . "

Peter came next spring cleaning ; and the strange thing was that he never knew he had missed a year .

that was the last time the girl Wendy ever saw him .

Wendy was grown up .

you need not be sorry for her .

she was one of the kind that likes to grow up .

in the end she grew up of her own free will a day quicker than other girls .

all the boys were grown up and done for by this time ; so it is scarcely worth while saying anything more about them .

you may see the twins and Nibs and Curly any day going to an office , each carrying a little bag and an umbrella .

Michael is an engine-driver train engineer .

slightly married a lady of title , and so he became a lord .

you see that judge in a wig coming out at the iron door ?

that used to be Tootles .

the bearded man who doesn't know any story to tell his children was once John .

Wendy was married in white with a pink sash .

it is strange to think that Peter did not alight in the church and forbid the banns formal announcement of a marriage .

years rolled on again , and Wendy had a daughter .

this ought not to be written in ink but in a golden splash .

when she was old enough to ask them they were mostly about Peter Pan .

Mrs Darling was now dead and forgotten .

once a week Jane 's nurse had her evening off ; and then it was Wendy 's part to put Jane to bed .

that was the time for stories .

" what do we see now ? "

" yes , you do , " says Jane , " you see when you were a little girl . "

" that is a long time ago , sweetheart , " says Wendy .

" ah me , how time flies ! "

" does it fly , " asks the artful child , " the way you flew when you were a little girl ? "

" the way I flew ?

do you know , Jane , I sometimes wonder whether I ever did really fly . "

" yes , you did . "

" the dear old days when I could fly ! "

" why can't you fly now , mother ? "

" because I am grown up , dearest .

when people grow up they forget the way . "

" why do they forget the way ? "

" because they are no longer gay and innocent and heartless .

it is only the gay and innocent and heartless who can fly . "

" what is gay and innocent and heartless ?

I do wish I were gay and innocent and heartless . "

or perhaps Wendy admits she does see something .

" I do believe , " she says , " that it is this nursery . "

" I do believe it is , " says Jane .

" go on . "

they are now embarked on the great adventure of the night when Peter flew in looking for his shadow .

" you have missed a bit , " interrupts Jane , who now knows the story better than her mother .

" when you saw him sitting on the floor crying , what did you say ? "

" I sat up in bed and I said , ' Boy , why are you crying ? ' "

" yes , that was it , " says Jane , with a big breath .

" yes ! which did you like best of all ? "

" I think I liked the home under the ground best of all . "

" yes , so do I. what was the last thing Peter ever said to you ? "

" yes . "

" but , alas , he forgot all about me , " Wendy said it with a smile .

she was as grown up as that .

" what did his crow sound like ? "

Jane asked one evening .

" it was like this , " Wendy said , trying to imitate Peter 's crow .

Wendy was a little startled .

" my darling , how can you know ? "

" I often hear it when I am sleeping , " Jane said .

" ah yes , many girls hear it when they are sleeping , but I was the only one who heard it awake . "

" lucky you , " said Jane .

and then one night came the tragedy .

then the window blew open as of old , and Peter dropped in on the floor .

he was exactly the same as ever , and Wendy saw at once that he still had all his first teeth .

he was a little boy , and she was grown up .

she huddled by the fire not daring to move , helpless and guilty , a big woman .

" hullo , Peter , " she replied faintly , squeezing herself as small as possible .

something inside her was crying " Woman , Woman , let go of me . "

" hullo , where is John ? " he asked , suddenly missing the third bed .

" John is not here now , " she gasped .

" is Michael asleep ? " he asked , with a careless glance at Jane .

" yes , " she answered ; and now she felt that she was untrue to Jane as well as to Peter .

" that is not Michael , " she said quickly , lest a judgment should fall on her .

Peter looked .

" hullo , is it a new one ? "

" yes . "

" Boy or girl ? "

" girl . "

now surely he would understand ; but not a bit of it .

" Peter , " she said , faltering , " are you expecting me to fly away with you ? "

" of course ; that is why I have come . "

he added a little sternly , " have you forgotten that this is spring cleaning time ? "

she knew it was useless to say that he had let many spring cleaning times pass .

" I can't come , " she said apologetically , " I have forgotten how to fly . "

" I 'll soon teach you again . "

" O Peter , don't waste the fairy dust on me . "

she had risen ; and now at last a fear assailed him .

" what is it ? " he cried , shrinking .

" I will turn up the light , " she said , " and then you can see for yourself . "

for almost the only time in his life that I know of , Peter was afraid .

" don't turn up the light , " he cried .

she let her hands play in the hair of the tragic boy .

she was not a little girl heart-broken about him ; she was a grown woman smiling at it all , but they were wet-eyed smiles .

then she turned up the light , and Peter saw .

he gave a cry of pain ; and when the tall beautiful creature stooped to lift him in her arms he drew back sharply .

" what is it ? " he cried again .

she had to tell him .

" I am old , Peter .

I am ever so much more than twenty .

I grew up long ago . "

" you promised not to ! "

" I couldn't help it .

I am a married woman , Peter . "

" no , you 're not . "

" yes , and the little girl in the bed is my baby . "

" no , she's not . "

but he supposed she was ; and he took a step towards the sleeping child with his dagger upraised .

of course he did not strike .

she was only a woman now , and she ran out of the room to try to think .

Peter continued to cry , and soon his sobs woke Jane .

she sat up in bed , and was interested at once .

" boy , " she said , " why are you crying ? "

Peter rose and bowed to her , and she bowed to him from the bed .

" hullo , " he said .

" hullo , " said Jane .

" my name is Peter Pan , " he told her .

" yes , I know . "

" I came back for my mother , " he explained , " to take her to the Neverland . "

" yes , I know , " Jane said , " I have been waiting for you . "

" he does so need a mother , " Jane said .

" yes , I know , " Wendy admitted rather forlornly ; " no one knows it so well as I . "

Wendy rushed to the window .

" no , no , " she cried .

" it is just for spring cleaning time , " Jane said , " he wants me always to do his spring cleaning . "

" if only I could go with you , " Wendy sighed .

" you see you can't fly , " said Jane .

of course in the end Wendy let them fly away together .

our last glimpse of her shows her at the window , watching them receding into the sky until they were as small as stars .

THE END

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Peter Pan , by James M Barrie

produced by Dianne Bean

THE ADVENTURES OF REDDY FOX

by Thornton W Burgess

I granny Fox Gives Reddy a Scare

Reddy Fox lived with Granny Fox .

this morning Granny Fox had taken Reddy across the Green Meadows , up through the Green Forest , and over to the railroad track .

Reddy had never been there before and he didn't know just what to make of it .

granny trotted ahead until they came to a long bridge .

then she stopped .

" come here , Reddy , and look down , " she commanded .

Reddy did as he was told , but a glance down made him giddy , so giddy that he nearly fell .

granny Fox grinned .

" come across , " said she , and ran lightly across to the other side .

but Reddy Fox was afraid .

yes , Sir , he was afraid to take one step on the long bridge .

he was afraid that he would fall through into the water or onto the cruel rocks below .

granny Fox ran back to where Reddy sat .

" for shame , Reddy Fox ! " said she .

" what are you afraid of ?

just don't look down and you will be safe enough .

now come along over with me . "

but Reddy Fox hung back and begged to go home and whimpered .

suddenly Granny Fox sprang to her feet , as if in great fright .

" Bowser the Hound !

come , Reddy , come ! " she cried , and started across the bridge as fast as she could go .

Reddy didn't stop to look or to think .

his one idea was to get away from Bowser the Hound .

" wait , Granny !

wait ! " he cried , and started after her as fast as he could run .

he was in the middle of the bridge before he remembered it at all .

when he was at last safely across , it was to find old Granny Fox sitting down laughing at him .

then for the first time Reddy looked behind him to see where Bowser the Hound might be .

he was nowhere to be seen .

could he have fallen off the bridge ?

" where is Bowser the Hound ? " cried Reddy .

" home in Farmer Brown 's dooryard , " replied Granny Fox dryly .

Reddy stared at her for a minute .

then he began to understand that Granny Fox had simply scared him into running across the bridge .

Reddy felt very cheap , very cheap indeed .

" now we 'll run back again , " said Granny Fox .

and this time Reddy did .

II .

granny Shows Reddy a Trick

granny Fox smiled .

" do you remember the first time you tried to do it ? " she asked .

Reddy hung his head .

of course he remembered remembered that Granny had had to scare him into crossing that first time .

suddenly Granny Fox lifted her head .

" hark ! " she exclaimed .

Reddy pricked up his sharp , pointed ears .

way off back , in the direction from which they had come , they heard the baying of a dog .

it wasn't the voice of Bowser the Hound but of a younger dog .

granny listened for a few minutes .

the voice of the dog grew louder as it drew nearer .

" he certainly is following our track , " said Granny Fox .

" now , Reddy , you run across the bridge and watch from the top of the little hill over there .

perhaps I can show you a trick that will teach you why I have made you learn to run across the bridge . "

Reddy trotted across the long bridge and up to the top of the hill , as Granny had told him to .

then he sat down to watch .

granny trotted out in the middle of a field and sat down .

pretty soon a young hound broke out of the bushes , his nose in Granny 's track .

then he looked up and saw her , and his voice grew still more savage and eager .

granny Fox started to run as soon as she was sure that the hound had seen her , but she did not run very fast .

pretty soon Reddy heard another sound .

it was a long , low rumble .

then there was a distant whistle .

it was a train .

granny heard it , too .

as she ran , she began to work back toward the long bridge .

the train was in sight now .

suddenly Granny Fox started across the bridge so fast that she looked like a little red streak .

but he couldn't begin to run as fast as Granny Fox .

oh , my , no !

III .

Bowser the Hound Isn't Fooled

Reddy Fox had been taught so much by Granny Fox that he began to feel very wise and very important .

Reddy is naturally smart and he had been very quick to learn the tricks that old Granny Fox had taught him .

but Reddy Fox is a boaster .

every day he swaggered about on the Green Meadows and bragged how smart he was .

Blacky the Crow grew tired of Reddy 's boasting .

" if you 're so smart , what is the reason you always keep out of sight of Bowser the Hound ? " asked Blacky .

" for my part , I don't believe that you are smart enough to fool him . "

a lot of little meadow people heard Blacky say this , and Reddy knew it .

he also knew that if he didn't prove Blacky in the wrong he would be laughed at forever after .

suddenly he remembered the trick that Granny Fox had played on the young hound at the railroad bridge .

why not play the same trick on Bowser and invite Blacky the Crow to see him do it ?

he would .

Blacky agreed to be there , and Reddy started off to find out where Bowser was .

Blacky the Crow was on hand promptly that afternoon and with him came his cousin , Sammy Jay .

presently they saw Reddy Fox hurrying across the fields , and behind him in full cry came Bowser the Hound .

then Bowser would have to jump down into the swift river or be run over .

as soon as Reddy was across the bridge , he jumped off the track and turned to see what would happen to Bowser the Hound .

the train was halfway across the bridge , but Bowser was nowhere to be seen .

he must have jumped already .

Reddy sat down and grinned in the most self-satisfied way .

the long train roared past , and Reddy closed his eyes to shut out the dust and smoke .

when he opened them again , he looked right into the wide-open mouth of Bowser the Hound , who was not ten feet away .

" did you think you could fool me with that old trick ? " roared Bowser .

Reddy didn't stop to make reply ; he just started off at the top of his speed , a badly frightened little fox .

" haw , haw , haw !

how smart we are ! "

it was Blacky the Crow .

IV .

Reddy Fox Grows Bold

Reddy Fox was growing bold .

everybody said so , and what everybody says must be so .

Reddy Fox had always been very sly and not bold at all .

he had really fooled himself .

yes , Sir , Reddy Fox had fooled himself .

he thought himself so smart that nobody could fool him .

now it is one of the worst habits in the world to think too much of one 's self .

and Reddy Fox had the habit .

oh , my , yes !

Reddy Fox certainly did have the habit !

when anyone mentioned Bowser the Hound , Reddy would turn up his nose and say : " pooh !

it 's the easiest thing in the world to fool him . "

you see , he had forgotten all about the time Bowser had fooled him at the railroad bridge .

whenever Reddy saw Farmer Brown 's boy he would say with the greatest scorn : " who 's afraid of him ?

not I ! "

so as Reddy Fox thought more and more of his own smartness , he grew bolder and bolder .

almost every night he visited Farmer Brown 's henyard .

Farmer Brown set traps all around the yard , but Reddy always found them and kept out of them .

of course they missed those fresh eggs and of course they blamed Reddy Fox .

I hope he does ! "

Jimmy said this a little spitefully and just as if he really meant it .

now when people think that they are very , very smart , they like to show off .

you know it isn't any fun at all to feel smart unless others can see how smart you are .

So Reddy Fox , just to show off , grew very bold , very bold indeed .

' Ol Mistah Buzzard , sailing overhead high up in the blue , blue sky , saw Reddy Fox and shook his bald head :

" ah see Trouble on the way ; Yes , Ah do !

yes , Ah do !

hope it ain't a-gwine to stay ; Yes , Ah do !

yes , Ah do !

trouble am a spry ol ' man , Bound to find yo ' if he can ; If he finds yo ' bound to stick .

when Ah sees him , Ah runs quick !

yes , Ah do !

yes , Ah do ! "

but Reddy Fox thought himself so smart that it seemed as if he really were hunting for Ol ' Mr Trouble .

and when he caught the pet chicken of Farmer Brown 's boy , Ol ' Mr Trouble was right at his heels .

V Reddy Grows Careless

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard was right .

trouble was right at the heels of Reddy Fox , although Reddy wouldn't have believed it if he had been told .

he had stolen that plump pet chicken of Farmer Brown 's boy for no reason under the sun but to show off .

he wanted everyone to know how bold he was .

he thought himself so smart that he could do just exactly what he pleased and no one could stop him .

now people who brag and boast and who like to show off are almost sure to come to grief .

and when they do , very few people are sorry for them .

yes , Sir , they just ached to see Reddy get into trouble .

" Reddy Fox is getting so puffed up that pretty soon he won't be able to see his own feet , " said Peter Rabbit .

" well , what if he doesn't ? " demanded Jimmy Skunk .

Peter looked at Jimmy in disgust :

" he comes to grief , however fleet , Who doesn't watch his flying feet .

" if Reddy doesn't watch out , someday he 'll step right into a trap . "

Jimmy Skunk chuckled .

" I wish he would ! " said he .

" I can't afford to raise chickens to feed foxes ! " said he .

then he whistled for Bowser the Hound , and together they started out .

it wasn't long before Bowser found Reddy 's tracks .

" Bow , wow , wow , wow ! " roared Bowser the Hound .

Reddy Fox , taking a nap on the edge of the Green Forest , heard Bowser 's big , deep voice .

he pricked up his ears , then he grinned .

" I feel just like a good run today , " said he , and trotted off along the Crooked Little Path down the hill .

now this was a beautiful summer day and Reddy knew that in summer men and boys seldom hunt foxes .

so Reddy didn't use his eyes as he should have done .

you see , he thought himself so smart that he had grown careless .

yes , Sir , Reddy Fox had grown careless .

he kept looking back to see where Bowser the Hound was , but didn't look around to make sure that no other danger was near .

and he saw something else , did Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

it looked to him very much like the barrel of a gun sticking out from behind an old tree just ahead of Reddy .

VI .

Drummer the Woodpecker Drums in Vain

so once more Reddy sat down and waited until Bowser the Hound was almost up to him .

Just then Drummer the Woodpecker began to make a tremendous noise rat-a-tat-tat-tat , rat-a-tat-tat-tat , rat-a-tat-tat-tat !

now everybody who heard that rat-a-tat-tat-tat knew that it was a danger signal .

Drummer the Woodpecker never drums just that way for pleasure .

but Reddy Fox paid no attention to it .

he didn't notice it at all .

you see , he was so full of the idea of his own smartness that he didn't have room for anything else .

" stupid thing ! " said Drummer the Woodpecker to himself .

" I don't know what I am trying to warn him for , anyway .

the Green Meadows and the Green Forest would be better off without him , a lot better off !

nobody likes him .

he 's a dreadful bully and is all the time trying to catch or scare to death those who are smaller than he .

still , he is so handsome ! "

Drummer cocked his head on one side and looked over at Reddy Fox .

Reddy was laughing to see how hard Bowser the Hound was working to untangle Reddy 's mixed-up trail .

" yes , Sir , he certainly is handsome , " said Drummer once more .

" I surely would miss seeing that beautiful red coat of his !

I surely would ! " he muttered .

" if he doesn't hear and heed now , it won't be my fault ! "

down at the foot of the tree a freckled face on which there was a black scowl looked up .

it was the face of Farmer Brown 's boy .

" what ails that pesky woodpecker ? " he muttered .

" if he doesn't keep still , he 'll scare that fox ! "

he shook a fist at Drummer , but Drummer didn't appear to notice .

he kept right on , rat-a-tat-tat-tat , rat-a-tat-tat-tat , rat-a-tat-tat-tat !

VII .

too Late Reddy Fox Hears

Rat-a-tat-tat-a-tat-tat , beat Drummer on the old tree trunk on the edge of the Green Forest .

Drummer didn't like the looks of that scowl , not a bit .

and he didn't like the looks of the gun which Farmer Brown 's boy had .

so Drummer the Woodpecker crept around to the other side of the tree and in a minute was drumming harder than ever .

whenever he stopped for breath , he looked out over the Green Meadows to see if Reddy Fox had heard his warning .

but if Reddy had heard , he hadn't heeded .

just to show off before all the little meadow and forest people , Reddy had waited until Bowser the Hound had almost reached him .

now Reddy Fox had grown as careless as he had grown bold .

instead of looking sharply ahead , he looked this way and that way to see who was watching and admiring him .

now Reddy Fox has sharp eyes and very quick ears .

my , my , indeed he has !

but just now Reddy was as deaf as if he had cotton stuffed in his ears .

for just a wee little second it seemed to Reddy Fox that his heart stopped beating .

he couldn't stop running , for he had let Bowser the Hound get too close for that .

Reddy Fox gave a little gasp of fright and turned so suddenly that he almost fell flat .

then he began to run as never in his life had he run before .

it seemed as though his flying feet hardly touched the grass .

his eyes were popping out with fright as with every jump he tried to run just a wee bit faster .

bang !

bang !

two flashes of fire and two puffs of smoke darted from behind the old tree trunk .

Drummer the Woodpecker gave a frightened scream and flew deep into the Green Forest .

Peter Rabbit flattened himself under a friendly bramble bush .

Johnny Chuck dived headfirst down his doorway .

Reddy Fox gave a yelp , a shrill little yelp of pain , and suddenly began to go lame .

but Farmer Brown 's boy didn't know that .

he thought he had missed and he growled to himself :

" I 'll get that fox yet for stealing my pet chicken ! "

VIII .

granny Fox Takes Care of Reddy

Reddy Fox was so sore and lame that he could hardly hobble .

then he had limped home , big tears running down his nose , although he tried hard not to cry .

" oh !

oh !

oh ! " moaned Reddy Fox , as he crept in at the doorway of his home .

" what 's the matter now ? " snapped old Granny Fox , who had just waked up from a sun nap .

" I I've got hurt , " said Reddy Fox , and began to cry harder .

granny Fox looked at Reddy sharply .

" what have you been doing now tearing your clothes on a barbed-wire fence or trying to crawl through a bull-briar thicket ?

granny Fox took one look at Reddy 's wounds , and knew right away what had happened .

oh , my , no !

there was nothing gentle about that !

you see , old Granny Fox is wise and very , very sharp and shrewd .

" I hope this will teach you a lesson ! " said Granny Fox .

" what are your eyes and your ears and your nose for ?

to keep you out of just such trouble as this .

" a little Fox must use his eyes Or get someday a sad surprise .

" a little Fox must use his ears And know what makes each sound he hears .

" a little Fox must use his nose And try the wind where'er he goes .

" a little Fox must use all three To live to grow as old as me .

" now tell me all about it , Reddy Fox .

this is summer and men don't hunt foxes now .

I don't see how it happens that Farmer Brown 's boy was waiting for you with a gun . "

you may be sure he was very careful not to mention that .

" caw , caw , caw ! " shouted Blacky the Crow .

the face of Granny Fox cleared .

Reddy Fox grew very red in the face , but he never said a word .

IX .

Peter Rabbit Hears the News

Johnny Chuck came running up to the edge of the Old Briarpatch quite out of breath .

you see , he is so round and fat and roly-poly that to run makes him puff and blow .

Johnny Chuck 's eyes danced with excitement as he peered into the Old Briar-patch , trying to see Peter Rabbit .

" Peter !

Peter Rabbit !

oh , Peter ! " he called .

no one answered .

Johnny Chuck looked disappointed .

it was the middle of the morning , and he had thought that Peter would surely be at home then .

he would try once more .

" oh , you Peter Rabbit ! " he shouted in such a high-pitched voice that it was almost a squeal .

" what you want ? " asked a sleepy voice from the middle of the Old Briar-patch .

Johnny Chuck 's face lighted up .

" come out here , Peter , where I can look at you , " cried Johnny .

" go away , Johnny Chuck !

" I 've got some news for you , Peter , " called Johnny Chuck eagerly .

" how do you know it 's news to me ? " asked Peter , and Johnny noticed that his voice wasn't quite so cross .

" pooh ! " said Peter Rabbit , " it 's probably as old as the hills to me .

you folks who go to bed with the sun don't hear the news until it 's old .

what is it ? "

" it 's about Reddy Fox , " began Johnny Chuck , but Peter Rabbit interrupted him .

" shucks , Johnny Chuck !

you are slow !

why , it was all over Green Meadows last night how Reddy Fox had been shot by Farmer Brown 's boy ! " jeered Peter Rabbit .

" that 's no news .

and here you 've waked me up to tell me something I knew before you went to bed last night !

Serves Reddy Fox right .

hope he 'll be lame for a week , " added Peter Rabbit .

" he can't walk at all ! " cried Johnny Chuck in triumph , sure now that Peter Rabbit hadn't heard the news .

he knew now that Peter Rabbit 's curiosity was aroused , and he smiled to himself .

in a few minutes Peter thrust a sleepy-looking face out from the Old Briar-patch and grinned rather sheepishly .

" what was that you were saying about Reddy Fox ? " he asked again .

" I 've a good mind not to tell you , Mr Know-it-all , " exclaimed Johnny Chuck .

" oh , please , Johnny Chuck , " pleaded Peter Rabbit .

finally Johnny gave in .

" I said that Reddy Fox can't walk .

aren't you glad , Peter ? "

" Jimmy Skunk told me .

he was up by Reddy 's house early this morning and saw Reddy try to walk .

he tried and tried and couldn't .

you won't have to watch out for Reddy Fox for some time , Peter .

serves him right , doesn't it ? "

" let's go up and see if it really is true ! " said Peter suddenly .

" all right , " said Johnny Chuck , and off they started .

x . Poor Reddy Fox

Peter Rabbit and Johnny Chuck stole up the hill toward the home of Reddy Fox .

they were not taking any chances .

Johnny Chuck was not much afraid of Reddy Fox , for he had whipped him once , but he was afraid of old Granny Fox .

Peter Rabbit was afraid of both .

the nearer he got to the home of Reddy Fox , the more anxious and nervous he grew .

so he kept a sharp watch in every direction , ready to run at the least sign of danger .

pretty soon they saw old Granny Fox come out .

she sniffed the wind and then she started off at a quick run down the Lone Little Path .

Johnny Chuck gave a sigh of relief , for he wasn't afraid of Reddy and now he felt safe .

but Peter Rabbit was just as watchful as ever .

" I 've got to see Reddy for myself before I 'll go a step nearer , " he whispered .

just then Johnny Chuck put a hand on his lips and pointed with the other hand .

there was Reddy Fox crawling out of his doorway into the sun .

Peter Rabbit leaned forward to see better .

was Reddy Fox really so badly hurt , or was he only pretending ?

Reddy Fox crawled painfully out onto his doorstep .

he tried to stand and walk , but he couldn't because he was too stiff and sore .

so he just crawled .

he didn't know that anyone was watching him , and with every movement he made a face .

that was because it hurt so .

Peter Rabbit , watching from the clump of bushes , knew then that Reddy was not pretending .

he knew that he had nothing , not the least little thing , to fear from Reddy Fox .

so Peter gave a whoop of joy and sprang out into view .

Reddy looked up and tried to grin , but made a face of pain instead .

you see , it hurt so to move .

" I suppose you 're tickled to death to see me like this , " he growled to Peter Rabbit .

so at first Peter Rabbit had whooped with joy .

he forgot all about the threats of Reddy Fox and how Reddy had tried to trick him .

he forgot all about how mean Reddy had been .

" Poor Reddy Fox , " said Peter Rabbit .

" Poor Reddy Fox . "

XI .

granny Fox Returns

up over the hill trotted old Granny Fox .

she was on her way home with a tender young chicken for Reddy Fox .

poor Reddy !

but old Granny Fox didn't know this .

she never makes such mistakes herself .

oh , my , no !

she knew that Bowser the Hound was chained up .

she had seen Farmer Brown and Farmer Brown 's boy hoeing in the cornfield , so she had nothing to fear from them .

it was Peter Rabbit sitting up very straight , not ten feet from Reddy Fox .

" so that 's that young scamp of a Peter Rabbit whom Reddy was going to catch for me when I was sick and couldn't !

so first she studied and studied every clump of grass and every bush behind which she could creep .

she saw that she could get almost to where Peter Rabbit was sitting and never once show herself to him .

then she looked this way and looked that way to make sure that no one was watching her .

no one did she see on the Green Meadows who was looking her way .

then Granny Fox began to crawl from one clump of grass to another and from bush to bush .

sometimes she wriggled along flat on her stomach .

Little by little she was drawing nearer and nearer to Peter Rabbit .

now with all her smartness old Granny Fox had forgotten one thing .

yes , Sir , she had forgotten one thing .

never once had she thought to look up in the sky .

and there was Ol ' Mistah Buzzard sailing round and round and looking down and seeing all that was going on below .

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard is sharp .

he knew just what old Granny Fox was planning to do knew it as well as if he had read her thoughts .

his eyes twinkled .

then he slanted his broad wings downward and without a sound slid down out of the sky till he was right behind Granny Fox .

" do yo ' always crawl home , Granny Fox ? " asked Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

granny Fox was so startled , for she hadn't heard a sound , that she jumped almost out of her skin .

of course Peter Rabbit saw her then , and was off like a shot .

granny Fox showed all her teeth .

" I wish you would mind your own business , Mistah Buzzard ! " she snarled .

" Cert'nly , cert'nly , Ah sho'ly will ! " replied Ol ' Mistah Buzzard , and sailed up into the blue , blue sky .

XII .

the Lost Chicken

now she saw Peter going across the Green Meadows , lipperty-lipperty-lip , as fast as he could go .

she was so angry that she hopped up and down .

she tore up the grass and ground her long , white teeth .

my , my , but old Granny Fox certainly was angry !

Johnny Chuck was scared .

yes , indeed , Johnny Chuck was dreadfully scared .

he had fought Reddy Fox and whipped him , but he knew that old Granny Fox would be too much for him .

then Johnny Chuck crept along until he was far enough away to run .

how he did run !

" serves me right for having so much curiosity , " said Johnny Chuck to himself .

Reddy Fox looked up as old Granny Fox came hurrying home .

he was weak and very , very hungry .

" did you bring me something nice , Granny ? " asked Reddy Fox .

when Reddy spoke , she remembered it , and the thought of having to go way back after it didn't improve her temper a bit .

" no ! " she snapped .

" I haven't !

you don't deserve any breakfast anyway .

granny Fox saw them .

" there , there , Reddy !

don't cry .

I 've got a fine fat chicken for you up on the hill , and I 'll run back and get it , " said Granny Fox .

so off she started up the hill to the place where she had left the chicken when she started to try to catch Peter Rabbit .

when she got there , there wasn't any chicken .

no , Sir , there was no chicken at all just a few feathers .

granny Fox could hardly believe her own eyes .

she looked this way and she looked that way , but there was no chicken , just a few feathers .

old Granny Fox flew into a greater rage than before .

XIII .

granny Fox Calls Jimmy Skunk Names

granny Fox couldn't believe her own eyes .

that chicken certainly had disappeared , and left no trace of where it had gone .

it was very queer .

old Granny Fox sat down to think who would dare steal anything from her .

then she walked in a big circle with her nose to the ground , sniffing and sniffing .

what was she doing that for ?

why , to see if she could find the tracks of anyone who might have stolen her chicken .

" aha ! " exclaimed old Granny Fox , starting to run along the top of the hill , her nose to the ground .

" aha !

I 'll catch him this time ! "

in a few minutes she began to run more slowly , and every two or three steps she would look ahead .

suddenly her eyes snapped , and she began to creep almost flat on her stomach , just as she had crept for Peter Rabbit .

but it wasn't Peter Rabbit this time .

it was who do you think ?

Jimmy Skunk !

yes , Sir , it was Jimmy Skunk .

he was slowly ambling along , for Jimmy Skunk never hurries .

every big stick or stone that he could move , he would pull over or look under , for Jimmy Skunk was hunting for beetles .

old Granny Fox watched him .

" he must have a tremendous appetite to be hunting for beetles after eating my chicken ! " muttered she .

but all the time old Granny Fox took the greatest care not to get too near to Jimmy Skunk .

" where 's my chicken ? " snarled old Granny Fox , and she looked very , very fierce .

Jimmy Skunk looked up as if very much surprised .

" hello , Granny Fox ! " he exclaimed .

" have you lost a chicken ? "

" you 've stolen it !

you 're a thief , Jimmy Skunk ! " snapped Granny Fox .

" words can never make black white ; Before you speak be sure you 're right , "

said Jimmy Skunk .

" I 'm not a thief . "

" you are ! " cried Granny working herself into a great rage .

" I'm not ! "

" you are ! "

all the time Jimmy Skunk was chuckling to himself , and the more he chuckled the angrier grew old Granny Fox .

it tore her skirts and scratched her legs .

" Ooch ! " cried old Granny Fox .

" Ha ! ha ! ha ! " laughed Jimmy Skunk .

" that 's what you get for calling me names . "

XIV .

granny Fox Finds What Became of the Chicken

old Granny Fox was in a terrible temper .

dear , dear , it certainly was a dreadful temper !

Jimmy Skunk laughed at her , and that made it worse .

when he saw this , Jimmy Skunk just rolled over and over on the ground and shouted , he was so tickled .

of course , it wasn't the least bit nice of Jimmy Skunk , but you know that Granny Fox had been calling Jimmy a thief .

it wasn't that Bobby Coon was afraid of old Granny Fox .

bless you , no !

Bobby Coon isn't a bit afraid of her .

it was because he had a full stomach and was feeling too good-natured and lazy to quarrel .

" good morning , Granny Fox .

granny Fox looked up and glared at him with yellow eyes .

" it isn't a good morning and I 'm not feeling fine ! " she snapped .

" my goodness , how you have torn your skirts ! " exclaimed Bobby Coon .

old Granny Fox started to say something unpleasant .

then she changed her mind and instead she sat down and told Bobby Coon all her troubles .

as she talked , Bobby Coon kept ducking his head behind a branch of the tree to hide a smile .

finally Granny Fox noticed it .

" what do you keep ducking your head for , Bobby Coon ? " she asked suspiciously .

" well , do you ? " demanded old Granny Fox .

and just then Bobby Coon did .

they were not on the ground , however , but floating in the air .

Bobby Coon leaned out to see where they came from , and Granny Fox turned to look , too .

what do you think they saw ?

why , sitting on a tall , dead tree was Mr Goshawk , just then swallowing the last of Granny 's chicken .

" thief ! thief ! robber ! robber ! " shrieked old Granny Fox .

but Mr Goshawk said nothing , just winked at Bobby Coon , puffed out his feathers , and settled himself for a comfortable nap .

XV .

Reddy Fox Has a Visitor

he was humming to himself , for he had just had a good breakfast .

one of the Merry Little Breezes spied him and hurried to meet him and tell him about how Reddy Fox had been shot .

Unc ' Billy listened , and the grin with which he had greeted the Merry Little Breeze grew into a broad smile .

" are yo ' all sure about that ? " he asked .

the Merry Little Breeze was sure .

Unc ' Billy Possum stopped for a few minutes and considered .

" Serves that no ' count Reddy Fox right , " chuckled Unc ' Billy .

" he done spoil mah hunting at Farmer Brown 's , he raised such a fuss among the hens up there .

' Tisn't safe to go there any mo ' !

no , Suh , ' tisn't safe , and it won't be safe for a right smart while .

did yo ' say that Granny Fox is home ? "

the Merry Little Breeze hadn't said anything about Granny Fox , but now remembered that she had gone up the hill .

but he made sure that old Granny Fox was not at home before he showed himself .

Reddy Fox lay on his doorstep .

he was sick and sore and stiff .

indeed , he was so stiff he couldn't walk at all .

and he was weak weak and hungry , dreadfully hungry .

when he heard footsteps , he thought old Granny Fox was bringing him the chicken after which she had gone .

he felt too ill even to turn his head .

" did you get the chicken , Granny ? " he asked weakly .

no one answered .

" I say , did you get the chicken , Granny ? "

Reddy 's voice sounded a little sharp and cross as he asked this time .

Still there was no reply , and Reddy began to be a little bit suspicious .

he turned over and raised his head to look .

instead of old Granny Fox , there was Unc ' Billy Possum grinning at him .

" Smarty , Smarty is a thief !

Smarty , Smarty came to grief !

tried to show off just for fun And ran too near a loaded gun .

" yo ' all certainly has got just what yo ' deserve , and Ah 'm glad of it !

ah 'm glad of it , Suh ! " said Unc ' Billy Possum severely .

an angry light came into the eyes of Reddy Fox and made them an ugly yellow for just a minute .

but he felt too sick to quarrel .

Unc ' Billy Possum saw this .

he saw how Reddy was really suffering , and down deep in his heart Unc ' Billy was truly sorry for him .

but he didn't let Reddy know it .

no , indeed !

he just pretended to be tickled to death to see Reddy Fox so helpless .

he didn't dare stay long , for fear Granny Fox would return .

" too bad !

too bad ! " he muttered to himself .

" if ol ' Granny Fox isn't smart enough to get Reddy enough to eat , Ah 'll have to see what we-alls can do .

ah cert'nly will . "

XVI .

Unc ' Billy Possum Visits the Smiling Pool

Joe Otter and Billy Mink were sitting on the Big Rock in the Smiling Pool .

because they had nothing else to do , they were planning mischief .

Jerry Muskrat was busy filling his new house with food for the winter .

he was too busy to get into mischief .

suddenly Billy Mink put a finger on his lips as a warning to Little Joe Otter to keep perfectly still .

Billy 's sharp eyes had seen something moving over in the bulrushes .

together he and Little Joe Otter watched , ready to dive into the Smiling Pool at the first sign of danger .

in a few minutes the rushes parted and a sharp little old face peered out .

Little Joe Otter and Billy Mink each sighed with relief , and their eyes began to dance .

" hi , Unc ' Billy Possum ! " shouted Billy Mink .

a grin crept over the sharp little old face peering out from the bulrushes .

" hi , yo'self ! " he shouted , for it really was Unc ' Billy Possum .

" what are you doing over here ? " called Little Joe Otter .

" just a-looking round , " replied Unc ' Billy Possum , his eyes twinkling .

" have you heard about Reddy Fox ? " shouted Billy Mink .

" ah done jes ' come from his home , " replied Unc ' Billy Possum .

" how is he ? " asked Little Joe Otter .

" Po'ly , he sho'ly is po'ly , " replied Unc ' Billy Possum , shaking his head soberly .

Unc ' Billy nodded his head .

" yo ' are right .

yo ' cert'nly are right .

yes , Suh , Ah reckons yo ' are right .

was yo ' ever hungry , Billy Mink real hungry ? " asked Unc ' Billy Possum .

he nodded his head .

for a few minutes no one said a word .

then Billy Mink stood up and stretched .

" Good-by , " said Billy Mink .

" where are you going so suddenly ? " demanded Little Joe Otter .

" I 'm going to catch a fish and take it up to Reddy Fox , if you must know ! " snapped Billy Mink .

" good ! " cried Little Joe Otter .

" you needn't think that you can have all the fun to yourself either , Billy Mink .

I 'm going with you . "

he smiled to himself as he turned away .

" ah reckon Ah 'll sho ' have to do my share , too , " said he .

and just a little way off were two fish tails and the feathers of a little duck .

XVII .

Farmer Brown 's Boy Is Determined

Farmer Brown 's boy had made up his mind .

that is just what he had done now .

" I 'm going to get that fox if it takes all summer ! " exclaimed Farmer Brown 's boy .

" I ought to have gotten him the other day when I had a shot at him .

next time well , we 'll see , Mr Fox , what will happen next time . "

now someone heard Farmer Brown 's boy , heard everything he said , though Farmer Brown 's boy didn't know it .

it was Unc ' Billy Possum , who was hiding in the very pile of wood on which Farmer Brown 's boy was sitting .

Unc ' Billy pricked up his ears .

he didn't like the tone of voice in which Farmer Brown 's boy spoke .

" there isn't gwine to be any next time .

no , Suh , there isn't gwine to be any next time .

ah sho'ly doan love Reddy Fox , but Ah can't nohow let him be shot again .

ah cert'nly can't ! " muttered Unc ' Billy Possum to himself .

of course , Farmer Brown 's boy didn't hear him .

he was too intent on his plan to catch Reddy Fox .

" I 'm not going to have my chickens stolen any more !

no , Sir-e-e !

that fox has got a home somewhere on the Green Meadows or in the Green Forest , and I 'm going to find it .

then watch out , Mr Fox ! "

Farmer Brown 's boy whistled for Bowser the Hound and started for the Green Forest .

Unc ' Billy Possum poked his sharp little old face out from under the henhouse and watched them go .

usually Unc ' Billy is grinning , but now there wasn't any grin , not the least sign of one .

instead Unc ' Billy Possum looked worried .

" there goes that boy with a gun , and nobody knows what 'll happen when it goes off .

if he can't find Reddy Fox , just as likely as not he 'll point it at somebody else just fo ' fun .

ah hope he doan meet up with mah ol ' woman or any of mah li'l ' pickaninnies .

ah 'm plumb afraid of a boy with a gun , Ah am .

' Pears like he doan have any sense .

then Unc ' Billy began to run as fast as he could toward the Green Forest .

XVIII .

the Hunt for Reddy Fox

" trouble , trouble , trouble , I feel it in the air ; Trouble , trouble , trouble , it 's round me everywhere . "

old Granny Fox muttered this over and over , as she kept walking around uneasily and sniffing the air .

" I don't see any trouble and I don't feel any trouble in the air .

" that 's because you haven't got any sense .

now I feel trouble .

you go down into the house and stay there ! "

granny Fox stopped to test the air with her nose , just as she had been testing it for the last ten minutes .

" I don't want to go in , " whined Reddy Fox .

old Granny Fox turned , and her eyes blazed as she looked at Reddy Fox .

she didn't say a word .

she didn't have to .

Reddy just crawled into his house , muttering to himself .

granny stuck her head in at the door .

" don't you come out until I come back , " she ordered .

then she added : " Farmer Brown 's boy is coming with his gun . "

Reddy Fox shivered when he heard that .

he didn't believe Granny Fox .

he thought she was saying that just to scare him and make him stay inside .

but he shivered just the same .

but old Granny Fox had not been fooling when she told Reddy Fox that Farmer Brown 's boy was coming with a gun .

it was true .

he was coming down the Lone Little Path , and ahead of him was trotting Bowser the Hound .

how did old Granny Fox know it ?

she just felt it !

she didn't hear them , she didn't see them , and she didn't smell them ; she just felt that they were coming .

so as soon as she saw that Reddy Fox had obeyed her , she was off like a little red flash .

" it won't do to let them find our home , " said Granny to herself , as she disappeared in the Green Forest .

first she hurried to a little point on the hill where she could look down the Lone Little Path .

old Granny Fox waited to see no more .

in a few minutes she heard Bowser 's great voice .

he had smelled her track in the Lone Little Path and was following it .

old Granny Fox grinned .

and Farmer Brown 's boy also grinned , as he heard the voice of Bowser the Hound .

" I 'll hunt that fox until I get him , " he said .

you see , he didn't know anything about old Granny Fox ; he thought Bowser was following Reddy Fox .

XIX Unc ' Billy Possum Gives Warning

" what 's the matter with you , Unc ' Billy ?

you look as if you had lost your last friend . "

it was Jimmy Skunk who spoke .

Unc ' Billy Possum stopped short .

he had been hurrying so fast that he hadn't seen Jimmy Skunk at all .

" Matter enuff , Suh !

matter enuff ! " said Unc ' Billy Possum , when he could get his breath .

" do you hear that noise ? "

" sure , I hear that noise .

that 's only Bowser the Hound chasing old Granny Fox .

when she gets tired she 'll lose him , " replied Jimmy Skunk .

" what are you worrying about Bowser the Hound for ? "

" it isn't Bowser the Hound ; it 's Farmer Brown 's boy and his gun ! "

" what of it ? " asked Jimmy Skunk .

" if he gets Reddy Fox , so much the better .

Reddy always did make trouble for other people .

I don't see what you 're worrying about Reddy Fox for .

he 's big enough to take care of himself . "

" yo ' cert'nly are plumb slow in your wits this morning , Jimmy Skunk , yo ' cert'nly are plumb slow !

Jimmy Skunk looked serious .

" that 's so , Unc ' Billy , that 's so ! " he said .

" boys with guns do get dreadfully careless , dreadfully careless .

they don't seem to think anything about the feelings of those likely to get hurt when the gun goes off .

what was you thinking of doing , Unc ' Billy ? "

" good idea , Unc ' Billy !

I 'll help you , " said Jimmy Skunk .

so Unc ' Billy Possum went one way , and Jimmy Skunk went another way .

and everyone they told hurried to tell someone else .

Happy Jack Squirrel told Chatterer the Red Squirrel ; Chatterer told Striped Chipmunk , and Striped Chipmunk told Danny Meadow Mouse .

and everybody hastened to hide from Farmer Brown 's boy and his terrible gun .

by and by Farmer Brown 's boy noticed how still it was in the Green Forest .

nowhere did he see or hear a bird .

nowhere could he catch a glimpse of anybody who wore fur .

" that fox must have scared away all the other animals and driven away all the birds .

I 'll get him !

See if I don't ! " muttered Farmer Brown 's boy , and never once guessed that they were hiding from him .

XX .

Old Granny Fox Makes a Mistake

old Granny Fox was running through the overgrown old pasture , way up back of Farmer Brown 's .

she was cross and tired and hot , for it was a very warm day .

behind her came Bowser the Hound , his nose in Granny 's tracks , and making a great noise with his big voice .

granny Fox was cross because she was tired .

she hadn't done much running lately .

now old Granny Fox is very , very smart and very , very wise .

she knows all the tricks with which foxes fool those who try to catch them .

she knew that she could fool Bowser the Hound and puzzle him so that he wouldn't be able to follow her track at all .

but she wasn't ready to do that yet .

no , indeed !

old Granny Fox was taking great care to see that her tracks were easy to follow .

she wanted Bowser the Hound to follow them , although it made her tired and hot and cross .

why did she ?

back and forth across the old pasture and way up among the rocks on the edge of the mountain Granny Fox led Bowser the Hound .

it was a long , long , long way from the Green Meadows and the Green Forest .

granny Fox had made it a long way purposely .

she was willing to be tired herself if she could also tire Bowser the Hound and Farmer Brown 's boy .

by and by Granny Fox came to a hole in the ground , an old house that had once belonged to her grandfather .

now this old house had a back door hidden close beside the hollow trunk of a fallen tree .

walking in the water , she left no scent in her tracks .

Bowser the Hound came roaring up to the front door of the old house .

granny 's tracks led right inside , and Bowser grew so excited that he made a tremendous noise .

at last he had found where Granny Fox lived ; at least he thought he had .

he was sure that she was inside , for there were her fresh tracks going inside and none coming out .

Bowser the Hound never once thought of looking for a back door .

granny Fox grinned as she listened to the terrible fuss Bowser was making .

she watched Bowser digging and barking .

after a while a worried look crept into the face of old Granny Fox .

" where 's Farmer Brown 's boy ?

I thought surely he would follow Bowser the Hound , " she muttered .

XXI .

Reddy Fox Disobeys

pretty soon Reddy Fox heard a voice .

it was very faint , for you know Reddy was in his bedroom way underground , but he knew it .

he pricked up his ears and listened .

it was the voice of Bowser the Hound , and Reddy knew by the sound that Bowser was chasing Granny Fox .

Reddy grinned .

he wasn't at all worried about Granny Fox , not the least little bit .

he knew how smart she was and that whenever she wanted to , she could get rid of Bowser the Hound .

then a sudden thought popped into Reddy 's head , and he grew sober .

" granny did feel trouble coming , just as she said , " he thought .

then Reddy Fox curled himself up and tried to sleep .

he intended to mind and not put his little black nose outside until old Granny Fox returned .

but somehow Reddy couldn't get to sleep .

his bedroom was small , and he was so stiff and sore that he could not get comfortable .

he twisted and turned and fidgeted .

the more he fidgeted , the more uncomfortable he grew .

he thought of the warm sunshine outside and how comfortable he would be , stretched out full length on the doorstep .

it would take the soreness out of his legs .

something must have happened to Granny to keep her so long .

by and by Reddy Fox crept a little way up the long , dark hall .

he could just see the sunlight on the doorstep .

pretty soon he went a little bit nearer .

he wasn't going to disobey old Granny Fox .

oh , no !

no , indeed !

she had told him to stay in the house until she returned .

she hadn't said that he couldn't look out !

Reddy crawled a little nearer to the open door and the sunlight .

" granny Fox is getting old and timid .

just as if my eyes aren't as sharp as hers !

I 'd like to see Farmer Brown 's boy get near me when I am really on the watch , " said Reddy Fox to himself .

and then he crept a little nearer to the open door .

how bright and warm and pleasant it did look outside !

Reddy just knew that he would feel ever and ever so much better if he could stretch out on the doorstep .

he could hear Jenny Wren fussing and scolding at someone or something , and he wondered what it could be .

he crept just a wee bit nearer .

" granny 's led them way off on the mountain .

good old Granny ! " thought Reddy Fox .

then he crawled right up to the very doorway .

he could still hear Jenny Wren scolding and fussing .

" what does ail her ?

" if it 's hot or if it 's cold , Jenny Wren will always scold .

from morn till night the whole day long Her limber tongue is going strong .

" I 'm going to find out what it means , " said Reddy , talking to himself .

Reddy Fox poked his head out and looked straight into the freckled face of Farmer Brown 's boy and the muzzle of that dreadful gun !

XXII .

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard 's Keen Sight

she was tired and hot , and she had planned to pick out the shadiest paths going back .

but Farmer Brown 's boy had not yet appeared , and Granny Fox was getting worried .

could it be that he had not followed Bowser the Hound , after all ?

granny Fox went out on a high point and looked , but she could see nothing of Farmer Brown 's boy and his gun .

just then Ol ' Mistah Buzzard came sailing down out of the blue , blue sky and settled himself on a tall , dead tree .

so old Granny Fox smoothed out her skirts and walked over to the foot of the tree where Ol ' Mistah Buzzard sat .

" how do you do today , neighbor Buzzard ? " inquired Granny Fox , smiling up at Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

" my ! " exclaimed old Granny Fox , " what splendid great wings you have , Mistah Buzzard !

it must be grand to be able to fly .

I suppose you can see a great deal from way up there in the blue , blue sky , Mistah Buzzard . "

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard felt flattered .

" yes , " said he , " ah can see all that 's going on on the Green Meadows and in the Green Forest . "

" yes , Ah can ! " replied Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

" really , Mistah Buzzard ?

really ?

oh , I can't believe that your eyes are so sharp as all that !

now old Granny Fox had not told the truth when she said she knew where Farmer Brown 's boy was .

she thought she would trick Ol ' Mistah Buzzard into telling her .

in a few minutes down came Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

" Bowser the Hound is up in the old back pasture , " said he .

" right ! " cried old Granny Fox , clapping her hands .

" and where is Farmer Brown 's boy ? "

" Farmer Brown 's boy is ....y "

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard paused .

" where ?

where ? " asked Granny Fox , so eagerly that Ol ' Mistah Buzzard looked at her sharply .

" yo ' said you knew , so what 's the use of telling yo ' ? " said Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

then he added : " but if Ah was yo ' , Ah cert'nly would get home right smart soon . "

" why ?

Do , do tell me what you saw , Mistah Buzzard ! " begged Granny Fox .

but Ol ' Mistah Buzzard wouldn't say another word , so old Granny Fox started for home as fast as she could run .

" oh dear , I do hope Reddy Fox minded me and stayed in the house , " she muttered .

XXII Granny Fox Has a Terrible Scare

she was already very tired and hot from the long run to lead Bowser the Hound away from the Green Meadows .

presently she heard voices singing .

they seemed to be in the treetops over her head .

" happily we dance and play All the livelong sunny day !

happily we run and race And win or lose with smiling face ! "

granny Fox knew the voices , and she looked up .

just as she expected , she saw the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind playing among the leaves .

just then one of them looked down and saw her .

" there 's old Granny Fox !

just see how hot and tired she looks .

let's go down and cool her off ! " shouted the Merry Little Breeze .

in a flash they were all down out of the treetops and dancing around old Granny Fox , cooling her off .

of course , Granny Fox kept right on running .

she was too worried not to .

but the Merry Little Breezes kept right beside her , and it was not nearly as hard running now as it had been .

" have you seen Farmer Brown 's boy ? " panted Granny Fox .

" oh , yes !

we saw him just a little while ago over near your house , Granny Fox .

but old Granny Fox didn't laugh oh , my , no , indeed !

her heart went lower still , and she did her best to run faster .

her eyes popped almost out of her head .

there was Farmer Brown 's boy standing right in front of the door of her home .

and while she was watching , what should Reddy Fox do but stick his head out the door .

then she waited for the bang of the gun .

it didn't come .

then Granny peeped through her fingers .

Farmer Brown 's boy was still there , but Reddy Fox had disappeared inside the house .

granny Fox sighed in relief .

it had been a terrible scare , the worst she could remember .

XXIV .

granny and Reddy Have To Move

" I don't want to move , " whined Reddy Fox .

" I 'm too sore to walk . "

old Granny Fox gave him a shove .

" you go along and do as I say ! " she snapped .

" if you had minded me , we wouldn't have to move .

it 's all your own fault .

the wonder is that you weren't killed when you poked your head out right in front of Farmer Brown 's boy .

now that he knows where we live , he will give us no peace .

move along lively now !

this is the best home I have ever had , and now I 've got to leave it .

oh dear !

oh dear ! "

Reddy Fox hobbled along up the long hall and out the front door .

he was walking on three legs , and at every step he made a face because , you know , it hurt so to walk .

granny sighed and wiped away a tear , as she said good-by to her old home .

Reddy Fox was thinking too much of his own troubles to notice how badly Granny Fox was feeling .

every few steps he had to sit down and rest because it hurt him so to walk .

" I don't see the use of moving tonight , anyway .

it would be a lot easier and pleasanter when the sun is shining .

this night air makes me so stiff that I know I never will get over it , " grumbled Reddy Fox .

old Granny Fox listened to him for a while , and then she lost patience .

yes , Sir , Granny Fox lost patience .

she boxed Reddy Fox first on one ear and then on the other .

Reddy began to snivel .

" stop that ! " said Granny Fox sharply .

" do you want all the neighbors to know that we have got to move ?

they 'll find it out soon enough .

now come along without any more fuss .

if you don't , I 'll just go off and leave you to shift for yourself .

then how will you get anything to eat ? "

Reddy Fox wiped his eyes on his coat sleeve and hobbled along as best he could .

granny Fox would run a little way ahead to see that the way was safe and then come back for Reddy .

poor Reddy .

he did his best not to complain , but it was such hard work .

and somehow Reddy Fox didn't believe that it was at all necessary .

" she 's getting old .

she 's getting old and timid and fussy , " muttered Reddy Fox , as he hobbled along behind her .

it seemed to Reddy as if they had walked miles and miles .

" here we are ! " said she .

" what !

are we going to live in that thing ? " cried Reddy .

" it isn't fit for any respectable fox to put his nose into . "

" it is where I was born ! " snapped old Granny Fox .

" if you want to keep out of harm 's way , don't go to putting on airs now .

" now don't let me hear another word from you , but get inside at once ! "

XXV .

Peter Rabbit Makes a Discovery

Peter Rabbit , who had been out all night and was just then on his way home , saw him .

Peter stopped and sat up to rub his eyes and look again .

he wasn't quite sure that he had seen aright the first time .

but he had .

there was Farmer Brown 's boy , sure enough , and at his heels trotted Bowser the Hound .

Peter Rabbit rubbed his eyes once more and wrinkled up his eyebrows .

Farmer Brown 's boy certainly had a gun over one shoulder and a spade over the other .

where could he be going down the Lone Little Path with a spade ?

Farmer Brown 's garden certainly was not in that direction .

Peter watched him out of sight and then he hurried down to the Green Meadows to tell Johnny Chuck what he had seen .

my , how Peter 's long legs did fly !

he was so excited that he had forgotten how sleepy he had felt a few minutes before .

they stopped when they saw Peter Rabbit .

" Peter Rabbit runs away From his shadder , so they say .

peter , Peter , what a sight !

tell us why this sudden fright , "

shouted Bobby Coon .

Peter Rabbit stopped short .

indeed , he stopped so short that he almost turned a somersault .

" say , " he panted , " I 've just seen Farmer Brown 's boy . "

" you don't say so ! " said Jimmy Skunk , pretending to be very much surprised .

" you don't say so !

why , now I think of it , I believe I 've seen Farmer Brown 's boy a few times myself . "

" you know there isn't any garden down that way , " he concluded .

Bobby Coon 's face wore a sober look .

yes , Sir , all the fun was gone from Bobby Coon 's face .

" what 's the matter ? " asked Jimmy Skunk .

Jimmy Skunk hitched up his trousers and started toward the Lone Little Path .

" come on ! " said he .

" let's follow him and see what he is about . "

Bobby Coon followed at once , but Peter Rabbit said he would hurry over and get Johnny Chuck and then join the others .

of course , he didn't know that they had moved .

" oh ! " cried Peter Rabbit , " he 's digging into the house of Reddy Fox , and he 'll catch poor Reddy ! "

XXVI .

Farmer Brown 's Boy Works for Nothing

it was cool and beautiful there on the edge of the Green Meadows .

jolly , round , red Mr Sun had just begun his long climb up in the blue , blue sky .

Mr Redwing was singing for joy over in the bulrushes on the edge of the Smiling Pool .

yes , it was very beautiful , very beautiful indeed .

it didn't seem as if harm could come to anyone on such a beautiful morning .

but there was Farmer Brown 's boy .

his freckled face looked good-natured .

it didn't seem as if he could mean harm to anyone .

but there lay the gun , and he was working as if he meant to get to the very bottom of Reddy Fox 's home !

deeper and deeper grew the hole , and bigger and bigger grew the pile of sand which he threw out .

he didn't know that anyone was watching him , except Bowser the Hound .

he didn't see Jimmy Skunk or Unc ' Billy Possum or Happy Jack Squirrel or Digger the Badger .

he didn't see one of them , but they saw him .

only Ol ' Mistah Buzzard knew better .

from way up high in the blue , blue sky he could look down and see many things .

he could see all the little meadow and forest people who were watching Farmer Brown 's boy .

the harder Farmer Brown 's boy worked , the more Ol ' Mistah Buzzard chuckled to himself .

what was he laughing at ?

so Ol ' Mistah Buzzard knew Reddy Fox was safe .

oh dear , I don't want him killed , " moaned Peter Rabbit .

" perhaps he isn't home , " said Jimmy Skunk .

" hello , what 's the matter now ? "

everybody looked .

Farmer Brown 's boy had climbed out of the hole .

he looked tired and cross .

he rested for a few minutes , and as he rested , he scowled .

then he began to shovel the sand back into the hole .

he had reached the bottom and found no one there .

" hurrah ! " shouted Peter Rabbit and struck his heels together as he jumped up in the air .

and the others were just as glad as Peter Rabbit .

Johnny knew just how Reddy must feel , for he had had many narrow escapes in his short life .

you can read all about them in the next book , The Adventures of Johnny Chuck .

End of Project Gutenberg 's The Adventures of Reddy Fox , by Thornton W Burgess

produced by An Anonymous Volunteer

THE SECOND JUNGLE BOOK

by Rudyard Kipling

CONTENTS

HOW FEAR CAME

and that will be no pleasant sight , " said Baloo .

but , one year , Baloo 's words came true , and Mowgli saw all the Jungle working under the Law .

now everybody knows that Ikki is ridiculously fastidious in his choice of food , and will eat nothing but the very best and ripest .

so Mowgli laughed and said , " what is that to me ? "

" not much NOW , " said Ikki , rattling his quills in a stiff , uncomfortable way , " but later we shall see .

is there any more diving into the deep rock-pool below the Bee-Rocks , Little Brother ? "

" no .

" that is thy loss .

a small crack might let in some wisdom . "

Ikki ducked quickly to prevent Mowgli from pulling his nose-bristles , and Mowgli told Baloo what Ikki had said .

and yet hunting among strangers ends in fighting ; and they might hurt the Man-cub .

we must wait and see how the mohwa blooms . "

that spring the mohwa tree , that Baloo was so fond of , never flowered .

he hunted , too , for deep-boring grubs under the bark of the trees , and robbed the wasps of their new broods .

but the want of water was the worst , for though the Jungle People drink seldom they must drink deep .

by the Law of the Jungle it is death to kill at the drinking-places when once the Water Truce has been declared .

the reason of this is that drinking comes before eating .

the deer and the pig had tramped all day in search of something better than dried bark and withered leaves .

the buffaloes had found no wallows to be cool in , and no green crops to steal .

the snakes had left the Jungle and come down to the river in the hope of finding a stray frog .

they curled round wet stones , and never offered to strike when the nose of a rooting pig dislodged them .

the river-turtles had long ago been killed by Bagheera , cleverest of hunters , and the fish had buried themselves deep in the dry mud .

it was here that Mowgli came nightly for the cool and the companionship .

is thy stomach full , Man-cub ? "

" there is stuff in my stomach , but I get no good of it .

think you , Bagheera , the Rains have forgotten us and will never come again ? "

" not I !

we shall see the mohwa in blossom yet , and the little fawns all fat with new grass .

come down to the Peace Rock and hear the news .

on my back , Little Brother . "

" this is no time to carry weight .

I can still stand alone , but indeed we be no fatted bullocks , we two . "

Bagheera looked along his ragged , dusty flank and whispered .

" last night I killed a bullock under the yoke .

so low was I brought that I think I should not have dared to spring if he had been loose .

WOU ! "

Mowgli laughed .

" yes , we be great hunters now , " said he .

" the water cannot live long , " said Baloo , joining them .

" look across .

Yonder are trails like the roads of Man . "

on the level plain of the farther bank the stiff jungle-grass had died standing , and , dying , had mummied .

you could hear the does and fawns coughing in the snuff-like dust .

the quick-spread ears of the deer caught the last sentence , and a frightened whisper ran along the ranks .

" the Truce !

remember the Truce ! "

" peace there , peace ! " gurgled Hathi , the wild elephant .

" the Truce holds , Bagheera .

this is no time to talk of hunting . "

" who should know better than I ? "

Bagheera answered , rolling his yellow eyes up-stream .

" I am an eater of turtles a fisher of frogs .

Ngaayah !

would I could get good from chewing branches ! "

" well spoken , little bud-horn , " Bagheera purred .

gradually the talking spread up and down the drinking-places .

" the men-folk , too , they die beside their ploughs , " said a young sambhur .

" I passed three between sunset and night .

they lay still , and their Bullocks with them .

we also shall lie still in a little . "

" the river has fallen since last night , " said Baloo .

" O Hathi , hast thou ever seen the like of this drought ? "

" it will pass , it will pass , " said Hathi , squirting water along his back and sides .

" we have one here that cannot endure long , " said Baloo ; and he looked toward the boy he loved .

" I ? " said Mowgli indignantly , sitting up in the water .

" I have no long fur to cover my bones , but but if THY hide were taken off , Baloo "

Hathi shook all over at the idea , and Baloo said severely :

" Man-cub , that is not seemly to tell a Teacher of the Law .

never have I been seen without my hide . "

" worse and worse , " said the Black Panther , as the boy rose spluttering .

" first Baloo is to be skinned , and now he is a cocoanut .

be careful that he does not do what the ripe cocoanuts do . "

" break thy head , " said Bagheera quietly , pulling him under again .

" not good !

what would ye have ?

this was Shere Khan , the Lame Tiger , limping down to the water .

look at me , Man-cub ! "

Mowgli looked stared , rather as insolently as he knew how , and in a minute Shere Khan turned away uneasily .

next season I shall have to beg his leave for a drink .

Augrh ! "

" that may come , too , " said Bagheera , looking him steadily between the eyes .

" that may come , too Faugh , Shere Khan ! what new shame hast thou brought here ? "

the Lame Tiger had dipped his chin and jowl in the water , and dark , oily streaks were floating from it down-stream .

" man ! " said Shere Khan coolly , " I killed an hour since . "

he went on purring and growling to himself .

the line of beasts shook and wavered to and fro , and a whisper went up that grew to a cry .

" Man !

man !

he has killed Man ! "

then all looked towards Hathi , the wild elephant , but he seemed not to hear .

Hathi never does anything till the time comes , and that is one of the reasons why he lives so long .

" at such a season as this to kill Man !

" I killed for choice not for food . "

the horrified whisper began again , and Hathi 's watchful little white eye cocked itself in Shere Khan 's direction .

" for choice , " Shere Khan drawled .

" now come I to drink and make me clean again .

is there any to forbid ? "

Bagheera 's back began to curve like a bamboo in a high wind , but Hathi lifted up his trunk and spoke quietly .

" Thy kill was from choice ? " he asked ; and when Hathi asks a question it is best to answer .

" even so .

it was my right and my Night .

thou knowest , O Hathi . "

Shere Khan spoke almost courteously .

" yes , I know , " Hathi answered ; and , after a little silence , " Hast thou drunk thy fill ? "

" for to-night , yes . "

" go , then .

the river is to drink , and not to defile .

none but the Lame Tiger would so have boasted of his right at this season when when we suffer together Man and Jungle People alike .

Clean or unclean , get to thy lair , Shere Khan ! "

the last words rang out like silver trumpets , and Hathi 's three sons rolled forward half a pace , though there was no need .

" what is this right Shere Khan speaks of ? "

Mowgli whispered in Bagheera 's ear .

" to kill Man is always , shameful .

the Law says so .

and yet Hathi says "

" ask him .

I do not know , Little Brother .

right or no right , if Hathi had not spoken I would have taught that lame butcher his lesson .

to come to the Peace Rock fresh from a kill of Man and to boast of it is a jackal 's trick .

besides , he tainted the good water . "

" it is an old tale , " said Hathi ; " a tale older than the Jungle .

keep silence along the banks and I will tell that tale . "

lean and wrinkled and yellow-tusked though he was , he looked what the Jungle knew him to be their master .

" this tale touches thee , Little Brother , " said Bagheera to Mowgli .

" I ?

I am of the Pack a hunter of the Free People , " Mowgli answered .

" what have I to do with Man ? "

" and ye do not know why ye fear Man ? "

Hathi went on .

" this is the reason .

" I am glad I was not born in those days , " said Bagheera .

" Bark is only good to sharpen claws . "

" and the Lord of the Jungle was Tha , the First of the Elephants .

that was the manner in which the Jungle was made by Tha ; and so the tale was told to me . "

" it has not lost fat in the telling , " Bagheera whispered , and Mowgli laughed behind his hand .

but presently they began to dispute over their food , though there was grazing enough for all .

they were lazy .

each wished to eat where he lay , as sometimes we can do now when the spring rains are good .

Tha , the First of the Elephants , was busy making new jungles and leading the rivers in their beds .

in those days the First of the Tigers ate fruit and grass with the others .

he was as large as I am , and he was very beautiful , in colour all over like the blossom of the yellow creeper .

there was never stripe nor bar upon his hide in those good days when this the Jungle was new .

all the Jungle People came before him without fear , and his word was the Law of all the Jungle .

we were then , remember ye , one people .

we ran to and fro in circles , capering and crying out and shaking our heads .

then up leaped the Gray Ape who lives in the branches , and said , ' I will now be master of the Jungle . ' "

at this Tha laughed , and said , " So be it , " and went away very angry .

" children , ye know the Gray Ape .

he was then as he is now .

and so there was no Law in the Jungle only foolish talk and senseless words .

now it is time there was a Law , and a Law that ye must not break .

then we of the jungle said , ' What is Fear ? '

and Tha said , ' Seek till ye find . '

so we went up and down the Jungle seeking for Fear , and presently the buffaloes "

" Ugh ! " said Mysa , the leader of the buffaloes , from their sand-bank .

" yes , Mysa , it was the buffaloes .

' I will go to this Thing and break his neck . '

wherever they touched him there was a mark and a stripe upon his yellow hide .

AND THOSE STRIPES DO THIS CHILDREN WEAR TO THIS DAY !

Mowgli chuckled quietly here , his chin in the water .

" so loud did he howl that Tha heard him and said , ' What is the sorrow ? '

' And why ? ' said Tha .

' Because I am smeared with the mud of the marshes , ' said the First of the Tigers .

then the First of the Tigers said : ' What have I done that this comes to me ? '

the First of the Tigers said , ' They will never fear me , for I knew them since the beginning . '

Tha said , ' Go and see . '

do not forget me , O Tha !

let my children remember that I was once without shame or fear ! '

and Tha said : ' This much I will do , because thou and I together saw the Jungle made .

for one night in each year it shall be as it was before the buck was killed for thee and for thy children .

show him mercy in that night of his fear , for thou hast known what Fear is . '

for a year he lived in the marshes waiting till Tha should keep his promise .

the First of the Tigers licked his lips and said : ' What matter ?

I have killed Fear . '

and Tha said : ' O blind and foolish !

thou hast untied the feet of Death , and he will follow thy trail till thou diest .

thou hast taught Man to kill ! '

" the First of the Tigers , standing stiffly to his kill , said .

' He is as the buck was .

there is no Fear .

now I will judge the Jungle Peoples once more . '

" and Tha said : ' Never again shall the Jungle Peoples come to thee .

they shall never cross thy trail , nor sleep near thee , nor follow after thee , nor browse by thy lair .

only Fear shall follow thee , and with a blow that thou canst not see he shall bid thee wait his pleasure .

thou hast shown him no mercy , and none will he show thee . '

he will not take away my Night ? '

and Tha said : ' The one Night is thine , as I have said , but there is a price to pay .

thou hast taught Man to kill , and he is no slow learner . '

" the First of the Tigers said : ' He is here under my foot , and his back is broken .

let the Jungle know I have killed Fear . '

where he finds him , there he kills him , remembering how the First of the Tigers was made ashamed .

for the rest , Fear walks up and down the Jungle by day and by night . "

" Ahi !

Aoo ! " said the deer , thinking of what it all meant to them .

" for one night only does Man fear the Tiger ? " said Mowgli .

" for one night only , " said Hathi .

" but I but we but all the Jungle knows that Shere Khan kills Man twice and thrice in a moon . "

" even so .

THEN he springs from behind and turns his head aside as he strikes , for he is full of fear .

if Man looked at him he would run .

but on his one Night he goes openly down to the village .

one kill in that Night . "

" oh ! " said Mowgli to himself , rolling over in the water .

" NOW I see why it was Shere Khan bade me look at him !

but then I am not a man , being of the Free People . "

" umm ! " said Bagheera deep in his furry throat .

" does the Tiger know his Night ? "

" never till the Jackal of the Moon stands clear of the evening mist .

sometimes it falls in the dry summer and sometimes in the wet rains this one Night of the Tiger .

but for the First of the Tigers , this would never have been , nor would any of us have known fear . "

the deer grunted sorrowfully and Bagheera 's lips curled in a wicked smile .

" do men know this tale ? " said he .

" none know it except the tigers , and we , the elephants the children of Tha .

now ye by the pools have heard it , and I have spoken . "

Hathi dipped his trunk into the water as a sign that he did not wish to talk .

he did but break the buck 's neck .

he did not EAT .

what led him to the hot meat ? "

" the trees and the creepers marked him , Little Brother , and made him the striped thing that we see .

" then THOU knowest the tale .

Heh ?

why have I never heard ? "

" because the Jungle is full of such tales .

if I made a beginning there would never be an end to them .

let go my ear , Little Brother . "

THE LAW OF THE JUNGLE

there are , of course , hundreds and hundreds more , but these will do for specimens of the simpler rulings .

the Kill of the Pack is the meat of the Pack .

ye must eat where it lies ; And no one may carry away of that meat to his lair , or he dies .

the Kill of the Wolf is the meat of the Wolf .

he may do what he will , But , till he has given permission , the Pack may not eat of that Kill .

Cub-Right is the right of the Yearling .

from all of his Pack he may claim Full-gorge when the killer has eaten ; and none may refuse him the same .

Lair-Right is the right of the Mother .

from all of her year she may claim One haunch of each kill for her litter , and none may deny her the same .

Cave-Right is the right of the Father to hunt by himself for his own .

he is freed of all calls to the Pack ; he is judged by the Council alone .

THE MIRACLE OF PURUN BHAGAT

mourn now , we saved him for the sake Of such poor love as wild ones may .

mourn ye !

our brother will not wake , And his own kind drive us away !

Dirge of the Langurs .

there was once a man in India who was Prime Minister of one of the semi-independent native States in the north-western part of the country .

at the same time a native official must keep his own master 's favour .

that is to say , he held more real power than his master the Maharajah .

now he would let those things go , as a man drops the cloak he no longer needs .

Purun Dass nodded .

he had never in his life tasted meat , and very seldom eaten even fish .

it was all one to Purun Dass or Purun Bhagat , as he called himself now .

earth , people , and food were all one .

Purun Bhagat saw an eagle swoop across the gigantic hollow , but the great bird dwindled to a dot ere it was half-way over .

and " here shall I find peace , " said Purun Bhagat .

never have I seen such a man .

he is of the Plains but pale-coloured a Brahmin of the Brahmins . "

was he going to stay ? asked the priest .

would he need a chela a disciple to beg for him ?

had he a blanket against the cold weather ?

was the food good ?

Purun Bhagat ate , and thanked the giver .

it was in his mind to stay .

that was sufficient , said the priest .

that day saw the end of Purun Bhagat 's wanderings .

he had come to the place appointed for him the silence and the space .

every morning the filled begging-bowl was laid silently in the crutch of the roots outside the shrine .

" speak for me before the gods , Bhagat .

speak for such a one , the wife of so-and-so ! "

it was laid out like a map at his feet .

after the monkeys came the barasingh , that big deer which is like our red deer , but stronger .

but Purun Bhagat never moved , and , little by little , the royal stag edged up and nuzzled his shoulder .

Purun Bhagat called them all " my brothers , " and his low call of " Bhai !

Bhai ! " would draw them from the forest at noon if they were within ear shot .

yet nothing was farther from his mind than miracles .

he believed that all things were one big Miracle , and when a man knows that much he knows something to go upon .

there were few changes in the village .

then came such summer rains as had not been known in the Hills for many seasons .

through three good months the valley was wrapped in cloud and soaking mist steady , unrelenting downfall , breaking off into thunder-shower after thunder-shower .

the monkey caught his hand and pulled hard .

" is it food , then ? " said Purun Bhagat .

" wait awhile , and I will prepare some . "

" what is it ?

what is thy trouble , Brother ? " said Purun Bhagat , for the langur's eyes were full of things that he could not tell .

" unless one of thy caste be in a trap and none set traps here I will not go into that weather .

look , Brother , even the barasingh comes for shelter ! "

the deer 's antlers clashed as he strode into the shrine , clashed against the grinning statue of Kali .

he lowered them in Purun Bhagat 's direction and stamped uneasily , hissing through his half-shut nostrils .

" Hai !

Hai !

Hai ! " said the Bhagat , snapping his fingers , " is THIS payment for a night 's lodging ? "

" now I see , " said Purun Bhagat .

" no blame to my brothers that they did not sit by the fire to-night .

the mountain is falling .

and yet why should I go ? "

his eye fell on the empty begging-bowl , and his face changed .

indeed , I must go and warn them below .

back there , Brother !

let me get to the fire . "

the barasingh backed unwillingly as Purun Bhagat drove a pine torch deep into the flame , twirling it till it was well lit .

" ah ! ye came to warn me , " he said , rising .

" better than that we shall do ; better than that .

Out , now , and lend me thy neck , Brother , for I have but two feet . "

as soon as they were clear of the forest more of the Bhagat 's brothers joined them .

he heard , though he could not see , the langurs pressing about him , and behind them the uhh ! uhh ! of Sona .

" the hill falls !

the hill is falling !

Up and out , oh , you within ! "

" it is our Bhagat , " said the blacksmith 's wife .

" he stands among his beasts .

gather the little ones and give the call . "

" across the valley and up the next hill ! " shouted Purun Bhagat .

" leave none behind !

we follow ! "

at last the deer stopped in the shadow of a deep pinewood , five hundred feet up the hillside .

his instinct , that had warned him of the coming slide , told him he would he safe here .

stay till I go ! "

that told its own tale .

never a villager not even the priest was bold enough to speak to the Bhagat who had saved their lives .

they crouched under the pines and waited till the day .

of the village , of the road to the shrine , of the shrine itself , and the forest behind , there was no trace .

for one mile in width and two thousand feet in sheer depth the mountain-side had come away bodily , planed clean from head to heel .

and the villagers , one by one , crept through the wood to pray before their Bhagat .

the priest said : " behold a miracle after a miracle , for in this very attitude must all Sunnyasis be buried !

therefore where he now is we will build the temple to our holy man . "

a SONG OF KABIR

oh , light was the world that he weighed in his hands !

oh , heavy the tale of his fiefs and his lands !

he has gone from the guddee and put on the shroud , And departed in guise of bairagi avowed !

to learn and discern of his brother the clod , Of his brother the brute , and his brother the God .

he has gone from the council and put on the shroud ( " Can ye hear ? " saith Kabir ) , a bairagi avowed !

LETTING IN THE JUNGLE

but it is not easy to change one 's life all in a minute particularly in the Jungle .

" but for Akela and Gray Brother here , " Mowgli said , at the end , " I could have done nothing .

" I am glad I did not see that last , " said Mother Wolf stiffly .

" it is not MY custom to suffer my cubs to be driven to and fro like jackals .

I would have taken a price from the Man-Pack ; but I would have spared the woman who gave thee the milk .

yes , I would have spared her alone . "

" peace , peace , Raksha ! " said Father Wolf , lazily .

leave Men alone . "

Baloo and Bagheera both echoed : " leave Men alone . "

" we be FIVE , " said Gray Brother , looking round at the company , and snapping his jaws on the last word .

" we also might attend to that hunting , " said Bagheera , with a little switch-switch of his tail , looking at Baloo .

" but why think of men now , Akela ? "

said Mang , " the village of the Man-Pack , where they cast out the Man-cub , hums like a hornet 's nest . "

" I asked of Mang what he had seen .

he said that the Red Flower blossomed at the gate of the village , and men sat about it carrying guns .

presently , Little Brother , a man with a gun follows our trail if , indeed , he be not already on it . "

" but why should he ?

men have cast me out .

what more do they need ? " said Mowgli angrily .

" thou art a man , Little Brother , " Akela returned .

" it is not for US , the Free Hunters , to tell thee what thy brethren do , or why . "

he had just time to snatch up his paw as the skinning-knife cut deep into the ground below .

" Phff !

I could have killed a buck while thou wast striking . "

Mowgli looked on enviously .

" man ! "

Akela growled , dropping on his haunches .

" Buldeo ! " said Mowgli , sitting down .

" he follows our trail , and yonder is the sunlight on his gun .

look ! "

then a piece of mica , or a little pool , or even a highly-polished leaf will flash like a heliograph .

but that day was cloudless and still .

" I knew men would follow , " said Akela triumphantly .

" not for nothing have I led the Pack . "

" where go ye , and without word ? "

Mowgli called .

" H'sh !

we roll his skull here before mid-day ! "

gray Brother answered .

" back !

Back and wait !

Man does not eat Man ! "

Mowgli shrieked .

" who was a wolf but now ?

" am I to give reason for all I choose to , do ? " said Mowgli furiously .

" that is Man !

there speaks Man ! "

Bagheera muttered under his whiskers .

" even so did men talk round the King 's cages at Oodeypore .

we of the Jungle know that Man is wisest of all .

if we trusted our ears we should know that of all things he is most foolish . "

raising his voice , he added , " the Man-cub is right in this .

men hunt in packs .

to kill one , unless we know what the others will do , is bad hunting .

come , let us see what this Man means toward us . "

" we will not come , " gray Brother growled .

" hunt alone , Little Brother .

WE know our own minds .

the skull would have been ready to bring by now . "

Mowgli had been looking from one to the other of his friends , his chest heaving and his eyes full of tears .

he strode forward to the wolves , and , dropping on one knee , said : " do I not know my mind ?

look at me ! "

" now , " said he , " of us five , which is leader ? "

" thou art leader , Little Brother , " said Gray Brother , and he licked Mowgli 's foot .

" follow , then , " said Mowgli , and the four followed at his heels with their tails between their legs .

" this comes of living with the Man-Pack , " said Bagheera , slipping down after them .

" there is more in the Jungle now than Jungle Law , Baloo . "

the old bear said nothing , but he thought many things .

presently Buldeo came to where Akela , as you know , had gone back and mixed it all up .

The other end is bounded by the high squeak of Mang , the Bat , which very many people cannot catch at all .

from that note all the bird and bat and insect talk takes on .

" this is better than any kill , " said Gray Brother , as Buldeo stooped and peered and puffed .

" he looks like a lost pig in the Jungles by the river .

what does he say ? "

Buldeo was muttering savagely .

Mowgli translated .

" he says that packs of wolves must have danced round me .

he says that he never saw such a trail in his life .

he says he is tired . "

" NOW , what does the lean thing do ? "

" eat or blow smoke out of his mouth .

" when ? " said the charcoal-burners , because they would very much like to be present at the ceremony .

Buldeo said that nothing would be done till he returned , because the village wished him to kill the Jungle Boy first .

after that they would dispose of Messua and her husband , and divide their lands and buffaloes among the village .

Messua 's husband had some remarkably fine buffaloes , too .

but , said the charcoal-burners , what would happen if the English heard of it ?

the English , they had heard , were a perfectly mad people , who would not let honest farmers kill witches in peace .

why , said Buldeo , the head-man of the village would report that Messua and her husband had died of snake-bite .

THAT was all arranged , and the only thing now was to kill the Wolf-child .

they did not happen to have seen anything of such a creature ?

the sun was getting rather low , and they had an idea that they would push on to Buldeo 's village and see that wicked witch .

the Brahmin , he said , had given him a charm against the creature that made everything perfectly safe .

" what says he ?

what says he ?

" does Man trap Man ? " said Bagheera .

" so he says .

I cannot understand the talk .

they are all mad together .

I must look to this .

whatever they would do to Messua they will not do till Buldeo returns .

" I go hot-foot back to the Man-Pack , " Mowgli said at last .

" and those ? " said Gray Brother , looking hungrily after the brown backs of the charcoal-burners .

can ye hold them ? "

gray Brother bared his white teeth in contempt .

" we can head them round and round in circles like tethered goats if I know Man . "

" that I do not need .

go with them , Bagheera , and help make that song .

when night is shut down , meet me by the village Gray Brother knows the place . "

" it is no light hunting to work for a Man-cub .

when shall I sleep ? " said Bagheera , yawning , though his eyes showed that he was delighted with the amusement .

" me to sing to naked men !

but let us try . "

then Gray Brother gave the Ya-la-hi !

Ho !

get to lair !

the sun 's aflare Behind the breathing grass : and cracking through the young bamboo The warning whispers pass .

later on , he promised himself , he would pay his debts to the village at large .

" men must always be making traps for men , or they are not content , " said Mowgli .

" last night it was Mowgli but that night seems many Rains ago .

To-night it is Messua and her man .

To-morrow , and for very many nights after , it will be Mowgli 's turn again . "

he crept along outside the wall till he came to Messua 's hut , and looked through the window into the room .

Mowgli knew the manners and customs of the villagers very fairly .

her husband was only bewildered and angry , and sat picking dust and things out of his torn beard .

" I knew I knew he would come , " Messua sobbed at last .

" now do I KNOW that he is my son ! " and she hugged Mowgli to her heart .

up to that time Mowgli had been perfectly steady , but now he began to tremble all over , and that surprised him immensely .

" why are these thongs ?

why have they tied thee ? " he asked , after a pause .

" to be put to the death for making a son of thee what else ? " said the man sullenly .

" look !

I bleed . "

" whose work is this ? " said he .

" there is a price to pay . "

" the work of all the village .

I was too rich .

I had too many cattle .

THEREFORE she and I are witches , because we gave thee shelter . "

" I do not understand .

let Messua tell the tale . "

" I gave thee milk , Nathoo ; dost thou remember ? "

Messua said timidly .

" because thou wast my son , whom the tiger took , and because I loved thee very dearly .

they said that I was thy mother , the mother of a devil , and therefore worthy of death . "

" and what is a devil ? " said Mowgli .

" Death I have seen . "

the man looked up gloomily , but Messua laughed .

" See ! " she said to her husband , " I knew I said that he was no sorcerer .

he is my son my son ! "

" Son or sorcerer , what good will that do us ? " the man answered .

" we be as dead already . "

" Yonder is the road to the Jungle " Mowgli pointed through the window .

" your hands and feet are free .

go now . "

" we do not know the Jungle , my son , as as thou knowest , " Messua began .

" I do not think that I could walk far . "

" and the men and women would be upon our backs and drag us here again , " said the husband .

but I do not think they will stay thee .

in a little while they will have much else to think upon .

ah ! " he lifted his head and listened to shouting and trampling outside .

" so they have let Buldeo come home at last ? "

" he was sent out this morning to kill thee , " Messua cried .

" Didst thou meet him ? "

" yes we I met him .

he has a tale to tell and while he is telling it there is time to do much .

but first I will learn what they mean .

think where ye would go , and tell me when I come back . "

Buldeo was lying on the ground , coughing and groaning , and every one was asking him questions .

then he called for water .

" Bah ! " said Mowgli .

" chatter chatter !

talk , talk !

men are blood-brothers of the Bandar-log .

they are very wise people men .

they will leave no one to guard Messua till their ears are stuffed with Buldeo 's tales .

and I grow as lazy as they ! "

he shook himself and glided back to the hut .

just as he was at the window he felt a touch on his foot .

" mother , " said he , for he knew that tongue well , " what dost THOU here ? "

" I heard my children singing through the woods , and I followed the one I loved best .

" they have bound and mean to kill her .

I have cut those ties , and she goes with her man through the Jungle . "

" I also will follow .

I am old , but not yet toothless . "

mother Wolf reared herself up on end , and looked through the window into the dark of the hut .

wait here , but do not let her see . "

when his talk is finished , they say they will assuredly come here with the Red with fire and burn you both .

and then ? "

" I have spoken to my man , " said Messua .

" Khanhiwara is thirty miles from here , but at Khanhiwara we may find the English "

" and what Pack are they ? " said Mowgli .

" I do not know .

if we can get thither to-night , we live .

otherwise we die . "

" live , then .

no man passes the gates to-night .

but what does HE do ? "

Messua 's husband was on his hands and knees digging up the earth in one corner of the hut .

" it is his little money , " said Messua .

" we can take nothing else . "

" ah , yes .

the stuff that passes from hand to hand and never grows warmer .

do they need it outside this place also ? " said Mowgli .

the man stared angrily .

" he is a fool , and no devil , " he muttered .

" with the money I can buy a horse .

we are too bruised to walk far , and the village will follow us in an hour . "

" I say they will NOT follow till I choose ; but a horse is well thought of , for Messua is tired . "

her husband stood up and knotted the last of the rupees into his waist-cloth .

" ye know the trail to Khanhiwara ? "

Mowgli whispered .

they nodded .

" good .

remember , now , not to be afraid .

and there is no need to go quickly .

only only there may be some small singing in the Jungle behind you and before . "

" think you we would have risked a night in the Jungle through anything less than the fear of burning ?

it is better to be killed by beasts than by men , " said Messua 's husband ; but Messua looked at Mowgli and smiled .

neither man nor beast shall stay you till you come within eye-shot of Khanhiwara .

there will be a watch about you . "

he turned quickly to Messua , saying , " HE does not believe , but thou wilt believe ? "

" ay , surely , my son .

Man , ghost , or wolf of the Jungle , I believe . "

" HE will be afraid when he hears my people singing .

thou wilt know and understand .

go now , and slowly , for there is no need of any haste .

the gates are shut . "

Messua flung herself sobbing at Mowgli 's feet , but he lifted her very quickly with a shiver .

they shall pay me twice over for my crops untilled and my buffaloes unfed .

I will have a great justice . "

Mowgli laughed .

" I do not know what justice is , but come next Rains . and see what is left . "

they went off toward the Jungle , and Mother Wolf leaped from her place of hiding .

" follow ! " said Mowgli ; " and look to it that all the Jungle knows these two are safe .

give tongue a little .

I would call Bagheera . "

" go on , " Mowgli called cheerfully .

" I said there might be singing .

that call will follow up to Khanhiwara .

it is Favour of the Jungle . "

" I am ashamed of thy brethren , " he said , purring .

" what ?

did they not sing sweetly to Buldeo ? " said Mowgli .

" too well !

too well !

Didst thou not hear us ? "

" I had other game afoot .

ask Buldeo if he liked the song .

but where are the Four ?

I do not wish one of the Man-Pack to leave the gates to-night . "

" I can hold them , Little Brother .

is it killing at last ?

the singing and the sight of the men climbing up the trees have made me very ready .

who is Man that we should care for him the naked brown digger , the hairless and toothless , the eater of earth ?

I have followed him all day at noon in the white sunlight .

I herded him as the wolves herd buck .

I am Bagheera !

Bagheera !

Bagheera !

as I dance with my shadow , so danced I with those men .

look ! "

" I am Bagheera in the jungle in the night , and my strength is in me .

who shall stay my stroke ?

Man-cub , with one blow of my paw I could beat thy head flat as a dead frog in the summer ! "

" brother Brother Brother ! " the boy whispered , stroking steadily and lightly from the neck along the heaving back .

" be still , be still !

it is the fault of the night , and no fault of thine . "

" it was the smells of the night , " said Bagheera penitently .

" this air cries aloud to me .

but how dost THOU know ? "

" thou art of the Jungle and NOT of the Jungle , " he said at last .

" and I am only a black panther .

but I love thee , Little Brother . "

" they are very long at their talk under the tree , " Mowgli said , without noticing the last sentence .

" Buldeo must have told many tales .

they should come soon to drag the woman and her man out of the trap and put them into the Red Flower .

they will find that trap sprung .

Ho ! ho ! "

" Nay , listen , " said Bagheera .

" the fever is out of my blood now .

let them find ME there !

few would leave their houses after meeting me .

it is not the first time I have been in a cage ; and I do not think they will tie ME with cords . "

" Pah ! "

Bagheera grunted .

now I lie down . "

Mowgli heard the strings of the cot crack under the great brute 's weight .

" by the Broken Lock that freed me , they will think they have caught big game !

come and sit beside me , Little Brother ; we will give them ' good hunting ' together ! "

" no ; I have another thought in my stomach .

the Man-Pack shall not know what share I have in the sport .

make thine own hunt .

I do not wish to see them . "

" be it so , " said Bagheera .

" ah , now they come ! "

the conference under the peepul-tree had been growing noisier and noisier , at the far end of the village .

it broke in wild yells , and a rush up the street of men and women , waving clubs and bamboos and sickles and knives .

let us see if hot coins will make them confess !

burn the hut over their heads !

we will teach them to shelter wolf-devils !

Nay , beat them first !

torches !

more torches !

Buldeo , heat the gun-barrels ! "

here was some little difficulty with the catch of the door .

" they will not stir till day comes , " said Bagheera quietly .

" and now ? "

Bagheera was quite right ; the village would not stir till daylight .

Mowgli sat still , and thought , and his face grew darker and darker .

" what have I done ? " said Bagheera , at last coming to his feet , fawning .

" nothing but great good .

watch them now till the day .

I sleep . "

when he waked , Bagheera was at his side , and there was a newly-killed buck at his feet .

Bagheera watched curiously while Mowgli went to work with his skinning-knife , ate and drank , and turned over with his chin in his hands .

" the man and the woman are come safe within eye-shot of Khanhiwara , " Bagheera said .

" thy lair mother sent the word back by Chil , the Kite .

they found a horse before midnight of the night they were freed , and went very quickly .

is not that well ? "

" that is well , " said Mowgli .

" and thy Man-Pack in the village did not stir till the sun was high this morning .

then they ate their food and ran back quickly to their houses . "

" did they , by chance , see thee ? "

" it may have been .

I was rolling in the dust before the gate at dawn , and I may have made also some small song to myself .

now , Little Brother , there is nothing more to do .

come hunting with me and Baloo .

he has new hives that he wishes to show , and we all desire thee back again as of old .

take off that look which makes even me afraid !

the man and woman will not be put into the Red Flower , and all goes well in the Jungle .

is it not true ?

let us forget the Man-Pack . "

" they shall be forgotten in a little while .

where does Hathi feed to-night ? "

" where he chooses .

who can answer for the Silent One ?

but why ?

what is there Hathi can do which we cannot ? "

" bid him and his three sons come here to me . "

" that is all one .

I have a Master-word for him now .

" the Sack of the Fields of Bhurtpore , " Bagheera repeated two or three times to make sure .

" I go .

he went away , leaving Mowgli stabbing furiously with his skinning-knife into the earth .

" it WAS a Master-word , " Bagheera whispered in his ear .

" they were feeding by the river , and they obeyed as though they were bullocks .

look where they come now ! "

Hathi and his three sons had arrived , in their usual way , without a sound .

his three sons rolled side by side , behind their father .

Mowgli hardly lifted his head as Hathi gave him " good hunting . "

" I will tell a tale that was told to me by the hunter ye hunted to-day , " said Mowgli .

then came he , angry , by night to the fields of those hunters .

and I remember now that he had three sons .

these things happened many , many Rains ago , and very far away among the fields of Bhurtpore .

what came to those fields at the next reaping , Hathi ? "

" they were reaped by me and by my three sons , " said Hathi .

" and to the ploughing that follows the reaping ? " said Mowgli .

" there was no ploughing , " said Hathi .

" and to the men that live by the green crops on the ground ? " said Mowgli .

" they went away . "

" and to the huts in which the men slept ? " said Mowgli .

" we tore the roofs to pieces , and the Jungle swallowed up the walls , " said Hathi .

" and what more ? " said Mowgli .

" a man told me , and now I see even Buldeo can speak truth .

thou knowest the village of the Man-Pack that cast me out ?

when they are full-fed they would throw their own breed into the Red Flower .

this I have seen .

it is not well that they should live here any more .

I hate them ! "

" what good are white bones to me ? "

Mowgli answered angrily .

" am I the cub of a wolf to play in the sun with a raw head ?

now I will take that which I can see and touch .

let in the Jungle upon that village , Hathi ! "

Bagheera shivered , and cowered down .

now he saw why Mowgli had sent for Hathi .

no one but the long-lived elephant could plan and carry through such a war .

let in the Jungle , Hathi ! "

" are ye the only eaters of grass in the Jungle ?

drive in your peoples .

let the deer and the pig and the nilghai look to it .

ye need never show a hand's-breadth of hide till the fields are naked .

let in the Jungle , Hathi ! "

" there will be no killing ?

my tusks were red at the Sack of the Fields of Bhurtpore , and I would not wake that smell again . "

" nor I ..y I do not wish even their bones to lie on the clean earth .

let them go and find a fresh lair .

they cannot stay here .

I have seen and smelled the blood of the woman that gave me food the woman whom they would have killed but for me .

only the smell of the new grass on their door-steps can take away that smell .

it burns in my mouth .

let in the Jungle , Hathi ! "

" ah ! " said Hathi .

" so did the scar of the stake burn on my hide till we watched the villages die under in the spring growth .

now I see .

thy war shall be our war .

we will let in the jungle ! "

" by the Broken Lock that freed me ! " said the Black Panther at last .

" Art THOU the naked thing I spoke for in the Pack when all was young ?

master of the Jungle , when my strength goes , speak for me speak for Baloo speak for us all !

we are cubs before thee !

snapped twigs under foot !

fawns that have lost their doe ! "

then he swam round and round , ducking in and out of the bars of the moonlight like the frog , his namesake .

then they began to feed , and fed quietly for a week or so .

Hathi and his sons are like Kaa , the Rock Python .

they never hurry till they have to .

very many creatures broke back or ran away or lost interest , but very many were left to go forward .

at the end of another ten days or so the situation was this .

then the deer were coaxed no more .

the Eaters of Flesh were close behind them , and forced them forward and inward .

before the dawn broke the pressure on the outside of the circle gave way at one point .

the Eaters of Flesh had fallen back and left an open path to the south , and drove upon drove of buck fled along it .

others , who were bolder , lay up in the thickets to finish their meal next night .

but the work was practically done .

when the villagers looked in the morning they saw their crops were lost .

only Bagheera could have given those strokes , and only Bagheera would have thought of insolently dragging the last carcass to the open street .

when that last loss was discovered , it was the Brahmin 's turn to speak .

he had prayed to his own Gods without answer .

they wished to know whether his Gods the Old Gods were angry with them and what sacrifices should be offered .

he knew that when the Jungle moves only white men can hope to turn it aside .

there was no need to ask his meaning .

the wild gourd would grow where they had worshipped their God , and the sooner they saved themselves the better .

but it is hard to tear a village from its moorings .

the more they kept to their village , the bolder grew the wild things that gambolled and bellowed on the grazing-grounds by the Waingunga .

the unmarried men ran away first , and carried the news far and near that the village was doomed .

so their little commerce with the outside world shrunk as the trodden paths across the open grew fewer and fainter .

at last the nightly trumpetings of Hathi and his three sons ceased to trouble them ; for they had no more to be robbed of .

the crop on the ground and the seed in the ground had been taken .

the outlying fields were already losing their shape , and it was time to throw themselves on the charity of the English at Khanhiwara .

they heard , as the last burdened family filed through the gate , a crash of falling beams and thatch behind the walls .

they saw a shiny , snaky black trunk lifted for an instant , scattering sodden thatch .

it disappeared , and there was another crash , followed by a squeal .

Hathi had been plucking off the roofs of the huts as you pluck water-lilies , and a rebounding beam had pricked him .

" the Jungle will swallow these shells , " said a quiet voice in the wreckage .

" all in good time , " panted Hathi .

" oh , but my tusks were red at Bhurtpore ; To the outer wall , children !

with the head !

together !

now ! "

then they fled , houseless and foodless , down the valley , as their village , shredded and tossed and trampled , melted behind them .

MOWGLI'S SONG AGAINST PEOPLE

I will let loose against you the fleet-footed vines I will call in the Jungle to stamp out your lines !

the roofs shall fade before it , The house-beams shall fall , And the Karela , the bitter Karela , Shall cover it all !

I have untied against you the club-footed vines , I have sent in the Jungle to swamp out your lines .

the trees the trees are on you !

the house-beams shall fall , And the Karela , the bitter Karela , Shall cover you all !

THE UNDERTAKERS

Jungle Law

" respect the aged ! "

" it was a thick voice a muddy voice that would have made you shudder a voice like something soft breaking in two .

there was a quaver in it , a croak and a whine .

" respect the aged !

O Companions of the River respect the aged ! "

" O Brahmins of the River respect the aged and infirm ! "

little creeks ran into the river in the wet season , but now their dry mouths hung clear above water-line .

that was the Ghaut of the village of Mugger-Ghaut .

a lumbering Adjutant-crane brought up the rear , flying as though each slow stroke would be his last .

" respect the aged !

Brahmins of the River respect the aged ! "

then you saw what a ruffianly brute he really was .

his back view was immensely respectable , for he stood nearly six feet high , and looked rather like a very proper bald-headed parson .

" Ugh ! " he said , shaking himself dolefully as he landed .

" may the red mange destroy the dogs of this village !

can I eat mud ? "

he scratched himself under his left ear .

" quite true .

so , to make sure , I took care of that puppy while the dogs were busy elsewhere . "

" they were VERY busy , " said the Jackal .

" well , I must not go to the village hunting for scraps yet awhile .

and so there truly was a blind puppy in that shoe ? "

" it is here , " said the Adjutant , squinting over his beak at his full pouch .

" a small thing , but acceptable now that charity is dead in the world . "

" Ahai !

the world is iron in these days , " wailed the Jackal .

" yes , the Envy of the River , " the Jackal repeated , raising his voice .

" even he , I doubt not , finds that since the bridge has been built good food is more scarce .

" when the Jackal owns he is gray , how black must the Jackal be ! " muttered the Adjutant .

he could not see what was coming .

" that his food never fails , and in consequence "

there was a soft grating sound , as though a boat had just touched in shoal water .

the Jackal spun round quickly and faced ( it is always best to face ) the creature he had been talking about .

" auspiciously met , Protector of the Poor ! " he fawned , backing at every word .

" a delectable voice was heard , and we came in the hopes of sweet conversation .

my tailless presumption , while waiting here , led me , indeed , to speak of thee .

it is my hope that nothing was overheard . "

" my child , I heard nothing , " said the Mugger , shutting one eye .

" the water was in my ears , and also I was faint with hunger .

since the railway bridge was built my people at my village have ceased to love me ; and that is breaking my heart . "

" ah , shame ! " said the Jackal .

" so noble a heart , too !

but men are all alike , to my mind . "

" Nay , there are very great differences indeed , " the Mugger answered gently .

" some are as lean as boat-poles .

others again are fat as young ja dogs .

never would I causelessly revile men .

they are of all fashions , but the long years have shown me that , one with another , they are very good .

men , women , and children I have no fault to find with them .

and remember , child , he who rebukes the World is rebuked by the World . "

" flattery is worse than an empty tin can in the belly .

but that which we have just heard is wisdom , " said the Adjutant , bringing down one foot .

" consider , though , their ingratitude to this excellent one , " began the Jackal tenderly .

" Nay , nay , not ingratitude ! " the Mugger said .

" they do not think for others ; that is all .

then the old Mugger will be honoured again . "

" but surely I saw Marigold wreaths floating off the edge of the Ghaut only this noon , " said the Adjutant .

marigold wreaths are a sign of reverence all India over .

" an error an error .

it was the wife of the sweetmeat-seller .

she loses her eyesight year by year , and cannot tell a log from me the Mugger of the Ghaut .

yet she meant well , and we must consider the spirit of the offering . "

" true , but they have not yet begun to make the rubbish-heap that shall carry ME .

five times have I seen the river draw back from the village and make new land at the foot of the street .

five times have I seen the village rebuilt on the banks , and I shall see it built yet five times more .

" I have watched long very long nearly all my life , and my reward has been bites and blows , " said the Jackal .

" Ho ! ho ! ho ! " roared the Adjutant .

there is one very unpleasant peculiarity about the Adjutant .

at the last word of his song he came to attention again , ten times adjutaunter than before .

the Adjutant was a most notorious coward , but the Jackal was worse .

I am well contented with Fate .

" once I heard that even the Protector of the Poor made a mistake , " said the Jackal viciously .

" true ; but there my Fate helped me .

yes , I was young and unthinking , and when the flood came , who so pleased as I ?

a little made me very happy then .

I remember also a pair of bracelets ( glass they were , and troubled me not a little ) that I found that evening .

yes , glass bracelets ; and , if my memory serves me well , a shoe .

I should have shaken off both shoes , but I was hungry .

I learned better later .

yes .

who but I ?

came out all my people , priests and women and children , and I looked upon them with benevolence .

the mud is not a good place to fight in .

said a boatman , ' Get axes and kill him , for he is the Mugger of the ford . '

' Not so , ' said the Brahmin .

' Look , he is driving the flood before him !

he is the godling of the village . '

then they threw many flowers at me , and by happy thought one led a goat across the road . "

" how good how very good is goat ! " said the Jackal .

" Hairy too hairy , and when found in the water more than likely to hide a cross-shaped hook .

but that goat I accepted , and went down to the Ghaut in great honour .

later , my Fate sent me the boatman who had desired to cut off my tail with an axe .

his boat grounded upon an old shoal which you would not remember . "

" we are not ALL jackals here , " said the Adjutant .

" there were two , " said the Mugger ; " an upper and a lower shoal . "

" ay , I forgot .

a channel divided them , and later dried up again , " said the Adjutant , who prided himself on his memory .

" on the lower shoal my well-wisher 's craft grounded .

his empty boat went on and touched again below the next reach , as the river ran then .

I followed , because I knew men would come out to drag it ashore . "

" and did they do so ? " said the Jackal , a little awe-stricken .

this was hunting on a scale that impressed him .

" there and lower down they did .

" ah , noble sport !

but what cleverness and great judgment it requires ! " said the Jackal .

" not cleverness , child , but only thought .

a little thought in life is like salt upon rice , as the boatmen say , and I have thought deeply always .

I say that is wisdom ; but , on the other hand , my cousin , the Gavial , lives among his people .

" all are very good eating , " said the Adjutant , clattering his beak .

MY people are otherwise .

their life is on the land , in the houses , among the cattle .

is there a green branch and an iron ring hanging over a doorway ?

the old Mugger knows that a boy has been born in that house , and must some day come down to the Ghaut to play .

is a maiden to be married ?

has the river changed its channel , and made new land where there was only sand before ?

the Mugger knows . "

" now , of what use is that knowledge ? " said the Jackal .

" the river has shifted even in my little life . "

" there is no knowledge so useful , " said the Mugger , " for new land means new quarrels .

the Mugger knows .

Oho ! the Mugger knows .

presently comes a farmer saying he will plant cucumbers here , and melons there , in the new land that the river has given him .

he feels the good mud with his bare toes .

anon comes another , saying he will put onions , and carrots , and sugar-cane in such and such places .

they meet as boats adrift meet , and each rolls his eye at the other under the big blue turban .

the old Mugger sees and hears .

each calls the other ' Brother , ' and they go to mark out the boundaries of the new land .

the Mugger hurries with them from point to point , shuffling very low through the mud .

now they begin to quarrel !

now they say hot words !

now they pull turbans !

when he comes back the dispute is settled , as the iron-bound bamboo of the loser witnesses .

yet they are not grateful to the Mugger .

no , they cry ' Murder ! ' and their families fight with sticks , twenty a-side .

my people are good people upland Jats Malwais of the Bet .

then come they down , my broad-shouldered Jats eight or nine together under the stars , bearing the dead man upon a bed .

they are old men with gray beards , and voices as deep as mine .

then says one , at last , ' The fight was a fair fight .

let us take blood-money , a little more than is offered by the slayer , and we will say no more about it . '

then do they haggle over the blood-money , for the dead was a strong man , leaving many sons .

aha ! my children , the Mugger knows the Mugger knows and my Malwah Jats are a good people ! "

" they are too close too narrow in the hand for my crop , " croaked the Adjutant .

" ah , I glean THEM , " said the Mugger .

those wore dainty seasons .

but to-day they keep their streets as clean as the outside of an egg , and my people fly away .

to be clean is one thing ; to dust , sweep , and sprinkle seven times a day wearies the very Gods themselves . "

" they are , then , as hard-hearted as these people ?

I might have known .

neither earth , sky , nor water shows charity to a jackal .

I saw the tents of a white-face last season , after the Rains , and I also took a new yellow bridle to eat .

the white-faces do not dress their leather in the proper way .

it made me very sick . "

" that was better than my case , " said the Adjutant .

the boats of the English are thrice as big as this village . "

" he has been as far as Delhi , and says all the people there walk on their heads , " muttered the Jackal .

the Mugger opened his left eye , and looked keenly at the Adjutant .

" it is true , " the big bird insisted .

" a liar only lies when he hopes to be believed .

no one who had not seen those boats COULD believe this truth . "

" THAT is more reasonable , " said the Mugger .

" and then ? "

much split off , and fell about on the shore , and the rest they swiftly put into a house with thick walls .

but a boatman , who laughed , took a piece no larger than a small dog , and threw it to me .

I all my people swallow without reflection , and that piece I swallowed as is our custom .

never have I felt such cold .

my village is not a small one . "

" is that anything less wonderful than a boat thrice the size of Mugger-Ghaut ? " said the bird , looking up .

" I saw that built , child .

after the first pier was made they never thought to look down the stream for the body to burn .

there , again , I saved much trouble .

there was nothing strange in the building of the bridge , " said the Mugger .

" but that which goes across , pulling the roofed carts !

that is strange , " the Adjutant repeated .

" it is , past any doubt , a new breed of bullock .

some day it will not be able to keep its foothold up yonder , and will fall as the men did .

the old Mugger will then be ready . "

the Jackal looked at the Adjutant and the Adjutant looked at the Jackal .

but the Mugger had only looked up at the thing from below , where the brass dome seemed rather like a bullock 's hump .

" and again it might be " began the Mugger pettishly .

" certainly most certainly , " said the Jackal , without waiting for the other to finish .

" what ? " said the Mugger angrily , for he could feel that the others knew more than he did .

" what might it be ?

I never finished my words .

you said it was a bullock . "

" it is anything the Protector of the Poor pleases .

I am HIS servant not the servant of the thing that crosses the river . "

" you do not know the English as I do , " said the Mugger .

is he there ?

bring me my gun . '

ME !

when the bridge was finished he went away .

all the English hunt in that fashion , except when they are hunted . "

" who hunts the white-faces ? " yapped the Jackal excitedly .

" no one now , but I have hunted them in my time . "

" I remember a little of that Hunting .

I was young then , " said the Adjutant , clattering his beak significantly .

" I was well established here .

" and what did they say ? " the Jackal asked .

" they said enough to make me , the Mugger of Mugger-Ghaut , leave water and take to my feet .

I crossed dusty roads ; I went through tall grass ; I climbed hills in the moonlight .

even rocks did I climb , children consider this well .

I crossed the tail of Sirhind , the waterless , before I could find the set of the little rivers that flow Gungaward .

I was a month 's journey from my own people and the river that I knew .

that was very marvellous ! "

" that which I could find COUSIN , " said the Mugger slowly , dragging each word .

if they had been alone he would not have cared , but the Adjutant 's eyes twinkled with mirth at the ugly jest .

" assuredly , Father , I might have known , " said the Jackal .

" the Protector of the Poor has claimed kinship .

how can I remember the precise degree ?

moreover , we eat the same food .

he has said it , " was the Jackal 's reply .

indeed , one of the worst terms of contempt along the River-bed is " eater of fresh meat . "

it is nearly as bad as calling a man a cannibal .

" that food was eaten thirty seasons ago , " said the Adjutant quietly .

" if we talk for thirty seasons more it will never come back .

tell us , now , what happened when the good waters were reached after thy most wonderful land journey .

if we listened to the howling of every jackal the business of the town would stop , as the saying is . "

the Mugger must have been grateful for the interruption , because he went on , with a rush :

" by the Right and Left of Gunga ! when I came there never did I see such waters ! "

" were they better , then , than the big flood of last season ? " said the Jackal .

" better !

I got my girth in that season my girth and my depth .

from Agra , by Etawah and the broad waters by Allahabad "

" oh , the eddy that set under the walls of the fort at Allahabad ! " said the Adjutant .

" they came in there like widgeon to the reeds , and round and round they swung thus ! "

he went off into his horrible dance again , while the Jackal looked on enviously .

he naturally could not remember the terrible year of the Mutiny they were talking about .

the Mugger continued :

to delight in ornaments is to end with a rope for a necklace , as the saying is .

all the muggers of all the rivers grew fat then , but it was my Fate to be fatter than them all .

" I know that place , " said the Adjutant .

" since those days Monghyr is a lost city .

very few live there now . "

" thereafter I worked up-stream very slowly and lazily , and a little above Monghyr there came down a boatful of white-faces alive !

they were , as I remember , women , lying under a cloth spread over sticks , and crying aloud .

there was never a gun fired at us , the watchers of the fords in those days .

all the guns were busy elsewhere .

we could hear them day and night inland , coming and going as the wind shifted .

I rose up full before the boat , because I had never seen white-faces alive , though I knew them well otherwise .

it is a pretty thing to see how a child loves running water .

I had fed that day , but there was yet a little unfilled space within me .

still , it was for sport and not for food that I rose at the child 's hands .

they must have passed between tooth and tooth those small white hands .

they cried out one after another in the boat , and presently I rose again to watch them .

the boat was too heavy to push over .

" once a woman gave me some dried skin from a fish , " said the Jackal .

" I had hoped to get her baby , but horse-food is better than the kick of a horse , as the saying is .

what did thy woman do ? "

" she fired at me with a short gun of a kind I have never seen before or since .

never did I see such a thing .

five times , as swiftly as I wave my tail thus ! "

one bullet had gone under a neck-plate of mine .

I know not if it is there still , for the reason I cannot turn my head .

look and see , child .

it will show that my tale is true . "

" I ? " said the Jackal .

" shall an eater of old shoes , a bone-cracker , presume , to doubt the word of the Envy of the River ?

may my tail be bitten off by blind puppies if the shadow of such a thought has crossed my humble mind !

that is sufficient , and I will tell the tale to all my children , asking for no proof . "

" Over-much civility is sometimes no better than over-much discourtesy , for , as the saying is , one can choke a guest with curds .

I do NOT desire that any children of thine should know that the Mugger of Mugger-Ghaut took his only wound from a woman .

they will have much else to think of if they get their meat as miserably as does their father . "

" it is forgotten long ago !

it was never said !

there never was a white woman !

there was no boat !

nothing whatever happened at all . "

the Jackal waved his brush to show how completely everything was wiped out of his memory , and sat down with an air .

( neither bore malice , however .

the river was empty for a while .

they came out of little creeks one after another , as the logs come down in the Rains .

" ah ! " said the Adjutant .

" boats like those come to Calcutta of the South .

they are tall and black , they beat up the water behind them with a tail , and they "

" are thrice as big as my village .

I came to my village again , but I did not hope to see any of my people there .

yet they were ploughing and sowing and reaping , and going to and fro in their fields , as quietly as their own cattle . "

" was there still good food in the river ? " said the Jackal .

" more than I had any desire for .

then my people said that it was best to say nothing at all , but to pay the tax and plough the land .

a little killing here and there is no bad thing but even the Mugger is sometimes satisfied , as the saying is . "

" Marvellous !

most truly marvellous ! " said the Jackal .

" I am become fat through merely hearing about so much good eating .

and afterward what , if it be permitted to ask , did the Protector of the Poor do ? "

" I said to myself and by the Right and Left of Gunga !

I locked my jaws on that vow I said I would never go roving any more .

" no one is all happy from his beak to his tail , " said the Adjutant sympathetically .

" what does the Mugger of Mugger-Ghaut need more ? "

" that little white child which I did not get , " said the Mugger , with a deep sigh .

" he was very small , but I have not forgotten .

I am old now , but before I die it is my desire to try one new thing .

he yawned , and closed his jaws .

" and now I will rest and think .

keep silent , my children , and respect the aged . "

" that was a pleasant and profitable life , " he grinned , looking up inquiringly at the bird who towered above him .

" and not once , mark you , did he think fit to tell me where a morsel might have been left along the banks .

yet I have told HIM a hundred times of good things wallowing down-stream .

how true is the saying , ' All the world forgets the Jackal and the Barber when the news has been told ! '

now he is going to sleep !

Arrh ! "

" how can a jackal hunt with a Mugger ? " said the Adjutant coolly .

" big thief and little thief ; it is easy to say who gets the pickings . "

" what now ? " said the Adjutant , opening his wings uneasily .

" wait till we see .

the wind blows from us to them , but they are not looking for us those two men . "

" Men , is it ?

my office protects me .

all India knows I am holy . "

the Adjutant , being a first-class scavenger , is allowed to go where he pleases , and so this one never flinched .

" I am not worth a blow from anything better than an old shoe , " said the Jackal , and listened again .

" hark to that footfall ! " he went on .

" that was no country leather , but the shod foot of a white-face .

listen again !

iron hits iron up there !

it is a gun !

Friend , those heavy-footed , foolish English are coming to speak with the Mugger . "

" warn him , then .

he was called Protector of the Poor by some one not unlike a starving Jackal but a little time ago . "

" let my cousin protect his own hide .

he has told me again and again there is nothing to fear from the white-faces .

they must be white-faces .

not a villager of Mugger-Ghaut would dare to come after him .

See , I said it was a gun !

now , with good luck , we shall feed before daylight .

he cannot hear well out of water , and this time it is not a woman ! "

a shiny barrel glittered for a minute in the moonlight on the girders .

a voice on the bridge whispered : " it 's an odd shot straight down almost but as safe as houses .

better try behind the neck .

golly ! what a brute !

the villagers will be wild if he 's shot , though .

he 's the deota godling of these parts . "

I 've been after him in a boat for weeks .

stand by with the Martini as soon as I 've given him both barrels of this . "

" mind the kick , then .

a double four-bore 's no joke . "

" that 's for him to decide .

here goes ! "

but the explosive bullets did the work .

he hardly moved his head before the life went out of him , and he lay as flat as the Jackal .

" thunder and lightning !

lightning and thunder ! " said that miserable little beast .

" has the thing that pulls the covered carts over the bridge tumbled at last ? "

" it is no more than a gun , " said the Adjutant , though his very tail-feathers quivered .

" nothing more than a gun .

he is certainly dead .

here come the white-faces . "

the two Englishmen had hurried down from the bridge and across to the sand-bar , where they stood admiring the length of the Mugger .

then a native with an axe cut off the big head , and four men dragged it across the spit .

I was a Mutiny baby , as they call it .

Poor mother was in the boat , too , and she often told me how she fired dad 's old pistol at the beast 's head . "

" Well , you 've certainly had your revenge on the chief of the clan even if the gun has made your nose bleed .

hi , you boatmen !

haul that head up the bank , and we 'll boil it for the skull .

the skin 's too knocked about to keep .

come along to bed now .

this was worth sitting up all night for , wasn't it ? "

curiously enough , the Jackal and the Adjutant made the very same remark not three minutes after the men had left .

a RIPPLE SONG

once a ripple came to land In the golden sunset burning Lapped against a maiden 's hand , By the ford returning .

Dainty foot and gentle breast Here , across , be glad and rest .

" maiden , wait , " the ripple saith .

" wait awhile , for I am Death ! "

Dainty foot and tender heart , Wait the loaded ferry-cart .

" Wait , ah , wait ! " the ripple saith ; " maiden , wait , for I am Death ! "

" when my lover calls I haste Dame Disdain was never wedded ! "

Ripple-ripple round her waist , Clear the current eddied .

foolish heart and faithful hand , Little feet that touched no land .

far away the ripple sped , Ripple ripple running red !

THE KING'S ANKUS

Jungle Saying .

Skin-changing always makes a snake moody and depressed till the new skin begins to shine and look beautiful .

Kaa had very courteously packed himself under Mowgli 's broad , bare shoulders , so that the boy was really resting in a living arm-chair .

" even to the scales of the eyes it is perfect , " said Mowgli , under his breath , playing with the old skin .

" Strange to see the covering of one's own head at one 's own feet ! "

does thy skin never feel old and harsh ? "

" I wash , and ALSO I take off my skin .

how looks the new coat ? "

Mowgli ran his hand down the diagonal checkerings of the immense back .

" the Turtle is harder-backed , but not so gay , " he said judgmatically .

" the Frog , my name-bearer , is more gay , but not so hard .

it is very beautiful to see like the mottling in the mouth of a lily . "

" it needs water .

a new skin never comes to full colour before the first bath .

let us go bathe . "

a man might just , as well have tried to heave up a two-foot water-main ; and Kaa lay still , puffing with quiet amusement .

" now ! now ! now ! " said Kaa , making feints with his head that even Mowgli 's quick hand could not turn aside .

" look !

I touch thee here , Little Brother !

here , and here !

are thy hands numb ?

here again ! "

the game always ended in one way with a straight , driving blow of the head that knocked the boy over and over .

Mowgli could never learn the guard for that lightning lunge , and , as Kaa said , there was not the least use in trying .

" good hunting ! "

Kaa grunted at last ; and Mowgli , as usual , was shot away half a dozen yards , gasping and laughing .

Kaa 's diamond-shaped head cut the pool like a razor , and came out to rest on Mowgli 's shoulder .

they lay still , soaking luxuriously in the cool water .

" it is VERY good , " said Mowgli at last , sleepily .

it is better in the Jungle . "

a hurrying cobra slipped down over a rock and drank , gave them " good hunting ! " and went away .

" Sssh ! " said Kaa , as though he had suddenly remembered something .

" so the Jungle gives thee all that thou hast ever desired , Little Brother ? "

now , I could kill with my own hands , asking no help of buffaloes .

but thus do we feel , all of us . "

" thou hast no other desire ? " the big snake demanded .

" what more can I wish ?

I have the Jungle , and the favour of the Jungle !

is there more anywhere between sunrise and sunset ? "

" now , the Cobra said " Kaa began .

" what cobra ?

he that went away just now said nothing .

he was hunting . "

" it was another . "

" Hast thou many dealings with the Poison People ?

I give them their own path .

they carry death in the fore-tooth , and that is not good for they are so small .

but what hood is this thou hast spoken with ? "

Kaa rolled slowly in the water like a steamer in a beam sea .

" three or four moons since , " said he , " I hunted in Cold Lairs , which place thou hast not forgotten .

" but the people of Cold Lairs do not live in burrows . "

Mowgli knew that Kaa was telling of the Monkey People .

" this thing was not living , but seeking to live , " Kaa replied , with a quiver of his tongue .

" he ran into a burrow that led very far .

I followed , and having killed , I slept .

when I waked I went forward . "

" under the earth ? "

" new game ?

was it good hunting ? "

Mowgli turned quickly on his side .

" we will look , " said Mowgli .

" I now remember that I was once a man . "

" slowly slowly .

it was haste killed the Yellow Snake that ate the sun .

we two spoke together under the earth , and I spoke of thee , naming thee as a man .

let him come , and he shall see all these things , for the least of which very many men would die . ' "

" that MUST be new game .

and yet the Poison People do not tell us when game is afoot .

they are an unfriendly folk . "

" it is NOT game .

it is it is I cannot say what it is . "

" we will go there .

I have never seen a White Hood , and I wish to see the other things .

did he kill them ? "

" they are all dead things .

he says he is the keeper of them all . "

" ah !

as a wolf stands above meat he has taken to his own lair .

let us go . "

Mowgli was not the least afraid of the Monkey People in those days , but the Monkey People had the liveliest horror of Mowgli .

their tribes , however , were raiding in the Jungle , and so Cold Lairs stood empty and silent in the moonlight .

Mowgli gave the snake-call , " we be of one blood , ye and I , " and followed on his hands and knees .

" a safe lair , " said Mowgli , rising to his firm feet , " but over-far to visit daily .

and now what do we see ? "

even the spectacle-marks of his spread hood had faded to faint yellow .

his eyes were as red as rubies , and altogether he was most wonderful .

" good hunting ! " said Mowgli , who carried his manners with his knife , and that never left him .

" what of the city ? " said the White Cobra , without answering the greeting .

I grow deaf here , and it is long since I heard their war-gongs . "

" the Jungle is above our heads , " said Mowgli .

" I know only Hathi and his sons among elephants .

Bagheera has slain all the horses in one village , and what is a King ? "

" the city the great city of the forest whose gates are guarded by the King 's towers can never pass .

Salomdhi , son of Chandrabija , son of Viyeja , son of Yegasuri , made it in the days of Bappa Rawal .

whose cattle are YE ? "

" it is a lost trail , " said Mowgli , turning to Kaa .

" I know not his talk . "

" nor I ..y he is very old .

father of Cobras , there is only the Jungle here , as it has been since the beginning . "

who is he with the knife and the snake 's tongue ? "

" Mowgli they call me , " was the answer .

" I am of the Jungle .

the wolves are my people , and Kaa here is my brother .

father of Cobras , who art thou ? "

" I am the Warden of the King 's Treasure .

then they let down the treasure through the stone , and I heard the song of the Brahmins my masters . "

" umm ! " said Mowgli to himself .

" I have dealt with one Brahmin already , in the Man-Pack , and I know what I know .

evil comes here in a little . "

" five times since I came here has the stone been lifted , but always to let down more , and never to take away .

there are no riches like these riches the treasures of a hundred kings .

but it is long and long since the stone was last moved , and I think that my city has forgotten . "

" there is no city .

look up .

yonder are roots of the great trees tearing the stones apart .

Trees and men do not grow together , " Kaa insisted .

little do men change in the years .

but I change never !

the city is dead , ye say , and here are the roots of the trees ?

stoop down , then , and take what ye will .

earth has no treasure like to these .

" again the trail is lost , " said Mowgli coolly .

" can any jackal have burrowed so deep and bitten this great White Hood ?

he is surely mad .

father of Cobras , I see nothing here to take away . "

" by the Gods of the Sun and Moon , it is the madness of death upon the boy ! " hissed the Cobra .

" before thine eyes close I will allow thee this favour .

look thou , and see what man has never seen before ! "

I will look , if that please thee . "

he stared with puckered-up eyes round the vault , and then lifted up from the floor a handful of something that glittered .

he let the gold pieces fall , and move forward .

the White Cobra was right .

but Mowgli naturally did not understand what these things meant .

the knives interested him a little , but they did not balance so well as his own , and so he dropped them .

at last he found something really fascinating laid on the front of a howdah half buried in the coins .

it was a three-foot ankus , or elephant-goad something like a small boat-hook .

the White Cobra had been following him closely .

" is this not worth dying to behold ? " he said .

" have I not done thee a great favour ? "

" I do not understand , " said Mowgli .

" the things are hard and cold , and by no means good to eat .

but this " he lifted the ankus " I desire to take away , that I may see it in the sun .

thou sayest they are all thine ?

wilt thou give it to me , and I will bring thee frogs to eat ? "

the White Cobra fairly shook with evil delight .

" assuredly I will give it , " he said .

" all that is here I will give thee till thou goest away . "

" but I go now .

this place is dark and cold , and I wish to take the thorn-pointed thing to the Jungle . "

" look by thy foot !

what is that there ? "

Mowgli picked up something white and smooth .

" it is the bone of a man 's head , " he said quietly .

" and here are two more . "

" they came to take the treasure away many years ago .

I spoke to them in the dark , and they lay still . "

" but what do I need of this that is called treasure ?

if thou wilt give me the ankus to take away , it is good hunting .

if not , it is good hunting none the less .

I do not fight with the Poison People , and I was also taught the Master-word of thy tribe . "

" there is but one Master-word here .

it is mine ! "

Kaa flung himself forward with blazing eyes .

" who bade me bring the Man ? " he hissed .

" I surely , " the old Cobra lisped .

" it is long since I have seen Man , and this Man speaks our tongue . "

" but there was no talk of killing .

how can I go to the Jungle and say that I have led him to his death ? " said Kaa .

" I talk not of killing till the time .

and as to thy going or not going , there is the hole in the wall .

peace , now , thou fat monkey-killer !

I have but to touch thy neck , and the Jungle will know thee no longer .

never Man came here that went away with the breath under his ribs .

I am the Warden of the Treasure of the King 's City ! "

" but , thou white worm of the dark , I tell thee there is neither king nor city !

the Jungle is all about us ! " cried Kaa .

" there is still the Treasure .

but this can be done .

wait awhile , Kaa of the Rocks , and see the boy run .

there is room for great sport here .

life is good .

run to and fro awhile , and make sport , boy ! "

Mowgli put his hand on Kaa 's head quietly .

" the white thing has dealt with men of the Man-Pack until now .

he does not know me , " he whispered .

" he has asked for this hunting .

let him have it . "

Mowgli had been standing with the ankus held point down .

he flung it from him quickly and it dropped crossways just behind the great snake 's hood , pinning him to the floor .

in a flash , Kaa 's weight was upon the writhing body , paralysing it from hood to tail .

the red eyes burned , and the six spare inches of the head struck furiously right and left .

" kill ! " said Kaa , as Mowgli 's hand went to his knife .

" no , " he said , as he drew the blade ; " I will never kill again save for food .

but look you , Kaa ! "

the White Cobra had outlived his poison , as a snake will .

" the King 's Treasure needs a new Warden , " he said gravely .

" Thuu , thou hast not done well .

run to and fro and make sport , Thuu ! "

" I am ashamed .

kill me ! " hissed the White Cobra .

" there has been too much talk of killing .

we will go now .

I take the thorn-pointed thing , Thuu , because I have fought and worsted thee . "

" see , then , that the thing does not kill thee at last .

it is Death !

remember , it is Death !

there is enough in that thing to kill the men of all my city .

not long wilt thou hold it , Jungle Man , nor he who takes it from thee .

they will kill , and kill , and kill for its sake !

my strength is dried up , but the ankus will do my work .

it is Death !

it is Death !

it is Death ! "

" this is brighter than Bagheera 's eyes , " he said delightedly , as he twirled the ruby .

" I will show it to him ; but what did the Thuu mean when he talked of death ? "

" I cannot say .

I am sorrowful to my tail 's tail that he felt not thy knife .

there is always evil at Cold Lairs above ground or below .

but now I am hungry .

Dost thou hunt with me this dawn ? " said Kaa .

" no ; Bagheera must see this thing .

good hunting ! "

Mowgli told him all his adventures from beginning to end , and Bagheera sniffed at the ankus between whiles .

when Mowgli came to the White Cobra 's last words , the Panther purred approvingly .

" then the White Hood spoke the thing which is ? "

Mowgli asked quickly .

" I was born in the King 's cages at Oodeypore , and it is in my stomach that I know some little of Man .

very many men would kill thrice in a night for the sake of that one big red stone alone . "

" but the stone makes it heavy to the hand .

my little bright knife is better ; and see ! the red stone is not good to eat .

then WHY would they kill ? "

" Mowgli , go thou and sleep .

thou hast lived among men , and "

" I remember .

men kill because they are not hunting ; for idleness and pleasure .

wake again , Bagheera .

for what use was this thorn-pointed thing made ? "

Bagheera half opened his eyes he was very sleepy with a malicious twinkle .

" it was made by men to thrust into the head of the sons of Hathi , so that the blood should pour out .

I have seen the like in the street of Oodeypore , before our cages .

that thing has tasted the blood of many such as Hathi . "

" but why do they thrust into the heads of elephants ? "

" to teach them Man 's Law .

having neither claws nor teeth , men make these things and worse . "

" always more blood when I come near , even to the things the Man-Pack have made , " said Mowgli disgustedly .

he was getting a little tired of the weight of the ankus .

" if I had known this , I would not have taken it .

first it was Messua 's blood on the thongs , and now it is Hathi 's .

I will use it no more .

look ! "

the ankus flew sparkling , and buried itself point down thirty yards away , between the trees .

" so my hands are clean of Death , " said Mowgli , rubbing his palms on the fresh , moist earth .

" the Thuu said Death would follow me .

he is old and white and mad . "

" White or black , or death or life , I am going to sleep , Little Brother .

I cannot hunt all night and howl all day , as do some folk . "

Bagheera went off to a hunting-lair that he knew , about two miles off .

Mowgli could hear him snuffing in the half light .

" where is the thorn-pointed thing ? " cried Mowgli .

" a man has taken it .

here is the trail . "

" now we shall see whether the Thuu spoke truth .

if the pointed thing is Death , that man will die .

let us follow . "

" kill first , " said Bagheera .

" an empty stomach makes a careless eye .

men go very slowly , and the Jungle is wet enough to hold the lightest mark . "

the Jungle People know that nothing makes up for being hurried over your meals .

" think you the pointed thing will turn in the man 's hand and kill him ? "

Mowgli asked .

" the Thuu said it was Death . "

" we shall see when we find , " said Bagheera , trotting with his head low .

" Hai !

" now he runs swiftly , " said Mowgli .

" the toes are spread apart . "

they went on over some wet ground .

" now why does he turn aside here ? "

" Wait ! " said Bagheera , and flung himself forward with one superb bound as far as ever he could .

Bagheera turned as he landed , and faced Mowgli , crying , " here comes another trail to meet him .

it is a smaller foot , this second trail , and the toes turn inward . "

then Mowgli ran up and looked .

" it is the foot of a Gond hunter , " he said .

" look !

here he dragged his bow on the grass .

that is why the first trail turned aside so quickly .

Big Foot hid from Little Foot . "

" that is true , " said Bagheera .

" now , lest by crossing each other 's tracks we foul the signs , let each take one trail .

I am Big Foot , Little Brother , and thou art Little Foot , the Gond . "

Bagheera leaped back to the original trail , leaving Mowgli stooping above the curious narrow track of the wild little man of the woods .

now I hide me behind a rock and stand still , not daring to shift my feet .

cry thy trail , Little Brother . "

" now , I , Little Foot , come to the rock , " said Mowgli , running up his trail .

" now , I sit down under the rock , leaning upon my right hand , and resting my bow between my toes .

I wait long , for the mark of my feet is deep here . "

" I also , " said Bagheera , hidden behind the rock .

" I wait , resting the end of the thorn-pointed thing upon a stone .

it slips , for here is a scratch upon the stone .

cry thy trail , Little Brother . "

" one , two twigs and a big branch are broken here , " said Mowgli , in an undertone .

" now , how shall I cry THAT ?

ah !

it is plain now .

I , Little Foot , go away making noises and tramplings so that Big Foot may hear me . "

he moved away from the rock pace by pace among the trees , his voice rising in the distance as he approached a little cascade .

" I go , far away to where the noise of falling-water covers my noise ; and here I wait .

cry thy trail , Bagheera , Big Foot ! "

the panther had been casting in every direction to see how Big Foot 's trail led away from behind the rock .

then he gave tongue :

" I come from behind the rock upon my knees , dragging the thorn-pointed thing .

seeing no one , I run .

I , Big Foot , run swiftly .

the trail is clear .

let each follow his own .

I run ! "

Bagheera swept on along the clearly-marked trail , and Mowgli followed the steps of the Gond .

for some time there was silence in the Jungle .

" where art thou , Little Foot ? " cried Bagheera .

Mowgli 's voice answered him not fifty yards to the right .

" um ! " said the Panther , with a deep cough .

" the two run side by side , drawing nearer ! "

good hunting look !

here stood Little Foot , with his knee on a rock and yonder is Big Foot indeed ! "

" was the Thuu so old and so mad , Little Brother ? " said Bagheera gently .

" here is one death , at least . "

" follow on .

but where is the drinker of elephant 's blood the red-eyed thorn ? "

" Little Foot has it perhaps .

it is single-foot again now . "

neither spoke till the trail ran up to the ashes of a camp-fire hidden in a ravine .

" again ! " said Bagheera , checking as though he had been turned into stone .

the body of a little wizened Gond lay with its feet in the ashes , and Bagheera looked inquiringly at Mowgli .

" that was done with a bamboo , " said the boy , after one glance .

" I have used such a thing among the buffaloes when I served in the Man-Pack .

the Father of Cobras I am sorrowful that I made a jest of him knew the breed well , as I might have known .

said I not that men kill for idleness ? "

" indeed , they killed for the sake of the red and blue stones , " Bagheera answered .

" remember , I was in the King 's cages at Oodeypore . "

" one , two , three , four tracks , " said Mowgli , stooping over the ashes .

" four tracks of men with shod feet .

they do not go so quickly as Gonds .

now , what evil had the little woodman done to them ?

see , they talked together , all five , standing up , before they killed him .

Bagheera , let us go back .

my stomach is heavy in me , and yet it heaves up and down like an oriole 's nest at the end of a branch . "

" it is not good hunting to leave game afoot .

follow ! " said the panther .

" those eight shod feet have not gone far . "

no more was said for fully an hour , as they worked up the broad trail of the four men with shod feet .

it was clear , hot daylight now , and Bagheera said , " I smell smoke . "

Bagheera , a little to his left , made an indescribable noise in his throat .

" here is one that has done with feeding , " said he .

a tumbled bundle of gay-coloured clothes lay under a bush , and round it was some spilt flour .

" that was done by the bamboo again , " said Mowgli .

" See ! that white dust is what men eat .

" it is the third , " said Bagheera .

" I will go with new , big frogs to the Father of Cobras , and feed him fat , " said Mowgli to himself .

" the drinker of elephant 's blood is Death himself but still I do not understand ! "

" follow ! " said Bagheera .

a half-dead fire smoked in the centre of the circle , under an iron plate which held a blackened and burned cake of unleavened bread .

close to the fire , and blazing in the sunshine , lay the ruby-and-turquoise ankus .

" the thing works quickly ; all ends here , " said Bagheera .

" how did THESE die , Mowgli ?

there is no mark on any . "

a Jungle-dweller gets to learn by experience as much as many doctors know of poisonous plants and berries .

" Apple of Death , " he coughed .

" the first must have made it ready in the food for THESE , who killed him , having first killed the Gond . "

" good hunting , indeed !

the kills follow close , " said Bagheera .

" apple of Death " is what the Jungle call thorn-apple or dhatura , the readiest poison in all India .

" what now ? " said the panther .

" must thou and I kill each other for yonder red-eyed slayer ? "

" can it speak ? " said Mowgli in a whisper .

" did I do it a wrong when I threw it away ?

between us two it can do no wrong , for we do not desire what men desire .

if it be left here , it will assuredly continue to kill men one after another as fast as nuts fall in a high wind .

I have no love to men , but even I would not have them die six in a night . "

" what matter ?

they are only men .

they killed one another , and were well pleased , " said Bagheera .

" that first little woodman hunted well . "

" they are cubs none the less ; and a cub will drown himself to bite the moon 's light on the water .

the fault was mine , " said Mowgli , who spoke as though he knew all about everything .

" I will never again bring into the Jungle strange things not though they be as beautiful as flowers .

this " he handled the ankus gingerly " goes back to the Father of Cobras .

but first we must sleep , and we cannot sleep near these sleepers .

also we must bury HIM , lest he run away and kill another six .

dig me a hole under that tree . "

the trouble is with the men . "

" all one , " said Mowgli .

" dig the hole deep .

when we wake I will take him up and carry him back . "

" Ah-ha !

it returns , then .

I said the thing was Death .

how comes it that thou art still alive ? " the old Cobra mumbled , twining lovingly round the ankus-haft .

" by the Bull that bought me , I do not know !

that thing has killed six times in a night .

let him go out no more . "

THE SONG OF THE LITTLE HUNTER

QUIQUERN

translation .

" he has opened his eyes .

look ! "

" put him in the skin again .

he will be a strong dog .

on the fourth month we will name him . "

" for whom ? " said Amoraq .

Kadlu 's eye rolled round the skin-lined snow-house till it fell on fourteen-year-old Kotuko sitting on the sleeping-bench , making a button out of walrus ivory .

" name him for me , " said Kotuko , with a grin .

" I shall need him one day . "

he had been out since early dawn at the seal-holes , eight miles away , and had come home with three big seal .

SARPOK !

get in ! "

for six months of those nine it is dark ; and that is what makes it so horrible .

hunting is not ALL catching . "

now that his father had named a puppy for him , things looked brighter .

if the puppy had not had an iron constitution he would have died from over-stuffing and over-handling .

Kotuko made him a tiny harness with a trace to it , and hauled him all over the house-floor , shouting : " Aua !

Ja aua ! "

( go to the right ) .

" Choiachoi !

Ja choiachoi ! "

( go to the left ) .

" Ohaha ! "

( stop ) .

it was a sad time for the puppy .

the boy learned , too , as fast as the dog ; though a dog-sleigh is a heart-breaking thing to manage .

this is very necessary , because young dogs often get the trace between their hind legs , where it cuts to the bone .

and they one and all WILL go visiting their friends as they run , jumping in and out among the traces .

then they fight , and the result is more mixed than a wet fishing-line next morning .

a great deal of trouble can be avoided by scientific use of the whip .

then he would crawl forward inch by inch , and wait till the seal came up to breathe .

going home was the heavy work .

when Kotuko the dog came to his full growth he enjoyed himself too .

on special occasions he was fed with cooked food inside the house , and sometimes was allowed to sleep on the bench with Kotuko .

he was a good seal-dog , and would keep a musk-ox at bay by running round him and snapping at his heels .

all an Inuit has to do is to get food and skins for himself and his family .

if the supply fails there is no one up there to buy or beg or borrow from .

the people must die .

An Inuit does not think of these chances till he is forced to .

but one terrible winter everything betrayed them .

but it was an early and savage autumn .

he never knows when his own turn may come to beg .

Amoraq took the girl , who was about fourteen , into her own house as a sort of servant .

she had never seen tin cooking-pots or wooden-shod sleighs before ; but Kotuko the boy and Kotuko the dog were rather fond of her .

this helps to keep a man 's legs from twitching as he waits and waits and waits for the quick-eared seal to rise .

one could tell by the soap-stone lamps in the huts that famine was near .

the horror of famine up there in the great cold is not so much dying , as dying in the dark .

but worse was to come .

one night Kotuko the dog , who had been unusually sullen in harness , leaped up and pushed his head against Kotuko 's knee .

Kotuko patted him , but the dog still pushed blindly forward , fawning .

then Kadlu waked , and gripped the heavy wolf-like head , and stared into the glassy eyes .

the dog whimpered and shivered between Kadlu 's knees .

" what is it ? " said Kotuko ; for he was beginning to be afraid .

" the sickness , " Kadlu answered .

" it is the dog sickness . "

Kotuko the dog lifted his nose and howled and howled again .

" I have not seen this before .

what will he do ? " said Kotuko .

Kadlu shrugged one shoulder a little , and crossed the hut for his short stabbing-harpoon .

his trouble was not hydrophobia , but simple , plain madness .

next hunting-day another dog sickened , and was killed then and there by Kotuko as he bit and struggled among the traces .

after that no one would take the dogs out again .

Kotuko grieved more for the loss of his dog than anything else ; for though an Inuit eats enormously he also knows how to starve .

that was enough for Kotuko .

" she said , ' I will be a guide . '

she said , ' I will guide you to the good seal-holes . '

To-morrow I go out , and the tornaq will guide me . "

then the angekok , the village sorcerer , came in , and Kotuko told him the tale a second time .

it lost nothing in the telling .

" follow the tornait the spirits of the stones , and they will bring us food again , " said the angekok .

" my house is your house , " said Kotuko ; " but I think that we shall both go to Sedna together . "

through the village people were shouting : " the tornait have spoken to Kotuko .

they will show him open ice .

he will bring us the seal again ! "

the floe , as you will remember , had been battered and tormented by the autumn gales till it was one frozen earthquake .

when they had slept , the march began again thirty miles a day to get ten miles northward .

the girl looked where Kotuko pointed , and something seemed to slip into a ravine .

a Polar storm can blow for ten days without a break , and all that while it is certain death to be abroad .

the girl saw it too , but instead of crying aloud with terror , said quietly , " that is Quiquern .

what comes after ? "

they may be pleasant or unpleasant things , but not even the sorcerers care to speak about Quiquern .

he makes the dogs go mad .

Kotuko and the girl huddled into their hut quickly .

there was nothing else to do .

" we shall go to Sedna soon very soon , " the girl whispered .

" in three days we shall lie down and go .

will your tornaq do nothing ?

sing her an angekok's song to make her come here . "

he began to sing in the high-pitched howl of the magic songs , and the gale went down slowly .

in the middle of his song the girl started , laid her mittened hand and then her head to the ice floor of the hut .

Kotuko followed her example , and the two kneeled , staring into each other 's eyes , and listening with every nerve .

it was almost as delicately adjusted as a compass-needle , and now instead of listening they watched .

" too soon ! " said Kotuko .

" some big floe has broken far away outside . "

the girl pointed at the rod , and shook her head .

" it is the big breaking , " she said .

" listen to the ground-ice .

it knocks . "

when they kneeled this time they heard the most curious muffled grunts and knockings , apparently under their feet .

" we shall not go to Sedna lying down , " said Kotuko .

" it is the breaking .

the tornaq has cheated us .

we shall die . "

all this may sound absurd enough , but the two were face to face with a very real danger .

the gale was evidently a spring gale sent out of time , and anything was possible .

yet the two were happier in their minds than before .

if the floe broke up there would be no more waiting and suffering .

" it is still waiting , " said Kotuko .

on the top of a hummock sat or crouched the eight-legged Thing that they had seen three days before and it howled horribly .

" let us follow , " said the girl .

" it may know some way that does not lead to Sedna " ; but she reeled from weakness as she took the pulling-rope .

this battering-ram ice was , so to speak , the first army that the sea was flinging against the floe .

they pounded in solemnly , the waves breaking white round them , and advanced on the floe like an old-time fleet under full sail .

that showed that the floe was being jammed home against the iron cliffs of Bylot 's Island , the land to the southward behind them .

" this has never been before , " said Kotuko , staring stupidly .

" this is not the time .

how can the floe break NOW ? "

" follow THAT ! " the girl cried , pointing to the Thing half limping , half running distractedly before them .

they followed , tugging at the hand-sleigh , while nearer and nearer came the roaring march of the ice .

at last the fields round them cracked and starred in every direction , and the cracks opened and snapped like the teeth of wolves .

but where the Thing rested , on a mound of old and scattered ice-blocks some fifty feet high , there was no motion .

Kotuko leaped forward wildly , dragging the girl after him , and crawled to the bottom of the mound .

the Thing had disappeared , and Kotuko was talking excitedly about his power over spirits as he crouched round the lamp .

in the middle of his wild sayings the girl began to laugh , and rock herself backward and forward .

Kotuko the dog was one , and the black leader was the other .

both were now fat , well-looking , and quite restored to their proper minds , but coupled to each other in an extraordinary fashion .

when the black leader ran off , you remember , his harness was still on him .

that , with the freedom of hunting on their own account , must have helped to cure their madness .

they were very sober .

look at his eight legs and double head ! "

Kotuko ran a hand down their ribs , which were round and well clothed .

" they have found food , " he said , with a grin .

" I do not think we shall go to Sedna so soon .

my tornaq sent these .

the sickness has left them . "

" empty dogs do not fight , " Kotuko said .

" they have found the seal .

let us sleep .

we shall find food . "

when they waked there was open water on the north beach of the island , and all the loosened ice had been driven landward .

nothing , they felt , could alter that .

Kotuko found the dogs fighting over a fresh-killed seal who was following the fish that a gale always disturbs .

the weather was as pitiless as usual ; but it is easier to draw a sleigh loaded with good food than to hunt starving .

they left five-and-twenty seal carcasses buried in the ice of the beach , all ready for use , and hurried back to their people .

only three dogs answered them ; the others had been eaten , and the houses were all dark .

Kotuko and the girl told their tale .

a dog who has once gone mad and recovered , the Inuit say , is safe against all further attacks .

" so the tornaq did not forget us , " said Kotuko .

" the storm blew , the ice broke , and the seal swam in behind the fish that were frightened by the storm .

now the new seal-holes are not two days distant .

let the good hunters go to-morrow and bring back the seal I have speared twenty-five seal buried in the ice .

when we have eaten those we will all follow the seal on the floe . "

Kadlu looked at the girl from the North , and said quietly , " WE build a house . "

he pointed to the north-west side of Kadlu 's house , for that is the side on which the married son or daughter always lives .

the girl turned her hands palm upward , with a little despairing shake of her head .

she was a foreigner , picked up starving , and could bring nothing to the housekeeping .

" also these ! " said Kotuko , laughing and signing to the dogs , who thrust their cold muzzles into the girl 's face .

" ah , " said the angekok , with an important cough , as though he had been thinking it all over .

" as soon as Kotuko left the village I went to the Singing-House and sang magic .

I sang all the long nights , and called upon the Spirit of the Reindeer .

MY singing made the gale blow that broke the ice and drew the two dogs toward Kotuko when the ice would have crushed his bones .

MY song drew the seal in behind the broken ice .

I did it . "

I found it under some rubbish in a house at Colombo , and have translated it from one end to the other .

' ANGUTIVAUN TAINA '

This is a very free translation of the Song of the Returning Hunter , as the men used to sing it after seal-spearing .

the Inuit always repeat things over and over again .

In from the edge of the floe .

au jana !

Aua !

Oha !

Haq !

we raised our lance when he rose to breathe , We drove it downward so !

and we played him thus , and we killed him thus , Out on the edge of the floe .

au jana !

Aua !

Oha !

Haq !

and the loaded dog-teams go , And the wives can hear their men come back .

back from the edge of the floe !

RED DOG

for our white and our excellent nights - for the nights of swift running .

fair ranging , far seeing , good hunting , sure cunning !

for the smells of the dawning , untainted , ere dew has departed !

for the rush through the mist , and the quarry blind-started !

for the sleep at the lair-mouth by day , It is met , and we go to the fight .

bay !

O Bay !

it was after the letting in of the Jungle that the pleasantest part of Mowgli 's life began .

he had the good conscience that comes from paying debts ; all the Jungle was his friend , and just a little afraid of him .

but we must tell one tale at a time .

when he chose to speak the Pack waited till he had finished , and he sat at Akela 's side on the rock above Phao .

those were days of good hunting and good sleeping .

otherwise , he would be far away in the Jungle with his four brothers , tasting , touching , seeing , and feeling new things .

the Four stopped at once , bristling and growling .

Mowgli 's hand went to his knife , and he checked , the blood in his face , his eyebrows knotted .

" there is no Striped One dare kill here , " he said .

" that is not the cry of the Forerunner , " answered Gray Brother .

" it is some great killing .

listen ! "

it broke out again , half sobbing and half chuckling , just as though the jackal had soft human lips .

then Mowgli drew deep breath , and ran to the Council Rock , overtaking on his way hurrying wolves of the Pack .

Phao and Akela were on the Rock together , and below them , every nerve strained , sat the others .

it was no wolf of the Pack , for they were all at the Rock .

" good hunting !

under whose Headship ? " said Phao gravely .

" good hunting !

Won-tolla am I , " was the answer .

Won-tolla means an Outlier one who lies out from any Pack .

then he panted , and they could see his heart-beats shake him backward and forward .

" what moves ? " said Phao , for that is the question all the Jungle asks after the pheeal cries .

" the dhole , the dhole of the Dekkan Red Dog , the Killer !

they came north from the south saying the Dekkan was empty and killing out by the way .

when this moon was new there were four to me my mate and three cubs .

she would teach them to kill on the grass plains , hiding to drive the buck , as we do who are of the open .

at midnight I heard them together , full tongue on the trail .

at the dawn-wind I found them stiff in the grass four , Free People , four when this moon was new .

then sought I my Blood-Right and found the dhole . "

" how many ? " said Mowgli quickly ; the Pack growled deep in their throats .

" I do not know .

look , Free People ! "

he thrust out his mangled fore-foot , all dark with dried blood .

there were cruel bites low down on his side , and his throat was torn and worried .

" eat , " said Akela , rising up from the meat Mowgli had brought him , and the Outlier flung himself on it .

" this shall be no loss , " he said humbly , when he had taken off the first edge of his hunger .

" give me a little strength , Free People , and I also will kill .

my lair is empty that was full when this moon was new , and the Blood Debt is not all paid . "

Phao heard his teeth crack on a haunch-bone and grunted approvingly .

" we shall need those jaws , " said he .

" were there cubs with the dhole ? "

" Nay , nay .

Red Hunters all : grown dogs of their Pack , heavy and strong for all that they eat lizards in the Dekkan . "

they drive straight through the Jungle , and what they meet they pull down and tear to pieces .

though they are not as big nor half as cunning as the wolf , they are very strong and very numerous .

but he knew , for Hathi had told him , what a terrible thing a dhole hunting-pack was .

Even Hathi moves aside from their line , and until they are killed , or till game is scarce , they will go forward .

this is good hunting , and my last .

but , as men live , thou hast very many more nights and days , Little Brother .

go north and lie down , and if any live after the dhole has gone by he shall bring thee word of the fight . "

" it is to the death , " said Akela .

" thou hast never met the dhole the Red Killer .

even the Striped One "

" Aowa !

Aowa ! " said Mowgli pettingly .

this is my Word which has gone from me . "

" thou dost not know the dhole , man with a wolf 's tongue , " said Won-tolla .

" I look only to clear the Blood Debt against them ere they have me in many pieces .

there is no meat in this hunting . "

" hear the Outlier ! " said Mowgli with a laugh .

" free People , we must go north and dig lizards and rats from the bank , lest by any chance we meet the dhole .

he must kill out our hunting-grounds , while we lie hid in the north till it please him to give us our own again .

he is a dog and the pup of a dog red , yellow-bellied , lairless , and haired between every toe !

he counts his cubs six and eight at the litter , as though he were Chikai , the little leaping rat .

surely we must run away , Free People , and beg leave of the peoples of the north for the offal of dead cattle !

ye know the saying : ' North are the vermin ; south are the lice .

WE are the Jungle . '

choose ye , O choose .

it is good hunting !

the Pack answered with one deep , crashing bark that sounded in the night like a big tree falling .

" it is met ! " they cried .

" stay with these , " said Mowgli to the Four .

" we shall need every tooth .

Phao and Akela must make ready the battle .

I go to count the dogs . "

" it is death ! "

Won-tolla cried , half rising .

" what can such a hairless one do against the Red Dog ?

even the Striped One , remember "

" thou art indeed an Outlier , " Mowgli called back ; " but we will speak when the dholes are dead .

good hunting all ! "

" Kssha ! " said Kaa angrily .

" is this jungle-work , to stamp and tramp and undo a night 's hunting when the game are moving so well , too ? "

" the fault was mine , " said Mowgli , picking himself up .

" indeed I was seeking thee , Flathead , but each time we meet thou art longer and broader by the length of my arm .

there is none like thee in the Jungle , wise , old , strong , and most beautiful Kaa . "

" now whither does THIS trail lead ? "

Kaa 's voice was gentler .

could Bagheera give thee so good a resting-place ? "

Kaa had , as usual , made a sort of soft half-hammock of himself under Mowgli 's weight .

" wise I may be , " said Kaa at the end ; " but deaf I surely am .

Else I should have heard the pheeal .

small wonder the Eaters of Grass are uneasy .

how many be the dhole ? "

" I have not yet seen .

I came hot-foot to thee .

thou art older than Hathi .

but oh , Kaa , " here Mowgli wriggled with sheerjoy , " it will be good hunting .

few of us will see another moon . "

" Dost THOU strike in this ?

remember thou art a Man ; and remember what Pack cast thee out .

let the Wolf look to the Dog .

THOU art a Man . "

" last year 's nuts are this year 's black earth , " said Mowgli .

I called the River and the Trees to remember .

I am of the Free People , Kaa , till the dhole has gone by . "

" free People , " Kaa grunted .

" free thieves !

and thou hast tied thyself into the death-knot for the sake of the memory of the dead wolves ?

this is no good hunting . "

" it is my Word which I have spoken .

the Trees know , the River knows .

till the dhole have gone by my Word comes not back to me . "

" Ngssh !

this changes all trails .

now I , Kaa , say "

" think well , Flathead , lest thou tie thyself into the death-knot also .

I need no Word from thee , for well I know "

" be it so , then , " said Kaa .

" I will give no Word ; but what is in thy stomach to do when the dhole come ? "

" they must swim the Waingunga .

" the dhole do not turn and their throats are hot , " said Kaa .

" there will be neither Manling nor Wolf-cub when that hunting is done , but only dry bones . "

" Alala !

if we die , we die .

it will be most good hunting .

but my stomach is young , and I have not seen many Rains .

I am not wise nor strong .

Hast thou a better plan , Kaa ? "

" I have seen a hundred and a hundred Rains .

ere Hathi cast his milk-tushes my trail was big in the dust .

by the First Egg , I am older than many trees , and I have seen all that the Jungle has done . "

" but THIS is new hunting , " said Mowgli .

" never before have the dhole crossed our trail . "

" what is has been .

what will be is no more than a forgotten year striking backward .

be still while I count those my years . "

Art THOU still alive , Manling ? "

" it is only a little after moonset , " said Mowgli .

" I do not understand "

" Hssh !

I am again Kaa .

I knew it was but a little time .

now we will go to the river , and I will show thee what is to be done against the dhole . "

" Nay , do not swim .

I go swiftly .

my back , Little Brother . "

Mowgli tucked his left arm round Kaa 's neck , dropped his right close to his body , and straightened his feet .

but Mowgli did not trouble his head about the water ; little water in the world could have given him a moment 's fear .

" this is the Place of Death , " said the boy .

" why do we come here ? "

" they sleep , " said Kaa .

" Hathi will not turn aside for the Striped One .

yet Hathi and the Striped One together turn aside for the dhole , and the dhole they say turn aside for nothing .

and yet for whom do the Little People of the Rocks turn aside ?

tell me , Master of the Jungle , who is the Master of the Jungle ? "

" these , " Mowgli whispered .

" it is the Place of Death .

let us go . "

" Nay , look well , for they are asleep .

it is as it was when I was not the length of thy arm . "

the mere sharp smell of it was enough to frighten anything that had no wings , and knew what the Little People were .

Kaa moved up-stream again till he came to a sandy bar at the head of the gorge .

" here is this season 's kill , " said he .

" look ! "

on the bank lay the skeletons of a couple of young deer and a buffalo .

Mowgli could see that neither wolf nor jackal had touched the hones , which were laid out naturally .

" they came beyond the line ; they did not know the Law , " murmured Mowgli , " and the Little People killed them .

let us go ere they wake . "

" they do not wake till the dawn , " said Kaa .

" now I will tell thee .

the sun was high , and the Little People were many and very angry .

many , too , were those of the Pack who leaped into the Waingunga , but they were dead ere they took water .

those who did not leap died also in the rocks above .

but the buck lived . "

" how ? "

the Pack , following , was altogether lost under the weight of the Little People . "

" the buck lived ? "

Mowgli repeated slowly .

what is in thy stomach ? "

Kaa 's head was close to Mowgli 's ear ; and it was a little time before the boy answered .

" so many have said .

look now , if the dhole follow thee "

" as surely they will follow .

Ho ! ho !

I have many little thorns under my tongue to prick into their hides . "

" Ahai !

Eowawa !

better could not be till the Rains fall in the dry season .

there is now only the little matter of the run and the leap .

I will make me known to the dholes , so that they shall follow me very closely . "

" Hast thou seen the rocks above thee ?

from the landward side ? "

" indeed , no .

that I had forgotten . "

" go look .

it is all rotten ground , cut and full of holes .

one of thy clumsy feet set down without seeing would end the hunt .

for myself , I am not of one skin with ANY wolf . "

when Kaa disliked an acquaintance he could be more unpleasant than any of the Jungle People , except perhaps Bagheera .

he swam down-stream , and opposite the Rock he came on Phao and Akela listening to the night noises .

" Hssh !

Dogs , " he said cheerfully .

" the dholes will come down-stream .

if ye be not afraid ye can kill them in the shallows . "

" when come they ? " said Phao .

" and where is my Man-cub ? " said Akela .

" they come when they come , " said Kaa .

" wait and see .

wait here for the dhole , and be glad that the Man-cub and I strike on thy side . "

Kaa flashed up-stream again , and moored himself in the middle of the gorge , looking upward at the line of the cliff .

" it is no leap by night , " said Mowgli quietly .

I have put big stones one above the other by the side of three gullies .

these I shall throw down with my feet in running , and the Little People will rise up behind me , very angry . "

" that is Man 's talk and Man 's cunning , " said Kaa .

" thou art wise , but the Little People are always angry . "

" Nay , at twilight all wings near and far rest for a while .

I will play with the dhole at twilight , for the dhole hunts best by day .

he follows now Won-tolla 's blood-trail . "

" Chil does not leave a dead ox , nor the dhole the blood-trail , " said Kaa .

" then I will make him a new blood-trail , of his own blood , if I can , and give him dirt to eat .

thou wilt stay here , Kaa , till I come again with my dholes ? "

good hunting , Kaa ! "

" Mowgli the Frog have I been , " said he to himself ; " Mowgli the Wolf have I said that I am .

now Mowgli the Ape must I be before I am Mowgli the Buck .

at the end I shall be Mowgli the Man .

Ho ! " and he slid his thumb along the eighteen-inch blade of his knife .

he watched the sharp bay head of the leader snuffing along the trail , and gave him " good hunting ! "

the dholes are a very silent people as a rule , and they have no manners even in their own Jungle .

" by whose leave do ye come here ? " said Mowgli .

" all Jungles are our Jungle , " was the reply , and the dhole that gave it bared his white teeth .

the Pack closed up round the tree-trunk and the leader bayed savagely , calling Mowgli a tree-ape .

for an answer Mowgli stretched down one naked leg and wriggled his bare toes just above the leader 's head .

that was enough , and more than enough , to wake the Pack to stupid rage .

those who have hair between their toes do not care to be reminded of it .

Mowgli caught his foot away as the leader leaped up , and said sweetly : " Dog , red dog !

go back to the Dekkan and eat lizards .

go to Chikai thy brother dog , dog red , red dog !

there is hair between every toe ! "

he twiddled his toes a second time .

" come down ere we starve thee out , hairless ape ! " yelled the Pack , and this was exactly what Mowgli wanted .

there is no speech in the world so rancorous and so stinging as the language the Jungle People use to show scorn and contempt .

when you come to think of it you will see how this must be so .

the big bay leader had leaped many times in the air , but Mowgli dared not risk a false blow .

at last , made furious beyond his natural strength , he bounded up seven or eight feet clear of the ground .

with his left hand he reached for his knife and cut off the red , bushy tail , flinging the dhole back to earth again .

that was all he needed .

the Pack would not go forward on Won-tolla 's trail now till they had killed Mowgli or Mowgli had killed them .

after three or four hours he waked and counted the Pack .

they were all there , silent , husky , and dry , with eyes of steel .

the sun was beginning to sink .

ye be true dholes , but to my thinking over much of one kind .

for that reason I do not give the big lizard-eater his tail again .

Art thou not pleased , Red Dog ? "

" I myself will tear out thy stomach ! " yelled the leader , scratching at the foot of the tree .

" Nay , but consider , wise rat of the Dekkan .

there will now be many litters of little tailless red dogs , yea , with raw red stumps that sting when the sand is hot .

go home , Red Dog , and cry that an ape has done this .

ye will not go ?

come , then , with me , and I will make you very wise ! "

when he came to the last tree he took the garlic and rubbed himself all over carefully , and the dholes yelled with scorn .

" Ape with a wolf 's tongue , dost thou think to cover thy scent ? " they said .

" we follow to the death . "

" take thy tail , " said Mowgli , flinging it back along the course he had taken .

the Pack instinctively rushed after it .

" and follow now to the death . "

they gave one deep howl , and settled down to the long , lobbing canter that can at the last run down anything that runs .

they were sure that the boy was theirs at last , and he was sure that he held them to play with as he pleased .

all his trouble was to keep them sufficiently hot behind him to prevent their turning off too soon .

so he kept his distance by ear , reserving his last effort for the rush across the Bee Rocks .

Kaa held Mowgli fast till the boy had recovered his breath .

" we may not stay here , " he said .

" the Little People are roused indeed .

come ! "

swimming low and diving as often as he could , Mowgli went down the river , knife in hand .

" slowly , slowly , " said Kaa .

" the more work for my knife , then .

Phai !

how the Little People follow ! "

Mowgli sank again .

the face of the water was blanketed with wild bees , buzzing sullenly and stinging all they found .

hear them howl ! "

to remain ashore was death , and every dhole knew it .

Mowgli could hear the voice of the tailless leader bidding his people hold on and kill out every wolf in Seeonee .

but he did not waste his time in listening .

" one kills in the dark behind us ! " snapped a dhole .

" here is tainted water ! "

" they come to the fight with two stomachs and several voices , " said Kaa .

" the rest is with thy brethren below yonder , The Little People go back to sleep .

they have chased us far .

now I , too , turn back , for I am not of one skin with any wolf .

good hunting , Little Brother , and remember the dhole bites low . "

it was Won-tolla , the Outlier , and he said never a word , but continued his horrible sport beside the dholes .

" this is no good hunting , " said one , panting .

" art thou there , Man-cub ? " said Won-tolla across the water .

" ask of the dead , Outlier , " Mowgli replied .

" have none come down-stream ?

whither shall I drive them ? "

" I will wait , " said Won-tolla .

" the night is before me . "

nearer and nearer came the bay of the Seeonee wolves .

then they saw their mistake .

they should have landed half a mile higher up , and rushed the wolves on dry ground .

now it was too late .

Mowgli followed the rush , stabbing and slicing as the dholes , huddled together , rushed up the river-beach in one wave .

on dry land the wolves suffered ; but in the water or ashore , Mowgli 's knife came and went without ceasing .

the Four had worried their way to his side .

as the night wore on , the quick , giddy-go-round motion increased .

the dholes were cowed and afraid to attack the stronger wolves , but did not yet dare to run away .

Mowgli felt that the end was coming soon , and contented himself with striking merely to cripple .

" the meat is very near the bone , " gray Brother yelled .

he was bleeding from a score of flesh-wounds .

" but the bone is yet to be cracked , " said Mowgli .

" Eowawa !

THUS do we do in the Jungle ! "

the red blade ran like a flame along the side of a dhole whose hind-quarters were hidden by the weight of a clinging wolf .

" my kill ! " snorted the wolf through his wrinkled nostrils .

" leave him to me . "

" is thy stomach still empty , Outlier ? " said Mowgli .

Won-tolla was fearfully punished , but his grip had paralysed the dhole , who could not turn round and reach him .

" by the Bull that bought me , " said Mowgli , with a bitter laugh , " it is the tailless one ! "

and indeed it was the big bay-coloured leader .

" and thus do we do in the Jungle , " said Mowgli .

Won-tolla said not a word , only his jaws were closing and closing on the backbone as his life ebbed .

the dhole shuddered , his head dropped , and he lay still , and Won-tolla dropped above him .

" huh !

the Blood Debt is paid , " said Mowgli .

" sing the song , Won-tolla . "

" he hunts no more , " said Gray Brother ; " and Akela , too , is silent this long time . "

" the bone is cracked ! " thundered Phao , son of Phaona .

" they go !

kill , kill out , O hunters of the Free People ! "

" the debt !

the debt ! " shouted Mowgli .

" pay the debt !

they have slain the Lone Wolf !

let not a dog go ! "

" said I not it would be my last fight ? "

Akela gasped .

" it is good hunting .

and thou , Little Brother ? "

" I live , having killed many . "

" even so .

I die , and I would I would die by thee , Little Brother . "

Mowgli took the terrible scarred head on his knees , and put his arms round the torn neck .

" it is long since the old days of Shere Khan , and a Man-cub that rolled naked in the dust . "

" Nay , nay , I am a wolf .

I am of one skin with the Free People , " Mowgli cried .

" it is no will of mine that I am a man . "

" thou art a man , Little Brother , wolfling of my watching .

thou art a man , or else the Pack had fled before the dhole .

my life I owe to thee , and to-day thou hast saved the Pack even as once I saved thee .

Hast thou forgotten ?

all debts are paid now .

go to thine own people .

I tell thee again , eye of my eye , this hunting is ended .

go to thine own people . "

" I will never go .

I will hunt alone in the Jungle .

I have said it . "

" after the summer come the Rains , and after the Rains comes the spring .

go back before thou art driven . "

" who will drive me ? "

" Mowgli will drive Mowgli .

go back to thy people .

go to Man . "

" when Mowgli drives Mowgli I will go , " Mowgli answered .

" there is no more to say , " said Akela .

" little Brother , canst thou raise me to my feet ?

I also was a leader of the Free People . "

Little by little the cries died away , and the wolves returned limping , as their wounds stiffened , to take stock of the losses .

a Wolf has died to-night ! "

CHIL'S SONG

these were my companions going forth by night ( for Chil !

look you , for Chil ! )

now come I to whistle them the ending of the fight .

( Chil !

Vanguards of Chil ! )

Word they gave me overhead of quarry newly slain , Word I gave them underfoot of buck upon the plain .

here 's an end of every trail they shall not speak again !

they that called the hunting-cry they that followed fast ( for Chil !

look you , for Chil ! )

they that bade the sambhur wheel , or pinned him as he passed ( Chil !

Vanguards of Chil ! )

they that lagged behind the scent they that ran before , They that shunned the level horn they that overbore .

here 's an end of every trail they shall not follow more .

these were my companions .

pity ' twas they died !

( for Chil !

look you , for Chil ! )

now come I to comfort them that knew them in their pride .

( Chil !

Vanguards of Chil ! )

Tattered flank and sunken eye , open mouth and red , Locked and lank and lone they lie , the dead upon their dead .

here 's an end of every trail and here my hosts are fed .

THE SPRING RUNNING

Man goes to Man !

cry the challenge through the Jungle !

he that was our Brother goes away .

hear , now , and judge , O ye People of the Jungle , Answer , who shall turn him who shall stay ?

Man goes to Man !

he is weeping in the Jungle : he that was our Brother sorrows sore !

Man goes to Man !

( oh , we loved him in the Jungle ! )

to the Man-Trail where we may not follow more .

the second year after the great fight with Red Dog and the death of Akela , Mowgli must have been nearly seventeen years old .

he could stop a young buck in mid-gallop and throw him sideways by the head .

he could even jerk over the big , blue wild boars that lived in the Marshes of the North .

and yet the look in his eyes was always gentle .

even when he fought , his eyes never blazed as Bagheera 's did .

they only grew more and more interested and excited ; and that was one of the things that Bagheera himself did not understand .

he asked Mowgli about it , and the boy laughed and said .

" when I miss the kill I am angry .

when I must go empty for two days I am very angry .

do not my eyes talk then ? "

" the mouth is hungry , " said Bagheera , " but the eyes say nothing .

hunting , eating , or swimming , it is all one like a stone in wet or dry weather . "

Mowgli looked at him lazily from under his long eyelashes , and , as usual , the panther 's head dropped .

Bagheera knew his master .

a little leaf tap-tap-tapped furiously against a twig , as a single leaf caught in a current will .

" the year turns , " he said .

" the Jungle goes forward .

the Time of New Talk is near .

that leaf knows .

it is very good . "

" the grass is dry , " Mowgli answered , pulling up a tuft .

" Aowh ? " said Bagheera .

he seemed to be thinking of other things .

" I say , IS it well for the Black Panther so to mouth and cough , and howl and roll ?

remember , we be the Masters of the Jungle , thou and I . "

" indeed , yes ; I hear , Man-cub . "

Bagheera rolled over hurriedly and sat up , the dust on his ragged black flanks .

( he was just casting his winter coat . )

" we be surely the Masters of the Jungle !

who is so strong as Mowgli ?

who so wise ? "

" I said we be beyond question the Masters of the Jungle , " Bagheera repeated .

" have I done wrong ?

I did not know that the Man-cub no longer lay upon the ground .

does he fly , then ? "

Mowgli sat with his elbows on his knees , looking out across the valley at the daylight .

somewhere down in the woods below a bird was trying over in a husky , reedy voice the first few notes of his spring song .

it was no more than a shadow of the liquid , tumbling call he would be pouring later , but Bagheera heard it .

" I said the Time of New Talk is near , " growled the panther , switching his tail .

" I hear , " Mowgli answered .

" Bagheera , why dost thou shake all over ?

the sun is warm . "

" that is Ferao , the scarlet woodpecker , " said Bagheera .

" HE has not forgotten .

" there is no game afoot , " said Mowgli .

" little Brother , are BOTH thine ears stopped ?

that is no killing-word , but my song that I make ready against the need . "

" I had forgotten .

Mowgli spoke rather savagely .

" but , indeed , Little Brother , " Bagheera began , " we do not always "

" I say ye do , " said Mowgli , shooting out his forefinger angrily .

" ye DO run away , and I , who am the Master of the Jungle , must needs walk alone .

how was it last season , when I would gather sugar-cane from the fields of a Man-Pack ?

that was no fault of mine . "

" he did not come upon the night when I sent him the word .

no , he was trumpeting and running and roaring through the valleys in the moonlight .

his trail was like the trail of three elephants , for he would not hide among the trees .

he danced in the moonlight before the houses of the Man-Pack .

I saw him , and yet he would not come to me ; and I am the Master of the Jungle ! "

" it was the Time of New Talk , " said the panther , always very humble .

" perhaps , Little Brother , thou didst not that time call him by a Master-word ?

listen to Ferao , and be glad ! "

Mowgli 's bad temper seemed to have boiled itself away .

he lay back with his head on his arms , his eyes shut .

" I do not know nor do I care , " he said sleepily .

" let us sleep , Bagheera .

my stomach is heavy in me .

make me a rest for my head . "

in an Indian Jungle the seasons slide one into the other almost without division .

and this she does so well that there is no spring in the world like the Jungle spring .

one cannot explain this , but it feels so .

up to this year Mowgli had always delighted in the turn of the seasons .

the Four did not follow him on these wild ringings of the Jungle , but went off to sing songs with other wolves .

the Jungle People are very busy in the spring , and Mowgli could hear them grunting and screaming and whistling according to their kind .

but that spring , as he told Bagheera , his stomach was changed in him .

ever since the bamboo shoots turned spotty-brown he had been looking forward to the morning when the smells should change .

" the smells have changed , " screamed Mor .

" good hunting , Little Brother !

where is thy answer ? "

" little Brother , good hunting ! " whistled Chil the Kite and his mate , swooping down together .

the two baffed under Mowgli 's nose so close that a pinch of downy white feathers brushed away .

the spring hum broke out for a minute , and was silent , but all the Jungle Folk seemed to be giving tongue at once .

all except Mowgli .

" I have eaten good food , " he said to himself .

" I have drunk good water .

but my stomach is heavy , and I have given very bad talk to Bagheera and others , people of the Jungle and my people .

Huhu !

it is time to make a running !

To-night I will cross the ranges ; yes , I will make a spring running to the Marshes of the North , and back again .

I have hunted too easily too long .

the Four shall come with me , for they grow as fat as white grubs . "

he called , but never one of the Four answered .

at this he shook all over with rage , and half drew his knife .

but never a single one of his people asked him a question , for they were all too busy with their own affairs .

" yes , " said Mowgli to himself , though in his heart he knew that he had no reason .

by the Bull that bought me ! am I the Master of the Jungle , or am I not ?

be silent !

what do ye here ? "

a couple of young wolves of the Pack were cantering down a path , looking for open ground in which to fight .

( you will remember that the Law of the Jungle forbids fighting where the Pack can see . )

their neck-bristles were as stiff as wire , and they bayed furiously , crouching for the first grapple .

but he had never before interfered with a spring fight .

the two leaped forward and dashed him aside , and without word to waste rolled over and over close locked .

" I have surely eaten poison , " he sighed at last .

" since I broke up the Council with the Red Flower since I killed Shere Khan none of the Pack could fling me aside .

and these be only tail-wolves in the Pack , little hunters !

my strength is gone from me , and presently I shall die .

oh , Mowgli , why dost thou not kill them both ? "

it was a perfect white night , as they call it .

all green things seemed to have made a month 's growth since the morning .

the branch that was yellow-leaved the day before dripped sap when Mowgli broke it .

forgetting his unhappiness , Mowgli sang aloud with pure delight as he settled into his stride .

this time Mowgli was frightened .

" it is here also ! " he said half aloud .

" it has followed me , " and he looked over his shoulder to see whether the It were not standing behind him .

" there is no one here . "

" I have surely eaten poison , " he said in an awe-stricken voice .

" it must be that carelessly I have eaten poison , and my strength is going from me .

I was afraid and yet it was not I that was afraid Mowgli was afraid when the two wolves fought .

Akela , or even Phao , would have silenced them ; yet Mowgli was afraid .

that is true sign I have eaten poison ....y .

but what do they care in the Jungle ?

they sing and howl and fight , and run in companies under the moon , and I Hai-mai !

I am dying in the marshes , of that poison which I have eaten . "

he was so sorry for himself that he nearly wept .

" and after , " he went on , " they will find me lying in the black water .

" as Chil the Kite used Akela , " he repeated , " on the night I saved the Pack from Red Dog . "

he was quiet for a little , thinking of the last words of the Lone Wolf , which you , of course , remember .

" now Akela said to me many foolish things before he died , for when we die our stomachs change .

he said ....y

none the less , I AM of the Jungle ! "

" uhh ! " said Mysa the Wild Buffalo ( Mowgli could hear him turn in his wallow ) , " THAT is no man .

it is only the hairless wolf of the Seeonee Pack .

on such nights runs he to and fro . "

" uhh ! " said the cow , dropping her head again to graze , " I thought it was Man . "

" I say no .

oh , Mowgli , is it danger ? " lowed Mysa .

" oh , Mowgli , is it danger ? " the boy called back mockingly .

" that is all Mysa thinks for : is it danger ?

but for Mowgli , who goes to and fro in the Jungle by night , watching , what do ye care ? "

" how loud he cries ! " said the cow .

he stretched a hand to break one of the feathery reeds , but drew it back with a sigh .

Mysa went on steadily chewing the cud , and the long grass ripped where the cow grazed .

" I will not die HERE , " he said angrily .

" Mysa , who is of one blood with Jacala and the pig , would see me .

let us go beyond the swamp and see what comes .

never have I run such a spring running hot and cold together .

up , Mowgli ! "

he could not resist the temptation of stealing across the reeds to Mysa and pricking him with the point of his knife .

the great dripping bull broke out of his wallow like a shell exploding , while Mowgli laughed till he sat down .

" say now that the hairless wolf of the Seeonee Pack once herded thee , Mysa , " he called .

" wolf !

THOU ? " the bull snorted , stamping in the mud .

" all the jungle knows thou wast a herder of tame cattle such a man 's brat as shouts in the dust by the crops yonder .

THOU of the Jungle !

come to firm ground , and I will I will ....y "

Mysa frothed at the mouth , for Mysa has nearly the worst temper of any one in the Jungle .

Mowgli watched him puff and blow with eyes that never changed .

when he could make himself heard through the pattering mud , he said : " what Man-Pack lair here by the marshes , Mysa ?

this is new Jungle to me . "

" go north , then , " roared the angry bull , for Mowgli had pricked him rather sharply .

" it was a naked cow-herd 's jest .

go and tell them at the village at the foot of the marsh . "

but I will go and look at this village .

yes , I will go .

softly now .

it is not every night that the Master of the Jungle comes to herd thee . "

" my strength is not altogether gone , " he said .

" it may be that the poison is not to the bone .

there is a star sitting low yonder . "

he looked at it between his half-shut hands .

now that I have seen , I will finish the running . "

the marsh ended in a broad plain where a light twinkled .

three or four yelping dogs gave tongue , for he was on the outskirts of a village .

" Ho ! " said Mowgli , sitting down noiselessly , after sending back a deep wolf-growl that silenced the curs .

" what comes will come .

Mowgli , what hast thou to do any more with the lairs of the Man-Pack ? "

he rubbed his mouth , remembering where a stone had struck it years ago when the other Man-Pack had cast him out .

the door of the hut opened , and a woman stood peering out into the darkness .

a child cried , and the woman said over her shoulder , " sleep .

it was but a jackal that waked the dogs .

in a little time morning comes . "

Mowgli in the grass began to shake as though he had fever .

O Messua ! "

" who calls ? " said the woman , a quiver in her voice .

" Hast thou forgotten ? " said Mowgli .

his throat was dry as he spoke .

" if it be THOU , what name did I give thee ?

say ! "

she had half shut the door , and her hand was clutching at her breast .

" Nathoo !

she was older , and her hair was gray , but her eyes and her voice had not changed .

" my son , " she stammered ; and then , sinking to his feet : " but it is no longer my son .

it is a Godling of the Woods !

Ahai ! "

the child half asleep on a cot sprang up and shrieked aloud with terror .

" what wilt thou eat or drink ? "

Messua murmured .

" this is all thine .

we owe our lives to thee .

but art thou him I called Nathoo , or a Godling , indeed ? "

" I am Nathoo , " said Mowgli , " I am very far from my own place .

I saw this light , and came hither .

I did not know thou wast here . "

Rememberest thou ? "

" indeed , I have not forgotten . "

" that also I remember , " said Mowgli , with a quiver of his nostril .

it is not so rich as the old village , but we do not need much we two . "

" where is he the man that dug in the dirt when he was afraid on that night ? "

" he is dead a year . "

" and he ? "

Mowgli pointed to the child .

" my son that was born two Rains ago .

give him an elder brother 's blessing . "

" Hai-mai !

what do I know of the thing called a blessing ?

I am neither a Godling nor his brother , and O mother , mother , my heart is heavy in me . "

he shivered as he set down the child .

" like enough , " said Messua , bustling among the cooking-pots .

" this comes of running about the marshes by night .

beyond question , the fever had soaked thee to the marrow . "

Mowgli smiled a little at the idea of anything in the Jungle hurting him .

" I will make a fire , and thou shalt drink warm milk .

put away the jasmine wreath : the smell is heavy in so small a place . "

Mowgli sat down , muttering , with his face in his hands .

" hah ? " said Mowgli , for naturally he had never heard anything of the kind .

Messua laughed softly and happily .

the look in his face was enough for her .

" I am the first , then ?

it is right , though it comes seldom , that a mother should tell her son these good things .

thou art very beautiful .

never have I looked upon such a man . "

" Nay , thou must not mock thy brother , " said Messua , catching him to her breast .

Messua laughed , and set the evening meal before him .

the smell of the dew in the marshes made him hungry and restless .

" Out and wait !

ye would not come when I called , " said Mowgli in Jungle-talk , without turning his head , and the great gray paw disappeared .

" do not do not bring thy thy servants with thee , " said Messua .

" I we have always lived at peace with the Jungle . "

" it is peace , " said Mowgli , rising .

" think of that night on the road to Khanhiwara .

there were scores of such folk before thee and behind thee .

but I see that even in springtime the Jungle People do not always forget .

mother , I go . "

" come back ! " she whispered .

" Son or no son , come back , for I love thee Look , he too grieves . "

the child was crying because the man with the shiny knife was going away .

" come back again , " Messua repeated .

" by night or by day this door is never shut to thee . "

why came ye not all four when I called so long ago ? "

" so long ago ?

it was but last night .

I we were singing in the Jungle the new songs , for this is the Time of New Talk .

Rememberest thou ? "

" truly , truly . "

" and as soon as the songs were sung , " gray Brother went on earnestly , " I followed thy trail .

I ran from all the others and followed hot-foot .

but , O Little Brother , what hast THOU done , eating and sleeping with the Man-Pack ? "

" if ye had come when I called , this had never been , " said Mowgli , running much faster .

" and now what is to be ? " said Gray Brother .

Mowgli was going to answer when a girl in a white cloth came down some path that led from the outskirts of the village .

gray Brother dropped out of sight at once , and Mowgli backed noiselessly into a field of high-springing crops .

he could almost have touched her with his hand when the warm , green stalks closed before his face and he disappeared like a ghost .

the girl screamed , for she thought she had seen a spirit , and then she gave a deep sigh .

Mowgli parted the stalks with his hands and watched her till she was out of sight .

" and now I do not know , " he said , sighing in his turn .

" WHY did ye not come when I called ? "

" we follow thee we follow thee , " gray Brother mumbled , licking at Mowgli 's heel .

" we follow thee always , except in the Time of the New Talk . "

" and would ye follow me to the Man-Pack ? "

Mowgli whispered .

" did I not follow thee on the night our old Pack cast thee out ?

who waked thee lying among the crops ? "

" ay , but again ? "

" have I not followed thee to-night ? "

" ay , but again and again , and it may be again , Gray Brother ? "

Gray Brother was silent .

when he spoke he growled to himself , " the Black One spoke truth . "

" and he said ? "

" Man goes to Man at the last .

Raksha , our mother , said "

" So also said Akela on the night of Red Dog , " Mowgli muttered .

" So also says Kaa , who is wiser than us all . "

" what dost thou say , Gray Brother ? "

" they cast thee out once , with bad talk .

they cut thy mouth with stones .

they sent Buldeo to slay thee .

they would have thrown thee into the Red Flower .

thou , and not I , hast said that they are evil and senseless .

thou , and not I I follow my own people didst let in the Jungle upon them .

thou , and not I , didst make song against them more bitter even than our song against Red Dog . "

" I ask thee what THOU sayest ? "

they were talking as they ran .

I speak for the Three .

but what wilt thou say to the Jungle ? "

" that is well thought .

between the sight and the kill it is not good to wait .

go before and cry them all to the Council Rock , and I will tell them what is in my stomach .

but they may not come in the Time of New Talk they may forget me . "

from one to another Gray Brother ran , crying , " the Master of the Jungle goes back to Man !

come to the Council Rock . "

and the happy , eager People only answered , " he will return in the summer heats .

the Rains will drive him to lair .

run and sing with us , Gray Brother . "

" but the Master of the Jungle goes back to Man , " gray Brother would repeat .

" Eee Yoawa ?

is the Time of New Talk any less sweet for that ? " they would reply .

" thy trail ends here , then , Manling ? " said Kaa , as Mowgli threw himself down , his face in his hands .

" cry thy cry .

we be of one blood , thou and I man and snake together . "

" why did I not die under Red Dog ? " the boy moaned .

" my strength is gone from me , and it is not any poison .

by night and by day I hear a double step upon my trail .

when I turn my head it is as though one had hidden himself from me that instant .

I go to look behind the trees and he is not there .

I call and none cry again ; but it is as though one listened and kept back the answer .

I lie down , but I do not rest .

I run the spring running , but I am not made still .

I bathe , but I am not made cool .

the kill sickens me , but I have no heart to fight except I kill .

the Red Flower is in my body , my bones are water and I know not what I know . "

" what need of talk ? " said Baloo slowly , turning his head to where Mowgli lay .

" Akela by the river said it , that Mowgli should drive Mowgli back to the Man-Pack .

I said it .

but who listens now to Baloo ?

Bagheera where is Bagheera this night ? he knows also .

it is the Law . "

" when we met at Cold Lairs , Manling , I knew it , " said Kaa , turning a little in his mighty coils .

" Man goes to Man at the last , though the Jungle does not cast him out . "

the Four looked at one another and at Mowgli , puzzled but obedient .

" the Jungle does not cast me out , then ? "

Mowgli stammered .

gray Brother and the Three growled furiously , beginning , " so long as we live none shall dare " but Baloo checked them .

" I taught thee the Law .

" the Middle Jungle is thine also , " said Kaa .

" I speak for no small people . "

" Hai-mai , my brothers , " cried Mowgli , throwing up his arms with a sob .

" I know not what I know !

I would not go ; but I am drawn by both feet .

how shall I leave these nights ? "

" Nay , look up , Little Brother , " Baloo repeated .

" there is no shame in this hunting .

when the honey is eaten we leave the empty hive . "

" having cast the skin , " said Kaa , " we may not creep into it afresh .

it is the Law . "

" listen , dearest of all to me , " said Baloo .

there is neither word nor will here to hold thee back .

look up !

who may question the Master of the Jungle ?

there remains nothing but old bones .

it is no longer the Man-cub that asks leave of his Pack , but the Master of the Jungle that changes his trail .

who shall question Man in his ways ? "

" but Bagheera and the Bull that bought me , " said Mowgli .

" I would not "

" therefore , " he said , stretching out a dripping right paw , " I did not come .

all debts are paid now .

for the rest , my word is Baloo 's word . "

he licked Mowgli 's foot .

" remember , Bagheera loved thee , " he cried , and bounded away .

remember , Bagheera loved thee . "

" thou hast heard , " said Baloo .

" there is no more .

go now ; but first come to me .

O wise Little Frog , come to me ! "

" the stars are thin , " said Gray Brother , snuffing at the dawn wind .

" where shall we lair to-day ? for from now , we follow new trails . "

and this is the last of the Mowgli stories .

THE OUTSONG

This is the song that Mowgli heard behind him in the Jungle till he came to Messua 's door again .

Baloo

when thy Pack would work thee ill , Say : " Shere Khan is yet to kill . "

when the knife is drawn to slay , Keep the Law and go thy way .

( Root and honey , palm and spathe , Guard a cub from harm and scathe ! )

wood and Water , Wind and Tree , Jungle-Favour go with thee !

Kaa

anger is the egg of Fear Only lidless eyes are clear .

Cobra-poison none may leech .

even so with Cobra-speech .

open talk shall call to thee Strength , whose mate is Courtesy .

send no lunge beyond thy length ; Lend no rotten bough thy strength .

gauge thy gape with buck or goat , Lest thine eye should choke thy throat , After gorging , wouldst thou sleep ?

Look thy den is hid and deep , Lest a wrong , by thee forgot , Draw thy killer to the spot .

East and West and North and South , Wash thy hide and close thy mouth .

( Pit and rift and blue pool-brim , Middle-Jungle follow him ! )

wood and Water , Wind and Tree , Jungle-Favour go with thee !

Bagheera

in the cage my life began ; Well I know the worth of Man .

by the Broken Lock that freed Man-cub , ' ware the Man-cub 's breed !

Scenting-dew or starlight pale , Choose no tangled tree-cat trail .

Pack or council , hunt or den , Cry no truce with Jackal-Men .

feed them silence when they say : " come with us an easy way . "

feed them silence when they seek Help of thine to hurt the weak .

make no banaar 's boast of skill ; Hold thy peace above the kill .

let nor call nor song nor sign Turn thee from thy hunting-line .

( Morning mist or twilight clear , Serve him , Wardens of the Deer ! )

wood and Water , Wind and Tree , Jungle-Favour go with thee !

the Three

End of Project Gutenberg 's The Second Jungle Book , by Rudyard Kipling

produced by David Widger

PRINCE PRIGIO

from " his Own Fairy Book "

by Andrew Lang

TO CHILDREN .

the Author of this book is also the Editor of the Blue , Red , Greenland Yellow Fairy Books .

about that ancient kingdom very little is known .

the natives speak German ; but the Royal Family , as usual , was of foreign origin .

they wanted , they explained , not to be troubled with the Crusades , which they thought very injudicious and tiresome .

but these heroes doubtless inherited the spirit of their great ancestress , whose story is necessary to be known .

now in this cave dwelt a dragon of enormous size and unamiable character .

" oh , hang your practical jokes ! " exclaimed the prince , imagining that some of his courtiers were playing a prank on him .

" do you call this a joke ? " asked the dragon , twisting its forked tail into a line with his royal highness 's eye .

" Do take that thing away , " said the prince , " and let a man have his nap peacefully . "

" kiss me ! " cried the dragon , which had already devoured many gallant knights for declining to kiss it .

" give you a kiss , " murmured the prince ; " oh , certainly , if that 's all !

anything for a quiet life . "

So murmured , in the most affectionate accents , the Lady Dragonissa , as she was now called .

though wedded to a bachelor life , the prince was much too well-bred to make any remonstrance .

from this adventurous Lady Dragonissa , Prince Prigio derived his character for gallantry .

but her husband , it is said , was often heard to remark , by a slight change of his family motto :

" anything for a Quiet Wife ! "

you now know as much as the Author does of the early history of Pantouflia .

indeed , Fairnilee is the very place where the fairy queen appointed to meet her lover , Thomas the Rhymer .

with these explanations , the Author leaves to the judgment of young readers his Own Fairy Book .

PRINCE PRIGIO

by Andrew Lang

adorned by Gordon Browne , T Scott , and E A Lemann .

IS

dedicated

TO

ALMA , THYRA , EDITH , ROSALIND , NORNA , CECILY , AND VIOLET

PREFACE .

in compiling the following History from the Archives of Pantouflia , the Editor has incurred several obligations to the Learned .

for the Rémora , the Editor is indebted to the Voyage à la Lune of M . Cyrano de Bergérac .

Illustration : Chapter One

CHAPTER I.

how the Fairies were not Invited to Court

ONCE upon a time there reigned in Pantouflia a king and a queen .

with almost everything else to make them happy , they wanted one thing : they had no children .

the king was anxious to consult the fairies , but the queen would not hear of such a thing .

it was a splendid room , hung with portraits of the royal ancestors .

there was Cinderella , the grandmother of the reigning monarch , with her little foot in her glass slipper thrust out before her .

on the arm of the throne was seated his celebrated cat , wearing boots .

many other pictures of celebrated persons were hanging on the walls .

" you have asked all the right people , my dear ? " said the king .

" everyone who should be asked , " answered the queen .

" people are so touchy on these occasions , " said his majesty .

" you have not forgotten any of our aunts ? "

then he waited a little , and remarked :

" the fairies , of course , you have invited ?

" how can you be so absurd ? " cried the queen .

" how often must I tell you that there are no fairies ?

and even if there were but , no matter ; pray let us drop the subject . "

" they are very old friends of our family , my dear , that 's all , " said the king timidly .

" often and often they have been godmothers to us .

one , in particular , was most kind and most serviceable to Cinderella I. , my own grandmother . "

" your grandmother ! " interrupted her majesty .

" Fiddle-de-dee !

if anyone puts such nonsense into the head of my little Prigio "

but here the baby was brought in by the nurse , and the queen almost devoured it with kisses .

and so the fairies were not invited !

some were abroad ; several were ill ; a few were in prison among the Saracens ; others were captives in the dens of ogres .

don't you like opening parcels ?

the king did , and he was most friendly and polite to the fairies .

but the queen , though she saw them distinctly , took no notice of them .

you see , she did not believe in fairies , nor in her own eyes , when she saw them .

when dinner was over , and when the nurse had brought in the baby , all the fairies gave him the most magnificent presents .

Illustration : Chapter Two

CHAPTER II .

Prince Prigio and his family

WELL , the little prince grew up .

I think I 've told you that his name was Prigio did I not ?

well , that was his name .

you cannot think how clever he was .

he argued with his nurse as soon as he could speak , which was very soon .

he argued that he did not like to be washed , because the soap got into his eyes .

then he remembered the awful curse of the oldest fairy , and was sorry for the rudeness of the queen .

indeed , I cannot tell you how the prince was hated by all !

he would go down into the kitchen , and show the cook how to make soup .

he showed the fencing-master how to fence , and the professional cricketer how to bowl , and instructed the rat-catcher in breeding terriers .

he also endeavoured to teach the queen-dowager , his grandmother , an art with which she had long been perfectly familiar !

and , what was more , he had !

Illustration : page @number@

as time went on , Prince Prigio had two younger brothers , whom everybody liked : they were not a bit clever , but jolly .

Prince Alphonso , the third son , was round , fat , good-humoured , and as brave as a lion .

Prince Enrico , the second , was tall , thin , and a " little sad , but never too clever . "

but Prigio nearly got the country into several wars by being too clever for the foreign ambassadors .

Illustration : Chapter Three

CHAPTER III .

about the Firedrake .

OF all the people who did not like Prigio , his own dear papa , King Grognio , disliked him most .

for the king knew he was not clever himself .

and the king was afraid that Prigio would conspire , and get made king himself which was the last thing Prigio really wanted .

he much preferred to idle about , and know everything without seeming to take any trouble .

well , the king thought and thought .

how was he to get Prigio out of the way , and make Enrico or Alphonso his successor ?

and he wished he had the chance .

well , it arrived at last .

Illustration : Page @number@

there was a very hot summer !

it began to be hot in March . '

all the rivers were dried up .

the grass did not grow .

the corn did not grow .

the thermometers exploded with heat .

the barometers stood at Set Fair .

the people were much distressed , and came and broke the palace win-dows as they usually do when things go wrong in Pantouflia .

the king consulted the learned men about the Court , who told him that probably a FIREDRAKE was in the neighbourhood .

now , the Firedrake is a beast , or bird , about the bigness of an elephant .

its body is made of iron , and it is always red-hot .

it is a little hard on Enrico , poor boy ; but anything to get rid of that Prigio ! "

put on your armour , and be off with you ! "

Illustration : Page @number@

but the prince , who was lying on the sofa doing sums in compound division , for fun , said in the politest way :

send Alphonso " ( this was the youngest brother ) , " and he will do the trick at once .

at least , if he fails , it will be most unusual , and Enrico can try his luck . "

then he went back to his arithmetic and his slate , and the king had to send for Prince Alphonso and Prince Enrico .

they both came in very warm ; for they had been whipping tops , and the day was unusually hot .

" look here , " said the king , " just you two younger ones look at Prigio !

well , I have asked that lout of a brother of yours to kill it , and he says "

" that he does not believe in Firedrakes , " interrupted Prigio , " the weather 's warm enough without going out hunting ! "

" not believe in Firedrakes ! " cried Alphonso .

" I wonder what you do believe in !

just let me get at the creature ! " for he was as brave as a lion .

" hi !

Page , my chain-armour , helmet , lance , and buckler !

a Molinda !

a Molinda ! " which was his war-cry .

" you had better put on flannels , Alphonso , for this kind of work , " said Prigio .

" and if I were you , I 'd take a light garden-engine , full of water , to squirt at the enemy . "

" Happy thought ! " said Alphonso .

" I will ! "

but he never came back any more !

" there is some dreadful mistake , sir , " said Prigio to the king .

" you know as well as I do that the youngest son has always succeeded , up to now .

but I entertain great hopes of Enrico ! "

and he grinned ; for he fancied it was all nonsense , and that there were no Firedrakes .

Enrico was present when Prigio was consoling the king in this unfeeling way .

" Enrico , my boy , " said his majesty , " the task awaits you , and the honour .

Enrico was not quite so confident as Alphonso had been .

he insisted on making his will ; and he wrote a poem about the pleasures and advantages of dying young .

this is part of it :

the violet is a blossom sweet , That droops before the day is done Slain by thine overpowering heat , O Sun !

this poem comforted Enrico more or less , and he showed it to Prigio .

Enrico tried to improve it , but could not .

but he never came back again !

after shedding torrents of tears , the king summoned Prince Prigio to his presence .

" Dastard ! " he said .

" Poltroon !

your turn , which should have come first , has arrived at last .

you must fetch me the horns and the tail of the Fired rake .

probably you will be grilled , thank goodness ; but who will give me back Enrico and Alphonso ? "

" indeed , your majesty , " said Prigio , " you must permit me to correct your policy .

now , there can be no further question about the matter .

I , unworthy as I am , represent the sole hope of the royal family .

therefore to send me after the Firedrake were both dangerous and unnecessary .

ask the Lord Chief Justice , if you don't believe me . "

subjunctive mood !

he was a great grammarian !

Illustration : Chapter Four

CHAPTER IV .

how Prince Prigio was deserted by Everybody

MEANWHILE , Prince Prigio had to suffer many unpleasant things .

though he was the crown prince ( and though his arguments were unanswerable ) , everybody shunned him for a coward .

the queen , who did not believe in Firedrakes , alone took his side .

he was not only avoided by all , but he had most disagreeable scenes with his own cousins , Lady Molinda and Lady Kathleena .

in the garden Lady Molinda met him walking alone , and did not bow to him .

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" oh , excuse me , " said the prince , " I am certain he has merely gone off on his travels .

" Prince Alphonso has gone on his travels , and will come back when he is tired !

and was he then tired of me ? " cried poor Molinda , bursting into tears , and forgetting her dignity .

" oh !

as for Lady Kathleena , she swept past him like a queen , without a word .

so the prince , for all his cleverness , was not happy .

after several days had gone by , the king returned from the solitary place where he had been speaking his mind .

he now felt calmer and better ; and so at last he came back to the palace .

for he was quite unendurable , the king said , and he could not trust his own temper when he thought of him .

and he grew so fierce , that even the queen was afraid of him now .

the poor queen cried a good deal ; Prigio being her favourite son , on account of his acknowledged ability and talent .

but the rest of the courtiers were delighted at leaving Prince Prigio behind .

the ungrateful courtiers left Prigio with hoots and yells , for they disliked him so much that they forgot he would be king one day .

when he wakened , the air was cold and the day was beginning to grow dark .

Prince Prigio thought he would go down and dine at a tavern in the town , for no servants had been left with him .

his wardrobe had been ransacked , and everything that had not been carried off had been cut up , burned , and destroyed .

never was such a spectacle of wicked mischief .

it was as if hay had been made of everything he possessed .

can you imagine anything more cruel and unjust than this conduct ? for it was not the prince 's fault that he was so clever .

the cruel fairy had made him so .

if you are clever , you will find it best not to let people know it if you want them to like you .

well , here was the prince in a pretty plight .

Illustration : Chapter Five

CHAPTER V.

what Prince Prigio found in the garret .

but in the dusk the prince saw a heap of all sorts of things lying on the floor and on the table .

there were two caps ; he put one on an old , grey , ugly cap it was , made of felt .

there was a pair of boots ; and he kicked off his slippers , and got into them .

they were a good deal worn , but fitted as if they had been made for him .

then he ran downstairs , and walked out of the hall door .

Illustration : Chapter Six

CHAPTER VI .

what Happened to Prince Prigio in Town

BY this time the prince was very hungry .

but , then , the town was twenty-one leagues away sixty-three long miles !

but this , of course , the prince did not know .

now you should be told that seven-league boots only take those prodigious steps when you say you want to go a long distance .

otherwise they would be very inconvenient when you only want to cross the room , for example .

perhaps this has not been explained to you by your governess ?

well , the prince walked into " the Bear , " and it seemed odd to him that nobody took any notice of him .

he was so puzzled by not being attended to as usual , that he quite forgot to take off his cap .

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at first he thought they were too busy , but presently another explanation occurred to him .

well , I don't mean to starve in the midst of plenty , anyhow ; here goes ! "

the prince rose , and went to the table in the midst of the room , where a huge roast turkey had just been placed .

he then went back to a table in a corner , where he dined very well , nobody taking any notice of him .

when he had finished , he sat watching the other people dining , and smoking his cigarette .

with these words , the officer sat down suddenly in the prince 's lap , as if he did not see him at all .

he was a heavy man , and the prince , enraged at the insult , pushed him away and jumped to his feet .

as he did so , his cap dropped off .

the officer fell on his knees at once , crying :

" pardon , my prince , pardon !

I never saw you ! "

this was more than the prince could be expected to believe .

" nonsense !

count Frederick von Matterhorn , " he said ; " you must be intoxicated .

sir ! you have insulted your prince and your superior officer .

consider yourself under arrest !

you shall be sent to a prison to-morrow . "

on this , the poor officer appealed piteously to everybody in the tavern .

" it is a disgraceful conspiracy , " he said .

" the king shall answer for this !

I shall write to the newspapers at once ! "

he was not put in a better temper by the way in which people hustled him in the street .

in one of these encounters , the prince pushed so hard against a poor old beggar woman that she fell down .

overcome with surprise , he thrust the money into the woman 's hand , and put on his cap again .

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things are not as they appear . "

a great ball was going on ; but , as usual , nobody took any notice of the prince .

he walked among the guests , being careful not to jostle them , and listening to their conversation .

it was all about himself !

everyone had heard of his disgrace , and almost everyone cried " serve him right ! "

yes , one had !

it was the pretty lady of the carriage .

I never could tell you how pretty she was .

the prince first thought how nice and good she looked , even before he thought how pretty she looked .

she stood up for Prince Prigio when her partner would speak ill of him .

" and , then , think how hard they made him work at school !

and now he is Minister for Education , though he can't do a line of Greek prose ! "

the prince blushed at this , for he knew his conduct had not been honourable .

you see he was so clever !

he had read about those things in historical books : but now he believed in them .

Illustration : Chapter Seven

CHAPTER VII .

the Prince Falls in Love

HE understood all this , and burst out laughing , which nearly frightened an old lady near him out of her wits .

ah ! how he wished he was only in evening dress , that he might dance with the charming young lady .

but there he was , dressed just as if he were going out to hunt , if anyone could have seen him .

so , even if he took off his cap of darkness , and became visible , he was no figure for a ball .

once he would not have cared , but now he cared very much indeed .

but the prince was not clever for nothing .

he struck a light with a flint and steel , lit a torch , and ran upstairs to the garret .

was there yes , there was another cap !

there it lay , a handsome green one with a red feather .

the prince pulled off the cap of darkness , put on the other , and said :

" I wish I were dressed in my best suit of white and gold , with the royal Pantouflia diamonds ! "

he threw down the wishing cap , put on the other the cap of darkness and made three strides in the direction of Gluckstein .

but he was only three steps nearer it than he had been , and the seven-league boots were standing beside him on the floor !

that 's mathematics ! "

he then hunted about in the lumber-room again till he found a small , shabby , old Persian carpet , the size of a hearthrug .

he went to his own room , took a portmanteau in his hand , sat down on the carpet , and said :

" I wish I were in Gluckstein . "

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everybody made place for him , bowing down to the ground , and the loyal band struck up The Prince 's March :

Heaven bless our Prince Prigio !

what is there he doesn't know ?

Greek , Swiss , German ( High and Low ) , And the names of the mountains in Mexico , Heaven bless the prince !

he used to be very fond of this march , and the words some people even said he had made them himself .

but now , somehow , he didn't much like it .

she was the daughter of the new English Ambassador , and her name was Lady Rosalind .

however , it was impossible to refuse , and so she danced with the prince , and he danced very well .

and the prince said :

for , even a clever person can be nice when he likes above all , when he is not thinking about himself .

in Pantouflia , it is the custom that a ball must not end while one of the royal family goes on dancing .

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Illustration : Chapter Eight

CHAPTER VIII .

the Prince is Puzzled

PRINCE PRIGIO did not go to bed .

it was bright daylight , and he had promised to bring the horns and tail of a Firedrake as a present to a pretty lady .

" first , " he said , " where is the Firedrake ? "

he reflected for a little , and then ran upstairs to the garret .

indeed , he had found the spyglass of carved ivory which Prince Ali , in the Arabian Nights , bought in the bazaar in Schiraz .

Prigio 's first idea was to look at his lady .

the prince clapped the glass to his eye , stared out of window , and there , sure enough , he saw the Firedrake .

he was floating about in a sea of molten lava , on the top of a volcano .

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the prince did not like the looks of him .

poor little Alphonso ! poor Enrico ! what plucky fellows they were !

how horrid being too clever makes one !

and now , what am I to do ? "

what was he to do , indeed ?

and what would you have done ?

bring the horns and tail he must , or perish in the adventure .

otherwise , how could he meet his lady ? why , she would think him a mere braggart .

the prince sat down , and thought and thought ; and the day went on , and it was now high noon .

at last he jumped up and rushed into the library , a room where nobody ever went except himself and the queen .

in that book , Prince Prigio fancied he would find something he half remembered , and that would be of use to him .

and he did ! so you see that cleverness , and minding your book , have some advantages , after all .

then he seized the ivory glass , clapped it to his eye , and looked for the Remora .

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never you fight , if you can help it , except with plenty of food to keep you going and in good heart .

then off he flew , and soon he reached the volcano of the Firedrake .

Illustration : Chapter Nine

CHAPTER IX .

the Prince and the Firedrake

IT was dreadfully hot , even high up in the air , where the prince hung invisible .

Great burning stones were tossed up by the volcano , and nearly hit him several times .

the garden-engine of poor little Alphonso was lying in the valley , all broken and useless .

" hi ! " shouted the prince .

" who 's there ? " he said in a hoarse , angry voice .

" just let me get at you ! "

" it 's me , " answered the prince .

it was the first time he had forgotten his grammar , but he was terribly excited .

" what do you want ? " grunted the beast .

" hi ! "

" well , " grunted the Firedrake , " what 's the matter ?

why can't you give a civil answer to a civil question ? "

" will you go back to your hole and swear , on your honour as a Firedrake , to listen quietly ? "

" on my sacred word of honour , " said the beast , casually scorching an eagle that flew by into ashes .

the cinders fell , jingling and crackling , round the prince in a little shower .

then the Firedrake dived back , with an awful splash of flame , and the mountain roared round him .

the prince now flew high above him , and cried :

" A message from the Remora .

he says you are afraid to fight him . "

" don't know him , " grunted the Firedrake .

then he dropped his own glove into the fiery lake .

" does he ? " yelled the Firedrake .

" just let me get at him ! " and he scrambled out , all red-hot as he was .

Illustration : Chapter Ten

CHAPTER X.

the Prince and the Remora

if he had been too warm before , the prince was too cold now .

the prince felt his blood stand still , and he grew faint ; but he took heart , for there was no time to waste .

yet he could nowhere see the Remora .

" hi ! " shouted the prince .

then there came a whisper , like the breath of the bitter east wind on a wintry day :

" where are you , and how can I come to you ? "

" here I am ! " said the prince from the top of the hill .

and still the thing slipped up , from the chink under the mountain .

" hi ! " he shouted , as soon as his tongue could move within his chattering teeth .

there came a clear , hissing answer , like frozen words dropping round him :

" wait till I come down .

what do you want ? "

then the white folds began to slide , like melting ice , from the black hill .

Prince Prigio felt the air getting warmer behind him , and colder in front of him .

Illustration : Chapter Eleven

CHAPTER XI .

the Battle

IT was an awful sight to behold !

the green trees dropped their leaves as he advanced ; the birds fell down dead from the sky , slain by his frosty breath !

but , fast as the Remora stole forward , the Firedrake came quicker yet , flying and clashing his fiery wings .

meanwhile , the prince , safe on his hill , was lunching on the loaf and the cold tongue he had brought with him .

" go it , Remora !

go it , Firedrake ! you 're gaining .

give it him , Remora ! " he shouted in the wildest excitement .

nobody had ever seen such a battle ; he had it all to himself , and he never enjoyed anything more .

" go it , Remora ! " cried the prince : " his legs are giving way ; he 's groggy on his pins !

one more effort , and he won't be able to move ! "

then the Firedrake stood groaning like a black bull , knee-deep in snow ; and still the Remora climbed and climbed .

the wounded Remora curled back his head again on himself , and again crawled , steaming terribly , towards his enemy .

but the struggle was too much for the gallant Remora .

with one final roar , like the breath of a thousand furnaces , the Firedrake expired .

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drawing the sword of sharpness , he hacked off , at two blows , the iron head and the tail of the Firedrake .

but the castle clock struck half-past seven ; dinner was at eight , and the poor prince crawled on hands and knees to the garret .

punctuality is the politeness of princes ; and a prince is polite when he is in love !

she seemed prettier and kinder than ever .

the prince was so happy , that he never noticed how something went wrong about the dinner .

but the prince was so busy in talking to his lady , and in eating his dinner too , that he never observed anything unusual .

he had never been at such a pleasant dinner !

Illustration : Chapter Twelve

CHAPTER XII .

a Terrible Misfortune

WHEN the ladies left , and the prince and the other gentlemen were alone , the ambassador appeared more gloomy than ever .

at last he took the prince into a corner , on pretence of showing him a rare statue .

" does your royal highness not know , " he asked , " that you are in considerable danger ? "

" still ? " said the prince , thinking of the Firedrake .

then he showed the prince two proclamations , which had been posted all about the town .

here is the first :

TO ALL LOYAL SUBJECTS .

whereas ,

our eldest son , Prince Prigio , hath of late been guilty of several high crimes and misdemeanours .

secondly : by attending an unseemly revel in the town of Gluckstein , where he brawled in the streets .

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this is to give warning ,

Grognio R.

and here is the second proclamation :

reward .

the firedrake .

whereas ,

our dominions have lately been devastated by a Firedrake ( the Salamander Furiosus of Buffon ) ;

this is to advise all ,

Grognio R.

" we don't want to fight ; and no more , I think , do you , " said the prince , smiling .

" then how does your royal highness mean to treat the proclamations ? "

" why , by winning these ten thousand purses .


but I don't want to marry my Cousin Molly . "

" may I remind your royal highness that Falkenstein is three hundred miles away ?

the ambassador was so astonished that he ran straight upstairs , forgetting his manners , and crying :

" Linda !

Linda ! come down at once ; here 's a surprise for you ! "

Lady Rosalind came sweeping down , with a smile on her kind face .

she guessed what it was , though the prince had said nothing about it at dinner .

he turned quite pale , and said :

" will you kindly ask the servants where the little Persian prayer-rug and the parcel which I brought with me have been placed ? "

Lord Kelso rang the bell , and in came all the servants , with William , the under-butler , at their head .

" William , " said his lordship , " where have you put his royal highness 's parcel and his carpet ? "

" please , your lordship , " said William , " we think Benson have took them away with him . "

" and where is Benson ? "

" we don't know , your lordship .

we think he have been come for ! "

" come for by whom ? "

William stammered , and seemed at a loss for a reply .

" Quick ! answer ! what do you know about it ? "

William said at last , rather as if he were making a speech :

" your royaliness , and my lords and ladies , it was like this .

his royaliness comed in with a rug over his arm , and summat under it .

and he lays it down on that there seat , and Thomas shows him into the droring-room .

then Benson says : ' Dinner 'll be ready in five minutes ; how tired I do feel !

I ' m about tired , and I thinks of bettering myself .

I wish I was at the king 's court , and butler . '

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I run to the door , and there he was , flying right hover the town , in a northerly direction .

and that 's all I know ; for I would not tell a lie , not if it was hever so .

and me , and Thomas as didn't see it , and cook , we thinks as how Benson was come for .

and cook says as she don't wonder at it , neither ; for a grumblinger , more ill-conditioneder "

" thank you , William , " said Lord Kelso ; " that will do ; you can go , for the present . "

Illustration : Chapter Thirteen

CHAPTER XIII .

Surprises

THE prince said nothing , the ambassador said nothing , Lady Rosalind said never a word till they were in the drawing-room .

below them flowed the clear , green water of the Gluckthal And still nobody said a word .

at last the prince spoke : " this is a very strange story , Lord Kelso ! "

" very , sir ! " said the ambassador .

" I can hardly believe , sir , that the conduct of Benson , whom I always found a most respectable man , deserved "

" that he should be ' come for , ' " said the prince .

" oh , sir , you honour us too highly , " murmured Lady Rosalind ; and the prince blushed and said :

" not at all !

impossible ! "

" what on earth am I to do with the young man ? " he thought .

it is dreadful ! "

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Illustration : Chapter Fourteen

CHAPTER XIV .

the King Explains .

THE first who recovered his voice and presence of mind was Benson .

when he had gone , the prince threw himself at the king 's feet , crying :

" pardon , pardon , my liege ! "

" I shall waken presently ; this is nothing out of the way for a dream .

Dr Rumpfino ascribes it to imperfect nutrition . "

all this time , the Lady Rosalind , as pale as a marble statue , was leaning against the side of the open window .

meanwhile , the ambassador had induced the king to take a seat ; but there was no use in talking to the queen .

" it would be a miracle , " she said to herself , " and miracles do not happen ; therefore this has not happened .

presently , I shall wake up in my own bed at Falkenstein . "

now , Benson , William , and Thomas brought in the coffee , but the queen took no notice .

" you want to know all about it , I suppose ? " said his majesty in a sulky voice .

" well , you have a right to it , and I shall tell you .

the tail is like the iron handle of a pump , but the horns are genuine .

a pair were thrown up by a volcano , in my great-grandfather 's time Giglio I Excellent coffee this , of yours ! "

the History of this Prince may be read in a treatise called The Rose and the Ring , by M A Titmarsh .

London , @number@

Illustration : Page @number@

the ambassador bowed .

" well , we asked him where he killed the Firedrake , and he said in a garden near Gluckstein .

rather a neat thing ; drew it up myself , " added his majesty .

" very much to the point , " said the ambassador , wondering what the king was coming to .

" Glad you like it , " said the king , much pleased .

" well , where was I ?

oh , yes ; your man said he had killed the creature in a garden , quite near Gluckstein .

her heart is buried , if I may say so , with poor Alphonso .

but the queen is a very remarkable woman very remarkable "

" very ! " said the ambassador , with perfect truth .

this had not occurred to me , I am a plain king , but I at once saw the force of her majesty 's argument .

yes , ' said I ; ' how did you manage it ? '

but he your man , I mean was not a bit put out .

on this her majesty grew more indignant , if possible .

these were her very words . "

" her majesty 's expressions are ever choice and appropriate , " said the ambassador .

when the experiment has failed , thy head shall from thy shoulders be shorn ! '

so your man merely said , ' Very well , mum , your majesty , I mean , ' and sat down .

then we rose , flew through the air at an astonishing pace , and here we are !

the queen accompanied him , remarking that she was sound asleep , but would waken presently .

neither of them said " good-night " to the prince .

indeed , they did not see him again , for he was on the balcony with Lady Rosalind .

after this she went to bed ; and the prince , who had not slept at all the night before , felt very sleepy also .

but he knew that first he had something that must be done .

so he went into the drawing-room , took his carpet , and wished to be now where do you suppose ?

beside the dead body of the Firedrake !

there he was in a moment ; and dreadful the body looked , lying stark and cold in the white moonshine .

Illustration : Chapter Fifteen

CHAPTER XV .

the King 's Cheque

WHEN they all awakened next morning , their first ideas were confused .

however , she was a determined woman , and stood to it that nothing unusual was occurring .

as for the king , he was only anxious to get back to Falkenstein , and have the whole business settled in a constitutional manner .

Benson 's evidence was taken first .

he declined to say exactly where or how he killed the Firedrake .

yet one or the other choice seemed certain .

unhappy lady !

perhaps no girl was ever more strangely beset by misfortune !

Prince Prigio was now called on to speak .

he admitted that the reward was offered for bringing the horns and tail , not for killing the monster .

but were the king 's intentions to go for nothing ?

any fellow with a waggon could bring the horns and tail ; the difficult thing was to kill the monster .

if Benson 's claim was allowed , the royal prerogative of saying one thing and meaning something else was in danger .

he was ready to do this himself .

was Mr Benson equally ready ?

on this being interpreted to him for he did not speak Pantouflian Benson grew pale with horror , but fell back on the proclamation .

he had brought the horns and tail , and so he must have the perquisites , and the Lady Molinda !

the king 's mind was so much confused by this time , that he determined to leave it to the Lady Molinda herself .

" which of them will you have , my dear ? " he asked , in a kind voice .

but poor Molinda merely cried .

then his majesty was almost driven to say that he would give the reward to whoever produced the hoofs by that day week .

but no sooner had he said this than the prince brought them out of his wallet , and displayed them in open Court .

but if Benson was irritated , and suffered from the remarks of his fellow-servants , I do not think we can envy Prince Prigio .

here he was , restored to his position indeed , but by no means to the royal favour .

for the king disliked him as much as ever , and was as angry as ever about the deaths of Enrico and Alphonso .

Nay , he was even more angry ; and , perhaps , not without reason .

he called up Prigio before the whole Court , and thereon the courtiers cheered like anything , but the king cried :

" silence !

McDougal , drag the first man that shouts to the serpent-house in the zoological gardens , and lock him up with the rattlesnakes ! "

after that the courtiers were very quiet .

but your base and malevolent nature is even more conspicuously manifest in your selfish success than in your previous dastardly contempt of duty .

eh ! what do you say , you sneak ?

' You didn't believe there were any Firedrakes ? '

that just comes of your eternal conceit and arrogance !

' You have not generally found it so ? '

when his majesty had recovered , he said to Prigio ( who had not been crying , he was too much absorbed ) :

" a king 's word is his bond .

bring me a pen , somebody , and my cheque-book . "

the royal cheque-book , bound in red morocco , was brought in by eight pages , with ink and a pen .

Illustration : the King 's Cheque

" hi ! here ! come back !

I forgot something ; you 've got to marry Molinda ! "

Illustration : Chapter Sixteen

CHAPTER XVI .

a Melancholy Chapter

THE prince had gone some way , when the king called after him .

how he wished he had the seven-league boots on , or that he had the cap of darkness in his pocket !

if he had been so lucky , he would now have got back to Gluckstein , and crossed the border with Lady Rosalind .

" Prigio ! " said his majesty , " where were you off to ?

don't you remember that this is your wedding-day ?

I congratulate you , sir ; Molinda is a dear girl . "

" I have the highest affection and esteem for my cousin , sir , " said the prince , " but : "

" never !

I despise him ! "

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" never better , sire , " said the man , bowing with more courtliness than his profession indicated .

" very well , " said the king ; " Prince Prigio , you have your choice .

there is the gallows , here is Lady Molinda .

my duty is painful , but clear .

a king 's word cannot be broken .

Molly , or the gibbet ! "

the prince bowed respectfully to Lady Molinda :

I am compelled , most unwillingly , to slight your charms , and to select the Extreme Rigour of the Law .

executioner , lead on !

do your duty ; for me , Prigio est prêt ; " for this was his motto , and meant that he was ready .

Illustration : Page @number@

Poor Lady Molinda could not but be hurt by the prince 's preference for death over marriage to her , little as she liked him .

for Alphonso was gone crying would not bring him back .

" ah , Madam ! " said the prince , " you are forgiving "

" for you are brave ! " said Molinda , feeling : quite a respect for him .

" but neither your heart nor mine is ours to give .

then , turning to the king the prince said :

" sir , is there no way but by death or marriage ?

cannot the whole proclamation be annulled , and will you consider the bargain void if I tear up this flimsy scroll ? "


for a moment the king was tempted ; but then he said to himself :

" never mind , it 's only an extra penny on the income-tax . "

then , " keep your dross , " he shouted , meaning the million ; " but let me keep my promise .

to chapel at once , or " and he pointed to the executioner .

" the word of a king of Pantouflia is sacred . "

" and so is that of a crown prince , " answered Prigio ; " and mine is pledged to a lady . "

the prince thought for the space of a flash of lightning .

" I accept the alternative , " he said , " if your majesty will grant me my conditions . "

" name them ! " said the king .

Prigio of Pantouflia will perish by his own hand . "

the king , whose mind did not work very quickly , took some minutes to think over it .

" honour bright ? " said the king at last .

" Honour bright ! " answered the prince , and for the first time in many months , the royal father and son shook hands .

Poor Molinda merely stared ; for she could not imagine what he meant .

Illustration : Chapter Seventeen

CHAPTER XVII .

the Black Cat and the brethren

WHO was glad to see the prince , if it was not Lady Rosalind ?

for either he would have brought his brothers back , sound and well , to Falkenstein , or he would not survive his dishonour .

and I should have fallen , dear Rosalind , if I had faced the Firedrake before I knew you . "

and the Firedrake would have made a mouthful of him , then .

but the prince said he had his plan , and he stayed that night at the ambassador 's .

at last , stretched at full length in a sunny place , the prince found a very old , half-blind , miserable cat .

Illustration : Page @number@

" Well , " said the prince at last , " he could not live long anyway , and it must be done .

he will feel nothing . "

then he drew the sword of sharpness , and with one turn of his wrist cut the cat 's head clean off .

the dead cat lay there , like any common cat .

very soon there was nothing of old black Frank left but ashes !

the light fell on the strange heaps of fairy things talismans and spells .

this was what was written on the plates :

AQVA .

DE .

FONTE .

LEONVM .

water from the Fountain of Lions .

" thank heaven ! " said the prince .

" I thought they were sure to have brought it ! "

Illustration : Page @number@

he opened the bottle , and poured a few drops of the water on the ashes and the dying embers .

I'll ! "

do you know what he meant to do , if he could not find his brothers ?

let every child-guess .

off he flew ; and there he was in a second , just beside poor Alphonso 's garden-engine .

" hullo , Prigio ! " cried he ; " are you come after the monster too ?

I 've been asleep , and I had a kind of dream that he beat me .

but the pair of us will tackle him .

how is Molinda ? "

" prettier than ever , " said Prigio ; " but anxious about you .

however , the Firedrake 's dead and done for ; so never mind him .

but I left Enrico somewhere about .

Just you sit down and wait a minute , till I fetch him . "

" all right , old fellow , " says Alphonso ; " but have you any luncheon with you ?

never was so hungry in my life ! "

in a hollow of the hill , sure enough there was the sword of Enrico , the diamonds of the hilt gleaming in the sun .

and there was a little heap of grey ashes .

there they were in a moment , among the old knights whom , if you remember , the Remora had frozen into stone .

so he marshalled them in order , and sent them off to ride to Falkenstein and cry :

" Prince Prigio is coming ! "

Illustration : Page @number@

off they went , the horses ' hoofs clattering , banners flying , sunshine glittering on the spear-points .

Illustration : Chapter Eighteen

CHAPTER XVIII .

the Very Last

THE princes returned to Gluckstein on the carpet , and went to the best inn , where they dined together and slept .

kings are like that .

this threat properly frightened King Grognio , and he apologised .

then the king shook hands with Prigio in public , and thanked him , and said he was proud of him .

Illustration : Page @number@

now , just as they were forming a procession to march into church , who should appear but the queen !

I say luckily because if she had heard of them , she would not have believed a word of them .

but when she saw Alphonso and Enrico , she was much pleased , and said :

" naughty boys !

where have you been hiding ?

the king had some absurd story about your having been killed by a fabulous monster .

Bah ! don't tell me .

I always said you would come back after a little trip didn't I , Prigio ? "

" certainly , madam , " said Prigio ; " and I said so , too .

didn't I say so ? "

and they do !

the honeymoon of Prince Prigio and the Crown Princess Rosalind was passed at the castle , where the prince had been deserted by the Court .

but the prince did not like the tone of her voice , and he said :

" no , there 's something ; do tell me what it is . "

no , not quite so very much , but I want them to like you .

now they can't , because they are afraid of you ; for you are so awfully clever .

now , couldn't you take the wishing cap , and wish to be no cleverer than other people ?

then everybody would like you ! "

the prince thought a minute , then he said :

" your will is law , my dear ; anything to please you .

just wait a minute ! "

then he ran upstairs , for the last time , to the fairy garret , and he put on the wishing cap .

" no , " thought he to himself , " I won't wish that .

every man has one secret from his wife , and this shall be mine . "

then he said aloud : " I wish to SEEM no CLEVERER THAN OTHER PEOPLE . "

but occasionally Rosalind would say , " I do believe , my dear , that you are really as clever as ever ! "

and he was !

Illustration : Page @number@

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Prince Prigio , by Andrew Lang

produced by An Anonymous Volunteer and David Widger

THE JUNGLE BOOK

by Rudyard Kipling

Contents

Mowgli 's Brothers Hunting-Song of the Seeonee Pack Kaa 's Hunting Road-Song of the Bandar-Log " Tiger !

tiger ! "

Mowgli 's Brothers

this is the hour of pride and power , Talon and tush and claw .

oh , hear the call !

good hunting all That keep the Jungle Law !

Night-Song in the Jungle

" Augrh ! " said Father Wolf .

" it is time to hunt again . "

and good luck and strong white teeth go with noble children that they may never forget the hungry in this world . "

even the tiger runs and hides when little Tabaqui goes mad , for madness is the most disgraceful thing that can overtake a wild creature .

we call it hydrophobia , but they call it dewanee the madness and run .

" enter , then , and look , " said Father Wolf stiffly , " but there is no food here . "

who are we , the Gidur-log the jackal people , to pick and choose ? "

" all thanks for this good meal , " he said , licking his lips .

" how beautiful are the noble children !

how large are their eyes !

and so young too !

indeed , indeed , I might have remembered that the children of kings are men from the beginning . "

now , Tabaqui knew as well as anyone else that there is nothing so unlucky as to compliment children to their faces .

it pleased him to see Mother and Father Wolf look uncomfortable .

Tabaqui sat still , rejoicing in the mischief that he had made , and then he said spitefully :

" Shere Khan , the Big One , has shifted his hunting grounds .

he will hunt among these hills for the next moon , so he has told me . "

Shere Khan was the tiger who lived near the Waingunga River , twenty miles away .

" he has no right ! "

father Wolf began angrily " by the Law of the Jungle he has no right to change his quarters without due warning .

he will frighten every head of game within ten miles , and I I have to kill for two , these days . "

" his mother did not call him Lungri the Lame One for nothing , " said Mother Wolf quietly .

" he has been lame in one foot from his birth .

that is why he has only killed cattle .

now the villagers of the Waingunga are angry with him , and he has come here to make our villagers angry .

indeed , we are very grateful to Shere Khan ! "

" shall I tell him of your gratitude ? " said Tabaqui .

" out ! " snapped Father Wolf .

" Out and hunt with thy master .

thou hast done harm enough for one night . "

" I go , " said Tabaqui quietly .

" ye can hear Shere Khan below in the thickets .

I might have saved myself the message . "

" the fool ! " said Father Wolf .

" to begin a night 's work with that noise !

does he think that our buck are like his fat Waingunga bullocks ? "

" H'sh .

it is neither bullock nor buck he hunts to-night , " said Mother Wolf .

" it is Man . "

the whine had changed to a sort of humming purr that seemed to come from every quarter of the compass .

" Man ! " said Father Wolf , showing all his white teeth .

" Faugh !

are there not enough beetles and frogs in the tanks that he must eat Man , and on our ground too ! "

then everybody in the jungle suffers .

they say too and it is true that man-eaters become mangy , and lose their teeth .

the purr grew louder , and ended in the full-throated " Aaarh ! " of the tiger 's charge .

then there was a howl an untigerish howl from Shere Khan .

" he has missed , " said Mother Wolf .

" what is it ? "

father Wolf ran out a few paces and heard Shere Khan muttering and mumbling savagely as he tumbled about in the scrub .

" Tabaqui is with him . "

" something is coming uphill , " said Mother Wolf , twitching one ear .

" get ready . "

the bushes rustled a little in the thicket , and Father Wolf dropped with his haunches under him , ready for his leap .

then , if you had been watching , you would have seen the most wonderful thing in the world the wolf checked in mid-spring .

he made his bound before he saw what it was he was jumping at , and then he tried to stop himself .

the result was that he shot up straight into the air for four or five feet , landing almost where he left ground .

" man ! " he snapped .

" a man 's cub .

look ! "

he looked up into Father Wolf 's face , and laughed .

" is that a man 's cub ? " said Mother Wolf .

" I have never seen one .

bring it here . "

" how little !

how naked , and how bold ! " said Mother Wolf softly .

the baby was pushing his way between the cubs to get close to the warm hide .

" Ahai !

he is taking his meal with the others .

and so this is a man 's cub .

now , was there ever a wolf that could boast of a man 's cub among her children ? "

" he is altogether without hair , and I could kill him with a touch of my foot .

but see , he looks up and is not afraid . "

the moonlight was blocked out of the mouth of the cave , for Shere Khan 's great square head and shoulders were thrust into the entrance .

Tabaqui , behind him , was squeaking : " my lord , my lord , it went in here ! "

" Shere Khan does us great honor , " said Father Wolf , but his eyes were very angry .

" what does Shere Khan need ? "

" my quarry .

a man 's cub went this way , " said Shere Khan .

" its parents have run off .

give it to me . "

Shere Khan had jumped at a woodcutter 's campfire , as Father Wolf had said , and was furious from the pain of his burned feet .

but Father Wolf knew that the mouth of the cave was too narrow for a tiger to come in by .

" the Wolves are a free people , " said Father Wolf .

" they take orders from the Head of the Pack , and not from any striped cattle-killer .

the man 's cub is ours to kill if we choose . "

" ye choose and ye do not choose !

what talk is this of choosing ?

by the bull that I killed , am I to stand nosing into your dog 's den for my fair dues ?

it is I , Shere Khan , who speak ! "

the tiger 's roar filled the cave with thunder .

" and it is I , Raksha The Demon , who answers .

the man 's cub is mine , Lungri mine to me !

he shall not be killed .

go ! "

father Wolf looked on amazed .

so he backed out of the cave mouth growling , and when he was clear he shouted :

" each dog barks in his own yard !

we will see what the Pack will say to this fostering of man-cubs .

the cub is mine , and to my teeth he will come in the end , O bush-tailed thieves ! "

mother Wolf threw herself down panting among the cubs , and Father Wolf said to her gravely :

" Shere Khan speaks this much truth .

the cub must be shown to the Pack .

wilt thou still keep him , Mother ? "

" keep him ! " she gasped .

" he came naked , by night , alone and very hungry ; yet he was not afraid !

look , he has pushed one of my babes to one side already .

keep him ?

assuredly I will keep him .

lie still , little frog .

" but what will our Pack say ? " said Father Wolf .

the Law of the Jungle lays down very clearly that any wolf may , when he marries , withdraw from the Pack he belongs to .

the Lone Wolf had led them for a year now .

there was very little talking at the Rock .

sometimes a mother would push her cub far out into the moonlight to be sure that he had not been overlooked .

Akela from his rock would cry : " ye know the Law ye know the Law .

look well , O Wolves ! "

and the anxious mothers would take up the call : " look look well , O Wolves ! "

Akela never raised his head from his paws , but went on with the monotonous cry : " look well ! "

a muffled roar came up from behind the rocks the voice of Shere Khan crying : " the cub is mine .

give him to me .

what have the Free People to do with a man 's cub ? "

Akela never even twitched his ears .

all he said was : " look well , O Wolves !

what have the Free People to do with the orders of any save the Free People ?

look well ! "

" who speaks for this cub ? " said Akela .

" among the Free People who speaks ? "

there was no answer and Mother Wolf got ready for what she knew would be her last fight , if things came to fighting .

" the man 's cub the man 's cub ? " he said .

" I speak for the man 's cub .

there is no harm in a man 's cub .

I have no gift of words , but I speak the truth .

let him run with the Pack , and be entered with the others .

I myself will teach him . "

" we need yet another , " said Akela .

" Baloo has spoken , and he is our teacher for the young cubs .

who speaks besides Baloo ? "

a black shadow dropped down into the circle .

but he had a voice as soft as wild honey dripping from a tree , and a skin softer than down .

and the Law does not say who may or may not pay that price .

am I right ? "

" good !

good ! " said the young wolves , who are always hungry .

" listen to Bagheera .

the cub can be bought for a price .

it is the Law . "

" knowing that I have no right to speak here , I ask your leave . "

" speak then , " cried twenty voices .

" to kill a naked cub is shame .

besides , he may make better sport for you when he is grown .

Baloo has spoken in his behalf .

is it difficult ? "

there was a clamor of scores of voices , saying : " what matter ?

he will die in the winter rains .

he will scorch in the sun .

what harm can a naked frog do us ?

let him run with the Pack .

where is the bull , Bagheera ?

let him be accepted . "

and then came Akela 's deep bay , crying : " look well look well , O Wolves ! "

Mowgli was still deeply interested in the pebbles , and he did not notice when the wolves came and looked at him one by one .

Shere Khan roared still in the night , for he was very angry that Mowgli had not been handed over to him .

" it was well done , " said Akela .

" men and their cubs are very wise .

he may be a help in time . "

" truly , a help in time of need ; for none can hope to lead the Pack forever , " said Bagheera .

Akela said nothing .

" take him away , " he said to Father Wolf , " and train him as befits one of the Free People . "

and that is how Mowgli was entered into the Seeonee Wolf Pack for the price of a bull and on Baloo 's good word .

he grew up with the cubs , though they , of course , were grown wolves almost before he was a child .

when he was not learning he sat out in the sun and slept , and ate and went to sleep again .

Bagheera killed right and left as he felt hungry , and so did Mowgli with one exception .

that is the Law of the Jungle . "

Mowgli obeyed faithfully .

" they tell me , " Shere Khan would say , " that at Council ye dare not look him between the eyes . "

and the young wolves would growl and bristle .

why should I be afraid ? "

it was one very warm day that a new notion came to Bagheera born of something that he had heard .

" as many times as there are nuts on that palm , " said Mowgli , who , naturally , could not count .

" what of it ?

I am sleepy , Bagheera , and Shere Khan is all long tail and loud talk like Mao , the Peacock . "

" but this is no time for sleeping .

Baloo knows it ; I know it ; the Pack know it ; and even the foolish , foolish deer know .

Tabaqui has told thee too . "

" Ho ! ho ! " said Mowgli .

" Tabaqui came to me not long ago with some rude talk that I was a naked man 's cub and not fit to dig pig-nuts .

but I caught Tabaqui by the tail and swung him twice against a palm-tree to teach him better manners . "

" that was foolishness , for though Tabaqui is a mischief-maker , he would have told thee of something that concerned thee closely .

open those eyes , Little Brother .

Shere Khan dare not kill thee in the jungle .

in a little time thou wilt be a man . "

" and what is a man that he should not run with his brothers ? " said Mowgli .

" I was born in the jungle .

I have obeyed the Law of the Jungle , and there is no wolf of ours from whose paws I have not pulled a thorn .

surely they are my brothers ! "

Bagheera stretched himself at full length and half shut his eyes .

" little Brother , " said he , " feel under my jaw . "

it was because of this that I paid the price for thee at the Council when thou wast a little naked cub .

yes , I too was born among men .

I had never seen the jungle .

and because I had learned the ways of men , I became more terrible in the jungle than Shere Khan .

is it not so ? "

" yes , " said Mowgli , " all the jungle fear Bagheera all except Mowgli . "

" oh , thou art a man 's cub , " said the Black Panther very tenderly .

" but why but why should any wish to kill me ? " said Mowgli .

" look at me , " said Bagheera .

and Mowgli looked at him steadily between the eyes .

the big panther turned his head away in half a minute .

" that is why , " he said , shifting his paw on the leaves .

" not even I can look thee between the eyes , and I was born among men , and I love thee , Little Brother .

" I did not know these things , " said Mowgli sullenly , and he frowned under his heavy black eyebrows .

" what is the Law of the Jungle ?

strike first and then give tongue .

by thy very carelessness they know that thou art a man .

but be wise .

they will hold a jungle Council at the Rock , and then and then I have it ! " said Bagheera , leaping up .

get the Red Flower . "

by Red Flower Bagheera meant fire , only no creature in the jungle will call fire by its proper name .

every beast lives in deadly fear of it , and invents a hundred ways of describing it .

" the Red Flower ? " said Mowgli .

" that grows outside their huts in the twilight .

I will get some . "

" there speaks the man 's cub , " said Bagheera proudly .

" remember that it grows in little pots .

get one swiftly , and keep it by thee for time of need . "

" good ! " said Mowgli .

" I go .

" by the Broken Lock that freed me , I am sure , Little Brother . "

" that is a man .

that is all a man , " said Bagheera to himself , lying down again .

" oh , Shere Khan , never was a blacker hunting than that frog-hunt of thine ten years ago ! "

Mowgli was far and far through the forest , running hard , and his heart was hot in him .

he came to the cave as the evening mist rose , and drew breath , and looked down the valley .

" what is it , Son ? " she said .

" some bat 's chatter of Shere Khan , " he called back .

then there were wicked , bitter howls from the young wolves : " Akela !

Akela !

let the Lone Wolf show his strength .

room for the leader of the Pack !

spring , Akela ! "

" Bagheera spoke truth , " he panted , as he nestled down in some cattle fodder by the window of a hut .

" To-morrow is one day both for Akela and for me . "

then he pressed his face close to the window and watched the fire on the hearth .

he saw the husbandman's wife get up and feed it in the night with black lumps .

" is that all ? " said Mowgli .

" if a cub can do it , there is nothing to fear . "

" they are very like me , " said Mowgli , blowing into the pot as he had seen the woman do .

halfway up the hill he met Bagheera with the morning dew shining like moonstones on his coat .

" Akela has missed , " said the Panther .

" they would have killed him last night , but they needed thee also .

they were looking for thee on the hill . "

" I was among the plowed lands .

I am ready .

see ! "

Mowgli held up the fire-pot .

" good !

now , I have seen men thrust a dry branch into that stuff , and presently the Red Flower blossomed at the end of it .

Art thou not afraid ? "

" no .

why should I fear ?

all that day Mowgli sat in the cave tending his fire pot and dipping dry branches into it to see how they looked .

then Mowgli went to the Council , still laughing .

Bagheera lay close to Mowgli , and the fire pot was between Mowgli 's knees .

" he has no right , " whispered Bagheera .

" say so .

he is a dog 's son .

he will be frightened . "

Mowgli sprang to his feet .

" free People , " he cried , " does Shere Khan lead the Pack ?

what has a tiger to do with our leadership ? "

" seeing that the leadership is yet open , and being asked to speak " Shere Khan began .

" by whom ? " said Mowgli .

" are we all jackals , to fawn on this cattle butcher ?

the leadership of the Pack is with the Pack alone . "

there were yells of " silence , thou man 's cub ! "

" let him speak .

he has kept our Law " ; and at last the seniors of the Pack thundered : " let the Dead Wolf speak . "

Akela raised his old head wearily :

now I have missed my kill .

ye know how that plot was made .

ye know how ye brought me up to an untried buck to make my weakness known .

it was cleverly done .

your right is to kill me here on the Council Rock , now .

therefore , I ask , who comes to make an end of the Lone Wolf ?

for it is my right , by the Law of the Jungle , that ye come one by one . "

there was a long hush , for no single wolf cared to fight Akela to the death .

then Shere Khan roared : " Bah !

what have we to do with this toothless fool ?

he is doomed to die !

it is the man-cub who has lived too long .

free People , he was my meat from the first .

give him to me .

I am weary of this man-wolf folly .

he has troubled the jungle for ten seasons .

give me the man-cub , or I will hunt here always , and not give you one bone .

he is a man , a man 's child , and from the marrow of my bones I hate him ! "

then more than half the Pack yelled : " a man !

a man !

what has a man to do with us ?

let him go to his own place . "

" and turn all the people of the villages against us ? " clamored Shere Khan .

" no , give him to me .

he is a man , and none of us can look him between the eyes . "

Akela lifted his head again and said , " he has eaten our food .

he has slept with us .

he has driven game for us .

he has broken no word of the Law of the Jungle . "

" also , I paid for him with a bull when he was accepted .

" a bull paid ten years ago ! " the Pack snarled .

" what do we care for bones ten years old ? "

" or for a pledge ? " said Bagheera , his white teeth bared under his lip .

" well are ye called the Free People ! "

" no man 's cub can run with the people of the jungle , " howled Shere Khan .

" give him to me ! "

" he is our brother in all but blood , " Akela went on , " and ye would kill him here !

in truth , I have lived too long .

therefore I know ye to be cowards , and it is to cowards I speak .

it is certain that I must die , and my life is of no worth , or I would offer that in the man-cub 's place .

I will die without fighting .

that will at least save the Pack three lives .

" he is a man a man a man ! " snarled the Pack .

and most of the wolves began to gather round Shere Khan , whose tail was beginning to switch .

" now the business is in thy hands , " said Bagheera to Mowgli .

" we can do no more except fight . "

Mowgli stood upright the fire pot in his hands .

" listen you ! " he cried .

" there is no need for this dog 's jabber .

so I do not call ye my brothers any more , but sag dogs , as a man should .

what ye will do , and what ye will not do , is not yours to say .

Mowgli thrust his dead branch into the fire till the twigs lit and crackled , and whirled it above his head among the cowering wolves .

" thou art the master , " said Bagheera in an undertone .

" save Akela from the death .

he was ever thy friend . "

" good ! " said Mowgli , staring round slowly .

" I see that ye are dogs .

I go from you to my own people if they be my own people .

the jungle is shut to me , and I must forget your talk and your companionship .

but I will be more merciful than ye are .

he kicked the fire with his foot , and the sparks flew up .

" there shall be no war between any of us in the Pack .

but here is a debt to pay before I go . "

he strode forward to where Shere Khan sat blinking stupidly at the flames , and caught him by the tuft on his chin .

Bagheera followed in case of accidents .

" up , dog ! "

Mowgli cried .

" up , when a man speaks , or I will set that coat ablaze ! "

Shere Khan 's ears lay flat back on his head , and he shut his eyes , for the blazing branch was very near .

" this cattle-killer said he would kill me in the Council because he had not killed me when I was a cub .

thus and thus , then , do we beat dogs when we are men .

stir a whisker , Lungri , and I ram the Red Flower down thy gullet ! "

he beat Shere Khan over the head with the branch , and the tiger whimpered and whined in an agony of fear .

" Pah !

singed jungle cat go now !

for the rest , Akela goes free to live as he pleases .

ye will not kill him , because that is not my will .

go ! "

at last there were only Akela , Bagheera , and perhaps ten wolves that had taken Mowgli 's part .

" what is it ?

what is it ? " he said .

" I do not wish to leave the jungle , and I do not know what this is .

am I dying , Bagheera ? "

" no , Little Brother .

that is only tears such as men use , " said Bagheera .

" now I know thou art a man , and a man 's cub no longer .

the jungle is shut indeed to thee henceforward .

let them fall , Mowgli .

they are only tears . "

so Mowgli sat and cried as though his heart would break ; and he had never cried in all his life before .

" now , " he said , " I will go to men .

but first I must say farewell to my mother . "

" ye will not forget me ? " said Mowgli .

" never while we can follow a trail , " said the cubs .

" come soon ! " said Father Wolf .

" oh , wise little frog , come again soon ; for we be old , thy mother and I . "

" come soon , " said Mother Wolf , " little naked son of mine .

for , listen , child of man , I loved thee more than ever I loved my cubs . "

" I will surely come , " said Mowgli .

" and when I come it will be to lay out Shere Khan 's hide upon the Council Rock .

do not forget me !

tell them in the jungle never to forget me ! "

the dawn was beginning to break when Mowgli went down the hillside alone , to meet those mysterious things that are called men .

Hunting-Song of the Seeonee Pack

as the dawn was breaking the Sambhur belled Once , twice and again !

and a doe leaped up , and a doe leaped up From the pond in the wood where the wild deer sup .

this I , scouting alone , beheld , Once , twice and again !

as the dawn was breaking the Sambhur belled Once , twice and again !

as the dawn was breaking the Wolf Pack yelled Once , twice and again !

feet in the jungle that leave no mark !

eyes that can see in the dark the dark !

Tongue give tongue to it !

hark !

O hark !

once , twice and again !

Kaa 's Hunting

his spots are the joy of the Leopard : his horns are the Buffalo 's pride .

be clean , for the strength of the hunter is known by the gloss of his hide .

let him think and be still .

Maxims of Baloo

it was in the days when Baloo was teaching him the Law of the Jungle .

but Mowgli , as a man-cub , had to learn a great deal more than this .

the boy could climb almost as well as he could swim , and swim almost as well as he could run .

none of the Jungle People like being disturbed , and all are very ready to fly at an intruder .

it means , translated , " give me leave to hunt here because I am hungry . "

and the answer is , " hunt then for food , but not for pleasure . "

" how can his little head carry all thy long talk ? "

" is there anything in the jungle too little to be killed ?

no .

that is why I teach him these things , and that is why I hit him , very softly , when he forgets . "

" softly !

what dost thou know of softness , old Iron-feet ? "

Bagheera grunted .

" his face is all bruised today by thy softness .

Ugh . "

he can now claim protection , if he will only remember the words , from all in the jungle .

is not that worth a little beating ? "

" well , look to it then that thou dost not kill the man-cub .

he is no tree trunk to sharpen thy blunt claws upon .

but what are those Master Words ?

" I will call Mowgli and he shall say them if he will .

come , Little Brother ! "

" that is all one to me , " said Baloo , though he was hurt and grieved .

" tell Bagheera , then , the Master Words of the Jungle that I have taught thee this day . "

" master Words for which people ? " said Mowgli , delighted to show off .

" the jungle has many tongues .

I know them all . "

" A little thou knowest , but not much .

see , O Bagheera , they never thank their teacher .

not one small wolfling has ever come back to thank old Baloo for his teachings .

say the word for the Hunting-People , then great scholar . "

" good .

now for the birds . "

Mowgli repeated , with the Kite 's whistle at the end of the sentence .

" now for the Snake-People , " said Bagheera .

" there there !

that was worth a little bruise , " said the brown bear tenderly .

" some day thou wilt remember me . "

" no one then is to be feared , " Baloo wound up , patting his big furry stomach with pride .

what is all this dancing up and down ? "

Mowgli had been trying to make himself heard by pulling at Bagheera 's shoulder fur and kicking hard .

" what is this new folly , little dreamer of dreams ? " said Bagheera .

" yes , and throw branches and dirt at old Baloo , " Mowgli went on .

" they have promised me this .

ah ! "

" Whoof ! "

Baloo 's big paw scooped Mowgli off Bagheera 's back , and as the boy lay between the big fore-paws he could see the Bear was angry .

" Mowgli , " said Baloo , " thou hast been talking with the Bandar-log the Monkey People . "

Mowgli looked at Bagheera to see if the Panther was angry too , and Bagheera 's eyes were as hard as jade stones .

" thou hast been with the Monkey People the gray apes the people without a law the eaters of everything .

that is great shame . "

no one else cared . "

he snuffled a little .

" the pity of the Monkey People ! "

Baloo snorted .

" the stillness of the mountain stream !

the cool of the summer sun !

and then , man-cub ? "

" they have no leader , " said Bagheera .

" they lie .

they have always lied . "

" they were very kind and bade me come again .

why have I never been taken among the Monkey People ?

they stand on their feet as I do .

they do not hit me with their hard paws .

they play all day .

let me get up !

bad Baloo , let me up !

I will play with them again . "

" listen , man-cub , " said the Bear , and his voice rumbled like thunder on a hot night .

they have no law .

they are outcasts .

their way is not our way .

they are without leaders .

they have no remembrance .

we of the jungle have no dealings with them .

Hast thou ever heard me speak of the Bandar-log till today ? "

" no , " said Mowgli in a whisper , for the forest was very still now Baloo had finished .

" the Jungle-People put them out of their mouths and out of their minds .

but we do not notice them even when they throw nuts and filth on our heads . "

" the Monkey-People are forbidden , " said Baloo , " forbidden to the Jungle-People .

remember . "

" forbidden , " said Bagheera , " but I still think Baloo should have warned thee against them . "

" I I ?

how was I to guess he would play with such dirt .

the Monkey People !

Faugh ! "

a fresh shower came down on their heads and the two trotted away , taking Mowgli with them .

what Baloo had said about the monkeys was perfectly true .

the Monkey-People , watching in the trees , considered his play most wonderful .

Bagheera has noticed us .

all the Jungle-People admire us for our skill and our cunning . "

then they began their flight ; and the flight of the Monkey-People through tree-land is one of the things nobody can describe .

two of the strongest monkeys caught Mowgli under the arms and swung off with him through the treetops , twenty feet at a bound .

had they been alone they could have gone twice as fast , but the boy 's weight held them back .

so , bounding and crashing and whooping and yelling , the whole tribe of Bandar-log swept along the tree-roads with Mowgli their prisoner .

for a time he was afraid of being dropped .

then he grew angry but knew better than to struggle , and then he began to think .

Rann saw that the monkeys were carrying something , and dropped a few hundred yards to find out whether their load was good to eat .

" mark my trail ! "

Mowgli shouted .

" tell Baloo of the Seeonee Pack and Bagheera of the Council Rock . "

" in whose name , Brother ? "

Rann had never seen Mowgli before , though of course he had heard of him .

" Mowgli , the Frog .

Man-cub they call me !

mark my trail ! "

" they never go far , " he said with a chuckle .

" they never do what they set out to do .

always pecking at new things are the Bandar-log .

so he rocked on his wings , his feet gathered up under him , and waited .

meantime , Baloo and Bagheera were furious with rage and grief .

" what was the use of half slaying him with blows if thou didst not warn him ? "

" haste !

O haste !

we we may catch them yet ! "

Baloo panted .

" at that speed !

it would not tire a wounded cow .

Teacher of the Law cub-beater a mile of that rolling to and fro would burst thee open .

sit still and think !

make a plan .

this is no time for chasing .

they may drop him if we follow too close . "

" Arrula !

Whoo !

they may have dropped him already , being tired of carrying him .

who can trust the Bandar-log ?

put dead bats on my head !

give me black bones to eat !

Arulala !

Wahooa !

O Mowgli , Mowgli !

why did I not warn thee against the Monkey-Folk instead of breaking thy head ?

Baloo clasped his paws over his ears and rolled to and fro moaning .

" at least he gave me all the Words correctly a little time ago , " said Bagheera impatiently .

" Baloo , thou hast neither memory nor respect .

what would the jungle think if I , the Black Panther , curled myself up like Ikki the Porcupine , and howled ? "

" what do I care what the jungle thinks ?

he may be dead by now . "

he is wise and well taught , and above all he has the eyes that make the Jungle-People afraid .

Bagheera licked one forepaw thoughtfully .

" Fool that I am !

he can climb as well as they can .

he steals the young monkeys in the night .

the whisper of his name makes their wicked tails cold .

let us go to Kaa . "

" what will he do for us ?

he is not of our tribe , being footless and with most evil eyes , " said Bagheera .

" he is very old and very cunning .

above all , he is always hungry , " said Baloo hopefully .

" promise him many goats . "

" he sleeps for a full month after he has once eaten .

he may be asleep now , and even were he awake what if he would rather kill his own goats ? "

Bagheera , who did not know much about Kaa , was naturally suspicious .

" then in that case , thou and I together , old hunter , might make him see reason . "

here Baloo rubbed his faded brown shoulder against the Panther , and they went off to look for Kaa the Rock Python .

" be careful , Bagheera !

he is always a little blind after he has changed his skin , and very quick to strike . "

" good hunting ! " cried Baloo , sitting up on his haunches .

like all snakes of his breed Kaa was rather deaf , and did not hear the call at first .

then he curled up ready for any accident , his head lowered .

" good hunting for us all , " he answered .

" Oho , Baloo , what dost thou do here ?

good hunting , Bagheera .

one of us at least needs food .

is there any news of game afoot ?

a doe now , or even a young buck ?

I am as empty as a dried well . "

" we are hunting , " said Baloo carelessly .

he knew that you must not hurry Kaa .

he is too big .

" give me permission to come with you , " said Kaa .

Psshaw !

the branches are not what they were when I was young .

rotten twigs and dry boughs are they all . "

" maybe thy great weight has something to do with the matter , " said Baloo .

" I am a fair length a fair length , " said Kaa with a little pride .

" but for all that , it is the fault of this new-grown timber .

" Footless , yellow earth-worm , " said Bagheera under his whiskers , as though he were trying to remember something .

" Sssss !

have they ever called me that ? " said Kaa .

" something of that kind it was that they shouted to us last moon , but we never noticed them .

" the Bandar-log have shifted their grounds , " he said quietly .

" when I came up into the sun today I heard them whooping among the tree-tops . "

" the trouble is this , Kaa .

those nut-stealers and pickers of palm leaves have stolen away our man-cub of whom thou hast perhaps heard . "

Ikki is full of stories half heard and very badly told . "

" but it is true .

he is such a man-cub as never was , " said Baloo .

" Ts !

Ts ! " said Kaa , weaving his head to and fro .

" I also have known what love is .

there are tales I could tell that "

" that need a clear night when we are all well fed to praise properly , " said Bagheera quickly .

" our man-cub is in the hands of the Bandar-log now , and we know that of all the Jungle-People they fear Kaa alone . "

" they fear me alone .

they have good reason , " said Kaa .

" chattering , foolish , vain vain , foolish , and chattering , are the monkeys .

but a man-thing in their hands is in no good luck .

they grow tired of the nuts they pick , and throw them down .

they carry a branch half a day , meaning to do great things with it , and then they snap it in two .

that man-thing is not to be envied .

they called me also ' yellow fish ' was it not ? "

" worm worm earth-worm , " said Bagheera , " as well as other things which I cannot now say for shame . "

" we must remind them to speak well of their master .

Aaa-ssp !

we must help their wandering memories .

now , whither went they with the cub ? "

" the jungle alone knows .

toward the sunset , I believe , " said Baloo .

" we had thought that thou wouldst know , Kaa . "

" I ?

how ?

" up , Up !

up , Up !

hillo !

Illo !

Illo , look up , Baloo of the Seeonee Wolf Pack ! "

" what is it ? " said Baloo .

" I have seen Mowgli among the Bandar-log .

he bade me tell you .

I watched .

the Bandar-log have taken him beyond the river to the monkey city to the Cold Lairs .

they may stay there for a night , or ten nights , or an hour .

I have told the bats to watch through the dark time .

that is my message .

good hunting , all you below ! "

" full gorge and a deep sleep to you , Rann , " cried Bagheera .

" I will remember thee in my next kill , and put aside the head for thee alone , O best of kites ! "

" it is nothing .

it is nothing .

the boy held the Master Word .

I could have done no less , " and Rann circled up again to his roost .

" he has not forgotten to use his tongue , " said Baloo with a chuckle of pride .

" to think of one so young remembering the Master Word for the birds too while he was being pulled across trees ! "

" it was most firmly driven into him , " said Bagheera .

" but I am proud of him , and now we must go to the Cold Lairs . "

the wild boar will , but the hunting tribes do not .

" it is half a night 's journey at full speed , " said Bagheera , and Baloo looked very serious .

" I will go as fast as I can , " he said anxiously .

" we dare not wait for thee .

follow , Baloo .

we must go on the quick-foot Kaa and I . "

" feet or no feet , I can keep abreast of all thy four , " said Kaa shortly .

Kaa said nothing , but , strive as Bagheera might , the huge Rock-python held level with him .

" I am hungry , " said Kaa .

" besides , they called me speckled frog . "

" worm earth-worm , and yellow to boot . "

" all one .

in the Cold Lairs the Monkey-People were not thinking of Mowgli 's friends at all .

they had brought the boy to the Lost City , and were very much pleased with themselves for the time .

Mowgli had never seen an Indian city before , and though this was almost a heap of ruins it seemed very wonderful and splendid .

some king had built it long ago on a little hill .

the monkeys called the place their city , and pretended to despise the Jungle-People because they lived in the forest .

and yet they never knew what the buildings were made for nor how to use them .

then all would begin again till they grew tired of the city and went back to the tree-tops , hoping the Jungle-People would notice them .

Mowgli , who had been trained under the Law of the Jungle , did not like or understand this kind of life .

" I wish to eat , " said Mowgli .

" I am a stranger in this part of the jungle .

bring me food , or give me leave to hunt here . "

twenty or thirty monkeys bounded away to bring him nuts and wild pawpaws .

but they fell to fighting on the road , and it was too much trouble to go back with what was left of the fruit .

" all that Baloo has said about the Bandar-log is true , " he thought to himself .

" they have no Law , no Hunting Call , and no leaders nothing but foolish words and little picking thievish hands .

so if I am starved or killed here , it will be all my own fault .

but I must try to return to my own jungle .

Baloo will surely beat me , but that is better than chasing silly rose leaves with the Bandar-log . "

there was a ruined summer-house of white marble in the center of the terrace , built for queens dead a hundred years ago .

the domed roof had half fallen in and blocked up the underground passage from the palace by which the queens used to enter .

" we are great .

we are free .

we are wonderful .

we are the most wonderful people in all the jungle !

we all say so , and so it must be true , " they shouted .

Mowgli nodded and blinked , and said " yes " when they asked him a question , and his head spun with the noise .

" Tabaqui the Jackal must have bitten all these people , " he said to himself , " and now they have madness .

certainly this is dewanee , the madness .

do they never go to sleep ?

now there is a cloud coming to cover that moon .

if it were only a big enough cloud I might try to run away in the darkness .

but I am tired . "

the monkeys never fight unless they are a hundred to one , and few in the jungle care for those odds .

they will not throw themselves upon my back in their hundreds , but "

" I know it , " said Bagheera .

" would that Baloo were here , but we must do what we can .

when that cloud covers the moon I shall go to the terrace .

they hold some sort of council there over the boy . "

" good hunting , " said Kaa grimly , and glided away to the west wall .

the cloud hid the moon , and as Mowgli wondered what would come next he heard Bagheera 's light feet on the terrace .

kill him !

kill . "

" we be of one blood , ye and I , " said Mowgli , quickly giving the Snake 's Call .

he could hear rustling and hissing in the rubbish all round him and gave the Call a second time , to make sure .

" even ssso !

" stand still , Little Brother , for thy feet may do us harm . "

for the first time since he was born , Bagheera was fighting for his life .

" Baloo must be at hand ; Bagheera would not have come alone , " Mowgli thought .

and then he called aloud : " to the tank , Bagheera .

roll to the water tanks .

Roll and plunge !

get to the water ! "

Bagheera heard , and the cry that told him Mowgli was safe gave him new courage .

he worked his way desperately , inch by inch , straight for the reservoirs , halting in silence .

then from the ruined wall nearest the jungle rose up the rumbling war-shout of Baloo .

the old Bear had done his best , but he could not come before .

" Bagheera , " he shouted , " I am here .

I climb !

I haste !

Ahuwora !

the stones slip under my feet !

Wait my coming , O most infamous Bandar-log ! "

a crash and a splash told Mowgli that Bagheera had fought his way to the tank where the monkeys could not follow .

Kaa had only just worked his way over the west wall , landing with a wrench that dislodged a coping stone into the ditch .

then Kaa came straight , quickly , and anxious to kill .

the fighting strength of a python is in the driving blow of his head backed by all the strength and weight of his body .

his first stroke was delivered into the heart of the crowd round Baloo .

it was sent home with shut mouth in silence , and there was no need of a second .

the monkeys scattered with cries of " Kaa !

it is Kaa !

run !

run ! "

his fur was much thicker than Bagheera 's , but he had suffered sorely in the fight .

then the clamor broke out again .

the monkeys leaped higher up the walls .

" get the man-cub out of that trap ; I can do no more , " Bagheera gasped .

" let us take the man-cub and go .

they may attack again . "

" they will not move till I order them .

stay you sssso ! "

Kaa hissed , and the city was silent once more .

" I could not come before , Brother , but I think I heard thee call " this was to Bagheera .

" I I may have cried out in the battle , " Bagheera answered .

" Baloo , art thou hurt ?

" wow !

I am sore .

Kaa , we owe thee , I think , our lives Bagheera and I . "

" no matter .

where is the manling ? "

" here , in a trap .

I cannot climb out , " cried Mowgli .

the curve of the broken dome was above his head .

" take him away .

he dances like Mao the Peacock .

he will crush our young , " said the cobras inside .

" hah ! " said Kaa with a chuckle , " he has friends everywhere , this manling .

stand back , manling .

and hide you , O Poison People .

I break down the wall . "

" Art thou hurt ? " said Baloo , hugging him softly .

" I am sore , hungry , and not a little bruised .

but , oh , they have handled ye grievously , my Brothers !

ye bleed . "

" others also , " said Bagheera , licking his lips and looking at the monkey-dead on the terrace and round the tank .

" of that we shall judge later , " said Bagheera , in a dry voice that Mowgli did not at all like .

" but here is Kaa to whom we owe the battle and thou owest thy life .

thank him according to our customs , Mowgli . "

Mowgli turned and saw the great Python 's head swaying a foot above his own .

" so this is the manling , " said Kaa .

" very soft is his skin , and he is not unlike the Bandar-log .

have a care , manling , that I do not mistake thee for a monkey some twilight when I have newly changed my coat . "

" we be one blood , thou and I , " Mowgli answered .

" I take my life from thee tonight .

my kill shall be thy kill if ever thou art hungry , O Kaa . "

" all thanks , Little Brother , " said Kaa , though his eyes twinkled .

" and what may so bold a hunter kill ?

I ask that I may follow when next he goes abroad . "

" I kill nothing , I am too little , but I drive goats toward such as can use them .

when thou art empty come to me and see if I speak the truth .

good hunting to ye all , my masters . "

" well said , " growled Baloo , for Mowgli had returned thanks very prettily .

the Python dropped his head lightly for a minute on Mowgli 's shoulder .

" a brave heart and a courteous tongue , " said he .

" they shall carry thee far through the jungle , manling .

but now go hence quickly with thy friends .

go and sleep , for the moon sets , and what follows it is not well that thou shouldst see . "

" the moon sets , " he said .

" is there yet light enough to see ? "

from the walls came a moan like the wind in the tree-tops " we see , O Kaa . "

" good .

begins now the dance the Dance of the Hunger of Kaa .

sit still and watch . "

he turned twice or thrice in a big circle , weaving his head from right to left .

it grew darker and darker , till at last the dragging , shifting coils disappeared , but they could hear the rustle of the scales .

Baloo and Bagheera stood still as stone , growling in their throats , their neck hair bristling , and Mowgli watched and wondered .

" Bandar-log , " said the voice of Kaa at last , " can ye stir foot or hand without my order ?

speak ! "

" without thy order we cannot stir foot or hand , O Kaa ! "

" good !

come all one pace nearer to me . "

the lines of the monkeys swayed forward helplessly , and Baloo and Bagheera took one stiff step forward with them .

" nearer ! " hissed Kaa , and they all moved again .

" keep thy hand on my shoulder , " Bagheera whispered .

" keep it there , or I must go back must go back to Kaa .

Aah ! "

" it is only old Kaa making circles on the dust , " said Mowgli .

" let us go . "

and the three slipped off through a gap in the walls to the jungle .

" Whoof ! " said Baloo , when he stood under the still trees again .

" never more will I make an ally of Kaa , " and he shook himself all over .

" he knows more than we , " said Bagheera , trembling .

" in a little time , had I stayed , I should have walked down his throat . "

" Many will walk by that road before the moon rises again , " said Baloo .

" he will have good hunting after his own fashion . "

" but what was the meaning of it all ? " said Mowgli , who did not know anything of a python 's powers of fascination .

" I saw no more than a big snake making foolish circles till the dark came .

and his nose was all sore .

Ho !

Ho ! "

neither Baloo nor Bagheera will be able to hunt with pleasure for many days . "

" it is nothing , " said Baloo ; " we have the man-cub again . "

all this , man-cub , came of thy playing with the Bandar-log . "

" True , it is true , " said Mowgli sorrowfully .

" I am an evil man-cub , and my stomach is sad in me . "

" Mf !

what says the Law of the Jungle , Baloo ? "

but remember , Bagheera , he is very little . "

" I will remember .

but he has done mischief , and blows must be dealt now .

Mowgli , hast thou anything to say ? "

" nothing .

I did wrong .

Baloo and thou are wounded .

it is just . "

when it was all over Mowgli sneezed , and picked himself up without a word .

" now , " said Bagheera , " jump on my back , Little Brother , and we will go home . "

one of the beauties of Jungle Law is that punishment settles all scores .

there is no nagging afterward .

Mowgli laid his head down on Bagheera 's back and slept so deeply that he never waked when he was put down in the home-cave .

Road-Song of the Bandar-Log

here we go in a flung festoon , Half-way up to the jealous moon !

don't you envy our pranceful bands ?

don't you wish you had extra hands ?

wouldn't you like if your tails were so Curved in the shape of a Cupid 's bow ?

now you 're angry , but never mind , Brother , thy tail hangs down behind !

we 've forgotten , but never mind , Brother , thy tail hangs down behind !

Excellent !

wonderful !

once again !

now we are talking just like men !

let's pretend we are ... never mind , Brother , thy tail hangs down behind !

this is the way of the Monkey-kind .

then join our leaping lines that scumfish through the pines , That rocket by where , light and high , the wild grape swings .

" tiger !

tiger ! "

what of the hunting , hunter bold ?

brother , the watch was long and cold .

what of the quarry ye went to kill ?

brother , he crops in the jungle still .

where is the power that made your pride ?

brother , it ebbs from my flank and side .

where is the haste that ye hurry by ?

brother , I go to my lair to die .

now we must go back to the first tale .

the valley opened out into a great plain dotted over with rocks and cut up by ravines .

" Umph ! " he said , for he had come across more than one such barricade in his night rambles after things to eat .

" so men are afraid of the People of the Jungle here also . "

" they have no manners , these Men Folk , " said Mowgli to himself .

" only the gray ape would behave as they do . "

so he threw back his long hair and frowned at the crowd .

" what is there to be afraid of ? " said the priest .

" look at the marks on his arms and legs .

they are the bites of wolves .

he is but a wolf-child run away from the jungle . "

but he would have been the last person in the world to call these bites , for he knew what real biting meant .

" Arre !

Arre ! " said two or three women together .

" to be bitten by wolves , poor child !

he is a handsome boy .

he has eyes like red fire .

by my honor , Messua , he is not unlike thy boy that was taken by the tiger . "

" indeed he is not .

he is thinner , but he has the very look of my boy . "

the priest was a clever man , and he knew that Messua was wife to the richest villager in the place .

so he looked up at the sky for a minute and said solemnly : " what the jungle has taken the jungle has restored .

well , if I am a man , a man I must become . "

so she said , " Nathoo , O Nathoo ! "

Mowgli did not show that he knew the name .

" Dost thou not remember the day when I gave thee thy new shoes ? "

she touched his foot , and it was almost as hard as horn .

Mowgli was uneasy , because he had never been under a roof before .

now I am as silly and dumb as a man would be with us in the jungle .

I must speak their talk . "

" give him his will , " said Messua 's husband .

" remember he can never till now have slept on a bed .

if he is indeed sent in the place of our son he will not run away . "

" phew ! " said Gray Brother ( he was the eldest of Mother Wolf 's cubs ) .

" this is a poor reward for following thee twenty miles .

thou smellest of wood smoke and cattle altogether like a man already .

wake , Little Brother ; I bring news . "

" are all well in the jungle ? " said Mowgli , hugging him .

" all except the wolves that were burned with the Red Flower .

now , listen .

Shere Khan has gone away to hunt far off till his coat grows again , for he is badly singed .

when he returns he swears that he will lay thy bones in the Waingunga . "

" there are two words to that .

I also have made a little promise .

but news is always good .

I am tired to-night , very tired with new things , Gray Brother , but bring me the news always . "

" thou wilt not forget that thou art a wolf ?

men will not make thee forget ? " said Gray Brother anxiously .

" never .

I will always remember that I love thee and all in our cave .

but also I will always remember that I have been cast out of the Pack . "

" and that thou mayest be cast out of another pack .

men are only men , Little Brother , and their talk is like the talk of frogs in a pond .

when I come down here again , I will wait for thee in the bamboos at the edge of the grazing-ground . "

for three months after that night Mowgli hardly ever left the village gate , he was so busy learning the ways and customs of men .

then the little children in the village made him very angry .

he did not know his own strength in the least .

and Mowgli had not the faintest idea of the difference that caste makes between man and man .

that was very shocking , too , for the potter is a low-caste man , and his donkey is worse .

most of the tales were about animals , for the jungle was always at their door .

" true , true , that must be the truth , " said the gray-beards , nodding together .

" are all these tales such cobwebs and moon talk ? " said Mowgli .

" that tiger limps because he was born lame , as everyone knows .

to talk of the soul of a money-lender in a beast that never had the courage of a jackal is child 's talk . "

Buldeo was speechless with surprise for a moment , and the head-man stared .

" Oho !

it is the jungle brat , is it ? " said Buldeo .

" if thou art so wise , better bring his hide to Khanhiwara , for the Government has set a hundred rupees on his life .

better still , talk not when thy elders speak . "

Mowgli rose to go .

how , then , shall I believe the tales of ghosts and gods and goblins which he says he has seen ? "

" it is full time that boy went to herding , " said the head-man , while Buldeo puffed and snorted at Mowgli 's impertinence .

so long as the boys keep with the herds they are safe , for not even the tiger will charge a mob of cattle .

but if they straggle to pick flowers or hunt lizards , they are sometimes carried off .

Mowgli went through the village street in the dawn , sitting on the back of Rama , the great herd bull .

an Indian grazing ground is all rocks and scrub and tussocks and little ravines , among which the herds scatter and disappear .

the buffaloes generally keep to the pools and muddy places , where they lie wallowing or basking in the warm mud for hours .

" ah , " said Gray Brother , " I have waited here very many days .

what is the meaning of this cattle-herding work ? "

" it is an order , " said Mowgli .

" I am a village herd for a while .

what news of Shere Khan ? "

" he has come back to this country , and has waited here a long time for thee .

now he has gone off again , for the game is scarce .

but he means to kill thee . "

" very good , " said Mowgli .

when he comes back wait for me in the ravine by the dhak tree in the center of the plain .

we need not walk into Shere Khan 's mouth . "

then Mowgli picked out a shady place , and lay down and slept while the buffaloes grazed round him .

herding in India is one of the laziest things in the world .

the cattle move and crunch , and lie down , and move on again , and they do not even low .

there sat Gray Brother , every bristle on his back lifted .

" he has hidden for a month to throw thee off thy guard .

he crossed the ranges last night with Tabaqui , hot-foot on thy trail , " said the Wolf , panting .

Mowgli frowned .

" I am not afraid of Shere Khan , but Tabaqui is very cunning . "

" have no fear , " said Gray Brother , licking his lips a little .

" I met Tabaqui in the dawn .

now he is telling all his wisdom to the kites , but he told me everything before I broke his back .

Shere Khan 's plan is to wait for thee at the village gate this evening for thee and for no one else .

he is lying up now , in the big dry ravine of the Waingunga . "

" has he eaten today , or does he hunt empty ? " said Mowgli , for the answer meant life and death to him .

" he killed at dawn , a pig , and he has drunk too .

remember , Shere Khan could never fast , even for the sake of revenge . "

" oh !

fool , fool !

what a cub 's cub it is !

eaten and drunk too , and he thinks that I shall wait till he has slept !

now , where does he lie up ?

if there were but ten of us we might pull him down as he lies .

these buffaloes will not charge unless they wind him , and I cannot speak their language .

can we get behind his track so that they may smell it ? "

" he swam far down the Waingunga to cut that off , " said Gray Brother .

" Tabaqui told him that , I know .

he would never have thought of it alone . "

Mowgli stood with his finger in his mouth , thinking .

" the big ravine of the Waingunga .

that opens out on the plain not half a mile from here .

we must block that end .

gray Brother , canst thou cut the herd in two for me ? "

" not I , perhaps but I have brought a wise helper . "

gray Brother trotted off and dropped into a hole .

" Akela !

Akela ! " said Mowgli , clapping his hands .

" I might have known that thou wouldst not forget me .

we have a big work in hand .

cut the herd in two , Akela .

keep the cows and calves together , and the bulls and the plow buffaloes by themselves . "

no six men could have divided the herd so neatly .

" what orders ! " panted Akela .

" they are trying to join again . "

Mowgli slipped on to Rama 's back .

" drive the bulls away to the left , Akela .

gray Brother , when we are gone , hold the cows together , and drive them into the foot of the ravine . "

" how far ? " said Gray Brother , panting and snapping .

" till the sides are higher than Shere Khan can jump , " shouted Mowgli .

" keep them there till we come down . "

the bulls swept off as Akela bayed , and Gray Brother stopped in front of the cows .

" well done !

another charge and they are fairly started .

careful , now careful , Akela .

A snap too much and the bulls will charge .

Hujah !

this is wilder work than driving black-buck .

Didst thou think these creatures could move so swiftly ? "

Mowgli called .

" I have have hunted these too in my time , " gasped Akela in the dust .

" shall I turn them into the jungle ? "

" ay !

turn .

swiftly turn them !

Rama is mad with rage .

oh , if I could only tell him what I need of him to-day . "

the bulls were turned , to the right this time , and crashed into the standing thicket .

but Mowgli 's plan was simple enough .

it was a long , long circle , for they did not wish to get too near the ravine and give Shere Khan warning .

" let them breathe , Akela , " he said , holding up his hand .

" they have not winded him yet .

let them breathe .

I must tell Shere Khan who comes .

we have him in the trap . "

after a long time there came back the drawling , sleepy snarl of a full-fed tiger just wakened .

" who calls ? " said Shere Khan , and a splendid peacock fluttered up out of the ravine screeching .

" I , Mowgli .

cattle thief , it is time to come to the Council Rock !

down hurry them down , Akela !

down , Rama , down ! "

" Ha !

Ha ! " said Mowgli , on his back .

they knew what the business was before them the terrible charge of the buffalo herd against which no tiger can hope to stand .

the herd splashed through the pool he had just left , bellowing till the narrow cut rang .

that charge carried both herds out into the plain , goring and stamping and snorting .

Mowgli watched his time , and slipped off Rama 's neck , laying about him right and left with his stick .

" quick , Akela !

break them up .

scatter them , or they will be fighting one another .

drive them away , Akela .

Hai , Rama !

Hai , hai , hai ! my children .

softly now , softly !

it is all over . "

Shere Khan needed no more trampling .

he was dead , and the kites were coming for him already .

" but he would never have shown fight .

his hide will look well on the Council Rock .

we must get to work swiftly . "

presently a hand fell on his shoulder , and looking up he saw Buldeo with the Tower musket .

the wolves dropped out of sight as soon as they saw the man coming .

" what is this folly ? " said Buldeo angrily .

" to think that thou canst skin a tiger !

where did the buffaloes kill him ?

it is the Lame Tiger too , and there is a hundred rupees on his head .

he fumbled in his waist cloth for flint and steel , and stooped down to singe Shere Khan 's whiskers .

most native hunters always singe a tiger 's whiskers to prevent his ghost from haunting them .

" hum ! " said Mowgli , half to himself as he ripped back the skin of a forepaw .

" so thou wilt take the hide to Khanhiwara for the reward , and perhaps give me one rupee ?

now it is in my mind that I need the skin for my own use .

Heh !

old man , take away that fire ! "

" what talk is this to the chief hunter of the village ?

thy luck and the stupidity of thy buffaloes have helped thee to this kill .

the tiger has just fed , or he would have gone twenty miles by this time .

Mowgli , I will not give thee one anna of the reward , but only a very big beating .

leave the carcass ! "

here , Akela , this man plagues me . "

" Ye-es , " he said , between his teeth .

" thou art altogether right , Buldeo .

thou wilt never give me one anna of the reward .

there is an old war between this lame tiger and myself a very old war , and I have won . "

it was sorcery , magic of the worst kind , thought Buldeo , and he wondered whether the amulet round his neck would protect him .

he lay as still as still , expecting every minute to see Mowgli turn into a tiger too .

" Maharaj !

great King , " he said at last in a husky whisper .

" yes , " said Mowgli , without turning his head , chuckling a little .

" I am an old man .

I did not know that thou wast anything more than a herdsboy .

may I rise up and go away , or will thy servant tear me to pieces ? "

" go , and peace go with thee .

only , another time do not meddle with my game .

let him go , Akela . "

Buldeo hobbled away to the village as fast as he could , looking back over his shoulder in case Mowgli should change into something terrible .

when he got to the village he told a tale of magic and enchantment and sorcery that made the priest look very grave .

" now we must hide this and take the buffaloes home !

help me to herd them , Akela . "

half the village seemed to be waiting for him by the gate .

" that is because I have killed Shere Khan , " he said to himself .

but a shower of stones whistled about his ears , and the villagers shouted : " Sorcerer !

Wolf 's brat !

jungle demon !

go away !

get hence quickly or the priest will turn thee into a wolf again .

shoot , Buldeo , shoot ! "

the old Tower musket went off with a bang , and a young buffalo bellowed in pain .

" more sorcery ! " shouted the villagers .

" he can turn bullets .

Buldeo , that was thy buffalo . "

" now what is this ? " said Mowgli , bewildered , as the stones flew thicker .

" they are not unlike the Pack , these brothers of thine , " said Akela , sitting down composedly .

" it is in my head that , if bullets mean anything , they would cast thee out . "

" wolf !

Wolf 's cub !

go away ! " shouted the priest , waving a sprig of the sacred tulsi plant .

" again ?

last time it was because I was a man .

this time it is because I am a wolf .

let us go , Akela . "

a woman it was Messua ran across to the herd , and cried : " oh , my son , my son !

they say thou art a sorcerer who can turn himself into a beast at will .

I do not believe , but go away or they will kill thee .

Buldeo says thou art a wizard , but I know thou hast avenged Nathoo 's death . "

" come back , Messua ! " shouted the crowd .

" come back , or we will stone thee . "

Mowgli laughed a little short ugly laugh , for a stone had hit him in the mouth .

" run back , Messua .

this is one of the foolish tales they tell under the big tree at dusk .

I have at least paid for thy son 's life .

farewell ; and run quickly , for I shall send the herd in more swiftly than their brickbats .

I am no wizard , Messua .

farewell ! "

" now , once more , Akela , " he cried .

" bring the herd in . "

the buffaloes were anxious enough to get to the village .

they hardly needed Akela 's yell , but charged through the gate like a whirlwind , scattering the crowd right and left .

" keep count ! " shouted Mowgli scornfully .

" it may be that I have stolen one of them .

keep count , for I will do your herding no more .

he turned on his heel and walked away with the Lone Wolf , and as he looked up at the stars he felt happy .

" no more sleeping in traps for me , Akela .

let us get Shere Khan 's skin and go away .

no , we will not hurt the village , for Messua was kind to me . "

then they banged the temple bells and blew the conches louder than ever .

mother Wolf walked stiffly from the cave with the cubs behind her , and her eyes glowed as she saw the skin .

it is well done . "

" little Brother , it is well done , " said a deep voice in the thicket .

" we were lonely in the jungle without thee , " and Bagheera came running to Mowgli 's bare feet .

ever since Akela had been deposed , the Pack had been without a leader , hunting and fighting at their own pleasure .

" look well , O Wolves .

have I kept my word ? " said Mowgli .

and the wolves bayed " yes , " and one tattered wolf howled :

" lead us again , O Akela .

lead us again , O Man-cub , for we be sick of this lawlessness , and we would be the Free People once more . "

" Nay , " purred Bagheera , " that may not be .

when ye are full-fed , the madness may come upon you again .

not for nothing are ye called the Free People .

ye fought for freedom , and it is yours .

eat it , O Wolves . "

" Man-Pack and Wolf-Pack have cast me out , " said Mowgli .

" now I will hunt alone in the jungle . "

" and we will hunt with thee , " said the four cubs .

so Mowgli went away and hunted with the four cubs in the jungle from that day on .

but he was not always alone , because , years afterward , he became a man and married .

but that is a story for grown-ups .

Mowgli 's Song

THAT HE SANG AT THE COUNCIL ROCK WHEN HE DANCED ON SHERE KHAN'S HIDE

the Song of Mowgli I , Mowgli , am singing .

let the jungle listen to the things I have done .

Shere Khan said he would kill would kill !

at the gates in the twilight he would kill Mowgli , the Frog !

he ate and he drank .

drink deep , Shere Khan , for when wilt thou drink again ?

sleep and dream of the kill .

I am alone on the grazing-grounds .

gray Brother , come to me !

come to me , Lone Wolf , for there is big game afoot !

bring up the great bull buffaloes , the blue-skinned herd bulls with the angry eyes .

drive them to and fro as I order .

Sleepest thou still , Shere Khan ?

Wake , oh , wake !

here come I , and the bulls are behind .

Rama , the King of the Buffaloes , stamped with his foot .

waters of the Waingunga , whither went Shere Khan ?

he is not Ikki to dig holes , nor Mao , the Peacock , that he should fly .

he is not Mang the Bat , to hang in the branches .

Little bamboos that creak together , tell me where he ran ?

Ow !

he is there .

Ahoo !

he is there .

under the feet of Rama lies the Lame One !

up , Shere Khan !

up and kill !

here is meat ; break the necks of the bulls !

Hsh !

he is asleep .

we will not wake him , for his strength is very great .

the kites have come down to see it .

the black ants have come up to know it .

there is a great assembly in his honor .

Alala !

I have no cloth to wrap me .

the kites will see that I am naked .

I am ashamed to meet all these people .

lend me thy coat , Shere Khan .

lend me thy gay striped coat that I may go to the Council Rock .

by the Bull that bought me I made a promise a little promise .

only thy coat is lacking before I keep my word .

with the knife , with the knife that men use , with the knife of the hunter , I will stoop down for my gift .

Waters of the Waingunga , Shere Khan gives me his coat for the love that he bears me .

pull , Gray Brother !

pull , Akela !

Heavy is the hide of Shere Khan .

the Man Pack are angry .

they throw stones and talk child 's talk .

my mouth is bleeding .

let me run away .

through the night , through the hot night , run swiftly with me , my brothers .

we will leave the lights of the village and go to the low moon .

waters of the Waingunga , the Man-Pack have cast me out .

I did them no harm , but they were afraid of me .

why ?

wolf Pack , ye have cast me out too .

the jungle is shut to me and the village gates are shut .

why ?

as Mang flies between the beasts and birds , so fly I between the village and the jungle .

why ?

I dance on the hide of Shere Khan , but my heart is very heavy .

why ?

these two things fight together in me as the snakes fight in the spring .

the water comes out of my eyes ; yet I laugh while it falls .

why ?

I am two Mowglis , but the hide of Shere Khan is under my feet .

all the jungle knows that I have killed Shere Khan .

look look well , O Wolves !

Ahae !

my heart is heavy with the things that I do not understand .

the White Seal

oh ! hush thee , my baby , the night is behind us , And black are the waters that sparkled so green .

the moon , o'er the combers , looks downward to find us At rest in the hollows that rustle between .

where billow meets billow , then soft be thy pillow , Ah , weary wee flipperling , curl at thy ease !

the storm shall not wake thee , nor shark overtake thee , Asleep in the arms of the slow-swinging seas !

seal Lullaby

Limmershin is a very quaint little bird , but he knows how to tell the truth .

nobody comes to Novastoshnah except on business , and the only people who have regular business there are the seals .

they come in the summer months by hundreds and hundreds of thousands out of the cold gray sea .

for Novastoshnah Beach has the finest accommodation for seals of any place in all the world .

he was scarred all over with the marks of savage fights , but he was always ready for just one fight more .

yet Sea Catch never chased a beaten seal , for that was against the Rules of the Beach .

he only wanted room by the sea for his nursery .

they were called the holluschickie the bachelors and there were perhaps two or three hundred thousand of them at Novastoshnah alone .

where have you been ? "

Matkah knew better than to answer back .

she looked round and cooed : " how thoughtful of you .

you 've taken the old place again . "

" I should think I had , " said Sea Catch .

" look at me ! "

he was scratched and bleeding in twenty places ; one eye was almost out , and his sides were torn to ribbons .

" oh , you men , you men ! "

Matkah said , fanning herself with her hind flipper .

" why can't you be sensible and settle your places quietly ?

you look as though you had been fighting with the Killer Whale . "

" I haven't been doing anything but fight since the middle of May .

the beach is disgracefully crowded this season .

I 've met at least a hundred seals from Lukannon Beach , house hunting .

why can't people stay where they belong ? "

" I 've often thought we should be much happier if we hauled out at Otter Island instead of this crowded place , " said Matkah .

" Bah !

only the holluschickie go to Otter Island .

if we went there they would say we were afraid .

we must preserve appearances , my dear . "

" Sea Catch , " she said , at last , " our baby 's going to be white ! "

" empty clam-shells and dry seaweed ! " snorted Sea Catch .

" there never has been such a thing in the world as a white seal . "

" I can't help that , " said Matkah ; " there 's going to be now . "

and she sang the low , crooning seal song that all the mother seals sing to their babies :

child of the Open Sea !

of course the little fellow did not understand the words at first .

there were always a few hundred mothers hunting for their children through the playgrounds , and the babies were kept lively .

little seals can no more swim than little children , but they are unhappy till they learn .

no cradle is so comfortable as the long , rocking swell of the Pacific .

a school of porpoises were ducking and tearing through the water , and little Kotick followed them as fast as he could .

" how do you know where to go to ? " he panted .

the leader of the school rolled his white eye and ducked under .

" my tail tingles , youngster , " he said .

" that means there 's a gale behind me .

come along !

come along !

the water feels bad here . "

this was one of very many things that Kotick learned , and he was always learning .

at the end of six months what Kotick did not know about deep-sea fishing was not worth the knowing .

and all that time he never set flipper on dry ground .

this year we are all holluschickie , and we can dance the Fire-dance in the breakers off Lukannon and play on the new grass .

but where did you get that coat ? "

Kotick 's fur was almost pure white now , and though he felt very proud of it , he only said , " swim quickly !

my bones are aching for the land . "

that night Kotick danced the Fire-dance with the yearling seals .

the three- and four-year-old holluschickie romped down from Hutchinson 's Hill crying : " Out of the way , youngsters !

the sea is deep and you don't know all that 's in it yet .

wait till you 've rounded the Horn .

hi , you yearling , where did you get that white coat ? "

" I didn't get it , " said Kotick .

" it grew . "

the holluschickie just bundled off a few yards and sat staring stupidly .

the men were no less than Kerick Booterin , the chief of the seal-hunters on the island , and Patalamon , his son .

" Ho ! " said Patalamon .

" look !

there 's a white seal ! "

Kerick Booterin turned nearly white under his oil and smoke , for he was an Aleut , and Aleuts are not clean people .

then he began to mutter a prayer .

" don't touch him , Patalamon .

there has never been a white seal since since I was born .

perhaps it is old Zaharrof 's ghost .

he was lost last year in the big gale . "

" I 'm not going near him , " said Patalamon .

" he 's unlucky .

do you really think he is old Zaharrof come back ?

I owe him for some gulls ' eggs . "

" don't look at him , " said Kerick .

" head off that drove of four-year-olds .

the men ought to skin two hundred to-day , but it 's the beginning of the season and they are new to the work .

a hundred will do .

Quick ! "

Patalamon rattled a pair of seal 's shoulder bones in front of a herd of holluschickie and they stopped dead , puffing and blowing .

hundreds and hundreds of thousands of seals watched them being driven , but they went on playing just the same .

" the white seal is coming after us , " cried Patalamon .

" that 's the first time a seal has ever come to the killing-grounds alone . "

" Hsh !

don't look behind you , " said Kerick .

" it is Zaharrof 's ghost !

I must speak to the priest about this . "

Kotick followed , panting and wondering .

that was enough for Kotick .

" what 's here ? " said a sea lion gruffly , for as a rule the sea lions keep themselves to themselves .

" Scoochnie !

Ochen scoochnie ! "

( " I 'm lonesome , very lonesome ! " ) said Kotick .

" they 're killing all the holluschickie on all the beaches ! "

the Sea Lion turned his head inshore .

" nonsense ! " he said .

" your friends are making as much noise as ever .

you must have seen old Kerick polishing off a drove .

he 's done that for thirty years . "

" well done for a yearling ! " said the Sea Lion , who could appreciate good swimming .

" isn't there any such island ? " began Kotick .

" I 've followed the poltoos the halibut for twenty years , and I can't say I 've found it yet .

but look here you seem to have a fondness for talking to your betters suppose you go to Walrus Islet and talk to Sea Vitch .

he may know something .

don't flounce off like that .

it 's a six-mile swim , and if I were you I should haul out and take a nap first , little one . "

" wake up ! " barked Kotick , for the gulls were making a great noise .

" hah !

Ho !

Hmph !

" hi !

it 's me , " said Kotick , bobbing in the surf and looking like a little white slug .

" well !

Kotick did not care to hear any more about skinning just then ; he had seen enough of it .

so he called out : " isn't there any place for seals to go where men don't ever come ? "

" go and find out , " said Sea Vitch , shutting his eyes .

" run away .

we 're busy here . "

Kotick made his dolphin-jump in the air and shouted as loud as he could : " Clam-eater !

Clam-eater ! "

all the population was yelling and screaming " Clam-eater !

Stareek old man ! " while Sea Vitch rolled from side to side grunting and coughing .

" now will you tell ? " said Kotick , all out of breath .

" go and ask Sea Cow , " said Sea Vitch .

" if he is living still , he 'll be able to tell you . "

" how shall I know Sea Cow when I meet him ? " said Kotick , sheering off .

" he 's the only thing in the sea uglier than Sea Vitch , " screamed a Burgomaster gull , wheeling under Sea Vitch 's nose .

" uglier , and with worse manners !

Stareek ! "

Kotick swam back to Novastoshnah , leaving the gulls to scream .

there he found that no one sympathized with him in his little attempt to discover a quiet place for the seals .

but none of the other seals had seen the killing , and that made the difference between him and his friends .

besides , Kotick was a white seal .

in another five years you ought to be able to fight for yourself . "

even gentle Matkah , his mother , said : " you will never be able to stop the killing .

go and play in the sea , Kotick . "

and Kotick went off and danced the Fire-dance with a very heavy little heart .

that autumn he left the beach as soon as he could , and set off alone because of a notion in his bullet-head .

yet as he pulled out against the gale he could see that even there had once been a seal nursery .

and it was so in all the other islands that he visited .

but everywhere the People of the Sea told him the same things .

seals had come to those islands once upon a time , but men had killed them all off .

the old seal said , " try once more .

I am old , and I shall never live to see that day , but others will .

try once more . "

" give me another season , " he said .

" remember , Mother , it is always the seventh wave that goes farthest up the beach . "

" by the Great Combers of Magellan ! " he said , beneath his mustache .

" who in the Deep Sea are these people ? "

" ahem ! " said Kotick .

" good sport , gentlemen ? "

the big things answered by bowing and waving their flippers like the Frog Footman .

they tucked the stuff into their mouths and chumped solemnly .

" messy style of feeding , that , " said Kotick .

they bowed again , and Kotick began to lose his temper .

" very good , " he said .

" if you do happen to have an extra joint in your front flipper you needn't show off so .

I see you bow gracefully , but I should like to know your names . "

the split lips moved and twitched ; and the glassy green eyes stared , but they did not speak .

" well ! " said Kotick .

" you 're the only people I 've ever met uglier than Sea Vitch and with worse manners . "

but the sea cows did not answer because Sea Cow cannot talk .

by daylight Kotick 's mane was standing on end and his temper was gone where the dead crabs go .

and what is good enough for the Sea Cow is good enough for the Sea Catch .

all the same , I wish they 'd hurry . "

it was weary work for Kotick .

one night they sank through the shiny water sank like stones and for the first time since he had known them began to swim quickly .

Kotick followed , and the pace astonished him , for he never dreamed that Sea Cow was anything of a swimmer .

" my wig ! " he said , when he rose , gasping and puffing , into open water at the farther end .

" it was a long dive , but it was worth it . "

the sea cows had separated and were browsing lazily along the edges of the finest beaches that Kotick had ever seen .

" it 's Novastoshnah over again , but ten times better , " said Kotick .

" Sea Cow must be wiser than I thought .

Men can't come down the cliffs , even if there were any men ; and the shoals to seaward would knock a ship to splinters .

if any place in the sea is safe , this is it . "

then he dived and made sure of the mouth of the tunnel , and raced through to the southward .

remember we 've been fighting for our nurseries , and that 's a thing you never did .

you preferred prowling about in the sea . "

the other seals laughed at this , and the young seal began twisting his head from side to side .

he had just married that year , and was making a great fuss about it .

" I 've no nursery to fight for , " said Kotick .

" I only want to show you all a place where you will be safe .

what 's the use of fighting ? "

" will you come with me if I win ? " said Kotick .

and a green light came into his eye , for he was very angry at having to fight at all .

" very good , " said the young seal carelessly .

" if you win , I 'll come . "

then he threw himself back on his haunches and hauled his enemy down the beach , shook him , and knocked him over .

then Kotick roared to the seals : " I 've done my best for you these five seasons past .

I 've found you the island where you 'll be safe , but unless your heads are dragged off your silly necks you won't believe .

I 'm going to teach you now .

look out for yourselves ! "

don't tackle your father , my son !

he 's with you ! "

" now , " he said , " I 've taught you your lesson . "

" my wig ! " said old Sea Catch , boosting himself up stiffly , for he was fearfully mauled .

" the Killer Whale himself could not have cut them up worse .

Son , I 'm proud of you , and what 's more , I 'll come with you to your island if there is such a place . "

" hear you , fat pigs of the sea .

who comes with me to the Sea Cow 's tunnel ?

answer , or I shall teach you again , " roared Kotick .

there was a murmur like the ripple of the tide all up and down the beaches .

" we will come , " said thousands of tired voices .

" we will follow Kotick , the White Seal . "

then Kotick dropped his head between his shoulders and shut his eyes proudly .

he was not a white seal any more , but red from head to tail .

all the same he would have scorned to look at or touch one of his wounds .

Lukannon

this is the great deep-sea song that all the St Paul seals sing when they are heading back to their beaches in the summer .

it is a sort of very sad seal National Anthem .

I met my mates in the morning ( and , oh , but I am old ! )

and o'er the foam-flecked offing as far as voice could reach We hailed the landing-parties and we sang them up the beach .

the Beaches of Lukannon the winter wheat so tall The dripping , crinkled lichens , and the sea-fog drenching all !

the platforms of our playground , all shining smooth and worn !

the Beaches of Lukannon the home where we were born !

I met my mates in the morning , a broken , scattered band .

wheel down , wheel down to southward ; oh , Gooverooska , go !

" Rikki-Tikki-Tavi "

at the hole where he went in Red-Eye called to Wrinkle-Skin .

hear what little Red-Eye saith : " nag , come up and dance with death ! "

eye to eye and head to head , ( keep the measure , Nag . )

this shall end when one is dead ; ( at thy pleasure , Nag . )

Turn for turn and twist for twist ( Run and hide thee , Nag . )

hah !

the hooded Death has missed !

( woe betide thee , Nag ! )

this is the story of the great war that Rikki-tikki-tavi fought single-handed , through the bath-rooms of the big bungalow in Segowlee cantonment .

his eyes and the end of his restless nose were pink .

he could scratch himself anywhere he pleased with any leg , front or back , that he chose to use .

he found a little wisp of grass floating there , and clung to it till he lost his senses .

let's have a funeral . "

" no , " said his mother , " let's take him in and dry him .

perhaps he isn't really dead . "

so they wrapped him in cotton wool , and warmed him over a little fire , and he opened his eyes and sneezed .

it is the hardest thing in the world to frighten a mongoose , because he is eaten up from nose to tail with curiosity .

the motto of all the mongoose family is " run and find out , " and Rikki-tikki was a true mongoose .

" don't be frightened , Teddy , " said his father .

" that 's his way of making friends . "

" ouch !

he 's tickling under my chin , " said Teddy .

" good gracious , " said Teddy 's mother , " and that 's a wild creature !

I suppose he 's so tame because we 've been kind to him . "

" all mongooses are like that , " said her husband .

let's give him something to eat . "

they gave him a little piece of raw meat .

then he felt better .

I shall certainly stay and find out . "

he spent all that day roaming over the house .

at nightfall he ran into Teddy 's nursery to watch how kerosene lamps were lighted , and when Teddy went to bed Rikki-tikki climbed up too .

Teddy 's mother and father came in , the last thing , to look at their boy , and Rikki-tikki was awake on the pillow .

" I don't like that , " said Teddy 's mother .

" he may bite the child . "

" he 'll do no such thing , " said the father .

" Teddy 's safer with that little beast than if he had a bloodhound to watch him .

if a snake came into the nursery now "

but Teddy 's mother wouldn't think of anything so awful .

then Rikki-tikki went out into the garden to see what was to be seen .

Rikki-tikki licked his lips .

it was Darzee , the Tailorbird , and his wife .

the nest swayed to and fro , as they sat on the rim and cried .

" what is the matter ? " asked Rikki-tikki .

" we are very miserable , " said Darzee .

" one of our babies fell out of the nest yesterday and Nag ate him . "

" H'm ! " said Rikki-tikki , " that is very sad but I am a stranger here .

who is Nag ? "

" who is Nag ? " said he .

" I am Nag .

look , and be afraid ! "

nag knew that too and , at the bottom of his cold heart , he was afraid .

nag was thinking to himself , and watching the least little movement in the grass behind Rikki-tikki .

so he dropped his head a little , and put it on one side .

" let us talk , " he said .

" you eat eggs .

why should not I eat birds ? "

" Behind you !

look behind you ! " sang Darzee .

Rikki-tikki knew better than to waste time in staring .

she had crept up behind him as he was talking , to make an end of him .

he heard her savage hiss as the stroke missed .

" wicked , wicked Darzee ! " said Nag , lashing up as high as he could reach toward the nest in the thorn-bush .

but Darzee had built it out of reach of snakes , and it only swayed to and fro .

but Nag and Nagaina had disappeared into the grass .

when a snake misses its stroke , it never says anything or gives any sign of what it means to do next .

Rikki-tikki did not care to follow them , for he did not feel sure that he could manage two snakes at once .

so he trotted off to the gravel path near the house , and sat down to think .

it was a serious matter for him .

that is not true .

it gave him confidence in himself , and when Teddy came running down the path , Rikki-tikki was ready to be petted .

but just as Teddy was stooping , something wriggled a little in the dust , and a tiny voice said : " be careful .

I am Death ! "

but he is so small that nobody thinks of him , and so he does the more harm to people .

but Rikki did not know .

his eyes were all red , and he rocked back and forth , looking for a good place to hold .

Karait struck out .

Teddy shouted to the house : " oh , look here !

our mongoose is killing a snake . "

and Rikki-tikki heard a scream from Teddy 's mother .

he went away for a dust bath under the castor-oil bushes , while Teddy 's father beat the dead Karait .

" what is the use of that ? " thought Rikki-tikki .

Rikki-tikki was rather amused at all the fuss , which , of course , he did not understand .

Teddy 's mother might just as well have petted Teddy for playing in the dust .

Rikki was thoroughly enjoying himself .

Teddy carried him off to bed , and insisted on Rikki-tikki sleeping under his chin .

Chuchundra is a broken-hearted little beast .

he whimpers and cheeps all the night , trying to make up his mind to run into the middle of the room .

but he never gets there .

" don't kill me , " said Chuchundra , almost weeping .

" Rikki-tikki , don't kill me ! "

" do you think a snake-killer kills muskrats ? " said Rikki-tikki scornfully .

" those who kill snakes get killed by snakes , " said Chuchundra , more sorrowfully than ever .

" and how am I to be sure that Nag won't mistake me for you some dark night ? "

" there 's not the least danger , " said Rikki-tikki .

" but Nag is in the garden , and I know you don't go there . "

" my cousin Chua , the rat , told me " said Chuchundra , and then he stopped .

" told you what ? "

" H'sh !

nag is everywhere , Rikki-tikki .

you should have talked to Chua in the garden . "

" I didn't so you must tell me .

quick , Chuchundra , or I 'll bite you ! "

Chuchundra sat down and cried till the tears rolled off his whiskers .

" I am a very poor man , " he sobbed .

" I never had spirit enough to run out into the middle of the room .

H'sh !

I mustn't tell you anything .

can't you hear , Rikki-tikki ? "

Rikki-tikki listened .

" that 's Nag or Nagaina , " he said to himself , " and he is crawling into the bath-room sluice .

you 're right , Chuchundra ; I should have talked to Chua . "

he stole off to Teddy 's bath-room , but there was nothing there , and then to Teddy 's mother 's bathroom .

go in quietly , and remember that the big man who killed Karait is the first one to bite .

then come out and tell me , and we will hunt for Rikki-tikki together . "

" but are you sure that there is anything to be gained by killing the people ? " said Nag .

" everything .

when there were no people in the bungalow , did we have any mongoose in the garden ?

" I had not thought of that , " said Nag .

" I will go , but there is no need that we should hunt for Rikki-tikki afterward .

I will kill the big man and his wife , and the child if I can , and come away quietly .

then the bungalow will be empty , and Rikki-tikki will go . "

angry as he was , Rikki-tikki was very frightened as he saw the size of the big cobra .

nag coiled himself up , raised his head , and looked into the bathroom in the dark , and Rikki could see his eyes glitter .

what am I to do ? " said Rikki-tikki-tavi .

nag waved to and fro , and then Rikki-tikki heard him drinking from the biggest water-jar that was used to fill the bath .

" that is good , " said the snake .

" now , when Karait was killed , the big man had a stick .

he may have that stick still , but when he comes in to bathe in the morning he will not have a stick .

I shall wait here till he comes .

Nagaina do you hear me ?

I shall wait here in the cool till daytime . "

there was no answer from outside , so Rikki-tikki knew Nagaina had gone away .

after an hour he began to move , muscle by muscle , toward the jar .

nag was asleep , and Rikki-tikki looked at his big back , wondering which would be the best place for a good hold .

" if I don't break his back at the first jump , " said Rikki , " he can still fight .

and if he fights O Rikki ! "

" it must be the head " ' he said at last ; " the head above the hood .

and , when I am once there , I must not let go . "

then he jumped .

this gave him just one second 's purchase , and he made the most of it .

he was dizzy , aching , and felt shaken to pieces when something went off like a thunderclap just behind him .

a hot wind knocked him senseless and red fire singed his fur .

the big man had been wakened by the noise , and had fired both barrels of a shotgun into Nag just behind the hood .

Rikki-tikki held on with his eyes shut , for now he was quite sure he was dead .

but the head did not move , and the big man picked him up and said , " it 's the mongoose again , Alice .

the little chap has saved our lives now . "

when morning came he was very stiff , but well pleased with his doings .

goodness !

I must go and see Darzee , " he said .

without waiting for breakfast , Rikki-tikki ran to the thornbush where Darzee was singing a song of triumph at the top of his voice .

the news of Nag 's death was all over the garden , for the sweeper had thrown the body on the rubbish-heap .

" oh , you stupid tuft of feathers ! " said Rikki-tikki angrily .

" is this the time to sing ? "

" nag is dead is dead is dead ! " sang Darzee .

" the valiant Rikki-tikki caught him by the head and held fast .

the big man brought the bang-stick , and Nag fell in two pieces !

he will never eat my babies again . "

" all that 's true enough .

but where 's Nagaina ? " said Rikki-tikki , looking carefully round him .

let us sing about the great , the red-eyed Rikki-tikki ! "

and Darzee filled his throat and sang .

" if I could get up to your nest , I 'd roll your babies out ! " said Rikki-tikki .

" you don't know when to do the right thing at the right time .

you 're safe enough in your nest there , but it 's war for me down here .

stop singing a minute , Darzee . "

" for the great , the beautiful Rikki-tikki 's sake I will stop , " said Darzee .

" what is it , O Killer of the terrible Nag ? "

" where is Nagaina , for the third time ? "

" on the rubbish heap by the stables , mourning for Nag .

Great is Rikki-tikki with the white teeth . "

" bother my white teeth !

have you ever heard where she keeps her eggs ? "

" in the melon bed , on the end nearest the wall , where the sun strikes nearly all day .

she hid them there weeks ago . "

" and you never thought it worth while to tell me ?

the end nearest the wall , you said ? "

" Rikki-tikki , you are not going to eat her eggs ? "

" not eat exactly ; no .

I must get to the melon-bed , and if I went there now she 'd see me . "

Darzee was a feather-brained little fellow who could never hold more than one idea at a time in his head .

but his wife was a sensible bird , and she knew that cobra 's eggs meant young cobras later on .

Darzee was very like a man in some ways .

she fluttered in front of Nagaina by the rubbish heap and cried out , " oh , my wing is broken !

the boy in the house threw a stone at me and broke it . "

then she fluttered more desperately than ever .

Nagaina lifted up her head and hissed , " you warned Rikki-tikki when I would have killed him .

indeed and truly , you 've chosen a bad place to be lame in . "

and she moved toward Darzee 's wife , slipping along over the dust .

" the boy broke it with a stone ! " shrieked Darzee 's wife .

" well !

it may be some consolation to you when you 're dead to know that I shall settle accounts with the boy .

my husband lies on the rubbish heap this morning , but before night the boy in the house will lie very still .

what is the use of running away ?

I am sure to catch you .

little fool , look at me ! "

Darzee 's wife knew better than to do that , for a bird who looks at a snake 's eyes gets so frightened that she cannot move .

Darzee 's wife fluttered on , piping sorrowfully , and never leaving the ground , and Nagaina quickened her pace .

Rikki-tikki heard them going up the path from the stables , and he raced for the end of the melon patch near the wall .

at last there were only three eggs left , and Rikki-tikki began to chuckle to himself , when he heard Darzee 's wife screaming :

Teddy and his mother and father were there at early breakfast , but Rikki-tikki saw that they were not eating anything .

they sat stone-still , and their faces were white .

" Son of the big man that killed Nag , " she hissed , " stay still .

I am not ready yet .

wait a little .

keep very still , all you three !

if you move I strike , and if you do not move I strike .

oh , foolish people , who killed my Nag ! "

Teddy 's eyes were fixed on his father , and all his father could do was to whisper , " sit still , Teddy .

you mustn't move .

Teddy , keep still . "

then Rikki-tikki came up and cried , " turn round , Nagaina .

Turn and fight ! "

" all in good time , " said she , without moving her eyes .

" I will settle my account with you presently .

look at your friends , Rikki-tikki .

they are still and white .

they are afraid .

they dare not move , and if you come a step nearer I strike . "

" look at your eggs , " said Rikki-tikki , " in the melon bed near the wall .

go and look , Nagaina ! "

the big snake turned half around , and saw the egg on the veranda .

" Ah-h !

give it to me , " she said .

Rikki-tikki put his paws one on each side of the egg , and his eyes were blood-red .

" what price for a snake 's egg ?

for a young cobra ?

for a young king cobra ?

for the last the very last of the brood ?

the ants are eating all the others down by the melon bed . "

Nagaina spun clear round , forgetting everything for the sake of the one egg .

" tricked !

tricked !

tricked !

Rikk-tck-tck ! " chuckled Rikki-tikki .

" the boy is safe , and it was I I I that caught Nag by the hood last night in the bathroom . "

then he began to jump up and down , all four feet together , his head close to the floor .

" he threw me to and fro , but he could not shake me off .

he was dead before the big man blew him in two .

I did it !

Rikki-tikki-tck-tck !

come then , Nagaina .

come and fight with me .

you shall not be a widow long . "

Nagaina saw that she had lost her chance of killing Teddy , and the egg lay between Rikki-tikki 's paws .

" give me the egg , Rikki-tikki .

give me the last of my eggs , and I will go away and never come back , " she said , lowering her hood .

" yes , you will go away , and you will never come back .

for you will go to the rubbish heap with Nag .

fight , widow !

the big man has gone for his gun !

fight ! "

Rikki-tikki was bounding all round Nagaina , keeping just out of reach of her stroke , his little eyes like hot coals .

Nagaina gathered herself together and flung out at him .

Rikki-tikki jumped up and backward .

he had forgotten the egg .

when the cobra runs for her life , she goes like a whip-lash flicked across a horse 's neck .

Rikki-tikki knew that he must catch her , or all the trouble would begin again .

but Darzee 's wife was wiser .

she flew off her nest as Nagaina came along , and flapped her wings about Nagaina 's head .

if Darzee had helped they might have turned her , but Nagaina only lowered her hood and went on .

he held on savagely , and stuck out his feet to act as brakes on the dark slope of the hot , moist earth .

then the grass by the mouth of the hole stopped waving , and Darzee said , " it is all over with Rikki-tikki !

we must sing his death song .

Valiant Rikki-tikki is dead !

for Nagaina will surely kill him underground . "

Darzee stopped with a little shout .

Rikki-tikki shook some of the dust out of his fur and sneezed .

" it is all over , " he said .

" the widow will never come out again . "

" now , " he said , when he awoke , " I will go back to the house .

tell the Coppersmith , Darzee , and he will tell the garden that Nagaina is dead . "

nag is dead dong !

Nagaina is dead !

Ding-dong-tock ! "

" he saved our lives and Teddy 's life , " she said to her husband .

" just think , he saved all our lives . "

Rikki-tikki woke up with a jump , for the mongooses are light sleepers .

" oh , it 's you , " said he .

" what are you bothering for ?

all the cobras are dead .

and if they weren't , I 'm here . "

Rikki-tikki had a right to be proud of himself .

Darzee 's Chant

( Sung in honor of Rikki-tikki-tavi )

sing to your fledglings again , Mother , oh lift up your head !

evil that plagued us is slain , Death in the garden lies dead .

terror that hid in the roses is impotent flung on the dung-hill and dead !

who has delivered us , who ?

tell me his nest and his name .

give him the Thanks of the Birds , Bowing with tail feathers spread !

praise him with nightingale words Nay , I will praise him instead .

hear !

I will sing you the praise of the bottle-tailed Rikki , with eyeballs of red !

( here Rikki-tikki interrupted , and the rest of the song is lost . )

Toomai of the Elephants

I will remember what I was , I am sick of rope and chain I will remember my old strength and all my forest affairs .

I will revisit my lost loves , and playmates masterless !

he had carried tents , twelve hundred pounds ' weight of tents , on the march in Upper India .

there he had half killed an insubordinate young elephant who was shirking his fair share of work .

elephants are very strictly preserved by the Indian Government .

he has seen three generations of us feed him and groom him , and he will live to see four . "

" the Government may pay for elephants , but they belong to us mahouts .

that will be good , Kala Nag , but not so good as this hunting in the jungles . "

" Umph ! " said Big Toomai .

" thou art a boy , and as wild as a buffalo-calf .

this running up and down among the hills is not the best Government service .

I am getting old , and I do not love wild elephants .

aha , the Cawnpore barracks were good .

there was a bazaar close by , and only three hours ' work a day . "

Little Toomai remembered the Cawnpore elephant-lines and said nothing .

even a little boy could be of use there , and Toomai was as useful as three boys .

he would get his torch and wave it , and yell with the best .

" Mael , mael , Kala Nag !

( go on , go on , Black Snake ! )

Dant do !

( give him the tusk ! )

Somalo !

Somalo !

( careful , careful ! )

Maro !

Mar !

( hit him , hit him ! )

mind the post !

Arre !

Arre !

Hai !

Yai !

he did more than wriggle .

now those foolish hunters , whose pay is less than my pay , have spoken to Petersen Sahib of the matter . "

Little Toomai was frightened .

he did not know much of white men , but Petersen Sahib was the greatest white man in the world to him .

" what what will happen ? " said Little Toomai .

" happen !

the worst that can happen .

Petersen Sahib is a madman .

Else why should he go hunting these wild devils ?

it is well that this nonsense ends safely .

next week the catching is over , and we of the plains are sent back to our stations .

then we will march on smooth roads , and forget all this hunting .

but , son , I am angry that thou shouldst meddle in the business that belongs to these dirty Assamese jungle folk .

is the family of Toomai of the Elephants to be trodden underfoot in the dirt of a Keddah ?

bad one !

wicked one !

worthless son !

go and wash Kala Nag and attend to his ears , and see that there are no thorns in his feet .

or else Petersen Sahib will surely catch thee and make thee a wild hunter a follower of elephant 's foot tracks , a jungle bear .

Bah !

shame !

go ! "

Little Toomai went off without saying a word , but he told Kala Nag all his grievances while he was examining his feet .

" no matter , " said Little Toomai , turning up the fringe of Kala Nag 's huge right ear .

" they have said my name to Petersen Sahib , and perhaps and perhaps and perhaps who knows ?

Hai !

that is a big thorn that I have pulled out ! "

as each man was paid he went back to his elephant , and joined the line that stood ready to start .

' Tis a pity to send that young jungle-cock to molt in the plains . "

he turned where he was lying all along on Pudmini 's back and said , " what is that ?

I did not know of a man among the plains-drivers who had wit enough to rope even a dead elephant . "

" this is not a man , but a boy .

Machua Appa pointed at Little Toomai , and Petersen Sahib looked , and Little Toomai bowed to the earth .

" he throw a rope ?

he is smaller than a picket-pin .

Little one , what is thy name ? " said Petersen Sahib .

" Oho ! " said Petersen Sahib , smiling underneath his mustache , " and why didst thou teach thy elephant that trick ?

was it to help thee steal green corn from the roofs of the houses when the ears are put out to dry ? "

most of them had taught their elephants that trick when they were boys .

Little Toomai was hanging eight feet up in the air , and he wished very much that he were eight feet underground .

" he is Toomai , my son , Sahib , " said Big Toomai , scowling .

" he is a very bad boy , and he will end in a jail , Sahib . "

" of that I have my doubts , " said Petersen Sahib .

" a boy who can face a full Keddah at his age does not end in jails .

see , little one , here are four annas to spend in sweetmeats because thou hast a little head under that great thatch of hair .

in time thou mayest become a hunter too . "

Big Toomai scowled more than ever .

" remember , though , that Keddahs are not good for children to play in , " Petersen Sahib went on .

" must I never go there , Sahib ? " asked Little Toomai with a big gasp .

" yes . "

Petersen Sahib smiled again .

" when thou hast seen the elephants dance .

that is the proper time .

come to me when thou hast seen the elephants dance , and then I will let thee go into all the Keddahs . "

there was another roar of laughter , for that is an old joke among elephant-catchers , and it means just never .

when a driver boasts of his skill and bravery the other drivers say , " and when didst thou see the elephants dance ? "

Big Toomai prodded Kala Nag spitefully , for he was very angry , but Little Toomai was too happy to speak .

" what did Petersen Sahib mean by the elephant dance ? " he said , at last , softly to his mother .

Big Toomai heard him and grunted .

" that thou shouldst never be one of these hill buffaloes of trackers .

that was what he meant .

oh , you in front , what is blocking the way ? "

why should Petersen Sahib have chosen me to go down with you donkeys of the rice fields ?

lay your beast alongside , Toomai , and let him prod with his tusks .

by all the Gods of the Hills , these new elephants are possessed , or else they can smell their companions in the jungle . "

it is only your carelessness in driving .

must I keep order along the whole line ? "

" hear him ! " said the other driver .

" we have swept the hills !

Ho !

Ho !

you are very wise , you plains people .

anyone but a mud-head who never saw the jungle would know that they know that the drives are ended for the season .

therefore all the wild elephants to-night will but why should I waste wisdom on a river-turtle ? "

" what will they do ? "

Little Toomai called out .

" Ohe , little one .

Art thou there ?

well , I will tell thee , for thou hast a cool head .

" what talk is this ? " said Big Toomai .

" for forty years , father and son , we have tended elephants , and we have never heard such moonshine about dances . "

" yes ; but a plainsman who lives in a hut knows only the four walls of his hut .

well , leave thy elephants unshackled tonight and see what comes .

as for their dancing , I have seen the place where Bapree-bap !

how many windings has the Dihang River ?

here is another ford , and we must swim the calves .

stop still , you behind there . "

but they lost their tempers long before they got there .

when an Indian child 's heart is full , he does not run about and make a noise in an irregular fashion .

he sits down to a sort of revel all by himself .

and Little Toomai had been spoken to by Petersen Sahib !

if he had not found what he wanted , I believe he would have been ill .

there was no tune and no words , but the thumping made him happy .

it is a very soothing lullaby , and the first verse says :

all things made he Shiva the Preserver .

Mahadeo !

Mahadeo !

he knew that he and his father and his grandfather had done the very same thing hundreds of times before .

Kala Nag did not answer to the order by gurgling , as he usually did .

Little Toomai pattered after him , barefooted , down the road in the moonlight , calling under his breath , " Kala Nag !

Kala Nag !

take me with you , O Kala Nag ! "

but between those times he moved absolutely without any sound , drifting through the thick Garo forest as though it had been smoke .

Toomai leaned forward and looked , and he felt that the forest was awake below him awake and alive and crowded .

the huge limbs moved as steadily as pistons , eight feet to each stride , and the wrinkled skin of the elbow points rustled .

" Ai ! " he said , half aloud , his teeth chattering .

" the elephant-folk are out tonight .

it is the dance , then ! "

Kala Nag swashed out of the water , blew his trunk clear , and began another climb .

but this time he was not alone , and he had not to make his path .

many elephants must have gone that way only a few minutes before .

at last Kala Nag stood still between two tree-trunks at the very top of the hill .

but within the limits of the clearing there was not a single blade of green nothing but the trampled earth .

the moonlight showed it all iron gray , except where some elephants stood upon it , and their shadows were inky black .

and these elephants were not thinking of men that night .

he , too , must have run away from some camp in the hills about .

then a cloud came over the moon , and he sat in black darkness .

but the quiet , steady hustling and pushing and gurgling went on just the same .

then an elephant trumpeted , and they all took it up for five or ten terrible seconds .

the elephants were stamping all together now , and it sounded like a war drum beaten at the mouth of a cave .

but it was all one gigantic jar that ran through him this stamp of hundreds of heavy feet on the raw earth .

a tree was creaking and groaning somewhere near him .

there was no sound from the elephants , except once , when two or three little calves squeaked together .

then he heard a thump and a shuffle , and the booming went on .

Little Toomai stared again and again .

the clearing , as he remembered it , had grown in the night .

more trees stood in the middle of it , but the undergrowth and the jungle grass at the sides had been rolled back .

Little Toomai stared once more .

now he understood the trampling .

" Wah ! " said Little Toomai , and his eyes were very heavy .

the third elephant watched the two go away , snorted , wheeled round , and took his own path .

he may have belonged to some little native king 's establishment , fifty or sixty or a hundred miles away .

I have seen it , and I die ! "

as Kala Nag sat down , he slid off his neck in a dead faint .

they made more room with their feet .

I have seen it .

Kala Nag took me , and I saw .

also Kala Nag is very leg-weary ! "

Petersen Sahib had spent eighteen years in catching elephants , and he had only once before found such a dance-place .

" the child speaks truth , " said he .

" all this was done last night , and I have counted seventy tracks crossing the river .

see , Sahib , where Pudmini 's leg-iron cut the bark of that tree !

yes ; she was there too . "

they looked at one another and up and down , and they wondered .

for the ways of elephants are beyond the wit of any man , black or white , to fathom .

by all the Gods of the Hills , it is what can we say ? " and he shook his head .

when they got back to camp it was time for the evening meal .

listen , too , you my lords in the lines there , for I , Machua Appa , am speaking !

this little one shall no more be called Little Toomai , but Toomai of the Elephants , as his great-grandfather was called before him .

he shall become a great tracker .

he shall become greater than I , even I , Machua Appa !

he shall follow the new trail , and the stale trail , and the mixed trail , with a clear eye !

give him honor , my lords !

salaam karo , my children .

make your salute to Toomai of the Elephants !

Gunga Pershad , ahaa !

Hira Guj , Birchi Guj , Kuttar Guj , ahaa !

Pudmini , thou hast seen him at the dance , and thou too , Kala Nag , my pearl among elephants ! ahaa !

together !

to Toomai of the Elephants .

Barrao ! "

Shiv and the Grasshopper

( the song that Toomai 's mother sang to the baby )

all things made he Shiva the Preserver .

Mahadeo !

Mahadeo !

so she tricked him , Shiva the Preserver .

Mahadeo !

Mahadeo !

turn and see .

tall are the camels , heavy are the kine , But this was Least of Little Things , O little son of mine !

when the dole was ended , laughingly she said , " Master , of a million mouths , is not one unfed ? "

from her breast she plucked it , Parbati the thief , Saw the Least of Little Things gnawed a new-grown leaf !

Saw and feared and wondered , making prayer to Shiv , Who hath surely given meat to all that live .

all things made he Shiva the Preserver .

Mahadeo !

Mahadeo !

her Majesty 's Servants

you can work it out by Fractions or by simple Rule of Three , But the way of Tweedle-dum is not the way of Tweedle-dee .

he was receiving a visit from the Amir of Afghanistan a wild king of a very wild country .

my tent lay far away from the camel lines , and I thought it was safe .

but one night a man popped his head in and shouted , " get out , quick !

they 're coming !

my tent 's gone ! "

I knew who " they " were , so I put on my boots and waterproof and scuttled out into the slush .

a camel had blundered into it , and wet and angry as I was , I could not help laughing .

the screw-guns are tiny little cannon made in two pieces , that are screwed together when the time comes to use them .

they are taken up mountains , anywhere that a mule can find a road , and they are very useful for fighting in rocky country .

he must have been the one that flopped into my tent , for he called to the mule , " what shall I do ?

where shall I go ?

I have fought with a white thing that waved , and it took a stick and hit me on the neck . "

( that was my broken tent pole , and I was very glad to know it . )

" shall we run on ? "

" oh , it was you , " said the mule , " you and your friends , that have been disturbing the camp ?

all right .

you 'll be beaten for this in the morning .

but I may as well give you something on account now . "

I heard the harness jingle as the mule backed and caught the camel two kicks in the ribs that rang like a drum .

sit down , and keep your silly neck quiet . "

the camel doubled up camel-fashion , like a two-foot rule , and sat down whimpering .

" it 's disgraceful , " he said , blowing out his nostrils .

" those camels have racketed through our lines again the third time this week .

how 's a horse to keep his condition if he isn't allowed to sleep .

who 's here ? "

he 's waked me up too .

who are you ? "

" number Fifteen , E troop , Ninth Lancers Dick Cunliffe 's horse .

stand over a little , there . "

" oh , beg your pardon , " said the mule .

" it 's too dark to see much .

aren't these camels too sickening for anything ?

I walked out of my lines to get a little peace and quiet here . "

" my lords , " said the camel humbly , " we dreamed bad dreams in the night , and we were very much afraid .


" they were such very bad dreams , " said the camel .

" I am sorry .

listen !

what is that ?

shall we run on again ? "

" sit down , " said the mule , " or you 'll snap your long stick-legs between the guns . "

he cocked one ear and listened .

" Bullocks ! " he said .

" gun bullocks .

on my word , you and your friends have waked the camp very thoroughly .

it takes a good deal of prodding to put up a gun-bullock . "

and almost stepping on the chain was another battery mule , calling wildly for " Billy . "

" that 's one of our recruits , " said the old mule to the troop horse .

" he 's calling for me .

here , youngster , stop squealing .

the dark never hurt anybody yet . "

the gun-bullocks lay down together and began chewing the cud , but the young mule huddled close to Billy .

" Things ! " he said .

" Fearful and horrible , Billy !

they came into our lines while we were asleep .

D'you think they 'll kill us ? "

" I 've a very great mind to give you a number-one kicking , " said Billy .

" the idea of a fourteen-hand mule with your training disgracing the battery before this gentleman ! "

" gently , gently ! " said the troop-horse .

" remember they are always like this to begin with .

nearly all our horses for the English cavalry are brought to India from Australia , and are broken in by the troopers themselves .

" true enough , " said Billy .

" stop shaking , youngster .

I hadn't learned the real science of kicking then , but the battery said they had never seen anything like it . "

" but this wasn't harness or anything that jingled , " said the young mule .

" you know I don't mind that now , Billy .

" H'm ! " said Billy .

" as soon as I heard the camels were loose I came away on my own account .

when a battery a screw-gun mule calls gun-bullocks gentlemen , he must be very badly shaken up .

who are you fellows on the ground there ? "

the gun bullocks rolled their cuds , and answered both together : " the seventh yoke of the first gun of the Big Gun Battery .

we were asleep when the camels came , but when we were trampled on we got up and walked away .

it is better to lie quiet in the mud than to be disturbed on good bedding .

we told your friend here that there was nothing to be afraid of , but he knew so much that he thought otherwise .

Wah ! "

they went on chewing .

" that comes of being afraid , " said Billy .

" you get laughed at by gun-bullocks .

I hope you like it , young un . "

the young mule 's teeth snapped , and I heard him say something about not being afraid of any beefy old bullock in the world .

but the bullocks only clicked their horns together and went on chewing .

" now , don't be angry after you 've been afraid .

that 's the worst kind of cowardice , " said the troop-horse .

" anybody can be forgiven for being scared in the night , I think , if they see things they don't understand .

" that 's all very well in camp , " said Billy .

" I 'm not above stampeding myself , for the fun of the thing , when I haven't been out for a day or two .

but what do you do on active service ? "

" oh , that 's quite another set of new shoes , " said the troop horse .

" what 's bridle-wise ? " said the young mule .

how can you do anything , unless you can spin round at once when the rein is pressed on your neck ?

it means life or death to your man , and of course that 's life and death to you .

get round with your hind legs under you the instant you feel the rein on your neck .

if you haven't room to swing round , rear up a little and come round on your hind legs .

that 's being bridle-wise . "

" we aren't taught that way , " said Billy the mule stiffly .

" we 're taught to obey the man at our head : step off when he says so , and step in when he says so .

I suppose it comes to the same thing .

" that depends , " said the troop-horse .

I can see Dick 's lance to the right of my right eye , and I know I 'm safe .

I shouldn't care to be the man or horse that stood up to Dick and me when we 're in a hurry . "

" don't the knives hurt ? " said the young mule .

" well , I got one cut across the chest once , but that wasn't Dick 's fault "

" a lot I should have cared whose fault it was , if it hurt ! " said the young mule .

" you must , " said the troop horse .

" if you don't trust your man , you may as well run away at once .

that 's what some of our horses do , and I don't blame them .

as I was saying , it wasn't Dick 's fault .

the man was lying on the ground , and I stretched myself not to tread on him , and he slashed up at me .

next time I have to go over a man lying down I shall step on him hard . "

" H'm ! " said Billy .

" it sounds very foolish .

knives are dirty things at any time .

" don't you ever trip ? " said the troop-horse .

" they say that when a mule trips you can split a hen 's ear , " said Billy .

" now and again perhaps a badly packed saddle will upset a mule , but it's very seldom .

I wish I could show you our business .

it 's beautiful .

why , it took me three years to find out what the men were driving at .

remember that , young un .

always keep hidden as much as possible , even if you have to go a mile out of your way .

I lead the battery when it comes to that sort of climbing . "

" fired at without the chance of running into the people who are firing ! " said the troop-horse , thinking hard .

" I couldn't stand that .

I should want to charge with Dick . "

" oh , no , you wouldn't .

you know that as soon as the guns are in position they 'll do all the charging .

that 's scientific and neat .

but knives pah ! "

the baggage-camel had been bobbing his head to and fro for some time past , anxious to get a word in edgewise .

then I heard him say , as he cleared his throat , nervously :

" I I I have fought a little , but not in that climbing way or that running way . "

" no .

now you mention it , " said Billy , " you don't look as though you were made for climbing or running much .

well , how was it , old Hay-bales ? "

" the proper way , " said the camel .

" we all sat down "

" oh , my crupper and breastplate ! " said the troop-horse under his breath .

" sat down ! "

" what sort of men ?

any men that came along ? " said the troop-horse .

it tickles my girths , and , besides , I can't see with my head on the ground . "

" what does it matter who fires across you ? " said the camel .

" there are plenty of men and plenty of other camels close by , and a great many clouds of smoke .

I am not frightened then .

I sit still and wait . "

" and yet , " said Billy , " you dream bad dreams and upset the camp at night .

well , well !

did you ever hear anything so awful as that ? "

there is only one way of fighting . "

" oh , go on , " said Billy .

" please don't mind me .

I suppose you fellows fight standing on your tails ? "

" only one way , " said the two together .

( they must have been twins . )

" this is that way .

to put all twenty yoke of us to the big gun as soon as Two Tails trumpets . "

( " two Tails " is camp slang for the elephant . )

" what does Two Tails trumpet for ? " said the young mule .

" to show that he is not going any nearer to the smoke on the other side .

two Tails is a great coward .

then we tug the big gun all together Heya Hullah !

Heeyah !

Hullah !

we do not climb like cats nor run like calves .

" oh !

and you choose that time for grazing ? " said the young mule .

" that time or any other .

eating is always good .

we eat till we are yoked up again and tug the gun back to where Two Tails is waiting for it .

this is Fate .

none the less , Two Tails is a great coward .

that is the proper way to fight .

we are brothers from Hapur .

our father was a sacred bull of Shiva .

we have spoken . "

" well , I 've certainly learned something tonight , " said the troop-horse .

" about as much as we feel inclined to sit down and let men sprawl all over us , or run into people with knives .

I never heard such stuff .

a mountain ledge , a well-balanced load , a driver you can trust to let you pick your own way , and I 'm your mule .

but the other things no ! " said Billy , with a stamp of his foot .

" my father was a Southern gentleman , and he could pull down and bite and kick into rags every horse he came across .

remember that , you big brown Brumby ! "

Brumby means wild horse without any breeding .

imagine the feelings of Sunol if a car-horse called her a " skate , " and you can imagine how the Australian horse felt .

I saw the white of his eye glitter in the dark .

are you ready ? "

" on your hind legs ! " squealed Billy .

be quiet . "

both beasts dropped down with a snort of disgust , for neither horse nor mule can bear to listen to an elephant 's voice .

" it 's Two Tails ! " said the troop-horse .

" I can't stand him .

a tail at each end isn't fair ! "

" my feelings exactly , " said Billy , crowding into the troop-horse for company .

" we 're very alike in some things . "

" I suppose we 've inherited them from our mothers , " said the troop horse .

" it 's not worth quarreling about .

hi !

two Tails , are you tied up ? "

" yes , " said Two Tails , with a laugh all up his trunk .

" I 'm picketed for the night .

I 've heard what you fellows have been saying .

but don't be afraid .

I 'm not coming over . "

the bullocks and the camel said , half aloud , " afraid of Two Tails what nonsense ! "

and the bullocks went on , " we are sorry that you heard , but it is true .

two Tails , why are you afraid of the guns when they fire ? "

" we don't , but we have to pull the guns , " said the bullocks .

" I know it , and I know you are a good deal braver than you think you are .

but it 's different with me .

my battery captain called me a Pachydermatous Anachronism the other day . "

" that 's another way of fighting , I suppose ? " said Billy , who was recovering his spirits .

" you don't know what that means , of course , but I do .

it means betwixt and between , and that is just where I am .

I can see inside my head what will happen when a shell bursts , and you bullocks can't . "

" I can , " said the troop-horse .

" at least a little bit .

I try not to think about it . "

" I can see more than you , and I do think about it .

all they can do is to stop my driver 's pay till I get well , and I can't trust my driver . "

" ah ! " said the troop horse .

" that explains it .

I can trust Dick . "

" you could put a whole regiment of Dicks on my back without making me feel any better .

I know just enough to be uncomfortable , and not enough to go on in spite of it . "

" we do not understand , " said the bullocks .

" I know you don't .

I 'm not talking to you .

you don't know what blood is . "

" we do , " said the bullocks .

" it is red stuff that soaks into the ground and smells . "

the troop-horse gave a kick and a bound and a snort .

" don't talk of it , " he said .

" I can smell it now , just thinking of it .

it makes me want to run when I haven't Dick on my back . "

" but it is not here , " said the camel and the bullocks .

" why are you so stupid ? "

" it 's vile stuff , " said Billy .

" I don't want to run , but I don't want to talk about it . "

" there you are ! " said Two Tails , waving his tail to explain .

" surely .

yes , we have been here all night , " said the bullocks .

two Tails stamped his foot till the iron ring on it jingled .

" oh , I 'm not talking to you .

you can't see inside your heads . "

" no .

we see out of our four eyes , " said the bullocks .

" we see straight in front of us . "

" if I could do that and nothing else , you wouldn't be needed to pull the big guns at all .

but if I were as wise as all that I should never be here .

I should be a king in the forest , as I used to be , sleeping half the day and bathing when I liked .

I haven't had a good bath for a month . "

" that 's all very fine , " said Billy .

" but giving a thing a long name doesn't make it any better . "

" H'sh ! " said the troop horse .

" I think I understand what Two Tails means . "

" you 'll understand better in a minute , " said Two Tails angrily .

" now you just explain to me why you don't like this ! "

he began trumpeting furiously at the top of his trumpet .

" stop that ! " said Billy and the troop horse together , and I could hear them stamp and shiver .

an elephant 's trumpeting is always nasty , especially on a dark night .

" I shan't stop , " said Two Tails .

" won't you explain that , please ?

Hhrrmph !

Rrrt !

Rrrmph !

Rrrhha ! "

then he stopped suddenly , and I heard a little whimper in the dark , and knew that Vixen had found me at last .

so she stopped to bully Two Tails in his pickets , and yapped round his big feet .

two Tails shuffled and squeaked .

" go away , little dog ! " he said .

" don't snuff at my ankles , or I 'll kick at you .

good little dog nice little doggie , then !

go home , you yelping little beast !

oh , why doesn't someone take her away ?

she 'll bite me in a minute . "

" seems to me , " said Billy to the troop horse , " that our friend Two Tails is afraid of most things .

I never let her know that I understood beast talk , or she would have taken all sorts of liberties .

so I buttoned her into the breast of my overcoat , and Two Tails shuffled and stamped and growled to himself .

" Extraordinary !

most extraordinary ! " he said .

" it runs in our family .

now , where has that nasty little beast gone to ? "

I heard him feeling about with his trunk .

" we all seem to be affected in various ways , " he went on , blowing his nose .

" now , you gentlemen were alarmed , I believe , when I trumpeted . "

don't begin again . "

" I 'm frightened of a little dog , and the camel here is frightened by bad dreams in the night . "

" it is very lucky for us that we haven't all got to fight in the same way , " said the troop-horse .

" because we 're told to , " said the troop-horse , with a snort of contempt .

" orders , " said Billy the mule , and his teeth snapped .

" Hukm hai ! "

" yes , but who gives the orders ? " said the recruit-mule .

" but who gives them the orders ? "

" now you want to know too much , young un , " said Billy , " and that is one way of getting kicked .

all you have to do is to obey the man at your head and ask no questions . "

" he 's quite right , " said Two Tails .

" I can't always obey , because I'm betwixt and between .

but Billy 's right .

obey the man next to you who gives the order , or you 'll stop all the battery , besides getting a thrashing . "

the gun-bullocks got up to go .

" morning is coming , " they said .

" we will go back to our lines .

it is true that we only see out of our eyes , and we are not very clever .

but still , we are the only people to-night who have not been afraid .

good-night , you brave people . "

nobody answered , and the troop-horse said , to change the conversation , " where 's that little dog ?

a dog means a man somewhere about . "

" here I am , " yapped Vixen , " under the gun tail with my man .

you big , blundering beast of a camel you , you upset our tent .

my man 's very angry . "

" phew ! " said the bullocks .

" he must be white ! "

" of course he is , " said Vixen .

" do you suppose I 'm looked after by a black bullock-driver ? "

" Huah !

Ouach !

Ugh ! " said the bullocks .

" let us get away quickly . "

they plunged forward in the mud , and managed somehow to run their yoke on the pole of an ammunition wagon , where it jammed .

" now you have done it , " said Billy calmly .

" don't struggle .

you 're hung up till daylight .

what on earth 's the matter ? "

" you 'll break your necks in a minute , " said the troop-horse .

" what 's the matter with white men ?

I live with ' em . "

" they eat us !

pull ! " said the near bullock .

the yoke snapped with a twang , and they lumbered off together .

I never knew before what made Indian cattle so scared of Englishmen .

we eat beef a thing that no cattle-driver touches and of course the cattle do not like it .

" may I be flogged with my own pad-chains !

who 'd have thought of two big lumps like those losing their heads ? " said Billy .

" never mind .

I 'm going to look at this man .

most of the white men , I know , have things in their pockets , " said the troop-horse .

" I 'll leave you , then .

I can't say I 'm over-fond of ' em myself .

come along , young un , and we 'll go back to our lines .

good-night , Australia !

see you on parade to-morrow , I suppose .

good-night , old Hay-bale ! try to control your feelings , won't you ?

good-night , Two Tails !

if you pass us on the ground tomorrow , don't trumpet .

it spoils our formation . "

" I 'm coming to the parade to-morrow in my dog-cart , " she said .

" where will you be ? "

" on the left hand of the second squadron .

I set the time for all my troop , little lady , " he said politely .

" now I must go back to Dick .

my tail 's all muddy , and he 'll have two hours ' hard work dressing me for parade . "

the seventh pair had a new yoke , and they looked rather stiff and tired .

I gave a cheer all by myself for Billy the mule , but he never looked right or left .

the rain began to fall again , and for a while it was too misty to see what the troops were doing .

they had made a big half circle across the plain , and were spreading out into a line .

I looked at the Amir .

up till then he had not shown the shadow of a sign of astonishment or anything else .

but now his eyes began to get bigger and bigger , and he picked up the reins on his horse 's neck and looked behind him .

then the advance stopped dead , the ground stood still , the whole line saluted , and thirty bands began to play all together .

the animals went in two by two , Hurrah !

" now , " said he , " in what manner was this wonderful thing done ? "

and the officer answered , " an order was given , and they obeyed . "

" but are the beasts as wise as the men ? " said the chief .

" they obey , as the men do .

thus it is done . "

" would it were so in Afghanistan ! " said the chief , " for there we obey only our own wills . "

Parade Song of the Camp Animals

ELEPHANTS OF THE GUN TEAMS

GUN BULLOCKS

CAVALRY HORSES

SCREW-GUN MULES

COMMISSARIAT CAMELS

and this our marching-song : can't !

don't !

shan't !

won't !

pass it along the line !

somebody 's pack has slid from his back , Wish it were only mine !

somebody 's load has tipped off in the road Cheer for a halt and a row !

Urrr !

Yarrh !

Grr !

Arrh !

somebody 's catching it now !

ALL THE BEASTS TOGETHER

while the men that walk beside , Dusty , silent , heavy-eyed , Cannot tell why we or they March and suffer day by day .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Jungle Book , by Rudyard Kipling

produced by J.C . Byers and David Widger

THE CRIMSON FAIRY BOOK

by Various

edited by Andrew Lang

preface

each Fairy Book demands a preface from the Editor , and these introductions are inevitably both monotonous and unavailing .

like nature , popular tales are too vast to be the creation of a single modern mind .

these explanations have frequently been offered already ; but , as far as ladies and children are concerned , to no purpose .

though these explanations are not attended to by the Editor 's customers , he makes them once more , for the relief of his conscience .

the stories have mainly been adapted or translated by Mrs Lang , a few by Miss Lang and Miss Blackley .

Contents

Lovely Ilonka Lucky Luck The Hairy Man To your Good Health !

lovely Ilonka

there was once a king 's son who told his father that he wished to marry .

' No , no ! ' said the king ; ' you must not be in such a hurry .

wait till you have done some great deed .

my father did not let me marry till I had won the golden sword you see me wear . '

' Good evening , mother .

I see you have lived long in this world ; do you know anything about the three bulrushes ? '

still , if you will wait till to-morrow I may be able to tell you something . '

not one was missing .

then she asked if they knew anything about the three bulrushes , but not one of them did .

the prince went on his way , and a little further on he found another hut in which lived an old man .

the prince bade him farewell and set out .

' Good evening , dear mother , ' said he politely .

' Good evening to you , my dear son , ' answered the old woman .

' It is lucky for you that you spoke to me or you would have met with a horrible death .

but may I ask where are you going ? '

' I am seeking the three bulrushes .

do you know anything about them ? '

' I don't know anything myself , but wait till to-morrow .

perhaps I can tell you then . '

so the next morning she blew on her pipe , and lo ! and behold every magpie in the world flew up .

that is to say , all the magpies except one who had broken a leg and a wing .

then the prince started off with the lame magpie .

they went on and on till they reached a great stone wall , many , many feet high .

' Now , prince , ' said the magpie , ' the three bulrushes are behind that wall . '

the prince wasted no time .

he set his horse at the wall and leaped over it .

then he looked about for the three bulrushes , pulled them up and set off with them on his way home .

as he rode along one of the bulrushes happened to knock against something .

but how could the prince give it her when there was no water at hand ?

so the lovely maiden flew away .

he split the second bulrush as an experiment and just the same thing happened .

how careful he was of the third bulrush !

this time the water was ready and the girl did not fly away , but she and the prince promised to love each other always .

then they set out for home .

the prince returned before long , bringing with him his father and mother and a great train of courtiers to escort Ilonka home .

but how they all stared when they saw the swineherd 's ugly daughter !

but he had no peace !

he knew very well he had been cheated , though he could not think how .

once he desired to have some water brought him from the well into which Ilonka had been thrown .

the coachman went for it and , in the bucket he pulled up , a pretty little duck was swimming .

he looked wonderingly at it , and all of a sudden it disappeared and he found a dirty looking girl standing near him .

the girl returned with him and managed to get a place as housemaid in the palace .

of course she was very busy all day long , but whenever she had a little spare time she sat down to spin .

however , at last she consented on condition that she might sleep one night in the king 's room .

then the girl went to the king 's room looking seven times lovelier than ever .

she bent over the sleeper and said : ' My heart 's love , I am yours and you are mine .

speak to me but once ; I am your Ilonka . '

soon after the queen again sent to say that she wanted to buy the spindle .

and once more Ilonka went to the king 's room and spoke to him ; whisper as sweetly as she might she could get no answer .

speak to me , for I am your Ilonka . '

at these words the king 's heart bounded within him .

he sprang up and embraced and kissed her , and she told him all her adventures since the moment he had left her .

From Ungarische Mahrehen .

lucky Luck

once upon a time there was a king who had an only son .

he bade his son act as Regent in his absence , but ordered him on no account to marry till his return .

time went by .

the prince ruled the country and never even thought of marrying .

then the prince called his courtiers about him and set off with a great retinue to seek a bride .

only one faithful servant stayed with the prince and refused to part from him .

they journeyed over hill and dale till they came to a place called Goldtown .

the wedding took place at once , and the feasting and rejoicings went on for a whole month .

everyone in the house slept , and only the faithful servant kept watch .

about midnight he heard three crows , who had flown to the roof , talking together .

' That 's a handsome couple which arrived here tonight .

it seems quite a pity they should lose their lives so soon . '

but , listen ! whoever overhears and tells what we have said will be turned to stone up to his knees . '

the crows had hardly done speaking when away they flew .

and close upon them followed three pigeons .

but when they are seated in it a raging wind will rise and whirl the carriage away into the clouds .

then it will fall suddenly to earth , and they will be killed .

but anyone who hears and betrays what we have said will be turned to stone up to his waist . '

with that the pigeons flew off and three eagles took their places , and this is what they said :

when they put these on they will be burnt up at once .

but whoever hears and repeats this will turn to stone from head to foot . '

Early next morning the travellers got up and breakfasted .

they began to tell each other their dreams .

at last the servant said :

my dreams never deceive me , so I entreat you to follow my advice during the rest of the journey . '

' Don't make such a fuss about a dream , ' said the prince ; ' dreams are but clouds .

still , to prevent your being anxious I will promise to do as you wish . '

with that they set out on their journey .

at midday they reached the Gold Stream .

the prince looked well at the carriage .

he did not think it looked so unsafe as his servant said ; but he had given his word and he held to it .

they got down and loaded the horses with the luggage .

the prince was so delighted that he could not speak .

he declared that we could not possibly get home safely unless I did as he told me . '

the old king fell into a tremendous rage .

he called his Council together and condemned the servant to death .

the gallows was put up in the square in front of the palace .

the servant was led out and his sentence read to him .

the rope was being placed round his neck , when he begged to be allowed a few last words .

' On our journey home , ' he said , ' we spent the first night at an inn .

I did not sleep but kept watch all night . '

and then he went on to tell what the crows had said , and as he spoke he turned to stone up to his knees .

the prince called to him to say no more as he had proved his innocence .

oh ! how grieved the prince was to lose his faithful servant !

now there lived at Court an old woman who had been the prince 's nurse .

to her he confided all his plans , and left his wife , the princess , in her care .

if he cannot help you no one on earth can . '

so the prince set off to try to find Lucky Luck .

at the end of the third day he came to a river near which stood a large mill .

here he spent the night .

when he was leaving next morning the miller asked him : ' My gracious lord , where are you going all alone ? '

and the prince told him .

the prince promised to inquire , and went on his way .

he wandered about for three days more , and at the end of the third day saw a little town .

but far away at the end of the town he saw a light in a window .

he went straight to it and in the house were three girls playing a game together .

next morning when he was leaving they asked where he was going and he told them his story .

the prince promised to inquire , and went on his way .

I must have been flowing here a hundred years and more and no one has ever yet come by . '

' I will tell you , ' answered the prince , ' if you will divide yourself so that I may walk through . '

the prince said he would do so , and continued his journey .

everything in the house was beautifully clean and tidy , and a cheerful honest-looking old woman was sitting by the fire .

' Good-morning , mother , ' said the prince .

' May Luck be with you , my son .

what brings you into these parts ? '

' I am looking for Lucky Luck , ' replied the prince .

' Then you have come to the right place , my son , for I am his mother .

he is not at home just now , he is out digging in the vineyard .

do you go too .

here are two spades .

when you find him begin to dig , but don't speak a word to him .

it is now eleven o'clock .

when he sits down to eat his dinner sit beside him and eat with him .

after dinner he will question you , and then tell him all your troubles freely .

he will answer whatever you may ask . '

with that she showed him the way , and the prince went and did just as she had told him .

after dinner they lay down to rest .

' And you do well , for he deserves everything .

go back , and when you get home your wife will just have had a little boy .

' I have another thing to ask , ' said the prince , when he had thanked him .

' In the forest near here is a fine stream but not a fish or other living creature in it .

why is this ? '

' Because no one has ever been drowned in the stream .

' Another question , please , before I go .

on my way here I lodged one night in the house of three maidens .

all were well-mannered , hard-working , and pretty , and yet none has had a wooer .

why was this ? '

' Because they always throw out their sweepings in the face of the sun . '

' Because the miller keeps everything for himself , and does not give to those who need it . '

the prince wrote down the answers to his questions , took a friendly leave of Lucky Luck , and set off for home .

when he reached the stream it asked if he brought it any good news .

' When I get across I will tell you , ' said he .

so the stream parted ; he walked through and on to the highest part of the bank .

he stopped and shouted out :

' Listen , oh stream !

Lucky Luck says you will never have any living creature in your waters until someone is drowned in you . '

but he clung on tight , and after failing to reach him three times the stream returned to its proper course .

then the prince climbed down , dried himself in the sun , and set out on his march home .

the prince had hardly arrived at home when some thieves tried to ford the stream with a fine horse they had stolen .

when they were half-way across , the stream rose so suddenly that it swept them all away .

from that time it became the best fishing stream in the country-side .

and the three sisters , now that they no longer insulted the sun , had each a wooer within a week .

when the prince got home he found that his wife had just got a fine little boy .

when the old king saw this he foamed with rage , stared wildly about , flung himself on the ground and died .

From Ungarische Mahrchen .

the Hairy Man

when it grew dark he climbed up on the top of the fourth rick , from where he could see the whole field .

about eleven o'clock he thought he saw someone going to a rick and putting a light to it .

' Just you wait , ' thought he , and called out to his dogs : ' Hi !

psst , Hush , catch him ! '

but Psst and Hush had not waited for orders , and in five minutes the man was caught .

he stole the key of the strong room from his mother and opened the door .

then he took the key back , but the hairy man escaped and went off into the world .

the king nearly burst with rage and with the shame he felt .

there was grief all over the palace when the king 's command was known , for he was a great favourite .

but there was no help for it , and they took the boy out into the forest .

the prince wandered about in the forest and lived as best he could for five years .

one day he came upon a poor little cottage in which was an old man .

they began to talk , and the prince told his story and sad fate .

the prince stayed here for two years ; then he wished to go further .

he made the prince swear solemnly to take the greatest care of these presents , and then he let him go .

the boy wandered on and on till he came to a large town .

here he took service in the king 's palace , and as no one troubled themselves about him he lived quietly on .

one day news was brought to the king that he must go out to war .

he was horribly frightened for he had a very small army , but he had to go all the same .

when they had all left , the prince said to the housekeeper :

when he got beyond the town he took out his golden apple , and when the horse sprang out he swung himself into the saddle .

then he took the silver and the copper apples , and with all these fine soldiers he joined the king 's army .

' I bring your Majesty reinforcements , ' said he .

the king was delighted , and all dread of his enemy at once disappeared .

suddenly the enemy came in sight .

the king was overjoyed and so were his daughters at this brilliant victory .

as they drove home they begged the prince to join them , but he would not come , and galloped off with his hussars .

on his return to the palace he was well scolded by the housekeeper for staying away so long .

and as he had no jewels with him , he gave her the copper apple and staff .

the king was quite angry at the idea ; but , to satisfy her , he ordered the servant 's room to be searched .

and there , to everyone 's surprise , they found the golden ring and the half of the handkerchief .

' Yes , your Majesty , it was I , ' answered the prince .

' But where did you get your army ? '

' If you wish to see it , I can show it you outside the city walls . '

the prince packed all his soldiers carefully up once more , and they went back into the town .

not long after there was a grand wedding ; perhaps they may all be alive still , but I don't know .

to Your Good Health !

every one said it except the shepherd with the staring eyes , and he would not say it .

the king heard of this and was very angry , and sent for the shepherd to appear before him .

the shepherd came and stood before the throne , where the king sat looking very grand and powerful .

but however grand or powerful he might be the shepherd did not feel a bit afraid of him .

' Say at once , " to my good health ! " ' cried the king .

' To my good health ! ' replied the shepherd .

' To mine to mine , you rascal , you vagabond ! ' stormed the king .

' To mine , to mine , your Majesty , ' was the answer .

' But to mine to my own , ' roared the king , and beat on his breast in a rage .

' Well , yes ; to mine , of course , to my own , ' cried the shepherd , and gently tapped his breast .

the king was beside himself with fury and did not know what to do , when the Lord Chamberlain interfered :

' No , I won't say it till I get the princess for my wife , ' was the shepherd 's answer .

but the king was not as pleasant as his daughter , and he gave orders to throw the shepherd into the white bear 's pit .

next morning the Lord Chamberlain came to see the shepherd 's bones , and was amazed to find him alive and well .

but the shepherd answered : ' I am not afraid of ten deaths !

I will only say it if I may have the princess for my wife . '

' Then go to your death , ' cried the king ; and ordered him to be thrown into the den with the wild boars .

the guards dragged him away to a dark dungeon , in the middle of which was a deep well with sharp scythes all round it .

he also hung his knapsack up inside the cloak so that it might seem to have some body within it .

but he had hidden in a dark corner and was laughing to himself all the time .

he brought him to the king , whose fury was greater than ever , but who cried :

' Well , now you have been near a hundred deaths ; will you say : " to your good health " ? '

but the shepherd only gave the same answer :

' I won't say it till the princess is my wife . '

when they reached it he said : ' Do you see this silver wood ?

well , if you will say , " to your good health , " I will give it to you . '

the shepherd turned hot and cold by turns , but he still persisted :

' I will not say it till the princess is my wife . '

' Do you see this golden castle ?

the shepherd gaped and wondered and was quite dazzled , but he still said :

' No ; I will not say it till I have the princess for my wife . '

' Do you see this diamond pond ?

I will give you that too , the silver wood and the golden castle and the diamond pond .

you shall have them all all if you will but say : " to your good health ! " '

the shepherd had to shut his staring eyes tight not to be dazzled with the brilliant pond , but still he said :

' No , no ; I will not say it till I have the princess for my wife . '

then the king saw that all his efforts were useless , and that he might as well give in , so he said :

' Of course I 'll say it ; why should I not say it ?

it stands to reason that I shall say it then . '

at this the king was more delighted than anyone could have believed .

he made it known all through the country that there were to be great rejoicings , as the princess was going to be married .

there was such a wedding as had never been seen .

everyone ate and drank and danced .

even the sick were feasted , and quite tiny new-born children had presents given them .

in time , when the old king died , the shepherd succeeded him .

From Russische Mahrchen .

the Story of the Seven Simons

this council always told the king the exact truth .

said the king to himself : ' These people have travelled far and beheld many lands .

I will ask them if they have seen any princess who is as clever and as handsome as I am . '

I wish to ask you a question , and I beg you to answer truthfully .

the merchants considered for some time .

' Is the island far off , and which is the way to it ? '

' It is not near , ' was the answer .

' The journey would take ten years , and we do not know the way .

and even if we did , what use would that be ?

the princess is no bride for you . '

' How dare you say so ? ' cried the king angrily .

' Your Majesty must pardon us ; but just think for a moment .

should you send an envoy to the island he will take ten years to get there and ten more to return twenty years in all .

Will not the princess have grown old in that time and have lost all her beauty ? '

the king reflected gravely .

then he thanked the merchants , gave them leave to trade in his country without paying any duties , and dismissed them .

after they were gone the king remained deep in thought .

the king drew rein and admired the field .

' Upon my word , ' said he , ' whoever dug and planted it must be good workmen .

and he wished to know to whom the field belonged .

they wore red shirts bound with gold braid , and were so much alike that one could hardly tell one from another .

the messengers asked : ' Who owns this field of golden maize ? '

and the seven brothers answered : ' The field is ours . '

' And who are you ? '

' We are King Archidej 's labourers . '

these answers were repeated to the king , who ordered the brothers to be brought before him at once .

on being asked who they were , the eldest said , bowing low :

our father taught us to be true to our king , and to till the ground , and to be kind to our neighbours .

but I should like each of you to tell me what special trades your father taught you . '

' My trade , O king ! ' said the first Simon , ' is not an easy one .

if you will give me some workmen and materials I will build you a great white pillar that shall reach far above the clouds . '

' Very good , ' replied the king .

' And you , Simon the second , what is your trade ? '

' Mine , your Majesty , needs no great cleverness .

' Good , ' said the king ; ' and Simon the third ? '

' My work is very simple , sire .

you have many ships built by learned men , with all sorts of new and clever improvements .

if you wish it I will build you quite a simple boat one , two , three , and it 's done !

but my plain little home-made ship is not grand enough for a king .

' Good , ' said the king again ; ' and what has Simon the fourth learnt ? '

' My trade , O king , is really of no importance .

should my brother build you a ship , then let me embark in it .

if we should be pursued by an enemy I can seize our boat by the prow and sink it to the bottom of the sea .

when the enemy has sailed off , I can draw it up to the top again . '

' That is very clever of you , ' answered the king ; ' and what does Simon the fifth do ? '

' My work , your Majesty , is mere smith 's work .

the bolt hits whatever the eye sees . '

' That sounds very useful , ' said the king .

' And now , Simon the sixth , tell me your trade . '

' Sire , it is so simple I am almost ashamed to mention it .

if my brother hits any creature I catch it quicker than any dog can .

now follow me to the town , as I want to see what you can do .

I need such people as you about me ; but when harvest time comes I will send you home with royal presents . '

the brothers bowed and said : ' As the king wills . '

what is your handicraft ? '

and the seventh Simon answered : ' I have no handicraft , O king ; I have learnt nothing .

I could not manage it .

' Come , come , ' cried the king ; ' I will have no excuses , what is this trade ? '

' First , sire , give me your royal word that you will not kill me when I have told you .

then you shall hear . '

' So be it , then ; I give you my royal word . '

when the king heard this he fell into a passion .

indeed , it would be better to put you to death at once , and I 've a good mind to do so . '

' Don't kill me , O king !

I am really not as bad as you think .

but though I know how to steal I don't do it .

you yourself asked me my trade .

if you kill me you will break your royal word . '

' Very well , ' said the king , ' I will not kill you .

I pardon you .

but from this hour you shall be shut up in a dark dungeon .

here , guards ! away with him to the prison .

but you six Simons follow me and be assured of my royal favour . '

so the six Simons followed the king .

then the second Simon climbed up the pillar and saw and heard all that was going on through the whole world .

when he came down he had all sorts of wonderful things to tell .

how one king was marching in battle against another , and which was likely to be the victor .

how , in another place , great rejoicings were going on , while in a third people were dying of famine .

in fact there was not the smallest event going on over the earth that was hidden from him .

next the third Simon began .

he stretched out his arms , once , twice , thrice , and the wonder-ship was ready .

at a sign from the king it was launched , and floated proudly and safely like a bird on the waves .

instead of ropes it had wires for rigging , and musicians played on them with fiddle bows and made lovely music .

' Now , ' said the king , ' if you can shoot that bird I will reward you . '

Simon only smiled ; he lifted his cross-bow , took aim , fired , and the eagle fell .

you shall be richly rewarded .

but now rest and have your dinner . '

the six Simons bowed and went to dinner .

but they had hardly begun before a messenger came to say that the king wanted to see them .

they obeyed at once and found him surrounded by all his court and men of state .

' Listen , my good fellows , ' cried the king , as soon as he saw them .

' Hear what my wise counsellors have thought of .

off ran the second Simon and clambered quickly up the pillar .

he gazed around , listened on all sides , and then slid down to report to the king .

' Sire , I have obeyed your orders .

far away I saw the Island of Busan .

the king is a mighty monarch , but full of pride , harsh and cruel .

' Has the king of Busan a great army ? ' asked King Archidej ; ' is his country far off ? '

but if the weather were stormy we might say twelve .

I saw the army being reviewed .

it is not so very large a hundred thousand men at arms and a hundred thousand knights .

besides these , he has a strong bodyguard and a good many cross-bowmen .

the king sat for some time lost in thought .

the nobles , courtiers and counsellors said nothing , but tried to hide behind each other .

then the third Simon said :

' Pardon me , your Majesty , if I offer my advice .

you wish to go to the Island of Busan ?

what can be easier ?

in my ship you will get there in a week instead of in ten years .

but the wise men were as silent as ever .

the matter is quite clear .

as it seems it will not take long to reach the island why not send the seventh Simon ?

what do you think of my plan ? '

' What do I think ?

why , that your idea is capital , and you shall be rewarded for it .

come , guards , hurry as fast as you can and bring the seventh Simon before me . '

the youngest Simon , who looked very pale and hungry , only nodded his head .

' Come , ' said the king , ' tell me truly .

do you think you could steal the Princess Helena ? '

' Why should I not steal her , sire ?

the thing is easy enough .

let my brother 's ship be laden with rich stuffs , brocades , Persian carpets , pearls and jewels .

send me in the ship .

give me my four middle brothers as companions , and keep the two others as hostages . '

when the king heard these words his heart became filled with longing , and he ordered all to be done as Simon wished .

every one ran about to do his bidding ; and in next to no time the wonder-ship was laden and ready to start .

the ship cut through the waters like a falcon through the air , and just a week after starting sighted the Island of Busan .

the coast appeared to be strongly guarded , and from afar the watchman on a high tower called out : ' Halt and anchor !

who are you ?

where do you come from , and what do you want ? '

the seventh Simon answered from the ship : ' We are peaceful people .

we desire to trade to sell , to buy , and to exchange . '

the brothers launched a small boat , took some of their valuable goods with them , rowed to shore and went up to the palace .

we trust the king of this country may condescend to welcome us , and to let his servants take charge of our wares .

if he considers them worthy to adorn his followers we shall be content . '

this speech was repeated to the princess , who ordered the brothers to be brought to the red-room at once .

they bowed respectfully to her and displayed some splendid velvets and brocades , and opened cases of pearls and precious stones .

such beautiful things had never been seen in the island , and the nurse and waiting women stood bewildered by all the magnificence .

they whispered together that they had never beheld anything like it .

' Fairest of princesses , ' said Simon .

this polite speech pleased the princess very much .

she went to the king and said : ' Dear father , some merchants have arrived with the most splendid wares .

pray allow me to go to their ship and choose out what I like . '

the king thought and thought , frowned hard and rubbed his ear .

off sailed the yacht with the princess and her escort .

the crew of the royal yacht shouted aloud , the knights stood still with terror , the soldiers were struck dumb and hung their heads .

there was nothing to be done but to sail back and tell the king of his loss .

how he wept and stormed !

' Oh , light of my eyes , ' he sobbed ; ' I am indeed punished for my pride .

as for all of you who saw this thing away with you !

at that moment the princess recollected herself .

' Nurse , ' said she , ' we have been gazing at these wonders only too long .

I hope my father won't be vexed at our delay . '

she tore herself away and stepped on deck .

neither the yacht nor the island was in sight !

Helena wrung her hands and beat her breast .

then she changed herself into a white swan and flew off .

Early one morning King Archidej sat thoughtfully at his window gazing out to sea .

his heart was sad and he would neither eat nor drink .

his thoughts were full of the Princess Helena , who was as lovely as a dream .

is that a white gull he sees flying towards the shore , or is it a sail ?

no , it is no gull , it is the wonder-ship flying along with billowing sails .

the lovely Helena steps across the plank .

she shines like the sun , and the stars of heaven seem to sparkle in her eyes .

Up sprang King Archidej in haste : ' Hurry , hurry , ' he cried .

' Let us hasten to meet her !

let the bugles sound and the joy bells be rung ! '

and the whole Court swarmed with courtiers and servants .

golden carpets were laid down and the great gates thrown open to welcome the princess .

King Archidej went out himself , took her by the hand and led her into the royal apartments .

still I will not keep you here against your will .

what more is there to tell ?

it is not hard to guess that the princess listened to the king 's wooing , and their betrothal took place with great pomp and rejoicings .

then the seventh Simon cried out from the ship : ' Stop ! stop !

I bring a letter from the Princess Helena ! '

the King of Busan read the letter over and over again , and ordered the knights and soldiers to be set free .

he entertained King Archidej 's ambassadors hospitably , and sent his blessing to his daughter , but he could not be brought to attend the wedding .

when the wonder-ship got home King Archidej and Princess Helena were enchanted with the news it brought .

the king sent for the seven Simons .

' A thousand thanks to you , my brave fellows , ' he cried .

' Take what gold , silver , and precious stones you will out of my treasury .

tell me if there is anything else you wish for and I will give it you , my good friends .

do you wish to be made nobles , or to govern towns ?

only speak . '

then the eldest Simon bowed and said : ' We are plain folk , your Majesty , and understand simple things best .

what figures should we cut as nobles or governors ?

nor do we desire gold .

we have our fields which give us food , and as much money as we need .

if you wish to reward us then grant that our land may be free of taxes , and of your goodness pardon the seventh Simon .

he is not the first who has been a thief by trade and he will certainly not be the last . '

then the king gave each brother a goblet of wine and invited them to the wedding feast .

and what a feast that was !

From Ungarischen Mahrchen .

the Language of Beasts

once upon a time a man had a shepherd who served him many years faithfully and honestly .

so he went into the wood in the direction of the noise to try to discover the cause .

suddenly the snake cried : ' O shepherd ! for the love of heaven save me from this fire ! '

did I rescue you only to be destroyed myself ? '

but the snake answered : ' Have no fear ; only carry me home to my father who is the King of the Snakes . '

the shepherd stood still with surprise , but the snake round his neck whistled , and immediately all the arch unwound itself .

he will refuse it to you a long time , but in the end he will grant it to you . '

' Make me to know the language of beasts , ' answered the shepherd , ' that is all I desire . '

I desire nothing else ' ; and he turned as if to depart .

then the king called him back , saying : ' If nothing else will satisfy you , open your mouth . '

the man obeyed , and the king spat into it , and said : ' Now spit into my mouth . '

the shepherd did as he was told , then the King of the Snakes spat again into the shepherd 's mouth .

when they had spat into each other 's mouths three times , the king said :

the gods have given it to you . '

so the shepherd took the treasure and built himself a house .

he had flocks of sheep , and cattle , and horses without end , as well as beautiful clothes and jewels .

the wife obeyed , and all was prepared as he desired .

I will watch the flocks myself to-night in your stead . '

then he went out to spend the night with the flocks .

when midnight struck the wolves howled and the dogs barked , and the wolves spoke in their own tongue , saying :

' Shall we come in and work havoc , and you too shall eat flesh ? '

and the dogs answered in their tongue : ' Come in , and for once we shall have enough to eat . '

the farm servants wondered at this order , and exclaimed : ' But surely , sir , that would be a pity ? '

as they went on their way , it happened that the husband rode on ahead , while the wife was a little way behind .

' For nothing at all , ' he answered ; ' just because it came into my head . '

she would not be satisfied with this answer , and urged him more and more to tell her why he had laughed .

but he controlled himself and said : ' Let me be , wife ; what ails you ?

I do not know myself why I laughed . '

but the more he put her off , the more she tormented him to tell her the cause of his laughter .

at length he said to her : ' Know , then , that if I tell it you I shall immediately and surely die . '

but even this did not quiet her ; she only besought him the more to tell her .

when the master saw this , he called to his wife : ' Bring a piece of bread to give to the dog . '

the wife brought some bread and threw it to the dog , but he would not look at it .

the cock answered : ' Let him die , if he is so stupid .

he has only one wife , and he cannot keep her in order . '

and in this way he taught her never again to ask why he had laughed .

the Boy Who Could Keep A Secret

once upon a time there lived a poor widow who had one little boy .

but though it was plainly becoming longer and longer , it was some time before the two would fit .

however , there came a day at last when it slipped in quite easily .

' You can tell it to me , ' she answered .

' It must have been a nice dream , or you wouldn't look so happy . '

' No , mother ; I can't tell it to anybody , ' returned the boy , ' till it comes true . '

but the moment he stretched out his hand it stopped and slid quietly into the scabbard .

for a long time the child sat sobbing , and the noise was heard by the king as he was driving by .

' Go and see who it is that is crying so , ' said he to one of his servants , and the man went .

on receiving this message the boy dried his tears and went with the servant to the royal carriage .

' Will you be my son ? ' asked the king .

' Yes , if my mother will let me , ' answered the boy .

the widow 's anger now turned into joy , and she came running to the splendid coach and kissed the king 's hand .

then he climbed into the coach and was driven away .

after they had gone some distance the king said : ' Why were you crying so bitterly in the garden just now ? '

' Because my mother had been beating me , ' replied the boy .

' And what did she do that for ? ' asked the king again .

' Because I would not tell her my dream . '

' And why wouldn't you tell it to her ? '

' Because I will never tell it to anyone till it comes true , ' answered the boy .

' And won't you tell it to me either ? ' asked the king in surprise .

' No , not even to you , your Majesty , ' replied he .

' You must not spoil him , ' observed the king one day , when he had been watching them playing together .

he has a secret which he won't tell to anyone . '

' He will tell me , ' answered the eldest princess ; but the boy only shook his head .

' He will tell me , ' said the second girl .

' Not I , ' replied the boy .

' He will tell me , ' cried the youngest , who was the prettiest too .

meanwhile the two eldest princesses had become women , and had married two powerful kings who ruled over great countries across the sea .

the girl was very angry , besides being hurt , and ran home to complain to her father .

' If he had a thousand souls , I would kill them all , ' swore the king .

instantly a great noise was heard and a golden coach rumbled over the stones , with a white flag waving out of the window .

' Sir , he has beaten my daughter , who only asked him to tell her his secret .

I cannot pardon that , ' answered the princess 's father .

and he made a sign to the hangman .

then the coachman whipped up his horses , and they set out for Buda .

' That I cannot tell you , ' answered the youth , ' until it comes true . '

' You will tell my daughter , ' said the king , smiling .

' I will tell nobody , ' replied the youth , and as he spoke the sword clanked loudly .

the king said no more , but trusted to his daughter 's beauty to get the secret from him .

the journey to Buda was long , and it was several days before they arrived there .

the beautiful princess happened to be picking roses in the garden , when her father 's coach drove up .

' Oh , what a handsome youth !

have you brought him from fairyland ? ' cried she , when they all stood upon the marble steps in front of the castle .

' I don't care where you brought him from , ' said the spoilt girl .

' I will marry him and nobody else , and we will live together till we die . '

' You will tell another tale , ' replied the king , ' when you ask him his secret .

after all he is no better than a servant . '

' That is nothing to me , ' said the princess , ' for I love him .

he will tell his secret to me , and will find a place in the middle of my heart . '

but the king shook his head , and gave orders that the lad was to be lodged in the summer-house .

one day , about a week later , the princess put on her finest dress , and went to pay him a visit .

she looked so beautiful that , at the sight of her , the book dropped from his hand , and he stood up speechless .

' Tell me , ' she said , coaxingly , ' what is this wonderful secret ?

just whisper it in my ear , and I will give you a kiss . '

' To be sure I can , ' said the mason , turning back , and in a few minutes the hole was bored .

but the secretary always brought back the report that he was fat and rosy .

' There is some magic about this , ' said the king .

he looked so sad that his daughter noticed it , and inquired the reason .

' Alas ! my daughter , ' he answered , ' how can I help being sad ?

and you know that his army is far greater than mine . '

' Oh , do not despair , my father , ' said she .

after a little while one will sink to the bottom ; that is the one that grows nearest the root .

the Sultan could not imagine how he had found out , but he did not declare war .

if an answer was not ready in three days , war would be declared at once .

the king 's heart sank when he read the letter .

at this thought his face became so gloomy that his daughter noticed it , and inquired what was the matter .

the youth took the letter and read it through .

' Yes , I can help you , ' replied he ; ' but first you must bring me three troughs , all exactly alike .

into one you must put oats , into another wheat , and into the third barley .

' It is not the king who has answered your questions , ' observed the aunt , when he had told his story .

' He is far too stupid ever to have done that !

therefore , if you want the crown yourself , you must get him here and kill him . '

and the sword at his side clanked loudly .

after a long search twin brothers were found , so exactly resembling each other that even their own mother could not tell the difference .

they set out at once for the Sultan 's palace , and when they reached it , they were taken straight into his presence .

he made a sign for them to come near ; they all bowed low in greeting .

he asked them about their journey ; they answered his questions all together , and in the same words .

if one sat down to supper , the others sat down at the same instant .

when one got up , the others got up too , as if there had been only one body between them .

' Well , you will see a difference to-morrow , ' replied the witch , ' for one will have a cut on his sleeve .

that is the youth you must kill . '

so , bowing low with one accord , they went .

the girl burst into tears when the boy told her what was in the letter which her father had bade her to carry to him .

' Do not weep , love of my heart , ' said the boy , ' all will be well .

I will start at sunrise to-morrow . '

so next morning at sunrise the youth set forth , and in a few days he reached the Sultan 's palace .

but the sword clanked , and the lad did not even look at her .

as he crossed the threshold fifteen armed Turks barred his way , with the Sultan at their head .

instantly the sword darted forth and cut off the heads of everyone but the Sultan , and then went quietly back to its scabbard .

I dreamed that I should become King of Hungary , and my dream has come true .

and if you had not beaten me nothing would have happened that has happened , and I should not now be King of Hungary . '

From the Folk Tales of the Magyars .

the Prince And The Dragon

once upon a time there lived an emperor who had three sons .

he had not long left the castle , when a hare sprang out of a thicket and dashed across the road in front .

a week passed away , and when the prince never came back everyone in the town began to grow uneasy .

as before , the animal dashed in through the open door , but this time he was not followed by the prince .

here he found an old woman sitting , whom he greeted pleasantly .

' Tell me , little mother , ' went on the prince , ' where shall I find my hare ? '

' Will you not come with me out of this dreadful place ? ' said the young man .

' He took me prisoner , too , ' answered she , ' and I cannot shake off his chains . '

' Then listen to me , ' cried the prince .

' Where have you been all this time you must have travelled far ? '

' Yes , little mother , I have indeed travelled far . ' answered he .

I would stoop and kiss the place out of pure love ! '

the dragon laughed at this , and answered :

' In the hearthstone yonder lies the secret of my strength . '

then the old woman jumped up and kissed the hearth ; whereat the dragon laughed the more , and said :

' You foolish creature !

I was only jesting .

it is not in the hearthstone , but in that tall tree that lies the secret of my strength . '

then the old woman jumped up again and put her arms round the tree , and kissed it heartily .

loudly laughed the dragon when he saw what she was doing .

' Where is it then ? ' asked the old woman , rather crossly , for she did not like being made fun of .

' My strength , ' replied the dragon , ' lies far away ; so far that you could never reach it .

' Will you take care of my sheep ? ' said the emperor , when the young man knelt before him .

with a low bow the prince thanked the emperor for his warning , and promised to do his best to keep the sheep safe .

and a voice answered from the depths of the lake :

the prince sprang upon him and they grappled with each other and fought together till the sun was high , and it was noonday .

then the dragon gasped :

but the prince answered , ' Oh , ho ! my good dragon , do not crow too soon !

if the emperor 's daughter were only here , and would kiss me on the forehead , I would throw you up higher still ! '

and suddenly the dragon 's hold loosened , and he fell back into the lake .

as they all passed through the streets the people stared in wonder , for never before had any flock returned from the lake .

the next morning he rose early , and led his sheep down the road to the lake .

the horsemen kept the prince and his sheep in sight , without being seen themselves .

as soon as they beheld the sheep running towards the meadows , they turned aside up a steep hill , which overhung the lake .

then he rolled up his trousers and his sleeves , and waded into the water crying :

' Dragon ! dragon ! if you are not a coward , come out and fight with me ! '

and the dragon answered :

but the prince answered :

' Oh , ho ! my good dragon , do not crow too soon !

if the emperor 's daughter were only here , and would kiss me on the forehead , I would throw you up higher still ! '

and suddenly the dragon 's hold loosened , and he fell back into the lake .

as soon as it was evening the prince again collected his sheep , and playing on his pipes he marched before them into the city .

meanwhile the two horsemen had ridden quickly back , and told the emperor all that they had seen and heard .

the emperor listened eagerly to their tale , then called his daughter to him and repeated it to her .

but when the princess heard these words , she burst into tears , and sobbed out :

' Fear nothing , my little daughter , all will be well .

the shepherd was brimming over with joy , but the princess only wept bitterly .

' Dry your tears , I implore you , ' said he .

' Do not cry so , Heart of Gold ; trust me and fear nothing . '

and so they reached the lake .

then he rolled up his trousers and his sleeves , and waded into the water , calling :

' Dragon ! dragon ! if you are not a coward , come forth , and let us have one more fight together . '

and when the sun was at its hottest , the dragon cried :

but the prince answered :

' Oh , ho ! my good dragon , do not crow too soon !

if the emperor 's daughter were only here , and she would kiss my forehead , I would throw you higher still . '

hardly had he spoken , when the princess , who had been listening , ran up and kissed him on the forehead .

the prince cut open its body and found the sparrow inside , as the old woman had said .

' Do not hurt me , ' answered the sparrow , ' and I will tell you with all my heart . '

behind your father 's castle stands a mill , and in the mill are three slender twigs .

cut off these twigs and strike their roots with them , and the iron door of a cellar will open .

and so they passed through the streets , thronged with a wondering crowd , till they reached the castle .

he bade them go one by one wheresoever they would , while he himself waited by the door till his brothers passed through .

how delighted they were to meet again , and to hear all that the prince had done to deliver them from their enchantment .

From Volksmarehen der Serben .

little Wildrose

once upon a time the things in this story happened , and if they had not happened then the story would never have been told .

once upon a time , then , my dear good children , there lived a man .

now this man was really a hundred years old , if not fully twenty years more .

' What do you want ? ' asked she .

and this let me tell you : that if I never find a child I shall not come home again . '

so summoning up all his courage he plunged boldly in .

again he paused , but he felt as if something was driving him to enter , and with a beating heart he stepped in .

for some minutes the silence and darkness so appalled him that he stood where he was , not daring to advance one step .

but he might as well have spoken to the rock .

so I left my home , and went out into the world , hoping that somewhere I might find what I was seeking . '

the old man stooped and kissed the feet of the hermit for sheer joy , and left the cave .

suddenly he was seized with a desperate thirst , and a burning in his throat .

he looked for a stream but none was to be seen , and his tongue grew more parched every moment .

when he woke up he saw something strange lying on a bank a little way off , amidst long trails of pink roses .

the old man was nearly beside himself with horror , while his wife sat down and sobbed with grief and disappointment .

' Where can she be ? ' moaned the old man , in despair .

' Oh , why did I ever leave her , even for a moment ?

have the fairies taken her , or has some wild beast carried her off ? '

and what had become of the baby ?

but just as the tongues had almost reached them , the lindworm gave a fearful cry , and turned and fell backwards .

only Wildrose was undisturbed , and slept sweetly through it all .

but the eaglets did not answer , and Wildrose opened her eyes , and seemed seven times lovelier than before .

from that day Wildrose lived like a little princess .

and so the days slipped away , and she was fourteen years old .

but nothing came , not even the baying of a hound or the note of a horn .

in its rays he could see the nest with the young eaglets , who were watching him over the side .

when at last he ventured to peep , Wildrose , with her golden hair flowing round her , was looking at him .

this was the first time she had seen a man .

' Tell me how I can reach you ? ' cried he ; but Wildrose smiled and shook her head , and sat down quietly .

the prince saw that it was no use , and turned and made his way out of the forest .

then the prince confessed that the image of Wildrose filled his soul , and that he would never be happy without her .

at first the emperor felt rather distressed .

but nobody knew .

all the girls in the kingdom had their homes on the ground , and laughed at the notion of being brought up in a tree .

the heralds were almost in despair , when an old woman stepped out of the crowd and came and spoke to them .

' I can show you the maiden who lives in the tree-top , ' she said , but they only laughed the more loudly .

' Go with her , ' said the eldest of the heralds at last .

' The emperor 's orders are clear , that whoever knew anything of the maiden was to come at once to court .

put her in the coach and take her with us . '

so in this fashion the old woman was brought to court .

' Yes , your Majesty , and I will keep my word , ' said she .

' Then bring her at once , ' said the emperor .

oh , what a noise that old woman made as she walked along !

but when they reached the forest , she bade them all wait outside , and entered the dark wood by herself .

she stopped underneath the tree where the maiden dwelt and , gathering some dry sticks , kindled a fire .

next , she placed the tripod over it , and the kettle on top .

but something was the matter with the kettle .

' Didn't I tell you that it was no good doing that , ' said Wildrose , more impatiently than before .

' Make a fire near a tree and hang the kettle from one of the branches . '

' If you would only show me how to do it , perhaps I should understand , ' said she .

Adapted from file Roumanian .

Tiidu The Piper

once upon a time there lived a poor man who had more children than bread to feed them with .

neither scoldings nor beatings nor kind words had any effect on him , and the older he grew the idler he got .

I could not bear to be anybody 's servant , as all my brothers and sisters are . '

sleeping cats catch no mice .

but here the youth broke in rudely :

' Be silent , old man !

I have been told all that a hundred times over ; and it runs off me like water off a duck 's back .

no one will ever make a worker out of me . '

' But where am I to get the pipes from ? ' asked the youth .

By-and-by I will come back again and see if you have taken my advice , and whether you are likely to grow rich . '

and so saying he went his way .

so next morning he left home and never came back !

for some weeks Tiidu wandered from one village to another , and proved for himself the truth of the old man 's promise .

these pence the youth hoarded carefully till he had collected enough to buy a beautiful pair of pipes .

then he felt himself indeed on the high road to riches .

nowhere could pipes be found as fine as his , or played in so masterly a manner .

Tiidu 's pipes set everybody 's legs dancing .

in a few years he had become so noted a piper that people would travel far and wide to hear him .

' Where have you come from ? ' said the captain , when Tiidu was brought up on board the ship .

I hoped that by swimming after the ship I might at last reach Kungla , as I had no money to pay my passage . '

the captain 's heart melted at these words , and he said kindly : ' You may be thankful that you were not drowned .

I will land you at Kungla free of payment , as you are so anxious to get there .

even the very pigs ' troughs were of silver too .

but the sight of these things only made Tiidu more covetous than before .

by this time he had been in his place for two years , and had put by quite a large sum of money .

so with a heavy heart Tiidu spent some of his next month 's wages on a cheap coat .

' What have you done with your pipes ? ' asked he ; and then in a moment Tiidu knew him .

taking his arm he drew him into a quiet place and told him all that had happened since they had last met .

was there ever such a piece of folly as to exchange your pipes for a scullion 's ladle ?

you could have made as much by the pipes in a day as your wages would have come to in half a year .

go home and fetch your pipes , and play them here , and you will soon see if I have spoken the truth . '

come back , we pray you , next Sunday to give us another treat . '

' What did I tell you ? ' said the old man , as they passed through the garden gate .

' Was it not pleasanter to play for a couple of hours on the pipes than to be stirring sauces all day long ?

I can be your guide no longer , therefore listen to what I say , and obey me .

you will get far more money in the end .

perhaps , some day , our paths may cross , and then I shall see how far you have followed my advice .

till then , farewell ' ; and the old man went his way .

in all Kungla there was no prouder man than Tiidu .

the wind at starting was fair , but it soon freshened , and in the night rose to a gale .

then he flung himself down on the ground and fell fast asleep .

then , tired with his wanderings he sat down and began to think .

for perhaps the first time in his life his thoughts did not instantly turn to money .

after that he stretched himself out on the soft moss and went to sleep .

he started back thinking he was dreaming , and put up his hand ; but , alas ! the dreadful thing was true .

if only the sea had swallowed me up , how much happier it had been for me ! '

and he hid his head in his hands and wept .

his grief was so violent , that it exhausted him , and growing hungry he looked about for something to eat .

Just above him was a bough of ripe , brown nuts , end he picked them and ate a handful .

yes , there was no mistake , it was as short as before , or perhaps a little shorter .

in his joy at this discovery Tiidu did a very bold thing .

he took one of the apples out of his pocket , and cautiously bit a piece out of it .

supposing that the shrinking of his nose had only been an accident before !

supposing that that nut and no other was able to cause its shrinking !

in that case he had , by his own folly , in not letting well alone , ruined his life completely .

and , behold ! in the morning when he got up a set of pipes was lying in the basket .

when they were ready , he set out one day with a small basket of his famous apples , and went up to the palace .

the wind was fair , and in ten days the coast , which he had almost forgotten , stood clear before him .

his mother and his other brothers had died some years before .

From Esthnische Mahrchen .

Paperarelloo

once upon a time there lived a king and a queen who had one son .

fortunately , however , the young king was wise and prudent , and knew her too well to trust her .

one day , when his mourning was over , he gave orders that everything should be made ready for a grand hunt .

the queen pretended to be greatly delighted that he was going to amuse himself once more , and declared that she would accompany him .

but he might as well have spoken to the winds : when the horn was sounded at daybreak the queen was there with the rest .

and so they did , and for many years they all lived together as brothers and sisters .

but I shall think of you often , and one day I shall come back to you . '

so she cut off a long curl , and handed it to him .

the prince mounted his horse , and rode on all day without stopping once .

' What am I to do now ? ' he thought .

' If I go to sleep here wild beasts will come and eat me !

yet both I and my horse are worn out , and can go no further . '

and in a moment the castle was before him just as he had wished .

in this way he travelled through many countries , till at last he came to a land that was ruled over by a great king .

leaving his horse outside the walls , he clad himself in the dress of a poor man , and went up to the palace .

' I am a stranger here , ' answered the young king , ' and very poor .

I have come to beg for some work . '

' We have everybody we want , ' said the queen , when the servant told her the young man 's reply .

tell him that he can be our goose-boy if he likes . '

the youth answered that he was quite content to be goose-boy ; and that was how he got his nickname of Paperarello .

' But , your Majesty , it is not possible , ' cried the poor man in despair .

' That is your affair , ' answered the King , who , when he took anything into his head , would listen to nothing .

remember , the king is not to be played with ! '

in an hour 's time , the servants came and shook him by the shoulder .

' Paperarello , are you mad ? ' said they .

' Get up , or you will lose your head . '

' Oh , do let me sleep a little more , answered he .

and this was all he would say , though the servants returned to wake him many times in the night .

at last the dawn broke , and the servants rushed to his room , crying : ' Paperarello !

Paperarello ! get up , the king is coming .

you have baked no bread , and of a surety he will have your head . '

the servants stood and stared in surprise , and the king said : ' Well done , Paperarello , you have won my daughter . '

and he thought to himself : ' This fellow must really be a magician . '

then Paperarello left his geese , and came and told the king that he wished to go to fight also .

the king gave him leave , and told him that he might go to the stable and take any horse he liked from the stables .

the men laughed at him for being so childish , and rode on after their master .

right and left this strange knight laid about him , and his sword pierced the stoutest breast-plate , and the strongest shield .

the next day the king went out to fight another battle , and again Paperarello appeared , mounted on his lame horse .

then they took fresh heart and fought desperately on till the knight came up , and threw himself into the thick of the battle .

as before , the enemy gave way before him , and in a few minutes the victory remained with the king .

Paperarello bowed , fastened the ear inside his surcoat and rode away .

in the evening , when they all returned from the battle , there he was , sitting in the road , making clay dolls .

on the third day the same thing happened , and this time he asked for the king 's nose as the reward of his aid .

however , he had always prided himself on being an honourable man , so he cut off his nose , and handed it to Paperarello .

Paperarello bowed , put the nose in his surcoat , and rode away .

in the evening , when the king returned from the battle , he found Paperarello sitting in the road making clay dolls .

and Paperarello got up and said to him : ' Do you know who I am ?

I am your dirty goose-boy , yet you have given me your finger , and your ear , and your nose . '

From Sicilianisohen Mahrchen .

the Gifts Of The Magician

once upon a time there was an old man who lived in a little hut in the middle of a forest .

his wife was dead , and he had only one son , whom he loved dearly .

but he had not taken proper aim , and the bird was only wounded , and fluttered along the ground .

then he felt it would be foolish to go any further , and he turned to find his way home .

then all the boy 's courage returned to him .

but his host returned to the forest to get some food , for the larder was empty .

while he was absent the housekeeper went to the boy 's room and tried to wake him .

but nothing would rouse him , and if he did ever open his eyes he shut them again directly .

soon after , the magician came back from the forest , and told the housekeeper to bring them something to eat .

By-and-by the magician went out into the wood again for some more hunting , and on his return he tried afresh to waken the youth .

but finding it quite impossible , he went back for the third time to the forest .

while he was absent the boy woke up and dressed himself .

then he came downstairs and began to talk to the housekeeper .

By-and-by the old man came back and they all sat down to dinner .

' Give me the horse that stands in the third stall of your stable , ' answered the youth .

' For I have a long way to go before I get home , and my feet will not carry me so far . '

' Ah ! my son , ' replied the magician , ' it is the best horse in my stable that you want !

will not anything else please you as well ? '

the youth thanked the magician , and fastening his treasures about him mounted the horse and rode off .

let us visit a few towns first , and something lucky will be sure to happen to us . '

when they entered the capital of the country everyone stopped to admire the beauty of the horse .

even the king heard of it , and came to see the splendid creature with his own eyes .

indeed , he wanted directly to buy it , and told the youth he would give any price he liked .

the young man hesitated for a moment , but before he could speak , the horse contrived to whisper to him :

some of them were old favourites which the king had ridden in many wars , and they bore the signs of age and of service .

' Find me my horse in three days , ' said he , ' or it will be the worse for you . '

the youth was thunderstruck at this command , but he only bowed , and went off at once to the stable .

' Do not worry yourself , ' answered his own horse .

' Ask the king to give you a hundred oxen , and to let them be killed and cut into small pieces .

then we will start on our journey , and ride till we reach a certain river .

there a horse will come up to you , but take no notice of him .

everything happened just as the horse had said , and the third horse was safely bridled .

so the young man did as he was told , and brought the horse back to the king .

and if he failed , his head would pay the penalty .

the poor youth 's heart stood still as he listened .

find the queen ?

but how was he to do that , when nobody in the palace had been able to do so !

' Cheer up ! ' answered the horse , ' we will manage to find her .

for I am the king 's wife , who was turned into a horse by the magician from whom you saved me . '

joyfully the young man sprang into the saddle and rode away to the banks of the river .

then he threw himself off , and waited while the horse plunged in .

she came smiling towards the youth , and held out her hand , and he took it and led her back to the palace .

leave was given him , and taking the instrument from under his cloak he touched the strings .

once more he asked a favour permission to play on his fiddle , and this the king was graciously pleased to grant .

the third day came , and the youth asked leave to play on his flute .

you shall play no more tunes .

Quick ! the rope round his neck . '

at these words the young man looked so sorrowful that the courtiers said to the king : ' He is very young to die .

let him play a tune if it will make him happy . '

' Who has ordered you to be hanged ? ' asked he .

From Finnische Mahrchen .

the Strong Prince

his wife and son mourned his loss bitterly , for , in spite of his faults , he had always been kind to them .

so they abandoned the crown and forsook their country , not knowing or caring where they went .

when they had finished the queen said : ' My son , I am thirsty ; fetch me some water . '

the prince got up at once and went to a brook which he heard gurgling near at hand .

the queen 's heart swelled with joy as she read these words , and she bade her son lose no time in testing their truth .

so he fastened it round his waist , and instantly a glow of strength seemed to run through his veins .

he took hold of a thick oak tree and rooted it up as easily as if it had been a weed .

this discovery put new life into the queen and her son , and they continued their walk through the forest .

but night was drawing on , and the darkness grew so thick that it seemed as if it could be cut with a knife .

he could not see what it was , but stooped down and tried to lift it .

the thing was very heavy , and he thought his back would break under the strain .

at last with a great heave he moved it out of the road , and as it fell he knew it was a huge rock .

' This must be the place , ' said a voice , which the prince took to be that of the captain .

' Yes , I feel the ditch before the entrance .

someone forgot to pile up the fire before we left and it has burnt itself out !

but it is all right .

let every man jump across , and as he does so cry out " Hop !

I am here . "

I will go last .

now begin . '

then the young man cried instead , ' Hop !

I am here . '

now the captain had wound round his neck the shawl of his lost wife , and the stroke of the prince 's sword fell harmless .

being very cunning , however , he made no resistance , and rolled over as if he were as dead as the other men .

the prince next dragged the headless bodies into a chamber in the cave , and locked the door .

then he and his mother ransacked the place for some food , and when they had eaten it they lay down and slept in peace .

the prince went round all these and carefully locked them up , bidding his mother take care of the keys while he was hunting .

unfortunately , the queen , like all women , could not bear to think that there was anything which she did not know .

she quickly turned the key in the lock , and ran back to the chamber she had slept in .

soon after her son came in , bringing with him a large bear , which he had killed for supper .

I have nothing to do with robbers . '

' I am no robber , ' answered the prince .

' I am the son of a king , and I have killed all the band .

he waited a little , but the door remained shut as tightly as before .

then he just put his shoulder to it , and immediately the wood began to crack .

let there be peace between us . '

but he might as well have tried to squeeze blood out of a stone .

' Here , you had better keep them !

you may find them useful ! '

weeping , the blind youth felt his way to the giant 's house , and told him all the story .

the giant was full of pity for the poor young man , but inquired anxiously what he had done with the eyes .

for three days he lay in utter darkness ; then the light began to come back , till soon he saw as well as ever .

' Never mind , my friend , ' said the giant , ' I will get it back for you . '

and he sent for the monkey who was his head servant .

the room was empty , and the sword hanging from a nail .

the giant bade him give the sword to the prince , who girded himself with it , and returned with all speed to the castle .

I will show you who is the master in this house ! '

the noise he made brought the robber into the room .

in his turn he fell on his knees to beg for mercy , but it was too late .

his mother the prince sent back to her father , and never would see her again .

after this he returned to the giant , and said to him :

' My friend , add one more kindness to those you have already heaped on me .

give me your daughter as my wife . '

From Ungarische Volksmarchen .

the Treasure Seeker

presently up spoke the silver-haired Father Martin .

it seemed to be a man with shaggy hair , and a long beard which hung down to his knees .

I shook like an aspen leaf at the sight , and my spirit quaked for fear .

I am the Treasure Seeker of the mountain .

if you will come with me you shall dig up much gold . "

' At this the spectre grinned in my face and cried mockingly :

' " simpleton !

do you scorn your good fortune ?

well , then , remain a ragamuffin all your days . "

I will fill your knapsack I will fill your pouch . "

' " away from me , monster , " I answered , " I will have nothing to do with you . "

a vast treasure of gold and precious stones lies in safety deep under the earth .

at twilight and at high noon it is hidden , but at midnight it may be dug up .

so I thought to give it into your hand , having a kindness for you because you feed your flock upon my mountain . "

' Thereupon the spectre told me exactly where the treasure lay , and how to find it .

it might be only yesterday so well do I remember every word he spoke .

do not cross the bridge , but keep to your right along the bank till a high rock stands before you .

a bow-shot from that you will discover a little hollow like a grave .

into this opening you must crawl , holding a lamp in your mouth .

keep your hands free lest you knock your nose against a stone , for the way is steep and the stones sharp .

if it bruises your knees never mind ; you are on the road to fortune .

do not go through the door to the right lest you disturb the bones of the lords of the treasure .

do not neglect each time to heap back the loose earth which concealed the entrance of the king 's treasure chamber . "

' As the apparition left off speaking my dog pricked up his ears and began to bark .

So ended the shepherd 's tale ; and the landlord who was listening with the rest , said shrewdly :

' Nay , nay , ' answered the graybeard .

then Blaize , another aged shepherd , lifted up his voice .

" Tis a pity , Father Martin , that your secret has grown old with you .

if you had told it forty years ago truly you would not long have been lacking the spring-root .

even though you will never climb the mountain now , I will tell you , for a joke , how it is to be found .

the easiest way to get it is by the help of a black woodpecker .

so soon as she touches with the root the sod that blocks the nest , it will fly violently out of the hole .

formerly he had been a merry fellow , fond of a joke , and in the art of cooking had no equal in the town .

he could make fish-jelly , and quince fritters , and even wafer-cakes ; and he gilded the ears of all his boars ' heads .

but they had not got home before they began to quarrel .

meanwhile the fortunes of the family had changed .

his motto was : ' It will all come right in the end ' ; but what it did come to was ruin for Master Peter .

this grieved the tender heart of his pretty daughter , who loved him dearly , and was the comfort of his life .

soon he heard his wife 's harsh voice singing its morning song as she went about her household affairs , scolding her daughter the while .

for shame , drunkard ! '

' Do not be annoyed , dear wife .

I have a good piece of business in hand which may turn out well for us . '

' You with a good business ? ' cried she , ' you are good for nothing but talk ! '

' I am making my will , ' said he , ' that when my hour comes my house may be in order . '

and she seized him like a fury , and tried to scratch out his eyes .

but by-and-by the quarrel was patched up , and everything went on as before .

he sent them into the woods and fields , but instead of looking for a nest they only played pranks on him .

Peter was overjoyed at this fortunate discovery , and instantly set himself to obtain a red cloak .

his thoughts now turned to the mountain , and he secretly made preparations for his journey .

he took with him only a staff , a strong sack , and a little box which his daughter Lucia had given him .

so , filling his pockets with the gold , he carefully locked the empty cupboard again and left the house without further delay .

when Dame Ilse and her daughter returned they wondered to find the house door shut , and Master Peter nowhere to be seen .

then the house was searched from garret to cellar , but no Master Peter was to be found .

' Who knows ? ' cried Dame Ilse at last , ' the wretch may have been idling in some tavern since early morning . '

then a sudden thought startled her , and she felt for her keys .

suppose they had fallen into her good-for-nothing husband 's hands and he had helped himself to her treasure !

but no , the keys were safe in their usual place , and the cupboard looked quite untouched .

Mid-day came , then evening , then midnight , and still no Master Peter appeared , and the matter became really serious .

Dame Ilse knew right well what a torment she had been to her husband , and remorse caused her the gloomiest forebodings .

' Ah !

Lucia , ' she cried , ' I greatly fear that your father has done himself a mischief . '

and they sat till morning weeping over their own fancies .

but what were her feelings when she perceived that every shelf lay empty and bare before her !

however , she invited him to step into the house and be seated while he unfolded his business .

he looked at her fondly , and took her hand , which she tried to draw away , crying :

' Ah !

Friedlin , why are you here ?

I thought you were a hundred miles away .

are you come to grieve me again ? '

' No , dearest girl , ' answered he ; ' I am come to complete your happiness and my own .

since we last met my fortune has utterly changed ; I am no longer the poor vagabond that I was then .

that I love you I know well ; if you can love me I am indeed a happy man . '

now a great hurry-burly began in the house , and preparations for the wedding went on apace .

the day for the wedding was chosen , and all their friends and neighbours were bidden to the feast .

if only he could come back again !

here we are rolling in riches while he may be nibbling at hunger 's table . '

and the very idea of such a thing made her weep , while even Dame Ilse said :

but the fact was that she was growing quite tired of having no one to scold .

and what do you think happened ?

the bride herself peeped out of the window to see who it could be , and there stood father Peter !

' God bless my native place , ' said he .

this barrel of nails is my whole fortune , which I wish to give as my contribution towards the bride 's house furnishing . '

so Lucia had her heart 's desire , and father Peter led her to the church next day , and the marriage took place very happily .

father Peter also stayed quietly with them , living , as everybody believed , upon the generosity of his rich son-in law .

no one suspected that his barrel of nails was the real ' Horn of Plenty , ' from which all this prosperity overflowed .

Peter had made the journey to the treasure mountain successfully , without being found out by anybody .

but even that did not trouble Peter much ; he was quite satisfied with what he had already .

at last , after much thinking , he hit upon a plan .

he carried his sack to the nearest village , and there bought a wheelbarrow , a strong barrel , and a quantity of nails .

at one place upon the road he met a handsome young man who seemed by his downcast air to be in some great trouble .

' Into the wide world , good father , or out of it , where ever my feet may chance to carry me . '

' Why out of it ? ' said Peter .

' What has the world been doing to you ? '

' It has done nothing to me , nor I to it , ' he replied .

' Nevertheless there is not anything left in it for me . '

but when good food was set before him he seemed to forget to eat .

So Peter perceived that what ailed his guest was sorrow of heart , and asked him kindly to tell him his story .

' Where is the good , father ? ' said he .

' You can give me neither help nor comfort . '

' Who knows ? ' answered Master Peter .

' I might be able to do something for you .

often enough in life help comes to us from the most unexpected quarter . '

the young man , thus encouraged , began his tale .

I soon reached the little town where the maiden dwelt ; but there fresh difficulties awaited me .

but at last I dressed myself as an old woman , and knocked boldly at her door .

' Your story is strange indeed , ' said he .

' But where is the father of this maiden why do you not ask him for her hand ?

he might well take your part , and be glad to have you for his son-in-law . '

the wife complains of him bitterly enough , and scolds my dear maiden when she takes her father 's part . '

and up he sprang , and was going off hastily , when Master Peter caught him by the arm .

' Stay , hothead ! ' he cried ; ' it is no jest , and I am prepared to make good my words . '

the young man was overjoyed at this sudden change in his fortunes , and did not know how to thank father Peter for his generosity .

Master Peter long enjoyed the profits of his journey to the mountain , and no rumour of it ever got abroad .

he and his beloved wife lived in the greatest happiness and peace , and rose to great honour in the town .

the Cottager And His Cat

but after a while he found that he had starved himself once too often .

half of his wealth is ill-gotten , and this you must give back to the poor from whom he squeezed it .

the other half you must throw into the sea .

then the man vanished , and the youth awoke .

the remembrance of his dream troubled him greatly .

from a rock that jutted right out into the sea he flung it in .

he stretched down carefully and managed to reach it , and on opening it found six shillings wrapped inside .

this was now all the money he had in the world .

the young man stood and looked at it thoughtfully .

two women and three men were at supper when he entered , and silently made room for him to sit down by them .

' What is the name of that strange little creature ? ' asked he .

and they answered , ' We call it a cat . '

and they told him that he might have it for six shillings , if he cared to give so much .

for the whole day they wandered through meadows and forests , till in the evening they reached a house .

one of the women was the old man 's wife , the other his daughter .

the king was at dinner with his court when the young man entered , and he signed to him to come near .

' What sort of animals are these ? ' asked the youth of one of the ladies sitting near him .

they come into our very beds . '

at this moment something was seen flying through the air .

the cat was on the table , and with two or three shakes a number of rats were lying dead round him .

then a great scuffling of feet was heard , and in a few minutes the hall was clear .

for some minutes the King and his courtiers only looked at each other in astonishment .

' What kind of animal is that which can work magic of this sort ? ' asked he .

and the young man told him that it was called a cat , and that he had bought it for six shillings .

either you shall be my Prime Minister , or else you shall marry my daughter and reign after me .

say , which shall it be ? '

' The princess and the kingdom , ' said the young man .

and so it was .

From Islandische Marchen .

the Prince Who Would Seek Immortality

but during his long absence the prince seemed to have changed his character altogether .

from being a merry and light-hearted boy , he had grown into a gloomy and thoughtful man .

the king knew of nothing that could have produced such an alteration .

he vexed himself about it from morning till night , till at length an explanation occurred to him the young man was in love !

never shall I be happy again till I have found a kingdom where death is unknown .

and I have determined to give myself no rest till I have discovered the Land of Immortality .

the old king heard him with dismay ; things were worse than he thought .

the moment its feet touched the ground he changed into a king .

' Why do you look so astonished ? ' he asked .

' I was wondering why you shook the boughs so fiercely , ' answered the prince .

' But it is now evening , and I need work no more to-day .

come to my house with me , and be my guest for the night . '

the prince accepted gratefully the eagle 's invitation , for he was tired and hungry .

they were received at the palace by the king 's beautiful daughter , who gave orders that dinner should be laid for them at once .

then the prince told him everything , and how he could never turn back till he had discovered the Land of Immortality .

after all , six hundred years is an eternity ! '

' Ah , dear king , ' replied the young man , ' your offer is very tempting !

but at the end of six hundred years we should have to die , so we should be no better off !

no , I must go on till I find the country where there is no death at all . '

then the princess spoke , and tried to persuade the guest to change his mind , but he sorrowfully shook his head .

' As you will not stay with us , prince , accept this box , which will sometimes recall us to your memory .

the prince thanked her for her gift , which he placed in his tunic , and sorrowfully bade the eagle and his daughter farewell .

when the basket was full he took it away and returned with an empty one , which he likewise filled .

' I was wondering why you were filling the basket , ' replied the prince .

but , come , it is almost dark , and I shall work no longer . '

and he plucked a leaf from a tree close by , and from a rough digger he was changed into a stately bald-headed king .

stay here with us and marry my daughter .

eight hundred years is surely long enough to live . '

the prince put it on his finger , and thanking her heartily , went his way .

the men who passed him were tall and strong , and their clothes were magnificent .

then his heart sank within him ; what should he do in this strange place if nobody could understand anything ? he said .

' What city is this , my friend ? ' he inquired .

with this news the prince was satisfied , and begged his countryman to show him the way to the young queen 's palace .

luckily she had been taught his language as a child , so they had no difficulty in talking together .

the prince told all his story and how he was journeying in search of the Land of Immortality .

' Prince , ' she said , turning to him , ' you see these needles ?

Well , know that neither I nor any of my family can die till I have worn out these needles in sewing .

it will take at least a thousand years for that .

Stay here , and share my throne ; a thousand years is long enough to live ! '

' Certainly , ' answered he ; ' still , at the end of the thousand years I should have to die !

no , I must find the land where there is no death . '

the queen did all she could to persuade him to stay , but as her words proved useless , at length she gave it up .

then she said to him : ' As you will not stay , take this little golden rod as a remembrance of me .

it has the power to become anything you wish it to be , when you are in need . '

so the prince thanked her , and putting the rod in his pocket , went his way .

suddenly he remembered the golden rod which the mist-veiled queen had given him .

but no , instead of the rod , there stood a golden ladder , leading straight up to the city of the air .

he was about to enter the golden gates , when there sprang at him a wondrous beast , whose like he had never seen .

' Out sword from the sheath , ' cried the prince , springing back with a cry .

the queen of the city heard the noise and looked from her window to see what was happening .

summoning one of her servants , she bade him go and rescue the stranger , and bring him to her .

the prince thankfully obeyed her orders , and entered her presence .

In answer the prince told all his story , and how he had travelled long and far in search of the Land of Immortality .

' You have found it , ' said she , ' for I am queen over life and over death .

here you can dwell among the immortals . '

the queen stared at him with amazement , and cried : ' Why , prince , are you out of your senses ?

it is more than eight hundred years since your father and mother died !

there will not even be their dust remaining . '

' I must go all the same , ' said he .

' Well , do not be in a hurry , ' continued the queen , understanding that he would not be prevented .

' Wait till I make some preparations for your journey . '

the golden flask you must fill with the water here , ' she added , pointing to a well in another corner .

the prince thanked the queen for her gifts , and , bidding her farewell , went on his journey .

in the palace itself all was still , and he wandered through the rooms without meeting anyone to stop him .

at last he entered the queen 's own chamber , and there she lay , with her embroidery still in her hands , fast asleep .

he pulled at her dress , but she did not waken .

quick as thought the prince pulled out the golden flask , and sprinkled some drops of the water over the queen .

in a moment she moved gently , and raising her head , opened her eyes .

' Oh , my dear friend , I am so glad you wakened me ; I must have slept a long while ! '

' You would have slept till eternity , ' answered the prince , ' if I had not been here to waken you . '

at these words the queen remembered about the needles .

she knew now that she had been dead , and that the prince had restored her to life .

she gave him thanks from her heart for what he had done , and vowed she would repay him if she ever got a chance .

the prince took his leave , and set out for the country of the bald-headed king .

but as soon as the water from the golden flask touched him he yawned and stretched himself , and slowly rose to his feet .

' You would have slept till eternity if I had not been here to waken you , ' answered the prince .

and the king remembered the mountain , and the spell , and vowed to repay the service if he ever had a chance .

how can I thank you for having awakened me , my dear , good friend ! '

' You would have slept till eternity if I had not been here to waken you ' ; answered the prince .

it is a thousand years since I first began to seek you . '

and there beside him stood the old , white-bearded , figure of Death .

in an instant they had seized upon Death and held him tight , till the prince should have time to reach the Land of Immortality .

' Quite true , ' answered Death ; ' but his foot is in my kingdom , and that belongs to me ! '

half a man is no use , either to you or to me !

but this once I will allow you to cross into my kingdom , and we will decide by a wager whose he is . '

and so it was settled .

but if he should fall outside the walls , he shall belong to you . '

in the middle of the city was a great open square , and here the queen wished the wager to take place .

when all was ready , she put her foot under the foot of the prince and swung him into the air .

up , up , he went , high amongst the stars , and no man 's eyes could follow him .

the moments seemed long while she and Death stood gazing up into the air , waiting to know whose prize the prince would be .

suddenly they both caught sight of a tiny speck no bigger than a wasp , right up in the blue .

was he coming straight ?

no !

yes !

but as he was nearing the city , a light wind sprang up , and swayed him in the direction of the wall .

From Ungarischen Volksmurchen .

the Stone-Cutter

for a long time he was quite happy and contented , and asked for nothing better than what he had .

but a time was coming when he learned to change his opinion .

and a voice answered him : ' Your wish is heard ; a rich man you shall be ! '

at the sound of the voice the stone-cutter looked round , but could see nobody .

he was nearly beside himself with joy , and in his new life the old one was soon forgotten .

it was now the beginning of summer , and each day the sun blazed more fiercely .

one morning the heat was so great that the stone-cutter could scarcely breathe , and he determined he would stay at home till the evening .

in the carriage sat a prince , and over his head a golden umbrella was held , to protect him from the sun 's rays .

' Oh , if I were only a prince ! ' said the stone-cutter to himself , as the carriage vanished round the corner .

and the voice of the mountain spirit answered : ' Your wish is heard ; a prince you shall be . '

and a prince he was .

but yet it was not enough .

and the mountain spirit answered : ' Your wish is heard ; the sun you shall be . '

and the sun he was , and felt himself proud in his power .

but in a short time he began to grow tired of his might , for there seemed nothing left for him to do .

oh , that I were a cloud , and mightier than any ! '

and the mountain spirit answered : ' Your wish is heard ; a cloud you shall be ! '

and a cloud he was , and lay between the sun and the earth .

he caught the sun 's beams and held them , and to his joy the earth grew green again and flowers blossomed .

Towns and villages were destroyed by the power of the rain , only the great rock on the mountain side remained unmoved .

the cloud was amazed at the sight , and cried in wonder : ' Is the rock , then , mightier than I ?

oh , if I were only the rock ! '

and the mountain spirit answered : ' Your wish is heard ; the rock you shall be !

and the rock he was , and gloried in his power .

proudly he stood , and neither the heat of the sun nor the force of the rain could move him .

' This is better than all ! ' he said to himself .

even while he looked a trembling feeling ran all through him , and a great block broke off and fell upon the ground .

then he cried in his wrath : ' Is a mere child of earth mightier than a rock ?

oh , if I were only a man ! '

and the mountain spirit answered : ' Your wish is heard .

A man once more you shall be ! '

and a man he was , and in the sweat of his brow he toiled again at his trade of stone-cutting .

From Japanische Mahrchen .

the Gold-Bearded Man

once upon a time there lived a great king who had a wife and one son whom he loved very much .

and this was purely spite , for there was plenty of milk for everybody .

so they went and told the king what they had seen .

with the earliest streaks of dawn the gold-bearded man appeared , and filled his pail as before .

then in an instant he had vanished , as if the earth had swallowed him up .

the king stood staring with eyes and mouth open at the place where the man had disappeared .

after that there was nothing to do but to shut him in the cage .

then , full of hope , he awaited the result .

everything turned out just as the soldier had said .

but before he went he called his stepson to him and said :

' Listen , boy , to what I tell you .

while I am away I trust the care of my prisoner to you .

see that he has plenty to eat and drink , but be careful that he does not escape , or even walk about the room .

if I return and find him gone , you will pay for it by a terrible death . '

the young prince was thankful that his stepfather was going to the war , and secretly hoped he might never come back .

directly he had ridden off the boy went to the room where the cage was kept , and never left it night and day .

he even played his games beside it .

one day he was shooting at a mark with a silver bow ; one of his arrows fell into the golden cage .

' Please give me my arrow , ' said the prince , running up to him ; but the gold-bearded man answered :

' No , I shall not give it to you unless you let me out of my cage . '

my arrow can be of no use to you , so give it to me . '

so he shot back the bolt , and the gold-bearded man stepped out into the world .

' I will repay you a thousand fold for that good deed . ' said the man , and then he vanished .

' No , ' he said to himself , ' I am afraid to stay .

perhaps the world will be kinder to me than he has been . '

he had only the berries for food , when , one morning , he saw a wood-pigeon sitting on a bough .

' Do not shoot , I implore you , noble prince !

I have two little sons at home , and they will die of hunger if I am not there to bring them food . '

and the young prince had pity , and unstrung his bow .

' Oh , prince , I will repay your deed of mercy , said the grateful wood-pigeon .

' Poor thing ! how can you repay me ? ' asked the prince .

the boy laughed at this speech and went his way .

By-and-by he reached the edge of a lake , and flying towards some rushes which grew near the shore he beheld a wild duck .

and the prince had pity , and let fall his arrow and unstrung his bow .

' Oh , prince !

I will repay your deed of mercy , ' exclaimed the grateful wild duck .

' You poor thing ! how can you repay me ? ' asked the prince .

the boy laughed at this speech and went his way .

again the prince was filled with pity , and this time also he did not shoot .

' Oh , prince , I will repay your deed of mercy , ' cried the stork .

' You poor stork ! how can you repay me ? ' asked the prince .

the boy laughed at hearing these words again , and walked slowly on .

he had not gone far , when he fell in with two discharged soldiers .

' Where are you going , little brother ? ' asked one .

' I am seeking work , ' answered the prince .

' So are we , ' replied the soldier .

' We can all go together . '

at length they reached a palace , and there was the king standing on the steps .

' You seem to be looking for something , ' said he .

' It is work we want , ' they all answered .

then they went to the king .

the unfortunate prince declared that he had never made any such boast as was reported ; but it was all in vain .

so he flung himself on the ground in despair , and covered his face with his hands .

while he lay thus , a wood-pigeon flew in through the window .

' Why are you weeping , noble prince ? ' asked the wood-pigeon .

' How can I help weeping at the task set me by the king .

for he says , if I fail to do it , I shall die a horrible death . '

' Oh , there is really nothing to cry about , ' answered the wood-pigeon soothingly .

' I am the king of the wood-pigeons , whose life you spared when you were hungry .

and now I will repay my debt , as I promised . '

so saying he flew out of the window , leaving the prince with some hope in his heart .

in a few minutes he returned , followed by a cloud of wood-pigeons , so dense that it seemed to fill the room .

so he praised the prince for his industry and cleverness , and made him his steward at once .

this made the two soldiers more envious still , and they began to hatch another plot .

we shall soon see what his talk is worth . '

and the foolish king listened to them , and ordered the prince to be brought before him .

it was no use denying that he had said anything of the kind .

at length he gave it up in despair , and throwing himself down at the foot of the tree , he wept bitterly .

' Oh , you must not vex yourself about that , for I can help you , ' replied the bird .

' I am the king of the wild ducks , whose life you spared , and now it is my turn to save yours . '

is he then become a prophet , or a magician , that he should know things which have not yet come to pass ? '

at these words the king became more angry than ever .

' What makes you so sad , prince ? ' asked he .

' Do not trouble yourself , ' answered the stork .

the stork flew away and soon returned carrying in his beak a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes , and laid it down near a lute .

the baby answered him in all , and no one could have told which was his native tongue !

the next morning the king went straight to the prince 's room , and saw with his own eyes the wonders that baby could do .

when it was over , he said to the prince :

' My noble father-in-law , ' answered the prince , ' I am ignorant of all spells and arts .

but somehow I have always managed to escape the death which has threatened me . '

From Ungarische Mahrchen

Tritill , Litill , And The Birds

once upon a time there lived a princess who was so beautiful and so good that everybody loved her .

now there dwelt , not far from the palace , an old man who had three sons .

when everything was ready , he bade them farewell , and started merrily on his way .

for some miles his road lay through a wood , and when he left it he suddenly came out on a bare hillside .

here he sat down to rest , and pulling out his wallet prepared to eat his dinner .

' Not I , indeed ! ' answered he ; ' why I have scarcely enough for myself .

if you want food you must earn it . '

and the beggar went on .

but instead of food he only got hard words , and limped sadly away .

towards evening the young man reached an open space in the wood , and by this time he thought he would like some supper .

then he began to wonder where he should sleep .

about midnight he was awakened by a noise , and peeping out he beheld a terrible ogress approaching .

to this the young man willingly agreed , and turned over and went to sleep again .

then she left the cave .

he had not long to wait , after the ogress came home , before he knew what his punishment was to be !

so he turned a deaf ear and finished his dinner .

they felt it was quite generous of them to provide him with a pair of new boots and some bread and milk for his journey .

he was hungry as well as tired , and took out some of the food his parents had given him .

he was just going to begin to eat when the old man appeared , and asked if he could not spare him a little .

my name is Tritill . '

then he vanished , and the young man could not tell where he had gone .

however , he felt he had now rested long enough , and that he had better be going his way .

at the next hill he met with the second old man , and to him also he gave food and drink .

my name is Litill . '

the young man walked on till he reached the open space in the wood , where he stopped for dinner .

then they flew away .

looking round , he saw some pieces of the dead men 's clothes and of their bones .

very soon she came striding in , and he asked politely if she would give him a night 's lodging .

she answered as before , that he might stay on condition that he should do any work that she might set him to next morning .

so the bargain being concluded , the young man curled himself up in his corner and went to sleep .

the dirt lay thicker than ever on the floor of the cave when the young man took the spade and began his work .

and Tritill stood beside him and asked what he wanted .

as soon as it was quite clean Tritill went his way .

with a light heart the young man awaited the return of the ogress .

when she came in she looked carefully round , and then said to him : ' You did not do that quite alone .

however , as the floor is clean I will leave your head on . '

but if one feather was missing when she came back at night his head should pay for it . '

the young man fetched the pillows , and shook out all the feathers , and oh ! what quantities of them there were !

then they all vanished , Tritill , Litill , and the birds .

directly the ogress returned home she flung herself with all her weight on the bed , and the whole cave quivered under her .

the pillows were soft and full instead of being empty , which surprised her , but that did not content her .

she got up , shook out the pillow-cases one by one , and began to count the feathers that were in each .

but if you slay the wrong ox your head shall pay for it . '

left alone , the young man stood thinking for a little .

then he called : ' Tritill , Litill , come to my help ! '

in a moment he saw them , far away , driving the biggest ox the youth had ever seen .

scarcely had they disappeared when the ogress came back , and found everything ready just as she had ordered .

so they went to bed and slept till dawn .

when the sun rose the ogress awoke the young man , and called to him to choose any three things out of her house .

and then she gave him his reward .

' The thing which lay on the top of the bed ' turned out to be the lost princess .

' You are the luckiest man that ever was born , ' said the ogress as she went out of the cave as usual .

then he took the helm and steered the vessel back to her father 's kingdom .

' You have found her , and you shall marry her , ' said the king ; and so it was done .

and this is the end of the story .

From Ungarische Mahrchen .

the Three Robes

Long , long ago , a king and queen reigned over a large and powerful country .

there was only a year between them , and they loved each other so much that they could do nothing apart .

for many years they all lived happily together , and then the queen fell ill , and knew that she would never get better .

these were the queen 's last words , and a few hours later she was dead .

' You do not spare me , ' answered the king ; ' but what you say is just , and your counsel is good .

In answer he told her of the object of his journey .

but I managed to escape , and hid myself here with my daughter . '

and the daughter listened , and said softly to her mother : ' Are you speaking the truth now ? '

' Remember your promise , ' answered the mother angrily , giving her a pinch which was unseen by the minister .

' What is your name , madam ? ' asked he , much touched by this sad story .

in his joy he never remembered to inquire in what kind of country the future queen had been found .

after the marriage the king ceased to have any will of his own and did nothing without consulting his wife .

she was present at all his councils , and her opinion was asked before making peace or war .

at first he had not paid much attention to the fact , but merely appointed some fresh person to the vacant place .

so he said nothing and set about his preparations , ordering his finest ship to be ready to carry him round the coast .

they had much to tell him , but after a while he checked their merry talk and said :

hide each in the trunk of one of the trees and there you will be safe from all your enemies . '

with these words the king bade them farewell and entered sadly into his ship .

in spite of the efforts of the frightened sailors the vessel was driven on the rocks , and not a man on board was saved .

so they collected their jewels and a few clothes and left the house without being observed by anyone .

they hurried on till they arrived at the mountain without once looking back .

now , at that time there reigned over Greece a king who was very rich and powerful , although his name has somehow been forgotten .

' But where is the Princess Lineik ? ' asked the prince when she had ended her tale .

' Here , ' answered the queen , bringing forward the girl , whom she had hitherto kept in the background .

the prince looked at her and was rather disappointed .

the maiden was pretty enough , but not much out of the common .

' She has never got over the loss of both father and mother . '

' That shows a good heart , ' thought the prince ; ' and when she is happy her beauty will soon come back . '

and without any further delay he begged the queen to consent to their betrothal , for the marriage must take place in his own country .

the queen was enchanted .

she had hardly expected to succeed so soon , and she at once set about her preparations .

calling one of the sailors , he bade him cut them down , and carry them on board the ship .

this was done , and as the sky was now clear they put out to sea , and arrived in Greece without any more adventures .

the prince then went to his own rooms and ordered that the trees should be brought in to him .

left alone , Laufer sat and stared at the heap of shining silk before her .

as she sat with her face hidden and her body shaken by sobs , Sigurd in his tree heard her and was moved to pity .

' Lineik , my sister , ' he called , softly , ' Laufer is weeping ; help her , I pray you . '

' It is the most beautiful work I have ever seen , ' said he , taking up a bit .

when it was done she glided into her tree just as the prince came in .

' You are as quick as you are clever , ' said he , admiringly .

' This looks as if it had been embroidered by the fairies !

but as the green robe must outshine the other two I will give you three days in which to finish it .

after it is ready we will be married at once . '

now , as he spoke , there rose up in Laufer 's mind all the unkind things that she and her mother had done to Lineik .

could she hope that they would be forgotten , and that Lineik would come to her rescue for the third time ?

so Lineik again slid out of her tree , and , to Laufer 's great relief , set herself to work .

' I have thought for some time that all was not quite straight here , ' said he .

' Tell me who you are , and where you come from ? '

Lineik then told her name and her story .

but Laufer fell at his feet and begged for mercy .

the only lie I have ever told you was about the robes , and I do not deserve death for that . '

she was still on her knees when Prince Sigurd entered the room .

he prayed the Prince of Greece to forgive Laufer , which he did , on condition that Lineik would consent to marry him .

' Not till my stepmother is dead , ' answered she , ' for she has brought misery to all that came near her . '

So Prince Sigurd and the Prince of Greece collected an army swiftly , and marched upon the town where Blauvor had her palace .

therefore she was easily captured , and the next day was beheaded in the market-place .

afterwards the two princes marched back to Greece .

From Islandische Muhrchen Poestion Wien .

the Six Hungry Beasts

once upon a time there lived a man who dwelt with his wife in a little hut , far away from any neighbours .

not long after the marten came by on the look out for his supper .

the marten laughed and answered : ' Did you ever hear anything so strange ?

he is very heavy ; I wish you would help me to draw the sledge . '

the squirrel did as he was asked , and the sledge moved slowly along .

By-and-by a hare came running across a field , but stopped to see what wonderful thing was coming .

' What have you got there ? ' she asked , and the marten told his story and begged the hare to help them pull .

besides , when the whole six had supped off the man he was not so heavy to draw .

' What shall we eat now , my friends , as there is no more man ? '

' What shall we eat now ? ' asked the wolf again , when he had recovered from his surprise .

this simple question seemed to put out the wolf very much .

what would they have for their next dinner , and , what was more important still , who would there be to eat it ?

these thoughts flashed quickly through his head , and he said hastily :

is not my plan a good one ? '

now the fox was particularly fond of young magpies , and he set about making a plan by which he could have one for dinner .

' What are you looking at , Michael ? ' asked the magpie , who was watching him from a bough .

' I 'm looking at this tree .

it has just struck me what a good tree it would be to cut my new snow-shoes out of . '

I have built my nest on it , and my young ones are not yet old enough to fly . '

but what do you think happened ?

' What are you looking at ? ' he asked in a trembling voice .

' At this tree .

' Oh , my brother , my dear little brother , don't do that , ' cried the magpie , hopping about in his anguish .

' You know you promised only a few days ago that you would get your snow-shoes elsewhere . '

I am very sorry to put you out , but really it is not my fault .

he sat on the edge of his nest , his head drooping and his feathers all ruffled , looking the picture of misery .

' Where are the two young ones who are not in the nest ? ' asked he .

oh , you fool , ' cried the crow , ' the fox was only trying to frighten you .

he could not have cut down the tree , for he has neither axe nor knife .

dear me , to think that you have sacrificed your young ones for nothing !

dear , dear ! how could you be so very foolish ! '

and the crow flew away , leaving the magpie overcome with shame and sorrow .

' Who has been teaching you wisdom ? ' asked the fox , forgetting his manners in his surprise at this new turn of affairs .

' The crow , who paid me a visit yesterday , ' answered the magpie .

the crow knew that it was of no use struggling , so he said :

' Ah , brother , if you are really going to eat me , do it , I beg of you , in good style .

with his tail between his legs , the fox slunk into the forest .

he had hardly left his comfortable cave when he had come across the wolf , who inquired where he was going .

' I am going to find a mourner , ' answered the bear , and told his story .

' Oh , let me mourn for you , ' cried the wolf .

' Do you understand how to howl ? ' said the bear .

' You have no idea how it is done .

be off with you , ' said he angrily .

' That is not what I want , ' he said , ' I will bid you good morning . '

it was after this that the fox came up , and he also was struck with the bear 's altered looks , and stopped .

' What is the matter with you , godfather ? ' asked he , ' and where are you going ? '

' I am going to find a mourner for my wife , ' answered the bear .

' Oh , do choose me , ' cried the fox , and the bear looked at him thoughtfully .

' Can you howl well ? ' he said .

Lou , lou , lou ! she is gone ! she is gone ! '

but this did not suit the fox at all .

' One cannot wail properly in this cave , ' he said , ' it is much too damp .

you had better take the body to the storehouse .

it will sound much finer there . '

from time to time he paused and listened for the sound of wailing , but he heard nothing .

at last he went to the door of the storehouse , and called to the fox :

' Why don't you howl , godfather ?

what are you about ? '

and the fox , who , instead of weeping over the dead bear , had been quietly eating her , answered :

' There only remain now her legs and the soles of her feet .

give me five minutes more and they will be gone also ! '

when the bear heard that he ran back for the kitchen ladle , to give the traitor the beating he deserved .

From Finnische Mahrchen .

how The Beggar Boy Turned Into Count Piro

then the old man died .

' Dear me ; what lovely pears ! ' he said to the youth .

' Do give me a basket of them .

it will bring you luck ! '

' Ah , little fox , but if I give you a basketful , what am I to eat ? ' asked the boy .

so the boy got up and picked some of the ripest pears and put them into a rush basket .

' The Count Piro , ' answered the fox .

' But how does he manage to get pears in midwinter ? ' asked the king .

' Then what can I send him in return for his pears ? ' said the king .

' Nothing , your Majesty , or you would hurt his feelings , ' answered the fox .

' Well , tell him how heartily I thank him , and how much I shall enjoy them . '

and the fox went away .

' Let me alone , ' replied the fox ; ' I know what I am doing .

you will see , it will bring you luck . '

a few days after this the fox came back again .

' I must have another basket of pears , ' said he .

' Ah , little fox , what shall I eat if you take away all my pears ? ' answered the youth .

then he picked it up in his mouth , and trotted off to the palace .

' Now , surely it is not possible to grow such pears with deep snow on the ground ? ' cried the king .

' Oh , that never affects them , ' answered the fox lightly ; ' he is rich enough to do anything .

but to-day he sends me to ask if you will give him your daughter in marriage ? '

' If he is so much richer than I am , ' said the king , ' I shall be obliged to refuse .

my honour would not permit me to accept his offer . '

the Count Piro would not dream of asking anything but the hand of the princess . '

' Is he really so rich that he can do without a dowry ? ' asked the king .

' Did I not tell your Majesty that he was richer than you ? ' answered the fox reproachfully .

' Well , beg him to come here , that we may talk together , ' said the king .

' Oh , no , he won't ! ' replied the fox ; ' just do as I tell you . '

and he went off to the town , and stopped at the house of the best tailor .

indeed , as he is in a great hurry , perhaps it might be as well if I took it round myself . '

the tailor was not accustomed to serve counts , and he at once got out all the coats he had ready .

' Say nothing , ' answered the fox , ' but leave the talking to me .

" good morning , your Majesty , " will be all that is necessary for you . '

the princess was already seated at the table , but was as dumb as Count Piro himself .

the king was quite satisfied , and they finished dinner , after which Count Piro and the fox took leave .

the next morning the fox came round again .

' Give me another basket of pears , ' he said .

' Very well , little fox ; but remember it may cost me my life , ' answered the youth .

' But I can't bring the princess here , little fox ? ' cried the young man in dismay .

' You leave everything to me , ' answered the fox ; ' have I not managed well so far ? '

and up at the palace preparations were made for a grand wedding , and the youth was married to the princess .

so they all set out , and rode across the plain , the little fox running before them .

he stopped at the sight of a great flock of sheep , which was feeding peacefully on the rich grass .

' To whom do these sheep belong ? ' asked he of the shepherd .

' To an ogre , ' replied the shepherd .

' Hush , ' said the fox in a mysterious manner .

' Do you see that crowd of armed men riding along ?

if they ask , just say the sheep belong to Count Piro ; it will be better for everybody . '

and the fox ran hastily on , as he did not wish to be seen talking to the shepherd .

very soon the king came up .

' What beautiful sheep ! ' he said , drawing up his horse .

' I have none so fine in my pastures .

whose are they ? '

' Count Piro 's , ' answered the shepherd , who did not know the king .

meanwhile the fox had met with a huge herd of pigs , snuffling about the roots of some trees .

' To whom do these pigs belong ? ' he asked of the swineherd .

' To an ogre , ' replied he .

if you tell them that the pigs belong to the ogre they will kill them , and then the ogre will kill you !

if they ask , just say that the pigs belong to Count Piro ; it will be better for everybody . '

and he ran hastily on .

soon after the king rode up .

' What fine pigs ! ' he said , reining in his horse .

' They are fatter than any I have got on my farms .

whose are they ? '

this time the fox ran faster than before , and in a flowery meadow he found a troop of horses feeding .

' Whose horses are these ? ' he asked of the man who was watching them .

' An ogre 's , ' replied he .

' Hush ! ' whispered the fox , ' do you see that crowd of armed men coming towards us ?

if you tell them the horses belong to an ogre they will drive them off , and then the ogre will kill you !

if they ask , just say they are Count Piro 's ; it will be better for everybody . '

and he ran on again .

in a few minutes the king rode up .

' Oh , what lovely creatures ! how I wish they were mine ! ' he exclaimed .

' Whose are they ? '

at last the fox came to the castle of the ogre himself .

he ran up the steps , with tears falling from his eyes , and crying :

' Oh , you poor , poor people , what a sad fate is yours ! '

' What has happened ? ' asked the ogre , trembling with fright .

' Do you see that troop of horsemen who are riding along the road ?

they are sent by the king to kill you ! '

' Oh , dear little fox , help us , we implore you ! ' cried the ogre and his wife .

' Well , I will do what I can , ' answered the fox .

' Do us the honour to dismount , your Majesty , ' said the fox , bowing low .

' This is the palace of Count Piro ! '

but why are there no servants ? '

he then rode on , leaving the bridal pair in the castle .

the next morning the fox said to Count Piro :

' A coffin for an animal ? ' said Count Piro .

' What nonsense ! just take him by the leg and throw him into the ditch . '

and when he actually did die , his coffin was made of silver , and Count Piro and his wife followed him to the grave .

From Sicilianische Mahrchen .

the Rogue And The Herdsman

the young man saw that there was no help for it , and he set out with a wallet full of food over his shoulder .

at length he came to a large house , at the door of which he knocked .

' What do you want ? ' asked the old man who opened it .

the youth made no answer to this .

he felt , if he was to be made to work after all , that he might as well have stayed where he was .

but as he did not see any other way of getting a bed , he went slowly in .

the herdsman's two daughters and their mother were sitting at supper , and invited him to join them .

nothing more was said about work , and when the meal was over they all went to bed .

in the morning , when the young man was dressed , the herdsman called to him and said :

' Now listen , and I will tell you what you have to do . '

' What is it ? ' asked the youth , sulkily .

' Nothing less than to look after two hundred pigs , ' was the reply .

' Oh , I am used to that , ' answered the youth .

' They belong to the king 's chief herdsman , ' answered his son .

now make the best of your good fortune , and kill them and hang them up at once . '

' What are you talking about ? ' cried the father , pale with horror .

' We should certainly both be put to death if I did any such thing . '

' No , no ; do as I tell you , and I will get out of it somehow , ' replied the young man .

and in the end he had his way .

the pigs were killed , and laid side by side in a row .

' Where are the pigs ? ' asked he .

' Oh , don't speak of them ! ' answered the young man ; ' I really can hardly tell you .

the moment they got into the field they became quite mad , and each ran in a different direction .

I ran too , hither and thither , but as fast as I caught one , another was off , till I was in despair .

' You have made up that story very well , ' replied the herdsman .

' No , it is the real truth ; come with me and I 'll prove it . '

and they went together to the spot , and there sure enough were the points of the tails sticking up out of the water .

he called to the young man to help him , but the two did not succeed any better than the one had done .

' Yes , your story was true after all ; it is a wonderful thing , ' said the herdsman .

' But I see it is no fault of yours , and I must put up with my loss as well as I can .

now let us return home , for it is time for supper .

next morning the herdsman said to the young man : ' I have got some other work for you to do .

To-day you must take a hundred sheep to graze ; but be careful that no harm befalls them . '

' I will do my best , ' replied the youth .

and he opened the gate of the fold , where the sheep had been all night , and drove them out into the meadow .

but in a short time they grew as wild as the pigs had done , and scattered in all directions .

but when the tale was ended the father shook his head .

' Give up these bad ways and take them back to your master , ' said he .

' No , no , ' answered the youth ; ' I am not so stupid as that !

we will kill them and have them for dinner . '

' You will lose your life if you do , ' replied the father .

and he killed all the sheep and laid them on the grass .

but he cut off the head of the ram which always led the flock and had bells round its horns .

as there was a soft breeze blowing , the bushes to which the head was tied moved gently , and the bells rang .

when all was done to his liking he hastened quickly back to his master .

' Where are the sheep ? ' asked the herdsman as the young man ran panting up the steps .

' Oh ! don't speak of them , ' answered he .

' It is only by a miracle that I am here myself . '

' Tell me at once what has happened , ' said the herdsman sternly .

the youth began to sob , and stammered out : ' I I hardly know how to tell you !

they they they were so so troublesome that I could not manage them at all .

they ran about in in all directions , and I I ran after them and nearly died of fatigue .

then I heard a a noise , which I I thought was the wind .

but but it was the sheep , which , be before my very eyes , were carried straight up up into the air .

' That is nothing but a lie from beginning to end , ' said the herdsman .

' No , it is as true as that there is a sun in heaven , ' answered the young man .

' Then give me a proof of it , ' cried his master .

' Well , come with me , ' said the youth .

by this time it was evening and the dusk was falling .

the young man brought the herdsman to the foot of the great rock , but it was so dark you could hardly see .

' Do you hear ? ' asked the youth .

' Yes , I hear ; you have spoken the truth , and I cannot blame you for what has happened .

I must bear the loss as best as I can . '

he turned and went home , followed by the young man , who felt highly pleased with his own cleverness .

when they heard the cow lowing they galloped all the faster , and soon they all arrived at his father 's house .

' Whose cattle are these , and why are they here ? ' he asked ; and his son told him the story .

' No , no ; they are a present to you !

they will make you fat ! '

last of all they came to the king 's cherished ox .

here the ox , thinking itself safe , stopped to rest , and thus gave the young man a chance to come up with it .

then the young man , who had been watching , ran home to his master .

' You have been away a long while , ' said the herdsman .

' Where are the cattle ? '

the young man gasped , and seemed as if he was unable to speak .

at last he answered :

' It is always the same story !

the oxen are gone gone ! '

' G-g-gone ? ' cried the herdsman .

' Scoundrel , you lie ! '

' I am telling you the exact truth , ' answered the young man .

' Directly we came to the meadow they grew so wild that I could not keep them together .

then the big ox broke away , and the others followed till they all disappeared down a deep hole into the earth .

' No , master , I am speaking the truth .

come and see for yourself . '

' If I find you have deceived me , you are a dead man , said the herdsman ; and they went out together .

' What do you call that ? ' asked the youth .

and the herdsman looked and saw the traces of a fire , which seemed to have sprung up from under the earth .

' Wonder upon wonder , ' he exclaimed , ' so you really did speak the truth after all !

well , I cannot reproach you , though I shall have to pay heavily to my royal master for the value of that ox .

but come , let us go home !

I will never set you to herd cattle again , henceforward I will give you something easier to do . '

just make me ten scythes , one for every man , for I want the grass mown in one of my meadows to-morrow . '

at these words the youth 's heart sank , for he had never been trained either as a smith or a joiner .

however , he dared not say no , but smiled and nodded .

slowly and sadly he went to bed , but he could not sleep , for wondering how the scythes were to be made .

so , listening to make sure that all was still , he stole away to his parents , and told them the whole story .

when they had heard everything , they hid him where no one could find him .

' It will cost you your life , if you do , ' answered the father , shaking his head .

' I want to speak to your master , ' said he .

' So it is you ? ' cried the herdsman , when he had received the message .

' Well , you can sleep here to-night if you wish . '

what could the poor man do but promise ?

and he fetched his youngest daughter , who seemed quite pleased at the proposed match , and gave the youth her hand .

then the young man went home to his parents , and bade them get ready to welcome his bride .

From Islandische Mahrchen .

Eisenkopf

then the old man fell ill , and things grew worse than ever , so he called his son and said to him :

' Good morning , ' answered the old man ; ' and where are you going ? '

' I am wandering through the country trying to get work , ' replied Peter .

' Then stay with me , for I can give you plenty , ' said the old man , and Peter stayed .

however , he did not say this to the old man , who had been kind to him , but just bade him farewell .

the nearer Peter drew to his father 's house the more ashamed he felt at having brought back such poor wages .

what could one nut do for him ?

why , it would not buy even a slice of bacon .

it was no use taking it home , he might as well eat it .

but who could ever guess what came out of that nut ?

why , horses and oxen and sheep stepped out in such numbers that they seemed as if they would stretch to the world 's end !

the sight gave Peter such a shock that he wrung his hands in dismay .

what was he to do with all these creatures , where was he to put them ?

he stood and gazed in terror , and at this moment Eisenkopf came by .

' What is the matter , young man ? ' asked he .

' Oh , my friend , there is plenty the matter , ' answered Peter .

' Listen to me , my son , ' said Eisenkopf .

' If you will promise never to marry I will drive them all back into the nut again . '

when the last foot had got inside , the two halves of the shell shut close .

then Peter put it in his pocket and went on to the house .

indeed Peter thought that there were even more of them than before .

the old man could not believe his eyes when he saw the multitudes of horses , oxen and sheep standing before his door .

' But , my dear father , I told you I can never marry , because of the promise I gave to Eisenkopf . '

' Oh , one promises here and promises there , but no one ever thinks of keeping such promises .

if Eisenkopf does not like your marrying , he will have to put up with it all the same !

when all is safe you will come back again , and we shall live as happily as two fish in the sea . '

and so it all happened .

the music was at its gayest , and the dance at its merriest , when Eisenkopf looked in at the window .

' Oh , ho , my brother ! what is going on here ?

it has the air of being a wedding feast .

yet I fancied was I mistaken ? that you had given me a promise that you never would marry . '

but Peter had not waited for the end of this speech .

scarcely had he seen Eisenkopf than he darted like the wind to the stable and flung himself on the horse 's back .

in another moment he was away over the mountain , with Eisenkopf running fast behind him .

' Good day , mother , ' said he , jumping down and opening the door .

' Good day , my son , ' answered she , ' and what are you doing here , at the world 's end ? '

so Peter went in and warmed himself and ate and drank , till suddenly the dog began to howl .

' Quick , my son , quick , you must go , ' cried the old woman .

and the lightning itself was not quicker than Peter .

Peter took them and put them into his bag , and waving his thanks for her kindness , he was off like the wind .

' Good day , mother , ' said he .

' Good day , my son !

what are you seeking here at the world 's end ? '

' Come in , my son , and have some food .

then she went to the kitchen and baked a number of cakes , more than Peter could have eaten in a whole month .

he had not finished a quarter of them , when the dog began to howl .

so Peter thanked her and was off like the wind .

listen to me , and do what I tell you .

ride seven days and nights straight before you , and on the eighth morning you will see a great fire .

strike it three times with the three napkins and it will part in two .

Peter thanked her for her counsel , and was careful to do exactly all the old woman had told him .

as he rode through the opening he threw the cakes behind him .

from each cake there sprang a huge dog , and he gave them the names of World's-weight , Ironstrong , and Quick-ear .

then he lay down by the fire and watched to see what would happen .

when Peter knew that he had nothing more to fear from Eisenkopf , he rode on slowly till he came to a small white house .

' What brings you here , my son ? ' asked the old woman .

' I am seeking for a place , mother , ' answered Peter .

' Stay with me , then , for I need a servant , ' said the old woman .

' With pleasure , mother , ' replied he .

after that Peter 's life was a very happy one .

he sowed and ploughed all day , except now and then when he took his dogs and went to hunt .

and whatever game he brought back the maiden with the golden hair knew how to dress it .

they fell into talk , and she asked him where his home was , and how he had managed to come through the fire .

Peter then told her the whole story , and of his striking the flames with the three napkins as he had been told to do .

the maiden listened attentively and wondered in herself whether what he said was true .

not long after , Peter came in and picked up the three napkins which the maiden had dropped on the threshold .

the next morning Peter locked up his dogs and went out into the forest alone .

' Come down at once , you gallows bird , ' he cried .

' Have you forgotten your promise that you never would marry ? '

' Oh , I know it is all up with me , ' answered Peter , ' but let me call out three times . '

' You are dreaming , fool , ' answered World's-weight ; ' why he has not finished his breakfast . '

and he gave Quick-ear a slap with his paw , for he was young and needed to be taught sense .

' Iron-strong , World's-weight , Quick-ear , fly to my help ! ' cried Peter again .

this time World's-weight heard also , and he said , ' Ah , now our master is really calling . '

' How silly you are ! ' answered Iron-strong ; ' you know that at this hour he is always eating . '

and he gave World's-weight a cuff , because he was old enough to know better .

it was his last chance , so making a mighty effort he shrieked once more :

' Iron-strong , World's-weight , Quick-ear , fly to my help , or I am a dead man ! '

and Iron-strong heard , and said : ' Yes , he is certainly calling , we must go at once . '

and in an instant he had burst open the door , and all three were bounding away in the direction of the voice .

when they reached the foot of the tree Peter just said : ' At him ! '

and in a few minutes there was nothing left of Eisenkopf .

it was really a magic ring , but neither Peter nor the maiden knew that .

Peter 's heart was heavy as he set out for home .

however , it was no use thinking of that , so he rode forward steadily .

after that he stopped at the houses of the three old women , and gave each one back her napkin and her cake .

' Where is my wife ? ' asked Peter , when he reached home .

' Oh , my dear son , why did you ever leave us ?

after you had vanished , no one knew where , your poor wife grew more and more wretched , and would neither eat nor drink .

at this news Peter began to weep , for he had loved his wife before he went away and had seen the golden-haired maiden .

the dream was so real that he awoke at once and changed the ring from one hand to the other .

and as he did so guess what he saw ?

why , the golden-haired girl standing before him .

and so they were .

From Ungarische Mahrchen .

the Death Of Abu Nowas And Of His Wife

' That is bad news , ' replied the Sultan ; ' I must get you another wife . '

and he bade his Grand Vizir send for the Sultana .

' This poor Abu Nowas has lost his wife , ' said he , when she entered the hall .

at this signal a maiden appeared and stood before her .

' I have got a husband for you , ' said the Sultana .

' Who is he ? ' asked the girl .

' Abu Nowas , the jester , ' replied the Sultana .

' I will take him , ' answered the maiden ; and as Abu Nowas made no objection , it was all arranged .

' We have run through our fortune , ' said Abu Nowas , ' what are we to do now ?

I am afraid to go back to the Sultan , for he will command his servants to turn me from the door .

but you shall return to your mistress , and throw yourself at her feet and weep , and perhaps she will help us . '

' Oh , you had much better go , ' said the wife .

' I shall not know what to say . '

when he hears that perhaps he will give us something . '

' Yes , that is a good plan , ' said the wife ; and Abu Nowas set out .

they smarted dreadfully , and he could hardly see to walk straight , and everyone wondered what was the matter with him .

' Abu Nowas !

what has happened ? ' cried the Sultan .

' Oh , noble Sultan , my wife is dead , ' wept he .

' We must all die , ' answered the Sultan ; but this was not the reply for which Abu Nowas had hoped .

' Well , give him a hundred pieces of gold , ' said the Sultan , turning to the Grand Vizir .

' Have you got anything ? ' cried his wife , who was waiting for him anxiously .

' What is the matter ? ' inquired the Sultana , at the sight of the dismal figure .

then Subida took up a purse containing two hundred gold pieces , and said : ' Your husband served us long and faithfully .

you must see that he has a fine funeral . '

the wife took the money , and , kissing the feet of the Sultana , she joyfully hastened home .

they spent some happy hours planning how they should spend it , and thinking how clever they had been .

oh , if they only knew , how angry they would be ! '

' Poor Abu Nowas is dead ! ' said Subida when he entered the room .

' It is not Abu Nowas , but his wife who is dead , ' answered the Sultan .

' No ; really you are quite wrong .

' You must be dreaming , ' exclaimed the Sultan .

' There is the Sultan 's door-keeper !

they have sent him here to find out the truth .

Quick ! throw yourself on the bed and pretend that you are dead . '

and in a moment the wife was stretched out stiffly , with a linen sheet spread across her , like a corpse .

she was only just in time , for the sheet was hardly drawn across her when the door opened and the porter came in .

' Has anything happened ? ' asked he .

' My poor wife is dead , ' replied Abu Nowas .

' Look ! she is laid out here . '

and the porter approached the bed , which was in a corner of the room , and saw the stiff form lying underneath .

' We must all die , ' said he , and went back to the Sultan .

' Well , have you found out which of them is dead ? ' asked the Sultan .

' Yes , noble Sultan ; it is the wife , ' replied the porter .

' And be sure you tell the truth about it , ' added she , ' or it will be the worse for you . '

as her chamberlain drew near the house , Abu Nowas caught sight of him .

' There is the Sultana 's chamberlain , ' he exclaimed in a fright .

' Now it is my turn to die .

be quick and spread the sheet over me . '

and he laid himself on the bed , and held his breath when the chamberlain came in .

' What are you weeping for ? ' asked the man , finding the wife in tears .

then he gently replaced the sheet and returned to the palace .

' Well , have you found out this time ? ' asked the Sultan .

' My lord , it is the husband who is dead . '

' But I tell you he was with me only a few hours ago , ' cried the Sultan angrily .

' I must get to the bottom of this before I sleep !

let my golden coach be brought round at once . '

the coach was before the door in another five minutes , and the Sultan and Sultana both got in .

Abu Nowas had ceased being a dead man , and was looking into the street when he saw the coach coming .

' Quick ! quick ! ' he called to his wife .

' The Sultan will be here directly , and we must both be dead to receive him . '

so they laid themselves down , and spread the sheet over them , and held their breath .

' Give them to me , then , ' said he , holding out his hand .

' You cannot give them to anyone who needs them more . '

' Oh , Abu Nowas , you impudent dog ! ' exclaimed the Sultan , bursting into a laugh , in which the Sultana joined .

' I might have known it was one of your tricks ! '

From Tunische Mahrchen .

Motiratika

they were perfectly happy together till , by-and-by , the woman fell ill and refused to take any food .

' Is there nothing you would like ? ' he said at last in despair .

' Yes , I think I could eat some wild honey , ' answered she .

the husband was overjoyed , for he thought this sounded easy enough to get , and he went off at once in search of it .

he came back with a wooden pan quite full , and gave it to his wife .

' I can't eat that , ' she said , turning away in disgust .

' Look ! there are some dead bees in it !

I want honey that is quite pure . '

and the man threw the rejected honey on the grass , and started off to get some fresh .

when he got back he offered it to his wife , who treated it as she had done the first bowlful .

in his fourth journey he managed to find some that she would eat , and then she begged him to get her some water .

this took him some time , but at length he came to a lake whose waters were sweetened with sugar .

' What is the matter with you ? ' asked the wife .

' You have drawn it from the pool that is full of frogs and willows ; you must get me some more . '

so the woman set out again and walked still further to another lake .

' This water tastes of rushes , ' he exclaimed , ' go and get some fresh . '

she stooped down to drink , when a horrible head bobbed up on the surface .

' How dare you steal my water ? ' cried the head .

' It is my husband who has sent me , ' she replied , trembling all over .

' But do not kill me !

you shall have my baby , if you will only let me go . '

' How am I to know which is your baby ? ' asked the Ogre .

' Oh , that is easily managed .

I will shave both sides of his head , and hang some white beads round his neck .

' Very well , ' said the ogre , ' you can go home . '

and after filling the pot she returned , and told her husband of the dreadful danger she had been in .

be sure you do not go outside , or some wild beast may eat you . '

' Very well , ' answered he .

' You are my father , ' he told one bone , ' and you are my mother .

now , then , tell me what I am to do . '

and be quick for you have no time to lose . '

Motikatika ! '

' Here we are ! here we are ! ' answered the babies , all running to meet him .

' It is Motikatika I want , ' said the ogre .

' We are all Motikatika , ' they replied .

the children waited for a little , wondering , and then they went away .

the ogre remained where he was , till the evening , when the woman returned from the fields .

' I have not seen Motikatika , ' said he .

' But why did you not call him by his name , as I told you ? ' she asked .

' I do not want maize , I want the baby , ' grumbled he ' and I will have him . '

' Have patience , ' answered she ; ' I will call him , and you can eat him at once . '

and she went into the hut and cried , ' Motikatika ! '

next morning Motikatika was sent out with a basket , and told to pick some beans for dinner .

on the way to the field he took out his bones and asked them what he was to do to escape from the ogre .

' Change yourself into a bird and snap off the beans , ' said the bones .

and the ogre chased away the bird , not knowing that it was Motikatika .

' Return here this evening , ' answered she , ' and you will find him in bed under this white coverlet .

then you can carry him away , and eat him at once . '

and when the ogre came , he seized Motikatika 's father and carried him outside the hut and ate him .

Adapted from the Ba-Ronga ( H Junod ) .

Niels And The Giants

the elder of the two was called Rasmus , and the younger Niels .

Niels took his gun with him .

' What do you want with that ? ' said Rasmus ; ' we have plenty to carry without it . '

but Niels could not be happy without his gun , and took it all the same .

one day , a little before sunset , they came to an inn which lay at the edge of a forest .

' We had better stay here for the night , ' said Rasmus .

' What an idea ! ' said Niels , who was growing impatient at the slow progress they were making .

' We can't travel by day for the heat , and we remain where we are all night .

it will be long enough before we get to Rome if we go on at this rate . '

we can ask at the inn here , and find out which way we ought to take . '

there was no sign-post to direct them , and the people in the inn had not told them which of the two roads to take .

' What 's to be done now ? ' said Rasmus .

' I think we had better have stayed at the inn . '

' There 's no harm done , ' said Niels .

' The night is warm , and we can wait here till morning .

one of us will keep watch till midnight , and then waken the other . '

Rasmus chose to take the first watch , and the others lay down to sleep .

it was very quiet in the forest , and Rasmus could hear the deer and foxes and other animals moving about among the rustling leaves .

Niels was wakened by the report .

' What 's that ? ' he said .

' I 've just shot a stag , ' said Rasmus , highly pleased with himself .

' That 's nothing , ' said Niels .

' I 've often shot a sparrow , which is a much more difficult thing to do . '

it was now close on midnight , so Niels began his watch , and Rasmus went to sleep .

it began to get colder , and Niels began to walk about a little to keep himself warm .

at a little distance he saw a fire , and beside it there sat three giants , busy with broth and beef .

' None of your tricks , ' growled the giant to the one who sat next him .

' What do you mean by hitting my fork like that , and making me prick myself ? '

' I never touched your fork , ' said the other .

' Don't try to get up a quarrel with me . '

' Look at it , then , ' said the first .

' Do you suppose I stuck it into my own chin for fun ? '

it will be a hard enough task as it is , but it will be altogether hopeless if we don't stick together .

' Thrice is lucky , ' said he to himself ; ' I 'll have another shot yet . '

this time it was the third giant 's fork that caught the bullet , and snapped in two .

Niels gave in , and the giant carried him back to his comrades .

if you do that , we shall not only let you off , but reward you handsomely . '

Niels had to consent , and the giants set out for the castle at once .

it was surrounded by a very high rampart , so high that even the giants could not touch the top of it .

' How am I to get over that ? ' said Niels .

' Quite easily , ' said the third giant ; ' I 'll throw you up on it . '

' No , thanks , ' said Niels .

Niels had to believe him , and allowed the giant to throw him up .

it was just opening its mouth to bark , when Niels fired , and it fell dead on the spot .

' Go down on the inside now , ' said the giant , ' and see if you can open the gate to us . '

the door was open , and the hall was brilliantly lighted , though there was no one to be seen .

so he hung up the horn again , and went further in to the castle .

' The giants can wait a little , ' he said .

Niels tore this in two , and put one half in his pocket , leaving the other half on the table .

on the floor he saw a pair of gold-embroidered slippers , and one of these he also put in his pocket .

after that he went back to the hall , and took down the horn again .

so the third also came in , and was served in the same way .

it appears from the story that giants were not given fair play !

he found the others still asleep , so he woke them up , and they again set out on their journey .

they thought he had found it , and asked no more questions .

when Niels left the castle , he shut the door behind him , and it closed with such a bang that the porter woke up .

how the giants had been killed seemed a little clearer now , but who had done it was as great a puzzle as before .

in the meantime Niels and the others tramped on towards Rome .

' Must we go over these ? ' said they .

' We shall be frozen to death or buried in the snow . '

' Here comes a man , ' said Niels ; ' let us ask him the way to Rome . '

they did so , and were told that there was no other way .

' And is it far yet ? ' said the old people , who were beginning to be worn out by the long journey .

' What 's this ? ' said Rasmus .

' Here 's a big house built since we passed this way before . '

' So it is , ' said Peter ; ' let's stay all night in it . '

however , when they saw what was written above the door , they were all well pleased to get a night 's lodging for nothing .

they were well received , and had so much attention given to them , that the old people were quite put out by it .

after they had got time to rest themselves , the princess 's steward came to hear their story .

' You saw what was written above the door , ' he said to the father .

' Tell me who you are and what your history has been . '

' Well , well , I will , ' said he , ' but there is nothing to tell about it .

we set out with our two sons but turned back long before we got there , and are now on our way home again .

' Did you question them all ? ' she said .

' You are getting careless , ' said the princess ; ' I shall go and talk to them myself . '

' Where is the sword ? ' said the princess .

before he had made up his mind , however , the steward was back with the sword , which the princess recognised at once .

' Where did you get this ? ' she said to Niels .

' That is enough , ' said the princess ; ' now we needn't ask any more questions .

send for my father the king at once . '

' Please let me go , ' said Niels ; ' I did you as much good as harm , at any rate . '

' Why , who said anything about doing harm ? ' said the princess .

' You must stay here till my father comes . '

Niels was made an earl by that time , and looked as handsome as any of them when dressed in all his robes .

shepherd Paul

' Good morning , friend , ' said Paul ; ' upon my word , you must be a strong man ! '

the man stopped his work and laughed .

' That is enough , ' cried he ; ' I see you are a smart fellow , let us become friends . '

' Very good , ' answered Paul , and they continued their journey together .

By-and-by they reached a man who was grinding stones to powder in his hands , as if they had been nuts .

' Good morning , ' said Paul politely ; ' upon my word , you must be a strong fellow ! '

' I am Stone Crusher , ' answered the man , and the greatest wish of my life is to wrestle with Shepherd Paul . '

after a short time the man declared himself beaten , and begged leave to go with them ; so they all three travelled together .

a little further on they came upon a man who was kneading iron as if it had been dough .

' Good morning , ' said Paul , ' you must be a strong fellow . '

' I am Iron Kneader , and should like to fight Shepherd Paul , ' answered he .

at midday they entered a forest , and Paul stopped suddenly .

' What are you cooking ? ' asked he , ' give me some of it . '

' I 'll give you some on your back , if you like , ' answered Tree Comber rudely .

so they went off , amusing themselves by thinking what was in store for Paul .

' Be off , ' cried Paul , snatching up the saucepan as he spoke .

' You are great useless creatures , ' said he , ' who couldn't even outwit that little dwarf .

when we have finished supper I will show you what I have done with him ! '

the four friends followed the track of the tree and found that it ended in a deep hole .

' He must have gone down here , ' said Paul , ' and I will go after him .

See ! there is a basket that will do for me to sit in , and a cord to lower me with .

but when I pull the cord again , lose no time in drawing the basket up . '

and he stepped into the basket , which was lowered by his friends .

at last it touched the ground and he jumped out and looked about him .

he was in a beautiful valley , full of meadows and streams , with a splendid castle standing by .

' Very good , ' answered the dragon .

' I am sure of my supper , but let us have a mouthful of something first , just to give us an appetite . '

then , seizing the monster by the neck , he dashed the remaining heads against the rock .

he did so , and it instantly changed into a golden apple , which he put in his pocket .

after that , they started on their search .

scarcely had he put it on when the dragon came back , and the fight began .

long and hard was the struggle , but Paul 's sword and his shirt helped him , and the twelve heads lay dead upon the ground .

' Well , my friend , so we meet once more !

have you forgotten me ?

I am Shepherd Paul , and I have come to wrestle with you , and to free your wife from your clutches . '

' Ah , I am glad to see you again , ' said the dragon .

' Those were my two brothers whom you killed , and now your blood shall pay for them . '

at this the dragon grew rather frightened , but in a moment had recollected his eighteen heads , and was bold again .

' Come on , ' he cried , rearing himself up and preparing to dart all his heads at once at Paul .

but Paul jumped underneath , and gave an upward cut so that six of the heads went rolling down .

they were the best heads too , and very soon the other twelve lay beside them .

then Paul changed the castle into an apple , and put it in his pocket .

afterwards he and the three girls set off for the opening which led upwards to the earth .

at length , one day , he happened to pass the nest of a huge griffin , who had left her young ones all alone .

then Paul thanked him and bade him farewell , and he returned home again .

' You know what to expect , ' Paul said to them quietly .

' You shall never see me again .

off with you ! '

From Ungarische Mahrchen .

how The Wicked Tanuki Was Punished

the hunters had hunted the wood for so many years that no wild animal was any more to be found in it .

if they were not dead , they had flown elsewhere .

only three creatures remained alive , and they had hidden themselves in the thickest part of the forest , high up the mountain .

these were a grey-furred , long-tailed tanuki , his wife the fox , who was one of his own family , and their little son .

' We are not so foolish as to risk our lives , ' they said to each other proudly .

something had to be done , but they did not know what .

suddenly a bright thought struck the tanuki .

' I have got a plan , ' he cried joyfully to his wife .

' I will pretend to be dead , and you must change yourself into a man , and take me to the village for sale .

I will manage to escape somehow , so do not worry about me . '

the fox laughed with delight , and rubbed her paws together with satisfaction .

' Well , next time I will go , ' she said , ' and you can sell me . '

and then she changed herself into a man , and picking up the stiff body of the tanuki , set off towards the village .

the buyer took the tanuki back to his house , and throwing him into a corner went out .

once outside , he hid himself in a ditch till it grew dusk , and then galloped away into the forest .

' It is my turn now to pretend to be dead , ' cried the fox .

so the tanuki changed himself into a peasant , and started for the village , with his wife 's body hanging over his shoulder .

the man did not need twice telling .

but the little tanaki stuck to his point , and at last the father proposed they should have a wager .

' Change yourself into any shape you like , ' said he , ' and I will undertake to know you .

the little tanuki agreed , and went down the road which his father had pointed out .

but in reality it was he who had deceived himself .

and the little tanoki saw it all , and rejoiced that his mother 's death had been avenged .

then he went back to the forest , and if he has not found it too lonely , he is probably living there still .

From Japanische Mahrchen .

the Crab And The Monkey

there was once a crab who lived in a hole on the shady side of a mountain .

she was to give him half the rice in exchange for the kernel of a sweet red kaki fruit which he had just eaten .

so the monkey went off with his rice , and the crab returned to her hole with the kernel .

' Good day , ' he said politely , ' you have some very fine fruit there !

I am very hungry , could you spare me one or two ? '

' Oh , certainly , ' replied the crab , ' but you must forgive me if I cannot get them for you myself .

I am no tree-climber . '

' Pray do not apologise , ' answered the monkey .

' Now that I have your permission I can get them myself quite easily . '

and the crab consented to let him go up , merely saying that he must throw her down half the fruit .

the crab understood that it was no use her scolding , so she resolved to try what cunning would do .

when he had beaten her till his arm ached he went his way .

then the crab dug itself a deep hole in the ground , so that not even the tip of her claws might be seen .

he waited for an answer of some sort , but none came .

he listened , but all was still ; then he peeped , and saw no one ; then he went in .

smarting with pain he ran to the bucket and stooped down to throw some water over his head .

as he stretched out his hand up started the wasp and stung him on the nose .

the monkey shrieked and ran to the door , but as he passed through down fell the mortar and struck him dead .

' After that the crab lived happily for many years , and at length died in peace under her own kaki tree .

From Japanische Mahrchen .

the Horse Gullfaxi And The Sword Gunnfoder

many many years ago there lived a king and queen who had one only son , called Sigurd .

one morning , as he sat by the grave , he noticed a richly dressed lady close to him .

he asked her name and she answered that it was Ingiborg , and seemed surprised to see the king there all alone .

then he told her how he had lost his queen , and how he came daily to weep at her grave .

one evening Ingiborg said to Sigurd : ' To-morrow your father is going out hunting , and you must go with him . '

but Sigurd said he would much rather stay at home , and the next day when the king rode off Sigurd refused to accompany him .

after the hunting party had started she hid Sigurd under her bed , and bade him be sure to lie there till she called him .

' Good morning , Sister Ingiborg , ' cried she as she entered the room , ' is Prince Sigurd at home ? '

' No , ' said Ingiborg ; ' he rode off to the forest with his father this morning . '

and she laid the table for her sister and set food before her .

Ingiborg again said ' No ' ; and the giantess took leave of her and went away .

when she was quite out of sight Ingiborg told Sigurd to come out of his hiding-place .

Sigurd , however , replied as before , that he would much rather stay at home .

so once more the king rode off alone .

this time Ingiborg hid Sigurd under the table , and scolded him well for not doing as she bade him .

' No , certainly not ! ' replied Ingiborg ; and with that they took leave of each other .

but it was all no use , he was quite obstinate and would not listen to a word she said .

' Good day , Sister Ingiborg ! ' she cried , in a voice like thunder ; ' is Prince Sigurd at home ? '

' Oh , no , ' answered Ingiborg , ' he is enjoying himself out there in the forest .

I expect it will be quite dark before he comes back again . '

' That 's a lie ! ' shouted the giantess .

' Quite , ' said Ingiborg .

' I 've told you already that he rode off with his father this morning to hunt in the forest . '

and with these words she stalked off .

there you will see a giantess looking out over the rocks .

she will call down to you and say : " ah , this is just what I wanted !

here is Prince Sigurd .

he shall go into the pot to-night " ; but don't be frightened by her .

this will please her , and she will ask you to wrestle with her .

after that she will let you stay there all night .

the same thing will happen with my two other sisters .

now , good-bye , and don't forget your stepmother . '

then Ingiborg dropped the ball on the ground , and Sigurd bade her farewell .

' Ah , just what I wanted ! ' she cried out when she saw him ; ' here is Prince Sigurd .

he shall go into the pot to-night .

come up , my friend , and wrestle with me . '

with these words she reached out a long boat hook and hauled him up the cliff .

at first Sigurd was rather frightened , but he remembered what Ingiborg had said , and gave the giantess her sister 's message and the ring .

the giantess was delighted , and challenged him to wrestle with her .

' You may stay here to-night , ' said she ; and he was glad of the rest .

here is Prince Sigurd .

he shall go into the pot to-night .

come up quickly and wrestle with me . '

and she lost no time in hauling him up .

the prince gave her his stepmother 's message and the second largest ring .

the giantess was greatly pleased when she saw the ring , and at once challenged Sigurd to wrestle with her .

when she saw who was there she cried out : ' Ah , this is just what I wanted !

here comes Prince Sigurd .

into the pot he goes this very night .

come up here , my friend , and wrestle with me . '

and she hauled him up just as her sisters had done .

Sigurd then gave her his stepmother 's message and the last and largest ring .

the sight of the red gold delighted the giantess , and she challenged Sigurd to a wrestling match .

' You have beaten me , ' she gasped , so now , listen to me .

' Not far from here is a lake .

go there ; you will find a little girl playing with a boat .

try to make friends with her , and give her this little gold ring .

you are stronger than ever you were , and I wish you good luck . '

he went up to her and asked what her name was .

she was called Helga , she answered , and she lived near by .

so Sigurd gave her the little gold ring , and proposed that they should have a game .

the little girl was delighted , for she had no brothers or sisters , and they played together all the rest of the day .

Helga tucked the bundle under her arm and threw it on the bed in her room .

almost at the same moment her father rushed in and hunted round in every corner , crying out : ' This place smells of men .

what 's that you threw on the bed , Helga ? '

' A bundle of wool , ' said she .

' Oh , well , perhaps it was that I smelt , ' said the old man , and troubled himself no more .

the following day Helga went out to play and took the bundle of wool with her under her arm .

when she reached the lake she held her glove over it again and Sigurd resumed his own shape .

they played the whole day , and Sigurd taught Helga all sorts of games she had never even heard of .

Helga grew red and did not answer .

just once ; I promise not to ask any more . '

' Ride him round the house ! ' cried Helga , growing pale at the mere idea .

' Ride Gullfaxi !

why father would never , never forgive me , if I let you do that . '

' But it can't do him any harm , ' argued Sigurd ; ' you don't know how careful I will be .

I have ridden all sorts of horses at home , and have never fallen off not once .

oh , Helga , do ! '

but , instead of mounting Gullfaxi , as she expected , Sigurd stood still .

' And the sword , ' he said , looking fondly up to the place where it hung .

' My father is a king , but he has not got any sword so beautiful as that .

why , the jewels in the scabbard are more splendid than the big ruby in his crown !

has it got a name ?

some swords have , you know . '

I don't suppose , if you are to get on the horse at all , it would matter your taking the sword too .

and if you take the sword you will have to carry the stick and the stone and the twig as well . '

' They are easily carried , ' said Sigurd , gazing at them with scorn ; ' what wretched dried-up things !

why in the world do you keep them ? '

having said all this she allowed Sigurd to ride ' just once ' round the house , taking the sword and other things with him .

but when he had ridden round , instead of dismounting , he suddenly turned the horse 's head and galloped away .

soon after this Helga 's father came home and found his daughter in tears .

the next time Sigurd glanced round , the giant was so near that he almost touched Gullfaxi 's tail .

in an agony of fear Sigurd turned quickly in his saddle and hit the stone with the stick .

no sooner had he done this than a terrible hailstorm burst behind , and the giant was killed on the spot .

but had Sigurd struck the stone without turning round , the hail would have driven right into his face and killed him instead .

Wild with anger Prince Sigurd sprang from his horse and , sword in hand , fell on the men and killed them all .

then he released his stepmother , and went in with her to see his father .

he could hardly believe his own eyes for joy when he saw the prince , and Sigurd told him all his adventures .

From Islandische Mahrchen .

the Story Of The Sham Prince , Or The Ambitious Tailor

once upon a time there lived a respectable young tailor called Labakan , who worked for a clever master in Alexandria .

he stood a long time gazing at it , admiring the rich material and the splendid embroidery in it .

at last he could hold out no longer .

he felt he must try it on , and lo ! and behold , it fitted as though it had been made for him .

' Has not the master often said that I seemed born to be a prince ? '

he collected all his savings , and , concealed by the darkness of the night , he passed through the gates of Alexandria .

if anyone asked questions , he only replied with an important air of mystery that he had his own reasons for not riding .

the newcomer was a bright , cheerful , good-looking young man , who soon plunged into conversation and asked many questions .

Labakan was not quite so open in his confidences , but hinted that he too was of noble birth and was travelling for pleasure .

the two young men took a fancy to each other and rode on together .

Elfi Bey , Pacha of Cairo , had brought up Omar from his earliest childhood , and the boy had never known his parents .

these thoughts haunted him all day , and he dreamt them all night .

the dagger which was to act as a passport was sticking in Omar 's girdle .

Labakan drew it gently out , and hesitated for a moment whether or not to plunge it into the heart of the sleeping prince .

for two days Labakan rode on steadily , fearing lest , after all , Omar might reach the meeting place before him .

at the end of the second day he saw the great pillar at a distance .

it stood on a little hill in the middle of a plain , and could be seen a very long way off .

Labakan 's heart beat fast at the sight .

though he had had some time in which to think over the part he meant to play his conscience made him rather uneasy .

however , the thought that he must certainly have been born to be a king supported him , and he bravely rode on .

towards the middle of the next day he saw a long procession of horses and camels coming towards him .

it halted at the bottom of the hill , and some splendid tents were pitched .

everything looked like the escort of some great man .

the first rays of the rising sun woke the happy tailor .

here he dismounted , tied the horse to a bush , and , drawing out Prince Omar 's dagger climbed up the hill .

at the foot of the pillar stood six men round a tall and stately person .

' Praised be the Prophet who has preserved you ! replied the old man with tears of joy .

' Embrace me , my dear son Omar ! '

the proud tailor was deeply moved by these solemn words , and with mingled shame and joy sank into the old king 's arms .

but his happiness was not long unclouded .

as he raised his head he saw a horseman who seemed trying to urge a tired or unwilling horse across the plain .

at last the horseman reached the foot of the hill .

here he flung himself from the saddle and hurried up to the pillar .

' Stop ! ' he cried , ' whoever you may be , and do not let a disgraceful impostor take you in .

my name is Omar , and let no one attempt to rob me of it . '

this turn of affairs threw the standers-by into great surprise .

the old king in particular seemed much moved as he looked from one face to the other .

at last Labakan spoke with forced calmness , ' Most gracious lord and father , do not let yourself be deceived by this man .

these words infuriated the prince .

let him be bound and placed on a dromedary .

perhaps we may be able to get some help for him . '

' Oh ! heaven forbid ! ' was the reply .

' He is talking nonsense again .

how can the poor man have got such notions into his head ? '

with these words the king took Labakan 's arm to support him down the hill .

they both mounted richly caparisoned horses and rode across the plain at the head of their followers .

the old king was Sached , Sultan of the Wachabites .

for many years he had had no children , but at length the son he had so long wished for was born .

all this the sultan told Labakan , and was much pleased by his appearance and dignified manner .

all this filled Labakan 's proud heart with rapture , whilst the unfortunate Omar followed in silent rage and despair .

at length they arrived in the capital , where the public rejoicings were grander and more brilliant than anywhere else .

the queen awaited them in the great hall of the palace , surrounded by her entire court .

it was getting dark , and hundreds of coloured hanging lamps were lit to turn night into day .

the brightest hung round the throne on which the queen sat , and which stood above four steps of pure gold inlaid with great amethysts .

in this state she awaited her husband and her son .

and now the sound of trumpets and drums and of shouts and cheers outside announced the long looked for moment .

' Here , ' said he , ' is he for whom you have been longing so many years . '

but the queen interrupted him , ' That is not my son ! ' she cried .

' That is not the face the Prophet has shown me in my dreams ! '

' Hold ! ' cried she .

the guards had stepped back , but the king called to them in a furious voice to secure the madman .

' He stole it from me , ' shrieked Omar ; ' he betrayed my unsuspicious confidence . '

but the king would not listen to his son 's voice , for he had always been accustomed to depend on his own judgment .

when the first shock was over she began to think how she could manage to convince the king of his mistake .

she called her oldest and wisest ladies about her and asked their advice , but none of them had any to give .

' Yes , ' replied the queen ; ' but what of that ? '

if this should be the case , I know of a capital way to find out the truth . '

and she whispered some words to the queen , who seemed much pleased , and went off at once to see the king .

the king laughed .

' No , no , that will never do .

do you suppose my son would compete with that crazy tailor as to which could make the best clothes ?

oh , dear , no , that won't do at all . '

but the queen claimed his promise , and as he was a man of his word the king gave in at last .

he went to his son and begged that he would humour his mother , who had set her heart on his making a kaftan .

the worthy Labakan laughed to himself .

' If that is all she wants , ' thought he , ' her majesty will soon be pleased to own me . '

on the third day they sent for the two young men and their work .

Labakan came first and spread out his kaftan before the eyes of the astonished king .

' See , father , ' he said ; ' see , my honoured mother , if this is not a masterpiece of work .

I 'll bet the court tailor himself cannot do better .

the queen smiled and turned to Omar : ' And what have you done , my son ? '

impatiently he threw the stuff and scissors down on the floor .

do you not see yourself now which is the prince and which the tailor ?

he ordered his swiftest horse to be saddled , mounted , and rode off alone into a forest at some little distance .

he had hardly finished speaking when one of the cedar trees opened , and a veiled figure all dressed in white stepped from it .

take these two little boxes and let the two men who claim to be your son choose between them .

I know that the real prince will make no mistake . '

she then handed him two little boxes made of ivory set with gold and pearls .

on the lid of each ( which the king vainly tried to open ) was an inscription in diamonds .

on one stood the words ' Honour and Glory , ' and on the other ' Wealth and Happiness . '

' It would be a hard choice , ' thought the king as he rode home .

with a proud air he walked up to the throne , and kneeling down , asked :

' What does my lord and father command ? '

the king replied : ' My son , doubts have been thrown on your claim to that name .

one of these boxes contains the proofs of your birth .

choose for yourself .

no doubt you will choose right . '

he then pointed to the ivory boxes , which were placed on two little tables near the throne .

Labakan rose and looked at the boxes .

I choose the box with the words " Wealth and Happiness . " '

' We shall see presently if you have chosen the right one .

for the present take a seat there beside the Pacha of Medina , ' replied the king .

Omar was next led in , looking sad and sorrowful .

he threw himself down before the throne and asked what was the king 's pleasure .

the king pointed out the two boxes to him , and he rose and went to the tables .

should I lose a crown by it I make my choice of " honour and Glory . " '

the boxes were opened with the greatest ease .

in the one Omar had chosen lay a little gold crown and sceptre on a velvet cushion .

In Labakan 's box was found a large needle with some thread !

the king told the two young men to bring him their boxes .

they did so .

he placed it on the head of his son Omar , kissed him on the forehead , and placed him on his right hand .

then , turning to Labakan , he said : ' There is an old proverb , " the cobbler sticks to his last . "

it seems as though you were to stick to your needle .

you have not deserved any mercy , but I cannot be harsh on this day .

I give you your life , but I advise you to leave this country as fast as you can . '

Full of shame , the unlucky tailor could not answer .

he flung himself down before Omar , and with tears in his eyes asked : ' Can you forgive me , prince ? '

' Go in peace , ' said Omar as he raised him .

in the midst of all the noise and rejoicing Labakan slipped off with his little box under his arm .

he went to the stables , saddled his old horse , Murva , and rode out of the gate towards Alexandria .

nothing but the ivory box with its diamond motto was left to show him that the last few weeks had not been a dream .

when he reached Alexandria he rode up to his old master 's door .

they only fell to beating him again , and at last pushed him out of the house more dead than alive .

he could do nothing but remount his horse and ride to an inn .

here he found a quiet place in which to rest his bruised and battered limbs and to think over his many misfortunes .

he fell asleep fully determined to give up trying to be great , but to lead the life of an honest workman .

next morning he set to work to fulfil his good resolutions .

he sold his little box to a jeweller for a good price , bought a house and opened a workshop .

after a while he was called away , and when he went back to his work he found a wonderful thing had happened !

Labakan soon got plenty of customers .

he used to cut out the clothes , make the first stitch with the magic needle , and then leave it to do the rest .

before long the whole town went to him , for his work was both so good and so cheap .

the only puzzle was how he could do so much , working all alone , and also why he worked with closed doors .

the Colony Of Cats

at last the day came when she was at the end of her courage and patience , and exclaimed to her mother and sister :

' Be off with you ! ' cried her mother , seizing an old broom-handle from behind the door .

never had the house been kept so clean , the meats so well served , nor the sick cats so well cared for .

old Gatto , being a sensible old cat , understood the little servant 's feelings .

' You shall go home , ' he said , ' and you shall not come back here unless you please .

but first you must be rewarded for all your kind services to my children .

Lizina looked round her in astonishment as they went down into the great vaulted cellar underneath the kitchen .

before her stood the big earthenware water jars , one of which contained oil , the other a liquid shining like gold .

but Father Gatto replied : ' No , no ; you have deserved something better than that . '

and seizing her in his strong paws he plunged her into the liquid gold .

her pretty pink cheeks and long black hair alone kept their natural colour , otherwise she had become like a statue of pure gold .

father Gatto purred loudly with satisfaction .

immediately a beautiful golden star appeared on her forehead , crowning her glossy black hair .

the golden star , too , could not be removed from her forehead .

but all the gold pieces she drew from her pockets had found their way to her mother and sister .

when they heard that Peppina was her sister , they all ran to meet her .

' She is not the least like her , ' the kittens whispered among themselves .

' Hush , be quiet ! ' the older cats said ; ' all servants cannot be pretty . '

no , decidedly she was not at all like Lizina .

even the most reasonable and large-minded of the cats soon acknowledged that .

with every day that passed the household became more and more aware of its misfortune .

at Father Gatto 's next visit he found the whole colony in a state of uproar .

' Caesar has one paw so badly swollen that it looks as if it were broken , ' said one .

' Peppina kicked him with her great wooden shoes on .

there is no putting up with the creature do send her away , Father Gatto !

Lizina herself would not be angry with us ; she must know very well what her sister is like . '

' Come here , ' said Father Gatto , in his most severe tones to Peppina .

and he took her down into the cellar and showed her the same two great jars that he had showed Lizina .

father Gatto 's yellow eyes darted fire .

stumbling and raging , Peppina set off for home , thinking herself fortunate to find a stick by the wayside with which to support herself .

she was within sight of her mother 's house when she heard in the meadow on the right , the voice of a donkey loudly braying .

their mother was furious .

next morning , when the prince arrived to claim his bride , he found her wrapped in a large white veil .

the prince was young and a little timid , so he made no objections , and seated Peppina in the carriage beside him .

mew , mew , mew !

Prince , look quick behind you !

in the well is fair Lizina , And you 've got nothing but Peppina .

' Does your highness know what the grimalkins are saying ? ' and the song broke forth again louder than ever .

how To Find Out A True Friend

once upon a time there lived a king and queen who longed to have a son .

and fancy their delight when one evening the king returned home from hunting and saw a baby lying in the cradle .

all the people came crowding round to peep at it , and declared it was the most beautiful baby that ever was seen .

of course that is what they always say , but this time it happened to be true .

in this way six years passed by , and his eighteenth birthday drew near .

so day by day she grew more and more sorrowful , and when she was alone wept bitterly .

' Nothing , nothing , my son ; there is only one thing in the world that troubles me . '

' What is that one thing ? ' asked he .

' Are you afraid your property is badly managed ?

let me go and look into the matter . '

the cattle are thriving ; the fields are thick with corn , and soon they will be ripe for harvest . '

and for a whole year my eyes will never be gladdened by the sight of you , for the shrine is far away . '

' Will it take no longer than that to reach it ? ' said he .

' Oh , don't be so wretched ; it is only dead people who never return .

as long as I am alive you may be sure I will come back to you . '

you will need a companion in the long journey on which you are going .

after you have eaten cut one of these apples in two unequal parts , and ask him to take one .

if he takes the larger bit , then part from him , for he is no true friend to you .

but if he takes the smaller bit treat him as your brother , and share with him all you have . '

then she kissed her son once more , and blessed him , and let him go .

' Where are you going , my fine fellow ? '

By-and-by they reached an inn , and at sight of it the king 's son said , ' I am very hungry .

let us enter and order something to eat . '

the other consented , and they were soon sitting before a good dinner .

' Farewell , ' said the king 's son , glad in his heart to get rid of him so easily .

but he was very sociable and the way seemed long and dull by himself .

I hate being alone . '

when he had given the young man a good start he set off himself , but the way seemed even longer and duller than before .

the youth came up to him and said , ' Which way are you going , my fine fellow ? '

and for the third time the king 's son explained all about his mother 's vow .

why , that is just like me , ' cried the youth .

' Then let us ride on together , ' answered the king 's son .

and the stranger agreed to all he said , and they rode forward together .

it took them a whole year to reach the shrine , and they passed through many different lands on their way .

so they hired a small house close to the royal castle , and took up their abode there .

when the king 's son awoke the next morning he inquired of the servants where his friend had gone , as he did not see him .

' He died suddenly last night , ' said they , ' and is to be buried immediately . '

now the young man was not really dead , but only in a deep sleep .

' St James , ' he said , ' I have fulfilled the vow my parents made for me .

I have come myself to your shrine , and have brought my friend .

I place him in your hands .

restore him to life , I pray , for though he be dead yet has he fulfilled his vow also . '

and , behold ! while he yet prayed his friend got up and stood before him as well as ever .

and both the young men gave thanks , and set their faces towards home .

when they arrived at the town where the king dwelt they entered the small house over against the castle .

the young man himself could imagine no greater happiness , and when the marriage was over they spent some months at the court making merry .

at length the king 's son said , ' My mother awaits me at home , full of care and anxiety .

here I must remain no longer , and to-morrow I will take my wife and my friend and start for home . '

and the king was content that he should do so , and gave orders to prepare for their journey .

' See that you are quick , ' said he , ' for your friend will await your return before he starts . '

the youth put spurs to his horse and departed , bidding the prince farewell , so that the king 's message might be delivered the sooner .

' I cannot start without my friend , ' replied the king 's son .

the king 's son allowed himself to be persuaded and took leave of his father-in-law , and set out with his wife on his journey home .

' Your comrade is a long way off by now ; you had better see if you can overtake him . '

so the young man bowed and left the king 's presence , and followed after his friend on foot , for he had no horse .

but the king 's son welcomed him with joy , and tended him as he would his brother .

when they heard of the queen 's summons they flocked from all parts , but none could cure him .

now this was a holy man , who had heard of the trouble the king 's son was in , and had come to help .

he could not be prevailed on to leave the sick bed , and he was bending over it when the holy man entered the room .

' Do you wish your friend to be cured ? ' asked the new comer of the king 's son .

' And what price would you pay ? '

' What price ? ' answered the king 's son ; ' only tell me what I can do to heal him . '

' Listen to me , then , ' said the old man .

' This evening you must take your child , and open her veins , and smear the wounds of your friend with her blood .

and you will see , he will get well in an instant . '

but the little child lay as white and still as if she had been dead .

they laid her in the cradle and wept bitterly , for they thought that by the next morning she would be lost to them .

at sunrise the old man returned and asked after the sick man .

' He is as well as ever , ' answered the king 's son .

' And where is your baby ? '

' In the cradle yonder , and I think she is dead , ' replied the father sadly .

with these words he lifted his hand in blessing and vanished .

and they obeyed him , and were happy and content , and tried to make the people of the land happy and contented too .

From Sicilianische Mahrehen Gonzenbach .

Clever Maria

there was once a merchant who lived close to the royal palace , and had three daughters .

they were all pretty , but Maria , the youngest , was the prettiest of the three .

you must let nobody into the house .

when I come back , they will tell me what has happened . '

' Nothing will have happened , ' said the girls .

when they saw who was there , Maria said , ' Let us go and get a bottle of wine from the cellar .

I will carry the key , my eldest sister can take the light , while the other brings the bottle . '

but the king replied , ' Oh , do not trouble ; we are not thirsty . '

' Who is there so late ? ' asked the old woman , thrusting her head out of the window .

' Oh , let me in , ' answered Maria .

so the old woman opened the door and Maria slept in her house .

you might bring me one or two . '

then she seized the cord and clambered up to the window .

this time she met the king , who said to her , ' Ah , here you are again , cunning one !

now you shall pay for your misdeeds . '

and he began to cross-question her about what she had done .

as he spoke , he started for the house , looking back from time to time to make sure that Maria had not run away .

this so enraged the king that he became quite ill , and for many months his life was despaired of .

meanwhile the two elder sisters had married the two friends of the king , and were the mothers of little daughters .

' Who will carry these flowers to the king , who lies sick of love ? '

and the king in his bed heard what she said , and ordered one of his attendants to go out and buy the basket .

it was brought to his bedside , and as he raised the lid cries were heard , and peeping in he saw two little children .

and now there was this fresh misfortune , for how was he to make a coat of stone ?

he wrung his hands and declared that the king would be the ruin of him , when Maria suddenly entered .

' That is no good , ' said the king , when the merchant had told him what he had come for .

' Well , I can't make the coat you want , ' replied he .

' Then if you would save your head , hand over to me your daughter Maria . '

the merchant did not reply , but went sorrowfully back to his house , where Maria sat waiting for him .

' Oh , my dear child , why was I born ?

the king says that , instead of the coat , I must deliver you up to him . '

so the old man went out at once to see about it .

' Senhora Maria , I hope you are well , ' said the king when he entered the room .

the doll nodded .

the man who could kill you deserves to die ! '

and the next day they were married and lived happily for many years .

From the Portuguese .

the Magic Kettle

right in the middle of Japan , high up among the mountains , an old man lived in his little house .

one day he was standing looking at the mountain opposite , when he heard a kind of rumbling noise in the room behind him .

then he took the other kettle off the fire , filled the new one with water , and put it in its place .

then , quite exhausted , they sat down on the mats , and consulted together what they should do with this troublesome beast .

at length they decided to sell him , and bade a child who was passing send them a certain tradesman called Jimmu .

but , to his surprise , no tanuki was there , nothing but the kettle he had found in the corner .

but nothing was there except the kettle , which seemed quiet enough .

he thought that he must have been dreaming , and fell asleep again , only to be roused a second time by the same disturbance .

after he grew weary of that , he ran on the balcony , where he turned several somersaults , from pure gladness of heart .

as soon as he had tidied his house , Jimmu set off to tell his story to a friend next door .

Jimmu thanked his friend for his counsel , which he followed exactly .

then Jimmu took it back , and setting it on the platform , commanded it to become a tanuki .

and so very likely he would , if Jimmu had not declared he had danced enough , and that the booth must now be closed .

yet he did not feel happy .

the man thanked Jimmu , and said that few people would have been as honest as he .

Adapted from Japanische Mahrchen

end of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Crimson Fairy Book , by Various

( an earlier version was prepared by K . Nordquist and Barbara Tozier . )

THE ADVENTURES OF DANNY MEADOW MOUSE

BOOKS BY THORNTON W BURGESS

BEDTIME STORY-BOOKS

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF REDDY FOX @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF JOHNNY CHUCK @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF PETER COTTONTAIL @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF UNC ' BILLY POSSUM @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF MR . MOCKER @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF JERRY MUSKRAT @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF DANNY MEADOW MOUSE @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF GRANDFATHER FROG @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF CHATTERER , THE RED SQUIRREL @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF SAMMY JAY @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF BUSTER BEAR @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF OLD MR . TOAD @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF PRICKLY PORKY @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF OLD MAN COYOTE @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF PADDY THE BEAVER @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF POOR MRS . QUACK @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY COON @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF JIMMY SKUNK @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF BOB WHITE @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF OL ' MISTAH BUZZARD

OLD MOTHER WEST WIND SERIES

@number@

OLD MOTHER WEST WIND @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S CHILDREN @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S ANIMAL FRIENDS @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S NEIGHBORS @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S " WHY " STORIES @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S " HOW " STORIES @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S " WHEN " STORIES @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S " WHERE " STORIES

GREEN MEADOW SERIES

@number@

HAPPY JACK @number@

MRS PETER RABBIT

Illustration : " I tell you what , you stay right here ! "

FRONTISPIECE .

see page @number@

BURGESS TRADE QUADDIES MARK

the Bedtime Story-Books

THE ADVENTURES OF DANNY MEADOW MOUSE

BY THORNTON W BURGESS

author of " the Adventures of Reddy Fox , " " old Mother West Wind , " etc

with Illustrations by HARRISON CADY

Illustration

BOSTON LITTLE , BROWN , AND COMPANY @number@

Copyright , @number@ , BY LITTLE , BROWN , AND COMPANY .

all rights reserved

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE I DANNY MEADOW MOUSE IS WORRIED @date@ .

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE AND HIS SHORT TAIL @date@ .

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE PLAYS HIDE AND SEEK @date@ .

OLD GRANNY FOX TRIES FOR DANNY MEADOW MOUSE @date@ . WHAT HAPPENED ON THE GREEN MEADOWS @date@ .

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE REMEMBERS AND REDDY FOX FORGETS @date@ .

OLD GRANNY FOX TRIES A NEW PLAN @date@ .

BROTHER NORTH WIND PROVES A FRIEND @number@ IX .

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE IS CAUGHT AT LAST @number@ X . a STRANGE RIDE AND HOW IT ENDED @number@ XI .

PETER RABBIT GETS A FRIGHT @number@ XII .

THE OLD BRIAR-PATCH HAS A NEW TENANT @number@ XIII .

PETER RABBIT VISITS THE PEACH ORCHARD @number@ XIV .

FARMER BROWN SETS A TRAP @number@ XV .

PETER RABBIT IS CAUGHT IN A SNARE @number@ XVI .

PETER RABBIT'S HARD JOURNEY @number@ XVII .

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE BECOMES WORRIED @number@ XVIII .

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE RETURNS A KINDNESS @number@ XIX .

PETER RABBIT AND DANNY MEADOW MOUSE LIVE HIGH @number@ XX .

TIMID DANNY MEADOW MOUSE @number@ XXI .

AN EXCITING DAY FOR DANNY MEADOW MOUSE @number@ XXII .

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT TO DANNY MEADOW MOUSE @number@ XXIII .

REDDY FOX GROWS CURIOUS @number@ XXIV .

REDDY FOX LOSES HIS TEMPER @number@

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

" I TELL YOU WHAT , YOU STAY RIGHT HERE ! "

Frontispiece " GOT PLENTY TO EAT AND DRINK , HAVEN'T YOU ? "

THE ADVENTURES OF DANNY MEADOW MOUSE

I

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE IS WORRIED

he had only a nod for Jimmy Skunk , and even Peter Rabbit could get no more than a grumpy " good morning . "

it wasn't that he had been caught napping the day before by Reddy Fox and nearly made an end of .

no , it wasn't that .

Danny had learned his lesson , and Reddy would never catch him again .

it wasn't that he was all alone with no one to play with .

Danny was rather glad that he was alone .

the fact is , Danny Meadow Mouse was worried .

but you know it is the easiest thing in the world to find something to worry over and make yourself uncomfortable about .

and when you make yourself uncomfortable , you are almost sure to make every one around you equally uncomfortable .

it was so with Danny Meadow Mouse .

and what do you think was the matter with Danny Meadow Mouse ?

why , he was worrying because his tail is short .

yes , Sir , that is all that ailed Danny Meadow Mouse that bright morning .

you know some people let their looks make them miserable .

they worry because they are homely or freckled , or short or tall , or thin or stout , all of which is very foolish .

and Danny Meadow Mouse was just as foolish in worrying because his tail is short .

it is short !

it certainly is all of that !

Danny never had realized how short until he chanced to meet his cousin Whitefoot , who lives in the Green Forest .

he was very elegantly dressed , but the most imposing thing about him was his long , slim , beautiful tail .

ever since he had been thinking and thinking , and wondering how his family came to have such short tails .

then he grew envious and began to wish and wish and wish that he could have a long tail like his cousin Whitefoot .

if it hadn't been for one of the Merry Little Breezes , Danny would have been caught .

and all because he was envious .

it 's a bad , bad habit .

II

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE AND HIS SHORT TAIL

ALL Danny Meadow Mouse could think about was his short tail .

instead of playing in the sunshine as he used to do , he sat and sulked .

pretty soon his friends began to pass without stopping .

finally one day old Mr Toad sat down in front of Danny and began to ask questions .

" what 's the matter ? " asked old Mr Toad .

" nothing , " replied Danny Meadow Mouse .

Illustration : " got plenty to eat and drink , haven't you ? " continued Mr . toad .

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Danny fidgeted , and old Mr Toad looked up at jolly , round , red Mr Sun and winked .

" sun is just as bright as ever , isn't it ? " he inquired .

" yes , " said Danny .

" got plenty to eat and drink , haven't you ? " continued Mr . toad .

" yes , " said Danny .

" seems to me that that is a pretty good looking suit of clothes you 're wearing , " said Mr Toad , eyeing Danny critically .

Danny hung his head .

finally he looked up and caught a kindly twinkle in old Mr Toad 's eyes .

" Mr Toad , how can I get a long tail like my cousin Whitefoot of the Green Forest ? " he asked .

" so that 's what 's the matter !

Ha ! ha ! ha !

Danny Meadow Mouse , I 'm ashamed of you !

I certainly am ashamed of you ! " said Mr Toad .

" what good would a long tail do you ?

tell me that . "

for a minute Danny didn't know just what to say .

" I I I 'd look so much better if I had a long tail , " he ventured .

old Mr Toad just laughed .

" you never saw a Meadow Mouse with a long tail , did you ?

of course not .

what a sight it would be !

why , everybody on the Green Meadows would laugh themselves sick at the sight !

you see you need to be slim and trim and handsome to carry a long tail well .

and then what a nuisance it would be !

you would always have to be thinking of your tail and taking care to keep it out of harm 's way .

look at me .

I 'm homely .

some folks call me ugly to look at .

" perhaps you are right , " said Danny Meadow Mouse after a little .

" I 'll try . "

III

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE PLAYS HIDE AND SEEK

LIFE is always a game of hide and seek to Danny Meadow Mouse .

Danny liked the snow .

yes , Sir , Danny Meadow Mouse liked the snow .

he just loved to dig in it and make tunnels .

through those tunnels in every direction he could go where he pleased and when he pleased without being seen by anybody .

it was great fun !

every little way he made a little round doorway up beside a stiff stalk of grass .

out of this he could peep at the white world , and he could get the fresh cold air .

now Reddy Fox knew all about those doorways and who made them .

Reddy was having hard work to get enough to eat this cold weather , and he was hungry most of the time .

Reddy 's mouth watered , and he stole forward more softly than ever .

when he got within jumping distance , he drew his stout hind legs under him and made ready to spring .

Presto !

Danny Meadow Mouse had disappeared !

Reddy Fox jumped just the same and began to dig as fast as he could make his paws go .

he could smell Danny Meadow Mouse and that made him almost frantic .

Illustration : Danny popped his head out of another little doorway and laughed at Reddy .

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of course Reddy saw him , and of course Reddy tried to catch him there , and dug frantically just as before .

and of course Danny Meadow Mouse wasn't there .

after a while Reddy Fox grew tired of this kind of a game and tried another plan .

the next time he saw Danny Meadow Mouse stick his head out , Reddy pretended not to see him .

he stretched himself out on the ground and made believe that he was very tired and sleepy .

he closed his eyes .

then he opened them just the tiniest bit , so that he could see Danny Meadow Mouse and yet seem to be asleep .

Danny watched him for a long time .

then he chuckled to himself and dropped out of sight .

no sooner was he gone than Reddy Fox stole over close to the little doorway and waited .

" he 'll surely stick his head out again to see if I 'm asleep , and then I 'll have him , " said Reddy to himself .

so he waited and waited and waited .

by and by he turned his head .

there was Danny Meadow Mouse at another little doorway laughing at him !

IV

OLD GRANNY FOX TRIES FOR DANNY MEADOW MOUSE

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE had not enjoyed anything so much for a long time as he did that game of hide and seek .

he tickled and chuckled all the afternoon as he thought about it .

of course Reddy had been " it . "

he had been " it " all the time , for never once had he caught Danny Meadow Mouse .

but Danny never let himself think about this .

he had enjoyed the game all the more because it had been such a dangerous game .

finally Reddy had given up in disgust and gone off muttering angrily to try to find something else for dinner .

Danny had sat up on the snow and watched him go .

in his funny little squeaky voice Danny shouted :

" though Reddy Fox is smart and sly , Hi-hum-diddle-de-o !

I 'm just as smart and twice as spry .

Hi-hum-diddle-de-o ! "

that night Reddy Fox told old Granny Fox all about how he had tried to catch Danny Meadow Mouse .

granny listened with her head cocked on one side .

when Reddy told how fat Danny Meadow Mouse was , her mouth watered .

so , bright and early the next morning , old Granny Fox and Reddy Fox went down on the meadows where Danny Meadow Mouse lives .

then he peeped out of one of his little doorways hidden in a clump of tall grass .

she knew that she could tell by the smell which one he had been at last .

finally she came straight towards the tall bunch of grass .

Danny ducked down and scurried along one of his little tunnels .

he heard Granny Fox sniff at the doorway he had just left .

suddenly something plunged down through the snow right at his very heels .

Danny didn't have to look to know that it was Granny Fox herself , and he squeaked with fright .

V

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE GREEN MEADOWS

THICK and fast things were happening to Danny Meadow Mouse down on the snow-covered Green Meadows .

rather , they were almost happening .

he hadn't minded when Reddy Fox all alone tried to catch him .

indeed , he had made a regular game of hide and seek of it and had enjoyed it immensely .

but now it was different .

granny Fox wasn't so easily fooled as Reddy Fox .

Just Granny alone would have made the game dangerous for Danny Meadow Mouse .

yes , Sir , that is just how it seemed .

but old Granny Fox knew all about those little tunnels , and she didn't waste any time digging at the doorways .

instead she cocked her sharp little ears and listened with all her might .

now Granny Fox has very keen ears , oh , very keen ears , and she heard just what she hoped she would hear .

she heard Danny Meadow Mouse running along one of his little tunnels under the snow .

plunge !

old Granny Fox dived right into the snow and right through into the tunnel of Danny Meadow Mouse .

her two black paws actually touched Danny 's tail .

he was glad then that it was no longer .

" Ha ! " cried Granny Fox , " I almost got him that time ! "

then she ran ahead a little way over the snow , listening as before .

plunge !

into the snow she went again .

it was lucky for him that Danny had just turned into another tunnel , for otherwise she would surely have caught him .

granny Fox blew the snow out of her nose .

" next time I 'll get him ! " said she .

now Reddy Fox is quick to learn , especially when it is a way to get something to eat .

perhaps that was because Reddy is very selfish himself .

but he didn't take the pains to make sure of just where Danny was , and so of course he didn't come anywhere near him .

but he frightened Danny still more and made old Granny Fox lose her temper .

Poor Danny Meadow Mouse !

he had never been so frightened in all his life .

he didn't know which way to turn or where to run .

and so he sat still , which , although he didn't know it , was the very best thing he could do .

when he sat still he made no noise , and so of course Granny and Reddy Fox could not tell where he was .

old Granny Fox sat and listened and listened and listened , and wondered where Danny Meadow Mouse was .

and down under the snow Danny Meadow Mouse sat and listened and listened and listened , and wondered where Granny and Reddy Fox were .

" pooh ! " said Granny Fox after a while , " that Meadow Mouse thinks he can fool me by sitting still .

I 'll give him a scare . "

VI

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE REMEMBERS AND REDDY FOX FORGETS

" THERE he goes ! " cried old Granny Fox .

" don't let him sit still again ! "

" I hear him ! " shouted Reddy Fox , and plunged down into the snow just as Granny Fox had done a minute before .

Reddy Fox grinned , then licked his chops and smacked his lips .

then once more they took turns diving into the snow .

and down underneath in the little tunnels he had made , Danny Meadow Mouse was running for his life .

he was getting tired , just as old Granny Fox had said he would .

he was almost out of breath .

" oh , dear !

oh , dear !

" I 've got to get somewhere !

I 've got to get somewhere where they can't get at me ! " he sobbed .

and right that very instant he remembered the old fence-post !

the old fence-post lay on the ground and was hollow .

fastened to it were long wires with sharp cruel barbs .

why hadn't he thought of it before ?

it must have been because he was too frightened to think .

now old Granny Fox knew all about that old fence-post and she remembered all about those barbed wires fastened to it .

Reddy Fox knew about those wires , too , but he was so excited that he forgot all about them .

" stop ! " cried old Granny Fox sharply .

but Reddy Fox didn't hear , or if he heard he didn't heed .

his sharp ears could hear Danny Meadow Mouse running almost underneath him .

granny Fox could stop if she wanted to , but he was going to have Danny Meadow Mouse for his breakfast !

down into the snow he plunged as hard as ever he could .

" oh !

oh !

wow !

wow !

oh , dear !

oh , dear ! "

that wasn't the voice of Danny Meadow Mouse .

oh , my , no !

it was the voice of Reddy Fox .

yes , Sir , it was the voice of Reddy Fox .

he had landed with one of his black paws right on one of those sharp wire barbs , and it did hurt dreadfully .

" it serves you right for forgetting ! "

" yes 'm , " said Reddy meekly .

VII

OLD GRANNY FOX TRIES A NEW PLAN

OLD Granny Fox kept thinking about Danny Meadow Mouse .

she knew that he was fat , and it made her mouth water every time she thought of him .

she made up her mind that she must and would have him .

old Granny Fox is very smart .

" Danny Meadow Mouse won't put his nose out of that old fence-post for a day or two .

if nothing frightens him , he 'll keep going a little farther and a little farther from that old fence-post .

I must see to it that Danny Meadow Mouse isn't frightened for a few days . "

so said old Granny Fox to herself , as she lay under a hemlock-tree , studying how she could best get the next meal .

then she called Reddy Fox to her and forbade him to go down on the meadows until she should tell him he might .

Reddy grumbled and mumbled and didn't see why he shouldn't go where he pleased , but he didn't dare disobey .

you see he had a sore foot .

that meant that he must depend upon Granny Fox to help him get enough to eat .

so Reddy didn't dare to disobey .

it all came out just as Granny Fox had thought it would .

Danny Meadow Mouse did get tired of staying in the old fence-post .

hidden on the edge of the Green Forest , Granny Fox watched him .

she looked up at the sky , and she knew that it was going to snow again .

" that 's good , " said she .

" To-morrow morning I 'll have fat Meadow Mouse for breakfast , " and she smiled a hungry smile .

it had snowed again , and all of the little doorways of Danny Meadow Mouse were covered up with soft , fleecy snow .

behind Granny Fox limped Reddy Fox , grumbling to himself .

when they reached the place where the old fence-post lay buried under the snow , old Granny Fox stretched out as flat as she could .

then she told Reddy to cover her up with the new soft snow .

Reddy did as he was told , but all the time he grumbled .

" now you go off to the Green Forest and keep out of sight , " said Granny Fox .

VIII

BROTHER NORTH WIND PROVES A FRIEND

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE had seen nothing of old Granny Fox or Reddy Fox for several days .

but every time he did this , Danny used a different doorway .

you see there is a great deal of wisdom in the little head that Danny Meadow Mouse carries on his shoulders .

but he hadn't forgotten , as Granny Fox had hoped he would .

no , indeed , Danny Meadow Mouse hadn't forgotten .

he was too wise for that .

one morning , when he started to climb up to one of his little doorways , he found that it was closed .

yes , Sir , it was closed .

in fact , there wasn't any doorway .

more snow had fallen from the clouds in the night and had covered up every one of the little round doorways of Danny Meadow Mouse .

" Ha ! " said Danny , " I shall have a busy day , a very busy day , opening all my doorways .

I 'll eat my breakfast , and then I 'll go to work . "

it really wasn't work at all , for you see the snow was soft and light , and Danny dearly loved to dig in it .

he looked this way and he looked that way .

" I don't see anything or anybody to be afraid of , " said Danny and poked his head out a little farther .

then he sat and studied everything around him a long , long time .

it was a beautiful white world , a very beautiful white world .

everything was so white and pure and beautiful that it didn't seem possible that harm or danger for any one could even be thought of .

just a little way off was a little heap of snow .

" I don't remember that , " said Danny .

" and I don't remember anything that would make that .

there isn't any little bush or old log or anything underneath it .

perhaps rough Brother North Wind heaped it up , just for fun . "

but all the time Danny Meadow Mouse kept studying and studying that little heap of snow .

pretty soon he saw rough Brother North Wind coming his way and tossing the snow about as he came .

it was just the color of the cloak old Granny Fox wears .

" granny Fox , you can't fool me !

I see you plain as plain can be ! "

IX

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE IS CAUGHT AT LAST

" Tippy-toppy-tippy-toe , Play and frolic in the snow !

now you see me !

now you don't !

think you 'll catch me , but you won't !

Tippy-toppy-tippy-toe , Oh , such fun to play in snow ! "

he thought he was , though , and was enjoying it just as much as if he had the most beautiful voice in the world .

you know singing is nothing in the world but happiness in the heart making itself heard .

oh , yes , Danny Meadow Mouse was happy !

why shouldn't he have been ?

hadn't he proved himself smarter than old Granny Fox ?

that is something to make any one happy .

that is just what Danny Meadow Mouse had done , and he felt very smart and of course he felt very happy .

but with all his smartness , Danny forgot .

yes , Sir , Danny forgot one thing .

he forgot to watch up in the sky .

he knew that of course old Roughleg the Hawk was asleep , so he had nothing to fear from him .

but he never once thought of Hooty the Owl .

dear me , dear me !

forgetting is a dreadful habit .

if nobody ever forgot , there wouldn't be nearly so much trouble in the world .

no , indeed , there wouldn't be nearly so much trouble .

and Danny Meadow Mouse forgot .

he skipped and sang and was happy as could be , and never once thought to watch up in the sky .

over in the Green Forest Hooty the Owl had had poor hunting , and he was feeling cross .

you see , Hooty was hungry , and hunger is apt to make one feel cross .

the longer he hunted , the hungrier and crosser he grew .

suddenly he thought of Danny Meadow Mouse .

I believe I 'll go down on the meadows and see . "

now Hooty the Owl can fly without making the teeniest , weeniest sound .

it seems as if he just drifts along through the air like a great shadow .

now he spread his great wings and floated out over the meadows .

hooty 's great eyes grew brighter and fiercer .

without a sound he floated through the moonlight until he was just over Danny Meadow Mouse .

too late Danny looked up .

his little song ended in a tiny squeak of fear , and he started for his nearest little round doorway .

Hooty the Owl reached down with his long cruel claws and Danny Meadow Mouse was caught at last !

x

a STRANGE RIDE AND HOW IT ENDED

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE often had sat watching Skimmer the Swallow sailing around up in the blue , blue sky .

it had seemed to him that it must be very wonderful and beautiful .

sometimes he had wished that he had wings and could go up in the air and look down .

and now here he was , he , Danny Meadow Mouse , actually doing that very thing !

Illustration : he was being carried .

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but Danny could see nothing wonderful or beautiful now .

no , indeed !

everything was terrible , for you see Danny Meadow Mouse wasn't flying himself .

he was being carried .

yes , Sir , Danny Meadow Mouse was being carried through the air in the cruel claws of Hooty the Owl !

and all because Danny had forgotten forgotten to watch up in the sky for danger .

Poor , poor Danny Meadow Mouse !

hooty 's great cruel claws hurt him dreadfully !

but it wasn't the pain that was the worst .

no , indeed !

it wasn't the pain !

as he flew , Hooty kept chuckling , and Danny Meadow Mouse knew just what those chuckles meant .

they meant that Hooty was thinking of the good meal he was going to have .

hanging there in Hooty 's great cruel claws , Danny looked down on the snow-covered Green Meadows he loved so well .

they seemed a frightfully long way below him , though really they were not far at all , for Hooty was flying very low .

but he couldn't keep them shut .

no , Sir , he couldn't keep them shut !

he just had to keep opening them .

there was the dear old Green Forest drawing nearer and nearer .

Just ahead of him was the Old Briar-patch where Peter Rabbit lives so safely .

every old bramble in it was covered with snow and it was very , very beautiful .

really everything was just as beautiful as ever the moonlight , the Green Forest , the snow-covered Green Meadows , the Old Briar-patch .

the only change was in Danny Meadow Mouse himself , and it was all because he had forgotten .

suddenly Danny began to wriggle and struggle .

" keep still ! " snapped Hooty the Owl .

but Danny only struggled harder than ever .

it seemed to him that Hooty wasn't holding him as tightly as at first .

he felt one of Hooty 's claws slip .

it tore his coat and hurt dreadfully , but it slipped !

Danny kicked , squirmed and twisted , and twisted , squirmed , and kicked .

Hooty had started down now , so as to get a better hold .

Danny gave one more kick and then he felt himself falling !

Danny Meadow Mouse shut his eyes and held his breath .

down , down , down he fell .

it seemed to him that he never would strike the snow-covered meadows !

really he fell only a very little distance .

but it seemed a terrible distance to Danny .

XI

PETER RABBIT GETS A FRIGHT

the night before he had had a narrow escape from old Granny Fox over in the Green Forest .

Peter was just dozing off when he heard the cheeriest little voice in the world .

it was saying :

" Dee-dee-chickadee !

I see you !

can you see me ? "

Peter began to smile even before he could get his eyes open and look up .

there , right over his head , was Tommy Tit hanging head down from a nodding old bramble .

" Dee-dee-chickadee !

I 'm as happy as can be !

find it much the better way To be happy all the day .

Dee-dee-chickadee !

everybody 's good to me ! "

" Hello , Tommy ! " said Peter Rabbit .

" Where'd you come from ? "

" from Farmer Brown 's new orchard up on the hill .

it 's a fine orchard , Peter Rabbit , a fine orchard .

I go there every morning for my breakfast .

if the winter lasts long enough , I 'll have all the trees cleaned up for Farmer Brown . "

Peter looked puzzled .

" what do you mean ? " he asked .

" just what I say , " replied Tommy Tit , almost turning a somersault in the air .

" there 's a million eggs of insects on those young peach-trees , but I 'm clearing them all off as fast as I can .

they 're mighty fine eating , Peter Rabbit , mighty fine eating ! "

and with that Tommy Tit had said good-by and flitted away .

Peter was thinking of that young orchard now , as he sat in the moonlight trying to make up his mind where to go .

the thought of those young peach-trees made his mouth water .

it startled Peter so that he nearly tumbled over backward .

and right at the same instant came the fierce , angry scream of Hooty the Owl .

that almost made Peter 's heart stop beating , although he knew that Hooty couldn't get him down there in the Old Briar-patch .

his big eyes grew bigger than ever , and he rubbed them to make quite sure that he really saw what he thought he saw .

yes , there was no doubt about it there at his feet lay Danny Meadow Mouse !

XII

THE OLD BRIAR-PATCH HAS A NEW TENANT

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE slowly opened his eyes and then closed them again quickly , as if afraid to look around .

he could hear some one talking .

Danny lay still a minute and listened .

" why , Danny Meadow Mouse , where in the world did you drop from ? " asked the voice .

it sounded like why , very much like Peter Rabbit speaking .

Danny opened his eyes again .

it was Peter Rabbit .

" where where am I ? " asked Danny Meadow Mouse in a very weak and small voice .

" in the middle of the dear Old Briar-patch with me , " replied Peter Rabbit .

" but how did you get here ?

you seemed to drop right out of the sky . "

Danny Meadow Mouse shuddered .

the very last thing he could remember was Hooty 's fierce scream of rage and disappointment .

Danny shuddered again .

then a new thought came to him .

he must get out of sight !

Hooty might catch him again !

Danny tried to scramble to his feet .

" Ooch !

oh ! " groaned Danny and lay still again .

" there , there .

keep still , Danny Meadow Mouse .

there 's nothing to be afraid of here , " said Peter Rabbit gently .

" oh , dear , whatever shall I do now ? " he ended .

Peter Rabbit looked thoughtful .

" you can't do it , " said he .

" you simply can't do it .

it is such a long way for a little fellow like you that it wouldn't be safe to try .

if you went at night , Hooty the Owl might catch you again .

if you tried in daylight , old Roughleg the Hawk would be almost sure to see you .

I tell you what , you stay right here !

the dear Old Briar-patch is the safest place in the world .

you know I don't care for them myself .

I 'm lonesome sometimes , living here all alone .

you stay here , and we 'll have the Old Briar-patch to ourselves . "

Danny Meadow Mouse looked at Peter gratefully .

" I will , and thank you ever so much , Peter Rabbit , " he said .

and this is how the dear Old Briar-patch happened to have another tenant .

XIII

PETER RABBIT VISITS THE PEACH ORCHARD

" DON'T go , Peter Rabbit !

don't go ! " begged Danny Meadow Mouse .

Peter hopped to the edge of the Old Briar-patch and looked over the moonlit , snow-covered meadows to the hill back of Farmer Brown 's house .

" I think I will , Danny , just this once , " said Peter .

" oh I 'm as bold as bold can be !

sing hoppy-hippy-hippy-hop-o !

I 'll hie me forth the world to see !

sing hoppy-hippy-hippy-hop-o !

my ears are long , My legs are strong , So now good day ; I 'll hie away !

sing hoppy-hippy-hippy-hop-o ! "

Danny Meadow Mouse watched him go and shook his head in disapproval .

" foolish , foolish , foolish ! " he said over and over to himself .

" why can't Peter be content with the good things that he has ? "

Peter Rabbit hurried along through the moonlight , stopping every few minutes to sit up to look and listen .

all in good time Peter came to the young orchard .

it was just as Tommy Tit the Chickadee had told him .

Peter hopped up to the nearest peach-tree and nibbled the bark .

my , how good it tasted !

he went all around the tree , stripping off the bark .

he stood up on his long hind legs and reached as high as he could .

then he dug the snow away and ate down as far as he could .

when he could get no more tender young bark , he went on to the next tree .

now though Peter didn't know it , he was in the very worst kind of mischief .

oh , it was the very worst kind of mischief that Peter Rabbit was in .

suddenly , just as he had begun on another tree , a great roar right behind him made him jump almost out of his skin .

right at his heels , his great mouth wide open , was Bowser the Hound .

XIV

FARMER BROWN SETS A TRAP

PETER RABBIT was in trouble .

he had gotten into mischief and now , like every one who gets into mischief , he wished that he hadn't .

where was he ?

why , in the stone wall on one side of Farmer Brown 's young peach orchard .

how Peter blessed the old stone wall in which he had found a safe hiding-place !

Bowser had hung around nearly all night , so that Peter had not dared to try to go home .

now it was daylight , and Peter knew it would not be safe to put his nose outside .

Peter was worried , so worried that he couldn't go to sleep as he usually does in the daytime .

so he sat hidden in the old wall and waited and watched .

by and by he saw Farmer Brown and Farmer Brown 's boy come out into the orchard .

Peter grew so curious that he forgot all about his troubles and how far away from home he was .

he could hardly wait for night to come so that he might see what they had been doing .

Farmer Brown was smiling now .

" I guess that that will fix him ! " he said .

" now what does he mean by that ? " thought Peter .

" who will it fix ?

can it be me ?

I don't need any fixing . "

he waited just as long as he could .

so Peter hurried over to the nearest tree .

all around the trunk of the tree , from the ground clear up higher than Peter could reach , was wrapped wire netting .

Peter couldn't get so much as a nibble of the delicious bark .

Peter looked around .

everything was quiet .

he would try the next tree , and then he would go home .

but the next tree was wrapped with wire .

it was protected just like the others .

then Peter forgot all about going home .

he wanted some of that delicious bark , and he ran from one tree to another as fast as he could go .

at last , way down at the end of the orchard , Peter found a tree that had no wire around it .

" they must have forgotten this one ! " he thought , and his eyes sparkled .

all around on the snow were a lot of little , shiny wires , but Peter didn't notice them .

all he saw was that delicious bark on the young peach-tree .

XV

PETER RABBIT IS CAUGHT IN A SNARE

instead of doing this , he fell flat on his face .

the thing on his hind leg had tightened and held him fast .

a great fear came to Peter Rabbit , and lying there in the snow , he kicked and struggled with all his might .

but the more he kicked , the tighter grew that hateful thing on his leg !

finally he grew too tired to kick any more and lay still .

the dreadful thing that held him hurt his leg , but it didn't pull when he lay still .

when he had grown a little calmer , Peter sat up to examine the thing which held him so fast .

Peter tried to bite off the shiny thing , but even his great , sharp front teeth couldn't cut it .

then Peter knew what it was .

it was wire !

big tears rolled down Peter 's cheeks .

what should he do ?

what could he do ?

for a long time Peter sat in the moonlight , trying to think of something to do .

at last he thought of the stake to which that hateful wire was fastened .

the stake was of wood , and Peter 's teeth would cut wood .

he looked up to see whom do you think ?

why , Bowser the Hound !

Poor Peter Rabbit !

there wasn't time to finish cutting off the stake .

what could he do ?

he made a frightened jump just as he had when he first felt the wire tugging at his leg .

just as before , he was thrown flat on his face .

he scrambled to his feet and jumped again , only to be thrown just as before .

Just then Bowser the Hound saw him and opening his mouth sent forth a great roar .

Peter made one more frantic jump .

snap ! the stake had broken !

Peter pitched forward on his head , turned a somersault , and scrambled to his feet .

he was free at last !

that is , he could run , but after him dragged a piece of the stake .

how Peter did run !

it was hard work , for you know he had to drag that piece of stake after him .

XVI

PETER RABBIT'S HARD JOURNEY

and Peter also knew too that by this time Hooty the Owl would probably have caught his dinner .

so would old Granny Fox and Reddy Fox .

Bowser the Hound would be too sleepy to be on the watch .

it would be the very safest time for Peter to try to get to his home in the dear Old Briar-patch .

so Peter waited and waited .

but the old wall kept Peter safe , and Bowser gave it up .

and all the time Peter sat waiting he was in great pain .

it was on account of this that Peter was waiting for Mrs Moon to put out her light .

so he waited and waited , and by and by , sure enough , Mrs Moon put out her light .

Peter waited a little longer , listening with all his might .

everything was still .

then Peter crept out of the old stone wall .

right away trouble began .

the stake dragging at the end of the wire fast to his leg caught among the stones and pulled Peter up short .

my , how it did hurt !

it made the tears come .

but Peter shut his teeth hard , and turning back , he worked until he got the stake free .

then he started on once more , dragging the stake after him .

he had to stop to rest very , very often , and then he would listen and listen .

over and over again he said to himself :

" oh , dear , whatever did I go up to the young peach orchard for when I knew I had no business there ?

why couldn't I have been content with all the good things that were mine in the Green Forest and on the Green Meadows ?

oh , dear !

oh , dear ! "

just as jolly , round , red Mr Sun began to light up the Green Meadows , Peter Rabbit reached the dear Old Briar-patch .

Danny Meadow Mouse was sitting on the edge of it anxiously watching for him .

Peter crawled up and started to creep in along one of his little private paths .

XVII

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE BECOMES WORRIED

the seeds in these were very nice indeed , and Danny always felt especially good after a meal of them .

Danny Meadow Mouse had grown very fond of Peter Rabbit , for Peter had been very , very good to him .

Danny felt that he never , never could repay all of Peter 's kindness .

but Peter had done more than that .

he had taken care of Danny , such good care , during the first few days after Danny 's escape from Hooty the Owl .

he had brought good things to eat while Danny was too weak and sore to get things for himself .

oh , Peter had been very good indeed to him !

but now , as Danny limped around , he was not happy .

no , Sir , he was not happy .

the truth is , Danny Meadow Mouse was worried .

it was a different kind of worry from any he had known before .

you see , for the first time in his life , Danny was worrying about some one else .

he was worrying about Peter Rabbit .

Peter had been gone from the Old Briar-patch a whole night and a whole day .

he often was gone all night , but never all day too .

Danny was sure that something had happened to Peter .

he thought of how he had begged Peter not to go up to Farmer Brown 's young peach orchard .

he had felt in his bones that it was not safe , that something dreadful would happen to Peter .

how Peter had laughed at him and bravely started off !

why hadn't he come home ?

as he limped around , Danny talked to himself :

it was now the second night since Peter Rabbit had gone away .

Danny Meadow Mouse couldn't sleep at all .

round and round through the Old Briar-patch he limped , and finally sat down at the edge of it to wait and watch .

he rubbed his eyes and looked again .

it was no , it couldn't be yes , it was Peter Rabbit !

but what was the matter with him ?

always before Peter had come home , but now he was crawling , actually crawling !

Danny Meadow Mouse didn't know what to make of it .

nearer and nearer came Peter .

something was following him .

no , Peter was dragging something after him .

at last Peter started to crawl along one of his little private paths into the Old Briar-patch .

the thing dragging behind caught in the brambles , and Peter fell headlong in the snow , too tired and worn out to move .

then Danny saw what the trouble was .

Peter had been caught in a snare !

Danny hurried over to Peter and tears stood in his eyes .

" Poor Peter Rabbit !

oh , I 'm so sorry , Peter ! " he whispered .

XVIII

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE RETURNS A KINDNESS

THERE Peter Rabbit lay .

he had dragged that piece of stake a long way , a very long way , indeed .

but now he could drag it no farther , for it had caught in the bramble bushes .

so Peter just dropped on the snow and cried .

yes , Sir , he cried !

you see he was so tired and worn out and frightened , and his leg was so stiff and sore and hurt him so !

and then it was so dreadful to actually get home and be stopped right on your very own door-step .

so Peter just lay there and cried .

Just supposing old Granny Fox should come poking around and find Peter caught that way !

do you wonder that Peter cried ?

by and by he became aware that some one was wiping away his tears .

it was Danny Meadow Mouse .

and Danny was singing in a funny little voice .

pretty soon Peter stopped crying and listened , and this is what he heard :

" isn't any use to cry !

not a bit !

not a bit !

wipe your eyes and wipe ' em dry !

use your wit !

use your wit !

just remember that to-morrow Never brings a single sorrow .

yesterday has gone forever And to-morrow gets here never .

chase your worries all away ; Nothing 's worse than just to-day . "

Peter smiled in spite of himself .

" that 's right !

that 's right !

smile away , Peter Rabbit .

smile away !

your troubles , Sir , are all to-day .

and between you and me , I don't believe they are so bad as you think they are .

now you lie still just where you are , while I go see what can be done . "

Illustration : Peter knew that Danny was doing something at the other end .

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he was .

Danny Meadow Mouse had set out to gnaw that piece of stake all to splinters .

so there he sat and gnawed and gnawed and gnawed .

by and by , happening to look across the snow-covered Green Meadows , he saw something that made his heart jump .

it was Farmer Brown 's boy coming straight over towards the dear Old Briar-patch .

Danny didn't say a word to Peter Rabbit , but gnawed faster than ever .

Farmer Brown 's boy was almost there when Danny stopped gnawing .

while Peter slowly dragged his way along , Danny trotted behind to see that the wire did not catch on the bushes .

they had safely reached Peter Rabbit 's secretest retreat when Farmer Brown 's boy came up to the edge of the dear Old Briar-patch .

" so this is where that rabbit that killed our peach-tree lives ! " said he .

" we 'll try a few snares and put you out of mischief . "

and for the rest of the afternoon Farmer Brown 's boy was very busy around the edge of the Old Briar-patch .

XIX

PETER RABBIT AND DANNY MEADOW MOUSE LIVE HIGH

he could hear Farmer Brown 's boy going around on the edge of the dear Old Briar-patch and stopping every little while to do something .

in spite of his pain , Peter was curious .

finally he called Danny Meadow Mouse .

" Danny , you are small and can keep out of sight easier than I can .

go as near as ever you dare to Farmer Brown 's boy and find out what he is doing , " said Peter Rabbit .

by and by he returned to Peter Rabbit .

" Ha ! " said Peter Rabbit .

" there are little loops of that queer stuff you 've got hanging to your leg , Peter , " continued Danny Meadow Mouse .

" just so ! " said Peter Rabbit .

" and he 's put cabbage leaves and pieces of apple all around , " said Danny .

" we must be careful ! " said Peter Rabbit .

Peter 's leg was in a very bad way , indeed , and Peter suffered a great deal of pain .

the worst of it was , he didn't know how to get off the wire that was cutting into it so .

he had tried to cut the wire with his big teeth , but he couldn't do it .

Danny Meadow Mouse had tried and tried to gnaw the wire , but it wasn't of the least bit of use .

but Danny wasn't easily discouraged , and he kept working and working at it .

once he thought he felt it slip a little .

he said nothing , but kept right on working .

pretty soon he was sure that it slipped .

he went right on working harder than ever .

by and by he had it so loose that he slipped it right off of Peter 's leg , and Peter didn't know anything about it .

my , how thankful Peter was , and how he did thank Danny Meadow Mouse !

it was a long time before Peter could hop as he used to , but after the first day he managed to get around .

he found that Farmer Brown 's boy had spread those miserable wire snares in every one of his private little paths .

but Peter knew what they were now .

Danny Meadow Mouse thought this great fun and a great joke on Farmer Brown 's boy .

so every day he stole the bait , and he and Peter Rabbit lived high while Peter 's leg was getting well .

and all the time Farmer Brown 's boy wondered and wondered why he couldn't catch Peter Rabbit .

XX

TIMID DANNY MEADOW MOUSE

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE is timid .

everybody says so , and what everybody says ought to be so .

but just as anybody can make a mistake sometimes , so can everybody .

still , in this case , it is quite likely that everybody is right .

Danny Meadow Mouse is timid .

ask Peter Rabbit .

ask Sammy Jay .

ask Striped Chipmunk .

they will all tell you the same thing .

of course this isn't true .

Sammy Jay likes to say mean things .

it isn't fair to Danny Meadow Mouse to believe what Sammy Jay says .

but the fact is Danny certainly is timid .

more than this , he isn't ashamed of it not the least little bit .

there was an answering twinkle in Danny 's own eyes as he continued .

" no , Sir , " said he , " I wouldn't stand a particle more chance than that foolish ant did .

now , I don't know what it is .

I mind my own business , and no one ever bothers me .

I should think it would be a very uncomfortable feeling . "

now there 's Mr Blacksnake and "

Danny turned his head to hide a smile .

if old Mr Toad wasn't showing fear , no one ever did .

" oh , " said he , " I didn't mean that he is anywhere around here now .

do you wonder that I am afraid most of the time ? "

" no , " replied old Mr Toad .

" no , I don't wonder that you are afraid .

it must be dreadful to feel hungry eyes are watching for you every minute of the day and night , too . "

" oh , it 's not so bad , " replied Danny .

" it 's rather exciting .

besides , it keeps my wits sharp all the time .

I am afraid I should find life very dull indeed if , like you , I feared nothing and nobody .

by the way , see how queerly that grass is moving over there .

it looks as if Mr Blacksnake Why , Mr Toad , where are you going in such a hurry ? "

Danny chuckled as he sat alone on his door-step .

" oh , no , old Mr Toad doesn't know what fear is ! " said he .

" Funny how some people won't admit what everybody can see for themselves .

now , I am afraid , and I 'm willing to say so . "

XXI

AN EXCITING DAY FOR DANNY MEADOW MOUSE

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE started along one of his private little paths very early one morning .

he was on his way to get a supply of a certain kind of grass-seed of which he is very fond .

he had been thinking about that seed for some time and waiting for it to get ripe .

now it was just right , as he had found out the day before by a visit to the place where this particular grass grew .

" I suppose that if I were really wise , I would stay nearer home and do without that nice seed .

he had gone only a little way when he thought he heard a queer rustling behind him .

he stopped to listen .

there it was again , and it certainly was right in the path behind him !

he didn't need to be told who was making it .

there was only one who could make such a sound as that Mr Blacksnake .

now Danny can run very fast along his private little paths , but he knew that Mr Blacksnake could run faster .

" I must reach that fallen old hollow fence-post . "

he was almost out of breath when he reached the post and scurried into the open end .

he knew by the sound of the rustling that Mr Blacksnake was right at his heels .

now the old post was hollow its whole length , but half-way there was an old knot-hole just big enough for Danny to squeeze through .

Danny ran back along the top of the log and was just in time to see the tip of Mr Blacksnake 's tail disappear inside .

then what do you think Danny did ?

why , he followed Mr Blacksnake right into the old post , but in doing it he didn't make the least little bit of noise .

he kept right on along the little path .

so Danny waited only long enough to get his breath and then ran back along the path to where another little path branched off .

for just a minute he paused .

and Danny was right .

" brains are better far than speed As wise men long ago agreed , "

said Danny , as he trotted on his way for the grass-seed he liked so well .

" I felt it in my bones that this would be an exciting day .

I wonder what next . "

XXII

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT TO DANNY MEADOW MOUSE

DANNY is so used to narrow escapes that he doesn't waste any time thinking about them .

he didn't this time .

he had got to cross this , and all the way he would be in plain sight of any one who happened to be near .

very cautiously he peeped out and looked this way and looked that way , not forgetting to look up in the sky .

he could see no one anywhere .

drawing a long breath , Danny started across the open place as fast as his short legs could take him .

Illustration : with another frightened squeak , Danny dived into the opening just in time .

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that is why Danny hadn't seen him .

with a satisfied chuckle , he spread his broad wings and started after Danny .

Danny gave a frightened squeak , for he thought that surely this time he would be caught .

but he didn't mean to give up without trying to escape .

three jumps ahead of him was a queer looking thing .

he didn't know what it was , but if there was a hole in it he might yet fool Redtail .

one jump !

would he be able to reach it ?

two jumps !

there was a hole in it !

three jumps !

with another frightened squeak , Danny dived into the opening just in time .

and what do you think he was in ?

why , an old tomato can Farmer Brown 's boy had once used to carry bait in when he went fishing at the Smiling Pool .

he had dropped it there on his way home .

Redtail screamed with rage and disappointment as he struck the old can with his great claws .

he had been sure , very sure of Danny Meadow Mouse this time !

he tried to pick the can up , but he couldn't get hold of it .

it just rolled away from him every time , try as he would .

finally , in disgust , he gave up and flew back to the tree from which he had first seen Danny .

but he wisely decided that the best thing he could do was to stay there for a while .

and it was very fortunate that he did so , as he was very soon to find out .

XXIII

REDDY FOX GROWS CURIOUS

" if I stay here long enough , he 'll get tired and go away , if he hasn't already , " thought Danny .

" this has been a pretty exciting morning so far , and I find that I am a little tired .

I may as well take a nap while I am waiting to make sure that the way is clear . "

with that Danny curled up in the old tomato can .

but it wasn't meant that Danny should have that nap .

he had closed his eyes , but his ears were still open , and presently he heard soft footsteps drawing near .

his eyes flew open , and he forgot all about sleep , you may be sure , for those footsteps sounded familiar .

they sounded to Danny very , very much like the footsteps of whom do you think ?

why , Reddy Fox !

Danny 's heart began to beat faster as he listened .

could it be ?

he didn't dare peep out .

presently a little whiff of scent blew into the old tomato can .

then Danny knew it was Reddy Fox .

" oh , dear !

I hope he doesn't find that I am in here ! " thought Danny .

" I wonder what under the sun has brought him up here just now . "

if the truth were to be known , it was curiosity that had brought Reddy up there .

he had seen Redtail strike and strike again at something on the ground , and finally fly off in disgust with empty claws .

" now , I wonder what it was Redtail was after and why he didn't get it , " thought Reddy .

" he acts terribly put out and disappointed .

I believe I 'll go over there and find out . "

as he drew near , he crept very softly until he reached the very edge of the open patch .

there he stopped and looked sharply all over it .

there was nothing to be seen but an old tomato can .

Reddy had seen it many times before .

" now what under the sun could Redtail have been after here ? " thought Reddy .

" the grass isn't long enough for a grasshopper to hide in , and yet Redtail didn't get what he was after .

it 's very queer .

it certainly is very queer . "

back and forth , back and forth he ran , and then suddenly he stopped .

" Ha ! " exclaimed Reddy .

he had found the scent left by Danny Meadow Mouse when he ran across towards the old tomato can .

right up to the old can Reddy 's nose led him .

he hopped over the old can , but on the other side he could find no scent of Danny Meadow Mouse .

in a flash he understood , and a gleam of satisfaction shone in his yellow eyes as he turned back to the old can .

he knew that Danny must be hiding in there .

" I 've got you this time ! " he snarled , as he sniffed at the opening in the end of the can .

XXIV

REDDY FOX LOSES HIS TEMPER

REDDY FOX had caught Danny Meadow Mouse , and yet he hadn't caught him .

he was in no hurry .

he had had a pretty good breakfast of grasshoppers , and so he thought he would torment Danny a while before gobbling him up .

Reddy grinned until he showed all his long teeth .

Reddy always is a bully , especially when his victim is a great deal smaller and weaker than himself .

" I 've got you this time , Mr Smarty , haven't I ? " taunted Reddy .

Danny didn't say anything .

" you think you 've been very clever because you have fooled me two or three times , don't you ?

Danny didn't answer .

the fact is , he was too frightened to answer .

besides , he didn't know what he could do .

so he just kept still , but his bright eyes never once left Reddy 's cruel face .

for all his fright , Danny was doing some hard thinking .

he had been in tight places before and had learned never to give up hope .

something might happen to frighten Reddy away .

anyway , Reddy had got to get him out of that old can before he would admit that he was really caught .

for a long time Reddy lay there licking his chops and saying all the things he could think of to frighten poor Danny Meadow Mouse .

" I 'll pull you out , " said Reddy and thrust in one black paw .

Danny promptly bit it so hard that Reddy yelped with pain and pulled it out in a hurry .

presently he tried again with the other paw .

Danny bit this one harder still , and Reddy danced with pain and anger .

then he lost his temper completely , a very foolish thing to do , as it always is .

he hit the old can , and away it rolled with Danny Meadow Mouse inside .

this seemed to make Reddy angrier than ever .

he sprang after it and hit it again .

then he batted it first this way and then that way , growing angrier and angrier .

and all the time Danny Meadow Mouse managed to keep inside , although he got a terrible shaking up .

like a flash Danny was out and scurrying along the little path .

under this he was safe .

" phew ! " exclaimed Danny , breathing very hard .

" that was the narrowest escape yet !

but I guess I 'll get that special grass-seed I started out for , after all . "

and he did , while to this day Reddy Fox wonders how Danny got out of the old tomato can without him knowing it .

Danny has had many more adventures , but there isn't room to tell about them here .

besides Grandfather Frog is anxious that you should hear about the queer things that have happened to him .

they are told in the next book .

THE END

Transcriber 's Note : obvious punctuation errors repaired .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Danny Meadow Mouse , by Thornton W Burgess

produced by Eve Sobol

OLD MOTHER WEST WIND

by Thornton W Burgess

CONTENTS :

CHAPTER

I ..y MRS REDWING'S SPECKLED EGG

II .

WHY GRANDFATHER FROG HAS NO TAIL

III .

HOW REDDY FOX WAS SURPRISED

IV .

WHY JIMMY SKUNK WEARS STRIPES

V THE WILFUL LITTLE BREEZE

VI .

REDDY FOX GOES FISHING

VII .

JIMMY SKUNK LOOKS FOR BEETLES

VIII .

BILLY MINK'S SWIMMING PARTY

IX .

PETER RABBIT PLAYS A JOKE

x . HOW SAMMY JAY WAS FOUND OUT

XI .

JERRY MUSKRAT'S PARTY

XII .

BOBBY COON AND REDDY FOX PLAY TRICKS

XIII .

JOHNNY CHUCK FINDS THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD

XIV .

LITTLE JOE OTTER'S SLIPPERY SLIDE

XV .

THE TALE OF TOMMY TROUT WHO DIDN'T MIND

XVI .

SPOTTY THE TURTLE WINS A RACE

CHAPTER I . MRS REDWING'S SPECKLED EGG

old Mother West Wind came down from the Purple Hills in the golden light of the early morning .

old Mother West Wind came down from the Purple Hills to the Green Meadows and as she walked she crooned a song :

" ships upon the ocean wait ; I must hurry , hurry on !

mills are idle if I 'm late ; I must hurry , hurry on . "

when she reached the Green Meadows Old Mother West Wind opened her bag , turned it upside down and shook it .

first they raced over to see Johnny Chuck .

they found Johnny Chuck sitting just outside his door eating his breakfast .

another playfully pulled his whiskers , while a third rumpled up his hair .

and if they teased Johnny Chuck they were good to him , too .

but he never , never could .

" Chug-arum , " said Grandfather Frog , which was his way of saying good morning .

just then along came a fat green fly and up jumped Grandfather Frog .

" what is the news , Grandfather Frog ? " cried the Merry Little Breezes .

" Mrs Redwing has a new speckled egg in her nest in the bulrushes , " said Grandfather Frog .

" we must see it , " cried the Merry Little Breezes , and away they all ran to the swamp where the bulrushes grow .

it was Tommy Brown , the farmer 's boy .

when the Merry Little Breezes reached the swamp where the bulrushes grow they found poor Mrs Redwing in great distress .

so one of the Merry Little Breezes whisked Tommy Brown 's old straw hat off his head over into the Green Meadows .

of course Tommy ran after it .

just as he stooped to pick it up another little Breeze ran away with it .

by the time Tommy Brown had it once more on his head he had forgotten all about Mrs Redwing and her dear little nest .

besides , he heard the breakfast horn blowing just then , so off he started for home up the Lone Little Path through the wood .

CHAPTER II WHY GRANDFATHER FROG HAS NO TAIL

old Mother West Wind had gone to her day 's work , leaving all the Merry Little Breezes to play in the Green Meadows .

grandfather Frog was old , very old , indeed , and very , very wise .

he wore a green coat and his voice was very deep .

when Grandfather Frog spoke everybody listened very respectfully .

Down in the Smiling Pool were some of Grandfather Frog 's grandchildren .

you wouldn't have known that they were his grandchildren unless some one told you .

they didn't look the least bit like Grandfather Frog .

they were round and fat and had long tails and perhaps this is why they were called Pollywogs .

" once on a time , " began Grandfather Frog , " the Frogs ruled the world , which was mostly water .

there was very little dry land oh , very little indeed !

there were no boys to throw stones and no hungry Mink to gobble up foolish Frog-babies who were taking a sun bath ! "

Billy Mink , who had joined the Merry Little Breezes and was listening , squirmed uneasily and looked away guiltily .

" the King of all the Frogs was twice as big as any other Frog , and his tail was three times as long .

he was very proud , oh , very proud indeed of his long tail .

he used to sit and admire it until he thought that there never had been and never could be another such tail .

every day the King grew more vain .

he did nothing at all but eat and sleep and admire his tail .

so when Mother Nature saw how useless had become the Frog tribe she called the King Frog before her and she said :

" ' Because you can think of nothing but your beautiful tail it shall be taken away from you .

you shall become bow-legged and ugly to look at , and all the world shall laugh at you . '

" the King Frog looked at his beautiful tail and already it seemed to have grown shorter .

he looked again and it was shorter still .

every time he looked his tail had grown shorter and smaller .

by and by when he looked there was nothing left but a little stub which he couldn't even wriggle .

then even that disappeared , his eyes popped out of his head and his mouth grew bigger and bigger . "

old Grandfather Frog stopped and looked sadly at a foolish green fly coming his way .

" Chug-arum , " said Grandfather Frog , opening his mouth very wide and hopping up in the air .

when he sat down again on his big lily pad the green fly was nowhere to be seen .

grandfather Frog smacked his lips and continued :

and that is how I came to lose my tail , " finished Grandfather Frog .

" thank you , " shouted all the Merry Little Breezes .

" we won't forget . "

CHAPTER III HOW REDDY FOX WAS SURPRISED

Johnny Chuck and Reddy Fox lived very near together on the edge of the Green Meadows .

Johnny Chuck was fat and roly-poly .

Reddy Fox was slim and wore a bright red coat .

one bright summer day Johnny Chuck was out looking for a good breakfast of nice tender clover .

but Johnny was like some little boys I know , and forgot all he had been told .

he walked and walked and walked .

every few minutes Johnny Chuck saw something farther on that looked like a patch of nice fresh clover .

and every time when he reached it Johnny Chuck found that he had made a mistake .

so Johnny Chuck walked and walked and walked .

old Mother West Wind , coming across the Green Meadows , saw Johnny Chuck and asked him where he was going .

Johnny Chuck pretended not to hear and just walked faster .

one of the Merry Little Breezes danced along in front of him .

" look out , Johnny Chuck , you will get lost , " cried the Merry Little Breeze then pulled Johnny 's whiskers and ran away .

higher and higher up in the sky climbed round , red Mr Sun . every time Johnny Chuck looked up at him Mr Sun winked .

by and by Johnny Chuck really did find some clover just the sweetest clover that grew in the Green Meadows .

Johnny Chuck ate and ate and ate and then what do you think he did ?

why , he curled right up in the nice sweet clover and went fast asleep .

Johnny Chuck didn't know anything about them : he was fast asleep .

by and by one of the Merry Little Breezes found Johnny Chuck all curled up in a funny round ball .

" wake up Johnny Chuck !

wake up ! " shouted the Merry Little Breeze .

Johnny Chuck opened his eyes .

then he sat up and rubbed them .

for just a few , few minutes he couldn't remember where he was at all .

by and by he sat up very straight to look over the grass and see where he was .

but he was so far from home that he didn't see a single thing that looked at all like the things he was used to .

the trees were all different .

the bushes were all different .

everything was different .

Johnny Chuck was lost .

Johnny Chuck had been so intent looking for home that he didn't see anything else .

Reddy Fox stole right up behind Johnny and pulled Johnny 's little short tail hard .

how it did frighten Johnny Chuck !

now , Reddy Fox got as big a surprise as Johnny had had when Reddy pulled his tail .

it surprised Reddy Fox so that he didn't know what to do , and he simply ran .

Johnny Chuck ran after him , nipping Reddy 's heels every minute or two .

Peter Rabbit just happened to be down that way .

" it must be that Bowser , the hound , is after Reddy Fox , " said Peter Rabbit to himself .

" I must watch out that he doesn't find me . "

" Ho ! ho ! ho ! " shouted Peter Rabbit .

" Reddy Fox afraid of Johnny Chuck !

Ho ! ho !

Ho ! "

straight home ran Reddy Fox as fast as he could go , and going home he passed the house of Johnny Chuck .

when he came to his own house he stopped and sat on his hind legs once more .

then he shrilled out after Reddy Fox : " Reddy Fox is a ' fraid cat , ' fraid-cat !

Reddy Fox is a ' fraid-cat ! "

and this is the way that Reddy Fox was surprised and that Johnny Chuck found his way home .

CHAPTER IV WHY JIMMY SKUNK WEARS STRIPES

Jimmy Skunk , as everybody knows , wears a striped suit , a suit of black and white .

there was a time , long , long ago , when all the Skunk family wore black .

very handsome their coats were , too , a beautiful , glossy black .

they were very , very proud of them and took the greatest care of them , brushing them carefully ever so many times a day .

there was a Jimmy Skunk then , just as there is now , and he was head of all the Skunk family .

now this Jimmy Skunk was very proud and thought himself very much of a gentleman .

he was very independent and cared for no one .

like a great many other independent people , he did not always consider the rights of others .

you see his coat was so black that in the darkness of the night it was not visible at all .

happy Jack Squirrel would bring her the news every afternoon .

the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind would run up a dozen times a day to see how she was getting along .

one morning Peter Rabbit , coming down the Lone Little Path for his usual morning call , found a terrible state of affairs .

poor little Mrs Grouse was heart-broken .

all about the foot of the Great Pine lay the empty shells of her beautiful eggs .

they had been broken and scattered this way and that .

" how did it happen ? " asked Peter Rabbit .

" I don't know , " sobbed poor little Mrs Grouse .

" in the night when I was fast asleep something pounced upon me .

I managed to get away and fly up in the top of the Great Pine .

in the morning I found all my eggs broken , just as you see them here . "

Peter Rabbit looked the ground over very carefully .

he hunted around behind the Great Pine , he looked under the bushes , he studied the ground with a very wise air .

then he hopped off down the Lone Little Path to the Green Meadows .

he stopped at the house of Johnny Chuck .

" what makes your eyes so big and round ? " asked Johnny Chuck .

Peter Rabbit came very close so as to whisper in Johnny Chuck 's ear , and told him all that he had seen .

together they went to Jimmy Skunk 's house .

Jimmy Skunk was in bed .

he was very sleepy and very cross when he came to the door .

Peter Rabbit told him what he had seen .

" too bad !

too bad ! " said Jimmy Skunk , and yawned sleepily .

" won't you join us in trying to find out who did it ? " asked Johnny Chuck .

Peter Rabbit and Johnny Chuck went on .

pretty soon they met the Merry Little Breezes and told them the dreadful story .

" what shall we do ? " asked Johnny Chuck .

" we 'll hurry over and tell Old Dame Nature , " cried the Merry Little Breezes , " and ask her what to do . "

so away flew the Merry Little Breezes to Old Dame Nature and told her all the dreadful story .

old Dame Nature listened very attentively .

then she sent the Merry Little Breezes to all the little meadow folks to tell every one to be at the Great Pine that afternoon .

now whatever Old Dame Nature commanded all the meadow folks were obliged to do .

they did not dare to disobey her .

promptly at four o'clock that afternoon all the meadow folks were gathered around the foot of the Great Pine .

Broken-hearted little Mrs. ruffed Grouse sat beside her empty nest , with all the broken shells about her .

last of all came Jimmy Skunk .

very handsome he looked in his shining black coat and very sorry he appeared that such a dreadful thing should have happened .

he told Mrs Grouse how badly he felt , and he loudly demanded that the culprit should be found out and severely punished .

old Dame Nature has the most smiling face in the world , but this time it was very , very grave indeed .

first she asked little Mrs Grouse to tell her story all over again that all might hear .

then each in turn was asked to tell where he had been the night before .

Jerry Muskrat , Billy Mink , Little Joe Otter , Grandfather Frog and Spotty the Turtle had not left the Smiling Pool .

Bobby Coon had been down in Farmer Brown 's cornfield .

Hooty the Owl had been hunting in the lower end of the Green Meadows .

Peter Rabbit had been down in the berry patch .

Mr Toad had been under the piece of bark which he called a house .

old Dame Nature called on Jimmy Skunk last of all .

Jimmy protested that he had been very , very tired and had gone to bed very early indeed and had slept the whole night through .

then Old Dame Nature asked Peter Rabbit what he had found among the egg shells that morning .

Peter Rabbit hopped out and laid three long black hairs before Old Dame Nature .

" these , " said Peter Rabbit " are what I found among the egg shells . "

then Old Dame Nature called Johnny Chuck .

" tell us , Johnny Chuck , " said she , " what you saw when you called at Jimmy Skunk 's house this morning . "

" I saw Jimmy Skunk , " said Johnny Chuck , " and Jimmy seemed very , very sleepy .

it seemed to me that his whiskers were yellow . "

" that will do , " said Old Dame Nature , and then she called Old Mother West Wind .

" what time did you come down on the Green Meadows this morning ? "

" and whom did you see so early in the morning ? " asked Old Dame Nature .

" I saw Bobby Coon going home from old Farmer Brown 's cornfield , " said Old Mother West Wind .

" I saw Hooty the Owl coming back from the lower end of the Green Meadows .

I saw Peter Rabbit down in the berry patch .

last of all I saw something like a black shadow coming down the Lone Little Path toward the house of Jimmy Skunk . "

every one was looking very hard at Jimmy Skunk .

Jimmy began to look very unhappy and very uneasy .

" who wears a black coat ? " asked Dame Nature .

" Jimmy Skunk ! " shouted all the little meadow folks .

" what MIGHT make whiskers yellow ? " asked Old Dame Nature .

no one seemed to know at first .

then Peter Rabbit spoke up .

" it MIGHT be the yolk of an egg , " said Peter Rabbit .

" who are likely to be sleepy on a bright sunny morning ? " asked Old Dame Nature .

" people who have been out all night , " said Johnny Chuck , who himself always goes to bed with the sun .

" Jimmy Skunk , I accuse you of having broken and eaten the eggs of Mrs Grouse .

what have you to say for yourself ? "

Jimmy Skunk hung his head .

he hadn't a word to say .

he just wanted to sneak away by himself .

your coat hereafter shall be black and white , that when you move about in the night you will always be visible . "

and this is why that to this day Jimmy Skunk wears a striped suit of black and white .

CHAPTER V THE WILFUL LITTLE BREEZE

old Mother West Wind was tired tired and just a wee bit cross cross because she was tired .

she had had a very busy day .

yes , indeed , Old Mother West Wind had been very , very busy .

he danced ahead of Old Mother West Wind .

he kissed the sleepy daisies .

he shook the nodding buttercups .

he set all the little poplar leaves a dancing , too , and he wouldn't come into the big bag .

so Old Mother West Wind closed the big bag and slung it over her shoulder .

then she started on towards her home behind the Purple Hills .

when she had gone , the willful little Breeze left behind suddenly felt very lonely very lonely indeed !

the sleepy daisies didn't want to play .

the nodding buttercups were cross .

black shadows came creeping , creeping out into the Green Meadows .

the willful little Breeze began to wish that he was safe in Old Mother West Wind 's big bag with all the other Merry Little Breezes .

so he started across the Green Meadows to find the Purple Hills .

how he did wish that he had minded Old Mother West Wind .

and he couldn't go to sleep .

pretty soon the willful little Breeze heard Hooty the Owl out hunting for a meadow mouse for his dinner .

then down the Lone Little Path which ran close to the bayberry bush trotted Reddy Fox .

he was trotting very softly and every minute or so he turned his head and looked behind him to see if he was followed .

it was plain to see that Reddy Fox was bent on mischief .

when he reached the bayberry bush Reddy Fox sat down and barked twice .

Hooty the Owl answered him at once and flew over to join him .

they didn't see the willful little Breeze curled up under the bayberry bush , so intent were these two rogues in plotting mischief .

it made the willful little Breeze shiver to see them .

pretty soon they started on towards the Brown Pasture .

when they were out of sight the willful little Breeze jumped up and shook himself .

then away he sped across the Green Meadows to the Brown Pasture .

and because he could go faster and because he went a shorter way he got there first .

the willful little Breeze shook Mr Bob White very gently .

in an instant he was wide awake .

" Sh-h-h , " said the willful little Breeze .

" thank you , little Breeze , " said Mr Bob White , " I think I 'll move my family . "

then he woke Mrs Bob White and all the little Bob Whites .

Reddy Fox was stealing up through the grass very , very softly .

Hooty the Owl was flying as silently as a shadow .

CHAPTER VI REDDY FOX GOES FISHING

Hoppity , skip , skippity hop !

Reddy felt very much pleased with himself that sunny morning .

pretty soon he saw Johnny Chuck sitting up very straight close by the little house where he lives .

" Johnny Chuck , Chuck , Chuck !

Johnny Chuck , Chuck , Chuck !

Johnny Woodchuck ! " called Reddy fox .

Johnny Chuck pretended not to hear .

his mother had told him not to play with Reddy Fox , for Reddy Fox was a bad boy .

" Johnny Chuck , Chuck , Chuck !

Johnny Woodchuck ! " called Reddy again .

this time Johnny turned and looked .

he could see Reddy Fox turning somersaults and chasing his tail and rolling over and over in the little path .

" come on ! " said Reddy Fox .

" let's go fishing ! "

" can't , " said Johnny Chuck , because you know , his mother had told him not to play with Reddy Fox .

" I 'll show you how to catch a fish , " said Reddy Fox , and tried to jump over his own shadow .

so Reddy Fox went down to the Laughing Brook all alone .

the Brook was laughing and singing on its way to join the Big River .

the sky was blue and the sun was bright .

Reddy Fox jumped on the Big Rock in the middle of the Laughing Brook and peeped over the other side .

what do you think he saw ?

why , right down below in a Dear Little Pool were Mr and Mrs. Trout and all the little Trouts .

Reddy Fox wanted some of those little Trouts to take home for his dinner , but he didn't know how to catch them .

then Mr Trout swam up so quickly that Reddy Fox didn't see him coming and bit Reddy 's little black paw hard .

" ouch ! " cried Reddy Fox , pulling his little black paw out of the water .

and all the little Trouts laughed at Reddy Fox .

just then along came Billy Mink .

" Hello , Reddy Fox ! " said Billy Mink .

" what are you doing here ? "

" I 'm trying to catch a fish , " said Reddy Fox .

" pooh !

that 's easy ! " said Billy Mink .

" I 'll show you how . "

when Billy Mink saw all those little Trouts playing in the Dear Little Pool he laughed .

" you count three , Reddy Fox , " said he , " and I 'll show you how to catch a fish . "

" one ! " said Reddy Fox , " two !

three ! "

splash !

Billy Mink had dived head first into the Dear Little Pool .

" give it to me , " cried Reddy Fox .

" catch one yourself , " said Billy Mink .

" old Grandpa Mink wants a fish for his dinner , so I am going to take this home .

you 're afraid , Reddy Fox !

' Fraid-cat !

Fraid-cat ! "

Billy Mink shook the water off of his little brown coat , picked up the little Trout and ran off home .

Reddy Fox lay down again on the Big Rock and peeped into the Dear Little Pool .

not a single Trout could he see .

they were all hiding safely with Mr and Mrs. Trout .

Reddy Fox watched and watched .

the sun was warm , the Laughing Brook was singing a lullaby and what do you think ?

why , Reddy Fox went fast asleep on the edge of the great Big Rock .

by and by Reddy Fox began to dream .

he dreamed that he had a nice little brown coat that was waterproof , just like the little brown coat that Billy Mink wore .

yes , and he dreamed that he had learned to swim and to catch fish just as Billy Mink did .

he dreamed that the Dear Little Pool was full of little Trouts and that he was just going to catch one when splash !

Reddy Fox had rolled right off of the Big Rock into the Dear Little Pool .

" Ha !

Ha !

Ha ! " laughed Mr Kingfisher , sitting on a tree .

" Ho !

Ho !

Ho ! " laughed old Mr Frog , who had climbed back on his lily pad .

" he !

he !

he ! " laughed all the little Trouts and Mr Trout and Mrs Trout , swimming round and round in the Dear Little Pool .

" Ha !

Ha !

Ha !

Ho !

Ho !

Ho !

he !

he !

he ! " laughed Billy Mink , who had come back to the Big Rock just in time to see Reddy Fox tumble in .

Reddy Fox didn't say a word , he was so ashamed .

Johnny Chuck was still sitting by his door as his mother had told him to .

Reddy Fox tried to go past without being seen , but Johnny Chuck 's bright little eyes saw him .

" where are your fish , Reddy Fox ? " called Johnny Chuck .

but Reddy Fox just walked faster .

and this is all I am going to tell you about how Reddy Fox went fishing .

CHAPTER VII JIMMY SKUNK LOOKS FOR BEETLES

Jimmy Skunk opened his eyes very early one morning and peeped out of his snug little house on the hill .

big , round Mr Sun , with a very red , smiling face , had just begun to climb up into the sky .

old Mother West Wind was just starting down to the Green Meadows with her big bag over her shoulder .

" good morning , Mother West Wind , " said Jimmy Skunk , politely .

" did you see any beetles as you came down the hill ? "

old Mother West Wind said , no , she hadn't seen any beetles as she came down the hill .

" thank you , " said Jimmy Skunk politely .

" I guess I 'll have to go look myself , for I 'm very , very hungry . "

first he went down to the Green Meadows and stopped at Johnny Chuck 's house .

but Johnny Chuck was still in bed and fast asleep .

then Jimmy Skunk went over to see if Reddy Fox would go with him to help find some beetles for his breakfast .

but Reddy Fox had been out very , very late the night before and was still in bed fast asleep , too .

so Jimmy Skunk set out all alone along the Crooked Little Path up the hill to find some beetles for his breakfast .

he walked very slowly , for Jimmy Skunk never hurries .

he stopped and peeped under every old log to see if there were any beetles .

by and by he came to a big piece of bark beside the Crooked Little Path .

Jimmy Skunk took hold of the piece of bark with his two little black paws and pulled and pulled .

all of a sudden , the big piece of bark turned over so quickly that Jimmy Skunk fell flat on his back .

" good morning , Mr Toad , " said Jimmy Skunk .

" have you seen any beetles ? "

" is that the roof of your house ? " asked Jimmy Skunk politely .

" I won't do it again . "

then Jimmy Skunk stepped right over old Mr Toad , and went on up the Crooked Little Path to look for some beetles .

by and by he came to an old stump of a tree which was hollow and had the nicest little round hole in one side .

Jimmy Skunk took hold of one edge with his two little black paws and pulled and pulled .

all of a sudden the whole side of the old stump tore open and Jimmy Skunk fell flat on his back .

" good morning , Striped Chipmunk , " said Jimmy Skunk .

" have you seen any beetles ? "

" is that the side of your house ? " asked Jimmy Skunk , politely .

" I won't do it again . "

then Jimmy Skunk stepped right over Striped Chipmunk , and went on up the Crooked Little Path to look for some beetles .

pretty soon he met Peter Rabbit hopping along down the Crooked Little Path .

" good morning , Jimmy Skunk , where are you going so early in the morning ? " said Peter Rabbit .

" good morning , Peter Rabbit .

have you seen any beetles ? " asked Jimmy Skunk , politely .

" no , I haven't seen any beetles , but I 'll help you find some , " said Peter Rabbit .

so he turned about and hopped ahead of Jimmy Skunk up the Crooked Little Path .

now because Peter Rabbit 's legs are long and he is always in a hurry , he got to the top of the hill first .

" what are you looking at , Peter Rabbit ? " asked Jimmy Skunk .

now when I count three you grab that string and pull hard perhaps you 'll find a beetle at the other end . "

so Jimmy Skunk got ready and Peter Rabbit began to count .

" one ! " said Peter .

" two ! " said Peter .

" three ! "

Jimmy Skunk grabbed the black string and pulled as hard as ever he could and out came Mr . black Snake !

the string Jimmy Skunk had pulled was Mr Black Snake 's tail , and Mr Black Snake was very , very angry indeed .

" Ha !

Ha !

Ha ! " laughed Peter Rabbit .

" what do you mean , Jimmy Skunk , " said Mr Black Snake , " by pulling my tail ? "

" was that your tail ? " said Jimmy Skunk , politely .

" I won't do it again .

have you seen any beetles ? "

Peter Rabbit was still laughing and laughing and laughing .

and the more he laughed the angrier grew Mr Black Snake , till finally he started after Peter Rabbit to teach him a lesson .

then Peter Rabbit stopped laughing , for Mr Black Snake can run very fast .

away went Peter Rabbit down the Crooked Little Path as fast as he could go , and away went Mr Black Snake after him .

CHAPTER VIII BILLY MINK'S SWIMMING PARTY

Billy Mink was coming down the bank of the Laughing Brook .

Billy Mink was feeling very good indeed .

Billy Mink felt like singing too , but Billy Mink 's voice was not meant for singing .

by and by Billy Mink came to the Smiling Pool .

here the Laughing Brook stopped and rested on its way to join the Big River .

it stopped its noisy laughing and singing and just lay smiling and smiling in the warm sunshine .

the little flowers on the bank leaned over and nodded to it .

the beech tree , which was very old , sometimes dropped a leaf into it .

the cat-tails kept their feet cool in the edge of it .

Billy Mink jumped out on the Big Rock and looked down into the Smiling Pool .

over on a green lily pad he saw old Grandfather Frog .

" Hello , Grandfather Frog , " said Billy Mink .

" Hello , Billy Mink , " said Grandfather Frog .

" what mischief are you up to this fine sunny morning ? "

Just then Billy Mink saw a little brown head swimming along one edge of the Smiling Pool .

" Hello , Jerry Muskrat ! " shouted Billy Mink .

" good , " said Billy Mink .

" we 'll have a swimming party . "

pretty soon back came the Little Breezes and with them came Little Joe Otter .

" Hello , Billy Mink , " said Little Joe Otter .

" here I am ! "

" Hello , Little Joe Otter , " said Billy Mink .

" come up here on the Big Rock and see who can dive the deepest into the Smiling Pool . "

" now when I count three we 'll all dive into the Smiling Pool together and see who can dive the deepest .

one ! " said Billy Mink .

" two ! " said Billy Mink .

" three ! " said Billy Mink .

and when he said " three ! " in they all went head first .

my such a splash as they did make !

they upset old Grandfather Frog so that he fell off his lily pad .

they frightened Mr and Mrs. Trout so that they jumped right out of the water .

" Chug-a-rum , " said old Grandfather Frog , climbing out of his lily pad .

" if I wasn't so old I would show you how to dive . "

" come on , Grandfather Frog ! " cried Billy Mink .

" show us how to dive . "

and what do you think ?

why , old Grandfather Frog actually got so excited that he climbed up on the Big Rock to show them how to dive .

splash !

went Grandfather Frog into the Smiling Pool .

splash !

went Billy Mink right behind him .

splash !

splash !

went Little Joe Otter and Jerry Muskrat , right at Billy Mink 's heels .

" hurrah ! " shouted Mr Kingfisher , sitting on a branch of the old beech tree .

and then just to show them that he could dive , too , splash !

he went into the Smiling Pool .

such a noise as they did make !

all the Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind danced for joy on the bank .

Blacky the Crow and Sammy Jay flew over to see what was going on .

" now let's see who can swim the farthest under water , " cried Billy Mink .

so they all stood side by side on one edge of the Smiling Pool .

" go ! " shouted Mr Kingfisher , and in they all plunged .

Sammy Jay 's sharp eyes saw him .

" there 's Grandfather Frog ! " he shouted .

so then Grandfather Frog popped his head out and swam over to his green lily pad to rest .

way over beyond the Big Rock little bubbles in three long rows kept coming up to the top of the Smiling Pool .

they showed just where Billy Mink , Little Joe Otter and Jerry Muskrat were swimming way down out of sight .

it was the air from their lungs making the bubbles .

they were Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter .

a moment later Jerry Muskrat bobbed up beside them .

you see , they had swum clear across the Smiling Pool and of course they could swim no farther .

so Billy Mink 's swimming party was a great success .

CHAPTER IX PETER RABBIT PLAYS A JOKE

but Reddy Fox was nowhere to be seen , so Johnny Chuck trotted down the Lone Little Path to the wood .

by and by he sat down on the end of a log under a big tree to rest .

thump !

something hit Johnny Chuck right on the top of his round little head .

it made Johnny Chuck jump .

" Hello , Johnny Chuck ! " said a voice that seemed to come right out of the sky .

Johnny Chuck tipped his head way , way back and looked up .

he was just in time to see Happy Jack Squirrel drop a nut .

down it came and hit Johnny Chuck right on the tip of his funny , black , little nose .

" oh ! " said Johnny Chuck , and tumbled right over back off the log .

but Johnny Chuck was so round and so fat and so roly-poly that it didn't hurt him a bit .

" Ha !

Ha !

Ha ! " laughed Happy Jack up in the tree .

" Ha !

Ha !

Ha ! " laughed Johnny Chuck , picking himself up .

then they both laughed together .

it was such a good joke .

it was Peter Rabbit .

" what are you doing in my wood ? " asked Peter Rabbit .

" I 'm taking a walk , " said Johnny Chuck .

" good , " said Peter Rabbit , " I 'll come along too . "

So Johnny Chuck and Peter Rabbit set out along the Lone Little Path through the wood .

pretty soon Peter Rabbit came back , walking very softly .

he whispered in Johnny Chuck 's ear .

" I 've found something , " said Peter Rabbit .

" what is it ? " asked Johnny Chuck .

Johnny Chuck promised to be very , very still for he wanted very much to see what Peter Rabbit had found .

peter Rabbit tip-toed down the Lone Little Path through the wood , his funny long ears pointing right up to the sky .

and behind him tip-toed Johnny Chuck , wondering and wondering what it could be that Peter Rabbit had found .

pretty soon they came to a nice mossy green log right across the Lone Little Path .

Peter Rabbit stopped and sat up very straight .

he looked this way and looked that way .

" what is it , Peter Rabbit ? " whispered Johnny Chuck .

" you can't see it yet , " whispered Peter Rabbit , " for first we have to jump over that mossy green log .

then he turned around and sat up to see Johnny Chuck jump over the mossy green log , too .

besides , Johnny Chuck was very , very fat .

Peter Rabbit laughed and laughed until he had to hold his sides .

my , how frightened Johnny Chuck was when he saw what he had done !

before he could get on his feet he had rolled right over behind a little bush , and there he lay very , very still .

Reddy Fox didn't stop to look around .

he thought that Peter Rabbit had jumped on him .

Up jumped Reddy Fox and away ran Peter Rabbit .

away went Reddy Fox after Peter Rabbit .

and Reddy Fox followed Peter Rabbit behind the trees and over the bushes this way and that way , but he couldn't catch Peter Rabbit .

pretty soon Peter Rabbit came to the house of Jimmy Skunk .

Reddy Fox sat down and waited , but Peter Rabbit didn't come out .

by and by Reddy Fox gave it up and trotted off home where old Mother Fox was waiting for him .

all this time Johnny Chuck had sat very still , watching Reddy Fox try to catch Peter Rabbit .

CHAPTER X HOW SAMMY JAY WAS FOUND OUT

Sammy Jay was very busy , very busy indeed .

when anyone happened that way Sammy Jay pretended to be doing nothing at all , for Sammy Jay thought himself a very fine gentleman .

Sammy Jay was in mischief now , and that is why he pretended to be doing nothing when he thought any one was looking .

old Mother West Wind had come down from her home behind the Purple Hills very early that morning .

old Mother West Wind 's eyes were sharp , and she saw Sammy Jay before Sammy Jay saw her .

" he must be up to some mischief . "

" aha ! " said Old Mother West Wind .

then she went on across the Green Meadows .

" good morning , Old Mother West Wind , " said Sammy Jay as she passed the fence post where he was sitting .

" good morning , Sammy Jay , " said Old Mother West Wind .

" what brings you out so early in the morning ? "

" I 'm out for my health , Old Mother West Wind , " said Sammy Jay politely .

" the doctor has ordered me to take a bath in the dew at sunrise every morning . "

old Mother West Wind said nothing , but went on her way across the Green Meadows to blow the ships across the ocean .

when she had passed , Sammy Jay hurried to take the last of Happy Jack 's nuts to the old nest in the Great Pine .

Poor Happy Jack !

soon he came dancing along with another nut to put in the hollow of the old chestnut tree .

when he peeped in and saw that all his big store of nuts had disappeared , he couldn't believe his own eyes .

he put in one paw and felt all around but not a nut could he feel .

then he climbed in and sure enough , the hollow was empty .

Poor Happy Jack !

there were tears in his eyes when he crept out again .

he looked all around but no one was to be seen but handsome Sammy Jay , very busy brushing his beautiful blue coat .

" good morning , Sammy Jay , have you seen any one pass this way ? " asked Happy Jack .

" some one has stolen a store of nuts from the hollow in the old chestnut tree . "

and because every one liked Happy Jack , every one felt very sorry indeed for him .

of course Sammy Jay was there , looking his handsomest .

" is that your nest ? " she asked Blacky the Crow .

" it was , but I gave it to my cousin , Sammy Jay , " said Blacky the Crow .

" is that your nest , and may I have a stick out of it ? " asked Old Mother West Wind of Sammy Jay .

to himself he thought , " she will only take one from the top and that won't matter . "

down it fell bumpity-bump on the branches of the Great Pine .

after it fell what do you think ?

why , hickory nuts and chestnuts and acorns and hazel nuts , such a lot of them !

" why !

why e e ! " cried Happy Jack .

" there are all my stolen nuts ! "

everybody turned to look at Sammy Jay , but he was flying off through the wood as fast as he could go .

" stop thief ! " cried Old Mother West Wind .

" stop thief ! " cried all the Merry Little Breezes and Johnny Chuck and Billy Mink and all the rest .

but Sammy Jay didn't stop .

then all began to pick up the nuts that had fallen from the old nest where Sammy Jay had hidden them .

and ever since that day , Sammy Jay , whenever he tries to call , just screams : " Thief ! "

" thief ! "

" thief ! "

CHAPTER XI JERRY MUSKRAT'S PARTY

all the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind were hurrying over the Green Meadows .

some flew this way and some ran that way and some danced the other way .

you see , Jerry Muskrat had asked them to carry his invitations to a party at the Big Rock in the Smiling Pool .

of course every one said that they would be delighted to go to Jerry Muskrat 's party .

round Mr Sun shone his very brightest .

when they reached the Smiling Pool they found Jerry Muskrat all ready .

his brothers and his sister , his aunts and his uncles and his cousins were all there .

such a merry , merry time as there was in the Smiling Pool !

how the water did splash !

Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter and Grandfather Frog jumped right in as soon as they got there .

they played tag in the water and hid behind the Big Rock .

they turned somersaults down the slippery slide and they had such a good time !

so of course they didn't have a good time .

soon they began to wish that they hadn't come to Jerry Muskrat 's party .

when he found that they were not having a good time , poor Jerry Muskrat felt very badly indeed .

" let's go home , " said Peter Rabbit to Johnny Chuck .

" we can have more fun up on the hill , " said Jimmy Skunk .

just then Little Joe Otter came pushing a great big log across the Smiling Pool .

" here 's a ship , Bobby Coon .

you get on one end and I 'll give you a sail across the Smiling Pool , " shouted Little Joe Otter .

across the Smiling Pool they went and back again .

Bobby Coon had such a good ride that he wanted to go again , but Jimmy Skunk wanted a ride .

then Jerry Muskrat found another log and gave Peter Rabbit a ride .

happy Jack Squirrel sat up very straight on the end of his log and spread his great bushy tail for a sail .

all the little Breezes blew and blew and Happy Jack Squirrel sailed round and round the Smiling Pool .

in the bushes around the Smiling Pool the little birds sang and sang .

Reddy Fox barked his loudest .

happy Jack Squirrel chattered and chir r r ed .

all the muskrats squealed and squeaked , for Jerry Muskrat 's party was such fun !

CHAPTER XII BOBBY COON AND REDDY FOX PLAY TRICKS

it was night .

all the little stars were looking down and twinkling and twinkling .

mother Moon was doing her best to make the Green Meadows as light as Mr Sun did in the daytime .

all the little birds except Hooty the Owl and Boomer the Night Hawk , and noisy Mr Whip-poor-will were fast asleep in their little nests .

old Mother West Wind 's Merry Little Breezes had all gone to sleep , too .

it was oh so still !

indeed it was so very still that Bobby Coon , coming down the Lone Little Path through the wood , began to talk to himself .

" I don't see what people want to play all day and sleep all night for , " said Bobby Coon .

" night 's the best time to be about .

now Reddy Fox "

" be careful what you say about Reddy Fox , " said a voice right behind Bobby Coon .

Bobby Coon turned around very quickly indeed , for he had thought he was all alone .

there was Reddy Fox himself , trotting down the Lone Little Path through the wood .

" I thought you were home and fast asleep , Reddy Fox , " said Bobby Coon .

" you were mistaken , " said Reddy Fox .

" for you see I 'm out to take a walk in the moonlight . "

So Bobby Coon and Reddy Fox walked together down the Lone Little Path through the wood to the Green Meadows .

" hello , Jimmy Skunk ! " said Bobby Coon and Reddy Fox .

" come down to the Green Meadows with us . "

pretty soon they came to the house of Johnny Chuck .

" listen , " said Bobby Coon .

" Johnny Chuck is fast asleep . "

they all listened and they could hear Johnny Chuck snoring away down in his snug little bed .

" let's give Johnny Chuck a surprise , " said Reddy Fox .

" what shall it be ? " asked Bobby Coon .

" I know , " said Reddy Fox .

" let's roll that big stone right over Johnny Chuck 's doorway ; then he 'll have to dig his way out in the morning . "

Jimmy Skunk pretended not to see what they were doing .

" come on ! " cried Reddy Fox , " I 'll get there first ! "

but Jimmy Skunk didn't go .

he watched Reddy Fox and Bobby Coon until they were nearly to the Laughing Brook .

then he began to dig at one side of the big stone which filled the doorway of Johnny Chuck 's house .

my , how he made the dirt fly !

" Johnny Chuck , Chuck , Chuck !

Johnny Woodchuck ! " called Jimmy Skunk .

but Johnny Chuck just snored .

" Johnny Chuck , Chuck , Chuck !

Johnny Woodchuck ! " called Jimmy Skunk once more .

but Johnny Chuck just snored .

then Jimmy Skunk called again , this time louder than before .

" who is it ? " asked a very sleepy voice .

" it 's Jimmy Skunk .

put your coat on and come up here ! " called Jimmy Skunk .

" go away , Jimmy Skunk .

I want to sleep ! " said Johnny Chuck .

" I 've got a surprise for you , Johnny Chuck .

you 'd better come ! " called Jimmy Skunk through the little hole he had made .

and there he found the big stone Reddy Fox and Bobby Coon had put there , and of course he was very much surprised indeed .

he thought Jimmy Skunk had played him a mean trick and for a few minutes he was very mad .

but Jimmy Skunk soon told him who had filled up his doorway with the big stone .

so Johnny Chuck pushed and Jimmy Skunk pulled , and sure enough they soon had the big stone out of Johnny Chuck 's doorway .

Jimmy Skunk walked slowly up the Lone Little Path to the wood , for Jimmy Skunk never hurries .

pretty soon he came to the big hollow tree where Bobby Coon lives , and there he met Hooty the Owl .

" hello , Jimmy Skunk , where have you been ? " asked Hooty the Owl .

" Just for a walk , " said Jimmy Skunk .

" who lives in this big hollow tree ? "

now of course Jimmy Skunk knew all the time , but he pretended he didn't .

" oh , this is Bobby Coon 's house , " said Hooty the Owl .

" let's give Bobby Coon a surprise , " said Jimmy Skunk .

" how ? " asked Hooty the Owl .

" we 'll fill his house full of sticks and leaves , " said Jimmy Skunk .

" good night , " said Hooty the Owl , as he flew like a big soft shadow over to the Great Pine .

what do you suppose they said when they reached their homes and found that someone else had been playing jokes , too ?

CHAPTER XIII JOHNNY CHUCK FINDS THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD

old Mother West Wind had stopped to talk with the Slender Fir Tree .

Striped Chipmunk was sitting under the Slender Fir Tree and he couldn't help hearing what Old Mother West Wind said .

" the Best Thing in the World now what can that be ? " thought Striped Chipmunk .

" why , it must be heaps and heaps of nuts and acorns !

I 'll go and find it . "

So Striped Chipmunk started down the Lone Little Path through the wood as fast as he could run .

pretty soon he met Peter Rabbit .

" where are you going in such a hurry , Striped Chipmunk ? " asked Peter Rabbit .

" down in the Green Meadows to find the Best Thing in the World , " replied Striped Chipmunk , and ran faster .

" the Best Thing in the World , " said Peter Rabbit .

" why , that must be great piles of carrots and cabbage !

I think I 'll go and find it . "

So Peter Rabbit started down the Lone Little Path through the wood as fast as he could go after Striped Chipmunk .

as they passed the great hollow tree Bobby Coon put his head out .

" where are you going in such a hurry ? " asked Bobby Coon .

" the Best Thing in the World , " said Bobby Coon to himself .

" why , that must be a whole field of sweet milky corn .

I think I 'll go and find it . "

at the edge of the wood they met Jimmy Skunk .

" where are you going in such a hurry ? " asked Jimmy Skunk .

" down in the Green Meadows to find the Best Thing in the World ! " shouted Striped Chipmunk and Peter Rabbit and Bobby Coon .

then they all tried to run faster .

" the Best Thing in the World , " said Jimmy Skunk .

" why , that must be packs and packs of beetles ! "

and for once in his life Jimmy Skunk began to hurry down the Lone Little Path after Striped Chipmunk and Peter Rabbit and Bobby Coon .

" the Best Thing in the World , " said Reddy Fox to himself .

" why , that must be a whole pen full of tender young chickens , and I must have them . "

by and by they all came to the house of Johnny Chuck .

" where are you going in such a hurry ? " asked Johnny Chuck .

" the Best Thing in the World , " said Johnny Chuck .

" why , I don't know of anything better than my own little home and the warm sunshine and the beautiful blue sky . "

when the long day was over they started up the Lone Little Path past Johnny Chuck 's house to their own homes .

they didn't hurry now for they were so very , very tired !

and they were cross oh so cross !

Striped Chipmunk hadn't found a single nut .

Peter Rabbit hadn't found so much as the leaf of a cabbage .

Bobby Coon hadn't found the tiniest bit of sweet milky corn .

Jimmy Skunk hadn't seen a single beetle .

Reddy Fox hadn't heard so much as the peep of a chicken .

and all were as hungry as hungry could be .

half way up the Lone Little Path they met Old Mother West Wind going to her home behind the hill .

" did you find the Best Thing in the World ? " asked Old Mother West Wind .

" NO ! " shouted Striped Chipmunk and Peter Rabbit and Bobby Coon and Jimmy Skunk and Reddy Fox all together .

" Johnny Chuck has it , " said Old Mother West Wind .

" it is being happy with the things you have and not wanting things which some one else has .

and it is called Con-tent-ment . "

CHAPTER XIV LITTLE JOE OTTER'S SLIPPERY SLIDE

Little Joe Otter and Billy Mink had been playing together around the Smiling Pool all one sunshiny morning .

they had been fishing and had taken home a fine dinner of Trout for old Grandfather Mink and blind old Granny Otter .

they had played tag with the Merry Little Breezes .

they had been in all kinds of mischief and now they just didn't know what to do .

they were sitting side by side on the Big Rock trying to push each other off into the Smiling Pool .

" I 've thought of something ! " cried Little Joe Otter .

" what is it ? " asked Billy Mink .

Little Joe Otter just looked wise and said nothing .

" something to eat ? " asked Billy Mink .

" no , " said Little Joe Otter .

" I don't believe you 've a thought of anything at all , " said Billy Mink .

" I have too ! " said Little Joe Otter .

" it 's something to do . "

" what ? " demanded Billy Mink .

just then Little Joe Otter spied Jerry Muskrat .

" hi , Jerry Muskrat !

come over here ! " he called .

Jerry Muskrat swam across to the Big Rock and climbed up beside Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter .

" what are you fellows doing ? " asked Jerry Muskrat .

" having some fun , " said Billy Mink .

" Little Joe Otter has thought of something to do , but I don't know what it is . "

" let's make a slide , " cried Little Joe Otter .

" you show us how , " said Billy Mink .

then Little Joe Otter climbed up the bank to the top of the slippery slide and lay down flat on his stomach .

Billy Mink gave a push and away he went down , down the slippery slide , splash into the Smiling Pool .

then Jerry Muskrat tried it and after him Billy Mink .

then all did it over again .

sometimes they went down the slippery slide on their backs , sometimes flat on their stomachs , sometimes head first , sometimes feet first .

oh such fun as they did have !

even Grandfather Frog came over and tried the slippery slide .

Johnny Chuck , over in the Green Meadows , heard the noise and stole down the Lone Little Path to see .

Jimmy Skunk , looking for beetles up on the hill , heard the noise and forgot that he hadn't had his breakfast .

Reddy Fox , taking a nap , woke up and hurried over to watch the fun .

last of all came Peter Rabbit .

Little Joe Otter saw him coming .

" hello , Peter Rabbit ! " he shouted .

" come and try the slippery slide . "

now Peter Rabbit couldn't swim , but he pretended that he didn't want to .

" I 've left my bathing suit at home , " said Peter Rabbit .

" never mind , " said Billy Mink .

" Mr Sun will dry you off . "

" and we 'll help , " said all the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind .

but Peter Rabbit shook his head and said , " no . "

faster and faster went Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter and Jerry Muskrat and old Grandfather Frog down the slippery slide into the Smiling Pool .

Peter Rabbit kept coming nearer and nearer until finally he stood right at the top of the slippery slide .

Billy Mink crept up behind him very softly and gave him a push .

Peter Rabbit 's long legs flew out from under him and down he sat with a thump on the slippery slide .

" oh , " cried Peter Rabbit , and tried to stop himself .

but he couldn't do it and so away he went down the slippery slide , splash into the Smiling Pool .

" Ha ! ha ! ha ! " laughed Billy Mink .

" Ho ! ho ! ho ! " shouted Little Joe Otter .

Poor Peter Rabbit !

Billy Mink swam out and took hold of the other long ear .

Jerry Muskrat swam right under Peter Rabbit and took him on his back .

all the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind came over and helped Mr Sun dry Peter Rabbit off .

then they all sat down together and watched Little Joe Otter turn a somersault down the slippery slide .

CHAPTER XV THE TAIL OF TOMMY TROUT WHO DID NOT MIND

Tommy Trout never could mind right away .

he always had to wait a little instead of minding when he was spoken to .

Tommy Trout didn't mean to be bad .

oh dear , no !

all the little Trouts were playing in their dear little pool , safe behind the Big Rock .

all the little Trouts , except Tommy Trout , promised that they would surely , surely stay inside their dear little pool .

then they all began to jump and chase each other and play as happy as could be , all but Tommy Trout .

as soon as Mrs Trout had started , Tommy Trout swam off by himself to the edge of the pool .

" I wonder what is on the other side of the Big Rock , " said Tommy Trout .

" the sun is shining and the brook is laughing and nothing could happen if I go just a little speck of a ways . "

so , when no one was looking , Tommy Trout slipped out of the safe little pool where all the other little Trouts were playing .

he swam just a little speck of a ways farther still .

now he could see almost around the Big Rock .

" ah ha ! " said Mr Pickerel , opening his big , big mouth very , very wide .

into that great big , big mouth he went instead , and Mr Pickerel swallowed him whole .

" ah ha , " said Mr Pickerel , " I like little Trouts . "

and nothing more was ever heard of Tommy Trout , who didn't mind .

CHAPTER XVI SPOTTY THE TURTLE WINS A RACE

all the little people who live on the Green Meadows and in the Smiling Pool and along the Laughing Brook were to have a holiday .

you see , Peter Rabbit had been boasting of how fast he could run .

Reddy Fox was quite sure that he could run faster than Peter Rabbit .

they all met one day beside the Smiling Pool and agreed that old Grandfather Frog should decide who was the swiftest .

now Grandfather Frog was accounted very wise .

he sat on his green lily-pad while Billy Mink sat on the Big Rock , and Peter Rabbit and Reddy Fox sat on the bank .

each in turn told why he thought he was the fastest .

old Grandfather Frog listened and listened and said never a word until they were all through .

the one who first reached the old butternut tree with a hickory nut would be declared the winner .

the Merry Little Breezes flew about over the Green Meadows telling everyone about the race and everyone planned to be there .

it was a beautiful summer day .

Mr Sun smiled and smiled , and the more he smiled the warmer it grew .

Johnny Chuck , Jerry Muskrat , Jimmy Skunk , Little Joe Otter , Grandfather Frog and even old Mr Toad , were there .

last of all came Spotty the Turtle .

now Spotty the Turtle is a very slow walker , and he cannot run at all .

everybody laughed because you know Spotty is so very , very slow but Spotty didn't laugh and he didn't get cross because everyone else laughed .

I think I WILL enter this race . "

every one thought that that was the best joke they had heard for a long time , and all laughed harder than ever .

they all agreed that Spotty the Turtle should start in the race too .

" are you ready ? " asked Grandfather Frog .

" go ! "

away went Peter Rabbit with great big jumps .

now just as they started Spotty the Turtle reached up and grabbed the long hair on the end of Reddy 's big tail .

but he didn't even know that Spotty the Turtle was there .

the Merry Little Breezes flew along , too , to see that the race was fair .

Peter Rabbit went with great big jumps .

whenever he came to a little bush he jumped right over it , for Peter Rabbit 's legs are long and meant for jumping .

Billy Mink is so slim that he slipped between the bushes and through the long grass like a little brown streak .

Reddy Fox , who is bigger than either Peter Rabbit or Billy Mink , had no trouble in keeping up with them .

not one of them noticed that Spotty the Turtle was hanging fast to the end of Reddy 's tail .

now just at the foot of the little hill on which the big hickory tree grew was a little pond .

it wasn't very wide but it was quite long .

he himself can swim even faster than he can run .

the more he thought of this , the more foolish it seemed that he should hurry so on such a warm day .

I will surely get there first . "

so Billy Mink ran slower and slower , and pretty soon he had dropped behind .

Mr Sun , round and red , looking down , smiled and smiled to see the race .

the more he smiled the warmer it grew .

Peter Rabbit did not make such long jumps as when he first started .

Reddy Fox began to feel very thirsty , and his tongue hung out .

now that Billy Mink was behind them they thought they did not need to hurry so .

Peter Rabbit reached the little pond first .

he had not thought of that pond when he agreed to enter the race .

he stopped right on the edge of it and sat up on his hind legs .

in just a moment Reddy Fox ran out of the bushes and Reddy felt much as Peter Rabbit did .

way , way behind them was Billy Mink , trotting along comfortably and chuckling to himself .

Peter Rabbit looked at Reddy Fox in dismay , and Reddy Fox looked at Peter Rabbit in dismay .

then they both looked at Billy Mink and remembered that Billy Mink could swim right across .

they were so excited that neither noticed a little splash in the pond .

only once or twice he stuck his little black nose up to get some air .

the rest of the time he swam under water and no one but the Merry Little Breezes saw him .

right across he swam , and climbed up the bank right under the big hickory tree .

now there were just three nuts left under the hickory trees .

two of these Spotty took down to the edge of the pond and buried in the mud .

the other he took in his mouth and started back across the pond .

just as he reached the other shore up trotted Billy Mink , but Billy Mink didn't see Spotty .

he was too intent watching Reddy Fox and Peter Rabbit , who were now half way around the pond .

In he jumped with a splash .

my !

how good that cool water did feel !

he didn't have to hurry now , because he felt sure that the race was his .

so he swam round and round and chased some fish and had a beautiful time in the water .

they both looked tired and hot and discouraged .

then Billy Mink swam slowly across and climbed out on the bank under the big hickory tree .

but where were the nuts ?

Billy Mink ran this way and ran that way .

then they , too , began to look under the leaves and under the bark .

they pawed around in the grass , they hunted in every nook and cranny , but not a nut could they find .

they were tired and cross and hot and they accused Billy Mink of having hidden the nuts .

" here come the Merry Little Breezes ; they 'll tell us who wins the race , " cried Sammy Jay .

old Grandfather Frog was so surprised that he actually let a great green fly buzz right past his nose .

" where did you get that hickory nut ? " asked Grandfather Frog .

" under the big hickory tree on the hill on the other side of the Green Meadows , " said Spotty .

then all the Merry Little Breezes clapped their hands and shouted : " he did !

he did !

Spotty wins the race ! "

End of Project Gutenberg 's Old Mother West Wind , by Thornton W Burgess

produced by David Reed

EIGHT COUSINS

by Louisa M Alcott

preface

the Author is quite aware of the defects of this little story , many of which were unavoidable , as it first appeared serially .

L.M.A.

Chapter @number@ Two Girls

then both old ladies put their heads together and picked out the model child of the neighbourhood to come and play with their niece .

so prim little Ariadne was sent home , and the exhausted aunties left Rose to her own devices for a day or two .

bad weather and a cold kept her in-doors , and she spent most of her time in the library where her father 's books were stored .

before she had time to squeeze out a single tear a sound broke the stillness , making her prick up her ears .

Rose laughed also , and , forgetting her woes , jumped up , saying eagerly ,

" it is a mocking-bird .

where is it ? "

running down the long hall , she peeped out at both doors , but saw nothing feathered except a draggle-tailed chicken under a burdock leaf .

she listened again , and the sound seemed to be in the house .

away she went , much excited by the chase , and following the changeful song , it led her to the china-closet door .

" In there ?

how funny ! " she said .

but when she entered , not a bird appeared except the everlastingly kissing swallows on the Canton china that lined the shelves .

all of a sudden Rose 's face brightened , and , softly opening the slide , she peered into the kitchen .

but the music had stopped , and all she saw was a girl in a blue apron scrubbing the hearth .

Rose stared about her for a minute , and then asked abruptly ,

" did you hear that mocking-bird ? "

" I should call it a phebe-bird , " answered the girl , looking up with a twinkle in her black eyes .

" where did it go ? "

" it is here still . "

" where ? "

" In my throat .

do you want to hear it ? "

" oh , yes !

I 'll come in . "

Rose was so astonished that she nearly fell off her perch , and when the little concert was over clapped her hands delightedly .

" oh , it was lovely !

who taught you ? "

" the birds , " answered the girl , with a smile , as she fell to work again .

" it is very wonderful !

I can sing , but nothing half so fine as that .

what is your name , please ? "

" Phebe Moore . "

it is very lonely in the parlor . "

" it must be fun to swash the water round and dig out the soap .

I 'd love to do it , only aunt wouldn't like it , I suppose , " said Rose , quite taken with the new employment .

" you 'd soon get tired , so you 'd better keep tidy and look on . "

" I suppose you help your mother a good deal ? "

" I haven't got any folks . "

" why , where do you live , then ? "

" I 'm going to live here , I hope .

Debby wants some one to help round , and I 've come to try for a week . "

" hope I shall ; for I 'm fifteen now , and old enough to earn my own living .

" yes , I shall stay till my uncle comes .

he is my guardian now , and I don't know what he will do with me .

have you a guardian ? "

" my sakes , no !

but she is dead now , and I take care of myself . "

" how interesting !

it is like Arabella Montgomery in the ' Gypsy 's Child . '

did you ever read that sweet story ? " asked Rose , who was fond of tales of found-lings , and had read many .

presently Phebe seemed to think it was her turn to ask questions , and said , wistfully ,

" you 've had lots of schooling , I suppose ? "

" oh , dear me , yes !

I 've been at boarding school nearly a year , and I 'm almost dead with lessons .

the more I got , the more Miss Power gave me , and I was so miserable that I ' most cried my eyes out .

Papa never gave me hard things to do , and he always taught me so pleasantly I loved to study .

oh , we were so happy and so fond of one another !

but now he is gone , and I am left all alone . "

for a minute there was no sound in the kitchen but the little daughter 's sobbing and the sympathetic patter of the rain .

fearing that might not be considered proper , she said , in her cheery voice ,

" I 'm sure you ain't all alone with such a lot of folks belonging to you , and all so rich and clever .

you 'll be petted to pieces , Debby says , because you are the only girl in the family . "

" that 's one of my troubles !

I 've got six aunts , and they all want me , and I don't know any of them very well .

papa named this place the Aunt-hill , and now I see why . "

Phebe laughed with her as she said encouragingly ,

" I could stand the aunts , but there are dozens of cousins , dreadful boys all of them , and I detest boys !

I shall have to see them some time , but I do dread it so . "

" oh !

I guess you 'll like ' em .

I 've seen ' em flying round when they come over from the Point , sometimes in their boats and sometimes on horseback .

if you like boats and horses , you 'll enjoy yourself first-rate . "

" but I don't !

I 'm afraid of horses , and boats make me ill , and I hate boys ! "

and poor Rose wrung her hands at the awful prospect before her .

Phebe laughed at her woe till the beans danced in the pan , but tried to comfort her by suggesting a means of relief .

" perhaps your uncle will take you away where there ain't any boys .

Debby says he is a real kind man , and always bring heaps of nice things when he comes . "

" yes , but you see that is another trouble , for I don't know Uncle Alec at all .

he hardly ever came to see us , though he sent me pretty things very often .

now I belong to him , and shall have to mind him , till I am eighteen .

I may not like him a bit , and I fret about it all the time . "

" well , I wouldn't borrow trouble , but have a real good time .

" it 's thunder , " said Phebe .

" you are wanted in the parlor , Miss Rose . "

" has anybody come ? "

" Little girls shouldn't ask questions , but do as they are bid , " was all Debby would answer .

" guess you 'll wish it was Aunt Myra when you see who has come .

Chapter @number@ The Clan

then she crept softly down the hall and peeped into the parlor .

no one appeared , and all was so still she felt sure the company was upstairs .

so she skipped boldly through the half-open folding-doors , to behold on the other side a sight that nearly took her breath away .

before she could run , however , the tallest lad stepped out of the line , saying pleasantly ,

" don't be frightened .

this is the Clan come to welcome you ; and I 'm the chief , Archie , at your service . "

" we came in full rig , for we always turn out in style on grand occasions .

hope you like it .

now I 'll tell you who these chaps are , and then we shall be all right .

this big one is Prince Charlie , Aunt Clara 's boy .

she has but one , so he is an extra good one .

this old fellow is Mac , the bookworm , called Worm for short .

this sweet creature is Steve the Dandy .

look at his gloves and top-knot , if you please .

they are Aunt Jane 's lads , and a precious pair you 'd better believe .

these are the Brats , my brothers , Geordie and Will , and Jamie the Baby .

now , my men , step out and show your manners . "

this impressive ceremony being over , the Clan broke ranks , and both rooms instantly appeared to be pervaded with boys .

Archie came first , and , leaning over the chair-back , observed in a paternal tone ,

" I 'm glad you 've come , cousin , and I hope you 'll find the Aunt-hill pretty jolly . "

" I think I shall . "

Mac shook his hair out of his eyes , stumbled over a stool , and asked abruptly ,

" did you bring any books with you ? "

" four boxes full .

they are in the library . "

Mac vanished from the room , and Steve , striking an attitude which displayed his costume effectively , said with an affable smile ,

" we were sorry not to see you last Wednesday .

I hope your cold is better . "

" yes , thank you . "

and a smile began to dimple about Rose 's mouth , as she remembered her retreat under the bed-cover .

" Mamma sent her love and hopes you will be well enough to come over for a day next week .

it must be desperately dull here for a little thing like you . "

" beg pardon , ma'am ; never should have guessed it . "

and Charlie went off with a laugh , glad to have struck a spark out of his meek cousin .

" did you bring your monkey ? "

" no ; he is dead . "

" are you going to have a boat ? "

" I hope not . "

here the two , with a right-about-face movement , abruptly marched away , and little Jamie demanded with childish frankness ,

" did you bring me anything nice ? "

" did you see the circus go by ? "

" when ?

where ? " cried all the boys in great excitement at once .

" Just before you came .

" it was our new dog-cart and the Shetland ponies .

you 'll never hear the last of your circus , cousin . "

" come and see them all ! " cried the Prince .

" no , you won't !

" step in , ma'am , and make yourself comfortable while we show you some fun . "

" how is that , my lassie ? " asked the Prince , coming up all flushed and breathless when the ballet was over .

" it was splendid !

I never went to the theatre but once , and the dancing was not half so pretty as this .

what clever boys you must be ! " said Rose , smiling upon her kinsmen like a little queen upon her subjects .

" ah , we 're a fine lot , and that is only the beginning of our larks .

we haven't got the pipes here or we 'd ,

' Sing for you , play for you A dulcy melody , ' "

answered Charlie , looking much elated at her praise .

" neither did we till lately .

we 've been reading Scott 's novels , and all of a sudden we remembered that our grandfather was a Scotchman .

we 've been at it some time now , and it 's great fun .

our people like it , and I think we are a pretty canny set . "

" I 'm Fitzjames and he's Roderick Dhu , and we 'll give you the broadsword combat some day .

it 's a great thing , you 'd better believe , " added the Prince .

" yes , and you should hear Steve play the pipes .

he makes ' em skirl like a good one , " cried Will from the box , eager to air the accomplishments of his race .

" them harum-scarum boys will certainly be the death of that delicate little creter ! "

" oh , please don't !

" Marmalade for me , auntie . "

" plenty of plum-cake , please . "

" tell Debby to trot out the baked pears . "

" I 'm your man for lemon-pie , ma'am . "

" do have fritters ; Rose will like ' em . "

" she 'd rather have tarts , I know . "

they were all so characteristically employed that she could not help smiling as she looked .

she guessed his intention , and forestalled his demand by dropping a handful of sugar-plums down upon him .

" there she is , as fine as you please , " cried Steve , kissing his hand to her .

" come on , Missy ; tea is ready , " added the Prince encouragingly .

" I shall take her in . "

something uncommonly fine , they declared it was , but enveloped in the deepest mystery for the present .

" did I ever see it ? " asked Jamie .

" who will have it first ? " asked Will , with his mouth full of marmalade .

" aunt Plenty , I guess . "

" when will she have it ? " demanded Geordie , bouncing in his seat with impatience .

" sometime on Monday . "

" doesn't auntie know ? " asked a chorus of voices .

" no ; and that 's the best of the joke , for she is desperately fond of it . "

" what colour is it ? " asked Rose , joining in the fun .

" blue and brown . "

" is it good to eat ? " asked Jamie .

" some people think so , but I shouldn't like to try it , " answered Charlie , laughing so he split his tea .

" who does it belong to ? " put in Steve .

" to Grandfather Campbell . "

soon after tea the Clan departed , singing " all the blue bonnets are over the border , " at the tops of their voices .

" pretty well , ma'am ; but I like Phebe better . "

right in the middle of her meditations she fell asleep and dreamed she was at home again in her own little bed .

" this is my little girl , and I am Uncle Alec . "

Chapter @number@ Uncles

when Rose woke next morning , she was not sure whether she had dreamed what occurred the night before , or it had actually happened .

the sun was shining , and Rose opened her window to let in the soft May air fresh from the sea .

he waved his hand to her , nodded , and called out in a bluff , cheery voice ,

" you are on deck early , little niece . "

" I got up to see if you had really come , uncle . "

" did you ?

well , come down here and make sure of it . "

" I 'm not allowed to go out before breakfast , sir . "

" oh , indeed ! " with a shrug .

Rose was so taken aback , she could only answer with a smile as she went to meet him .

" pretty well , thank you , sir . "

" ah , but it should be very well .

why isn't it ? "

" I always wake up with a headache , and feel tired . "

" don't you sleep well ? "

" I lie awake a long time , and then I dream , and my sleep does not seem to rest me much . "

" what do you do all day ? "

" oh , I read , and sew a little , and take naps , and sit with auntie . "

" no running about out of doors , or house-work , or riding , hey ? "

" aunt Plenty says I 'm not strong enough for much exercise .

I drive out with her sometimes , but I don't care for it . "

" no one but Ariadne Blish , and she was such a goose I couldn't bear her .

the boys came yesterday , and seemed rather nice ; but , of course , I couldn't play with them . "

" why not ? "

" I 'm too old to play with boys . "

" not a bit of it ; that 's just what you need , for you 've been molly-coddled too much .

I will look you up some girls also , if I can find a sensible one who is not spoilt by her nonsensical education . "

" and who is Phebe , if you please ? "

" you may laugh at me , but I do .

" how do you know that ? "

" so she doesn't call desertion , poverty , and hard work , troubles ?

she 's a brave little girl , and I shall be proud to know her . "

and Uncle Alec gave an approving nod , that made Rose wish she had been the one to earn it .

" but what are these troubles of yours , child ? " he asked , after a minute of silence .

" please don't ask me , uncle . "

" can't you tell them to me as well as to Phebe ? "

" the greatest one was losing dear papa . "

" that is a trouble which I cannot cure , my child ; but I shall try to make you feel it less .

what else , dear ? "

we will show her how to make constitutions and turn pale-faced little ghosts into rosy , hearty girls .

that 's my business , you know , " he added , more quietly , for his sudden outburst had rather startled Rose .

" I had forgotten you were a doctor .

as she spoke , Rose pointed to a little table just inside the window , on which appeared a regiment of bottles .

" ah , ha !

now we 'll see what mischief these blessed women have been at . "

and , as quick as a flash , he sent one after another smashing down into the posy-beds below .

" you are my patient now , and I 'll take the responsibility .

" when I prescribe such rubbish , I 'll give you leave to pitch it overboard as soon as you like .

now what is the next trouble ? "

" I hoped you would forget to ask . "

" but how can I help you if I don't know them ?

come , let us have No . @number@ "

" it is very wrong , I suppose , but I do sometimes wish I had not quite so many aunts .

" I intend to try a course of uncles now , and see how that suits your constitution .

I 'm going to have you all to myself , and no one is to give a word of advice unless I ask it .

there is no other way to keep order aboard , and I am captain of this little craft , for a time at least .

what comes next ? "

but Rose stuck there , and grew so red , her uncle guessed what that trouble was .

" I don't think I can tell this one .

it wouldn't be polite , and I feel pretty sure that it isn't going to be a trouble any more . "

that is one of my mistakes , and I never repented it more deeply than I do now .

your father and I had a trouble once , and I thought I could never forgive him ; so I kept away for years .

will she believe this and try ? "

Phebe appeared with a cup of coffee .

" I 'm all dressed , so I don't need any help .

I hope that is good and strong , " added Rose , eyeing the steaming cup with an eager look .

but she did not get it , for a brown hand took possession of it as her uncle said quickly ,

" hold hard , my lass , and let me overhaul that dose before you take it .

do you drink all this strong coffee every morning , Rose ? "

" yes , sir , and I like it .

auntie says it ' tones ' me up , and I always feel better after it . "

no more coffee for you , my dear , and by and by you 'll see that I am right .

any new milk downstairs , Phebe ? "

" yes , sir , plenty right in from the barn . "

" that 's the drink for my patient .

go bring me a pitcherful , and another cup ; I want a draught myself .

this won't hurt the honeysuckles , for they have no nerves to speak of . "

and , to Rose 's great discomfort , the coffee went after the medicine .

Dr Alec saw the injured look she put on , but took no notice , and presently banished it by saying pleasantly ,

that reminds me ; one of the boxes Phebe wanted to lug upstairs last night is for you .

early to-morrow we 'll have a grand rummage .

Here's our milk !

I propose the health of Miss Rose Campbell and drink it with all my heart . "

" do you always go in and out like a cat , uncle ? " asked Rose , much amused at his odd ways .

good-bye till breakfast . "

and away he went down the water-spout , over the roof , and vanished among the budding honey-suckles below .

" ain't he a funny guardeen ? " exclaimed Phebe , as she went off with the cups .

" got a fresh trouble , Rosy ? " he asked , stroking her smooth head .

" uncle , are you going to make me eat oatmeal ? " asked Rose , in a tragic tone .

" don't you like it ? "

" you are not a true Scotchwoman , if you don't like the ' parritch . '

well , never mind . "

and he sat down with a disappointed air .

no hot bread and fried stuff for them , and they are the biggest and bonniest lads of the lot .

bless you , auntie , and good morning ! "

in five minutes she forgot what she was eating , so interested was she in the chat that went on .

" I came all the way from Calcutta for that express purpose , ma'am .

" now , girls , I want you to come and dine with Alec ; Mac also , of course .

Chapter @number@ Aunts

" run up and sit awhile with Sister Peace , my dear .

she likes to have you read while she rests , and we are going to be busy . "

she wore no black , but soft , pale colours , as if always ready for the marriage that had never come .

" I should like her better if I could have begun at the beginning , and so got a fair start .

" my dear boy , we did what we thought best while waiting for you to wind up your affairs and get home .

" if my advice had been taken , she would have remained at the excellent school where I placed her .

but our aunt thought best to remove her because she complained , and she has been dawdling about ever since she came .

a most ruinous state of things for a morbid , spoilt girl like Rose , " said Mrs Jane , severely .

" I never thought it the proper school for a child in good circumstances an heiress , in fact , as Rose is .

" now , it is my opinion that the dear thing only wants freedom , rest , and care .

" Jane Campbell , I will not hear a word !

my sainted Caroline is a sacred object , " cried Aunt Myra , rising as if to leave the room .

you have had her among you for a year , and done what you liked .

I cannot say that your success is great , but that is owing to too many fingers in the pie .

that 's fair , I think . "

" by Jupiter !

Myra , you are enough to damp the ardour of a saint ! " cried Dr Alec , with a sudden spark in his eyes .

you have put it into her head that she has no constitution , and she rather likes the idea .

" hear , hear ! " came from the corner where Uncle Mac was apparently wrapt in slumber .

" you were appointed guardian , so we can do nothing .

but I predict that the girl will be spoilt , utterly spoilt , " answered Mrs Jane , grimly .

" thank you , sister .

" no , thank you .

come and have a cigar , Mac , " said Dr Alec , abruptly .

" don't marry ; women enough in the family already , " muttered Uncle Mac ; and then the gentlemen hastily fled .

" Aunt Peace would like to see you all , she says , " was the message Rose brought before the ladies could begin again .

" now that your uncle has come , I no longer expect you to review the studies of the past year .

all of a sudden he said , half aloud , as if he had made up his mind ,

" this will do for a start , " he said , as he plumped up the cushion and dusted the cup .

" it won't do to begin too energetically , or Rose will be frightened .

I must beguile her gently and pleasantly along till I 've won her confidence , and then she will be ready for anything . "

just then Phebe came out of the dining-room with a plate of brown bread , for Rose had been allowed no hot biscuit for tea .

" there ! if they insist on medicine , I 'll order these , and no harm will be done .

as the clock struck eight , he called out ,

" time for my girl to be abed , else she won't be up early , and I 'm full of jolly plans for to-morrow .

come and see what I 've found for you to begin upon . "

Rose ran in and listened with bright attentive face , while Dr Alec said impressively ,

this is a herb-pillow , given to me by a wise old woman when I was ill in India .

" shall I really ?

how nice it smells . "

and Rose willingly received the pretty pillow , and stood enjoying its faint , sweet odour , as she listened to the doctor 's next remedy .

" this is the cup I told you of .

its virtue depends , they say , on the drinker filling it himself ; so you must learn to milk .

I 'll teach you . "

" don't you think she ought to have something more strengthening than milk , Alec ?

" well , ma'am , I 'm willing to give her a pill , if you think best .

it is a very simple one , and very large quantities may be taken without harm .

you know hasheesh is the extract of hemp ?

well , this is a preparation of corn and rye , much used in old times , and I hope it will be again . "

then , as she vanished , he put both hands into his hair , exclaiming , with a comical mixture of anxiety and amusement ,

chapter @number@ A Belt and a Box

when he heard her step , he turned about and began to sing ,

" where are you going , my pretty maid ? "

" what in the world are you doing about so early ? "

" clearing our pipes for the day , ma'am .

look here , auntie , can I have this room ? " said Dr Alec , making her a sailor 's bow .

" any room you like , except sister 's . "

" Thanks .

and may I go rummaging round in the garrets and glory-holes to furnish it as I like ? "

" my dear boy , you may turn the house upside down if you will only stay in it . "

" that 's a handsome offer , I 'm sure .

I 'll stay , ma'am ; here 's my little anchor , so you will get more than you want of me this time . "

" that 's impossible !

put on your jacket , Rose .

don't tire her out with antics , Alec .

yes , sister , I 'm coming ! " and the cabbage vanished suddenly .

" you look chilly in spite of all this laughing .

take a smart run round the garden and get up a glow , " said the doctor , as they left the barn .

" I take the liberty of differing from Madame Prunes and Prisms , and , as your physician , I order you to run .

" very well done , child ; I see you have not lost the use of your limbs though you are in your teens .

that belt is too tight ; unfasten it , then you can take a long breath without panting so . "

" it isn't tight , sir ; I can breathe perfectly well , " began Rose , trying to compose herself .

her uncle 's only answer was to lift her up and unhook the new belt of which she was so proud .

" why , I didn't know it was tight ! it didn't feel so a bit .

" I see you don't half fill your lungs , and so you can wear this absurd thing without feeling it .

" not if you keep taking long breaths to hold it on .

" how it does look ! " and Rose gave a glance of scorn at the loose belt hanging round her trim little waist .

just smell how nice . "

" if it is lost I 'll give you a better one .

ah ! that makes you feel better , doesn't it ? " and he pinched the cheek that had suddenly dimpled with a smile .

Dr Alec 's eyed twinkled , but he said very soberly ,

" Rose , are you vain ? "

" I 'm afraid I am , " answered a very meek voice from behind the veil of hair that hid the red face .

" that is a sad fault . "

and he sighed as if grieved at the confession .

" Phebe ! " and Rose looked so amazed that her uncle nearly went off again .

" yes , Phebe ; for she has what you need health .

a happy soul in a healthy body makes the best sort of beauty for man or woman .

do you understand that , my dear ? "

" yes , sir , " answered Rose , much taken down by this comparison with the girl from the poor-house .

it nettled her sadly , and she showed that it did by saying quickly ,

" can't I help you , uncle ? " asked Rose , quite burning to be useful .

" no , thank you , I 'm going to borrow Phebe for a while , if Aunt Plenty can spare her . "

" anybody anything , Alec .

Dr Alec meanwhile had apparently taken Aunt Plenty at her word , and was turning the house upside down .

" look at me ! look at me !

I 'm splendid I don't know myself .

I haven't put these things on right , I dare say , but I do like them so much ! "

" I feel like a girl in the ' Arabian Nights , ' and expect to find a magic carpet or a wonderful talisman somewhere .

it will do your spirits good , and cheer up this sober old house .

won't it , auntie ? "

" you just let me direct Miss Hemming how to make some of these things .

aunt Peace and Rose laughed so that he could not display his knowledge any farther , till they stopped , when he said good-naturedly ,

" I couldn't help it , ' shirred biases ' were so very funny ! "

Rose said , as she turned to her box after the splendid laugh .

" but really , auntie , " she added soberly , " I feel as if I ought not to have so many nice things .

I suppose it wouldn't do to give Phebe some of them ?

uncle might not like it . "

" he would not mind ; but they are not suitable for Phebe .

" I 'd rather give her new ones , for I think she is a little bit proud and might not like old things .

I know how I can manage beautifully ; I 'll adopt her ! " and Rose looked quite radiant with this new idea .

" my stars , ain't you splendid ! " was all she could say , holding up two dusty hands .

won't that be nice ? "

" why , Miss Rose , have you lost your wits ? "

seeing Phebe 's bewilderment , she quieted down and said , with a pretty air of earnestness ,

I thought if I adopted you as much as I can now , it would be nicer .

will you let me , please ? "

to Rose 's great surprise , Phebe sat down on the floor and hid her face in her apron for a minute without answering a word .

" I think you are the dearest girl in the world , and I 'll let you do anything you like with me . "

" then you do like the plan ?

you didn't cry because I seemed to be kind of patronising ?

I truly didn't mean to be , " cried Rose , delighted .

Phebe understood that , for she had a good deal of natural refinement , though she did come from the poor-house .

" why , I haven't done anything but given you a bit of candy !

here , have some more , and eat ' em while you work , and think what I can do .

I must go and clear up , so good-bye , and don't forget I 've adopted you . "

" you 've given me sweeter things than candy , and I 'm not likely to forget it . "

chapter @number@ Uncle Alec 's Room

" now we will have a good time !

" I left this for the last call , so that we might find the lads just in from school .

" little Mum ! little Mum ! here they are with lots of goodies !

come down and see the fun right away !

" well , dear , and how are things going with you now ?

better , I hope , than they were a week ago . "

" aunt Jessie , I think I 'm going to be very happy , now uncle has come .

" I am very glad , dear .

but , Rose , I must warn you of one thing ; don't let uncle spoil you . "

" but I like to be spoilt , auntie . "

" I never thought of that , and I 'll try not to be spoilt .

but how can I help it ? " asked Rose anxiously .

" I will , I truly will ! and when I get in a worry about things may I come to you ?

uncle told me to , and I feel as if I shouldn't be afraid . "

it was so sweet and comfortable that Rose sat still enjoying it till a little voice said ,

" Mamma , don't you think Pokey would like some of my shells ?

Rose gave Phebe some of her nice things , and it was very good of her .

can I ? "

" who is Pokey ? " asked Rose , popping up her head , attracted by the odd name .

" yes ; I 'm fond of dollies , only don't tell the boys , or they will laugh at me . "

" all for Dimmy and me , for Dimmy and me ! "

" she is a dear dolly .

but why call her Pokey ? " asked Rose , charmed with the new plaything .

not a pretty name , but very expressive . "

" 'Puss-tat , puss-tat , where you been ? '

' I been Lunnin , to saw a Tween . " '

after which superb display she retired , escorted by Jamie , both making a fearful d in blowing on conch shells .

" we must tear ourselves away , Rose , because I want to get you home before sunset .

will you come for a drive , Jessie ? " said Dr Alec , as the music died away in the distance .

that is only allowed on holidays . "

the words were hardly out of Aunt Jessie 's mouth when Archie said , in a tone of command ,

" pass the word , lads .

boot and saddle , and be quick about it . "

" all right ! "

and in a moment not a vestige of boy remained but the litter on the floor .

" oh , I couldn't ride one of those horrid , frisky little beasts !

they roll their eyes and bounce about so , I should die of fright , " cried Rose , clasping her hands tragically .

" are you a coward ? "

" about horses I am . "

" never mind , then ; come and see my new room " ; and he led the way upstairs without another word .

as Rose followed she remembered her promise to Aunt Jessie , and was sorry she had objected so decidedly .

she was a great deal more sorry five minutes later , and well she might be .

in a recess stood a narrow white bed , with a lovely Madonna hanging over it .

" uncle must love cold water like a duck , " she thought , with a shiver .

" what a grand place for my new things , " she thought , wondering what her uncle kept in that cedar retreat .

" oh me , what a sweet toilet table ! " was her next mental exclamation , as she approached this inviting spot .

that cushion rather astonished Rose ; in fact , the whole table did , and she was just thinking , with a sly smile ,

" men like plenty of room for their rattle-traps ; don't you think that ought to satisfy me ? "

" O uncle , you are too good to me !

" you like it , then ?

aunt Jessie said you would spoil me , and I must not let you .

then he smiled that cordial smile , which was like sunshine on his brown face , as he said ,

does that sound hard and disagreeable to you , dear ? "

" no , sir ; very , very pleasant , and I 'll do my best to be a good patient .

Chapter @number@ A Trip to China

" come , little girl , I 've got another dose for you .

" what is it now ? " she asked , shutting her work-box without a murmur .

" Salt-water . "

" how must I take it ? "

" put on the new suit Miss Hemming sent home yesterday , and come down to the beach ; then I 'll show you . "

" it is for you ; so sit in the stern and learn to steer , till you are ready to learn to row . "

" do all boats wiggle about in that way ? " she asked , lingering as if to tie her hat more firmly .

" is it rough to-day ? "

" not very ; it looks a trifle squally to the eastward , but we are all right till the wind changes .

come . "

" can you swim , uncle ? " asked Rose , clutching at his arm as he took her hand .

" like a fish .

now then . "

" oh , please hold me very tight till I get there !

" suppose we go to China ? "

" isn't that rather a long voyage ? "

" not as I go .

Steer round the Point into the harbour , and I 'll give you a glimpse of China in twenty minutes or so . "

" I should like that ! " and Rose sat wondering what he meant , while she enjoyed the new sights all about her .

" are we going there ? " she asked , for she had never seen this aspect of the rich and busy old city before .

" yes .

uncle Mac has a ship just in from Hong Kong , and I thought you would like to go and see it . "

" oh , I should .

" I 'll show you two genuine Chinamen who have just arrived .

you will like to welcome Whang Lo and Fun See , I 'm sure . "

please let me just trot round after you ; I like that best . "

" very well ; now steer toward the wharf where the big ship with the queer flag is .

that 's the ' Rajah , ' and we will go aboard if we can . "

" I should like to see the world , but not in such a small , untidy , smelly place as this .

now come ashore and chin-chin with the Celestials . "

Mr Whang Lo was an elderly gentleman in American costume , with his pig-tail neatly wound round his head .

he spoke English , and was talking busily with Uncle Mac in the most commonplace way so Rose considered him a failure .

taking a box from his table , he gave it to Fun See , with an order that seemed to please him very much .

his hat was the cover , his queue the handle , and his pipe the nose .

when he had arranged them on a little table before her , Fun signified in pantomime that they were hers , from her uncle .

while she waited for her funny new friend , she improved her mind in a way that would have charmed Aunt Jane .

she had never seen such an astonishing fan , and at once became absorbed in examining it .

in another charming view a brook appeared to flow in at the front door of a stout gentleman 's house , and out at his chimney .

" we will have out the maps and the globe , and I 'll show you some of my journeys , telling stories as we go .

that will be next best to doing it actually . "

" you are so fond of travelling , I should think it would be very dull for you here , uncle .

do you know , Aunt Plenty says she is sure you will be off in a year or two . "

" very likely . "

" next time I go I shall take my little anchor with me .

how will that suit ? "

" really , uncle ? "

" really , niece . "

Rose gave a little bounce of rapture which caused the boat to " wiggle " in a way that speedily quieted her down .

" how well those fellows row !

look at them , and take notes for your own use by and by . "

" how beautifully they go , and they are only boys .

why , I do believe they are our boys !

yes , I see Charlie laughing over his shoulder .

row , uncle , row !

" did you catch a crab , uncle ? "

" no , a blue-fish , " he answered , as the dripping hat was landed on a seat to dry .

" what have you been doing ? "

" seeing Fun . "

" good for you , Rose !

I know what you mean .

we are going to have him up to show us how to fly the big kite , for we can't get the hang of it .

isn't he great fun , though ? "

" no , little Fun . "

" come , stop joking , and show us what you 've got . "

" you 'd better hoist that fan for a sail . "

" lend Dandy your umbrella ; he hates to burn his pretty nose . "

" I say , uncle , are you going to have a Feast of Lanterns ? "

" no , I 'm going to have a feast of bread and butter , for it 's tea-time .

" ay , ay , skipper .

good-night , Rose ; come out often , and we 'll teach you all there is to know about rowing , " was Charlie 's modest invitation .

" oh , Timballoo ! how happy we are , We live in a sieve and a crockery jar !

Chapter @number@ And what came of it

" uncle , could you lend me a ninepence ?

I 'll return it as soon as I get my pocket-money , " said Rose , coming into the library in a great hurry that evening .

" I shall shake my head when you write , if you don't do it better than you did in making out this catalogue . "

" I know it 's bad , but I was in a hurry when I did it , and I am in one now . "

and away went Rose , glad to escape a lecture .

" is that meant for ' Pulverized Bones , ' ma'am ? "

" no , sir ; it 's ' Paradise Lost . ' "

" well , I 'm glad to know it , for I began to think you were planning to study surgery or farming .

and what is this , if you please ?

' Babies ' Aprons ' is all I can make of it . "

Rose looked hard at the scrawl , and presently announced , with an air of superior wisdom ,

" oh , that 's ' Bacon 's Essays . ' "

" Miss Power did not teach anything so old-fashioned as writing , I see .

now look at this memorandum Aunt Plenty gave me , and see what a handsome plain hand that is .

" well , I 'm sure I was considered a bright girl at school , and learned everything I was taught .

" why , uncle , we did study English grammar , and I could parse beautifully .

miss Power used to have us up to show off when people came .

I don't see but I talk as right as most girls . "

" I dare say you do , but we are all too careless about our English .

" thank you ; and if you will kindly drop ' I guess , ' I shall like my little Yankee all the better .

let us be thorough , no matter how slowly we go . "

" I 'm sorry I was cross , uncle , when I ought to thank you for taking so much interest in me .

I 'm sure I don't wonder it ached . "

and she held on to it as if the mere memory of the " jumble " made it swim .

it is the fault with most American schools , and the poor little heads will go on aching till we learn better . "

" Uncle Mac has put all your affairs into my hands now , and here is your month 's pocket money .

you keep your own little accounts , I suppose ? "

" thank you .

" I thought you would do all that fussy part and take care of the pounds , as you call them .

need I worry about it ?

I do hate sums , so ! "

Rose peeped over his shoulder at it , and then turned to the arithmetical puzzle in her hand with a sigh of despair .

" no ; I usually find that I have a good deal less than I had in the beginning .

are you troubled in the peculiar way you mention ? "

" yes ; it is very curious , but I never can make things come out square . "

" perhaps I can help you , " began Uncle Alec , in the most respectful tone .

" I think you had better , for if I have got to keep accounts I may as well begin in the right way .

but please don't laugh !

I know I 'm very stupid , and my book is a disgrace , but I never could get it straight . "

and with great trepidation , Rose gave up her funny little accounts .

it really was good in Dr Alec not to laugh , and Rose felt deeply grateful when he said in a mildly suggestive tone ,

" please do , and then show me on a fresh leaf how to make mine look nice and ship-shape as yours do . "

" am I a rich girl , uncle ? " she asked suddenly , as he was copying a column of figures .

" rather a poor one , I should say , since you had to borrow a ninepence . "

" that was your fault , because you forgot my pocket-money .

but , really , shall I be rich by and by ? "

" I am afraid you will . "

" why afraid , uncle ? "

" too much money is a bad thing . "

" but I can give it away , you know ; that is always the pleasantest part of having it I think . "

" I 'm glad you feel so , for you can do much good with your fortune if you know how to use it well . "

" you are an impertinent little baggage , to turn on me in that way right in the midst of my first attempt at teaching .

never mind , I 'll have an extra bitter dose for you next time , miss . "

" I knew you wanted to laugh , so I gave you a chance .

now , I will be good , master , and do my lesson nicely . "

so Dr Alec had his laugh , and then Rose sat down and took a lesson in accounts which she never forgot .

Rose liked to read aloud , and gladly gave him the chapter in " Nicholas Nickleby " where the Miss Kenwigses take their French lesson .

" shall I go on , sir ? " she asked very meekly , when the chapter ended .

" if you are not tired , dear .

" do you really think so , uncle ?

I 'm so glad !

come here in this cosy , low chair ; the light is better , and I can pull these curls if you go too fast .

I see you are going to be a great comfort as well as a great credit to your old uncle , Rosy . "

another chapter was just finished , when the sound of a carriage warned them that Aunt Jane was about to depart .

" just as I thought ! petting that child to death and letting her sit up late reading trash .

" it is sad to see a great girl wasting these precious hours so .

" I 've had five to-day , ma'am , " was Rose 's very unexpected answer .

" I 'm glad to hear it ; and what were they , pray ? "

Rose looked very demure as she replied ,

" navigation , geography , grammar , arithmetic , and keeping my temper . "

" queer lessons , I fancy ; and what have you learned from this remarkable mixture , I should like to know ? "

a naughty sparkle came into Rose 's eyes as she answered , with a droll look at her uncle ,

shanghai is on the Woosung River .

Hong Kong means ' Island of Sweet waters . '

Singapore is ' Lion 's Town . '

' Chops ' are the boats they live in ; and they drink tea out of little saucers .

principal productions are porcelain , tea , cinnamon , shawls , tin , tamarinds and opium .

the effect of this remarkable burst was immense , especially the fact last mentioned .

chapter @number@ Phebe 's Secret

" I was thinking about a nice little secret I know , and couldn't help smiling . "

" shall I know it , sometime ? "

" guess you will . "

" shall I like it ? "

" oh , won't you , though ! "

" will it happen soon ? "

" sometime this week . "

" I know what it is !

the boys are going to have fireworks on the fourth , and have got some surprise for me .

haven't they ? "

" that 's telling . "

" well , I can wait ; only tell me one thing is uncle in it ? "

" of course he is ; there 's never any fun without him . "

" then it 's all right , and sure to be nice . "

Morning-glories and nasturtiums ran all over the bars , making haste to bloom .

" oh , Phebe , it 's such a lovely day , I do wish your fine secret was going to happen right away !

she could work and play all day , sleep sweetly all night , and enjoy life with the zest of a healthy , happy child .

no one talked to her about her health , and she forgot that she had " no constitution . "

she took no medicine but Dr Alec 's three great remedies , and they seemed to suit her excellently .

said a voice from below , as a great cabbage-rose came flying against her cheek .

" what is the princess dreaming about up there in her hanging-garden ? " added Dr Alec as she flung back a morning-glory .

" suppose we take a pull over to the Island ?

I intended to go this afternoon ; but if you feel more like it now , we can be off at once . "

" I do !

I do !

I 'll come in fifteen minutes , uncle .

I must just scrabble my room to rights , for Phebe has got a great deal to do . "

" it may upset things a trifle , but half a child 's pleasure consists in having their fun when they want it . "

" we can't eat half that luncheon , and I know we shall not need so many wraps .

I wouldn't lumber the boat up so , " said Rose , who still had secret scares when on the water .

" couldn't you make a smaller parcel , Phebe ? " asked Dr Alec , eyeing the bundle suspiciously .

" no , sir , not in such a hurry , " and Phebe laughed as she gave a particularly large knob a good poke .

" well , it will do for ballast .

don't forget the note to Mrs Jessie , I beg of you . "

" no , sir .

I 'll send it right off , " and Phebe ran up the bank as if she had wings to her feet .

" we 'll take a look at the lighthouse first , for you have not been there yet , and it is worth seeing .

by the time we have done that it will be pretty warm , and we will have lunch under the trees on the Island . "

it was past twelve before they reached the Island , and Rose was ready for her lunch long before she got it .

" now this is lovely !

I do wish the boys were here .

won't it be nice to have them with us all their vacation ?

why , it begins to-day , doesn't it ?

" so we might .

next time we won't be in such a hurry .

I expect the lads will take our heads off when they find us out , " answered Dr Alec , placidly drinking cold tea .

" so do I ; it is fish , I think . "

" now , this won't do !

no one is permitted on this island without asking leave .

I must see who dares to fry fish on my private property . "

" and there they are !

two tents and two boats , as I live !

these rascals mean to enjoy themselves , that 's evident . "

" there ought to be more boats and no tents .

I wonder where the prisoners are ? "

" there are traces of them , " and Dr Alec pointed to the heads and tails of fishes strewn on the grass .

" and there are more , " said Rose , laughing , as she pointed to a scarlet heap of what looked like lobsters .

" the savages are probably eating their victims now ; don't you hear the knives rattle in that tent ? "

" but this Crusoe is going to pounce upon them , regardless of consequences .

" pirates , surrender ! "

" you came too soon !

we are not half ready !

you 've spoilt it all !

where is Rose ? "

" you good-for-nothing boys !

you are always bursting out upon me in some ridiculous way , and I always get taken in because I 'm not used to such pranks .

" you were not to come till afternoon , and mamma was to be here to receive you .

" as this seat is rather damp , I think I 'll rise , " said Rose , as the excitement lessened a little .

several fishy hands helped her up , and Charlie said , as he scattered the scarlet garments over the grass with an oar ,

" we had a jolly good swim before dinner , and I told the Brats to spread these to dry .

" oh , that sly Phebe !

" catch a girl going anywhere without a looking-glass .

we haven't got one among the whole lot of us , " added Mac , with masculine scorn .

" come , come , you lazy lubbers , fall to work , or we shall not be ready for mamma .

take Rose 's things to her tent , and tell her all about it , Prince .

please , uncle , I 'd like your advice about the boundary lines and the best place for the kitchen . "

everyone obeyed the chief , and Rose was escorted to her tent by Charlie , who devoted himself to her service .

she was charmed with her quarters , and still more so with the programme which he unfolded before her as they worked .

" we always camp out somewhere in vacation , and this year we thought we 'd try the Island .

it is handy , and our fireworks will show off well from here . "

" shall we stay over the Fourth ?

three whole days !

oh , me ! what a frolic it will be ! "

" I had no idea boys had such good times .

their plays never seemed a bit interesting before .

" we are a pretty clever set , I fancy ; but we have a good many advantages , you see .

there , ma'am , you can hang your smashed glass on that nail and do up your back hair as fine as you please .

anything more I can do for you , cousin ? "

" no , thank you .

I think I 'll leave the rest till auntie comes , and go and help you somewhere else , if I may . "

" yes , indeed , come on and see to the kitchen .

can you cook ? " asked Charlie , as he led the way to the rocky nook where Archie was putting up a sail-cloth awning .

" I can make tea and toast bread . "

" well , we 'll shew you how to fry fish , and make chowder .

this welcome was answered by the flapping of a handkerchief and the shrill " rah !

rah !

it 's much the best way , I think , " replied Geordie , who reposed in another boat alongside .

" how Phebe would like this !

I wonder uncle did not have her come . "

" I believe he tried to , but Dolly was as cross as two sticks , and said she couldn't spare her .

I 'm sorry , for we all like the Phebe bird , and she 'd chirp like a good one out here , wouldn't she ? "

" she ought to have a holiday like the rest of us .

it 's too bad to leave her out . "

" what is my girl doing here ? "

" having a good time , " answered Rose , not at all startled .

" I wonder what she was thinking about with such a sober look . "

people who make sacrifices are very much loved and admired , aren't they ? " she asked , earnestly .

" if the sacrifice is a true one .

but many of the bravest never are known , and get no praise .

" I suppose you have made a great many ?

would you mind telling me one of them ? " asked Rose , arrested by the sigh .

" my last was to give up smoking , " was the very unromantic answer to her pensive question .

" why did you ? "

" bad example for the boys . "

" that was very good of you , uncle !

was it hard ? "

" I 'm ashamed to say it was .

but as a wise old fellow once said , ' It is necessary to do right ; it is not necessary to be happy . ' "

Rose pondered over the saying as if it pleased her , and then said , with a clear , bright look ,

" a real sacrifice is giving up something you want or enjoy very much , isn't it ? "

" yes . "

" doing it one 's own self because one loves another person very much and wants her to be happy ? "

" yes . "

" and doing it pleasantly , and being glad about it , and not minding the praise if it doesn't come ? "

I hope they won't be very hard ones . "

" I think they will , " began Rose , and there stopped short .

chapter @number@ Rose 's Sacrifice

the elders had just settled to a comfortable nap when the youngsters rose , refreshed and ready for further exploits .

captain Cook was murdered by the natives of Owhyhee in the most thrilling manner .

Sinbad came ashore there and had manifold adventures , and numberless wrecks bestrewed the sands .

" Archie , didn't I hear uncle ask you to row home in the morning for fresh milk and things ? "

" yes , why ? "

" please , may I go too ?

" I 'm willing , and I guess Charlie won't mind . "

promise , " urged Rose , so eagerly , that Archie struck an attitude and cried dramatically ,

" by yonder moon I swear ! "

" hush ! it 's all right , go along " ; and Rose departed as if satisfied .

" she 's a queer little thing , isn't she , Prince ? "

" rather a nice little thing , I think .

I 'm quite fond of her . "

Rose 's quick ears caught both remarks , and she retired to her tent , saying to herself with sleepy dignity ,

" little thing , indeed !

those boys talk as if I was a baby .

they will treat me with more respect after to-morrow , I guess . "

Archie did stand by her in the morning , and her request was readily granted , as the lads were coming directly back .

" but why not come now ?

what are you about , miss ?

uncle won't like it , " protested Charlie , in great amazement .

" just do as I tell you , little boy ; uncle will understand and explain .

obey , as Phebe does , and ask no questions .

I can have secrets as well as other people " ; and Rose walked off with an air of lofty independence that impressed her friends immensely .

" it 's some plot between uncle and herself , so we won't meddle .

all right , Phebe ?

pull away , Prince " ; and off they went to be received with much surprise by the islanders .

this was the note Phebe bore :

" Dear Uncle , I am going to take Phebe 's place to-day , and let her have all the fun she can .

please don't mind what she says , but keep her , and tell the boys to be very good to her for my sake .

love to all from ,

" Rose . "

" bless the little dear , what a generous heart she has !

" let her alone , and don't spoil her little sacrifice .

Phebe was with difficulty kept from going straight home , and declared that she should not enjoy herself one bit without Miss Rose .

but hour after hour passed , and no signal appeared on the balcony , though Phebe watched it hopefully .

" I really did not think the child had it in her .

dear little soul !

" I hope someone wishes I was there ! "

" come , child , put on your tippet , pelisse , or whatever you call it , and run off with me .

I came to get Phebe , but aunt says she is gone , so I want you .

I 've got Fun down in the boat , and I want you to go with us and see my fireworks .

got them up for you , and you mustn't miss them , or I shall be disappointed . "

" but , uncle , " began Rose , feeling as if she ought to refuse even a glimpse of bliss , " perhaps "

look , Rosy , and see how you like this one ; it was ordered especially in honour of your coming . "

" is it a rose , uncle ? " she asked , clasping her hands with delight as she recognised the handsome flower .

" of course it is !

look again , and guess what those are , " answered Uncle Mac , chuckling and enjoying it all like a boy .

" Thistles , uncle , Scotch thistles !

there are seven of them one for each boy !

" home , please uncle ; and I thank you very very much for the beautiful firework you got up for me .

Chapter @number@ Poor Mac

soon after the Island episode , Mac had a sunstroke , and was very ill for some time .

it was so sudden that everyone was startled , and for some days the boy 's life was in danger .

everyone was very ready to read to him , and at first the lads contended for this honour .

her pleasant voice suited him , her patience was unfailing , her time of no apparent value , and her eager good-will was very comforting .

the womanly power of self-devotion was strong in the child , and she remained faithfully at her post when all the rest dropped away .

through all these trials Rose persevered , using all her little arts to please him .

he said little , but she knew he was grateful , for she suited him better than anyone else .

" I don't know what I should do without that child , " aunt Jane often said .

she did not know how much she was learning , both from the books she read and the daily sacrifices she made .

" what day of the month is it ? "

" the seventh of August , I believe . "

" more than half my vacation gone , and I 've only had a week of it !

I call that hard , " and he groaned dismally .

" so it is ; but there is more to come , and you may be able to enjoy that . "

" May be able !

I will be able !

does that old noodle think I 'm going to stay stived up here much longer ? "

" I guess he does , unless your eyes get on faster than they have yet . "

" has he said anything more lately ? "

" I haven't seen him , you know .

shall I begin ? this looks rather nice . "

" read away ; it 's all one to me . "

and Mac cast himself down upon the old lounge , where his heavy head felt easiest .

" stop !

I don't hear a word , and you may as well save your breath to answer my question . "

his next words proved that she was right .

" now , look here , I want to know something , and you 've got to tell me . "

" please , don't " began Rose , beseechingly .

" you must , or I 'll pull off this shade and stare at the sun as hard as ever I can stare .

come now ! " and he half rose , as if ready to execute the threat .

" I will ! oh , I will tell , if I know !

but don't be reckless and do anything so crazy as that , " cried Rose , in great distress .

" very well ; then listen , and don't dodge , as everyone else does .

didn't the doctor think my eyes worse the last time he came ?

mother won't say , but you shall . "

" I believe he did , " faltered Rose .

" I thought so !

did he say I should be able to go to school when it begins ? "

" no , Mac , " very low .

" ah ! "

he bore the disappointment bravely , however , and asked quite steadily in a minute ,

" how soon does he think I can study again ? "

it was so hard to answer that !

" not for a good many months . "

" how many ? " he asked with a pathetic sort of gruffness .

" A year , perhaps . "

" a whole year !

why , I expected to be ready for college by that time . "

" I won't do it !

I will study and get through somehow .

it 's all humbug about taking care so long .

these doctors like to keep hold of a fellow if they can .

" now , Mac , listen to me , " Rose said very earnestly , though her voice shook a little and her heart ached .

you must be careful , and do as he tells you , or you will be blind . "

" no ! "

" yes , it is true , and he wanted us to tell you that nothing but entire rest would cure you .

" oh , my dear , you mustn't cry !

it is so bad for your poor eyes .

take your head out of that hot pillow , and let me cool it .

I don't wonder you feel so , but please don't cry .

I 'll cry for you ; it won't hurt me . "

I 'm all right . "

but Rose cried out , and caught his arm , " don't touch them with that rough woollen stuff !

lie down and let me bathe them , there 's a dear boy ; then there will be no harm done . "

" they do smart confoundedly .

" of course I won't ; but anyone would be upset at the idea of being well troubled in this way .

I 'm sure you bear it splendidly , and you know it isn't half so bad when you get used to it .

besides , it is only for a time , and you can do lots of pleasant things if you can't study .

you 'll have to wear blue goggles , perhaps ; won't that be funny ? "

" papa had a picture of Milton and his daughters writing for him .

" perhaps I could study if someone read and did the eye part .

do you suppose I could , by and by ? " he asked , with a sudden ray of hope .

" I dare say , if your head is strong enough .

this sunstroke , you know , is what upset you , and your brain needs rest , the doctor says . "

I see ' em now when I shut my eyes ; black balls bobbing round , and stars and all sorts of queer things .

wonder if all blind people do ? "

" don't think about them ; I 'll go on reading , shall I ?

we shall come to the exciting part soon , and then you 'll forget all this , " suggested Rose .

" no , I never shall forget .

hang the old ' Revolution ' !

I don't want to hear another word of it .

my head aches , and I 'm hot .

" perhaps I shall ; I didn't sleep much last night , and when I did I dreamed like fun .

that 's all ; now drone away , and I 'll try to sleep .

wish I could for a year , and wake up cured . "

" oh , I wish , I wish you could ! "

but all he said was ,

" you are a good little soul , Rosy .

give us ' The Birks ' ; that is a drowsy one that always sends me off . "

" Bonny lassie , will ye gang , will ye gang To the Birks of Aberfeldie ? "

Chapter @number@ " the Other Fellows "

the boys were much impressed , both by the greatness of the affliction which hung over him and by his way of bearing it .

she still kept her place as head-nurse and chief-reader , though the boys did their best in an irregular sort of way .

Vacation was almost over , and the time drawing near when Mac would be left outside the happy school-world which he so much enjoyed .

" she 's put the room to rights in a jiffey .

what jacks we were to let those dogs in and kick up such a row , " observed Steve , after a prolonged peep .

" the poor old Worm turns as if she was treading on him instead of cuddling him like a pussy cat .

isn't he cross , though ? " added Charlie , as Mac was heard growling about his " confounded head . "

" she will manage him ; but it 's mean in us to rumple him up and then leave her to smooth him down .

" she has been ever so good to Mac , " began Steve , in a self-reproachful tone .

" better than his own brother , hey ? " cut in Archie , finding relief for his own regret in the delinquencies of another .

I always fret him , he says , and it isn't my fault if I am a quiddle , " protested Steve , in self-defence .

" Rose has stood by him like a good one , and it 's no wonder he likes to have her round best .

" I 'll go down on my knees and beg her pardon for treating her as if she was a child .

don't it make her mad , though ?

come to think of it , she 's only two years or so younger than I am .

" that dolly has got a real good little heart , and a bright mind of her own , you 'd better believe .

of course , everybody likes the Chief best ; they ought to , and I 'll punch their heads if they don't .

so calm yourself , Dandy , and mend your own manners before you come down on other people 's . "

it was funny to see the look the three tall lads cast at the little person sedately threading a needle with green silk .

" please forgive me this time , and I 'll never do so any more . "

it was very hard to keep sober , but Rose managed it and answered gravely ,

seeing the wholesome effects of her treatment upon these culprits , Rose felt that she might relent and allow them a gleam of hope .

" now , boys , if you really want to be good to Mac , you can do it in this way .

don't keep talking about things he can't do , or go and tell what fun you have had batting your ridiculous balls about .

" I 'm glad you think so , though I am a ' queer chicken . " '

" I 'd bespoken an extra sunny day , but I 'll tell the clerk of the weather to change it .

" it 's horrid !

take it off , take it off !

" I think I might , for she 's taking care of my brother , " put in Steve , asserting his rights .

" let's all go , that will please her " ; proposed Charlie , with a burst of gallantry which electrified his mates .

" now , that is the way I like to be treated . "

Chapter @number@ Cosey Corner

vacation was over , the boys went back to school , and poor Mac was left lamenting .

everyone nodded and smiled in the friendliest manner , and a lively old lady kissed the new-comers all round , as she said heartily ,

" well , now , I 'm proper glad to see you !

come right in and rest , and we 'll have tea in less than no time , for you must be tired .

bless the dears , they want to go see the pussies , and so they shall ! "

the three pretty daughters did " fly round , " and everyone felt at home at once , all were so hospitable and kind .

next day began the wholesome out-of-door life , which works such wonders with tired minds and feeble bodies .

" now I lay me down to sleep . "

" now I shall preach you a short sermon , and my text is , ' Little children , love one another . '

I asked mamma to give me one , and she thought that would be good ; so you all sit still and I 'll preach it .

you mustn't whisper , Marion , but hear me .

Jack can't always drive , and needn't be mad because I like to go with Frank .

Jamie seems to be a good boy , but I shall preach to him if he isn't .

no , Pokey , people don't kiss in church or put their hats on .

now you must all remember what I tell you , because I am the captain , and you should mind me . "

here Lieutenant Jack spoke right out in meeting with the rebellious remark ,

" yes , and you slapped Frank ; I saw you ! " bawled Willie Snow , bobbing up in his pew .

fifteen minutes of repose rendered it a physical impossibility for the company to march out as quietly as they had marched in .

Chapter @number@ A Happy Birthday

" I 'm going to drive auntie and a lot of the babies , so you must ride the pony .

you won't mind , will you ? " said Mac , in a confidential aside during the wild flurry of the start .

" not a bit , " answered Rose .

I 'll be ready as soon as you are , Giglamps . "

one look was enough , and with a cry of delight , Rose was off down the road as fast as Barkis could go .

" now I 'll astonish uncle , " she thought .

" I 'll dash up in grand style , and show him that I am not a coward , after all . "

" O uncle , I 'm so glad to see you !

it is better than a cart-load of goodies , and so dear of you to come ! "

" but aren't you hurt , child !

" my feelings are hurt , but my bones are all safe .

it 's too bad !

you couldn't have done anything that would please me more , and I 'm delighted to see how well you ride .

" I prefer to ride .

come on , and see who will catch up first . "

" you ought to see her go over a fence and race when we ride together .

" good good ! that 's the best news you could tell me , " and Dr Alec rubbed his hands heartily .

a general scramble among the rocks was followed by a regular gypsy lunch , which the young folks had the rapture of helping to prepare .

as soon as the merry meal and a brief interval of repose were over , it was unanimously voted to have some charades .

the first scene discovered Mac in a despondent attitude and shabby dress , evidently much troubled in mind .

to him entered a remarkable creature with a brown paper bag over its head .

a little pink nose peeped through one hole in the middle , white teeth through another , and above two eyes glared fiercely .

" Cat is the word , " replied a voice , and the curtain fell .

a gray shawl concealed its face , but an inquisitive sunbeam betrayed the glitter as of goggles under the fringe .

suddenly a spirit appeared , all in white , with long newspaper wings upon its back and golden locks about its face .

the children were all in the dark till Mother Atkinson said , in an inquiring tone ,

" if that isn't Balaam and the ass , I 'd like to know what it is .

Rose makes a sweet angel , doesn't she ? "

" ass " was evidently the word , and the angel retired , smiling with mundane satisfaction over the compliment that reached her ears .

the next was a pretty little scene from the immortal story of " babes in the Wood . "

" now the wobins tum .

you be twite dead , Dimmy , and I 'll peep in and see ' em , " one defunct innocent was heard to say .

he prescribed one pellet with an unpronounceable name , and left after demanding twenty dollars for his brief visit .

the pellet was administered , and such awful agonies immediately set in that the distracted mamma bade a sympathetic neighbour run for Mother Know-all .

instant relief ensued , the dying child sat up and demanded baked beans .

no one enjoyed it more than herself , and the saucy children prepared for the grand finale in high feather .

" now let us act a proverb .

I 've got one all ready , " said Rose , who was dying to distinguish herself in some way before Uncle Alec .

a small note below informed the public that @time@ . was the time .

hardly had the audience grasped this important fact when a long waterproof serpent was seen uncoiling itself from behind a stump .

an inch-worm , perhaps , would be a better description , for it travelled in the same humpy way as that pleasing reptile .

suddenly a very wide-awake and active fowl advanced , pecking , chirping , and scratching vigorously .

he squirmed , he wriggled , he humped as fast as he could , trying to escape ; but all in vain .

the tufted bird espied him , gave one warbling sort of crow , pounced upon him , and flapped triumphantly away .

" very clever ; what next ? " asked Dr Alec as she sat down beside him .

enter Napoleon , cocked hat , gray coat , high boots , folded arms , grim mouth , and a melodramatic stride .

he saw the sleeping soldier and glared upon him , saying in an awful tone ,

" Ha ! asleep at his post !

death is the penalty he must die ! "

" brave fellow , he is worn out ; I will let him sleep , and mount guard in his place . "

then , shouldering the gun , this noble being strode to and fro with a dignity which thrilled the younger spectators .

the sentinel awakes , sees what has happened , and gives himself up for lost .

Rose took part in all the fun , and never betrayed by look or word the twinges of pain she suffered in her ankle .

" no , I won't !

there 's predicament for a man and an uncle ! "

and that was Rose 's little prayer on the night of her fourteenth birthday .

" I can't rampage if I want to for a time , at least ; and I 'll tell you why .

it 's only fair , you know ; for I don't forget how good you have been to me . "

and Mac went to call Phebe , so full of gratitude and good-will that his very goggles shone .

Chapter @number@ Ear-Rings

presently , Phebe appeared with a card .

Rose read it , made a grimace , then laughed and said ,

" I 'll see Miss Blish , " and immediately put on her company face , pulled out her locket , and settled her curls .

" you dear thing , how do you do ?

" how nice to have a maid ! " said Ariadne , as she settled herself with much commotion .

" still , dear , you must be very lonely , and feel the need of a bosom friend . "

" I have my cousins , " began Rose , with dignity , for her visitor 's patronising manner ruffled her temper .

" gracious , child ! you don't make friends of those great boys , do you ?

Mamma says she really doesn't think it 's proper for you to be with them so much . "

she is too mean to live , so I gave her up .

just think , she never paid back one of the caramels I 've given her , and never invited me to her party .

So Ariadne concealed her vexation at Rose 's coolness , and changed the subject as fast as possible .

" I don't study it , for I read French as well as English , and uncle and I often speak it for hours .

he talks like a native , and says I have a remarkably good accent . "

she felt that Ariadne would be the better for a little crushing , and could not resist the temptation to patronise in her turn .

" oh , indeed ! " said Miss Blish , rather blankly , for French was not her strong point by any means .

" I am to go abroad with uncle in a year or two , and he knows how important it is to understand the languages .

half the girls who leave school can't speak decent French , and when they go abroad they are so mortified .

the touch of an ear-ring consoled her , and suggested a way of returning tit for tat in a telling manner .

papa gave them to me last week , and everyone says they are lovely . "

Rose came down from her high horse with a rapidity that was comical , for Ariadne had the upper hand now .

" they are too sweet for anything !

if uncle would only let me wear some , I should be perfectly happy . "

" I wouldn't mind what he says .

" then do it .

" I asked him if it wouldn't do my eyes good once when they were red , and he only laughed .

people do cure weak eyes that way , don't they ? "

" yes , indeed , and yours are sort of red .

let me see .

" does it hurt much ? " asked Rose , wavering .

" oh dear , no ; just a prick and a pull , and it 's all over .

I 've done lots of ears , and know just how .

come , push up your hair and get a big needle . "

" I don't quite like to do it without asking uncle 's leave , " faltered Rose , when all was ready for the operation .

" did he ever forbid it ? " demanded Ariadne , hovering over her prey like a vampire .

" no , never ! "

" then do it , unless you are afraid , " cried Miss Blish , bent on accomplishing the deed .

Ariadne punched , and the victim bore it in heroic silence , though she turned pale and her eyes were full of tears of anguish .

" there !

" it does hurt dreadfully , and I know uncle won't like it , " sighed Rose , as remorse began to gnaw .

" never .

Mercy me , what 's that ? " and Ariadne started as a sudden sound of steps and voices came up from below .

" it 's the boys !

hide the needle .

do my ears show ?

don't breathe a word ! " whispered Rose , scrambling about to conceal all traces of their iniquity from the sharp eyes of the Clan .

" how many , and how big !

" that lot was picked especially for you , Rosy .

I got every one myself , and they are extra whackers , " said Mac , presenting a bushel or so .

" you should have seen Giglamps when he was after them .

" I 'm not going to do all the gallivanting .

let Steve take that chit home and show his manners . "

" I 'll be hanged if I do ! " answered Prince , who disliked Miss Blish because she tried to be coquettish with him .

" then I will take this lady down to tea , as the other one has found a gentleman to go home with her .

" fire away , " said Geordie , and she obeyed , little thinking what a disastrous story it would prove to herself .

" well , once upon a time , a little girl went to see a young lady who was very fond of her .

" but an eye did see this naughty little girl , and whose eye do you think it was ? "

Rose was rather taken aback by this reply , but , feeling that she was producing a good effect , she added seriously ,

the young lady was glad to see that , and wondered what made the little girl put it back . "

" Tonscience p'icked her , " murmured a contrite voice from behind the small hands pressed tightly over Pokey 's red face .

" it was so nice and wound , and she wanted it deffly , " answered the little voice .

" well , I 'm glad she had such a good conscience .

the moral is that people who steal don't enjoy what they take , and are not happy till they put it back .

what makes that little girl hide her face ? " asked Rose , as she concluded .

" me 's so ' shamed of Pokey , " sobbed the small culprit , quite overcome by remorse and confusion at this awful disclosure .

" I know something bad that you did , and I 'm going to tell right out .

Jamie 's somewhat incoherent explosion produced such an effect that Pokey 's small sin was instantly forgotten , and Rose felt that her hour had come .

" what shall you do about it , sir ? " inquired Geordie , wondering what punishment would be inflicted on a feminine culprit .

" as she is fond of ornaments , perhaps we had better give her a nose-ring also .

" good ! good !

we 'll do it right away !

" O uncle , save me , save me ! "

chapter @number@ Bread and Button-Holes

now , as he sat down beside her , she said , very soberly ,

" I 've been trying to decide what trade I would learn , and I want you to advise me . "

" Trade , my dear ? " and Dr Alec looked so astonished that she hastened to explain .

" I forgot that you didn't hear the talk about it up at Cosey Corner .

" what do you incline to ?

a natural taste or talent is a great help in choosing , you know . "

" I haven't any talent , or any especial taste that I can see , and that is why I can't decide , uncle .

" oh , what is it ? " cried Rose eagerly , charmed to be met in this helpful and cordial way .

" Housekeeping ! " answered Dr Alec .

" yes ; it is one of the most beautiful as well as useful of all the arts a woman can learn .

" who is the lady ? " asked Rose , rather impressed by her uncle 's earnest speech .

" aunt Plenty . "

" I should like to have people feel so about me .

" yes , if you don't despise such simple lessons as she can give .

" I will , uncle .

but how shall I begin ? "

" so it is !

" then we 'll cook in the parlour .

I fancy Aunt Plenty will manage her , so don't be troubled .

only mind this , I 'd rather you learned how to make good bread than the best pies ever baked .

" it 's a bargain ! it 's a bargain !

" I made that , uncle , and I 'm glad you like it . "

" ain't it just lovely , sir ? "

" it is a regularly splendid loaf !

did my girl make it all herself ? " he asked , surveying the shapely , sweet-smelling object with real interest and pleasure .

" I 've had so many failures and troubles that I really thought I never should be able to do it alone .

Dolly let one splendid batch burn up because I forgot it .

wasn't it hard ?

she might have called me at least , " said Rose , recollecting , with a sigh , the anguish of that moment .

" she meant you should learn by experience , as Rosamond did in that little affair of the purple jar , you remember . "

Ugh !

I always want to shake that hateful woman , though she was a moral mamma . "

everything went right this time , and it came out a nice , round , crusty loaf , as you see .

now taste it , and tell me if it is good as well as handsome . "

" must I cut it ?

" what an idea , uncle !

it would mould and be spoilt .

besides , people would laugh at us , and make fun of my old-fashioned accomplishment .

" my dear , it is perfect bread , and you are an honour to your teacher .

when we have our model school I shall offer a prize for the best bread , and you will get it . "

but Dr Alec saw it , guessed how it came there , and after tea insisted on easing the pain which she would hardly confess .

" more little confidences ?

I like them immensely , so tell away , my dear . "

you know she can't go about like Aunty Plen , and we are so busy nowadays that she is rather lonely , I 'm afraid .

so I want to take lessons in sewing of her .

so , do you devote your mind to button-holes ; make ' em all over my clothes if you want something to practice on .

I 'll wear any quantity . "

Rose laughed at this reckless offer , but promised to attend to that important branch , though she confessed that darning was her weak point .

" there !

I 've made you a new set of warm night-gowns with four button-holes in each .

see if they are not neatly done , " said Rose , one day , some weeks after the new lessons began .

" even to a thread , and nice little bars across the end so I can't tear them when I twitch the buttons out .

" you sew them on ? " cried Rose , with her eyes wide open in amazement .

" wait a bit till I get my sewing tackle , and then you shall see what I can do . "

" can he , really ? " asked Rose of Aunt Peace , as Uncle Alec marched off with a comical air of importance .

" I wonder if there is anything in the world that you cannot do , " she said , in a tone of respectful admiration .

" I should like to know what ? "

" bread and button-holes , ma'am . "

Chapter @number@ Good Bargains

Will and Geordie were sprawling on the sofa , deep in the adventures of the scapegraces and ragamuffins whose histories are now the fashion .

" read and improve your mind , my son , " answered Archie , peering solemnly over the paper behind which he had been dozing .

" no , thank you , tramps in an easterly storm don't strike me as amusing . "

there Archie stopped and held up his hand , for a pleasant voice was heard saying outside ,

" are the boys in the library , auntie ? "

" yes , dear , and longing for sunshine ; so run in and make it for them , " answered Mrs Jessie .

" it 's Rose , " and Archie threw his cigar into the fire .

" what 's that for ? " asked Charlie .

" gentlemen don't smoke before ladies . "

as Rose bent to warm her hands , one end of Archie 's cigar stuck out of the ashes , smoking furiously and smelling strongly .

" oh , you bad boys , how could you do it , to-day of all days ? " she said reproachfully .

" where 's the harm ? " asked Archie .

" Fiddlesticks ! every man smokes , even Uncle Alec , whom you think so perfect , " began Charlie , in his teasing way .

" no , he doesn't !

he has given it up , and I know why , " cried Rose eagerly .

" now I think of it , I haven't seen the old meerschaum since he came home .

did he stop it on our account ? " asked Archie .

" yes , " and Rose told the little scene on the seashore in the camping-out time .

Archie seemed much impressed , and said manfully , " he won't have done that in vain so far as I 'm concerned .

I don't care a pin about smoking , so can give it up as easy as not , and I promise you I will .

I only do it now and then for fun . "

" you women are always asking us to give up harmless little things just because you don't approve of them .

how would you like it if we did the same by you , miss ? "

" well , now , we 'll see if you mean what you say .

" I 'll agree if it is as foolish as cigars . "

" oh , it 's ever so much sillier . "

" give up your ear-rings , " and Charlie laughed wickedly , sure that she would never hold to that bargain .

Rose uttered a cry and clapped both hands to her ears where the gold rings hung .

" oh , Charlie , wouldn't anything else do as well ?

I 've been through so much teasing and trouble , I do want to enjoy my pretty ear-rings , for I can wear them now . "

" wear as many as you like , and I 'll smoke in peace , " returned this bad boy .

" will nothing else satisfy you ? " imploringly .

" nothing , " sternly .

here was a chance to do some good by sacrificing a little vanity of her own .

she felt it was right to do it , yet found it very hard , and asked wistfully ,

" do you mean never wear them , Charlie ? "

" never , unless you want me to smoke . "

" I never do . "

" then clinch the bargain . "

" I care more for my cousins than for my ear-rings , so I promise , and I 'll keep my word . "

but Rose was bent on showing her aunt that she could use her influence for the boys ' good , and said steadily ,

" it is fair , and I want it to be so , then you will believe I 'm in earnest .

here , each of you wear one of these on your watch-guard to remind you .

I shall not forget , because very soon I cannot wear ear-rings if I want to . "

as she spoke , Rose offered a little ring to each cousin , and the boys , seeing how sincere she was , obeyed her .

Just at that moment Dr Alec and Mrs Jessie came in .

" what 's this ?

Dancing Ladies ' Triumph on Sunday ? " exclaimed Uncle Alec , surveying the trio with surprise .

" no , sir , it is the Anti-Tobacco League .

will you join ? " said Charlie , while Rose slipped away to her aunt , and Archie buried both cigars behind the back log .

" I thought they were all the fashion , " answered Dr Alec , settling in the big chair with Rose .

" so is smoking , but it is harmful .

" now , Mum , that 's too bad !

I like ' em tip-top .

this one is a regular screamer , " cried Will .

" they 're bully books , and I 'd like to know where 's the harm , " added Geordie .

" you have just shown us one of the chief evils , and that is slang , " answered their mother quickly .

" must have it , ma'am .

if these chaps talked all right , there 'd be no fun in ' em , " protested Will .

in fact , I fail to see the advantage of writing books about such people unless it is done in a very different way .

isn't it so , boys ? "

" ' In this place we saw a tooth of John the Baptist .

Ben said he could see locust and wild honey sticking to it .

I couldn't .

perhaps John used a piece of the true cross for a tooth-pick . ' "

" and those descriptions , taken mostly from guidebooks , I fancy , are the only parts of any real worth .

as she luffs up we shall man the fore and main sheets , slack on the weather , and haul on the lee braces . "

" I guess I could , if I wasn't afraid of uncle .

he knows so much more than I do , he 'd laugh , " began Geordie , evidently puzzled by the question .

" Ho , you know you can't , so why make believe ?

I once made a rule that I would have no slang in the house .

" yes , right behind the back log , " she continued , energetically .

" oh , mother , not a single one ? " cried Will .

" couldn't we just finish those ? " pleaded Geordie .

" the boys threw away half-smoked cigars ; and your books must go after them .

" Course not !

come on , Geordie , " and Will took the vow like a hero .

his brother sighed and obeyed , but privately resolved to finish his story the minute the month was over .

" do you want us to be poor , mother ? " asked Archie , wondering .

O , my boys !

the younger lads nestled closer to her , and Archie said , in his quiet , resolute way ,

" you must help her make them what they should be .

chapter @number@ Fashion and Physiology

Phebe said this as she popped her head into the study , where Dr Alec sat reading a new book .

" you are a girl of sense .

I 'll settle matters for Rosy , and you 'll lend a hand .

is everything ready in her room , and are you sure you understand how they go ? "

" oh , yes , sir ; but they are so funny !

I know Miss Rose will think it 's a joke , " and Phebe laughed as if something tickled her immensely .

" never mind what she thinks so long as she obeys .

tell her to do it for my sake , and she will find it the best joke she ever saw .

the suit was of two peculiar shades of blue , so arranged that patches of light and dark distracted the eye .

a bunch of folds was gathered up just below the waist behind , and a great bow rode a-top .

" things have changed since your day , Aunt , and it takes time to get used to new ways .

but you , Jessie , surely like this costume better than the dowdy things Rose has been wearing all summer .

now , be honest , and own you do , " said Mrs Clara , bent on being praised for her work .

therefore , I have taken the liberty of providing a pretty street suit for Rose .

" it is a street costume , is it ? " asked the Doctor , mildly .

" do you know , I never should have guessed that it was meant for winter weather and brisk locomotion .

take a turn , Rosy , and let me see all its beauties and advantages . "

" don't think I could , but I 'll try , " and Rose made a rush across the room .

" no beauty ! " cried Mrs Clara , warmly , " now , that is just a man 's blindness .

this is the best of silk and camel 's hair , real ostrich feathers , and an expensive ermine muff .

what could be in better taste , or more proper for a young girl ? "

" Alec , if it is a Bloomer , I shall protest .

I 've been expecting it , but I know I cannot bear to see that pretty child sacrificed to your wild ideas of health .

tell me it isn't a Bloomer ! " and Mrs Clara clasped her hands imploringly .

" it is not . "

" after all I have said , were you really going to tempt my girl with those abominable things ? "

" growing stout !

" don't be absurd , Alec .

there is no torture about it , for tight lacing is out of fashion , and we have nice , sensible things nowadays .

" I know it , and so the poor little souls have weak backs all their days , as their mothers had before them .

give them to me .

I 'll see that they do no harm . "

" Whalebones , indeed !

a regular fence of them , and metal gate-posts in front .

peals of laughter issued from Rose 's room , and smiles involuntarily touched the lips of those who listened to the happy sound .

" yes , ma'am , my last , and I hope you will like it .

I discovered what Clara was at , and got my rival suit ready for to-day .

while we wait I 'll explain , and then you will appreciate the general effect better .

" Mercy on us , these things are like the night-drawers Jamie wears !

you don't mean to say you want Rose to come out in this costume ?

it 's not proper , and I won't consent to it ! "

" well , I don't see anything remarkable .

" exactly what I want , " answered the provoking Doctor , rubbing his hands with a satisfied air .

" Rosy looks now like what she is , a modest little girl , who does not want to be stared at .

I think she would get a glance of approval , though , from people who like sense and simplicity rather than fuss and feathers .

revolve , my Hebe , and let me refresh my eyes by the sight of you . "

" there ! you see how it will be ; dress her in that boyish way and she will act like a boy .

I do hate all these inventions of strong-minded women ! " exclaimed Mrs Clara , as Rose came back at a run .

Mrs Van Tassel has been to Madame Stone , and is wearing a full suit of this sort .

" you don't say so !

" I thought that would settle it , " he said with a nod .

Meantime Aunt Plenty was examining Rose 's costume , for the hat and sack were off , and the girl was eagerly explaining the new under-garments .

" see , auntie , all nice scarlet flannel , and a gay little petticoat , and long stockings , oh , so warm !

Phebe and I nearly died laughing when I put this rig on , but I like it ever so much .

do say you like it .

" I don't ask that , Rose , but I wish you 'd weigh and compare the two suits , and then choose which seems best .

I leave it to your own commonsense , " answered Dr Alec , feeling pretty sure he had won .

" why , I take this one , of course , uncle .

I 'm much obliged to auntie , but I 'll keep this , please . "

aunt Clara sighed ; Uncle Alec smiled , and said heartily ,

" thank you , dear ; now read this book and you will understand why I ask it of you .

" oh , what ? " and Rose caught up the book which Mrs Clara had thrown down with a disgusted look .

if you agree , I 'll hunt up my old skeleton to-morrow . "

chapter @number@ Brother Bones

Rose accepted her uncle 's offer , as Aunt Myra discovered two or three days later .

the Doctor appeared in a moment , and begged to know what the matter was .

" what are you doing , child ? " demanded Aunt Myra , dropping into a chair and staring about her .

" oh , I 'm learning bones to-day , and I like it so much .

" do you think that is a good sort of thing for her to be poking over ?

" and she really likes it ? "

" very much , auntie !

it 's all so wonderful , and so nicely planned , you can hardly believe what you see .

" well , I don't know but you may be right , Alec , only I wouldn't carry it too far .

women don't need much of this sort of knowledge , and are not fit for it .

" perhaps it 's as well to let her do what she likes the little while she is with us .

but pray be careful of her , Alec , and not allow her to overwork , " she whispered as she went out .

half an hour later came another interruption in the shape of Mac , who announced his arrival by the brief but elegant remark ,

" hullo ! what new game is this ? "

Rose explained , Mac gave a long whistle of surprise , and then took a promenade round the skeleton , observing gravely ,

" brother Bones looks very jolly , but I can't say much for his beauty . "

" I dare say , so I 'll keep my flesh on , thank you .

" don't you want to come and join my class ?

uncle explains it all to us , and you can take a look at the plates as they come along .

" he 's blue to-day , and we must amuse him ; give a little lecture on eyes , and it will do him good .

No matter about me , uncle . "

" very well ; the class will please be seated , " and the Doctor gave a sounding rap on the table .

telling him after he 's down isn't much use , for then he 's found it out himself and won't thank you . "

" ah , Mac , that 's just what I keep lecturing about , and people won't listen .

you lads need that sort of knowledge so much , and fathers and mothers ought to be able to give it to you .

few of them are able , and so we all go blundering , as you say .

less Greek and Latin and more knowledge of the laws of health for my boys , if I had them .

Poor Mac was right there , and expressed a want that many a boy and girl feels .

so the young hearts hide trouble or temptation till the harm is done , and mutual regret comes too late .

they certainly get great comfort out of it , and receive much innocent affection that otherwise would be lost .

that is what I 'm here for , I believe , and it will be a great happiness to me if you can trust me . "

" we can , uncle , and we will ! " both answered , with a heartiness that gratified him much .

" we 'll come , sir , much obliged , " and the class in physiology went out to walk .

of course , the other lads made great fun of the whole thing , and plagued Dr Alec 's students half out of their lives .

but they kept on persistently , and one day something happened which made the other fellows behave themselves for ever after .

she was lounging over the table looking at a map when an odd noise caught her ear .

she paused an instant to collect herself , and then went softly toward the bony beckoner .

" I told him not to do it , because it might give you a start , " explained Archie , emerging from the closet .

" I had a smelling bottle all ready if she fainted away , " added Steve , popping up from behind the great chair .

" I 'm used to your pranks now , so I 'm always on the watch and prepared .

but I won't have Brother Bones made fun of .

" hear how I got that skeleton , and then I 'm sure you will treat it with respect . "

the boys settled down at once on any article of furniture that was nearest and listened dutifully .

" years ago , when I was in the hospital , a poor fellow was brought there with a rare and very painful disease .

it did do good , and his brave patience made us remember him long after he was gone .

Chapter @number@ Under The Mistletoe

" Merry Christmas ! " cried the little mistress smiling gaily .

" Merry Christmas ! " answered the little maid , so heartily that it did one good to hear her .

then she added with an important air ,

" do wish for something else , because I happen to know of two more presents outside the door this minute . "

" oh , me , what richness ! " cried Rose , much excited .

I don't know what you 'll say to the other , but I think it 's elegant . "

So did Rose , when a shining pair of skates and a fine sled appeared .

isn't it a beauty ?

" it isn't very pretty , " said Rose , who was trimming the chimney-piece with glossy holly sprays .

" never mind that , it 's mistletoe , and anyone who stands under it will get kissed whether they like it or not .

" you won't catch me , " said Rose , with great dignity .

" see if I don't ! "

" I 've got my eye on Phebe , " observed Will , in a patronising tone that made them all laugh .

" oh , the mistletoe bough , " sang Rose .

Will called him the " typhoon , " meaning Tycoon , and the name stuck to him to his great disgust .

but that only made it all the jollier in the warm , bright rooms , full of happy souls .

that allusion to the Captain , now on his return trip , made Mrs Jessie sob in her napkin , and set the boys cheering .

then , as if that was not sensation enough , Archie suddenly dashed out of the room , as if he had lost his wits .

" too bashful to stay and be praised , " began Charlie , excusing the peculiarities of his chief as in duty bound .

" Phebe beckoned to him ; I saw her , " cried Rose , staring hard at the door .

" is it more presents coming ? " asked Jamie , just as his brother re-appeared , looking more excited than ever .

" where 's my little woman ?

the first kiss for her , then the rest may come on as fast as they like . "

it was good to see bluff Uncle Jem look proudly at his tall son , and fondly hug the little ones .

that really was , as Charlie said , " a landscape to do one 's heart good . "

" all but Rose , " answered loyal little Jamie , remembering the absent .

" Faith , I forgot the child !

where is George 's little girl ? " asked the Captain , who had not seen her since she was a baby .

" you 'd better say Alec 's great girl , " said Uncle Mac , who professed to be madly jealous of his brother .

" here I am , sir , " and Rose appeared from behind the curtains , looking as if she had rather have stayed there .

so Steve droned out a Highland reel as softly as he could , and the boys danced it to a circle of admiring relations .

that was a grand beginning , and they had many another dance before anyone would own they were tired .

how they all laughed at her astonishment , and how Fun 's little black eyes twinkled over this exploit !

but Rose was wide-awake , and escaped all his snares , professing great contempt for such foolish customs .

Charlie alone failed to catch his shy bird , and the oftener she escaped the more determined he was to ensnare her .

when every other wile had been tried in vain , he got Archie to propose a game with forfeits .

" now let us redeem them and play something else , " said Will , quite unconscious of the deeply-laid plots all about him .

" one more round and then we will , " answered the Prince , who had now baited his trap anew .

" now I 've got her , " thought the young rascal , exulting in his fun-loving soul .

in fact , it made even him think twice , and resolve to " let Rose off easy , " she had been so clever .

" Fine or superfine ? "

" super . "

" hum , well , she shall take old Mac under the mistletoe , and kiss him prettily .

won't he be mad , though ? " and this bad boy chuckled over the discomfort he had caused two harmless beings .

" thank you , my dear , " said the innocent gentleman , looking much pleased at the unexpected honour .

" oh , come ; that 's not fair , " began Charlie .

but Rose cut him short by saying , as she made him a fine courtesy ,

" you said ' Old Mac , ' and though it was very disrespectful , I did it .

that was your last chance , sir , and you 've lost it . "

" what 's the joke ? " asked young Mac , waked out of a brown study by the laughter , in which the elders joined .

Chapter @number@ A Scare

" why not ?

" but you have no idea how sharp the wind is .

" I don't doubt it , ma'am , if you will wear crape and silk instead of fur and flannel .

Rosy goes out in all weathers , and will be none the worse for an hour 's brisk skating . "

" mark my words , you will repent it , " and with that awful prophecy , Aunt Myra departed like a black shadow .

aunt Myra was an especial trial , and he always turned contrary the moment she began to talk .

he could not help it , and often laughed about it with comic frankness .

but Aunt Myra spoke , and he could not resist the temptation to make light of her advice , and let Rose brave the cold .

" of course , your uncle won't let her go out such a day as this .

" I wish Steve would just cut up and see if she 's there , since I can't go , " began Mac , anxiously .

" Steve won't stir a peg , thank you .

so Mac resigned himself , and Rose waited dutifully till dinner-time assured her that her waiting was in vain .

" my darling , what is it ? " and Uncle Alec had her in his arms in a minute .

Full of remorseful tenderness , Uncle Alec worked over his new patient till she declared she was all right again .

" please , could I go to bed ? "

" the best place for you , deary .

" are you in pain , darling ? " asked Uncle Alec , as he carried her up .

" Pleurisy , " sighed Aunt Plenty , from the depths of the bath-tub .

" Pewmonia ! " groaned Dolly , burrowing among the bedclothes with the long-handled pan , as if bent on fishing up that treacherous disease .

" hush ! " ordered the Doctor , in a tone that silenced all further predictions , and made everyone work with a will .

" I thought it would be too good luck to get through the year without a downfall .

confound my perversity !

why couldn't I take Myra 's advice and keep Rose at home .

it 's not fair that the poor child should suffer for my sinful over-confidence .

she shall not suffer for it !

pneumonia , indeed !

" what the dickens is the matter ?

you look as dismal as a tombstone , " he said , as she held up her hand to stop his lively whistling .

" Miss Rose is dreadful sick . "

" the deuce she is ! "

" oh , but she is though .

the Doctor don't say much , but he don't call it a ' chill ' any more .

Charlie exploded into a stifled laugh at the new pronunciation of pneumonia , to Phebe 's great indignation .

" how can you have the heart to do it , and she in such horrid pain ?

Charlie listened and heard little moans that went to his heart and made his face as sober as Phebe 's .

" O uncle , please stop the pain , and let me rest a minute !

don't tell the boys I wasn't brave .

I try to bear it , but it 's so sharp I can't help crying . "

" don't hold that confounded thing right under my nose ; the mustard makes my eyes smart . "

" don't see how it can , when it hasn't any more strength in it than meal .

a tap on the window startled Phebe , and , looking up , she saw a face peering in .

" and she will be all right again to-morrow ? "

" oh , dear no !

down went Mac 's face , and remorse began to gnaw at him again as he gave a great sigh and said doubtfully ,

" I suppose I couldn't see her ? "

" of course not at this time of night , when we want her to go to sleep ! "

" why didn't you stop it ? " said Phebe reproachfully .

" I dare say you 've waked her up . "

" didn't know it was coming .

just my luck ! " groaned Mac , turning to go before his unfortunate presence did more harm .

but a voice from the stair-head called softly , " Mac , come up ; Rose wants to see you . "

up he went , and found his uncle waiting for him .

" what brings you here at this hour , my boy ? " asked the Doctor in a whisper .

" Charlie said it was all my fault , and if she died I 'd killed her .

" I knew your funny sneeze , and I guessed that you came to see how I did , though it is very late .

" I don't think I shall die ; uncle won't let me ; but if I do , remember I forgave you . "

chapter @number@ Something to do

" I 'll go and hunt up Phebe , she is always nice and busy , and likes to have me help her .

she took the precaution to peep through the slide before she entered the kitchen , for Dolly allowed no messing when she was round .

but the coast was clear , and no one but Phebe appeared , sitting at the table with her head on her arms apparently asleep .

" Phebe , I want something to do .

can't you let me help you about anything , or shall I be in the way ? "

" oh , dear no , miss ; I always love to have you round when things are tidy .

" let me see !

what is it ?

I won't tell if you 'd rather not have Dolly know . "

" laugh at you !

why didn't you come and ask me , and not go struggling along alone in this way ?

" O you proud thing ! just as if it wasn't fun to give away , and I had the best of it .

now , see here , I 've got a plan and you mustn't say no , or I shall scold .

it will take time , and maybe the Doctor wouldn't like it . "

" the way into my parlour is up a winding stair , And many are the curious things I 'll show you when you're there .

will you , will you walk in , Phebe dear ? "

" bless my heart , what is going on now ? "

" school , aunty .

I 'm teaching Phebe , and it 's great fun ! " cried Rose , looking up with a bright face .

but Phebe 's was brighter , though she added with a wistful look ,

" maybe I ought to have asked leave first ; only when Miss Rose proposed this , I was so happy I forgot to .

shall I stop , ma'am ? "

" of course not , child ; I 'm glad to see you fond of your book , and to find Rose helping you along .

only don't neglect your work , dear , or let the books interfere with the duties . "

" please , can I go ?

I 'll clear up after I 've done my chores . "

" school is dismissed , " answered Rose , and with a grateful " thank you , heaps and heaps ! "

Phebe ran away singing the multiplication table as she set the tea ditto .

" O uncle !

I 'm so glad ! and so sorry !

why didn't you let us know what time you 'd be here , or call out the minute you came ?

" have you had a good time ?

did you save the poor lady ?

aren't you glad to be home again with your girl to torment you ? "

" yes , to all those questions .

now tell me what you 've been at , little sinner ?

Aunty Plen says you want to consult me about some new and remarkable project which you have dared to start in my absence . "

" she didn't tell you , I hope ? "

now , then , own up and take the consequences . "

that 's what I was reading up when you came , and to-morrow I shall tell her all about it , and indigo too .

" you artful little baggage ! that 's the way you expect to get round me , is it ?

that 's not studying , I suppose ? "

" no , sir , it 's teaching ; and please , I like it much better than having a good time by myself .

" I haven't the slightest objection in the world .

" I think she has found some already , " began Rose eagerly .

" bless your dear heart , I haven't begun to do anything yet , more shame to me !

how will that do for a beginning ? "

all of a sudden she stopped and asked soberly ,

" if Phebe goes to school who will do her work ?

I 'm willing , if I can . "

" come here and I 'll tell you a secret .

" oh , me ! how can I ever get on without Phebe ?

couldn't she stay , just so I could see her ?

I 'd pay her board rather than have her go , I 'm so fond of her . "

" your plans are always so wise and kind !

that 's why they work so well , I suppose , and why people let you do what you like with them .

Chapter @number@ Peace-Making

" P'raps I will , and p'raps I won't .

what is it ? "

" haven't Arch and Charlie quarrelled ? "

" dare say ; we fellows are always having little rows , you know .

come , please tell me , Stenie , there 's a dear . "

uncle said so , and he is never wrong . "

" what do you want ? " and Rose looked up rather surprised at his question .

" I 'd like to borrow some money .

" I 'll lend it to you with pleasure , so tell away , " said Rose , bound to get at the secret .

evidently much relieved by the promise , Steve set his top-knot cheerfully erect again , and briefly stated the case .

you see , Archie don't like some of the fellows Charlie goes with , and cuts ' em .

" are those boys bad ? " asked Rose , anxiously .

" guess not , only rather wild .

he beat Morse at billiards , and that 's something to brag of , for Morse thinks he knows everything .

I saw the match , and it was great fun ! "

Steve got quite excited over the prowess of Charlie , whom he admired immensely , and tried to imitate .

" if Prince likes any billiard-playing boy better than Archie , I don't think much of his sense , " she said severely .

" that 's the trouble ; Arch preaches , and Prince won't stand it .

he told Arch he was a prig and a parson , and Arch told him he wasn't a gentleman .

my boots ! weren't they both mad , though !

I thought for a minute they 'd pitch into one another and have it out .

wish they had , and not gone stalking round stiff and glum ever since .

Mac and I settle our rows with a bat or so over the head , and then we are all right . "

I 've told , now you pay up . "

" of course I will !

how much do you want ? " and Rose pulled out her purse .

" could you spare five dollars ?

" aren't all debts honourable ? " asked innocent Rose .

" oh , don't bet , it 's not right , and I know your father wouldn't like it .

promise you won't do so again ; please promise ! " and Rose held fast the hand into which she had just put the money .

" well , I won't .

it 's worried me a good deal , but I was joked into it .

much obliged , cousin , I 'm all right now , " and Steve departed hastily .

having decided to be a peace-maker , Rose waited for an opportunity , and very soon it came .

dinner was over , and everyone had gone .

aunt Clara was resting before going out to an evening party , and Rose was waiting for Charlie to come and take her home .

presently Charlie came lounging in , looking rather sleepy and queer , Rose thought .

on seeing her , however , he roused up and said with a smile that ended in a gape ,

" I thought you were with mother , so I took forty winks after I got those girls off .

now , I 'm at your service , Rosamunda , whenever you like . "

" you look as if your head ached .

if it does , don't mind me .

" I think I see myself letting you do it .

champagne always makes my headache , but the air will set me up . "

" why do you drink it , then ? " asked Rose , anxiously .

" can't help it , when I'm host .

now , don't you begin to lecture ; I 've had enough of Archie 's old-fashioned notions , and I don't want any more . "

" I wasn't going to lecture , only when people like other people , they can't bear to see them suffer pain . "

" I wish you 'd beg Archie 's too , and be good friends again .

" you 'd better not meddle with what you don't understand , cousin . "

" but I do understand , and it troubles me very much to see you so cold and stiff to one another .

you always used to be together , and now you hardly speak .

you are so ready to beg my pardon I don't see why you can't beg Archie 's , if you are in the wrong . "

" I 've broken my word , so I want to give this back and free you from the bargain .

I 'm sorry , but I think it a foolish promise , and don't intend to keep it .

choose a pair of ear-rings to suit yourself , as my forfeit .

you have a right to wear them now . "

" no , I can only wear one , and that is no use , for Archie will keep his word I 'm sure ! "

" you are not at all the boy I thought you were , and I don't respect you one bit .

I 've tried to help you be good , but you won't let me , and I shall not try any more .

I don't wish you to go home with me .

I 'd rather have Mary .

good-night . "

A hasty good-night to Aunt Clara now under the hands of the hairdresser and then she crept down to find Mary the maid .

" you needn't speak to me if you don't choose , but I must see you safely home , cousin . "

she turned at once , put out her hand , and answered heartily ,

" I was the cross one .

please forgive me , and let's be friends again . "

" look here , Rosy , I 've put the ring back , and I 'm going to try again .

but you don't know how hard it is to stand being laughed at . "

" yes , I do !

Ariadne plagues me every time I see her , because I don't wear ear-rings after all the trouble I had getting ready for them . "

" ah , but her twaddle isn't half as bad as the chaffing I get .

" I thought you had a ' deal of pluck , ' as you call it .

the boys all say you are the bravest of the seven , " said Rose .

" so I am about some things , but I cannot bear to be laughed at . "

" it is hard , but if one is right won't that make it easier ? "

" not to me ; it might to a pious parson like Arch . "

" please don't call him names !

I guess he has what is called moral courage , and you physical courage .

Uncle explained the difference to me , and moral is the best , though often it doesn't look so , " said Rose thoughtfully .

" perhaps that 's why he keeps out of their way , and wants you to . "

" if he was my brother , now , he 'd have some right to interfere , " began Charlie , in an injured tone .

" I wish he was ! " cried Rose .

" so do I , " answered Charlie , and then they both laughed at his inconsistency .

the laugh did them good , and when Prince spoke again , it was in a different tone pensive , not proud nor perverse .

" you see , it 's hard upon me that I have no brothers and sisters .

the others are better off and needn't go abroad for chums if they don't like .

I am all alone , and I 'd be thankful even for a little sister . "

" play I was a little sister .

I know I 'm silly , but perhaps I 'm better than nothing , and I 'd dearly love to do it . "

there , now ! " and Charlie looked down at the curly head bobbing along beside him with real affection in his face .

Rose gave a skip of pleasure , and laid one seal-skin mitten over the other on his arm , as she said happily ,

" that 's so nice of you !

" I 've been thinking that perhaps I ought to , though I am in the right .

" while father was home , I was very busy with him , so Prince got into a set I don't like .

" I don't care for that ; if he 'll just drop those row-dies and come back , I 'll hold my tongue and not preach .

I wonder if he owes those fellows money , and so doesn't like to break off till he can pay it .

but Archie ordered her to " fess , " and had the whole story in five minutes , for none dared disobey the Chief .

he completed her affliction by putting a five-dollar bill into her pocket by main force , looking both indignant and resolute as he said ,

" never do so again ; but send Steve to me , if he is afraid to go to his father .

Charlie had nothing to do with that ; he wouldn't borrow a penny of a girl , don't think it .

but that 's the harm he does Steve , who adores him , and tries to be like him in all things .

don't say a word ; I 'll make it all right , and no one shall blame you . "

" oh me !

" here 's our little peace-maker ! " said Archie , shaking hands with vigour .

but Charlie added , with a look that made Rose very proud and happy , " and my little sister . "

Chapter @number@ Which ?

" to take care of boys , " answered Rose , quite beaming with satisfaction as she spoke .

" Phebe laughed when I told her , and said she thought girls had better learn to take care of themselves first .

but that 's because she hasn't got seven boy-cousins as I have . "

" am I ?

only I don't always know what to do , and I 'm going to consult you privately and then surprise them with my wisdom . "

" all right , my dear ; what 's the first worry ?

I see you have something on your little mind , so come and tell uncle . "

" could you make up your mind to go and stay with Aunt Clara a month ? " asked the Doctor , when she ended .

" yes , sir ; but I shouldn't like it .

do you really want me to go ? "

" exactly . "

" but could I make it pleasant ?

he would want the boys . "

" no danger but he 'd have the boys , for they swarm after you like bees after their queen .

haven't you found that out ? "

" I 'll go , uncle , right away !

aunt Clara is always asking me , and will be glad to get me .

fortunately , she was very near home , and Dr Alec dropped in so often that her visit was far less dismal than she expected .

so the winter flew rapidly away , and it was May before Rose was fairly settled again at home .

" do you remember that ? " he said , showing one to Aunt Clara , who happened to be nearest .

" yes , indeed ; it is very like her when she came .

quite her sad , unchildlike expression , and thin little face , with the big dark eyes . "

the picture was passed round , and all agreed that " it was very like Rose a year ago . "

" time is up ; how do you think my experiment has succeeded , ladies ? "

" bless me , so it is ! " cried Aunt Plenty , dropping a stitch in her surprise .

" beautifully , dear , " answered Aunt Peace , smiling entire approval .

" she certainly has improved , but appearances are deceitful , and she had no constitution to build upon , " croaked Aunt Myra .

Dr Alec made them a splendid bow , looking much gratified , and then said soberly ,

" thank you ; now the question is , shall I go on ? for this is only the beginning .

is not that the fairest way ?

will you agree to abide by her choice , as I do ? "

" good ! she will be here directly , and then we will settle the question for another year .

Just then a pleasant sound of happy voices came up from the garden , and smiles broke out on all serious faces .

Dr Alec turned at once , saying , as he threw back his head , " there she is ; now for it ! "

the cousins had been a-Maying , and soon came flocking in laden with the spoils .

" of course , we choose to stay !

Mac peered wistfully over his goggles , saying in an unusually wide-awake and earnest way ,

" do , cousin , then we can study chemistry together .

my experiments don't blow up very often now , and the gases aren't at all bad when you get used to them . "

" ah ! yes , " she thought , " he wants me most !

I 've often longed to give him something that he wished for very much , and now I can . "

" I don't want any time !

I know who I love best , who I 'm happiest with , and I choose uncle .

so they took hands and began to prance about uncle and niece , singing , with sudden inspiration , the nursery rhyme ,

" ring around a Rosy ! "

that tickled the boys , and they set up a shout of ,

" uncle had a little lamb ! "

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Eight Cousins , by Louisa M Alcott

produced by David Reed

JUST SO STORIES

by Rudyard Kipling

TABLE OF CONTENTS :

HOW THE WHALE GOT HIS THROAT

IN the sea , once upon a time , O my Best Beloved , there was a Whale , and he ate fishes .

all the fishes he could find in all the sea he ate with his mouth so !

then the Whale stood up on his tail and said , ' I 'm hungry . '

' No , ' said the Whale .

' What is it like ? '

' Nice , ' said the small ' Stute Fish .

' Nice but nubbly . '

' Then fetch me some , ' said the Whale , and he made the sea froth up with his tail .

' One at a time is enough , ' said the ' Stute Fish .

( have you forgotten the suspenders ? )

so he said to the ' Stute Fish , ' This man is very nubbly , and besides he is making me hiccough .

what shall I do ? '

' Tell him to come out , ' said the ' Stute Fish .

so the Whale called down his own throat to the shipwrecked Mariner , ' Come out and behave yourself .

I 've got the hiccoughs . '

' Nay , nay ! ' said the Mariner .

' Not so , but far otherwise .

take me to my natal-shore and the white-cliffs-of-Albion , and I 'll think about it . '

and he began to dance more than ever .

' You had better take him home , ' said the ' Stute Fish to the Whale .

' I ought to have warned you that he is a man of '

then he recited the following Sloka , which , as you have not heard it , I will now proceed to relate

by means of a grating I have stopped your ating .

for the Mariner he was also an Hi-ber-ni-an .

so did the Whale .

the small ' Stute Fish went and hid himself in the mud under the Door-sills of the Equator .

he was afraid that the Whale might be angry with him .

the Sailor took the jack-knife home .

he was wearing the blue canvas breeches when he walked out on the shingle .

the suspenders were left behind , you see , to tie the grating with ; and that is the end of that tale .

HOW THE CAMEL GOT HIS HUMP

NOW this is the next tale , and it tells how the Camel got his big hump .

just ' Humph ! ' and no more .

' Humph ! ' said the Camel ; and the Horse went away and told the Man .

' Humph ! ' said the Camel ; and the Dog went away and told the Man .

' Humph ! ' said the Camel ; and the Ox went away and told the Man .

then he said ' Humph ! ' and went away again .

' Certainly not , ' said the Djinn .

he won't trot . '

' Whew ! ' said the Djinn , whistling , ' that 's my Camel , for all the gold in Arabia !

what does he say about it ? '

' He says " Humph ! " ' said the Dog ; ' and he won't fetch and carry . '

' Does he say anything else ? '

' Only " Humph ! " ; and he won't plough , ' said the Ox .

' Very good , ' said the Djinn .

' I 'll humph him if you will kindly wait a minute . '

' Humph ! ' said the Camel .

' Humph ! ' said the Camel .

' I shouldn't say that again if I were you , ' said the Djinn ; you might say it once too often .

bubbles , I want you to work . '

' Do you see that ? ' said the Djinn .

' That 's your very own humph that you 've brought upon your very own self by not working .

To-day is Thursday , and you 've done no work since Monday , when the work began .

now you are going to work . '

' How can I , ' said the Camel , ' with this humph on my back ? '

' That 's made a-purpose , ' said the Djinn , ' all because you missed those three days .

come out of the Desert and go to the Three , and behave .

Humph yourself ! '

and the Camel humphed himself , humph and all , and went away to join the Three .

we climb out of bed with a frouzly head And a snarly-yarly voice .

we shiver and scowl and we grunt and we growl At our bath and our boots and our toys ;

and then you will find that the sun and the wind .

and the Djinn of the Garden too , Have lifted the hump The horrible hump The hump that is black and blue !

I get it as well as you-oo-oo If I haven't enough to do-oo-oo We all get hump Cameelious hump Kiddies and grown-ups too !

HOW THE RHINOCEROS GOT HIS SKIN

in those days the Rhinoceros 's skin fitted him quite tight .

there were no wrinkles in it anywhere .

he looked exactly like a Noah 's Ark Rhinoceros , but of course much bigger .

all the same , he had no manners then , and he has no manners now , and he never will have any manners .

them that takes cakes Which the Parsee-man bakes Makes dreadful mistakes .

and there was a great deal more in that than you would think .

because , five weeks later , there was a heat wave in the Red Sea , and everybody took off all the clothes they had .

in those days it buttoned underneath with three buttons and looked like a waterproof .

he waddled straight into the water and blew bubbles through his nose , leaving his skin on the beach .

presently the Parsee came by and found the skin , and he smiled one smile that ran all round his face two times .

then he danced three times round the skin and rubbed his hands .

then he climbed to the top of his palm-tree and waited for the Rhinoceros to come out of the water and put it on .

and the Rhinoceros did .

he buttoned it up with the three buttons , and it tickled like cake crumbs in bed .

then he ran to the palm-tree and rubbed and rubbed and rubbed himself against it .

and it spoiled his temper , but it didn't make the least difference to the cake-crumbs .

they were inside his skin and they tickled .

HOW THE LEOPARD GOT HIS SPOTS

IN the days when everybody started fair , Best Beloved , the Leopard lived in a place called the High Veldt .

he would indeed !

they didn't indeed !

said Leopard to Baviaan ( and it was a very hot day ) , ' Where has all the game gone ? '

and Baviaan winked .

he knew .

said the Ethiopian to Baviaan , ' Can you tell me the present habitat of the aboriginal Fauna ? '

( that meant just the same thing , but the Ethiopian always used long words .

he was a grown-up . )

and Baviaan winked .

he knew .

and the Ethiopian said , ' That is all very fine , but I wish to know whither the aboriginal Fauna has migrated . '

( say that quickly aloud , and you will see how very shadowy the forest must have been . )

' I don't know , said the Ethiopian , ' but it ought to be the aboriginal Flora .

I can smell Giraffe , and I can hear Giraffe , but I can't see Giraffe . '

' That 's curious , ' said the Leopard .

' I suppose it is because we have just come in out of the sunshine .

I can smell Zebra , and I can hear Zebra , but I can't see Zebra . '

' Wait a bit , said the Ethiopian .

' It 's a long time since we 've hunted ' em .

perhaps we 've forgotten what they were like . '

' Fiddle ! ' said the Leopard .

' I remember them perfectly on the High Veldt , especially their marrow-bones .

' Umm , said the Ethiopian , looking into the speckly-spickly shadows of the aboriginal Flora-forest .

' Then they ought to show up in this dark place like ripe bananas in a smokehouse . '

but they didn't .

the Leopard and the Ethiopian hunted all day ; and though they could smell them and hear them , they never saw one of them .

' For goodness ' sake , ' said the Leopard at tea-time , ' let us wait till it gets dark .

this daylight hunting is a perfect scandal . '

so he said , ' Be quiet , O you person without any form .

I am going to sit on your head till morning , because there is something about you that I don't understand . '

it smells like Giraffe , and it kicks like Giraffe , but it hasn't any form . '

' Don't you trust it , ' said the Leopard .

' Sit on its head till the morning same as me .

they haven't any form any of ' em . '

what have you at your end of the table , Brother ? '

what in the world have you been doing to yourself , Zebra ?

don't you know that if you were on the High Veldt I could see you ten miles off ?

you haven't any form . '

' Yes , ' said the Zebra , ' but this isn't the High Veldt .

can't you see ? '

' I can now , ' said the Leopard .

' But I couldn't all yesterday .

how is it done ? '

' Let us up , ' said the Zebra , ' and we will show you .

' Now watch , ' said the Zebra and the Giraffe .

' This is the way it 's done .

one two three !

and where 's your breakfast ? '

they had just walked off and hidden themselves in the shadowy forest .

' Hi !

hi ! ' said the Ethiopian .

' That 's a trick worth learning .

take a lesson by it , Leopard .

you show up in this dark place like a bar of soap in a coal-scuttle . '

' Ho !

Ho ! ' said the Leopard .

' Well , calling names won't catch dinner , said the Ethiopian .

' The long and the little of it is that we don't match our backgrounds .

I 'm going to take Baviaan 's advice .

he told me I ought to change ; and as I 've nothing to change except my skin I 'm going to change that . '

' What to ? ' said the Leopard , tremendously excited .

' To a nice working blackish-brownish colour , with a little purple in it , and touches of slaty-blue .

it will be the very thing for hiding in hollows and behind trees . '

' But what about me ? ' he said , when the Ethiopian had worked his last little finger into his fine new black skin .

' You take Baviaan 's advice too .

he told you to go into spots . '

' So I did , ' said the Leopard .

I went into other spots as fast as I could .

I went into this spot with you , and a lot of good it has done me . '

' Oh , ' said the Ethiopian , ' Baviaan didn't mean spots in South Africa .

he meant spots on your skin . '

' What 's the use of that ? ' said the Leopard .

' Think of Giraffe , ' said the Ethiopian .

' Or if you prefer stripes , think of Zebra .

they find their spots and stripes give them per-feet satisfaction . '

' Umm , ' said the Leopard .

' I wouldn't look like Zebra not for ever so . '

' I 'll take spots , then , ' said the Leopard ; ' but don't make ' em too vulgar-big .

I wouldn't look like Giraffe not for ever so . '

' I 'll make ' em with the tips of my fingers , ' said the Ethiopian .

' There 's plenty of black left on my skin still .

stand over ! '

you can see them on any Leopard 's skin you like , Best Beloved .

' Now you are a beauty ! ' said the Ethiopian .

' You can lie out on the bare ground and look like a heap of pebbles .

you can lie out on the naked rocks and look like a piece of pudding-stone .

think of that and purr ! '

' But if I 'm all this , ' said the Leopard , ' why didn't you go spotty too ? '

' Oh , plain black 's best for a nigger , ' said the Ethiopian .

' Now come along and we 'll see if we can't get even with Mr One-Two-Three Where 's your Breakfast ! '

so they went away and lived happily ever afterward , Best Beloved .

that is all .

oh , now and then you will hear grown-ups say , ' Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the Leopard his spots ? '

but they will never do it again , Best Beloved .

they are quite contented as they are .

people have come in a carriage calling .

but Mummy is there ....y .

yes , I can go if you take me Nurse says she don't care .

let's go up to the pig-sties and sit on the farmyard rails !

let's say things to the bunnies , and watch ' em skitter their tails !

here 's your boots ( I've brought ' em ) , and here 's your cap and stick , And here 's your pipe and tobacco .

oh , come along out of it quick .

THE ELEPHANT'S CHILD

IN the High and Far-Off Times the Elephant , O Best Beloved , had no trunk .

and he lived in Africa , and he filled all Africa with his ' satiable curtiosities .

and still he was full of ' satiable curtiosity !

and still he was full of ' satiable curtiosity !

and still he was full of ' satiable curtiosity !

he asked , ' What does the Crocodile have for dinner ? '

and they all spanked him once more for luck , though he asked them most politely to stop .

it was all his ' satiable curtiosity .

the first thing that he found was a curled round a rock .

' Have I seen a Crocodile ? ' said the , in a voice of dretful scorn .

' What will you ask me next ? '

" Scuse me , ' said the Elephant 's Child , ' but could you kindly tell me what he has for dinner ? '

then the uncoiled himself very quickly from the rock , and spanked the Elephant 's Child with his scalesome , flailsome tail .

but it was really the Crocodile , O Best Beloved , and the Crocodile winked one eye like this !

' Come hither , Little One , ' said the Crocodile .

' Why do you ask such things ? '

will you please tell me what you have for dinner ? '

' Come hither , Little One , ' said the Crocodile , ' and I 'll whisper . '

you are hurtig be ! '

this is the way always talk .

that is the way all always talk .

' What are you doing that for ? ' said the

' Then you will have to wait a long time , said the

' Some people do not know what is good for them . '

the Elephant 's Child sat there for three days waiting for his nose to shrink .

but it never grew any shorter , and , besides , it made him squint .

" vantage number one ! ' said the

' You couldn't have done that with a mere-smear nose .

try and eat a little now . '

' Vantage number two ! ' said the

' You couldn't have done that with a mear-smear nose .

don't you think the sun is very hot here ? '

' Vantage number three ! ' said the

' You couldn't have done that with a mere-smear nose .

now how do you feel about being spanked again ? '

" Scuse me , ' said the Elephant 's Child , ' but I should not like it at all . '

' How would you like to spank somebody ? ' said the

' I should like it very much indeed , ' said the Elephant 's Child .

' Well , ' said the , ' you will find that new nose of yours very useful to spank people with . '

so the Elephant 's Child went home across Africa frisking and whisking his trunk .

when he wanted grass he plucked grass up from the ground , instead of going on his knees as he used to do .

when he felt lonely walking through Africa he sang to himself down his trunk , and the noise was louder than several brass bands .

they were very glad to see him , and immediately said , ' Come here and be spanked for your ' satiable curtiosity . '

' Pooh , ' said the Elephant 's Child .

' I don't think you peoples know anything about spanking ; but I do , and I 'll show you . '

then he uncurled his trunk and knocked two of his dear brothers head over heels .

' I asked him what he had for dinner , and he gave me this to keep . '

' It looks very ugly , ' said his hairy uncle , the Baboon .

' It does , ' said the Elephant 's Child .

then that bad Elephant 's Child spanked all his dear families for a long time , till they were very warm and greatly astonished .

I let them rest from nine till five .

THE SING-SONG OF OLD MAN KANGAROO

NOT always was the Kangaroo as now we do behold him , but a Different Animal with four short legs .

he went to Nqa at six before breakfast , saying , ' Make me different from all other animals by five this afternoon . '

Up jumped Nqa from his seat on the sandflat and shouted , ' Go away ! '

Up jumped Nquing from his burrow in the spinifex and shouted , ' Go away ! '

Up jumped Nqong from his bath in the salt-pan and shouted , ' Yes , I will ! '

Nqong called Dingo Yellow-Dog Dingo always hungry , dusty in the sunshine , and showed him Kangaroo .

Nqong said , ' Dingo !

wake up , Dingo !

do you see that gentleman dancing on an ashpit ?

he wants to be popular and very truly run after .

Dingo , make him SO ! '

Up jumped Dingo Yellow-Dog Dingo and said , ' What , that cat-rabbit ? '

off ran Dingo Yellow-Dog Dingo always hungry , grinning like a coal-scuttle , ran after Kangaroo .

off went the proud Kangaroo on his four little legs like a bunny .

this , O Beloved of mine , ends the first part of the tale !

he had to !

Still ran Dingo Yellow-Dog Dingo always hungry , grinning like a rat-trap , never getting nearer , never getting farther , ran after Kangaroo .

he had to !

Still ran Kangaroo Old Man Kangaroo .

he had to !

he had to !

he hopped through the Flinders ; he hopped through the Cinders ; he hopped through the deserts in the middle of Australia .

he hopped like a Kangaroo .

he hadn't any time for rest or refreshment , and he wanted them very much .

for he hopped like a cricket ; like a pea in a saucepan ; or a new rubber ball on a nursery floor .

he had to !

he had to !

then came Nqong from his bath in the salt-pans , and said , ' It 's five o'clock . '

Down sat Dingo Poor Dog Dingo always hungry , dusky in the sunshine ; hung out his tongue and howled .

then said Nqong , who is always a gentleman , ' Why aren't you grateful to Yellow-Dog Dingo ?

why don't you thank him for all he has done for you ? '

and now it is five o'clock . '

' Yes , ' said Kangaroo .

' I wish that I hadn't .

I thought you would do it by charms and incantations , but this is a practical joke . '

' Joke ! ' said Nqong from his bath in the blue gums .

' Say that again and I 'll whistle up Dingo and run your hind legs off . '

' No , ' said the Kangaroo .

' I must apologise .

legs are legs , and you needn't alter ' em so far as I am concerned .

I only meant to explain to Your Lordliness that I 've had nothing to eat since morning , and I 'm very empty indeed . '

' Yes , ' said Dingo Yellow-Dog Dingo , ' I am just in the same situation .

I 've made him different from all other animals ; but what may I have for my tea ? '

then said Nqong from his bath in the salt-pan , ' Come and ask me about it tomorrow , because I 'm going to wash . '

Kangaroo bounded away , His back-legs working like pistons Bounded from morning till dark , Twenty-five feet to a bound .

Yellow-Dog Dingo lay Like a yellow cloud in the distance Much too busy to bark .

my ! but they covered the ground !

nobody knows where they went , Or followed the track that they flew in , For that Continent Hadn't been given a name .

THE BEGINNING OF THE ARMADILLOS

THIS , O Best Beloved , is another story of the High and Far-Off Times .

and he had a friend , a Slow-Solid Tortoise , who lived on the banks of the turbid Amazon , eating green lettuces and things .

and so that was all right , Best Beloved .

do you see ?

and so that was all right , Best Beloved .

do you see ?

' Now attend to me , ' said Painted Jaguar , ' because this is very important .

now which of you is Hedgehog and which is Tortoise ? because , to save my spots , I can't tell . '

' Are you sure of what your Mummy told you ? ' said Stickly-Prickly Hedgehog .

' Are you quite sure ?

' Are you sure of what your Mummy told you ? ' said Slow-and-Solid Tortoise .

' Are you quite sure ?

' When you scoop water with your paw you uncoil it with a Hedgehog , ' said Stickly-Prickly .

' Remember that , because it 's important . '

' But , ' said the Tortoise , ' when you paw your meat you drop it into a Tortoise with a scoop .

why can't you understand ? '

' You are making my spots ache , ' said Painted Jaguar ; ' and besides , I didn't want your advice at all .

I only wanted to know which of you is Hedgehog and which is Tortoise . '

' I shan't tell you , ' said Stickly-Prickly , ' but you can scoop me out of my shell if you like . '

' Aha ! ' said Painted Jaguar .

' Now I know you 're Tortoise .

you thought I wouldn't !

now I will . '

painted Jaguar darted out his paddy-paw just as Stickly-Prickly curled himself up , and of course Jaguar 's paddy-paw was just filled with prickles .

worse than that , he knocked Stickly-Prickly away and away into the woods and the bushes , where it was too dark to find him .

then he put his paddy-paw into his mouth , and of course the prickles hurt him worse than ever .

as soon as he could speak he said , ' Now I know he isn't Tortoise at all .

but ' and then he scratched his head with his un-prickly paw ' how do I know that this other is Tortoise ? '

' But I am Tortoise , ' said Slow-and-Solid .

your mother was quite right .

she said that you were to scoop me out of my shell with your paw .

begin . '

' You didn't say she said that a minute ago , said Painted Jaguar , sucking the prickles out of his paddy-paw .

' You said she said something quite different . '

' But you said you wanted to be scooped out of your shell with my paw , ' said Painted Jaguar .

' If you 'll think again you 'll find that I didn't say anything of the kind .

I said that your mother said that you were to scoop me out of my shell , ' said Slow-and-Solid .

' What will happen if I do ? ' said the Jaguar most sniffily and most cautious .

' I don't believe it , ' said Painted Jaguar .

so jump into the turbid Amazon and be quick about it . '

' I warn you that your Mummy won't be pleased .

don't tell her I didn't tell you , ' said Slow-Solid .

' That was a very narrow escape , ' said Stickly-Prickly .

' I don't rib Painted Jaguar .

what did you tell him that you were ? '

now he 's gone to tell his Mummy .

listen to him ! '

you should have dropped him into the water .

they are too clever on the turbid Amazon for poor me ! '

a Hedgehog curls himself up into a ball and his prickles stick out every which way at once .

by this you may know the Hedgehog . '

' I don't like this old lady one little bit , ' said Stickly-Prickly , under the shadow of a large leaf .

' I wonder what else she knows ? '

' A Tortoise can't curl himself up , ' Mother Jaguar went on , ever so many times , graciously waving her tail .

' He only draws his head and legs into his shell .

by this you may know the tortoise . '

' I don't like this old lady at all at all , ' said Slow-and-Solid Tortoise .

' Even Painted Jaguar can't forget those directions .

it 's a great pity that you can't swim , Stickly-Prickly . '

' Don't talk to me , ' said Stickly-Prickly .

' Just think how much better it would be if you could curl up .

this is a mess !

listen to Painted Jaguar . '

painted Jaguar was sitting on the banks of the turbid Amazon sucking prickles out of his Paws and saying to himself

' Can't curl , but can swim Slow-Solid , that 's him !

curls up , but can't swim Stickly-Prickly , that 's him ! '

' He 'll never forget that this month of Sundays , ' said Stickly-Prickly .

' Hold up my chin , Slow-and-Solid .

I 'm going to try to learn to swim .

it may be useful . '

' Excellent ! ' said Slow-and-Solid ; and he held up Stickly-Prickly 's chin , while Stickly-Prickly kicked in the waters of the turbid Amazon .

' You 'll make a fine swimmer yet , ' said Slow-and-Solid .

' Now , if you can unlace my back-plates a little , I 'll see what I can do towards curling up .

it may be useful . '

Stickly-Prickly helped to unlace Tortoise 's back-plates , so that by twisting and straining Slow-and-Solid actually managed to curl up a tiddy wee bit .

' Excellent ! ' said Stickly-Prickly ; ' but I shouldn't do any more just now .

it 's making you black in the face .

Kindly lead me into the water once again and I 'll practice that side-stroke which you say is so easy . '

and so Stickly-Prickly practiced , and Slow-Solid swam alongside .

' Excellent ! ' said Slow-and-Solid .

' A little more practice will make you a regular whale .

won't Painted Jaguar be surprised ! '

' Excellent ! ' said Stickly-Prickly , all wet from the turbid Amazon .

' I declare , I shouldn't know you from one of my own family .

two holes , I think , you said ?

a little more expression , please , and don't grunt quite so much , or Painted Jaguar may hear us .

when you 've finished , I want to try that long dive which you say is so easy .

won't Painted Jaguar be surprised ! '

and so Stickly-Prickly dived , and Slow-and-Solid dived alongside .

' Excellent ! ' said Slow-and-Solid .

' A leetle more attention to holding your breath and you will be able to keep house at the bottom of the turbid Amazon .

now I 'll try that exercise of putting my hind legs round my ears which you say is so peculiarly comfortable .

won't Painted Jaguar be surprised ! '

' Excellent ! ' said Stickly-Prickly .

' But it 's straining your back-plates a little .

they are all overlapping now , instead of lying side by side . '

' Oh , that 's the result of exercise , ' said Slow-and-Solid .

' Am I ? ' said Stickly-Prickly .

' That comes from my soaking in the water .

oh , won't Painted Jaguar be surprised ! '

then they saw that they were both of them quite different from what they had been .

' That was the very thing I was thinking just now , ' said Stickly-Prickly .

' I think scales are a tremendous improvement on prickles to say nothing of being able to swim .

oh , won't Painted Jaguar be surprised !

let's go and find him . '

by and by they found Painted Jaguar , still nursing his paddy-paw that had been hurt the night before .

he was so astonished that he fell three times backward over his own painted tail without stopping .

' Good morning ! ' said Stickly-Prickly .

' And how is your dear gracious Mummy this morning ? '

' But you hadn't any shell .

it was all prickles , ' said Painted Jaguar .

' I know it was .

just look at my paw ! '

' You told me to drop into the turbid Amazon and be drowned , ' said Slow-Solid .

' Why are you so rude and forgetful to-day ? '

' Don't you remember what your mother told you ? ' said Stickly-Prickly ,

' Can't curl , but can swim Stickly-Prickly , that 's him !

curls up , but can't swim Slow-Solid , that 's him ! '

then they both curled themselves up and rolled round and round Painted Jaguar till his eyes turned truly cart-wheels in his head .

then he went to fetch his mother .

' But it isn't a Hedgehog , and it isn't a Tortoise .

it 's a little bit of both , and I don't know its proper name . '

' Nonsense ! ' said Mother Jaguar .

' Everything has its proper name .

I should call it " Armadillo " till I found out the real one .

and I should leave it alone . '

so that ; all right , Best Beloved .

do you see ?

I'VE never sailed the Amazon , I 've never reached Brazil ; But the Don and Magdelana , They can go there when they will !

and I 'd like to roll to Rio Some day before I 'm old !

I 've never seen a Jaguar , Nor yet an Armadill O dilloing in his armour , And I s'pose I never will ,

unless I go to Rio These wonders to behold Roll down roll down to Rio Roll really down to Rio !

oh , I 'd love to roll to Rio Some day before I 'm old !

HOW THE FIRST LETTER WAS WRITTEN

ONCE upon a most early time was a Neolithic man .

and his little girl-daughter 's name was Taffimai Metallumai , and that means , ' ; but I 'm going to call her Taffy .

really , my Tegumai , you 're no better than my Taffy . '

now attend and listen !

one day Tegumai Bopsulai went down through the beaver-swamp to the Wagai river to spear carp-fish for dinner , and Taffy went too .

' Here 's a pretty kettle of fish ! ' said Tegumai .

' It will take me half the day to mend this . '

' There 's your big black spear at home , ' said Taffy .

' Let me run back to the Cave and ask Mummy to give it me . '

' It 's too far for your little fat legs , ' said Tegumai .

' Besides , you might fall into the beaver-swamp and be drowned .

we must make the best of a bad job . '

taffy sat down too , with her toes in the water and her chin in her hand , and thought very hard .

if we did we could send a message for the new spear . '

' Taffy , ' said Tegumai , ' how often have I told you not to use slang ?

he stood on the bank and smiled at Taffy , because he had a little girl-daughter Of his own at home .

Tegumai drew a hank of deer-sinews from his mendy-bag and began to mend his spear .

' Come here , said Taffy .

' Do you know where my Mummy lives ? '

and the Stranger-man said ' Um ! ' being , as you know , a Tewara .

' Don't bother grown-ups , ' said Tegumai , so busy with his spear-mending that he did not turn round .

' I aren't , said Taffy .

' I only want him to do what I want him to do , and he won't understand . '

the Stranger-man a genuine Tewara he was sat down on the grass , and Taffy showed him what her Daddy was doing .

the Stranger-man thought , this is a very wonderful child .

she stamps her foot at me and she makes faces .

she must be the daughter of that noble Chief who is so great that he won't take any notice of me . '

so he smiled more politely than ever .

the Stranger-man ( and he was a Tewara ) thought , ' This is a very , very wonderful child .

she waves her arms and she shouts at me , but I don't understand a word of what she says .

but if I don't do what she wants , I greatly fear that that haughty Chief , , will be angry . '

he got up and twisted a big flat piece of bark off a birch-tree and gave it to Taffy .

' Oh ! ' said she .

' Now I see !

you want my Mummy 's living-address ?

of course I can't write , but I can draw pictures if I 've anything sharp to scratch with .

please lend me the shark 's tooth off your necklace . '

the Stranger-man ( and he was a Tewara ) thought , ' This is a very , very , very wonderful child .

I had better be more polite . '

you can look over my shoulder , but you mustn't joggle .

first I 'll draw Daddy fishing .

it isn't very like him ; but Mummy will know , because I 've drawn his spear all broken .

well , now I 'll draw the other spear that he wants , the black-handled spear .

that 's the spear I want you to fetch ; so I 'll draw a picture of me myself ' splaining to you .

my hair doesn't stand up like I 've drawn , but it 's easier to draw that way .

now I 'll draw you .

I think you 're very nice really , but I can't make you pretty in the picture , so you mustn't be ' fended .

are you ' fended ? '

the Stranger-man ( and he was a Tewara ) smiled .

he is a great Chief , or he would have noticed me .

now I 'll show you how to find my Mummy 's living-address .

Mind you don't fall in !

then our Cave is just beyond the beaver-swamp .

it isn't as high as the hills really , but I can't draw things very small .

that 's my Mummy outside .

she is beautiful .

she is the most beautifullest Mummy there ever was , but she won't be ' fended when she sees I 've drawn her so plain .

she 'll be pleased of me because I can draw .

now , in case you forget , I 've drawn the spear that Daddy wants outside our Cave .

it 's inside really , but you show the picture to my Mummy and she 'll give it you .

I 've made her holding up her hands , because I know she 'll be so pleased to see you .

isn't it a beautiful picture ?

and do you quite understand , or shall I ' splain again ? '

the Stranger-man ( and he was a Tewara ) looked at the picture and nodded very hard .

now I see why the great Chief pretended not to notice me !

he feared that his enemies were hiding in the bushes and would see him .

therefore he turned to me his back , and let the wise and wonderful child draw the terrible picture showing me his difficulties .

I will away and get help for him from his tribe . '

now this is the picture that Taffy had drawn for him !

' What have you been doing , Taffy ? ' said Tegumai .

he had mended his spear and was carefully waving it to and fro .

' It 's a little berangement of my own , Daddy dear , ' said Taffy .

' If you won't ask me questions , you 'll know all about it in a little time , and you 'll be surprised .

you don't know how surprised you 'll be , Daddy !

promise you 'll be surprised . '

' Very well , ' said Tegumai , and went on fishing .

he had run hard , so that he panted , and his legs were scratched with brambles , but he still tried to be polite .

as soon as Teshumai saw the picture she screamed like anything and flew at the Stranger-man .

the other Neolithic ladies at once knocked him down and sat on him in a long line of six , while Teshumai pulled his hair .

' It 's as plain as the nose on this Stranger-man 's face , ' she said .

look ! '

she showed the picture to all the Neolithic ladies sitting patiently on the Stranger-man .

isn't it shocking ! '

by this time the Stranger-man ( in spite of being a Tewara ) was really annoyed .

' Well , you have been quick ! ' said Taffy .

' But why did you bring so many people ?

daddy dear , this is my surprise .

are you surprised , Daddy ? '

' Very , ' said Tegumai ; ' but it has ruined all my fishing for the day .

why , the whole dear , kind , nice , clean , quiet Tribe is here , Taffy . '

and so they were .

' Explain !

explain !

explain ! ' cried all the Tribe of Tegumai .

' Goodness ' sakes alive ! ' said Tegumai .

' Let go of my top-knot .

can't a man break his carp-spear without the whole countryside descending on him ?

you 're a very interfering people . '

' I don't believe you 've brought my Daddy 's black-handled spear after all , ' said Taffy .

' And what are you doing to my nice Stranger-man ? '

they were thumping him by twos and threes and tens till his eyes turned round and round .

he could only gasp and point at Taffy .

' Where are the bad people who speared you , my darling ? ' said Teshumai Tewindrow .

' There weren't any , ' said Tegumai .

' My only visitor this morning was the poor fellow that you are trying to choke .

aren't you well , or are you ill , O Tribe of Tegumai ? '

' He came with a horrible picture , ' said the Head Chief , ' a picture that showed you were full of spears . '

' Er-um-Pr'aps I 'd better ' splain that I gave him that picture , ' said Taffy , but she did not feel quite comfy .

' You ! ' said the Tribe of Tegumai all together .

' !

you ? '

' Explain !

explain !

explain ! ' said the Head Chief of the Tribe of Tegumai , and he hopped on one foot .

' I wanted the Stranger-man to fetch Daddy 's spear , so I drawded it , ' said Taffy .

' There wasn't lots of spears .

there was only one spear .

I drawded it three times to make sure .

' He is a very nice man .

why have you filled his hair with mud ?

wash him ! '

the only people who did not laugh were Teshumai Tewindrow and all the Neolithic ladies .

they were very polite to all their husbands , and said ' Idiot ! ' ever so often .

' I didn't intend to ; I only wanted Daddy 's black-handled spear , ' said Taffy .

' Never mind .

it is a great invention , and some day men will call it writing .

at present it is only pictures , and , as we have seen to-day , pictures are not always properly understood .

let the Neolithic ladies wash the mud out of the stranger 's hair . '

most of them prefer to draw pictures and play about with their Daddies just like Taffy .

HOW THE ALPHABET WAS MADE

presently she began to giggle , and her Daddy said , ' Don't be silly , child . '

' But wasn't it inciting ! ' said Taffy .

' Well do I , ' said Tegumai .

' I had to pay two deerskins soft ones with fringes to the Stranger-man for the things we did to him . '

' We didn't do anything , ' said Taffy .

' It was Mummy and the other Neolithic ladies and the mud . '

' We won't talk about that , ' said her Daddy , ' Let 's have lunch . '

taffy took a marrow-bone and sat mousy-quiet for ten whole minutes , while her Daddy scratched on pieces of birch-bark with a shark 's tooth .

then she said , ' Daddy , I 've thinked of a secret surprise .

you make a noise any sort of noise . '

' Ah ! ' said Tegumai .

' Will that do to begin with ? '

' Yes , ' said Taffy .

' You look just like a carp-fish with its mouth open .

say it again , please . '

' Ah ! ah ! ah ! ' said her Daddy .

' Don't be rude , my daughter . '

' I 'm not meaning rude , really and truly , ' said Taffy .

' It 's part of my secret-surprise-think .

do say ah , Daddy , and keep your mouth open at the end , and lend me that tooth .

I 'm going to draw a carp-fish 's mouth wide-open . '

' What for ? ' said her Daddy .

' Don't you see ? ' said Taffy , scratching away on the bark .

' That will be our little secret s'prise .

' Really ? ' said her Daddy , in the voice that grown-ups use when they are truly attending .

' Go on , Taffy . '

' Oh bother ! ' she said .

' I can't draw all of a carp-fish , but I can draw something that means a carp-fish 's mouth .

don't you know how they stand on their heads rooting in the mud ?

well , here 's a pretence carp-fish ( we can play that the rest of him is drawn ) .

here 's just his mouth , and that means ah . '

and she drew this .

( @number@ )

' But I can't draw , Daddy . '

' You needn't draw anything of him except just the opening of his mouth and the feeler across .

then we 'll know he 's a carp-fish , ' cause the perches and trouts haven't got feelers .

look here , Taffy . '

and he drew this .

( @number@ )

' Now I 'll copy it . ' said Taffy .

' Will you understand this when you see it ? '

' Perfectly , ' said her Daddy .

and she drew this .

( @number@ )

' Now , make another noise , ' said Taffy , very proud .

' Yah ! ' said her Daddy , very loud .

' H'm , ' said Taffy .

' That 's a mixy noise .

the end part is ah-carp-fish-mouth ; but what can we do about the front part ?

Yer-yer-yer and ah !

ya ! '

' It 's very like the carp-fish-mouth noise .

let's draw another bit of the carp-fish and join ' em , ' said her Daddy .

he was quite incited too .

' No.

if they 're joined , I 'll forget .

draw it separate .

draw his tail .

if he 's standing on his head the tail will come first .

' Sides , I think I can draw tails easiest , ' said Taffy .

' A good notion , ' said Tegumai .

' Here 's a carp-fish tail for the yer-noise . '

and he drew this .

( @number@ )

' I 'll try now , ' said Taffy . " member I can't draw like you , Daddy .

will it do if I just draw the split part of the tail , and the sticky-down line for where it joins ? '

and she drew this .

( @number@ )

her Daddy nodded , and his eyes were shiny bright with ' citement .

' That 's beautiful , ' she said .

' Now make another noise , Daddy . '

' Oh ! ' said her Daddy , very loud .

' That 's quite easy , ' said Taffy .

' You make your mouth all around like an egg or a stone .

so an egg or a stone will do for that . '

' You can't always find eggs or stones .

we 'll have to scratch a round something like one . '

and he drew this .

( @number@ )

' My gracious ! ' said Taffy , ' what a lot of noise-pictures we 've made , carp-mouth , carp-tail , and egg !

now , make another noise , Daddy . '

' Ssh ! ' said her Daddy , and frowned to himself , but Taffy was too incited to notice .

' That 's quite easy , ' she said , scratching on the bark .

' Eh , what ? ' said her Daddy .

' I meant I was thinking , and didn't want to be disturbed . '

' It 's a noise just the same .

it 's the noise a snake makes , Daddy , when it is thinking and doesn't want to be disturbed .

let's make the ssh-noise a snake .

will this do ? '

and she drew this .

( @number@ )

' There , ' she said .

' That 's another s'prise-secret .

' Perfectly true , ' said Tegumai .

and there 's more in this game than you think .

I believe we 've found out the big secret of the world . '

' Why ? ' said Taffy , and her eyes shone too with incitement .

' I 'll show , ' said her Daddy .

' What 's water in the Tegumai language ? '

' Ya , of course , and it means river too like Wagai-ya the Wagai river . '

' What is bad water that gives you fever if you drink it black water swamp-water ? '

' Yo , of course . '

' Now look , ' said her Daddy .

' S'pose you saw this scratched by the side of a pool in the beaver-swamp ? '

and he drew this .

( @number@ )

' Carp-tail and round egg .

two noises mixed !

yo , bad water , ' said Taffy . " Course I wouldn't drink that water because I 'd know you said it was bad . '

' But I needn't be near the water at all .

I might be miles away , hunting , and still '

all that in a carp-fish-tail and a round egg !

O Daddy , we must tell Mummy , quick ! ' and Taffy danced all round him .

' Not yet , ' said Tegumai ; ' not till we 've gone a little further .

let's see .

yo is bad water , but So is food cooked on the fire , isn't it ? '

and he drew this .

( @number@ )

' Yes .

Snake and egg , ' said Taffy ' So that means dinner 's ready .

if you saw that scratched on a tree you 'd know it was time to come to the Cave .

so 'd I. '

' My Winkie ! ' said Tegumai .

' That 's true too .

but wait a minute .

I see a difficulty .

SO means " come and have dinner , " but sho means the drying-poles where we hang our hides . '

' Horrid old drying-poles ! ' said Taffy .

' I hate helping to hang heavy , hot , hairy hides on them .

' You 'd be cross .

So 'd Mummy .

we must make a new picture for sho .

we must draw a spotty snake that hisses sh-sh , and we 'll play that the plain snake only hisses ssss . '

' I couldn't be sure how to put in the spots , ' said Taffy .

no !

I think we 'd better draw a picture of the horrid high drying-poles their very selves , and make quite sure .

I 'll put them in just after the hissy-snake .

look ! '

and she drew this .

( @number@ )

' P'raps that's safest .

it 's very like our drying-poles , anyhow , ' said her Daddy , laughing .

' Now I 'll make a new noise with a snake and drying-pole sound in it .

I 'll say shi .

that 's Tegumai for spear , Taffy . '

and he laughed .

' Don't make fun of me , ' said Taffy , as she thought of her picture-letter and the mud in the Stranger-man 's hair .

' You draw it , Daddy . '

( @number@ )

' Even Mummy couldn't mistake that for me being killed . '

' Please don't , Daddy .

it makes me uncomfy .

do some more noises .

we 're getting on beautifully . '

' Er-hm ! ' said Tegumai , looking up .

' We 'll say shu .

that means sky . '

taffy drew the snake and the drying-pole .

then she stopped .

' We must make a new picture for that end sound , mustn't we ? '

' Shu-shu-u-u-u ! ' said her Daddy .

' Why , it 's just like the round-egg-sound made thin . '

' Then s'pose we draw a thin round egg , and pretend it 's a frog that hasn't eaten anything for years . '

' N-no , ' said her Daddy .

' If we drew that in a hurry we might mistake it for the round egg itself .

Shu-shu-shu !

' I tell you what we 'll do .

we 'll open a little hole at the end of the round egg to show how the O-noise runs out all thin , ooo-oo-oo .

like this . '

and he drew this .

( @number@ )

' Oh , that 's lovely !

much better than a thin frog .

go on , ' said Taffy , using her shark 's tooth .

her Daddy went on drawing , and his hand shook with incitement .

he went on till he had drawn this .

( @number@ )

' Don't look up , Taffy , ' he said .

' Try if you can make out what that means in the Tegumai language .

if you can , we 've found the Secret . '

' Snake pole broken egg carp tail and carp-mouth , ' said Taffy .

' Shu-ya .

Sky-water ( rain ) . '

just then a drop fell on her hand , for the day had clouded over .

' Why , Daddy , it 's raining .

was that what you meant to tell me ? '

' Of course , ' said her Daddy .

' And I told it you without saying a word , didn't I ? '

' Well , I think I would have known it in a minute , but that raindrop made me quite sure .

I 'll always remember now .

Shu-ya means rain , or " it is going to rain . "

why , Daddy ! '

she got up and danced round him .

wouldn't Mummy be surprised ? '

Tegumai got up and danced .

( daddies didn't mind doing those things in those days . )

' More than that !

more than that ! ' he said .

say the words in Tegumai-talk first . '

' Shu-ya-las , ya maru .

( Sky-water ending .

River come to . ) what a lot of new sounds !

I don't see how we can draw them . '

' But I do but I do ! ' said Tegumai .

' Just attend a minute , Taffy , and we won't do any more to-day .

we 've got shu-ya all right , haven't we ?

but this las is a teaser .

La-la-la ' and he waved his shark-tooth .

' There 's the hissy-snake at the end and the carp-mouth before the snake as-as-as .

we only want la-la , ' said Taffy .

' I know it , but we have to make la-la .

and we 're the first people in all the world who 've ever tried to do it , Taffimai ! '

' Well , ' said Taffy , yawning , for she was rather tired .

' Las means breaking or finishing as well as ending , doesn't it ? '

' So it does , ' said Tegumai .

' To-las means that there 's no water in the tank for Mummy to cook with just when I 'm going hunting , too . '

' And shi-las means that your spear is broken .

if I 'd only thought of that instead of drawing silly beaver pictures for the Stranger ! '

' La !

La !

La ! ' said Tegumai , waiving his stick and frowning .

' Oh bother ! '

' I could have drawn shi quite easily , ' Taffy went on .

' Then I 'd have drawn your spear all broken this way ! '

and she drew .

( @number@ )

' The very thing , ' said Tegumai .

' That 's la all over .

it isn't like any of the other marks either . '

and he drew this .

( @number@ )

' Now for ya .

oh , we 've done that before .

now for maru .

Mum-mum-mum .

Mum shuts one 's mouth up , doesn't it ?

we 'll draw a shut mouth like this . '

and he drew .

( @number@ )

' Then the carp-mouth open .

that makes Ma-ma-ma !

but what about this rrrrr-thing , Taffy ? '

' It sounds all rough and edgy , like your shark-tooth saw when you 're cutting out a plank for the canoe , ' said Taffy .

' You mean all sharp at the edges , like this ? ' said Tegumai .

and he drew .

( @number@ )

" Xactly , ' said Taffy .

' But we don't want all those teeth : only put two . '

' I 'll only put in one , ' said Tegumai .

and he drew .

( @number@ )

' Now , we 've got it , ' said Tegumai , standing on one leg .

' I 'll draw ' em all in a string like fish . '

' Oh , I 'll leave a space for that , ' said her Daddy .

and very incitedly he drew them all without stopping , on a big new bit of birch-bark .

( @number@ )

' Shu-ya-las ya-maru , ' said Taffy , reading it out sound by sound .

' That 's enough for to-day , ' said Tegumai .

' Besides , you 're getting tired , Taffy .

never mind , dear .

' Please don't mind , ' said Taffy .

' Um , ' said Taffy .

' These picture-sounds are rather a bother !

Daddy 's just as good as come here himself and told me to get more water for Mummy to cook with . '

you can see from these three pictures partly how it happened .

( @number@ @number@ @number@ )

but I remember Tegumai Bopsulai , and Taffimai Metallumai and Teshumai Tewindrow , her dear Mummy , and all the days gone by .

and it was so just so a little time ago on the banks of the big Wagai !

but as the faithful years return And hearts unwounded sing again , Comes Taffy dancing through the fern To lead the Surrey spring again .

her brows are bound with bracken-fronds , And golden elf-locks fly above ; Her eyes are bright as diamonds And bluer than the skies above .

THE CRAB THAT PLAYED WITH THE SEA

he took the Elephant and said , ' Play at being an Elephant , ' and played .

he took the Beaver All-the-Beaver-there-was and said , ' Play at being a Beaver , ' and All-the Beaver-there-was played .

he took the Cow All-the Cow-there-was and said , ' Play at being a Cow , ' and All-the-Cow-there-was played .

he took the Turtle All-the-Turtle there-was and said , ' Play at being a Turtle , ' and All-the-Turtle-there-was played .

one by one he took all the beasts and birds and fishes and told them what to play at .

nobody saw him go away except the little girl-daughter where she leaned on the Man 's shoulder .

' Kun ? ' said , meaning , ' Is this right ? '

' Kun ? ' said All-the-Cow-there-was .

he went West , and he found All-the-Beaver-there-was making a beaver-dam across the mouths of broad rivers that had been got ready for him .

' Kun ? ' said All-the-Beaver-there-was .

' Kun ? ' said All-the-Turtle-there-was .

by and by the Eldest Magician met the Man on the banks of the Perak river , and said , ' Ho !

Son of Adam , are all the Animals obedient to you ? '

' Yes , ' said the Man .

' Is all the Earth obedient to you ? '

' Yes , ' said the Man .

' Is all the Sea obedient to you ? '

' No , ' said the Man .

is that the play you told it to play ? '

' No , ' said the Eldest Magician .

' That is a new and a bad play . '

' This is wrong .

launch your canoe and we will find out who is playing with the Sea , ' said the Eldest Magician .

but not one of us plays with the Sea . '

Fisher of the Moon , are you playing with the Sea ? '

and he went on spinning his line .

rat of the Moon , are you playing with the Sea ? '

and the Rat said , ' I am too busy biting through the line that this old Fisherman is spinning .

I do not play with the Sea . '

and he went on biting the line .

and the Eldest Magician said , ' How wise are little children who see and are silent !

what was the beast like ? '

and the Eldest Magician said , ' How wise are little children who speak truth !

now I know where Pau Amma went .

give me the paddle ! '

' Ah ! ' said the Eldest Magician .

once a day and once a night I return .

leave me alone . '

then the Eldest Magician said , ' Listen , Pau Amma .

then Pau Amma , deep down below , laughed and said , ' I did not know I was so important .

Henceforward I will go out seven times a day , and the waters shall never be still . '

' I am not afraid , ' said Pau Amma , and he rose to the top of the sea in the moonlight .

there was nobody in the world so big as Pau Amma for he was the King Crab of all Crabs .

not a common Crab , but a King Crab .

' Now , ' said the Magician , ' make a Magic , Pau Amma , to show that you are really important . '

' You are not so important after all , Pau Amma , ' he said .

' Indeed , you are very important , ' said the Eldest Magician .

' Shall I ask the Man here to cut you with kris ?

and Pau Amma said , ' I am ashamed !

then Pau Amma said , ' What shall I do ?

then he waved his legs and lamented .

' Listen , Pau Amma , ' said the Eldest Magician .

then Pau Amma said , ' That is good , but I do not choose yet .

Look ! there is that Man who talked to you at the Very Beginning .

what will he do for me ? '

and Pau Amma said , ' I do not choose yet .

look ! there is that girl who saw me running away at the Very Beginning .

if she had spoken then , the Eldest Magician would have called me back , and all this would never have happened .

what will she do for me ? '

and the little girl-daughter said , ' This is a good nut that I am eating .

give me back my shell , O Eldest Magician , and then I will play your play . '

then Pau Amma thought a little and said , ' I have made my choice .

I will take all the gifts . '

I can crack shells .

I can dig holes .

I can climb trees .

I can breathe in the dry air , and I can find a safe Pusat Tasek under every stone .

I did not know I was so important .

Kun ? '

( is this right ? )

' Was that well done ? ' said the Eldest Magician .

' Yes , ' said the Man .

' But now we must go back to Perak , and that is a weary way to paddle .

' You are lazy , ' said the Eldest Magician .

' So your children shall be lazy .

they shall be the laziest people in the world .

pull his canoe home with your line , Fisherman . '

' No , ' said the Man .

' If I am to be lazy all my days , let the Sea work for me twice a day for ever .

that will save paddling . '

and the Eldest Magician laughed and said , ' Payah kun ' ( that is right ) .

Kun ? ' said the Fisherman of the Moon .

' Payah kun , ' said the Eldest Magician .

but be careful not to do it too hard , or I shall make a magic on you as I did to Pau Amma . '

then they all went up the Perak River and went to bed , Best Beloved .

now listen and attend !

from that day to this the Moon has always pulled the sea up and down and made what we call the tides .

and Pau Amma ?

but once a year all Pau Ammas must shake off their hard armour and be soft-to remind them of what the Eldest Magician could do .

and so it isn't fair to kill or hunt Pau Amma 's babies just because old Pau Amma was stupidly rude a very long time ago .

oh yes !

and Pau Amma 's babies hate being taken out of their little Pusat Taseks and brought home in pickle-bottles .

that is why they nip you with their scissors , and it serves you right !

CHINA-GOING P 's and O's Pass Pau Amma 's playground close , And his Pusat Tasek lies Near the track of most B.I. 's .

U.Y.K. and N.D.L . know Pau Amma 's home as well As the fisher of the Sea knows ' Bens , ' M.M. 's , and Rubattinos .

but ( and this is rather queer ) A.T.L. 's can not come here ; O and O and D.O.A. must go round another way .

orient , Anchor , Bibby , Hall , Never go that way at all .

U.C.S. would have a fit If it found itself on it .

you 'll know what my riddle means When you 've eaten mangosteens .

any steamer-kiddy ought to be able to do that ; but if you can't read , ask some one to show it you .

THE CAT THAT WALKED BY HIMSELF

but the wildest of all the wild animals was the Cat .

he walked by himself , and all places were alike to him .

of course the Man was wild too .

he was dreadfully wild .

then the Man went to sleep in front of the fire ever so happy ; but the Woman sat up , combing her hair .

she made the First Singing Magic in the world .

cat , come with me . '

' Nenni ! ' said the Cat .

' I am the Cat who walks by himself , and all places are alike to me .

I will not come . '

' Then we can never be friends again , ' said Wild Dog , and he trotted off to the Cave .

but when he had gone a little way the Cat said to himself , ' All places are alike to me .

why should I not go too and see and look and come away at my own liking . '

so he slipped after Wild Dog softly , very softly , and hid himself where he could hear everything .

Wild Thing out of the Wild Woods , what do you want ? '

' Ah ! ' said the Cat , listening .

' This is a very wise Woman , but she is not so wise as I am . '

' Ah ! ' said the Cat , listening .

' That is a very foolish Dog . '

and he went back through the Wet Wild Woods waving his wild tail , and walking by his wild lone .

but he never told anybody .

when the Man waked up he said , ' What is Wild Dog doing here ? '

take him with you when you go hunting . '

she made the Second Singing Magic in the world .

cat , come with me . '

' Nenni ! ' said the Cat .

' I am the Cat who walks by himself , and all places are alike to me .

I will not come . '

but all the same he followed Wild Horse softly , very softly , and hid himself where he could hear everything .

when the Woman heard Wild Horse tripping and stumbling on his long mane , she laughed and said , ' Here comes the second .

Wild Thing out of the Wild Woods what do you want ? '

Wild Horse said , ' O my Enemy and Wife of my Enemy , where is Wild Dog ? '

and Wild Horse , tripping and stumbling on his long mane , said , ' That is true ; give it me to eat . '

' Ah , ' said the Cat , listening , ' that is a very foolish Horse . '

and he went back through the Wet Wild Woods , waving his wild tail and walking by his wild lone .

but he never told anybody .

when the Man and the Dog came back from hunting , the Man said , ' What is Wild Horse doing here ? '

ride on his back when you go hunting .

but he never told anybody .

Cat said , ' O my Enemy and Wife of my Enemy , where did Wild Cow go ? '

Cat said , ' I am not a friend , and I am not a servant .

I am the Cat who walks by himself , and I wish to come into your cave . '

Woman said , ' Then why did you not come with First Friend on the first night ? '

Cat grew very angry and said , ' Has Wild Dog told tales of me ? '

then the Woman laughed and said , ' You are the Cat who walks by himself , and all places are alike to you .

your are neither a friend nor a servant .

you have said it yourself .

go away and walk by yourself in all places alike . '

then Cat pretended to be sorry and said , ' Must I never come into the Cave ?

must I never sit by the warm fire ?

must I never drink the warm white milk ?

you are very wise and very beautiful .

you should not be cruel even to a Cat . '

Woman said , ' I knew I was wise , but I did not know I was beautiful .

so I will make a bargain with you .

if ever I say one word in your praise you may come into the Cave . '

' And if you say two words in my praise ? ' said the Cat .

' And if you say three words ? ' said the Cat .

and he went away through the Wet Wild Woods waving his wild tail and walking by his wild lone .

one evening Bat said , ' There is a Baby in the Cave .

he is new and pink and fat and small , and the Woman is very fond of him . '

' Ah , ' said the Cat , listening , ' but what is the Baby fond of ? '

' He is fond of things that are soft and tickle , ' said the Bat .

' He is fond of warm things to hold in his arms when he goes to sleep .

he is fond of being played with .

he is fond of all those things . '

' Ah , ' said the Cat , listening , ' then my time has come . '

the Woman was busy cooking that morning , and the Baby cried and interrupted .

so she carried him outside the Cave and gave him a handful of pebbles to play with .

but still the Baby cried .

and the Baby laughed ; and the Woman heard him and smiled .

but still I am the Cat who walks by himself , and all places are alike to me . '

the Woman was very angry , and shut her lips tight and took up her spinning-wheel and began to spin .

' Now , ' said the Cat , ' I will sing the Baby a song that shall keep him asleep for an hour .

and he began to purr , loud and low , low and loud , till the Baby fell fast asleep .

the Woman smiled as she looked down upon the two of them and said , ' That was wonderfully done .

no question but you are very clever , O Cat . '

but still I am the Cat who walks by himself , and all places are alike to me . '

' Ouh !

Chee !

' Ah , ' said the Cat , watching , ' then the mouse will do me no harm if I eat it ? '

Cat made one jump and caught the little mouse , and the Woman said , ' A hundred thanks .

even the First Friend is not quick enough to catch little mice as you have done .

you must be very wise . '

but still I am the Cat who walks by himself , and all places are alike to me . '

' What is that to me ? ' said the Cat .

then the Man said , ' Yes , but he has not made a bargain with me or with all proper Men after me . '

' Not when I am near , ' said the Man .

and so shall all proper Men do after me ! '

then the Dog said , ' Wait a minute .

he has not made a bargain with me or with all proper Dogs after me . '

and so shall all proper Dogs do after me . '

but still I am the Cat that walks by himself , and all places are alike to me . '

' Not when I am near , ' said the Dog .

and so shall all proper Dogs do after me . '

but the Cat keeps his side of the bargain too .

but Binkie will play whatever I choose , And he is my true First Friend .

THE BUTTERFLY THAT STAMPED

there are three hundred and fifty-five stories about Suleiman-bin-Daoud ; but this is not one of them .

it is not the story of the Lapwing who found the Water ; or the Hoopoe who shaded Suleimanbin-Daoud from the heat .

it is not the story of the Glass Pavement , or the Ruby with the Crooked Hole , or the Gold Bars of Balkis .

it is the story of the Butterfly that Stamped .

now attend all over again and listen !

Suleiman-bin-Daoud was wise .

he understood what the beasts said , what the birds said , what the fishes said , and what the insects said .

Suleiman-bin-Daoud was strong .

upon the third finger of the right hand he wore a ring .

when he turned it once , Afrits and Djinns came Out of the earth to do whatever he told them .

and yet Suleiman-bin-Daoud was not proud .

he very seldom showed off , and when he did he was sorry for it .

Suleiman-bin-Daoud was very surprised and said , ' O Animal , who are you ? '

and the Animal said , ' O King , live for ever !

I am the smallest of thirty thousand brothers , and our home is at the bottom of the sea .

and the Animal said , ' O King , live for ever , but do you really call that a dinner ?

where I come from we each eat twice as much as that between meals . '

then Suleiman-bin-Daoud fell flat on his face and said , ' O Animal !

now I am ashamed , and it serves me right .

Suleiman-bin-Daoud was a really truly wise man , Best Beloved .

after that he never forgot that it was silly to show off ; and now the real story part of my story begins .

he married ever so many wifes .

but Balkis the Most Beautiful never quarrelled with Suleiman-bin-Daoud .

she loved him too much .

she sat in her rooms in the Golden Palace , or walked in the Palace garden , and was truly sorry for him .

and Balkis the Most Beautiful said , ' O my Lord and Treasure of my Soul , what will you do ? '

presently two Butterflies flew under the tree , quarrelling .

Suleiman-bin-Daoud heard one say to the other , ' I wonder at your presumption in talking like this to me .

then Suleiman-bin-Daoud forgot his nine hundred and ninety-nine bothersome wives , and laughed , till the camphor-tree shook , at the Butterfly 's boast .

and he held out his finger and said , ' Little man , come here . '

the Butterfly was dreadfully frightened , but he managed to fly up to the hand of Suleiman-bin-Daoud , and clung there , fanning himself .

Suleiman-bin-Daoud bent his head and whispered very softly , ' Little man , you know that all your stamping wouldn't bend one blade of grass .

what made you tell that awful fib to your wife ? for doubtless she is your wife . '

she is my wife ; and you know what wives are like .

Suleiman-bin-Daoud smiled in his beard and said , ' Yes , I know , little brother .

' One must keep them in order somehow , said the Butterfly , and she has been quarrelling with me all the morning .

I said that to quiet her . '

and Suleiman-bin-Daoud said , ' May it quiet her .

go back to your wife , little brother , and let me hear what you say . '

Suleiman-bin-Daoud himself heard you ! '

' Heard me ! ' said the Butterfly .

' Of course he did .

I meant him to hear me . '

' And what did he say ?

oh , what did he say ? '

Balkis the Most Beautiful stood up behind the tree among the red lilies and smiled to herself , for she had heard all this talk .

Up flew the Butterfly 's Wife , very frightened , and clung to Balkis 's white hand .

Balkis bent her beautiful head down and whispered , ' Little woman , do you believe what your husband has just said ? '

you know what men-folk are like . '

they never mean half they say .

he 'll forget all about it to-morrow . '

ask him to stamp , and see what will happen .

we know what men-folk are like , don't we ?

he 'll be very much ashamed . '

away flew the Butterfly 's Wife to her husband , and in five minutes they were quarrelling worse than ever .

' Remember ! ' said the Butterfly .

' Remember what I can do if I stamp my foot . '

' I don't believe you one little bit , ' said the Butterfly 's Wife .

' I should very much like to see it done .

suppose you stamp now . '

' I promised Suleiman-bin-Daoud that I wouldn't , ' said the Butterfly , ' and I don't want to break my promise . '

' It wouldn't matter if you did , ' said his wife .

' You couldn't bend a blade of grass with your stamping .

I dare you to do it , ' she said .

stamp !

stamp !

stamp ! '

Suleiman-bin-Daoud , sitting under the camphor-tree , heard every word of this , and he laughed as he had never laughed in his life before .

he forgot all about his Queens ; he forgot all about the Animal that came out of the sea ; he forgot about showing off .

she wants to see what will happen , O Suleiman-bin-Daoud !

you know I can't do it , and now she 'll never believe a word I say .

she 'll laugh at me to the end of my days ! '

when he stamps again you will bring them back carefully . '

' Now , little brother , ' he said , ' go back to your wife and stamp all you 've a mind to . '

away flew the Butterfly to his wife , who was crying , ' I dare you to do it !

I dare you to do it !

stamp !

stamp now !

stamp ! '

the the butterfly stamped .

the Butterfly 's Wife fluttered about in the dark , crying , ' Oh , I 'll be good !

I 'm so sorry I spoke .

only bring the gardens back , my dear darling husband , and I 'll never contradict again . '

give me back my Palace , most great magician . '

' Yes , give him back his Palace , ' said the Butterfly 's Wife , still flying about in the dark like a moth .

' Give him back his Palace , and don't let's have any more horrid.magic . '

' Well , my dear , ' said the Butterfly as bravely as he could , ' you see what your nagging has led to .

so he stamped once more , and that instant the Djinns let down the Palace and the gardens , without even a bump .

I 'll be good ! '

Suleiman-bin-Daolld could hardly speak for laughing .

they stood on the marble steps one hundred abreast and shouted , ' What is our trouble ?

no !

Suleiman-bin-Daoud must be dead , and what we heard and saw was the earth thundering and darkening at the news . '

then Balkis beckoned that bold Queen without looking at her , and said to her and to the others , ' Come and see . '

go in peace , little folk ! '

and he kissed them on the wings , and they flew away .

for I have been jesting with a Butterfly ever since I came into the garden . '

and he told Balkis what he had done .

and she told him what the Queens had said and seen and thought .

tell me , therefore , O my Lady and Heart of my Heart , how did you come to be so wise ? '

then they went up to the Palace and lived happily ever afterwards .

but wasn't it clever of Balkis ?

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Just So Stories , by Rudyard Kipling

produced by An Anonymous Volunteer

JACK AND JILL

by Louisa May Alcott

L.M.A . @number@

Contents

Chapter I The Catastrophe Chapter II Two Penitents Chapter III Ward No.

JACK AND JILL

chapter I . the Catastrophe

up and down three long coasts they went as fast as legs and sleds could carry them .

" here 's Molly Loo And little Boo ! "

" no , she isn't ; here 's Jack and Jill going like fury . "

" clear the track For jolly Jack ! "

sang the boys , who had rhymes and nicknames for nearly every one .

" Jill goes wherever Jack does , and he lets her .

he 's such a good-natured chap , he can't say ' No . ' "

" she wouldn't ! she 's a dear !

you needn't sniff at her because she is poor .

" who is going to the candy-scrape to-night ? "

" all of us .

Frank invited the whole set , and we shall have a tip-top time .

we always do at the Minots ' , " cried Sue , the timid trembler .

" she is just as sweet as she can be ! " declared Merry , enthusiastically .

" Jack , take me down that coast .

" I guess I wouldn't .

it is very bumpy and ends in a big drift ; not half so nice as this one .

" it is very nice , but I won't be told I don't ' dare ' by any boy in the world .

if you are afraid , I 'll go alone . "

" if you will go , I 'll take you down all right .

" here , put these on ; I never use them .

keep them if they fit ; I only carry them to please mother . "

and Jack pulled out a pair of red mittens with the air of a boy used to giving away .

" they are lovely warm , and they do fit .

Jack laughed , and up they trudged to the spot whence the three coasts diverged .

" that one ! " and the red mitten pointed firmly to the perilous path just tried .

" you will do it ? "

" I will ! "

" come on , then , and hold tight . "

" I don't see anything very awful in that .

come up and have another .

" it is .

give me three go-bangs and then we 'll stop .

my tumble doesn't count , so give me two more and then I 'll be good . "

" it 's just splendid !

now , one more ! " cried Jill , excited by the cheers of a sleighing party passing below .

alas , for the candy-scrape that never was to be !

alas , for poor " Thunderbolt " blindly setting forth on the last trip he ever made !

and oh , alas , for Jack and Jill , who wilfully chose the wrong road and ended their fun for the winter !

Smash-up !

run !

run ! " like a raven croaking over a battlefield when the fight was done .

Down rushed boys and girls ready to laugh or cry , as the case might be , for accidents will happen on the best-regulated coasting-grounds .

" he 's killed !

he 's killed ! " wailed Sue , hiding her face and beginning to cry .

" no , I'm not .

I 'll be all right when I get my breath .

where 's Jill ? " asked Jack , stoutly , though still too giddy to see straight .

but no wounds appeared , and when asked if she was dead , she answered in a vague sort of way ,

" I guess not .

is Jack hurt ? "

Jill shut her eyes and waved the girls away , saying , faintly ,

" never mind me .

go and see to him . "

" don't !

" I lit on my head , but I guess I 've broken my leg .

" take Jill , too , for it 's my opinion she has broken her back .

" oh , I am so sorry !

it was my fault ; I shouldn't have let her do it , " said Jack , distressfully .

" it was all my fault ; I made him .

if I 'd broken every bone I 've got , it would serve me right .

" here come the wood-sleds just in time .

I 'll cut away and tell one of them to hurry up . "

" had a little accident , have you ?

well , that 's a pretty likely place for a spill .

" all right .

just lay easy , my dear , and I won't hurt you a mite if I can help it . "

chapter II .

two Penitents

the wounded head ached dreadfully , and the poor boy felt as if bruised all over , for he had the worst of the fall .

" twenty-one days !

three whole weeks in bed !

I shouldn't call that quick work , " groaned the dismayed patient , whose experience of illness had been limited .

" it is a forty days ' job , young man , and you must make up your mind to bear it like a hero .

we will do our best ; but next time , look before you leap , and save your bones .

good-night ; you 'll feel better in the morning .

" Whist , my lass , and go to sleep .

" I can't go to sleep ; I don't see how Jack 's mother could send me anything when I 've half killed him .

I want to be cold and ache and have horrid things done to me .

oh , if I ever get out of this bed I 'll be the best girl in the world , to pay for this .

see if I ain't ! " and Jill gave such a decided nod that her tears flew all about the pillow like a shower .

" am I hurt badly , Mammy ? "

" I fear it , lass . "

" I 'm glad of it ; I ought to be worse than Jack , and I hope I am .

I 'll bear it well , and be good right away .

sing , Mammy , and I 'll try to go to sleep to please you . "

jack lay wide awake , with hot cheeks , and throbbing head , and all sorts of queer sensations in the broken leg .

it did soothe him , for a very sweet friendship existed between the tall youth and the lad of thirteen .

" not much .

I forget it listening to the music .

dear old Ed is playing all my favorite tunes , and it is very nice .

I guess he feels pretty sorry about me . "

" they all do .

Frank could not talk of it .

Gus wouldn't go home to tea , he was so anxious to do something for us .

Jack tried to laugh , but it was rather a failure , though he managed to say , cheerfully ,

" that was good of old Joe .

I wouldn't lend him ' Thunderbolt ' for fear he 'd hurt it .

couldn't have smashed it up better than I did , could he ?

don't think I want any pieces to remind me of that fall .

I just wish you 'd seen us , mother !

it must have been a splendid spill to look at , any way . "

" no , thank you ; I 'd rather not even try to imagine my precious boy going heels over head down that dreadful hill .

" no coasting till some time in January .

what a fool I was to do it !

Go-bangs always are dangerous , and that 's the fun of the thing .

oh dear ! "

so she now set his mind at rest by saying , quietly .

" foolish fun , as you see , dear .

another time , stand firm and help Jill to control her headstrong will .

when you learn to yield less and she more , there will be no scrapes like this to try us all . "

" I 'll remember , mother .

I hate not to be obliging , but I guess it would have saved us lots of trouble if I 'd said No in the beginning .

I tried to , but she would go .

Poor Jill !

I 'll take better care of her next time .

is she very ill , Mamma ? "

" I can tell you better to-morrow .

she does not suffer much , and we hope there is no great harm done . "

" I wish she had a nice place like this to be sick in .

" my blessed boy , what is it ? " she whispered , with a touch and a tone that only mothers have .

the blue eyes opened wide , and Jack 's own sunshiny smile broke through the tears that filled them as he said with a sniff ,

" everybody is so good to me I can't help making a noodle of myself .

" you are not a noodle ! " cried Mamma , resenting the epithet .

don't forget that , little son . "

" don't see how I can , with you to show me how nice it is .

kiss me good-night , and then ' I 'll be good , ' as Jill says . "

chapter III .

ward No . @number@

for some days , nothing was seen and little was heard of the " dear sufferers , " as the old ladies called them .

but they were not forgotten ; the first words uttered when any of the young people met were : " how is Jack ? "

but young spirits are wonderfully elastic and soon cheer up , and healthy young bodies heal fast , or easily adapt themselves to new conditions .

Frank 's was full of books , maps , machinery , chemical messes , and geometrical drawings , which adorned the walls like intricate cobwebs .

in winter his mother made things more comfortable by introducing rugs , curtains , and a fire .

a white-covered table stood near , with all manner of dainties set forth in a way to tempt the sternest principles .

vases of flowers bloomed on the chimney-piece , gifts from anxious young ladies , left with their love .

" I 'll read to you .

here 's Watt , Arkwright , Fulton , and a lot of capital fellows , with pictures that will do your heart good .

" I don't want any of your old boilers and stokers and whirligigs .

" no fun ; just two of us .

wish school was over , so the boys would come in ; doctor said I might see them now . "

" they 'll be along by and by , and I 'll hail them .

till then , what shall we do ?

I 'm your man for anything , only put a name to it . "

" just wish I had a telegraph or a telephone , so I could talk to Jill .

wouldn't it be fun to pipe across and get an answer ! "

" I 'll make either you say ; " and Frank looked as if trifles of that sort were to be had for the asking .

" could you , really ? "

" go ahead , then .

I 'd like that , and so would Jill , for I know she wants to hear from me . "

" oh , never mind ; I won't want anything .

if I do , I can pound for Ann . "

" and wake mother .

" let it alone , unless you need something very much , and don't bother about the glass .

it 's just what we want for the telegraph wire or rope to go through .

" it 's those children at their pranks again .

a letter from Jack , with a large orange , went first , explaining the new enterprise :

" dear Jill , It 's too bad you can't come over to see me .

I am pretty well , but awful tired of keeping still .

I want to see you ever so much .

Frank has fixed us a telegraph , so we can write and send things .

won't it be jolly !

I send you an orange .

do you like gorver jelly ?

people send in lots of goodies , and we will go halves .

Good-by .

" Jack "

away went the basket , and in fifteen minutes it came back from the cottage with nothing in it but the orange .

" hullo !

is she mad ? " asked Jack , as Frank brought the despatch for him to examine .

two bits of straw were the legs , and the face looked so like Dr Whiting that both boys laughed at the sight .

" that 's so like Jill ; she 'd make fun if she was half dead .

let's see what she says ; " and Jack read the little note , which showed a sad neglect of the spelling-book :

" dear Jacky , I can't stir and it 's horrid .

the telly graf is very nice and we will have fun with it .

I never ate any gorver jelly .

the orange was first rate .

send me a book to read .

all about bears and ships and crockydiles .

the doctor was coming to see you , so I sent him the quickest way .

Molly Loo says it is dreadful lonesome at school without us .

yours truly ,

" Jill "

" how are you , Major ? "

" does the leg ache much , Jack ? "

" Mr Phipps says you 'll have to pay for the new rails . "

" help yourselves , " said Jack , with a hospitable wave .

" all the dear old ladies in town have been sending in nice things , and I can't begin to eat them up .

lend a hand and clear away this lot , or we shall have to throw them out of the window .

bring on the doughnuts and the tarts and the shaky stuff in the entry closet , Frank , and let's have a lark . "

No sooner said than done .

Gus took the tarts , Joe the doughnuts , Ed the jelly , and Frank suggested " spoons all round " for the Italian cream .

" Call again to-morrow , gentlemen , and we will have another bout .

free lunches at @time@ . till further notice .

now tell me all the news . "

they did so , and shouted with merriment when the next despatch from Jill arrived .

Mammy says I can't eat it , and it will all melt away if I keep it .

also a picture of Jack Minot , who will dance on one leg and waggle the other , and make you laugh .

I wish I could come , too .

don't you hate grewel ?

I do .

In haste ,

" J.P . "

" you ought to be an artist .

I never saw such a dabster as you are .

the boys enjoyed the joke , and one after the other read out his message to the captive lady :

" dear Jill , Sorry you ain't here .

great fun .

jack pretty lively .

Laura and Lot would send love if they knew of the chance .

Fly round and get well .

" Gus "

" dear Gilliflower , Hope you are pretty comfortable in your ' dungeon cell . '

would you like a serenade when the moon comes ?

hope you will soon be up again , for we miss you very much .

shall be very happy to help in any way I can .

love to your mother .

your true friend ,

" E.D . "

" miss Pecq .

" dear Madam , I am happy to tell you that we are all well , and hope you are the same .

I gave Jem Cox a licking because he went to your desk .

you had better send for your books .

you won't have to pay for the sled or the fence .

Jack says he will see to it .

we have been having a spread over here .

First-rate things .

I wouldn't mind breaking a leg , if I had such good grub and no chores to do .

no more now , from yours , with esteem ,

" Joseph P Flint "

" I 'm not going to show mine .

" my Dear , I wish I could send you some of my good times .

ain't mothers sweet ?

mine is coming over to-morrow to see you and tell me how you are .

this round thing is a kiss for good-night .

" your Jack "

" isn't that spoony ?

you 'd better hide your face , I think .

" only teasing Jack a bit .

" I charged you not to worry him .

" he liked it , and we got on capitally till Joe roughed him about Jill .

ah , Joe 's getting it now !

the red ear heard also , and Jack popped up his head to ask , with interest ,

" what are they doing to him ? "

" rolling him in the snow , and he 's howling like fun . "

" Serves him right , " muttered Jack , with a frown .

hurry !

Gus is so strong he doesn't know how his pounding hurts . "

off ran Frank , and Jack told his wrongs to his mother .

" it isn't silly to be fond of her , is it ?

" pooh !

I don't mean that ; I 'm strong enough now to take care of myself , " cried Jack , stoutly .

" I can thrash Joe any day , if I like .

" when it comes night , We put out the light .

some blow with a puff , Some turn down and snuff ; But neat folks prefer A nice extinguis her .

so here I send you back One to put on Mr Jack . "

Chapter IV .

ward No . @number@

the doctor spoke cheerfully , but looked sober , and Mrs Pecq began to fear that Janey was to be a cripple for life .

she never used to mind trifles , but now she frets about the oddest things , and I can't change them .

I 've no other warm place to put her , and no money for a new paper .

poor lass !

there are hard times before her , I 'm fearing . "

Jill was asleep in the folding chair Dr Whiting had sent , with a mattress to make it soft .

" please God , we will , mem !

with such good friends , I never should complain .

" we won't say , or even think , that , yet .

everything is possible to youth and health like Janey 's .

we must keep her happy , and time will do the rest , I 'm sure .

let us begin at once , and have a surprise for her when she wakes . "

" keep up your heart , neighbor .

" oh , how pretty !

" the good fairy who never comes empty-handed .

" it 's a splendid plan to cover up that hateful wall .

I 'd stick pictures all round and have a gallery .

that reminds me !

up in the garret at our house is a box full of old fashion-books my aunt left .

I often look at them on rainy days , and they are very funny .

I 'll go this minute and get every one .

" now , that ship , setting out for some far-away place , is more to my mind .

" I 'd like to be a missionary and go where folks throw their babies to the crocodiles .

" we needn't go to Africa to be missionaries ; they have ' em nearer home and need ' em , too .

one can find that sort of work anywhere , if one has a mind , " said Mrs Pecq .

" I wish we had some to do here .

I 'd so like to go round with baskets of tea and rice , and give out tracts and talk to people .

wouldn't you , girls ? " asked Molly , much taken with the new idea .

" we wouldn't let the boys come in .

we 'd have it a secret society , as they do their temperance lodge , and we 'd have badges and pass-words and grips .

" I can tell you someone to begin on right away , " said her mother , nodding at her .

" as wild a little savage as I 'd wish to see .

take her in hand , and make a pretty-mannered lady of her .

begin at home , my lass , and you 'll find missionary work enough for a while . "

" now , Mammy , you mean me !

well , I will begin ; and I 'll be so good , folks won't know me .

" you , Merry , might do a deal at home helping mother , and setting the big brothers a good example .

" where shall I begin ?

" you will , my dear , " answered Mrs Pecq , encouragingly , for she knew all about it .

" now you 've each got a mission , let us see how well you will get on .

keep it secret , if you like , and report once a week .

I 'll be a member , and we 'll do great things yet . "

" we won't begin till after Christmas ; there is so much to do , we never shall have time for any more .

don't tell , and we 'll start fair at New Year 's , if not before , " said Jill , taking the lead as usual .

" talking of parties , isn't it too bad that we must give up our Christmas fun ?

" you 'd better give Jack a hint about the party .

knowing that you would like to help , I send some paper for sugar-plum horns and some beads for necklaces .

they will brighten the tree and please the girls for themselves or their dolls .

Jack sends you a horn for a pattern , and will you make a ladder-necklace to show him how ?

let me know if you need anything .

" yours in haste ,

" Anna Minot "

" so would I !

oh , do you think Mrs Minot will let you fill the horns when they are done ?

I 'd love to help you then .

" I 'm afraid you couldn't be trusted , you love sweeties so , and I 'm sure Boo couldn't .

but I 'll see about it , " replied Jill , with a responsible air .

being torn from this congenial labor , he was carried off shining with grease and roaring lustily .

so Mrs Minot 's recipe for sunshine proved successful , and mother-wit made the wintry day a bright and happy one for both the little prisoners .

Chapter V Secrets

in winter , the lads had their debating club , the lasses a dramatic ditto .


so Ralph came often , and in times of trouble was a real rainy-day friend .

round the beds of Jack and Jill met and mingled the schoolmates of whom our story treats .

paper flowers followed , and gay garlands and bouquets blossomed , regardless of the snow and frost without .

but the secret which most excited the young people was the deep mystery of certain proceedings at the Minot house .

" I think it is going to be a dance .

" they wouldn't have a party of that kind without Jack and me .

Frank exploded at the idea , and added to the mystification by saying ,

" there will be one little duck and one great donkey in it . "

then , fearing he had told the secret , he ran off , quacking and braying derisively .

" I know !

I know !

chapter VI .

Surprises

" is it pleasant ? " was the question Jill asked before she was fairly awake on Christmas morning .

" yes , dear ; as bright as heart could wish .

now eat a bit , and then I 'll make you nice for the day 's pleasure .

" do you like it , dear ?

" only Jack ; " and Jill 's laugh was good to hear , as she glanced up with merry , yet wistful eyes .

" you are right .

port !

easy now !

pull away ! " from Ralph and Frank , as they steered the recumbent Columbus on his first voyage of discovery .

" well , I call that handsome ! " was Jack 's exclamation , when the full beauty of the scene burst upon his view .

" I 'm here !

I 'm here !

oh , do come , quick ! "

" isn't this jolly ! "

" how nice you look , " said Jill , when they had duly admired the pretty room .

" so do you , " gallantly returned Jack , as he surveyed her with unusual interest .

they did look very nice , though happiness was the principal beautifier .

Jack was not so gay , but had made himself as fine as circumstances would permit .

" I 'm ever so glad to see you again ; guess we are over the worst of it now , and can have good times .

won't it be fun to stay here all the while , and amuse one another ? "

" yes , indeed ; but one day is so short !

it will be stupider than ever when I go home to-night , " answered Jill , looking about her with longing eyes .

" but you are not going home to-night ; you are to stay ever so long .

didn't Mamma tell you ? "

" no .

oh , how splendid !

am I really ?

where will I sleep ?

what will Mammy do without me ? " and Jill almost sat up , she was so delighted with the new surprise .

" that room in there is all fixed for you .

I made Frank tell me so much .

Mamma said I might tell you , but I didn't think she would be able to hold in if she saw you first .

your mother is coming , too , and we are all going to have larks together till we are well . "

while they wired on the candles the children asked questions , and found out all they wanted to know about the new plans and pleasures .

" who fixed all this ? "

" Mamma thought of it , and Ralph and I did it .

he 's the man for this sort of thing , you know .

he proposed cutting out the arches and sticking on birds and butterflies just where they looked best .

" your mother said you might call this the Bird Room .

" good for you !

yes , and we are going to keep her in this pretty cage till we can both fly off together .

" at the foot , if we don't study and keep up .

" Frank said he 'd pull me along in my Latin , but I 've been lazy and haven't done a thing .

" all right .

they 've been reviewing , so we can keep up when they begin , if we work next week , while the rest have a holiday .

" I never saw such a splendid tree before .

I 'm glad we could help , though we were ill .

" one thing more .

the rosy limbs were very life-like , so was the smiling face under the locks of shining hair .

" is it St Nicholas ? " asked Jill , who had never seen that famous personage , and knew but little of Christmas festivities .

" it is the Christ-child , whose birthday we are celebrating .

" it reminds me of the saints in the chapel of the Sacred Heart in Montreal .

don't see how we can do anything else to show we are grateful . "

" it isn't easy to be good when one is sick , " said Jill , thoughtfully .

" I fret dreadfully , I get so tired of being still .

I want to scream sometimes , but I don't , because it would scare Mammy , so I cry .

do you cry , Jack ? "

" men never do .

" a fellow can be awfully hungry , I know that .

I didn't half eat breakfast , I was in such a hurry to see you , and know all about the secrets .

" the new medicine works well , neighbor , " she said to Mrs Pecq , who followed with the lunch tray .

" indeed it does , mem .

I feel as if I 'd taken a sup myself , I 'm that easy in my mind . "

" more surprises !

oh , what fun ! " cried Jill .

and all the rest of the morning , in the intervals of talk and play , they tried to guess what it could be .

" I call this broken bones made easy .

I never had a better Christmas .

have a raisin ?

here 's a good fat one . "

and Jack made a long arm to Jill 's mouth , which began to sing " Little Jack Horner " as an appropriate return .

" it would have been a lonesome one to all of us , I 'm thinking , but for your mother , boys .

" I rise to propose a health , Our Mothers . "

and Frank stood up with a goblet of water , for not even at Christmas time was wine seen on that table .

Jill threw her mother a kiss , feeling very grown up and elegant to be dining out in such style .

" I hope the girls will like their things .

I helped to choose them , and each has a nice present .

" I do ; I chose it , so I know you will like one of them , any way . "

" have I got more than one ? "

" I guess you 'll think so when they are handed down .

" I know something , too .

that square bundle is what you want ever so much .

I told Frank , and he got it for his present .

it is all red and gold outside , and every sort of color inside ; you 'll hurrah when you see it .

" don't talk about sleds , for mercy 's sake !

" well , I think plasters , and liniment , and rubbing , as bad as flat-irons any day .

" I guess you wouldn't think so if you 'd been pulled round as I was when they set my leg .

Caesar , how it did hurt ! " and Jack squirmed at the recollection of it .

" pooh !

girls always faint .

men are braver , and I didn't faint a bit in spite of all that horrid agony . "

" you howled ; Frank told me so .

Doctor said I was a brave girl , so you needn't brag , for you 'll have to go on a crutch for a while .

I know that . "

" you may have to use two of them for years , may be .

I heard the doctor tell my mother so .

I shall be up and about long before you will .

now then ! "

" well , young folks , how goes it ?

the girls all put on their necklaces , and danced about like fine ladies at a ball .

THE BLESSED DAY

" what shall little children bring On Christmas Day , on Christmas Day ?

what shall little children bring On Christmas Day in the morning ?

" what shall little children sing On Christmas Day , on Christmas Day ?

what shall little children sing On Christmas Day in the morning ?

Poor Jack was hurt the worst , and he was brave , though he did scream .

I wish I could go and tell him so , and hear him say , ' All right . '

oh , me , I 've spoiled the day ! "

" May be it 's a torpedo to blow up and scare me ; Jack likes to play tricks .

presently a voice whispered ,

" I say !

are you awake ? "

" yes . "

" any one there but you ? "

" no . "

" catch this , then .

hold it to your ear and see what you 'll get . "

the little drum came flying in , and , catching it , Jill , with some hesitation , obeyed Frank 's order .

Judge of her amazement when she caught in broken whispers these touching words :

" Sorry I was cross .

forgive and forget .

start fair to-morrow .

all right .

Jack . "

" I 'm sorry , too .

never , never , will again .

feel much better now .

good-night , you dear old thing . "

I will be good ! "

chapter VII .

Jill 's Mission

" I shall keep my Speller by me and take a look at it every day , for that is what I 'm most backward in .

but I intend to devote myself to you , Jack , and be real kind and useful .

Jack was a most engaging heathen , and needed very little instruction ; therefore Jill thought her task would be an easy one .

Jack had a nice little collection , and had been saving up pocket-money to buy a book in which to preserve his treasures .

" my dears ! what new play have you got now ?

" oh , we just stuck them there to keep them safe ; they get lost if we leave them lying round .

it 's rare , and I wouldn't lose it for a dollar . "

" why , there it is on your own nose .

" so I did , and gave you Little Bolivar on yours .

now I 'll have Alsace and Lorraine , @number@

" oh , I say , isn't Corea a beauty ?

I 'm ever so proud of that ; " and he gazed fondly on a big blue stamp , the sole ornament of one page .

" I don't see why the Cape of Good Hope has pyramids .

they ought to go in Egypt .

" Turkey has crescents , Australia swans , and Spain women 's heads , with black bars across them .

Frank says it is because they keep women shut up so ; but that was only his fun .

" why does Austria have Mercury on the stamp , I wonder ?

do they wear helmets like that ? " asked Jill , with the brush-handle in her mouth as she cut a fresh batch of flaps .

" May be he was postman to the gods , so he is put on stamps now .

the Prussians wear helmets , but they have spikes like the old Roman fellows .

I like Prussians ever so much ; they fight splendidly , and always beat .

Austrians have a handsome uniform , though . "

" talking of Romans reminds me that I have not heard your Latin for two days .

come , lazybones , brace up , and let us have it now .

" don't know it .

not going to try till next week .

you asked me to hear you , and I 'm going to do it ; here 's the book . "

now both these vents for irritation were denied him , and he had fallen into the way of throwing things about in a pet .

" keep them , then , and your old book , too !

I won't look at it till you give all my stamps back and say you are sorry .

so now ! "

it was all over before Mamma could interfere , or Jill do more than clutch and cling to the gum-brush .

" it 's the album !

O Jack , how could you ? " cried Jill , dismayed at sight of the precious book so maltreated by the owner .

" thought it was the other .

guess it isn't hurt much .

didn't mean to hit him , any way .

" I heard once of a boy who threw a fork at his brother and put his eye out .

" did the boy ever forgive himself ? " asked Mrs Minot .

" no , ' m ; I suppose not .

but Jack didn't hit Frank , and feels real sorry , I know . "

" he might have , and hurt him very much .

our actions are in our own hands , but the consequences of them are not .

remember that , my dear , and think twice before you do anything . "

" I am going to see if Jack is covered up , he is so helpless , and liable to take cold .

don't stir till I come back . "

" no , ' m , I won't . "

" wouldn't it be fun to keep it till he gives back Jack 's stamps ?

I 'll get it , and Jack and I will plan some way to pay him off , cross thing ! "

hard words to write of one so young , doubly hard to read , and impossible to forget .

" dear Lizzie , Jack continues to do very well , and will soon be up again .

but we begin to fear that the little girl is permanently injured in the back .

now she knew the truth , and shut her eyes with a shiver as she said , low , to herself ,

" twenty years !

I couldn't bear it ; oh , I couldn't bear it ! "

" that is why Mammy sighs so when she dresses me , and every one is so good to me .

perhaps Mrs Minot doesn't really know , after all .

she was dreadfully scared about Jack , and he is getting well .

I 'd like to ask Doctor , but he might find out about the letter .

oh , dear , why didn't I keep still and let the horrid thing alone ! "

" I 've told a lie , for I said I wouldn't stir .

I 've hurt my back , I 've done a mean thing , and I 've got paid for it .

" now I 've got another secret to keep all alone , for I 'd be ashamed to tell the girls .

I guess I 'll turn round and study my spelling ; then no one will see my face . "

I really believe there is a telegraph still working somewhere between you two , and each knows what the other is about without words . "

she also recollected that a paper flew off the table , but being in haste she had not stopped to see what it was .

Jill had been winding wool for a stripe in her new afghan , and the green ball lay on her sofa .

" I will wait for her to tell me .

" shall I hear your lesson , dear ?

Jack means to recite his like a good boy , so suppose you follow his example , " she said , presently .

" I don't know as I can say it , but I 'll try . "

" do you know what that means ? " asked her teacher , thinking to help her on by defining the word .

" are you in pain , my child ?

never mind the lesson ; tell me , and I 'll do something for you . "

" sly old stamp !

" please tell me about Lucinda Snow .

if I am to be like her , I might as well know how she managed to bear it so long . "

" why , how could she be ?

what did she do ? " cried Jill , forgetting her own troubles to look up with an open , eager face again .

so , you see , Lucinda was not so very miserable after all . "

" well , if I could not be as I was , I 'd like to be a woman like that .

" so do I ; and I mean to believe that you will not .

meantime , we can try to make the waiting as useful and pleasant as possible .

chapter VIII .

Merry and Molly

now let us see how the other missionaries got on with their tasks .

" Little daughter has got something on her mind , I mistrust .

" when I 've helped clear up , I 'll come and talk .

" well , I don't care if I do , for I 've been on my feet since five o'clock .

be sure you cover things up , and shut the buttery door , and put the cat down cellar , and sift your meal .

I 'll see to the buckwheats last thing before I go to bed . "

" why , father , you know I don't !

I haven't played with dollies for years and years .

no ; I want to fix up my room pretty , like Jill 's .

I 'll do it all myself , and only want a few things , for I don't expect it to look as nice as hers . "

indignation gave Merry courage to state her wishes boldly , though she knew the boys would laugh .

they did , and her mother said in a tone of surprise ,

" why , child , what more can you want ?

" let me have some old things out of the garret , and I 'll show you what I want .

it is neat , but so bare and ugly I hate to be there .

" so do I , and that 's a fact .

I couldn't get on without my pretty girl here , any way .

" I wish I had a dozen in the sitting-room window .

" I 'll fetch you some next time I go over to Ballad 's .

" you may have anything you like out of the blue chest .

she kept her word , and the very stormy afternoon when Jill got into trouble , Merry was working busily at her little bower .

three faded red-moreen curtains went up at the windows over the chilly paper shades , giving a pleasant glow to the bare walls .

the little air-tight stove was banished , and a pair of ancient andirons shone in the fire-light .

on the walls she hung three old-fashioned pictures , which she ventured to borrow from the garret till better could be found .

" now I 'll call them all to see , and say that it is pretty .

the third little missionary had the hardest time of all , and her first efforts were not much more satisfactory nor successful than the others .

so Maria Louisa and Napoleon Bonaparte got on as they could , without the tender cares of a mother .

" well , dears , it 's of no use to worry .

I guess we shall get along somehow , if we don't fret . "

the furniture was dusty , stove untidy , and the carpet looked as if crumbs had been scattered to chickens who declined their breakfast .

" I 'll clear up first and do that by and by .

" what new whimsey now ?

generally , the dishes stand round till I have time to pick ' em up , and you are off coasting or careering somewhere .

" it will be an awful job , and he is so happy I won't plague him yet .

" what are you going to wash now ? "

" now , Maria Louisa Bemis , you ain't going to cut up no capers with that child !

the idea of a hot bath in the middle of the day , and him full of dinner , and croupy into the bargain !

" I shall ask father , and do it to-night , for I will not have my brother look like a pig . "

" I 'll put things in order , and then mend up my rags , if I can find my thimble .

" oh , my heart , what a muddle !

Glad I can't do any more now !

" please , papa , I want a dollar to get some brass buttons and things to fix Boo 's clothes with .

he wore a hole in his new trousers coasting down the Kembles ' steps .

and can't I wash him ?

he needs it , and Miss Bat won't let me have a tub . "

" certainly , child , certainly ; do what you like , only don't keep me .

armed with the paternal permission , Molly carried her point , and oh , what a dreadful evening poor Boo spent !

" no , I won't !

" no , no ; I won't be a heevin !

I don't want to be frowed to the trockindiles .

Molly thought her labors were over for that night , and soon went to bed , tired with her first attempts .

" I knew it !

bring the child to me , and don't fret .

chapter IX .

the Debating Club

" look here , old man , we ought to have a meeting .

" all right .

when , where , and what ? " asked Gus , who was a man of few words .

" To-night , our house , subject , ' Shall girls go to college with us ? '

" very good ; I 'll pass the word and be there .

hullo , Neddy !

the D.C. meets to-night , at Minot 's , seven sharp .

" I 'll come .

" very good of you , I 'm sure , " said Gus , ironically , not a bit deceived by this polite attention .

then they all laughed at some joke of their own , and Gus added , " no girls coming to hear us to-night .

don't think it , my son .

" more 's the pity , " and Ed shook his head regretfully over the downfall of his hopes .

" we must have a game party next week .

the girls like that , and so do I , " candidly observed Gus , whose pleasant parlors were the scene of many such frolics .

" dull ; things will look up toward spring , they say .

" no ; I 've chosen business , and I mean to stick to it , so don't you unsettle my mind .

" skating is so good , I don't get much time .

come early , and we 'll have a turn at it . "

" I will .

must run home now . "

" pretty cold loafing here . "

" mail is in by this time . "

" here , my hero , see how you like this .

" Ha , ha , that looks fine !

I 'd like to try it right off , but I won't till I get leave .

" mostly .

rather a neat job , I flatter myself . "

" I should say so .

what a clever fellow you are !

any new inventions lately ? " asked Frank , coming up to examine and admire .

" go on , and tell about them .

I never heard of an anti-snorer .

Jack better have one , " said Frank , interested at once .

they thought it was a good joke , and told me to see what I could do .

I thought it over , and got up the nicest little affair you ever saw .

it suited exactly .

I think of taking out a patent , " concluded Ralph , joining in the boys ' laugh at the droll idea .

" what was the pad ? " asked Frank , returning to the small model of an engine he was making .

" oh , that was a mere trifle for a man who had a tender elbow-joint and wanted something to protect it .

I made a little pad to fit on , and his crazy-bone was safe . "

" I 'd do my best for you .

here Gus , Ed , and several other boys came in , and the conversation became general .

Grif , Chick , and Brickbat were three young gentlemen whose own respectable names were usually ignored , and they cheerfully answered to these nicknames .

Frank gave three raps with an old croquet-mallet set on a short handle , and with much dignity opened the meeting .

the Secretary will now read the report of the last meeting . "

clearing his throat , Gus read the following brief and elegant report :

" Club met , @date@ at the house of G Burton , Esq

Subject : ' Is summer or winter best fun ? '

a lively pow-wow .

about evenly divided .

J Flint fined five cents for disrespect to the Chair .

A collection of forty cents taken up to pay for breaking a pane of glass during a free fight of the members on the door-step .

E Devlin was chosen Secretary for the coming year , and a new book contributed by the Chairman . "

" that 's all . "

Bob Walker wants to join , and I think we ought to let him .

he is trying to behave well , and I am sure we could help him .

can't we ? "

all the boys looked sober , and Joe , otherwise Brickbat , said , bluntly , " I won't .

he 's a bad lot , and we don't want any such here .

let him go with chaps of his own sort . "

" that is just what I want to keep him from !

he wants to come here , and would be so proud if he was let in , I know he 'd behave .

" you needn't .

" we won't let you off ! "

" Club would go to smash , if you back out ! "

" we might do that , " said Frank , who did object to small boys , though willing to admit this particular one .

" that 's a good idea !

put it to vote , " said Gus , too kind-hearted to shut the door on any one .

" good !

we all turn our backs on him , so he loafs round the tavern , and goes with fellows we don't care to know .

but he isn't bad yet , and we can keep him up , I 'm sure , if we just try .

" he is learning to smoke , but we 'll make him drop it before it leads to worse .

" no , sir !

I believe in co-everything ! " cried Chick , a mild youth , who loyally escorted a chosen damsel home from school every day .

a laugh greeted this bold declaration , and Chick sat down , red but firm .

" fire away , then , since you are up ; " commanded Frank .

they don't belong there , nobody wants ' em , and they 'd better be at home darning their stockings . "

" yours , too , " put in Ralph , who had heard that argument so often he was tired of it .

" of course ; that 's what girls are for .

I don't mind ' em at school , but I 'd just as soon they had a room to themselves .

we should get on better . "

" it is clear to my mind that boys would get on better without any girls fooling round .

no , sir ; girls ain't meant to know much , and they can't .

wise folks say so and I believe ' em .

groans from Gus and Ed greeted the closing remarks of the ungallant Joe , who sat down , feeling that he had made somebody squirm .

" Mr Chairman , the ground I take is this : girls have not the strength to go to college with us .

they couldn't row a race , go on a lark , or take care of themselves , as we do .

" I have tried them , and they can't stand anything .

they scream if you tell them there is a mouse in the room , and run if they see a big dog .

I just put a cockroach in Molly 's desk one day , and when she opened it she jumped as if she was shot . "

" it seems to me we have hardly considered the matter enough to be able to say much .

but I think that school would be awfully dry and dismal without ahem ! any young ladies to make it nice .

and who can do this so wisely and well as mothers , if they only will ?

" my honored friend has spoken so well that I have little to add .

I agree with him , and if you want an example of what girls can do , why , look at Jill .

she 's young , I know , but a first-rate scholar for her age .

as for pluck , she is as brave as a boy , and almost as smart at running , rowing , and so on .

of course , she can't play ball no girl can ; their arms are not made right to throw but she can catch remarkably well .

I 'll say that for her .

I 'm willing , and will do what I can to help other fellows ' sisters as I 'd like to have them help mine .

no one ever knew whom he would choose to personate , for he never spoke in his own character .

" oh , running stream of sparkling joy , To be a glorious human boy ! "

gazing at Gus , who was convulsed with suppressed merriment , he thundered forth :

you , sir , are a model of a man fresh from Natur 's mould .

rough you may be ; so air our Barrs .

wild you may be ; so air our Buffalers .

let me have him here ! " smiting the table , and causing the inkstand to skip " here , upon this sacred altar !

here , upon the ancestral ashes cemented with the glorious blood poured out like water on the plains of Chickabiddy Lick .

a knock at the door produced a lull , and in came a maid with apples .

chapter X . the Dramatic Club

" Faut jouer le mirliton , Faut jouer le mirlitir , Faut jouer le mirliter , Mir li ton . "

" that 's right !

sing away , and we 'll play you are an Indian captive being tormented by your enemies , and too proud to complain .

I 'll watch the clock , and the minute time is up I 'll rush in and rescue you . "

" my poor Jean had a fine voice , and always hoped the child would take after him .

so the hour that began with tears ended with music and laughter , and a new pleasure to think of for the future .

it 's a little saint , she is .

may her bed above be aisy ! "

the girls sympathized very heartily with her new trial , and brought all manner of gifts to cheer her captivity .

" she is so still , I guess she is asleep , " thought Jack , peeping round the corner .

Doctor did not want me to go , but said I might because I teased .

I 'd rather keep still a week longer .

hadn't I better ? "

I always want you at home , but I don't wonder you are rather tired of it after this long confinement . "

" well , I guess I may as well , and get quite firm on my legs before I start .

another week or so will bring me up if I study hard , so I shall not lose my time .

I 'll tackle my Latin as soon as it 's ready , mother . "

it proved a wise decision , for the last part of January was so stormy Jack could not have gone half the time .

" I shall not have time to miss him now , for we are to be very busy getting ready for the Twenty-second .

when the girls arrived , that evening , they found Mrs Chairwoman surrounded by a strew of theatrical properties , enjoying herself very much .

that would be sweet , and just what princesses really wear , " advised Jill , who was stringing a quantity of old Roman pearls .

" we all want to wear the nice things , so let us draw lots .

" the Prince is light , so the Princess must be darkish .

we ought to choose the girl who will look best , as it is a picture .

" you 'd better draw lots , and then there will be no fuss .

all agreed to let it be so , and when the bits were ready drew in turn .

this time fate was evidently on Merry 's side , and no one grumbled when she showed the longest paper .

" you can use your own dress .

" I just wish Miss Bat was here to give you girls a good shaking .

" don't quarrel about me .

but I 've thought of a splendid one ! "

" who ? " asked the rest , staring at one another , much surprised by this sudden announcement .

" hush !

speak low , or you will spoil it all .

look in the Bird Room , and tell me if that isn't a prettier Princess than I could make ? "

perhaps she will never walk again , so we ought to be very good to her , poor dear . "

" it will be lovely ; let us go and tell her ! "

" who is it ? " asked Jill , languidly , opening her eyes without the least suspicion of the truth .

then they all took hands and danced round the couch , singing , as they laughed at her astonishment , " there she is !

there she is !

Princess Jill as fine as you please !

" do you really mean it ?

but can I ?

is it fair ?

how sweet of you !

" oh , you dear , kind things , to think of me and give me all your best clothes !

I never shall forget it , and I 'll do anything for you .

yes !

I 'll write and ask Mrs Piper to lend us her ermine cloak for the king .

see if I don't ! "

" oh , Jack , I 'm to act !

wasn't it dear of the girls to choose me ?

don't they look lovely ?

" I guess I am !

you are a set of trumps , and we 'll give you a first-class spread after the play to pay for it .

won't we , fellows ? " answered Jack , much gratified , and feeling that now he could act his own part capitally .

" we will .

it was a handsome thing to do , and we think well of you for it .

hey , Gus ? " and Frank nodded approvingly at all , though he looked only at Annette .

" girls are pretty nice things , aren't they ?

kind of ' em to take Jill in .

" Susy looks as gay as a feather-duster .

I like her .

she never snubs a fellow , " said Joe , much impressed with the splendor of the court ladies .

chapter XI .

" down Brakes "

Steam-engines had been his idols for years , and they alone could lure him from the path of virtue .

so things went on in a leisurely manner , which gave Frank many opportunities of pursuing his favorite pastime .

one afternoon they found No . @number@ on the side-track , puffing away as if enjoying a quiet smoke before starting .

" give me leave to try ?

" all right ; I 'll just roll her up to the switch and back again .

" steady , old fellow , or you 'll come to grief .

here , don't open that ! " shouted Gus , for just at that moment Joe appeared at the switch , looking ready for mischief .

" by George , he has !

stop her !

back her !

" now you 've done it !

" yes , I am , " answered Frank , with the grim look he always wore when his strong will got the upper hand .

" Bill will give it to us , any way , so we may as well have our fun out .

" go ahead .

" not bad .

they are yelling like mad after us .

" let them yell .

I started to go to the curve , and I 'll do it if it costs me a hundred dollars .

no danger ; there 's no train under twenty minutes , I tell you , " and Frank pulled out his watch .

" it 's the factory train ! " cried Gus , in a husky tone , as he sprang to his feet .

for an instant , the boys stood as if paralyzed .

" come down to the boat-house and rest a minute . "

" now , don't you worry , old man .

I 'll pay the damages , for it was my fault .

Joe will dodge , but I won't , so make your mind easy .

" I hope mother won't hear of it till I tell her quietly myself .

" I thought we were done for when we saw that train .

guess we should have been if you had not had your wits about you .

" shouldn't wonder if it was both .

running off with an engine is no joke , you know . "

a loud ring at the bell brought Mrs Pecq , who was guarding the house , while Mrs Minot entertained a parlor full of company .

" Frank 's run off with No . @number@ and he 'll be killed sure .

thought I 'd come up and tell you , " stammered Joe , all out of breath and looking wild .

" tell me all about it , and don't shout .

what 's come to the boy ? " she demanded , in a tone that reduced Joe to a whisper at once .

" go right back and see what has happened to him , then come and tell me quietly .

I 'll wait for you here .

I wouldn't have his mother startled for the world , " said the good soul , when she knew all .

" oh , I dar'sn't !

" then take yourself off home and hold your tongue .

I 'll watch the door , for I won't have any more ridiculous boys tearing in to disturb my lady . "

what is it , Mr Frank ? " she asked eagerly , seeing that something was amiss .

he told her in a few words , and she was much relieved to find that no harm had been done .

" I don't know , dear , but I shall go over to see Mr Burton right after tea .

he will tell us what to do and what to expect .

Gus must not suffer for your fault . "

here Jack came hurrying in , having heard the news , and refused to believe it from any lips but Frank 's .

" his runaway beats mine all hollow , and now he can't crow over me !

won't that be a comfort ?

the good boy has got into a scrape .

hooray ! "

what would happen to Joe , he could not tell , but he thought a good whipping ought to be added to his share .

then Annette made peace between them , and the approach of the Twenty-second gave the wags something else to think of .

chapter XII .

the Twenty-Second of February

the Bird Room was the theatre , being very large , with four doors conveniently placed .

Mrs Minot permitted the house to be turned topsy-turvy , and Mrs Pecq flew about , lending a hand everywhere .

Jill was costumer , with help from Miss Delano , who did not care for balls , and kindly took charge of the girls .

Jack printed tickets , programmes , and placards of the most imposing sort , and the work went gayly on till all was ready .

when the evening came , the Bird Room presented a fine appearance .

rows of chairs , filled with mammas and little people , occupied the rest of the space .

the hall and Frank 's room were full of amused papas , uncles , and old gentlemen whose patriotism brought them out in spite of rheumatism .

" ahem !

" can it have been my son ? "

he evidently thought it was , for he called , in tones of thunder ,

" George !

George Washington , come hither this moment ! "

" my son , do not deceive me .

but if you lie about it you disgrace the name of Washington forever . "

" papa , I tannot tell a lie .

I did tut it with my little hanchet . "

" Noble boy come to my arms !

shouts of laughter greeted this mishap , but George Washington never stirred .

" quite exciting , wasn't it ?

didn't know Gus had so much presence of mind , " said Mr Burton , well pleased with his boy .

the band played " Auld Lang Syne , " as a gentle hint that our fore-mothers should be remembered as well as the fore-fathers .

in the next scene it did come , and " Washington at Trenton " was prettily done .

couldn't help it , you know , it was so pretty and inspiring .

the band played " home , " and every one agreed that it was " sweet ! "

" no ; they gave that up , for my boy wouldn't wear a night-gown in public .

" that is splendid ! "

" as like to the original as flesh can be to bronze . "

" how still he stands ! "

" he 'll fight when the time comes , and die hard , won't he ? "

" hush !

you make the statue blush ! "

Frank was so angry , it was very difficult to keep him on his perch for the last scene of all .

he submitted , however , rather than spoil the grand finale , hoping that its beauty would efface that ill-timed pleasantry from the public mind .

so , when the agreeable clamor of hands and voices called for a repetition , the Minute Man reappeared , grimmer than before .

" ' America ! '

we must have ' America ! '

Molly got the laugh this time , for she could not resist giving poor Boo the cuff which had been hanging over him so long .

" Simple Simon " followed the pie-man , gloating over his wares with the drollest antics .

" Bobby Shafto 's " yellow hair shone finely as he led in the maid whom he came back from sea to marry .

but Tobias , Molly 's black cat , covered himself with glory by the spirit with which he acted his part in ,

" sing , sing , what shall I sing ?

the cat 's run away with the pudding-bag string . "

such a funny medley as it was , for there went fat " King Cole " with the most ragged of the beggar-maids .

" Mistress Mary , " in her pretty blue dress , tripped along with " Simple Simon " staring about him like a blockhead .

the fine lady left her horse to dance with " Bobby Shafto " till every bell on her slippers tinkled its tongue out .

" Bo-Peep " and a jolly fiddler skipped gayly up and down .

" Miss Muffet " took the big spider for her partner , and made his many legs fly about in the wildest way .

all felt the need of refreshment after their labors , and swept over the table like a flight of locusts , leaving devastation behind .

chapter XIII .

jack Has a Mystery

" what is the matter ?

" no ; but I 'm bothered .

" two seventy-five .

no , thank you , I won't borrow . "

" what is it for ? "

" can't tell . "

" why , I thought you told me everything . "

" sorry , but I can't this time .

don't you worry ; I shall think of something . "

" couldn't your mother help ? "

" don't wish to ask her . "

" why ! can't she know ? "

" nobody can . "

" how queer !

is it a scrape , Jack ? " asked Jill , looking as curious as a magpie .

" it is likely to be , if I can't get out of it this week , somehow . "

" well , I don't see how I can help if I 'm not to know anything ; " and Jill seemed rather hurt .

" you can just stop asking questions , and tell me how a fellow can earn some money .

that would help .

" oh , do you mean to use that ? "

" dear me ; it must be something very serious . "

" is there any wood to saw ? " she asked presently , being very anxious to help .

" all done . "

" Paths to shovel ? "

" no snow . "

" Lawn to rake , then ? "

" not time for that yet . "

" catalogue of books ? "

" Frank got that job . "

" copy those letters for your mother ? "

" take me too long .

must have my money Friday , if possible . "

" I don't see what we can do , then .

it is too early or too late for everything , and you won't borrow . "

" not of you .

no , nor of any one else , if I can possibly help it .

I 've promised to do this myself , and I will ; " and Jack wagged his head resolutely .

" couldn't you do something with the printing-press ?

do me some cards , and then , perhaps , the other girls will want some , " said Jill , as a forlorn hope .

" just the thing !

what a goose I was not to think of it .

I 'll rig the old machine up at once . "

" give me the types ; I 'll sort them and set up my name , so you can begin as soon as you are ready .

you know what a help I was when we did the programmes .

a dozen neat cards were soon printed , and Jill insisted on paying six cents for them , as earning was not borrowing .

" oh , some notion .

he 's a queer chap ; but I guess it isn't much of a scrape , or I should know it .

he 's so good-natured he 's always promising to do things for people , and has too much pluck to give up when he finds he can't .

Jill helped all she could , and cheered his labors with her encouragement , remembering how he stayed at home for her .

" I want to tell you , dreadfully ; but I can't , because I 've promised . "

" what , never ? "

" never ! " and Jack looked as firm as a rock .

" then I shall find out , for I haven't promised . "

" you can't . "

" see if I don't ! "

" you are sharp , but you won't guess this .

it 's a tremendous secret , and nobody will tell it . "

" you 'll tell it yourself .

you always do . "

" I won't tell this .

it would be mean . "

" don't try ; please don't !

it wouldn't be right , and you don't want to make me do a dishonorable thing for your sake , I know . "

" Merry 's brother wants some cards .

he liked hers so much he wishes to make his lady-love a present .

here 's the name ; " and Jill held up the order from Harry Grant , who was to be married in the autumn .

" must wait till next week .

" what made you take such a long walk ?

you look as tired as if you 'd been ten miles , " said Jill , hoping to discover the length of the trip .

" had to .

then , with a great yawn , he stretched himself out to bask in the blaze , pillowing his head on his arms .

presently Jack rolled over and began to mutter in his sleep , as he often did when too weary for sound slumber .

Jill paid no attention till he uttered a name which made her prick up her ears and listen to the broken sentences which followed .

only a few words , but she dropped her work , saying to herself ,

" I do believe he is talking about the secret .

now I shall find out , and he will tell me himself , as I said he would . "

the slam of the front door woke Jack , and he pulled himself up , declaring that he believed he had been having a nap .

" Floor is too hard for tired bones .

guess I 'll go to bed and get rested up for Monday .

I am sorry to say that the time has come , and the offender is a boy whom I trusted entirely .

it grieves me to do this , but I must keep my promise , and hope the example will have a good effect . "

" he 's the chap .

won't he catch it ? " whispered Gus to Frank , for both owed him a grudge .

I 'm told you went to the shop on Friday .

is it true ? " asked Mr Acton very gently , for he liked Jack and seldom had to correct him in any way .

" to buy something ? "

" no , sir . "

" to meet someone ? "

" yes , sir . "

" was it Jerry Shannon ? "

" I am told it was ; also that you were seen to go into the saloon with him .

" yes , sir . "

" did you play ? "

" no , sir .

I can't . "

" drink beer ? "

" I was sure of that .

then what took you there , my boy ? "

the question was so kindly put that Jack forgot himself an instant , and blurted out ,

" I only went to pay him some money , sir . "

" ah , how much ? "

" two seventy-five , " muttered Jack , as red as a cherry at not being able to keep a secret better .

" too much for a lad like you to owe such a fellow as Jerry .

how came it ? "

and Mr Acton looked disturbed .

" does any one beside Jerry know of this ? "

" one other fellow , " after a pause .

" think it over till to-morrow , and perhaps you will change your mind .

" it isn't as bad as it looks , sir , but I can't say any more .

at tea-time both boys were very silent , one looking grim , the other excited .

Frank stared sternly at his brother across the table , and no amount of marmalade sweetened or softened that reproachful look .

Jack defiantly crunched his toast , with occasional slashes at the butter , as if he must vent the pent-up emotions which half distracted him .

but this one did not , and when both refused cake , this sure sign of unusual perturbation made her anxious to know the cause .

" he will .

make Jack own up , whether he can or not .

little donkey ! " stormed Frank , who hated rowdies and could not forgive his brother for being seen with one .

when he came , it was evident that he had found it harder to refuse his mother than all the rest .

but she trusted him in spite of appearances , and that was such a comfort !

it was well he had something to cheer him up at home , for he got little peace at school .

but the thing that tried him most was the knowledge that his report would not be what it usually was .

now here was a dreadful downfall , tardy marks , bad company , broken rules , and something too wrong to tell , apparently .

chapter XIV .

and Jill Finds It Out

" ed will be here Saturday night and may be he will find out , for Jack tells him everything .

" I let him alone , but I see that he isn't badgered too much .

that 's all I can do .

" no , he 's off for the summer .

got a place somewhere .

hope he 'll stay there and let Bob alone . "

" where is Bob now ?

" oh , he went to Captain Skinner 's the first of March , chores round , and goes to school up there .

so he 's all right , if he only behaves . "

" it 's four miles to Hill District , but the Captain lives this side of the school-house .

about three from here , I should say . "

" depends on how much of a walkist he is . "

" suppose he was lame and it was sloshy , and he made a call and came back .

how long would that take ? " asked Jill impatiently .

" well , in that case , I should say two or three hours .

" Jack couldn't do it in less , could he ? "

" he used to run up that hilly road for a breather , and think nothing of it .

" what are you laughing at ? "

" can't tell . "

" why do you want to know about Hill District ?

are you going there ? "

" wish I could !

I 'd soon have it out of him . "

" who ? "

" never mind .

please push up my table .

" go away till I 'm done .

" Robert Walker .

" dear Sir , I want to ask if Jack Minot came to see you last Friday afternoon .

he got into trouble being seen with Jerry Shannon .

he paid him some money .

Jack won't tell , and Mr Acton talked to him about it before all the school .

we feel bad , because we think Jack did not do wrong .

I don't know as you have anything to do with it , but I thought I 'd ask .

please answer quick .

respectfully yours ,

" Jane Pecq "

" there !

when his eye fell on the address , he laughed , and said in a teasing way ,

" are you and Bob such good friends that you correspond ?

what will Jack say ? "

" don't know , and don't care !

be good , now , and let's have a little secret as well as other folks .

I 'll tell you all about it when he answers , " said Jill in her most coaxing tone .

" suppose he doesn't ? "

" then I shall send you up to see him .

I must know something , and I want to do it myself , if I can . "

" look here ; what are you after ?

I really do believe it may be , and I 'm going to find out . "

" come here and I 'll tell you . "

holding him by one button , she whispered something in his ear that made him exclaim , with a look at the rug ,

" no ! did he ?

I declare I shouldn't wonder !

it would be just like the dear old blunder-head . "

" you are as bright as a button .

F.M . "

" Jack did come up Friday .

Sorry he got into a mess .

it was real kind of him , and I shall pay him back soon .

Jack paid Jerry for me and I made him promise not to tell .

Jerry said he 'd come here and make a row if I didn't cash up .

I was afraid I 'd lose the place if he did , for the Capt. is awful strict .

if Jack don't tell now , I will .

I ain't mean .

glad you wrote .

" R.O.W . "

" hurrah ! " cried Jill , waving the letter over her head in great triumph .

" my good , generous boy !

I knew he was right all the time ! " while Frank worked his hand up and down like a pump-handle , exclaiming heartily ,

" you 're a trump , sir , and I 'm proud of you ! "

Jill meantime calling out , in wild delight ,

" I told you so !

I told you so !

I did find out ; ha , ha , I did ! "

" come , I say !

what 's the matter ?

I 'm all right .

" hullo ! " said Jack , when he got the letter into his own hand and read it .

" now who put Bob up to this ?

" you did ; " and Jill 's face twinkled with naughty satisfaction , for this was the best fun of all .

" I didn't !

when ?

where ?

it 's a joke ! "

" you did , " cried Jill , pointing to the rug .

here Jill paused , all out of breath , and Frank said , with an approving pat on the head ,

" it won't do to have such a sharp young person round if we are going to have secrets .

you 'd make a good detective , miss . "

" now , please , don't make a fuss about it ; that would be most as bad as having every one down on me .

" I 'll be discreet , dear , but you owe it to yourself , as well as Bob , to have the truth known .

both have behaved well , and no harm will come to him , I am sure .

I 'll see to that myself , " said Mrs Minot , in a tone that set Jack 's mind at rest on that point .

" oh , it wasn't much .

" I never saw such a fellow for keeping a promise !

you stick to it through thick and thin , no matter how silly or hard it is .

I call that rather overdoing the matter ; " and Frank looked as if he thought moderation even in virtue a good thing .

" and I call it a fine sample of entire obedience .

he obeyed orders , and that is what we all must do , without always seeing why , or daring to use our own judgment .

" like Casabianca ! " cried Jill , much impressed , for obedience was her hardest trial .

" I think he was a fool to burn up , " said Frank , bound not to give in .

" I don't .

" you admire ' The Charge of the Light Brigade , ' and glow all over as you thunder it out .

yet they went gallantly to their death rather than disobey orders .

don't be laughed out of it , my son , for faithfulness in little things fits one for heroism when the great trials come .

one 's conscience can hardly be too tender when honor and honesty are concerned . "

" you are right , mother , and I am wrong .

I beg your pardon , Jack , and you sha'n't get ahead of me next time . "

" please tell on , Jack .

this is very nice , but I do want to know all about the other , " said Jill , after a short pause .

" let me see .

he wouldn't get any wages for some time .

the Captain keeps him short on purpose , I guess , and won't let him come down town except on Sundays .

he didn't want any one to know about it , for fear he 'd lose his place .

so I promised I wouldn't tell .

so he went home pretty jolly , and I scratched ' round for the money .

got it , too , and wasn't I glad ? "

Jack paused to rub his hands , and Frank said , with more than usual respect ,

" couldn't you get hold of Jerry in any other place , and out of school time ?

that did the mischief , thanks to Joe .

I thrashed him , Jill did I mention it ? "

" I couldn't get all my money till Friday morning , and I knew Jerry was off at night .

I looked for him before school , and at noon , but couldn't find him , so afternoon recess was my last chance .

he 's off , so my mind is easy , and Bob will be so grateful I can keep him steady , perhaps .

that will be worth two seventy-five , I think , " said Jack heartily .

" you should have come to me , " began Frank .

" to me , then , " said his mother .

" it would have saved so much trouble . "

I don't mind the fuss now , and Bob is as kind as he can be .

wanted to give me his big knife , but I wouldn't take it .

" that is what pulled me through , I suppose .

I used to think if I had done anything wrong , that I couldn't stand the snubbing a day .

I should have told right off , and had it over .

" that will make you happier than anything else , won't it ? " asked Jill , eager to have him rewarded after his trials .

" there 's one thing I like better , though I 'd be very sorry to lose my report .

chapter XV .

Saint Lucy

then he asked for the report which Jack had bravely received the day before and put away without showing to anybody .

" I overlook that as I should your breaking into my house if you saw it was on fire .

you ran to save a friend , and I wish I could tell those fellows why you were there .

it would do them good .

" I hope to have something in a day or two that will delight her very much .

" that will be jolly .

you are welcome to your secret , Mamma .

I 've had enough of them for one while ; " and Jack shrugged his broad shoulders as if a burden had been taken off .

in the evening Ed came , and Jack was quite satisfied when he saw how pleased his friend was at what he had done .

" I wished to be really useful ; not just to talk about it and do nothing .

I don't amount to much . "

" yes , you do ! and if any one says you don't I 'll shake him .

" I don't mean that ! " said Jack indignantly .

" I suppose that's it .

Sunday evening Mrs Minot sat by the fire , planning how she should tell some good news she had been saving up all day .

your mother showed me that , and I think it is very pretty .

I call it a ' fairy , ' but it is really where the seeds are hidden and the sweet smell comes from . "

" did you speak , ' m ? " she asked , smiling back again , without in the least knowing why .

" no , dear .

" tell it , Mamma .

" we don't have fairy tales on Sunday , you know , " began Jill regretfully .

Frank retired to the easy-chair , that he might sleep if the tale should prove too childish for him .

" once upon a time there was a queen who had two princes . "

" wasn't there a princess ? " asked Jack , interested at once .

" like Snowdrop 's mother , " whispered Jill .

the boys carried her home to the palace , and the queen was glad to have her .

she had fallen and hurt herself , so she lay in bed week after week , with her mother to take care of her "

" where was your Saint Lucy ?

" she is coming .

" this she used to sing a great deal after a while , never dreaming that Patience was an angel who could hear and obey .

but it was so ; and one night , when the girl had lulled herself to sleep with that song , the angel came .

nobody saw the lovely spirit with tender eyes , and a voice that was like balm .

" that was the miracle , and Patience can work far greater ones if you will let her . "

" and the girl 's name was Lucy ? "

" there is more . "

" then the story isn't done ? " cried Jack .

" oh dear , no ; the most interesting things are to come , if you can wait for them . "

" yes , I see , this is the moral part .

" the elder prince was very fond of driving dragons , for the people of that country used these fiery monsters as horses . "

" he went about fighting other people 's battles , helping the poor , and trying to do good .

as when he gave away his best coat to a beggar boy , instead of the old one which he intended to give . "

" I say , that isn't fair , mother !

" yes , you did , my dear ; and it was not an easy thing for my dandiprat to do .

now listen , and I 'll tell you how they both learned to be wiser .

" thank you , mother ; I 'll remember my part of the moral .

" now tell about the girl .

" that is the best of all , but it seems as if I never should get to it .

" I 'd like to see them saying anything else , " said Frank , while Jack sat up to demand fiercely ,

" who talks about taking Jill away ? "

" yes . "

" it 's too lovely to be true . "

" still more ? "

" the very best of all .

" that will be regularly splendid !

won't that be good ? " asked Mrs Minot , hoping her story had not been too interesting .

" I 'm not crying , " she said with a laugh which was fuller of blithe music than any song she sung .

" but it was so splendid , it sort of took my breath away for a minute .

now I see why the doctor made me stand up , and told me to get my baskets ready to go a-Maying .

" no , dear , not so soon as that .

it will be months , probably , before you can walk and run , as you used to ; but they will soon pass .

" I can wait .

" you have done quite as much for us ; so we are even .

" can I do all that ?

I didn't know I was of any use .

" no real trying is ever in vain .

it is like the spring rain , and flowers are sure to follow in good time .

" am I really the least bit like that good Lucinda ?

I tried to be , but I didn't think I was , " asked Jill softly .

" you are very like her in all ways but one .

she did not get well , and you will . "

chapter XVI .

up at Merry 's

" now fly round , child , and get your sweeping done up smart and early . "

" yes , mother . "

" I shall want you to help me about the baking , by and by . "

" yes , mother . "

" Roxy is cleaning the cellar-closets , so you 'll have to get the vegetables ready for dinner .

father wants a boiled dish , and I shall be so busy I can't see to it . "

" yes , mother . "

something made the old nursery hymn come into Merry 's head , and humming to herself ,

" in works of labor or of skill I would be busy too , "

so the great logs were kindled , and the flames went dancing up the chimney as if glad to be set free from their prison .

it changed the whole room like magic , and no one could resist the desire to enjoy its cheery comfort .

Tom brushed his hair and washed his hands nicely before he came to table .

Dick tried to lower his boisterous laughter , and Harry never smoked in the sitting-room .

Mrs Grant was flying about the kitchen , getting the loaves of brown and white bread ready for the big oven .

" you are a handy child and a credit to your bringing up , though I do say it .

those are as pretty pies as I 'd wish to eat , if they bake well , and there 's no reason why they shouldn't . "

" may I make some tarts or rabbits of these bits ?

" no , dear ; there 's no time for knick-knacks to-day .

the beets ought to be on this minute .

run and get ' em , and be sure you scrape the carrots well . "

" if you 've done all your own mending , there 's a heap of socks to be looked over .

then I 'll show you about darning the tablecloths .

as she braided up her hair , her eye fell upon the reflection of her own face in the glass .

" you needn't look so cross and ugly just because you can't have what you want .

" one more job , if you are not too tired for it .

" I have , and was just coming up to tell you , for I was sure you would be glad .

" I may go abroad in the autumn . "

" oh , how lovely ! "

" isn't it ?

David German is going to spend a year in Rome , to finish a statue , and wants me to go along .

" yes ; and I 've got to earn it .

but I can I know I can , for I 've saved some , and I shall work like ten beavers all summer .

" I wish I had it to give you .

it must be so splendid to feel that you can do great things if you only have the chance .

and to travel , and see all the lovely pictures and statues , and people and places in Italy .

" I am so happy that I 'm afraid it never will happen .

if I do go , I 'll write and tell you all about the fine sights , and how I get on .

" indeed I should !

" why , yes ; I 'd love to , only I shall not have anything interesting to say .

" write about yourself , and all the rest of the people I know .

Grandma will be gone , and I shall want to hear how you get on . "

" you bear your worries so well that nobody knows you have them .

I ought not to complain , and I won't , for I do have all I need .

I don't mind as long as Grandma is all right .

she is away to-night , or I should not be here , " he added , as if some excuse was necessary .

" being here , come in and spend the evening .

the boys will like to hear the news , and so will father .

do , now . "

Merry touched up the table , and put a little vase of flowers in the middle to redeem the vulgarity of doughnuts .

" I 'm afraid the time is coming , mother . "

" No danger as long as she don't know it , father . "

Ralph took up his hat to go , saying as he looked at the shade on the tall student lamp ,

" what a good light that gives !

I can see it as I go home every night , and it burns up here like a beacon .

I always look for it , and it hardly ever fails to be burning .

Sort of cheers up the way , you know , when I 'm tired or low in my mind . "

" then I 'm very glad I got it .

I liked the shape , but the boys laughed at it as they did at my bulrushes in a ginger-jar over there .

" isn't that lovely ?

I tried to draw it the shape was so graceful I wanted to keep it .

but I couldn't .

" I can keep it for you .

it would look well in plaster .

May I ? " asked Ralph .

" thank you , I should like that very much .

chapter XVII .

down at Molly 's

granny , Tobias , Mortification , and Molasses were the elders .

granny , a gray old puss , was the mother and grandmother of all the rest .

Molasses was a yellow cat , the mamma of four of the kits , the fifth being Granny 's latest darling .

the giddy kits paid no attention , as they did not know what house-cleaning meant , happy little dears !

" I can't imagine what put it into Miss Bat 's head .

I never said a word , and gave up groaning over the clutter , as I couldn't mend it .

" shut my eyes to it , you mean ?

" you sharp little thing !

I know my hair is not neat now , for I 've been chasing Boo round the garden to wash him for school .

then Miss Bat threw the parlor carpet out of the window , and I was so surprised I had to run and tell you .

now , what had we better do about it ? "

" very well , don't scramble , " said Molly , getting up to feed her pets .

she could not imagine what had started the old lady .

" you 've no idee how improved Molly is .

" being over to Mis Minot 's so much has been good for her , and up to Mis Grant 's .

girls catch neat ways as quick as they do untidy ones , and them wild little tykes often turn out smart women . "

" sister Dawes has done well by them children , and I hope Mr Bemis sees it .

he ought to give her something comfortable to live on when she can't do for him any longer .

he can well afford it . "

" I haven't a doubt he will .

he 's a lavish man when he starts to do a thing , but dreadful unobserving , else he 'd have seen to matters long ago .

them children was town-talk last fall , and I used to feel as if it was my bounden duty to speak to Miss Dawes .

but I never did , fearing I might speak too plain , and hurt her feelings . "

it is so pleasant to be praised after you 've been trying hard . "

as he could not see the patches himself , he fancied them invisible , and came home much afflicted by the jeers of his friends .

" sad loss to them , poor things !

but Miss Bat seems to have done well by them .

Molly is much improved , and the boy looks finely .

when she came back she sat down to her work , fancying her father still asleep .

her father was wide awake and looking at her , thinking , as he did so ,

" really the old lady has worked well to change my tomboy into that nice little girl : I wonder how she did it . "

" Shirts for Boo , sir .

" isn't that a new notion ?

" no , sir ; only yours .

I do mine and Boo 's .

" I 'd love to , and I guess I could .

" there 's something to start with ; " and he threw her a pair , with nearly every finger ripped .

" I was thinking about my summer clothes .

" I thought Miss Bat did that for you . "

" she always has , but she gets ugly , cheap things that I don't like .

I think I am old enough to choose myself , if there is someone to tell me about prices and the goodness of the stuff .

Merry does ; and she is only a few months older than I am . "

" how old are you , child ? " asked her father , feeling as if he had lost his reckoning .

" fifteen in August ; " and Molly looked very proud of the fact .

" so you are !

bless my heart , how the time goes !

well , get what you please ; if I 'm to have a young lady here , I 'd like to have her prettily dressed .

it won't offend Miss Bat , will it ? "

Molly 's eyes sparkled , but she gave a little shrug as she answered , " she won't care .

she never troubles herself about me if I let her alone .

" hey ? what ?

not trouble herself ?

if she doesn't , who does ? " and Mr Bemis sat up as if this discovery was more surprising than the other .

" I take care of myself and Boo , and she looks after you .

the house goes any way . "

" I should think so !

I nearly broke my neck over the parlor sofa in the hall to-night .

what is it there for ? "

Molly laughed .

I thought you might have told her to . "

" I 've said nothing .

don't like house-cleaning well enough to suggest it .

I did think the hall was rather dirty when I dropped my coat and took it up covered with lint .

is she going to upset the whole place ? " asked Mr Bemis , looking alarmed at the prospect .

" why don't you dust round a little , then ?

no time to spare from the books and play ? "

" I tried , father , but Miss Bat didn't like it , and it was too hard for me alone .

" it is high time someone took hold , if matters are left as you say .

now I find you are the one to be thanked , and it is a very pleasant surprise to me . "

" give her the present , please ; I 'm satisfied , if you like what I 've done .

it isn't much , and I didn't know as you would ever observe any difference .

" you certainly are , my dear .

I 'll wait till the house-cleaning is over , and then , if we are all alive , I 'll see about Miss Bat 's reward .

" oh , thank you , sir !

that will be splendid .

" seems to me you look very well as you are .

" this ?

why , father , I 've worn it all winter , and it 's frightfully ugly , and almost in rags .

" too bad !

Miss Bat always talks about economy , and has no more taste than a caterpillar . "

Molly meant to say " cat , " but remembering her pets , spared them the insult .

" I think I can afford to dress my girl as well as Grant does his .

get a new hat and coat , child , and any little notions you fancy .

" those are the keys to your mother 's things .

I always meant you to have them , when you were old enough to use or care for them .

I think you 'll fancy this better than any other present , for you are a good child , and very like her . "

he kissed her , then said , as he began to stir his papers about , " I must write some letters .

run off to bed , child .

good-night , my dear , good-night . "

chapter XVIII .

May Baskets

" good day , little sister , come out and play with us , for winter is over and spring is here . "

" I wish I could ! " thought Jill , as the soft wind kissed a tinge of color into her pale cheeks .

" they all go there to sleep and eat , and it has room for every one .

it is green when other trees die , the wind can't break it , and the snow only makes it look prettier .

it sings to me , and nods as if it knew I loved it . "

" for My Lady , of course .

" I fancied it would be for Master Jack , " said her mother , wishing the excursion to be a cheerful one .

" I 've another for him , but she must have the prettiest .

she will remember it , for I 've been turning and tending it ever so long , to make it bloom to-day .

" indeed it is ; and you are right to give your best to her .

come away now , you must not stand any longer .

" yes , thank Heaven !

" fair to middling .

" I did better .

" oh , boys , is that all ? "

" what shall we do ? "

" it isn't our fault : it is the late spring .

we can't make flowers , can we ? " asked Frank , in a tone of calm resignation .

" couldn't you buy some , then ? " said Molly , smoothing her crumpled morning-glories , with a sigh .

" who ever heard of a fellow having any money left the last day of the month ? " demanded Gus , severely .

" or girls either .

I spent all mine in ribbon and paper for my baskets , and now they are of no use .

it 's a shame ! " lamented Jill , while Merry began to thin out her full baskets to fill the empty ones .

" hold on ! " cried Frank , relenting .

" now , Jack , make their minds easy before they begin to weep and wail . "

" Left the box outside .

" tell away , " said Frank , modestly passing the story along to Gus , who made short work of it .

" we rampaged all over the country , and got only that small mess of greens .

knew you 'd be disgusted , and sat down to see what we could do .

then Jack piped up , and said he 'd show us a place where we could get a plenty .

' Come on , ' said we , and after leading us a nice tramp , he brought us out at Morse's greenhouse .

so we got a few on tick , as we had but four cents among us , and there you are .

Pretty clever of the little chap , wasn't it ? "

" don't believe it ! " cried Jill , hugging her own treasure jealously .

" it 's only another joke .

I won't look , " said Molly , still struggling to make her cambric roses bloom again .

" I know what it is !

oh , how sweet ! " added Merry , sniffing , as Ed set the box before her , saying pleasantly ,

" you shall see first , because you had faith . "

" here you are , plenty for all .

real Pilgrim Fathers , right from Plymouth .

" Ed always gets ahead of us in doing the right thing at the right time .

hope you 've got some first-class baskets ready for him , " said Gus , refreshing the Washingtonian nose with a pink blossom or two .

" now we must fly round and fill up .

come , boys , sort out the green and hand us the flowers as we want them .

" Ed must choose his baskets first .

Ed chose a blue one , and Merry filled it with the rosiest may-flowers , knowing that it was to hang on Mabel 's door-handle .

" let us have poetry , as we can't get wild flowers .

that will be rather fine , " proposed Jill , who liked jingles .

" oh , dear !

" cranium , " said Frank , who was getting on bravely with " Annette " and " violet . "

" that is elegant ! " and Molly scribbled away in great glee , for her poems were always funny ones .

" no , I shouldn't .

this person never laughs at other persons ' mistakes , as some persons do , " replied Jill , with dignity .

" now let's read them , " proposed Molly , who loved to laugh even at herself .

the boys politely declined , and scrambled their notes into the chosen baskets in great haste ; but the girls were less bashful .

Jill was invited to begin , and gave her little piece , with the pink hyacinth basket before her , to illustrate her poem .

" TO MY LADY

" there are no flowers in the fields , No green leaves on the tree , No columbines , no violets , No sweet anemone .

" that 's perfectly sweet !

" to one who teaches me The sweetness and the beauty Of doing faithfully And cheerfully my duty . "

" well , that 's no harm .

I 'll do it if you can spare some of these , we have so many .

it would please and surprise them so .

Will we ? " asked Ed , in that persuasive voice of his .

" that mercy you to others show That Mercy Grant to me . "

" how lovely ! and this one will never fade , but always be a pleasure hanging there .

chapter XIX .

good Templars

" hi there !

Bell 's rung !

Frank made a beginning on his own toilet , and then took a look at his brother , for the stillness was suspicious .

" I thought so !

" come , I say !

that 's not fair !

" I promised to wake you , and you believe in keeping promises , so I 'm doing my best to get you up . "

" Well , you needn't pour a quart of water down a fellow 's neck , and rub his nose off , need you ?

I 'm awake , so take your old sponge and go along , " growled Jack , with one eye open and a mighty gape .

" I shall have one good stretch , if I like .

who does not know the fatal charm of that stolen moment for once yield to it , and one is lost .

" hold on !

Yah , how cold the water is !

" I don't care .

what a jolly day ! " and Jack took a little promenade to finish the rousing process .

" you 'd better hurry up , or you won't get your chores done before breakfast .

" what on earth are you about ? "

" playing Rowell .

" you little noodle , you 'd better revolve into bed before you lose your head entirely .

I never saw such a fellow for taking himself off his legs . "

" done ! " answered Frank , and at it they went .

a clashing of boots followed , while Jack whistled " Polly Hopkins , " and Frank declaimed in his deepest voice ,

" Arma virumque cano , Trojae qui primus ab oris Italiam , fato profugus , Laviniaque venit litora . "

" hold hard , No . @number@ and don't forget your teeth , " answered Jack , who had done his .

" ready !

I 'll trouble you for a cent , sonny ; " and Frank held out his hand as he appeared equipped for the day .

" you haven't hung up your night-gown , nor aired the bed , nor opened the windows .

that 's part of the dressing ; mother said so .

" ready !

I 'll trouble you for a cent , old man ; " and Jack held out his hand , with a chuckle .

" I declare I don't see what he does with it !

he really ought not to ' gobble ' so , mother , " said Frank , who was eating with great deliberation and propriety .

" never you mind , old quiddle .

" that reminds me !

" never thought of it .

we must look up some bits at noon instead of playing .

dare say Jill has got some : she always saves all she finds for me . "

" I have one or two good items , and can do any copying there may be .

" yes , we ought , but somehow we don't seem to get up much steam about it lately .

nearly all the children belonged to it , and the parents also , and we had fine times here twenty-five or thirty years ago . "

" oh yes , it did , my dear ; for to this day many of those children are true to their pledge .

the town is better than it was in those days , and if we each do our part faithfully , it will improve yet more .

every boy and girl who joins is one gained , perhaps , and your example is the best temperance lecture you can give .

hold fast , and don't mind if it isn't ' jolly ' : it is right , and that should be enough for us . "

Jack 's face brightened as he listened , and Frank said , with the steady look which made his face manly ,

" it shall be .

Ed and I went up to see Bob , Sunday , and he said he 'd join the Lodge , if they 'd have him .

I 'm going to propose him to-night . "

" we 've got him now , for no one will object , and it is just the thing for him .

" we must not forget our ' Observer , ' but have a good one tonight in honor of the occasion .

there may be something here .

come home early at noon , and I 'll help you get your paper ready . "

" do you want your nose pulled ? " demanded Frank , who never would stand joking on that tender point from his brother .

but the pursuer ducked under her arm and gave chase with all speed .

no romping was allowed there , so a truce was made by locking little fingers , and both sat down to get their breath .

" I am to go on the piazza , for an hour , by and by , Doctor said .

" yes , indeed !

come on , Princess , " answered Jack , glad to see her so well and happy .

the boys made an arm-chair , and away she went , for a pleasant day downstairs .

many hands make light work , and nothing remained but a little copying , which Jill promised to do before night .

so the boys had time for a game of football after school in the afternoon , which they much enjoyed .

as they sat resting on the posts , Gus said ,

" can't do it , " answered Frank , sadly .

" that 's a pity !

I forgot it was Tuesday , and can't put it off , as I 've asked all the rest .

give up your old Lodge and come along , " said Gus , who had not joined yet .

" we might for once , perhaps , but I don't like to " began Jack , hesitating .

" I won't .

who 's to propose Bob if we don't ?

I want to go awfully ; but I wouldn't disappoint Bob for a good deal , now he is willing to come . "

" nor Ed , I forgot that .

no , we can't go .

we want to be Good Templars , and we mustn't shirk , " added Jack , following his brother .

" better come .

can't put it off .

lots of fun , " called Gus , disappointed at losing two of his favorite mates .

" tell the brothers and sisters that if I can serve them in any way while here , to command me .

I 'll be color-bearer , and you may drill us as much as you like .

" we 'll see about it .

chapter XX .

a Sweet Memory

" we are all going up to Bethlehem .

we take the seashore one year and the mountains the next .

" can't ; we are off to Pebbly Beach the second week in July .

our invalids need sea air .

" stop that , Captain !

I 'm all right ; " and Jack gave himself a sounding slap on the chest , where shone the white star of the H.B.B.C .

" never shall ; I don't want any of your old colleges .

I 'm going into business as soon as I can .

Ed says I may be his book-keeper , if I am ready when he starts for himself .

" much you know about it .

Just as well you don't mean to try , for it would take a mighty long pull and strong pull to get you in .

business would suit you better , and you and Ed would make a capital partnership .

Devlin , Minot , & Co sounds well , hey , Gus ? "

" very , but they are such good-natured chaps , they 'd never get rich .

by the way , Ed came home at noon to-day sick .

I met him , and he looked regularly knocked up , " answered Gus , in a sober tone .

I must go right round and see what the matter is ; " and Jack jumped up , with an anxious face .

" let him alone till to-morrow .

he won't want any one fussing over him now .

" go ahead and get ready , I 'll just cut round and ask at the door .

it will seem kind , and I must know how Ed is .

won't be long ; " and Jack was off at his best pace .

the others were waiting impatiently when he came back with slower steps and a more anxious face .

" how is the old fellow ? " called Frank from the boat , while Gus stood leaning on an oar in a nautical attitude .

" pretty sick .

had the doctor .

May have a fever .

" guess he 'll be all right in a day or two ; " and Gus pushed off , leaving all care behind .

" he 's worked too hard .

he 's so faithful he does more than his share , and gets tired out .

up or down ? " asked Jack , as they glided out into the river .

don't we always pull to the bridge ? "

" not when the girls are going down , " laughed Jack , who had recognized Juliet 's scarlet boating-suit as he glanced over his shoulder .

" oh , ah !

I see !

there is a blue jacket as well as a red one , so it 's all right .

" Lady Queen Anne , she sits in the sun , As white as a lily , as brown as a bun , "

sung Jack , recovering his spirits , and wishing Jill was there too .

" do you want a ducking ? " sternly demanded Gus , anxious to preserve discipline .

" shouldn't mind , its so warm . "

" Pity this boat won't hold four .

" I don't think it is safe to put four in there .

" wouldn't it be more ship-shape still if you put me ashore at Grif 's landing ?

I can take his boat , or wait till you come back .

don't care what I do , " said Jack , feeling himself sadly in the way .

Jack remembered that quiet half-hour long afterward , because what followed seemed to impress it on his memory .

Ed was almost as dear to him , and the thought that he was suffering destroyed Jack 's pleasure for a little while .

" what are you reading , Jacky ? "

the unusual caress , the very gentle tone , made Jack look up , and the minute he saw Frank 's face he knew the truth .

he could not do it , and presently turned his head a little to say , in a despairing tone ,

" I don't see what I shall do without him ! "

" I know it 's hard for you .

it is for all of us . "

" you 've got Gus , but now I haven't anybody .

" you 've got me .

I 'll be good to you ; cry if you want to , I don't mind . "

it is often said that there should be no death or grief in children 's stories .

the boys had brought fresh boughs to make the grave a green bed for their comrade 's last sleep .

Good and happy the two things we all long for and so few of us truly are .

" it was not what he did but what he was that made him so beloved .

so the tears soon dried , and the young faces looked up like flowers after rain .

" I 'm glad it was all so sweet and pleasant .

Jack sat down in the low chair beside her and leaned his head against the arm of the sofa , for he was tired .

presently he said , stopping before his mother , who leaned in the easy-chair looking up at the picture of her boys ' father ,

" I should like to have just such things said about me when I die . "

" so should I , if I deserved them as Ed did ! " cried Jack , earnestly .

" you may if you try .

I should be proud to hear them , and if they were true , they would comfort me more than anything else .

" I never thought much about it before , but now dying doesn't seem dreadful at all only solemn and beautiful .

somehow everybody seems to love everybody else more for it , and try to be kind and good and pious .

" that 's what Merry said when she and Molly came in on their way home .

but Molly felt dreadfully , and so did Mabel .

" I don't want anything to remember him by .

I was so fond of him , I couldn't forget if I tried .

that is what faith means , and without it we are miserable .

" he believed it , and that 's why he liked that hymn so much .

I 'm glad they sung it to-day , " said Frank , bringing his heavy dictionary to lay on the book where the flowers were pressing .

" oh , thank you !

could you play that tune for me ?

I didn't hear it , and I 'd love to , if you are willing , " asked Jill .

" I didn't think I ever should want to play again , but I do .

will you sing it for her , mother ?

I 'm afraid I shall break down if I try alone . "

Far more precious surely than the birds that fly Is a Father 's image to a Father 's eye .

cheer thine heart , then , mortal , never faithless be , He that marks the sparrows will remember thee . "

chapter XXI .

pebbly Beach

" never mind the clothes , we only want a boating-suit apiece .

" those are the necessaries and clothes the luxuries , are they ?

" wish I could .

dare say we shall want them .

here Frank came in with two big books , saying calmly , " just slip these in somewhere , we shall need them . "

" they are not dics , but my Encyclopedia .

we shall want to know heaps of things , and this tells about everything .

with those books , and a microscope and a telescope , you could travel round the world , and learn all you wanted to .

can't possibly get on without them , " said Frank , fondly patting his favorite work .

" my patience !

what queer cattle boys are ! " exclaimed Mrs Pecq , while they all laughed .

" then I 'll carry them myself ; " and Frank tucked one under each arm , with a determined air , which settled the matter .

" tadpoles don't live in salt water , my son , and if you mean conchology , you 'd better say so .

a very happy party set off the next day , leaving Mrs Pecq waving her apron on the steps .

he was absent now , and the visitors took possession of this fine play-place .

" oh , when can I go out ?

" I 'll be good , only do let me have my sailor-hat to wear , and my new suit .

" do come out , mother , it 's perfectly splendid on the beach !

I 've found a nice place for Jill to sit , and it 's only a step .

lots of capital fellows here ; one has a bicycle , and is going to teach us to ride .

no end of fun up at the hotel , and every one seems glad to see us .

they sit at our table , and Wally is the boy , younger than I am , but very pleasant .

bacon is the fellow in knickerbockers ; just wish you could see what stout legs he 's got !

Cox is the chap for me , though : we are going fishing to-morrow .

he 's got a sweet-looking mother , and a sister for you , Jill .

now , then , do come on , I 'll take the traps . "

a new world opened to her eyes as they came out upon the pebbly beach full of people enjoying their afternoon promenade .

while she sat enjoying herself , Jack showed his mother the place he had found , and a very nice one it was .

just under the green bank lay an old boat propped up with some big stones .

" isn't it a good cubby-house ?

Ben Cox and I fixed it for Jill , and she can have it for hers .

" there couldn't be a nicer place , and it is very kind of you to get it ready .

spread the shawls and settle Jill , then you needn't think of us any more , but go and scramble with Frank .

I see him over there with his spy-glass and some pleasant-looking boys , " said Mamma , bustling about in great spirits .

but the girls had capital times together , and it did Jill good to see another sort from those she knew at home .

in the morning they camped round the boat on the stones with books , gay work , and merry chatter , till bathing-time .

now that she was among the well and active , it seemed harder to be patient than when shut up and unable to stir .

it was a good lesson , and made her as meek as a lamb during the rest of her stay .

" don't try to walk or run about , my dear .

sit on the piazza if you get tired of this , and amuse yourself quietly till I come back .

" oh , don't forget the Gibraltars ! " cried Jill , popping her head out of the green roof .

" nor the bananas , please ! " added Gerty , looking round one end .

" nor the pink and blue ribbon to tie our shell-baskets , " called Mamie , nearly tumbling into the aquarium at the other end .

Mrs Minot laughed , and promised , and rumbled away , leaving Jill to an experience which she never forgot .

off they went , and Jill felt very lonely as the gay voices died away .

every one had gone somewhere , and only little Harry Hammond and his maid were on the beach .

" come for a sail , Jill ?

take you anywhere you like , " called Jack , touched by the lonely figure on the beach .

" I 'd love to go , if you will row .

Mamma made me promise not to go sailing without a man to take care of me .

would it spoil your fun to have me ? " answered Jill , eagerly .

" all the rest are gone to the Chasm .

" we 'll row you round there .

" what do you suppose they are about ?

never saw such a lot of folks at this time .

shouldn't wonder if something had happened .

May be something we ought to know about . "

so the boys pulled round into a quiet nook , and the two elder ones scrambled up the rocks , to disappear in the crowd .

five , ten , fifteen minutes passed , and they did not return .

Jack grew impatient , so did Jill , and bade him run up and bring them back .

" I can't come back !

there 's nothing to hold on to !

" keep cool !

give my love to Victoria !

Luff and bear away when you come to Halifax !

she turned her back to the sea and looked at the dear , safe land , which never had seemed so green and beautiful before .

Up on the hill rustled the wood through which the happy party were wandering to the Chasm .

on the rocks she still saw the crowd all busy with their own affairs , unconscious of her danger .

here and there artists were sketching in picturesque spots , and in one place an old gentleman sat fishing peacefully .

" perhaps I shall be wrecked on Norman 's Woe , and somebody will make poetry about me .

it would be pretty to read , but I don't want to die that way .

oh , why did I come !

why didn't I stay safe and comfortable in my own boat ? "

and there it was !

" hi ! hi !

oh , please do stop and get me !

I 'm lost , no oars , nobody to fix the sail !

" keep still !

chapter XXII .

a Happy Day

" oh dear !

only a week more , and then we must go back .

" yes , it will be dreadful to leave Gerty and Mamie and all the nice people .

but I 'm so much better I won't have to be shut up again , even if I don't go to school .

how I long to see Merry and Molly .

" I did want to ask Molly , but your mother is so good to me I couldn't find courage to do it .

Mammy told me not to ask for a thing , and I 'm sure I don't get a chance .

I feel just as if I was your truly born sister , Jack . "

" now , you sit in the cubby-house , and keep quiet till the boat comes in .

then the fun will begin , and you must be fresh and ready to enjoy it .

don't run off , now , I shall want to know where to find you by and by . "

" no more running off , thank you .

" why , how much she looks like Molly !

" Mrs Minot sent for us to spend a week .

" A week ?

how splendid !

Molly was charmed with the boat , and Jill very glad the box was done in season .

Molly could swim like a duck , and quite covered herself with glory by diving off the pier .

Jack undertook to teach Boo , who was a promising pupil , being so plump that he could not sink if he tried .

" now , Bacon ! "

" go it , Minot ! "

" hit him up , Cox ! "

" Jack 's ahead ! "

" no , he isn't ! "

" here they come ! "

Jack was soon rested , and , making light of his defeat , insisted on taking the girls to see the fun .

the shooting was good ; a handsome damsel got the prize of a dozen arrows , and every one clapped in the most enthusiastic manner .

" no dancing for me , but Molly must have a good time .

what a good time Molly did have that week !

other people were going to leave also , and therefore much picnicking , boating , and driving was crowded into the last days .

it was very pleasant , till poor Boo innocently added to the excitement by poisoning a few of his neighbors with a bad lobster .

but I fordot , and I don't fink I 'll ever find such a nice big one any more . "

" it 's lucky we are going home to-morrow , or that child would be the death of himself and everybody else .

" we 've dot him ! " called the innocents , tugging up their prize with such solemn satisfaction it was impossible to help laughing .

" I always wanted to tatch a whale , and this is a baby one , I fink .

ain't he pretty ? " asked Boo , displaying the immense mouth with fond pride , while his friend flapped the tail .

chapter XXIII .

Cattle Show

the children were not the only ones who had learned something at Pebbly Beach .

while the ladies worked or walked together , they naturally spoke oftenest and most earnestly about their children , and each contributed her experience .

" school begins to-morrow .

" don't you want to go ?

I long to , but don't believe I shall .

" I 've had such a jolly good time , that I hate to be shut up all day worse than ever .

don't you , Frank ? " asked Jack , with a vengeful slap at the arithmetic which was the torment of his life .

" well , I confess I don't hanker for school as much as I expected .

I 'd rather take a spin on the old bicycle .

our roads are so good , it is a great temptation to hire a machine , and astonish the natives .

that 's what comes of idleness .

" glad of it .

how much longer is it to be ? " asked Jack , hoping for a week at least .

" two or three years for some of you . "

" but , mother , what becomes of college ? " asked Frank , rather disturbed at this change of base .

" put it off for a year , and see if you are not better fitted for it then than now . "

" but I am already fitted : I 've worked like a tiger all this year , and I 'm sure I shall pass . "

" ready in one way , but not in another .

that hard work is no preparation for four years of still harder study .

I cannot have you break down , as so many boys do , or pull through at the cost of ill-health afterward .

eighteen is young enough to begin the steady grind , if you have a strong constitution to keep pace with the eager mind .

" other fellows go at my age , and I was rather pleased to be ready at sixteen , " he began .

but she added , quickly ,

" they go , but how do they come out ?

" I 'll do my best ; but I don't see what is to become of us if we don't go to school .

" so I say ! " cried Jack , pleased with the new idea , for he never did love books .

" I do hate to be driven so I don't half understand , because there is no time to have things explained .

" what is to become of me , please ? " asked Jill , meekly .

" you and Molly are to have lessons here .

" that will be splendid !

I am not a hard mistress , and I hope you will find my school a pleasant one . "

" that 's my good girl ! " and Mrs Minot stroked the curly black head as if it was her own little daughter 's .

you all have got a capital start during these six weeks , so it is a good time to begin my experiment .

if it does not work well , we will go back to school and college next spring . "

" and to ride horseback .

I am going to hire old Jane and get out the little phaeton , so we can all enjoy the fine weather while it lasts .

Molly and I can drive Jill , and you can take turns in the saddle when you are tired of ball and boating .

" won't that be gay ?

I 'll get down the saddle to-day , so we can begin right off .

Lem rides , and we can go together .

" you must see that she does , for you boys are to take care of her .

our estate is not a large one , and it will be excellent work for you , my men . "

" all right !

I 'll see to Jane .

I love horses , " said Jack , well pleased with the prospect .

" my horse won't need much care .

" you may put me in a hen-coop , and keep me there a year , if you like .

each school showed its best pupils , and the parents looked on at the blooming flower show .

" Ralph is going to send my bust .

he asked if he might , and mother said Yes .

" I could send my model ; it is nearly done .

" and I could send my star bedquilt !

" I haven't got anything .

can't sew rags together ; or make baby engines , and I have no live-stock yes , I have too !

there 's old Bun .

old Jane not only carried them all to ride , but gave Jack plenty of work keeping her premises in nice order .

" put him in the old refrigerator , he can't get out of that . "

it had been scrubbed up and painted red , cushions and plates put in , and two American flags adorned the roof .

expressing great admiration for this rare animal , Grif obtained leave to display the charms of Graciosa at the Fair .

when the morning of @date@ arrived , the town was all astir , and the Fair ground a lively scene .

our young folks were in a high state of excitement , as they rumbled away with their treasures in a hay-cart .

the Bunny-house might have been a cage of tigers , so rampant were the cats at this new move .

old Bun , in a small box , brooded over the insult of the refrigerator , and looked as fierce as a rabbit could .

it certainly was , and , to judge from the peals of merriment , the joke was a good one .

a train of boys followed him across the ground , lost in admiration of the animal and the cleverness of her rider .

among the stage properties of the Dramatic Club was the old ass 's head once used in some tableaux from " Midsummer Night 's Dream . "

the cats were admired , but , as they were not among the animals usually exhibited , there was no prize awarded .

Jack was sure his rabbit was the biggest there , and went eagerly to look for his premium .

Merry gladly told the story of her ambitious friend , and went to find him , that he might secure the order .

chapter XXIV .

down the River

Merry 's , though the simplest , was the daintiest of the three , being pale blue , trimmed with delicate edging , and beautifully made .

" I really believe I have got Henry 's six wives into my head right at last .

two Annes , three Katherines , and one Jane .

" ' King Henry the Eighth to six spouses was wedded , One died , one survived , two divorced , two beheaded , '

was all I knew about them before .

I like to make things pretty at home , and know that they all depend on me , and love me very much .

isn't that fun ? " laughed Molly , in high glee , at the agreeable change .

" I like it ever so much , but I don't want to stay so all my days .

" well , I should like to be famous in some way , and have people admire me very much .

Jill certainly did wear a white veil on the day she was twenty-five and called her husband Jack .

" these are the last of the pleasant days , and we ought to make the most of them .

" oh , yes !

go down the river once more and have supper on the Island .

" I 'm your man , if the other fellows agree .

we can't barrel these up for a while , so to-morrow will be a holiday for us .

" don't worry about those high ones , Jack .

" I 'm glad that job is done !

I 've rasped every knuckle I 've got and worn out the knees of my pants .

nice little crop though , isn't it ? "

" it will be nicer if this young man does not bite every apple he touches .

hi there !

" Gus will be at home to-morrow .

he always comes up early on Saturday , you know .

" I 'll ask the girls on my way home , and all meet at two o'clock for a good row while it 's warm .

" you bring coffee and the big pot and some buttered crackers .

next day eleven young people met at the appointed place , basket in hand .

Ralph could not come till later , for he was working now as he never worked before .

" nothing bad , or he wouldn't smile so .

" good news ! good news !

hurrah for Rome , next month ! "

" yes , I 'm really going in November .

" I call that a handsome thing to do ! " said Frank , warmly , for noble actions always pleased him .

" I 'm very glad , old fellow .

" shall you stay four years ? " asked Merry 's soft voice , while a wistful look came into her happy eyes .

" of course I shall write to some of you , but you mustn't expect any great things for years yet .

" yes : I 've been hard at it every spare minute I could get , and have a fortnight more .

" I do feel so proud to know a real artist , and have my bust done by him .

" Ed used to say that , and he had some splendid plans , but they didn't come to anything . "

" perhaps they did ; who can tell ?

" did you plant yours ? "

" yes , on the lawn , and I mean it shall come up if I can make it , " answered Frank , gravely .

" what do they mean ? " whispered Merry to Jill , who was leaning against her knee to rest .

guess it won't be lost time ; " and Frank nodded at Gus , who nodded back with the slightly superior expression all Freshmen wear .

" hope you won't find it so .

" I 'm sure I have everything to be grateful for .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Jack and Jill , by Louisa May Alcott

produced by David Reed

LITTLE MEN : LIFE AT PLUMFIELD WITH JO'S BOYS

by Louisa May Alcott

Contents

CHAPTER I NAT CHAPTER II .

THE BOYS CHAPTER III .

SUNDAY CHAPTER IV .

STEPPING-STONES CHAPTER V PATTY PANS CHAPTER VI .

a FIRE BRAND CHAPTER VII .

NAUGHTY NAN CHAPTER VIII .

PRANKS AND PLAYS CHAPTER IX .

DAISY'S BALL CHAPTER X HOME AGAIN CHAPTER XI .

UNCLE TEDDY CHAPTER XII .

HUCKLEBERRIES CHAPTER XIII .

GOLDILOCKS CHAPTER XIV .

DAMON AND PYTHIAS CHAPTER XV .

IN THE WILLOW CHAPTER XVI .

TAMING THE COLT CHAPTER XVII .

COMPOSITION DAY CHAPTER XVIII .

CROPS CHAPTER XIX .

JOHN BROOKE CHAPTER XX .

ROUND THE FIRE CHAPTER XXI .

THANKSGIVING

LITTLE MEN

LIFE AT PLUMFIELD WITH JO'S BOYS

CHAPTER I NAT

" yes .

who sent you ? "

" Mr Laurence .

I have got a letter for the lady . "

" all right ; go up to the house , and give it to her ; she 'll see to you , little chap . "

the man spoke pleasantly , and the boy went on , feeling much cheered by the words .

a rosy-faced servant-maid opened the door , and smiled as she took the letter which he silently offered .

she seemed used to receiving strange boys , for she pointed to a seat in the hall , and said , with a nod :

" sit there and drip on the mat a bit , while I take this in to missis . "

the house seemed swarming with boys , who were beguiling the rainy twilight with all sorts of amusements .

two large rooms on the right were evidently schoolrooms , for desks , maps , blackboards , and books were scattered about .

a tall youth was practising on the flute in one corner , quite undisturbed by the racket all about him .

a flavor of toast was in the air , also suggestions of baked apples , very tantalizing to one hungry little nose and stomach .

" hullo ! " returned Nat , not knowing what else to say , and thinking that form of reply both brief and easy .

" are you a new boy ? " asked the recumbent youth , without stirring .

" don't know yet . "

" what 's your name ? "

" Nat Blake . "

" Mine 's Tommy Bangs .

come up and have a go , will you ? " and Tommy got upon his legs like one suddenly remembering the duties of hospitality .

" I say , Demi , here 's a new one .

come and see to him ; " and the lively Thomas returned to his sport with unabated relish .

" have you seen Aunt Jo ? " he asked , as if that was some sort of important ceremony .

" I haven't seen anybody yet but you boys ; I 'm waiting , " answered Nat .

" did Uncle Laurie send you ? " proceeded Demi , politely , but gravely .

" Mr Laurence did . "

" he is Uncle Laurie ; and he always sends nice boys . "

Nat looked gratified at the remark , and smiled , in a way that made his thin face very pleasant .

she was very like Demi , only not so tall , and had a rounder , rosier face , and blue eyes .

" this is my sister , Daisy , " announced Demi , as if presenting a rare and precious creature .

the children nodded to one another ; and the little girl 's face dimpled with pleasure , as she said affably :

" I hope you 'll stay .

we have such good times here ; don't we , Demi ? "

" of course , we do : that 's what Aunt Jo has Plumfield for . "

" it seems a very nice place indeed , " observed Nat , feeling that he must respond to these amiable young persons .

" no , I think Greenland , where the icebergs and seals are , is more interesting .

" all right ; you are to stop . "

" I 'm glad ; now come to Aunt Jo . "

and Daisy took him by the hand with a pretty protecting air , which made Nat feel at home at once .

" here he is , aunty ! " cried Daisy .

" so this is my new boy ?

" I am Mother Bhaer , that gentleman is Father Bhaer , and these are the two little Bhaers .

come here , boys , and see Nat . "

" there is a place all ready for thee , my son ; sit down and dry thy wet feet at once . "

" Wet ?

so they are !

they are too big ; but that 's all the better ; you can't run away from us so fast as if they fitted . "

" I don't want to run away , ma'am . "

and Nat spread his grimy little hands before the comfortable blaze , with a long sigh of satisfaction .

" that 's good !

now I am going to toast you well , and try to get rid of that ugly cough .

" all winter .

I got cold , and it wouldn't get better , somehow . "

" hear my rogue Teddy try to cough .

the syrup I 'm going to give you has honey in it ; and he wants some . "

these first steps toward a cure were hardly completed when a great bell rang , and a loud tramping through the hall announced supper .

" this is our new boy , Nat Blake .

after supper you can say how do you do ?

gently , boys , gently . "

as she spoke every one stared at Nat , and then whisked into their seats , trying to be orderly and failing utterly .

" dear little souls , do let them have one day in which they can howl and racket and frolic to their hearts ' content .

" that 's Demi Brooke .

Mr Bhaer is his uncle . "

" what a queer name ! "

" his real name is John , but they call him Demi-John , because his father is John too .

that 's a joke , don't you see ? " said Tommy , kindly explaining .

Nat did not see , but politely smiled , and asked , with interest :

" isn't he a very nice boy ? "

" I bet you he is ; knows lots and reads like any thing . "

" who is the fat one next him ? "

" oh , that 's Stuffy Cole .

his name is George , but we call him Stuffy ' cause he eats so much .

Tommy nodded , and said , sooner than one would have imagined possible under the circumstances , " oh , don't he , though ?

and we dance sometimes , and do gymnastics to music .

I like a drum myself , and mean to learn as soon as ever I can . "

" I like a fiddle best ; I can play one too , " said Nat , getting confidential on this attractive subject .

" Can you ? " and Tommy stared over the rim of his mug with round eyes , full of interest .

" Mr Bhaer 's got an old fiddle , and he 'll let you play on it if you want to . "

" could I ?

oh , I would like it ever so much .

you see , I used to go round fiddling with my father , and another man , till he died . "

" wasn't that fun ? " cried Tommy , much impressed .

" no , it was horrid ; so cold in winter , and hot in summer .

and I got tired ; and they were cross sometimes ; and I didn't get enough to eat . "

Nicolo took it away when father died , and wouldn't have me any longer , ' cause I was sick . "

" you 'll belong to the band if you play good .

see if you don't . "

" do you have a band here ? "

Nat 's eyes sparkled .

" guess we do ; a jolly band , all boys ; and they have concerts and things .

you just see what happens to-morrow night . "

after this pleasantly exciting remark , Tommy returned to his supper , and Nat sank into a blissful reverie over his full plate .

in the letter which Mr Laurence had sent with Nat , he had said :

" DEAR JO : here is a case after your own heart .

this poor lad is an orphan now , sick and friendless .

he has been a street-musician ; and I found him in a cellar , mourning for his dead father , and his lost violin .

I think there is something in him , and have a fancy that between us we may give this little man a lift .

give him a trial , for the sake of your own boy ,

" TEDDY . "

" now , my lad , give us a little tune .

we want a violin in our band , and I think you will do it nicely . "

" I 've done my best ; please like it . "

" I say , you do that first rate , " cried Tommy , who considered Nat his protege .

" you shall be the first fiddle in my band , " added Franz , with an approving smile .

Mrs Bhaer whispered to her husband :

" Teddy is right : there 's something in the child . "

and Mr Bhaer nodded his head emphatically , as he clapped Nat on the shoulder , saying , heartily :

" you play well , my son .

come now and play something which we can sing . "

" you are all so kind and it 's so beautiful I can't help it , " sobbed Nat , coughing till he was breathless .

" my child , you have got a father and a mother now , and this is home .

you shall have as much music as you want , only you must get strong first .

now then , Rob , in with you . "

there were two tubs , besides foot-baths , basins , douche-pipes , and all manner of contrivances for cleanliness .

it was like a cosy dream ; and he often shut his eyes to see if it would not vanish when he opened them again .

no one seemed to mind this explosion in the least ; no one forbade it , or even looked surprised .

Nursey went on hanging up towels , and Mrs Bhaer laid out clean clothes , as calmly as if the most perfect order reigned .

Nay , she even chased one daring boy out of the room , and fired after him the pillow he had slyly thrown at her .

" won't they hurt ' em ? " asked Nat , who lay laughing with all his might .

" oh dear , no !

we always allow one pillow-fight Saturday night .

" what a very nice school this is ! " observed Nat , in a burst of admiration .

I forbade night-gown parties at first ; but , bless you , it was of no use .

I could no more keep those boys in their beds than so many jacks in the box .

I tried it , and it worked well .

so he lay enjoying the spectacle , which certainly was a lively one .

" time is up , boys .

into bed , every man jack , or pay the forfeit ! "

" lose their fun next time , " answered Mrs Bhaer .

" I give them five minutes to settle down , then put out the lights , and expect order .

they are honorable lads , and they keep their word . "

CHAPTER II .

THE BOYS

to begin with our old friends .

his room looked like the cabin of a man-of-war , for every thing was nautical , military , and shipshape .

he would dance nothing but sailors ' hornpipes , rolled in his gait , and was as nautical in conversation to his uncle would permit .

Demi was one of the children who show plainly the effect of intelligent love and care , for soul and body worked harmoniously together .

but John rejoiced over him , laughed at his explosive remarks , got the boots , and said contentedly ,

" he is doing well ; so let him clump .

I want my son to be a manly boy , and this temporary roughness won't hurt him .

we can polish him up by and by ; and as for learning , he will pick that up as pigeons do peas .

so don't hurry him . "

the love between them was as strong as ever ; and no one could laugh Demi out of his affectionate ways with Daisy .

Rob was an energetic morsel of a boy , who seemed to have discovered the secret of perpetual motion , for he never was still .

Dick Brown , and Adolphus or Dolly Pettingill , were two eight year-olds .

I 'd like one if they do . "

dick was always merry , and did his best to be like other boys , for a plucky spirit lived in the feeble little body .

playing menagerie once with the others , some one said ,

" what animal will you be , Dick ? "

" oh , I 'm the dromedary ; don't you see the hump on my back ? " was the laughing answer .

Jack Ford was a sharp , rather a sly lad , who was sent to this school , because it was cheap .

Ned Barker was like a thousand other boys of fourteen , all legs , blunder , and bluster .

Mrs Bhaer strengthened his health by every aid she could invent , and the boys all pitied and were kind to him .

Tommy Bangs was the scapegrace of the school , and the most trying scapegrace that ever lived .

but out of school , Ye gods and little fishes ! how Tommy did carouse !

he passed around snuff in church so that five of the boys sneezed with such violence they had to go out .

he dug paths in winter time , and then privately watered them so that people should tumble down .

Boys at other schools probably learned more from books , but less of that better wisdom which makes good men .

people shook their heads sometimes at his ideas , even while they owned that the boys improved wonderfully in manners and morals .

but then , as Mrs Jo said to Nat , " it was an odd school . "

CHAPTER III .

SUNDAY

they were hardly on when Tommy appeared in a high state of clean collar , and escorted Nat down to breakfast .

the sun was shining into the dining-room on the well-spread table , and the flock of hungry , hearty lads who gathered round it .

every one scattered to his or her task , for each had some little daily duty , and was expected to perform it faithfully .

some brought wood and water , brushed the steps , or ran errands for Mrs Bhaer .

others fed the pet animals , and did chores about the barn with Franz .

do you understand me ? " she asked , watching Nat 's attentive face .

" you mean to be good ? " he said , after hesitating a minute .

" yes ; to be good , and to love to be good .

it is hard work sometimes , I know very well ; but we all help one another , and so we get on .

" why , that 's my name ! " cried Nat , looking both surprised and interested .

" yes ; I have a page for each boy .

I keep a little account of how he gets on through the week , and Sunday night I show him the record .

Mrs Bhaer saw his eye on the words , and shook her head , saying , as she turned a leaf ,

" no , I don't show my records to any but the one to whom each belongs .

whether you will be pleased or ashamed to read it next Sunday depends on yourself .

" yes , I know many people think boys are a nuisance , but that is because they don't understand them .

" what is your menagerie ? " asked Nat , as they trotted along the drive that encircled the house .

" we all have pets , you see , and we keep ' em in the corn-barn , and call it the menagerie .

here you are .

isn't my guinea-pig a beauty ? " and Tommy proudly presented one of the ugliest specimens of that pleasing animal that Nat ever saw .

" I 'd like it ever so much , and I 'll give you this one , and they can live together if they don't fight .

those white mice are Rob 's , Franz gave ' em to him .

the rabbits are Ned 's , and the bantams outside are Stuffy 's .

that box thing is Demi 's turtle-tank , only he hasn't begun to get ' em yet .

last year he had sixty-two , whackers some of ' em .

he read about a turtle being found that had a mark on it that showed it must be hundreds of years old .

Demi 's such a funny chap . "

" what is in this box ? " asked Nat , stopping before a large deep one , half-full of earth .

" oh , that 's Jack Ford 's worm-shop .

it saves lots of trouble , only he charged too much for ' em .

why , last time we traded I had to pay two cents a dozen , and then got little ones .

Jack 's mean sometimes , and I told him I 'd dig for myself if he didn't lower his prices .

I 'd be ashamed to do it , " cried Tommy , with a glance of scorn at the worm-shop .

" the big dog is Emil 's .

his name is Christopher Columbus .

" the white pup is Rob 's , and the yellow one is Teddy 's .

a man was going to drown them in our pond , and Pa Bhaer wouldn't let him .

they do well enough for the little chaps , I don't think much of ' em myself .

their names are Castor and Pollux . "

" Mr Laurie sent him out to Mrs Bhaer , so she shouldn't carry Teddy on her back when we go to walk .

we 're all fond of Toby , and he 's a first-rate donkey , sir .

" everybody has got something but me .

" how do you get these things ? " he asked , when he joined Tommy in the barn .

" we find ' em or buy ' em , or folks give ' em to us .

my father sends me mine ; but as soon as I get egg money enough , I 'm going to buy a pair of ducks .

" look here , I 'll tell you what I 'll do .

if you will hunt eggs for me , I hate it , I 'll give you one egg out of every dozen .

" I 'll do it !

what a kind feller you are , Tommy ! " cried Nat , quite dazzled by this brilliant offer .

" pooh ! that is not anything .

you begin now and rummage the barn , and I 'll wait here for you .

" you may have one and I 'll have the other , that will just make up my last dozen , and to-morrow we 'll start fresh .

" T Bangs & Co . "

poor Nat found them so fascinating that he was with difficulty persuaded to go and deposit his first piece of portable property in Asia 's store-room .

" oh , it 's just beautiful ! " cried Nat .

" I do hope you 'll let me up sometimes .

I never saw such a nice place in all my life .

I 'd like to be a bird , and live here always . "

" it is pretty nice .

you can come if Demi don't mind , and I guess he won't , because he said last night that he liked you . "

Poor Nat 's flush of pleasure deepened to a painful scarlet at those last words , and he stammered out ,

" I can't read very well ; I never had any time ; I was always fiddling round , you know . "

" I can read music , anyway , " added Nat , rather ruffled at having to confess his ignorance .

" I can't ; " and Tommy spoke in a respectful tone , which emboldened Nat to say firmly ,

" I mean to study real hard and learn every thing I can , for I never had a chance before .

does Mr Bhaer give hard lessons ? "

" no ; he isn't a bit cross ; he sort of explains and gives you a boost over the hard places .

some folks don't ; my other master didn't .

" I think I could read this , " said Nat , who had been examining the books .

" read a bit , then ; I 'll help you , " resumed Tommy , with a patronizing air .

" these are our farms , " said Tommy .

" what are you going to raise this year ? "

" Wal , I cattleated to hev beans , as they are about the easiest crop a-goin ' . "

" come , you needn't laugh ; beans are ever so much easier than corn or potatoes .

" corn looks pretty growing , " said Nat , politely , to atone for his laugh .

" yes , but you have to hoe it over and over again .

now , six weeks ' beans only have to be done once or so , and they get ripe soon .

I 'm going to try ' em , for I spoke first .

" I wonder if I shall have a garden ? " said Nat , thinking that even corn-hoeing must be pleasant work .

when sick or in trouble they instinctively turned to Mrs Jo , while the little ones made her their mother-confessor on all occasions .

he had many under gardeners to help him .

but he was very patient , and for thousands and thousands of years he worked and waited for his great harvest . "

" hush , Demi , it 's a fairy story , " whispered Daisy .

" no , I think it 's an arrygory , " said Demi .

" what is a arrygory ? " called out Tommy , who was of an inquiring turn .

" I do know , Grandpa told me !

a fable is a arrygory ; it 's a story that means something .

so he gladly took the little plots and fell to work .

" flowers , " said Mr Bhaer , with a kind look .

" even the roughest , most neglected little bed had a bit of heart's-ease or a sprig of mignonette in it .

" I knew he meant us ! " cried Demi , clapping his hands .

" you are the man , and we are the little gardens ; aren't we , Uncle Fritz ? "

" you have guessed it .

" you can't sow corn and beans and peas in us .

" he don't mean that kind of seeds .

the others chose much the same things , and patience , good temper , and generosity seemed the favorite crops .

" I wish I loved my lessons as much as I do my dinner , but I can't . "

both are bad , and I want you to try something better .

" but we don't like cricket , " said Demi .

" perhaps not now , but you will when you know it .

this was taken them both on the right side , and they agreed to the bargain , to the great satisfaction of the rest .

there was a little more talk about the gardens , and then they all sang together .

the light of the shaded lamp that burned in the nursery shone softly on a picture hanging at the foot of Nat 's bed .

" that 's my picture , " said a little voice in the room .

" what is he doing to the children ? " asked Nat .

" that is Christ , the Good Man , and He is blessing the children .

don't you know about Him ? " said Demi , wondering .

" I know all about it , and I like it very much , because it is true , " said Demi .

" who told you ? "

" my Grandpa , he knows every thing , and tells the best stories in the world .

" how old are you now ? " asked Nat , respectfully .

" ' Most ten . "

" you know a lot of things , don't you ? "

Nat laughed , and then said soberly ,

" tell on , please . "

and Demi gladly told on without pause or punctuation .

" what makes Him bless the children ? " asked Nat , who found something very attractive in the chief figure of the group .

" because He loved them . "

" were they poor children ? " asked Nat , wistfully .

" yes , I think so ; you see some haven't got hardly any clothes on , and the mothers don't look like rich ladies .

he liked poor people , and was very good to them .

" was He rich ? "

" oh no !

" will the dear lady come and see a pretty sight ?

it 's Nat listening with all his heart to Demi telling the story of the Christ-child , like a little white angel as he is . "

" Demi is unconsciously helping the poor boy better than I can ; I will not spoil it by a single word . "

CHAPTER IV .

STEPPING-STONES

" don't work so hard , my boy ; you will tire yourself out , and there is time enough . "

" but I must work hard , or I can't catch up with the others .

" do I ? " and Nat looked utterly incredulous .

then , you can play the violin , and not one of the lads can , though they want to do it very much .

but , best of all , Nat , you really care to learn something , and that is half the battle .

then he said aloud , and so earnestly that Demi heard him :

" I do want to learn , and I will try .

the class stopped in the middle of @number@ times @number@ and everyone looked up to see what was going on .

another helpful thing happened in a most unexpected and agreeable manner .

" let him be a mechanic if he likes , " said Mr Bhaer .

" give a boy a trade , and he is independent .

so , when Nat came running to him one day to ask with an excited face :

" can I go and fiddle for some people who are to have a picnic in our woods ?

Mr Bhaer answered readily :

" go , and welcome .

it is an easy and a pleasant way to work , and I am glad it is offered you . "

he was in business truly , for picnics were plenty as summer opened , and Nat 's skill was in great demand .

he was always at liberty to go if lessons were not neglected , and if the picnickers were respectable young people .

the only punishment the boy ever needed for neglect of more important lessons was to hang up the fiddle and the bow for a day .

one fault of Nat 's gave the Bhaers much anxiety , although they saw how it had been strengthened by fear and ignorance .

I regret to say that Nat sometimes told lies .

I know it 's bad , but I forget , " and Nat looked much depressed by his sins .

" when I was a little lad I used to tell lies !

Ach ! what fibs they were , and my old grandmother cured me of it how , do you think ?

my parents had talked , and cried , and punished , but still did I forget as you .

after that I was more careful , and got on better , for I feared the big scissors .

Mr Bhaer smiled , but shook his head .

" I have a better way than that , I tried it once before and it worked well .

see now , when you tell a lie I will not punish you , but you shall punish me . "

" how ? " asked Nat , startled at the idea .

" strike you ?

oh , I couldn't ! " cried Nat .

" then mind that tripping tongue of thine .

I have no wish to be hurt , but I would gladly bear much pain to cure this fault . "

Mr Bhaer had just taken down the long rule that hung over his desk , so seldom used that it was covered with dust .

" my eye !

he 's going to come down heavy on Nat this time .

wish I hadn't told , " thought good-natured Tommy , for to be feruled was the deepest disgrace at this school .

" you remember what I told you last time ? " said Mr Bhaer , sorrowfully , not angrily .

" why don't he up and take it like a man ?

I would , " thought Tommy , though his heart beat fast at the sight .

" I shall keep my word , and you must remember to tell the truth .

obey me , Nat , take this and give me six good strokes . "

then he stopped and looked up half-blind with tears , but Mr Bhaer said steadily :

" go on , and strike harder . "

" isn't that enough ? " he asked in a breathless sort of tone .

" I will remember !

oh !

I will ! "

then Mr Bhaer put an arm about him , and said in a tone as compassionate as it had just now been firm :

" I think you will .

ask the dear God to help you , and try to spare us both another scene like this . "

" he made me do the same thing once , " said Emil , as if confessing a crime of the deepest dye .

" and you hit him ? dear old Father Bhaer ?

by thunder , I 'd just like to see you do it now ! " said Ned , collaring Emil in a fit of righteous wrath .

" it was ever so long ago .

" how could you ? " said Demi , appalled at the idea .

" I was hopping mad at the time , and thought I shouldn't mind a bit , rather like it perhaps .

no sir !

by and by the lads playing outside heard the violin , and said among themselves : " he 's all right now . "

" oh yes ! " and Daisy ran for her hat , proud to be chosen as a companion by one of the big boys .

no one said a word about the scene of the morning , but its effect was all the more lasting for that reason , perhaps .

CHAPTER V PATTYPANS

" what 's the matter , Daisy ? "

" the boys won't let me play with them . "

" why not ? "

" they say girls can't play football . "

" they can , for I 've done it ! " and Mrs Bhaer laughed at the remembrance of certain youthful frolics .

" on the whole , I think he is right , deary .

" I 'm tired of playing alone ! " and Daisy 's tone was very mournful .

" I 'll play with you by and by , but just now I must fly about and get things ready for a trip into town .

you shall go with me and see mamma , and if you like you can stay with her . "

" I should like to go and see her and Baby Josy , but I 'd rather come back , please .

Demi would miss me , and I love to be here , Aunty . "

" oh aunty !

please could I go and make gingersnaps and things ?

Daisy ran off , and while she worked , Aunt Jo racked her brain for a new play .

she was left at home to play with the new baby , and delight her mother 's eyes , while Aunt Jo went off shopping .

this last speech made the two ladies laugh heartily , and increased Daisy 's bewilderment .

as they drove away something rattled in the back of the carriage .

" what 's that ? " asked Daisy , pricking up her ears .

" the new play , " answered Mrs Jo , solemnly .

" what is it made of ? " cried Daisy .

" Iron , tin , wood , brass , sugar , salt , coal , and a hundred other things . "

" how strange !

what color is it ? "

" all sorts of colors . "

" is it large ? "

" part of it is , and a part isn't . "

" did I ever see one ? "

" ever so many , but never one so nice as this . "

" oh ! what can it be ?

I can't wait .

when shall I see it ? " and Daisy bounced up and down with impatience .

" To-morrow morning , after lessons . "

" is it for the boys , too ? "

" no , all for you and Bess .

the boys will like to see it , and want to play one part of it .

but you can do as you like about letting them . "

" I 'll let Demi , if he wants to . "

" let me feel just once , " prayed Daisy .

" not a feel ; you 'd guess in a minute and spoil the fun . "

Daisy groaned and then smiled all over her face , for through a little hole in the paper she caught a glimpse of something bright .

" how can I wait so long ?

couldn't I see it today ? "

" oh dear , no !

it has got to be arranged , and ever so many parts fixed in their places .

I promised Uncle Teddy that you shouldn't see it till it was all in apple-pie order . "

" yes ; Teddy went and bought it with me , and we had such fun in the shop choosing the different parts .

he would have everything fine and large , and my little plan got regularly splendid when he took hold .

" girls can't play with boys .

this is for Daisy , and Bess , and me , so we don't want you . "

" I don't see anything , " said Daisy , staring about her as she got inside the nursery door .

Daisy did hear an od d crackling , and then a purry little sound as of a kettle singing .

these noises came from behind a curtain drawn before a deep bay window .

daisy snatched it back , gave one joyful , " oh ! " and then stood gazing with delight at what do you think ?

" oh aunty , it 's a splendid new play !

can I really cook at the dear stove , and have parties and mess , and sweep , and make fires that truly burn ?

I like it so much !

what made you think of it ? "

" it 's the sweetest , dearest kitchen in the world , and I 'd rather study with it than do anything else .

" all in good time .

then we shall have things fit to eat , and you will be really learning how to cook on a small scale .

" that will be so lovely !

" First of all , put on this clean cap and apron .

I am rather old-fashioned , and I like my cook to be very tidy . "

Sally tucked her curly hair into the round cap , and put on the apron without a murmur , though usually she rebelled against bibs .

" now , you can put things in order , and wash up the new china .

the old set needs washing also , for my last girl was apt to leave it in a sad state after a party . "

aunt Jo spoke quite soberly , but Sally laughed , for she knew who the untidy girl was who had left the cups sticky .

" where is the market ? " asked Daisy , thinking that the new play got more and more interesting every minute .

" Asia is the market . "

" Mrs aunt Jo wants these things , and I must have them right away , " said Daisy , importantly .

" let's see , honey ; here 's two pounds of steak , potatoes , squash , apples , bread , and butter .

the meat ain't come yet ; when it does I 'll send it up .

the other things are all handy . "

" who is he ? " and Daisy hoped it would be Demi .

" put everything but the apple into the store-closet for the present , " said Mrs Jo , when the cook got home .

there was a cupboard under the middle shelf , and on opening the door fresh delights appeared .

one half was evidently the cellar , for wood , coal , and kindlings were piled there .

Daisy clasped her hands at this delicious spectacle , and wanted to skim it immediately .

but Aunt Jo said :

" am I going to have pie ? " cried Daisy , hardly believing that such bliss could be in store for her .

" oh , what next ? " asked Sally , all impatience to begin .

" shut the lower draught of the stove , so that the oven may heat .

then wash your hands and get out the flour , sugar , salt , butter , and cinnamon .

see if the pie-board is clean , and pare your apple ready to put in . "

Daisy got things together with as little noise and spilling as could be expected , from so young a cook .

always remember to put your dry things together first , and then the wet .

it mixes better so . "

" I know how ; I saw Asia do it .

don't I butter the pie plates too ?

she did , the first thing , " said Daisy , whisking the flour about at a great rate .

" quite right !

I do believe you have a gift for cooking , you take to it so cleverly , " said Aunt Jo , approvingly .

now put dabs of butter all over it , and roll it out again .

we won't have our pastry very rich , or the dolls will get dyspeptic . "

Daisy laughed at the idea , and scattered the dabs with a liberal hand .

then she rolled and rolled with her delightful little pin , and having got her paste ready proceeded to cover the plates with it .

next the apple was sliced in , sugar and cinnamon lavishly sprinkled over it , and then the top crust put on with breathless care .

" I always wanted to cut them round , and Asia never would let me .

Sally screamed , Mrs Jo laughed , Teddy scrambled to get it , and for a moment confusion reigned in the new kitchen .

" my new cook has a good temper , I see , and that is such a comfort , " said Mrs Jo .

" clear up your things ; a good cook never lets her utensils collect .

then pare your squash and potatoes . "

" there is only one potato , " giggled Sally .

" do I soak the squash too ? "

" no , indeed !

just pare it and cut it up , and put in into the steamer over the pot .

it is drier so , though it takes longer to cook . "

here a scratching at the door caused Sally to run and open it , when Kit appeared with a covered basket in his mouth .

being undeceived , he departed in great wrath and barked all the way downstairs , to ease his wounded feelings .

" we may like them if company should come .

his mother gave him her workbasket to rummage , hoping to keep him quiet till dinner was ready , and returned to her housekeeping .

" put on your vegetables , set the table , and then have some coals kindling ready for the steak . "

the potatoes were done first , and no wonder , for they had boiled frantically all the while .

" oh , my pies !

my darling pies !

they are all spoilt ! " cried poor Sally , wringing her dirty little hands as she surveyed the ruin of her work .

the " cunning pepper-pot " soothed Sally 's feelings , and she dished up her squash in fine style .

To-day , being the first time , I don't mind , but we must keep our rules .

" but if you give Demi goodies , all the others will expect some also , and then you will have your hands full . "

" couldn't I have Demi come up to tea alone just this one time ?

and after that I could cook things for the others if they were good , " proposed Daisy , with a sudden inspiration .

" that is a capital idea , Posy !

" that last hit was for me , sharp woman .

Daisy proudly showed her kitchen , and rashly promised Uncle Fritz as many flapjacks as he could eat .

a prouder little damsel was never seen than Sally as she displayed her treasures and told the lads what was in store for them .

several rather scoffed at the idea of her cooking anything fit to eat , but Stuffy 's heart was won at once .

Nat and Demi had firm faith in her skill , and the others said they would wait and see .

all admired the kitchen , however , and examined the stove with deep interest .

Daisy , whose faith in her stove was unlimited , promised everything , if Aunt Jo would tell her how to make them .

everyone was very kind to Daisy that afternoon .

Mrs Jo directed the affair as she came and went , being very busy putting up clean curtains all over the house .

" yes , I see , soda turns sour things sweet , and the fizzling up makes them light .

let's see you do it , Daisy . "

" fill that bowl nearly full of flour and add a little salt to it , " continued Mrs Jo .

" Fritz , you must not interrupt my cooking class , or I 'll come in and moralize when you are teaching Latin .

how would you like that ? " said Mrs Jo , throwing a great chintz curtain down on his head .

have your griddle hot , butter it well , and then fry away till I come back , " and Aunt Jo vanished also .

" then go and ask Asia for some , " answered Daisy , going into the bath-room to wash her hands .

while the nursery was empty something dreadful happened .

you see , Kit had been feeling hurt all day because he had carried meat safely and yet got none to pay him .

he was not a bad dog , but he had his little faults like the rest of us , and could not always resist temptation .

I am glad to say that they were very hot , and burned him so badly that he could not repress a surprised yelp .

Daisy heard it , ran in , saw the empty dish , also the end of a yellow tail disappearing under the bed .

Demi forgot philosophy , and stuffed like any carnal boy , while Daisy planned sumptuous banquets , and the dolls looked on smiling affably .

" well , dearies , have you had a good time ? " asked Mrs Jo , coming up with Teddy on her shoulder .

" A very good time .

I shall come again soon , " answered Demi , with emphasis .

" I 'm afraid you have eaten too much , by the look of that table . "

" well , on the whole , the new game is a success then ? "

" I like it , " said Demi , as if his approval was all that was necessary .

" it is the dearest play ever made ! " cried Daisy , hugging her little dish-tub as she proposed to wash up the cups .

" I just wish everybody had a sweet cooking stove like mine , " she added , regarding it with affection .

" this play out to have a name , " said Demi , gravely removing the syrup from his countenance with his tongue .

" it has . "

" oh , what ? " asked both children eagerly .

CHAPTER VI .

a FIRE BRAND

" please , ma'am , could I speak to you ?

it is something very important , " said Nat , popping his head in at the door of Mrs Bhaer 's room .

" what is it , my lad ? "

Nat came in , shut the door carefully behind him , and said in an eager , anxious tone ,

" Dan has come . "

" who is Dan ? "

" he 's a boy I used to know when I fiddled round the streets .

" but , my dear boy , that is rather a sudden way to pay a visit . "

" oh , it isn't a visit ; he wants to stay if you will let him ! " said Nat innocently .

" well , I don't know about that , " began Mrs Bhaer , rather startled by the coolness of the proposition .

" so I do , but I like to know something about them first .

I have to choose them , because there are so many .

I have not room for all .

I wish I had . "

" tell me about this Dan . "

" he could have my bed , and I could sleep in the barn .

it isn't cold now , and I don't mind , I used to sleep anywhere with father , " said Nat , eagerly .

something in his speech and face made Mrs Jo put her hand on his shoulder , and say in her kindest tone :

" bring in your friend , Nat ; I think we must find room for him without giving him your place . "

" a bad specimen , I am afraid . "

" this is Dan , " said Nat , presenting him as if sure of his welcome .

" Nat tells me you would like to come and stay with us , " began Mrs Jo , in a friendly tone .

" yes , " was the gruff reply .

" have you no friends to take care of you ? "

" no . "

" say , ' No , ma'am , ' " whispered Nat .

" shan't neither , " muttered Dan .

" how old are you ? "

" about fourteen . "

" you look older .

what can you do ? "

" ' Most anything . "

" if you stay here we shall want you to do as the others do , work and study as well as play .

are you willing to agree to that ? "

" don't mind trying . "

" well , you can stay a few days , and we will see how we get on together .

" come on , Nat , " he said , and slouched out again .

" are they big fellows ? " said Dan .

" no ; the big ones are gone fishing . "

" fire away , then , " said Dan .

Nat led him to the great barn and introduced him to his set , who were disporting themselves among the half-empty lofts .

with a nod to the company they seated themselves on a couple of boards , and the performance went on .

then Demi danced a jig with a gravity beautiful to behold .

Nat was called upon to wrestle with Stuffy , and speedily laid that stout youth upon the ground .

" Ho ! that ain't any thing ! "

" say that again , will you ? " and Tommy bristled up like an angry turkey-cock .

" do you want to fight ? " said Dan , promptly descending from the barrel and doubling up his fists in a business-like manner .

" no , I don't ; " and the candid Thomas retired a step , rather taken aback by the proposition .

" fighting isn't allowed ! " cried the others , much excited .

" you 're a nice lot , " sneered Dan .

" come , if you don't behave , you shan't stay , " said Nat , firing up at that insult to his friends .

" I 'd like to see him do better than I did , that 's all , " observed Tommy , with a swagger .

" do you think I could learn to do it without its hurting me very much ? "

Tom meekly asked , as he rubbed the elbows which still smarted after the last attempt .

" what will you give me if I 'll teach you ? " said Dan .

" my new jack-knife ; it 's got five blades , and only one is broken . "

" give it here , then . "

Tommy handed it over with an affectionate look at its smooth handle .

Dan examined it carefully , then putting it into his pocket , walked off , saying with a wink ,

" keep it up till you learn , that 's all . "

Mr Bhaer , when he heard the story and saw Dan , shook his head , but only said quietly ,

" the experiment may cost us something , but we will try it . "

if Dan felt any gratitude for his protection , he did not show it , and took without thanks all that was give him .

he played with all his might , and played well at almost all the games .

he was silent and gruff before grown people , and only now and then was thoroughly sociable among the lads .

but an unexpected and decidedly alarming event upset all their plans , and banished Dan from Plumfield .

Dan accepted at once , and the others looked on with intense interest .

" I can't allow this , boys !

stop it at once ; and never let me see it again .

I keep a school for boys , not for wild beasts .

look at each other and be ashamed of yourselves . "

who proposed this ? " asked Mr Bhaer .

" Dan , " answered several voices .

" don't you know that it is forbidden ? "

" yes , " growled Dan , sullenly .

" then why break the rule ? "

" they 'll all be molly-coddles , if they don't know how to fight . "

" have you found Emil a molly-coddle ?

he doesn't look much like one , " and Mr Bhaer brought the two face to face .

in spite of his wounds however , he still glared upon his foe , and evidently panted to renew the fight .

that was the bargain ; do your part and we will do ours . "

Emil went to bed sick , and Dan was an unpleasant spectacle for a week .

but the lawless lad had no thought of obeying , and soon transgressed again .

one Saturday afternoon as a party of the boys went out to play , Tommy said ,

" let's go down to the river , and cut a lot of new fish-poles . "

" take Toby to drag them back , and one of us can ride him down , " proposed Stuffy , who hated to walk .

" that means you , I suppose ; well , hurry up , lazy-bones , " said Dan .

" no , you mustn't , " began Demi , who was learning to distrust Dan 's propositions .

" why not , little fuss-button ? " demanded Dan .

" I don't think Uncle Fritz would like it . "

" did he ever say we must not have a bull-fight ? "

" no , I don't think he ever did , " admitted Demi .

" then hold your tongue .

drive on , Tom , and here 's a red rag to flap at the old thing .

Toby back with a bray of remonstrance , and Buttercup lowered her horns angrily .

all at once she wheeled short round , and charged full at her old friend Toby , whose conduct cut her to the heart .

such a running and racing and bawling and puffing as there was before she was caught !

they found poor Buttercup at last in a flower garden , where she had taken refuge , worn out with the long run .

" you 'll catch it this time , Dan , " said Tommy , as he led the wheezing donkey beside the maltreated cow .

" so will you , for you helped . "

" we all did , but Demi , " added Jack .

" he put it into our heads , " said Ned .

" I told you not to do it , " cried Demi , who was most broken-hearted at poor Buttercup 's state .

" old Bhaer will send me off , I guess .

don't care if he does , " muttered Dan , looking worried in spite of his words .

Buttercup was made comfortable in her stall , and the boys sent to their rooms till supper-time .

it vanished instantly , however , when the good man came in , and said in his accustomed grave way ,

Dan flushed up to his forehead at this unexpected reprieve , but he only said in his gruff way ,

" I didn't know there was any rule about bull-fighting . "

but you have disappointed us in that , and we are sorry , for we hoped to make you quite one of us .

shall we try again ? "

" yes , please . "

" I will . "

" now , go down to supper , and do your best , my boy , more for your own sake than for ours . "

Mr Bhaer was called from home on business one day , and the boys had no lessons .

they liked this , and played hard till bedtime , when most of them turned in and slept like dormice .

Dan , however , had a plan in his head , and when he and Nat were alone , he unfolded it .

I 'm going to ask him in ; no , you go , they won't mind you . "

" the folks won't like it , " began Nat .

" they won't know .

Daddy Bhaer is away , and Mrs Bhaer 's busy with Ted ; he 's got croup or something , and she can't leave him .

we shan't sit up late or make any noise , so where 's the harm ? "

" Asia will know if we burn the lamp long , she always does . "

this idea struck Nat as a fine one , and lent an air of romance to the thing .

he started off to tell Tommy , but put his head in again to say ,

" you want Demi , too , don't you ? "

" no , I don't ; the Deacon will rollup eyes and preach if you tell him .

he will be asleep , so just tip the wink to Tom and cut back again . "

" first we 'll all have a drink , then we 'll take a go at the ' weed , ' and then we 'll play .

that 's the way men do , and it 's jolly fun . "

" you mustn't ; it 's wicked to say ' Damn ! ' " cried Tommy , who had followed his leader so far .

" oh , hang ! don't you preach , but play away ; it 's part of the fun to swear . "

" I 'd rather say ' thunder turtles , ' " said Tommy , who had composed this interesting exclamation and was very proud of it .

" and I 'll say ' The Devil ; ' that sounds well , " added Nat , much impressed by Dan 's manly ways .

Dan scoffed at their " nonsense , " and swore stoutly as he tried to teach them the new game .

Nursey came in with Demi , who looked much amazed to see the red face of Tommy reposing peacefully upon his pillow .

" he wasn't there just now , because I woke up and could not find him anywhere , " said Demi , pouncing on him .

" I only ran into Nat 's room to see him about something .

go away , and let me alone ; I 'm awful sleepy . "

Nursey tucked Demi in , and went off to reconnoitre , but only found two boys slumbering peacefully in Dan 's room .

a flock of white goblins with scared faces crowded into the hall , and for a minute every one was panic-stricken .

when Mr Bhaer got home next morning he found a nice state of things .

but Dan put on his devil-may-care look , and would not own that there was much harm done .

he talked long and earnestly to the assembled boys , and ended by saying , with an air of mingled firmness and regret ,

Nat 's fright will do for him , for he is really sorry , and does try to obey me .

but you , Dan , have been many times forgiven , and yet it does no good .

" oh ! sir , where is he going ? " cried Nat .

" to a pleasant place up in the country , where I sometimes send boys when they don't do well here .

Mr Page is a kind man , and Dan will be happy there if he chooses to do his best . "

" will he ever come back ? " asked Demi .

" that will depend on himself ; I hope so . "

" I wonder if you 'll like it , " began Jack .

" shan't stay if I don't , " said Dan coolly .

" where will you go ? " asked Nat .

" may I say good-bye to Teddy ? "

" yes , dear ; go in and kiss him , he will miss his Danny very much . "

" can't we give the poor lad one more trial , Fritz ? " and Mr Bhaer answer in his steady way ,

a few days afterwards they received a letter from Mr Page , saying that Dan was doing well , whereat they all rejoiced .

" perhaps I ought to have given him another chance . "

but time went on and no Dan came .

CHAPTER VII .

NAUGHTY NAN

" Fritz , I 've got a new idea , " cried Mrs Bhaer , as she met her husband one day after school .

they pet and tyrannize over Daisy by turns , and she is getting spoilt .

then they must learn gentle ways , and improve their manners , and having girls about will do it better than any thing else . "

" you are right , as usual .

" Little Annie Harding . "

" what !

Naughty Nan , as the lads call her ? " cried Mr Bhaer , looking very much amused .

" yes , she is running wild at home since her mother died , and is too bright a child to be spoilt by servants .

he said he would gladly if he could find as good a school for girls as ours was for boys .

I know he would rejoice to have her come ; so suppose we drive over this afternoon and see about it . "

" oh dear , no , " said Mother Bhaer , briskly .

" I like it , and never was happier than since I had my wilderness of boys .

I know how to manage her , for I remember how my blessed mother managed me , and "

" at first , perhaps , but it will do Posy good .

she is getting prim and Bettyish , and needs stirring up a bit .

she always has a good time when Nan comes over to play , and the two will help each other without knowing it .

dear me , half the science of teaching is knowing how much children do for one another , and when to mix them . "

" I only hope she won't turn out another firebrand . "

" my poor Dan !

I never can quite forgive myself for letting him go , " sighed Mrs Bhaer .

" my Danny 's tummin ' soon . "

" then I may have Nan , may I ? " asked Mrs Jo .

" hi , Daisy ! where are you ? "

isn't it great fun ? "

" why , yes .

" yes , she 's somewhere round , " returned Nan , with most unmaternal carelessness .

" I made you a ring coming along , and pulled the hairs out of Dobbin 's tail .

" hullo !

Nan ! " cried the boys as she bounced in among them with the announcement ,

" I 'm going to stay . "

" we ain't playing now , and our side beat without you . "

" I can beat you in running , any way , " returned Nan , falling back on her strong point .

" can she ? " asked Nat of Jack .

" she runs very well for a girl , " answered Jack , who looked down upon Nan with condescending approval .

" will you try ? " said Nan , longing to display her powers .

" it 's too hot , " and Tommy languished against the wall as if quite exhausted .

" what 's the matter with Stuffy ? " asked Nan , whose quick eyes were roving from face to face .

" ball hurt his hand ; he howls at every thing , " answered Jack scornfully .

" I don't , I never cry , no matter how I 'm hurt ; it 's babyish , " said Nan , loftily .

" pooh !

I could make you cry in two minutes , " returned Stuffy , rousing up .

" see if you can . "

" good for you , " cried the boys , quick to acknowledge courage even in one of the weaker sex .

now go and bump your head real hard against the barn , and see if you don't howl then . "

" don't do it , " said Nat , who hated cruelty .

Dizzy , but undaunted , she staggered up , saying stoutly , though her face was drawn with pain ,

" that hurt , but I don't cry . "

" she told me to , " was all he could say , when Tommy let him alone .

" never mind if she did ; it is awfully mean to hurt a little girl , " said Demi , reproachfully .

" Ho !

I don't mind ; I ain't a little girl , I 'm older than you and Daisy ; so now , " cried Nan , ungratefully .

" put away the bats and things , and mind what you are about , my hearties .

no fighting allowed aboard this ship , " said Emil , who rather lorded it over the others .

" how do you do , Madge Wildfire ? " said Mr Bhaer , as Nan came in with the rest to supper .

" give the right hand , little daughter , and mind thy manners , " he added , as Nan offered him her left .

" the other hurts me . "

" this rather belongs to your side of the house , so I won't meddle with it , my dear . "

" do you know why I asked Nan to come here ? "

" to plague me , " muttered Stuffy , with his mouth full .

" to help make little gentlemen of you , and I think you have shown that some of you need it . "

" how can she , when she 's such a tomboy ? "

" that 's just it , she needs help as much as you , and I expect you set her an example of good manners . "

" is she going to be a little gentleman too ? " asked Rob .

" she 'd like it ; wouldn't you , Nan ? " added Tommy .

" I am sorry you hate my boys , because they can be well-mannered , and most agreeable when they choose .

she also appeared to have forgotten her hatred of boys , and played " I spy " with them till dark .

" when my battledore and shuttle-cock comes , I 'll let you all play with ' em . "

" she has run home , little gypsy ! " cried Mrs Bhaer , looking anxious .

" perhaps she has gone to the station to look after her luggage , " suggested Franz .

there was Miss Nan , to be sure , tugging along a very large band-box tied up in linen bag .

" I couldn't wait any longer , so I went and got it . "

" but you did not know the way , " said Tommy , while the rest stood round enjoying the joke .

" oh , I found it , I never get lost . "

" it 's a mile , how could you go so far ? "

" well , it was pretty far , but I rested a good deal . "

" wasn't that thing very heavy ? "

" it 's so round , I couldn't get hold of it good , and I thought my arms would break right off . "

" I don't see how the station-master let you have it , " said Tommy .

" I didn't say anything to him .

he was in the little ticket place , and didn't see me , so I just took it off the platform . "

" I told you we would send for it if it did not come .

another time you must wait , for you will get into trouble if you run away .

" well , I won't , only papa tells me not to put off doing things , so I don't . "

it was those good traits that soon made little " Giddygaddy , " as they called her , a favorite with every one .

she buried her big doll and forgot it for a week , and found it well mildewed when she dragged it up .

she harnessed the old turkey-cock to a straw wagon , and made him trot round the house at a tremendous pace .

she rode every animal on the place , from the big horse Andy to the cross pig , from whom she was rescued with difficulty .

CHAPTER VIII .

PRANKS AND PLAYS

Rob and Teddy sometimes joined in these ceremonies , and considered them excellent fun , although they did not understand half that went on .

one day after school Demi whispered to his sister , with an ominous wag of the head ,

" the Kitty-mouse wants us this afternoon . "

" what for ? " asked Daisy , anxiously .

" a sackerryfice , " answered Demi , solemnly .

" oh , dear !

" every one .

I shall burn my boat , my best scrapbook , and all my soldiers , " said Demi firmly .

" well , I will ; but it 's too bad of Kitty-mouse to want our very nicest things , " sighed Daisy .

" is Rob coming too , " asked Daisy .

we 'll have a grand bonfire , and see them blaze up , won't we ? "

at the appointed hour the sacrificial train set forth , each child bearing the treasures demanded by the insatiable Kitty-mouse .

" where are you going , my chickens ? " asked Mrs Jo , as the flock passed her door .

" to play by the big rock ; can't we ? "

" yes , only don't do near the pond , and take good care of baby . "

" I always do , " said Daisy , leading forth her charge with a capable air .

" now , you must all sit round , and not move till I tell you .

this flat stone is an altar , and I am going to make a fire on it . "

Demi then proceeded to kindle up a small blaze , as he had seen the boys do at picnics .

when the flame burned well , he ordered the company to march round it three times and then stand in a circle .

" I shall begin , and as fast as my things are burnt , you must bring yours . "

" you must , " commanded Demi ; and with a farewell kiss to each , Daisy laid her blooming dolls upon the coals .

of course she did not like it , and expressed her anguish and resentment in a way that terrified her infant destroyer .

being covered with kid , she did not blaze , but did what was worse , she squirmed .

this unexpected demonstration startled every one and frightened Teddy half out of his little wits .

he looked , then screamed and fled toward the house , roaring " Marmar " at the top of his voice .

" what have you been at ?

" I thought you were too sensible to play such a silly game as this .

if I had any Kitty-mouse I 'd have a good one who liked you to play in safe pleasant ways , and not destroy and frighten .

I shall have to write up in the nursery the verse that used to come in the boxes of toys ,

" the children of Holland take pleasure in making , What the children of Boston take pleasure in breaking . "

" only I shall put Plumfield instead of Boston . "

" we never will again , truly , truly ! " cried the repentant little sinners , much abashed at this reproof .

" Demi told us to , " said Rob .

" dear me , that is something like the bean story , " said Aunt Jo , laughing again .

" tell about it , " suggested Daisy , to change the subject .

I had no beans , so I took some little pebbles , and poked several into my nose .

at last the pain got so bad I had to tell , and when my mother could not get it out the doctor came .

then I was put in a chair and held tight , Rob , while he used his ugly little pincers till the stone hopped out .

Rob looked deeply impressed and I am glad to say took the warning to heart .

Demi proposed that they should bury poor Annabella , and in the interest of the funeral Teddy forgot his fright .

" Brops " was the name of a new and absorbing play , invented by Bangs .

the Brop is a winged quadruped , with a human face of a youthful and merry aspect .

on their heads they have a horn very like a stiff brown paper lamp-lighter .

they browse over the earth , but can sit up and eat like the squirrel .

their favorite nourishment is the seed-cake ; apples also are freely taken , and sometimes raw carrots are nibbled when food is scarce .

" we do things just as foolish , and not half so harmless .

if I could get as much happiness out of it as the little dears do , I 'd be a Brop myself . "

one listener he had who never tired , and to whom he was more than a mere schoolmate .

his account-book was a curiosity ; and his quickness at figures quite remarkable .

no desert island being convenient , he was forced to remain among his friends , and found consolation in building a boat-house .

the little girls indulged in the usual plays of their age , improving upon them somewhat as their lively fancies suggested .

Daisy was Mrs S S , and Nan by turns her daughter or a neighbor , Mrs Giddygaddy .

Fits and fires were the pet afflictions , with a general massacre now and then by way of change .

Nan was never tired of inventing fresh combinations , and Daisy followed her leader with blind admiration .

once he was shut into the closet for a dungeon , and forgotten by the girls , who ran off to some out-of-door game .

another time he was half drowned in the bath-tub , playing be a " cunning little whale . "

and , worst of all , he was cut down just in time after being hung up for a robber .

but the institution most patronized by all was the Club .

it had no other name , and it needed none , being the only one in the neighborhood .

the elder lads got it up , and the younger were occasionally admitted if they behaved well .

Tommy and Demi were honorary members , but were always obliged to retire unpleasantly early , owing to circumstances over which they had no control .

in summer the barn was the rendezvous , and what went on there no uninitiated mortal knows .

on sultry evenings the Club adjourned to the brook for aquatic exercises , and the members sat about in airy attire , frog-like and cool .

Franz was president , and maintained order admirably , considering the unruly nature of the members .

the ladies responded handsomely and hospitably to these overtures of peace , and both institutions flourished long and happily .

CHAPTER IX .

DAISY'S BALL

this elegant invitation would , I fear , have been declined , but for the hint given in the last line of the postscript .

" they have been cooking lots of goodies , I smelt ' em .

let's go , " said Tommy .

" we needn't stay after the feast , you know , " added Demi .

" I never went to a ball .

what do you have to do ? " asked Nat .

" oh , we just play be men , and sit round stiff and stupid like grown-up folks , and dance to please the girls .

then we eat up everything , and come away as soon as we can . "

" I think I could do that , " said Nat , after considering Tommy 's description for a minute .

" I 'll write and say we 'll come ; " and Demi despatched the following gentlemanly reply ,

" we will all come .

please have lots to eat .

J B Esquire . "

" then I shall send him right home , " said Daisy , with decision .

" people don't do so at parties , it isn't proper . "

" I shall never ask him any more . "

" that would do .

he 'd be sorry not to come to the dinner-ball , wouldn't he ? "

" I guess he would ! we 'll have the splendidest things ever seen , won't we ?

Daisy never could say vegetables properly , and had given up trying .

the mothers only get the tea and be proper , you know . "

" oh , don't ! " cried Mrs Smith , much distressed .

" I can't help it , you look so like fury , " gasped Mr Bangs , with most uncourteous candor .

" so do you , but I shouldn't be so rude as to say so .

he shan't come to the dinner-ball , shall he , Daisy ? " cried Nan , indignantly .

" I think we had better dance now .

did you bring your fiddle , sir ? " asked Mrs Smith , trying to preserve her polite composure .

" it is outside the door , " and Nat went to get it .

Nat struck up , and the ball opened with two couples , who went conscientiously through a somewhat varied dance .

the little maid passed round molasses and water in such small cups that one guest actually emptied nine .

" give us a song , mum , " said the obedient guest , secretly wondering where the piano was .

" gaily the troubadour Touched his guitar , As he was hastening Home from the war . "

Grateful for the praises bestowed upon her daughter , Mrs Smith graciously announced ,

" now we will have tea .

sit down carefully , and don't grab . "

" you hid them , Tommy ; I know you did ! " cried the outraged hostess , threatening her suspected guest with the milk-pot .

" I didn't ! "

" you did ! "

" it isn't proper to contradict , " said Nan , who was hastily eating up the jelly during the fray .

" give them back , Demi , " said Tommy .

" that 's a fib , you 've got them in your own pocket , " bawled Demi , roused by the false accusation .

" let's take ' em away from him .

it 's too bad to make Daisy cry , " suggested Nat , who found his first ball more exciting than he expected .

but their glory had departed , for the sugar was gone , and no one cared to eat them after the insult offered to them .

" I guess we had better go , " said Demi , suddenly , as Aunt Jo 's voice was heard on the stairs .

" P'r'aps we had , " and Nat hastily dropped a stray jumble that he had just picked up .

" we were only in fun , " began Demi .

" I don't like fun that makes other people unhappy .

I am disappointed in you , Demi , for I hoped you would never learn to tease Daisy .

such a kind little sister as she is to you . "

" boys always tease their sisters ; Tom says so , " muttered Demi .

" I am sorry , " said Nat , much ashamed .

" I ain't ! " bawled Tommy through the keyhole , where he was listening with all his might .

Mrs Jo wanted very much to laugh , but kept her countenance , and said impressively , as she pointed to the door ,

you don't deserve the pleasure , so I forbid it . "

it is my private opinion that he had received instructions how to behave if the case should be laid before him .

" please , Aunt Jo , would you and the girls come out to a surprise party we have made for you ?

Do it 's a very nice one . "

" we 'd like to have him .

the little wagon is all ready for the girls ; you won't mind walking just up to Pennyroyal Hill , will you Aunty ? "

" I should like it exceedingly ; but are you quite sure I shall not be in the way ? "

" now , young ladies , we must not keep them waiting ; on with the hats , and let us be off at once .

I 'm all impatience to know what the surprise is . "

Demi walked at the head of the procession , and Mrs Jo brought up the rear , escorted by Kit .

but Demi said , in his most impressive manner ,

she clapped her hands , and joined in the laugh , looking thoroughly tickled at the joke .

" now , boys , that is regularly splendid !

who did think of it ? " she asked , receiving the monster kite with as much pleasure as the little girls did theirs .

" uncle Fritz knows what I like .

" let us fly them , " said energetic Nan .

" I don't know how , " began Daisy .

" not since I last flew a kite , years ago , when I was a girl , " answered Mrs Jo .

" I 'd like to have known you when you were a girl , you must have been so jolly , " said Nat .

" I was a naughty little girl , I am sorry to say . "

" why don't I remember you then , Aunty ?

was I too young ? " asked Demi .

" rather , dear . "

" I suppose my memory hadn't come then .

so Uncle Teddy and I privately made our kites , and stole away to fly them .

" ' What shall I do ? '

I whispered to Teddy , as the voices drew nearer and nearer .

" ' I 'll show you , ' he said , and whipping out his knife he cut the strings .

away flew the kites , and when the people came up we were picking flowers as properly as you please .

they never suspected us , and we had a grand laugh over our narrow escape . "

" were the kites lost , Aunty ? " asked Daisy .

" must we go now ? "

" hasn't our party been a nice one ? " asked Tommy , complacently .

" Splendid ! " answered every one .

" do you know why ?

it is because your guests have behaved themselves , and tried to make everything go well .

you understand what I mean , don't you ? "

CHAPTER X HOME AGAIN

July had come , and haying begun ; the little gardens were doing finely and the long summer days were full of pleasant hours .

the house stood open from morning till night , and the lads lived out of doors , except at school time .

only one thing was needed to make them quite happy , and it came when they least expected it .

" no , lovey , he is not there , it was the pretty moon , " said his mother .

" no , no , Danny at a window ; Teddy saw him , " persisted baby , much excited .

" it might have been , " and Mrs Bhaer hurried to the window , hoping it would prove true .

no one answered , nothing appeared , and they went back much disappointed .

it was past ten when she rose to shut up the house .

she hurried round the hay-cock , and there lay Dan , fast asleep .

he seemed to have hidden himself behind the hay-cock , but in his sleep had thrown out the arm that had betrayed him .

" he must not lie here , " said Mrs Bhaer , and stooping over him she gently called his name .

" I thought you would , and I 'm so glad to see you , Dan . "

his face changed , and he said in his old rough way ,

" I was going off in the morning .

I only stopped to peek in , as I went by . "

" but why not come in , Dan ?

didn't you hear us call you ?

Teddy saw , and cried for you . "

" Mr Bhaer won't like it .

I ran away from Page . "

" he knows it , and was sorry , but it will make no difference .

are you lame ? " asked Mrs Jo , as he limped on again .

" getting over a wall a stone fell on my foot and smashed it .

I don't mind , " and he did his best to hide the pain each step cost him .

each mouthful seemed to put heart into him , and presently he began to talk as if anxious to have her know all about him .

" where have you been , Dan ? " she asked , beginning to get out some bandages .

" I ran off more'n a month ago .

Page was good enough , but too strict .

I didn't like it , so I cut away down the river with a man who was going in his boat .

that 's why they couldn't tell where I 'd gone .

" all the way ? "

" yes , the man didn't pay me , and I wouldn't ask for it .

" how did you live ?

it was a long , long tramp for a boy like you . "

" oh , I got on well enough , till I hurt my foot .

folks gave me things to eat , and I slept in barns and tramped by day .

I got lost trying to make a short cut , or I 'd have been here sooner . "

" but if you did not mean to come in and stay with us , what were you going to do ? "

I 'd have been gone in the morning , if you hadn't found me . "

" when did you do it ? "

" three days ago . "

" and you have walked on it in this state ? "

" Fritz , the boy has come back . "

" who ?

Dan ? "

I found him there just now fast asleep , and half dead with weariness and pain .

he ran away from Page a month ago , and has been making his way to us ever since .

" did he say so ? "

I hadn't the heart to scold him , and just took him in like a poor little black sheep come back to the fold .

I may keep him , Fritz ? "

" of course you may !

" come and see his foot .

I tell you , Fritz , that boy is a brave lad , and will make a fine man yet . "

" I hope so , for your sake , enthusiastic woman , your faith deserves success .

now , I will go and see your little Spartan .

where is he ? "

" In my room ; but , dear , you 'll be very kind to him , no matter how gruff he seems .

I am sure that is the way to conquer him .

he won't bear sternness nor much restraint , but a soft word and infinite patience will lead him as it used to lead me . "

" as if you ever like this little rascal ! " cried Mr Bhaer , laughing , yet half angry at the idea .

" I was in spirit , though I showed it in a different way .

" God bless the work , and help the worker ! "

but he looked up quickly , and tried to rise as Mr Bhaer said pleasantly ,

" so you like Plumfield better than Page 's farm .

well , let us see if we can get on more comfortably this time than we did before . "

" Thanky , sir , " said Dan , trying not to be gruff , and finding it easier than he expected .

" now , the foot !

Ach ! this is not well .

we must have Dr Firth to-morrow .

warm water , Jo , and old linen . "

Mr Bhaer bathed and bound up the wounded foot , while Mrs Jo prepared the only empty bed in the house .

" are you in pain , Dan ? "

" it 's pretty bad ; but I didn't mean to wake you . "

" I 'm a sort of owl , always flying about at night .

she understood it , accepted the unspoken confession , and did not spoil it by any token of surprise .

" you must keep this boy quiet , for a week at least , and not let him put his foot to the ground .

" it will get well sometime , won't it ? " he asked , looking alarmed at the word " crutches . "

" Nat and Demi ; I 'd like my hat too , there 's something in it I guess they 'd like to see .

I suppose you threw away my bundle of plunder ? " said Dan , looking rather anxious as he put the question .

" could I have something to put these fellers in ?

" of course you can ; Polly 's old cage will be just the thing .

to these admiring listeners Dan related his adventures much more fully than he had done to the Bhaers .

" where did you learn so much about these things ? "

" I always liked ' em , but didn't know much till Mr Hyde told me . "

hope I 'll see him again sometime . "

did you ever tickle a lizard with a straw ? " asked Dan , eagerly .

" no , but I should like to try it . "

" I think you were so fond of going with Mr Hyde , you rather neglected Mr Page , " said Mrs Jo , slyly .

" yes , I did ; I hated to have to weed and hoe when I might be tramping round with Mr Hyde .

Page thought such things silly , and called Mr Hyde crazy because he 'd lay hours watching a trout or a bird . "

" do you see that cabinet with twelve drawers in it ? " was the next very unexpected question .

he nodded and smiled .

Mrs Jo went on ,

now , I am going to make a bargain with you , Dan , and I hope you will keep it honorably .

" do you have ' em ? " asked Dan , looking as if this was new talk for him .

" yes , indeed !

I haven't learnt to get on without them yet .

do you understand that ? "

" yes , ma'am . "

shall we do this , Dan ? "

" now , let us begin at once by putting those nice beetles in a safe place .

these compartments will hold a good deal , you see .

I 'd pin the butterflies and bugs round the sides ; they will be quite safe there , and leave room for the heavy things below .

I 'll give you some cotton wool , and clean paper and pins , and you can get ready for the week 's work . "

" but I can't go out to find any new things , " said Dan , looking piteously at his foot .

" there are plenty of lessons you can learn lying there , and several little jobs of work you can do for me . "

" can I ? " and Dan looked both surprised and pleased .

" you can learn to be patient and cheerful in spite of pain and no play .

here Demi ran in with a great butterfly in one hand , and a very ugly little toad in the other .

Mrs Jo carried the cage in for Dan to see the sight , while Demi caught and confined the wanderers under an inverted wash-bowl .

" he ought to be , for a great deal has been done to make him so . "

" no , ma'am , " very low .

" do you try that way still ? "

" no , ma'am , " lower still .

" will you do it every night to please me ? "

" yes , ma'am , " very soberly .

Dan did not love to read , but soon got so interested that he was surprised when the boys came home .

" Pease Dod bess everybody , and hep me to be dood . "

then he went away smiling with sleepy sweetness over his mother 's shoulder .

" please God bless every one , and help me to be good . "

CHAPTER XI .

UNCLE TEDDY

" this foot is doing better than I expected .

give the lad the crutch this afternoon , and let him stump about the house a little . "

" hooray ! " shouted Nat , and raced away to tell the other boys the good news .

uncle Teddy ! "

Rob scampered down the avenue as fast as his short legs would carry him .

" how goes it , Teddy ? "

" all right , Jo . "

" I 'm so glad !

as she immediately demanded to see Daisy 's kitchen , she was borne off by Mrs Jo , with a train of small boys following .

" how is the foot ? "

" better , sir . "

" rather tired of the house , aren't you ? "

" guess I am ! " and Dan 's eyes roved away to the green hills and woods where he longed to be .

" suppose we take a little turn before the others come back ?

that big , easy carriage will be quite safe and comfortable , and a breath of fresh air will do you good .

get a cushion and a shawl , Demi , and let's carry Dan off . "

the boys thought it a capital joke , and Dan looked delighted , but asked , with an unexpected burst of virtue ,

" will Mrs Bhaer like it ? "

" oh , yes ; we settled all that a minute ago . "

" you didn't say any thing about it , so I don't see how you could , " said Demi , inquisitively .

" we have a way of sending messages to one another , without any words .

it is a great improvement on the telegraph . "

" right .

Demi climbed up to the box beside Peter , the black coachman .

" oh ! tell about the Indians , " cried Demi , who was fond of playing wigwam .

" Dan knows lots about them , " added Nat .

" more than I do , I dare say .

tell us something , " and Mr Laurie looked as interested as the other two .

" what is wampum for ? " asked curious Demi , from his perch .

there are not many women who would stand that sort of thing , are there , now ? "

" where can we put them , then ? " said Demi , crossing his legs and leaning down to argue the question .

" In the old carriage-house . "

" wait till Gibbs and I have touched it up a bit , and then see how you like it .

" no , we must be prudent , else we can't come again .

" you have endowed one already .

what do you call this ? " and Mrs Jo pointed to the happy-faced lads , who had camped upon the floor about him .

" I call it a very promising Bhaer-garden , and I 'm proud to be a member of it .

" I thought Franz was ! " answered Dan , wondering what the man meant .

" oh , dear no !

" how old she must be ! " said Nat , innocently .

" she began early , you see .

" if it hadn't been for you , there never would have been a Plumfield .

it was my success with you , sir , that gave me courage to try my pet plan .

" trot out and ask Asia for the gingerbread-box , Demi .

" there 's one for each , and a letter to tell which is whose .

Grandma and Hannah made them , and I tremble to think what would have happened to me if I had forgotten to leave them . "

then , amid much laughing and fun , the cakes were distributed .

Stuffy got a fat pig , and the little folks had birds , and cats , and rabbits , with black currant eyes .

" now I must go .

where is my Goldilocks ?

" nicely ; she is getting quite mannerly , and begins to see the error of her wild ways . "

" don't the boys encourage her in them ? "

" yes ; but I keep talking , and lately she has improved much .

you saw how prettily she shook hands with you , and how gentle she was with Bess .

Daisy 's example has its effect upon her , and I 'm quite sure that a few months will work wonders . "

" so , these are the model children , are they ?

" laugh away ; I 'll succeed yet .

" I 'm afraid Nan 's example is taking effect upon Daisy , instead of the other way .

look at my little princess ! she has utterly forgotten her dignity , and is screaming like the rest .

" we 're having a race , and I beat , " shouted Nan .

" I could have run faster , only I was afraid of spilling Bess , " screamed Daisy .

" my precious child ! come away from this ill-mannered crew before you are quite spoilt .

Good-by , Jo !

next time I come , I shall expect to find the boys making patchwork . "

" it wouldn't hurt them a bit .

I don't give in , mind you ; for my experiments always fail a few times before they succeed .

it certainly was a pleasant place , airy , clean , and bright .

on either side of the window were rows of shelves ready to receive the curiosities yet to be found .

Dan 's tall cabinet stood before the great door which was fastened up , while the small door was to be used .

the walls were decorated with all sorts of things .

every one was eager to give something , even Silas , who sent home for a stuffed wild-cat killed in his youth .

" isn't it beautiful ?

I'd no idea we had so many curious things .

I gave that ; don't it look well ?

we might make a lot by charging something for letting folks see it . "

Jack added that last suggestion to the general chatter that went on as the family viewed the room .

" hear ! hear ! " cried Mr Bhaer .

" speech ! speech ! " added Mrs Jo .

" can't , I 'm too bashful .

you give them a lecture yourself you are used to it , " Mr Laurie answered , retreating towards the window , meaning to escape .

but she held him fast , and said , laughing as she looked at the dozen pairs of dirty hands about her ,

" if I did lecture , it would on the chemical and cleansing properties of soap .

I used to like these things myself , and should enjoy hearing about them now , for I 've forgotten all I once knew .

it wasn't much , was it , Jo ?

we should all like that , and I think it would put considerable useful knowledge into our heads .

what do you say , Professor ? "

" I like it much , and will give the lads all the help I can .

" we should have a library for the special purpose . "

" oh , yes ! it tells all I want to know about insects .

I had it here to see how to fix the butterflies right .

I covered it , so it is not hurt ; " and Dan caught it up , fearing the lender might think him careless .

I 'll hunt up some more books , and Demi shall keep them in order .

where are those jolly little books we used to read , Jo ?

" In the garret at home .

" won't it be hard to write about such things ? " asked Nat , who hated compositions .

" at first , perhaps ; but you will soon like it .

the boys groaned at the mere sound of the long names , and the gentlemen laughed at the absurdity of the lesson .

" did she write it ? " asked Demi , in an awe-stricken tone .

" yes , but you can imagine what a piece of work she make of it , though she was rather a bright child . "

" I 'd like to have seen it , " said Mr Bhaer .

hearing of this fearful subject for a composition quite reconciled the boys to the thought of writing about familiar things .

Wednesday afternoon was appointed for the lectures , as they preferred to call them , for some chose to talk instead of write .

" I 'll be moderate , but do let me amuse myself .

I get desperately tired of business sometimes , and nothing freshens me up like a good frolic with your boys .

I like that Dan very much , Jo .

" I 'm so glad you think so .

Laurie took both her hands in his , and answered , with a look that made her eyes fill with happy tears ,

" dear Jo !

CHAPTER XII .

HUCKLEBERRIES

" you 've got Teddy .

" I won't tag , I 'll run and keep up .

O Mamma ! let me go !

I want to fill my new pail , and I 'll bring ' em all to you .

" but , my deary , you 'll get so tired and hot you won't have a good time .

wait till I go , and then we will stay all day , and pick as many berries as you want . "

" you never do go , you are so busy , and I 'm tired of waiting .

I 'd rather go and get the berries for you all myself .

I love to pick ' em , and I want to fill my new pail dreffly , " sobbed Rob .

" let him come ; I 'll take care of him . "

" it 's so far , " put in Jack .

" I 'd carry him if I was going wish I was , " said Dan , with a sigh .

" thank you , dear , but you must take care of your foot .

I wish I could go .

his rough , brown face brightened up , and he said , with a cheery " haw ! haw ! "

" Wal now , Mis ' Bhaer , if you go to bribin ' of me , I shall give in right away . "

" can I go ? " said Dan , delighted .

" I thought especially of you .

" me too ! me too ! " sung Rob , dancing with joy , and clapping his precious pail and cover like castanets .

" yes , and Daisy and Nan must take good care of you .

be at the bars at five o'clock , and Silas will come for you all . "

Robby cast himself upon his mother in a burst of gratitude , promising to bring her every berry he picked , and not eat one .

such a happy afternoon as they had , in spite of the mishaps which usually occur on such expeditions !

Ned fell out of a tree , and split his jacket down the back , but suffered no other fracture .

the berries were thick , and at last the pails were actually full .

it was shady and cool down there , and a little spring gave the thirsty children a refreshing drink out of its mossy cup .

" do you know the way ? " asked Rob .

" ' Course I do ; I 've been once , and I always remember .

didn't I go and get my box all right ? "

" no , I don't ; because if I hear them , I shall hide , and have fun making them find me . "

" P'raps they won't come . "

" don't care ; I can get home myself . "

" is it a great way ? " asked Rob , looking at his little stubby boots , scratched and wet with his long wandering .

" it 's six miles , I guess . "

Nan 's ideas of distance were vague , and her faith in her own powers great .

" I think we better go now , " suggested Rob , presently .

" I shan't till I have picked over my berries ; " and Nan began what seemed to Rob an endless task .

" well I am taking good care of you as hard as I can .

" my goodness me ! so it is .

" where was it ? " asked Nan , stopping short .

" over that way ; " he pointed with a dirty little finger in an entirely wrong direction .

" I 'm going just as fast as I can , dear .

don't cry , and when we come to the road , I 'll carry you . "

" where is the road ? " and Robby wiped his eyes to look for it .

" over by that big tree .

don't you know that 's the one Ned tumbled out of ? "

" so it is .

" are we lost ? " quavered Rob , clasping his pail in despair .

" not much .

I don't just see which way to go , and I guess we 'd better call . "

so they both shouted till they were hoarse , yet nothing answered but the frogs in full chorus .

" then we must stay here all night .

I don't care much , if snakes don't come . "

" I 'm frightened of snakes .

I can't stay all night .

oh , dear !

" Marmar will come and find me she always does ; I ain't afraid now . "

" she won't know where we are . "

" she didn't know I was shut up in the ice-house , but she found me .

" I wish we hadn't run away . "

" I 'm so hungry .

let's eat our berries , " proposed Nan , after a pause , during which Rob began to nod .

" so am I , but I can't eat mine , ' cause I told Marmar I 'd keep them all for her . "

" you 'll have to eat them if no one comes for us , " said Nan , who felt like contradicting every thing just then .

" I shall eat sassafras .

" yes ; and we can catch frogs , and cook them .

" how could we cook frogs ? we haven't got any fire . "

" I don't see why God made any night ; day is so much pleasanter , " said Nan , thoughtfully .

" it 's to sleep in , " answered Rob , with a yawn .

" then do go to sleep , " said Nan , pettishly .

" I want my own bed .

" it 's so dark she won't see us . "

" I see her !

I see her ! " he cried , and ran as fast as his tired legs would take him toward a dark figure slowly approaching .

suddenly he stopped , then turned about , and came stumbling back , screaming in a great panic ,

" no , it 's a bear , a big black one ! " and hid his face in Nan 's skirts .

" it 's a cow , Robby ! the nice , black cow we saw this afternoon . "

" each can have a sip , and then we must take a walk .

we shall go to sleep if we don't ; and lost people mustn't sleep .

don't you know how Hannah Lee in the pretty story slept under the snow and died ? "

" please don't .

the little girl sat for some fifteen minutes , staring about her with anxious eyes , and feeling as if each second was an hour .

then a pale light began to glimmer over the hill-top and she said to herself ,

" I guess the night is over and morning is coming .

I 'd like to see the sun rise , so I 'll watch , and when it comes up we can find our way right home . "

I want to go home ! "

the hay-cart came at five , and all but Jack , Emil , Nan , and Rob were at the bars ready for it .

" it 's shorter that way , and they will carry him , " said Stuffy , who was in a hurry for his supper .

" you are sure Nan and Rob went with them ? "

" very well , pile in then , " and away rattled the hay-cart with the tired children and the full pails .

" have they come ? " he called out when half-way up the avenue .

" no ! " and Mrs Jo flew out of her chair looking so alarmed that every one jumped up and gathered round Franz .

" I don't know .

they came home with the others , didn't they ? " he answered , quickly .

" no ; George and Tommy said they went with you . "

" well , they didn't .

haven't seen them .

we took a swim in the pond , and came by the wood , " said Jack , looking alarmed , as well he might .

" call Mr Bhaer , get the lanterns , and tell Silas I want him . "

that was all Mrs Jo said , but they knew what she meant , and flew to obey her orders .

" you here !

I told Jack to come , " she said , half-inclined to send him back , much as she needed help .

Rob !

Rob !

Nan ! " in every part of the field .

" what shall I say to Nan 's father if she comes to harm ?

why did I ever trust my darling so far away ?

" they may have gone down the spring I 'm going to look . "

she fell down on her knees to examine the tracks , and then sprung up , saying eagerly ,

" yes ; that is the mark of my Robby 's little boots !

come this way , they must have gone on . "

such a weary search !

it was the cover of the new tin pail , dropped in the first alarm of being lost .

Dan never forgot the little picture on which the light of his lantern shone that night .

then he remembered , and hugged her close , saying with a laugh of triumph ,

" I knew you 'd come !

O Marmar !

I did want you so ! "

" my poor little girl , don't cry !

" it was my fault ; but I am sorry .

how the wandering lights came dancing from all sides , and gathered round the little group among the sweet fern bushes !

they were set down to bread and milk , while the entire household stood round to gaze upon them .

Nan soon recovered her spirits , and recounted her perils with a relish now that they were all over .

Rob seemed absorbed in his food , but put down his spoon all of a sudden , and set up a doleful roar .

" my precious , why do you cry ? " asked his mother , who still hung over him .

" I 'm crying ' cause I was lost , " bawled Rob , trying to squeeze out a tear , and failing entirely .

" but you are found now .

Nan says you didn't cry out in the field , and I was glad you were such a brave boy . "

" I was so busy being frightened I didn't have any time then .

" it is ten o'clock ; into bed , every man of you , " said Mr Bhaer , looking at his watch .

" let's make an arm-chair , " proposed Tommy .

" no , thank you , my lads ; but somebody may lend me a shoulder to lean on , " answered Mrs Jo .

" he found the children ; so I think he must help me up . "

God bless you ! " as he left her at her door .

" you shall be my oldest son , " and she sealed her promise with a kiss that made Dan hers entirely .

her remorse was quite gone , and she evidently thought being lost rather a fine amusement .

" all children run away , " pleaded Nan , as if it was as natural and necessary a thing as measles or hooping cough .

" not all , and some who do run away don't get found again , " answered Mrs Jo .

Mrs Jo laughed , and owned that she did .

" tell about it , " demanded Nan , feeling that she was getting the upper hand in the discussion .

Mrs Jo saw that , and sobered down at once , saying , with a remorseful shake of the head ,

" how ? " and Nan sat up with a face full of interest .

it was in the city , and why I wasn't killed I don't know .

such a time as I had .

" how nice ! " cried Nan , looking all ready to go and do it herself .

" did your mother whip you ? " asked Nan , curiously .

" why did she beg your pardon ? my father don't . "

forgive me , dear , and let us try to help one another in a better way . '

I never forgot it , and it did me more good than a dozen rods . "

" what did your mother do to you when you ran away that time ? "

" I should think that would cure anybody , " cried Nan , who loved her liberty above all things .

this was not agreeable , and after sitting a moment she tried to untie the cord .

but it was fastened in the belt of her apron behind , so she began on the knot at the other end .

in a minute , Nan whisked back , tied herself up , and began to sew violently .

" Nan took me , " began Rob , willing to enjoy the novel penalty , but not willing to take the blame .

" you needn't have gone .

you have got a conscience , though you are a little boy , and you must learn to mind it . "

" did you stop to see if it did ? "

" no . "

" then you cannot tell . "

" we must sharpen it up .

it 's bad to have a dull conscience ; so you may stay here till dinner-time , and talk about it with Nan .

I trust you both not to untie yourselves till I say the word . "

" no , we won't , " said both , feeling a certain sense of virtue in helping to punish themselves .

for an hour they were very good , then they grew tired of one room , and longed to get out .

" we shall see , " answered his mother , setting him free .

he took a good run down the hall , back through the dining-room , and brought up beside Nan , quite beaming with virtuous satisfaction .

" I 'll bring her dinner to her , may I ? " he asked , pitying his fellow-captive .

" that 's my kind little son !

Nan ate alone , and spent a long afternoon attached to the sofa .

Daisy had a picnic for the dolls on the lawn , so that Nan might see the fun if she could not join in it .

but nothing atoned for the loss of freedom ; and a few hours of confinement taught Nan how precious it was .

now she had lost her chance , and Daisy wouldn't do it half so well .

" do you think my mother 's cure for running away a good one ? "

" yes , ma'am , " answered Nan , quite subdued by her quiet day .

" I hope I shall not have to try it again . "

here Rob appeared , bearing with infinite care what Asia called a " sarcer pie , " meaning one baked in a saucer .

" what makes you , when I 'm so naughty ? " asked Nan , meekly .

" because we got lost together .

you ain't going to be naughty again , are you ? "

" never , " said Nan , with great decision .

Nan started to follow , then stopped , and said ,

" I forgot , I can't go . "

" try and see , " said Mrs Bhaer , who had quietly untied the cord sash while she had been talking .

CHAPTER XIII .

GOLDILOCKS

her natural refinement made her dainty in all things , and had a good effect upon the careless lads about her .

they begged to be allowed to draw her carriage , bear her berry-basket , or pass her plate at table .

Warm-hearted Nan felt this very much .

she said at first , " pooh !

I don't care ! "

in that general refuge for perturbed spirits she found comfort and good counsel from some source or other .

perhaps the swallows from their mud-built nests overhead twittered her a little lecture on the beauty of gentleness .

armed with this peace-offering , she approached the little Princess , and humbly presented it .

after this they played pleasantly together , and Nan enjoyed the royal favor for days .

dick and Dolly overwhelmed her with willow whistles , the only thing they knew how to make , and she accepted but never used them .

Rob served her like a little lover , and Teddy followed her like a pet dog .

Jack she did not like , because he was afflicted with warts and had a harsh voice .

Ned was banished from court in utter disgrace when he was discovered tormenting some unhappy field-mice .

" no , I tarn't love him ; he tut the poor mouses ' little tails off , and they queeked ! "

Franz was prime minister , and directed her affairs of state , planned royal progresses through the kingdom , and kept foreign powers in order .

Demi was her philosopher , and fared much better than such gentlemen usually do among crowned heads .

" they teach us quite as much as we teach them , " said Mr Bhaer .

" I think you were right about the good effect of having girls among the boys .

Nan has stirred up Daisy , and Bess is teaching the little bears how to behave better than we can .

no fear that they will be too elegant : American boys like liberty too well .

I took the hint , and shall give her some little shirts and aprons for Mrs Carney 's children .

" but needlework is not a fashionable accomplishment , my dear . "

" sorry for it .

" won't she eat it ?

I shouldn't like to make her sick , " said Stuffy , eyeing the delicate sweetmeat lovingly , yet putting it into the box .

" oh , no , she won't touch it , if I tell her it is to look at , not to eat .

she will keep it for weeks , and never think of tasting it .

can you do as much ? "

" I should hope so !

I 'm ever so much older than she is , " cried Stuffy , indignantly .

" well , suppose we try .

here , put your bonbons in this bag , and see how long you can keep them .

let me count two hearts , four red fishes , three barley-sugar horses , nine almonds , and a dozen chocolate drops .

do you agree to that ? " asked sly Mrs Jo , popping the sweeties into her little spool-bag .

the farewell scene was moving , for the Princess sat upon the hall-table , surrounded by her subjects .

" come again soon , little dear , " whispered Dan , fastening his best green-and-gold beetle in her hat .

" don't forget me , Princess , whatever you do , " said the engaging Tommy , taking a last stroke of the pretty hair .

" do shake hands now , " cried Jack , offering a smooth paw .

" my little precious !

I shall work you a book-mark right away , and you must keep it always , " said Nan , with a warm embrace .

" don't cry , poor Billy !

I will tiss you and tum adain soon . "

this promise consoled Billy , and he fell back beaming with pride at the unusual honor conferred upon him .

" me too ! me too ! " clamored Dick and Dolly , feeling that their devotion deserved some return .

" I will tiss evvybody ! "

CHAPTER XIV .

DAMON AND PYTHIAS

" P'raps I 'll lend you some .

I haven't decided yet what I 'll do with mine , " said Tommy , tossing up his quarters and catching them as they fell .

next morning , just as the boys assembled for school , Tommy rushed into the room breathlessly , demanding ,

" I say , who has got my dollar ? "

" what are you talking about ? " asked Franz .

Tommy explained , and Nat corroborated his statement .

" by thunder turtles ! if I get hold of the thief , I 'll give him what he won't forget in a hurry . "

" May be some tramp slept in the barn and took it , " suggested Ned .

" wasn't it Silas himself ? " said Jack .

" well , I like that !

old Si is as honest as daylight .

you wouldn't catch him touching a penny of ours , " said Tommy , handsomely defending his chief admirer from suspicion .

" I know you think it 's me , " broke out Nat , red and excited .

" you are the only one who knew where it was , " said Franz .

" I can't help it I didn't take it .

I tell you I didn't I didn't ! " cried Nat , in a desperate sort of way .

" gently , gently , my son !

what is all this noise about ? " and Mr Bhaer walked in among them .

" now , boys , I shall ask each one of you a single question , and I want an honest answer .

now is the time to undo the wrong done to Tommy , and set yourselves right before us all .

I can forgive the yielding to sudden temptation much easier than I can deceit .

when he came to Nat , his voice softened , for the poor lad looked so wretched , Mr Bhaer felt for him .

" now , my son , give me an honest answer .

did you take the money ? "

" no , sir ! " and Nat looked up at him imploringly .

as the words fell from his trembling lips , somebody hissed .

Ned , Jack , and Emil sat there , and the first two looked ashamed of themselves , but Emil called out ,

" it wasn't me , uncle !

I 'd be ashamed to hit a fellow when he is down . "

" good for you ! " cried Tommy , who was in a sad state of affliction at the trouble his unlucky dollar had made .

" Silence ! " commanded Mr Bhaer ; and when it came , he said soberly ,

I shall leave it for you to settle with your own conscience .

" I didn't !

" I hope not . "

Mr Bhaer paused a minute , as if to give the culprit , whoever he might be , one more chance .

nobody spoke , however , and only sniffs of sympathy from some of the little fellows broke the silence .

Mr Bhaer shook his head , and added , regretfully ,

now go to your lessons . "

" father Bhaer let Nat off too easy , " muttered Ned to Emil , as they got out their books .

" hold your tongue , " growled Emil , who felt that this event was a blot upon the family honor .

only one person in the house entirely believed in him , and stood up for him stoutly against all the rest .

this was Daisy .

Nat often said , after it was over , that he couldn't have stood it , if it had not been for Daisy .

when the others shunned him , she clung to him closer than ever , and turned her back on the rest .

she proposed impossible games of cricket and ball , when she found that he shrank from joining the other boys .

his idea of friendship was as high as Daisy 's , and , in his own rough way , he lived up to it as loyally .

this doubt had teased Ned past bearing , and he had several times privately beset Nat with questions , regardless of Mr Bhaer 's express command .

finding Nat reading alone on the shady side of the wall , Ned could not resist stopping for a nibble at the forbidden subject .

" don't , Ned ! oh , don't !

you wouldn't dare to if Dan was round . "

" I ain't afraid of Dan ; he 's nothing but an old bully .

don't believe but what he took Tom 's money , and you know it , and won't tell .

come , now ! "

" I know Dan did it , and gave the money to you .

he succeeded in a part of his ungenerous wish , for Nat cried out , fiercely ,

" if you say that again I 'll go and tell Mr Bhaer all about it .

I don't want to tell tales , but , by George !

I will , if you don't let Dan alone . "

" I was only in fun , " said Ned .

" you are a sneak yourself to badger Nat round the corner .

let me catch you at it again , and I 'll souse you in the river next time .

get up , and clear out ! " thundered Dan , in a rage .

as he vanished Dan jumped over the wall , and found Nat lying , as if quite worn out and bowed down with his troubles .

" he won't pester you again , I guess .

if he does , just tell me , and I 'll see to him , " said Dan , trying to cool down .

" how do you know he isn't right ? " asked Dan , turning his face away .

" what , about the money ? " cried Nat , looking up with a startled air .

" yes . "

" but I don't believe it !

you don't care for money ; all you want is your old bugs and things , " and Nat laughed , incredulously .

" I don't think you would .

" I 've done both .

" O Dan ! don't say it 's you !

" I won't say any thing about it .

but don't you fret , and we 'll pull through somehow , see if we don't . "

" I think you know who did it .

if you do , beg him to tell , Dan .

it 's so hard to have ' em all hate me for nothing .

I don't think I can bear it much longer .

as he spoke , Nat looked so broken and despairing , that Dan could not bear it , and , muttered huskily ,

" you won't wait long , " and he walked rapidly away , and was seen no more for hours .

Dan was often moody , but that day he was so sober and silent that no one could get any thing out of him .

when they walked he strayed away from the rest , and came home late .

" you think I am getting on , don't you ? "

" are you sick , dear ? " asked Mrs Jo , with her hand on his shoulder .

" my foot aches a little ; I guess I 'll go to bed .

" Poor Dan ! he takes Nat 's disgrace to heart sadly .

" I must , " returned Tommy , firmly .

Do let me hunt for you , I won't ask any wages , but do it for nothing .

I know all the places , and I like it , " pleaded Nat .

Mind you don't go hunting on the sly , and speculate in my eggs . "

poor Nat was so hurt that he could not get over it .

the barn , which was the boys ' Wall Street , knew him no more .

Tommy took no new partner , however , for distrust had entered in , and poisoned the peace of his once confiding soul .

Ned offered to join him , but he declined , saying , with a sense of justice that did him honor ,

" it might turn out that Nat didn't take my money , and then we could be partners again .

I don't think it will happen , but I will give him a chance , and keep the place open a little longer . "

the morning after Dan 's gloomy Sunday , Billy said to his employer , as he displayed the results of a long hunt ,

" only two . "

Billy mounted a peck-measure , and looked into the top of the machine , where Tommy kept his writing materials .

" there 's lots of money in here , " said Billy .

" no , there isn't .

catch me leaving my cash round again , " returned Tommy .

" thunder turtles ! " cried Tommy , and seizing them he dashed into the house , bawling wildly , " it 's all right !

got my money !

where 's Nat ? "

" how could I put it back when I didn't take it ?

" so will I , and I 'm jolly glad it 's not you .

but who the dickens is it ? " said Tommy , after shaking hands heartily with Nat .

" never mind , as long as it 's found , " said Dan with his eyes fixed on Nat 's happy face .

" well , I like that !

" Demi prints tip-top , " put in Rob , who had not a very clear idea what the fuss was all about .

Mr Bhaer was very glad one step had been taken in the right direction , and waited hopefully for yet further revelations .

they came sooner than he expected , and in a way that surprised and grieved him very much .

as they sat at supper that night , a square parcel was handed to Mrs Bhaer from Mrs Bates , a neighbor .

" why , it 's the book Uncle Teddy gave Dan ! "

" the devil ! " broke from Dan , for he had not yet quite cured himself of swearing , though he tried very hard .

Mr Bhaer looked up quickly at the sound .

" what is it ? " asked Mrs Bhaer , anxiously .

" the note is from Mrs Bates , and she says that her boy Jimmy told her he bought this book of Dan last Saturday .

she saw that it was worth much more than a dollar , and thinking there was some mistake , has sent it to me .

did you sell it , Dan ? "

" yes , sir , " was the slow answer .

" why ? "

" wanted money . "

" for what ? "

" to pay somebody . "

" to whom did you owe it ? "

" Tommy . "

" O Dan ! " cried Nat , clasping his hands , regardless of the bread and butter in them .

Dan looked him straight in the face , and answered steadily , " yes , I did . "

" I did it ; now you may do what you like to me , but I won't say another word about it . "

" not even that you are sorry ? " asked Mr Bhaer , troubled by the change in him .

" I ain't sorry . "

" I 'll forgive him without asking , " said Tommy , feeling that it was harder somehow to see brave Dan disgraced than timid Nat .

" don't want to be forgiven , " returned Dan , gruffly .

still more trying was his steady refusal to talk of the matter , to ask pardon , or express any remorse .

days passed ; and he went about his lessons and his work , silent , grim , and unrepentant .

I can stand it better than you did . "

" but I don't like to have you all alone , " Nat would say , sorrowfully .

" I like it ; " and Dan would tramp away , stifling a sigh sometimes , for he was lonely .

Dan paused a minute to watch the fun , without offering to join in it , and as he stood there Jack took his turn .

" go back ; you can't do it ! " called Ned from below .

Jack tried , but the twigs slipped from his hands , and he could not get his legs round the trunk .

he kicked , and squirmed , and clutched in vain , then gave it up , and hung breathless , saying helplessly ,

" catch me ! help me !

I must drop ! "

" you 'll be killed if you do , " cried Ned , frightened out of his wits .

" you 're a trump , Dan , and I 'm ever so much obliged to you , " cried Jack , gratefully .

" it wasn't any thing , " muttered Dan , rising slowly .

" I know all about it , and I beg your pardon .

" Dan did not take Tommy 's money ; " and Mr Bhaer quite shouted it , he was so glad .

" who did ? " cried the boys in a chorus .

" I took Tommy 's dollar .

I was peeking in through a crack and saw him put it there .

I was afraid to tell before , though I wanted to .

I didn't care so much about Nat , but Dan is a trump , and I can't stand it any longer .

I never spent the money ; it 's under the carpet in my room , right behind the washstand .

I 'm awful sorry .

I am going home , and don't think I shall ever come back , so Dan may have my things .

" JACK "

" I 'll say I 'm sorry now , and ask you to forgive me , sir . "

" it kept the boys from plaguing Nat .

that 's what I did it for .

it made him right down miserable .

I didn't care so much , " explained Dan , as if glad to speak out after his hard silence .

" how could you do it ?

you are always so kind to me , " faltered Nat , feeling a strong desire to hug his friend and cry .

two girlish performances , which would have scandalized Dan to the last degree .

" does Mrs Bhaer know ? " he asked , eagerly .

" schools are not what they were when I was young ! "

the lads listened and remembered , for just then their hearts were touched by the loyalty of a humbler pair of friends .

Mrs Jo rejoiced over her flock , and Mr Bhaer was never tired of telling the story of his young Damon and Pythias .

CHAPTER XV .

IN THE WILLOW

it had a great deal of company one Saturday afternoon , and some little bird reported what went on there .

" oh me ! what a mess ! " sighed Nan .

" lay them on the grass to bleach , " said Daisy , with an air of experience .

" so I will , and we can sit up in the nest and watch that they don't blow away . "

" I wouldn't ; Aunt Jo says feather-beds aren't healthy .

I never let my children sleep on any thing but a mattress , " returned Mrs Shakespeare Smith , decidedly .

" I can't afford nine mattresses , and I like to make beds myself . "

" won't Tommy charge for the feathers ? "

" but you mustn't leave them ; they will die without their mother , " cried the tender Mrs Smith .

they laughed at her , hustled her out of the way , and protested against her meddling with their affairs .

Nan had meek moments when she agreed to this , and the influences at work upon her were gradually taking effect .

" Fritz , I see what we can do for that child .

she was thinking of this , as she sat in the willow that day , and when Daisy said in her gentle way ,

" I love to keep house , and mean to have a nice one for Demi when we grow up and live together . "

Nan replied with decision

" well , I haven't got any brother , and I don't want any house to fuss over .

that will be such fun . "

" I shan't have to take any , so I don't care .

besides , they make people well , and I like to cure folks .

didn't my sage-tea make Mother Bhaer 's headache go away , and my hops stop Ned 's toothache in five hours ?

so now ! "

" shall you put leeches on people , and cut off legs and pull out teeth ? " asked Daisy , quaking at the thought .

" yes , I shall do every thing ; I don't care if the people are all smashed up , I shall mend them .

" how could you ?

I 'm sorry for sick people , and I like to nurse them , but it makes my legs shake so I have to run away .

I 'm not a brave girl , " sighed Daisy .

" ship ahoy !

where are you , Nan ? " called a voice from below .

" here we are . "

" oh , what 's the matter ? " cried Daisy , anxiously .

" A confounded splinter in my thumb .

can't get it out .

take a pick at it , will you , Nanny ? "

" it 's in very deep , and I haven't any needle , " said Nan , examining a tarry thumb with interest .

" take a pin , " said Emil , in a hurry .

" no , it 's too big and hasn't got a sharp point . "

here Daisy , who had dived into her pocket , presented a neat little housewife with four needles in it .

" Starboard now !

steady , boys , steady !

try another tack .

heave ho ! there she is ! "

" suck it , " ordered the Doctor , surveying the splinter with an experienced eye .

" too dirty , " responded the patient , shaking his bleeding hand .

" wait ; I 'll tie it up if you have got a handkerchief . "

" haven't ; take one of those rags down there . "

" Gracious ! no , indeed ; they are doll 's clothes , " cried Daisy , indignantly .

" keep it wet , and let it alone ; then it will heal right up , and not be sore . "

" what do you charge ? " asked the Commodore , laughing .

" thank you , Doctor Giddy-gaddy .

" tell away , " answered Nat , wishing he had brought his fiddle , it was so shady and quiet here .

what do you think we chose ? "

won't it be a jolly good present ? " said Tommy , rather confusing microscopes and telescopes in his remarks .

" Tip-top !

I 'm so glad !

won't it cost a heap , though ? " cried Nat , feeling that his friend was beginning to be appreciated .

" of course it will ; but we are all going to give something .

I headed the paper with my five dollars ; for if it is done at all , it must be done handsome . "

" what ! all of it ?

I never did see such a generous chap as you are ; " and Nat beamed upon him with sincere admiration .

" will Mr Bhaer let you do it ? "

" your father is rich ; does he do that way ? "

" I 'm not sure ; he gives me all I want ; I know that much .

I 'm going to talk to him about it when I go home .

" you will be able to do ever so much with your money , won't you ? "

" so Mr Bhaer said , and he promised to advise me about useful ways of spending it .

and Nat fell to wondering how much happiness could be got out of his precious three dollars .

" so I would .

Franz and Emil are going too , and we 'll have a jolly time larking round among the shops . "

" all right ! " answered Dan , who was a boy of few words , and up they went .

" they are hung differently .

this makes it waggle with the least bit of wind , but the elm leaves hang straight , and keep stiller . "

" no ; that belongs to the sort that shuts up when you touch it .

" I like that ; tell me about the others .

what do these do ? " asked Demi , taking up a new branch .

" feed silk-worms ; they live on mulberry leaves , till they begin to spin themselves up .

sometimes they eat so much they die .

tell that to Stuffy , " and Dan laughed , as he took up another bit of rock with a lichen on it .

" I knew an old woman who used mullein leaves for a night-cap because she had face-ache .

she sewed them together , and wore it all the time . "

" how funny ! was she your grandmother ? "

" never had any .

she was a queer old woman , and lived alone in a little tumble-down house with nineteen cats .

folks called her a witch , but she wasn't , though she looked like an old rag-bag .

" did you live in a poorhouse ? "

" a little while .

never mind that I didn't mean to speak of it ; " and Dan stopped short in his unusual fit of communicativeness .

" tell about the cats , please , " said Demi , feeling that he had asked an unpleasant question , and sorry for it .

" was she good to them ? " asked Demi , with a hearty child 's laugh , pleasant to hear .

" guess she was .

" I should like to see Marm Webber .

could I , if I went to that place ? "

" she 's dead .

all my folks are , " said Dan , briefly .

" I 'm sorry ; " and Demi sat silent a minute , wondering what subject would be safe to try next .

he felt delicate about speaking of the departed lady , but was very curious about the cats , and could not resist asking softly ,

" did she cure the sick ones ? "

" sometimes .

Marm used to put a sponge wet with ether , in the bottom of an old boot , then poke puss in head downwards .

the ether put her to sleep in a jiffy , and she was drowned in warm water before she woke up . "

" I hope the cats didn't feel it .

I shall tell Daisy about that .

" wish I hadn't sometimes . "

" why ?

don't remembering them feel good ? "

" no . "

" I'll play I didn't hear it , " said Demi ; " and you won't do it again , I 'm sure . "

" not if I can help it .

that 's one of the things I don't want to remember .

I keep pegging away , but it don't seem to do much good ; " and Dan looked discouraged .

" yes , it does .

" did she ? " and Dan cheered up a bit .

" you must put swearing away in your fault-drawer , and lock it up ; that 's the way I do with my badness . "

the thoughts I play with when I am alone or in bed , and I make up and do what I like with them .

every Sunday I put my room in order , and talk with the little spirit that lives there , and tell him what to do .

he is very bad sometimes , and won't mind me , and I have to scold him , and take him to Grandpa .

hadn't you better try that way ?

" I don't think there is a lock strong enough to keep my badness shut up .

any way my room is in such a clutter I don't know how to clear it up . "

" you keep your drawers in the cabinet all spandy nice ; why can't you do the others ? "

" I ain't used to it .

will you show me how ? " and Dan looked as if inclined to try Demi 's childish way of keeping a soul in order .

" I 'd love to , but I don't know how , except to talk as Grandpa does .

I can't do it good like him , but I 'll try . "

will that do ? " and Dan held out his big , rough hand .

" Marmar , I wanter fis . "

" up ! up ! " cried Teddy , stretching his arms and flapping his skirts as if about to fly .

" I 'll come down and you come up .

I must go to Daisy now ; " and Demi departed to rehearse the tale of the nineteen cats , with the exciting boot-and-barrel episodes .

Teddy was speedily whisked up ; and then Dan said , laughing , " come , too ; there 's plenty of room .

I 'll lend you a hand . "

" I haven't climbed a tree since I was married .

I used to be very fond of it when I was a girl , " she said , looking well-pleased with her shady perch .

" I don't think I care about it now .

" oh ! we were talking .

I 'd been telling him about leaves and things , and he was telling me some of his queer plays .

Teddy leaned down from the tree , and was soon wrapt up in watching for the fish which he felt sure would come .

" I 'd like to , he is so bright ; but "

" but what ? "

" I didn't think you 'd trust me . "

" why not ? "

" really ? " and Dan looked up at her with the cloud of despondency lifting from his face .

" yes ; don't you feel it ? "

" I hoped so , but I didn't know . "

" can I ? " and Dan looked amazed at the idea .

" Demi has lived among older people so much that he needs just what you have knowledge of common things , strength , and courage .

he thinks you are the bravest boy he ever saw , and admires your strong way of doing things .

don't you see now how much you can help him , and why I like to have him with you ? "

" but I swear sometimes , and might tell him something wrong .

you are only boys yet ; you can teach one another .

words could not express how pleased and touched Dan was by this confidence and praise .

the hunt was soon over , and having paid the hunters with a few peppermints apiece Ned retired to make Tommy 's bed .

" go and tell Mr Bhaer I want to see him down here , please .

don't let any one hear . "

in five minutes , Mr Bhaer appeared , and , stepping up on the fence , leaned into the nest , saying , kindly ,

" I am glad to see you , Jack ; but why not come in and meet us all at once ? "

" I wanted to see you first , please , sir .

uncle made me come back .

I know I don't deserve any thing , but I hope the fellows won't be hard upon me . "

" I hope not , but I can't answer for them , though I will see that they are not unjust .

I think , as Dan and Nat have suffered so much , being innocent , you should suffer something , being guilty .

don't you ? " asked Mr Bhaer , pitying Jack , yet feeling he deserved punishment for a fault which had so little excuse .

" no ; I think you should ask pardon of all three boys , openly and honestly .

stealing and lying are detestable sins , and I hope this will be a lesson to you .

" I think it would be better to give them away , and begin on a new foundation .

his heart clung to his possessions , and he groaned inwardly at the thought of actually giving away certain precious things .

" well , I 'll do it , " he said , with a sudden air of resolution , which pleased Mr Bhaer .

" good ! and I 'll stand by you .

now come and begin at once . "

CHAPTER XVI .

TAMING THE COLT

" are you training for a race , Dan ? " asked Mrs Jo , from the window where she sat .

he looked up quickly , and stopped panting to answer , with a laugh ,

" no ; I 'm only working off my steam . "

" can't you find a cooler way of doing it ?

" can't help it .

" is Plumfield getting too narrow for you ? "

" I wouldn't mind if it was a little bigger .

I like it though ; only the fact is the devil gets into me sometimes , and then I do want to bolt . "

but Mrs Jo understood the feeling , and though sorry to see it , she could not blame the boy for confessing it .

I must try and find some lure strong enough to keep him safe . "

" I know all about it , " she added , aloud .

" it is not ' the devil , ' as you call it , but the very natural desire of all young people for liberty .

I used to feel just so , and once , I really did think for a minute that I would bolt . "

" why didn't you ? " said Dan , coming to lean on the low window-ledge , with an evident desire to continue the subject .

" I knew it was foolish , and love for my mother kept me at home . "

" I haven't got any mother , " began Dan .

" I thought you had now , " said Mrs Jo , gently stroking the rough hair off his hot forehead .

" no , dear , it is not the same , and never can be .

I think an own mother would have been a great deal to you .

but as that cannot be , you must try to let me fill her place .

I fear I have not done all I ought , or you would not want to leave me , " she added , sorrowfully .

" yes , you have ! " cried Dan , eagerly .

I want to run straight ahead somewhere , to smash something , or pitch into somebody .

don't know why , but I do , and that 's all about it . "

he was rather taken aback by this unexpected permission to play truant , and somehow it seemed to lessen his desire to go .

" I won't go yet awhile , and I 'll give you fair warning before I bolt .

that 's fair , isn't it ? "

" yes , we will let it stand so .

" how would you like to be my express-man ? " she said , as a sudden thought popped into her head .

" go into town , and do the errands ? " asked Dan , looking interested at once .

" yes ; Franz is tired of it , Silas cannot be spared just now , and Mr Bhaer has no time .

old Andy is a safe horse , you are a good driver , and know your way about the city as well as a postman .

" I 'd like it ever so much , only I must go alone and do it all myself .

" if Mr Bhaer does not object you shall have it all your own way .

I suppose Emil will growl , but he cannot be trusted with horses , and you can .

by the way , to-morrow is market-day , and I must make out my list .

you had better see that the wagon is in order , and tell Silas to have the fruit and vegetables ready for mother .

you will have to be up early and get back in time for school , can you do that ? "

" I 'm always an early bird , so I don't mind , " and Dan slung on his jacket with despatch .

" the early bird got the worm this time , I 'm sure , " said Mrs Jo , merrily .

he was up and away very early the next morning , heroically resisting the temptation to race with the milkmen going into town .

once there , he did his errands carefully , to Mr Bhaer 's surprise and Mrs Jo 's great satisfaction .

so Dan filled his new office well and contentedly for weeks , and said no more about bolting .

but one day Mr Bhaer found him pummelling Jack , who was roaring for mercy under his knee .

" why , Dan , I thought you had given up fighting , " he said , as he went to the rescue .

" we ain't fighting , we are only wrestling , " answered Dan , leaving off reluctantly .

" catch me wrestling with him again .

" the fact is , we began in fun , but when I got him down I couldn't help pounding him .

Sorry I hurt you , old fellow , " explained Dan , looking rather ashamed of himself .

" I understand .

the longing to pitch into somebody was so strong you couldn't resist .

" can't help it .

but Dan found a new occupation for himself , and enjoyed it some time before any one discovered the cause of his contentment .

a fine young horse of Mr Laurie 's was kept at Plumfield that summer , running loose in a large pasture across the brook .

but they soon got tired of it , and left Prince Charlie to himself .

" we understand one another without any palaver , don't we , old fellow ? "

Mr Laurie came now and then to see how Charlie got on , and spoke of having him broken to harness in the autumn .

" he won't need much taming , he is such a gentle , fine-tempered brute .

I shall come out and try him with a saddle myself some day , " he said , on one of these visits .

" I shall coax him to bear it , and not mind a few tumbles at first .

the fall did not hurt him , for the turf was soft , and he jumped up , saying , with a laugh ,

" I did it anyway !

come here , you rascal , and I 'll try it again . "

but Charlie declined to approach , and Dan left him resolving to succeed in the end ; for a struggle like this suited him exactly .

" you think you have beaten , but you are mistaken , old boy ; and I 'll ride you yet see if I don't . "

he tried no more that day , but soon after attempted a new method of introducing Charlie to a burden .

he had his wish , however , for there had been a witness of his pranks who said a good word for him .

" which boy ? " said Mr Bhaer , with an air of resignation , expecting some sad revelation .

" how do you know ? "

blest if he warn't throwed time and agin , and knocked round like a bag o ' meal .

Mr Laurie won't mind , and Charlie 's all the better for ' t . "

" we shall see ; " and off went Mr Bhaer to inquire into the matter .

" of course he is .

CHAPTER XVII .

COMPOSITION DAY

" Ladies first ; so Nan may begin , " said Mr Bhaer , when the settling of stools and rustling of papers had subsided .

Nan took her place beside the little table , and , with a preliminary giggle , read the following interesting essay on ,

" THE SPONGE

" the sponge , my friends , is a most useful and interesting plant .

it grows on rocks under the water , and is a kind of sea-weed , I believe .

some are very fine and soft ; babies are washed with them .

the sponge has many uses .

I will relate some of them , and I hope my friends will remember what I say .

one use is to wash the face ; I don't like it myself , but I do it because I wish to be clean .

some people don't , and they are dirty . "

" another use is to wake people up ; I allude to boys par-tic-u-lar-ly . "

another pause after the long word to enjoy the smothered laugh that went round the room .

here the laugh broke out , and Emil said , as if he had been hit ,

" seems to me you are wandering from the subject . "

" I will not be interruckted , " said Nan , frowning upon the unseemly scrimmagers .

order was instantly restored , and the young lady closed her remarks as follows :

" my composition has three morals , my friends . "

somebody groaned , but no notice was taken of the insult .

I have no more to say . "

and Miss Nan sat down amid tumultuous applause .

" that is a very remarkable composition ; its tone is high , and there is a good deal of humor in it .

very well done , Nan .

now , Daisy , " and Mr Bhaer smiled at one young lady as he beckoned the other .

Daisy colored prettily as she took her place , and said , in her modest little voice ,

" I 'm afraid you won't like mine ; it isn't nice and funny like Nan 's .

but I couldn't do any better . "

" we always like yours , Posy , " said Uncle Fritz , and a gentle murmur from the boys seemed to confirm the remark .

thus encouraged , Daisy read her little paper , which was listened to with respectful attention .

" THE CAT

" the cat is a sweet animal .

I love them very much .

they are very wise , and can find their way anywhere .

little cats are called kittens , and are dear things .

I have two , named Huz and Buz , and their mother is Topaz , because she has yellow eyes .

uncle told me a pretty story about a man named Ma-ho-met .

I think he was a kind man .

some cats catch fish . "

" so do I ! " cried Teddy , jumping up eager to tell about his trout .

" I read about one who used to do it very slyly .

I tried to make Topaz , but she did not like the water , and scratched me .

she does like tea , and when I play in my kitchen she pats the teapot with her paw , till I give her some .

she is a fine cat , she eats apple-pudding and molasses .

most cats do not . "

" that 's a first-rater , " called out Nat , and Daisy retired , pleased with the praise of her friend .

" I write about the butterfly , It is a pretty thing ; And flies about like the birds , But it does not sing .

" come on , Tommy .

" it isn't a composition , it 's a letter .

it 's got something about birds in it , so I thought it would do . "

" MY DEAR GRANDMA , I hope you are well .

uncle James sent me a pocket rifle .

it loads at the breech , and fires with great force and straightness .

I am going out shooting squirrels soon .

I shot several fine birds for the museum .

they had speckled breasts , and Dan liked them very much .

he stuffed them tip-top , and they sit on the tree quite natural , only one looks a little tipsy .

we had a Frenchman working here the other day , and Asia called his name so funnily that I will tell you about it .

your affectionate grandson ,

" THOMAS BUCKMINSTER BANGS .

" P.S. ?

if you come across any postage-stamps , remember me .

" N.B . love to all , and a great deal to Aunt Almira .

does she make any nice plum-cakes now ?

" P.S. ?

Mrs Bhaer sends her respects .

" P.S. ?

and so would Mr. B , if he knew I was in act to write .

" N.B. father is going to give me a watch on my birthday .

I am glad as at present I have no means of telling time , and am often late at school .

" P.S. ?

I hope to see you soon .

don't you wish to send for me ?

" T. B. B. "

" I hope the dear old lady will live through it , " said Mr Bhaer , under cover of the noise .

" little drops of water , Little drains of sand , Mate a might okum ( ocean ) , And a peasant land .

" little words of kindness , Pokin evvy day , Make a home a hebbin , And hep us on a way . "

Dick and Dolly did not write , but were encouraged to observe the habits of animals and insects , and report what they saw .

" I 've been watching dragonflies , and I read about them in Dan 's book , and I 'll try and tell you what I remember .

there 's lots of them flying round on the pond , all blue , with big eyes , and sort of lace wings , very pretty .

I caught one , and looked at him , and I think he was the handsomest insect I ever saw .

they catch littler creatures than they are to eat , and have a queer kind of hook thing that folds up when they ain't hunting .

it likes the sunshine , and dances round all day .

let me see ! what else was there to tell about ?

oh , I know !

the eggs are laid in the water , and go down to the bottom , and are hatched in the mud .

only think ! it takes them two years to be a dragonfly !

now this is the curiousest part of it , so you listen tight , for I don't believe you know it .

Mrs Jo drew him to her side , and said , with a kiss on his thin cheek ,

" that is a sweet little story , dear , and you remembered it wonderfully well .

our ducks are very tame .

they eat a great deal , and go poking round in the mud and water .

they don't take good care of their eggs , but them spoil , and "

" mine don't ! " cried Tommy .

" well , some people 's do ; Silas said so .

hens take good care of little ducks , only they don't like to have them go in the water , and make a great fuss .

but the little ones don't care a bit .

I like to eat ducks with stuffing in them and lots of apple-sauce . "

" owls have big heads , round eyes , hooked bills , and strong claws .

some are gray , some white , some black and yellowish .

their feathers are very soft , and stick out a great deal .

they fly very quietly , and hunt bats , mice , little birds , and such things .

they build nests in barns , hollow trees , and some take the nests of other birds .

the great horned owl has two eggs bigger than a hen 's and reddish brown .

the tawny owl has five eggs , white and smooth ; and this is the kind that hoots at night .

another kind sounds like a child crying .

they eat mice and bats whole , and the parts that they cannot digest they make into little balls and spit out . "

" my gracious ! how funny ! "

Nan was heard to observe .

the horned owl is very big , ' most as big as the eagle .

it eats rabbits , rats , snakes , and birds ; and lives in rocks and old tumble-down houses .

the white owl lives by the sea , and in cold places , and looks something like a hawk .

there is a kind of owl that makes holes to live in like moles .

it is called the burrowing owl , and is very small .

he comes out at dusk , and sits round waiting for the bats .

I caught one , and here he is . "

" don't touch him !

he is going to show off , " said Nat , displaying his new pet with great pride .

" have you anything for us , George ? " asked Mr Bhaer , when the room was still again .

" then we are done for to-day , " began Mr Bhaer , but Tommy called out in a great hurry ,

" no we ain't .

don't you know ?

we must give the thing ; " and he winked violently as he made an eye-glass of his fingers .

" bless my heart , I forgot !

please take it , and have a jolly good time with it . "

" what a stunner !

I say , you fellows are regular bricks to give me this ; it 's just what I wanted .

give us your paw , Tommy . "

" no , I had nothing to do with it .

the boys got it up all themselves , " she said , answering the grateful look that seemed to thank her for that happy moment .

Dan smiled , and said , in a tone that only she could understand ,

" my dood Danny ! everybody loves him now . "

" my eye ! what nippers the old thing has got !

I see now why it hurts so confoundedly when you grab a dorbug and he grabs back again . "

" he winked at me , " cried Nan , who had poked her head under Jack 's elbow and got the second peep .

" it 's like the fairy spectacles in my story-book , only more curious , " said Demi , enchanted with the wonders he saw .

" no , dear ; it 's not powerful enough for that , and never can be made so .

you must wait a long while before your eyes are clear enough to see the most invisible of God 's wonders .

" no , I won't , " and Demi kept his word .

CHAPTER XVIII .

CROPS

the gardens did well that summer , and in September the little crops were gathered in with much rejoicing .

Jack and Ned joined their farms and raised potatoes , those being a good salable article .

Nat had beans in such abundance that he despaired of ever shelling them , till Mrs Jo proposed a new way , which succeeded admirably .

so Tommy had to dig his farm over again , and plant peas .

so like shiftless , kind-hearted , happy-go-lucky Tommy !

his Grandma was fond of salad , and one of his Grandpa 's favorite quotations was ,

" Lucullus , whom frugality could charm , Ate roasted turnips at the Sabine farm . "

therefore these vegetable offerings to the dear domestic god and goddess were affectionate , appropriate , and classical .

Daisy had nothing but flowers in her little plot , and it bloomed all summer long with a succession of gay or fragrant posies .

little nosegays were sent into town on all occasions , and certain vases about the house were her especial care .

Nan went in for herbs , and had a fine display of useful plants , which she tended with steadily increasing interest and care .

Rob 's crop was four small squashes and one immense pumpkin .

Poor Billy had planted cucumbers , but unfortunately hoed them up and left the pig-weed .

but he pulled through it , and served up his first cantaloupe without tasting a mouthful himself .

they were excellent melons , for he had a warm slope for them , and they ripened fast .

the last and best were lingering on the vines , and Stuffy had announced that he should sell them to a neighbor .

this disappointed the boys , who had hoped to eat the melons themselves , and they expressed their displeasure in a new and striking manner .

he was in a great rage , and flew to Mrs Jo for redress .

she listened , condoled with him , and then said ,

" if you want to turn the laugh , I 'll tell you how , but you must give up the melons . "

he did so , and the three wags were amazed to find their joke so quietly taken .

it spoilt the fun , and the entire disappearance of the melons made them uneasy .

at dinner-time they discovered why ; for then Stuffy 's vengeance fell upon them , and the laugh was turned against them .

the great garret was full of the children 's little stores and for a time was one of the sights of the house .

Daisy 's flower seeds in neat little paper bags , all labelled , lay in a drawer of a three-legged table .

Nan 's herbs hung in bunches against the wall , filling the air with their aromatic breath .

Emil had bunches of pop-corn hanging there to dry , and Demi laid up acorns and different sorts of grain for the pets .

but Dan 's crop made the best show , for fully one half of the floor was covered with the nuts he brought .

there was one butternut-tree on the place , and Rob and Teddy called it theirs .

their funny little ways amused the boys , till one day Silas said ,

" Hev you sold them nuts to the squirrels ? "

" no , " answered Rob , wondering what Silas meant .

" Wal , then , you 'd better fly round , or them spry little fellers won't leave you none . "

" oh , we can beat them when we begin .

there are such lots of nuts we shall have a plenty . "

" there ain't many more to come down , and they have cleared the ground pretty well , see if they hain't . "

Robby ran to look , and was alarmed to find how few remained .

he called Teddy , and they worked hard all one afternoon , while the squirrels sat on the fence and scolded .

" the naughty quillies tarn't have ' em .

Teddy went too , and worked like a little beaver , trotting to and fro with full and empty baskets .

" O father ! let me stay out and pick .

those horrid squirrels will have my nuts if you don't .

" if you had been up early and done a little every morning there would be no hurry now .

I told you that , Rob , and you never minded .

I cannot have the lessons neglected as the work has been .

the squirrels will get more than their share this year , and they deserve it , for they have worked best .

the only thing that sustained the poor child in this trying moment was the sight of Teddy working away all alone .

it was really splendid the pluck and perseverance of the little lad .

there was great lamentation among the young Bhaers till Dick said ,

" I saw Frisky on the roof of the corn-barn , may be he took them . "

" I know he did !

I 'll have a trap , and kill him dead , " cried Rob , disgusted with Frisky 's grasping nature .

" oh , you little villains !

I 'll cheat you now , and not leave one , " said Rob .

CHAPTER XIX .

JOHN BROOKE

" wake up , Demi , dear !

I want you . "

" it 's only ten , but your father is ill , and we must go to him .

I must go to Daisy . "

a carriage sent by Mr Laurie stood before the door .

breakfast was a dismal meal with no cheery Mrs Jo behind the teapots ; and when school-time came , Father Bhaer 's place was empty .

ten o'clock came , and no one arrived to relieve their anxiety .

they did not feel like playing , yet the time dragged heavily , and they sat about listless and sober .

all at once , Franz got up , and said , in his persuasive way ,

" look here , boys ! let's go into school and do our lessons just as if Uncle was here .

it will make the day go faster , and will please him , I know . "

" but who will hear us say them ? " asked Jack .

the others followed ; Franz took his uncle 's seat , and for an hour order reigned .

" what made you go and leave me in the night , papa ? "

it was a beautiful way to help and comfort me .

I shall not forget it , I assure you . "

" this makes my hard day easier , and gives me confidence in you all .

I am needed there in town , and must leave you for some hours .

" where is my little man ? " asked Mr Bhaer .

" Dan took him out , to keep him quiet .

" I won't see him , it would only upset him again ; but tell Dan I leave Teddy in his care .

you older boys I trust to manage yourselves for a day .

Franz will direct you , and Silas is here to over see matters .

so good-by till to-night . "

" just tell me a word about Uncle John , " said Emil , detaining Mr Bhaer , as he was about hurrying away again .

we were in time to say good-by : and Daisy and Demi were in his arms as he fell asleep on Aunt Meg 's breast .

" no , don't keep back .

I want you all .

come in and see me , my boys .

a general stampede into the dining-room followed , and the supper-table would have been ravaged if Mr Bhaer had not interfered .

it was agreed that one squad should carry in the mother 's tea , and another bring it out .

when supper was over , a second deputation removed the tray ; and Dan said , holding out his arms for sleepy little Teddy ,

" let me put him to bed , you 're so tired , Mother . "

" Torse I will ; " and he was proudly carried off by his faithful bearer .

" you can , dear .

go and get your violin , and play me the sweet little airs Uncle Teddy sent you last .

music will comfort me better than any thing else to-night . "

" I want to read you something , boys , " he said ; and as they stood round him he read this :

" DEAR BROTHER FRITZ , I hear that you do not mean to bring your flock today , thinking that I may not like it .

please do .

it will do them good , I know .

please ask them , with my love .

" MEG . "

" will you go ? " and Mr Bhaer looked at the lads , who were greatly touched by Mrs Brooke 's kind words and wishes .

" dear Jo , the love that has blest me for ten happy years supports me still .

the group about his coffin was a far more eloquent eulogy than any Mr. March could utter .

" so would I . did you hear what those gentlemen said to Grandpa to-day ?

" what did they say ? " asked Jack , who had been much impressed by the scenes of the day .

" he wasn't rich , was he ? " asked Jack .

" no . "

" he never did any thing to make a stir in the world , did he ? "

" no . "

" he was only good ? "

" only good .

he was a good son , and gave up his own plans to stay and live with his mother while she needed him .

yes !

simple , generous goodness is the best capital to found the business of this life upon .

it lasts when fame and money fail , and is the only riches we can take out of this world with us .

remember that , my boys ; and if you want to earn respect and confidence and love follow in the footsteps of John Brooke . "

both were in heaven , and he prayed to both , trying to be good for love of them .

at another time he came to his aunt with a very serious face , and said

" what can a small boy do to earn money ? "

" why do you ask , my deary ? "

" he did not mean now , Demi , but by and by , when you are large . "

I am ten , and other boys no bigger than I earn pennies sometimes . "

" well , then , suppose you rake up all the dead leaves and cover the strawberry bed .

I 'll pay you a dollar for the job , " said Aunt Jo .

" isn't that a great deal ?

I could do it in one day .

you must be fair , and no pay too much , because I want to truly earn it . "

" my little John , I will be fair , and not pay a penny too much .

when the leaves were done , many barrowloads of chips were wheeled from the wood to the shed , and another dollar earned .

I am John Brooke now . "

CHAPTER XX .

ROUND THE FIRE

but the favorite amusement was story-telling , and Mr and Mrs. Bhaer were expected to have a store of lively tales always on hand .

their supply occasionally gave out , and then the boys were thrown upon their own resources , which were not always successful .

" now , Tom ! " and the poker softly rapped him on the head .

" Blind-man 's Buff . "

" Jack ! "

" commerce ; a good round game , and have cents for the pool . "

" uncle forbids our playing for money .

Dan , what do you want ? "

" let's have a battle between the Greeks and Romans . "

" Stuffy ? "

" roast apples , pop corn , and crack nuts . "

" good ! good ! " cried several ; and when the vote was taken , Stuffy 's proposal carried the day .

some went to the cellar for apples , some to the garret for nuts , and others looked up the popper and the corn .

" we had better ask the girls to come in , hadn't we ? " said Demi , in a sudden fit of politeness .

" Daisy pricks chestnuts beautifully , " put in Nat , who wanted his little friend to share the fun .

" Nan pops corn tip-top , we must have her , " added Tommy .

" you shan't call my sister a sweetheart ; it is so silly ! " cried Demi , in a way that made Jack laugh .

" she is Nat 's darling , isn't she , old chirper ? "

" yes , if Demi don't mind .

Demi was quenched by the decision of Bangs , who took him by the arm and walked him off to get the ladies .

Nan and Daisy were sewing with Aunt Jo on certain small garments , for Mrs Carney 's newest baby .

" please , ma'am , could you lend us the girls for a little while ?

Demi explained with elaboration , permission was readily granted , and the boys departed with their prize .

" why not ? "

" he laughs at me , so I don't wish you to have any thing to do with him . "

" shall , if I like , " said Nan , promptly resenting this premature assumption of authority on the part of her lord .

" then I won't have you for my sweetheart . "

" I don't care . "

" why , Nan , I thought you were fond of me ! " and Tommy 's voice was full of tender reproach .

" if you mind Jack 's laughing I don't care for you one bit . "

the hearth was swept , and the rosy Baldwins put down to roast .

a shovel was heated , and the chestnuts danced merrily upon it , while the corn popped wildly in its wire prison .

" why is Billy like this nut ? " asked Emil , who was frequently inspired with bad conundrums .

" because he is cracked , " answered Ned .

" that 's not fair ; you mustn't make fun of Billy , because he can't hit back again .

it 's mean , " cried Dan , smashing a nut wrathfully .

" to what family of insects does Blake belong ? " asked peacemaker Franz , seeing that Emil looked ashamed and Dan lowering .

" gnats , " answered Jack .

" why is Daisy like a bee ? " cried Nat , who had been wrapt in thought for several minutes .

" because she is queen of the hive , " said Dan .

" no . "

" because she is sweet . "

" bees are not sweet . "

" give it up . "

" Tommy 's mad , and I 'm glad , " cried Ned , as Nan tossed her head and answered quickly ,

" what thing in the china-closet is Tom like ? "

seeing that ill-humor was getting the better of the small supply of wit in the company , Franz cast himself into the breach again .

" let's make a law that the first person who comes into the room shall tell us a story .

no matter who it is , he must do it , and it will be fun to see who comes first . "

" Sho !

I can't tell a story , " he said , putting down his load and preparing to leave the room .

" tell it ! tell it ! " cried the boys .

my horse , Major , was a fust-rate animal , and I was as fond on him as ef he 'd ben a human critter .

he warn't harnsome , but he was the best-tempered , stiddyest , lovenest brute I ever see .

Wal , I picked myself up and looked round for Major , feeling as ef I 'd had about enough for that spell .

I didn't see him nowhere , and was kinder walking back to camp , when I heard a whinny that sounded nateral .

I whistled , and he trotted up to me as I 'd trained him to do .

but , no sir !

I done my best , but he wouldn't give in , so I did ; and what do you think that plucky brute done ?

he wheeled slap round , and galloped back like a hurricane , right into the thickest of the scrimmage ! "

" good for him ! " cried Dan excitedly , while the other boys forgot apples and nuts in their interest .

" I wish I may die ef I warn't ashamed of myself , " continued Silas , warming up at the recollection of that day .

I poor feller in gray laid not fur off , shot through the lungs and dyin ' fast .

I couldn't have took it ef I hadn't had a little brandy in a pocket flask , and I made him drink it .

it done him good , and I felt as much set up as if I 'd drunk it myself .

" tell about Major , " cried the boys , impatient for the catastrophe .

" I poured the water over his poor pantin ' tongue , and ef ever a dumb critter looked grateful , he did then .

but it warn't of much use , for the dreadful waound kep on tormentin ' him , till I couldn't bear it any longer .

it was hard , but I done it in mercy , and I know he forgive me . "

" I shot him . "

" yes , I shot him , and put him out of his misery .

Sho !

" I 'd like a horse like that , " said Dan , half-aloud .

" did the rebel man die , too ? " asked Nan , anxiously .

" not then .

we laid there all day , and at night some of our fellers came to look after the missing ones .

" how glad you must have been that you were kind to him ! " said Demi , who was deeply impressed by this story .

want to see it , sissy ? "

" oh , yes , please , " answered Daisy , wiping away her tears to look .

" that is a sweet story , and I like it , though it did make me cry .

he departed , quite overcome by his honors , and the little conspirators talked the tale over , while they waited for their next victim .

it was Mrs Jo , who came in to measure Nan for some new pinafores she was making for her .

they let her get well in , and then pounced upon her , telling her the law , and demanding the story .

" what shall I tell about ? " she said .

" Boys , " was the general answer .

" have a party in it , " said Daisy .

" and something good to eat , " added Stuffy .

" that reminds me of a story , written years ago , by a dear old lady .

" what is it called ? " asked Demi .

" ' The Suspected Boy . ' "

Nat looked up from the nuts he was picking , and Mrs Jo smiled at him , guessing what was in his mind .

six boys lived in her house , and four or five more came in from the town .

among those who lived with her was one named Lewis White .

Lewis was not a bad boy , but rather timid , and now and then he told a lie .

one day a neighbor sent Miss Crane a basket of gooseberries .

" I 'd like to try gooseberry tarts .

I wonder if she made them as I do my raspberry ones , " said Daisy , whose interest in cooking had lately revived .

" somebody had hooked them ! " cried Ned .

" what a mean trick ! " and Nan looked at Tommy , as if to imply that he would do the same .

' Perhaps the rats did it , ' said Lewis , who was among the loudest to deny any knowledge of the tarts .

' No , rats would have nibbled crust and all , and never lifted it up and scooped out the fruit .

' If that is all , I 'll give you an emetic and you will soon get over it , ' said Miss Crane .

so Lewis had a good dose , and by morning was quite comfortable .

' Oh , don't tell the boys ; they will laugh at me so , ' begged the invalid .

his mates called him Old Gooseberry , and were never tired of asking him the price of tarts . "

" served him right , " said Emil .

" badness always gets found out , " added Demi , morally .

" is that all ? " asked Dan .

" no , that is only the first part ; the second part is more interesting .

it was a very nice one with a pearl handle , and he could not afford to lose it .

every one looked , and every one declared they knew nothing about it .

' This young gentleman had it last , and seemed to want it very much .

" did Lewis have it ? " cried Nat , much excited .

" you will see .

" I know that , " said Dan .

" so do I , " added Nat , softly .

" do go on about poor Lewis , Aunt Jo .

I don't believe he took the knife , but I want to be sure , " said Daisy , in great anxiety .

" well , week after week went on and the matter was not cleared up .

the boys avoided Lewis , and he , poor fellow , was almost sick with the trouble he had brought upon himself .

two months after the peddler 's first visit , he came again , and the first thing he said was ,

" ' Well , ma'am , I found that knife after all .

" perhaps your conscience affects your stomach , " said Mrs Jo , smiling at his speech .

he ate two large cucumbers in private , felt very ill , and confided his anguish to Ned , imploring him to do something .

" suppose you tell another story , that was such an interesting one , " said Nat , as the laughter subsided .

" I heard a great noise , and I thought sumfin dreffle might have happened , so I came to see . "

" did you think I would forget you , naughty boy ? " asked his mother , trying to look stern .

" no ; but I thought you 'd feel better to see me right here , " responded the insinuating little party .

" I had much rather see you in bed , so march straight up again , Robin . "

" everybody that comes in here has to tell a story , and you can't so you 'd better cut and run , " said Emil .

" yes , I can !

" tell one now , then , right away , " said Dan , preparing to shoulder and bear him off .

" it is a family failing , this getting out of bed at wrong times .

Demi used to do it ; and as for me , I was hopping in and out all night long .

" I 've finked now , " observed Rob , quite at his ease , and eager to win the entree into this delightful circle .

" once a lady had a million children , and one nice little boy .

she went up-stairs and said , ' You mustn't go in the yard . '

but he wented , and fell into the pump , and was drowned dead . "

" is that all ? " asked Franz , as Rob paused out of breath with this startling beginning .

" no , there is another piece of it , " and Rob knit his downy eyebrows in the effort to evolve another inspiration .

" what did the lady do when he fell into the pump ? " asked his mother , to help him on .

a general explosion of laughter greeted this surprising conclusion , and Mrs Jo patted the curly head , as she said , solemnly ,

" my son , you inherit your mother 's gift of story-telling .

go where glory waits thee . "

" now I can stay , can't I ?

wasn't it a good story ? " cried Rob , in high feather at his superb success .

" you can stay till you have eaten these twelve pop-corns , " said his mother , expecting to see them vanish at one mouthful .

" is there a boy in it ? "

" it is all boy . "

" is it true ? " asked Demi .

" every bit of it . "

" goody ! tell on , please . "

" James Snow and his mother lived in a little house , up in New Hampshire .

" how could he !

I hate books , and like work , " said Dan , objecting to James at the very outset .

" it takes all sorts of people to make a world ; workers and students both are needed , and there is room for all .

" I 'm sure I do work , " and Demi showed three small hard spots in his little palm , with pride .

" and I 'm sure I study , " added Dan , nodding with a groan toward the blackboard full of neat figures .

" see what James did .

" ' I will give you clothes and books on one condition , James . '

" ' What is that , sir ? ' and the boy brightened up at once .

" ' You are to keep your mother 's wood-box full all winter long , and do it yourself .

if you fail , school stops . '

James laughed at the queer condition and readily agreed to it , thinking it a very easy one .

but in November the frost came , the days were dull and cold , and wood went fast .

" the minister watched him quietly , and seeing that he was in earnest helped him without his knowledge .

" ' The Lord helps those who help themselves . '

" tell about a bad boy .

I like them best , " said Nan .

" you 'd better tell about a naughty cross-patch of a girl , " said Tommy , whose evening had been spoilt by Nan 's unkindness .

bundling him up in his coverlet , his mother carried him away and tucked him up with no fear of his popping out again .

" now let's see who will come next , " said Emil , setting the door temptingly ajar .

presently a door opened , and a strong voice was heard humming in the hall ,

" Ich weiss nicht was soll es bedeuten Dass ich so traurig bin . "

" it 's Uncle Fritz ; all laugh loud and he will be sure to come in , " said Emil .

a wild burst of laughter followed , and in came Uncle Fritz , asking , " what is the joke , my lads ? "

" caught ! caught ! you can't go out till you 've told a story , " cried the boys , slamming the door .

" so ! that is the joke then ?

his lecture did well , and he put a considerable sum of money in his pocket , feeling very happy about it .

the thought of the money made Grandfather rather anxious , and at first he had a mind to turn round and drive away .

" ' My friend , you look tired ; let me give you a lift . '

the man seemed surprised , hesitated a minute , and then got in .

the man slowly softened a little , and won by the kind chat , told his story .

how he had been sick , could get no work , had a family of children , and was almost in despair .

then Grandfather remembered what was in it and trembled for his money , but said quietly ,

" ' Yes , I have a little sum here for some poor orphans .

I wish it was my own , I would so gladly give you some of it .

he rode on with Grandfather till they approached the town , then he asked to be set down .

God bless you , sir , for keeping me from it ! ' "

" did Grandpa ever see him again ? " asked Daisy , eagerly .

" no ; but I believe the man found work , and did not try robbery any more . "

" that was a curious way to treat him ; I 'd have knocked him down , " said Dan .

" kindness is always better than force .

try it and see , " answered Mr Bhaer , rising .

" tell another , please , " cried Daisy .

" you must , Aunt Jo did , " added Demi .

" then I certainly won't , but keep my others for next time .

too many tales are as bad as too many bonbons .

I have paid my forfeit and I go , " and Mr Bhaer ran for his life , with the whole flock in full pursuit .

he had the start , however , and escaped safely into his study , leaving the boys to go rioting back again .

CHAPTER XXI .

THANKSGIVING

this yearly festival was always kept at Plumfield in the good old-fashioned way , and nothing was allowed to interfere with it .

Ned hammered at strange machines in the workshop , Demi and Tommy went about murmuring to themselves as if learning something .

but the thing that puzzled Mr Bhaer the most was what became of Rob 's big pumpkin .

it had been borne in triumph to the kitchen , where a dozen golden-tinted pies soon after appeared .

it would not have taken more than a quarter of the mammoth vegetable to make them , yet where was the rest ?

" it 's all done , and it 's perfectly splendid , " cried Nan , coming out at last with an air of triumph .

the boys came trooping home with appetites that would have made the big turkey tremble , if it had not been past all fear .

Daisy and Nan were as gay as a posy bed in their new winter dresses , with bright sashes and hair ribbons .

" our work has prospered , let us be grateful and go on . "

" if these are not good potatoes I never saw any , " observed Jack , as he received his fourth big mealy one .

" my ducks are prime any way ; Asia said she never cooked such fat ones , " added Tommy .

" I picked some of the apples that the cider is made of , " said Demi .

" I raked the cranberries for the sauce , " cried Nat .

" I got the nuts , " added Dan , and so it went on all round the table .

" see who can answer that question , " and Mr Bhaer nodded to one or two of his best history boys .

" I know , " said Demi , " the Pilgrims made it . "

" what for ? " asked Rob , without waiting to learn who the Pilgrims were .

" I forget , " and Demi subsided .

" good !

Dan looked pleased ; and Mrs Jo said to her son , " now do you understand about it , Robby ? "

" no , I don't .

I thought pil-grins were a sort of big bird that lived on rocks , and I saw pictures of them in Demi 's book . "

" he means penguins .

oh , isn't he a little goosey ! " and Demi laid back in his chair and laughed aloud .

" the bears ? " asked Robby , with interest .

" no ; the Pilgrims , because the Indians troubled them .

one was the Mayflower ; and they made Thanksgiving , and we have it always , and I like it .

some more turkey , please . "

" I thought you must eat as much as ever you could on Thanksgiving .

but Franz says you mustn't even then ; " and Stuffy looked as if he had received bad news .

one strange face appeared , and Uncle Teddy led the unknown gentleman up to the Bhaers , saying ,

the Bhaers received him cordially , for Dan 's sake , pleased that the lad had been remembered .

so every one went into the school-room , and took seats before a curtain made of two bed-covers .

the children had already vanished ; but stifled laughter , and funny little exclamations from behind the curtain , betrayed their whereabouts .

the entertainment began with a spirited exhibition of gymnastics , led by Franz .

" a fine , strong lad .

" you shall have him , and welcome , though we shall miss our young Hercules very much .

it would do him a world of good , and I am sure he would serve his friend faithfully . "

after the gymnastics , Demi and Tommy spoke the old school dialogue , " money makes the mare go . "

as this was the only public exhibition ever held at Plumfield , a few exercises in lightning-arithmetic , spelling , and reading were given .

Jack quite amazed the public by his rapid calculations on the blackboard .

Tommy won in the spelling match , and Demi read a little French fable so well that Uncle Teddy was charmed .

" where are the other children ? " asked every one as the curtain fell , and none of the little ones appeared .

" oh , that is the surprise .

silence instantly prevailed , and three taps were heard on the wall .

it was Nan , in a red cloak , a cap , and a wand , which she waved as she said decidedly ,

" you shall go to the ball , my dear . "

" now you must pull and show my pretty dress , " returned Cinderella , tugging at her brown gown .

" oh yes , so I mus ' ; " and the Princess said it , quite undisturbed by her forgetfulness .

she was so charmed with them , that she was with difficulty recalled to her part , and made to say ,

" but I have no toach , Dodmother . "

" behold it ! " and Nan waved her wand with such a flourish , that she nearly knocked off the crown of the Princess .

then appeared the grand triumph of the piece .

the next scene was the ball , and here Nan and Daisy appeared as gay as peacocks in all sorts of finery .

Nan was especially good as the proud sister , and crushed many imaginary ladies as she swept about the palace-hall .

when Cinderella came in he jumped up , and exclaimed , with more warmth than elegance ,

the Princess 's train was very much in her way , and the sword of Prince Rob nearly tripped him up several times .

" drop your shoe , " whispered Mrs Jo 's voice as the lady was about to sit down .

the third scene , as everybody knows , is where the herald comes to try on the shoe .

" I am the Pinsiss . "

" you composed that . "

when Nat made his bow and was about to go , he was called back by many hands , and had to play again .

Mrs Jo was not allowed to decline ; and Aunt Amy filled Dan with unspeakable delight by refusing Franz and taking him .

Silas and Mary Ann had a private dance in the hall ; and for half-an-hour Plumfield was at its merriest .

" they are all to be poets , painters , and statesmen , famous soldiers , or at least merchant princes , I suppose . "

" no , I am not as aspiring as I once was , and I shall be satisfied if they are honest men .

but I will confess that I do expect a little glory and a career for some of them .

Demi is not a common child , and I think he will blossom into something good and great in the best sense of the word .

build him up for another year or so , and then I will take him off your hands , and launch him properly . "

" that is such a pleasant prospect for poor Nat , who came to me six months ago so friendless and forlorn .

Dan 's future is already plain to me .

Mr Hyde will want him soon , and I mean to give him a brave and faithful little servant .

" what magic did you use , Jo ? "

" I only loved them , and let them see it .

Fritz did the rest . "

" it is the best joke of the family , this school of yours and its success .

so unlike the future we planned for you , and yet so suited to you after all .

it was a regular inspiration , Jo , " said Laurie , dodging her thanks as usual .

" ah ! but you laughed at it in the beginning , and still make all manner of fun of me and my inspirations .

didn't you predict that having girls with the boys would be a dead failure ?

" I give in , and when my Goldilocks is old enough I 'll send her to you .

can I say more than that ? "

" I shall be so proud to have your little treasure trusted to me .

but really , Teddy , the effect of these girls has been excellent .

Daisy is the domestic element , and they all feel the charm of her quiet , womanly ways .

your Bess is the lady , full of natural refinement , grace , and beauty .

" it is not always the ladies who do that best , Jo .

" all three did much for him , and I can understand how well these little girls will help your lads . "

" not more than the lads help them ; it is mutual , I assure you .

" you are doing your best to help on the good time , my dear .

" I am not so ambitious as that , father .

honesty , courage , industry , faith in God , their fellow-creatures , and themselves ; that is all I try for . "

" that is every thing .

" summer days are over , Summer work is done ; Harvests have been gathered Gayly one by one .

now the feast is eaten , Finished is the play ; But one rite remains for Our Thanksgiving-day .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Little Men , by Louisa May Alcott

Transcriber 's Note

if they do not display correctly you may need to adjust your font settings .

THE BROWN FAIRY BOOK

Illustration

edited by Andrew Lang

with Numerous Illustrations by H J Ford

LONGMANS , GREEN , AND CO .

@number@

Illustration : ' YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE ME YOUR WIFE , ' SAID THE ELF-MAIDEN

DEDICATED TO DIANA SCOTT LANG

PREFACE

the stories in this Fairy Book come from all quarters of the world .

they have no lessons except in tracking and catching birds , beasts , fishes , lizards , and snakes , all of which they eat .

however , many boys might think it better fun to begin to learn hunting as soon as they can walk .

the Lapps are a people not fond of soap and water , and very much given to art magic .

from Brazil , in South America , comes ' The Tortoise and the Mischievous Monkey , ' with the adventures of other animals .

the tale of ' What the Rose did to the Cypress , ' is translated out of a Persian manuscript by Mrs Beveridge .

that is how this Fairy Book was made up for your entertainment .

CONTENTS

PAGE

what the Rose did to the Cypress @number@

Ball-Carrier and the Bad One @number@

how Ball-Carrier finished his Task @number@

the Bunyip @number@

father Grumbler @number@

the Story of the Yara @number@

the Cunning Hare @number@

the Turtle and his Bride @number@

how Geirald the Coward was Punished @number@

Hábogi @number@

how the Little Brother set Free his Big Brothers @number@

the Sacred Milk of Koumongoé @number@

the Wicked Wolverine @number@

the Husband of the Rat 's Daughter @number@

the Mermaid and the Boy @number@

Pivi and Kabo @number@

the Elf Maiden @number@

how Some Wild Animals became Tame Ones @number@

fortune and the Wood-Cutter @number@

the Enchanted Head @number@

the Sister of the Sun @number@

the Prince and the Three Fates @number@

the Fox and the Lapp @number@

Kisa the Cat @number@

the Lion and the Cat @number@

which was the Foolishest ? @number@

Asmund and Signy @number@

Rübezahl @number@

Story of the King who would be Stronger than Fate @number@

Story of Wali Dâd the Simple-hearted @number@

Tale of a Tortoise and of a Mischievous Monkey @number@

the Knights of the Fish @number@

ILLUSTRATIONS

COLOURED PLATES

' You will have to make me your Wife , ' said the Elf Maiden ( p . @number@ ) frontispiece

Prince Almās Transformed to face p . @number@

the Punishment of the Rose " @number@

Hábogi 's Horses " @number@

' Listen , listen ! ' said the Mermaid to the Prince " @number@

the Princess and the Snake " @number@

Rübezahl and the Princess " @number@

the Dragon and the Mirror " @number@

FULL-PAGE PLATES

the Deer eludes Prince Tahmāsp " @number@

Mihr-afrūz and Prince Tahmāsp " @number@

the Shadow in the Stream " @number@

Chil-māq carries off Almās " @number@

the Death of the Bad One " @number@

the Witch outstrips the Wolf " @number@

' Wake up , my Grandson , it is time to go home ' " @number@

the Bunyip " @number@

the Yara Defeated " @number@

the Little Hare is Caught " @number@

the Turtle Outwitted " @number@

Geirald claims his Reward and the Queen demands another Test " @number@

the Jealous Sisters spell-bound in the Ash-pit " @number@

the Mermaid asks for the King 's Child " @number@

the Princess on the Seashore " @number@

the Bee , the Princess , the Red Knight , and the Lion " @number@

Pivi dives for the Shell-fish " @number@

the Princess sees the Magic Head " @number@

the Golden Hen will not be Caught " @number@

Signy at the Window " @number@

the Gnome falls in love with the Princess " @number@

Wali Dâd and the Peris " @number@

IN TEXT

PAGE Prince Almās brings Game to the King Lion @number@

the Dog and his Attendants @number@

the Boy in the Witch 's Hut @number@

the Magic Basket @number@

the Wonderful Cock @number@

the Holy Man gives the Bag to Father Grumbler @number@

Julia sings her Song into the Shell @number@

the Girl laughs at the Army of Turtles @number@

' The Giant will trouble you no more , ' said Geirald @number@

every Time a Bear was killed his Shadow returned to the House of the Great Bear Chief @number@

how the Boys were half turned into Bears @number@

' Why do you give to the Ogre your Child , so fair , so fair ? ' @number@

' Bring to me Dilah , Dilah the Rejected One ' @number@

all the Animals try to get the Rock off Wolverine 's Legs @number@

the Elf Maiden 's House @number@

the King falls in Love with the Sister of the Sun @number@

the Pool in the Sand @number@

the Elves and the Bear @number@

Kisa the Cat carries off Ingibjörg 's Feet from the Giant 's Cave @number@

the Princess steals the King 's Letter @number@

THE BROWN FAIRY BOOK

WHAT THE ROSE DID TO THE CYPRESS @number@

at the place where the prince intended to hunt he saw a most beautiful deer .

he ordered that it should not be killed , but trapped or captured with a noose .

it bounded high and leaped right over his head , got out of the ring , and tore like the eastern wind into the waste .

the prince put spurs to his horse and pursued it ; and was soon lost to the sight of his followers .

he was now drenched in sweat , and he breathed with pain ; and his horse 's tongue hung from its mouth with thirst .

he dismounted and toiled on , with bridle on arm , praying and casting himself on the mercy of heaven .

then his horse fell and surrendered its life to God .

on and on he went across the sandy waste , weeping and with burning breast , till at length a hill rose into sight .

its branches had put forth a glory of leaves , and there were grass and a spring underneath it , and flowers of many colours .

gladdened by this sight , he dragged himself to the water 's edge , drank his fill , and returned thanks for his deliverance from thirst .

he looked about him and , to his amazement , saw close by a royal seat .

his face was kind , and wise and thoughtful , and he came on and spoke to the prince .

' O good youth ! how did you come here ?

who are you ?

where do you come from ? '

who are you ?

how did you come to make your dwelling in this wilderness ? '

Illustration : THE DEER ELUDES PRINCE TAHMĀSP

the Most High God gave me seven sons who grew up well versed in all princely arts .

princes come from all quarters to ask her hand , and on one and all she imposes a condition .

but if a suitor cannot answer my question I cut off his head and hang it on the battlements of the citadel . "

the riddle she asks is , " what did the rose do to the cypress ? "

nothing that I could say had the slightest effect on him .

I will go alone ; I will answer the riddle , and win her in this way . "

at last , out of pity for him , I let him go .

he reached the city of King Quimūs .

he was asked the riddle and could not give the true answer ; and his head was cut off and hung upon the battlements .

then I mourned him in black raiment for forty days .

Prince Tahmāsp listened to this tale , and then the arrow of love for that unseen girl struck his heart also .

just at this moment of his ill-fate his people came up , and gathered round him like moths round a light .

' Your son , Prince Tahmāsp , loves distractedly the Princess Mihr-afrūz , daughter of King Quimūs , son of Tīmūs . '

then they told the king all about her and her doings .

I will send an abundance of gifts , and a string of camels laden with flashing stones and rubies of Badakhshān .

in this way I will bring her and her suite , and I will give her to you to be your solace .

but the prince said that this plan would not be right , and that he would go himself , and would answer the riddle .

maybe he will repent and come back . '

by stage after stage , and after many days ' journeying , he arrived at the city of King Quimūs .

what did he see ?

a towering citadel whose foot kept firm the wrinkled earth , and whose battlements touched the blue heaven .

the sight of the drums stirred the fire of Prince Tahmāsp 's love .

so he struck upon the drums , and at once summoned an officer who took him to King Quimūs .

God forbid that your spring also should be ravaged by the autumn winds of martyrdom . '

all his urgency , however , had no effect in making the prince withdraw .

then the prince went to his own quarters and was treated as became his station .

King Quimūs now sent for his daughter and for her mother , Gul-rukh , @number@ and talked to them .

he said to Mihr-afrūz : ' Listen to me , you cruel flirt !

why do you persist in this folly ?

a better husband you will not find . '

but all the arguments of father and mother were wasted , for her only answer was : ' O my father !

the three days passed ; then the riddle was asked : ' What did the rose do to the cypress ? '

Illustration : MIHR-AFRŪZ & PRINCE TAHMĀSP

the news of the death of Prince Tahmāsp plunged his father into despair and stupefaction .

one son only now remained , the brave , eloquent , happy-natured Prince Almās-ruh-bakhsh .

these words brought his father to tears .

in the end he , too , got leave to go ; but he went without a following and alone .

he went about in the city , saw the tent and the drums , and then went out again to a village not far off .

here he found out a very old man who had a wife @number@ years old , or rather more .

their lives were coming to their end , but they had never beheld face of child of their own .

they were glad when the prince came to their house , and they dealt with him as with a son .

he put all his belongings into their charge , and fastened his horse in their out-house .

then he asked them not to speak of him to anyone , and to keep his affairs secret .

it was a very splendid place , with a wonderful gateway , and walls like Alexander 's ramparts .

many gate-keepers were on guard , and there was no chance of passing them .

while he prayed he bethought himself that he could get into the garden with a stream of inflowing water .

he looked carefully round , fearing to be seen , stripped , slid into the stream and was carried within the great walls .

there he hid himself till his loin cloth was dry .

' That must be Mihr-afrūz , ' he thought , ' she is indeed lovely . '

fear and trembling took hold of her , and she screamed as women scream .

' O princess !

I went for water , and I saw an image , and I was afraid . '

so another girl went to the water and saw the same thing , and came back with the same story .

the princess wished to see for herself ; she rose and paced to the spot with the march of a prancing peacock .

she lost a hundred hearts to him , and signed to her nurse to bring him to her presence .

' What a pity ! ' said the princess , ' he is mad ! '

as she liked him she said : ' He is my mad man ; let no one hurt him . '

she took him to her house and told him not to go away , for that she would provide for all his wants .

she came to love him very much , and she spent day and night thinking how she could make her affection known to him .

tell me your secret ; who are you , and how did you come here ?

I love you very much , and if you would like to leave this place I will go with you .

I have wealth equal to the treasure of the miserly Qarūn . '

but the prince only made answer like a man distraught , and told her nothing .

so , with streaming eyes and burning breast , Dil-arām arose and went to her house and lamented and fretted .

now whenever the princess commanded the prince 's attendance , Dil-arām , of all the girls , paid him attention and waited on him best .

this was the very thing Dil-arām had prayed for .

I will not tell your secret .

tell me all about yourself so that I may help you to get what you want . '

the prince now recognised in her words the perfume of true love , and he made compact with her .

' O lovely girl !

I want to know what the rose did to the cypress .

when I have this woman in my power and have avenged my brothers , I will make you my solace . '

Illustration : THE SHADOW IN THE STREAM

' O Dil-arām ! such a vengeance is not manly .

I shall not rest till I have gone to Wāq of the Caucasus and have cleared up the matter . '

then they repeated the agreement about their marriage , and bade one another good-bye .

the prince thanked heaven , laid the hands of reverence on his breast and salaamed .

the old man returned the greeting graciously , and asked : ' How fare you ?

whither are you bound ?

you look like a traveller . '

' O revered saint !

I am in this difficulty : I do not know the way to Wāq of the Caucasus . '

the old man of good counsel looked at the young prince and said : ' Turn back from this dangerous undertaking .

do not go ; choose some other task !

if you had a hundred lives you would not bring one out safe from this journey . '

but his words had no effect on the prince 's resolve .

' What object have you , ' the old man asked , ' in thus consuming your life ? '

' I have an important piece of business to do , and only this journey makes it possible .

I must go ; I pray you , in God 's name , tell me the way . '

in it there are jins , demons , and perīs .

follow this for a day and a night .

then you will come to a column on which is a marble slab inscribed with Cufic characters .

do what is written there ; beware of disobedience . '

after a day and a night he saw the column rise in silent beauty to the heavens .

if a man would pass his life in ease and pleasantness , let him take the right-hand path .

if he take the left , he will have some trouble , but he will reach his goal without much delay .

beware of it ! '

I , Thy servant , come to Thee for succour .

my purpose lies in the land of Qāf and my road is full of peril .

lead me by it . '

his upper lip , arched like an eyebrow , curved upwards to his nostrils and his lower hung down like a camel 's .

four millstones formed his shield , and on a box-tree close by hung his giant sword .

the prince approached and tied up his horse near the negro's head .

in the inner garden there were very many deer .

after a while he reached a palace which had a porch more splendid than Cæsar 's , and was built of gold and silver bricks .

he salaamed ; she rose , took him by the hand and placed him near her .

' O young man ! who are you ? where do you come from ?

how did you get into this garden ? '

he told her his story from beginning to end , and Lady Latīfa @number@ replied : ' This is folly !

it will make you a vagabond of the earth , and lead you to destruction .

come , cease such talk !

no one can go to the Caucasus .

Lady Latīfa argued and urged her wishes , but in vain ; the prince was not to be moved .

the pure , clear wine was brought ; she filled a cup and gave to him .

he said : ' O most enchanting sweetheart ! it is the rule for the host to drink first and then the guest . '

so to make him lose his head , she drained the cup ; then filled it again and gave him .

by heaven 's grace I may accomplish my purpose , and , if so , I will come back to you . '

Illustration : PRINCE ALMĀS TRANSFORMED

the box was brought , and she divided off a portion of what was within and gave it to the prince to eat .

he tried to escape , but the magician sent for her goldsmith , who , coming , overlaid the deer-horns with gold and jewels .

the kerchief which that day she had had in her hand was then tied round its neck , and this freed it from her attentions .

the prince-deer now bounded into the garden and at once sought some way of escape .

it found none , and it joined the other deer , which soon made it their leader .

now , although the prince had been transformed into the form of a deer , he kept his man 's heart and mind .

he looked again for some place by which he could get out of the magic garden .

presently a girl of such moon-like beauty opened a window that the prince lost to her a hundred hearts .

the nurse coveted the pearls , but as she was three hundred years old she did not know how she could catch a deer .

however , she went down into the garden and held out some grass , but when she went near the creature ran away .

' I am killing myself , ' shouted back the old woman .

the girl saw that nurse tottering along and went down to help , marching with the gait of a prancing peacock .

so he played about the girl and let her catch him by the neck .

a leash was brought , fruits were given , and it was caressed with delight .

when the nurse went to fix the cord she saw tears falling from its eyes , and that it was dejected and sorrowful .

' O Lady Jamīla ! this is a wonderful deer , it is crying ; I never saw a deer cry before . '

Jamīla darted down like a flash of lightning , and saw that it was so .

it rubbed its head on her feet and then shook it so sadly that the girl cried for sympathy .

she patted it and said : ' Why are you sad , my heart ?

why do you cry , my soul ?

is it because I have caught you ?

I love you better than my own life . '

but , spite of her comforting , it cried the more .

at these words the deer uttered sounds , and laid its head on her feet .

then Jamīla was sure it was a man , and said : ' Be comforted , I will restore you to your own shape . '

then she slipped her hand under her carpet and produced a stick to which she said something .

she struck the deer hard , it pirouetted and became Prince Almās .

the broidered kerchief and the jewels lay upon the ground .

the prince prostrated himself in thanks to heaven and Jamīla , and said : ' O delicious person !

O Chinese Venus ! how shall I excuse myself for giving you so much trouble ?

with what words can I thank you ? '

then she called for a clothes-wallet and chose out a royal dress of honour .

her attendants dressed him in it , and brought him again before the tender-hearted lady .

even when he was a deer the prince had much admired Jamīla ; now he thought her a thousand times more lovely than before .

he judged that in truth alone was safety , and so told her his whole story .

then she asked : ' O Prince Almās-ruh-bakhsh , do you still wish so much to make this journey to Wāq of Qāf ?

what hope is there in it ?

the road is dangerous even near here , and this is not yet the borderland of the Caucasus .

come , give it up !

it is a great risk , and to go is not wise .

it would be a pity for a man like you to fall into the hands of jins and demons .

stay with me , and I will do whatever you wish . '

if you love me , so do I too love you .

if you really love me , do not forbid me to make this journey , but help me as far as you can .

help me , if you can , and give me your counsel . '

First , there are the bow and arrows of his Reverence the Prophet Salih .

what you have to do first is to get to the home of the Sīmurgh @number@ , and to make friends with him .

' O most delicious person ! where is the Sīmurgh 's home ?

how shall I get there ? '

it is called the Place of Gifts , and you must stay there one night .

there you will see many wild beasts lions , tigers , leopards , apes , and so on .

before you get there you must capture some game .

when he wishes to eat , take your knife and cut pieces of the meat and set them before him with a bow .

their chief is Taram-tāq . @number@

further on than this is the home of the Sīmurgh . '

having stored these things in the prince 's memory , she said : ' You will see everything happen just as I have said . '

then she escorted him a little way ; they parted , and she went home to mourn his absence .

Prince Almās , relying on the Causer of Causes , rode on to the Place of Gifts and dismounted at the platform .

By-and-by , they made way for a wonderfully big lion , which was eighty yards from nose to tail-tip , and was a magnificent creature .

the prince advanced and saluted it ; it proudly drooped its head and forelocks and paced to the platform .

seventy or eighty others were with it , and now encircled it at a little distance .

when it wished for food he cut off pieces of the meat and put them in its mouth .

the serving lions also came near and the prince would have stayed his hand , but the king-lion signed to him to feed them too .

this he did , laying the meat on the platform .

then the king-lion beckoned the prince to come near and said : ' Sleep at ease ; my guards will watch . '

then it went off into the jungle .

Illustration : PRINCE ALMĀS BRINGS GAME TO THE KING LION

Prince Almās immediately started ; he rode till he came to the parting of the ways .

By-and-by he saw a castle , and knew from what Jamīla had told him that it was the Place of Clashing Swords .

he was thinking of tying his horse to a tree which grew near the gate when a negro came out and spied him .

I will take this creature to him . '

he took hold of the prince 's reins , and said : ' Dismount , man-child !

come to my master .

he has wanted to eat man-meat this long time back . '

' What nonsense are you saying ? ' said the prince , and other such words .

when the negro understood that he was being abused , he cried : ' Come along !

I will put you into such a state that the birds of the air will weep for you . '

a second negro came out of the fort , and seeing what had been done , went back and told his chief .

others wished to be doubled , and went out , and of every one the Scorpion of Solomon made two .

come ! make two of me . '

as the prince was despicable in his eyes , he tossed aside his club and rushed to grip him with his hands .

he caught him by the collar , tucked him under his arm and set off with him to Taram-tāq .

but the prince drew the dagger of Tīmūs and thrust it upwards through the giant 's arm-pit , for its full length .

Illustration : CHIL-MĀQ CARRIES OFF ALMĀS

when news of his champion 's death reached Taram-tāq he put himself at the head of an army of his negroes and led them forth .

Many fell before the magic sword , and the prince laboured on in spite of weakness and fatigue till he was almost worn out .

suddenly from behind the distant veil of the desert appeared an army of lions led by their king .

' What brings these scourges of heaven here ? ' cried the negroes .

they came roaring up , and put fresh life into the prince .

then the ten thousand mighty lions joined the fray and tore in pieces man and horse .

Taram-tāq was left alone ; he would have retired into his fort , but the prince shouted : ' Whither away , accursed one ?

are you fleeing before me ? '

at these defiant words the chief shouted back , ' Welcome , man !

come here and I will soften you to wax beneath my club . '

then he hurled his club at the prince 's head , but it fell harmless because the prince had quickly spurred his horse forward .

the king-lion greatly praised the dashing courage of Prince Almās .

they went together into the Castle of Clashing Swords and found it adorned and fitted in princely fashion .

in it was a daughter of Taram-tāq , still a child .

she sent a message to Prince Almās saying , ' O king of the world ! choose this slave to be your handmaid .

keep her with you ; where you go , there she will go ! '

he sent for her and she kissed his feet and received the Mussulman faith at his hands .

he said good-bye , chose a fresh horse from the chief 's stable and once again took the road .

after travelling many stages and for many days , he reached a plain of marvellous beauty and refreshment .

it was carpeted with flowers roses , tulips , and clover ; it had lovely lawns , and amongst them running water .

this choicest place of earth filled him with wonder .

near it a reservoir had been fashioned of four sorts of stone touchstone , pure stone , marble , and loadstone .

In and out of it flowed water like attar .

he was still dozing when he was aroused by the neighing and pawing of his horse .

when he could see clearly he made out a mountain-like dragon whose heavy breast crushed the stones beneath it into putty .

he remembered the Thousand Names of God and took the bow of Salih from its case and three arrows from their quiver .

he bound the dagger of Tīmūs firmly to his waist and hung the Scorpion of Solomon round his neck .

the dragon writhed on itself , and belched forth an evil vapour , and beat the ground with its head till the earth quaked .

then the prince took a second arrow and shot into its throat .

the foul vapour of the beast and horror at its strangeness now overcame the prince , and he fainted .

when he came to himself he found that he was drenched in the gore of the dead monster .

he rose and thanked God for his deliverance .

by the time the dragon had been killed they were very hungry and set up a clamour for food .

the prince therefore cut up the dragon and fed them with it , bit by bit , till they had eaten the whole .

he then washed himself and lay down to rest , and he was still asleep when the Sīmurgh came home .

as they flew nearer , the old birds saw the prince lying under the tree and no sign of life in the nest .

they thought that the misfortune which for so many earlier years had befallen them had again happened and that their nestlings had disappeared .

they had never been able to find out the murderer , and now suspected the prince .

then the Sīmurgh flew off to a distance with the great stone and dropped it .

it sank down to the very middle of the earth .

and how did you cross that pitiless desert where never yet foot of man had trod ? '

perhaps , by your favour , I shall accomplish my task and avenge my brothers . '

by God 's grace you have removed my children 's powerful foe .

I regard you as a child of my own .

give up the journey to Wāq , it is full of risk , and the jins there will certainly kill you . '

but nothing could move the prince , and seeing this the bird went on : ' Well , so be it !

when I ask for it you must put food and water into my mouth .

so we shall make the journey safely . '

the prince walked on in solitude till he reached the city .

he spent seven days thinking it over in silence .

from the first day of his coming he had made friends with a young cloth-merchant , and a great liking had sprung up between them .

one day he said abruptly to his companion : ' O dear friend !

I wish you would tell me what the rose did to the cypress , and what the sense of the riddle is . '

there is no other way ; no one else will tell you .

I have a well-wisher at the Court , named Farrūkh-fāl , @number@ and will introduce you to him . '

' That would be excellent , ' cried the prince .

' I , your slave , once had riches and state and power ; there are many such stones in my country .

he showed the utmost kindness and hospitality , and gave his vazīr orders to instal the prince in the royal guest-house .

he took much pleasure in his visitor 's society ; they were together every day and spent the time most pleasantly .

several times the king said : ' Ask me for something , that I may give it you . '

the king was astounded .

' In God 's name ! if anyone else had said that to me I should have cut off his head instantly . '

the prince heard this in silence , and presently so beguiled the king with pleasant talk that to kill him was impossible .

Illustration : THE PUNISHMENT OF THE ROSE

applause and compliments rang from every side .

' Never yet , ' replied the king , ' has any man come out from that question alive .

if this is your only wish , so be it ; I will tell you .

but I will do this on one condition only , namely , that when you have heard you will submit yourself to death . '

to this the prince agreed , and said : ' I set my foot firmly on this compact . '

a band of fair girls came in and stood round it in waiting .

she was extraordinarily beautiful , and shamed the glorious sun .

the king ordered a hundred stripes to be laid on her tender body ; she sighed a long sigh .

food was called for and table-cloths were spread .

delicate meats were set before the dog , and water given it in a royal cup of Chinese crystal .

when it had eaten its fill , its leavings were placed before the lovely woman and she was made to eat of them .

she wept and her tears were pearls ; she smiled and her lips shed roses .

Pearls and flowers were gathered up and taken to the treasury .

' Now , ' said the king , ' you have seen these things and your purpose is fulfilled . '

tell me and kill me . '

one day I was hunting and became very thirsty .

after great search I discovered a well in a place so secret that neither bird nor beast nor man could find it without labour .

I was alone , I took my turban for a rope and my cap for a bucket .

I am dying of thirst , let go ! in God 's name . "

after trying a thousand schemes , I drew up two blind women .

they said they were perīs , and that their king had blinded them in his anger and had left them in the well alone .

' " what is the cure for your blindness ? "

we should be eternally your debtors .

do not let the cow see you , or she will assuredly kill you . "

' With renewed strength and spirit I went to the shore .

there I watched the cow come up from the sea , graze , and go back .

then I came out of my hiding , took a little of her dung and conveyed it to the perīs .

they rubbed it on their eyes , and by the Divine might saw again .

Illustration : THE DOG & HIS ATTENDANTS

' They thanked heaven and me , and then considered what they could do to show their gratitude to me .

In good sooth , she has not her equal !

teach her to love you so that she cannot exist without you .

but if the matter becomes known to her mother she will have you burned in the fire .

' In the end the two perīs took me to the girl 's house .

I saw her sleeping daintily .

' When the perī opened her eyes she asked in affright : " who are you ?

have you come to steal ?

how did you get here ?

be quick ! save yourself from this whirlpool of destruction , for the demons and perīs who guard me will wake and seize you . "

' But love 's arrow had struck me deep , and the girl , too , looked kindly on me .

I could not go away .

for some months I remained hidden in her house .

we did not dare to let her mother know of our love .

sometimes the girl was very sad and fearful lest her mother should come to know .

one day her father said to her : " Sweetheart , for some time I have noticed that your beauty is not what it was .

how is this ?

has sickness touched you ?

tell me that I may seek a cure . "

alas ! there was now no way of concealing the mingled delight and anguish of our love ; from secret it became known .

I was put in prison and the world grew dark to my rose , bereft of her lover .

this was allowed , and those two contrived to be the anointers .

I was put into the fire and it was kept up for seven days and nights .

by the will of the Great King it left no trace upon me .

at the end of a week the perī-king ordered the ashes to be cast upon the dust-heap , and I was found alive and unharmed .

it is best to give him the girl , for they love one another .

he is King of Wāq of Qāf , and you will find none better . "

' To this the king agreed , and made formal marriage between Gul and me .

you now know the price I paid for this faithless creature .

O prince ! remember our compact . '

' I remember , ' said the prince ; ' but tell me what brought Queen Gul to her present pass ? '

I asked her where she had been to get so cold , and she said she had had to go out .

I reprimanded the groom and beat him .

a flame kindled in my heart , and I asked myself where she could go and what she could do .

that day I did not hunt , but stayed at home to follow the matter up .

I lay down as usual at night and pretended to fall asleep .

when I seemed safely off , Gul got up and went to the stable as her custom was .

that night it was Tiger 's turn .

she rode off on him , and I took Windfoot and followed .

with me went that dog you see , a faithful friend who never left me .

over against the door was a high seat , and on it lay a giant negro , before whom she salaamed .

he got up and beat her till she was marked with weals , but she uttered no complaint .

I was dumfounded , for once when I had struck her with a rose-stalk she had complained and fretted for three days !

then the negro said to her : " how now , ugly one and shaven head !

why are you so late , and why are you not wearing wedding garments ? "

I came as soon as I could . "

in a little while he called her to sit beside him ; but this was more than I could bear .

I lost control of myself and rushed upon him .

he clutched my collar and we grappled in a death struggle .

suddenly she came behind me , caught my feet and threw me .

while he held me on the ground , she drew out my own knife and gave it to him .

I should have been killed but for that faithful dog which seized his throat and pulled him down and pinned him to the ground .

then I got up and despatched the wretch .

now you know what the rose did to the cypress ; and now you must keep compact with me . '

to this request the king consented .

Straightway it appeared , and by the majesty of its presence made the city quake .

it took the prince on its back and soared away to the zenith .

after a time King Sinaubar said : ' That young man is a long time on the roof ; go and bring him here . '

when the king heard of his escape he thanked heaven that his hands were clean of this blood .

Up and up flew the Sīmurgh , till earth looked like an egg resting on an ocean .

at length it dropped straight down to its own place , where the kind prince was welcomed by the young birds and most hospitably entertained .

here they halted for a night , and at dawn said good-bye to the king-lion and set out for Jamīla 's country .

their meeting was joyful , and they went together to the garden-palace .

Jamīla summoned all her notables , and in their presence her marriage with the prince was solemnised .

a few days later she entrusted her affairs to her vazīr , and made preparation to go with the prince to his own country .

the wicked Latīfa herself she left quite alone in her garden-house .

I am here to give her the answer to her riddle . '

later on he entered the city , beat boldly on the drums , and was conducted to the presence .

the king entreated him to have nothing to do with the riddle , for that no man had come out of it alive .

' O king ! ' replied the prince , ' it is to answer it that I am here ; I will not withdraw . '

at the request of the prince , all the officers and notables of the land were summoned to hear his reply to the princess .

all assembled , and the king and his queen Gul-rukh , and the girl and the prince were there .

the prince addressed Mihr-afrūz : ' What is the question you ask ? '

' What did the rose do to the cypress ? ' she rejoined .

the prince smiled , and turned and addressed the assembly .

' You who are experienced men and versed in affairs , did you ever know or hear and see anything of this matter ? '

' From whom , then , did the princess hear of it ?

this empty fancy it is that has done many a servant of God to death ! '

all saw the good sense of his words and showed their approval .

then he turned to the princess : ' Tell us the truth , princess ; who told you of this thing ?

you must produce the person who can confirm my words . '

her heart sank , for she feared that her long-kept secret was now to be noised abroad .

but she said merely : ' Explain yourself . '

' I shall explain myself fully when you bring here the negro whom you hide beneath your throne . '

here the king shouted in wonderment : ' Explain yourself , young man !

what negro does my daughter hide beneath her throne ? '

the king was overwhelmed with astonishment , but the girl had taken heart again .

she had had time to think that perhaps the prince had heard of the presence of the negro , and knew no more .

so she said haughtily : ' Prince ! you have not answered my riddle . '

' O most amazingly impudent person , ' cried he , ' do you not yet repent ? '

' That is so ; all happened as you have told it ! '

King Quimūs made over his daughter to Prince Almās , but the latter refused to marry her , and took her as his captive .

he then asked that the heads should be removed from the battlements and given decent burial .

this was done .

then he returned to his camp and sent for Dil-arām , who came bringing her goods and chattels , her gold and her jewels .

King Saman-lāl-pōsh Jessamine , wearer of rubies had so bewept the loss of his sons that he was now blind .

light came , and the king saw his son .

this frightened Mihr-afrūz horribly , for she thought the same thing might be done to herself .

she cried out to the prince : ' O Prince Almās ! what is hardest to get is most valued .

up till now I have been subject to no man , and no man had had my love .

the many kings and kings ' sons who have died at my hands have died because it was their fate to die like this .

in this matter I have not sinned .

that was their fate from eternity ; and from the beginning it was predestined that my fate should be bound up with yours . '

the prince gave ear to the argument from preordainment , and as she was a very lovely maiden he took her too in lawful marriage .

now has been told what the rose did to the cypress .

finished , finished , finished !

FOOTNOTES :

@number@ Jessamine , ruby-decked .

@number@ Life-giving diamond .

@number@ World-gripper .

@number@ Love-enkindler .

@number@ Rose-cheek .

@number@ Heartsease .

@number@ Elias .

@number@ Pleasure .

@number@ Thirty-birds .

@number@ Pomp and Pride .

@number@ Of happy omen .

BALL-CARRIER AND THE BAD ONE

her plan was a very simple one , and had never yet failed .

but he never did , and , what was more , his parents never saw him again .

besides , there was always the chance that the children might have been eaten by wolves , of which large herds roamed about in winter .

Illustration : THE BOY IN THE WITCH'S HUT

one day the old witch happened to want a little boy , so she threw her ball in the direction of the hunters ' huts .

but as he did so it began to roll very gently downhill .

the boy could not let it roll away , when it was so close to him , so he gave chase .

that time he almost touched it no , he missed it by a hair 's breadth !

now , surely , if he gave a spring he could get in front of it !

he sprang forward , tripped and fell , and found himself in the witch 's house !

so the boy sat down , and ate some food which she gave him in a bowl .

it was quite different from anything he had tasted before , and he thought it was delicious .

when he had eaten up every bit , the witch asked him if he had ever fasted .

' Very well , ' said the boy , ' what do I do first ? '

at the end of ten days the old woman came to him with a bowl of the same food that he had eaten before .

' Get up , my grandson , you have fasted long enough .

have the good spirits visited you , and granted you the strength and wisdom that you desire ? '

' Then , ' said she , ' you must fast ten days more . '

at length the witch called to him , and said :

' Come and eat something , my grandson . '

at the sound of her voice the boy got up and ate the food she gave him .

not one must be missing . '

the boy said nothing , but lay down for the third time on the buffalo skins , and fasted for twenty days more .

and at the end of that time the witch thought he was dead , his face was so white and his body so still .

but when she had fed him out of the bowl he grew stronger , and soon was able to sit up .

' You have fasted a long time , ' said she , ' longer than anyone ever fasted before .

surely the good spirits must be satisfied now ? '

' Yes , grandmother , ' answered the boy , ' they have all come , and have given me their gifts . '

but you have been strong and faithful , and you can do this thing if you listen to what I tell you !

but do not be afraid ; trust to the ball , and you will be quite safe ! '

the boy took the ball and put it in a bag .

and in some way or other they made him understand that if he needed more help they would give it to him .

when all these things were ready the boy bade farewell to the witch and set out .

it seemed hardly to touch the water before it was carried away , and even his magic sight could not follow it .

to his surprise he was able to stand up ; then a panic seized him , and he scrambled up the bank again .

once there he replaced the ball in the bag , and looked carefully round him .

what should he do ?

give horrible shrieks as if he were in pain ?

but the Bad One would not care whether he were murdered or not !

call him by his name ?

but the Bad One was very cunning , and would suspect some trick .

he must try something better than that !

then suddenly an idea came to him , and he gave a little jump of joy .

fetch some more at once , for I am perfectly starving . '

next he unhooked the little bridge and put it under his right .

and she pulled out Ball-Carrier , looking so lean and small that he would hardly have made a mouthful for a sparrow .

' Was it you who took my gold and bridge ? ' asked the Bad One .

' Yes , ' answered Ball-Carrier , ' it was I who took them . '

the Bad One made a sign to the woman , who inquired where he had hidden them .

' What have you done with the bridge ? ' said she .

and he lifted his right arm , from which she took the bridge , while the Bad One looked on , well pleased .

' Be sure that he does not run away , ' chuckled he .

' Boil some water , and get him ready for cooking , while I go and invite my friends the water-demons to the feast . '

Illustration : THE DEATH OF THE BAD ONE

the woman seized Ball-Carrier between her finger and thumb , and was going to carry him to the kitchen , when the boy spoke :

' Well , perhaps you are right , ' answered the Bad One ; ' I will keep you for two days . '

and he went out to visit the water-demons .

' He will do now , ' said the Bad One , who came constantly to see how he was getting on .

' I shall go and tell the water-demons that we expect them to dinner to-night .

put the kettle on the fire , but be sure on no account to taste the broth . '

Lung-Woman lost no time in obeying her orders .

the kettle soon began to sing and bubble , and Ball-Carrier was lifted in .

U.S. Bureau of Ethnology .

HOW BALL-CARRIER FINISHED HIS TASK

one morning he saw two children playing in front of the hut , and went out to speak to them .

but as soon as they saw him they set up cries of horror and ran away .

' Oh , well , let her try , ' replied Ball-Carrier .

' It is not the first time people have wished to do that .

and here I am still , you see ! '

' Be careful , ' said the wife , ' she is very cunning . '

but at this moment the sister-in-law came up .

' How do you do , brother-in-law ?

I have heard of you so often that I am very glad to meet you .

' That will be delightful , ' answered he .

' Suppose we begin with a short race , and then we will go on to other things . '

' That will suit me very well , ' replied the woman , who was a witch .

' And let us agree that the one who wins shall have the right to kill the other . '

we will run to the end and back again . '

' When the sun touches the trunk of that tree we will start , ' said she , as they both stood side by side .

but with the first step Ball-Carrier changed himself into a wolf and for a long way kept ahead .

then gradually he heard her creeping up behind him , and soon she was in front .

the witch began to be afraid of it too , and putting out all her strength slipped past him .

Bird after bird he tried , but every time the witch gained on him and took the lead .

what bird was there whose flight was swifter than his ?

would not the good spirits tell him ?

ah , of course he knew ; why had he not thought of it at first and spared himself all that fatigue ?

and the next instant a humming bird , dressed in green and blue , flashed past the woman and entered the house .

Illustration : THE WITCH OUTSTRIPS THE WOLF

and as they returned weeping to the hut they caught a glimpse of the ball rolling away down the path back to the old grandmother .

By-and-by some travellers came past , and the chief among them asked leave to marry Ball-Carrier 's daughter .

now ever since Ball-Carrier 's death the family had been very poor , and often could not get enough to eat .

' It is my father , I am sure , ' she cried ; and the bird piped in answer .

and the mother , who did not know how to get rid of him , gave in .

the whole party afterwards sat down to dinner , after which they all returned to their own hut .

the family were all much distressed , and begged him to tell them what food he fancied .

' Oh !

Illustration : ' WAKE UP , MY GRANDSON , IT IS TIME TO GO HOME '

' There must be some thing you could take , if you would only say what it is , ' implored his wife .

' No , nothing , nothing ; except , perhaps but of course that is impossible ! '

' I think but I could not ask you to do such a thing .

leave me alone , and let me die quietly . '

' Whatever it is , I will manage to get it for you . '

weeping and wringing her hands , the girl went down to her mother .

just as she was going to cook it her two brothers came in .

they cried out in horror at the sight , and , rushing out of the hut , declared they would never see her any more .

and the poor girl , with a heavy heart , took the body of the redbreast up to her husband .

his wife felt very miserable to think that their beloved redbreast had been sacrificed for nothing , and begged him to try a little bit .

but the man only flew into a rage , and flung the bird out of the window .

then he got up and went out .

when she was ready she said to the ball : ' Go back the way you came , and lead me to my grandson . '

and the ball started with the old woman following .

' Wake up , my grandson , it is time to go home , ' the witch said .

' My grandson , did you ever manage to get that gold from the Bad One ? '

' Yes , grandmother , I got it . '

' Where is it ? ' she asked .

' Here , in my left arm-pit , ' answered he .

after she had finished she asked again :

' My grandson , did you manage to get that bridge from the Bad One ? '

' Yes , grandmother , I got that too , ' answered he .

' Where is it ? ' she asked , and Ball-Carrier lifted his right arm , and pointed to his arm-pit .

' Here is the bridge , grandmother , ' said he .

then the witch did something that nobody in the world could have guessed that she would do .

first , she took the gold and said to Ball-Carrier :

and after that was done she put the pole back again .

' Give me the bridge , ' said she , ' for I am going to bury it here .

you have done what you were set to do , and I need you no more . '

then Ball-Carrier remembered his parents and went back to them .

From Bureau of Ethnology .

' Indian Folklore . '

THE BUNYIP

let them come and get the roots for themselves ; but we will fish for eels and anything else we can get . '

Illustration : THE BUNYIP

when he reached a high peak overlooking all the plain he stopped to take breath , and turned to see if he was safe yet .

safe ! why only the tops of the trees remained above that sea of water , and these were fast disappearing .

they must run fast indeed if they were to escape .

but , as he spoke , something cold touched him , and quickly he glanced down at his feet .

then with a shudder he saw that they were feet no longer , but bird 's claws .

the little Bunyip was carried home by its mother , and after that the waters sank back to their own channels .

though how they know I cannot tell you , as nobody has ever seen it .

From Journal of Anthropological Institute .

FATHER GRUMBLER

once upon a time there lived a man who had nearly as many children as there were sparrows in the garden .

By-and-by he grew weary of always working , and on Sundays he lay a long while in bed , instead of going to church .

and he set out at once for the cave .

' Who is there ? ' asked a voice from within .

' It is I , Holy Man , Father Grumbler , you know , who has as many children as sparrows in the garden . '

' Well , and what is it that you want ? '

' I want to know why other people have all the luck , and only misfortunes happen to me ! '

the Holy Man did not answer , but went into an inner cave , from which he came out bearing something in his hand .

' Do you see this basket ? ' said he .

but when you have had enough , be sure you don't forget to cry out : " that will do for to-day . "

oh ! and one thing more you need not show it to everybody and declare that I have given it to you .

do you understand ? '

what a quantity there were to be sure !

the whole road was covered with them , and the banks on each side were beginning to disappear .

that will do for to-day ! '

and the lid of the basket closed with a snap .

Illustration : THE MAGIC BASKET

only there is no need to chatter about it all over the place .

you understand ?

eh ? '

and without waiting for an answer he whispered to the basket : ' Little basket , little basket , do your duty . '

' Be quick , be quick , and pick them up , ' cried the man .

' And if these are not enough , there are plenty more to be had for the asking . '

the innkeeper and his wife did not need telling twice .

down they went on their knees and gathered up everything they could lay hands on .

but busy though they seemed , they found time to whisper to each other :

' If we can only get hold of that basket it will make our fortune ! '

unluckily , though he did not speak , he did drink , and it was not long before he fell fast asleep .

their father burst into the midst of them , bearing his basket , and crying :

' Don't spoil your appetites , children , with that stuff .

do you see this basket ?

now you shall say it instead of me , for a treat . '

the children , wondering and delighted , repeated the words , but nothing happened .

' It certainly smells of fish , ' he said , and then he stopped , for a sudden thought had come to him .

' Suppose it is not mine at all ; supposing Ah , the scoundrels ! '

' Can I do anything for you , Father Grumbler ? ' asked the innkeeper 's wife in her softest voice .

' I have taken the wrong basket by mistake , of course , ' said he .

' Here is yours , will you give me back my own ? '

' Why , what are you talking about ? ' answered she .

' You can see for yourself that there is no basket here . '

and though Father Grumbler did look , it was quite true that none was to be seen .

he took the road that led to the Holy Man 's cave , and made such haste that it was not long before he reached it .

' Who is there ? ' said a voice in answer to his knock .

' It is me , it is me , Holy Man .

you know quite well .

father Grumbler , who has as many children as sparrows in the garden . '

' But , my good man , it was only yesterday that I gave you a handsome present . '

' Yes , Holy Man , and here it is .

but something has happened , I don't know what , and it won't work any more . '

' Well , put it down .

I will go and see if I can find anything for you . '

in a few minutes the Holy Man returned with a cock under his arm .

but , remember , it is not necessary to let all the world into the secret . '

' Oh no , Holy Man , I am not so foolish as that . '

' Nor to tell everybody that I gave it to you , ' went on the Holy Man .

' I have not got these treasures by the dozen . '

and without waiting for an answer he shut the door .

as before , the distance seemed to have wonderfully shortened , and in a moment the tavern rose up in front of Father Grumbler .

without stopping to think , he went straight in , and found the innkeeper 's wife in the kitchen making a cake .

' Show me what you can do , cock , ' cried he .

Illustration : ' COQUERICO ' THE WONDERFUL COCK

' You are a nice man to go wasting your time and your money drinking in that tavern , and leaving us to starve !

aren't you ashamed of yourself ? '

' You don't know what you are talking of , ' he answered .

' Money ?

why , I have gold and diamonds now , as much as I want .

do you see that cock ?

at last he grew a little quieter , but remained as puzzled as ever .

' Can I have forgotten the words ?

but I know that was what he said !

and I saw the diamonds with my own eyes ! '

then suddenly he seized the cock , shut it into the basket , and rushed out of the house .

Illustration : THE HOLY MAN GIVES THE BAG TO FATHER GRUMBLER

' Who is that knocking ? ' asked a voice from within .

' It is me !

it is me !

Holy Man ! you know !

father '

' But , my good fellow , you really should give some one else a chance .

this is the third time you have been and at such an hour , too ! '

' Oh , yes , Holy Man , I know it is very late , but you will forgive me !

it is your cock there is something the matter .

it is like the basket .

look ! '

' That my cock ?

that my basket ?

somebody has played you a trick , my good man ! '

' A trick ? ' repeated Father Grumbler , who began to understand what had happened .

' Then it must have been those two '

' I warned you not to show them to anybody , ' said the Holy Man .

' You deserve but I will give you one more chance . '

and , turning , he unhooked something from the wall .

that is all I have to tell you . '

and , smiling to himself , the Holy Man pushed Father Grumbler out of the cave .

' Good evening , friends ! ' he said , as he entered the inn .

' I am very hungry , and should be glad if you would roast this cock for me as soon as possible .

this cock and no other mind what I say , ' he went on .

' Oh , and another thing !

you can light the fire with this basket .

these directions made the innkeeper 's wife very uneasy .

go and fetch my cock and my basket , at once .

do you hear ? '

' Your cock , and your basket , Father Grumbler ?

but you have just '

' My cock and my basket ! ' interrupted he .

and opening the bag , he cried : ' Flack ! flick ! switch , be quick . '

and Father Grumbler , who had no wish to go on , called out between his hops : ' Stop then , can't you ?

that is enough for to-day ! '

' Into the bag , quick ! ' said he , and the switch obeyed .

' You have all got what you deserved , ' continued the Holy Man , ' and I have no pity for any of you .

but that will never be you , ' he added , turning to Father Grumbler .

From Contes Populaires .

THE STORY OF THE YARA

this state of things went on for some weeks , then at last chance favoured him .

Alonzo , for such was his name , sprang forward , and with one blow of his fist stretched the creature dead upon the road .

' What did you do last night after you went home ? ' suddenly asked the girl one evening .

' Just the same as I always do , ' answered he .

I have been there constantly for several months , but last night a strange thing happened .

as Julia listened her face grew deadly white , and her whole body shivered as if with cold .

could the voice which had bewitched Alonzo have come from one of these ?

' What is that ? ' asked he .

' It is something that has to do with our future happiness . '

' Oh ! it is serious , then ?

well , of course I promise .

now tell me ! '

' No ; but perhaps something will .

if you will not promise I shall go mad with fright .

promise me . '

' Why , what is the matter ?

you look so pale !

tell me why you are so frightened ? '

' Did you not hear the song ? ' she asked , trembling .

' Suppose I did , how could that hurt me ?

it was the loveliest song I ever heard ! '

' Yes , and after the song will come the apparition ; and after that after that '

' I don't understand .

well after that ? '

' After that death . '

Alonzo stared at her .

had she really gone mad ?

such talk was very unlike Julia ; but before he could collect his senses the girl spoke again :

' That is the reason why I implore you never to go there again ; at any rate till after we are married . '

' And what difference will our marriage make ? '

' Oh , there will be no danger then ; you can go to bathe as often as you like ! '

' But tell me why you are so afraid ? '

' Because the voice you heard I know you will laugh , but it is quite true it was the voice of the Yara . '

at these words Alonzo burst into a shout of laughter ; but it sounded so harsh and loud that Julia shrank away shuddering .

' Oh , heaven ! you have seen her ! you have seen her ! what shall I do ? '

' You may not know it , but it is true .

nobody who has not seen the Yara laughs like that . '

and Julia flung herself on the ground weeping bitterly .

at this sight Alonzo became suddenly grave , and kneeling by her side , gently raised her up .

' Do not cry so , my angel , ' he said , ' I will promise anything you please .

only let me see you smile again . '

with a great effort Julia checked her sobs , and rose to her feet .

' Thank you , ' she answered .

' My heart grows lighter as you say that !

I know you will try to keep your word and to stay away from the forest .

oh , I have seen it , and more than one betrothed maiden lives alone , broken-hearted .

and opening a curiously carved box , she took out a sea-shell shot with many colours , and sang a song softly into it .

perhaps I do not know for certain but perhaps , I may be stronger than the Yara . '

Illustration : JULIA SINGS HER SONG INTO THE SHELL

it was late that night when Alonzo returned home .

but the young man steadily turned his face in the other direction , and went home to bed .

the struggle had been hard , but Alonzo had his reward next day in the joy and relief with which Julia greeted him .

but , in spite of this , the song rang in his ears , and daily grew louder .

at eleven o'clock he plunged into the cool darkness of the trees , and took the path that led straight to the river .

this was enough ; he ran along the road harder than ever , and never paused till he was safe in his own room .

in the evening he went as usual to the creeper-covered house .

Alonzo , however , refused to answer any of her questions , and all she could get was a promise to hear everything next day .

Illustration : THE YARA DEFEATED

on pretence of a violent headache , he left Julia much earlier than usual and hurried quickly home .

once outside he hastened down the road which led to the forest .

he did not stop till he had reached the river pool , when , holding the pistol in his hand , he looked about him .

' Who is that ? ' he cried , standing upright instantly ; but only an echo answered him .

again that feeling of awful fear took possession of him , and he tried to turn his eyes from the pool .

but it was no use ; something stronger than himself compelled him to keep them there .

he turned to run , but his feet were glued to the spot .

the report awoke the sleeping echoes , and was repeated all through the forest , but the figure smiled still , and went on advancing .

again Alonzo fired , and a second time the bullet whistled through the air , and the figure advanced nearer .

a moment more , and she would be at his side .

Alonzo felt his senses going and his will failing .

Adapted from Folklore Brésilien .

THE CUNNING HARE

' If he does not catch a fish he may find something else , ' she said to herself .

' After all , I don't know what is the use of your going , my boy !

for even if you should catch a fish , I have no fire to cook it with . '

Illustration : THE LITTLE HARE IS CAUGHT

would there be even one fish ?

and at this thought the pangs of hunger made him feel quite sick with fear .

then he rolled up the net with the rest , put it on his back and carried it home .

the old woman stared at him in horror as she listened to his proposal .

he repeated them , as well as he could remember , and waited to see what would happen .

directly he got there he told the whales that he did not need them any more , and sat down in the sand to rest .

the sparks were scattered in every direction , and one fell on the net , making a little blaze .

' Didn't I tell you I would bring you fire ? ' said he , holding up his net , which was now burning briskly .

' But how did you cross the water ? ' inquired the old woman .

' Oh , I just jumped ! ' said he .

and his grandmother asked him no more questions , for she saw that he was wiser than she .

' Indian Folk Tales . '

Bureau of Ethnology .

THE TURTLE AND HIS BRIDE

the young woman was so surprised at this question that she dropped the beaded slipper she was making , and stared at the turtle .

' But how are you going to provide for a family ?

why , when the camp moves , you will not even be able to keep up with the rest ! '

' I can keep up with the best of them , ' replied the turtle , tossing his head .

this did not please the turtle ; but he knew it was no use talking , so all he answered was :

' I shall go to war and take some captives , and I shall be away several months .

and when I return I shall expect you to be ready to marry me . '

so he went back to his hut , and at once set about his preparations .

the turtles , who were tired of doing nothing , agreed at once , and next day the whole tribe left the camp .

the girl was standing at the door of her hut as they passed , and laughed out loud they moved so slowly .

her lover , who was marching at the head , grew very angry at this , and cried out :

they looked at it with dismay , and the oldest among them put their heads together to see what was to be done .

' Can't we manage to get past by the top ? ' asked one .

Illustration : THE GIRL LAUGHS AT THE ARMY OF TURTLES

' Why , it would take us years , ' exclaimed another .

' Just look at all those tall green branches , spreading in every direction .

if once we got entangled in them , we should never get out again ! '

' Well then , let us go round by the bottom , ' said a third .

' No ; the only way I can think of , is to burn a large hole in the trunk . '

and this they did , but the trunk was very thick , and would not burn through .

' It is no use , we must give it up , ' they agreed at last .

' After all , nobody need ever know !

we have been away such a long while that we might easily have had all sorts of adventures . '

and so the whole company turned homewards again .

they took even longer to go back than they had to come , for they were tired and footsore with their journey .

when they drew near the camp they plucked up their courage , and began to sing a war-song .

' Now that I have got you I will keep you , ' said the leader , who had happened to seize his betrothed .

whoever comes here , will die , will die !

on the way the chief turtle met a man , who said to him :

' That woman who was to have been your wife has married another man ! '

' Is that true ? ' said the turtle .

' Then I must see him . '

when he was quite close to the hut where the woman lived , he cried out :

' Here I am to claim the woman who promised to be my wife . '

' Oh , here is the turtle , ' whispered the husband hurriedly ; ' what is to be done now ? '

' Come with me , ' he said sternly .

' You broke your promise , ' answered she .

' You said you would be back soon , and it is more than a year since you went !

how was I to know that you were alive ? '

at her words the husband took courage , and spoke hastily :

' Yes , you promised you would go to war and bring back some prisoners , and you have not done it . '

' I did go , and made many prisoners , ' retorted the turtle angrily , drawing out his knife .

' Look here , if she won't be my wife , she sha'n't be yours .

I will cut her in two ; and you shall have one half , and I the other . '

' But half a woman is no use to me , ' answered the man .

' If you want her so much you had better take her . '

and the turtle , followed by his relations , carried her off to his own hut .

Illustration : THE TURTLE OUTWITTED

then she filled it with water and hung it over the fire to boil .

it was just beginning to bubble and hiss when the turtle entered .

' What are you doing there ? ' asked he , for he was always afraid of things that he did not understand .

' Just warming some water , ' she answered .

' Do you know how to swim ? '

' Yes , of course I do .

what a question !

but what does it matter to you ? ' said the turtle , more suspicious than ever .

' Oh , I only thought that after your long journey you might like to wash .

the roads are so muddy , after the winter 's rains .

I could rub your shell for you till it was bright and shining again . '

' Well , I am rather muddy .

if one is fighting , you know , one cannot stop to pick one 's way .

I should certainly be more comfortable if my back was washed . '

the woman did not wait for him to change his mind .

she caught him up by his shell and popped him straight into the pot , where he sank to the bottom , and died instantly .

Bureau of Ethnology .

HOW GEIRALD THE COWARD WAS PUNISHED

' Oh , if that is your only difficulty , it is all right , ' cried Geirald .

' Yes , of course , that is only fair , ' answered Rosald , who never cared about putting himself forward .

' But I cannot go without telling my parents .

I am sure they will think me lucky to get such a chance . '

as soon as the business was finished , Rosald hastened home .

Full of joy Rosald rode off , and the next day he and Geirald started off to seek adventures .

all this and more rushed into the minds of the two young men as they saw the flash of their swords in the moonlight .

' It is impossible to fight them they are twelve to two , ' whispered Geirald , stopping his horse in the path .

' We had much better ride back and take the lower road .

it would be stupid to throw away our lives like this . '

' Oh , we can't turn back , ' answered Rosald , ' we should be ashamed to look anyone in the face again !

and , besides , it is a grand opportunity to show what we are made of .

let us tie up our horses here , and climb up the rocks so that we can roll stones down on them . '

' Well , we might try that , and then we shall always have our horses , ' said Geirald .

so they went up the rocks silently and carefully .

then he took from the dead man a beautiful ring set with a large stone , and put it on his own finger .

so they both bowed low and replied that it was the king 's place to command and theirs to obey .

in three days from this you will set out . '

' We will be ready , your Majesty , ' answered Rosald ; but Geirald remained silent .

' How can we possibly fight against a giant that has killed fifty knights ? ' cried Geirald , when they were outside the castle .

' The king only wants to get rid of us !

' We mayn't be able to kill the giant , but we certainly can't run away till we have tried , ' answered Rosald .

' Besides , think how glorious it will be if we do manage to kill him !

I know what sort of weapon I shall use .

come with me now , and I will see about it . '

when this was done to his liking he took it home under his arm .

then , before he could rise to his feet again , Rosald drew out his sword and cut off his head .

' It was not so difficult after all , you see , ' he said , turning to Geirald .

and placing the giant 's head in a leathern wallet which was slung over his back , they began their journey to the castle .

' The giant will trouble you no more , ' said Geirald , holding out the head .

and Geirald 's heart swelled with pride , and he almost forgot that it was Rosald and not he , who had slain the giant .

Illustration : ' THE GIANT WILL TROUBLE YOU NO MORE , ' SAID GEIRALD

go he would , and as Rosald had sworn to give him his company , he must come with him .

suddenly his face brightened .

' Let us change clothes , ' he said , ' and I will do the fighting , while you shall get the glory .

nobody will ever know . '

and to this Geirald readily consented .

' Unhorsed ! unhorsed ! ' cried the people ; and Rosald then himself dismounted and helped his adversary to rise .

Illustration : GEIRALD CLAIMS HIS REWARD AND THE QUEEN DEMANDS ANOTHER TEST

in the confusion that followed it was easy for Rosald to slip away and return Geirald his proper clothes .

and in these , torn and dusty with the fight , Geirald answered the king 's summons to come before him .

' You have done what I expected you to do , ' said he , ' and now , choose your reward . '

' She could choose no better husband , ' said the king , ' and if she consents I do . '

she answered : ' You may be satisfied , uncle , but I am not .

one more proof I must have ; let the two young men now fight against each other .

the man I marry must be the man who killed the robbers and the giant , and overcame my page . '

Geirald 's face grew pale as he heard these words .

at length , after a great show of resistance , he fell heavily to the ground .

the crowd of watchers turned towards the queen , expecting to see her stoop and give some token to the victor .

the combat was fixed to take place at ten o'clock the following day .

the king sent messengers to see what had become of him , and he was found , trembling with fear , hiding under his bed .

after that there was no need of any further proof .

the combat was declared unnecessary , and the queen pronounced herself quite satisfied , and ready to accept Rosald as her husband .

' You forgot one thing , ' she said , when they were alone .

so they were married , and returned to their own kingdom , which they ruled well and happily .

From Neuisländischen Volksmärchen .

HÁBOGI

' You know that is a very important point ! '

' Yes ; I will never wed any man who is not called Sigmund , ' answered she .

and what do you say ? ' he added , turning to the second .

' Oh , I think that there is no name so beautiful as Sigurd , ' cried she .

' Then you won't be an old maid either , ' answered he .

' There are seven Sigurds in the next village alone !

and you , Helga ? '

Helga , who was still the prettiest of the three , looked up .

' Who is Hábogi ? ' asked her father and sisters ; ' We never heard of such a person . '

but though there was more than one ' Njal ' amongst them , Helga 's eyes seemed always turned another way .

' My name is Hábogi , and Helga must be my wife , ' was all he said .

and though Helga stood pale and trembling with surprise , she did not try to run away .

but the sisters , who had always been rather jealous of Helga , were secretly pleased that their bridegrooms should outshine hers .

and though Helga was very unwilling to go , something inside her forced her to obey .

' What lovely sheep ! whose are they ? ' cried Helga .

' Oh , what lovely cows ! ' cried Helga again ; ' I am sure their milk must be sweeter than any other cows ' .

how I should like to have some !

I wonder to whom they belong ? '

do you see that big grey one , with the silver bells between her horns ?

that is to be yours , and you can have her milked every morning the moment you wake . '

and Helga 's eyes shone , and though she did not say anything , she thought that she would learn to milk the cow herself .

Illustration : HÁBOGI'S HORSES

' OH DO STOP FOR A MINUTE , ' SAID HELGA , BUT HÁBOGI WOULD NOT STOP OR LISTEN

the sight of them so delighted Helga that she nearly sprang from her saddle with a shriek of joy .

' Whose are they ?

oh ! whose are they ? ' she asked .

' How happy any man must be who is the master of such lovely creatures ! '

at this Helga quite forgot the sheep and the cow .

' A horse of my own ! ' said she .

' Oh , stop one moment , and let me see which I will choose .

the white one ?

no .

the chestnut ?

no .

I think , after all , I like the coal-black one best , with the little white star on his forehead .

oh , do stop , just for a minute . '

but Hábogi would not stop or listen .

at length Hábogi drew rein before a small house , very ugly and mean-looking , and that seemed on the point of tumbling to pieces .

and , taking her arm , he led her up the steps .

but when she got inside , she stood quite bewildered at the beauty of all around her .

none of her friends owned such things , not even the miller , who was the richest man she knew .

by that time the feast will be ready . '

Helga had so much to think about , that the ride home appeared very short .

and after they had given her some supper they begged her to tell them all she had done .

but Helga only told them that they should see for themselves on the third day , when they would come to her wedding .

Illustration : THE JEALOUS SISTERS SPELL-BOUND IN THE ASH-PIT

the next morning when they all awoke the ugly little tumble-down house had disappeared , and in its place stood a splendid palace .

' Who is that ? ' they asked Helga .

' That is my Hábogi , ' said she .

Neuisländischen Volksmärchen .

HOW THE LITTLE BROTHER SET FREE HIS BIG BROTHERS

in a small hut , right in the middle of the forest , lived a man , his wife , three sons and a daughter .

these had not gone far when their dogs scented a bear , and drove him out from the thicket .

the bear ran across a clearing , and the elder brother managed to place an arrow right in his head .

they both took up the bear , and carried it towards home , meeting the third at the spot where they had parted from him .

when they reached home they threw the bear down on the floor of the hut saying ,

' Father , here is a bear which we killed ; now we can have some dinner . '

but the father , who was in a bad temper , only said :

' When I was a young man we used to get two bears in one day . '

Illustration : EVERY TIME A BEAR WAS KILLED HIS SHADOW RETURNED TO THE HOUSE OF THE GREAT BEAR CHIEF

as they drew near the fork a bear suddenly ran out from behind a tree , and took the path on the right .

but when they threw the two bears triumphantly on the floor of the hut their father hardly looked at them , and only said :

' When I was a young man I used to get three bears in one day . '

now these bears were the servants of the great bear chief who lived in a high mountain a long way off .

the chief was furious at the number of bears the hunters had killed , and determined that he would find some way of destroying them .

so he called another of his servants , and said to him :

the mountain will open to let you in , and the hunters will follow you .

then I shall have them in my power , and be able to revenge myself . '

the servant bowed low , and started at once for the fork , where he hid himself in the bushes .

By-and-by the boys came in sight , but this time there were only two of them , as the youngest had stayed at home .

without thinking that they had nothing to defend themselves with , should the bear turn and attack them , the boys gave chase .

' Why are you trying to kill all my servants ? ' asked the chief .

' Look round and see their shades , with arrows sticking in them .

it was I who told the bear to-day how he was to lure you into my power .

I shall take care that you shall not hurt my people any more , because you will become a bear yourself . '

why don't you shoot him ? '

and , without waiting for a reply , pressed forward to drive his arrow into the heart of the bear .

but the elder one caught his raised arm , and whispered : ' Be quiet ! can't you tell where you are ? '

then the boy looked up and saw the angry bears about him .

in an instant the transformation took place , and two creatures , neither beast nor human , stood before the chief .

Illustration : HOW THE BOYS WERE HALF TURNED INTO BEARS

so , slipping on her snow-shoes , she started on her way .

very soon all the food in the house was eaten , and he knew he would have to go out and hunt for more .

besides , he wished to seek for his parents .

then he cut himself some arrows , each from a different tree , and winged with the feathers of four different birds .

he then made himself a bow , very light and strong , and got down his snow-shoes .

after he had followed the trail for a great distance he grew very tired , and sat upon the branch of a tree to rest .

when the strap was firm again the boy spoke to his snow-shoes and said :

and the snow-shoes sang in answer that they would run like the wind .

' Let my dog out at once , bear chief ! ' cried he .

' If you do not , I shall destroy your palace . '

but the bear chief only laughed , and said nothing .

' But how am I to help you ? ' asked the little brother , almost weeping .

' I can kill people , and destroy trees and mountains , but I have no power over men . '

and the two elder brothers came up and put their paws on his shoulders , and they all three wept together .

the heart of the bear chief 's sister was moved when she saw their misery , and she came gently up behind , and whispered :

' Little boy , gather some moss from the spring over there , and let your brothers smell it . '

then the bear-skin fell away from them , and they stood upright once more .

From the Bureau of Ethnology , U.S.

THE SACRED MILK OF KOUMONGOÉ

' Thakané , ' he said , ' I am thirsty .

give me a drink from the tree Koumongoé , which has the best milk in the world . '

' Oh , Koané , ' cried his sister , ' you know that we are forbidden to touch that tree .

what would father say when he came home ?

for he would be sure to know . '

' Nonsense , ' replied Koané , ' there is so much milk in Koumongoé that he will never miss a little .

if you won't give it to me , I sha'n't take the cattle out .

they will just have to stay all day in the hut , and you know that they will starve . '

and he turned from her in a rage , and sat down in the corner .

after a while Thakané said to him : ' It is getting hot , had you not better drive out the cattle now ? '

but Koané only answered sulkily : ' I told you I am not going to drive them out at all .

if I have to do without milk , they shall do without grass . '

Thakané did not know what to do .

' Here is the milk you wanted , ' said she , going up to Koané , who was still sulking in his corner .

' What is the use of that ? ' grumbled Koané ; ' why , there is not enough to drown a fly .

go and get me three times as much ! '

trembling with fright , Thakané returned to the tree , and struck it a sharp blow with the axe .

in an instant there poured forth such a stream of milk that it ran like a river into the hut .

' Koané !

Koané ! ' cried she , ' come and help me to plug up the hole .

there will be no milk left for our father and mother . '

the man saw the white stream a long way off , and guessed what had happened .

that is some mischief of the children 's , I am sure .

I must go home and find out what is the matter . '

and they both threw down their hoes and hurried to the side of Koumongoé .

kneeling on the grass , the man and his wife made a cup of their hands and drank the milk from it .

and no sooner had they done this , than Koumongoé flowed back again up the hill , and entered the hut .

why did Koumongoé come to us in the fields instead of staying in the garden ? '

' It was Koané 's fault , ' answered Thakané .

' He would not take the cattle to feed until he drank some of the milk from Koumongoé .

so , as I did not know what else to do , I gave it to him . '

the father listened to Thakané 's words , but made no answer .

instead , he went outside and brought in two sheepskins , which he stained red and sent for a blacksmith to forge some iron rings .

the rings were then passed over Thakané 's arms and legs and neck , and the skins fastened on her before and behind .

when all was ready , the man sent for his servants and said :

' I am going to get rid of Thakané . '

' Get rid of your only daughter ? ' they answered , in surprise .

' But why ? '

' Because she has eaten what she ought not to have eaten .

she has touched the sacred tree which belongs to her mother and me alone . '

why do you give to the ogre Your child , so fair , so fair ?

' You had better ask her , ' replied the man , ' she is old enough to give you an answer . '

then , in her turn , Thakané sang :

Illustration : ' WHY DO YOU GIVE TO THE OGRE YOUR CHILD , SO FAIR , SO FAIR ? '

By-and-by they met with a troop of great deer , called elands , and they stopped when they saw Thakané and sang :

why do you give to the ogre Your child , so fair , so fair ?

' You had better ask her , ' replied the man , ' she is old enough to give you an answer . '

then , in her turn , Thakané sang :

and the elands all cried : ' Wretched man ! it is you whom the ogre should eat , and not your beautiful daughter . '

crossing the plain , the girl and her father passed a herd of gazelles feeding .

they lifted their heads , wondering who was out so early , and when they caught sight of Thakané , they sang :

why do you give to the ogre Your child , so fair , so fair ?

' You had better ask her , ' replied the man , ' she is old enough to answer for herself . '

then , in her turn , Thakané sang :

and the gazelles all cried : ' Wretched man ! it is you whom the ogre should eat , and not your beautiful daughter . '

at last they arrived at the village where the ogre lived , and they went straight to his hut .

after that the servant returned to Masilo and related all that had happened .

now Masilo had fallen in love with Thakané the moment he saw her .

after some time a baby was born to her , and Thakané thought it was the most beautiful baby that ever was seen .

but when her mother-in-law saw it was a girl , she wrung her hands and wept , saying :

' O miserable mother !

miserable child !

alas for you ! why were you not a boy ! '

then Thakané clasped the baby tightly in her arms , and cried :

' But it is not the custom in my country !

there , when children die , they are buried in the earth .

no one shall take my baby from me . '

here , hidden from everyone , she sat down on a stone and began to think what she should do to save her child .

suddenly she heard a rustling among the willows , and an old woman appeared before her .

' What are you crying for , my dear ? ' said she .

' What you say is true , ' replied the old woman .

' Give me your child , and let me take care of it .

and if you will fix a day to meet me here I will bring the baby . '

then Thakané dried her eyes , and gladly accepted the old woman 's offer .

on the appointed day , Thakané slipped out when everybody was busy , and ran down the path that led to the lake .

as soon as she got there , she crouched down among the willows , and sang softly :

bring to me Dilah , Dilah the rejected one , Dilah , whom her father Masilo cast out !

and in a moment the old woman appeared holding the baby in her arms .

we have been deceived , for we all thought she was dead . '

' But what shall we do now ? ' asked he .

Illustration : ' BRING TO ME DILAH , DILAH THE REJECTED ONE '

' Well , you can go , ' answered he .

but he ran down quickly by another path , and got there first , and hid himself in the bushes .

an instant later , Thakané arrived , and standing on the bank , she sang :

bring to me Dilah , Dilah the rejected one , Dilah , whom her father Masilo cast out !

then the old woman came out of the water , holding the girl , now tall and slender , by the hand .

the old woman , however , seemed uneasy , and said to Thakané : ' I feel as if someone was watching us .

after they had gone , Thakané returned to the village , which Masilo had managed to reach before her .

' My head aches , ' he answered ; ' it aches very badly . '

and his mother passed on , and left him alone .

instead , she lives at the bottom of the lake , and has now grown into a young woman . '

' I don't know what you are talking about , ' replied Thakané .

' I buried my child under the sand on the beach . '

' What am I to do ? ' she asked , when , after clapping her hands , the old woman appeared before her .

' Yesterday Masilo beheld Dilah , and ever since he has entreated me to give him back his daughter . '

' If I let her go he must pay me a thousand head of cattle in exchange , ' replied the old woman .

and Thakané carried her answer back to Masilo .

' Why , I would gladly give her two thousand ! ' cried he , ' for she has saved my daughter . '

and he bade messengers hasten to all the neighbouring villages , and tell his people to send him at once all the cattle he possessed .

then Thakané stepped forward in front of the cattle and sang :

bring to me Dilah , Dilah the rejected one , Dilah , whom her father Masilo cast out !

Contes Populaires des Bassoutos .

THE WICKED WOLVERINE

one day a wolverine was out walking on the hillside , when , on turning a corner , he suddenly saw a large rock .

' No , certainly not , ' answered the rock ; ' I don't know how to walk . '

' But I saw you walking , ' continued the wolverine .

' I am afraid that you were not taught to speak the truth , ' retorted the rock .

' I can't walk , but I can roll , ' answered the rock .

the rock stopped at once , but there came a shriek from the wolverine :

' Get off , get off ! can't you see that you are on my legs ? '

Illustration : ALL THE ANIMALS TRY TO GET THE ROCK OFF WOLVERINE'S LEGS

' Why did you not leave me alone ? ' asked the rock .

' I did not want to move I hate moving .

but you would have it , and I certainly sha'n't move now till I am forced to . '

' I will call my brothers , ' answered the wolverine .

' There are many of them in the forest , and you will soon see that they are stronger than you . '

of course I thought I could run the fastest ; but I tripped , and it rolled on me .

it was just an accident . '

and he called loudly to the lightning to come and help him as quickly as possible .

' That was rather clumsy of you , ' said he , standing up naked in his flesh .

' Surely you could have split the rock without tearing my coat to bits ! '

and he stooped down to pick up the pieces .

' Will you sew my coat together ?

I had an unlucky accident , and it is quite impossible to wear , ' he said , when he found her .

but though she was very good-natured , she was not very clever , and she got some of the bits wrong .

when the wolverine , who was very particular about his clothes , came to put it on , he grew very angry .

' What a useless creature you are ! ' cried he .

' Do you expect me to go about in such a coat as that ?

I knew you were stupid , but I did not think you were as stupid as that . '

' It was all in little bits , and I took it to our sister the frog to ask her to sew it for me .

but just look at the way she has done it !

you will have to take it to pieces and fit them together properly , and I hope I shall not have to complain again . '

for as the wolverine was older than the mouse , he was accustomed to speak to her in this manner .

at last the coat was ready , and the wolverine put it on .

' Yes , it fits very well , ' said he , ' and you have sewn it very neatly .

he was growing desperate , when he suddenly came upon a bear that was lying asleep .

it was no use to try force , he must invent some cunning plan which would get her into his power .

at these words , the bear came a little way down the tree , and the wolverine , seeing this , went on :

' Are you not fond of berries ?

I am !

and I know a place where they grow so thick the ground is quite hidden .

why , look for yourself !

that hillside is quite red with them ! '

' I can't see so far , ' answered the bear , now climbing down altogether .

' You must have wonderfully good eyes !

I wish I had ; but my sight is very short . '

' So was mine till my father smashed a pailful of cranberries , and rubbed my eyes with them , ' replied the wolverine .

but at last she returned with a sackful , and put them down beside the wolverine .

' That is splendid , sister ! ' cried the wolverine .

' Now lie flat on the ground with your head on this stone , while I smash them . '

so the bear promised to lie very still ; but the moment the cranberries touched her eyes she sprang up with a roar .

and very likely he did !

Adapted from Bureau of Ethnology .

THE HUSBAND OF THE RAT'S DAUGHTER

her parents were very proud of her , and spared no pains to teach her all she ought to know .

but here a difficulty arose .

unluckily , the mother had other views for her precious child .

' Her daughter should never marry a mere rat , ' she declared , holding her head high .

' With her beauty and talents she had a right to look for someone a little better than that . '

so she talked , as mothers will , to anyone that would listen to her .

what the girl thought about the matter nobody knew or cared it was not the fashion in the rat world .

' Better offer her in marriage to the sun , ' answered her husband impatiently .

' As far as I know there is nothing greater than he . '

the journey took some time , but at length they came to the golden palace where the sun lived .

' Noble king , ' began the mother , ' behold our daughter !

she is so beautiful that she is above everything in the whole world .

naturally , we wish for a son-in-law who , on his side , is greater than all .

therefore we have come to you . '

' You do me great honour by your proposal .

only , in one point you are mistaken , and it would be wrong of me to take advantage of your ignorance .

there is something greater than I am , and that is the cloud .

look ! '

and as he spoke a cloud spread itself over the sun 's face , blotting out his rays .

' Oh , well , we will speak to the cloud , ' said the mother .

and turning to the cloud she repeated her proposal .

there is one thing that is even more powerful than I , and that is the wind .

ah , here he comes , you can see for yourself . '

and she did see , for catching up the cloud as he passed , he threw it on the other side of the sky .

when she had recovered her breath , the mother began her little speech once more .

and the mother , who did not trouble to conceal her wishes , turned at once to the wall .

then something happened which was quite unexpected by everyone .

but that horrid old wall I would sooner die ! '

and the wall , rather hurt in his feelings , declared that he had no claim to be the husband of so beautiful a girl .

it is the rat who passes through me , and can reduce me to powder , simply with his teeth .

if , therefore , you want a son-in-law who is greater than the whole world , seek him among the rats . '

' Ah , what did I tell you ? ' cried the father .

and his wife , though for the moment angry at being beaten , soon thought that a rat son-in-law was what she had always desired .

so all three returned happily home , and the wedding was celebrated three days after .

Contes Populaires .

THE MERMAID AND THE BOY

long , long ago , there lived a king who ruled over a country by the sea .

the king hesitated at this proposal .

from that moment the happiness of both their lives was ruined .

at last the king felt that this state of things could not continue , and he said to his wife :

and the queen agreed that his plan seemed the wisest .

so the boy was called , and his father told him the story of the voyage , as he had told his mother before him .

then he bade farewell to his parents and went his way .

Illustration : THE MERMAID ASKS FOR THE KING'S CHILD

but as evening drew on he became tired , and looked about as he walked for some place where he could sleep .

in another moment something passed swiftly through the air and a lion stood before him .

' What are you doing here ? ' asked the lion , his eyes glaring fiercely at the boy .

' I am flying from the mermaid , ' the prince answered , in a quaking voice .

so the boy and the lion slept soundly side by side , till the sun rose .

one good turn deserves another , you know . '

the prince thanked him for his kindness , and did as he was bid , and the two then bade each other farewell .

but what pleased him most was his long tail with a tuft at the end , which he lashed and switched proudly .

' I like being a lion very much , ' he said to himself , and trotted gaily along the road .

then he looked out for a sleeping place , and found some dry ferns , which he gathered and heaped up .

the boy rose and turned his head , and saw a huge black bear coming towards him .

' What are you doing here ? ' cried the bear .

when he had quite finished , he got up and stretched himself .

' You have got a comfortable-looking bed there , ' he observed .

' I really think that , bad sleeper as I am , I might have a good night on it .

I can manage to squeeze you in , ' he added ; ' you don't take up a great deal of room . '

one good turn deserves another , you know . '

and the boy did as he was bid , and he and the bear bade each other farewell .

the next moment his body stretched out and thick black fur covered him all over .

' Why it is hardly worth calling a tail ! ' said he .

give me something to eat . '

the boy took his last loaf and flask out of his knapsack and laid them on the ground , and they had supper together .

one good turn deserves another , so farewell , and thank you for your supper . '

and the bee departed after the boy had pulled out the hair and wrapped it carefully in a leaf .

' I dare say I should get on a great deal faster , ' so he pulled out his hair and wished himself a bee .

in a moment the strangest thing happened to him .

better than all , he had two lovely gauze wings which carried him the whole day without getting tired .

Late in the afternoon the boy fancied he saw a vast heap of stones a long way off , and he flew straight towards it .

Illustration : THE PRINCESS ON THE SEASHORE

' It is late , ' remarked one of the women at last ; ' I must go to my mistress . '

and , turning to one of the lackeys , she bade him find a bed for the youth .

' It is not necessary , ' answered the prince , ' this bench is good enough for me .

I am used to nothing better . '

and when the hall was empty he lay down for a few minutes .

then he turned himself into a man again .

at this dreadful sight the princess , who was broad awake , began to scream loudly .

the door had scarcely closed on them than the bee disappeared , and a handsome youth stood in his place .

' I knew a man was hidden somewhere , ' cried the princess , and screamed more loudly than before .

and they made up their minds that let her scream as loudly as she might they would take no notice .

if any man could find it and bring it to him he would receive her hand as a reward .

here he hastily changed himself into a bee , and flew straight into the princess 's room , where he became a man again .

he kissed it , and ran down the stairs bearing the sword with him .

but as the youth proved too strong for him , he gave it up , and resolved to wait for a better opportunity .

this soon came , for the day was hot and the prince was thirsty .

so she floated gently in to where he was lying , she seized him by the arm , and the waves closed over them both .

so , fastening the sword to his belt , he carried it to the king .

the war was soon over , and the king returned to his people , who welcomed him with shouts of joy .

and she could do nothing ; for although the king loved her , he never let her stand in the way of his plans .

the poor princess was only too right , and everything came to pass exactly as she had foreseen it .

' Listen ! that is your old love playing , for mermaids know everything that happens upon earth . '

' I hear nothing , ' answered the youth , who did not look happy .

' Take me up higher , where the sounds can reach me . '

so the mermaid took him on her shoulders and bore him up midway to the surface .

' Can you hear now ? ' she asked .

' No , ' answered the prince , ' I hear nothing but the water rushing ; I must go higher still . '

then the mermaid carried him to the very top .

' You must surely be able to hear now ? ' said she .

' Nothing but the water , ' repeated the youth .

so she took him right to the land .

' At any rate you can hear now ? ' she said again .

Illustration : ' LISTEN , LISTEN ! '

SAID THE MERMAID TO THE PRINCE

oh , what joy filled her heart at the sight of him !

that cannot be true , of course ; but it might be well to give this impostor a lesson .

he pretends , for instance , that he can turn himself into a lion ; but that I do not believe .

so he turned and twisted himself about , and bellowed and made faces ; but he did not become a lion for all that .

' Well , perhaps it is very difficult to change into a lion .

make yourself a bear , ' said the princess .

but the Red Knight found it no easier to become a bear than a lion .

' Try a bee , ' suggested she .

' I have always read that anyone who can do magic at all can do that . '

and the old knight buzzed and hummed , but he remained a man and not a bee .

' Now it is your turn , ' said the princess to the youth .

' Let us see if you can change yourself into a lion . '

and in a second a man took the place of the lion .

' Was it he who fetched the sword ? ' asked the king .

and the prince took out his half of the ring , and the princess took out hers , and they fitted exactly .

next day the Red Knight was hanged , as he richly deserved , and there was a new marriage feast for the prince and princess .

Lappländische Mährchen .

Illustration : THE BEE , THE PRINCESS , THE RED KNIGHT , & THE LION

PIVI AND KABO

when birds were men , and men were birds , Pivi and Kabo lived in an island far away , called New Caledonia .

Pivi was a cheery little bird that chirps at sunset ; Kabo was an ugly black fowl that croaks in the darkness .

one day Pivi and Kabo thought that they would make slings , and practise slinging , as the people of the island still do .

Kabo stood on the bank of the river , and Pivi went into the water .

the game was for Kabo to sling at Pivi , and for Pivi to dodge the stones , if he could .

for some time he dodged them cleverly , but at last a stone from Kabo 's sling hit poor Pivi on the leg and broke it .

' What is that in my bamboo ? ' said the woman .

and she blew in at one end , and blew little Pivi out at the other , like a pea from a pea-shooter .

' Oh ! ' cried the woman , ' what a state you are in !

what have you been doing ? '

' It was Kabo who broke my leg at the slinging game , ' said Pivi .

' I will ! ' said Pivi , for the woman was very kind and pretty .

' You will be still , won't you , Pivi ? ' she said .

' If you hear a little noise you will pretend to be dead .

it is the Black Ant who will come and creep from your feet up to your head .

say nothing , and keep quiet , won't you , Pivi ? '

' Certainly , kind lady , ' said Pivi , ' I will lie as still as can be . '

' Next will come the big Red Ant you know him ? '

' Yes , I know him , with his feet like a grasshopper 's . '

' He will walk over your body up to your head .

then you must shake all your body .

do you understand , Pivi ? '

' Yes , dear lady , I shall do just as you say . '

' Very good , ' said the woman , going out and shutting the door .

then came the big Red Ant skipping along his body , and then Pivi shook himself all over .

' Oh , lady , ' he cried , ' look at me now !

I am changed into a man , and so handsome ! '

' Will you obey me again ? ' said the woman .

' Always ; whatever you command I will do it , ' said Pivi , politely .

' Then climb up that cocoa-nut tree , with your legs only , not using your hands , ' said the woman .

now the natives can run up cocoa-nut trees like squirrels , some using only one hand ; the girls can do that .

but few can climb without using their hands at all .

' At the top of the tree you will find two cocoa-nuts .

' I shall try , at least , ' said Pivi .

and up he went , but it was very difficult , and down he came .

' Here are your cocoa-nuts , ' he said , presenting them to the woman .

all day Pivi played about in the river , as the natives do , throwing fruit and silvery showers of water at each other .

when the sun set he went into the hut .

but as he drew near he heard sweet voices talking and laughing within .

' What is that ?

people chattering in the hut !

perhaps they have taken my cocoa-nuts , ' said Pivi to himself .

In he went , and there he found two pretty , laughing , teasing girls .

he hunted for his cocoa-nuts , but none were there .

down he ran to the river .

' Oh , lady , my nuts have been stolen ! ' he cried .

' Come with me , Pivi , and there will be nuts for you , ' said the woman .

they went back to the hut , where the girls were laughing and playing .

' Oh , good lady , ' cried Pivi , ' how kind you are ! '

so they were married and very happy , when in came cross old Kabo .

' Is this Pivi ? ' said he .

' Yes , it is no , it isn't .

it is not the same Pivi but there is a kind of likeness .

tell me , are you Pivi ? '

' Oh , yes ! ' said Pivi .

' But I am much better looking , and there are my two wives , are they not beautiful ? '

' You are mocking me , Pivi !

your wives ?

how ?

where did you get them ?

you , with wives ! '

then Pivi told Kabo about the kind woman , and all the wonderful things that had happened to him .

' Well , well ! ' said Kabo , ' but I want to be handsome too , and to have pretty young wives . '

' But how can we manage that ? ' asked Pivi .

' With all the pleasure in life , ' said Pivi , who was always ready to oblige .

but he didn't !

then he ran to the woman .

and when he went back for them there he found two horrid old black hags , wrangling , and scolding , and scratching !

so back he went to Pivi with his two beautiful wives , and Pivi was very sorry , but what could he do ?

nothing , but sit and cry .

Illustration : PIVI DIVES FOR THE SHELL-FISH

there the shell-fish lay and gaped , but Kabo , though he dived in , kept well out of the way of the beast .

up he came , puffing and blowing : ' Oh , Pivi , ' he cried , ' I cannot move it .

jump in and try yourself ! '

Kabo laughed like a fiend , and then went home .

' Where is Pivi ? ' asked the two pretty girls .

Kabo pretended to cry , and told how Pivi had been swallowed .

everything is for the best , in the best of all possible worlds . '

' No , no ! ' cried the girls , ' we love Pivi .

we do not love anyone else .

we shall stay at home , and weep for Pivi ! '

' Wretched idiots ! ' cried Kabo ; ' Pivi was a scoundrel who broke my leg , and knocked me into the river . '

then a little cough was heard at the door , and Kabo trembled , for he knew it was the cough of Pivi !

' Ah , dear Pivi ! ' cried Kabo , rushing to the door .

' What joy !

I was trying to console your dear wives . '

Pivi said not one word .

he waved his hand , and five and twenty of his friends came trooping down the hill .

they cut up Kabo into little pieces .

Pivi turned round , and there was the good woman of the river .

' Pivi , ' she said , ' how did you get out of the living tomb into which Kabo sent you ? '

' I had my spear with me , ' said Pivi .

then the good woman laughed ; and Pivi and his two wives lived happy ever afterwards .

Moncelon .


THE ELF MAIDEN

once upon a time two young men living in a small village fell in love with the same girl .

everybody went on this expedition , and the two young men and the girl went with them .

they all sailed merrily across the sea chattering like a flock of magpies , or singing their favourite songs .

and when they reached the shore , what an unpacking there was !

the maiden and the two young men happened to share the same hut with some friends , and fished daily from the same boat .

and as time went on , one of the youths remarked that the girl took less notice of him than she did of his companion .

this was the very day that they were all going to leave the islands , and sail back to the mainland for the winter .

' Oh , dear , what shall I do !

I have left my best knife behind in the hut .

run , like a good fellow , and get it for me , while I raise the anchor and loosen the tiller . '

not thinking any harm , the youth jumped back on shore and made his way up the steep bank .

at the door of the hut he stopped and looked back , then started and gazed in horror .

the head of the boat stood out to sea , and he was left alone on the island .

in this way the months slipped by , and Christmas came round again .

then he hastily stepped behind the wood stack , and waited for what might happen next .

the strange folk one by one jumped on to the rocks , each bearing a load of something that they wanted .

but the youth remained so still , that they took courage and laughed gaily to each other .

the girl screamed so loudly that the people all ran out of their huts to see what was the matter .

in an instant , boat , people , and goods had vanished completely .

' Why not ?

I am quite willing , ' answered he .

' But how do you suppose we can manage to live till summer comes round again ? '

' Do not be anxious about that , ' said the girl ; ' if you will only marry me all will be well .

I am very rich , and all my family are rich also . '

and by-and-by it was spring once more , and time for the fisher-folk to sail from the mainland .

' I do not care where I go , ' answered the young man ; ' what do you think ? '

he was just going to spring up and go to see what it meant , when he luckily remembered his wife 's words and lay still .

there , in the very place they had chosen , stood a beautiful house doors and windows , and everything all complete !

but as he was a little afraid of his wife , who knew so much more than he , he asked no questions .

Illustration : THE ELF MAIDEN'S HOUSE

the old people welcomed them heartily , and summoned their neighbours , for many miles round , to a great feast in their honour .

as he laid his hand upon the door he thought he was safe , and turned to look .

drive a nail into the threshold , and then I can never pass in or out . '

and so he did .

Lappländische Mährchen .

HOW SOME WILD ANIMALS BECAME TAME ONES

however , he took care to awaken very early , and set off down the road with a light heart .

before he had walked very far he met a boy who came whistling along , hitting at the tops of the flowers with a stick .

' Oh , just to the miller 's marriage , ' answered the bear carelessly .

' Don't go , don't go ! ' cried the boy .

' If you do you will never come back !

' I had not thought of that , ' said the bear , whose face turned white , only nobody could see it .

' If you are certain that they would be so wicked but perhaps you are jealous because nobody has invited you ? '

' Oh , nonsense ! ' replied the boy angrily , ' do as you see .

it is your skin , and not mine ; I don't care what becomes of it ! '

and he walked quickly on with his head in the air .

' Where are you going ? ' asked he , for it was not the first time he had seen him .

' Oh , just to the miller 's marriage , ' answered the wolf , as the bear had done before him .

' It is rather tiresome , of course weddings are always so stupid ; but still one must be good-natured ! '

' Don't go ! ' said the boy again .

' Your skin is so thick and warm , and winter is not far off now .

they will kill you , and strip it from you . '

the wolf 's jaw dropped in astonishment and terror .

' Do you really think that would happen ? ' he gasped .

' Yes , to be sure , I do , ' answered the boy .

' But it is your affair , not mine .

so good-morning , ' and on he went .

the wolf stood still for a few minutes , for he was trembling all over , and then crept quietly back to his cave .

next the boy met the fox , whose lovely coat of silvery grey was shining in the sun .

it is only kind to go and amuse them a little . '

' You poor fellow , ' said the boy pityingly .

' Take my advice and stay at home .

if you once enter the miller 's gate his dogs will tear you in pieces . '

' Ah , well , such things have occurred , I know , ' replied the fox gravely .

and without saying any more he trotted off the way he had come .

' Good-morning , ' he called to the boy as he galloped past , ' I can't wait to talk to you now .

I have promised the miller to be present at his wedding-feast , and they won't sit down till I come . '

' Stop ! stop ! ' cried the boy after him , and there was something in his voice that made the horse pull up .

' What is the matter ? ' asked he .

' You don't know what you are doing , ' said the boy .

' If once you go there you will never gallop through these woods any more .

the horse threw back his head at these words , and laughed scornfully .

let them bind me as fast as they will , I can always break loose , and return to the forest and freedom . '

and with this proud speech he gave a whisk of his long tail , and galloped away faster than before .

but when he reached the miller 's house everything happened as the boy had said .

crossing this open space was a beautiful milk-white cow with a wreath of flowers round her neck .

' Good-morning , ' she said pleasantly , as she came up to the place where the boy was standing .

' Good-morning , ' he returned .

' Where are you going in such a hurry ? '

' Why , I can run twice as fast as any of them !

I should like to see anybody try to keep me against my will . '

and , without even a polite bow , she went on her way , feeling very much offended .

but everything turned out just as the boy had said .

and so it happened to the goat and to the sheep .

last of all came the reindeer , looking as he always did , as if some serious business was on hand .

' O fool ! ' cried the boy , ' have you no sense at all ?

' That is exactly why I am quite safe , ' replied the reindeer .

' I am so strong that no one can bind me , and so swift that not even an arrow can catch me .

so , good-bye for the present , you will soon see me back . '

but none of the animals that went to the miller 's wedding ever came back .

Lappländische Mährchen .

FORTUNE AND THE WOOD-CUTTER

several hundreds of years ago there lived in a forest a wood-cutter and his wife and children .

in the end the wood-cutter lost heart , and said to himself :

' What is the good of working like this if I never am a penny the richer at the end ?

I shall go to the forest no more !

and perhaps , if I take to my bed , and do not run after Fortune , one day she may come to me . '

' Are you ill ? ' she asked wonderingly , surprised at not finding him dressed .

' The cock has crowed ever so often .

it is high time for you to get up . '

' Why should I get up ? ' asked the man , without moving .

' Why ? to go to the forest , of course . '

' Yes ; and when I have toiled all day I hardly earn enough to give us one meal . '

' But what can we do , my poor husband ? ' said she .

' It is just a trick of Fortune 's , who would never smile upon us . '

' Well , I have had my fill of Fortune 's tricks , ' cried he .

' If she wants me she can find me here .

but I have done with the wood for ever . '

' My dear husband , grief has driven you mad !

do you think Fortune will come to anybody who does not go after her ?

dress yourself , and saddle the mules , and begin your work .

do you know that there is not a morsel of bread in the house ? '

' I don't care if there isn't , and I am not going to the forest .

it is no use your talking ; nothing will make me change my mind . '

' He is upstairs ; you had better ask him , ' answered the woman .

and the man went up , and repeated his request .

' Well , then , will you lend me your two mules ?

I will pay you something for them . '

' Certainly , neighbour .

take them and welcome . '

now the man was aware that if he was caught he would be condemned to death , so he fled back into the forest .

the mules , left to themselves , took the path that led to their master 's stable .

she lost no time in calling her husband , who was still lying in bed .

' Quick , quick ! get up as fast as you can .

' Wife , I have told you a dozen times already that I am not going to get up .

why can't you leave me in peace ? '

they fell at once to the ground , and out poured a rain of gold pieces , till the little courtyard shone like the sun .

' A treasure ! ' gasped the woman , as soon as she could speak from surprise .

' A treasure ! '

and she ran off to tell her husband .

' Get up ! get up ! ' she cried .

our mules have returned home laden with all the gold in the world , and it is now lying in the court .

no one in the whole country can be as rich as we are ! '

' You see , my dear wife , that I was right , ' he said at last .

' Fortune is so capricious , you can never count on her .

run after her , and she is sure to fly from you ; stay still , and she is sure to come . '

Traditions Populaires de l'Asie Mineure .

THE ENCHANTED HEAD

once upon a time an old woman lived in a small cottage near the sea with her two daughters .

then she bought the food that they needed for the day , and returned home to do her share of veil-making .

one morning the old woman rose even earlier than usual , and set off for the city with her wares .

she was just crossing the bridge when , suddenly , she knocked up against a human head , which she had never seen there before .

' Take me with you , good mother ! ' it said imploringly ; ' take me with you back to your house . '

at the sound of these words the poor woman nearly went mad with terror .

have that horrible thing always at home ?

never ! never !

so they all sat silent at their work , inwardly cursing the head which was the cause of their misfortunes .

when evening came , and there was no sign of supper , the head spoke , for the first time that day :

' Good mother , does no one ever eat here ?

during all the hours I have spent in your house not a creature has touched anything . '

' No , ' answered the old woman , ' we are not eating anything . '

' And why not , good mother ? '

' Because we have no money to buy any food . '

' Is it your custom never to eat ? '

To-day I did not cross the bridge , so of course I had nothing for food . '

' Then I am the cause of your having gone hungry all day ? ' asked the head .

' Yes , you are , ' answered the old woman .

' Well , then , I will give you money and plenty of it , if you will only do as I tell you .

in an hour , as the clock strikes twelve , you must be on the bridge at the place where you met me .

when you get there call out " Ahmed , " three times , as loud as you can .

' Very well , my lord , ' said the old woman , ' I will set off at once for the bridge . '

and wrapping her veil round her she went out .

midnight was striking as she reached the spot where she had met the head so many hours before .

' Ahmed !

Ahmed !

Ahmed ! ' cried she , and immediately a huge negro , as tall as a giant , stood on the bridge before her .

' What do you want ? ' asked he .

' I will be back in a moment , good mother , ' said he .

and three minutes later he placed a purse full of sequins in the old woman 's hand .

no one can imagine the joy of the whole family at the sight of all this wealth .

the tiny , tumble-down cottage was rebuilt , the girls had new dresses , and their mother ceased selling veils .

when this happened their hearts sank within them , and their faces fell .

' Have you spent your fortune ? ' asked the head from its corner , when it saw how sad they looked .

the old woman did not need twice telling , but set off at once for the bridge .

' Mahomet !

Mahomet !

' What do you want ? ' asked he .

her daughters were always wrapped in veils that looked as if they were woven out of sunbeams , and their dresses shone with precious stones .

the neighbours wondered where all this sudden wealth had sprung from , but nobody knew about the head .

' Do what ? ' asked the old woman in amazement .

' How can I tell the sultan that a head without a body wishes to become his son-in-law ?

they will think that I am mad , and I shall be hooted from the palace and stoned by the children . '

' Do as I bid you , ' replied the head ; ' it is my will . '

the old woman was afraid to say anything more , and , putting on her richest clothes , started for the palace .

the sultan granted her an audience at once , and , in a trembling voice , she made her request .

' Are you mad , old woman ? ' said the sultan , staring at her .

' The wooer is powerful , O Sultan , and nothing is impossible to him . '

' Is that true ? '

' It is , O Sultan ; I swear it , ' answered she .

' Then let him show his power by doing three things , and I will give him my daughter . '

' Command , O gracious prince , ' said she .

' Do you see that hill in front of the palace ? ' asked the sultan .

' I see it , ' answered she .

that is the first thing .

now go , and tell him what I say . '

so the old woman returned and told the head the sultan 's first condition .

' It is well , ' he replied ; and said no more about it .

for thirty-nine days the head remained in its favourite corner .

but on the thirty-ninth evening after her visit to the palace , the head suddenly spoke .

Ali !

Ali ! " as loud as you can .

' I will go at once , ' answered she .

Ali !

Ali . '

' Tell my master he shall be obeyed , ' replied Ali ; ' it shall be done this moment . '

and the old woman went home and gave Ali 's message to the head .

' If that old woman has been playing me a trick , ' thought he , ' I will hang her !

and I will put up a gallows to-morrow on the hill itself . '

' Can there be a fire ? ' he said to himself ; ' the sun never came in at this window before .

I must get up and see . '

then he remembered .

' Certainly that old woman 's son is a clever magician ! ' cried he ; ' I never met anyone as clever as that .

what shall I give him to do next ?

let me think .

ah !

I know . '

and he sent for the old woman , who by the orders of the head , was waiting below .

' Your son has carried out my wishes very nicely , ' he said .

' The garden is larger and better than that of any other king .

but when I walk across it I shall need some place to rest on the other side .

and having said this he turned round and went away .

and she walked home slowly , with her head bent .

' Well , what am I to do next ? ' asked the head cheerfully .

and the old woman told her story .

then he told the old woman to go to the bridge and call for Hassan .

' He shall be obeyed , ' answered Hassan .

' That old woman 's son is certainly all-powerful , ' cried he ; ' what shall I bid him do now ? '

and after thinking some time he sent for the old woman , who was expecting the summons .

Illustration : THE PRINCESS SEES THE MAGIC HEAD

this time the king thought he had invented something totally impossible , and was quite pleased with himself for his cleverness .

thirty-nine days passed , and at midnight on the night of the last the old woman was standing on the bridge .

' Bekir !

Bekir !

Bekir ! ' cried she .

and a negro appeared , and inquired what she wanted .

' I will assuredly give my daughter to the old woman 's son , ' thought he .

' If I were to search all the world through I could never find a more powerful son-in-law . '

this command did not at all please the old woman , though , of course , she made no objections to the sultan .

' Never mind what he says !

put me on a silver dish and carry me to the palace . '

so it was done , though the old woman 's heart beat as she laid down the dish with the head upon it .

at the sight before him the king flew into a violent rage .

' I will never marry my daughter to such a monster , ' he cried .

but the princess placed her hand gently on his arm .

' You have given your word , my father , and you cannot break it , ' said she .

' But , my child , it is impossible for you to marry such a being , ' exclaimed the sultan .

' Yes , I will marry him .

he has a beautiful head , and I love him already . '

but for you , and you only , I am a man like other men . '

' And that is all I care about , ' said the princess .

Traditions populaires de toutes les nations ( Asie Mineure ) .

THE SISTER OF THE SUN

they took their bows out of the little hut where their toys were kept , and began to see which could shoot the highest .

at length the king 's patience gave way , and he said angrily :

and if you fail to find her your head will be the forfeit . '

the boy had need of all his courage to listen silently to the king 's words .

but there was nothing for it but to do the king 's bidding , and he felt that the sooner he left the palace the better .

' Where are you going ? ' asked the fox .

' Oh , I can show you the way ! ' said the fox , who was really very good-natured .

' Far towards the east , in that direction , lives a beautiful maiden who is called " the Sister of the Sun . "

she has three golden hens in her house .

perhaps the feather belongs to one of them . '

the boy was delighted at this news , and they walked on all day together , the fox in front , and the boy behind .

when evening came they lay down to sleep , and put the knapsack under their heads for a pillow .

suddenly , about midnight , the fox gave a low whine , and drew nearer to his bedfellow .

' Cousin , ' he whispered very low , ' there is someone coming who will take the knapsack away from me .

look over there ! '

and the boy , peeping through the bushes , saw a man .

so when the sun rose they set out again , the fox in front as before , the man and boy following .

after some hours they reached the castle of the Sister of the Sun , who kept the golden hens among her treasures .

they halted before the gate and took counsel as to which of them should go in and see the lady herself .

' No , it is my business , so it is right that I should go , ' answered he .

' You will find it a very difficult matter to get hold of the hens , ' replied the fox .

' Oh , nothing is likely to happen to me , ' returned the boy .

' Well , go then , ' said the fox , ' but be careful not to make any mistake .

steal only the hen which has the feather missing from her tail , and leave the others alone . '

the man listened , but did not interfere , and the boy entered the court of the palace .

and as the last one passed by him , he saw she had one feather missing from her tail .

at this sight the youth darted forward and seized the hen by the neck so that she could not struggle .

then , tucking her comfortably under his arm , he made straight for the gate .

on the threshold he stopped again .

and he turned back for the second time and entered the chamber , while the hen wriggled herself free as before .

when he had gazed his fill he went out into the courtyard and picked up his hen who was seeking for corn .

as he drew near the gate he paused .

and he wrung his hands with regret , so that the hen fell to the ground and ran away .

and , worse than that , her sisters began to cluck so loud that the Sister of the Sun was awakened by the noise .

she jumped up in haste from her bed , and going to the door she said to the boy :

Illustration : THE GOLDEN HEN WILL NOT BE CAUGHT

let us set off at once in search of the sister .

luckily , I know the way . '

they walked on for many days , till at length the fox , who , as usual , was going first , stopped suddenly .

a few minutes later they arrived at the castle , and the fox , who had often been there before , slipped in without difficulty .

there were several giants , both young and old , in the hall , and they were all dancing round the princess .

so the fox stood up , and did his steps with the best of them ; but after a while he stopped and said :

' I know a charming new dance that I should like to show you ; but it can only be done by two people .

if the princess will honour me for a few minutes , you will soon see how it is done . '

he found the giants busy trying to kindle a fire and get some light ; but after a bit someone cried out :

' Where is the princess ? '

' Here , in my arms , ' replied the fox .

' Don't be afraid ; she is quite safe . '

then he turned , and said quietly : ' Look , there is the Sister of the Sun ! '

the giants raised their eyes all at once , and were instantly turned into pillars of stone .

the fox then made each pillar a low bow , and set off to join his friends .

he looked and shuddered , but there was no escape ; so he shut his eyes to avoid seeing .

' No , no ; I don't know you , ' answered the youth , without raising his eyes .

' Kiss me , ' said the Sister of the Sun ; and the youth obeyed her , but still without looking up .

' Don't you know me now ? ' asked she .

and just as she had finished in walked the king , to see if what the boy had said was really true .

Illustration : THE KING FALLS IN LOVE WITH THE SISTER OF THE SUN

' I shall marry him to-morrow , ' ended she ; and ordered the preparations to be set on foot at once .

and the first is that in a single day he must cut down every tree in an entire forest . '

the youth stood aghast at the king 's words .

he had never cut down a tree in his life , and had not the least idea how to begin .

and as for a whole forest !

but the princess saw what was passing in his mind , and whispered to him :

' Don't be afraid .

in my ship you will find an axe , which you must carry off to the forest .

but pick up three chips of the tree you have felled , and put them in your pocket . '

and the young man did exactly as he was bid , and soon returned with the three chips safe in his coat .

with this the bridal pair had to be content , and be as patient as they could till the king 's arrival .

he did not keep them long , but they saw by his face that nothing good awaited them .

this sounded much more difficult than what he had done before , and he turned in despair to the Sister of the Sun .

' It is all right , ' she whispered encouragingly .

and the young man did what he was told , and left the forest looking exactly as it had done before .

but again the old man interfered , and declared that without the king 's permission no marriage could take place .

so no wonder the youth trembled and turned pale when he heard what lay before him .

go down to the river and unfasten a boat which lies moored there , and throw the chips into the water .

when the serpent rears up its body you will cut off its three heads with one blow of your sword .

then take the tip of each tongue and go with it to-morrow morning into the king 's kitchen .

but be sure you take great care never to look behind you . '

the young man did exactly what the princess had told him .

the youth had his sword ready , and in another second the three heads were bobbing on the water .

and , opening the kitchen door , he fled to the ship .

unluckily he missed the way , and in his excitement ran backwards and forwards , without knowing whither he was going .

at last , in despair , he looked round , and saw to his amazement that both the city and palace had vanished completely .

he went straight up to it and cried : ' O mother , let me come in for pity 's sake ! '

but the old woman only shook her head .

' No , I know nothing of her , ' said she .

at length he grew so tired he could walk no more ; then he remembered what the old woman had said .

' Let me in , I pray you , dear mother , ' cried he .

and the door opened in front of him .

' No , I know nothing of her , ' answered she .

but as he turned hopelessly away , she stopped him .

' If you happen to pass my eldest sister 's house , will you give her this letter ? ' said she .

' And if you should get tired on the road , just take it out of your pocket and rustle the paper . '

' Let me in , I pray you , dear mother , ' cried he .

' Yes , I can , ' answered the old woman .

' She lives in the castle on the Banka .

but , when you see her , stick a pin into the palm of her hand , and suck the drops of blood that flow .

then she will grow calmer , and will know you again .

only , beware ; for before you reach the castle on the Banka fearful things will happen . '

he thanked the old woman with tears of gladness for the good news she had given him , and continued his journey .

' My good men , what are you fighting about ? ' said he .

' That cloth does not look worth much ! '

meanwhile the young man walked briskly along , till he came up with two other men , who were disputing over a table-cloth .

' What is the matter ? ' asked he , stopping in front of them .

' Let me try the table-cloth , ' said the youth , ' and I will tell you whose it ought to be . '

the two men were quite pleased with this idea , and handed him the cloth .

' What are you quarrelling about ?

you could cut a dozen sticks from the wood each just as good as that ! ' said the young man .

and as he spoke the fighters both stopped and looked at him .

you won't easily find another stick like that ! '

' No ; that is true , ' answered the young man .

' Let me just look at it , and I will tell you whose it ought to be . '

the men were pleased with the idea , and handed him the staff .

' It is very curious , certainly , ' said he ; ' but which end is it that restores people to life ?

after all , anyone can be killed by a blow from a stick if it is only hard enough ! '

but when he was shown the end he threw the stuff over his shoulders and vanished .

at last he saw another set of men , who were struggling for the possession of a pair of shoes .

' Why can't you leave that pair of old shoes alone ? ' said he .

' Why , you could not walk a yard in them ! '

' That sounds very clever , ' said the youth .

' Let me try them , and then I shall be able to tell you whose they ought to be . '

the idea pleased the men , and they handed him the shoes ; but the moment they were on his feet he cried :

' I wish to be in the castle on the Banka ! '

and before he knew it , he was there , and found the Sister of the Sun dying of grief .

then she told him all her story , and what had happened since the ship had sailed away without him .

' Show me the battle-field , ' said he .

and she took him to a wild heath , where the dead were lying as they fell , waiting for burial .

one by one he touched them with the end of his staff , till at length they all stood before him .

throughout the kingdom there was nothing but joy ; and this time the wedding was really celebrated .

and the bridal pair lived happily in the castle on the Banka till they died .

Lappländische Mährchen .

THE PRINCE AND THE THREE FATES

once upon a time a little boy was born to a king who ruled over a great country through which ran a wide river .

' Is there anything the matter ? ' he asked anxiously .

the fairies looked at him , and all shook their heads at once .

' He is a beautiful boy , and it is a great pity ; but what is to happen will happen , ' said they .

if we could save him we would ; but that is beyond our power . '

and so saying they vanished .

and , besides , he gave the strictest orders that a guard should walk round the castle night and day .

so he turned to the page who was walking behind him , and said :

' What is that funny little thing which is running so fast over there ? '

' That is a dog , prince , ' answered the page .

' Well , bring me one like it , and we will see which can run the faster . '

and he watched the dog till it had disappeared round the corner .

the page was much puzzled to know what to do .

he had strict orders to refuse the prince nothing ; yet he remembered the prophecy , and felt that this was a serious matter .

at last he thought he had better tell the king the whole story , and let him decide the question .

so a puppy was found , exactly like the other ; they might have been twins , and perhaps they were .

years went by , and the boy and the dog played together till the boy grew tall and strong .

the time came at last when he sent a message to his father , saying :

' Why do you keep me shut up here , doing nothing ?

so give me arms , and let me go , I pray you ; me and my dog too . '

never was any prince so happy as he , and he rode and rode till at length he came to a king 's palace .

the king who lived in it did not care about looking after his country , and seeing that his people lived cheerful and contented lives .

he spent his whole time in making riddles , and inventing plans which he had much better have let alone .

at the period when the young prince reached the kingdom he had just completed a wonderful house for his only child , a daughter .

the fame of the princess 's beauty had spread far and wide , and there was no lack of princes who wished to try their fortune .

but though some managed to get further than others , nobody was anywhere near the top .

' Where do you come from ? ' they said at last .

' And whose son are you ? '

but the young prince had reasons for keeping his own secret , and he answered :

' My father was master of the horse to the king of my country , and after my mother died he married another wife .

' What are you doing here ? ' said the youth , one day .

looking up from below , they saw a white hand stretched forth to draw him in .

' The youth who succeeded in climbing to the princess 's window is not a prince at all , ' answered the young man .

but the prince still had his reasons for being silent , and only told the same story .

' Ah , how rash you are ! ' cried the princess , throwing her arms round his neck .

' If you know that , how can you have that horrid beast about you ?

I will give orders to have him killed at once . '

but the prince would not listen to her .

' Kill my dear little dog , who has been my playfellow since he was a puppy ? ' exclaimed he .

' Oh , never would I allow that . '

and this went on for more than a month .

Illustration : THE PRINCESS AND THE SNAKE

this was the reason why he delayed his journey so long , and narrowly escaped being eaten by the crocodile .

that very night , however , while he was asleep , the princess noticed something strange in one of the corners of the room .

she shrank in terror , but , slight as was the noise , the thing heard it , and raised its head to listen .

then she saw it was the long flat head of a serpent , and the recollection of the prophecy rushed into her mind .

after that it dropped on the ground and slept heavily .

one morning the prince and his dog were out as usual , and in chasing their game they drew near the bank of the river .

' You cannot escape from me , ' it was saying , when he had gathered his senses again .

' I am your fate , and wherever you go , and whatever you do , you will always find me before you .

there is only one means of shaking off my power .

if you can dig a pit in the dry sand which will remain full of water , my spell will be broken .

if not death will come to you speedily .

I give you this one chance .

now go . '

' How pale you look , ' she cried , ' has anything hurt you ?

tell me , I pray you , what is the matter , for perhaps I can help ! '

so the prince told her the whole story , and of the impossible task given him by the crocodile .

' How can a sand hole remain full of water ? ' asked he .

' Of course it will all run through .

the crocodile called it a " chance " ; but he might as well have dragged me into the river at once .

he said truly that I cannot escape him . '

I will go in search of it at dawn , and you can begin to dig the hole as soon as you like . '

to comfort her husband , the princess had spoken lightly and gaily ; but she knew very well she had no light task before her .

Still , she was full of courage and energy , and determined that , one way or another , her husband should be saved .

it was still starlight when she left the palace on a snow-white donkey , and rode away from the river straight to the west .

so she spoke cheering words to her donkey , who brayed in reply , and the two pushed steadily on .

oh ! how glad they both were when they caught sight of a tall rock in the distance .

luckily she had brought a rope with her , and making a noose at one end , she flung it across with all her might .

and in that case her death was as certain as that of the prince .

but nothing so dreadful happened .

the princess got safely to the other side , and then became the worst part of her task .

meanwhile the hours were passing , and it was nearly noon .

the heart of the poor princess was filled with despair , but she would not give up the struggle .

for a few terrible moments she thought that the rock was bare , and that her journey had been to no purpose .

feel where she would , there was nothing but grit and stones , when , suddenly , her fingers touched something soft in a crevice .

it was a plant , that was clear ; but was it the right one ?

see she could not , for the wind was blowing more fiercely than ever , so she lay where she was and counted the leaves .

one , two , three yes ! yes ! there were four !

however , by good luck , she stopped quite close to her rope bridge and was soon across it .

a little way off the crocodile lay blinking in the sun , with his sharp teeth and whity-yellow jaws wide open .

Illustration : THE POOL IN THE SAND

then the prince turned with a shout of triumph , and the crocodile sulkily plunged into the river .

the prince had escaped for ever the second of his three fates !

in another instant his dog dashed by in hot pursuit , and knocked heavily against his master 's legs .

he shrieked for help to his wife , who came running ; and luckily brought her rope with her .

the poor old dog was drowned , but the prince was pulled to shore .

' My wife , ' he said , ' has been stronger than my fate . '

Adapted from Les Contes Populaires de l'Egypte Ancienne .

THE FOX AND THE LAPP

for a long while he watched in vain ; everything seemed asleep , and not even a bird stirred overhead .

this is a man driving a reindeer sledge , I know the tinkling of the harness .

and at any rate I shall have an adventure , and that is always something ! '

the fox meanwhile was enjoying himself mightily .

By-and-by he met a bear , who stopped and said : ' Where did you find that fish , Mr Fox ? '

' Yes , certainly , grandfather , ' replied the fox , ' if you have patience to suffer what I suffered . '

' Of course I can , ' replied the bear , ' what nonsense you talk !

show me the way . '

' The elves bathe here , ' he said , ' and if you put in your tail the fish will catch hold of it .

but it is no use being in a hurry , or you will spoil everything . '

Illustration : THE ELVES AND THE BEAR

' Be quick , good people , and come with your bows and spears .

a bear has been fishing in your brook ! '

at this sight the fox held his sides for laughing , and then scampered away in another direction .

By-and-by he came to a fir tree , and crept into a hole under the root .

after that he did something very strange .

taking one of his hind feet between his two front paws , he said softly :

' What would you do , my foot , if someone was to betray me ? '

' I would run so quickly that he should not catch you . '

' What would you do , mine ear , if someone was to betray me ? '

' I would listen so hard that I should hear all his plans . '

' What would you do , my nose , if someone was to betray me ? '

' I would smell so sharply that I should know from afar that he was coming . '

' What would you do , my tail , if someone was to betray me ? '

' I would steer you so straight a course that you would soon be beyond his reach .

let us be off ; I feel as if danger was near . '

but the fox was comfortable where he was , and did not hurry himself to take his tail 's advice .

in this manner they set out down the road , the fox 's tail being always in the bear 's mouth .

after they had gone some way , they passed a tree-stump , on which a bright coloured woodpecker was tapping .

' Ah ! those were better times when I used to paint all the birds such gay colours , ' sighed the fox .

' What are you saying , old fellow ? ' asked the bear .

' I ?

oh , I was saying nothing , ' answered the fox drearily .

' Just carry me to your cave and eat me up as quick as you can . '

' Couldn't you paint me too ? ' asked the bear suddenly .

but the fox shook his head ; for he was always acting , even if no one was there to see him do it .

oh , no ; you would never be able to do all that . '

and as he spoke he began tearing up the earth so fast that soon a deep pit was ready , deep enough to hold him .

' That is all right , ' said the fox at last , ' I see I was mistaken in you .

now sit here , and I will bind you . '

but all the answer he got was : ' I thought you would never be able to suffer pain like those little birds . '

after a while he stole cautiously and found , as he expected , nothing left but a few charred bones .

these he picked up and put in a bag , which he slung over his back .

' That sounds like silver or gold , ' thought the man to himself .

and he said politely to the fox :

' Good-day , friend !

what have you got in your bag that makes such a strange sound ? '

' All the wealth my father left me , ' answered the fox .

' Do you feel inclined to bargain ? '

' Ah , but I can't do that , ' answered the fox , ' my bag is sealed up .

but if you will give me those three reindeer , you shall take it as it is , with all its contents . '

the Lapp did not quite like it , but the fox spoke with such an air that his doubts melted away .

he nodded , and stretched out his hand ; the fox put the bag into it , and unharnessed the reindeer he had chosen .

if you do , you will find that all the gold and silver has changed into a parcel of charred bones . '

then he whipped up his reindeer , and was soon out of sight .

who could tell ?

he would not , of course , take the money out to count it , for that might bring him bad luck .

but there could be no harm in just one peep !

so he slowly broke the seal , and untied the strings , and , behold , a heap of burnt bones lay before him !

now the fox had guessed exactly what would happen , and was on the look out .

the fox soon heard him coming , and this time he wished that the reindeer might fall and break its leg .

and so it did ; and the man felt it was a hopeless chase , and that he was no match for the fox .

when they heard why they had been summoned , they declared themselves ready each one to do his part .

and the fox did nothing , but looked on .

from there he set up the most frightful shrieks , so that the animals fled away in all directions .

only the mouse and the ermine remained where they were , for they thought that they were much too small to be noticed .

' What are you doing there ? ' cried he ; ' why did you palm off those bones on me ?

and why , when you had got the reindeer , did you kill them ? '

' Dear brother , ' answered the fox with a sob , ' do not blame me for this misfortune .

it is my comrades who have slain them in spite of my prayers . '

' Stop your silly chatter ! ' answered the man crossly , ' or I will give you a bath in the river . '

' I have won , ' shouted the pike .

' Jump on my back , dear fox , and you will find yourself in a trice on the opposite shore . '

' No , thank you , ' answered the fox , ' your back is much too weak for me .

I should break it . '

' Try mine , ' said the eel , who had wriggled to the front .

' No , thank you , ' replied the fox again , ' I should slip over your head and be drowned . '

' You won't slip on my back , ' said the perch , coming forward .

' No ; but you are really too rough , ' returned the fox .

' Well , you can have no fault to find with me , ' put in the trout .

' Good gracious ! are you here ? ' exclaimed the fox .

' But I 'm afraid to trust myself to you either . '

at this moment a fine salmon swam slowly up .

but as he stooped down the water gave a sudden fizzle , and splashed into the fox 's eyes , blinding him .

he started backwards with a cry of pain , and sat still for some minutes , rocking himself to and fro .

' Have you a pair of eyes anywhere about you ? ' asked the fox politely .

' No , I am afraid I haven't , ' answered the grouse , and passed on .

a little while after the fox heard the buzzing of an early bee , whom a gleam of sun had tempted out .

' Do you happen to have an extra pair of eyes anywhere ? ' asked the fox .

' I am sorry to say I have only those I am using , ' replied the bee .

and the fox went on till he nearly fell over an asp who was gliding across the road .

' I should be so glad if you would tell me where I could get a pair of eyes , ' said the fox .

' I suppose you don't happen to have any you could lend me ? '

perhaps you will keep these till then . '

Lappländische Mährchen .

KISA THE CAT

' Oh , pussy , ' said the queen one day , ' you are happier than I am !

for you have a dear little kitten just like yourself , and I have nobody to play with but you . '

' Don't cry , ' answered the cat , laying her paw on her mistress 's arm .

' Crying never does any good .

I will see what can be done . '

the cat was as good as her word .

what a hunt there was for that kitten , to be sure !

but it was all no use .

the kitten had plainly run away , and nobody could tell if it would ever choose to come back .

Ingibjörg ! ' it said , ' have you forgotten me ?

I am Kisa , your sister ! '

' Don't you remember how I always slept in your cot beside you , and how you cried till I came ?

but girls have no memories at all !

why , I could find my way straight up to that cot this moment , if I was once inside the palace . '

' Why did you go away then ? ' asked the princess .

' Yes , it is quite true what Kisa said , ' answered the queen ; ' I should have liked to see her again .

perhaps , some day , she will return , and then you must bring her to me . '

they went a long way , and Ingibjörg grew very tired , and at length began to cry .

' I don't like girls who make horrid noises , ' said the giant , turning round .

' But if you want to cry , I will give you something to cry for . '

and drawing an axe from his belt , he cut off both her feet , which he picked up and put in his pocket .

then he went away .

in the corner of the room was a pile of cushions , and these Kisa arranged as a bed .

the pain vanished at once , and Ingibjörg looked up and smiled at Kisa .

I will lock the door , and no one can hurt you . '

but before she had finished the princess was asleep .

' Dear me , how thirsty I am ! ' cried the giant by-and-by .

' So am I , ' answered his wife .

' I do wish I had not taken that last spoonful of broth ; I am sure something was wrong with it . '

' If I don't get some water I shall die , ' went on the giant .

and rushing out of the cave , followed by his wife , he ran down the path which led to the river .

Ingibjörg was thankful to see her , for she had lain , too frightened to sleep , trembling at every noise .

' Oh , is it you ? ' she cried joyfully , as Kisa turned the key .

and the cat came in , holding up the two neat little feet in their silver slippers .

Illustration : KISA THE CAT CARRIES OFF INGIBJÖRG'S FEET FROM THE GIANT'S CAVE

' In two minutes they shall be as tight as ever they were ! ' said Kisa .

' Of course you won't be able to walk for some time ; you must not expect that , ' she continued .

' But if you are very good , perhaps , in about a week , I may carry you home again . '

' We will talk about that by-and-by , ' said the cat , as she made her best bow , and turned her horse 's head .

the princess was very unhappy when Kisa left her without even bidding her farewell .

she would neither eat nor drink , nor take any notice of all the beautiful dresses her parents bought for her .

' She will die , unless we can make her laugh , ' one whispered to the other .

' Is there anything in the world that we have left untried ? '

' Nothing , except marriage , ' answered the king .

when the marriage was over , Kisa suddenly stood before them , and Ingibjörg rushed forward and clasped her in her arms .

' I have come to claim my reward , ' said the cat .

' Let me sleep for this night at the foot of your bed . '

' Is that all ? ' asked Ingibjörg , much disappointed .

' It is enough , ' answered the cat .

and when the morning dawned , it was no cat that lay upon the bed , but a beautiful princess .

Adapted from Neuisländischen Volksmärchen .

THE LION AND THE CAT

at least he thought it was a long one , but in a very few bounds and springs the lion reached his side .

' There is a bear sitting on that tree , ' he whispered softly .

' He is only waiting for us to pass , to drop down on my back . '

' Ah , you are so big that he does not see I am behind you , ' answered the wild cat .

and , touching the ball , he just said : ' Bear , die ! '

and the bear tumbled dead out of the tree , and rolled over just in front of them .

' That is a snake , ' he cried , stopping short , for he was much more afraid of snakes than of bears .

' Oh , it is all right , ' answered the cat .

' Snake , die ! '

and the snake died , and the two brothers skinned it .

most people are afraid of some thing , and bears and serpents were the only creatures that caused the lion 's heart to tremble .

so the two brothers set off again and soon reached the side of a hill where some fine deer were grazing .

' Kill one of those deer for your own dinner , ' said the boy-brother , ' but catch me another alive .

I want him . '

the cat waited for a long while , but finding that the lion did not return , went back to the house where they lived .

it was quite dark when the lion came home , where his brother was sitting curled up in one corner .

' Did you catch the deer for me ? ' asked the boy-brother , springing up .

' Well , no , ' replied the man-brother .

think what a trouble it would have been to drag it here !

so I just ate them both . '

the cat said nothing , but he did not feel that he loved his big brother .

but how was the stealing to be done ?

' Dear me , how dull , how dreadfully dull I am .

couldn't we have a game of catch with that golden ball of yours ? '

' Oh , no , I won't ; I will play in here .

don't be so ill-natured . '

it can't really have fallen very far . '

but months passed , and years passed , and though he travelled over hundreds of miles , he never saw any traces of it .

suddenly he saw a beautiful ball , for all the world like his own , dangling from a branch of the tree he was on .

he longed to get at it ; but was the branch strong enough to bear his weight ?

it was no use , after all he had done , getting drowned in the water .

however , it could do no harm , if he was to go a little way ; he could always manage to get back somehow .

so he stretched himself at full length upon the branch , and wriggled his body cautiously along .

to his delight it seemed thick and stout .

yes ! there was , and it was much surer than the other , though rather more difficult .

it might take some time , but the lion 's little brother was patient , like most cats .

and , what was worse , the ball suddenly fell out of its snake 's skin bag right into the river .

after that they went to sleep .

' Ladies , ' he said , ' how can I thank you for what you have done for me ?

but where was I to meet them ?

where there is a river , sooner or later people will come ; so , hanging myself on a tree , I watched and waited .

that was my chance , and I took it .

Adapted from North American Indian Legends .

WHICH WAS THE FOOLISHEST ?

' You should just see what he does ! ' one said to her neighbour .

for some minutes he stood with his mouth open watching her , and as she still remained silent , he said at last :

' Have you gone mad , wife , that you sit spinning without anything on the wheel ? '

' Dear me ! ' he replied , ' what a clever wife I have got !

if you had not told me I should never have known that there was any wool on the wheel at all .

but now I really do seem to see something . '

her husband could not see anything to snip at ; but then he was so stupid that was not surprising !

after the cutting came the sewing .

the woman patted and pinned and fixed and joined , and then , turning to the man , she said :

' Now it is ready for you to try on . '

" what a splendid coat ! " they will exclaim when they see me .

but it is not everybody who has a wife as clever as mine . '

meanwhile the other wife was not idle .

as soon as her husband entered she looked at him with such a look of terror that the poor man was quite frightened .

' Why do you stare at me so ?

is there anything the matter ? ' asked he .

' How do you feel this morning ? ' asked the woman , coming in on tip-toe when her house-work was finished .

' Oh , bad ; very bad indeed , ' answered he ; ' I have not slept for a moment .

can you think of nothing to make me better ? '

' I will get some dried herbs and make you a drink , but I am very much afraid that it is too late .

why did you not tell me before ? '

' Of course , if I had had any idea how ill I really was , I should have spoken at once . '

lie still , and keep yourself warm . '

at last , in the evening , she burst into tears , and when he inquired what was the matter , she sobbed out :

' Oh , my poor , poor husband , are you really dead ?

I must go to-morrow and order your coffin . '

' Oh , no , no ! ' he cried , ' I feel quite recovered !

indeed , I think I shall go out to work . '

' You will do no such thing , ' replied his wife .

' Just keep quite quiet , for before the sun rises you will be a dead man . '

' I should laugh as loudly as any of you , if I were not a dead man . '

then they rushed with one accord to the coffin , and lifted the lid so that the man could step out amongst them .

' Were you really not dead after all ? ' asked they .

' And if not , why did you let yourself be buried ? '

at this the wives both confessed that they had each wished to prove that her husband was stupider than the other .

so the women quarrelled just as much as they did before , and no one ever knew whose husband was the most foolish .

Adapted from the Neuisländischen Volksmärchen .

ASMUND AND SIGNY

they lived at home in their father 's palace , and he spared no pains to make their lives happy .

after many arguments and entreaties he succeeded in persuading the king to give him two great oak trees for his very own .

' Oh , Asmund ! ' exclaimed Signy , ' what a delightful idea !

do let me come too , and live in one of your trees .

I will bring all my pretty things and ornaments , and the trees are so near home we shall be quite safe in them . '

unfortunately sadder days were to come .

a war with another country broke out , and the king had to lead his army against their enemy .

during his absence the queen fell ill , and after lingering for some time she died , to the great grief of her children .

Prince Ring had heard so much about the beauty and goodness of Princess Signy that he determined to marry her if possible .

he stopped her and at once asked who she was .

' I am Signy , the king 's daughter , ' was the reply .

the false Signy was also very kindly welcomed .

' Yes , ' said she , quite pleased , ' I am quite ready to marry you whenever you like . '

' Then , ' replied Ring , ' let us decide on this day fortnight .

and see , I have brought you some stuff to make your wedding-dress of . '

' What was she to do with such things ? ' she roared .

now , all this time Prince Asmund and his sister sat in their trees just outside the window and saw all that was going on .

so she watched for an opportunity and managed to carry off the brocade the first time the witch left her room .

Illustration : SIGNY AT THE WINDOW

how delighted the witch was when she found the clothes all finished !

when Asmund saw all these wild doings from his tree he felt he could no longer keep silence .

the witch was raving and roaring as usual , and said to her brother :

' Once I am married to the king 's son I shall be better off than now .

I fancy the giants will enjoy themselves very much with me and my husband . '

Asmund then told the prince about the two oak trees and took him to see them .

the prince was quite astonished at them and at all their contents , but still more so at the extreme beauty of Signy .

after this Prince Asmund and his bride returned to his country to live with the king his father .

the two couples often met , and lived happily for many , many years .

and that is the end of the story .

From Isländische Mährchen .

RÜBEZAHL

over all the vast under-world the mountain Gnome Rübezahl was lord ; and busy enough the care of his dominions kept him .

there were the endless treasure chambers to be gone through , and the hosts of gnomes to be kept to their tasks .

and as gnomes live many hundreds of years he saw strange things .

but the next time he ventured above ground , what was his surprise to find everything changed !

so he ran away and went to serve the judge .

Illustration : THE GNOME FALLS IN LOVE WITH THE PRINCESS

around her upon the grass lay her young companions , as if they had thrown themselves down to rest after some merry game .

but he soon found that this was not at all a good plan .

on this particular morning the fancy took them to wander off again into the wood .

this was Master Rübezahl 's opportunity .

daisies and forget-me-nots fringed its brink , while tall hedges of roses and jasmine ringed it round , making the sweetest and daintiest bower imaginable .

they saw at last that there was nothing for it but to carry to the king the sad tidings of his beloved daughter 's disappearance .

and what great weeping and lamentation there was in the palace when the dreadful news was told !

but when he reached the spot , behold , all was changed again !

meanwhile the princess was not at all unhappy in the palace of her elfish lover .

however , he soon perceived her melancholy , and in a thousand ways strove to dispel the cloud , but in vain .

at last he said to himself : ' Men are sociable creatures , like bees or ants .

doubtless this lovely mortal is pining for company .

who is there I can find for her to talk to ? '

' Loveliest daughter of earth , ' said the gnome , ' banish all sorrow ; no more shall you be lonely in my dwelling .

in this basket is all you need to make this spot delightful to you .

take this little many-coloured wand , and with a touch give to each root the form you desire to see . '

and sure enough there was Brunhilda , joyfully hugging and kissing her beloved princess , and chattering as gaily as in the old days .

Illustration : RÜBEZAHL AND THE PRINCESS

there they found so much to amuse them that the hours passed like minutes .

and now all went cheerfully in the castle .

the princess gave to each of the maidens her task , and never was mistress better served .

for a whole week she enjoyed the delight of her pleasant company undisturbed .

' Malicious Sprite , ' she cried , ' why do you begrudge me my playmates the greatest delight of my lonely hours ?

isn't this solitary life in such a desert bad enough without your turning the castle into a hospital for the aged ?

give my maidens back their youth and health this very minute , or I will never love you ! '

the great green patch in the garden will provide you with a more lively company . '

so saying the gnome took himself off .

but to her surprise she could not find it anywhere .

up and down the garden she searched , spying into every corner , but not a sign of it was to be found .

' You are trying to tease me , ' she cried , as soon as she saw him .

' Where have you hidden the basket ?

I have been looking for it at least an hour . '

' Dear queen of my heart , ' answered he , ' I pray you to forgive my carelessness .

I promised more than I could perform .

have patience for a little , and then without fail you shall have your puppets to play with . '

thus fostered they grew and flourished marvellously , and promised a goodly crop .

meanwhile , the maiden , in her gorgeous prison , sighed in secret over her grief , not wishing to arouse the gnome 's suspicions .

one day she changed a tiny turnip into a bee , and sent him off to bring her some news of her lover .

do not forget a single word of my greeting , and bring me back a message from my beloved . '

after that , by the power of the wonderful wand she summoned a cricket , and taught him this greeting :

these two unlucky ventures did not prevent the princess from trying once more .

this time she changed the turnip into a magpie .

' Flutter from tree to tree , chattering bird , ' said she , ' till you come to Ratibor , my love .

then Ratibor heard with surprise that the bird was indeed calling him by name .

this was so unexpected that the prince 's arm fell helplessly to his side at the sound , and he stood motionless .

all his gloom and misery vanished in a moment , and he anxiously questioned the welcome messenger as to the fate of the princess .

the princess meanwhile was craftily pursuing her plan of escape .

her golden hair was braided and crowned with myrtle blossoms , and her flowing veil sparkled with gems .

in these magnificent garments she went to meet the gnome upon the great terrace .

so saying he would have drawn aside her veil ; but the princess only held it more closely about her .

' Your constancy has overcome me , ' she said ; ' I can no longer oppose your wishes .

but believe my words , and suffer this veil still to hide my blushes and tears . '

greatly as I desire your love , I do not ask a sacrifice . '

' Ah ! ' cried the false princess , ' why do you misunderstand my tears ?

my heart answers to your tenderness , and yet I am fearful .

a wife cannot always charm , and though you will never alter , the beauty of mortals is as a flower that fades .

how can I be sure that you will always be as loving and charming as you are now ? '

' Ask some proof , sweetheart , ' said he .

' Put my obedience and my patience to some test by which you can judge of my unalterable love . '

' Be it so , ' answered the crafty maiden .

' Then give me just one proof of your goodness .

go ! count the turnips in yonder meadow .

my wedding feast must not lack guests .

they shall provide me with bride-maidens too .

but beware lest you deceive me , and do not miss a single one .

that shall be the test of your truth towards me . '

and this was hardly to be wondered at , as his mind was full of the princess 's pretty looks and words .

as for the maiden , no sooner was her deluded lover fairly out of sight than she began to prepare for flight .

while all this was happening , Prince Ratibor was hurrying away with his prize to a place of safety .

Volksmährchen der Deutschen .

STORY OF THE KING WHO WOULD BE STRONGER THAN FATE

indeed , he often became quite separated from his nobles and attendants , and in fact was particularly fond of lonely adventures .

in this way he found out what the common people said about him , and how his judges and governors fulfilled their duties .

not long afterwards , however , he went out after some deer which were to be found in a far corner of his forests .

so he put the spurs to his horse , and followed it as hard as he could gallop .

worse than all evening was already drawing on , and the sun would soon set .

In vain had he sent arrow after arrow at the beautiful stag .

all this was very discouraging , but the king would not have minded if he had not lost that beautiful stag .

presently he heard the sound of rushing water , and made towards it .

towards this light the king with his horse and hound made his way , sliding and stumbling down a steep , stony path .

' Peace be upon you , ' said the king , giving the usual country salutation .

' And upon you peace , ' answered the hermit ; but still he never looked up , nor stopped what he was doing .

for a minute or two the king stood watching him .

he noticed that the hermit threw two leaves in at a time , and watched them attentively .

at other times both leaves were held in the backward eddy , and failed to reach the main current of the noisy stream .

the king laughed .

' I cannot say , ' answered the hermit .

' Do you not know , then ? ' demanded the king .

' I might know , ' returned the hermit , ' but it is not always wisdom to know much . '

at last , however , the king urged him so greatly that he said :

there is no escaping from Fate . '

for five days he awaited the reply , and hardly slept or ate , but was as cross as could be all the time .

the king was overjoyed .

now , in a small village in his kingdom there lived an old widow who had no children or relations of any kind .

one evening the old woman was astonished to find that her very best nanny-goat returned without a drop of milk .

but when evening after evening the goat remained almost dry she determined to find out who the thief was .

so the next day she followed the goats at a distance and watched them while they grazed .

on and on the goat walked for some way , and then disappeared into a cave in the rocks .

seizing a big stick , he began to beat the intruder and to drive him out of his garden .

a neighbour passing by called out to him ' Hi !

I say ! why are you beating the pedlar 's donkey like that ? '

whereupon he went off indoors , whistling cheerfully .

of course Nur Mahomed never guessed that the supposed pedlar happened to have been the king himself , although nobody knew it .

the king asked her who she was .

she replied that she was his mother .

' His mother ? ' said the king ; ' you are too old , surely , to have so young a son ! '

this , then , was the baby he had left to die , after cruelly murdering his mother !

surely fate might have spared him this !

everyone would call him a tyrant if he were to give such an order in fact , he dared not try it !

at length he collected himself enough to say : ' If this young man will enlist in my army I will let him off .

we have need of such as him , and a little discipline will do him good . '

as a soldier Nur Mahomed seemed to be in luck .

and as he was also modest and generous , he became a favourite with his officers and his comrades .

thus it was not very surprising that , before very long , he became enrolled amongst the picked men of the king 's bodyguard .

after this the strange adventures the young man passed through were endless .

he escaped somehow every time , and felt amused rather than anxious about the next adventure .

the kind-hearted young man picked out a lump of meat , went to the door , and threw it outside to him .

Nur Mahomed , who had been lazily watching him , stood still for a moment , then he came back whistling softly .

' Make your preparations at once , ' added he , ' and be ready to start in the morning .

I myself will deliver you the papers at the last moment . '

he could be silent as the grave , and prided himself on his obedience .

according to orders Nur Mahomed presented himself early the next morning at the king 's private apartments .

at length he reached the castle gates , and was at once admitted , as he was in the uniform of the king 's bodyguard .

the governor was resting , the soldier said , and could not see him until the evening .

he flung himself on his back and watched the birds twittering and chattering in the trees above him .

through the branches he could see great patches of sky where the kites wheeled and circled incessantly , with shrill whistling cries .

bees buzzed over the flowers with a soothing sound , and in a few minutes Nur Mahomed was fast asleep .

if she was discovered her old hostess scolded her severely ; but the princess only laughed , and did the same thing next time .

Illustration : THE PRINCESS STEALS THE KING'S LETTER

suddenly , on turning a corner , she stopped in surprise , for before her lay a man fast asleep !

in her hurry she had almost tripped over him .

but there he was , a young man , tanned and dusty with travel , in the uniform of an officer of the king 's guard .

out of one of the folds of this young man 's turban there peeped the corner of a letter !

she wondered what the letter was whom it was for !

she drew her veil a little closer , and stole across on tip-toe and caught hold of the corner of the letter .

then she pulled it a little , and just a little more !

she examined the seal .

it was sticky with being exposed to the hot sun , and with a very little effort it parted from the paper .

the letter was open and she read it !

and this was what was written :

' Behead the messenger who brings this letter secretly and at once .

ask no questions . '

the girl grew pale .

what a shame ! she thought .

she would not let a handsome young fellow like that be beheaded ; but how to prevent it was not quite clear at the moment .

ask no questions . '

it was done !

he sent for his wife and told her to get the princess ready to be married at once .

' Nonsense ! ' said his wife , ' what in the world do you mean ? '

' These are the king 's commands , ' he answered ; ' go and do as I bid you .

the letter says " at once , " and " ask no questions . "

the marriage , therefore , must take place this evening . '

In vain did his wife urge every objection ; the more she argued , the more determined was her husband .

then all the castle was turned upside down ; and when the news spread in the town , that was turned upside down too .

and all the people declared that such a wonderful sight had never been seen , and talked about it to the ends of their lives .

when the king got the governor 's letter , he grew so red in the face that everyone thought he was going to have apoplexy .

so , when the young couple arrived , the king received them with all state , and gave his son-in-law a province to govern .

Nur Mahomed 's old mother lived for a long time in her ' son 's ' palace , and died in peace .

Told the writer by an Indian .

STORY OF WALI DÂD THE SIMPLE-HEARTED

once upon a time there lived a poor old man whose name was Wali Dâd Gunjay , or Wali Dâd the Bald .

what should he do with them all ? he wondered .

with that he pulled the bracelet from his waistband , and handed it to his friend .

the merchant was naturally much astonished , but said nothing , and made no objection to carrying out his friend 's plan .

time passed by , and at length the merchant arrived in the course of his travels at the capital of Khaistân .

with these he set out on his journey .

some months later he got home again from his journeyings , and proceeded to take Wali Dâd the princess 's present .

Great was the perplexity of the good man to find a camel-load of silks tumbled at his door !

what was he to do with these costly things ?

when the old man saw them coming in the distance he said to himself : ' Here 's luck ! a troop of horses coming !

they are sure to want quantities of grass , and I shall sell all I have without having to drag it to market . '

thereupon he rushed off and cut grass as fast as he could .

at first he could not think what to do with them , but , after a little , a brilliant idea struck him !

the merchant departed , laughing .

this time the princess sent for the merchant , and questioned him about the giver .

then he ordered that , in place of each of the ten horses , two mules laden with silver should be returned by her .

the merchant felt handsomely repaid for his trouble , and wondered greatly how the matter would turn out .

this time the prince , too , was embarrassed , and questioned the merchant closely .

elephants , too !

grass will be selling well to-day ! '

and with that he hurried off to the jungle and cut grass as fast as he could .

that beautiful young princess , now !

she 'd be the one to enjoy all these fine things !

at length , however , he consented to go once more , but he promised himself never to embark on another such enterprise .

so , after a few days ' rest , the caravan started off once more for Khaistân .

there is nothing for it but that we go and pay him a visit in person .

the merchant , the king declared , was to guide the party .

the feelings of the poor merchant in this sore dilemma can hardly be imagined .

day after day they moved on , and every day the poor merchant felt more ill and miserable .

at last they were only one day 's march from Wali Dâd 's little mud home .

he could not do it !

he was afraid !

he drew back shuddering , and covering his face in his hands he wept aloud .

presently he was aware of a gentle radiance that shed itself before him .

surely morning was not already coming to hasten and reveal his disgrace !

' Why do you weep , old man ? ' said one , in a voice as clear and musical as that of the bulbul .

' I weep for shame , ' replied he .

' What do you here ? ' questioned the other .

' I came here to die , ' said Wali Dâd .

and as they questioned him , he confessed all his story .

Illustration : WALI DÂD AND THE PERIS

and up an avenue of giant plane trees the peris led him , dumb with amazement .

Wali Dâd stood stunned and helpless .

' Fear not , ' said one of the peris ; ' go to your house , and learn that God rewards the simple-hearted . '

with these words they both disappeared and left him .

he walked on , thinking still that he must be dreaming .

very soon he retired to rest in a splendid room , far grander than anything he had ever dreamed of .

if he was dumbfounded , the merchant , who was ushered into his presence soon after sunrise , was much more so .

and what a search he had had !

then Wali Dâd told the merchant all that had happened .

for three nights and days a great feast was held in honour of the royal guests .

never had anything so splendid been seen .

besides the great dinners , there were sports and hunting , and dances , and amusements of all sorts .

Told the author by an Indian .

TALE OF A TORTOISE AND OF A MISCHIEVOUS MONKEY

once upon a time there was a country where the rivers were larger , and the forests deeper , than anywhere else .

they began when he was quite young , and tired of staying at home with his father and mother .

he left them one day , and walked off in search of adventures .

' Let us see which of us two is strongest , ' said the young tortoise , marching up to the elephant .

' In an hour 's time ; I have some business to do first , ' answered the tortoise .

and he hastened away as fast as his short legs would carry him .

in a pool of the river a whale was resting , blowing water into the air and making a lovely fountain .

' Would you like to try which of us is the stronger ? ' said he .

the whale looked at him , sent up another fountain , and answered : ' Oh , yes ; certainly .

when do you wish to begin ?

I am quite ready . '

' Then give me one of your longest bones , and I will fasten it to my leg .

when I give the signal , you must pull , and we will see which can pull the hardest . '

' Very good , ' replied the whale ; and he took out one of his bones and passed it to the tortoise .

the tortoise picked up the end of the bone in his mouth and went back to the elephant .

we shall soon see which is the stronger . '

so he wound it carefully round the elephant 's leg , and tied it in a firm knot .

' Now ! ' cried he , plunging into a thick bush behind him .

they were very evenly matched , and the battle was a hard one .

at last they were quite tired , and the tortoise , who was watching , saw that they could play no more .

suppose we give it up for to-day ? '

suppose we give it up for to-day ? '

a day or two later the young tortoise was taking a stroll , when he met a fox , and stopped to speak to him .

' I shall be delighted , ' answered the fox , ' only I would rather that you began . '

so he looked about for a suitable place , and found a convenient hole at the foot of an orange tree .

the fox so far kept his word that each morning when the sun rose he appeared to ask how the tortoise was getting on .

' Oh , very well ; but I wish you would give me some fruit , ' replied he .

' Oh dear , oh dear !

I am so hungry ! ' cried the tortoise .

so the seven years went by ; and when the tortoise came out of his hole he was as fat as ever .

' Well , how are you getting on ? ' he would ask cheerfully when he paid his visits .

' Oh , all right ; only I wish you had brought a bird with you , ' answered the fox .

' I have been so unlucky , I have never been able to catch one , ' replied the tortoise .

' However , I shall be more fortunate to-morrow , I am sure . '

but he was not considered a very swift runner , until an adventure with a deer added to his fame .

one day , when he was basking in the sun , a stag passed by , and stopped for a little conversation .

' Would you care to see which of us can run fastest ? ' asked the tortoise , after some talk .

the stag thought the question so silly that he only shrugged his shoulders .

' Of course , the victor would have the right to kill the other , ' went on the tortoise .

' Oh , on that condition I agree , ' answered the deer ; ' but I am afraid you are a dead man . '

' It is no use trying to frighten me , ' replied the tortoise .

this done to his satisfaction , he went back to the starting place .

Full of astonishment , the stag would redouble his efforts , but it was no use .

and the stag ran , and ran , and ran , till he could run no more , and dropped down dead on the grass .

and the tortoise , when he thinks about it , laughs still .

but the tortoise was not the only creature of whose tricks stories were told in the forest .

sometimes , however , the inhabitants of the forest were so foolish as to provoke him , and then they got the worst of it .

this was what happened to the barber , whom the monkey visited one morning , saying that he wished to be shaved .

it was only a very little bit , and the monkey started up more in rage than in pain .

' Give me back the end of my tail , ' he roared , ' or I will take one of your razors . '

and he handed her the razor as he spoke .

a few days later he came back and rapped at the door of the hut .

' I have called for my razor , ' he said , when the woman appeared .

' I have lost it , ' answered she .

the woman protested she had not got the knife , so he took the sardine and ran off .

a little further along he saw a baker who was standing at the door , eating one of his loaves .

' That must be rather dry , ' said the monkey , ' try my fish ' ; and the man did not need twice telling .

a few days later the monkey stopped again at the baker 's hut .

' I 've called for that fish , ' he said .

' That fish ?

but I have eaten it ! ' exclaimed the baker in dismay .

as he went he saw a woman with a group of little girls round her , teaching them how to dress hair .

but he took no notice of their questions , he only said to their mother : ' I 've called for my barrel of meal . '

' Why , you gave it to me to make cakes of ! ' cried the mother .

' If I can't get my barrel of meal , I shall take one of your children , ' answered the monkey .

' Oh , leave me my child , and I will find you another barrel of meal , ' wept the mother .

' I don't want another barrel , I want that one , ' answered the monkey sternly .

now the monkey 's tiresome tricks had made him many enemies in the forest , but no one hated him so much as the puma .

yes , on this occasion there could be no escape !

and no more there would have been if the puma had had greater patience ; but in his excitement he moved a little too soon .

the monkey , who was stooping to drink , heard a rustling , and turning caught the gleam of two yellow , murderous eyes .

never had the monkey been so near death , and it was some time before he recovered enough courage to venture on the ground again .

up there in the shelter of the trees , he began to turn over in his head plans for escaping the snares of the puma .

and at length chance helped him .

peeping down to the earth , he saw a man coming along the path carrying on his head a large gourd filled with honey .

By-and-by the great rains began again .

on his way to breakfast he met a rabbit , and stopped for a little talk .

' I am feeling rather dull , ' he remarked ; ' I think it would do me good to hunt a while .

what do you say ? '

' Oh , I am quite willing , ' answered the rabbit , proud of being spoken to by such a large creature .

' But the question is , what shall we hunt ? '

it shows much more skill to be able to catch a small thing that can hide itself in a moment behind a leaf .

I 'll tell you what !

suppose I hunt butterflies , and you , serpents . '

the rabbit , who was young and without experience , was delighted with this idea , and they both set out on their various ways .

but , as it was , the dried leaves were all empty , and the rabbit at last fell asleep where he was .

it was not easy to catch the monkey off his guard , and the rabbit waited long before an opportunity arrived .

but instead of falling to the ground again , the stone stuck to the soft wax .

at this moment a breeze shook the tree , and the orange on which the monkey had set his heart dropped from the bough .

he picked it up and ate it every bit , including the rind , and it was so good he thought he should like another .

but like the two stones his leg remained stuck to the wax , and he was held fast .

and this was how it came about .

but the puma easily saw through these excuses , and laughed at him .

' The river is not deep at all , ' he said ; ' why , you will never be off your feet .

come , pluck up your courage and follow me . '

as it was , he scrambled out , shaking with terror , and found the puma waiting for him .

' You had a narrow escape that time , ' said the puma .

suppose you were to climb the tree and get some .

you shall eat the green ones , they are the best and sweetest ; and you can throw the yellow ones down to me .

I dare say they will do quite well ! '

and what a dinner he made !

when he had quite done , they set forth once more .

the path lay through a field of maize , where several men were working .

the stag obeyed , but the men were hot and tired , and did not think this a good joke .

so they set their dogs at him , and he was obliged to run away as fast as he could .

By-and-by the puma saw a small snake with a beautiful shining skin , lying coiled up at the foot of a tree .

' What a lovely bracelet that would make for your daughter , friend stag ! ' said he .

the stag stooped and picked up the snake , which bit him , and he turned angrily to the puma .

' Why did you not tell me it would bite ? ' he asked .

' Is it my fault if you are an idiot ? ' replied the puma .

this done , he returned to bed .

in the morning the shepherd went as usual to let the sheep out of the fold , and found one of them missing .

he thought directly of the puma , and ran to accuse him of having eaten the sheep .

' I , my good man ?

what has put it into your head to think of such a thing ?

have I got any blood about me ?

if anyone has eaten a sheep it must be my friend the stag . '

then the shepherd went to examine the sleeping stag , and of course he saw the blood .

' Ah !

the noise awakened the comrade above , and he came downstairs .

a large bucket was set before the puma directly .

he drank it to the last drop , and then took leave .

on his way home he met the monkey .

' Are you fond of milk ? ' asked he .

' I know a place where you get it very nice .

I will show you it if you like . '

jump in , and I will follow . '

' Do you think you have the stag to deal with ? ' asked the monkey , laughing .

' I should prefer to follow ; if not I shall go no further . '

so in this manner they reached the bank .

' Friend monkey , look what fine bananas , ' cried he .

' You are fond of climbing ; suppose you run up and throw me down a few .

you can eat the green ones , which are the nicest , and I will be content with the yellow . '

the puma was furious and cried out : ' I will punch your head for that . '

but the monkey only answered : ' If you are going to talk such nonsense I won't walk with you . '

and the puma was silent .

the men thanked him heartily , let him pass on , and the puma followed behind him .

further along the path they saw the shining snake lying on the moss .

' What a lovely necklace for your daughter , ' exclaimed the puma .

' Pick it up and take it with you . '

not long after this they reached the comrade 's house , and found him just ready to go to bed .

besides , he thought it would be more prudent not to fall asleep , so he only lay still and snored loudly .

the monkey did not answer , but silently pointed to the puma who was pretending to be asleep .

then the monkey got up and went to the dairy , and drank all the milk he could find .

afterwards he returned home and married , and that is the last we heard of him .

Adapted from Folklore Brésilien .

THE KNIGHTS OF THE FISH

now the cobbler was as patient about fishing as he had been about cobbling .

' Take me back to your hut and cook me ; then cut me up , and sprinkle me over with pepper and salt .

give two of the pieces to your wife , and bury two more in the garden . '

and when they were safe in bed he stole out and buried the two pieces in the garden .

years passed away , and the babies were almost men .

so , one fine morning , the two brothers left the hut , and walked together to the place where the great road divided .

' What is the matter ? ' asked he , pausing and looking round .

she turned as she heard the sound of his sword , and removed her handkerchief from her eyes .

' Fly , ' she cried ; ' fly while you have yet time , before that monster sees you . '

she said it , and she meant it ; yet , when he had turned his back , she felt more forsaken than before .

' Give me your veil , ' he said hastily to the princess .

and when she had unwound it from her head he covered the mirror with it .

have no fear ; I shall be at hand . '

he and his horse had scarcely found shelter amongst some rocks , when the flap of the dragon 's wings could be plainly heard .

the princess had not known , when she obeyed the orders of the Knight of the Fish , what she expected to happen .

he shook his mane with rage and fury ; the enemy in front did exactly the same .

he lashed his tail , and rolled his red eyes , and the dragon opposite was no whit behind him .

opening his mouth to its very widest , he gave an awful roar ; but the other dragon only roared back .

this was too much , and with another roar which made the princess shake in her shoes , he flung himself upon his foe .

' What castle is that out there , ' asked the knight ; ' it seems to be made of black marble ? '

' It is called the castle of Albatroz , ' answered the princess .

' It is enchanted , and no one that has tried to enter it has ever come back . '

Illustration : THE DRAGON AND THE MIRROR

but nobody stirred for all that .

' Is there anyone inside ? ' cried the young man in his loudest voice ; ' anyone who will give a knight hospitality ?

neither governor , nor squire , not even a page ? '

' Not even a page ! ' answered the echoes .

but the young man did not heed them , and only struck a furious blow at the gate .

' What do you want ? ' said she .

' To enter , ' he answered shortly .

' Can I rest here this night ?

yes or No ? '

' No , No , No ! ' repeated the echoes .

' Come in , come in , ' said she , ' so fine a gentleman will do us no harm . '

' Harm ! ' repeated the echoes , but again the young man paid no heed .

' Let us go in , ancient dame , ' but she interrupted him .

you shall live here with me and be my husband . '

but at these words the knight let his spear fall , so surprised was he .

' I marry you ? why you must be a hundred at least ! ' cried he .

' You are mad !

all I desire is to inspect the castle and then go . '

old though she was , it seemed impossible to tire her .

so on she went , now and then calling back to the young man in the darkness .

' So you would not marry me ! ' chuckled the old witch .

' Ha ! ha !

Ha ! ha ! '

at last it occurred to him that once more he had been taken for his brother .

' I had better say nothing , ' thought he ; ' perhaps I shall be able to help him after all . '

so he suffered himself to be borne in triumph to the palace , where the princess threw herself into his arms .

' And so you did go to the castle ? ' she asked .

' Yes , of course I did , ' answered he .

' And what did you see there ? '

' I am forbidden to tell you anything about it , until I have returned there once more , ' replied he .

' Must you really go back to that dreadful place ? ' she asked wistfully .

' You are the only man who has ever come back from it . '

' I must , ' was all he answered .

but the knight shook his head .

' I have sworn never to lie in a bed as long as my work in the castle remains standing . '

and the princess again sighed , and was silent .

Early next day the young man started for the castle , feeling sure that some terrible thing must have happened to his brother .

' A short time ago ! ' wailed the voices .

' And how have you ill-treated him ? ' he went on .

' Ill-treated him ! ' answered the voices .

the woman did not stop to hear more ; she turned to fly ; but the knight 's sword entered her body .

' Where is my brother , cruel hag ? ' asked he sternly .

the young man laughed scornfully .

' How do you propose that I should work that miracle ? '

' Oh , it is quite easy .

go into the garden and gather the flowers of the everlasting plant and some of dragon 's blood .

crush them together and boil them in a large tub of water , and then put me into it . '

the knight did as the old witch bade him , and , sure enough , she came out quite whole , but uglier than ever .

From Cuentos , Oraciones , Adivinas recogidos por Fernan Caballaro .

Transcriber 's Note



it has therefore been preserved as printed .

punctuation errors have been repaired .

Hyphenation and use of accents has been made consistent within stories .

archaic spelling is preserved as printed .

the following typographic errors have been amended :

page @number@ Neuislandischem amended to Neuisländischen " From Neuisländischen Volksmärchen . "

page @number@ Neuisländische amended to Neuisländischen " Adapted from the Neuisländischen Volksmärchen . "

page @number@ his amended to her " ....y and removed the handkerchief from her eyes . "

page @number@ Adicinas amended to Adivinas " From Cuentos , Oraciones , Adivinas recogidos por Fernan Caballaro . "

the frontispiece has been moved to follow the title page .

other illustrations have been moved where necessary so that they are not in the middle of a paragraph .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Brown Fairy Book , by Andrew Lang

produced by John Hamm

THE GOLDEN ROAD

by L M Montgomery

" Life was a rose-lipped comrade With purple flowers dripping from her fingers . " the Author .

TO THE MEMORY OF Aunt Mary Lawson WHO TOLD ME MANY OF THE TALES REPEATED BY THE STORY GIRL

FOREWORD

once upon a time we all walked on the golden road .

THE GOLDEN ROAD

CHAPTER I . a NEW DEPARTURE

it had been a day of wild November wind , closing down into a wet , eerie twilight .

outside , the wind was shrilling at the windows and around the eaves , and the rain was playing on the roof .

we had been having a splendid game of Blind-Man 's Buff .

what remarkable goose said that love is blind ?

Love can see through five folds of closely-woven muffler with ease !

" I 'm getting tired , " said Cecily , whose breath was coming rather quickly and whose pale cheeks had bloomed into scarlet .

" let's sit down and get the Story Girl to tell us a story . "

it was really the Story Girl 's idea and none of mine .

but she had insisted that I should make the suggestion as coming wholly from myself .

" if you don't , Felicity won't agree to it .

you know yourself , Bev , how contrary she 's been lately over anything I mention .

and if she goes against it Peter will too the ninny ! and it wouldn't be any fun if we weren't all in it . "

" what is it ? " asked Felicity , drawing her chair slightly away from Peter 's .

" it is this .

let us get up a newspaper of our own write it all ourselves , and have all we do in it .

don't you think we can get a lot of fun out of it ? "

everyone looked rather blank and amazed , except the Story Girl .

she knew what she had to do , and she did it .

" what a silly idea ! " she exclaimed , with a contemptuous toss of her long brown curls .

" Just as if WE could get up a newspaper ! "

felicity fired up , exactly as we had hoped .

" I think it 's a splendid idea , " she said enthusiastically .

" I 'd like to know why we couldn't get up as good a newspaper as they have in town !

I guess we could do better than that .

you needn't think , Sara Stanley , that nobody but you can do anything . "

" I think it would be great fun , " said Peter decidedly .

the Story Girl could hide her delight only by dropping her eyes and frowning .

" Bev wants to be editor , " she said , " and I don't see how he can , with no experience .

anyhow , it would be a lot of trouble . "

" some people are so afraid of a little bother , " retorted Felicity .

" will it be printed ? " asked Dan .

" oh , no , " I said .

" we can't have it printed .

we 'll just have to write it out we can buy foolscap from the teacher . "

" I don't think it will be much of a newspaper if it isn't printed , " said Dan scornfully .

" it doesn't matter very much what YOU think , " said Felicity .

" thank you , " retorted Dan .

I daresay it would be real good fun , now that I come to think of it .

and we 'll keep the copies , and when we become famous they 'll be quite valuable . "

" I wonder if any of us ever will be famous , " said Felix .

" the Story Girl will be , " I said .

" I don't see how she can be , " said Felicity skeptically .

" why , she 's just one of us . "

" well , it 's decided , then , that we 're to have a newspaper , " I resumed briskly .

" the next thing is to choose a name for it .

that 's a very important thing . "

" how often are you going to publish it ? " asked Felix .

" once a month . "

" I thought newspapers came out every day , or every week at least , " said Dan .

" we couldn't have one every week , " I explained .

" it would be too much work . "

" well , that 's an argument , " admitted Dan .

" the less work you can get along with the better , in my opinion .

no , Felicity , you needn't say it .

I know exactly what you want to say , so save your breath to cool your porridge .

I agree with you that I never work if I can find anything else to do . "

" ' Remember it is harder still To have no work to do , " '

quoted Cecily reprovingly .

" I don't believe THAT , " rejoined Dan .

" I 'm like the Irishman who said he wished the man who begun work had stayed and finished it . "

" well , is it decided that Bev is to be editor ? " asked Felix .

" of course it is , " felicity answered for everybody .

" then , " said Felix , " I move that the name be The King Monthly Magazine . "

" that sounds fine , " said Peter , hitching his chair a little nearer Felicity 's .

I don't think that would be fair . "

" you name it then , Cecily , " I suggested .

" oh ! "

Cecily threw a deprecating glance at the Story Girl and Felicity .

then , meeting the contempt in the latter 's gaze , she raised her head with unusual spirit .

" I think it would be nice just to call it Our Magazine , " she said .

" then we 'd all feel as if we had a share in it . "

" our Magazine it will be , then , " I said .

" and as for having a share in it , you bet we 'll all have a share in it .

if I 'm to be editor you 'll all have to be sub-editors , and have charge of a department . "

" oh , I couldn't , " protested Cecily .

" you must , " I said inexorably .

" ' England expects everyone to do his duty . '

that 's our motto only we 'll put Prince Edward Island in place of England .

there must be no shirking .

now , what departments will we have ?

we must make it as much like a real newspaper as we can . "

" well , we ought to have an etiquette department , then , " said Felicity .

" the Family Guide has one . "

" of course we 'll have one , " I said , " and Dan will edit it . "

" Dan ! " exclaimed Felicity , who had fondly expected to be asked to edit it herself .

" I can run an etiquette column as well as that idiot in the Family Guide , anyhow , " said Dan defiantly .

" but you can't have an etiquette department unless questions are asked .

what am I to do if nobody asks any ? "

" you must make some up , " said the Story Girl .

" uncle Roger says that is what the Family Guide man does .

he says it is impossible that there can be as many hopeless fools in the world as that column would stand for otherwise . "

" we want you to edit the household department , Felicity , " I said , seeing a cloud lowering on that fair lady 's brow .

" nobody can do that as well as you .

Felix will edit the jokes and the Information Bureau , and Cecily must be fashion editor .

yes , you must , Sis .

it 's easy as wink .

and the Story Girl will attend to the personals .

they 're very important .

" aren't you going to have a story page ? " asked Peter .

" we will , if you 'll be fiction and poetry editor , " I said .

Peter , in his secret soul , was dismayed , but he would not blanch before Felicity .

" all right , " he said , recklessly .

we must all do our best .

our Magazine is to be ' a feast of reason and flow of soul . " '

I felt that I had worked in two quotations with striking effect .

the others , with the exception of the Story Girl , looked suitably impressed .

" but , " said Cecily , reproachfully , " haven't you anything for Sara Ray to do ?

she 'll feel awful bad if she is left out . "

I had forgotten Sara Ray .

nobody , except Cecily , ever did remember Sara Ray unless she was on the spot .

but we decided to put her in as advertising manager .

that sounded well and really meant very little .

" well , we 'll go ahead then , " I said , with a sigh of relief that the project had been so easily launched .

" we 'll get the first issue out about the first of January .

and whatever else we do we mustn't let Uncle Roger get hold of it .

he 'd make such fearful fun of it . "

" I hope we can make a success of it , " said Peter moodily .

he had been moody ever since he was entrapped into being fiction editor .

" it will be a success if we are determined to succeed , " I said .

" ' Where there is a will there is always a way . ' "

we pricked up our ears , scenting a story .

" who were Ursula Townley and Kenneth MacNair ? "

I asked .

" Kenneth MacNair was a first cousin of the Awkward Man 's grandfather , and Ursula Townley was the belle of the Island in her day .

who do you suppose told me the story no , read it to me , out of his brown book ? "

" never the Awkward Man himself ! "

I exclaimed incredulously .

" yes , he did , " said the Story Girl triumphantly .

" I met him one day last week back in the maple woods when I was looking for ferns .

he was sitting by the spring , writing in his brown book .

" never mind that , " cried Felix , " but tell us the story .

that 's the main thing . "

CHAPTER II .

a WILL , A WAY AND A WOMAN

" what are pixy-people ? " demanded Peter , forgetting the Story Girl 's dislike of interruptions .

" hush , " whispered Cecily .

" that is only one of the Awkward Man 's poetical touches , I guess . "

" old Hugh was quite a noted man in his day .

" you bet ! " said Dan , aside

old Hugh had forbidden his house to the young man , making such a scene of fury about it that even Ursula 's high spirit quailed .

political feeling ran high in those days , and old Hugh had never forgiven the MacNair his victory .

" was the MacNair a Conservative or a Grit ? " asked Felicity .

" it doesn't make any difference what he was , " said the Story Girl impatiently .

" even a Tory would be romantic a hundred years ago .

well , Ursula couldn't see Kenneth very often , for Kenneth lived fifteen miles away and was often absent from home in his vessel .

on this particular day it was nearly three months since they had met .

" the Sunday before , young Sandy MacNair had been in Carlyle church .

he carried a letter which he contrived to pass into Ursula 's hand in the crowd as the people came out .

" it was very wrong of her to deceive her parents , " said Felicity primly .

the Story Girl couldn't deny this , so she evaded the ethical side of the question skilfully .

" I am not telling you what Ursula Townley ought to have done , " she said loftily .

" I am only telling you what she DID do .

if you don't want to hear it you needn't listen , of course .

there wouldn't be many stories to tell if nobody ever did anything she shouldn't do .

so it was a good half-hour before Ursula said ,

" ' Oh , Kenneth , I cannot stay long I shall be missed .

you said in your letter that you had something important to talk of .

what is it ? '

" ' My news is this , Ursula .

at this season this means a safe and sure return next May . '

" ' Kenneth ! ' cried Ursula .

she turned pale and burst into tears .

' How can you think of leaving me ?

oh , you are cruel ! '

" ' Why , no , sweetheart , ' laughed Kenneth .

' The captain of The Fair Lady will take his bride with him .

we 'll spend our honeymoon on the high seas , Ursula , and the cold Canadian winter under southern palms . '

" ' You want me to run away with you , Kenneth ? ' exclaimed Ursula .

" ' Indeed , dear girl , there 's nothing else to do ! '

" ' Oh , I cannot ! ' she protested .

' My father would '

" ' We 'll not consult him until afterward .

come , Ursula , you know there 's no other way .

we 've always known it must come to this .

YOUR father will never forgive me for MY father .

you won't fail me now .

think of the long parting if you send me away alone on such a voyage .

I have a plan . '

" ' Let me hear it , ' said Ursula , beginning to get back her breath .

" ' There is to be a dance at The Springs Friday night .

are you invited , Ursula ? '

" ' Yes . '

" ' Good .

I am not but I shall be there in the fir grove behind the house , with two horses .

when the dancing is at its height you 'll steal out to meet me .

" ' And what if I do not meet you in the fir grove ? ' said Ursula , a little impertinently .

" perhaps Kenneth didn't mean that , but Ursula thought he did , and it decided her .

she agreed to run away with him .

yes , of course that was wrong , too , Felicity .

but she didn't .

she wasn't as prudent as Felicity King would have been . "

" oh , no , Felicity dear , she was just a lass of spirit .

I 'd have done the same .

and when Friday night came she began to dress for the dance with a brave heart .

" when Ursula was ready she looked at herself in the glass with a good deal of satisfaction .

yes , Felicity , she was a vain baggage , that same Ursula , but that kind didn't all die out a hundred years ago .

and she had good reason for being vain .

" as she turned from the glass she heard her father 's voice below , loud and angry .

growing very pale , she ran out into the hall .

her father was already half way upstairs , his face red with fury .

in the hall below Ursula saw her step-mother , looking troubled and vexed .

at the door stood Malcolm Ramsay , a homely neighbour youth who had been courting Ursula in his clumsy way ever since she grew up .

Ursula had always hated him .

" ' Ursula ! ' shouted old Hugh , ' come here and tell this scoundrel he lies .

he says that you met Kenneth MacNair in the beechgrove last Tuesday .

tell him he lies !

tell him he lies ! '

" Ursula was no coward .

she looked scornfully at poor Ramsay .

" ' The creature is a spy and a tale-bearer , ' she said , ' but in this he does not lie .

I DID meet Kenneth MacNair last Tuesday . '

" ' And you dare to tell me this to my face ! ' roared old Hugh .

' Back to your room , girl !

back to your room and stay there !

take off that finery .

you go to no more dances .

you shall stay in that room until I choose to let you out .

no , not a word !

I 'll put you there if you don't go .

In with you ay , and take your knitting with you .

occupy yourself with that this evening instead of kicking your heels at The Springs ! '

" he snatched a roll of gray stocking from the hall table and flung it into Ursula 's room .

Ursula knew she would have to follow it , or be picked up and carried in like a naughty child .

so she gave the miserable Ramsay a look that made him cringe , and swept into her room with her head in the air .

the next moment she heard the door locked behind her .

her first proceeding was to have a cry of anger and shame and disappointment .

that did no good , and then she took to marching up and down her room .

it did not calm her to hear the rumble of the carriage out of the gate as her uncle and aunt departed .

" ' Oh , what 's to be done ? ' she sobbed .

' Kenneth will be furious .

he will think I have failed him and he will go away hot with anger against me .

if I could only send a word of explanation I know he would not leave me .

but there seems to be no way at all though I have heard that there 's always a way when there 's a will .

oh , I shall go mad !

if the window were not so high I would jump out of it .

but to break my legs or my neck would not mend the matter . '

" the afternoon passed on .

at sunset Ursula heard hoof-beats and ran to the window .

Andrew Kinnear of The Springs was tying his horse at the door .

he was a dashing young fellow , and a political crony of old Hugh .

no doubt he would be at the dance that night .

oh , if she could get speech for but a moment with him !

for a moment she gazed at it resentfully then , with a gay little laugh , she pounced on it .

the next moment she was at her table , writing a brief note to Kenneth MacNair .

then she softly opened her window and waited .

" it was dusk when Andrew went away .

fortunately old Hugh did not come to the door with him .

Andrew looked up at her window .

she leaned out , put her finger warningly on her lips , pointed to the ball , and nodded .

Andrew , looking somewhat puzzled , picked up the ball , sprang to his saddle , and galloped off .

" so far , well , thought Ursula .

but would Andrew understand ?

would he have wit enough to think of exploring the big , knobby ball for its delicate secret ?

and would he be at the dance after all ?

" the evening dragged by .

time had never seemed so long to Ursula .

she could not rest or sleep .

it was midnight before she heard the patter of a handful of gravel on her window-panes .

in a trice she was leaning out .

below in the darkness stood Kenneth MacNair .

" ' Oh , Kenneth , did you get my letter ?

and is it safe for you to be here ? '

" ' Safe enough .

your father is in bed .

I 've waited two hours down the road for his light to go out , and an extra half-hour to put him to sleep .

the horses are there .

slip down and out , Ursula .

we 'll make Charlottetown by dawn yet . '

" ' That 's easier said than done , lad .

I 'm locked in .

but do you go out behind the new barn and bring the ladder you will find there . '

" ' There 's a stiff gallop before us , Ursula , ' said Kenneth .

" ' I would ride to the world 's end with you , Kenneth MacNair , ' said Ursula .

oh , of course she shouldn't have said anything of the sort , Felicity .

but you see people had no etiquette departments in those days .

and when the red sunlight of a fair October dawn was shining over the gray sea The Fair Lady sailed out of Charlottetown harbour .

" well , " said Dan , yawning , " I like that kind of a story .

nobody goes and dies in it , that 's one good thing . "

" did old Hugh forgive Ursula ? "

I asked .

" it must be rather romantic to be run away with , " remarked Cecily , wistfully .

" don't you get such silly notions in your head , Cecily King , " said Felicity , severely .

CHAPTER III .

THE CHRISTMAS HARP

Great was the excitement in the houses of King as Christmas drew nigh .

the air was simply charged with secrets .

everybody was very penurious for weeks beforehand and hoards were counted scrutinizingly every day .

felicity was in her element , for she and her mother were deep in preparations for the day .

Cecily and the Story Girl were excluded from these doings with indifference on Aunt Janet 's part and what seemed ostentatious complacency on Felicity 's .

Cecily took this to heart and complained to me about it .

the airs Felicity puts on about her cooking just make me sick , " concluded Cecily wrathfully .

" it 's a pity she doesn't make a mistake in cooking once in a while herself , " I said .

" then maybe she wouldn't think she knew so much more than other people . "

how slowly the last week passed !

his mother had wanted him home with her .

and ma always cries on holidays because she says they make her think of father .

of course she can't help it , but it ain't cheerful .

aunt Jane wouldn't have cried .

aunt Jane used to say she never saw the man who was worth spoiling her eyes for .

but I guess I 'll have to spend Christmas at home . "

so we were all together , except Sara Ray , who had been invited but whose mother wouldn't let her come .

" Sara Ray 's mother is a nuisance , " snapped the Story Girl .

" she just lives to make that poor child miserable , and she won't let her go to the party tonight , either . "

" it is just breaking Sara 's heart that she can't , " said Cecily compassionately .

" she might be worse occupied than reading the Bible , " said Felicity rebukingly .

" but Mrs Ray makes her read it as a punishment , " protested Cecily .

" whenever Sara cries to go anywhere and of course she 'll cry tonight Mrs Ray makes her read seven chapters in the Bible .

I wouldn't think that would make her very fond of it .

and I 'll not be able to talk the party over with Sara afterwards and that 's half the fun gone . "

" you can tell her all about it , " comforted Felix .

" telling isn't a bit like talking it over , " retorted Cecily .

" it 's too one-sided . "

we had an exciting time opening our presents .

the contents of the box which the Story Girl 's father had sent her from Paris made our eyes stick out .

" I 'd never get tired of red , " said the Story Girl .

" I just love it it's so rich and glowing .

when I 'm dressed in red I always feel ever so much cleverer than in any other colour .

thoughts just crowd into my brain one after the other .

oh , you darling dress you dear , sheeny , red-rosy , glistening , silky thing ! "

she flung it over her shoulder and danced around the kitchen .

" don't be silly , Sara , " said Aunt Janet , a little stimy .

she was a good soul , that Aunt Janet , and had a kind , loving heart in her ample bosom .

" why , it isn't new it 's an old book ! " exclaimed Felicity .

" I didn't think the Awkward Man was mean , whatever else he was . "

" oh , you don't understand , Felicity , " said the Story Girl patiently .

" and I don't suppose I can make you understand .

but I 'll try .

I 'd ten times rather have this than a new book .

it 's one of his own , don't you see one that he has read a hundred times and loved and made a friend of .

a new book , just out of a shop , wouldn't be the same thing at all .

it wouldn't MEAN anything .

I consider it a great compliment that he has given me this book .

I 'm prouder of it than of anything else I 've got . "

" well , you 're welcome to it , " said Felicity .

" I don't understand and I don't want to .

I wouldn't give anybody a Christmas present that wasn't new , and I wouldn't thank anybody who gave me one . "

Peter was in the seventh heaven because Felicity had given him a present and , moreover , one that she had made herself .

but Peter was perfectly satisfied , so nobody cast any blight on his happiness by carping criticism .

later on Felicity told me she had worked the bookmark for him because his father used to drink before he ran away .

" I thought Peter ought to be warned in time , " she said .

Even Pat had a ribbon of blue , which he clawed off and lost half an hour after it was tied on him .

Pat did not care for vain adornments of the body .

and in the evening oh , rapture and delight ! we went to Kitty Marr 's party .

it was a fine December evening ; the sharp air of morning had mellowed until it was as mild as autumn .

there had been no snow , and the long fields , sloping down from the homestead , were brown and mellow .

A weird , dreamy stillness had fallen on the purple earth , the dark fir woods , the valley rims , the sere meadows .

nature seemed to have folded satisfied hands to rest , knowing that her long wintry slumber was coming upon her .

if Uncle Alec had a favourite among his children it was Cecily , and he had grown even more indulgent towards her of late .

and I heard him tell Aunt Janet that he did not like to see the child getting so much the look of her Aunt Felicity .

" Cecily is perfectly well , " said Aunt Janet sharply .

" she 's only growing very fast .

don't be foolish , Alec . "

on this merry Christmas evening , however , no fears or dim foreshadowings of any coming event clouded our hearts or faces .

Cecily looked brighter and prettier than I had ever seen her , with her softly shining eyes and the nut brown gloss of her hair .

you 'd break their spirits , too , if you wore the slippers .

don't do it , Sara .

leave them one wee loophole of enjoyment . "

" what does Uncle Roger mean ? " whispered Felicity .

" he means you girls are all dying of jealousy because of the Story Girl 's dress , " said Dan .

but we enjoyed that party hugely , every one of us .

a brook went with us part of the way , singing to us through the dark a gay , irresponsible vagabond of valley and wilderness .

felicity and Peter walked not with us .

Peter 's cup must surely have brimmed over that Christmas night .

when we left the Marr house , he had boldly said to Felicity , " may I see you home ? "

and Felicity , much to our amazement , had taken his arm and marched off with him .

the primness of her was indescribable , and was not at all ruffled by Dan 's hoot of derision .

how I envied Peter his easy , insouciant manner !

mighty and sonorous was the music above our heads as the winds of the night stirred the great boughs tossing athwart the starlit sky .

perhaps it was that aeolian harmony which recalled to the Story Girl a legend of elder days .

" I read such a pretty story in one of Aunt Olivia 's books last night , " she said .

" it was called ' The Christmas Harp . '

would you like to hear it ?

it seems to me it would just suit this part of the road . "

" there isn't anything about about ghosts in it , is there ? " said Cecily timidly .

" oh , no , I wouldn't tell a ghost story here for anything .

I 'd frighten myself too much .

this story is about one of the shepherds who saw the angels on the first Christmas night .

on the first Christmas night he was out with his fellow shepherds on the hills .

it was chill and dark , and all , except him , were glad to gather around the fire .

he sat , as usual , by himself , with his harp on his knee and a great longing in his heart .

no one who heard it could think an evil thought ; no one could feel hopeless or despairing or bitter or angry .

when a man had once heard that music it entered into his soul and heart and life and became a part of him for ever .

we left the fir woods as the tale was ended , and on the opposite hill was home .

" Ma 's waiting up for us , " said Dan .

" I 'd laugh if she happened to go to the door just as Felicity and Peter were strutting up .

I guess she 'll be cross .

it 's nearly twelve . "

" Christmas will soon be over , " said Cecily , with a sigh .

" hasn't it been a nice one ?

it 's the first we 've all spent together .

do you suppose we 'll ever spend another together ? "

" Lots of ' em , " said Dan cheerily .

" why not ? "

" oh , I don't know , " answered Cecily , her footsteps lagging somewhat .

" only things seem just a little too pleasant to last . "

Cecily tossed her head and disdained reply .

there are really some remarks a self-respecting young lady must ignore .

CHAPTER IV .

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

if we did not have a white Christmas we had a white New Year .

midway between the two came a heavy snowfall .

over Uncle Stephen 's Walk , where the snow had fallen smoothly , a spell of white magic had been woven .

Taintless and wonderful it seemed , like a street of pearl in the new Jerusalem .

on New Year 's Eve we were all together in Uncle Alec 's kitchen , which was tacitly given over to our revels during the winter evenings .

we hated this , because Sara Ray was always so maddeningly self-conscious of having an escort .

slowly the splendour died , giving place to the mystic beauty of a winter twilight when the moon is rising .

the hollow sky was a cup of blue .

" I 'm so glad the snow came , " said the Story Girl .

" if it hadn't the New Year would have seemed just as dingy and worn out as the old .

there 's something very solemn about the idea of a New Year , isn't there ?

just think of three hundred and sixty-five whole days , with not a thing happened in them yet . "

" I don't suppose anything very wonderful will happen in them , " said Felix pessimistically .

to Felix , just then , life was flat , stale and unprofitable because it was his turn to go home with Sara Ray .

" it makes me a little frightened to think of all that may happen in them , " said Cecily .

" I 'm always glad to see a New Year , " said the Story Girl .

" I wish we could do as they do in Norway .

isn't it a pretty custom ? "

" if ma would let us stay up till twelve we might do that too , " said Dan , " but she never will .

I call it mean . "

" if I ever have children I 'll let them stay up to watch the New Year in , " said the Story Girl decidedly .

" so will I , " said Peter , " but other nights they 'll have to go to bed at seven . "

" you ought to be ashamed , speaking of such things , " said Felicity , with a scandalized face .

Peter shrank into the background abashed , no doubt believing that he had broken some Family Guide precept all to pieces .

" I didn't know it wasn't proper to mention children , " he muttered apologetically .

" we ought to make some New Year resolutions , " suggested the Story Girl .

" New Year 's Eve is the time to make them . "

" I can't think of any resolutions I want to make , " said Felicity , who was perfectly satisfied with herself .

" I could suggest a few to you , " said Dan sarcastically .

" and let's get paper and ink and write them out .

that will make them seem more solemn and binding . "

that will show us what progress we are making , as well as make us ashamed if we have too many crosses . "

" I think it 's all nonsense , " said Felicity .

but she joined our circle around the table , though she sat for a long time with a blank sheet before her .

" let's each make a resolution in turn , " I said .

" I 'll lead off . "

and , recalling with shame certain unpleasant differences of opinion I had lately had with Felicity , I wrote down in my best hand ,

" I shall try to keep my temper always . "

" you 'd better , " said Felicity tactfully .

it was Dan 's turn next .

" I can't think of anything to start with , " he said , gnawing his penholder fiercely .

" you might make a resolution not to eat poison berries , " suggested Felicity .

" you 'd better make one not to nag people everlastingly , " retorted Dan .

" oh , don't quarrel the last night of the old year , " implored Cecily .

" you might resolve not to quarrel any time , " suggested Sara Ray .

" no , sir , " said Dan emphatically .

" there 's no use making a resolution you CAN'T keep .

there are people in this family you 've just GOT to quarrel with if you want to live .

but I 've thought of one I won't do things to spite people . "

" I will not eat any apples , " wrote Felix .

" what on earth do you want to give up eating apples for ? " asked Peter in astonishment .

" never mind , " returned Felix .

" apples make people fat , you know , " said Felicity sweetly .

" it seems a funny kind of resolution , " I said doubtfully .

" I think our resolutions ought to be giving up wrong things or doing right ones . "

" you make your resolutions to suit yourself and I 'll make mine to suit myself , " said Felix defiantly .

" I shall never get drunk , " wrote Peter painstakingly .

" but you never do , " said the Story Girl in astonishment .

" Well , it will be all the easier to keep the resolution , " argued Peter .

" that isn't fair , " complained Dan .

" if we all resolved not to do the things we never do we 'd all be on the Roll of Honour . "

" you let Peter alone , " said Felicity severely .

" it 's a very good resolution and one everybody ought to make . "

" I shall not be jealous , " wrote the Story Girl .

" but are you ? "

I asked , surprised .

the Story Girl coloured and nodded .

" of one thing , " she confessed , " but I 'm not going to tell what it is . "

" Goodness , do you want to be sick ? " demanded Felix in astonishment .

" it makes a person important , " explained Sara Ray .

" I am going to try to improve my mind by reading good books and listening to older people , " wrote Cecily .

" you got that out of the Sunday School paper , " cried Felicity .

" it doesn't matter where I got it , " said Cecily with dignity .

" the main thing is to keep it . "

" it 's your turn , Felicity , " I said .

felicity tossed her beautiful golden head .

" I told you I wasn't going to make any resolutions .

go on yourself . "

" I shall always study my grammar lesson , " I wrote I , who loathed grammar with a deadly loathing .

" I hate grammar too , " sighed Sara Ray .

" it seems so unimportant . "

Sara was rather fond of a big word , but did not always get hold of the right one .

I rather suspected that in the above instance she really meant uninteresting .

" I won't get mad at Felicity , if I can help it , " wrote Dan .

" I 'm sure I never do anything to make you mad , " exclaimed Felicity .

" I don't think it 's polite to make resolutions about your sisters , " said Peter .

" he can't keep it anyway , " scoffed Felicity .

" he 's got such an awful temper . "

" it 's a family failing , " flashed Dan , breaking his resolution ere the ink on it was dry .

" there you go , " taunted Felicity .

" I 'll work all my arithmetic problems without any help , " scribbled Felix .

" I wish I could resolve that , too , " sighed Sara Ray , " but it wouldn't be any use .

Judy isn't a good reader and she can't spell AT ALL , but you can't stick her in arithmetic as far as she went herself .

I feel sure , " concluded poor Sara , in a hopeless tone , " that I 'll NEVER be able to understand compound multiplication . "

" ' Multiplication is vexation , Division is as bad , The rule of three perplexes me , And fractions drive me mad , ' "

quoted Dan .

I hate arithmetic , but I am PASSIONATELY fond of geography . "

" I will not play tit-tat-x on the fly leaves of my hymn book in church , " wrote Peter .

" Mercy , did you ever do such a thing ? " exclaimed Felicity in horror .

Peter nodded shamefacedly .

" yes that Sunday Mr Bailey preached .

it was the day I was sitting up in the gallery . "

" well , I hope if you ever do the like again you won't do it in OUR pew , " said Felicity severely .

" I ain't going to do it at all , " said Peter .

" I felt sort of mean all the rest of the day . "

" I never mind being interrupted , " said Felicity .

" I shall try to be cheerful and smiling all the time , " wrote Cecily .

" you are , anyway , " said Sara Ray loyally .

" I don't believe we ought to be cheerful ALL the time , " said the Story Girl .

" the Bible says we ought to weep with those who weep . "

" but maybe it means that we 're to weep cheerfully , " suggested Cecily .

" Dan , don't be irreverent , " rebuked Felicity .

" I know a story about old Mr. and Mrs Davidson of Markdale , " said the Story Girl .

' Oh , well , Abiram , everything 's so bright and pleasant , I 've just got to smile . '

but still Mrs Davidson smiled .

' What in the dickens are you grinning about now , old lady ? ' he demanded .

' Oh , well , Abiram , ' she said , ' everything is so dark and unpleasant I 've just got to smile . '

' Well , ' said the old man crossly , ' I think you might give your face a rest sometimes . ' "

" I shall not talk gossip , " wrote Sara Ray with a satisfied air .

" oh , don't you think that 's a little TOO strict ? " asked Cecily anxiously .

" of course , it 's not right to talk MEAN gossip , but the harmless kind doesn't hurt .

if I were you , Sara , I 'd put MEAN gossip . "

Sara consented to this amendment .

" I will be polite to everybody , " was my third resolution , which passed without comment .

" I 'll try not to use slang since Cecily doesn't like it , " wrote Dan .

" I think some slang is real cute , " said Felicity .

" the Family Guide says it 's very vulgar , " grinned Dan .

" doesn't it , Sara Stanley ? "

" don't disturb me , " said the Story Girl dreamily .

" I 'm just thinking a beautiful thought . "

" I 've thought of a resolution to make , " cried Felicity .

" Mr Marwood said last Sunday we should always try to think beautiful thoughts and then our lives would be very beautiful .

so I shall resolve to think a beautiful thought every morning before breakfast . "

" can you only manage one a day ? " queried Dan .

" and why before breakfast ? "

I asked .

" because it 's easier to think on an empty stomach , " said Peter , in all good faith .

but Felicity shot a furious glance at him .

" Mr Marwood meant that ALL our thoughts ought to be beautiful , " said the Story Girl .

" if they were , people wouldn't be afraid to say what they think . "

" they oughtn't to be afraid to , anyhow , " said Felix stoutly .

" I 'm going to make a resolution to say just what I think always . "

" and do you expect to get through the year alive if you do ? " asked Dan .

" so often I can't be sure . "

" how would you like it if people always said just what they think to you ? " asked Felicity .

" I 'm not very particular what SOME people think of me , " rejoined Felix .

" I notice you don't like to be told by anybody that you 're fat , " retorted Felicity .

" oh , dear me , I do wish you wouldn't all say such sarcastic things to each other , " said poor Cecily plaintively .

" it sounds so horrid the last night of the old year .

Dear knows where we 'll all be this night next year .

Peter , it 's your turn . "

" I did , too , " said Peter .

" aunt Jane taught me to say my prayers .

Ma hadn't time , being as father had run away ; ma had to wash at night same as in day-time . "

" I shall learn to cook , " wrote the Story Girl , frowning .

but we all knew what Felicity had started to say and the Story Girl dealt her a most uncousinly glance .

" I will not cry because mother won't starch my aprons , " wrote Sara Ray .

" better resolve not to cry about anything , " said Dan kindly .

Sara Ray shook her head forlornly .

" that would be too hard to keep .

there are times when I HAVE to cry .

it 's a relief . "

" not to the folks who have to hear you , " muttered Dan aside to Cecily .

" oh , hush , " whispered Cecily back .

" don't go and hurt her feelings the last night of the old year .

is it my turn again ?

well , I 'll resolve not to worry because my hair is not curly .

but , oh , I 'll never be able to help wishing it was . "

" why don't you curl it as you used to do , then ? " asked Dan .

" I resolved then I wouldn't because I wasn't sure it was quite right . "

" I will keep my finger-nails neat and clean , " I wrote .

" there , that 's four resolutions .

I 'm not going to make any more .

four 's enough . "

" I shall always think twice before I speak , " wrote Felix .

" I 'm going to stop with three , " said Peter .

" I will have all the good times I can , " wrote the Story Girl .

" THAT'S what I call sensible , " said Dan .

" it 's a very easy resolution to keep , anyhow , " commented Felix .

" I shall try to like reading the Bible , " wrote Sara Ray .

" you ought to like reading the Bible without trying to , " exclaimed Felicity .

" I shall try to believe only half of what I hear , " was Cecily 's concluding resolution .

" but which half ? " scoffed Dan .

" the best half , " said sweet Cecily simply .

" and that 's all I 'm going to make . "

" felicity has only made one , " said the Story Girl .

" I think it better to make just one and keep it than make a lot and break them , " said Felicity loftily .

she had the last word on the subject , for it was time for Sara Ray to go , and our circle broke up .

I fear the romantic beauty of that silver shining night was entirely thrown away on my mischievous brother .

and it was , as I remember it , a most exquisite night a white poem , a frosty , starry lyric of light .

CHAPTER V THE FIRST NUMBER OF " OUR MAGAZINE "

the first number of Our Magazine was ready on New Year 's Day , and we read it that evening in the kitchen .

the Story Girl and I read it turnabout while the others , except Felix , ate apples .

it opened with a short

EDITORIAL

with this number Our Magazine makes its first bow to the public .

all the editors have done their best and the various departments are full of valuable information and amusement .

Mr Peter Craig , our enterprising literary editor , contributes a touching love story .

( Peter , aside , in a gratified pig 's whisper : " I never was called ' Mr. ' before . " )

Miss Cecily King contributes a thrilling article of adventure .

the various departments are ably edited , and we feel that we have reason to be proud of Our Magazine .

but we shall not rest on our oars .

" excelsior " shall ever be our motto .

we trust that each succeeding issue will be better than the one that went before .

we are well aware of many defects , but it is easier to see them than to remedy them .

( Peter , IMPRESSIVELY : " I 've read many a worse editorial in the Enterprise . " )

ESSAY ON SHAKESPEARE

Shakespeare 's full name was William Shakespeare .

he did not always spell it the same way .

he lived in the reign of Queen Elizabeth and wrote a great many plays .

his plays are written in dialogue form .

some people think they were not written by Shakespeare but by another man of the same name .

I have read some of them because our school teacher says everybody ought to read them , but I did not care much for them .

there are some things in them I cannot understand .

I like the stories of Valeria H Montague in the Family Guide ever so much better .

they are more exciting and truer to life .

Romeo and Juliet was one of the plays I read .

it was very sad .

Juliet dies and I don't like stories where people die .

I like it better when they all get married especially to dukes and earls .

Shakespeare himself was married to Anne Hatheway .

they are both dead now .

they have been dead a good while .

he was a very famous man .

FELICITY KING .

THE STORY OF AN ELOPEMENT FROM CHURCH

this is a true story .

it happened in Markdale to an uncle of my mothers .

he wanted to marry Miss Jemima Parr .

my mothers uncle was named Thomas Taylor .

miss Jemima Parr was very pretty and my mothers uncle Thomas was just crazy about her and she wanted him too .

but mothers uncle Thomas was too cute for that .

my mothers uncle Thomas went too and set in the pew just behind Miss Jemima Parrs family .

I dont know what he said so I cant right it but Miss Jemima Parr blushed that is turned red and nodded her head .

and what do you suppose they eloped in .

why in Miss Jemima Parrs fathers slay .

and when he went out they were gone and his slay was gone also his horse .

of course my mothers uncle Thomas didnt steal the horse .

he just borroed it and sent it home the next day .

and they lived happy together forever afterwards .

Mothers uncle Thomas lived to be a very old man .

he died very suddent .

he felt quite well when he went to sleep and when he woke up he was dead .

PETER CRAIG .

MY MOST EXCITING ADVENTURE

the editor says we must all write up our most exciting adventure for Our Magazine .

my most exciting adventure happened a year ago last November .

I was nearly frightened to death .

Dan says he wouldn't of been scared and Felicity says she would of known what it was but it 's easy to talk .

it happened the night I went down to see Kitty Marr .

I thought when I went that Aunt Olivia was visiting there and I could come home with her .

but she wasn't there and I had to come home alone .

Kitty came a piece of the way but she wouldn't come any further than Uncle James Frewen 's gate .

I did wish she hadn't said anything about the dog because I mightn't of thought about it if she hadn't .

I had to go on alone thinking of it .

I 'd heard the story often but I 'd never believed in it .

he never tried to bite anyone but one wouldn't want to meet the ghost of a dog even if one didn't believe in him .

it was so dark .

you could just see things dim-like but you couldn't see what they were .

when I got to the bridge I walked along sideways with my back to the railing so I couldn't think the dog was behind me .

and then just in the middle of the bridge I met something .

and it kept jumping about from one side of the bridge to the other .

oh , I hope none of my readers will ever be so frightened as I was then .

and there was me sitting in the middle of the bridge and that awful thing beside me .

and what do you think it was but a big umbrella with a white handle ?

I felt like asking him what on earth he was going about with an umbrella open when it wasent raining .

but the Cowans do such queer things .

you remember the time Jerry Cowan sold us God 's picture .

Amos took me right home and I was thankful for I don't know what would have become of me if he hadn't come along .

I couldn't sleep all night and I never want to have any more adventures like that one .

CECILY KING .

PERSONALS

Mr Dan King felt somewhat indisposed the day after Christmas probably as the result of too much mince pie .

( DAN , INDIGNANTLY : " I wasn't .

I only et one piece ! " )

Mr Peter Craig thinks he saw the Family Ghost on Christmas Eve .

but the rest of us think all he saw was the white calf with the red tail .

( PETER , MUTTERING SULKILY : " it 's a queer calf that would walk up on end and wring its hands . " )


they talked most of the night about new knitted lace patterns and their beaus and were very sleepy in school next day .

( CECILY , SHARPLY : " we never mentioned such things ! " )

Patrick Grayfur , Esq , was indisposed yesterday , but seems to be enjoying his usual health to-day .

the King family expect their Aunt Eliza to visit them in January .

she is really our great-aunt .

we have never seen her but we are told she is very deaf and does not like children .

so Aunt Janet says we must make ourselves scarece when she comes .

Miss Cecily King has undertaken to fill with names a square of the missionary quilt which the Mission Band is making .

( CECILY , INDIGNANTLY : " that isn't the way at all . " )

ADS .

WANTED A remedy to make a fat boy thin .

address , " Patient Sufferer , care of Our Magazine . "

( FELIX , SOURLY : " Sara Ray never got that up .

I 'll bet it was Dan .

he 'd better stick to his own department . " )

HOUSEHOLD DEPARTMENT

Mrs Alexander King killed all her geese the twentieth of December .

we all helped pick them .

we had one Christmas Day and will have one every fortnight the rest of the winter .

the bread was sour last week because mother wouldn't take my advice .

I told her it was too warm for it in the corner behind the stove .

Miss Felicity King invented a new recete for date cookies recently , which everybody said were excelent .

I am not going to publish it though , because I don't want other people to find it out .

ANXIOUS INQUIRER : if you want to remove inkstains place the stain over steam and apply salt and lemon juice .

FELICITY KING .

ETIQUETTE DEPARTMENT

( FELIX , ENRAGED : " I never asked such a question . " )

C-c-l-y : no , it is not polite to use " Holy Moses " or " dodgasted " in ordinary conversation .

( Cecily had gone down cellar to replenish the apple plate , so this passed without protest . )

S-r-a : no , it isn't polite to cry all the time .

F-l-t-y : it does not break any rule of etiquette if you keep a button off your best young man 's coat for a keepsake .

but don't take more than one or his mother might miss them .

DAN KING .

FASHION NOTES

knitted mufflers are much more stylish than crocheted ones this winter .

it is nice to have one the same colour as your cap .

red mittens with a black diamond pattern on the back are much run after .

Em Frewen 's grandma knits hers for her .

the new winter hats at Markdale are very pretty .

it is so exciting to pick a hat .

boys can't have that fun .

their hats are so much alike .

CECILY KING .

FUNNY PARAGRAPHS

this is a true joke and really happened .

there was an old local preacher in New Brunswick one time whose name was Samuel Clask .

he used to preach and pray and visit the sick just like a regular minister .

FELIX KING .

GENERAL INFORMATION BUREAU

DAN : do porpoises grow on trees or vines ?

Ans .

neither .

they inhabit the deep sea .

FELIX KING .

( DAN , AGGRIEVED : " well , I 'd never heard of porpoises and it sounded like something that grew .

but you needn't have gone and put it in the paper . "

FELIX : " it isn't any worse than the things you put in about me that I never asked at all . "

CECILY , SOOTHINGLY : " oh , well , boys , it 's all in fun , and I think Our Magazine is perfectly elegant . "

what harmless , happy fooling it all was !

how we laughed as we read and listened and devoured apples !

blow high , blow low , no wind can ever quench the ruddy glow of that faraway winter night in our memories .

CHAPTER VI .

GREAT-AUNT ELIZA'S VISIT

it was a diamond winter day in February clear , cold , hard , brilliant .

the sharp blue sky shone , the white fields and hills glittered , the fringe of icicles around the eaves of Uncle Alec 's house sparkled .

a taffy-pull after dinner and then a jolly hour of coasting on the hill field before supper were on our programme .

but disappointment was our portion .

" oh , dear me , here 's Great-aunt Eliza coming up the lane !

now , isn't that too mean ? "

we had been expecting Great-aunt Eliza 's advent for some weeks , for she was visiting relatives in Markdale .

it must be confessed that we did not look forward to her visit with any pleasure .

" Whew ! " whistled Dan .

" we 're in for a jolly afternoon .

she 's deaf as a post and we 'll have to split our throats to make her hear at all .

I 've a notion to skin out . "

" oh , don't talk like that , Dan , " said Cecily reproachfully .

" she 's old and lonely and has had a great deal of trouble .

she has buried three husbands .

we must be kind to her and do the best we can to make her visit pleasant . "

" she 's coming to the back door , " said Felicity , with an agitated glance around the kitchen .

" I told you , Dan , that you should have shovelled the snow away from the front door this morning .

she 's awfully particular and ma says her house is always as neat as wax . "

further conversation was cut short by a decided rap at the door .

felicity opened it .

" why , how do you do , Aunt Eliza ? " she said loudly .

a slightly bewildered look appeared on Aunt Eliza 's face .

felicity perceived she had not spoken loudly enough .

" how do you do , Aunt Eliza , " she repeated at the top of her voice .

" come in we are glad to see you .

we 've been looking for you for ever so long . "

" are your father and mother at home ? " asked Aunt Eliza , slowly .

" no , they went to town today .

but they 'll be home this evening . "

" I 'm sorry they're away , " said Aunt Eliza , coming in , " because I can stay only a few hours . "

" why , we 've been thinking you 'd stay a week with us anyway .

you MUST stay over Sunday . "

" I really can't .

I have to go to Charlottetown tonight , " returned Aunt Eliza .

" yes , I think I 'll do that .

I want to get acquainted with my my nephews and nieces , " said Aunt Eliza , with a rather pleasant glance around our group .

but of course it was impossible .

" won't you introduce yourselves , please ? "

Felicity shouted our names and Great-aunt Eliza shook hands all round .

she performed the duty grimly and I concluded I must have been mistaken about the twinkle .

she was certainly very tall and dignified and imposing altogether a great-aunt to be respected .

" Well , and what do you think of dear Aunt Eliza ? " asked Dan .

" S-s-s-sh , " warned Cecily , with a glance at the half-open hall door .

" Pshaw , " scoffed Dan , " she can't hear us .

there ought to be a law against anyone being as deaf as that . "

" she 's not so old-looking as I expected , " said Felix .

" if her hair wasn't so white she wouldn't look much older than your mother . "

" you don't have to be very old to be a great-aunt , " said Cecily .

" Kitty Marr has a great-aunt who is just the same age as her mother .

I expect it was burying so many husbands turned her hair white .

but Aunt Eliza doesn't look just as I expected she would either . "

" she 's dressed more stylishly than I expected , " said Felicity .

" I thought she 'd be real old-fashioned , but her clothes aren't too bad at all . "

" she wouldn't be bad-looking if ' tweren't for her nose , " said Peter .

" it 's too long , and crooked besides . "

" you needn't criticize our relations like that , " said Felicity tartly .

" well , aren't you doing it yourselves ? " expostulated Peter .

" that 's different , " retorted Felicity .

" never you mind Great-aunt Eliza 's nose . "

" well , don't expect me to talk to her , " said Dan , " 'cause I won't . "

" I 'm going to be very polite to her , " said Felicity .

" she 's rich .

but how are we to entertain her , that 's the question . "

" what does the Family Guide say about entertaining your rich , deaf old aunt ? " queried Dan ironically .

" the Family Guide says we should be polite to EVERYBODY , " said Cecily , with a reproachful look at Dan .

it gives her indigestion .

what will we do ? "

the latter , however , took it in all good faith .

" the Family Guide says we should never apologize for things we can't help .

it says it 's adding insult to injury to do it .

but you run over home for a loaf of stale bread , Sara , and it 's a good idea about the rusks .

I 'll make a panful . "

" let me make them , " said the Story Girl , eagerly .

" I can make real good rusks now . "

" no , it wouldn't do to trust you , " said Felicity mercilessly .

" you might make some queer mistake and Aunt Eliza would tell it all over the country .

she 's a fearful old gossip .

I 'll make the rusks myself .

she hates cats , so we mustn't let Paddy be seen .

and she 's a Methodist , so mind nobody says anything against Methodists to her . "

" who 's going to say anything , anyhow ? " asked Peter belligerently .

" I wonder if I might ask her for her name for my quilt square ? " speculated Cecily .

" I believe I will .

she looks so much friendlier than I expected .

of course she 'll choose the five-cent section .

she 's an estimable old lady , but very economical . "

" why don't you say she 's so mean she 'd skin a flea for its hide and tallow ? " said Dan .

" that 's the plain truth . "

you better go in and show her the photographs in the album .

Dan , you do it . "

" thank you , that 's a girl 's job , " said Dan .

Cecily or the Story Girl can do it . "

" I don't know all the pictures in your album , " said the Story Girl hastily .

" I s'pose I 'll have to do it , though I don't like to , " sighed Cecily .

" but we ought to go in .

we 've left her alone too long now .

she 'll think we have no manners . "

accordingly we all filed in rather reluctantly .

Great-aunt Eliza certainly didn't talk much ; she looked at the photographs in silence , but she smiled now and then .

that smile bothered me .

it was so twinkly and so very un-great-aunt-Elizaish .

but I felt indignant with her .

I thought she might have shown a little more appreciation of Cecily 's gallant efforts to entertain .

it was very dull for the rest of us .

Felix and I looked at each other and wished ourselves out in the hill field , careering gloriously adown its gleaming crust .

but presently a little amusement came our way .

In vain Cecily implored him to stop .

it was too good fun to give up .

CECILY , SHOUTING : " that is Mr Joseph Elliott of Markdale , a second cousin of mother 's . "

DAN : " don't brag of it , Sis .

CECILY : " this isn't anybody in our family .

it 's little Xavy Gautier who used to be hired with Uncle Roger . "

I never learned jogerfy . ' "

CECILY , WITH AN ANGUISHED GLANCE AT DAN : " this is Great-uncle Robert King . "

DAN : " he 's been married four times .

don't you think that 's often enough , dear great-aunty ? "

CECILY : " ( Dan ! ! )

this is a nephew of Mr Ambrose Marr 's .

he lives out west and teaches school . "

DAN : " yes , and Uncle Roger says he doesn't know enough not to sleep in a field with the gate open . "

CECILY : " this is Miss Julia Stanley , who used to teach in Carlisle a few years ago . "

DAN : " when she resigned the trustees had a meeting to see if they 'd ask her to stay and raise her supplement .

old Highland Sandy was alive then and he got up and said , ' If she for go let her for went .

perhaps she for marry . ' "

DAN : " he was so thin Uncle Roger used to say he always mistook him for a crack in the atmosphere .

one time he stayed here all night and went to prayer meeting and Mr Marwood asked him to lead in prayer .

CECILY , IN EXASPERATION : " ( Dan , shame on you for telling such irreverent stories . )

this is Mrs Alexander Scott of Markdale .

she has been very sick for a long time . "

DAN : " uncle Roger says all that keeps her alive is that she 's scared her husband will marry again . "

CECILY : " this is old Mr James MacPherson who used to live behind the graveyard . "

DAN : " he 's the man who told mother once that he always made his own iodine out of strong tea and baking soda . "

CECILY : " this is Cousin Ebenezer MacPherson on the Markdale road . "

DAN : " great temperance man !

he never tasted rum in his life .

CECILY , IMPLORINGLY : " ( Dan , do stop .

you make me so nervous I don't know what I 'm doing . )

this is Mr Lemuel Goodridge .

he is a minister . "

DAN : " you ought to see his mouth .

uncle Roger says the drawing string has fell out of it .

it just hangs loose so fashion . "

our wild guffaws of laughter penetrated even Great-aunt Eliza 's deafness , and she glanced up with a startled face .

what we would have done I do not know had not Felicity at that moment appeared in the doorway with panic-stricken eyes and exclaimed ,

" Cecily , come here for a moment . "

Cecily , glad of even a temporary respite , fled to the kitchen and we heard her demanding what was the matter .

" matter ! " exclaimed Felicity , tragically .

" matter enough !

he went into the spare room and walked all over Aunt Eliza 's things on the bed .

you can see his tracks plain as plain .

what in the world can we do ?

she 'll be simply furious . "

the coat and hat are both cloth , and molasses isn't like grease . "

" well , we can try , but I wish the Story Girl would keep her cat home , " grumbled Felicity .

she kept on looking at the photographs and seemed quite oblivious of our presence .

felicity announced tea and , while Cecily conveyed Great-aunt Eliza out to the dining-room , lingered behind to consult with us for a moment .

" ought we to ask her to say grace ? " she wanted to know .

" I know a story , " said the Story Girl , " about Uncle Roger when he was just a young man .

he went to the house of a very deaf old lady and when they sat down to the table she asked him to say grace .

then he looked up and the old lady said ' Amen , ' loudly and cheerfully .

she thought Uncle Roger was saying grace all the time . "

" I don't think it 's right to tell funny stories about such things , " said Felicity coldly .

" and I asked for your opinion , not for a story . "

" oh , ask her ask her , " advised Felix hastily .

she was asked accordingly and said grace without any hesitation , after which she proceeded to eat heartily of the excellent supper Felicity had provided .

the rusks were especially good and Great-aunt Eliza ate three of them and praised them .

apart from that she said little and during the first part of the meal we sat in embarrassed silence .

" they say that story isn't true , " said Felicity .

" they say what she really died of was indigestion .

the Governor 's wife who lives there now is a relation of our own .

she is a second cousin of father 's but we 've never seen her .

her name was Agnes Clark .

and mind you , when father was a young man he was dead in love with her and so was she with him . "

" who ever told you that ? " exclaimed Dan .

" aunt Olivia .

and I 've heard ma teasing father about it , too .

of course , it was before father got acquainted with mother . "

" why didn't your father marry her ? "

I asked .

" well , she just simply wouldn't marry him in the end .

she got over being in love with him .

I guess she was pretty fickle .

aunt Olivia said father felt awful about it for awhile , but he got over it when he met ma .

Ma was twice as good-looking as Agnes Clark .

Agnes was a sight for freckles , so Aunt Olivia says .

but she and father remained real good friends .

just think , if she had married him we would have been the children of the Governor 's wife . "

" but she wouldn't have been the Governor 's wife then , " said Dan .

" I guess it 's just as good being father 's wife , " declared Cecily loyally .

" you might think so if you saw the Governor , " chuckled Dan .

" oh , Uncle Roger just says that because he 's on the opposite side of politics , " said Cecily .

" the Governor isn't really so very ugly .

I saw him at the Markdale picnic two years ago .

he 's very fat and bald and red-faced , but I 've seen far worse looking men . "

" I 'm afraid your seat is too near the stove , Aunt Eliza , " shouted Felicity .

our guest , whose face was certainly very much flushed , shook her head .

" oh , no , I 'm very comfortable , " she said .

but her voice had the effect of making us uncomfortable .

there was a queer , uncertain little sound in it .

was Great-aunt Eliza laughing at us ?

we looked at her sharply but her face was very solemn .

only her eyes had a suspicious appearance .

somehow , we did not talk much more the rest of the meal .

when it was over Great-aunt Eliza said she was very sorry but she must really go .

felicity politely urged her to stay , but was much relieved when Great-aunt Eliza adhered to her intention of going .

when Felicity took her to the spare room Cecily slipped upstairs and presently came back with a little parcel in her hand .

" what have you got there ? " demanded Felicity suspiciously .

" A a little bag of rose-leaves , " faltered Cecily .

" I thought I 'd give them to Aunt Eliza . "

" the idea !

don't you do such a thing , " said Felicity contemptuously .

" she 'd think you were crazy . "

so I 'd like to give her the rose-leaves and I 'm going to , too , Miss Felicity . "

we watched her cross the yard , tall , stately , erect , and disappear down the lane .

" well , " said Felicity , drawing a relieved breath , " I 'm glad she 's gone .

she certainly is queer , just as mother said . "

" it 's a different kind of queerness from what I expected , though , " said the Story Girl meditatively .

" there 's something I can't quite make out about Aunt Eliza .

I don't think I altogether like her . "

" I 'm precious sure I don't , " said Dan .

" oh , well , never mind .

she 's gone now and that 's the last of it , " said Cecily comfortingly .

but it wasn't the last of it not by any manner of means was it !

when our grown-ups returned almost the first words Aunt Janet said were ,

" and so you had the Governor 's wife to tea ? "

we all stared at her .

" I don't know what you mean , " said Felicity .

" we had nobody to tea except Great-aunt Eliza .

she came this afternoon and "

" Great-aunt Eliza ?

nonsense , " said Aunt Janet .

" aunt Eliza was in town today .

she had tea with us at Aunt Louisa 's .

but wasn't Mrs Governor Lesley here ?

we met her on her way back to Charlottetown and she told us she was .

she said she was visiting a friend in Carlisle and thought she 'd call to see father for old acquaintance sake .

what in the world are all you children staring like that for ?

your eyes are like saucers . "

" she must have heard all you said while I was showing her the photographs , Dan , " cried Cecily .

" and about the Governor at tea time , " chuckled unrepentant Dan .

" I want to know what all this means , " said Aunt Janet sternly .

she knew in due time , after she had pieced the story together from our disjointed accounts .

she was horrified , and Uncle Alec was mildly disturbed , but Uncle Roger roared with laughter and Aunt Olivia echoed it .

" to think you should have so little sense ! " said Aunt Janet in a disgusted tone .

" I think it was real mean of her to pretend she was deaf , " said Felicity , almost on the verge of tears .

" that was Agnes Clark all over , " chuckled Uncle Roger .

" how she must have enjoyed this afternoon ! "

she had enjoyed it , as we learned the next day , when a letter came from her .

you know the Governor is a very nice man , though he has the misfortune not to be handsome .

" I had just a splendid time at your place , and I envy your Aunt Eliza her nephews and nieces .

you were all so nice to me , and I didn't dare to be a bit nice to you lest I should give myself away .

I 'm so sorry I didn't see Paddy , for I love pussy cats , even if they do track molasses over my clothes .

and , Cecily , thank you ever so much for that little bag of pot-pourri .

and the Governor wants you to put his name on the quilt square , too , in the ten-cent section .

" tell Dan I enjoyed his comments on the photographs very much .

they were quite a refreshing contrast to the usual explanations of ' who 's who . '

and Felicity , your rusks were perfection .

do send me your recipe for them , there 's a darling .

" yours most cordially ,

AGNES CLARK LESLEY .

" well , it was decent of her to apologize , anyhow , " commented Dan .

" if we only hadn't said that about the Governor , " moaned Felicity .

" how did you make your rusks ? " asked Aunt Janet .

" there was no baking-powder in the house , and I never could get them right with soda and cream of tartar . "

" there was plenty of baking-powder in the pantry , " said Felicity .

" no , there wasn't a particle .

I used the last making those cookies Thursday morning . "

" but I found another can nearly full , away back on the top shelf , ma , the one with the yellow label .

I guess you forgot it was there . "

aunt Janet stared at her pretty daughter blankly .

then amazement gave place to horror .

" Felicity King ! " she exclaimed .

" you don't mean to tell me that you raised those rusks with the stuff that was in that old yellow can ? "

" yes , I did , " faltered Felicity , beginning to look scared .

" why , ma , what was the matter with it ? "

" matter !

that stuff was TOOTH-POWDER , that 's what it was .

she forgot to take it when she went away and I put it on that top shelf .

I declare you must all have been bewitched yesterday . "

poor , poor Felicity !

" the rusks were splendid , anyhow , so what difference does it make what they were raised with ? "

Dan , however , began to taunt Felicity with her tooth-powder rusks , and kept it up for the rest of his natural life .

" don't forget to send the Governor 's wife the recipe for them , " he said .

CHAPTER VII .

WE VISIT COUSIN MATTIE'S

one Saturday in March we walked over to Baywater , for a long-talked-of visit to Cousin Mattie Dilke .

" anyhow , we 'll get a splendiferous dinner , " said Dan .

" Cousin Mattie 's a great cook and there 's nothing stingy about her . "

" you are always thinking of your stomach , " said Felicity pleasantly .

he invariably met her criticisms with a good-natured grin and a flippant remark with some tender epithet tagged on to it .

Poor Felicity used to get hopelessly furious over it .

uncle Alec was dubious about our going that day .

he looked abroad on the general dourness of gray earth and gray air and gray sky , and said a storm was brewing .

what mattered it though the world were gray and wintry ?

the walking was good , for there had lately been a thaw and everything was frozen .

it was in this locality that Peg Bowen lived , and our way lay near her house though not directly in sight of it .

we were all sorry when we were through the woods and found ourselves looking down into the snug , commonplace , farmstead-dotted settlement of Baywater .

" there 's Cousin Mattie 's house that big white one at the turn of the road , " said the Story Girl .

" I hope she has that dinner ready , Dan .

I 'm hungry as a wolf after our walk . "

" I wish Cousin Mattie 's husband was still alive , " said Dan .

" he was an awful nice old man .

he always had his pockets full of nuts and apples .

I used to like going there better when he was alive .

too many old women don't suit me . "

" oh , Dan , Cousin Mattie and her sisters-in-law are just as nice and kind as they can be , " reproached Cecily .

" I know a story about Cousin Mattie 's husband , " said the Story Girl .

" his name was Ebenezer , you know "

" is it any wonder he was thin and stunted looking ? " said Dan .

" Ebenezer is just as nice a name as Daniel , " said Felicity .

" do you REALLY think so , my angel ? " inquired Dan , in honey-sweet tones .

" go on .

remember your second resolution , " I whispered to the Story Girl , who was stalking along with an outraged expression .

the Story Girl swallowed something and went on .

" Cousin Ebenezer had a horror of borrowing .

he thought it was simply a dreadful disgrace to borrow ANYTHING .

well , you know he and Cousin Mattie used to live in Carlisle , where the Rays now live .

this was when Grandfather King was alive .

one day Cousin Ebenezer came up the hill and into the kitchen where all the family were .

uncle Roger said he looked as if he had been stealing sheep .

he sat for a whole hour in the kitchen and hardly spoke a word , but just looked miserable .

' Oh , certainly , ' said grandfather , and took him into the parlour .

Cousin Ebenezer shut the door , looked all around him and then said imploringly , ' MORE PRIVATE STILL . '

so grandfather took him into the spare room and shut that door .

he was getting frightened .

he thought something terrible must have happened Cousin Ebenezer .

but Cecily was such a darling that we did not mind her lack of a sense of humour .

" it 's kind of mean to tell stories like that about people who are dead , " said Felicity .

" sometimes it 's safer than when they 're alive though , sweetheart , " commented Dan .

we had our expected good dinner at Cousin Mattie 's may it be counted unto her for righteousness .

she and her sisters-in-law , Miss Louisa Jane and Miss Caroline , were very kind to us .

CHAPTER VIII .

WE VISIT PEG BOWEN

we left Cousin Mattie 's early , for it still looked like a storm , though no more so than it had in the morning .

we were sadly mistaken ; by the time we had gone another half-mile we were in the thick of a bewildering , blinding snowstorm .

we could hardly face the stinging snow , and we could not see ten feet ahead of us .

it had turned bitterly cold and the tempest howled all around us in white desolation under the fast-darkening night .

our plight had come upon us so suddenly that we could not realize it .

presently Peter , who was leading the van because he was supposed to know the path best , stopped .

" I can't see the road any longer , " he shouted .

" I don't know where we are . "

we all stopped and huddled together in a miserable group .

fear filled our hearts .

it seemed ages ago that we had been snug and safe and warm at Cousin Mattie 's .

Cecily began to cry with cold .

Dan , in spite of her protests , dragged off his overcoat and made her put it on .

" we can't stay here , " he said .

" we 'll all freeze to death if we do .

come on we 've got to keep moving .

the snow ain't so deep yet .

take hold of my hand , Cecily .

we must all hold together .

come , now . "

in my heart I did not believe we would ever get through alive .

it was almost pitch dark now , and the snow grew deeper every moment .

we were chilled to the heart .

it was wonderful how the girls kept up , even Cecily .

it occurred to me to be thankful that Sara Ray was not with us .

but we were wholly lost now .

all around us was a horror of great darkness .

suddenly Felicity fell .

we dragged her up , but she declared she could not go on she was done out .

" have you any idea where we are ? " shouted Dan to Peter .

" no , " Peter shouted back , " the wind is blowing every which way .

I haven't any idea where home is . "

home !

would we ever see it again ?

we tried to urge Felicity on , but she only repeated drowsily that she must lie down and rest .

Cecily , too , was reeling against me .

the Story Girl still stood up staunchly and counselled struggling on , but she was numb with cold and her words were hardly distinguishable .

some wild idea was in my mind that we must dig a hole in the snow and all creep into it .

I had read somewhere that people had thus saved their lives in snowstorms .

suddenly Felix gave a shout .

" I see a light , " he cried .

" where ?

where ? "

we all looked but could see nothing .

" I don't see it now but I saw it a moment ago , " shouted Felix .

" I 'm sure I did .

come on over in this direction . "

Inspired with fresh hope we hurried after him .

soon we all saw the light and never shone a fairer beacon .

a few more steps and , coming into the shelter of the woodland on the further side , we realized where we were .

" that 's Peg Bowen 's house , " exclaimed Peter , stopping short in dismay .

" I don't care whose house it is , " declared Dan .

" we 've got to go to it . "

" I s'pose so , " acquiesced Peter ruefully .

" we can't freeze to death even if she is a witch . "

" for goodness ' sake don't say anything about witches so close to her house , " gasped Felicity .

" I 'll be thankful to get in anywhere . "

we reached the house , climbed the flight of steps that led to that mysterious second story door , and Dan rapped .

" Gracious goodness , where did yez all come from ? " exclaimed Peg .

" did they turn yez out ? "

" we 've been over to Baywater , and we got lost in the storm coming back , " explained Dan .

" we didn't know where we were till we saw your light .

I guess we 'll have to stay here till the storm is over if you don't mind . "

" and if it won't inconvenience you , " said Cecily timidly .

" oh , it 's no inconvenience to speak of .

come in .

well , yez HAVE got some snow on yez .

let me get a broom .

you boys stomp your feet well and shake your coats .

you girls give me your things and I 'll hang them up .

guess yez are most froze .

well , sit up to the stove and git het up . "

in our wildest flights of fancy we had never pictured ourselves as guests at the witch 's hearth-stone .

Poor Sis drank that scalding draught , being in too great awe of Peg to do aught else .

" that 'll soon fix your shivers , " said our hostess kindly .

" and now I 'll get yez all some tea . "

" oh , please don't trouble , " said the Story Girl hastily .

Sara only meant she didn't want you to go to any bother on our account . "

" it ain't any bother , " said Peg , mollified .

" I 'm spry as a cricket this winter , though I have the realagy sometimes .

Many a good bite I 've had in your ma's kitchen .

I owe yez a meal . "

no more protests were made .

we had heard much of Peg 's pets and now we saw them .

another , a dilapidated , striped beastie , with both ears and one eye gone , glared at us from the sofa in the corner .

we had heard that a sailor had given Peg the monkey .

but where had she got the skull ?

and whose was it ?

I could not help puzzling over these gruesome questions .

the less said about the viands of that meal , and the dishes they were served in , the better .

but we ate them bless you , yes ! as we would have eaten any witch 's banquet set before us .

but it was not an agreeable meal in more ways than one .

Peg was not at all careful of anybody 's feelings .

she hurt Felix 's cruelly as she passed him his cup of tea .

" you 've gone too much to flesh , boy .

so the magic seed didn't work , hey ? "

how in the world had Peg found out about that magic seed ?

Felix looked uncommonly foolish .

" won't you tell me now ? " asked Felix eagerly , his desire to melt his too solid flesh overcoming his dread and shame .

" no , I don't like being second fiddle , " answered Peg with a crafty smile .

" Sara , you 're too scrawny and pale not much like your ma .

I knew her well .

she was counted a beauty , but she made no great things of a match .

your father had some money but he was a tramp like meself .

where is he now ? "

" In Rome , " said the Story Girl rather shortly .

" People thought your ma was crazy when she took him .

but she 'd a right to please herself .

Folks is too ready to call other folks crazy .

there 's people who say I'M not in my right mind .

did yez ever " Peg fixed Felicity with a piercing glance " hear anything so ridiculous ? "

" never , " said Felicity , white to the lips .

" I wish everybody was as sane as I am , " said Peg scornfully .

then she looked poor Felicity over critically .

" you 're good-looking but proud .

and your complexion won't wear .

it 'll be like your ma's yet too much red in it . "

" you look delicate .

I daresay you 'll never live to grow up . "

Cecily 's lip trembled and Dan 's face turned crimson .

" shut up , " he said to Peg .

" you 've no business to say such things to people . "

I think my jaw dropped .

I know Peter 's and Felix 's did .

felicity broke in wildly .

" oh , don't mind him , Miss Bowen .

he 's got SUCH a temper that 's just the way he talks to us all at home .

PLEASE excuse him . "

" bless you , I don't mind him , " said Peg , from whom the unexpected seemed to be the thing to expect .

" I like a lad of spurrit .

and so your father run away , did he , Peter ?

he used to be a beau of mine he seen me home three times from singing school when we was young .

some folks said he did it for a dare .

there 's such a lot of jealousy in the world , ain't there ?

do you know where he is now ? "

" no , " said Peter .

" well , he 's coming home before long , " said Peg mysteriously .

" who told you that ? " cried Peter in amazement .

" better not ask , " responded Peg , looking up at the skull .

if she meant to make the flesh creep on our bones she succeeded .

but now , much to our relief , the meal was over and Peg invited us to draw our chairs up to the stove again .

" make yourselves at home , " she said , producing her pipe from her pocket .

" I ain't one of the kind who thinks their houses too good to live in .

guess I won't bother washing the dishes .

they 'll do yez for breakfast if yez don't forget your places .

I s'pose none of yez smokes . "

" no , " said Felicity , rather primly .

" then yez don't know what 's good for yez , " retorted Peg , rather grumpily .

but a few whiffs of her pipe placated her and , observing Cecily sigh , she asked her kindly what was the matter .

" I 'm thinking how worried they 'll be at home about us , " explained Cecily .

" bless you , dearie , don't be worrying over that .

I 'll send them word that yez are all snug and safe here . "

" but how can you ? " cried amazed Cecily .

" better not ask , " said Peg again , with another glance at the skull .

an uncomfortable silence followed , finally broken by Peg , who introduced her pets to us and told how she had come by them .

the black cat was her favourite .

" that cat knows more than I do , if yez'll believe it , " she said proudly .

" I 've got a rat too , but he 's a bit shy when strangers is round .

your cat got all right again that time , didn't he ? "

" yes , " said the Story Girl .

" thought he would , " said Peg , nodding sagely .

" I seen to that .

now , don't yez all be staring at the hole in my dress . "

" we weren't , " was our chorus of protest .

" looked as if yez were .

I tore that yesterday but I didn't mend it .

I was brought up to believe that a hole was an accident but a patch was a disgrace .

and so your Aunt Olivia is going to be married after all ? "

this was news to us .

we felt and looked dazed .

" I never heard anything of it , " said the Story Girl .

" oh , it 's true enough .

she 's a great fool .

I 've no faith in husbands .

but one good thing is she ain't going to marry that Henry Jacobs of Markdale .

he wants her bad enough .

just like his presumption , thinking himself good enough for a King .

his father is the worst man alive .

he chased me off his place with his dog once .

but I 'll get even with him yet . "

Peg looked very savage , and visions of burned barns floated through our minds .

" he 'll be punished in hell , you know , " said Peter timidly .

" but I won't be there to see that , " rejoined Peg .

" some folks say I 'll go there because I don't go to church oftener .

but I don't believe it . "

" why don't you go ? " asked Peter , with a temerity that bordered on rashness .

" well , I 've got so sunburned I 'm afraid folks might take me for an Injun , " explained Peg , quite seriously .

" besides , your minister makes such awful long prayers .

why does he do it ? "

" I suppose he finds it easier to talk to God than to people , " suggested Peter reflectively .

I haven't been to Carlisle church for over three years .

I thought I 'd a-died laughing the last time I was there .

old Elder Marr took up the collection that day .

He'd on a pair of new boots and they squeaked all the way up and down the aisles .

and every time the boots squeaked the elder made a face , like he had toothache .

it was awful funny .

how 's your missionary quilt coming on , Cecily ? "

was there anything Peg didn't know ?

" very well , " said Cecily .

" you can put my name on it , if you want to . "

" oh , thank you .

which section the five-cent one or the ten-cent one ? " asked Cecily timidly .

" the ten-cent one , of course .

the best is none too good for me .

I 'll give you the ten cents another time .

I 'm short of change just now not being as rich as Queen Victory .

there 's her picture up there the one with the blue sash and diamint crown and the lace curting on her head .

can any of yez tell me this is Queen Victory a married woman ? "

" oh , yes , but her husband is dead , " answered the Story Girl .

sometimes I sez to myself , ' Peg , would you like to be Queen Victory ? '

but I never know what to answer .

in summer , when I can roam anywhere in the woods and the sunshine I wouldn't be Queen Victory for anything .

but when it 's winter and cold and I can't git nowheres I feel as if I wouldn't mind changing places with her . "

Peg put her pipe back in her mouth and began to smoke fiercely .

the most grotesque shadow of Peg flickered over the wall behind her .

the one-eyed cat remitted his grim watch and went to sleep .

outside the wind screamed like a ravening beast at the window .

I felt horribly frightened of her .

she seemed an entirely different creature .

a wild light was in her eyes , a furtive , animal-like expression was on her face .

when she spoke it was in a different voice and in different language .

" do you hear the wind ? " she asked in a thrilling whisper .

" what IS the wind ?

what IS the wind ? "

" I I don't know , " I stammered .

" no more do I , " said Peg , " and nobody knows .

nobody knows what the wind is .

I wish I could find out .

I mightn't be so afraid of the wind if I knew what it was .

I am afraid of it .

when the blasts come like that I want to crouch down and hide me .

but I can tell you one thing about the wind it 's the only free thing in the world THE ONLY FREE THING .

everything else is subject to some law , but the wind is FREE .

it bloweth where it listeth and no man can tame it .

it 's free that 's why I love it , though I 'm afraid of it .

it 's a grand thing to be free free free free ! "

Peg 's voice rose almost to a shriek .

then she crouched forward , elbows on knees , and relapsed into silence .

none of us dared speak or move .

we sat thus for half an hour .

then Peg jumped up and said briskly in her usual tone ,

" well , I guess yez are all sleepy and ready for bed .

you girls can sleep in my bed over there , and I 'll take the sofy .

Yez can put the cat off if yez like , though he won't hurt yez .

you boys can go downstairs .

there 's a big pile of straw there that 'll do yez for a bed , if yez put your coats on .

I 'll light yez down , but I ain't going to leave yez a light for fear yez'd set fire to the place . "

saying good-night to the girls , who looked as if they thought their last hour was come , we went to the lower room .

it was quite empty , save for a pile of fire wood and another of clean straw .

casting a stealthy glance around , ere Peg withdrew the light , I was relieved to see that there were no skulls in sight .

we four boys snuggled down in the straw .

the poor girls were not so fortunate .

they always averred they never closed an eye .

four things prevented them from sleeping .

indeed , they were sure they heard him skirmishing about several times .

when we wakened in the morning the storm was over and a young morning was looking through rosy eyelids across a white world .

the little clearing around Peg 's cabin was heaped with dazzling drifts , and we boys fell to and shovelled out a road to her well .

she gave us breakfast stiff oatmeal porridge without milk , and a boiled egg apiece .

" the soap fell into the porridge while I was making it , " she said .

" but , " smacking her lips , " I 'm going to make yez an Irish stew for dinner .

it 'll be fine . "

an Irish stew concocted by Peg !

no wonder Dan said hastily ,

" you are very kind but we 'll have to go right home . "

" Yez can't walk , " said Peg .

" oh , yes , we can .

the drifts are so hard they 'll carry , and the snow will be pretty well blown off the middle of the fields .

it 's only three-quarters of a mile .

we boys will go home and get a pung and come back for you girls . "

but the girls wouldn't listen to this .

they must go with us , even Cecily .

" seems to me yez weren't in such a hurry to leave last night , " observed Peg sarcastically .

" well , I hope your Sunday School will do yez good , " said Peg , rather grumpily .

but she relented again at the last and gave Cecily a wishbone .

" whatever you wish on that will come true , " she said .

" but you only have the one wish , so don't waste it . "

" we 're so much obliged to you for all your trouble , " said the Story Girl politely .

" never mind the trouble .

the expense is the thing , " retorted Peg grimly .

" oh ! "

felicity hesitated .

" if you would let us pay you give you something "

" no , thank yez , " responded Peg loftily .

" there is people who take money for their hospitality , I 've heerd , but I 'm thankful to say I don't associate with that class .

Yez are welcome to all yez have had here , if yez ARE in a big hurry to get away . "

eventually it turned back ; then , and not till then , did we feel free to discuss our adventure .

" well , I 'm thankful we're out of THAT , " said Felicity , drawing a long breath .

" hasn't it just been an awful experience ? "

" we might all have been found frozen stark and stiff this morning , " remarked the Story Girl with apparent relish .

" I tell you , it was a lucky thing we got to Peg Bowen 's , " said Dan .

" Miss Marwood says there is no such thing as luck , " protested Cecily .

" we ought to say it was Providence instead . "

" well , Peg and Providence don't seem to go together very well , somehow , " retorted Dan .

" if Peg is a witch it must be the Other One she 's in co . with . "

" Dan , it 's getting to be simply scandalous the way you talk , " said Felicity .

" I just wish ma could hear you . "

" is soap in porridge any worse than tooth-powder in rusks , lovely creature ? " asked Dan .

" Dan , Dan , " admonished Cecily , between her coughs , " remember it 's Sunday . "

" it seems hard to remember that , " said Peter .

" it doesn't seem a mite like Sunday and it seems awful long since yesterday . "

" Cecily , you 've got a dreadful cold , " said the Story Girl anxiously .

" In spite of Peg 's ginger tea , " added Felix .

" oh , that ginger tea was AWFUL , " exclaimed poor Cecily .

" I thought I 'd never get it down it was so hot with ginger and there was so much of it !

but I was so frightened of offending Peg I 'd have tried to drink it all if there had been a bucketful .

oh , yes , it 's very easy for you all to laugh !

you didn't have to drink it . "

" we had to eat two meals , though , " said Felicity with a shiver .

" and I don't know when those dishes of hers were washed .

I just shut my eyes and took gulps . "

" did you notice the soapy taste in the porridge ? " asked the Story Girl .

" oh , there were so many queer tastes about it I didn't notice one more than another , " answered Felicity wearily .

" what bothers me , " remarked Peter absently , " is that skull .

do you suppose Peg really finds things out by it ? "

" nonsense !

how could she ? " scoffed Felix , bold as a lion in daylight .

" she didn't SAY she did , you know , " I said cautiously .

" well , we 'll know in time if the things she said were going to happen do , " mused Peter .

" do you suppose your father is really coming home ? " queried Felicity .

" I hope not , " answered Peter decidedly .

" you ought to be ashamed of yourself , " said Felicity severely .

" no , I oughtn't .

father got drunk all the time he was home , and wouldn't work and was bad to mother , " said Peter defiantly .

" she had to support him as well as herself and me .

I don't want to see any father coming home , and you 'd better believe it .

of course , if he was the right sort of a father it 'd be different . "

" what I would like to know is if Aunt Olivia is going to be married , " said the Story Girl absently .

" I can hardly believe it .

but now that I think of it Uncle Roger has been teasing her ever since she was in Halifax last summer . "

" if she does get married you 'll have to come and live with us , " said Cecily delightedly .

Felicity did not betray so much delight and the Story Girl remarked with a weary little sigh that she hoped Aunt Olivia wouldn't .

we all felt rather weary , somehow .

Peg 's predictions had been unsettling , and our nerves had all been more or less strained during our sojourn under her roof .

we were glad when we found ourselves at home .

CHAPTER IX .

EXTRACTS FROM THE FEBRUARY AND MARCH NUMBERS OF " OUR MAGAZINE "

RESOLUTION HONOUR ROLL

miss Felicity King .

HONOURABLE MENTION

Mr Felix King .

Mr Peter Craig .

miss Sara Ray .

EDITORIAL

the editor wishes to make a few remarks about the Resolution Honour Roll .

as will be seen , only one name figures on it .

so we have decided to give honourable mention to everybody who has kept one resolution perfect .

Felix has worked all his arithmetic problems by himself .

Peter has never played tit-tat-x in church or got drunk and says it wasn't as bad as he expected .

( PETER , INDIGNANTLY : " I never said it . "

CECILY , SOOTHINGLY : " now , Peter , Bev only meant that as a joke . " )

Sara Ray has never talked any mean gossip , but does not find conversation as interesting as it used to be .

( SARA RAY , WONDERINGLY : " I don't remember of saying that . " )

Felix did not eat any apples until March , but forgot and ate seven the day we were at Cousin Mattie 's .

( FELIX : " I only ate five ! " )

he soon gave up trying to say what he thought always .

he got into too much trouble .

we think Felix ought to change to old Grandfather King 's rule .

it was , " hold your tongue when you can , and when you can't tell the truth . "

and it is no use trying not to feel bad because her hair isn't curly and she has marked that resolution out .

Dan refuses to say anything about his resolutions and so does the editor .

PERSONALS

we regret that Miss Cecily King is suffering from a severe cold .

Mr Alexander Marr of Markdale died very suddenly last week .

we never heard of his death till he was dead .

Dan put it in for a mean joke .

the weather has been cold and fine .

we have only had one bad storm .

the coasting on Uncle Roger 's hill continues good .

aunt Eliza did not favour us with a visit after all .

she took cold and had to go home .

we were sorry that she had a cold but glad that she had to go home .

Cecily said she thought it wicked of us to be glad .

but when we asked her " cross her heart " if she wasn't glad herself she had to say she was .

Miss Cecily King has got three very distinguished names on her quilt square .

they are the Governor and his wife and a witch 's .

the King family had the honour of entertaining the Governor 's wife to tea on February the seventeenth .

we are all invited to visit Government House but some of us think we won't go .

a tragic event occurred last Tuesday .

Mrs James Frewen came to tea and there was no pie in the house .

felicity has not yet fully recovered .

a new boy is coming to school .

his name is Cyrus Brisk and his folks moved up from Markdale .

he says he is going to punch Willy Fraser 's head if Willy keeps on thinking he is Miss Cecily King 's beau .

( CECILY : " I haven't ANY beau !

I don't mean to think of such a thing for at least eight years yet ! " )

Miss Alice Reade of Charlottetown Royalty has come to Carlisle to teach music .

she boards at Mr Peter Armstrong 's .

the girls are all going to take music lessons from her .

two descriptions of her will be found in another column .

Felix wrote one , but the girls thought he did not do her justice , so Cecily wrote another one .

HOUSEHOLD DEPARTMENT

always keep the kitchen tidy and then you needn't mind if company comes unexpectedly .

ANXIOUS INQUIRER : we don't know anything that will take the stain out of a silk dress when a soft-boiled egg is dropped on it .

better not wear your silk dress so often , especially when boiling eggs .

ginger tea is good for colds .

OLD HOUSEKEEPER : yes , when the baking-powder gives out you can use tooth-powder instead .

( FELICITY : " I never wrote that !

I don't care , I don't think it 's fair for other people to be putting things in my department ! " )

our apples are not keeping well this year .

they are rotting ; and besides father says we eat an awful lot of them .

PERSEVERANCE : I will give you the recipe for dumplings you ask for .

but remember it is not everyone who can make dumplings , even from the recipe .

there 's a knack in it .

FELICITY KING .

ETIQUETTE DEPARTMENT

( FELICITY , TOSSING HER HEAD : " oh , my !

I s'pose Dan thought that was extra smart . " )

C-y K-g : when my most intimate friend walks with another girl and exchanges lace patterns with her , what ought I to do ?

Ans .

adopt a dignified attitude .

( FELICITY : " Dan just copied that word for word out of the Family Guide , except about the hat part . " )

P-r C-g : yes , it would be quite proper to say good evening to the family ghost if you met it .

F-x K-g : no , it is not polite to sleep with your mouth open .

what 's more , it isn't safe .

something might fall into it .

DAN KING .

FASHION NOTES

crocheted watch pockets are all the rage now .

if you haven't a watch they do to carry your pencil in or a piece of gum .

it is stylish to have hair ribbons to match your dress .

but it is hard to match gray drugget .

I like scarlet for that .

it is stylish to pin a piece of ribbon on your coat the same colour as your chum wears in her hair .

Mary Martha Cowan saw them doing it in town and started us doing it here .

I always wear Kitty 's ribbon and Kitty wears mine , but the Story Girl thinks it is silly .

CECILY KING .

AN ACCOUNT OF OUR VISIT TO COUSIN MATTIE'S

we all walked over to Cousin Mattie 's last week .

they were all well there and we had a fine dinner .

on our way back a snow-storm came up and we got lost in the woods .

we didn't know where we were or nothing .

but we saw a light and made for it and it was Peg Bowen 's .

some people think she is a witch and it 's hard to tell , but she was real hospitable and took us all in .

her house was very untidy but it was warm .

she has a skull .

I mean a loose skull , not her own .

she gave us supper .

it was a horrid meal .

we stayed all night and us boys slept in straw .

none of us had ever slept on straw before .

we got home in the morning .

that is all I can write about our visit to Cousin Mattie 's .

FELIX KING .

MY WORST ADVENTURE

it 's my turn to write it so I suppose I must .

I guess my worst adventure was two years ago when a whole lot of us were coasting on Uncle Rogers hill .

Charlie Cowan and Fred Marr had started , but half-way down their sled got stuck and I run down to shove them off again .

then I stood there just a moment to watch them with my back to the top of the hill .

while I was standing there Rob Marr started Kitty and Em Frewen off on his sled .

his sled had a wooden tongue in it and it slanted back over the girls ' heads .

I was right in the way and they yelled to me to get out , but just as I heard them it struck me .

I thought a tornado had struck me .

the girls couldn't stop though they thought I was killed , but Rob came tearing down and helped me up .

not all the time but by spells .

DAN KING .

THE STORY OF HOW CARLISLE GOT ITS NAME

this is a true story to .

long ago there was a girl lived in charlotte town .

his name was Mr Carlisle .

in the winter he started off to hunt cariboo for a spell .

Cariboos lived on the island then .

there aint any here now .

he got to where it is Carlisle now .

it wasn't anything then only woods and a few indians .

he got awful sick and was sick for ever so long in a indian camp and only an old micmac squaw to wait on him .

poor Mr Carlisle felt awful .

he was sick and week and it went to his head .

he just turned and run and run till he got back to the old micmac's camp and fell in front of it .

they say the girl was never happy again and that was hard lines on her but maybe she deserved it .

PETER CRAIG .

MISS ALICE READE

Miss Alice Reade is a very pretty girl .

she has kind of curly blackish hair and big gray eyes and a pale face .

she is tall and thin but her figure is pretty fair and she has a nice mouth and a sweet way of speaking .

the girls are crazy about her and talk about her all the time .

FELIX KING .

BEAUTIFUL ALICE

that is what we girls call Miss Reade among ourselves .

she is divinely beautiful .

her magnificent wealth of raven hair flows back in glistening waves from her sun-kissed brow .

( DAN : " if Felix had said she was sunburned you 'd have all jumped on him . "

( CECILY , COLDLY : " Sun-kissed doesn't mean sunburned . "

DAN : " what does it mean then ? "

CECILY , EMBARRASSED : " I I don't know .

but Miss Montague says the Lady Geraldine 's brow was sun-kissed and of course an earl 's daughter wouldn't be sunburned .

" THE STORY GIRL : " oh , don't interrupt the reading like this .

it spoils it . " )

her eyes are gloriously dark and deep , like midnight lakes mirroring the stars of heaven .

her features are like sculptured marble and her mouth is a trembling , curving Cupid 's bow .

( PETER , ASIDE : " what kind of a thing is that ? " )

her creamy skin is as fair and flawless as the petals of a white lily .

her voice is like the ripple of a woodland brook and her slender form is matchless in its symmetry .

( DAN : " that 's Valeria 's way of putting it , but Uncle Roger says she don't show her feed much . "

FELICITY : " Dan ! if Uncle Roger is vulgar you needn't be ! " )

her hands are like a poet 's dreams .

she dresses so nicely and looks so stylish in her clothes .

her favourite colour is blue .

some people think she is stiff and some say she is stuck-up , but she isn't a bit .

it 's just that she is different from them and they don't like it .

she is just lovely and we adore her . )

CECILY KING .

CHAPTER X DISAPPEARANCE OF PADDY

as I remember , the spring came late that year in Carlisle .

it was May before the weather began to satisfy the grown-ups .

" it 's nice to be alive any time , " said Felicity , complacently .

" but it 's nicer in the spring , " insisted the Story Girl .

" you do say such queer things , " complained Felicity .

" you won't be really dead any time .

you 'll be in the next world .

and I think it 's horrid to talk about people being dead anyhow . "

" we 've all got to die , " said Sara Ray solemnly , but with a certain relish .

" don't talk such nonsense , Cecily , " cried the Story Girl with unwonted sharpness , a sharpness we all understood .

" well , it was you began talking of being dead , " said Felicity angrily .

" I don't think it 's right to talk of such things .

Cecily , are you sure your feet ain't damp ?

we ought to go in anyhow it 's too chilly out here for you . "

" you girls had better go , " said Dan , " but I ain't going in till old Isaac Frewen goes .

I 've no use for him . "

" I hate him , too , " said Felicity , agreeing with Dan for once in her life .

" he chews tobacco all the time and spits on the floor the horrid pig ! "

" and yet his brother is an elder in the church , " said Sara Ray wonderingly .

" I know a story about Isaac Frewen , " said the Story Girl .

" when he was young he went by the name of Oatmeal Frewen and he got it this way .

he was noted for doing outlandish things .

he lived at Markdale then and he was a great , overgrown , awkward fellow , six feet tall .

when he came to Carlisle church he saw that service was going on there , and he concluded to stop and go in .

grandfather King used to say he would never forget it to his dying day .

the minister was preaching and everything was quiet and solemn when he heard a snicker behind him .

young Isaac turned into grandfather 's pew and thumped the bag of oatmeal down on the seat with a thud that cracked it .

when the service was over he hoisted his bag up again , marched out of church , and drove home .

he could never understand why it made so much talk ; but he was known by the name of Oatmeal Frewen for years . "

our laughter , as we separated , rang sweetly through the old orchard and across the far , dim meadows .

" you know Felicity has a birthday next week , " he said , " and I want to write her an ode . "

" A a what ? "

I gasped .

" an ode , " repeated Peter , gravely .

" it 's poetry , you know .

I 'll put it in Our Magazine . "

" but you can't write poetry , Peter , " I protested .

" I 'm going to try , " said Peter stoutly .

" that is , if you think she won't be offended at me . "

" she ought to feel flattered , " I replied .

" you never can tell how she 'll take things , " said Peter gloomily .

" of course I ain't going to sign my name , and if she ain't pleased I won't tell her I wrote it .

don't you let on . "

I promised I wouldn't and Peter went off with a light heart .

he said he meant to write two lines every day till he got it done .

Cupid was playing his world-old tricks with others than poor Peter that spring .

Cecily did not regard her conquest with any pride .

on the contrary , it annoyed her terribly to be teased about Cyrus .

she declared she hated both him and his name .

she was as uncivil to him as sweet Cecily could be to anyone , but the gallant Cyrus was nothing daunted .

he laid determined siege to Cecily 's young heart by all the methods known to love-lorn swains .

and now Cyrus had written Cecily a letter a love letter , mark you .

moreover , he had sent it through the post-office , with a real stamp on it .

its arrival made a sensation among us .

Dan brought it from the office and , recognizing the handwriting of Cyrus , gave Cecily no peace until she showed us the letter .

Cyrus probably meant " inviolate " but Cecily thought it was intended for a poetical touch .

" are you going to answer it ? " asked Dan .

" certainly not , " said Cecily with dignity .

" Cyrus Brisk wants to be kicked , " growled Felix , who never seemed to be any particular friend of Willy Fraser 's either .

" he 'd better learn how to spell before he takes to writing love letters . "

" maybe Cyrus will starve to death if you don't , " suggested Sara Ray .

" I hope he will , " said Cecily cruelly .

it was her first love letter and she confided to me that it gives you a very queer feeling to get it .

at all events the letter , though unanswered , was not torn up .

I feel sure Cecily preserved it .

but she walked past Cyrus next morning at school with a frozen countenance , evincing not the slightest pity for his pangs of unrequited affection .

then , suddenly , all our spring gladness and Maytime hopes were blighted as by a killing frost .

sorrow and anxiety pervaded our days and embittered our dreams by night .

grim tragedy held sway in our lives for the next fortnight .

Paddy disappeared .

that was the last seen of him .

in the morning he was not .

at first we were not seriously alarmed .

Paddy was no roving Thomas , but occasionally he vanished for a day or so .

but when two days passed without his return we became anxious , the third day worried us greatly , and the fourth found us distracted .

" something has happened to Pat , " the Story Girl declared miserably .

" he never stayed away from home more than two days in his life . "

" what could have happened to him ? " asked Felix .

" he 's been poisoned or a dog has killed him , " answered the Story Girl in tragic tones .

Cecily began to cry at this ; but tears were of no avail .

neither was anything else , apparently .

but we found and heard no trace of our lost pet .

we hated every dog we saw on the ground that he might be the guilty one .

" it 's the suspense that's so hard , " sobbed the Story Girl .

" if I just knew what had happened to him it wouldn't be QUITE so hard .

but I don't know whether he 's dead or alive .

" it 's ever so much worse than when he was so sick last fall , " said Cecily drearily .

" then we knew that everything was done for him that could be done . "

we could not appeal to Peg Bowen this time .

in our desperation we would have done it , but Peg was far away .

with the first breath of spring she was up and off , answering to the lure of the long road .

she had not been seen in her accustomed haunts for many a day .

her pets were gaining their own living in the woods and her house was locked up .

CHAPTER XI .

THE WITCH'S WISHBONE

when a fortnight had elapsed we gave up all hope .

" I 'm afraid so , " I acknowledged at last .

" if only Peg Bowen had been at home she could have found him for us , " asserted Peter .

" her skull would have told her where he was . "

" I wonder if the wishbone she gave me would have done any good , " cried Cecily suddenly .

" I 'd forgotten all about it .

oh , do you suppose it 's too late yet ? "

" there 's nothing in a wishbone , " said Dan impatiently .

" you can't be sure .

she TOLD me I 'd get the wish I made on it .

I 'm going to try whenever I get home . "

" it can't do any harm , anyhow , " said Peter , " but I 'm afraid you 've left it too late .

if Pat is dead even a witch 's wishbone can't bring him back to life . "

" I 'll never forgive myself for not thinking about it before , " mourned Cecily .

" Peg told me how it must be done .

I 'm to hold the wishbone with both hands , like this , and walk backward , repeating the wish nine times .

" do you expect to see Pat when you finish turning ? " said Dan skeptically .

none of us had any faith in the incantation except Peter , and , by infection , Cecily .

you never could tell what might happen .

but we saw only the Awkward Man turning in at the gate .

" you 've got to give the spell time to work , " he expostulated .

" if Pat was miles away when it was wished it wouldn't be reasonable to expect to see him right off . "

but we of little faith had already lost that little , and it was a very disconsolate group which the Awkward Man presently joined .

" good evening , " he said .

" have you little people lost a cat lately ? "

we stared .

Peter said " I knew it ! " in a triumphant pig 's whisper .

the Story Girl started eagerly forward .

" oh , Mr Dale , can you tell us anything of Paddy ? " she cried .

" a silver gray cat with black points and very fine marking ? "

" yes , yes ! "

" alive ? "

" yes . "

" well , doesn't that beat the Dutch ! " muttered Dan .

but we were all crowding about the Awkward Man , demanding where and when he had found Paddy.

I must warn you that he is pretty thin but I think he 'll pull through . "

a joyful procession followed the Awkward Man and the Story Girl across the gray , star-litten meadows to his home and through his pine-guarded gate .

" you know that old barn of mine back in the woods ? " said the Awkward Man .

" I go to it only about once in a blue moon .

there was an old barrel there , upside down , one side resting on a block of wood .

this morning I went to the barn to see about having some hay hauled home , and I had occasion to move the barrel .

I noticed that it seemed to have been moved slightly since my last visit , and it was now resting wholly on the floor .

I lifted it up and there was a cat lying on the floor under it .

I had heard you had lost yours and I took it this was your pet .

I was afraid he was dead at first .

" oh , poor , poor Paddy , " said tender-hearted Cecily tearfully .

" he couldn't stand , so I carried him home and gave him just a little milk .

fortunately he was able to lap it .

I gave him a little more at intervals all day , and when I left he was able to crawl around .

I think he 'll be all right , but you 'll have to be careful how you feed him for a few days .

don't let your hearts run away with your judgment and kill him with kindness . "

" do you suppose any one put him under that barrel ? " asked the Story Girl .

" no .

the barn was locked .

nothing but a cat could get in .

Paddy was sitting before the fire in the Awkward Man 's clean , bare kitchen .

thin !

why , he was literally skin and bone , and his fur was dull and lustreless .

it almost broke our hearts to see our beautiful Paddy brought so low .

" oh , how he must have suffered ! " moaned Cecily .

" he 'll be as prosperous as ever in a week or two , " said the Awkward Man kindly .

the Story Girl gathered Paddy up in her arms .

we trooped home joyfully , the Story Girl in our midst carrying Paddy hugged against her shoulder .

never did April stars look down on a happier band of travellers on the golden road .

" you see what Peg 's wishbone did , " said Peter triumphantly .

" now , look here , Peter , don't talk nonsense , " expostulated Dan .

" the Awkward Man found Paddy this morning and had started to bring us word before Cecily ever thought of the wishbone .

" I mean to say that I wouldn't mind if I had several wishbones of the same kind , " retorted Peter stubbornly .

" well , anyhow , we 've got Pat and that 's the main thing , " said Felix .

" and I hope it will be a lesson to him to stay home after this , " commented Felicity .

" they say the barrens are full of mayflowers , " said the Story Girl .

" let us have a mayflower picnic tomorrow to celebrate Paddy 's safe return . "

CHAPTER XII .

FLOWERS O ' MAY

' Twas there we found our mayflowers , after faithful seeking .

nor would he admit that ours looked any better than his .

" I like things of one kind together .

I don't like them mixed , " he said .

" you have no taste , " said Felicity .

" except in my mouth , best beloved , " responded Dan .

" you do think you are so smart , " retorted Felicity , flushing with anger .

" don't quarrel this lovely day , " implored Cecily .

" nobody 's quarrelling , Sis .

I ain't a bit mad .

it 's Felicity .

what on earth is that at the bottom of your basket , Cecily ? "

" it 's a History of the Reformation in France , " confessed poor Cecily , " by a man named D-a-u-b-i-g-n-y .

I can't pronounce it .

I heard Mr Marwood saying it was a book everyone ought to read , so I began it last Sunday .

I brought it along today to read when I got tired picking flowers .

I 'd ever so much rather have brought Ester Reid .

there 's so much in the history I can't understand , and it is so dreadful to read of people being burned to death .

but I felt I OUGHT to read it . "

" no , I 'm afraid it hasn't one bit , " answered Cecily sadly .

" I feel that I haven't succeeded very well in keeping my resolutions . "

" I 've kept mine , " said Felicity complacently .

" it 's easy to keep just one , " retorted Cecily , rather resentfully .

" it 's not so easy to think beautiful thoughts , " answered Felicity .

" beautiful thoughts just crowd into your mind at times . "

" oh , yes , AT TIMES .

but that 's different from thinking one REGULARLY at a given hour .

and mother is always calling up the stairs for me to hurry up and get dressed , and it 's VERY hard sometimes . "

" that 's so , " conceded the Story Girl .

" there ARE times when I can't think anything but gray thoughts .

then , other days , I think pink and blue and gold and purple and rainbow thoughts all the time . "

" the idea !

as if thoughts were coloured , " giggled Felicity .

" oh , they are ! " cried the Story Girl .

" why , I can always SEE the colour of any thought I think .

can't you ? "

" I never heard of such a thing , " declared Felicity , " and I don't believe it .

I believe you are just making that up . "

" indeed I'm not .

why , I always supposed everyone thought in colours .

it must be very tiresome if you don't . "

" when you think of me what colour is it ? " asked Peter curiously .

" yellow , " answered the Story Girl promptly .

" what colour am I ? " asked Felicity , amid the laughter at my expense .

" you 're you 're like a rainbow , " answered the Story Girl rather reluctantly .

she had to be honest , but she would rather not have complimented Felicity .

" and you needn't laugh at Bev .

his stripes are beautiful .

it isn't HE that is striped .

it 's just the THOUGHT of him .

Peg Bowen is a queer sort of yellowish green and the Awkward Man is lilac .

aunt Olivia is pansy-purple mixed with gold , and Uncle Roger is navy blue . "

" I never heard such nonsense , " declared Felicity .

the rest of us were rather inclined to agree with her for once .

we thought the Story Girl was making fun of us .

but I believe she really had a strange gift of thinking in colours .

in later years , when we were grown up , she told me of it again .

every idea came to her mind robed in its own especial hue .

" well , let's go and have something to eat , " suggested Dan .

" what colour is eating , Sara ? "

" golden brown , just the colour of a molasses cooky , " laughed the Story Girl .

" I told ma to put this in for me .

there 's some CHEW to it , " he said .

" you are not a bit refined , " commented Felicity .

" not a morsel , my love , " grinned Dan .

" you make me think of a story I heard Uncle Roger telling about Cousin Annetta King , " said the Story Girl .

" Great-uncle Jeremiah King used to live where Uncle Roger lives now , when Grandfather King was alive and Uncle Roger was a boy .

Cousin Annetta set out to be very refined indeed .

she pretended to have no appetite at all .

one afternoon she was invited to tea at Grandfather King 's when they had some special company people from Charlottetown .

Cousin Annetta said she could hardly eat anything .

mother says she wonders how I continue to exist . '

and she picked and pecked until Grandfather King declared he would like to throw something at her .

after tea Cousin Annetta went home , and just about dark Grandfather King went over to Uncle Jeremiah 's on an errand .

as he passed the open , lighted pantry window he happened to glance in , and what do you think he saw ?

grandfather King couldn't resist the temptation .

he stepped up to the window and said , ' I 'm glad your appetite has come back to you , Annetta .

your mother needn't worry about your continuing to exist as long as you can tuck away fat , salt pork in that fashion . '

" Cousin Annetta never forgave him , but she never pretended to be delicate again . "

" the Jews don't believe in eating pork , " said Peter .

" I 'm glad I 'm not a Jew and I guess Cousin Annetta was too , " said Dan .

when we finished our lunch the barrens were already wrapping themselves in a dim , blue dusk and falling upon rest in dell and dingle .

but out in the open there was still much light of a fine emerald-golden sort and the robins whistled us home in it .

when we reached home we found that Miss Reade had been up to the hill farm on an errand and was just leaving .

the Story Girl went for a walk with her and came back with an important expression on her face .

" you look as if you had a story to tell , " said Felix .

" one is growing .

it isn't a whole story yet , " answered the Story Girl mysteriously .

" what is it ? " asked Cecily .

" I can't tell you till it 's fully grown , " said the Story Girl .

" but I 'll tell you a pretty little story the Awkward Man told us told me tonight .

he was walking in his garden as we went by , looking at his tulip beds .

his tulips are up ever so much higher than ours , and I asked him how he managed to coax them along so early .

and he said HE didn't do it it was all the work of the pixies who lived in the woods across the brook .

there were more pixy babies than usual this spring , and the mothers were in a hurry for the cradles .

the tulips are the pixy babies ' cradles , it seems .

the mother pixies come out of the woods at twilight and rock their tiny little brown babies to sleep in the tulip cups .

that is the reason why tulip blooms last so much longer than other blossoms .

the pixy babies must have a cradle until they are grown up .

" then the Awkward Man says what isn't true , " said Felicity severely .

CHAPTER XIII .

a SURPRISING ANNOUNCEMENT

there was a long row of them in the orchard , with a Lombardy poplar at either end , and a hedge of lilacs behind .

when the wind blew over them all the spicy breezes of Ceylon 's isle were never sweeter .

we felt and enjoyed it all without understanding or analyzing it .

it was enough to be glad and young with spring on the golden road .

" I don't like excitement very much , " said Cecily .

" it makes one so tired .

I 'm sure it was exciting enough when Paddy was missing , but we didn't find that very pleasant . "

" no , but it was interesting , " returned the Story Girl thoughtfully .

" after all , I believe I 'd rather be miserable than dull . "

" I wouldn't then , " said Felicity decidedly .

" and you need never be dull when you have work to do .

' Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do ! ' "

" well , mischief is interesting , " laughed the Story Girl .

" and I thought you didn't think it lady-like to speak of that person , Felicity ? "

" it 's all right if you call him by his polite name , " said Felicity stiffly .

" because it grows that way , " said Felicity .

" oh I know a story about that , " cried the Story Girl .

" once upon a time an old man found the pot of gold at the rainbow 's end .

but this old man found it , just at sunset , when Iris , the guardian of the rainbow gold , happened to be absent .

so he hid it under the boughs of the sleeping poplar tree .

" when Iris came back she missed the pot of gold and of course she was in a sad way about it .

" ' The poplar can tell you where it is . '

the poplar was amazed and indignant , for she was a very honest tree .

and she taught all the little poplars she knew to stand the same way , and that is why Lombardy poplars always do .

but the aspen poplar leaves are always shaking , even on the very calmest day .

and do you know why ? "

there was an aspen in the orchard , the very embodiment of youth and spring in its litheness and symmetry .

" it does look sad , " said Peter , " but it is a pretty tree , and it wasn't its fault . "

" there 's a heavy dew and it 's time we stopped talking nonsense and went in , " decreed Felicity .

" if we don't we 'll all have a cold , and then we 'll be miserable enough , but it won't be very exciting . "

" there 's a new moon tonight , so may be you 'll get your wish , " said Peter .

" my Aunt Jane didn't believe there was anything in the moon business , but you never can tell . "

the Story Girl did get her wish .

something happened the very next day .

she joined us in the afternoon with a quite indescribable expression on her face , compounded of triumph , anticipation , and regret .

her eyes betrayed that she had been crying , but in them shone a chastened exultation .

whatever the Story Girl mourned over it was evident she was not without hope .

" I have some news to tell you , " she said importantly .

" can you guess what it is ? "

we couldn't and wouldn't try .

" tell us right off , " implored Felix .

" you look as if it was something tremendous . "

" so it is .

listen Aunt Olivia is going to be married . "

we stared in blank amazement .

Peg Bowen 's hint had faded from our minds and we had never put much faith in it .

" aunt Olivia !

I don't believe it , " cried Felicity flatly .

" who told you ? "

" aunt Olivia herself .

so it is perfectly true .

I 'm awfully sorry in one way but oh , won't it be splendid to have a real wedding in the family ?

she 's going to have a big wedding and I am to be bridesmaid . "

" I shouldn't think you were old enough to be a bridesmaid , " said Felicity sharply .

" I 'm nearly fifteen .

anyway , Aunt Olivia says I have to be . "

" his name is Dr Seton and he is a Halifax man .

she met him when she was at Uncle Edward 's last summer .

they 've been engaged ever since .

the wedding is to be the third week in June . "

" and our school concert comes off the next week , " complained Felicity .

" why do things always come together like that ?

and what are you going to do if Aunt Olivia is going away ? "

" I 'm coming to live at your house , " answered the Story Girl rather timidly .

she did not know how Felicity might like that .

but Felicity took it rather well .

" you 've been here most of the time anyhow , so it 'll just be that you'll sleep and eat here , too .

but what 's to become of Uncle Roger ? "

" aunt Olivia says he 'll have to get married , too .

" there 'll be a lot of cooking to do for the wedding , " reflected Felicity in a tone of satisfaction .

" I s'pose Aunt Olivia will want some rusks made .

I hope she has plenty of tooth-powder laid in , " said Dan .

" it 's a pity you don't use some of that tooth-powder you 're so fond of talking about yourself , " retorted Felicity .

" when anyone has a mouth the size of yours the teeth show so plain . "

" I brush my teeth every Sunday , " asseverated Dan .

" every Sunday !

you ought to brush them every DAY . "

" did anyone ever hear such nonsense ? " demanded Dan sincerely .

" well , you know , it really does say so in the Family Guide , " said Cecily quietly .

" then the Family Guide people must have lots more spare time than I have , " retorted Dan contemptuously .

" just think , the Story Girl will have her name in the papers if she 's bridesmaid , " marvelled Sara Ray .

" in the Halifax papers , too , " added Felix , " since Dr Seton is a Halifax man .

what is his first name ? "

" Robert . "

" and will we have to call him Uncle Robert ? "

" not until he 's married to her .

then we will , of course . "

" I hope Dr Seton won't fail to show up , like your cousin Rachel Ward 's beau , " said Peter .

" it happened eighty years ago .

it was a very stormy winter and the roads were bad .

so it was arranged that she was to write Uncle Andrew and tell him what day to come .

she did , and she told him to come on a Tuesday .

but her writing wasn't very good and poor Uncle Andrew thought she wrote Thursday .

so on Thursday he drove all the way to Georgina 's home to be married .

it was forty miles and a bitter cold day .

but it wasn't any colder than the reception he got from Georgina .

she was out in the porch , with her head tied up in a towel , picking geese .

she had been all ready Tuesday , and her friends and the minister were there , and the wedding supper prepared .

but there was no bridegroom and Georgina was furious .

nothing Uncle Andrew could say would appease her .

she wouldn't listen to a word of explanation , but told him to go , and never show his nose there again .

" and did she ? " queried Felicity .

" she did .

thirteen years exactly from that day they were married .

it took her just that long to forgive him . "

" it took her just that long to find out she couldn't get anybody else , " said Dan , cynically .

CHAPTER XIV .

a PRODIGAL RETURNS

aunt Olivia and the Story Girl lived in a whirlwind of dressmaking after that , and enjoyed it hugely .

Cecily and Felicity also had to have new dresses for the great event , and they talked of little else for a fortnight .

it 's too short , but ma says it 's plenty good for this summer .

I 'll be so mortified if I have to wear it . "

" I 'd rather not go at all than wear a dress that wasn't nice , " said Felicity pleasantly .

" I 'd go to the wedding if I had to go in my school dress , " cried Sara Ray .

" I 've never been to anything .

I wouldn't miss it for the world . "

" I 'm sick and tired of hearing about your Aunt Jane , " said Felicity crossly .

Peter looked grieved but held his peace .

felicity was very hard on him that spring , but his loyalty never wavered .

everything she said or did was right in Peter 's eyes .

" it 's all very well to be neat and tidy , " said Sara Ray , " but I like a little style too . "

" I think you 'll find your mother will get you a new dress after all , " comforted Cecily .

" anyway , nobody will notice you because everyone will be looking at the bride .

aunt Olivia will make a lovely bride .

just think how sweet she 'll look in a white silk dress and a floating veil . "

" won't that be romantic ?

it almost makes me feel like getting married myself . "

" what a way to talk , " rebuked Felicity , " and you only fifteen . "

" lots of people have been married at fifteen , " laughed the Story Girl .

" Lady Jane Gray was . "

one Saturday night Peter 's mother called to take him home with her for Sunday .

she had been working at Mr James Frewen 's , and Mr Frewen was driving her home .

we had never seen Peter 's mother before , and we looked at her with discreet curiosity .

Peter went home with her and returned Sunday evening .

Paddy , grown sleek and handsome again , was sitting on the stone itself , washing his jowls .

Peter joined us with a very queer expression on his face .

he seemed bursting with some news which he wanted to tell and yet hardly liked to .

" why are you looking so mysterious , Peter ? " demanded the Story Girl .

" what do you think has happened ? " asked Peter solemnly .

" what has ? "

" my father has come home , " answered Peter .

the announcement produced all the sensation he could have wished .

we crowded around him in excitement .

" Peter !

when did he come back ? "

" Saturday night .

he was there when ma and I got home .

it give her an awful turn .

I didn't know him at first , of course . "

" Peter Craig , I believe you are glad your father has come back , " cried the Story Girl .

" ' Course I 'm glad , " retorted Peter .

" and after you saying you didn't want ever to see him again , " said Felicity .

" you just wait .

you haven't heard my story yet .

I wouldn't have been glad to see father if he 'd come back the same as he went away .

but he is a changed man .

he happened to go into a revival meeting one night this spring and he got converted .

Ma isn't to do any more washing for nobody but him and me , and I 'm not to be a hired boy any longer .

I tell you it made me feel queer .

everything seemed to be upset .

but he gave ma forty dollars every cent he had so I guess he really is converted . "

" I hope it will last , I 'm sure , " said Felicity .

she did not say it nastily , however .

we were all glad for Peter 's sake , though a little dizzy over the unexpectedness of it all .

" this is what I'D like to know , " said Peter .

" how did Peg Bowen know my father was coming home ?

don't you tell me she isn't a witch after that . "

" and she knew about your Aunt Olivia 's wedding , too , " added Sara Ray .

" oh , well , she likely heard that from some one .

grown up folks talk things over long before they tell them to children , " said Cecily .

" well , she couldn't have heard father was coming home from any one , " answered Peter .

she told me father was coming home and he come ! "

" how happy you must be , " sighed Sara Ray romantically .

felicity sniffed .

" there 's some difference , I guess .

the earl had been imprisoned for years in a loathsome dungeon . "

but in Peter 's ointment of joy there was a fly or two .

so very , very few things are flawless in this world , even on the golden road .

" what 's worrying you ? " asked Felix .

" well , for one thing I 'll feel awful bad to go away from you all .

I 'll miss you just dreadful , and I won't even be able to go to the same school .

I 'll have to go to Markdale school . "

" but you must come and see us often , " said Felicity graciously .

" Markdale isn't so far away , and you could spend every other Saturday afternoon with us anyway . "

Peter 's black eyes filled with adoring gratitude .

" that 's so kind of you , Felicity .

I 'll come as often as I can , of course ; but it won't be the same as being around with you all the time .

the other thing is even worse .

you see , it was a Methodist revival father got converted in , and so of course he joined the Methodist church .

he wasn't anything before .

he used to say he was a Nothingarian and lived up to it kind of bragging like .

but he 's a strong Methodist now , and is going to go to Markdale Methodist church and pay to the salary .

now what 'll he say when I tell him I 'm a Presbyterian ? "

" you haven't told him , yet ? " asked the Story Girl .

" no , I didn't dare .

I was scared he 'd say I 'd have to be a Methodist . "

" well , Methodists are pretty near as good as Presbyterians , " said Felicity , with the air of one making a great concession .

" I guess they 're every bit as good , " retorted Peter .

" but that ain't the point .

I 've got to be a Presbyterian , ' cause I stick to a thing when I once decide it .

but I expect father will be mad when he finds out . "

" if he 's converted he oughtn't to get mad , " said Dan .

" well , lots o ' people do .

but if he isn't mad he 'll be sorry , and that 'll be even worse , for a Presbyterian I 'm bound to be .

but I expect it will make things unpleasant . "

" you needn't tell him anything about it , " advised Felicity .

" just keep quiet and go to the Methodist church until you get big , and then you can go where you please . "

" no , that wouldn't be honest , " said Peter sturdily .

" my Aunt Jane always said it was best to be open and above board in everything , and especially in religion .

Peter was not the only one who had secret cares .

Sara Ray was beginning to feel worried over her looks .

I did not mean to eavesdrop .

I supposed they knew I was there until Cecily overwhelmed me with indignation later on .

" you can stand being ugly when you are young if you have any hope of being better looking when you grow up .

but I 'm getting worse .

aunt Mary says I 'm going to be the very image of Aunt Matilda .

and Aunt Matilda is as homely as she can be .

it isn't " and poor Sara sighed " a very cheerful prospect .

" but plenty of girls get married who aren't a bit pretty , " comforted Cecily .

" besides , you are real nice looking at times , Sara .

I think you are going to have a nice figure . "

" but just look at my hands , " moaned Sara .

" they 're simply covered with warts . "

" oh , the warts will all disappear before you grow up , " said Cecily .

" but they won't disappear before the school concert .

how am I to get up there and recite ?

fancy waving a lily-white hand all covered with warts .

I 've tried every remedy I ever heard of , but nothing does any good .

Judy Pineau said if I rubbed them with toad-spit it would take them away for sure .

but how am I to get any toad-spit ? "

" it doesn't sound like a very nice remedy , anyhow , " shuddered Cecily .

" I 'd rather have the warts .

but do you know , I believe if you didn't cry so much over every little thing , you 'd be ever so much better looking .

crying spoils your eyes and makes the end of your nose red . "

" I can't help crying , " protested Sara .

" my feelings are so very sensitive .

I 've given up trying to keep THAT resolution . "

" well , men don't like cry-babies , " said Cecily sagely .

Cecily had a good deal of Mother Eve 's wisdom tucked away in that smooth , brown head of hers .

" Cecily , do you ever intend to be married ? " asked Sara in a confidential tone .

" goodness ! " cried Cecily , quite shocked .

" it will be time enough when I grow up to think of that , Sara . "

" I should think you 'd have to think of it now , with Cyrus Brisk as crazy after you as he is . "

" what has Cyrus been doing now ? " asked Felicity , coming around the corner of the hedge .

" doing NOW !

it 's ALL the time .

he just worries me to death , " returned Cecily angrily .

" he keeps writing me letters and putting them in my desk or in my reader .

I never answer one of them , but he keeps on .

" just think , Cecily , you 've had a proposal already , " said Sara Ray in an awe-struck tone .

" but he hasn't done anything desperate yet , and that was last week , " commented Felicity , with a toss of her head .

" he sent me a lock of his hair and wanted one of mine in exchange , " continued Cecily indignantly .

" I tell you I sent his back to him pretty quick . "

" did you never answer any of his letters ? " asked Sara Ray .

" no , indeed !

I guess not ! "

" I couldn't do that .

I haven't enough spunk , " confessed Cecily with a blush .

" but I 'll tell you what I did do once .

he wrote me a long letter last week .

it was just awfully SOFT , and every other word was spelled wrong .

he even spelled baking soda , ' bacon soda ! ' "

" what on earth had he to say about baking soda in a love-letter ? " asked Felicity .

" oh , he said his mother sent him to the store for some and he forgot it because he was thinking about me .

I thought maybe he 'd feel insulted and stop writing to me . "

" and did he ? "

" no , he didn't .

it is my opinion you can't insult Cyrus Brisk .

he is too thick-skinned .

did you ever ?

Miss Marwood says it is wrong to hate anyone , but I don't care , I hate Cyrus Brisk . "

" Mrs Cyrus Brisk WOULD be an awful name , " giggled Felicity .

" Flossie Brisk says Cyrus is ruining all the trees on his father 's place cutting your name on them , " said Sara Ray .

" his father told him he would whip him if he didn't stop , but Cyrus keeps right on .

he told Flossie it relieved his feelings .

" just where every visitor can see them , I suppose , " lamented Cecily .

" he just worries my life out .

I won't look at him , but I FEEL him staring at me , and it makes me so nervous . "

" they say his mother was out of her mind at one time , " said Felicity .

yesterday he put one in his letter , and this is what he marked :

" ' If you will not relent to me Then must I learn to know Darkness alone till life be flown .

here I have the piece in my sewing-bag I 'll read it all to you . "

those three graceless girls read the sentimental rhyme and giggled over it .

Poor Cyrus !

his young affections were sadly misplaced .

but after all , though Cecily never relented towards him , he did not condemn himself to darkness alone till life was flown .

which was all very sensible of Cyrus .

CHAPTER XV .

THE RAPE OF THE LOCK

June was crowded full of interest that year .

we gathered in with its sheaf of fragrant days the choicest harvest of childhood .

things happened right along .

Cecily declared she hated to go to sleep for fear she might miss something .

we enjoyed all these boons , unthinkingly and light-heartedly , as children do .

matters went from bad to worse in the case of the irrepressible Cyrus .

" you must have encouraged Cyrus a little in the beginning or he 'd never have been so persevering , " said Felicity unjustly .

" I never did ! " cried outraged Cecily .

so there ! "

" felicity is just jealous because Cyrus didn't take a notion to her instead of you , Sis , " said Dan .

" talk sense ! " snapped Felicity .

" if I did you wouldn't understand me , sweet little sister , " rejoined aggravating Dan .

finally Cyrus crowned his iniquities by stealing the denied lock of Cecily 's hair .

outside , Cyrus sneaked up close to the window and cut off a piece of Cecily 's hair .

" oh , no , You mustn't . " said Cecily , struggling with her sobs .

" I won't have you fighting on my account for anything .

and besides , he 'd likely lick you he 's so big and rough .

just look at it .

I 'll have to cut the other to make them fair and they 'll look so awful stubby . "

but Cyrus ' acquirement of the chunk of hair was his last triumph .

Mr Perkins was an exceedingly strict disciplinarian .

no communication of any sort was permitted between his pupils during school hours .

one day in school Cyrus sent a letter across to Cecily .

just as Em Frewen held it over the aisle Mr Perkins wheeled around from his station before the blackboard and caught her in the act .

" bring that here , Emmeline , " he commanded .

Cyrus turned quite pale .

Em carried the note to Mr Perkins .

he took it , held it up , and scrutinized the address .

" did you write this to Cecily , Emmeline ? " he asked .

" no , sir . "

" who wrote it then ? "

Em said quite shamelessly that she didn't know it had just been passed over from the next row .

" and I suppose you have no idea where it came from ? " said Mr Perkins , with his frightful , sardonic grin .

" well , perhaps Cecily can tell us .

Cecily , come here . "

Indignant Em sat down and poor , innocent Cecily was haled forth to public ignominy .

she went with a crimson face .

" Cecily , " said her tormentor , " do you know who wrote this letter to you ? "

Cecily , like a certain renowned personage , could not tell a lie .

" I I think so , sir , " she murmured faintly .

" who was it ? "

" I can't tell you that , " stammered Cecily , on the verge of tears .

" ah ! " said Mr Perkins politely .

" well , I suppose I could easily find out by opening it .

but it is very impolite to open other people 's letters .

I think I have a better plan .

and sign the writer 's name at the bottom . "

" oh , " gasped Cecily , choosing the lesser of two evils , " I 'll tell you who wrote it it was

" hush ! "

Mr Perkins checked her with a gentle motion of his hand .

he was always most gentle when most inexorable .

" you did not obey me when I first ordered you to tell me the writer .

you cannot have the privilege of doing so now .

open the note , take the chalk , and do as I command you . "

" I I won't ! " she cried passionately .

to let Cecily off , after her mad defiance , would be to establish a revolutionary precedent .

" so you really think you won't ? " he queried smilingly .

" well , on second thoughts , you may take your choice .

it left Cecily no choice .

she would have done almost anything before she would have sat with Cyrus Brisk .

with flashing eyes she tore open the letter , snatched up the chalk , and dashed at the blackboard .

in a few minutes the contents of that letter graced the expanse usually sacred to more prosaic compositions .

I cannot reproduce it verbatim , for I had no after opportunity of refreshing my memory .

but I remember that it was exceedingly sentimental and exceedingly ill-spelled for Cecily mercilessly copied down poor Cyrus ' mistakes .

as the writing proceeded we scholars exploded into smothered laughter , despite our awe of Mr Perkins .

Mr Perkins himself could not keep a straight face .

he turned abruptly away and looked out of the window , but we could see his shoulders shaking .

when Cecily had finished and had thrown down the chalk with bitter vehemence , he turned around with a very red face .

" that will do .

you may sit down .

Cyrus , since it seems you are the guilty person , take the eraser and wipe that off the board .

Cyrus obeyed and Cecily fled to her seat and wept , nor did Mr Perkins meddle with her more that day .

Cyrus had at last been driven to believe that Cecily 's aversion to him was real , and not merely the defence of maiden coyness .

Mr Perkins had blighted love 's young dream for Cyrus with a killing frost .

Thenceforth sweet Cecily kept the noiseless tenor of her way unvexed by the attentions of enamoured swains .

CHAPTER XVI .

AUNT UNA'S STORY

but it was evening now and the valley beneath us was brimmed up with the glow of the afterlight .

we sat on a little strip of emerald grassland and before us was a sloping meadow all white with daisies .

we were waiting for Peter and the Story Girl .

Peter had gone to Markdale after dinner to spend the afternoon with his reunited parents because it was his birthday .

presently Peter came jauntily stepping along the field path up the hill .

" hasn't Peter got tall ? " said Cecily .

" Peter is growing to be a very fine looking boy , " decreed Felicity .

" what luck , Peter ? " yelled Dan , as soon as Peter was within earshot .

" everything 's all right , " he shouted jubilantly .

" I told father right off , licketty-split , as soon as I got home , " he added when he reached us .

" I was anxious to have it over with .

Dad looked pretty sober , and he says , says he , ' What have you been up to , Peter ?

don't be afraid to tell me .

I 've been forgiven to seventy times seven , so surely I can forgive a little , too ? '

' Well , ' I says , desperate-like , ' the truth is , father , I 'm a Presbyterian .

then I waited , scared-like .

I 'm not caring , ' he says .

' The main thing is that you must be good and do what 's right . '

I tell you , " concluded Peter emphatically , " father is a Christian all right . "

" well , I suppose your mind will be at rest now , " said Felicity .

" what 's that you have in your buttonhole ? "

" that 's a four-leaved clover , " answered Peter exultantly .

" that means good luck for the summer .

I found it in Markdale .

there ain't much clover in Carlisle this year of any kind of leaf .

the crop is going to be a failure .

your Uncle Roger says it 's because there ain't enough old maids in Carlisle .

there 's lots of them in Markdale , and that 's the reason , he says , why they always have such good clover crops there . "

" what on earth have old maids to do with it ? " cried Cecily .

this is the rigmarole he got off to me the other day .

but mice eat bumble-bees and cats eat mice and old maids keep cats .

" so don't worry if you do get to be old maids , girls , " said Dan .

" remember , you 'll be helping the clover crops . "

" I never heard such stuff as you boys talk , " said Felicity , " and Uncle Roger is no better . "

" there comes the Story Girl , " cried Cecily eagerly .

" now we 'll hear all about Beautiful Alice 's home . "

the Story Girl was bombarded with eager questions as soon as she arrived .

Miss Reade 's home was a dream of a place , it appeared .

and I saw the hero of the story too . "

" where was the heroine ? " queried Cecily .

" she is dead . "

" oh , of course she 'd have to die , " exclaimed Dan in disgust .

" I 'd like a story where somebody lived once in awhile . "

" I 've told you heaps of stories where people lived , " retorted the Story Girl .

" if this heroine hadn't died there wouldn't have been any story .

she was Miss Reade 's aunt and her name was Una , and I believe she must have been just like Miss Reade herself .

Miss Reade told me all about her .

and an old man was sitting on it a bent old man with long , snow-white hair and beautiful sad blue eyes .

he seemed very lonely and sorrowful and I wondered that Miss Reade didn't speak to him .

but she never let on she saw him and took me away to another part of the garden .

" ' Oh , isn't he too old for a lover ? '

I said .

" Beautiful Alice laughed and said it was forty years since he had been her Aunt Una 's lover .

he had been a tall , handsome young man then , and her Aunt Una was a beautiful girl of nineteen .

" we went over and sat down and Miss Reade told me all about her .

" what is a personality ?

is it another word for ghost ? " asked Peter .

" no , " said the Story Girl shortly .

" I can't stop in a story to explain words . "

" I don't believe you know what it is yourself , " said Felicity .

the Story Girl picked up her hat , which she had thrown down on the grass , and placed it defiantly on her brown curls .

" I 'm going in , " she announced .

" I have to help Aunt Olivia ice a cake tonight , and you all seem more interested in dictionaries than stories . "

" that 's not fair , " I exclaimed .

" Dan and Felix and Sara Ray and Cecily and I have never said a word .

it 's mean to punish us for what Peter and Felicity did .

we want to hear the rest of the story .

never mind what a personality is but go on and , Peter , you young ass , keep still . "

" I only wanted to know , " muttered Peter sulkily .

" I DO know what personality is , but it 's hard to explain , " said the Story Girl , relenting .

" it 's what makes you different from Dan , Peter , and me different from Felicity or Cecily .

Miss Reade 's Aunt Una had a personality that was very uncommon .

and she was beautiful , too , with white skin and night-black eyes and hair a ' moonlight beauty , ' Miss Reade called it .

she used to keep a kind of a diary , and Miss Reade 's mother used to read parts of it to her .

she wrote verses in it and they were lovely ; and she wrote descriptions of the old garden which she loved very much .

" Una had , as I 've told you , a lover ; and they were to have been married on her twentieth birthday .

her wedding dress was to have been a gown of white brocade with purple violets in it .

but a little while before it she took ill with fever and died ; and she was buried on her birthday instead of being married .

it was just in the time of opening roses .

" it would be more comfortable to go on living and get married to him , " said Felicity .

" mother says all those sentimental ideas are bosh and I expect they are .

it 's a wonder Beautiful Alice hasn't a beau herself .

she is so pretty and lady-like . "

" the Carlisle fellows all say she is too stuck up , " said Dan .

" there 's nobody in Carlisle half good enough for her , " cried the Story Girl , " except ex-cept "

" except who ? " asked Felix .

" never mind , " said the Story Girl mysteriously .

CHAPTER XVII .

AUNT OLIVIA'S WEDDING

what a delightful , old-fashioned , wholesome excitement there was about Aunt Olivia 's wedding !

" Mind you have some of her favourite rusks for her , " he said .

" I s'pose none of us except the Story Girl will get to the first table , " said Felix , rather gloomily .

" never mind , " comforted Felicity .

" there 's a whole turkey to be kept for us , and a freezerful of ice cream .

she won't trust me out of her sight a minute the whole evening I know she won't . "

" I 'll get Aunt Olivia to ask her to let you have your supper with us , " said Cecily .

" she can't refuse the bride 's request . "

" you don't know all ma can do , " returned Sara darkly .

" no , I feel that I 'll have to eat my supper with her .

even yet I 'm so scared something will happen to prevent me from getting to it . "

Monday evening shrouded itself in clouds , and all night long the voice of the wind answered to the voice of the rain .

Tuesday the downpour continued .

we were quite frantic about it .

suppose it kept on raining over Wednesday !

aunt Olivia couldn't be married in the orchard then .

that apple tree was always very late in blooming , and this year it was a week later than usual .

never had bride a more magnificent canopy .

uncle Alec drove off to the station through it to bring home the bridegroom and his best man .

Peter sided with him , but the rest of us voted down the suggestion .

" do you want Dr Seton to think we are a pack of wild Indians ? " asked Felicity severely .

" a nice opinion he 'd have of our manners ! "

" well , it 's the only chance we 'll have to chivaree them , " grumbled Dan .

" aunt Olivia wouldn't mind .

SHE can take a joke . "

" Ma would kill you if you did such a thing , " warned Felicity .

" Dr Seton lives in Halifax and they NEVER chivaree people there .

he would think it very vulgar . "

" then he should have stayed in Halifax and got married there , " retorted Dan , sulkily .

we were very curious to see our uncle-elect .

then we fled to the moonlight world outside and discussed him at the dairy .

" he 's bald , " said Cecily disappointedly .

" and RATHER short and stout , " said Felicity .

" he 's forty , if he 's a day , " said Dan .

" never you mind , " cried the Story Girl loyally , " aunt Olivia loves him with all her heart . "

" and more than that , he 's got lots of money , " added Felicity .

" YOUR opinion doesn't matter very much to our family , " said Felicity crushingly .

but when we made the acquaintance of Dr Seton next morning we liked him enormously , and voted him a jolly good fellow .

the girls had not much time to discuss him with us .

the importance of Felicity was quite terrible .

but after dinner came a lull .

" we 've nothing more to do now but get dressed .

it 's really a serious thing to have a wedding in the family . "

" I have a note from Sara Ray , " said Cecily .

" Judy Pineau brought it up when she brought Mrs Ray 's spoons .

just let me read it to you :

DEAREST CECILY : a DREADFUL MISFORTUNE has happened to me .

my face is all swelled up and I can HARDLY SEE out of one eye .

the SUFFERING was awful but I didn't mind that as much as being scared ma wouldn't take me to the wedding .

but she says I can go and I 'm going .

I know that I am a HARD-LOOKING SIGHT , but it isn't anything catching .

I am writing this so that you won't get a shock when you see me .

isn't it SO STRANGE to think your dear Aunt Olivia is going away ?

how you will miss her !

but your loss will be her gain .

" ' Au revoir , " ' Your loving chum , SARA RAY . ' "

" that poor child , " said the Story Girl .

" Well , all I hope is that strangers won't take her for one of the family , " remarked Felicity in a disgusted tone .

aunt Olivia was married at five o'clock in the orchard under the late apple tree .

it was a pretty scene .

the old orchard was full of smiling guests in wedding garments .

" I 'm glad I was stung by the wasps after all , " she said delightedly .

" if I hadn't been ma would never have let me eat with you .

she just got tired explaining to people what was the matter with my face , and so she was glad to get rid of me .

I know I look awful , but , oh , wasn't the bride a dream ? "

by the time the last table was cleared away Aunt Olivia and our new uncle were ready to go .

there was an orgy of tears and leavetakings , and then they drove away into the odorous moonlight night .

Dan and Peter pursued them down the lane with a fiendish din of bells and pans , much to Felicity 's wrath .

but Aunt Olivia and Uncle Robert took it in good part and waved their hands back to us with peals of laughter .

" they 're just that pleased with themselves that they wouldn't mind if there was an earthquake , " said Felix , grinning .

I just believe I 'll cry all night . "

" you 're tired to death , that 's what 's the matter with you , " said Dan , returning .

" you girls have worked like slaves today . "

" tomorrow will be even harder , " said Felicity comfortingly .

" everything will have to be cleaned up and put away . "

Peg Bowen paid us a call the next day and was regaled with a feast of fat things left over from the supper .

" well , I 've had all I can eat , " she said , when she had finished and brought out her pipe .

" and that doesn't happen to me every day .

that ain't the King way , though .

and so Olivia 's gone off at last .

she weren't in any hurry but they tell me she 's done well .

time 'll show . "

" why don't you get married yourself , Peg ? " queried Uncle Roger teasingly .

we held our breath over his temerity .

" because I 'm not so easy to please as your wife will be , " retorted Peg .

she departed in high good humour over her repartee .

Meeting Sara Ray on the doorstep she stopped and asked her what was the matter with her face .

" wasps , " stammered Sara Ray , laconic from terror .

" Humph !

and your hands ? "

" warts . "

" I 'll tell you what 'll take them away .

then bury the pertater and never tell a living soul where you buried it .

you won't have no more warts .

Mind you bury the pertater , though .

if you don't , and anyone picks it up , she 'll get your warts . "

CHAPTER XVIII .

SARA RAY HELPS OUT

we all missed Aunt Olivia greatly ; she had been so merry and companionable , and had possessed such a knack of understanding small fry .

we incorporated the letters in Our Magazine under the heading " from Our Special Correspondent " and were very proud of them .

at the end of June our school concert came off and was a great event in our young lives .

it was the first appearance of most of us on any platform , and some of us were very nervous .

we all had recitations , except Dan , who had refused flatly to take any part and was consequently care-free .

" I 'm afraid I 'll faint , " was Cecily 's more moderate foreboding .

" I 'm not one single bit nervous , " said Felicity complacently .

" I 'm not nervous this time , " said the Story Girl , " but the first time I recited I was . "

" I want to recite to PEOPLE , and see them looking interested and thrilled . "

" I 'm afraid I 'll forget mine and get stuck , " foreboded Felix .

" some of you fellows be sure and prompt me if I do and do it quick , so 's I won't get worse rattled . "

" I know one thing , " said Cecily resolutely , " and that is , I 'm going to curl my hair for to-morrow night .

" the dew and heat will take all the curl out of yours and then you 'll look like a scarecrow , " warned Felicity .

" no , I won't .

I 'm going to put my hair up in paper tonight and wet it with a curling-fluid that Judy Pineau uses .

Sara brought me up a bottle of it .

Judy says it is great stuff your hair will keep in curl for days , no matter how damp the weather is .

I 'll leave my hair in the papers till tomorrow evening , and then I 'll have beautiful curls . "

" you 'd better leave your hair alone , " said Dan gruffly .

" smooth hair is better than a lot of fly-away curls . "

but Cecily was not to be persuaded .

Curls she craved and curls she meant to have .

" I'm thankful my warts have all gone , any-way , " said Sara Ray .

" so they have , " exclaimed Felicity .

" did you try Peg 's recipe ? "

" yes .

I didn't believe in it but I tried it .

but one day last week I just happened to look at my hands and there wasn't a wart to be seen .

it was the most amazing thing . "

" and yet you 'll say Peg Bowen isn't a witch , " said Peter .

" Pshaw , it was just the potato juice , " scoffed Dan .

" it was a dry old potato I had , and there wasn't much juice in it , " said Sara Ray .

" one hardly knows what to believe .

but one thing is certain my warts are gone . "

Cecily put her hair up in curl-papers that night , thoroughly soaked in Judy Pineau 's curling-fluid .

it was a nasty job , for the fluid was very sticky , but Cecily persevered and got it done .

then she went to bed with a towel tied over her head to protect the pillow .

she did not sleep well and had uncanny dreams , but she came down to breakfast with an expression of triumph .

the Story Girl examined her head critically and said ,

" Cecily , if I were you I 'd take those papers out this morning . "

" oh , no ; if I do my hair will be straight again by night .

I mean to leave them in till the last minute . "

" I wouldn't do that I really wouldn't , " persisted the Story Girl .

" if you do your hair will be too curly and all bushy and fuzzy . "

Cecily finally yielded and went upstairs with the Story Girl .

presently we heard a little shriek then two little shrieks then three .

then Felicity came flying down and called her mother .

aunt Janet went up and presently came down again with a grim mouth .

she filled a large pan with warm water and carried it upstairs .

we dared ask her no questions , but when Felicity came down to wash the dishes we bombarded her .

" what on earth is the matter with Cecily ? " demanded Dan .

" is she sick ? "

" no , she isn't .

I warned her not to put her hair in curls but she wouldn't listen to me .

I guess she wishes she had now .

when people haven't natural curly hair they shouldn't try to make it curly .

they get punished if they do . "

" look here , Felicity , never mind all that .

just tell us what has happened Sis . "

" well , this is what has happened her .

that ninny of a Sara Ray brought up a bottle of mucilage instead of Judy 's curling-fluid , and Cecily put her hair up with THAT .

it 's in an awful state . "

" good gracious ! " exclaimed Dan .

" look here , will she ever get it out ? "

" goodness knows .

she 's got her head in soak now .

her hair is just matted together hard as a board .

that 's what comes of vanity , " said Felicity , than whom no vainer girl existed .

Poor Cecily paid dearly enough for HER vanity .

she spent a bad forenoon , made no easier by her mother 's severe rebukes .

finally her hair softened sufficiently to be disentangled from the curl papers ; and then Aunt Janet subjected it to a merciless shampoo .

" I 'll look like a fright tonight , " said the poor child to me with trembling voice .

" the ends will be sticking out all over my head . "

" Sara Ray is a perfect idiot , " I said wrathfully

" oh , don't be hard on poor Sara .

she didn't mean to bring me mucilage .

it 's really all my own fault , I know .

I made a solemn vow when Peter was dying that I would never curl my hair again , and I should have kept it .

it isn't right to break solemn vows .

but my hair will look like dried hay tonight . "

Poor Sara Ray was quite overwhelmed when she came up and found what she had done .

the school-room was crowded with friends and neighbours .

" doesn't she look angelic ? " said Cecily rapturously .

" mind you , " said Sara Ray , " the Awkward Man is here in the corner behind the door .

I never remember seeing him at a concert before . "

" I suppose he came to hear the Story Girl recite , " said Felicity .

" he is such a friend of hers . "

the concert went off very well .

Dialogues , choruses and recitations followed each other in rapid succession .

Peter 's recitation was one greatly in vogue at that time , beginning ,

" my name is Norval ; on the Grampian hills My father feeds his flocks . "

there 's a semi-colon in that line , I wish you to remember . "

Peter did remember it .

Cecily neither fainted nor failed when it came her turn .

she recited her little piece very well , though somewhat mechanically .

I think she really did much better than if she had had her desired curls .

her hair apart , she looked very pretty .

the prevailing excitement had made bright her eye and flushed her cheeks rosily too rosily , perhaps .

Sara Ray also managed to get through respectably , although she was pitiably nervous .

we all felt relieved when she finished .

felicity followed her and recited her selection without haste , without rest , and absolutely without any expression whatever .

but what mattered it how she recited ?

to look at her was sufficient .

the Story Girl followed .

an expectant silence fell over the room , and Mr Perkins ' face lost the look of tense anxiety it had worn all the evening .

here was a performer who could be depended on .

no need to fear stage fright or forgetfulness on her part .

the Story Girl was not looking her best that night .

white never became her , and her face was pale , though her eyes were splendid .

but nobody thought about her appearance when the power and magic of her voice caught and held her listeners spellbound .

her recitation was an old one , figuring in one of the School Readers , and we scholars all knew it off by heart .

Sara Ray alone had not heard the Story Girl recite it .

in the night she wakened from her trance and made her escape .

a similar reception awaited her at her father 's .

then she had wandered blindly through the streets of Florence until she had fallen exhausted at the door of the lover of her girlhood .

he , unafraid , had taken her in and cared for her .

on the morrow , the husband and father , having discovered the empty tomb , came to claim her .

she refused to return to them and the case was carried to the court of law .

the climax of the whole selection came in the line ,

pity , terror , indignation , suspense , possessed her hearers in turn .

in the court scene she surpassed herself .

she was , in very truth , the Florentine judge , stern , stately , impassive .

her voice dropped into the solemnity of the all-important line ,

" ' The court pronounces the defendant ' "

she paused for a breathless moment , the better to bring out the tragic import of the last word .

" DEAD , " piped up Sara Ray in her shrill , plaintive little voice .

the effect , to use a hackneyed but convenient phrase , can better be imagined than described .

the Story Girl 's performance was completely spoiled .

Mr Perkins looked things not lawful to be uttered , and the audience tittered at intervals for the rest of the performance .

Sara Ray alone remained serenely satisfied until the close of the concert , when we surrounded her with a whirlwind of reproaches .

" why , " she stammered aghast , " what did I do ?

I I thought she was stuck and that I ought to prompt her quick . "

" you little fool , she just paused for effect , " cried Felicity angrily .

" you have less sense than anyone I ever heard of , Sara Ray . "

Poor Sara dissolved in tears .

" I didn't know .

I thought she was stuck , " she wailed again .

she cried all the way home , but we did not try to comfort her .

we felt quite out of patience with her .

Even Cecily was seriously annoyed .

this second blunder of Sara 's was too much even for her loyalty .

we saw her turn in at her own gate and go sobbing up her lane with no relenting .

the Story Girl was home before us , having fled from the schoolhouse as soon as the programme was over .

we tried to sympathize with her but she would not be sympathized with .

" please don't ever mention it to me again , " she said , with compressed lips .

" I never want to be reminded of it .

oh , that little IDIOT ! "

" she spoiled Peter 's sermon last summer and now she 's spoiled your recitation , " said Felicity .

" I think it 's time we gave up associating with Sara Ray . "

" oh , don't be quite so hard on her , " pleaded Cecily .

" think of the life the poor child has to live at home .

I know she 'll cry all night . "

" oh , let's go to bed , " growled Dan .

" I 'm good and ready for it .

I 've had enough of school concerts . "

CHAPTER XIX .

BY WAY OF THE STARS

but for two of us the adventures of the night were not yet over .

silence settled down over the old house the eerie , whisperful , creeping silence of night .

" Bev , are you asleep ? " came in the Story Girl 's whisper .

" no , what is it ? "

" S-s-h .

get up and dress and come out .

I want you . "

with a good deal of curiosity and some misgiving I obeyed .

what was in the wind now ?

outside in the hall I found the Story Girl , with a candle in her hand , and her hat and jacket .

" where are you going ? "

I whispered in amazement .

" hush .

I 've got to go to the school and you must come with me .

I left my coral necklace there .

the clasp came loose and I was so afraid I 'd lose it that I took it off and put it in the bookcase .

I was feeling so upset when the concert was over that I forgot all about it . "

the coral necklace was a very handsome one which had belonged to the Story Girl 's mother .

" but there 's no sense in going for it in the dead of night , " I objected .

" it will be quite safe .

you can go for it in the morning . "

you know perfectly well what Liz Paxton 's reputation is .

if she finds that necklace I 'll never see it again .

no , I 'm going for it now .

if you 're afraid , " added the Story Girl with delicate scorn , " of course you needn't come . "

afraid !

I 'd show her !

" come on , " I said .

we slipped out of the house noiselessly and found ourselves in the unutterable solemnity and strangeness of a dark night .

it was a new experience , and our hearts thrilled and our nerves tingled to the charm of it .

never had we been abroad before at such an hour .

the world around us was not the world of daylight .

' Twas an alien place , full of weird , evasive enchantment and magicry .

only in the country can one become truly acquainted with the night .

there it has the solemn calm of the infinite .

the dim wide fields lie in silence , wrapped in the holy mystery of darkness .

a wind , loosened from wild places far away , steals out to blow over dewy , star-lit , immemorial hills .

the air in the pastures is sweet with the hush of dreams , and one may rest here like a child on its mother 's breast .

" isn't it wonderful ? " breathed the Story Girl as we went down the long hill .

" do you know , I can forgive Sara Ray now .

I thought tonight I never could but now it doesn't matter any more .

I can even see how funny it was .

oh , wasn't it funny ?

' DEAD ' in that squeaky little voice of Sara 's !

I 'll just behave to her tomorrow as if nothing had happened .

it seems so long ago now , here in the night . "

neither of us ever forgot the subtle delight of that stolen walk .

a spell of glamour was over us .

the breezes whispered strange secrets of elf-haunted glens , and the hollows where the ferns grew were brimmed with mystery and romance .

Junebells have another and more scientific name , of course .

but who could desire a better name than Junebells ?

there were fireflies abroad that night , too , increasing the gramarye of it .

there is certainly something a little supernatural about fireflies .

nobody pretends to understand them .

they are akin to the tribes of fairy , survivals of the elder time when the woods and hills swarmed with the little green folk .

it is still very easy to believe in fairies when you see those goblin lanterns glimmering among the fir tassels .

" isn't it beautiful ? " said the Story Girl in rapture .

" I wouldn't have missed it for anything .

I 'm glad I left my necklace .

and I am glad you are with me , Bev .

the others wouldn't understand so well .

I like you because I don't have to talk to you all the time .

it 's so nice to walk with someone you don't have to talk to .

here is the graveyard .

are you frightened to pass it , Bev ? "

" no , I don't think I 'm frightened , " I answered slowly , " but I have a queer feeling . "

" so have I . but it isn't fear .

I don't know what it is .

I feel as if something was reaching out of the graveyard to hold me something that wanted life I don't like it let 's hurry .

but isn't it strange to think of all the dead people in there who were once alive like you and me .

I don't feel as if I could EVER die .

do you ? "

" no , but everybody must .

of course we go on living afterwards , just the same .

don't let's talk of such things here , " I said hurriedly .

when we reached the school I contrived to open a window .

we scrambled in , lighted a lamp and found the missing necklace .

the Story Girl stood on the platform and gave an imitation of the catastrophe of the evening that made me shout with laughter .

we prowled around for sheer delight over being there at an unearthly hour when everybody supposed we were sound asleep in our beds .

it was with regret that we left , and we walked home as slowly as we could to prolong the adventure .

" let's never tell anyone , " said the Story Girl , as we reached home .

" we 'd better keep it a secret from Aunt Janet anyhow , " I whispered , laughing .

" she 'd think we were both crazy . "

" it 's real jolly to be crazy once in a while , " said the Story Girl .

CHAPTER XX .

EXTRACTS FROM " OUR MAGAZINE "

EDITORIAL

as will be seen there is no Honour Roll in this number .

Even Felicity has thought all the beautiful thoughts that can be thought and cannot think any more .

Peter has never got drunk but , under existing circumstances , that is not greatly to his credit .

( PETER , PERPLEXEDLY : " seems to me I 've heard something like that before . " )

it is very sad but we will all make some new resolutions next year and maybe it will be easier to keep those .

THE STORY OF THE LOCKET THAT WAS BAKED

this was a story my Aunt Jane told me about her granma when she was a little girl .

its funny to think of baking a locket , but it wasn't to eat .

she was my great granma but Ill call her granma for short .

it happened when she was ten years old .

of course she wasent anybodys granma then .

her father and mother and her were living in a new settlement called Brinsley .

their nearest naybor was a mile away .

one day her Aunt Hannah from Charlottetown came and wanted her ma to go visiting with her .

at first granma's ma thought she couldent go because it was baking day and granma's pa was away .

Granma was awful pleased for she had never had any jewelry .

he dident even pass the time of day but just set down on a chair .

she was worried about the locket .

she didn't know how she could hide it for to get anywhere she would have to turn round and pass him .

all of a suddent she thought she would hide it in the bread .

she put her hand up and pulled it hard and quick and broke the fastening and needed it right into the loaf .

then she put the loaf in the pan and set it in the oven .

the tramp hadent seen her do it and then he asked for something to eat .

Granma got him up a meal and when hed et it he began prowling about the kitchen looking into everything and opening the cubbord doors .

then he went into granma's mas room and turned the buro drawers and trunk inside out and threw the things in them all about .

all he found was a purse with a dollar in it and he swore about it and took it and went away .

when granma was sure he was really gone she broke down and cried .

she forgot all about the bread and it burned as black as coal .

when she smelled it burning granma run and pulled it out .

she was awful scared the locket was spoiled but she sawed open the loaf and it was there safe and sound .

and granma used to say that was the only loaf of bread she ever spoiled in her life .

PETER CRAIG .

( FELICITY : " those stories are all very well but they are only true stories .

it 's easy enough to write true stories .

I thought Peter was appointed fiction editor , but he has never written any fiction since the paper started .

that 's not MY idea of a fiction editor .

he ought to make up stories out of his own head . "

PETER , SPUNKILY : " I can do it , too , and I will next time .

and it ain't easier to write true stories .

it 's harder , ' cause you have to stick to facts . "

FELICITY : " I don't believe you could make up a story . "

PETER : " I 'll show you ! " )

MY MOST EXCITING ADVENTURE

it 's my turn to write it but I 'm SO NERVOUS .

my worst adventure happened TWO YEARS AGO .

it was an awful one .

I had a striped ribbon , striped brown and yellow and I LOST IT .

I was very sorry for it was a handsome ribbon and all the girls in school were jealous of it .

( FELICITY : " I wasn't .

I didn't think it one bit pretty . "

CECILY : " hush ! " )

I hunted everywhere but I couldn't find it .

but , oh , it was A SNAKE !

oh , I can never describe how I felt when I felt that awful thing WRIGGLING IN MY HAND .

I would rather DIE than have SUCH AN EXPERIENCE again .

SARA RAY .

TO FELICITY ON HER BERTHDAY

I gaze into your shining eyes , They are so blue and bright .

id fight for you Id die for you Let me be your faithful knite .

a FRIEND .

( DAN : " great snakes , who got that up ?

I 'll bet it was Peter . "

FELICITY , WITH DIGNITY : " well , it 's more than YOU could do .

YOU couldn't write poetry to save your life . "

PETER , ASIDE TO BEVERLEY : " she seems quite pleased .

I 'm glad I wrote it , but it was awful hard work . " )

PERSONALS

Patrick Grayfur , Esq , caused his friends great anxiety recently by a prolonged absence from home .

when found he was very thin but is now as fat and conceited as ever .

on Wednesday , @date@ Miss Olivia King was united in the bonds of holy matrimony to Dr Robert Seton of Halifax .

Miss Sara Stanley was bridesmaid , and Mr Andrew Seton attended the groom .

the young couple received many handsome presents .

rev . Mr Marwood tied the nuptial knot .

their many friends join in wishing them a very happy and prosperous journey through life .

a precious one from us is gone , A voice we loved is stilled .

a place is vacant in our home That never can be filled .

( THE STORY GIRL : " goodness , that sounds as if somebody had died .

I 've seen that verse on a tombstone .

WHO wrote that notice ? "

FELICITY , WHO WROTE IT : " I think it is just as appropriate to a wedding as to a funeral ! " )

our school concert came off on the evening of @date@ and was a great success .

we made ten dollars for the library .

we regret to chronicle that Miss Sara Ray met with a misfortune while taking some violent exercise with a wasps ' nest recently .

the moral is that it is better not to monkey with a wasps ' nest , new or old .

Mrs C B Hawkins of Baywater is keeping house for Uncle Roger .

she is a very large woman .

Uncle Roger says he has to spend too much time walking round her , but otherwise she is an excellent housekeeper .

it is reported that the school is haunted .

a mysterious light was seen there at two o'clock one night recently .

( THE STORY GIRL AND I EXCHANGE KNOWING SMILES BEHIND THE OTHERS ' BACKS . )

Dan and Felicity had a fight last Tuesday not with fists but with tongues .

Dan came off best as usual .

( FELICITY LAUGHS SARCASTICALLY . )

Mr Newton Craig of Markdale returned home recently after a somewhat prolonged visit in foreign parts .

we are glad to welcome Mr Craig back to our midst .

Billy Robinson was hurt last week .

a cow kicked him .

on @date@ Uncle Roger sent Mr Peter Craig to the manse to borrow the biography of Adam 's grandfather .

Mr Marwood told Peter he didn't think Adam had any grandfather and advised him to go home and look at the almanac .

( PETER , SOURLY : " your Uncle Roger thought he was pretty smart . "

FELICITY , SEVERELY : " uncle Roger IS smart .

it was so easy to fool you . " )

a pair of blue birds have built a nest in a hole in the sides of the well , just under the ferns .

we can see the eggs when we look down .

they are so cunning .

Felix sat down on a tack one day in May .

Felix thinks house-cleaning is great foolishness .

ADS .

LOST STOLEN OR STRAYED A HEART .

Finder will be rewarded by returning same to Cyrus E Brisk , Desk @number@ Carlisle School .

LOST OR STOLEN .

a piece of brown hair about three inches long and one inch thick .

Finder will kindly return to Miss Cecily King , Desk @number@ Carlisle School .

( CECILY : " Cyrus keeps my hair in his Bible for a bookmark , so Flossie tells me .

he says he means to keep it always for a remembrance though he has given up hope . "

DAN : " I 'll steal it out of his Bible in Sunday School . "

CECILY , BLUSHING : " oh , let him keep it if it is any comfort to him .

besides , it isn't right to steal . "

DAN : " he stole it . "

CECILY : " but Mr Marwood says two wrongs never make a right . " )

HOUSEHOLD DEPARTMENT

aunt Olivia 's wedding cake was said to be the best one of its kind ever tasted in Carlisle .

me and mother made it .

ANXIOUS INQUIRER : it is not advisable to curl your hair with mucilage if you can get anything else .

quince juice is better .

( CECILY , BITTERLY : " I suppose I 'll never hear the last of that mucilage . "

DAN : " ask her who used tooth-powder to raise biscuits ? " )

we had rhubarb pies for the first time this spring last week .

they were fine but hard on the cream .

FELICITY KING .

ETIQUETTE DEPARTMENT

PATIENT SUFFERER : what will I do when a young man steals a lock of my hair ?

Ans . : grow some more .

no , F-l-x , a little caterpillar is not called a kittenpillar .

( FELIX , ENRAGED : " I never asked that !

Dan just makes that etiquette column up from beginning to end ! "

FELICITY : " I don't see what that kind of a question has to do with etiquette anyhow . " )

yes , P-t-r , it is quite proper to treat a lady friend to ice cream twice if you can afford it .

no , F-l-c-t-y , it is not ladylike to chew tobacco .

better stick to spruce gum .

DAN KING .

FASHION NOTES

Frilled muslin aprons will be much worn this summer .

it is no longer fashionable to trim them with knitted lace .

one pocket is considered smart .

Clam-shells are fashionable keepsakes .

you write your name and the date inside one and your friend writes hers in the other and you exchange .

CECILY KING .

FUNNY PARAGRAPHS

MR . PERKINS : " peter , name the large islands of the world . "

PETER : " the Island , the British Isles and Australia . "

( PETER , DEFIANTLY : " well , Mr Perkins said he guessed I was right , so you needn't laugh . " )

this is a true joke and really happened .

it 's about Mr Samuel Clask again .

uncle Roger says it was a smart trick on Mr Clask 's part , but I don't think there was much religion about it .

FELIX KING .

CHAPTER XXI .

PEG BOWEN COMES TO CHURCH

though goodness knows , as Felicity would say , we did not think it any matter for laughter at the time far from it .

it was one Sunday evening in July .

this particular evening was particularly beautiful .

it was cool after a hot day , and wheat fields all about us were ripening to their harvestry .

the wind gossiped with the grasses along our way , and over them the buttercups danced , goldenly-glad .

waves of sinuous shadow went over the ripe hayfields , and plundering bees sang a freebooting lilt in wayside gardens .

" the world is so lovely tonight , " said the Story Girl .

" I just hate the thought of going into the church and shutting all the sunlight and music outside .

I wish we could have the service outside in summer . "

" I don't think that would be very religious , " said Felicity .

" I 'd feel ever so much more religious outside than in , " retorted the Story Girl .

" if the service was outside we 'd have to sit in the graveyard and that wouldn't be very cheerful , " said Felix .

" besides , the music isn't shut out , " added Felicity .

" the choir is inside . "

" that 's in one of Shakespeare 's plays .

I 'm reading them now , since I got through with the Bible .

they 're great . "

" I don't see when you get time to read them , " said Felicity .

" oh , I read them Sunday afternoons when I 'm home . "

" I don't believe they 're fit to read on Sundays , " exclaimed Felicity .

" mother says Valeria Montague 's stories ain't . "

" but Shakespeare 's different from Valeria , " protested Peter .

" I don't see in what way .

he wrote a lot of things that weren't true , just like Valeria , and he wrote swear words too .

Valeria never does that .

her characters all talk in a very refined fashion . "

" well , I always skip the swear words , " said Peter .

" and Mr Marwood said once that the Bible and Shakespeare would furnish any library well .

" well , all I know is , I shall never read Shakespeare on Sunday , " said Felicity loftily .

" I wonder what kind of a preacher young Mr Davidson is , " speculated Cecily .

" well , we 'll know when we hear him tonight , " said the Story Girl .

" he ought to be good , for his uncle before him was a fine preacher , though a very absent-minded man .

but Uncle Roger says the supply in Mr Marwood 's vacation never amounts to much .

I know an awfully funny story about old Mr Davidson .

he used to be the minister in Baywater , you know , and he had a large family and his children were very mischievous .

one day his wife was ironing and she ironed a great big nightcap with a frill round it .

one of the children took it when she wasn't looking and hid it in his father 's best beaver hat the one he wore on Sundays .

when Mr Davidson went to church next Sunday he put the hat on without ever looking into the crown .

he walked to church in a brown study and at the door he took off his hat .

one of his elders had to tiptoe up and tell him what he had on his head .

he plucked it off in a dazed fashion , held it up , and looked at it .

' Bless me , it is Sally 's nightcap ! ' he exclaimed mildly .

' I do not know how I could have got it on . '

I wonder why . "

" sometimes I don't think it is right to tell funny stories about ministers , " said Felicity .

" it certainly isn't respectful . "

" a good story is a good story no matter who it's about , " said the Story Girl with ungrammatical relish .

there was as yet no one in the church when we reached it , so we took our accustomed ramble through the graveyard surrounding it .

that epitaph was quite famous among the little family traditions that entwine every household with mingled mirth and sorrow , smiles and tears .

it had a perennial fascination for us and we read it over every Sunday .

cut deeply in the upright slab of red Island sandstone , the epitaph ran as follows :

SWEET DEPARTED SPIRIT

do receive the vows a grateful widow pays , Each future day and night shall hear her speak her Isaac 's praise .

though thy beloved form must in the grave decay Yet from her heart thy memory no time , no change shall steal away .

do thou from mansions of eternal bliss Remember thy distressed relict .

look on her with an angel 's love Soothe her sad life and cheer her end Through this world 's dangers and its griefs .

then meet her with thy well-known smiles and welcome At the last great day .

" well , I can't make out what the old lady was driving at , " said Dan .

" that 's a nice way to speak of your great-grandmother , " said Felicity severely .

" how does The Family Guide say you ought to speak of your great-grandma , sweet one ? " asked Dan .

" there is one thing about it that puzzles me , " remarked Cecily .

" she calls herself a GRATEFUL widow .

now , what was she grateful for ? "

" because she was rid of him at last , " said graceless Dan .

" oh , it couldn't have been that , " protested Cecily seriously .

" I 've always heard that Great-Grandfather and Great-Grandmother were very much attached to each other . "

" maybe , then , it means she was grateful that she 'd had him as long as she did , " suggested Peter .

" she was grateful to him because he had been so kind to her in life , I think , " said Felicity .

" what is a ' distressed relict ' ? " asked Felix .

" ' Relict ' is a word I hate , " said the Story Girl .

" it sounds so much like relic .

Relict means just the same as widow , only a man can be a relict , too . "

" Great-Grandmother seemed to run short of rhymes at the last of the epitaph , " commented Dan .

" finding rhymes isn't as easy as you might think , " avowed Peter , out of his own experience .

" I think Grandmother King intended the last of the epitaph to be in blank verse , " said Felicity with dignity .

we had just got comfortably settled when Felicity said in an agitated whisper , " here is Peg Bowen ! "

we all stared at Peg , who was pacing composedly up the aisle .

we might be excused for so doing , for seldom were the decorous aisles of Carlisle church invaded by such a figure .

she wore no hat , and her grizzled black hair streamed in elf locks over her shoulders .

Face , arms and feet were bare and face , arms and feet were liberally powdered with FLOUR .

certainly no one who saw Peg that night could ever forget the apparition .

" she 's coming here , " whispered Felicity in horror .

" can't we spread out and make her think the pew is full ? "

but the manoeuvre was too late .

" well , I 'm here , " she remarked aloud .

those poor girls were in an agony .

everybody in the church was looking at our pew and smiling .

we all felt that we were terribly disgraced ; but we could do nothing .

Peg was enjoying herself hugely , beyond all doubt .

" bless me , there 's Sam Kinnaird , " she exclaimed , still aloud .

" he 's the man that dunned Jacob Marr for four cents on the church steps one Sunday .

I heard him .

' I think , Jacob , you owe me four cents on that cow you bought last fall .

Rec'llect you couldn't make the change ? '

well , you know , ' twould a-made a cat laugh .

the Kinnairds were all mighty close , I can tell you .

that 's how they got rich . "

what Sam Kinnaird felt or thought during this speech , which everyone in the church must have heard , I know not .

gossip had it that he changed colour .

we wretched occupants of the King pew were concerned only with our own outraged feelings .

" and there 's Melita Ross , " went on Peg .

" she 's got the same bonnet on she had last time I was in Carlisle church six years ago .

some folks has the knack of making things last .

but look at the style Mrs Elmer Brewer wears , will yez ?

Yez wouldn't think her mother died in the poor-house , would yez , now ? "

poor Mrs. brewer !

he may be an elder , but he 's a scoundrel just the same .

he set fire to his house to get the insurance and then blamed ME for doing it .

but I got even with him for it .

oh , yes !

he knows that , and so do I !

he , he ! "

Peg chuckled quite fiendishly and Stephen Grant tried to look as if nothing had been said .

" oh , will the minister never come ? " moaned Felicity in my ear .

" surely she 'll have to stop then . "

but the minister did not come and Peg had no intention of stopping .

" there 's Maria Dean . " she resumed .

" I haven't seen Maria for years .

I never call there for she never seems to have anything to eat in the house .

she was a Clayton and the Claytons never could cook .

Maria sorter looks as if she 'd shrunk in the wash , now , don't she ?

and there 's Douglas Nicholson .

his brother put rat poison in the family pancakes .

nice little trick that , wasn't it ?

they say it was by mistake .

I hope it WAS a mistake .

his wife is all rigged out in silk .

Yez wouldn't think to look at her she was married in cotton and mighty thankful to get married in anything , it 's my opinion .

there 's Timothy Patterson .

he 's the meanest man alive meaner'n Sam Kinnaird even .

it 's a fact .

and when his old father died he wouldn't let his wife put his best shirt on him .

he said his second best was plenty good to be buried in .

that 's another fact . "

" I can't stand much more of this , " wailed Felicity .

if I told yez all the things I know about the people in this congregation you 'd be amazed .

have a peppermint ? "

to our horror Peg produced a handful of peppermint lozenges from the pocket of her skirt and offered us one each .

we did not dare refuse but we each held our lozenge very gingerly in our hands .

" eat them , " commanded Peg rather fiercely .

" mother doesn't allow us to eat candy in church , " faltered Felicity .

" Well , I 've seen just as fine ladies as your ma give their children lozenges in church , " said Peg loftily .

she put a peppermint in her own mouth and sucked it with gusto .

we were relieved , for she did not talk during the process ; but our relief was of short duration .

a bevy of three very smartly dressed young ladies , sweeping past our pew , started Peg off again .

" Yez needn't be so stuck up , " she said , loudly and derisively .

" Yez was all of yez rocked in a flour barrel .

and there 's old Henry Frewen , still above ground .

I called my parrot after him because their noses were exactly alike .

look at Caroline Marr , will yez ?

that 's a woman who 'd like pretty well to get married , And there 's Alexander Marr .

he 's a real Christian , anyhow , and so 's his dog .

I can always size up what a man 's religion amounts to by the kind of dog he keeps .

Alexander Marr is a good man . "

it was a relief to hear Peg speak well of somebody ; but that was the only exception she made .

" look at Dave Fraser strutting in , " she went on .

" that man has thanked God so often that he isn't like other people that it 's come to be true .

he isn't !

and there 's Susan Frewen .

she 's jealous of everybody .

she 's even jealous of Old Man Rogers because he 's buried in the best spot in the graveyard .

Seth Erskine has the same look he was born with .

they say the Lord made everybody but I believe the devil made all the Erskines . "

" she 's getting worse all the time .

what WILL she say next ? " whispered poor Felicity .

but her martyrdom was over at last .

the minister appeared in the pulpit and Peg subsided into silence .

she folded her bare , floury arms over her breast and fastened her black eyes on the young preacher .

he opened his eyes , glanced at our pew in a startled way , then collected himself and went on .

Peg listened to the sermon , silently and motionlessly , until Mr Davidson was half through .

then she suddenly got on her feet .

" this is too dull for me , " she exclaimed .

" I want something more exciting . "

Mr Davidson stopped short and Peg marched down the aisle in the midst of complete silence .

half way down the aisle she turned around and faced the minister .

" there are so many hypocrites in this church that it isn't fit for decent people to come to , " she said .

wheeling about , she strode to the door .

then she turned for a Parthian shot .

with that Peg shook the dust of Carlisle church from her feet .

poor Mr Davidson resumed his discourse .

certainly we of the King household did not .

we could not even remember the text when we reached home .

felicity was comfortless .

" Mr Davidson would be sure to think she belonged to our family when she was in our pew , " she said bitterly .

" oh , I feel as if I could never get over such a mortification !

peter , I do wish you wouldn't go telling people they ought to go to church .

it 's all your fault that this happened . "

" never mind , it will be a good story to tell sometime , " remarked the Story Girl with relish .

CHAPTER XXII .

THE YANKEE STORM

in an August orchard six children and a grown-up were sitting around the pulpit stone .

I noticed it , because I had heard the girls say that Miss Reade never wore rings , not liking them .

later on , when Miss Reade had gone , I asked the Story Girl if she had noticed the ring .

she nodded , but seemed disinclined to say more about it .

" look here , Sara , " I said , " there 's something about that ring something you know . "

" I told you once there was a story growing but you would have to wait until it was fully grown , " she answered .

" is Miss Reade going to marry anybody anybody we know ? "

I persisted .

" curiosity killed a cat , " observed the Story Girl coolly .

" Miss Reade hasn't told me that she was going to marry anybody .

you will find out all that is good for you to know in due time . "

" it happened nearly forty years ago , in October of @number@

old Mr Coles at the Harbour told me all about it .

he was a young man then and he says he can never forget that dreadful time .

you know in those days hundreds of American fishing schooners used to come down to the Gulf every summer to fish mackerel .

on one beautiful Saturday night in this October of @number@ more than one hundred of these vessels could be counted from Markdale Capes .

by Monday night more than seventy of them had been destroyed .

those which had escaped were mostly those which went into harbour Saturday night , to keep Sunday .

but he admits that even some of them got into harbour later on and escaped , so it 's hard to know what to think .

it lasted for two days and scores of vessels were driven ashore and completely wrecked .

for weeks after the storm the north shore was strewn with the bodies of drowned men .

think of it !

many of them were unknown and unrecognizable , and they were buried in Markdale graveyard .

" Mr Coles couldn't remember any more of it .

but the saddest of all the stories of the Yankee Storm was the one about the Franklin Dexter .

the Franklin Dexter went ashore on the Markdale Capes and all on board perished , the Captain and three of his brothers among them .

he said he had promised their mother to take her boys home to her and he must do it .

the name of the sailing vessel was the Seth Hall , and the captain 's name was Seth Hall , too .

captain Hall was a dreadfully profane man and used to swear blood-curdling oaths .

the captain had become very impatient because of several delays he had already met with , and he was in a furious temper .

he swore a wicked oath that he would sail out of Markdale Harbour that night and ' God Almighty Himself shouldn't catch him . '

so the poor old mother up in Maine never had her boys brought back to her after all .

" ' They sleep as well beneath that purple tide As others under turf , ' "

quoted Miss Reade softly .

it seems to me that they have treble their share of this world 's heartache . "

" uncle Stephen was a sailor and he was drowned , " said Felicity , " and they say it broke Grandmother King 's heart .

I don't see why people can't be contented on dry land . "

Cecily 's tears had been dropping on the autograph quilt square she was faithfully embroidering .

" I wouldn't put it on at all , " said Felicity .

" oh , I don't dare not to .

she 'd be sure to find out I didn't and then she 'd be very angry .

I wish I could get just one more name and then I 'd be contented .

but I don't know of a single person who hasn't been asked already . "

" except Mr Campbell , " said Dan .

" oh , of course nobody would ask Mr Campbell .

we all know it would be of no use .

" do you really think so , Dan ? " asked Cecily earnestly .

" sure , " said Dan , solemnly .

Dan liked to tease even Cecily a wee bit now and then .

Cecily relapsed into anxious thought , and care sat visibly on her brow for the rest of the day .

next morning she came to me and said :

" Bev , would you like to go for a walk with me this afternoon ? "

" of course , " I replied .

" any particular where ? "

" I 'm going to see Mr Campbell and ask him for his name for my square , " said Cecily resolutely .

" I don't suppose it will do any good .

he wouldn't give anything to the library last summer , you remember , till the Story Girl told him that story about his grandmother .

she won't go with me this time I don't know why .

I can't tell a story and I 'm frightened to death just to think of going to him .

but I believe it is my duty ; and besides I would love to get as many names on my square as Kitty Marr has .

so if you 'll go with me we 'll go this afternoon .

I simply COULDN'T go alone . "

CHAPTER XXIII .

a MISSIONARY HEROINE

accordingly , that afternoon we bearded the lion in his den .

we had no such ally now , and Mr Campbell was known to be virulently opposed to missions in any shape or form .

" the Story Girl said it would , and I wanted to , but mother wouldn't let me .

she said it was all nonsense , and Mr Campbell would never notice what I had on . "

" it 's my opinion that Mr Campbell notices a good deal more than you 'd think for , " I said sagely .

" well , I wish our call was over , " sighed Cecily .

" I can't tell you how I dread it . "

" now , see here , Sis , " I said cheerfully , " let's not think about it till we get there .

it 'll only spoil our walk and do no good .

let's just forget it and enjoy ourselves . "

" I 'll try , " agreed Cecily , " but it 's ever so much easier to preach than to practise . "

our way lay first over a hill top , gallantly plumed with golden rod , where cloud shadows drifted over us like a gypsying crew .

then came a little valley overgrown with the pale purple bloom of thistles and elusively haunted with their perfume .

you say that thistles have no perfume ?

along the edges of that winding path grew banks of velvet green moss , starred with clusters of pigeon berries .

pigeon berries are not to be eaten .

they are woolly , tasteless things .

but they are to be looked at in their glowing scarlet .

they are the jewels with which the forest of cone-bearers loves to deck its brown breast .

Cecily gathered some and pinned them on hers , but they did not become her .

I thought how witching the Story Girl 's brown curls would have looked twined with those brilliant clusters .

perhaps Cecily was thinking of it , too , for she presently said ,

" Bev , don't you think the Story Girl is changing somehow ? "

then she added , with sudden vehemence , " I hate the thought of any of us growing up .

felicity says she just longs to be grown-up , but I don't , not a bit .

I wish I could just stay a little girl for ever and have you and Felix and all the others for playmates right along .

I don't know how it is but whenever I think of being grown-up I seem to feel tired . "

" oh , dear , " said Cecily , with a shiver , " I 'd been hoping that dog wouldn't be around . "

" he never bites , " I assured her .

" perhaps he doesn't , but he always looks as if he was going to , " rejoined Cecily .

it was Mr Campbell 's housekeeper who came to the door , however ; she ushered us pleasantly into the sitting-room where Mr Campbell was reading .

he laid down his book with a slight frown and said nothing at all in response to our timid " good afternoon . "

" well , is it the school library again ? "

" no , it 's our Mission Band autograph quilt , Mr Campbell .

there are to be as many squares in it as there are members in the Band .

each one has a square and is collecting names for it .

then when we have got all the names we can we will embroider them on the squares .

the money is to go to the little girl our Band is supporting in Korea .

I heard that nobody had asked you , so I thought perhaps you would give me your name for my square . "

Mr Campbell drew his black brows together in a scowl .

" stuff and nonsense ! " he exclaimed angrily .

" I don't believe in Foreign Missions don't believe in them at all .

I never give a cent to them . "

" five cents isn't a very large sum , " said Cecily earnestly .

Mr Campbell 's scowl disappeared and he laughed .

" it wouldn't break me , " he admitted , " but it 's the principle of the thing .

you don't really care a rap more for the heathen than I do . "

" oh , we do , " protested Cecily .

we ARE in earnest , Mr Campbell indeed we are . "

" don't believe it don't believe a word of it , " said Mr Campbell impolitely .

" you 'll do things that are nice and interesting .

but you wouldn't do anything you disliked for the heathen children you wouldn't make any real sacrifice for them catch you ! "

" indeed we would , " cried Cecily , forgetting her timidity in her zeal .

" I just wish I had a chance to prove it to you . "

" you do , eh ?

come , now , I 'll take you at your word .

I 'll test you .

tomorrow is Communion Sunday and the church will be full of folks and they 'll all have their best clothes on .

Poor Cecily !

to go to church in a faded print dress , with a shabby little old sun-hat and worn shoes !

it was very cruel of Mr Campbell .

" I I don't think mother would let me , " she faltered .

her tormentor smiled grimly .

" it 's not hard to find some excuse , " he said sarcastically .

Cecily crimsoned and sat up facing Mr Campbell spunkily .

" it 's NOT an excuse , " she said .

" if mother will let me go to church like this I 'll go .

but I 'll have to tell HER why , Mr Campbell , because I 'm certain she 'd never let me if I didn't . "

if they do , I 'll be sure to find it out and then our bargain is off .

if I see you in church tomorrow , dressed as you are now , I 'll give you my name and five dollars .

but I won't see you .

you 'll shrink when you 've had time to think it over . "

" I sha'n't , " said Cecily resolutely .

" well , we 'll see .

and now come out to the barn with me .

I 've got the prettiest little drove of calves out there you ever saw .

I want you to see them . "

Mr Campbell took us all over his barns and was very affable .

he had beautiful horses , cows and sheep , and I enjoyed seeing them .

I don't think Cecily did , however .

she was very quiet and even Mr Campbell 's handsome new span of dappled grays failed to arouse any enthusiasm in her .

she was already in bitter anticipation living over the martyrdom of the morrow .

on the way home she asked me seriously if I thought Mr Campbell would go to heaven when he died .

" of course he will , " I said .

" isn't he a member of the church ? "

" oh , yes , but I can't imagine him fitting into heaven .

you know he isn't really fond of anything but live stock . "

" he 's fond of teasing people , I guess , " I responded .

" are you really going to church to-morrow in that dress , Sis ? "

" if mother 'll let me I 'll have to , " said poor Cecily .

" I won't let Mr Campbell triumph over me .

and I DO want to have as many names as Kitty has .

and I DO want to help the poor little Korean children .

but it will be simply dreadful .

I don't know whether I hope mother will or not . "

I did not believe she would , but Aunt Janet sometimes could be depended on for the unexpected .

she laughed and told Cecily she could please herself .

felicity was in a rage over it , and declared SHE wouldn't go to church if Cecily went in such a rig .

I suspect poor Sis wished devoutly that it might rain the next day ; but it was gloriously fine .

we were all waiting in the orchard for the Story Girl who had not begun to dress for church until Cecily and Felicity were ready .

felicity was her prettiest in flower-trimmed hat , crisp muslin , floating ribbons and trim black slippers .

Poor Cecily stood beside her mute and pale , in her faded school garb and heavy copper-toed boots .

but her face , if pale , was very determined .

Cecily , having put her hand to the plough , was not of those who turn back .

" you do look just awful , " said Felicity .

" I don't care I 'm going to sit in Uncle James ' pew .

I WON'T sit with you .

there will be so many strangers there , and all the Markdale people , and what will they think of you ?

some of them will never know the reason , either . "

" I wish the Story Girl would hurry , " was all poor Cecily said .

" we 're going to be late .

it wouldn't have been quite so hard if I could have got there before anyone and slipped quietly into our pew . "

" here she comes at last , " said Dan .

" why what 's she got on ? "

the Story Girl joined us with a quizzical smile on her face .

Dan whistled .

Cecily 's pale cheeks flushed with understanding and gratitude .

the Story Girl wore her school print dress and hat also , and was gloveless and heavy shod .

" you 're not going to have to go through this all alone , Cecily , " she said .

" oh , it won't be half so hard now , " said Cecily , with a long breath of relief .

I fancy it was hard enough even then .

the Story Girl did not care a whit , but Cecily rather squirmed under the curious glances that were cast at her .

she afterwards told me that she really did not think she could have endured it if she had been alone .

Mr Campbell met us under the elms in the churchyard , with a twinkle in his eye .

" well , you did it , Miss , " he said to Cecily , " but you should have been alone .

that was what I meant .

I suppose you think you 've cheated me nicely . "

" no , she doesn't , " spoke up the Story Girl undauntedly .

" she was all dressed and ready to come before she knew I was going to dress the same way .

so she kept her bargain faithfully , Mr Campbell , and I think you were cruel to make her do it . "

" you do , eh ?

well , well , I hope you 'll forgive me .

I didn't think she 'd do it I was sure feminine vanity would win the day over missionary zeal .

it seems it didn't though how much was pure missionary zeal and how much just plain King spunk I 'm doubtful .

I 'll keep my promise , Miss

you shall have your five dollars , and mind you put my name in the round space .

no five-cent corners for me . "

CHAPTER XXIV .

a TANTALIZING REVELATION

" I shall have something to tell you in the orchard this evening , " said the Story Girl at breakfast one morning .

her eyes were very bright and excited .

she looked as if she had not slept a great deal .

she had spent the previous evening with Miss Reade and had not returned until the rest of us were in bed .

Miss Reade had finished giving music lessons and was going home in a few days .

Cecily and Felicity were in despair over this and mourned as those without comfort .

" why can't you tell it now ? " asked Felicity .

" because the evening is the nicest time to tell things in .

I only mentioned it now so that you would have something interesting to look forward to all day . "

" is it about Miss Reade ? " asked Cecily .

" never mind . "

" I 'll bet she 's going to be married , " I exclaimed , remembering the ring .

" is she ? " cried Felicity and Cecily together .

the Story Girl threw an annoyed glance at me .

she did not like to have her dramatic announcements forestalled .

" I don't say that it is about Miss Reade or that it isn't .

you must just wait till the evening . "

" I wonder what it is , " speculated Cecily , as the Story Girl left the room .

" I don't believe it 's much of anything , " said Felicity , beginning to clear away the breakfast dishes .

" the Story Girl always likes to make so much out of so little .

anyhow , I don't believe Miss Reade is going to be married .

she hasn't any beaus around here and Mrs Armstrong says she 's sure she doesn't correspond with anybody .

besides , if she was she wouldn't be likely to tell the Story Girl . "

" oh , she might .

they 're such friends , you know , " said Cecily .

" miss Reade is no better friends with her than she is with me and you , " retorted Felicity .

" I can't just explain what I mean . "

" no wonder .

such nonsense , " sniffed Felicity .

" it 's only some girl 's secret , anyway , " said Dan , loftily .

" I don't feel much interest in it . "

" now , are you going to tell us your news ? " asked Felicity impatiently .

" miss Reade IS going to be married , " said the Story Girl .

" she told me so last night .

she is going to be married in a fortnight 's time . "

" who to ? " exclaimed the girls .

for a few moments amazement literally held us dumb .

" you 're not in earnest , Sara Stanley ? " gasped Felicity at last .

" indeed I am .

I thought you 'd be astonished .

but I wasn't .

I 've suspected it all summer , from little things I 've noticed .

I guessed it from the way the Awkward Man looked at her when I stopped to speak to him over his garden fence . "

" but the Awkward Man ! " said Felicity helplessly .

" it doesn't seem possible .

did Miss Reade tell you HERSELF ? "

" yes . "

" I suppose it must be true then .

but how did it ever come about ?

he 's SO shy and awkward .

how did he ever manage to get up enough spunk to ask her to marry him ? "

" maybe she asked him , " suggested Dan .

the Story Girl looked as if she might tell if she would .

" I believe that WAS the way of it , " I said , to draw her on .

" not exactly , " she said reluctantly .

" I know all about it but I can't tell you .

I met him just as I left Mr Armstrong 's and we were together as far as his house .

he has never been shy or awkward with me , but he never talked as he did last night . "

" you might tell us what he said , " urged Cecily .

" we 'd never tell . "

the Story Girl shook her head .

" no , I can't .

you wouldn't understand .

besides , I couldn't tell it just right .

it 's one of the things that are hardest to tell .

I 'd spoil it if I told it now .

perhaps some day I 'll be able to tell it properly .

it 's very beautiful but it might sound very ridiculous if it wasn't told just exactly the right way . "

" I don't know what you mean , and I don't believe you know yourself , " said Felicity pettishly .

she is so beautiful and sweet .

I thought she 'd marry some dashing young man .

Jasper Dale must be nearly twenty years older than her and he 's so queer and shy and such a hermit . "

" Miss Reade is perfectly happy , " said the Story Girl .

" she thinks the Awkward Man is lovely and so he is .

you don't know him , but I do . "

" well , you needn't put on such airs about it , " sniffed Felicity .

" I am not putting on any airs .

but it 's true .

Miss Reade and I are the only people in Carlisle who really know the Awkward Man .

nobody else ever got behind his shyness to find out just what sort of a man he is . "

" when are they to be married ? " asked Felicity .

" In a fortnight 's time .

and then they are coming right back to live at Golden Milestone .

won't it be lovely to have Miss Reade always so near us ? "

" I wonder what she 'll think about the mystery of Golden Milestone , " remarked Felicity .

" she knows all about the mystery and thinks it perfectly lovely and so do I , " said the Story Girl .

" do YOU know the secret of the locked room ? " cried Cecily .

" yes , the Awkward Man told me all about it last night .

I told you I 'd find out the mystery some time . "

" and what is it ? "

" I can't tell you that either . "

" I think you 're hateful and mean , " exclaimed Felicity .

" it hasn't anything to do with Miss Reade , so I think you might tell us . "

" it has something to do with Miss Reade .

it 's all about her . "

" I can't explain it to you but it 's just as I 've said , " responded the Story Girl .

" well , it 's a very queer thing , " retorted Felicity .

" the name in the books in the room was Alice and Miss Reade 's name is Alice , " marvelled Cecily .

" did he know her before she came here ? "

" Mrs Griggs says that room has been locked for ten years .

ten years ago Miss Reade was just a little girl of ten .

SHE couldn't be the Alice of the books , " argued Felicity .

" I wonder if she 'll wear the blue silk dress , " said Sara Ray .

" and what will she do about the picture , if it isn't hers ? " added Cecily .

" I think Sara is just as mean as mean when she won't tell us . "

" I can't , " repeated the Story Girl patiently .

" you said one time you had an idea who ' Alice ' was , " I said .

" was your idea anything like the truth ? "

" yes , I guessed pretty nearly right . "

" do you suppose they 'll keep the room locked after they are married ? " asked Cecily .

" oh , no .

I can tell you that much .

it is to be Miss Reade 's own particular sitting room . "

" why , then , perhaps we 'll see it some time ourselves , when we go to see Miss Reade , " cried Cecily .

" I 'd be frightened to go into it , " confessed Sara Ray .

" I hate things with mysteries .

they always make me nervous . "

" I love them .

they 're so exciting , " said the Story Girl .

" just think , this will be the second wedding of people we know , " reflected Cecily .

" isn't that interesting ? "

" I only hope the next thing won't be a funeral , " remarked Sara Ray gloomily .

" there were three lighted lamps on our kitchen table last night , and Judy Pineau says that 's a sure sign of a funeral . "

" well , there are funerals going on all the time , " said Dan .

" but it means the funeral of somebody you know .

I don't believe in it MUCH but Judy says she 's seen it come true time and again .

I hope if it does it won't be anybody we know very well .

but I hope it 'll be somebody I know a LITTLE , because then I might get to the funeral .

I 'd just love to go to a funeral . "

" that 's a dreadful thing to say , " commented Felicity in a shocked tone .

Sara Ray looked bewildered .

" I don't see what is dreadful in it , " she protested .

" people don't go to funerals for the fun of it , " said Felicity severely .

" and you just as good as said you hoped somebody you knew would die so you 'd get to the funeral . "

" no , no , I didn't .

I didn't mean that AT ALL , Felicity .

I 've never been to a single funeral yet , and it must be so interesting . "

" Well , don't mix up talk about funerals with talk about weddings , " said Felicity .

" it isn't lucky .

I think Miss Reade is simply throwing herself away , but I hope she 'll be happy .

and I hope the Awkward Man will manage to get married without making some awful blunder , but it 's more than I expect . "

" the ceremony is to be very private , " said the Story Girl .

" I 'd like to see them the day they appear out in church , " chuckled Dan .

" How'll he ever manage to bring her in and show her into the pew ?

I 'll bet he 'll go in first or tramp on her dress or fall over his feet . "

" maybe he won't go to church at all the first Sunday and she 'll have to go alone , " said Peter .

" that happened in Markdale .

" they may do things like that in Markdale but that is not the way people behave in Carlisle , " said Felicity loftily .

seeing the Story Girl slipping away with a disapproving face I joined her .

" what is the matter , Sara ? "

I asked .

" I hate to hear them talking like that about Miss Reade and Mr Dale , " she answered vehemently .

" it 's really all so beautiful but they make it seem silly and absurd , somehow . "

" you might tell me all about it , Sara , " I insinuated .

" I wouldn't tell and I 'd understand . "

" yes , I think you would , " she said thoughtfully .

" but I can't tell it even to you because I can't tell it well enough yet .

I 've a feeling that there 's only one way to tell it and I don't know the way yet .

some day I 'll know it and then I 'll tell you , Bev . "

long , long after she kept her word .

in reply she sent me the written love story of Jasper Dale and Alice Reade .

CHAPTER XXV .

THE LOVE STORY OF THE AWKWARD MAN

( written by the Story Girl )

Jasper Dale lived alone in the old homestead which he had named Golden Milestone .

he had no friends in the sense of companions ; to all outward appearance his life was solitary and devoid of any human interest .

he had no housekeeper ; but his old house , furnished as it had been in his mother 's lifetime , was cleanly and daintily kept .

the quaint rooms were as free from dust and disorder as a woman could have had them .

this was known , because Jasper Dale occasionally had his hired man 's wife , Mrs Griggs , in to scrub for him .

on the morning she was expected he betook himself to woods and fields , returning only at night-fall .

but Mrs Griggs knew that in the lifetime of Jasper Dale 's mother it had been unfurnished .

she supposed it still remained so , and felt no especial curiosity concerning it , though she always tried the door .

he seemed well contented with his existence and people let him alone , since that was the greatest kindness they could do him .

it was unsupposable that he would ever marry ; nobody ever had supposed it .

" Jasper Dale never so much as THOUGHT about a woman , " Carlisle oracles declared .

oracles , however , are not always to be trusted .

one day Mrs Griggs went away from the Dale place with a very curious story , which she diligently spread far and wide .

Mrs Griggs 's story was as follows :

one day she found the door of the west gable unlocked .

she went in , expecting to see bare walls and a collection of odds and ends .

instead she found herself in a finely furnished room .

delicate lace curtains hung before the small , square , broad-silled windows .

the walls were adorned with pictures in much finer taste than Mrs Griggs could appreciate .

there was a bookcase between the windows filled with choicely bound books .

beside it stood a little table with a very dainty work-basket on it .

by the basket Mrs Griggs saw a pair of tiny scissors and a silver thimble .

a wicker rocker , comfortable with silk cushions , was near it .

Just beneath the picture , on the top shelf of the bookcase , was a vaseful of flowers .

another vaseful stood on the table beside the basket .

all this was astonishing enough .

and on the floor beside it were two little blue satin slippers !

but she found nothing to throw any light on the mystery .

but Mrs Griggs had told no more than the simple truth .

Love a strange , almost mystical love played its part here for him .

in fancy he walked and talked with her , spoke words of love to her , and heard words of love in return .

one day , when he was in Charlottetown on business , he had been struck by a picture in the window of a store .

it was strangely like the woman of his dream love .

he went in , awkward and embarrassed , and bought it .

when he took it home he did not know where to put it .

it was out of place among the dim old engravings of bewigged portraits and conventional landscapes on the walls of Golden Milestone .

as he pondered the matter in his garden that evening he had an inspiration .

the sunset , flaming on the windows of the west gable , kindled them into burning rose .

amid the splendour he fancied Alice 's fair face peeping archly down at him from the room .

the inspiration came then .

it should be her room ; he would fit it up for her ; and her picture should hang there .

he was all summer carrying out his plan .

nobody must know or suspect , so he must go slowly and secretly .

one by one the furnishings were purchased and brought home under cover of darkness .

he arranged them with his own hands .

finally he saw in a store a pale blue tea-gown and the satin slippers .

he had always fancied her as dressed in blue .

he bought them and took them home to her room .

but Carlisle people knew nothing of this would have thought him tinged with mild lunacy if they had known .

to them , he was just the shy , simple farmer he appeared .

they never knew or guessed at the real Jasper Dale .

one spring Alice Reade came to teach music in Carlisle .

her pupils worshipped her , but the grown people thought she was rather too distant and reserved .

they had been used to merry , jolly girls who joined eagerly in the social life of the place .

Alice Reade held herself aloof from it not disdainfully , but as one to whom these things were of small importance .

she boarded with the Armstrongs , who lived beyond Golden Milestone around the hill of pines .

and one day , as she went by , Jasper Dale was working in his garden .

he was on his knees in a corner , setting out a bunch of roots an unsightly little tangle of rainbow possibilities .

the grass opened eyes of blue violets .

the sky was high and cloudless , turquoise-blue , shading off into milkiness on the far horizons .

birds were singing along the brook valley .

rollicking robins were whistling joyously in the pines .

at this moment he looked up and saw Alice Reade .

for a moment Jasper Dale believed that his dream love had taken visible form before him .

it was as if his own had come to him at last and his whole soul suddenly leaped out to meet and welcome her .

then her eyes fell upon him and the spell was broken .

Jasper remained kneeling mutely there , shy man once more , crimson with blushes , a strange , almost pitiful creature in his abject confusion .

a little smile flickered about the delicate corners of her mouth , but she turned and walked swiftly away down the lane .

Jasper looked after her with a new , painful sense of loss and loveliness .

it was still greater pain to watch her going from him .

he thought she must be the new music teacher but he did not even know her name .

when , later on , he discovered that it was , he felt no surprise .

he carried some mayflowers up to the west gable and put them under the picture .

her face was so much sweeter , her eyes so much softer , her hair so much more lustrous .

the soul of his love had gone from the room and from the picture and from his dreams .

he saw her again that afternoon on her way home .

she did not pause by the garden but walked swiftly past .

thereafter , every day for a week he watched unseen to see her pass his home .

once a little child was with her , clinging to her hand .

no child had ever before had any part in the shy man 's dream life .

it was the next day that he failed for the first time to put flowers in the west gable .

she must pass that way ; her feet would crush them if she failed to see them .

then he slipped back into his garden , half exultant , half repentant .

from a safe retreat he saw her pass by and stoop to lift his flowers .

thereafter he put some in the same place every day .

when Alice Reade saw the flowers she knew at once who had put them there , and divined that they were for her .

she lifted them tenderly in much surprise and pleasure .

she thought his face and his dark blue eyes beautiful ; she even liked the long brown hair that Carlisle people laughed at .

that he was quite different from other people she had understood at once , but she thought the difference in his favour .

perhaps her sensitive nature divined and responded to the beauty in his .

at least , in her eyes Jasper Dale was never a ridiculous figure .

when she heard the story of the west gable , which most people disbelieved , she believed it , although she did not understand it .

it invested the shy man with interest and romance .

one evening she passed when he , not expecting her , was leaning against his garden fence with a book in his hand .

she stopped under the pine .

" Mr Dale , " she said softly , " I want to thank you for your flowers . "

Jasper , startled , wished that he might sink into the ground .

his anguish of embarrassment made her smile a little .

he could not speak , so she went on gently .

" it has been so good of you .

they have given me so much pleasure I wish you could know how much . "

" it was nothing nothing , " stammered Jasper .

his book had fallen on the ground at her feet , and she picked it up and held it out to him .

" so you like Ruskin , " she said .

" I do , too .

but I haven't read this . "

" if you would care to read it you may have it , " Jasper contrived to say .

she carried the book away with her .

he did not again hide when she passed , and when she brought the book back they talked a little about it over the fence .

he lent her others , and got some from her in return ; they fell into the habit of discussing them .

he did not talk volubly , but Alice thought what he did say was worth while .

his words lingered in her memory and made music .

one evening Jasper walked shyly with her from his gate up the pine hill .

after that he always walked that far with her .

she would have laughed with girlish scorn at the idea .

but she never thought of love .

like other girls she had her dreams of a possible Prince Charming , young and handsome and debonair .

it never occurred to her that he might be found in the shy , dreamy recluse of Golden Milestone .

in August came a day of gold and blue .

she lifted it and buried her face in it , drinking in the wholesome , modest perfume .

she had hoped Jasper would be in his garden , since she wished to ask him for a book she greatly desired to read .

but she saw him sitting on the rustic seat at the further side .

his back was towards her , and he was partially screened by a copse of lilacs .

Alice , blushing slightly , unlatched the garden gate , and went down the path .

she had never been in the garden before , and she found her heart beating in a strange fashion .

as the meaning of his words dawned on her consciousness she started and grew crimson .

" how much I love you , Alice , " Jasper Dale was saying , unafraid , with no shyness in voice or manner .

" I wonder what you would say if you knew .

you would laugh at me sweet as you are , you would laugh in mockery .

I can never tell you .

I can only dream of telling you .

in my dream you are standing here by me , dear .

I can see you very plainly , my sweet lady , so tall and gracious , with your dark hair and your maiden eyes .

I can dream that I tell you my love ; that maddest , sweetest dream of all that you love me in return .

everything is possible in dreams , you know , dear .

my dreams are all I have , so I go far in them , even to dreaming that you are my wife .

I dream how I shall fix up my dull old house for you .

your books and your chair and your picture are there , dear only the picture is not half lovely enough .

but the other rooms of the house must be made to bloom out freshly for you .

what a delight it is thus to dream of what I would do for you !

then I would bring you home , dear , and lead you through my garden and into my house as its mistress .

I would lead you through all the rooms made ready for your coming , and then to your own .

I would see you sitting in your own chair and all my dreams would find rich fulfilment in that royal moment .

oh , Alice , we would have a beautiful life together !

it 's sweet to make believe about it .

you will sing to me in the twilight , and we will gather early flowers together in the spring days .

when I come home from work , tired , you will put your arms about me and lay your head on my shoulder .

I will stroke it so that bonny , glossy head of yours .

Alice , my Alice all mine in my dream never to be mine in real life how I love you ! "

the Alice behind him could bear no more .

she gave a little choking cry that betrayed her presence .

Jasper Dale sprang up and gazed upon her .

he saw her standing there , amid the languorous shadows of August , pale with feeling , wide-eyed , trembling .

for a moment shyness wrung him .

then every trace of it was banished by a sudden , strange , fierce anger that swept over him .

White , tense with his anger , he looked at her and spoke , his lips as pale as if his fiery words scathed them .

" how dare you ?

you have spied on me you have crept in and listened !

how dare you ?

do you know what you have done , girl ?

you have destroyed all that made life worth while to me .

my dream is dead .

it could not live when it was betrayed .

and it was all I had .

oh , laugh at me mock me !

I know that I am ridiculous !

what of it ?

it never could have hurt you !

why must you creep in like this to hear me and put me to shame ?

oh , I love you I will say it , laugh as you will .

is it such a strange thing that I should have a heart like other men ?

this will make sport for you !

I love you and yet I think I could hate you you have destroyed my dream you have done me deadly wrong . "

" Jasper !

Jasper ! " cried Alice , finding her voice .

his anger hurt her with a pain she could not endure .

it was unbearable that Jasper should be angry with her .

nothing mattered at all , save that he loved her and was angry with her .

" don't say such dreadful things to me , " she stammered , " I did not mean to listen .

I could not help it .

I shall never laugh at you .

glad glad !

do you understand , Jasper ? "

Jasper looked at her with the eyes of one who , looking through pain , sees rapture beyond .

" is it possible ? " he said , wonderingly .

" Alice I am so much older than you and they call me the Awkward Man they say I am unlike other people "

" you ARE unlike other people , " she said softly , " and that is why I love you .

I know now that I must have loved you ever since I saw you . "

" I loved you long before I saw you , " said Jasper .

in the old garden he kissed her lips and Alice entered into her own .

CHAPTER XXVI .

UNCLE BLAIR COMES HOME

it happened that the Story Girl and I both got up very early on the morning of the Awkward Man 's wedding day .

so I hurriedly dressed and hastened down to tell him before he went .

" I had such a funny dream last night , " she said .

I didn't know whose it was , and yet it seemed like a voice I knew .

I wakened up while it was calling , and it seemed so real I could hardly believe it was a dream .

it was bright moonlight , and I felt just like getting up and going out to the orchard .

but I knew that would be silly and of course I didn't go .

but I kept on wanting to and I couldn't sleep any more .

wasn't it queer ? "

a young mom was walking rosily on the hills as we passed down Uncle Stephen 's Walk , with Paddy trotting before us .

a light wind of dawn was weaving an orient spell .

" it 's lovely to be up as early as this , isn't it ? " said the Story Girl .

" the world seems so different just at sunrise , doesn't it ?

it makes me feel just like getting up to see the sun rise every morning of my life after this .

but I know I won't .

I 'll likely sleep later than ever tomorrow morning .

but I wish I could . "

" the Awkward Man and Miss Reade are going to have a lovely day for their wedding , " I said .

" yes , and I 'm so glad .

Beautiful Alice deserves everything good .

why , Bev why , Bev !

who is that in the hammock ? "

I looked .

the hammock was swung under the two end trees of the Walk .

in it a man was lying , asleep , his head pillowed on his overcoat .

he was sleeping easily , lightly , and wholesomely .

he had a pointed brown beard and thick wavy brown hair .

his cheeks were a dusky red and the lashes of his closed eyes were as long and dark and silken as a girl 's .

it seemed to me that I knew his face , although assuredly I had never seen him before .

while I groped among vague speculations the Story Girl gave a queer , choked little cry .

" father !

father ! " she cried , while I stood , rooted to the ground in my amazement .

the sleeper stirred and opened two large , exceedingly brilliant hazel eyes .

for a moment he gazed rather blankly at the brown-curled young lady who was embracing him .

then a most delightful smile broke over his face ; he sprang up and caught her to his heart .

" Sara Sara my little Sara !

to think didn't know you at first glance !

but you are almost a woman .

and when I saw you last you were just a little girl of eight .

my own little Sara ! "

" aunt Janet , Uncle Blair is here , " I announced breathlessly at the kitchen door .

aunt Janet , who was kneading her bread , turned round and lifted floury hands .

felicity and Cecily , who were just entering the kitchen , rosy from slumber , stopped still and stared at me .

" uncle who ? " exclaimed Aunt Janet .

" uncle Blair the Story Girl 's father , you know .

he 's here . "

" WHERE ? "

" down in the orchard .

he was asleep in the hammock .

we found him there . "

" dear me ! " said Aunt Janet , sitting down helplessly .

" if that isn't like Blair !

of course he couldn't come like anybody else .

my elation went out like a snuffed candle .

I had never thought of this .

if Uncle Blair took the Story Girl away would not life become rather savourless on the hill farm ?

I turned and followed Felicity and Cecily out in a very subdued mood .

uncle Blair and the Story Girl were just coming out of the orchard .

his arm was about her and hers was on his shoulder .

laughter and tears were contending in her eyes .

only once before when Peter had come back from the Valley of the Shadow had I seen the Story Girl cry .

emotion had to go very deep with her ere it touched the source of tears .

but Aunt Janet 's welcome was cordial enough , though a trifle flustered .

" sister o ' mine , are you never going to grow old ? " he said .

" here you are at forty-five with the roses of sixteen and not a gray hair , I 'll wager . "

" Blair , Blair , it is you who are always young , " laughed Aunt Janet , not ill pleased .

" where in the world did you come from ?

and what is this I hear of your sleeping all night in the hammock ? "

so I sailed for Montreal without further delay .

I got here at eleven last night the station-master 's son drove me down .

nice boy .

so I decided that I would spend the night in the orchard .

" it was very foolish of you , " said practical Aunt Janet .

" these September nights are real chilly .

you might have caught your death of cold or a bad dose of rheumatism . "

" so I might .

no doubt it was foolish of me , " agreed Uncle Blair gaily .

" it must have been the fault , of the moonlight .

moonlight , you know , Sister Janet , has an intoxicating quality .

and I had a beautiful dream , Janet .

I dreamed that the old orchard blossomed again , as it did that spring eighteen years ago .

I dreamed that its sunshine was the sunshine of spring , not autumn .

there was newness of life in my dream , Janet , and the sweetness of forgotten words . "

" wasn't it strange about MY dream ? " whispered the Story Girl to me .

" well , you 'd better come in and have some breakfast , " said Aunt Janet .

" these are my little girls Felicity and Cecily . "

" I remember them as two most adorable tots , " said Uncle Blair , shaking hands .

" they haven't changed quite so much as my own baby-child .

why , she 's a woman , Janet she 's a woman . "

" she 's child enough still , " said Aunt Janet hastily .

the Story Girl shook her long brown curls .

" I 'm fifteen , " she said .

" and you ought to see me in my long dress , father . "

" we must not be separated any longer , dear heart , " I heard Uncle Blair say tenderly .

I hoped that he meant he would stay in Canada not that he would take the Story Girl away .

apart from this we had a gay day with Uncle Blair .

we all found him a delightful companion .

Dan suggested that she need not tell her mother anything about it ; but Sara shook her head .

" I 'll have to tell her .

I 've made it a rule to tell ma everything I do ever since the Judgment Day . "

" besides , " added Cecily seriously , " the Family Guide says one ought to tell one 's mother everything . "

" it 's pretty hard sometimes , though , " sighed Sara .

" Ma scolds so much when I do tell her things , that it sort of discourages me .

but when I think of how dreadful I felt the time of the Judgment Day over deceiving her in some things it nerves me up .

I 'd do almost anything rather than feel like that the next time the Judgment Day comes . "

" Fe , fi , fo , fum , I smell a story , " said Uncle Blair .

" what do you mean by speaking of the Judgment Day in the past tense ? "

the Story Girl told him the tale of that dreadful Sunday in the preceding summer and we all laughed with him at ourselves .

" all the same , " muttered Peter , " I don't want to have another experience like that .

I hope I 'll be dead the next time the Judgment Day comes . "

" but you 'll be raised up for it , " said Felix .

" oh , that 'll be all right .

I won't mind that .

I won't know anything about it till it really happens .

it 's the expecting it that 's the worst . "

" I don't think you ought to talk of such things , " said Felicity .

when evening came we all went to Golden Milestone .

so we went to Golden Milestone , laden with all the flowery spoil we could plunder from both gardens .

it was a clear amber-tinted September evening and far away , over Markdale Harbour , a great round red moon was rising as we waited .

" do you really feel acquainted with your father ? " whispered Sara Ray wonderingly .

" it 's long since you saw him . "

" if I hadn't seen him for a hundred years it wouldn't make any difference that way , " laughed the Story Girl .

" S-s-h-s-s-h they 're coming , " whispered Felicity excitedly .

he lifted her out of the buggy gallantly and led her forward to us , smiling .

" it was so sweet of you to do this , " said the smiling bride .

" I am sure I shall , " said Alice Dale , turning to her husband .

he looked down into her eyes and we were quite forgotten by both of them .

we saw it , and slipped away , while Jasper Dale drew his wife into their home and shut the world out .

we scampered joyously away through the moonlit dusk .

Uncle Blair joined us at the gate and the Story Girl asked him what he thought of the bride .

" when she dies white violets will grow out of her dust , " he answered .

" uncle Blair says even queerer things than the Story Girl , " Felicity whispered to me .

and so that beautiful day went away from us , slipping through our fingers as we tried to hold it .

it hooded itself in shadows and fared forth on the road that is lighted by the white stars of evening .

it had been a gift of Paradise .

its hours had all been fair and beloved .

from dawn flush to fall of night there had been naught to mar it .

it took with it its smiles and laughter .

but it left the boon of memory .

CHAPTER XXVII .

THE OLD ORDER CHANGETH

" I am going away with father when he goes .

he is going to spend the winter in Paris , and I am to go to school there . "

the Story Girl told us this one day in the orchard .

there was a little elation in her tone , but more regret .

the news was not a great surprise to us .

we had felt it in the air ever since Uncle Blair 's arrival .

aunt Janet had been very unwilling to let the Story Girl go .

but Uncle Blair was inexorable .

so it was finally decided that she was to go .

" just think , you are going to Europe , " said Sara Ray in an awe-struck tone .

" won't that be splendid ! "

of course , it will be lovely to be with father , but oh , I 'll miss the rest of you so much ! "

" just think how WE'LL miss YOU , " sighed Cecily .

" it will be so lonesome here this winter , with you and Peter both gone .

oh , dear , I do wish things didn't have to change . "

felicity said nothing .

she kept looking down at the grass on which she sat , absently pulling at the slender blades .

presently we saw two big tears roll down over her cheeks .

the Story Girl looked surprised .

" are you crying because I 'm going away , Felicity ? " she asked .

" of course I am , " answered Felicity , with a big sob .

" do you think I 've no f-f-eeling ? "

" I didn't think you 'd care much , " said the Story Girl frankly .

" you 've never seemed to like me very much . "

" I d-don't wear my h-heart on my sleeve , " said poor Felicity , with an attempt at dignity .

" I think you m-might stay .

your father would let you s-stay if you c-coaxed him . "

but I do feel dreadfully about it .

I can't even take poor Paddy.

I 'll have to leave him behind , and oh , I want you all to promise to be kind to him for my sake . "

we all solemnly assured her that we would .

he 'll make me think of you . "

" well , I 'm not going right away , " said the Story Girl , more cheerfully .

" not till the last of October .

so we have over a month yet to have a good time in .

let's all just determine to make it a splendid month for the last .

so don't cry any more , Felicity .

I 'm awfully glad you do like me and am sorry I 'm going away , but let's all forget it for a month . "

felicity sighed , and tucked away her damp handkerchief .

this was a high plane of self-sacrifice for Felicity to attain .

but the Story Girl shook her head .

" no , I 'm not going to bother my head about cooking lessons this last month .

it 's too vexing . "

" do you remember the time you made the pudding " began Peter , and suddenly stopped .

" Out of sawdust ? " finished the Story Girl cheerfully .

" you needn't be afraid to mention it to me after this .

I don't mind any more .

I begin to see the fun of it now .

I should think I do remember it and the time I baked the bread before it was raised enough . "

" people have made worse mistakes than that , " said Felicity kindly .

" such as using tooth-powd " but here Dan stopped abruptly , remembering the Story Girl 's plea for a beautiful month .

felicity coloured , but said nothing did not even LOOK anything .

" we HAVE had lots of fun together one way or another , " said Cecily , retrospectively .

" just think how much we 've laughed this last year or so , " said the Story Girl .

" we 've had good times together ; but I think we 'll have lots more splendid years ahead . "

" Eden is always behind us Paradise always before , " said Uncle Blair , coming up in time to hear her .

he said it with a sigh that was immediately lost in one of his delightful smiles .

" I like Uncle Blair so much better than I expected to , " felicity confided to me .

I suppose the Story Girl will have a very gay time in Paris . "

" she 's going to school and she 'll have to study hard , " I said .

" she says she 's going to study for the stage , " said Felicity .

" uncle Roger thinks it is all right , and says she 'll be very famous some day .

but mother thinks it 's dreadful , and so do I . "

" aunt Julia is a concert singer , " I said .

" oh , that 's very different .

but I hope poor Sara will get on all right , " sighed Felicity .

" you never know what may happen to a person in those foreign countries .

and everybody says Paris is such a wicked place .

but we must hope for the best , " she concluded in a resigned tone .

" see that star over there in the south-west ? " he said , as we joined him .

" the one just above that pine ?

an evening star shining over a dark pine tree is the whitest thing in the universe because it is LIVING whiteness whiteness possessing a soul .

how full this old orchard is of twilight !

do you know , I have been trysting here with ghosts . "

" the Family Ghost ? "

I asked , very stupidly .

" no , not the Family Ghost .

I never saw beautiful , broken-hearted Emily yet .

your mother saw her once , Sara that was a strange thing , " he added absently , as if to himself .

" did mother really see her ? " whispered the Story Girl .

" well , she always believed she did .

who knows ? "

" do you think there are such things as ghosts , Uncle Blair ? "

I asked curiously .

" I never saw any , Beverley . "

" but you said you were trysting with ghosts here this evening , " said the Story Girl .

" oh , yes the ghosts of the old years .

I love this orchard because of its many ghosts .

we are good comrades , those ghosts and I ; we walk and talk we even laugh together sorrowful laughter that has sorrow 's own sweetness .

and always there comes to me one dear phantom and wanders hand in hand with me a lost lady of the old years . "

" my mother ? " said the Story Girl very softly .

" yes , your mother .

here , in her old haunts , it is impossible for me to believe that she can be dead that her LAUGHTER can be dead .

she was the gayest , sweetest thing and so young only three years older than you , Sara .

Yonder old house had been glad because of her for eighteen years when I met her first . "

" I wish I could remember her , " said the Story Girl , with a little sigh .

" I haven't even a picture of her .

why didn't you paint one , father ? "

" she would never let me .

she had some queer , funny , half-playful , half-earnest superstition about it .

but I always meant to when she would become willing to let me .

and then she died .

her twin brother Felix died the same day .

there was something strange about that , too .

I was holding her in my arms and she was looking up at me ; suddenly she looked past me and gave a little start .

' Felix ! ' she said .

for a moment she trembled and then she smiled and looked up at me again a little beseechingly .

' Felix has come for me , dear , ' she said .

' We were always together before you came you must not mind you must be glad I do not have to go alone . '

well , who knows ?

but she left me , Sara she left me . "

there was that in Uncle Blair 's voice that kept us silent for a time .

then the Story Girl said , still very softly :

" what did mother look like , father ?

I don't look the least little bit like her , do I ? "

" no , I wish you did , you brown thing .

your mother 's face was as white as a wood-lily , with only a faint dream of rose in her cheeks .

she had the eyes of one who always had a song in her heart blue as a mist , those eyes were .

she was as slim and lithe as a young , white-stemmed birch tree .

how I loved her !

how happy we were !

but he who accepts human love must bind it to his soul with pain , and she is not lost to me .

nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it . "

uncle Blair looked up at the evening star .

CHAPTER XXVIII .

THE PATH TO ARCADY

October that year gathered up all the spilled sunshine of the summer and clad herself in it as in a garment .

never was anything so gorgeous as the maple trees that year .

maples are trees that have primeval fire in their souls .

it is the year 's carnival ere the dull Lenten days of leafless valleys and penitential mists come .

the time of apple-picking had come around once more and we worked joyously .

uncle Blair picked apples with us , and between him and the Story Girl it was an October never to be forgotten .

we liked to be alone together that last month , to think the long , long thoughts of youth and talk about our futures .

there had grown up between us that summer a bond of sympathy that did not exist between us and the others .

at times we were still children , still interested in childish things .

" where are you going ? " asked the Story Girl .

" I have a fancy for one more ramble in Prince Edward Island woods before I leave Canada again .

but I would not go alone .

there will be many little things along our way to make us glad .

come , and you 'll have a ramble and an afternoon that you will both remember all your lives . "

" go to , let us explore this , " said Uncle Blair .

" Trees seem such friendly things . "

" they are the most friendly things in God 's good creation , " said Uncle Blair emphatically .

" and it is so easy to live with them .

besides , trees are the same all over the world .

listen to those squirrels , will you , chattering over yonder .

did you ever hear such a fuss over nothing ?

squirrels are the gossips and busybodies of the woods ; they haven't learned the fine reserve of its other denizens .

but after all , there is a certain shrill friendliness in their greeting . "

" they seem to be scolding us , " I said , laughing .

" oh , they are not half such scolds as they sound , " answered Uncle Blair gaily .

" if they would but ' tak a thought and mend ' their shrew-like ways they would be dear , lovable creatures enough . "

" if I had to be an animal I think I 'd like to be a squirrel , " said the Story Girl .

" it must be next best thing to flying . "

" just see what a spring that fellow gave , " laughed Uncle Blair .

" and now listen to his song of triumph !

I suppose that chasm he cleared seemed as wide and deep to him as Niagara Gorge would to us if we leaped over it .

well , the wood people are a happy folk and very well satisfied with themselves . "

such was our good fortune that day .

" it is easy to dream that this is one of the haunted springs of old romance , " said Uncle Blair .

" drink a toast in that water , Sara , " said Uncle Blair .

the Story Girl lifted her golden-hued flagon to her red lips .

her hazel eyes laughed at us over the brim .

we did not understand him , but we knew Uncle Blair never explained his meaning .

when asked it he was wont to answer with a smile , " some day you 'll grow to it .

wait for that . "

so we addressed ourselves to follow the brook that stole away from the spring in its windings and doublings and tricky surprises .

" a brook , " quoth Uncle Blair , " is the most changeful , bewitching , lovable thing in the world .

it is never in the same mind or mood two minutes .

here it is sighing and murmuring as if its heart were broken .

but listen yonder by the birches it is laughing as if it were enjoying some capital joke all by itself . "

it was a little dell far in the heart of the woods .

a row of birches fringed the brook , and each birch seemed more exquisitely graceful and golden than her sisters .

the woods receded from it on every hand , leaving it lying in a pool of amber sunshine .

" oh , what a lovely place ! "

I exclaimed , looking around me with delight .

" a spell of eternity is woven over it , surely , " murmured Uncle Blair .

" Winter may not touch it , or spring ever revisit it .

it should be like this for ever . "

then we will never see it changed or different .

we can always remember it just as we see it now , and it will be like this for ever for us . "

" I 'm going to sketch it , " said Uncle Blair .

all the bright , beautiful things around it mocked it and laughed at it for its folly .

who would ever look for music in it , a plain , brown , unbeautiful thing ?

it was so entrancing that everything brooks and birds and winds grew silent to listen to it .

compared to it , all other scents seem heavy and earth-born , luring to the valleys instead of the heights .

he was silent for a moment , then added in a lower tone ,

" felicity , you loved the scent of dying fir .

if you were here tonight with me Felicity Felicity ! "

something in his voice made me suddenly sad .

I was comforted when I felt the Story Girl slip her hand into mine .

so we walked out of the woods into the autumn dusk .

we were in a little valley .

half-way up the opposite slope a brush fire was burning clearly and steadily in a maple grove .

there was something indescribably alluring in that fire , glowing so redly against the dark background of forest and twilit hill .

" let us go to it , " cried Uncle Blair , gaily , casting aside his sorrowful mood and catching our hands .

" a wood fire at night has a fascination not to be resisted by those of mortal race .

hasten we must not lose time . "

" you can't be sure .

it did not vanish and presently we found ourselves in the grove .

everything was very still and dreamy and remote .

" I feel as if we must be thousands of miles away from everything we 've ever known , " murmured the Story Girl .

" so you are ! " said Uncle Blair emphatically .

" you 're back in the youth of the race back in the beguilement of the young world .

everything is in this hour the beauty of classic myths , the primal charm of the silent and the open , the lure of mystery .

I wouldn't be much surprised if we should see something of the kind .

isn't that the flash of an ivory shoulder through yonder gloom ?

and didn't you see a queer little elfin face peering at us around that twisted gray trunk ?

but one can't be sure .

mortal eyesight is too slow and clumsy a thing to match against the flicker of a pixy-litten fire . "

not till the fire died down into ashes did we leave the grove .

then we found that the full moon was gleaming lustrously from a cloudless sky across the valley .

beyond , the hill farms were lying in a suave , white radiance .

" doesn't it seem a long , long time to you since we left home this afternoon ? " asked the Story Girl .

" and yet it is only a few hours . "

only a few hours true ; yet such hours were worth a cycle of common years untouched by the glory and the dream .

CHAPTER XXIX .

WE LOSE A FRIEND

our beautiful October was marred by one day of black tragedy the day Paddy died .

for Paddy , after seven years of as happy a life as ever a cat lived , died suddenly of poison , as was supposed .

we felt that nothing could be done .

lard and sulphur on his paws would be of no use , nor would any visit to Peg Bowen avail .

we stood around in mournful silence ; the Story Girl sat down on the step and took poor Paddy upon her lap .

" I s'pose there 's no use even in praying now , " said Cecily desperately .

" it wouldn't do any harm to try , " sobbed Felicity .

" you needn't waste your prayers , " said Dan mournfully , " Pat is beyond human aid .

you can tell that by his eyes .

besides , I don't believe it was the praying cured him last time . "

" if he could only TELL us where he feels the worst ! " said Cecily piteously .

" it 's so dreadful to see him suffering and not be able to do a single thing to help him ! "

" I don't think he 's suffering much now , " I said comfortingly .

the Story Girl said nothing .

she passed and repassed her long brown hand gently over her pet 's glossy fur .

Pat lifted his head and essayed to creep a little nearer to his beloved mistress .

the Story Girl drew his limp body close in her arms .

there was a plaintive little mew a long quiver and Paddy 's friendly soul had fared forth to wherever it is that good cats go .

" well , he 's gone , " said Dan , turning his back abruptly to us .

" it doesn't seem as if it can be true , " sobbed Cecily .

" this time yesterday morning he was full of life . "

" he drank two full saucers of cream , " moaned Felicity , " and I saw him catch a mouse in the evening .

maybe it was the last one he ever caught . "

" he did for many a mouse in his day , " said Peter , anxious to pay his tribute to the departed .

" ' He was a cat take him for all in all .

we shall not look upon his like again , ' " quoted Uncle Blair .

the Story Girl shed no tears , though the look in her eyes hurt more than weeping .

" after all , perhaps it 's for the best , " she said drearily .

" I 've been feeling so badly over having to go away and leave Paddy.

no matter how kind you 'd all be to him I know he 'd miss me terribly .

he wasn't like most cats who don't care who comes and goes as long as they get plenty to eat .

Paddy wouldn't have been contented without me . "

" oh , no-o-o , oh , no-o-o , " wailed Sara Ray lugubriously .

Felix shot a disgusted glance at her .

" I don't see what YOU are making such a fuss about , " he said unfeelingly .

" he wasn't your cat . "

" but I l-l-oved him , " sobbed Sara , " and I always feel bad when my friends d-do . "

" I wish we could believe that cats went to heaven , like people , " sighed Cecily .

" do you really think it isn't possible ? "

uncle Blair shook his head .

" I 'm afraid not .

I 'd like to think cats have a chance for heaven , but I can't .

there 's nothing heavenly about cats , delightful creatures though they are . "

" Blair , I 'm really surprised to hear the things you say to the children , " said Aunt Janet severely .

" surely you wouldn't prefer me to tell them that cats DO go to heaven , " protested Uncle Blair .

here now , children , stop making a fuss .

bury that cat and get off to your apple picking . "

we had to go to our work , but Paddy was not to be buried in any such off-hand fashion as that .

" I mayn't be able to get away till after milking , " she sniffed , " but I don't want to miss it .

even a cat 's funeral is better than none at all . "

" horrid thing ! " said Felicity , barely waiting until Sara was out of earshot .

we worked with heavy hearts that day ; the girls cried bitterly most of the time and we boys whistled defiantly .

but as evening drew on we began to feel a sneaking interest in the details of the funeral .

as Dan said , the thing should be done properly , since Paddy was no common cat .

" this time last night you never thought you 'd be digging Pat 's grave to-night , " sighed Felicity .

" we little k-know what a day will bring forth , " sobbed Sara .

" I 've heard the minister say that and it is true . "

" of course it 's true .

it 's in the Bible ; but I don't think you should repeat it in connection with a cat , " said Felicity dubiously .

when all was in readiness the Story Girl brought her pet through the orchard where he had so often frisked and prowled .

no useless coffin enclosed his breast but he reposed in a neat cardboard box .

" I wonder if it would be right to say ' ashes to ashes and dust to dust , ' " said Peter .

" no , it wouldn't , " averred Felicity .

" it would be real wicked . "

" I think we ought to sing a hymn , anyway , " asseverated Sara Ray .

" well , we might do that , if it isn't a very religious one , " conceded Felicity .

" how would ' Pull for the shore , sailor , pull for the shore , ' do ? " asked Cecily .

" that never seemed to me a very religious hymn . "

" but it doesn't seem very appropriate to a funeral occasion either , " said Felicity .

" we are not going to sing anything , " said the Story Girl coldly .

" do you want to make the affair ridiculous ?

we will just fill up the grave quietly and put a flat stone over the top . "

" it isn't much like my idea of a funeral , " muttered Sara Ray discontentedly .

" never mind , we 're going to have a real obituary about him in Our Magazine , " whispered Cecily consolingly .

" and Peter is going to cut his name on top of the stone , " added Felicity .

" only we mustn't let on to the grown-ups until it is done , because they might say it wasn't right . "

we left the orchard , a sober little band , with the wind of the gray twilight blowing round us .

uncle Roger passed us at the gate .

" so the last sad obsequies are over ? " he remarked with a grin .

and we hated Uncle Roger .

but we loved Uncle Blair because he said quietly ,

" and so you 've buried your little comrade ? "

so much may depend on the way a thing is said .

felicity cried bitterly all the time she was straining the milk .

many human beings have gone to their graves unattended by as much real regret as followed that one gray pussy cat to his .

CHAPTER XXX .

PROPHECIES

" here 's a letter for you from father , " said Felix , tossing it to me as he came through the orchard gate .

this letter was brief enough , but it was freighted with a message of weighty import .

I sat gazing stupidly at the sheet after I had read it until Felix exclaimed ,

" Bev , what 's the matter with you ?

what 's in that letter ? "

" father is coming home , " I said dazedly .

" he is to leave South America in a fortnight and will be here in November to take us back to Toronto . "

everybody gasped .

Sara Ray , of course , began to cry , which aggravated me unreasonably .

" if I were not going away myself I 'd feel just terrible , " said the Story Girl .

" even as it is I 'm real sorry .

" it 'll be awfully dull when you fellows go , " muttered Dan .

" I 'm sure I don't know what we 're ever going to do here this winter , " said Felicity , with the calmness of despair .

the great golden willow at the lane gate was laughter-shaken in the wind of evening .

but Peter had been sorely vexed in spirit for several days .

the time was approaching for the October issue of Our Magazine and he had no genuine fiction ready for it .

but the difficulty was to get anyone to write it .

he had asked the Story Girl to do it , but she refused ; then he appealed to me and I shirked .

finally Peter determined to write a story himself .

" it oughtn't to be any harder than writing a poem and I managed that , " he said dolefully .

but this evening I had to ask him if he would soon have it ready , as I wanted to make up the paper .

" it 's done , " said Peter , with an air of gloomy triumph .

" it don't amount to much , but anyhow I made it all out of my own head .

not one word of it was ever printed or told before , and nobody can say there was . "

" then I guess we have all the stuff in and I 'll have Our Magazine ready to read by tomorrow night , " I said .

" I s'pose it will be the last one we 'll have , " sighed Cecily .

" we can't carry it on after you all go , and it has been such fun . "

" how do you know he will ? " asked Felicity .

" oh , I can tell futures , " answered the Story Girl mysteriously .

" I know what 's going to happen to all of you .

shall I tell you ? "

" do , just for the fun of it , " I said .

" then some day we 'll know just how near you came to guessing right .

go on .

what else about me ? "

" you 'll write books , too , and travel all over the world , " continued the Story Girl .

" I won't , " cried Felix disgustedly .

" I hate whiskers .

maybe I can't help the grandfather part , but I CAN help having a beard . "

" you can't .

it 's written in the stars . "

" ' Tain't .

the stars can't prevent me from shaving . "

" won't Grandpa Felix sound awful funny ? " reflected Felicity .

" Peter will be a minister , " went on the Story Girl .

" well , I might be something worse , " remarked Peter , in a not ungratified tone .

" Dan will be a farmer and will marry a girl whose name begins with K and he will have eleven children .

and he 'll vote Grit . "

" I won't , " cried scandalized Dan .

" you don't know a thing about it .

catch ME ever voting Grit !

as for the rest of it I don't care .

farming 's well enough , though I 'd rather be a sailor . "

" don't talk such nonsense , " protested Felicity sharply .

" what on earth do you want to be a sailor for and be drowned ? "

" all sailors aren't drowned , " said Dan .

" most of them are .

look at Uncle Stephen . "

" you ain't sure he was drowned . "

" well , he disappeared , and that is worse . "

" how do you know ?

disappearing might be real easy . "

" it 's not very easy for your family . "

" hush , let's hear the rest of the predictions , " said Cecily .

" felicity , " resumed the Story Girl gravely , " will marry a minister . "

Sara Ray giggled and Felicity blushed .

Peter tried hard not to look too self-consciously delighted .

" she will be a perfect housekeeper and will teach a Sunday School class and be very happy all her life . "

" will her husband be happy ? " queried Dan solemnly .

" I guess he 'll be as happy as your wife , " retorted Felicity reddening .

" he 'll be the happiest man in the world , " declared Peter warmly .

" what about me ? " asked Sara Ray .

the Story Girl looked rather puzzled .

it was so hard to imagine Sara Ray as having any kind of future .

yet Sara was plainly anxious to have her fortune told and must be gratified .

you will learn not to cry after you are seventy ; but your husband will never go to church . "

" he won't keep the promise , " said the Story Girl , shaking her head .

" but it is getting cold and Cecily is coughing .

let us go in . "

" you haven't told my fortune , " protested Cecily disappointedly .

" I couldn't tell any fortune half good enough for you , dearest , " she said , slipping her arm round Cecily .

" you deserve everything good and lovely .

but you know I 've only been in fun of course I don't know anything about what 's going to happen to us . "

" but I 'd like to be told my fortune , even in fun , " persisted Cecily .

" everybody you meet will love you as long as you live . " said the Story Girl .

we went , Cecily still a little disappointed .

in later years I often wondered why the Story Girl refused to tell her fortune that night .

did some strange gleam of foreknowledge fall for a moment across her mirth-making ?

did she realize in a flash of prescience that there was no earthly future for our sweet Cecily ?

not for her were to be the lengthening shadows or the fading garland .

CHAPTER XXXI .

THE LAST NUMBER OF OUR MAGAZINE

EDITORIAL

it is with heartfelt regret that we take up our pen to announce that this will be the last number of Our Magazine .

we have edited ten numbers of it and it has been successful beyond our expectations .

it has to be discontinued by reason of circumstances over which we have no control and not because we have lost interest in it .

everybody has done his or her best for Our Magazine .

Prince Edward Island expected everyone to do his and her duty and everyone did it .

Mr Dan King conducted the etiquette department in a way worthy of the Family Guide itself .

he is especially entitled to commendation because he laboured under the disadvantage of having to furnish most of the questions as well as the answers .

Miss Felicity King has edited our helpful household department very ably , and Miss Cecily King 's fashion notes were always up to date .

the Exciting Adventure series has also been very popular .

we have enjoyed our work and we trust that they have too .

( SOBS FROM THE GIRLS ) : " INDEED IT WON'T ! "

OBITUARY

on October eighteenth , Patrick Grayfur departed for that bourne whence no traveller returns .

there are lots of people who are not as friendly and gentlemanly as Paddy was , and he was a great mouser .

we buried all that was mortal of poor Pat in the orchard and we are never going to forget him .

if we are anywhere where we can't say the name out loud we'll whisper it .

" Farewell , dearest Paddy , in all the years that are to be We 'll cherish your memory faithfully . " @number@

MY MOST EXCITING ADVENTURE

my most exciting adventure was the day I fell off Uncle Roger 's loft two years ago .

I wasn't excited until it was all over because I hadn't time to be .

the Story Girl and I were looking for eggs in the loft .

it was filled with wheat straw nearly to the roof and it was an awful distance from us to the floor .

and wheat straw is so slippery .

I made a little spring and the straw slipped from under my feet and there I was going head first down from the loft .

it seemed to me I was an awful long time falling , but the Story Girl says I couldn't have been more than three seconds .

but I know that I thought five thoughts and there seemed to be quite a long time between them .

the first thing I thought was , what has happened , because I really didn't know at first , it was so sudden .

then after a spell I thought the answer , I am falling off the loft .

and then I thought , well , I don't care .

I really wasn't a bit frightened .

I just was quite willing to be killed .

if there hadn't been a big pile of chaff on the barn floor these words would never have been written .

FELICITY KING .

THE BATTLE OF THE PARTRIDGE EGGS

one day she wondered further into the forrest than usual and she begun to be hungry .

then night closed in .

she asked a fox where she could get something to eat .

the fox told her he knew where there was a partridges nest and a bluejays nest full of eggs .

so he led her to the nests and she took five eggs out of each .

when the birds came home they missed the eggs and flew into a rage .

the bluejay put on his topcoat and was going to the partridge for law when he met the partridge coming to him .

they lit up a fire and commenced sining their deeds when they heard a tremendous howl close behind them .

they jumped up and put out the fire and were immejutly attacked by five great wolves .

the next day the little girl was rambelling through the woods when they saw her and took her prisoner .

after she had confessed that she had stole the eggs they told her to raise an army .

they would have to fight over the nests of eggs and whoever one would have the eggs .

and best of all the little girl had a gun and plenty of ammunishun .

the leader of her army was a wolf .

about a year after the wood turned into a gold castle and one morning everything had vanished except a piece of a tree .

PETER CRAIG .

( DAN , WITH A WHISTLE : " well , I guess nobody can say Peter can't write fiction after THAT . "

SARA RAY , WIPING AWAY HER TEARS : " it 's a very interesting story , but it ends SO sadly . "

PETER , SHORTLY : " because it sounded better that way . "

FELICITY : " did she eat the eggs raw ? "

SARA RAY : " poor little thing , I suppose if you 're starving you can't be very particular . "

BEVERLEY : " I don't quite understand where the little girl got her gun and ammunition . "

PETER , SUSPECTING THAT HE IS BEING MADE FUN OF : " if you could write a better story , why didn't you ?

I give you the chance . "

THE STORY GIRL , WITH A PRETERNATURALLY SOLEMN FACE : " you shouldn't criticize Peter 's story like that .

it 's a fairy tale , you know , and anything can happen in a fairy tale . "

FELICITY : " there isn't a word about fairies in it ! "

CECILY : " besides , fairy tales always end nicely and this doesn't . "

PETER , SULKILY : " I wanted to punish her for running away from home . "

DAN : " well , I guess you did it all right . "

CECILY : " oh , well , it was very interesting , and that is all that is really necessary in a story . " )

PERSONALS

Mr Blair Stanley is visiting friends and relatives in Carlisle .

he intends returning to Europe shortly .

his daughter , Miss Sara , will accompany him .

Mr Alan King is expected home from South America next month .

his sons will return with him to Toronto .

Beverley and Felix have made hosts of friends during their stay in Carlisle and will be much missed in social circles .

the Mission Band of Carlisle Presbyterian Church completed their missionary quilt last week .

Miss Cecily King collected the largest sum on her square .

congratulations , Cecily .

Mr Peter Craig will be residing in Markdale after October and will attend school there this winter .

Peter is a good fellow and we all wish him success and prosperity .

apple picking is almost ended .

there was an unusually heavy crop this year .

Potatoes , not so good .

HOUSEHOLD DEPARTMENT

apple pies are the order of the day .

eggs are a very good price now .

FELICITY KING .

ETIQUETTE DEPARTMENT

F-l-t-y .

is it considered good form to eat peppermints in church ?

Ans . ; No , not if a witch gives them to you .

no , F-l-x , we would not call Treasure Island or the Pilgrim 's Progress dime novels .

DAN KING .

FASHION NOTES

necklaces of roseberries are very much worn now .

it is considered smart to wear your school hat tilted over your left eye .

bangs are coming in .

Em Frewen has them .

she went to Summerside for a visit and came back with them .

all the girls in school are going to bang their hair as soon as their mothers will let them .

but I do not intend to bang mine .

CECILY KING .

( SARA RAY , DESPAIRINGLY : " I know ma will never let ME have bangs . " )

FUNNY PARAGRAPHS

D-n .

what are details ?

C-l-y .

I am not sure , but I think they are things that are left over .

( CECILY , WONDERINGLY : " I don't see why that was put among the funny paragraphs .

shouldn't it have gone in the General Information department ? " )

" oh , " Mr McIntyre said , quite easy , " he might as weel be awa ' .

he 's only retarding buzziness . "

FELIX KING .

GENERAL INFORMATION BUREAU

P-t-r .

what kind of people live in uninhabited places ?

Ans . : cannibals , likely .

FELIX KING .

CHAPTER XXXII .

OUR LAST EVENING TOGETHER

" I wonder if we 'll ever all be together again , " sighed Cecily .

Dear knows what they 'll give you to eat over there . "

Many a time I 'll be hankering after them . "

" if we ever do meet again you 'll be grown up , " said Felicity gloomily .

" well , you won't have stood still yourselves , you know . "

" no , but that 's just the worst of it .

we 'll all be different and everything will be changed . "

oh , dear ! "

" if things never happened life would be pretty dull , " said the Story Girl briskly .

" oh , don't look so dismal , all of you . "

" it 's hard to be cheerful when everybody 's going away , " sighed Cecily .

" well , let's pretend to be , anyway , " insisted the Story Girl .

" don't let's think of parting .

let's think instead of how much we 've laughed this last year or so .

I 'm sure I shall never forget this dear old place .

we 've had so many good times here . "

" and some bad times , too , " reminded Felix .

" remember when Dan et the bad berries last summer ? "

" and the time we were so scared over that bell ringing in the house , " grinned Peter .

" and the Judgment Day , " added Dan .

" and the time Paddy was bewitched , " suggested Sara Ray .

" and when Peter was dying of the measles , " said Felicity .

" and the time Jimmy Patterson was lost , " said Dan .

" Gee-whiz , but that scared me out of a year 's growth . "

" do you remember the time we took the magic seed , " grinned Peter .

" weren't we silly ? " said Felicity .

" I really can never look Billy Robinson in the face when I meet him .

I 'm always sure he 's laughing at me in his sleeve . "

" it 's Billy Robinson who ought to be ashamed when he meets you or any of us , " commented Cecily severely .

" I 'd rather be cheated than cheat other people . "

" do you mind the time we bought God 's picture ? " asked Peter .

" I wonder if it 's where we buried it yet , " speculated Felix .

" I put a stone over it , just as we did over Pat , " said Cecily .

" I wish I could forget what God looks like , " sighed Sara Ray .

" when you get to be a real minister you 'll have to preach that sermon over again , Peter , " grinned Dan .

" my Aunt Jane used to say that people needed a sermon on that place once in a while , " retorted Peter seriously .

" do you mind the night I et the cucumbers and milk to make me dream ? " said Cecily .

when we had finished we stood in a circle around the well and pledged " eternal friendship " in a cup of its unrivalled water .

then we joined hands and sang " Auld Lang Syne . "

Sara Ray cried bitterly in lieu of singing .

don't say good-bye to me tomorrow morning . "

" why not ? " demanded Felicity in astonishment .

" because it 's such a hopeless sort of word .

don't let 's SAY it at all .

just see me off with a wave of your hands .

it won't seem half so bad then .

and don't any of you cry if you can help it .

I want to remember you all smiling . "

our revels there were ended .

CHAPTER XXXIII .

THE STORY GIRL GOES

the morning dawned , rosy and clear and frosty .

everybody was up early , for the travellers must leave in time to catch the nine o'clock train .

the horse was harnessed and Uncle Alec was waiting by the door .

aunt Janet was crying , but everybody else was making a valiant effort not to .

the Awkward Man and Mrs Dale came to see the last of their favourite .

" read it when you are sad or happy or lonely or discouraged or hopeful , " he said gravely .

" he has really improved very much since he got married , " whispered Felicity to me .

Sara Stanley wore a smart new travelling suit and a blue felt hat with a white feather .

she looked so horribly grown up in it that we felt as if she were lost to us already .

Sara Ray had vowed tearfully the night before that she would be up in the morning to say farewell .

so Sara had written her parting words in a three-cornered pink note .

when I think that I cannot SEE YOU AGAIN my heart is almost TOO FULL FOR UTTERANCE .

but mother says I cannot and I MUST OBEY .

but I will be present IN SPIRIT .

it just BREAKS MY HEART that you are going SO FAR AWAY .

you have always been SO KIND to me and never hurt my feelings AS SOME DO and I shall miss you SO MUCH .

I hope you will find time AMONG YOUR MANY DUTIES to write me a letter ONCE IN A WHILE .

I shall ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU and please remember me .

I hope we WILL MEET AGAIN sometime , but if not may we meet in A FAR BETTER WORLD where there are no SAD PARTINGS .

" your true and loving friend ,

" SARA RAY "

I WON'T cry .

Felicity , don't you dare .

oh , you dear , darling people , I love you all so much and I 'll go on loving you always . "

" Mind you write us every week at the very least , " said Felicity , winking furiously .

" Blair , Blair , watch over the child well , " said Aunt Janet .

" remember , she has no mother . "

the Story Girl ran over to the buggy and climbed in .

uncle Blair followed her .

no good-byes were said , as she wished .

but we still stood there , for we knew we should see the Story Girl once more .

beyond the fir wood was an open curve in the road and she had promised to wave a last farewell as they passed around it .

we watched the curve in silence , standing in a sorrowful little group in the sunshine of the autumn morning .

the delight of the world had been ours on the golden road .

it had enticed us with daisies and rewarded us with roses .

blossom and lyric had waited on our wishes .

thoughts , careless and sweet , had visited us .

laughter had been our comrade and fearless Hope our guide .

but now the shadow of change was over it .

" there she is , " cried Felicity .

the Story Girl stood up and waved her chrysanthemums at us .

we waved wildly back until the buggy had driven around the curve .

then we went slowly and silently back to the house .

the Story Girl was gone .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Golden Road , by Lucy Maud Montgomery

produced by J.C . Byers , L.M. Shaffer and David Widger

THE LILAC FAIRY BOOK

edited by Andrew Lang

preface

' What cases are you engaged in at present ? '

' Are you stopping many teeth just now ? '

' What people have you converted lately ? '

I do not know whether ladies thus indicate their interest in the occupations of their casual neighbours at the hospitable board .

the inquirer would never be undeceived .

he then came to England , visited me , and found that I knew rather more about portraits of Queen Mary than he did .

I hate cruelty : I never put a wicked stepmother in a barrel and send her tobogganing down a hill .

my part has been that of Adam , according to Mark Twain , in the Garden of Eden .

Eve worked , Adam superintended .

I also superintend .

I find out where the stories are , and advise , and , in short , superintend .

I do not write the stories out of my own head .

nobody really wrote most of the stories .

people told them in all parts of the world long before Egyptian hieroglyphics or Cretan signs or Cyprian syllabaries , or alphabets were invented .

they are older than reading and writing , and arose like wild flowers before men had any education to quarrel over .

the grannies told them to the grandchildren , and when the grandchildren became grannies they repeated the same old tales to the new generation .

Homer knew the stories and made up the ' Odyssey ' out of half a dozen of them .

they think that to write a new fairy tale is easy work .

they are mistaken : the thing is impossible .

if any big girl of fourteen reads this preface , let her insist on being presented with ' Five Old Friends . '

but the three hundred and sixty-five authors who try to write new fairy tales are very tiresome .

these fairies try to be funny , and fail ; or they try to preach , and succeed .

real fairies never preach or talk slang .

at the end , the little boy or girl wakes up and finds that he has been dreaming .

such are the new fairy stories .

may we be preserved from all the sort of them !

there are also modern tales by a learned Scandinavian named Topelius .

it has been suggested to the Editor that children and parents and guardians would like ' The Grey True Ghost-Story Book . '

before he was twelve the Editor knew true ghost stories enough to fill a volume .

they were a pure joy till bedtime , but then , and later , were not wholly a source of unmixed pleasure .

for this reason ' The Grey True Ghost-Story Book ' is never likely to be illustrated by Mr Ford .

Contents

Husbands The Hoodie-Crow The Brownie of the Lake The Winning of Olwen

the Shifty Lad

in the land of Erin there dwelt long ago a widow who had an only son .

but when the time came , he said he would not be bound to any trade , and that he meant to be a thief .

but he only laughed and declared that he did not like sermons , adding :

these words gave a little comfort to the poor woman , and her heart was lighter than before as she bade him farewell .

robbery !

robbery ! '

the suddenness of it made her jump .

' Well , have you got any news to tell me ? ' asked he .

' No , nothing ; for I left the church at once , and did not stop to speak to anyone . '

' Oh , then no one has mentioned a trade to you ? ' he said in tones of disappointment .

' Ye es , ' she replied slowly .

' At least , as I walked down the path a voice cried out " robbery !

robbery !

robbery ! " but that was all . '

' And quite enough too , ' answered the boy .

' What did I tell you ?

that is going to be my trade . '

' Then your end will be hanging at the bridge of Dublin , ' said she .

but there was no sleep for her that night , for she lay in the dark thinking about her son .

' If he is to be a thief at all , he had better be a good one .

and who is there that can teach him ? ' the mother asked herself .

' My son has a fancy to learn your trade .

will you be kind enough to teach him ? '

' No , he isn't stupid , ' said the woman with a sigh .

' So to-night , after dark , I will send him to you . '

the Shifty Lad jumped for joy when his mother told him where she had been .

every evening after dark the Shifty Lad went to the home of the Black Gallows Bird , and many were the new tricks he learned .

To-morrow he will go to the market with the money in his hand , so to-night we must get at the chest .

when all is quiet we will hide in the loft . '

' I will crack a nut , ' said the Shifty Lad .

' You shall not , ' cried the Black Gallows Bird ; ' they will hear you . '

' I don't care , ' answered the Shifty Lad .

' I never spend Hallowe'en yet without cracking a nut ' ; and he cracked one .

' Some one is cracking nuts up there , ' said one of the merry-makers in the farmhouse .

' Come quickly , and we will see who it is . '

' Here you are at last , you villain ! ' cried his master in great wrath .

' But I will be revenged on you . '

' It is all right , ' replied the Shifty Lad calmly .

' I have brought what you wanted ' ; and he laid the things he was carrying down on the ground .

' Ah ! you are the better thief , ' said the Black Rogue 's wife ; and the Black Rogue added :

' Will you indeed ? ' said the Gallows Bird .

' I will wager you a hundred silver pieces that you can do nothing of the sort . '

' Well , I will try it , anyway , ' replied the boy , and disappeared in the bushes .

when this was done he slipped behind a rock and waited .

very soon the man came up , and seeing the shoe lying there , he stooped and looked at it .

' It is a good shoe , ' he said to himself , ' but very dirty .

a few minutes after the shepherd arrived , and beheld the second shoe lying on the path .

' Why , that is the fellow of the dirty shoe ! ' he exclaimed when he saw it .

then the Shifty Lad put on his shoes , and , picking up the sheep , carried it home .

and the Black Rogue paid him the hundred marks of his wager .

then the boy ran back and picked up the kid , and took it to the Black Gallows Bird .

the shepherd could hardly believe his eyes when he returned from seeking the sheep and found that the kid had vanished .

then he felt that there was no help for it , and he must go home and confess to his master .

' Be quick and come into the wood , and we will try to get the bull also . '

' But how can we do that ? ' asked the Black Rogue .

' Oh , quite easily !

you hide yourself out there and baa like a sheep , and I will go in the other direction and bleat like a kid .

it will be all right , I assure you . '

' Why , it must be the sheep and the kid that I lost , ' said he .

' Let us stop and look at that gallows , ' exclaimed the Shifty Lad .

' I have never seen one so close before .

yet some say that it is the end of all thieves . '

there was no one in sight , and they carefully examined every part of it .

' I wonder how it feels to be hanged , ' said the Shifty Lad .

' I should like to know , in case they ever catch me .

I 'll try first , and then you can do so . '

' When I am tired of it I will shake my legs , and then you must let me down , ' said he .

' I don't think you have every tried it , or you wouldn't have let me go up first .

why , it is the pleasantest thing I have ever done .

I was shaking my legs from sheer delight , and if you had been there you would have shaken your legs too . '

' Well , let me try , if it is so nice , ' answered the Black Rogue .

' But be sure you tie the knot securely , for I don't want to fall down and break my neck . '

' Oh , I will see to that ! ' replied the Shifty Lad .

' When you are tired , just whistle , and I 'll let you down . '

' Oh , how funny you are !

if you could only see yourself !

oh , you ARE funny !

but when you have had enough , whistle and you shall be let down ' ; and he rocked again with laughter .

but in reality he loved the tricks and danger , and life would have seemed very dull without them .

for a long while they tried in vain to lay hands on them .

the Shifty Lad was too clever for them all , and if they laid traps he laid better ones .

thus it happened that when the sun rose not a single soldier was alive in the village .

when everyone had eaten and drunk as much as they wanted they went into the ballroom .

then he slipped the bottle back in the Wise Man 's robe .

By-and-by he went up to the king 's daughter again , and begged for the honour of another dance .

' The thief must have stolen your bottle , ' said the king to the Wizard .

' No , my lord , it is here , ' answered the Wise Man , holding it out .

' Then he must have got yours , ' he cried , turning to his daughter .

go and announce this in the ballroom , ' he added to an attendant , ' and bring the fellow hither . '

but the question was too difficult for the king to decide , so he called together his council .

and this was the plan .

a child was to be brought to the palace , and next the king 's daughter would give her an apple .

and to whomsoever the child gave the apple , that man should marry the king 's daughter .

anyhow , it is the best we can do . '

the princess herself led the child into the room where the twenty men were now seated .

then he called the child in , but the little girl knew him again , and went straight up to him with the apple .

' It was all quite fair ; we tried it twice over . '

in this way the Shifty Lad won the king 's daughter , and they were married the next day .

' Is it indeed ? ' cried he .

' That would be fine fun , ' said he ; ' but you are not strong enough to hold me up . '

' Oh , yes , I am , ' said the princess ; ' just try . '

' Now pull me up again , ' called he ; but as he spoke a great cry arose that the palace was burning .

so his mother 's prophecy had come true , after all .

West Highland Tales .

the False Prince and the True

the king had listened attentively to the story , and when it was ended he said :

' I suppose the prince had no arms with him , or else he would have used them ? '

' Yes , sire , he had arms ; he always carries a dagger in his belt .

then he came back , his face white and stern .

the fourteenth night had come , and in despair the prisoner went out to take his last walk through the city .

but there is none that can answer that question save only I myself , if you will promise to do all I ask . '

at her words the prisoner felt as if a load had all at once been rolled off him .

' Oh , save me , and I will do anything ! ' he cried .

' It is so hard to leave the world and go out into the darkness . '

oh , no , it is quite impossible . '

he spoke without thinking , but the flash of anger which darted from her eyes made him feel uncomfortable .

however , all she said was :

' As you like ; since you reject me , let the crows have you , ' and hurried away down the street .

who would have believed a woman past ninety could walk with such speed ?

it seemed more like flying !

but at length , breathless and exhausted , he reached her side , and gasped out :

' Ah , I thought you would come to your senses , ' answered she , in rather an odd voice .

before him the old woman bade the prisoner swear that she should be his wife , and this he did in the presence of witnesses .

the hall was full to overflowing when the prisoner entered it , and all marvelled at the brightness of his face .

with a low bow the youth made answer in a clear voice :

and now , if your highness will permit me , I will speak of myself . '

but when she turned to answer you , you were so struck with her beauty that all else fled from your mind .

again and again you rode back to see her , and at length persuaded her to marry you .

she only thought you a poor knight , and agreed that as you wished it , the marriage should be kept secret .

when next you rode up to the cottage , it was empty , and none could inform you whither your bride had gone .

that , sire , I can now tell you , ' and the young man paused and looked at the king , who coloured deeply .

' By and bye I was born , and was brought up by my grandfather in one of his great houses .

a sudden silence round him made him look up , and he found the eyes of the assembly fixed on him .

but the king frowned , and answered sharply :

' You swore to marry her if she saved your life , and , come what may , you must fulfil your promise . '

then , striking a silver shield that hung close by , he said to the equerry who appeared immediately :

one night the prince returned after a longer chase than usual , and he was so tired that he went up straight to bed .

then he perceived that the noise proceeded from the next room , which belonged to the princess , and was lighted by a burning torch .

could that really be his wife that beautiful , beautiful creature ?

the prince was still gazing in surprise when the lady opened her eyes and smiled at him .

now I must tell you who I am , and what befell to cause me to take the shape of an old woman .

' The king of Granada is my father , and I was born in the palace which overlooks the plain of the Vega .

adapted from the Portuguese .

the Jogi 's Punishment

however , at length she found an opportunity , and made her way one evening alone to the hermit 's shrine .

next day , when the king went to visit the jogi , the holy man would neither speak to nor look at him .

' What is the matter ? ' asked the king .

' Won't you speak to me to-day ? '

' I have nothing to say that you would care to hear , ' answered the jogi .

' Why ? ' said the king .

' Surely you know that I value all that you say , whatever it may be . '

but still the jogi sat with his face turned away , and the more the king pressed him the more silent and mysterious he became .

at last , after much persuasion , he said :

the king , who was easily frightened , grew pale .

' What ? ' he gasped ' what is this dreadful thing ?

how am I to know it and to catch it ?

only counsel me and help me , and I will do all that you advise . '

' Ah ! ' replied the jogi , ' it is indeed dreadful .

it is in the shape of a beautiful girl , but it is really an evil spirit .

the king could hardly speak from alarm , but at last he said :

' How am I to distinguish this awful thing when I see it ? '

away hurried the king , and soon set all his soldiers scouring the country for a girl with a lance wound in her left .

the king , greatly agitated , went off to tell the jogi , and to assure him that there must be some mistake .

but of course the jogi was prepared for this , and had his answer ready .

' You can do what you like , but if you don't take my advice she will kill you all . '

then they followed secretly a long way off to see what became of it .

with some difficulty they secured the chest , and carried it back as swiftly and secretly as possible to the jogi 's house .

and the two pupils did as they were told , and went outside and shut close all the doors .

then they stepped into the room , and there they saw the jogi 's body lying torn to pieces on the threshold of his dwelling !

from Major Campbell , Feroshepore .

the Heart of a Monkey

' Can I do anything for you , my friend ? ' asked the monkey politely .

' After you have lived on fish for fifty years you begin to feel you would like a change .

and I am so very , very tired of the taste of salt . '

however , the second time the monkey had better luck , and the fruit fell right in .

' Ah , how good ! ' cried the shark .

' Send me another , please . '

and the monkey grew tired of picking the kuyu long before the shark was tired of eating them .

for weeks the monkey and the shark breakfasted together , and it was a wonder that the tree had any fruit left for them .

the shark perceived this very clearly , and described greater marvels , and the monkey as he listened grew more and more gloomy .

' I should like nothing better , ' cried the monkey , his teeth chattering , as they always did when he was pleased .

' But how could I get there ?

not by water .

Ugh !

it makes me ill to think of it ! '

' What is it ? ' asked the monkey .

' Nothing unpleasant , I hope , for you sound rather grave ? '

' Oh , no !

nothing at all .

' Why are you so silent ? ' inquired the shark again .

' Your heart !

why isn't your heart here ? ' said the shark , with a puzzled expression .

' Oh , no !

of course not .

' But there is no use going on if your heart is not with you , ' he said at last .

' We had better turn back to the town , and then you can fetch it . '

of course , this was just what the monkey wanted , but he was careful not to seem too pleased .

with a sigh of relief the monkey caught hold of the nearest branch and swung himself up .

' Wait for me here , ' he called out to the shark .

then he curled himself up and went to sleep .

the monkey awoke with a start , but did not answer .

' Are you there ? ' called the shark again , louder than before , and in a very cross voice .

' Oh , yes .

I am here , ' replied the monkey ; ' but I wish you had not wakened me up .

I was having such a nice nap . '

' Have you got it ? ' asked the shark .

' It is time we were going . '

' Going where ? ' inquired the monkey .

' Why , to my country , of course , with your heart .

you CAN'T have forgotten ! '

' My dear friend , ' answered the monkey , with a chuckle , ' I think you must be going a little mad .

do you take me for a washerman's donkey ? '

' Don't talk nonsense , ' exclaimed the shark , who did not like being laughed at .

' What do you mean about a washerman's donkey ?

and I wish you would be quick , or we may be too late to save the sultan . '

' Did you really never hear of the washerman's donkey ? ' asked the monkey , who was enjoying himself immensely .

' Why , he is the beast who has no heart .

so the monkey began .

' " never mind , " answered the hare briskly .

' " good morning , " said she , bowing politely to the donkey , who lifted her head in surprise .

" excuse my interrupting you , but I have come on very important business . "

' " indeed , " answered the donkey , " it is most kind of you to take the trouble .

may I inquire what the business is ? "

' " certainly , " replied the hare .

' " poor fellow !

how sad ! " said the donkey .

" but you must tell him that I feel honoured by his proposal , and will gladly consent to be Queen of the Beasts . "

' " will you not come and tell him so yourself ? " asked the hare .

' Side by side they went down the road which led to the lion 's house .

when at last they arrived the lion was sitting up at the entrance , looking very pale and thin .

the donkey did not wait for him to get up , but ran away as fast as she could and was lost in the forest .

when all was quiet again she crept gently out , and stole round the corner .

' " well , lion , have you killed her ? " asked she , running swiftly up the path .

' " killed her , indeed ! " answered the lion sulkily , " it is she who has nearly killed me .

I never knew a donkey could kick like that , though I took care she should carry away the marks of my claws . "

' " dear me !

fancy such a great fat creature being able to fight ! " cried the hare .

" but don't vex yourself .

' " ah ! there is no need to ask how you are , " she said .

" still you mustn't overtire yourself , you know .

shall I go and bring you your dinner ? "

' This time the donkey was much further than before , and it took longer to find her .

at last the hare caught sight of four hoofs in the air , and ran towards them .

the donkey was lying on a soft cool bed of moss near a stream , rolling herself backwards and forwards from pleasure .

' " oh , it is you , is it ? " she exclaimed .

" come and have a chat .

what news have you got ? "

' " if I were sure of that , " hesitated the donkey .

' " oh , you may be quite sure , " laughed the hare .

" I have a large acquaintance among lions .

but let us be quick , " and rather unwillingly the donkey set out .

' The lion saw them coming and hid himself behind a large tree .

the rest you can either eat yourself or give away to your friends . "

' " I am hungry , " said he .

" bring me the creature 's heart ; it is just what I want for supper . "

' " but there is no heart , " answered the hare , looking up at the lion with a puzzled face .

' " what nonsense ! " said the lion .

" as if every beast had not got a heart .

what do you mean ? "

' " this is a washerman's donkey , " replied the hare gravely .

' " well , and suppose it is ? "

' " oh , fie ! " exclaimed the hare .

" you , a lion and a grown-up person , and ask questions like that .

if the donkey had had a heart would she be here now ?

the first time she came she knew you were trying to kill her , and ran away .

yet she came back a second time .

well , if she had had a heart would she have come back a second time ?

now would she ? "

' And the lion answered slowly , " no , she would not . "

' So you think I am a washerman's donkey ? ' said the monkey to the shark , when the story was ended .

' You are wrong ; I am not .

and as the sun is getting low in the sky , it is time for you to begin your homeward journey .

you will have a nice cool voyage , and I hope you will find the sultan better .

farewell ! '

and the monkey disappeared among the green branches , and was gone .

from ' Swahili Tales , ' by Edward Steere , LL.D .

the Fairy Nurse

there was once a little farmer and his wife living near Coolgarrow .

they had three children , and my story happened while the youngest was a baby .

Late that night he was wakened up by the cries of his children calling out ' Mother !

mother ! '

Out he ran , and searched everywhere round the house but , neither tale nor tidings did he get of her for many a day .

well , the poor man was miserable enough , for he was as fond of his woman as she was of him .

the infant was away with a nurse .

" where are we going , sir ? " says I.

" you 'll soon know , " says he ; and he drew his fingers across my eyes , and not a ray could I see .

at last we came to a bedroom , with a beautiful lady in bed , with a fine bouncing boy beside her .

well , just as I turned into the outside cave , who should I see watching near the door but poor Molly .

all the court will pass the cross near Templeshambo next Friday night , on a visit to the fairies of Old Ross .

here 's the king .

don't open your mouth to answer .

I saw what happened with the ointment . "

' The Dark Man didn't once cast his eye towards Molly , and he seemed to have no suspicion of me .

when we came out I looked about me , and where do you think we were but in the dyke of the Rath of Cromogue .

I hope I 'll never see his face again .

" I see your wife , " says she , " riding on the outside just so as to rub against us .

we 'll walk on quietly , as if we suspected nothing , and when we are passing I 'll give you a shove .

if you don't do YOUR duty then , woe be with you ! "

it is hard to have anything to do with the good people without getting a mark from them .

my brave nurse didn't escape no more than another .

' Oh , sir , ' says she , very foolish , ' I hope your lady is well , and the baby . '

' Pretty well , thank you , ' says he , rather frightened like .

' How do I look in this new suit ? ' says he , getting to one side of her .

' I can't see you plain at all , sir , ' says she .

' Well , now ? ' says he , getting round her back to the other side .

' Musha , indeed , sir , your coat looks no better than a withered dock-leaf . '

Friends , she never saw a glimmer after with that one till the day of her death .

' Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts , ' by Patrick Kennedy .

a Lost Paradise

in the middle of a great forest there lived a long time ago a charcoal-burner and his wife .

they were both young and handsome and strong , and when they got married , they thought work would never fail them .

now one evening the king of that country was hunting near the charcoal-burner 's hut .

' Were there ever two people so unhappy ! ' said a woman 's voice .

' Here we are , ready to work like slaves the whole day long , and no work can we get .

and it is all because of the curiosity of old mother Eve !

why ' but at this point a loud knock interrupted her lamentations .

' Who is there ? ' asked she .

' I ! ' replied somebody .

' And who is " I " ? '

' The king .

let me in . '

Full of surprise the woman jumped up and pulled the bar away from the door .

I have no time to stay , but you seemed to be in trouble .

tell me ; are you very unhappy ? '

' Oh , my lord , we can find no work and have eaten nothing for two days ! ' answered she .

' Nothing remains for us but to die of hunger . '

you shall come with me into my palace , and you will feel as if you were in Paradise , I promise you .

in return , I only ask one thing of you , that you shall obey my orders exactly . '

then they found their tongues , and exclaimed together :

' Oh , yes , yes , my lord ! we will do everything you tell us .

how could we be so ungrateful as to disobey you , when you are so kind ? '

the king smiled , and his eyes twinkled .

' Well , let us start at once , ' said he .

' Lock your door , and put the key in your pocket . '

the woman looked as if she thought this was needless , seeing it was quite , quite certain they would never come back .

but she dared not say so , and did as the king told her .

they were just about to sit down to the table when the king walked in .

' I hope you have been attended to properly , ' said he , ' and that you will enjoy your dinner .

my steward will take care you have all you want , and I wish you to do exactly as you please .

oh , by the bye , there is one thing !

you notice that soup-tureen in the middle of the table ?

well , be careful on no account to lift the lid .

if once you take off the cover , there is an end of your good fortune . '

then , bowing to his guests , he left the room .

' Did you hear what he said ? ' inquired the charcoal-burner in an awe-stricken voice .

' We are to have what we want , and do what we please .

only we must not touch the soup-tureen . '

' No , of course we won't , ' answered the wife .

' Why should we wish to ?

but all the same it is rather odd , and one can't help wondering what is inside . '

for many days life went on like a beautiful dream to the charcoal-burner and his wife .

' Why are you so silent ? ' asked the man one morning when dinner had passed before his wife had uttered one word .

' Oh , nothing ; I did not feel inclined to talk , that was all ! '

she stopped , and added carelessly after a pause , ' Don't you ever wonder what is in that soup-tureen ? '

' No , never , ' replied the man .

as to her food , she refused one thing after another .

' My dear wife , ' said the man at last , ' you really must eat something .

what in the world is the matter with you ?

if you go on like this you will die . '

' Is that it ? ' cried he ; ' are you making yourself miserable because of that ?

why , you know we should be turned out of the palace , and sent away to starve . '

' Oh no , we shouldn't .

the king is too good-natured .

of course he didn't mean a little thing like this !

besides , there is no need to lift the lid off altogether .

just raise one corner so that I may peep .

we are quite alone : nobody will ever know . '

so he took hold of the handle of the cover and raised it very slowly and carefully , while the woman stooped down to peep .

in the middle of all the noise the door opened , and the mouse ran out between the feet of the king .

in one instant both the man and his wife were hiding under the table , and to all appearance the room was empty .

' You may as well come out , ' said the king , ' and hear what I have to say . '

' I know what it is , ' answered the charcoal-burner , hanging his head .

the mouse has escaped . '

' A guard of soldiers will take you back to your hut , ' said the king .

' Your wife has the key . '

' Weren't they silly ? ' cried the grandchildren of the charcoal-burners when they heard the story .

' How we wish that we had had the chance !

WE should never have wanted to know what was in the soup-tureen ! '

from ' Litterature Orale de l'Auvergne , ' par Paul Sebillot .

how Brave Walter Hunted Wolves

a little back from the high road there stands a house which is called ' Hemgard . '

his brother Frederick , his sister Lotta , old Lena , Jonah , Caro and Bravo , Putte and Murre , and Kuckeliku .

Walter is six years old , and he must soon begin to go to school .

he cannot read yet , but he can do many other things .

indeed , some thought that the brave boy boasted a little ; but one must indeed believe him since he said so himself .

So Jonas and Lena used to say of him ' Look , there goes Walter , who shoots the wolves . '

and other boys and girls would say ' Look , there goes brave Walter , who is brave enough to fight with four . '

there was no one so fully convinced of this as Walter himself , and one day he prepared himself for a real wolf hunt .

he did not forget to arm himself quite to the teeth with his pop-gun , his bow , and his air-pistol .

' Of course they are ' ( that is understood ) said Jonas .

thereupon Walter began to beat his drum with all his might while they were going through the wood .

when they came to the mill Walter immediately asked if there had been any wolves in the neighbourhood lately .

' Ah ! ' said Walter , ' do you think that there were many ? '

' We don't know , ' answered the miller .

' Oh , it is all the same , ' said Walter .

' I only asked so that I should know if I should take Jonas with me .

' In Walter 's place I should go quite alone , it is more manly , ' said Jonas .

' No , it is better for you to come too , ' said Walter .

' Perhaps there are many . '

' No , I have not time , ' said Jonas , ' and besides , there are sure not to be more than three .

Walter can manage them very well alone . '

you can very well come with me , and take a good stick in case there are really two .

what would two do with one ram ?

there will certainly not be more than one . '

' But you should come with me all the same , Jonas , ' said Walter .

' Well , just listen , ' said Jonas , ' I am beginning to think that Walter is not so brave as people say .

such a thing must never be ; what would people say ?

perhaps they would think that Walter is a coward ? '

I only want someone who will see how I strike the wolf and how the dust flies out of his skin . '

' Well , then , Walter can take the miller 's little Lisa with him .

she can sit on a stone and look on , ' said Jonas .

come with me , Jonas , and you shall have the skin , and I will be content with the ears and the tail . '

' No , thank you , ' said Jonas , ' Walter can keep the skin for himself .

now I see quite well that he is frightened .

Fie , shame on him ! '

this touched Walter 's pride very near .

it was a beautiful evening , and the birds were singing in all the branches .

Walter went very slowly and cautiously .

at every step he looked all round him to see if perchance there was anything lurking behind the stones .

he quite thought something moved away there in the ditch .

perhaps it was a wolf .

' It is better for me to beat the drum a little before I go there , ' thought Walter .

Br-r-r , so he began to beat his drum .

then something moved again .

caw ! caw ! a crow flew up from the ditch .

Walter immediately regained courage .

' It was well I took my drum with me , ' he thought , and went straight on with courageous steps .

very soon he came quite close to the kiln , where the wolves had killed the ram .

but the nearer he came the more dreadful he thought the kiln looked .

it was so gray and old .

who knew how many wolves there might be hidden there ?

perhaps the very ones which killed the ram were still sitting there in a corner .

yes , it was not at all safe here , and there were no other people to be seen in the neighbourhood .

' Shall I go back and say that I struck one wolf and it escaped ? ' thought Walter .

if you tell a lie to-day and say you struck a wolf , to-morrow surely it will eat you up . '

' No , I will go to the kiln , ' thought Walter , and so he went .

but he did not go quite near .

it looked so dreadful .

' It is better for me to beat the drum , ' he thought to himself again , and so he began to beat it .

but it sounded horrid , and an echo came out from the kiln that seemed almost like the howl of a wolf .

the drumsticks stiffened in Walter 's hands , and he thought now they are coming ....v !

yes , sure enough , just then a shaggy , reddish-brown wolf 's head looked out from under the kiln !

what did Walter do now ?

but , alas ! the wolf ran after him .

Walter looked back ; the wolf was quicker than he and only a few steps behind him .

then Walter ran faster .

but fear got the better of him , he neither heard nor saw anything more .

there he lay , and the wolf jumped on to him ....v .

it was a gruesome tale !

now you may well believe that it was all over with Walter and all his adventures .

that would have been a pity .

but do not be surprised if it was not quite so bad as that , for the wolf was quite a friendly one .

he certainly jumped on to Walter , but he only shook his coat and rubbed his nose against his face ; and Walter shrieked .

yes , he shrieked terribly !

happily Jonas heard his cry of distress , for Walter was quite near the mill now , and he ran and helped him up .

' What has happened ? ' he asked .

' Why did Walter scream so terribly ? '

' A wolf !

a wolf ! ' cried Walter , and that was all he could say .

' Where is the wolf ? ' said Jonas .

' I don't see any wolf . '

' Take care , he is here , he has bitten me to death , ' groaned Walter .

then Jonas began to laugh ; yes , he laughed so that he nearly burst his skin belt .

well , well , was that the wolf ?

just look a little closer at him : he is your old friend , your own good old Caro .

I quite expect he found a leg of the ram in the kiln .

' Down , Caro ! you ought to be rather ashamed to have put such a great hero to flight ! '

Walter got up feeling very foolish .

' Down , Caro ! ' he said , both relieved and annoyed .

' It was only a dog , then if it had been a wolf I certainly should have killed him ....y . '

' Walter is not a coward , is he ? '

' I !

you shall see , Jonas , when we next meet a bear .

you see I like so much better to fight with bears . '

' Indeed ! ' laughed Jonas .

' Are you at it again ?

' Dear Walter , remember that it is only cowards who boast ; a really brave man never talks of his bravery . '

from Z Topelius .

the King of the Waterfalls

when the young king of Easaidh Ruadh came into his kingdom , the first thing he thought of was how he could amuse himself best .

at last his face brightened .

' I know ! ' he said .

' I will go and play a game with the Gruagach . '

therefore before going to the Gruagach the king sought out a wise man of the countryside .

' I am wanting to play a game with the curly-haired Gruagach , ' said he .

' Are you , indeed ? ' replied the wizard .

' If you will take my counsel , you will play with someone else . '

' No ; I will play with the Gruagach , ' persisted the king .

' I will , ' said the king .

so before the sun rose he got up and went to the house of the Gruagach , who was sitting outside .

' O king , what has brought you here to-day ? ' asked the Gruagach .

' But right welcome you are , and more welcome will you be still if you will play a game with me . '

' And what is the prize that you will choose ? ' inquired the Gruagach .

' The ugly crop-headed girl that stands behind the door , ' replied the king .

' Why , there are twenty others in the house , and each fairer than she ! ' exclaimed the Gruagach .

you will be foolish indeed if you do not take me . '

' This is mine , ' said the king , though she was so ugly that most men would have turned from her .

' We will be married at once , and I will carry you home . '

and married they were , and they set forth across a meadow to the king 's house .

' I will do that , ' answered the king , and he went .

' Does your bride please you ? ' asked the Gruagach , who was standing at his own door .

' Ah ! does she not ! ' answered the king quickly .

' Otherwise I should be hard indeed to please .

but will you play a game to-day ? '

' What is the prize that you will choose ? ' asked the Gruagach .

' Oh !

I must have one more game , ' cried the king ; ' just this one . '

and he went off to the house of the Gruagach .

joy filled the heart of the Gruagach when he saw him coming , and without waiting to talk they played their game .

somehow or other , the king 's strength and skill had departed from him , and soon the Gruagach was the victor .

' You have brought nothing with you to-night , ' said the queen , who was standing on the steps awaiting him .

' What is it ?

what is the matter ?

tell me thy sorrow that I may bear it with thee , or , it may be , help thee ! '

then the king told her everything that had befallen him , and she stroked his hair the while .

' That is nothing to grieve about , ' she said when the tale was finished .

' You have the best wife in Erin , and the best horse in Erin .

only do as I bid you , and all will go well . '

and the king suffered himself to be comforted .

most people thought this saddle was of wood , and did not see the little sparkles of gold and silver that were hidden in it .

she strapped it lightly on the horse 's back , and then led it down before the house , where the king waited .

' Good luck to you , and victories in all your battles , ' she said , as she kissed him before he mounted .

' I need not be telling you anything .

take the advice of the horse , and see you obey it . '

if it comes to you without scrape or sound , the token is a good one .

at this hour the king is eating his supper , and the room is empty , so none will see you .

now go !

I will be under the window . '

but the sword slid swiftly and silently along the case till only the point was left touching it .

' Quick ! quick ! ' cried the horse , and the king scrambled hastily through the small window , and leapt into the saddle .

at length the horse slackened its pace .

' Look and see who is behind you , ' it said ; and the young man looked .

' I see a swarm of brown horses racing madly after us , ' he answered .

' We are swifter than those , ' said the horse , and flew on again .

' Look again , O king !

is anyone coming now ? '

' A swarm of black horses , and one has a white face , and on that horse a man is seated .

he is the king of the oak windows . '

and there is no sword in the world that will cut off his head , save only that one . '

then he sat up very straight and made ready .

almost blindly he struck , not knowing whether he had killed or only wounded the rider .

but the head rolled off , and was caught in the brown horse 's mouth .

but he stretched out his arm and clutched wildly at the mane and pulled himself into the saddle .

it was broad day when he woke , and he sprang up saying :

' Now I must go to the Gruagach , to find out if the spells he laid on me are loose . '

after that she kissed him , and bade him good speed .

' Didst thou get the sword ? ' asked the Gruagach , when they met in the usual place .

' I got the sword . '

' And how didst thou get it ? '

' If it had not had a knob on the top , then I had not got it , ' answered the king .

' Now I shall be at peace , ' thought the king .

he hastened to set them free , and he asked who had treated them in so evil a manner .

' Wuf , wuf , ' said the dog .

' Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses when the giant drove them last night through the forest . '

' I cannot fight that giant , ' he cried , looking at the dog with a white face .

' I am afraid , let me turn homewards . '

' No , don't do that , ' replied the dog .

' Eat and sleep , and I will watch over you . '

so the king ate and lay down , and slept till the sun waked him .

' Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses when they passed here with the giant , ' said the hawk .

' Never shall I find them , ' answered the king , ' and nothing shall I get for all my trouble . '

' Oh , take heart , ' replied the hawk ; ' things are never so bad but what they might be worse .

' Farewell , ' said the bird , ' and if danger presses call to me , and I will help you . '

' Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses when they passed the river last night , ' said the otter .

' I have sought them and not found them , ' answered the king , ' and nought shall I get for my trouble . '

' Be not so downcast , ' replied the otter ; ' before noon to-morrow thou shalt behold thy wife .

but eat and sleep and I will watch over thee . '

so the king did as the otter bid him , and when the sun rose he woke and saw the otter lying on the bank .

for many hours the king walked , and at length he reached a high rock , which was rent into two by a great earthquake .

throwing himself on the ground he looked over the side , and right at the very bottom he saw his wife and his horses .

his wife gave a shriek of joy when he came in , and then burst into tears , for she was tired and very frightened .

but her husband did not understand why she wept , and he was tired and bruised from his climb , and a little cross too .

' You give me but a sorry welcome , ' grumbled he , ' when I have half-killed myself to get to you . '

' Well , I perceive nothing , certainly , ' answered he , ' but it is very odd .

then they wheeled round and kicked him till they could kick no more .

at length the giant crawled away , and lay quivering in a corner , and the queen went up to him .

' Poor thing ! poor thing ! ' she said , ' they seem to have gone mad ; it was awful to behold . '

' If I had had my soul in my body they would certainly have killed me , ' groaned the giant .

' But now leave me , that I may sleep , for I have far to go to-morrow . '

' Why , what have you done to the Bonnach stone ? ' asked the giant .

' It is not there that my soul is , ' answered he , ' it is on the threshold .

' You have been cleaning the threshold , ' said he .

' And was I not right to do it , seeing that your soul is in it ? ' asked the queen .

' It is not there that my soul is , ' answered the giant .

but beside the brown otter , a huge shadow came stealing along the shadow of the giant .

from ' West Highland Tales . '

a French Puck

indeed , there was only one thing whose shape he could not take , and that was a needle .

but no sooner had they returned to their beds than the same thing happened again , and so on till the morning .

the sheep was pretty heavy , but the good man was merciful and staggered along as best he could under his load .

' Where are you ? ' said the voice , and the sheep answered :

' Here on the shoulders of a donkey . '

in another moment the sheep was standing on the ground and William was running towards home as fast as his legs would carry him .

what fun I have had , to be sure ! '

after a bit he grew tired of cowboys and shepherds , and wondered if there was no one else to give him some sport .

for a long time it was very dull all about their wedding day next month , and who were to be invited .

this led the bride to her wedding dress , and she gave a little scream .

' Just think !

oh ! how could I be so stupid !

I have forgotten to buy the different coloured reels of cotton to match my clothes ! '

' Dear , dear ! ' exclaimed the young man .

' That is unlucky ; and didn't you tell me that the dressmaker was coming in to-morrow ? '

' Yes , I did , ' and then suddenly she gave another little scream , which had quite a different sound from the first .

' Look !

look ! '

' Well , that is a wonderful piece of good fortune , ' cried he , as he sprang out to get it .

' One would think a fairy had put it there on purpose . '

the dressmaker was delighted with the thread that was given her .

it matched the stuffs so perfectly , and never tied itself in knots , or broke perpetually , as most thread did .

the doors were open , and the bride could be seen from afar , walking under the chestnut avenue .

' What a beautiful girl ! ' exclaimed the men .

' What a lovely dress ! ' whispered the women .

' Crick ! crack !

crick ! crack ! ' and the wedding garments fell to the ground , to the great confusion of the wearer .

not that the ceremony was put off for a little thing like that !

cloaks in profusion were instantly offered to the young bride , but she was so upset that she could hardly keep from tears .

' The thread must have been rotten , ' she said to herself .

' I will see if I can break it . '

but search as she would she could find none .

the thread had vanished !

from ' Litterature Orale de l'Auvergne , ' par Paul Sebillot .

the Three Crowns

there was once a king who had three daughters .

the two eldest were very proud and quarrelsome , but the youngest was as good as they were bad .

one day they were all walking down to a lake that lay at the bottom of the lawn when they met a poor beggar .

' Bid your daughters and your brides farewell for awhile .

bad people , if they were rolling stark naked in gold , would not be rich .

good-bye . '

away they sailed , and the ladies stretched out their hands , but weren't able to say a word .

when the last lady was out of sight , the men found the strength in their arms and legs again .

' Let me down , ' says the youngest prince .

' I 'll die or recover them again . '

' No , ' says the second daughter 's sweetheart , ' it is my turn first . '

and says the other , ' I am the eldest . '

so they gave way to him , and in he got into the basket , and down they let him .

they waited two hours , and then they went to dinner , because there was no pull made at the rope .

at last he saw a glimmer far down , and in a short time he felt the ground .

' It 's in Tir-na-n-Oge I am , ' says he .

' Let 's see what sort of people are in the castle . '

and such a dinner as was laid upon it !

the prince was hungry enough , but he was too mannerly to eat without being invited .

' I think , sir , ' says the prince , ' it was only good manner to wait to be asked . '

' The other princes didn't think so , ' says he .

well , I don't think they feel much hunger now .

away went the prince , and bedad ! it 's tired and hungry he was when he reached the first castle , at sunset .

oh , wasn't the second princess glad to see him !

and what a good supper she gave him .

but she heard the giant at the gate , and she hid the prince in a closet .

' Oh , ' says the princess , ' it 's only the calf I got killed to-day . '

' Ay , ay , ' says he , ' is supper ready ? '

' I think , ' says he , when all was done , ' I smell fresh meat still . '

' It 's sleepy you are , ' says she ; ' go to bed . '

' When will you marry me ? ' says the giant .

' You 're putting me off too long . '

' St Tibb 's Eve , ' says she .

next day , he went out after breakfast , and she sent the prince to the castle where the eldest sister was .

but the horses ' heels struck the stones outside the gate , and up got the giant and strode after them .

but the prince didn't leave the castle of Seven Inches without being provided with something good .

they caught the wind that blew before them , and the wind that blew behind them did not catch them .

for every two springs the horses gave , the giants gave three , and at last they were only seventy perches off .

then the prince stopped again , and flung the second knife behind him .

there was joy enough between the three sisters , till the two eldest saw their lovers turned into stone .

but while they were shedding tears for them , Seven Inches came in , and touched them with his rod .

but remember , ladies , you are to keep your crows safe , and be married in them , all the same day .

if you be married separately , or if you be married without your crowns , a curse will follow mind what I say . '

so they took leave of him with great respect , and walked arm-in-arm to the bottom of the draw-well .

at last it came to the turn of the youngest prince , and instead of going into the basket he put in a big stone .

he took it in his hands and opened it , and out Seven Inches walked on the table .

' I think , prince , ' says he , ' you 're getting a little tired of my castle ? '

' Well , you 're long enough here now , and you 're wanted there above .

keep your bride 's crowns safe , and whenever you want my help , open this snuff-box .

now take a walk down the garden , and come back when you 're tired . '

the clothes he had on him were as ragged as you please , but he had his crowns safe under his old cloak .

are you any good with hammer and tongs ?

come in and bear a hand , an I 'll give you diet and lodging , and a few pence when you earn them . '

' Never say't twice , ' says the prince .

' I want nothing but to be busy . '

they hadn't been long at work when a tailor came in , and he sat down and began to talk .

' You all heard how the two princess were loth to be married till the youngest would be ready with her crowns and her sweetheart .

the youngest was standing by mournful enough , and all was ready .

so the king said they should put off the marriage .

' Faint heart never won fair lady , ' says the prince .

' Are you in earnest ? ' says the smith .

' Faith , I am so , ' says he .

' Go ! you can't do worse than lose . '

' Well , ' says he to the smith , ' you 're a married man .

what 's to be done ? '

' Faith , your majesty , I didn't make them crowns at all .

it was a big fellow that took service with me yesterday . '

' Well , daughter , will you marry the fellow that made these crowns ? '

' I will marry the man that these crowns came from , ' says she .

he did not like doing this , he was so proud , but he could not refuse .

when he came to the forge he saw the prince standing at the door , and beckoned him over to the coach .

' Are you the fellow , ' says he , ' that made these crowns ? '

' Yes , ' says the other .

I pity the princess . '

' Well , ' says he , ' what trouble is on you now ? '

No sooner said than done .

the prince was sitting in his forge , and the horses wondered what was after happening to the carriage .

when they came into the palace yard , the king himself opened the carriage door , for respect to his new son-in-law .

' My lord , ' says he , ' I 'm very sorry for this accident , but I 'm not to blame .

I saw the young smith get into the carriage , and we never stopped a minute since . '

' It 's uncivil you were to him .

go , ' says he to the other prince , ' and bring the young smith here , and be polite . '

' Never fear , ' says he .

' There 's no use , ' says he , ' going on this way .

the fox never got a better messenger than himself . '

the prince begged to be allowed to sit in the other carriage , and when they were half-way he opened his snuff-box .

' Master , ' says he , ' I 'd wish to be dressed now according to my rank . '

' You shall be that , ' says Seven Inches .

' And now I 'll bid you farewell .

continue as good and kind as you always were ; love your wife ; and that 's all the advice I 'll give you . '

every one was full of joy but the two other princes .

there was not much delay about the marriages , and they were all celebrated on the one day .

from ' West Highland Tales . '

the Story of a Very Bad Boy

one day the old woman bade Antoine go into the forest and collect enough dry leaves to make beds for herself and him .

very cautiously he raised his head , and right above him he saw a big hairy animal , coming down tail foremost .

suddenly an idea entered his mind , which he thought might save him still .

then he left the tree and dragged the animal to his mother 's house .

' Mother , you have often declared that I was too stupid to catch a wolf by the tail .

now see , ' he cried triumphantly .

' Well , well , wonders will never cease , ' answered the good woman , who took care to keep at a safe distance .

' But as you really have got him , let us see if we can't put him to some use .

fetch the skin of the ram which died last week out of the chest , and we will sew the wolf up in it .

he will make a splendid ram , and to-morrow we will drive him to the fair and sell him . '

the fair was at its height next day when Toueno-Boueno arrived with his wolf in ram 's clothing .

all the farmers crowded round him , each offering a higher price than the last .

it happened that these three brothers owned large flocks of sheep , though none so large and fine as the one they had just bought .

and the wolf grinned as he listened , and held up his head a little higher than before .

Early next morning the young farmer began to go his rounds , and the sheep-fold was the first place he visited .

instantly the truth flashed upon him .

they have found out all about it , and will certainly kill me , and perhaps you too .

but if you do as I tell you , I may be able to save us both .

lie down on the floor , and pretend to be dead , and be sure not to speak , whatever happens .

' What are you doing now , you rascal ? ' asked the eldest .

' What am I doing ?

oh , my poor friends , I am the most miserable creature in the world !

' But what are you whistling like that for ? '

' Well , it is the only chance .

' Look ! ' he suddenly exclaimed with a cry , ' Look !

I am sure I felt her body move !

and now her nostrils are twitching .

the farmers were so astonished at her restoration , that it was some time before they could speak .

at length the eldest turned to the boy and said :

' Now listen to me .

there is no manner of doubt that you are a young villain .

you sold us a ram knowing full well that it was a wolf , and we came here to-day to pay you out for it .

but if you will give us that whistle , we will pardon what you have done , and will leave you alone . '

' It is my only treasure , and I set great store by it , ' answered the boy , pretending to hesitate .

our wives are all lazy and grumbling , and make our lives a burden .

let us give them a lesson , and kill them as soon as we get in .

of course we can restore them to life at once , but they will have had a rare fright . '

' Ah , how clever you are , ' answered the other two .

' Nobody else would have thought of that . '

so gaily the three husbands knocked down their three wives , who fell dead to the ground .

with stern faces they rose to their feet , and taking a large sack they retraced their steps to the hut .

this time there was no escape .

Toueno had been asleep , and only opened his eyes as they entered .

after that they all set out to the river , where they intended to drown the boy .

' What is the matter ? ' asked the beggar , drawing a little nearer .

' Why have they shut you up , poor boy ? '

' Because they wanted to make me a bishop , and I would not consent , ' answered Toueno .

' Dear me , ' exclaimed the beggar , ' yet it isn't such a bad thing to be a bishop . '

' I don't say it is , ' replied the young rascal , ' but I should never like it .

however , if you have any fancy for wearing a mitre , you need only untie the sack , and take my place . '

' I should like nothing better , ' said the man , as he stooped to undo the big knot .

so it was the beggar and not Toueno-Boueno who was flung into the water .

at the sight of him the three farmers stood still with astonishment .

' It does seem odd , doesn't it ? ' answered he .

' But perhaps you don't know that beneath this world there lies another yet more beautiful and far , far richer .

as it was , I had to content myself with buying these sheep , which you can get for nothing . '

' And do you know exactly the spot in the river which lies over the horse fair ? '

' As if I did not know it , when I have seen it with my own eyes . '

' Very well ; only you must get three sacks and come with me to that rock which juts into the river .

I will throw you in from there , and you will fall nearly on to the horses ' backs . '

so he threw them in , and as they were never seen again , no one ever knew into which fair they had fallen .

from ' Litterature Orale de L'Auvergne , ' par Paul Sebillot .

the Brown Bear of Norway

there was once a king in Ireland , and he had three daughters , and very nice princesses they were .

well , one laughed , and another laughed , and they joked with the princess all the rest of the evening .

well , she hadn't the heart to refuse him , and married they were the same evening .

well , when the princess woke in the morning , she missed her husband from her side , and spent the day very sadly .

she bethought of what he said soon after their marriage , and she stopped the cries and complaints that were on her tongue .

she spent her days very lonely for another twelvemonth , when a beautiful little girl was sent to her .

but all her care was in vain .

they were sitting one evening by the fire , when a lady appeared standing by them .

this time the mother kept her bed for a month .

if you give me leave to go home for a few days I 'd be glad . '

the next morning when she awoke she found herself in her own old chamber in her father 's palace .

in time she told them all that had happened to her , and they didn't know what to advise her to do .

there was great joy on both sides , and they were happy for many days .

she got up after midnight , passed through the panel , and found a Beautiful brown bear 's hide hanging in the corner .

she then lay down by her husband , gave him a kiss on the cheek , and fell asleep .

' Unhappy woman , ' said he , ' you have separated us for ever !

why hadn't you patience for five years ?

the skin that was my guard you have burned it , and the egg-wife that gave you the counsel was the witch herself .

I won't reproach you : your punishment will be severe without it .

farewell for ever ! '

he kissed her for the last time , and was off the next minute , walking as fast as he could .

she shouted after him , and then seeing there was no use , she dressed herself and pursued him .

she forgot all her sorrows in a moment , hugging her child , and laughing and crying over him .

it 's a scissors , and whatever stuff you cut with it will be turned into silk .

the moment the sun rises , I 'll lose all memory of yourself and the children , but I 'll get it at sunset again .

farewell ! '

but he wasn't far gone till she was in sight of him again , leaving her boy behind .

it was the same to-day as yesterday : their shadows went before them in the morning and followed them in the evening .

it was all joy and comfort again till morning , and then the third day 's journey commenced .

if you ever get to my house , and put your half-ring to mine , I shall recollect you .

farewell , dear wife and child , for ever ! '

Just then the sun rose , and away he walked towards the wood .

she went into the lodge , and asked the woodman and his wife to take her into their service .

it wasn't long till she heard how a young prince , that was just arrived , was living in the palace of the young mistress .

the head footman was the most troublesome , and at last she invited him to come and take tea with her .

oh , how rejoiced he was , and how he bragged of it in the servants ' hall !

just as she wished , so it was .

they sprung from the front of each ear , and met at the back .

oh , the poor wretch !

well , some way or other the story came to the ears of the prince , and he strolled down that way .

' I 'll take nothing , ' says she , ' but leave to spend one night outside the prince 's chamber . '

so she promised what the girl had asked her .

four long years I was married to thee ; Three sweet babes I bore to thee ; Brown Bear of Norway , turn to me .

the third day the prince went by , and stopped to talk with the strange woman .

he asked her could he do anything to serve her , and she said he might .

she asked him did he ever wake at night .

says she , ' Did you drink any sleepy posset either of these evenings before you went to bed ? '

' I did , ' said he .

' The two evenings my wife gave me something to drink , but I don't know whether it was a sleepy posset or not . '

' I will not , ' says he , and then he went on his walk .

four long years I was married to thee ; Three sweet babes I bore to thee ; Brown Bear of Norway , turn to me .

' Brown Bear of Norway ! ' said he .

' I don't understand you . '

' Don't you remember , prince , that I was your wedded wife for four years ? '

' I do not , ' said he , ' but I 'm sure I wish it was so . '

' Don't you remember our three babes that are still alive ? '

' Show me them .

my mind is all a heap of confusion . '

' Look for the half of our marriage ring , that hangs at your neck , and fit it to this . '

he did so , and the same moment the charm was broken .

his full memory came back on him , and he flung his arms round his wife 's neck , and both burst into tears .

Well , there was a great cry outside , and the castle walls were heard splitting and cracking .

everyone in the castle was alarmed , and made their way out .

no one ever saw the witch and her daughter afterwards .

it was not long till the prince and princess had their children with them , and then they set out for their own palace .

from ' West Highland Tales . '

little Lasse

it was summer time , when the pea shells grew long and green in the garden .

Little Lasse thought , perhaps , that no one saw him ; but that was foolish , for God sees everywhere .

then the gardener came with his gun over his shoulder , and he heard something rustling in the pea bed .

' I think that must be a sparrow , ' he said .

' Ras !

Ras ! ' but no sparrows flew out , for Little Lasse had no wings , only two small legs .

' Wait !

I will load my gun and shoot the sparrows , ' said the gardener .

then Little Lasse was frightened , and crept out on to the path .

' Forgive me , dear gardener ! ' he said .

' I wanted to get some fine boats . '

' Well , I will this time , ' said the gardener .

' But another time Little Lasse must ask leave to go and look for boats in the pea bed . '

' I will , ' answered Lasse ; and he went off to the shore .

then he took the peas which were in the shells and put them in the boats for cargo .

some of the shells got broken , some remained whole , and when all were ready Lasse had twelve boats .

but they should not be boats , they should be large warships .

he had three liners , three frigates , three brigs and three schooners .

the largest liner was called Hercules , and the smallest schooner The Flea .

and now the ships must sail round the world .

the whole fleet set off and sailed far away to other parts of the world .

but Little Lasse remained in Europe , and threw small stones out into the great sea .

father and mother had forbidden this , but Little Lasse forgot .

he thought he should very much like to travel to some other part of the world .

' I shall row out a little way only a very little way , ' he thought .

the pea-shell boats had travelled so far that they only looked like little specks on the ocean .

' I shall seize Hercules on the coast of Asia , ' said Lasse , ' and then row home again to Europe . '

he shook the rope that held the boat , and , strange to say , the rope became loose .

Ditsch , ratsch , a man is a man , and so Little Lasse manned the boat .

but when Little Lasse wanted to row there were no oars to be found in the boat .

the oars were locked up in the boat-house , and Little Lasse had not noticed that the boat was empty .

it is not so easy as one thinks to row to Asia without oars .

what could Little Lasse do now ?

Lasse was frightened and began to cry .

but there was no one on the shore to hear him .

neither of them troubled themselves in the least about Little Lasse , who was drifting out to sea .

now it was too late , he could not get back to land .

perhaps he would be lost out on the great sea .

what should he do ?

and then he went to sleep .

then Nukku Matti said to one of the Dreams , ' Play with Little Lasse , so that he does not feel lonesome . '

he came to Little Lasse and said , ' Would you like to sail round the world ? '

' Yes , ' said Lasse in his sleep , ' I should like to . '

' Come , then , ' said the dream-boy , ' and let us sail in your pea-shell boats .

you shall sail in Hercules and I shall sail in The Flea . '

' Shall we land here ? ' asked the dream-boy .

' No , ' said Little Lasse .

' I am so afraid that the whales would swallow us up , and the big dogs bite us .

let us sail instead to another part of the world . '

the sun was shining and it was very warm .

tall palm trees grew in long rows on the shore and bore coconuts in their top branches .

Knaps ! it was all over the little llama .

' Shall we land here ? ' asked the dream-boy .

' No , ' said Little Lasse .

' I am so afraid that the buffaloes will butt us , and the great serpent eat us up .

let us travel to another part of the world . '

it was very warm there , as warm as in a hot bath in Finland .

then all the others took to flight .

' Shall we land here ? ' asked the dream-boy .

' No , ' said Little Lasse .

' Don't you see the tiger away there by the pepper plant ?

let us travel to another part of the world . '

' We can do so , ' said the dream-boy with the blue eyes .

' We are not far from Africa ' and as he said that they were there .

they anchored at the mouth of a great river where the shores were as green as the greenest velvet .

a little distance from the river an immense desert stretched away .

' Shall we land here ? ' asked the dream-boy .

' No , ' said Little Lasse .

' The sun would burn us , and the lions and the crocodiles would eat us up .

let us travel to another part of the world . '

' We can travel back to Europe , ' said the dream-boy with the fair hair .

and with that they were there .

they came to a shore where it was all so cool and familiar and friendly .

an old gardener with a green coat walked about and wondered if the cucumbers were ripe .

Fylax was barking on the steps , and when he saw Little Lasse he wagged his tail .

a boy and a girl were running on the shore and calling out , ' Little Lasse !

come home for bread-and-butter ! '

' Shall we land here ? ' asked the dream-boy , and he blinked his blue eyes roguishly .

' Come with me , and I shall ask mother to give you some bread-and-butter and a glass of milk , ' said Little Lasse .

' Wait a little , ' said the dream-boy .

' Perhaps we should sail back to Polynesia now ? ' said the happy dream-boy .

the dream-boy had tied him with a chain of flowers , so that he could not move .

you have found it cold and hot , Little Lasse , Lasse ; But in no land is God not , Lasse , Little Lasse .

many men live there as here , But they all to God are dear , Little Lasse , Lasse .

when the dreams had sung their song they skipped away , and Nukku Matti carried Lasse back to the boat .

there he lay in the boat , where he had fallen asleep .

Little Lasse rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and looked around him .

some of the ships had foundered , and some had drifted back to land .

Little Lasse did not know what to think .

he had so often been in that grotto in the ' Land of Nod ' and did not know what tricks dreams can play .

come home and get some bread-and-butter . '

the kitchen door stood open , and inside was heard a strange frizzling .

the gardener was near the gate , watering the dill and parsley , the carrots and parsnips .

' Well , ' he said , ' where has Little Lasse been so long ? '

Little Lasse straightened himself up stiff , and answered : ' I have sailed round the world in a pea-shell boat . '

' Oh ! ' said the gardener .

he has forgotten Dreamland .

but you have not forgotten it ; you know that it exists .

the airy fairy fancies of happy Dreamland never grow old ; they , like the glorious stars above us , are always young .

perhaps you have caught a glimpse of their ethereal wings as they flew around your pillow .

yes , who knows ?

perhaps you also have sailed round the wide world once in a pea-shell boat .

from Z Topelius .

' Moti '

once upon a time there was a youth called Moti , who was very big and strong , but the clumsiest creature you can imagine .

then Moti started off one early spring morning with his thick staff over his shoulder , singing gaily to himself as he walked along .

then Moti went back to bed !

in the morning Moti followed the two Afghans outside the city to the horsemarket in which they horses were offered for sale .

choosing the best-looking horse amongst them he went up to it and said :

' This will do very well , ' thought Moti as they whirled in at the entrance .

presently the Afghans appeared , out of breath and furious , and claimed the horse .

' Nonsense ! it is our horse , ' answered one of the Afghans beginning to untie the bridle .

I know you !

last night you took my money , so to-day I took your horse ; that 's fair enough ! '

' Now , ' said the king to Moti , ' guess ! '

' Is it likely to be a fruit or a flower ?

no , not a flower this time , for he clasped it too tight .

then it must be a fruit or a stone .

yet not a stone , because he wouldn't wrap a dirty stone in his nice clean cloth .

then it is a fruit !

and a fruit without much scent , or else he would be afraid that I might smell it .

now what fruit without much scent is in season just now ?

when I know that I shall have guessed the riddle ! '

as has been said before , Moti was a country lad , and was accustomed to work in his father 's garden .

' It is freshly plucked !

it is round and it is red !

it is a pomegranate ! '

nothing remained of him but a broken halter cord , and no one knew what had become of him .

after inquiring of everyone who was likely to know , Moti seized the cord and his big staff and sallied out to look for him .

away and away he tramped out of the city and into the neighbouring forest , tracking hoof-marks in the mud .

' If you had my horse , ' he said , ' I will at least have you , that 's fair enough ! '

a week or two after this incident the king sent for Moti , who on arrival found his master in despair .

' If that is all , don't you trouble , ' said Moti .

' Turn out your men , and I 'll go with them , and we 'll soon bring this robber to reason . '

' But why do you choose that beast ? ' said the king .

a very comical sight was Moti when he rode out to the war .

the rest of the king 's cavalry were not very numerous , but they pranced along in armour on fine horses .

so the army started .

then , fortunately the other rock broke away from his other leg and rolled thunderously down a neighbouring ravine .

meanwhile the advanced cavalry had barely time to draw to one side when Moti came dashing by , yelling bloodthirsty threats to his pony :

' You wait till I get hold of you !

I 'll skin you alive !

I 'll wring your neck !

I 'll break every bone in your body ! '

the cavalry thought that this dreadful language was meant for the enemy , and were filled with admiration of his courage .

far in advance , Moti continued his wild career .

' Sire ! ' he cried , ' save yourself ! the enemy are coming ! '

' What do you mean ? ' said the king .

' Oh , sire ! ' panted the messenger , ' fly at once , there is no time to lose .

Foremost of the enemy rides a mad giant at a furious gallop .

I 'll skin you alive !

I 'll wring your neck !

I 'll break every bone in your body ! "

others ride behind , and you will do well to retire before this whirlwind of destruction comes upon you . '

behind him the dust cloud moved to the sound of the thunder of hoofs , whilst here and there flashed the glitter of steel .

quickly regaining his feet Moti began to swing his plant round his head and to shout :

' Where are your men ?

bring them up and I 'll kill them .

my regiments !

come on , the whole lot of you !

where 's your king ?

bring him to me .

come on ! '

but the poor fat officer could do nothing but squat on his knees with his hands together , gasping .

a Pushto Story .

the Enchanted Deer

a young man was out walking one day in Erin , leading a stout cart-horse by the bridle .

suddenly a hand was laid on his shoulder , and a voice said to him :

' What will you give me for my horse ? ' asked the youth .

' Will you give me your gun , and your dog , and your falcon ? '

that night he rose softly , and left the house carrying the gun with him .

' Ah , you have a gun , ' said the farmer as the young man placed it in a corner .

' That is well , for a deer comes every evening to eat my corn , and I cannot catch it .

it is fortune that has sent you to me . '

and thrice this happened , till the deer ran away over the moor , and the young man after her .

on they went , on and on and one , till they reached a cottage which was thatched with heather .

from his dark corner he could see into the room , and he counted four and twenty of them , all big , cross-looking men .

' Some one has been eating our dinner , ' cried they , ' and there was hardly enough for ourselves . '

' It is the man who is lying under the cask , ' answered the leader .

so four of them killed the fisher 's son and left him , and then went to bed .

by sunrise they were all out of the house , for they had far to go .

' Trust me and eat as you did before , and no harm shall happen to you , ' said she .

So Ian ate and drank , and fell sound asleep under the cask .

' Someone has eaten our dinner again , ' cried they .

' It is the man under the barrel , ' answered the captain .

then Ian was killed a second time , and after the rest of the robbers had eaten , they lay down and slept till morning .

no sooner were their faces touched with the sun 's rays than they were up and off .

then the deer entered and dropped the healing wax on the dead man , and he was as well as ever .

from quarrelling they went on to fighting , and fought so hard that by and bye they were all stretched dead on the floor .

and jumping across the stream , she vanished into a wood .

nothing could waken him , not even the sound of sweetest music , nor the touch of a lady who bent over him .

' I will come to-morrow , ' she whispered , though he could not hear her , and she went sorrowfully away .

then he awoke , and the dark lad told him what had befallen him , and he was very grieved .

but the dark lad did not tell him of the name that was written underneath his arm .

on the following morning the fisher 's son again went to the church , determined that he would not go to sleep , whatever happened .

then she burst into tears , and placing a beautifully wrought box in his pocket she went her way .

Nought did he see but the birds that made their nests in the trees , not so much as a goat or a rabbit .

on and on and on he went , till suddenly he came upon a little house , with a woman standing outside it .

' All hail , fisher 's son ! ' said she .

at daybreak he got up , ready to be gone , and the woman bade him farewell , saying :

' I have a sister who dwells on the road which you must travel .

the fisher 's son did as the woman told him , and everything happened just as she had said .

but at parting the second sister said to him , as she gave him another pair of shoes :

he is very wise , and perhaps he can help you . '

then the young man thanked her , and went to the third sister .

so the cow was killed and the meat cooked , and a bag made of its red skin .

he opened the lid , and three tiny little birds flew out , and flapping their wings they asked ,

' Good master , is there anything we can do for thee ? '

and the young man was glad , for he knew not where to go , and they sat and talked till it grew late .

the young man trembled with excitement at the news , and his voice shook as he answered :

' That will be a prize indeed , I should like to see the race . '

' Oh , that is quite easy anyone can go , ' replied the weaver .

' I would take you myself , but I have promised to weave this cloth for the king . '

leaving the house , he entered a grove of trees which stood behind , and took the box from his pocket .

he raised the lid , and out flew the three little birds .

mounting the horse he rode into the ground where the horses were assembling for the great race , and took his place among them .

with a shriek she sprang from her seat , and the eyes of the spectators were turned towards her .

' Stop ! stop ! ' she cried , hardly knowing what she said .

' If that man is hanged there is not a soul in the kingdom but shall die also . '

and running up to where the fisher 's son was standing , she took him by the hand , saying ,

' How did you find me out ? ' she whispered as they went down the passage .

there the princes stopped .

from ' Popular Tales of the West Highlands . '

a Fish Story

indeed , so clever were they that they might have been hunting still if a terrible thing had not happened .

to make matters worse , an icy wind began to blow , and the poor fishes were chilled right through their bodies .

' This will never do , ' said Thuggai , the oldest of the fish tribe .

' It is no use , ' exclaimed Thuggai , at last .

' The wood is too wet .

we must just sit and wait till the sun comes out again and dries it . '

he is skilled in magic more than most fishes . '

So Thuggai asked him , and Guddhu stripped some pieces of bark off a tree , and placed them on top of the smouldering ashes .

by and by the spark grew into a flame , and a merry crackling was heard .

' We shall soon be warm now , ' said the people one to another .

' Truly Guddhu is great ' ; and they crowded round again , closer and closer .

suddenly , with a shriek , a blast of wind swept down from the hills and blew the fire out towards them .

oh , how cold it was in that dark water on which the sun never shone !

Australian Folk Tale .

the Wonderful Tune .

Maurice Connor was the king , and that 's no small word , of all the pipers in Munster .

but he knew one far more surprising than the rest , which had in it the power to set everything dead or alive dancing .

in what way he learned it is beyond my knowledge for he was mighty cautious about telling how he came by so wonderful a tune .

his mother , poor woman , used to lead him about from one place to another just like a dog .

down through Iveragh , Maurice Connor and his mother were taking their rounds .

the dance began ; and as pretty a dance it was as ever was danced .

' Brave music , ' said everybody , ' and well done , ' when Maurice stopped .

' What will you drink , Maurice ? ' says Paddy.

' I 've no glass , Maurice , ' said Paddy ; ' I 've only the bottle . '

' That was no bad whisky neither , ' says Maurice , handing back the empty bottle .

of these Maurice Connor was not one , though he had a stiff head enough of his own .

' Twas really then beyond all belief or telling the dancing .

it was a sight surprising to behold .

I 'm a lady of honour Who live in the sea ; Come down , Maurice Connor , And be married to me .

silver plates and gold dishes You shall have , and shall be The king of the fishes , When you 're married to me .

drink was strong in Maurice 's head , and out he chanted in return for her great civility .

with your own father 's daughter I 'd be sure to agree , But to drink the salt water Wouldn't do so with me !

then the poor woman began to cry and sob so finely that it would do anyone good to hear her .

Maurice was not long getting to the rim of the water .

certain it was she could not help it , for Maurice never stopped playing that wonderful tune of his .

that day twelvemonth the piece of burned wood came ashore in Trafraska .

it was a queer thing for Maurice to think of sending all the way from the bottom of the sea .

the bit of burned wood regularly came ashore on the appointed day for as good , ay , and better than a hundred years .

some say it was the fatigue that killed her , but whichever it was , Mrs Connor was decently buried with her own people .

from ' Fairy Tales and Traditions of the South of Ireland . '

the Rich Brother and the Poor Brother

one day , however , the old man went to the city on business , which he had not done for three years at least .

the old man stared as he listened to her .

' Daughter-in-law ?

marriage ? ' said he .

' I don't know what you are talking about !

I 've got no daughter-in-law , and nobody has been married lately , that I ever heard of . '

' Oh , dear !

I hope I have not made mischief .

and not by the shortest way , either !

she did not learn much .

he was looking straight before him , his teeth set .

but as she ceased to talk , he said quietly , ' Go on . '

my cousin is servant to the priest , and she found out about it and told me .

but good-day to you , sir ; here is your horse , and I must hurry off to the kitchen . '

when the farm-house was reached , the man led the animal to the stable , and then went to look for his son .

' I know everything you have deceived me .

' But , father '

' You are no son of mine ; I have only one now .

Begone , or it will be the worse for you , ' and as he spoke he lifted up his whip .

the young man shrank back .

he feared lest his father should fall down in a fit , his face was so red and his eyes seemed bursting from his head .

yes , he had been wrong , there was no doubt of that , and he did not quite know how it had come about .

but he had put it off from day to day , hoping always for a better opportunity , and now this was the end !

however , this he kept to himself , and made the best of things , working hard like his brother before him .

meanwhile , the son whom he had disinherited had grown poorer and poorer .

it was the first time for long that the two men had come face to face , and they looked at each other in silence .

then tears rose in the eyes of the elder , but winking them hastily away , he said :

' Brother , it is not needful that I should tell you how poor I am ; you can see that for yourself .

for as they are , they profit you nothing . '

and the younger brother listened and pitied him , and gave him the houses that he asked for , and the elder went away happy .

the wife he chose was very wealthy , but she was also very greedy , and however much she had , she always wanted more .

she was , besides , one of those unfortunate people who invariably fancy that the possessions of other people must be better than their own .

but he had not the courage to rule her , and she only got worse and worse .

after she had been married a few months the bride wanted to go into the city and buy herself some new dresses .

the dwelling on each side were in the same unfinished condition , and water trickled down the walls .

at this answer the wife grew very angry .

' It was absurd , ' she sobbed out , ' quite unjust .

the poor man asked timidly if he might spend the night in a corner , adding that he had brought his own supper with him .

supper was soon served , and very glad the younger brother was to eat it , for his long ride had made him very hungry .

a few hours later the farmer was aroused by the cries and groans of his wife .

' Oh , I feel so ill , I 'm sure I 'm going to die , ' wept she .

' It was that onion , I know it was .

I wish I had never eaten it .

it must have been poisoned . '

luckily , the noise aroused the younger brother , who jumped up and snatched the stick from the farmer 's hand , saying :

' We are both going to Evora to try a law-suit .

meanwhile the poor brother walked wearily along , wondering what other dreadful adventures were in store for him .

however , they had all been too clever for him , and he had no strength to fight any more .

so he mounted the stone steps that led to the battlements of the city , and stopped for a moment to gaze about him .

as for the other , he was quite unhurt , and was slowly rising to his feet when his arms were suddenly seized and held .

' Your father ? but I don't know him .

' I will hear you one by one , ' he said , and motioned the younger brother to begin .

he did not take long to state his case .

the judge listened quietly and asked a few questions ; then he gave his verdict .

' The houses shall remain the property of the man to whom they were given , and to whom they belong .

the rich man heard the judge with rage in his heart , the poor man with surprise and gratitude .

but he was not safe yet , for now it was the turn of the farmer .

lastly , there came the two sons of the sick man .

' This is the wretch who killed our father , ' they said , ' and we demand that he should die also . '

the young men looked at each other , and slowly shook their heads .

' We will pay the fine , ' said they , and the judge nodded .

adapted from the Portuguese .

the One-Handed Girl

an old couple once lived in a hut under a grove of palm trees , and they had one son and one daughter .

they were all very happy together for many years , and then the father became very ill , and felt he was going to die .

but choose : will you have my blessing or my property ? '

' Your property , certainly , ' answered the son , and his father nodded .

' And you ? ' asked the old man of the girl , who stood by her brother .

' I will have blessing , ' she answered , and her father gave her much blessing .

but hardly was the time of mourning over , than the mother was attacked by a disease which was common in that country .

' Property , certainly , ' answered the son .

' And you , my daughter ? '

' I will have blessing , ' said the girl ; and her mother gave her much blessing , and that night she died .

but she had no corn to clean .

she sat at home , sad and hungry , when a neighbour knocked at the door .

and he went his way .

at length she said to herself ,

' Well , some thief must have stolen them while I slept .

I will go and see if any of my pumpkins are ripe . '

and indeed they were , and so many that the tree was almost broken by the weight of them .

then she thought she was quite rich .

in the evening her husband returned from hunting a long way off , and found his wife in tears .

' What is the matter ? ' asked he .

so before sunrise he got up and set out for his sister 's house , and found her cleaning some corn .

' Why did you refuse to sell my wife a pumpkin yesterday when she wanted one ? ' he asked .

' The old ones are finished , and the new ones are not yet come , ' answered the girl .

' I do not believe you ; you have sold them all to other people .

I shall go and cut down the pumpkin , ' cried her brother in a rage .

but her brother followed , and with one blow cut off the pumpkin and her hand too .

the sight of the huts made her feel more lonely and helpless than before .

and at this thought her courage failed , and she began to cry bitterly .

' I will lie here and rest under this tree , ' he said to his attendants .

' You can go and shoot instead , and I will just have this slave to stay with me ! '

away they went , and the young man fell asleep , and slept long .

suddenly he was awakened by something wet and salt falling on his face .

' What is that ?

is it raining ? ' he said to his slave .

' Go and look . '

' No , master , it is not raining , ' answered the slave .

' Why was she crying ? ' inquired the prince .

' I cannot tell I did not dare to ask her ; but perhaps she would tell you . '

and the master , greatly wondering , climbed up the tree .

' What is the matter with you ? ' said he gently , and , as she only sobbed louder , he continued :

' Are you a woman , or a spirit of the woods ? '

' I am a woman , ' she answered slowly , wiping her eyes with a leaf of the creeper that hung about her .

' Then why do you cry ? ' he persisted .

' I have many things to cry for , ' she replied , ' more than you could ever guess . '

' Come home with me , ' said the prince ; ' it is not very far .

come home to my father and mother .

I am a king 's son . '

' Then why are you here ? ' she said , opening her eyes and staring at him .

and you what are you doing up in this tree ? '

at that she began to cry again , and told the king 's son all that had befallen her since the death of her mother .

' I cannot come down with you , for I do not like anyone to see me , ' she ended with a sob .

' Oh !

when the man was gone , the girl climbed down , and hid herself on the ground in some bushes .

very soon the slave returned with the litter , which was placed on the ground close to the bushes where the girl lay .

then he got in on the other side , and waited till his attendants came up .

' What is the matter , O son of a king ? ' asked they , breathless with running .

so the slave hastened to the king 's palace and gave his message , which troubled both the king and the queen greatly .

he dismounted at the foot of the steps and walked up , a great parasol being held over his head by a slave .

then he entered the cool , dark room where his father and mother were sitting , and said to them :

on hearing these words the brother stopped and asked , ' Where did he find such a woman ? '

' In the forest , ' answered the man , and the cruel brother guessed at once it must be his sister .

therefore that very afternoon he made his way to the palace and asked to see the king .

' By the kindness of your heart have you been deceived , O king , ' said he .

' Your son has married a girl who has lost a hand .

do you know why she had lost it ?

she was a witch , and has wedded three husbands , and each husband she has put to death with her arts .

then the people of the town cut off her hand , and turned her into the forest .

and what I say is true , for her town is my town also . '

the king listened , and his face grew dark .

together they took counsel what they should do , and in the end they decided that they also would put her out of the town .

but this did not content the brother .

' Kill her , ' he said .

' It is no more than she deserves for daring to marry the king 's son .

then she can do no more hurt to anyone . '

' We cannot kill her , ' answered they ; ' if we did , our son would assuredly kill us .

let us do as the others did , and put her out of the town .

and with this the envious brother was forced to be content .

suddenly she raised her eyes , and saw a snake wriggling from under the bushes towards her .

in another minute the snake had reached her side , and to her surprise he spoke .

' Open your earthen pot , and let me go in .

' Yes , ' she answered , ' it was going very quickly . '

' Ah , I must hurry and catch it up , ' replied the second snake , and it hastened on .

when it was out of sight , a voice from the pot said :

' Uncover me , ' and she lifted the lid , and the little grey snake slid rapidly to the ground .

' I am safe now , ' he said .

' But tell me , where are you going ? '

' I cannot tell you , for I do not know , ' she answered .

' I am just wandering in the wood . '

' The sun is hot , ' said the snake , ' and you have walked far .

take your baby and bathe in that cool place where the boughs of the tree stretch far over the water . '

' Yes , I will , ' answered she , and they went in .

' No , he is not here , ' she cried .

' How am I to live without him ? '

but the snake took no notice , and only answered , ' Put in your other arm too . '

' Have you found him this time ? ' asked the snake .

the snake let her weep for a little while , and then he said

' Now we will journey on to my family , and we will all repay you for the kindness you showed to me . '

' You have done more than enough in giving me back my hand , ' replied the girl ; but the snake only smiled .

and he told them all his adventures , and how he had escaped from his enemy .

the father and mother snake could not do enough to show their gratitude .

in this manner many weeks passed by .

and what was the prince doing ?

' Have you forgotten me so soon ? ' he asked .

but the prince did not answer any of them .

' How is my wife ? ' he said .

there was a pause .

then the queen replied :

' She is dead . '

' Dead ! ' he repeated , stepping a little backwards .

' And my child ? '

' He is dead too . '

the young man stood silent .

then he said , ' Show me their graves . '

but now , this somehow did not seem so certain .

the prince advanced alone , and , resting his head against the stone , he burst into tears .

his father and mother stood silently behind with a curious pang in their souls which they did not quite understand .

could it be that they were ashamed of themselves ?

but after a while the prince turned round , and walking past them in to the palace he bade the slaves bring him mourning .

only no one dared to speak to him of his wife and son .

now the heart of the snake was sad at her words , but he only said :

but the girl shook her head and pushed the shining heap away from her .

the two snakes looked at each other in dismay .

the ring and the casket were the only things they did not want her to have .

then after a short pause they spoke .

' Why do you want the ring and casket so much ?

who has told you of them ? '

' Oh , nobody ; it is just my fancy , ' answered she .

but the old snakes shook their heads and replied :

' Not so ; it is our son who told you , and , as he said , so it must be .

if you need food , or clothes , or a house , tell the ring and it will find them for you .

and if you are unhappy or in danger , tell the casket and it will set things right . '

then they both gave her their blessing , and she picked up her baby and went her way .

she walked for a long time , till at length she came near the town where her husband and his father dwelt .

here she stopped under a grove of palm trees , and told the ring that she wanted a house .

here she stayed quietly , and every day the baby grew taller and stronger , and very soon he could run about and even talk .

and by and bye , when the king returned with his son from the wars , some of these tales reached his ears .

I daresay it is not a lady at all , but a gang of conspirators who want to get possession of my throne .

To-morrow I shall take my son and my chief ministers and insist on getting inside . '

her heart beat fast .

could her husband be among them ?

then , taking the child 's hand , she went to the door and waited .

in a few minutes the whole procession came up , and she stepped forward and begged them to come in and rest .

' Willingly , ' answered the king ; ' go first , and we will follow you . '

' Ah , I owe all my misery to him , ' she said to herself .

' From the first he has hated me , ' but outwardly she showed nothing .

and when the king asked her what news there was in the town she only answered :

' You speak sense , ' answered the king , and silence prevailed for some time longer .

then he said :

but , first , be seated . '

when she reached the part where she had sat weeping in the tree , the king 's son could restrain himself no longer .

' It is my wife , ' he cried , springing to where she sat with the sleeping child in her lap .

' They have lied to me , and you are not dead after all , nor the boy either !

but what has happened ?

why did they lie to me ? and why did you leave my house where you were safe ? '

and he turned and looked fiercely at his father .

' Put him out of the town , ' answered she .

from ' Swaheli Tales , ' by E Steere .

the Bones of Djulung

' See !

hastening home the sister told the others what she had witnessed , and that a lovely fat fish might be had for the catching .

never was such a tree seen before .

' What a curious leaf !

I have never beheld one like it before .

' Seven girls live in a hut down there , ' replied the boy , pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting .

' But the boy told me there were seven of you , and there are only six here , ' said the king .

' That may be , but perhaps she dreams , ' answered the king .

' Anyway , I will speak to her also . '

then he signed to one of his attendants , who followed the path that the boy had taken to the hut .

soon the man returned , with the girl walking behind him .

from ' Folk Lore , ' by A F Mackenzie .

the Sea King 's Gift

there was once a fisherman who was called Salmon , and his Christian name was Matte .

he lived by the shore of the big sea ; where else could he live ?

he had a wife called Maie ; could you find a better name for her ?

the rock was called Ahtola , and was not larger than the market-place of a town .

between the crevices there grew a little rowan tree and four alder bushes .

heaven only knows how they ever came there ; perhaps they were brought by the winter storms .

rock walls sheltered them on the north side , and the sun shone on them on the south .

this does not seem much , but it sufficed Maie for a herb plot .

' What would you do with a cow ? ' asked Matte .

' We have four alder bushes and sixteen tufts of grass , ' rejoined Maie .

' Yes , of course , ' laughed Matte , ' and we have also three plants of garlic .

garlic would be fine feeding for her . '

' Every cow likes salt herring , ' rejoined his wife .

' Even Prince is fond of fish . '

' That may be , ' said her husband .

' Methinks she would soon be a dear cow if we had to feed her on salt herring .

all very well for Prince , who fights with the gulls over the last morsel .

put the cow out of your head , mother , we are very well off as we are . '

Maie sighed .

she knew well that her husband was right , but she could not give up the idea of a cow .

they were students , on a boating excursion , and wanted to get something to eat .

' Bring us a junket , good mother , ' cried they to Maie .

' Ah ! if only I had such a thing ! ' sighed Maie .

' A can of fresh milk , then , ' said the students ; ' but it must not be skim . '

' Yes , if only I had it ! ' sighed the old woman , still more deeply .

' What ! haven't you got a cow ? '

Maie was silent .

this question so struck her to the heart that she could not reply .

' What 's the name of this little stone in the middle of the ocean ? ' asked one of them .

' Ahtola , ' answered the old man .

' Well , you should want for nothing when you live in the Sea King 's dominion . '

Matte did not understand .

' Oh ! ' cried Matte , ' have your worships really seen all that ? '

' We have as good as seen it , ' said the students .

' It is all printed in a book , and everything printed is true . '

' I 'm not so sure of that , ' said Matte , as he shook his head .

Prince sat on his hind legs with delight and mewed like a pussy cat .

Maie had never uttered a word , but thought the more .

she had good ears , and had laid to heart the story about Ahti .

' How delightful , ' thought she to herself , ' to possess a fairy cow !

but this will never be my luck . '

' What are you thinking of ? ' asked Matte .

' What if I were to try ? ' thought she .

now this was Saturday , and on Saturday evenings Matte never set the herring-net , for he did not fish on Sunday .

towards evening , however , his wife said :

' Let us set the herring-net just this once . '

' No , ' said her husband , ' it is a Saturday night . '

' But there are streaks in the north-western sky , and Prince was eating grass this evening , ' said the old man .

' Surely he has not eaten my garlic , ' exclaimed the old woman .

' No ; but there will be rough weather by to-morrow at sunset , ' rejoined Matte .

the old man allowed himself to be talked over , and so they rowed out with the net .

' What's that you 're humming ? ' asked the old man .

' That 's a stupid sort of song , ' said Matte .

' What else should one beg of the sea-king but fish ?

but such songs are not for Sunday . '

his wife pretended not to hear him , and sang and sang the same tune all the time they were on the water .

Matte heard nothing more as he sat and rowed the heavy boat , while thinking of his cracked pipe and the fine tobacco .

then they returned to the island , and soon after went to bed .

about midnight the fisherman sat up , and said to his wife :

' Dost thou hear anything ? '

' No , ' said she .

' I think the twirling of the weathercock on the roof bodes ill , ' said he ; ' we shall have a storm . '

' Oh , it is nothing but your fancy , ' said his wife .

Matte lay down , but soon rose again .

' The weathercock is squeaking now , ' said he .

' Just fancy !

go to sleep , ' said his wife ; and the old man tried to .

for the third time he jumped out of bed .

' Ho ! how the weather-cock is roaring at the pitch of its voice , as if it had a fire inside it !

we are going to have a tempest , and must bring in the net . '

both rose .

the summer night was as dark as if it had been October , the weather-cock creaked , and the storm was raging in every direction .

as they went out the sea lay around them as white as now , and the spray was dashing right over the fisher-hut .

in all his life Matte had never remembered such a night .

to launch the boat and put to sea to rescue the net was a thing not to be thought of .

the fisherman and his wife stood aghast on the doorstep , holding on fast by the doorpost , while the foam splashed over their faces .

as there was nothing to be done , they went in .

' What can that be ? ' said the old woman , as she peeped out of the door .

' It looks like a big seal , ' said Matte .

' As sure as I live , it 's a cow ! ' exclaimed Maie .

Matte could not believe his eyes .

the old man troubled his head in vain as to how she came there , and sallied forth to seek for his lost net .

' We shall find some means , ' said his wife ; and the cow found the means herself .

she went out and cropped the seaweed which grew in great abundance near the shore , and always kept in good condition .

from that day the red rock overflowed with milk and junkets , and every net was filled with fish .

Matte and Maie grew fat on this fine living , and daily became richer .

she churned quantities of butter , and he hired two men to help him in his fishing .

' Yes , ' said Matte .

' I am quite overworked with so many folk , ' said Maie ; ' a girl to help me would not come amiss . '

' Get one , then , ' said her husband ; and so they hired a girl .

then Maie said : ' We have too little milk for all these folk .

now that I have a servant , with the same amount of trouble she could look after three cows . '

' All right , then , ' said her husband , somewhat provoked , ' you can sing a song to the fairies . '

this annoyed Maie , but nevertheless she rowed out to sea on Sunday night and sang as before :

' Art thou satisfied now ? ' said Matte to his wife .

don't you know that I am addressed as Madam ? '

' Well , well , ' said her husband .

so Maie got several servants and clothes fit for a great lady .

' Everything would now be perfect if only we had a little better dwelling for summer .

you might build us a two-storey house , and fetch soil to make a garden .

' Anything more ? ' asked Matte ; but he did everything that his wife wished .

the rock Ahtola became so grand and Maie so grand that all the sea-urchins and herring were lost in wonderment .

Even Prince was fed on beefsteaks and cream scones till at last he was as round as a butter jar .

' Are you satisfied now ? ' asked Matte .

' I should be quite satisfied , ' said Maie , ' if only I had thirty cows .

at least that number is required for such a household . '

' Go to the fairies , ' said Matte .

his wife set out in the new steamer and sang to the sea-king .

next morning thirty cows stood on the shore , all finding food for themselves .

' There is nothing to be done but to pump out the sea . '

' Rubbish ! ' said his wife .

' Who can pump out the sea ? '

' Try with thy new steamer , there is a pump in it . '

Maie knew well that her husband was only making fun of her , but still her mind was set upon the same subject .

I might heap up sand and stones , and make our island as big again . '

Maie loaded her boat with stones and went out to sea .

' What is that shining so brightly in the waves ? ' asked Maie .

' That is sea foam glinting in the sunshine , ' answered the fiddler .

' Throw out the stones , ' said Maie .

the people in the boat began to throw out the stones , splash , splash , right and left , into the foam .

' Whence comes this gust of wind ? ' said Maie ; and as she spoke the sea opened and swallowed up the steamer .

at the same moment she saw close beside her the terrible head of Ahti , and he had only half a beard ! '

' Why did you throw stones at me ? ' roared the sea-king .

' Oh , your majesty , it was a mistake !

put some bear 's grease on your beard and that will soon make it grow again . '

' Dame , did I not give you all you asked for nay , even more ? '

' Truly , truly , your majesty .

Many thanks for the cows . '

' Well , where is the gold from the sun and the silver from the moon that you promised me ? '

there Prince lay , as famished as ever , gnawing the carcase of a crow .

there sat Matte in his ragged grey jacket , quite alone , on the steps of the old hut , mending a net .

Maie looked around her amazed , and said , ' Where is our two-storey house ? '

' What house ? ' asked her husband .

' You are talking nonsense , mother , ' said he .

' But I 've seen Ahti , ' rejoined Maie .

' You 've been lying in bed , dreaming foolish fancies , mother , and then in your sleep you walked into the water . '

' But there is the fiddle , ' said Maie .

' A fine fiddle !

it is only an old stick .

no , no , old woman , another time we will be more careful .

good luck never attends fishing on a Sunday . '

from Z Topelius .

the Raspberry Worm

' Phew ! ' cried Lisa .

' Ugh ! ' cried Aina .

' What now ? ' cried the big sister .

' A worm ! ' cried Lisa .

' On the raspberry ! ' cried Aina .

' Kill it ! ' cried Otto .

' What a fuss over a poor little worm ! ' said the big sister scornfully .

' Yes , when we had cleaned the raspberries so carefully , ' said Lisa .

' It crept out from that very large one , ' put in Aina .

' And supposing someone had eaten the raspberry , ' said Lisa .

' Then they would have eaten the worm , too , ' said Aina .

' Well , what harm ? ' said Otto .

' Eat a worm ! ' cried Lisa .

' And kill him with one bite ! ' murmured Aina .

' Just think of it ! ' said Otto laughing .

' Now it is crawling on the table , ' cried Aina again .

' Blow it away ! ' said the big sister .

' Tramp on it ! ' laughed Otto .

but Lisa took a raspberry leaf , swept the worm carefully on to the leaf and carried it out into the yard .

yes , and what more is there to tell about a raspberry worm ?

who would give three straws for such a miserable little thing ?

now it was just dinner time , so they all had a dinner of raspberries and cream .

' Come , let us go to the wood and pick , ' said Lisa .

' Yes , let us , ' said Aina .

' You take the yellow basket and I will take the green one . '

' Don't get lost , and come back safely in the evening , ' said the big sister .

' Greetings to the raspberry worm , ' said Otto , mockingly .

' Next time I meet him I shall do him the honour of eating him up . '

so Aina and Lisa went off to the wood .

ah ! how delightful it was there , how beautiful !

the girls climbed well in their short dresses , and soon they were deep in the wood .

there were plenty of bilberries and elder berries , but no raspberries .

they wandered on and on , and at last they came ....y

no , it could not be true ! ....x they came to a large raspberry wood .

Lisa picked , Aina picked .

Lisa ate , Aina ate , and in a little while their baskets were full .

' Now we shall go home , ' said Aina .

' No , let us gather a few more , ' said Lisa .

' Now we shall go home , ' said Lina .

' Yes , now we shall go home , ' said Aina .

both girls took a basket in one hand and held up her apron in the other and then turned to go home .

but that was easier said than done .

at last the sun went down behind the pine tops , and it was cool and dusky in the great wood .

after they had wandered on for a long time it began to grow dark .

then they were so tired that they sat down on a stone and began to cry .

' I am so hungry , ' said Lisa .

' Yes , ' said Aina , ' if we had only two good meat sandwiches now . '

I have a sandwich in my hand . '

' And I , too , ' said Aina .

' Will you dare to eat it ? '

' Of course I will , ' said Lisa .

' Ah , if we only had a good glass of milk now ! '

Lisa !

I have a glass of milk in my hand !

isn't it queer ? '

the girls , however , were very hungry , so they ate and drank with a good appetite .

scarcely had she spoken before she felt a nice soft bed by her side , and there beside Lisa was one too .

at first the girls were filled with wonder when they saw that they had slept in the wood among the raspberry bushes .

they looked at each other , they looked at their beds , which were of the finest flax covered over with leaves and moss .

at last Lisa said : ' Are you awake , Aina ? '

' Yes , ' said Aina .

' But I am still dreaming , ' said Lisa .

' No , ' said Aina , ' but there is certainly some good fairy living among these raspberry bushes .

' Now I should like to know very much who has given us all this , ' said Lisa gratefully .

' I have , my little girls , ' said a voice just then from the bushes .

' Welcome to my kingdom !

have you slept well and eaten well and drunk well ? ' he asked .

then I found you both here in my kingdom , and tried to meet you both as well as I could without frightening you .

now I will send a bird from my wood to show you the way home .

good-bye , little children , thank you for your kind hearts ; the raspberry king can show that he is not ungrateful . '

the children shook hands with the old man and thanked him , feeling very glad that they had saved the little raspberry worm .

' Oh , please don't do that , ' cried both the girls , very frightened .

' Well , for your sake I will forgive him , ' said the old man , ' I am not revengeful .

greetings to Otto and tell him that he may expect a gift from me , too .

good-bye . '

one can imagine what joy there was when the two reached home .

Otto felt rather ashamed : he quite understood what it meant , but he thought that the old man 's revenge was a noble one .

from Z Topelius .

the Stones of Plouhinec

perhaps some of you may have read a book called ' Kenneth ; or the Rear-Guard of the Grand Army ' of Napoleon .

it is this story that I am going to tell to you .

Plouhinec is a small town near Hennebonne by the sea .

rather unwillingly Marzinne gave him leave , and bade Bernez take the key and unlock the door .

at this sound the donkey raised her head and shook her ears , and turned towards the ox .

instead of answering at once , the ox eyed the beggar with a long look of disgust .

' What piece of luck ? ' asked the donkey .

it is needful that a Christian should die before you can enjoy the wealth of Plouhinec . '

but I have no time to lose ; to-morrow I must begin to hunt for the precious plants . '

hardly able to breathe from excitement , he sat down and hunted eagerly through the plant which he had torn up .

the beggar scrambled to his feet , and without a pause walked quickly down the road that led northwards .

then he continued his journey , and so , towards sunset on New Year 's Eve , he came back to Plouhinec .

as he was passing the long line of stones , he saw Bernez working with a chisel on the tallest of them all .

the holy sign can never come amiss . '

' I believe you think it will help you to win Rozennik , ' laughed the old man .

Bernez ceased his task for a moment to look at him .

' You ? '

' Yes , I. '

' What I want of you only needs a little courage , ' answered the old man .

' If I have to risk thirty deaths , I am ready . '

so he said :

just let me finish carving this cross .

it is nearly done , and I will join you in the fir wood at whatever hour you please . '

' You must be there without fail an hour before midnight , ' answered the wizard , and went on his way .

as the hour struck from the great church at Plouhinec , Bernez entered the wood .

he found the beggar already there with a bag in each hand , and a third slung round his neck .

' You are punctual , ' said the old man , ' but we need not start just yet .

you had better sit down and think what you will do when your pockets are filled with gold and silver and jewels . '

' Oh , it won't take me long to plan out that , ' returned Bernez with a laugh .

' The silver you find will pay for all that , and what about the gold ? '

' With the gold I shall make rich Rozennik 's relations and every friend of hers in the parish , ' replied he .

' So much for the gold ; and the jewels ? '

passing the spot where stood Bernez and the beggar , they were lost in the darkness .

it seemed as if a procession of giants had gone by .

the stones had finished drinking , and were hastening back to their places .

on they came , bent a little forward , the tallest of them all at their head , breaking everything that stood in their way .

at the sight Bernez stood transfixed with horror , and said ,

' We are lost !

they will crush us to death . '

' Not me ! ' answered the sorcerer , holding up the crowsfoot and the five-leaved trefoil , ' for these will preserve me .

and as he spoke he stretched out the magic herbs to the stones , which were advancing rapidly .

the young man did not try to escape , he knew it was useless , and sank on his knees and closed his eyes .

but suddenly the tall stone that was leading stopped straight in front of Bernez , so that no other could get past .

from ' Le Royer Breton , ' par Emile Souvestre .

the Castle of Kerglas

for he could imitate a lark so well , that no one knew which was Peronnik and which was the bird .

he had been wandering in a forest one day for several hours , and when evening approached , he suddenly felt very hungry .

luckily , just at that place the trees grew thinner , and he could see a small farmhouse a little way off .

' I am hungry , will you give me something to eat ? ' asked the boy .

but Peronnik ate what was there with a hearty appetite , and thought that he had never tasted better food .

' Can you tell me the way to the castle of Kerglas ? ' asked he .

' To Kerglas ? are you really going to Kerglas ? ' cried the woman , turning pale .

' And why do you want to go to Kerglas ? ' said she .

' I am seeking the basin of gold and the lance of diamonds which are in the castle , ' he answered .

then Peronnik looked up .

' The basin and the lance are very costly things , ' he said suddenly .

as to the diamond lance , that will cut through any stone or metal . '

' And to whom do these wonders belong ? ' asked Peronnik in amazement .

' To a magician named Rogear who lives in the castle , ' answered the woman .

' Every day he passes along here , mounted on a black mare , with a colt thirteen months old trotting behind .

but no one dares to attack him , as he always carries his lance . '

the moment he enters , the basin and lance are put away in a dark cellar which no key but one can open .

and that is the place where I wish to fight the magician . '

' You will never overcome him , Sir Knight , ' replied the woman , shaking her head .

' More than a hundred gentlemen have ridden past this house bent on the same errand , and not one has ever come back . '

' And what did the hermit tell you ? ' asked Peronnik .

most of those who have gone before me have wandered they know not where , and perished from cold , hunger , or fatigue . '

' Well , suppose you get through safely ? ' said the idiot .

this dwarf stands guarding an apple-tree , from which I am bound to pluck an apple . '

' And next ? ' inquired Peronnik .

' Next I shall find the flower that laughs , protected by a lion whose mane is formed of vipers .

after that , I enter the valley of pleasure , where some who conquered all the other obstacles have left their bones .

if I can win through this , I shall reach a river with only one ford , where a lady in black will be seated .

she will mount my horse behind me , and tell me what I am to do next . '

he paused , and the woman shook her head .

the farmer 's wife sighed and , giving Peronnik some more food , bade him good-night .

the idiot rose and was opening the gate which led into the forest when the farmer himself came up .

' I want a boy to tend my cattle , ' he said abruptly , ' as the one I had has run away .

but as soon as he was out of sight the idiot sought in vain for traces of the path he had taken .

this happened not only once but many times , till Peronnik grew so used to him that he never troubled to hide .

but on each occasion he saw him the desire to possess the bowl and the lance became stronger .

one evening the boy was sitting alone on the edge of the forest , when a man with a white beard stopped beside him .

' You have been there without being killed by the magician ? ' cried Peronnik .

stooping down as he spoke he traced three circles on the ground and murmured some words very low , which Peronnik could not hear .

then he added aloud :

colt , free to run and free to eat .

colt , gallop fast until we meet ,

and instantly the colt appeared , frisking and jumping to the wizard , who threw a halter over his neck and leapt on his back .

meantime he must be ready in case a chance should come , and he made his preparations at night , when everyone was asleep .

Punctual to their hour all three appeared , eagerly watched by Peronnik , who lay hid in the bushes close by .

suppose it was useless ; suppose the mare , and not the colt , ate the crumbs ?

oh , how good it was !

at last the forest was left behind , and they came out on a wide plain where the air blew fresh and strong .

and what were those grey forms trotting away in the distance ?

were they could they be wolves ?

In front was the korigan the little fairy man holding in his hand the fiery sword , which reduced to ashes everything it touched .

' Begged you to come ! ' repeated the dwarf , ' and who , then , are you ? '

' I am the new servant he has engaged , as you know very well , ' answered Peronnik .

still , the dwarf did not feel quite sure that all was right , and asked what the magician wanted with a bird-catcher .

' That is just what I should like to be sure of , ' answered the korigan .

' My apples are completely eaten up by blackbirds and thrushes .

lay your snare , and if you can manage to catch them , I will let you pass . '

shrieking with rage , he tried to undo the cord , but he only pulled the knot tighter .

this was the flower that laughs , and no one who looked at it could help laughing too .

' And what is your business at Kerglas ? ' asked the lion with a growl , and showing his teeth .

' Larks ? ' cried the lion , licking his long whiskers .

' Why , it must be a century since I have had any !

have you a large quantity with you ? '

' Come , ' exclaimed the lion , whose mouth watered , ' show me the birds !

I should like to see if they are fat enough for my master . '

' Well , open it wide enough for me to look in , ' said the lion , drawing a little nearer .

then , quickly gathering the flower that laughs , he rode off as fast as the colt could take him .

the path soon led to the lake of the dragons , which he had to swim across .

in his head the black man had six eyes that were never all shut at once , but kept watch one after the other .

the day was hot , and after a while the man began to grow sleepy .

two of his eyes closed , and Peronnik sang gently .

in a moment a third eye shut , and Peronnik sang on .

the lid of a fourth eye dropped heavily , and then those of the fifth and the sixth .

the black man was asleep altogether .

further on , tables were spread with food , and girls dancing on the grass called to him to join them .

Peronnik heard , and , scarcely knowing what he did drew the colt into a slower pace .

he sniffed greedily the smell of the dishes , and raised his head the better to see the dancers .

his eyes he fixed steadily on the ears of the colt , that he might not see the dancers .

would the lady be there , as the old man had told him ?

' I was waiting for you to help me do so , ' answered she .

' Come near , that I may get up behind you . '

Peronnik did as she bade him , and by the help of his arm she jumped nimbly on to the back of the colt .

' Do you know how to kill the magician ? ' asked the lady , as they were crossing the ford .

' I thought that , being a magician , he was immortal , and that no one could kill him , ' replied Peronnik .

' Why , it is surely the idiot , riding my colt thirteen months old ! '

' Greatest of magicians , you are right , ' answered Peronnik .

' And how did you manage to catch him ? ' asked the giant .

' By repeating what I learnt from your brother Bryak on the edge of the forest , ' replied the idiot .

' I just said

colt , free to run and free to eat , Colt , gallop fast until we meet ,

and it came directly . '

' You know my brother , then ? ' inquired the giant .

' Tell me why he sent you here . '

' Well , give me the apple , and bid the woman get down , ' answered Rogear .

leaving the magician where he lay , Peronnik entered the palace , bearing with him the flower that laughs .

down these he went till he came to a silver door without a bar or key .

thus he made his way to the city of Nantes , which at that moment was besieged by the French .

a little way off , Peronnik stopped and looked about him .

' You need blow no more , ' said he , ' for I myself will free the town from her enemies . '

the men who were following stood still , amazed .

but before they had time to recover from their astonishment , Peronnik cried out :

then , jumping his horse across the trench , he entered the gate of the city , which had opened wide enough to receive him .

from ' Le Foyer Breton , ' par Emile Souvestre .

the Battle of the Birds

there was to be a great battle between all the creatures of the earth and the birds of the air .

and when the raven beheld that his enemy was dead , he was grateful , and said :

' For thy kindness to me this day , I will show thee a sight .

so come up now on the root of my two wings . '

' Do you see that house yonder ? ' said the raven at last .

' Go straight for it , for a sister of mine dwells there , and she will make you right welcome .

' Is there a raven hereabouts ? ' asked the king 's son , and the youth answered :

the string was easy to untie , and the king 's son soon unfastened the bundle .

what was it he saw there ?

why , a great castle with an orchard all about it , and in the orchard fruit and flowers and birds of very kind .

well , it was no use wishing , and with a sigh he glanced up , and beheld a huge giant coming towards him .

' Bad is the place where thou hast built thy house , king 's son , ' said the giant .

' True ; it is not here that I wish to be , ' answered the king 's son .

' What reward wilt thou give me if I put it back in the bundle ? ' asked the giant .

' What reward dost thou ask ? ' answered the king 's son .

' The first boy thou hast when he is seven years old , ' said the giant .

' Now take thy road , and I will take mine , ' said the giant .

' And if thou forgettest thy promise , I will remember it . '

Light of heart the king 's son went on his road , till he came to the green valley near his father 's palace .

slowly he unloosed the bundle , fearing lest he should find nothing but a heap of stones or rags .

then he remembered his promise , and remembered , too , that he had told the queen nothing about it .

now he must tell her , and perhaps she might help him in his trouble .

the queen listened in silence to his tale , and after he had finished , she only said :

' Bring out your son , ' cried he to the king , ' as you promised me seven years and a day since . '

the king glanced at his wife , who nodded , so he answered :

they had not walked far when the giant stopped and stretched out a stick to the boy .

' If your father had that stick , what would he do with it ? ' asked he .

' If my father had that stick , he would beat the dogs and cats that steal the king 's meat , ' replied the boy .

' Thou art the cook 's son ! ' cried the giant .

' Go home to thy mother ' ; and turning his back he strode straight to the castle .

before they had gone far he stopped , and held out a stick .

' If thy father had that rod , what would he do with it ? ' asked the giant .

' He would beat the dogs and cats that break the king 's glasses , ' answered the boy .

' Thou art the son of the butler ! ' cried the giant .

' Go home to thy mother ' ; and turning round he strode back angrily to the castle .

so the boy wandered to the top of the castle , where he had never been before .

and the prince did as he was bid , and when midnight struck he crept back to the top of the castle .

' Now , O son of the king of Tethertown , the time has come for us to part .

choose one of my two elder daughters to wife , and thou shalt take her to your father 's house the day after the wedding . '

' Give me the youngest instead , ' replied the youth , and the giant 's face darkened as he heard him .

' Three things must thou do first , ' said he .

all day long the youth toiled , but he might as well have tried to empty the ocean .

at length , when he was so tired he could hardly move , the giant 's youngest daughter stood in the doorway .

he jumped up in surprise , and at that moment in came the giant .

' Hast thou cleaned the byre , king 's son ? ' asked he .

' I have cleaned it , ' answered he .

before the sun was up , the youth took his bow and his quiver and set off to kill the birds .

off to the moor he went , but never a bird was to be seen that day .

at last he got so tired with running to and fro that he gave up heart .

' There is but one death I can die , ' thought he .

then at midday came the giant 's daughter .

' Thou art tired , king 's son ? ' asked she .

' Lay down thy weariness on the grass , ' said she , and he did as she bade him , and fell fast asleep .

when he woke the girl had disappeared , and he got up , and returned to the byre .

at the door of the house he met the giant .

' Hast thou thatched the byre , king 's son ? '

' I have thatched it . '

' Well , since thou hast been so active to-day , I have something else for thee !

beside the loch thou seest over yonder there grows a fir tree .

on the top of the fir tree is a magpie 's nest , and in the nest are five eggs .

thou wilt bring me those eggs for breakfast , and if one is cracked or broken , thy blood shall pay for it . '

before it was light next day , the king 's son jumped out of bed and ran down to the loch .

but then he was a king 's son and not a sailor , which made all the difference .

' Alas !

I am no sooner up than down , ' answered he .

' Try once more , ' said she , and she laid a finger against the tree and bade him put his foot on it .

but she was too busy to pay heed to this , for the sun was getting high over the hills .

' Listen to me , ' she said .

' This night my two sisters and I will be dressed in the same garments , and you will not know me .

so he went and gave the eggs to the giant , who nodded his head .

the king 's son looked from one to another .

which was the youngest ?

suddenly his eyes fell on the hand of the middle one , and there was no little finger .

at last everyone grew tired , and the guests went away , and the king 's son and his bride were left alone .

not long after , the giant awoke .

' Are you asleep ? ' asked he .

by and bye he called again .

' Are you asleep ? '

' Not yet , ' said the apple at the foot of the bed , and the giant was satisfied .

after a while , he called a third time , ' Are you asleep ? '

the bed was cold and empty !

and the giant , who was striding headlong forwards , got caught in it , and it pulled his hair and beard .

' If thou leavest them , ' said the hoodie , ' we will steal them . '

' You will , ' answered the giant , ' and I must take them home . '

so he took them home , and started afresh on his journey .

' My father 's breath is burning my back , ' cried the girl at midday .

then it took him but a short time to hew his way through the rock .

' I will leave the tools here , ' he murmured aloud when he had finished .

' Steal them if thou wilt ; there is no time to go back . '

the blue-grey mare galloped on like the wind , and the next day the king 's son came in sight of his father 's house .

' Get down and go in , ' said the bride , ' and tell them that thou hast married me .

but take heed that neither man nor beast kiss thee , for then thou wilt cease to remember me at all . '

' I will do thy bidding , ' answered he , and left her at the gate .

and after that he did not remember the giant 's daughter .

all that day she sat on a well which was near the gate , waiting , waiting , but the king 's son never came .

in the darkness she climbed up into an oak tree that shadowed the well , and there she lay all night , waiting , waiting .

' Thou hast turned crazy , ' said he in wrath .

' Thou hast a pretty daughter , ' said they when they beheld the girl sitting at work .

' Pretty she is , ' answered the shoemaker , ' but no daughter of mine . '

' I would give a hundred pounds to marry her , ' said one .

' And I , ' ' And I , ' cried the others .

then the shoemaker asked her , and the girl said that she would marry the one who would bring his purse with him .

' Is it thou ? ' inquired she .

' I am thirsty , give me a drink from the well that is yonder . '

hanging his head , he went home , but he told no one what had befallen him .

then was the turn of the third man , and his foot remained fastened to the floor , till the girl unloosed it .

and thankfully , he ran off , and was not seen looking behind him .

and the shoemaker took it and told the girl he must carry the shoes for the wedding up to the castle .

' I would fain get a sight of the king 's son before he marries , ' sighed she .

' If thou hadst remembered how I got the magpie 's nest , thou wouldst have given me my share , ' cooed the golden pigeon .

from ' Tales of the West Highlands . '

the Lady of the Fountain .

' I am weary , ' said Arthur , ' and till my food is prepared I would fain sleep .

you yourselves can tell each other tales , and Kai will fetch you from the kitchen a flagon of mean and some meat . '

and when they had eaten and drunk , Kynon , the oldest among them , began his story .

by their sides hung golden daggers with hilts of the bones of the whale .

in one window I beheld four and twenty damsels , and the least fair of them was fairer than Guenevere at her fairest .

and at this the man smiled and answered :

' " if I did not fear to distress thee too much , I would show thee what thou seekest . "

he carries a club of iron , and two white men could hardly lift it .

as for the club , Kai , it would have been a burden for four of our warriors .

he waited for me to speak , and I asked him what power he held over the beasts that thronged so close about him .

Serpents were there also , and dragons , and beasts of strange shapes , with horns in places where never saw I horns before .

and the black man only looked at them and bade them go and feed .

and they bowed themselves before him , as vassals before their lord .

' " now , little man , I have answered thy question and showed thee my power , " said he .

" is there anything else thou wouldest know ? "

there thou wilt find an open space , and in the midst of it a tall tree .

then the sun will shine again , but every leaf of the tree will by lying on the ground .

if thou turnest to flee , he will overtake thee .

and if thou abidest were thou art , he will unhorse thee .

and if thou dost not find trouble in that adventure , thou needest not to seek it during the rest of thy life . "

' Thus , Kai , I stood listening to the birds , when lo , a murmuring voice approached me , saying :

' " O knight , what has brought thee hither ?

then from the valley appeared the knight on the black horse , grasping the lance with the black pennon .

the horse is still in the stable , and I would not part with it for any in Britain .

' Would it not be well , ' said Owen , ' to go and discover the place ? '

' I meant nothing , lady , ' replied Kai ; ' thy praise of Owen is not greater than mine . '

and as he spoke Arthur awoke , and asked if he had not slept for a little .

' Yes , lord , ' answered Owen , ' certainly thou hast slept . '

' Is it time for us to go to meat ? '

' It is , lord , ' answered Owen .

then the horn for washing themselves was sounded , and after that the king and his household sat down to eat .

and when they had finished , Owen left them , and made ready his horse and his arms .

then he heard the voice , and turning to look found the knight galloping to meet him .

feeling himself wounded unto death the knight fled , and Owen pursued him till they came to a splendid castle .

then a maiden with curling hair of gold looked through the little door and bade Owen open the gate .

' Well , ' said she , ' I will do my best to release thee if thou wilt do as I tell thee .

I will stand on the horse block yonder and thou canst see me though I cannot see thee .

therefore draw near and place thy hand on my shoulder and follow me wheresoever I go . '

and Owen looked on her and loved her .

' Who is she ? ' he asked the damsel .

' That is my mistress , the countess of the fountain , and the wife of him whom thou didst slay yesterday . '

' Verily , ' said Owen , ' she is the woman that I love best . '

' She shall also love thee not a little , ' said the maiden .

' What aileth thee , mistress ? ' inquired the maiden .

' Is it well for thee to mourn so bitterly for the dead , or for anything that is gone from thee ? '

' There is no man in the world equal to him , ' replied the countess , her cheeks growing red with anger .

' I would fain banish thee for such words . '

' Be not angry , lady , ' said Luned , ' but listen to my counsel .

thou knowest well that alone thou canst not preserve thy lands , therefore seek some one to help thee . '

' And how can I do that ? ' asked the countess .

' I will tell thee , ' answered Luned .

' Unless thou canst defend the fountain all will be lost , and none can defend the fountain except a knight of Arthur 's court .

' Go then , ' said the countess , ' and make proof of that which thou hast promised . '

' What news from the court ? ' asked her mistress , when she had given Luned a warm greeting .

' The best of news , ' answered the maiden , ' for I have gained the object of my mission .

when wilt thou that I present to thee the knight who has returned with me ? '

' To-morrow at midday , ' said the countess , ' and I will cause all the people in the town to come together . '

and he followed Luned to the chamber of her mistress .

right glad was the countess to see them , but she looked closely at Owen and said :

' Luned , this knight has scarcely the air of a traveller . '

' What harm is there in that , lady ? ' answered Luned .

' Leave me , both of you , ' said the countess , ' and I will take counsel . '

then they went out .

' So choose you which it shall be , ' she said .

in this way three years passed , and no man in the world was more beloved than Owen .

' My lord , has anything befallen thee ? ' he asked .

and sure am I that the tale told by Kynon the son of Clydno caused me to lose him .

then Arthur and three thousand men of his household set out in quest of Owen , and took Kynon for their guide .

so vast was the castle that the king 's three thousand men were of no more account than if they had been twenty .

' Thou mayest do so , ' answered Arthur , and Kai threw the water .

and Kai met him and fought him , and was overthrown by him .

then the knight rode away , and Arthur and his men encamped where they stood .

in the morning Kai again asked leave to meet the knight and to try to overcome him , which Arthur granted .

' Oh , let me fight him , my lord , ' cried Gwalchmai , as he saw Arthur taking up his arms .

all that day they fought , and neither was able to throw the other , and so it was on the next day .

' I did not know it was thee , Gwalchmai , ' said the black knight .

' Take my sword and my arms . '

the next day Arthur would have given orders to his men to make ready to go back whence they came , but Owen stopped him .

tarry with me , therefore , for a while , thou and thy men . '

so they rode to the castle of the countess of the fountain , and spent three months in resting and feasting .

but when they had overcome their fright , they drew near him , and touched him , and saw that there was life in him .

if there is any life in him that will bring it back .

but if he moves , hide thyself in the bushes near by , and see what he does . '

the damsel took the flask and did her mistress ' bidding .

soon the man began to move his arms , and then rose slowly to his feet .

creeping forward step by step he took the garments from off the saddle and put them on him , and painfully he mounted the horse .

' It belongs to a widowed countess , ' answered the maiden .

' That is a pity , ' replied Owen , but he said no more , for he was too weak to talk much .

then the maiden guided him to the castle , and kindled a fire , and brought him food .

and there he stayed and was tended for three months , till he was handsomer than ever he was .

at noon one day Owen heard a sound of arms outside the castle , and he asked of the maiden what it was .

yet mayhap it will save them from falling into the hands of my enemies . '

the horse was brought out and Owen rode forth with two pages behind him , and they saw the great host encamped before them .

' Where is the earl ? ' said he , and the pages answered :

' In yonder troop where are four yellow standards . '

Hard did they fight , but Owen overthrew his enemy and drove him in front to the castle gate and into the hall .

after that he departed , and went into the deserts , and as he was passing through a wood he heard a loud yelling .

pushing aside the bushes he beheld a lion standing on a great mound , and by it a rock .

while he was waiting for the meat to cook he heard a sound of deep sighing close to him , and he said :

' Who are thou ? '

' And what dost thou here ? ' cried he .

Owen held his peace , but gave the maiden some of the meat , and bade her be of good cheer .

Hospitable and kind were all within the castle , but so full of sorrow that it might have been thought death was upon them .

at length , when they had eaten and drunk , Owen prayed the earl to tell him the reason of their grief .

' That shall never be , ' said Owen ; ' but what form hath this monster ? '

swiftly Owen put on his armour and went forth to meet the giant , and the lion followed at his heels .

then with a loud roar he leaped upon the giant , who fell dead under the blow of his paw .

when he came there he saw a great fire kindled , and two youths leading out the maiden to cast her upon the pile .

' Stop ! ' he cried , dashing up to them .

' What charge have you against her ? '

and now the time has past and there is no sign of him . '

' We will , ' replied they , and the fight began .

the youths fought well and pressed hard on Owen , and when the lion saw that he came to help his master .

but the youths made a sign for the fight to stop , and said :

then Owen shut up the lion in the cave where the maiden had been in prison , and blocked up the front with stones .

but the fight with the giant had sorely tried him , and the youths fought well , and pressed him harder than before .

and so Luned was delivered at the last .

then the maiden rode back with Owen to the lands of the lady of the fountain .

and he took the lady with him to Arthur 's court , where they lived happily till they died .

from the ' Mabinogion . '

the Four Gifts

and as for poor people she positively hated them , and declared that such lazy creatures had no business in the world .

seizing her niece by the arm , she pulled her sharply away , exclaiming :

' Nonsense , ' cried Barbaik , ' he will never save enough for a farm till he is a hundred .

I would sooner see you in your grave than the wife of a man who carries his whole fortune on his back . '

' What does fortune matter ? ' repeated Barbaik , in a shocked voice .

' Is it possible that you are really so foolish as to despise money ?

now go and wash the clothes and spread them out to dry . '

Tephany did not dare to disobey , but with a heavy heart went down the path to the river .

' She is harder than these rocks , ' said the girl to herself , ' yes , a thousand times harder .

for the rain at least can at last wear away the stone , but you might cry for ever , and she would never care .

thinking these thoughts she reached the bank , and began to unfold the large packet of linen that had to be washed .

' You would like to sit down and rest , granny ? ' asked Tephany , pushing aside her bundle .

' When the sky is all the roof you have , you rest where you will , ' replied the old woman in trembling tones .

' Are you so lonely , then ? ' inquired Tephany , full of pity .

' Have you no friends who would welcome you into their houses ? '

the old woman shook her head .

the girl did not speak for a moment , then held out the small loaf and some bacon intended for her dinner .

then , rising , she nodded to Tephany and vanished .

the girl stood where she was , as still as a stone .

if it had not been for the pin in her hands she would have thought she was dreaming .

then suddenly Tephany 's eyes fell on the clothes , and to make up for lost time she began to wash them with great vigour .

with a heart as light as her footsteps , the girl ran from the house , and spent her evening happily with Denis .

and so it was for many days after that .

then , at last , Tephany began to notice something , and the something made her very sad .

' Why , my pretty maiden hardly looks happier than she did before , in spite of meeting her lover whenever she pleases . '

' He has grown tired of me , ' answered Tephany in a trembling voice , ' and he makes excuses to stay away .

he is so clever , you know .

help me to be clever too . '

' Is that what you want ? ' cried the old woman .

' Well , take this feather and stick it in your hair , and you will be as wise as Solomon himself . '

blushing with pleasure Tephany went home and stuck the feather into the blue ribbon which girls always wear in that part of the country .

in a moment she heard Denis whistling gaily , and as her aunt was safely counting her cabbages , she hurried out to meet him .

the young man was struck dumb by her talk .

was this really the quiet girl who had been so anxious to learn all he could teach her , or was it somebody else ?

perhaps she had gone suddenly mad , and there was an evil spirit inside her .

but in any case , night after night he came back , only to find her growing wiser and wiser .

of course they heard of her jests , and shook their heads saying :

Tephany 's face fell ; she had worked hard all day , and had been counting on a quiet hour with Denis .

she did her best to persuade him to remain with her , but he would not listen , and at last she grew angry .

now Aziliez was the loveliest girl for miles round , and she and Denis had known each other from childhood .

' Go then ! ' cried Tephany , and entering the house she slammed the door behind her .

Lonely and miserable she sat down by the fire and stared into the red embers .

then , flinging the feather from her hair , she put her head on her hands , and sobbed passionately .

' What is the use of being clever when it is beauty that men want ?

that is what I ought to have asked for .

but it is too late , Denis will never come back . '

with a little shriek of joy Tephany took the necklace , and snapping the clasp ran to the mirror which hung in the corner .

on the way she met a beautiful carriage with a young man seated in it .

' What a lovely maiden ! ' he exclaimed , as Tephany approached .

' Why , there is not a girl in my own country that can be compared to her .

she , and no other , shall be my bride . '

the carriage was large and barred the narrow road , so Tephany was forced , much against her will , to remain where she was .

but she looked the young man full in the face as she answered :

' Go your way , noble lord , and let me go mine .

I am only a poor peasant girl , accustomed to milk , and make hay and spin . '

unluckily the young man guessed what she was doing , and signed to his attendants , who seized her and put her in the coach .

the door was banged , and the horses whipped up into a gallop .

it did not seem easy .

by this time night had fallen , and Tephany was very tired .

thankfully she found herself at the gate of a convent , and asked if she might stay there till morning .

in front of the house was a group of people ; two or three women and the sons of the farmer .

from words they came to blows , and the women , frightened at the disturbance , pelted Tephany with insulting names .

Wild with fear her legs trembled under her , when suddenly she bethought herself of her necklace .

as the days went on Tephany grew paler and paler , till everybody noticed it except her aunt .

' How could I have been so foolish , ' she whispered to herself , when she went down as usual at sunset .

' Be satisfied , ' said the voice of the old woman , who seemed to be standing unseen at Tephany 's elbow .

' If you look in your right-hand pocket when you go home you will find a small box .

rub your eyes with the ointment it contains , and you will see that you yourself contain a priceless treasure . '

sure enough , there was the little box with the precious ointment .

she was in the act of rubbing her eyes with it when Barbaik Bourhis entered the room .

when , therefore , she saw her niece standing quietly before her mirror , Barbaik broke out :

' So this is what you do when I am out in the fields !

ah ! it is no wonder if the farm is ruined .

are you not ashamed , girl , to behave so ? '

at this Tephany , hurt , bewildered and excited , could control herself no longer , and turning away burst into tears .

but what was her surprise when she saw that each tear-drop was a round and shining pearl .

she was still gathering them when the door opened and in came Denis .

' Pearls !

' Take care not to let any of the neighbours hear of it , Denis , ' said Barbaik .

' Of course you shall have your share , but nobody else shall get a single one .

cry on , my dear , cry on , ' she continued to Tephany .

it is for your good as well as ours , ' and she held out her apron to catch them , and Denis his hat .

but Tephany could hardly bear any more .

' Is she finished already ? ' cried Barbaik , in a tone of disappointment .

' Oh , try again , my dear .

do you think it would do any good to beat her a little ? ' she added to Denis , who shook his head .

' That is enough for the first time .

I will go into the town and find out the value of each pearl . '

' Then I will go with you , ' said Barbaik , who never trusted anyone and was afraid of being cheated .

so the two went out , leaving Tephany behind them .

she sat quite still on her chair , her hands clasped tightly together , as if she was forcing something back .

' Here they are , all of them , ' she cried ; ' they belong to you .

let me never see them again , but I have learned the lesson that they taught me .

for after all it was not yourself you thought of but him . '

from ' Le Foyer Breton , ' par E Souvestre .

the Groac'h of the Isle of Lok

' We shall have long to wait , that is quite clear , ' replied Houarn , turning away to his work .

the girl was very unhappy as she listened to this , and felt sorry that she had not tried to make the best of things .

she implored Houarn not to leave her , but he would listen to nothing .

like them , I shall seek till I get what I want that is , money to buy a cow and a pig to fatten .

and if you love me , Bellah , you won't attempt to hinder a plan which will hasten our marriage . '

the girl saw it was useless to say more , so she answered sadly :

' Well , go then , since you must .

I will give you the knife to guard you against the enchantments of wizards , and the bell to tell me of your perils .

the stick I shall keep for myself , so that I can fly to you if ever you have need of me . '

then they cried for a little on each other 's necks , and Houarn started for the mountains .

' What is a Groac'h ? ' asked he .

' I have never come across one . '

Many had gone to the island to try and get possession of her treasures , but no one had ever come back .

as he listened Houarn 's mind was made up .

' I will go , and return too , ' he said to the muleteers .

so Houarn went down to the sea , and found a boatman who engaged to take him to the isle of Lok .

the island was large , and lying almost across it was a lake , with a narrow opening to the sea .

Houarn paid the boatman and sent him away , and then proceeded to walk round the lake .

at one end he perceived a small skiff , painted blue and shaped like a swan , lying under a clump of yellow broom .

as soon as the young man had recovered from his surprise , he prepared to jump into the lake and swim to shore .

but the bird had guessed his intentions , and plunged beneath the water , carrying Houarn with him to the palace of the Groac'h .

the staircases were of crystal , and every separate stair sang like a woodland bird as you put your foot on it .

round the palace were great gardens full of all the plants that grow in the sea , with diamonds for flowers .

in a large hall the Groac'h was lying on a couch of gold .

at the sight of her Houarn stopped , dazzled by her beauty .

' Come in , ' said the Groac'h , rising to her feet .

' Strangers and handsome youths are always welcome here .

do not be shy , but tell me how you found your way , and what you want . '

' Well , you can easily get that , ' replied she ; ' it is nothing to worry about .

come in and enjoy yourself . '

' The rich are always envied . '

' For myself , ' he added , with a laugh , ' I only ask for the half of your wealth . '

' You can have it , if you will , Houarn , ' answered the fairy .

' What do you mean ? ' cried he .

' My husband , Korandon , is dead , ' she replied , ' and if you wish it , I will marry you . '

the young man gazed at her in surprise .

could any one so rich and so beautiful really wish to be his wife ?

he looked at her again , and Bellah was forgotten as he answered :

' A man would be mad indeed to refuse such an offer .

I can only accept it with joy . '

' Then the sooner it is done the better , ' said the Groac'h , and gave orders to her servants .

after that was finished , she begged Houarn to accompany her to a fish-pond at the bottom of the garden .

' Who is it whispering in the golden pot , Groac'h ? ' he inquired at last .

' There it is again , ' he said , after a short pause .

' What is it ? ' asked Houarn , beginning to feel uncomfortable .

' Just the crickets on the hearth , ' said she , and broke into a song which drowned the cries from the pot .

but though Houarn held his peace , he was not as happy as before .

something seemed to have gone wrong , and then he suddenly remembered Bellah .

' Is it possible I can have forgotten her so soon ?

' Houarn , save us , we entreat you , and save yourself too ! ' murmured they , not daring to raise their voices .

' Why , it must have been you who were crying out in the pot just now ! ' exclaimed Houarn .

' Yes , it was us , ' they answered .

on hearing this Houarn leaped into the air , as if he already felt himself frizzling in the golden pot .

instantly she threw the steel net over his head , and the eyes of a little green frog peeped through the meshes .

' You shall go and play with the rest , ' she said , carrying him off to the fish-pond .

it was at this very moment that Bellah , who was skimming the milk in the farm dairy , heard the fairy bell tinkle violently .

and immediately the stick became a smart little horse , with a rosette at each ear and a feather on his forehead .

but , rapid as the pace was , it was not rapid enough for Bellah , who stooped and said :

' The swallow is less swift than the wind , the wind is less swift than the lightning .

' Ah ! you are the pretty girl who was to come and save me ! '

' To save you ! ' repeated Bellah .

' But who are you , my little friend ? '

' I am the husband of the Groac'h of the isle of Lok , and it is owing to her that I am here . '

' But what are you doing in this nest ? '

' I am sitting on six eggs of stone , and I shall not be set free till they are hatched . '

on hearing this Bellah began to laugh .

' Poor little cock ! ' she said , ' and how am I to deliver you ? '

' By delivering Houarn , who is in the power of the Groac'h . '

' Well , first you must dress yourself as a young man , and then go and seek the Groac'h .

' But where am I to find a young man 's clothes ? ' asked she .

the hat was cut from the heart of the cabbage , and a pair of shoes from the thick stem .

and when Bellah had put them all on you would have taken her for a gentleman dressed in green velvet , lined with white satin .

the Groac'h seemed overjoyed to see her , and told her that never before had she beheld such a handsome young man .

' Oh ! what beautiful , beautiful creatures ! ' said she .

' I 'm sure I should never be tired of watching them . '

' Would you not like to stay here always ? ' asked the Groac'h ; and Bellah answered that she desired nothing better .

' Then you have only to marry me , ' said the Groac'h .

' Oh ! don't say no , for I have fallen deeply in love with you . '

Bellah took the net which the Groac'h held out , and , turning rapidly , flung it over the witch 's head .

she struggled hard to tear the net asunder , but it was no use .

as she drew near the pond she saw a great procession of fishes advancing to meet her , crying in hoarse tones :

' This is our lord and master , who has saved us from the net of steel and the pot of gold ! '

' And who will restore you to your proper shapes , ' said Bellah , drawing the knife from her pocket .

Bellah felt as if fingers were tightening round her throat , but she managed to cry :

' Is this you , my Houarn ?

is this you ? '

' But we must not forget the others , ' she said at last , and began to transform the fishes to their proper shapes .

there were so many of them that it took quite a long time .

' Here I am ! ' he exclaimed .

from ' Le Foyer Breton , ' par E Souvestre .

the Escape of the Mouse

Manawyddan the prince and his friend Pryderi were wanderers , for the brother of Manawyddan had been slain , and his throne taken from him .

' And what may that be ? ' asked Manawyddan .

' It is that thou marry my mother Rhiannon and become lord of the fair lands that I will give her for dowry .

' Thou art the best friend that ever a man had , ' said Manawyddan .

' Let us go now to seek Rhiannon , and the lands where she dwells . '

and Manawyddan found that Pryderi had spoken the truth concerning his mother , and asked if she would take him for her husband .

for a time they desired nothing more , but when the next year began they grew weary .

when Pryderi heard of it , he was very wroth , and wished to stay and fight .

but the counsels of Manawyddan prevailed , and they moved by night to another city .

' What craft shall we follow ? ' asked Pryderi .

' We will make shields , ' answered Manawyddan .

' But do we know anything of that craft ? ' answered Pryderi .

but of this they had warning , and by night betook themselves to another town .

' I know nothing of making shoes , ' answered Pryderi , who in truth despised so peaceful a craft .

' But I know , ' replied Manawyddan , ' and I will teach thee to stitch .

we will buy the leather ready dressed , and will make the shoes from it .

and the craftsmen were wroth , and banded together to slay them .

' Pryderi , ' said Manawyddan , when he had received news of it , ' we will not remain in England any longer .

let us set forth to Dyved . '

so they journeyed until they came to their lands at Narberth .

there they gathered their dogs round them , and hunted for a year as before .

after that a strange thing happened .

at the bush , the dogs shrank away as if frightened , and returned to their masters , their hair brisling on their backs .

and he came out , and made a stand as the dogs rushed on him , driven on by the men .

' I will go into the castle and get tidings of the dogs , ' said Pryderi at last .

' I cannot give up my dogs , ' replied Pryderi , and to the castle he went .

' Where are thy friend and thy dogs ? ' said Rhiannon , and he told her what had befallen Pryderi .

there , in the centre of the courtyard , she beheld Pryderi standing , and hastened towards him .

then thunder was heard and a veil of darkness descended upon them , and the castle vanished and they with it .

Manawyddan was grieved also in his heart , and said to her :

' It is not fitting that we should stay here , for he have lost our dogs and cannot get food .

let us go into England it is easier for us to live there . '

so they set forth .

' What craft wilt thou follow ? ' asked Kieva as they went along .

and while the wheat was growing up , he hunted and fished , and they had food enough and to spare .

filled with dismay he hastened to the second field , and there the corn was ripe and golden .

so he hid himself and waited .

the hours slid by , and all was still , so still that Manawyddan well-nigh dropped asleep .

when he entered the hall where Kieva was sitting , he lighted a fire , and hung the glove up on a peg .

' What hast thou there ? ' asked she .

' A thief , ' he answered , ' that I caught robbing me . '

' What kind of a thief may it be which thou couldst put in thy glove ? ' said Kieva .

' And one was less nimble than the rest , and is now in my glove .

To-morrow I will hang it , and I only wish I had them all . '

do not meddle with it , but let it go . '

' Verily , ' said she , ' there is no reason I should succour this reptile , except to prevent discredit unto thee . '

' Do so then , ' said Kieva .

now it was seven years since Manawyddan had seen man or beast in that place , and the sight amazed him .

' Good day to thee , my lord , ' said the scholar .

' Good greeting to thee , scholar .

whence dost thou come ? '

' From singing in England ; but wherefore dost thou ask ? '

' Because for seven years no man hath visited this place . '

' I wander where I will , ' answered the scholar .

' And what work art thou upon ? '

' I am about to hang a thief that I caught robbing me ! '

' What manner of thief is that ? ' inquired the scholar .

let it go free . '

' I will not let it go free , ' cried Manawyddan .

' I caught it robbing me , and it shall suffer the doom of a thief . '

' I will not let it go free , neither will I sell it . '

' As thou wilt , lord , ' answered the scholar , and he went his way .

Manawyddan was placing the cross-beam on the two forked sticks , where the mouse was to hang , when a priest rode past .

' Good-day to thee , lord ; and what art thou doing ? '

' I am hanging a thief that I caught robbing me . '

' What manner of thief , lord ? '

' A creature in the form of a mouse .

it has been robbing me , and it shall suffer the doom of a thief . '

' Lord , ' said the priest , ' sooner than see thee touch this reptile , I would purchase its freedom . '

' I will neither sell it nor set it free . '

' I will not take any price for it .

it shall be hanged as it deserves . '

' Willingly , my lord , if it is thy pleasure . '

and the priest went his way .

' What work art thou upon ? ' asked the bishop , drawing rein .

' Hanging a thief that I caught robbing me . '

' But is not that a mouse that I see in thine hand ? ' asked the bishop .

' Yes ; that is the thief , ' answered Manawyddan .

loose it , and let it go . '

' I will not let it loose . '

' I will give thee four and twenty pounds to set it free , ' said the bishop .

' I will not set it free for as much again . '

' I will not set it free . '

' Then tell me at what price thou wilt loose it , and I will give it . '

' The spell must be taken off Rhiannon and Pryderi , ' said Manawyddan .

' That shall be done . '

' But not yet will I loose the mouse .

the charm that has been cast over all my lands must be taken off likewise . '

' This shall be done also . '

' But not yet will I loose the mouse till I know who she is . '

' She is my wife , ' answered the bishop .

' And wherefore came she to me ? ' asked Manawyddan .

therefore I changed them .

yet had she not been ill and slow of foot , thou couldst not have overtaken her .

Still , since she was caught , I will restore thee Pryderi and Rhiannon , and will take the charm from off thy lands .

I have told thee who she is ; so now set her free . '

set now my wife free . '

' I will not set her free till Pryderi and Rhiannon are with me . '

' Behold , here they come , ' said the bishop .

then Manawyddan held out his hands and greeted Pryderi and Rhiannon , and they seated themselves joyfully on the grass .

' Ah , lord , hast thou not received all thou didst ask ? ' said the bishop .

' Set now my wife free ! '

and he was satisfied in his soul , but one more question he put to the bishop .

' What spell didst thou lay upon Pryderi and Rhiannon ? '

from the ' Mabinogion . '

the Believing Husbands

the girl was willing and the father was willing , and very soon they were married and went to live at the farm .

so on a fine day the girl and her husband , and the father and his wife all went out upon the moor .

now the others out on the moor grew hungrier and hungrier .

' What is the matter , my dove ? ' and the girl answered , between her sobs :

' I must go after them . '

and he went and found them in the stable .

' What is the matter ? ' asked he .

as soon as night fell the young man returned full of hunger , and there they were , all crying together in the stable .

' What is the matter ? ' asked he .

no man was present , but only some women spinning at their wheels .

' You do not belong to this town , ' said he .

' You speak truth , ' they answered , ' nor you either ? '

' I do not , ' replied he , ' but is it a good place to live in ? '

the women looked at each other .

' The men of the town are so silly that we can make them believe anything we please , ' said they .

as soon as the first husband came home his wife said to him :

' Thou art sick ! '

' Am I ? ' asked he .

' Yes , thou art , ' she answered ; ' take off thy clothes and lie down . '

so he did , and when he was in his bed his wife went to him and said :

' Thou art dead . '

' Oh , am I ? ' asked he .

' Thou art , ' said she ; ' shut thine eyes and stir neither hand nor foot . '

and dead he felt sure he was .

soon the second man came home , and his wife said to him :

' You are not my husband ! '

' Oh , am I not ? ' asked he .

' No , it is not you , ' answered she , so he went away and slept in the wood .

when the third man arrived his wife gave him his supper , and after that he went to bed , just as usual .

' Time enough , ' said she , and he lay still till he heard the funeral passing the window .

' Why , where are my clothes ? ' asked he .

' Silly that you are , they are on your back , of course , ' answered the woman .

' Are they ? ' said he .

' They are , ' said she , ' and make haste lest the burying be ended before you get there . '

and the naked man stood alone at the head of the coffin .

very soon a man came out of the wood and spoke to him .

' Do you know me ? '

' Not I , ' answered the naked man .

' I do not know you . '

' But why are you naked ? ' asked the first man .

' Am I naked ?

my wife told me that I had all my clothes on , ' answered he .

' And my wife told me that I myself was dead , ' said the man in the coffin .

from ' West Highland Tales . '

the Hoodie-Crow .

' Wilt thou wed me , thou farmer 's daughter ? ' he said to the eldest .

' Indeed I won't wed thee , ' she answered , ' an ugly brute is the hoodie . '

and the bird , much offended , spread his wings and flew away .

but the following day he came back again , and said to the second girl :

' Wilt thou wed me , farmer 's daughter ? '

' Indeed I will not , ' answered she , ' an ugly brute is the hoodie . '

and the hoodie was more angry than before , and went away in a rage .

' Wilt thou wed me , farmer 's daughter ? ' he said to the youngest .

' Indeed I will wed thee ; a pretty creature is the hoodie , ' answered she , and on the morrow they were married .

' I have something to ask thee , ' said the hoodie when they were far away in his own house .

the girl was surprised at his words , for she did not know that he could be anything but a hoodie at all times .

the girl loved them both , and never wished for things to be different .

by and bye they had a son , and very pleased they both were .

but in the night soft music was heard stealing close towards the house , and every man slept , and the mother slept also .

when they woke again it was morning , and the baby was gone .

the next year the hoodie's wife had another son , and this time a watch was set at every door .

but it was no use .

' You are sure you have not forgotten anything ? '

the two sisters returned home , but the wife followed the hoodie .

sometimes she would see him on a hill-top , and then would hasten after him , hoping to catch him .

but by the time she had got to the top of the hill , he would be in the valley on the other side .

at the door stood a little boy , and the sight of him filled her heart with pleasure , she did not know why .

a woman came out , and bade her welcome , and set before her food , and gave her a soft bed to lie on .

after that a woman bade her enter , and set food before her , and gave her a soft bed to lie in .

and when the sun rose she got up , and left the house , in search of the hoodie .

but the wife had walked far , and was very tired , and strive as she would , she fell sound asleep .

many hours she slept , and the hoodie entered through a window , and let fall a ring on her hand .

and when dawn came , she got up and told the woman .

but I will help you .

the girl thanked her , and put on the cloths and went down the road to do her bidding .

so hard did she work , that in a few days she was able to make the horse-shoes .

Early one morning she set out for the hill of poison .

gladly she agreed , and cooked the feast in a kitchen that looked into the great hall , where the company were to eat it .

but the story never says who had stolen them , nor what the coarse comb had to do with it .

from ' West Highland Tales . '

the Brownie of the Lake

once upon a time there lived in France a man whose name was Jalm Riou .

Jegu , for that was his name , of course heard of this , and it made him very unhappy .

' What is the matter , Jegu ?

you mustn't despair yet . '

the young man glanced up in surprise , and asked who was there .

' It is I , the brownie of the lake , ' replied the voice .

' But where are you ? ' inquired Jegu .

' Look close , and you will see me among the reeds in the form of a little green frog .

' Then show yourself to me in the shape in which your family generally appear , ' replied Jegu .

' But why should you take all this interest in me ? ' asked the peasant suspiciously .

' Because of a service you did me last winter , which I have never forgotten , ' answered the little fellow .

we were therefore obliged to take refuge in distant lands , and to hide ourselves at first under different animal shapes .

' How ? ' exclaimed Jegu , filled with astonishment .

' Yes , ' answered Jegu , ' I remember it very well , and I opened the net and let him go . '

' Ah ! my little brownie , if you can do that , there is nothing I won't give you , except my soul . '

' But how are you going to do it ? ' exclaimed Jegu wonderingly .

' That is my affair .

perhaps I may tell you later .

meanwhile you just eat and sleep , and don't worry yourself about anything . '

the same thing took place every day , and never had the cow-house been so clean nor the cows so fat .

morning and evening Barbaik found her earthen pots full of milk and a pound of butter freshly churned , ornamented with leaves .

indeed , Barbaik had only to express a wish for it to be satisfied .

and she believed that all this was owing to Jegu , and she could no longer do without him , even in her thoughts .

Jegu would always be there to work for her and save for her , and watch over her .

the marriage took place the following month , and a few days later the old man died quite suddenly .

now Jegu had everything to see to himself , and somehow it did not seem so easy as when the farmer was alive .

but once more the brownie stepped in , and was better than ten labourers .

but by the time the people were about all was finished , and the little fellows had disappeared .

and all the payment the brownie ever asked for was a bowl of broth .

she complained to Jegu of his laziness , and he only stared at her , not understanding what she was talking about .

Barbaik was furious .

but when she looked at Jegu and beheld his red face , squinting eyes , and untidy hair , her anger was doubled .

while now I can receive no presents except from my husband .

I can never dance , except with my husband .

oh , you wretched dwarf , I will never , never forgive you ! '

to her great joy he consented , bidding her set out for the city of the dwarfs and to tell them exactly what she wanted .

Full of excitement , Barbaik started on her journey .

I have come to beg you to lend me a black horse , with eyes , a mouth , ears , bridle and saddle . '

at length she caught some words uttered by one man to another .

' Why , the farmer 's wife has sold her horse 's tail ! ' and turned in her saddle .

yes ; it was true .

her horse had no tail !

she had forgotten to ask for one , and the wicked dwarfs had carried out her orders to the letter !

then they joined hands and danced round it , singing :

from ' Le Foyer Breton , ' par E Souvestre .

the Winning of Olwen

there was once a king and queen who had a little boy , and they called his name Kilweh .

but long before this changes had taken place in the court of Kilweh 's father .

' Never again shall I rise from this bed , and by and bye thou wilt take another wife .

and this he promised her .

then she further bade him to see to her grave that nothing might grow thereon .

' It is time that I took a wife , ' said he , and after long looking he found one .

when he heard this Kilweh felt proud and happy .

' My stepmother says that none but Olwen , the daughter of Yspaddaden Penkawr , shall be my wife . '

' That will be easily fulfilled , ' replied his father .

' Arthur the king is thy cousin .

go therefore unto him and beg him to cut thy hair , and to grant thee this boon . '

and the blades of grass bent not beneath him , so light were his horse 's feet as he journeyed toward the gate of Arthur 's palace .

' Is there a porter ? ' cried Kilweh , looking round for someone to open the gate .

' There is ; and I am Arthur 's porter every first day of January , ' answered a man coming out to him .

' Well , open the portal , I say . '

' That will not do for me , ' answered Kilweh .

then Glewlwyd went into the hall , and Arthur said to him :

' Hast thou news from the gate ? ' and the porter answered :

so Glewlwyd unbarred the gate and Kilweh rode in upon his charger .

' Greeting to thee also , ' answered Arthur .

but if thou wilt not grant it to me , then I will proclaim thy discourtesy wherever thy name is known . '

save only my ship and my mantle , my word and my lance , my shield and my dagger , and Guinevere my wife . '

' I would that thou bless my hair , ' spake Kilweh , and Arthur answered :

' That shall be granted thee . '

' I am Kilweh , son of Kilydd , ' replied the youth .

' Then my cousin thou art in truth , ' replied Arthur , ' and whatsoever boon thou mayest ask thou shalt receive . '

' Rash youth that thou art , darest thou speak thus to Arthur ?

then Arthur summoned his five best men and bade them go with Kilweh .

so these seven journeyed together till they reached a vast open plain in which was a fair castle .

' Whose is this castle , O herdsmen ? ' asked the knights .

' Stupid are ye truly , ' answered the herdsman .

' All the world knows that this is the castle of Yspaddaden Penkawr . '

' And who art thou ? '

' I am called Custennin , brother of Yspaddaden , and ill has he treated me .

and who are you , and what do you here ? '

' O men , be warned and turn back while there is yet time .

' Whence came this ring ? ' asked she , ' for such good luck is not wont to befall thee . '

soon they heard steps approaching , and Kai and the rest entered into the house and ate and drank .

after that the woman opened a chest , and out of it came a youth with curling yellow hair .

' Let him come with me and be my comrade , and he shall never be slain unless I am slain also . '

and so it was agreed .

' What is your errand here ? ' asked the woman .

' Will she come if she is bidden ? ' asked Kai , pondering .

' She will come ; but unless you pledge me your faith that you will not harm her I will not fetch her . '

' We pledge it , ' said they , and the maiden came .

four white trefoils sprang up where she trod , and therefore was she called Olwen .

she entered , and sat down on a bench beside Kilweh , and he spake to her :

whatever is , must be , but this counsel I will give you .

' All this I promise , ' said he .

so she returned to the castle , and all Arthur 's men went after her , and entered the hall .

' Greeting to thee , Yspaddaden Penkawr , ' said they .

' We come to ask thy daughter Olwen for Kilweh , son of Kilydd . '

but Bedwyr saw and caught it , and flung it back so hard that it pierced the knee of Yspaddaden .

' A gentle son-in-law , truly ! ' he cried , writhing with pain .

' I shall ever walk the worse for this rudeness .

Cursed be the smith who forged it , and the anvil on which it was wrought ! '

' Yspaddaden Penkawr , give us thy daughter and thou shalt keep her dower .

and unless thou wilt do this we will slay thee . '

' A gentle son-in-law , truly ! ' cried Yspaddaden , ' the iron pains me like the bite of a horse-leech .

Cursed be the hearth whereon it was heated , and the smith who formed it ! '

the third day Arthur 's men returned to the palace into the presence of Yspaddaden .

' Shoot not at me again , ' said he , ' unless you desire death .

but lift up my eyebrows , which have fallen over my eyes , that I may see my son-in-law . '

then they arose , and as they did so Yspaddaden Penkawr took the third poisoned dart and cast it at them .

' A gentle son-in-law , truly !

Cursed be the fire in which it was forged and the man who fashioned it ! '

the next day Arthur 's men came again to the palace and said :

' Where is he that seeks my daughter ?

let him come hither so that I may see him . '

and Kilweh sat himself in a chair and spoke face to face with him .

' Is it thou that seekest my daughter ? '

' It is I , ' answered Kilweh .

' I promise right willingly , ' said Kilweh .

' Name what thou wilt . '

' Seest thou yonder hill ?

' Seest thou that field yonder ?

when my daughter was born nine bushels of flax were sown therein , and not one blade has sprung up .

' It will be easy for me to compass this . '

' Though thou compass this there is that which thou wilt not compass .

for thou must bring me the basket of Gwyddneu Garanhir which will give meat to the whole world .

it is for thy wedding feast .

thou must also fetch me the drinking-horn that is never empty , and the harp that never ceases to play until it is bidden .

' It will be easy for me to compass this , though thou mayest think it will not be easy , ' Kilweh answered him .

' Though thou get all these things yet there is that which thou wilt not get .

throughout the world there is none that can hunt with this dog save Mabon the son of Modron .

' Horses shall I have , and knights from my lord Arthur .

and I shall gain thy daughter , and thou shalt lose thy life . '

the speech of Kilweh the son of Kilydd with Yspaddaden Penkawr was ended .

' Whence comest thou , O man ? ' asked they , ' and whose is that castle ? '

but little did Arthur 's men heed his warning , and they went straight to the gate .

' Open ! ' cried Gwrhyr .

' I will not open , ' replied the porter .

' And wherefore ? ' asked Kai .

' Verily , then , I may enter , ' said Kai , ' for there is no better burnisher of swords than I . '

' This will I tell Gwrnach the giant , and I will bring thee his answer . '

' Is it true what I hear of thee , that thou canst burnish swords ? '

' It is true , ' answered Kai .

then was the sword of Gwrnach brought to him .

' Shall it be burnished white or blue ? ' said Kai , taking a whetstone from under his arm .

' As thou wilt , ' answered the giant , and speedily did Kai polish half the sword .

the giant marvelled at his skill , and said :

' It is a wonder that such a man as thou shouldst be without a companion . '

' I have a companion , noble sir , but he has no skill in this art . '

' What is his name ? ' asked the giant .

' Let the porter go forth , and I will tell him how he may know him .

the head of his lance will leave its shaft , and draw blood from the wind , and descend upon its shaft again . '

so the porter opened the gate and Bedwyr entered .

' Thy work is good ; I am content . '

then said Kai :

but with it he struck a blow at the head of the giant , and it rolled from his body .

after that they despoiled the castle of its gold and jewels , and returned , bearing the sword of the giant , to Arthur 's court .

SO they journeyed until they came to the nest of an ousel , and Gwrhyr spoke to her .

and the ousel answered :

' When I first came here I was a young bird , and there was a smith 's anvil in this place .

yet all that time I have never once heard of the man you name .

still , there is a race of beasts older than I , and I will guide you to them . '

all that is left of that oak is a withered stump , but never once have I heard of the man you name .

but when they inquired of the owl if he knew aught of Mabon he shook his head .

after that there grew a second wood , and then a third , which you see .

look at my wings also are they not withered stumps ?

yet until to-day I have never heard of the man you name .

now , behold , it is not even a span high !

unless he may know something of the man whom you seek I cannot tell who may .

but I will guide you to the place where he is . '

at length he stopped above a deep pool in a river .

and the salmon answered :

' As much as I know I will tell thee .

and that you may see that what I say is true let two of you go thither on my shoulders . '

' Who is it that thus laments in this house of stone ? '

' It is I , Mabon the son of Modron . '

' Will silver or gold bring thy freedom , or only battle and fighting ? ' asked Gwrhyr again .

' By fighting alone shall I be set free , ' said Mabon .

and he now being free returned home with Arthur .

up and down the country went Trwyth the boar , and Arthur followed after him , till they came to the Severn sea .

and whether he was drowned or where he went no man knows to this day .

' Is thy daughter mine now ? ' asked Kilweh .

' She is thine , ' answered Yspaddaden , ' but it is Arthur and none other who has won her for thee .

of my own free will thou shouldst never have had her , for now I must lose my life . '

from the ' Mabinogion . '

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lilac Fairy Book , by Andrew Lang

produced by The Project Gutenberg Alcott Team

JO'S BOYS

by Louisa M Alcott

chapter @number@

TEN YEARS LATER

' This is the sort of magic that money and kind hearts can work .

' We used to believe in fairies , you remember , and plan what we 'd ask for if we could have three wishes .

doesn't it seem as if mine had been really granted at last ?

' I have had mine , and Amy is enjoying hers to her heart 's content .

it certainly did look as if magic had been at work , for quiet Plumfield was transformed into a busy little world .

on the hill , where kites used to be flown , stood the fine college which Mr Laurence 's munificent legacy had built .

the sisters divided the care of the young people among them , each taking the part that suited her best .

a few words will tell the history of each , and then we can go on with the new chapter of their lives .

Franz was with a merchant kinsman in Hamburg , a man of twenty-six now , and doing well .

Emil was the jolliest tar that ever ' sailed the ocean blue ' .

Nat was busy with music at the Conservatory , preparing for a year or two in Germany to finish him off .

Tom was studying medicine and trying to like it .

Jack was in business with his father , bent on getting rich .

Dolly was in college with Stuffy and Ned reading law .

but in Ted she seemed to see all the faults , whims , aspirations , and fun of her own youth in a new shape .

she liked his literary tendencies , but had reason to detest official Paul Prys , as we shall see later .

the girls were all flourishing .

Daisy , as sweet and domestic as ever , was her mother 's comfort and companion .

I shall have an office , with bottles and pestle things in it , and drive round and cure folks . '

so all departed but one persistent youth , who was such a devoted Traddles it was impossible to quench him .

he studied medicine for her sake alone , having no taste for it , and a decided fancy for a mercantile life .

they were excellent friends , however , and caused much amusement to their comrades , by the vicissitudes of this merry love-chase .

both were approaching Plumfield on the afternoon when Mrs Meg and Mrs Jo were talking on the piazza .

' Oh , is that you , Tom ? '

' Looks like it .

thought you might be walking out today ' ; and Tom 's jovial face beamed with pleasure .

' You knew it .

how is your throat ? ' asked Nan in her professional tone , which was always a quencher to undue raptures .

' Throat ?

oh , ah ! yes , I remember .

it is well .

the effect of that prescription was wonderful .

I 'll never call homoeopathy a humbug again . '

' You were the humbug this time , and so were the unmedicated pellets I gave you .

if sugar or milk can cure diphtheria in this remarkable manner , I 'll make a note of it .

O Tom , Tom , will you never be done playing tricks ? '

' O Nan , Nan , will you never be done getting the better of me ? '

' Well , I knew I shouldn't see you for a week if I didn't scare up some excuse for a call at the office .

you are so desperately busy all the time I never get a word , ' explained Tom .

' You ought to be busy too , and above such nonsense .

really , Tom , if you don't give your mind to your lectures , you 'll never get on , ' said Nan soberly .

' I have quite enough of them as it is , ' answered Tom with an air of disgust .

' A fellow must lark a bit after dissecting corpuses all day .

I can't stand it long at a time , though some people seem to enjoy it immensely . '

' Then why not leave it , and do what suits you better ?

' You know why I chose it , and why I shall stick to it if it kills me .

Nan frowned ; but she was used to it , and knew how to treat him .

' She is curing it in the best and only way ; but a more refractory patient never lived .

did you go to that ball , as I directed ? '

' I did . '

' And devote yourself to pretty Miss West ? '

' Danced with her the whole evening . '

' No impression made on that susceptible organ of yours ? '

' Not the slightest .

' Repeat the dose as often as possible , and note the symptoms .

I predict that you 'll " cry for it " by and by . '

' Never !

I 'm sure it doesn't suit my constitution . '

' We shall see .

obey orders ! ' sternly .

' Yes , Doctor , ' meekly .

' What fun we used to have in that wood !

do you remember how you tumbled out of the big nut-tree and nearly broke your collar-bones ? '

' And how you set the house afire ? '

' And you ran off for your band-box ? '

' Do you ever say " Thunder-turtles " now ? '

' Do people ever call you " Giddy-gaddy " ? '

' Daisy does .

dear thing , I haven't seen her for a week . '

' I saw Demi this morning , and he said she was keeping house for Mother Bhaer . '

' She always does when Aunt Jo gets into a vortex .

' Nat would break his fiddle over my head if I suggested such a thing .

no , thank you .

another name is engraved upon my heart as indelibly as the blue anchor on my arm .

" hope " is my motto , and " no surrender " , yours ; see who will hold out longest . '

' You silly boys think we must pair off as we did when children ; but we shall do nothing of the kind .

how well Parnassus looks from here ! ' said Nan , abruptly changing the conversation again .

' It is a fine house ; but I love old Plum best .

a pretty little lass she was , with curly dark hair , bright eyes , and a very expressive face .

' Take me down , Nan , please .

' What 's the matter , dear ? ' she asked , pinning up the longest rip , while Josie examined the scratches on her hands .

it fell in the brook , and before I could scrabble down he was off .

you wretch , give it back this moment or I 'll box your ears , ' cried Josie , laughing and scolding in the same breath .

Daisy appeared in a moment to greet her friend , and all began to talk .

' Muffins for tea ; better stay and eat ' em ; Daisy 's never fail , ' said Ted hospitably .

' He 's a judge ; he ate nine last time .

that 's why he 's so fat , ' added Josie , with a withering glance at her cousin , who was as thin as a lath .

' I must go and see Lucy Dove .

she has a whitlow , and it 's time to lance it .

I'll tea at college , ' answered Nan , feeling in her pocket to be sure she had not forgotten her case of instruments .

' Thanks , I 'm going there also .

Tom Merryweather has granulated lids , and I promised to touch them up for him .

save a doctor 's fee and be good practice for me .

I 'm clumsy with my thumbs , ' said Tom , bound to be near his idol while he could .

' Hush !

Daisy doesn't like to hear you saw-bones talk of your work .

muffins suit us better ' ; and Ted grinned sweetly , with a view to future favours in the eating line .

' Any news of the Commodore ? ' asked Tom .

' He is on his way home , and Dan hopes to come soon .

' They 'll come , every man of them , if they can .

even Jack will risk losing a dollar for the sake of one of our jolly old dinners , ' laughed Tom .

' There 's the turkey fattening for the feast .

' If Nat goes the last of the month we shall want a farewell frolic for him .

I suppose the dear old Chirper will come home a second Ole Bull , ' said Nan to her friend .

' They are like my chickens , mighty uncertain .

' I want to see Dan settled somewhere .

' Dan will find his place at last , and experience is his best teacher .

' That 's right , mother , stand by Dan !

he 's worth a dozen Jacks and Neds bragging about money and trying to be swells .

' Hope so , I 'm sure .

' Much better ! ' said Mrs Jo emphatically .

Dan has to work his way , and that teaches him courage , patience , and self-reliance .

' How about John ?

' Demi has three safeguards good principles , refined tastes , and a wise mother .

' Here 's your Evening Tattler !

latest Edition !

awful murder !

bank clerk absconded !

' He 'll come lurching out by tomorrow with his usual collection of marine monsters and lively yarns .

I saw him , jolly and tarry and brown as a coffee-berry .

' Wish I had the setting of it , ' said Nan to herself , with a professional twist of her hand .

' How 's Franz ? ' asked Mrs Jo .

' He 's going to be married !

there 's news for you .

the first of the flock , Aunty , so say good-bye to him .

her name is Ludmilla Heldegard Blumenthal ; good family , well-off , pretty , and of course an angel .

the dear old boy wants Uncle 's consent , and then he will settle down to be a happy and an honest burgher .

long life to him ! '

' I 'm glad to hear it .

I do so like to settle my boys with a good wife and a nice little home .

' So do I , ' sighed Tom , with a sly glance at Nan .

' If there are enough nice fellows to go round .

Nan 's emphasis on the last word caused Tom to groan , and the rest to laugh .

' My darling boy , if you would wash your hands semi-occasionally , fond caresses would be less disastrous to my collar .

' I 'm afraid you 'll have to make up your mind to it , Meg .

that child is a born actress .

' It is a sort of judgement upon me for my passion for the stage when a girl .

now I know how dear Marmee felt when I begged to be an actress .

I never can consent , and yet I may be obliged to give up my wishes , hopes , and plans again . '

' Isn't she great fun ?

I couldn't stop in this dull place if I hadn't that child to make it lively for me .

' You two are a team , and it takes a strong hand to drive you , but I rather like it .

Josie ought to have been my child , and Rob yours , Meg .

then your house would have been all peace and mine all Bedlam .

now I must go and tell Laurie the news .

chapter @number@

PARNASSUS

their house was full of unostentatious beauty and comfort , and here the art-loving host and hostess attracted and entertained artists of all kinds .

Laurie had music enough now , and was a generous patron to the class he most liked to help .

her sisters knew where to find her , and Jo went at once to the studio , where mother and daughter worked together .

Bess was busy with the bust of a little child , while her mother added the last touches to a fine head of her husband .

time seemed to have stood still with Amy , for happiness had kept her young and prosperity given her the culture she needed .

also ah ! never-ending source of joy to Amy she had her father 's handsome nose and mouth , cast in a feminine mould .

' My dear girls , stop your mud-pies and hear the news ! '

both artists dropped their tools and greeted the irrepressible woman cordially , though genius had been burning splendidly and her coming spoilt a precious hour .

' The epidemic has broke out , and now it will rage and ravage your flock .

be prepared for every sort of romance and rashness for the next ten years , Jo .

' I 'm afraid she won't revel when our Nat begins to buzz too near her Daisy .

of course you see what all that means ?

as musical director I am also his confidante , and would like to know what advice to give , ' said Laurie soberly .

' Hush ! you forget that child , ' began Jo , nodding towards Bess , who was at work again .

' Bless you ! she 's in Athens , and doesn't hear a word .

she ought to leave off , though , and go out .

my darling , put the baby to sleep , and go for a run .

' Well , I see beauty in you , dear .

and if you are not art , what is ?

I want a flesh-and-blood girl , not a sweet statue in a grey pinafore , who forgets everything but her work . '

now I 'll go and run and sing , and be a girl to please you . '

and throwing away the apron , Bess vanished from the room , seeming to take all the light with her .

' I 'm glad you said that .

the dear child is too much absorbed in her artistic dreams for one so young .

' Hear , hear !

A Daniel a very Daniel ! ' cried Laurie , well pleased .

' I thought you 'd lend a hand , Jo , and say a word for me .

I am a little jealous of Amy , and want more of a share in my girl .

isn't that a fair bargain ? '

Amy spoke regretfully as she looked about the lovely room where she had spent so many happy hours with this dear child of hers .

' We will , ' answered the fond parents , laughing at the recollections Jo 's proverb brought up to them .

' How I did use to enjoy bouncing on the limbs of that old apple-tree !

' And what fun I had with those blessed boots ! ' laughed Jo .

' I 've got the relics now .

' My fondest memories twine about the warming-pan and the sausage .

what larks we had !

' Don't suggest that we are growing old , my Lord .

' Come and have a dish of tea , old dear , and see what the young folks are about .

so beautifully lifelike was it that it seemed to smile down upon her daughters , saying cheerfully :

' Be happy ; I am with you still . '

they felt this as they drew closer to one another , and Laurie put it into words as he said earnestly :

' I can ask nothing better for my child than that she may be a woman like our mother .

please God , she shall be , if I can do it ; for I owe the best I have to this dear saint . '

' Oh , Fritz , I 'm so delighted about Emil , and if you approve about Franz also .

did you know Ludmilla ?

' It all goes well .

I saw the Madchen when I went over to place Franz .

a child then , but most sweet and charming .

Blumenthal is satisfied , I think , and the boy will be happy .

' And Emil , he is to be second mate next voyage ; isn't that fine ?

I 'm so happy that both your boys have done well ; you gave up so much for them and their mother .

' Spooning ! spooning !

' I have the letters ready for thee , my son .

they are two old friends of mine in Leipzig , who will befriend thee in that new life .

' Thanks , sir .

modest , affectionate , and dutiful , Nat was considered a pleasant though not a brilliant success by Mrs Jo .

this hope did more for him than the Professor 's counsels , Mrs Jo 's care , or Mr Laurie 's generous help .

Mrs Meg was usually her best ally and adviser , for she loved romances as well now as when a blooming girl herself .

but in this case she hardened her heart , and would not hear a word of entreaty .

let us see what absence will do for him . '

' Wouldst thou see fresh roses grow In a reverend bed of snow ? '

' Well , my dear , that is the old-fashioned belief , and it will take some time to change it .

' Whole barrels of apples won't stop me when I start , and a dozen Teds won't trip me up , though they may try .

I 'll show him that a woman can act as well , if not better , than a man .

the idea of two armies stopping and sitting down while a pair of heroes flung stones at one another !

I don't think much of your old Homer .

give me Napoleon or Grant for my hero . '

' Napoleon 's Juno had a nice time ; didn't she ?

that 's just the way girls argue first one way and then the other , ' jeered Ted .

' Like Johnson 's young lady , who was " not categorical , but all wiggle-waggle " , ' added Uncle Laurie , enjoying the battle immensely .

' I was only speaking of them as soldiers .

but if you come to the woman side of it , wasn't Grant a kind husband and Mrs Grant a happy woman ?

but Ted shot a Parthian arrow as he retired in good order by replying , with a highly virtuous expression :

' Obedience is a soldier 's first duty . '

' Emil !

' Didn't think I could get off today , but found I could , and steered straight for old Plum .

not a soul there , so I luffed and bore away for Parnassus , and here is every man Jack of you .

' You ought to " shiver your timbers " , not " bless our hearts " , Emil ; it 's not nautical at all .

Emil chuckled , and handed out a quaintly carved bear whose head opened , showing a capacious ink-stand .

this he presented , with a scrape , to Aunt Jo .

' Knowing your fondness for these fine animals , I brought this one to your pen . '

' Very good , Commodore !

' As Aunt Meg will wear caps , in spite of her youth , I got Ludmilla to get me some bits of lace .

' Horrid ! '

and Bess , who hated ugly things , turned her eyes to her own pretty shells .

' She won't wear earrings , ' said Josie .

' Well , she 'll enjoy punching your ears then .

she 's never so happy as when she 's overhauling her fellow creatures and going for ' em with a knife , ' answered Emil , undisturbed .

now tell me all the news . '

chapter @number@

JO'S LAST SCRAPE

things always went by contraries with Jo .

A very precious time to all , for she rejoiced as only mothers can in the good fortunes of their children .

for suddenly the admiring public took possession of her and all her affairs , past , present , and to come .

living in a lantern soon loses its charm , and she was too old , too tired , and too busy to like it .

' Lion-hunters are awful when in search of their prey .

' I have made up my mind on one point , ' said Mrs Jo with great firmness .

' I will not answer this kind of letter .

I 've sent at least six to this boy , and he probably sells them .

this girl writes from a seminary , and if I send her one all the other girls will at once write for more .

' Here 's one from the South ' ; and breaking an imposing seal , he read :

to whatever denomination you belong , you will of course respond with liberality to such a request ,

' Respectfully yours ,

' MRS X.Y. ZAVIER '

' Send a civil refusal , dear .

all I have to give must go to feed and clothe the poor at my gates .

that is my thank-offering for success .

go on , ' answered his mother , with a grateful glance about her happy home .

there 's a cool proposal for you .

I guess you won't agree to that , in spite of your soft-heartedness towards most of the young scribblers . '

' Couldn't be done .

tell him so kindly , and don't let him send the manuscript .

' I will answer this myself .

I should never come to an end if I tried to suit these voracious little Oliver Twists , clamouring for more .

what next , Robin ? '

' This is short and sweet .

' DEAR MRS BHAER , I am now going to give you my opinion of your works .

I have read them all many times , and call them first-rate .

please go ahead .

' Your admirer ,

' BILLY BABCOCK '

' Now that is what I like .

Billy is a man of sense and a critic worth having , since he had read my works many times before expressing his opinion .

he asks for no answer , so send my thanks and regards . '

' Here 's a lady in England with seven girls , and she wishes to know your views upon education .

also what careers they shall follow the oldest being twelve .

don't wonder she 's worried , ' laughed Rob .

' I 'll try to answer it .

they will soon show what they want , if they are let alone , and not all run in the same mould . '

' Give him Nan 's address , and see what he 'll get , ' proposed Ted , privately resolving to do it himself if possible .

' This is from a lady who wants you to adopt her child and lend her money to study art abroad for a few years .

better take it , and try your hand at a girl , mother . '

' No , thank you , I will keep to my own line of business .

what is that blotted one ?

this proved to be a poem from an insane admirer , to judge by its incoherent style .

' TO J.M.B.

' My tongue in flattering language spoke , And sweeter silence never broke in busiest street or loneliest glen .

I take you with the flashes of my pen .

' Consider the lilies , how they grow ; They toil not , yet are fair , Gems and flowers and Solomon 's seal .

the geranium of the world is J . M Bhaer .

' JAMES '

' That job is done .

now I will dust a bit , and then go to my work .

I 'm all behind-hand , and serials can't wait ; so deny me to everybody , Mary .

I won't see Queen Victoria if she comes today . '

and Mrs Bhaer threw down her napkin as if defying all creation .

' I will dine at college with Professor Plock , who is to visit us today .

the Junglings can lunch on Parnassus ; so thou shalt have a quiet time . '

' If all literary women had such thoughtful angels for husbands , they would live longer and write more .

at that moment the bell rang and the sound of wheels was heard in the road .

' I 'll go ; Mary lets ' em in ' ; and Ted smoothed his hair as he made for the hall .

' Can't see anyone .

give me a chance to fly upstairs , ' whispered Mrs Jo , preparing to escape .

but before she could do so , a man appeared at the door with a card in his hand .

Ted met him with a stern air , and his mother dodged behind the window-curtains to bide her time for escape .

' Mrs Bhaer never sees reporters , sir . '

' But a few moments will be all I ask , ' said the man , edging his way farther in .

' Very sorry .

I 'll call again .

is this her study ?

charming room ! '

and the intruder fell back on the parlour , bound to see something and bag a fact if he died in the attempt .

' She is about sixty , born in Nova Zembla , married just forty years ago today , and has eleven daughters .

anything else , sir ? '

' We are all the way from Oshkosh , and couldn't go home without seein ' dear Aunt Jo .

my girls just admire her works , and lot on gettin ' a sight of her .

Mrs Erastus Kingsbury Parmalee , of Oshkosh , tell her .

we don't mind waitin ' ; we can look round a spell if she ain't ready to see folks yet . '

' Oh , thank you !

Sweet , pretty place I 'm sure !

that 's where she writes , ain't it ?

do tell me if that 's her picture !

looks just as I imagined her ! '

' I thought she 'd be about sixteen and have her hair braided in two tails down her back .

' Come girls , we must be goin' , if we want to get through today .

you can leave your albums and have them sent when Mrs Bhaer has written a sentiment in ' em .

we are a thousand times obliged .

give our best love to your ma , and tell her we are so sorry not to see her . '

' They 've got her ! ' thought Teddy , in comical dismay .

' No use for her to play housemaid since they 've seen the portrait . '

Mrs Jo did her best , and being a good actress , would have escaped if the fatal picture had not betrayed her .

the oldest girl saw it , guessed the truth , and a quick look at the woman in the apron confirmed her suspicion .

touching her mother , she whispered : ' Ma , it 's Mrs Bhaer herself .

I know it is . '

' No ? yes ? it is !

well , I do declare , how nice that is ! '

and hastily pursuing the unhappy woman , who was making for the door , Mrs Parmalee cried eagerly :

' Don't mind us !

I know you 're busy , but just let me take your hand and then we 'll go . '

' You villain , why didn't you give me a chance to whip away ?

oh , my dear , what fibs you told that man !

so many against one isn't fair play . '

and Mrs Jo hung up her apron in the hall closet , with a groan at the trials of her lot .

' More people coming up the avenue !

better dodge while the coast is clear !

I 'll head them off ! ' cried Teddy , looking back from the steps , as he was departing to school .

' Boys don't gush , so I can stand it .

the last time I let in a party of girls one fell into my arms and said , " darling , love me ! "

I wanted to shake her , ' answered Mrs Jo , wiping her pen with energy .

' They can't outdo the girls .

it is one of the most absurd and tiresome manias that ever afflicted the world . '

Josie had brought some flowers for the vases , and was just putting the last touches when she saw several umbrellas bobbing down the hill .

' They are coming , Aunty !

I see uncle hurrying across the field to receive them , ' she called at the stair-foot .

' Keep an eye on them , and let me know when they enter the avenue .

' There are more than two or three .

I see half a dozen at least , ' called sister Ann from the hall door .

' No ! a dozen , I do believe ; Aunty , look out ; they are all coming !

what shall we do ? '

and Josie quailed at the idea of facing the black throng rapidly approaching .

' Mercy on us , there are hundreds !

run and put a tub in the back entry for their umbrellas to drip into .

tell them to go down the hall and leave them , and pile their hats on the table ; the tree won't hold them all .

no use to get mats ; my poor carpets ! '

' A grasshopper , ma'am .

did you ever ? '

and Mary giggled again at the idea .

' Tell her to take all there are and welcome .

I shall be glad to get rid of them ; always bouncing in my face and getting in my dress , ' laughed Mrs Jo .

Mary retired , to return in a moment nearly speechless with merriment .

got a vest of Emerson 's , she says , and a pair of Mr Holmes 's trousers , and a dress of Mrs Stowe 's .

she must be crazy ! '

' Give her that old red shawl , then I shall make a gay show among the great ones in that astonishing rug .

' He must .

I shall not go down .

' I told him so , ma'am ; but he walked right in as bold as brass .

' My day has been ruined , and I will have this last half-hour to finish .

tell him to go away ; I won't go down , ' cried Mrs Jo , fiercely .

' Who is this person who insists on remaining when I have declined to see him ? '

' I 'm sure I don't know , ma'am .

' California , on purpose to see you , Mother Bhaer .

now won't you be sorry if I go away ? ' answered Dan , with a hearty kiss .

chapter @number@

DAN

' Forget old friends !

how could I forget the only home I ever knew ?

' I like it ; I always had a fancy for banditti and you look just like one .

Mary , being a newcomer , was frightened at your looks and manners .

Josie won't know you , but Ted will recognize his Danny in spite of the big beard and flowing mane .

they will all be here soon to welcome you ; so before they come tell me more about yourself .

why , Dan , dear ! it 's nearly two years since you were here !

' First-rate !

I don't care for the money , you know .

I only want a trifle to pay my way rather earn as I go , and not be bothered with the care of a lot .

it 's the fun of the thing coming to me , and my being able to give away , that I like .

' But if you marry and settle somewhere , as I hope you will , you must have something to begin with , my son .

Dan shook his head , and glanced about the room as if he already found it rather confined and longed for all out-of-doors again .

' Who would marry a jack-o'-lantern like me ?

women like a steady-going man ; I shall never be that . '

' My dear boy , when I was a girl I liked just such adventurous fellows as you are .

anything fresh and daring , free and romantic , is always attractive to us womenfolk .

don't be discouraged ; you 'll find an anchor some day , and be content to take shorter voyages and bring home a good cargo . '

' Welcome her heartily , if she was a good one .

is there a prospect of it ? ' and Mrs Jo peered at him with the interest which even literary ladies take in love affairs .

' Not at present , thank you .

I 'm too busy " to gallivant " , as Ted calls it .

how is the boy ? ' asked Dan , skilfully turning the conversation , as if he had had enough of sentiment .

in one of these trips he saw a white figure framed in the dark doorway , and paused to look at it .

' Is it Dan ? ' she asked , coming in with a gracious smile and outstretched hand .

' Looks like it ; but I didn't know you , Princess .

I thought it was a spirit , ' answered Dan , looking down at her with a curious softness and wonder in his face .

not till he set her down did he discover she also was changed , and exclaimed in comic dismay :

' Hallo !

why , you are growing up too !

what am I going to do , with no young one to play with ?

the girls laughed , and Josie blushed as she stared at the tall man , conscious that she had leaped before she looked .

they made a pretty contrast , these two young cousins one as fair as a lily , the other a little wild rose .

' Here ! we can't allow any monopoly of Dan ! ' called Mrs Jo .

' Emil is older ; but he 's only a boy , and dances jigs and sings sailor songs just as he used to .

you look about thirty , and as big and black as a villain in a play .

oh , I 've got a splendid idea !

you are just the thing for Arbaces in The Last Days of Pompeii .

we want to act it ; have the lion and the gladiators and the eruption .

Tom and Ted are going to shower bushels of ashes down and roll barrels of stones about .

we wanted a dark man for the Egyptian ; and you will be gorgeous in red and white shawls .

won't he , Aunt Jo ? '

' Of course you will want to go back for another stroke of luck ; and I hope you will have it .

' I 've had enough of it , for a while at least ; too much like gambling .

the excitement is all I care for , and it isn't good for me .

I have a notion to try farming out West .

it 's grand on a large scale ; and I feel as if steady work would be rather jolly after loafing round so long .

I can make a beginning , and you can send me your black sheep to stock my place with .

I tried sheep-farming in Australia , and know something about black ones , any way . '

' We shall know where you are , and can go and see you , and not have half the world between us .

I 'll send my Ted for a visit .

he 's such a restless spirit , it would do him good .

with you he would be safe while he worked off his surplus energies and learned a wholesome business . '

' You go and start a new town , and when we are ready to swarm we will come out and settle there .

' We could easily plant a new college there .

' Go on , Dan .

it is a fine plan , and we will back you up .

' A little money sort of ballasts a fellow , and investing it in land anchors him for a while , at least .

I 'd like to see what I can do , but I thought I 'd consult you before I decided .

' I know you won't like it .

' Plenty of nature , dear ; and that is better .

you will find splendid animals to model , and scenery such as you never saw in Europe to paint .

even prosaic pumpkins are grand out there .

' I speak for the practice of the new town , ' said Nan , always eager for fresh enterprises .

' I shall be ready by the time you get well started towns grow so fast out there . '

' Dan isn't going to allow any woman under forty in his place .

' That won't affect me , because doctors are exceptions to all rules .

there won't be much sickness in Dansville , everyone will lead such active , wholesome lives , and only energetic young people will go there .

but accidents will be frequent , owing to wild cattle , fast riding , Indian scrimmages , and the recklessness of Western life .

that will just suit me .

' I 'll have you , Doctor , and be glad of such a good sample of what we can do in the East .

Peg away , and I 'll send for you as soon as I have a roof to cover you .

' Thanks .

I 'll come .

would you just let me feel your arm ?

splendid biceps !

now , boys , see here : this is what I call muscle . '

and Nan delivered a short lecture with Dan 's sinewy arm to illustrate it .

' Make Tom sexton ; he 'll enjoy burying the patients Nan kills .

he 's trying to get up the glum expression proper to the business .

don't forget him , Dan , ' said Ted , directing attention to the blighted being in the corner .

but Tom never sulked long , and came out from his brief eclipse with the cheerful proposition :

' I should advise settling near Jacksonville , or some such city , that you might enjoy the society of cultivated persons .

the Plato Club is there , and a most ardent thirst for philosophy .

' I 'm not sure the farming will succeed , and have a strong leaning towards my old friends the Montana Indians .

they are a peaceful tribe , and need help awfully ; hundreds have died of starvation because they don't get their share .

the Sioux are fighters , thirty thousand strong , so Government fears ' em , and gives ' em all they want .

I call that a damned shame ! '

now , honest agents could do much , and I 've a feeling that I ought to go and lend a hand .

I know their lingo , and I like ' em .

I 've got a few thousands , and I ain't sure I have any right to spend it on myself and settle down to enjoy it .

hey ? '

' Do it , do it ! ' echoed Ted , applauding as if at a play , ' and take me along to help .

I 'm just raging to get among those fine fellows and hunt . '

' They called me Dan Fire Cloud , because my rifle was the best they ever saw .

they are down on their luck , now , and I 'd like to pay my debts . '

by this time everyone was interested , and Dansville began to lose its charm .

' Well , I will .

I 'm going to take a run to Kansas and see how that promises .

met a fellow in ' Frisco who 'd been there , and he spoke well of it .

' I 'll keep it for you till you decide .

you are such an impetuous lad you 'll give it to the first beggar that gets hold of you .

' Thanky , sir , I 'd be glad to get rid of it .

this is my will , and you all witness it .

now I feel better . '

and Dan squared his shoulders as if relieved of a burden , after handing over the belt in which he carried his little fortune .

' Oh , Peggy was a jolly lass , Ye heave ho , boys , ye heave ho !

she never grudged her Jack a glass , Ye heave ho , boys , ye heave ho !

' There they are , the flower of our flock ! ' she said , pointing to the group before them .

' The others are dead or scattered , but these seven boys and four girls are my especial comfort and pride .

but the three who are soon going out into the world again I can't help worrying about .

Emil 's good heart will keep him straight , I hope , and

' " a sweet little cherub sits up aloft , To look out for the life of poor Jack . " '

Nat is to make his first flight , and he 's weak in spite of your strengthening influence ; and Dan is still untamed .

I fear it will take some hard lesson to do that . '

' He 's a fine fellow , Jo , and I almost regret this farming project .

' It wouldn't be safe , Teddy .

we can't change his nature only help it to develop in the right direction .

the old impulses are there , and must be controlled , or he will go wrong .

even that was much to expect , so full was he of wayward impulses , strong passions , and the lawless nature born in him .

' Don't fret , old dear ; Emil is one of the happy-go-lucky sort who always fall on their legs .

I 'll see to Nat , and Dan is in a good way now .

he 's unusually fitted for that peculiar task and I hope he 'll decide to do it .

' I hope so .

what is that ? ' and Mrs Jo leaned forward to listen , as exclamations from Ted and Josie caught her ear .

' A mustang ! a real , live one ; and we can ride it .

Dan , you are a first-class trump ! ' cried the boy .

' A whole Indian dress for me !

now I can play Namioka , if the boys act Metamora , ' added Josie , clapping her hands .

' A buffalo 's head for Bess !

good gracious , Dan , why did you bring such a horrid thing as that to her ? ' asked Nan .

' Thought it would do her good to model something strong and natural .

' I suppose you won't come out to see our new settlement when the rest do ?

too rough for you ? ' asked Dan , trying to assume the deferential air all the boys used when addressing their Princess .

' I am going to Rome to study for years .

all the beauty and art of the world is there , and a lifetime isn't long enough to enjoy it , ' answered Bess .

' Rome is a mouldy old tomb compared to the " garden of the gods " and my magnificent Rockies .

better come , and while Josie rides the horses you can model ' em .

' I 'll come some day with papa , and see if they are better than the horses of St Mark and those on Capitol Hill .

' That 's a bargain !

' It has some advantages , but not all .

the women of England can vote , and we can't .

' Oh , please don't begin on that .

people always quarrel over that question , and call names , and never agree .

do let us be quiet and happy tonight , ' pleaded Daisy , who hated discussion as much as Nan loved it .

' If everyone agreed , we should never get on .

Demi will escort us to do the one thing we are allowed to do as yet . '

' Will you take ' em , Deacon ? ' asked Dan , using the old name as if he liked it .

' It works capitally in Wyoming . '

' I shall be proud to do it .

mother and the aunts go every year , and Daisy will come with me .

a gusty sigh from Tom made sentiment impossible , as he said pensively :

' I always wanted to be a twin .

it 's so sociable and so cosy to have someone glad to lean on a fellow and comfort him , if other girls are cruel . '

' I knew you ate too much lobster for tea .

take four pellets , and your dyspepsia will be all right .

Tom always sighs and is silly when he 's overeaten . '

' I'll take ' em .

these are the only sweet things you ever give me . '

and Tom gloomily crunched his dose .

' Come with me , Tommy , and I 'll make a man of you .

' Ship with me , Tom .

a good fit of seasickness will set you up , and a stiff north-easter blow your blue-devils away .

come along as surgeon easy berth , and no end of larks . '

added Emil , who had a fragment of song to cheer every care and sorrow , and freely offered them to his friends .

' Perhaps I 'll think of it when I 've got my diploma .

I 'm not going to grind three mortal years and have nothing to show for it .

till then , '

' I 'll never desert Mrs Micawber , ' interrupted Teddy , with a gurgling sob .

and what a pleasant arrangement it was !

as guest of honour , Dan was only allowed to wait on Bess , who still held the highest place in this small world .

Tom carefully selected the best of everything for Nan , to be crushed by the remark :

' I never eat at this hour ; and you will have a nightmare if you do . '

so , dutifully curbing the pangs of hunger , he gave the plate to Daisy , and chewed rose-leaves for his supper .

when a surprising quantity of wholesome nourishment had been consumed , someone said , ' Let 's sing ! ' and a tuneful hour followed .

' Dreaming dreams , Dan ? ' she asked , thinking the tender moment might have come .

imagine the shock when , instead of some interesting confidence or affectionate word , Dan swung round , saying bluntly :

' I was wishing I could smoke . '

Mrs Jo laughed at the downfall of her hopes , and answered kindly :

' You may , in your room ; but don't set the house afire . '

and Mrs Jo was half satisfied .

chapter @number@

VACATION

everyone was glad of a holiday next morning , and all lingered over the breakfast-table , till Mrs Jo suddenly exclaimed :

' Why , there 's a dog ! '

and on the threshold of the door appeared a great deer-hound , standing motionless , with his eyes fixed on Dan .

' Hallo , old boy !

couldn't you wait till I came for you ?

have you cut away on the sly ?

' All right ; Don never lies . '

' I left my plunder at the hotel over night , not knowing how I should find you .

come out and see Octoo , my mustang ; she 's a beauty . '

and Dan was off , with the family streaming after him , to welcome the newcomer .

' Let her come , ' called Dan ; ' she climbs like a cat and jumps like a deer .

' What intelligent eyes !

she looks as if she would speak , ' said Mrs Jo .

' She talks like a human in her way .

very little that she don't know .

hey , old Lass ? ' and Dan laid his cheek to hers as if the little black mare was very dear to him .

' What does " Octoo " mean ? ' asked Rob .

' Lightning ; she deserves it , as you 'll see .

Black Hawk gave her to me for my rifle , and we 've had high times together out yonder .

she 's saved my life more than once .

do you see that scar ? '

what do you think we did ? '

and Dan looked into the faces round him .

' Ate worms like the Australian fellows , ' said Rob .

' Boiled grass or leaves , ' added Mrs Jo .

' Perhaps filled the stomach with clay , as we read of savages doing ? ' suggested Mr Bhaer .

' Killed one of the horses , ' cried Ted , eager for bloodshed of some sort .

' No ; but we bled one of them .

it was good , and we slept well . '

' I guess Octoo didn't . '

and Josie patted the animal , with a face full of sympathy .

' Never minded it a bit .

Black Hawk said we could live on the horses several days and still travel before they felt it .

he 's a fierce old fellow , you bet . '

I 'll show you . '

' A few falls will not harm , and this new care and pleasure will be good for him in all ways .

he received plenty of it , and seemed more pleased for his pet 's sake than for his own .

Dan usually travelled in light marching order , and hated to have more luggage than he could carry in his well-worn valise .

all nice and warm for a July day , but received with delight nevertheless .

' We only want a tent over us to be quite perfect .

I feel as if I ought to give you parched corn and dried meat for dinner , my braves .

he got on better with the young men , and was their hero at once .

these were freely handed round by the proud artist ; and one copy had a tender little history yet to be told .

a farewell dance was given on Parnassus in honour of the travellers , and all turned out in their best array and gayest spirits .

of course his mates jeered at him , and nothing but the unquenchable jollity of his nature kept him from despair .

Emil was resplendent in his new uniform , and danced with an abandon which only sailors know .

' Pin me up , Meg ; that dear Dunbar boy has nearly rent me " in sunder " , as Mr Peggotty would say .

but didn't he enjoy himself , bumping against his fellow men and swinging me round like a mop .

on these occasions I find that I 'm not as young as I was , nor as light of foot .

in ten years more we shall be meal-bags , sister ; so be resigned . '

and Mrs Jo subsided into a corner , much dishevelled by her benevolent exertions .

they were laughing over the impending double chins , when Mr Laurie came off duty for a moment .

' Repairing damages as usual , Jo ?

you never could take a little gentle exercise without returning in rags .

come and have a quiet stroll with me and cool off before supper .

MARY'S DREAM

dear Mary , weep no more for me .

' Three stormy nights and stormy days We tossed upon the raging main .

and long we strove our bark to save ; But all our striving was in vain .

E'en then , when terror chilled my blood , My heart was filled with love of thee .

the storm is past , and I 'm at rest ; So , Mary , weep no more for me .

' The constant jollity of that boy is worth a fortune to him .

' Not he ; and it 's a blessing to be grateful for , isn't it ?

we moody people know its worth .

Glad you like my first tableau .

come and see number two .

hope it isn't spoilt ; it was very pretty just now .

this is " Othello telling his adventures to Desdemona " . '

the second window framed a very picturesque group of three .

' I 'm glad he 's going away .

he 's too picturesque to have here among so many romantic girls .

afraid his " grand , gloomy , and peculiar " style will be too much for our simple maids . '

how well Queenie looks in that soft light ! '

' Dear little Goldilocks looks well everywhere . '

and with a backward glance full of pride and fondness , Mrs Jo went on .

but that scene returned to her long afterward and her own prophetic words also .

' Do I hurt you ? ' she asked , turning the hand to the moonlight for a better view .

' I won't keep you long . '

' Hours , if you please .

never so happy as here . '

only a splinter , and there it is .

' My hand is bleeding ; won't you bind it up ? ' asked Tom , wishing to prolong the situation .

' Nonsense ; suck it .

only take care of it tomorrow if you dissect .

don't want any more blood-poisoning . '

' That was the only time you were kind to me .

wish I 'd lost my arm . '

' I wish you 'd lost your head ; it smells more like turpentine and kerosene than ever .

do take a run in the garden and air it . '

' Poor Tom , his fate is a hard one , and he 's wasting his time !

do advise him to quit philandering and go to work , Jo . '

' I have , Teddy , often ; but it will take some great shock to make that boy wise .

I wait with interest to see what it will be .

bless me ! what is all this ? '

' This might be called " Mercury Trying to Fly " , ' said Mr Laurie , as they peeped through the lace curtains .

' Bless the long legs of that boy ! how does he expect to manage them ?

' Now , he 's got it ! '

' That 's perfectly splendid ! '

' Thanks for four nice little pictures .

' Good spread , this ; Laurence does things in style .

' Bad for boys , he says .

Jove ! wish he could see us at some of our wines .

Good-hearted little fellows both , but top-heavy with the pride of being Sophs and the freedom that college life gave them .

' H'm well , fairish .

the Princess is rather more to my taste .

I like ' em blonde and queenly and elegant , don't you know . '

' Yes , Jo is too lively ; might as well dance with a grasshopper .

I 've tried her , and she 's one too many for me .

Miss Perry is a nice , easy-going girl .

got her for the german . '

' You 'll never be a dancing man .

too lazy .

now I 'll undertake to steer any girl and dance down any fellow you please .

dancing 's my forte . '

and Dolly glanced from his trim feet to his flashing gem with the defiant air of a young turkey-cock on parade .

' Miss Grey is looking for you .

wants more grub .

just see if Miss Nelson 's plate is empty , there 's a good fellow .

can't eat ice in a hurry . '

' Confound these country chaps ! they go blundering round like so many dor-bugs , and make a deuce of a mess .

better stick to books and not try to be society men .

can't do it .

beastly stain .

give it a rub , and let me bolt a mouthful , I 'm starved .

never saw girls eat such a lot .

it proves that they ought not to study so much .

never liked co-ed , ' growled Dolly , much ruffled in spirit .

' So they do .

' Tisn't ladylike .

ought to be satisfied with an ice and a bit of cake , and eat it prettily .

don't like to see a girl feed .

we hard-working men need it , and , by Jove , I mean to get some more of that meringue if it 's not all gone .

' You 've put your foot in it now , old boy ! that 's Morton , Mr Bhaer 's crack man .

knows everything , no end of a " dig " , and bound to carry off all the honours .

you won't hear the last of it in a hurry . '

' I do think the Laurences give lovely parties .

don't you enjoy them ? ' asked the younger , looking about her with the eager air of one unused to this sort of pleasure .

' Very much , only I never feel as if I was dressed right .

my things seemed elegant at home , and I thought I 'd be over over-dressed if anything ; but I look countrified and dowdy here .

' You must get Mrs Brooke to tell you how to fix your things .

she was very kind to me .

isn't it lovely and becoming ? '

' It 's sweet : I 've been admiring it .

I 'll do mine so and ask about my purple one .

' Did you know that Mr Laurence pays all Amelia Merrill 's bills ?

I do think they are the best and kindest people in the world . '

' So do I , and my time here will be the happiest and most useful years of my life . '

' I 'm so sorry the boys are going .

it will be dreadfully dull without them .

she has been doing Dan 's head , and it is not quite finished .

I never saw her so interested in any work , and it 's very well done .

he is so striking and big he always makes me think of the Dying Gladiator or some of those antique creatures .

there 's Bess now .

' I never thought he would turn out so well .

now he is the handsomest of all the boys , and very entertaining with his stories and plans .

I like him very much ; he 's so big and strong and independent .

I 'm tired of mollycoddles and book-worms , ' said Nan in her decided way .

quiet people suit me best . '

' Life is a fight , and I like a good soldier .

boys take things too easily , don't see how serious it all is and go to work in earnest .

' Most girls would be touched by such fidelity .

I think it 's beautiful , ' said Daisy behind her fan ; for other girls sat just below .

' You are a sentimental goose and not a judge .

Nat will be twice the man when he comes back after his trip .

I wish Tom was going with him .

let them prove what they can do and be before they ask anything of us , and give us a chance to do the same .

then we know where we are , and shall not make mistakes to mourn over all our lives . '

' Only give us a chance , and have patience till we can do our best .

now we are expected to be as wise as men who have had generations of all the help there is , and we scarcely anything .

let us have equal opportunities , and in a few generations we will see what the judgement is .

I like justice , and we get very little of it . '

' Still shouting the battle-cry of freedom ? ' asked Demi , peering through the banisters at this moment .

' Up with your flag !

I 'll stand by and lend a hand if you want it .

with you and Nan to lead the van , I think you won't need much help . '

' I do like men who come out frankly and own that they are not gods .

how can we think them so when such awful mistakes are being made all the time by these great creatures ?

see them sick , as I do , then you know them . '

' We 'll be kind to you if you will be just to us .

I don't say generous , only just .

I blushed for them , and the wives and mothers .

I want an intelligent man to represent me , if I can't do it myself , not a fool . '

' Nan is on the stump .

' Go on , go on !

' What is it ? '

' An indignation meeting .

Nan and Alice are on the rampage , and we are at the bar to be tried for our lives .

' I 'm not wise enough .

I 'll sit here and listen .

please go on . '

' I want to ask every boy of you what you really think on this subject .

Dan and Emil have seen the world and ought to know their own minds .

Tom and Nat have had five examples before them for years .

Demi is ours and we are proud of him .

so is Rob .

Commodore , are you ready for the question ? '

' Ay , ay , skipper . '

' Do you believe in Woman 's Suffrage ? '

' Bless your pretty figger head !

I do , and I 'll ship a crew of girls any time you say so .

aren't they worse than a press-gang to carry a fellow out of his moorings ?

' Good for you , Emil !

Nan will take you for first mate after that handsome speech , ' said Demi , as the girls applauded , and Tom glowered .

' Now , Dan , you love liberty so well yourself , are you willing we should have it ? '

' All you can get , and I 'll fight any man who 's mean enough to say you don't deserve it . '

this brief and forcible reply delighted the energetic President , and she beamed upon the member from California , as she said briskly :

tom shut the umbrella , and standing up raised his hand , saying solemnly :

' I believe in suffrage of all kinds .

I adore all women , and will die for them at any moment if it will help the cause . '

' Living and working for it is harder , and therefore more honourable .

men are always ready to die for us , but not to make our lives worth having .

cheap sentiment and bad logic .

you will pass , Tom , only don't twaddle .

now , having taken the sense of the meeting we will adjourn , as the hour for festive gymnastics has arrived .

now , girls , don't sit in draughts , and , boys , beware of ice-water when you are warm . '

with this characteristic close Nan retired from office , and the girls went to enjoy one of the few rights allowed them .

chapter @number@

LAST WORDS

' Daisy knows my wishes , and I trust her .

they know I understand them , and they always open their hearts sooner or later .

' You flatter me , to soften my heart toward your boy .

I know your ways , Jo , and I don't give in .

be firm , and spare me a scene by and by .

' Girls , have you got nice pocket-handkerchiefs ? '

she did not wait long .

' Nice and cool here .

I 'm not up to one of Dan 's tramps today it 's so warm , and he goes so like a steam-engine .

' I 'm glad you did .

sit and rest with me , and have one of our good old talks .

' You are very kind , and there 's nothing I 'd like better .

I don't realize I 'm going so far suppose I shan't till I get afloat .

' You can thank us beautifully by being and doing all we hope and expect of you , my dear .

that will be the time to test the principles we have tried to give you , and see how firm they are .

of course , you will make mistakes we all do ; but don't let go of your conscience and drift along blindly .

' I 'll try , Mother Bhaer , my very best to be a credit to you .

I know I shall improve in my music can't help it there ; but I never shall be very wise , I 'm afraid .

as for my heart , you know , I leave it behind me in good keeping . '

' Yes , do talk about Daisy !

I think of nothing but leaving and losing her .

' Listen to me and I 'll try to give you both comfort and good advice .

we all know that Daisy is fond of you , but her mother objects , and being a good girl she tries to obey .

young people think they never can change , but they do in the most wonderful manner , and very few die of broken hearts . '

' One of two things will happen .

Daisy will perhaps forget when you are gone , and be glad you are only friends .

' No , I don't ! ' answered Mrs Jo .

' I 'll tell you what I should do .

I 'd say to myself :

' That is what I meant to do .

' Other fellows , poorer and stupider than I , have done great things and come to honour .

why may not I , though I 'm nothing now ?

I never will be ashamed of my people or myself , and I 'll make other folks respect me if I can . '

' Good ! that 's the right spirit , Nat .

hold to it and make yourself a man .

no one will be quicker to see and admire the brave work than my sister Meg .

we don't care for money ; but a long line of virtuous ancestors is something to desire and to be proud of . '

' Well , the Blakes are a good lot .

I looked ' em up , and not one was ever in prison , hanged , or disgraced in any way .

Nat was so excited that Mrs Jo indulged in a laugh to calm him , and both went on more quietly .

' I told my sister all that and it pleased her .

now , cheer up ; don't be lackadaisical and blue .

say good-bye cheerfully and bravely , show a manly front , and leave a pleasant memory behind you .

we all wish you well and hope much for you .

write to me every week and I 'll send a good , gossipy answer .

thank you so much , Mother Bhaer , for taking my side .

oh dear , life is pretty tough sometimes , isn't it ? '

' Very tough , but it is that very struggle with obstacles which does us good .

things have been made easy for you in many ways , but no one can do everything .

you must paddle your own canoe now , and learn to avoid the rapids and steer straight to the port you want to reach .

I only hope you won't work too hard . '

' I feel as if I could work like a horse , I 'm so eager to get on ; but I 'll take care .

can't waste time being sick , and you 've given me doses enough to keep me all right , I guess . '

Nat laughed as he remembered the book of directions Mrs Jo had written for him to consult on all occasions .

' I want a word with the Commodore , and up there we shall be nice and quiet .

go and play to Daisy : it will put her to sleep and do you both good .

' Come aboard and make yourself at home , Aunty , ' he said , with a playful salute .

' I 'm just leaving a P.P.C. in the old place , so when you fly up here for refuge you 'll remember me . '

' Ah , my dear , I 'm not likely to forget you .

' Well , you don't pipe your eye and look squally when I sheer off as you used to , and that 's a comfort .

I like to leave port in fair weather and have a jolly send-off all round .

' You have salt water enough without my adding to it .

I 'm going to be quite a Spartan mother , and send my sons to battle with no wailing , only the command :

' When I do I 'll christen her the Jolly Jo and take you as first mate .

' I 'll make my first voyage with you and enjoy myself immensely in spite of seasickness and all the stormy winds that blow .

' No wrecks yet , ma'am , but we 'll try to accommodate customers .

' Thanks , I hope you will .

this long voyage will give you new experiences , and being an officer , you will have new duties and responsibilities .

are you ready for them ?

be careful that you don't abuse it or let it make a tyrant of you . '

' Right you are , ma'am .

I 've seen plenty of that , and have got my bearings pretty well , I guess .

no right to speak before , but now I won't stand it . '

' Getting drunk .

I 've seen him knock a fellow down with a belaying pin , and couldn't lend a hand .

better luck now , I hope . '

and Emil frowned as if he already trod the quarter-deck , lord of all he surveyed .

' Don't get into trouble , for even Uncle Herman 's favour won't cover insubordination , you know .

you have proved yourself a good sailor ; now be a good officer , which is a harder thing , I fancy .

it takes a fine character to rule justly and kindly ; you will have to put by your boyish ways and remember your dignity .

that will be excellent training for you , Emil , and sober you down a bit .

' I 'll do my best .

I had a long talk with Uncle last night and got my orders ; I won't forget ' em nor all I owe him .

' You do me proud , Captain .

that is the text of my little sermon to you .

keep that always and everywhere , so that even if wrecked by misfortune , that sign shall still be found and recognized .

' Please God , I will ! '

' I 've stored ' em up and know where to find ' em when wanted .

going below ?

all right , steady in the gangway !

I 'll be along by the time you 've got out the cake-box .

last chance for a good old lunch ashore . '

' Afraid I shall disturb you ' ; but Dan looked as if he wanted to stay his restless feet somewhere .

' Last day is over , yet somehow I don't seem to hanker to be off .

generally , I 'm rather anxious to cut loose after a short stop .

' Not at all ; you are beginning to get civilized .

it 's a good sign , and I 'm glad to see it , ' answered Mrs Jo promptly .

' You 've had your swing , and want a change .

' So ' tis , ' assented Dan heartily .

' I seem to want to root somewhere and have folks of my own to take care of .

tired of my own company , I suppose , now I 've seen so much better .

hey ? '

' No ; I don't think so in your case .

so far I 'm sure the free life was best .

Dan liked the comparison , and smiled as he lounged in the sofa-corner , with the new thoughtfulness in his eyes .

' Glad you think so .

the fact is it 's going to take a heap of taming to make me go well in harness anywhere .

I want to , and I try now and then , but always kick over the traces and run away .

no lives lost yet ; but I shouldn't wonder if there was some time , and a general smash-up . '

' Why , Dan , did you have any dangerous adventures during this last absence ?

I fancied so , but didn't ask before , knowing you 'd tell me if I could help in any way .

can I ? '

' Was that how you made your money ? '

' Not a penny of it !

that 's all honest , if speculation isn't a bigger sort of gambling .

' Thank heaven for that !

don't try it again ; it may have the terrible fascination for you it has for so many .

keep to your mountains and prairies , and shun cities , if these things tempt you , Dan .

better lose your life than your soul , and one such passion leads to worse sins , as you know better than I . '

' Don't be scared ; I 'm all right now ; and a burnt dog dreads the fire .

I shall kill someone some day ; that 's all I 'm afraid of .

I do hate a sneak ! '

and Dan brought his fist down on the table with a blow that made the lamp totter and the books skip .

' For heaven 's sake , guard your demon well , and don't let a moment 's fury ruin all your life .

as I said to Nat , watch and pray , my dear boy .

there is no other help or hope for human weakness but God 's love and patience . '

it 's that I 'm afraid of , if I settle down .

and Dan leaned his rough head on his hands in a despondent attitude .

' Try my sort of help , and don't give up .

we don't make you savage , I 'm sure ; for you have been as meek as a lamb , and made us very happy . '

not so much as I used , though , ' added Dan , after a short laugh at Mrs Jo 's surprised face .

' Yes , you can this time ; for you are going on a peaceful errand and can keep clear of temptation if you try .

take some books and read ; that 's an immense help ; and books are always good company if you have the right sort .

let me pick out some for you . '

and Mrs Jo made a bee-line to the well-laden shelves , which were the joy of her heart and the comfort of her life .

Mrs Jo turned short round , and putting a hand on either broad shoulder , looked him in the eye , saying soberly :

' Now , Dan , see here ; never sneer at good things or pretend to be worse than you are .

don't let false shame make you neglect the religion without which no man can live .

you needn't talk about it if you don't like , but don't shut your heart to it in whatever shape it comes .

will you promise me to read a little once a week , dear , for my sake ?

Sunday is a quiet day everywhere , and this book is never old nor out of place .

begin with the stories you used to love when I told them to you boys .

David was your favourite , you remember ?

you will do it , for love of mother Bhaer , who always loved her " firebrand " and hoped to save him ? '

' Hallo , here 's old Sintram !

I remember him ; used to like him and his tantrums , and read about ' em to Ted .

there he is riding ahead with Death and the Devil alongside . '

' That 's you , Dan , just you at this time !

even the horse and hound are there , your Octoo and Don , faithful friends , unscared by the strange mates that go with you .

you have not got the armour yet , but I 'm trying to show you where to find it .

remember the mother Sintram loved and longed to find , and did find when his battle was bravely fought , his reward well earned ?

you can recollect your mother ; and I have always felt that all the good qualities you possess come from her .

but all he said was :

' Small chance of that .

I don't take much stock in the idea of meeting folks in heaven .

guess mother won't remember the poor little brat she left so long ago ; why should she ? '

had she lived , life would have been happier for you , with this tender friend to help and comfort you .

never forget that she risked everything for your sake , and don't let it be in vain . '

' I 'll keep this , if nobody wants it .

I 'll read it over , and maybe it will do me good .

I 'd like to meet her anywhere , but don't believe I ever shall . '

' Keep it and welcome .

my mother gave it to me ; and when you read it try to believe that neither of your mothers will ever forget you . '

next day the travellers were off .

well , I can only say , God be with my boys ! '

and He was .

chapter @number@

THE LION AND THE LAMB

the Professor took Mrs Jo to the mountains .

Mrs Meg , with Daisy , was in office when the events occurred which we are about to relate .

Demi was off on a run with Tom , so Rob was man of the house , with old Silas as general overseer .

' I tell you what it is , Bobby , that dog is sick .

he won't play , nor eat , nor drink , and acts queerly .

' It 's the hot weather , perhaps .

but I sometimes think he 's pining for Dan .

Dogs do , you know , and the poor fellow has been low in his mind ever since the boys went .

maybe something has happened to Dan .

Don howled last night and can't rest .

I 've heard of such things , ' answered Rob thoughtfully .

' Pooh ! he can't know .

He's cross .

I 'll stir him up and take him for a run .

always makes me feel better .

' Better let him alone .

if he isn't right tomorrow , we 'll take him to Dr Watkins and see what he says . '

and Rob went on watching the swallows as he lay in the hay polishing up some Latin verses he had made .

this indignity roused Don and he sat up with a growl .

Rob heard it , and seeing Ted raise the switch , ran to interfere , exclaiming :

' Don't touch him !

Dan forbade it !

leave the poor thing in peace ; I won't allow it . '

Rob seldom commanded , but when he did Master Ted had to give in .

his temper was up , and Rob 's masterful tone made it impossible to resist one cut at the rebellious dog before he submitted .

' I 'm awfully sorry .

why did you get in the way ?

' I am afraid of hydrophobia .

but if Don is mad I 'd rather be the one to have it , ' answered Rob , with a smile and a shiver .

' Oh , Rob , don't say it !

what shall we do , what shall we do ? '

' Call Nan ; she will know .

I 'll wash it till she comes .

maybe it 's nothing ; don't look so staggered , Ted .

I only thought it might be , as Don is queer . '

' Come to Rob in the barn !

Don 's mad and he 's bitten him , and we don't know what to do ; it 's all my fault ; no one must know .

oh , do be quick ! '

' Rob , there is one thing to do for the sake of safety , and it must be done at once .

we can't wait to see if Don is sick or to go for a doctor .

I can do it , and I will ; but it is very painful , and I hate to hurt you , dear . '

' I know , burn it ; well , do it , please ; I can bear it .

but Ted better go away , ' said Rob , with a firm setting of his lips , and a nod at his afflicted brother .

it was ironing day , and a hot fire still burned in the empty kitchen , for the maids were upstairs resting .

' I must make light of it , or the boys will break down , and then there will be a panic .

why afflict and frighten everyone when all is in doubt ?

I won't .

I 'll take Rob to Dr Morrison at once , and have the dog man see Don .

then , having done all we can , we will either laugh at our scare if it is one or be ready for whatever comes .

now for my poor boy . '

' Now , Rob , only a minute , then we are safe .

stand by , Ted ; he may be a bit faintish . '

Rob shut his eyes , clinched his hands , and sat like a hero .

' Now , boys , listen to me and remember what I say .

we won't alarm anyone yet , for I 've made up my mind our scare is all nonsense .

Don was out lapping the water as I came by , and I don't believe he 's mad any more than I am .

Ted went staggering away to wash his face at the pump , and rub some colour into his cheeks before he harnessed the horse .

Rob lay tranquilly on the hay , looking up at the swallows again as he lived through some very memorable moments .

there were no sins to be repented of , few faults , and many happy , dutiful years to remember with infinite comfort .

then she hurried back and found her patients much better , the one for work , the other for rest .

don't let him know it , and report to me if anything seems wrong .

one never knows in these cases .

no harm to be careful . '

' He wants his master , and feels the heat .

fed too well , perhaps .

Ted 's remorse preyed upon him , and having no ' Mum ' to confide in , he was very miserable .

' Ted is such a saint , I 'm afraid we are going to lose him .

is it Meg 's sweet influence , or Daisy 's fine cooking , or the pellets I catch Nan giving him on the sly ?

' He is growing up , heart's-dearest , and being a precocious plant , he begins to bloom early .

I also see a change in my Robchen .

' We are talking about you , my lads .

come in and tell us what good fairy has been at work while we were gone .

' Oh , it 's only because Bobby and I have been alone so much ; we are sort of twins .

I stir him up a bit , and he steadies me a great deal .

you and father do the same , you know .

Nice plan .

I like it ' ; and Ted felt that he had settled the matter capitally .

' Mother won't thank you for comparing yourself to her , Ted .

I 'm flattered at being like father in any way .

I try to be , ' answered Rob , as they laughed at Ted 's compliment .

' I 'm very glad to see you helping one another .

Love should not make us blind to faults , nor familiarity make us too ready to blame the shortcomings we see .

so work away , my sonnies , and give us more surprises of this sort as often as you like . '

' The liebe Mutter has said all .

I too am well pleased at the friendly brother-warmth I find .

Rob wisely kept silent , fearing to say too much ; but Ted burst out , finding it impossible to help telling something :

but I begin to see that it isn't the fellows who talk the loudest and show off best that are the manliest .

Rob was as red as Ted now , but after a moment 's hesitation he looked up and answered with an air of relief :

I did feel guilty to keep anything from you , but now you know so much I shall not worry and you needn't either .

Ted 's sorry , I don't mind , and it has done us both good . '

' Rob , dear , you have been ill , hurt , or seriously troubled by Ted ?

tell me at once ; I will not have any secrets now .

boys sometimes suffer all their lives from neglected accidents or carelessness .

Fritz , make them speak out ! '

' My sons , give us the truth .

we can bear it ; do not hold it back to spare us .

Ted knows we forgive much because we love him , so be frank , all two . '

' Come and be forgiven , poor sinner !

oh , Teddy , Teddy , do try to cure that wilful spirit of yours before it is too late ! '

' Oh , Mum , I do try !

come to me , Teddy , when the evil one gets hold of you , and together we 'll rout him .

ah , me !

I 've had many a tussle with that old Apollyon , and often got worsted , but not always .

come under my shield , and we 'll fight till we win . '

presently Ted rose straight up and going to his father , said bravely and humbly :

' I ought to be punished .

please do it ; but first say you forgive me , as Rob does . '

' Always that , mein Sohn , seventy time seven , if needs be , else I am not worthy the name you give me .

the punishment has come ; I can give no greater .

let it not be in vain .

it will not with the help of the mother and the All Father .

room here for both , always ! '

' I always knew that girl had the making of a fine woman in her , and this proves it .

no panics and shrieks and faintings and fuss , but calm sense and energetic skill .

Dear child , what can I give or do to show my gratitude ? ' said Mrs Jo enthusiastically .

' Yes , do ! he frets her like a mosquito .

she forbade him to come out here while she stayed , and packed him off with Demi .

' I 'll do it ! ' said Mrs Jo decidedly .

' That girl's career shall not be hampered by a foolish boy 's fancy .

in a moment of weariness she may give in , and then it 's all over .

wiser women have done so and regretted it all their lives .

chapter @number@

JOSIE PLAYS MERMAID

but Josie was like a thirsty fly buzzing about a sealed honey-pot , for this nearness to her idol was both delightful and maddening .

it 's no use to try to drown myself when she is bathing .

I can't sink , and she 'd only send a man to pull me out .

what can I do ?

I will see her and tell her my hopes and make her say I can act some day .

Josie made these remarks one afternoon as she and Bess prepared for a swim , a fishing party having prevented their morning bathe .

' You must bide your time , dear , and not be so impatient .

papa promised to give you a chance before the season is over , and he always manages things nicely .

' I hate to wait ; but I suppose I must .

hope she will bathe this afternoon , though it is low tide .

she told Uncle she should have to go in then because in the morning people stared so and went on her beach .

come and have a good dive from the big rock .

no one round but nurses and babies , so we can romp and splash as much as we like . '

as they sat dripping on the big rock Josie suddenly gave a clutch that nearly sent Bess overboard , as she cried excitedly :

' There she is !

look ! coming to bathe .

how splendid !

' Don't seem to look ; she comes to be quiet and enjoy herself .

pretend we don't see her , that 's only civil , ' answered Bess , affecting to be absorbed in a white-winged yacht going by .

' Let 's carelessly float that way as if going for seaweed on the rocks .

she can't mind if we are flat on our backs , with only our noses out .

then when we can't help seeing her , we 'll swim back as if anxious to retire .

' I 've dropped a bracelet .

I see it , but can't get it .

will the little boy find me a long stick ?

I 'll keep my eye on it , so the water shall not wash it away . '

' I beg your pardon .

dive away , child ; the sand is covering it fast .

I value it very much .

never forgot to take it off before . '

' I 'll get it ! ' and down went Josie , to come up with a handful of pebbles , but no bracelet .

' No , it isn't .

' Oh , no ; Josie is a little fish .

she likes it ' ; and Bess smiled happily at this wonderful granting of her cousin 's desire .

' You are Mr Laurence 's daughter , I think ?

how d'ye do , dear ?

tell papa I 'm coming to see him soon .

too tired before .

quite savage .

better now .

ah ! here 's our pearl of divers .

what luck ? ' she asked , as the heels went down and a dripping head came up .

' " never give up " is my motto .

I 'm going to get it , if I go to Liverpool for it !

' Plucky little girl !

I like that .

this is a great happiness for her . '

' Bless the child ! why didn't she come and call ?

I 'd have let her in ; though usually I avoid stage-struck girls as I do reporters , ' laughed Miss Cameron .

' I did get it !

I 'm so glad ! '

' Now get your breath , my dear ; then I shall be glad also .

it was very nice of you to take all that trouble for me .

' Let me come and see you once only once !

I want you to tell me if I can act ; you will know .

May I ? '

' Yes ; come tomorrow at eleven .

we 'll have a good talk ; you shall show me what you can do , and I 'll give you my opinion .

but you won't like it . '

' I will , no matter if you tell me I 'm a fool .

I want it settled ; so does mamma .

' Ah , my child , it 's a weary road , and there are plenty of thorns among the roses when you 've won them .

I think you have the courage , and this proves that you have perseverance .

perhaps you 'll do .

come , and we 'll see . '

' We are keeping Miss Cameron from her bath , and the tide is going out .

come , Josie , ' said thoughtful Bess , fearing to outstay their welcome .

' Run over the beach and get warm .

thank you very much , little mermaid .

tell papa to bring his daughter to see me any time .

perhaps she 'll do .

good stock talent in the family .

we shall see . '

of course Josie never slept a wink , and was in a fever of joyful excitement next day .

' I will go alone : we shall be freer so .

oh , Bess , pray that she may tell me rightly !

so much depends on that !

don't laugh , uncle !

it is a very serious moment for me .

Miss Cameron knows that , and will tell you so .

Kiss me , Aunt Amy , since mamma isn't here .

if you say I look nice , I 'm quite satisfied .

good-bye . '

' First let me give you these .

' I do love them best , and keep my room full of the posies some good fairy hangs on my gate .

I know it was a liberty ; but as I couldn't get in myself , I loved to think my posies pleased you . '

' They did please me , dear , and so do you .

I 'm tired of praise ; and love is very sweet , when it is simple and sincere like this . '

then , as if anxious to forget the past , her new friend said , in the commanding way that seemed natural to her :

' Let me see what you can do .

Juliet , of course .

all begin with that .

poor soul , how she is murdered ! '

' Very good !

try again .

better than I expected , ' called the voice of the oracle .

Josie tried Portia 's speech , and recited very well , giving due emphasis to each fine sentence .

she felt sure that she surpassed herself , and waited for applause .

' I have been told that I did it very well .

I 'm sorry you don't think so . '

' My dear , it 's very bad .

how can it help being so ?

what can a child like you know of love and fear and death ?

don't try it yet .

leave tragedy alone till you are ready for it . '

' But you clapped Ophelia . '

' Yes , that was very pretty .

any clever girl can do it effectively .

but the real meaning of Shakespeare is far above you yet , child .

the comedy bit was best .

there you showed real talent .

it was both comic and pathetic .

that 's art .

don't lose it .

the Portia was good declamation .

go on with that sort of thing ; it trains the voice teaches shades of expression .

you 've a good voice and natural grace great helps both , hard to acquire . '

a few have kept on , and done fairly well .

one you will hear of soon , I think ; for she has talent , indomitable patience , and mind as well as beauty .

you are too young to show to which class you belong .

Geniuses are very rare , and even at fifteen seldom give much promise of future power . '

when I act I 'm perfectly happy .

I seem to live , to be in my own world , and each new part is a new friend .

I love Shakespeare , and am never tired of his splendid people .

I can't see , but I feel the beauty , and long to express it . '

' It is an education in itself , and a lifetime is not long enough to teach you all his secret .

but there is much to do before you can hope to echo his words .

fame is a pearl many dive for and only a few bring up .

Even when they do , it is not perfect , and they sigh for more , and lose better things in struggling for them . '

' I got the bracelet in spite of all the bitter water in my eyes . '

' You did !

I don't forget it .

a good omen .

we will accept it . '

then added in a different tone , watching the effect of her words on the expressive face before her :

that is the first step , for all accomplishments are needed , and a single talent makes a very imperfect character .

cultivate mind and body , heart and soul , and make yourself an intelligent , graceful , beautiful , and healthy girl .

then , at eighteen or twenty , go into training and try your powers .

better start for the battle with your arms in order , and save the hard lesson which comes when we rush on too soon .

now and then genius carries all before it , but not often .

we have to climb slowly , with many slips and falls .

can you wait as well as work ? '

' I will ! '

' We shall see .

it is all dazzle and sham , and a disgrace and disappointment now .

uncle says that sort is my style , and I must not think of tragedy .

' Yet that is high art , child , and what we need for a time till we are ready for the masters .

cultivate that talent of yours .

tell your uncle he is right , and ask your aunt to try a play for you .

I 'll come and see it when you are ready . '

' Will you ?

oh ! will you ?

we are going to have some at Christmas , with a nice part for me .

A simple little thing , but I can do it , and should be so proud , so happy to have you there . '

' I can never thank you for this hour and all you have told me .

I shall do just what you advise , and mamma will be very glad to see me settled at my books again .

' That reminds me that I have not paid mine .

little friend , wear this for my sake .

it is fit for a mermaid , and will remind you of your first dive .

may the next bring up a better jewel , and leave no bitter water on your lips ! '

she told her little story to a deeply interested audience , and all felt that Miss Cameron 's advice was good .

chapter @number@

THE WORM TURNS

' Go ahead and report , Tom ; I 'm due here .

see you later , ' said Demi , swinging himself down at the door of the Dovecote .

' Don't peach , there 's a good fellow .

let me have it out with Mother Bhaer first , ' returned Tom , wheeling in at the gate with a heavy sigh .

to his great joy Mrs Jo was discovered alone in a grove of proof-sheets , which she dropped , to greet the returning wanderer cordially .

but after the first glance she saw that something was the matter , recent events having made her unusually sharp-eyed and suspicious .

' I 'm in an awful scrape , ma'am . '

' Of course ; I 'm always prepared for scrapes when you appear .

what is it ?

run over some old lady who is going to law about it ? ' asked Mrs Jo cheerfully .

' Worse than that , ' groaned Tom .

' Not poisoned some trusting soul who asked you to prescribe , I hope ? '

' Worse than that . '

' You haven't let Demi catch any horrid thing and left him behind , have you ? '

' Worse even than that . '

' I give it up .

tell me quick ; I hate to wait for bad news . '

having got his listener sufficiently excited , Tom launched his thunderbolt in one brief sentence , and fell back to watch the effect .

' I 'm engaged ! '

Mrs Jo 's proof-sheets flew wildly about as she clasped her hands , exclaiming in dismay :

' If Nan has yielded , I 'll never forgive her ! '

' She hasn't ; it 's another girl . '

' I 'm glad , very glad indeed !

don't care who it is ; and I hope you 'll be married soon .

now tell me all about it , ' commanded Mrs Jo , so much relieved that she felt ready for anything .

' What will Nan say ? ' demanded Tom , rather taken aback at this view of his predicament .

' She will be rejoiced to get rid of the mosquito who has plagued her so long .

don't worry about Nan .

who is this " other girl " ? '

' Demi hasn't written about her ? '

' Only something about your upsetting a Miss West down at Quitno ; I thought that was scrape enough . '

' That was only the beginning of a series of scrapes .

Just my luck !

of course after sousing the poor girl I had to be attentive to her , hadn't I ?

everyone seemed to think so , and I couldn't get away , and so I was lost before I knew it .

look at these , will you , ma'am ?

' That 's Dora .

isn't she lovely ? ' cried Tom , forgetting his tribulations for a moment and speaking with lover-like ardour .

' Very nice little person to look at .

hope she is not a Dickens Dora ?

that curly crop looks like it . '

all the girls like her , and she 's sweet-tempered and jolly , and sings like a bird , and dances beautifully , and loves books .

thinks yours are splendid , and made me talk about you no end . '

' That last sentence is to flatter me and win my help to get you out of the scrape .

tell me first how you got in ' ; and Mrs Jo settled herself to listen with interest , never tired of boys ' affairs .

Tom gave his head a rousing rub all over to clear his wits , and plunged into his story with a will .

' Well , we 've met her before , but I didn't know she was there .

Demi wanted to see a fellow , so we went , and finding it nice and cool rested over Sunday .

found some pleasant people and went out rowing ; I had Dora , and came to grief on a confounded rock .

she could swim , no harm done , only the scare and the spoilt gown .

of course we had to stay another day to see that Dora was all right .

Demi wanted to .

fact is , tennis is a dangerous game , ma'am .

Dora seemed to like it and expect it , and of course I was glad to be agreeable .

she thought I amounted to something , though Nan does not , and it was pleasant to be appreciated after years of snubbing .

no , by Jove , it 's not fair , and I won't stand it ! '

' I wouldn't .

drop the old fancy , for it was nothing more , and take up the new one , if it is genuine .

' Oh , that was an accident .

' So there were two donkeys in it , were there ? ' said Mrs Jo , foreseeing fun of some sort .

' Don't laugh !

' The girls admired our new wheels , and of course we liked to show off .

took ' em to ride , and had larks generally .

such a mess !

pick me up , and let us go on again . "

' Wasn't that sweet now , after I 'd upset her for the second time ?

she might have said donkeys ; but she was in earnest , and she spared my feelings .

' Tommy Bangs !

Tommy Bangs ! who but you could ever get into such a catastrophe ? ' said Mrs Jo , when she recovered her breath .

' Isn't it a muddle all round , and won't everyone chaff me to death about it ?

' No , indeed ; I 'll stand by you , for I think it the best joke of the season .

but tell me how things ended .

is it really serious , or only a summer flirtation ?

I don't approve of them , but boys and girls will play with edged tools and cut their fingers . '

' Well , Dora considers herself engaged , and wrote to her people at once .

I couldn't say a word when she took it all in solemn earnest and seemed so happy .

I was so staggered that I said :

' " why , you can't love me really when we know so little of one another ? "

' A truly Tomian way of taking things easy .

I hope you told your father at once . '

' Oh yes , I wrote off and broke it to him in three lines .

I said : " dear Father , I 'm engaged to Dora West , and I hope she will suit the family .

she suits me tip-top .

yours ever , Tom . "

he was all right , never liked Nan , you know ; but Dora will suit him down to the ground . '

and Tom looked entirely satisfied with his own tact and taste .

' What did Demi say to this rapid and funny lovemaking ?

' Not a bit .

Demi is a regular Solomon , especially when he is in the same boat , ' answered Tom , looking wise .

' You don't mean ? ' gasped Mrs Jo , in sudden alarm at the bare idea of more love-affairs just yet .

he said he went to Quitno to see Fred Wallace , but he never saw the fellow .

how could he , when Wallace was off in his yacht all the time we were there ?

Alice was the real attraction , and I was left to my fate , while they were maundering round with that old camera .

there were three donkeys in this affair , and I 'm not the worst one , though I shall have to bear the laugh .

Demi will look innocent and sober , and no one will say a word to him . '

' The midsummer madness has broken out , and no one knows who will be stricken next .

well , leave Demi to his mother , and let us see what you are going to do , Tom . '

' I don't know exactly ; it 's awkward to be in love with two girls at once .

what do you advise ? '

' A common-sense view of the case , by all means .

Dora loves you and thinks you love her .

Nan does not care for you , and you only care for her as a friend , though you have tried to do more .

opposition has made you obstinately cling to her till accident has shown you a more attractive girl .

' The fact is I meant to make Nan jealous , for she knows Dora , and I was sure would hear of our doings .

' I was regularly astonished to find it so easy and so pleasant .

upon my soul , I don't see why she should !

I 'm not half good enough . '

' Every honest man feels that when an innocent girl puts her hand in his .

it wasn't right , and I don't deserve to be so happy .

' I 'll try .

yes , I do love her , only I can't believe it just yet .

wish you knew her .

dear little soul , I long to see her already !

she cried when we parted last night and I hated to go . '

anxious to put Tom out of suspense and see how Nan would take the news , Mrs Jo answered quickly :

' Tom 's engagement to Dora West . '

' I knew my prescription would work wonders if he only took it long enough .

dear old Tom , I 'm so glad .

bless you ! bless you ! '

and she shook both his hands with hearty affection .

' It was an accident , Nan .

I didn't mean to , but I 'm always getting into messes , and I couldn't seem to get out of this any other way .

mother Bhaer will tell you all about it .

I must go and make myself tidy .

going to tea with Demi .

see you later . '

now he will go into business with his father and do well , and everyone be happy .

I shall give Dora an elegant family medicine-chest for a wedding-present , and teach her how to use it .

Tom can't be trusted , and is no more fit for the profession than Silas . '

' The worm has turned at last , Nan , and your bond-man is free .

' I hope so .

that reminds me measles are in the village , and you had better tell the girls not to call where there are children .

it would be bad to have a run of them just as term begins .

now I 'm off to Daisy .

wonder what she will say to Tom .

isn't he great fun ? '

' I shall have my eye on Demi , but won't say a word .

Meg likes to manage her children in her own way , and a very good way it is .

' Well , Barry Morgan said I ought to have one and offered to pick me out a nice one among our set .

I asked Josie first , and she hooted at the idea , so I thought I 'd let Barry look round .

' Good lack !

nothing could be done about it but to help them make wise choices , and be worthy of good mates .

Tom was quite satisfied with the tremendous effect his engagement produced in the little community at Plumfield .

' It was paralysing , ' as Demi said ; and astonishment left most of Tom 's mates little breath for chaff .

Dora kept the secret , and enjoyed the fun when she came to see Mother Bhaer and pay her respects to the family generally .

the only thorn in Tom 's bed of roses was Nan 's placid interest in his affairs , and evident relief at his disloyalty .

chapter @number@

DEMI SETTLES

' Certainly , dear .

' Let me hear it , then , at once . '

' I know you don't like the reporting , and will be glad to hear that I have given it up . '

' I am very glad !

it is too uncertain a business , and there is no prospect of getting on for a long time .

I want you settled in some good place where you can stay , and in time make money .

I wish you liked a profession ; but as you don't , any clean , well-established business will do . '

' What do you say to a railroad office ? '

' I don't like it .

a noisy , hurried kind of place , I know , with all sorts of rough men about .

I hope it isn't that , dear ? '

' I could have it ; but does book-keeping in a wholesale leather business please you better ? '

' No ; you 'll get round-shouldered writing at a tall desk ; and they say , once a book-keeper always a book-keeper . '

' How does a travelling agent suit your views ? '

' I could be private secretary to a literary man ; but the salary is small , and may end any time . '

' That would be better , and more what I want .

let me tell you all about it .

well , I 've rather hankered for that place ; for I love books , and as I can't make them I 'd like to publish them .

that needs some literary taste and judgement , it brings you in contact with fine people , and is an education in itself .

here Demi paused for breath ; and Mrs Meg , whose face had been growing brighter and brighter , exclaimed eagerly :

' Just what I should like !

have you got it ?

' I think I have , but we mustn't be too sure of anything yet .

I may not suit ; I 'm only on trial , and must begin at the beginning and work my way up faithfully .

I like it .

' You inherit that love of books from grandpa ; he can't live without them .

I 'm glad of it .

tastes of that kind show a refined nature , and are both a comfort and a help all one 's life .

I am truly glad and grateful , John , that at last you want to settle , and have got such an entirely satisfactory place .

now you are a man , and must begin your life for yourself .

' I 'll try , mother .

couldn't have a better chance ; for Tiber & Co treat their people like gentlemen , and pay generously for faithful work .

things are done in a businesslike way there , and that suits me .

I hate promises that are not kept , and shiftless or tyrannical ways anywhere .

' I 'm glad you feel so .

it adds so much to one 's happiness to love the task one does .

I used to hate teaching ; but housekeeping for my own family was always sweet , though much harder in many ways .

' So pleased that I could hardly keep her from letting the cat out of the bag too soon .

I 've had so many plans , and disappointed you so often , I wanted to be very sure this time .

' Bless you , dear , I hope so !

now I am at ease about you .

if only Daisy can be happy , and Josie give up her dream , I shall be quite contented . '

we can't change it much only help to develop the good and control the bad elements in us .

I have fumbled my way into my right place at last , I hope .

let Daisy be happy in her way , since it is a good and womanly one .

' I suppose we must , John ; but I can't help making plans , and hoping they will come to pass .

' Mine , I know .

and Mrs Meg laughed , even while she shook her head over the undeniable fact that the Marches were a theatrical family .

' Why not have a great actress of our name , as well as an authoress , a minister , and an eminent publisher ?

we don't choose our talents , but we needn't hide them in a napkin because they are not just what we want .

I say , let Jo have her way , and do what she can .

come , mother , better face the music and march gaily , since your wilful children will " gang their ain gait " . '

' Let Josie add new honour to the name , and work out the family talent in its proper place .

' Especially the hospital scene , where you find the wounded son .

' I won't ; but it almost broke my heart to see you so pale and dreadful .

' Don't you think Alice does the part better than Daisy would ?

Daisy hasn't a bit of the actress in her , and Alice puts life into the dullest words she speaks .

' So do I . she is a dear girl , and I 'm proud and fond of her .

where is she tonight ? '

' Pegging away at her Greek , I suppose .

she usually is in the evening .

' Now , there is a girl after my own heart .

pretty , well-bred , well-educated , and yet domestic , a real companion as well as help-meet for some good and intelligent man .

I hope she will find one . '

' So do I , ' muttered Demi .

but Demi was a wise youth , and never leaped before looking carefully .

this evening she got her chance , and made the most of it .

' Sweetest of maidens , oh , how can I tell The love that transfigures the whole earth to me ?

the longing that causes my bosom to swell , When I dream of a life all devoted to thee ? '

' Didn't ; found it in the big " Dic " .

Serves you right if you leave your rubbish about .

don't you like my song ?

it 's very pretty . '

' I 'll teach you one that you won't like if you don't give me my property . '

' Children , children ! don't quarrel . '

Josie was sobered at once by this dire threat , and in her most wheedling tone begged to know what he had said .

by way of heaping coals of fire on her head he told her , and this diplomatic performance secured him an ally on the spot .

' You dear old boy !

I 'll never tease you again though you moon and spoon both day and night .

if you stand by me , I 'll stand by you and never say a word .

see here !

I 've got a note for you from Alice .

won't that be a peace-offering and soothe your little feelings ? '

' That 's nothing ; it 's only to say whether she will go to the concert with us tomorrow night .

you can read it if you like . '

' Why , Jack , I thought you 'd treasure every scrap the " sweetest maid " touched .

don't you care for her ? '

' Very much ; we all do ; but " mooning and spooning " , as you elegantly express it , is not in my line .

don't waste time hunting mares nests , but attend to your own affairs and leave me to mine .

I forgive you , but don't do it again ; it 's bad taste , and tragedy queens don't romp . '

chapter @number@

EMIL'S THANKSGIVING

' So shall I , even if I have to wear a pair of shoes like Chinese junks .

' I don't know what you would have done for exercise , dear , if Mr Hoffmann had not made you walk every day .

this lazy life is bad for young people , though it suits an old body like me well enough in calm weather .

' Please sing , Mr Hoffmann , it 's so pleasant to have music at this time .

what life is like a sailor 's life , So free , so bold , so brave ?

his home the ocean 's wide expanse , A coral bed his grave . '

just as the last notes of the clear , strong voice died away , Mrs Hardy suddenly exclaimed : ' What 's that ? '

then he was quite steady , and strolled away saying quietly :

' Smoking not allowed there , I 'll go and stop it . '

' Fire in the hold , sir . '

soon the poor Brenda was a floating furnace , and the order to ' Take to the boats ! ' came for all .

that in which the women were lingered near , for the brave captain would be the last to leave his ship .

the boat whose fortunes we must follow was alone when dawn came up , showing these survivors all the dangers of their situation .

to this hope all clung , and wiled away the weary hours , watching the horizon and cheering one another with prophecies of speedy rescue .

the first day and night passed in comparative comfort , but when the third came , things looked dark and hope began to fail .

all day he tried to cheer and comfort them , while hunger gnawed , thirst parched , and growing fear lay heavy at his heart .

the fourth day came and the supply of food and water was nearly gone .

Emil proposed to keep it for the sick man and the women , but two of the men rebelled , demanding their share .

this shamed the others , and for another day an ominous peace reigned in that little world of suffering and suspense .

another trial came to them that left all more despairing than before .

Emil 's heart sank then , for the captain seemed dying , and the women could not hold out much longer .

it was Mary singing to her mother , who lay sobbing in her arms , spent with this long anguish .

his talk on the housetop with Aunt Jo seemed but yesterday , and , with a pang of self-reproach , he thought :

' The scarlet strand !

I must remember it , and do my duty to the end .

steer straight , old boy ; and if you can't come into port , go down with all sail set . '

it was soon over ; and then all were safely aboard the good Urania , homeward bound .

just as the surgeon left the state-room , he asked in his broken voice : ' What day is this ?

my head is so confused , I 've lost my reckoning . '

' Thanksgiving Day , man !

and we 'll give you a regular New England dinner , if you 'll eat it , ' answered the surgeon heartily .

chapter @number@

DAN'S CHRISTMAS

where was Dan ?

In prison .

shame and fear made him desperate ; and he played on , sure that he could recover the money confided to his care .

' We must get this fellow out of the way . '

a wild scene followed , but in the midst of it Dan whispered to the boy : ' Get away , and hold your tongue .

don't mind me . '

he even concealed his name giving that of David Kent , as he had done several times before in emergencies .

it was all over very soon ; but as there were extenuating circumstances his sentence was a year in prison , with hard labour .

' No , ' he said , clenching his fist , ' I 'll let them think me dead first .

for days he suffered terribly , then worn out , sank into a black melancholy sadder to see than his excitement .

' That 's a dangerous man .

watch him .

he 'll break out some day . '

there were others more dangerous than he , because older in crime and ready for any desperate outbreak to change the monotony of long sentences .

Thanksgiving Day was one of the few chances for them to speak together as they enjoyed an hour of freedom in the prison yard .

' It 's all over with me ; I 've spoilt my life , now let it go .

I 'll give up the fight and get what pleasure I can anywhere , anyhow .

they shall think me dead and so still care for me , but never know what I am .

poor Mother Bhaer ! she tried to help me , but it 's no use ; the firebrand can't be saved . '

Mason envied the splendid health of his neighbour , and mourned to see it wasting there .

one was patient , docile , and cheerfully obeyed orders , even when told that the arm must go .

he submitted and after much suffering recovered , grateful for life , though he could fight no more .

pay the forfeit manfully , for it is just ; but from the suffering and shame wring new strength for a nobler life .

O friends , try to outlive the bitter past , to wash the sin away , and begin anew .

remember them , and do not let them love and long in vain .

he was glad to be alone in his cell again , and sat thinking deeply , instead of trying to forget himself in sleep .

' Kent , poor Mason has gone .

give him my love and good-bye for he was kind to me , and God will bless him for it . "

then he died quietly , and tomorrow will go home with God 's pardon , since man 's came too late . '

Dan said nothing , but laid his arm across his face and lay quite still .

' I hope you won't disappoint this humble friend whose last thought was for you .

I know that there is trouble brewing , and fear that you may be tempted to lend a hand on the wrong side .

keep up your courage , my son , and go out at the year 's end better , not worse , for this hard experience .

he wrote to Mary Mason , who lived in another State , asking her to mail the letter he enclosed .

then he took up his solitary life again , and tried to pay his forfeit manfully .

chapter @number@

NAT'S NEW YEAR

' I don't expect to hear from Emil yet , and Nat writes regularly , but where is Dan ?

only two or three postals since he went .

' He never writes often , you know , but does his work and then comes home .

' But he promised he would let me know how he got on , and Dan keeps his word if he can .

' Don't worry , Mum dear , nothing ever happens to the old fellow .

' Perhaps he has gone to Montana and given up the farm plan .

' I hope so , it would suit him best .

but I am sure he would have told us his change of plan and sent for some money to work with .

' Then we shall hear ; ill news always travels fast .

don't borrow trouble , Jo , but hear how well Nat is getting on .

I'd no idea the boy would care for anything but music .

my good friend Baumgarten has launched him well , and it will do him good if he lose not his head .

a good lad , but new to the world , and Leipzig is full of snares for the unwary .

Gott be with him ! '

' That , now , is satisfactory and comfortable .

' We shall see .

he will doubtless get his lesson and be the better for it .

that comes to us all in our young days .

he was right ; and Nat was already getting his lesson in life with a rapidity which would have astonished his friends at home .

so Nat enjoyed his handsome little apartment immensely , and insensibly let many unaccustomed luxuries creep in .

but slowly a change for the worse was beginning to show itself , and he felt it .

Nat 's little fictions concerning his prospects and friends charmed the gnadige Frau as much as his music and devoted manners did the sentimental Minna .

' He is going too fast ; he must have a word of warning , or trouble may come . '

but Mr Laurie said : ' Oh , let him have his fling ; he 's been dependent and repressed long enough .

he can't go far with the money he has , and I 've no fear of his getting into debt .

he 's too timid and too honest to be reckless .

month after month slipped away , till the holidays came with gifts , good wishes , and brilliant festivities .

Nat expected to enjoy himself very much , and did at first ; for a German Christmas is a spectacle worth seeing .

a more panic-stricken youth was seldom seen than Nat as he received this unexpected demand .

nothing but the truth could save him , and he had the honour and honesty to tell it faithfully .

the second surprise arrived as he dined with Professor Baumgarten .

borrow he would not , nor beg .

what could he do ?

for these appalling bills must be paid , and the lessons go on ; or his journey was an ignominious failure .

but he must live meantime .

and how ?

ah , how welcome it was ! how eagerly he read the long pages full of affectionate wishes from all at home !

' Dear people , how they love and trust me !

and how bitterly they would be disappointed if they knew what a fool I 've been !

' He shall not suffer for me again , and I won't be a sneak if I am a fool .

I 'll go and tell Professor Baumgarten all about it and ask his advice .

I 'd rather face a loaded cannon ; but it must be done .

then I 'll sell out , pay my debts , and go back where I belong .

Fraulein Vogelstein followed , embracing a blooming rose-tree , above which her grey curls waved and her friendly face beamed joyfully as she cried :

' Dear Herr Blak , we bring you greetings and a little gift or two in honour of this ever-to-be-remembered day .

best wishes ! and may the new year bloom for you as beautifully as we your heart-warm friends desire . '

' Yes , yes , in truth we do , dear Herr , ' added Frau Tetzel .

' Eat of this with-joy-made Kuchen , and drink to the health of the far-away beloved ones in the good wine . '

gratefully Nat accepted both offers , finding it less humiliating to be helped by women than by friends of his own sex .

this work would support him in a frugal way , and certain musical drudgery promised by his master assured his own teaching .

chapter @number@

PLAYS AT PLUMFIELD

home talent furnished stars , stock company , orchestra , and scene painter ; and astonishing performances were given on this pretty little stage .

' You 'll have time to get your wits together while we do our piece .

they were to open the entertainment with a gay little piece which they had played before and did remarkably well .

Josie was the maid , and looked her part to the life , being as pretty , pert , and inquisitive as any French soubrette .

John , you are hurt !

' Is he too much hurt to go on again ?

if he is , my play is lost ! '

' I 'm all the fitter for it , Aunty ; for here 's a real instead of a painted wound .

I 'll be ready ; don't worry about me . '

' How are your nerves , Fletcher ? ' asked Mr Laurie as they stood together during the breathless minute before the last bell rings .

' About as calm as yours , Beaumont , ' answered Mrs Jo , gesticulating wildly to Mrs Meg to set her cap straight .

' Bear up , partner !

I 'll stand by you whatever comes ! '

doesn't Meg look the picture of a dear old country woman ? '

those shapeless little shoes won the first applause ; and Mr Laurie , forgetting elegance in satisfaction , whispered to his coadjutor :

' I thought the baby would fetch them ! '

' If the dear thing won't squall in the wrong place , we are saved .

but it is risky .

' Here 's Demi !

I hope no one will recognize him when he comes on as the son .

I 'll never forgive you for not doing the villain yourself . '

' Can't run the thing and act too .

he 's capitally made up , and likes a bit of melodrama . '

' This scene ought to have come later ; but I wanted to show that the mother was the heroine as soon as possible .

I 'm tired of love-sick girls and runaway wives .

we 'll prove that there 's romance in old women also .

now he 's coming ! '

the second was quieter , and introduced Josie as a bonny country lass setting the supper-table in a bad humour .

' Poor little thing ! she ought to have some fun ! '

' Meg , you have saved my play !

oh , why aren't you a real actress , and I a real playwright ? '

I 've had enough of this ! '

I 'd rather face a cannon than these brave women , with their hope and courage and great sorrow , ' says the surgeon .

a few broken words told the story of her vain search , and then the sad quest began again .

then she drew down the sheet , gave a long shivering sigh of relief , saying softly :

' Not my son , thank God ! but some mother 's boy . '

and stooping down , she kissed the cold forehead tenderly .

' Mother , mother !

I knew you 'd come to me ! '

' As an experiment , it is a success .

the Owlsdark Marbles closed the entertainment , and , being something new , proved amusing to this very indulgent audience .

Mr Laurie was Professor Owlsdark in cap and gown ; and , after a high-flown introduction , he proceeded to exhibit and explain his marbles .

a charming little Hebe stood next , pouring nectar from a silver teapot into a blue china tea-cup .

Jove in all his majesty followed , as he and his wife occupied the central pedestals in the half-circle of immortals .

' Mrs Brooke , I no longer wonder where your children get their talent .

chapter @number@

WAITING

' My wife , I have bad news for thee , ' said Professor Bhaer , coming in one day early in January .

' Please tell it at once .

' But we must wait and hope , heart's-dearest .

come and let us bear it together .

Emil 's ship is lost , and as yet no news of him . '

Tidings had been sent to the shipowners at Hamburg by some of the survivors , and telegraphed at once by Franz to his uncle .

as one boat-load was safe , there was hope that others might also escape , though the gale had sent two to the bottom .

but this sad rumour reached Plumfield in time ; and deep was the mourning for the happyhearted Commodore , never to come singing home again .

Mrs Jo refused to believe it , stoutly insisting that Emil would outlive any storm and yet turn up safe and gay .

Franz kept the cable busy with his varying messages , Nat sent loving letters from Leipzig , and Tom harassed the shipping agents for news .

Nan dosed in vain , Daisy 's cheerful words went by like the wind , and Bess 's devices to amuse her all failed utterly .

a hush lay over Plumfield for weeks , and the studious faces on the hill reflected the sadness of those in the valley .

now messages of congratulation flowed in , and beaming faces showed everywhere .

Teddy stood on his head literally , and tore about the neighbourhood on Octoo , like a second Paul Revere only his tidings were good .

Emil must remain to Franz 's wedding , deferred till now because of the season of mourning , so happily ended .

' Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious by these sons of Bhaer ! '

Franz and Emil being regarded in the light of elder brothers by the real ' sons of Bhaer ' .

gay friends forgot him ; but the old ones stood fast , and cheered him up when Heimweh and weariness made him sad .

thou hast done well these last months , and I have hopes of thee . '

he was to go to the wedding late in June , and join his comrades in London .

Dan meantime was also counting the weeks till August , when he would be free .

yet his success was far greater than Nat 's , though only God and one good man saw it .

soon he was to be free again , worn and scarred in the fray , but out among men in the blessed sun and air .

' Not yet .

I must get over this first .

' I 'll make ' em proud of me yet ; and no one shall ever know of this awful year .

I can wipe it out , and I will , so help me God ! '

chapter @number@

IN THE TENNIS-COURT

everyone rowed , and the girls as well as the youths had their races , and developed their muscles in the most scientific manner .

' Oh dear ! you are tired , and every blessed boy is at that stupid baseball match .

' I 'll play presently , when I 'm a little cooler .

but it is dull work for me , as I never win , ' answered Bess , fanning herself with a large leaf .

both paused as she came flying up , and both raised their hats ; but oh , the difference there was in the salutes !

' Charmed to oblige , ' answered the polite one , with another bend .

' Well , you can comfort Bess , for I 've beaten her all to bits and she needs amusing .

I know you 've got something nice in your pocket , George ; give her some , and ' Dolphus can have her racket .

now then , fly round ' ; and driving her prey before her , Josie returned in triumph to the court .

much elated at her victory , Josie permitted him to rest , and offered ironical consolation for the mishap which evidently weighed upon his mind .

' Don't be an old Betty ; it can be cleaned .

' I like to be neat ; don't think it civil to cut about in old shoes and grey flannel shirts before ladies .

' So are ours ; but good clothes alone don't make a gentleman here .

we require a good deal more , ' flashed Josie , in arms at once to defend her college .

I like old boots and wear them , and I hate dandies ; don't you , Bess ? '

a tranquil snore was Stuffy 's sole reply , and a general laugh restored peace for the moment .

' I didn't mean you !

' Caught you that time ; I thought you fellows were all gentlemen , civil as well as nice .

' Got you there , old boy , and she 's right .

' You talk about eating , and that is even worse for a man .

you will marry a cook and keep a restaurant some day , ' laughed Josie , down on him at once .

little girls who are not out do it , and think it witty ; but I assure you it 's not good form . '

' Our boys like to have us talk with them , and take kindly any hints we give .

our men are largely from the best families all over the country , so we don't need girls to teach us anything . '

' It 's a pity you don't have more of such " fellows " as ours .

' I don't ; my hat is scarlet , not crimson .

much you know about a colour , ' scoffed Josie .

' I 'm ready for her .

' Not yet ; but I will by and by . '

' The deuce it won't ! ' cried Dolly , trying to get an impossible view , and giving it up in great disgust .

it is time for our Greek .

come , Bess .

good afternoon , gentlemen . '

' Little Jo is as cross as two sticks today .

I 'm going in for another nap : too hot to play anything . '

' So it is .

wonder if Spitfire was right about these beastly spots ? '

and Dolly sat down to try dry cleansing with one of his handkerchiefs .

' No.

I was thinking that Jo wasn't far wrong about shirking .

' Tis a shame to get so little done , when we ought to be grinding like Morton and Torry and that lot .

I never wanted to go to college ; but my governor made me .

' Gives a man prestige , you know .

no need to dig .

I mean to have a gay old time , and be a " howling swell " , if I choose .

between you and me though , it would be no end jolly to have the girls along .

study be hanged !

but if we 've got to turn the grindstone , it would be mighty nice to have some of the little dears to lend a hand .

wouldn't it now ? '

' I knew the boys would be killing themselves with ice-water ; so I strolled down with some of my good , wholesome beer .

they drank like fishes .

but Silas was with me ; so my cruse still holds out .

have some ? '

' Yes , thanks , very much .

let us pour it . '

' Really , ma'am , I was only joking , ' began Stuffy , gulping down his beer in a hurry .

' Not in the right way .

yes , I 'm going to preach ; that 's my business ; so stand up and take it like men . '

these traits and foibles made both peculiarly liable to the temptations which assail pleasure-loving and weak-willed boys .

' Great Scott !

' That won't hurt you ; but I must warn you about drinking other things , George .

overeating is an old story ; and a few more fits of illness will teach you to be wise .

but drinking is a more serious thing , and leads to worse harm than any that can afflict your body alone .

stop at once , and learn that temperance in all things is the only safe rule . '

' Upon my honour , I only take wine and iron .

' Good beef and oatmeal will repair your tissues much better than any tonic of that sort .

work and plain fare are what you want ; and I wish I had you here for a few months out of harm 's way .

I 'd Banting you , and fit you to run without puffing , and get on without four or five meals a day .

what an absurd hand that is for a man !

you ought to be ashamed of it ! '

' I can't help it we all grow fat ; it 's in the family , ' said Stuffy in self-defence .

' All the more reason you should live carefully .

do you want to die early , or be an invalid all your life ? '

' No , ma'am ! '

' I 'm sure I don't !

please make out a wholesome bill of fare , and I 'll stick to it , if I can .

I am getting stout , and I don't like it ; and my liver 's torpid , and I have palpitations and headache .

overwork , mother says ; but it may be overeating . '

' I will ; follow it , and in a year you 'll be a man and not a meal-bag .

now , Dolly ' ; and Mrs Jo turned to the other culprit , who shook in his shoes and wished he hadn't come .

' Are you studying French as industriously as you were last winter ? '

' So I understood ; and that is what I want to speak about .

the older fellows enjoyed it , and when we came out were waiting to take those painted girls to supper .

did you ever go with them ? '

' Once . '

' Did you like it ? '

' No ' m ; I I came away early , ' stammered Dolly , with a face as red as his splendid tie .

the society of such women will unfit you for that of good ones , and lead you into trouble and sin and shame .

oh , why don't the city fathers stop that evil thing , when they know the harm it does ?

' My dear boys , if I didn't love you , I would not say these things .

you are just beginning to feel the allurement of them , and soon it will be hard to turn away .

stop now , I beg of you , and not only save yourselves but help others by a brave example .

' Yes 'm , thank you .

think of the persons whom you respect most , and in imitating them you will secure the respect of those who look up to you .

' That 's like the Deacon ! ' exclaimed Stuffy , with an approving smile on his fat face .

' I 'm glad you told me that .

' Then be to others what John is to you a good example .

forgive me for troubling you , my dear lads , and remember my little preachment .

I think it will do you good , though I may never know it .

Chance words spoken in kindness often help amazingly ; and that 's what old people are here for else their experience is of little use .

now , come and find the young folk .

I hope I shall never have to shut the gates of Plumfield upon you , as I have on some of your " gentlemen " .

chapter @number@

AMONG THE MAIDS

Bess read these aloud as her contribution , and Josie took her turn at the romances , poetry , and plays her uncles recommended .

one day a brisk discussion arose concerning careers for women .

' Till I marry . '

' Be old maids , I suppose .

' It is well to consider that fact , and fit yourselves to be useful , not superfluous women .

' That 's a comfort !

' Don't like it all the same .

we can't all be like Miss Nightingale , Miss Phelps , and the rest . '

so what can we do but sit in a corner and look on ? ' asked a plain girl with a dissatisfied expression .

' Cultivate cheerfulness and content , if nothing else .

' Thank you very much .

' I know it 's lovely , Mrs Bhaer ; but it 's dull for young folks .

we do want a little fun before we buckle to , ' said a Western girl with a wide-awake face .

I never do , ' said the Westerner , who had a hard time with small means and large aspirations .

' Don't do it for the reward ; but be sure it will come , though not in the shape you expect .

I worked hard for fame and money one winter ; but I got neither , and was much disappointed .

a year afterwards I found I had earned two prizes : skill with my pen , and Professor Bhaer . '

Mrs Jo 's laugh was echoed blithely by the girls , who liked to have these conversations enlivened by illustrations from life .

' I 'll give up hoping , then , right away , and see if my wishes will come .

I only want to help my folks , and get a good school . '

my Aunt Jenny can do just what she likes , and ask no one 's leave ; but Ma has to consult Pa about everything .

yes , I 'll give you my chance , Sally , and be a " superfluum " , as Mr Plock says . '

' You 'll be one of the first to go into bondage , see if you aren't .

much obliged , all the same . '

' That is the right spirit , Nelly .

keep it up , and see how happy life will be with a brave heart , a willing hand , and plenty to do . '

I 've tried the other things , and got so tired I came to college ; though my people predict nervous exhaustion and an early death .

' Are you stronger or weaker than when you came two years ago , Miss Winthrop ? '

' Stronger in body , and much happier in mind .

I think I was dying of ennui ; but the doctors called it inherited delicacy of constitution .

that is why mamma is so anxious , and I wish not to go too fast . '

it is all nonsense about girls not being able to study as well as boys .

they burn the candle at both ends ; and when they break down they blame the books , not the balls . '

common sense versus custom , Nan said . '

' I 've had no headaches since I came here , and can do twice as much studying as I did at home .

' Quality , not quantity , wins the day , you know .

' The right , Miss Pierson ; and leave a space between the tucks ; it looks prettier so . '

' We paper-stainers must learn how to make shields , or we are lost .

' Speaking of writers reminds me that my ambition is to be a George Eliot , and thrill the world !

' Yes ; but they don't thrill me as little Charlotte Bronte 's books do .

the brain is there , but the heart seems left out .

' Yes 'm , I know ; but still it 's so romantic and sort of new and mysterious , and she was great in one sense .

Lady Abercrombie is lunching with her , and after seeing the college is to call on us .

she especially wanted to see our sewing-school , as she is interested in things of this sort , and gets them up at home . '

' Bless me !

they are neither of them young nor handsome , and dress plainly ; so don't expect anything splendid .

Lord Abercrombie mildly mentioned who he was , and that he had come to dinner .

the girls laughed again , and a general rustle betrayed that each was prinking a bit before the titled guest arrived .

' Shall we all rise ? ' asked one girl , deeply impressed by the impending honour .

' It would be courteous . '

' Shall we shake hands ? '

' No , I 'll present you en masse , and your pleasant faces will be introduction enough . '

' I wish I 'd worn my best dress .

ought to have told us , ' whispered Sally .

' Won't my folks be surprised when I tell them we have had a real lady to call on us ? ' said another .

' Don't look as if you 'd never seen a gentlewoman before , Milly .

' Hush , she 's coming !

' I feel better about the " odd jobs " now .

I only wish I could do them as well as Lady Abercrombie does , ' said one .

' Her manners were as sweet and kind as Mrs Brooke 's .

not a bit stiff or condescending , as I expected .

I see now what you meant , Mrs Bhaer , when you said once that well-bred people were the same all the world over . '

Mrs Meg bowed her thanks for the compliment , and Mrs Bhaer said :

' I know them when I see them , but never shall be a model of deportment myself .

I 'm glad you enjoyed the little visit .

chapter @number@

CLASS DAY

the clerk of the weather evidently has a regard for young people , and sends sunshine for class days as often as he can .

Mr Laurie and his wife were on the reception committee , and their lovely house was overflowing .

content yourself with looking like the ghost of a waiter , and don't ask for the most ridiculous head-gear in the known world . '

Rob was devoted on these trying occasions , his own toilet being distinguished only by its speed , simplicity , and neatness .

at last he would stalk majestically forth , imprisoned in collars compared to which those worn by Dickens 's afflicted Biler were trifles not worth mentioning .

it was very becoming , and seemed the only balm to heal the wound made by the loss of the beloved hat .

' Take it off this moment , you audacious boy !

' Let him wear it , Aunty ; it 's so becoming .

no one will ever guess he isn't eighteen at least , ' cried Josie , to whom disguise of any sort was always charming .

' Father won't observe it ; he 'll be absorbed in his big-wigs and the girls .

no matter if he does , he 'll enjoy the joke and introduce me as his oldest son .

' My son , obey me ! ' and when Mrs Jo spoke in that tone her word was law .

later , however , the moustache appeared , and many strangers firmly believed that there were three young Bhaers .

so Ted found one ray of joy to light his gloom .

the music was excellent , and well it might be when Apollo waved the baton .

a prudent sister detained him , however , and in a moment he was able to listen with composure to the President 's remarks .

then came other exercises peculiar to Plumfield , and the end .

carriages were rolling about , and gay groups on piazzas , lawns , and window-seats idly speculated as to who the distinguished guests might be .

' Uncle , Aunt Jo , here 's another daughter !

have you room for my wife , too ? '

' Ah , my sons , it is too feeling-full to see you both so happy and again in the old home .

' If women are brave , some men are as tender and self-sacrificing as women .

' Only did my duty .

if that torment had lasted much longer I might have been as bad as poor Barry and the boatswain .

wasn't that an awful night ? '

and Emil shuddered as he recalled it .

' Don't think of it , dear .

' Such a jolly old time as we had at Hamburg !

uncle Hermann couldn't do enough for the captain , and while mamma took care of him , Mary looked after me .

God bless her ! '

' Shall you really sail with him ? ' asked Daisy , admiring her courage , but shrinking with cat-like horror from the water .

' I 'm not afraid , ' answered Mary , with a loyal smile .

' A true woman , and a born sailor 's wife !

I liked the notion , and resolved that if a bit of my cable was left afloat , the red stripe should be there . '

' And it was , my dear , it was !

I declare , it was one of the bitterest disappointments of my life to face hunger with that spicy smell in my nostrils .

if you 've got any , do give me one ! '

Mrs Jo and her sister joined the other group , glad to hear what Franz was saying about Nat .

Baumgarten thought it would do him good , so kept his secret till I came .

' I like that much in Nat .

it is , as I said , a lesson , and he learns it well .

' I told you , Meg , that he had good stuff in him , and love for Daisy would keep him straight .

' Very fine in every way .

no great honour , but a sure thing and a step up .

Ludmilla has a photo of it for you . '

' My blessed people , you must eat and rest ; and I must dress , or receive in this disgraceful rig .

Meg , will you take Ludmilla and Mary upstairs and see to them ?

Franz knows the way to the dining-room .

Fritz , come with me and be made tidy , for what with heat and emotion , we are both perfect wrecks . '

chapter @number@

WHITE ROSES

while the travellers refreshed , and Mrs President struggled into her best gown , Josie ran into the garden to gather flowers for the brides .

' Getting flowers for " our brides " .

don't you wish you had one ? ' answered Josie , to whom the word ' mischief ' suggested her favourite amusement .

' Both ; you get the one , and I 'll give you the other . '

' Wish I could ! ' and Demi picked a little bud , with a sigh that went to Josie 's warm heart .

' Why don't you , then ?

it 's lovely to see people so happy .

now 's a good time to do it if you ever mean to .

she will be going away for ever soon . '

' Don't be a hypocrite .

you know I mean Alice .

so you take my advice and speak up like a man , and make sure of Alice before she goes . '

' You are very kind , child .

' Oh , well , there are various ways , you know .

in plays the lovers go down on their knees ; but that 's awkward when they have long legs .

Ted never does it well , though I drill him for hours .

you 've tried it , I dare say . '

' But seriously , Jo , I do love Alice , and I think she knows it .

I want to tell her so ; but I lose my head when I try , and don't care to make a fool of myself .

thought you might suggest some pretty way ; you read so much poetry and are so romantic . '

the arrival of his happy cousins had scattered all his wise plans and brave resolutions to wait still longer .

' What is it ?

don't be ridiculous , please , ' begged the bashful lover , eager , but afraid of this sharp-tongued bit of womanhood .

she is coming to dress with Daisy , so I can do it nicely . '

' Do it , ' was all he said , and gathered a full-blown rose to finish his floral love-message .

DEAR ALICE , You know what the flowers mean .

will you wear one , or all tonight , and make me still prouder , fonder , and happier than I am ?

yours entirely ,

JOHN

offering this to his sister , he said in a tone that made her feel the deep importance of her mission :

' I trust you , Jo .

this means everything to me .

no jokes , dear , if you love me . '

she was needed there , with all the help she could now bring by the acquirements four years of faithful study had given her .

love looked very sweet , and a home of her own with John a little heaven on earth ; but not yet .

and she slowly laid away the full-blown rose as she sat before the mirror , thinking over the great question of her life .

no ; it would be more generous to make the sacrifice alone , and spare him the pain of hope deferred .

he was young ; he would forget ; and she would do her duty better , perhaps , if no impatient lover waited for her .

' So nice of Ludmilla to bring us all bottles of real German cologne !

just what we need after this tiring day !

be sure John has his !

he likes it so ! '

' Yes , mother .

did you see him jump up when Alice ended her oration ?

he 'd have gone to her if I hadn't held him back .

I don't wonder he was pleased and proud .

' Has he said anything to you , dear ? '

' No ; and I guess why .

the kind boy thinks it would make me unhappy .

it wouldn't .

but I know his ways ; so I wait , and hope all will go well with him . '

' It must .

no girl in her senses would refuse our John , though he isn't rich , and never will be .

Daisy , I 've been longing to tell you what he did with his money .

he told me last night , and I 've had no time since to tell you .

he sent poor young Barton to the hospital , and kept him there till his eyes were saved a costly thing to do .

but the man can work now and care for his old parents .

Mrs Meg was speaking , and still of John , when she could hear again :

' It is his having nothing to offer that keeps him silent , I think .

he is so honest , he won't ask till he has much to give .

but he forgets that love is everything .

I know he 's rich in that ; I see and feel it ; and any woman should be glad to get it . '

' Right , dear .

I felt just so , and was willing to work and wait with and for my John . '

' So she will be , and I hope they will find it out .

but she is so dutiful and good , I 'm afraid she won't let herself be happy .

you would like it , mother ? '

' Heartily ; for a better , nobler girl doesn't live .

she is all I want for my son ; and I don't mean to lose the dear , brave creature if I can help it .

' I 'm so glad his choice suits you , mother , and he is spared the saddest sort of disappointment . '

' I 'll love and work and wait with and for my John . '

with a long sigh of relief Demi glanced about him for the beloved girl .

' I saw no wine at any of the spreads ; but it is plain that young Brooke has had too much .

quite gentlemanly , but evidently a trifle intoxicated , my dear . '

he saw her standing by the piano now , idly turning over music as she talked with several gentlemen .

Demi thirsted for their blood , but was appeased by hearing George and Dolly say , as they lingered a moment after her refusal :

' Really , you know , I 'm quite converted to co-education and almost wish I 'd remained here .

' Yes , by Jove ! we fellows will have to look out or you 'll carry off all the honours .

' Ah , now you are too hard upon us !

' Some of us do in our first years .

later we give up childish things , you see .

don't let me keep you from Parnassus ' ; and a smiling nod dismissed them , smarting under the bitter consciousness of youth .

' You got it there , Doll .

better not try to fence with these superior girls .

sure to be routed , horse , foot , and dragoons , ' said Stuffy , lumbering away , somewhat cross with too many spreads .

' So deuced sarcastic !

don't believe she 's much older than we are .

' Come along and let's find something to eat .

I 'm faint with so much talking .

old Plock cornered me and made my head spin with Kant and Hegel and that lot . '

' I promised Dora West I 'd give her a turn .

must look her up ; she 's a jolly little thing , and doesn't bother about anything but keeping in step . '

and arm in arm the boys strolled away , leaving Alice to read music as diligently as if society had indeed no charms for her .

as she bent to turn a page , the eager young man behind the piano saw the rose and was struck speechless with delight .

a moment he gazed , then hastened to seize the coveted place before a new detachment of bores arrived .

' Hush ! not now .

I understood I don't deserve it we are too young , we must wait , but I 'm very proud and happy , John ! '

' Music ? just the thing .

people are thinning out , and we all want a little refreshment .

my brain fairly reels with the ' ologies and ' isms I 've heard discussed tonight .

yes , give us this ; sweet thing !

scotch songs are always charming . '

BIDE A WEE

the grist is out , the times are hard , The kine are only three ; I canna leave the auld folk now .

We'd better bide a wee .

so , laddie , dinna urge me now , It surely winna be ; I canna leave the auld folk yet .

We'd better bide a wee . '

' Bless my soul ! the Deacon really meant business last summer and never told me .

won't Dora laugh ? '

and Tom departed in hot haste to impart and exult over his discovery .

' Wait till Nat comes home , and then my good girl shall wear white roses too . '

chapter @number@

LIFE FOR LIFE

Ludmilla not only taught , but learned , many things , and went home with many new and useful ideas in her blonde head .

Demi 's engagement was confided to the immediate family only , as both were pronounced too young to do anything but love and wait .

Daisy rejoiced over them , and was never tired of hearing her brother 's plans for the future .

' We shall be married in the autumn , and live with my father for a while .

the governor is getting on , you know , and my wife and I must look after him .

several postal cards had arrived at long intervals from Dan , who gave them ' Care of M Mason , etc ' , as his address .

the last one , which came in September , was dated ' Montana ' , and simply said :

here at last , trying mining again ; but not going to stay long .

all sorts of luck .

gave up the farm idea .

tell plans soon .

well , busy , and very happy .

D. K.

' It is quite time for another card , unless he is coming to tell his plans .

I 'm really curious to know what he has been about all this year , and how he 's getting on now . '

' What ?

where ?

when ?

who ?

Stop roaring , and let me read ! ' commanded his mother , entirely bewildered .

' Do go , and take me with you , Mum .

' Seen the news , Jo ?

what do you think ?

shall I go off at once , and see after that brave boy ? '

' I wish you would .

but the thing may not be all true rumour lies so .

perhaps a few hours will bring an entirely new version of the story . '

' I 've telephoned to Demi for all he can find out ; and if it 's true , I 'll go at once .

should like the trip .

if he 's able , I 'll bring him home ; if not , I 'll stay and see to him .

he 'll pull through .

Dan will never die of a fall on his head .

he 's got nine lives , and not lost half of them yet . '

' If you go , uncle , mayn't I go with you ?

I can nurse .

can't I , Rob ? ' cried Teddy , in his most wheedlesome tones .

' Pretty well .

' I can't spare either of you .

my boys get into trouble , unless I keep them close at home .

I 've no right to hold the others ; but I won't let you out of my sight , or something will happen .

never saw such a year , with wrecks and weddings and floods and engagements , and every sort of catastrophe ! ' exclaimed Mrs Jo .

' If you deal in girls and boys , you must expect this sort of thing , ma'am .

the worst is over , I hope , till these lads begin to go off .

it 's a rough place out there , and he may need careful nursing .

poor lad , he seems to get a good many hard knocks !

but perhaps he needs them as " a mellerin ' process " , as Hannah used to say . '

' We shall hear from Demi before long , and then I 'll be off . '

further inquiry confirmed and added interest to the news .

Mr Laurie was off at once ; and Ted went into town with him , still vainly imploring to be taken to his Dan .

he was absent all day ; but his mother said , calmly :

' Only a fit of the sulks because he is thwarted .

he 's safe with Tom or Demi , and will come home hungry and meek at night .

I know him . '

but she soon found that she could still be surprised ; for evening brought no Ted , and no one had seen him .

found Ted in the cars .

take him along .

write tomorrow .

T LAURENCE

' Ted bolted sooner than you expected , mother .

' Disobedient boy !

he shall be severely punished , if I ever get him again .

Laurie winked at this prank ; I know he did .

just like him .

won't the two rascals have a splendid time ?

wish I was with them !

don't believe that crazy boy took even a night-gown with him , or an overcoat .

well , there will be two patients for us to nurse when they get back , if they ever do .

those reckless express trains always go down precipices , and burn up , or telescope .

oh ! my Ted , my precious boy , how can I let him go so far away from me ? '

' Glad he went , and I won't scold any more .

now , what shall we put in the box for Dan ? '

and Mrs Jo worked off her impatience to get hold of the invalid by sending comforts enough for a hospital .

he seems ten years older , but improved , quieter , and so grateful to us .

it is pathetic to see the hunger in his eyes as they rest on Ted , as if he couldn't see enough of him .

he says Kansas was a failure , but can't talk much ; so I bide my time .

I may be all wrong .

you will soon find out .

Ted is in clover , and the trip has done him a world of good .

let me take him to Europe when we go ?

Apron-strings don't agree with him any better than they did with me when I proposed to run away to Washington with you some century ago .

aren't you sorry you didn't ? '

' Some terrible experience has come to the lad , and broken his spirit .

I know he 's not spoilt , by the look in his poor face .

' I thought you 'd feel so .

Mrs Jo was so startled at hearing such words from his lips that she exclaimed joyfully :

' Then you did read the little book I gave you , and kept your promise ? '

' I read it a good deal after a while .

I don't know much yet , but I 'm ready to learn ; and that 's something . '

' It 's everything .

oh , my dear , tell me about it !

I know something lies heavy on your heart ; let me help you bear it , and so make the burden lighter . '

' Mothers can forgive anything !

tell me all , and be sure that I will never let you go , though the whole world should turn from you . '

' Now you know ; can you forgive a murderer , and keep a jail-bird in your house ? '

' My poor boy , how you have suffered all this year , when we thought you free as air !

why didn't you tell us , Dan , and let us help you ?

' I was ashamed .

' No , they won't ; men never forgive like women .

but it 's right .

please tell ' em for me , and get it over .

Mr Laurence knows it , I guess .

I blabbed when my wits were gone ; but he was very kind all the same .

I can bear their knowing ; but oh , not Ted and the girls ! '

' It wasn't murder , mind you , it was in self-defence ; he drew first , and I had to hit him .

didn't mean to kill him ; but it doesn't worry me as much as it ought , I 'm afraid .

yes , I know you think that 's awful in me ; but I can't help it .

I hate a scamp as I do a skulking coyote , and always want to get a shot at ' em .

perhaps it would have been better if he had killed me ; my life is spoilt . '

hoping to turn his mind to happier things , she said cheerfully :

' No , it isn't ; you have learned to value it more and use it better for this trial .

it is not a lost year , but one that may prove the most helpful of any you ever know .

try to think so , and begin again ; we will help , and have all the more confidence in you for this failure .

we all do the same and struggle on . '

' I never can be what I was .

I feel about sixty , and don't care for anything now I 've got here .

let me stay till I 'm on my legs , then I 'll clear out and never trouble you any more , ' said Dan despondently .

tell me more about that good chaplain and Mary Mason and the lady whose chance word helped you so much .

I want to know all about the trials of my poor boy . '

chapter @number@

ASLAUGA'S KNIGHT

it was curious to see the change which came over Dan after that talk .

he often called Josie ' little mother ' , but Bess was always ' Princess ' ; and his manner to the two cousins was quite different .

why should the shadow always fall so darkly on him in the society of these innocent and friendly girls ?

so Mrs Jo went on watching , wondering , and discovering , till accident confirmed her fears .

Josie was called away one day , and Bess , tired of working , offered to take her place if he cared for more reading .

' I do ; your reading suits me better than Jo 's .

she goes so fast my stupid head gets in a muddle and soon begins to ache .

don't tell her ; she 's a dear little soul , and so good to sit here with a bear like me . '

the smile was ready as Bess went to the table for a new book , the last story being finished .

' You are not a bear , but very good and patient , we think .

if Bess had not been reading titles she would have seen Dan shrink as if her last words hurt him .

' What shall we read , Aunty ?

Dan doesn't seem to care .

you know his taste ; tell me something quiet and pleasant and short .

Josie will be back soon , ' said Bess , still turning over the books piled on the centre-table .

' Why , Dan , I shouldn't think you 'd care for this romantic German tale .

there is fighting in it ; but it is very sentimental , if I remember rightly . '

' I know it ; but I 've read so few stories , I like the simple ones best .

you read " Aslauga 's Knight " , and see if you don't like it .

' I hope Aslauga 's hair wasn't as troublesome as mine , for it 's always tumbling down .

I 'll be ready in a minute . '

' Don't tie it up ; please let it hang .

I love to see it shine that way .

his face brightened wonderfully , and soon wore the look that came when anything brave or beautiful inspired and touched his better self .

no dream of such a thing disturbed the young girl , as her entire unconsciousness plainly showed .

but how long would it be before the eloquent eyes betrayed the truth ?

' How hard everything is made for my poor boy !

how can I spoil his little dream , and take away the spirit of good he is beginning to love and long for ?

the story was soon done , and as Bess shook back her hair , Dan asked as eagerly as a boy :

' Don't you like it ? '

' Yes , it 's very pretty , and I see the meaning of it ; but Undine was always my favourite . '

' Of course , that 's like you lilies and pearls and souls and pure water .

Dan laughed ; ' I used to sing the last one to a tune of my own sometimes at sunset :

' And I was , ' he added , under his breath , as he glanced towards the sunshine dancing on the wall .

' This one suits you better now ' ; and glad to please him by her interest , Bess read in her soft voice :

' " Healfast , healfast , ye hero wounds ; O knight , be quickly strong !

beloved strife For fame and life , Oh , tarry not too long ! " '

' I 'm no hero , never can be , and " fame and life " can't do much for me .

never mind , read me that paper , please .

this knock on the head has made a regular fool of me . '

' You don't care for the money market , I know , nor musical news .

here 's a murder ; you used to like those ; shall I read it ?

one man kills another , '

' No ! '

only a word , but it gave Mrs Jo a thrill , and for a moment she dared not glance at the tell-tale mirror .

' I won't pry into any more of the poor fellow 's secrets .

I 'll mend and put it back , and never let him know I 've seen his talisman . '

as she spoke she turned the little wallet to examine the fracture , and a card fell into her lap .

it was a photograph , cut to fit its covering , and two words were written underneath the face , ' My Aslauga ' .

' You saw the picture ? '

' Yes . '

' And know what a fool I am ? '

' Yes , Dan , and am so grieved '

' Don't worry about me .

I 'm all right glad you know , though I never meant to tell you .

of course it is only a crazy fancy of mine , and nothing can ever come of it .

never thought there would .

' It is very hard , dear , but there is no other way to look at it .

you are wise and brave enough to see that , and to let the secret be ours alone . '

' I swear I will ! not a word nor a look if I can help it .

Dan 's face was eager now , and he hid away the little worn case as if defying any hand to take it from him .

anxious to know everything before giving counsel or comfort , Mrs Jo said quietly :

' Keep it , and tell me all about the " fancy " .

' You 'll laugh ; but I don't mind .

you always did find out our secrets and give us a lift .

it amused me , and was as pretty as poetry .

I liked ' em all , and most wore out Sintram .

see how used up he is !

then I came to this , and it sort of fitted that other happy part of my life , last summer here . '

my cell was high .

I could see a bit of sky ; sometimes there was a star in it , and that was most as good as a face .

the quiet despair in Dan 's voice pierced Mrs Jo to the heart ; but there was no hope and she gave none .

let her remain for you the high , bright star that leads you up and makes you believe in heaven . '

pausing at the window before she dropped the curtains , Mrs Jo said cheerfully :

' Come and see how beautiful the evening star is , since you love it so . '

" God bless her ! " '

chapter @number@

POSITIVELY LAST APPEARANCE

Mr Laurie was going to Washington on Dan 's behalf , and was delighted to take his family with him when the idea was carelessly suggested .

so the conspiracy succeeded finely ; and Mrs Jo went home , feeling more like a traitor than ever .

' Good-bye , Princess .

God bless your mission , and bring you safely home to us again ! '

Mrs Jo saw it , and fearing a very natural question answered it before it was put .

' Forgive him , Bess .

' You mean the fall and danger of death ? ' asked Bess , innocently .

' No , dear ; a greater trouble than that .

' He has lost someone he loved .

Poor Dan !

we must be very kind to him . '

but Ted was less easily satisfied , and this unusual reticence goaded him to desperation .

so one day when the coast was clear , Master Ted volunteered to amuse the invalid , and did so in the following manner :

the Montana business I know , but you seem to forget what went before .

Brace up , and let's have it , ' he began , with an abruptness which roused Dan from a brown study most effectually .

' No , I don't forget ; it isn't interesting to anyone but myself .

I didn't see any farms gave it up , ' he said slowly .

' Why ? '

' Other things to do . '

' What ? '

' Well , brush-making for one thing . '

' Don't chaff a fellow .

tell true . '

' I truly did . '

' What for ? '

' To keep out of mischief , as much as anything . '

but he didn't mean to give up yet , and began again .

' What mischief , Dan ? '

' Never you mind .

boys shouldn't bother . '

' But I do want to know , awfully , because I 'm your pal , and care for you no end .

always did .

come , now , tell me a good yarn .

I love scrapes .

I 'll be mum as an oyster if you don't want it known . '

' Will you ? ' and Dan looked at him , wondering how the boyish face would change if the truth were suddenly told him .

' I 'll swear it on locked fists , if you like .

I know it was jolly , and I 'm aching to hear . '

' You are as curious as a girl .

more than some Josie and and Bess never asked a question . '

' They don't care about rows and things ; they liked the mine business , heroes , and that sort .

' What ! ' cried Dan , in a tone that made Ted jump .

' Well , you used to mutter about ' em in your sleep , and Uncle Laurie wondered .

so did I ; but don't mind , if you can't remember , or would rather not . '

' What else did I say ?

queer , what stuff a man will talk when his wits are gone . '

Blair ran off to his brothers , and I suppose I might say Mason was hit , because he died there .

does that suit you ? '

' No , it doesn't .

why did Blair run ? and who hit the other fellow ?

I 'm sure there was a fight somewhere , wasn't there ? '

' Yes !

' I guess I know what it was about . '

' The devil , you do !

let's hear you guess .

must be amusing , ' said Dan , affecting an ease he did not feel .

' You needn't say yes , if I guess right and you are under oath to keep silent .

I shall know by your face , and never tell .

now see if I 'm not right .

Out there they have wild doings , and it 's my belief you were in some of ' em .

ah , ha !

I 've hit it , I see .

needn't speak ; I know the flash of your old eye , and the clench of your big fist . '

and Ted pranced with satisfaction .

he might have confessed the crime , but not the punishment that followed , the sense of its disgrace was still so strong upon him .

' It 's a relief , isn't it , to have it off your mind ?

now , just confide in me and it 's all safe , unless you 've sworn not to tell . '

' I have . '

Glad you stood by your mate in the hospital .

how many did you kill ? '

' Only one . '

' Bad lot , of course ? '

' A damned rascal . '

' Well , don't look so fierce ; I 've no objection .

wouldn't mind popping at some of those bloodthirsty blackguards myself .

had to dodge and keep quiet after it , I suppose . '

' Pretty quiet for a long spell . '

' Got off all right in the end , and headed for your mines and did that jolly brave thing .

now , I call that decidedly interesting and capital .

I 'm glad to know it ; but I won't blab . '

' Mind you don't .

look here .

Ted , if you 'd killed a man , would it trouble you a bad one , I mean ? '

shouldn't wonder if he sort of haunted me , and remorse gnawed me as it did Aram and those fellows .

you don't mind , do you ?

it was a fair fight , wasn't it ? '

' Yes , I was in the right ; but I wish I 'd been out of it .

women don't see it that way , and look horrified at such things .

makes it hard ; but it don't matter . '

' Don't intend to .

Mind you keep your notions to yourself , for some of ' em are wide of the mark .

' And meetings too , dear ; for here we are , and Nat is on his way at last .

' I 've been so worried lately , I can't help croaking .

I wonder what Dan thought at not seeing you again ?

' Much better so .

we left notes and all we could think of that he might need , and slipped away before he came .

' A new picture has arrived ; face towards the music-room , good people , and tell me how you like it .

I call it " only a fiddler " , after Andersen 's story .

what name will you give it ? '

there was no doubt about the name to this picture , and with the cry ' Nat !

Nat ! ' there was a general uprising .

' Chirper thou wast ; second violin thou art ; first thou shalt be .

hail , all hail ! '

this caused a laugh , and made things gay and comfortable at once .

they remembered it , and joined in the plaintive chorus , which fitly expressed his own emotions :

' Oh my heart is sad and weary Everywhere I roam , Longing for the old plantation And for the old folks at home . '

' Now I feel better , ' said Mrs Jo , as they all trooped down the hill soon after .

Nat is your work , Fritz , and I congratulate you heartily . '

' Ach , we can but sow the seed and trust that it falls on good ground .

Stuffy became an alderman , and died suddenly of apoplexy after a public dinner .

Dolly was a society man of mark till he lost his money , when he found congenial employment in a fashionable tailoring establishment .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Jo 's Boys , by Louisa May Alcott

produced by Ilana M.

( Kingsley ) Newby and Greg Newby

THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW

by Washington Irving

FOUND AMONG THE PAPERS OF THE LATE DIEDRICH KNICKERBOCKER .

CASTLE OF INDOLENCE .

a drowsy , dreamy influence seems to hang over the land , and to pervade the very atmosphere .

the cognomen of Crane was not inapplicable to his person .

Ichabod Crane 's scholars certainly were not spoiled .

indeed , it behooved him to keep on good terms with his pupils .

our man of letters , therefore , was peculiarly happy in the smiles of all the country damsels .

he was , in fact , an odd mixture of small shrewdness and simple credulity .

no tale was too gross or monstrous for his capacious swallow .

what fearful shapes and shadows beset his path , amidst the dim and ghastly glare of a snowy night !

with what wistful look did he eye every trembling ray of light streaming across the waste fields from some distant window !

how often was he appalled by some shrub covered with snow , which , like a sheeted spectre , beset his very path !

old Baltus Van Tassel was a perfect picture of a thriving , contented , liberal-hearted farmer .

the pedagogue 's mouth watered as he looked upon this sumptuous promise of luxurious winter fare .

when he entered the house , the conquest of his heart was complete .

under this were hung flails , harness , various utensils of husbandry , and nets for fishing in the neighboring river .

from this piazza the wondering Ichabod entered the hall , which formed the centre of the mansion , and the place of usual residence .

here rows of resplendent pewter , ranged on a long dresser , dazzled his eyes .

from his Herculean frame and great powers of limb he had received the nickname of BROM BONES , by which he was universally known .

he was famed for great knowledge and skill in horsemanship , being as dexterous on horseback as a Tartar .

Ichabod , therefore , made his advances in a quiet and gently insinuating manner .

I profess not to know how women 's hearts are wooed and won .

to me they have always been matters of riddle and admiration .

Ichabod became the object of whimsical persecution to Bones and his gang of rough riders .

in this way matters went on for some time , without producing any material effect on the relative situations of the contending powers .

all was now bustle and hubbub in the late quiet schoolroom .

the animal he bestrode was a broken-down plow-horse , that had outlived almost everything but its viciousness .

still he must have had fire and mettle in his day , if we may judge from the name he bore of Gunpowder .

Ichabod was a suitable figure for such a steed .

the small birds were taking their farewell banquets .

the sun gradually wheeled his broad disk down in the west .

a few amber clouds floated in the sky , without a breath of air to move them .

old farmers , a spare leathern-faced race , in homespun coats and breeches , blue stockings , huge shoes , and magnificent pewter buckles .

such heaped up platters of cakes of various and almost indescribable kinds , known only to experienced Dutch housewives !

I want breath and time to discuss this banquet as it deserves , and am too eager to get on with my story .

happily , Ichabod Crane was not in so great a hurry as his historian , but did ample justice to every dainty .

and now the sound of the music from the common room , or hall , summoned to the dance .

the musician was an old gray-headed negro , who had been the itinerant orchestra of the neighborhood for more than half a century .

his instrument was as old and battered as himself .

Ichabod prided himself upon his dancing as much as upon his vocal powers .

how could the flogger of urchins be otherwise than animated and joyous ?

but all these were nothing to the tales of ghosts and apparitions that succeeded .

the neighborhood is rich in legendary treasures of the kind .

this is perhaps the reason why we so seldom hear of ghosts except in our long-established Dutch communities .

the immediate cause , however , of the prevalence of supernatural stories in these parts , was doubtless owing to the vicinity of Sleepy Hollow .

several of the Sleepy Hollow people were present at Van Tassel 's , and , as usual , were doling out their wild and wonderful legends .

the sequestered situation of this church seems always to have made it a favorite haunt of troubled spirits .

such was one of the favorite haunts of the Headless Horseman , and the place where he was most frequently encountered .

this story was immediately matched by a thrice marvellous adventure of Brom Bones , who made light of the Galloping Hessian as an arrant jockey .

the revel now gradually broke up .

what passed at this interview I will not pretend to say , for in fact I do not know .

oh , these women ! these women !

could that girl have been playing off any of her coquettish tricks ?

was her encouragement of the poor pedagogue all a mere sham to secure her conquest of his rival ?

heaven only knows , not I !

the hour was as dismal as himself .

all the stories of ghosts and goblins that he had heard in the afternoon now came crowding upon his recollection .

he had never felt so lonely and dismal .

he was , moreover , approaching the very place where many of the scenes of the ghost stories had been laid .

he passed the tree in safety , but new perils lay before him .

a few rough logs , laid side by side , served for a bridge over this stream .

to pass this bridge was the severest trial .

Just at this moment a plashy tramp by the side of the bridge caught the sensitive ear of Ichabod .

in the dark shadow of the grove , on the margin of the brook , he beheld something huge , misshapen and towering .

it stirred not , but seemed gathered up in the gloom , like some gigantic monster ready to spring upon the traveller .

the hair of the affrighted pedagogue rose upon his head with terror .

what was to be done ?

summoning up , therefore , a show of courage , he demanded in stammering accents , " who are you ? "

he received no reply .

he repeated his demand in a still more agitated voice .

still there was no answer .

though the night was dark and dismal , yet the form of the unknown might now in some degree be ascertained .

he appeared to be a horseman of large dimensions , and mounted on a black horse of powerful frame .

the stranger , however , quickened his horse to an equal pace .

Ichabod pulled up , and fell into a walk , thinking to lag behind , the other did the same .

there was something in the moody and dogged silence of this pertinacious companion that was mysterious and appalling .

it was soon fearfully accounted for .

away , then , they dashed through thick and thin ; stones flying and sparks flashing at every bound .

an opening in the trees now cheered him with the hopes that the church bridge was at hand .

the wavering reflection of a silver star in the bosom of the brook told him that he was not mistaken .

he saw the walls of the church dimly glaring under the trees beyond .

he recollected the place where Brom Bones 's ghostly competitor had disappeared .

" if I can but reach that bridge , " thought Ichabod , " I am safe . "

Just then he heard the black steed panting and blowing close behind him ; he even fancied that he felt his hot breath .

Just then he saw the goblin rising in his stirrups , and in the very act of hurling his head at him .

Ichabod endeavored to dodge the horrible missile , but too late .

Ichabod did not make his appearance at breakfast ; dinner-hour came , but no Ichabod .

the boys assembled at the schoolhouse , and strolled idly about the banks of the brook ; but no schoolmaster .

Hans Van Ripper now began to feel some uneasiness about the fate of poor Ichabod , and his saddle .

an inquiry was set on foot , and after diligent investigation they came upon his traces .

the brook was searched , but the body of the schoolmaster was not to be discovered .

Hans Van Ripper as executor of his estate , examined the bundle which contained all his worldly effects .

the mysterious event caused much speculation at the church on the following Sunday .

POSTSCRIPT .

FOUND IN THE HANDWRITING OF MR . KNICKERBOCKER .

he was one of your wary men , who never laugh but upon good grounds when they have reason and law on their side .

" that , therefore , he that runs races with goblin troopers is likely to have rough riding of it .

" Faith , sir , " replied the story-teller , " as to that matter , I don't believe one-half of it myself . "

D. K.

THE END .

End of Project Gutenberg 's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow , by Washington Irving

produced by An Anonymous Volunteer and David Widger

KIDNAPPED BEING MEMOIRS OF THE ADVENTURES OF DAVID BALFOUR IN THE YEAR @number@

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF AND NOW SET FORTH BY ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON WITH A PREFACE BY MRS . STEVENSON

PREFACE TO THE BIOGRAPHICAL EDITION

dramatic composition was not what my husband preferred , but the torrent of Mr Henley 's enthusiasm swept him off his feet .

from the trial of James Stewart my husband gleaned much valuable material for his novel , the most important being the character of Alan Breck .

he is a desperate foolish fellow ; and if he is guilty , came to the country for that very purpose .

there are many incidents given in the trial that point to Alan 's fiery spirit and Highland quickness to take offence .

for several years my husband received letters of expostulation or commendation from members of the Campbell and Stewart clans .

he married Cameron Daughter to Ewen Cameron of Lochiel . "


Duncan Baan Stewart in Achindarroch his father was a Bastard . "

one of these was so charming that I interrupted my husband to read it aloud .

F V DE G. S.

DEDICATION

MY DEAR CHARLES BAXTER :

these are nuts beyond my ability to crack .

but if you tried me on the point of Alan 's guilt or innocence , I think I could defend the reading of the text .

to this day you will find the tradition of Appin clear in Alan 's favour .

as for you , my dear Charles , I do not even ask you to like this tale .

how , in the intervals of present business , the past must echo in your memory !

let it not echo often without some kind thoughts of your friend ,

R.L.S. SKERRYVORE , BOURNEMOUTH .

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

CHAPTER I

I SET OFF UPON MY JOURNEY TO THE HOUSE OF SHAWS

Mr Campbell , the minister of Essendean , was waiting for me by the garden gate , good man !

and we began to walk forward in silence .

" are ye sorry to leave Essendean ? " said he , after awhile .

Essendean is a good place indeed , and I have been very happy there ; but then I have never been anywhere else .

" ay ? " said Mr Campbell .

" very well , Davie .

then it behoves me to tell your fortune ; or so far as I may .

that is the place I came from , ' he said , ' and it 's where it befits that my boy should return .

" the house of Shaws ! "

I cried .

" what had my poor father to do with the house of Shaws ? "

" Nay , " said Mr Campbell , " who can tell that for a surety ?

" Mr Campbell , " I stammered , " and if you were in my shoes , would you go ? "

" of a surety , " said the minister , " that would I , and without pause .

a pretty lad like you should get to Cramond ( which is near in by Edinburgh ) in two days of walk .

" be soople , Davie , in things immaterial , " said he .

" Bear ye this in mind , that , though gentle born , ye have had a country rearing .

Dinnae shame us , Davie , dinnae shame us !

as for the laird remember he 's the laird ; I say no more : honour to whom honour .

it 's a pleasure to obey a laird ; or should be , to the young . "

" well , sir , " said I , " it may be ; and I 'll promise you I 'll try to make it so . "

" why , very well said , " replied Mr Campbell , heartily .

" and now to come to the material , or ( to make a quibble ) to the immaterial .

I have here a little packet which contains four things . "

he tugged it , as he spoke , and with some great difficulty , from the skirt pocket of his coat .

the other three are gifties that Mrs Campbell and myself would be blithe of your acceptance .

and as for the last , which is cubical , that 'll see you , it 's my prayerful wish , into a better land . "

it might have been laughable to another ; but I was in no mind to laugh .

I watched him as long as he was in sight ; and he never stopped hurrying , nor once looked back .

" Davie , Davie , " I thought , " was ever seen such black ingratitude ?

can you forget old favours and old friends at the mere whistle of a name ?

Fie , fie ; think shame . "

and I sat down on the boulder the good man had just left , and opened the parcel to see the nature of my gifts .

" TO MAKE LILLY OF THE VALLEY WATER .

take the flowers of lilly of the valley and distil them in sack , and drink a spooneful or two as there is occasion .

it restores speech to those that have the dumb palsey .

and then , in the minister 's own hand , was added :

" likewise for sprains , rub it in ; and for the cholic , a great spooneful in the hour . "

CHAPTER II

I COME TO MY JOURNEY'S END

the pride of life seemed to mount into my brain at the sight of the red coats and the hearing of that merry music .

it was a word that seemed to surprise those of whom I sought my way .

he stopped his cart and looked at me , like the others .

" ay " said he .

" what for ? "

" it 's a great house ? "

I asked .

" doubtless , " says he .

" the house is a big , muckle house . "

" ay , " said I , " but the folk that are in it ? "

" folk ? " cried he .

" are ye daft ?

there 's nae folk there to call folk . "

" what ? " say I ; " not Mr . Ebenezer ? "

" ou , ay " says the man ; " there 's the laird , to be sure , if it 's him you 're wanting .

what 'll like be your business , mannie ? "

" I was led to think that I would get a situation , " I said , looking as modest as I could .

I cannot well describe the blow this dealt to my illusions .

the more indistinct the accusations were , the less I liked them , for they left the wider field to fancy .

my heart sank .

" that ! "

I cried .

the woman 's face lit up with a malignant anger .

" that is the house of Shaws ! " she cried .

" blood built it ; blood stopped the building of it ; blood shall bring it down .

see here ! " she cried again " I spit upon the ground , and crack my thumb at it !

Black be its fall !

and the woman , whose voice had risen to a kind of eldritch sing-song , turned with a skip , and was gone .

I stood where she left me , with my hair on end .

I sat me down and stared at the house of Shaws .

so I set forward by a little faint track in the grass that led in my direction .

it was very faint indeed to be the only way to a place of habitation ; yet I saw no other .

presently it brought me to stone uprights , with an unroofed lodge beside them , and coats of arms upon the top .

the nearer I got to that , the drearier it appeared .

it seemed like the one wing of a house that had never been finished .

many of the windows were unglazed , and bats flew in and out like doves out of a dove-cote .

was this the palace I had been coming to ?

was it within these walls that I was to seek new friends and begin great fortunes ?

then I stood and waited .

the house had fallen into a dead silence ; a whole minute passed away , and nothing stirred but the bats overhead .

I knocked again , and hearkened again .

" it 's loaded , " said a voice .

" I have come here with a letter , " I said , " to Mr Ebenezer Balfour of Shaws .

is he here ? "

" from whom is it ? " asked the man with the blunderbuss .

" that is neither here nor there , " said I , for I was growing very wroth .

" well , " was the reply , " ye can put it down upon the doorstep , and be off with ye . "

" I will do no such thing , " I cried .

" I will deliver it into Mr Balfour 's hands , as it was meant I should .

it is a letter of introduction . "

" A what ? " cried the voice , sharply .

I repeated what I had said .

" who are ye , yourself ? " was the next question , after a considerable pause .

" I am not ashamed of my name , " said I .

" they call me David Balfour . "

" is your father dead ? "

I was so much surprised at this , that I could find no voice to answer , but stood staring .

CHAPTER III

I MAKE ACQUAINTANCE OF MY UNCLE

the fire had burned up fairly bright , and showed me the barest room I think I ever put my eyes on .

as soon as the last chain was up , the man rejoined me .

he was a mean , stooping , narrow-shouldered , clay-faced creature ; and his age might have been anything between fifty and seventy .

his nightcap was of flannel , and so was the nightgown that he wore , instead of coat and waistcoat , over his ragged shirt .

" are ye sharp-set ? " he asked , glancing at about the level of my knee .

" ye can eat that drop parritch ? "

I said I feared it was his own supper .

" O , " said he , " I can do fine wanting it .

I 'll take the ale , though , for it slockens ( moistens ) my cough . "

he drank the cup about half out , still keeping an eye upon me as he drank ; and then suddenly held out his hand .

" let's see the letter , " said he .

I told him the letter was for Mr Balfour ; not for him .

" and who do ye think I am ? " says he .

" give me Alexander 's letter . "

" you know my father 's name ? "

so give us the letter , and sit down and fill your kyte . "

if I had been some years younger , what with shame , weariness , and disappointment , I believe I had burst into tears .

meanwhile , my uncle , stooping over the fire , turned the letter over and over in his hands .

" do ye ken what 's in it ? " he asked , suddenly .

" you see for yourself , sir , " said I , " that the seal has not been broken . "

" ay , " said he , " but what brought you here ? "

" to give the letter , " said I .

" no , " says he , cunningly , " but ye 'll have had some hopes , nae doubt ? "

but I am no beggar ; I look for no favours at your hands , and I want none that are not freely given .

for as poor as I appear , I have friends of my own that will be blithe to help me . "

" Hoot-toot ! " said Uncle Ebenezer , " dinnae fly up in the snuff at me .

we 'll agree fine yet .

and , Davie , my man , if you 're done with that bit parritch , I could just take a sup of it myself .

he murmured a little grace to himself and fell to .

to this I returned no answer , standing stiffly on my two feet , and looking down upon my uncle with a mighty angry heart .

from this I was awakened by his sharp voice .

" your father 's been long dead ? " he asked .

" three weeks , sir , " said I .

" he was a secret man , Alexander a secret , silent man , " he continued .

" he never said muckle when he was young .

he 'll never have spoken muckle of me ? "

" I never knew , sir , till you told it me yourself , that he had any brother . "

" dear me , dear me ! " said Ebenezer .

" nor yet of Shaws , I dare say ? "

" not so much as the name , sir , " said I .

" to think o ' that ! " said he .

" a strange nature of a man ! "

" we 'll agree fine yet ! " he cried .

" I 'm just as glad I let you in .

and now come awa ' to your bed . "

I did as he bid , but paused after a few steps , and begged a light to go to bed with .

" Hoot-toot ! " said Uncle Ebenezer , " there 's a fine moon . "

" neither moon nor star , sir , and pit-mirk , " said I .

" I cannae see the bed . "

Dark as the pit .

" Hoot-toot , hoot-toot ! " said he .

" Lights in a house is a thing I dinnae agree with .

I 'm unco feared of fires .

good-night to ye , Davie , my man . "

I did not know whether to laugh or cry .

the table was laid with two bowls and two horn spoons , but the same single measure of small beer .

I told him such was my habit , but not to put himself about .

" Na , na , " said he ; " I 'll deny you nothing in reason . "

then he sat down in the sun at one of the windows and silently smoked .

from time to time his eyes came coasting round to me , and he shot out one of his questions .

then , after another long pause , " Whae were these friends o ' yours ? "

Nae letters ; nae messages ; no kind of word to onybody ; or else there 's my door . "

" Uncle Ebenezer , " said I , " I 've no manner of reason to suppose you mean anything but well by me .

for all that , I would have you to know that I have a pride of my own .

he seemed grievously put out .

" Hoots-toots , " said he , " ca ' cannie , man ca ' cannie !

bide a day or two .

" very well , " said I , " enough said .

if you want to help me , there 's no doubt but I 'll be glad of it , and none but I 'll be grateful . "

" is this my house or yours ? " said he , in his keen voice , and then all of a sudden broke off .

" Na , na , " said he , " I didnae mean that .

what 's mine is yours , Davie , my man , and what 's yours is mine .

blood 's thicker than water ; and there 's naebody but you and me that ought the name . "

" the limmer ! " he cried .

a witch a proclaimed witch !

I 'll aff and see the session clerk . "

sold up .

" I cannae leave you by yoursel ' in the house , " said he .

" I 'll have to lock you out . "

the blood came to my face .

" if you lock me out , " I said , " it 'll be the last you 'll see of me in friendship . "

he turned very pale , and sucked his mouth in .

uncle Ebenezer went and looked out of the window for awhile .

I could see him all trembling and twitching , like a man with palsy .

but when he turned round , he had a smile upon his face .

" well , well , " said he , " we must bear and forbear .

I 'll no go ; that 's all that 's to be said of it . "

" uncle Ebenezer , " I said , " I can make nothing out of this .

why do you seek to keep me , then ?

let me gang back let me gang back to the friends I have , and that like me ! "

" Na , na ; na , na , " he said , very earnestly .

bide here quiet , there 's a good lad ; just you bide here quiet a bittie , and ye 'll find that we agree . "

" well , sir , " said I , after I had thought the matter out in silence , " I 'll stay awhile .

CHAPTER IV

I RUN A GREAT DANGER IN THE HOUSE OF SHAWS

for a day that was begun so ill , the day passed fairly well .

we had the porridge cold again at noon , and hot porridge at night ; porridge and small beer was my uncle 's diet .

one thing I discovered , which put me in some doubt .

" Alexander ?

no him ! " was the reply .

" I was far quicker mysel ' ; I was a clever chappie when I was young .

why , I could read as soon as he could . "

this puzzled me yet more ; and a thought coming into my head , I asked if he and my father had been twins .

he jumped upon his stool , and the horn spoon fell out of his hand upon the floor .

" what do you mean ? "

I asked , very calmly , for I was far stronger than he , and not easily frightened .

" take your hand from my jacket .

this is no way to behave . "

my uncle seemed to make a great effort upon himself .

" Dod man , David , " he said , " ye should-nae speak to me about your father .

that 's where the mistake is . "

" Davie , " he said , at length , " I 've been thinking ; " then he paused , and said it again .

O , naething legal , ye understand ; just gentlemen daffing at their wine .

" O , think again , sir !

pounds sterling , I believe ! "

" that 's what I said , " returned my uncle : " pounds sterling !

I did his will , smiling to myself in my contempt that he should think I was so easily to be deceived .

" there , " said he , " that 'll show you !

I 'm a queer man , and strange wi ' strangers ; but my word is my bond , and there 's the proof of it . "

" no a word ! " said he .

" Nae thanks ; I want nae thanks .

I do my duty .

presently he looked towards me sideways .

" and see here , " says he , " tit for tat . "

I told him I was ready to prove my gratitude in any reasonable degree , and then waited , looking for some monstrous demand .

I answered , and expressed my readiness to serve .

" well , " he said , " let's begin . "

he pulled out of his pocket a rusty key .

" there , " says he , " there 's the key of the stair-tower at the far end of the house .

ye can only win into it from the outside , for that part of the house is no finished .

gang ye in there , and up the stairs , and bring me down the chest that 's at the top .

there 's papers in't , " he added .

" can I have a light , sir ? " said I .

" Na , " said he , very cunningly .

" Nae lights in my house . "

" very well , sir , " said I .

" are the stairs good ? "

but the stairs are grand underfoot . "

Out I went into the night .

the wind was still moaning in the distance , though never a breath of it came near the house of Shaws .

the house of Shaws stood some five full storeys high , not counting lofts .

this was the grand stair !

I thought ; and with the thought , a gust of a kind of angry courage came into my heart .

my uncle had sent me here , certainly to run great risks , perhaps to die .

but I knew what I wanted now , and turned and groped my way down again , with a wonderful anger in my heart .

I put out my head into the storm , and looked along towards the kitchen .

I followed as softly as I could , and , coming unheard into the kitchen , stood and watched him .

thence I turned to the chests .

this , then , I concealed inside my waistcoat , and turned to my uncle .

at last he looked up and saw me , and there came into his eyes a terror that was not of this world .

" come , come , " said I ; " sit up . "

" are ye alive ? " he sobbed .

" O man , are ye alive ? "

" that am I , " said I .

" Small thanks to you ! "

he had begun to seek for his breath with deep sighs .

" the blue phial , " said he " in the aumry the blue phial . "

his breath came slower still .

" it 's the trouble , " said he , reviving a little ; " I have a trouble , Davie .

it 's the heart . "

I set him on a chair and looked at him .

he heard me all through in silence ; and then , in a broken voice , begged me to let him go to bed .

" I 'll tell ye the morn , " he said ; " as sure as death I will . "

and so weak was he that I could do nothing but consent .

CHAPTER V

I GO TO THE QUEEN'S FERRY

much rain fell in the night ; and the next morning there blew a bitter wintry wind out of the north-west , driving scattered clouds .

but I was young and spirited , and like most lads that have been country-bred , I had a great opinion of my shrewdness .

presently , all swollen with conceit , I went up-stairs and gave my prisoner his liberty .

he gave me good-morning civilly ; and I gave the same to him , smiling down upon him , from the heights of my sufficiency .

soon we were set to breakfast , as it might have been the day before .

" well , sir , " said I , with a jeering tone , " have you nothing more to say to me ? "

" you took me for a country Johnnie Raw , with no more mother-wit or courage than a porridge-stick .

I took you for a good man , or no worse than others at the least .

it seems we were both wrong .

what cause you have to fear me , to cheat me , and to attempt my life "

bidding my uncle sit where he was , I went to open it , and found on the doorstep a half-grown boy in sea-clothes .

" what cheer , mate ? " says he , with a cracked voice .

I asked him soberly to name his pleasure .

" O , pleasure ! " says he ; and then began to sing :

" for it 's my delight , of a shiny night , In the season of the year . "

" stay , brother ! " he cried .

" have you no fun about you ? or do you want to get me thrashed ?

I 've brought a letter from old Heasyoasy to Mr Belflower . "

he showed me a letter as he spoke .

" and I say , mate , " he added , " I 'm mortal hungry . "

" read that , " said he , and put the letter in my hand .

here it is , lying before me as I write :

" the Hawes Inn , at the Queen 's Ferry .

" sir , I lie here with my hawser up and down , and send my cabin-boy to informe .

after a ' that 's come and gone , ye would be swier to believe me upon my naked word ; but ye 'll believe Rankeillor .

he 's factor to half the gentry in these parts ; an auld man , forby : highly respeckit , and he kenned your father . "

Unwilling .

I stood awhile and thought .

one thing with another , I made up my mind .

" very well , " says I , " let us go to the Ferry . "

the wind , being in that cold quarter the north-west , blew nearly in our faces as we went .

uncle Ebenezer trudged in the ditch , jogging from side to side like an old ploughman coming home from work .

he never said a word the whole way ; and I was thrown for talk on the cabin-boy .

he would only admit one flaw in his idol .

" he ain't no seaman , " he admitted .

" he done that Mr Shuan done it , " he said , with an air of pride .

" what ! "

I cried , " do you take such savage usage at his hands ?

why , you are no slave , to be so handled ! "

" no , " said the poor moon-calf , changing his tune at once , " and so he 'll find .

See'ere ; " and he showed me a great case-knife , which he told me was stolen .

" O , " says he , " let me see him try ; I dare him to ; I 'll do for him !

O , he ain't the first ! "

and he confirmed it with a poor , silly , ugly oath .

" have you no friends ? " said I .

he said he had a father in some English seaport , I forget which .

" he was a fine man , too , " he said , " but he 's dead . "

" In Heaven 's name , " cried I , " can you find no reputable life on shore ? "

" O , no , " says he , winking and looking very sly , " they would put me to a trade .

I know a trick worth two of that , I do ! "

" and then it's not all as bad as that , " says he ; " there 's worse off than me : there 's the twenty-pounders .

O , laws ! you should see them taking on .

I made a fine fool of him , I tell you !

and then there 's little uns , too : oh , little by me !

I tell you , I keep them in order .

when we carry little uns , I have a rope 's end of my own to wollop'em . "

just then we came to the top of the hill , and looked down on the Ferry and the Hope .

we had all three pulled up on the brow of the hill ; and now I marched across the road and addressed my uncle .

he seemed to waken from a dream .

" eh ? " he said .

" what 's that ? "

I told him over again .

" well , well , " he said , " we 'll have to please ye , I suppose .

but what are we standing here for ?

it 's perishing cold ; and if I 'm no mistaken , they 're busking the Covenant for sea . "

CHAPTER VI

WHAT BEFELL AT THE QUEEN'S FERRY

at a table hard by the chimney , a tall , dark , sober-looking man sat writing .

he got to his feet at once , and coming forward , offered his large hand to Ebenezer .

the wind 's fair , and the tide upon the turn ; we 'll see the old coal-bucket burning on the Isle of May before to-night . "

" captain Hoseason , " returned my uncle , " you keep your room unco hot . "

" it 's a habit I have , Mr Balfour , " said the skipper .

" I 'm a cold-rife man by my nature ; I have a cold blood , sir .

there 's neither fur , nor flannel no , sir , nor hot rum , will warm up what they call the temperature .

sir , it 's the same with most men that have been carbonadoed , as they call it , in the tropic seas . "

" well , well , captain , " replied my uncle , " we must all be the way we 're made . "

but it chanced that this fancy of the captain 's had a great share in my misfortunes .

but the weeds were new to me some green , some brown and long , and some with little bladders that crackled between my fingers .

I passed the time of day with one that looked less desperate than his fellows , and asked him of the sailing of the brig .

I told him I would give him no such thing , for neither he nor I was of an age for such indulgences .

" hoot , ay , " says he , " and a very honest man .

and , O , by-the-by , " says he , " was it you that came in with Ebenezer ? "

I told him no , none .

" I thought not , " said he , " and yet ye have a kind of gliff of Mr Alexander . "

look .

I said it seemed that Ebenezer was ill-seen in the country .

" Nae doubt , " said the landlord .

" he 's a wicked auld man , and there 's many would like to see him girning in the tow .

Jennet Clouston and mony mair that he has harried out of house and hame .

and yet he was ance a fine young fellow , too .

but that was before the sough gaed abroad about Mr Alexander , that was like the death of him . "

rope .

report .

" and what was it ? "

I asked .

" ou , just that he had killed him , " said the landlord .

" did ye never hear that ? "

" and what would he kill him for ? " said I .

" and what for , but just to get the place , " said he .

" the place ? " said I .

" the Shaws ? "

" Nae other place that I ken , " said he .

" ay , man ? " said I .

" is that so ?

was my was Alexander the eldest son ? "

" ' Deed was he , " said the landlord .

" what else would he have killed him for ? "

and with that he went away , as he had been impatient to do from the beginning .

the next thing , I heard my uncle calling me , and found the pair in the road together .

it was the captain who addressed me , and that with an air ( very flattering to a young lad ) of grave equality .

I wish I was for longer here , that we might make the better friends ; but we 'll make the most of what we have .

ye shall come on board my brig for half an hour , till the ebb sets , and drink a bowl with me . "

" ay , ay , " said he , " he passed me word of that .

but , ye see , the boat 'll set ye ashore at the town pier , and that 's but a penny stonecast from Rankeillor 's house . "

and here he suddenly leaned down and whispered in my ear : " take care of the old tod ; he means mischief .

come aboard till I can get a word with ye . "

any friend of Mr Balfour 's can command .

A roll of tobacco ?

fox .

by this time we were at the boat-side , and he was handing me in .

" but where is my uncle ? " said I suddenly .

" ay , " said Hoseason , with a sudden grimness , " that 's the point . "

I felt I was lost .

with all my strength , I plucked myself clear of him and ran to the bulwarks .

sure enough , there was the boat pulling for the town , with my uncle sitting in the stern .

I gave a piercing cry " help , help !

it was the last I saw .

CHAPTER VII

I GO TO SEA IN THE BRIG " COVENANT " OF DYSART

I came to myself in darkness , in great pain , bound hand and foot , and deafened by many unfamiliar noises .

I heard a gun fire , and supposed the storm had proved too strong for us , and we were firing signals of distress .

the thought of deliverance , even by death in the deep sea , was welcome to me .

but sleep at length stole from me the consciousness of sorrow .

I was awakened by the light of a hand-lantern shining in my face .

a small man of about thirty , with green eyes and a tangle of fair hair , stood looking down at me .

" well , " said he , " how goes it ? "

" ay , " said he , " a sore dunt .

what , man ?

cheer up !

the world 's no done ; you 've made a bad start of it but you 'll make a better .

have you had any meat ? "

stroke .

I ached , besides , in every limb , and the cords that bound me seemed to be of fire .

the man with the green eyes was the first to descend the ladder , and I noticed that he came somewhat unsteadily .

he was followed by the captain .

" I am no conjurer , Mr Riach , " said the captain .

here he is ; here he shall bide . "

but I was paid for nothing more . "

we 'll be required on deck , " he added , in a sharper note , and set one foot upon the ladder .

but Mr Riach caught him by the sleeve .

" admitting that you have been paid to do a murder " he began .

Hoseason turned upon him with a flash .

" what 's that ? " he cried .

" what kind of talk is that ? "

" it seems it is the talk that you can understand , " said Mr Riach , looking him steadily in the face .

" Mr Riach , I have sailed with ye three cruises , " replied the captain .

if ye say the lad will die "

" ay , will he ! " said Mr. Riach .

" well , sir , is not that enough ? " said Hoseason .

" flit him where ye please ! "

it was a blessed thing indeed to open my eyes again upon the daylight , and to find myself in the society of men .

there were no bones broken , he explained : " a clour on the head was naething .

Man , " said he , " it was me that gave it ye ! "

blow .

rough they were , sure enough ; and bad , I suppose ; but they had many virtues .

there was one man , of maybe forty , that would sit on my berthside for hours and tell me of his wife and child .

he was a fisher that had lost his boat , and thus been driven to the deep-sea voyaging .

well , it is years ago now : but I have never forgotten him .

the ship was bound for the Carolinas ; and you must not suppose that I was going to that place merely as an exile .

I asked about the captain ; but I was told drink made no difference upon that man of iron .

but his mind was scarce truly human .

as for me , I felt ashamed to look at him , and the poor child still comes about me in my dreams .

" and in the meantime , " says he , " keep your heart up .

you 're not the only one , I 'll tell you that .

there 's many a man hoeing tobacco over-seas that should be mounting his horse at his own door at home ; many and many !

and life is all a variorum , at the best .

look at me : I 'm a laird 's son and more than half a doctor , and here I am , man-Jack to Hoseason ! "

I thought it would be civil to ask him for his story .

he whistled loud .

" never had one , " said he .

" I like fun , that 's all . "

and he skipped out of the forecastle .

CHAPTER VIII

THE ROUND-HOUSE

" my man , " said he , " we want ye to serve in the round-house .

you and Ransome are to change berths .

run away aft with ye . "

it was as white as wax , and had a look upon it like a dreadful smile .

the blood in me ran cold , and I drew in my breath as if I had been struck .

" run away aft ; run away aft with ye ! " cried Hoseason .

the brig was sheering swiftly and giddily through a long , cresting swell .

the most of the cutlasses were in another place .

he was a tall man , strongly made and very black ; and he stared before him on the table like one stupid .

he shook his head like one that does not know and does not wish to think , and his face was very stern .

presently Mr Riach came in .

and as he spoke ( the weather sliding-doors standing open ) he tossed the bottle into the sea .

" sit down ! " roars the captain .

" ye sot and swine , do ye know what ye 've done ?

ye 've murdered the boy ! "

Mr Shuan seemed to understand ; for he sat down again , and put up his hand to his brow .

" well , " he said , " he brought me a dirty pannikin ! "

the murderer cried a little , but he took off his sea-boots and obeyed .

" ah ! " cried Mr Riach , with a dreadful voice , " ye should have interfered long syne .

it 's too late now . "

" Mr Riach , " said the captain , " this night 's work must never be kennt in Dysart .

he turned to the table .

" what made ye throw the good bottle away ? " he added .

" there was nae sense in that , sir .

here , David , draw me another .

they 're in the bottom locker ; " and he tossed me a key .

" ye 'll need a glass yourself , sir , " he added to Riach .

" Yon was an ugly thing to see . "

how they kept their health , I know not , any more than how I kept my own .

and yet in other ways it was an easy service .

as for Mr Shuan , the drink or his crime , or the two together , had certainly troubled his mind .

I cannot say I ever saw him in his proper wits .

but I had no cause to be afraid of him .

" you were not here before ? " he asked .

" no , sir , " said I . "

you may think it strange , but for all the horror I had , I was still sorry for him .

altogether it was no very hard life for the time it lasted , which ( as you are to hear ) was not long .

I had company , too , and good company of its sort .

and then I had another trouble of my own .

CHAPTER IX

THE MAN WITH THE BELT OF GOLD

more than a week went by , in which the ill-luck that had hitherto pursued the Covenant upon this voyage grew yet more strongly marked .

some days she made a little way ; others , she was driven actually back .

my two masters leaped to their feet .

" she 's struck ! " said Mr Riach .

" no , sir , " said the captain .

" we 've only run a boat down . "

and they hurried out .

the captain was in the right of it .

it showed he had luck and much agility and unusual strength , that he should have thus saved himself from such a pass .

his manners , besides , were elegant , and he pledged the captain handsomely .

altogether I thought of him , at the first sight , that here was a man I would rather call my friend than my enemy .

the captain , too , was taking his observations , but rather of the man 's clothes than his person .

" I 'm vexed , sir , about the boat , " says the captain .

" friends of yours ? " said Hoseason .

" you have none such friends in your country , " was the reply .

" they would have died for me like dogs . "

" and that 's true , too , " cried the other , " and ye seem to be a gentleman of great penetration . "

" well , sir , " says the other , " and so has many a pretty man , for the matter of that . "

" no doubt , sir , " says the captain , " and fine coats . "

" Oho ! " says the stranger , " is that how the wind sets ? "

and he laid his hand quickly on his pistols .

" don't be hasty , " said the captain .

" don't do a mischief before ye see the need of it .

" why , sir , " replied the captain , " I am a true-blue Protestant , and I thank God for it . "

" can ye so , indeed ? " asked the Jacobite .

" In France ? " says the captain .

" no , sir ; that I cannot do .

but where ye come from we might talk of that . "

" half of it , " he cried , " and I 'm your man ! "

the other swept back the guineas into the belt , and put it on again under his waistcoat .

" I have told ye sir , " said he , " that not one doit of it belongs to me .

thirty guineas on the sea-side , or sixty if ye set me on the Linnhe Loch .

take it , if ye will ; if not , ye can do your worst . "

" ay , " said Hoseason .

" and if I give ye over to the soldiers ? "

" ye would make a fool 's bargain , " said the other .

" my chief , let me tell you , sir , is forfeited , like every honest man in Scotland .

" little enough , to be sure , " said Hoseason ; and then , " if they knew , " he added , drily .

" but I think , if I was to try , that I could hold my tongue about it . "

" ah , but I 'll begowk ye there ! " cried the gentleman .

" play me false , and I 'll play you cunning .

if a hand is laid upon me , they shall ken what money it is . "

Befool .

" well , " returned the captain , " what must be must .

sixty guineas , and done .

here 's my hand upon it . "

" and here 's mine , " said the other .

and thereupon the captain went out ( rather hurriedly , I thought ) , and left me alone in the round-house with the stranger .

and as if all this were not enough , he had a belt full of golden guineas round his loins .

whatever my opinions , I could not look on such a man without a lively interest .

" and so you 're a Jacobite ? " said I , as I set meat before him .

" ay , " said he , beginning to eat .

" and you , by your long face , should be a Whig ? "

Whig or Whigamore was the cant name for those who were loyal to King George .

" and that 's naething , " said he .

" I 'll go and ask for the key , " said I , and stepped on deck .

the fog was as close as ever , but the swell almost down .

some of the hands were still hearkening for breakers ; but the captain and the two officers were in the waist with their heads together .

it was Mr Riach , crying out as if upon a sudden thought : " couldn't we wile him out of the round-house ? "

" he 's better where he is , " returned Hoseason ; " he hasn't room to use his sword . "

" well , that 's true , " said Riach ; " but he 's hard to come at . "

" hut ! " said Hoseason .

at this hearing , I was seized with both fear and anger at these treacherous , greedy , bloody men that I sailed with .

my first mind was to run away ; my second was bolder .

" captain , " said I , " the gentleman is seeking a dram , and the bottle 's out .

will you give me the key ? "

they all started and turned about .

" why , here 's our chance to get the firearms ! "

" ay , ay , " put in Hoseason .

" David kens ; David 's a good lad .

I had never been so be-Davided since I came on board : but I said Yes , as if all I heard were quite natural .

now , if I , or one of the officers , was to go in and take them , he would fall to thinking .

but a lad like you , David , might snap up a horn and a pistol or two without remark .

here Mr Riach whispered him a little .

what was I to do ?

" O ! " cried I , " they 're all murderers here ; it 's a ship full of them !

they 've murdered a boy already .

now it 's you . "

" ay , ay , " said he ; " but they have n't got me yet . "

and then looking at me curiously , " Will ye stand with me ? "

" that will I ! " said I .

" I am no thief , nor yet murderer .

I 'll stand by you . "

" why , then , " said he , " what 's your name ? "

" my name is Stewart , " he said , drawing himself up .

" Alan Breck , they call me .

and having administered this rebuke , as though it were something of a chief importance , he turned to examine our defences .

the round-house was built very strong , to support the breaching of the seas .

of its five apertures , only the skylight and the two doors were large enough for the passage of a man .

" it would be yet better shut , " says I .

" not so , David , " says he .

reaching .

" I must stick to the point , " he said , shaking his head ; " and that 's a pity , too .

it doesn't set my genius , which is all for the upper guard .

and , now , " said he , " do you keep on charging the pistols , and give heed to me . "

I told him I would listen closely .

" first of all , " said he , " how many are against us ? "

I reckoned them up ; and such was the hurry of my mind , I had to cast the numbers twice .

" fifteen , " said I .

Alan whistled .

" well , " said he , " that can't be cured .

and now follow me .

it is my part to keep this door , where I look for the main battle .

in that , ye have no hand .

I told him , indeed I was no great shot .

" and that 's very bravely said , " he cried , in a great admiration of my candour .

" there 's many a pretty gentleman that wouldnae dare to say it . "

" but then , sir , " said I , " there is the door behind you , which they may perhaps break in . "

" ay , " said he , " and that is a part of your work .

but that 's not all .

let's make a bit of a soldier of ye , David .

what else have ye to guard ? "

" there 's the skylight , " said I .

" and that 's very true , " said Alan .

" but have ye no ears to your head ? "

" to be sure ! " cried I .

" I must hear the bursting of the glass ! "

" ye have some rudiments of sense , " said Alan , grimly .

CHAPTER X

THE SIEGE OF THE ROUND-HOUSE

but now our time of truce was come to an end .

" Stand ! " cried Alan , and pointed his sword at him .

the captain stood , indeed ; but he neither winced nor drew back a foot .

" a naked sword ? " says he .

" this is a strange return for hospitality . "

" do ye see me ? " said Alan .

" I am come of kings ; I bear a king 's name .

my badge is the oak .

do ye see my sword ?

it has slashed the heads off mair Whigamores than you have toes upon your feet .

call up your vermin to your back , sir , and fall on !

the sooner the clash begins , the sooner ye 'll taste this steel throughout your vitals . "

the captain said nothing to Alan , but he looked over at me with an ugly look .

" David , " said he , " I 'll mind this ; " and the sound of his voice went through me with a jar .

next moment he was gone .

" and now , " said Alan , " let your hand keep your head , for the grip is coming . "

Alan drew a dirk , which he held in his left hand in case they should run in under his sword .

it was a small part of the deck that I could overlook , but enough for our purpose .

I looked back over my shoulder , and saw Mr Shuan in the doorway , crossing blades with Alan .

" that 's him that killed the boy ! "

I cried .

I had never fired with a pistol in my life , and not often with a gun ; far less against a fellow-creature .

then I looked round again into the deck-house .

I believe he died as they were doing it .

I told him I had winged one , and thought it was the captain .

" and I 've settled two , " says he .

" no , there 's not enough blood let ; they 'll be back again .

to your watch , David .

this was but a dram before meat . "

I settled back to my place , re-charging the three pistols I had fired , and keeping watch with both eye and ear .

" it was Shuan bauchled it , " I heard one say .

bungled .

and another answered him with a " Wheesht , man !

he 's paid the piper . "

after that the voices fell again into the same muttering as before .

by this , I made sure they were coming on again , and told Alan .

" it 's what we have to pray for , " said he .

but this time , mind , they 'll be in earnest . "

by this , my pistols were ready , and there was nothing to do but listen and wait .

then there came a single call on the sea-pipe , and that was the signal .

he gave the most horrible , ugly groan and fell to the floor .

Alan was dirking him with his left hand , but the fellow clung like a leech .

another had broken in and had his cutlass raised .

the door was thronged with their faces .

I thought we were lost , and catching up my cutlass , fell on them in flank .

but I had not time to be of help .

they broke before him like water , turning , and running , and falling one against another in their haste .

he came up to me with open arms .

" come to my arms ! " he cried , and embraced and kissed me hard upon both cheeks .

" David , " said he , " I love you like a brother .

and O , man , " he cried in a kind of ecstasy , " am I no a bonny fighter ? "

all the while , the flush was in his face , and his eyes were as bright as a five-year-old child 's with a new toy .

I have translated it here , not in verse ( of which I have no skill ) but at least in the king 's English .

" their eyes were many and bright , Swift were they to behold , Many the hands they guided : the sword was alone .

" come to me from the hills of heather , Come from the isles of the sea .

O far-beholding eagles , Here is your meat . "

four more were hurt , and of that number , one ( and he not the least important ) got his hurt from me .

but poets have to think upon their rhymes ; and in good prose talk , Alan always did me more than justice .

In the meanwhile , I was innocent of any wrong being done me .

Alan clapped my shoulder , and said I was a brave lad and wanted nothing but a sleep .

" I 'll take the first watch , " said he .

it was a mercy the night had fallen so still , for the wind had gone down as soon as the rain began .

CHAPTER XI

THE CAPTAIN KNUCKLES UNDER

Alan and I sat down to breakfast about six of the clock .

the floor was covered with broken glass and in a horrid mess of blood , which took away my hunger .

" and depend upon it , " Alan said , " we shall hear more of them ere long .

ye may keep a man from the fighting , but never from his bottle . "

we made good company for each other .

and wherever ye go and show that button , the friends of Alan Breck will come around you . "

" this is a bad job , " said he at last , shaking his head .

" it was none of our choosing , " said I .

" the captain , " says he , " would like to speak with your friend .

they might speak at the window . "

" and how do we know what treachery he means ? " cried I .

" is that so ? " said I .

" I 'll tell ye more than that , " said he .

" it 's not only the men ; it 's me .

I 'm frich'ened , Davie . "

and he smiled across at me .

" no , " he continued , " what we want is to be shut of him . "

he drank a part , and then carried the rest down upon the deck , to share it ( I suppose ) with his superior .

Alan at once held a pistol in his face .

" put that thing up ! " said the captain .

" have I not passed my word , sir ? or do ye seek to affront me ? "

" captain , " says Alan , " I doubt your word is a breakable .

be damned to your word ! " says he .

" well , well , sir , " said the captain , " ye 'll get little good by swearing . "

( and truly that was a fault of which the captain was quite free . )

" but we have other things to speak , " he continued , bitterly .

" ay ? " said Alan ; " and faith , I 'll have a talk with them mysel ' !

unless there 's naebody speaks English in that town , I have a bonny tale for them .

fifteen tarry sailors upon the one side , and a man and a halfling boy upon the other !

O , man , it 's peetiful ! "

Hoseason flushed red .

" no , " continued Alan , " that 'll no do .

ye 'll just have to set me ashore as we agreed . "

" ay , " said Hoseason , " but my first officer is dead ye ken best how .

there 's none of the rest of us acquaint with this coast , sir ; and it 's one very dangerous to ships . "

" I give ye your choice , " says Alan .

that 's a broad target .

if ye miss that , ye must be as feckless at the sailoring as I have found ye at the fighting .

Coble : a small boat used in fishing .

" A coble 's not a ship , sir , " said the captain .

" it has nae draught of water . "

" well , then , to Glasgow if ye list ! " says Alan .

" we 'll have the laugh of ye at the least . "

" my mind runs little upon laughing , " said the captain .

" but all this will cost money , sir . "

" well , sir , " says Alan , " I am nae weathercock .

thirty guineas , if ye land me on the sea-side ; and sixty , if ye put me in the Linnhe Loch . "

" but see , sir , where we lie , we are but a few hours ' sail from Ardnamurchan , " said Hoseason .

" give me sixty , and I 'll set ye there . "

" and I 'm to wear my brogues and run jeopardy of the red-coats to please you ? " cries Alan .

" no , sir ; if ye want sixty guineas earn them , and set me in my own country . "

" it 's to risk the brig , sir , " said the captain , " and your own lives along with her . "

" take it or want it , " says Alan .

" could ye pilot us at all ? " asked the captain , who was frowning to himself .

" well , it 's doubtful , " said Alan .

" I 'm more of a fighting man ( as ye have seen for yoursel ' ) than a sailor-man .

but I have been often enough picked up and set down upon this coast , and should ken something of the lie of it . "

the captain shook his head , still frowning .

but be it as ye will .

but there 's one thing more .

now , sir , if that was to befall , ye might leave the money . "

" Captain , " says Alan , " if ye see a pennant , it shall be your part to run away .

CHAPTER XII

I HEAR OF THE " RED FOX "

before we had done cleaning out the round-house , a breeze sprang up from a little to the east of north .

this blew off the rain and brought out the sun .

and here I must explain ; and the reader would do well to look at a map .

on the day when the fog fell and we ran down Alan 's boat , we had been running through the Little Minch .

now to get from there to the Linnhe Loch , the straight course was through the narrows of the Sound of Mull .

it was I that showed the example , telling him all my misfortune ; which he heard with great good-nature .

" why , " said I , " he is a man you should be proud to give your hand to . "

" I know nothing I would help a Campbell to , " says he , " unless it was a leaden bullet .

I would hunt all of that name like blackcocks .

if I lay dying , I would crawl upon my knees to my chamber window for a shot at one . "

" why , Alan , " I cried , " what ails ye at the Campbells ? "

but I paid the less attention to this , for I knew it was usually said by those who have the underhand .

and that was the father that I had , God rest him ! "

" I think he was not the man to leave you rich , " said I .

" and that 's true , " said Alan .

" he left me my breeks to cover me , and little besides .

" what , " cried I , " were you in the English army ? "

" that was I , " said Alan .

" but I deserted to the right side at Preston Pans and that 's some comfort . "

I could scarcely share this view : holding desertion under arms for an unpardonable fault in honour .

but for all I was so young , I was wiser than say my thought .

" dear , dear , " says I , " the punishment is death . "

but I have the King of France 's commission in my pocket , which would aye be some protection . "

" I misdoubt it much , " said I .

" I have doubts mysel ' , " said Alan drily .

it 's a braving of Providence . "

" Tut ! " says Alan , " I have been back every year since forty-six ! "

" and what brings ye , man ? " cried I .

" well , ye see , I weary for my friends and country , " said he .

" France is a braw place , nae doubt ; but I weary for the heather and the deer .

and then I have bit things that I attend to .

whiles I pick up a few lads to serve the King of France : recruits , ye see ; and that 's aye a little money .

but the heart of the matter is the business of my chief , Ardshiel . "

" I thought they called your chief Appin , " said I .

" ay , but Ardshiel is the captain of the clan , " said he , which scarcely cleared my mind .

this is not only a pain but a disgrace to us of his family and clan .

well , David , I 'm the hand that carries it . "

and he struck the belt about his body , so that the guineas rang .

" do they pay both ? " cried I .

" ay , David , both , " says he .

" what ! two rents ? "

I repeated .

" ay , David , " said he .

" I told a different tale to yon captain man ; but this is the truth of it .

and it 's wonderful to me how little pressure is needed .

he it is that gets the money in , and does the management . "

this was the first time I heard the name of that James Stewart , who was afterwards so famous at the time of his hanging .

but I took little heed at the moment , for all my mind was occupied with the generosity of these poor Highlanders .

" I call it noble , " I cried .

" I 'm a Whig , or little better ; but I call it noble . "

" ay " said he , " ye 're a Whig , but ye 're a gentleman ; and that 's what does it .

now , if ye were one of the cursed race of Campbell , ye would gnash your teeth to hear tell of it .

if ye were the Red Fox ....v "

and at that name , his teeth shut together , and he ceased speaking .

I have seen many a grim face , but never a grimmer than Alan 's when he had named the Red Fox .

" and who is the Red Fox ? "

I asked , daunted , but still curious .

" who is he ? " cried Alan .

" well , and I 'll tell you that .

one thing they couldnae kill .

that was the love the clansmen bore their chief .

these guineas are the proof of it .

and now , in there steps a man , a Campbell , red-headed Colin of Glenure "

" is that him you call the Red Fox ? " said I .

" will ye bring me his brush ? " cries Alan , fiercely .

" ay , that 's the man .

In he steps , and gets papers from King George , to be so-called King 's factor on the lands of Appin .

and at first he sings small , and is hail-fellow-well-met with Sheamus that 's James of the Glens , my chieftain 's agent .

what was it ye called it , when I told ye ? "

" I called it noble , Alan , " said I .

" and you little better than a common Whig ! " cries Alan .

" but when it came to Colin Roy , the black Campbell blood in him ran wild .

he sat gnashing his teeth at the wine table .

what ! should a Stewart get a bite of bread , and him not be able to prevent it ?

ah !

red Fox , if ever I hold you at a gun 's end , the Lord have pity upon ye ! "

( Alan stopped to swallow down his anger . )

" well , David , what does he do ?

he declares all the farms to let .

" well , " said I , " what followed ? "

Alan laid down his pipe , which he had long since suffered to go out , and set his two hands upon his knees .

" ay , " said he , " ye 'll never guess that !

" well , Alan , " said I , " that is a strange story , and a fine one , too .

and Whig as I may be , I am glad the man was beaten . "

" him beaten ? " echoed Alan .

" it 's little ye ken of Campbells , and less of the Red Fox .

him beaten ?

no : nor will be , till his blood 's on the hillside !

" man Alan , " said I , " ye are neither very wise nor very Christian to blow off so many words of anger .

they will do the man ye call the Fox no harm , and yourself no good .

tell me your tale plainly out .

what did he next ? "

" and that 's a good observe , David , " said Alan .

" Troth and indeed , they will do him no harm ; the more 's the pity !

" opinion here or opinion there , " said I , " it 's a kent thing that Christianity forbids revenge . "

" ay " said he , " it 's well seen it was a Campbell taught ye !

but that 's nothing to the point .

this is what he did . "

" ay " said I , " come to that . "

Ardshiel was to starve : that was the thing he aimed at .

and since them that fed him in his exile wouldnae be bought out right or wrong , he would drive them out .

therefore he sent for lawyers , and papers , and red-coats to stand at his back .

and who are to succeed them ?

Bare-leggit beggars !

" let me have a word , " said I .

" be sure , if they take less rents , be sure Government has a finger in the pie .

it 's not this Campbell 's fault , man it 's his orders .

and if ye killed this Colin to-morrow , what better would ye be ?

there would be another factor in his shoes , as fast as spur can drive . "

he spoke kindly enough , but there was so much anger under his contempt that I thought it was wise to change the conversation .

" it 's easier than ye would think , " said Alan .

and then the heather 's a great help .

and everywhere there are friends ' houses and friends ' byres and haystacks .

and besides , when folk talk of a country covered with troops , it 's but a kind of a byword at the best .

a soldier covers nae mair of it than his boot-soles .

this was it , " said he , and whistled me the air .

" and then , besides , " he continued , " it 's no sae bad now as it was in forty-six .

the Hielands are what they call pacified .

but what I would like to ken , David , is just how long ?

but it 's a kittle thing to decide what folk 'll bear , and what they will not .

careful .

and with this Alan fell into a muse , and for a long time sate very sad and silent .

for his faults , they were on his face , and I now knew them all .

for though he had a great taste for courage in other men , yet he admired it most in Alan Breck .

CHAPTER XIII

THE LOSS OF THE BRIG

" here , " said he , " come out and see if ye can pilot . "

" is this one of your tricks ? " asked Alan .

" do I look like tricks ? " cries the captain .

" I have other things to think of my brig 's in danger ! "

" what do ye call that ? " asked the captain , gloomily .

" the sea breaking on a reef , " said Alan .

" and now ye ken where it is ; and what better would ye have ? "

" ay , " said Hoseason , " if it was the only one . "

and sure enough , just as he spoke there came a second fountain farther to the south .

" there ! " said Hoseason .

" ye see for yourself .

but you , sir , that was to pilot us , have ye never a word ? "

" I 'm thinking , " said Alan , " these 'll be what they call the Torran Rocks . "

" are there many of them ? " says the captain .

Mr Riach and the captain looked at each other .

" there 's a way through them , I suppose ? " said the captain .

" doubtless , " said Alan , " but where ?

but it somehow runs in my mind once more that it is clearer under the land . "

" so ? " said Hoseason .

well , we 're in for it now , and may as well crack on . "

with that he gave an order to the steersman , and sent Riach to the foretop .

" well , sir , " said Hoseason to Alan , " we 'll try your way of it .

but I think I might as well trust to a blind fiddler .

pray God you 're right . "

" pray God I am ! " says Alan to me .

" but where did I hear it ?

well , well , it will be as it must . "

the brightness of the night showed us these perils as clearly as by day , which was , perhaps , the more alarming .

" Ochone , David , " says he , " this is no the kind of death I fancy ! "

" what , Alan ! "

I cried , " you 're not afraid ? "

" no , " said he , wetting his lips , " but you 'll allow , yourself , it 's a cold ending . "

the tide at the tail of the land ran very strong , and threw the brig about .

this would have been the greater danger had not the sea been for some while free of obstacles .

Mr Riach , besides , announced from the top that he saw clear water ahead .

" ye were right , " said Hoseason to Alan .

" ye have saved the brig , sir .

I 'll mind that when we come to clear accounts . "

but this is matter only for conjecture , things having gone otherwise than he forecast .

" keep her away a point , " sings out Mr Riach .

" reef to windward ! "

and just at the same time the tide caught the brig , and threw the wind out of her sails .

I was on my feet in a minute .

the captain took no part .

it seemed he was struck stupid .

he stood holding by the shrouds , talking to himself and groaning out aloud whenever the ship hammered on the rock .

we had one of the wounded men told off to keep a watch upon the seas and cry us warning .

they say a man sinks a third time for good .

presently , I found I was holding to a spar , which helped me somewhat .

and then all of a sudden I was in quiet water , and began to come to myself .

it was the spare yard I had got hold of , and I was amazed to see how far I had travelled from the brig .

I hailed her , indeed ; but it was plain she was already out of cry .

I now lay quite becalmed , and began to feel that a man can die of cold as well as of drowning .

" well , " thought I to myself , " if I cannot get as far as that , it 's strange ! "

CHAPTER XIV

THE ISLET

with my stepping ashore I began the most unhappy part of my adventures .

it was half-past twelve in the morning , and though the wind was broken by the land , it was a cold night .

when I got to the top the dawn was come .

there was no sign of the brig , which must have lifted from the reef and sunk .

the boat , too , was nowhere to be seen .

there was never a sail upon the ocean ; and in what I could see of the land was neither house nor man .

I was afraid to think what had befallen my shipmates , and afraid to look longer at so empty a scene .

and at the worst , I considered the sun would soon rise and dry my clothes .

at first the creek kept narrowing as I had looked to see ; but presently to my surprise it began to widen out again .

back I went to the narrowest point and waded in .

and now , all at once , the yard came in my head .

what had carried me through the roost would surely serve me to cross this little quiet creek in safety .

with that I set off , undaunted , across the top of the isle , to fetch and carry it back .

In I went , for the third time , into the sea .

but at that depth my feet began to leave me , and I durst venture in no farther .

as for the yard , I saw it bobbing very quietly some twenty feet beyond .

the time I spent upon the island is still so horrible a thought to me , that I must pass it lightly over .

my case was very different .

there were , besides , some of the little shells that we call buckies ; I think periwinkle is the English name .

perhaps they were out of season , or perhaps there was something wrong in the sea about my island .

a second trial of the same food ( indeed I had no other ) did better with me , and revived my strength .

the second day I crossed the island to all sides .

I had good reasons for my choice .

but the other reason went deeper .

it was the same with the roofs of Iona .

Charles the Second declared a man could stay outdoors more days in the year in the climate of England than in any other .

this was very like a king , with a palace at his back and changes of dry clothes .

but he must have had better luck on his flight from Worcester than I had on that miserable isle .

this was the day of incidents .

I supposed he must have swum the strait ; though what should bring any creature to Earraid , was more than I could fancy .

I now saw there must be a hole , and clapped my hand to the place in a great hurry .

but this was to lock the stable door after the steed was stolen .

I had left the shore at Queensferry with near on fifty pounds ; now I found no more than two guinea-pieces and a silver shilling .

it is true I picked up a third guinea a little after , where it lay shining on a piece of turf .

this state of my affairs dashed me still further ; and , indeed my plight on that third morning was truly pitiful .

and yet the worst was not yet come .

indeed , I wore myself down with continual and aimless goings and comings in the rain .

as soon , however , as the sun came out , I lay down on the top of that rock to dry myself .

the comfort of the sunshine is a thing I cannot tell .

I shouted out , and then fell on my knees on the rock and reached up my hands and prayed to them .

but the boat never turned aside , and flew on , right before my eyes , for Iona .

all the time of my troubles I wept only twice .

if a wish would kill men , those two fishers would never have seen morning , and I should likely have died upon my island .

sure enough , I should have done as well to fast , for my fishes poisoned me again .

the next day ( which was the fourth of this horrible life of mine ) I found my bodily strength run very low .

but another disappointment , such as yesterday 's , was more than I could bear .

I turned my back , accordingly , upon the sea , and did not look again till I had counted many hundreds .

the boat was still heading for the island .

the next time I counted the full thousand , as slowly as I could , my heart beating so as to hurt me .

and then it was out of all question .

she was coming straight to Earraid !

this I knew by their hair , which the one had of a bright yellow and the other black .

but now there was a third man along with them , who looked to be of a better class .

as soon as they were come within easy speech , they let down their sail and lay quiet .

then he stood up in the boat and addressed me a long while , speaking fast and with many wavings of his hand .

" whatever , " said I , to show him I had caught a word .

this time I picked out another word , " tide . "

then I had a flash of hope .

I remembered he was always waving his hand towards the mainland of the Ross .

" do you mean when the tide is out ? "

I cried , and could not finish .

" yes , yes , " said he .

" tide . "

it was no wonder the fishers had not understood me .

the wonder was rather that they had ever guessed my pitiful illusion , and taken the trouble to come back .

I had starved with cold and hunger on that island for close upon one hundred hours .

but for the fishers , I might have left my bones there , in pure folly .

CHAPTER XV

THE LAD WITH THE SILVER BUTTON : THROUGH THE ISLE OF MULL

" was there one , " I asked , " dressed like a gentleman ? "

" ah , " said I , " and he would have a feathered hat ? "

he told me , no , that he was bareheaded like myself .

this set me smiling , partly because my friend was safe , partly to think of his vanity in dress .

and then the old gentleman clapped his hand to his brow , and cried out that I must be the lad with the silver button .

" why , yes ! " said I , in some wonder .

he then asked me how I had fared , and I told him my tale .

thought I to myself : " if these are the wild Highlanders , I could wish my own folk wilder . "

I not only started late , but I must have wandered nearly half the time .

and here again I marked a difference from my own part of the country .

but these Highland beggars stood on their dignity , asked alms only to buy snuff ( by their account ) and would give no change .

to be sure , this was no concern of mine , except in so far as it entertained me by the way .

" I care very little for that , " said I , " since you are going with me . "

the impudent cheat answered me in the Gaelic that he had no English .

" my fine fellow , " I said , " I know very well your English comes and goes .

tell me what will bring it back ?

is it more money you wish ? "

" five shillings mair , " said he , " and hersel ' will bring ye there . "

I was now red-hot .

" Ha ! " said I , " have you no more English ? "

he said impudently , " no . "

I was a strong lad and very angry , and he but a little man ; and he went down before me heavily .

by good luck , his knife flew out of his hand as he fell .

I chuckled to myself as I went , being sure I was done with that rogue , for a variety of reasons .

he was quite blind , and told me he was a catechist , which should have put me at my ease .

to carry such a thing meant a fine of fifteen pounds sterling upon a first offence , and transportation to the colonies upon a second .

nor could I quite see why a religious teacher should go armed , or what a blind man could be doing with a pistol .

" was it too much ? "

I asked , a little faltering .

" too much ! " cries he .

" why , I will guide you to Torosay myself for a dram of brandy .

and give you the great pleasure of my company ( me that is a man of some learning ) in the bargain . "

I had to own he was right in every feature , and told my wonder .

" Ha ! " says he , " that 's nothing .

I told him I had nothing of the sort , and gave him a wider berth .

but by the better luck for me , he knew nothing , thought all was covered , and lied on in the dark .

then I struck on again for Torosay , much better pleased to be alone than to travel with that man of learning .

when I told him of my catechist , he shook his head , and said I was lucky to have got clear off .

" the cream of it is , " says I , " that he called himself a catechist . "

" and why should he not ? " says he , " when that is what he is .

it was Maclean of Duart gave it to him because he was blind .

CHAPTER XVI

THE LAD WITH THE SILVER BUTTON : ACROSS MORVEN

there is a regular ferry from Torosay to Kinlochaline on the mainland .

in the crowded boat this was of course impossible , and the passage was a very slow affair .

but there was one melancholy part .

then I understood this was an emigrant ship bound for the American colonies .

at Kinlochaline I got Neil Roy upon one side on the beach , and said I made sure he was one of Appin 's men .

" and what for no ? " said he .

" I am seeking somebody , " said I ; " and it comes in my mind that you will have news of him .

Alan Breck Stewart is his name . "

and very foolishly , instead of showing him the button , I sought to pass a shilling in his hand .

at this he drew back .

it makes the country strong to hold and difficult to travel , but full of prodigious wild and dreadful prospects .

indeed , it was one of these he was carrying and reading when we met .

we fell in company at once , our ways lying together as far as to Kingairloch .

he said it was a bad business .

" it 's wonderful , " said he , " where the tenants find the money , for their life is mere starvation .

( ye don't carry such a thing as snuff , do ye , Mr Balfour ?

no .

well , I 'm better wanting it . )

but these tenants ( as I was saying ) are doubtless partly driven to it .

and then there 's one they call Alan Breck "

" ah ! "

I cried , " what of him ? "

" what of the wind that bloweth where it listeth ? " said Henderland .

" he 's here and awa ; here to-day and gone to-morrow : a fair heather-cat .

he might be glowering at the two of us out of yon whin-bush , and I wouldnae wonder !

ye 'll no carry such a thing as snuff , will ye ? "

I told him no , and that he had asked the same thing more than once .

" it 's highly possible , " said he , sighing .

" but it seems strange ye shouldnae carry it .

however , as I was saying , this Alan Breck is a bold , desperate customer , and well kent to be James 's right hand .

" you make a poor story of it all , Mr Henderland , " said I .

" if it is all fear upon both sides , I care to hear no more of it . "

there 's something fine about it ; no perhaps Christian , but humanly fine .

even Alan Breck , by all that I hear , is a chield to be respected .

ay , ay , we might take a lesson by them .

ye 'll perhaps think I 've been too long in the Hielands ? " he added , smiling to me .

" ay , " said he , " that 's true .

it 's a fine blood . "

" and what is the King 's agent about ? "

I asked .

" Colin Campbell ? " says Henderland .

" putting his head in a bees ' byke ! "

" he is to turn the tenants out by force , I hear ? " said I .

" yes , " says he , " but the business has gone back and forth , as folk say .

and then Colin Campbell cam ' in again , and had the upper-hand before the Barons of Exchequer .

and now they tell me the first of the tenants are to flit to-morrow .

it 's to begin at Duror under James 's very windows , which doesnae seem wise by my humble way of it . "

" do you think they 'll fight ? "

I asked .

and then Colin Campbell has the sogers coming .

but for all that , if I was his lady wife , I wouldnae be well pleased till I got him home again .

they 're queer customers , the Appin Stewarts . "

I asked if they were worse than their neighbours .

" no they , " said he .

" and that 's the worst part of it .

then he had a hearty fit of sneezing , and looked round upon me with a rather silly smile .

" it 's a vow I took , " says he .

" I took a vow upon me that I wouldnae carry it .

CHAPTER XVII

THE DEATH OF THE RED FOX

it was near noon before we set out ; a dark day with clouds , and the sun shining upon little patches .

it seemed a hard country , this of Appin , for people to care as much about as Alan did .

there was but one thing to mention .

A little after we had started , the sun shone upon a little moving clump of scarlet close in along the water-side to the north .

at last we came so near the point of land at the entering in of Loch Leven that I begged to be set on shore .

this was a wood of birches , growing on a steep , craggy side of a mountain that overhung the loch .

here I was not only troubled by a cloud of stinging midges , but far more by the doubts of my mind .

the way was in this part so rough and narrow that they came single and led their horses by the reins .

the second , by his decent black garb and white wig , I correctly took to be a lawyer .

" Glenure , " said the other , " this is an ill subject for jesting . "

these two had now drawn close up and were gazing at me , while the two followers had halted about a stone-cast in the rear .

" the man that lives there , " said I .

" why , very well said , " replies the Factor .

I have power here , I must tell you .

I am King 's Factor upon several of these estates , and have twelve files of soldiers at my back . "

he still kept looking at me , as if in doubt .

" well , " said he , at last , " your tongue is bold ; but I am no unfriend to plainness .

but to-day eh , Mungo ? "

and he turned again to look at the lawyer .

" O , I am dead ! " he cried , several times over .

the lawyer had caught him up and held him in his arms , the servant standing over and clasping his hands .

" take care of yourselves , " says he .

" I am dead . "

he tried to open his clothes as if to look for the wound , but his fingers slipped on the buttons .

with that he gave a great sigh , his head rolled on his shoulder , and he passed away .

the sheriff 's officer had run back at the first sound of the shot , to hasten the coming of the soldiers .

he was a big man , in a black coat , with metal buttons , and carried a long fowling-piece .

" here ! "

I cried .

" I see him ! "

at that the murderer gave a little , quick look over his shoulder , and began to run .

" why should I come back ? "

I cried .

" come you on ! "

" ten pounds if ye take that lad ! " cried the lawyer .

" he 's an accomplice .

he was posted here to hold us in talk . "

the thing , besides , had come so suddenly , like thunder out of a clear sky , that I was all amazed and helpless .

" Jock in here among the trees , " said a voice close by .

duck .

Just inside the shelter of the trees I found Alan Breck standing , with a fishing-rod .

now we ran among the birches ; now stooping behind low humps upon the mountain-side ; now crawling on all fours among the heather .

the pace was deadly : my heart seemed bursting against my ribs ; and I had neither time to think nor breath to speak with .

Quarter of an hour later , Alan stopped , clapped down flat in the heather , and turned to me .

" now , " said he , " it 's earnest .

do as I do , for your life . "

CHAPTER XVIII

I TALK WITH ALAN IN THE WOOD OF LETTERMORE

Alan was the first to come round .

he rose , went to the border of the wood , peered out a little , and then returned and sat down .

" well , " said he , " yon was a hot burst , David . "

I said nothing , nor so much as lifted my face .

" are ye still wearied ? " he asked again .

you and me must twine , " I said .

part .

" I will hardly twine from ye , David , without some kind of reason for the same , " said Alan , mighty gravely .

" Alan , " said I , " what is the sense of this ?

ye ken very well yon Campbell-man lies in his blood upon the road . "

" no , " said I , " nor do I want to hear it . "

" with your permission , Mr Balfour , I will tell it you , whatever , " says Alan .

the name of this rock is called the Skerryvore , and it 's not far from where we suffered ship-wreck .

so when the man woke , there was a poke beside him and something into the inside of it that moved .

I am thinking to myself , Mr Balfour , that you and the man are very much alike . "

bag .

" do you mean you had no hand in it ? " cried I , sitting up .

" well , " said I , " that 's true ! "

" I thank God for that ! " cried I , and offered him my hand .

he did not appear to see it .

" and here is a great deal of work about a Campbell ! " said he .

" they are not so scarce , that I ken ! "

but the temptation and the act are different , I thank God again for that .

we may all be tempted ; but to take a life in cold blood , Alan ! "

and I could say no more for the moment .

" and do you know who did it ? "

I added .

" do you know that man in the black coat ? "

" blue or black , did ye know him ? " said I .

" I couldnae just conscientiously swear to him , " says Alan .

" can you swear that you don't know him , Alan ? "

I cried , half angered , half in a mind to laugh at his evasions .

" not yet , " says he ; " but I 've a grand memory for forgetting , David . "

" it 's very likely , " said Alan ; " and so would any gentleman .

you and me were innocent of that transaction . "

" the better reason , since we were falsely suspected , that we should get clear , " I cried .

" the innocent should surely come before the guilty . "

them that havenae dipped their hands in any little difficulty , should be very mindful of the case of them that have .

and that is the good Christianity .

when it came to this , I gave Alan up .

Mr Henderland 's words came back to me : that we ourselves might take a lesson by these wild Highlanders .

well , here I had taken mine .

Alan 's morals were all tail-first ; but he was ready to give his life for them , such as they were .

" Alan , " said I , " I 'll not say it 's the good Christianity as I understand it , but it 's good enough .

and here I offer ye my hand for the second time . "

whereupon he gave me both of his , saying surely I had cast a spell upon him , for he could forgive me anything .

" as if this was your country ! " said he .

" or as if ye would be tried here , in a country of Stewarts ! "

" it 's all Scotland , " said I .

" Man , I whiles wonder at ye , " said Alan .

" this is a Campbell that 's been killed .

Justice , David ?

the same justice , by all the world , as Glenure found awhile ago at the roadside . "

and what would the clan think if there was a Campbell shot , and naebody hanged , and their own chief the Justice General ?

but I have often observed , " says Alan , " that you Low-country bodies have no clear idea of what 's right and wrong . "

at this I did at last laugh out aloud , when to my surprise , Alan joined in , and laughed as merrily as myself .

" I 'll chance it , Alan , " said I .

" I 'll go with you . "

" but mind you , " said Alan , " it 's no small thing .

ye maun lie bare and hard , and brook many an empty belly .

ay , man , ye shall taigle many a weary foot , or we get clear !

I tell ye this at the start , for it 's a life that I ken well .

but if ye ask what other chance ye have , I answer : Nane .

either take to the heather with me , or else hang . "

" and that 's a choice very easily made , " said I ; and we shook hands upon it .

looking out between the trees , we could see a great side of mountain , running down exceeding steep into the waters of the loch .

Alan watched them , smiling to himself .

" ay , " said he , " they 'll be gey weary before they 've got to the end of that employ !

when she had struck first , it had been bows-on , so that the stern had hitherto been lowest .

it took the colour out of Alan 's face , even to tell what followed .

" Riach , " said I .

" ay " said Alan , " Riach !

that 's none such an entirely bad little man , yon little man with the red head , " said Alan .

" he has some spunks of decency . "

" well , " said I , " he was kind to me in his way . "

but how did Hoseason take it ? "

" it sticks in my mind that he would take it very ill , " says Alan .

" but the little man cried to me to run , and indeed I thought it was a good observe , and ran .

the last that I saw they were all in a knot upon the beach , like folk that were not agreeing very well together . "

" what do you mean by that ? " said I .

" well , the fists were going , " said Alan ; " and I saw one man go down like a pair of breeks .

but I thought it would be better no to wait .

ye see there 's a strip of Campbells in that end of Mull , which is no good company for a gentleman like me .

man , they didnae stop to fash with me !

ye should have seen them linking for the beach !

and when they got there they found they had had the pleasure of a run , which is aye good for a Campbell .

I 'm thinking it was a judgment on the clan that the brig went down in the lump and didnae break .

CHAPTER XIX

THE HOUSE OF FEAR

at last , about half-past ten of the clock , we came to the top of a brae , and saw lights below us .

" James must have tint his wits , " said Alan .

" if this was the soldiers instead of you and me , he would be in a bonny mess .

Hereupon he whistled three times , in a particular manner .

James of the Glens turned to me for a moment , and greeted me courteously enough ; the next he had turned to Alan .

" this has been a dreadful accident , " he cried .

" it will bring trouble on the country . "

and he wrung his hands .

" hoots ! " said Alan , " ye must take the sour with the sweet , man .

Colin Roy is dead , and be thankful for that ! "

" ay " said James , " and by my troth , I wish he was alive again !

blame .

while this was going on I looked about me at the servants .

" what 's that the lassie has ? " he asked .

" we 're just setting the house in order , Alan , " said James , in his frightened and somewhat fawning way .

" they 'll search Appin with candles , and we must have all things straight .

we 'll be to bury them , I believe . "

" bury my French clothes ! " cried Alan .

" Troth , no ! "

and he laid hold upon the packet and retired into the barn to shift himself , recommending me in the meanwhile to his kinsman .

at last James could keep his seat no longer , and begged my permission to be so unmannerly as walk about .

he struck the lad repeatedly .

" are you gone gyte ? " he cried .

mad .

money , indeed , was lacking .

" this 'll no do , " said Alan .

" ye must find a safe bit somewhere near by , " said James , " and get word sent to me .

ye see , ye 'll have to get this business prettily off , Alan .

this is no time to be stayed for a guinea or two .

if it falls on you , it falls on me that am your near kinsman and harboured ye while ye were in the country .

and if it comes on me " he paused , and bit his fingers , with a white face .

" it would be a painful thing for our friends if I was to hang , " said he .

" it would be an ill day for Appin , " says Alan .

" it 's a day that sticks in my throat , " said James .

do ye see that ? "

blame .

he spoke with a pleading earnestness , taking Alan by the breast of the coat .

" ay " said Alan , " I see that . "

for I 'll have to paper your friend from the Lowlands .

ye see that , Alan say that ye see that ! "

I thought Alan flushed a bit .

" this is unco hard on me that brought him here , James , " said he , throwing his head back .

" it 's like making me a traitor ! "

" now , Alan , man ! " cried James .

" look things in the face !

he 'll be papered anyway ; Mungo Campbell 'll be sure to paper him ; what matters if I paper him too ?

and then , Alan , I am a man that has a family . "

" there 's one thing , " said Alan , musingly , " that naebody kens his name . "

" nor yet they shallnae , Alan !

" but just the habit he was in , and what he looked like , and his age , and the like ?

I couldnae well do less . "

" I wonder at your father 's son , " cried Alan , sternly .

" would ye sell the lad with a gift ?

would ye change his clothes and then betray him ? "

" no , no , Alan , " said James .

" no , no : the habit he took off the habit Mungo saw him in . "

" well , sir , " says Alan , turning to me , " what say ye to that ?

ye are here under the safeguard of my honour ; and it 's my part to see nothing done but what shall please you . "

" I have but one word to say , " said I ; " for to all this dispute I am a perfect stranger .

but the plain common-sense is to set the blame where it belongs , and that is on the man who fired the shot .

" very well , then , " said I , " paper me , if you please , paper Alan , paper King George !

we 're all three innocent , and that seems to be what 's wanted .

" as for you , Alan , it was no more than your bounden duty , " she said .

and with that she kissed me , and burst once more into such sobbing , that I stood abashed .

" hoot , hoot , " said Alan , looking mighty silly .

the rallying-word of the Campbells .

CHAPTER XX

THE FLIGHT IN THE HEATHER : THE ROCKS

sometimes we walked , sometimes ran ; and as it drew on to morning , walked ever the less and ran the more .

for all our hurry , day began to come in while we were still far from any shelter .

it found us in a prodigious valley , strewn with rocks and where ran a foaming river .

the first peep of morning , then , showed us this horrible place , and I could see Alan knit his brow .

" this is no fit place for you and me , " he said .

" this is a place they 're bound to watch . "

it went through with a horrid thundering that made my belly quake ; and there hung over the lynn a little mist of spray .

when I saw where I was , there came on me a deadly sickness of fear , and I put my hand over my eyes .

then at last Alan smiled .

Brisk .

at this I suppose I coloured with mortification , for he added at once , " hoots ! small blame to ye !

to be feared of a thing and yet to do it , is what makes the prettiest kind of a man .

and then there was water there , and water 's a thing that dauntons even me .

no , no , " said Alan , " it 's no you that 's to blame , it 's me . "

I asked him why .

" why , " said he , " I have proved myself a gomeral this night .

ye may think that a small matter ; but before it comes night , David , ye 'll give me news of it . "

" I wouldnae waste the good spirit either , " says he .

" it 's been a good friend to you this night ; or in my poor opinion , ye would still be cocking on yon stone .

" you ! "

I cried , " you were running fit to burst . "

" was I so ? " said he .

" well , then , ye may depend upon it , there was nae time to be lost .

and now here is enough said ; gang you to your sleep , lad , and I 'll watch . "

I dare say it would be nine in the morning when I was roughly awakened , and found Alan 's hand pressed upon my mouth .

" Wheesht ! " he whispered .

" ye were snoring . "

" well , " said I , surprised at his anxious and dark face , " and why not ? "

he peered over the edge of the rock , and signed to me to do the like .

it was now high day , cloudless , and very hot .

the valley was as clear as in a picture .

I took but one look at them , and ducked again into my place .

" ye see , " said Alan , " this was what I was afraid of , Davie : that they would watch the burn-side .

they began to come in about two hours ago , and , man ! but ye 're a grand hand at the sleeping !

we 're in a narrow place .

the posts are thinner down the water ; and , come night , we 'll try our hand at getting by them . "

" and what are we to do till night ? "

I asked .

" lie here , " says he , " and birstle . "

the soldiers kept stirring all day in the bottom of the valley , now changing guard , now in patrolling parties hunting among the rocks .

there were giddiness , and sickness , and sharp pangs like rheumatism , to be supported .

I minded then , and have often minded since , on the lines in our Scotch psalm :

" the moon by night thee shall not smite , Nor yet the sun by day ; "

and indeed it was only by God 's blessing that we were neither of us sun-smitten .

I followed him at once , and instantly fell all my length , so weak was I and so giddy with that long exposure .

but the business was the most wearing I had ever taken part in .

CHAPTER XXI

THE FLIGHT IN THE HEATHER : THE HEUGH OF CORRYNAKIEGH

birches grew there in a thin , pretty wood , which a little farther on was changed into a wood of pines .

we slept in the cave , making our bed of heather bushes which we cut for that purpose , and covering ourselves with Alan 's great-coat .

so , though I could never in the least please my master , I was not altogether displeased with myself .

In the meanwhile , you are not to suppose that we neglected our chief business , which was to get away .

" and how shall we send that word ? " says I.

" ay ? " said Alan .

" ye 're a man of small contrivance , David . "

then he looked at me a little shyly .

" could ye lend me my button ? " says he .

" it seems a strange thing to ask a gift again , but I own I am laith to cut another . "

" but being so ? " said I .

" Being so , " said he , " I would as lief they didnae see me .

there 's bad folk everywhere , and what 's far worse , weak ones .

a bouman is a tenant who takes stock from the landlord and shares with him the increase .

" with all my heart , " says I ; " and if he finds it , what is he to think ? "

but this is what I have in my mind .

so he will say to himsel ' , THE CLAN IS NOT TO RISE , BUT THERE IS SOMETHING .

then he will see my button , and that was Duncan Stewart 's .

and then he will say to himsel ' , THE SON OF DUNCAN IS IN THE HEATHER , AND HAS NEED OF ME . "

" well , " said I , " it may be .

but even supposing so , there is a good deal of heather between here and the Forth . "

" and that is a very true word , " says Alan .

" eh , man , " said I , drolling with him a little , " you 're very ingenious !

but would it not be simpler for you to write him a few words in black and white ? "

he would have to go to the school for two-three years ; and it 's possible we might be wearied waiting on him . "

so that night Alan carried down his fiery cross and set it in the bouman's window .

Alan would have had him carry a message to James ; but the bouman would hear of no message .

I thought Alan would be gravelled at that , for we lacked the means of writing in that desert .

" DEAR KINSMAN , Please send the money by the bearer to the place he kens of .

" your affectionate cousin ,

" A. S. "

the money she had sent was all that she could beg or borrow , and she prayed heaven we could be doing with it .

lastly , she said , she enclosed us one of the bills in which we were described .

" Alan , " said I , " you should change your clothes . "

" Na , troth ! " said Alan , " I have nae others .

a fine sight I would be , if I went back to France in a bonnet ! "

for generosity 's sake I dare not speak my mind upon this head ; but I thought of it none the less .

true , it was more than I had .

but there was no thought of the sort in the honest head of my companion .

he believed he was serving , helping , and protecting me .

and what could I do but hold my peace , and chafe , and take my chance of it ?

" it 's little enough , " said Alan , putting the purse in his pocket , " but it 'll do my business .

" what ! " cried Alan , " you will lose my button , that was my father 's before me ?

then he took the warmest parting of the bouman .

CHAPTER XXII

THE FLIGHT IN THE HEATHER : THE MOOR

some seven hours ' incessant , hard travelling brought us early in the morning to the end of a range of mountains .

in front of us there lay a piece of low , broken , desert land , which we must now cross .

" David , " said Alan , " this is the kittle bit .

shall we lie here till it comes night , or shall we risk it , and stave on ahead ? "

" ay , but it isnae , " said Alan , " nor yet the half .

this is how we stand : Appin 's fair death to us .

to the south it 's all Campbells , and no to be thought of .

well , then , we 'll can strike east . "

" well , then , east , ye see , we have the muirs , " said Alan .

" once there , David , it 's mere pitch-and-toss .

out on yon bald , naked , flat place , where can a body turn to ?

it 's no good place , David ; and I 'm free to say , it 's worse by daylight than by dark . "

" Alan , " said I , " hear my way of it .

Alan was delighted .

a wearier-looking desert man never saw ; but at least it was clear of troops , which was our point .

we went down accordingly into the waste , and began to make our toilsome and devious travel towards the eastern verge .

I looked at the sprig of heath , and at that I could have cried aloud : for I saw I had betrayed my trust .

" what are we to do now ? "

I asked .

" we 'll have to play at being hares , " said he .

" do ye see yon mountain ? " pointing to one on the north-eastern sky .

" ay , " said I .

" well , then , " says he , " let us strike for that .

" but , Alan , " cried I , " that will take us across the very coming of the soldiers ! "

" I ken that fine , " said he ; " but if we are driven back on Appin , we are two dead men .

so now , David man , be brisk ! "

all the time , too , he kept winding in and out in the lower parts of the moorland where we were the best concealed .

nothing but the fear of Alan lent me enough of a false kind of courage to continue .

a little after , they had built a fire and camped for the night , about the middle of the waste .

at this I begged and besought that we might lie down and sleep .

" there shall be no sleep the night ! " said Alan .

we got through in the nick of time , and shall we jeopard what we 've gained ?

Na , na , when the day comes , it shall find you and me in a fast place on Ben Alder . "

" Alan , " I said , " it 's not the want of will : it 's the strength that I want .

if I could , I would ; but as sure as I 'm alive I cannot . "

" very well , then , " said Alan .

" I 'll carry ye . "

" lead away ! " said I .

" I 'll follow . "

it grew cooler and even a little darker ( but not much ) with the coming of the night .

heavy dew fell and drenched the moor like rain ; and this refreshed me for a while .

I had no care of my life , neither past nor future , and I scarce remembered there was such a lad as David Balfour .

village fair .

I say Alan did as I did .

it fell in this way .

I heard Alan and another whispering in the Gaelic ; and what they said was all one to me .

then the dirks were put up , our weapons were taken away , and we were set face to face , sitting in the heather .

" they are Cluny 's men , " said Alan .

" we couldnae have fallen better .

we 're just to bide here with these , which are his out-sentries , till they can get word to the chief of my arrival . "

even tired as I was , the surprise of what I heard half wakened me .

" what , " I cried , " is Cluny still here ? "

" ay , is he so ! " said Alan .

" still in his own country and kept by his own clan .

King George can do no more . "

I think I would have asked farther , but Alan gave me the put-off .

" I am rather wearied , " he said , " and I would like fine to get a sleep . "

and without more words , he rolled on his face in a deep heather bush , and seemed to sleep at once .

there was no such thing possible for me .

you have heard grasshoppers whirring in the grass in the summer time ?

for my part , it made me sick to hear of eating .

I had been dead-heavy before , and now I felt a kind of dreadful lightness , which would not suffer me to walk .

with all that , a sort of horror of despair sat on my mind , so that I could have wept at my own helplessness .

CHAPTER XXIII

CLUNY'S CAGE

" it 's here , " said one of the guides , and we struck up hill .

a tree , which grew out from the hillside , was the living centre-beam of the roof .

the walls were of wattle and covered with moss .

within , it was large enough to shelter five or six persons with some comfort .

there he soon died ; and it is strange to reflect that he may have regretted his Cage upon Ben Alder .

when we came to the door he was seated by his rock chimney , watching a gillie about some cookery .

he was mighty plainly habited , with a knitted nightcap drawn over his ears , and smoked a foul cutty pipe .

" and how is yourself , Cluny ? " said Alan .

" I hope ye do brawly , sir .

and I am proud to see ye , and to present to ye my friend the Laird of Shaws , Mr David Balfour . "

" step in by , the both of ye , gentlemen , " says Cluny .

and so here 's a toast to ye : the Restoration ! "

thereupon we all touched glasses and drank .

it was certainly a strange place , and we had a strange host .

in his long hiding , Cluny had grown to have all manner of precise habits , like those of an old maid .

condiment .

Cluny stopped mingling the cards .

" what in deil's name is this ? " says he .

" what kind of Whiggish , canting talk is this , for the house of Cluny Macpherson ? "

" I will put my hand in the fire for Mr Balfour , " says Alan .

" he is an honest and a mettle gentleman , and I would have ye bear in mind who says it .

and I 'm fit and willing , sir , to play ye any game that ye can name . "

if your friend would like to stand on his head , he is welcome .

I had no will that these two friends should cut their throats for my sake .

for all that he was displeased enough , looked at me askance , and grumbled when he looked .

I knew well enough I was ill , and that was all I cared about .

I paid little heed while I lay in this poor pass .

it looked strange enough , to see all this wealth in a nest upon a cliff-side , wattled about growing trees .

the luck , it seems , changed on the second day .

the sun was shining in at the open door of the Cage , and this dazzled and offended me .

Cluny sat at the table , biting the pack of cards .

he asked me for a loan of my money .

" what for ? " said I .

" O , just for a loan , " said he .

" but why ? "

I repeated .

" I don't see . "

" hut , David ! " said Alan , " ye wouldnae grudge me a loan ? "

I would , though , if I had had my senses !

but all I thought of then was to get his face away , and I handed him my money .

" I have no Gaelic , sir , " said I .

now since the card question , everything I said or did had the power of annoying Cluny .

" your name has more sense than yourself , then , " said he angrily , " for it 's good Gaelic .

but the point is this .

my scout reports all clear in the south , and the question is , have ye the strength to go ? "

I saw cards on the table , but no gold ; only a heap of little written papers , and these all on Cluny 's side .

Alan , besides , had an odd look , like a man not very well content ; and I began to have a strong misgiving .

Alan took his under-lip into his mouth , and looked upon the ground .

" David , " says he at last , " I 've lost it ; there 's the naked truth . "

" my money too ? " said I .

" your money too , " says Alan , with a groan .

" ye shouldnae have given it me .

I 'm daft when I get to the cartes . "

" Hoot-toot ! hoot-toot ! " said Cluny .

" it was all daffing ; it 's all nonsense .

of course you 'll have your money back again , and the double of it , if ye 'll make so free with me .

it would be a singular thing for me to keep it .

Alan said nothing , only looked on the ground .

" will you step to the door with me , sir ? " said I .

Cluny said he would be very glad , and followed me readily enough , but he looked flustered and put out .

" and now , sir , " says I , " I must first acknowledge your generosity . "

" nonsensical nonsense ! " cries Cluny .

" where 's the generosity ?

and if they lose , of course , it 's not to be supposed " and here he came to a pause .

there was a little silence , in which Cluny seemed always as if he was about to speak , but said nothing .

all the time he grew redder and redder in the face .

" I am a young man , " said I , " and I ask your advice .

advise me as you would your son .

my friend fairly lost his money , after having fairly gained a far greater sum of yours ; can I accept it back again ?

would that be the right part for me to play ?

whatever I do , you can see for yourself it must be hard upon a man of any pride . "

but I am still waiting your opinion . "

I am sure if ever Cluny hated any man it was David Balfour .

he looked me all over with a warlike eye , and I saw the challenge at his lips .

but either my youth disarmed him , or perhaps his own sense of justice .

certainly it was a mortifying matter for all concerned , and not least Cluny ; the more credit that he took it as he did .

CHAPTER XXIV

THE FLIGHT IN THE HEATHER : THE QUARREL

and yet Alan had behaved like a child , and ( what is worse ) a treacherous child .

true , I was ready to share it with him ; but it made me rage to see him count upon my readiness .

these were the two things uppermost in my mind ; and I could open my mouth upon neither without black ungenerosity .

" David , " says he , " this is no way for two friends to take a small accident .

I have to say that I 'm sorry ; and so that 's said .

and now if you have anything , ye 'd better say it . "

" O , " says I , " I have nothing . "

he seemed disconcerted ; at which I was meanly pleased .

" no , " said he , with rather a trembling voice , " but when I say I was to blame ? "

" never , " says he ; " but ye ken very well that ye 've done worse .

are we to part ?

ye said so once before .

are ye to say it again ?

this pierced me like a sword , and seemed to lay bare my private disloyalty .

" Alan Breck ! "

I cried ; and then : " do you think I am one to turn my back on you in your chief need ?

you dursn't say it to my face .

my whole conduct 's there to give the lie to it .

" which is what I never did , " said Alan .

I never yet failed a friend , and it 's not likely I 'll begin with you .

there are things between us that I can never forget , even if you can . "

ye should try to make that burden light for me . "

this ought to have touched me , and in a manner it did , but the wrong manner .

" you asked me to speak , " said I .

" well , then , I will .

and now you blame me , " cried I , " because I cannae laugh and sing as if I was glad to be affronted .

the next thing will be that I 'm to go down upon my knees and thank you for it !

ye should think more of others , Alan Breck .

by your own way of it , it was you that was to blame ; then it shouldnae be you to seek the quarrel . "

" Aweel , " said Alan , " say nae mair . "

the gillie put us across Loch Rannoch in the dusk of the next day , and gave us his opinion as to our best route .

Alan was little pleased with a route which led us through the country of his blood-foes , the Glenorchy Campbells .

Alan gave way at last , but with only half a heart .

" it 's one of the dowiest countries in Scotland , " said he .

" there 's naething there that I ken , but heath , and crows , and Campbells .

but I see that ye 're a man of some penetration ; and be it as ye please ! "

by day , we lay and slept in the drenching heather ; by night , incessantly clambered upon break-neck hills and among rude crags .

we often wandered ; we were often so involved in fog , that we must lie quiet till it lightened .

a fire was never to be thought of .

this was a dreadful time , rendered the more dreadful by the gloom of the weather and the country .

the sound of an infinite number of rivers came up from all round .

during all these horrid wanderings we had no familiarity , scarcely even that of speech .

the truth is that I was sickening for my grave , which is my best excuse .

" I do very well , I thank you , " said I , as cold as ice .

Alan flushed darkly .

" I 'll not offer it again , " he said .

" I 'm not a patient man , David . "

" I never said you were , " said I , which was exactly the rude , silly speech of a boy of ten .

Alan made no answer at the time , but his conduct answered for him .

the third night we were to pass through the western end of the country of Balquhidder .

in this poor state I had to bear from my companion something in the nature of a persecution .

he spoke a good deal , and never without a taunt .

" Whig " was the best name he had to give me .

" here , " he would say , " here's a dub for ye to jump , my Whiggie !

I ken you're a fine jumper ! "

and so on ; all the time with a gibing voice and face .

I knew it was my own doing , and no one else 's ; but I was too miserable to repent .

and at each of Alan 's taunts , I hugged myself .

all the while , I was growing worse and worse .

flushes of heat went over me , and then spasms of shuddering .

the stitch in my side was hardly bearable .

he had just called me " Whig . "

I stopped .

do you think it either very wise or very witty to cast my politics in my teeth ?

Alan had stopped opposite to me , his hat cocked , his hands in his breeches pockets , his head a little on one side .

it was the air made in mockery of General Cope 's defeat at Preston Pans :

" hey , Johnnie Cope , are ye waukin ' yet ?

and are your drums a-beatin ' yet ? "

and it came in my mind that Alan , on the day of that battle , had been engaged upon the royal side .

" why do ye take that air , Mr Stewart ? " said I .

" is that to remind me you have been beaten on both sides ? "

the air stopped on Alan 's lips .

" David ! " said he .

" I am a Stewart " began Alan .

" O ! " says I , " I ken ye bear a king 's name .

" do you know that you insult me ? " said Alan , very low .

both the Campbells and the Whigs have beaten you ; you have run before them like a hare .

it behoves you to speak of them as of your betters . "

a second sermon .

Alan stood quite still , the tails of his great-coat clapping behind him in the wind .

" this is a pity , " he said at last .

" there are things said that cannot be passed over . "

" I never asked you to , " said I .

" I am as ready as yourself . "

" ready ? " said he .

" ready , " I repeated .

" I am no blower and boaster like some that I could name .

come on ! "

and drawing my sword , I fell on guard as Alan himself had taught me .

" David ! " he cried .

" are ye daft ?

I cannae draw upon ye , David .

it 's fair murder . "

" that was your look-out when you insulted me , " said I .

" it 's the bare truth , " he said , and drew his sword .

but before I could touch his blade with mine , he had thrown it from him and fallen to the ground .

" Na , na , " he kept saying , " na , na I cannae , I cannae . "

I would have given the world to take back what I had said ; but a word once spoken , who can recapture it ?

I thought I must have swooned where I stood .

this it was that gave me a thought .

I put my pride away from me .

" Alan ! "

I said ; " if ye cannae help me , I must just die here . "

he started up sitting , and looked at me .

" it 's true , " said I .

" I 'm by with it .

O , let me get into the bield of a house I 'll can die there easier . "

" can ye walk ? " asked Alan .

" no , " said I , " not without help .

if I die , ye 'll can forgive me , Alan ?

in my heart , I liked ye fine even when I was the angriest . "

" Wheesht , wheesht ! " cried Alan .

" Dinna say that !

David man , ye ken " he shut his mouth upon a sob .

" let me get my arm about ye , " he continued ; " that 's the way !

now lean upon me hard .

Gude kens where there 's a house !

we 're in Balwhidder , too ; there should be no want of houses , no , nor friends ' houses here .

do ye gang easier so , Davie ? "

" ay , " said I , " I can be doing this way ; " and I pressed his arm with my hand .

again he came near sobbing .

" O man , let's say no more about it ! " said I .

" we 're neither one of us to mend the other that's the truth !

we must just bear and forbear , man Alan .

O , but my stitch is sore !

is there nae house ? "

" I 'll find a house to ye , David , " he said , stoutly .

" we 'll follow down the burn , where there 's bound to be houses .

my poor man , will ye no be better on my back ? "

" O , Alan , " says I , " and me a good twelve inches taller ? "

" ye 're no such a thing , " cried Alan , with a start .

ay , it 'll be a foot , or near hand ; or may be even mair ! "

it was sweet and laughable to hear Alan eat his words up in the fear of some fresh quarrel .

" Alan , " cried I , " what makes ye so good to me ?

what makes ye care for such a thankless fellow ? "

" ' Deed , and I don't know " said Alan .

CHAPTER XXV

IN BALQUHIDDER

here , too , were many of that old , proscribed , nameless , red-handed clan of the Macgregors .

they had always been ill-considered , and now worse than ever , having credit with no side or party in the whole country of Scotland .

here then I was got to bed without delay , and a doctor fetched , who found me in a sorry plight .

the bills , too , had now been printed .

so it was , at least .

Duncan had time to pass me word of who it was ; and we looked at one another in concern .

" I am given to know , sir , " says he , " that your name is Balfour . "

" they call me David Balfour , " said I , " at your service . "

" no , sir , " said I , a little alarmed ; " nor yet of your father , Macgregor-Campbell . "

he bowed in return .

" but what I am come to say , sir , " he went on , " is this .

just in the door , he met Alan coming in ; and the two drew back and looked at each other like strange dogs .

they were neither of them big men , but they seemed fairly to swell out with pride .

" Mr Stewart , I am thinking , " says Robin .

" Troth , Mr Macgregor , it 's not a name to be ashamed of , " answered Alan .

" I did not know ye were in my country , sir , " says Robin .

" it sticks in my mind that I am in the country of my friends the Maclarens , " says Alan .

" that 's a kittle point , " returned the other .

" there may be two words to say to that .

but I think I will have heard that you are a man of your sword ? "

" unless ye were born deaf , Mr Macgregor , ye will have heard a good deal more than that , " says Alan .

" do ye mean my father , sir ? " says Robin .

" well , I wouldnae wonder , " said Alan .

" the gentleman I have in my mind had the ill-taste to clap Campbell to his name . "

" my father was an old man , " returned Robin .

" the match was unequal .

you and me would make a better pair , sir . "

" I was thinking that , " said Alan .

" Gentlemen , " said he , " I will have been thinking of a very different matter , whateffer .

here are my pipes , and here are you two gentlemen who are baith acclaimed pipers .

it 's an auld dispute which one of ye 's the best .

here will be a braw chance to settle it . "

have ye music , as folk say ?

are ye a bit of a piper ? "

rumour .

" I can pipe like a Macrimmon ! " cries Robin .

" and that is a very bold word , " quoth Alan .

" I have made bolder words good before now , " returned Robin , " and that against better adversaries . "

" it is easy to try that , " says Alan .

but Robin put aside these hospitalities as bad for the breath .

" I will take no advantages , Mr Stewart , " replied Robin .

" eat and drink ; I 'll follow you . "

I had been pleased with Robin 's playing , Alan 's ravished me .

" that 's no very bad , Mr Stewart , " said the rival , " but ye show a poor device in your warblers . "

" me ! " cried Alan , the blood starting to his face .

" I give ye the lie . "

I appeal to Duncan . "

" indeed , ye need appeal to naebody , " said Robin .

hand me the pipes . "

" ay , ye have music , " said Alan , gloomily .

" enough ! " he cried .

" ye can blow the pipes make the most of that . "

and he made as if to rise .

but Robin only held out his hand as if to ask for silence , and struck into the slow measure of a pibroch .

" Robin Oig , " he said , when it was done , " ye are a great piper .

I am not fit to blow in the same kingdom with ye .

Body of me ! ye have mair music in your sporran than I have in my head !

it would go against my heart to haggle a man that can blow the pipes as you can ! "

CHAPTER XXVI

END OF THE FLIGHT : WE PASS THE FORTH

" it 's a chief principle in military affairs , " said he , " to go where ye are least expected .

forth is our trouble ; ye ken the saying , ' Forth bridles the wild Hielandman . '

but if we stave on straight to the auld Brig of Stirling , I 'll lay my sword they let us pass unchallenged . "

" now , " said Alan , " I kenna if ye care , but ye 're in your own land again .

it behoved to lie close and keep silent .

I was for pushing straight across ; but Alan was more wary .

" she 's bound to be across now , " I whispered .

" Na , " said Alan , " her foot still sounds boss upon the bridge . "

hollow .

and just then " who goes ? " cried a voice , and we heard the butt of a musket rattle on the stones .

" this 'll never do , " said Alan .

" this 'll never , never do for us , David . "

" well ? " said I .

" well , " said Alan , " what would ye have ?

they 're none such fools as I took them for .

we have still the Forth to pass , Davie weary fall the rains that fed and the hillsides that guided it ! "

" and why go east ? " said I .

" ou , just upon the chance ! " said he .

" if we cannae pass the river , we 'll have to see what we can do for the firth . "

" there are fords upon the river , and none upon the firth , " said I .

" well , " said I , " but a river can be swum . "

" I 'm not up to you in talking back , Alan , " I said ; " but I can see we 're making bad worse .

if it 's hard to pass a river , it stands to reason it must be worse to pass a sea . "

" but there 's such a thing as a boat , " says Alan , " or I 'm the more deceived . "

" ay , and such a thing as money , " says I .

" but for us that have neither one nor other , they might just as well not have been invented . "

" ye think so ? " said Alan .

" I do that , " said I .

" David , " says he , " ye 're a man of small invention and less faith .

" I think I see ye ! " said I .

" Man ! " cried Alan , " if I make a boat , I 'll make a body to take it back again !

this is a place that sits near in by the water-side , and looks across the Hope to the town of the Queensferry .

smoke went up from both of these , and from other villages and farms upon all hands .

the fields were being reaped ; two ships lay anchored , and boats were coming and going on the Hope .

" O , Alan ! " said I , " to think of it !

O , man , but it 's a heart-break ! "

at last he stopped in the way .

" did ye take heed of the lass we bought this of ? " says he , tapping on the bread and cheese .

" to be sure , " said I , " and a bonny lass she was . "

" ye thought that ? " cries he .

" Man , David , that 's good news . "

" in the name of all that 's wonderful , why so ? " says I .

" what good can that do ? "

" if it were the other way about , it would be liker it , " said I .

" that 's all that you ken , ye see , " said Alan .

let me see " ( looking me curiously over ) .

come ; right about , and back to the change-house for that boat of ours . "

I followed him , laughing .

So bear it , if ye please , in mind , and conduct yourself according . "

" well , well , " said I , " have it as you will . "

she drew quite near , and stood leaning with her back on the next table .

" what 's like wrong with him ? " said she at last .

Alan turned upon her , to my great wonder , with a kind of fury .

" wrong ? " cries he .

" he 's walked more hundreds of miles than he has hairs upon his chin , and slept oftener in wet heather than dry sheets .

wrong , quo ' she !

wrong enough , I would think !

wrong , indeed ! " and he kept grumbling to himself as he fed me , like a man ill-pleased .

" he 's young for the like of that , " said the maid .

" Ower young , " said Alan , with his back to her .

" he would be better riding , " says she .

" and where could I get a horse to him ? " cried Alan , turning on her with the same appearance of fury .

" would ye have me steal ? "

I thought this roughness would have sent her off in dudgeon , as indeed it closed her mouth for the time .

" ye neednae tell me , " she said at last " ye 're gentry . "

did ever you hear that gentrice put money in folk 's pockets ? "

she sighed at this , as if she were herself some disinherited great lady .

" no , " says she , " that 's true indeed . "

" has he nae friends ? " said she , in a tearful voice .

" and why that ? " says the lass .

" Wheesht , " says she , and looked over her shoulder to the door .

" that 's it , " said Alan .

" and him so young ! " cries the lass .

" it would be a black shame , " she cried , flushing high .

" it 's what will be , though , " said Alan , " unless we manage the better . "

at this the lass turned and ran out of that part of the house , leaving us alone together .

" Alan , " I cried , " I can stand no more of this . "

" ye 'll have to sit it then , Davie , " said he .

" I 'm thinking ye have rather a long tongue , " she said at last to Alan .

" ay " said Alan ; " but ye see I ken the folk I speak to . "

" I would never betray ye , " said she , " if ye mean that . "

" no , " said he , " ye 're not that kind .

but I 'll tell ye what ye would do , ye would help . "

" I couldnae , " said she , shaking her head .

" Na , I couldnae . "

" no , " said he , " but if ye could ? "

she answered him nothing .

shall we go wanting , lassie ?

" did ever you hear , " said I , " of Mr Rankeillor of the Ferry ? "

" Rankeillor the writer ? " said she .

" I daur say that ! "

her face cleared up mightily at this , although Alan 's darkened .

" that 's more than I would ask , " said she .

" Mr Rankeillor is a kennt man . "

" and ye can trust me , " says she , " I 'll find some means to put you over . "

it was impossible but he should conceive some suspicion of two men lying all day concealed in a thicket and having no business to allege .

at that , we looked out and saw the lass herself coming rowing to us in a boat .

even after she was gone , we had nothing to say , as indeed nothing was enough for such a kindness .

only Alan stood a great while upon the shore shaking his head .

" it is a very fine lass , " he said at last .

" David , it is a very fine lass . "

CHAPTER XXVII

I COME TO MR . RANKEILLOR

I was in the long street of Queensferry before the sun was up .

if it was all a bubble , I was indeed sorely cheated and left in a sore pass .

truly , if my hope broke with me , it might come to the gallows yet for both of us .

newly rough-cast .

" then , sir , " said I , " I have to beg the favour of an interview . "

" I do not know your name , " said he , " nor yet your face . "

" my name is David Balfour , " said I .

" David Balfour ? " he repeated , in rather a high tone , like one surprised .

" and where have you come from , Mr David Balfour ? " he asked , looking me pretty drily in the face .

" yes , " says he , " that will be the best , no doubt . "

" and now , " says he , " if you have any business , pray be brief and come swiftly to the point .

Nec gemino bellum Trojanum orditur ab ovo do you understand that ? " says he , with a keen look .

" I will even do as Horace says , sir , " I answered , smiling , " and carry you in medias res . "

he nodded as if he was well pleased , and indeed his scrap of Latin had been set to test me .

he got a paper book out of a drawer and set it before him open .

" well ? " said he .

but I had shot my bolt and sat speechless .

" come , come , Mr Balfour , " said he , " you must continue .

where were you born ? "


he seemed to follow this statement in his paper book ; but what that meant I knew not .

" your father and mother ? " said he .

" have you any papers proving your identity ? " asked Mr Rankeillor .

" Meaning Mr Ebenezer Balfour ? " says he .

" the same , " said I .

" whom you have seen ? " he asked .

" by whom I was received into his own house , " I answered .

" did you ever meet a man of the name of Hoseason ? " asked Mr Rankeillor .

" you say you were shipwrecked , " said Rankeillor ; " where was that ? "

" off the south end of the Isle of Mull , " said I .

" the name of the isle on which I was cast up is the Island Earraid . "

" ah ! " says he , smiling , " you are deeper than me in the geography .

but so far , I may tell you , this agrees pretty exactly with other informations that I hold .

but you say you were kidnapped ; in what sense ? "

" in the plain meaning of the word , sir , " said I .

I was destined for the plantations ; a fate that , in God 's providence , I have escaped . "

here is a considerable hiatus , Mr Balfour , of near upon two months .

" this is to argue in a circle , " said the lawyer .

" I cannot be convinced till I have heard you .

I cannot be your friend till I am properly informed .

if you were more trustful , it would better befit your time of life .

and you know , Mr Balfour , we have a proverb in the country that evil-doers are aye evil-dreaders . "

all this while I had been gaining ground with Mr Rankeillor , and in proportion as I gained ground , gaining confidence .

but at this sally , which I made with something of a smile myself , he fairly laughed aloud .

" no , no , " said he , " it is not so bad as that .

Fui , non sum .

on the very day of your sea disaster , Mr Campbell stalked into my office , demanding you from all the winds .

further interrogated where you now were , protested ignorance , but believed you were in Leyden .

that is a close sum of his replies .

we were then at a full stand ; for whatever shrewd suspicions we might entertain , we had no shadow of probation .

" sir , " said I , " if I tell you my story , I must commit a friend 's life to your discretion .

he passed me his word very seriously .

even strange outlandish Gaelic names , heard for that time only , he remembered and would remind me of , years after .

yet when I called Alan Breck in full , we had an odd scene .

" not at all , " said Mr Rankeillor .

" I am somewhat dull of hearing , as you may have remarked ; and I am far from sure I caught the name exactly .

we will call your friend , if you please , Mr Thomson that there may be no reflections .

and in future , I would take some such way with any Highlander that you may have to mention dead or alive . "

this Mr Thomson seems to me a gentleman of some choice qualities , though perhaps a trifle bloody-minded .

but you are doubtless quite right to adhere to him ; indubitably , he adhered to you .

as he thus moralised on my adventures , he looked upon me with so much humour and benignity that I could scarce contain my satisfaction .

even as I thought so , my eye fell on my unseemly tatters , and I was once more plunged in confusion .

but the lawyer saw and understood me .

CHAPTER XXVIII

I GO IN QUEST OF MY INHERITANCE

and yet I was ashamed of the change too , and , above all , of the borrowed clothes .

when I had done , Mr Rankeillor caught me on the stair , made me his compliments , and had me again into the cabinet .

you will be wondering , no doubt , about your father and your uncle ?

to be sure it is a singular tale ; and the explanation is one that I blush to have to offer you .

for , " says he , really with embarrassment , " the matter hinges on a love affair . "

" truly , " said I , " I cannot very well join that notion with my uncle . "

" it sounds like a dream , " said I .

" ay , ay , " said the lawyer , " that is how it is with youth and age .

nor was that all , but he had a spirit of his own that seemed to promise great things in the future .

in @number@ what must he do but run away to join the rebels ?

however , majora canamus the two lads fell in love , and that with the same lady .

that was in August ; dear me ! the same year I came from college .

the scene must have been highly farcical . "

I thought myself it was a silly business , but I could not forget my father had a hand in it .

" surely , sir , it had some note of tragedy , " said I .

" why , no , sir , not at all , " returned the lawyer .

the one man took the lady , the other the estate .

and I might add ( if it was a matter I cared much about ) what a time for Mr Ebenezer ! "

" and yet that is certainly the strangest part of all , " said I , " that a man 's nature should thus change . "

" true , " said Mr Rankeillor .

" and yet I imagine it was natural enough .

he could not think that he had played a handsome part .

money was all he got by his bargain ; well , he came to think the more of money .

" well , sir , " said I , " and in all this , what is my position ? "

" the estate is yours beyond a doubt , " replied the lawyer .

" it matters nothing what your father signed , you are the heir of entail .

but your uncle is a man to fight the indefensible ; and it would be likely your identity that he would call in question .

the kidnapping , to be sure , would be a court card upon our side , if we could only prove it .

in the meantime ( thinking to myself ) I began to see the outlines of that scheme on which we afterwards acted .

" the great affair , " I asked , " is to bring home to him the kidnapping ? "

" surely , " said Mr Rankeillor , " and if possible , out of court .

which ( from what you have let fall ) I cannot think to be desirable . "

" well , sir , " said I , " here is my way of it . "

and I opened my plot to him .

" but this would seem to involve my meeting the man Thomson ? " says he , when I had done .

" I think so , indeed , sir , " said I .

" dear doctor ! " cries he , rubbing his brow .

" dear doctor !

no , Mr David , I am afraid your scheme is inadmissible .

now I put it to you : is it wise to meet ?

he may have matters to his charge .

he may not have told you all .

" you must be the judge , sir , " said I .

" what , sir , " cried I , as soon as the clerk was gone , " are you to venture it ? "

" why , so it would appear , " says he , filling his glass .

" but let us speak no more of business .

and thereupon he laughed heartily .

all these , and the brig herself , I had outlived ; and come through these hardships and fearful perils without scath .

" why , " he cries , " if this be not a farcical adventure !

after all that I said , I have forgot my glasses ! "

it is not a thing ( mark ye ) that any one could do , but takes a gentleman of penetration .

but it sticks in my head your lawyer-man will be somewhat wearying to see me , " says Alan .

accordingly I cried and waved on Mr Rankeillor , who came up alone and was presented to my friend , Mr Thomson .

" Mr. Thomson , I am pleased to meet you , " said he .

this he said , thinking that Alan would be pleased ; but the Highlandman 's vanity was ready to startle at a less matter than that .

but I accept your apology , which was a very proper one to make . "

" and that is more than I could look for , Mr Thomson , " said Rankeillor , heartily .

only let me remind you , it 's quite needless he should hear more of your adventures or those of ahem Mr Thomson . "

accordingly these two went on ahead in very close talk , and Torrance and I brought up the rear .

night was quite come when we came in view of the house of Shaws .

it seemed my uncle was already in bed , which was indeed the best thing for our arrangements .

CHAPTER XXIX

I COME INTO MY KINGDOM

for some time Alan volleyed upon the door , and his knocking only roused the echoes of the house and neighbourhood .

for all that , he studied his visitor awhile in silence , and when he spoke his voice had a quaver of misgiving .

" what 's this ? " says he .

" this is nae kind of time of night for decent folk ; and I hae nae trokings wi ' night-hawks .

what brings ye here ?

I have a blunderbush . "

dealings .

" is that yoursel ' , Mr Balfour ? " returned Alan , stepping back and looking up into the darkness .

" have a care of that blunderbuss ; they 're nasty things to burst . "

" what brings ye here ? and whae are ye ? " says my uncle , angrily .

" and what is't ? " asked my uncle .

" David , " says Alan .

" what was that ? " cried my uncle , in a mighty changed voice .

" shall I give ye the rest of the name , then ? " said Alan .

there was a pause ; and then , " I 'm thinking I 'll better let ye in , " says my uncle , doubtfully .

" I dare say that , " said Alan ; " but the point is , Would I go ?

now I will tell you what I am thinking .

" and a very civil speech , " says Alan , " to be sure . "

and now that we understand each other , ye 'll can name your business . "

for my friends , " added Alan , simply , " are no very well off . "

my uncle cleared his throat .

" I 'm no very caring , " says he .

" he wasnae a good lad at the best of it , and I 've nae call to interfere . "

" Na , " said my uncle , " it 's the mere truth .

" hoot , sir , " says Alan .

" blood 's thicker than water , in the deil's name !

no by me , onyway ; nor yet by you or your friends .

so that 's idle talk , my buckie , " says he .

" then it 'll have to be David that tells it , " said Alan .

" how that ? " says my uncle , sharply .

" ou , just this way , " says Alan .

" ay , but I 'm no very caring about that either , " said my uncle .

" I wouldnae be muckle made up with that . "

" I was thinking that , " said Alan .

" and what for why ? " asked Ebenezer .

" I dinnae follow ye there , " said my uncle .

" no ? " said Alan .

my uncle made no answer , but shifted uneasily on his seat .

" come , sir , " cried Alan .

" eh , man , " cried my uncle , scrambling to his feet , " give me a meenit !

what 's like wrong with ye ?

I 'm just a plain man and nae dancing master ; and I 'm tryin to be as ceevil as it 's morally possible .

as for that wild talk , it 's fair disrepitable .

Vitals , says you !

and where would I be with my blunderbush ? " he snarled .

" before your jottering finger could find the trigger , the hilt would dirl on your breast-bane . "

" eh , man , whae 's denying it ? " said my uncle .

" pit it as ye please , hae't your ain way ; I 'll do naething to cross ye .

just tell me what like ye 'll be wanting , and ye 'll see that we 'll can agree fine . "

" Troth , sir , " said Alan , " I ask for nothing but plain dealing .

In two words : do ye want the lad killed or kept ? "

" O , sirs ! " cried Ebenezer .

" O , sirs , me ! that 's no kind of language ! "

" killed or kept ! " repeated Alan .

" O , keepit , keepit ! " wailed my uncle .

" we 'll have nae bloodshed , if you please . "

" well , " says Alan , " as ye please ; that 'll be the dearer . "

" the dearer ? " cries Ebenezer .

" would ye fyle your hands wi ' crime ? "

" hoot ! " said Alan , " they 're baith crime , whatever !

and the killing 's easier , and quicker , and surer .

keeping the lad 'll be a fashious job , a fashious , kittle business . "

Troublesome .

" I 'll have him keepit , though , " returned my uncle .

" I never had naething to do with onything morally wrong ; and I 'm no gaun to begin to pleasure a wild Hielandman . "

" ye 're unco scrupulous , " sneered Alan .

and besides , " says he , " ye forget the lad 's my brother 's son . "

" well , well , " said Alan , " and now about the price .

it 's no very easy for me to set a name upon it ; I would first have to ken some small matters .

I would have to ken , for instance , what ye gave Hoseason at the first off-go ? "

" Hoseason ! " cries my uncle , struck aback .

" what for ? "

" for kidnapping David , " says Alan .

" it 's a lee , it 's a black lee ! " cried my uncle .

" he was never kidnapped .

he leed in his throat that tauld ye that .

kidnapped ?

he never was ! "

" what do ye mean ? " cried Ebenezer .

" did Hoseason tell ye ? "

" why , ye donnered auld runt , how else would I ken ? " cried Alan .

" Hoseason and me are partners ; we gang shares ; so ye can see for yoursel ' what good ye can do leeing .

and I must plainly say ye drove a fool 's bargain when ye let a man like the sailor-man so far forward in your private matters .

but that 's past praying for ; and ye must lie on your bed the way ye made it .

and the point in hand is just this : what did ye pay him ? "

" has he tauld ye himsel ' ? " asked my uncle .

" that 's my concern , " said Alan .

" thank you , Mr Thomson .

and , " Good-evening , Uncle Ebenezer , " said I .

and , " it 's a braw nicht , Mr Balfour , " added Torrance .

do I understand your name to be James ? or Charles ? or is it George , perhaps ? "

this was just the stab that Alan would feel keenest , and I am free to confess he took it very ill .

CHAPTER XXX

GOOD-BYE

about my clear duty to my friend , the lawyer had no doubt .

I must help him out of the county at whatever risk ; but in the case of James , he was of a different mind .

" Mr Thomson , " says he , " is one thing , Mr Thomson 's kinsman quite another .

the D. of A. is doubtless an excellent nobleman ; but , Mr David , timeo qui nocuere deos .

there , you would be in the same pickle as Mr Thomson 's kinsman .

you will object that you are innocent ; well , but so is he .

the Duke of Argyle .

" in that case , sir , " said I , " I would just have to be hanged would I not ? "

" my dear boy , " cries he , " go in God 's name , and do what you think is right .

go and do your duty ; and be hanged , if you must , like a gentleman .

there are worse things in the world than to be hanged . "

" not many , sir , " said I , smiling .

" why , yes , sir , " he cried , " very many .

" this , " says he , " is to my bankers , the British Linen Company , placing a credit to your name .

consult Mr Thomson , he will know of ways ; and you , with this credit , can supply the means .

I would not trouble him , if I were you , with any particulars ; and ( do you know ? )

I think it would be needless to refer to Mr Thomson .

as we went by the footpath and beside the gateposts and the unfinished lodge , we kept looking back at the house of my fathers .

I had little welcome when I came , and less kindness while I stayed ; but at least I was watched as I went away .

Alan and I went slowly forward upon our way , having little heart either to walk or speak .

" well , good-bye , " said Alan , and held out his left hand .

" good-bye , " said I , and gave the hand a little grasp , and went off down hill .

it was coming near noon when I passed in by the West Kirk and the Grassmarket into the streets of the capital .

the hand of Providence brought me in my drifting to the very doors of the British Linen Company 's bank .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Kidnapped , by Robert Louis Stevenson

produced by David Widger and Charles Keller

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Table of Contents

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

CHAPTER I . Mrs Rachel Lynde is Surprised

she was sitting there one afternoon in early June .

Peter had asked him , of course , for Matthew Cuthbert had never been known to volunteer information about anything in his whole life .

now , where was Matthew Cuthbert going and why was he going there ?

Matthew , dressed up with a white collar and driving in a buggy , was something that didn't happen often .

Mrs Rachel , ponder as she might , could make nothing of it and her afternoon 's enjoyment was spoiled .

yet something must have happened since last night to start him off .

to be sure , the long lane made it a good deal further .

Mrs Rachel Lynde did not call living in such a place living at all .

" it 's just staying , that 's what , " she said as she stepped along the deep-rutted , grassy lane bordered with wild rose bushes .

" it 's no wonder Matthew and Marilla are both a little odd , living away back here by themselves .

trees aren't much company , though dear knows if they were there 'd be enough of them .

I 'd ruther look at people .

to be sure , they seem contented enough ; but then , I suppose , they 're used to it .

a body can get used to anything , even to being hanged , as the Irishman said . "

with this Mrs Rachel stepped out of the lane into the backyard of Green Gables .

very green and neat and precise was that yard , set about on one side with great patriarchal willows and the other with prim Lombardies .

not a stray stick nor stone was to be seen , for Mrs Rachel would have seen it if there had been .

privately she was of the opinion that Marilla Cuthbert swept that yard over as often as she swept her house .

one could have eaten a meal off the ground without over-brimming the proverbial peck of dirt .

Mrs Rachel rapped smartly at the kitchen door and stepped in when bidden to do so .

Mrs Rachel , before she had fairly closed the door , had taken a mental note of everything that was on that table .

yet what of Matthew 's white collar and the sorrel mare ?

Mrs Rachel was getting fairly dizzy with this unusual mystery about quiet , unmysterious Green Gables .

" good evening , Rachel , " Marilla said briskly .

" this is a real fine evening , isn't it ?

won't you sit down ?

how are all your folks ? "

" we 're all pretty well , " said Mrs Rachel .

" I was kind of afraid you weren't , though , when I saw Matthew starting off today .

I thought maybe he was going to the doctor 's . "

Marilla 's lips twitched understandingly .

" oh , no , I 'm quite well although I had a bad headache yesterday , " she said .

" Matthew went to Bright River .

we 're getting a little boy from an orphan asylum in Nova Scotia and he 's coming on the train tonight . "

if Marilla had said that Matthew had gone to Bright River to meet a kangaroo from Australia Mrs Rachel could not have been more astonished .

she was actually stricken dumb for five seconds .

it was unsupposable that Marilla was making fun of her , but Mrs Rachel was almost forced to suppose it .

" are you in earnest , Marilla ? " she demanded when voice returned to her .

Mrs Rachel felt that she had received a severe mental jolt .

she thought in exclamation points .

a boy !

Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert of all people adopting a boy !

from an orphan asylum !

well , the world was certainly turning upside down !

she would be surprised at nothing after this !

nothing !

" what on earth put such a notion into your head ? " she demanded disapprovingly .

this had been done without her advice being asked , and must perforce be disapproved .

" well , we 've been thinking about it for some time all winter in fact , " returned Marilla .

her cousin lives there and Mrs Spencer has visited here and knows all about it .

so Matthew and I have talked it over off and on ever since .

we thought we 'd get a boy .

Matthew is getting up in years , you know he 's sixty and he isn't so spry as he once was .

his heart troubles him a good deal .

and you know how desperate hard it 's got to be to get hired help .

at first Matthew suggested getting a Home boy .

but I said ' no ' flat to that .

' They may be all right I 'm not saying they 're not but no London street Arabs for me , ' I said .

' Give me a native born at least .

There'll be a risk , no matter who we get .

but I 'll feel easier in my mind and sleep sounder at nights if we get a born Canadian . '

so in the end we decided to ask Mrs Spencer to pick us out one when she went over to get her little girl .

we mean to give him a good home and schooling .

we had a telegram from Mrs Alexander Spencer today the mail-man brought it from the station saying they were coming on the five-thirty train tonight .

so Matthew went to Bright River to meet him .

Mrs Spencer will drop him off there .

of course she goes on to White Sands station herself . "

" well , Marilla , I 'll just tell you plain that I think you 're doing a mighty foolish thing a risky thing , that's what .

you don't know what you 're getting .

and I know another case where an adopted boy used to suck the eggs they couldn't break him of it .

this Job 's comforting seemed neither to offend nor to alarm Marilla .

she knitted steadily on .

" I don't deny there 's something in what you say , Rachel .

I 've had some qualms myself .

but Matthew was terrible set on it .

I could see that , so I gave in .

it 's so seldom Matthew sets his mind on anything that when he does I always feel it 's my duty to give in .

and as for the risk , there 's risks in pretty near everything a body does in this world .

there 's risks in people 's having children of their own if it comes to that they don't always turn out well .

and then Nova Scotia is right close to the Island .

it isn't as if we were getting him from England or the States .

he can't be much different from ourselves . "

" well , I hope it will turn out all right , " said Mrs Rachel in a tone that plainly indicated her painful doubts .

only , it was a girl in that instance . "

" I 'd never dream of taking a girl to bring up .

I wonder at Mrs Alexander Spencer for doing it .

but there , she wouldn't shrink from adopting a whole orphan asylum if she took it into her head . "

Mrs Rachel would have liked to stay until Matthew came home with his imported orphan .

it would certainly make a sensation second to none , and Mrs Rachel dearly loved to make a sensation .

" well , of all things that ever were or will be ! " ejaculated Mrs Rachel when she was safely out in the lane .

" it does really seem as if I must be dreaming .

well , I 'm sorry for that poor young one and no mistake .

I wouldn't be in that orphan 's shoes for anything .

my , but I pity him , that's what . "

CHAPTER II .

Matthew Cuthbert is surprised

|MATTHEW Cuthbert and the sorrel mare jogged comfortably over the eight miles to Bright River .

" the little birds sang as if it were The one day of summer in all the year . "

Matthew dreaded all women except Marilla and Mrs Rachel ; he had an uncomfortable feeling that the mysterious creatures were secretly laughing at him .

in fact , he had looked at twenty very much as he looked at sixty , lacking a little of the grayness .

Matthew , barely noting that it was a girl , sidled past her as quickly as possible without looking at her .

had he looked he could hardly have failed to notice the tense rigidity and expectation of her attitude and expression .

" the five-thirty train has been in and gone half an hour ago , " answered that brisk official .

" but there was a passenger dropped off for you a little girl .

she 's sitting out there on the shingles .

I asked her to go into the ladies ' waiting room , but she informed me gravely that she preferred to stay outside .

' There was more scope for imagination , ' she said .

she 's a case , I should say . "

" I 'm not expecting a girl , " said Matthew blankly .

" it 's a boy I 've come for .

he should be here .

Mrs Alexander Spencer was to bring him over from Nova Scotia for me . "

the stationmaster whistled .

" guess there 's some mistake , " he said .

" Mrs Spencer came off the train with that girl and gave her into my charge .

said you and your sister were adopting her from an orphan asylum and that you would be along for her presently .

that 's all I know about it and I haven't got any more orphans concealed hereabouts . "

" I don't understand , " said Matthew helplessly , wishing that Marilla was at hand to cope with the situation .

" well , you 'd better question the girl , " said the station-master carelessly .

" I dare say she 'll be able to explain she 's got a tongue of her own , that 's certain .

maybe they were out of boys of the brand you wanted . "

Matthew groaned in spirit as he turned about and shuffled gently down the platform towards her .

she had been watching him ever since he had passed her and she had her eyes on him now .

" I suppose you are Mr Matthew Cuthbert of Green Gables ? " she said in a peculiarly clear , sweet voice .

" I 'm very glad to see you .

I was beginning to be afraid you weren't coming for me and I was imagining all the things that might have happened to prevent you .

you could imagine you were dwelling in marble halls , couldn't you ?

and I was quite sure you would come for me in the morning , if you didn't to-night . "

Matthew had taken the scrawny little hand awkwardly in his ; then and there he decided what to do .

" I 'm sorry I was late , " he said shyly .

" come along .

the horse is over in the yard .

give me your bag . "

" oh , I can carry it , " the child responded cheerfully .

" it isn't heavy .

I 've got all my worldly goods in it , but it isn't heavy .

it 's an extremely old carpet-bag .

oh , I 'm very glad you 've come , even if it would have been nice to sleep in a wild cherry-tree .

we 've got to drive a long piece , haven't we ?

Mrs Spencer said it was eight miles .

I 'm glad because I love driving .

oh , it seems so wonderful that I 'm going to live with you and belong to you .

I 've never belonged to anybody not really .

but the asylum was the worst .

I 've only been in it four months , but that was enough .

I don't suppose you ever were an orphan in an asylum , so you can't possibly understand what it is like .

it 's worse than anything you could imagine .

Mrs Spencer said it was wicked of me to talk like that , but I didn't mean to be wicked .

it 's so easy to be wicked without knowing it , isn't it ?

they were good , you know the asylum people .

but there is so little scope for the imagination in an asylum only just in the other orphans .

I used to lie awake at nights and imagine things like that , because I didn't have time in the day .

I guess that 's why I 'm so thin I am dreadful thin , ain't I ?

there isn't a pick on my bones .

I do love to imagine I 'm nice and plump , with dimples in my elbows . "

with this Matthew 's companion stopped talking , partly because she was out of breath and partly because they had reached the buggy .

the child put out her hand and broke off a branch of wild plum that brushed against the side of the buggy .

" isn't that beautiful ?

what did that tree , leaning out from the bank , all white and lacy , make you think of ? " she asked .

" well now , I dunno , " said Matthew .

" why , a bride , of course a bride all in white with a lovely misty veil .

I 've never seen one , but I can imagine what she would look like .

I don't ever expect to be a bride myself .

I 'm so homely nobody will ever want to marry me unless it might be a foreign missionary .

I suppose a foreign missionary mightn't be very particular .

but I do hope that some day I shall have a white dress .

that is my highest ideal of earthly bliss .

I just love pretty clothes .

and then I can imagine that I 'm dressed gorgeously .

this morning when I left the asylum I felt so ashamed because I had to wear this horrid old wincey dress .

all the orphans had to wear them , you know .

a merchant in Hopeton last winter donated three hundred yards of wincey to the asylum .

when we got on the train I felt as if everybody must be looking at me and pitying me .

I felt cheered up right away and I enjoyed my trip to the Island with all my might .

I wasn't a bit sick coming over in the boat .

neither was Mrs Spencer although she generally is .

she said she hadn't time to get sick , watching to see that I didn't fall overboard .

she said she never saw the beat of me for prowling about .

but if it kept her from being seasick it 's a mercy I did prowl , isn't it ?

and I wanted to see everything that was to be seen on that boat , because I didn't know whether I 'd ever have another opportunity .

oh , there are a lot more cherry-trees all in bloom !

this Island is the bloomiest place .

I just love it already , and I 'm so glad I 'm going to live here .

it 's delightful when your imaginations come true , isn't it ?

but those red roads are so funny .

she said I must have asked her a thousand already .

I suppose I had , too , but how you going to find out about things if you don't ask questions ?

and what does make the roads red ? "

" well now , I dunno , " said Matthew .

" well , that is one of the things to find out sometime .

isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about ?

it just makes me feel glad to be alive it 's such an interesting world .

it wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything , would it ?

There'd be no scope for imagination then , would there ?

but am I talking too much ?

people are always telling me I do .

would you rather I didn't talk ?

if you say so I 'll stop .

I can stop when I make up my mind to it , although it 's difficult . "

Matthew , much to his own surprise , was enjoying himself .

but he had never expected to enjoy the society of a little girl .

women were bad enough in all conscience , but little girls were worse .

that was the Avonlea type of well-bred little girl .

so he said as shyly as usual :

" oh , you can talk as much as you like .

I don't mind . "

" oh , I 'm so glad .

I know you and I are going to get along together fine .

it 's such a relief to talk when one wants to and not be told that children should be seen and not heard .

I 've had that said to me a million times if I have once .

and people laugh at me because I use big words .

but if you have big ideas you have to use big words to express them , haven't you ? "

" well now , that seems reasonable , " said Matthew .

" Mrs Spencer said that my tongue must be hung in the middle .

but it isn't it 's firmly fastened at one end .

Mrs Spencer said your place was named Green Gables .

I asked her all about it .

and she said there were trees all around it .

I was gladder than ever .

I just love trees .

they just looked like orphans themselves , those trees did .

it used to make me want to cry to look at them .

I used to say to them , ' Oh , you poor little things !

but you can't where you are .

I know just exactly how you feel , little trees . '

I felt sorry to leave them behind this morning .

you do get so attached to things like that , don't you ?

is there a brook anywhere near Green Gables ?

I forgot to ask Mrs Spencer that . "

" well now , yes , there 's one right below the house . "

" fancy .

it 's always been one of my dreams to live near a brook .

I never expected I would , though .

dreams don't often come true , do they ?

wouldn't it be nice if they did ?

but just now I feel pretty nearly perfectly happy .

I can't feel exactly perfectly happy because well , what color would you call this ? "

she twitched one of her long glossy braids over her thin shoulder and held it up before Matthew 's eyes .

Matthew was not used to deciding on the tints of ladies ' tresses , but in this case there couldn't be much doubt .

" it 's red , ain't it ? " he said .

" yes , it 's red , " she said resignedly .

" now you see why I can't be perfectly happy .

nobody could who has red hair .

I don't mind the other things so much the freckles and the green eyes and my skinniness .

I can imagine them away .

I can imagine that I have a beautiful rose-leaf complexion and lovely starry violet eyes .

but I cannot imagine that red hair away .

I do my best .

I think to myself , ' Now my hair is a glorious black , black as the raven 's wing . '

but all the time I know it is just plain red and it breaks my heart .

it will be my lifelong sorrow .

I read of a girl once in a novel who had a lifelong sorrow but it wasn't red hair .

her hair was pure gold rippling back from her alabaster brow .

what is an alabaster brow ?

I never could find out .

can you tell me ? "

" well now , I 'm afraid I can't , " said Matthew , who was getting a little dizzy .

he felt as he had once felt in his rash youth when another boy had enticed him on the merry-go-round at a picnic .

" well , whatever it was it must have been something nice because she was divinely beautiful .

have you ever imagined what it must feel like to be divinely beautiful ? "

" well now , no , I haven't , " confessed Matthew ingenuously .

" I have , often .

which would you rather be if you had the choice divinely beautiful or dazzlingly clever or angelically good ? "

" well now , I I don't know exactly . "

" neither do I . I can never decide .

but it doesn't make much real difference for it isn't likely I 'll ever be either .

it 's certain I 'll never be angelically good .

Mrs Spencer says oh , Mr Cuthbert !

oh , Mr Cuthbert ! !

oh , Mr Cuthbert ! ! ! "

that was not what Mrs Spencer had said ; neither had the child tumbled out of the buggy nor had Matthew done anything astonishing .

they had simply rounded a curve in the road and found themselves in the " avenue . "

Overhead was one long canopy of snowy fragrant bloom .

its beauty seemed to strike the child dumb .

she leaned back in the buggy , her thin hands clasped before her , her face lifted rapturously to the white splendor above .

even when they had passed out and were driving down the long slope to Newbridge she never moved or spoke .

still with rapt face she gazed afar into the sunset west , with eyes that saw visions trooping splendidly across that glowing background .

when three more miles had dropped away behind them the child had not spoken .

she could keep silence , it was evident , as energetically as she could talk .

" but we haven't very far to go now only another mile . "

" oh , Mr Cuthbert , " she whispered , " that place we came through that white place what was it ? "

" well now , you must mean the Avenue , " said Matthew after a few moments ' profound reflection .

" it is a kind of pretty place . "

" Pretty ?

oh , pretty doesn't seem the right word to use .

nor beautiful , either .

they don't go far enough .

oh , it was wonderful wonderful .

it 's the first thing I ever saw that couldn't be improved upon by imagination .

did you ever have an ache like that , Mr Cuthbert ? "

" well now , I just can't recollect that I ever had . "

" I have it lots of time whenever I see anything royally beautiful .

but they shouldn't call that lovely place the Avenue .

there is no meaning in a name like that .

they should call it let me see the White Way of Delight .

isn't that a nice imaginative name ?

when I don't like the name of a place or a person I always imagine a new one and always think of them so .

there was a girl at the asylum whose name was Hepzibah Jenkins , but I always imagined her as Rosalia DeVere .

other people may call that place the Avenue , but I shall always call it the White Way of Delight .

have we really only another mile to go before we get home ?

I 'm glad and I 'm sorry .

I 'm sorry because this drive has been so pleasant and I 'm always sorry when pleasant things end .

something still pleasanter may come after , but you can never be sure .

and it 's so often the case that it isn't pleasanter .

that has been my experience anyhow .

but I 'm glad to think of getting home .

you see , I 've never had a real home since I can remember .

it gives me that pleasant ache again just to think of coming to a really truly home .

oh , isn't that pretty ! "

they had driven over the crest of a hill .

below them was a pond , looking almost like a river so long and winding was it .

above the bridge the pond ran up into fringing groves of fir and maple and lay all darkly translucent in their wavering shadows .

here and there a wild plum leaned out from the bank like a white-clad girl tip-toeing to her own reflection .

from the marsh at the head of the pond came the clear , mournfully-sweet chorus of the frogs .

" that 's Barry 's pond , " said Matthew .

" oh , I don't like that name , either .

I shall call it let me see the Lake of Shining Waters .

yes , that is the right name for it .

I know because of the thrill .

when I hit on a name that suits exactly it gives me a thrill .

do things ever give you a thrill ? "

Matthew ruminated .

" well now , yes .

it always kind of gives me a thrill to see them ugly white grubs that spade up in the cucumber beds .

I hate the look of them . "

" oh , I don't think that can be exactly the same kind of a thrill .

do you think it can ?

there doesn't seem to be much connection between grubs and lakes of shining waters , does there ?

but why do other people call it Barry 's pond ? "

" I reckon because Mr Barry lives up there in that house .

Orchard Slope 's the name of his place .

if it wasn't for that big bush behind it you could see Green Gables from here .

but we have to go over the bridge and round by the road , so it 's near half a mile further . "

" has Mr Barry any little girls ?

well , not so very little either about my size . "

" he 's got one about eleven .

her name is Diana . "

" oh ! " with a long indrawing of breath .

" what a perfectly lovely name ! "

" well now , I dunno .

there 's something dreadful heathenish about it , seems to me .

I 'd ruther Jane or Mary or some sensible name like that .

but when Diana was born there was a schoolmaster boarding there and they gave him the naming of her and he called her Diana . "

" I wish there had been a schoolmaster like that around when I was born , then .

oh , here we are at the bridge .

I 'm going to shut my eyes tight .

I 'm always afraid going over bridges .

I can't help imagining that perhaps just as we get to the middle , they 'll crumple up like a jack-knife and nip us .

so I shut my eyes .

but I always have to open them for all when I think we 're getting near the middle .

because , you see , if the bridge did crumple up I 'd want to see it crumple .

what a jolly rumble it makes !

I always like the rumble part of it .

isn't it splendid there are so many things to like in this world ?

there we 're over .

now I 'll look back .

good night , dear Lake of Shining Waters .

I always say good night to the things I love , just as I would to people .

I think they like it .

that water looks as if it was smiling at me . "

when they had driven up the further hill and around a corner Matthew said :

" we 're pretty near home now .

that 's Green Gables over "

" let me guess .

I 'm sure I 'll guess right . "

she opened her eyes and looked about her .

they were on the crest of a hill .

the sun had set some time since , but the landscape was still clear in the mellow afterlight .

to the west a dark church spire rose up against a marigold sky .

below was a little valley and beyond a long , gently-rising slope with snug farmsteads scattered along it .

from one to another the child 's eyes darted , eager and wistful .

over it , in the stainless southwest sky , a great crystal-white star was shining like a lamp of guidance and promise .

" that 's it , isn't it ? " she said , pointing .

Matthew slapped the reins on the sorrel 's back delightedly .

" well now , you 've guessed it !

but I reckon Mrs Spencer described it so 's you could tell . "

" no , she didn't really she didn't .

all she said might just as well have been about most of those other places .

I hadn't any real idea what it looked like .

but just as soon as I saw it I felt it was home .

oh , it seems as if I must be in a dream .

do you know , my arm must be black and blue from the elbow up , for I 've pinched myself so many times today .

every little while a horrible sickening feeling would come over me and I 'd be so afraid it was all a dream .

but it is real and we 're nearly home . "

with a sigh of rapture she relapsed into silence .

Matthew stirred uneasily .

by the time they arrived at the house Matthew was shrinking from the approaching revelation with an energy he did not understand .

the yard was quite dark as they turned into it and the poplar leaves were rustling silkily all round it .

" listen to the trees talking in their sleep , " she whispered , as he lifted her to the ground .

" what nice dreams they must have ! "

then , holding tightly to the carpet-bag which contained " all her worldly goods , " she followed him into the house .

CHAPTER III .

Marilla Cuthbert is Surprised

|MARILLA came briskly forward as Matthew opened the door .

" Matthew Cuthbert , who 's that ? " she ejaculated .

" where is the boy ? "

" there wasn't any boy , " said Matthew wretchedly .

" there was only her . "

he nodded at the child , remembering that he had never even asked her name .

" no boy !

but there must have been a boy , " insisted Marilla .

" we sent word to Mrs Spencer to bring a boy . "

" well , she didn't .

she brought her .

I asked the station-master .

and I had to bring her home .

she couldn't be left there , no matter where the mistake had come in . "

" well , this is a pretty piece of business ! " ejaculated Marilla .

suddenly she seemed to grasp the full meaning of what had been said .

dropping her precious carpet-bag she sprang forward a step and clasped her hands .

" you don't want me ! " she cried .

" you don't want me because I 'm not a boy !

I might have expected it .

nobody ever did want me .

I might have known it was all too beautiful to last .

I might have known nobody really did want me .

oh , what shall I do ?

I 'm going to burst into tears ! "

burst into tears she did .

Marilla and Matthew looked at each other deprecatingly across the stove .

neither of them knew what to say or do .

finally Marilla stepped lamely into the breach .

" well , well , there 's no need to cry so about it . "

" yes , there is need ! "

the child raised her head quickly , revealing a tear-stained face and trembling lips .

oh , this is the most tragical thing that ever happened to me ! "

something like a reluctant smile , rather rusty from long disuse , mellowed Marilla 's grim expression .

" well , don't cry any more .

we 're not going to turn you out-of-doors to-night .

you 'll have to stay here until we investigate this affair .

what 's your name ? "

the child hesitated for a moment .

" will you please call me Cordelia ? " she said eagerly .

" call you Cordelia ?

is that your name ? "

" No-o-o , it 's not exactly my name , but I would love to be called Cordelia .

it 's such a perfectly elegant name . "

" I don't know what on earth you mean .

if Cordelia isn't your name , what is ? "

" Anne Shirley , " reluctantly faltered forth the owner of that name , " but , oh , please do call me Cordelia .

it can't matter much to you what you call me if I 'm only going to be here a little while , can it ?

and Anne is such an unromantic name . "

" Unromantic fiddlesticks ! " said the unsympathetic Marilla .

" Anne is a real good plain sensible name .

you 've no need to be ashamed of it . "

" oh , I 'm not ashamed of it , " explained Anne , " only I like Cordelia better .

I 've always imagined that my name was Cordelia at least , I always have of late years .

when I was young I used to imagine it was Geraldine , but I like Cordelia better now .

but if you call me Anne please call me Anne spelled with an E . "

" what difference does it make how it 's spelled ? " asked Marilla with another rusty smile as she picked up the teapot .

" oh , it makes such a difference .

it looks so much nicer .

when you hear a name pronounced can't you always see it in your mind , just as if it was printed out ?

I can ; and A-n-n looks dreadful , but A-n-n-e looks so much more distinguished .

if you 'll only call me Anne spelled with an E I shall try to reconcile myself to not being called Cordelia . "

" very well , then , Anne spelled with an E , can you tell us how this mistake came to be made ?

we sent word to Mrs Spencer to bring us a boy .

were there no boys at the asylum ? "

" oh , yes , there was an abundance of them .

but Mrs Spencer said distinctly that you wanted a girl about eleven years old .

and the matron said she thought I would do .

you don't know how delighted I was .

I couldn't sleep all last night for joy .

if I hadn't seen the White Way of Delight and the Lake of Shining Waters it wouldn't be so hard . "

" what on earth does she mean ? " demanded Marilla , staring at Matthew .

" she she 's just referring to some conversation we had on the road , " said Matthew hastily .

" I 'm going out to put the mare in , Marilla .

have tea ready when I come back . "

" did Mrs Spencer bring anybody over besides you ? " continued Marilla when Matthew had gone out .

" she brought Lily Jones for herself .

Lily is only five years old and she is very beautiful and had nut-brown hair .

if I was very beautiful and had nut-brown hair would you keep me ? "

" no .

we want a boy to help Matthew on the farm .

a girl would be of no use to us .

take off your hat .

I 'll lay it and your bag on the hall table . "

Anne took off her hat meekly .

Matthew came back presently and they sat down to supper .

but Anne could not eat .

in vain she nibbled at the bread and butter and pecked at the crab-apple preserve out of the little scalloped glass dish by her plate .

she did not really make any headway at all .

" you 're not eating anything , " said Marilla sharply , eying her as if it were a serious shortcoming .

Anne sighed .

" I can't .

I 'm in the depths of despair .

can you eat when you are in the depths of despair ? "

" I 've never been in the depths of despair , so I can't say , " responded Marilla .

" weren't you ?

well , did you ever try to imagine you were in the depths of despair ? "

" no , I didn't . "

" then I don't think you can understand what it 's like .

it 's a very uncomfortable feeling indeed .

I had one chocolate caramel once two years ago and it was simply delicious .

I do hope you won't be offended because I can't eat .

everything is extremely nice , but still I cannot eat . "

" I guess she 's tired , " said Matthew , who hadn't spoken since his return from the barn .

" best put her to bed , Marilla . "

Marilla had been wondering where Anne should be put to bed .

she had prepared a couch in the kitchen chamber for the desired and expected boy .

but , although it was neat and clean , it did not seem quite the thing to put a girl there somehow .

but the spare room was out of the question for such a stray waif , so there remained only the east gable room .

the hall was fearsomely clean ; the little gable chamber in which she presently found herself seemed still cleaner .

Marilla set the candle on a three-legged , three-cornered table and turned down the bedclothes .

" I suppose you have a nightgown ? " she questioned .

Anne nodded .

" yes , I have two .

the matron of the asylum made them for me .

they 're fearfully skimpy .

there is never enough to go around in an asylum , so things are always skimpy at least in a poor asylum like ours .

I hate skimpy night-dresses .

but one can dream just as well in them as in lovely trailing ones , with frills around the neck , that 's one consolation . "

" well , undress as quick as you can and go to bed .

I 'll come back in a few minutes for the candle .

I daren't trust you to put it out yourself .

you 'd likely set the place on fire . "

when Marilla had gone Anne looked around her wistfully .

the whitewashed walls were so painfully bare and staring that she thought they must ache over their own bareness .

the floor was bare , too , except for a round braided mat in the middle such as Anne had never seen before .

in one corner was the bed , a high , old-fashioned one , with four dark , low-turned posts .

above it hung a little six-by-eight mirror .

midway between table and bed was the window , with an icy white muslin frill over it , and opposite it was the wash-stand .

" good night , " she said , a little awkwardly , but not unkindly .

Anne 's white face and big eyes appeared over the bedclothes with a startling suddenness .

then she dived down into invisibility again .

Marilla went slowly down to the kitchen and proceeded to wash the supper dishes .

Matthew was smoking a sure sign of perturbation of mind .

" well , this is a pretty kettle of fish , " she said wrathfully .

" this is what comes of sending word instead of going ourselves .

Richard Spencer 's folks have twisted that message somehow .

one of us will have to drive over and see Mrs Spencer tomorrow , that 's certain .

this girl will have to be sent back to the asylum . "

" yes , I suppose so , " said Matthew reluctantly .

" you suppose so !

don't you know it ? "

" well now , she 's a real nice little thing , Marilla .

it 's kind of a pity to send her back when she 's so set on staying here . "

" Matthew Cuthbert , you don't mean to say you think we ought to keep her ! "

Marilla 's astonishment could not have been greater if Matthew had expressed a predilection for standing on his head .

" I suppose we could hardly be expected to keep her . "

" I should say not .

what good would she be to us ? "

" we might be some good to her , " said Matthew suddenly and unexpectedly .

" Matthew Cuthbert , I believe that child has bewitched you !

I can see as plain as plain that you want to keep her . "

" well now , she 's a real interesting little thing , " persisted Matthew .

" you should have heard her talk coming from the station . "

" oh , she can talk fast enough .

I saw that at once .

it 's nothing in her favour , either .

I don't like children who have so much to say .

I don't want an orphan girl and if I did she isn't the style I 'd pick out .

there 's something I don't understand about her .

no , she 's got to be despatched straight-way back to where she came from . "

" I could hire a French boy to help me , " said Matthew , " and she 'd be company for you . "

" I 'm not suffering for company , " said Marilla shortly .

" and I 'm not going to keep her . "

" well now , it 's just as you say , of course , Marilla , " said Matthew rising and putting his pipe away .

" I 'm going to bed . "

to bed went Matthew .

and to bed , when she had put her dishes away , went Marilla , frowning most resolutely .

and up-stairs , in the east gable , a lonely , heart-hungry , friendless child cried herself to sleep .

CHAPTER IV .

Morning at Green Gables

for a moment she could not remember where she was .

first came a delightful thrill , as something very pleasant ; then a horrible remembrance .

this was Green Gables and they didn't want her because she wasn't a boy !

but it was morning and , yes , it was a cherry-tree in full bloom outside of her window .

with a bound she was out of bed and across the floor .

Anne dropped on her knees and gazed out into the June morning , her eyes glistening with delight .

oh , wasn't it beautiful ?

wasn't it a lovely place ?

suppose she wasn't really going to stay here !

she would imagine she was .

there was scope for imagination here .

in the garden below were lilac-trees purple with flowers , and their dizzily sweet fragrance drifted up to the window on the morning wind .

Anne 's beauty-loving eyes lingered on it all , taking everything greedily in .

she knelt there , lost to everything but the loveliness around her , until she was startled by a hand on her shoulder .

Marilla had come in unheard by the small dreamer .

" it 's time you were dressed , " she said curtly .

Anne stood up and drew a long breath .

" oh , isn't it wonderful ? " she said , waving her hand comprehensively at the good world outside .

don't you feel as if you just loved the world on a morning like this ?

and I can hear the brook laughing all the way up here .

have you ever noticed what cheerful things brooks are ?

they 're always laughing .

even in winter-time I 've heard them under the ice .

I 'm so glad there 's a brook near Green Gables .

perhaps you think it doesn't make any difference to me when you 're not going to keep me , but it does .

I shall always like to remember that there is a brook at Green Gables even if I never see it again .

if there wasn't a brook I 'd be haunted by the uncomfortable feeling that there ought to be one .

I 'm not in the depths of despair this morning .

I never can be in the morning .

isn't it a splendid thing that there are mornings ?

but I feel very sad .

I 've just been imagining that it was really me you wanted after all and that I was to stay here for ever and ever .

it was a great comfort while it lasted .

but the worst of imagining things is that the time comes when you have to stop and that hurts . "

" breakfast is waiting .

wash your face and comb your hair .

leave the window up and turn your bedclothes back over the foot of the bed .

be as smart as you can . "

as a matter of fact , however , she had forgotten to turn back the bedclothes .

" I 'm pretty hungry this morning , " she announced as she slipped into the chair Marilla placed for her .

" the world doesn't seem such a howling wilderness as it did last night .

I 'm so glad it 's a sunshiny morning .

but I like rainy mornings real well , too .

all sorts of mornings are interesting , don't you think ?

you don't know what 's going to happen through the day , and there 's so much scope for imagination .

but I 'm glad it 's not rainy today because it 's easier to be cheerful and bear up under affliction on a sunshiny day .

I feel that I have a good deal to bear up under .

" for pity 's sake hold your tongue , " said Marilla .

" you talk entirely too much for a little girl . "

Matthew also held his tongue , but this was natural , so that the meal was a very silent one .

who would want such a child about the place ?

yet Matthew wished to keep her , of all unaccountable things !

when the meal was ended Anne came out of her reverie and offered to wash the dishes .

" can you wash dishes right ? " asked Marilla distrustfully .

" pretty well .

I 'm better at looking after children , though .

I 've had so much experience at that .

it 's such a pity you haven't any here for me to look after . "

" I don't feel as if I wanted any more children to look after than I 've got at present .

you 're problem enough in all conscience .

what 's to be done with you I don't know .

Matthew is a most ridiculous man . "

" I think he 's lovely , " said Anne reproachfully .

" he is so very sympathetic .

he didn't mind how much I talked he seemed to like it .

I felt that he was a kindred spirit as soon as ever I saw him . "

" you 're both queer enough , if that 's what you mean by kindred spirits , " said Marilla with a sniff .

" yes , you may wash the dishes .

take plenty of hot water , and be sure you dry them well .

I 've got enough to attend to this morning for I 'll have to drive over to White Sands in the afternoon and see Mrs Spencer .

you 'll come with me and we 'll settle what 's to be done with you .

after you 've finished the dishes go up-stairs and make your bed . "

Anne washed the dishes deftly enough , as Marilla who kept a sharp eye on the process , discerned .

later on she made her bed less successfully , for she had never learned the art of wrestling with a feather tick .

Anne flew to the door , face alight , eyes glowing .

" what 's the matter now ? " demanded Marilla .

" I don't dare go out , " said Anne , in the tone of a martyr relinquishing all earthly joys .

" if I can't stay here there is no use in my loving Green Gables .

it 's hard enough now , so I won't make it any harder .

I want to go out so much everything seems to be calling to me , ' Anne , Anne , come out to us .

Anne , Anne , we want a playmate ' but it 's better not .

there is no use in loving things if you have to be torn from them , is there ?

and it 's so hard to keep from loving things , isn't it ?

that was why I was so glad when I thought I was going to live here .

I thought I 'd have so many things to love and nothing to hinder me .

but that brief dream is over .

I am resigned to my fate now , so I don't think I 'll go out for fear I 'll get unresigned again .

what is the name of that geranium on the window-sill , please ? "

" that 's the apple-scented geranium . "

" oh , I don't mean that sort of a name .

I mean just a name you gave it yourself .

didn't you give it a name ?

may I give it one then ?

may I call it let me see Bonny would do may I call it Bonny while I 'm here ?

oh , do let me ! "

" goodness , I don't care .

but where on earth is the sense of naming a geranium ? "

" oh , I like things to have handles even if they are only geraniums .

it makes them seem more like people .

how do you know but that it hurts a geranium 's feelings just to be called a geranium and nothing else ?

you wouldn't like to be called nothing but a woman all the time .

yes , I shall call it Bonny .

I named that cherry-tree outside my bedroom window this morning .

I called it Snow Queen because it was so white .

of course , it won't always be in blossom , but one can imagine that it is , can't one ? "

" she is kind of interesting as Matthew says .

I can feel already that I 'm wondering what on earth she 'll say next .

she 'll be casting a spell over me , too .

she 's cast it over Matthew .

that look he gave me when he went out said everything he said or hinted last night over again .

I wish he was like other men and would talk things out .

a body could answer back then and argue him into reason .

but what 's to be done with a man who just looks ? "

there Marilla left her until the early dinner was on the table .

" I suppose I can have the mare and buggy this afternoon , Matthew ? " said Marilla .

Matthew nodded and looked wistfully at Anne .

Marilla intercepted the look and said grimly :

" I 'm going to drive over to White Sands and settle this thing .

I 'll take Anne with me and Mrs Spencer will probably make arrangements to send her back to Nova Scotia at once .

I 'll set your tea out for you and I 'll be home in time to milk the cows . "

still Matthew said nothing and Marilla had a sense of having wasted words and breath .

there is nothing more aggravating than a man who won't talk back unless it is a woman who won't .

Matthew hitched the sorrel into the buggy in due time and Marilla and Anne set off .

Matthew opened the yard gate for them and as they drove slowly through , he said , to nobody in particular as it seemed :

" Little Jerry Buote from the Creek was here this morning , and I told him I guessed I 'd hire him for the summer . "

Marilla looked back once as the buggy bounced along and saw that aggravating Matthew leaning over the gate , looking wistfully after them .

CHAPTER V Anne 's History

|DO you know , " said Anne confidentially , " I 've made up my mind to enjoy this drive .

it 's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will .

of course , you must make it up firmly .

I am not going to think about going back to the asylum while we 're having our drive .

I 'm just going to think about the drive .

oh , look , there 's one little early wild rose out !

isn't it lovely ?

don't you think it must be glad to be a rose ?

wouldn't it be nice if roses could talk ?

I 'm sure they could tell us such lovely things .

and isn't pink the most bewitching color in the world ?

I love it , but I can't wear it .

Redheaded people can't wear pink , not even in imagination .

Anne sighed .

" well , that is another hope gone .

' My life is a perfect graveyard of buried hopes . '

that 's a sentence I read in a book once , and I say it over to comfort myself whenever I 'm disappointed in anything . "

" I don't see where the comforting comes in myself , " said Marilla .

" why , because it sounds so nice and romantic , just as if I were a heroine in a book , you know .

I 'm rather glad I have one .

are we going across the Lake of Shining Waters today ? "

" we 're not going over Barry 's pond , if that 's what you mean by your Lake of Shining Waters .

we 're going by the shore road . "

" Shore road sounds nice , " said Anne dreamily .

" is it as nice as it sounds ?

Just when you said ' shore road ' I saw it in a picture in my mind , as quick as that !

and White Sands is a pretty name , too ; but I don't like it as well as Avonlea .

Avonlea is a lovely name .

it just sounds like music .

how far is it to White Sands ? "

" oh , what I know about myself isn't really worth telling , " said Anne eagerly .

" if you 'll only let me tell you what I imagine about myself you 'll think it ever so much more interesting . "

" no , I don't want any of your imaginings .

Just you stick to bald facts .

begin at the beginning .

where were you born and how old are you ? "

" I was eleven last March , " said Anne , resigning herself to bald facts with a little sigh .

" and I was born in Bolingbroke , Nova Scotia .

my father 's name was Walter Shirley , and he was a teacher in the Bolingbroke High School .

my mother 's name was Bertha Shirley .

aren't Walter and Bertha lovely names ?

I 'm so glad my parents had nice names .

it would be a real disgrace to have a father named well , say Jedediah , wouldn't it ? "

" well , I don't know . "

Anne looked thoughtful .

I don't believe a rose would be as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage .

a husband was enough responsibility .

Mrs Thomas said that they were a pair of babies and as poor as church mice .

they went to live in a weeny-teeny little yellow house in Bolingbroke .

I 've never seen that house , but I 've imagined it thousands of times .

yes , and muslin curtains in all the windows .

Muslin curtains give a house such an air .

I was born in that house .

I should think a mother would be a better judge than a poor woman who came in to scrub , wouldn't you ?

she died of fever when I was just three months old .

I do wish she 'd lived long enough for me to remember calling her mother .

I think it would be so sweet to say ' mother , ' don't you ?

and father died four days afterwards from fever too .

that left me an orphan and folks were at their wits ' end , so Mrs Thomas said , what to do with me .

you see , nobody wanted me even then .

it seems to be my fate .

father and mother had both come from places far away and it was well known they hadn't any relatives living .

finally Mrs Thomas said she 'd take me , though she was poor and had a drunken husband .

she brought me up by hand .

" Mr and Mrs. Thomas moved away from Bolingbroke to Marysville , and I lived with them until I was eight years old .

Mrs Thomas was at her wits ' end , so she said , what to do with me .

it was a very lonesome place .

I 'm sure I could never have lived there if I hadn't had an imagination .

Mr Hammond worked a little sawmill up there , and Mrs Hammond had eight children .

she had twins three times .

I like babies in moderation , but twins three times in succession is too much .

I told Mrs Hammond so firmly , when the last pair came .

I used to get so dreadfully tired carrying them about .

" I lived up river with Mrs Hammond over two years , and then Mr Hammond died and Mrs Hammond broke up housekeeping .

she divided her children among her relatives and went to the States .

I had to go to the asylum at Hopeton , because nobody would take me .

they didn't want me at the asylum , either ; they said they were over-crowded as it was .

but they had to take me and I was there four months until Mrs Spencer came . "

Anne finished up with another sigh , of relief this time .

evidently she did not like talking about her experiences in a world that had not wanted her .

" did you ever go to school ? " demanded Marilla , turning the sorrel mare down the shore road .

" not a great deal .

I went a little the last year I stayed with Mrs Thomas .

but of course I went while I was at the asylum .

don't you just love poetry that gives you a crinkly feeling up and down your back ?

there is a piece in the Fifth Reader ' The Downfall of Poland ' that is just full of thrills .

" O-o-o-h , " faltered Anne .

her sensitive little face suddenly flushed scarlet and embarrassment sat on her brow .

" oh , they meant to be I know they meant to be just as good and kind as possible .

and when people mean to be good to you , you don't mind very much when they're not quite always .

they had a good deal to worry them , you know .

but I feel sure they meant to be good to me . "

Marilla asked no more questions .

Anne gave herself up to a silent rapture over the shore road and Marilla guided the sorrel abstractedly while she pondered deeply .

pity was suddenly stirring in her heart for the child .

no wonder she had been so delighted at the prospect of a real home .

it was a pity she had to be sent back .

what if she , Marilla , should indulge Matthew 's unaccountable whim and let her stay ?

he was set on it ; and the child seemed a nice , teachable little thing .

" she 's got too much to say , " thought Marilla , " but she might be trained out of that .

and there 's nothing rude or slangy in what she does say .

she 's ladylike .

it 's likely her people were nice folks . "

the shore road was " woodsy and wild and lonesome . "

on the right hand , scrub firs , their spirits quite unbroken by long years of tussle with the gulf winds , grew thickly .

" isn't the sea wonderful ? " said Anne , rousing from a long , wide-eyed silence .

I enjoyed every moment of that day , even if I had to look after the children all the time .

I lived it over in happy dreams for years .

but this shore is nicer than the Marysville shore .

aren't those gulls splendid ?

would you like to be a gull ?

I think I would that is , if I couldn't be a human girl .

oh , I can just imagine myself doing it .

what big house is that just ahead , please ? "

" that 's the White Sands Hotel .

Mr Kirke runs it , but the season hasn't begun yet .

there are heaps of Americans come there for the summer .

they think this shore is just about right . "

" I was afraid it might be Mrs Spencer 's place , " said Anne mournfully .

" I don't want to get there .

somehow , it will seem like the end of everything . "

CHAPTER VI .

Marilla Makes Up Her Mind

|GET there they did , however , in due season .

you 'll put your horse in ?

and how are you , Anne ? "

" I 'm as well as can be expected , thank you , " said Anne smilelessly .

a blight seemed to have descended on her .

the fact is , Mrs Spencer , there 's been a queer mistake somewhere , and I 've come over to see where it is .

we send word , Matthew and I , for you to bring us a boy from the asylum .

we told your brother Robert to tell you we wanted a boy ten or eleven years old . "

" Marilla Cuthbert , you don't say so ! " said Mrs Spencer in distress .

" she certainly did , Miss Cuthbert , " corroborated Flora Jane earnestly .

" I 'm dreadful sorry , " said Mrs Spencer .

" it 's too bad ; but it certainly wasn't my fault , you see , Miss Cuthbert .

I did the best I could and I thought I was following your instructions .

Nancy is a terrible flighty thing .

I 've often had to scold her well for her heedlessness . "

" it was our own fault , " said Marilla resignedly .

" we should have come to you ourselves and not left an important message to be passed along by word of mouth in that fashion .

anyhow , the mistake has been made and the only thing to do is to set it right .

can we send the child back to the asylum ?

I suppose they 'll take her back , won't they ? "

" I suppose so , " said Mrs Spencer thoughtfully , " but I don't think it will be necessary to send her back .

Mrs Peter has a large family , you know , and she finds it hard to get help .

Anne will be the very girl for you .

I call it positively providential . "

Marilla did not look as if she thought Providence had much to do with the matter .

here was an unexpectedly good chance to get this unwelcome orphan off her hands , and she did not even feel grateful for it .

she knew Mrs Peter Blewett only by sight as a small , shrewish-faced woman without an ounce of superfluous flesh on her bones .

but she had heard of her .

Marilla felt a qualm of conscience at the thought of handing Anne over to her tender mercies .

" well , I 'll go in and we 'll talk the matter over , " she said .

" that is real lucky , for we can settle the matter right away .

take the armchair , Miss Cuthbert .

Anne , you sit here on the ottoman and don't wiggle .

let me take your hats .

Flora Jane , go out and put the kettle on .

good afternoon , Mrs Blewett .

we were just saying how fortunate it was you happened along .

let me introduce you two ladies .

Mrs Blewett , Miss Cuthbert .

please excuse me for just a moment .

I forgot to tell Flora Jane to take the buns out of the oven . "

Mrs Spencer whisked away , after pulling up the blinds .

Anne sitting mutely on the ottoman , with her hands clasped tightly in her lap , stared at Mrs Blewett as one fascinated .

was she to be given into the keeping of this sharp-faced , sharp-eyed woman ?

she felt a lump coming up in her throat and her eyes smarted painfully .

" it seems there 's been a mistake about this little girl , Mrs Blewett , " she said .

" I was under the impression that Mr and Miss Cuthbert wanted a little girl to adopt .

I was certainly told so .

but it seems it was a boy they wanted .

so if you 're still of the same mind you were yesterday , I think she 'll be just the thing for you . "

Mrs Blewett darted her eyes over Anne from head to foot .

" how old are you and what 's your name ? " she demanded .

" Humph !

you don't look as if there was much to you .

but you 're wiry .

I don't know but the wiry ones are the best after all .

well , if I take you you 'll have to be a good girl , you know good and smart and respectful .

I 'll expect you to earn your keep , and no mistake about that .

yes , I suppose I might as well take her off your hands , Miss Cuthbert .

the baby 's awful fractious , and I 'm clean worn out attending to him .

if you like I can take her right home now . "

Marilla felt an uncomfortable conviction that , if she denied the appeal of that look , it would haunt her to her dying day .

More-over , she did not fancy Mrs Blewett .

to hand a sensitive , " highstrung " child over to such a woman !

no , she could not take the responsibility of doing that !

" well , I don't know , " she said slowly .

" I didn't say that Matthew and I had absolutely decided that we wouldn't keep her .

in fact I may say that Matthew is disposed to keep her .

I just came over to find out how the mistake had occurred .

I think I 'd better take her home again and talk it over with Matthew .

I feel that I oughtn't to decide on anything without consulting him .

if we make up our mind not to keep her we 'll bring or send her over to you tomorrow night .

if we don't you may know that she is going to stay with us .

will that suit you , Mrs Blewett ? "

" I suppose it 'll have to , " said Mrs Blewett ungraciously .

during Marilla 's speech a sunrise had been dawning on Anne 's face .

first the look of despair faded out ; then came a faint flush of hope ; her eyes grew deep and bright as morning stars .

" did you really say it ?

or did I only imagine that you did ? "

" yes , you did hear me say just that and no more .

it isn't decided yet and perhaps we will conclude to let Mrs Blewett take you after all .

she certainly needs you much more than I do . "

" I 'd rather go back to the asylum than go to live with her , " said Anne passionately .

" she looks exactly like a like a gimlet . "

Marilla smothered a smile under the conviction that Anne must be reproved for such a speech .

" a little girl like you should be ashamed of talking so about a lady and a stranger , " she said severely .

" go back and sit down quietly and hold your tongue and behave as a good girl should . "

when they arrived back at Green Gables that evening Matthew met them in the lane .

Marilla from afar had noted him prowling along it and guessed his motive .

she was prepared for the relief she read in his face when he saw that she had at least brought back Anne back with her .

then she briefly told him Anne 's history and the result of the interview with Mrs Spencer .

" I wouldn't give a dog I liked to that Blewett woman , " said Matthew with unusual vim .

" I don't fancy her style myself , " admitted Marilla , " but it 's that or keeping her ourselves , Matthew .

and since you seem to want her , I suppose I 'm willing or have to be .

I 've been thinking over the idea until I 've got kind of used to it .

it seems a sort of duty .

I 've never brought up a child , especially a girl , and I dare say I 'll make a terrible mess of it .

but I 'll do my best .

so far as I 'm concerned , Matthew , she may stay . "

Matthew 's shy face was a glow of delight .

" well now , I reckoned you 'd come to see it in that light , Marilla , " he said .

" she 's such an interesting little thing . "

and mind , Matthew , you 're not to go interfering with my methods .

perhaps an old maid doesn't know much about bringing up a child , but I guess she knows more than an old bachelor .

so you just leave me to manage her .

when I fail it 'll be time enough to put your oar in . "

" there , there , Marilla , you can have your own way , " said Matthew reassuringly .

" only be as good and kind to her as you can without spoiling her .

I kind of think she 's one of the sort you can do anything with if you only get her to love you . "

Marilla sniffed , to express her contempt for Matthew 's opinions concerning anything feminine , and walked off to the dairy with the pails .

" I won't tell her tonight that she can stay , " she reflected , as she strained the milk into the creamers .

" she 'd be so excited that she wouldn't sleep a wink .

Marilla Cuthbert , you 're fairly in for it .

did you ever suppose you 'd see the day when you 'd be adopting an orphan girl ?

anyhow , we 've decided on the experiment and goodness only knows what will come of it . "

CHAPTER VII .

Anne Says Her Prayers

|WHEN Marilla took Anne up to bed that night she said stiffly :

" now , Anne , I noticed last night that you threw your clothes all about the floor when you took them off .

that is a very untidy habit , and I can't allow it at all .

as soon as you take off any article of clothing fold it neatly and place it on the chair .

I haven't any use at all for little girls who aren't neat . "

" I was so harrowed up in my mind last night that I didn't think about my clothes at all , " said Anne .

" I 'll fold them nicely tonight .

they always made us do that at the asylum .

" you 'll have to remember a little better if you stay here , " admonished Marilla .

" there , that looks something like .

say your prayers now and get into bed . "

" I never say any prayers , " announced Anne .

Marilla looked horrified astonishment .

" why , Anne , what do you mean ?

were you never taught to say your prayers ?

God always wants little girls to say their prayers .

don't you know who God is , Anne ? "

Marilla looked rather relieved .

" so you do know something then , thank goodness !

you 're not quite a heathen .

where did you learn that ? "

" oh , at the asylum Sunday-school .

they made us learn the whole catechism .

I liked it pretty well .

there 's something splendid about some of the words .

' Infinite , eternal and unchangeable . '

isn't that grand ?

it has such a roll to it just like a big organ playing .

you couldn't quite call it poetry , I suppose , but it sounds a lot like it , doesn't it ? "

" we 're not talking about poetry , Anne we are talking about saying your prayers .

don't you know it 's a terrible wicked thing not to say your prayers every night ?

I 'm afraid you are a very bad little girl . "

" you 'd find it easier to be bad than good if you had red hair , " said Anne reproachfully .

" people who haven't red hair don't know what trouble is .

Mrs Thomas told me that God made my hair red on purpose , and I 've never cared about Him since .

and anyhow I 'd always be too tired at night to bother saying prayers .

people who have to look after twins can't be expected to say their prayers .

now , do you honestly think they can ? "

Marilla decided that Anne 's religious training must be begun at once .

plainly there was no time to be lost .

" you must say your prayers while you are under my roof , Anne . "

" why , of course , if you want me to , " assented Anne cheerfully .

" I 'd do anything to oblige you .

but you 'll have to tell me what to say for this once .

after I get into bed I 'll imagine out a real nice prayer to say always .

I believe that it will be quite interesting , now that I come to think of it . "

" you must kneel down , " said Marilla in embarrassment .

Anne knelt at Marilla 's knee and looked up gravely .

" why must people kneel down to pray ?

if I really wanted to pray I 'll tell you what I 'd do .

and then I 'd just feel a prayer .

well , I 'm ready .

what am I to say ? "

Marilla felt more embarrassed than ever .

she had intended to teach Anne the childish classic , " now I lay me down to sleep . "

" you 're old enough to pray for yourself , Anne , " she said finally .

" just thank God for your blessings and ask Him humbly for the things you want . "

" well , I 'll do my best , " promised Anne , burying her face in Marilla 's lap .

I 'm really extremely grateful for them .

and that 's all the blessings I can think of just now to thank Thee for .

please let me stay at Green Gables ; and please let me be good-looking when I grow up .

I remain , " yours respectfully , Anne Shirley .

" there , did I do all right ? " she asked eagerly , getting up .

" I could have made it much more flowery if I 'd had a little more time to think it over . "

" I 've just thought of it now .

I should have said , ' Amen ' in place of ' yours respectfully , ' shouldn't I ? the way the ministers do .

I 'd forgotten it , but I felt a prayer should be finished off in some way , so I put in the other .

do you suppose it will make any difference ? "

" I I don't suppose it will , " said Marilla .

" go to sleep now like a good child .

good night . "

" I can only say good night tonight with a clear conscience , " said Anne , cuddling luxuriously down among her pillows .

Marilla retreated to the kitchen , set the candle firmly on the table , and glared at Matthew .

" Matthew Cuthbert , it 's about time somebody adopted that child and taught her something .

she 's next door to a perfect heathen .

will you believe that she never said a prayer in her life till tonight ?

I 'll send her to the manse tomorrow and borrow the Peep of the Day series , that 's what I 'll do .

and she shall go to Sunday-school just as soon as I can get some suitable clothes made for her .

I foresee that I shall have my hands full .

well , well , we can't get through this world without our share of trouble .

CHAPTER VIII .

Anne 's Bringing-up Is Begun

|FOR reasons best known to herself , Marilla did not tell Anne that she was to stay at Green Gables until the next afternoon .

during the forenoon she kept the child busy with various tasks and watched over her with a keen eye while she did them .

when Anne had finished washing the dinner dishes she suddenly confronted Marilla with the air and expression of one desperately determined to learn the worst .

" oh , please , Miss Cuthbert , won't you tell me if you are going to send me away or not ?

I 've tried to be patient all the morning , but I really feel that I cannot bear not knowing any longer .

it 's a dreadful feeling .

please tell me . "

" you haven't scalded the dishcloth in clean hot water as I told you to do , " said Marilla immovably .

" just go and do it before you ask any more questions , Anne . "

Anne went and attended to the dishcloth .

then she returned to Marilla and fastened imploring eyes of the latter 's face .

Matthew and I have decided to keep you that is , if you will try to be a good little girl and show yourself grateful .

why , child , whatever is the matter ? "

" I 'm crying , " said Anne in a tone of bewilderment .

" I can't think why .

I 'm glad as glad can be .

oh , glad doesn't seem the right word at all .

I was glad about the White Way and the cherry blossoms but this !

oh , it 's something more than glad .

I 'm so happy .

I 'll try to be so good .

it will be uphill work , I expect , for Mrs Thomas often told me I was desperately wicked .

however , I 'll do my very best .

but can you tell me why I 'm crying ? "

" I suppose it 's because you 're all excited and worked up , " said Marilla disapprovingly .

" sit down on that chair and try to calm yourself .

I 'm afraid you both cry and laugh far too easily .

yes , you can stay here and we will try to do right by you .

" what am I to call you ? " asked Anne .

" shall I always say Miss Cuthbert ?

can I call you Aunt Marilla ? "

" no ; you 'll call me just plain Marilla .

I 'm not used to being called Miss Cuthbert and it would make me nervous . "

" it sounds awfully disrespectful to just say Marilla , " protested Anne .

" I guess there 'll be nothing disrespectful in it if you 're careful to speak respectfully .

everybody , young and old , in Avonlea calls me Marilla except the minister .

he says Miss Cuthbert when he thinks of it . "

" I 'd love to call you Aunt Marilla , " said Anne wistfully .

" I 've never had an aunt or any relation at all not even a grandmother .

it would make me feel as if I really belonged to you .

can't I call you Aunt Marilla ? "

" no .

I 'm not your aunt and I don't believe in calling people names that don't belong to them . "

" but we could imagine you were my aunt . "

" I couldn't , " said Marilla grimly .

" do you never imagine things different from what they really are ? " asked Anne wide-eyed .

" no . "

" oh ! "

Anne drew a long breath .

" oh , Miss Marilla , how much you miss ! "

" I don't believe in imagining things different from what they really are , " retorted Marilla .

" when the Lord puts us in certain circumstances He doesn't mean for us to imagine them away .

and that reminds me .

the Lord 's Prayer is on it and you 'll devote your spare time this afternoon to learning it off by heart .

There's to be no more of such praying as I heard last night . "

" I suppose I was very awkward , " said Anne apologetically , " but then , you see , I 'd never had any practice .

you couldn't really expect a person to pray very well the first time she tried , could you ?

I thought out a splendid prayer after I went to bed , just as I promised you I would .

it was nearly as long as a minister 's and so poetical .

but would you believe it ?

I couldn't remember one word when I woke up this morning .

and I 'm afraid I 'll never be able to think out another one as good .

somehow , things never are so good when they 're thought out a second time .

have you ever noticed that ? "

" here is something for you to notice , Anne .

when I tell you to do a thing I want you to obey me at once and not stand stock-still and discourse about it .

Just you go and do as I bid you . "

she found Anne standing motionless before a picture hanging on the wall between the two windows , with her eyes a-star with dreams .

the white and green light strained through apple trees and clustering vines outside fell over the rapt little figure with a half-unearthly radiance .

" Anne , whatever are you thinking of ? " demanded Marilla sharply .

Anne came back to earth with a start .

she looks lonely and sad , don't you think ?

I guess she hadn't any father or mother of her own .

I 'm sure I know just how she felt .

her heart must have beat and her hands must have got cold , like mine did when I asked you if I could stay .

she was afraid He mightn't notice her .

but it 's likely He did , don't you think ?

but I wish the artist hadn't painted Him so sorrowful looking .

all His pictures are like that , if you 've noticed .

but I don't believe He could really have looked so sad or the children would have been afraid of Him . "

" Anne , " said Marilla , wondering why she had not broken into this speech long before , " you shouldn't talk that way .

it 's irreverent positively irreverent . "

Anne 's eyes marveled .

" why , I felt just as reverent as could be .

I 'm sure I didn't mean to be irreverent . "

" well I don't suppose you did but it doesn't sound right to talk so familiarly about such things .

remember that .

take that card and come right to the kitchen .

now , sit down in the corner and learn that prayer off by heart . "

" I like this , " she announced at length .

" it 's beautiful .

I 've heard it before I heard the superintendent of the asylum Sunday school say it over once .

but I didn't like it then .

he had such a cracked voice and he prayed it so mournfully .

I really felt sure he thought praying was a disagreeable duty .

this isn't poetry , but it makes me feel just the same way poetry does .

' Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name . '

that is just like a line of music .

oh , I 'm so glad you thought of making me learn this , Miss Marilla . "

" well , learn it and hold your tongue , " said Marilla shortly .

" Marilla , " she demanded presently , " do you think that I shall ever have a bosom friend in Avonlea ? "

" A a what kind of friend ? "

" a bosom friend an intimate friend , you know a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul .

I 've dreamed of meeting her all my life .

do you think it 's possible ? "

" Diana Barry lives over at Orchard Slope and she 's about your age .

she 's a very nice little girl , and perhaps she will be a playmate for you when she comes home .

she 's visiting her aunt over at Carmody just now .

you 'll have to be careful how you behave yourself , though .

Mrs Barry is a very particular woman .

she won't let Diana play with any little girl who isn't nice and good . "

Anne looked at Marilla through the apple blossoms , her eyes aglow with interest .

" what is Diana like ?

her hair isn't red , is it ?

oh , I hope not .

it 's bad enough to have red hair myself , but I positively couldn't endure it in a bosom friend . "

" Diana is a very pretty little girl .

she has black eyes and hair and rosy cheeks .

and she is good and smart , which is better than being pretty . "

but Anne waved the moral inconsequently aside and seized only on the delightful possibilities before it .

" oh , I 'm so glad she 's pretty .

next to being beautiful oneself and that 's impossible in my case it would be best to have a beautiful bosom friend .

when I lived with Mrs Thomas she had a bookcase in her sitting room with glass doors .

there weren't any books in it ; Mrs Thomas kept her best china and her preserves there when she had any preserves to keep .

one of the doors was broken .

Mr Thomas smashed it one night when he was slightly intoxicated .

but the other was whole and I used to pretend that my reflection in it was another little girl who lived in it .

I called her Katie Maurice , and we were very intimate .

I used to talk to her by the hour , especially on Sunday , and tell her everything .

Katie was the comfort and consolation of my life .

when I went to live with Mrs Hammond it just broke my heart to leave Katie Maurice .

she felt it dreadfully , too , I know she did , for she was crying when she kissed me good-bye through the bookcase door .

there was no bookcase at Mrs Hammond 's .

but just up the river a little way from the house there was a long green little valley , and the loveliest echo lived there .

it echoed back every word you said , even if you didn't talk a bit loud .

" I think it 's just as well there wasn't , " said Marilla drily .

" I don't approve of such goings-on .

you seem to half believe your own imaginations .

it will be well for you to have a real live friend to put such nonsense out of your head .

but don't let Mrs Barry hear you talking about your Katie Maurices and your Violettas or she 'll think you tell stories . "

" oh , I won't .

I couldn't talk of them to everybody their memories are too sacred for that .

but I thought I 'd like to have you know about them .

oh , look , here 's a big bee just tumbled out of an apple blossom .

just think what a lovely place to live in an apple blossom !

fancy going to sleep in it when the wind was rocking it .

if I wasn't a human girl I think I 'd like to be a bee and live among the flowers . "

" yesterday you wanted to be a sea gull , " sniffed Marilla .

" I think you are very fickle minded .

I told you to learn that prayer and not talk .

but it seems impossible for you to stop talking if you 've got anybody that will listen to you .

so go up to your room and learn it . "

" oh , I know it pretty nearly all now all but just the last line . "

" well , never mind , do as I tell you .

go to your room and finish learning it well , and stay there until I call you down to help me get tea . "

" can I take the apple blossoms with me for company ? " pleaded Anne .

" no ; you don't want your room cluttered up with flowers .

you should have left them on the tree in the first place . "

" I did feel a little that way , too , " said Anne .

but the temptation was irresistible .

what do you do when you meet with an irresistible temptation ? "

" Anne , did you hear me tell you to go to your room ? "

Anne sighed , retreated to the east gable , and sat down in a chair by the window .

" there I know this prayer .

I learned that last sentence coming upstairs .

now I 'm going to imagine things into this room so that they 'll always stay imagined .

the floor is covered with a white velvet carpet with pink roses all over it and there are pink silk curtains at the windows .

the walls are hung with gold and silver brocade tapestry .

the furniture is mahogany .

I never saw any mahogany , but it does sound so luxurious .

I can see my reflection in that splendid big mirror hanging on the wall .

my hair is of midnight darkness and my skin is a clear ivory pallor .

my name is the Lady Cordelia Fitzgerald .

no , it isn't I can't make that seem real . "

she danced up to the little looking-glass and peered into it .

her pointed freckled face and solemn gray eyes peered back at her .

but it 's a million times nicer to be Anne of Green Gables than Anne of nowhere in particular , isn't it ? "

she bent forward , kissed her reflection affectionately , and betook herself to the open window .

" dear Snow Queen , good afternoon .

and good afternoon dear birches down in the hollow .

and good afternoon , dear gray house up on the hill .

I wonder if Diana is to be my bosom friend .

I hope she will , and I shall love her very much .

but I must never quite forget Katie Maurice and Violetta .

I must be careful to remember them and send them a kiss every day . "

CHAPTER IX .

Mrs Rachel Lynde Is Properly Horrified

|ANNE had been a fortnight at Green Gables before Mrs Lynde arrived to inspect her .

Mrs Rachel , to do her justice , was not to blame for this .

Anne had made good use of every waking moment of that fortnight .

already she was acquainted with every tree and shrub about the place .

Gossamers glimmered like threads of silver among the trees and the fir boughs and tassels seemed to utter friendly speech .

when details were exhausted Mrs Rachel introduced the real reason of her call .

" I 've been hearing some surprising things about you and Matthew . "

" I don't suppose you are any more surprised than I am myself , " said Marilla .

" I 'm getting over my surprise now . "

" it was too bad there was such a mistake , " said Mrs Rachel sympathetically .

" couldn't you have sent her back ? "

" I suppose we could , but we decided not to .

Matthew took a fancy to her .

and I must say I like her myself although I admit she has her faults .

the house seems a different place already .

she 's a real bright little thing . "

Marilla said more than she had intended to say when she began , for she read disapproval in Mrs Rachel 's expression .

but I don't want to discourage you I'm sure , Marilla . "

I suppose you 'd like to see Anne .

I 'll call her in . "

" well , they didn't pick you for your looks , that 's sure and certain , " was Mrs Rachel Lynde 's emphatic comment .

Mrs Rachel was one of those delightful and popular people who pride themselves on speaking their mind without fear or favor .

" she 's terrible skinny and homely , Marilla .

come here , child , and let me have a look at you .

lawful heart , did any one ever see such freckles ?

and hair as red as carrots !

come here , child , I say . "

Anne " came there , " but not exactly as Mrs Rachel expected .

" I hate you , " she cried in a choked voice , stamping her foot on the floor .

" I hate you I hate you I hate you " a louder stamp with each assertion of hatred .

" how dare you call me skinny and ugly ?

how dare you say I 'm freckled and redheaded ?

you are a rude , impolite , unfeeling woman ! "

" Anne ! " exclaimed Marilla in consternation .

" how dare you say such things about me ? " she repeated vehemently .

" how would you like to have such things said about you ?

how would you like to be told that you are fat and clumsy and probably hadn't a spark of imagination in you ?

I don't care if I do hurt your feelings by saying so !

I hope I hurt them .

you have hurt mine worse than they were ever hurt before even by Mrs Thomas ' intoxicated husband .

and I 'll never forgive you for it , never , never ! "

stamp !

stamp !

" did anybody ever see such a temper ! " exclaimed the horrified Mrs Rachel .

" Anne go to your room and stay there until I come up , " said Marilla , recovering her powers of speech with difficulty .

a subdued slam above told that the door of the east gable had been shut with equal vehemence .

" Well , I don't envy you your job bringing that up , Marilla , " said Mrs Rachel with unspeakable solemnity .

Marilla opened her lips to say she knew not what of apology or deprecation .

what she did say was a surprise to herself then and ever afterwards .

" you shouldn't have twitted her about her looks , Rachel . "

" no , " said Marilla slowly , " I 'm not trying to excuse her .

she 's been very naughty and I 'll have to give her a talking to about it .

but we must make allowances for her .

she 's never been taught what is right .

and you were too hard on her , Rachel . "

Marilla could not help tacking on that last sentence , although she was again surprised at herself for doing it .

Mrs Rachel got up with an air of offended dignity .

oh , no , I 'm not vexed don't worry yourself .

I 'm too sorry for you to leave any room for anger in my mind .

you 'll have your own troubles with that child .

I should think that would be the most effective language for that kind of a child .

her temper matches her hair I guess .

well , good evening , Marilla .

I hope you 'll come down to see me often as usual .

it 's something new in my experience . "

on the way upstairs she pondered uneasily as to what she ought to do .

she felt no little dismay over the scene that had just been enacted .

how unfortunate that Anne should have displayed such temper before Mrs Rachel Lynde , of all people !

and how was she to punish her ?

she did not believe she could whip a child .

no , some other method of punishment must be found to bring Anne to a proper realization of the enormity of her offense .

Marilla found Anne face downward on her bed , crying bitterly , quite oblivious of muddy boots on a clean counterpane .

" Anne , " she said not ungently .

no answer .

" this is a nice way for you to behave .

Anne !

aren't you ashamed of yourself ? "

" she hadn't any right to call me ugly and redheaded , " retorted Anne , evasive and defiant .

" you hadn't any right to fly into such a fury and talk the way you did to her , Anne .

I was ashamed of you thoroughly ashamed of you .

I wanted you to behave nicely to Mrs Lynde , and instead of that you have disgraced me .

I 'm sure I don't know why you should lose your temper like that just because Mrs Lynde said you were red-haired and homely .

you say it yourself often enough . "

" oh , but there 's such a difference between saying a thing yourself and hearing other people say it , " wailed Anne .

" you may know a thing is so , but you can't help hoping other people don't quite think it is .

I suppose you think I have an awful temper , but I couldn't help it .

when she said those things something just rose right up in me and choked me .

I had to fly out at her . "

" well , you made a fine exhibition of yourself I must say .

Mrs Lynde will have a nice story to tell about you everywhere and she 'll tell it , too .

it was a dreadful thing for you to lose your temper like that , Anne . "

" just imagine how you would feel if somebody told you to your face that you were skinny and ugly , " pleaded Anne tearfully .

an old remembrance suddenly rose up before Marilla .

Marilla was every day of fifty before the sting had gone out of that memory .

" Rachel is too outspoken .

but that is no excuse for such behavior on your part .

she was a stranger and an elderly person and my visitor all three very good reasons why you should have been respectful to her .

" I can never do that , " said Anne determinedly and darkly .

" you can punish me in any way you like , Marilla .

but I cannot ask Mrs Lynde to forgive me . "

how can I ?

I 'm not sorry .

I'm sorry I 've vexed you ; but I 'm glad I told her just what I did .

it was a great satisfaction .

I can't say I 'm sorry when I 'm not , can I ?

I can't even imagine I 'm sorry . "

" perhaps your imagination will be in better working order by the morning , " said Marilla , rising to depart .

" you 'll have the night to think over your conduct in and come to a better frame of mind .

leaving this Parthian shaft to rankle in Anne 's stormy bosom , Marilla descended to the kitchen , grievously troubled in mind and vexed in soul .

CHAPTER X Anne 's Apology

Marilla told Matthew the whole story , taking pains to impress him with a due sense of the enormity of Anne 's behavior .

" it 's a good thing Rachel Lynde got a calling down ; she 's a meddlesome old gossip , " was Matthew 's consolatory rejoinder .

" Matthew Cuthbert , I 'm astonished at you .

you know that Anne 's behavior was dreadful , and yet you take her part !

I suppose you 'll be saying next thing that she oughtn't to be punished at all ! "

" well now no not exactly , " said Matthew uneasily .

" I reckon she ought to be punished a little .

but don't be too hard on her , Marilla .

recollect she hasn't ever had anyone to teach her right .

you 're you're going to give her something to eat , aren't you ? "

" when did you ever hear of me starving people into good behavior ? " demanded Marilla indignantly .

" she 'll have her meals regular , and I 'll carry them up to her myself .

but she 'll stay up there until she 's willing to apologize to Mrs Lynde , and that 's final , Matthew . "

breakfast , dinner , and supper were very silent meals for Anne still remained obdurate .

after each meal Marilla carried a well-filled tray to the east gable and brought it down later on not noticeably depleted .

Matthew eyed its last descent with a troubled eye .

had Anne eaten anything at all ?

Anne was sitting on the yellow chair by the window gazing mournfully out into the garden .

very small and unhappy she looked , and Matthew 's heart smote him .

he softly closed the door and tiptoed over to her .

" Anne , " he whispered , as if afraid of being overheard , " how are you making it , Anne ? "

Anne smiled wanly .

" pretty well .

I imagine a good deal , and that helps to pass the time .

of course , it 's rather lonesome .

but then , I may as well get used to that . "

Anne smiled again , bravely facing the long years of solitary imprisonment before her .

Matthew recollected that he must say what he had come to say without loss of time , lest Marilla return prematurely .

" well now , Anne , don't you think you 'd better do it and have it over with ? " he whispered .

" it 'll have to be done sooner or later , you know , for Marilla 's a dreadful deter-mined woman dreadful determined , Anne .

do it right off , I say , and have it over . "

" do you mean apologize to Mrs Lynde ? "

" yes apologize that 's the very word , " said Matthew eagerly .

" just smooth it over so to speak .

that 's what I was trying to get at . "

" I suppose I could do it to oblige you , " said Anne thoughtfully .

" it would be true enough to say I am sorry , because I am sorry now .

I wasn't a bit sorry last night .

I was mad clear through , and I stayed mad all night .

I know I did because I woke up three times and I was just furious every time .

but this morning it was over .

I wasn't in a temper anymore and it left a dreadful sort of goneness , too .

I felt so ashamed of myself .

but I just couldn't think of going and telling Mrs Lynde so .

it would be so humiliating .

I made up my mind I 'd stay shut up here forever rather than do that .

but still I 'd do anything for you if you really want me to "

" well now , of course I do .

it 's terrible lonesome downstairs without you .

just go and smooth things over that's a good girl . "

" very well , " said Anne resignedly .

" I 'll tell Marilla as soon as she comes in I 've repented . "

" that 's right that 's right , Anne .

but don't tell Marilla I said anything about it .

she might think I was putting my oar in and I promised not to do that . "

" wild horses won't drag the secret from me , " promised Anne solemnly .

" how would wild horses drag a secret from a person anyhow ? "

but Matthew was gone , scared at his own success .

he fled hastily to the remotest corner of the horse pasture lest Marilla should suspect what he had been up to .

" well ? " she said , going into the hall .

" I 'm sorry I lost my temper and said rude things , and I 'm willing to go and tell Mrs Lynde so . "

" very well . "

Marilla 's crispness gave no sign of her relief .

she had been wondering what under the canopy she should do if Anne did not give in .

" I 'll take you down after milking . "

accordingly , after milking , behold Marilla and Anne walking down the lane , the former erect and triumphant , the latter drooping and dejected .

but halfway down Anne 's dejection vanished as if by enchantment .

she lifted her head and stepped lightly along , her eyes fixed on the sunset sky and an air of subdued exhilaration about her .

Marilla beheld the change disapprovingly .

this was no meek penitent such as it behooved her to take into the presence of the offended Mrs Lynde .

" what are you thinking of , Anne ? " she asked sharply .

" I 'm imagining out what I must say to Mrs Lynde , " answered Anne dreamily .

this was satisfactory or should have been so .

but Marilla could not rid herself of the notion that something in her scheme of punishment was going askew .

Anne had no business to look so rapt and radiant .

rapt and radiant Anne continued until they were in the very presence of Mrs Lynde , who was sitting knitting by her kitchen window .

then the radiance vanished .

mournful penitence appeared on every feature .

before a word was spoken Anne suddenly went down on her knees before the astonished Mrs Rachel and held out her hands beseechingly .

" oh , Mrs Lynde , I am so extremely sorry , " she said with a quiver in her voice .

" I could never express all my sorrow , no , not if I used up a whole dictionary .

you must just imagine it .

I 'm a dreadfully wicked and ungrateful girl , and I deserve to be punished and cast out by respectable people forever .

it was very wicked of me to fly into a temper because you told me the truth .

it was the truth ; every word you said was true .

my hair is red and I 'm freckled and skinny and ugly .

what I said to you was true , too , but I shouldn't have said it .

oh , Mrs Lynde , please , please , forgive me .

oh , I am sure you wouldn't .

please say you forgive me , Mrs Lynde . "

Anne clasped her hands together , bowed her head , and waited for the word of judgment .

there was no mistaking her sincerity it breathed in every tone of her voice .

both Marilla and Mrs Lynde recognized its unmistakable ring .

but the former under-stood in dismay that Anne was actually enjoying her valley of humiliation was reveling in the thoroughness of her abasement .

where was the wholesome punishment upon which she , Marilla , had plumed herself ?

Anne had turned it into a species of positive pleasure .

good Mrs Lynde , not being overburdened with perception , did not see this .

she only perceived that Anne had made a very thorough apology and all resentment vanished from her kindly , if somewhat officious , heart .

" there , there , get up , child , " she said heartily .

" of course I forgive you .

I guess I was a little too hard on you , anyway .

but I 'm such an outspoken person .

you just mustn't mind me , that's what .

I wouldn't be a mite surprised if yours did , too not a mite . "

" oh , Mrs Lynde ! "

Anne drew a long breath as she rose to her feet .

" you have given me a hope .

I shall always feel that you are a benefactor .

oh , I could endure anything if I only thought my hair would be a handsome auburn when I grew up .

it would be so much easier to be good if one 's hair was a handsome auburn , don't you think ?

and now may I go out into your garden and sit on that bench under the apple-trees while you and Marilla are talking ?

there is so much more scope for imagination out there . "

" Laws , yes , run along , child .

and you can pick a bouquet of them white June lilies over in the corner if you like . "

as the door closed behind Anne Mrs Lynde got briskly up to light a lamp .

" she 's a real odd little thing .

take this chair , Marilla ; it 's easier than the one you 've got ; I just keep that for the hired boy to sit on .

yes , she certainly is an odd child , but there is something kind of taking about her after all .

I don't feel so surprised at you and Matthew keeping her as I did nor so sorry for you , either .

she may turn out all right .

preserve me from a sly child , that 's what .

on the whole , Marilla , I kind of like her . "

when Marilla went home Anne came out of the fragrant twilight of the orchard with a sheaf of white narcissi in her hands .

" I apologized pretty well , didn't I ? " she said proudly as they went down the lane .

" I thought since I had to do it I might as well do it thoroughly . "

" you did it thoroughly , all right enough , " was Marilla 's comment .

Marilla was dismayed at finding herself inclined to laugh over the recollection .

she had also an uneasy feeling that she ought to scold Anne for apologizing so well ; but then , that was ridiculous !

she compromised with her conscience by saying severely :

" I hope you won't have occasion to make many more such apologies .

I hope you 'll try to control your temper now , Anne . "

" that wouldn't be so hard if people wouldn't twit me about my looks , " said Anne with a sigh .

do you suppose my hair will really be a handsome auburn when I grow up ? "

" you shouldn't think so much about your looks , Anne .

I 'm afraid you are a very vain little girl . "

" how can I be vain when I know I 'm homely ? " protested Anne .

" I love pretty things ; and I hate to look in the glass and see something that isn't pretty .

it makes me feel so sorrowful just as I feel when I look at any ugly thing .

I pity it because it isn't beautiful . "

" Handsome is as handsome does , " quoted Marilla .

" oh , aren't these flowers sweet !

it was lovely of Mrs Lynde to give them to me .

I have no hard feelings against Mrs Lynde now .

it gives you a lovely , comfortable feeling to apologize and be forgiven , doesn't it ?

aren't the stars bright tonight ?

if you could live in a star , which one would you pick ?

I 'd like that lovely clear big one away over there above that dark hill . "

" Anne , do hold your tongue , " said Marilla , thoroughly worn out trying to follow the gyrations of Anne 's thoughts .

Anne said no more until they turned into their own lane .

a little gypsy wind came down it to meet them , laden with the spicy perfume of young dew-wet ferns .

Far up in the shadows a cheerful light gleamed out through the trees from the kitchen at Green Gables .

Anne suddenly came close to Marilla and slipped her hand into the older woman 's hard palm .

" it 's lovely to be going home and know it 's home , " she said .

" I love Green Gables already , and I never loved any place before .

no place ever seemed like home .

oh , Marilla , I 'm so happy .

I could pray right now and not find it a bit hard . "

its very unaccustomedness and sweetness disturbed her .

she hastened to restore her sensations to their normal calm by inculcating a moral .

" if you 'll be a good girl you 'll always be happy , Anne .

and you should never find it hard to say your prayers . "

" saying one 's prayers isn't exactly the same thing as praying , " said Anne meditatively .

" but I 'm going to imagine that I 'm the wind that is blowing up there in those tree tops .

oh , there 's so much scope for imagination in a wind !

so I 'll not talk any more just now , Marilla . "

" thanks be to goodness for that , " breathed Marilla in devout relief .

CHAPTER XI .

Anne 's Impressions of Sunday-School

|WELL , how do you like them ? " said Marilla .

Anne was standing in the gable room , looking solemnly at three new dresses spread out on the bed .

" I 'll imagine that I like them , " said Anne soberly .

" I don't want you to imagine it , " said Marilla , offended .

" oh , I can see you don't like the dresses !

what is the matter with them ?

aren't they neat and clean and new ? "

" yes . "

" then why don't you like them ? "

" they 're they're not pretty , " said Anne reluctantly .

" Pretty ! "

Marilla sniffed .

" I didn't trouble my head about getting pretty dresses for you .

I don't believe in pampering vanity , Anne , I 'll tell you that right off .

those dresses are good , sensible , serviceable dresses , without any frills or furbelows about them , and they 're all you 'll get this summer .

the brown gingham and the blue print will do you for school when you begin to go .

the sateen is for church and Sunday school .

I 'll expect you to keep them neat and clean and not to tear them .

I should think you 'd be grateful to get most anything after those skimpy wincey things you 've been wearing . "

" oh , I am grateful , " protested Anne .

" but I 'd be ever so much gratefuller if if you 'd made just one of them with puffed sleeves .

puffed sleeves are so fashionable now .

it would give me such a thrill , Marilla , just to wear a dress with puffed sleeves . "

" well , you 'll have to do without your thrill .

I hadn't any material to waste on puffed sleeves .

I think they are ridiculous-looking things anyhow .

I prefer the plain , sensible ones . "

" but I 'd rather look ridiculous when everybody else does than plain and sensible all by myself , " persisted Anne mournfully .

" trust you for that !

well , hang those dresses carefully up in your closet , and then sit down and learn the Sunday school lesson .

Anne clasped her hands and looked at the dresses .

" I did hope there would be a white one with puffed sleeves , " she whispered disconsolately .

" I prayed for one , but I didn't much expect it on that account .

I didn't suppose God would have time to bother about a little orphan girl 's dress .

I knew I 'd just have to depend on Marilla for it .

well , fortunately I can imagine that one of them is of snow-white muslin with lovely lace frills and three-puffed sleeves . "

the next morning warnings of a sick headache prevented Marilla from going to Sunday-school with Anne .

" you 'll have to go down and call for Mrs Lynde , Anne , " she said .

" she 'll see that you get into the right class .

now , mind you behave yourself properly .

stay to preaching afterwards and ask Mrs Lynde to show you our pew .

here 's a cent for collection .

don't stare at people and don't fidget .

I shall expect you to tell me the text when you come home . "

when she had reached Mrs Lynde 's house she found that lady gone .

nothing daunted , Anne proceeded onward to the church alone .

Avonlea little girls had already heard queer stories about Anne .

they looked at her and whispered to each other behind their quarterlies .

nobody made any friendly advances , then or later on when the opening exercises were over and Anne found herself in Miss Rogerson 's class .

Miss Rogerson was a middle-aged lady who had taught a Sunday-school class for twenty years .

she did not think she liked Miss Rogerson , and she felt very miserable ; every other little girl in the class had puffed sleeves .

Anne felt that life was really not worth living without puffed sleeves .

" well , how did you like Sunday school ? "

Marilla wanted to know when Anne came home .

her wreath having faded , Anne had discarded it in the lane , so Marilla was spared the knowledge of that for a time .

" I didn't like it a bit .

it was horrid . "

" Anne Shirley ! " said Marilla rebukingly .

Anne sat down on the rocker with a long sigh , kissed one of Bonny 's leaves , and waved her hand to a blossoming fuchsia .

" they might have been lonesome while I was away , " she explained .

" and now about the Sunday school .

I behaved well , just as you told me .

Mrs Lynde was gone , but I went right on myself .

Mr Bell made an awfully long prayer .

I would have been dreadfully tired before he got through if I hadn't been sitting by that window .

" you shouldn't have done anything of the sort .

you should have listened to Mr Bell . "

" but he wasn't talking to me , " protested Anne .

" he was talking to God and he didn't seem to be very much inter-ested in it , either .

I think he thought God was too far off though .

oh , Marilla , it was like a beautiful dream !

it gave me a thrill and I just said , ' Thank you for it , God , ' two or three times . "

" not out loud , I hope , " said Marilla anxiously .

" oh , no , just under my breath .

Well , Mr Bell did get through at last and they told me to go into the classroom with Miss Rogerson 's class .

there were nine other girls in it .

they all had puffed sleeves .

I tried to imagine mine were puffed , too , but I couldn't .

why couldn't I ?

" you shouldn't have been thinking about your sleeves in Sunday school .

you should have been attending to the lesson .

I hope you knew it . "

" oh , yes ; and I answered a lot of questions .

Miss Rogerson asked ever so many .

I don't think it was fair for her to do all the asking .

there were lots I wanted to ask her , but I didn't like to because I didn't think she was a kindred spirit .

then all the other little girls recited a paraphrase .

she asked me if I knew any .

I told her I didn't , but I could recite , ' The Dog at His Master 's Grave ' if she liked .

that 's in the Third Royal Reader .

it isn't a really truly religious piece of poetry , but it 's so sad and melancholy that it might as well be .

she said it wouldn't do and she told me to learn the nineteenth paraphrase for next Sunday .

I read it over in church afterwards and it 's splendid .

there are two lines in particular that just thrill me .

" ' Quick as the slaughtered squadrons fell In Midian 's evil day . '

" I don't know what ' squadrons ' means nor ' Midian , ' either , but it sounds so tragical .

I can hardly wait until next Sunday to recite it .

I 'll practice it all the week .

after Sunday school I asked Miss Rogerson because Mrs Lynde was too far away to show me your pew .

I sat just as still as I could and the text was Revelations , third chapter , second and third verses .

it was a very long text .

if I was a minister I 'd pick the short , snappy ones .

the sermon was awfully long , too .

I suppose the minister had to match it to the text .

I didn't think he was a bit interesting .

the trouble with him seems to be that he hasn't enough imagination .

I didn't listen to him very much .

I just let my thoughts run and I thought of the most surprising things . "

CHAPTER XII .

a Solemn Vow and Promise

|IT was not until the next Friday that Marilla heard the story of the flower-wreathed hat .

she came home from Mrs Lynde 's and called Anne to account .

" Anne , Mrs Rachel says you went to church last Sunday with your hat rigged out ridiculous with roses and buttercups .

what on earth put you up to such a caper ?

a pretty-looking object you must have been ! "

" oh .

I know pink and yellow aren't becoming to me , " began Anne .

" becoming fiddlesticks !

it was putting flowers on your hat at all , no matter what color they were , that was ridiculous .

you are the most aggravating child ! "

" I don't see why it 's any more ridiculous to wear flowers on your hat than on your dress , " protested Anne .

" lots of little girls there had bouquets pinned on their dresses .

what 's the difference ? "

Marilla was not to be drawn from the safe concrete into dubious paths of the abstract .

" don't answer me back like that , Anne .

it was very silly of you to do such a thing .

never let me catch you at such a trick again .

Mrs Rachel says she thought she would sink through the floor when she saw you come in all rigged out like that .

she couldn't get near enough to tell you to take them off till it was too late .

she says people talked about it something dreadful .

of course they would think I had no better sense than to let you go decked out like that . "

" oh , I 'm so sorry , " said Anne , tears welling into her eyes .

" I never thought you 'd mind .

the roses and buttercups were so sweet and pretty I thought they 'd look lovely on my hat .

lots of the little girls had artificial flowers on their hats .

I 'm afraid I 'm going to be a dreadful trial to you .

maybe you 'd better send me back to the asylum .

but that would be better than being a trial to you . "

" nonsense , " said Marilla , vexed at herself for having made the child cry .

" I don't want to send you back to the asylum , I 'm sure .

all I want is that you should behave like other little girls and not make yourself ridiculous .

don't cry any more .

I 've got some news for you .

Diana Barry came home this afternoon .

" oh , Marilla , I 'm frightened now that it has come I 'm actually frightened .

what if she shouldn't like me !

it would be the most tragical disappointment of my life . "

" now , don't get into a fluster .

and I do wish you wouldn't use such long words .

it sounds so funny in a little girl .

I guess Diana ' ll like you well enough .

it 's her mother you 've got to reckon with .

if she doesn't like you it won't matter how much Diana does .

you must be polite and well behaved , and don't make any of your startling speeches .

for pity 's sake , if the child isn't actually trembling ! "

Anne was trembling .

her face was pale and tense .

they went over to Orchard Slope by the short cut across the brook and up the firry hill grove .

Mrs Barry came to the kitchen door in answer to Marilla 's knock .

she was a tall black-eyed , black-haired woman , with a very resolute mouth .

she had the reputation of being very strict with her children .

" how do you do , Marilla ? " she said cordially .

" come in .

and this is the little girl you have adopted , I suppose ? "

" yes , this is Anne Shirley , " said Marilla .

Mrs Barry , not hearing or not comprehending , merely shook hands and said kindly :

" how are you ? "

" I am well in body although considerable rumpled up in spirit , thank you ma'am , " said Anne gravely .

then aside to Marilla in an audible whisper , " there wasn't anything startling in that , was there , Marilla ? "

Diana was sitting on the sofa , reading a book which she dropped when the callers entered .

" this is my little girl Diana , " said Mrs Barry .

" Diana , you might take Anne out into the garden and show her your flowers .

it will be better for you than straining your eyes over that book .

she 's always poring over a book .

I 'm glad she has the prospect of a playmate perhaps it will take her more out-of-doors . "

the Barry garden was a bowery wilderness of flowers which would have delighted Anne 's heart at any time less fraught with destiny .

it was encircled by huge old willows and tall firs , beneath which flourished flowers that loved the shade .

prim , right-angled paths neatly bordered with clamshells , intersected it like moist red ribbons and in the beds between old-fashioned flowers ran riot .

Diana laughed .

Diana always laughed before she spoke .

" why , I guess so , " she said frankly .

" I 'm awfully glad you 've come to live at Green Gables .

it will be jolly to have somebody to play with .

there isn't any other girl who lives near enough to play with , and I 've no sisters big enough . "

" will you swear to be my friend forever and ever ? " demanded Anne eagerly .

Diana looked shocked .

" why it 's dreadfully wicked to swear , " she said rebukingly .

" oh no , not my kind of swearing .

there are two kinds , you know . "

" I never heard of but one kind , " said Diana doubtfully .

" there really is another .

oh , it isn't wicked at all .

it just means vowing and promising solemnly . "

" well , I don't mind doing that , " agreed Diana , relieved .

" how do you do it ? "

" we must join hands so , " said Anne gravely .

" it ought to be over running water .

we 'll just imagine this path is running water .

I 'll repeat the oath first .

I solemnly swear to be faithful to my bosom friend , Diana Barry , as long as the sun and moon shall endure .

now you say it and put my name in . "

Diana repeated the " oath " with a laugh fore and aft .

then she said :

" you 're a queer girl , Anne .

I heard before that you were queer .

but I believe I 'm going to like you real well . "

when Marilla and Anne went home Diana went with them as far as the log bridge .

the two little girls walked with their arms about each other .

at the brook they parted with many promises to spend the next afternoon together .

" well , did you find Diana a kindred spirit ? " asked Marilla as they went up through the garden of Green Gables .

" oh yes , " sighed Anne , blissfully unconscious of any sarcasm on Marilla 's part .

" oh Marilla , I 'm the happiest girl on Prince Edward Island this very moment .

I assure you I 'll say my prayers with a right good-will tonight .

Diana and I are going to build a playhouse in Mr William Bell 's birch grove tomorrow .

can I have those broken pieces of china that are out in the woodshed ?

Diana 's birthday is in February and mine is in March .

don't you think that is a very strange coincidence ?

Diana is going to lend me a book to read .

she says it 's perfectly splendid and tremendously exciting .

she 's going to show me a place back in the woods where rice lilies grow .

don't you think Diana has got very soulful eyes ?

I wish I had soulful eyes .

Diana is going to teach me to sing a song called ' Nelly in the Hazel Dell . '

a sewing-machine agent gave it to her .

I wish I had something to give Diana .

we 're going to the shore some day to gather shells .

we have agreed to call the spring down by the log bridge the Dryad 's Bubble .

isn't that a perfectly elegant name ?

I read a story once about a spring called that .

a dryad is sort of a grown-up fairy , I think . "

" well , all I hope is you won't talk Diana to death , " said Marilla .

" but remember this in all your planning , Anne .

you 're not going to play all the time nor most of it .

you 'll have your work to do and it 'll have to be done first . "

Anne 's cup of happiness was full , and Matthew caused it to overflow .

" I heard you say you liked chocolate sweeties , so I got you some , " he said .

" Humph , " sniffed Marilla .

" it 'll ruin her teeth and stomach .

there , there , child , don't look so dismal .

you can eat those , since Matthew has gone and got them .

he 'd better have brought you peppermints .

they 're wholesomer .

don't sicken yourself eating all them at once now . "

" oh , no , indeed , I won't , " said Anne eagerly .

" I 'll just eat one tonight , Marilla .

and I can give Diana half of them , can't I ?

the other half will taste twice as sweet to me if I give some to her .

it 's delightful to think I have something to give her . "

" I will say it for the child , " said Marilla when Anne had gone to her gable , " she isn't stingy .

I 'm glad , for of all faults I detest stinginess in a child .

dear me , it 's only three weeks since she came , and it seems as if she 'd been here always .

I can't imagine the place without her .

now , don't be looking I told-you-so , Matthew .

that 's bad enough in a woman , but it isn't to be endured in a man .

CHAPTER XIII .

the Delights of Anticipation

and of course he 's listening to her like a perfect ninny .

I never saw such an infatuated man .

the more she talks and the odder the things she says , the more he 's delighted evidently .

Anne Shirley , you come right in here this minute , do you hear me ! "

" just look at the clock , if you please , Anne .

what time did I tell you to come in ? "

" two o'clock but isn't it splendid about the picnic , Marilla ?

please can I go ?

oh , I 've never been to a picnic I 've dreamed of picnics , but I've never "

" yes , I told you to come at two o'clock .

and it 's a quarter to three .

I 'd like to know why you didn't obey me , Anne . "

" why , I meant to , Marilla , as much as could be .

but you have no idea how fascinating Idlewild is .

and then , of course , I had to tell Matthew about the picnic .

Matthew is such a sympathetic listener .

please can I go ? "

" you 'll have to learn to resist the fascination of

when I tell you to come in at a certain time I mean that time and not half an hour later .

and you needn't stop to discourse with sympathetic listeners on your way , either .

as for the picnic , of course you can go .

you 're a Sunday-school scholar , and it 's not likely I 'd refuse to let you go when all the other little girls are going . "

" but but , " faltered Anne , " Diana says that everybody must take a basket of things to eat .

it 's been preying on my mind ever since Diana told me . "

" well , it needn't prey any longer .

I 'll bake you a basket . "

" oh , you dear good Marilla .

oh , you are so kind to me .

oh , I 'm so much obliged to you . "

getting through with her " ohs " Anne cast herself into Marilla 's arms and rapturously kissed her sallow cheek .

it was the first time in her whole life that childish lips had voluntarily touched Marilla 's face .

again that sudden sensation of startling sweetness thrilled her .

she was secretly vastly pleased at Anne 's impulsive caress , which was probably the reason why she said brusquely :

" there , there , never mind your kissing nonsense .

I 'd sooner see you doing strictly as you 're told .

as for cooking , I mean to begin giving you lessons in that some of these days .

now , get out your patchwork and have your square done before teatime . "

" I think some kinds of sewing would be nice ; but there 's no scope for imagination in patchwork .

it 's just one little seam after another and you never seem to be getting anywhere .

but of course I 'd rather be Anne of Green Gables sewing patchwork than Anne of any other place with nothing to do but play .

I wish time went as quick sewing patches as it does when I 'm playing with Diana , though .

oh , we do have such elegant times , Marilla .

I have to furnish most of the imagination , but I 'm well able to do that .

Diana is simply perfect in every other way .

you know that little piece of land across the brook that runs up between our farm and Mr Barry 's .

Diana and I have our playhouse there .

we call it Idlewild .

isn't that a poetical name ?

I assure you it took me some time to think it out .

I stayed awake nearly a whole night before I invented it .

then , just as I was dropping off to sleep , it came like an inspiration .

Diana was enraptured when she heard it .

we have got our house fixed up elegantly .

you must come and see it , Marilla won't you ?

we have great big stones , all covered with moss , for seats , and boards from tree to tree for shelves .

and we have all our dishes on them .

of course , they 're all broken but it 's the easiest thing in the world to imagine that they are whole .

there 's a piece of a plate with a spray of red and yellow ivy on it that is especially beautiful .

we keep it in the parlor and we have the fairy glass there , too .

the fairy glass is as lovely as a dream .

Diana found it out in the woods behind their chicken house .

but it 's nice to imagine the fairies lost it one night when they had a ball , so we call it the fairy glass .

Matthew is going to make us a table .

oh , we have named that little round pool over in Mr Barry 's field Willowmere .

I got that name out of the book Diana lent me .

that was a thrilling book , Marilla .

the heroine had five lovers .

I 'd be satisfied with one , wouldn't you ?

she was very handsome and she went through great tribulations .

she could faint as easy as anything .

I 'd love to be able to faint , wouldn't you , Marilla ?

it 's so romantic .

but I 'm really very healthy for all I 'm so thin .

I believe I 'm getting fatter , though .

don't you think I am ?

I look at my elbows every morning when I get up to see if any dimples are coming .

Diana is having a new dress made with elbow sleeves .

she is going to wear it to the picnic .

oh , I do hope it will be fine next Wednesday .

I don't feel that I could endure the disappointment if anything happened to prevent me from getting to the picnic .

I suppose I 'd live through it , but I 'm certain it would be a lifelong sorrow .

it wouldn't matter if I got to a hundred picnics in after years ; they wouldn't make up for missing this one .

they 're going to have boats on the Lake of Shining Waters and ice cream , as I told you .

I have never tasted ice cream .

Diana tried to explain what it was like , but I guess ice cream is one of those things that are beyond imagination . "

" Anne , you have talked even on for ten minutes by the clock , " said Marilla .

" now , just for curiosity 's sake , see if you can hold your tongue for the same length of time . "

Anne held her tongue as desired .

but for the rest of the week she talked picnic and thought picnic and dreamed picnic .

" such a thrill as went up and down my back , Marilla !

I don't think I 'd ever really believed until then that there was honestly going to be a picnic .

I couldn't help fearing I 'd only imagined it .

but when a minister says a thing in the pulpit you just have to believe it . "

" you set your heart too much on things , Anne , " said Marilla , with a sigh .

" I 'm afraid there 'll be a great many disappointments in store for you through life . "

" oh , Marilla , looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them , " exclaimed Anne .

" you mayn't get the things themselves ; but nothing can prevent you from having the fun of looking forward to them .

Mrs Lynde says , ' Blessed are they who expect nothing for they shall not be disappointed . '

but I think it would be worse to expect nothing than to be disappointed . "

Marilla wore her amethyst brooch to church that day as usual .

Marilla always wore her amethyst brooch to church .

she would have thought it rather sacrilegious to leave it off as bad as forgetting her Bible or her collection dime .

that amethyst brooch was Marilla 's most treasured possession .

a seafaring uncle had given it to her mother who in turn had bequeathed it to Marilla .

it was an old-fashioned oval , containing a braid of her mother 's hair , surrounded by a border of very fine amethysts .

Anne had been smitten with delighted admiration when she first saw that brooch .

" oh , Marilla , it 's a perfectly elegant brooch .

I don't know how you can pay attention to the sermon or the prayers when you have it on .

I couldn't , I know .

I think amethysts are just sweet .

they are what I used to think diamonds were like .

long ago , before I had ever seen a diamond , I read about them and I tried to imagine what they would be like .

I thought they would be lovely glimmering purple stones .

when I saw a real diamond in a lady 's ring one day I was so disappointed I cried .

of course , it was very lovely but it wasn't my idea of a diamond .

will you let me hold the brooch for one minute , Marilla ?

do you think amethysts can be the souls of good violets ? "

CHAPTER XIV .

Anne 's Confession

|ON the Monday evening before the picnic Marilla came down from her room with a troubled face .

I thought I stuck it in my pincushion when I came home from church yesterday evening , but I can't find it anywhere . "

" I I saw it this afternoon when you were away at the Aid Society , " said Anne , a little slowly .

" I was passing your door when I saw it on the cushion , so I went in to look at it . "

" did you touch it ? " said Marilla sternly .

" you had no business to do anything of the sort .

it 's very wrong in a little girl to meddle .

where did you put it ? "

" oh , I put it back on the bureau .

I hadn't it on a minute .

truly , I didn't mean to meddle , Marilla .

that 's one good thing about me .

I never do the same naughty thing twice . "

" you didn't put it back , " said Marilla .

" that brooch isn't anywhere on the bureau .

you 've taken it out or something , Anne . "

" I did put it back , " said Anne quickly pertly , Marilla thought .

" I don't just remember whether I stuck it on the pincushion or laid it in the china tray .

but I 'm perfectly certain I put it back . "

" I 'll go and have another look , " said Marilla , determining to be just .

" if you put that brooch back it 's there still .

if it isn't I 'll know you didn't , that 's all ! "

it was not to be found and she returned to the kitchen .

" Anne , the brooch is gone .

by your own admission you were the last person to handle it .

now , what have you done with it ?

tell me the truth at once .

did you take it out and lose it ? "

" no , I didn't , " said Anne solemnly , meeting Marilla 's angry gaze squarely .

so there , Marilla . "

Anne 's " so there " was only intended to emphasize her assertion , but Marilla took it as a display of defiance .

" I believe you are telling me a falsehood , Anne , " she said sharply .

" I know you are .

there now , don't say anything more unless you are prepared to tell the whole truth .

go to your room and stay there until you are ready to confess . "

" will I take the peas with me ? " said Anne meekly .

" no , I 'll finish shelling them myself .

do as I bid you . "

when Anne had gone Marilla went about her evening tasks in a very disturbed state of mind .

she was worried about her valuable brooch .

what if Anne had lost it ?

and how wicked of the child to deny having taken it , when anybody could see she must have !

with such an innocent face , too !

" I don't know what I wouldn't sooner have had happen , " thought Marilla , as she nervously shelled the peas .

" of course , I don't suppose she meant to steal it or anything like that .

she 's just taken it to play with or help along that imagination of hers .

and the brooch is gone , there 's nothing surer .

I suppose she has lost it and is afraid to own up for fear she 'll be punished .

it 's a dreadful thing to think she tells falsehoods .

it 's a far worse thing than her fit of temper .

it 's a fearful responsibility to have a child in your house you can't trust .

Slyness and untruthfulness that 's what she has displayed .

I declare I feel worse about that than about the brooch .

if she 'd only have told the truth about it I wouldn't mind so much . "

Marilla went to her room at intervals all through the evening and searched for the brooch , without finding it .

a bedtime visit to the east gable produced no result .

Anne persisted in denying that she knew anything about the brooch but Marilla was only the more firmly convinced that she did .

she told Matthew the story the next morning .

Matthew was confounded and puzzled ; he could not so quickly lose faith in Anne but he had to admit that circumstances were against her .

" you 're sure it hasn't fell down behind the bureau ? " was the only suggestion he could offer .

" I 've moved the bureau and I 've taken out the drawers and I 've looked in every crack and cranny " was Marilla 's positive answer .

" the brooch is gone and that child has taken it and lied about it .

that 's the plain , ugly truth , Matthew Cuthbert , and we might as well look it in the face . "

" Well now , what are you going to do about it ? "

Matthew asked forlornly , feeling secretly thankful that Marilla and not he had to deal with the situation .

he felt no desire to put his oar in this time .

" she 'll stay in her room until she confesses , " said Marilla grimly , remembering the success of this method in the former case .

" then we 'll see .

" well now , you 'll have to punish her , " said Matthew , reaching for his hat .

" I 've nothing to do with it , remember .

you warned me off yourself . "

Marilla felt deserted by everyone .

she could not even go to Mrs Lynde for advice .

she went up to the east gable with a very serious face and left it with a face more serious still .

Anne steadfastly refused to confess .

she persisted in asserting that she had not taken the brooch .

the child had evidently been crying and Marilla felt a pang of pity which she sternly repressed .

by night she was , as she expressed it , " beat out . "

" you 'll stay in this room until you confess , Anne .

you can make up your mind to that , " she said firmly .

" but the picnic is tomorrow , Marilla , " cried Anne .

" you won't keep me from going to that , will you ?

you 'll just let me out for the afternoon , won't you ?

then I 'll stay here as long as you like afterwards cheerfully .

but I must go to the picnic . "

" you 'll not go to picnics nor anywhere else until you 've confessed , Anne . "

" oh , Marilla , " gasped Anne .

but Marilla had gone out and shut the door .

Wednesday morning dawned as bright and fair as if expressly made to order for the picnic .

the birches in the hollow waved joyful hands as if watching for Anne 's usual morning greeting from the east gable .

but Anne was not at her window .

" Marilla , I 'm ready to confess . "

" ah ! "

Marilla laid down her tray .

once again her method had succeeded ; but her success was very bitter to her .

" let me hear what you have to say then , Anne . "

" I took the amethyst brooch , " said Anne , as if repeating a lesson she had learned .

" I took it just as you said .

I didn't mean to take it when I went in .

but it did look so beautiful , Marilla , when I pinned it on my breast that I was overcome by an irresistible temptation .

I imagined how perfectly thrilling it would be to take it to Idlewild and play I was the Lady Cordelia Fitzgerald .

it would be so much easier to imagine I was the Lady Cordelia if I had a real amethyst brooch on .

Diana and I make necklaces of roseberries but what are roseberries compared to amethysts ?

so I took the brooch .

I thought I could put it back before you came home .

I went all the way around by the road to lengthen out the time .

when I was going over the bridge across the Lake of Shining Waters I took the brooch off to have another look at it .

oh , how it did shine in the sunlight !

and that 's the best I can do at confessing , Marilla . "

Marilla felt hot anger surge up into her heart again .

" Anne , this is terrible , " she said , trying to speak calmly .

" you are the very wickedest girl I ever heard of . "

" yes , I suppose I am , " agreed Anne tranquilly .

" and I know I 'll have to be punished .

it 'll be your duty to punish me , Marilla .

won't you please get it over right off because I 'd like to go to the picnic with nothing on my mind . "

" picnic , indeed !

you 'll go to no picnic today , Anne Shirley .

that shall be your punishment .

and it isn't half severe enough either for what you 've done ! "

" not go to the picnic ! "

Anne sprang to her feet and clutched Marilla 's hand .

" but you promised me I might !

oh , Marilla , I must go to the picnic .

that was why I confessed .

punish me any way you like but that .

oh , Marilla , please , please , let me go to the picnic .

think of the ice cream !

for anything you know I may never have a chance to taste ice cream again . "

Marilla disengaged Anne 's clinging hands stonily .

" you needn't plead , Anne .

you are not going to the picnic and that 's final .

no , not a word . "

Anne realized that Marilla was not to be moved .

" for the land 's sake ! " gasped Marilla , hastening from the room .

" I believe the child is crazy .

no child in her senses would behave as she does .

if she isn't she 's utterly bad .

oh dear , I 'm afraid Rachel was right from the first .

but I 've put my hand to the plow and I won't look back . "

that was a dismal morning .

Marilla worked fiercely and scrubbed the porch floor and the dairy shelves when she could find nothing else to do .

neither the shelves nor the porch needed it but Marilla did .

then she went out and raked the yard .

when dinner was ready she went to the stairs and called Anne .

a tear-stained face appeared , looking tragically over the banisters .

" come down to your dinner , Anne . "

" I don't want any dinner , Marilla , " said Anne , sobbingly .

" I couldn't eat anything .

my heart is broken .

you 'll feel remorse of conscience someday , I expect , for breaking it , Marilla , but I forgive you .

remember when the time comes that I forgive you .

but please don't ask me to eat anything , especially boiled pork and greens .

boiled pork and greens are so unromantic when one is in affliction . "

don't you think it 's pretty rough not to let her go to the picnic when she 's so set on it ? "

" Matthew Cuthbert , I 'm amazed at you .

I think I 've let her off entirely too easy .

and she doesn't appear to realize how wicked she 's been at all that 's what worries me most .

if she 'd really felt sorry it wouldn't be so bad .

and you don't seem to realize it , neither ; you 're making excuses for her all the time to yourself I can see that . "

" well now , she 's such a little thing , " feebly reiterated Matthew .

" and there should be allowances made , Marilla .

you know she 's never had any bringing up . "

" well , she 's having it now " retorted Marilla .

the retort silenced Matthew if it did not convince him .

that dinner was a very dismal meal .

the only cheerful thing about it was Jerry Buote , the hired boy , and Marilla resented his cheerfulness as a personal insult .

she would go and mend it .

the shawl was in a box in her trunk .

Marilla snatched at it with a gasp .

it was the amethyst brooch , hanging to a thread of the lace by its catch !

" dear life and heart , " said Marilla blankly , " what does this mean ?

here 's my brooch safe and sound that I thought was at the bottom of Barry 's pond .

whatever did that girl mean by saying she took it and lost it ?

I declare I believe Green Gables is bewitched .

I remember now that when I took off my shawl Monday afternoon I laid it on the bureau for a minute .

I suppose the brooch got caught in it somehow .

well ! "

Marilla betook herself to the east gable , brooch in hand .

Anne had cried herself out and was sitting dejectedly by the window .

" Anne Shirley , " said Marilla solemnly , " I 've just found my brooch hanging to my black lace shawl .

now I want to know what that rigmarole you told me this morning meant . "

I thought out a confession last night after I went to bed and made it as interesting as I could .

and I said it over and over so that I wouldn't forget it .

but you wouldn't let me go to the picnic after all , so all my trouble was wasted . "

Marilla had to laugh in spite of herself .

but her conscience pricked her .

" Anne , you do beat all !

but I was wrong I see that now .

I shouldn't have doubted your word when I 'd never known you to tell a story .

of course , it wasn't right for you to confess to a thing you hadn't done it was very wrong to do so .

but I drove you to it .

so if you 'll forgive me , Anne , I 'll forgive you and we 'll start square again .

and now get yourself ready for the picnic . "

Anne flew up like a rocket .

" oh , Marilla , isn't it too late ? "

" no , it 's only two o'clock .

they won't be more than well gathered yet and it 'll be an hour before they have tea .

wash your face and comb your hair and put on your gingham .

I 'll fill a basket for you .

there 's plenty of stuff baked in the house .

and I 'll get Jerry to hitch up the sorrel and drive you down to the picnic ground . "

" oh , Marilla , " exclaimed Anne , flying to the washstand .

that night a thoroughly happy , completely tired-out Anne returned to Green Gables in a state of beatification impossible to describe .

" oh , Marilla , I 've had a perfectly scrumptious time .

Scrumptious is a new word I learned today .

I heard Mary Alice Bell use it .

isn't it very expressive ?

everything was lovely .

and Jane Andrews nearly fell overboard .

I wish it had been me .

it would have been such a romantic experience to have been nearly drowned .

it would be such a thrilling tale to tell .

and we had the ice cream .

words fail me to describe that ice cream .

Marilla , I assure you it was sublime . "

that evening Marilla told the whole story to Matthew over her stocking basket .

" I 'm willing to own up that I made a mistake , " she concluded candidly , " but I 've learned a lesson .

I have to laugh when I think of Anne 's ' confession , ' although I suppose I shouldn't for it really was a falsehood .

but it doesn't seem as bad as the other would have been , somehow , and anyhow I 'm responsible for it .

that child is hard to understand in some respects .

but I believe she 'll turn out all right yet .

and there 's one thing certain , no house will ever be dull that she 's in . "

CHAPTER XV .

a Tempest in the School Teapot

|WHAT a splendid day ! " said Anne , drawing a long breath .

" isn't it good just to be alive on a day like this ?

I pity the people who aren't born yet for missing it .

they may have good days , of course , but they can never have this one .

and it 's splendider still to have such a lovely way to go to school by , isn't it ? "

and yet , when the tarts were divided among ten girls you just got enough to tantalize you .

the way Anne and Diana went to school was a pretty one .

Anne thought those walks to and from school with Diana couldn't be improved upon even by imagination .

Lover 's Lane opened out below the orchard at Green Gables and stretched far up into the woods to the end of the Cuthbert farm .

it was the way by which the cows were taken to the back pasture and the wood hauled home in winter .

Anne had named it Lover 's Lane before she had been a month at Green Gables .

so we want to have one , too .

and it 's a very pretty name , don't you think ?

So romantic !

we can't imagine the lovers into it , you know .

I like that lane because you can think out loud there without people calling you crazy . "

Anne , starting out alone in the morning , went down Lover 's Lane as far as the brook .

then they left the lane and walked through Mr Barry 's back field and past Willowmere .

beyond Willowmere came Violet Vale a little green dimple in the shadow of Mr Andrew Bell 's big woods .

oh , Marilla , can't you just imagine you see them ?

it actually takes away my breath .

I named it Violet Vale .

Diana says she never saw the beat of me for hitting on fancy names for places .

it 's nice to be clever at something , isn't it ?

but Diana named the Birch Path .

she wanted to , so I let her ; but I 'm sure I could have found something more poetical than plain Birch Path .

anybody can think of a name like that .

but the Birch Path is one of the prettiest places in the world , Marilla . "

it was .

other people besides Anne thought so when they stumbled on it .

down in the valley the path came out to the main road and then it was just up the spruce hill to the school .

Marilla had seen Anne start off to school on the first day of September with many secret misgivings .

Anne was such an odd girl .

how would she get on with the other children ?

and how on earth would she ever manage to hold her tongue during school hours ?

things went better than Marilla feared , however .

Anne came home that evening in high spirits .

" I think I 'm going to like school here , " she announced .

" I don't think much of the master , through .

he 's all the time curling his mustache and making eyes at Prissy Andrews .

Prissy is grown up , you know .

she 's sixteen and she 's studying for the entrance examination into Queen 's Academy at Charlottetown next year .

Tillie Boulter says the master is dead gone on her .

she 's got a beautiful complexion and curly brown hair and she does it up so elegantly .

" Anne Shirley , don't let me hear you talking about your teacher in that way again , " said Marilla sharply .

" you don't go to school to criticize the master .

I guess he can teach you something , and it 's your business to learn .

and I want you to understand right off that you are not to come home telling tales about him .

that is something I won't encourage .

I hope you were a good girl . "

" indeed I was , " said Anne comfortably .

" it wasn't so hard as you might imagine , either .

I sit with Diana .

our seat is right by the window and we can look down to the Lake of Shining Waters .

there are a lot of nice girls in school and we had scrumptious fun playing at dinnertime .

it 's so nice to have a lot of little girls to play with .

but of course I like Diana best and always will .

I adore Diana .

I 'm dreadfully far behind the others .

they 're all in the fifth book and I 'm only in the fourth .

I feel that it 's kind of a disgrace .

but there 's not one of them has such an imagination as I have and I soon found that out .

we had reading and geography and Canadian history and dictation today .

Mr Phillips said my spelling was disgraceful and he held up my slate so that everybody could see it , all marked over .

I felt so mortified , Marilla ; he might have been politer to a stranger , I think .

I 'm to give it back to her tomorrow .

and Tillie Boulter let me wear her bead ring all the afternoon .

can I have some of those pearl beads off the old pincushion in the garret to make myself a ring ?

Marilla , that is the first compliment I have ever had in my life and you can't imagine what a strange feeling it gave me .

Marilla , have I really a pretty nose ?

I know you 'll tell me the truth . "

" your nose is well enough , " said Marilla shortly .

secretly she thought Anne 's nose was a remarkable pretty one ; but she had no intention of telling her so .

that was three weeks ago and all had gone smoothly so far .

" I guess Gilbert Blythe will be in school today , " said Diana .

" he 's been visiting his cousins over in New Brunswick all summer and he only came home Saturday night .

he 's aw'fly handsome , Anne .

and he teases the girls something terrible .

he just torments our lives out . "

Diana 's voice indicated that she rather liked having her life tormented out than not .

" Gilbert Blythe ? " said Anne .

" isn't his name that 's written up on the porch wall with Julia Bell 's and a big ' Take Notice ' over them ? "

" yes , " said Diana , tossing her head , " but I 'm sure he doesn't like Julia Bell so very much .

I 've heard him say he studied the multiplication table by her freckles . "

" oh , don't speak about freckles to me , " implored Anne .

" it isn't delicate when I 've got so many .

but I do think that writing take-notices up on the wall about the boys and girls is the silliest ever .

I should just like to see anybody dare to write my name up with a boy 's .

not , of course , " she hastened to add , " that anybody would . "

Anne sighed .

she didn't want her name written up .

but it was a little humiliating to know that there was no danger of it .

" it 's only meant as a joke .

and don't you be too sure your name won't ever be written up .

Charlie Sloane is dead gone on you .

he told his mother his mother , mind you that you were the smartest girl in school .

that 's better than being good looking . "

" no , it isn't , " said Anne , feminine to the core .

" I 'd rather be pretty than clever .

and I hate Charlie Sloane , I can't bear a boy with goggle eyes .

if anyone wrote my name up with his I 'd never get over it , Diana Barry .

but it is nice to keep head of your class . "

he 's only in the fourth book although he 's nearly fourteen .

four years ago his father was sick and had to go out to Alberta for his health and Gilbert went with him .

they were there three years and Gil didn't go to school hardly any until they came back .

you won't find it so easy to keep head after this , Anne . "

" I 'm glad , " said Anne quickly .

" I couldn't really feel proud of keeping head of little boys and girls of just nine or ten .

I got up yesterday spelling ' ebullition . '

Josie Pye was head and , mind you , she peeped in her book .

Mr Phillips didn't see her he was looking at Prissy Andrews but I did .

I just swept her a look of freezing scorn and she got as red as a beet and spelled it wrong after all . "

" those Pye girls are cheats all round , " said Diana indignantly , as they climbed the fence of the main road .

" Gertie Pye actually went and put her milk bottle in my place in the brook yesterday .

did you ever ?

I don't speak to her now . "

just look at him and see if you don't think he 's handsome . "

Anne looked accordingly .

he was a tall boy , with curly brown hair , roguish hazel eyes , and a mouth twisted into a teasing smile .

everybody looked at her and Mr Phillips glared so sternly that Ruby began to cry .

" I think your Gilbert Blythe is handsome , " confided Anne to Diana , " but I think he 's very bold .

it isn't good manners to wink at a strange girl . "

but it was not until the afternoon that things really began to happen .

Gilbert Blythe wasn't used to putting himself out to make a girl look at him and meeting with failure .

" Carrots !

Carrots ! "

then Anne looked at him with a vengeance !

she did more than look .

she sprang to her feet , her bright fancies fallen into cureless ruin .

she flashed one indignant glance at Gilbert from eyes whose angry sparkle was swiftly quenched in equally angry tears .

" you mean , hateful boy ! " she exclaimed passionately .

" how dare you ! "

and then thwack !

Anne had brought her slate down on Gilbert 's head and cracked it slate not head clear across .

Avonlea school always enjoyed a scene .

this was an especially enjoyable one .

everybody said " oh " in horrified delight .

Diana gasped .

Ruby Gillis , who was inclined to be hysterical , began to cry .

Tommy Sloane let his team of crickets escape him altogether while he stared open-mouthed at the tableau .

Mr Phillips stalked down the aisle and laid his hand heavily on Anne 's shoulder .

" Anne Shirley , what does this mean ? " he said angrily .

Anne returned no answer .

Gilbert it was who spoke up stoutly .

" it was my fault Mr Phillips .

I teased her . "

Mr Phillips paid no heed to Gilbert .

" Anne , go and stand on the platform in front of the blackboard for the rest of the afternoon . "

Anne would have infinitely preferred a whipping to this punishment under which her sensitive spirit quivered as from a whiplash .

with a white , set face she obeyed .

Mr Phillips took a chalk crayon and wrote on the blackboard above her head .

" Ann Shirley has a very bad temper .

Anne stood there the rest of the afternoon with that legend above her .

she did not cry or hang her head .

anger was still too hot in her heart for that and it sustained her amid all her agony of humiliation .

with resentful eyes and passion-red cheeks she confronted alike Diana 's sympathetic gaze and Charlie Sloane 's indignant nods and Josie Pye 's malicious smiles .

as for Gilbert Blythe , she would not even look at him .

she would never look at him again !

she would never speak to him ! !

when school was dismissed Anne marched out with her red head held high .

Gilbert Blythe tried to intercept her at the porch door .

" I 'm awfully sorry I made fun of your hair , Anne , " he whispered contritely .

" honest I am .

don't be mad for keeps , now . "

Anne swept by disdainfully , without look or sign of hearing .

" oh how could you , Anne ? " breathed Diana as they went down the road half reproachfully , half admiringly .

Diana felt that she could never have resisted Gilbert 's plea .

" I shall never forgive Gilbert Blythe , " said Anne firmly .

" and Mr Phillips spelled my name without an e , too .

the iron has entered into my soul , Diana . "

Diana hadn't the least idea what Anne meant but she understood it was something terrible .

" you mustn't mind Gilbert making fun of your hair , " she said soothingly .

" why , he makes fun of all the girls .

he laughs at mine because it 's so black .

he 's called me a crow a dozen times ; and I never heard him apologize for anything before , either . "

" there 's a great deal of difference between being called a crow and being called carrots , " said Anne with dignity .

" Gilbert Blythe has hurt my feelings excruciatingly , Diana . "

it is possible the matter might have blown over without more excruciation if nothing else had happened .

but when things begin to happen they are apt to keep on .

Avonlea scholars often spent noon hour picking gum in Mr Bell 's spruce grove over the hill and across his big pasture field .

from there they could keep an eye on Eben Wright 's house , where the master boarded .

anyone who came in late would be punished .

the girls who were on the ground , started first and managed to reach the schoolhouse in time but without a second to spare .

" take those flowers out of your hair and sit with Gilbert Blythe . "

the other boys snickered .

Diana , turning pale with pity , plucked the wreath from Anne 's hair and squeezed her hand .

Anne stared at the master as if turned to stone .

" did you hear what I said , Anne ? " queried Mr Phillips sternly .

" yes , sir , " said Anne slowly " but I didn't suppose you really meant it . "

" I assure you I did " still with the sarcastic inflection which all the children , and Anne especially , hated .

it flicked on the raw .

" obey me at once . "

for a moment Anne looked as if she meant to disobey .

to Anne , this was as the end of all things .

Anne felt that she could not bear it and it would be of no use to try .

her whole being seethed with shame and anger and humiliation .

at first the other scholars looked and whispered and giggled and nudged .

" what are you taking all those things home for , Anne ? "

Diana wanted to know , as soon as they were out on the road .

she had not dared to ask the question before .

" I am not coming back to school any more , " said Anne .

Diana gasped and stared at Anne to see if she meant it .

" will Marilla let you stay home ? " she asked .

" she 'll have to , " said Anne .

" I 'll never go to school to that man again . "

" oh , Anne ! "

Diana looked as if she were ready to cry .

" I do think you 're mean .

what shall I do ?

Mr Phillips will make me sit with that horrid Gertie Pye I know he will because she is sitting alone .

do come back , Anne . "

" I 'd do almost anything in the world for you , Diana , " said Anne sadly .

" I 'd let myself be torn limb from limb if it would do you any good .

but I can't do this , so please don't ask it .

you harrow up my very soul . "

" just think of all the fun you will miss , " mourned Diana .

it 's tremendously exciting .

and you know you are so fond of reading out loud , Anne . "

nothing moved Anne in the least .

her mind was made up .

she would not go to school to Mr Phillips again ; she told Marilla so when she got home .

" nonsense , " said Marilla .

" it isn't nonsense at all , " said Anne , gazing at Marilla with solemn , reproachful eyes .

" don't you understand , Marilla ?

I 've been insulted . "

" insulted fiddlesticks !

you 'll go to school tomorrow as usual . "

" oh , no . "

Anne shook her head gently .

" I 'm not going back , Marilla .

but I will not go back to school , I assure you . "

Marilla saw something remarkably like unyielding stubbornness looking out of Anne 's small face .

she understood that she would have trouble in overcoming it ; but she re-solved wisely to say nothing more just then .

" I 'll run down and see Rachel about it this evening , " she thought .

" there 's no use reasoning with Anne now .

she 's too worked up and I 've an idea she can be awful stubborn if she takes the notion .

far as I can make out from her story , Mr Phillips has been carrying matters with a rather high hand .

but it would never do to say so to her .

I 'll just talk it over with Rachel .

she 's sent ten children to school and she ought to know something about it .

she 'll have heard the whole story , too , by this time . "

Marilla found Mrs Lynde knitting quilts as industriously and cheerfully as usual .

" I suppose you know what I 've come about , " she said , a little shamefacedly .

Mrs Rachel nodded .

" about Anne 's fuss in school , I reckon , " she said .

" Tillie Boulter was in on her way home from school and told me about it . "

" I don't know what to do with her , " said Marilla .

" she declares she won't go back to school .

I never saw a child so worked up .

I 've been expecting trouble ever since she started to school .

I knew things were going too smooth to last .

she 's so high strung .

what would you advise , Rachel ? "

it 's my belief that Mr Phillips was in the wrong .

of course , it doesn't do to say so to the children , you know .

and of course he did right to punish her yesterday for giving way to temper .

but today it was different .

the others who were late should have been punished as well as Anne , that 's what .

and I don't believe in making the girls sit with the boys for punishment .

it isn't modest .

Tillie Boulter was real indignant .

she took Anne 's part right through and said all the scholars did too .

Anne seems real popular among them , somehow .

I never thought she 'd take with them so well . "

" then you really think I 'd better let her stay home , " said Marilla in amazement .

" yes .

that is I wouldn't say school to her again until she said it herself .

the less fuss made the better , in my opinion .

she won't miss much by not going to school , as far as that goes .

Mr Phillips isn't any good at all as a teacher .

I declare , I don't know what education in this Island is coming to . "

Marilla took Mrs Rachel 's advice and not another word was said to Anne about going back to school .

Even Diana 's efforts as a peacemaker were of no avail .

Anne had evidently made up her mind to hate Gilbert Blythe to the end of life .

" whatever 's the matter now , Anne ? " she asked .

" it 's about Diana , " sobbed Anne luxuriously .

" I love Diana so , Marilla .

I cannot ever live without her .

but I know very well when we grow up that Diana will get married and go away and leave me .

and oh , what shall I do ?

I hate her husband I just hate him furiously .

and then bidding Diana goodbye-e-e " here Anne broke down entirely and wept with increasing bitterness .

when had he heard Marilla laugh like that before ?

I should think you had an imagination , sure enough . "

CHAPTER XVI .

Diana Is Invited to Tea with Tragic Results

Anne reveled in the world of color about her .

it would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November , wouldn't it ?

look at these maple branches .

don't they give you a thrill several thrills ?

I 'm going to decorate my room with them . "

" messy things , " said Marilla , whose aesthetic sense was not noticeably developed .

" you clutter up your room entirely too much with out-of-doors stuff , Anne .

bedrooms were made to sleep in . "

" oh , and dream in too , Marilla .

and you know one can dream so much better in a room where there are pretty things .

I 'm going to put these boughs in the old blue jug and set them on my table . "

" mind you don't drop leaves all over the stairs then .

I 'm going on a meeting of the Aid Society at Carmody this afternoon , Anne , and I won't likely be home before dark .

Matthew was so good .

he never scolded a bit .

he put the tea down himself and said we could wait awhile as well as not .

and I told him a lovely fairy story while we were waiting , so he didn't find the time long at all .

it was a beautiful fairy story , Marilla .

but you keep your wits about you this time .

" oh , Marilla ! "

Anne clasped her hands .

" how perfectly lovely !

you are able to imagine things after all or else you 'd never have understood how I 've longed for that very thing .

it will seem so nice and grown-uppish .

no fear of my forgetting to put the tea to draw when I have company .

oh , Marilla , can I use the rosebud spray tea set ? "

" no , indeed !

the rosebud tea set !

well , what next ?

you know I never use that except for the minister or the Aids .

you 'll put down the old brown tea set .

but you can open the little yellow crock of cherry preserves .

it 's time it was being used anyhow I believe it 's beginning to work .

and you can cut some fruit cake and have some of the cookies and snaps . "

" and asking Diana if she takes sugar !

I know she doesn't but of course I 'll ask her just as if I didn't know .

and then pressing her to take another piece of fruit cake and another helping of preserves .

oh , Marilla , it 's a wonderful sensation just to think of it .

can I take her into the spare room to lay off her hat when she comes ?

and then into the parlor to sit ? "

" no .

the sitting room will do for you and your company .

but there 's a bottle half full of raspberry cordial that was left over from the church social the other night .

Anne flew down to the hollow , past the Dryad 's Bubble and up the spruce path to Orchard Slope , to ask Diana to tea .

at other times she was wont to run into the kitchen without knocking ; but now she knocked primly at the front door .

" she is very well , thank you .

" yes .

our potato crop is very good this year .

I hope your father 's crop is good too . "

" it is fairly good , thank you .

have you picked many of your apples yet ? "

" oh , ever so many , " said Anne forgetting to be dignified and jumping up quickly .

" let's go out to the orchard and get some of the Red Sweetings , Diana .

Marilla says we can have all that are left on the tree .

Marilla is a very generous woman .

she said we could have fruit cake and cherry preserves for tea .

only it begins with an R and a C and it 's bright red color .

I love bright red drinks , don't you ?

they taste twice as good as any other color . "

Diana had much to tell Anne of what went on in school .

but Anne didn't want to hear about Gilbert Blythe .

she jumped up hurriedly and said suppose they go in and have some raspberry cordial .

Anne looked on the second shelf of the room pantry but there was no bottle of raspberry cordial there .

Search revealed it away back on the top shelf .

Anne put it on a tray and set it on the table with a tumbler .

" now , please help yourself , Diana , " she said politely .

" I don't believe I 'll have any just now .

I don't feel as if I wanted any after all those apples . "

Diana poured herself out a tumblerful , looked at its bright-red hue admiringly , and then sipped it daintily .

" that 's awfully nice raspberry cordial , Anne , " she said .

" I didn't know raspberry cordial was so nice . "

" I 'm real glad you like it .

take as much as you want .

I 'm going to run out and stir the fire up .

there are so many responsibilities on a person 's mind when they 're keeping house , isn't there ? "

the tumblerfuls were generous ones and the raspberry cordial was certainly very nice .

" the nicest I ever drank , " said Diana .

" it 's ever so much nicer than Mrs Lynde 's , although she brags of hers so much .

it doesn't taste a bit like hers . "

" I should think Marilla 's raspberry cordial would prob'ly be much nicer than Mrs Lynde 's , " said Anne loyally .

" Marilla is a famous cook .

she is trying to teach me to cook but I assure you , Diana , it is uphill work .

there 's so little scope for imagination in cookery .

you just have to go by rules .

the last time I made a cake I forgot to put the flour in .

I was thinking the loveliest story about you and me , Diana .

oh , it was such a pathetic tale , Diana .

the tears just rained down over my cheeks while I mixed the cake .

but I forgot the flour and the cake was a dismal failure .

flour is so essential to cakes , you know .

Marilla was very cross and I don't wonder .

I 'm a great trial to her .

she was terribly mortified about the pudding sauce last week .

we had a plum pudding for dinner on Tuesday and there was half the pudding and a pitcherful of sauce left over .

Marilla said there was enough for another dinner and told me to set it on the pantry shelf and cover it .

I thought of it next morning and ran to the pantry .

Diana , fancy if you can my extreme horror at finding a mouse drowned in that pudding sauce !

I lifted the mouse out with a spoon and threw it out in the yard and then I washed the spoon in three waters .

well , Mr. and Mrs Chester Ross from Spencervale came here that morning .

you know they are very stylish people , especially Mrs Chester Ross .

when Marilla called me in dinner was all ready and everybody was at the table .

Diana , that was a terrible moment .

I remembered everything and I just stood up in my place and shrieked out ' Marilla , you mustn't use that pudding sauce .

there was a mouse drowned in it .

I forgot to tell you before . '

oh , Diana , I shall never forget that awful moment if I live to be a hundred .

Mrs Chester Ross just looked at me and I thought I would sink through the floor with mortification .

she is such a perfect housekeeper and fancy what she must have thought of us .

Marilla turned red as fire but she never said a word then .

she just carried that sauce and pudding out and brought in some strawberry preserves .

she even offered me some , but I couldn't swallow a mouthful .

it was like heaping coals of fire on my head .

after Mrs Chester Ross went away , Marilla gave me a dreadful scolding .

why , Diana , what is the matter ? "

Diana had stood up very unsteadily ; then she sat down again , putting her hands to her head .

" I 'm I'm awful sick , " she said , a little thickly .

" I I must go right home . "

" oh , you mustn't dream of going home without your tea , " cried Anne in distress .

" I 'll get it right off I 'll go and put the tea down this very minute . "

" I must go home , " repeated Diana , stupidly but determinedly .

" let me get you a lunch anyhow , " implored Anne .

" let me give you a bit of fruit cake and some of the cherry preserves .

lie down on the sofa for a little while and you 'll be better .

where do you feel bad ? "

" I must go home , " said Diana , and that was all she would say .

In vain Anne pleaded .

" I never heard of company going home without tea , " she mourned .

" oh , Diana , do you suppose that it 's possible you're really taking the smallpox ?

if you are I 'll go and nurse you , you can depend on that .

I 'll never forsake you .

but I do wish you 'd stay till after tea .

where do you feel bad ? "

" I 'm awful dizzy , " said Diana .

and indeed , she walked very dizzily .

Anne , with tears of disappointment in her eyes , got Diana 's hat and went with her as far as the Barry yard fence .

the next day was Sunday and as the rain poured down in torrents from dawn till dusk Anne did not stir abroad from Green Gables .

Monday afternoon Marilla sent her down to Mrs Lynde 's on an errand .

in a very short space of time Anne came flying back up the lane with tears rolling down her cheeks .

into the kitchen she dashed and flung herself face downward on the sofa in an agony .

" whatever has gone wrong now , Anne ? " queried Marilla in doubt and dismay .

" I do hope you haven't gone and been saucy to Mrs Lynde again . "

no answer from Anne save more tears and stormier sobs !

" Anne Shirley , when I ask you a question I want to be answered .

sit right up this very minute and tell me what you are crying about . "

Anne sat up , tragedy personified .

" Mrs Lynde was up to see Mrs Barry today and Mrs Barry was in an awful state , " she wailed .

" she says that I set Diana drunk Saturday and sent her home in a disgraceful condition .

oh , Marilla , I 'm just overcome with woe . "

Marilla stared in blank amazement .

" set Diana drunk ! " she said when she found her voice .

" Anne are you or Mrs Barry crazy ?

what on earth did you give her ? "

" not a thing but raspberry cordial , " sobbed Anne .

" I never thought raspberry cordial would set people drunk , Marilla not even if they drank three big tumblerfuls as Diana did .

oh , it sounds so so like Mrs Thomas 's husband !

but I didn't mean to set her drunk . "

" drunk fiddlesticks ! " said Marilla , marching to the sitting room pantry .

she went back to the kitchen with the wine bottle in her hand .

her face was twitching in spite of herself .

" Anne , you certainly have a genius for getting into trouble .

you went and gave Diana currant wine instead of raspberry cordial .

didn't you know the difference yourself ? "

" I never tasted it , " said Anne .

" I thought it was the cordial .

I meant to be so so hospitable .

Diana got awfully sick and had to go home .

Mrs Barry told Mrs Lynde she was simply dead drunk .

she just laughed silly-like when her mother asked her what was the matter and went to sleep and slept for hours .

her mother smelled her breath and knew she was drunk .

she had a fearful headache all day yesterday .

Mrs Barry is so indignant .

she will never believe but what I did it on purpose . "

" I should think she would better punish Diana for being so greedy as to drink three glassfuls of anything , " said Marilla shortly .

" why , three of those big glasses would have made her sick even if it had only been cordial .

I just kept that bottle for sickness .

there , there , child , don't cry .

I can't see as you were to blame although I 'm sorry it happened so . "

" I must cry , " said Anne .

" my heart is broken .

the stars in their courses fight against me , Marilla .

Diana and I are parted forever .

oh , Marilla , I little dreamed of this when first we swore our vows of friendship . "

" don't be foolish , Anne .

Mrs Barry will think better of it when she finds you 're not to blame .

I suppose she thinks you 've done it for a silly joke or something of that sort .

you 'd best go up this evening and tell her how it was . "

" my courage fails me at the thought of facing Diana 's injured mother , " sighed Anne .

" I wish you 'd go , Marilla .

you 're so much more dignified than I am .

Likely she 'd listen to you quicker than to me . "

" well , I will , " said Marilla , reflecting that it would probably be the wiser course .

" don't cry any more , Anne .

it will be all right . "

Marilla had changed her mind about it being all right by the time she got back from Orchard Slope .

Anne was watching for her coming and flew to the porch door to meet her .

" oh , Marilla , I know by your face that it 's been no use , " she said sorrowfully .

" Mrs Barry won't forgive me ? "

" Mrs Barry indeed ! " snapped Marilla .

" of all the unreasonable women I ever saw she 's the worst .

I told her it was all a mistake and you weren't to blame , but she just simply didn't believe me .

and she rubbed it well in about my currant wine and how I 'd always said it couldn't have the least effect on anybody .

Marilla whisked into the kitchen , grievously disturbed , leaving a very much distracted little soul in the porch behind her .

Mrs Barry , coming to the door in answer to a timid knock , found a white-lipped eager-eyed suppliant on the doorstep .

her face hardened .

" what do you want ? " she said stiffly .

Anne clasped her hands .

" oh , Mrs Barry , please forgive me .

I did not mean to to intoxicate Diana .

how could I ?

do you think you would intoxicate her on purpose ?

I thought it was only raspberry cordial .

I was firmly convinced it was raspberry cordial .

oh , please don't say that you won't let Diana play with me any more .

if you do you will cover my life with a dark cloud of woe . "

she was suspicious of Anne 's big words and dramatic gestures and imagined that the child was making fun of her .

so she said , coldly and cruelly :

" I don't think you are a fit little girl for Diana to associate with .

you 'd better go home and behave yourself . "

Anne 's lips quivered .

" won't you let me see Diana just once to say farewell ? " she implored .

" Diana has gone over to Carmody with her father , " said Mrs Barry , going in and shutting the door .

Anne went back to Green Gables calm with despair .

" my last hope is gone , " she told Marilla .

" I went up and saw Mrs Barry myself and she treated me very insultingly .

Marilla , I do not think she is a well-bred woman .

and indeed , when she told the whole story to Matthew that night , she did laugh heartily over Anne 's tribulations .

" poor little soul , " she murmured , lifting a loose curl of hair from the child 's tear-stained face .

then she bent down and kissed the flushed cheek on the pillow .

CHAPTER XVII .

a New Interest in Life

in a trice Anne was out of the house and flying down to the hollow , astonishment and hope struggling in her expressive eyes .

but the hope faded when she saw Diana 's dejected countenance .

" your mother hasn't relented ? " she gasped .

Diana shook her head mournfully .

" no ; and oh , Anne , she says I 'm never to play with you again .

I 've cried and cried and I told her it wasn't your fault , but it wasn't any use .

I had ever such a time coaxing her to let me come down and say good-bye to you .

she said I was only to stay ten minutes and she 's timing me by the clock . "

" ten minutes isn't very long to say an eternal farewell in , " said Anne tearfully .

" indeed I will , " sobbed Diana , " and I 'll never have another bosom friend I don't want to have .

I couldn't love anybody as I love you . "

" oh , Diana , " cried Anne , clasping her hands , " do you love me ? "

" why , of course I do .

didn't you know that ? "

" no . "

Anne drew a long breath .

" I thought you liked me of course but I never hoped you loved me .

why , Diana , I didn't think anybody could love me .

nobody ever has loved me since I can remember .

oh , this is wonderful !

it 's a ray of light which will forever shine on the darkness of a path severed from thee , Diana .

oh , just say it once again . "

" and I will always love thee , Diana , " said Anne , solemnly extending her hand .

Diana , wilt thou give me a lock of thy jet-black tresses in parting to treasure forevermore ? "

" yes .

I 've got my patchwork scissors in my apron pocket fortunately , " said Anne .

she solemnly clipped one of Diana 's curls .

" fare thee well , my beloved friend .

henceforth we must be as strangers though living side by side .

but my heart will ever be faithful to thee . "

Anne stood and watched Diana out of sight , mournfully waving her hand to the latter whenever she turned to look back .

then she returned to the house , not a little consoled for the time being by this romantic parting .

" it is all over , " she informed Marilla .

" I shall never have another friend .

I 'm really worse off than ever before , for I haven't Katie Maurice and Violetta now .

and even if I had it wouldn't be the same .

somehow , little dream girls are not satisfying after a real friend .

Diana and I had such an affecting farewell down by the spring .

it will be sacred in my memory forever .

I used the most pathetic language I could think of and said ' thou ' and ' thee . '

' Thou ' and ' thee ' seem so much more romantic than ' you . '

please see that it is buried with me , for I don't believe I 'll live very long .

" I 'm going back to school , " she announced .

" that is all there is left in life for me , now that my friend has been ruthlessly torn from me .

in school I can look at her and muse over days departed . "

" you 'd better muse over your lessons and sums , " said Marilla , concealing her delight at this development of the situation .

" if you 're going back to school I hope we 'll hear no more of breaking slates over people 's heads and such carryings on .

behave yourself and do just what your teacher tells you . "

" I 'll try to be a model pupil , " agreed Anne dolefully .

" there won't be much fun in it , I expect .

Mr Phillips said Minnie Andrews was a model pupil and there isn't a spark of imagination or life in her .

she is just dull and poky and never seems to have a good time .

but I feel so depressed that perhaps it will come easy to me now .

I 'm going round by the road .

I couldn't bear to go by the Birch Path all alone .

I should weep bitter tears if I did . "

Anne was welcomed back to school with open arms .

Sophia Sloane offered to teach her a perfectly elegant new pattern of knit lace , so nice for trimming aprons .

when twilight drops her curtain down And pins it with a star Remember that you have a friend Though she may wander far .

" it 's so nice to be appreciated , " sighed Anne rapturously to Marilla that night .

the girls were not the only scholars who " appreciated " her .

Anne dropped the apple as if it were a red-hot coal and ostentatiously wiped her fingers on her handkerchief .

but as ,

the Caesar 's pageant shorn of Brutus ' bust Did but of Rome 's best son remind her more ,

so the marked absence of any tribute or recognition from Diana Barry who was sitting with Gertie Pye embittered Anne 's little triumph .

" Diana might just have smiled at me once , I think , " she mourned to Marilla that night .

but the next morning a note most fearfully and wonderfully twisted and folded , and a small parcel were passed across to Anne .

Dear Anne ( ran the former )

mother says I 'm not to play with you or talk to you even in school .

it isn't my fault and don't be cross at me , because I love you as much as ever .

I miss you awfully to tell all my secrets to and I don't like Gertie Pye one bit .

I made you one of the new bookmarkers out of red tissue paper .

they are awfully fashionable now and only three girls in school know how to make them .

when you look at it remember

your true friend

Diana Barry .

Anne read the note , kissed the bookmark , and dispatched a prompt reply back to the other side of the school .

my own darling Diana :

of course I am not cross at you because you have to obey your mother .

our spirits can commune .

I shall keep your lovely present forever .

Minnie Andrews is a very nice little girl although she has no imagination but after having been Diana 's busum friend I cannot be Minnie 's .

please excuse mistakes because my spelling isn't very good yet , although much improoved .

yours until death us do part

Anne or Cordelia Shirley .

P.S . I shall sleep with your letter under my pillow tonight .

A or C.S.

Marilla pessimistically expected more trouble since Anne had again begun to go to school .

but none developed .

perhaps Anne caught something of the " model " spirit from Minnie Andrews ; at least she got on very well with Mr Phillips thenceforth .

she flung herself into her studies heart and soul , determined not to be outdone in any class by Gilbert Blythe .

she was as intense in her hatreds as in her loves .

now Gilbert was head of the spelling class ; now Anne , with a toss of her long red braids , spelled him down .

one awful day they were ties and their names were written up together .

it was almost as bad as a take-notice and Anne 's mortification was as evident as Gilbert 's satisfaction .

when the written examinations at the end of each month were held the suspense was terrible .

the first month Gilbert came out three marks ahead .

the second Anne beat him by five .

but her triumph was marred by the fact that Gilbert congratulated her heartily before the whole school .

it would have been ever so much sweeter to her if he had felt the sting of his defeat .

in geometry Anne met her Waterloo .

" it 's perfectly awful stuff , Marilla , " she groaned .

" I 'm sure I 'll never be able to make head or tail of it .

there is no scope for imagination in it at all .

Mr Phillips says I 'm the worst dunce he ever saw at it .

and Gil I mean some of the others are so smart at it .

it is extremely mortifying , Marilla .

" Even Diana gets along better than I do .

but I don't mind being beaten by Diana .

even although we meet as strangers now I still love her with an inextinguishable love .

it makes me very sad at times to think about her .

but really , Marilla , one can't stay sad very long in such an interesting world , can one ? "

CHAPTER XVIII .

Anne to the Rescue

|ALL things great are wound up with all things little .

but it had .

Mrs Rachel Lynde had gone too .

so she went to town and took her husband Thomas would be useful in looking after the horse and Marilla Cuthbert with her .

a bright fire was glowing in the old-fashioned Waterloo stove and blue-white frost crystals were shining on the windowpanes .

but that would mean Gilbert Blythe 's triumph on the morrow .

Anne turned her back on the clock shelf and tried to imagine it wasn't there .

" Matthew , did you ever study geometry when you went to school ? "

" well now , no , I didn't , " said Matthew , coming out of his doze with a start .

" I wish you had , " sighed Anne , " because then you 'd be able to sympathize with me .

you can't sympathize properly if you 've never studied it .

it is casting a cloud over my whole life .

I 'm such a dunce at it , Matthew . "

" well now , I dunno , " said Matthew soothingly .

" I guess you 're all right at anything .

Mr Phillips told me last week in Blair 's store at Carmody that you was the smartest scholar in school and was making rapid progress .

' Rapid progress ' was his very words .

there 's them as runs down Teddy Phillips and says he ain't much of a teacher , but I guess he 's all right . "

Matthew would have thought anyone who praised Anne was " all right . "

" I 'm sure I 'd get on better with geometry if only he wouldn't change the letters , " complained Anne .

I don't think a teacher should take such a mean advantage , do you ?

we 're studying agriculture now and I 've found out at last what makes the roads red .

it 's a great comfort .

I wonder how Marilla and Mrs Lynde are enjoying themselves .

she says if women were allowed to vote we would soon see a blessed change .

what way do you vote , Matthew ? "

" conservative , " said Matthew promptly .

to vote Conservative was part of Matthew 's religion .

" then I 'm Conservative too , " said Anne decidedly .

" I 'm glad because Gil because some of the boys in school are Grits .

is that true , Matthew ? "

" well now , I dunno , " said Matthew .

" did you ever go courting , Matthew ? "

Anne reflected with her chin in her hands .

" it must be rather interesting , don't you think , Matthew ?

I 'd rather have just one in his right mind .

Mr Phillips goes up to see Prissy Andrews nearly every evening .

there are a great many things in this world that I can't understand very well , Matthew . "

" well now , I dunno as I comprehend them all myself , " acknowledged Matthew .

" well , I suppose I must finish up my lessons .

I won't allow myself to open that new book Jane lent me until I 'm through .

but it 's a terrible temptation , Matthew .

even when I turn my back on it I can see it there just as plain .

Jane said she cried herself sick over it .

I love a book that makes me cry .

but I think I 'll carry that book into the sitting room and lock it in the jam closet and give you the key .

it 's all very well to say resist temptation , but it 's ever so much easier to resist it if you can't get the key .

and then shall I run down the cellar and get some russets , Matthew ?

wouldn't you like some russets ? "

" well now , I dunno but what I would , " said Matthew , who never ate russets but knew Anne 's weakness for them .

" whatever is the matter , Diana ? " cried Anne .

" has your mother relented at last ? "

" oh , Anne , do come quick , " implored Diana nervously .

" Minnie May is awful sick she's got croup .

Young Mary Joe says and Father and Mother are away to town and there 's nobody to go for the doctor .

Minnie May is awful bad and Young Mary Joe doesn't know what to do and oh , Anne , I 'm so scared ! "

Matthew , without a word , reached out for cap and coat , slipped past Diana and away into the darkness of the yard .

" I know it as well as if he 'd said so .

Matthew and I are such kindred spirits I can read his thoughts without words at all . "

" I don't believe he 'll find the doctor at Carmody , " sobbed Diana .

" I know that Dr Blair went to town and I guess Dr Spencer would go too .

Young Mary Joe never saw anybody with croup and Mrs Lynde is away .

oh , Anne ! "

" don't cry , Di , " said Anne cheerily .

" I know exactly what to do for croup .

you forget that Mrs Hammond had twins three times .

when you look after three pairs of twins you naturally get a lot of experience .

they all had croup regularly .

just wait till I get the ipecac bottle you mayn't have any at your house .

come on now . "

Anne thought it was truly delightful to go skimming through all this mystery and loveliness with your bosom friend who had been so long estranged .

Minnie May , aged three , was really very sick .

she lay on the kitchen sofa feverish and restless , while her hoarse breathing could be heard all over the house .

Anne went to work with skill and promptness .

" Minnie May has croup all right ; she 's pretty bad , but I 've seen them worse .

first we must have lots of hot water .

I declare , Diana , there isn't more than a cupful in the kettle !

there , I 've filled it up , and , Mary Joe , you may put some wood in the stove .

I don't want to hurt your feelings but it seems to me you might have thought of this before if you 'd any imagination .

now , I 'll undress Minnie May and put her to bed and you try to find some soft flannel cloths , Diana .

I 'm going to give her a dose of ipecac first of all . "

Minnie May did not take kindly to the ipecac but Anne had not brought up three pairs of twins for nothing .

it was three o'clock when Matthew came with a doctor , for he had been obliged to go all the way to Spencervale for one .

but the pressing need for assistance was past .

Minnie May was much better and was sleeping soundly .

" I was awfully near giving up in despair , " explained Anne .

" she got worse and worse until she was sicker than ever the Hammond twins were , even the last pair .

I actually thought she was going to choke to death .

but in about three minutes she coughed up the phlegm and began to get better right away .

you must just imagine my relief , doctor , because I can't express it in words .

you know there are some things that cannot be expressed in words . "

" yes , I know , " nodded the doctor .

he looked at Anne as if he were thinking some things about her that couldn't be expressed in words .

later on , however , he expressed them to Mr and Mrs. Barry .

" that little redheaded girl they have over at Cuthbert 's is as smart as they make ' em .

I tell you she saved that baby 's life , for it would have been too late by the time I got there .

she seems to have a skill and presence of mind perfectly wonderful in a child of her age .

I never saw anything like the eyes of her when she was explaining the case to me . "

" oh , Matthew , isn't it a wonderful morning ?

the world looks like something God had just imagined for His own pleasure , doesn't it ?

those trees look as if I could blow them away with a breath pouf !

I 'm so glad I live in a world where there are white frosts , aren't you ?

and I 'm so glad Mrs Hammond had three pairs of twins after all .

if she hadn't I mightn't have known what to do for Minnie May .

I 'm real sorry I was ever cross with Mrs Hammond for having twins .

but , oh , Matthew , I 'm so sleepy .

I can't go to school .

I just know I couldn't keep my eyes open and I 'd be so stupid .

" you just go right to bed and have a good sleep .

I 'll do all the chores . "

" oh , did you see the Premier ? " exclaimed Anne at once .

" what did he look like Marilla ? "

" well , he never got to be Premier on account of his looks , " said Marilla .

" such a nose as that man had !

but he can speak .

I was proud of being a Conservative .

Rachel Lynde , of course , being a Liberal , had no use for him .

your dinner is in the oven , Anne , and you can get yourself some blue plum preserve out of the pantry .

I guess you 're hungry .

Matthew has been telling me about last night .

I must say it was fortunate you knew what to do .

I wouldn't have had any idea myself , for I never saw a case of croup .

there now , never mind talking till you 've had your dinner .

I can tell by the look of you that you 're just full up with speeches , but they'll keep . "

not until Anne had finished her saucer of blue plums did Marilla say :

" Mrs Barry was here this afternoon , Anne .

she wanted to see you , but I wouldn't wake you up .

she says you saved Minnie May 's life , and she is very sorry she acted as she did in that affair of the currant wine .

now , Anne Shirley , for pity 's sake don't fly up into the air . "

" oh , Marilla , can I go right now without washing my dishes ?

I 'll wash them when I come back , but I cannot tie myself down to anything so unromantic as dishwashing at this thrilling moment . "

" yes , yes , run along , " said Marilla indulgently .

" Anne Shirley are you crazy ?

come back this instant and put something on you .

I might as well call to the wind .

she 's gone without a cap or wrap .

look at her tearing through the orchard with her hair streaming .

it 'll be a mercy if she doesn't catch her death of cold . "

Anne came dancing home in the purple winter twilight across the snowy places .

" you see before you a perfectly happy person , Marilla , " she announced .

" I 'm perfectly happy yes , in spite of my red hair .

Just at present I have a soul above red hair .

Mrs Barry kissed me and cried and said she was so sorry and she could never repay me .

that was a pretty dignified way of speaking wasn't it , Marilla ? "

" I felt that I was heaping coals of fire on Mrs Barry 's head .

and Diana and I had a lovely afternoon .

Diana showed me a new fancy crochet stitch her aunt over at Carmody taught her .

not a soul in Avonlea knows it but us , and we pledged a solemn vow never to reveal it to anyone else .

Diana gave me a beautiful card with a wreath of roses on it and a verse of poetry : "

" if you love me as I love you Nothing but death can part us two . "

" and that is true , Marilla .

we 're going to ask Mr Phillips to let us sit together in school again , and Gertie Pye can go with Minnie Andrews .

we had an elegant tea .

Mrs Barry had the very best china set out , Marilla , just as if I was real company .

I can't tell you what a thrill it gave me .

nobody ever used their very best china on my account before .

and we had fruit cake and pound cake and doughnuts and two kinds of preserves , Marilla .

and Mrs Barry asked me if I took tea and said ' Pa , why don't you pass the biscuits to Anne ? '

it must be lovely to be grown up , Marilla , when just being treated as if you were is so nice . "

" I don't know about that , " said Marilla , with a brief sigh .

I know from sorrowful experience how that hurts one 's feelings .

after tea Diana and I made taffy .

the taffy wasn't very good , I suppose because neither Diana nor I had ever made any before .

but the making of it was splendid fun .

CHAPTER XIX .

a Concert a Catastrophe and a Confession

" I don't see what you want to be traipsing about after dark for , " said Marilla shortly .

so I don't think you 're very badly off to see her again . "

" but she wants to see me , " pleaded Anne .

" she has something very important to tell me . "

" how do you know she has ? "

" because she just signaled to me from her window .

we have arranged a way to signal with our candles and cardboard .

we set the candle on the window sill and make flashes by passing the cardboard back and forth .

so many flashes mean a certain thing .

it was my idea , Marilla . "

" I 'll warrant you it was , " said Marilla emphatically .

" and the next thing you 'll be setting fire to the curtains with your signaling nonsense . "

" oh , we 're very careful , Marilla .

and it 's so interesting .

two flashes mean , ' Are you there ? '

three mean ' yes ' and four ' no . '

five mean , ' Come over as soon as possible , because I have something important to reveal . '

Diana has just signaled five flashes , and I 'm really suffering to know what it is . "

" well , you needn't suffer any longer , " said Marilla sarcastically .

" you can go , but you 're to be back here in just ten minutes , remember that . "

but at least she had made good use of them .

" oh , Marilla , what do you think ?

you know tomorrow is Diana 's birthday .

well , her mother told her she could ask me to go home with her from school and stay all night with her .

and her cousins are coming over from Newbridge in a big pung sleigh to go to the Debating Club concert at the hall tomorrow night .

and they are going to take Diana and me to the concert if you 'll let me go , that is .

you will , won't you , Marilla ?

oh , I feel so excited . "

" you can calm down then , because you 're not going .

" I 'm sure the Debating Club is a most respectable affair , " pleaded Anne .

" I 'm not saying it isn't .

but you 're not going to begin gadding about to concerts and staying out all hours of the night .

Pretty doings for children .

I 'm surprised at Mrs Barry 's letting Diana go . "

" but it 's such a very special occasion , " mourned Anne , on the verge of tears .

" Diana has only one birthday in a year .

it isn't as if birthdays were common things , Marilla .

Prissy Andrews is going to recite ' Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight . '

that is such a good moral piece , Marilla , I 'm sure it would do me lots of good to hear it .

and the choir are going to sing four lovely pathetic songs that are pretty near as good as hymns .

that will be just about the same thing as a sermon .

please , mayn't I go , Marilla ? "

" you heard what I said , Anne , didn't you ?

take off your boots now and go to bed .

it 's past eight . "

" there 's just one more thing , Marilla , " said Anne , with the air of producing the last shot in her locker .

" Mrs Barry told Diana that we might sleep in the spare-room bed .

think of the honor of your little Anne being put in the spare-room bed . "

" it 's an honor you 'll have to get along without .

go to bed , Anne , and don't let me hear another word out of you . "

" well now , Marilla , I think you ought to let Anne go . "

" I don't then , " retorted Marilla .

" who 's bringing this child up , Matthew , you or me ? "

" well now , you , " admitted Matthew .

" don't interfere then . "

" well now , I ain't interfering .

it ain't interfering to have your own opinion .

and my opinion is that you ought to let Anne go . "

" I might have let her spend the night with Diana , if that was all .

but I don't approve of this concert plan .

she 'd go there and catch cold like as not , and have her head filled up with nonsense and excitement .

it would unsettle her for a week .

I understand that child 's disposition and what 's good for it better than you , Matthew . "

" I think you ought to let Anne go , " repeated Matthew firmly .

argument was not his strong point , but holding fast to his opinion certainly was .

Marilla gave a gasp of helplessness and took refuge in silence .

" I think you ought to let Anne go , Marilla . "

for a moment Marilla looked things not lawful to be uttered .

then she yielded to the inevitable and said tartly :

" very well , she can go , since nothing else ' ll please you . "

Anne flew out of the pantry , dripping dishcloth in hand .

" oh , Marilla , Marilla , say those blessed words again . "

" I guess once is enough to say them .

this is Matthew 's doings and I wash my hands of it .

Anne Shirley , you 're dripping greasy water all over the floor .

I never saw such a careless child . "

" oh , I know I 'm a great trial to you , Marilla , " said Anne repentantly .

" I make so many mistakes .

but then just think of all the mistakes I don't make , although I might .

I 'll get some sand and scrub up the spots before I go to school .

oh , Marilla , my heart was just set on going to that concert .

you didn't know just how I felt about it , but you see Matthew did .

Matthew understands me , and it 's so nice to be understood , Marilla . "

Anne was too excited to do herself justice as to lessons that morning in school .

Gilbert Blythe spelled her down in class and left her clear out of sight in mental arithmetic .

Anne 's consequent humiliation was less than it might have been , however , in view of the concert and the spare-room bed .

Carrie Sloane cried into her grammar all the afternoon and felt that life was not worth living .

they had a " perfectly elegant tea ; " and then came the delicious occupation of dressing in Diana 's little room upstairs .

at last they were ready , cheeks scarlet and eyes glowing with excitement .

but she remembered in time that she had an imagination and could use it .

then Diana 's cousins , the Murrays from Newbridge , came ; they all crowded into the big pung sleigh , among straw and furry robes .

Anne reveled in the drive to the hall , slipping along over the satin-smooth roads with the snow crisping under the runners .

tinkles of sleigh bells and distant laughter , that seemed like the mirth of wood elves , came from every quarter .

do I really look the same as usual ?

I feel so different that it seems to me it must show in my looks . "

" you 've got the loveliest color . "

only one number on the program failed to interest her .

everybody seemed asleep and the house was dark and silent .

Anne and Diana tiptoed into the parlor , a long narrow room out of which the spare room opened .

it was pleasantly warm and dimly lighted by the embers of a fire in the grate .

" let's undress here , " said Diana .

" it 's so nice and warm . "

" hasn't it been a delightful time ? " sighed Anne rapturously .

" it must be splendid to get up and recite there .

do you suppose we will ever be asked to do it , Diana ? "

" yes , of course , someday .

they 're always wanting the big scholars to recite .

Gilbert Blythe does often and he 's only two years older than us .

oh , Anne , how could you pretend not to listen to him ?

when he came to the line ,

' There 's Another , not a sister , '

he looked right down at you . "

are you ready for bed ?

let's run a race and see who 'll get to the bed first . "

the suggestion appealed to Diana .

the two little white-clad figures flew down the long room , through the spare-room door , and bounded on the bed at the same moment .

and then something moved beneath them , there was a gasp and a cry and somebody said in muffled accents :

" merciful goodness ! "

Anne and Diana were never able to tell just how they got off that bed and out of the room .

they only knew that after one frantic rush they found themselves tiptoeing shiveringly upstairs .

" oh , who was it what was it ? " whispered Anne , her teeth chattering with cold and fright .

" it was Aunt Josephine , " said Diana , gasping with laughter .

" oh , Anne , it was Aunt Josephine , however she came to be there .

oh , and I know she will be furious .

it 's dreadful it 's really dreadful but did you ever know anything so funny , Anne ? "

" who is your Aunt Josephine ? "

" she 's father 's aunt and she lives in Charlottetown .

she 's awfully old seventy anyhow and I don't believe she was ever a little girl .

we were expecting her out for a visit , but not so soon .

she 's awfully prim and proper and she 'll scold dreadfully about this , I know .

well , we 'll have to sleep with Minnie May and you can't think how she kicks . "

Miss Josephine Barry did not appear at the early breakfast the next morning .

Mrs Barry smiled kindly at the two little girls .

" did you have a good time last night ?

I hope you didn't disturb your aunt , Diana . "

Diana preserved a discreet silence , but she and Anne exchanged furtive smiles of guilty amusement across the table .

" Mrs Barry was here a few minutes ago on her way to Carmody .

she 's feeling real worried over it .

she wouldn't speak to Diana at all . "

" it wasn't Diana 's fault , " said Anne contritely .

" it was mine .

I suggested racing to see who would get into bed first . "

" I knew it ! " said Mrs Lynde , with the exultation of a correct guesser .

" I knew that idea came out of your head .

well , it 's made a nice lot of trouble , that's what .

she 'd have gone today if they could have taken her .

oh , I guess they had a lively time of it there this morning .

the Barrys must feel cut up .

old Miss Barry is rich and they 'd like to keep on the good side of her .

of course , Mrs Barry didn't say just that to me , but I 'm a pretty good judge of human nature , that 's what . "

" I 'm such an unlucky girl , " mourned Anne .

" I 'm always getting into scrapes myself and getting my best friends people I 'd shed my heart 's blood for into them too .

can you tell me why it is so , Mrs Lynde ? "

" it 's because you 're too heedless and impulsive , child , that's what .

you never stop to think whatever comes into your head to say or do you say or do it without a moment 's reflection . "

" oh , but that 's the best of it , " protested Anne .

" something just flashes into your mind , so exciting , and you must out with it .

if you stop to think it over you spoil it all .

haven't you never felt that yourself , Mrs Lynde ? "

no , Mrs Lynde had not .

she shook her head sagely .

" you must learn to think a little , Anne , that 's what .

the proverb you need to go by is ' Look before you leap ' especially into spare-room beds . "

Mrs Lynde laughed comfortably over her mild joke , but Anne remained pensive .

she saw nothing to laugh at in the situation , which to her eyes appeared very serious .

when she left Mrs Lynde 's she took her way across the crusted fields to Orchard Slope .

Diana met her at the kitchen door .

" your Aunt Josephine was very cross about it , wasn't she ? " whispered Anne .

" yes , " answered Diana , stifling a giggle with an apprehensive glance over her shoulder at the closed sitting-room door .

" she was fairly dancing with rage , Anne .

oh , how she scolded .

she says she won't stay and I 'm sure I don't care .

but Father and Mother do . "

" why didn't you tell them it was my fault ? " demanded Anne .

" it 's likely I 'd do such a thing , isn't it ? " said Diana with just scorn .

" I 'm no telltale , Anne Shirley , and anyhow I was just as much to blame as you . "

" well , I 'm going in to tell her myself , " said Anne resolutely .

Diana stared .

" Anne Shirley , you 'd never ! why she 'll eat you alive ! "

" don't frighten me any more than I am frightened , " implored Anne .

" I 'd rather walk up to a cannon 's mouth .

but I 've got to do it , Diana .

it was my fault and I 've got to confess .

I 've had practice in confessing , fortunately . "

" well , she 's in the room , " said Diana .

" you can go in if you want to .

I wouldn't dare .

and I don't believe you 'll do a bit of good . "

with this encouragement Anne bearded the lion in its den that is to say , walked resolutely up to the sitting-room door and knocked faintly .

a sharp " come in " followed .

" who are you ? " demanded Miss Josephine Barry , without ceremony .

" confess what ? "

" that it was all my fault about jumping into bed on you last night .

I suggested it .

Diana would never have thought of such a thing , I am sure .

Diana is a very ladylike girl , Miss Barry .

so you must see how unjust it is to blame her . "

" oh , I must , hey ?

I rather think Diana did her share of the jumping at least .

such carryings on in a respectable house ! "

" but we were only in fun , " persisted Anne .

" I think you ought to forgive us , Miss Barry , now that we 've apologized .

and anyhow , please forgive Diana and let her have her music lessons .

if you must be cross with anyone , be cross with me .

I 've been so used in my early days to having people cross at me that I can endure it much better than Diana can . "

much of the snap had gone out of the old lady 's eyes by this time and was replaced by a twinkle of amused interest .

but she still said severely :

" I don't think it is any excuse for you that you were only in fun .

little girls never indulged in that kind of fun when I was young .

" I don't know , but I can imagine , " said Anne eagerly .

" I 'm sure it must have been very disturbing .

but then , there is our side of it too .

have you any imagination , Miss Barry ?

if you have , just put yourself in our place .

we didn't know there was anybody in that bed and you nearly scared us to death .

it was simply awful the way we felt .

and then we couldn't sleep in the spare room after being promised .

I suppose you are used to sleeping in spare rooms .

but just imagine what you would feel like if you were a little orphan girl who had never had such an honor . "

all the snap had gone by this time .

" I 'm afraid my imagination is a little rusty it 's so long since I used it , " she said .

" I dare say your claim to sympathy is just as strong as mine .

it all depends on the way we look at it .

sit down here and tell me about yourself . "

" I am very sorry I can't , " said Anne firmly .

but it is my duty to go home to Miss Marilla Cuthbert .

Miss Marilla Cuthbert is a very kind lady who has taken me to bring up properly .

she is doing her best , but it is very discouraging work .

you must not blame her because I jumped on the bed .

" I think perhaps I will if you will come over and talk to me occasionally , " said Miss Barry .

that evening Miss Barry gave Diana a silver bangle bracelet and told the senior members of the household that she had unpacked her valise .

" I 've made up my mind to stay simply for the sake of getting better acquainted with that Anne-girl , " she said frankly .

" she amuses me , and at my time of life an amusing person is a rarity . "

Marilla 's only comment when she heard the story was , " I told you so . "

this was for Matthew 's benefit .

Miss Barry stayed her month out and over .

she was a more agreeable guest than usual , for Anne kept her in good humor .

they became firm friends .

when Miss Barry went away she said :

" Miss Barry was a kindred spirit , after all , " Anne confided to Marilla .

" you wouldn't think so to look at her , but she is .

you don't find it right out at first , as in Matthew 's case , but after a while you come to see it .

kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think .

it 's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world . "

CHAPTER XX .

a Good Imagination Gone Wrong

the maples in Lover 's Lane were red budded and little curly ferns pushed up around the Dryad 's Bubble .

" I 'm so sorry for people who live in lands where there are no Mayflowers , " said Anne .

" Diana says perhaps they have something better , but there couldn't be anything better than Mayflowers , could there , Marilla ?

and Diana says if they don't know what they are like they don't miss them .

but I think that is the saddest thing of all .

I think it would be tragic , Marilla , not to know what Mayflowers are like and not to miss them .

do you know what I think Mayflowers are , Marilla ?

I think they must be the souls of the flowers that died last summer and this is their heaven .

but we had a splendid time today , Marilla .

we had our lunch down in a big mossy hollow by an old well such a romantic spot .

Charlie Sloane dared Arty Gillis to jump over it , and Arty did because he wouldn't take a dare .

nobody would in school .

it is very fashionable to dare .

Mr Phillips gave all the Mayflowers he found to Prissy Andrews and I heard him to say ' sweets to the sweet . '

he got that out of a book , I know ; but it shows he has some imagination .

I was offered some Mayflowers too , but I rejected them with scorn .

I can't tell you the person 's name because I have vowed never to let it cross my lips .

oh , it was so thrilling , Marilla .

all Mr Silas Sloane 's folks rushed out to see us and everybody we met on the road stopped and stared after us .

we made a real sensation . "

" not much wonder !

such silly doings ! " was Marilla 's response .

after the Mayflowers came the violets , and Violet Vale was empurpled with them .

Anne walked through it on her way to school with reverent steps and worshiping eyes , as if she trod on holy ground .

but when I 'm up in school it 's all different and I care as much as ever .

there 's such a lot of different Annes in me .

I sometimes think that is why I 'm such a troublesome person .

if I was just the one Anne it would be ever so much more comfortable , but then it wouldn't be half so interesting . "

in all essential respects the little gable chamber was unchanged .

the walls were as white , the pincushion as hard , the chairs as stiffly and yellowly upright as ever .

yet the whole character of the room was altered .

presently Marilla came briskly in with some of Anne 's freshly ironed school aprons .

she hung them over a chair and sat down with a short sigh .

Anne looked at her with eyes limpid with sympathy .

" I do truly wish I could have had the headache in your place , Marilla .

I would have endured it joyfully for your sake . "

" I guess you did your part in attending to the work and letting me rest , " said Marilla .

" you seem to have got on fairly well and made fewer mistakes than usual .

of course it wasn't exactly necessary to starch Matthew 's handkerchiefs !

but that doesn't seem to be your way evidently . "

headaches always left Marilla somewhat sarcastic .

" oh , I 'm so sorry , " said Anne penitently .

I was firmly resolved , when you left me in charge this morning , not to imagine anything , but keep my thoughts on facts .

so that is how I came to forget the pie .

I didn't know I starched the handkerchiefs .

it 's the most ravishing spot , Marilla .

there are two maple trees on it and the brook flows right around it .

at last it struck me that it would be splendid to call it Victoria Island because we found it on the Queen 's birthday .

both Diana and I are very loyal .

but I 'm sorry about that pie and the handkerchiefs .

I wanted to be extra good today because it 's an anniversary .

do you remember what happened this day last year , Marilla ? "

" no , I can't think of anything special . "

" oh , Marilla , it was the day I came to Green Gables .

I shall never forget it .

it was the turning point in my life .

of course it wouldn't seem so important to you .

I 've been here for a year and I 've been so happy .

of course , I 've had my troubles , but one can live down troubles .

are you sorry you kept me , Marilla ? "

" oh it 's it 's too dark , " cried Anne .

" too dark ?

why , it 's only twilight .

and goodness knows you 've gone over often enough after dark . "

" I 'll go over early in the morning , " said Anne eagerly .

" I 'll get up at sunrise and go over , Marilla . "

" what has got into your head now , Anne Shirley ?

I want that pattern to cut out your new apron this evening .

go at once and be smart too . "

" I 'll have to go around by the road , then , " said Anne , taking up her hat reluctantly .

" go by the road and waste half an hour !

I 'd like to catch you ! "

" I can't go through the Haunted Wood , Marilla , " cried Anne desperately .

Marilla stared .

" the Haunted Wood !

are you crazy ?

what under the canopy is the Haunted Wood ? "

" the spruce wood over the brook , " said Anne in a whisper .

" Fiddlesticks !

there is no such thing as a haunted wood anywhere .

who has been telling you such stuff ? "

" nobody , " confessed Anne .

" Diana and I just imagined the wood was haunted .

all the places around here are so so commonplace .

we just got this up for our own amusement .

we began it in April .

a haunted wood is so very romantic , Marilla .

we chose the spruce grove because it 's so gloomy .

oh , we have imagined the most harrowing things .

there 's a white lady walks along the brook just about this time of the night and wrings her hands and utters wailing cries .

she appears when there is to be a death in the family .

oh , Marilla , it gives me a shudder to think of it .

and there 's a headless man stalks up and down the path and skeletons glower at you between the boughs .

oh , Marilla , I wouldn't go through the Haunted Wood after dark now for anything .

I 'd be sure that white things would reach out from behind the trees and grab me . "

" did ever anyone hear the like ! " ejaculated Marilla , who had listened in dumb amazement .

" Anne Shirley , do you mean to tell me you believe all that wicked nonsense of your own imagination ? "

" not believe exactly , " faltered Anne .

" at least , I don't believe it in daylight .

but after dark , Marilla , it 's different .

that is when ghosts walk . "

" there are no such things as ghosts , Anne . "

" oh , but there are , Marilla , " cried Anne eagerly .

" I know people who have seen them .

and they are respectable people .

Charlie Sloane says that his grandmother saw his grandfather driving home the cows one night after he 'd been buried for a year .

you know Charlie Sloane 's grandmother wouldn't tell a story for anything .

she 's a very religious woman .

and Mrs Thomas 's father was pursued home one night by a lamb of fire with its head cut off hanging by a strip of skin .

he said he knew it was the spirit of his brother and that it was a warning he would die within nine days .

he didn't , but he died two years after , so you see it was really true .

and Ruby Gillis says "

" Anne Shirley , " interrupted Marilla firmly , " I never want to hear you talking in this fashion again .

you 'll go right over to Barry 's , and you 'll go through that spruce grove , just for a lesson and a warning to you .

and never let me hear a word out of your head about haunted woods again . "

Anne might plead and cry as she liked and did , for her terror was very real .

her imagination had run away with her and she held the spruce grove in mortal dread after nightfall .

but Marilla was inexorable .

" oh , Marilla , how can you be so cruel ? " sobbed Anne .

" what would you feel like if a white thing did snatch me up and carry me off ? "

" I 'll risk it , " said Marilla unfeelingly .

" you know I always mean what I say .

I 'll cure you of imagining ghosts into places .

march , now . "

Anne marched .

that is , she stumbled over the bridge and went shuddering up the horrible dim path beyond .

Anne never forgot that walk .

bitterly did she repent the license she had given to her imagination .

a white strip of birch bark blowing up from the hollow over the brown floor of the grove made her heart stand still .

the long-drawn wail of two old boughs rubbing against each other brought out the perspiration in beads on her forehead .

the swoop of bats in the darkness over her was as the wings of unearthly creatures .

Diana was away so that she had no excuse to linger .

the dreadful return journey had to be faced .

when she finally stumbled over the log bridge she drew one long shivering breath of relief .

" well , so nothing caught you ? " said Marilla unsympathetically .

" oh , Mar Marilla , " chattered Anne , " I'll b-b-be contt-tented with c-c-commonplace places after this . "

CHAPTER XXI .

a New Departure in Flavorings

" wasn't it fortunate , Marilla , that I took an extra handkerchief to school today ?

I had a presentiment that it would be needed . "

" I don't think I was crying because I was really so very fond of him , " reflected Anne .

" I just cried because all the others did .

it was Ruby Gillis started it .

then all the girls began to cry , one after the other .

I tried to hold out , Marilla .

oh , Marilla , it was heartrending .

Mr Phillips made such a beautiful farewell speech beginning , ' The time has come for us to part . '

it was very affecting .

and he had tears in his eyes too , Marilla .

I can tell you I wished I 'd been a model pupil like Minnie Andrews .

she hadn't anything on her conscience .

the girls cried all the way home from school .

I do feel dreadfully sad , Marilla .

but one can't feel quite in the depths of despair with two months ' vacation before them , can they , Marilla ?

and besides , we met the new minister and his wife coming from the station .

his wife is very pretty .

Mrs Lynde says the minister 's wife over at Newbridge sets a very bad example because she dresses so fashionably .

our new minister 's wife was dressed in blue muslin with lovely puffed sleeves and a hat trimmed with roses .

besides , she 's only been a minister 's wife for a little while , so one should make allowances , shouldn't they ?

they are going to board with Mrs Lynde until the manse is ready . "

old Mr Bentley , the minister whom Anne had found lacking in imagination , had been pastor of Avonlea for eighteen years .

" I don't think Mr Smith would have done , Matthew " was Anne 's final summing up .

" Mrs Lynde says his delivery was so poor , but I think his worst fault was just like Mr Bentley 's he had no imagination .

besides , Mrs Lynde says his theology wasn't sound .

Mrs Lynde is a very farseeing woman , isn't she , Matthew ?

I 'm very glad they 've called Mr Allan .

and she knows his wife 's people and they are most respectable and the women are all good housekeepers .

Mrs Lynde says that sound doctrine in the man and good housekeeping in the woman make an ideal combination for a minister 's family . "

Avonlea opened its heart to them from the start .

with Mrs Allan Anne fell promptly and wholeheartedly in love .

she had discovered another kindred spirit .

" Mrs Allan is perfectly lovely , " she announced one Sunday afternoon .

" she 's taken our class and she 's a splendid teacher .

she said we could ask her any question we liked and I asked ever so many .

I 'm good at asking questions , Marilla . "

" I believe you " was Marilla 's emphatic comment .

" nobody else asked any except Ruby Gillis , and she asked if there was to be a Sunday-school picnic this summer .

Mrs Allan has a lovely smile ; she has such exquisite dimples in her cheeks .

I wish I had dimples in my cheeks , Marilla .

I 'm not half so skinny as I was when I came here , but I have no dimples yet .

if I had perhaps I could influence people for good .

Mrs Allan said we ought always to try to influence other people for good .

she talked so nice about everything .

I never knew before that religion was such a cheerful thing .

I wouldn't want to be one like Mr Superintendent Bell . "

" it 's very naughty of you to speak so about Mr Bell , " said Marilla severely .

" Mr Bell is a real good man . "

" oh , of course he 's good , " agreed Anne , " but he doesn't seem to get any comfort out of it .

if I could be good I 'd dance and sing all day because I was glad of it .

I suppose Mrs Allan is too old to dance and sing and of course it wouldn't be dignified in a minister 's wife .

but I can just feel she 's glad she 's a Christian and that she 'd be one even if she could get to heaven without it . "

" I suppose we must have Mr and Mrs. Allan up to tea someday soon , " said Marilla reflectively .

" they 've been most everywhere but here .

let me see .

next Wednesday would be a good time to have them .

" I 'll be as secret as the dead , " assured Anne .

" but oh , Marilla , will you let me make a cake for the occasion ?

I 'd love to do something for Mrs Allan , and you know I can make a pretty good cake by this time . "

" you can make a layer cake , " promised Marilla .

Monday and Tuesday great preparations went on at Green Gables .

Anne was wild with excitement and delight .

I assure you , Diana , that Marilla and I have had a busy two days of it .

it 's such a responsibility having a minister 's family to tea .

I never went through such an experience before .

you should just see our pantry .

it 's a sight to behold .

we 're going to have jellied chicken and cold tongue .

I just grow cold when I think of my layer cake .

oh , Diana , what if it shouldn't be good !

I dreamed last night that I was chased all around by a fearful goblin with a big layer cake for a head . "

" it 'll be good , all right , " assured Diana , who was a very comfortable sort of friend .

" I 'm sure that piece of the one you made that we had for lunch in Idlewild two weeks ago was perfectly elegant . "

" however , I suppose I shall just have to trust to Providence and be careful to put in the flour .

oh , look , Diana , what a lovely rainbow !

do you suppose the dryad will come out after we go away and take it for a scarf ? "

" you know there is no such thing as a dryad , " said Diana .

Diana 's mother had found out about the Haunted Wood and had been decidedly angry over it .

" but it 's so easy to imagine there is , " said Anne .

sometimes I look for her footprints in the dew in the morning .

oh , Diana , don't give up your faith in the dryad ! "

Wednesday morning came .

Anne got up at sunrise because she was too excited to sleep .

after breakfast she proceeded to make her cake .

when she finally shut the oven door upon it she drew a long breath .

" I 'm sure I haven't forgotten anything this time , Marilla .

but do you think it will rise ?

just suppose perhaps the baking powder isn't good ?

I used it out of the new can .

and Mrs Lynde says you can never be sure of getting good baking powder nowadays when everything is so adulterated .

Marilla , what if that cake doesn't rise ? "

" we 'll have plenty without it " was Marilla 's unimpassioned way of looking at the subject .

the cake did rise , however , and came out of the oven as light and feathery as golden foam .

" you 'll be using the best tea set , of course , Marilla , " she said .

" can I fix the table with ferns and wild roses ? "

" I think that 's all nonsense , " sniffed Marilla .

" in my opinion it 's the eatables that matter and not flummery decorations . "

he said it was a feast for the eye as well as the palate . "

" only mind you leave enough room for the dishes and the food . "

Anne laid herself out to decorate in a manner and after a fashion that should leave Mrs Barry 's nowhere .

Matthew was there , having been inveigled into the party only goodness and Anne knew how .

he never said a word to Mrs Allan , but that perhaps was not to be expected .

all went merry as a marriage bell until Anne 's layer cake was passed .

Mrs Allan , having already been helped to a bewildering variety , declined it .

but Marilla , seeing the disappointment on Anne 's face , said smilingly :

" oh , you must take a piece of this , Mrs Allan .

Anne made it on purpose for you . "

Marilla saw the expression and hastened to taste the cake .

" Anne Shirley ! " she exclaimed , " what on earth did you put into that cake ? "

" nothing but what the recipe said , Marilla , " cried Anne with a look of anguish .

" oh , isn't it all right ? "

" all right !

it 's simply horrible .

Mr Allan , don't try to eat it .

Anne , taste it yourself .

what flavoring did you use ? "

" vanilla , " said Anne , her face scarlet with mortification after tasting the cake .

" only vanilla .

oh , Marilla , it must have been the baking powder .

I had my suspicions of that bak "

" baking powder fiddlesticks !

go and bring me the bottle of vanilla you used . "

Anne fled to the pantry and returned with a small bottle partially filled with a brown liquid and labeled yellowly , " best Vanilla . "

Marilla took it , uncorked it , smelled it .

" Mercy on us , Anne , you 've flavored that cake with Anodyne Liniment .

I broke the liniment bottle last week and poured what was left into an old empty vanilla bottle .

I suppose it 's partly my fault I should have warned you but for pity 's sake why couldn't you have smelled it ? "

Anne dissolved into tears under this double disgrace .

presently a light step sounded on the stairs and somebody entered the room .

" oh , Marilla , " sobbed Anne , without looking up , " I 'm disgraced forever .

I shall never be able to live this down .

it will get out things always do get out in Avonlea .

Diana will ask me how my cake turned out and I shall have to tell her the truth .

I shall always be pointed at as the girl who flavored a cake with anodyne liniment .

Gil the boys in school will never get over laughing at it .

I 'll wash them when the minister and his wife are gone , but I cannot ever look Mrs Allan in the face again .

perhaps she 'll think I tried to poison her .

Mrs Lynde says she knows an orphan girl who tried to poison her benefactor .

but the liniment isn't poisonous .

it 's meant to be taken internally although not in cakes .

won't you tell Mrs Allan so , Marilla ? "

" suppose you jump up and tell her so yourself , " said a merry voice .

Anne flew up , to find Mrs Allan standing by her bed , surveying her with laughing eyes .

" my dear little girl , you mustn't cry like this , " she said , genuinely disturbed by Anne 's tragic face .

" why , it 's all just a funny mistake that anybody might make . "

" oh , no , it takes me to make such a mistake , " said Anne forlornly .

" and I wanted to have that cake so nice for you , Mrs Allan . "

" yes , I know , dear .

and I assure you I appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness just as much as if it had turned out all right .

now , you mustn't cry any more , but come down with me and show me your flower garden .

Miss Cuthbert tells me you have a little plot all your own .

I want to see it , for I 'm very much interested in flowers . "

Anne permitted herself to be led down and comforted , reflecting that it was really providential that Mrs Allan was a kindred spirit .

nevertheless , she sighed deeply .

" Marilla , isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet ? "

" I 'll warrant you 'll make plenty in it , " said Marilla .

" I never saw your beat for making mistakes , Anne . "

" yes , and well I know it , " admitted Anne mournfully .

" but have you ever noticed one encouraging thing about me , Marilla ?

I never make the same mistake twice . "

" I don't know as that 's much benefit when you 're always making new ones . "

" oh , don't you see , Marilla ?

that 's a very comforting thought . "

" well , you 'd better go and give that cake to the pigs , " said Marilla .

" it isn't fit for any human to eat , not even Jerry Boute . "

CHAPTER XXII .

Anne is Invited Out to Tea

|AND what are your eyes popping out of your head about .

now ? " asked Marilla , when Anne had just come in from a run to the post office .

" have you discovered another kindred spirit ? "

excitement hung around Anne like a garment , shone in her eyes , kindled in every feature .

she had come dancing up the lane , like a wind-blown sprite , through the mellow sunshine and lazy shadows of the August evening .

" no , Marilla , but oh , what do you think ?

I am invited to tea at the manse tomorrow afternoon !

Mrs Allan left the letter for me at the post office .

just look at it , Marilla .

' Miss Anne Shirley , Green Gables . '

that is the first time I was ever called ' Miss '

such a thrill as it gave me !

I shall cherish it forever among my choicest treasures . "

" you needn't get in such a fever over it .

do learn to take things calmly , child . "

for Anne to take things calmly would have been to change her nature .

all " spirit and fire and dew , " as she was , the pleasures and pains of life came to her with trebled intensity .

she did not make much headway , as she sorrowfully admitted to herself .

the downfall of some dear hope or plan plunged Anne into " deeps of affliction . "

the fulfillment thereof exalted her to dizzy realms of delight .

Marilla had almost begun to despair of ever fashioning this waif of the world into her model little girl of demure manners and prim deportment .

neither would she have believed that she really liked Anne much better as she was .

Anne thought that the morning would never come .

but all things have an end , even nights before the day on which you are invited to take tea at the manse .

the morning , in spite of Matthew 's predictions , was fine and Anne 's spirits soared to their highest .

" you don't know how good I feel !

wouldn't it be nice if it could last ?

I believe I could be a model child if I were just invited out to tea every day .

but oh , Marilla , it 's a solemn occasion too .

I feel so anxious .

what if I shouldn't behave properly ?

I 'm so afraid I 'll do something silly or forget to do something I should do .

would it be good manners to take a second helping of anything if you wanted to very much ? "

" the trouble with you , Anne , is that you 're thinking too much about yourself .

Anne instantly realized this .

" you are right , Marilla .

I 'll try not to think about myself at all . "

a cool wind was blowing down over the long harvest fields from the rims of firry western hills and whistling through the poplars .

" oh , Marilla , I 've had a most fascinating time .

when I got there Mrs Allan met me at the door .

I really think I 'd like to be a minister 's wife when I grow up , Marilla .

a minister mightn't mind my red hair because he wouldn't be thinking of such worldly things .

some people are naturally good , you know , and others are not .

I 'm one of the others .

Mrs Lynde says I 'm full of original sin .

no matter how hard I try to be good I can never make such a success of it as those who are naturally good .

it 's a good deal like geometry , I expect .

but don't you think the trying so hard ought to count for something ?

Mrs Allan is one of the naturally good people .

I love her passionately .

you know there are some people , like Matthew and Mrs Allan that you can love right off without any trouble .

and there are others , like Mrs Lynde , that you have to try very hard to love .

there was another little girl at the manse to tea , from the White Sands Sunday school .

her name was Laurette Bradley , and she was a very nice little girl .

not exactly a kindred spirit , you know , but still very nice .

we had an elegant tea , and I think I kept all the rules of etiquette pretty well .

after tea Mrs Allan played and sang and she got Lauretta and me to sing too .

Mrs Allan says I have a good voice and she says I must sing in the Sunday-school choir after this .

you can't think how I was thrilled at the mere thought .

Lauretta said she expected to be asked herself someday .

I just gazed at her in awe .

after she had gone Mrs Allan and I had a heart-to-heart talk .

I told her everything about Mrs Thomas and the twins and Katie Maurice and Violetta and coming to Green Gables and my troubles over geometry .

and would you believe it , Marilla ?

Mrs Allan told me she was a dunce at geometry too .

you don't know how that encouraged me .

Mrs Lynde came to the manse just before I left , and what do you think , Marilla ?

the trustees have hired a new teacher and it 's a lady .

her name is Miss Muriel Stacy .

isn't that a romantic name ?

Mrs Lynde says they 've never had a female teacher in Avonlea before and she thinks it is a dangerous innovation .

I 'm so impatient to see her . "

CHAPTER XXIII .

Anne Comes to Grief in an Affair of Honor

|ANNE had to live through more than two weeks , as it happened .

a week after the tea at the manse Diana Barry gave a party .

" Small and select , " Anne assured Marilla .

" just the girls in our class . "

this presently took the form of " daring . "

daring was the fashionable amusement among the Avonlea small fry just then .

Josie walked the Barry fence with an airy unconcern which seemed to imply that a little thing like that wasn't worth a " dare . "

Josie descended from her perch , flushed with victory , and darted a defiant glance at Anne .

Anne tossed her red braids .

" I don't think it 's such a very wonderful thing to walk a little , low , board fence , " she said .

" I knew a girl in Marysville who could walk the ridgepole of a roof . "

" I don't believe it , " said Josie flatly .

" I don't believe anybody could walk a ridgepole .

you couldn't , anyhow . "

" couldn't I ? " cried Anne rashly .

" then I dare you to do it , " said Josie defiantly .

" I dare you to climb up there and walk the ridgepole of Mr Barry 's kitchen roof . "

Anne turned pale , but there was clearly only one thing to be done .

she walked toward the house , where a ladder was leaning against the kitchen roof .

all the fifth-class girls said , " oh ! " partly in excitement , partly in dismay .

" don't you do it , Anne , " entreated Diana .

" you 'll fall off and be killed .

never mind Josie Pye .

it isn't fair to dare anybody to do anything so dangerous . "

" I must do it .

my honor is at stake , " said Anne solemnly .

" I shall walk that ridgepole , Diana , or perish in the attempt .

if I am killed you are to have my pearl bead ring . "

nevertheless , she managed to take several steps before the catastrophe came .

" Anne , are you killed ? " shrieked Diana , throwing herself on her knees beside her friend .

" oh , Anne , dear Anne , speak just one word to me and tell me if you 're killed . "

" no , Diana , I am not killed , but I think I am rendered unconscious . "

" where ? " sobbed Carrie Sloane .

" oh , where , Anne ? "

before Anne could answer Mrs Barry appeared on the scene .

at sight of her Anne tried to scramble to her feet , but sank back again with a sharp little cry of pain .

" what 's the matter ?

where have you hurt yourself ? " demanded Mrs Barry .

" my ankle , " gasped Anne .

" oh , Diana , please find your father and ask him to take me home .

I know I can never walk there .

and I 'm sure I couldn't hop so far on one foot when Jane couldn't even hop around the garden . "

in his arms he carried Anne , whose head lay limply against his shoulder .

at that moment Marilla had a revelation .

in the sudden stab of fear that pierced her very heart she realized what Anne had come to mean to her .

she would have admitted that she liked Anne nay , that she was very fond of Anne .

but now she knew as she hurried wildly down the slope that Anne was dearer to her than anything else on earth .

Anne herself answered , lifting her head .

" don't be very frightened , Marilla .

I was walking the ridgepole and I fell off .

I expect I have sprained my ankle .

but , Marilla , I might have broken my neck .

let us look on the bright side of things . "

" bring her in here , Mr Barry , and lay her on the sofa .

Mercy me , the child has gone and fainted ! "

it was quite true .

overcome by the pain of her injury , Anne had one more of her wishes granted to her .

she had fainted dead away .

Anne 's ankle was broken .

" aren't you very sorry for me , Marilla ? "

" it was your own fault , " said Marilla , twitching down the blind and lighting a lamp .

if I could blame it on anybody I would feel so much better .

but what would you have done , Marilla , if you had been dared to walk a ridgepole ? "

" I 'd have stayed on good firm ground and let them dare away .

such absurdity ! " said Marilla .

Anne sighed .

" but you have such strength of mind , Marilla .

I haven't .

I just felt that I couldn't bear Josie Pye 's scorn .

she would have crowed over me all my life .

and I think I have been punished so much that you needn't be very cross with me , Marilla .

it 's not a bit nice to faint , after all .

and the doctor hurt me dreadfully when he was setting my ankle .

I won't be able to go around for six or seven weeks and I 'll miss the new lady teacher .

she won't be new any more by the time I 'm able to go to school .

and Gil everybody will get ahead of me in class .

oh , I am an afflicted mortal .

but I 'll try to bear it all bravely if only you won't be cross with me , Marilla . "

" there , there , I 'm not cross , " said Marilla .

" you 're an unlucky child , there 's no doubt about that ; but as you say , you 'll have the suffering of it .

here now , try and eat some supper . "

" isn't it fortunate I 've got such an imagination ? " said Anne .

" it will help me through splendidly , I expect .

what do people who haven't any imagination do when they break their bones , do you suppose , Marilla ? "

Anne had good reason to bless her imagination many a time and oft during the tedious seven weeks that followed .

but she was not solely dependent on it .

" it isn't very pleasant to be laid up ; but there is a bright side to it , Marilla .

you find out how many friends you have .

why , even Superintendent Bell came to see me , and he 's really a very fine man .

not a kindred spirit , of course ; but still I like him and I 'm awfully sorry I ever criticized his prayers .

I believe now he really does mean them , only he has got into the habit of saying them as if he didn't .

he could get over that if he 'd take a little trouble .

I gave him a good broad hint .

I told him how hard I tried to make my own little private prayers interesting .

he told me all about the time he broke his ankle when he was a boy .

it does seem so strange to think of Superintendent Bell ever being a boy .

even my imagination has its limits , for I can't imagine that .

now , it 's so easy to imagine Mrs Allan as a little girl .

Mrs Allan has been to see me fourteen times .

isn't that something to be proud of , Marilla ?

when a minister 's wife has so many claims on her time !

she is such a cheerful person to have visit you , too .

she never tells you it 's your own fault and she hopes you 'll be a better girl on account of it .

Even Josie Pye came to see me .

I received her as politely as I could , because I think she was sorry she dared me to walk a ridgepole .

if I had been killed she would had to carry a dark burden of remorse all her life .

Diana has been a faithful friend .

she 's been over every day to cheer my lonely pillow .

but oh , I shall be so glad when I can go to school for I 've heard such exciting things about the new teacher .

the girls all think she is perfectly sweet .

Diana says she has the loveliest fair curly hair and such fascinating eyes .

she dresses beautifully , and her sleeve puffs are bigger than anybody else 's in Avonlea .

every other Friday afternoon she has recitations and everybody has to say a piece or take part in a dialogue .

oh , it 's just glorious to think of it .

Josie Pye says she hates it but that is just because Josie has so little imagination .

Diana and Ruby Gillis and Jane Andrews are preparing a dialogue , called ' A Morning Visit , ' for next Friday .

and they have physical culture exercises every morning and evening .

Mrs Lynde says she never heard of such goings on and it all comes of having a lady teacher .

but I think it must be splendid and I believe I shall find that Miss Stacy is a kindred spirit . "

CHAPTER XXIV .

Miss Stacy and Her Pupils Get Up a Concert

the Birch Path was a canopy of yellow and the ferns were sear and brown all along it .

Anne drew a long breath of happiness as she sharpened her pencil and arranged her picture cards in her desk .

life was certainly very interesting .

in the new teacher she found another true and helpful friend .

" I love Miss Stacy with my whole heart , Marilla .

she is so ladylike and she has such a sweet voice .

when she pronounces my name I feel instinctively that she 's spelling it with an E . we had recitations this afternoon .

I just wish you could have been there to hear me recite ' Mary , Queen of Scots . '

I just put my whole soul into it .

" well now , you might recite it for me some of these days , out in the barn , " suggested Matthew .

" of course I will , " said Anne meditatively , " but I won't be able to do it so well , I know .

it won't be so exciting as it is when you have a whole schoolful before you hanging breathlessly on your words .

I know I won't be able to make your blood run cold . "

" I wonder at Miss Stacy for encouraging it . "

" but we wanted a crow 's nest for nature study , " explained Anne .

" that was on our field afternoon .

field afternoons are splendid , Marilla .

and Miss Stacy explains everything so beautifully .

we have to write compositions on our field afternoons and I write the best ones . "

" it 's very vain of you to say so then .

you 'd better let your teacher say it . "

" but she did say it , Marilla .

and indeed I 'm not vain about it .

how can I be , when I 'm such a dunce at geometry ?

although I 'm really beginning to see through it a little , too .

Miss Stacy makes it so clear .

still , I 'll never be good at it and I assure you it is a humbling reflection .

but I love writing compositions .

mostly Miss Stacy lets us choose our own subjects ; but next week we are to write a composition on some remarkable person .

it 's hard to choose among so many remarkable people who have lived .

mustn't it be splendid to be remarkable and have compositions written about you after you 're dead ?

oh , I would dearly love to be remarkable .

that is , if I don't go out as a foreign missionary .

we have physical culture exercises every day , too .

they make you graceful and promote digestion . "

" promote fiddlesticks ! " said Marilla , who honestly thought it was all nonsense .

but all the field afternoons and recitation Fridays and physical culture contortions paled before a project which Miss Stacy brought forward in November .

the pupils one and all taking graciously to this plan , the preparations for a program were begun at once .

Marilla thought it all rank foolishness .

" it 's just filling your heads up with nonsense and taking time that ought to be put on your lessons , " she grumbled .

" I don't approve of children 's getting up concerts and racing about to practices .

it makes them vain and forward and fond of gadding . "

" but think of the worthy object , " pleaded Anne .

" a flag will cultivate a spirit of patriotism , Marilla . "

" fudge !

there 's precious little patriotism in the thoughts of any of you .

all you want is a good time . "

" well , when you can combine patriotism and fun , isn't it all right ?

of course it 's real nice to be getting up a concert .

we 're going to have six choruses and Diana is to sing a solo .

I 'm in two dialogues ' The Society for the Suppression of Gossip ' and ' The Fairy Queen . '

the boys are going to have a dialogue too .

and I 'm to have two recitations , Marilla .

I just tremble when I think of it , but it 's a nice thrilly kind of tremble .

and we 're to have a tableau at the last ' Faith , Hope and Charity . '

Diana and Ruby and I are to be in it , all draped in white with flowing hair .

I 'm to be Hope , with my hands clasped so and my eyes uplifted .

I 'm going to practice my recitations in the garret .

don't be alarmed if you hear me groaning .

I have to groan heartrendingly in one of them , and it 's really hard to get up a good artistic groan , Marilla .

Josie Pye is sulky because she didn't get the part she wanted in the dialogue .

she wanted to be the fairy queen .

that would have been ridiculous , for who ever heard of a fairy queen as fat as Josie ?

Fairy queens must be slender .

Jane Andrews is to be the queen and I am to be one of her maids of honor .

it 's necessary for fairies to have slippers , you know .

you couldn't imagine a fairy wearing boots , could you ?

especially with copper toes ?

we are going to decorate the hall with creeping spruce and fir mottoes with pink tissue-paper roses in them .

and we are all to march in two by two after the audience is seated , while Emma White plays a march on the organ .

" all I hope is that you 'll behave yourself .

I 'll be heartily glad when all this fuss is over and you 'll be able to settle down .

you are simply good for nothing just now with your head stuffed full of dialogues and groans and tableaus .

as for your tongue , it 's a marvel it 's not clean worn out . "

" well now , I reckon it 's going to be a pretty good concert .

and I expect you 'll do your part fine , " he said , smiling down into her eager , vivacious little face .

Anne smiled back at him .

that was Marilla 's exclusive duty ; if it had been his he would have been worried over frequent conflicts between inclination and said duty .

as it was , he was free to , " spoil Anne " Marilla 's phrasing as much as he liked .

CHAPTER XXV .

Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves

|MATTHEW was having a bad ten minutes of it .

presently they came trooping through the hall and out into the kitchen , laughing and chattering gaily .

and what worried Matthew was that the difference impressed him as being something that should not exist .

then in what did it consist ?

this , Matthew felt , would be no great help .

he had recourse to his pipe that evening to help him study it out , much to Marilla 's disgust .

after two hours of smoking and hard reflection Matthew arrived at a solution of his problem .

Anne was not dressed like the other girls !

Marilla kept her clothed in plain , dark dresses , all made after the same unvarying pattern .

of course , it must be all right .

Marilla knew best and Marilla was bringing her up .

probably some wise , inscrutable motive was to be served thereby .

but surely it would do no harm to let the child have one pretty dress something like Diana Barry always wore .

Matthew decided that he would give her one ; that surely could not be objected to as an unwarranted putting in of his oar .

Christmas was only a fortnight off .

a nice new dress would be the very thing for a present .

the very next evening Matthew betook himself to Carmody to buy the dress , determined to get the worst over and have done with it .

it would be , he felt assured , no trifling ordeal .

after much cogitation Matthew resolved to go to Samuel Lawson 's store instead of William Blair 's .

but William Blair 's two daughters frequently waited on customers there and Matthew held them in absolute dread .

so he would go to Lawson 's , where Samuel or his son would wait on him .

alas !

she was dressed with exceeding smartness and wore several bangle bracelets that glittered and rattled and tinkled with every movement of her hands .

Matthew was covered with confusion at finding her there at all ; and those bangles completely wrecked his wits at one fell swoop .

" what can I do for you this evening , Mr Cuthbert ? "

Miss Lucilla Harris inquired , briskly and ingratiatingly , tapping the counter with both hands .

" have you any any any well now , say any garden rakes ? " stammered Matthew .

Miss Harris looked somewhat surprised , as well she might , to hear a man inquiring for garden rakes in the middle of December .

" I believe we have one or two left over , " she said , " but they 're upstairs in the lumber room .

I 'll go and see . "

during her absence Matthew collected his scattered senses for another effort .

when Miss Harris returned with the rake and cheerfully inquired : " anything else tonight , Mr Cuthbert ? "

Miss Harris had heard Matthew Cuthbert called odd .

she now concluded that he was entirely crazy .

" we only keep hayseed in the spring , " she explained loftily .

" we 've none on hand just now . "

" oh , certainly certainly just as you say , " stammered unhappy Matthew , seizing the rake and making for the door .

at the threshold he recollected that he had not paid for it and he turned miserably back .

while Miss Harris was counting out his change he rallied his powers for a final desperate attempt .

" well now if it isn't too much trouble I might as well that is I 'd like to look at at some sugar . "

" white or brown ? " queried Miss Harris patiently .

" oh well now brown , " said Matthew feebly .

" there 's a barrel of it over there , " said Miss Harris , shaking her bangles at it .

" it 's the only kind we have . "

" I'll I 'll take twenty pounds of it , " said Matthew , with beads of perspiration standing on his forehead .

Matthew had driven halfway home before he was his own man again .

when he reached home he hid the rake in the tool house , but the sugar he carried in to Marilla .

" brown sugar ! " exclaimed Marilla .

" whatever possessed you to get so much ?

you know I never use it except for the hired man 's porridge or black fruit cake .

Jerry 's gone and I 've made my cake long ago .

it 's not good sugar , either it 's coarse and dark William Blair doesn't usually keep sugar like that . "

" I I thought it might come in handy sometime , " said Matthew , making good his escape .

when Matthew came to think the matter over he decided that a woman was required to cope with the situation .

Marilla was out of the question .

Matthew felt sure she would throw cold water on his project at once .

remained only Mrs Lynde ; for of no other woman in Avonlea would Matthew have dared to ask advice .

to Mrs Lynde he went accordingly , and that good lady promptly took the matter out of the harassed man 's hands .

" pick out a dress for you to give Anne ?

to be sure I will .

I 'm going to Carmody tomorrow and I 'll attend to it .

have you something particular in mind ?

no ?

well , I 'll just go by my own judgment then .

I believe a nice rich brown would just suit Anne , and William Blair has some new gloria in that 's real pretty .

well , I 'll do it .

no , it isn't a mite of trouble .

I like sewing .

if it wouldn't be asking too much I I 'd like them made in the new way . "

" Puffs ?

of course .

you needn't worry a speck more about it , Matthew .

I 'll make it up in the very latest fashion , " said Mrs Lynde .

to herself she added when Matthew had gone :

" it 'll be a real satisfaction to see that poor child wearing something decent for once .

the way Marilla dresses her is positively ridiculous , that 's what , and I 've ached to tell her so plainly a dozen times .

but that 's always the way .

Folks that has brought up children know that there 's no hard and fast method in the world that 'll suit every child .

but flesh and blood don't come under the head of arithmetic and that 's where Marilla Cuthbert makes her mistake .

I 'm sure the child must feel the difference between her clothes and the other girls ' .

but to think of Matthew taking notice of it !

that man is waking up after being asleep for over sixty years . "

" I knew he was up to some foolishness .

well , I must say I don't think Anne needed any more dresses .

I made her three good , warm , serviceable ones this fall , and anything more is sheer extravagance .

there 's enough material in those sleeves alone to make a waist , I declare there is .

you 'll just pamper Anne 's vanity , Matthew , and she 's as vain as a peacock now .

the puffs have been getting bigger and more ridiculous right along ; they 're as big as balloons now .

next year anybody who wears them will have to go through a door sideways . "

Christmas morning broke on a beautiful white world .

Anne peeped out from her frosted gable window with delighted eyes .

Anne ran downstairs singing until her voice reechoed through Green Gables .

" merry Christmas , Marilla !

merry Christmas , Matthew !

isn't it a lovely Christmas ?

I 'm so glad it 's white .

any other kind of Christmas doesn't seem real , does it ?

I don't like green Christmases .

They're not green they 're just nasty faded browns and grays .

what makes people call them green ?

why why Matthew , is that for me ?

oh , Matthew ! "

Anne took the dress and looked at it in reverent silence .

but the sleeves they were the crowning glory !

long elbow cuffs , and above them two beautiful puffs divided by rows of shirring and bows of brown-silk ribbon .

" that 's a Christmas present for you , Anne , " said Matthew shyly .

" why why Anne , don't you like it ?

well now well now . "

for Anne 's eyes had suddenly filled with tears .

" like it !

oh , Matthew ! "

Anne laid the dress over a chair and clasped her hands .

" Matthew , it 's perfectly exquisite .

oh , I can never thank you enough .

look at those sleeves !

oh , it seems to me this must be a happy dream . "

" well , well , let us have breakfast , " interrupted Marilla .

there 's a hair ribbon Mrs Lynde left for you .

it 's brown , to match the dress .

come now , sit in . "

" I don't see how I 'm going to eat breakfast , " said Anne rapturously .

" breakfast seems so commonplace at such an exciting moment .

I 'd rather feast my eyes on that dress .

I 'm so glad that puffed sleeves are still fashionable .

it did seem to me that I 'd never get over it if they went out before I had a dress with them .

I 'd never have felt quite satisfied , you see .

it was lovely of Mrs Lynde to give me the ribbon too .

I feel that I ought to be a very good girl indeed .

It's at times like this I 'm sorry I 'm not a model little girl ; and I always resolve that I will be in future .

but somehow it 's hard to carry out your resolutions when irresistible temptations come .

still , I really will make an extra effort after this . "

Anne flew down the slope to meet her .

" merry Christmas , Diana !

and oh , it 's a wonderful Christmas .

I 've something splendid to show you .

Matthew has given me the loveliest dress , with such sleeves .

I couldn't even imagine any nicer . "

" I 've got something more for you , " said Diana breathlessly .

" here this box .

aunt Josephine sent us out a big box with ever so many things in it and this is for you .

Anne opened the box and peeped in .

" oh , " said Anne , " Diana , this is too much .

I must be dreaming . "

" I call it providential , " said Diana .

Josie Pye would be delighted .

mind you , Rob Wright went home with Gertie Pye from the practice night before last .

did you ever hear anything equal to that ? "

the concert came off in the evening and was a pronounced success .

" everything went off very well , " said Diana practically .

" I guess we must have made as much as ten dollars .

mind you , Mr Allan is going to send an account of it to the Charlottetown papers . "

" oh , Diana , will we really see our names in print ?

it makes me thrill to think of it .

your solo was perfectly elegant , Diana .

I felt prouder than you did when it was encored .

I just said to myself , ' It is my dear bosom friend who is so honored . ' "

" well , your recitations just brought down the house , Anne .

that sad one was simply splendid . "

" oh , I was so nervous , Diana .

when Mr Allan called out my name I really cannot tell how I ever got up on that platform .

then I thought of my lovely puffed sleeves and took courage .

I knew that I must live up to those sleeves , Diana .

so I started in , and my voice seemed to be coming from ever so far away .

I just felt like a parrot .

it 's providential that I practiced those recitations so often up in the garret , or I 'd never have been able to get through .

did I groan all right ? "

" yes , indeed , you groaned lovely , " assured Diana .

" I saw old Mrs Sloane wiping away tears when I sat down .

it was splendid to think I had touched somebody 's heart .

it 's so romantic to take part in a concert , isn't it ?

oh , it 's been a very memorable occasion indeed . "

" wasn't the boys ' dialogue fine ? " said Diana .

" Gilbert Blythe was just splendid .

Anne , I do think it 's awful mean the way you treat Gil .

wait till I tell you .

when you ran off the platform after the fairy dialogue one of your roses fell out of your hair .

I saw Gil pick it up and put it in his breast pocket .

there now .

you 're so romantic that I 'm sure you ought to be pleased at that . "

" it 's nothing to me what that person does , " said Anne loftily .

" I simply never waste a thought on him , Diana . "

" well now , I guess our Anne did as well as any of them , " said Matthew proudly .

" yes , she did , " admitted Marilla .

" she 's a bright child , Matthew .

and she looked real nice too .

I 've been kind of opposed to this concert scheme , but I suppose there 's no real harm in it after all .

anyhow , I was proud of Anne tonight , although I 'm not going to tell her so . "

" well now , I was proud of her and I did tell her so ' fore she went upstairs , " said Matthew .

" we must see what we can do for her some of these days , Marilla .

I guess she 'll need something more than Avonlea school by and by . "

" there 's time enough to think of that , " said Marilla .

" she 's only thirteen in March .

though tonight it struck me she was growing quite a big girl .

Mrs Lynde made that dress a mite too long , and it makes Anne look so tall .

she 's quick to learn and I guess the best thing we can do for her will be to send her to Queen 's after a spell .

but nothing need be said about that for a year or two yet . "

" well now , it 'll do no harm to be thinking it over off and on , " said Matthew .

" things like that are all the better for lots of thinking over . "

CHAPTER XXVI .

the Story Club Is Formed

|JUNIOR Avonlea found it hard to settle down to humdrum existence again .

to Anne in particular things seemed fearfully flat , stale , and unprofitable after the goblet of excitement she had been sipping for weeks .

could she go back to the former quiet pleasures of those faraway days before the concert ?

at first , as she told Diana , she did not really think she could .

" perhaps after a while I 'll get used to it , but I 'm afraid concerts spoil people for everyday life .

I suppose that is why Marilla disapproves of them .

Marilla is such a sensible woman .

Mrs Lynde says there is no danger of my ever being one , but you can never tell .

I feel just now that I may grow up to be sensible yet .

but perhaps that is only because I 'm tired .

I simply couldn't sleep last night for ever so long .

I just lay awake and imagined the concert over and over again .

that 's one splendid thing about such affairs it 's so lovely to look back to them . "

eventually , however , Avonlea school slipped back into its old groove and took up its old interests .

to be sure , the concert left traces .

with the exception of these trifling frictions , work in Miss Stacy 's little kingdom went on with regularity and smoothness .

the winter weeks slipped by .

" Just think , Diana , I 'm thirteen years old today , " remarked Anne in an awed voice .

" I can scarcely realize that I 'm in my teens .

when I woke this morning it seemed to me that everything must be different .

you 've been thirteen for a month , so I suppose it doesn't seem such a novelty to you as it does to me .

it makes life seem so much more interesting .

in two more years I 'll be really grown up .

it 's a great comfort to think that I 'll be able to use big words then without being laughed at . "

" Ruby Gillis says she means to have a beau as soon as she 's fifteen , " said Diana .

" Ruby Gillis thinks of nothing but beaus , " said Anne disdainfully .

" she 's actually delighted when anyone writes her name up in a take-notice for all she pretends to be so mad .

but I 'm afraid that is an uncharitable speech .

Mrs Allan says we should never make uncharitable speeches ; but they do slip out so often before you think , don't they ?

I simply can't talk about Josie Pye without making an uncharitable speech , so I never mention her at all .

you may have noticed that .

I 'm trying to be as much like Mrs Allan as I possibly can , for I think she 's perfect .

Mr Allan thinks so too .

but then , Diana , even ministers are human and have their besetting sins just like everybody else .

I had such an interesting talk with Mrs Allan about besetting sins last Sunday afternoon .

there are just a few things it 's proper to talk about on Sundays and that is one of them .

my besetting sin is imagining too much and forgetting my duties .

I 'm striving very hard to overcome it and now that I 'm really thirteen perhaps I 'll get on better . "

" in four more years we 'll be able to put our hair up , " said Diana .

" Alice Bell is only sixteen and she is wearing hers up , but I think that 's ridiculous .

I shall wait until I 'm seventeen . "

" if I had Alice Bell 's crooked nose , " said Anne decidedly , " I wouldn't but there !

I won't say what I was going to because it was extremely uncharitable .

besides , I was comparing it with my own nose and that 's vanity .

I 'm afraid I think too much about my nose ever since I heard that compliment about it long ago .

it really is a great comfort to me .

oh , Diana , look , there 's a rabbit .

that 's something to remember for our woods composition .

I really think the woods are just as lovely in winter as in summer .

they 're so white and still , as if they were asleep and dreaming pretty dreams . "

" I won't mind writing that composition when its time comes , " sighed Diana .

" I can manage to write about the woods , but the one we 're to hand in Monday is terrible .

the idea of Miss Stacy telling us to write a story out of our own heads ! "

" why , it 's as easy as wink , " said Anne .

I suppose you have your composition all done ? "

Anne nodded , trying hard not to look virtuously complacent and failing miserably .

" I wrote it last Monday evening .

it 's called ' The Jealous Rival ; or In Death Not Divided . '

I read it to Marilla and she said it was stuff and nonsense .

then I read it to Matthew and he said it was fine .

that is the kind of critic I like .

it 's a sad , sweet story .

I just cried like a child while I was writing it .

it 's about two beautiful maidens called Cordelia Montmorency and Geraldine Seymour who lived in the same village and were devotedly attached to each other .

Cordelia was a regal brunette with a coronet of midnight hair and duskly flashing eyes .

Geraldine was a queenly blonde with hair like spun gold and velvety purple eyes . "

" I never saw anybody with purple eyes , " said Diana dubiously .

" neither did I . I just imagined them .

I wanted something out of the common .

Geraldine had an alabaster brow too .

I 've found out what an alabaster brow is .

that is one of the advantages of being thirteen .

you know so much more than you did when you were only twelve . "

" well , what became of Cordelia and Geraldine ? " asked Diana , who was beginning to feel rather interested in their fate .

" they grew in beauty side by side until they were sixteen .

then Bertram DeVere came to their native village and fell in love with the fair Geraldine .

I found it rather hard to imagine the proposal because I had no experience to go by .

Ruby told me she was hid in the hall pantry when Malcolm Andres proposed to her sister Susan .

and Susan said , ' Yes no I don't know let me see ' and there they were , engaged as quick as that .

I made it very flowery and poetical and Bertram went on his knees , although Ruby Gillis says it isn't done nowadays .

Geraldine accepted him in a speech a page long .

I can tell you I took a lot of trouble with that speech .

I rewrote it five times and I look upon it as my masterpiece .

but then , alas , shadows began to darken over their path .

all her affection for Geraldine turned to bitter hate and she vowed that she should never marry Bertram .

but she pretended to be Geraldine 's friend the same as ever .

but alas , he had forgotten he couldn't swim , and they were both drowned , clasped in each other 's arms .

their bodies were washed ashore soon afterwards .

they were buried in the one grave and their funeral was most imposing , Diana .

it 's so much more romantic to end a story up with a funeral than a wedding .

as for Cordelia , she went insane with remorse and was shut up in a lunatic asylum .

I thought that was a poetical retribution for her crime . "

" how perfectly lovely ! " sighed Diana , who belonged to Matthew 's school of critics .

" I don't see how you can make up such thrilling things out of your own head , Anne .

I wish my imagination was as good as yours . "

" it would be if you 'd only cultivate it , " said Anne cheeringly .

" I 've just thought of a plan , Diana .

let you and me have a story club all our own and write stories for practice .

I 'll help you along until you can do them by yourself .

you ought to cultivate your imagination , you know .

Miss Stacy says so .

only we must take the right way .

I told her about the Haunted Wood , but she said we went the wrong way about it in that . "

this was how the story club came into existence .

" it 's extremely interesting , " Anne told Marilla .

" each girl has to read her story out loud and then we talk it over .

we are going to keep them all sacredly and have them to read to our descendants .

we each write under a nom-de-plume .

mine is Rosamond Montmorency .

all the girls do pretty well .

Ruby Gillis is rather sentimental .

she puts too much lovemaking into her stories and you know too much is worse than too little .

Jane never puts any because she says it makes her feel so silly when she had to read it out loud .

Jane 's stories are extremely sensible .

then Diana puts too many murders into hers .

she says most of the time she doesn't know what to do with the people so she kills them off to get rid of them .

I mostly always have to tell them what to write about , but that isn't hard for I 've millions of ideas . "

" I think this story-writing business is the foolishest yet , " scoffed Marilla .

" you 'll get a pack of nonsense into your heads and waste time that should be put on your lessons .

reading stories is bad enough but writing them is worse . "

" but we 're so careful to put a moral into them all , Marilla , " explained Anne .

" I insist upon that .

all the good people are rewarded and all the bad ones are suitably punished .

I 'm sure that must have a wholesome effect .

the moral is the great thing .

Mr Allan says so .

I read one of my stories to him and Mrs Allan and they both agreed that the moral was excellent .

only they laughed in the wrong places .

I like it better when people cry .

Jane and Ruby almost always cry when I come to the pathetic parts .

Diana wrote her Aunt Josephine about our club and her Aunt Josephine wrote back that we were to send her some of our stories .

so we copied out four of our very best and sent them .

Miss Josephine Barry wrote back that she had never read anything so amusing in her life .

that kind of puzzled us because the stories were all very pathetic and almost everybody died .

but I 'm glad Miss Barry liked them .

it shows our club is doing some good in the world .

Mrs Allan says that ought to be our object in everything .

I do really try to make it my object but I forget so often when I 'm having fun .

I hope I shall be a little like Mrs Allan when I grow up .

do you think there is any prospect of it , Marilla ? "

" I shouldn't say there was a great deal " was Marilla 's encouraging answer .

" I 'm sure Mrs Allan was never such a silly , forgetful little girl as you are . "

" no ; but she wasn't always so good as she is now either , " said Anne seriously .

I felt so encouraged when I heard that .

is it very wicked of me , Marilla , to feel encouraged when I hear that other people have been bad and mischievous ?

Mrs Lynde says it is .

Mrs Lynde says she always feels shocked when she hears of anyone ever having been naughty , no matter how small they were .

now , I wouldn't have felt that way .

that 's how I 'd feel , Marilla . "

" the way I feel at present , Anne , " said Marilla , " is that it 's high time you had those dishes washed .

you 've taken half an hour longer than you should with all your chattering .

learn to work first and talk afterwards . "

CHAPTER XXVII .

vanity and Vexation of Spirit

Marilla was not given to subjective analysis of her thoughts and feelings .

the spring was abroad in the land and Marilla 's sober , middle-aged step was lighter and swifter because of its deep , primal gladness .

Matthew had come in and was waiting patiently for his tea in his corner .

she 's just got to be pulled up short and sudden on this sort of thing .

I don't care if Mrs Allan does say she 's the brightest and sweetest child she ever knew .

just as soon as she grows out of one freak she takes up with another .

but there !

here I am saying the very thing I was so riled with Rachel Lynde for saying at the Aid today .

Anne 's got plenty of faults , goodness knows , and far be it from me to deny it .

but I 'm bringing her up and not Rachel Lynde , who 'd pick faults in the Angel Gabriel himself if he lived in Avonlea .

" perhaps you 're judging her too hasty , Marilla .

don't call her untrustworthy until you 're sure she has disobeyed you .

Mebbe it can all be explained Anne 's a great hand at explaining . "

" she 's not here when I told her to stay , " retorted Marilla .

" I reckon she 'll find it hard to explain that to my satisfaction .

of course I knew you 'd take her part , Matthew .

but I 'm bringing her up , not you . "

Marilla washed and put away the dishes grimly .

lighting it , she turned around to see Anne herself lying on the bed , face downward among the pillows .

" mercy on us , " said astonished Marilla , " have you been asleep , Anne ? "

" no , " was the muffled reply .

" are you sick then ? " demanded Marilla anxiously , going over to the bed .

Anne cowered deeper into her pillows as if desirous of hiding herself forever from mortal eyes .

" no .

but please , Marilla , go away and don't look at me .

little things like that are of no importance now because I don't suppose I 'll ever be able to go anywhere again .

my career is closed .

please , Marilla , go away and don't look at me . "

" did anyone ever hear the like ? " the mystified Marilla wanted to know .

" Anne Shirley , whatever is the matter with you ?

what have you done ?

get right up this minute and tell me .

this minute , I say .

there now , what is it ? "

Anne had slid to the floor in despairing obedience .

" look at my hair , Marilla , " she whispered .

accordingly , Marilla lifted her candle and looked scrutinizingly at Anne 's hair , flowing in heavy masses down her back .

it certainly had a very strange appearance .

" Anne Shirley , what have you done to your hair ?

why , it 's green ! "

never in all her life had Marilla seen anything so grotesque as Anne 's hair at that moment .

" yes , it 's green , " moaned Anne .

" I thought nothing could be as bad as red hair .

but now I know it 's ten times worse to have green hair .

oh , Marilla , you little know how utterly wretched I am . "

" I little know how you got into this fix , but I mean to find out , " said Marilla .

" come right down to the kitchen it 's too cold up here and tell me just what you 've done .

I 've been expecting something queer for some time .

you haven't got into any scrape for over two months , and I was sure another one was due .

now , then , what did you do to your hair ? "

" I dyed it . "

" dyed it !

dyed your hair !

Anne Shirley , didn't you know it was a wicked thing to do ? "

" yes , I knew it was a little wicked , " admitted Anne .

" but I thought it was worth while to be a little wicked to get rid of red hair .

I counted the cost , Marilla .

besides , I meant to be extra good in other ways to make up for it . "

I wouldn't have dyed it green . "

" but I didn't mean to dye it green , Marilla , " protested Anne dejectedly .

" if I was wicked I meant to be wicked to some purpose .

he said it would turn my hair a beautiful raven black he positively assured me that it would .

how could I doubt his word , Marilla ?

I know what it feels like to have your word doubted .

and Mrs Allan says we should never suspect anyone of not telling us the truth unless we have proof that they're not .

I have proof now green hair is proof enough for anybody .

but I hadn't then and I believed every word he said implicitly . "

" who said ?

who are you talking about ? "

" the peddler that was here this afternoon .

I bought the dye from him . "

" Anne Shirley , how often have I told you never to let one of those Italians in the house !

I don't believe in encouraging them to come around at all . "

" oh , I didn't let him in the house .

I remembered what you told me , and I went out , carefully shut the door , and looked at his things on the step .

besides , he wasn't an Italian he was a German Jew .

he spoke so feelingly about them that it touched my heart .

I wanted to buy something from him to help him in such a worthy object .

then all at once I saw the bottle of hair dye .

the peddler said it was warranted to dye any hair a beautiful raven black and wouldn't wash off .

in a trice I saw myself with beautiful raven-black hair and the temptation was irresistible .

but the price of the bottle was seventy-five cents and I had only fifty cents left out of my chicken money .

and I 've been repenting ever since . "

goodness knows what 's to be done .

I suppose the first thing is to give your hair a good washing and see if that will do any good . "

" oh , Marilla , what shall I do ? " questioned Anne in tears .

" I can never live this down .

people have pretty well forgotten my other mistakes the liniment cake and setting Diana drunk and flying into a temper with Mrs Lynde .

but they 'll never forget this .

they will think I am not respectable .

oh , Marilla , ' what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive . '

that is poetry , but it is true .

and oh , how Josie Pye will laugh !

Marilla , I cannot face Josie Pye .

I am the unhappiest girl in Prince Edward Island . "

Anne 's unhappiness continued for a week .

during that time she went nowhere and shampooed her hair every day .

at the end of the week Marilla said decidedly :

" it 's no use , Anne .

that is fast dye if ever there was any .

your hair must be cut off ; there is no other way .

you can't go out with it looking like that . "

Anne 's lips quivered , but she realized the bitter truth of Marilla 's remarks .

with a dismal sigh she went for the scissors .

" please cut it off at once , Marilla , and have it over .

oh , I feel that my heart is broken .

this is such an unromantic affliction .

but there is nothing comforting in having your hair cut off because you 've dyed it a dreadful color , is there ?

I 'm going to weep all the time you 're cutting it off , if it won't interfere .

it seems such a tragic thing . "

Anne wept then , but later on , when she went upstairs and looked in the glass , she was calm with despair .

Marilla had done her work thoroughly and it had been necessary to shingle the hair as closely as possible .

the result was not becoming , to state the case as mildly as may be .

Anne promptly turned her glass to the wall .

" I 'll never , never look at myself again until my hair grows , " she exclaimed passionately .

then she suddenly righted the glass .

" yes , I will , too .

I 'd do penance for being wicked that way .

I 'll look at myself every time I come to my room and see how ugly I am .

and I won't try to imagine it away , either .

I expect something will happen to my nose next . "

it 's hard to be told you look like a scarecrow and I wanted to say something back .

but I didn't .

I just swept her one scornful look and then I forgave her .

it makes you feel very virtuous when you forgive people , doesn't it ?

I mean to devote all my energies to being good after this and I shall never try to be beautiful again .

of course it 's better to be good .

I know it is , but it 's sometimes so hard to believe a thing even when you know it .

Diana says when my hair begins to grow to tie a black velvet ribbon around my head with a bow at one side .

she says she thinks it will be very becoming .

I will call it a snood that sounds so romantic .

but am I talking too much , Marilla ?

does it hurt your head ? "

" my head is better now .

it was terrible bad this afternoon , though .

these headaches of mine are getting worse and worse .

I 'll have to see a doctor about them .

as for your chatter , I don't know that I mind it I 've got so used to it . "

which was Marilla 's way of saying that she liked to hear it .

CHAPTER XXVIII .

an Unfortunate Lily Maid

|OF course you must be Elaine , Anne , " said Diana .

" I could never have the courage to float down there . "

" nor I , " said Ruby Gillis , with a shiver .

" I don't mind floating down when there 's two or three of us in the flat and we can sit up .

it 's fun then .

but to lie down and pretend I was dead I just couldn't .

I 'd die really of fright . "

" of course it would be romantic , " conceded Jane Andrews , " but I know I couldn't keep still .

I 'd be popping up every minute or so to see where I was and if I wasn't drifting too far out .

and you know , Anne , that would spoil the effect . "

" but it 's so ridiculous to have a redheaded Elaine , " mourned Anne .

" I 'm not afraid to float down and I 'd love to be Elaine .

but it 's ridiculous just the same .

and Elaine was the lily maid .

now , a red-haired person cannot be a lily maid . "

" oh , do you really think so ? " exclaimed Anne , flushing sensitively with delight .

" I 've sometimes thought it was myself but I never dared to ask anyone for fear she would tell me it wasn't .

do you think it could be called auburn now , Diana ? "

Ruby and Jane were spending the midsummer afternoon with Diana , and Anne had come over to play with them .

Anne and Diana had spent most of their playtime that summer on and about the pond .

it was Anne 's idea that they dramatize Elaine .

those days , she said , were so much more romantic than the present .

Anne 's plan was hailed with enthusiasm .

they had often gone down like this and nothing could be more convenient for playing Elaine .

" ruby , you must be King Arthur and Jane will be Guinevere and Diana must be Lancelot .

but first you must be the brothers and the father .

we can't have the old dumb servitor because there isn't room for two in the flat when one is lying down .

we must pall the barge all its length in blackest samite .

that old black shawl of your mother 's will be just the thing , Diana . "

" it makes me feel frightened , girls .

do you suppose it 's really right to act like this ?

Mrs Lynde says that all play-acting is abominably wicked . "

" Ruby , you shouldn't talk about Mrs Lynde , " said Anne severely .

" it spoils the effect because this is hundreds of years before Mrs Lynde was born .

Jane , you arrange this .

it 's silly for Elaine to be talking when she 's dead . "

Jane rose to the occasion .

cloth of gold for coverlet there was none , but an old piano scarf of yellow Japanese crepe was an excellent substitute .

" now , she 's all ready , " said Jane .

Anne , for goodness sake smile a little .

you know Elaine ' lay as though she smiled . '

that 's better .

now push the flat off . "

the flat was accordingly pushed off , scraping roughly over an old embedded stake in the process .

for a few minutes Anne , drifting slowly down , enjoyed the romance of her situation to the full .

then something happened not at all romantic .

the flat began to leak .

that sharp stake at the landing had torn off the strip of batting nailed on the flat .

Anne did not know this , but it did not take her long to realize that she was in a dangerous plight .

at this rate the flat would fill and sink long before it could drift to the lower headland .

where were the oars ?

left behind at the landing !

Anne gave one gasping little scream which nobody ever heard ; she was white to the lips , but she did not lose her self-possession .

there was one chance just one .

you know the piles are just old tree trunks and there are lots of knots and old branch stubs on them .

it was proper to pray , but I had to do my part by watching out and right well I knew it .

under such circumstances you don't think much about making a flowery prayer .

and there I was , Mrs Allan , clinging to that slippery old pile with no way of getting up or down .

it was a very unromantic position , but I didn't think about that at the time .

you don't think much about romance when you have just escaped from a watery grave .

the flat drifted under the bridge and then promptly sank in midstream .

Anne , clinging desperately to her precarious foothold , saw their flying forms and heard their shrieks .

help would soon come , but meanwhile her position was a very uncomfortable one .

the minutes passed by , each seeming an hour to the unfortunate lily maid .

why didn't somebody come ?

where had the girls gone ?

suppose they had fainted , one and all !

suppose nobody ever came !

suppose she grew so tired and cramped that she could hold on no longer !

Anne looked at the wicked green depths below her , wavering with long , oily shadows , and shivered .

her imagination began to suggest all manner of gruesome possibilities to her .

" Anne Shirley !

how on earth did you get there ? " he exclaimed .

without waiting for an answer he pulled close to the pile and extended his hand .

it was certainly extremely difficult to be dignified under the circumstances !

" what has happened , Anne ? " asked Gilbert , taking up his oars .

the flat began to leak and I climbed out on the pile .

the girls went for help .

will you be kind enough to row me to the landing ? "

Gilbert obligingly rowed to the landing and Anne , disdaining assistance , sprang nimbly on shore .

" I 'm very much obliged to you , " she said haughtily as she turned away .

but Gilbert had also sprung from the boat and now laid a detaining hand on her arm .

" Anne , " he said hurriedly , " look here .

can't we be good friends ?

I 'm awfully sorry I made fun of your hair that time .

I didn't mean to vex you and I only meant it for a joke .

besides , it 's so long ago .

I think your hair is awfully pretty now honest I do .

let's be friends . "

for a moment Anne hesitated .

her heart gave a quick , queer little beat .

but the bitterness of her old grievance promptly stiffened up her wavering determination .

that scene of two years before flashed back into her recollection as vividly as if it had taken place yesterday .

Gilbert had called her " carrots " and had brought about her disgrace before the whole school .

she hated Gilbert Blythe !

she would never forgive him !

" all right ! "

Gilbert sprang into his skiff with an angry color in his cheeks .

" I 'll never ask you to be friends again , Anne Shirley .

and I don't care either ! "

he pulled away with swift defiant strokes , and Anne went up the steep , ferny little path under the maples .

she held her head very high , but she was conscious of an odd feeling of regret .

she almost wished she had answered Gilbert differently .

of course , he had insulted her terribly , but still !

altogether , Anne rather thought it would be a relief to sit down and have a good cry .

she was really quite unstrung , for the reaction from her fright and cramped clinging was making itself felt .

halfway up the path she met Jane and Diana rushing back to the pond in a state narrowly removed from positive frenzy .

they had found nobody at Orchard Slope , both Mr. and Mrs Barry being away .

there they had found nobody either , for Marilla had gone to Carmody and Matthew was making hay in the back field .

and Ruby is in hysterics oh , Anne , how did you escape ? "

" oh , Anne , how splendid of him !

why , it 's so romantic ! " said Jane , finding breath enough for utterance at last .

" of course you 'll speak to him after this . "

" of course I won't , " flashed Anne , with a momentary return of her old spirit .

" and I don't want ever to hear the word ' romantic ' again , Jane Andrews .

I 'm awfully sorry you were so frightened , girls .

it is all my fault .

I feel sure I was born under an unlucky star .

everything I do gets me or my dearest friends into a scrape .

Anne 's presentiment proved more trustworthy than presentiments are apt to do .

Great was the consternation in the Barry and Cuthbert households when the events of the afternoon became known .

" will you ever have any sense , Anne ? " groaned Marilla .

" oh , yes , I think I will , Marilla , " returned Anne optimistically .

a good cry , indulged in the grateful solitude of the east gable , had soothed her nerves and restored her to her wonted cheerfulness .

" I think my prospects of becoming sensible are brighter now than ever . "

" I don't see how , " said Marilla .

" well , " explained Anne , " I 've learned a new and valuable lesson today .

ever since I came to Green Gables I 've been making mistakes , and each mistake has helped to cure me of some great shortcoming .

the affair of the amethyst brooch cured me of meddling with things that didn't belong to me .

the Haunted Wood mistake cured me of letting my imagination run away with me .

the liniment cake mistake cured me of carelessness in cooking .

dyeing my hair cured me of vanity .

I never think about my hair and nose now at least , very seldom .

and today 's mistake is going to cure me of being too romantic .

I have come to the conclusion that it is no use trying to be romantic in Avonlea .

it was probably easy enough in towered Camelot hundreds of years ago , but romance is not appreciated now .

I feel quite sure that you will soon see a great improvement in me in this respect , Marilla . "

" I 'm sure I hope so , " said Marilla skeptically .

but Matthew , who had been sitting mutely in his corner , laid a hand on Anne 's shoulder when Marilla had gone out .

CHAPTER XXIX .

An Epoch in Anne 's Life

|ANNE was bringing the cows home from the back pasture by way of Lover 's Lane .

it was a September evening and all the gaps and clearings in the woods were brimmed up with ruby sunset light .

when she came to the lines

the stubborn spearsmen still made good Their dark impenetrable wood ,

she stopped in ecstasy to shut her eyes that she might the better fancy herself one of that heroic ring .

but betray too eager curiosity she would not .

" isn't this evening just like a purple dream , Diana ?

it makes me so glad to be alive .

in the mornings I always think the mornings are best ; but when evening comes I think it 's lovelier still . "

" it 's a very fine evening , " said Diana , " but oh , I have such news , Anne .

guess .

you can have three guesses . "

" Charlotte Gillis is going to be married in the church after all and Mrs Allan wants us to decorate it , " cried Anne .

" no .

it 's too mean , because it would be such fun .

guess again . "

" Jane 's mother is going to let her have a birthday party ? "

Diana shook her head , her black eyes dancing with merriment .

did he ? "

" I should think not , " exclaimed Diana indignantly .

" I wouldn't be likely to boast of it if he did , the horrid creature !

I knew you couldn't guess it .

there ! "

but I 'm afraid Marilla won't let me go .

she will say that she can't encourage gadding about .

I wanted to go , but Marilla said I 'd be better at home learning my lessons and so would Jane .

I was bitterly disappointed , Diana .

I felt so heartbroken that I wouldn't say my prayers when I went to bed .

but I repented of that and got up in the middle of the night and said them . "

" I 'll tell you , " said Diana , " we 'll get Mother to ask Marilla .

she 'll be more likely to let you go then ; and if she does we 'll have the time of our lives , Anne .

I 've never been to an Exhibition , and it 's so aggravating to hear the other girls talking about their trips .

Jane and Ruby have been twice , and they 're going this year again . "

" I 'm not going to think about it at all until I know whether I can go or not , " said Anne resolutely .

" if I did and then was disappointed , it would be more than I could bear .

but in case I do go I 'm very glad my new coat will be ready by that time .

Marilla didn't think I needed a new coat .

she said my old one would do very well for another winter and that I ought to be satisfied with having a new dress .

the dress is very pretty , Diana navy blue and made so fashionably .

Marilla always makes my dresses fashionably now , because she says she doesn't intend to have Matthew going to Mrs Lynde to make them .

I 'm so glad .

it is ever so much easier to be good if your clothes are fashionable .

at least , it is easier for me .

I suppose it doesn't make such a difference to naturally good people .

but it just slips into my mind in spite of me .

my cap is so pretty .

Matthew bought it for me the day we were over at Carmody .

it is one of those little blue velvet ones that are all the rage , with gold cord and tassels .

your new hat is elegant , Diana , and so becoming .

when I saw you come into church last Sunday my heart swelled with pride to think you were my dearest friend .

do you suppose it 's wrong for us to think so much about our clothes ?

Marilla says it is very sinful .

but it is such an interesting subject , isn't it ? "

Marilla agreed to let Anne go to town , and it was arranged that Mr Barry should take the girls in on the following Tuesday .

but Anne counted it all joy , and was up before sunrise on Tuesday morning .

through the gap in the trees a light was shining in the western gable of Orchard Slope , a token that Diana was also up .

after breakfast the jaunty new cap and jacket were donned , and Anne hastened over the brook and up through the firs to Orchard Slope .

Mr Barry and Diana were waiting for her , and they were soon on the road .

it was a long drive , but Anne and Diana enjoyed every minute of it .

it was delightful to rattle along over the moist roads in the early red sunlight that was creeping across the shorn harvest fields .

the air was fresh and crisp , and little smoke-blue mists curled through the valleys and floated off from the hills .

it was almost noon when they reached town and found their way to " Beechwood . "

it was quite a fine old mansion , set back from the street in a seclusion of green elms and branching beeches .

Miss Barry met them at the door with a twinkle in her sharp black eyes .

" so you 've come to see me at last , you Anne-girl , " she said .

" Mercy , child , how you have grown !

you 're taller than I am , I declare .

and you 're ever so much better looking than you used to be , too .

but I dare say you know that without being told . "

" indeed I didn't , " said Anne radiantly .

I 'm so glad you think there is , Miss Barry . "

Miss Barry 's house was furnished with " great magnificence , " as Anne told Marilla afterward .

" isn't it just like a palace ? " whispered Diana .

" I never was in Aunt Josephine 's house before , and I 'd no idea it was so grand .

I just wish Julia Bell could see this she puts on such airs about her mother 's parlor . "

" Velvet carpet , " sighed Anne luxuriously , " and silk curtains !

I 've dreamed of such things , Diana .

but do you know I don't believe I feel very comfortable with them after all .

there are so many things in this room and all so splendid that there is no scope for imagination .

that is one consolation when you are poor there are so many more things you can imagine about . "

their sojourn in town was something that Anne and Diana dated from for years .

from first to last it was crowded with delights .

on Wednesday Miss Barry took them to the Exhibition grounds and kept them there all day .

" it was splendid , " Anne related to Marilla later on .

" I never imagined anything so interesting .

I don't really know which department was the most interesting .

I think I liked the horses and the flowers and the fancywork best .

Josie Pye took first prize for knitted lace .

I was real glad she did .

Mr Harmon Andrews took second prize for Gravenstein apples and Mr Bell took first prize for a pig .

Diana said she thought it was ridiculous for a Sunday-school superintendent to take a prize in pigs , but I don't see why .

do you ?

she said she would always think of it after this when he was praying so solemnly .

Clara Louise MacPherson took a prize for painting , and Mrs Lynde got first prize for homemade butter and cheese .

so Avonlea was pretty well represented , wasn't it ?

there were thousands of people there , Marilla .

it made me feel dreadfully insignificant .

and Miss Barry took us up to the grandstand to see the horse races .

but there were so many there I don't believe Mrs Lynde 's absence would ever be noticed .

I don't think , though , that I ought to go very often to horse races , because they are awfully fascinating .

Diana got so excited that she offered to bet me ten cents that the red horse would win .

it 's always wrong to do anything you can't tell the minister 's wife .

it 's as good as an extra conscience to have a minister 's wife for your friend .

and I was very glad I didn't bet , because the red horse did win , and I would have lost ten cents .

so you see that virtue was its own reward .

we saw a man go up in a balloon .

I 'd love to go up in a balloon , Marilla ; it would be simply thrilling ; and we saw a man selling fortunes .

you paid him ten cents and a little bird picked out your fortune for you .

Miss Barry gave Diana and me ten cents each to have our fortunes told .

Mine was that I would marry a dark-complected man who was very wealthy , and I would go across water to live .

oh , it was a never-to-be-forgotten day , Marilla .

I was so tired I couldn't sleep at night .

Miss Barry put us in the spare room , according to promise .

it was an elegant room , Marilla , but somehow sleeping in a spare room isn't what I used to think it was .

that 's the worst of growing up , and I 'm beginning to realize it .

the things you wanted so much when you were a child don't seem half so wonderful to you when you get them . "

to Anne the evening was a glittering vision of delight .

" oh , Marilla , it was beyond description .

I was so excited I couldn't even talk , so you may know what it was like .

I just sat in enraptured silence .

Madame Selitsky was perfectly beautiful , and wore white satin and diamonds .

but when she began to sing I never thought about anything else .

oh , I can't tell you how I felt .

but it seemed to me that it could never be hard to be good any more .

I felt like I do when I look up to the stars .

tears came into my eyes , but , oh , they were such happy tears .

she said she thought if we went over to the restaurant across the street and had an ice cream it might help me .

that sounded so prosaic ; but to my surprise I found it true .

Diana said she believed she was born for city life .

so I thought it over after I went to bed .

that is the best time to think things out .

and I came to the conclusion , Marilla , that I wasn't born for city life and that I was glad of it .

I told Miss Barry so at breakfast the next morning and she laughed .

Miss Barry generally laughed at anything I said , even when I said the most solemn things .

I don't think I liked it , Marilla , because I wasn't trying to be funny .

but she is a most hospitable lady and treated us royally . "

Friday brought going-home time , and Mr Barry drove in for the girls .

" well , I hope you 've enjoyed yourselves , " said Miss Barry , as she bade them good-bye .

" indeed we have , " said Diana .

" and you , Anne-girl ? "

Diana would never have dared to do such a thing and felt rather aghast at Anne 's freedom .

but Miss Barry was pleased , and she stood on her veranda and watched the buggy out of sight .

then she went back into her big house with a sigh .

it seemed very lonely , lacking those fresh young lives .

Miss Barry was a rather selfish old lady , if the truth must be told , and had never cared much for anybody but herself .

she valued people only as they were of service to her or amused her .

Anne had amused her , and consequently stood high in the old lady 's good graces .

if I 'd a child like Anne in the house all the time I 'd be a better and happier woman . "

it was sunset when they passed through White Sands and turned into the shore road .

beyond , the Avonlea hills came out darkly against the saffron sky .

behind them the moon was rising out of the sea that grew all radiant and transfigured in her light .

every little cove along the curving road was a marvel of dancing ripples .

" oh , but it 's good to be alive and to be going home , " breathed Anne .

Anne ran blithely up the hill and into the kitchen , where a hot supper was waiting on the table .

" so you 've got back ? " said Marilla , folding up her knitting .

" yes , and oh , it 's so good to be back , " said Anne joyously .

" I could kiss everything , even to the clock .

Marilla , a broiled chicken !

you don't mean to say you cooked that for me ! "

" yes , I did , " said Marilla .

" I thought you 'd be hungry after such a drive and need something real appetizing .

hurry and take off your things , and we 'll have supper as soon as Matthew comes in .

I 'm glad you 've got back , I must say .

it 's been fearful lonesome here without you , and I never put in four longer days . "

after supper Anne sat before the fire between Matthew and Marilla , and gave them a full account of her visit .

" I 've had a splendid time , " she concluded happily , " and I feel that it marks an epoch in my life .

but the best of it all was the coming home . "

CHAPTER XXX .

the Queens Class Is Organized

|MARILLA laid her knitting on her lap and leaned back in her chair .

the lesson of a love that should display itself easily in spoken word and open look was one Marilla could never learn .

but she had learned to love this slim , gray-eyed girl with an affection all the deeper and stronger from its very undemonstrativeness .

her love made her afraid of being unduly indulgent , indeed .

certainly Anne herself had no idea how Marilla loved her .

she sometimes thought wistfully that Marilla was very hard to please and distinctly lacking in sympathy and understanding .

but she always checked the thought reproachfully , remembering what she owed to Marilla .

" Anne , " said Marilla abruptly , " Miss Stacy was here this afternoon when you were out with Diana . "

Anne came back from her other world with a start and a sigh .

" was she ?

oh , I 'm so sorry I wasn't in .

why didn't you call me , Marilla ?

Diana and I were only over in the Haunted Wood .

it 's lovely in the woods now .

I think it was a little gray fairy with a rainbow scarf that came tiptoeing along the last moonlight night and did it .

Diana wouldn't say much about that , though .

Diana has never forgotten the scolding her mother gave her about imagining ghosts into the Haunted Wood .

it had a very bad effect on Diana 's imagination .

it blighted it .

Mrs Lynde says Myrtle Bell is a blighted being .

I asked Ruby Gillis why Myrtle was blighted , and Ruby said she guessed it was because her young man had gone back on her .

Ruby Gillis thinks of nothing but young men , and the older she gets the worse she is .

young men are all very well in their place , but it doesn't do to drag them into everything , does it ?

Diana and I are thinking seriously of promising each other that we will never marry but be nice old maids and live together forever .

Diana and I talk a great deal about serious subjects now , you know .

we feel that we are so much older than we used to be that it isn't becoming to talk of childish matters .

it 's such a solemn thing to be almost fourteen , Marilla .

Miss Stacy took all us girls who are in our teens down to the brook last Wednesday , and talked to us about it .

and she said if the foundation was shaky we could never build anything really worth while on it .

Diana and I talked the matter over coming home from school .

we felt extremely solemn , Marilla .

it 's perfectly appalling to think of being twenty , Marilla .

it sounds so fearfully old and grown up .

but why was Miss Stacy here this afternoon ? "

" that is what I want to tell you , Anne , if you 'll ever give me a chance to get a word in edgewise .

she was talking about you . "

" about me ? "

Anne looked rather scared .

then she flushed and exclaimed :

" oh , I know what she was saying .

I meant to tell you , Marilla , honestly I did , but I forgot .

Miss Stacy caught me reading Ben Hur in school yesterday afternoon when I should have been studying my Canadian history .

Jane Andrews lent it to me .

I was reading it at dinner hour , and I had just got to the chariot race when school went in .

I just looked as if I were studying Canadian history , you know , while all the while I was reveling in Ben Hur .

I can't tell you how ashamed I felt , Marilla , especially when I heard Josie Pye giggling .

Miss Stacy took Ben Hur away , but she never said a word then .

she kept me in at recess and talked to me .

she said I had done very wrong in two respects .

I had never realized until that moment , Marilla , that what I was doing was deceitful .

I was shocked .

but Miss Stacy said she wouldn't require that , and she forgave me freely .

so I think it wasn't very kind of her to come up here to you about it after all . "

" Miss Stacy never mentioned such a thing to me , Anne , and its only your guilty conscience that 's the matter with you .

you have no business to be taking storybooks to school .

you read too many novels anyhow .

when I was a girl I wasn't so much as allowed to look at a novel . "

" oh , how can you call Ben Hur a novel when it 's really such a religious book ? " protested Anne .

" of course it 's a little too exciting to be proper reading for Sunday , and I only read it on weekdays .

Miss Stacy made me promise that .

she found me reading a book one day called , The Lurid Mystery of the Haunted Hall .

it was one Ruby Gillis had lent me , and , oh , Marilla , it was so fascinating and creepy .

it just curdled the blood in my veins .

but my love for Miss Stacy stood the test and I did .

it 's really wonderful , Marilla , what you can do when you 're truly anxious to please a certain person . "

" well , I guess I 'll light the lamp and get to work , " said Marilla .

" I see plainly that you don't want to hear what Miss Stacy had to say .

you 're more interested in the sound of your own tongue than in anything else . "

" oh , indeed , Marilla , I do want to hear it , " cried Anne contritely .

" I won't say another word not one .

please tell me , Marilla . "

" well , Miss Stacy wants to organize a class among her advanced students who mean to study for the entrance examination into Queen 's .

she intends to give them extra lessons for an hour after school .

and she came to ask Matthew and me if we would like to have you join it .

what do you think about it yourself , Anne ?

would you like to go to Queen 's and pass for a teacher ? "

" oh , Marilla ! "

Anne straightened to her knees and clasped her hands .

but I didn't say anything about it , because I supposed it would be perfectly useless .

I 'd love to be a teacher .

but won't it be dreadfully expensive ?

Mr Andrews says it cost him one hundred and fifty dollars to put Prissy through , and Prissy wasn't a dunce in geometry . "

" I guess you needn't worry about that part of it .

I believe in a girl being fitted to earn her own living whether she ever has to or not .

so you can join the Queen 's class if you like , Anne . "

" oh , Marilla , thank you . "

Anne flung her arms about Marilla 's waist and looked up earnestly into her face .

" I 'm extremely grateful to you and Matthew .

and I 'll study as hard as I can and do my very best to be a credit to you .

" I dare say you 'll get along well enough .

Miss Stacy says you are bright and diligent . "

not for worlds would Marilla have told Anne just what Miss Stacy had said about her ; that would have been to pamper vanity .

" you needn't rush to any extreme of killing yourself over your books .

there is no hurry .

you won't be ready to try the Entrance for a year and a half yet .

but it 's well to begin in time and be thoroughly grounded , Miss Stacy says . "

Mr Allan says everybody should have a purpose in life and pursue it faithfully .

only he says we must first make sure that it is a worthy purpose .

I would call it a worthy purpose to want to be a teacher like Miss Stacy , wouldn't you , Marilla ?

I think it 's a very noble profession . "

the Queen 's class was organized in due time .

Gilbert Blythe , Anne Shirley , Ruby Gillis , Jane Andrews , Josie Pye , Charlie Sloane , and Moody Spurgeon MacPherson joined it .

Diana Barry did not , as her parents did not intend to send her to Queen 's .

this seemed nothing short of a calamity to Anne .

never , since the night on which Minnie May had had the croup , had she and Diana been separated in anything .

not for worlds would Anne have had Gilbert Blythe or Josie Pye see those tears .

" I thought how splendid it would have been if Diana had only been going to study for the Entrance , too .

but we can't have things perfect in this imperfect world , as Mrs Lynde says .

Mrs Lynde isn't exactly a comforting person sometimes , but there 's no doubt she says a great many very true things .

and I think the Queen 's class is going to be extremely interesting .

Jane and Ruby are just going to study to be teachers .

that is the height of their ambition .

Ruby says she will only teach for two years after she gets through , and then she intends to be married .

Moody Spurgeon is going to be a minister .

Mrs Lynde says he couldn't be anything else with a name like that to live up to .

I hope it isn't wicked of me , Marilla , but really the thought of Moody Spurgeon being a minister makes me laugh .

he 's such a funny-looking boy with that big fat face , and his little blue eyes , and his ears sticking out like flaps .

but perhaps he will be more intellectual looking when he grows up .

" what is Gilbert Blythe going to be ? " queried Marilla , seeing that Anne was opening her Caesar .

" I don't happen to know what Gilbert Blythe 's ambition in life is if he has any , " said Anne scornfully .

there was open rivalry between Gilbert and Anne now .

he was a foeman worthy of her steel .

the other members of the class tacitly acknowledged their superiority , and never dreamed of trying to compete with them .

but Anne Shirley he simply ignored , and Anne found out that it is not pleasant to be ignored .

it was in vain that she told herself with a toss of her head that she did not care .

it was in vain that she recalled every incident and emotion of that memorable occasion and tried to feel the old satisfying anger .

that day by the pond had witnessed its last spasmodic flicker .

Anne realized that she had forgiven and forgotten without knowing it .

but it was too late .

the only poor comfort he had was that she snubbed Charlie Sloane , unmercifully , continually , and undeservedly .

otherwise the winter passed away in a round of pleasant duties and studies .

for Anne the days slipped by like golden beads on the necklace of the year .

Even Anne and Gilbert lagged and grew indifferent .

Teacher and taught were alike glad when the term was ended and the glad vacation days stretched rosily before them .

it will be the tug of war , you know the last year before the Entrance . "

" are you going to be back next year , Miss Stacy ? " asked Josie Pye .

the Queen 's class listened in breathless suspense for her answer .

" yes , I think I will , " said Miss Stacy .

" I thought of taking another school , but I have decided to come back to Avonlea .

to tell the truth , I 've grown so interested in my pupils here that I found I couldn't leave them .

so I 'll stay and see you through . "

" hurrah ! " said Moody Spurgeon .

" oh , I 'm so glad , " said Anne , with shining eyes .

" dear Stacy , it would be perfectly dreadful if you didn't come back .

I don't believe I could have the heart to go on with my studies at all if another teacher came here . "

" I 'm not even going to look at a schoolbook in vacation , " she told Marilla .

I just feel tired of everything sensible and I 'm going to let my imagination run riot for the summer .

oh , you needn't be alarmed , Marilla .

I 'll only let it run riot within reasonable limits .

but I want to have a real good jolly time this summer , for maybe it 's the last summer I 'll be a little girl .

Mrs Lynde says that if I keep stretching out next year as I 've done this I 'll have to put on longer skirts .

she says I 'm all running to legs and eyes .

and when I put on longer skirts I shall feel that I have to live up to them and be very dignified .

I think we 're going to have a very gay vacation .

Ruby Gillis is going to have a birthday party soon and there 's the Sunday school picnic and the missionary concert next month .

and Mr Barry says that some evening he 'll take Diana and me over to the White Sands Hotel and have dinner there .

they have dinner there in the evening , you know .

Jane says it was her first glimpse into high life and she 'll never forget it to her dying day . "

Mrs Lynde came up the next afternoon to find out why Marilla had not been at the Aid meeting on Thursday .

when Marilla was not at Aid meeting people knew there was something wrong at Green Gables .

" Matthew had a bad spell with his heart Thursday , " Marilla explained , " and I didn't feel like leaving him .

oh , yes , he 's all right again now , but he takes them spells oftener than he used to and I 'm anxious about him .

the doctor says he must be careful to avoid excitement .

come and lay off your things , Rachel .

you 'll stay to tea ? "

" she must be a great help to you . "

" she is , " said Marilla , " and she 's real steady and reliable now .

" lawful heart , shall I ever forget that tantrum of hers !

but I was mistaken and I 'm real glad of it .

I ain't one of those kind of people , Marilla , as can never be brought to own up that they 've made a mistake .

no , that never was my way , thank goodness .

there was no ciphering her out by the rules that worked with other children .

it 's nothing short of wonderful how she 's improved these three years , but especially in looks .

she 's a real pretty girl got to be , though I can't say I 'm overly partial to that pale , big-eyed style myself .

I like more snap and color , like Diana Barry has or Ruby Gillis .

Ruby Gillis 's looks are real showy .

CHAPTER XXXI .

where the Brook and River Meet

|ANNE had her " good " summer and enjoyed it wholeheartedly .

she and Diana fairly lived outdoors , reveling in all the delights that Lover 's Lane and the Dryad 's Bubble and Willowmere and Victoria Island afforded .

Marilla offered no objections to Anne 's gypsyings .

it was :

this message frightened Marilla wholesomely .

she read Anne 's death warrant by consumption in it unless it was scrupulously obeyed .

as a result , Anne had the golden summer of her life as far as freedom and frolic went .

" I feel just like studying with might and main , " she declared as she brought her books down from the attic .

" oh , you good old friends , I 'm glad to see your honest faces once more yes , even you , geometry .

doesn't Mr Allan preach magnificent sermons ?

but I don't see the use of meeting trouble halfway , do you , Marilla ?

I think it would be better just to enjoy Mr Allan while we have him .

if I were a man I think I 'd be a minister .

why can't women be ministers , Marilla ?

I asked Mrs Lynde that and she was shocked and said it would be a scandalous thing .

but I don't see why .

I think women would make splendid ministers .

" yes , I believe she could , " said Marilla dryly .

" she does plenty of unofficial preaching as it is .

nobody has much of a chance to go wrong in Avonlea with Rachel to oversee them . "

it has worried me terribly on Sunday afternoons , that is , when I think specially about such matters .

I feel irresistibly tempted to do it .

now , what do you think is the reason I feel like that ?

do you think it 's because I 'm really bad and unregenerate ? "

Marilla looked dubious for a moment .

then she laughed .

" if you are I guess I am too , Anne , for Rachel often has that very effect on me .

there should have been a special commandment against nagging .

but there , I shouldn't talk so .

Rachel is a good Christian woman and she means well .

there isn't a kinder soul in Avonlea and she never shirks her share of work . "

" I 'm very glad you feel the same , " said Anne decidedly .

" it 's so encouraging .

I shan't worry so much over that after this .

but I dare say there 'll be other things to worry me .

they keep coming up new all the time things to perplex you , you know .

you settle one question and there 's another right after .

there are so many things to be thought over and decided when you 're beginning to grow up .

it keeps me busy all the time thinking them over and deciding what is right .

it 's a serious thing to grow up , isn't it , Marilla ?

I feel it 's a great responsibility because I have only the one chance .

if I don't grow up right I can't go back and begin over again .

I 've grown two inches this summer , Marilla .

Mr Gillis measured me at Ruby 's party .

I 'm so glad you made my new dresses longer .

that dark-green one is so pretty and it was sweet of you to put on the flounce .

of course I know it wasn't really necessary , but flounces are so stylish this fall and Josie Pye has flounces on all her dresses .

I know I 'll be able to study better because of mine .

I shall have such a comfortable feeling deep down in my mind about that flounce . "

" it 's worth something to have that , " admitted Marilla .

Miss Stacy came back to Avonlea school and found all her pupils eager for work once more .

suppose they did not pass !

but it was a jolly , busy , happy swift-flying winter .

Schoolwork was as interesting , class rivalry as absorbing , as of yore .

" hills peeped o'er hill and Alps on Alps arose . "

much of all this was due to Miss Stacy 's tactful , careful , broadminded guidance .

apart from her studies Anne expanded socially , for Marilla , mindful of the Spencervale doctor 's dictum , no longer vetoed occasional outings .

" why , Anne , how you 've grown ! " she said , almost unbelievingly .

a sigh followed on the words .

Marilla felt a queer regret over Anne 's inches .

Marilla loved the girl as much as she had loved the child , but she was conscious of a queer sorrowful sense of loss .

" I was thinking about Anne , " she explained .

" she 's got to be such a big girl and she 'll probably be away from us next winter .

I 'll miss her terrible . "

" the branch railroad will be built to Carmody by that time . "

" but there men can't understand these things ! "

there were other changes in Anne no less real than the physical change .

for one thing , she became much quieter .

perhaps she thought all the more and dreamed as much as ever , but she certainly talked less .

Marilla noticed and commented on this also .

" you don't chatter half as much as you used to , Anne , nor use half as many big words .

what has come over you ? "

" I don't know I don't want to talk as much , " she said , denting her chin thoughtfully with her forefinger .

" it 's nicer to think dear , pretty thoughts and keep them in one 's heart , like treasures .

I don't like to have them laughed at or wondered over .

and somehow I don't want to use big words any more .

it 's almost a pity , isn't it , now that I 'm really growing big enough to say them if I did want to .

it 's fun to be almost grown up in some ways , but it 's not the kind of fun I expected , Marilla .

there 's so much to learn and do and think that there isn't time for big words .

besides , Miss Stacy says the short ones are much stronger and better .

she makes us write all our essays as simply as possible .

it was hard at first .

I was so used to crowding in all the fine big words I could think of and I thought of any number of them .

but I 've got used to it now and I see it 's so much better . "

" what has become of your story club ?

I haven't heard you speak of it for a long time . "

" the story club isn't in existence any longer .

we hadn't time for it and anyhow I think we had got tired of it .

it was silly to be writing about love and murder and elopements and mysteries .

I never thought my compositions had so many faults until I began to look for them myself .

and so I am trying to . "

" you 've only two more months before the Entrance , " said Marilla .

" do you think you 'll be able to get through ? "

Anne shivered .

" I don't know .

sometimes I think I 'll be all right and then I get horribly afraid .

we 've studied hard and Miss Stacy has drilled us thoroughly , but we mayn't get through for all that .

we 've each got a stumbling block .

Mine is geometry of course , and Jane 's is Latin , and Ruby and Charlie 's is algebra , and Josie 's is arithmetic .

Moody Spurgeon says he feels it in his bones that he is going to fail in English history .

I wish it was all over , Marilla .

it haunts me .

sometimes I wake up in the night and wonder what I 'll do if I don't pass . "

" why , go to school next year and try again , " said Marilla unconcernedly .

" oh , I don't believe I 'd have the heart for it .

it would be such a disgrace to fail , especially if Gil if the others passed .

and I get so nervous in an examination that I 'm likely to make a mess of it .

I wish I had nerves like Jane Andrews .

nothing rattles her . "

CHAPTER XXXII .

the Pass List Is Out

|WITH the end of June came the close of the term and the close of Miss Stacy 's rule in Avonlea school .

Anne and Diana walked home that evening feeling very sober indeed .

Diana looked back at the schoolhouse from the foot of the spruce hill and sighed deeply .

" it does seem as if it was the end of everything , doesn't it ? " she said dismally .

" you oughtn't to feel half as badly as I do , " said Anne , hunting vainly for a dry spot on her handkerchief .

" it won't be a bit the same .

Miss Stacy won't be there , nor you nor Jane nor Ruby probably .

I shall have to sit all alone , for I couldn't bear to have another deskmate after you .

oh , we have had jolly times , haven't we , Anne ?

it 's dreadful to think they 're all over . "

two big tears rolled down by Diana 's nose .

" if you would stop crying I could , " said Anne imploringly .

" just as soon as I put away my hanky I see you brimming up and that starts me off again .

as Mrs Lynde says , ' If you can't be cheerful , be as cheerful as you can . '

after all , I dare say I 'll be back next year .

this is one of the times I know I 'm not going to pass .

they 're getting alarmingly frequent . "

" why , you came out splendidly in the exams Miss Stacy gave . "

" yes , but those exams didn't make me nervous .

when I think of the real thing you can't imagine what a horrid cold fluttery feeling comes round my heart .

and then my number is thirteen and Josie Pye says it 's so unlucky .

I am not superstitious and I know it can make no difference .

but still I wish it wasn't thirteen . "

" I do wish I was going in with you , " said Diana .

" wouldn't we have a perfectly elegant time ?

but I suppose you 'll have to cram in the evenings . "

" no ; Miss Stacy has made us promise not to open a book at all .

it 's good advice , but I expect it will be hard to follow ; good advice is apt to be , I think .

it was so kind of your Aunt Josephine to ask me to stay at Beechwood while I 'm in town . "

" you 'll write to me while you 're in , won't you ? "

" I 'll write Tuesday night and tell you how the first day goes , " promised Anne .

" I 'll be haunting the post office Wednesday , " vowed Diana .

Anne went to town the following Monday and on Wednesday Diana haunted the post office , as agreed , and got her letter .

" dearest Diana " wrote Anne ,

" here it is Tuesday night and I 'm writing this in the library at Beechwood .

last night I was horribly lonesome all alone in my room and wished so much you were with me .

" this morning Miss Stacy came for me and we went to the Academy , calling for Jane and Ruby and Josie on our way .

Ruby asked me to feel her hands and they were as cold as ice .

there are times and seasons even yet when I don't feel that I 've made any great headway in learning to like Josie Pye !

" when we reached the Academy there were scores of students there from all over the Island .

the first person we saw was Moody Spurgeon sitting on the steps and muttering away to himself .

" when we were assigned to our rooms Miss Stacy had to leave us .

Jane and I sat together and Jane was so composed that I envied her .

no need of the multiplication table for good , steady , sensible Jane !

I wondered if I looked as I felt and if they could hear my heart thumping clear across the room .

then a man came in and began distributing the English examination sheets .

my hands grew cold then and my head fairly whirled around as I picked it up .

" at noon we went home for dinner and then back again for history in the afternoon .

the history was a pretty hard paper and I got dreadfully mixed up in the dates .

still , I think I did fairly well today .

if I thought the multiplication table would help me any I would recite it from now till tomorrow morning .

" I went down to see the other girls this evening .

on my way I met Moody Spurgeon wandering distractedly around .

I cheered him up and persuaded him to stay to the end because it would be unfair to Miss Stacy if he didn't .

" Ruby was in hysterics when I reached their boardinghouse ; she had just discovered a fearful mistake she had made in her English paper .

when she recovered we went uptown and had an ice cream .

how we wished you had been with us .

" oh , Diana , if only the geometry examination were over !

but there , as Mrs Lynde would say , the sun will go on rising and setting whether I fail in geometry or not .

that is true but not especially comforting .

I think I'd rather it didn't go on if I failed !

" yours devotedly ,

" Anne "

Diana was over at Green Gables when she arrived and they met as if they had been parted for years .

" you old darling , it 's perfectly splendid to see you back again .

it seems like an age since you went to town and oh , Anne , how did you get along ? "

" pretty well , I think , in everything but the geometry .

I don't know whether I passed in it or not and I have a creepy , crawly presentiment that I didn't .

oh , how good it is to be back !

Green Gables is the dearest , loveliest spot in the world . "

" how did the others do ? "

" the girls say they know they didn't pass , but I think they did pretty well .

Josie says the geometry was so easy a child of ten could do it !

Moody Spurgeon still thinks he failed in history and Charlie says he failed in algebra .

but we don't really know anything about it and won't until the pass list is out .

that won't be for a fortnight .

fancy living a fortnight in such suspense !

I wish I could go to sleep and never wake up until it is over . "

Diana knew it would be useless to ask how Gilbert Blythe had fared , so she merely said :

" oh , you 'll pass all right .

don't worry . "

with this end in view Anne had strained every nerve during the examinations .

so had Gilbert .

but she had another and nobler motive for wishing to do well .

she wanted to " pass high " for the sake of Matthew and Marilla especially Matthew .

Matthew had declared to her his conviction that she " would beat the whole Island . "

that , Anne felt , was something it would be foolish to hope for even in the wildest dreams .

that , she felt , would be a sweet reward indeed for all her hard work and patient grubbing among unimaginative equations and conjugations .

Charlie and Gilbert were not above doing this too , but Moody Spurgeon stayed resolutely away .

" I haven't got the grit to go there and look at a paper in cold blood , " he told Anne .

" I 'm just going to wait until somebody comes and tells me suddenly whether I 've passed or not . "

when three weeks had gone by without the pass list appearing Anne began to feel that she really couldn't stand the strain much longer .

her appetite failed and her interest in Avonlea doings languished .

but one evening the news came .

Anne sprang to her feet , knowing at once what that paper contained .

the pass list was out !

her head whirled and her heart beat until it hurt her .

she could not move a step .

oh , I 'm so proud ! "

Diana flung the paper on the table and herself on Anne 's bed , utterly breathless and incapable of further speech .

Anne lighted the lamp , oversetting the match safe and using up half a dozen matches before her shaking hands could accomplish the task .

then she snatched up the paper .

yes , she had passed there was her name at the very top of a list of two hundred !

that moment was worth living for .

you 've all passed , every one of you , Moody Spurgeon and all , although he 's conditioned in history .

Jane and Ruby did pretty well they 're halfway up and so did Charlie .

Josie just scraped through with three marks to spare , but you 'll see she 'll put on as many airs as if she 'd led .

won't Miss Stacy be delighted ?

oh , Anne , what does it feel like to see your name at the head of a pass list like that ?

if it were me I know I 'd go crazy with joy .

I am pretty near crazy as it is , but you 're as calm and cool as a spring evening . "

" I 'm just dazzled inside , " said Anne .

" I want to say a hundred things , and I can't find words to say them in .

I never dreamed of this yes , I did too , just once !

excuse me a minute , Diana .

I must run right out to the field to tell Matthew .

then we 'll go up the road and tell the good news to the others . "

" oh , Matthew , " exclaimed Anne , " I 've passed and I 'm first or one of the first !

I 'm not vain , but I 'm thankful . "

" well now , I always said it , " said Matthew , gazing at the pass list delightedly .

" I knew you could beat them all easy . "

but that good soul said heartily :

" I just guess she has done well , and far be it from me to be backward in saying it .

you 're a credit to your friends , Anne , that 's what , and we 're all proud of you . "

CHAPTER XXXIII .

the Hotel Concert

|PUT on your white organdy , by all means , Anne , " advised Diana decidedly .

they were together in the east gable chamber ; outside it was only twilight a lovely yellowish-green twilight with a clear-blue cloudless sky .

but in Anne 's room the blind was drawn and the lamp lighted , for an important toilet was being made .

miss Stacy 's photograph occupied the place of honor , and Anne made a sentimental point of keeping fresh flowers on the bracket under it .

tonight a spike of white lilies faintly perfumed the room like the dream of a fragrance .

Anne was dressing for a concert at the White Sands Hotel .

there was a party of visitors expected out from town , and after the concert a supper was to be given to the performers .

" do you really think the organdy will be best ? " queried Anne anxiously .

" I don't think it 's as pretty as my blue-flowered muslin and it certainly isn't so fashionable . "

" but it suits you ever so much better , " said Diana .

" it 's so soft and frilly and clinging .

the muslin is stiff , and makes you look too dressed up .

but the organdy seems as if it grew on you . "

Anne sighed and yielded .

Diana was beginning to have a reputation for notable taste in dressing , and her advice on such subjects was much sought after .

" pull out that frill a little more so ; here , let me tie your sash ; now for your slippers .

I shall fasten this little white house rose just behind your ear .

there was just one on my bush , and I saved it for you . "

" shall I put my pearl beads on ? " asked Anne .

" Matthew brought me a string from town last week , and I know he 'd like to see them on me . "

" there 's something so stylish about you , Anne , " said Diana , with unenvious admiration .

" you hold your head with such an air .

I suppose it 's your figure .

I am just a dumpling .

I 've always been afraid of it , and now I know it is so .

well , I suppose I shall just have to resign myself to it . "

" but you have such dimples , " said Anne , smiling affectionately into the pretty , vivacious face so near her own .

" lovely dimples , like little dents in cream .

I have given up all hope of dimples .

my dimple-dream will never come true ; but so many of my dreams have that I mustn't complain .

am I all ready now ? "

" come right in and look at our elocutionist , Marilla .

doesn't she look lovely ? "

Marilla emitted a sound between a sniff and a grunt .

" she looks neat and proper .

I like that way of fixing her hair .

Organdy 's the most unserviceable stuff in the world anyhow , and I told Matthew so when he got it .

but there is no use in saying anything to Matthew nowadays .

just let them tell him a thing is pretty and fashionable , and Matthew plunks his money down for it .

Mind you keep your skirt clear of the wheel , Anne , and put your warm jacket on . "

then Marilla stalked downstairs , thinking proudly how sweet Anne looked , with that

" one moonbeam from the forehead to the crown "

and regretting that she could not go to the concert herself to hear her girl recite .

" I wonder if it is too damp for my dress , " said Anne anxiously .

" not a bit of it , " said Diana , pulling up the window blind .

" it 's a perfect night , and there won't be any dew .

look at the moonlight . "

" I 'm so glad my window looks east into the sun rising , " said Anne , going over to Diana .

" it 's so splendid to see the morning coming up over those long hills and glowing through those sharp fir tops .

it 's new every morning , and I feel as if I washed my very soul in that bath of earliest sunshine .

oh , Diana , I love this little room so dearly .

I don't know how I 'll get along without it when I go to town next month . "

" don't speak of your going away tonight , " begged Diana .

what are you going to recite , Anne ?

and are you nervous ? "

" not a bit .

I 've recited so often in public I don't mind at all now .

I 've decided to give ' The Maiden 's Vow . '

it 's so pathetic .

Laura Spencer is going to give a comic recitation , but I 'd rather make people cry than laugh . "

" what will you recite if they encore you ? "

" there are Billy and Jane now I hear the wheels .

come on . "

Billy Andrews insisted that Anne should ride on the front seat with him , so she unwillingly climbed up .

she would have much preferred to sit back with the girls , where she could have laughed and chattered to her heart 's content .

there was not much of either laughter or chatter in Billy .

it was a night for enjoyment .

the road was full of buggies , all bound for the hotel , and laughter , silver clear , echoed and reechoed along it .

when they reached the hotel it was a blaze of light from top to bottom .

what were her pearl beads compared to the diamonds of the big , handsome lady near her ?

and how poor her one wee white rose must look beside all the hothouse flowers the others wore !

Anne laid her hat and jacket away , and shrank miserably into a corner .

she wished herself back in the white room at Green Gables .

it was still worse on the platform of the big concert hall of the hotel , where she presently found herself .

the electric lights dazzled her eyes , the perfume and hum bewildered her .

she was wedged in between a stout lady in pink silk and a tall , scornful-looking girl in a white-lace dress .

Anne believed that she would hate that white-lace girl to the end of life .

unfortunately for Anne , a professional elocutionist was staying at the hotel and had consented to recite .

she had a marvelously flexible voice and wonderful power of expression ; the audience went wild over her selection .

she could never get up and recite after that never .

had she ever thought she could recite ?

oh , if she were only back at Green Gables !

at this unpropitious moment her name was called .

she was so pale that Diana and Jane , down in the audience , clasped each other 's hands in nervous sympathy .

Anne was the victim of an overwhelming attack of stage fright .

very different this from the plain benches at the Debating Club , filled with the homely , sympathetic faces of friends and neighbors .

these people , she thought , would be merciless critics .

perhaps , like the white-lace girl , they anticipated amusement from her " rustic " efforts .

she felt hopelessly , helplessly ashamed and miserable .

in reality it was nothing of the kind .

Josie Pye , whom he had driven over , sat beside him , and her face certainly was both triumphant and taunting .

but Anne did not see Josie , and would not have cared if she had .

she drew a long breath and flung her head up proudly , courage and determination tingling over her like an electric shock .

she would not fail before Gilbert Blythe he should never be able to laugh at her , never , never !

Self-possession was fully restored to her , and in the reaction from that horrible moment of powerlessness she recited as she had never done before .

when she finished there were bursts of honest applause .

" my dear , you did splendidly , " she puffed .

" I 've been crying like a baby , actually I have .

there , they 're encoring you they 're bound to have you back ! "

" oh , I can't go , " said Anne confusedly .

" but yet I must , or Matthew will be disappointed .

he said they would encore me . "

" then don't disappoint Matthew , " said the pink lady , laughing .

smiling , blushing , limpid eyed , Anne tripped back and gave a quaint , funny little selection that captivated her audience still further .

the rest of the evening was quite a little triumph for her .

even the white-lace girl paid her a languid little compliment .

Anne breathed deeply , and looked into the clear sky beyond the dark boughs of the firs .

oh , it was good to be out again in the purity and silence of the night !

" hasn't it been a perfectly splendid time ? " sighed Jane , as they drove away .

I 'm sure it would be ever so much more fun than teaching school .

Anne , your recitation was simply great , although I thought at first you were never going to begin .

I think it was better than Mrs Evans 's . "

" oh , no , don't say things like that , Jane , " said Anne quickly , " because it sounds silly .

I 'm quite satisfied if the people just liked mine pretty well . "

" I 've a compliment for you , Anne , " said Diana .

" at least I think it must be a compliment because of the tone he said it in .

part of it was anyhow .

there was an American sitting behind Jane and me such a romantic-looking man , with coal-black hair and eyes .

well , we heard him say didn't we , Jane ?

' Who is that girl on the platform with the splendid Titian hair ?

she has a face I should like to paint . '

there now , Anne .

but what does Titian hair mean ? "

" being interpreted it means plain red , I guess , " laughed Anne .

" Titian was a very famous artist who liked to paint red-haired women . "

" did you see all the diamonds those ladies wore ? " sighed Jane .

" they were simply dazzling .

wouldn't you just love to be rich , girls ? "

" we are rich , " said Anne staunchly .

look at that sea , girls all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen .

we couldn't enjoy its loveliness any more if we had millions of dollars and ropes of diamonds .

you wouldn't change into any of those women if you could .

or the pink lady , kind and nice as she is , so stout and short that you 'd really no figure at all ?

or even Mrs Evans , with that sad , sad look in her eyes ?

she must have been dreadfully unhappy sometime to have such a look .

you know you wouldn't , Jane Andrews ! "

" I don't know exactly , " said Jane unconvinced .

" I think diamonds would comfort a person for a good deal . "

" I 'm quite content to be Anne of Green Gables , with my string of pearl beads .

I know Matthew gave me as much love with them as ever went with Madame the Pink Lady 's jewels . "

CHAPTER XXXIV .

a Queen 's Girl

more one evening she went up to the east gable with her arms full of a delicate pale green material .

" Anne , here 's something for a nice light dress for you .

I got Mrs Allan to help me pick it in town last week , and we 'll get Emily Gillis to make it for you .

Emily has got taste , and her fits aren't to be equaled . "

" oh , Marilla , it 's just lovely , " said Anne .

" thank you so much .

I don't believe you ought to be so kind to me it 's making it harder every day for me to go away . "

the green dress was made up with as many tucks and frills and shirrings as Emily 's taste permitted .

Anne put it on one evening for Matthew 's and Marilla 's benefit , and recited " the Maiden 's Vow " for them in the kitchen .

something in the memory brought tears to Marilla 's own eyes .

" now , I call that a positive triumph . "

" I just couldn't help thinking of the little girl you used to be , Anne .

and I was wishing you could have stayed a little girl , even with all your queer ways .

" Marilla ! "

Anne sat down on Marilla 's gingham lap , took Marilla 's lined face between her hands , and looked gravely and tenderly into Marilla 's eyes .

" I 'm not a bit changed not really .

I 'm only just pruned down and branched out .

the real me back here is just the same .

Anne laid her fresh young cheek against Marilla 's faded one , and reached out a hand to pat Matthew 's shoulder .

Matthew , with a suspicious moisture in his eyes , got up and went out-of-doors .

under the stars of the blue summer night he walked agitatedly across the yard to the gate under the poplars .

" well now , I guess she ain't been much spoiled , " he muttered , proudly .

" I guess my putting in my oar occasional never did much harm after all .

she 's smart and pretty , and loving , too , which is better than all the rest .

she 's been a blessing to us , and there never was a luckier mistake than what Mrs Spencer made if it was luck .

I don't believe it was any such thing .

it was Providence , because the Almighty saw we needed her , I reckon . "

the day finally came when Anne must go to town .

Anne and the rest of the Avonlea scholars reached town just in time to hurry off to the Academy .

Anne intended taking up the Second Year work being advised to do so by Miss Stacy ; Gilbert Blythe elected to do the same .

" I wouldn't feel comfortable without it , " she thought .

" Gilbert looks awfully determined .

I suppose he 's making up his mind , here and now , to win the medal .

what a splendid chin he has !

I never noticed it before .

I do wish Jane and Ruby had gone in for First Class , too .

I suppose I won't feel so much like a cat in a strange garret when I get acquainted , though .

I wonder which of the girls here are going to be my friends .

it 's really an interesting speculation .

I like the look of that girl with the brown eyes and the crimson waist .

she looks vivid and red-rosy ; there 's that pale , fair one gazing out of the window .

she has lovely hair , and looks as if she knew a thing or two about dreams .

I 'd like to know them both know them well well enough to walk with my arm about their waists , and call them nicknames .

but just now I don't know them and they don't know me , and probably don't want to know me particularly .

oh , it 's lonesome ! "

it was lonesomer still when Anne found herself alone in her hall bedroom that night at twilight .

she was not to board with the other girls , who all had relatives in town to take pity on them .

" the lady who keeps it is a reduced gentlewoman , " explained Miss Barry .

" her husband was a British officer , and she is very careful what sort of boarders she takes .

Anne will not meet with any objectionable persons under her roof .

the table is good , and the house is near the Academy , in a quiet neighborhood . "

she knew that she was going to cry , and fought against it .

" I won't cry .

it 's silly and weak there 's the third tear splashing down by my nose .

there are more coming !

I must think of something funny to stop them .

they 're coming in a flood presently .

I can't cheer up I don't want to cheer up .

it 's nicer to be miserable ! "

the flood of tears would have come , no doubt , had not Josie Pye appeared at that moment .

in the joy of seeing a familiar face Anne forgot that there had never been much love lost between her and Josie .

as a part of Avonlea life even a Pye was welcome .

" I 'm so glad you came up , " Anne said sincerely .

" you 've been crying , " remarked Josie , with aggravating pity .

" I suppose you 're homesick some people have so little self-control in that respect .

I 've no intention of being homesick , I can tell you .

town 's too jolly after that poky old Avonlea .

I wonder how I ever existed there so long .

you shouldn't cry , Anne ; it isn't becoming , for your nose and eyes get red , and then you seem all red .

I 'd a perfectly scrumptious time in the Academy today .

our French professor is simply a duck .

his moustache would give you kerwollowps of the heart .

have you anything eatable around , Anne ?

I 'm literally starving .

ah , I guessed likely Marilla ' d load you up with cake .

that 's why I called round .

otherwise I 'd have gone to the park to hear the band play with Frank Stockley .

he boards same place as I do , and he 's a sport .

he noticed you in class today , and asked me who the red-headed girl was .

I told him you were an orphan that the Cuthberts had adopted , and nobody knew very much about what you 'd been before that . "

as Josie was not " speaking " to Jane just then she had to subside into comparative harmlessness .

" well , " said Jane with a sigh , " I feel as if I 'd lived many moons since the morning .

I ought to be home studying my Virgil that horrid old professor gave us twenty lines to start in on tomorrow .

but I simply couldn't settle down to study tonight .

Anne , methinks I see the traces of tears .

if you 've been crying do own up .

it will restore my self-respect , for I was shedding tears freely before Ruby came along .

I don't mind being a goose so much if somebody else is goosey , too .

cake ?

you 'll give me a teeny piece , won't you ?

thank you .

it has the real Avonlea flavor . "

Ruby , perceiving the Queen 's calendar lying on the table , wanted to know if Anne meant to try for the gold medal .

Anne blushed and admitted she was thinking of it .

" oh , that reminds me , " said Josie , " Queen 's is to get one of the Avery scholarships after all .

the word came today .

Frank Stockley told me his uncle is one of the board of governors , you know .

it will be announced in the Academy tomorrow . "

an Avery scholarship !

Anne felt her heart beat more quickly , and the horizons of her ambition shifted and broadened as if by magic .

for the Avery scholarship was in English , and Anne felt that here her foot was on native heath .

no wonder that Anne went to bed that night with tingling cheeks !

" I 'll win that scholarship if hard work can do it , " she resolved .

" wouldn't Matthew be proud if I got to be a B.A . ?

oh , it 's delightful to have ambitions .

I 'm so glad I have such a lot .

and there never seems to be any end to them that 's the best of it .

Just as soon as you attain to one ambition you see another one glittering higher up still .

it does make life so interesting . "

CHAPTER XXXV .

the Winter at Queen 's

|ANNE'S homesickness wore off , greatly helped in the wearing by her weekend visits home .

as long as the open weather lasted the Avonlea students went out to Carmody on the new branch railway every Friday night .

Diana and several other Avonlea young folks were generally on hand to meet them and they all walked over to Avonlea in a merry party .

Gilbert Blythe nearly always walked with Ruby Gillis and carried her satchel for her .

she had large , bright-blue eyes , a brilliant complexion , and a plump showy figure .

she laughed a great deal , was cheerful and good-tempered , and enjoyed the pleasant things of life frankly .

" but I shouldn't think she was the sort of girl Gilbert would like , " whispered Jane to Anne .

Anne did not think so either , but she would not have said so for the Avery scholarship .

Gilbert had ambitions , she knew , and Ruby Gillis did not seem the sort of person with whom such could be profitably discussed .

there was no silly sentiment in Anne 's ideas concerning Gilbert .

boys were to her , when she thought about them at all , merely possible good comrades .

if she and Gilbert had been friends she would not have cared how many other friends he had nor with whom he walked .

not that Anne could have put her feelings on the matter into just such clear definition .

in the Academy Anne gradually drew a little circle of friends about her , thoughtful , imaginative , ambitious students like herself .

after the Christmas holidays the Avonlea students gave up going home on Fridays and settled down to hard work .

certain facts had become generally accepted .

Even Josie Pye attained a certain preeminence as the sharpest-tongued young lady in attendance at Queen 's .

so it may be fairly stated that Miss Stacy 's old pupils held their own in the wider arena of the academical course .

Anne worked hard and steadily .

it would be worth while to win , but she no longer thought life would be insupportable if she did not .

in spite of lessons the students found opportunities for pleasant times .

Anne spent many of her spare hours at Beechwood and generally ate her Sunday dinners there and went to church with Miss Barry .

but she never sharpened the latter on Anne , who continued to be a prime favorite with the critical old lady .

" that Anne-girl improves all the time , " she said .

" I get tired of other girls there is such a provoking and eternal sameness about them .

Anne has as many shades as a rainbow and every shade is the prettiest while it lasts .

it saves me so much trouble in making myself love them . "

but in Charlottetown harassed Queen 's students thought and talked only of examinations .

" it doesn't seem possible that the term is nearly over , " said Anne .

" why , last fall it seemed so long to look forward to a whole winter of studies and classes .

and here we are , with the exams looming up next week .

Jane and Ruby and Josie , who had dropped in , did not take this view of it .

to them the coming examinations were constantly very important indeed far more important than chestnut buds or Maytime hazes .

" I 've lost seven pounds in the last two weeks , " sighed Jane .

" it 's no use to say don't worry .

I will worry .

worrying helps you some it seems as if you were doing something when you 're worrying .

it would be dreadful if I failed to get my license after going to Queen 's all winter and spending so much money . "

" I don't care , " said Josie Pye .

" if I don't pass this year I 'm coming back next .

my father can afford to send me .

I 've done my best and I begin to understand what is meant by the ' joy of the strife . '

next to trying and winning , the best thing is trying and failing .

Girls , don't talk about exams !

" what are you going to wear for commencement , Jane ? " asked Ruby practically .

Jane and Josie both answered at once and the chatter drifted into a side eddy of fashions .

CHAPTER XXXVI .

the Glory and the Dream

Anne was pale and quiet ; in ten more minutes she would know who had won the medal and who the Avery .

beyond those ten minutes there did not seem , just then , to be anything worth being called Time .

" I have not hope of the Avery , " said Anne .

" everybody says Emily Clay will win it .

and I 'm not going to march up to that bulletin board and look at it before everybody .

I haven't the moral courage .

I 'm going straight to the girls ' dressing room .

you must read the announcements and then come and tell me , Jane .

and I implore you in the name of our old friendship to do it as quickly as possible .

if I have failed just say so , without trying to break it gently ; and whatever you do don't sympathize with me .

promise me this , Jane . "

Jane promised solemnly ; but , as it happened , there was no necessity for such a promise .

for a moment Anne felt one sickening pang of defeat and disappointment .

so she had failed and Gilbert had won !

well , Matthew would be sorry he had been so sure she would win .

and then !

somebody called out :

" three cheers for Miss Shirley , winner of the Avery ! "

" oh , Anne , " gasped Jane , as they fled to the girls ' dressing room amid hearty cheers .

" oh , Anne I 'm so proud !

isn't it splendid ? "

and then the girls were around them and Anne was the center of a laughing , congratulating group .

her shoulders were thumped and her hands shaken vigorously .

she was pushed and pulled and hugged and among it all she managed to whisper to Jane :

" oh , won't Matthew and Marilla be pleased !

I must write the news home right away . "

Commencement was the next important happening .

the exercises were held in the big assembly hall of the Academy .

addresses were given , essays read , songs sung , the public award of diplomas , prizes and medals made .

" it 's not the first time I 've been glad , " retorted Marilla .

" you do like to rub things in , Matthew Cuthbert . "

Miss Barry , who was sitting behind them , leaned forward and poked Marilla in the back with her parasol .

" aren't you proud of that Anne-girl ?

I am , " she said .

Anne went home to Avonlea with Matthew and Marilla that evening .

she had not been home since April and she felt that she could not wait another day .

the apple blossoms were out and the world was fresh and young .

Diana was at Green Gables to meet her .

" oh , Diana , it 's so good to be back again .

it 's so good to see those pointed firs coming out against the pink sky and that white orchard and the old Snow Queen .

isn't the breath of the mint delicious ?

and that tea rose why , it 's a song and a hope and a prayer all in one .

and it 's good to see you again , Diana ! "

" I thought you liked that Stella Maynard better than me , " said Diana reproachfully .

" Josie Pye told me you did .

Josie said you were infatuated with her . "

Anne laughed and pelted Diana with the faded " June lilies " of her bouquet .

" Stella Maynard is the dearest girl in the world except one and you are that one , Diana , " she said .

" I love you more than ever and I 've so many things to tell you .

but just now I feel as if it were joy enough to sit here and look at you .

I 'm tired , I think tired of being studious and ambitious .

I mean to spend at least two hours tomorrow lying out in the orchard grass , thinking of absolutely nothing . "

" you 've done splendidly , Anne .

I suppose you won't be teaching now that you 've won the Avery ? "

" no .

I 'm going to Redmond in September .

doesn't it seem wonderful ?

I 'll have a brand new stock of ambition laid in by that time after three glorious , golden months of vacation .

Jane and Ruby are going to teach .

isn't it splendid to think we all got through even to Moody Spurgeon and Josie Pye ? "

" the Newbridge trustees have offered Jane their school already , " said Diana .

" Gilbert Blythe is going to teach , too .

he has to .

his father can't afford to send him to college next year , after all , so he means to earn his own way through .

I expect he 'll get the school here if Miss Ames decides to leave . "

Anne felt a queer little sensation of dismayed surprise .

she had not known this ; she had expected that Gilbert would be going to Redmond also .

what would she do without their inspiring rivalry ?

would not work , even at a coeducational college with a real degree in prospect , be rather flat without her friend the enemy ?

the next morning at breakfast it suddenly struck Anne that Matthew was not looking well .

surely he was much grayer than he had been a year before .

" Marilla , " she said hesitatingly when he had gone out , " is Matthew quite well ? "

" no , he isn't , " said Marilla in a troubled tone .

" he 's had some real bad spells with his heart this spring and he won't spare himself a mite .

maybe he will now you 're home .

you always cheer him up . "

Anne leaned across the table and took Marilla 's face in her hands .

" you are not looking as well yourself as I 'd like to see you , Marilla .

you look tired .

I 'm afraid you 've been working too hard .

you must take a rest , now that I 'm home .

Marilla smiled affectionately at her girl .

" It's not the work it 's my head .

I 've got a pain so often now behind my eyes .

Doctor Spencer 's been fussing with glasses , but they don't do me any good .

there is a distinguished oculist coming to the Island the last of June and the doctor says I must see him .

I guess I 'll have to .

I can't read or sew with any comfort now .

well , Anne , you 've done real well at Queen 's I must say .

I don't believe a word of it .

speaking of Rachel reminds me did you hear anything about the Abbey Bank lately , Anne ? "

" I heard it was shaky , " answered Anne .

" why ? "

" that is what Rachel said .

she was up here one day last week and said there was some talk about it .

Matthew felt real worried .

all we have saved is in that bank every penny .

Matthew said any bank with him at the head of it was good enough for anybody . "

" I think he has only been its nominal head for many years , " said Anne .

" he is a very old man ; his nephews are really at the head of the institution . "

" well , when Rachel told us that , I wanted Matthew to draw our money right out and he said he 'd think of it .

but Mr Russell told him yesterday that the bank was all right . "

Anne had her good day in the companionship of the outdoor world .

she never forgot that day ; it was so bright and golden and fair , so free from shadow and so lavish of blossom .

the woods were all gloried through with sunset and the warm splendor of it streamed down through the hill gaps in the west .

Matthew walked slowly with bent head ; Anne , tall and erect , suited her springing step to his .

" you 've been working too hard today , Matthew , " she said reproachfully .

" why won't you take things easier ? "

" well now , I can't seem to , " said Matthew , as he opened the yard gate to let the cows through .

" it 's only that I 'm getting old , Anne , and keep forgetting it .

well , well , I 've always worked pretty hard and I 'd rather drop in harness . "

I could find it in my heart to wish I had been , just for that . "

" well now , I 'd rather have you than a dozen boys , Anne , " said Matthew patting her hand .

" just mind you that rather than a dozen boys .

well now , I guess it wasn't a boy that took the Avery scholarship , was it ?

it was a girl my girl my girl that I 'm proud of . "

he smiled his shy smile at her as he went into the yard .

outside the Snow Queen was mistily white in the moonshine ; the frogs were singing in the marsh beyond Orchard Slope .

Anne always remembered the silvery , peaceful beauty and fragrant calm of that night .

CHAPTER XXXVII .

the Reaper Whose Name Is Death

|MATTHEW Matthew what is the matter ?

Matthew , are you sick ? "

it was Marilla who spoke , alarm in every jerky word .

Anne dropped her flowers and sprang across the kitchen to him at the same moment as Marilla .

they were both too late ; before they could reach him Matthew had fallen across the threshold .

" he 's fainted , " gasped Marilla .

" Anne , run for Martin quick , quick !

he 's at the barn . "

Mrs Lynde , who was there on an errand , came too .

they found Anne and Marilla distractedly trying to restore Matthew to consciousness .

Mrs Lynde pushed them gently aside , tried his pulse , and then laid her ear over his heart .

she looked at their anxious faces sorrowfully and the tears came into her eyes .

" oh , Marilla , " she said gravely .

" I don't think we can do anything for him . "

" child , yes , I 'm afraid of it .

look at his face .

when you 've seen that look as often as I have you 'll know what it means . "

Anne looked at the still face and there beheld the seal of the Great Presence .

when the doctor came he said that death had been instantaneous and probably painless , caused in all likelihood by some sudden shock .

the secret of the shock was discovered to be in the paper Matthew had held and which Martin had brought from the office that morning .

it contained an account of the failure of the Abbey Bank .

when the calm night came softly down over Green Gables the old house was hushed and tranquil .

Anne had gathered them and brought them to him , her anguished , tearless eyes burning in her white face .

it was the last thing she could do for him .

the Barrys and Mrs Lynde stayed with them that night .

Diana , going to the east gable , where Anne was standing at her window , said gently :

" Anne dear , would you like to have me sleep with you tonight ? "

" thank you , Diana . "

Anne looked earnestly into her friend 's face .

" I think you won't misunderstand me when I say I want to be alone .

I 'm not afraid .

I haven't been alone one minute since it happened and I want to be .

I want to be quite silent and quiet and try to realize it .

I can't realize it .

Diana did not quite understand .

but she went away kindly , leaving Anne alone to keep her first vigil with sorrow .

Anne hoped that the tears would come in solitude .

then the tears came and Anne wept her heart out .

Marilla heard her and crept in to comfort her .

" there there don't cry so , dearie .

it can't bring him back .

it it isn't right to cry so .

I knew that today , but I couldn't help it then .

he 'd always been such a good , kind brother to me but God knows best . "

" oh , just let me cry , Marilla , " sobbed Anne .

" the tears don't hurt me like that ache did .

stay here for a little while with me and keep your arm round me so .

it 's our sorrow yours and mine .

oh , Marilla , what will we do without him ? "

" we 've got each other , Anne .

I don't know what I 'd do if you weren't here if you 'd never come .

I want to tell you now when I can .

it 's never been easy for me to say things out of my heart , but at times like this it 's easier .

today Diana said something funny and I found myself laughing .

I thought when it happened I could never laugh again .

and it somehow seems as if I oughtn't to . "

" he is just away now ; and he likes to know it just the same .

I am sure we should not shut our hearts against the healing influences that nature offers us .

but I can understand your feeling .

I think we all experience the same thing .

" I was down to the graveyard to plant a rosebush on Matthew 's grave this afternoon , " said Anne dreamily .

I hope he has roses like them in heaven .

perhaps the souls of all those little white roses that he has loved so many summers were all there to meet him .

I must go home now .

Marilla is all alone and she gets lonely at twilight . "

" she will be lonelier still , I fear , when you go away again to college , " said Mrs Allan .

Anne did not reply ; she said good night and went slowly back to green Gables .

Marilla was sitting on the front door-steps and Anne sat down beside her .

the door was open behind them , held back by a big pink conch shell with hints of sea sunsets in its smooth inner convolutions .

Anne gathered some sprays of pale-yellow honeysuckle and put them in her hair .

she liked the delicious hint of fragrance , as some aerial benediction , above her every time she moved .

" Doctor Spencer was here while you were away , " Marilla said .

" he says that the specialist will be in town tomorrow and he insists that I must go in and have my eyes examined .

I suppose I 'd better go and have it over .

I 'll be more than thankful if the man can give me the right kind of glasses to suit my eyes .

you won't mind staying here alone while I 'm away , will you ?

Martin will have to drive me in and there 's ironing and baking to do . "

" I shall be all right .

Diana will come over for company for me .

I shall attend to the ironing and baking beautifully you needn't fear that I 'll starch the handkerchiefs or flavor the cake with liniment . "

Marilla laughed .

" what a girl you were for making mistakes in them days , Anne .

you were always getting into scrapes .

I did use to think you were possessed .

do you mind the time you dyed your hair ? "

" yes , indeed .

I shall never forget it , " smiled Anne , touching the heavy braid of hair that was wound about her shapely head .

I did suffer terribly over my hair and my freckles .

my freckles are really gone ; and people are nice enough to tell me my hair is auburn now all but Josie Pye .

Marilla , I 've almost decided to give up trying to like Josie Pye .

I 've made what I would once have called a heroic effort to like her , but Josie Pye won't be liked . "

" Josie is a Pye , " said Marilla sharply , " so she can't help being disagreeable .

is Josie going to teach ? "

" no , she is going back to Queen 's next year .

so are Moody Spurgeon and Charlie Sloane .

Jane and Ruby are going to teach and they have both got schools Jane at Newbridge and Ruby at some place up west . "

" Gilbert Blythe is going to teach too , isn't he ? "

" yes " briefly .

" what a nice-looking fellow he is , " said Marilla absently .

" I saw him in church last Sunday and he seemed so tall and manly .

he looks a lot like his father did at the same age .

John Blythe was a nice boy .

we used to be real good friends , he and I . people called him my beau . "

Anne looked up with swift interest .

" oh , Marilla and what happened ? why didn't you "

" we had a quarrel .

I wouldn't forgive him when he asked me to .

I meant to , after awhile but I was sulky and angry and I wanted to punish him first .

he never came back the Blythes were all mighty independent .

but I always felt rather sorry .

I 've always kind of wished I 'd forgiven him when I had the chance . "

" so you 've had a bit of romance in your life , too , " said Anne softly .

" yes , I suppose you might call it that .

you wouldn't think so to look at me , would you ?

but you never can tell about people from their outsides .

everybody has forgot about me and John .

I 'd forgotten myself .

but it all came back to me when I saw Gilbert last Sunday . "

CHAPTER XXXVIII .

the Bend in the road

|MARILLA went to town the next day and returned in the evening .

something in her dejected attitude struck a chill to Anne 's heart .

she had never seen Marilla sit limply inert like that .

" are you very tired , Marilla ? "

" yes no I don't know , " said Marilla wearily , looking up .

" I suppose I am tired but I haven't thought about it .

it 's not that . "

" did you see the oculist ?

what did he say ? " asked Anne anxiously .

" yes , I saw him .

he examined my eyes .

but if I don't he says I 'll certainly be stone-blind in six months .

blind !

Anne , just think of it ! "

for a minute Anne , after her first quick exclamation of dismay , was silent .

it seemed to her that she could not speak .

then she said bravely , but with a catch in her voice :

" Marilla , don't think of it .

you know he has given you hope .

if you are careful you won't lose your sight altogether ; and if his glasses cure your headaches it will be a great thing . "

" I don't call it much hope , " said Marilla bitterly .

" what am I to live for if I can't read or sew or do anything like that ?

I might as well be blind or dead .

and as for crying , I can't help that when I get lonesome .

but there , it 's no good talking about it .

if you 'll get me a cup of tea I 'll be thankful .

I 'm about done out .

don't say anything about this to any one for a spell yet , anyway .

I can't bear that folks should come here to question and sympathize and talk about it . "

when Marilla had eaten her lunch Anne persuaded her to go to bed .

how sadly things had changed since she had sat there the night after coming home !

then she had been full of hope and joy and the future had looked rosy with promise .

she had looked her duty courageously in the face and found it a friend as duty ever is when we meet it frankly .

Anne wondered what he could have been saying to bring that look to Marilla 's face .

" what did Mr Sadler want , Marilla ? "

Marilla sat down by the window and looked at Anne .

there were tears in her eyes in defiance of the oculist 's prohibition and her voice broke as she said :

" he heard that I was going to sell Green Gables and he wants to buy it . "

" buy it !

buy Green Gables ? "

Anne wondered if she had heard aright .

" oh , Marilla , you don't mean to sell Green Gables ! "

" Anne , I don't know what else is to be done .

I 've thought it all over .

if my eyes were strong I could stay here and make out to look after things and manage , with a good hired man .

but as it is I can't .

I may lose my sight altogether ; and anyway I 'll not be fit to run things .

oh , I never thought I 'd live to see the day when I 'd have to sell my home .

but things would only go behind worse and worse all the time , till nobody would want to buy it .

every cent of our money went in that bank ; and there 's some notes Matthew gave last fall to pay .

Mrs Lynde advises me to sell the farm and board somewhere with her I suppose .

it won't bring much it 's small and the buildings are old .

but it 'll be enough for me to live on I reckon .

I 'm thankful you're provided for with that scholarship , Anne .

I 'm sorry you won't have a home to come to in your vacations , that 's all , but I suppose you 'll manage somehow . "

Marilla broke down and wept bitterly .

" you mustn't sell Green Gables , " said Anne resolutely .

" oh , Anne , I wish I didn't have to .

but you can see for yourself .

I can't stay here alone .

I 'd go crazy with trouble and loneliness .

and my sight would go I know it would . "

" you won't have to stay here alone , Marilla .

I 'll be with you .

I 'm not going to Redmond . "

" not going to Redmond ! "

Marilla lifted her worn face from her hands and looked at Anne .

" why , what do you mean ? "

" just what I say .

I 'm not going to take the scholarship .

I decided so the night after you came home from town .

you surely don't think I could leave you alone in your trouble , Marilla , after all you 've done for me .

I 've been thinking and planning .

let me tell you my plans .

Mr Barry wants to rent the farm for next year .

so you won't have any bother over that .

and I 'm going to teach .

I 've applied for the school here but I don't expect to get it for I understand the trustees have promised it to Gilbert Blythe .

but I can have the Carmody school Mr Blair told me so last night at the store .

of course that won't be quite as nice or convenient as if I had the Avonlea school .

but I can board home and drive myself over to Carmody and back , in the warm weather at least .

and even in winter I can come home Fridays .

we 'll keep a horse for that .

oh , I have it all planned out , Marilla .

and I 'll read to you and keep you cheered up .

you sha'n't be dull or lonesome .

and we 'll be real cozy and happy here together , you and I . "

Marilla had listened like a woman in a dream .

" oh , Anne , I could get on real well if you were here , I know .

but I can't let you sacrifice yourself so for me .

it would be terrible . "

" nonsense ! "

Anne laughed merrily .

" there is no sacrifice .

nothing could be worse than giving up Green Gables nothing could hurt me more .

we must keep the dear old place .

my mind is quite made up , Marilla .

I 'm not going to Redmond ; and I am going to stay here and teach .

don't you worry about me a bit . "

" but your ambitions and "

" I 'm just as ambitious as ever .

only , I 've changed the object of my ambitions .

I 'm going to be a good teacher and I 'm going to save your eyesight .

besides , I mean to study at home here and take a little college course all by myself .

oh , I 've dozens of plans , Marilla .

I 've been thinking them out for a week .

I shall give life here my best , and I believe it will give its best to me in return .

when I left Queen 's my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road .

I thought I could see along it for many a milestone .

now there is a bend in it .

I don't know what lies around the bend , but I 'm going to believe that the best does .

it has a fascination of its own , that bend , Marilla .

" I don't feel as if I ought to let you give it up , " said Marilla , referring to the scholarship .

" but you can't prevent me .

I 'm sixteen and a half , ' obstinate as a mule , ' as Mrs Lynde once told me , " laughed Anne .

" oh , Marilla , don't you go pitying me .

I don't like to be pitied , and there is no need for it .

I 'm heart glad over the very thought of staying at dear Green Gables .

nobody could love it as you and I do so we must keep it . "

" you blessed girl ! " said Marilla , yielding .

" I feel as if you 'd given me new life .

I guess I ought to stick out and make you go to college but I know I can't , so I ain't going to try .

I 'll make it up to you though , Anne . "

most of the good folks , not knowing about Marilla 's eyes , thought she was foolish .

Mrs Allan did not .

she told Anne so in approving words that brought tears of pleasure to the girl 's eyes .

neither did good Mrs Lynde .

she came up one evening and found Anne and Marilla sitting at the front door in the warm , scented summer dusk .

" I declare I 'm getting glad to sit down .

I 've been on my feet all day , and two hundred pounds is a good bit for two feet to carry round .

it 's a great blessing not to be fat , Marilla .

I hope you appreciate it .

well , Anne , I hear you 've given up your notion of going to college .

I was real glad to hear it .

you 've got as much education now as a woman can be comfortable with .

I don't believe in girls going to college with the men and cramming their heads full of Latin and Greek and all that nonsense . "

" but I 'm going to study Latin and Greek just the same , Mrs Lynde , " said Anne laughing .

" I 'm going to take my Arts course right here at Green Gables , and study everything that I would at college . "

Mrs Lynde lifted her hands in holy horror .

" Anne Shirley , you 'll kill yourself . "

" not a bit of it .

I shall thrive on it .

oh , I 'm not going to overdo things .

as ' Josiah Allen 's wife , ' says , I shall be ' mejum ' .

but I 'll have lots of spare time in the long winter evenings , and I 've no vocation for fancy work .

I 'm going to teach over at Carmody , you know . "

" I don't know it .

I guess you 're going to teach right here in Avonlea .

the trustees have decided to give you the school . "

" Mrs Lynde ! " cried Anne , springing to her feet in her surprise .

" why , I thought they had promised it to Gilbert Blythe ! "

" so they did .

he said he was going to teach at White Sands .

so the trustees decided to take you .

I was tickled to death when Thomas came home and told me . "

" I don't feel that I ought to take it , " murmured Anne .

" I mean I don't think I ought to let Gilbert make such a sacrifice for for me . "

" I guess you can't prevent him now .

he 's signed papers with the White Sands trustees .

so it wouldn't do him any good now if you were to refuse .

of course you 'll take the school .

you 'll get along all right , now that there are no Pyes going .

Josie was the last of them , and a good thing she was , that 's what .

bless my heart !

what does all that winking and blinking at the Barry gable mean ? "

" Diana is signaling for me to go over , " laughed Anne .

" you know we keep up the old custom .

excuse me while I run over and see what she wants . "

Anne ran down the clover slope like a deer , and disappeared in the firry shadows of the Haunted Wood .

Mrs Lynde looked after her indulgently .

" there 's a good deal of the child about her yet in some ways . "

but crispness was no longer Marilla 's distinguishing characteristic .

as Mrs Lynde told her Thomas that night .

" Marilla Cuthbert has got mellow .

That's what . "

Anne went to the little Avonlea graveyard the next evening to put fresh flowers on Matthew 's grave and water the Scotch rosebush .

there was a freshness in the air as of a wind that had blown over honey-sweet fields of clover .

home lights twinkled out here and there among the homestead trees .

beyond lay the sea , misty and purple , with its haunting , unceasing murmur .

the west was a glory of soft mingled hues , and the pond reflected them all in still softer shadings .

the beauty of it all thrilled Anne 's heart , and she gratefully opened the gates of her soul to it .

" dear old world , " she murmured , " you are very lovely , and I am glad to be alive in you . "

halfway down the hill a tall lad came whistling out of a gate before the Blythe homestead .

it was Gilbert , and the whistle died on his lips as he recognized Anne .

he lifted his cap courteously , but he would have passed on in silence , if Anne had not stopped and held out her hand .

" Gilbert , " she said , with scarlet cheeks , " I want to thank you for giving up the school for me .

it was very good of you and I want you to know that I appreciate it . "

Gilbert took the offered hand eagerly .

" it wasn't particularly good of me at all , Anne .

I was pleased to be able to do you some small service .

are we going to be friends after this ?

have you really forgiven me my old fault ? "

Anne laughed and tried unsuccessfully to withdraw her hand .

" I forgave you that day by the pond landing , although I didn't know it .

what a stubborn little goose I was .

I 've been I may as well make a complete confession I 've been sorry ever since . "

" we are going to be the best of friends , " said Gilbert , jubilantly .

" we were born to be good friends , Anne .

you 've thwarted destiny enough .

I know we can help each other in many ways .

you are going to keep up your studies , aren't you ?

so am I . come , I 'm going to walk home with you . "

Marilla looked curiously at Anne when the latter entered the kitchen .

" who was that came up the lane with you , Anne ? "

" Gilbert Blythe , " answered Anne , vexed to find herself blushing .

" I met him on Barry 's hill . "

" we haven't been we've been good enemies .

but we have decided that it will be much more sensible to be good friends in the future .

were we really there half an hour ?

it seemed just a few minutes .

but , you see , we have five years ' lost conversations to catch up with , Marilla . "

Anne sat long at her window that night companioned by a glad content .

the wind purred softly in the cherry boughs , and the mint breaths came up to her .

the stars twinkled over the pointed firs in the hollow and Diana 's light gleamed through the old gap .

and there was always the bend in the road !

" ' God 's in his heaven , all 's right with the world , ' " whispered Anne softly .

End of Project Gutenberg 's Anne of Green Gables , by Lucy Maud Montgomery

produced by Kent Fielden

WHITEFOOT THE WOOD MOUSE

by Thornton W Burgess

CHAPTER I : Whitefoot Spends A Happy Winter

in all his short life Whitefoot the Wood Mouse never had spent such a happy winter .

Whitefoot believes in getting the most from the present .

the things which are past are past , and that is all there is to it .

there is no use in thinking about them .

as for the things of the future , it will be time enough to think about them when they happen .

but Whitefoot is happy whenever he has a chance to be , and in this he is wiser than most human beings .

there are ever so many who would like nothing better than to dine on plump little Whitefoot .

Reddy and Granny Fox and Old Man Coyote are always looking for him .

so you see Whitefoot never knows at what instant he may have to run for his life .

that is why he is such a timid little fellow and is always running away at the least little unexpected sound .

in spite of all this he is a happy little chap .

it didn't take him long to decide that it was the most delightful place he ever had found .

he promptly decided to move in and spend the winter .

in one end of the sugar-house was a pile of wood .

Down under this Whitefoot made himself a warm , comfortable nest .

it was a regular castle to Whitefoot .

he moved over to it the store of seeds he had laid up for winter use .

when rough Brother North Wind howled outside , and sleet and snow were making other little people shiver , Whitefoot was warm and comfortable .

there was all the room he needed or wanted in which to run about and play .

he could go outside when he chose to , but he didn't choose to very often .

for days at a time he didn't have a single fright .

yes indeed , Whitefoot spent a happy winter .

CHAPTER II : Whitefoot Sees Queer Things

Whitefoot had spent the winter undisturbed in Farmer Brown 's sugar-house .

he had almost forgotten the meaning of fear .

he had come to look on that sugar-house as belonging to him .

it wasn't until Farmer Brown 's boy came over to prepare things for sugaring that Whitefoot got a single real fright .

at last he could stand it no longer and crept to a place where he could peep out and see what was going on .

it didn't take him long to discover that this great two-legged creature was not looking for him , and right away he felt better .

after a while Farmer Brown 's boy went away , and Whitefoot had the little sugar-house to himself again .

but Farmer Brown 's boy had carelessly left the door wide open .

Whitefoot didn't like that open door .

it made him nervous .

there was nothing to prevent those who hunt him from walking right in .

so the rest of that night Whitefoot felt uncomfortable and anxious .

he felt still more anxious when next day Farmer Brown 's boy returned and became very busy putting things to right .

then Farmer Brown himself came and strange things began to happen .

it became as warm as in summer .

you see Farmer Brown had built a fire under the evaporator .

Whitefoot 's curiosity kept him at a place where he could peep out and watch all that was done .

he saw Farmer Brown and Farmer Brown 's boy pour pails of sap into a great pan .

by and by a delicious odor filled the sugar-house .

he saw them draw the golden syrup from one end of the evaporator and fill shining tin cans with it .

day after day they did the same thing .

he tasted that thick golden stuff and found it sweet and good .

he didn't understand these queer doings at all .

but he was no longer afraid .

CHAPTER III : Farmer Brown 's Boy Becomes Acquainted

it didn't take Farmer Brown 's boy long to discover that Whitefoot the Wood Mouse was living in the little sugar-house .

he caught glimpses of Whitefoot peeping out at him .

now Farmer Brown 's boy is wise in the ways of the little people of the Green Forest .

right away he made up his mind to get acquainted with Whitefoot .

so at first Farmer Brown 's boy paid no attention whatever to Whitefoot .

he took care that Whitefoot shouldn't even know that he had been seen .

then he and Farmer Brown would go out to collect sap .

when they returned not a crumb would be left .

one day Farmer Brown 's boy scattered some particularly delicious crumbs .

then , instead of going out , he sat down on a bench and kept perfectly still .

Farmer Brown and Bowser the Hound went out .

Farmer Brown 's boy sat there right in plain sight , but Whitefoot didn't see him .

that was because Farmer Brown 's boy didn't move the least bit .

Whitefoot ran out and at once began to eat those delicious crumbs .

when he had filled his little stomach , he began to carry the remainder back to his storehouse underneath the woodpile .

right there he placed a big piece of bread crust .

then he happened to look up right into the eyes of Farmer Brown 's boy .

with a frightened little squeak Whitefoot darted back , and for a long time he was afraid to come out again .

but Farmer Brown 's boy didn't move , and at last Whitefoot could stand the temptation no longer .

he darted out halfway , scurried back , came out again , and at last ventured right up to the crust .

then he began to drag it back to the woodpile .

still Farmer Brown 's boy did not move .

for two or three days the same thing happened .

by this time , Whitefoot had lost all fear .

after that Farmer Brown 's boy took care that no crumbs should be scattered on the ground .

Whitefoot had to come to him for his food , and always Farmer Brown 's boy had something delicious for him .

CHAPTER IV : Whitefoot Grows Anxious

' Tis sad indeed to trust a friend Then have that trust abruptly end .

Whitefoot

I know of nothing that is more sad than to feel that a friend is no longer to be trusted .

there came a time when Whitefoot the Wood Mouse almost had this feeling .

it was a very , very anxious time for Whitefoot .

you see , Whitefoot and Farmer Brown 's boy had become the very best of friends there in the little sugar-house .

they had become such good friends that Whitefoot did not hesitate to take food from the hands of Farmer Brown 's boy .

never in all his life had he had so much to eat or such good things to eat .

he was getting so fat that his handsome little coat was uncomfortably tight .

he ran about fearlessly while Farmer Brown and Farmer Brown 's boy were making maple syrup and maple sugar .

he had even lost his fear of Bowser the Hound , for Bowser had paid no attention to him whatever .

now you remember that Whitefoot had made his home way down beneath the great pile of wood in the sugar-house .

of course Farmer Brown and Farmer Brown 's boy used that wood for the fire to boil the sap to make the syrup and sugar .

Whitefoot thought nothing of this until one day he discovered that his little home was no longer as dark as it had been .

a little ray of light crept down between the sticks .

presently another little ray of light crept down between the sticks .

it was then that Whitefoot began to grow anxious .

of course Whitefoot didn't understand why that wood was slipping away .

in spite of himself he began to grow suspicious .

he couldn't think of any reason why that wood should be taken away , unless it was to look for his little home .

" oh dear , what does it mean ? " cried Whitefoot to himself .

I do hope they will stop taking this wood away .

I won't have any hiding-place at all , and then I will have to go outside back to my old home in the hollow stump .

I don't want to do that .

oh , dear !

oh , dear !

I was so happy and now I am so worried !

why can't happy times last always ? "

CHAPTER V : the End Of Whitefoot 's Worries

you never can tell !

you never can tell !

things going wrong will often end well .

Whitefoot .

the next time you meet him just ask Whitefoot if this isn't so .

things had been going very wrong for Whitefoot .

it had begun to look to Whitefoot as if he would no longer have a snug , hidden little home in Farmer Brown 's sugar-house .

Whitefoot quite lost his appetite .

he no longer came out to take food from Farmer Brown 's boy 's hand .

he stayed right in his snug little home and worried .

now Farmer Brown 's boy had not once thought of the trouble he was making .

he wondered what had become of Whitefoot , and in his turn he began to worry .

he was afraid that something had happened to his little friend .

he was thinking of this as he fed the sticks of wood to the fire for boiling the sap to make syrup and sugar .

finally , as he pulled away two big sticks , he saw something that made him whistle with surprise .

it was Whitefoot 's nest which he had so cleverly hidden way down underneath that pile of wood when he had first moved into the sugar-house .

with a frightened little squeak , Whitefoot ran out , scurried across the little sugar-house and out though the open door .

Farmer Brown 's boy understood .

he understood perfectly that little people like Whitefoot want their homes hidden away in the dark .

" poor little chap , " said Farmer Brown 's boy."He had a regular castle here and we have destroyed it .

he probably thinks we have been hunting for this little home of his .

hello !

here 's his storehouse !

I 've often wondered how the little rascal could eat so much , but now I understand .

he stored away here more than half of the good things I have given him .

I am glad he did .

I must do something to keep him here . "

Farmer Brown 's boy sat down to think things over .

then he got an old box and made a little round hole in one end of it .

very carefully he took up Whitefoot 's nest and placed it under the old box in the darkest corner of the sugar-house .

then he carried all Whitefoot 's supplies over there and put them under the box .

he went outside , and got some branches of hemlock and threw these in a little pile over the box .

after this he scattered some crumbs just outside .

Late that night Whitefoot did come back .

the crumbs led him to the old box .

he crept inside .

there was his snug little home !

all in a second Whitefoot understood , and trust and happiness returned .

CHAPTER VI : a Very Careless Jump

Whitefoot once more was happy .

it was better than the old place under the woodpile .

it was the best place for a home Whitefoot ever had had .

it didn't take him long to change his mind about leaving the little sugar-house .

somehow he seemed to know right down inside that his home would not again be disturbed .

so he proceeded to rearrange his nest and to put all his supplies of food in one corner of the old box .

he liked to jump up on the bench where Farmer Brown 's boy sometimes sat .

he would climb up to where Farmer Brown 's boy 's coat hung and explore the pockets of it .

once he stole Farmer Brown 's boy 's handkerchief .

he wanted it to add to the material his nest was made of .

Farmer Brown 's boy discovered it just as it was disappearing , and how he laughed as he pulled it away .

he knew that Farmer Brown 's boy and Farmer Brown and Bowser the Hound were his friends .

he knew , too , that so long as they were about , none of his enemies would dare come near .

this being so , of course there was nothing to be afraid of .

no harm could possibly come to him .

at least , that is what Whitefoot thought .

but you know , enemies are not the only dangers to watch out for .

accidents will happen .

when they do happen , it is very likely to be when the possibility of them is farthest from your thoughts .

almost always they are due to heedlessness or carelessness .

it was heedlessness that got Whitefoot into one of the worst mishaps of his whole life .

he had been running and jumping all around the inside of the little sugar-house .

he loves to run and jump , and he had been having just the best time ever .

it wasn't a very long jump , but somehow Whitefoot misjudged it .

he was heedless , and he didn't jump quite far enough .

right beside that box was a tin pail half filled with sap .

instead of landing on the box , Whitefoot landed with a splash in that pail of sap .

CHAPTER VII : Whitefoot Gives Up Hope

Whitefoot had been in many tight places .

yes , indeed , Whitefoot had been in many tight places .

he had had narrow escapes of all kinds .

but never had he felt so utterly hopeless as now .

the moment he landed in that sap , Whitefoot began to swim frantically .

he isn't a particularly good swimmer , but he could swim well enough to keep afloat for a while .

he came up choking and gasping .

the more he tried to climb out , the more frightened he became .

he was in a perfect panic of fear .

he quite lost his head , did Whitefoot .

the harder he struggled , the more tired he became , and the greater was his danger of drowning .

Whitefoot squeaked pitifully .

he didn't want to drown .

of course not .

he wanted to live .

but unless he could get out of that pail very soon , he would drown .

he knew it .

he knew that he couldn't hold on much longer .

he knew that just as soon as he stopped paddling , he would sink .

already he was so tired from his frantic efforts to escape that it seemed to him that he couldn't hold out any longer .

but somehow he kept his legs moving , and so kept afloat .

Just why he kept struggling , Whitefoot couldn't have told .

it wasn't because he had any hope .

he didn't have the least bit of hope .

he knew now that he couldn't climb the sides of that pail , and there was no other way of getting out .

still he kept on paddling .

and all the time Whitefoot squeaked hopelessly , despairingly , pitifully .

he did it without knowing that he did it , just as he kept paddling round and round .

CHAPTER VIII : the Rescue

when Whitefoot made the heedless jump that landed him in a pail half filled with sap , no one else was in the little sugar-house .

Whitefoot was quite alone .

you see , Farmer Brown and Farmer Brown 's boy were out collecting sap from the trees , and Bowser the Hound was with them .

Farmer Brown 's boy was the first to return .

he came in just after Whitefoot had given up all hope .

he went at once to the fire to put more wood on .

as he finished this job he heard the faintest of little squeaks .

it was a very pitiful little squeak .

Farmer Brown 's boy stood perfectly still and listened .

he heard it again .

he knew right away that it was the voice of Whitefoot .

" hello ! " exclaimed Farmer Brown 's boy .

" that sounds as if Whitefoot is in trouble of some kind .

I wonder where the little rascal is .

I wonder what can have happened to him .

I must look into this . "

again Farmer Brown 's boy heard that faint little squeak .

it was so faint that he couldn't tell where it came from .

hurriedly and anxiously he looked all over the little sugar-house , stopping every few seconds to listen for that pitiful little squeak .

it seemed to come from nowhere in particular .

also it was growing fainter .

at last Farmer Brown 's boy happened to stand still close to that tin pail half filled with sap .

he heard the faint little squeak again and with it a little splash .

it was the sound of the little splash that led him to look down .

in a flash he understood what had happened .

he saw poor little Whitefoot struggling feebly , and even as he looked Whitefoot 's head went under .

he was very nearly drowned .

stooping quickly , Farmer Brown 's boy grabbed Whitefoot 's long tail and pulled him out .

Whitefoot was so nearly drowned that he didn't have strength enough to even kick .

a great pity filled the eyes of Farmer Brown 's boy as he held Whitefoot 's head down and gently shook him .

he was trying to shake some of the sap out of Whitefoot .

it ran out of Whitefoot 's nose and out of his mouth .

Whitefoot began to gasp .

then Farmer Brown 's boy spread his coat close by the fire , rolled Whitefoot up in his handkerchief and gently placed him on the coat .

for some time Whitefoot lay just gasping .

but presently his breath came easier , and after a while he was breathing naturally .

Little by little Whitefoot recovered his strength .

at last he could sit up , and finally he began to move about a little , although he was still wobbly on his legs .

CHAPTER IX : two Timid Persons Meet

thus always you will meet life 's test To do the thing you can do best .

Whitefoot .

Jumper the Hare sat crouched at the foot of a tree in the Green Forest .

had you happened along there , you would not have seen him .

at least , I doubt if you would .

if you had seen him , you probably wouldn't have known it .

Just in front of Juniper was a little round hole .

he gave it no attention .

it didn't interest him in the least .

all through the Green Forest were little holes in the snow .

Jumper was so used to them that he seldom noticed them .

so he took no notice of this one until something moved down in that hole .

Jumper 's eyes opened a little wider and he watched .

a sharp little face with very bright eyes filled that little round hole .

Jumper moved just the tiniest bit , and in a flash that sharp little face with the bright eyes disappeared .

Jumper sat still and waited .

after a long wait the sharp little face with bright eyes appeared again .

" don't be frightened , Whitefoot , " said Jumper softly .

this winter he was not living in Farmer Brown 's sugarhouse .

" Gracious , Jumper , how you did scare me ! " said he .

Jumper chuckled .

" Whitefoot , I believe you are more timid than I am , " he replied .

" why shouldn't I be ?

I 'm ever so much smaller , and I have more enemies , " retorted Whitefoot .

" it is true you are smaller , but I am not so sure that you have more enemies , " replied Jumper thoughtfully .

" it sometimes seems to me that I couldn't have more , especially in winter . "

" name them , " commanded Whitefoot .

Jumper paused .

" is that all ? " demanded Whitefoot .

" isn't that enough ? " retorted Jumper rather sharply .

" it seems to me sometimes as if I need eyes and ears all over me .

night and day there is always some one hunting for poor little me .

and then some folks wonder why I am so timid .

if I were not as timid as I am , I wouldn't be alive now ; I would have been caught long ago .

folks may laugh at me for being so easily frightened , but I don't care .

that is what saves my life a dozen times a day . "

Jumper looked interested .

" I hadn't thought of that , " said he .

" I 'm a very timid person myself , and sometimes I have been ashamed of being so easily frightened .

Whitefoot suddenly darted into his hole .

Jumper didn't move , but his eyes widened with fear .

a great white bird had just alighted on a stump a short distance away .

it was Whitey the Snowy Owl , down from the Far North .

" there is another enemy we both forgot , " thought Jumper , and tried not to shiver .

CHAPTER X : the White Watchers

much may be gained by sitting still If you but have the strength of will .

Whitefoot .

had you been there to see them , both would have appeared as white as the snow around them unless you had looked very closely .

then you might have seen two narrow black lines back of Jumper 's head .

they were the tips of his ears , for these remain black .

and near the upper part of the white mound which was Whitey you might have seen two round yellow spots , his eyes .

there they were for all the world like two little heaps of snow .

Jumper didn't move so much as a hair .

Whitey didn't move so much as a feather .

both were waiting and watching .

Jumper didn't move because he knew that Whitey was there .

Whitey didn't move because he didn't want any one to know he was there , and didn't know that Jumper was there .

Jumper was sitting still because he was afraid .

Whitey was sitting still because he was hungry .

so there they sat , each in plain sight of the other but only one seeing the other .

this was because Juniper had been fortunate enough to see Whitey alight on that stump .

Jumper had been sitting still when Whitey arrived , and so those fierce yellow eyes had not yet seen him .

Jumper didn't want to sit still .

no , indeed !

he wanted to run .

you know it is on those long legs of his that Jumper depends almost wholly for safety .

but there are times for running and times for sitting still , and this was a time for sitting still .

he knew that Whitey didn't know that he was anywhere near .

but just the same it was hard , very hard to sit there with one he so greatly feared watching so near .

it seemed as if those fierce yellow eyes of Whitey must see him .

they seemed to look right through him .

they made him shake inside .

" I want to run .

I want to run .

I want to run , " Jumper kept saying to himself .

then he would say , " but I mustn't .

I mustn't .

I mustn't . "

and so Jumper did the hardest thing in the world , sat still and stared danger in the face .

he was sitting still to save his life .

Whitey the Snowy Owl was sitting still to catch a dinner .

I know that sounds queer , but it was so .

he knew that so long as he sat still , he was not likely to be seen .

it was for this purpose that Old Mother Nature had given him that coat of white .

so Whitey had been given that white coat that he might have a better chance to catch food enough to keep him alive .

and he had learned how to make the best use of it .

yes , indeed , he knew how to make the best use of it .

it was by doing just what he was doing now , sitting perfectly still .

Just before he had alighted on that stump he had seen something move at the entrance to a little round hole in the snow .

he was sure of it .

" a Mouse , " thought Whitey , and alighted on that stump .

" he saw me flying , but he 'll forget about it after a while and will come out again .

he won't see me then if I don't move .

and I won't move until he is far enough from that hole for me to catch him before he can get back to it . "

CHAPTER XI : Jumper Is In Doubt

when doubtful what course to pursue ' Tis sometimes best to nothing do .

Whitefoot .

Jumper the Hare was beginning to feel easier in his mind .

he was no longer shaking inside .

in fact , he was beginning to feel quite safe .

yes , sir , I will , " thought Jumper .

" by and by he will become tired and fly away .

I do hope he 'll do that before Whitefoot comes out again .

" this is a queer world .

it is so .

old Mother Nature does queer things .

it certainly is a queer world . "

Jumper hadn't moved once , but once in a while Whitey turned his great round head for a look all about in every direction .

but it was done in such a way that only eyes watching him sharply would have noticed it .

most of the time he kept his fierce yellow eyes fixed on the little hole in the snow in which Whitefoot had disappeared .

you know Whitey can see by day quite as well as any other bird .

Jumper , having stopped worrying about himself , began to worry about Whitefoot .

a tunnel led from this little hole to the first little hole .

suddenly off among the trees something moved .

at least , Jumper thought he saw something move .

yes , there it was , a little black spot moving swiftly this way and that way over the snow .

Jumper stared very hard .

and then his heart seemed to jump right up in his throat .

it did so .

he felt as if he would choke .

it was Shadow the Weasel !

in his white winter coat he is called Ermine .

he was running this way and that way , back and forth , with his nose to the snow .

he was hunting , and Jumper knew that sooner or later Shadow would find him .

what to do Jumper didn't know .

and so he did nothing .

it happened to be the wisest thing he could do .

CHAPTER XII : Whitey The Owl Saves Jumper

it often happens in the end An enemy may prove a friend .

Whitefoot .

was ever any one in a worse position than Jumper the Hare ?

to move would be to give himself away to Whitey the Snowy Owl .

neither Whitey nor Shadow knew he was there , but it would be only a few minutes before one of them knew it .

at least , that is the way it looked to Jumper .

Whitey wouldn't know it unless he moved , but Shadow the Weasel would find his tracks , and his nose would lead him straight there .

he was hunting hunting for the scent of some one whom he could kill .

nearer and nearer came Shadow .

he was slim and trim and didn't look at all terrible .

" perhaps , " thought Jumper , " he won't find my scent after all .

perhaps he 'll go in another direction . "

but all the time Jumper felt in his bones that Shadow would find that scent .

" when he does , I 'll run , " said Jumper to himself .

" I 'll have at least a chance to dodge Whitey .

I am afraid he will catch me , but I 'll have a chance .

I won't have any chance at all if Shadow finds me . "

suddenly Shadow stopped running and sat up to look about with fierce little eyes , all the time testing the air with his nose .

Jumper 's heart sank .

he knew that Shadow had caught a faint scent of some one .

then Shadow began to run back and forth once more , but more carefully than before .

and then he started straight for where Jumper was crouching !

Jumper knew then that Shadow had found his trail .

and as Jumper did this , he looked over to that stump where Whitey had been sitting so long .

Whitey was just leaving it on his great silent wings , and his fierce yellow eyes were fixed in the direction of Shadow the Weasel .

he had seen that moving black spot which was the tip of Shadow 's tail .

Jumper didn't have time to jump before Whitey was swooping down at Shadow .

so Juniper just kept still and watched with eyes almost popping from his head with fear and excitement .

Shadow hadn't seen Whitey until just as Whitey was reaching for him with his great cruel claws .

now if there is any one who can move more quickly than Shadow the Weasel I don't know who it is .

Whitey 's claws closed on nothing but snow ; Shadow had dodged .

then began a game , Whitey swooping and Shadow dodging , and all the time they were getting farther and farther from where Jumper was .

Whitey the Snowy Owl had saved him from Shadow the Weasel and didn't know it .

an enemy had proved to be a friend .

CHAPTER XIII : Whitefoot Decides Quickly

your mind made up a certain way Be swift to act ; do not delay .

Whitefoot .

he had not been badly frightened .

but he was somewhat upset .

yes , sir , he was somewhat upset .

you see , he had so many enemies to watch out for , and here was another .

" Just as if I didn't have troubles enough without having this white robber to add to them , " grumbled Whitefoot .

" why doesn't he stay where he belongs , way up in the Far North ?

it must be that food is scarce up there .

well , now that I know he is here , he will have to be smarter than I think he is to catch me .

I hope Jumper the Hare will have sense enough to keep perfectly still .

I 've sometimes envied him his long legs , but I guess I am better off than he is , at that .

Whitey is watching the hole where I disappeared ; he thinks I 'll come out there again after a while .

I 'll fool him . "

Whitefoot scampered along through a little tunnel and presently very cautiously peeped out of another little round hole in the snow .

Whitefoot grinned .

then he looked over to where he had last seen Jumper .

Jumper was still there ; it was clear that he hadn't moved , and so Whitey hadn't seen him .

again Whitefoot grinned .

then he settled himself to watch patiently for Whitey to become tired of watching that hole and fly away .

so it was that Whitefoot saw all that happened .

he saw Whitey suddenly sail out on silent wings from that stump and swoop with great claws reaching for some one .

and then he saw who that some one was , Shadow the Weasel !

he saw Shadow dodge in the very nick of time .

then he watched Whitey swoop again and again as Shadow dodged this way and that way .

finally both disappeared amongst the trees .

then he turned just in time to see Jumper the Hare bounding away with all the speed of his wonderful , long legs .

fear , the greatest fear he had known for a long time , took possession of Whitefoot .

" shadow the Weasel ! " he gasped and had such a thing been possible he certainly would have turned pale .

" Whitey won't catch him ; Shadow is too quick for him .

and when Whitey has given up and flown away , Shadow will come back .

he probably had found the tracks of Jumper the Hare and he will come back .

I know him ; he 'll come back .

oh , dear !

oh , dear !

what shall I do ? "

you see Shadow the Weasel is the one enemy that can follow Whitefoot into most of his hiding-places .

for a minute or two Whitefoot sat there , shaking with fright .

then he made up his mind .

" I 'll get away from here before he returns , " thought Whitefoot .

" I've got to .

I 've spent a comfortable winter here so far , but there will be no safety for me here any longer .

I don't know where to go , but anywhere will be better than here now . "

without waiting another second , Whitefoot scampered away .

and how he did hope that his scent would have disappeared by the time Shadow returned .

if it hadn't , there would be little hope for him and he knew it .

CHAPTER XIV : Shadows Return

he little gains and has no pride Who from his purpose turns aside .

Whitefoot .

shadow the Weasel believes in persistence .

he is not easily discouraged .

this is one reason he is so feared by the little people he delights to hunt .

they know that once he gets on their trail , they will be fortunate indeed if they escape him .

any other of the little people with the exception of his cousin , Billy Mink , would have been frightened half to death .

but Shadow was simply angry .

he was angry that any one should try to catch him .

he was still more angry because his hunt for Jumper the Hare was interfered with .

you see , he had just found Jumper 's trail when Whitey swooped at him .

at last he saw a hole in an old log and into this he darted .

Whitey couldn't get him there .

Whitey knew this and he knew , too , that waiting for Shadow to come out again would be a waste of time .

so Whitey promptly flew away .

hardly had he disappeared when Shadow popped out of that hole , for he had been peeping out and watching Whitey .

without a moment 's pause he turned straight back for the place where he had found the trail of Jumper the Hare .

he had no intention of giving up that hunt just because he had been driven away .

it led him straight to the foot of the tree where Jumper had crouched so long .

but , as you know , Jumper wasn't there then .

Shadow ran in a circle and presently he found where Jumper had landed on the snow at the end of that first bound .

Shadow snarled .

he understood exactly what had happened .

I can tell that by the length of this jump .

probably he is still going .

then , for such is his way , he wasted no more time or thought on Jumper the Hare .

instead he began to look for other trails .

so it was that he found one of the little holes of Whitefoot the Wood Mouse .

" Ha !

so this is where Whitefoot has been living this winter ! " he exclaimed .

once more his eyes glowed red , but this time with eagerness and the joy of the hunt .

he plunged down into that little hole in the snow .

down there the scent of Whitefoot was strong .

Shadow followed it until it led out of another little hole in the snow .

but there he lost it .

you see , it was so long since Whitefoot had hurriedly left that the scent on the surface had disappeared .

Shadow ran swiftly this way and that way in a big circle , but he couldn't find Whitefoot 's trail again .

snarling with anger and disappointment , he returned to the little hole in the snow and vanished .

then he followed all Whitefoot 's little tunnels .

he found Whitefoot 's nest .

he found his store of seeds .

but he didn't find Whitefoot .

" he 'll come back , " muttered Shadow , and curled up in Whitefoot 's nest to wait .

CHAPTER XV : Whitefoots Dreadful Journey

danger may be anywhere , So I expect it everywhere .

Whitefoot .

Whitefoot the Wood Mouse was terribly frightened .

yes , sir , he was terribly frightened .

it was a long , long time since he had been as frightened as he now was .

he is used to frights , is Whitefoot .

he has them every day and every night , but usually they are sudden frights , quickly over and as quickly forgotten .

this fright was different .

you see Whitefoot had caught a glimpse of Shadow the Weasel .

the only thing for Whitefoot to do was to get just as far from that place as he could before Shadow should return .

and so poor little Whitefoot started out on a journey that was to take him he knew not where .

all he could do was to go and go and go until he could find a safe hiding-place .

my , my , but that was a dreadful journey !

every time a twig snapped , Whitefoot 's heart seemed to jump right up in his throat .

you see , Whitefoot has so many enemies always looking for him that he hides whenever he sees anything moving .

when at home , he is forever dodging in and out of his hiding-places .

for a long way no one saw him , for no one was about .

" oh , dear !

oh , dear me ! " he kept saying over and over to himself .

" wherever shall I go ?

whatever shall I do ?

however shall I get enough to eat ?

I am getting tired .

my legs ache .

I ' m getting hungry .

I want my nice , warm , soft bed .

oh , dear !

oh , dear !

oh , dear me ! "

but in spite of his frights , Whitefoot kept on .

you see , he was more afraid to stop than he was to go on .

he just had to get as far from Shadow the Weasel as he could .

being such a little fellow , what would be a short distance for you or me is a long distance for Whitefoot .

and so that journey was to him very long indeed .

of course , it seemed longer because of the constant frights which came one right after another .

it really was a terrible journey .

yet if he had only known it , there wasn't a thing along the whole way to be afraid of .

you know it often happens that people are frightened more by what they don't know than by what they do know .

CHAPTER XVI : Whitefoot Climbs A Tree

I 'd rather be frightened With no cause for fear Than fearful of nothing When danger is near .

Whitefoot .

Whitefoot kept on going and going .

every time he thought that he was so tired he must stop , he would think of Shadow the Weasel and then go on again .

by and by he became so tired that not even the thought of Shadow the Weasel could make him go much farther .

so he began to look about for a safe hiding-place in which to rest .

now the home which he had left had been a snug little room beneath the roots of a certain old stump .

there he had lived for a long time in the greatest comfort .

little tunnels led to his storehouses and up to the surface of the snow .

it had been a splendid place and one in which he had felt perfectly safe until Shadow the Weasel had appeared .

but Whitefoot is quite as much at home in trees as on the ground .

so now that he must find a hiding-place , Whitefoot decided that he would feel much safer in a tree than on the ground .

" if only I can find a hollow tree , " whimpered Whitefoot .

" I will feel ever so much safer in a tree than hiding in or near the ground in a strange place . "

so Whitefoot began to look for a dead tree .

you see , he knew that there was more likely to be a hollow in a dead tree than in a living tree .

by and by he came to a tall , dead tree .

he knew it was a dead tree , because there was no bark on it .

but , of course , he couldn't tell whether or not that tree was hollow .

I mean he couldn't tell from the ground .

" oh , dear ! " he whimpered again .

" oh , dear !

I suppose I will have to climb this , and I am so tired .

it ought to be hollow .

there ought to be splendid holes in it .

it is just the kind of a tree that Drummer the Woodpecker likes to make his house in .

well , here goes . "

he looked anxiously this way .

he looked anxiously that way .

he looked anxiously the other way .

in fact , he looked anxiously every way .

but he saw no one and nothing to be afraid of , and so he started up the tree .

he was half-way up when , glancing down , he saw a shadow moving across the snow .

once more Whitefoot 's heart seemed to jump right up in his throat .

that shadow was the shadow of some one flying .

there couldn't be the least bit of doubt about it .

Whitefoot flattened himself against the side of the tree and peeked around it .

he had come along near the ground and then risen sharply into the tree .

his bill was black , and there was just a tiny hook on the end of it .

Whitefoot knew who it was .

it was Butcher the Shrike .

Whitefoot shivered .

CHAPTER XVII : Whitefoot Finds A Hole Just In Time

just in time , not just too late , Will make you master of your fate .

Whitefoot .

it was Butcher the Shrike .

often he is called just Butcher Bird .

he did not look at all terrible .

he was not quite as big as Sammy Jay .

he had no terrible claws like the Hawks and Owls .

there was a tiny hook at the end of his black bill , but it wasn't big enough to look very dreadful .

but you can not always judge a person by looks , and Whitefoot knew that Butcher was one to be feared .

so his heart went pit-a-pat , pit-a-pat as he wondered if Butcher had seen him .

he didn't have to wait long to find out .

Butcher flew to a tree back of Whitefoot and then straight at him .

Whitefoot dodged around to the other side of the tree .

then began a dreadful game .

at least , it was dreadful to Whitefoot .

this way and that way around the trunk of that tree he dodged , while Butcher did his best to catch him .

but he was tired , very tired , for you remember he had had what was a very long and terrible journey to him .

he had felt almost too tired to climb that tree in the first place to see if it had any holes in it higher up .

now he didn't know whether to keep on going up or to go down .

two or three times he dodged around the tree without doing either .

then he decided to go up .

now Butcher was enjoying this game of dodge .

if he should catch Whitefoot , he would have a good dinner .

if he didn't catch Whitefoot , he would simply go hungry a little longer .

so you see , there was a very big difference in the feelings of Whitefoot and Butcher .

Whitefoot had his life to lose , while Butcher had only a dinner to lose .

dodging this way and dodging that way , Whitefoot climbed higher and higher .

twice he whisked around that tree trunk barely in time .

all the time he was growing more and more tired , and more and more discouraged .

supposing he should find no hole in that tree !

" there must be one .

there must be one , " he kept saying over and over to himself , to keep his courage up .

" I can't keep dodging much longer .

if I don't find a hole pretty soon , Butcher will surely catch me .

oh , dear !

oh , dear ! "

Just above Whitefoot was a broken branch .

only the stub of it remained .

the next time he dodged around the trunk he found himself just below that stub .

oh , joy !

there , close under that stub , was a round hole .

Whitefoot didn't hesitate a second .

he didn't wait to find out whether or not any one was in that hole .

he didn't even think that there might be some one in there .

with a tiny little squeak of relief he darted in .

he was just in time .

he was just in the nick of time .

Butcher struck at him and just missed him as he disappeared in that hole .

Whitefoot had saved his life and Butcher had missed a dinner .

CHAPTER XVIII : An Unpleasant Surprise

be careful never to be rude Enough to thoughtlessly intrude .

Whitefoot .

for a few minutes he did nothing but pant , for he was quite out of breath .

" I was right , " he said over and over to himself , " I was right .

I was sure there must be a hole in this tree .

it is one of the old houses of Drummer the Woodpecker .

now I am safe . "

presently he peeped out .

he wanted to see if Butcher was watching outside .

he was just in time to see Butcher 's gray and black and white coat disappearing among the trees .

Butcher was not foolish enough to waste time watching for Whitefoot to come out .

Whitefoot sighed happily .

for the first time since he had started on his dreadful journey he felt safe .

nothing else mattered .

he was hungry , but he didn't mind that .

he was willing to go hungry for the sake of being safe .

Whitefoot watched until Butcher was out of sight .

then he turned to see what that house was like .

right away he discovered that there was a soft , warm bed in it .

it was made of leaves , grass , moss , and the lining of bark .

it was a very fine bed indeed .

" my , my , my , but I am lucky , " said Whitefoot to himself .

" I wonder who could have made this fine bed .

I certainly shall sleep comfortably here .

goodness knows , I need a rest .

if I can find food enough near here , I 'll make this my home .

I couldn't ask for a better one . "

chuckling happily , Whitefoot began to pull away the top of that bed so as to get to the middle of it .

and then he got a surprise .

it was an unpleasant surprise .

it was a most unpleasant surprise .

there was some one in that bed !

yes , sir , there was some one curled up in a little round ball in the middle of that fine bed .

it was some one with a coat of the softest , finest fur .

can you guess who it was ?

it was Timmy the Flying Squirrel .

it seemed to Whitefoot as if his heart flopped right over .

you see at first he didn't recognize Timmy .

Whitefoot is himself so very timid that his thought was to run ; to get out of there as quickly as possible .

but he had no place to run to , so he hesitated .

never in all his life had Whitefoot had a greater disappointment .

he knew now that this splendid house was not for him .

Timmy the Flying Squirrel didn't move .

he remained curled up in a soft little ball .

he was asleep .

Whitefoot felt easier in his mind then .

Timmy was so sound asleep that he knew nothing of his visitor .

and so Whitefoot felt safe in staying long enough to get rested .

then he would go out and hunt for another home .

not in all the Green Forest could two more timid little people be found than the two in that old home of Drummer the Woodpecker .

CHAPTER XIX : Whitefoot Finds A Home At Last

true independence he has known Whose home has been his very own .

Whitefoot .

curled up in his splendid warm bed , Timmy the Flying Squirrel slept peacefully .

he didn't know he had a visitor .

he didn't know that on top of that same bed lay Whitefoot the Wood Mouse .

Whitefoot wasn't asleep .

no , indeed !

Whitefoot was too worried to sleep .

he knew he couldn't stay in that fine house because it belonged to Timmy .

he knew that as soon as Timmy awoke , he , Whitefoot , would have to get out .

where should he go ?

he wished he knew .

how he did long for the old home he had left .

but when he thought of that , he remembered Shadow the Weasel .

it was better to be homeless than to feel that at any minute Shadow the Weasel might appear .

it was getting late in the afternoon .

then Timmy the Flying Squirrel would awake .

" it won't do for me to be here then , " said Whitefoot to himself .

" I must find some other place before he wakes .

if only I knew this part of the Green Forest I might know where to go .

as it is , I shall have to go hunt for a new home and trust to luck .

did ever a poor little Mouse have so much trouble ? "

after awhile Whitefoot felt rested and peeped out of the doorway .

no enemy was to be seen anywhere .

Whitefoot crept out and climbed a little higher up in the tree .

presently he found another hole .

he peeped inside and listened long and carefully .

he didn't intend to make the mistake of going into another house where some one might be living .

at last , sure that there was no one in there , he crept in .

then he made a discovery .

there were beech nuts in there and there were seeds .

it was a storehouse !

Whitefoot knew at once that it must be Timmy 's storehouse .

right away he realized how very , very hungry he was .

of course , he had no right to any of those seeds or nuts .

certainly not !

that is , he wouldn't have had any right had he been a boy or girl .

but it is the law of the Green Forest that whatever any one finds he may help himself to if he can .

so Whitefoot began to fill his empty little stomach with some of those seeds .

he ate and ate and ate and quite forgot all his troubles .

just as he felt that he hadn't room for another seed , he heard the sound of claws outside on the trunk of the tree .

in a flash he knew that Timmy the Flying Squirrel was awake , and that it wouldn't do to be found in there by him .

in a jiffy Whitefoot was outside .

he was just in time .

Timmy was almost up to the entrance .

" hi , there ! " cried Timmy .

" what were you doing in my storehouse ? "

" I I I was looking for a new home , " stammered Whitefoot .

" you mean you were stealing some of my food , " snapped Timmy suspiciously .

" I I I did take a few seeds because I was almost starved .

but truly I was looking for a new home , " replied Whitefoot .

" what was the matter with your old home ? " demanded Timmy .

Timmy listened suspiciously at first , but soon he made up his mind that Whitefoot was telling the truth .

the mere mention of Shadow the Weasel made him very sober .

he scratched his nose thoughtfully .

" over in that tall , dead stub you can see from here is an old home of mine , " said he .

" no one lives in it now .

I guess you can live there until you can find a better home .

but remember to keep away from my storehouse . "

so it was that Whitefoot found a new home .

CHAPTER XX : Whitefoot Makes Himself At Home

Look not too much on that behind Lest to the future you be blind .

Whitefoot .

Whitefoot didn't wait to be told twice of that empty house .

he thanked Timmy and then scampered over to that stub as fast as his legs would take him .

up the stub he climbed , and near the top he found a little round hole .

Timmy had said no one was living there now , and so Whitefoot didn't hesitate to pop inside .

there was even a bed in there .

it was an old bed , but it was dry and soft .

it was quite clear that no one had been in there for a long time .

with a little sigh of pure happiness , Whitefoot curled up in that bed for the sleep he so much needed .

his stomach was full , and once more he felt safe .

the very fact that this was an old house in which no one had lived for a long time made it safer .

he was so tired that he slept all night .

Whitefoot is one of those who sleeps when he feels sleepy , whether it be by day or night .

he prefers the night to be out and about in , because he feels safer then , but he often comes out by day .

so when he awoke in the early morning , he promptly went out for a look about and to get acquainted with his new surroundings .

just a little way off was the tall , dead tree in which Timmy the Flying Squirrel had his home .

Timmy was nowhere to be seen .

you see , he had been out most of the night and had gone to bed to sleep through the day .

so he scurried about to see what he could find for a breakfast .

it didn't take him long to find some pine cones in which a few seeds were still clinging .

these would do nicely .

Whitefoot ate what he wanted and then carried some of them back to his new home in the tall stub .

then he went to work to tear to pieces the old bed in there and make it over to suit himself .

it was an old bed of Timmy the Flying Squirrel , for you know this was Timmy 's old house .

Whitefoot soon had the bed made over to suit him .

and when this was done he felt quite at home .

then he started out to explore all about within a short distance of the old stub .

he wanted to know every hole and every possible hiding-place all around , for it is on such knowledge that his life depends .

when at last he returned home he was very well satisfied .

" it is going to be a good place to live , " said he to himself .

" there are plenty of hiding-places and I am going to be able to find enough to eat .

it will be very nice to have Timmy the Flying Squirrel for a neighbor .

I am sure he and I will get along together very nicely .

I don't believe Shadow the Weasel , even if he should come around here , would bother to climb up this old stub .

he probably would expect to find me living down in the ground or close to it , anyway .

I certainly am glad that I am such a good climber .

CHAPTER XXI : Whitefoot Envies Timmy

a useless thing is envy ; A foolish thing to boot .

why should a Fox who has a bark Want like an Owl to hoot ?

Whitefoot was beginning to feel quite at home .

he would have been wholly contented but for one thing , he had no well-filled storehouse .

this meant that each day he must hunt for his food .

it wasn't that Whitefoot minded hunting for food .

he would have done that anyway , even though he had had close at hand a store-house with plenty in it .

but he would have felt easier in his mind .

but Whitefoot is a happy little fellow and wisely made the best of things .

at first he came out very little by day .

he would peek out of his doorway and watch for chance visitors in the daytime .

twice he saw Butcher the Shrike alight a short distance from the tree in which Timmy lived .

he knew Butcher had not forgotten that he had chased a badly frightened Mouse into a hole in that tree .

once he saw Whitey the Snowy Owl and so knew that Whitey had not yet returned to the Far North .

Timmy came out about the same time , and they had become the best of friends .

Timmy would nimbly climb to the top of a tree and then jump .

down he would come in a long beautiful glide , for all the world as if he were sliding on the air .

the first time Whitefoot saw him do it he held his breath .

he really didn't know what to make of it .

" oh ! " squeaked Whitefoot .

" oh ! he 'll kill himself !

he surely will kill himself !

he 'll break his neck ! "

but Timmy did nothing of the kind .

Whitefoot had hard work to believe his own eyes .

Timmy seemed to be jumping just for the pleasure of it .

as a matter of fact , he was .

he was getting his evening exercise .

Whitefoot sighed .

" I wish I could jump like that , " said he to himself .

" I wouldn't ever be afraid of anybody if I could jump like that .

I envy Timmy .

I do so . "

CHAPTER XXII : Timmy Proves To Be A True Neighbor

he proves himself a neighbor true Who seeks a kindly deed to do .

Whitefoot .

occasionally Timmy the Flying Squirrel came over to visit Whitefoot .

if Whitefoot was in his house he always knew when Timmy arrived .

he would hear a soft thump down near the bottom of the tall stub .

Whitefoot would poke his head out of his doorway and there , sure enough , would be Timmy scrambling up towards him .

Whitefoot had grown to admire Timmy with all his might .

it seemed to him that Timmy was the most wonderful of all the people he knew .

you see there was none of the others who could jump as Timmy could .

Timmy on his part enjoyed having Whitefoot for a neighbor .

it was such a new feeling that Timmy enjoyed it .

Whitefoot never went far from the tall , dead stub in which he was now living .

he didn't dare to .

he wanted to be where at the first sign of danger he could scamper back there to safety .

Timmy would go some distance , but he was seldom gone long .

he liked to be where he could watch and talk with Whitefoot .

you see Timmy is very much like other people , he likes to gossip a little .

one evening Whitefoot had found it hard work to find enough food to fill his stomach .

he had kept going a little farther and a little farther from home .

finally he was farther from it than he had ever been before .

Timmy had filled his stomach and from near the top of a tree was watching Whitefoot .

it was Hooty the Owl , and it was simply good fortune that Timmy happened to see him .

Timmy did not move .

he knew that he was safe so long as he kept perfectly still .

he knew that Hooty didn't know he was there .

unless he moved , those great eyes of Hooty 's , wonderful as they were , would not see him .

Timmy looked over to where he had last seen Whitefoot .

there he was picking out seeds from a pine cone on the ground .

the trunk of a tree was between him and Hooty .

but Timmy knew that Whitefoot hadn't seen Hooty , and that any minute he might run out from behind that tree .

if he did Hooty would see him , and silently as a shadow would swoop down and catch him .

what was to be done ?

" it 's no business of mine , " said Timmy to himself .

" Whitefoot must look out for himself .

it is no business of mine at all .

perhaps Hooty will fly away before Whitefoot moves .

for a few minutes nothing happened .

then Whitefoot finished the last seed in that cone and started to look for more .

Timmy knew that in a moment Hooty would see Whitefoot .

what do you think Timmy did ?

he jumped .

yes , sir , he jumped .

down , down , down , straight past the tree on which sat Hooty the Owl , Timmy sailed .

Hooty saw him .

of course .

he couldn't help but see him .

he spread his great wings and was after Timmy in an instant .

Timmy struck near the foot of a tree and without wasting a second darted around to the other side .

he was just in time .

Hooty was already reaching for him .

up the tree ran Timmy and jumped again .

again Hooty was too late .

and so Timmy led Hooty the Owl away from Whitefoot the Wood Mouse .

CHAPTER XXIII : Whitefoot Spends A Dreadful Night

pity those who suffer fright In the dark and stilly night .

Whitefoot .

one night of his life Whitefoot will never forget so long as he lives .

even now it makes him shiver just to think of it .

yes , sir , he shivers even now whenever he thinks of that night .

he had just poked his nose out that little round doorway when there was the most terrible sound .

it seemed to him as if it was in his very ears , so loud and terrible was it .

it frightened him so that he simply let go and tumbled backward down inside his house .

of course it didn't hurt him any , for he landed on his soft bed .

" Whooo-hoo-hoo , whooo-hoo ! " came that terrible sound again , and Whitefoot shook until his little teeth rattled .

at least , that is the way it seemed to him .

it was the voice of Hooty the Owl , and Whitefoot knew that Hooty was sitting on the top of that very stub .

he was , so to speak , on the roof of Whitefoot 's house .

Hooty knows this .

no one knows it better than he does .

that is why he uses it .

he knows that many of the little people are asleep , safely hidden away .

he knows that it would be quite useless for him to simply look for them .

he would starve before he could find a dinner in that way .

his ears are so wonderful that they can catch the faintest sound and tell exactly where it comes from .

so he uses that terrible hunting cry to frighten the little people and make them move .

now Whitefoot knew that he was safe .

Hooty couldn't possibly get at him , even should he find out that he was in there .

he just couldn't help it .

" he can't get me .

I know he can't get me .

I 'm perfectly safe .

I 'm just as safe as if he were miles away .

there 's nothing to be afraid of .

it is silly to be afraid .

probably Hooty doesn't even know I am inside here .

even if he does , it doesn't really matter . "

Whitefoot said these things to himself over and over again .

then Hooty would send out that fierce , terrible hunting call and Whitefoot would jump and shake just as before .

after awhile all was still .

gradually Whitefoot stopped trembling .

he guessed that Hooty had flown away .

still he remained right where he was for a very long time .

he didn't intend to foolishly take any chances .

so he waited and waited and waited .

at last he was sure that Hooty had left .

once more he climbed up to his little round doorway and there he waited some time before poking even his nose outside .

Whitefoot didn't go out that night at all .

it was a moonlight night and just the kind of a night to be out .

CHAPTER XXIV : Whitefoot The Wood Mouse Is Unhappy

unhappiness without a cause you never , never find ; It may be in the stomach , or it may be in the mind .

Whitefoot .

Whitefoot the Wood Mouse should have been happy , but he wasn't .

Winter had gone and sweet Mistress Spring had brought joy to all the Green Forest .

every one was happy , Whitefoot no less so than his neighbors at first .

up from the Sunny South came the feathered friends and at once began planning new homes .

Twitterings and songs filled the air .

joy was everywhere .

food became plentiful , and Whitefoot became sleek and fat .

that is , he became as fat as a lively Wood Mouse ever does become .

none of his enemies had discovered his new home , and he had little to worry about .

but by and by Whitefoot began to feel less joyous .

day by day he grew more and more unhappy .

he no longer took pleasure in his fine home .

he began to wander about for no particular reason .

he wandered much farther from home than he had ever been in the habit of doing .

at times he would sit and listen , but what he was listening for he didn't know .

" there is something the matter with me , and I don't know what it is , " said Whitefoot to himself forlornly .

" it can't be anything I have eaten .

I have nothing to worry about .

yet there is something wrong with me .

I 'm losing my appetite .

nothing tastes good any more .

I want something , but I don't know what it is I want . "

he tried to tell his troubles to his nearest neighbor , Timmy the Flying Squirrel , but Timmy was too busy to listen .

when Peter Rabbit happened along , Whitefoot tried to tell him .

but Peter himself was too happy and too eager to learn all the news in the Green Forest to listen .

no one had any interest in Whitefoot 's troubles .

every one was too busy with his own affairs .

the beautiful song of Melody the Wood Thrush somehow filled him with sadness instead of with the joy he had always felt before .

the very happiness of those about him seemed to make him more unhappy .

once he almost decided to go hunt for another home , but somehow he couldn't get interested even in this .

he did start out , but he had not gone far before he had forgotten all about what he had started for .

he was unhappy , was Whitefoot .

yes , sir , he was unhappy ; and for no cause at all so far as he could see .

CHAPTER XXV : Whitefoot Finds Out What The Matter Was

pity the lonely , for deep in the heart Is an ache that no doctor can heal by his art .

Whitefoot .

of all the little people of the Green Forest Whitefoot seemed to be the only one who was unhappy .

and because he didn't know why he felt so he became day by day more unhappy .

" there is something wrong , something wrong , " he would say over and over to himself .

" it must be with me , because everybody else is happy , and this is the happiest time of all the year .

I wish some one would tell me what ails me .

I want to be happy , but somehow I just can't be . "

one evening he wandered a little farther from home than usual .

he wasn't going anywhere in particular .

he had nothing in particular to do .

he was just wandering about because somehow he couldn't remain at home .

not far away Melody the Wood Thrush was pouring out his beautiful evening song .

Whitefoot stopped to listen .

somehow it made him more unhappy than ever .

melody stopped singing for a few moments .

it was just then that Whitefoot heard a faint sound .

it was a gentle drumming .

Whitefoot pricked up his ears and listened .

there it was again .

he knew instantly how that sound was made .

it was made by dainty little feet beating very fast on an old log .

Whitefoot had drummed that way himself many times .

it was soft , but clear , and it lasted only a moment .

right then something very strange happened to Whitefoot .

yes , sir , something very strange happened to Whitefoot .

all in a flash he felt better .

at first he didn't know why .

he just did , that was all .

without thinking what he was doing , he began to drum himself .

then he listened .

at first he heard nothing .

then , soft and low , came that drumming sound again .

Whitefoot replied to it .

all the time he kept feeling better .

he ran a little nearer to the place from which that drumming sound had come and then once more drummed .

at first he got no reply .

then in a few minutes he heard it again , only this time it came from a different place .

Whitefoot became quite excited .

" I have been lonely ! " exclaimed Whitefoot .

" that is all that has been the trouble with me .

I have been lonely and didn't know it .

I wonder if that other Wood Mouse has felt the same way . "

again he drummed and again came that soft reply .

once more Whitefoot hurried in the direction of it , and once more he was disappointed when the next reply came from a different place .

by now he was getting quite excited .

he was bound to find that other Wood Mouse .

every time he heard that drumming , funny little thrills ran all over him .

he didn't know why .

they just did , that was all .

he simply must find that other Wood Mouse .

he forgot everything else .

he didn't even notice where he was going .

he would drum , then wait for a reply .

as soon as he heard it , he would scamper in the direction of it , and then pause to drum again .

CHAPTER XXVI : Love Fills The Heart Of Whitefoot

Joyous all the winds that blow To the heart with love aglow .

Whitefoot .

it was a wonderful game of hide-and-seek that Whitefoot the Wood Mouse was playing in the dusk of early evening .

Whitefoot was " it " all the time .

that is , he was the one who had to do all the hunting .

Just who he was hunting for he didn't know .

he would drum with his feet and after a slight pause there would be an answering drum .

then Whitefoot would run as fast as he could in that direction only to find no one at all .

then he would drum again and the reply would come from another direction .

every moment Whitefoot became more excited .

he forgot everything , even danger , in his desire to see that little drummer .

once or twice he actually lost his temper in his disappointment .

but this was only for a moment .

he was too eager to find that little drummer to be angry very long .

at last there came a time when there was no reply to his drumming .

he drummed and listened , then drummed again and listened .

nothing was to be heard .

there was no reply .

Whitefoot 's heart sank .

all the old lonesomeness crept over him again .

he didn't know which way to turn to look for that stranger .

when he had drummed until he was tired , he sat on the end of an old log , a perfect picture of disappointment .

he was so disappointed that he could have cried if it would have done any good .

instantly Whitefoot was alert and watchful .

long ago he had learned to be suspicious of rustling leaves .

they might have been rustled by the feet of an enemy stealing up on him .

no Wood Mouse who wants to live long is ever heedless of rustling leaves .

as still as if he couldn't move , Whitefoot sat staring at the place from which that faint sound had seemed to come .

for two or three minutes he heard and saw nothing .

then another leaf rustled a little bit to one side .

Whitefoot turned like a flash , his feet gathered under him ready for a long jump for safety .

at first he saw nothing .

then he became aware of two bright , soft little eyes watching him .

he knew without being told that those eyes belonged to the little drummer with whom he had been playing hide and seek so long .

Whitefoot held his breath , he was so afraid that those eyes would vanish .

finally he rather timidly jumped down from the log and started toward those two soft eyes .

they vanished .

Whitefoot 's heart sank .

he was tempted to rush forward , but he didn't .

he sat still .

there was a slight rustle off to the right .

it seemed to Whitefoot that he was looking at the most beautiful Wood Mouse in all the Great World .

suddenly he felt very shy and timid himself .

" who who who are you ? " he stammered .

" I am little Miss Dainty , " replied the stranger bashfully .

right then and there Whitefoot 's heart was filled so full of something that it seemed as if it would burst .

it was love .

all in that instant he knew that he had found the most wonderful thing in all the Great World , which of course is love .

he knew that he just couldn't live without little Miss Dainty .

CHAPTER XXVII : Mr and Mrs. Whitefoot

when all is said and all is done ' Tis only love of two makes one .

Whitefoot .

it took Whitefoot a long time to make her believe that he really couldn't live without her .

at least , she pretended not to believe it .

if the truth were known , little Miss Dainty felt just the same way about Whitefoot .

secretly she thought Whitefoot the most wonderful Wood Mouse in the Great World , but she didn't tell him so .

the truth is , she made him feel as if she were doing him a great favor .

as for Whitefoot , he was so happy that he actually tried to sing .

yes , sir , Whitefoot tried to sing , and he really did very well for a Mouse .

he was ready and eager to do anything that Mrs Whitefoot wanted to do .

Whitefoot forgot that he had ever been sad and lonely .

he raced about and did all sorts of funny things from pure joy , but he never once forgot to watch out for danger .

in fact he was more watchful than ever , for now he was watching for Mrs Whitefoot as well as for himself .

at last Whitefoot rather timidly suggested that they should go see his fine home in a certain hollow stub .

Mrs Whitefoot insisted that they should go to her home .

Whitefoot agreed on condition that she would afterwards visit his home .

so together they went back to Mrs Whitefoot 's home .

but Mrs Whitefoot was very well satisfied with her old home and not at all anxious to leave it .

it was in an old hollow stump close to the ground .

it was just such a place as Shadow the Weasel would be sure to visit should he happen along that way .

it didn't seem at all safe to Whitefoot .

in fact it worried him .

then , too , it was not in such a pleasant place as was his own home .

of course he didn't say this , but pretended to admire everything .

two days and nights they spent there .

then Whitefoot suggested that they should visit his home .

Mrs Whitefoot didn't appear at all anxious to go .

she began to make excuses for staying right where they were .

you see , she had a great love for that old home .

they were sitting just outside the doorway talking about the matter when Whitefoot caught a glimpse of a swiftly moving form not far off .

it was Shadow the Weasel .

neither of them breathed .

Shadow passed without looking in their direction .

when he was out of sight , Mrs Whitefoot shivered .

" let's go over to your home right away , " she whispered .

" I 've never seen Shadow about here before , but now that he has been here once , he may come again . "

" we 'll start at once , " replied Whitefoot , and for once he was glad that Shadow the Weasel was about .

CHAPTER XVIII : Mrs Whitefoot Decides On A Home

when Mrs Mouse makes up her mind Then Mr Mouse best get behind .

Whitefoot .

Whitefoot the Wood Mouse was very proud of his home .

he showed it as he led Mrs Whitefoot there .

he felt sure that she would say at once that that would be the place for them to live .

you remember that it was high up in a tall , dead stub and had once been the home of Timmy the Flying Squirrel .

" there , my dear , what do you think of that ? " said Whitefoot proudly as they reached the little round doorway .

Mrs Whitefoot said nothing , but at once went inside .

she was gone what seemed a long time to Whitefoot , anxiously waiting outside .

you see , Mrs Whitefoot is a very thorough small person , and she was examining the inside of that house from top to bottom .

at last she appeared at the doorway .

" don't you think this is a splendid house ? " asked Whitefoot rather timidly .

" it is very good of its kind , " replied Mrs Whitefoot .

Whitefoot 's heart sank .

he didn't like the tone in which Mrs Whitefoot had said that .

" just what do you mean , my dear ? "

Whitefoot asked .

that is , it won't do for me .

besides , I don't like an inside house for summer .

I think , Whitefoot , we must look around and find a new home . "

as she spoke Mrs Whitefoot was already starting down the stub .

Whitefoot followed .

" all right , my dear , all right , " said he meekly .

" you know best .

this seems to me like a very fine home , but of course , if you don't like it we 'll look for another . "

Mrs Whitefoot said nothing , but led the way down the tree with Whitefoot meekly following .

then began a patient search all about .

Mrs Whitefoot appeared to know just what she wanted and turned up her nose at several places Whitefoot thought would make fine homes .

she hardly glanced at a fine hollow log Whitefoot found .

she merely poked her nose in at a splendid hole beneath the roots of an old stump .

Whitefoot began to grow tired from running about and climbing stumps and trees and bushes .

he stopped to rest and lost sight of Mrs Whitefoot .

a moment later he heard her calling excitedly .

it was a nest that had once belonged to Melody the Wood Thrush .

Mrs Whitefoot was sitting on the edge of it , and her bright eyes snapped with excitement and pleasure .

" I 've found it ! " she cried .

" I 've found it !

it is just what I have been looking for . "

" found what ? "

Whitefoot asked .

" I don't see anything but an old nest of Melody 's . "

" I 've found the home we 've been looking for , stupid , " retorted Mrs Whitefoot .

still Whitefoot stared .

" I don't see any house , " said he .

Mrs Whitefoot stamped her feet impatiently .

" right here , stupid , " said she .

" this old nest will make us the finest and safest home that ever was .

no one will ever think of looking for us here .

we must get busy at once and fix it up . "

even then Whitefoot didn't understand .

always he had lived either in a hole in the ground , or in a hollow stump or tree .

how they were to live in that old nest he couldn't see at all .

CHAPTER XXIX : making Over An Old House

a home is always what you make it .

with love there you will ne'er forsake it .

Whitefoot .

Whitefoot climbed up to the old nest of Melody the Wood Thrush over the edge of which little Mrs Whitefoot was looking down at him .

he found Mrs Whitefoot very much excited .

she was delighted with that old nest and she showed it .

for his part , Whitefoot couldn't see anything but a deserted old house of no use to any one .

to be sure , it had been a very good home in its time .

it had been made of tiny twigs , stalks of old weeds , leaves , little fine roots and mud .

it was still quite solid , and was firmly fixed in a crotch of the young tree .

but Whitefoot couldn't see how it could be turned into a home for a Mouse .

he said as much .

little Mrs Whitefoot became more excited than ever .

" you dear old stupid , " said she , " whatever is the matter with you ?

" I don't see why we don't make a new home altogether , " protested Whitefoot .

" it seems to me that hollow stub of mine is ever so much better than this .

that has good solid walls , and we won't have to do a thing to it . "

" it will be all right for winter , but winter is a long way off .

it may suit you for summer , but it doesn't suit me , and this place does .

so this is where we are going to live . "

" certainly , my dear .

certainly , " replied Whitefoot very meekly .

" if you want to live here , here we will live .

but I must confess it isn't clear to me yet how we are going to make a decent home out of this old nest . "

" don't you worry about that , " replied Mrs Whitefoot .

" you can get the material , and I 'll attend to the rest .

let us waste no time about it .

I am anxious to get our home finished and to feel a little bit settled .

I have already planned just what has got to be done and how we will do it .

just get busy and don't stop to talk . "

of course Whitefoot did as he was told .

he ran down to the ground and began to hunt for the things Mrs Whitefoot wanted .

he was very particular about it .

Mrs Whitefoot joined Whitefoot in hunting for just the right things , but she spent more time in arranging the material .

over that old nest she made a fine high roof .

down through the lower side she cut a little round doorway just big enough for them to pass through .

unless you happened to be underneath looking up , you never would have guessed there was an entrance at all .

Inside was a snug , round room , and in this she made the softest and most comfortable of beds .

" it certainly is going to be a fine home , " said Whitefoot .

" didn't I tell you it would be ? " retorted Mrs Whitefoot .

CHAPTER XXX : the Whitefoots Enjoy Their New Home

no home is ever mean or poor Where love awaits you at the door .

Whitefoot .

I don't think any water will get through it even in the hardest rain . "

" it is wonderful , " declared Whitefoot admiringly .

" wherever did you learn to build such a house as this ? "

" from my mother , " replied Mrs Whitefoot .

" I was born in just such a home .

it makes the finest kind of a home for Wood Mouse babies . "

" you don't think there is danger that the wind will blow it down , do you ? " ventured Whitefoot .

" of course I don't , " retorted little Mrs Whitefoot scornfully .

" hasn't this old nest remained right where it is for over a year ?

do credit me with a little sense , my dear . "

" yes 'm , I do , " replied Whitefoot meekly .

" you are the most sensible person in all the Great World .

I wasn't finding fault .

but if you say it is all right , why of course it is all right .

probably I will get used to it after awhile . "

Whitefoot did get used to it .

the fact is , he rather enjoyed it .

so Whitefoot and Mrs Whitefoot settled down to enjoy their new home .

now and then they added a bit to it here and there .

somehow Whitefoot felt unusually safe , safer than he had ever felt in any of his other homes .

you see , he had seen several feathered folk alight close to it and not give it a second look .

Whitefoot had chuckled .

he had chuckled long and heartily .

" if they make that mistake , " said he to himself , " everybody else is likely to make it .

it was only a day or two later that Buster Bear happened along that way .

now Buster is very fond of tender Wood Mouse .

he saw Buster glance up at the new home without the slightest interest in those shrewd little eyes of his .

then Buster shuffled on to roll over an old log and lick up the ants he found under it .

again Whitefoot chuckled .

" yes , sir , " said he .

" it is the safest home I ' ve ever had . "

life seemed more beautiful than it had ever been before .

and he almost forgot that there was such a thing as a hungry enemy .

CHAPTER XXXI : Whitefoot Is Hurt

the hurts that hardest are to bear Come from those for whom we care .

Whitefoot .

Whitefoot was hurt .

yes , sir , Whitefoot was hurt .

he was very much hurt .

it wasn't a bodily hurt ; it was an inside hurt .

it was a hurt that made his heart ache .

and to make it worse , he couldn't understand it at all .

one evening he had been met at the little round doorway by little Mrs Whitefoot .

" you can't come in , " said she .

" why can't I ? " demanded Whitefoot , in the greatest surprise .

" never mind why .

you can't , and that is all there is to it , " replied Mrs Whitefoot .

" you mean I can't ever come in any more ? " asked Whitefoot .

" I don't know about that , " replied Mrs Whitefoot , " but you can't come in now , nor for some time .

I think the best thing you can do is to go back to your old home in the hollow stub . "

Whitefoot stared at little Mrs Whitefoot quite as if he thought she had gone crazy .

then he lost his temper .

" I guess I 'll come in if I want to , " said he .

" this home is quite as much my home as it is yours .

you have no right to keep me out of it .

Just you get out of my way . "

but little Mrs Whitefoot didn't get out of his way , and do what he would , Whitefoot couldn't get in .

you see she quite filled that little round doorway .

finally , he had to give up trying .

three times he came back and each time he found little Mrs Whitefoot in the doorway .

and each time she drove him away .

finally , for lack of any other place to go to , he returned to his old home in the old stub .

once he had thought this the finest home possible , but now somehow it didn't suit him at all .

Whitefoot 's anger did not last long .

it was replaced by that hurt feeling .

several times he went back to see if Mrs Whitefoot felt any differently , but found she didn't .

finally she told him rather sharply to go away and stay away .

after that Whitefoot didn't venture over to the new home .

he would sometimes sit a short distance away and gaze at it longingly .

all the joy had gone out of the beautiful springtime for him .

he was quite as unhappy as he had been before he met little Mrs Whitefoot .

you see , he was even more lonely than he had been then .

and added to this loneliness was that hurt feeling , which made it ever and ever so much worse .

it was very hard to bear .

I don't understand why Mrs Whitefoot doesn't love me any more . "

CHAPTER XXXII : the Surprise

surprises sometimes are so great You 're tempted to believe in fate .

Whitefoot .

one never-to-be forgotten evening Whitefoot met Mrs Whitefoot and she invited him to come back to their home .

of course Whitefoot was delighted .

Whitefoot hesitated .

in the first place , it was dark in there .

in the second place , he had the feeling that somehow that little bedroom seemed crowded .

it hadn't been that way the last time he was there .

Mrs Whitefoot was right in front of him , and she seemed very much excited about something .

presently she crowded to one side .

" come here and look , " said she .

Whitefoot looked .

in the middle of a soft bed of moss was a squirming mass of legs and funny little heads .

at first that was all Whitefoot could make out .

" don't you think this is the most wonderful surprise that ever was ? " whispered little Mrs Whitefoot .

" aren't they darlings ?

aren't you proud of them ? "

by this time Whitefoot had made out that that squirming mass of legs and heads was composed of baby Mice .

he counted them .

there were four .

" whose are they , and what are they doing here ? "

Whitefoot asked in a queer voice .

" why , you old stupid , they are yours , yours and mine , " declared little Mrs Whitefoot .

" did you ever , ever see such beautiful babies ?

now I guess you understand why I kept you away from here . "

Whitefoot shook his head .

" no , " said he , " I don't understand at all .

I don't see yet what you drove me away for . "

it wouldn't have done to have had you running in and out and disturbing them when they were so tiny .

I had to be alone with them , and that is why I made you go off and live by yourself .

I am so proud of them , I don't know what to do .

aren't you proud , Whitefoot ?

aren't you the proudest Wood Mouse in all the Green Forest ? "

of course Whitefoot should have promptly said that he was , but the truth is , Whitefoot wasn't proud at all .

you see , he was so surprised that he hadn't yet had time to feel that they were really his .

in fact , just then he felt a wee bit jealous of them .

it came over him that they would take all the time and attention of little Mrs Whitefoot .

so Whitefoot didn't answer that question .

he simply sat and stared at those four squirming babies .

finally little Mrs Whitefoot gently pushed him out and followed him .

" of course , " said she , " there isn't room for you to stay here now .

you will have to sleep in your old home because there isn't room in here for both of us and the babies too . "

Whitefoot 's heart sank .

he had thought that he was to stay and that everything would be just as it had been before .

" can't I come over here any more ? " he asked rather timidly .

" what a foolish question ! " cried little Mrs Whitefoot .

" of course you can .

you will have to help take care of these babies .

why , they couldn't get along without you .

neither could I , " she added softly .

at that Whitefoot felt better .

and suddenly there was a queer swelling in his heart .

it was the beginning of pride , pride in those wonderful babies .

" you have given me the best surprise that ever was , my dear , " said Whitefoot softly .

" now I think I will go and look for some supper . "

so now we will leave Whitefoot and his family .

you see there are two very lively little people of the Green Forest who demand attention and insist on having it .

they are Buster Bear 's Twins , and this is to be the title of the next book .

End of Project Gutenberg 's Whitefoot the Wood Mouse , by Thornton W Burgess

produced by An Anonymous Volunteer and David Widger

ANNE OF AVONLEA

by Lucy Maud Montgomery

to

my former teacher HATTIE GORDON SMITH in grateful remembrance of her sympathy and encouragement .

WHITTIER

I

an Irate Neighbor

this pleasant vision was shattered by a most unpleasant interruption .

Mr Harrison was their new righthand neighbor and she had never met him before , although she had seen him once or twice .

Mrs Rachel was an outspoken lady , as those of you who may have already made her acquaintance will remember .

Mr Harrison was certainly different from other people . ..y ..y and that is the essential characteristic of a crank , as everybody knows .

in the first place he kept house for himself and had publicly stated that he wanted no fools of women around his diggings .

Feminine Avonlea took its revenge by the gruesome tales it related about his house-keeping and cooking .

he had hired little John Henry Carter of White Sands and John Henry started the stories .

for one thing , there was never any stated time for meals in the Harrison establishment .

as for washing dishes , Mr Harrison never made any pretence of doing it unless a rainy Sunday came .

then he went to work and washed them all at once in the rainwater hogshead , and left them to drain dry .

again , Mr Harrison was " close . "

I had to hold up my skirts as I walked across it . "

finally , Mr Harrison kept a parrot called Ginger .

nobody in Avonlea had ever kept a parrot before ; consequently that proceeding was considered barely respectable .

and such a parrot !

if you took John Henry Carter 's word for it , never was such an unholy bird .

it swore terribly .

Mrs Carter would have taken John Henry away at once if she had been sure she could get another place for him .

Mrs Carter showed everybody the mark when the luckless John Henry went home on Sundays .

all these things flashed through Anne 's mind as Mr Harrison stood , quite speechless with wrath apparently , before her .

all at once Mr Harrison found his voice .

" I 'm not going to put up with this , " he spluttered , " not a day longer , do you hear , miss .

bless my soul , this is the third time , miss . . . the third time !

Patience has ceased to be a virtue , miss .

that is what I 'm here about , miss . "

" will you explain what the trouble is ? " asked Anne , in her most dignified manner .

" Trouble , is it ?

bless my soul , trouble enough , I should think .

the trouble is , miss , that I found that Jersey cow of your aunt 's in my oats again , not half an hour ago .

the third time , mark you .

I found her in last Tuesday and I found her in yesterday .

I came here and told your aunt not to let it occur again .

she has let it occur again .

where 's your aunt , miss ?

Matthew gave her to me three years ago when she was a little calf and he bought her from Mr Bell . "

" sorry , miss !

Sorry isn't going to help matters any .

" my fence is all right , " snapped Mr Harrison , angrier than ever at this carrying of the war into the enemy 's country .

" the jail fence couldn't keep a demon of a cow like that out .

something at that moment was red besides Anne 's hair . ..y ..y which had always been a tender point with her .

" I 'd rather have red hair than none at all , except a little fringe round my ears , " she flashed .

the shot told , for Mr Harrison was really very sensitive about his bald head .

his anger choked him up again and he could only glare speechlessly at Anne , who recovered her temper and followed up her advantage .

" I can make allowance for you , Mr Harrison , because I have an imagination .

I promise you that Dolly shall never break into your oats again .

I give you my word of honor on THAT point . "

grievously disturbed in mind , Anne marched across the yard and shut the naughty Jersey up in the milking pen .

" she can't possibly get out of that unless she tears the fence down , " she reflected .

" she looks pretty quiet now .

I daresay she has sickened herself on those oats .

I believe it is true about Mr Harrison being a crank .

certainly there 's nothing of the kindred spirit about HIM . "

Anne had always a weather eye open for kindred spirits .

Marilla Cuthbert was driving into the yard as Anne returned from the house , and the latter flew to get tea ready .

they discussed the matter at the tea table .

" I 'll be glad when the auction is over , " said Marilla .

" it is too much responsibility having so much stock about the place and nobody but that unreliable Martin to look after them .

I don't know how many aunts he has got , I am sure .

that 's the fourth that 's died since he hired here a year ago .

I 'll be more than thankful when the crop is in and Mr Barry takes over the farm .

I declare , it is a world of trouble , as Rachel says .

here 's poor Mary Keith dying and what is to become of those two children of hers is more than I know .

she has a brother in British Columbia and she has written to him about them , but she hasn't heard from him yet . "

" what are the children like ?

how old are they ? "

" six past . ..y ..y they 're twins . "

" oh , I 've always been especially interested in twins ever since Mrs Hammond had so many , " said Anne eagerly .

" are they pretty ? "

" goodness , you couldn't tell . ..y ..y they were too dirty .

Davy had been out making mud pies and Dora went out to call him in .

Mary said Dora was really a very good child but that Davy was full of mischief .

he has never had any bringing up you might say .

his father died when he was a baby and Mary has been sick almost ever since . "

" I 'm always sorry for children that have no bringing up , " said Anne soberly .

" you know I hadn't any till you took me in hand .

I hope their uncle will look after them .

just what relation is Mrs Keith to you ? "

" Mary ?

none in the world .

it was her husband . ..y ..y he was our third cousin .

there 's Mrs Lynde coming through the yard .

I thought she 'd be up to hear about Mary . "

" don't tell her about Mr Harrison and the cow , " implored Anne .

Marilla promised ; but the promise was quite unnecessary , for Mrs Lynde was no sooner fairly seated than she said ,

" I saw Mr Harrison chasing your Jersey out of his oats today when I was coming home from Carmody .

I thought he looked pretty mad .

did he make much of a rumpus ? "

Anne and Marilla furtively exchanged amused smiles .

few things in Avonlea ever escaped Mrs Lynde .

it was only that morning Anne had said ,

" I believe he did , " admitted Marilla .

" I was away .

he gave Anne a piece of his mind . "

" I think he is a very disagreeable man , " said Anne , with a resentful toss of her ruddy head .

" you never said a truer word , " said Mrs Rachel solemnly .

" I knew there 'd be trouble when Robert Bell sold his place to a New Brunswick man , that 's what .

I don't know what Avonlea is coming to , with so many strange people rushing into it .

it 'll soon not be safe to go to sleep in our beds . "

" why , what other strangers are coming in ? " asked Marilla .

" haven't you heard ?

well , there 's a family of Donnells , for one thing .

they 've rented Peter Sloane 's old house .

Peter has hired the man to run his mill .

they belong down east and nobody knows anything about them .

then that shiftless Timothy Cotton family are going to move up from White Sands and they 'll simply be a burden on the public .

she washes her dishes SITTING DOWN .

Mrs George Pye has taken her husband 's orphan nephew , Anthony Pye .

he 'll be going to school to you , Anne , so you may expect trouble , that's what .

and you 'll have another strange pupil , too .

Paul Irving is coming from the States to live with his grandmother .

you remember his father , Marilla . . .

Stephen Irving , him that jilted Lavendar Lewis over at Grafton ? "

" I don't think he jilted her .

there was a quarrel . . .

I suppose there was blame on both sides . "

Stephen went off to the States and went into business with his uncle and married a Yankee .

he 's never been home since , though his mother has been up to see him once or twice .

his wife died two years ago and he 's sending the boy home to his mother for a spell .

he 's ten years old and I don't know if he 'll be a very desirable pupil .

you can never tell about those Yankees . "

they MIGHT be good people , of course ; but you were on the safe side in doubting it .

she had a special prejudice against " Yankees . "

Steve Irving was the nicest boy that was ever raised in these parts , though some people did call him proud .

I should think Mrs Irving would be very glad to have the child .

she has been very lonesome since her husband died . "

Mrs Rachel 's opinions concerning any person , place , or thing , were always warranted to wear .

" what 's this I hear about your going to start up a Village Improvement Society , Anne ? "

" I was just talking it over with some of the girls and boys at the last Debating Club , " said Anne , flushing .

" they thought it would be rather nice . ..y ..y and so do Mr and Mrs. Allan .

lots of villages have them now . "

" well , you 'll get into no end of hot water if you do .

better leave it alone , Anne , that's what .

people don't like being improved . "

" oh , we are not going to try to improve the PEOPLE .

it is Avonlea itself .

there are lots of things which might be done to make it prettier .

" it certainly would , " admitted Mrs Rachel .

" that old ruin has been an eyesore to the settlement for years .

but there , I know you 'll go ahead with it if you 've set your mind on it .

you were always one to carry a thing through somehow . "

something about the firm outlines of Anne 's lips told that Mrs Rachel was not far astray in this estimate .

Anne 's heart was bent on forming the Improvement Society .

as for what the " improvements " were to be , nobody had any very clear idea except Anne and Gilbert .

they had talked them over and planned them out until an ideal Avonlea existed in their minds , if nowhere else .

Mrs Rachel had still another item of news .

" they 've given the Carmody school to a Priscilla Grant .

didn't you go to Queen 's with a girl of that name , Anne ? "

" yes , indeed .

Priscilla to teach at Carmody !

II

selling in Haste and Repenting at Leisure

Anne drove over to Carmody on a shopping expedition the next afternoon and took Diana Barry with her .

father says we 'll never succeed in DOING that .

Levi Boulter is too mean to spend the time it would take . "

" we must do our best and be content to go slowly at first .

we can't expect to improve everything all at once .

we 'll have to educate public sentiment first , of course . "

" I thought of something last night that we could do , Anne .

you know that three-cornered piece of ground where the roads from Carmody and Newbridge and White Sands meet ?

" Splendid , " agreed Anne gaily .

" and have a rustic seat put under the birches .

and when spring comes we 'll have a flower-bed made in the middle of it and plant geraniums . "

" I begin to see what you mean by educating public sentiment , Anne .

there 's the old Boulter house now .

did you ever see such a rookery ?

and perched right close to the road too .

an old house with its windows gone always makes me think of something dead with its eyes picked out . "

" I think an old , deserted house is such a sad sight , " said Anne dreamily .

" it always seems to me to be thinking about its past and mourning for its old-time joys .

how lonely and sorrowful it must feel !

Diana shook her head .

" I never imagine things like that about places now , Anne .

don't you remember how cross mother and Marilla were when we imagined ghosts into the Haunted Wood ?

besides , those children aren't dead .

they 're all grown up and doing well . ..y ..y and one of them is a butcher .

and flowers and songs couldn't have ghosts anyhow . "

Anne smothered a little sigh .

she loved Diana dearly and they had always been good comrades .

but she had long ago learned that when she wandered into the realm of fancy she must go alone .

the way to it was by an enchanted path where not even her dearest might follow her .

but just as they turned into the Cuthbert lane Anne saw something that spoiled the beauty of the landscape for her .

Anne dropped the reins and stood up with a tightening of the lips that boded no good to the predatory quadruped .

" Anne , come back , " shrieked the latter , as soon as she found her voice .

" you 'll ruin your dress in that wet grain . ..y ..y ruin it .

she doesn't hear me !

well , she 'll never get that cow out by herself .

I must go and help her , of course . "

Anne was charging through the grain like a mad thing .

she could run faster than Anne , who was hampered by her clinging and drenched skirt , and soon overtook her .

behind them they left a trail that would break Mr Harrison 's heart when he should see it .

" Anne , for mercy 's sake , stop , " panted poor Diana .

" I 'm right out of breath and you are wet to the skin . "

" I must . ..y ..y get . . . that cow . . . out . . . before . . .

Mr Harrison . ..y ..y sees her , " gasped Anne .

but the Jersey cow appeared to see no good reason for being hustled out of her luscious browsing ground .

no sooner had the two breathless girls got near her than she turned and bolted squarely for the opposite corner of the field .

" head her off , " screamed Anne .

" run , Diana , run . "

Diana did run .

Anne tried to , and the wicked Jersey went around the field as if she were possessed .

privately , Diana thought she was .

it was fully ten minutes before they headed her off and drove her through the corner gap into the Cuthbert lane .

there is no denying that Anne was in anything but an angelic temper at that precise moment .

" I guess you 'd better have sold me that cow when I wanted to buy her last week , Anne , " chuckled Mr Shearer .

" I 'll sell her to you now , if you want her , " said her flushed and disheveled owner .

" you may have her this very minute . "

" done .

I 'll give you twenty for her as I offered before , and Jim here can drive her right over to Carmody .

she 'll go to town with the rest of the shipment this evening .

Mr Reed of Brighton wants a Jersey cow . "

" what will Marilla say ? " asked Diana .

" oh , she won't care .

Dolly was my own cow and it isn't likely she 'd bring more than twenty dollars at the auction .

well , it has taught me a lesson not to give my word of honor about cows .

a cow that could jump over or break through our milk-pen fence couldn't be trusted anywhere . "

" I suppose it 's just as well she 's gone , though you DO do things in a dreadful headlong fashion , Anne .

I don't see how she got out of the pen , though .

she must have broken some of the boards off . "

" I didn't think of looking , " said Anne , " but I 'll go and see now .

Martin has never come back yet .

perhaps some more of his aunts have died .

I think it 's something like Mr Peter Sloane and the octogenarians .

what is an octogenarian , Peter ? '

that 's the way with Martin 's aunts . "

" Martin 's just like all the rest of those French , " said Marilla in disgust .

" you can't depend on them for a day . "

Marilla was looking over Anne 's Carmody purchases when she heard a shrill shriek in the barnyard .

a minute later Anne dashed into the kitchen , wringing her hands .

" Anne Shirley , what 's the matter now ? "

" oh , Marilla , whatever shall I do ?

this is terrible .

and it 's all my fault .

oh , will I EVER learn to stop and reflect a little before doing reckless things ?

Mrs Lynde always told me I would do something dreadful some day , and now I 've done it ! "

" Anne , you are the most exasperating girl !

WHAT is it you've done ? "

" sold Mr Harrison 's Jersey cow . ..y ..y the one he bought from Mr Bell . ..y ..y to Mr Shearer !

Dolly is out in the milking pen this very minute . "

" Anne Shirley , are you dreaming ? "

" I only wish I were .

there 's no dream about it , though it 's very like a nightmare .

and Mr Harrison 's cow is in Charlottetown by this time .

what can I do ? "

" do ?

there 's nothing to do , child , except go and see Mr Harrison about it .

we can offer him our Jersey in exchange if he doesn't want to take the money .

she is just as good as his . "

" I 'm sure he 'll be awfully cross and disagreeable about it , though , " moaned Anne .

" I daresay he will .

he seems to be an irritable sort of a man .

I 'll go and explain to him if you like . "

" no , indeed , I 'm not as mean as that , " exclaimed Anne .

" this is all my fault and I 'm certainly not going to let you take my punishment .

I 'll go myself and I 'll go at once .

the sooner it 's over the better , for it will be terribly humiliating . "

Poor Anne got her hat and her twenty dollars and was passing out when she happened to glance through the open pantry door .

Anne had intended it for Friday evening , when the youth of Avonlea were to meet at Green Gables to organize the Improvement Society .

but what were they compared to the justly offended Mr Harrison ?

she would take it to Mr Harrison as a peace offering .

" I know now just how people feel who are being led to execution . "

III

Mr Harrison at Home

Mr Harrison 's house was an old-fashioned , low-eaved , whitewashed structure , set against a thick spruce grove .

Mr Harrison himself was sitting on his vineshaded veranda , in his shirt sleeves , enjoying his evening pipe .

when he realized who was coming up the path he sprang suddenly to his feet , bolted into the house , and shut the door .

this was merely the uncomfortable result of his surprise , mingled with a good deal of shame over his outburst of temper the day before .

but it nearly swept the remnant of her courage from Anne 's heart .

but Mr Harrison opened it , smiling sheepishly , and invited her to enter in a tone quite mild and friendly , if somewhat nervous .

no sooner had Anne seated herself than Ginger exclaimed ,

" bless my soul , what 's that redheaded snippet coming here for ? "

it would be hard to say whose face was the redder , Mr Harrison 's or Anne 's .

" don't you mind that parrot , " said Mr Harrison , casting a furious glance at Ginger .

" He's ..y ..y ..y he 's always talking nonsense .

I got him from my brother who was a sailor .

sailors don't always use the choicest language , and parrots are very imitative birds . "

" so I should think , " said poor Anne , the remembrance of her errand quelling her resentment .

she couldn't afford to snub Mr Harrison under the circumstances , that was certain .

nevertheless , the " redheaded snippet " was not quite so meek as she might otherwise have been .

" I 've come to confess something to you , Mr Harrison , " she said resolutely .

" It's ..y ..y ..y it 's about . . . that Jersey cow . "

" bless my soul , " exclaimed Mr Harrison nervously , " has she gone and broken into my oats again ?

well , never mind . ..y ..y never mind if she has .

it 's no difference . . . none at all , I . . .

I was too hasty yesterday , that 's a fact .

never mind if she has . "

" oh , if it were only that , " sighed Anne .

" but it 's ten times worse .

I don't . . . "

" bless my soul , do you mean to say she 's got into my wheat ? "

" no . ..y ..y no . ..y ..y not the wheat .

but . . . "

" then it 's the cabbages !

she 's broken into my cabbages that I was raising for Exhibition , hey ? "

" it 's NOT the cabbages , Mr Harrison .

I 'll tell you everything . ..y ..y that is what I came for but please don't interrupt me .

it makes me so nervous .

" I won't say another word , " said Mr Harrison , and he didn't .

but Ginger was not bound by any contract of silence and kept ejaculating , " Redheaded snippet " at intervals until Anne felt quite wild .

" I shut my Jersey cow up in our pen yesterday .

this morning I went to Carmody and when I came back I saw a Jersey cow in your oats .

Diana and I chased her out and you can't imagine what a hard time we had .

I was so dreadfully wet and tired and vexed and Mr Shearer came by that very minute and offered to buy the cow .

I sold her to him on the spot for twenty dollars .

it was wrong of me .

I should have waited and consulted Marilla , of course .

but I 'm dreadfully given to doing things without thinking everybody who knows me will tell you that .

Mr Shearer took the cow right away to ship her on the afternoon train . "

" Redheaded snippet , " quoted Ginger in a tone of profound contempt .

ginger shrieked , swore , and otherwise conducted himself in keeping with his reputation , but finding himself left alone , relapsed into sulky silence .

" excuse me and go on , " said Mr Harrison , sitting down again .

" my brother the sailor never taught that bird any manners . "

" I went home and after tea I went out to the milking pen .

Mr Harrison , " . . .

" I found my cow still shut up in the pen .

it was YOUR cow I had sold to Mr Shearer . "

" bless my soul , " exclaimed Mr Harrison , in blank amazement at this unlooked-for conclusion .

" what a VERY extraordinary thing ! "

" oh , it isn't in the least extraordinary that I should be getting myself and other people into scrapes , " said Anne mournfully .

" I 'm noted for that .

you might suppose I 'd have grown out of it by this time . . .

I 'll be seventeen next March . ..y ..y but it seems that I haven't .

Mr Harrison , is it too much to hope that you 'll forgive me ?

she 's a very good cow .

and I can't express how sorry I am for it all . "

" Tut , tut , " said Mr Harrison briskly , " don't say another word about it , miss .

it 's of no consequence . ..y ..y no consequence whatever .

accidents will happen .

I 'm too hasty myself sometimes , miss . . . far too hasty .

but I can't help speaking out just what I think and folks must take me as they find me .

if that cow had been in my cabbages now . ..y ..y but never mind , she wasn't , so it 's all right .

I think I 'd rather have your cow in exchange , since you want to be rid of her . "

" oh , thank you , Mr Harrison .

I 'm so glad you are not vexed .

I was afraid you would be . "

" and I suppose you were scared to death to come here and tell me , after the fuss I made yesterday , hey ?

" so is Mrs Lynde , " said Anne , before she could prevent herself .

" who ?

Mrs Lynde ?

don't you tell me I 'm like that old gossip , " said Mr Harrison irritably .

" I'm not . ..y ..y not a bit .

what have you got in that box ? "

" a cake , " said Anne archly .

in her relief at Mr Harrison 's unexpected amiability her spirits soared upward feather-light .

" I brought it over for you . . .

I thought perhaps you didn't have cake very often . "

" I don't , that 's a fact , and I 'm mighty fond of it , too .

I 'm much obliged to you .

it looks good on top .

I hope it 's good all the way through . "

" it is , " said Anne , gaily confident .

" I have made cakes in my time that were NOT , as Mrs Allan could tell you , but this one is all right .

I made it for the Improvement Society , but I can make another for them . "

" well , I 'll tell you what , miss , you must help me eat it .

I 'll put the kettle on and we 'll have a cup of tea .

how will that do ? "

" will you let me make the tea ? " said Anne dubiously .

Mr Harrison chuckled .

" I see you haven't much confidence in my ability to make tea .

you 're wrong . . .

I can brew up as good a jorum of tea as you ever drank .

but go ahead yourself .

fortunately it rained last Sunday , so there 's plenty of clean dishes . "

Anne hopped briskly up and went to work .

she washed the teapot in several waters before she put the tea to steep .

then she swept the stove and set the table , bringing the dishes out of the pantry .

the state of that pantry horrified Anne , but she wisely said nothing .

Mr Harrison told her where to find the bread and butter and a can of peaches .

Anne adorned the table with a bouquet from the garden and shut her eyes to the stains on the tablecloth .

she could hardly believe the evidence of her senses .

but Ginger 's feelings had been grievously hurt and he rejected all overtures of friendship .

he sat moodily on his perch and ruffled his feathers up until he looked like a mere ball of green and gold .

" my brother the sailor named him .

maybe it had some reference to his temper .

I think a lot of that bird though . ..y ..y you 'd be surprised if you knew how much .

he has his faults of course .

that bird has cost me a good deal one way and another .

some people object to his swearing habits but he can't be broken of them .

I 've tried . ..y ..y other people have tried .

some folks have prejudices against parrots .

Silly , ain't it ?

I like them myself .

Ginger 's a lot of company to me .

nothing would induce me to give that bird up . ..y ..y nothing in the world , miss . "

Mr Harrison found out about the Improvement Society and was disposed to approve of it .

" that 's right .

go ahead .

there 's lots of room for improvement in this settlement . . . and in the people too . "

" oh , I don't know , " flashed Anne .

but to hear a practical outsider like Mr Harrison saying it was an entirely different thing .

" I think Avonlea is a lovely place ; and the people in it are very nice , too . "

" I guess you 've got a spice of temper , " commented Mr Harrison , surveying the flushed cheeks and indignant eyes opposite him .

" it goes with hair like yours , I reckon .

" I like it all the better for them , " said loyal Anne .

" I don't like places or people either that haven't any faults .

I think a truly perfect person would be very uninteresting .

Mrs Milton White says she never met a perfect person , but she 's heard enough about one . ..y ..y her husband 's first wife .

don't you think it must be very uncomfortable to be married to a man whose first wife was perfect ? "

" it would be more uncomfortable to be married to the perfect wife , " declared Mr Harrison , with a sudden and inexplicable warmth .

" you might run across and talk to me once in a while , " suggested Mr Harrison when she was leaving .

" ' Tisn't far and folks ought to be neighborly .

I 'm kind of interested in that society of yours .

seems to me there'll be some fun in it .

who are you going to tackle first ? "

she rather suspected that Mr Harrison was making fun of the project .

" Redheaded snippet , " croaked Ginger mockingly .

Mr Harrison shook his fist at the parrot .

" you ornery bird , " he muttered , " I almost wish I 'd wrung your neck when my brother the sailor brought you home .

will you never be done getting me into trouble ? "

" it 's a pretty good world , after all , isn't it , Marilla ? " concluded Anne happily .

" Mrs Lynde was complaining the other day that it wasn't much of a world .

she said whenever you looked forward to anything pleasant you were sure to be more or less disappointed . ..y ..y perhaps that is true .

but there is a good side to it too .

but all the same , Marilla , I shall certainly never again sell a cow before making sure to whom she belongs .

and I do NOT like parrots ! "

IV

different Opinions

Jane would go to Newbridge and Gilbert to White Sands .

" you both have the advantage of me , " sighed Anne .

but I don't believe a teacher should be cross .

oh , it seems to me such a responsibility ! "

" I guess we 'll get on all right , " said Jane comfortably .

Jane was not troubled by any aspirations to be an influence for good .

she meant to earn her salary fairly , please the trustees , and get her name on the School Inspector 's roll of honor .

further ambitions Jane had none .

" the main thing will be to keep order and a teacher has to be a little cross to do that .

if my pupils won't do as I tell them I shall punish them . "

" how ? "

" give them a good whipping , of course . "

" oh , Jane , you wouldn't , " cried Anne , shocked .

" Jane , you COULDN'T ! "

" indeed , I could and would , if they deserved it , " said Jane decidedly .

" I could NEVER whip a child , " said Anne with equal decision .

" I don't believe in it AT ALL .

no , if I can't get along without whipping I shall not try to teach school .

there are better ways of managing .

I shall try to win my pupils ' affections and then they will WANT to do what I tell them . "

" but suppose they don't ? " said practical Jane .

" I wouldn't whip them anyhow .

I 'm sure it wouldn't do any good .

oh , don't whip your pupils , Jane dear , no matter what they do . "

" what do you think about it , Gilbert ? " demanded Jane .

" don't you think there are some children who really need a whipping now and then ? "

" don't you think it 's a cruel , barbarous thing to whip a child . . .

ANY child ? " exclaimed Anne , her face flushing with earnestness .

I don't believe in whipping children MUCH .

corporal punishment as a last resort is to be my rule . "

Gilbert , having tried to please both sides , succeeded , as is usual and eminently right , in pleasing neither .

Jane tossed her head .

" I 'll whip my pupils when they 're naughty .

it 's the shortest and easiest way of convincing them . "

Anne gave Gilbert a disappointed glance .

" I shall never whip a child , " she repeated firmly .

" I feel sure it isn't either right or necessary . "

" suppose a boy sauced you back when you told him to do something ? " said Jane .

" I 'd keep him in after school and talk kindly and firmly to him , " said Anne .

" there is some good in every person if you can find it .

it is a teacher 's duty to find and develop it .

that is what our School Management professor at Queen 's told us , you know .

do you suppose you could find any good in a child by whipping him ?

it 's far more important to influence the children aright than it is even to teach them the three R's , Professor Rennie says . "

" wouldn't you punish children at all , when they misbehaved ? " asked Gilbert .

" oh , yes , I suppose I shall have to , although I know I 'll hate to do it .

but you can keep them in at recess or stand them on the floor or give them lines to write . "

" I suppose you won't punish the girls by making them sit with the boys ? " said Jane slyly .

Gilbert and Anne looked at each other and smiled rather foolishly .

once upon a time , Anne had been made to sit with Gilbert for punishment and sad and bitter had been the consequences thereof .

" well , time will tell which is the best way , " said Jane philosophically as they parted .

when she reached the yard at Green Gables Mrs Lynde 's loud , decided tones floated out through the open kitchen window .

her advice is much like pepper , I think . ..y ..y excellent in small quantities but rather scorching in her doses .

I 'll run over and have a chat with Mr Harrison instead . "

this was not the first time Anne had run over and chatted with Mr Harrison since the notable affair of the Jersey cow .

ginger still continued to regard her with suspicion , and never failed to greet her sarcastically as " redheaded snippet . "

Mr Harrison had tried vainly to break him of the habit by jumping excitedly up whenever he saw Anne coming and exclaiming ,

" bless my soul , here 's that pretty little girl again , " or something equally flattering .

but Ginger saw through the scheme and scorned it .

Anne was never to know how many compliments Mr Harrison paid her behind her back .

he certainly never paid her any to her face .

" no , indeed , " said Anne indignantly .

she was an excellent target for teasing because she always took things so seriously .

" I shall never have a switch in my school , Mr Harrison .

of course , I shall have to have a pointer , but I shall use it for pointing ONLY . "

" so you mean to strap them instead ?

well , I don't know but you 're right .

a switch stings more at the time but the strap smarts longer , that 's a fact . "

" I shall not use anything of the sort .

I 'm not going to whip my pupils . "

" bless my soul , " exclaimed Mr Harrison in genuine astonishment , " how do you lay out to keep order then ? "

" I shall govern by affection , Mr Harrison . "

" it won't do , " said Mr Harrison , " won't do at all , Anne .

' Spare the rod and spoil the child . '

" methods have changed since your schooldays , Mr Harrison . "

" but human nature hasn't .

mark my words , you 'll never manage the young fry unless you keep a rod in pickle for them .

the thing is impossible . "

" you 're pretty stubborn , I reckon , " was Mr Harrison 's way of putting it .

" well , well , we 'll see .

you 're too young to be teaching anyhow . ..y ..y far too young and childish . "

altogether , Anne went to bed that night in a rather pessimistic mood .

Anne sipped it patiently , although she could not imagine what good ginger tea would do .

had it been some magic brew , potent to confer age and experience , Anne would have swallowed a quart of it without flinching .

" Marilla , what if I fail ! "

" you 'll hardly fail completely in one day and there 's plenty more days coming , " said Marilla .

V

a Full-fledged Schoolma'am

she had sat up until nearly twelve the preceding night composing a speech she meant to make to her pupils upon opening the school .

she had revised and improved it painstakingly , and then she had learned it off by heart .

it was a very good speech and had some very fine ideas in it , especially about mutual help and earnest striving after knowledge .

the only trouble was that she could not now remember a word of it .

while the children read their verses Anne marshalled her shaky wits into order and looked over the array of little pilgrims to the Grownup Land .

most of them were , of course , quite well known to her .

Anne secretly felt more interest in these ten than in those whose possibilities were already fairly well mapped out to her .

it was a thrilling idea .

sitting by himself at a corner desk was Anthony Pye .

he had a dark , sullen little face , and was staring at Anne with a hostile expression in his black eyes .

Anne instantly made up her mind that she would win that boy 's affection and discomfit the Pyes utterly .

Anne wondered what sort of mother the child had , to send her to school dressed as she was .

she wore a faded pink silk dress , trimmed with a great deal of cotton lace , soiled white kid slippers , and silk stockings .

her sandy hair was tortured into innumerable kinky and unnatural curls , surmounted by a flamboyant bow of pink ribbon bigger than her head .

judging from her expression she was very well satisfied with herself .

she knew Paul was ten but he looked no more than eight .

with a quick interchange of smiles Anne and Paul were fast friends forever before a word had passed between them .

the day went by like a dream .

Anne could never clearly recall it afterwards .

it almost seemed as if it were not she who was teaching but somebody else .

she heard classes and worked sums and set copies mechanically .

the children behaved quite well ; only two cases of discipline occurred .

Morley Andrews was caught driving a pair of trained crickets in the aisle .

Anne stood Morley on the platform for an hour and ..y ..y ..y which Morley felt much more keenly . ..y ..y confiscated his crickets .

the other culprit was Anthony Pye , who poured the last drops of water from his slate bottle down the back of Aurelia Clay 's neck .

she wanted all her boys to be gentlemen , she said .

her little lecture was quite kind and touching ; but unfortunately Anthony remained absolutely untouched .

he listened to her in silence , with the same sullen expression , and whistled scornfully as he went out .

when school was dismissed and the children had gone Anne dropped wearily into her chair .

her head ached and she felt woefully discouraged .

and how terrible it would be to be doing something you didn't like every day for ..y ..y ..y well , say forty years .

" she looked like a head-on collision between a fashion plate and a nightmare . "

her head was surmounted by a huge white chiffon hat , bedecked with three long but rather stringy ostrich feathers .

she wore all the jewelry that could be crowded on one small woman , and a very strong odor of perfume attended her .

" I am Mrs DonNELL . . .

it annoyed me EXCESSIVELY . "

" I 'm sorry , " faltered Anne , vainly trying to recollect any incident of the morning connected with the Donnell children .

" Clarice Almira told me that you pronounced our name DONnell .

now , Miss Shirley , the correct pronunciation of our name is DonNELL . ..y ..y accent on the last syllable .

I hope you 'll remember this in future . "

" I 'll try to , " gasped Anne , choking back a wild desire to laugh .

" certainly it is .

and Clarice Almira also informed me that you call my son Jacob . "

" he told me his name was Jacob , " protested Anne .

" that boy has such plebeian tastes , Miss Shirley .

when he was born I wanted to call him St Clair . ..y ..y it sounds SO aristocratic , doesn't it ?

but his father insisted he should be called Jacob after his uncle .

I yielded , because Uncle Jacob was a rich old bachelor .

and what do you think , Miss Shirley ?

when our innocent boy was five years old Uncle Jacob actually went and got married and now he has three boys of his own .

did you ever hear of such ingratitude ?

from that day I called my son St . Clair and St Clair I am determined he shall be called .

his father obstinately continues to call him Jacob , and the boy himself has a perfectly unaccountable preference for the vulgar name .

but St Clair he is and St Clair he shall remain .

you will kindly remember this , Miss Shirley , will you not ?

THANK you .

I told Clarice Almira that I was sure it was only a misunderstanding and that a word would set it right .

Donnell . ..y ..y accent on the last syllable . ..y ..y and St Clair . ..y ..y on no account Jacob .

you 'll remember ?

THANK you . "

when Mrs H B DonNELL had skimmed away Anne locked the school door and went home .

at the foot of the hill she found Paul Irving by the Birch Path .

he held out to her a cluster of the dainty little wild orchids which Avonlea children called " rice lillies . "

" I like you , teacher . "

" you darling , " said Anne , taking the fragrant spikes .

she went through the Birch Path light-footedly , attended by the sweetness of her orchids as by a benediction .

" well , how did you get along ? "

Marilla wanted to know .

" ask me that a month later and I may be able to tell you .

I can't now . . .

I don't know myself . . .

I 'm too near it .

my thoughts feel as if they had been all stirred up until they were thick and muddy .

isn't it something to have started a soul along a path that may end in Shakespeare and Paradise Lost ? "

Mrs Lynde came up later on with more encouragement .

that good lady had waylaid the schoolchildren at her gate and demanded of them how they liked their new teacher .

" and every one of them said they liked you splendid , Anne , except Anthony Pye .

I must admit he didn't .

he said you ' weren't any good , just like all girl teachers . '

there 's the Pye leaven for you .

but never mind . "

" I 'm not going to mind , " said Anne quietly , " and I 'm going to make Anthony Pye like me yet .

patience and kindness will surely win him . "

" well , you can never tell about a Pye , " said Mrs Rachel cautiously .

" they go by contraries , like dreams , often as not .

as for that DonNELL woman , she 'll get no DonNELLing from me , I can assure you .

the name is DONnell and always has been .

the woman is crazy , that's what .

I 'd be afraid of a judgment if I was her .

VI

all Sorts and Conditions of Men . ..y ..y and women

" the air has magic in it .

look at the purple in the cup of the harvest valley , Diana .

and oh , do smell the dying fir !

it 's coming up from that little sunny hollow where Mr Eben Wright has been cutting fence poles .

Bliss is it on such a day to be alive ; but to smell dying fir is very heaven .

that 's two thirds Wordsworth and one third Anne Shirley .

it doesn't seem possible that there should be dying fir in heaven , does it ?

perhaps we 'll have the odor there without the death .

yes , I think that will be the way .

that delicious aroma must be the souls of the firs . ..y ..y and of course it will be just souls in heaven . "

" trees haven't souls , " said practical Diana , " but the smell of dead fir is certainly lovely .

I 'm going to make a cushion and fill it with fir needles .

you 'd better make one too , Anne . "

" I think I shall . ..y ..y and use it for my naps .

I 'd be certain to dream I was a dryad or a woodnymph then .

" it 's a lovely day but we have anything but a lovely task before us , " sighed Diana .

" why on earth did you offer to canvass this road , Anne ?

almost all the cranks in Avonlea live along it , and we 'll probably be treated as if we were begging for ourselves .

it 's the very worst road of all . "

" that is why I chose it .

of course Gilbert and Fred would have taken this road if we had asked them .

I 'm sorry on your account ; but you needn't say a word at the cranky places .

I 'll do all the talking . . .

Mrs Lynde would say I was well able to .

Mrs Lynde doesn't know whether to approve of our enterprise or not .

so she is halting between two opinions and only success will justify us in Mrs Lynde 's eyes .

I shall never forget the thrill it gave me when I found out that Mrs Charlotte E Morgan was Priscilla 's aunt .

it seemed so wonderful that I was a friend of the girl whose aunt wrote ' Edgewood Days ' and ' The Rosebud Garden . ' "

" where does Mrs Morgan live ? "

" In Toronto .

that seems almost too good to be true but it 's something pleasant to imagine after you go to bed . "

the Avonlea Village Improvement Society was an organized fact .

Gilbert Blythe was president , Fred Wright vice-president , Anne Shirley secretary , and Diana Barry treasurer .

the " Improvers , " as they were promptly christened , were to meet once a fortnight at the homes of the members .

Mr Elisha Wright was reported to have said that a more appropriate name for the organization would be Courting Club .

Mrs Hiram Sloane declared she had heard the Improvers meant to plough up all the roadsides and set them out with geraniums .

Mr James Spencer sent them word that he wished they would kindly shovel down the church hill .

Eben Wright told Anne that he wished the Improvers could induce old Josiah Sloane to keep his whiskers trimmed .

Gilbert put the motion , it was carried unanimously , and Anne gravely recorded it in her minutes .

the committee chose their routes in private conclave .

the next Saturday Anne and Diana started out .

they drove to the end of the road and canvassed homeward , calling first on the " Andrew girls . "

" if Catherine is alone we may get something , " said Diana , " but if Eliza is there we won't . "

Eliza was there . ..y ..y very much so . . . and looked even grimmer than usual .

the Andrew girls had been " girls " for fifty odd years and seemed likely to remain girls to the end of their earthly pilgrimage .

they lived in a little brown house built in a sunny corner scooped out of Mark Andrew 's beech woods .

Eliza complained that it was terrible hot in summer , but Catherine was wont to say it was lovely and warm in winter .

Eliza was sewing patchwork , not because it was needed but simply as a protest against the frivolous lace Catherine was crocheting .

Eliza listened with a frown and Catherine with a smile , as the girls explained their errand .

to be sure , whenever Catherine caught Eliza 's eye she discarded the smile in guilty confusion ; but it crept back the next moment .

" oh , Eliza , young folks must have some amusement , " protested Catherine .

" I don't see the necessity .

we didn't gad about to halls and places when we were young , Catherine Andrews .

this world is getting worse every day . "

" I think it 's getting better , " said Catherine firmly .

" YOU think ! "

Miss Eliza 's voice expressed the utmost contempt .

" it doesn't signify what you THINK , Catherine Andrews .

facts is facts . "

" well , I always like to look on the bright side , Eliza . "

" there isn't any bright side . "

" oh , indeed there is , " cried Anne , who couldn't endure such heresy in silence .

" why , there are ever so many bright sides , Miss Andrews .

it 's really a beautiful world . "

how is your mother , Diana ?

dear me , but she has failed of late .

she looks terrible run down .

and how long is it before Marilla expects to be stone blind , Anne ? "

" the doctor thinks her eyes will not get any worse if she is very careful , " faltered Anne .

Eliza shook her head .

" doctors always talk like that just to keep people cheered up .

I wouldn't have much hope if I was her .

it 's best to be prepared for the worst . "

" but oughtn't we be prepared for the best too ? " pleaded Anne .

" it 's just as likely to happen as the worst . "

" not in my experience , and I 've fifty-seven years to set against your sixteen , " retorted Eliza .

" going , are you ?

Anne and Diana got themselves thankfully out , and drove away as fast as the fat pony could go .

as they rounded the curve below the beech wood a plump figure came speeding over Mr Andrews ' pasture , waving to them excitedly .

" that 's my contribution to painting the hall , " she gasped .

I 'm real interested in your society and I believe you 're going to do a lot of good .

I 'm an optimist .

I HAVE to be , living with Eliza .

I must hurry back before she misses me . ..y ..y she thinks I 'm feeding the hens .

I hope you 'll have good luck canvassing , and don't be cast down over what Eliza said .

the world IS getting better . ..y ..y it certainly is . "

the next house was Daniel Blair 's .

" if she is we won't get a cent .

she says she has to be just before she 's generous .

but Mrs Lynde says she 's so much ' before ' that generosity never catches up with her at all . "

Anne related their experience at the Blair place to Marilla that evening .

" we tied the horse and then rapped at the kitchen door .

nobody came but the door was open and we could hear somebody in the pantry , going on dreadfully .

we couldn't make out the words but Diana says she knows they were swearing by the sound of them .

we begged him not to mention it and went in and sat down .

' I 'm a little busy . ..y ..y getting ready to bake a cake as it were .

she writ out the recipe and told me what to do but I 've clean forgot half the directions already .

and it says , ' flavor according to taste . '

what does that mean ?

how can you tell ?

and what if my taste doesn't happen to be other people 's taste ?

would a tablespoon of vanilla be enough for a small layer cake ? "

" I felt sorrier than ever for the poor man .

he didn't seem to be in his proper sphere at all .

I had heard of henpecked husbands and now I felt that I saw one .

but I suddenly thought it wouldn't be neighborly to drive too sharp a bargain with a fellow creature in distress .

so I offered to mix the cake for him without any conditions at all .

he just jumped at my offer .

he got me another apron , and Diana beat the eggs and I mixed the cake .

Mr Blair ran about and got us the materials .

so you see we were rewarded .

but even if he hadn't given a cent I 'd always feel that we had done a truly Christian act in helping him . "

Theodore White 's was the next stopping place .

should they go to the back or front door ?

while they held a whispered consultation Mrs Theodore appeared at the front door with an armful of newspapers .

" will you please wipe your feet carefully on the grass and then walk on these papers ? " she said anxiously .

" I 've just swept the house all over and I can't have any more dust tracked in .

the path 's been real muddy since the rain yesterday . "

" don't you dare laugh , " warned Anne in a whisper , as they marched along the newspapers .

the papers extended across the hall and into a prim , fleckless parlor .

Anne and Diana sat down gingerly on the nearest chairs and explained their errand .

" I am glad she has no children , " said Anne solemnly .

" it would be dreadful beyond words for them if she had . "

at the Spencers ' Mrs Isabella Spencer made them miserable by saying something ill-natured about everyone in Avonlea .

their worst reception , however , was at Simon Fletcher 's .

when they drove into the yard they saw two faces peering at them through the porch window .

but although they rapped and waited patiently and persistently nobody came to the door .

two decidedly ruffled and indignant girls drove away from Simon Fletcher 's .

Even Anne admitted that she was beginning to feel discouraged .

but the tide turned after that .

their last place of call was at Robert Dickson 's by the pond bridge .

while they were there old Mrs James White called in .

" I 've just been down to Lorenzo 's , " she announced .

" he 's the proudest man in Avonlea this minute .

what do you think ?

there 's a brand new boy there . ..y ..y and after seven girls that 's quite an event , I can tell you . "

Anne pricked up her ears , and when they drove away she said .

" I 'm going straight to Lorenzo White 's . "

" but he lives on the White Sands road and it 's quite a distance out of our way , " protested Diana .

" Gilbert and Fred will canvass him . "

" they are not going around until next Saturday and it will be too late by then , " said Anne firmly .

" the novelty will be worn off .

Lorenzo White is dreadfully mean but he will subscribe to ANYTHING just now .

we mustn't let such a golden opportunity slip , Diana . "

the result justified Anne 's foresight .

Mr White met them in the yard , beaming like the sun upon an Easter day .

when Anne asked for a subscription he agreed enthusiastically .

" certain , certain .

just put me down for a dollar more than the highest subscription you 've got . "

" that will be five dollars . . .

Mr Daniel Blair put down four , " said Anne , half afraid .

but Lorenzo did not flinch .

" five it is . ..y ..y and here 's the money on the spot .

now , I want you to come into the house .

there 's something in there worth seeing . ..y ..y something very few people have seen as yet .

just come in and pass YOUR opinion . "

" what will we say if the baby isn't pretty ? " whispered Diana in trepidation as they followed the excited Lorenzo into the house .

" oh , there will certainly be something else nice to say about it , " said Anne easily .

" there always is about a baby . "

but that was the first , last , and only time that Lorenzo White ever subscribed to anything .

Mr Harrison , however , flatly refused to subscribe a cent , and all Anne 's wiles were in vain .

" but I thought you approved of our society , Mr Harrison , " she mourned .

VII

the Pointing of Duty

Anne leaned back in her chair one mild October evening and sighed .

" what is the matter ? " asked Gilbert , who had arrived at the open kitchen door just in time to hear the sigh .

Anne colored , and thrust her writing out of sight under some school compositions .

" nothing very dreadful .

they seem so still and foolish directly they 're written down on white paper with black ink .

fancies are like shadows . ..y ..y you can't cage them , they 're such wayward , dancing things .

but perhaps I 'll learn the secret some day if I keep on trying .

I haven't a great many spare moments , you know .

by the time I finish correcting school exercises and compositions , I don't always feel like writing any of my own . "

" you are getting on splendidly in school , Anne .

all the children like you , " said Gilbert , sitting down on the stone step .

" no , not all .

Anthony Pye doesn't and WON'T like me .

what is worse , he doesn't respect me . ..y ..y no , he doesn't .

he simply holds me in contempt and I don't mind confessing to you that it worries me miserably .

it isn't that he is so very bad . ..y ..y he is only rather mischievous , but no worse than some of the others .

I 've tried every way to win him but I 'm beginning to fear I never shall .

" probably it 's merely the effect of what he hears at home . "

" not altogether .

Anthony is an independent little chap and makes up his own mind about things .

he has always gone to men before and he says girl teachers are no good .

well , we 'll see what patience and kindness will do .

I like overcoming difficulties and teaching is really very interesting work .

Paul Irving makes up for all that is lacking in the others .

that child is a perfect darling , Gilbert , and a genius into the bargain .

I 'm persuaded the world will hear of him some day , " concluded Anne in a tone of conviction .

" I like teaching , too , " said Gilbert .

" it 's good training , for one thing .

we all seem to be getting on pretty well .

why is it that they never seem to think it a duty to tell you the pleasant things they hear about you ?

if Prillie would spend less time making eyes at the boys over her slate she might do better .

I feel quite sure that Jack Gillis works her class sums for her , though I 've never been able to catch him red-handed . "

" have you succeeded in reconciling Mrs DonNELL 's hopeful son to his saintly name ? "

" yes , " laughed Anne , " but it was really a difficult task .

so I kept him in after school one night and talked kindly to him .

I told him his mother wished me to call him St Clair and I couldn't go against her wishes .

of course , I had to rebuke him again for using such shocking language .

since then I call him St Clair and the boys call him Jake and all goes smoothly .

Gilbert had finally made up his mind that he was going to be a doctor .

" it 's a splendid profession , " he said enthusiastically .

it seems to me that is the only way a fellow can get square with his obligations to the race . "

" I 'd like to add some beauty to life , " said Anne dreamily .

" I think you 're fulfilling that ambition every day , " said Gilbert admiringly .

and he was right .

Anne was one of the children of light by birthright .

finally Gilbert rose regretfully .

" well , I must run up to MacPhersons ' .

Moody Spurgeon came home from Queen 's today for Sunday and he was to bring me out a book Professor Boyd is lending me . "

" and I must get Marilla 's tea .

she went to see Mrs Keith this evening and she will soon be back . "

but Marilla sank into her chair with a deep sigh .

" are your eyes troubling you ?

does your head ache ? " queried Anne anxiously .

" no .

I 'm only tired . . . and worried .

it 's about Mary and those children . . .

Mary is worse . ..y ..y she can't last much longer .

and as for the twins , I don't know what is to become of them . "

" hasn't their uncle been heard from ? "

" yes , Mary had a letter from him .

he 's working in a lumber camp and ' shacking it , ' whatever that means .

anyway , he says he can't possibly take the children till the spring .

she says she can't bear to ask any of them .

Mary never got on any too well with the East Grafton people and that 's a fact .

" oh ! "

Anne clasped her hands , all athrill with excitement .

" and of course you will , Marilla , won't you ? "

" I haven't made up my mind , " said Marilla rather tartly .

" I don't rush into things in your headlong way , Anne .

third cousinship is a pretty slim claim .

and it will be a fearful responsibility to have two children of six years to look after . . . twins , at that . "

Marilla had an idea that twins were just twice as bad as single children .

" twins are very interesting . ..y ..y at least one pair of them , " said Anne .

" it 's only when there are two or three pairs that it gets monotonous .

and I think it would be real nice for you to have something to amuse you when I 'm away in school . "

" I don't reckon there 'd be much amusement in it . ..y ..y more worry and bother than anything else , I should say .

it wouldn't be so risky if they were even as old as you were when I took you .

I wouldn't mind Dora so much . ..y ..y she seems good and quiet .

but that Davy is a limb . "

Anne was fond of children and her heart yearned over the Keith twins .

the remembrance of her own neglected childhood was very vivid with her still .

" if Davy is naughty it 's all the more reason why he should have good training , isn't it , Marilla ?

if we don't take them we don't know who will , nor what kind of influences may surround them .

suppose Mrs Keith 's next door neighbors , the Sprotts , were to take them .

Mrs Lynde says Henry Sprott is the most profane man that ever lived and you can't believe a word his children say .

wouldn't it be dreadful to have the twins learn anything like that ?

or suppose they went to the Wiggins ' .

Mrs Lynde says that Mr Wiggins sells everything off the place that can be sold and brings his family up on skim milk .

you wouldn't like your relations to be starved , even if they were only third cousins , would you ?

it seems to me , Marilla , that it is our duty to take them . "

" I suppose it is , " assented Marilla gloomily .

" I daresay I 'll tell Mary I 'll take them .

you needn't look so delighted , Anne .

it will mean a good deal of extra work for you .

I can't sew a stitch on account of my eyes , so you 'll have to see to the making and mending of their clothes .

and you don't like sewing . "

it does people good to have to do things they don't like . ..y ..y in moderation . "

VIII

Marilla Adopts Twins

but that had been in springtime ; and this was late autumn , and all the woods were leafless and the fields sere and brown .

Mrs Rachel peered at it eagerly .

" there 's Marilla getting home from the funeral , " she said to her husband , who was lying on the kitchen lounge .

Dora 's sitting up on the seat as prim as you please .

she always looks as if she 'd just been starched and ironed .

well , poor Marilla is going to have her hands full this winter and no mistake .

Anne 's tickled to death over the whole business , and she has a real knacky way with children , I must say .

and now she has adopted twins .

you 're never safe from being surprised till you 're dead . "

the fat pony jogged over the bridge in Lynde 's Hollow and along the Green Gables lane .

Marilla 's face was rather grim .

it was ten miles from East Grafton and Davy Keith seemed to be possessed with a passion for perpetual motion .

in despair she finally threatened to whip him soundly when she got him home .

whereupon Davy climbed into her lap , regardless of the reins , flung his chubby arms about her neck and gave her a bear-like hug .

" I don't believe you mean it , " he said , smacking her wrinkled cheek affectionately .

" you don't LOOK like a lady who 'd whip a little boy just ' cause he couldn't keep still .

didn't you find it awful hard to keep still when you was only ' s old as me ? "

" you WAS a girl once , I s'pose , though it 's awful funny to think of it .

Dora can sit still . ..y ..y but there ain't much fun in it I don't think .

seems to me it must be slow to be a girl .

here , Dora , let me liven you up a bit . "

Davy 's method of " livening up " was to grasp Dora 's curls in his fingers and give them a tug .

Dora shrieked and then cried .

" but she was glad to die , " said Davy confidentially .

" I know , ' cause she told me so .

she was awful tired of being sick .

we 'd a long talk the night before she died .

she told me you was going to take me and Dora for the winter and I was to be a good boy .

I 'm going to be good , but can't you be good running round just as well as sitting still ?

and she said I was always to be kind to Dora and stand up for her , and I 'm going to . "

" do you call pulling her hair being kind to her ? "

" well , I ain't going to let anybody else pull it , " said Davy , doubling up his fists and frowning .

" they 'd just better try it .

I didn't hurt her much . ..y ..y she just cried ' cause she 's a girl .

I 'm glad I 'm a boy but I 'm sorry I'm a twin .

but I can't tell Dora that , and she just goes on thinking diffrunt from me .

you might let me drive the gee-gee for a spell , since I 'm a man . "

Anne was at the gate to meet them and lift the twins out .

at the supper table Dora behaved like a little lady , but Davy 's manners left much to be desired .

" I 'm so hungry I ain't got time to eat p'litely , " he said when Marilla reproved him .

" Dora ain't half as hungry as I am .

look at all the ex'cise I took on the road here .

that cake 's awful nice and plummy .

and Mrs Wiggins never puts any plums in HER cakes .

catch her !

can I have another piece ? "

Marilla would have refused but Anne cut a generous second slice .

however , she reminded Davy that he ought to say " thank you " for it .

Davy merely grinned at her and took a huge bite .

when he had finished the slice he said ,

" if you 'll give me ANOTHER piece I 'll say thank you for IT . "

Dora 's lip trembled and Marilla was speechless with horror .

Anne promptly exclaimed , with her best " schoolma'am " air ,

" oh , Davy , gentlemen don't do things like that . "

" I know they don't , " said Davy , as soon as he could speak , " but I ain't a gemplum . "

" but don't you want to be ? " said shocked Anne .

" course I do .

but you can't be a gemplum till you grow up . "

" oh , indeed you can , " Anne hastened to say , thinking she saw a chance to sow good seed betimes .

" you can begin to be a gentleman when you are a little boy .

and gentlemen NEVER snatch things from ladies . ..y ..y or forget to say thank you . ..y ..y or pull anybody 's hair . "

" they don't have much fun , that 's a fact , " said Davy frankly .

" I guess I 'll wait till I 'm grown up to be one . "

Marilla , with a resigned air , had cut another piece of cake for Dora .

she did not feel able to cope with Davy just then .

it had been a hard day for her , what with the funeral and the long drive .

at that moment she looked forward to the future with a pessimism that would have done credit to Eliza Andrews herself .

the twins were not noticeably alike , although both were fair .

Dora had long sleek curls that never got out of order .

Davy had a crop of fuzzy little yellow ringlets all over his round head .

Dora 's hazel eyes were gentle and mild ; Davy 's were as roguish and dancing as an elf's .

mirth and mischief lurked in every corner of his little face .

" they 'd better go to bed , " said Marilla , who thought it was the easiest way to dispose of them .

" Dora will sleep with me and you can put Davy in the west gable .

you 're not afraid to sleep alone , are you , Davy ? "

" no ; but I ain't going to bed for ever so long yet , " said Davy comfortably .

" oh , yes , you are . "

that was all the much-tried Marilla said , but something in her tone squelched even Davy .

he trotted obediently upstairs with Anne .

In after years Marilla never thought of that first week of the twins ' sojourn at Green Gables without a shiver .

not that it really was so much worse than the weeks that followed it ; but it seemed so by reason of its novelty .

Anne dressed him for church while Marilla attended to Dora .

Davy at first objected strongly to having his face washed .

" Marilla washed it yesterday . ..y ..y and Mrs Wiggins scoured me with hard soap the day of the funeral .

that 's enough for one week .

I don't see the good of being so awful clean .

it 's lots more comfable being dirty . "

" Paul Irving washes his face every day of his own accord , " said Anne astutely .

if Paul Irving washed his face every day , that settled it .

he , Davy Keith , would do it too , if it killed him .

Anne felt an almost maternal pride in him as she led him into the old Cuthbert pew .

the first two hymns and the Scripture reading passed off uneventfully .

Mr Allan was praying when the sensation came .

Davy thrust his hand into his pocket and produced . ..y ..y a caterpillar , a furry , squirming caterpillar .

Marilla saw and clutched at him but she was too late .

Davy dropped the caterpillar down Lauretta 's neck .

right into the middle of Mr Allan 's prayer burst a series of piercing shrieks .

the minister stopped appalled and opened his eyes .

every head in the congregation flew up .

Lauretta White was dancing up and down in her pew , clutching frantically at the back of her dress .

Mrs White rose and with a set face carried the hysterical , writhing Lauretta out of church .

her shrieks died away in the distance and Mr Allan proceeded with the service .

but everybody felt that it was a failure that day .

for the first time in her life Marilla took no notice of the text and Anne sat with scarlet cheeks of mortification .

when they got home Marilla put Davy to bed and made him stay there for the rest of the day .

she would not give him any dinner but allowed him a plain tea of bread and milk .

Anne carried it to him and sat sorrowfully by him while he ate it with an unrepentant relish .

but Anne 's mournful eyes troubled him .

" indeed he wouldn't , " said Anne sadly .

" well , I 'm kind of sorry I did it , then , " conceded Davy .

" but it was such a jolly big caterpillar . . .

I picked him up on the church steps just as we went in .

it seemed a pity to waste him .

and say , wasn't it fun to hear that girl yell ? "

Tuesday afternoon the Aid Society met at Green Gables .

Anne hurried home from school , for she knew that Marilla would need all the assistance she could give .

Davy , blissfully dirty , was making mud pies in the barnyard .

" I told him he might , " said Marilla wearily .

" I thought it would keep him out of worse mischief .

he can only get dirty at that .

we 'll have our teas over before we call him to his .

when Anne went to call the Aids to tea she found that Dora was not in the parlor .

Mrs Jasper Bell said Davy had come to the front door and called her out .

a hasty consultation with Marilla in the pantry resulted in a decision to let both children have their teas together later on .

tea was half over when the dining room was invaded by a forlorn figure .

Marilla and Anne stared in dismay , the Aids in amazement .

" Davy made me walk the pigpen fence , " wailed Dora .

" I didn't want to but he called me a fraid-cat .

and I fell off into the pigpen and my dress got all dirty and the pig runned right over me .

Anne did the honors of the table alone for the rest of the meal while Marilla went upstairs and redressed Dora in her old clothes .

Davy was caught and sent to bed without any supper .

she told him she felt very badly over his conduct .

Dora wouldn't help me make pies , cause she was afraid of messing her clo'es and that made me hopping mad .

I s'pose Paul Irving wouldn't have made HIS sister walk a pigpen fence if he knew she 'd fall in ? "

" no , he would never dream of such a thing .

Paul is a perfect little gentleman . "

Davy screwed his eyes tight shut and seemed to meditate on this for a time .

then he crawled up and put his arms about Anne 's neck , snuggling his flushed little face down on her shoulder .

" Anne , don't you like me a little bit , even if I ain't a good boy like Paul ? "

" indeed I do , " said Anne sincerely .

somehow , it was impossible to help liking Davy .

" but I 'd like you better still if you weren't so naughty . "

" I ..y ..y ..y did something else today , " went on Davy in a muffled voice .

" I 'm sorry now but I 'm awful scared to tell you .

you won't be very cross , will you ?

and you won't tell Marilla , will you ? "

" I don't know , Davy .

perhaps I ought to tell her .

but I think I can promise you I won't if you promise me that you will never do it again , whatever it is . "

" no , I never will .

anyhow , it 's not likely I 'd find any more of them this year .

I found this one on the cellar steps . "

" Davy , what is it you've done ? "

" I put a toad in Marilla 's bed .

you can go and take it out if you like .

but say , Anne , wouldn't it be fun to leave it there ? "

" Davy Keith ! "

Anne sprang from Davy 's clinging arms and flew across the hall to Marilla 's room .

the bed was slightly rumpled .

she threw back the blankets in nervous haste and there in very truth was the toad , blinking at her from under a pillow .

" how can I carry that awful thing out ? " moaned Anne with a shudder .

the fire shovel suggested itself to her and she crept down to get it while Marilla was busy in the pantry .

when she finally deposited it in the cherry orchard she drew a long breath of relief .

" if Marilla knew she 'd never feel safe getting into bed again in her life .

I 'm so glad that little sinner repented in time .

there 's Diana signaling to me from her window .

I 'm glad . . .

IX

a Question of Color

" I detest that woman more than anybody I know .

" the trouble is , you and Mrs Lynde don't understand one another , " she explained .

" that is always what is wrong when people don't like each other .

I didn't like Mrs Lynde at first either ; but as soon as I came to understand her I learned to . "

" and as for understanding her , I understand that she is a confirmed busybody and I told her so . "

" oh , that must have hurt her feelings very much , " said Anne reproachfully .

" how could you say such a thing ?

I said some dreadful things to Mrs Lynde long ago but it was when I had lost my temper .

I couldn't say them DELIBERATELY . "

" it was the truth and I believe in telling the truth to everybody . "

" but you don't tell the whole truth , " objected Anne .

" you only tell the disagreeable part of the truth .

" I daresay you know it without any telling , " chuckled Mr Harrison .

" well , well , I 'll try and not mention it again since you 're so sensitive .

you must excuse me , Anne .

I 've got a habit of being outspoken and folks mustn't mind it . "

" but they can't help minding it .

and I don't think it 's any help that it 's your habit .

you 'd think he was crazy , wouldn't you ?

and as for Mrs Lynde being a busybody , perhaps she is .

" I suppose she has some good qualities , " conceded Mr Harrison grudgingly .

" most folks have .

I have some myself , though you might never suspect it .

but anyhow I ain't going to give anything to that carpet .

folks are everlasting begging for money here , it seems to me .

how 's your project of painting the hall coming on ? "

" splendidly .

MOST people gave very liberally , Mr Harrison . "

Anne was a sweet-souled lass , but she could instill some venom into innocent italics when occasion required .

" what color are you going to have it ? "

" we have decided on a very pretty green .

the roof will be dark red , of course .

Mr Roger Pye is going to get the paint in town today . "

" who 's got the job ? "

" Mr Joshua Pye of Carmody .

he has nearly finished the shingling .

Mrs Lynde says they try to run everything . "

" the main question is will this Joshua do his work well .

if he does I don't see that it matters whether his name is Pye or Pudding . "

" he has the reputation of being a good workman , though they say he 's a very peculiar man .

he hardly ever talks . "

" he 's peculiar enough all right then , " said Mr Harrison drily .

" or at least , folks here will call him so .

you 're not going yet , Anne ? "

" I must .

I have some sewing to do for Dora this evening .

besides , Davy is probably breaking Marilla 's heart with some new mischief by this time .

this morning the first thing he said was , ' Where does the dark go , Anne ?

I want to know . '

Marilla says she caught him hanging over the well-box four times today , trying to reach down to the dark . "

" he 's a limb , " declared Mr Harrison .

" he came over here yesterday and pulled six feathers out of Ginger 's tail before I could get in from the barn .

the poor bird has been moping ever since .

those children must be a sight of trouble to you folks . "

he was not disturbed in his task .

the hall was situated on what was called " the lower road . "

in late autumn this road was always muddy and wet , and people going to Carmody traveled by the longer " upper " road .

the hall was so closely surrounded by fir woods that it was invisible unless you were near it .

Mr Joshua Pye painted away in the solitude and independence that were so dear to his unsociable heart .

Friday afternoon he finished his job and went home to Carmody .

when she rounded the spruce curve she saw .

the sight affected Mrs Lynde oddly .

she dropped the reins , held up her hands , and said " Gracious Providence ! "

she stared as if she could not believe her eyes .

then she laughed almost hysterically .

" there must be some mistake . ..y . there must .

I knew those Pyes would make a mess of things . "

Mrs Lynde drove home , meeting several people on the road and stopping to tell them about the hall .

the news flew like wildfire .

" it isn't true surely , Anne ? " exclaimed Gilbert .

" it is true , " answered Anne , looking like the muse of tragedy .

" Mrs Lynde called on her way from Carmody to tell me .

oh , it is simply dreadful !

what is the use of trying to improve anything ? "

" what is dreadful ? " asked Oliver Sloane , arriving at this moment with a bandbox he had brought from town for Marilla .

" haven't you heard ? " said Jane wrathfully .

" well , its simply this . . .

you could simply have knocked me down with a feather when I heard it .

it 's heartbreaking , after all the trouble we 've had . "

" how on earth could such a mistake have happened ? " wailed Diana .

the blame of this unmerciful disaster was eventually narrowed down to the Pyes .

the Improvers had decided to use Morton-Harris paints and the Morton-Harris paint cans were numbered according to a color card .

a purchaser chose his shade on the card and ordered by the accompanying number .

that night there was blank dismay in every Avonlea house where an Improver lived .

the gloom at Green Gables was so intense that it quenched even Davy .

Anne wept and would not be comforted .

" I must cry , even if I am almost seventeen , Marilla , " she sobbed .

" it is so mortifying .

and it sounds the death knell of our society .

we 'll simply be laughed out of existence . "

in life , as in dreams , however , things often go by contraries .

the Avonlea people did not laugh ; they were too angry .

their money had gone to paint the hall and consequently they felt themselves bitterly aggrieved by the mistake .

public indignation centered on the Pyes .

the Improvers paid him his money in bitterness of spirit , after consulting Mr Peter Sloane , who was a magistrate .

" you 'll have to pay it , " Peter told him .

but it 's a burning shame and that hall certainly does look awful . "

the luckless Improvers expected that Avonlea would be more prejudiced than ever against them ; but instead , public sympathy veered around in their favor .

People thought the eager , enthusiastic little band who had worked so hard for their object had been badly used .

even Mr Harrison chuckled , if he chuckled at all , in private , and was all sympathy outwardly .

" never mind , Anne .

and the roof is shingled and painted all right .

folks will be able to sit in the hall after this without being leaked on .

you 've accomplished so much anyhow . "

" but Avonlea 's blue hall will be a byword in all the neighboring settlements from this time out , " said Anne bitterly .

and it must be confessed that it was .

x

Davy in Search of a Sensation

Anne , walking home from school through the Birch Path one November afternoon , felt convinced afresh that life was a very wonderful thing .

the day had been a good day ; all had gone well in her little kingdom .

we 've had lovely days and delicious twilights .

this last fortnight has been so peaceful , and even Davy has been almost well-behaved .

I really think he is improving a great deal .

how quiet the woods are today . ..y ..y not a murmur except that soft wind purring in the treetops !

it sounds like surf on a faraway shore .

how dear the woods are !

you beautiful trees !

I love every one of you as a friend . "

Anne paused to throw her arm about a slim young birch and kiss its cream-white trunk .

Diana , rounding a curve in the path , saw her and laughed .

" Anne Shirley , you 're only pretending to be grown up .

I believe when you 're alone you 're as much a little girl as you ever were . "

" well , one can't get over the habit of being a little girl all at once , " said Anne gaily .

" you see , I was little for fourteen years and I 've only been grown-uppish for scarcely three .

I 'm sure I shall always feel like a child in the woods .

I 'm so busy with teaching and studying and helping Marilla with the twins that I haven't another moment for imagining things .

you don't know what splendid adventures I have for a little while after I go to bed in the east gable every night .

last night I was a queen .

it 's really splendid to imagine you are a queen .

but here in the woods I like best to imagine quite different things . . .

I 'm a dryad living in an old pine , or a little brown wood-elf hiding under a crinkled leaf .

that white birch you caught me kissing is a sister of mine .

the only difference is , she 's a tree and I 'm a girl , but that 's no real difference .

where are you going , Diana ? "

" down to the Dicksons .

I promised to help Alberta cut out her new dress .

can't you walk down in the evening , Anne , and come home with me ? "

" I might . ..y ..y since Fred Wright is away in town , " said Anne with a rather too innocent face .

Diana blushed , tossed her head , and walked on .

she did not look offended , however .

Anne fully intended to go down to the Dicksons ' that evening , but she did not .

when she arrived at Green Gables she found a state of affairs which banished every other thought from her mind .

Marilla met her in the yard . ..y ..y a wild-eyed Marilla .

" Anne , Dora is lost ! "

" Dora !

lost ! "

Anne looked at Davy , who was swinging on the yard gate , and detected merriment in his eyes .

" Davy , do you know where she is ? "

" no , I don't , " said Davy stoutly .

" I haven't seen her since dinner time , cross my heart . "

" I 've been away ever since one o'clock , " said Marilla .

" Thomas Lynde took sick all of a sudden and Rachel sent up for me to go at once .

when I left here Dora was playing with her doll in the kitchen and Davy was making mud pies behind the barn .

I only got home half an hour ago . ..y ..y and no Dora to be seen .

Davy declares he never saw her since I left . "

" neither I did , " avowed Davy solemnly .

" she must be somewhere around , " said Anne .

" she would never wander far away alone . ..y ..y you know how timid she is .

perhaps she has fallen asleep in one of the rooms . "

Marilla shook her head .

" I 've hunted the whole house through .

but she may be in some of the buildings . "

a thorough search followed .

every corner of house , yard , and outbuildings was ransacked by those two distracted people .

Anne roved the orchards and the Haunted Wood , calling Dora 's name .

Marilla took a candle and explored the cellar .

Davy accompanied each of them in turn , and was fertile in thinking of places where Dora could possibly be .

finally they met again in the yard .

" it 's a most mysterious thing , " groaned Marilla .

" where can she be ? " said Anne miserably

" maybe she 's tumbled into the well , " suggested Davy cheerfully .

Anne and Marilla looked fearfully into each other 's eyes .

the thought had been with them both through their entire search but neither had dared to put it into words .

" she ..y ..y ..y she might have , " whispered Marilla .

Anne , feeling faint and sick , went to the wellbox and peered over .

the bucket sat on the shelf inside .

Far down below was a tiny glimmer of still water .

the Cuthbert well was the deepest in Avonlea .

if Dora . ..y ..y but Anne could not face the idea .

she shuddered and turned away .

" run across for Mr Harrison , " said Marilla , wringing her hands .

" Mr Harrison and John Henry are both away . ..y ..y they went to town today .

I 'll go for Mr Barry . "

finally Mr Barry shook his head , with a relieved air .

" she can't be down there .

it 's a mighty curious thing where she could have got to , though .

look here , young man , are you sure you 've no idea where your sister is ? "

" I 've told you a dozen times that I haven't , " said Davy , with an injured air .

" maybe a tramp come and stole her . "

" nonsense , " said Marilla sharply , relieved from her horrible fear of the well .

" Anne , do you suppose she could have strayed over to Mr Harrison 's ?

she has always been talking about his parrot ever since that time you took her over . "

" I can't believe Dora would venture so far alone but I 'll go over and see , " said Anne .

nobody was looking at Davy just then or it would have been seen that a very decided change came over his face .

he quietly slipped off the gate and ran , as fast as his fat legs could carry him , to the barn .

Anne hastened across the fields to the Harrison establishment in no very hopeful frame of mind .

the house was locked , the window shades were down , and there was no sign of anything living about the place .

she stood on the veranda and called Dora loudly .

" oh , Dora , Dora , what a fright you have given us !

how came you to be here ? "

and then Davy brought me here and run out and shut the door ; and I couldn't get out .

" Davy ? "

but Anne could say no more .

she carried Dora home with a heavy heart .

her joy at finding the child safe and sound was drowned out in the pain caused by Davy 's behavior .

the freak of shutting Dora up might easily have been pardoned .

but Davy had told falsehoods . ..y ..y downright coldblooded falsehoods about it .

that was the ugly fact and Anne could not shut her eyes to it .

she could have sat down and cried with sheer disappointment .

Marilla listened to Anne 's tale in a silence that boded no good Davy-ward ; Mr Barry laughed and advised that Davy be summarily dealt with .

when he had gone home Anne soothed and warmed the sobbing , shivering Dora , got her her supper and put her to bed .

she jerked him to the mat on the middle of the floor and then went and sat down by the east window .

Anne was sitting limply by the west window .

between them stood the culprit .

but no half hidden smile answered him in Anne 's gray eyes , as there might have done had it been only a question of mischief .

there was something else . ..y ..y something ugly and repulsive .

" how could you behave so , Davy ? " she asked sorrowfully .

Davy squirmed uncomfortably .

" I just did it for fun .

things have been so awful quiet here for so long that I thought it would be fun to give you folks a big scare .

it was , too . "

in spite of fear and a little remorse Davy grinned over the recollection .

" but you told a falsehood about it , Davy , " said Anne , more sorrowfully than ever .

Davy looked puzzled .

" what 's a falsehood ?

do you mean a whopper ? "

" I mean a story that was not true . "

" course I did , " said Davy frankly .

" if I hadn't you wouldn't have been scared .

I HAD to tell it . "

Anne was feeling the reaction from her fright and exertions .

Davy 's impenitent attitude gave the finishing touch .

two big tears brimmed up in her eyes .

" oh , Davy , how could you ? " she said , with a quiver in her voice .

" don't you know how wrong it was ? "

Davy was aghast .

Anne crying . ..y ..y he had made Anne cry !

a flood of real remorse rolled like a wave over his warm little heart and engulfed it .

he rushed to Anne , hurled himself into her lap , flung his arms around her neck , and burst into tears .

" I didn't know it was wrong to tell whoppers , " he sobbed .

" how did you expect me to know it was wrong ?

all Mr Sprott 's children told them REGULAR every day , and cross their hearts too .

but I think you might have told me it was wrong .

I 'm awful sorry I've made you cry , Anne , and I 'll never tell a whopper again . "

Davy buried his face in Anne 's shoulder and cried stormily .

Anne , in a sudden glad flash of understanding , held him tight and looked over his curly thatch at Marilla .

" he didn't know it was wrong to tell falsehoods , Marilla .

I think we must forgive him for that part of it this time if he will promise never to say what isn't true again . "

" I never will , now that I know it 's bad , " asseverated Davy between sobs .

" if you ever catch me telling a whopper again you can . . . "

Davy groped mentally for a suitable penance . ..y ..y " you can skin me alive , Anne . "

" don't say ' whopper , ' Davy . ..y ..y say ' falsehood , ' " said the schoolma'am .

" why ? " queried Davy , settling comfortably down and looking up with a tearstained , investigating face .

" why ain't whopper as good as falsehood ?

I want to know .

it 's just as big a word . "

" it 's slang ; and it 's wrong for little boys to use slang . "

" there 's an awful lot of things it 's wrong to do , " said Davy with a sigh .

" I never s'posed there was so many .

what are you going to do to me for telling them this time ?

I want to know . "

Anne looked beseechingly at Marilla .

" I don't want to be too hard on the child , " said Marilla .

" I daresay nobody ever did tell him it was wrong to tell lies , and those Sprott children were no fit companions for him .

Poor Mary was too sick to train him properly and I presume you couldn't expect a six-year-old child to know things like that by instinct .

I suppose we 'll just have to assume he doesn't know ANYTHING right and begin at the beginning .

can't you suggest something else , Anne ?

I should think you ought to be able to , with that imagination you 're always talking of . "

" but punishments are so horrid and I like to imagine only pleasant things , " said Anne , cuddling Davy .

" there are so many unpleasant things in the world already that there is no use in imagining any more . "

in the end Davy was sent to bed , as usual , there to remain until noon next day .

he evidently did some thinking , for when Anne went up to her room a little later she heard him calling her name softly .

going in , she found him sitting up in bed , with his elbows on his knees and his chin propped on his hands .

" Anne , " he said solemnly , " is it wrong for everybody to tell whop . ..y ..y falsehoods ?

I want to know ? "

" yes , indeed . "

" is it wrong for a grown-up person ? "

" yes . "

" then , " said Davy decidedly , " Marilla is bad , for SHE tells them .

and she 's worse'n me , for I didn't know it was wrong but she does . "

" Davy Keith , Marilla never told a story in her life , " said Anne indignantly .

" she did so .

she told me last Tuesday that something dreadful WOULD happen to me if I didn't say my prayers every night .

Anne choked back a mad desire to laugh with the conviction that it would be fatal , and then earnestly set about saving Marilla 's reputation .

" why , Davy Keith , " she said solemnly , " something dreadful HAS happened to you this very day . "

Davy looked sceptical .

" I s'pose you mean being sent to bed without any supper , " he said scornfully , " but THAT isn't dreadful .

Course , I don't like it , but I 've been sent to bed so much since I come here that I 'm getting used to it .

and you don't save anything by making me go without supper either , for I always eat twice as much for breakfast . "

" I don't mean your being sent to bed .

I mean the fact that you told a falsehood today .

and , Davy , " . . .

so you see Marilla told you the truth . "

" but I thought the something bad would be exciting , " protested Davy in an injured tone .

" Marilla isn't to blame for what you thought .

bad things aren't always exciting .

they 're very often just nasty and stupid . "

" it was awful funny to see Marilla and you looking down the well , though , " said Davy , hugging his knees .

Anne kept a sober face until she got downstairs and then she collapsed on the sitting room lounge and laughed until her sides ached .

" I wish you 'd tell me the joke , " said Marilla , a little grimly .

" I haven't seen much to laugh at today . "

" you 'll laugh when you hear this , " assured Anne .

and Marilla did laugh , which showed how much her education had advanced since the adoption of Anne .

but she sighed immediately afterwards .

" I suppose I shouldn't have told him that , although I heard a minister say it to a child once .

but he did aggravate me so .

it was that night you were at the Carmody concert and I was putting him to bed .

he said he didn't see the good of praying until he got big enough to be of some importance to God .

Anne , I do not know what we are going to do with that child .

I never saw his beat .

I 'm feeling clean discouraged . "

" oh , don't say that , Marilla .

remember how bad I was when I came here . "

" Anne , you never were bad . . .

NEVER .

I see that now , when I 've learned what real badness is .

you were always getting into terrible scrapes , I 'll admit , but your motive was always good .

Davy is just bad from sheer love of it . "

" oh , no , I don't think it is real badness with him either , " pleaded Anne .

" it 's just mischief .

and it is rather quiet for him here , you know .

he has no other boys to play with and his mind has to have something to occupy it .

Dora is so prim and proper she is no good for a boy 's playmate .

I really think it would be better to let them go to school , Marilla . "

the twins can have a few lessons at home but go to school they shan't till they 're seven . "

" Well , we must try to reform Davy at home then , " said Anne cheerfully .

" with all his faults he 's really a dear little chap .

I can't help loving him .

there couldn't be a better child and you 'd hardly know she was in the house . "

" Dora is too good , " said Anne .

" she 'd behave just as well if there wasn't a soul to tell her what to do .

Davy needs us badly . "

" he certainly needs something , " agreed Marilla .

" Rachel Lynde would say it was a good spanking . "

XI

facts and Fancies

" teaching is really very interesting work , " wrote Anne to a Queen 's Academy chum .

" Jane says she thinks it is monotonous but I don't find it so .

something funny is almost sure to happen every day , and the children say such amusing things .

Jane says she punishes her pupils when they make funny speeches , which is probably why she finds teaching monotonous .

this afternoon little Jimmy Andrews was trying to spell ' speckled ' and couldn't manage it .

' Well , ' he said finally , ' I can't spell it but I know what it means . '

" ' What ? '

I asked .

" ' St Clair Donnell 's face , miss . '

but I don't think St Clair minds .

it was because Jimmy called him ' St Clair ' that St Clair pounded him on the way home from school .

I heard of the pounding , but not officially , so I don't think I 'll take any notice of it .

" yesterday I was trying to teach Lottie Wright to do addition .

' A mouthful , ' said Lottie .

" it 's so hard not to laugh , Stella .

she says a man in Grafton went insane once and that was how it began .

" did you know that Thomas a Becket was canonized as a SNAKE ?

Rose Bell says he was . ..y ..y also that William Tyndale WROTE the New Testament .

Claude White says a ' glacier ' is a man who puts in window frames !

I asked them to tell me the things they most wanted .

some of the answers were commonplace enough . ..y ..y dolls , ponies , and skates .

others were decidedly original .

Hester Boulter wanted ' to wear her Sunday dress every day and eat in the sitting room . '

Hannah Bell wanted ' to be good without having to take any trouble about it . '

Marjory White , aged ten , wanted to be a WIDOW .

the most remarkable wish was Sally Bell 's .

she wanted a ' honeymoon . '

" another day I asked them all to tell me the naughtiest thing they had ever done .

I couldn't get the older ones to do so , but the third class answered quite freely .

Eliza Bell had ' set fire to her aunt 's carded rolls . '

asked if she meant to do it she said , ' not altogether . '

she just tried a little end to see how it would burn and the whole bundle blazed up in a jiffy .

Emerson Gillis had spent ten cents for candy when he should have put it in his missionary box .

Annetta Bell 's worst crime was ' eating some blueberries that grew in the graveyard . '

Willie White had ' slid down the sheephouse roof a lot of times with his Sunday trousers on . '

those compositions would atone for much .

here is Ned Clay 's , address , spelling , and grammar as originally penned .

" ' Miss teacher ShiRley

green gabels .

p.e .

Island can

birds

" ' Dear teacher I think I will write you a composition about birds . birds is very useful animals . my cat catches birds .

edward blake ClaY . ' "

" St Clair Donnell 's is , as usual , short and to the point .

St Clair never wastes words .

I do not think he chose his subject or added the postscript out of malice aforethought .

it is just that he has not a great deal of tact or imagination . "

" ' Dear Miss Shirley

" ' You told us to describe something strange we have seen .

I will describe the Avonlea Hall .

it has two doors , an inside one and an outside one .

it has six windows and a chimney .

it has two ends and two sides .

it is painted blue .

that is what makes it strange .

it is built on the lower Carmody road .

it is the third most important building in Avonlea .

the others are the church and the blacksmith shop .

they hold debating clubs and lectures in it and concerts .

" ' Yours truly ,

" ' Jacob Donnell .

" ' P.S. The hall is a very bright blue . ' "

Annetta is a quiet little puss and a model of good behavior , but there isn't a shadow of orginality in her .

here is her letter .

" ' Dearest teacher ,

" ' I think I will write you a letter to tell you how much I love you .

it would be my highest privilege .

that is why I try so hard to be good in school and learn my lessuns .

" ' You are so beautiful , my teacher .

your voice is like music and your eyes are like pansies when the dew is on them .

you are like a tall stately queen .

your hair is like rippling gold .

Anthony Pye says it is red , but you needn't pay any attention to Anthony .

I will always look back to this year as the most wonderful in my life because it brought you to me .

besides , it 's the year we moved to Avonlea from Newbridge .

my love for you has made my life very rich and it has kept me from much of harm and evil .

I owe this all to you , my sweetest teacher .

" ' I shall never forget how sweet you looked the last time I saw you in that black dress with flowers in your hair .

I shall see you like that for ever , even when we are both old and gray .

you will always be young and fair to me , dearest teacher .

I am thinking of you all the time . ..y ..y in the morning and at the noontide and at the twilight .

I love you when you laugh and when you sigh . ..y ..y even when you look disdainful .

I love you in every dress . ..y ..y you seem more adorable in each new dress than the last .

" ' Dearest teacher , good night .

the sun has set and the stars are shining . ..y ..y stars that are as bright and beautiful as your eyes .

I kiss your hands and face , my sweet .

may God watch over you and protect you from all harm .

" ' Your afecksionate pupil ,

" ' Annetta Bell . ' "

" this extraordinary letter puzzled me not a little .

I knew Annetta couldn't have composed it any more than she could fly .

Annetta cried and ' fessed up freely .

she said she couldn't make out what he was driving at half the time .

but I thought the letters were sweet and that I 'd just copy things out of them here and there to write you .

I put " dress " in place of " mood . "

I didn't know just what a " mood " was but I s'posed it was something to wear .

I didn't s'pose you 'd know the difference .

I don't see how you found out it wasn't all mine .

you must be awful clever , teacher . '

" I told Annetta it was very wrong to copy another person 's letter and pass it off as her own .

but I 'm afraid that all Annetta repented of was being found out .

" ' And I do love you , teacher , ' she sobbed .

' It was all true , even if the minister wrote it first .

I do love you with all my heart . '

" it 's very difficult to scold anybody properly under such circumstances .

" here is Barbara Shaw 's letter .

I can't reproduce the blots of the original .

" ' Dear teacher ,

" ' You said we might write about a visit .

I never visited but once .

it was at my Aunt Mary 's last winter .

my Aunt Mary is a very particular woman and a great housekeeper .

the first night I was there we were at tea .

I knocked over a jug and broke it .

aunt Mary said she had had that jug ever since she was married and nobody had ever broken it before .

when we got up I stepped on her dress and all the gathers tore out of the skirt .

when I was helping Aunt Mary with the dinner dishes I dropped a china plate and it smashed .

that evening I fell downstairs and sprained my ankle and had to stay in bed for a week .

I heard Aunt Mary tell Uncle Joseph it was a mercy or I 'd have broken everything in the house .

when I got better it was time to go home .

I don't like visiting very much .

I like going to school better , especially since I came to Avonlea .

" ' Yours respectfully ,

" ' Barbara Shaw . ' "

" Willie White 's began ,

" ' Respected Miss ,

" ' I want to tell you about my Very Brave Aunt .

she lives in Ontario and one day she went out to the barn and saw a dog in the yard .

the dog had no business there so she got a stick and whacked him hard and drove him into the barn and shut him up .

and it turned out that the dog was a lion and my Very Brave Aunt had druv him into the barn with a stick .

it was a wonder she was not et up but she was very brave .

Emerson Gillis says if she thought it was a dog she wasn't any braver than if it really was a dog .

but Emerson is jealous because he hasn't got a Brave Aunt himself , nothing but uncles . '

" ' I have kept the best for the last .

Paul lives away down near the shore with his grandmother and he has no playmates . ..y ..y no real playmates .

the other boys in school like him too .

there is nothing weak or girlish about him in spite of his dreams and fancies .

he is very manly and can hold his own in all games .

he fought St Clair Donnell recently because St Clair said the Union Jack was away ahead of the Stars and Stripes as a flag .

the result was a drawn battle and a mutual agreement to respect each other 's patriotism henceforth .

St Clair says he can hit the HARDEST but Paul can hit the OFTENEST . ' "

" Paul 's Letter .

" ' My dear teacher ,

" ' You told us we might write you about some interesting people we knew .

I think the most interesting people I know are my rock people and I mean to tell you about them .

I have never told anybody about them except grandma and father but I would like to have you know about them because you understand things .

there are a great many people who do not understand things so there is no use in telling them . '

" ' My rock people live at the shore .

I used to visit them almost every evening before the winter came .

Nora was the first one of them I got acquainted with and so I think I love her the best .

you ought to hear the stories she can tell .

then there are the Twin Sailors .

they don't live anywhere , they sail all the time , but they often come ashore to talk to me .

they are a pair of jolly tars and they have seen everything in the world . ..y ..y and more than what is in the world .

do you know what happened to the youngest Twin Sailor once ?

he was sailing and he sailed right into a moonglade .

a moonglade is the track the full moon makes on the water when it is rising from the sea , you know , teacher .

he had some wonderful adventures in the moon but it would make this letter too long to tell them . '

" ' Then there is the Golden Lady of the cave .

one day I found a big cave down on the shore and I went away in and after a while I found the Golden Lady .

she has golden hair right down to her feet and her dress is all glittering and glistening like gold that is alive .

I 've never told Nora about the Golden Lady .

I was afraid it might hurt her feelings .

it even hurt her feelings if I talked too long with the Twin Sailors . '

" ' I always met the Twin Sailors at the Striped Rocks .

the youngest Twin Sailor is very good-tempered but the oldest Twin Sailor can look dreadfully fierce at times .

I have my suspicions about that oldest Twin .

I believe he 'd be a pirate if he dared .

there 's really something very mysterious about him .

the boat was all pearly and rainbowy , like the inside of the mussel shells , and her sail was like moonshine .

well , we sailed right across to the sunset .

think of that , teacher , I 've been in the sunset .

and what do you suppose it is ?

the sunset is a land all flowers .

we sailed into a great garden , and the clouds are beds of flowers .

I stayed there for ever so long .

it seemed nearly a year but the Oldest Twin says it was only a few minutes .

you see , in the sunset land the time is ever so much longer than it is here . '

" ' Your loving pupil Paul Irving . '

" 'P . S ..y of course , this letter isn't really true , teacher .

P.I . ' "

XII

a Jonah Day

it really began the night before with a restless , wakeful vigil of grumbling toothache .

when Anne arose in the dull , bitter winter morning she felt that life was flat , stale , and unprofitable .

she went to school in no angelic mood .

her cheek was swollen and her face ached .

the schoolroom was cold and smoky , for the fire refused to burn and the children were huddled about it in shivering groups .

Anne sent them to their seats with a sharper tone than she had ever used before .

Anne turned from the second reader class which she was hearing .

" really , Barbara , " she said icily , " if you cannot move without falling over something you 'd better remain in your seat .

it is positively disgraceful for a girl of your age to be so awkward . "

Poor Barbara stumbled back to her desk , her tears combining with the coal dust to produce an effect truly grotesque .

never before had her beloved , sympathetic teacher spoken to her in such a tone or fashion , and Barbara was heartbroken .

just as Anne was snapping the sums out St Clair Donnell arrived breathlessly .

" you are half an hour late , St Clair , " Anne reminded him frigidly .

" why is this ? "

" take your seat and work out the six problems on page eighty-four of your arithmetic for punishment , " said Anne .

St Clair looked rather amazed at her tone but he went meekly to his desk and took out his slate .

then he stealthily passed a small parcel to Joe Sloane across the aisle .

Anne caught him in the act and jumped to a fatal conclusion about that parcel .

old Mrs Hiram Sloane had lately taken to making and selling " nut cakes " by way of adding to her scanty income .

the cakes were specially tempting to small boys and for several weeks Anne had had not a little trouble in regard to them .

" Joseph , " said Anne quietly , " bring that parcel here . "

Joe , startled and abashed , obeyed .

he was a fat urchin who always blushed and stuttered when he was frightened .

never did anybody look more guilty than poor Joe at that moment .

" throw it into the fire , " said Anne .

Joe looked very blank .

" do as I tell you , Joseph , without any words about it . "

" Joseph , are you going to obey me or are you NOT ? " said Anne .

a bolder and more self-possessed lad than Joe Sloane would have been overawed by her tone and the dangerous flash of her eyes .

this was a new Anne whom none of her pupils had ever seen before .

then he dodged back just in time .

for a few moments the terrified occupants of Avonlea school did not know whether it was an earthquake or a volcanic explosion that had occurred .

Anne dropped into her chair white with dismay and all the girls climbed shrieking upon their desks .

Prillie Rogerson fainted and Annetta Bell went into hysterics .

it seemed a long time , although it was really only a few minutes , before the last pinwheel subsided .

Anne , recovering herself , sprang to open doors and windows and let out the gas and smoke which filled the room .

it was a full hour before quiet was restored . ..y ..y but it was a quiet that might be felt .

everybody realized that even the explosion had not cleared the teacher 's mental atmosphere .

nobody , except Anthony Pye , dared whisper a word .

Ned Clay accidentally squeaked his pencil while working a sum , caught Anne 's eye and wished the floor would open and swallow him up .

the geography class were whisked through a continent with a speed that made them dizzy .

the grammar class were parsed and analyzed within an inch of their lives .

he peered across his book at Anne , his black eyes sparkling with curiosity and mockery .

Anne screamed and sprang back , as if it had been a snake , and Anthony Pye laughed aloud .

then a silence fell . ..y ..y a very creepy , uncomfortable silence .

but she decided not to .

who could take any comfort out of hysterics with a teacher so white-faced and so blazing-eyed standing before one ?

" who put that mouse in my desk ? " said Anne .

her voice was quite low but it made a shiver go up and down Paul Irving 's spine .

Anne paid no attention to the wretched Joseph .

she looked at Anthony Pye , and Anthony Pye looked back unabashed and unashamed .

" Anthony , was it you ? "

" yes , it was , " said Anthony insolently .

Anne took her pointer from her desk .

it was a long , heavy hardwood pointer .

" come here , Anthony . "

it was far from being the most severe punishment Anthony Pye had ever undergone .

Anne , even the stormy-souled Anne she was at that moment , could not have punished any child cruelly .

but the pointer nipped keenly and finally Anthony 's bravado failed him ; he winced and the tears came to his eyes .

Anne , conscience-stricken , dropped the pointer and told Anthony to go to his seat .

she sat down at her desk feeling ashamed , repentant , and bitterly mortified .

her quick anger was gone and she would have given much to have been able to seek relief in tears .

so all her boasts had come to this . ..y ..y she had actually whipped one of her pupils .

how Jane would triumph !

and how Mr Harrison would chuckle !

but worse than this , bitterest thought of all , she had lost her last chance of winning Anthony Pye .

never would he like her now .

Anne , by what somebody has called " a Herculaneum effort , " kept back her tears until she got home that night .

" the trouble is , I 've got things the matter with my conscience , " sobbed Anne .

" oh , this has been such a Jonah day , Marilla .

I 'm so ashamed of myself .

I lost my temper and whipped Anthony Pye . "

" I 'm glad to hear it , " said Marilla with decision .

" it 's what you should have done long ago . "

" oh , no , no , Marilla .

and I don't see how I can ever look those children in the face again .

I feel that I have humiliated myself to the very dust .

you don't know how cross and hateful and horrid I was .

I can't forget the expression in Paul Irving 's eyes . ..y ..y he looked so surprised and disappointed .

Marilla passed her hard work-worn hand over the girl 's glossy , tumbled hair with a wonderful tenderness .

when Anne 's sobs grew quieter she said , very gently for her ,

" you take things too much to heart , Anne .

we all make mistakes . ..y ..y but people forget them .

and Jonah days come to everybody .

as for Anthony Pye , why need you care if he does dislike you ?

he is the only one . "

" I can't help it .

I want everybody to love me and it hurts me so when anybody doesn't .

and Anthony never will now .

oh , I just made an idiot of myself today , Marilla .

I 'll tell you the whole story . "

Marilla listened to the whole story , and if she smiled at certain parts of it Anne never knew .

when the tale was ended she said briskly ,

" well , never mind .

this day 's done and there 's a new one coming tomorrow , with no mistakes in it yet , as you used to say yourself .

just come downstairs and have your supper .

you 'll see if a good cup of tea and those plum puffs I made today won't hearten you up . "

she had a good sleep that night and awakened in the morning to find herself and the world transformed .

" every morn is a fresh beginning , Every morn is the world made new , "

sang Anne , as she dressed .

" kind of bad walking , ain't it ?

can I take those books for you , teacher ? "

Anne surrendered her books and wondered if she could possibly be awake .

Anthony smiled . ..y ..y no , if the truth must be told , Anthony GRINNED back .

Mrs Rachel Lynde came up the next Saturday and confirmed this .

" well , Anne , I guess you 've won over Anthony Pye , that 's what .

he says he believes you are some good after all , even if you are a girl .

says that whipping you gave him was ' just as good as a man 's . ' "

" it doesn't seem right .

I 'm sure my theory of kindness can't be wrong . "

" no , but the Pyes are an exception to every known rule , that 's what , " declared Mrs Rachel with conviction .

Mr Harrison said , " thought you 'd come to it , " when he heard it , and Jane rubbed it in rather unmercifully .

XIII

a Golden Picnic

" I was just on my way over to invite you to help me celebrate my birthday on Saturday , " said Anne .

" your birthday ?

but your birthday was in March ! "

" that wasn't my fault , " laughed Anne .

" if my parents had consulted me it would never have happened then .

I should have chosen to be born in spring , of course .

it must be delightful to come into the world with the mayflowers and violets .

you would always feel that you were their foster sister .

but since I didn't , the next best thing is to celebrate my birthday in the spring .

Priscilla is coming over Saturday and Jane will be home .

we 'll all four start off to the woods and spend a golden day making the acquaintance of the spring .

we none of us really know her yet , but we 'll meet her back there as we never can anywhere else .

I want to explore all those fields and lonely places anyhow .

I have a conviction that there are scores of beautiful nooks there that have never really been SEEN although they may have been LOOKED at .

we 'll make friends with wind and sky and sun , and bring home the spring in our hearts . "

" it SOUNDS awfully nice , " said Diana , with some inward distrust of Anne 's magic of words .

" but won't it be very damp in some places yet ? "

" oh , we 'll wear rubbers , " was Anne 's concession to practicalities .

" and I want you to come over early Saturday morning and help me prepare lunch .

and we must have sandwiches too , though they 're NOT very poetical . "

over every sunlit upland and field was a delicate , flower-starred green .

their blithe voices and laughter echoed down to him .

" it 's so easy to be happy on a day like this , isn't it ? "

Anne was saying , with true Anneish philosophy .

" let's try to make this a really golden day , girls , a day to which we can always look back with delight .

we 're to seek for beauty and refuse to see anything else .

' Begone , dull care ! '

Jane , you are thinking of something that went wrong in school yesterday . "

" how do you know ? " gasped Jane , amazed .

" oh , I know the expression . . .

I 've felt it often enough on my own face .

but put it out of your mind , there 's a dear .

it will keep till Monday . . . or if it doesn't so much the better .

oh , girls , girls , see that patch of violets !

there 's something for memory 's picture gallery .

when I 'm eighty years old . ..y ..y if I ever am . . .

I shall shut my eyes and see those violets just as I see them now .

that 's the first good gift our day has given us . "

" if a kiss could be seen I think it would look like a violet , " said Priscilla .

Anne glowed .

" I 'm so glad you SPOKE that thought , Priscilla , instead of just thinking it and keeping it to yourself .

" it would be too hot to hold some folks , " quoted Jane sagely .

" I suppose it might be , but that would be their own faults for thinking nasty things .

anyhow , we can tell all our thoughts today because we are going to have nothing but beautiful thoughts .

everybody can say just what comes into her head .

THAT is conversation .

here 's a little path I never saw before .

let's explore it . "

the path was a winding one , so narrow that the girls walked in single file and even then the fir boughs brushed their faces .

" what a lot of elephant 's ears , " exclaimed Diana .

" I 'm going to pick a big bunch , they 're so pretty . "

" how did such graceful feathery things ever come to have such a dreadful name ? " asked Priscilla .

" that " was a shallow woodland pool in the center of a little open glade where the path ended .

a ring of slender young birches encircled it and little ferns fringed its margin .

" HOW sweet ! " said Jane .

" let us dance around it like wood-nymphs , " cried Anne , dropping her basket and extending her hands .

but the dance was not a success for the ground was boggy and Jane 's rubbers came off .

" you can't be a wood-nymph if you have to wear rubbers , " was her decision .

" well , we must name this place before we leave it , " said Anne , yielding to the indisputable logic of facts .

" everybody suggest a name and we 'll draw lots .

Diana ? "

" birch Pool , " suggested Diana promptly .

" Crystal Lake , " said Jane .

Anne 's selection was " the Fairies ' Mirror . "

the names were written on strips of birch bark with a pencil Schoolma'am Jane produced from her pocket , and placed in Anne 's hat .

then Priscilla shut her eyes and drew one .

" Crystal Lake , " read Jane triumphantly .

Crystal Lake it was , and if Anne thought that chance had played the pool a shabby trick she did not say so .

pushing through the undergrowth beyond , the girls came out to the young green seclusion of Mr Silas Sloane 's back pasture .

across it they found the entrance to a lane striking up through the woods and voted to explore it also .

it rewarded their quest with a succession of pretty surprises .

First , skirting Mr Sloane 's pasture , came an archway of wild cherry trees all in bloom .

the girls swung their hats on their arms and wreathed their hair with the creamy , fluffy blossoms .

" this is where the bad wood elves dwell , " whispered Anne .

" they are impish and malicious but they can't harm us , because they are not allowed to do evil in the spring .

the good fairies always dwell in the sunshiny places . "

" I wish there really were fairies , " said Jane .

" wouldn't it be nice to have three wishes granted you . ..y ..y or even only one ?

what would you wish for , girls , if you could have a wish granted ?

I 'd wish to be rich and beautiful and clever . "

" I 'd wish to be tall and slender , " said Diana .

" I would wish to be famous , " said Priscilla .

Anne thought of her hair and then dismissed the thought as unworthy .

" I 'd wish it might be spring all the time and in everybody 's heart and all our lives , " she said .

" but that , " said Priscilla , " would be just wishing this world were like heaven . "

" only like a part of heaven .

in the other parts there would be summer and autumn . . . yes , and a bit of winter , too .

I think I want glittering snowy fields and white frosts in heaven sometimes .

don't you , Jane ? "

" I . . .

I don't know , " said Jane uncomfortably .

but she never thought about heaven any more than she could help , for all that .

" Minnie May asked me the other day if we would wear our best dresses every day in heaven , " laughed Diana .

" and didn't you tell her we would ? " asked Anne .

" Mercy , no !

I told her we wouldn't be thinking of dresses at all there . "

" oh , I think we will . ..y ..y a LITTLE , " said Anne earnestly .

" There'll be plenty of time in all eternity for it without neglecting more important things .

I believe we 'll all wear beautiful dresses . ..y ..y or I suppose RAIMENT would be a more suitable way of speaking .

I do love pink so and I can never wear it in THIS world . "

beyond were the " back fields " of the farms that ran out to the upper Carmody road .

a tumbledown stone dyke , overgrown with mosses and grass , surrounded it .

along the eastern side ran a row of garden cherry trees , white as a snowdrift .

" oh , how perfectly lovely ! " three of the girls cried .

Anne only gazed in eloquent silence .

" how in the world does it happen that there ever was a garden back here ? " said Priscilla in amazement .

" it must be Hester Gray 's garden , " said Diana .

you 've heard the story , Anne ? "

" no , but the name seems familiar to me . "

" oh , you 've seen it in the graveyard .

she is buried down there in the poplar corner .

Jordan Gray is buried right beside her but there 's no stone to him .

it 's a wonder Marilla never told you about it , Anne .

to be sure , it happened thirty years ago and everybody has forgotten . "

" well , if there 's a story we must have it , " said Anne .

" let's sit right down here among the narcissi and Diana will tell it .

why , girls , there are hundreds of them . ..y ..y they 've spread over everything .

it looks as if the garden were carpeted with moonshine and sunshine combined .

this is a discovery worth making .

to think that I 've lived within a mile of this place for six years and have never seen it before !

now , Diana . "

" long ago , " began Diana , " this farm belonged to old Mr David Gray .

he didn't live on it . ..y ..y he lived where Silas Sloane lives now .

she was working in a store and she hated it .

she 'd been brought up in the country and she always wanted to get back .

so he brought her to Avonlea .

she never went out much and hardly anybody went to see her except mother and Mrs Lynde .

Jordan made her this garden and she was crazy about it and spent most of her time in it .

she wasn't much of a housekeeper but she had a knack with flowers .

and then she got sick .

mother says she thinks she was in consumption before she ever came here .

she never really laid up but just grew weaker and weaker all the time .

Jordan wouldn't have anybody to wait on her .

he did it all himself and mother says he was as tender and gentle as a woman .

every day he 'd wrap her in a shawl and carry her out to the garden and she 'd lie there on a bench quite happy .

and her prayer was answered .

" oh , what a dear story , " sighed Anne , wiping away her tears .

" what became of Jordan ? " asked Priscilla .

" he sold the farm after Hester died and went back to Boston .

Mr Jabez Sloane bought the farm and hauled the little house out to the road .

Jordan died about ten years after and he was brought home and buried beside Hester . "

" I can't understand how she could have wanted to live back here , away from everything , " said Jane .

" oh , I can easily understand THAT , " said Anne thoughtfully .

" I wouldn't want it myself for a steady thing , because , although I love the fields and woods , I love people too .

but I can understand it in Hester .

she just wanted to escape from it all to some still , green , friendly place where she could rest .

and she got just what she wanted , which is something very few people do , I believe .

" she set out those cherry trees over there , " said Diana .

" I 'm so glad we came this way , " said Anne , the shining-eyed .

" this is my adopted birthday , you know , and this garden and its story is the birthday gift it has given me .

did your mother ever tell you what Hester Gray looked like , Diana ? "

" no . ..y ..y only just that she was pretty . "

" I 'm rather glad of that , because I can imagine what she looked like , without being hampered by facts .

" Look do you see that poem ? " she said suddenly , pointing .

" where ? "

Jane and Diana stared , as if expecting to see Runic rhymes on the birch trees .

oh , it 's the most beautiful poem I ever saw . "

" I should rather call it a picture , " said Jane .

" a poem is lines and verses . "

" oh dear me , no . "

Anne shook her head with its fluffy wild cherry coronal positively .

the real poem is the soul within them . ..y ..y and that beautiful bit is the soul of an unwritten poem .

it is not every day one sees a soul . ..y ..y even of a poem . "

" I wonder what a soul . ..y ..y a person 's soul . ..y ..y would look like , " said Priscilla dreamily .

" like that , I should think , " answered Anne , pointing to a radiance of sifted sunlight streaming through a birch tree .

" only with shape and features of course .

I like to fancy souls as being made of light .

" I read somewhere once that souls were like flowers , " said Priscilla .

" then your soul is a golden narcissus , " said Anne , " and Diana 's is like a red , red rose .

Jane 's is an apple blossom , pink and wholesome and sweet . "

" and your own is a white violet , with purple streaks in its heart , " finished Priscilla .

Jane whispered to Diana that she really could not understand what they were talking about .

could she ?

minstrel robins were whistling in the firs and the frogs were singing in the marshes .

all the basins among the hills were brimmed with topaz and emerald light .

" it has been a truly golden day , " said Priscilla .

" I 'm really awfully fond of the woods myself , " said Jane .

Anne said nothing .

she was looking afar into the western sky and thinking of little Hester Gray .

XIV

a Danger Averted

" I had her last week , for , though she 's too slow to stop quick , she 's better than nobody .

but she 's sick and can't come .

Timothy 's sitting there , too , coughing and complaining .

he 's been dying for ten years and he 'll go on dying for ten years more .

they 're a terrible shiftless family and what is to become of them I don't know , but perhaps Providence does . "

Mrs Lynde sighed as if she rather doubted the extent of Providential knowledge on the subject .

" Marilla was in about her eyes again Tuesday , wasn't she ?

what did the specialist think of them ? " she continued .

" he was much pleased , " said Anne brightly .

" he says there is a great improvement in them and he thinks the danger of her losing her sight completely is past .

but he says she 'll never be able to read much or do any fine hand-work again .

how are your preparations for your bazaar coming on ? "

the Ladies ' Aid Society was preparing for a fair and supper , and Mrs Lynde was the head and front of the enterprise .

" pretty well . ..y ..y and that reminds me .

we 're collecting old-fashioned fixings everywhere .

I suppose Marilla will let us have her brass candlesticks ?

and we want all the old dishes we can get .

Mrs Allan is specially set on having a real blue willow ware platter if we can find one .

but nobody seems to have one .

do you know where we could get one ? "

" Miss Josephine Barry has one .

I 'll write and ask her if she 'll lend it for the occasion , " said Anne .

" well , I wish you would .

I guess we 'll have the supper in about a fortnight 's time .

uncle Abe Andrews is prophesying rain and storms for about that time ; and that 's a pretty sure sign we 'll have fine weather . "

he was , in fact , considered in the light of a standing joke , for few of his weather predictions were ever fulfilled .

no ; they just asked Uncle Abe what it was going to be tomorrow and expected the opposite .

nothing daunted , Uncle Abe kept on prophesying .

the Tories are bribing right and left , so they might as well be given a chance to spend their money honestly for once . "

Anne was a red-hot Conservative , out of loyalty to Matthew 's memory , but she said nothing .

she knew better than to get Mrs Lynde started on politics .

she had a letter for Marilla , postmarked from a town in British Columbia .

" it 's probably from the children 's uncle , " she said excitedly , when she got home .

" oh , Marilla , I wonder what he says about them . "

" the best plan might be to open it and see , " said Marilla curtly .

a close observer might have thought that she was excited also , but she would rather have died than show it .

Anne tore open the letter and glanced over the somewhat untidy and poorly written contents .

he wants to know if we can keep them till the fall and he 'll try and take them then .

we will , of course , won't we Marilla ? "

" anyhow they 're not so much trouble as they were . ..y ..y or else we 've got used to them .

Davy has improved a great deal . "

he looked very guilty when Anne pounced on him and whisked him out of the closet .

" yes , I knew it was wrong , " admitted Davy uncomfortably , " but plum jam is awful nice , Anne .

I just peeped in and it looked so good I thought I 'd take just a weeny taste .

I stuck my finger in . . . "

Anne groaned . ..y ..y " and licked it clean .

and it was so much gooder than I 'd ever thought that I got a spoon and just SAILED IN . "

" anyhow , there 'll be plenty of jam in heaven , that 's one comfort , " he said complacently .

Anne nipped a smile in the bud .

" perhaps there will . ..y ..y if we want it , " she said , " but what makes you think so ? "

" why , it 's in the catechism , " said Davy .

" oh , no , there is nothing like THAT in the catechism , Davy . "

" but I tell you there is , " persisted Davy .

" it was in that question Marilla taught me last Sunday .

' Why should we love God ? '

it says , ' Because He makes preserves , and redeems us . '

Preserves is just a holy way of saying jam . "

" I must get a drink of water , " said Anne hastily .

" well , I thought it was too good to be true , " he said at last , with a sigh of disappointed conviction .

" and besides , I didn't see when He 'd find time to make jam if it 's one endless Sabbath day , as the hymn says .

I don't believe I want to go to heaven .

won't there ever be any Saturdays in heaven , Anne ? "

" yes , Saturdays , and every other kind of beautiful days .

Davy and Dora were taught a hymn , a catechism question , and two Bible verses every Sunday .

Dora learned meekly and recited like a little machine , with perhaps as much understanding or interest as if she were one .

Davy , on the contrary , had a lively curiosity , and frequently asked questions which made Marilla tremble for his fate .

and he thinks it will be horrid to wear dresses and I think so too .

why can't men angels wear trousers , Anne ?

Chester Sloane is interested in those things , ' cause they 're going to make a minister of him .

she thought a minister was such a ' spectable thing to have in a family .

I ain't going to be a minister .

I 'm going to be a storekeeper , like Mr Blair , and keep heaps of candy and bananas .

but I 'd rather like going to your kind of a heaven if they 'd let me play a mouth organ instead of a harp .

Do you s'pose they would ? "

" yes , I think they would if you wanted it , " was all Anne could trust herself to say .

the A.V.I.S. met at Mr Harmon Andrews ' that evening and a full attendance had been requested , since important business was to be discussed .

the A.V.I.S. was in a flourishing condition , and had already accomplished wonders .

the result was that there were long strips of smooth velvet turf where once had been unsightly undergrowth or brush .

Gertie had a habit of being late . ..y ..y " to make her entrance more effective , " spiteful people said .

what DO you think ?

Mr Judson Parker IS GOING TO RENT ALL THE ROAD FENCE OF HIS FARM TO A PATENT MEDICINE COMPANY TO PAINT ADVERTISEMENTS ON . "

for once in her life Gertie Pye made all the sensation she desired .

if she had thrown a bomb among the complacent Improvers she could hardly have made more .

" it CAN'T be true , " said Anne blankly .

" that 's just what I said when I heard it first , don't you know , " said Gertie , who was enjoying herself hugely .

" I said it couldn't be true . ..y ..y that Judson Parker wouldn't have the HEART to do it , don't you know .

but father met him this afternoon and asked him about it and he said it WAS true .

just fancy !

the Improvers DID know , all too well .

Even the least imaginative among them could picture the grotesque effect of half a mile of board fence adorned with such advertisements .

all thought of church and school grounds vanished before this new danger .

parliamentary rules and regulations were forgotten , and Anne , in despair , gave up trying to keep minutes at all .

everybody talked at once and fearful was the hubbub .

" I don't know how you 're going to prevent him , " exclaimed Jane bitterly .

" everybody knows what Judson Parker is .

he 'd do ANYTHING for money .

he hasn't a SPARK of public spirit or ANY sense of the beautiful . "

the prospect looked rather unpromising .

Judson Parker and his sister were the only Parkers in Avonlea , so that no leverage could be exerted by family connections .

Martha Parker was a lady of all too certain age who disapproved of young people in general and the Improvers in particular .

Judson was a jovial , smooth-spoken man , so uniformly goodnatured and bland that it was surprising how few friends he had .

perhaps he had got the better in too many business transactions . ..y ..y which seldom makes for popularity .

he was reputed to be very " sharp " and it was the general opinion that he " hadn't much principle . "

" is there NOBODY who has any influence over him ? " asked Anne despairingly .

" he goes to see Louisa Spencer at White Sands , " suggested Carrie Sloane .

" perhaps she could coax him not to rent his fences . "

" not she , " said Gilbert emphatically .

" I know Louisa Spencer well .

she doesn't ' believe ' in Village Improvement Societies , but she DOES believe in dollars and cents .

she 'd be more likely to urge Judson on than to dissuade him . "

" better send Anne alone , " said Oliver Sloane .

" she can talk Judson over if anybody can . "

Anne protested .

she was willing to go and do the talking ; but she must have others with her " for moral support . "

Diana and Jane were therefore appointed to support her morally and the Improvers broke up , buzzing like angry bees with indignation .

the committee waited on Judson Parker the next afternoon .

Anne pleaded eloquently against his nefarious design and Jane and Diana supported her morally and valiantly .

" but I 'll tell what I WILL do , " he said , with a twinkle in his light , full eyes .

" I 'll tell the agent he must use only handsome , tasty colors . ..y ..y red and yellow and so on .

I 'll tell him he mustn't paint the ads BLUE on any account . "

the vanquished committee retired , thinking things not lawful to be uttered .

" I wonder if Mr Allan could do anything , " reflected Diana .

Anne shook her head .

" no , it 's no use to worry Mr Allan , especially now when the baby 's so sick .

Judson would slip away from him as smoothly as from us , although he HAS taken to going to church quite regularly just now .

that is simply because Louisa Spencer 's father is an elder and very particular about such things . "

" Judson Parker is the only man in Avonlea who would dream of renting his fences , " said Jane indignantly .

" Even Levi Boulter or Lorenzo White would never stoop to that , tightfisted as they are .

they would have too much respect for public opinion . "

public opinion was certainly down on Judson Parker when the facts became known , but that did not help matters much .

Jane and Diana stared as if they found it hard to believe their ears .

Anne had no explanation to give .

two men were sitting in their buggies , reined off to the side of the road , just at the entrance of the path .

he was an agent for agricultural implements and a prominent personage in matters political .

I suppose you wouldn't object to having it back , eh ? "

a man must look out for his own interests in these hard times . "

both saw Anne at this moment and conversation abruptly ceased .

Anne bowed frostily and walked on , with her chin slightly more tilted than usual .

Soon Judson Parker overtook her .

" have a lift , Anne ? " he inquired genially .

his face reddened and he twitched his reins angrily ; but the next second prudential considerations checked him .

he looked uneasily at Anne , as she walked steadily on , glancing neither to the right nor to the left .

had she heard Corcoran 's unmistakable offer and his own too plain acceptance of it ?

confound Corcoran !

if he couldn't put his meaning into less dangerous phrases he 'd get into trouble some of these long-come-shorts .

and confound redheaded school-ma'ams with a habit of popping out of beechwoods where they had no business to be .

Judson Parker knew that Mr Spencer looked somewhat askance at him as it was ; he could not afford to take any risks .

" ahem . . .

Anne , I 've been wanting to see you about that little matter we were discussing the other day .

I 've decided not to let my fences to that company after all .

a society with an aim like yours ought to be encouraged . "

Anne thawed out the merest trifle .

" thank you , " she said .

" and ..y ..y ..y and ..y ..y ..y you needn't mention that little conversation of mine with Jerry . "

" just so . ..y ..y just so , " agreed Judson , imagining that they understood each other beautifully .

" I didn't suppose you would .

of course , I was only stringing Jerry . ..y ..y he thinks he 's so all-fired cute and smart .

I 've no intention of voting for Amesbury .

I 'm going to vote for Grant as I 've always done . ..y ..y you 'll see that when the election comes off .

I just led Jerry on to see if he would commit himself .

and it 's all right about the fence . ..y ..y you can tell the Improvers that . "

" I wouldn't have mentioned the disgraceful thing to a soul anyhow , so my conscience is clear on THAT score .

I really don't know who or what is to be thanked for this .

XV

the Beginning of Vacation

she dropped the key into her pocket with a sigh of satisfaction .

Anne felt at peace with the world and herself as she walked down the hill with her basket of flowers in her hand .

since the earliest mayflowers Anne had never missed her weekly pilgrimage to Matthew 's grave .

she could never forget the kind old man who had been the first to give her the love and sympathy her starved childhood had craved .

he swung down and joined Anne , smiling ; but there were traces of tears on his cheeks .

" I 'm going there , too . . .

I 'm taking this bouquet of geraniums to put on Grandpa Irving 's grave for grandma .

but don't you think she 'll know all about it , just the same ? "

" yes , I am sure she will , Paul . "

" you see , teacher , it 's just three years today since my little mother died .

sometimes it seems to me that I just can't bear it , it hurts so . "

Paul 's voice quivered and his lip trembled .

he looked down at his roses , hoping that his teacher would not notice the tears in his eyes .

" no , indeed , I wouldn't . ..y ..y that 's just the way I feel .

you 're so good at understanding , teacher .

nobody else understands so well . ..y ..y not even grandma , although she 's so good to me .

father understood pretty well , but still I couldn't talk much to him about mother , because it made him feel so bad .

when he put his hand over his face I always knew it was time to stop .

grandmothers are better , next to mothers .

someday , when I 'm brought up , I 'll go back to father and we 're never going to be parted again . "

Paul had talked so much to Anne about his mother and father that she felt as if she had known them .

" father 's not very easy to get acquainted with , " Paul had said once .

" I never got really acquainted with him until after my little mother died .

but he 's splendid when you do get to know him .

I love him the best in all the world , and Grandma Irving next , and then you , teacher .

I 'd love you next to father if it wasn't my DUTY to love Grandma Irving best , because she 's doing so much for me .

YOU know , teacher .

I wish she would leave the lamp in my room till I go to sleep , though .

she takes it right out as soon as she tucks me up because she says I mustn't be a coward .

I 'm NOT scared , but I 'd RATHER have the light .

my little mother used always to sit beside me and hold my hand till I went to sleep .

I expect she spoiled me .

mothers do sometimes , you know . "

no , Anne did not know this , although she might imagine it .

Anne could not remember her mother and for this reason she almost envied Paul .

I believe it has come already , for Grandma is keeping the bookcase drawer locked and that is something new .

and when I asked her why , she just looked mysterious and said little boys mustn't be too curious .

it 's very exciting to have a birthday , isn't it ?

I 'll be eleven .

you 'd never think it to look at me , would you ?

Grandma says I 'm very small for my age and that it 's all because I don't eat enough porridge .

I do my very best , but Grandma gives such generous platefuls . ..y ..y there 's nothing mean about Grandma , I can tell you .

I 've prayed every night that God would give me enough grace to enable me to eat every bit of my porridge in the mornings .

but sometimes , " concluded Paul with a sigh and a meditative air " I really think porridge will be the death of me . "

Anne permitted herself a smile , since Paul was not looking at her .

all Avonlea knew that old Mrs Irving was bringing her grandson up in accordance with the good , old-fashioned methods of diet and morals .

" let us hope not , dear , " she said cheerfully .

" how are your rock people coming on ?

does the oldest Twin still continue to behave himself ? "

" he HAS to , " said Paul emphatically .

" he knows I won't associate with him if he doesn't .

he is really full of wickedness , I think . "

" and has Nora found out about the Golden Lady yet ? "

" no ; but I think she suspects .

I 'm almost sure she watched me the last time I went to the cave .

but if she is DETERMINED to have her feelings hurt it can't be helped . "

" if I were to go to the shore some night with you do you think I could see your rock people too ? "

Paul shook his head gravely .

" no , I don't think you could see MY rock people .

I 'm the only person who can see them .

but you could see rock people of your own .

you 're one of the kind that can .

we 're both that kind .

YOU know , teacher , " he added , squeezing her hand chummily .

" isn't it splendid to be that kind , teacher ? "

" Splendid , " Anne agreed , gray shining eyes looking down into blue shining ones .

Anne and Paul both knew

" how fair the realm Imagination opens to the view , "

and both knew the way to that happy land .

it must be the gift of the good fairies at birth and the years can never deface it or take it away .

it is better to possess it , living in a garret , than to be the inhabitant of palaces without it .

the Avonlea graveyard was as yet the grass-grown solitude it had always been .

ever since the day of the spring picnic Anne had put flowers on Hester 's grave when she visited Matthew 's .

" I thought you would like them better than any others , dear , " she said softly .

Anne was still sitting there when a shadow fell over the grass and she looked up to see Mrs Allan .

they walked home together .

Mrs Allan 's face was not the face of the girlbride whom the minister had brought to Avonlea five years before .

it had lost some of its bloom and youthful curves , and there were fine , patient lines about eyes and mouth .

" I suppose you are looking forward to your vacation , Anne ? " she said , as they left the graveyard .

Anne nodded .

" yes . . . .

I could roll the word as a sweet morsel under my tongue .

I think the summer is going to be lovely .

for one thing , Mrs Morgan is coming to the Island in July and Priscilla is going to bring her up .

I feel one of my old ' thrills ' at the mere thought . "

" I hope you 'll have a good time , Anne .

you 've worked very hard this past year and you have succeeded . "

" oh , I don't know .

I 've come so far short in so many things .

I haven't done what I meant to do when I began to teach last fall .

I haven't lived up to my ideals . "

" none of us ever do , " said Mrs Allan with a sigh .

" but then , Anne , you know what Lowell says , ' Not failure but low aim is crime . '

we must have ideals and try to live up to them , even if we never quite succeed .

life would be a sorry business without them .

with them it 's grand and great .

hold fast to your ideals , Anne . "

" I shall try .

but I have to let go most of my theories , " said Anne , laughing a little .

" even the theory on corporal punishment , " teased Mrs Allan .

but Anne flushed .

" I shall never forgive myself for whipping Anthony . "

" Nonsense , dear , he deserved it .

and it agreed with him .

you have had no trouble with him since and he has come to think there 's nobody like you .

your kindness won his love after the idea that a ' girl was no good ' was rooted out of his stubborn mind . "

" he may have deserved it , but that is not the point .

but the truth is , Mrs Allan , that I just flew into a temper and whipped him because of that .

I wasn't thinking whether it was just or unjust . ..y ..y even if he hadn't deserved it I 'd have done it just the same .

that is what humiliates me . "

" well , we all make mistakes , dear , so just put it behind you .

we should regret our mistakes and learn from them , but never carry them forward into the future with us .

there goes Gilbert Blythe on his wheel . ..y ..y home for his vacation too , I suppose .

how are you and he getting on with your studies ? "

" pretty well .

we plan to finish the Virgil tonight . ..y ..y there are only twenty lines to do .

then we are not going to study any more until September . "

" do you think you will ever get to college ? "

" oh , I don't know . "

Anne looked dreamily afar to the opal-tinted horizon .

and then there are the twins . ..y ..y somehow I don't believe their uncle will ever really send for them .

we make our own lives wherever we are , after all . ..y ..y college can only help us to do it more easily .

they are broad or narrow according to what we put into them , not what we get out .

do you know , Mrs Allan , I 'm so thankful for friendship .

it beautifies life so much . "

I fear the name of friendship is often degraded to a kind of intimacy that has nothing of real friendship in it . "

" yes . ..y ..y like Gertie Pye 's and Julia Bell 's .

I think it is desecration to call that friendship .

then friendship would be the most beautiful thing in the world . "

" Friendship IS very beautiful , " smiled Mrs Allan , " but some day . . . "

then she paused abruptly .

so she left her sentence for the future years to finish .

XVI

the Substance of Things Hoped For

you 've no idea . "

" I 'll get you a piece of bread and butter in a minute , " said Anne absently .

" but I ain't bread and butter hungry , " said Davy in a disgusted tone .

" I 'm plum cake hungry . "

you know it 's one of Marilla 's rules that you can't have anything but bread and butter between meals . "

" well , gimme a piece then . ..y ..y please . "

Davy had been at last taught to say " please , " but he generally tacked it on as an afterthought .

he looked with approval at the generous slice Anne presently brought to him .

" you always put such a nice lot of butter on it , Anne .

Marilla spreads it pretty thin .

it slips down a lot easier when there 's plenty of butter . "

the slice " slipped down " with tolerable ease , judging from its rapid disappearance .

Davy slid head first off the sofa , turned a double somersault on the rug , and then sat up and announced decidedly ,

" Anne , I 've made up my mind about heaven .

I don't want to go there . "

" why not ? " asked Anne gravely .

" cause heaven is in Simon Fletcher 's garret , and I don't like Simon Fletcher . "

" heaven in . . .

Simon Fletcher 's garret ! " gasped Anne , too amazed even to laugh .

" Davy Keith , whatever put such an extraordinary idea into your head ? "

" Milty Boulter says that 's where it is .

it was last Sunday in Sunday School .

the lesson was about Elijah and Elisha , and I up and asked Miss Rogerson where heaven was .

Miss Rogerson looked awful offended .

I wish you could think first and do things afterwards , ' cause then you wouldn't do them .

but Milty didn't mean to be disrespeckful .

he just couldn't think of the name of the thing .

Miss Rogerson said heaven was where God was and I wasn't to ask questions like that .

Milty nudged me and said in a whisper , ' Heaven 's in Uncle Simon 's garret and I 'll esplain about it on the road home . '

so when we was coming home he esplained .

milty 's a great hand at esplaining things .

even if he don't know anything about a thing he 'll make up a lot of stuff and so you get it esplained all the same .

his mother is Mrs Simon 's sister and he went with her to the funeral when his cousin , Jane Ellen , died .

the minister said she 'd gone to heaven , though Milty says she was lying right before them in the coffin .

but he s'posed they carried the coffin to the garret afterwards .

Milty knew there wasn't anything but the garret over the ceiling , so that 's how HE found out .

and he 's been awful scared to go to his Uncle Simon 's ever since . "

Anne took Davy on her knee and did her best to straighten out this theological tangle also .

Dora was an industrious little soul and never happier than when " helping " in various small tasks suited to her chubby fingers .

she fed chickens , picked up chips , wiped dishes , and ran errands galore .

" oh , Marilla , what do you think ?

oh , Marilla , isn't it wonderful ?

I can hardly believe I 'm not dreaming . "

" I daresay Mrs Morgan is a lot like other people , " said Marilla drily , although she did feel a trifle excited herself .

Mrs Morgan was a famous woman and a visit from her was no commonplace occurrence .

" they 'll be here to dinner , then ? "

" yes ; and oh , Marilla , may I cook every bit of the dinner myself ?

you won't mind , will you ? "

you 're quite welcome to the job . "

" you 'll likely come to grief if you do . "

but I want to have everything as nice and dainty as possible .

Davy-boy , don't leave those peapods on the back stairs . ..y ..y someone might slip on them .

I 'll have the two white roosters .

but I know they would have to be sacrificed sometime , and surely there couldn't be a worthier occasion than this .

but oh , Marilla , I cannot kill them . ..y ..y not even for Mrs Morgan 's sake .

I 'll have to ask John Henry Carter to come over and do it for me . "

it 's awful jolly fun to see them hopping about after their heads are cut off . "

I 'll make the pies and lady fingers tomorrow and do up my white muslin dress .

and I must tell Diana tonight , for she 'll want to do up hers .

it will be such a delicate compliment , don't you think ?

Davy , dear , you mustn't poke peapods into the cracks of the floor .

I must ask Mr and Mrs. Allan and Miss Stacy to dinner , too , for they 're all very anxious to meet Mrs Morgan .

it 's so fortunate she 's coming while Miss Stacy is here .

Davy dear , don't sail the peapods in the water bucket . ..y ..y go out to the trough .

" that 's a good sign , " agreed Marilla .

" oh , Anne , mayn't I help you cook the dinner ? " implored Diana .

" you know I can make splendid lettuce salad . "

" indeed you , may " said Anne unselfishly .

" and I shall want you to help me decorate too .

I mean to have the parlor simply a BOWER of blossoms . ..y ..y and the dining table is to be adorned with wild roses .

oh , I do hope everything will go smoothly .

Mrs Morgan 's heroines NEVER get into scrapes or are taken at a disadvantage , and they are always so selfpossessed and such good housekeepers .

they seem to be BORN good housekeepers .

you remember that Gertrude in ' Edgewood Days ' kept house for her father when she was only eight years old .

when I was eight years old I hardly knew how to do a thing except bring up children .

and I 'm so anxious about my nose .

there are seven freckles on it , as you can see .

they came at the A.V.I S . picnic , when I went around in the sun without my hat .

I can't recall a freckled one among them . "

" yours are not very noticeable , " comforted Diana .

" try a little lemon juice on them tonight . "

" but I want to FEEL that it is in perfect order , even if she isn't to see it , " Anne told Marilla .

' In the elder days of art Builders wrought with greatest care Each minute and unseen part , For the gods see everywhere , '

and so they always kept their cellar stairs scrubbed and never forgot to sweep under the beds .

I should have a guilty conscience if I thought this closet was in disorder when Mrs Morgan was in the house .

ever since we read ' Golden Keys , ' last April , Diana and I have taken that verse for our motto too . "

I 've been picking chickens with my hands but in imagination I 've been roaming the Milky Way . "

" I thought you 'd scattered more feathers over the floor than usual , " remarked Marilla .

then Anne put Davy to bed and made him promise that he would behave perfectly the next day .

" it 's a bargain , " said Davy .

" I 'll be good , you bet .

I meant to go over to Mr Harrison 's and fire peas from my new popgun at Ginger but another day 'll do as well .

I espect it will be just like Sunday , but a picnic at the shore 'll make up for THAT . "

XVII

a Chapter of Accidents

Anne woke three times in the night and made pilgrimages to her window to make sure that Uncle Abe 's prediction was not coming true .

finally the morning dawned pearly and lustrous in a sky full of silver sheen and radiance , and the wonderful day had arrived .

" you look simply sweet , " said Anne admiringly .

Diana sighed .

" but I 've had to let out every one of my dresses AGAIN .

I weigh four pounds more than I did in July .

Anne , WHERE will this end ?

Mrs Morgan 's heroines are all tall and slender . "

" well , let's forget our troubles and think of our mercies , " said Anne gaily .

do you think the lemon juice did any good ? "

" we 'll decorate the parlor first .

there may have been two happier and more excited girls somewhere in Canada or the United States at that moment , but I doubt it .

every snip of the scissors , as rose and peony and bluebell fell , seemed to chirp , " Mrs Morgan is coming today . "

Even Anne had never been able to infuse much grace into it , for Marilla would not permit any alterations .

a great blue bowlful of snowballs overflowed on the polished table .

the shining black mantelpiece was heaped with roses and ferns .

the table was set in the sitting room , with Marilla 's finest linen and the best china , glass , and silver .

you may be perfectly certain that every article placed on it was polished or scoured to the highest possible perfection of gloss and glitter .

Anne prepared the potatoes and Diana got the peas and beans ready .

and what about Davy all this time ?

was he redeeming his promise to be good ?

he was , indeed .

to be sure , he insisted on remaining in the kitchen , for his curiosity wanted to see all that went on .

" we 'd better go and dress now , " said Anne , " for they may be here by twelve .

we must have dinner at sharp one , for the soup must be served as soon as it 's done . "

Serious indeed were the toilet rites presently performed in the east gable .

when they were ready they looked quite as sweet and trim and girlish as ever did any of " Mrs Morgan 's heroines . "

" all Mrs Morgan 's heroines converse so beautifully .

but I 'm afraid I 'll be tongue-tied and stupid .

and I 'll be sure to say ' I seen . '

I haven't often said it since Miss Stacy taught here ; but in moments of excitement it 's sure to pop out .

Anne , if I were to say ' I seen ' before Mrs Morgan I 'd die of mortification .

and it would be almost as bad to have nothing to say . "

and , to do her justice , there wasn't .

Anne shrouded her muslin glories in a big apron and went down to concoct her soup .

Marilla had dressed herself and the twins , and looked more excited than she had ever been known to look before .

at half past twelve the Allans and Miss Stacy came .

everything was going well but Anne was beginning to feel nervous .

it was surely time for Priscilla and Mrs Morgan to arrive .

" suppose they don't come at all ? " she said piteously .

" don't suppose it .

it would be too mean , " said Diana , who , however , was beginning to have uncomfortable misgivings on the subject .

" Anne , " said Marilla , coming out from the parlor , " Miss Stacy wants to see Miss Barry 's willowware platter . "

Anne hastened to the sitting room closet to get the platter .

she had , in accordance with her promise to Mrs Lynde , written to Miss Barry of Charlottetown , asking for the loan of it .

she carried the platter carefully to the front door where her guests were enjoying the cool breeze that blew up from the brook .

Davy had finished ravelling out his herring net and had wound the twine into a ball .

the result in this instance was disastrous .

Davy slipped and came sprawling squarely down on the lemon pies .

his clean blouse was ruined for that time and the pies for all time .

it is , however , an ill wind that blows nobody good , and the pig was eventually the gainer by Davy 's mischance .

didn't I ? "

" I forgot , " whimpered Davy .

" you 've told me not to do such an awful lot of things that I can't remember them all . "

" well , you march upstairs and stay there till after dinner .

perhaps you 'll get them sorted out in your memory by that time .

no , Anne , never you mind interceding for him .

I 'm not punishing him because he spoiled your pies . ..y ..y that was an accident .

I 'm punishing him for his disobedience .

go , Davy , I say . "

" ain't I to have any dinner ? " wailed Davy .

" you can come down after dinner is over and have yours in the kitchen . "

" oh , all right , " said Davy , somewhat comforted .

" I know Anne 'll save some nice bones for me , won't you , Anne ?

' Cause you know I didn't mean to fall on the pies .

say , Anne , since they ARE spoiled can't I take some of the pieces upstairs with me ? "

" no , no lemon pie for you , Master Davy , " said Marilla , pushing him toward the hall .

" what shall we do for dessert ? " asked Anne , looking regretfully at the wreck and ruin .

" get out a crock of strawberry preserves , " said Marilla consolingly .

" there 's plenty of whipped cream left in the bowl for it . "

one o'clock came . ..y ..y but no Priscilla or Mrs Morgan .

Anne was in an agony .

" I don't believe they 're coming after all , " said Marilla crossly .

Anne and Diana sought comfort in each other 's eyes .

at half past one Marilla again emerged from the parlor .

" Girls , we MUST have dinner .

everybody is hungry and it 's no use waiting any longer .

Priscilla and Mrs Morgan are not coming , that 's plain , and nothing is being improved by waiting . "

Anne and Diana set about lifting the dinner , with all the zest gone out of the performance .

" I don't believe I 'll be able to eat a mouthful , " said Diana dolefully .

" nor I ..y but I hope everything will be nice for Miss Stacy 's and Mr and Mrs. Allan 's sakes , " said Anne listlessly .

when Diana dished the peas she tasted them and a very peculiar expression crossed her face .

" Anne , did YOU put sugar in these peas ? "

" yes , " said Anne , mashing the potatoes with the air of one expected to do her duty .

" I put a spoonful of sugar in .

we always do .

don't you like it ? "

" but I put a spoonful in too , when I set them on the stove , " said Diana .

Anne dropped her masher and tasted the peas also .

then she made a grimace .

" how awful !

I never dreamed you had put sugar in , because I knew your mother never does .

I happened to think of it , for a wonder . . .

I 'm always forgetting it . ..y ..y so I popped a spoonful in . "

the guests in the parlor heard peal after peal of laughter from the kitchen , but they never knew what the fun was about .

there were no green peas on the dinner table that day , however .

let's carry the things in and get it over . "

it cannot be said that that dinner was a notable success socially .

the Allans and Miss Stacy exerted themselves to save the situation and Marilla 's customary placidity was not noticeably ruffled .

but Anne and Diana , between their disappointment and the reaction from their excitement of the forenoon , could neither talk nor eat .

there is an old proverb that really seems at times to be inspired . ..y ..y " it never rains but it pours . "

the measure of that day 's tribulations was not yet full .

everybody ran out into the hall .

Anne gave a shriek of dismay .

" Davy , " said Marilla ominously , " did you throw that conch down ON PURPOSE ? "

" no , I never did , " whimpered Davy .

" don't blame Davy , " said Anne , gathering up the fragments with trembling fingers .

" it was my fault .

I set that platter there and forgot all about it .

I am properly punished for my carelessness ; but oh , what will Miss Barry say ? "

Mrs Morgan had sprained her ankle so severely that she could not leave her room .

she has to be there by a certain date . "

but there . ..y ..y that speech sounds as pessimistic as Miss Eliza Andrews and I 'm ashamed of making it .

and I suppose the events of today have a funny side too .

perhaps when Diana and I are old and gray we shall be able to laugh over them .

but I feel that I can't expect to do it before then , for it has truly been a bitter disappointment . "

" I know I 'm too much inclined that , way " agreed Anne ruefully .

but really , Marilla , the flying part IS glorious as long as it lasts . ..y ..y it 's like soaring through a sunset .

I think it almost pays for the thud . "

" well , maybe it does , " admitted Marilla .

" I 'd rather walk calmly along and do without both flying and thud .

but everybody has her own way of living . . .

what are you going to do about Miss Barry 's platter ? "

" pay her back the twenty dollars she paid for it , I suppose .

I 'm so thankful it wasn't a cherished heirloom because then no money could replace it . "

" maybe you could find one like it somewhere and buy it for her . "

" I 'm afraid not .

platters as old as that are very scarce .

Mrs Lynde couldn't find one anywhere for the supper .

Marilla , look at that big star over Mr Harrison 's maple grove , with all that holy hush of silvery sky about it .

it gives me a feeling that is like a prayer .

" where 's Davy ? " said Marilla , with an indifferent glance at the star .

" In bed .

I 've promised to take him and Dora to the shore for a picnic tomorrow .

of course , the original agreement was that he must be good .

but he TRIED to be good . ..y ..y and I hadn't the heart to disappoint him . "

" you 'll drown yourself or the twins , rowing about the pond in that flat , " grumbled Marilla .

" I 've lived here for sixty years and I 've never been on the pond yet . "

" well , it 's never too late to mend , " said Anne roguishly .

" suppose you come with us tomorrow .

we 'll shut Green Gables up and spend the whole day at the shore , daffing the world aside . "

" no , thank you , " said Marilla , with indignant emphasis .

" I 'd be a nice sight , wouldn't I , rowing down the pond in a flat ?

I think I hear Rachel pronouncing on it .

there 's Mr Harrison driving away somewhere .

do you suppose there is any truth in the gossip that Mr Harrison is going to see Isabella Andrews ? "

" no , I 'm sure there isn't .

I don't believe Mr Harrison will ever marry .

he seems to have a prejudice against marriage . "

" well , you can never tell about those old bachelors .

" I think he only put it on because he wanted to conclude a business deal with Harmon Andrews , " said Anne .

I really feel sorry for Mr Harrison ; I don't believe he feels satisfied with his life .

it must be very lonely to have no one to care about except a parrot , don't you think ?

but I notice Mr Harrison doesn't like to be pitied .

nobody does , I imagine . "

" there 's Gilbert coming up the lane , " said Marilla .

" if he wants you to go for a row on the pond mind you put on your coat and rubbers .

there 's a heavy dew tonight . "

XVIII

an Adventure on the Tory Road

where is it ? "

she turned her head at Davy 's question and answered dreamily ,

" ' Over the mountains of the moon , Down the valley of the shadow . ' "

" Anne , I believe you 're just talking nonsense . "

" of course , I was , dear boy .

don't you know that it is only very foolish folk who talk sense all the time ? "

" well , I think you might give a sensible answer when I ask a sensible question , " said Davy in an injured tone .

" oh , you are too little to understand , " said Anne .

yet here she was doing it . ..y ..y so wide sometimes is the gulf between theory and practice .

" Well , I 'm doing my best to grow , " said Davy , " but it 's a thing you can't hurry much .

if Marilla wasn't so stingy with her jam I believe I 'd grow a lot faster . "

" Marilla is not stingy , Davy , " said Anne severely .

" it is very ungrateful of you to say such a thing . "

" I heard Marilla say she was it , herself , the other day . "

" if you mean ECONOMICAL , it 's a VERY different thing from being stingy .

it is an excellent trait in a person if she is economical .

if Marilla had been stingy she wouldn't have taken you and Dora when your mother died .

would you have liked to live with Mrs Wiggins ? "

" you just bet I wouldn't ! "

Davy was emphatic on that point .

" nor I don't want to go out to Uncle Richard neither .

I 'd far rather live here , even if Marilla is that long-tailed word when it comes to jam , ' cause YOU'RE here , Anne .

say , Anne , won't you tell me a story ' fore I go to sleep ?

I don't want a fairy story .

fortunately for Anne , Marilla called out at this moment from her room .

" Anne , Diana 's signaling at a great rate .

you 'd better see what she wants . "

Anne threw her white shawl over her head and hastened through the Haunted Wood and across Mr Bell 's pasture corner to Orchard Slope .

" I 've good news for you , Anne , " said Diana .

" mother and I have just got home from Carmody , and I saw Mary Sentner from Spencer vale in Mr Blair 's store .

" I 'll go right over to Spencervale after it tomorrow , " said Anne resolutely , " and you must come with me .

it would be even worse than the time I had to confess about jumping on the spare room bed . "

the next afternoon the girls fared forth on their platter hunting expedition .

it was ten miles to Spencervale and the day was not especially pleasant for traveling .

" oh , I do wish it would rain soon , " sighed Anne .

" everything is so parched up .

the poor fields just seem pitiful to me and the trees seem to be stretching out their hands pleading for rain .

as for my garden , it hurts me every time I go into it .

I suppose I shouldn't complain about a garden when the farmers ' crops are suffering so .

" why is it called the Tory Road ? " asked Anne .

the Tory government ran the road through when they were in power just to show they were doing something . "

Diana 's father was a Liberal , for which reason she and Anne never discussed politics .

Green Gables folk had always been Conservatives .

" the shades are all down , " said Diana ruefully .

" I believe that nobody is home . "

this proved to be the case .

the girls looked at each other in perplexity .

" I don't know what to do , " said Anne .

" if I were sure the platter was the right kind I would not mind waiting until they came home .

but if it isn't it may be too late to go to Wesley Keyson 's afterward . "

Diana looked at a certain little square window over the basement .

do you think it would be any harm ? "

" no , I don't think so , " decided Anne , after due reflection , " since our motive is not idle curiosity . "

" I 'm afraid it won't bear my weight , " she said as she gingerly stepped on the roof .

" lean on the window sill , " advised Diana , and Anne accordingly leaned .

so much she saw before the catastrophe came .

Diana dashed into the duck house and , seizing her unfortunate friend by the waist , tried to draw her down .

" Ow . ..y ..y don't , " shrieked poor Anne .

" there are some long splinters sticking into me .

see if you can put something under my feet . ..y ..y then perhaps I can draw myself up . "

but she could not release herself .

" could I pull you out if I crawled up ? " suggested Diana .

Anne shook her head hopelessly .

" no . ..y ..y the splinters hurt too badly .

if you can find an axe you might chop me out , though .

oh dear , I do really begin to believe that I was born under an ill-omened star . "

Diana searched faithfully but no axe was to be found .

" I 'll have to go for help , " she said , returning to the prisoner .

" no , indeed , you won't , " said Anne vehemently .

" if you do the story of this will get out everywhere and I shall be ashamed to show my face .

no , we must just wait until the Copp girls come home and bind them to secrecy .

they 'll know where the axe is and get me out .

I 'm not uncomfortable , as long as I keep perfectly still . ..y ..y not uncomfortable in BODY I mean .

I wonder what the Copp girls value this house at .

" what if the Copp girls don't come home until after night . ..y ..y or till tomorrow ? " suggested Diana .

oh dear , this is a dreadful predicament .

listen . . . is that a wagon ?

no , Diana , I believe it is thunder . "

" we must prepare for it , " said Anne tranquilly .

a thunderstorm seemed a trifle in comparison with what had already happened .

" you 'd better drive the horse and buggy into that open shed .

fortunately my parasol is in the buggy .

here ..y ..y ..y take my hat with you .

Diana untied the pony and drove into the shed , just as the first heavy drops of rain fell .

there was not a great deal of thunder , but for the best part of an hour the rain came merrily down .

finally the rain ceased , the sun came out , and Diana ventured across the puddles of the yard .

" did you get very wet ? " she asked anxiously .

" oh , no , " returned Anne cheerfully .

" my head and shoulders are quite dry and my skirt is only a little damp where the rain beat through the lathes .

don't pity me , Diana , for I haven't minded it at all .

when I go home I mean to write it down .

Diana the faithful had a pencil and discovered a sheet of wrapping paper in the box of the buggy .

nevertheless , the result was quite pretty , and Diana was " enraptured " when Anne read it to her .

" oh , Anne , it 's sweet . ..y ..y just sweet .

DO send it to the ' Canadian Woman . ' "

Anne shook her head .

" oh , no , it wouldn't be suitable at all .

there is no PLOT in it , you see .

it 's just a string of fancies .

oh , there 's Miss Sarah Copp now .

PLEASE , Diana , go and explain . "

she hurriedly unlocked the back door , produced the axe , and with a few skillfull blows set Anne free .

the latter , somewhat tired and stiff , ducked down into the interior of her prison and thankfully emerged into liberty once more .

" miss Copp , " she said earnestly .

" I assure you I looked into your pantry window only to discover if you had a willow-ware platter .

I didn't see anything else I didn't LOOK for anything else . "

" bless you , that 's all right , " said Miss Sarah amiably .

" you needn't worry there 's no harm done .

thank goodness , we Copps keep our pantries presentable at all times and don't care who sees into them .

as for that old duckhouse , I 'm glad it 's smashed , for maybe now Martha will agree to having it taken down .

she never would before for fear it might come in handy sometime and I 've had to whitewash it every spring .

but you might as well argue with a post as with Martha .

she went to town today I drove her to the station .

and you want to buy my platter .

well , what will you give for it ? "

" well , I 'll see , " said Miss Sarah cautiously .

" that platter is mine fortunately , or I 'd never dare to sell it when Martha wasn't here .

as it is , I daresay she 'll raise a fuss .

Martha 's the boss of this establishment I can tell you .

I 'm getting awful tired of living under another woman 's thumb .

but come in , come in .

you must be real tired and hungry .

Martha locked up all the cake and cheese and preserves afore she went .

she always does , because she says I 'm too extravagant with them if company comes . "

when the meal was over Miss Sarah said ,

" I don't know as I mind selling the platter .

but it 's worth twenty-five dollars .

it 's a very old platter . "

but Anne was not minded to take any chances in regard to that precious platter .

she promptly agreed to give twenty-five and Miss Sarah looked as if she felt sorry she hadn't asked for thirty .

" well , I guess you may have it .

I want all the money I can scare up just now .

he wanted me twenty years ago .

I liked him real well but he was poor then and father packed him off .

I s'pose I shouldn't have let him go so meek but I was timid and frightened of father .

besides , I didn't know men were so skurse . "

" I 'll amuse your Aunt Josephine with the ' strange eventful history ' of this afternoon when I go to town tomorrow .

we 've had a rather trying time but it 's over now .

I 've got the platter , and that rain has laid the dust beautifully .

So ' all 's well that ends well . ' "

" we 're not home yet , " said Diana rather pessimistically , " and there 's no telling what may happen before we are .

you 're such a girl to have adventures , Anne . "

" having adventures comes natural to some people , " said Anne serenely .

" you just have a gift for them or you haven't . "

XIX

Just a Happy Day

such a day came late in August .

in the afternoon Anne walked down to the old Irving place to see Paul .

he sprang up radiantly at sight of her .

" oh , I 'm so glad you 've come , teacher , " he said eagerly , " because Grandma 's away .

you 'll stay and have tea with me , won't you ?

it 's so lonesome to have tea all by oneself .

YOU know , teacher .

I 've had serious thoughts of asking Young Mary Joe to sit down and eat her tea with me , but I expect Grandma wouldn't approve .

she says the French have to be kept in their place .

and anyhow , it 's difficult to talk with Young Mary Joe .

she just laughs and says , ' Well , yous do beat all de kids I ever knowed . '

that isn't my idea of conversation . "

" of course I 'll stay to tea , " said Anne gaily .

" I was dying to be asked .

my mouth has been watering for some more of your grandma 's delicious shortbread ever since I had tea here before . "

Paul looked very sober .

but it depends on Mary Joe .

but maybe Mary Joe will cut some for you if I promise I won't eat any .

let us hope for the best . "

" you 're sure you won't mind if she doesn't ? " said Paul anxiously .

" perfectly sure , dear heart . "

she 's not a naturally unreasonable person , but she has learned by experience that it doesn't do to disobey Grandma 's orders .

Grandma is an excellent woman but people must do as she tells them .

she was very much pleased with me this morning because I managed at last to eat all my plateful of porridge .

it was a great effort but I succeeded .

Grandma says she thinks she 'll make a man of me yet .

but , teacher , I want to ask you a very important question .

you will answer it truthfully , won't you ? "

" I 'll try , " promised Anne .

" do you think I 'm wrong in my upper story ? " asked Paul , as if his very existence depended on her reply .

" goodness , no , Paul , " exclaimed Anne in amazement .

" certainly you 're not .

what put such an idea into your head ? "

" Mary Joe . ..y ..y but she didn't know I heard her .

I heard Mary Joe say , ' Dat Paul , he is de queeres ' leetle boy .

he talks dat queer .

I tink dere's someting wrong in his upper story . '

I couldn't sleep last night for ever so long , thinking of it , and wondering if Mary Joe was right .

I couldn't bear to ask Grandma about it somehow , but I made up my mind I 'd ask you .

I 'm so glad you think I 'm all right in my upper story . "

" of course you are .

" well , that 's a weight off my mind , " said Paul .

" I 'm perfectly happy now , teacher , thanks to you .

it wouldn't be nice to have something wrong in your upper story , would it , teacher ?

I suppose the reason Mary Joe imagines I have is because I tell her what I think about things sometimes . "

" it is a rather dangerous practice , " admitted Anne , out of the depths of her own experience .

that is the time I ache to tell people things , and when nobody else is handy I just HAVE to tell Mary Joe .

but after this I won't , if it makes her imagine I 'm wrong in my upper story .

I 'll just ache and bear it . "

" yes , I will .

but I hope Davy won't be there when I go because he makes faces at me .

and Davy makes such terrible ones .

sometimes I am frightened he will never get his face straightened out again .

he makes them at me in church when I ought to be thinking of sacred things .

" rather young , " agreed teacher .

" speaking of marrying , reminds me of another thing that has been troubling me of late , " continued Paul .

I didn't exactly want to show it to Mrs Lynde .

Mrs Lynde is a good , kind woman , but she isn't the sort of person you want to show your mother 's picture to .

YOU know , teacher .

but of course I obeyed Grandma .

Mrs Lynde said she was very pretty but kind of actressy looking , and must have been an awful lot younger than father .

then she said , ' Some of these days your pa will be marrying again likely .

how will you like to have a new ma , Master Paul ? '

well , the idea almost took my breath away , teacher , but I wasn't going to let Mrs Lynde see THAT .

and I CAN trust him , teacher .

there 's Mary Joe coming to call us to tea .

I 'll go and consult with her about the shortbread . "

as a result of the " consultation , " Mary Joe cut the shortbread and added a dish of preserves to the bill of fare .

" that 's my little mother , " said Paul with loving pride .

" I got Grandma to hang it there where I 'd see it as soon as I opened my eyes in the morning .

father knew just what I would like for a birthday present , although he never asked me .

isn't it wonderful how much fathers DO know ? "

" your mother was very lovely , Paul , and you look a little like her .

but her eyes and hair are darker than yours . "

he has lots of it , but it is gray .

you see , father is nearly fifty .

that 's ripe old age , isn't it ?

but it 's only OUTSIDE he 's old .

INSIDE he 's just as young as anybody .

now , teacher , please sit here ; and I 'll sit at your feet .

may I lay my head against your knee ?

that 's the way my little mother and I used to sit .

oh , this is real splendid , I think . "

Paul never needed any coaxing to tell his thoughts . ..y ..y at least , to congenial souls .

" I thought them out in the fir grove one night , " he said dreamily .

" of course I didn't BELIEVE them but I THOUGHT them .

YOU know , teacher .

and then I wanted to tell them to somebody and there was nobody but Mary Joe .

I think the evening star is a lighthouse on the land where the fairies dwell . '

and Mary Joe said , ' Well , yous are de queer one .

Dare ain't no such ting as fairies . '

I was very much provoked .

of course , I knew there are no fairies ; but that needn't prevent my thinking there is .

you know , teacher .

but I tried again quite patiently .

I said , ' Well then , Mary Joe , do you know what I think ?

children can hear him if they know how to listen . '

then Mary Joe held up her hands all over flour and said , ' Well , yous are de queer leetle boy .

yous make me feel scare . '

and she really did looked scared .

I went out then and whispered the rest of my thoughts to the garden .

there was a little birch tree in the garden and it died .

and the little tree was so lonely it died of a broken heart . "

" do you know what I think about the new moon , teacher ?

I think it is a little golden boat full of dreams . "

" and when it tips on a cloud some of them spill out and fall into your sleep . "

" exactly , teacher .

oh , you DO know .

and the buttercups are made out of old sunshine ; and I think the sweet peas will be butterflies when they go to heaven .

now , teacher , do you see anything so very queer about those thoughts ? "

but keep on thinking them , Paul . ..y ..y some day you are going to be a poet , I believe . "

when Anne reached home she found a very different type of boyhood waiting to be put to bed .

Davy was sulky ; and when Anne had undressed him he bounced into bed and buried his face in the pillow .

" Davy , you have forgotten to say your prayers , " said Anne rebukingly .

" no , I didn't forget , " said Davy defiantly , " but I ain't going to say my prayers any more .

I 'm going to give up trying to be good , ' cause no matter how good I am you 'd like Paul Irving better .

so I might as well be bad and have the fun of it . "

" I don't like Paul Irving BETTER , " said Anne seriously .

" I like you just as well , only in a different way . "

" but I want you to like me the same way , " pouted Davy .

" you can't like different people the same way .

you don't like Dora and me the same way , do you ? "

Davy sat up and reflected .

" and I like Paul because he is Paul and Davy because he is Davy , " said Anne gaily .

" well , I kind of wish I 'd said my prayers then , " said Davy , convinced by this logic .

" but it 's too much bother getting out now to say them .

I 'll say them twice over in the morning , Anne .

won't that do as well ? "

no , Anne was positive it would not do as well .

so Davy scrambled out and knelt down at her knee .

when he had finished his devotions he leaned back on his little , bare , brown heels and looked up at her .

" Anne , I 'm gooder than I used to be . "

" yes , indeed you are , Davy , " said Anne , who never hesitated to give credit where credit was due .

" I KNOW I 'm gooder , " said Davy confidently , " and I 'll tell you how I know it .

today Marilla give me two pieces of bread and jam , one for me and one for Dora .

one was a good deal bigger than the other and Marilla didn't say which was mine .

but I give the biggest piece to Dora .

that was good of me , wasn't it ? "

" very good , and very manly , Davy . "

but I didn't know she was going to do that when I give it to her , so I WAS good , Anne . "

in the twilight Anne sauntered down to the Dryad 's Bubble and saw Gilbert Blythe coming down through the dusky Haunted Wood .

she had a sudden realization that Gilbert was a schoolboy no longer .

and how manly he looked the tall , frank-faced fellow , with the clear , straightforward eyes and the broad shoulders .

Anne thought Gilbert was a very handsome lad , even though he didn't look at all like her ideal man .

she and Diana had long ago decided what kind of a man they admired and their tastes seemed exactly similar .

he must be very tall and distinguished looking , with melancholy , inscrutable eyes , and a melting , sympathetic voice .

there was nothing either melancholy or inscrutable in Gilbert 's physiognomy , but of course that didn't matter in friendship !

Gilbert stretched himself out on the ferns beside the Bubble and looked approvingly at Anne .

he had made up his mind , also , that his future must be worthy of its goddess .

even in quiet Avonlea there were temptations to be met and faced .

White Sands youth were a rather " fast " set , and Gilbert was popular wherever he went .

" you look like a real dryad under that birch tree , " he said teasingly .

" he was talking to me about it today .

Major Spencer is the most progressive and public-spirited man in Avonlea .

and Mr William Bell is going to set out a spruce hedge along his road front and up his lane .

our Society is getting on splendidly , Anne .

it is past the experimental stage and is an accepted fact .

the older folks are beginning to take an interest in it and the White Sands people are talking of starting one too .

Even Elisha Wright has come around since that day the Americans from the hotel had the picnic at the shore .

they praised our roadsides so highly and said they were so much prettier than in any other part of the Island .

but the Aids would never have stirred in the matter if the Society hadn't put it into their thoughts unofficially .

Levi won't have it taken down just to vex us .

there 's a contrary streak in all the Boulters and it 's strongly developed in him . "

" and trust to Providence , as Mrs Lynde says , " smiled Gilbert .

" certainly , no more committees .

they only aggravate him .

Julia Bell thinks you can do anything , if you only have a committee to attempt it .

next spring , Anne , we must start an agitation for nice lawns and grounds .

we 'll sow good seed betimes this winter .

I 've a treatise here on lawns and lawnmaking and I 'm going to prepare a paper on the subject soon .

well , I suppose our vacation is almost over .

school opens Monday .

has Ruby Gillis got the Carmody school ? "

" yes ; Priscilla wrote that she had taken her own home school , so the Carmody trustees gave it to Ruby .

I 'm sorry Priscilla is not coming back , but since she can't I 'm glad Ruby has got the school .

Marilla , just home from Mrs Lynde 's , was sitting on the back porch step when Anne returned to the house .

" Rachel and I have decided to have our cruise to town tomorrow , " she said .

" Mr Lynde is feeling better this week and Rachel wants to go before he has another sick spell . "

" I intend to get up extra early tomorrow morning , for I 've ever so much to do , " said Anne virtuously .

" for one thing , I 'm going to shift the feathers from my old bedtick to the new one .

I ought to have done it long ago but I 've just kept putting it off . ..y ..y it 's such a detestable task .

that would be inconsistent .

" you won't get half done , " said Marilla pessimistically .

" I never yet planned to do a lot of things but something happened to prevent me . "

XX

the Way It Often Happens

Green Gables lay in a pool of sunshine , flecked with the dancing shadows of poplar and willow .

beyond the land was Mr Harrison 's wheatfield , a great , windrippled expanse of pale gold .

the world was so beautiful that Anne spent ten blissful minutes hanging idly over the garden gate drinking the loveliness in .

after breakfast Marilla made ready for her journey .

Dora was to go with her , having been long promised this treat .

" now , Davy , you try to be a good boy and don't bother Anne , " she straitly charged him .

" if you are good I 'll bring you a striped candy cane from town . "

for alas , Marilla had stooped to the evil habit of bribing people to be good !

" I won't be bad on purpose , but s'posen I 'm bad zacksidentally ? "

Davy wanted to know .

" you 'll have to guard against accidents , " admonished Marilla .

" Anne , if Mr Shearer comes today get a nice roast and some steak .

if he doesn't you 'll have to kill a fowl for dinner tomorrow . "

Anne nodded .

" I 'm not going to bother cooking any dinner for just Davy and myself today , " she said .

" that cold ham bone will do for noon lunch and I 'll have some steak fried for you when you come home at night . "

" I 'm going to help Mr Harrison haul dulse this morning , " announced Davy .

" he asked me to , and I guess he 'll ask me to dinner too .

Mr Harrison is an awful kind man .

he 's a real sociable man .

I hope I 'll be like him when I grow up .

I mean BEHAVE like him . . .

I don't want to LOOK like him .

but I guess there 's no danger , for Mrs Lynde says I 'm a very handsome child .

Do you s'pose it 'll last , Anne ?

I want to know ? "

" I daresay it will , " said Anne gravely .

" you ARE a handsome boy , Davy , " . . .

" seems to me you can't get out of being good in this world for some reason or ' nother .

you just HAVE to behave . "

" yes , I want to be good but not TOO good , " said Davy cautiously .

" you don't have to be very good to be a Sunday School superintendent .

Mr Bell 's that , and he 's a real bad man . "

" indeed he 's not , " said Marila indignantly .

" he is . ..y ..y he says he is himself , " asseverated Davy .

" he said it when he prayed in Sunday School last Sunday .

he said he was a vile worm and a miserable sinner and guilty of the blackest ' niquity .

what did he do that was so bad , Marilla ?

did he kill anybody ?

or steal the collection cents ?

I want to know . "

Anne , left alone in her glory , worked with a will .

the floor was swept , the beds made , the hens fed , the muslin dress washed and hung out on the line .

then Anne prepared for the transfer of feathers .

a cracked mirror hung by the chamber window and in an unlucky moment Anne looked into it .

" oh , I forgot to rub that lotion on last night , " she thought .

" I 'd better run down to the pantry and do it now . "

Anne had already suffered many things trying to remove those freckles .

on one occasion the entire skin had peeled off her nose but the freckles remained .

this important duty done , she returned to her work .

at this auspicious moment a knock sounded at the kitchen door .

" that must be Mr Shearer , " thought Anne .

" I 'm in a dreadful mess but I 'll have to run down as I am , for he 's always in a hurry . "

Down flew Anne to the kitchen door .

all Mrs Morgan 's heroines were noted for " rising to the occasion . "

no matter what her outraged feelings were she did not show them .

she greeted Priscilla and was introduced to her companions as calmly and composedly as if she had been arrayed in purple and fine linen .

aunt Charlotte is going away Monday and she had promised to spend today with a friend in town .

but last night her friend telephoned to her not to come because they were quarantined for scarlet fever .

so I suggested we come here instead , for I knew you were longing to see her .

we called at the White Sands Hotel and brought Mrs Pendexter with us .

she is a friend of aunt 's and lives in New York and her husband is a millionaire .

we can't stay very long , for Mrs Pendexter has to be back at the hotel by five o'clock . "

several times while they were putting away the horse Anne caught Priscilla looking at her in a furtive , puzzled way .

" she needn't stare at me so , " Anne thought a little resentfully .

" if she doesn't KNOW what it is to change a feather bed she might IMAGINE it . "

when Priscilla had gone to the parlor , and before Anne could escape upstairs , Diana walked into the kitchen .

Anne caught her astonished friend by the arm .

" Diana Barry , who do you suppose is in that parlor at this very moment ?

by this time Anne had become aware that Diana was staring at her in precisely the same bewildered fashion as Priscilla had done .

it was really too much .

" oh , Diana , don't look at me so , " she implored .

" it ..y ..y ..y it ..y ..y ..y isn't the feathers , " hesitated Diana .

" It's ..y ..y ..y it's ..y ..y ..y your nose , Anne . "

" my nose ?

oh , Diana , surely nothing has gone wrong with it ! "

Anne rushed to the little looking glass over the sink .

one glance revealed the fatal truth .

her nose was a brilliant scarlet !

Anne sat down on the sofa , her dauntless spirit subdued at last .

" what is the matter with it ? " asked Diana , curiosity overcoming delicacy .

" what shall I do ? "

" wash it off , " said Diana practically .

" perhaps it won't wash off .

first I dye my hair ; then I dye my nose .

Marilla cut my hair off when I dyed it but that remedy would hardly be practicable in this case .

well , this is another punishment for vanity and I suppose I deserve it . ..y ..y though there 's not much comfort in THAT .

fortunately the dye washed off easily and Anne , somewhat consoled , betook herself to the east gable while Diana ran home .

presently Anne came down again , clothed and in her right mind .

" mother sent you this , " she said , lifting the cover and displaying a nicely carved and jointed chicken to Anne 's greatful eyes .

Anne 's hungry guests , however , did not seem to think anything was lacking and they ate the simple viands with apparent enjoyment .

but after the first few moments Anne thought no more of what was or was not on her bill of fare .

she had traveled extensively and was an excellent storyteller .

nor did she monopolize the conversation .

she could draw others out as skillfully and fully as she could talk herself , and Anne and Diana found themselves chattering freely to her .

" I don't know which I enjoyed more . ..y ..y listening to Mrs Morgan or gazing at Mrs Pendexter .

I believe we had a nicer time than if we 'd known they were coming and been cumbered with much serving .

you must stay to tea with me , Diana , and we 'll talk it all over . "

" I daresay even the English earl himself wouldn't have turned up his aristocratic nose at Marilla 's plum preserves , " said Anne proudly .

Anne did not mention the misfortune which had befallen HER nose when she related the day 's history to Marilla that evening .

but she took the bottle of freckle lotion and emptied it out of the window .

" I shall never try any beautifying messes again , " she said , darkly resolute .

XXI

Sweet Miss Lavendar

School opened and Anne returned to her work , with fewer theories but considerably more experience .

she had several new pupils , six- and seven-year-olds just venturing , round-eyed , into a world of wonder .

among them were Davy and Dora .

Davy sat with Milty Boulter , who had been going to school for a year and was therefore quite a man of the world .

" I think school is great fun , " Davy told Marilla when he got home that night .

it 's splendid to have so many boys to play with .

I sit with Milty Boulter and he 's fine .

he 's longer than me but I 'm wider .

it 's nicer to sit in the back seats but you can't sit there till your legs grow long enough to touch the floor .

it seems it's dreadful to have your feelings hurt .

it 's better to knock a boy down than hurt his feelings if you MUST do something .

Milty doesn't like Barbara ' cause she calls him a sweet little boy and once she patted him on his head . "

" I'm . . .

I 'm frightened , " she sobbed .

" I . . .

I don't want to go upstairs alone in the dark . "

" what notion have you got into your head now ? " demanded Marilla .

" I 'm sure you 've gone to bed alone all summer and never been frightened before . "

Dora still continued to cry , so Anne picked her up , cuddled her sympathetically , and whispered ,

" tell Anne all about it , sweetheart .

what are you frightened of ? "

" of ..y ..y ..y of Mirabel Cotton 's uncle , " sobbed Dora .

" Mirabel Cotton told me all about her family today in school .

nearly everybody in her family has died . ..y ..y all her grandfathers and grandmothers and ever so many uncles and aunts .

they have a habit of dying , Mirabel says .

and Mirabel says one of her uncles was seen walking around the house after he was buried .

her mother saw him .

I don't mind the rest so much but I can't help thinking about that uncle . "

Anne went upstairs with Dora and sat by her until she fell asleep .

Mirabel thought this very harsh .

the Cottons had not much to boast of .

how was she to keep up her prestige among her schoolmates if she were forbidden to make capital out of the family ghost ?

September slipped by into a gold and crimson graciousness of October .

one Friday evening Diana came over .

" why can't we walk ? " suggested Anne .

" if we go straight back through the woods we 'll strike the West Grafton road not far from the Kimball place .

I was through that way last winter and I know the road .

it 's no more than four miles and we won't have to walk home , for Oliver Kimball will be sure to drive us .

" it doesn't seem right to hurry through it , does it ?

it seems irreverent , like running in a church . "

" we MUST hurry though , " said Diana , glancing at her watch .

" we 've left ourselves little enough time as it is . "

" well , I 'll walk fast but don't ask me to talk , " said Anne , quickening her pace .

" I just want to drink the day 's loveliness in . . .

she should have taken the right , but ever afterward she counted it the most fortunate mistake of her life .

they came out finally to a lonely , grassy road , with nothing in sight along it but ranks of spruce saplings .

" why , where are we ? " exclaimed Diana in bewilderment .

" this isn't the West Grafton road . "

" no , it 's the base line road in Middle Grafton , " said Anne , rather shamefacedly .

" I must have taken the wrong turning at the fork .

I don't know where we are exactly , but we must be all of three miles from Kimballs ' still . "

" we 'll arrive after they have had their tea , and they 'll have all the bother of getting ours over again . "

" we 'd better turn back and go home , " suggested Anne humbly .

but Diana , after consideration , vetoed this .

" no , we may as well go and spend the evening , since we have come this far . "

a few yards further on the girls came to a place where the road forked again .

" which of these do we take ? " asked Diana dubiously .

Anne shook her head .

" I don't know and we can't afford to make any more mistakes .

here is a gate and a lane leading right into the wood .

there must be a house at the other side .

let us go down and inquire . "

" what a romantic old lane this it , " said Diana , as they walked along its twists and turns .

it ran under patriarchal old firs whose branches met above , creating a perpetual gloom in which nothing except moss could grow .

on either hand were brown wood floors , crossed here and there by fallen lances of sunlight .

all was very still and remote , as if the world and the cares of the world were far away .

" I feel as if we were walking through an enchanted forest , " said Anne in a hushed tone .

" do you suppose we 'll ever find our way back to the real world again , Diana ?

we shall presently come to a palace with a spellbound princess in it , I think . "

Anne stopped short in rapture and Diana exclaimed , " oh , I know where we are now .

that is the little stone house where Miss Lavendar Lewis lives . . .

echo Lodge , she calls it , I think .

I 've often heard of it but I 've never seen it before .

isn't it a romantic spot ? "

" it 's the sweetest , prettiest place I ever saw or imagined , " said Anne delightedly .

" it looks like a bit out of a story book or a dream . "

before the house was an oblong garden into which the lane gate where the girls were standing opened .

no other house or clearing was in sight . ..y ..y nothing but hills and valleys covered with feathery young firs .

" I wonder what sort of a person Miss Lewis is , " speculated Diana as they opened the gate into the garden .

" they say she is very peculiar . "

" she 'll be interesting then , " said Anne decidedly .

" peculiar people are always that at least , whatever else they are or are not .

didn't I tell you we would come to an enchanted palace ?

I knew the elves hadn't woven magic over that lane for nothing . "

" but Miss Lavendar Lewis is hardly a spellbound princess , " laughed Diana .

" she 's an old maid . ..y ..y she 's forty-five and quite gray , I 've heard . "

" oh , that 's only part of the spell , " asserted Anne confidently .

perhaps some fatal mischance has befallen him . ..y ..y though THAT'S against the law of all fairy tales . "

" I 'm afraid he came long ago and went away again , " said Diana .

" they say she used to be engaged to Stephan Irving . . .

Paul 's father . ..y ..y when they were young .

but they quarreled and parted . "

" hush , " warned Anne .

" the door is open . "

the girls paused in the porch under the tendrils of ivy and knocked at the open door .

" is Miss Lewis at home ? " asked Diana .

" yes , ma'am .

come in , ma'am .

I 'll tell Miss Lavendar you're here , ma'am .

she 's upstairs , ma'am . "

with this the small handmaiden whisked out of sight and the girls , left alone , looked about them with delighted eyes .

the interior of this wonderful little house was quite as interesting as its exterior .

the room had a low ceiling and two square , small-paned windows , curtained with muslin frills .

all the furnishings were old-fashioned , but so well and daintily kept that the effect was delicious .

" Miss Lavendar must be expecting company to tea , " she whispered .

" there are six places set .

but what a funny little girl she has .

she looked like a messenger from pixy land .

I suppose she could have told us the road , but I was curious to see Miss Lavendar .

S ..y ..y ..y s ..y ..y ..y sh , she 's coming . "

and with that Miss Lavendar Lewis was standing in the doorway .

the girls were so surprised that they forgot good manners and simply stared .

nothing more unlike Miss Lavendar could possibly be imagined .

she was a little lady with snow-white hair beautifully wavy and thick , and carefully arranged in becoming puffs and coils .

" Charlotta the Fourth says that you wished to see me , " she said , in a voice that matched her appearance .

" we wanted to ask the right road to West Grafton , " said Diana .

do we take the right or left turning at your gate ? "

" the left , " said Miss Lavendar , with a hesitating glance at her tea table .

then she exclaimed , as if in a sudden little burst of resolution ,

" but oh , won't you stay and have tea with me ?

please , do .

Mr Kimball 's will have tea over before you get there .

and Charlotta the Fourth and I will be so glad to have you . "

Diana looked mute inquiry at Anne .

but you are expecting other guests , aren't you ? "

Miss Lavendar looked at her tea table again , and blushed .

" I know you 'll think me dreadfully foolish , " she said .

" I AM foolish . ..y ..y and I 'm ashamed of it when I 'm found out , but never unless I AM found out .

I 'm not expecting anybody . . .

I was just pretending I was .

you see , I was so lonely .

Charlotta the Fourth was lonely too .

so I just pretended I was going to have a tea party .

Diana secretly thought Miss Lavendar quite as peculiar as report had pictured her .

the idea of a woman of forty-five playing at having a tea party , just as if she were a little girl !

but Anne of the shining eyes exclaimed joyfuly , " oh , do YOU imagine things too ? "

that " too " revealed a kindred spirit to Miss Lavendar .

" yes , I do , " she confessed , boldly .

" of course it 's silly in anybody as old as I am .

a person must have some compensations .

I don't believe I could live at times if I didn't pretend things .

I 'm not often caught at it though , and Charlotta the Fourth never tells .

but I 'm glad to be caught today , for you have really come and I have tea all ready for you .

will you go up to the spare room and take off your hats ?

it 's the white door at the head of the stairs .

I must run out to the kitchen and see that Charlotta the Fourth isn't letting the tea boil .

Charlotta the Fourth is a very good girl but she WILL let the tea boil . "

" this is quite an adventure , isn't it ? " said Diana .

" and isn't Miss Lavendar sweet , if she IS a little odd ?

she doesn't look a bit like an old maid . "

" she looks just as music sounds , I think , " answered Anne .

" now , you must tell me your names , " said Miss Lavendar .

" I 'm so glad you are young girls .

I love young girls .

it 's so easy to pretend I 'm a girl myself when I 'm with them .

I do hate " . ..y ..y with a little grimace . ..y ..y " to believe I 'm old .

now , who are you . ..y ..y just for convenience ' sake ?

Diana Barry ?

and Anne Shirley ?

may I pretend that I 've known you for a hundred years and call you Anne and Diana right away ? "

" you , may " the girls said both together .

" then just let's sit comfily down and eat everything , " said Miss Lavendar happily .

" Charlotta , you sit at the foot and help with the chicken .

it is so fortunate that I made the sponge cake and doughnuts .

of course , it was foolish to do it for imaginary guests . . .

I know Charlotta the Fourth thought so , didn't you , Charlotta ?

but you see how well it has turned out .

of course they wouldn't have been wasted , for Charlotta the Fourth and I could have eaten them through time .

but sponge cake is not a thing that improves with time . "

" I do think you have the loveliest place here , " said Diana , looking round her admiringly .

" why do you call it Echo Lodge ? " asked Anne .

Charlotta the Fourth skipped off and returned with the horn .

" Blow it , Charlotta , " commanded Miss Lavendar .

Charlotta accordingly blew , a rather raucous , strident blast .

Anne and Diana exclaimed in delight .

" now laugh , Charlotta . ..y ..y laugh loudly . "

back came the echoes , as if a host of pixy people were mimicking her laughter in the purple woodlands and along the fir-fringed points .

" people always admire my echoes very much , " said Miss Lavendar , as if the echoes were her personal property .

" I love them myself .

they are very good company . ..y ..y with a little pretending .

on calm evenings Charlotta the Fourth and I often sit out here and amuse ourselves with them .

Charlotta , take back the horn and hang it carefully in its place . "

" why do you call her Charlotta the Fourth ? " asked Diana , who was bursting with curiosity on this point .

" just to keep her from getting mixed up with other Charlottas in my thoughts , " said Miss Lavendar seriously .

" they all look so much alike there 's no telling them apart .

her name isn't really Charlotta at all .

it is . ..y ..y let me see . ..y ..y what is it ?

I THINK it 's Leonora . ..y ..y yes , it IS Leonora .

you see , it is this way .

so I got little Charlotta Bowman to come and stay with me for board and clothes .

her name really was Charlotta . ..y ..y she was Charlotta the First .

she was just thirteen .

she stayed with me till she was sixteen and then she went away to Boston , because she could do better there .

her sister came to stay with me then .

her name was Julietta . . .

so I just gave up trying to remember her right name .

she was Charlotta the Second , and when she went away Evelina came and she was Charlotta the Third .

Charlotta the Fourth is the last of the Bowman girls , and the best .

I don't care what people think about me if they don't let me see it . "

" well , " said Diana looking regretfully at the setting sun .

" I suppose we must go if we want to get to Mr Kimball 's before dark .

we 've had a lovely time , Miss Lewis . "

" won't you come again to see me ? " pleaded Miss Lavendar .

tall Anne put her arm about the little lady .

" indeed we shall , " she promised .

" now that we have discovered you we 'll wear out our welcome coming to see you .

" Paul Irving ? "

there was a subtle change in Miss Lavendar 's voice .

" who is he ?

I didn't think there was anybody of that name in Avonlea . "

Anne felt vexed at her own heedlessness .

she had forgotten about Miss Lavendar 's old romance when Paul 's name slipped out .

" he is a little pupil of mine , " she explained slowly .

" he came from Boston last year to live with his grandmother , Mrs Irving of the shore road . "

" is he Stephen Irving 's son ? "

miss Lavendar asked , bending over her namesake border so that her face was hidden .

" yes . "

" it 's very sweet , don't you think ?

mother always loved it .

she planted these borders long ago .

father named me Lavendar because he was so fond of it .

the very first time he saw mother was when he visited her home in East Grafton with her brother .

he always loved the scent of lavendar after that . ..y ..y and that was why he gave me the name .

don't forget to come back soon , girls dear .

we 'll be looking for you , Charlotta the Fourth and I . "

she opened the gate under the firs for them to pass through .

" she does look lonely , " said Diana softly .

" we must come often to see her . "

" I think her parents gave her the only right and fitting name that could possibly be given her , " said Anne .

it 's so suggestive of sweetness and old-fashioned graces and ' silk attire . '

now , my name just smacks of bread and butter , patchwork and chores . "

" oh , I don't think so , " said Diana .

" Anne seems to me real stately and like a queen .

but I 'd like Kerrenhappuch if it happened to be your name .

I think people make their names nice or ugly just by what they are themselves .

I can't bear Josie or Gertie for names now but before I knew the Pye girls I thought them real pretty . "

" that 's a lovely idea , Diana , " said Anne enthusiastically .

thank you , Diana . "

XXII

Odds and Ends

" so you had tea at the stone house with Lavendar Lewis ? " said Marilla at the breakfast table next morning .

" what is she like now ?

it 's over fifteen years since I saw her last . ..y ..y it was one Sunday in Grafton church .

I suppose she has changed a great deal .

did you ever see Paul Irving doing that when he was here to meals ? "

" but Paul 's arms are longer'n mine , " brumbled Davy .

" they 've had eleven years to grow and mine 've only had seven .

' Sides , I DID ask , but you and Anne was so busy talking you didn't pay any ' tention .

' Sides , Paul 's never been here to any meal escept tea , and it 's easier to be p'lite at tea than at breakfast .

you ain't half as hungry .

it 's an awful long while between supper and breakfast .

now , Anne , that spoonful ain't any bigger than it was last year and I'M ever so much bigger . "

" she was reckoned a great beauty when she was a girl , " said Marilla .

" I never knew her very well but I liked her as far as I did know her .

some folks thought her peculiar even then .

most conversations between Anne and Marilla in the presence of the twins , were punctuated by these rebukes Davy-ward .

Anne looked at him with such horrified eyes that the little sinner turned red and said , half shamefacedly , half defiantly ,

" there ain't any wasted that way . "

" people who are different from other people are always called peculiar , " said Anne .

" and Miss Lavendar is certainly different , though it 's hard to say just where the difference comes in .

perhaps it is because she is one of those people who never grow old . "

" one might as well grow old when all your generation do , " said Marilla , rather reckless of her pronouns .

" if you don't , you don't fit in anywhere .

Far as I can learn Lavendar Lewis has just dropped out of everything .

she 's lived in that out of the way place until everybody has forgotten her .

that stone house is one of the oldest on the Island .

old Mr Lewis built it eighty years ago when he came out from England .

Davy , stop joggling Dora 's elbow .

oh , I saw you !

you needn't try to look innocent .

what does make you behave so this morning ? "

" maybe I got out of the wrong side of the bed , " suggested Davy .

" Milty Boulter says if you do that things are bound to go wrong with you all day .

his grandmother told him .

but which is the right side ?

and what are you to do when your bed 's against the wall ?

I want to know . "

" I 've always wondered what went wrong between Stephen Irving and Lavendar Lewis , " continued Marilla , ignoring Davy .

" they were certainly engaged twenty-five years ago and then all at once it was broken off .

" perhaps it was nothing very dreadful after all .

" Marilla , please don't say anything about my being at Miss Lavendar 's to Mrs Lynde .

Marilla 's pronouns slandered Eliza , who was very fond of her husband .

" Rachel says if he 'd only brace up and exert his will power he 'd get better .

but what is the use of asking a jellyfish to sit up straight ? " continued Marilla .

" Thomas Lynde never had any will power to exert .

his mother ruled him till he married and then Rachel carried it on .

it 's a wonder he dared to get sick without asking her permission .

but there , I shouldn't talk so .

Rachel has been a good wife to him .

he 'd never have amounted to anything without her , that 's certain .

he was born to be ruled ; and it 's well he fell into the hands of a clever , capable manager like Rachel .

he didn't mind her way .

it saved him the bother of ever making up his own mind about anything .

Davy , do stop squirming like an eel . "

" I 've nothing else to do , " protested Davy .

" I can't eat any more , and it 's no fun watching you and Anne eat . "

" well , you and Dora go out and give the hens their wheat , " said Marilla .

" and don't you try to pull any more feathers out of the white rooster 's tail either . "

" I wanted some feathers for an Injun headdress , " said Davy sulkily .

" Milty Boulter has a dandy one , made out of the feathers his mother give him when she killed their old white gobbler .

you might let me have some .

that rooster 's got ever so many more'n he wants . "

" you do spoil that boy dreadfully , " said Marilla , when Davy , with a radiant face , had followed prim Dora out .

" all the boys of his class have Indian headdresses , and Davy wants one too , " said Anne .

" I know how it feels . . .

I 'll never forget how I used to long for puffed sleeves when all the other girls had them .

and Davy isn't being spoiled .

he is improving every day .

think what a difference there is in him since he came here a year ago . "

" he certainly doesn't get into as much mischief since he began to go to school , " acknowledged Marilla .

" I suppose he works off the tendency with the other boys .

but it 's a wonder to me we haven't heard from Richard Keith before this .

never a word since last May . "

" I 'll be afraid to hear from him , " sighed Anne , beginning to clear away the dishes .

" if a letter should come I 'd dread opening it , for fear it would tell us to send the twins to him . "

a month later a letter did come .

but it was not from Richard Keith .

a friend of his wrote to say that Richard Keith had died of consumption a fortnight previously .

in the meantime the interest was to be used for their maintenance .

" it seems dreadful to be glad of anything in connection with a death , " said Anne soberly .

" I 'm sorry for poor Mr Keith ; but I AM glad that we can keep the twins . "

" it 's a very good thing about the money , " said Marilla practically .

" I wanted to keep them but I really didn't see how I could afford to do it , especially when they grew older .

you do far too much for them as it is .

Dora didn't need that new hat you bought her any more than a cat needs two tails .

but now the way is made clear and they are provided for . "

Davy and Dora were delighted when they heard that they were to live at Green Gables , " for good . "

the death of an uncle whom they had never seen could not weigh a moment in the balance against that .

but Dora had one misgiving .

" was Uncle Richard buried ? " she whispered to Anne .

" yes , dear , of course . "

" he ..y ..y ..y he ..y ..y ..y isn't like Mirabel Cotton 's uncle , is he ? " in a still more agitated whisper .

" he won't walk about houses after being buried , will he , Anne ? "

XXIII

miss Lavendar 's Romance

" I think I 'll take a walk through to Echo Lodge this evening , " said Anne , one Friday afternoon in December .

" it looks like snow , " said Marilla dubiously .

" I 'll be there before the snow comes and I mean to stay all night .

Diana can't go because she has company , and I 'm sure Miss Lavendar will be looking for me tonight .

it 's a whole fortnight since I was there . "

Anne had paid many a visit to Echo Lodge since that October day .

sometimes she and Diana drove around by the road ; sometimes they walked through the woods .

when Diana could not go Anne went alone .

at the first bend she came upon Miss Lavendar , standing under a big , broad-branching fir .

she wore a gown of warm , rich red , and her head and shoulders were wrapped in a silvery gray silk shawl .

" you look like the queen of the fir wood fairies , " called Anne merrily .

" I thought you would come tonight , Anne , " said Miss Lavendar , running forward .

" and I 'm doubly glad , for Charlotta the Fourth is away .

her mother is sick and she had to go home for the night .

I should have been very lonely if you hadn't come . ..y ..y even the dreams and the echoes wouldn't have been enough company .

" how pretty and how young !

it 's so delightful to be seventeen , isn't it ?

I do envy you , " concluded Miss Lavendar candidly .

" but you are only seventeen at heart , " smiled Anne .

" no , I 'm old . ..y ..y or rather middle-aged , which is far worse , " sighed Miss Lavendar .

" sometimes I can pretend I 'm not , but at other times I realize it .

and I can't reconcile myself to it as most women seem to .

I 'm just as rebellious as I was when I discovered my first gray hair .

now , Anne , don't look as if you were trying to understand .

seventeen CAN'T understand .

I 'm going to pretend right away that I am seventeen too , and I can do it , now that you're here .

you always bring youth in your hand like a gift .

we 're going to have a jolly evening .

tea first . ..y ..y what do you want for tea ?

we 'll have whatever you like .

do think of something nice and indigestible . "

there were sounds of riot and mirth in the little stone house that night .

" I 'm so glad you 're here , Anne , " said Miss Lavendar , nibbling at her candy .

" if you weren't I should be blue . ..y ..y very blue . ..y ..y almost navy blue .

Dreams and make-believes are all very well in the daytime and the sunshine , but when dark and storm come they fail to satisfy .

one wants real things then .

but you don't know this . ..y ..y seventeen never knows it .

at seventeen dreams DO satisfy because you think the realities are waiting for you further on .

" but you aren't an old maid , " said Anne , smiling into Miss Lavendar 's wistful woodbrown eyes .

" old maids are BORN . ..y ..y they don't BECOME . "

Anne , did anyone ever tell you anything about Stephen Irving and me ? "

" yes , " said Anne candidly , " I 've heard that you and he were engaged once . "

" so we were . ..y ..y twenty-five years ago . ..y ..y a lifetime ago .

and we were to have been married the next spring .

I had my wedding dress made , although nobody but mother and Stephen ever knew THAT .

we 'd been engaged in a way almost all our lives , you might say .

how poor mother laughed ! "

" and what went wrong ? " asked Anne breathlessly .

" we had just a stupid , silly , commonplace quarrel .

so commonplace that , if you 'll believe me , I don't even remember just how it began .

I hardly know who was the more to blame for it .

Stephen did really begin it , but I suppose I provoked him by some foolishness of mine .

he had a rival or two , you see .

I was vain and coquettish and liked to tease him a little .

he was a very high-strung , sensitive fellow .

well , we parted in a temper on both sides .

but I thought it would all come right ; and it would have if Stephen hadn't come back too soon .

Anne , my dear , I 'm sorry to say " . . .

oh , you needn't smile , ..y ..y ..y it 's only too true .

I DO sulk ; and Stephen came back before I had finished sulking .

I wouldn't listen to him and I wouldn't forgive him ; and so he went away for good .

he was too proud to come again .

and then I sulked because he didn't come .

I might have sent for him perhaps , but I couldn't humble myself to do that .

I was just as proud as he was . ..y ..y pride and sulkiness make a very bad combination , Anne .

but I could never care for anybody else and I didn't want to .

I knew I would rather be an old maid for a thousand years than marry anybody who wasn't Stephen Irving .

well , it all seems like a dream now , of course .

how sympathetic you look , Anne . ..y ..y as sympathetic as only seventeen can look .

but don't overdo it .

I 'm really a very happy , contented little person in spite of my broken heart .

my heart did break , if ever a heart did , when I realized that Stephen Irving was not coming back .

but , Anne , a broken heart in real life isn't half as dreadful as it is in books .

it 's a good deal like a bad tooth . ..y ..y though you won't think THAT a very romantic simile .

and now you 're looking disappointed .

that 's the worst . ..y ..y or the best ..y ..y ..y of real life , Anne .

it WON'T let you be miserable .

it keeps on trying to make you comfortable . ..y ..y and succeeding ....y even when you 're determined to be unhappy and romantic .

isn't this candy scrumptious ?

I 've eaten far more than is good for me already but I 'm going to keep recklessly on . "

after a little silence Miss Lavendar said abruptly ,

" it gave me a shock to hear about Stephen 's son that first day you were here , Anne .

I 've never been able to mention him to you since , but I 've wanted to know all about him .

what sort of a boy is he ? "

" I 'd like to see him , " said Miss Lavendar softly , as if talking to herself .

" I wonder if he looks anything like the little dream-boy who lives here with me . . .

MY little dream-boy . "

" if you would like to see Paul I 'll bring him through with me sometime , " said Anne .

" I would like it . . . but not too soon .

I want to get used to the thought .

in a month 's time you may bring him . "

accordingly , a month later Anne and Paul walked through the woods to the stone house , and met Miss Lavendar in the lane .

she had not been expecting them just then and she turned very pale .

" he ..y ..y ..y he is very like his father . "

" everybody says I 'm a chip off the old block , " remarked Paul , quite at his ease .

Anne , who had been watching the little scene , drew a relieved breath .

she saw that Miss Lavendar and Paul had " taken " to each other , and that there would be no constraint or stiffness .

" come again , laddie , " said Miss Lavendar , shaking hands with him at parting .

" you may kiss me if you like , " said Paul gravely .

miss Lavendar stooped and kissed him .

" how did you know I wanted to ? " she whispered .

" because you looked at me just as my little mother used to do when she wanted to kiss me .

as a rule , I don't like to be kissed .

boys don't .

you know , Miss Lewis .

but I think I rather like to have you kiss me .

and of course I 'll come to see you again .

I think I 'd like to have you for a particular friend of mine , if you don't object . "

" I . . .

I don't think I shall object , " said Miss Lavendar .

she turned and went in very quickly ; but a moment later she was waving a gay and smiling good-bye to them from the window .

" I like Miss Lavendar , " announced Paul , as they walked through the beech woods .

" I like the way she looked at me , and I like her stone house , and I like Charlotta the Fourth .

I wish Grandma Irving had a Charlotta the Fourth instead of a Mary Joe .

I feel sure Charlotta the Fourth wouldn't think I was wrong in my upper story when I told her what I think about things .

wasn't that a splendid tea we had , teacher ?

Grandma says a boy shouldn't be thinking about what he gets to eat , but he can't help it sometimes when he is real hungry .

YOU know , teacher .

I don't think Miss Lavendar would make a boy eat porridge for breakfast if he didn't like it .

she 'd get things for him he did like .

but of course " . . .

Paul was nothing if not fair-minded . ..y ..y " that mightn't be very good for him .

it 's very nice for a change though , teacher .

YOU know . "

XXIV

a Prophet in His Own Country

gossip , as usual , was wrong .

Gilbert Blythe , aided and abetted by Anne , had written the notes , putting in the one about himself as a blind .

only two of the notes have any bearing on this history :

" rumor has it that there will be a wedding in our village ere the daisies are in bloom .

a new and highly respected citizen will lead to the hymeneal altar one of our most popular ladies .

the area of the storm will extend over the greater part of the Province .

people traveling that evening will do well to take umbrellas and mackintoshes with them . "

poor old Uncle Abe felt rather indignant over the notes .

he suspected that " Observer " was making fun of him .

he angrily denied having assigned any particular date for his storm but nobody believed him .

life in Avonlea continued on the smooth and even tenor of its way .

the " planting " was put in ; the Improvers celebrated an Arbor Day .

each Improver set out , or caused to be set out , five ornamental trees .

as the society now numbered forty members , this meant a total of two hundred young trees .

Anne liked to sleep with her window open and let the cherry fragrance blow over her face all night .

she thought it very poetical .

Marilla thought she was risking her life .

" I think it would be ever so much better than having it in November when everything is dead or asleep .

I feel exactly as Eve must have felt in the garden of Eden before the trouble began .

IS that grass in the hollow green or golden ?

Marilla looked scandalized and glanced apprehensively around to make sure the twins were not within earshot .

they came around the corner of the house just then .

" ain't it an awful nice-smelling evening ? " asked Davy , sniffing delightedly as he swung a hoe in his grimy hands .

he had been working in his garden .

both had eagerly gone to work in a characteristic fashion .

Dora planted , weeded , and watered carefully , systematically , and dispassionately .

as a result , her plot was already green with prim , orderly little rows of vegetables and annuals .

" how is your garden coming on , Davy-boy ? " asked Anne .

" kind of slow , " said Davy with a sigh .

" I don't know why the things don't grow better .

Milty Boulter says I must have planted them in the dark of the moon and that 's the whole trouble .

is that true , Anne ?

I want to know . "

" I only pulled six of them up , " protested Davy .

" I wanted to see if there was grubs at the roots .

Milty Boulter said if it wasn't the moon 's fault it must be grubs .

but I only found one grub .

he was a great big juicy curly grub .

I put him on a stone and got another stone and smashed him flat .

he made a jolly SQUISH I tell you .

I was sorry there wasn't more of them .

Dora 's garden was planted same time 's mine and her things are growing all right .

it CAN'T be the moon , " Davy concluded in a reflective tone .

" Marilla , look at that apple tree , " said Anne .

" why , the thing is human .

it is reaching out long arms to pick its own pink skirts daintily up and provoke us to admiration . "

" those Yellow Duchess trees always bear well , " said Marilla complacently .

" that tree 'll be loaded this year .

I 'm real glad . ..y ..y they 're great for pies . "

but neither Marilla nor Anne nor anybody else was fated to make pies out of Yellow Duchess apples that year .

a hot breeze blew all the forenoon ; but after noon hour it died away into a heavy stillness .

at half past three Anne heard a low rumble of thunder .

she promptly dismissed school at once , so that the children might get home before the storm came .

Annetta Bell caught her hand nervously .

" oh , teacher , look at that awful cloud ! "

Anne looked and gave an exclamation of dismay .

in the northwest a mass of cloud , such as she had never in all her life beheld before , was rapidly rolling up .

it was dead black , save where its curled and fringed edges showed a ghastly , livid white .

it hung so low that it almost seemed to be touching the tops of the wooded hills .

Mr Harmon Andrews came clattering up the hill in his truck wagon , urging his team of grays to their utmost speed .

he pulled them to a halt opposite the school .

" guess Uncle Abe 's hit it for once in his life , Anne , " he shouted .

" his storm 's coming a leetle ahead of time .

did ye ever see the like of that cloud ?

through all the clamor of the storm came the thud of torn branches striking the house and the sharp crack of breaking glass .

for three quarters of an hour the storm raged unabated and no one who underwent it ever forgot it .

Anne , white as paper , had dragged the sofa away from the window and sat on it with a twin on either side .

Davy at the first crash had howled , " Anne , Anne , is it the Judgment Day ?

Dora , somewhat pale but quite composed , sat with her hand clasped in Anne 's , quiet and motionless .

it is doubtful if an earthquake would have disturbed Dora .

then , almost as suddenly as it began , the storm ceased .

Marilla rose from her knees , weak and trembling , and dropped on her rocker .

her face was haggard and she looked ten years older .

" have we all come out of that alive ? " she asked solemnly .

" you bet we have , " piped Davy cheerfully , quite his own man again .

" I wasn't a bit scared either . ..y ..y only just at the first .

it come on a fellow so sudden .

I made up my mind quick as a wink that I wouldn't fight Teddy Sloane Monday as I 'd promised ; but now maybe I will .

say , Dora , was you scared ? "

Anne got Marilla a glassful of her potent currant wine . . .

not only was every blossom stripped from the apple trees but great boughs and branches were wrenched away .

and out of the two hundred trees set out by the Improvers by far the greater number were snapped off or torn to shreds .

" can it possibly be the same world it was an hour ago ? " asked Anne , dazedly .

" it MUST have taken longer than that to play such havoc . "

" the like of this has never been known in Prince Edward Island , " said Marilla , " never .

I remember when I was a girl there was a bad storm , but it was nothing to this .

we 'll hear of terrible destruction , you may be sure . "

" I do hope none of the children were caught out in it , " murmured Anne anxiously .

" there comes John Henry Carter , " said Marilla .

John Henry came wading through the hailstones with a rather scared grin .

" oh , ain't this awful , Miss Cuthbert ?

Mr Harrison sent me over to see if yous had come out all right . "

" we 're none of us killed , " said Marilla grimly , " and none of the buildings was struck .

I hope you got off equally well . "

" Yas 'm .

not quite so well , ma'am .

we was struck .

Yas 'm . "

" was Ginger hurt ? " queried Anne .

" Yas 'm .

he was hurt pretty bad .

he was killed . "

later on Anne went over to comfort Mr Harrison .

she found him sitting by the table , stroking Ginger 's gay dead body with a trembling hand .

" Poor Ginger won't call you any more names , Anne , " he said mournfully .

Anne could never have imagined herself crying on Ginger 's account , but the tears came into her eyes .

" he was all the company I had , Anne . ..y ..y and now he 's dead .

well , well , I 'm an old fool to care so much .

I 'll let on I don't care .

I know you 're going to say something sympathetic as soon as I stop talking . ..y ..y but don't .

if you did I 'd cry like a baby .

hasn't this been a terrible storm ?

I guess folks won't laugh at Uncle Abe 's predictions again .

seems as if all the storms that he 's been prophesying all his life that never happened came all at once .

beats all how he struck the very day though , don't it ?

look at the mess we have here .

I must hustle round and get some boards to patch up that hole in the floor . "

Avonlea folks did nothing the next day but visit each other and compare damages .

the roads were impassable for wheels by reason of the hailstones , so they walked or rode on horseback .

the mail came late with ill tidings from all over the province .

uncle Abe waded out to the blacksmith 's forge early in the morning and spent the whole day there .

it was Uncle Abe 's hour of triumph and he enjoyed it to the full .

uncle Abe forgot that he had ever denied setting the day .

as for the trifling discrepancy in the hour , that was nothing .

Gilbert arrived at Green Gables in the evening and found Marilla and Anne busily engaged in nailing strips of oilcloth over the broken windows .

" goodness only knows when we 'll get glass for them , " said Marilla .

" Mr Barry went over to Carmody this afternoon but not a pane could he get for love or money .

Lawson and Blair were cleaned out by the Carmody people by ten o'clock .

was the storm bad at White Sands , Gilbert ? "

" I should say so .

I was caught in the school with all the children and I thought some of them would go mad with fright .

" I only squealed once , " said Davy proudly .

Anne came running down from the west gable .

" oh , Gilbert , have you heard the news ?

Mr Levi Boulter 's old house was struck and burned to the ground .

it seems to me that I 'm dreadfully wicked to feel glad over THAT , when so much damage has been done .

Mr Boulter says he believes the A.V.I.S. magicked up that storm on purpose . "

' Uncle Abe 's storm ' will go down in local history .

it is a most extraordinary coincidence that it should have come on the very day we selected .

I actually have a half guilty feeling , as if I really had ' magicked ' it up .

we may as well rejoice over the old house being removed , for there 's not much to rejoice over where our young trees are concerned .

not ten of them have escaped . "

" ah , well , we 'll just have to plant them over again next spring , " said Anne philosophically .

" that is one good thing about this world . ..y ..y there are always sure to be more springs . "

XXV

an Avonlea Scandal

I 'm so sorry . . .

I wanted some for Matthew 's grave .

he was always so fond of June lilies . "

and my annuals are all coming up again . ..y ..y but oh , nothing can replace the June lilies .

poor little Hester Gray will have none either .

I went all the way back to her garden last night but there wasn't one .

I 'm sure she 'll miss them . "

" I don't think it 's right for you to say such things , Anne , I really don't , " said Marilla severely .

" Hester Gray has been dead for thirty years and her spirit is in heaven . . .

I hope . "

" yes , but I believe she loves and remembers her garden here still , " said Anne .

" I 'm sure no matter how long I 'd lived in heaven I 'd like to look down and see somebody putting flowers on my grave .

how sweet you are singing , little bird .

you are just putting the feelings of my heart into song ever so much better than I could myself .

why , who is coming ? "

an express wagon was jolting up the lane , with two people on the front seat and a big trunk behind .

" is this where Mr James A Harrison lives ? " she inquired briskly .

" no , Mr Harrison lives over there , " said Anne , quite lost in astonishment .

" well , I DID think this place seemed too tidy . . .

" is it true that James A. is going to be married to some woman living in this settlement ? "

" but I saw it in an Island paper , " persisted the Fair Unknown .

" a friend sent a marked copy to me . ..y ..y friends are always so ready to do such things .

James A . 's name was written in over ' new citizen . ' "

" oh , that note was only meant as a joke , " gasped Anne .

" Mr Harrison has no intention of marrying ANYBODY .

I assure you he hasn't . "

I am his wife .

oh , you may well look surprised .

I suppose he has been masquerading as a bachelor and breaking hearts right and left .

well , well , James A ..y , " nodding vigorously over the fields at the long white house , " your fun is over .

I am here . ..y ..y though I wouldn't have bothered coming if I hadn't thought you were up to some mischief .

I suppose , " turning to Anne , " that parrot of his is as profane as ever ? "

" his parrot . ..y ..y is dead . . .

I THINK , " gasped poor Anne , who couldn't have felt sure of her own name at that precise moment .

" dead !

everything will be all right then , " cried the rosy lady jubilantly .

" I can manage James A. if that bird is out of the way . "

with which cryptic utterance she went joyfully on her way and Anne flew to the kitchen door to meet Marilla .

" Anne , who was that woman ? "

" Marilla , " said Anne solemnly , but with dancing eyes , " do I look as if I were crazy ? "

" not more so than usual , " said Marilla , with no thought of being sarcastic .

" well then , do you think I am awake ? "

" Anne , what nonsense has got into you ?

who was that woman , I say ? "

anyway , I 'm sure I couldn't have imagined such a bonnet .

she says she is Mr Harrison 's wife , Marilla . "

Marilla stared in her turn .

" his wife !

Anne Shirley !

then what has he been passing himself off as an unmarried man for ? "

" I don't suppose he did , really , " said Anne , trying to be just .

" he never said he wasn't married .

people simply took it for granted .

oh Marilla , what will Mrs Lynde say to this ? "

they found out what Mrs Lynde had to say when she came up that evening .

Mrs Lynde wasn't surprised !

Mrs Lynde had always expected something of the sort !

Mrs Lynde had always known there was SOMETHING about Mr Harrison !

" to think of his deserting his wife ! " she said indignantly .

" but we don't know that he deserted her , " protested Anne , determined to believe her friend innocent till he was proved guilty .

" we don't know the rights of it at all . "

" well , we soon will .

I 'll find out the whole story and come in and tell you on the way back . "

Mrs Lynde rushed in where Anne had feared to tread .

she and Marilla waited expectantly for that good lady 's return , but waited in vain .

Mrs Lynde did not revisit Green Gables that night .

Davy , arriving home at nine o'clock from the Boulter place , explained why .

Mrs Lynde said to tell you she was sorry it was too late to call tonight .

Anne , I 'm awful hungry .

we had tea at Milty 's at four and I think Mrs Boulter is real mean .

she didn't give us any preserves or cake . ..y ..y and even the bread was skurce . "

" Davy , when you go visiting you must never criticize anything you are given to eat , " said Anne solemnly .

" it is very bad manners . "

" all right . . .

I 'll only think it , " said Davy cheerfully .

" do give a fellow some supper , Anne . "

Anne looked at Marilla , who followed her into the pantry and shut the door cautiously .

" you can give him some jam on his bread , I know what tea at Levi Boulter 's is apt to be . "

Davy took his slice of bread and jam with a sigh .

" it 's a kind of disappointing world after all , " he remarked .

" Milty has a cat that takes fits . ..y ..y she 's took a fit regular every day for three weeks .

Milty says it 's awful fun to watch her .

but never mind " . . .

it doesn't seem likely she 'd stop having them all at once when she 's been so in the habit of it , does it ?

this jam is awful nice . "

Davy had no sorrows that plum jam could not cure .

Sunday proved so rainy that there was no stirring abroad ; but by Monday everybody had heard some version of the Harrison story .

the school buzzed with it and Davy came home , full of information .

Milty says one way is just to start off and leave your wife , and that 's what Mr Harrison did .

Milty says Mr Harrison left his wife because she throwed things at him . . .

I wouldn't leave MY wife for anything like that .

THAT'D settle her pretty quick I guess .

but Annetta Clay says SHE left HIM because he wouldn't scrape his boots at the door and she doesn't blame her .

I 'm going right over to Mr Harrison 's this minute to see what she's like . "

Davy soon returned , somewhat cast down .

" Mrs Harrison was away . ..y ..y she 's gone to Carmody with Mrs Rachel Lynde to get new paper for the parlor .

and Mr Harrison said to tell Anne to go over and see him ' cause he wants to have a talk with her .

and say , the floor is scrubbed , and Mr Harrison is shaved , though there wasn't any preaching yesterday . "

the Harrison kitchen wore a very unfamiliar look to Anne .

he was sprucely shaved and what little hair he had was carefully trimmed .

" Emily 's gone over to Carmody with Rachel Lynde . ..y ..y she 's struck up a lifelong friendship already with Rachel Lynde .

Beats all how contrary women are .

well , Anne , my easy times are over . . . all over .

it 's neatness and tidiness for me for the rest of my natural life , I suppose . "

Mr Harrison did his best to speak dolefully , but an irrepressible twinkle in his eye betrayed him .

" Mr Harrison , you are glad your wife is come back , " cried Anne , shaking her finger at him .

" you needn't pretend you 're not , because I can see it plainly . "

Mr Harrison relaxed into a sheepish smile .

" well . ..y ..y well . . .

I 'm getting used to it , " he conceded .

" I can't say I was sorry to see Emily .

" nobody would have supposed you went to see Isabella Andrews if you hadn't pretended to be unmarried , " said Anne severely .

" I didn't pretend I was .

if anybody 'd have asked me if I was married I 'd have said I was .

but they just took it for granted .

I wasn't anxious to talk about the matter . . .

I was feeling too sore over it .

it would have been nuts for Mrs Rachel Lynde if she had known my wife had left me , wouldn't it now ? "

" but some people say that you left her . "

" she started it , Anne , she started it .

but let's go out on the veranda .

everything is so fearful neat in here that it kind of makes me homesick .

I suppose I 'll get used to it after awhile but it eases me up to look at the yard .

Emily hasn't had time to tidy it up yet . "

as soon as they were comfortably seated on the veranda Mr Harrison began his tale of woe .

" I lived in Scottsford , New Brunswick , before I came here , Anne .

but three years ago she died .

before she died she worried a lot about what was to become of me and finally she got me to promise I 'd get married .

she advised me to take Emily Scott because Emily had money of her own and was a pattern housekeeper .

I said , says I , ' Emily Scott wouldn't look at me . '

and Emily said she 'd have me .

never was so surprised in my life , Anne . ..y ..y a smart pretty little woman like her and an old fellow like me .

I tell you I thought at first I was in luck .

Well , we were married and took a little wedding trip to St John for a fortnight and then we went home .

well , she cleaned house till one o'clock that night and at four she was up and at it again .

and she kept on that way . ..y ..y far's I could see she never stopped .

it was scour and sweep and dust everlasting , except on Sundays , and then she was just longing for Monday to begin again .

but it was her way of amusing herself and I could have reconciled myself to it if she 'd left me alone .

but that she wouldn't do .

she 'd set out to make me over but she hadn't caught me young enough .

I wasn't allowed to come into the house unless I changed my boots for slippers at the door .

I darsn't smoke a pipe for my life unless I went to the barn .

and I didn't use good enough grammar .

Emily 'd been a schoolteacher in her early life and she 'd never got over it .

then she hated to see me eating with my knife .

well , there it was , pick and nag everlasting .

but I s'pose , Anne , to be fair , I was cantankerous too .

I didn't try to improve as I might have done . . .

I just got cranky and disagreeable when she found fault .

I told her one day she hadn't complained of my grammar when I proposed to her .

it wasn't an overly tactful thing to say .

a woman would forgive a man for beating her sooner than for hinting she was too much pleased to get him .

ginger was the rock we split on at last .

Emily didn't like parrots and she couldn't stand Ginger 's profane habits of speech .

I was attached to the bird for my brother the sailor 's sake .

my brother the sailor was a pet of mine when we were little tads and he 'd sent Ginger to me when he was dying .

I didn't see any sense in getting worked up over his swearing .

but Emily couldn't see it that way .

women ain't logical .

seemed as if the more she tried the worse Ginger got , same as me .

" well , things went on like this , both of us getting raspier , till the CLIMAX came .

Emily invited our minister and his wife to tea , and another minister and HIS wife that was visiting them .

I 'd promised to put Ginger away in some safe place where nobody would hear him . . .

but it slipped my mind . . .

the gobbler had come into view in the yard and the sight of a gobbler always had an unwholesome effect on Ginger .

he surpassed himself that time .

I went out and carried Ginger to the barn .

I can't say I enjoyed the meal .

but there was no Emily and there was a letter on the table . ..y ..y just according to the rule in story books .

I packed up her belongings and sent them after her .

it made an awful lot of talk . . .

Scottsford was pretty near as bad as Avonlea for gossip . ..y ..y and everybody sympathized with Emily .

it kept me all cross and cantankerous and I saw I 'd have to get out or I 'd never have any peace .

I concluded I 'd come to the Island .

so , just to be contrary , I moved over here .

and that 's all there is to it .

so she 's here and she 's going to stay . ..y ..y seeing that Ginger 's dead and the Island 's some bigger than she thought .

there 's Mrs Lynde and her now .

no , don't go , Anne .

stay and get acquainted with Emily .

she took quite a notion to you Saturday . ..y ..y wanted to know who that handsome redhaired girl was at the next house . "

Mrs Harrison welcomed Anne radiantly and insisted on her staying to tea .

" I want to get acquainted with all my new neighbors just as soon as possible .

Mrs Lynde is a lovely woman , isn't she ?

so friendly . "

" I suppose , " said Mrs Harrison confidentially , " that James A. has told you our story ? "

" yes . "

" then I needn't tell it , for James A. is a just man and he would tell the truth .

the blame was far from being all on his side .

I can see that now .

I wasn't back in my own house an hour before I wished I hadn't been so hasty but I wouldn't give in .

I see now that I expected too much of a man .

and I was real foolish to mind his bad grammar .

I feel that James A. and I are going to be real happy now .

I wish I knew who ' Observer ' is , so that I could thank him .

I owe him a real debt of gratitude . "

Anne kept her own counsel and Mrs Harrison never knew that her gratitude found its way to its object .

Anne felt rather bewildered over the far-reaching consequences of those foolish " notes . "

they had reconciled a man to his wife and made the reputation of a prophet .

Mrs Lynde was in the Green Gables kitchen .

she had been telling the whole story to Marilla .

" well , and how do you like Mrs Harrison ? " she asked Anne .

" very much .

I think she 's a real nice little woman . "

well , I must get back .

Thomas 'll be wearying for me .

I hear Gilbert Blythe has resigned from White Sands .

he 'll be off to college in the fall , I suppose . "

she carried Davy away , her oval girlish cheek pressed against his curly yellow head .

as they went up the stairs Davy flung a tired arm about Anne 's neck and gave her a warm hug and a sticky kiss .

" you 're awful nice , Anne .

Milty Boulter wrote on his slate today and showed it to Jennie Sloane ,

" ' Roses red and vi'lets blue , Sugar 's sweet , and so are you "

and that ' spresses my feelings for you ezackly , Anne . "

XXVI

around the Bend

Thomas Lynde faded out of life as quietly and unobtrusively as he had lived it .

his wife was a tender , patient , unwearied nurse .

" a good wife .

I 'm sorry I ain't leaving you better off ; but the children will look after you .

they 're all smart , capable children , just like their mother .

a good mother . ..y ..y a good woman . . . . "

" Anne , Thomas Lynde is gone . ..y ..y their hired boy just brought the word .

I 'm going right down to Rachel . "

on the day after Thomas Lynde 's funeral Marilla went about Green Gables with a strangely preoccupied air .

occasionally she looked at Anne , seemed on the point of saying something , then shook her head and buttoned up her mouth .

" how is Mrs Lynde tonight ? " asked the latter .

" but she 's very lonely .

Eliza had to go home today . ..y ..y her son isn't well and she felt she couldn't stay any longer . "

" when I 've finished these exercises I 'll run down and chat awhile with Mrs Lynde , " said Anne .

" I had intended to study some Latin composition tonight but it can wait . "

" I suppose Gilbert Blythe is going to college in the fall , " said Marilla jerkily .

" how would you like to go too , Anne ? "

Anne looked up in astonishment .

" I would like it , of course , Marilla .

but it isn't possible . "

" I guess it can be made possible .

I 've always felt that you should go .

I 've never felt easy to think you were giving it all up on my account . "

" but Marilla , I 've never been sorry for a moment that I stayed home .

I 've been so happy . . .

oh , these past two years have just been delightful . "

" oh , yes , I know you 've been contented enough .

but that isn't the question exactly .

you ought to go on with your education .

" yes , but I can't go , Marilla .

your eyes are better , of course ; but I can't leave you alone with the twins .

they need so much looking after . "

" I won't be alone with them .

that 's what I meant to discuss with you .

I had a long talk with Rachel tonight .

Anne , she 's feeling dreadful bad over a good many things .

she 's not left very well off .

and then of course Thomas ' illness has cost a good deal , one way or another .

the farm will have to be sold and Rachel thinks there 'll be hardly anything left after the bills are settled .

she says she 'll have to go and live with Eliza and it 's breaking her heart to think of leaving Avonlea .

a woman of her age doesn't make new friends and interests easy .

if I had Rachel living with me you could go to college .

how do you feel about it ? "

" but as for asking Mrs Lynde to come here , that is for you to decide , Marilla .

do you think . . . are you sure . ..y ..y you would like it ?

Mrs Lynde is a good woman and a kind neighbor , but . . . but . . . "

" but she 's got her faults , you mean to say ?

I 'd miss her terrible .

she 's the only close friend I 've got here and I 'd be lost without her .

do you remember , Anne ? "

" I should think I do , " said Anne ruefully .

" people don't forget things like that .

how I hated poor Mrs Rachel at that moment ! "

" and then that ' apology ' you made her .

well , you were a handful , in all conscience , Anne .

I did feel so puzzled and bewildered how to manage you .

Matthew understood you better . "

" Matthew understood everything , " said Anne softly , as she always spoke of him .

" well , I think it could be managed so that Rachel and I wouldn't clash at all .

she could put her stove there and what furniture she wanted to keep , and be real comfortable and independent .

she 'll have enough to live on of course ... her children 'll see to that ... so all I 'd be giving her would be house room .

yes , Anne , far as I 'm concerned I 'd like it . "

" then ask her , " said Anne promptly .

" I 'd be very sorry myself to see Mrs Rachel go away . "

" and if she comes , " continued Marilla , " you can go to college as well as not .

Anne had a long meditation at her window that night .

Joy and regret struggled together in her heart .

she must give up her school . ..y ..y and she loved every one of her pupils , even the stupid and naughty ones .

the mere thought of Paul Irving made her wonder if Redmond were such a name to conjure with after all .

but it 's best to go , I think , and , as Marilla says , there 's no good reason why I shouldn't .

I must get out all my ambitions and dust them . "

" I certainly never thought of living as far off the road as Green Gables , " sighed Mrs Rachel to herself .

" but really , Green Gables doesn't seem as out of the world as it used to do . . .

Anne has lots of company and the twins make it real lively .

and anyhow , I 'd rather live at the bottom of a well than leave Avonlea . "

these two decisions being noised abroad speedily ousted the arrival of Mrs Harrison in popular gossip .

sage heads were shaken over Marilla Cuthbert 's rash step in asking Mrs Rachel to live with her .

people opined that they wouldn't get on together .

they had come to a clear and distinct understanding of the respective duties and rights of their new arrangements and meant to abide by them .

I 'm not an encyclopedia , neither am I a Philadelphia lawyer .

you 'll miss Anne for that . "

" sometimes Anne 's answers were about as queer as Davy 's questions , " said Marilla drily .

" the twins will miss her and no mistake ; but her future can't be sacrificed to Davy 's thirst for information .

when he asks questions I can't answer I 'll just tell him children should be seen and not heard .

" well , Anne 's methods seem to have worked fairly well with Davy , " said Mrs Lynde smilingly .

" he is a reformed character , that's what . "

" he isn't a bad little soul , " conceded Marilla .

" I never expected to get as fond of those children as I have .

" Monotonous ?

exactly , " supplied Mrs . Rachel .

" like a book where every page is the same , that's what .

Dora will make a good , reliable woman but she 'll never set the pond on fire .

well , that sort of folks are comfortable to have round , even if they 're not as interesting as the other kind . "

Gilbert Blythe was probably the only person to whom the news of Anne 's resignation brought unmixed pleasure .

her pupils looked upon it as a sheer catastrophe .

Annetta Bell had hysterics when she went home .

Anthony Pye fought two pitched and unprovoked battles with other boys by way of relieving his feelings .

Barbara Shaw cried all night .

Paul Irving defiantly told his grandmother that she needn't expect him to eat any porridge for a week .

" I can't do it , Grandma , " he said .

" I don't really know if I can eat ANYTHING .

I feel as if there was a dreadful lump in my throat .

I 'd have cried coming home from school if Jake Donnell hadn't been watching me .

I believe I will cry after I go to bed .

it wouldn't show on my eyes tomorrow , would it ?

and it would be such a relief .

but anyway , I can't eat porridge .

oh Grandma , I don't know what I 'll do when my beautiful teacher goes away .

Milty Boulter says he bets Jane Andrews will get the school .

I suppose Miss Andrews is very nice .

but I know she won't understand things like Miss Shirley . "

Diana also took a very pessimistic view of affairs .

" you and Gilbert will be gone . ..y ..y and the Allans too .

they are going to call Mr Allan to Charlottetown and of course he 'll accept .

it 's too mean .

" I hope they won't call Mr Baxter from East Grafton here , anyhow , " said Anne decidedly .

" he wants the call but he does preach such gloomy sermons .

Mr Bell says he 's a minister of the old school , but Mrs Lynde says there 's nothing whatever the matter with him but indigestion .

Mrs Allan feels very badly about going away .

and then , there 's the baby 's grave , you know .

she told me all about it last evening when I was up putting some of those early wild roses on Matthew 's grave .

" that I would do it , " supplied Diana heartily .

" of course I will .

and I 'll put them on Matthew 's grave too , for your sake , Anne . "

" oh , thank you .

I meant to ask you to if you would .

and on little Hester Gray 's too ?

please don't forget hers .

do you know , I 've thought and dreamed so much about little Hester Gray that she has become strangely real to me .

and we would sit down on the old bench and talk a little and dream a little , or just be beautifully silent together .

and I would not know whether it had been real or if I had just imagined it all . "

Diana crawled up and got her back against the headboard of the bed .

" I 'm afraid the Improvement Society will go down when you and Gilbert are both gone , " she remarked dolefully .

" not a bit of fear of it , " said Anne briskly , coming back from dreamland to the affairs of practical life .

" it is too firmly established for that , especially since the older people are becoming so enthusiastic about it .

look what they are doing this summer for their lawns and lanes .

besides , I 'll be watching for hints at Redmond and I 'll write a paper for it next winter and send it over .

don't take such a gloomy view of things , Diana .

and don't grudge me my little hour of gladness and jubilation now .

later on , when I have to go away , I 'll feel anything but glad . "

" I hope I shall make new friends , " said Anne thoughtfully .

" the possibilities of making new friends help to make life very fascinating .

can you guess who she is , Diana ? "

well , of course these past two years have really been too pleasant to last .

I know SOMEBODY who is glad you are going to Redmond anyhow .

Anne , I 'm going to ask you a question . ..y ..y a serious question .

don't be vexed and do answer seriously .

do you care anything for Gilbert ? "

Diana sighed .

she wished , somehow , that Anne had answered differently .

" don't you mean EVER to be married , Anne ? "

" but how can you be sure when you do meet the right one ? " persisted Diana .

" oh , I should know him . . .

SOMETHING would tell me .

you know what my ideal is , Diana . "

" but people 's ideals change sometimes . "

" mine won't .

and I COULDN'T care for any man who didn't fulfill it . "

" what if you never meet him ? "

" then I shall die an old maid , " was the cheerful response .

" I daresay it isn't the hardest death by any means . "

" although I wouldn't mind being an old maid VERY much if I could be one like Miss Lavendar .

but I never could be .

when I 'm forty-five I 'll be horribly fat .

and while there might be some romance about a thin old maid there couldn't possibly be any about a fat one .

oh , mind you , Nelson Atkins proposed to Ruby Gillis three weeks ago .

Ruby told me all about it .

and she says Wilbur Blair is literally pining away for her but she 's perfectly helpless in the matter . "

Anne made an impatient movement .

I liked her when we went to school and Queen 's together . ..y ..y though not so well as you and Jane of course .

but this last year at Carmody she seems so different . ..y ..y so . ..y ..y so . . . "

" I know , " nodded Diana .

" it 's the Gillis coming out in her . ..y ..y she can't help it .

Mrs Lynde says that if ever a Gillis girl thought about anything but the boys she never showed it in her walk and conversation .

she talks about nothing but boys and what compliments they pay her , and how crazy they all are about her at Carmody .

and the strange thing is , they ARE , too . . . "

Diana admitted this somewhat resentfully .

" last night when I saw her in Mr Blair 's store she whispered to me that she 'd just made a new ' mash . '

I wouldn't ask her who it was , because I knew she was dying to BE asked .

well , it 's what Ruby always wanted , I suppose .

she 's so different from Jane , isn't she ?

Jane is such a nice , sensible , lady-like girl . "

do you remember that evening we first met , Diana , and ' swore ' eternal friendship in your garden ?

we 've kept that ' oath , ' I think . ..y ..y we 've never had a quarrel nor even a coolness .

I shall never forget the thrill that went over me the day you told me you loved me .

I had had such a lonely , starved heart all through my childhood .

I 'm just beginning to realize how starved and lonely it really was .

nobody cared anything for me or wanted to be bothered with me .

but when I came to Green Gables everything was changed .

and then I met you .

you don't know what your friendship meant to me .

I want to thank you here and now , dear , for the warm and true affection you 've always given me . "

" and always , always will , " sobbed Diana .

" I shall NEVER love anybody . ..y ..y any GIRL . ..y ..y half as well as I love you .

and if I ever do marry and have a little girl of my own I 'm going to name her ANNE . "

XXVII

an Afternoon at the Stone House

" where are you going , all dressed up , Anne ? "

Davy wanted to know .

" you look bully in that dress . "

it became her perfectly , bringing out all the delicate , flower-like tints of her face and the gloss and burnish of her hair .

" Davy , how many times have I told you that you mustn't use that word , " she rebuked .

" I 'm going to Echo Lodge . "

" take me with you , " entreated Davy .

" I would if I were driving .

but I 'm going to walk and it 's too far for your eight-year-old legs .

besides , Paul is going with me and I fear you don't enjoy yourself in his company . "

" oh , I like Paul lots better'n I did , " said Davy , beginning to make fearful inroads into his pudding .

" since I 've got pretty good myself I don't mind his being gooder so much .

if I can keep on I 'll catch up with him some day , both in legs and goodness .

' Sides , Paul 's real nice to us second primer boys in school .

he won't let the other big boys meddle with us and he shows us lots of games . "

" how came Paul to fall into the brook at noon hour yesterday ? " asked Anne .

" well , it was partly a zacksident , " explained Davy .

" he stuck his head in on purpose but the rest of him fell in zacksidentally .

he 's CLEAN GONE on her . ..y ..y brings her flowers and carries her books as far as the shore road .

he got as red as a beet and said his grandmother didn't do any such thing and his hair was born curly .

and then he laid down on the bank and stuck his head right into the spring to show them .

but the bank 's awful slippy and Paul went right in .

I tell you he made a bully splash .

oh , Anne , Anne , I didn't mean to say that . ..y ..y it just slipped out before I thought .

he made a SPLENDID splash .

but he looked so funny when he crawled out , all wet and muddy .

the girls laughed more'n ever , but Gracie didn't laugh .

she looked sorry .

Gracie 's a nice girl but she 's got a snub nose .

when I get big enough to have a girl I won't have one with a snub nose . . .

I 'll pick one with a pretty nose like yours , Anne . "

" and I 'll wash behind my ears too , without being told .

I remembered to this morning , Marilla .

I don't forget half as often as I did .

well , if I can't go to Miss Lavendar 's I 'll go over and see Mrs Harrison .

Mrs Harrison 's an awful nice woman , I tell you .

A good many plums stick to the sides , you see .

Mr Harrison was always a nice man , but he 's twice as nice since he got married over again .

I guess getting married makes folks nicer .

why don't YOU get married , Marilla ?

I want to know . "

" but maybe you never asked anybody to have you , " protested Davy .

" I don't know why they have to do it ALWAYS , " grumbled Davy .

" seems to me everything 's put on the men in this world .

can I have some more pudding , Marilla ? "

" you 've had as much as was good for you , " said Marilla ; but she gave him a moderate second helping .

" I wish people could live on pudding .

why can't they , Marilla ?

I want to know . "

" because they 'd soon get tired of it . "

" I 'd like to try that for myself , " said skeptical Davy .

" but I guess it 's better to have pudding only on fish and company days than none at all .

they never have any at Milty Boulter 's .

" if Milty Boulter talks like that about his mother at least you needn't repeat it , " said Marilla severely .

" bless my soul , " . . .

Davy had picked this expression up from Mr Harrison and used it with great gusto . . .

" Milty meant it as a compelment .

he 's awful proud of his mother , cause folks say she could scratch a living on a rock . "

" I . . .

I suppose them pesky hens are in my pansy bed again , " said Marilla , rising and going out hurriedly .

the slandered hens were nowhere near the pansy bed and Marilla did not even glance at it .

instead , she sat down on the cellar hatch and laughed until she was ashamed of herself .

" welcome , Anne .

I thought you 'd come today .

you belong to the afternoon so it brought you .

things that belong together are sure to come together .

what a lot of trouble that would save some people if they only knew it .

but they don't . ..y ..y and so they waste beautiful energy moving heaven and earth to bring things together that DON'T belong .

and you , Paul . ..y ..y why , you 've grown !

you 're half a head taller than when you were here before . "

" Grandma says it 's the porridge taking effect at last .

perhaps it is .

goodness knows . . . "

Paul sighed deeply . . .

" I 've eaten enough to make anyone grow .

I do hope , now that I 've begun , I 'll keep on till I 'm as tall as father .

he is six feet , you know , Miss Lavendar . "

" is it a good day for the echoes , Miss Lavendar ? " queried Paul anxiously .

the day of his first visit had been too windy for echoes and Paul had been much disappointed .

" yes , just the best kind of a day , " answered Miss Lavendar , rousing herself from her reverie .

" but first we are all going to have something to eat .

so we 'll just make a raid on the pantry .

fortunately it 's lovely and full .

I had a presentiment that I was going to have company today and Charlotta the Fourth and I prepared . "

" I think you are one of the people who always have nice things in their pantry , " declared Paul .

" Grandma 's like that too .

but she doesn't approve of snacks between meals .

I wonder , " he added meditatively , " if I OUGHT to eat them away from home when I know she doesn't approve . "

" oh , I don't think she would disapprove after you have had a long walk .

that makes a difference , " said Miss Lavendar , exchanging amused glances with Anne over Paul 's brown curls .

" I suppose that snacks ARE extremely unwholesome .

that is why we have them so often at Echo Lodge .

we . . .

Charlotta the Fourth and I . ..y ..y live in defiance of every known law of diet .

we are always intending to reform .

but we never can somehow . ..y ..y until after we 've gone and eaten that very thing .

" so I 'm always glad when it 's Sunday night . ..y ..y for more reasons than one .

Sunday is a very long day on the shore road .

Grandma says it 's all too short for her and that father never found Sundays tiresome when he was a little boy .

I think a good deal ; but I 'm afraid my thoughts are worldly .

Grandma says we should never think anything but religious thoughts on Sundays .

but I feel sure Grandma thinks that sermons and Sunday School lessons are the only things you can think truly religious thoughts about .

and when it comes to a difference of opinion between Grandma and teacher I don't know what to do .

In my heart " . . .

Paul laid his hand on his breast and raised very serious blue eyes to Miss Lavendar 's immediately sympathetic face . . .

" I agree with teacher .

but you can't tell how they 'll turn out till they ARE grown up .

so sometimes I feel as if it might be safer to go by Grandma 's opinions . "

" I think it would , " agreed Anne solemnly .

you 'd better go by her way of expressing it , since it 's been the result of experience .

we 'll have to wait until we see how the twins do turn out before we can be sure that my way is equally good . "

" so you are going away in the fall ? " said Miss Lavendar wistfully .

" I ought to be glad for your sake , Anne . ..y ..y but I 'm horribly , selfishly sorry .

I shall miss you so much .

oh , sometimes , I think it is of no use to make friends .

they only go out of your life after awhile and leave a hurt that is worse than the emptiness before they came . "

" that sounds like something Miss Eliza Andrews might say but never Miss Lavendar , " said Anne .

" NOTHING is worse than emptiness . ..y ..y and I 'm not going out of your life .

there are such things as letters and vacations .

dearest , I 'm afraid you 're looking a little pale and tired . "

miss Lavendar made an impatient movement with her pretty hands .

" I 'm just tired of everything . ..y ..y even of the echoes .

there is nothing in my life but echoes . ..y ..y echoes of lost hopes and dreams and joys .

they 're beautiful and mocking .

oh Anne , it 's horrid of me to talk like this when I have company .

it 's just that I 'm getting old and it doesn't agree with me .

I know I 'll be fearfully cranky by the time I 'm sixty .

but perhaps all I need is a course of blue pills . "

" early strawberries for tea ! " exclaimed Miss Lavendar .

" oh , I 'm not so old as I thought . ..y ..y and I don't need a single blue pill !

girls , when you come back with your strawberries we 'll have tea out here under the silver poplar .

I 'll have it all ready for you with home-grown cream . "

" oh , isn't it sweet and fresh back here ? " breathed Anne .

" I just feel as if I were drinking in the sunshine . "

it seemed so easy when you watched Anne .

Charlotta the Fourth admired Anne wholeheartedly .

it was not that she thought her so very handsome .

" but I 'd rather look like you than be pretty , " she told Anne sincerely .

Anne laughed , sipped the honey from the tribute , and cast away the sting .

she was used to taking her compliments mixed .

public opinion never agreed on Anne 's looks .

people who had heard her called handsome met her and were disappointed .

people who had heard her called plain saw her and wondered where other people 's eyes were .

Anne herself would never believe that she had any claim to beauty .

when she looked in the glass all she saw was a little pale face with seven freckles on the nose thereof .

she seemed to walk in an atmosphere of things about to happen .

as they picked , Charlotta the Fourth confided to Anne her fears regarding Miss Lavendar .

the warm-hearted little handmaiden was honestly worried over her adored mistress ' condition .

" Miss Lavendar isn't well , Miss Shirley , ma'am .

I 'm sure she isn't , though she never complains .

she hasn't seemed like herself this long while , ma'am . ..y ..y not since that day you and Paul were here together before .

I feel sure she caught cold that night , ma'am .

there was a lot of snow on the walks and I feel sure she got a chill , ma'am .

ever since then I 've noticed her acting tired and lonesome like .

she don't seem to take an interest in anything , ma'am .

she never pretends company 's coming , nor fixes up for it , nor nothing , ma'am .

it 's only when you come she seems to chirk up a bit .

and the worst sign of all , Miss Shirley , ma'am . . . "

why , Miss Shirley , ma'am , yesterday I bruk her green and yaller bowl that 's always stood on the bookcase .

her grandmother brought it out from England and Miss Lavendar was awful choice of it .

I tell you I was sorry and scared .

I thought Miss Lavendar would scold me awful , ma'am ; and I 'd ruther she had than take it the way she did .

she just come in and hardly looked at it and said , ' It 's no matter , Charlotta .

take up the pieces and throw them away . '

oh , she isn't well and I feel awful bad about it .

she 's got nobody to look after her but me . "

Charlotta the Fourth 's eyes brimmed up with tears .

Anne patted the little brown paw holding the cracked pink cup sympathetically .

" I think Miss Lavendar needs a change , Charlotta .

she stays here alone too much .

can't we induce her to go away for a little trip ? "

Charlotta shook her head , with its rampant bows , disconsolately .

" I don't think so , Miss Shirley , ma'am .

Miss Lavendar hates visiting .

she 's only got three relations she ever visits and she says she just goes to see them as a family duty .

last time when she come home she said she wasn't going to visit for family duty no more .

my relations try so hard to make an old lady of me and it has a bad effect on me . '

just like that , Miss Shirley , ma'am .

' It has a very bad effect on me . '

so I don't think it would do any good to coax her to go visiting . "

" we must see what can be done , " said Anne decidedly , as she put the last possible berry in her pink cup .

" just as soon as I have my vacation I 'll come through and spend a whole week with you .

we 'll have a picnic every day and pretend all sorts of interesting things , and see if we can't cheer Miss Lavendar up . "

" that will be the very thing , Miss Shirley , ma'am , " exclaimed Charlotta the Fourth in rapture .

she was glad for Miss Lavendar 's sake and for her own too .

with a whole week in which to study Anne constantly she would surely be able to learn how to move and behave like her .

" miss Lavendar , why do you look at me like that ? " he asked gravely .

" how do I look , Paul ? "

" you do put me in mind of somebody I knew long ago , " said Miss Lavendar dreamily .

" when you were young ? "

" yes , when I was young .

do I seem very old to you , Paul ? "

" do you know , I can't make up my mind about that , " said Paul confidentially .

" your hair looks old . . .

I never knew a young person with white hair .

but your eyes are as young as my beautiful teacher 's when you laugh .

I tell you what , Miss Lavendar " . . .

Paul 's voice and face were as solemn as a judge 's . . .

" I think you would make a splendid mother .

you have just the right look in your eyes . ..y ..y the look my little mother always had .

I think it's a pity you haven't any boys of your own . "

" I have a little dream boy , Paul . "

" oh , have you really ?

how old is he ? "

" about your age I think .

he ought to be older because I dreamed him long before you were born .

" I know , " nodded Paul .

" that 's the beauty of dream-people . ..y ..y they stay any age you want them .

you and my beautiful teacher and me myself are the only folks in the world that I know of that have dream-people .

isn't it funny and nice we should all know each other ?

but I guess that kind of people always find each other out .

Grandma never has dream-people and Mary Joe thinks I 'm wrong in the upper story because I have them .

but I think it 's splendid to have them .

YOU know , Miss Lavendar .

tell me all about your little dream-boy . "

" he has blue eyes and curly hair .

he steals in and wakens me with a kiss every morning .

then all day he plays here in the garden . ..y ..y and I play with him .

such games as we have .

we run races and talk with the echoes ; and I tell him stories .

and when twilight comes . . . "

" I know , " interrupted Paul eagerly .

" he comes and sits beside you . . .

oh , you DO know , Miss Lavendar . "

" I 'm afraid we must go , Paul , if we want to get home before dark .

miss Lavendar , I 'm going to invite myself to Echo Lodge for a whole week pretty soon . "

" if you come for a week I 'll keep you for two , " threatened Miss Lavendar .

XXVIII

the Prince Comes Back to the Enchanted Palace

the last day of school came and went .

a triumphant " semi-annual examination " was held and Anne 's pupils acquitted themselves splendidly .

at the close they gave her an address and a writing desk .

Mrs Harmon Andrews , Mrs Peter Sloane , and Mrs William Bell walked home together and talked things over .

" to be sure , " she added hastily , " we all know we 'll have a good teacher next year too . "

" Jane will do her duty , I 've no doubt , " said Mrs Andrews rather stiffly .

" I don't suppose she 'll tell the children quite so many fairy tales or spend so much time roaming about the woods with them .

but she has her name on the Inspector 's Roll of Honor and the Newbridge people are in a terrible state over her leaving . "

" I 'm real glad Anne is going to college , " said Mrs Bell .

" she has always wanted it and it will be a splendid thing for her . "

" well , I don't know . "

Mrs Andrews was determined not to agree fully with anybody that day .

" I don't see that Anne needs any more education .

if they taught you at college how to manage a man there might be some sense in her going . "

" I see that the Charlottetown call to Mr Allan is up before the Presbytery , " said Mrs Bell .

" that means we 'll be losing him soon , I suppose . "

" they 're not going before September , " said Mrs Sloane .

but we are none of us perfect .

did you notice how neat and snug Mr Harrison looked today ?

I never saw such a changed man .

he goes to church every Sunday and has subscribed to the salary . "

" hasn't that Paul Irving grown to be a big boy ? " said Mrs Andrews .

" he was such a mite for his age when he came here .

I declare I hardly knew him today .

he 's getting to look a lot like his father . "

" he 's a smart boy , " said Mrs Bell .

" he 's smart enough , but " . . .

Mrs Andrews lowered her voice . . .

" I believe he tells queer stories .

I told Gracie not to believe them , and she said Paul didn't intend her to .

but if he didn't what did he tell them to her for ? "

" Anne says Paul is a genius , " said Mrs Sloane .

" he may be .

you never know what to expect of them Americans , " said Mrs Andrews .

she probably thought , with Mary Joe , that it meant a person with something wrong in his upper story .

her heart was so wrung over the parting with her pupils that for a moment college had lost all its charm .

for two years she had worked earnestly and faithfully , making many mistakes and learning from them .

she had had her reward .

" another chapter in my life is closed , " said Anne aloud , as she locked her desk .

she really felt very sad over it ; but the romance in the idea of that " closed chapter " did comfort her a little .

Anne spent a fortnight at Echo Lodge early in her vacation and everybody concerned had a good time .

" what a foolish , frivolous person I must be , " she sighed .

in the evening she went down to the shore road to see Paul Irving .

" oh , Miss Shirley , " he cried excitedly , " you can't think what has happened !

something so splendid .

father is here . ..y ..y just think of that !

father is here !

come right in .

father , this is my beautiful teacher .

YOU know , father . "

Stephen Irving came forward to meet Anne with a smile .

just the face for a hero of romance , Anne thought with a thrill of intense satisfaction .

Anne would have thought it dreadful if the object of Miss Lavendar 's romance had not looked the part .

I want to thank you for what you have done for Paul .

I think that your influence has been just what he needed .

what was lacking in her you have supplied .

between you , I think Paul 's training in these two past years has been as nearly ideal as a motherless boy 's could be . "

everybody likes to be appreciated .

Paul sat between them blissfully happy .

" I never dreamed father was coming , " he said radiantly .

" Even Grandma didn't know it .

it was a great surprise .

as a general thing . . . "

Paul shook his brown curls gravely . . .

" I don't like to be surprised .

you lose all the fun of expecting things when you 're surprised .

but in a case like this it is all right .

father came last night after I had gone to bed .

but I woke right up and saw father .

I tell you I just sprang at him . "

" with a hug like a bear 's , " said Mr Irving , putting his arms around Paul 's shoulder smilingly .

" I hardly knew my boy , he had grown so big and brown and sturdy . "

" I don't know which was the most pleased to see father , Grandma or I , " continued Paul .

" Grandma 's been in kitchen all day making the things father likes to eat .

she wouldn't trust them to Mary Joe , she says .

that 's HER way of showing gladness .

I like best just to sit and talk to father .

but I 'm going to leave you for a little while now if you 'll excuse me .

I must get the cows for Mary Joe .

that is one of my daily duties . "

when Paul had scampered away to do his " daily duty " Mr Irving talked to Anne of various matters .

but Anne felt that he was thinking of something else underneath all the time .

presently it came to the surface .

" in Paul 's last letter he spoke of going with you to visit an old . ..y ..y friend of mine . . .

miss Lewis at the stone house in Grafton .

do you know her well ? "

Anne " felt instinctively " that romance was peeping at her around a corner .

Mr Irving rose and went to the window , looking out on a great , golden , billowing sea where a wild wind was harping .

for a few moments there was silence in the little dark-walled room .

then he turned and looked down into Anne 's sympathetic face with a smile , half-whimsical , half-tender .

" I wonder how much you know , " he said .

" I know all about it , " replied Anne promptly .

" you see , " she explained hastily , " Miss Lavendar and I are very intimate .

she wouldn't tell things of such a sacred nature to everybody .

we are kindred spirits . "

" yes , I believe you are .

well , I am going to ask a favor of you .

I would like to go and see Miss Lavendar if she will let me .

will you ask her if I may come ? "

would she not ?

oh , indeed she would !

yes , this was romance , the very , the real thing , with all the charm of rhyme and story and dream .

never did Anne 's feet bear her on a more willing errand than on that walk through the beechwoods to Grafton the next morning .

she found Miss Lavendar in the garden .

Anne was fearfully excited .

her hands grew cold and her voice trembled .

" miss Lavendar , I have something to tell you . ..y ..y something very important .

can you guess what it is ? "

" Stephen Irving is home ? "

" how did you know ?

who told you ? " cried Anne disappointedly , vexed that her great revelation had been anticipated .

" nobody .

I knew that must be it , just from the way you spoke . "

" he wants to come and see you , " said Anne .

" may I send him word that he may ? "

" yes , of course , " fluttered Miss Lavendar .

" there is no reason why he shouldn't .

he is only coming as any old friend might . "

Anne had her own opinion about that as she hastened into the house to write a note at Miss Lavendar 's desk .

" oh , it 's delightful to be living in a storybook , " she thought gaily .

" it 's so very important , " Anne assured him anxiously .

but he said he would do his best to remember and she had to be contented with that .

Charlotta the Fourth felt that some mystery pervaded the stone house that afternoon . . . a mystery from which she was excluded .

miss Lavendar roamed about the garden in a distracted fashion .

Anne , too , seemed possessed by a demon of unrest , and walked to and fro and went up and down .

you see , Prince Charming is coming tonight .

" oh , Miss Shirley , ma'am , what is that in prose ? " gasped the mystified Charlotta .

Anne laughed .

" in prose , an old friend of Miss Lavendar 's is coming to see her tonight . "

" do you mean an old beau of hers ? " demanded the literal Charlotta .

" that is probably what I do mean . ..y ..y in prose , " answered Anne gravely .

" it is Paul 's father . . .

Stephen Irving .

and goodness knows what will come of it , but let us hope for the best , Charlotta . "

" I hope that he 'll marry Miss Lavendar , " was Charlotta 's unequivocal response .

but Miss Lavendar never was .

and I 've been awful worried , thinking what on earth she 'd do when I got so big I'd HAVE to go to Boston .

she might get someone who wouldn't be as unlucky as me in breaking dishes but she 'd never get anyone who 'd love her better . "

and the faithful little handmaiden dashed to the oven door with a sniff .

they went through the form of having tea as usual that night at Echo Lodge ; but nobody really ate anything .

after tea Miss Lavendar went to her room and put on her new forget-me-not organdy , while Anne did her hair for her .

both were dreadfully excited ; but Miss Lavendar pretended to be very calm and indifferent .

" those curtains have not worn as well as they should , considering the price I paid .

dear me , Charlotta has forgotten to dust the stair railing AGAIN .

I really MUST speak to her about it . "

Anne was sitting on the porch steps when Stephen Irving came down the lane and across the garden .

" this is the one place where time stands still , " he said , looking around him with delighted eyes .

" there is nothing changed about this house or garden since I was here twenty-five years ago .

it makes me feel young again . "

" you know time always does stand still in an enchanted palace , " said Anne seriously .

" it is only when the prince comes that things begin to happen . "

Mr Irving smiled a little sadly into her uplifted face , all astar with its youth and promise .

" sometimes the prince comes too late , " he said .

he did not ask Anne to translate her remark into prose .

like all kindred spirits he " understood . "

and oh , Miss Shirley , ma'am , do you think it would be much harm to listen at the door ? "

" I can't do anything , and it 's awful to hang round just waiting , " sighed Charlotta .

" what if he don't propose after all , Miss Shirley , ma'am ?

you can never be sure of them men .

my older sister , Charlotta the First , thought she was engaged to one once .

but it turned out HE had a different opinion and she says she 'll never trust one of them again .

" we 'll go to the kitchen and clean the silver spoons , " said Anne .

" that 's a task which won't require much thinking fortunately . ..y ..y for I COULDN'T think tonight .

and it will pass the time . "

it passed an hour .

then , just as Anne laid down the last shining spoon , they heard the front door shut .

both sought comfort fearfully in each other 's eyes .

they flew to the window .

Mr Irving had no intention of going away .

he and Miss Lavendar were strolling slowly down the middle path to the stone bench .

" oh , Miss Shirley , ma'am , he 's got his arm around her waist , " whispered Charlotta the Fourth delightedly .

" he must have proposed to her or she 'd never allow it . "

Anne caught Charlotta the Fourth by her own plump waist and danced her around the kitchen until they were both out of breath .

there 'll be a wedding in this old stone house before the maple leaves are red .

do you want that translated into prose , Charlotta ? "

" no , I can understand that , " said Charlotta .

" a wedding ain't poetry .

why , Miss Shirley , ma'am , you 're crying !

what for ? "

" it 's all perfectly lovely . ..y ..y but there 's a little sadness mixed up in it too , somehow . "

XXIX

poetry and Prose

for the next month Anne lived in what , for Avonlea , might be called a whirl of excitement .

the preparation of her own modest outfit for Redmond was of secondary importance .

then the dressmaker came , and there was the rapture and wretchedness of choosing fashions and being fitted .

everybody concerned in Miss Lavendar 's story was very happy .

Paul Irving rushed to Green Gables to talk the news over with Anne as soon as his father had told him .

" I knew I could trust father to pick me out a nice little second mother , " he said proudly .

" it 's a fine thing to have a father you can depend on , teacher .

I just love Miss Lavendar .

Grandma is pleased , too .

but I hope she won't give her queer notions up , teacher , because I like them .

and I don't want her to be like other people .

there are too many other people around as it is .

YOU know , teacher . "

Charlotta the Fourth was another radiant person .

" oh , Miss Shirley , ma'am , it has all turned out so beautiful .

ain't Mr Irving splendid ?

it beggars description , Miss Shirley , ma'am .

I 'm awful thankful they're so fond of each other .

it 's the best way , when all 's said and done , though some folks can get along without it .

but I think she took a resk , Miss Shirley , ma'am . "

" oh , it 's all so romantic , " breathed Anne to Marilla that night .

Mr Irving says whenever he got that letter he made up his mind to send his partner to San Francisco and come here instead .

he hadn't heard anything of Miss Lavendar for fifteen years .

somebody had told him then that she was to be married and he thought she was and never asked anybody anything about her .

and now everything has come right .

and I had a hand in bringing it about .

perhaps , as Mrs Lynde says , everything is foreordained and it was bound to happen anyway .

but even so , it 's nice to think one was an instrument used by predestination .

yes indeed , it 's very romantic . "

" I can't see that it 's so terribly romantic at all , " said Marilla rather crisply .

then his wife dies and after a decent interval he thinks he 'll come home and see if his first fancy 'll have him .

now , where is the romance in all that ? "

" I suppose that 's how it looks in prose .

but it 's very different if you look at it through poetry . ..y ..y and I think it 's nicer . . . "

Anne recovered herself and her eyes shone and her cheeks flushed . ..y ..y " to look at it through poetry . "

Marilla glanced at the radiant young face and refrained from further sarcastic comments .

" when 's the wedding to be ? " she asked after a pause .

" the last Wednesday in August .

Marilla , that IS romantic , even in prose .

there 's to be nobody there except Mrs Irving and Paul and Gilbert and Diana and I , and Miss Lavendar 's cousins .

and they will leave on the six o'clock train for a trip to the Pacific coast .

when they come back in the fall Paul and Charlotta the Fourth are to go up to Boston to live with them .

I 'm so glad .

there was more romance in the world than that which had fallen to the share of the middle-aged lovers of the stone house .

Anne stumbled suddenly on it one evening when she went over to Orchard Slope by the wood cut and came out into the Barry garden .

Diana Barry and Fred Wright were standing together under the big willow .

Diana was leaning against the gray trunk , her lashes cast down on very crimson cheeks .

one hand was held by Fred , who stood with his face bent toward her , stammering something in low earnest tones .

" Diana and Fred are in love with each other , " she gasped .

" oh , it does seem so . ..y ..y so . ..y ..y so HOPELESSLY grown up . "

Anne , of late , had not been without her suspicions that Diana was proving false to the melancholy Byronic hero of her early dreams .

" things are changing so fast it almost frightens me , " Anne thought , a little sadly .

" and I 'm afraid that this can't help making some difference between Diana and me .

I 'm sure I can't tell her all my secrets after this . ..y ..y she might tell Fred .

and what CAN she see in Fred ?

he 's very nice and jolly . ..y ..y but he 's just Fred Wright . "

it is always a very puzzling question . ..y ..y what can somebody see in somebody else ?

it was plain that Diana DID see something in Fred Wright , however Anne 's eyes might be holden .

both girls cried and kissed and laughed .

" I 'm so happy , " said Diana , " but it does seem ridiculous to think of me being engaged . "

" what is it really like to be engaged ? " asked Anne curiously .

" there 's not much comfort for the rest of us in that , seeing that there is only one Fred , " laughed Anne .

" oh , Anne , you don't understand , " said Diana in vexation .

" I didn't mean THAT . ..y ..y it 's so hard to explain .

never mind , you 'll understand sometime , when your own turn comes . "

" bless you , dearest of Dianas , I understand now .

what is an imagination for if not to enable you to peep at life through other people 's eyes ? "

" you must be my bridesmaid , you know , Anne .

promise me that . ..y ..y wherever you may be when I 'm married . "

" I 'll come from the ends of the earth if necessary , " promised Anne solemnly .

" of course , it won't be for ever so long yet , " said Diana , blushing .

but three years isn't any too much time to get ready for housekeeping , for I haven't a speck of fancy work made yet .

but I 'm going to begin crocheting doilies tomorrow .

Myra Gillis had thirty-seven doilies when she was married and I 'm determined I shall have as many as she had . "

Diana looked hurt .

" I didn't think you 'd make fun of me , Anne , " she said reproachfully .

" dearest , I wasn't making fun of you , " cried Anne repentantly .

" I was only teasing you a bit .

I think you 'll make the sweetest little housekeeper in the world .

and I think it 's perfectly lovely of you to be planning already for your home o'dreams . "

but somehow I wouldn't want Fred to be tall and slender . ..y ..y because , don't you see , he wouldn't be Fred then .

of course , " added Diana rather dolefully , " we will be a dreadfully pudgy couple .

Mrs Lynde says it always makes her think of the long and short of it when she sees them together . "

but when my turn comes . ..y ..y if it ever does . . .

I do hope there 'll be something a little more thrilling about it .

but then Diana thought so too , once .

but she has changed .

perhaps I 'll change too .

but I won't . ..y ..y and I 'm determined I won't .

oh , I think these engagements are dreadfully unsettling things when they happen to your intimate friends . "

XXX

a Wedding at the Stone House

the last week in August came .

Miss Lavendar was to be married in it .

two weeks later Anne and Gilbert would leave for Redmond College .

she had sold all her superfluous household plenishings by auction and was at present reveling in the congenial occupation of helping the Allans pack up .

Mr Allan was to preach his farewell sermon the next Sunday .

" changes ain't totally pleasant but they 're excellent things , " said Mr Harrison philosophically .

" two years is about long enough for things to stay exactly the same .

if they stayed put any longer they might grow mossy . "

Mr Harrison was smoking on his veranda .

his wife had self-sacrificingly told that he might smoke in the house if he took care to sit by an open window .

Mr Harrison rewarded this concession by going outdoors altogether to smoke in fine weather , and so mutual goodwill reigned .

Anne had come over to ask Mrs Harrison for some of her yellow dahlias .

Miss Lavendar herself never had dahlias ; she did not like them and they would not have suited the fine retirement of her old-fashioned garden .

" I s'pose you 'll be starting off for college in a fortnight 's time ? " continued Mr Harrison .

" well , we 're going to miss you an awful lot , Emily and me .

to be sure , Mrs Lynde 'll be over there in your place .

there ain't nobody but a substitute can be found for them . "

the irony of Mr Harrison 's tone is quite untransferable to paper .

" yes , I 'm going , " said Anne .

" I 'm very glad with my head . . . and very sorry with my heart . "

" I s'pose you 'll be scooping up all the honors that are lying round loose at Redmond . "

I want to learn to understand and help other people and myself . "

Mr Harrison nodded .

" that 's the idea exactly .

you 're all right .

college won't be able to do you much harm , I reckon . "

they found the stone house agog with excitement .

like the helmet of Navarre , Charlotta 's blue bows waved ever in the thickest of the fray .

and Miss Lavendar ain't to be trusted to do a thing .

I was thankful when Mr Irving came a few minutes ago and took her off for a walk in the woods .

that 's MY opinion , Miss Shirley , ma'am . "

Anne and Diana worked so heartily that by ten o'clock even Charlotta the Fourth was satisfied .

she braided her hair in innumerable plaits and took her weary little bones off to bed .

" he isn't in the habit of having strokes , is he ? " asked Diana , the dimpled corners of her mouth twitching .

to Diana , Charlotta the Fourth was , if not exactly a thing of beauty , certainly a joy forever .

" they 're not things that go by habit , " said Charlotta the Fourth with dignity .

" they just HAPPEN . ..y ..y and there you are .

ANYBODY can have a stroke .

you don't have to learn how .

Mr Irving looks a lot like an uncle of mine that had one once just as he was sitting down to dinner one day .

but maybe everything 'll go all right .

in this world you 've just got to hope for the best and prepare for the worst and take whatever God sends . "

" the only thing I 'm worried about is that it won't be fine tomorrow , " said Diana .

Anne , who knew better than Diana just how much Uncle Abe had to do with the storm , was not much disturbed by this .

she slept the sleep of the just and weary , and was roused at an unearthly hour by Charlotta the Fourth .

Anne flew to the window , hoping against hope that Charlotta the Fourth was saying this merely by way of rousing her effectually .

but alas , the morning did look unpropitious .

" isn't it too mean ! " said Diana .

" we must hope for the best , " said Anne determinedly .

" if it only doesn't actually rain , a cool , pearly gray day like this would really be nicer than hot sunshine . "

" it 'll hold off till the last minute and then pour cats and dogs .

I knew things were going too well to last . "

Charlotta the Fourth seemed certainly to have borrowed a leaf out of Miss Eliza Andrews ' book .

it did not rain , though it kept on looking as if it meant to .

by noon the rooms were decorated , the table beautifully laid ; and upstairs was waiting a bride , " adorned for her husband . "

" you do look sweet , " said Anne rapturously .

" lovely , " echoed Diana .

the two upper bows rather gave the impression of overgrown wings sprouting from Charlotta 's neck , somewhat after the fashion of Raphael 's cherubs .

" oh , I 'll NEVER be able to look like Miss Shirley , " thought poor Charlotta despairingly .

there was no formality about the marriage .

they went out to the honeysuckle arbor , where Mr Allan was awaiting them .

the guests grouped themselves as they pleased .

Mr Allan opened his blue book and the ceremony proceeded .

just as Miss Lavendar and Stephen Irving were pronounced man and wife a very beautiful and symbolic thing happened .

the sun suddenly burst through the gray and poured a flood of radiance on the happy bride .

instantly the garden was alive with dancing shadows and flickering lights .

" what a lovely omen , " thought Anne , as she ran to kiss the bride .

at half past two Mr. and Mrs Irving left , and everybody went to Bright River to see them off on the afternoon train .

as Miss Lavendar . . .

but it was reserved for Paul to give the prettiest send-off .

he popped out of the porch ringing furiously a huge old brass dinner bell which had adorned the dining room mantel .

two hours later Anne and Charlotta the Fourth came down the lane again .

Gilbert had gone to West Grafton on an errand and Diana had to keep an engagement at home .

Anne and Charlotta had come back to put things in order and lock up the little stone house .

" a wedding ain't much cheerfuller than a funeral after all , when it 's all over , Miss Shirley , ma'am . "

a busy evening followed .

" what are you thinking of , Anne ? " asked Gilbert , coming down the walk .

he had left his horse and buggy out at the road .

" of Miss Lavendar and Mr Irving , " answered Anne dreamily .

four years of earnest , happy work . ..y ..y and then the guerdon of a useful knowledge gained and a sweet heart won .

behind them in the garden the little stone house brooded among the shadows .

it was lonely but not forsaken .

and over the river in purple durance the echoes bided their time .

Note :

the correct words were obtained from the L.C. Page & Company , Inc edition of this book copyright @number@ - thirteenth Impression , @date@ .

italic emphases have been CAPITALIZED for emphasis , other italics , such as titles have been ' Placed in Single Quotes . '

Italic I's are I .

most spellings and combined words have been left as they were in the majority of the editions originally published .

some spelling errors we presume were not intended have been corrected .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Anne Of Avonlea , by Lucy Maud Montgomery

produced by Kent Fielden

BLACKY THE CROW

by Thornton W Burgess

CHAPTER I : Blacky The Crow Makes A Discovery

Blacky the Crow is always watching for things not intended for his sharp eyes .

the result is that he gets into no end of trouble which he could avoid .

in this respect he is just like his cousin , Sammy Jay .

between them they see a great deal with which they have no business and which it would be better for them not to see .

you can believe just which you please , though I suspect that neither of them really knows .

like the black imp he is , Blacky flew over the tree-tops , his sharp eyes watching for something interesting below .

presently he saw ahead of him the old nest of Red-tail .

he knew all about that nest .

he had visited it before when Red-tail was away .

still it might be worth another visit .

you never can tell what you may find in old houses .

but Blacky learned ever so long ago that there is nothing like making sure that there is no danger .

so , instead of flying straight to that old nest , he first flew over the tree so that he could look down into it .

right away he saw something that made him gasp and blink his eyes .

it was quite large and white , and it looked it looked very much indeed like an egg !

do you wonder that Blacky gasped and blinked ?

the idea of any one laying an egg at this time of year !

Blacky flew over to a tall pine-tree to think it over .

" must be it was a little lump of snow , " thought he .

" yet if ever I saw an egg , that looked like one .

jumping grasshoppers , how good an egg would taste right now ! "

you know Blacky has a weakness for eggs .

the more he thought about it , the hungrier he grew .

several times he almost made up his mind to fly straight over there and make sure , but he didn't quite dare .

if it were an egg , it must belong to somebody , and perhaps it would be best to find out who .

suddenly Blacky shook himself .

" I must be dreaming , " said he .

" there couldn't , there just couldn't be an egg at this time of year , or in that old tumble-down nest !

I 'll just fly away and forget it . "

so he flew away , but he couldn't forget it .

CHAPTER II : Blacky Makes Sure

" as true as ever I 've cawed a caw That was a new-laid egg I saw . "

" oh nothing , Cousin , nothing at all , " replied Blacky .

" I was just talking foolishness to myself . "

Sammy looked at him sharply .

" you aren't feeling sick , are you , Cousin Blacky ? " he asked .

" must be something the matter with you when you begin talking about new-laid eggs , when everything 's covered with snow and ice .

foolishness is no name for it .

whoever heard of such a thing as a new-laid egg this time of year . "

" nobody , I guess , " replied Blacky .

" I told you I was just talking foolishness .

you see , I 'm so hungry that I just got to thinking what I 'd have if I could have anything I wanted .

I guess I must have said something about it . "

" I guess you must have .

it isn't egg time yet , and it won't be for a long time .

take my advice and just forget about impossible things .

I 'm going over to Farmer Brown 's corncrib .

corn may not be as good as eggs , but it is very good and very filling .

better come along , " said Sammy .

" not this morning , thank you .

some other time , perhaps , " replied Blacky .

he watched Sammy disappear through the trees .

then he flew to the top of the tallest pine-tree to make sure that no one was about .

" I 'm foolish .

I know I 'm foolish , " he muttered .

" but I 've just got to have another look in that old nest of Redtail the Hawk .

it won't do any harm to have another look , anyway . "

as he passed over the top of the tree , he looked down eagerly .

the day before there had been but one ; now there were two .

that settled it in Blacky 's mind ; they were eggs !

they couldn't be anything else .

Blacky kept right on flying .

somehow he didn't dare stop just then .

he was too much excited by what he had discovered to think clearly .

he had got to have time to get his wits together .

whoever had laid those eggs was big and strong .

he felt sure of that .

he must first find out whose they were ; then he would know better what to do .

he felt sure that no one else knew about them , and he knew that they couldn't run away .

so he kept right on flying until he reached a certain tall pine-tree where he could sit and think without being disturbed .

" eggs ! " he muttered .

" real eggs !

now who under the sun can have moved into Redtail 's old house ?

and what can they mean by laying eggs before Mistress Spring has even sent word that she has started ?

it 's too much for me .

it certainly is too much for me . "

CHAPTER III : Blacky Finds Out Who Owns The Eggs

two big white eggs in a tumbledown nest , and snow and ice everywhere !

did ever anybody hear of such a thing before ?

" wouldn't believe it , if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes , " muttered Blacky the Crow .

" have to believe them .

if I can't believe them , it 's of no use to try to believe anything in this world .

as sure as I sit here , that old nest has two eggs in it .

whoever laid them must be crazy to start housekeeping at this time of year .

I must find out whose eggs they are and then "

to have seen him , you would never have guessed that he was looking for anything in particular .

he seemed to be just flying over on his way to some distant place .

Blacky 's heart beat fast with excitement as he drew near that old tumble-down nest .

would those two big white eggs be there ?

perhaps there would be three !

the very thought made him flap his wings a little faster .

a few more wing strokes and he would be right over the tree .

how he did hope to see those eggs !

he could almost see into the nest now .

one stroke !

two strokes !

three strokes !

Blacky bit his tongue to keep from giving a sharp caw of disappointment and surprise .

there were no eggs to be seen .

no , Sir , there wasn't a sign of eggs in that old nest .

there wasn't because why , do you think ?

Blacky didn't turn to come back as he had planned .

he kept right on , just as if he hadn't seen anything , and as he flew he shivered a little .

" I 'm thankful I knew enough to leave them alone , " said he .

" Funny I never once guessed whose eggs they are .

I might have known that no one but Hooty the Horned Owl would think of nesting at this time of year .

and that was Mrs Hooty I saw on the nest just now .

my , but she 's big !

she 's bigger than Hooty himself !

yes , Sir , it 's a lucky thing I didn't try to get those eggs yesterday .

Blacky , Blacky , the sooner you forget those eggs the better . "

some things are best forgotten As soon as they are learned .

who never plays with fire Will surely not get burned .

CHAPTER IV : the Cunning Of Blacky

he would forget that he ever had seen them , and he would stay away from that corner of the Green Forest .

that was a very wise resolution .

she is bigger than Hooty and certainly quite as much to be feared by the little people .

all this Blacky knows .

no one knows it better .

and Blacky is not one to poke his head into trouble with his eyes open .

so he very wisely resolved to forget all about those eggs .

now it is one thing to make a resolution and quite another thing to live up to it , as you all know .

it was easy enough to say that he would forget , but not at all easy to forget .

he just couldn't seem to forget them .

after a little , he didn't try .

now Blacky the Crow is very , very cunning .

he is one of the smartest of all the little people who fly .

no one can get into more mischief and still keep out of trouble than can Blacky the Crow .

that is because he uses the wits in that black head of his .

in fact , some people are unkind enough to say that he spends all his spare time in planning mischief .

that won't do at all , because I want them myself .

I found them , and I ought to have them . "

he quite forgot or overlooked the fact that those eggs really belonged to Hooty and Mrs Hooty and to no one else .

" now let me see , what can I do ? "

he thought and he thought and he thought and he thought , and little by little a plan worked out in his little black head .

then he chuckled .

he chuckled right out loud , then hurriedly looked around to see if any one had heard him .

no one had , so he chuckled again .

then he cocked his head on the other side and did the same thing .

" it 's all right , " said he at last .

" it 'll give my relatives a lot of fun , and of course they will be very grateful to me for that .

it won't hurt Hooty or Mrs Hooty a bit , but it will make them very angry .

they have very short tempers , and people with short tempers usually forget everything else when they are angry .

then I 'll slip in and get one and perhaps both of them .

without knowing that they are doing anything of the kind , my friends and relatives will help me to get a good meal .

my , how good those eggs will taste ! "

CHAPTER V : Blacky Calls His Friends

when Blacky cries " caw , caw , caw , caw ! "

as if he 'd dislocate his jaw , His relatives all hasten where He waits them with a crafty air .

they know that there is mischief afoot , and the Crow family is always ready for mischief .

Blacky chuckled as he saw them coming .

" come on !

come on !

caw , caw , caw !

hurry up and flap your wings faster .

I know where Hooty the Owl is , and we 'll have no end of fun with him , " he cried .

" caw , caw , caw , caw , caw , caw ! " shouted all his relatives in great glee .

" where is he ?

lead us to him .

we 'll drive him out of the Green Forest ! "

Blacky had taken pains to slip over early that morning and make sure just where he was .

he had discovered Hooty fast asleep , and he knew that he would remain right where he was until dark .

jolly , round , bright Mr Sun was shining his very brightest , and the white snow on the ground made it seem brighter still .

Even Blacky had to blink , and he knew that poor Hooty would find it harder still .

but one thing Blacky was very careful not to even hint of , and that was that Mrs . Hooty was right close at hand .

Mrs Hooty is bigger and even more fierce than Hooty , and Blacky didn't want to frighten any of the more timid of his relatives .

of course , he had heard the noisy crew coming , and he knew well enough what to expect .

as soon as they saw him , they began to scream as loud as ever they could and to call him all manner of names .

so far Blacky 's plans were working out just as he had hoped .

CHAPTER VI : Hooty The Owl Doesn't Stay Still

now what's the good of being smart When others do not do their part ?

if Blacky the Crow didn't say this to himself , he thought it .

that is where he proves that smart as he is , he isn't as smart as he thinks he is .

he always thought of Hooty the Owl as stupid .

that is , he always thought of him that way in daytime .

no , in the night Blacky was not at all sure that Hooty was stupid .

but in the daytime he was sure .

you see , he quite forgot the fact that the brightness of day is to Hooty what the blackness of night is to him .

but Hooty isn't stupid .

not a bit of it .

" Mrs Hooty mustn't be disturbed , " thought he .

" that will never do at all .

I must lead these black rascals away where they won't discover Mrs Hooty .

I certainly must . "

so he spread his broad wings and blundered away among the trees a little way .

he didn't fly far because the instant he started to fly that whole noisy crew with the exception of Blacky were after him .

because he couldn't use his claws or bill while flying , they grew bold enough to pull a few feathers out of his back .

there he rested a few minutes and then did the same thing over again .

no , Hooty wasn't stupid .

certainly not .

Blacky awoke to that fact as he sat in the top of a tall pine-tree silently watching .

Blacky could imagine that she was smiling to herself .

it was clear that she had no intention of going to help Hooty .

it was very provoking .

CHAPTER VII : Blacky Tries Another Plan

when one plan fails , just try another ; Declare you 'll win some way or other .

people who succeed are those who do not give up because they fail the first time they try .

they are the ones who , as soon as one plan fails , get busy right away and think of another plan and try that .

if the thing they are trying to do is a good thing , sooner or later they succeed .

if they are trying to do a wrong thing , very likely all their plans fail , as they should .

now Blacky the Crow knows all about the value of trying and trying .

he isn't easily discouraged .

sometimes it is a pity that he isn't , because he plans so much mischief .

when he invited all his relatives to join him in tormenting Hooty the Owl , he thought he had a plan that just couldn't fail .

he felt sure that Mrs Hooty would leave her nest and help Hooty try to drive away his tormentors .

not one of his relatives had noticed that nest .

they had been too busy teasing Hooty .

this was just as Blacky had hoped .

he didn't want them to know about that nest because he was selfish and wanted to get those eggs just for himself alone .

if she did that , there would be a chance that he might slip in and get at least one of those eggs .

he would try it .

then he opened his mouth .

" caw , caw , caw , caw ! " he screamed .

" caw , caw , caw , caw !

come back , everybody !

here is Mrs Hooty on her nest !

caw , caw , caw , caw ! "

now as soon as they heard that , all Blacky 's relatives stopped chasing and tormenting Hooty and started back as fast as they could fly .

they didn't like the dark part of the Green Forest into which Hooty was leading them .

besides , they wanted to see that nest .

so back they came , cawing at the top of their lungs , for they were very much excited .

some of them never had seen a nest of Hooty 's .

and anyway , it would be just as much fun to tease Mrs Hooty as it was to tease Hooty .

" why , " exclaimed one , " that is the old nest of Redtail the Hawk .

I know all about that nest . "

and he looked at Blacky as if he thought Blacky was playing a joke on them .

" it was Redtail 's , but it is Hooty 's now .

if you don't believe me , just look in it , " retorted Blacky .

such a racket !

right away Hooty was forgotten , and the whole crowd at once began to torment Mrs Hooty .

only Blacky sat watchful and silent , waiting for Mrs Hooty to lose her temper and try to catch one of her tormentors .

he had hope , a great hope , that he would get one of those eggs .

CHAPTER VIII : Hooty Comes To Mrs . hooty 's Aid

no one can live just for self alone .

a lot of people think they can , but they are very much mistaken .

they are making one of the greatest mistakes in the world .

every teeny , weeny act , no matter what it is , affects somebody else .

that is one of Old Mother Nature 's great laws .

but he didn't .

no , Sir , he didn't .

at first he gave a great sigh of relief and settled himself as if he meant to stay .

he listened to the voices of those noisy Crows growing fainter and fainter and was glad .

but it was only for a few minutes .

presently those voices stopped growing fainter .

they grew more excited-sounding than ever , and they came right from one place .

he snapped his bill angrily and then more angrily .

I hate to go back there in that bright sunshine .

it hurts my eyes , and I don't like it , but I guess I 'll have to go back there .

Mrs Hooty needs my help .

I 'd rather stay here , but "

he didn't finish .

instead , he spread his broad wings and flew back towards the nest and Mrs Hooty .

his great wings made no noise , for they are made so that he can fly without making a sound .

" if I once get hold of one of those Crows ! " he muttered to himself .

all this time the Crows were having what they called fun with Mrs Hooty .

nothing is true fun which makes others uncomfortable , but somehow a great many people seem to forget this .

all of a sudden he was there , right in the tree close to the nest !

it was lucky , very lucky indeed for that one that the sun was in Hooty 's eyes and so he had missed his aim .

otherwise there would have been one less Crow .

now it is one thing to tease one lone Owl and quite another to tease two together .

besides , there were those black tail feathers floating down to the snow-covered ground .

Blacky was the last to go , and his heart was sorrowful .

however could he get those eggs ?

CHAPTER IX : Blacky Thinks Of Farmer Brown 's Boy

" such luck ! " grumbled Blacky , as he flew over to his favorite tree to do a little thinking .

" such luck !

there is one thing about it , though , and that is that if I can't get them , nobody can .

that is to say , none of my relatives can .

I 've tried every way I can think of , and those eggs are still there .

my , my , my , how I would like one of them right now ! "

yes , Sir , that is what you would have thought if you could have heard him muttering to himself there in the tree-top .

of course , that was absolute foolishness , but he made himself believe it just the same .

at least , he pretended to believe it .

and the more he pretended , the angrier he grew .

this is often the way with people who try to wrong others .

they grow angry with the ones they have tried to wrong .

it was right then that he thought of Farmer Brown 's boy .

Blacky 's eyes snapped .

he remembered how , once upon a time , Farmer Brown 's boy had delighted to rob nests .

Blacky had seen him take the eggs from the nests of Blacky 's own relatives and from many other feathered people .

what he did with the eggs , Blacky had no idea .

Just now he didn't care .

he would feel that he was even with Hooty .

if he couldn't have those eggs himself , the next best thing would be to see some one else get them .

dear me , dear me , such dreadful thoughts !

I am afraid that Blacky 's heart was as black as his coat .

and the worst of it was , he seemed to get a lot of pleasure in his wicked plans .

now right down in his heart he knew that they were wicked plans , but he tried to make excuses to himself .

" Hooty the Owl is a robber , " said he .

" everybody is afraid of him .

he lives on other people , and so far as I know he does no good in the world .

he is big and fierce , and no one loves him .

the Green Forest would be better off without him .

so if I show Farmer Brown 's boy that nest and he takes those eggs , I will be doing a kindness to my neighbors . "

and all the time he watched for Farmer Brown 's boy .

CHAPTER X : Farmer Brown 's Boy And Hooty

Farmer Brown 's boy had taken it into his head to visit the Green Forest .

Blacky the Crow saw him coming , and Blacky chuckled to himself .

he had watched every day for a week for just this thing .

now he would tell Farmer Brown 's boy about that nest of Hooty the Owl .

" caw , caw , caw , caw , caw ! " shouted Blacky .

at once all his relatives within hearing hurried over to join him .

they knew that he was tormenting Hooty , and they wanted to join in the fun .

it wasn't long before there was a great racket going on over in that lonesome corner of the Green Forest .

of course Farmer Brown 's boy heard it .

he stopped and listened .

" now I wonder what Blacky and his friends have found this time , " said he .

" whenever they make a fuss like that , there is usually something to see there .

I believe I 'll so over and have a look . "

Blacky was the first to see him because he was watching for him .

Blacky went with them a little way .

" that 's an old nest of Red-tail the Hawk , " thought he .

" I found that last spring .

now what can there be there to excite those Crows so ? "

then he caught sight of Hooty the Owl .

" Ha , so that's it ! " he exclaimed .

" those scamps have discovered Hooty and have been having no end of fun tormenting him .

I wonder what he 's doing there . "

Hooty saw him , but instead of flying away , he snapped his bill just as he had at the Crows and hissed .

" that 's funny , " thought Farmer Brown 's boy .

he walked in a circle around the tree , looking up .

suddenly he gave a little start .

was that a tail sticking over the edge of the nest ?

he found a stick and threw it up .

it struck the bottom of the nest , and out flew a great bird .

it was Mrs Hooty !

Blacky the Crow chuckled .

CHAPTER XI : Farmer Brown 's Boy Is Tempted

when you 're tempted to do wrong Is the time to prove you 're strong .

shut your eyes and clench each fist ; It will help you to resist .

when a bird is found sitting on a nest , it is a pretty sure sign that that nest holds something worth while .

it is a sign that that bird has set up housekeeping .

perhaps I should say that he knew what it ought to mean .

it ought to mean that there were eggs in that nest .

but it was hard for Farmer Brown 's boy to believe that .

why , spring had not come yet !

there was still snow , and the Smiling Pool was still covered with ice .

who ever heard of birds nesting at this time of year ?

certainly not Farmer Brown 's boy .

it was very puzzling .

" if Hooty and his wife have taken it for their home , they are mighty poor housekeepers .

and if Mrs Hooty has laid eggs this time of year , she must be crazy .

I suppose the way to find out is to climb up there .

it seems foolish , but I 'm going to do it .

those Owls certainly act as if they are mighty anxious about something , and I 'm going to find out what it is . "

he had no desire to feel these great claws .

when he had found a stick to suit him , he began to climb the tree .

Hooty and Mrs Hooty snapped their bills and hissed fiercely .

they drew nearer .

Farmer Brown 's boy kept a watchful eye on them .

they looked so big and fierce that he was almost tempted to give up and leave them in peace .

but he just had to find out if there was anything in that nest , so he kept on .

as he drew near it , Mrs Hooty swooped very near to him , and the snap of her bill made an ugly sound .

he held his stick ready to strike and kept on .

the nest was simply a great platform of sticks .

almost at once his fingers touched something that made him tingle all over .

it was an egg , a great big egg !

there was no doubt about it .

Farmer Brown 's boy 's fingers closed over that egg and took it out of the nest .

Mrs Hooty swooped very close , and Farmer Brown 's boy nearly dropped the egg as he struck at her with his stick .

then Mrs Hooty and Hooty seemed to lose courage and withdrew to a tree near by , where they snapped their bills and hissed .

then Farmer Brown 's boy looked at the prize in his hand .

it was a big , dirty-white egg .

his eyes shone .

what a splendid prize to add to his collection of birds ' eggs !

it was the first egg of the Great Horned Owl , the largest of all Owls , that he ever had seen .

once more he felt in the nest and found there was another egg there .

" I 'll take both of them , " said he .

" it 's the first nest of Hooty 's that I 've ever found , and perhaps I 'll never find another .

Gee , I 'm glad I came over here to find out what those Crows were making such a fuss about .

I wonder if I can get these down without breaking them . "

Just at that very minute he remembered something .

he remembered that he had stopped collecting eggs .

he remembered that he had resolved never to take another bird 's egg .

" but this is different , " whispered the tempter .

" this isn't like taking the eggs of the little song birds . "

CHAPTER XII : a Tree-Top Battle

as black is black and white is white , So wrong is wrong and right is right .

there isn't any half way about it .

a thing is wrong or it is right , and that is all there is to it .

they try to compromise .

to compromise is to do neither one thing nor the other but a little of both .

but you can't do that with right and wrong .

no , he wasn't fighting with Hooty or Mrs Hooty .

he was fighting a battle right inside himself .

it was a battle between right and wrong .

he bad declared that never again would he steal an egg from a bird .

but never before had he found a nest of Hooty the Owl .

those two big eggs would add ever so much to his collection .

" take ' em , " said a little voice inside .

" Hooty is a robber .

you will be doing a kindness to the other birds by taking them . "

" don't do it , " said another little voice .

it is just as much stealing to take his eggs as to take the eggs of any other bird .

he has just as much right to them as Jenny Wren has to hers . "

" take one and leave one , " said the first voice .

" that will be just as much stealing as if you took both , " said the second voice .

" besides , you will be breaking your own word .

you said that you never would take another egg . "

" I didn't promise anybody but myself , " declared Farmer Brown 's boy right out loud .

" a promise to yourself ought to be just as good as a promise to any one else .

I don't wonder Hooty hisses at you , " said the good little voice .

" and think how mean and small and cheap you 'll feel every time you look at them , " added the good little voice .

besides , wrong is wrong and right is right , always . "

slowly Farmer Brown 's boy reached over the edge of the nest and put back the egg .

then he began to climb down the tree .

when he reached the ground he went off a little way and watched .

almost at once Mrs Hooty flew to the nest and settled down on the eggs , while Hooty mounted guard close by .

" I 'm glad I didn't take ' em , " said Farmer Brown 's boy .

" yes , Sir , I 'm glad I didn't take ' em . "

CHAPTER XIII : Blacky Has A Change Of Heart

Blacky The Crow isn't all black .

no , indeed .

his coat is black , and sometimes it seems as if his heart is all black , but this isn't so .

it certainly seemed as if his heart was all black when he tried so hard to make trouble for Hooty the Owl .

you see , it didn't seem at all wrong to try to get those eggs .

Blacky was hungry , and those eggs would have given him a good meal .

and most of the other little people of the Green Forest and the Green Meadows would have felt the same way about it .

you see , it is one of the laws of Old Mother Nature that each one must learn to look out for himself .

he was doing something then which was pure meanness .

he was just trying to make trouble for Hooty , to get even because Hooty had been too smart for him .

he felt sure that he would take both eggs .

he hoped so , anyway .

he just couldn't believe what he saw .

at first he was dreadfully disappointed and angry .

it looked very much as if he weren't going to get even with Hooty after all .

he flew over to his favorite tree to think things over .

now sometimes it is a good thing to sit by oneself and think things over .

it gives the little small voice deep down inside a chance to be heard .

it was just that way with Blacky now .

the longer he thought , the meaner his action in calling Farmer Brown 's boy looked .

Blacky hung his head .

he knew that it was true .

at last Blacky threw up his head and chuckled , and this time his chuckle was good to hear .

" I 'm glad that Farmer Brown 's boy didn't take those eggs , " said he right out loud .

" yes , sir , I 'm glad .

I 'll never do such a thing as that again .

I 'm ashamed of what I did ; yet I 'm glad I did it .

I 'm glad because I 've learned some things .

I 've learned that Farmer Brown 's boy isn't as much to be feared as he used to be .

I 've learned that Hooty isn't as stupid as I thought he was .

now I think I 'll go hunt for an honest meal . "

and he did .

CHAPTER XIV : Blacky Makes A Call

judge no one by his style of dress ; Your ignorance you thus confess .

Blacky the Crow .

" caw , caw , caw , caw . "

there was no need of looking to see who that was .

Peter Rabbit knew without looking .

Mrs Quack knew without looking .

just the same , both looked up .

just alighting in the top of a tall tree was Blacky the Crow .

" I hope I am not interrupting any secret gossip . "

" not at all , " Peter hastened to say .

" Mrs Quack was just telling me of the troubles and clangers in bringing up a young family in the Far North .

how did you know the Quacks had arrived ? "

Blacky chuckled hoarsely .

" I didn't , " said he .

Mr Quack , you and Mrs Quack are looking very fine this fall .

and those handsome young Quacks , you don't mean to tell me that they are your children ! "

Mrs Quack nodded proudly .

" they are , " said she .

" they are a credit to their parents .

yes , indeed , they are a credit to their parents .

never have I seen finer young Ducks in all my life .

how glad the hunters with terrible guns will be to see them . "

Mrs Quack shivered at that , and Blacky saw it .

he chuckled softly .

you know he dearly loves to make others uncomfortable .

" I saw three hunters over on the edge of the Big River early this very morning , " said he .

Mrs Quack looked more anxious than ever .

Blacky 's sharp eyes noted this .

" that is why I came over here , " he added kindly .

" I wanted to give you warning . "

" but you didn't know the Quacks were here ! " spoke up Peter .

" true enough , Peter .

true enough , " replied Blacky , his eyes twinkling .

" but I thought they might be .

is it true , Mrs Quack , that we are going to have a long , hard , cold winter ? "

" that is what they say up in the Far North , " replied Mrs Quack .

" and it is true that Jack Frost had started down earlier than usual .

that is how it happens we are here now .

but about those hunters over by the Big River , do you suppose they will come over here ? "

there was an anxious note in Mrs Quack 's voice .

" no , " replied Blacky promptly .

" Farmer Brown 's boy won't let them .

I know .

I 've been watching him and he has been watching those hunters .

as long as you stay here , you will be safe .

what a great world this would be if all those two-legged creatures were like Farmer Brown 's boy . "

" wouldn't it ! " cried Peter .

then he added , " I wish they were . "

" you don't wish it half as much as I do , " declared Mrs Quack .

" what changed him ? " asked Mrs Quack , looking interested .

" just getting really acquainted with some of the little people of the Green Forest and the Green Meadows , " replied Blacky .

" he found them ready to meet him more than halfway in friendship and that some of them really are his best friends . "

" and now he is their best friend , " spoke up Peter .

Blacky nodded .

" right , Peter , " said he .

" that is why the Quacks are safe here and will be as long as they stay . "

CHAPTER XV : Blacky Does A Little Looking About

Blacky the Crow .

Blacky the Crow is a shrewd fellow .

he is one of the smartest and shrewdest of all the little people in the Green Forest and on the Green Meadows .

everybody knows it .

and because of this , all his neighbors have a great deal of respect for him , despite his mischievous ways .

you know there is very little that escapes the sharp eyes of Blacky the Crow .

he had guessed what these things meant .

" they think we are going to have a long , hard , cold winter , " muttered Blacky to himself .

" perhaps they know , but I want to see some signs of it for myself .

they may be only guessing .

anybody can do that , and one guess is as good as another . "

Mrs Quack explained that Jack Frost had already started south , and so they had started earlier to keep well ahead of him .

I wouldn't take their word for it any more than I would the word of Johnny Chuck or Jerry Muskrat or Paddy the Beaver .

I 'll look about a little . "

he headed straight for the Green Meadows and Farmer Brown 's cornfield .

a little of that yellow corn would make a good breakfast .

" seems to me these husks are unusually thick , " muttered Blacky , as he tore at them with his stout bill .

" don't remember ever having seen them as thick as these .

wonder if it just happens to be so on this ear . "

then , as a sudden thought popped into his black head , he left that ear and went to another .

the husks of this were as thick as those on the first .

he flew to another shock and found the husks there just the same .

he tried a third shock with the same result .

" huh , they are all alike , " said he .

then he looked thoughtful and for a few minutes sat perfectly still like a black statue .

" they are right , " said he at last .

" yes , Sir , they are right . "

of course he meant Johnny Chuck and Jerry Muskrat and Paddy the Beaver and the Quacks .

I know it myself now .

I 've found a sign .

old Mother Nature has wrapped this corn in extra thick husks , and of course she has done it to protect it .

she doesn't do things without a reason .

we are going to have a cold winter , or my name isn't Blacky the Crow . "

CHAPTER XVI : Blacky Finds Other Signs

a single fact may fail to prove you either right or wrong ; Confirm it with another and your proof will then be strong .

Blacky the Crow .

but Blacky long ago learned that it isn't wise or wholly safe to depend altogether on one thing .

" she wouldn't take care to protect the corn that way and not do as much for other things .

there must be other signs , if I am smart enough to find them . "

he lifted one black wing and began to set in order the feathers beneath it .

suddenly he made a funny little hop straight up .

" well , I never ! " he exclaimed , as he spread his wings to regain his balance .

" I never did ! "

" is that so ? " piped a squeaky little voice .

what is it you never did ? "

Blacky looked down .

peeping up at him from the brown grass were two bright little eyes .

" Hello , Danny Meadow Mouse ! " exclaimed Blacky .

" I haven't seen you for a long time .

I 've looked for you several times lately . "

" I don't doubt it .

I don't doubt it at all , " squeaked Danny .

" you 'll never see me when you are looking for me .

that is , you won't if I can help it .

you won't if I see you first . "

Blacky chuckled .

he knew what Danny meant .

" I 've had my breakfast , " said Blacky , " and it isn't dinner time yet . "

" what is it you never did ? " persisted Danny , in his squeaky voice .

" that was just an exclamation , " explained Blacky .

" I made a discovery that surprised me so I exclaimed right out . "

" what was it ? " demanded Danny .

" it was that the feathers of my coat are coming in thicker than I ever knew them to before .

I hadn't noticed it until I started to set them in order a minute ago . "

he buried his bill in the feathers of his breast .

there is a lot of down around the roots of them .

I am going to have the warmest coat I 've ever had . "

" well , don't think you are the only one , " retorted Danny .

I suppose you know what it means . "

" you 'll find that everybody who doesn't go south or sleep all winter has a thicker coat than usual .

hello !

there is old Roughleg the Hawk !

he has come extra early this year .

I think I 'll go back to warn Nanny . "

without another word Danny disappeared in the brown grass .

again Blacky chuckled .

" more signs , " said he to himself .

" more signs .

there isn't a doubt that we are going to have a hard winter .

I wonder if I can stand it or if I 'd better go a little way south , where it will be warmer . "

CHAPTER XVII : Blacky Watches A Queer Performance

this much to me is very clear : a thing not understood is queer .

Blacky the Crow .

Blacky the Crow may be right .

again he may not be .

if he is right , it will account for a lot of the queer people in the world .

they are not understood , and so they are queer .

at least , that is what other people say , and never once think that perhaps they are the queer ones for not understanding .

but Blacky isn't like those people who are satisfied not to understand and to think other people and things queer .

he does his best to understand .

he waits and watches and uses those sharp eyes of his and those quick wits of his until at last usually he does understand .

long ago he discovered that many things are to be seen on or beside the Big River , things not to be seen elsewhere .

so there are few clays in which he does not get over there .

more than once he had been shot at .

but he had learned by these experiences .

oh , yes , Blacky had learned .

for one thing , he had learned to know a gun when he saw it .

Blacky looked sharply for a terrible gun .

but the man had none with him and therefore was not to be feared .

Blacky boldly drew near until he was able to see what the man was doing .

then Blacky 's eyes stretched their widest and he almost cawed right out with surprise .

the man was taking yellow corn from a bag , a handful at a time , and throwing it out in the water .

yes , Sir , that is what he was doing , scattering nice yellow corn among the rushes and wild rice in the water !

" that 's a queer performance , " muttered Blacky , as he watched .

" what is he throwing perfectly good corn out in the water for ?

he isn't planting it , for this isn't the planting season .

besides , it wouldn't grow in the water , anyway .

it is a shame to waste nice corn like that .

what is he doing it for ? "

Blacky flew over to a tree some distance away and alighted in the top of it to watch the queer performance .

you know Blacky has very keen eyes and he can see a long distance .

for a while the man continued to scatter corn and Blacky continued to wonder what he was doing it for .

at last the man went away in a boat .

Blacky watched him until he was out of sight .

he could see some of the yellow grains on the bottom .

presently he saw something else .

" Ha ! " exclaimed Blacky .

CHAPTER XVIII : Blacky Becomes Very Suspicious

of things you do not understand , Beware !

they may be wholly harmless but Beware !

you 'll find the older that you grow That only things and folks you know Are fully to be trusted , so Beware !

Blacky the Crow .

that is one of Blacky 's wise sayings , and he lives up to it .

he seldom gets into any real trouble because he first makes sure there is no trouble to get into .

when he discovers something he does not understand , he is at once distrustful of it .

as he watched a man scattering yellow corn in the water from the shore of the Big River he at once became suspicious .

what was it Blacky had discovered ?

only a few feathers .

no one with eyes less sharp than Blacky 's would have noticed them .

and few would have given them a thought if they had noticed them .

but Blacky knew right away that those were feathers from a Duck .

" Ha ! " exclaimed Blacky .

" Mr and Mrs. Quack or some of their relatives have been here .

it is just the kind of a place Ducks like .

also some Ducks like corn .

if they should come back here and find this corn , they would have a feast , and they would be sure to come again .

that man who scattered the corn here didn't have a terrible gun , but that doesn't mean that he isn't a hunter .

he may come back again , and then he may have a terrible gun .

I 'm suspicious of that man .

I am so .

I believe he put that corn here for Ducks and I don't believe he did it out of the kindness of his heart .

but it wasn't Farmer Brown 's boy .

I don't like the looks of it .

I don't indeed .

I 'll keep watch of this place and see what happens . "

he didn't like the looks of it at all .

" I 'll warn the Quacks to keep away from there .

I 'll do it the very first thing in the morning , " he muttered , as he prepared to go to sleep .

" if they have any sense at all , they will stay in the pond of Paddy the Beaver .

it may be all right , but I don't like the looks of it . "

and still full of suspicions , Blacky went to sleep .

CHAPTER XIX : Blacky Makes More Discoveries

little things you fail to see May important prove to be .

Blacky the Crow .

one of the secrets of Blacky 's success in life is the fact that he never fails to take note of little things .

long ago he learned that little things which in themselves seem harmless and not worth noticing may together prove the most important things in life .

so , no matter how unimportant a thing may appear , Blacky examines it closely with those sharp eyes of his and remembers it .

then he got some breakfast .

he ate it in a hurry and flew straight over to the Big River to the place where he had seen that yellow corn scattered .

they seemed quite contented and in the best of spirits .

Blacky guessed why .

not a single grain of that yellow corn could Blacky see .

he knew the ways of Dusky and his relatives .

he knew that they must have come in there just at dusk the night before and at once had found that corn .

Dusky looked up as Blacky flew over him , but Blacky said nothing , and Dusky said nothing .

but if Blacky didn't use his tongue , he did use his eyes .

mixed in with them were a lot of the brown rushes .

they looked very harmless and innocent .

but Blacky knew every foot of that shore along the Big River , and he knew that those bushes hadn't been there during the summer .

he knew that they hadn't grown there .

he flew directly over them .

Just back of them were a couple of logs .

those logs hadn't been there when he passed that way a few days before .

he was sure of it .

" Ha ! " exclaimed Blacky under his breath .

" those look to me as if they might be very handy , very handy indeed , for a hunter to sit on .

it doesn't look right to me .

no , Sir , it doesn't look right to me .

I think I 'll keep an eye on this place . "

so Blacky came back to the Big River several times that day .

the second time back he found that Dusky the Black Duck and his relatives had left .

and as before , he went away in a boat .

" I don't like it , " muttered Blacky , shaking his black head .

" I don't like it . "

CHAPTER XX : Blacky Drops A Hint

when you see another 's danger Warn him though he be a stranger .

Blacky the Crow .

sometimes Blacky watched from a distance , and sometimes he flew right over the man .

but never once did the man have a gun with him .

that man may be fooling them , but he isn't fooling me .

not a bit of it .

he hasn't had a gun with him once when I have seen him , but just the same he is a hunter .

I feel it in my bones .

he knows those silly Ducks come in here every night for that corn he puts out .

then he will hide behind those bushes he has placed close to the edge of the water and wait for them with his terrible gun .

that is what he will do , or my name isn't Blacky . "

finally Blacky decided to drop a hint to Dusky the Black Duck .

so the next morning he stopped for a call .

" good morning , " said he , as Dusky swam in just in front of him .

" I hope you are feeling as fine as you look . "

" quack , quack , " replied Dusky .

" when Blacky the Crow flatters , he hopes to gain something .

what is it this time ? "

" not a thing , " replied Blacky .

" on my honor , not a thing .

what is it ? "

" corn , " replied Dusky in a low voice , as if afraid some one might overhear him .

" Nice yellow corn . "

" corn ! " exclaimed Blacky , as if very much astonished .

" how does corn happen to be way over here in the water ? "

Dusky shook his head .

" don't ask me , for I can't tell you , " said he .

" I haven't the least idea .

all I know is that every evening when we arrive , we find it here .

how it gets here , I don't know , and furthermore I don't care .

it is enough for me that it is here . "

" I 've seen a man over here every afternoon , " said Blacky .

" I thought he might be a hunter . "

" did he have a terrible gun ? " asked Dusky suspiciously .

" No-o , " replied Blacky .

" then he isn't a hunter , " declared Dusky , looking much relieved .

" he could hide behind these bushes , you know . "

" nonsense , " retorted Dusky , tossing his head .

" there hasn't been a sign of danger here since we have been here .

I know you , Blacky ; you are jealous because we find plenty to eat here , and you find nothing .

you are trying to scare us .

but I 'll tell you right now , you can't scare us away from such splendid eating as we have had here .

so there ! "

CHAPTER XXI : at Last Blacky Is Sure

who for another conquers fear Is truly brave , it is most clear .

Blacky the Crow .

it was late in the afternoon , and Blacky the Crow was on his way to the Green Forest .

as usual , he went around by the Big River to see if that man was scattering corn for the Ducks .

he wasn't there .

no one was to be seen along the bank of the Big River .

" he hasn't come to-day , or else he came early and has left , " thought Blacky .

what was it Blacky saw ?

it was a boat coming down the Big River .

Blacky sat still and watched .

presently the boat turned in among the rushes , and a moment later a man stepped out on the shore .

it was the same man Blacky had watched scatter corn in the rushes every day for a week .

there wasn't the least doubt about it , it was the same man .

" Ha , ha ! " exclaimed Blacky , and nearly lost his balance in his excitement .

" Ha , ha !

it is just as I thought ! "

you see Blacky 's sharp eyes had seen that the man was carrying something , and that something was a gun , a terrible gun .

Blacky knows a terrible gun as far as he can see it .

the hunter looked out over the Big River .

then he walked along where he had scattered corn the day before .

not a grain was to be seen .

this seemed to please him .

then he went back to the bushes and sat down on a log behind them , his terrible gun across his knees .

" I was sure of it , " muttered Blacky .

" he is going to wait there for those Ducks to come in , and then something dreadful will happen .

what terrible creatures these hunters are !

they don't know what fairness is .

no , Sir , they don't know what fairness is .

he knows they will feel so sure that all is safe that they will come in without looking for danger .

then he will fire that terrible gun and kill them without giving them any chance at all .

" Reddy Fox is a sly , clever hunter , but he wouldn't do a thing like that .

neither would Old Man Coyote or anybody else who wears fur or feathers .

they might hide and try to catch some one by surprise .

that is all right , because each of us is supposed to be on the watch for things of that sort .

oh , dear , what 's to be done ?

it is time I was getting home to the Green Forest .

the Black Shadows will soon come creeping out from the Purple Hills , and I must be safe in my hemlock-tree by then .

I would be scared to death to be out after dark .

yet those Ducks ought to be warned .

oh , dear , what shall I do ? "

with them might come Hooty the Owl , and Hooty wouldn't object in the least to a Crow dinner .

he wished he was in that hemlock-tree that very minute .

" I 'll wait a little while longer , " muttered Blacky , and tried to feel brave .

but instead he shivered .

CHAPTER XXII : Blacky Goes Home Happy

no greater happiness is won Than through a deed for others done .

Blacky the Crow .

Blacky sat in the top of a tree near the bank of the Big River and couldn't make up his mind what to do .

he wanted to get home to the big , thick hemlock-tree in the Green Forest before dusk , for Blacky is afraid of the dark .

that is , he is afraid to be out after dark .

don't waste any more time here .

what may happen to those silly Ducks is no business of yours , and there is nothing you can do , anyway .

go along home . "

" wait a few minutes , " said another little voice down inside him .

" don't be a coward .

you ought to warn Dusky the Black Duck and his flock that a hunter with a terrible gun is waiting for them .

is it true that it is no business of yours what happens to those Ducks ?

think again , Blacky ; think again .

it is the duty of each one who sees a common danger to warn his neighbors .

if something dreadful should happen to Dusky because you were afraid of the dark , you never would be comfortable in your own mind .

stay a little while and keep watch . "

not five minutes later Blacky saw something that made him , oh , so glad he had kept watch .

it was a swiftly moving black line just above the water far down the Big River , and it was coming up .

he knew what that black line was .

he looked over at the hunter hiding behind some bushes close to the edge of the water .

the hunter was crouching with his terrible gun in his hands and was peeping over the bushes , watching that black line .

he , too , knew what it was .

it was a flock of Ducks flying .

and Blacky was glad .

perhaps now he could give them warning .

up the middle of the Big River , flying just above the water , swept the flock with Dusky at its head .

how swiftly they flew , those nine big birds !

Blacky envied them their swift wings .

on past the hidden hunter but far out over the Big River they swept .

for just a minute Blacky thought they were going on up the river and not coming in to eat , after all .

then they turned toward the other shore , swept around in a circle and headed straight in toward that hidden hunter .

Blacky glanced at him and saw that he was ready to shoot .

almost without thinking , Blacky spread his wings and started out from that tree .

" caw , caw , caw , caw , caw ! " he shrieked at the top of his lungs .

" caw , caw , caw , caw , caw ! "

it was his danger cry that everybody on the Green Meadows and in the Green Forest knows .

he did put up his gun and aim at them , but he didn't shoot .

you see , he didn't want to frighten them so that they would not return .

Blacky headed straight for the Green Forest , chuckling as he flew .

he knew that those Ducks would not return until after dark .

he had saved them this time , and he was so happy he didn't even notice the Black Shadows .

and the hunter stood up and shook his fist at Blacky the Crow .

CHAPTER XXIII : Blacky Calls Farmer Brown 's Boy

Blacky awoke in the best of spirits .

Late the afternoon before he had saved Dusky the Black Duck and his flock from a hunter with a terrible gun .

he hates a hunter with a terrible gun , does Blacky .

for that matter , so do all the little people of the Green Forest and the Green Meadows .

so Blacky started out for his breakfast in high spirits .

after breakfast , he flew over to the Big River to see if Dusky the Black Duck was feeding in the rushes along the shore .

" they 'll come back , and so will that hunter .

if he sees me around again , he 'll try to shoot me .

I 've done all I can do .

anyway , Dusky ought to have sense enough to be suspicious of this place after that warning .

hello , who is that ?

I do believe it is Farmer Brown 's boy .

I wish he would come over here .

if he should find out about that hunter , perhaps he would do something to drive him away .

I 'll see if I can call him over here . "

Blacky began to call in the way he does when he has discovered something and wants others to know about it .

" caw , caw , caaw , caaw , caw , caw , caaw ! " screamed Blacky , as if greatly excited .

he heard the excited cawing of Blacky and at once turned in that direction .

" that black rascal has found something over on the shore of the Big River , " said Farmer Brown 's boy to himself .

" I 'll go over there to see what it is .

there isn't much escapes the sharp eyes of that black busybody .

he has led me to a lot of interesting things , one time and another .

there he is on the top of that tree over by the Big River . "

as Farmer Brown 's boy drew near , Blacky flew down and disappeared below the bank .

Fanner Brown 's boy chuckled .

" whatever it is , it is right down there , " he muttered .

he walked forward rapidly but quietly , and presently he reached the edge of the bank .

Up flew Blacky cawing wildly , and pretending to be scared half to death .

again Farmer Brown 's boy chuckled .

" you 're just making believe , " he declared .

now , what have you found over here ? "

he looked eagerly along the shore , and at once he saw a row of low bushes close to the edge of the water .

he knew what it was instantly .

" a Duck blind ! " he exclaimed .

" a hunter has built a blind over here from which to shoot Ducks .

I wonder if he has killed any yet .

I hope not . "

he went down to the blind , for that is what a Duck hunter 's hiding-place is called , and looked about .

a couple of grains of corn just inside the blind caught his eyes , and his face darkened .

" that fellow has been baiting Ducks , " thought he .

" he has been putting out corn to get them to come here regularly .

my , how I hate that sort of thing !

it is bad enough to hunt them fairly , but to feed them and then kill them ugh !

I wonder if he has shot any yet . "

he looked all about keenly , and his face cleared .

he knew that if that hunter had killed any Ducks , there would be tell-tale feathers in the blind , and there were none .

CHAPTER XXIV : Farmer Brown 's Boy Does Some Thinking

Farmer Brown 's boy sat on the bank of the Big River in a brown study .

that means that he was thinking very hard .

Blacky the Crow sat in the top of a tall tree a short distance away and watched him .

Blacky was silent now , and there was a knowing look in his shrewd little eyes .

To-night , or some night soon , that hunter will be waiting for them .

" I guess the law that permits hunting Ducks is all right , but there ought to be a law against baiting them in .

that isn't hunting .

no , Sir , that isn't hunting .

if this land were my father 's , I would know what to do .

I would put up a sign saying that this was private property and no shooting was allowed .

but it isn't my father 's land , and that hunter has a perfect right to shoot here .

he has just as much right here as I have .

I wish I could stop him , but I don't see how I can . "

a frown puckered the freckled face of Farmer Brown 's boy .

you see , he was thinking very hard , and when he does that he is very apt to frown .

" I suppose , " he muttered , " I can tear down his blind .

he wouldn't know who did it .

but that wouldn't do much good ; he would build another .

besides , it wouldn't be right .

I won't do a thing I haven't a right to do .

that wouldn't be honest .

I 've got to think of some other way of saving those Ducks . "

the frown on his freckled face grew deeper , and for a long time he sat without moving .

suddenly his face cleared , and he jumped to his feet .

he began to chuckle .

" I have it ! " he exclaimed .

" I 'll do a little shooting myself ! "

then he chuckled again and started for home .

presently he began to whistle , a way he has when he is in good spirits .

Blacky the Crow watched him go , and Blacky was well satisfied .

perhaps Blacky wouldn't have felt so sure could he have understood what Farmer Brown 's boy had said about doing a little shooting himself .

none of the little people of the Green Forest and the Green Meadows knew Farmer Brown 's boy better than did Blacky the Crow .

none knew better than he that Farmer Brown 's boy was their best friend .

" it is all right now , " chuckled Blacky .

" it is all right now . "

CHAPTER XXV : Blacky Gets A Dreadful Shock

when friends prove false , whom may we trust ?

the springs of faith are turned to dust .

Blacky the Crow .

Blacky the Crow was in the top of his favorite tree over near the Big River early this afternoon .

for a long time he sat there , seeing nothing unusual .

at last he spied a tiny figure far away across the Green Meadows .

even at that distance he knew who it was ; it was Farmer Brown 's boy , and he was coming toward the Big River .

" I thought as much , " chuckled Blacky .

" he is coming over here to drive that hunter away . "

the tiny figure grew larger .

it was Farmer Brown 's boy beyond a doubt .

suddenly Blacky 's eyes opened so wide that they looked as if they were in danger of popping out of his head .

he had discovered that Farmer Brown 's boy was carrying something and that that something was a gun !

yes , Sir , Farmer Brown 's boy was carrying a terrible gun !

" a gun ! " croaked Blacky .

" Farmer Brown 's boy with a terrible gun !

what does it mean ? "

nearer came Farmer Brown 's boy , and Blacky could see that terrible gun plainly now .

suddenly an idea popped into his head .

" perhaps he is going to shoot that hunter ! " thought Blacky , and somehow he felt better .

Farmer Brown 's boy reached the Big River at a point some distance below the blind built by the hunter .

he laid his gun down on the bank and went down to the edge of the water .

the rushes grew very thick there , and for a while Farmer Brown 's boy was very busy among them .

Blacky from his high perch could watch him , and as he watched , he grew more and more puzzled .

it looked very much as if Farmer Brown 's boy was building a blind much like that of the hunter 's .

he was quite hidden there , excepting from a place high up like Blacky 's perch .

" I I I do believe he is going to try to shoot those Ducks himself , " gasped Blacky .

" I wouldn't have believed it if any one had told me .

no , Sir , I wouldn't have believed it .

I I can't believe it now .

Farmer Brown 's boy hunting with a terrible gun !

yet I 've got to believe my own eyes . "

a noise up river caught his attention .

it was the noise of oars in a boat .

there was the hunter , rowing down the Big River .

just as he had done the day before , he came ashore above his blind and walked down to it .

" this is no place for me , " muttered Blacky .

" he 'll remember that I scared those Ducks yesterday , and as likely as not he 'll try to shoot me . "

there he sat until the Black Shadows warned him that it was high time for him to be getting back to the Green Forest .

he had to hurry , for it was later than usual , and he was afraid to be out after dark .

" it is true , " croaked Blacky .

" Farmer Brown 's boy has turned hunter . "

it was such a dreadful shock to Blacky that it was a long time before he could go to sleep .

CHAPTER XXVI : why The Hunter Got No Ducks

" it is well for you that you didn't wait for me to get nearer , " said the hunter .

" you are smart enough to know that you can't play the same trick on me twice .

the hunter couldn't see him at all .

he didn't have the least idea that any one else was anywhere near .

Far down the Big River the hunter saw a swiftly moving black line just above the water .

" here they come , " he muttered , as he eagerly watched that black line draw nearer .

twice those big black birds circled around over the Big River opposite where the hunter was crouching behind his blind .

it was plain that Dusky , their leader , remembered Blacky 's warning the night before .

but this time there was no warning .

everything appeared safe .

once more the flock circled and then headed straight for that place where they hoped to find more corn .

the hunter crouched lower .

they were almost near enough for him to shoot when " bang , bang " went a gun a short distance away .

instantly Dusky and his flock turned and on swift wings swung off and up the river .

if ever there was a disappointed hunter , it was the one crouching in that blind .

" somebody else is hunting , and he spoiled my shot that time , " he muttered .

" he must have a blind farther down .

probably some other Ducks I didn't see came in to him .

I wonder if he got them .

here 's hoping that next time those Ducks come in here first . "

he once more made himself comfortable and settled down for a long wait .

the Black Shadows crept out from the farther bank of the Big River .

jolly , round red Mr Sun had gone to bed , and the first little star was twinkling high overhead .

it was very still and peaceful .

from out in the middle of the Big River sounded a low " quack " ; Dusky and his flock were swimming in this time .

presently the hunter could see a silver line on the water , and then he made out nine black spots .

in a few minutes those Ducks would be where he could shoot them .

" bang , bang " went that gun below him again .

with a roar of wings , Dusky and his flock were in the air and away .

that hunter stood up and said things , and they were not nice things .

he knew that those Ducks would not come back again that night , and that once more he must go home empty-handed .

he found the blind of Farmer Brown 's boy , but there was no one there .

you see , as soon as he had fired his gun the last time , Farmer Brown 's boy had slipped out and away .

and as he tramped across the Green Meadows toward home with his gun , he chuckled .

" he didn't get those Ducks this time , " said Farmer Brown 's boy .

CHAPTER XXVII : the Hunter Gives Up

Blacky The Crow didn't know what to think .

he couldn't make himself believe that Farmer Brown 's boy had really turned hunter , yet what else could he believe ?

and hadn't he with his own ears heard the " bang , bang " of that very gun ?

the very first thing the next morning Blacky had hastened over to the place where Farmer Brown 's boy had hidden in the rushes .

with sharp eyes he looked for feathers , that would tell the tale of a Duck killed .

but there were no feathers .

there wasn't a thing to show that anything so dreadful had happened .

perhaps Farmer Brown 's boy had missed when he shot at those Ducks .

Blacky shook his head and decided to say nothing to anybody about Farmer Brown 's boy and that terrible gun .

you may be sure that early in the afternoon he was perched in the top of his favorite tree over by the Big River .

instead of going to the same hiding place he made a new one farther down .

then came the hunter a little earlier than usual .

instead of stopping at his blind , he walked straight to the blind Farmer Brown 's boy had first made .

of course , there was no one there .

the hunter looked both glad and disappointed .

but the same thing happened as on the night before .

Just as those Ducks were almost near enough , a gun went " bang , bang , " and away went the Ducks .

they didn't come back again , and once more a disappointed hunter went home without any .

the next afternoon he was on hand very early .

he was there before Farmer Brown 's boy arrived , and when he did come , of course the hunter saw him .

he walked down to where Farmer Brown 's boy was hiding in the rushes .

" hello ! " said he .

" are you the one who was shooting here last night and the night before ? "

Farmer Brown 's boy grinned .

" yes , " said he .

" what luck did you have ? " asked the hunter .

" fine , " replied Farmer Brown 's boy .

" how many Ducks did you get ? " asked the hunter .

Farmer Brown 's boy grinned more broadly than before .

" none , " said he .

" I guess I 'm not a very good shot . "

" then what did you mean by saying you had fine luck ? " demanded the hunter .

the hunter lost patience .

he tried to order Farmer Brown 's boy away .

but the latter said he had as much right there as the hunter had , and the hunter knew that this was so .

finally he gave up , and muttering angrily , he went back to his blind .

again the gun of Farmer Brown 's boy frightened away the Ducks just as they were coming in .

the next afternoon there was no hunter nor the next , though Farmer Brown 's boy was there .

the hunter had decided that it was a waste of time to hunt there while Farmer Brown 's boy was about .

CHAPTER XXVIII : Blacky Has A Talk With Dusky The Black Duck

doubt not a friend , but to the last Grip hard on faith and hold it fast .

Blacky the Crow .

every morning Blacky the Crow visited the rushes along the shore of the Big River , hoping to find Dusky the Black Duck .

he was anxious , was Blacky .

he feared that Dusky or some of his flock had been killed , and he wanted to know .

you see , he knew that Farmer Brown 's boy had been shooting over there .

at last , early one morning , he found Dusky and his flock in the rushes and wild rice .

eagerly he counted them .

there were nine .

not one was missing .

Blacky sighed with relief and dropped down on the shore close to where Dusky was taking a nap .

" hello ! " said Blacky .

Dusky awoke with a start .

" hello , yourself , " said he .

" we haven't lost a feather , " declared Dusky .

" that gun wasn't fired at us , anyway . "

" then who was it fired at ? " demanded Blacky .

" I haven't the least idea , " replied Dusky .

" have you seen any other Ducks about here ? " inquired Blacky .

" not one , " was Dusky 's prompt reply .

" if there had been any , I guess we would have known it . "

" did you know that when that terrible gun was fired there was another terrible gun right over behind those bushes ? " asked Blacky .

Dusky shook his head .

we didn't want to take any chances . "

" it is a lucky thing you did , " replied Blacky .

" there was a hunter hiding behind those bushes all the time .

I warned you of him once . "

" that reminds me that I haven't thanked you , " said Dusky .

" I knew there was something wrong over here , but I didn't know what .

so it was a hunter .

I guess it is a good thing that I heeded your warn-ing . "

" I guess it is , " retorted Blacky dryly .

" do you come here in daytime instead of night now ? "

" no , " replied Dusky .

" we come in after dark and spend the night here .

there is nothing to fear from hunters after dark .

we 've given up coming here until late in the evening .

and since we did that , we haven't heard a gun . "

Blacky gossiped a while longer , then flew off to look for his breakfast ; and as he flew his heart was light .

his shrewd little eyes twinkled .

" I ought to have known Farmer Brown 's boy better than even to suspect him , " thought he .

" I know now why he had that terrible gun .

it was to frighten those Ducks away so that the hunter would not have a chance to shoot them .

he wasn't shooting at anything .

he just fired in the air to scare those Ducks away .

I know it just as well as if I had seen him do it .

I 'll never doubt Farmer Brown 's boy again .

and I 'm glad I didn't say a word to anybody about seeing him with a terrible gun . "

Blacky was right .

while appearing to be an enemy , he really had been a friend of Dusky the Black Duck and his flock .

CHAPTER XXIX : Blacky Discovers An Egg

Blacky is fond of eggs , as you know .

in this he is a great deal like other people , Farmer Brown 's boy for instance .

but as Blacky cannot keep hens , as Farmer Brown 's boy does , he is obliged to steal eggs or else go without .

he quite overlooks the fact that Farmer Brown 's boy feeds the biddies and takes the eggs as pay .

anyway , that is what Farmer Brown 's boy says , but I do not know whether or not the biddies understand it that way .

so Blacky the Crow cannot see why he should not help himself to an egg when he gets the chance .

the eggs he does get are mostly those of his neighbors in the Green Forest and the Old Orchard .

Blacky knows quite as well as any one what a gun looks like .

he also knows that without a terrible gun , there is little Farmer Brown or any one else can do to him .

but Blacky doesn't do anything of this kind around the buildings of Farmer Brown .

though he has suspected that Farmer Brown 's boy would not now try to harm him , Blacky is naturally cautious and takes no chances .

first he sits in a tall tree from which he can watch Farmer Brown 's home .

it was on one of these silent visits that Blacky spied something which he couldn't forget .

it was a box just inside the henhouse door .

in the box was some hay and in that hay he was sure that he had seen an egg .

in fact , he was sure that he saw two eggs there .

he might not have noticed them but for the fact that a hen had jumped down from that box , making a terrible fuss .

she didn't seem frightened , but very proud .

what under the sun she had to be proud about Blacky couldn't understand , but he didn't stay to find out .

the noise she was making made him nervous .

he was afraid that it would bring some one to find out what was going on .

so he spread his black wings and flew away as silently as he had come .

as he was flying away he saw those eggs .

that one glance was enough .

you know Blacky 's eyes are very sharp .

he saw the hay in the box and the two eggs in the hay , and that was enough for him .

from that instant Blacky the Crow began to scheme and plan to get one or both of those eggs .

CHAPTER XXX : Blacky Screws Up His Courage

if out of sight , then out of mind .

this is a saying which you often hear .

it may be true sometimes , but it is very far from true at other times .

take the case of Blacky .

then , as he flew away toward the Green Forest , those eggs were out of sight , of course .

but do you think they were out of mind ?

not much !

no , indeed !

in fact , those eggs were very much in Blacky 's mind .

he couldn't think of anything else .

he flew straight to a certain tall pine-tree in a lonely part of the Green Forest .

" there is more in one of those eggs than in a whole nestful of Welcome Robin 's eggs .

it is a very long time since I have been lucky enough to taste a hen 's egg , and now is my chance .

I don't like having to go inside that henhouse , even though it is barely inside the door .

I 'm suspicious of doors .

they have a way of closing most unexpectedly .

I might see if I cannot get Unc ' Billy Possum to bring one of those eggs out for me .

but that plan won't do , come to think of it , because I can't trust Unc ' Billy .

the old sinner is too fond of eggs himself .

no .

I 've got to get one of those eggs myself .

it is the only way I can be sure of it .

" the thing to do is to make sure that Farmer Brown 's boy and Farmer Brown himself are nowhere about .

they ought to be down in the cornfield pretty soon .

with them down there , I have only to watch my chance and slip in .

it won't take but a second .

just a little courage , Blacky , just a little courage !

nothing in this world worth having is gained without some risk .

the thing to do is to make sure that the risk is as small as possible . "

Blacky shook out his feathers and then flew out of the tall pine-tree as silently as he had flown into it .

he headed straight toward Farmer Brown 's cornfield .

he didn't have long to wait .

in fact , he had been there but a few minutes when he spied two people coming down the Long Lane toward the cornfield .

he looked at them sharply , and then gave a little sigh of satisfaction .

they were Farmer Brown and Farmer Brown 's boy .

presently they reached the cornfield and turned into it .

he didn't fly straight there .

oh , my , no !

Blacky is too clever to do anything like that .

he flew toward the Green Forest .

when he was quite sure , he silently flew down into the henyard as he had done many times before .

at last he could see the box with the hay in it .

he walked right up to the open door and peered inside .

there was nothing to be afraid of that he could see .

still he hesitated .

Blacky closed his eyes for just a second , and when he did that he seemed to see himself eating one of those eggs .

" what are you afraid of ? " he muttered to himself as he opened his eyes .

then with a hurried look in all directions , he flew up to the edge of the box .

there lay the two eggs !

CHAPTER XXXI : An Egg That Wouldn't Behave

if you had an egg and it wouldn't behave Just what would you do with that egg , may I ask ?

to make an egg do what it don't want to do Strikes me like a difficult sort of a task .

all of which is pure nonsense .

of course .

who ever heard of an egg either behaving or misbehaving ?

nobody .

that is , nobody that I know , unless it be Blacky .

it is best not to mention eggs in Blacky 's presence these days .

they are a forbidden topic when he is about .

Blacky is apt to be a little resentful at the mere mention of an egg .

I don't know as I wholly blame him .

well , that is the way it is with Blacky the Crow .

if any one had told Blacky that he didn't know all there is to know about eggs , he would have laughed at the idea .

wasn't he , Blacky , hatched from an egg himself ?

and hadn't he , ever since he was big enough , hunted eggs and stolen eggs and eaten eggs ?

if he didn't know about eggs , who did ?

that is the way he would have talked before his visit to Farmer Brown 's henhouse .

it is since then that it has been unwise to mention eggs .

when Blacky saw the two eggs in the nest in Farmer Brown 's henhouse how Blacky did wish that he could take both .

but he couldn't .

one would be all that he could manage .

he must take his choice and go away while the going was good .

which should he take ?

it often happens in this life that things which seem to be unimportant , mere trifles in themselves , prove to be just the opposite .

as a matter of fact , it made all the difference in the world .

one was brown and very good to look at .

the other , the larger of the two , was white and also very good to look at .

in fact , Blacky thought it the better of the two to look at , for it was very smooth and shiny .

so , partly on this account , and partly because it was the largest , Blacky chose the white egg .

he fluttered to the ground just outside the door , and there he got a better grip .

never had Blacky felt more like cawing at the top of his lungs .

you see , he felt that he had been very smart , and I suspect that he also felt that he had been very brave .

he would have liked to boast a little .

but he didn't .

he wisely held his tongue .

it would be time enough to do his boasting after he had reached a place of safety and had eaten that egg .

he was halfway across the Old Orchard when he felt that egg beginning to slip .

now at best it isn't easy to carry an egg without breaking it .

you know how very careful you have to be .

just imagine how Blacky felt when that egg began to slip .

do what he would , he couldn't get a better grip on it .

it slipped a wee bit more .

Blacky started down towards the ground .

but he wasn't quick enough .

Striped Chipmunk , watching Blacky from the old stone wall , saw something white drop from Blacky 's claws .

he saw Blacky dash after it and clutch at it only to miss it .

then the white thing struck a branch of an old apple tree , bounced off and fell to the ground .

Blacky followed it .

Striped Chipmunk stole very softly through the grass to see what Blacky was doing .

Blacky was standing close beside a white thing that looked very much like an egg .

he was looking at it with the queerest expression .

he didn't .

that egg wasn't behaving right .

it should have broken when it hit the branch of the apple tree .

certainly it should have broken when he struck it that way with his bill .

however was he to eat that egg , if he couldn't break the shell ?

Blacky didn't know .

CHAPTER XXXII : what Blacky Did With The Stolen Egg

Blacky was puzzled .

he didn't know what to make of that egg he had stolen from Farmer Brown 's henhouse .

it wasn't like any egg he ever had seen or even heard of .

it was a beautiful-looking egg , and he had been sure that it would taste as good , quite as good as it looked .

even now he wasn't sure that if he could only taste it , it would be all that he had hoped .

but how could he taste it , when he couldn't break that shell ?

he never had heard of such a shell .

he doubted if anybody else ever had , either .

he had hammered at it with his stout bill until he was afraid that he would break that , instead of the egg .

but the Old Orchard was not the place for him to work on that egg .

in the first place , it was too near Farmer Brown 's house .

this made Blacky uneasy .

you see , he had something of a guilty conscience .

not that he felt at all a sense of having done wrong .

yet he wasn't at all sure that Farmer Brown 's boy would look at the matter quite that way .

in fact , he had a feeling that Farmer Brown 's boy would call him a thief if he should be discovered with that egg .

then , too , there were too many sharp eyes in the Old Orchard .

he wanted to get away where he could be sure of being alone .

then if he couldn't break that shell , no one would be the wiser .

but he is .

in fact , Blacky is quite like a little child in this matter .

anything that is bright and shiny interests Blacky right away .

always their pockets are filled with all sorts of useless odds and ends which they have picked up here and there .

Blacky has no pockets , so he keeps his treasures of this kind in a secret hiding-place , a sort of treasure storehouse .

First Blacky took this egg over near his home , and there he once more tried and tried and tried to break the shell .

but the shell wouldn't break , not even when Blacky quite lost his temper and hammered at it for all he was worth .

Little by little he forgot that it was an egg .

at least , he forgot that he wanted to eat it .

he began to find pleasure in just looking at it .

it might not satisfy his stomach , but it certainly was very satisfying to his eyes .

he was glad he hadn't been able to break that shell .

once more he spread his black wings and flew down to the egg .

he cocked his head to one side and looked at it .

he cocked his head to the other side and looked at it .

Pretty , pretty , and all mine ! "

than he craftily looked all about to make sure that no one was watching him .

having made quite sure , he rolled the egg over and turned it around and admired it to his heart 's content .

at last he picked it up and carried it to his treasure-house and covered it over very carefully .

Blacky has had very many other adventures , but it would take another book to tell about all of them .

that would be hardly fair to some of the other little people who also have had adventures and want them told to you .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Blacky the Crow , by Thornton W Burgess

produced by Kent Fielden

OLD GRANNY FOX

by Thornton W Burgess

CHAPTER I : Reddy Fox Brings Granny News

pray who is there who would refuse To bearer be of happy news ?

old Granny Fox .

snow covered the Green Meadows and the Green Forest , and ice bound the Smiling Pool and the Laughing Brook .

Reddy and Granny Fox were hungry most of the time .

it was not easy to find enough to eat these days , and so they spent nearly every minute they were awake in hunting .

if either found enough for two , the one finding it took the food back to their home if it could be carried .

if not , the other was told where to find it .

for two nights they had visited Farmer Brown 's henhouse , hoping that they would be able to find a way inside .

but the biddies had been securely locked up , and try as they would , they couldn't find a way in .

if we are going to get any at all , we will have to do it in broad daylight .

it can be done , for I have done it before , but I don't like the idea .

we are likely to be seen , and that means that Bowser the Hound will be set to hunting us . "

" pooh ! " exclaimed Reddy .

" what of it ?

it 's easy enough to fool him . "

" you think so , do you ? " snapped Granny .

" I never yet saw a young Fox who didn't think he knew all there is to know , and you 're just like the rest .

when you 've lived as long as I have you will have learned not to be quite so sure of your own opinions .

we will never know when Farmer Brown 's boy will take it into his head to smoke us out .

I 've seen it done .

no , Sir , we are not going to try for one of those hens in the daytime unless we are starving . "

" I 'm starving now , " whined Reddy .

" no such thing ! "

granny snapped .

" I 've been without food longer than this many a time .

have you been over to the Big River lately ? "

" no , " replied Reddy .

" what 's the use ?

it 's frozen over .

there isn't anything there . "

you go over there now while I see what I can find in the Green Forest .

if neither of us finds anything , it will be time enough to think about Farmer Brown 's hens to-morrow . "

much against his will Reddy obeyed .

" it isn't the least bit of use , " he grumbled , as he trotted towards the Big River .

" there won't be anything there .

it is just a waste of time . "

" well , what is it ? " she demanded .

" I found a dead fish that had been washed ashore , " replied Reddy .

" it wasn't big enough for two , so I ate it . "

" anything else ? " asked Granny .

" No-o , " replied Reddy slowly ; " that is , nothing that will do us any good .

Quacker the Wild Duck was swimming about out in the open water , but though I watched and watched he never once came ashore . "

" Ha ! " exclaimed Granny .

" that is good news .

I think we 'll go Duck hunting . "

CHAPTER II : granny And Reddy Fox Go Hunting

when you 're in doubt what course is right , The thing to do is just sit tight .

old Granny Fox .

they were trotting along quite as if they had made up their minds just where they were going .

they had .

granny led the way and Reddy meekly followed her .

" granny certainly is growing foolish in her old age , " thought Reddy , as he trotted along behind her .

" I told her that Quacker never once came ashore all the time I watched yesterday .

granny used to be smart enough when she was young , I guess , but she certainly is losing her mind now .

it 's a pity , a great pity .

I can just imagine how Quacker will laugh at her .

I have to laugh myself . "

he did laugh , but you may be sure he took great pains that Granny should not see him laughing .

whenever she looked around he was as sober as could be .

in fact , he appeared to be quite as eager as if he felt sure they would catch Quacker .

granny was doing some quiet laughing herself .

" he thinks I 'm old and foolish and don't know what I 'm about , the young scamp ! " thought she .

" he thinks he has learned all there is to learn .

it isn't the least use in the world to try to tell him anything .

when young folks feel the way he does , it is a waste of time to talk to them .

he has got to be shown .

there is nothing like experience to take the conceit out of these youngsters . "

now conceit is the feeling that you know more than any one else .

perhaps you do .

then again , perhaps you don't .

so sometimes it is best not to be too sure of your own opinion .

Reddy was sure .

I am afraid , very much afraid , that Reddy was planning to be saucy .

people who think themselves smart are quite apt to be saucy .

presently they came to the bank of the Big River .

old Granny Fox told Reddy to sit still while she crept up behind some bushes where she could peek out over the Big River .

he grinned as he watched her .

he was still grinning when she tiptoed back .

he expected to see her face long with disappointment .

instead she looked very much pleased .

" Quacker is there , " said she , " and I think he will make us a very good dinner .

so Reddy stole up behind the bushes , and this time it was Granny who grinned as she watched .

as he crept along , Reddy wondered if it could be that for once Quacker had come ashore .

Granny seemed so sure they could catch him that this must be the case .

CHAPTER III : Reddy Is Sure Granny Has Lost Her Senses

perhaps ' tis just as well that we Can't see ourselves as others see .

old Granny Fox .

" we 've got just as much chance of catching him as I have of jumping over the moon .

that 's what I 'll tell Granny . "

" well , " said Granny Fox , " what shall we do to catch him ? "

" you mean that you think he can't be caught ? " said she quietly .

" I don't think anything about it ; I know he can't ! " snapped Reddy .

" not by us , anyway , " he added .

" I suppose you wouldn't even try ? " retorted Granny .

" I 'm old enough to know when I 'm wasting my time , " replied Reddy with a toss of his head .

" in other words you think I 'm a silly old Fox who has lost her senses , " said Granny sharply .

" No-o .

I didn't say that , " protested Reddy , looking very uncomfortable .

" but you think it , " declared Granny .

" now look here , Mr Smarty , you do just as I tell you .

you creep back there where you can watch Quacker and all that happens , and mind that you keep out of his sight .

now go . "

Reddy went .

there was nothing else to do .

he didn't dare disobey .

granny watched until Reddy had readied his hiding-place .

then what do you think she did ?

why , she walked right out on the little beach just below Reddy and in plain sight of Quacker !

yes , Sir , that is what she did !

then began such a queer performance that it is no wonder that Reddy was sure Granny had lost her senses .

she rolled over and over .

she chased her tail round and round until it made Reddy dizzy to watch her .

she jumped up in the air .

she raced back and forth .

she played with a bit of stick .

and all the time she didn't pay the least attention to Quacker the Duck .

Reddy stared and stared .

whatever had come over Granny ?

she was crazy .

yes , Sir , that must be the matter .

it must be that she had gone without food so long that she had gone crazy .

poor Granny !

she was in her second childhood .

Reddy could remember how he had done such things when he was very young , just by way of showing how fine he felt .

but for a grown-up Fox to do such things was undignified , to say the least .

you know Reddy thinks a great deal of dignity .

it was worse than undignified ; it was positively disgraceful .

he did hope that none of his neighbors would happen along and see Granny cutting up so .

he never would hear the end of it if they did .

over and over rolled Granny , and around and around she chased her tail .

the snow flew up in a cloud .

and all the time she made no sound .

Quacker was sitting up as straight as he could .

" as I live , " muttered Reddy , " I believe that fellow is nearer than he was ! "

Reddy crouched lower than ever , and instead of watching Granny he watched Quacker the Duck .

CHAPTER IV : Quacker The Duck Grows Curious

the most curious thing in the world is curiosity .

old Granny Fox .

old Granny Fox never said a truer thing than that .

it is curious , very curious , how sometimes curiosity will get the best of even the wisest and most sensible of people .

Even Old Granny Fox herself has been known to be led into trouble by it .

we expect it of Peter Rabbit , but Peter isn't a bit more curious than some others of whom we do not expect it .

now Quacker the Wild Duck is the last one in the world you would expect to be led into trouble by curiosity .

Quacker had spent the summer in the Far North with Honker the Goose .

in fact , he had been born there .

you see , he was a good diver and on the bottom of the river he found plenty to eat .

the water couldn't get through his oily feathers , and so he didn't mind how cold it was .

on his way down to the Big River he had been hunted by men with terrible guns , and he had learned all about them .

in fact , he felt quite able to keep out of harm 's way .

he rather prided himself that there was no one smart enough to catch him .

I suspect he thought he knew all there was to know .

in this respect he was a good deal like Reddy Fox himself .

that was because he was young .

it is the way with young Ducks and Foxes and with some other youngsters I know .

but so far as he could see , Granny didn't once look at him .

" she doesn't know I 'm out here at all , " thought Quacker .

then suddenly he sat up very straight and looked with all his might .

what under the sun was the matter with that Fox ?

she was acting as if she had suddenly lost her senses .

over and over she rolled .

around and around she spun .

she turned somersaults .

she lay on her back and kicked her heels in the air .

never in his life had he known any one to act like that .

there must be something the matter with her .

Quacker began to get excited .

he couldn't keep his eyes off Old Granny Fox .

he began to swim nearer .

he wanted to see better .

he quite forgot she was a Fox .

she moved so fast that she was just a queer red spot on the beach .

whatever she was doing was very curious and very exciting .

he swam nearer and nearer .

the excitement was catching .

he began to swim in circles himself .

all the time he drew nearer and nearer to the shore .

he didn't have the least bit of fear .

he was just curious .

he wanted to see better .

all the time Granny was cutting up her antics , she was watching Quacker , though he didn't suspect it .

as he swam nearer and nearer to the shore , Granny rolled and tumbled farther and farther back .

at last Quacker was close to the shore .

if he kept on , he would be right on the land in a few minutes .

and all the time he stared and stared .

no thought of danger entered his head .

you see , there was no room because it was so filled with curiosity .

" in a minute more I 'll have him , " thought Granny , and whirled faster than ever .

and just then something happened .

CHAPTER V : Reddy Fox Is Afraid To Go Home

yes , Sir , a chicken track is good to see , but it often puts nothing but water in my mouth .

old Granny Fox .

Reddy Fox thought of that saying many times as he hunted through the Green Forest that night , afraid to go home .

that was why he was afraid to go home .

indeed , Reddy had been quite sure that she had when she began .

but he was too much excited for any such thoughts .

nearer and nearer to the shore came Quacker , his eyes fixed on the red , whirling form of Granny .

Reddy 's own eyes gleamed with excitement .

would Quacker keep on right up to the shore ?

nearer and nearer and nearer he came .

Reddy squirmed uneasily .

he couldn't see as well as he wanted to .

the bushes behind which he was lying were in his way .

he wanted to see Granny make that jump which would mean a dinner for both .

forgetting what Granny had charged him , Reddy eagerly raised his head to look over the edge of the bank .

now it just happened that at that very minute Quacker chanced to look that way .

his quick eyes caught the movement of Reddy 's head and in an instant all his curiosity vanished .

that sharp face peering at him over the edge of the bank could mean but one thing danger !

it was all a trick !

he saw through it now .

like a flash he turned .

there was the whistle of stiff wings beating the air and the patter of feet striking the water as he got under way .

then he flew out to the safety of the open water .

granny sprang , but she was just too late and succeeded in doing no more than wet her feet .

of course , Granny didn't know what had frightened Quacker , not at first , anyway .

but she had her suspicions .

she turned and looked up at the place where Reddy had been hiding .

she couldn't see him .

then she bounded up the bank .

there was no Reddy there , but far away across the snow-covered Green Meadows was a red spot growing smaller and smaller .

Reddy was running away .

then she knew .

at first Granny was very angry .

you know it is a dreadful thing to be hungry and have a good dinner disappear just as it is almost within reach .

" I 'll teach that young scamp a lesson he won't soon forget when I get home , " she muttered , as she watched him .

then she went back to the edge of the Big River and there she found a dead fish which had been washed ashore .

it was a very good fish , and when she had eaten it Granny felt better .

" anyway , " thought she , " I have taught him a new trick and one he is n't likely to forget .

I guess it was worth while even if I didn't catch Quacker .

my , but he would have tasted good ! "

granny smacked her lips and started for home .

but Reddy , with a guilty conscience , was afraid to go home .

CHAPTER VI : old Granny Fox Is Caught Napping

the wisest folks will make mistakes , but if they are truly wise they will profit from them .

old Granny Fox .

there is a saying among the little people of the Green Forest and the Green Meadows which runs something like this :

" you must your eyes wide open keep To catch Old Granny Fox asleep . "

Reddy Fox is smart , very smart .

but Reddy isn't nearly as smart as Old Granny Fox .

but once in a while even the smartest people are caught napping .

yes , Sir , that does happen .

they will be careless sometimes .

it was just so with Old Granny Fox .

yes , Sir , she actually believed that .

it was this way with Old Granny Fox .

so at last she grew careless .

yes , Sir , she grew careless .

and that is something no Fox or anybody else can afford to do .

it overlooked the Green Meadows and was quite the most pleasant and comfortable place for a sun-nap that ever was .

at least , that is what Old Granny Fox thought .

she took sun-naps there very often .

it was her favorite resting place .

then she would hurry straight to that knoll to rest and grin at her own smartness .

it happened that she did this one day when there was fresh snow on the ground .

of course , every time she put a foot down she left a print in the snow .

and where she curled up in the sun she left the print of her body .

they were very plain to see , were these prints , and Farmer Brown 's boy saw them .

he had been tramping through the Green Forest late in the afternoon and just by chance happened across Granny 's footprints .

Just for fun he followed them and so came to the sunny knoll .

Granny had left some time before , but of course she couldn't take the print of her body with her .

that remained in the snow , and Farmer Brown 's boy saw it and knew instantly what it meant .

he grinned , and could Granny Fox have seen that grin , she would have been uncomfortable .

you see , he knew that he had found the place where Granny was in the habit of taking a sun-nap .

I think we will give you a surprise one of these days .

yes , indeed , I think we will give you a surprise .

you have fooled us many times , and now it is our turn . "

the next day Farmer Brown 's boy shouldered his terrible gun and sent Bowser the Hound to hunt for the trail of Old Granny Fox .

it wasn't long before Bowser 's great voice told all the Great World that he had found Granny 's tracks .

Farmer Brown 's boy grinned just as he had the day before .

he waited patiently a long , long time .

he heard Bowser 's great voice growing more and more excited as he followed Old Granny Fox .

by and by Bowser stopped baying and began to yelp impatiently .

Farmer Brown 's boy knew exactly what that meant .

it meant that Granny had played one of her smart tricks and Bowser had lost her trail .

and just a little way off behind the pine boughs sat Farmer Brown 's boy holding his terrible gun and grinning .

at last he had caught Old Granny Fox napping .

CHAPTER VII : granny Fox Has A Bad Dream

nothing ever simply happens ; Bear that point in mind .

if you look long and hard enough A cause you 'll always find .

old Granny Fox .

old Granny Fox was dreaming .

yes , Sir , she was dreaming .

there she lay , curled up on the sunny little knoll on the edge of the Green Forest , fast asleep and dreaming .

it was a very pleasant and very comfortable place indeed .

you see , jolly , round , bright Mr Sun poured his warmest rays right down there from the blue , blue sky .

when Old Granny Fox was tired , she often slipped over there for a short nap and sun-bath even in winter .

she was quite sure that no one knew anything about it .

it was one of her secrets .

this morning Old Granny Fox was very tired , unusually so .

in the first place she had been out hunting all night .

then , before she could reach home , Bowser the Hound had found her tracks and started to follow them .

of course , it wouldn't have done to go home then .

it wouldn't have done at all .

Bowser would have followed her straight there and so found out where she lived .

right away she fell asleep .

her eyes may be closed , but not her ears .

if it were not for the way her sharp ears keep guard , she wouldn't dare take naps in the open right in broad daylight .

if you ever want to catch a Fox asleep , you mustn't make the teeniest , weeniest noise .

just remember that .

now Old Granny Fox had no sooner closed her eyes than she began to dream .

at first it was a very pleasant dream , the pleasantest dream a Fox can have .

it was of a chicken dinner , all the chicken she could eat .

granny certainly enjoyed that dream .

it made her smack her lips quite as if it were a real and not a dream dinner she was enjoying .

but presently the dream changed and became a bad dream .

yes , indeed , it became a bad dream .

it was as bad as at first it had been good .

it seemed to Granny that Bowser the Hound had become very smart , smarter than she had ever known him to be before .

do what she would , she couldn't fool him .

not one of all the tricks she knew , and she knew a great many , fooled him at all .

they didn't puzzle him long enough for her to get her breath .

she was so tired that it seemed to her that she couldn't run another step .

it was a very , very real dream .

you know dreams sometimes do seem very real indeed .

this was the way it was with the bad dream of Old Granny Fox .

" oh !

oh ! " cried Granny and waked herself up .

her eyes flew open .

no , Sir , she didn't .

for a full minute she couldn't be sure whether what she saw was real or part of that dreadful dream .

you see , she was staring into the face of Farmer Brown 's boy and the muzzle of his dreadful gun !

for just a few seconds she didn't move .

she couldn't .

she was too frightened to move .

then she knew what she saw was real and not a dream at all .

there wasn't the least bit of doubt about it .

that was Farmer Brown 's boy , and that was his dreadful gun !

all in a flash she knew that Farmer Brown 's boy must have been hiding behind those pine boughs .

Poor Old Granny Fox !

for once in her life she had been caught napping .

she hadn't the least hope in the world .

Farmer Brown 's boy had only to fire that dreadful gun , and that would be the end of her .

she knew it .

CHAPTER VIII : what Farmer Brown 's Boy Did

in time of danger heed this rule : think hard and fast , but pray keep cool .

old Granny Fox .

Poor Old Granny Fox !

it wasn't the least bit of use to run .

granny knew that .

that dreadful gun would go " bang ! " and that would be the end of her .

for a few seconds she stared at Farmer Brown 's boy , too frightened to move or even think .

then she began to wonder why that dreadful gun didn't go off .

what was Farmer Brown 's boy waiting for ?

she got to her feet .

she was sure that the first step would be her last , yet she couldn't stay there .

how could Fanner Brown 's boy do such a dreadful thing ?

somehow , his freckled face didn't look cruel .

he was even beginning to grin .

" oh ! " sobbed Old Granny Fox under her breath .

and right at that very instant Farmer Brown 's boy did something .

what do you think it was ?

no , he didn't shoot her .

he didn't fire his dreadful gun .

what do you think he did do ?

why , he threw a snowball at Old Granny Fox and shouted " boo ! "

Farmer Brown 's boy was standing right where she had last seen him , and he was laughing harder than ever .

" go it , Granny !

go it ! " shouted Farmer Brown 's boy .

just remember that and leave my chickens alone . "

now it happened that Tommy Tit the Chickadee had seen all that had happened , and he fairly bubbled over with joy .

" Dee , dee , dee , Chickadee !

it is just as I have always said Farmer Brown 's boy isn't bad .

he 'd be friends with every one if every one would let him , " he cried .

" maybe , maybe , " grumbled Sammy Jay , who also had seen all that had happened .

" but he 's altogether too smart for me to trust .

oh , my ! oh , my !

what news this will be to tell !

old Granny Fox will never hear the end of it .

Ho ! ho ! ho !

I must hurry along and find my cousin , Blacky the Crow .

this will tickle him half to death . "

you see , nothing could make her believe that he wanted to be her friend .

she thought he had let her get away just to show her that he was smarter than she .

instead of thankfulness , hate and fear filled Granny 's heart .

you know

people who themselves do ill For others seldom have good will .

CHAPTER IX : Reddy Fox Hears About Granny Fox

old Granny Fox .

Sammy Jay hurried through the Green Forest , chuckling as he flew .

Sammy was brimming over with the news he had to tell , how Old Granny Fox had been caught napping by Farmer Brown 's boy .

Sammy wouldn't have believed it if any one had told him .

no , Sir , he wouldn't .

presently Sammy spied Reddy Fox trotting along the Lone Little Path .

Reddy was forever boasting of how smart Granny Fox was .

he had boasted of it so much that everybody was sick of hearing him .

when he saw Reddy trotting along the Lone Little Path , Sammy chuckled harder than ever .

he hid in a thick hemlock-tree and as Reddy passed he shouted :

Reddy looked up angrily .

he couldn't see Sammy Jay , but he knew Sammy 's voice .

there is no mistaking that .

everybody knows the voice of Sammy Jay .

of course it was foolish , very foolish of Reddy to be angry , and still more foolish to show that he was angry .

but like a great many people , Reddy allowed his temper to get the better of his common sense .

" who says Granny Fox is stupid ? " he snarled .

" I do , " replied Sammy Jay promptly .

" I say she is stupid . "

" she is smarter than anybody else in all the Green Forest and on all the Green Meadows .

she is smarter than anybody else in all the Great World , " boasted Reddy , and he really believed it .

" she isn't smart enough to fool Farmer Brown 's boy , " taunted Sammy .

" what 's that ?

who says so ?

has anything happened to Granny Fox ? "

Reddy forgot his anger in a sudden great fear .

could Granny have been shot by Farmer Brown 's boy ?

" I don't believe it ! " snapped Reddy .

" I don't believe a word of it !

nobody ever yet caught Old Granny Fox napping , and nobody ever will . "

" I don't care whether you believe it or not ; it 's so , for I saw him , " retorted Sammy Jay .

" you you you " began Reddy Fox .

" go ask Tommy Tit the Chickadee if it isn't true .

he saw him too , " interrupted Sammy Jay .

" Dee , dee , dee , Chickadee !

there sat Tommy Tit himself .

Reddy didn't know what to think or say .

he just couldn't believe it , yet he had never known Tommy Tit to tell an untruth .

Sammy Jay alone he wouldn't have believed .

Reddy had to believe it .

if Tommy Tit said it was so , it must be so .

Reddy Fox started off to hunt up Old Granny Fox and ask her about it .

but a sudden thought popped into his red head , and he changed his mind .

" then I 'll see what she has to say .

I guess she won't scold me so much after this . "

Reddy grinned more than ever , which wasn't a bit nice of him .

CHAPTER X : Reddy Fox Is Impudent

a saucy tongue is dangerous to possess ; Be sure some day ' t will get you in a mess .

old Granny Fox .

he is smart , is Reddy Fox .

yes , indeed , Reddy Fox is very , very smart .

he has to be in order to live .

but a great deal of what he knows he learned from Old Granny Fox .

the very best tricks he knows she taught him .

she began teaching him when he was so little that he tumbled over his own feet .

in fact , there is little Reddy knows which he didn't learn from wise , shrewd Old Granny Fox .

but as he grew bigger and bigger , until he was quite as big as Granny herself , he forgot what he owed to her .

he grew to have a very good opinion of himself and to feel that he knew just about all there was to know .

but he never quite dared to be openly disrespectful to Granny , and this , of course , was quite as it should have been .

" if only I could catch Granny doing something foolish or careless , " he would say to himself .

but he never could , and he had begun to think that he never would .

but now at last Granny , clever Old Granny Fox , had been careless !

she had allowed Farmer Brown 's boy to catch her napping !

Reddy did wish he had been there to see it himself .

yes , Sir , Reddy Fox was deliberately planning to answer back , which , as you know , is always disrespectful to one 's elders .

at last the chance came .

Reddy did a thing no truly wise Fox ever will do .

he went two nights in succession to the same henhouse , and the second time he barely escaped being shot .

old Granny Fox found out about it .

" you are the stupidest Fox I ever heard of , " scolded Granny .

" I 'm no more stupid than you are ! " retorted Reddy in the most impudent way .

" what 's that ? " demanded Granny .

" what 's that you said ? "

" I said I 'm no more stupid than you are , and what is more , I hope I 'm not so stupid .

I know better than to take a nap in broad daylight right under the very nose of Farmer Brown 's boy . "

Reddy grinned in the most impudent way as he said this .

granny 's eyes snapped .

then things happened .

" there ! " cried Granny , when at last she had to stop because she was quite out of breath .

" perhaps that will teach you to be respectful to your elders .

I was careless and stupid , and I am perfectly ready to admit it , because it has taught me a lesson .

wisdom often is gained through mistakes , but never when one is not willing to admit the mistakes .

no Fox lives long who makes the same mistake twice .

and those who are impudent to their elders come to no good end .

I 've got a fat goose hidden away for dinner , but you will get none of it . "

" I I wish I 'd never heard of Granny 's mistake , " whined Reddy to himself as he crept dinnerless to bed .

" you ought to wish that you hadn't been impudent , " whispered a small voice down inside him .

CHAPTER XI : after The Storm

old Granny Fox .

but it couldn't last forever , and they knew it .

knowing this was all that kept some of them alive .

you see , they were starving .

yes , Sir , they were starving .

with the little wild friends , especially the little feathered folks , it is a very different matter .

so when their food supply is wholly cut off , they starve or else freeze to death in a very short time .

a great many little lives are ended this way in every long , hard winter storm .

Little Tommy Tit the Chickadee was so weak that he could hardly fly , and he shook with chills .

he made straight for the apple-tree where Farmer Brown 's boy always keeps a piece of suet tied to a branch for Tommy and his friends .

Drummer the Woodpecker was there before him .

" Dee , dee , dee ! " said Tommy Tit faintly but cheerfully , for he couldn't be other than cheery if he tried .

" Dee , dee , dee !

that looks good to me . "

" it is good , " mumbled Drummer , pecking away at the suet greedily .

" come on , Tommy Tit .

don't wait for me , for I won't be through for a long time .

I 'm nearly starved , and I guess you must be . "

" I am , " confessed Tommy , as he flew over beside Drummer .

" thank you ever so much for not making me wait . "

" don't mention it , " replied Drummer , with his mouth full .

" this is no time for politeness .

here comes Yank Yank the Nuthatch .

I guess there is room for him too . "

Yank Yank was promptly invited to join them and did so after apologizing for seeming so greedy .

" if I couldn't get my stomach full before night , I certainly should freeze to death before morning , " said he .

" what a blessing it is to have all this good food waiting for us .

if I had to hunt for my usual food on the trees , I certainly should have to give up and die .

it took all my strength to get over here .

my , I feel like a new bird already !

here comes Sammy Jay .

I wonder if he will try to drive us away as he usually does . "

Sammy did nothing of the kind .

he was very meek and most polite .

" can you make room for a starving fellow to get a bite ? " he asked .

" I wouldn't ask it but that I couldn't last another night without food . "

" Dee , dee , dee !

always room for one more , " replied Tommy Tit , crowding over to give Sammy room .

" wasn't that a dreadful storm ? "

" worst I ever knew , " mumbled Sammy .

" I wonder if I ever will be warm again . "

until their stomachs were full , not another word was said .

meanwhile Chatterer the Red Squirrel had discovered that the storm was over .

his own troubles were at an end , for in the tree he was headed for was a store of corn .

CHAPTER XII : granny And Reddy Fox Hunt In Vain

old Mother Nature 's plans for good Quite often are not understood .

old Granny Fox .

oh , my , no !

no , indeed !

everybody who was not sleeping the winter away , or who had not a store of food right at hand , was out .

but not all were so fortunate as Tommy Tit and his friends in finding a good meal .

it was very coarse food , but it would take away that empty feeling .

Mrs. grouse burst out of the snow and hurried to get a meal before dark .

she had no time to be particular , and so she ate spruce buds .

she was thankful to have that much .

granny Fox and Reddy were out too .

that seems like a dreadful hope , doesn't it ?

but one of the first laws of Old Mother Nature is self-preservation .

that means to save your own life first .

their teeth and stomachs are not made for such food .

it was hard going for Granny and Reddy Fox .

they soon found that their hope that they would find some of their neighbors too weak to escape was quite in vain .

" we 'll go down to the Old Briar-patch .

I don't believe it will be of much use , but you never can tell until you try .

Peter Rabbit may take it into his silly head to come outside , " said Granny , leading the way .

when they reached the dear Old Briar-patch they found that Peter was not outside .

in fact , peering between the brambles and bushes , they could see his little brown form bobbing about as he hunted for tender bark .

he had already made little paths along which he could hop easily .

Peter saw them almost as soon as they saw him .

" Hard times these , " said Peter pleasantly .

" I hope your stomachs are not as empty as mine . "

he pulled a strip of bark from a young tree and began to chew it .

this was more than Reddy could stand .

to see Peter eating while his own stomach was just one great big ache from emptiness was too much .

Peter stopped chewing and sat up .

" come right along , Reddy .

come right along if you want to , but I would advise you to save your skin and your coat , " said he .

Reddy 's only reply was a snarl as he pushed his way under the brambles .

he yelped as they tore his coat and scratched his face , but he kept on .

now Peter 's paths were very cunningly made .

he had cut them through the very thickest of the briars just big enough for himself and Mrs Peter to hop along comfortably .

it was no trouble at all for Peter to keep out of his way , and before long Reddy gave up .

without a word Granny Fox led the way to the Green Forest .

they would try to find where Mrs Grouse was sleeping under the snow .

but though they hunted all night , they failed to find her , for she wisely had gone to bed in a spruce-tree .

CHAPTER XIII : granny Fox Admits Growing Old

who will not admit he is older each day fools no one but himself .

old Granny Fox .

old Granny Fox is a spry old lady for her age .

if you don't believe it just try to catch her .

but spry as she is , she isn't as spry as she used to be .

no , Sir , Granny Fox isn't as spry as she used to be .

the truth is , Granny is getting old .

she never would admit it , and Reddy never had realized it until the day after the great storm .

they had neither the strength nor the courage to search any longer then .

you see , it is food that makes strength , and lack of food takes away strength .

this was why Granny and Reddy Fox just HAD to rest .

hungry as they were , they HAD to give up for awhile .

Reddy flung himself down , and if ever there was a discouraged young Fox he was that one .

" I wish I were dead , " he moaned .

" Tut , tut , tut ! " said Granny Fox sharply .

" that 's no way for a young Fox to talk !

I 'm ashamed of you .

I am indeed . "

then she added more kindly : " I know just how you feel .

just try to forget your empty stomach and rest awhile .

we have had a tiresome , disappointing , discouraging night , but when you are rested things will not look quite so bad .

you know the old saying :

you think you couldn't possibly feel any worse than you do right now , but you could .

Many a time I have had to go hungry longer than this .

after we have rested awhile we will go over to the Old Pasture .

perhaps we will have better luck there . "

so Reddy tried to forget the emptiness of his stomach and actually had a nap , for he was very , very tired .

when he awoke he felt better .

" well , Granny , " said he , " let's start for the Old Pasture .

the snow has crusted over , and we won't find it such hard going as it was last night . "

granny arose and followed Reddy out to the doorstep .

she walked stiffly .

the truth is , she ached in every one of her old bones .

at least , that is the way it seemed to her .

she looked towards the Old Pasture .

it seemed very far away .

she sighed wearily .

" I don't believe I 'll go , Reddy , " said she .

" you run along and luck go with you . "

Reddy turned and stared at Granny suspiciously .

you know his is a very suspicious nature .

could it be that Granny had some secret plan of her own to get a meal and wanted to get rid of him ?

" what 's the matter with you ? " he demanded roughly .

" it was you who proposed going over to the Old Pasture . "

granny smiled .

it was a sad sort of smile .

" the truth is , Reddy , I am growing old .

I am going to stay right here and rest .

perhaps then I 'll feel able to go hunting to-night .

you trot along now , and if you get more than a stomachful , just remember old Granny and bring her a bite . "

there was something in the way Granny spoke that told Reddy she was speaking the truth .

it was the very first time she ever had admitted that she was growing old and was no longer the equal of any Fox .

never before had he noticed how gray she had grown .

Reddy felt a feeling of shame creep over him , shame that he had suspected Granny of playing a sharp trick .

and this little feeling of shame was followed instantly by a splendid thought .

he would go out and find food of some kind , and he would bring it straight back to Granny .

" go back in the house and lie down , Granny , " said he kindly .

" I am going to get something , and whatever it may be you shall have your share . "

with this he trotted off towards the Old Pasture and somehow he didn't mind the ache in his stomach as he had before .

CHAPTER XIV : three Vain And Foolish Wishes

there 's nothing so foolishly silly and vain As to wish for a thing you can never attain .

old Granny Fox .

we all know that , yet most of us are just foolish enough to make such a wish now and then .

I guess you have done it .

I know I have .

Peter Rabbit has done it often and then laughed at himself afterwards .

I suspect that even shrewd , clever old Granny Fox has been guilty of it more than once .

so it is not surprising that Reddy Fox , terribly hungry as he was , should do a little foolish wishing .

it was cold , very cold indeed , but his fur coat kept him warm as long as he was moving .

the Green Meadows were glistening white with snow .

all the world , at least all that part of it with which Reddy was acquainted , was white .

it was beautiful , very beautiful , as millions of sparkles flashed in the sun .

Jack Frost had hardened the snow so that Reddy no longer had to wade through it .

he could run on the crust now without breaking through .

this made it much easier , so he trotted along swiftly .

probably the Bob White family were there now , and he might surprise them .

he would go there first .

Reddy stopped and looked carefully to make sure that Farmer Brown 's boy and Bowser the Hound were nowhere in sight .

then he ran swiftly towards the Old Orchard .

just as he entered it he heard a merry voice just over his head : " dee , dee , dee , dee ! "

Reddy stopped and looked up .

Reddy sat down right underneath that suet and looked up longingly .

the sight of it made his mouth water so that it was almost more than he could stand .

he jumped once .

he jumped twice .

he jumped three times .

but all his jumping was in vain .

that suet was beyond his reach .

there was no possible way of reaching it save by flying or climbing .

Reddy 's tongue hung out of his mouth with longing .

" I wish I could climb , " said Reddy .

but he couldn't climb , and all the wishing in the world wouldn't enable him to , as he very well knew .

so after a little he started on .

Reddy crouched down and very slowly , an inch at a time , he crept forward , his eyes shining with eagerness .

Tears of rage and disappointment welled up in Reddy 's eyes .

" I wish I could fly , " he muttered , as he watched the brown birds disappear in the big hemlock-tree .

this was quite as foolish a wish as the other , so Reddy trotted on and decided to go down past the Smiling Pool .

when he got there he found it , as he expected , frozen over .

but just where the Laughing Brook joins it there was a little place where there was open water .

Billy Mink was on the ice at its edge , and just as Reddy got there Billy dived in .

a minute later he climbed out with a fish in his mouth .

" give me a bite , " begged Reddy .

" catch your own fish , " retorted Billy Mink .

" I have to work hard enough for what I get as it is . "

Reddy was afraid to go out on the ice where Billy was , and so he sat and watched him eat that fine fish .

then Billy dived into the water again and disappeared .

Reddy waited a long time , but Billy did not return .

" I wish I could dive , " gulped Reddy , thinking of the fine fish somewhere under the ice .

and this wish was quite as foolish as the other wishes .

CHAPTER XV : Reddy Fights A Battle

old Granny Fox

he wished now that he had gone straight there .

so Reddy Fox was grumbling to himself as he hurried to the Old Pasture and his heart was very bitter .

it seemed to him that everything was against him .

his neighbors had food , but he had none , not so much as a crumb .

it was unfair .

old Mother Nature was unjust .

if he could climb he could get food .

if he could fly he could get food .

if he could dive he could get food .

but he could neither climb , fly , nor dive .

the minute Old Jed saw that Reddy was safely past , he started for his bull-briar castle as fast as he could .

it was not until then that Reddy discovered him .

of course , Reddy started after him , and this time he made good use of his speed .

but he was too late .

old Jed Thumper reached his castle with Reddy two jumps behind him .

then all in a flash Reddy Fox became the shrewd , clever fellow that he really is . he grinned .

" it 's of no use to try to fill an empty stomach on wishes , " said he .

" if I had come straight here and minded my own business , I 'd have caught old Jed Thumper .

now I 'm going to get some food and I 'm not going home until I do . "

all through the Old Pasture he hunted , taking care not to miss a single place where there was the least chance of finding food .

but it was all in vain .

Reddy gulped down his disappointment .

" now for the Big River , " said he , and started off bravely .

when he reached the edge of the Big River , he hurried along the bank until he reached a place where the water seldom freezes .

as he had hoped , he found that it was not frozen now .

it looked so black and cold that it made him shiver just to see it .

back and forth with his nose to the ground he ran .

suddenly he stopped and sniffed .

then he sniffed again .

then he followed his nose straight to the very edge of the Big River .

there , floating in the black water , was a dead fish !

by wading in he could get it .

Reddy shivered at the touch of the cold water , but what were wet feet compared with such an empty stomach as his ?

in a minute he had that fish and was back on the shore .

it wasn't a very big fish , but it would stop the ache in his stomach until he could get something more .

with a sigh of pure happiness he sank his teeth into it and then well , then he remembered poor Old Granny Fox .

Reddy swallowed a mouthful and tried to forget Granny .

but he couldn't .

he swallowed another mouthful .

poor old Granny was back there at home as hungry as he was and too stiff and tired to hunt .

Reddy choked .

then he began a battle with himself .

his stomach demanded that fish .

if he ate it , no one would be the wiser .

but Granny needed it even more than he did .

for a long time Reddy fought with himself .

in the end he picked up the fish and started for home .

CHAPTER XVI : Reddy Is Made Truly Happy

old Granny Fox .

Reddy Fox ran all the way home from the Big River just as fast as he could go .

in his mouth he carried the fish he had found and from which he had taken just two bites .

you remember he had had a battle with himself over that fish , and now he was running away from himself .

that sounds funny , doesn't it ?

but it was true .

yes , Sir , Reddy Fox was running away from himself .

so he was running his very hardest so as to get there before this could happen .

so really he was running away from himself , from his selfish self .

" I 've brought you something to eat , Granny , " he panted , as he laid the fish at her feet .

he was quite out of breath with running .

" it isn't much , but it is something .

it is all I could find for you . "

" what have YOU had to eat ? " asked Granny softly .

Reddy turned his head that Granny might not see his face .

" oh , I 've had something , " said he , trying to speak lightly .

it was true ; he had had two bites from that fish .

now you know just how shrewd and smart and wise Granny Fox is .

Reddy didn't fool her just the least little bit .

she took two small bites from the fish .

" now , " said she , " we 'll divide it , " and she bit in two parts what remained .

in a twinkling she had gulped down the smallest part , for you know she was very , very hungry .

" that is your share , " said she , as she pushed what remained over to Reddy .

Reddy tried to refuse it .

" I brought it all for you , " said he .

" you brought it to me when all you had had was the two little bites you had taken from it .

you can't fool me , Reddy Fox .

now you mind what I say and eat your share . "

granny said this last very sternly .

Reddy looked at Granny , and then he bolted down that little piece of fish without another word .

" that 's better , " said Granny .

" we will feel better , both of us .

now that I 've something in my stomach , I feel two years younger .

before you came , I didn't feel as if I should ever be able to go on another hunt .

if you hadn't brought something , I I 'm afraid I couldn't have lasted much longer .

by another day you probably wouldn't have had old Granny to think of .

you may not know it , but I know that you saved my life , Reddy .

I had reached a point where I just had to have a little food .

you know there are times when a very little food is of more good than a lot of food could be later .

this was one of those times . "

never in all his life had Reddy Fox felt so truly happy .

he was still hungry , very , very hungry .

but he gave it no thought .

he had saved Granny Fox , good old Granny who had taught him all he knew .

and he knew that Granny knew how he had had to fight with himself to do it .

Reddy was happy through and through with the great happiness that comes from having done something for some one else .

" it was nothing , " he muttered .

" it was a very great deal , " replied Granny .

and then she changed the subject .

" how would you like to eat a dinner of Bowser the Hound 's ? " she asked .

CHAPTER XVII : granny Fox Promises Reddy Bowser 's Dinner

old Granny Fox .

granny looked so sober and so much in earnest that Reddy decided she couldn't be joking , even though it did sound that way .

" I certainly would like it , Granny .

yes , indeed , I certainly would like it , " said he .

" you you don't suppose he will give us one , do you ? "

granny chuckled .

" no , Reddy , " said she .

" Bowser isn't so generous as all that , especially to Foxes .

he isn't going to give us that dinner ; we are going to take it away from him .

yes , Sir , we just naturally are going to take it away from , him . "

Reddy didn't for the life of him see how it could be possible to take a dinner away from Bowser the Hound .

that seemed to him almost as impossible as it was for him to climb or fly or dive .

but he had great faith in Granny 's cleverness .

he remembered how she had so nearly caught Quacker the Duck .

he knew that not for one single minute had her sharp wits been idle .

he knew that all that time she had been studying and studying to find some way by which they could get something to eat .

but if we can , let's do it right away .

I 'm hungry enough to dare almost anything for the sake of something to put in my stomach .

it is so empty that little bit of fish we divided is shaking around as if it were lost .

Gracious , I could eat a million fish the size of that one !

have you thought of Fanner Brown 's hens , Granny ? "

" of course , Reddy !

of course !

what a silly question ! " replied Granny .

" we may have to come to them yet . "

" I wish I was at them right now , " interrupted Reddy with a sigh .

" but you know what I have told you , " went on Granny .

" the surest way of getting into trouble is to steal hens .

it will be a great deal better to take Bowser 's dinner away from him .

most decidedly it will be better and safer to try for Bowser 's dinner than to try for one of those hens . "

" just as you say , Granny ; just as you say , " returned Reddy .

" you know best .

but how under the sun we can do it beats me . "

" it is very simple , " replied Granny , " very simple indeed .

most things are simple enough when you find out how to do them .

neither of us could do it alone , but together we can do it without the least bit of risk .

listen . "

granny went close to Reddy and whispered to him , although there wasn't a soul within hearing .

a slow grin spread over Reddy 's face as he listened .

when she had finished , he laughed right out .

" granny , you are a wonder ! " he exclaimed admiringly .

" I never should have thought of that .

of course we can do it .

my , won't Bowser be surprised !

and how mad he 'll be !

come on , let's be starting ! "

" all right , " said Granny , and the two started towards Farmer Brown 's .

CHAPTER XVIII : why Bowser The Hound Didn't Eat His Dinner

the thing you 've puzzled most about Is simple once you 've found it out .

old Granny Fox .

Bowser The Hound dearly loves to hunt just for the pleasure of the chase .

Bowser had missed the exciting hunts he used to enjoy so much with Farmer Brown 's boy .

So Bowser had formed the habit of slipping away alone for a hunt every once in a while .

of course Bowser wasn't kept chained all the time .

oh , my , no !

when his master was about , where he could keep an eye on Bowser , he would let him go free .

but whenever he was going away and didn't want to take Bowser with him , he would chain Bowser up .

now Bowser always had one good big meal a day .

if he happened to be chained , it was brought out to him .

if not , it was given to him just outside the kitchen door .

granny Fox knew all about this .

granny saw that he was chained and a sly grin crept over her face .

" you stay right here and watch until his dinner is brought out to him , " said she to Reddy .

" as soon as whoever brings it has gone back to the house you walk right out where Bowser will see you .

at the sight of you , he 'll forget all about his dinner .

then slip around back of the barn and join me back of that shed . "

so Reddy sat down to watch , and Granny left him .

by and by Mrs Brown came out of the house with a pan full of good things .

she put it down in front of Bowser 's little house and called to him .

then she turned and hurried back , for it was very cold .

Bowser came out of his little house , yawned and stretched lazily .

it was time for Reddy to do his part .

Out he walked and sat down right in front of Bowser and grinned at him .

Bowser stared for a minute as if he doubted his own eyes .

such impudence !

Bowser growled .

then with a yelp he sprang towards Reddy .

he tugged with all his might and yelped and barked frantically , but Reddy just sat there and grinned in the most provoking manner .

it was great fun to tease Bowser this way .

meanwhile old Granny Fox had stolen out from around the corner of the shed behind Bowser .

getting hold of the edge of the pan with her teeth she pulled it back with her around the corner and out of sight .

if she made any noise , Bowser didn't hear it .

he was making too much noise himself and was too excited .

presently Reddy heard the sound of an opening door .

Mrs Brown was coming to see what all the fuss was about .

" I guess he must have seen a stray cat or something , " said Mrs Brown and went back in the house .

Bowser continued to whine and tug at his chain for a few minutes .

then he gave it up and , growling deep in his throat , turned to eat his dinner .

but there wasn't any dinner !

it had disappeared , pan and all !

Bowser couldn't understand it at all .

Back of the shed Granny and Reddy Fox licked that pan clean ; licked it until it was polished .

then , with little sighs of satisfaction , and every once in a while a chuckle , they trotted happily home .

CHAPTER XIX : old Man Coyote Does A Little Thinking

investigate and for yourself find out Those things which most you want to know about .

old Granny Fox .

never in all his life had Reddy Fox enjoyed a dinner more than that one he and Granny had stolen from Bowser the Hound .

Funny how differently things look when your stomach is full from the way those same things look when it is empty .

best of all they knew they could play the same sharp trick again and steal another dinner from Bowser if need be .

it is a comforting feeling , a very comforting feeling , to know for a certainty where you can get another meal .

as a rule , when they have eaten one meal , they haven't the least idea where the next one is coming from .

how would you like to live that way ?

the very next day Granny and Reddy went up to Farmer Brown 's at Bowser 's dinner hour .

but this time Farmer Brown 's boy was at work near the barn , and Bowser was not chained .

granny and Reddy stole away as silently as they had come .

they knew by the sound of his voice that he hadn't the least idea what had become of that dinner .

it was Old Man Coyote .

while he wasn't actually starving , he was always hungry .

so he spent all the time when he wasn't sleeping in hunting for something to eat .

of course he often ran across the tracks of Granny and Reddy Fox , and once in a while he would meet them .

it struck Old Man Coyote that they didn't seem as thin as he was .

that set him to thinking .

neither of them was a smarter hunter than he .

in fact , he prided himself on being smarter than either of them .

yet when he met them , they seemed to be in the best of spirits and not at all worried because food was so scarce .

why ?

there must be a reason .

they must be getting food of which he knew nothing .

" I 'll just keep an eye on them , " muttered Old Man Coyote .

" they are getting food somewhere , that is sure , " he muttered , as he scratched first one ear and then the other .

somehow he could think better when he was scratching his ears .

I wonder if they are stealing Farmer Brown 's hens and haven't been found out yet .

I 've kept away from there myself , but if they can steal hens and not be caught , I certainly can .

there never was a Fox yet smart enough to do a thing that a Coyote cannot do if he tries .

I think I 'll slip up where I can watch Farmer Brown 's and see what is going on up there .

yes , Sir , that 's what I 'll do . "

with this , Old Man Coyote grinned and then curled himself up for a short nap , for he was tired .

CHAPTER XX : a Twice Stolen Dinner

no one ever is so smart that some one else may not prove to be smarter still .

old Granny Fox .

listen and you shall hear all about three rogues .

two were in red and were Granny and Reddy Fox .

and one was in gray and was Old Man Coyote .

they were the slyest , smartest rogues on all the Green Meadows or in all the Green Forest .

and still funnier is it that one of them didn't even know where that dinner was or what kind of a dinner it would be .

he had waited only a little while when along came Granny and Reddy Fox past the place where Old Man Coyote was hiding .

they didn't see him .

of course not .

he took care that they should have no chance .

but anyway , they were not thinking of him .

their thoughts were all of that dinner they intended to have , and the smart trick by which they would get it .

old Man Coyote crept after them .

he saw Granny leave Reddy there and hurry away .

old Man Coyote 's wits worked fast .

" I can't be in two places at once , " thought he , " so I can't watch both Granny and Reddy .

as I can watch but one , which one shall it be ?

granny , of course .

Granny is the smartest of the two , and whatever they are up to , she is at the bottom of it .

granny is the one to follow . "

he crept as near as he dared and then lay flat down behind a little bunch of dead grass close to the shed .

for some time nothing happened , and Old Man Coyote was puzzled .

after what seemed to him a long time , he heard a door open on the other side of the shed .

it was Mrs Brown carrying Bowser 's dinner out to him .

of course , Old Man Coyote didn't know this .

he knew by the sounds that some one had come out of the house , and it made him nervous .

he didn't like being so close to Farmer Brown 's house in broad daylight .

" if she isn't afraid , I don't need to be , " thought he craftily .

after a few minutes he heard a door close and knew that whoever had come out had gone back into the house .

almost at once Bowser the Hound began to yelp and whine .

swiftly Granny Fox disappeared around the corner of the shed .

just as swiftly Old Man Coyote ran forward and peeped around the corner .

there was Bowser the Hound tugging at his chain , and just beyond his reach was Reddy Fox , grinning in the most provoking manner .

and there was Granny Fox , backing and dragging after her Bowser 's dinner .

in a flash Old Man Coyote understood the plan , and he almost chuckled aloud at the cleverness of it .

then he hastily backed behind the shed and waited .

in a minute Granny Fox appeared , dragging Bowser 's dinner .

she was so intent on getting that dinner that she almost backed into Old Man Coyote without suspecting that he was anywhere about .

" thank you , Granny .

you needn't bother about it any longer ; I 'll take it now , " growled Old Man Coyote in Granny 's ear .

granny let go of that dinner as if it burned her tongue , and with a frightened little yelp leaped to one side .

a minute later Reddy came racing around from behind the barn eager for his share .

what he saw was Old Man Coyote bolting down that twice-stolen dinner while Granny Fox fairly danced with rage .

CHAPTER XXI : granny And Reddy Talk Things Over .

you 'll find as on through life you go The thing you want may prove to be The very thing you shouldn't have .

then seeming loss is gain , you see .

old Granny Fox .

" robber ! " snarled Granny .

old Man Coyote stopped eating long enough to grin .

" thief !

sneak !

coward ! " snarled Reddy .

once more Old Man Coyote grinned .

when that dinner had disappeared down his throat to the last and smallest crumb , he licked his chops and turned to Granny and Reddy .

" I 'm very much obliged for that dinner , " said he pleasantly , his eyes twinkling with mischief .

" it was the best dinner I have had for a long time .

allow me to say that that trick of yours was as smart a trick as ever I have seen .

it was quite worthy of a Coyote .

you are a very clever old lady , Granny Fox .

by the time she got around there , all she saw was the empty pan which had held Bowser 's dinner .

she was puzzled .

how that pan could be where it was she couldn't understand , and Bowser couldn't tell her , although he tried his very best .

she had been puzzled about that pan two or three times before .

old Man Coyote lost no time in getting back home , for he never felt easy near the home of man in broad daylight .

Granny and Reddy Fox went home too , and there was hate in their hearts , hate for Old Man Coyote .

but once they reached home , Old Granny Fox stopped growling , and presently she began to chuckle .

" what are you laughing at ? " demanded Reddy .

" at the way Old Man Coyote stole that dinner from us , " replied Granny .

" I hate him !

he 's a sneaking robber ! " snapped Reddy .

" Tut , tut , Reddy !

Tut , tut ! " retorted Granny .

" be fair-minded .

we stole that dinner from Bowser the Hound , and Old Man Coyote stole it from us .

I guess he is no worse than we are , when you come to think it over .

now is he ? "

" I I well , I don't suppose he is , when you put it that way , " Reddy admitted grudgingly .

" and he was smart , very smart , to outwit two such clever people as we are , " continued Granny .

" you will have to agree to that . "

" Y-e-s , " said Reddy slowly .

" he was smart enough , but "

" there isn't any but , Reddy , " interrupted Granny .

" you know the law of the Green Meadows and the Green Forest .

it is everybody for himself , and anything belongs to one who has the wit or the strength to take it .

it was all fair enough , and you know there isn't the least use in crying over spilled milk , as the saying is .

we simply have got to be smart enough not to let him fool us again .

I guess we won't get any more of Bowser 's dinners for a while .

we 've got to think of some other way of filling our stomachs when the hunting is poor .

I think if I could have just one of those fat hens of Farmer Brown 's , it would put new strength into my old bones .

Reddy pricked up his ears at the mention of fat hens .

" I think so too , " said he .

" when shall we try for one ? "

" To-morrow morning , " replied Granny .

" now don't bother me while I think out a plan . "

CHAPTER XXII : granny Fox Plans To Get A Fat Hen

full half success for Fox or Man Is won by working out a plan .

old Granny Fox .

granny Fox knows this .

no one knows it better .

whatever she does is first carefully planned in her wise old head .

if only there was some way of getting in that henhouse at night , there would be no trouble at all .

I don't suppose there is the least chance of that . "

" not the least chance in the world , " replied Reddy .

" sure !

but it 's always closed at night , " snapped Reddy .

" people are sometimes careless , even you , Reddy , " said Granny .

Reddy squirmed uneasily , for he had been in trouble many times through carelessness .

" well , what of it ? " he demanded a wee bit crossly .

" too many ifs to get a dinner with , " interrupted Reddy .

now I 've kept an eye on that henyard , and I 've noticed that very often Farmer Brown 's boy doesn't close the henyard gate at night .

I suppose he thinks that if the henhouse door is locked , the gate doesn't matter .

any one who is careless about one thing , is likely to be careless about another .

sometime he may forget to close that hole .

in fact , I am pretty sure I can make Farmer Brown 's boy forget to close that gate . "

" how ? " demanded Reddy eagerly .

granny grinned .

" I 'll try it first and tell you afterwards , " said she .

Reddy nodded .

many times from a safe hiding-place he had hungrily watched Farmer Brown 's boy shut the biddies up .

it was always just before the Black Shadows began to creep out from their hiding-places .

" I thought so , " said Granny .

the truth is , she KNEW so .

there was nothing about that henhouse and what went on there that Granny didn't know quite as well as Reddy .

" you stay right here this afternoon until I return .

I 'll see what I can do . "

" let me go along , " begged Reddy .

" no , " replied Granny in such a decided tone that Reddy knew it would be of no use to tease .

" sometimes two can do what one cannot do alone , and sometimes one can do what two might spoil .

now we may as well take a nap until it is time for Mr Sun to go to bed .

Just you leave it to your old Granny to take care of the first of those ifs .

for the other one we 'll have to trust to luck , but you know we are lucky sometimes . "

with this Granny curled up for a nap , and having nothing better to do , Reddy followed her example .

CHAPTER XXIII : Farmer Brown 's Boy Forgets To Close The Gate

how easy ' t is to just forget Until , alas , it is too late .

the most methodical of folks Sometimes forget to shut the gate .

old Granny Fox .

Farmer Brown 's Boy is not usually the forgetful kind .

he is pretty good about not forgetting .

but Farmer Brown 's boy isn't perfect by any means .

he does forget sometimes , and he is careless sometimes .

he would be a funny kind of boy otherwise .

but take it day in and day out , he is pretty thoughtful and careful .

the care of the hens is one of Farmer Brown 's boy 's duties .

it is one of those duties which most of the time is a pleasure .

he likes the biddies , and he likes to take care of them .

but at night he sometimes left that gate open , as Granny Fox had found out .

you see , he thought it didn't matter because the hens were locked in their warm house and so were safe , anyway .

you see , he was in a hurry to find out what Bowser was making such a fuss about .

" what is it , Bowser , old boy ?

did you see something ? " asked Farmer Brown 's boy as he patted Bowser on the head .

Bowser still tugged at his chain and whined , but after a little he quieted down .

half an hour later old Granny Fox joined Reddy Fox , who was waiting on the doorstep of their home .

" it is all right , Reddy ; that gate is open , " said she .

" how did you do it , Granny ? " asked Reddy eagerly .

" easily enough , " replied Granny .

" I let Bowser get a glimpse of me just as his master was locking up the henhouse .

Bowser made a great fuss , and of course , Farmer Brown 's boy hurried out to see what it was all about .

of course , I didn't let him get so much as a glimpse of me . "

" of course , " said Reddy .

CHAPTER XXIV : a Midnight Visit

by those who win ' t is well agreed He 'll try and try who would succeed .

old Granny Fox .

Reddy tried not to hope too much .

but if there was a way he wanted to know it , and he was impatient to start .

but Granny was in no hurry .

so they trotted to a point where they could see Farmer Brown 's house , and there they sat down to watch .

it seemed to Reddy that those lights never would wink out .

but at last they did .

" come on , Granny ! " he cried , jumping to his feet .

" not yet , Reddy .

not yet , " replied Granny .

" we 've got to give folks time to get sound asleep .

this was sound advice , and Reddy knew it .

so with a groan he once more threw himself down on the snow to wait .

at last Granny arose , stretched , and looked up at the twinkling stars .

" come on , " said she and led the way .

up back of the barn and around it they stole like two shadows and quite as noiselessly as shadows .

they heard Bowser the Hound sighing in his sleep in his snug little house , and grinned at each other .

silently they stole over to the henyard .

the gate was open , just as Granny had told Reddy it would be .

it was closed .

Reddy had expected it would be .

still , he was dreadfully disappointed .

he gave it merely a glance .

" I knew it wouldn't be any use , " said he with a half whine .

but Granny paid no attention to him .

she went close to the hole and pushed gently against the little door that closed it .

it didn't move .

then she noticed that at one edge there was a tiny crack .

she tried to push her nose through , but the crack was too narrow .

then she tried a paw .

a claw caught on the edge of the door , and it moved ever so little .

then Granny knew that the little door wasn't fastened .

granny stretched herself flat on the ground and went to work , first with one paw , then with the other .

by and by she caught her claws in it just right again , and it moved a wee bit more .

no , most certainly that door wasn't fastened , and that crack was a little wider .

" what are you wasting your time there for ? " demanded Reddy crossly .

" we 'd better be off hunting if we would have anything to eat this night . "

granny said nothing but kept on working .

she had discovered that this was a sliding door .

presently the crack was wide enough for her to get her nose in .

then she pushed and twisted her head this way and that .

Reddy just gaped and gaped foolishly .

it seemed to Reddy that his stomach fairly flopped over with longing .

he rubbed his eyes to be sure that he was awake .

then in a twinkling he was inside that hole himself .

" Sh-h-h , be still ! " whispered Old Granny Fox .

CHAPTER XXV : a Dinner For Two

dark deeds are done in the stilly night , And who shall say if they 're wrong or right ?

old Granny Fox .

it all depends on how you look at things .

that is , they had no business to be there , as Farmer Brown would look at the matter .

he would have called them two red thieves .

perhaps that is just what they were .

but looking at the matter as they did , I am not so sure about it .

it would have made no difference if it had .

so as they looked at the matter , there was nothing wrong in being in that henhouse in the middle of the night .

they were there simply because they needed food very , very much , and food was there .

they stared up at the roosts where the biddies were huddled together , fast asleep .

" that won't do at all ! " snapped Granny .

I thought you had more sense , Reddy . "

Reddy looked a little shamefaced .

" well , if we don't do that , how are we going to get them ?

we can't fly , " he grumbled .

" you stay right here where you are , " snapped Granny , " and take care that you don't make a sound . "

then Granny jumped lightly to a little shelf that ran along in front of the nesting boxes .

from this she could reach the lower roost on which four fat hens were asleep .

very gently she pushed her head in between two of these and crowded them apart .

sleepily they protested and moved along a little .

granny continued to crowd them .

at last one of them stretched out her head to see who was crowding so .

dropping this hen at Reddy 's feet , Granny crowded another until she did the same thing , and just the same thing happened once more .

" aren't you going to get any more while we have the chance ? " grumbled Reddy .

" enough is enough , " retorted Granny .

" we 've got a dinner for two , and so far no one is any the wiser .

perhaps these two won't be missed , and we 'll have a chance to get some more another night .

now come on . "

CHAPTER XXVI : Farmer Brown 's Boy Sets A Trap

the trouble is that troubles are , More frequently than not , Brought on by naught but carelessness ; By some one who forgot .

old Granny Fox .

granny Fox had hoped that those two hens she and Reddy had stolen from Farmer Brown 's henhouse would not be missed , but they were .

they were missed the very first thing the next morning when Farmer Brown 's boy went to feed the biddies .

carefully Farmer Brown 's boy examined the hole with the sliding door .

" Ha ! " said he presently , and held up two red hairs which he had found on the edge of the door .

" Ha !

I thought as much .

I was careless last night and didn't fasten this door , and I left the gate open .

Reddy Fox has been here , and now I know what has become of those two hens .

still , I can't have him stealing any more .

that would never do at all .

if I shut them up every night and am not careless , he can't get them .

but accidents will happen , and I might do just as I did last night think I had locked up when I hadn't .

I don't like to set a trap for Reddy , but I must teach the rascal a lesson .

if I don't , he will get so bold that those chickens won't be safe even in broad daylight . "

" but we certainly won't if we are too greedy . "

and doubtless Reddy would have done just that thing but for the wisdom of sly old Granny .

CHAPTER XXVII : Prickly Porky Takes A Sun Bath

danger comes when least expected ; ' T is often near when not expected .

old Granny Fox .

the long hard winter had passed , and Spring had come .

Prickly Porky the Porcupine came down from a tall poplar-tree and slowly stretched himself .

he was tired of eating .

he was tired of swinging in the tree-top .

now Prickly Porky 's stomach was very , very full .

it was sunny and warm there , and the longer he sat the less like moving he felt .

he looked about him with his dull eyes and grunted to himself .

" it 's a deserted house .

" and I don't care if they do , " he added , for Prickly Porky the Porcupine was afraid of nobody and nothing .

now the old house had been deserted .

no one had lived in it for a long , long time , a very long time indeed .

Reddy was very stiff and sore , for he had been shot by a hunter .

he was so sore he could hardly walk , and could not go very far .

so old Granny Fox had led him to the old deserted house and put him to bed in that .

but Reddy Fox didn't know anything about this .

he was so tired that he slept and slept and slept .

it was the middle of the morning when finally he awoke .

he yawned and stretched , and when he stretched he groaned because he was so stiff and sore .

then he hobbled up toward the doorway to see if old Granny Fox had left any breakfast outside for him .

it was dark , very dark .

Reddy was puzzled .

could it be that he had gotten up before daylight that he hadn't slept as long as he thought ?

perhaps he had slept the whole day through , and it was night again .

my , how hungry he was !

" I hope Granny has caught a fine , fat chicken for me , " thought Reddy , and his mouth watered .

just then he ran bump into something .

" wow ! " screamed Reddy Fox , and clapped both hands to his nose .

something was sticking into it .

it was one of the sharp little spears that Prickly Porky hides in his coat .

Reddy Fox knew then why the old house was so dark .

Prickly Porky was blocking up the doorway .

CHAPTER XXVIII : Prickly Porky Enjoys Himself

a boasting tongue , as sure as fate , Will trip its owner soon or late .

old Granny Fox .

Prickly Porky the Porcupine was enjoying himself .

there was no doubt about that .

he was stretched across the doorway of that old house , the very house in which old Granny Fox had been born .

when he had lain down on the doorstep for a nap and sun-bath , he had thought that the old house was still deserted .

you see Prickly Porky remembered how often Reddy Fox played mean tricks on little meadow and forest folks who are smaller and weaker than himself .

" it will do him good .

suddenly Prickly Porky pricked up his funny little short ears .

he heard the deep voice of Bowser the Hound , and it was coming nearer and nearer .

Prickly Porky chuckled again .

Bowser the Hound did have a surprise .

he was hunting Reddy Fox , and he almost ran into Prickly Porky before he saw him .

ever since then he had had the greatest respect for Prickly Porky .

" wow ! " yelped Bowser the Hound , stopping short .

" I beg your pardon , Prickly Porky , I beg your pardon , I didn't know you were taking a nap here . "

all the time Bowser the Hound was backing away as fast as he could .

then he turned around , put his tail between his legs and actually ran away .

slowly Prickly Porky unrolled , and his little eyes twinkled as he watched Bowser the Hound run away .

" Bowser 's very big and strong ; His voice is deep ; his legs are long ; His bark scares some almost to death .

but as for me he wastes his breath ; I just roll up and shake my spears And Bowser is the one who fears . "

So said Prickly Porky , and laughed aloud .

just then he heard a light footstep and turned to see who was coming .

it was old Granny Fox .

she had seen Bowser run away , and now she was anxious to find out if Reddy Fox were safe .

" good morning , " said Granny Fox , taking care not to come too near .

" good morning , " replied Prickly Porky , hiding a smile .

" I 'm very tired and would like to go inside my house ; had you just as soon move ? " asked Granny Fox .

" oh ! " exclaimed Prickly Porky , " is this your house ?

I thought you lived over on the Green Meadows . "

" I did , but I 've moved .

please let me in , " replied Granny Fox .

" certainly , certainly .

don't mind me , Granny Fox .

step right over me , " said Prickly Porky , and smiled once more , and at the same time rattled his little spears .

instead of stepping over him , Granny Fox backed away .

CHAPTER XXIX : the New Home In The Old Pasture

who keeps a watch upon his toes Need never fear he 'll bump his nose .

old Granny Fox .

now there is nothing like being shut in alone in the dark to make one think .

a voice inside of Reddy began to whisper to him .

" I know it , " replied Reddy right out loud , forgetting that it was only a small voice inside of him .

" what do you know ? " asked Prickly Porky .

he was still keeping Reddy in and Granny out and he had overheard what Reddy said .

" it is none of your business ! " snapped Reddy .

Reddy could hear Prickly Porky chuckle .

then Prickly Porky repeated as if to himself in a queer cracked voice the following :

" rudeness never , never pays , Nor is there gain in saucy ways .

it 's always best to be polite And ne'er give way to ugly spite .

Reddy pretended that he hadn't heard .

Prickly Porky continued to chuckle for a while and finally Reddy fell asleep .

when he awoke it was to find that Prickly Porky had left and old Granny Fox had brought him something to eat .

just as soon as Reddy Fox was able to travel he and Granny had moved to the Old Pasture .

the Old Pasture is very different from the Green Meadows or the Green Forest .

yes , indeed , it is very , very different .

Reddy Fox thought so .

and Reddy didn't like the change , not a bit .

there were little open places where wild-eyed young cattle fed on the short grass .

no , Reddy Fox did not like the Old Pasture at all .

there was no long , soft green grass to lie down in .

and it was lonesome up there .

he missed the little people of the Green Meadows and the Green Forest .

there was no one to bully and tease .

at least , that 's what she told Reddy .

it had been very , very beautiful down there .

way in among these rocks Granny Fox had dug their new house .

it was right down under the rocks .

all the rest of the time it was dark and gloomy there .

no , Reddy Fox didn't like his new home at all , but when he said so old Granny Fox boxed his ears .

" it 's your own fault that we 've got to live here now , " said she .

" it 's the only place where we are safe .

Reddy hung his head .

and here we will leave wise Old Granny Fox and Reddy , safe , even if they do not like their new home .

you see , Lightfoot the Deer is getting jealous .

he thinks there should be some books about the people of the Green Forest , and that the first one should be about him .

and because we all love Lightfoot the Deer , the very next book is to bear his name .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Old Granny Fox , by Thornton W Burgess

produced by David Widger , and Charles Keller for Tina

THE BLUE FAIRY BOOK

by Various

edited by Andrew Lang

CONTENTS

THE BRONZE RING

once upon a time in a certain country there lived a king whose palace was surrounded by a spacious garden .

the King was in despair about it , when a wise old man said to him :

" your gardeners do not understand their business : but what can you expect of men whose fathers were cobblers and carpenters ?

how should they have learned to cultivate your garden ? "

" you are quite right , " cried the King .

" come with us and be gardener to the King , " they said to him .

" how can I go to the King , " said the gardener , " a poor wretch like me ? "

" that is of no consequence , " they answered .

" here are new clothes for you and your family . "

" but I owe money to several people . "

" we will pay your debts , " they said .

" father , " replied the Princess , " I will never marry the son of the minister . "

" why not ? " asked the King .

" because I love the gardener 's son , " answered the Princess .

then the King consulted his ministers .

" this is what you must do , " they said .

the day before they started the Princess met her lover and said to him :

" be brave , and remember always that I love you .

he traveled on for some days , and presently reached a fountain beside which an old woman all in rags sat upon a stone .

" Good-day to you , young traveler , " said she .

but the minister 's son made no reply .

" have pity upon me , traveler , " she said again .

that same evening the gardener 's son rode up to the fountain upon his lame gray horse .

" Good-day to you , young traveler , " said the beggar-woman .

" Good-day , good woman , " answered he .

" young traveler , have pity upon me . "

the minister 's son was lodged in a grand inn , the gardener 's son and the old woman dismounted at the inn for beggars .

" the King , our master , is old and infirm .

he will give a great reward to whoever will cure him and give him back the strength of his youth . "

then the old beggar-woman said to her benefactor :

" this is what you must do to obtain the reward which the King promises .

you must kill them and then burn them separately , and gather up the ashes .

he alone can cure the King and give him back the strength of his youth . '

then arrange the bones in their proper places , and throw over them the ashes out of the three bags .

the King will come back to life , and will be just as he was when he was twenty years old .

for your reward you must demand the bronze ring which has the power to grant you everything you desire .

go , my son , and do not forget any of my instructions . "

the young man followed the old beggar-woman 's directions .

then he ran to the palace and cried :

" a celebrated physician has just come from Janina in Albania .

he alone can cure the King and give him back the strength of his youth . "

the King 's physicians at first laughed at the unknown wayfarer , but the Sultan ordered that the stranger should be admitted .

they brought the cauldron and the loads of wood , and very soon the King was boiling away .

" how can I reward you , my benefactor ? " he cried .

" will you take half my treasures ? "

" no , " said the gardener 's son .

" my daughter 's hand ? "

" no . "

" take half my kingdom . "

" no .

give me only the bronze ring which can instantly grant me anything I wish for . "

" alas ! " said the King , " I set great store by that marvelous ring ; nevertheless , you shall have it . "

and he gave it to him .

the gardener 's son went back to say good-by to the old beggar-woman ; then he said to the bronze ring :

" prepare a splendid ship in which I may continue my journey .

St Nicholas will be at the helm .

as to the cargo , let it be diamonds , rubies , emeralds , and carbuncles . "

presently he arrived at a great town and established himself in a wonderful palace .

the gardener 's son said to him :

" what is your name , what is your family , and from what country do you come ? "

" listen to me ; though I don't know anything more about you , I am willing to help you .

I will give you a ship to take you back to your own country upon one condition . "

" whatever it may be , I accept it willingly . "

" follow me to my palace . "

the minister 's son followed the rich stranger , whom he had not recognized .

when they reached the palace the gardener 's son made a sign to his slaves , who completely undressed the new-comer .

" make this ring red-hot , " commanded the master , " and mark the man with it upon his back . "

the slaves obeyed him .

and , going out , he took the bronze ring and said :

" bronze ring , obey thy master .

go , and let my orders be executed . "

the minister 's son embarked in this old vessel , and thanks to favorable winds , at length reached his own country .

in spite of the pitiable condition in which he returned they received him joyfully .

so they at once began to prepare for the wedding festivities .

as to the poor princess , she was sorrowful and angry enough about it .

the next morning , at daybreak , a wonderful ship with every sail set came to anchor before the town .

the King happened at that moment to be at the palace window .

and do I not see St Nicholas at the helm ?

go at once and invite the captain of the ship to come to the palace . "

" young man , " said the King , " you are welcome , whoever you may be .

do me the favor to be my guest as long as you remain in my capital . "

" Many thanks , sire , " replied the captain , " I accept your offer . "

" my daughter is about to be married , " said the King ; " will you give her away ? "

" I shall be charmed , sire . "

Soon after came the Princess and her betrothed .

" but he is my prime minister 's son ! "

" what does that matter ?

I cannot give your daughter away .

the man she is betrothed to is one of my servants . "

" your servant ? "

" without doubt .

I met him in a distant town reduced to carrying away dust and rubbish from the houses .

I had pity on him and engaged him as one of my servants . "

" it is impossible ! " cried the King .

" do you wish me to prove what I say ?

" it is quite true , " said the King .

" it is false , " cried the minister 's son .

" I do not know this man ! "

" and now , sire , " said the young captain , " do you not recognize me ? "

" young man , you shall be my son-in-law , " cried the King .

" the marriage festivities are already begun , so you shall marry my daughter this very day . "

and so that very day the gardener 's son married the beautiful Princess .

several months passed .

" I will have that ring , " said he to himself .

so he went down to the sea-shore and caught some little red fishes .

really , they were quite wonderfully pretty .

then he came back , and , passing before the Princess 's window , he began to cry out :

" who wants some pretty little red fishes ? "

the Princess heard him , and sent out one of her slaves , who said to the old peddler :

" what will you take for your fish ? "

" a bronze ring . "

" a bronze ring , old simpleton !

and where shall I find one ? "

" under the cushion in the Princess 's room . "

the slave went back to her mistress .

" the old madman will take neither gold nor silver , " said she .

" what does he want then ? "

" a bronze ring that is hidden under a cushion . "

" find the ring and give it to him , " said the Princess .

hardly had he reached his own house when , taking the ring , he said , " bronze ring , obey thy master .

and the genii of the bronze ring obeyed him .

" alas ! " he said to himself , " whoever has taken my ring has probably taken my dear wife also .

what good will it do me to go back to my own country ? "

after wandering about a long time he reached an island inhabited by mice .

the captain landed upon the shore and began to explore the country .

there were mice everywhere , and nothing but mice .

then the queen of the mice held a council .

let us send a deputation to him of the bravest among us . "

several mice offered themselves for this mission and set out to find the young captain .

" captain , " said they , " go away quickly from our island , or we shall perish , every mouse of us . "

" willingly , " replied the young captain , " upon one condition .

that is that you shall first bring me back a bronze ring which some clever magician has stolen from me .

if you do not do this I will land all my cats upon your island , and you shall be exterminated . "

the mice withdrew in great dismay .

" what is to be done ? " said the Queen .

" how can we find this bronze ring ? "

she held a new council , calling in mice from every quarter of the globe , but nobody knew where the bronze ring was .

suddenly three mice arrived from a very distant country .

one was blind , the second lame , and the third had her ears cropped .

" Ho , ho , ho ! " said the new-comers .

" we come from a far distant country . "

" do you know where the bronze ring is which the genii obey ? "

" go and take it from him , and come back as soon as possible . "

so the three mice made themselves a boat and set sail for the magician 's country .

then they waited till it was night .

the wicked old man lay down in bed and put the bronze ring into his mouth , and very soon he was asleep .

" now , what shall we do ? " said the two little animals to each other .

the mouse with the cropped ears found a lamp full of oil and a bottle full of pepper .

so she dipped her tail first in the oil and then in the pepper , and held it to the sorcerer 's nose .

quick as thought the lame mouse snatched up the precious talisman and carried it off to the boat .

imagine the despair of the magician when he awoke and the bronze ring was nowhere to be found !

but by that time our three mice had set sail with their prize .

a favoring breeze was carrying them toward the island where the queen of the mice was awaiting them .

naturally they began to talk about the bronze ring .

" which of us deserves the most credit ? " they cried all at once .

" no , indeed , " cried the mouse with the cropped ears ; " the credit is mine .

did I not cause the ring to jump out of the man 's mouth ? "

" no , it is mine , " cried the lame one , " for I ran off with the ring . "

we cannot go back to our country ; let us land on this desert island and there end our miserable lives . "

No sooner said than done .

the boat reached the island , and the mice landed .

at her cries the other two mice ran up .

" it is the bronze ring !

it is the talisman ! " they cried joyfully , and , getting into their boat again , they soon reached the mouse island .

" bronze ring , " commanded the young man , " obey thy master .

let my ship appear as it was before . "

ah ! how merrily the sailors sang as they flew over the glassy sea !

at last the port was reached .

the captain landed and ran to the palace , where he found the wicked old man asleep .

the Princess clasped her husband in a long embrace .

the magician tried to escape , but he was seized and bound with strong cords .

( @number@ ) Traditions Populaires de l'Asie Mineure .

Carnoy et Nicolaides .

Paris : Maisonneuve , @number@

PRINCE HYACINTH AND THE DEAR LITTLE PRINCESS

so the King set out to seek a fairy , and asked what he could do to win the Princess 's love .

the Fairy said to him :

" you know that the Princess has a great cat which she is very fond of .

whoever is clever enough to tread on that cat 's tail is the man she is destined to marry . "

at last , however , he was lucky enough to come upon puss fast asleep and with his tail conveniently spread out .

so the King , without losing a moment , set his foot upon it heavily .

" you shall marry the Princess because you have been able to break the enchantment , but I will have my revenge .

though the King was horribly afraid of the enchanter , he could not help laughing at this threat .

but , do what they would , they were nothing by comparison with the Prince 's .

he rode up to it , and saw a little old woman , who appeared to be at least a hundred years old .

" with all my heart , " said the Fairy .

" though your nose is so ridiculous you are , nevertheless , the son of my best friend .

I loved your father as if he had been my brother .

now he had a very handsome nose ! "

" and pray what does mine lack ? " said the Prince .

" oh ! it doesn't lack anything , " replied the Fairy .

" on the contrary quite , there is only too much of it .

but never mind , one may be a very worthy man though his nose is too long .

I should like to tell you of a conversation we had the last time I ever saw him . "

" the poor boy is right , " said the Fairy ; " I was forgetting .

they used to tell the Queen , my mother , that it was so .

for though you see what I am now , I was the daughter of a great king .

my father "

" your father , I dare say , got something to eat when he was hungry ! " interrupted the Prince .

" oh ! certainly , " answered the Fairy , " and you also shall have supper directly .

I only just wanted to tell you "

the Fairy was very much flattered by this compliment , and said , calling to her servants :

" plague take the old lady !

how she does go on about my nose ! " said the Prince to himself .

" one would almost think that mine had taken all the extra length that hers lacks !

if I were not so hungry I would soon have done with this chatterpie who thinks she talks very little !

how stupid people are not to see their own faults !

" well ! " he thought , as he ate his supper , " I 'm very glad I came here .

this just shows me how sensible I have been in never listening to flatterers .

people of that sort praise us to our faces without shame , and hide our faults or change them into virtues .

for my part I never will be taken in by them .

I know my own defects , I hope . "

Poor Prince Hyacinth !

however , he said nothing , and presently , when his hunger began to be appeased , the Fairy said :

ah ! thanks .

now let us speak of your father .

tell me what goes on nowadays ; are the ladies as fond of amusement as ever ?

in my time one saw them at parties , theatres , balls , and promenades every day .

dear me ! what a long nose you have !

I cannot get used to it ! "

" really , madam , " said the Prince , " I wish you would leave off mentioning my nose .

it cannot matter to you what it is like .

I am quite satisfied with it , and have no wish to have it shorter .

one must take what is given one . "

however , though I really cannot help your nose being a shock to me , I will try not to say anything about it .

I will even try to think that you have an ordinary nose .

to tell the truth , it would make three reasonable ones . "

the old Fairy , who wished to make him happy , at last hit upon a plan .

for the first time he realized how long it really was , and exclaimed :

" well , it must be admitted that my nose is too long ! "

" now , say if you are not very much obliged to me .

much good it was for me to talk to you about your nose !

you would never have found out how extraordinary it was if it hadn't hindered you from doing what you wanted to .

you see how self-love keeps us from knowing our own defects of mind and body .

Prince Hyacinth , whose nose was now just like anyone 's else , did not fail to profit by the lesson he had received .

he married the Dear Little Princess , and they lived happily ever after . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) le Prince Desir et la Princesse Mignonne .

par Madame Leprince de Beaumont .

EAST OF THE SUN AND WEST OF THE MOON

the man went out to see what could be the matter , and when he got out there stood a great big white bear .

" Good-evening to you , " said the White Bear .

" Good-evening , " said the man .

Little enough had she to take away with her .

next Thursday evening the White Bear came to fetch her .

she seated herself on his back with her bundle , and thus they departed .

when they had gone a great part of the way , the White Bear said : " are you afraid ? "

" no , that I am not , " said she .

" keep tight hold of my fur , and then there is no danger , " said he .

and thus she rode far , far away , until they came to a great mountain .

she never saw him , however , for he always came after she had put out her light , and went away before daylight appeared .

there were such rejoicings when she went in to her parents that it seemed as if they would never come to an end .

everyone thought that he could never be sufficiently grateful to her for all she had done for them all .

now they had everything that they wanted , and everything was as good as it could be .

they all asked her how she was getting on where she was .

all was well with her too , she said ; and she had everything that she could want .

what other answers she gave I cannot say , but I am pretty sure that they did not learn much from her .

but in the afternoon , after they had dined at midday , all happened just as the White Bear had said .

her mother wanted to talk with her alone in her own chamber .

but she remembered what the White Bear had said , and would on no account go .

" what we have to say can be said at any time , " she answered .

but somehow or other her mother at last persuaded her , and she was forced to tell the whole story .

" oh ! " cried the mother , in horror , " you are very likely sleeping with a troll !

but I will teach you a way to see him .

you shall have a bit of one of my candles , which you can take away with you hidden in your breast .

look at him with that when he is asleep , but take care not to let any tallow drop upon him . "

" no , " she said , " I have not done anything at all . "

" what have you done now ? " said he ; " you have brought misery on both of us .

if you had but held out for the space of one year I should have been free .

she wept and lamented , but all in vain , for go he must .

then she asked him if she could not go with him .

but no , that could not be .

" can you tell me the way then , and I will seek you that I may surely be allowed to do ! "

" yes , you may do that , " said he ; " but there is no way thither .

it lies east of the sun and west of the moon , and never would you find your way there . "

by her side lay the self-same bundle of rags which she had brought with her from her own home .

outside it an aged woman was sitting , playing with a golden apple .

" yes , indeed , I am , " she said .

then she gave her the gold carding-comb , for it might , perhaps , be of use to her , she said .

but it was only the same thing once again .

" maybe it was you who should have had the Prince , " said the old woman .

" yes , indeed , I should have been the one , " said the girl .

but when you have got to him you must just strike the horse beneath the left ear , and he will come home again . "

and then she gave her the golden spinning-wheel , saying : " perhaps you may find that you have a use for it . "

you may sit on my back , and then I can carry you there . "

so she seated herself on his back , and they did go so swiftly !

you may seat yourself on my back , and then I will carry you to him . " .

so she did this , and journeyed to the South Wind , neither was she very long on the way .

" oh , indeed ! " said the South Wind , " is that she ?

you may sit upon my back , and then I will carry you there . "

" what do you want ? " he roared out from afar , and they froze as they heard .

" yes , " said the North Wind , " I know where it is .

Down below there was such a storm !

it blew down woods and houses , and when they were above the sea the ships were wrecked by hundreds .

" Art thou afraid ? " said the North Wind .

" I have no fear , " said she ; and it was true .

" how much do you want for that gold apple of yours , girl ? " said she , opening the window .

" it can't be bought either for gold or money , " answered the girl .

" if it cannot be bought either for gold or money , what will buy it ?

you may say what you please , " said the Princess .

" you may do that , " said the Princess , for she had made up her mind what she would do .

the poor girl called to him , and shook him , and between whiles she wept ; but she could not wake him .

in the morning , as soon as day dawned , in came the Princess with the long nose , and drove her out again .

when daylight came in the morning , the Princess with the long nose came too , and once more drove her away .

so she opened the window , and asked what she would take for it .

" yes , " said the Princess , " I will gladly consent to that . "

" that you may do , " said the stepmother .

if she cannot do that , she is not worth having . "

well , that was a very small matter , they thought , and agreed to do it .

" ah ! you can't wash at all , " said the old troll-hag , who was her mother .

" give it to me . "

" oh , " cried the Prince , " not one of you is good for anything at all !

there is a beggar-girl sitting outside the window , and I 'll be bound that she can wash better than any of you !

come in , you girl there ! " he cried .

so she came in .

" can you wash this shirt clean ? " he cried .

" oh !

I don't know , " she said ; " but I will try . "

" I will marry you , " said the Prince .

( @number@ ) Asbjornsen and Moe .

THE YELLOW DWARF

but then she was worth at least a thousand .

the Queen , her mother , by her caresses and flatteries , helped to make her believe that there was nothing too good for her .

when they saw this portrait they fell in love with the Princess every one of them , but upon each it had a different effect .

never has there been a gayer Court .

all this admiration vastly pleased the Queen .

Bellissima was already fifteen years old , and every one of the Princes wished to marry her , but not one dared to say so .

" Bellissima , " she said , " I do wish you would not be so proud .

what makes you despise all these nice kings ?

I wish you to marry one of them , and you do not try to please me . "

" I am so happy , " Bellissima answered : " do leave me in peace , madam .

I don't want to care for anyone . "

this cake she prepared with her own hands , and putting it in a little basket , she set out to seek the Fairy .

when she awoke she was dismayed to find her basket empty .

Just then she heard some one say : " H 'm , h'm ! "

she looked all round her , and then up the tree , and there she saw a little tiny man , who was eating oranges .

" oh !

" I must make up my mind to die , " said the poor Queen .

" alas !

I should not care so much if only my dear daughter were married . "

" I 'm really glad to hear that , for I 've been looking for a wife all over the world .

" what ! you hesitate , madam , " cried the Dwarf .

" you must be very fond of being eaten up alive . "

and , as he spoke , the Queen saw the lions , which were running down a hill toward them .

" oh , indeed ! " said he disdainfully .

" Bellissima is pretty enough , but I don't particularly want to marry her you can keep her . "

" oh ! noble sir , " said the Queen in great distress , " do not refuse her .

she is the most charming Princess in the world . "

for if her shadow stays by her more closely than I do I shall be surprised . "

Bellissima knew quite well that something was being hidden from her and that neither of these was the real reason of the Queen 's uneasiness .

the more she hunted for it , the more frightened she got , and at last she began to cry .

then all at once she saw before her the Yellow Dwarf .

" what 's the matter with you , my pretty one ? " said he .

" what are you crying about ? "

so for all these reasons I wished to talk to the Fairy . "

" do not give yourself any further trouble , Princess , " answered the Dwarf .

" I can tell you all you want to know better than she could .

the Queen , your mother , has promised you in marriage "

" has promised me ! " interrupted the Princess .

" oh ! no .

I 'm sure she has not .

she would have told me if she had .

I am too much interested in the matter for her to promise anything without my consent you must be mistaken . "

" you ! " cried Bellissima , starting back .

" my mother wishes me to marry you !

how can you be so silly as to think of such a thing ? "

and , indeed , at that moment the poor Princess heard their dreadful howls coming nearer and nearer .

" what shall I do ? " she cried .

" must all my happy days come to an end like this ? "

the malicious Dwarf looked at her and began to laugh spitefully .

" at least , " said he , " you have the satisfaction of dying unmarried .

a lovely Princess like you must surely prefer to die rather than be the wife of a poor little dwarf like myself . "

" oh , don't be angry with me , " cried the Princess , clasping her hands .

" I 'd rather marry all the dwarfs in the world than die in this horrible way . "

" look at me well , Princess , before you give me your word , " said he .

" I don't want you to promise me in a hurry . "

" oh ! " cried she , " the lions are coming .

I have looked at you enough .

I am so frightened .

save me this minute , or I shall die of terror . "

a hundred times she asked Bellissima if anything was the matter with her ; but she always said that there was nothing .

preparations were begun at once for the grandest wedding that had ever been held at the palace .

the King of the Gold Mines sent such immense sums of money that the whole sea was covered with the ships that brought it .

at least that is what the King of the Gold Mines thought , and he was never happy unless he was with her .

how happy they were as they wandered about in the beautiful gardens together , sometimes listening to sweet music !

and the King used to write songs for Bellissima .

this is one that she liked very much :

in the forest all is gay When my Princess walks that way .

all the blossoms then are found Downward fluttering to the ground , Hoping she may tread on them .

and bright flowers on slender stem Gaze up at her as she passes Brushing lightly through the grasses .

they really were as happy as the day was long .

all the King 's unsuccessful rivals had gone home in despair .

they said good-by to the Princess so sadly that she could not help being sorry for them .

" ah ! madam , " the King of the Gold Mines said to her " how is this ?

at last the happy day came .

everything was ready for Bellissima 's wedding .

you may imagine how much these had cost ; but then nothing could have been more brilliant , except the beauty of the Princess !

" Ho , ho , Queen !

Ho , ho , Princess !

do you think you are going to break with impunity the promise that you made to my friend the Yellow Dwarf ?

make up your minds at once what you will do , for I vow that you shall marry the Yellow Dwarf .

if you don't , may I burn my crutch ! "

" ah !

princess , " said the Queen , weeping , " what is this that I hear ?

what have you promised ? "

" ah ! my mother , " replied Bellissima sadly , " what did you promise , yourself ? "

" rash youth ! " he cried , rushing between the Fairy of the Desert and the King .

" dare to lay a finger upon this illustrious Fairy !

your quarrel is with me only .

I am your enemy and your rival .

that faithless Princess who would have married you is promised to me .

see if she has not upon her finger a ring made of one of my hairs .

just try to take it off , and you will soon find out that I am more powerful than you are ! "

" what do I see ? " she cried .

" is it you , dear Prince ?

what misfortune has brought you to this dismal place ? "

the King , who was quite deceived by her altered appearance , replied :

she has carried off more than one Prince like this , and she will certainly have anything she takes a fancy to . "

without seeming to have noticed anything , he said , in a confidential way :

" do you really mean what you say , Prince ? " said the Fairy , quite deceived .

" surely , " replied the Prince ; " how could I deceive you ?

you see it is so much more flattering to my vanity to be loved by a fairy than by a simple princess .

but , even if I am dying of love for her , I shall pretend to hate her until I am set free . "

the Fairy of the Desert , quite taken in by these words , resolved at once to transport the Prince to a pleasanter place .

but who can my rival be , whose fatal beauty is greater than mine ? "

" no one can tell you what you wish to know better than I can , " said he .

" ah , Prince , " she said , " can I believe that you really love me so much ? "

" do you know what you are asking ? " said the Fairy of the Desert , frowning , and looking at him suspiciously .

the King sighed , but made no answer indeed , what was there to be said to such a clear-sighted person ?

a little way off stood a splendid palace , the walls of which were of transparent emeralds .

" when Love within a heart would reign , Useless to strive against him ' tis .

the proud but feel a sharper pain , And make a greater triumph his . "

the Fairy came back so delighted that she could not conceal her joy .

you see it is not difficult to do if you really care for me . "

presently , after walking wildly up and down , he wrote these verses upon the sand with his stick :

" at last may I upon this shore Lighten my sorrow with soft tears .

alas ! alas !

I see no more My Love , who yet my sadness cheers .

" my heart is still more wild than thine , For Fate is cruel unto me .

why must I thus in exile pine ?

why is my Princess snatched from me ?

while he was still writing he heard a voice which attracted his attention in spite of himself .

the King of the Gold Mines hardly knew what answer to make to this proposal .

as he hesitated the Mermaid , who guessed his thoughts , said to him :

" you may trust me : I am not trying to entrap you .

" we must not waste time in talking , " said she .

so saying , she quickly collected a bundle of sea-weed , and , blowing it three times , she said :

and then the Mermaid caught up the King , and away they swam joyfully together .

" now , " said she , " I have time to tell you about the Princess .

she was laid upon a couch covered with cloth of gold , embroidered with pearls as big as nuts . "

" pray go on with your story , " said the King .

" what more is there to tell you ? " replied the Mermaid .

" she believes that I love her ! " cried the King .

" what a fatal mistake !

what is to be done to undeceive her ? "

" you know best , " answered the Mermaid , smiling kindly at him .

" when people are as much in love with one another as you two are , they don't need advice from anyone else . "

so saying , she gave to the King a sword made from a single diamond , which was more brilliant than the sun .

we must now go back to the Fairy of the Desert .

but he had hardly turned to continue his search when he met six dragons covered with scales that were harder than iron .

Four-and-twenty pretty and graceful nymphs advanced toward him , holding garlands of flowers , with which they barred the way .

we beg you not to insist upon going on .

do you want to kill four-and-twenty girls who have never displeased you in any way ? "

the King did not know what to do or to say .

" strike ! strike ! and do not spare , or your Princess is lost for ever ! "

" ah !

Princess , " he cried , " do not be angry with me .

let me explain everything .

I am not faithless or to blame for what has happened .

I am a miserable wretch who has displeased you without being able to help himself . "

" ah ! " cried Bellissima , " did I not see you flying through the air with the loveliest being imaginable ?

was that against your will ? "

do not refuse the aid of your most faithful lover . "

So saying , he threw himself at her feet and held her by her robe .

" let me die a thousand times rather , " cried the unhappy King .

" alas ! " cried the Princess , " must you die ?

could anything be more terrible ? "

" that you should marry that little wretch would be far more terrible , " answered the King .

" at least , " continued she , " let us die together . "

" let me have the satisfaction of dying for you , my Princess , " said he .

so saying , in spite of Bellissima 's tears and cries , he stabbed the King to the heart with the diamond sword .

( @number@ ) Madame d'Aulnoy .

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

once upon a time there lived in a certain village a little country girl , the prettiest creature was ever seen .

her mother was excessively fond of her ; and her grandmother doted on her still more .

one day her mother , having made some custards , said to her :

Little Red Riding-Hood set out immediately to go to her grandmother , who lived in another village .

he asked her whither she was going .

the poor child , who did not know that it was dangerous to stay and hear a wolf talk , said to him :

" I am going to see my grandmamma and carry her a custard and a little pot of butter from my mamma . "

" does she live far off ? " said the Wolf .

" well , " said the Wolf , " and I 'll go and see her too .

I 'll go this way and you go that , and we shall see who will be there soonest . "

the Wolf was not long before he got to the old woman 's house .

he knocked at the door tap , tap .

" who 's there ? "

the good grandmother , who was in bed , because she was somewhat ill , cried out :

" pull the bobbin , and the latch will go up . "

" who 's there ? "

" ' Tis your grandchild , Little Red Riding-Hood , who has brought you a custard and a little pot of butter mamma sends you . "

the Wolf cried out to her , softening his voice as much as he could :

" pull the bobbin , and the latch will go up . "

Little Red Riding-Hood pulled the bobbin , and the door opened .

the Wolf , seeing her come in , said to her , hiding himself under the bed-clothes :

" put the custard and the little pot of butter upon the stool , and come and lie down with me . "

" Grandmamma , what great arms you have got ! "

" that is the better to hug thee , my dear . "

" Grandmamma , what great legs you have got ! "

" that is to run the better , my child . "

" Grandmamma , what great ears you have got ! "

" that is to hear the better , my child . "

" Grandmamma , what great eyes you have got ! "

" it is to see the better , my child . "

" Grandmamma , what great teeth you have got ! "

" that is to eat thee up . "

and , saying these words , this wicked wolf fell upon Little Red Riding-Hood , and ate her all up .

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD

they went to all the waters in the world ; vows , pilgrimages , all ways were tried , and all to no purpose .

at last , however , the Queen had a daughter .

by this means the Princess had all the perfections imaginable .

the old Fairy fancied she was slighted , and muttered some threats between her teeth .

In the meanwhile all the fairies began to give their gifts to the Princess .

this terrible gift made the whole company tremble , and everybody fell a-crying .

at this very instant the young Fairy came out from behind the hangings , and spake these words aloud :

" assure yourselves , O King and Queen , that your daughter shall not die of this disaster .

it is true , I have no power to undo entirely what my elder has done .

this good woman had never heard of the King 's proclamation against spindles .

" what are you doing there , goody ? " said the Princess .

" I am spinning , my pretty child , " said the old woman , who did not know who she was .

" Ha ! " said the Princess , " this is very pretty ; how do you do it ?

give it to me , that I may see if I can do so . "

the good old woman , not knowing very well what to do in this affair , cried out for help .

the King commanded that they should not disturb her , but let her sleep quietly till her hour of awaking was come .

the Fairy came away immediately , and she arrived , about an hour after , in a fiery chariot drawn by dragons .

the very spits at the fire , as full as they could hold of partridges and pheasants , did fall asleep also .

all this was done in a moment .

fairies are not long in doing their business .

what those towers were which he saw in the middle of a great thick wood ?

everyone answered according as they had heard .

some said :

that it was a ruinous old castle , haunted by spirits .

others , That all the sorcerers and witches of the country kept there their sabbath or night 's meeting .

the Prince was at a stand , not knowing what to believe , when a very good countryman spake to him thus :

however , he did not cease from continuing his way ; a young and amorous prince is always valiant .

he came into a spacious outward court , where everything he saw might have frozen the most fearless person with horror .

after that he went through several rooms full of gentlemen and ladies , all asleep , some standing , others sitting .

he approached with trembling and admiration , and fell down before her upon his knees .

" is it you , my Prince ? " said she to him .

" you have waited a long while . "

in short , they talked four hours together , and yet they said not half what they had to say .

the Prince told him :

and so the Prince would never tell her one word .

they made a magnificent entry into the capital city , she riding between her two children .

soon after the King went to make war with the Emperor Contalabutte , his neighbor .

he left the government of the kingdom to the Queen his mother , and earnestly recommended to her care his wife and children .

some few days afterward she went thither herself , and said to her clerk of the kitchen :

" I have a mind to eat little Morning for my dinner to-morrow . "

" ah ! madam , " cried the clerk of the kitchen .

about eight days afterward the wicked Queen said to the clerk of the kitchen , " I will sup on little Day . "

he answered not a word , being resolved to cheat her as he had done before .

this was hitherto all mighty well ; but one evening this wicked Queen said to her clerk of the kitchen :

" I will eat the Queen with the same sauce I had with her children . "

it was now that the poor clerk of the kitchen despaired of being able to deceive her .

" do it ; do it " ( said she , stretching out her neck ) .

for she thought them dead ever since they had been taken away without her knowledge .

CINDERELLA , OR THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER

once there was a gentleman who married , for his second wife , the proudest and most haughty woman that was ever seen .

no sooner were the ceremonies of the wedding over but the mother-in-law began to show herself in her true colors .

she could not bear the good qualities of this pretty girl , and the less because they made her own daughters appear the more odious .

however , Cinderella , notwithstanding her mean apparel , was a hundred times handsomer than her sisters , though they were always dressed very richly .

it happened that the King 's son gave a ball , and invited all persons of fashion to it .

our young misses were also invited , for they cut a very grand figure among the quality .

they were mightily delighted at this invitation , and wonderfully busy in choosing out such gowns , petticoats , and head-clothes as might become them .

" for my part , " said the eldest , " I will wear my red velvet suit with French trimming . "

as she was doing this , they said to her :

" Cinderella , would you not be glad to go to the ball ? "

" alas ! " said she , " you only jeer me ; it is not for such as I am to go thither . "

her godmother , who saw her all in tears , asked her what was the matter .

" Y es , " cried Cinderella , with a great sigh .

" well , " said her godmother , " be but a good girl , and I will contrive that thou shalt go . "

then she took her into her chamber , and said to her , " run into the garden , and bring me a pumpkin . "

Being at a loss for a coachman ,

" thou art in the right , " replied her godmother ; " go and look . "

Cinderella brought the trap to her , and in it there were three huge rats .

after that , she said to her :

" go again into the garden , and you will find six lizards behind the watering-pot , bring them to me . "

the Fairy then said to Cinderella :

" well , you see here an equipage fit to go to the ball with ; are you not pleased with it ? "

" oh ! yes , " cried she ; " but must I go thither as I am , in these nasty rags ? "

this done , she gave her a pair of glass slippers , the prettiest in the whole world .

nothing was then heard but a confused noise of :

" Ha ! how handsome she is !

Ha ! how handsome she is ! "

a fine collation was served up , whereof the young prince ate not a morsel , so intently was he busied in gazing on her .

" if thou hadst been at the ball , " said one of her sisters , " thou wouldst not have been tired with it .

at this Cinderella , smiling , replied :

" she must , then , be very beautiful indeed ; how happy you have been !

could not I see her ?

ah ! dear Miss Charlotte , do lend me your yellow suit of clothes which you wear every day . "

" ay , to be sure ! " cried Miss Charlotte ; " lend my clothes to such a dirty Cinderwench as thou art !

I should be a fool . "

the next day the two sisters were at the ball , and so was Cinderella , but dressed more magnificently than before .

the Prince followed , but could not overtake her .

she left behind one of her glass slippers , which the Prince took up most carefully .

the guards at the palace gate were asked :

if they had not seen a princess go out .

Cinderella , who saw all this , and knew her slipper , said to them , laughing :

" let me see if it will not fit me . "

her sisters burst out a-laughing , and began to banter her .

the gentleman who was sent to try the slipper looked earnestly at Cinderella , and , finding her very handsome , said :

it was but just that she should try , and that he had orders to let everyone make trial .

and now her two sisters found her to be that fine , beautiful lady whom they had seen at the ball .

they threw themselves at her feet to beg pardon for all the ill-treatment they had made her undergo .

Cinderella took them up , and , as she embraced them , cried :

that she forgave them with all her heart , and desired them always to love her .

( @number@ ) Charles Perrault .

ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP

" I am , sir , " replied Aladdin ; " but he died a long while ago . "

go to your mother and tell her I am coming . "

Aladdin ran home and told his mother of his newly found uncle .

" indeed , child , " she said , " your father had a brother , but I always thought he was dead . "

however , she prepared supper , and bade Aladdin seek his uncle , who came laden with wine and fruit .

on learning that Aladdin was idle and would learn no trade , he offered to take a shop for him and stock it with merchandise .

the next day the magician led Aladdin into some beautiful gardens a long way outside the city gates .

they sat down by a fountain and the magician pulled a cake from his girdle , which he divided between them .

they then journeyed onward till they almost reached the mountains .

at last they came to two mountains divided by a narrow valley .

" we will go no farther , " said the false uncle .

" I will show you something wonderful ; only do you gather up sticks while I kindle a fire . "

when it was lit the magician threw on it a powder he had about him , at the same time saying some magical words .

Aladdin tried to run away , but the magician caught him and gave him a blow that knocked him down .

the stone came up quite easily , and some steps appeared .

tuck up your gown and go through them without touching anything , or you will die instantly .

these halls lead into a garden of fine fruit trees .

walk on until you come to a niche in a terrace where stands a lighted lamp .

pour out the oil it contains , and bring it to me . "

he drew a ring from his finger and gave it to Aladdin , bidding him prosper .

the magician cried out in a great hurry : " make haste and give me the lamp . "

this Aladdin refused to do until he was out of the cave .

though he alone knew where to find it , he could only receive it from the hand of another .

he had picked out the foolish Aladdin for this purpose , intending to get the lamp and kill him afterward .

for two days Aladdin remained in the dark , crying and lamenting .

immediately an enormous and frightful genie rose out of the earth , saying : " what wouldst thou with me ?

I am the Slave of the Ring , and will obey thee in all things . "

Aladdin fearlessly replied : " deliver me from this place ! " whereupon the earth opened , and he found himself outside .

as soon as his eyes could bear the light he went home , but fainted on the threshold .

he then asked for some food .

Aladdin bade her keep her cotton , for he would sell the lamp instead .

as it was very dirty she began to rub it , that it might fetch a higher price .

instantly a hideous genie appeared , and asked what she would have .

she fainted away , but Aladdin , snatching the lamp , said boldly : " fetch me something to eat ! "

the genie returned with a silver bowl , twelve silver plates containing rich meats , two silver cups , and two bottles of wine .

Aladdin 's mother , when she came to herself , said : " whence comes this splendid feast ? "

" ask not , but eat , " replied Aladdin .

so they sat at breakfast till it was dinner-time , and Aladdin told his mother about the lamp .

she begged him to sell it , and have nothing to do with devils .

when they had eaten all the genie had brought , Aladdin sold one of the silver plates , and so on until none were left .

he then had recourse to the genie , who gave him another set of plates , and thus they lived for many years .

Aladdin was seized by a desire to see her face , which was very difficult , as she always went veiled .

he hid himself behind the door of the bath , and peeped through a chink .

the Princess lifted her veil as she went in , and looked so beautiful that Aladdin fell in love with her at first sight .

he went home so changed that his mother was frightened .

she fetched a napkin and laid in it the magic fruits from the enchanted garden , which sparkled and shone like the most beautiful jewels .

she took these with her to please the Sultan , and set out , trusting in the lamp .

the Grand Vizier and the lords of council had just gone in as she entered the hall and placed herself in front of the Sultan .

he , however , took no notice of her .

she went every day for a week , and stood in the same place .

call her next time , that I may find out what she wants . "

she then told him of her son 's violent love for the Princess .

now I pray you to forgive not me alone , but my son Aladdin . "

the Sultan asked her kindly what she had in the napkin , whereupon she unfolded the jewels and presented them .

he was thunderstruck , and turning to the Vizier said : " what sayest thou ?

ought I not to bestow the Princess on one who values her at such a price ? "

Breathless , she ran and told Aladdin , who was overwhelmed at first , but presently bethought him of the lamp .

he rubbed it , and the genie appeared , saying , " what is thy will ? "

my command is that to-night you bring hither the bride and bridegroom . "

" master , I obey , " said the genie .

" take this new-married man , " he said , " and put him outside in the cold , and return at daybreak . "

whereupon the genie took the Vizier 's son out of bed , leaving Aladdin with the Princess .

presently the Sultan came to wish his daughter good-morning .

the unhappy Vizier 's son jumped up and hid himself , while the Princess would not say a word , and was very sorrowful .

what has happened ? "

her mother did not believe her in the least , but bade her rise and consider it an idle dream .

she then confessed all , bidding him to ask the Vizier 's son if it were not so .

his wish was granted , and there was an end to feasting and rejoicing .

when the three months were over , Aladdin sent his mother to remind the Sultan of his promise .

tell him that I await his answer . "

the mother of Aladdin bowed low and went home , thinking all was lost .

she gave Aladdin the message , adding : " he may wait long enough for your answer ! "

" not so long , mother , as you think , " her son replied .

" I would do a great deal more than that for the Princess . "

he summoned the genie , and in a few moments the eighty slaves arrived , and filled up the small house and garden .

Aladdin made them set out to the palace , two and two , followed by his mother .

she lost no time in telling Aladdin , bidding him make haste .

but Aladdin first called the genie .

No sooner said than done .

Aladdin mounted his horse and passed through the streets , the slaves strewing gold as they went .

those who had played with him in his childhood knew him not , he had grown so handsome .

but Aladdin refused , saying , " I must build a palace fit for her , " and took his leave .

there must be stables and horses and grooms and slaves ; go and see about it ! "

aladdin 's mother then dressed herself carefully , and walked to the palace with her slaves , while he followed her on horseback .

the Sultan sent musicians with trumpets and cymbals to meet them , so that the air resounded with music and cheers .

she was taken to the Princess , who saluted her and treated her with great honor .

she was charmed at the sight of Aladdin , who ran to receive her .

" Princess , " he said , " blame your beauty for my boldness if I have displeased you . "

she told him that , having seen him , she willingly obeyed her father in this matter .

next day Aladdin invited the Sultan to see the palace .

there is only one thing that surprises me .

was it by accident that one window was left unfinished ? "

" no , sir , by design , " returned Aladdin .

" I wished your Majesty to have the glory of finishing this palace . "

the Sultan was pleased , and sent for the best jewelers in the city .

he showed them the unfinished window , and bade them fit it up like the others .

" sir , " replied their spokesman , " we cannot find jewels enough . "

the Sultan was surprised to receive his jewels again , and visited Aladdin , who showed him the window finished .

the Sultan embraced him , the envious Vizier meanwhile hinting that it was the work of enchantment .

Aladdin had won the hearts of the people by his gentle bearing .

as he passed through the town he heard people talking everywhere about a marvellous palace .

" forgive my ignorance , " he asked , " what is this palace you speak Of ? "

" have you not heard of Prince Aladdin 's palace , " was the reply , " the greatest wonder of the world ?

I will direct you if you have a mind to see it . "

he determined to get hold of the lamp , and again plunge Aladdin into the deepest poverty .

unluckily , Aladdin had gone a-hunting for eight days , which gave the magician plenty of time .

another slave , hearing this , said : " there is an old one on the cornice there which he can have . "

now this was the magic lamp , which Aladdin had left there , as he could not take it out hunting with him .

the Princess , not knowing its value , laughingly bade the slave take it and make the exchange .

she went and said to the magician : " give me a new lamp for this . "

he snatched it and bade the slave take her choice , amid the jeers of the crowd .

next morning the Sultan looked out of the window toward Aladdin 's palace and rubbed his eyes , for it was gone .

he sent for the Vizier and asked what had become of the palace .

the Vizier looked out too , and was lost in astonishment .

they met him riding home , bound him , and forced him to go with them on foot .

the people , however , who loved him , followed , armed , to see that he came to no harm .

he was carried before the Sultan , who ordered the executioner to cut off his head .

the executioner made Aladdin kneel down , bandaged his eyes , and raised his scimitar to strike .

Aladdin now begged to know what he had done .

Aladdin was so amazed that he could not say a word .

" where is my palace and my daughter ? " demanded the Sultan .

his prayer was granted , and he went forth sadly from the Sultan 's presence .

he came to the banks of a river , and knelt down to say his prayers before throwing himself in .

in so doing he rubbed the magic ring he still wore .

the genie he had seen in the cave appeared , and asked his will .

" save my life , genie , " said Aladdin , " bring my palace back . "

he at once found himself in Africa , under the window of the Princess , and fell asleep out of sheer weariness .

he was awakened by the singing of the birds , and his heart was lighter .

he saw plainly that all his misfortunes were owing to the loss of the lamp , and vainly wondered who had robbed him of it .

she , however , treated him so harshly that he dared not live there altogether .

as she was dressing , one of her women looked out and saw Aladdin .

the Princess ran and opened the window , and at the noise she made Aladdin looked up .

she called to him to come to her , and great was the joy of these lovers at seeing each other again .

" now I know , " cried Aladdin , " that we have to thank the African magician for this !

where is the lamp ? "

" he carries it about with him , " said the Princess .

" I know , for he pulled it out of his breast to show me .

he wishes me to break my faith with you and marry him , saying that you were beheaded by my father 's command .

he is for ever speaking ill of you but I only reply by my tears .

if I persist , I doubt not but he will use violence . "

Aladdin comforted her , and left her for a while .

invite him to sup with you , and say you wish to taste the wine of his country .

he will go for some and while he is gone I will tell you what to do . "

she listened carefully to Aladdin and when he left she arrayed herself gaily for the first time since she left China .

the magician flew to his cellar , and the Princess put the powder Aladdin had given her in her cup .

she set her cup to her lips and kept it there , while the magician drained his to the dregs and fell back lifeless .

this was done , and the Princess in her chamber only felt two little shocks , and little thought she was at home again .

he hastened thither , and Aladdin received him in the hall of the four-and-twenty windows , with the Princess at his side .

Aladdin told him what had happened , and showed him the dead body of the magician , that he might believe .

the African magician had a younger brother , who was , if possible , more wicked and more cunning than himself .

he entered her cell and clapped a dagger to her breast , telling her to rise and do his bidding on pain of death .

on coming to the Princess the magician offered up a prayer for her health and prosperity .

when he had done the Princess made him sit by her , and begged him to stay with her always .

the false Fatima , who wished for nothing better , consented , but kept his veil down for fear of discovery .

the Princess showed him the hall , and asked him what he thought of it .

" it is truly beautiful , " said the false Fatima .

" in my mind it wants but one thing . "

" and what is that ? " said the Princess .

" if that is all , " replied Aladdin , " you shall soon be happy . "

he left her and rubbed the lamp , and when the genie appeared commanded him to bring a roc's egg .

the genie gave such a loud and terrible shriek that the hall shook .

he is now in your palace disguised as the holy woman whom he murdered .

he it was who put that wish into your wife 's head .

take care of yourself , for he means to kill you . "

So saying , the genie disappeared .

but when the magician came near , Aladdin , seizing his dagger , pierced him to the heart .

" what have you done ? " cried the Princess .

" you have killed the holy woman ! "

" not so , " replied Aladdin , " but a wicked magician , " and told her of how she had been deceived .

after this Aladdin and his wife lived in peace .

he succeeded the Sultan when he died , and reigned for many years , leaving behind him a long line of kings . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Arabian Nights .

THE TALE OF A YOUTH WHO SET OUT TO LEARN WHAT FEAR WAS

so much so that those who saw him exclaimed : " what a burden he 'll be to his father ! "

" they are always saying it makes one shudder ! it makes one shudder !

nothing makes me shudder .

it 's probably an art quite beyond me . "

look at your brother , what pains he takes ; but all the money I 've spent on your education is thrown away . "

the father sighed , and answered him : " you 'll soon learn to shudder ; but that won't help you to make a living . "

" only think ! when I asked him how he purposed gaining a livelihood , he actually asked to be taught to shudder . "

the father was quite pleased with the proposal , because he thought : " it will be a good discipline for the youth . "

and so the sexton took him into his house , and his duty was to toll the bell .

after a few days he woke him at midnight , and bade him rise and climb into the tower and toll .

" now , my friend , I 'll teach you to shudder , " thought he .

" who 's there ? " he called out , but the figure gave no answer , and neither stirred nor moved .

" answer , " cried the youth , " or begone ; you have no business here at this hour of the night . "

but the sexton remained motionless , so that the youth might think that it was a ghost .

the youth called out the second time : " what do you want here ?

speak if you are an honest fellow , or I 'll knock you down the stairs . "

thereupon he tolled the bell , went home to bed without saying a word , and fell asleep .

the sexton 's wife waited a long time for her husband , but he never appeared .

at last she became anxious , and woke the youth , and asked : " don't you know where my husband is ?

he went up to the tower in front of you . "

you 'd better go and see if it was he ; I should be much distressed if it were . "

the wife ran and found her husband who was lying groaning in a corner , with his leg broken .

she carried him down , and then hurried with loud protestations to the youth 's father .

take the good-for-nothing wretch out of our house . "

the father was horrified , hurried to the youth , and gave him a scolding .

" what unholy pranks are these ?

the evil one must have put them into your head . "

" father , " he replied , " only listen to me ; I am quite guiltless .

he stood there in the night , like one who meant harm .

I didn't know who it was , and warned him three times to speak or begone . "

" learn what you will , " said the father , " it 's all one to me .

" yes , father , whatever you wish ; and if that 's all you ask , I can easily keep it in mind . "

just come back to me to-morrow morning early . "

but at midnight it got so chill that in spite of the fire he couldn't keep warm .

then he stirred the fire , blew it up , and placed them all round in a circle , that they might warm themselves .

but they sat there and did not move , and the fire caught their clothes .

then he spoke : " take care , or I 'll hang you up again . "

but the dead men did not hear and let their rags go on burning .

then he sat down at his fire and fell asleep .

" no , " he answered , " how should I ?

" where do you hail from ? "

" I don't know . "

" who 's your father ? "

" I mayn't say . "

" what are you constantly muttering to yourself ? "

" oh ! " said the youth , " I would give worlds to shudder , but no one can teach me . "

" stuff and nonsense ! " spoke the carrier ; " come along with me , and I 'll soon put that right . "

the youth went with the carrier , and in the evening they reached an inn , where they were to spend the night .

Many had already gone in , but so far none had ever come out again .

" oh ! if I could only shudder ! " he said : " but I sha'n't learn it here either . "

toward midnight he wanted to make up the fire , and as he was blowing up a blaze he heard a shriek from a corner .

" ou , miou ! how cold we are ! "

" you fools ! " he cried ; " why do you scream ?

if you are cold , come and sit at the fire and warm yourselves . "

" why not ? " he replied ; " but first let me see your paws . "

then they stretched out their claws .

" Ha ! " said he ; " what long nails you 've got !

Wait a minute : i must first cut them off . "

thereupon he seized them by the scruff of their necks , lifted them on to the carving bench , and screwed down their paws firmly .

they yelled in the most ghastly manner , jumped upon his fire , scattered it all , and tried to put it out .

some of them fled away , and the others he struck dead and threw them out into the pond below .

when he returned he blew up the sparks of the fire once more , and warmed himself .

and as he sat thus his eyes refused to keep open any longer , and a desire to sleep stole over him .

then he looked around him and beheld in the corner a large bed .

" the very thing , " he said , and laid himself down in it .

but when he wished to close his eyes the bed began to move by itself , and ran all round the castle .

" capital , " he said , " only a little quicker . "

then the bed sped on as if drawn by six horses , over thresholds and stairs , up this way and down that .

then he said : " what a pity ! and such a fine fellow he was . "

the youth heard this , got up , and said : " it 's not come to that yet . "

then the King was astonished , but very glad , and asked how it had fared with him .

" First-rate , " he answered ; " and now I 've survived the one night , I shall get through the other two also . "

have you learned now what shuddering is ? "

" no , " he replied , " it 's quite hopeless ; if someone could only tell me how to ! "

" wait a bit , " he said ; " I 'll stir up the fire for you . "

when he had done this and again looked around , the two pieces had united , and a horrible-looking man sat on his seat .

" come , " said the youth , " I didn't bargain for that , the seat is mine . "

" no , not if you have money . "

" I 've money enough , " he replied , " but your balls aren't round enough . "

then he took the skulls , placed them on his lathe , and turned them till they were round .

" now they 'll roll along better , " said he , " and houp-la ! now the fun begins . "

he played with them and lost some of his money , but when twelve struck everything vanished before his eyes .

he lay down and slept peacefully .

the next morning the King came , anxious for news .

" how have you got on this time ? " he asked .

" I played ninepins , " he answered , " and lost a few pence . "

" didn't you shudder then ? "

" no such luck , " said he ; " I made myself merry .

oh ! if I only knew what it was to shudder ! "

when it got late , six big men came in carrying a coffin .

they placed the coffin on the ground , and he approached it and took off the cover .

in it lay a dead man .

he felt his face , and it was cold as ice .

then the youth said : " now , my little cousin , what would have happened if I hadn't warmed you ? "

but the dead man rose up and cried out : " now I will strangle you . "

" what ! " said he , " is that all the thanks I get ?

you should be put straight back into your coffin , " lifted him up , threw him in , and closed the lid .

then the six men came and carried him out again .

" I simply can't shudder , " he said , " and it 's clear I sha'n't learn it in a lifetime here . "

" not so quickly , " answered the youth .

" if I am to die , you must catch me first . "

" I shall soon lay hold of you , " spoke the monster .

" gently , gently , don't boast too much , I 'm as strong as you , and stronger too . "

" I can do better than that , " cried the youth , and went to the other anvil .

the old man drew near him in order to watch closely , and his white beard hung right down .

the youth seized the axe , cleft the anvil open , and jammed in the old man 's beard .

" now I have you , " said the youth ; " this time it 's your turn to die . "

the youth drew out the axe and let him go .

the old man led him back to the castle and showed him in a cellar three chests of gold .

at that moment twelve struck , and the spirit vanished , leaving the youth alone in the dark .

the next morning the King came , and said : " well , now you 've surely learned to shudder ? "

" no , " he answered ; " what can it be ?

then the King spoke : " you have freed the castle from its curse , and you shall marry my daughter . "

" that 's all charming , " he said ; " but I still don't know what it is to shudder . "

at last he reduced her to despair .

then her maid said : " I 'll help you ; we 'll soon make him shudder . "

so she went out to the stream that flowed through the garden , and had a pail full of little gudgeons brought to her .

then he awoke and cried out : " oh ! how I shudder , how I shudder , dear wife !

yes , now I know what shuddering is . " ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Grimm .

RUMPELSTILTZKIN

there was once upon a time a poor miller who had a very beautiful daughter .

then he closed the door behind him and left her alone inside .

so the poor miller 's daughter sat down , and didn't know what in the world she was to do .

she hadn't the least idea of how to spin straw into gold , and became at last so miserable that she began to cry .

" oh ! " answered the girl , " I have to spin straw into gold , and haven't a notion how it 's done . "

" what will you give me if I spin it for you ? " asked the manikin .

" my necklace , " replied the girl .

" the ring from my finger , " answered the girl .

" I 've nothing more to give , " answered the girl .

" then promise me when you are Queen to give me your first child . "

but the manikin said : " no , a living creature is dearer to me than all the treasures in the world . "

" is your name , perhaps , Sheepshanks Cruickshanks , Spindleshanks ? " but he always replied : " that 's not my name . "

" no . "

" is your name Harry ? "

" no . "

" is your name perhaps , Rumpelstiltzkin ? "

( @number@ ) Grimm .

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

but one day a most unexpected misfortune befell them .

but she was really far prettier and cleverer than they were ; indeed , she was so lovely that she was always called Beauty .

after two years , when they were all beginning to get used to their new life , something happened to disturb their tranquillity .

her father , noticing her silence , said : " and what shall I bring for you , Beauty ? "

" the only thing I wish for is to see you come home safely , " she answered .

but this only vexed her sisters , who fancied she was blaming them for having asked for such costly things .

I have not seen one since we came here , and I love them so much . "

not even a servant was to be seen ; there was no sign of life in the palace !

the merchant , in ecstacies with all he saw and heard , said to himself :

" all this must be meant for me .

I will go this minute and bring my children to share all these delights . "

in spite of being so cold and weary when he reached the castle , he had taken his horse to the stable and fed it .

now he thought he would saddle it for his homeward journey , and he turned down the path which led to the stable .

turning round , he saw a frightful Beast , which seemed to be very angry and said , in a terrible voice :

" who told you that you might gather my roses ?

was it not enough that I allowed you to be in my palace and was kind to you ?

this is the way you show your gratitude , by stealing my flowers !

but your insolence shall not go unpunished . "

but the Beast 's anger was not lessened by this speech .

" alas ! " thought the merchant , " if my daughter could only know what danger her rose has brought me into ! "

I beg you to forgive me , for you see I meant no harm . "

the Beast considered for a moment , and then he said , in a less furious tone :

" I will forgive you on one condition that is , that you will give me one of your daughters . "

" no excuse would be necessary , " answered the Beast .

" if she comes at all she must come willingly .

on no other condition will I have her .

see if any one of them is courageous enough , and loves you well enough to come and save your life .

you seem to be an honest man , so I will trust you to go home .

the merchant accepted this proposal , though he did not really think any of his daughters could be persuaded to come .

but the Beast answered that he could not go until next day .

" then you will find a horse ready for you , " he said .

" now go and eat your supper , and await my orders . "

when he had finished he heard a great noise in the next room , which he knew meant that the Beast was coming .

then the Beast warned him to remember their agreement , and to prepare his daughter exactly for what she had to expect .

" do not get up to-morrow , " he added , " until you see the sun and hear a golden bell ring .

then you will find your breakfast waiting for you here , and the horse you are to ride will be ready in the courtyard .

he will also bring you back again when you come with your daughter a month hence .

farewell .

take a rose to Beauty , and remember your promise ! "

he hid the truth from them at first , only saying sadly to Beauty as he gave her the rose :

" here is what you asked me to bring you ; you little know what it has cost . "

but he reminded them that he had promised to go back .

Poor Beauty , much distressed , said to them :

" I have , indeed , caused this misfortune , but I assure you I did it innocently .

who could have guessed that to ask for a rose in the middle of summer would cause so much misery ?

but as I did the mischief it is only just that I should suffer for it .

I will therefore go back with my father to keep his promise . "

her father still tried to persuade her to go back , but in vain .

but , in spite of her anxiety , she could not help admiring all the wonderful things she saw .

this evidently pleased the Beast .

" Good-evening , old man .

Good-evening , Beauty . "

the merchant was too terrified to reply , but Beauty answered sweetly : " Good-evening , Beast . "

" have you come willingly ? " asked the Beast .

" will you be content to stay here when your father goes away ? "

beauty answered bravely that she was quite prepared to stay .

" I am pleased with you , " said the Beast .

" as you have come of your own accord , you may stay .

as for you , old man , " he added , turning to the merchant , " at sunrise to-morrow you will take your departure .

then turning to Beauty , he said :

" take your father into the next room , and help him to choose everything you think your brothers and sisters would like to have .

you will find two traveling-trunks there ; fill them as full as you can .

it is only just that you should send them something very precious as a remembrance of yourself . "

they were greatly surprised at the riches it contained .

" let us wait and see , " answered Beauty .

" I cannot believe that he meant to deceive us .

all we can do is to fasten them up and leave them ready . "

so they did this and returned to the little room , where , to their astonishment , they found breakfast ready .

then Beauty began to cry , and wandered sadly back to her own room .

but she soon found that she was very sleepy , and as she had nothing better to do she lay down and instantly fell asleep .

here you will be rewarded for all you have suffered elsewhere .

your every wish shall be gratified .

be as true-hearted as you are beautiful , and we shall have nothing left to wish for . "

" what can I do , Prince , to make you happy ? " said Beauty .

" only be grateful , " he answered , " and do not trust too much to your eyes .

and , above all , do not desert me until you have saved me from my cruel misery . "

after this she thought she found herself in a room with a stately and beautiful lady , who said to her :

" dear Beauty , try not to regret all you have left behind you , for you are destined to a better fate .

only do not let yourself be deceived by appearances . "

" he said I could make him happy , " said Beauty to herself .

" it seems , then , that this horrible Beast keeps him a prisoner .

how can I set him free ?

I wonder why they both told me not to trust to appearances ?

I don't understand it .

but , after all , it was only a dream , so why should I trouble myself about it ?

I had better go and find something to do to amuse myself . "

so she got up and began to explore some of the many rooms of the palace .

by this time it was growing dusk , and wax candles in diamond and ruby candlesticks were beginning to light themselves in every room .

but presently she heard the Beast coming , and wondered tremblingly if he meant to eat her up now .

however , as he did not seem at all ferocious , and only said gruffly :

" Good-evening , Beauty , " she answered cheerfully and managed to conceal her terror .

then the Beast asked her how she had been amusing herself , and she told him all the rooms she had seen .

and after about an hour 's talk Beauty began to think that the Beast was not nearly so terrible as she had supposed at first .

then he got up to leave her , and said in his gruff voice :

" do you love me , Beauty ?

will you marry me ? "

" oh ! what shall I say ? " cried Beauty , for she was afraid to make the Beast angry by refusing .

" say ' yes ' or ' no ' without fear , " he replied .

" oh ! no , Beast , " said Beauty hastily .

" since you will not , good-night , Beauty , " he said .

and she answered , " good-night , Beast , " very glad to find that her refusal had not provoked him .

and after he was gone she was very soon in bed and asleep , and dreaming of her unknown Prince .

she thought he came and said to her :

" ah , Beauty ! why are you so unkind to me ?

I fear I am fated to be unhappy for many a long day still . "

every evening after supper the Beast came to see her , and always before saying good-night asked her in his terrible voice :

" Beauty , will you marry me ? "

beauty had quite ceased to be afraid of him .

now she knew that he was really gentle in spite of his ferocious looks and his dreadful voice .

so she answered that she was longing to see her home once more .

upon hearing this the Beast seemed sadly distressed , and cried miserably .

" ah !

beauty , have you the heart to desert an unhappy Beast like this ?

what more do you want to make you happy ?

is it because you hate me that you want to escape ? "

only let me go for two months , and I promise to come back to you and stay for the rest of my life . "

the Beast , who had been sighing dolefully while she spoke , now replied :

" I cannot refuse you anything you ask , even though it should cost me my life .

you will not need any chariot to bring you back .

good-night , Beauty .

fear nothing , sleep peacefully , and before long you shall see your father once more . "

then she went to bed , but could hardly sleep for joy .

" what is the matter ? " she cried .

he looked at her reproachfully , and said :

" how can you ask me , cruel one ?

are you not leaving me to my death perhaps ? "

" what would that matter to you ? " said the Prince " surely you would not care ? "

" indeed , I should be ungrateful if I did not care for such a kind Beast , " cried Beauty indignantly .

" I would die to save him from pain .

I assure you it is not his fault that he is so ugly . "

where could she be ?

she got up and dressed hastily , and then saw that the boxes she had packed the night before were all in the room .

she had also much to hear about what had happened to them while she was away , and of her father 's journey home .

at any rate , for two months she need not decide , but could enjoy herself with her sisters .

" ah !

beauty , you are only just in time to save his life .

see what happens when people do not keep their promises !

if you had delayed one day more , you would have found him dead . "

everything was just as before , and her birds were so glad to see her !

" oh ! he is dead ; and it is all my fault , " said Beauty , crying bitterly .

" oh !

beast , how you frightened me ! " she cried .

" I never knew how much I loved you until just now , when I feared I was too late to save your life . "

" can you really love such an ugly creature as I am ? " said the Beast faintly .

" ah !

beauty , you only came just in time .

I was dying because I thought you had forgotten your promise .

but go back now and rest , I shall see you again by and by . "

Beauty answered politely , and quite enjoyed telling him all that had happened to her .

she answered softly , " yes , dear Beast . "

at the same moment the wheels of a chariot were heard upon the terrace , and two ladies entered the room .

but the one she already knew said to her companion :

" well , Queen , this is Beauty , who has had the courage to rescue your son from the terrible enchantment .

they love one another , and only your consent to their marriage is wanting to make them perfectly happy . "

" I consent with all my heart , " cried the Queen .

" how can I ever thank you enough , charming girl , for having restored my dear son to his natural form ? "

and then she tenderly embraced Beauty and the Prince , who had meanwhile been greeting the Fairy and receiving her congratulations .

( @number@ ) la Belle et la Bete .

par Madame de Villeneuve .

THE MASTER-MAID

once upon a time there was a king who had many sons .

when he had traveled about for several days , he came to a giant 's house , and hired himself to the giant as a servant .

if you do , I will take your life . "

so he went into the first room .

a cauldron was hanging from the walls ; it was boiling , but the Prince could see no fire under it .

" that 's a nice kind of soup .

if anyone were to taste that his throat would be gilded , " said the youth , and then he went into the next chamber .

there , too , a cauldron was hanging from the wall , bubbling and boiling , but there was no fire under this either .

" some talk about going from bad to worse , " said the Prince ; " but this is better and better .

if he boils gold here , what can he boil in there ? "

he was determined to see , and went through the door into the fourth room .

" oh ! in heaven 's name what are you doing here ? " said she who sat upon the bench .

" I took the place of servant here yesterday , " said the Prince .

" may you soon have a better place , if you have come to serve here ! " said she .

" oh , but I think I have got a kind master , " said the Prince .

" he has not given me hard work to do to-day .

when I have cleaned out the stable I shall be done . "

" yes , but how will you be able to do that ? " she asked again .

" if you clean it out as other people do , ten pitchforksful will come in for every one you throw out .

then came the giant home with the goats .

" have you cleaned the stable ? " asked the giant .

" yes , now it is clean and sweet , master , " said the King 's son .

" you have certainly been talking to my Master-maid , for you never got that out of your own head , " said the giant .

" Master-maid !

" well , you will see her quite soon enough , " said the giant .

so he went to her .

then she asked him what he had to do that day .

" oh ! not very dangerous work , I fancy , " said the King 's son .

" I have only to go up the mountain-side after his horse . "

" well , how do you mean to set about it ? " asked the Master-maid .

" oh ! there is no great art in riding a horse home , " said the King 's son .

" I think I must have ridden friskier horses before now . "

then the Prince went back into his room again , and began to hum and to sing .

toward evening the giant came home .

" have you fetched the horse back from the mountain-side ? " he asked .

" oh ! you will see her quite soon enough , " said the giant .

on the morning of the third day the giant again had to go into the wood with the goats .

" To-day you must go underground and fetch my taxes , " he said to the Prince .

" and how will you set about that ? " said the Master-maid .

so he set out on his way , and did exactly what the Master-maid had told him .

he went to the rocky wall , and took the club , and knocked on it .

then came one so full of sparks that they flew both out of his eyes and his nose .

" what do you want ? " said he .

" I was to come here for the giant , and demand the tax for him , " said the King 's son .

" how much are you to have then ? " said the other .

" I ask for no more than I am able to carry with me , " said the Prince .

" it is well for you that you have not asked for a horse-load , " said he who had come out of the rock .

" but now come in with me . "

this the Prince did , and what a quantity of gold and silver he saw !

" have you been for the tax ? " said the giant .

" yes , that I have , master , " said the Prince .

" where have you put it then ? " said the giant again .

" the bag of gold is standing there on the bench , " said the Prince .

I do wish I could see the thing myself , " said he .

" yes , yes , wait till to-morrow , " said the giant , " and then I myself will take you to her . "

" ah ! master , I thank you but you are only mocking me , " said the King 's son .

next day the giant took him to the Master-maid .

now , when the giant had slept a good long time , he began to stretch himself on the bench on which he was lying .

" will it soon boil ? " said he .

" it is just beginning , " said the first drop of blood on the stool .

so the giant lay down to sleep again , and slept for a long , long time .

then he began to move about a little again .

when he had slept again for many hours , he began to move and stretch himself .

" is it not done yet ? " said he .

" it is quite ready , " said the third drop of blood .

but there was no one to give him an answer .

when he saw this , he understood what had happened , and fell into such a rage that he hardly knew what he was doing .

" how could I forget you ?

so at last the Master-maid had to yield , for he was so absolutely determined to do it .

and he took up the apple and bit a piece out of it .

the Master-maid sat by the sea-shore for a long , long time , waiting for the Prince , but no Prince came .

she entered it and asked if she might be allowed to stay there .

the hut belonged to an old crone , who was also an ill-tempered and malicious troll .

the old crone did not like this either .

she scowled , and was very cross , but the Master-maid did not trouble herself about that .

next morning the sheriff came traveling by there .

" well , but have you a great deal of money ? " said the Master-maid .

" oh ! yes ; so far as that is concerned , I am not ill off , " said the sheriff .

but scarcely had they sat down together before the Master-maid wanted to jump up again .

" I have forgotten to see to the fire , " she said .

" why should you jump up to do that ? " said the sheriff ; " I will do that ! "

so he jumped up , and went to the chimney in one bound .

" just tell me when you have got hold of the shovel , " said the Master-maid .

" well , I have hold of it now , " said the sheriff .

the next day the attorney came riding by the place where the Master-maid dwelt .

" why should you do that ? " said the attorney ; " sit still , I will do it . "

so he was on his feet in a moment , and out in the porch .

" tell me when you have got hold of the door-latch , " said the Master-maid .

" I have hold of it now , " cried the attorney .

" then you may hold the door , and the door you , and may you go between wall and wall till day dawns . "

what a dance the attorney had that night !

he had never had such a waltz before , and he never wished to have such a dance again .

as soon as the door let go its hold of him , off went the attorney .

so it was settled that he was to have the Master-maid .

" no , indeed , you shall not do that , " said the bailiff ; " I am the one to do that . "

and , big and fat as he was , he went out as briskly as a boy .

" tell me when you have got hold of the calf 's tail , " said the Master-maid .

" I have hold of it now , " cried the bailiff .

this went on for a long time , and they could not get away from the palace , so they were all in great trouble .

but all at once , just as they were starting , the bottom of the coach fell in pieces .

they were just setting out again , but now the horses were not able to draw the coach .

the Master-maid let them have it immediately this time also she would not say " no . "

" oh ! look how those two there are fighting for the golden apple , " said the King 's son .

" yes , and so did we two fight to get out that time when we were in the mountain , " said the Master-maid .

so the Prince knew her again , and you may imagine how delighted he was .

( @number@ ) Asbjornsen and Moe .

WHY THE SEA IS SALT

once upon a time , long , long ago , there were two brothers , the one rich and the other poor .

" if you will do what I ask you , you shall have a whole ham , " said he .

the poor one immediately thanked him , and promised this .

" well , I will do what I have promised , " said the other , and he took the ham and set off .

he went on and on for the livelong day , and at nightfall he came to a place where there was a bright light .

" I have no doubt this is the place , " thought the man with the ham .

an old man with a long white beard was standing in the outhouse , chopping Yule logs .

" Good-evening , " said the man with the ham .

" Good-evening to you .

where are you going at this late hour ? " said the man .

" I am going to Dead Man 's Hall , if only I am on the right track , " answered the poor man .

" oh ! yes , you are right enough , for it is here , " said the old man .

when you come out again I will teach you how to stop the hand-mill , which is useful for almost everything . "

so the man with the ham thanked the other for his good advice , and rapped at the door .

" but , if I sell it , I will have the hand-mill which is standing there behind the door . "

" where in the world have you been ? " said the old woman .

" oh !

" but , for heaven 's sake , tell me where you got your riches from , " said he to his brother .

it may be that he finds he is not good at making pottage and I should do well to help him . "

" would to heaven that each of you had a hundred stomachs !

but the brother would not take it until the other paid him three hundred dollars , and that he was obliged to do .

now the poor brother had both the money and the mill again .

after a long , long time came also a skipper who wished to see the mill .

he asked if it could make salt .

when he had gone a little way out to sea he took the mill on deck .

" grind salt , and grind both quickly and well , " said the skipper .

( @number@ ) Asbjornsen and Moe .

THE MASTER CAT ; OR , PUSS IN BOOTS

there was a miller who left no more estate to the three sons he had than his mill , his ass , and his cat .

the partition was soon made .

neither scrivener nor attorney was sent for .

they would soon have eaten up all the poor patrimony .

the eldest had the mill , the second the ass , and the youngest nothing but the cat .

the poor young fellow was quite comfortless at having so poor a lot .

" do not thus afflict yourself , my good master .

the Cat 's master did not build very much upon what he said .

Scarce was he lain down but he had what he wanted .

Proud of his prey , he went with it to the palace and asked to speak with his majesty .

he was shown upstairs into the King 's apartment , and , making a low reverence , said to him :

the king , in like manner , received the partridges with great pleasure , and ordered him some money for drink .

the Cat continued for two or three months thus to carry his Majesty , from time to time , game of his master 's taking .

" if you will follow my advice your fortune is made .

the Marquis of Carabas did what the Cat advised him to , without knowing why or wherefore .

while he was washing the King passed by , and the Cat began to cry out :

" help ! help !

my Lord Marquis of Carabas is going to be drowned . "

this cunning Cat had hidden them under a great stone .

the King immediately commanded the officers of his wardrobe to run and fetch one of his best suits for the Lord Marquis of Carabas .

the King would needs have him come into the coach and take part of the airing .

the King did not fail asking of the mowers to whom the meadow they were mowing belonged .

" to my Lord Marquis of Carabas , " answered they altogether , for the Cat 's threats had made them terribly afraid .

the Master Cat , who went still on before , met with some reapers , and said to them :

the ogre received him as civilly as an ogre could do , and made him sit down .

" impossible ! " cried the ogre ; " you shall see that presently . "

and at the same time he changed himself into a mouse , and began to run about the floor .

Puss no sooner perceived this but he fell upon him and ate him up .

meanwhile the King , who saw , as he passed , this fine castle of the ogre 's , had a mind to go into it .

Puss , who heard the noise of his Majesty 's coach running over the draw-bridge , ran out , and said to the King :

" your Majesty is welcome to this castle of my Lord Marquis of Carabas . "

" what ! my Lord Marquis , " cried the King , " and does this castle also belong to you ?

the Marquis gave his hand to the Princess , and followed the King , who went first .

" it will be owing to yourself only , my Lord Marquis , if you are not my son-in-law . "

Puss became a great lord , and never ran after mice any more but only for his diversion . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Charles Perrault .

FELICIA AND THE POT OF PINKS

when she went away she said to me :

" ' Be careful of my gifts , good man ; see that you do not lose the ring or forget to water the pinks .

take them both , then , my dear child , " he added , " and your brother shall have everything else . "

Felicia believed that her brother loved her , but when she sat down upon one of the stools he said angrily :

" keep your pot of pinks and your ring , but let my things alone .

I like order in my house . "

presently , when supper-time came , Bruno had a delicious egg , and he threw the shell to Felicia , saying :

Felicia did not answer , but she cried more bitterly than ever , and went away to her own little room .

she found it filled with the sweet scent of the pinks , and , going up to them , she said sadly :

" beautiful pinks , you are so sweet and so pretty , you are the only comfort I have left .

as she leaned over them she noticed that they were very dry .

so taking her pitcher , she ran off in the clear moonlight to the fountain , which was at some distance .

six maids of honor carried her train , and she leaned upon the arm of another .

" I fancy I see a shepherdess near that tree ; bid her come hither . "

so Felicia came forward and saluted the Queen timidly , but with so much grace that all were surprised .

" what are you doing here , my pretty child ? " asked the Queen .

" are you not afraid of robbers ? "

" ah ! madam , " said Felicia , " a poor shepherdess who has nothing to lose does not fear robbers . "

" you are not very rich , then ? " said the Queen , smiling .

" but you have a heart , " said the Queen .

" what should you say if anybody wanted to steal that ? "

" you are quite right to take care of your heart , pretty one , " said the Queen .

" but tell me , have you supped ? "

" no , madam , " answered Felicia ; " my brother ate all the supper there was . "

" I want to know what you were doing at the fountain so late ? " said the Queen presently .

she was afraid to take it until the Queen said :

the shepherdess threw herself at the Queen 's feet , and thanked her humbly for her gracious words .

" go , Felicia , " said the Queen , stroking her cheek softly ; " I will wait here until you come back . "

" ah ! madam , " she answered simply , " if I have your friendship I shall do very well . "

the first thing she did when she reached her room was to throw the cabbage out of the window .

but she was very much surprised to hear an odd little voice cry out : " oh !

I am half killed ! " and could not tell where it came from , because cabbages do not generally speak .

it made her shiver with fright to hear the cabbage talk , but he went on :

Felicia was in despair when she heard this , not knowing how she was to get them back .

" come here , horrid little creature ! you shall suffer for all the unkind things my brother has done to me . "

after wandering about until she was half dead with cold and fatigue she reached this cottage .

I was very sad , and my husband , who was out when it happened , never knew what had become of me .

after seeking me everywhere he believed that I must have been drowned , or eaten up by wild beasts in the forest .

it was one of them whom you threw out of your window yesterday .

just now , however , I must go and look for my pinks , which I love better than anything in the world . "

in a moment not a tail or a whisker was to be seen .

she found them nearly dying for want of water , and hastily poured all that was left in the pitcher upon them .

as she bent over them , enjoying their delicious scent , a soft voice , that seemed to rustle among the leaves , said :

at this moment in came Bruno .

" you have a bad brother , " she said ; " I saw he turned you out .

shall I punish him for it ? "

" ah ! no , madam , " she said ; " I am not angry with him .

" but supposing he was not your brother , after all , what would you say then ? " asked the Queen .

" oh ! but I think he must be , " said Felicia .

" what ! " said the Queen , " have you not heard that you are a Princess ? "

" I was told so a little while ago , madam , but how could I believe it without a single proof ? "

she was interrupted at this moment by the arrival of a very handsome young man .

he wore a coat of green velvet fastened with emerald clasps , and had a crown of pinks on his head .

he knelt upon one knee and kissed the Queen 's hand .

and she embraced him joyfully .

then , turning to Felicia , she said :

whereupon a fairy with whom I had quarrelled changed him into a pink , and I could do nothing to prevent it .

and you see everything has come right , as I hoped it would .

do you think him handsome and amiable enough to be willing to marry him ? "

" madam , " replied Felicia , blushing , " you overwhelm me with your kindness .

how can I explain to you the cause of my hesitation ?

I feel , for the first time in my life , how happy it would make me to be beloved .

can you indeed give me the Prince 's heart ? "

" I wish you to be attired as befits your rank and beauty . "

" how pretty you are , Felicia ! " he cried .

" don't keep me in suspense , I entreat you ; say that you will marry me . "

" ah ! " said the Queen , smiling , " I think she will not refuse now . "

" what ! " she said , " when he was so unkind to you ? "

lastly , the Queen restored the hen and the cabbages to their natural forms , and left them all very contented .

the Prince and Princess were married as soon as possible with great splendor , and lived happily ever after . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Fortunee .

par Madame la Comtesse d'Aulnoy .

THE WHITE CAT

so he sent for them all , and , after speaking to them kindly , he added :

hardly a day passed without his buying several dogs big and little , greyhounds , mastiffs , spaniels , and lapdogs .

he did not know his way , and , to make matters worse , it began to thunder , and the rain poured down .

at length , guided by the light , he reached the door of the most splendid castle he could have imagined .

there he saw a deer 's foot hanging by a chain of diamonds , and he began to wonder who could live in this magnificent castle .

" they must feel very secure against robbers , " he said to himself .

" what is to hinder anyone from cutting off that chain and digging out those carbuncles , and making himself rich for life ? "

the Prince hastily stopped up his ears , but even then the sight of these comical musicians sent him into fits of laughter .

" King 's son , you are welcome ; the Queen of the Cats is glad to see you . "

indeed , the way you speak and the magnificence of your castle prove it plainly . "

and so the days passed , in every kind of amusement , until the year was nearly gone .

then the Prince suddenly recovered his memory , and cried :

" what can have made me forget such an important thing ?

and he began to be very vexed .

you can still stay here for a day , as the good wooden horse can take you to your country in twelve hours . "

" oh !

White Cat dear , " said the Prince , " how unkind you are to laugh at me now ! "

" only listen , " she said , holding the acorn to his ear .

and inside it he distinctly heard a tiny voice say : " Bow-wow ! "

the Prince was delighted , for a dog that can be shut up in an acorn must be very small indeed .

he thanked her a thousand times , and said good-by quite sadly when the time came for him to set out .

but the White Cat shook her head and sighed deeply in answer .

the next morning they started in the same chariot .

the elder brothers carried in baskets two such tiny , fragile dogs that they hardly dared to touch them .

the Prince laid it upon the ground , and it got up at once and began to dance .

the King did not know what to say , for it was impossible that anything could be prettier than this little creature .

the youngest again mounted the wooden horse , and rode back at full speed to his beloved White Cat .

every door of the castle stood wide open , and every window and turret was illuminated , so it looked more wonderful than before .

" how could I hope that you would come back to me King 's son ? " she said .

but when the Prince asked her how it was that she was so wise , she only said :

" King 's son , do not ask me ; guess what you please .

I may not tell you anything . "

it was drawn by twelve snow-white horses , harnessed four abreast ; their trappings were flame-colored velvet , embroidered with diamonds .

" lovely Blanchette , " said the Prince , " how can I thank you properly for all your kindness to me ?

so the Prince kissed her little paw and set out .

he cracked it , and there lay a cherry-stone .

everybody was looking on , and the King was chuckling to himself at the idea of finding the piece of muslin in a nutshell .

however , the Prince cracked the cherry-stone , but everyone laughed when he saw it contained only its own kernel .

he opened that and found a grain of wheat , and in that was a millet seed .

then he himself began to wonder , and muttered softly :

" white Cat , White Cat , are you making fun of me ? "

presently the King turned to his sons , and said , with a deep sigh :

" nothing could console me more in my old age than to realize your willingness to gratify my wishes .

seated in a gallery from which she could see his arrival , the White Cat waited for him .

" well , King 's son , " she said , " here you are once more , without a crown . "

" never mind , " she answered , " it 's just as well to try and deserve it .

as you must take back a lovely princess with you next time I will be on the look-out for one for you .

so this year slipped away even more pleasantly than the preceding ones .

sometimes the Prince could not help asking the White Cat how it was she could talk .

" perhaps you are a fairy , " he said .

" or has some enchanter changed you into a cat ? "

but she only gave him answers that told him nothing .

" take this sword , " she said , " and cut off my head ! "

" I ! " cried the Prince , " I cut off your head !

Blanchette darling , how could I do it ? "

" I entreat you to do as I tell you , King 's son , " she replied .

" you see , Prince , that you were right in supposing me to be no ordinary cat .

my father reigned over six kingdoms .

on the way they had to pass near an old castle belonging to the fairies .

she began to wish to try them for herself , and turned her steps in the direction of the garden .

now the more difficult it became to obtain the fruit , the more the Queen was determined that have it she would .

" ' Ah ! my dear madam , ' cried the Queen , ' is there nothing else that you will take for the fruit ?

I will give you my kingdoms willingly . '

" ' No , ' replied the old fairy , ' we will have nothing but your little daughter .

the old fairy whistled twice , then she cried :

you see they grew upon fairy trees .

when he saw that I observed him he saluted me with great deference .

before he had time to defend himself my unhappy lover was swallowed up by the dragon .

" and you have won it , lovely Princess , " interrupted the Prince .

" and mine too , " cried the Prince , throwing himself at her feet , " if you will consent to marry me . "

he said that he had found something much rarer a white cat !

at which they laughed very much , and asked him if he was afraid of being eaten up by mice in the palace .

and then they set out together for the town .

each prince and princess rode in a splendid carriage ; the horses were decked with plumes of feathers , and glittered with gold .

after them came the youngest prince , and last of all the crystal chair , at which everybody looked with admiration and curiosity .

when the courtiers saw them coming they hastened to tell the King .

" are the ladies beautiful ? " he asked anxiously .

and when they answered that nobody had ever before seen such lovely princesses he seemed quite annoyed .

however , he received them graciously , but found it impossible to choose between them .

then turning to his youngest son he said :

" have you come back alone , after all ? "

she saluted the King gracefully , while a murmur of admiration rose from all around .

" sire , " she said , " I am not come to deprive you of the throne you fill so worthily .

I have already six kingdoms , permit me to bestow one upon you , and upon each of your sons .

the King and all the courtiers could not conceal their joy and astonishment , and the marriage of the three Princes was celebrated at once .

the festivities lasted several months , and then each king and queen departed to their own kingdom and lived happily ever after . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) La Chatte blanche .

par Madame la Comtesse d'Aulnoy .

THE WATER-LILY .

THE GOLD-SPINNERS

once upon a time , in a large forest , there lived an old woman and three maidens .

they were all three beautiful , but the youngest was the fairest .

Weary of seeking his way , he flung himself down under a tree , leaving his horse to browse at will , and fell asleep .

the sun had set when he awoke and began once more to try and find his way out of the forest .

at last he perceived a narrow foot-path , which he eagerly followed and found that it led him to a small hut .

she set food before him , and was so delighted with his conversation that she forgot the old woman 's caution , and lingered for hours .

after three days ' search , they found the hut .

before leaving he promised to return and fetch her to his father 's court , where he would make her his bride .

her heart beat fast and she wept bitterly , for she remembered the old woman 's warning and knew not what misfortune might now befall her .

the old woman returned in the night and knew by the tarnished thread what had happened in her absence .

she was furiously angry and told the maiden that she had brought down misery both on herself and on the Prince .

the maiden could not rest for thinking of this .

at last she could bear it no longer , and resolved to seek help from the Prince .

" how can I help thee ? " asked the raven .

the raven promised faithfully to do her bidding , and , spreading its wings , flew away .

toward evening she heard the raven 's " craa , craa , " from the pine tree and eagerly hastened thither to hear the answer .

when the Prince heard it , he was very sorrowful , and took counsel with his friends how to free the maiden .

the wind wizard 's son did this , and the raven flew so swiftly that it reached the hut that same evening .

the maiden thanked the bird heartily and went home , telling no one what she had heard .

as the ninth night drew near she became very unhappy , for she feared lest some terrible mischance should arise and ruin all .

on this night she crept quietly out of the house and waited trembling at some little distance from the hut .

when he saw the maiden he sprang from his horse , lifted her into the saddle , and then , mounting behind , rode homeward .

the moon shone so brightly that they had no difficulty in seeing the marked trees .

next morning , when the youngest girl did not come to her work , the old woman asked where she was .

" whirlwind ! mother of the wind !

lend thy aid ' gainst her who sinned !

carry with thee this magic ball .

cast her from his arms for ever , Bury her in the rippling river . "

the horse on which the Prince and the maiden were riding had just reached the middle when the magic ball flew by .

the horse in its fright suddenly reared , and before anyone could stop it flung the maiden into the swift current below .

but none could cure him .

a messenger was at once sent to Finland , and a week later the old wizard himself arrived on the wings of the wind .

this it is which makes him grieve so constantly .

let the wind blow upon him that it may blow away his sorrow . "

then the King made his son go out into the wind , and he gradually recovered and told his father all .

" forget the maiden , " said the King , " and take another bride " ; but the Prince said he could never love another .

a year afterward he came suddenly upon the bridge where his beloved met her death .

as he recalled the misfortune he wept bitterly , and would have given all he possessed to have her once more alive .

in the midst of his grief he thought he heard a voice singing , and looked round , but could see no one .

then he heard the voice again , and it said :

" alas ! bewitched and all forsaken , ' Tis I must lie for ever here !

my beloved no thought has taken To free his bride , that was so dear . "

then again the voice sang :

" alas ! bewitched and all forsaken , ' Tis I must lie for ever here !

my beloved no thought has taken To free his bride , that was so dear . "

he at once rode to the hut , and found the two maidens at the fountain .

they said that the yellow water-lily could be none other than their sister , who was not dead , but transformed by the magic ball .

before he went to bed , the eldest made a cake of magic herbs , which she gave him to eat .

in the night he dreamed that he was living in the forest and could understand all that the birds said to each other .

he heard a thrush say to a magpie : " how stupid men are ! they cannot understand the simplest thing .

her former bridegroom rode over it a few days ago and heard her singing , but was no wiser than the rest . "

" and he is to blame for all her misfortunes , " added the magpie .

" if he heeds only the words of men she will remain a flower for ever .

she were soon delivered were the matter only laid before the old wizard of Finland . "

after hearing this , the Prince wondered how he could get a message conveyed to Finland .

he heard one swallow say to another : " come , let us fly to Finland ; we can build better nests there . "

" Stop , kind friends ! " cried the Prince .

" will you do something for me ? "

the swallows flew away , and the Prince rode on to the bridge .

there he waited , hoping to hear the song .

but he heard nothing but the rushing of the water and the moaning of the wind , and , disappointed , rode home .

plunge boldly into the water , swim as close as thou canst to the water-lily 's roots , and loosen them from the mud and reeds .

this done , fasten thy claws into the roots and rise with them to the surface .

there is near it a large stone .

Full of doubt and fear , the Prince let some time pass before he was bold enough to attempt to rescue the maiden .

then a crow said to him : " why dost thou hesitate ?

the old wizard has not told thee wrong , neither have the birds deceived thee ; hasten and dry the maiden 's tears . "

" nothing worse than death can befall me , " thought the Prince , " and death is better than endless sorrow . "

so he mounted his horse and went to the bridge .

for one moment the water hissed in his ears , and then all was silent .

he then grasped them and rose to the surface , letting the water flow over the flower .

the current carried them down the stream , but nowhere could he see the mountain ash .

at last he saw it , and close by the large stone .

she was ten times more beautiful than before , and wore a magnificent pale yellow robe , sparkling with jewels .

she thanked him for having freed her from the cruel witch 's power , and willingly consented to marry him .

in this they drove to the palace .

the King and Queen were at church , weeping for their son , whom they had long mourned for dead .

Great was their delight and astonishment when the Prince entered , leading the beautiful maiden by the hand .

the wedding was at once celebrated and there was feasting and merry-making throughout the kingdom for six weeks .

some time afterward the Prince and his bride were sitting in the garden , when a crow said to them : " ungrateful creatures !

have you forgotten the two poor maidens who helped you in your distress ?

must they spin gold flax for ever ?

have no pity on the old witch .

poison were her fittest punishment . "

she did see it , and thought it looked so tempting that she greedily ate it up and at once died .

in the secret chamber were found fifty wagon-loads of gold flax , and as much more was discovered buried .

the hut was razed to the ground , and the Prince and his bride and her two sisters lived happily ever after .

THE TERRIBLE HEAD

once upon a time there was a king whose only child was a girl .

and the Princess sang a song over him , and this was her song :

" child , my child , how sound you sleep !

well , the daylight came at last , and the great chest was driven by the waves against the shore of an island .

so he took them home , and was very kind to them , and brought up the boy till he was a young man .

the boy was proud , and spoke without thinking :

" then I swear that I will bring the Terrible Head , if it may be brought by a living man .

but of what head you speak I know not . "

now these women were so awful to look on that whoever saw them was turned at once into stone .

you may imagine it was no easy adventure .

there he went and sat down on a rock , looking toward the sea , and wondering how he should begin to fulfill his vow .

then the boy answered that he was not afraid , if only he knew the way .

but there are ways which they do not know , roads beyond the borders of the world .

and these roads have you to travel .

but , behold ! they had vanished , he knew not how or where !

there in a blue cave of the ice he found the Three Gray Sisters , the oldest of living things .

" sister , what do you see ? do you see old times coming back ? "

" no , sister . "

" then give me the eye , for perhaps I can see farther than you . "

" where is the eye , sister ? " said the second gray woman .

" you have taken it yourself , sister , " said the first gray woman .

then the boy slipped from behind them out of the cold cave into the air , and he laughed aloud .

but he said he would never give them the eye till they told him the way to the Fairies of the Garden .

now the Dreadful Women were akin to the Three Gray Sisters , and it was hard for them to tell the boy the way .

then he gave them back the eye , and they began to look out once more for the old times coming back again .

there he alighted , and there he found the Three Fairies of the Garden .

THE SONG OF THE WESTERN FAIRIES

these grave dancing fairies were very unlike the Grey Women , and they were glad to see the boy , and treated him kindly .

but he thrust the Terrible Head into his wallet , and flew away without looking behind .

the boy was very sorry for her and flew down and stood beside her .

when he spoke she raised her head and looked round , but his voice only seemed to frighten her .

then he remembered that he was wearing the Cap of Darkness , and that she could only hear him , not see him .

and he thought her the most beautiful girl in the world .

but the beast had been too greedy and too hurried , so he missed his aim the first time .

before he could rise and bite again the boy had whipped the Terrible Head out of his wallet and held it up .

and when the sea beast leaped out once more its eyes fell on the head , and instantly it was turned into a stone .

and the stone beast is there on the sea-coast to this day .

when this had been done the boy and his bride set forth for home , and landed at the harbor of his native land .

she did not know , of course , where the boy had gone , but thought the King had slain him secretly .

so now she was running for her very life , and the wicked King was following her with a sword in his hand .

the boy caught the blow on his shield , and cried to the King :

" I swore to bring you the Terrible Head , and see how I keep my oath ! "

now all the people rejoiced , because the wicked King should rule them no longer .

and they asked the boy to be their king , but he said no , he must take his mother home to her father 's house .

presently the boy and his mother and his wife set sail for his mother 's own country , from which she had been driven so unkindly .

thus he was destroyed by his own cowardice and by chance , and thus the prophecy was fulfilled .

THE STORY OF PRETTY GOLDILOCKS

once upon a time there was a princess who was the prettiest creature in the world .

now one of her neighbors was a young king who was not married .

so he resolved to send an ambassador to ask her in marriage .

she only answered that she was very much obliged to the King , but she had no wish to be married .

now there was at the Court a young man , who was more clever and handsome than anyone else .

" if the King had sent me to the Princess Goldilocks I am sure she would have come back with me . "

his enemies at once went to the King and said :

the King was very angry when he heard this .

go , and let him be shut up in my great tower to die of hunger . "

one day when he was in despair he said to himself :

" how can I have offended the King ?

I am his most faithful subject , and have done nothing against him . "

the King chanced to be passing the tower and recognized the voice of his former favorite .

he stopped to listen in spite of Charming 's enemies , who tried to persuade him to have nothing more to do with the traitor .

but the King said :

" be quiet , I wish to hear what he says . "

and then he opened the tower door and called to Charming , who came very sadly and kissed the King 's hand , saying :

" what have I done , sire , to deserve this cruel treatment ? "

but I cannot see what there is in that to make you angry . "

charming replied that he was perfectly willing to go , and would set out the very next day .

" but you must wait till I can get a grand escort for you , " said the King .

in leaping after little flies she had thrown herself high upon the bank , where she had lain till she was nearly dead .

" I thank you , Charming , for the kindness you have done me .

you have saved my life ; one day I will repay you . "

So saying , she sank down into the water again , leaving Charming greatly astonished at her politeness .

another day , as he journeyed on , he saw a raven in great distress .

the raven perched upon a tree very joyfully .

charming thought it was very nice of the raven to say so , and went on his way .

" it does not need many words to tell you how great a service you have done me .

I was caught ; in a few minutes the fowlers would have been here without your help I should have been killed .

I am grateful , and one day I will repay you . "

when he arrived he thought everything he saw delightful and magnificent .

" indeed he does , madam , " said all her maids of honor in one breath .

" well to be sure , " said the Princess , " that 's how you amuse yourselves , is it ?

looking at strangers out of the window !

be quick and give me my blue satin embroidered dress , and comb out my golden hair .

then Charming was led in , and was so struck with astonishment and admiration that at first not a word could he say .

but she answered that she did not want any presents , and that he was to remember what she had just told him .

all night Charming sighed and lamented .

" how am I to find a ring that fell into the river a month ago ? " said he .

" it is useless to try ; the Princess must have told me to do it on purpose , knowing it was impossible . "

and then he sighed again .

frisk heard him and said :

" my dear master , don't despair ; the luck may change , you are too good not to be happy .

let us go down to the river as soon as it is light . "

but Charming only gave him two little pats and said nothing , and very soon he fell asleep .

Charming was thinking sadly of having to go back unsuccessful when he heard someone calling : " charming , Charming ! "

he looked all about him and thought he must be dreaming , as he could not see anybody .

then he walked on and the voice called again : " charming , Charming ! "

" who calls me ? " said he .

frisk , who was very small and could look closely into the water , cried out : " I see a golden carp coming . "

and sure enough there was the great carp , who said to Charming :

" you saved my life in the meadow by the willow tree , and I promised that I would repay you .

take this , it is Princess Goldilock 's ring . "

so in came Charming , who presented her with the ring and said :

" madam , I have done your bidding .

will it please you to marry my master ? "

when the Princess saw her ring brought back to her unhurt she was so astonished that she thought she must be dreaming .

" madam , " answered he , " I was helped by nothing but my desire to obey your wishes . "

but what could I do ?

nevertheless , he does not cease to persecute me and to kill my subjects .

so before I can listen to your proposal you must kill him and bring me his head . "

charming was rather dismayed at this command , but he answered :

charming praised his little dog 's plan , but knew that this help would not do much good .

at last he drew near the giant 's castle , and saw to his horror that every path that led to it was strewn with bones .

before long he saw Galifron coming .

his head was higher than the tallest trees , and he sang in a terrible voice :

thereupon Charming sang out as loud as he could to the same tune :

whereupon Charming cut off his head before he knew anything about it , and the raven from a tree close by croaked out :

" you see I have not forgotten the good turn you did me in killing the eagle .

To-day I think I have fulfilled my promise of repaying you . "

" indeed , I owe you more gratitude than you ever owed me , " replied Charming .

and then he mounted his horse and rode off with Galifron 's head .

when he reached the city the people ran after him in crowds , crying :

" behold the brave Charming , who has killed the giant ! "

" oh dear ! no , " said the Princess , " not until you have brought me some water from the Gloomy Cavern .

it is some of this water that I really must have : everything it touches becomes wonderful .

the beautiful things will always remain beautiful , and the ugly things become lovely .

if one is young one never grows old , and if one is old one becomes young .

you see , Charming , I could not leave my kingdom without taking some of it with me . "

where you send me I will go , though I know I shall never return . "

and , as the Princess Goldilocks showed no sign of relenting , he started with his little dog for the Gloomy Cavern .

everyone he met on the way said :

" what a pity that a handsome young man should throw away his life so carelessly !

he is going to the cavern alone , though if he had a hundred men with him he could not succeed .

why does the Princess ask impossibilities ? "

charming said nothing , but he was very sad .

when he was near the top of a hill he dismounted to let his horse graze , while Frisk amused himself by chasing flies .

his body was yellow and green , and his claws scarlet , and his tail was so long that it lay in a hundred coils .

frisk was so terrified at the sight of it that he did not know where to hide .

then find the King my master , and relate all my adventures to him . "

as he spoke he heard a voice calling : " Charming , Charming ! "

" who calls me ? " said he ; then he saw an owl sitting in a hollow tree , who said to him :

" you saved my life when I was caught in the net , now I can repay you .

charming thanked her with all his heart , and joyfully hastened back to the town .

he went straight to the palace and gave the flask to the Princess , who had no further objection to make .

so she thanked Charming , and ordered that preparations should be made for her departure , and they soon set out together .

the Princess found Charming such an agreeable companion that she sometimes said to him : " why didn't we stay where we were ?

I could have made you king , and we should have been so happy ! "

but Charming only answered :

then Charming 's enemies said to the King :

" it is a wonder that you are not jealous , the Queen thinks there is nobody in the world like Charming .

as if anybody you had sent could not have done just as much ! "

" it is quite true , now I come to think of it , " said the King .

" let him be chained hand and foot , and thrown into the tower . "

however , little Frisk came to console him , and told him all the news .

so , without saying a word , she fetched it and stood it upon the Queen 's shelf .

now the water in this flask was what was used in the kingdom for getting rid of troublesome people .

" madam , do not forget poor Charming . "

then , putting a golden crown upon his head , and the royal mantle upon his shoulders , she said :

" come , faithful Charming , I make you king , and will take you for my husband . "

charming , once more free and happy , fell at her feet and thanked her for her gracious words .

( @number@ ) Madame d'Aulnoy .

THE HISTORY OF WHITTINGTON

in his distress he asked charity of several people , and one of them bid him " go to work for an idle rogue . "

besides the crossness of the cook , Whittington had another difficulty to get over before he could be happy .

after some time , however , a gentleman who came to his master 's house gave Whittington a penny for brushing his shoes .

upon which poor Whittington said he had nothing but a cat which he bought for a penny that was given him .

" fetch thy cat , boy , " said the merchant , " and send her . "

all the company laughed at the adventure but Miss Alice , who pitied the poor boy , and gave him something to buy another cat .

" turn again , Whittington , Thrice Lord Mayor of London . "

so home he went , and happily got into the house and about his business before Mrs Cicely made her appearance .

we must now follow Miss Puss to the coast of Africa .

how perilous are voyages at sea , how uncertain the winds and the waves , and how many accidents attend a naval life !

the factor , in surprise , turned round to the nobles and asked if these vermin were not offensive .

the King 's heart heaved so high at the joy which this news gave him that his turban dropped off his head .

the factor , who knew his business , took this opportunity to set forth the merits of Miss Puss .

" run , run , " said the Queen ; " I am impatient to see the dear creature . "

he immediately put down Miss Puss , who killed a great number of them .

upon which the factor called " Pussy , pussy , pussy ! " and she came to him .

the morn had scarcely dawned when Mr Fitzwarren arose to count over the cash and settle the business for that day .

he had just entered the counting-house , and seated himself at the desk , when somebody came , tap , tap , at the door .

" who 's there ? " said Mr Fitzwarren .

" A friend , " answered the other .

" what friend can come at this unseasonable time ? "

" a real friend is never unseasonable , " answered the other .

" I come to bring you good news of your ship Unicorn . "

then they told him the adventures of the cat , and showed him the cabinet of jewels which they had brought for Mr Whittington .

upon which he cried out with great earnestness , but not in the most poetical manner :

" go , send him in , and tell him of his fame , And call him Mr Whittington by name . "

it is not our business to animadvert upon these lines ; we are not critics , but historians .

the merchant , however , made him come in , and ordered a chair to be set for him .

he then gratified the captain , factor , and the ship 's crew for the care they had taken of his cargo .

history further relates that they lived very happy , had several children , and died at a good old age .

Mr Whittington served as Sheriff of London and was three times Lord Mayor .

his Majesty , out of respect to his good character , conferred the honor of knighthood on him soon after .

he also built Newgate for criminals , and gave liberally to St Bartholomew 's Hospital and other public charities .

THE WONDERFUL SHEEP

when he saw them all so beautiful and so gay he embraced them tenderly , but gave Miranda more kisses than either of the others .

" tell me why you have chosen a green dress . "

" why , " said the King , " your wise answers astonish me , and you , Miranda .

what made you dress yourself all in white ?

" because , sire , " she answered , " white suits me better than anything else . "

" what ! " said the King angrily , " was that all you thought of , vain child ? "

" I thought you would be pleased with me , " said the Princess ; " that was all . "

" does the proud girl wish to make me her slave ? " he said to himself .

" I am not surprised at her choosing to dress herself in white satin without a thought of me .

she does not think me worthy of her consideration !

but I will soon put an end to her pretensions ! "

" you have heard the Princess Miranda 's dream ?

if you attempt to deceive me you shall be put to death ! "

the monkey was called Grabugeon , and the little dog Tintin .

" what is the matter ? " she said in the kindest way .

" you seem very sorrowful . "

" alas !

princess , " he answered , " who would not be sorrowful who was ordered to do such a terrible thing as I am ?

the poor Princess was terrified , she grew very pale and began to cry softly .

looking up at the Captain of the Guard with her beautiful eyes , she said gently :

" will you really have the heart to kill me ?

I have never done you any harm , and have always spoken well of you to the King .

" fear nothing , Princess , " said the Captain of the Guard .

" no , no , my little Grabugeon , " replied Miranda , " I cannot bear the thought of taking your life . "

if anyone is to die for her it must be me . "

at last she heard the bleating of a sheep , and said to herself :

alas ! it is not always kings and princes who are the happiest people in the world .

many of them wore golden collars with jewels , flowers , and ribbons .

" approach , lovely Princess , " he cried ; " have no fear of such gentle and peaceable animals as we are . "

" what a marvel ! " cried the Princess , starting back a little .

" here is a sheep that can talk . "

" a fairy gave them the power to speak , " replied Miranda .

" so I was used to them . "

" perhaps the same thing has happened to us , " he said , smiling sheepishly .

" but , Princess , what can have led you here ? "

" a thousand misfortunes , Sir Sheep , " she answered .

" I am the unhappiest princess in the world , and I am seeking a shelter against my father 's anger . "

" I really cannot follow you , " said Miranda , " for I am too tired to walk another step . "

this the King touched with his foot , and immediately it fell down , and he invited the Princess to enter without fear .

" oh ! " she cried , " what can they be ?

whom am I with ? " and she began to cry .

" what is the matter , lovely Princess ? " he cried .

" has anyone failed to treat you with due respect ? "

I was once a king , and my kingdom was the most splendid in the world .

my subjects loved me , my neighbors envied and feared me .

I was respected by everyone , and it was said that no king ever deserved it more .

" ' Who complains of my coldness in this dismal place ? '

I cried .

" ' Why , Ragotte , ' I said , for that was the fairy 's name , ' what is the meaning of all this ?

is it by your orders that I am here ? '

" ' And whose fault is it , ' she answered , ' that you have never understood me until now ?

" ' Treasures ! ' said the fairy , disdainfully .

' If I chose I could make any one of my scullions richer and more powerful than you .

I beg that you will set me at liberty , and then I shall hope to answer you fittingly . '

" ' I intend to make you feel my power .

it seems that you are a lion at present , I mean you to be a sheep . '

" so saying , she touched me with her wand , and I became what you see .

I did not lose the power of speech , or of feeling the misery of my present state .

oh !

Prisoner though he was , the King of the Sheep had still some powers and privileges .

so the Princess 's days passed very gaily while she waited for the happy time to come .

" ah ! " cried the young Princess , " how unlucky I am to miss the sight of so many pretty things !

" why do you complain , Princess ? " said the King of the Sheep .

" did I say that you were not to go to the wedding ?

Miranda was very grateful to him , and promised faithfully that nothing in the world should keep her from coming back .

however , the fear of not getting away made her leave before the marriage was over .

she went out hastily , leaving behind her a little coral casket set with emeralds .

short as Miranda 's absence had been , it had seemed like a hundred years to the King of the Sheep .

as soon as she was in sight he rushed to meet her , leaping and bounding like a real sheep .

after some time came the news that the King 's second daughter was going to be married .

when Miranda heard it she begged the King of the Sheep to allow her to go and see the wedding as before .

" you wish to leave me , Princess , " said he ; " it is my unhappy fate you are not to blame .

so , with the same escort , she set out , and reached the palace as the marriage ceremony began .

at this the Princess could no longer contain herself ; throwing herself at the King 's feet , she cried out :

the King recognized her at once indeed , he had already thought several times how much like his poor little Miranda she was .

" oh ! my dear daughter , " he cried , kissing her , " can you ever forget my cruelty ?

I ordered you to be put to death because I thought your dream portended the loss of my crown .

so saying he put his crown on the Princess 's head and cried :

" long live Queen Miranda ! "

this she did with so much spirit that all the guests listened with breathless interest .

" she is not coming back any more , " he cried .

" my miserable sheep 's face displeases her , and without Miranda what is left to me , wretched creature that I am !

oh ! cruel Ragotte ; my punishment is complete . "

but what a sight met her eyes at the very entrance of the palace !

there lay her dear , kind sheep , silent and motionless , upon the pavement !

( @number@ ) Madame d'Aulnoy .

LITTLE THUMB

there was , once upon a time , a man and his wife fagot-makers by trade , who had several children , all boys .

the eldest was but ten years old , and the youngest only seven .

they were very poor , and their seven children incommoded them greatly , because not one of them was able to earn his bread .

he was very little , and when born no bigger than one 's thumb , which made him be called Little Thumb .

they all went abroad , but Little Thumb never told his brothers one syllable of what he knew .

they went into a very thick forest , where they could not see one another at ten paces distance .

the fagot-maker began to cut wood , and the children to gather up the sticks to make fagots .

when the children saw they were left alone , they began to cry as loud as they could .

then he said to them :

they did so , and he brought them home by the very same way they came into the forest .

they dared not go in , but sat themselves down at the door , listening to what their father and mother were saying .

this gave them new life , for the poor people were almost famished .

the fagot-maker sent his wife immediately to the butcher 's .

as it was a long while since they had eaten a bit , she bought thrice as much meat as would sup two people .

when they had eaten , the woman said :

what are they now doing in the forest ?

alas ! dear God , the wolves have perhaps already eaten them up ; thou art very inhuman thus to have lost thy children . "

he threatened to beat her if she did not hold her tongue .

she was half-drowned in tears , crying out :

" alas ! where are now my children , my poor children ? "

she spoke this so very loud that the children , who were at the gate , began to cry out all together :

" here we are !

here we are ! "

she ran immediately to open the door , and said , hugging them :

night now came on , and there arose a terribly high wind , which made them dreadfully afraid .

they fancied they heard on every side of them the howling of wolves coming to eat them up .

they scarce dared to speak or turn their heads .

he came down , and , when upon the ground , he could see it no more , which grieved him sadly .

they knocked at the door , and a good woman came and opened it ; she asked them what they would have .

Little Thumb told her they were poor children who had been lost in the forest , and desired to lodge there for God 's sake .

the woman , seeing them so very pretty , began to weep , and said to them :

" alas ! poor babies ; whither are ye come ?

do ye know that this house belongs to a cruel ogre who eats up little children ? "

upon this she hid them under the bed and went to open the door .

the Ogre presently asked if supper was ready and the wine drawn , and then sat himself down to table .

the sheep was as yet all raw and bloody ; but he liked it the better for that .

he sniffed about to the right and left , saying :

" I smell fresh meat . "

" what you smell so , " said his wife , " must be the calf which I have just now killed and flayed . "

as he spoke these words he got up from the table and went directly to the bed .

with that he dragged them out from under the bed one by one .

he had already taken hold of one of them when his wife said to him :

" why need you do it now ?

is it not time enough to-morrow ? "

" hold your prating , " said the Ogre ; " they will eat the tenderer .

as for the Ogre , he sat down again to drink , being highly pleased that he had got wherewithal to treat his friends .

he drank a dozen glasses more than ordinary , which got up into his head and obliged him to go to bed .

they had been put to bed early , with every one a crown of gold upon her head .

" let us see , " said he , " how our little rogues do , and not make two jobs of the matter . "

" I should have made a fine piece of work of it , truly ; I find I drank too much last night . "

then he went to the bed where the girls lay ; and , having found the boys ' little bonnets ,

" ah ! " said he , " my merry lads , are you there ?

let us work as we ought . "

and saying these words , without more ado , he cut the throats of all his seven daughters .

well pleased with what he had done , he went to bed again to his wife .

they stole down softly into the garden , and got over the wall .

they kept running about all night , and trembled all the while , without knowing which way they went .

she fainted away , for this is the first expedient almost all women find in such cases .

the Ogre , fearing his wife would be too long in doing what he had ordered , went up himself to help her .

he was no less amazed than his wife at this frightful spectacle .

" ah ! what have I done ? " cried he .

" the wretches shall pay for it , and that instantly . "

he threw a pitcher of water upon his wife 's face , and , having brought her to herself , said :

" give me quickly my boots of seven leagues , that I may go and catch them . "

they espied the Ogre , who went at one step from mountain to mountain , and over rivers as easily as the narrowest kennels .

they took his advice , and got home presently .

Little Thumb came up to the Ogre , pulled off his boots gently and put them on his own legs .

he went immediately to the Ogre 's house , where he saw his wife crying bitterly for the loss of the Ogre 's murdered daughters .

these folks affirm that they are very well assured of this , and the more as having drunk and eaten often at the fagot-maker 's house .

the King promised him a great sum of money upon that condition .

( @number@ ) Charles Perrault .

THE FORTY THIEVES

in a town in Persia there dwelt two brothers , one named Cassim , the other Ali Baba .

he was afraid they were robbers , and climbed into a tree for safety .

when they came up to him and dismounted , he counted forty of them .

they unbridled their horses and tied them to trees .

at last the door opened again , and the Forty Thieves came out .

every man bridled his horse and mounted , the Captain put himself at their head , and they returned as they came .

( @number@ ) sesame is a kind of grain .

he went in and the door shut behind him .

using the words : " shut , Sesame ! " he closed the door and went home .

he bade her keep the secret , and he would go and bury the gold .

" let me first measure it , " said his wife .

" I will go borrow a measure of someone , while you dig the hole . "

so she ran to the wife of Cassim and borrowed a measure .

she grew very curious , and said to Cassim when he came home : " Cassim , your brother is richer than you .

he does not count his money , he measures it . "

he begged her to explain this riddle , which she did by showing him the piece of money and telling him where she found it .

then Cassim grew so envious that he could not sleep , and went to his brother in the morning before sunrise .

Ali Baba , more out of kindness than fear , told him of the cave , and the very words to use .

Cassim left Ali Baba , meaning to be beforehand with him and get the treasure for himself .

he rose early next morning , and set out with ten mules loaded with great chests .

he soon found the place , and the door in the rock .

he said : " open , Sesame ! " and the door opened and shut behind him .

instead of " sesame , " he said : " open , Barley ! " and the door remained fast .

he named several different sorts of grain , all but the right one , and the door still stuck fast .

he was so frightened at the danger he was in that he had as much forgotten the word as if he had never heard it .

about noon the robbers returned to their cave , and saw Cassim 's mules roving about with great chests on their backs .

In vain , however , for the robbers with their sabres soon killed him .

on entering the cave they saw all the bags laid ready , and could not imagine how anyone had got in without knowing their secret .

as night drew on Cassim 's wife grew very uneasy , and ran to her brother-in-law , and told him where her husband had gone .

Ali Baba did his best to comfort her , and set out to the forest in search of Cassim .

the first thing he saw on entering the cave was his dead brother .

he drove the two asses laden with gold into his own yard , and led the other to Cassim 's house .

the door was opened by the slave Morgiana , whom he knew to be both brave and cunning .

I will speak with you again , but now tell your mistress I am come . "

Morgiana , meanwhile , sought an apothecary and asked him for some lozenges .

" my poor master , " she said , " can neither eat nor speak , and no one knows what his distemper is . "

she carried home the lozenges and returned next day weeping , and asked for an essence only given to those just about to die .

next day she went to live with Ali Baba , who gave Cassim 's shop to his eldest son .

the Forty Thieves , on their return to the cave , were much astonished to find Cassim 's body gone and some of their money-bags .

two men must have known it ; we have killed one , we must now find the other .

if the messenger fails he must lose his life , lest we be betrayed . "

the thief bade him good-day , saying : " honest man , how can you possibly see to stitch at your age ? "

then , well pleased , he bade farewell to Baba Mustapha and returned to the forest .

the thief , meantime , told his comrades of his discovery .

the Captain thanked him , and bade him show him the house he had marked .

but when they came to it they saw that five or six of the houses were chalked in the same manner .

then the nineteen mules were loaded with thirty-seven robbers in jars , and the jar of oil , and reached the town by dusk .

he returned to the house , and Morgiana led him to his chamber .

meanwhile her lamp went out , and she had no more oil in the house .

" do not be uneasy , " said Abdallah ; " go into the yard and take some out of one of those jars . "

Morgiana thanked him for his advice , took the oil pot , and went into the yard .

when she came to the first jar the robber inside said softly : " is it time ? "

she went to all the jars , giving the same answer , till she came to the jar of oil .

she now saw that her master , thinking to entertain an oil merchant , had let thirty-eight robbers into his house .

when it boiled she went and poured enough oil into every jar to stifle and kill the robber inside .

in a quarter of an hour the Captain of the robbers awoke , got up , and opened the window .

as all seemed quiet , he threw down some little pebbles which hit the jars .

he listened , and as none of his men seemed to stir he grew uneasy , and went down into the yard .

he then forced the lock of a door leading into a garden , and climbing over several walls made his escape .

Morgiana heard and saw all this , and , rejoicing at her success , went to bed and fell asleep .

at daybreak Ali Baba arose , and , seeing the oil jars still there , asked why the merchant had not gone with his mules .

Morgiana bade him look in the first jar and see if there was any oil .

seeing a man , he started back in terror .

" have no fear , " said Morgiana ; " the man cannot harm you : he is dead . "

Ali Baba , when he had recovered somewhat from his astonishment , asked what had become of the merchant .

Ali Baba at once gave Morgiana her freedom , saying that he owed her his life .

they then buried the bodies in Ali Baba 's garden , while the mules were sold in the market by his slaves .

he dressed himself carefully , and went into the town , where he took lodgings in an inn .

will you not stay and sup with me ? "

he went to give this order to Morgiana , who was much surprised .

" who is this man , " she said , " who eats no salt with his meat ? "

" he is an honest man , Morgiana , " returned her master ; " therefore do as I bid you . "

she sent up the supper by Abdallah , while she made ready for one of the boldest acts that could be thought on .

Abdallah took his tabor and played before Morgiana until they came to the door , where Abdallah stopped playing and Morgiana made a low courtesy .

" unhappy girl ! " cried Ali Baba and his son , " what have you done to ruin us ? "

" it was to preserve you , master , not to ruin you , " answered Morgiana .

" see here , " opening the false merchant 's garment and showing the dagger ; " see what an enemy you have entertained !

remember , he would eat no salt with you , and what more would you have ?

look at him ! he is both the false oil merchant and the Captain of the Forty Thieves . "

the door opened on his saying : " Open Sesame ! "

he went in , and saw that nobody had been there since the Captain left it .

he brought away as much gold as he could carry , and returned to town .

( @number@ ) Arabian Nights .

HANSEL AND GRETTEL

they won't be able to find their way home , and we shall thus be rid of them . "

the wild beasts would soon come and tear them to pieces . "

" but I can't help feeling sorry for the poor children , " added the husband .

the children , too , had not been able to sleep for hunger , and had heard what their step-mother had said to their father .

Grettel wept bitterly and spoke to Hansel : " now it 's all up with us . "

and when the old people had fallen asleep he got up , slipped on his little coat , opened the back door and stole out .

the moon was shining clearly , and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house glittered like bits of silver .

Hansel bent down and filled his pocket with as many of them as he could cram in .

Grettel took the bread under her apron , as Hansel had the stones in his pocket .

then they all set out together on the way to the forest .

take care , and don't lose your footing . "

the woman exclaimed : " what a donkey you are ! that isn't your kitten , that 's the morning sun shining on the chimney . "

Hansel and Grettel heaped up brushwood till they had made a pile nearly the size of a small hill .

Hansel and Grettel sat down beside the fire , and at midday ate their little bits of bread .

they heard the strokes of the axe , so they thought their father was quite near .

and when they had sat for a long time their eyes closed with fatigue , and they fell fast asleep .

when they awoke at last it was pitch dark .

Grettel began to cry , and said : " how are we ever to get out of the wood ? "

but Hansel comforted her .

" wait a bit , " he said , " till the moon is up , and then we 'll find our way sure enough . "

they walked on through the night , and at daybreak reached their father 's house again .

but the father rejoiced , for his conscience had reproached him for leaving his children behind by themselves .

there is no other way of saving ourselves . "

but his wife wouldn't listen to his arguments , and did nothing but scold and reproach him .

but the children were awake , and had heard the conversation .

at early dawn the woman came and made the children get up .

they received their bit of bread , but it was even smaller than the time before .

" Hansel , what are you stopping and looking about you for ? " said the father .

" I 'm looking back at my little pigeon , which is sitting on the roof waving me a farewell , " answered Hansel .

" fool ! " said the wife ; " that isn't your pigeon , it 's the morning sun glittering on the chimney . "

but Hansel gradually threw all his crumbs on the path .

the woman led the children still deeper into the forest farther than they had ever been in their lives before .

at midday Grettel divided her bread with Hansel , for he had strewn his all along their path .

then they fell asleep , and evening passed away , but nobody came to the poor children .

they were very hungry , too , for they had nothing to eat but a few berries they found growing on the ground .

and when its song was finished it flapped its wings and flew on in front of them .

thereupon a shrill voice called out from the room inside :

" nibble , nibble , little mouse , Who 's nibbling my house ? "

the children answered :

" Tis Heaven 's own child , The tempest wild , "

and went on eating , without putting themselves about .

suddenly the door opened , and an ancient dame leaning on a staff hobbled out .

Hansel and Grettel were so terrified that they let what they had in their hands fall .

but the old woman shook her head and said : " oh , ho ! you dear children , who led you here ?

just come in and stay with me , no ill shall befall you . "

( @number@ ) he was a vulgar boy !

when anyone came into her power she killed , cooked , and ate him , and held a regular feast-day for the occasion .

when he 's fat I 'll eat him up . "

Grettel began to cry bitterly , but it was of no use ; she had to do what the wicked witch bade her .

so the best food was cooked for poor Hansel , but Grettel got nothing but crab-shells .

when four weeks had passed and Hansel still remained thin , she lost patience and determined to wait no longer .

" hi , Grettel , " she called to the girl , " be quick and get some water .

Hansel may be fat or thin , I 'm going to kill him to-morrow and cook him . "

oh ! how the poor little sister sobbed as she carried the water , and how the tears rolled down her cheeks !

" just hold your peace , " said the old hag ; " it won't help you . "

Early in the morning Grettel had to go out and hang up the kettle full of water , and light the fire .

" first we 'll bake , " said the old dame ; " I 've heated the oven already and kneaded the dough . "

she pushed Grettel out to the oven , from which fiery flames were already issuing .

then Grettel gave her a shove that sent her right in , shut the iron door , and drew the bolt .

Gracious ! how she yelled , it was quite horrible ; but Grettel fled , and the wretched old woman was left to perish miserably .

then Hansel sprang like a bird out of a cage when the door is opened .

how they rejoiced , and fell on each other 's necks , and jumped for joy , and kissed one another !

" but now , " said Hansel , " let's go and get well away from the witch 's wood . "

when they had wandered about for some hours they came to a big lake .

" we can't get over , " said Hansel ; " I see no bridge of any sort or kind . "

the duck swam toward them , and Hansel got on her back and bade his little sister sit beside him .

then they set off to run , and bounding into the room fell on their father 's neck .

the man had not passed a happy hour since he left them in the wood , but the woman had died .

thus all their troubles were ended , and they lived happily ever afterward .

my story is done .

see ! there runs a little mouse ; anyone who catches it may make himself a large fur cap out of it . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Grimm .

SNOW-WHITE AND ROSE-RED

the figure got up , looked at them kindly , but said nothing , and vanished into the wood .

and when they told their mother of their adventure , she said what they had seen must have been the angel that guards good children .

Snow-white and Rose-red kept their mother 's cottage so beautifully clean and neat that it was a pleasure to go into it .

beside them on the ground lay a little lamb , and behind them perched a little white dove with its head tucked under its wings .

one evening as they sat thus cosily together someone knocked at the door as though he desired admittance .

the mother said : " Rose-red , open the door quickly ; it must be some traveler seeking shelter . "

but the bear began to speak , and said : " don't be afraid : I won't hurt you .

I am half frozen , and only wish to warm myself a little . "

so they both came out of their hiding-places , and gradually the lamb and dove drew near too , and they all forgot their fear .

then the beast stretched himself in front of the fire , and growled quite happily and comfortably .

the children soon grew quite at their ease with him , and led their helpless guest a fearful life .

" Snow-white and Rose-red , Don't beat your lover dead . "

as soon as day dawned the children led him out , and he trotted over the snow into the wood .

" where are you going to , dear bear ? " asked Snow-white .

" I must go to the wood and protect my treasure from the wicked dwarfs .

A short time after this the mother sent the children into the wood to collect fagots .

when they approached nearer they perceived a dwarf with a wizened face and a beard a yard long .

he glared at the girls with his fiery red eyes , and screamed out : " what are you standing there for ?

can't you come and help me ? "

" what were you doing , little man ? " asked Rose-red .

Ugh ! what wretches you are ! "

the children did all in their power , but they couldn't get the beard out ; it was wedged in far too firmly .

" I will run and fetch somebody , " said Rose-red .

" crazy blockheads ! " snapped the dwarf ; " what 's the good of calling anyone else ?

you 're already two too many for me .

does nothing better occur to you than that ? "

with these words he swung the bag over his back , and disappeared without as much as looking at the children again .

shortly after this Snow-white and Rose-red went out to get a dish of fish .

they ran forward and recognized their old friend the dwarf .

" where are you going to ? " asked Rose-red ; " you 're surely not going to jump into the water ? "

" I 'm not such a fool , " screamed the dwarf .

" don't you see that cursed fish is trying to drag me in ? "

nothing remained but to produce the scissors and cut the beard , by which a small part of it was sacrificed .

it wasn't enough that you shortened my beard before , but you must now needs cut off the best bit of it .

I can't appear like this before my own people .

I wish you 'd been in Jericho first . "

it happened that soon after this the mother sent the two girls to the town to buy needles , thread , laces , and ribbons .

their road led over a heath where huge boulders of rock lay scattered here and there .

immediately afterward they heard a sharp , piercing cry .

the tender-hearted children seized hold of the little man , and struggled so long with the bird that at last he let go his prey .

when the dwarf had recovered from the first shock he screamed in his screeching voice : " couldn't you have treated me more carefully ?

you have torn my thin little coat all to shreds , useless , awkward hussies that you are ! "

then he took a bag of precious stones and vanished under the rocks into his cave .

the girls were accustomed to his ingratitude , and went on their way and did their business in town .

the evening sun shone on the glittering stones , and they glanced and gleamed so beautifully that the children stood still and gazed on them .

" what are you standing there gaping for ? " screamed the dwarf , and his ashen-gray face became scarlet with rage .

then he cried in terror : " dear Mr Bear , spare me !

I 'll give you all my treasure .

look at those beautiful precious stones lying there .

spare my life ! what pleasure would you get from a poor feeble little fellow like me ?

you won't feel me between your teeth .

now he has got his well-merited punishment . "

Snow-white married him , and Rose-red his brother , and they divided the great treasure the dwarf had collected in his cave between them .

( @number@ ) Grimm .

THE GOOSE-GIRL

once upon a time an old queen , whose husband had been dead for many years , had a beautiful daughter .

when she grew up she was betrothed to a prince who lived a great way off .

now the Princess 's horse was called Falada , and could speak .

" if your mother only knew , Her heart would surely break in two . "

but the Princess was meek , and said nothing about her maid 's rude behavior , and quietly mounted her horse again .

" if your mother only knew , Her heart would surely break in two . "

but Falada observed everything , and laid it all to heart .

in the meantime the real Princess was left standing below in the courtyard .

the youth 's name was Curdken , and the real bride was made to assist him in herding geese .

soon after this the false bride said to the Prince : " dearest husband , I pray you grant me a favor . "

he answered : " that I will . "

but the truth was she was afraid lest the horse should speak and tell how she had treated the Princess .

she carried her point , and the faithful Falada was doomed to die .

the slaughterer said he would do as she desired , chopped off the head , and nailed it firmly over the gateway .

Early next morning , as she and Curdken were driving their flock through the gate , she said as she passed under :

" oh !

Falada , ' tis you hang there " ;

and the head replied :

" ' Tis you ; pass under , Princess fair : if your mother only knew , Her heart would surely break in two . "

then she left the tower and drove the geese into a field .

and when they had reached the common where the geese fed she sat down and unloosed her hair , which was of pure gold .

Curdken loved to see it glitter in the sun , and wanted much to pull some hair out .

then she spoke :

then a gust of wind blew Curdken 's hat away , and he had to chase it over hill and dale .

when he returned from the pursuit she had finished her combing and curling , and his chance of getting any hair was gone .

Curdken was very angry , and wouldn't speak to her .

so they herded the geese till evening and then went home .

the next morning , as they passed under the gate , the girl said :

" oh !

Falada , ' tis you hang there ; "

and the head replied :

" ' Tis you ; pass under , Princess fair : if your mother only knew , Her heart would surely break in two . "

" for what reason ? " asked the old King .

" ' Oh !

Falada , ' tis you hang there ' ;

and the head replies :

" " Tis you ; pass under , Princess fair : if your mother only knew , Her heart would surely break in two . ' "

and Curdken went on to tell what passed on the common where the geese fed , and how he had always to chase his hat .

then he followed her through the field , and hid himself behind a bush on the common .

in the evening when the goose-girl came home he called her aside , and asked her why she behaved as she did .

the old King begged her to tell him all , and left her no peace , but he could get nothing out of her .

" if my mother only knew Her heart would surely break in two . "

but the old King stood outside at the stove chimney , and listened to her words .

now when they had eaten and drunk , and were merry , the old King asked the waiting-maid to solve a knotty point for him .

( @number@ ) Grimm .

TOADS AND DIAMONDS

THERE was once upon a time a widow who had two daughters .

the eldest was so much like her in the face and humor that whoever looked upon the daughter saw the mother .

they were both so disagreeable and so proud that there was no living with them .

the good woman , having drunk , said to her :

" you are so very pretty , my dear , so good and so mannerly , that I cannot help giving you a gift . "

when this pretty girl came home her mother scolded her for staying so long at the fountain .

" I beg your pardon , mamma , " said the poor girl , " for not making more haste . "

and in speaking these words there came out of her mouth two roses , two pearls , and two diamonds .

" what is it I see there ? " said the mother , quite astonished .

" I think I see pearls and diamonds come out of the girl 's mouth !

how happens this , child ? "

this was the first time she had ever called her child .

the poor creature told her frankly all the matter , not without dropping out infinite numbers of diamonds .

" In good faith , " cried the mother , " I must send my child thither .

come hither , Fanny ; look what comes out of thy sister 's mouth when she speaks .

Wouldst not thou be glad , my dear , to have the same gift given thee ?

" it would be a very fine sight indeed , " said this ill-bred minx , " to see me go draw water . "

" you shall go , hussy ! " said the mother ; " and this minute . "

so away she went , but grumbling all the way , taking with her the best silver tankard in the house .

" am I come hither , " said the proud , saucy one , " to serve you with water , pray ?

I suppose the silver tankard was brought purely for your ladyship , was it ?

however , you may drink out of it , if you have a fancy . "

" you are not over and above mannerly , " answered the Fairy , without putting herself in a passion .

so soon as her mother saw her coming she cried out :

" well , daughter ? "

" well , mother ? " answered the pert hussy , throwing out of her mouth two vipers and two toads .

" oh ! mercy , " cried the mother ; " what is it I see ?

the poor child fled away from her , and went to hide herself in the forest , not far from thence .

" alas ! sir , my mamma has turned me out of doors . "

( @number@ ) Charles Perrault .

PRINCE DARLING

ONCE upon a time there lived a king who was so just and kind that his subjects called him " the Good King . "

the King stroked it gently , and said to it :

" well , bunny , as you have come to me for protection I will see that nobody hurts you . "

but she said to him :

" I am the Fairy Truth .

if you had refused to help me I should have been certain that you were wicked .

I thank you for the kindness you have shown me , which has made me your friend for ever .

you have only to ask me for anything you want and I promise that I will give it to you . "

" madam , " said the good King , " since you are a fairy you no doubt know all my wishes .

I have but one son whom I love very dearly , that is why he is called Prince Darling .

if you are really good enough to wish to do me a favor , I beg that you will become his friend . "

" with all my heart , " answered the Fairy .

you know well he would still be unhappy .

only a good man can be really contented . "

the good King was quite satisfied with this promise ; and very soon afterward he died .

two days afterward , when the Prince had gone to bed , the Fairy suddenly appeared to him and said :

at the same time she put a little gold ring upon his finger .

So saying , the Fairy disappeared , leaving Prince Darling very much astonished .

when he got home and went to his own room , his little dog Bibi ran to meet him , jumping round him with pleasure .

" get away ! " said the Prince , quite gruffly .

" I don't want you , you are in the way . "

instantly his ring pricked him sharply , as if it had been a pin .

he was very much surprised , and sat down in a corner of his room feeling quite ashamed of himself .

" I believe the Fairy is laughing at me , " he thought .

" surely I can have done no great wrong in just kicking a tiresome animal !

what is the good of my being ruler of a great kingdom if I am not even allowed to beat my own dog ? "

" I am not making fun of you , " said a voice , answering Prince Darling 's thoughts .

" you have committed three faults .

the fact was he had been brought up by a foolish nurse , who had spoiled him when he was little .

not that he was naturally of a bad disposition ; he was truly sorry when he had been naughty , and said :

her name was Celia , and she was as good as she was beautiful .

" sire , I am only a shepherdess , and a poor girl , but , nevertheless , I will not marry you . "

" do you dislike me ? " asked the Prince , who was very much vexed at this answer .

the Prince was very angry at this speech , and commanded his officers to make Celia a prisoner and carry her off to his palace .

" you are very kind to trouble yourself about this little girl ; if I were you I would soon make her obey me .

" but , " said Prince Darling , " would it not be a shame if I had an innocent girl put to death ?

for Celia has done nothing to deserve punishment . "

his anger was terrible , and he vowed vengeance against whoever had helped her to escape .

it is time that I should fulfil my promise , and begin your punishment .

I condemn you to resemble the animals whose ways you have imitated .

you have made yourself like the lion by your anger , and like the wolf by your greediness .

therefore , in your new form , take the appearance of all these animals . "

the Fairy had scarcely finished speaking when Prince Darling saw to his horror that her words were fulfilled .

he had a lion 's head , a bull 's horns , a wolf 's feet , and a snake 's body .

alas ! " he continued , " he was led away by flatterers .

we may hate his faults , but let us pity him and hope for his restoration .

as for me , I would die gladly if that could bring back our Prince to reign justly and worthily once more . "

he left off tearing at the iron bars of the cage in which he was shut up , and became as gentle as a lamb .

one day when this keeper was asleep a tiger broke its chain , and flew at him to eat him up .

" I would return good for evil , " he said to himself , " and save the unhappy man 's life . "

so poor Prince Darling was terribly hungry all day long , but he was very patient about it .

numbers of people splendidly dressed were going into it , and sounds of music and dancing and feasting could be heard from the windows .

Prince Darling went up to a young girl who was trying to eat a few blades of grass , she was so hungry .

Touched with compassion , he said to himself :

so he laid his piece of bread in the girl 's hand , and saw her eat it up eagerly .

he determined not to quit the place till he knew what had become of Celia , and blamed himself for what had befallen her .

at the same moment a voice said :

" you see a good action always brings its reward , " and the Prince found himself changed into a beautiful white dove .

" I accept the gift that you make me of yourself , and I will love you always . "

" Celia has loved you ever since she first saw you , only she would not tell you while you were so obstinate and naughty .

Celia and Prince Darling threw themselves at the Fairy 's feet , and the Prince was never tired of thanking her for her kindness .

while she was speaking , they found themselves in Suliman 's hall , and his delight was great at seeing his dear master once more .

he gave up the throne joyfully to the Prince , and remained always the most faithful of his subjects .

( @number@ ) Cabinet des Fees .

BLUE BEARD

one of his neighbors , a lady of quality , had two daughters who were perfect beauties .

he desired of her one of them in marriage , leaving to her choice which of the two she would bestow on him .

there was nothing then to be seen but parties of pleasure , hunting , fishing , dancing , mirth , and feasting .

nobody went to bed , but all passed the night in rallying and joking with each other .

as soon as they returned home , the marriage was concluded .

but for this little one here , it is the key of the closet at the end of the great gallery on the ground floor .

( these were all the wives whom Blue Beard had married and murdered , one after another . )

his wife did all she could to convince him she was extremely glad of his speedy return .

" what ! " said he , " is not the key of my closet among the rest ? "

" I must certainly have left it above upon the table , " said she .

" fail not to bring it to me presently , " said Blue Beard .

after several goings backward and forward she was forced to bring him the key .

blue Beard , having very attentively considered it , said to his wife ,

" how comes this blood upon the key ? "

" I do not know , " cried the poor woman , paler than death .

" you do not know ! " replied Blue Beard .

" I very well know .

you were resolved to go into the closet , were you not ?

mighty well , madam ; you shall go in , and take your place among the ladies you saw there . "

she would have melted a rock , so beautiful and sorrowful was she ; but Blue Beard had a heart harder than any rock !

" you must die , madam , " said he , " and that presently . "

" I give you , " replied Blue Beard , " half a quarter of an hour , but not one moment more . "

when she was alone she called out to her sister , and said to her :

her sister Anne went up upon the top of the tower , and the poor afflicted wife cried out from time to time :

" Anne , sister Anne , do you see anyone coming ? "

and sister Anne said :

" I see nothing but the sun , which makes a dust , and the grass , which looks green . "

" come down instantly , or I shall come up to you . "

and sister Anne answered :

" I see nothing but the sun , which makes a dust , and the grass , which is green . "

" come down quickly , " cried Blue Beard , " or I will come up to you . "

" I see , " replied sister Anne , " a great dust , which comes on this side here . "

" are they my brothers ? "

" alas ! no , my dear sister , I see a flock of sheep . "

" will you not come down ? " cried Blue Beard

" I see , " said she , " two horsemen , but they are yet a great way off . "

then Blue Beard bawled out so loud that he made the whole house tremble .

the distressed wife came down , and threw herself at his feet , all in tears , with her hair about her shoulders .

" no , no , " said he , " recommend thyself to God , " and was just ready to strike ....y

at this very instant there was such a loud knocking at the gate that Blue Beard made a sudden stop .

the gate was opened , and presently entered two horsemen , who , drawing their swords , ran directly to Blue Beard .

the poor wife was almost as dead as her husband , and had not strength enough to rise and welcome her brothers .

Blue Beard had no heirs , and so his wife became mistress of all his estate .

( @number@ ) Charles Perrault .

TRUSTY JOHN

then he said , " send Trusty John to me . "

now Trusty John was his favorite servant , and was so called because all his life he had served him so faithfully .

now when the time of mourning was over , Trusty John said to him : " it is time you should see your inheritance .

I will show you your ancestral castle . "

" there is something inside that would appall you , " he answered .

it might bring both you and me to great grief . "

now I don't budge from the spot till you have opened the door . "

then he poured wine down his throat till he came to himself again .

the first words he spoke were : " oh ! who is the original of the beautiful picture ? "

" she is the Princess of the Golden Roof , " answered Trusty John .

you are my most trusty John : you must stand by me . "

we shall go to her with them and try our luck . "

and so they crossed the seas and journeyed till they reached the town where the Princess of the Golden Roof dwelt .

Trusty John made the King remain behind on the ship and await his return .

then he took a few of the gold things in his apron , went ashore , and proceeded straight to the palace .

when he came to the courtyard he found a beautiful maiden standing at the well , drawing water with two golden pails .

and as she was about to carry away the glittering water she turned round and saw the stranger , and asked him who he was .

then he replied : " I am a merchant , " and opening his apron , he let her peep in .

she took him by the hand and let him into the palace , for she was the lady 's maid .

she stepped on to the ship , and the King led her inside .

but Trusty John remained behind with the steersman , and ordered the ship to push off .

" Spread all sail , that we may fly on the ocean like a bird in the air . "

many hours passed thus , and she was so happy that she did not notice that the ship was sailing away .

the first time I saw your likeness I fell to the ground in a swoon . "

he ceased playing , and listened to what they were saying , for he understood their language .

the one croaked : " ah , ha ! so he 's bringing the Princess of the Golden Roof home . "

" yes , " answered the second , " but he 's not got her yet . "

" yes , he has , " spake the third , " for she 's sitting beside him on the ship . "

then number one began again and cried : " that 'll not help him !

" is there no escape for him ? " asked number two .

but who 's to do that ?

and anyone who knows it and tells him will be turned into stone from his feet to his knees . "

number three asked : " is there no way of escape , then ? "

but what 's the good ?

anyone knowing this and telling it will have half his body turned into stone , from his knees to his heart . "

at last he said : " I will stand by my master , though it should be my ruin . "

now when they drew near the land it came to pass just as the ravens had predicted , and a splendid chestnut horse bounded forward .

but the King spake : " silence ! let him alone ; he is ever my most trusty John .

who knows for what good end he may have done this thing ? "

but the young King spoke : " who knows for what good purpose he does it ?

let him alone , he is my most trusty John . "

then the wedding was celebrated , the dance began , and the bride joined in , but Trusty John watched her countenance carefully .

of a sudden she grew deadly white , and fell to the ground as if she were dead .

on the following morning sentence was passed on Trusty John , and he was condemned to be hanged .

" yes , " said the King , " it shall be granted to you . "

then the King cried : " oh ! my most trusty John , pardon ! pardon !

take him down . "

but as he uttered the last word Trusty John had fallen lifeless to the ground , and was a stone .

and the King cried out : " all I have in the world will I give up for your sake . "

as she entered he said to her : " did you pray in church ? "

Trusty John is free once more , and we have our two small sons again . "

then he related to her all that had passed , and they lived together happily ever afterward . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Grimm .

THE BRAVE LITTLE TAILOR

one summer 's day a little tailor sat on his table by the window in the best of spirits , and sewed for dear life .

the woman , who had hoped to find a good market , gave him what he wanted , but went away grumbling wrathfully .

he fetched some bread out of a cupboard , cut a round off the loaf , and spread the jam on it .

" that won't taste amiss , " he said ; " but I 'll finish that waistcoat first before I take a bite . "

" Ha ! who invited you ? " said the tailor , and chased the unwelcome guests away .

but the flies , who didn't understand English , refused to let themselves be warned off , and returned again in even greater numbers .

when he left off he counted the slain , and no fewer than seven lay dead before him with outstretched legs .

" what a desperate fellow I am ! " said he , and was filled with admiration at his own courage .

then he went on his way merrily , and being light and agile he never felt tired .

his way led up a hill , on the top of which sat a powerful giant , who was calmly surveying the landscape .

I 'm just on my way there .

what do you say to accompanying me ? "

the giant looked contemptuously at the tailor , and said : " what a poor wretched little creature you are ! "

" that 's a good joke , " answered the little tailor , and unbuttoning his coat he showed the giant the girdle .

" there now , you can read what sort of a fellow I am . "

" now you do the same , " said the giant , " if you really wish to be thought strong . "

" my squeeze was in sooth better than yours , " said he .

the giant didn't know what to say , for he couldn't have believed it of the little fellow .

to prove him again , the giant lifted a stone and threw it so high that the eye could hardly follow it .

" now , my little pigmy , let me see you do that . "

he dived into his wallet again , and grasping the bird in his hand , he threw it up into the air .

the bird , enchanted to be free , soared up into the sky , and flew away never to return .

" well , what do you think of that little piece of business , friend ? " asked the tailor .

" you can certainly throw , " said the giant ; " but now let's see if you can carry a proper weight . "

there he sat behind in the best of spirits , lustily whistling a tune , as if carrying the tree were mere sport .

the giant , after dragging the heavy weight for some time , could get on no further , and shouted out : " hi !

I must let the tree fall . "

I jumped over the tree because the huntsmen are shooting among the branches near us .

do you do the like if you dare . "

the giant showed him a bed and bade him lie down and have a good sleep .

but the bed was too big for the little tailor , so he didn't get into it , but crept away into the corner .

while he lay there the people came , and looking him all over read on his girdle : " seven at a blow . "

" oh ! " they said , " what can this great hero of a hundred fights want in our peaceful land ?

he must indeed be a mighty man of valor . "

the messenger remained standing by the sleeper , and waited till he stretched his limbs and opened his eyes , when he tendered his proposal .

" that 's the very thing I came here for , " he answered ; " I am quite ready to enter the King 's service . "

so he was received with all honor , and given a special house of his own to live in .

but the other officers resented the success of the little tailor , and wished him a thousand miles away .

There'll soon be an end of us . "

so they resolved to go in a body to the King , and all to send in their papers .

" we are not made , " they said , " to hold out against a man who kills seven at a blow . "

he pondered long and deeply over the matter , and finally came to a conclusion .

" done with you , " he answered ; " I 'll soon put an end to the giants .

the little tailor set out , and the hundred horsemen followed him .

after a while he spied the two giants lying asleep under a tree , and snoring till the very boughs bent with the breeze .

the little tailor lost no time in filling his wallet with stones , and then climbed up the tree under which they lay .

" I didn't strike you , " said the other , " you must be dreaming . "

why did you throw something at me ? "

" I didn't throw anything , " growled the first one .

they wrangled on for a time , till , as both were tired , they made up the matter and fell asleep again .

then the little tailor jumped down .

" weren't you wounded ? " asked the horsemen .

" no fear , " answered the tailor ; " they haven't touched a hair of my head . "

A unicorn is running about loose in the wood , and doing much mischief ; you must first catch it . "

" I 'm even less afraid of one unicorn than of two giants ; seven at a blow , that 's my motto . "

still the King didn't want to give him the promised reward and made a third demand .

" willingly , " said the tailor ; " that 's mere child 's play . "

the boar pursued him into the church , but the tailor skipped round to the door , and closed it securely .

so the raging beast was caught , for it was far too heavy and unwieldy to spring out of the window .

the little tailor summoned the huntsmen together , that they might see the prisoner with their own eyes .

had he known that no hero-warrior , but only a little tailor stood before him , it would have gone even more to his heart .

so the wedding was celebrated with much splendor and little joy , and the tailor became a king .

" I 'll soon put a stop to the business , " said the tailor .

so the little tailor was and remained a king all the days of his life .

a VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT

CHAPTER I

my father had a small estate in Nottinghamshire , and I was the third of four sons .

we set sail from Bristol , @date@ ; and our voyage at first was very prosperous .

but in our passage to the East Indies we were driven by a violent storm to the north-west of Van Diemen 's Land .

twelve of our crew died from hard labor and bad food , and the rest were in a very weak condition .

we therefore trusted ourselves to the mercy of the waves ; and in about half an hour the boat was upset by a sudden squall .

by this time the storm was much abated .

I was extremely tired , and with the heat of the weather I found myself much inclined to sleep .

when I woke , it was just daylight .

I could only look upward .

the sun began to grow hot , and the light hurt my eyes .

I heard a confused noise about me , but could see nothing except the sky .

in the meantime I felt at least forty more following the first .

there were legs and shoulders like mutton but smaller than the wings of a lark .

I ate them two or three at a mouthful , and took three loaves at a time .

they supplied me as fast as they could , with a thousand marks of wonder at my appetite .

I then made a sign that I wanted something to drink .

I drank it off at a draught , which I might well do , for it did not hold half a pint .

they brought me a second hogshead , which I drank , and made signs for more ; but they had none to give me .

after some time there appeared before me a person of high rank from his Imperial Majesty .

then they daubed my face and hands with a sweet-smelling ointment , which in a few minutes removed all the smarts of the arrows .

the relief from pain and hunger made me drowsy , and presently I fell asleep .

five hundred carpenters and engineers were immediately set to work to prepare the engine .

but the difficulty was to place me on it .

then I rose up , feeling as melancholy as ever I did in my life .

but the noise and astonishment of the people on seeing me rise and walk were inexpressible .

however , I have had him since many times in my hand , and therefore cannot be deceived .

his dress was very simple ; but he wore a light helmet of gold , adorned with jewels and a plume .

his voice was shrill , but very clear .

his Imperial Majesty spoke often to me , and I answered ; but neither of us could understand a word .

CHAPTER II

but the colonel ordered six of them to be seized and delivered bound into my hands .

the poor man screamed terribly , and the colonel and his officers were much distressed , especially when they saw me take out my penknife .

six hundred servants were appointed me , and three hundred tailors made me a suit of clothes .

I took up the two officers , and put them into my coat pockets .

in the left pocket we saw a huge silver chest , with a silver cover , which we could not lift .

in the smaller pocket on the right side were several round flat pieces of white and red metal , of different sizes .

some of the white , which appeared to be silver , were so large and heavy that my comrade and I could hardly lift them .

" this is a list of what we found about the body of the Man-Mountain , who treated us with great civility . "

CHAPTER III

the natives came by degrees to be less fearful of danger from me .

I amused the Emperor one day in a very extraordinary manner .

I took nine sticks , and fixed them firmly in the ground in a square .

then I took four other sticks , and tied them parallel at each corner , about two feet from the ground .

his majesty approved of the proposal , and I took them up one by one , with the proper officers to exercise them .

however , I would not trust to the strength of it any more in such dangerous enterprises .

however , he agreed at length , though he succeeded in himself drawing up the conditions on which I should be set free .

but I have made a translation of the conditions , which I here offer to the public :

" first .

the Man-Mountain shall not depart from our dominions without our license under the great seal .

" Second .

" third .

" fourth .

" fifth .

" sixth .

" lastly .

given at our palace at Belfaburac , the twelfth day of the ninety-first moon of our reign . "

I swore to these articles with great cheerfulness , whereupon my chains were immediately unlocked , and I was at full liberty .

he ordered his coach to wait at a distance , and desired that I would give him an hour 's audience .

whereupon the Emperor , his father , made a law commanding all his subjects to break the smaller end of their eggs .

it is calculated that eleven hundred persons have at different times suffered rather than break their eggs at the smaller end .

therefore his Imperial Majesty , placing great confidence in your valor and strength , has commanded me to set the case before you . "

CHAPTER IV

it was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy 's whole fleet .

the Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide .

I then came back to my house and gave orders for a great quantity of the strongest cables and bars of iron .

the cable was about as thick as packthread , and the bars of the length and size of a knitting-needle .

then , fastening a hook to the hole at the prow of each ship , I tied all the cords together at the end .

meanwhile the enemy discharged several thousand arrows , many of which stuck in my hands and face .

thus the boldest part of my enterprise remained .

the Emperor and his whole Court stood on the shore awaiting me .

the Emperor concluded that I was drowned , and that the enemy 's fleet was approaching in a hostile manner .

there were six ambassadors , with a train of about five hundred persons , all very magnificent .

accordingly , the next time I had the honor to see our Emperor I desired his general permission to visit the Blefuscudian monarch .

this he granted me , but in a very cold manner , of which I afterward learned the reason .

this lord and others have accused you of treason , and several councils have been called in the most private manner on your account .

" moreover , you are now preparing , contrary to the duty of a faithful subject , to voyage to the Court of Blefuscu .

" thus , through the great friendship of the secretary the affair was arranged .

his lordship did so ; and I remained alone , in great perplexity .

at last , having his Majesty 's leave to pay my respects to the Emperor of Blefuscu , I resolved to take this opportunity .

but in this , it soon appeared , I was deceived .

CHAPTER V

the Emperor of Blefuscu answered with many civil excuses .

he said that as for sending me bound , his brother knew it was impossible .

in about a month I was ready to take leave .

many other ceremonies took place at my departure .

having thus prepared all things as well as I was able , I set sail .

when I had made twenty-four leagues , by my reckoning , from the island of Blefuscu , I saw a sail steering to the northeast .

I came up with her between five and six in the evening , Sept .

@number@ @number@ but my heart leaped within me to see her English colors .

I put my cows and sheep into my coat pockets , and got on board with all my little cargo .

however , I took my black cattle and sheep out of my pocket , which , after great astonishment , clearly convinced him .


I stayed two months with my wife and family ; but my eager desire to see foreign countries would suffer me to remain no longer .

( @number@ ) Swift .

THE PRINCESS ON THE GLASS HILL

so the next oldest son was willing to show what he could do .

the year after , it was Cinderlad 's turn , but when he made ready to go the others laughed at him , and mocked him .

Cinderlad , however , did not trouble himself about what they said , but when evening drew near rambled away to the outlying field .

" well , if it gets no worse than that , I can manage to stand it , " thought Cinderlad .

in a little time the creaking began again , and the earth quaked so that all the hay flew about the boy .

" oh ! if it gets no worse than that I can manage to stand it , " thought Cinderlad .

" I am pretty sure that it will come again , " thought Cinderlad ; but no , it did not .

he stole away to the door , which was ajar , to see what was there , and a horse was standing eating .

so he mounted it and rode away to a place which no one knew of but himself , and there he tied it up .

when he went home again his brothers laughed and asked how he had got on .

" you didn't lie long in the barn , if even you have been so far as the field ! " said they .

" God knows what there was to make you two so frightened . "

then the boy rode this horse , too , away to the place where he kept the other , and then went home again .

" I suppose you will tell us that you have watched well again this time , " said the brothers .

" well , so I have , " said Cinderlad .

then he mounted it and rode away to the place where he had the two others , and then he went home again .

they did go , and this time too the grass was standing , looking as fine and as thick as ever .

the King had this proclaimed in every church in the whole kingdom , and in many other kingdoms too .

the Princess was very beautiful , and all who saw her fell violently in love with her , even in spite of themselves .

" well , then , I will go all alone by myself , " said Cinderlad .

nor was that strange , for the hill was as smooth as a glass window-pane , and as steep as the side of a house .

but no one had anything to show .

one knight presented himself after the other , and none could show the apple .

at night , too , Cinderlad 's brothers came home again and had a long story to tell about riding up the glass hill .

" oh !

" Well , well , then I will go all alone by myself , " said Cinderlad .

when they had tired out their horses , so that they could do no more , they again had to stop altogether .

but nothing was to be seen of him .

he took his horse two-thirds of the way up the hill , but then he turned back .

he was a fine fellow , " said the brothers , " and the Princess threw the second golden apple to him ! "

" oh , how I should have liked to see him too ! " said Cinderlad .

" oh , indeed !

he was a little brighter than the ashes that you sit grubbing among , you dirty black creature ! " said the brothers .

on the third day everything went just as on the former days .

" he was a fine fellow , that was !

such another splendid knight is not to be found on earth ! " said the brothers .

" oh , how I should have liked to see him too ! " said Cinderlad .

they all went in turn , first princes , and then knights , but none of them had a golden apple .

so he commanded that everyone in the kingdom should come to the palace , and see if he could show the apple .

they were the last of all , so the King inquired of them if there was no one else in the kingdom left to come .

" oh ! yes , we have a brother , " said the two , " but he never got the golden apple !

he never left the cinder-heap on any of the three days . "

" never mind that , " said the King ; " as everyone else has come to the palace , let him come too . "

so Cinderlad was forced to go to the King 's palace .

" Hast thou the golden apple ? " asked the King .

" thou shalt have my daughter , and the half of my kingdom , and thou hast well earned both ! " said the King .

( @number@ ) Asbjornsen and Moe .

THE STORY OF PRINCE AHMED AND THE FAIRY PARIBANOU

there was a sultan , who had three sons and a niece .

the eldest of the Princes was called Houssain , the second Ali , the youngest Ahmed , and the Princess , his niece , Nouronnihar .

the Princess Nouronnihar was the daughter of the younger brother of the Sultan , who died , and left the Princess very young .

but when he perceived that the three Princes , his sons , loved her passionately , he thought more seriously on that affair .

they went the first day 's journey together , and lay all at an inn , where the road was divided into three different tracts .

Prince Houssain could not view this division without admiration .

it was large , and divided into several streets , all vaulted and shaded from the sun , and yet very light too .

" certainly , " answered Prince Houssain , " it must have something very extraordinary in it , which I know nothing of . "

here he passed for a jeweler .

if he is not , I am very much deceived . "

and if he cries the ivory perspective glass at thirty purses it must be worth as much or more , on some account or other .

Prince Ali accepted the merchant 's obliging offer , and presently afterward the crier passed by .

I should be very much amazed myself if I did not know you . "

upon which Prince Ahmed told the crier he would give him forty purses if he cured the sick person .

when the Princes met they showed each other their treasures , and immediately saw through the glass that the Princess was dying .

they then sat down on the carpet , wished themselves with her , and were there in a moment .

while the Princess was dressing the Princes went to throw themselves at the Sultan their father 's feet , and pay their respects to him .

" you must also grant that that knowledge would have been of no service without the artificial apple and the tapestry .

go and get each of you a bow and arrow , and repair to the great plain , where they exercise horses .

I 'll soon come to you , and declare I will give the Princess Nouronnihar to him that shoots the farthest . "

the three Princes had nothing to say against the decision of the Sultan .

Prince Houssain would not honor the feast with his presence .

II

" there must be some mystery in this , " said he to himself again , " and it may be advantageous to me .

at last he returned the lady 's compliment by throwing himself at her feet , and , rising up again , said to her :

" Prince , " said the lady , " let us go into the hall , there I will gratify you in your request . "

after these words the lady led Prince Ahmed into the hall .

you are undoubtedly sensible that your religion teaches you to believe that the world is inhabited by genies as well as men .

I am the daughter of one of the most powerful and distinguished genies , and my name is Paribanou .

yes , my sultaness , my queen , I 'll give you my heart without the least reserve . "

" then , " answered the Fairy , " you are my husband , and I am your wife .

I could also charm you with my gardens , but we will let that alone till another time .

night draws near , and it will be time to go to supper . "

the wedding feast was continued the next day , or , rather , the days following the celebration were a continual feast .

" Prince , " said she , " go when you please .

but first , don't take it amiss that I give you some advice how you shall behave yourself where you are going .

she appointed twenty gentlemen , well mounted and equipped , to attend him .

when all was ready Prince Ahmed took his leave of the Fairy , embraced her , and renewed his promise to return soon .

as it was not a great way to his father 's capital , Prince Ahmed soon arrived there .

the people , glad to see him again , received him with acclamations of joy , and followed him in crowds to the Sultan 's apartment .

don't you remember the promise you made to go and see him often ?

for several months he constantly paid his visits , always in a richer and finer equipage .

so he sent for a female magician , who was introduced by a back door into his apartment .

the magician , seeing him coming , followed him with her eyes , till on a sudden she lost sight of him and his attendants .

" good woman , " replied Prince Ahmed , " you are not so far from help as you imagine .

go and pursue your journey . "

this discourse of the Fairy 's did not in the least frighten Prince Ahmed .

then he went back to his father 's palace .

in the meantime the two women carried the magician into a very fine apartment , richly furnished .

you will find the effect of it in less than an hour 's time . "

when she was laid down again the two women covered her up .

" Lie quiet , " said she who brought her the china cup , " and get a little sleep if you can .

we 'll leave you , and hope to find you perfectly cured when we come again an hour hence . "

I am so sensible of the great importance it is to me that I shall deliberate upon it in council . "

next day the Sultan did as the magician had advised him , and asked for the pavilion .

but beforehand , I desire you to forgive me , and consider that you yourself have reduced me to this extremity . "

the Prince went back , and was very sad for fear of offending the Fairy .

but remember it is the Sultan my father asks this favor . "

" what !

Prince , " cried she , " do you think I jest with you ?

you 'll see presently that I am in earnest .

he took the tent and after he had admired its smallness his amazement was so great that he could not recover himself .

but the Sultan was not yet satisfied .

but you must do one thing more for me , which will be every whit as agreeable to me .

do me this other important piece of service , and thereby complete the duty of a good son toward a tender father . "

but don't let that frighten you : I 'll give you means to pass by them without any danger . "

I 'll tell you presently the use of it .

in the third place , you must be provided with a bottle , which I will give you , to bring the water in .

the lions will be so busy eating they will let you pass by them . "

Prince Ahmed set out the next morning at the time appointed by the Fairy , and followed her directions exactly .

in short , how can he suppose that I should lay hold of a man so well armed , though he is but little ?

what arms can I make use of to reduce him to my will ?

if there are any means , I beg you will tell them , and let me come off with honor this time . "

" what ! my Queen , " replied Prince Ahmed , " do you say Schaibar is your brother ?

some moments after the Fairy said to Prince Ahmed : " see , there comes my brother . "

to which she replied : " he is my husband , brother .

his name is Ahmed ; he is son to the Sultan of the Indies .

it is enough for me that he is your husband to engage me to do for him whatever he desires . "

" he needs but lead me the way I 'll follow him . "

the next morning , after Schaibar had been informed of the affair , he and Prince Ahmed set out for the Sultan 's Court .

here likewise the ushers , at the approach of Schaibar , abandoned their posts , and gave them free admittance .

let the magician be brought to me presently . "

( @number@ ) Arabian Nights .

THE HISTORY OF JACK THE GIANT-KILLER

the giant had done this for many years when Jack resolved to destroy him .

there he dug a pit twenty-two feet deep and twenty broad .

he covered the top over so as to make it look like solid ground .

Jack then returned home to cheer his friends with the news .

another giant , called Blunderbore , vowed to be revenged on Jack if ever he should have him in his power .

when they were black in the face he slid down the rope and stabbed them to the heart .

Jack next took a great bunch of keys from the pocket of Blunderbore , and went into the castle again .

he then very politely gave them the keys of the castle , and went further on his journey to Wales .

as Jack had but little money , he went on as fast as possible .

at length he came to a handsome house .

Jack knocked at the door , when there came forth a Welsh giant .

Jack took off his clothes quickly , but though he was weary he could not go to sleep .

soon after this he heard the giant walking backward and forward in the next room , and saying to himself :

" say you so ? " thought Jack .

" are these your tricks upon travelers ?

but I hope to prove as cunning as you are . "

then , getting out of bed , he groped about the room , and at last found a large thick billet of wood .

he laid it in his own place in the bed , and then hid himself in a dark corner of the room .

Early in the morning Jack put a bold face upon the matter , and walked into the giant 's room to thank him for his lodging .

the giant started when he saw him , and began to stammer out : " oh ! dear me ; is it you ?

pray how did you sleep last night ?

did you hear or see anything in the dead of the night ? "

when breakfast was over he said to the giant : " now I will show you a fine trick .

you shall see an example . "

he then took hold of the knife , ripped up the leathern bag , and all the hasty-pudding tumbled out upon the floor .

he traveled over high hills , and on the third day he came to a large and spacious forest through which his road lay .

" no , " said Jack , " I cannot be easy till I find out this monster 's habitation . "

on this the giant seized his club and laid about him most unmercifully .

on the castle gate he found a golden trumpet , under which were written these lines :

" whoever can this trumpet blow Shall cause the giant 's overthrow . "

the castle vanished away like smoke , and the head of the giant Galligantus was then sent to King Arthur .

the knights and ladies rested that night at the old man 's hermitage , and next day they set out for the Court .

Jack then went up to the King , and gave his Majesty an account of all his fierce battles .

( @number@ ) old Chapbook .

THE BLACK BULL OF NORROWAY

to wilder measures next they turn " the Black , Black Bull of Norroway ! "

Sudden the tapers cease to burn , The minstrels cease to play .

" the Cout of Keeldar , " by J Leyden .

In Norroway , langsyne , there lived a certain lady , and she had three dochters .

her mither did sae ; and the dochter gaed awa ' to an auld witch washerwife and telled her purpose .

she saw nocht the first day .

the second day she did the same , and saw nocht .

on the third day she looked again , and saw a coach-and-six coming along the road .

she ran in and telled the auld wife what she saw .

" Aweel , " quo ' the auld wife , " yon 's for you . "

Sae they took her into the coach , and galloped aff .

her mither did sae ; and awa ' she gaed to the auld wife , as her sister had dune .

on the third day she looked out o ' the back door , and saw a coach-and-four coming along the road .

" Aweel , " quo ' the auld wife , " yon 's for you . "

Sae they took her in , and aff they set .

her mither did sae ; and awa ' she gaed to the auld witch-wife .

she bade her look out o ' her back door , and see what she could see .

she did sae ; and when she came back said she saw nocht .

the second day she did the same , and saw nocht .

" Aweel , " quo ' the auld wife , " yon 's for you . "

Aye they traveled , and on they traveled , till the lady grew faint wi ' hunger .

Sae she did as he said , and was wonderfully refreshed .

and lang they gaed , and sair they rade , till they came in sight o ' a very big and bonny castle .

they lifted her aff his back , and took her in , and sent him away to a park for the night .

they lifted her down and took her in , and sent the bull to the field for the night .

again she was lifted and set on his back , and awa ' they went .

they lifted her down , took her in , and sent the bull to the field for the night .

presently they brought hame the bull , set the lady on his back , and awa ' they went .

says the bull to her : " here ye maun stay till I gang and fight the deil .

she set hersel ' down on the stane , and by-and-by a ' round her turned blue .

the bull returned and sought for but never could find her .

Lang she sat , and aye she grat , till she wearied .

at last she rase and gaed awa ' , she kedna whaur till .

at seven years ' end she got her iron shoon , clamb the glassy hill , and chanced to come to the auld washerwife's habitation .

the lee-lang night ther damosel sabbed and sang :

next day she kentna what to do for grief .

she then brak the pear , and found it filled wi ' jewelry far richer than the contents o ' the apple .

a ' night she kept sighing and singing as before :

" seven lang years I served for thee , " & c.

still he sleepit , and she nearly lost hope a'thegither .

he said he heardna ony noise .

but they assured him there was sae ; and he resolved to keep waking that night to try what he could hear .

they a ' went to bed again , and the damosel began , as before , singing :

he heard , and turned to her .

and she telled him a ' that had befa'en her , and he telled her a ' that had happened to him .

and he caused the auld washerwife and her dochter to be burned .

and they were married , and he and she are living happy till this day , for aught I ken . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) chambers , Popular Traditions of Scotland .

THE RED ETIN

there were ance twa widows that lived on a small bit o ' ground , which they rented from a farmer .

so the young man set out to seek his fortune .

and he gaed up to the shepherd and asked him wha the sheep belanged to ; and the man answered :

" the Red Etin of Ireland Ance lived in Bellygan , And stole King Malcolm 's daughter , The King of fair Scotland .

it 's said there 's ane predestinate To be his mortal foe ; But that man is yet unborn And lang may it be so . "

" the Red Etin of Ireland " ( repeat the verses above . )

" the Red Etin of Ireland " ( repeat the verses again . )

and he gaed into the castle for shelter , and there he saw an auld wife sitting beside the kitchen fire .

( @number@ ) " Kitchen , " that is , " season . "

the monster soon found the poor young man , and pulled him from his hole .

and when he had got him out he told him that if he could answer him three questions his life should be spared .

the first was : whether Ireland or Scotland was first inhabited ?

the second was : whether man was made for woman , or woman for man ?

the third was : whether men or brutes were made first ?

the can being broken , he brought hame as little water as the other had done , and the cake was as little .

so he gaed away ; and everything happened to him that had happened to his brother !

" the Red Etin of Ireland Ance lived in Bellygan , And stole King Malcolm 's daughter , The King of fair Scotland .

he soon came to the Etin 's castle , where he knocked , and was admitted .

the monster soon came in , saying :

he quickly espied the young man , and bade him come forth on the floor .

when the Etin found this he knew that his power was gone .

the young man then took up the axe and hewed off the monster 's three heads .

and the hale o ' the prisoners were overjoyed at their deliverance , which they all acknowledged to be owing to the prudent young man .

next day they a ' set out for the King 's Court , and a gallant company they made .

( @number@ ) chambers , Popular Traditions of Scotland .

end of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Blue Fairy Book , by Various

produced by Charles Keller and David Widger

ANNE of the ISLAND

by Lucy Maud Montgomery

to

all the girls all over the world who have " wanted more " about ANNE

TENNYSON

Table of Contents

I The Shadow of Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

@date@ Garlands of Autumn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

@date@ Greeting and Farewell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

@number@ IV April 's Lady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

@number@ V Letters from Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

@number@ VI In the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

@number@ VII Home Again . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ANNE of the ISLAND

by Lucy Maud Montgomery

chapter I

the Shadow of Change

" Harvest is ended and summer is gone , " quoted Anne Shirley , gazing across the shorn fields dreamily .

but everything in the landscape around them spoke of autumn .

" it has been a nice summer , " said Diana , twisting the new ring on her left hand with a smile .

" and Miss Lavendar 's wedding seemed to come as a sort of crown to it .

I suppose Mr. and Mrs Irving are on the Pacific coast now . "

" it seems to me they have been gone long enough to go around the world , " sighed Anne .

" I can't believe it is only a week since they were married .

everything has changed .

Miss Lavendar and Mr and Mrs. Allan gone how lonely the manse looks with the shutters all closed !

I went past it last night , and it made me feel as if everybody in it had died . "

" we 'll never get another minister as nice as Mr Allan , " said Diana , with gloomy conviction .

" I suppose we 'll have all kinds of supplies this winter , and half the Sundays no preaching at all .

and you and Gilbert gone it will be awfully dull . "

" Fred will be here , " insinuated Anne slyly .

" when is Mrs Lynde going to move up ? " asked Diana , as if she had not heard Anne 's remark .

" tomorrow .

I 'm glad she 's coming but it will be another change .

Marilla and I cleared everything out of the spare room yesterday .

do you know , I hated to do it ?

of course , it was silly but it did seem as if we were committing sacrilege .

that old spare room has always seemed like a shrine to me .

when I was a child I thought it the most wonderful apartment in the world .

you remember what a consuming desire I had to sleep in a spare room bed but not the Green Gables spare room .

oh , no , never there !

it would have been too terrible I couldn't have slept a wink from awe .

I always wondered how Marilla dared houseclean that room .

and now it 's not only cleaned but stripped bare .

George Whitefield and the Duke have been relegated to the upstairs hall .

it is never pleasant to have our old shrines desecrated , even when we have outgrown them .

" I 'll be so lonesome when you go , " moaned Diana for the hundredth time .

" and to think you go next week ! "

" but we 're together still , " said Anne cheerily .

" we mustn't let next week rob us of this week 's joy .

I hate the thought of going myself home and I are such good friends .

talk of being lonesome !

It's I who should groan .

YOU'LL be here with any number of your old friends AND Fred !

while I shall be alone among strangers , not knowing a soul ! "

" EXCEPT Gilbert AND Charlie Sloane , " said Diana , imitating Anne 's italics and slyness .

" Charlie Sloane will be a great comfort , of course , " agreed Anne sarcastically ; whereupon both those irresponsible damsels laughed .

to be sure , Anne herself did not know that .

" the boys may be boarding at the other end of Kingsport , for all I know , " Anne went on .

" I am glad I 'm going to Redmond , and I am sure I shall like it after a while .

but for the first few weeks I know I won't .

I shan't even have the comfort of looking forward to the weekend visit home , as I had when I went to Queen 's .

Christmas will seem like a thousand years away . "

" everything is changing or going to change , " said Diana sadly .

" I have a feeling that things will never be the same again , Anne . "

" we have come to a parting of the ways , I suppose , " said Anne thoughtfully .

" we had to come to it .

" but there are so many puzzling things , too .

sometimes I feel as if being grown-up just frightened me and then I would give anything to be a little girl again . "

" I suppose we 'll get used to being grownup in time , " said Anne cheerfully .

we 're eighteen , Diana .

in two more years we 'll be twenty .

when I was ten I thought twenty was a green old age .

you 'll always keep a corner for me , won't you , Di darling ?

" what nonsense you do talk , Anne , " laughed Diana .

with another gay laugh the girls separated , Diana to return to Orchard Slope , Anne to walk to the Post Office .

" Priscilla Grant is going to Redmond , too , " she exclaimed .

" isn't that splendid ?

I hoped she would , but she didn't think her father would consent .

he has , however , and we 're to board together .

" I think we 'll like Kingsport , " said Gilbert .

" it 's a nice old burg , they tell me , and has the finest natural park in the world .

I 've heard that the scenery in it is magnificent . "

remembrance wove a sweet and subtle spell over the two young creatures .

" you are very quiet , Anne , " said Gilbert at last .

" I 'm afraid to speak or move for fear all this wonderful beauty will vanish just like a broken silence , " breathed Anne .

Gilbert suddenly laid his hand over the slender white one lying on the rail of the bridge .

his hazel eyes deepened into darkness , his still boyish lips opened to say something of the dream and hope that thrilled his soul .

but Anne snatched her hand away and turned quickly .

the spell of the dusk was broken for her .

" I must go home , " she exclaimed , with a rather overdone carelessness .

" Marilla had a headache this afternoon , and I 'm sure the twins will be in some dreadful mischief by this time .

I really shouldn't have stayed away so long . "

she chattered ceaselessly and inconsequently until they reached the Green Gables lane .

Poor Gilbert hardly had a chance to get a word in edgewise .

Anne felt rather relieved when they parted .

something alien had intruded into the old , perfect , school-day comradeship something that threatened to mar it .

" our friendship will be spoiled if he goes on with this nonsense .

it mustn't be spoiled I won't let it .

oh , WHY can't boys be just sensible ! "

Anne shivered over the disagreeable recollection .

" what is the matter , Davy ? " asked Anne , taking him up in her arms .

" where are Marilla and Dora ? "

" oh , well , don't cry about it , dear .

of course , you are sorry for her , but crying won't help her any .

she 'll be all right tomorrow .

crying never helps any one , Davy-boy , and "

" I ain't crying ' cause Dora fell down cellar , " said Davy , cutting short Anne 's wellmeant preachment with increasing bitterness .

" I 'm crying , cause I wasn't there to see her fall .

I 'm always missing some fun or other , seems to me . "

" oh , Davy ! "

Anne choked back an unholy shriek of laughter .

" would you call it fun to see poor little Dora fall down the steps and get hurt ? "

" she wasn't MUCH hurt , " said Davy , defiantly .

" ' Course , if she 'd been killed I 'd have been real sorry , Anne .

but the Keiths ain't so easy killed .

they 're like the Blewetts , I guess .

and still he got out alive , with only three bones broke .

Mrs Lynde says there are some folks you can't kill with a meat-axe .

is Mrs Lynde coming here tomorrow , Anne ? "

" yes , Davy , and I hope you 'll be always very nice and good to her . "

" I 'll be nice and good .

but will she ever put me to bed at nights , Anne ? "

" perhaps .

why ? "

" why not ? "

" ' Cause I don't think it would be nice to talk to God before strangers , Anne .

Dora can say hers to Mrs Lynde if she likes , but I won't .

I 'll wait till she 's gone and then say ' em .

won't that be all right , Anne ? "

" yes , if you are sure you won't forget to say them , Davy-boy . "

" oh , I won't forget , you bet .

I think saying my prayers is great fun .

but it won't be as good fun saying them alone as saying them to you .

I wish you 'd stay home , Anne .

I don't see what you want to go away and leave us for . "

" I don't exactly WANT to , Davy , but I feel I ought to go . "

" if you don't want to go you needn't .

you 're grown up .

when I ' m grown up I 'm not going to do one single thing I don't want to do , Anne . "

" all your life , Davy , you 'll find yourself doing things you don't want to do . "

" I won't , " said Davy flatly .

" catch me !

I have to do things I don't want to now ' cause you and Marilla 'll send me to bed if I don't .

but when I grow up you can't do that , and there'll be nobody to tell me not to do things .

won't I have the time !

say , Anne , Milty Boulter says his mother says you 're going to college to see if you can catch a man .

are you , Anne ?

I want to know . "

for a second Anne burned with resentment .

then she laughed , reminding herself that Mrs Boulter 's crude vulgarity of thought and speech could not harm her .

" no , Davy , I'm not .

I 'm going to study and grow and learn about many things . "

" what things ? "

" ' Shoes and ships and sealing wax And cabbages and kings , ' "

quoted Anne .

" but if you DID want to catch a man how would you go about it ?

I want to know , " persisted Davy , for whom the subject evidently possessed a certain fascination .

" you 'd better ask Mrs Boulter , " said Anne thoughtlessly .

" I think it 's likely she knows more about the process than I do . "

" I will , the next time I see her , " said Davy gravely .

" Davy !

if you do ! " cried Anne , realizing her mistake .

" but you just told me to , " protested Davy aggrieved .

" it 's time you went to bed , " decreed Anne , by way of getting out of the scrape .

Anne had always loved that brook .

Many a dream had she spun over its sparkling water in days gone by .

she forgot lovelorn youths , and the cayenne speeches of malicious neighbors , and all the problems of her girlish existence .

and she was richer in those dreams than in realities ; for things seen pass away , but the things that are unseen are eternal .

chapter II

Garlands of Autumn

the following week sped swiftly , crowded with innumerable " last things , " as Anne called them .

Josie was unusually amiable so much so that she even remarked condescendingly to Anne ,

" your new dress is rather becoming to you , Anne .

really , you look ALMOST PRETTY in it . "

" how kind of you to say so , " responded Anne , with dancing eyes .

her sense of humor was developing , and the speeches that would have hurt her at fourteen were becoming merely food for amusement now .

all the " old crowd " was there , full of mirth and zest and youthful lightheartedness .

she enjoyed the evening tremendously , but the end of it rather spoiled all .

she found , however , that revenge hurts nobody quite so much as the one who tries to inflict it .

and she honestly believed it was .

so Gilbert was not going to spend this last evening with Ruby Gillis after all !

" you look tired , Anne , " he said .

" I am tired , and , worse than that , I 'm disgruntled .

I 'm tired because I 've been packing my trunk and sewing all day .

" spiteful old cats ! " was Gilbert 's elegant comment .

" oh , no , they weren't , " said Anne seriously .

" that is just the trouble .

if they had been spiteful cats I wouldn't have minded them .

Anne ended with a laugh and a sigh commingled .

with her sensitive nature all disapproval had weight , even the disapproval of those for whose opinions she had scant respect .

for the time being life was savorless , and ambition had gone out like a snuffed candle .

" you surely don't care for what they said , " protested Gilbert .

" you know exactly how narrow their outlook on life is , excellent creatures though they are .

to do anything THEY have never done is anathema maranatha .

" oh , I know .

but FEELING is so different from KNOWING .

my common sense tells me all you can say , but there are times when common sense has no power over me .

common nonsense takes possession of my soul .

really , after Mrs Elisha went away I hardly had the heart to finish packing . "

" you 're just tired , Anne .

come , forget it all and take a walk with me a ramble back through the woods beyond the marsh .

there should be something there I want to show you . "

" should be !

don't you know if it is there ? "

" no .

I only know it should be , from something I saw there in spring .

come on .

we 'll pretend we are two children again and we 'll go the way of the wind . "

they started gaily off .

Mrs Lynde and Marilla watched them from the kitchen window .

" that 'll be a match some day , " Mrs Lynde said approvingly .

Marilla winced slightly .

" they 're only children yet , " she said shortly .

Mrs Lynde laughed good-naturedly .

" Anne is eighteen ; I was married when I was that age .

we old folks , Marilla , are too much given to thinking children never grow up , that's what .

Anne is a young woman and Gilbert 's a man , and he worships the ground she walks on , as any one can see .

he 's a fine fellow , and Anne can't do better .

I hope she won't get any romantic nonsense into her head at Redmond .

I don't approve of them coeducational places and never did , that's what .

I don't believe , " concluded Mrs Lynde solemnly , " that the students at such colleges ever do much else than flirt . "

" they must study a little , " said Marilla , with a smile .

" precious little , " sniffed Mrs Rachel .

" however , I think Anne will .

she never was flirtatious .

but she doesn't appreciate Gilbert at his full value , that 's what .

oh , I know girls !

Charlie Sloane is wild about her , too , but I 'd never advise her to marry a Sloane .

the Sloanes are good , honest , respectable people , of course .

but when all 's said and done , they 're SLOANES . "

Marilla nodded .

to an outsider , the statement that Sloanes were Sloanes might not be very illuminating , but she understood .

beyond , the harvest hills were basking in an amber sunset radiance , under a pale , aerial sky of rose and blue .

the distant spruce groves were burnished bronze , and their long shadows barred the upland meadows .

but around them a little wind sang among the fir tassels , and in it there was the note of autumn .

do you know , I can never go up this path in the dusk without feeling a bit of the old fright and shiver ?

I confess that , to this day , I cannot help fancying its little , furtive footsteps behind me when I come here after nightfall .

how angry Marilla and Mrs Barry were over that affair , " concluded Anne , with reminiscent laughter .

the woods around the head of the marsh were full of purple vistas , threaded with gossamers .

past a dour plantation of gnarled spruces and a maple-fringed , sun-warm valley they found the " something " Gilbert was looking for .

" ah , here it is , " he said with satisfaction .

" an apple tree and away back here ! " exclaimed Anne delightedly .

I was here one day last spring and found it , all white with blossom .

so I resolved I 'd come again in the fall and see if it had been apples .

see , it 's loaded .

they look good , too tawny as russets but with a dusky red cheek .

most wild seedlings are green and uninviting . "

" I suppose it sprang years ago from some chance-sown seed , " said Anne dreamily .

" and how it has grown and flourished and held its own here all alone among aliens , the brave determined thing ! "

" here 's a fallen tree with a cushion of moss .

sit down , Anne it will serve for a woodland throne .

I 'll climb for some apples .

they all grow high the tree had to reach up to the sunlight . "

the apples proved to be delicious .

" the fatal apple of Eden couldn't have had a rarer flavor , " commented Anne .

" but it 's time we were going home .

see , it was twilight three minutes ago and now it 's moonlight .

what a pity we couldn't have caught the moment of transformation .

but such moments never are caught , I suppose . "

" let's go back around the marsh and home by way of Lover 's Lane .

do you feel as disgruntled now as when you started out , Anne ? "

" not I ..y those apples have been as manna to a hungry soul .

I feel that I shall love Redmond and have a splendid four years there . "

" and after those four years what ? "

" oh , there 's another bend in the road at their end , " answered Anne lightly .

" I 've no idea what may be around it I don't want to have .

it 's nicer not to know . "

Lover 's Lane was a dear place that night , still and mysteriously dim in the pale radiance of the moonlight .

they loitered through it in a pleasant chummy silence , neither caring to talk .

" if Gilbert were always as he has been this evening how nice and simple everything would be , " reflected Anne .

Gilbert was looking at Anne , as she walked along .

in her light dress , with her slender delicacy , she made him think of a white iris .

" I wonder if I can ever make her care for me , " he thought , with a pang of self-distrust .

chapter III

greeting and Farewell

Charlie Sloane , Gilbert Blythe and Anne Shirley left Avonlea the following Monday morning .

Anne had hoped for a fine day .

things would never be the same again ; coming back for vacations would not be living there .

could she ever be really happy anywhere else ?

breakfast at Green Gables that morning was a rather doleful meal .

Davy , for the first time in his life probably , could not eat , but blubbered shamelessly over his porridge .

nobody else seemed to have much appetite , save Dora , who tucked away her rations comfortably .

even at eight it took a great deal to ruffle Dora 's placidity .

not at all .

and , seeing that Davy could not eat his , Dora ate it for him .

promptly on time Diana appeared with horse and buggy , her rosy face glowing above her raincoat .

the good-byes had to be said then somehow .

Marilla , brusque and tearless , pecked Anne 's cheek and said she supposed they 'd hear from her when she got settled .

his muffled howls were the last sounds Anne heard as she left Green Gables .

Charlie and Gilbert were on the station platform when they reached it , and the train was whistling .

Anne had just time to get her ticket and trunk check , say a hurried farewell to Diana , and hasten on board .

she wished she were going back with Diana to Avonlea ; she knew she was going to die of homesickness .

even Gilbert 's presence brought her no comfort , for Charlie Sloane was there , too , and Sloanishness could be tolerated only in fine weather .

it was absolutely insufferable in rain .

but when the boat steamed out of Charlottetown harbor things took a turn for the better .

besides , Charlie Sloane promptly became so seasick that he had to go below , and Anne and Gilbert were left alone on deck .

" I am very glad that all the Sloanes get seasick as soon as they go on water , " thought Anne mercilessly .

" well , we 're off , " remarked Gilbert unsentimentally .

" Nova Scotia is that , I suppose .

but one 's native shore is the land one loves the best , and that 's good old P.E.I. for me .

I can't believe I didn't always live here .

those eleven years before I came seem like a bad dream .

it 's seven years since I crossed on this boat the evening Mrs Spencer brought me over from Hopetown .

I can see myself , in that dreadful old wincey dress and faded sailor hat , exploring decks and cabins with enraptured curiosity .

it was a fine evening ; and how those red Island shores did gleam in the sunshine .

now I 'm crossing the strait again .

oh , Gilbert , I do hope I 'll like Redmond and Kingsport , but I 'm sure I won't ! "

" where 's all your philosophy gone , Anne ? "

" it 's all submerged under a great , swamping wave of loneliness and homesickness .

I 've longed for three years to go to Redmond and now I 'm going and I wish I weren't !

never mind !

I shall be cheerful and philosophical again after I have just one good cry .

then Anne will be herself again .

I wonder if Davy has come out of the closet yet . "

it was nine that night when their train reached Kingsport , and they found themselves in the blue-white glare of the crowded station .

Anne felt horribly bewildered , but a moment later she was seized by Priscilla Grant , who had come to Kingsport on Saturday .

" here you are , beloved !

and I suppose you 're as tired as I was when I got here Saturday night . "

" tired !

Priscilla , don't talk of it .

I 'm tired , and green , and provincial , and only about ten years old .

for pity 's sake take your poor , broken-down chum to some place where she can hear herself think . "

" I 'll take you right up to our boardinghouse .

I 've a cab ready outside . "

" it 's such a blessing you're here , Prissy .

if you weren't I think I should just sit down on my suitcase , here and now , and weep bitter tears .

what a comfort one familiar face is in a howling wilderness of strangers ! "

" is that Gilbert Blythe over there , Anne ?

how he has grown up this past year !

he was only a schoolboy when I taught in Carmody .

and of course that 's Charlie Sloane .

HE hasn't changed couldn't !

he looked just like that when he was born , and he 'll look like that when he 's eighty .

this way , dear .

we 'll be home in twenty minutes . "

" home ! " groaned Anne .

" it isn't a horrible boardinghouse , Anne-girl .

here 's our cab .

Hop in the driver will get your trunk .

it 's a big , old-fashioned , gray stone house on St John Street , just a nice little constitutional from Redmond .

they 're so big that people living in them have to take boarders just to fill up .

at least , that is the reason our landladies are very anxious to impress on us .

they 're delicious , Anne our landladies , I mean . "

" how many are there ? "

" two .

Miss Hannah Harvey and Miss Ada Harvey .

they were born twins about fifty years ago . "

" I can't get away from twins , it seems , " smiled Anne .

" wherever I go they confront me . "

" oh , they 're not twins now , dear .

after they reached the age of thirty they never were twins again .

Miss Hannah has grown old , not too gracefully , and Miss Ada has stayed thirty , less gracefully still .

as for our rooms , I admit they are hall bedrooms , and mine does look out on the back yard .

your room is a front one and looks out on Old St John 's graveyard , which is just across the street . "

" that sounds gruesome , " shivered Anne .

" I think I 'd rather have the back yard view . "

" oh , no , you wouldn't .

wait and see .

old St John 's is a darling place .

it 's been a graveyard so long that it 's ceased to be one and has become one of the sights of Kingsport .

I was all through it yesterday for a pleasure exertion .

you 'll go there to study , Anne , see if you don't .

of course , nobody is ever buried there now .

but a few years ago they put up a beautiful monument to the memory of Nova Scotian soldiers who fell in the Crimean War .

it is just opposite the entrance gates and there 's ' scope for imagination ' in it , as you used to say .

here 's your trunk at last and the boys coming to say good night .

must I really shake hands with Charlie Sloane , Anne ?

his hands are always so cold and fishy-feeling .

we must ask them to call occasionally .

Miss Ada even has an elaborate Battenburg one on top of the piano . "

Anne was laughing by this time .

she went to her window and looked out .

the street below was dim and quiet .

Anne wondered if it could have been only that morning that she had left Green Gables .

she had the sense of a long passage of time which one day of change and travel gives .

" I suppose that very moon is looking down on Green Gables now , " she mused .

" but I won't think about it that way homesickness lies .

I 'm not even going to have my good cry .

I 'll put that off to a more convenient season , and just now I 'll go calmly and sensibly to bed and to sleep . "

Chapter IV

April 's Lady

for the most part no great art or skill was lavished on those old tombstones .

the larger number are of roughly chiselled brown or gray native stone , and only in a few cases is there any attempt at ornamentation .

some are adorned with skull and cross-bones , and this grizzly decoration is frequently coupled with a cherub 's head .

many are prostrate and in ruins .

into almost all Time 's tooth has been gnawing , until some inscriptions have been completely effaced , and others can only be deciphered with difficulty .

Anne took the first of many rambles in Old St John 's the next afternoon .

she and Priscilla had gone to Redmond in the forenoon and registered as students , after which there was nothing more to do that day .

Gilbert and Charlie were nowhere to be seen .

at least , they 'd be familiar eyes . "

" oh , " sighed Anne .

I knew I would go down to my grave unwept , unhonored and unsung . "

" wait till next year , " comforted Priscilla .

" then we 'll be able to look as bored and sophisticated as any Sophomore of them all .

that 's how I felt I suppose because I was a good two inches taller than any one else in the crowd .

" when we left Queen 's we knew everybody and had a place of our own .

I 'm thankful that neither Mrs . Lynde nor Mrs Elisha Wright know , or ever will know , my state of mind at present .

they would exult in saying ' I told you so , ' and be convinced it was the beginning of the end .

whereas it is just the end of the beginning . "

" exactly .

that sounds more Anneish .

in a little while we 'll be acclimated and acquainted , and all will be well .

" yes , I did .

I noticed her particularly because she seemed the only creature there who LOOKED as lonely and friendless as I FELT .

I had YOU , but she had no one . "

" I think she felt pretty all-by-herselfish , too .

I wished she would come .

if I hadn't felt so much like the aforesaid elephant I 'd have gone to her .

but I couldn't lumber across that big hall with all those boys howling on the stairs .

" I 'm going across to Old St John 's after lunch , " said Anne .

I 'll sit on one of those old slabs and shut my eyes and imagine I 'm in the Avonlea woods . "

Anne did not do that , however , for she found enough of interest in Old St John 's to keep her eyes wide open .

they went in by the entrance gates , past the simple , massive , stone arch surmounted by the great lion of England .

" ' And on Inkerman yet the wild bramble is gory , And those bleak heights henceforth shall be famous in story , ' "

quoted Anne , looking at it with a thrill .

they found themselves in a dim , cool , green place where winds were fond of purring .

he served in the army till the peace of @number@ when he retired from bad health .

he was a brave officer , the best of husbands , the best of fathers , the best of friends .

he died @date@ , aged @number@ years . '

there 's an epitaph for you , Prissy .

there is certainly some ' scope for imagination ' in it .

how full such a life must have been of adventure !

and as for his personal qualities , I 'm sure human eulogy couldn't go further .

I wonder if they told him he was all those best things while he was alive . "

" here 's another , " said Priscilla .

" listen


" a very good epitaph , " commented Anne thoughtfully .

" I wouldn't wish a better .

here 's a sorrowful little gray stone , Prissy ' to the memory of a favorite child . '

and here is another ' erected to the memory of one who is buried elsewhere . '

I wonder where that unknown grave is .

really , Pris , the graveyards of today will never be as interesting as this .

you were right I shall come here often .

I love it already .

I see we 're not alone here there 's a girl down at the end of this avenue . "

" yes , and I believe it 's the very girl we saw at Redmond this morning .

I 've been watching her for five minutes .

she has started to come up the avenue exactly half a dozen times , and half a dozen times has she turned and gone back .

either she 's dreadfully shy or she has got something on her conscience .

let's go and meet her .

it 's easier to get acquainted in a graveyard than at Redmond , I believe . "

they walked down the long grassy arcade towards the stranger , who was sitting on a gray slab under an enormous willow .

she was certainly very pretty , with a vivid , irregular , bewitching type of prettiness .

there was a gloss as of brown nuts on her satin-smooth hair and a soft , ripe glow on her round cheeks .

her eyes were big and brown and velvety , under oddly-pointed black brows , and her crooked mouth was rose-red .

for a moment both girls felt like turning back .

but they had already stopped and turned towards the gray slab .

it was too late to retreat , for the brown-eyed girl had evidently concluded that they were coming to speak to her .

" oh , I want to know who you two girls are , " she exclaimed eagerly .

" I 've been DYING to know .

I saw you at Redmond this morning .

say , wasn't it AWFUL there ?

for the time I wished I had stayed home and got married . "

Anne and Priscilla both broke into unconstrained laughter at this unexpected conclusion .

the brown-eyed girl laughed , too .

" I really did .

I COULD have , you know .

come , let's all sit down on this gravestone and get acquainted .

it won't be hard .

I know we 're going to adore each other I knew it as soon as I saw you at Redmond this morning .

I wanted so much to go right over and hug you both . "

" why didn't you ? " asked Priscilla .

" because I simply couldn't make up my mind to do it .

I never can make up my mind about anything myself I 'm always afflicted with indecision .

just as soon as I decide to do something I feel in my bones that another course would be the correct one .

so I couldn't make up my mind to go and speak to you , much as I wanted to . "

" we thought you were too shy , " said Anne .

" no , no , dear .

shyness isn't among the many failings or virtues of Philippa Gordon Phil for short .

do call me Phil right off .

now , what are your handles ? "

" she 's Priscilla Grant , " said Anne , pointing .

" and SHE'S Anne Shirley , " said Priscilla , pointing in turn .

" and we 're from the Island , " said both together .

" I hail from Bolingbroke , Nova Scotia , " said Philippa .

" Bolingbroke ! " exclaimed Anne .

" why , that is where I was born . "

" do you really mean it ?

why , that makes you a Bluenose after all . "

" no , it doesn't , " retorted Anne .

" wasn't it Dan O'Connell who said that if a man was born in a stable it didn't make him a horse ?

I 'm Island to the core . "

" well , I 'm glad you were born in Bolingbroke anyway .

it makes us kind of neighbors , doesn't it ?

and I like that , because when I tell you secrets it won't be as if I were telling them to a stranger .

I have to tell them .

I can't keep secrets it 's no use to try .

that 's my worst failing that , and indecision , as aforesaid .

when I got IT pinned in place I liked the brown one better .

at last I put them close together on the bed , shut my eyes , and jabbed with a hat pin .

the pin speared the pink one , so I put it on .

it is becoming , isn't it ?

tell me , what do you think of my looks ? "

at this naive demand , made in a perfectly serious tone , Priscilla laughed again .

but Anne said , impulsively squeezing Philippa 's hand ,

" we thought this morning that you were the prettiest girl we saw at Redmond . "

Philippa 's crooked mouth flashed into a bewitching , crooked smile over very white little teeth .

" I thought that myself , " was her next astounding statement , " but I wanted some one else 's opinion to bolster mine up .

I can't decide even on my own appearance .

just as soon as I 've decided that I 'm pretty I begin to feel miserably that I'm not .

it 's strange how children change when they grow up . '

I adore aunts , but I detest great-aunts .

please tell me quite often that I am pretty , if you don't mind .

I feel so much more comfortable when I can believe I 'm pretty .

and I 'll be just as obliging to you if you want me to I CAN be , with a clear conscience . "

" oh , you 're laughing at me .

I know you think I 'm abominably vain , but I'm not .

there really isn't one spark of vanity in me .

and I 'm never a bit grudging about paying compliments to other girls when they deserve them .

I 'm so glad I know you folks .

I came up on Saturday and I 've nearly died of homesickness ever since .

it 's a horrible feeling , isn't it ?

in Bolingbroke I 'm an important personage , and in Kingsport I 'm just nobody !

there were times when I could feel my soul turning a delicate blue .

where do you hang out ? "

" thirty-eight St John 's Street . "

" better and better .

why , I 'm just around the corner on Wallace Street .

I don't like my boardinghouse , though .

it 's bleak and lonesome , and my room looks out on such an unholy back yard .

it 's the ugliest place in the world .

as for cats well , surely ALL the Kingsport cats can't congregate there at night , but half of them must .

I adore cats on hearth rugs , snoozing before nice , friendly fires , but cats in back yards at midnight are totally different animals .

the first night I was here I cried all night , and so did the cats .

you should have seen my nose in the morning .

how I wished I had never left home ! "

" bless your heart , honey , I didn't .

it was father who wanted me to come here .

his heart was set on it why , I don't know .

it seems perfectly ridiculous to think of me studying for a B.A. degree , doesn't it ?

not but what I can do it , all right .

I have heaps of brains . "

" oh ! " said Priscilla vaguely .

" yes .

but it 's such hard work to use them .

and B.A . 's are such learned , dignified , wise , solemn creatures they must be .

no , I didn't want to come to Redmond .

I did it just to oblige father .

he IS such a duck .

besides , I knew if I stayed home I 'd have to get married .

mother wanted that wanted it decidedly .

mother has plenty of decision .

but I really hated the thought of being married for a few years yet .

I want to have heaps of fun before I settle down .

I 'm only eighteen .

no , I concluded I would rather come to Redmond than be married .

besides , how could I ever have made up my mind which man to marry ? "

" were there so many ? " laughed Anne .

" Heaps .

the boys like me awfully they really do .

but there were only two that mattered .

the rest were all too young and too poor .

I must marry a rich man , you know . "

" why must you ? "

" Honey , you couldn't imagine ME being a poor man 's wife , could you ?

I can't do a single useful thing , and I am VERY extravagant .

oh , no , my husband must have heaps of money .

so that narrowed them down to two .

but I couldn't decide between two any easier than between two hundred .

I knew perfectly well that whichever one I chose I 'd regret all my life that I hadn't married the other . "

" didn't you love either of them ? " asked Anne , a little hesitatingly .

it was not easy for her to speak to a stranger of the great mystery and transformation of life .

" goodness , no .

I couldn't love anybody .

it isn't in me .

besides I wouldn't want to .

being in love makes you a perfect slave , I think .

and it would give a man such power to hurt you .

I 'd be afraid .

that is the trouble .

Alec is the best looking , of course , and I simply couldn't marry a man who wasn't handsome .

he is good-tempered too , and has lovely , curly , black hair .

He's rather too perfect I don't believe I 'd like a perfect husband somebody I could never find fault with . "

" then why not marry Alonzo ? " asked Priscilla gravely .

" think of marrying a name like Alonzo ! " said Phil dolefully .

" I don't believe I could endure it .

but he has a classic nose , and it WOULD be a comfort to have a nose in the family that could be depended on .

I can't depend on mine .

so far , it takes after the Gordon pattern , but I 'm so afraid it will develop Byrne tendencies as I grow older .

I examine it every day anxiously to make sure it 's still Gordon .

mother was a Byrne and has the Byrne nose in the Byrnest degree .

wait till you see it .

I adore nice noses .

your nose is awfully nice , Anne Shirley .

Alonzo 's nose nearly turned the balance in his favor .

but ALONZO !

no , I couldn't decide .

" what did Alec and Alonzo feel like when you came away ? " queried Priscilla .

" oh , they still have hope .

I told them they 'd have to wait till I could make up my mind .

they 're quite willing to wait .

they both worship me , you know .

meanwhile , I intend to have a good time .

I expect I shall have heaps of beaux at Redmond .

I can't be happy unless I have , you know .

but don't you think the freshmen are fearfully homely ?

I saw only one really handsome fellow among them .

he went away before you came .

I heard his chum call him Gilbert .

his chum had eyes that stuck out THAT FAR .

but you 're not going yet , girls ?

don't go yet . "

" I think we must , " said Anne , rather coldly .

" it 's getting late , and I 've some work to do . "

" but you 'll both come to see me , won't you ? " asked Philippa , getting up and putting an arm around each .

" and let me come to see you .

I want to be chummy with you .

I 've taken such a fancy to you both .

and I haven't quite disgusted you with my frivolity , have I ? "

" not quite , " laughed Anne , responding to Phil 's squeeze , with a return of cordiality .

" because I 'm not half so silly as I seem on the surface , you know .

you just accept Philippa Gordon , as the Lord made her , with all her faults , and I believe you 'll come to like her .

isn't this graveyard a sweet place ?

I 'd love to be buried here .

just fancy ! "

Anne paused by the railing and looked at the worn stone , her pulses thrilling with sudden excitement .

the old graveyard , with its over-arching trees and long aisles of shadows , faded from her sight .

instead , she saw the Kingsport Harbor of nearly a century agone .

out of the mist came slowly a great frigate , brilliant with " the meteor flag of England . "

time 's finger had turned back his pages , and that was the Shannon sailing triumphant up the bay with the Chesapeake as her prize .

" come back , Anne Shirley come back , " laughed Philippa , pulling her arm .

" you 're a hundred years away from us .

come back . "

Anne came back with a sigh ; her eyes were shining softly .

this grave seems to bring it so near and make it so real .

this poor little middy was only eighteen .

he ' died of desperate wounds received in gallant action ' so reads his epitaph .

it is such as a soldier might wish for . "

" well , what do you think of our new friend ? " asked Priscilla , when Phil had left them .

" I like her .

there is something very lovable about her , in spite of all her nonsense .

I believe , as she says herself , that she isn't half as silly as she sounds .

she 's a dear , kissable baby and I don't know that she 'll ever really grow up . "

" I like her , too , " said Priscilla , decidedly .

" she talks as much about boys as Ruby Gillis does .

but it always enrages or sickens me to hear Ruby , whereas I just wanted to laugh good-naturedly at Phil .

now , what is the why of that ? "

" there is a difference , " said Anne meditatively .

" I think it 's because Ruby is really so CONSCIOUS of boys .

she plays at love and love-making .

now , when Phil talks of her beaux it sounds as if she was just speaking of chums .

I 'm glad we met her , and I 'm glad we went to Old St John 's .

I believe I 've put forth a tiny soul-root into Kingsport soil this afternoon .

I hope so .

I hate to feel transplanted . "

chapter V

Letters from Home

for the next three weeks Anne and Priscilla continued to feel as strangers in a strange land .

then , suddenly , everything seemed to fall into focus Redmond , professors , classes , students , studies , social doings .

life became homogeneous again , instead of being made up of detached fragments .

he was also invited to join the " Lambs " Redmondese for Lamba Theta a compliment rarely paid to a Freshman .

this he did cheerfully , doffing his sunbonnet with courtly grace when he met ladies of his acquaintance .

" Fancy Charlie Sloane in a ' caliker ' apron and a ' sunbunnit , ' " giggled Priscilla .

" he 'd look exactly like his old Grandmother Sloane .

Gilbert , now , looked as much like a man in them as in his own proper habiliments . "

Anne and Priscilla found themselves in the thick of the social life of Redmond .

that this came about so speedily was due in great measure to Philippa Gordon .

Philippa was the daughter of a rich and well-known man , and belonged to an old and exclusive " Bluenose " family .

Phil " adored " Anne and Priscilla , especially Anne .

she was a loyal little soul , crystal-free from any form of snobbishness .

" love me , love my friends " seemed to be her unconscious motto .

yet , as she said herself , she had " heaps " of brains .

" Alec and Alonzo don't seem to have any serious rival yet , " remarked Anne , teasingly .

" not one , " agreed Philippa .

" I write them both every week and tell them all about my young men here .

I 'm sure it must amuse them .

but , of course , the one I like best I can't get .

too well I know the reason .

I owe you a grudge , Queen Anne .

I really ought to hate you and instead I love you madly , and I 'm miserable if I don't see you every day .

you 're different from any girl I ever knew before .

and then I make good resolutions ; but the first nice-looking mannie who comes my way knocks them all out of my head .

isn't college life magnificent ?

it 's so funny to think I hated it that first day .

but if I hadn't I might never got really acquainted with you .

Anne , please tell me over again that you like me a little bit .

I yearn to hear it . "

Phil must have found time for she held her own in every class of her year .

even the grumpy old professor of Mathematics , who detested coeds , and had bitterly opposed their admission to Redmond , couldn't floor her .

she led the freshettes everywhere , except in English , where Anne Shirley left her far behind .

this left her more time for a social life which she thoroughly enjoyed .

but never for a moment did she forget Avonlea and the friends there .

to her , the happiest moments in each week were those in which letters came from home .

it was not until she had got her first letters that she began to think she could ever like Kingsport or feel at home there .

the first batch contained six letters , from Jane Andrews , Ruby Gillis , Diana Barry , Marilla , Mrs Lynde and Davy .

it was a silly , harmless letter , and Anne would have laughed over it had it not been for the postscript .

" Gilbert seems to be enjoying Redmond , judging from his letters , " wrote Ruby .

" I don't think Charlie is so stuck on it . "

so Gilbert was writing to Ruby !

very well .

he had a perfect right to , of course .

only ! !

Anne did not know that Ruby had written the first letter and that Gilbert had answered it from mere courtesy .

she tossed Ruby 's letter aside contemptuously .

but it took all Diana 's breezy , newsy , delightful epistle to banish the sting of Ruby 's postscript .

Marilla 's was a rather prim and colorless epistle , severely innocent of gossip or emotion .

Mrs Lynde 's letter was full of church news .

she was at present much worked up over the poor " supplies " they were having in the vacant Avonlea pulpit .

" I don't believe any but fools enter the ministry nowadays , " she wrote bitterly .

" such candidates as they have sent us , and such stuff as they preach !

half of it ain't true , and , what 's worse , it ain't sound doctrine .

the one we have now is the worst of the lot .

he mostly takes a text and preaches about something else .

and he says he doesn't believe all the heathen will be eternally lost .

the idea !

if they won't all the money we 've been giving to Foreign Missions will be clean wasted , that's what !

last Sunday night he announced that next Sunday he 'd preach on the axe-head that swam .

I think he 'd better confine himself to the Bible and leave sensational subjects alone .

things have come to a pretty pass if a minister can't find enough in Holy Writ to preach about , that's what .

what church do you attend , Anne ?

I hope you go regularly .

people are apt to get so careless about church-going away from home , and I understand college students are great sinners in this respect .

I 'm told many of them actually study their lessons on Sunday .

I hope you 'll never sink that low , Anne .

remember how you were brought up .

and be very careful what friends you make .

you never know what sort of creatures are in them colleges .

outwardly they may be as whited sepulchers and inwardly as ravening wolves , that 's what .

you 'd better not have anything to say to any young man who isn't from the Island .

" I forgot to tell you what happened the day the minister called here .

it was the funniest thing I ever saw .

I said to Marilla , ' If Anne had been here wouldn't she have had a laugh ? '

Even Marilla laughed .

you know he 's a very short , fat little man with bow legs .

it made one wild bolt to get out , but there was nowhere to bolt to except between them bow legs .

his hat went one way and his cane another , just as Marilla and I got to the door .

I 'll never forget the look of him .

and that poor pig was near scared to death .

I guess the pig thought he had the Old Boy on his back instead of inside of him .

I was thankful the twins weren't about .

it wouldn't have been the right thing for them to have seen a minister in such an undignified predicament .

Just before they got to the brook the minister jumped off or fell off .

the pig rushed through the brook like mad and up through the woods .

Marilla and I run down and helped the minister get up and brush his coat .

he wasn't hurt , but he was mad .

besides , what did he come to the back door for ?

you 'd never have caught Mr Allan doing that .

it 'll be a long time before we get a man like Mr Allan .

but it 's an ill wind that blows no good .

we 've never seen hoof or hair of that pig since , and it 's my belief we never will .

" Things is pretty quiet in Avonlea .

I don't find Green Gables as lonesome as I expected .

I think I 'll start another cotton warp quilt this winter .

Mrs Silas Sloane has a handsome new apple-leaf pattern .

" when I feel that I must have some excitement I read the murder trials in that Boston paper my niece sends me .

I never used to do it , but they 're real interesting .

the States must be an awful place .

I hope you 'll never go there , Anne .

but the way girls roam over the earth now is something terrible .

it always makes me think of Satan in the Book of Job , going to and fro and walking up and down .

I don't believe the Lord ever intended it , that's what .

" Davy has been pretty good since you went away .

I spanked him for that and then he went and chased my rooster to death .

" the MacPhersons have moved down to my place .

she 's a great housekeeper and very particular .

she 's rooted all my June lilies up because she says they make a garden look so untidy .

Thomas set them lilies out when we were married .

her husband seems a nice sort of a man , but she can't get over being an old maid , that 's what .

" don't study too hard , and be sure and put your winter underclothes on as soon as the weather gets cool .

Davy 's letter plunged into a grievance at the start .

its awful lonesome here without you but grate fun in school .

Jane andrews is crosser than you .

I scared mrs . lynde with a jacky lantern last nite .

she was offel mad and she was mad cause I chased her old rooster round the yard till he fell down ded .

I didn't mean to make him fall down ded .

I herd mrs . lynde asking the minister to pray for her .

what did she do that was so bad , anne , I want to know .

I 've got a kite with a magnificent tail , anne .

ill bet they were skared .

Milty says the black man was the old harry . was he , anne , I want to know .

Marilla says its the silem he has to go to not the other place .

he thinks he has a snake inside of him . whats it like to have a snake inside of you , anne .

" I wonder , " said Anne , as she folded up her letters , " what Mrs Lynde would think of Philippa . "

chapter VI

In the Park

" what are you going to do with yourselves today , girls ? " asked Philippa , popping into Anne 's room one Saturday afternoon .

" we are going for a walk in the park , " answered Anne .

" I ought to stay in and finish my blouse .

but I couldn't sew on a day like this .

there 's something in the air that gets into my blood and makes a sort of glory in my soul .

my fingers would twitch and I 'd sew a crooked seam .

so it 's ho for the park and the pines . "

" does ' we ' include any one but yourself and Priscilla ? "

" yes , it includes Gilbert and Charlie , and we 'll be very glad if it will include you , also . "

" well , new experiences are broadening .

come along , and you 'll be able to sympathize with all poor souls who have to play gooseberry often .

but where are all the victims ? "

" oh , I was tired of them all and simply couldn't be bothered with any of them today .

besides , I 've been feeling a little blue just a pale , elusive azure .

it isn't serious enough for anything darker .

I wrote Alec and Alonzo last week .

I put the letters into envelopes and addressed them , but I didn't seal them up .

that evening something funny happened .

that is , Alec would think it funny , but Alonzo wouldn't be likely to .

I was in a hurry , so I snatched Alec 's letter as I thought out of the envelope and scribbled down a postscript .

then I mailed both letters .

I got Alonzo 's reply this morning .

girls , I had put that postscript to his letter and he was furious .

of course he 'll get over it and I don't care if he doesn't but it spoiled my day .

so I thought I 'd come to you darlings to get cheered up .

after the football season opens I won't have any spare Saturday afternoons .

I adore football .

I 've got the most gorgeous cap and sweater striped in Redmond colors to wear to the games .

to be sure , a little way off I 'll look like a walking barber 's pole .

do you know that that Gilbert of yours has been elected Captain of the Freshman football team ? "

" yes , he told us so last evening , " said Priscilla , seeing that outraged Anne would not answer .

" he and Charlie were down .

we knew they were coming , so we painstakingly put out of sight or out of reach all Miss Ada 's cushions .

that very elaborate one with the raised embroidery I dropped on the floor in the corner behind the chair it was on .

I thought it would be safe there .

but would you believe it ?

Charlie Sloane made for that chair , noticed the cushion behind it , solemnly fished it up , and sat on it the whole evening .

such a wreck of a cushion as it was !

Poor Miss Ada asked me today , still smiling , but oh , so reproachfully , why I had allowed it to be sat upon .

I told her I hadn't that it was a matter of predestination coupled with inveterate Sloanishness and I wasn't a match for both combined . "

" Miss Ada 's cushions are really getting on my nerves , " said Anne .

" she finished two new ones last week , stuffed and embroidered within an inch of their lives .

there being absolutely no other cushionless place to put them she stood them up against the wall on the stair landing .

they topple over half the time and if we come up or down the stairs in the dark we fall over them .

there ! we 're ready , and I see the boys coming through Old St John 's .

do you cast in your lot with us , Phil ? "

" I 'll go , if I can walk with Priscilla and Charlie .

that will be a bearable degree of gooseberry .

that Gilbert of yours is a darling , Anne , but why does he go around so much with Goggle-eyes ? "

Anne stiffened .

she had no great liking for Charlie Sloane ; but he was of Avonlea , so no outsider had any business to laugh at him .

" Charlie and Gilbert have always been friends , " she said coldly .

" Charlie is a nice boy .

he 's not to blame for his eyes . "

" don't tell me that !

he is !

he must have done something dreadful in a previous existence to be punished with such eyes .

Pris and I are going to have such sport with him this afternoon .

we 'll make fun of him to his face and he 'll never know it . "

doubtless , " the abandoned P 's , " as Anne called them , did carry out their amiable intentions .

it must surely impress Anne .

she would see that some people appreciated him at his real value .

" the silence here is like a prayer , isn't it ? " said Anne , her face upturned to the shining sky .

" how I love the pines !

they seem to strike their roots deep into the romance of all the ages .

it is so comforting to creep away now and then for a good talk with them .

I always feel so happy out here . "

quoted Gilbert .

" they make our little ambitions seem rather petty , don't they , Anne ? "

" but there must sometime , " mused Anne .

" life seems like a cup of glory held to my lips just now .

but there must be some bitterness in it there is in every cup .

I shall taste mine some day .

well , I hope I shall be strong and brave to meet it .

and I hope it won't be through my own fault that it will come .

but we mustn't talk of sorrow on an afternoon like this .

it 's meant for the sheer joy of living , isn't it ? "

" then you would be very unwise , " rejoined Anne hastily .

come the others have got to the pavilion and are beckoning to us . "

they all sat down in the little pavilion to watch an autumn sunset of deep red fire and pallid gold .

to their left lay Kingsport , its roofs and spires dim in their shroud of violet smoke .

to their right lay the harbor , taking on tints of rose and copper as it stretched out into the sunset .

its lighthouse beacon flared through the mist like a baleful star , and was answered by another in the far horizon .

" did you ever see such a strong-looking place ? " asked Philippa .

" I don't want William 's Island especially , but I 'm sure I couldn't get it if I did .

look at that sentry on the summit of the fort , right beside the flag .

doesn't he look as if he had stepped out of a romance ? "

" speaking of romance , " said Priscilla , " we 've been looking for heather but , of course , we couldn't find any .

it 's too late in the season , I suppose . "

" Heather ! " exclaimed Anne .

" Heather doesn't grow in America , does it ? "

" oh , how delightful ! " said enchanted Anne .

" let's go home around by Spofford Avenue , " suggested Gilbert .

" we can see all ' the handsome houses where the wealthy nobles dwell . '

Spofford Avenue is the finest residential street in Kingsport .

nobody can build on it unless he 's a millionaire . "

" oh , do , " said Phil .

" there 's a perfectly killing little place I want to show you , Anne .

IT wasn't built by a millionaire .

it 's the first place after you leave the park , and must have grown while Spofford Avenue was still a country road .

it DID grow it wasn't built !

I don't care for the houses on the Avenue .

they 're too brand new and plateglassy .

but this little spot is a dream and its name but wait till you see it . "

they saw it as they walked up the pine-fringed hill from the park .

it was covered with red and gold vines , through which its green-shuttered windows peeped .

before it was a tiny garden , surrounded by a low stone wall .

a tiny brick wall , in herring-bone pattern , led from the gate to the front porch .

as Phil said , it was the difference between being born and being made .

" it 's the dearest place I ever saw , " said Anne delightedly .

" it gives me one of my old , delightful funny aches .

it 's dearer and quainter than even Miss Lavendar 's stone house . "

" it 's the name I want you to notice especially , " said Phil .

" look in white letters , around the archway over the gate .

' Patty 's Place . '

isn't that killing ?

especially on this Avenue of Pinehursts and Elmwolds and Cedarcrofts ?

' Patty 's Place , ' if you please !

I adore it . "

" have you any idea who Patty is ? " asked Priscilla .

" Patty Spofford is the name of the old lady who owns it , I 've discovered .

she lives there with her niece , and they 've lived there for hundreds of years , more or less maybe a little less , Anne .

exaggeration is merely a flight of poetic fancy .

" I 'm going to dream about ' Patty 's Place ' tonight , " said Anne .

" why , I feel as if I belonged to it .

I wonder if , by any chance , we 'll ever see the inside of it . "

" it isn't likely , " said Priscilla .

Anne smiled mysteriously .

" no , it isn't likely .

but I believe it will happen .

chapter VII

home Again

those first three weeks at Redmond had seemed long ; but the rest of the term flew by on wings of wind .

before they realized it the Redmond students found themselves in the grind of Christmas examinations , emerging therefrom more or less triumphantly .

" I can't really believe that this time tomorrow I 'll be in Green Gables , " said Anne on the night before departure .

" but I shall be .

and you , Phil , will be in Bolingbroke with Alec and Alonzo . "

" I 'm longing to see them , " admitted Phil , between the chocolate she was nibbling .

" they really are such dear boys , you know .

there 's to be no end of dances and drives and general jamborees .

I shall never forgive you , Queen Anne , for not coming home with me for the holidays . "

" ' Never ' means three days with you , Phil .

it was dear of you to ask me and I 'd love to go to Bolingbroke some day .

but I can't go this year I MUST go home .

you don't know how my heart longs for it . "

" you won't have much of a time , " said Phil scornfully .

you 'll die of lonesomeness , child . "

" In Avonlea ? " said Anne , highly amused .

" now , if you 'd come with me you 'd have a perfectly gorgeous time .

Bolingbroke would go wild over you , Queen Anne your hair and your style and , oh , everything !

you 're so DIFFERENT .

you 'd be such a success and I would bask in reflected glory ' not the rose but near the rose . '

do come , after all , Anne . "

" your picture of social triumphs is quite fascinating , Phil , but I 'll paint one to offset it .

I 'm going home to an old country farmhouse , once green , rather faded now , set among leafless apple orchards .

there is a brook below and a December fir wood beyond , where I 've heard harps swept by the fingers of rain and wind .

there is a pond nearby that will be gray and brooding now .

how do you like my picture , Phil ? "

" it seems a very dull one , " said Phil , with a grimace .

" oh , but I 've left out the transforming thing , " said Anne softly .

that makes my picture a masterpiece , doesn't it , even if the colors are not very brilliant ? "

Phil silently got up , tossed her box of chocolates away , went up to Anne , and put her arms about her .

" Anne , I wish I was like you , " she said soberly .

Diana met Anne at the Carmody station the next night , and they drove home together under silent , star-sown depths of sky .

Green Gables had a very festal appearance as they drove up the lane .

" Davy means that for an Indian war-whoop , " said Diana .

" Mr Harrison 's hired boy taught it to him , and he 's been practicing it up to welcome you with .

Mrs Lynde says it has worn her nerves to a frazzle .

he creeps up behind her , you know , and then lets go .

he was determined to have a bonfire for you , too .

he 's been piling up branches for a fortnight and pestering Marilla to be let pour some kerosene oil over it before setting it on fire .

" isn't that a bully bonfire , Anne ?

just let me show you how to poke it see the sparks ?

I did it for you , Anne , ' cause I was so glad you were coming home . "

the kitchen door opened and Marilla 's spare form darkened against the inner light .

Mrs Lynde was behind her , sonsy , kindly , matronly , as of yore .

the love that Anne had told Phil was waiting for her surrounded her and enfolded her with its blessing and its sweetness .

nothing , after all , could compare with old ties , old friends , and old Green Gables !

how starry Anne 's eyes were as they sat down to the loaded supper table , how pink her cheeks , how silver-clear her laughter !

and Diana was going to stay all night , too .

how like the dear old times it was !

and the rose-bud tea-set graced the table !

with Marilla the force of nature could no further go .

" I suppose you and Diana will now proceed to talk all night , " said Marilla sarcastically , as the girls went upstairs .

Marilla was always sarcastic after any self-betrayal .

" yes , " agreed Anne gaily , " but I 'm going to put Davy to bed first .

he insists on that . "

" you bet , " said Davy , as they went along the hall .

" I want somebody to say my prayers to again .

it 's no fun saying them alone . "

" you don't say them alone , Davy .

God is always with you to hear you . "

" well , I can't see Him , " objected Davy .

nevertheless , when Davy was garbed in his gray flannel nighty , he did not seem in a hurry to begin .

he stood before Anne , shuffling one bare foot over the other , and looked undecided .

" come , dear , kneel down , " said Anne .

Davy came and buried his head in Anne 's lap , but he did not kneel down .

" Anne , " he said in a muffled voice .

" I don't feel like praying after all .

I haven't felt like it for a week now .

I I DIDN'T pray last night nor the night before . "

" why not , Davy ? " asked Anne gently .

" you you won't be mad if I tell you ? " implored Davy .

Anne lifted the little gray-flannelled body on her knee and cuddled his head on her arm .

" do I ever get ' mad ' when you tell me things , Davy ? "

" No-o-o , you never do .

but you get sorry , and that 's worse .

you 'll be awful sorry when I tell you this , Anne and you 'll be ' shamed of me , I s'pose . "

" have you done something naughty , Davy , and is that why you can't say your prayers ? "

" no , I haven't done anything naughty yet .

but I want to do it . "

" what is it , Davy ? "

" I I want to say a bad word , Anne , " blurted out Davy , with a desperate effort .

" say it then , Davy . "

Davy lifted his flushed face in amazement .

" but , Anne , it 's an AWFUL bad word . "

" SAY IT ! "

Davy gave her another incredulous look , then in a low voice he said the dreadful word .

the next minute his face was burrowing against her .

" oh , Anne , I 'll never say it again never .

I 'll never WANT to say it again .

I knew it was bad , but I didn't s'pose it was so so I didn't s'pose it was like THAT . "

" no , I don't think you 'll ever want to say it again , Davy or think it , either .

and I wouldn't go about much with Mr Harrison 's hired boy if I were you . "

" he can make bully war-whoops , " said Davy a little regretfully .

" no , " said Davy , owl-eyed with introspection .

" then don't go with those people who use them .

and now do you feel as if you could say your prayers , Davy ? "

" oh , yes , " said Davy , eagerly wriggling down on his knees , " I can say them now all right .

probably Anne and Diana did empty out their souls to each other that night , but no record of their confidences has been preserved .

they both looked as fresh and bright-eyed at breakfast as only youth can look after unlawful hours of revelry and confession .

so they had a white Christmas after all , and a very pleasant day it was .

" miss Lavendar and Mr Irving are settled in their new home now , " reported Anne .

she doesn't like Boston at all , and she is fearfully homesick .

I think I 'll get Diana to go over with me next week , and we can spend the evening with Theodora Dix .

I want to see Theodora .

by the way , is Ludovic Speed still going to see her ? "

" they say so , " said Marilla , " and he 's likely to continue it .

folks have given up expecting that that courtship will ever arrive anywhere . "

" I 'd hurry him up a bit , if I was Theodora , that 's what , " said Mrs Lynde .

and there is not the slightest doubt but that she would .

" but I can't make up my mind yet which to marry , " wrote Phil .

" I do wish you had come with me to decide for me .

some one will have to .

when I saw Alec my heart gave a great thump and I thought , ' He might be the right one . '

and then , when Alonzo came , thump went my heart again .

so that 's no guide , though it should be , according to all the novels I 've ever read .

now , Anne , YOUR heart wouldn't thump for anybody but the genuine Prince Charming , would it ?

there must be something radically wrong with mine .

but I 'm having a perfectly gorgeous time .

how I wish you were here !

it 's snowing today , and I 'm rapturous .

I was so afraid we 'd have a green Christmas and I loathe them .

don't ask me why .

as Lord Dundreary says , ' there are thome thingth no fellow can underthtand . '

I did , the other day .

it 's quite awful .

I had a nickel with me when I got on the car .

I thought it was in the left pocket of my coat .

when I got settled down comfortably I felt for it .

it wasn't there .

I had a cold chill .

I felt in the other pocket .

not there .

I had another chill .

then I felt in a little inside pocket .

all in vain .

I had two chills at once .

" I took off my gloves , laid them on the seat , and went over all my pockets again .

it was not there .

I stood up and shook myself , and then looked on the floor .

" but I could not find my fare .

I concluded I must have put it in my mouth and swallowed it inadvertently .

" I didn't know what to do .

would the conductor , I wondered , stop the car and put me off in ignominy and shame ?

how I wished that Alec or Alonzo were there .

but they weren't because I wanted them .

if I HADN'T wanted them they would have been there by the dozen .

and I couldn't decide what to say to the conductor when he came around .

as soon as I got one sentence of explanation mapped out in my mind I felt nobody could believe it and I must compose another .

I hadn't swallowed it after all .

I meekly fished it out of the index finger of my glove and poked it in the box .

I smiled at everybody and felt that it was a beautiful world . "

the visit to Echo Lodge was not the least pleasant of many pleasant holiday outings .

Anne and Diana went back to it by the old way of the beech woods , carrying a lunch basket with them .

the perfume of Miss Lavendar 's rose bowl still filled the air .

Paul , too , seemed hovering around , with his fairy fancies .

" it really makes me feel a little bit like a ghost revisiting the old time glimpses of the moon , " laughed Anne .

" let's go out and see if the echoes are at home .

bring the old horn .

it is still behind the kitchen door . "

chapter VIII

Anne 's First Proposal

the old year did not slip away in a green twilight , with a pinky-yellow sunset .

instead , it went out with a wild , white bluster and blow .

but when they were cuddled between their blankets , in Anne 's little porch room , it was not her mercies of which Jane was thinking .

" Anne , " she said very solemnly , " I want to tell you something .

May I "

Anne was feeling rather sleepy after the party Ruby Gillis had given the night before .

she would much rather have gone to sleep than listen to Jane 's confidences , which she was sure would bore her .

she had no prophetic inkling of what was coming .

" I 'll soon be the only fancy-free maiden of our old quartet , " thought Anne , drowsily .

aloud she said , " of course . "

" Anne , " said Jane , still more solemnly , " what do you think of my brother Billy ? "

Anne gasped over this unexpected question , and floundered helplessly in her thoughts .

goodness , what DID she think of Billy Andrews ?

she had never thought ANYTHING about him round-faced , stupid , perpetually smiling , good-natured Billy Andrews .

did ANYBODY ever think about Billy Andrews ?

" I I don't understand , Jane , " she stammered .

" what do you mean exactly ? "

" do you like Billy ? " asked Jane bluntly .

" why why yes , I like him , of course , " gasped Anne , wondering if she were telling the literal truth .

certainly she did not DISlike Billy .

WHAT was Jane trying to elucidate ?

" would you like him for a husband ? " asked Jane calmly .

" a husband ! "

Anne had been sitting up in bed , the better to wrestle with the problem of her exact opinion of Billy Andrews .

now she fell flatly back on her pillows , the very breath gone out of her .

" whose husband ? "

" yours , of course , " answered Jane .

" Billy wants to marry you .

but he 's so shy he couldn't ask you himself if you 'd have him , so he got me to do it .

I 'd rather not have , but he gave me no peace till I said I would , if I got a good chance .

what do you think about it , Anne ? "

was it a dream ?

Anne did not know whether she wanted to writhe or laugh ; but she could do neither , for Jane 's feelings must not be hurt .

" I I couldn't marry Bill , you know , Jane , " she managed to gasp .

" why , such an idea never occurred to me never ! "

" I don't suppose it did , " agreed Jane .

" Billy has always been far too shy to think of courting .

but you might think it over , Anne .

Billy is a good fellow .

I must say that , if he is my brother .

he has no bad habits and he 's a great worker , and you can depend on him .

' A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush . '

" I can't marry Billy , " said Anne decidedly .

she had recovered her wits , and was even feeling a little angry .

it was all so ridiculous .

" there is no use thinking of it , Jane .

I don't care anything for him in that way , and you must tell him so . "

" well , I didn't suppose you would , " said Jane with a resigned sigh , feeling that she had done her best .

" I told Billy I didn't believe it was a bit of use to ask you , but he insisted .

well , you 've made your decision , Anne , and I hope you won't regret it . "

Jane spoke rather coldly .

she had been perfectly sure that the enamored Billy had no chance at all of inducing Anne to marry him .

well , pride sometimes goes before a fall , Jane reflected ominously .

Anne permitted herself to smile in the darkness over the idea that she might ever regret not marrying Billy Andrews .

" I hope Billy won't feel very badly over it , " she said nicely .

Jane made a movement as if she were tossing her head on her pillow .

" oh , he won't break his heart .

Billy has too much good sense for that .

he likes Nettie Blewett pretty well , too , and mother would rather he married her than any one .

she 's such a good manager and saver .

I think , when Billy is once sure you won't have him , he 'll take Nettie .

please don't mention this to any one , will you , Anne ? "

Nettie Blewett !

" and now I suppose we 'd better go to sleep , " suggested Jane .

that proposed-to damsel lay on a wakeful pillow until the wee sma's , but her meditations were far from being romantic .

it was not , however , until the next morning that she had an opportunity to indulge in a good laugh over the whole affair .

" if I could only share the joke with some one ! " she thought .

" but I can't .

she tells everything to Fred I know she does .

well , I 've had my first proposal .

I supposed it would come some day but I certainly never thought it would be by proxy .

it 's awfully funny and yet there 's a sting in it , too , somehow . "

Anne knew quite well wherein the sting consisted , though she did not put it into words .

she had had her secret dreams of the first time some one should ask her the great question .

and it would always be a beautiful memory , to be proud of and a little sad about , also .

and now , this thrilling experience had turned out to be merely grotesque .

there was romance for you , with a vengeance !

Anne laughed and then sighed .

the bloom had been brushed from one little maiden dream .

would the painful process go on until everything became prosaic and hum-drum ?

chapter IX

An Unwelcome Lover and a Welcome Friend

the second term at Redmond sped as quickly as had the first " actually whizzed away , " Philippa said .

she studied hard , for she had made up her mind to win the Thorburn Scholarship in English .

Gilbert , too , was in full chase after a scholarship , but found plenty of time for frequent calls at Thirty-eight , St John 's .

he was Anne 's escort at nearly all the college affairs , and she knew that their names were coupled in Redmond gossip .

only one disagreeable incident marred that winter .

she was angry , too , for she felt that she had never given Charlie the slightest encouragement to suppose such a thing possible .

but what could you expect of a Sloane , as Mrs Rachel Lynde would ask scornfully ?

Charlie 's whole attitude , tone , air , words , fairly reeked with Sloanishness .

" he was conferring a great honor no doubt whatever about that .

Charlie certainly did not take his dismissal as Anne 's imaginary rejected suitors did .

had she actually stooped to quarrel with a Sloane ?

was it possible anything Charlie Sloane could say had power to make her angry ?

oh , this was degradation , indeed worse even than being the rival of Nettie Blewett !

" I wish I need never see the horrible creature again , " she sobbed vindictively into her pillows .

she could not avoid seeing him again , but the outraged Charlie took care that it should not be at very close quarters .

relations between these two old schoolmates continued to be thus strained for nearly a year !

one day Anne scurried excitedly into Priscilla 's room .

" read that , " she cried , tossing Priscilla a letter .

" it 's from Stella and she 's coming to Redmond next year and what do you think of her idea ?

I think it 's a perfectly splendid one , if we can only carry it out .

do you suppose we can , Pris ? "

Stella Maynard had been one of their chums at Queen 's Academy and had been teaching school ever since .

" but I 'm going to give it up , Anne dear , " she wrote , " and go to college next year .

as I took the third year at Queen 's I can enter the Sophomore year .

I 'm tired of teaching in a back country school .

some day I 'm going to write a treatise on ' The Trials of a Country Schoolmarm . '

it will be a harrowing bit of realism .

it seems to be the prevailing impression that we live in clover , and have nothing to do but draw our quarter 's salary .

my treatise shall tell the truth about us .

' Well , you get your money easy , ' some rate-payer will tell me , condescendingly .

' All you have to do is to sit there and hear lessons . '

I used to argue the matter at first , but I 'm wiser now .

facts are stubborn things , but as some one has wisely said , not half so stubborn as fallacies .

so I only smile loftily now in eloquent silence .

' I have to look for what 's coming next before I know what went last , ' he complained .

I feel like that myself .

" and the letters I get , Anne !

Tommy 's mother writes me that Tommy is not coming on in arithmetic as fast as she would like .

" as to the financial part but I 'll not begin on that .

those whom the gods wish to destroy they first make country schoolmarms !

" there , I feel better , after that growl .

after all , I 've enjoyed these past two years .

but I 'm coming to Redmond .

" and now , Anne , I 've a little plan .

you know how I loathe boarding .

I 've boarded for four years and I 'm so tired of it .

I don't feel like enduring three years more of it .

" now , why can't you and Priscilla and I club together , rent a little house somewhere in Kingsport , and board ourselves ?

it would be cheaper than any other way .

of course , we would have to have a housekeeper and I have one ready on the spot .

you 've heard me speak of Aunt Jamesina ?

she 's the sweetest aunt that ever lived , in spite of her name .

she can't help that !

she was called Jamesina because her father , whose name was James , was drowned at sea a month before she was born .

I always call her Aunt Jimsie .

well , her only daughter has recently married and gone to the foreign mission field .

aunt Jamesina is left alone in a great big house , and she is horribly lonesome .

she will come to Kingsport and keep house for us if we want her , and I know you 'll both love her .

the more I think of the plan the more I like it .

we could have such good , independent times .

that would be better than leaving it till the fall .

" I think it 's a good idea , " said Priscilla .

" so do I , " agreed Anne delightedly .

" of course , we have a nice boardinghouse here , but , when all 's said and done , a boardinghouse isn't home .

so let's go house-hunting at once , before exams come on . "

" I 'm afraid it will be hard enough to get a really suitable house , " warned Priscilla .

" don't expect too much , Anne .

nice houses in nice localities will probably be away beyond our means .

accordingly they went house-hunting , but to find just what they wanted proved even harder than Priscilla had feared .

" we may find some shack to shelter us then ; and if not , boardinghouses we shall have always with us . "

" spring is singing in my blood today , and the lure of April is abroad on the air .

I 'm seeing visions and dreaming dreams , Pris .

that 's because the wind is from the west .

I do love the west wind .

it sings of hope and gladness , doesn't it ?

when the east wind blows I always think of sorrowful rain on the eaves and sad waves on a gray shore .

when I get old I shall have rheumatism when the wind is east . "

" don't you feel as if you had been made over new ? "

" everything is new in the spring , " said Anne .

" springs themselves are always so new , too .

no spring is ever just like any other spring .

it always has something of its own to be its own peculiar sweetness .

see how green the grass is around that little pond , and how the willow buds are bursting . "

" and exams are over and gone the time of Convocation will come soon next Wednesday .

this day next week we 'll be home . "

" I 'm glad , " said Anne dreamily .

" there are so many things I want to do .

I want to sit on the back porch steps and feel the breeze blowing down over Mr Harrison 's fields .

I want to hunt ferns in the Haunted Wood and gather violets in Violet Vale .

do you remember the day of our golden picnic , Priscilla ?

I want to hear the frogs singing and the poplars whispering .

but I 've learned to love Kingsport , too , and I 'm glad I 'm coming back next fall .

if I hadn't won the Thorburn I don't believe I could have .

I COULDN'T take any of Marilla 's little hoard . "

" if we could only find a house ! " sighed Priscilla .

" look over there at Kingsport , Anne houses , houses everywhere , and not one for us . "

" stop it , Pris .

' The best is yet to be . '

like the old Roman , we 'll find a house or build one .

on a day like this there 's no such word as fail in my bright lexicon . "

" it 's a nice story-bookish feeling .

why why why !

Priscilla Grant , look over there and tell me if it 's true , or am I seein ' things ? "

Priscilla looked .

Anne 's thumbs and eyes had not deceived her .

over the arched gateway of Patty 's Place dangled a little , modest sign .

it said " to Let , Furnished .

inquire Within . "

" Priscilla , " said Anne , in a whisper , " do you suppose it 's possible that we could rent Patty 's Place ? "

" no , I don't , " averred Priscilla .

" it would be too good to be true .

fairy tales don't happen nowadays .

I won't hope , Anne .

the disappointment would be too awful to bear .

they 're sure to want more for it than we can afford .

remember , it 's on Spofford Avenue . "

" we must find out anyhow , " said Anne resolutely .

" it 's too late to call this evening , but we 'll come tomorrow .

oh , Pris , if we can get this darling spot !

I 've always felt that my fortunes were linked with Patty 's Place , ever since I saw it first . "

chapter X

Patty 's Place

the next evening found them treading resolutely the herring-bone walk through the tiny garden .

the girls rang rather timidly , and were admitted by a grim and ancient handmaiden .

except that one looked to be about seventy and the other fifty , there seemed little difference between them .

those dogs captured Anne 's fancy on the spot ; they seemed like the twin guardian deities of Patty 's Place .

for a few minutes nobody spoke .

the girls were too nervous to find words , and neither the ancient ladies nor the china dogs seemed conversationally inclined .

Anne glanced about the room .

what a dear place it was !

another door opened out of it directly into the pine grove and the robins came boldly up on the very step .

and yet here they were on Spofford Avenue !

a big , polished grandfather 's clock ticked loudly and solemnly in a corner .

there were delightful little cupboards over the mantelpiece , behind whose glass doors gleamed quaint bits of china .

the walls were hung with old prints and silhouettes .

in one corner the stairs went up , and at the first low turn was a long window with an inviting seat .

it was all just as Anne had known it must be .

by this time the silence had grown too dreadful , and Priscilla nudged Anne to intimate that she must speak .

" oh , yes , " said Miss Patty .

" I intended to take that sign down today . "

" then then we are too late , " said Anne sorrowfully .

" you 've let it to some one else ? "

" no , but we have decided not to let it at all . "

" oh , I 'm so sorry , " exclaimed Anne impulsively .

" I love this place so .

I did hope we could have got it . "

the other lady followed her example so perfectly that she might as well have been a reflection in a mirror .

" you LOVE it , " said Miss Patty with emphasis .

" does that mean that you really LOVE it ?

or that you merely like the looks of it ?

the girls nowadays indulge in such exaggerated statements that one never can tell what they DO mean .

it wasn't so in my young days .

Anne 's conscience bore her up .

" I really do love it , " she said gently .

" I 've loved it ever since I saw it last fall .

" if you love it , you can have it , " said Miss Patty .

we don't HAVE to let it .

we can afford to go to Europe even if we don't let it .

YOU are different .

I believe you do love it and will be good to it .

you can have it . "

" if if we can afford to pay what you ask for it , " hesitated Anne .

Miss Patty named the amount required .

Anne and Priscilla looked at each other .

Priscilla shook her head .

" I 'm afraid we can't afford quite so much , " said Anne , choking back her disappointment .

" you see , we are only college girls and we are poor . "

" what were you thinking you could afford ? " demanded Miss Patty , ceasing not to knit .

Anne named her amount .

Miss Patty nodded gravely .

" that will do .

as I told you , it is not strictly necessary that we should let it at all .

we are not rich , but we have enough to go to Europe on .

I have never been in Europe in my life , and never expected or wanted to go .

but my niece there , Maria Spofford , has taken a fancy to go .

now , you know a young person like Maria can't go globetrotting alone . "

" no I I suppose not , " murmured Anne , seeing that Miss Patty was quite solemnly in earnest .

" of course not .

so I have to go along to look after her .

I expect to enjoy it , too ; I 'm seventy years old , but I 'm not tired of living yet .

I daresay I 'd have gone to Europe before if the idea had occurred to me .

we shall be away for two years , perhaps three .

we sail in June and we shall send you the key , and leave all in order for you to take possession when you choose .

we shall pack away a few things we prize especially , but all the rest will be left . "

" will you leave the china dogs ? " asked Anne timidly .

" would you like me to ? "

" oh , indeed , yes .

they are delightful . "

a pleased expression came into Miss Patty 's face .

" I think a great deal of those dogs , " she said proudly .

Spofford Avenue was called after my brother Aaron . "

" a fine man he was , " said Miss Maria , speaking for the first time .

" ah , you don't see the like of him nowadays . "

" he was a good uncle to you , Maria , " said Miss Patty , with evident emotion .

" you do well to remember him . "

" I shall always remember him , " said Miss Maria solemnly .

" I shall leave the dogs where they are , if you will promise to be very careful of them , " she said .

" their names are Gog and Magog .

Gog looks to the right and Magog to the left .

and there 's just one thing more .

you don't object , I hope , to this house being called Patty 's Place ? "

" no , indeed .

we think that is one of the nicest things about it . "

" you have sense , I see , " said Miss Patty in a tone of great satisfaction .

" would you believe it ?

I told them roundly that the name went with the house .

" and now , wouldn't you like to go over the house and see it all before we consider the bargain made ? "

further exploration still further delighted the girls .

besides the big living-room , there was a kitchen and a small bedroom downstairs .

Upstairs were three rooms , one large and two small .

Anne took an especial fancy to one of the small ones , looking out into the big pines , and hoped it would be hers .

it was papered in pale blue and had a little , old-timey toilet table with sconces for candles .

there was a diamond-paned window with a seat under the blue muslin frills that would be a satisfying spot for studying or dreaming .

" Miss Patty and Miss Maria are hardly such stuff as dreams are made of , " laughed Anne .

" can you fancy them ' globe-trotting ' especially in those shawls and caps ? "

they simply couldn't be parted from it .

they will walk about Westminster Abbey and knit , I feel sure .

meanwhile , Anne , we shall be living in Patty 's Place and on Spofford Avenue .

I feel like a millionairess even now . "

" I feel like one of the morning stars that sang for joy , " said Anne .

Phil Gordon crept into Thirty-eight , St John 's , that night and flung herself on Anne 's bed .

" Girls , dear , I 'm tired to death .

I feel like the man without a country or was it without a shadow ?

I forget which .

anyway , I 've been packing up . "

" E-zackly .

I had to unlock the old thing and poke and dive into it for an hour before I fished out what I wanted .

no , Anne , I did NOT swear . "

" I didn't say you did . "

" well , you looked it .

but I admit my thoughts verged on the profane .

and I have such a cold in the head I can do nothing but sniffle , sigh and sneeze .

isn't that alliterative agony for you ?

Queen Anne , do say something to cheer me up . "

" remember that next Thursday night , you 'll be back in the land of Alec and Alonzo , " suggested Anne .

Phil shook her head dolefully .

" more alliteration .

no , I don't want Alec and Alonzo when I have a cold in the head .

but what has happened you two ?

now that I look at you closely you seem all lighted up with an internal iridescence .

why , you 're actually SHINING !

what 's up ? "

" we are going to live in Patty 's Place next winter , " said Anne triumphantly .

" live , mark you , not board !

we 've rented it , and Stella Maynard is coming , and her aunt is going to keep house for us . "

Phil bounced up , wiped her nose , and fell on her knees before Anne .

" Girls girls let me come , too .

oh , I 'll be so good .

if there 's no room for me I 'll sleep in the little doghouse in the orchard I 've seen it .

only let me come . "

" get up , you goose . "

" I won't stir off my marrow bones till you tell me I can live with you next winter . "

Anne and Priscilla looked at each other .

then Anne said slowly , " Phil dear , we 'd love to have you .

but we may as well speak plainly .

I'm poor Pris is poor Stella Maynard is poor our housekeeping will have to be very simple and our table plain .

you 'd have to live as we would .

now , you are rich and your boardinghouse fare attests the fact . "

" oh , what do I care for that ? " demanded Phil tragically .

" better a dinner of herbs where your chums are than a stalled ox in a lonely boardinghouse .

don't think I 'm ALL stomach , girls .

I 'll be willing to live on bread and water with just a LEETLE jam if you 'll let me come . "

" and then , " continued Anne , " there will be a good deal of work to be done .

Stella 's aunt can't do it all .

we all expect to have our chores to do .

now , you "

" toil not , neither do I spin , " finished Philippa .

" but I 'll learn to do things .

you 'll only have to show me once .

I CAN make my own bed to begin with .

and remember that , though I can't cook , I CAN keep my temper .

that 's something .

and I NEVER growl about the weather .

That's more .

oh , please , please !

I never wanted anything so much in my life and this floor is awfully hard . "

" there 's just one more thing , " said Priscilla resolutely .

" you , Phil , as all Redmond knows , entertain callers almost every evening .

now , at Patty 's Place we can't do that .

we have decided that we shall be at home to our friends on Friday evenings only .

if you come with us you 'll have to abide by that rule . "

" well , you don't think I 'll mind that , do you ?

why , I 'm glad of it .

I knew I should have had some such rule myself , but I hadn't enough decision to make it or stick to it .

when I can shuffle off the responsibility on you it will be a real relief .

if you won't let me cast in my lot with you I 'll die of the disappointment and then I 'll come back and haunt you .

again Anne and Priscilla exchanged eloquent looks .

" if you get tired of our simple life you can leave us , and no questions asked , " added Priscilla .

Phil sprang up , hugged them both jubilantly , and went on her way rejoicing .

" I hope things will go right , " said Priscilla soberly .

" we must MAKE them go right , " avowed Anne .

" I think Phil will fit into our ' appy little ' ome very well . "

" oh , Phil 's a dear to rattle round with and be chums .

and , of course , the more there are of us the easier it will be on our slim purses .

but how will she be to live with ?

you have to summer and winter with any one before you know if she 's LIVABLE or not . "

" oh , well , we 'll all be put to the test , as far as that goes .

and we must quit us like sensible folk , living and let live .

Phil isn't selfish , though she 's a little thoughtless , and I believe we will all get on beautifully in Patty 's Place . "

chapter XI

the Round of Life

Anne was back in Avonlea with the luster of the Thorburn Scholarship on her brow .

People told her she hadn't changed much , in a tone which hinted they were surprised and a little disappointed she hadn't .

Avonlea had not changed , either .

at least , so it seemed at first .

a new minister was in the pulpit .

in the pews more than one familiar face was missing forever .

and Billy Andrews was married to Nettie Blewett !

they " appeared out " that Sunday .

she recalled the stormy winter night of the Christmas holidays when Jane had proposed for Billy .

he certainly had not broken his heart over his rejection .

Anne wondered if Jane had also proposed to Nettie for him , or if he had mustered enough spunk to ask the fateful question himself .

all the Andrews family seemed to share in his pride and pleasure , from Mrs Harmon in the pew to Jane in the choir .

Jane had resigned from the Avonlea school and intended to go West in the fall .

" can't get a beau in Avonlea , that 's what , " said Mrs Rachel Lynde scornfully .

" SAYS she thinks she 'll have better health out West .

I never heard her health was poor before . "

" Jane is a nice girl , " Anne had said loyally .

" she never tried to attract attention , as some did . "

" oh , she never chased the boys , if that 's what you mean , " said Mrs Rachel .

" but she 'd like to be married , just as much as anybody , that's what .

what else would take her out West to some forsaken place whose only recommendation is that men are plenty and women scarce ?

don't you tell me ! "

but it was not at Jane , Anne gazed that day in dismay and surprise .

it was at Ruby Gillis , who sat beside her in the choir .

what had happened to Ruby ?

" is Ruby Gillis ill ? "

Anne asked of Mrs Lynde , as they went home from church .

" Ruby Gillis is dying of galloping consumption , " said Mrs Lynde bluntly .

" everybody knows it except herself and her FAMILY .

they won't give in .

if you ask THEM , she 's perfectly well .

she 'll be in her grave , poor girl , when White Sands school opens , that's what . "

Anne listened in shocked silence .

ruby Gillis , her old school-chum , dying ?

could it be possible ?

Ruby , the brilliant , the merry , the coquettish !

it was impossible to associate the thought of her with anything like death .

she had greeted Anne with gay cordiality after church , and urged her to come up the next evening .

" I 'll be away Tuesday and Wednesday evenings , " she had whispered triumphantly .

" there 's a concert at Carmody and a party at White Sands .

Herb Spencer 's going to take me .

he 's my LATEST .

be sure to come up tomorrow .

I 'm dying for a good talk with you .

I want to hear all about your doings at Redmond . "

she 's fighting so hard for her life , and yet she hasn't any chance at all , they say . "

the girls walked silently down the red , twilit road .

the robins were singing vespers in the high treetops , filling the golden air with their jubilant voices .

the air was fragrant with the wild , sweet , wholesome smell of young raspberry copses .

white mists were hovering in the silent hollows and violet stars were shining bluely on the brooklands .

" what a beautiful sunset , " said Diana .

" look , Anne , it 's just like a land in itself , isn't it ?

that long , low back of purple cloud is the shore , and the clear sky further on is like a golden sea . "

" do you think we could find all our yesterdays there , Diana all our old springs and blossoms ?

the beds of flowers that Paul saw there are the roses that have bloomed for us in the past ? "

" don't ! " said Diana .

" you make me feel as if we were old women with everything in life behind us . "

" I think I 've almost felt as if we were since I heard about poor Ruby , " said Anne .

" if it is true that she is dying any other sad thing might be true , too . "

" you don't mind calling in at Elisha Wright 's for a moment , do you ? " asked Diana .

" mother asked me to leave this little dish of jelly for Aunt Atossa . "

" who is Aunt Atossa ? "

" oh , haven't you heard ?

she 's Mrs Samson Coates of Spencervale Mrs Elisha Wright 's aunt .

she 's father 's aunt , too .

her husband died last winter and she was left very poor and lonely , so the Wrights took her to live with them .

mother thought we ought to take her , but father put his foot down .

Live with Aunt Atossa he would not . "

" is she so terrible ? " asked Anne absently .

" you 'll probably see what she 's like before we can get away , " said Diana significantly .

" father says she has a face like a hatchet it cuts the air .

but her tongue is sharper still . "

late as it was Aunt Atossa was cutting potato sets in the Wright kitchen .

she wore a faded old wrapper , and her gray hair was decidedly untidy .

Aunt Atossa did not like being " caught in a kilter , " so she went out of her way to be disagreeable .

" oh , so you 're Anne Shirley ? " she said , when Diana introduced Anne .

" I 've heard of you . "

her tone implied that she had heard nothing good .

" Mrs Andrews was telling me you were home .

she said you had improved a good deal . "

there was no doubt Aunt Atossa thought there was plenty of room for further improvement .

she ceased not from cutting sets with much energy .

" is it any use to ask you to sit down ? " she inquired sarcastically .

" of course , there 's nothing very entertaining here for you .

the rest are all away . "

" mother sent you this little pot of rhubarb jelly , " said Diana pleasantly .

" she made it today and thought you might like some . "

" oh , thanks , " said Aunt Atossa sourly .

" I never fancy your mother 's jelly she always makes it too sweet .

however , I 'll try to worry some down .

my appetite 's been dreadful poor this spring .

I 'm far from well , " continued Aunt Atossa solemnly , " but still I keep a-doing .

people who can't work aren't wanted here .

if it isn't too much trouble will you be condescending enough to set the jelly in the pantry ?

I 'm in a hurry to get these spuds done tonight .

I suppose you two LADIES never do anything like this .

you 'd be afraid of spoiling your hands . "

" I used to cut potato sets before we rented the farm , " smiled Anne .

" I do it yet , " laughed Diana .

" I cut sets three days last week .

of course , " she added teasingly , " I did my hands up in lemon juice and kid gloves every night after it . "

aunt Atossa sniffed .

" I suppose you got that notion out of some of those silly magazines you read so many of .

I wonder your mother allows you .

but she always spoiled you .

we all thought when George married her she wouldn't be a suitable wife for him . "

aunt Atossa sighed heavily , as if all forebodings upon the occasion of George Barry 's marriage had been amply and darkly fulfilled .

" going , are you ? " she inquired , as the girls rose .

" well , I suppose you can't find much amusement talking to an old woman like me .

it 's such a pity the boys ain't home . "

" we want to run in and see Ruby Gillis a little while , " explained Diana .

" oh , anything does for an excuse , of course , " said Aunt Atossa , amiably .

" just whip in and whip out before you have time to say how-do decently .

it 's college airs , I s'pose .

you 'd be wiser to keep away from Ruby Gillis .

the doctors say consumption 's catching .

I always knew Ruby 'd get something , gadding off to Boston last fall for a visit .

people who ain't content to stay home always catch something . "

" people who don't go visiting catch things , too .

sometimes they even die , " said Diana solemnly .

" then they don't have themselves to blame for it , " retorted Aunt Atossa triumphantly .

" I hear you are to be married in June , Diana . "

" there is no truth in that report , " said Diana , blushing .

" well , don't put it off too long , " said Aunt Atossa significantly .

" You'll fade soon you 're all complexion and hair .

and the Wrights are terrible fickle .

you ought to wear a hat , MISS SHIRLEY .

your nose is freckling scandalous .

my , but you ARE redheaded !

well , I s'pose we 're all as the Lord made us !

give Marilla Cuthbert my respects .

she 's never been to see me since I come to Avonlea , but I s'pose I oughtn't to complain .

the Cuthberts always did think themselves a cut higher than any one else round here . "

" oh , isn't she dreadful ? " gasped Diana , as they escaped down the lane .

" she 's worse than Miss Eliza Andrews , " said Anne .

" but then think of living all your life with a name like Atossa !

wouldn't it sour almost any one ?

she should have tried to imagine her name was Cordelia .

it might have helped her a great deal .

it certainly helped me in the days when I didn't like ANNE . "

" Josie Pye will be just like her when she grows up , " said Diana .

" Josie 's mother and Aunt Atossa are cousins , you know .

oh , dear , I 'm glad that 's over .

she 's so malicious she seems to put a bad flavor in everything .

father tells such a funny story about her .

one time they had a minister in Spencervale who was a very good , spiritual man but very deaf .

he couldn't hear any ordinary conversation at all .

but one evening Aunt Atossa bounced up .

she didn't either pray or preach .

the Lord grant our dear sister 's prayer ! '

you ought to hear father tell the story . "

" why , of course you could , " said Diana , after she had grasped the amazing suggestion .

" you used to write perfectly thrilling stories years ago in our old Story Club . "

" well , I hardly meant one of that kind of stories , " smiled Anne .

" I heard Priscilla say once that all Mrs Morgan 's first stories were rejected .

but I 'm sure yours wouldn't be , Anne , for it 's likely editors have more sense nowadays . "

" Margaret Burton , one of the Junior girls at Redmond , wrote a story last winter and it was published in the Canadian Woman .

I really do think I could write one at least as good . "

" and will you have it published in the Canadian Woman ? "

" I might try one of the bigger magazines first .

it all depends on what kind of a story I write . "

" what is it to be about ? "

" I don't know yet .

I want to get hold of a good plot .

I believe this is very necessary from an editor 's point of view .

the only thing I 've settled on is the heroine 's name .

it is to be AVERIL LESTER .

rather pretty , don't you think ?

don't mention this to any one , Diana .

I haven't told anybody but you and Mr Harrison .

" what does Mr Harrison know about it ? " demanded Diana scornfully .

they found the Gillis home gay with lights and callers .

Leonard Kimball , of Spencervale , and Morgan Bell , of Carmody , were glaring at each other across the parlor .

several merry girls had dropped in .

Ruby was dressed in white and her eyes and cheeks were very brilliant .

she laughed and chattered incessantly , and after the other girls had gone she took Anne upstairs to display her new summer dresses .

" I 've a blue silk to make up yet , but it 's a little heavy for summer wear .

I think I 'll leave it until the fall .

I 'm going to teach in White Sands , you know .

how do you like my hat ?

that one you had on in church yesterday was real dinky .

but I like something brighter for myself .

did you notice those two ridiculous boys downstairs ?

they 've both come determined to sit each other out .

I don't care a single bit about either of them , you know .

Herb Spencer is the one I like .

sometimes I really do think he 's MR . RIGHT .

at Christmas I thought the Spencervale schoolmaster was that .

but I found out something about him that turned me against him .

he nearly went insane when I turned him down .

I wish those two boys hadn't come tonight .

I wanted to have a nice good talk with you , Anne , and tell you such heaps of things .

you and I were always good chums , weren't we ? "

Ruby slipped her arm about Anne 's waist with a shallow little laugh .

" come up often , won't you , Anne ? " whispered Ruby .

" come alone I want you . "

" are you feeling quite well , Ruby ? "

" me !

why , I 'm perfectly well .

I never felt better in my life .

of course , that congestion last winter pulled me down a little .

but just see my color .

I don't look much like an invalid , I 'm sure . "

Ruby 's voice was almost sharp .

chapter XII

" Averil 's Atonement "

" what are you dreaming of , Anne ? "

the two girls were loitering one evening in a fairy hollow of the brook .

ferns nodded in it , and little grasses were green , and wild pears hung finely-scented , white curtains around it .

Anne roused herself from her reverie with a happy sigh .

" I was thinking out my story , Diana . "

" oh , have you really begun it ? " cried Diana , all alight with eager interest in a moment .

" yes , I have only a few pages written , but I have it all pretty well thought out .

I 've had such a time to get a suitable plot .

none of the plots that suggested themselves suited a girl named AVERIL . "

" couldn't you have changed her name ? "

" no , the thing was impossible .

I tried to , but I couldn't do it , any more than I could change yours .

but finally I got a plot that matched her .

then came the excitement of choosing names for all my characters .

you have no idea how fascinating that is .

I 've lain awake for hours thinking over those names .

the hero 's name is PERCEVAL DALRYMPLE . "

" have you named ALL the characters ? " asked Diana wistfully .

" if you hadn't I was going to ask you to let me name one just some unimportant person .

I 'd feel as if I had a share in the story then . "

" you may name the little hired boy who lived with the LESTERS , " conceded Anne .

" he is not very important , but he is the only one left unnamed . "

Anne shook her head doubtfully .

" I 'm afraid that is too aristocratic a name for a chore boy , Diana .

I couldn't imagine a Fitzosborne feeding pigs and picking up chips , could you ? "

" how much do you suppose you 'll get for it ? " asked Diana .

but Anne had not thought about this at all .

she was in pursuit of fame , not filthy lucre , and her literary dreams were as yet untainted by mercenary considerations .

" you 'll let me read it , won't you ? " pleaded Diana .

" when it is finished I 'll read it to you and Mr Harrison , and I shall want you to criticize it SEVERELY .

no one else shall see it until it is published . "

" how are you going to end it happily or unhappily ? "

" I 'm not sure .

I 'd like it to end unhappily , because that would be so much more romantic .

but I understand editors have a prejudice against sad endings .

I heard Professor Hamilton say once that nobody but a genius should try to write an unhappy ending .

and , " concluded Anne modestly , " I 'm anything but a genius . "

" oh I like happy endings best .

" but you like to cry over stories ? "

" oh , yes , in the middle of them .

but I like everything to come right at last . "

" I must have one pathetic scene in it , " said Anne thoughtfully .

" I might let ROBERT RAY be injured in an accident and have a death scene . "

" no , you mustn't kill BOBBY off , " declared Diana , laughing .

" he belongs to me and I want him to live and flourish .

kill somebody else if you have to . "

for the next fortnight Anne writhed or reveled , according to mood , in her literary pursuits .

now she would be jubilant over a brilliant idea , now despairing because some contrary character would NOT behave properly .

Diana could not understand this .

" MAKE them do as you want them to , " she said .

" I can't , " mourned Anne .

" Averil is such an unmanageable heroine .

she WILL do and say things I never meant her to .

then that spoils everything that went before and I have to write it all over again . "

finally , however , the story was finished , and Anne read it to Diana in the seclusion of the porch gable .

she had achieved her " pathetic scene " without sacrificing ROBERT RAY , and she kept a watchful eye on Diana as she read it .

Diana rose to the occasion and cried properly ; but , when the end came , she looked a little disappointed .

" why did you kill MAURICE LENNOX ? " she asked reproachfully .

" he was the villain , " protested Anne .

" he had to be punished . "

" I like him best of them all , " said unreasonable Diana .

" well , he 's dead , and he 'll have to stay dead , " said Anne , rather resentfully .

" if I had let him live he 'd have gone on persecuting AVERIL and PERCEVAL . "

" yes unless you had reformed him . "

" that wouldn't have been romantic , and , besides , it would have made the story too long . "

" well , anyway , it 's a perfectly elegant story , Anne , and will make you famous , of that I 'm sure .

have you got a title for it ? "

" oh , I decided on the title long ago .

I call it AVERIL'S ATONEMENT .

doesn't that sound nice and alliterative ?

now , Diana , tell me candidly , do you see any faults in my story ? "

it 's just what anybody might do .

heroines shouldn't do cooking , I think . "

and it may be stated that in this she was quite right .

Diana prudently refrained from any further criticism , but Mr Harrison was much harder to please .

first he told her there was entirely too much description in the story .

" cut out all those flowery passages , " he said unfeelingly .

" I 've left out ALL the descriptions but the sunset , " she said at last .

" I simply COULDN'T let it go .

it was the best of them all . "

what do you know of them ?

" oh , that would never have done , " protested Anne .

" Avonlea is the dearest place in the world , but it isn't quite romantic enough for the scene of a story . "

" I daresay there 's been many a romance in Avonlea and many a tragedy , too , " said Mr Harrison drily .

" but your folks ain't like real folks anywhere .

they talk too much and use too high-flown language .

there 's one place where that DALRYMPLE chap talks even on for two pages , and never lets the girl get a word in edgewise .

if he 'd done that in real life she 'd have pitched him . "

" I don't believe it , " said Anne flatly .

in her secret soul she thought that the beautiful , poetical things said to AVERIL would win any girl 's heart completely .

besides , it was gruesome to hear of AVERIL , the stately , queen-like AVERIL , " pitching " any one .

AVERIL " declined her suitors . "

" anyhow , " resumed the merciless Mr Harrison , " I don't see why MAURICE LENNOX didn't get her .

he was twice the man the other is .

he did bad things , but he did them .

Perceval hadn't time for anything but mooning . "

" mooning . "

that was even worse than " pitching ! "

" MAURICE LENNOX was the villain , " said Anne indignantly .

" I don't see why every one likes him better than PERCEVAL . "

" Perceval is too good .

he 's aggravating .

next time you write about a hero put a little spice of human nature in him . "

" AVERIL couldn't have married MAURICE .

he was bad . "

" she 'd have reformed him .

you can reform a man ; you can't reform a jelly-fish , of course .

your story isn't bad it 's kind of interesting , I 'll admit .

but you 're too young to write a story that would be worth while .

wait ten years . "

Anne made up her mind that the next time she wrote a story she wouldn't ask anybody to criticize it .

it was too discouraging .

she would not read the story to Gilbert , although she told him about it .

Marilla knew nothing about the venture .

Diana was as excited over it as Anne herself .

" how long do you suppose it will be before you hear from it ? " she asked .

" it shouldn't be longer than a fortnight .

oh , how happy and proud I shall be if it is accepted ! "

" of course it will be accepted , and they will likely ask you to send them more .

a week of delightful dreaming followed , and then came a bitter awakening .

one evening Diana found Anne in the porch gable , with suspicious-looking eyes .

on the table lay a long envelope and a crumpled manuscript .

" Anne , your story hasn't come back ? " cried Diana incredulously .

" yes , it has , " said Anne shortly .

" well , that editor must be crazy .

what reason did he give ? "

" no reason at all .

there is just a printed slip saying that it wasn't found acceptable . "

" I never thought much of that magazine , anyway , " said Diana hotly .

" the stories in it are not half as interesting as those in the Canadian Woman , although it costs so much more .

I suppose the editor is prejudiced against any one who isn't a Yankee .

don't be discouraged , Anne .

remember how Mrs Morgan 's stories came back .

send yours to the Canadian Woman . "

" I believe I will , " said Anne , plucking up heart .

" and if it is published I 'll send that American editor a marked copy .

but I 'll cut the sunset out .

I believe Mr Harrison was right . "

Anne took this second rejection with the calmness of despair .

" this is the end of my literary ambitions , " she said bitterly .

she never mentioned the matter to Mr Harrison , but one evening he asked her bluntly if her story had been accepted .

" no , the editor wouldn't take it , " she answered briefly .

Mr Harrison looked sidewise at the flushed , delicate profile .

" well , I suppose you 'll keep on writing them , " he said encouragingly .

" I wouldn't give up altogether , " said Mr Harrison reflectively .

" I 'd write a story once in a while , but I wouldn't pester editors with it .

if I had to have villains at all , I 'd give them a chance , Anne I 'd give them a chance .

but most of us have got a little decency somewhere in us .

keep on writing , Anne . "

" no .

it was very foolish of me to attempt it .

when I 'm through Redmond I 'll stick to teaching .

I can teach .

I can't write stories . "

" it 'll be time for you to be getting a husband when you 're through Redmond , " said Mr Harrison .

" I don't believe in putting marrying off too long like I did . "

Anne got up and marched home .

there were times when Mr Harrison was really intolerable .

" pitching , " " mooning , " and " getting a husband . "

Ow ! !

chapter XIII

the Way of Transgressors

Davy and Dora were ready for Sunday School .

they were going alone , which did not often happen , for Mrs Lynde always attended Sunday School .

but Mrs Lynde had twisted her ankle and was lame , so she was staying home this morning .

Davy came downstairs slowly .

Dora was waiting in the hall for him , having been made ready by Mrs Lynde .

Davy had attended to his own preparations .

had he not studied them perforce in Mrs Lynde 's kitchen , all last Sunday afternoon ?

Davy , therefore , should have been in a placid frame of mind .

as a matter of fact , despite text and catechism , he was inwardly as a ravening wolf .

Mrs Lynde limped out of her kitchen as he joined Dora .

" are you clean ? " she demanded severely .

" yes all of me that shows , " Davy answered with a defiant scowl .

Mrs Rachel sighed .

she had her suspicions about Davy 's neck and ears .

" well , be sure you behave yourselves , " she warned them .

" don't walk in the dust .

don't stop in the porch to talk to the other children .

don't squirm or wriggle in your places .

don't forget the Golden Text .

don't lose your collection or forget to put it in .

don't whisper at prayer time , and don't forget to pay attention to the sermon . "

Davy deigned no response .

he marched away down the lane , followed by the meek Dora .

but his soul seethed within .

and it was only the preceding afternoon that she had interfered to influence Marilla against allowing Davy to go fishing with the Timothy Cottons .

Davy was still boiling over this .

" darn her , " exploded Davy .

" oh , Davy , don't swear , " gasped Dora in dismay .

" ' Darn ' isn't swearing not real swearing .

and I don't care if it is , " retorted Davy recklessly .

" well , if you MUST say dreadful words don't say them on Sunday , " pleaded Dora .

" I 'm going to invent a swear word of my own , " he declared .

" God will punish you if you do , " said Dora solemnly .

" then I think God is a mean old scamp , " retorted Davy .

" doesn't He know a fellow must have some way of ' spressing his feelings ? "

" Davy ! ! ! " said Dora .

she expected that Davy would be struck down dead on the spot .

but nothing happened .

" anyway , I ain't going to stand any more of Mrs Lynde 's bossing , " spluttered Davy .

" Anne and Marilla may have the right to boss me , but SHE hasn't .

I 'm going to do every single thing she told me not to do .

you watch me . "

" that 's the beginning , " he announced triumphantly .

" and I 'm going to stop in the porch and talk as long as there 's anybody there to talk to .

I 'm going to squirm and wriggle and whisper , and I 'm going to say I don't know the Golden Text .

and I 'm going to throw away both of my collections RIGHT NOW . "

and Davy hurled cent and nickel over Mr Barry 's fence with fierce delight .

" Satan made you do that , " said Dora reproachfully .

" he didn't , " cried Davy indignantly .

" I just thought it out for myself .

and I 've thought of something else .

I 'm not going to Sunday School or church at all .

I 'm going up to play with the Cottons .

they told me yesterday they weren't going to Sunday School today , ' cause their mother was away and there was nobody to make them .

come along , Dora , we 'll have a great time . "

" I don't want to go , " protested Dora .

" you 've got to , " said Davy .

" if you don't come I 'll tell Marilla that Frank Bell kissed you in school last Monday . "

" I couldn't help it .

I didn't know he was going to , " cried Dora , blushing scarlet .

" well , you didn't slap him or seem a bit cross , " retorted Davy .

" I 'll tell her THAT , too , if you don't come .

we 'll take the short cut up this field . "

" I 'm afraid of those cows , " protested poor Dora , seeing a prospect of escape .

" the very idea of your being scared of those cows , " scoffed Davy .

" why , they 're both younger than you . "

" they 're bigger , " said Dora .

" they won't hurt you .

come along , now .

this is great .

when I grow up I ain't going to bother going to church at all .

I believe I can get to heaven by myself . "

" you 'll go to the other place if you break the Sabbath day , " said unhappy Dora , following him sorely against her will .

but Davy was not scared yet .

hell was very far off , and the delights of a fishing expedition with the Cottons were very near .

he wished Dora had more spunk .

she kept looking back as if she were going to cry every minute , and that spoiled a fellow 's fun .

hang girls , anyway .

Davy did not say " darn " this time , even in thought .

the small Cottons were playing in their back yard , and hailed Davy 's appearance with whoops of delight .

Pete , Tommy , Adolphus , and Mirabel Cotton were all alone .

their mother and older sisters were away .

Dora was thankful Mirabel was there , at least .

she had been afraid she would be alone in a crowd of boys .

Mirabel was almost as bad as a boy she was so noisy and sunburned and reckless .

but at least she wore dresses .

" we 've come to go fishing , " announced Davy .

" whoop , " yelled the Cottons .

they rushed away to dig worms at once , Mirabel leading the van with a tin can .

Dora could have sat down and cried .

oh , if only that hateful Frank Bell had never kissed her !

then she could have defied Davy , and gone to her beloved Sunday School .

they dared not , of course , go fishing on the pond , where they would be seen by people going to church .

they had to resort to the brook in the woods behind the Cotton house .

not being entirely bereft of prudence , he had discarded boots and stockings and borrowed Tommy Cotton 's overalls .

thus accoutered , bog and marsh and undergrowth had no terrors for him .

Dora was frankly and manifestly miserable .

Mirabel had offered the loan of an apron but Dora had scornfully refused .

the trout bit as they always do on Sundays .

in an hour the transgressors had all the fish they wanted , so they returned to the house , much to Dora 's relief .

the flat-roofed henhouse and a pile of straw beneath gave Davy another inspiration .

they spent a splendid half hour climbing on the roof and diving off into the straw with whoops and yells .

but even unlawful pleasures must come to an end .

when the rumble of wheels over the pond bridge told that people were going home from church Davy knew they must go .

he discarded Tommy 's overalls , resumed his own rightful attire , and turned away from his string of trout with a sigh .

no use to think of taking them home .

" Well , hadn't we a splendid time ? " he demanded defiantly , as they went down the hill field .

" I hadn't , " said Dora flatly .

" I had so , " cried Davy , but in the voice of one who doth protest too much .

" no wonder you hadn't just sitting there like a like a mule . "

" I ain't going to , ' sociate with the Cottons , " said Dora loftily .

" the Cottons are all right , " retorted Davy .

" and they have far better times than we have .

they do just as they please and say just what they like before everybody .

I ' m going to do that , too , after this . "

" there are lots of things you wouldn't dare say before everybody , " averred Dora .

" no , there isn't . "

" there is , too .

would you , " demanded Dora gravely , " would you say ' tomcat ' before the minister ? "

this was a staggerer .

Davy was not prepared for such a concrete example of the freedom of speech .

but one did not have to be consistent with Dora .

" of course not , " he admitted sulkily .

" ' Tomcat ' isn't a holy word .

I wouldn't mention such an animal before a minister at all . "

" but if you had to ? " persisted Dora .

" I 'd call it a Thomas pussy , " said Davy .

" I think ' gentleman cat ' would be more polite , " reflected Dora .

" YOU thinking ! " retorted Davy with withering scorn .

Davy was not feeling comfortable , though he would have died before he admitted it to Dora .

now that the exhilaration of truant delights had died away , his conscience was beginning to give him salutary twinges .

after all , perhaps it would have been better to have gone to Sunday School and church .

Mrs Lynde might be bossy ; but there was always a box of cookies in her kitchen cupboard and she was not stingy .

but Davy 's cup of iniquity was not yet full .

he was to discover that one sin demands another to cover it .

they had dinner with Mrs Lynde that day , and the first thing she asked Davy was ,

" were all your class in Sunday School today ? "

" yes 'm , " said Davy with a gulp .

" all were there ' cept one . "

" did you say your Golden Text and catechism ? "

" yes 'm . "

" did you put your collection in ? "

" yes 'm . "

" was Mrs Malcolm MacPherson in church ? "

" I don't know . "

this , at least , was the truth , thought wretched Davy .

" was the Ladies ' Aid announced for next week ? "

" yes 'm " quakingly .

" was prayer-meeting ? "

" I I don't know . "

" YOU should know .

you should listen more attentively to the announcements .

what was Mr Harvey 's text ? "

Davy took a frantic gulp of water and swallowed it and the last protest of conscience together .

he glibly recited an old Golden Text learned several weeks ago .

fortunately Mrs Lynde now stopped questioning him ; but Davy did not enjoy his dinner .

he could only eat one helping of pudding .

" what 's the matter with you ? " demanded justly astonished Mrs Lynde .

" are you sick ? "

" no , " muttered Davy .

" you look pale .

you 'd better keep out of the sun this afternoon , " admonished Mrs Lynde .

" do you know how many lies you told Mrs Lynde ? " asked Dora reproachfully , as soon as they were alone after dinner .

Davy , goaded to desperation , turned fiercely .

" I don't know and I don't care , " he said .

" you just shut up , Dora Keith . "

then poor Davy betook himself to a secluded retreat behind the woodpile to think over the way of transgressors .

Green Gables was wrapped in darkness and silence when Anne reached home .

she lost no time going to bed , for she was very tired and sleepy .

there had been several Avonlea jollifications the preceding week , involving rather late hours .

Anne sat up drowsily .

" Davy , is that you ?

what is the matter ? "

a white-clad figure flung itself across the floor and on to the bed .

" Anne , " sobbed Davy , getting his arms about her neck .

" I 'm awful glad you 're home .

I couldn't go to sleep till I 'd told somebody . "

" told somebody what ? "

" how mis'rubul I am . "

" why are you miserable , dear ? "

" ' Cause I was so bad today , Anne .

oh , I was awful bad badder'n I 've ever been yet . "

" what did you do ? "

" oh , I 'm afraid to tell you .

you 'll never like me again , Anne .

I couldn't say my prayers tonight .

I couldn't tell God what I 'd done .

I was ' shamed to have Him know . "

" but He knew anyway , Davy . "

" that 's what Dora said .

but I thought p'raps He mightn't have noticed just at the time .

anyway , I 'd rather tell you first . "

" WHAT is it you did ? "

Out it all came in a rush .

there was silence .

Davy didn't know what to make of it .

was Anne so shocked that she never would speak to him again ?

" Anne , what are you going to do to me ? " he whispered .

" nothing , dear .

you 've been punished already , I think . "

" no , I haven't .

nothing 's been done to me . "

" you 've been very unhappy ever since you did wrong , haven't you ? "

" you bet ! " said Davy emphatically .

" that was your conscience punishing you , Davy . "

" what 's my conscience ?

I want to know . "

haven't you noticed that ? "

" yes , but I didn't know what it was .

I wish I didn't have it .

I 'd have lots more fun .

where is my conscience , Anne ?

I want to know .

is it in my stomach ? "

" no , it 's in your soul , " answered Anne , thankful for the darkness , since gravity must be preserved in serious matters .

" I s'pose I can't get clear of it then , " said Davy with a sigh .

" are you going to tell Marilla and Mrs Lynde on me , Anne ? "

" no , dear , I 'm not going to tell any one .

you are sorry you were naughty , aren't you ? "

" you bet ! "

" and you 'll never be bad like that again . "

" no , but " added Davy cautiously , " I might be bad some other way . "

" you won't say naughty words , or run away on Sundays , or tell falsehoods to cover up your sins ? "

" no .

it doesn't pay , " said Davy .

" well , Davy , just tell God you are sorry and ask Him to forgive you . "

" have YOU forgiven me , Anne ? "

" yes , dear . "

" then , " said Davy joyously , " I don't care much whether God does or not . "

" Davy ! "

" I don't mind asking Him , Anne .

please , God , I 'm awful sorry I behaved bad today and I 'll try to be good on Sundays always and please forgive me .

there now , Anne . "

" well , now , run off to bed like a good boy . "

" all right .

say , I don't feel mis'rubul any more .

I feel fine .

good night . "

" good night . "

Anne slipped down on her pillows with a sigh of relief .

oh how sleepy she was !

In another second

" Anne ! "

Davy was back again by her bed .

Anne dragged her eyes open .

" what is it now , dear ? " she asked , trying to keep a note of impatience out of her voice .

" Anne , have you ever noticed how Mr Harrison spits ?

do you s'pose , if I practice hard , I can learn to spit just like him ? "

Anne sat up .

go , now ! "

Davy went , and stood not upon the order of his going .

chapter XIV

the Summons

Anne was sitting with Ruby Gillis in the Gillis ' garden after the day had crept lingeringly through it and was gone .

it had been a warm , smoky summer afternoon .

the world was in a splendor of out-flowering .

the idle valleys were full of hazes .

the woodways were pranked with shadows and the fields with the purple of the asters .

Anne had given up a moonlight drive to the White Sands beach that she might spend the evening with Ruby .

but she was always gay , always hopeful , always chattering and whispering of her beaux , and their rivalries and despairs .

it was this that made Anne 's visits hard for her .

what had once been silly or amusing was gruesome , now ; it was death peering through a wilful mask of life .

yet Ruby seemed to cling to her , and never let her go until she had promised to come again soon .

Mrs Lynde grumbled about Anne 's frequent visits , and declared she would catch consumption ; even Marilla was dubious .

" every time you go to see Ruby you come home looking tired out , " she said .

" it 's so very sad and dreadful , " said Anne in a low tone .

" Ruby doesn't seem to realize her condition in the least .

and yet I somehow feel she needs help craves it and I want to give it to her and can't .

that is why I come home tired . "

but tonight Anne did not feel this so keenly .

Ruby was strangely quiet .

she said not a word about parties and drives and dresses and " fellows . "

she lay in the hammock , with her untouched work beside her , and a white shawl wrapped about her thin shoulders .

her long yellow braids of hair how Anne had envied those beautiful braids in old schooldays ! lay on either side of her .

she had taken the pins out they made her head ache , she said .

the hectic flush was gone for the time , leaving her pale and childlike .

the moon rose in the silvery sky , empearling the clouds around her .

below , the pond shimmered in its hazy radiance .

Just beyond the Gillis homestead was the church , with the old graveyard beside it .

the moonlight shone on the white stones , bringing them out in clear-cut relief against the dark trees behind .

" how strange the graveyard looks by moonlight ! " said Ruby suddenly .

" how ghostly ! " she shuddered .

" Anne , it won't be long now before I 'll be lying over there .

the surprise of it bewildered Anne .

for a few moments she could not speak .

" you know it 's so , don't you ? " said Ruby insistently .

" yes , I know , " answered Anne in a low tone .

" dear Ruby , I know . "

" everybody knows it , " said Ruby bitterly .

" I know it I 've known it all summer , though I wouldn't give in .

and , oh , Anne " she reached out and caught Anne 's hand pleadingly , impulsively " I don't want to die .

I 'm AFRAID to die . "

" why should you be afraid , Ruby ? " asked Anne quietly .

" because because oh , I 'm not afraid but that I 'll go to heaven , Anne .

I 'm a church member .

but it 'll be all so different .

I think and think and I get so frightened and and homesick .

it had sounded funny then she remembered how she and Priscilla had laughed over it .

but it did not seem in the least humorous now , coming from Ruby 's pale , trembling lips .

it was sad , tragic and true !

heaven could not be what Ruby had been used to .

Anne wondered helplessly what she could say that would help her .

could she say anything ?

I don't think it can be so very different from life here as most people seem to think .

all the hindrances and perplexities will be taken away , and we shall see clearly .

don't be afraid , Ruby . "

" I can't help it , " said Ruby pitifully .

it CAN'T be .

I want to go on living HERE .

I 'm so young , Anne .

I haven't had my life .

I 've fought so hard to live and it isn't any use I have to die and leave EVERYTHING I care for . "

Anne sat in a pain that was almost intolerable .

she could not tell comforting falsehoods ; and all that Ruby said was so horribly true .

she WAS leaving everything she cared for .

Ruby raised herself on her arm and lifted up her bright , beautiful blue eyes to the moonlit skies .

" I want to live , " she said , in a trembling voice .

" I want to live like other girls .

I I want to be married , Anne and and have little children .

you know I always loved babies , Anne .

I couldn't say this to any one but you .

I know you understand .

and then poor Herb he he loves me and I love him , Anne .

the others meant nothing to me , but HE does and if I could live I would be his wife and be so happy .

oh , Anne , it 's hard . "

Ruby sank back on her pillows and sobbed convulsively .

" I 'm glad I 've told you this , Anne , " she whispered .

" it has helped me just to say it all out .

I 've wanted to all summer every time you came .

I wouldn't say it , or even think it .

in the daytime , when people were around me and everything was cheerful , it wasn't so hard to keep from thinking of it .

but in the night , when I couldn't sleep it was so dreadful , Anne .

I couldn't get away from it then .

death just came and stared me in the face , until I got so frightened I could have screamed .

" but you won't be frightened any more , Ruby , will you ?

you 'll be brave , and believe that all is going to be well with you . "

" I 'll try .

I 'll think over what you have said , and try to believe it .

and you 'll come up as often as you can , won't you , Anne ? "

" yes , dear . "

" it it won't be very long now , Anne .

I feel sure of that .

and I 'd rather have you than any one else .

I always liked you best of all the girls I went to school with .

you were never jealous , or mean , like some of them were .

Poor Em White was up to see me yesterday .

you remember Em and I were such chums for three years when we went to school ?

and then we quarrelled the time of the school concert .

we 've never spoken to each other since .

wasn't it silly ?

anything like that seems silly NOW .

but Em and I made up the old quarrel yesterday .

she said she 'd have spoken years ago , only she thought I wouldn't .

and I never spoke to her because I was sure she wouldn't speak to me .

isn't it strange how people misunderstand each other , Anne ? "

" most of the trouble in life comes from misunderstanding , I think , " said Anne .

" I must go now , Ruby .

it 's getting late and you shouldn't be out in the damp . "

" you 'll come up soon again . "

" yes , very soon .

and if there 's anything I can do to help you I 'll be so glad . "

" I know .

you HAVE helped me already .

nothing seems quite so dreadful now .

good night , Anne . "

" good night , dear . "

Anne walked home very slowly in the moonlight .

the evening had changed something for her .

life held a different meaning , a deeper purpose .

on the surface it would go on just the same ; but the deeps had been stirred .

it must not be with her as with poor butterfly Ruby .

that good night in the garden was for all time .

Anne never saw Ruby in life again .

the next night the A.V.I.S. gave a farewell party to Jane Andrews before her departure for the West .

the next morning the word went from house to house that Ruby Gillis was dead .

Mrs Rachel Lynde said emphatically after the funeral that Ruby Gillis was the handsomest corpse she ever laid eyes on .

Mrs Gillis called Anne aside into a vacant room before the funeral procession left the house , and gave her a small packet .

" I want you to have this , " she sobbed .

" Ruby would have liked you to have it .

it 's the embroidered centerpiece she was working at .

" there 's always a piece of unfinished work left , " said Mrs Lynde , with tears in her eyes .

" but I suppose there 's always some one to finish it . "

" Ruby is the first of our schoolmates to go .

one by one , sooner or later , all the rest of us must follow . "

" yes , I suppose so , " said Diana uncomfortably .

she did not want to talk of that .

she seemed wrapped in a reverie in which Diana felt lonesomely that she had neither lot nor part .

" Ruby Gillis was a great girl to laugh , " said Davy suddenly .

" will she laugh as much in heaven as she did in Avonlea , Anne ?

I want to know . "

" yes , I think she will , " said Anne .

" oh , Anne , " protested Diana , with a rather shocked smile .

" well , why not , Diana ? " asked Anne seriously .

" do you think we 'll never laugh in heaven ? "

" oh I I don't know " floundered Diana .

" it doesn't seem just right , somehow .

you know it 's rather dreadful to laugh in church . "

" but heaven won't be like church all the time , " said Anne .

" I hope it ain't , " said Davy emphatically .

" if it is I don't want to go .

church is awful dull .

anyway , I don't mean to go for ever so long .

I mean to live to be a hundred years old , like Mr Thomas Blewett of White Sands .

he says he 's lived so long ' cause he always smoked tobacco and it killed all the germs .

can I smoke tobacco pretty soon , Anne ? "

" no , Davy , I hope you 'll never use tobacco , " said Anne absently .

" what 'll you feel like if the germs kill me then ? " demanded Davy .

chapter XV

a Dream Turned Upside Down

" Just one more week and we go back to Redmond , " said Anne .

she was happy at the thought of returning to work , classes and Redmond friends .

pleasing visions were also being woven around Patty 's Place .

there was a warm pleasant sense of home in the thought of it , even though she had never lived there .

" all life lessons are not learned at college , " she thought .

" life teaches them everywhere . "

" been writing any more stories lately ? " inquired Mr Harrison genially one evening when Anne was taking tea with him and Mrs Harrison .

" no , " answered Anne , rather crisply .

" well , no offense meant .

she said it wasn't addressed in your writing , but I thought maybe it was you . "

" indeed , no !

I saw the prize offer , but I 'd never dream of competing for it .

I think it would be perfectly disgraceful to write a story to advertise a baking powder .

it would be almost as bad as Judson Parker 's patent medicine fence . "

so spake Anne loftily , little dreaming of the valley of humiliation awaiting her .

that very evening Diana popped into the porch gable , bright-eyed and rosy cheeked , carrying a letter .

" oh , Anne , here 's a letter for you .

I was at the office , so I thought I 'd bring it along .

do open it quick .

if it is what I believe it is I shall just be wild with delight . "

Anne , puzzled , opened the letter and glanced over the typewritten contents .

miss Anne Shirley ,

green Gables ,

Avonlea , P Island .

we enclose the check herewith .

thanking you for the interest you have shown in our enterprise , we remain ,

" yours very truly ,

" THE ROLLINGS RELIABLE

" BAKING POWDER Co . "

" I don't understand , " said Anne , blankly .

Diana clapped her hands .

" oh , I KNEW it would win the prize I was sure of it .

I sent your story into the competition , Anne . "

" Diana Barry ! "

" yes , I did , " said Diana gleefully , perching herself on the bed .

but then I was afraid you wouldn't you had so little faith left in it .

so I just decided I 'd send the copy you gave me , and say nothing about it .

Diana was not the most discerning of mortals , but just at this moment it struck her that Anne was not looking exactly overjoyed .

the surprise was there , beyond doubt but where was the delight ?

" why , Anne , you don't seem a bit pleased ! " she exclaimed .

Anne instantly manufactured a smile and put it on .

" of course I couldn't be anything but pleased over your unselfish wish to give me pleasure , " she said slowly .

" but you know I 'm so amazed I can't realize it and I don't understand .

there wasn't a word in my story about about " Anne choked a little over the word " baking powder . "

" oh , I put that in , " said Diana , reassured .

" it was as easy as wink and of course my experience in our old Story Club helped me .

you know the scene where Averil makes the cake ?

" oh , " gasped poor Anne , as if some one had dashed cold water on her .

" and you 've won the twenty-five dollars , " continued Diana jubilantly .

" why , I heard Priscilla say once that the Canadian Woman only pays five dollars for a story ! "

Anne held out the hateful pink slip in shaking fingers .

" I can't take it it's yours by right , Diana .

you sent the story in and made the alterations .

I I would certainly never have sent it .

so you must take the check . "

" I 'd like to see myself , " said Diana scornfully .

" why , what I did wasn't any trouble .

the honor of being a friend of the prizewinner is enough for me .

well , I must go .

I should have gone straight home from the post office for we have company .

but I simply had to come and hear the news .

I 'm so glad for your sake , Anne . "

Anne suddenly bent forward , put her arms about Diana , and kissed her cheek .

oh , she could never live this down never !

Gilbert arrived at dusk , brimming over with congratulations , for he had called at Orchard Slope and heard the news .

but his congratulations died on his lips at sight of Anne 's face .

" why , Anne , what is the matter ?

I expected to find you radiant over winning Rollings Reliable prize .

good for you ! "

" oh , Gilbert , not you , " implored Anne , in an ET-TU BRUTE tone .

" I thought YOU would understand .

can't you see how awful it is ? "

" I must confess I can't .

WHAT is wrong ? "

" everything , " moaned Anne .

" I feel as if I were disgraced forever .

what do you think a mother would feel like if she found her child tattooed over with a baking powder advertisement ?

I feel just the same .

I loved my poor little story , and I wrote it out of the best that was in me .

and it is SACRILEGE to have it degraded to the level of a baking powder advertisement .

don't you remember what Professor Hamilton used to tell us in the literature class at Queen 's ?

he said we were never to write a word for a low or unworthy motive , but always to cling to the very highest ideals .

what will he think when he hears I 've written a story to advertise Rollings Reliable ?

and , oh , when it gets out at Redmond !

think how I 'll be teased and laughed at ! "

" that you won't , " said Gilbert , wondering uneasily if it were that confounded Junior 's opinion in particular over which Anne was worried .

I don't see that there 's anything low or unworthy about that , or anything ridiculous either .

one would rather write masterpieces of literature no doubt but meanwhile board and tuition fees have to be paid . "

this commonsense , matter-of-fact view of the case cheered Anne a little .

at least it removed her dread of being laughed at , though the deeper hurt of an outraged ideal remained .

chapter XVI

adjusted Relationships

" it 's the homiest spot I ever saw it 's homier than home , " avowed Philippa Gordon , looking about her with delighted eyes .

it was three weeks since they had considered themselves settled , and already all believed the experiment would be a success .

Anne was not over-sorry to leave Avonlea when the time came to return to college .

the last few days of her vacation had not been pleasant .

he sent a complimentary bundle to Anne , who promptly dropped them all in the kitchen stove .

her humiliation was the consequence of her own ideals only , for Avonlea folks thought it quite splendid that she should have won the prize .

her many friends regarded her with honest admiration ; her few foes with scornful envy .

Josie Pye said she believed Anne Shirley had just copied the story ; she was sure she remembered reading it in a paper years before .

" it is perfectly amazing , the price they pay for such lies , that 's what , " she said , half-proudly , half-severely .

all things considered , it was a relief when going-away time came .

Poor Moody Spurgeon fell on hard luck at the very beginning of his college career .

half a dozen ruthless Sophs , who were among his fellow-boarders , swooped down upon him one night and shaved half of his head .

in this guise the luckless Moody Spurgeon had to go about until his hair grew again .

he told Anne bitterly that there were times when he had his doubts as to whether he was really called to be a minister .

aunt Jamesina did not come until the girls had Patty 's Place ready for her .

for the rest she trusted everything to Anne .

how those girls enjoyed putting their nest in order !

as Phil said , it was almost as good as getting married .

you had the fun of homemaking without the bother of a husband .

all brought something with them to adorn or make comfortable the little house .

" we 'll putty the holes up when we leave , dear she 'll never know , " they said to protesting Anne .

Diana had given Anne a pine needle cushion and Miss Ada had given both her and Priscilla a fearfully and wonderfully embroidered one .

" you take them , " she said authoritatively .

" they might as well be in use as packed away in that trunk in the garret for moths to gnaw . "

Verily , aristocratic Spofford Avenue had rarely beheld such a display .

he said his mother used to make quilts like that , and by Jove , he wanted one to remind him of her .

Anne would not sell it , much to his disappointment , but she wrote all about it to Mrs Lynde .

Mrs Lynde 's quilts served a very useful purpose that winter .

Patty 's Place for all its many virtues , had its faults also .

Anne had the blue room she had coveted at sight .

Priscilla and Stella had the large one .

Phil was blissfully content with the little one over the kitchen ; and Aunt Jamesina was to have the downstairs one off the living-room .

Rusty at first slept on the doorstep .

Anne wondered uneasily what was the matter with her .

was her hat crooked ?

was her belt loose ?

craning her head to investigate , Anne , for the first time , saw Rusty .

trotting along behind her , close to her heels , was quite the most forlorn specimen of the cat tribe she had ever beheld .

the animal was well past kitten-hood , lank , thin , disreputable looking .

pieces of both ears were lacking , one eye was temporarily out of repair , and one jowl ludicrously swollen .

Anne " shooed , " but the cat would not " shoo . "

but when , fifteen minutes later , Phil opened the door , there sat the rusty-brown cat on the step .

more , he promptly darted in and sprang upon Anne 's lap with a half-pleading , half-triumphant " miaow . "

" Anne , " said Stella severely , " do you own that animal ? "

" no , I do NOT , " protested disgusted Anne .

" the creature followed me home from somewhere .

I couldn't get rid of him .

Ugh , get down .

I like decent cats reasonably well ; but I don't like beasties of your complexion . "

Pussy , however , refused to get down .

he coolly curled up in Anne 's lap and began to purr .

" he has evidently adopted you , " laughed Priscilla .

" I won't BE adopted , " said Anne stubbornly .

" the poor creature is starving , " said Phil pityingly .

" why , his bones are almost coming through his skin . "

" well , I 'll give him a square meal and then he must return to whence he came , " said Anne resolutely .

the cat was fed and put out .

in the morning he was still on the doorstep .

on the doorstep he continued to sit , bolting in whenever the door was opened .

no coolness of welcome had the least effect on him ; of nobody save Anne did he take the least notice .

out of compassion the girls fed him ; but when a week had passed they decided that something must be done .

the cat 's appearance had improved .

his eye and cheek had resumed their normal appearance ; he was not quite so thin ; and he had been seen washing his face .

" but for all that we can't keep him , " said Stella .

" aunt Jimsie is coming next week and she will bring the Sarah-cat with her .

we can't keep two cats ; and if we did this Rusty Coat would fight all the time with the Sarah-cat .

he 's a fighter by nature .

he had a pitched battle last evening with the tobacco-king 's cat and routed him , horse , foot and artillery . "

" but the question is how ?

how can four unprotected females get rid of a cat who won't be got rid of ? "

" we must chloroform him , " said Phil briskly .

" that is the most humane way . "

" who of us knows anything about chloroforming a cat ? " demanded Anne gloomily .

" I do , honey .

it 's one of my few sadly few useful accomplishments .

I 've disposed of several at home .

you take the cat in the morning and give him a good breakfast .

then you take an old burlap bag there 's one in the back porch put the cat on it and turn over him a wooden box .

then take a two-ounce bottle of chloroform , uncork it , and slip it under the edge of the box .

put a heavy weight on top of the box and leave it till evening .

the cat will be dead , curled up peacefully as if he were asleep .

no pain no struggle . "

" it sounds easy , " said Anne dubiously .

" it IS easy .

just leave it to me .

I 'll see to it , " said Phil reassuringly .

accordingly the chloroform was procured , and the next morning Rusty was lured to his doom .

he ate his breakfast , licked his chops , and climbed into Anne 's lap .

Anne 's heart misgave her .

this poor creature loved her trusted her .

how could she be a party to this destruction ?

" here , take him , " she said hastily to Phil .

" I feel like a murderess . "

" he won't suffer , you know , " comforted Phil , but Anne had fled .

the fatal deed was done in the back porch .

nobody went near it that day .

but at dusk Phil declared that Rusty must be buried .

that 's the part I always hate . "

the two conspirators tip-toed reluctantly to the back porch .

Phil gingerly lifted the stone she had put on the box .

suddenly , faint but distinct , sounded an unmistakable mew under the box .

" he he isn't dead , " gasped Anne , sitting blankly down on the kitchen doorstep .

" he must be , " said Phil incredulously .

another tiny mew proved that he wasn't .

the two girls stared at each other .

" what will we do ? " questioned Anne .

" why in the world don't you come ? " demanded Stella , appearing in the doorway .

" we 've got the grave ready .

' What silent still and silent all ? ' " she quoted teasingly .

a burst of laughter broke the tension .

" we must leave him here till morning , " said Phil , replacing the stone .

" he hasn't mewed for five minutes .

perhaps the mews we heard were his dying groan .

or perhaps we merely imagined them , under the strain of our guilty consciences . "

never was there a cat more decidedly alive .

" here 's a knot hole in the box , " groaned Phil .

" I never saw it .

that 's why he didn't die .

now , we 've got to do it all over again . "

" no , we haven't , " declared Anne suddenly .

" Rusty isn't going to be killed again .

he 's my cat and you 've just got to make the best of it . "

from that time Rusty was one of the family .

he slept o'nights on the scrubbing cushion in the back porch and lived on the fat of the land .

by the time Aunt Jamesina came he was plump and glossy and tolerably respectable .

but , like Kipling 's cat , he " walked by himself . "

his paw was against every cat , and every cat 's paw against him .

one by one he vanquished the aristocratic felines of Spofford Avenue .

as for human beings , he loved Anne and Anne alone .

nobody else even dared stroke him .

An angry spit and something that sounded much like very improper language greeted any one who did .

" the airs that cat puts on are perfectly intolerable , " declared Stella .

" him was a nice old pussens , him was , " vowed Anne , cuddling her pet defiantly .

" well , I don't know how he and the Sarah-cat will ever make out to live together , " said Stella pesimistically .

" Cat-fights in the orchard o'nights are bad enough .

but cat-fights here in the livingroom are unthinkable . "

in due time Aunt Jamesina arrived .

she had pink cheeks and snow-white hair which she wore in quaint little puffs over her ears .

" it 's a very old-fashioned way , " she said , knitting industriously at something as dainty and pink as a sunset cloud .

" but I am old-fashioned .

my clothes are , and it stands to reason my opinions are , too .

I don't say they 're any the better of that , mind you .

in fact , I daresay they 're a good deal the worse .

but they 've worn nice and easy .

new shoes are smarter than old ones , but the old ones are more comfortable .

I 'm old enough to indulge myself in the matter of shoes and opinions .

I mean to take it real easy here .

I know you expect me to look after you and keep you proper , but I 'm not going to do it .

you 're old enough to know how to behave if you 're ever going to be .

" oh , will somebody separate those cats ? " pleaded Stella , shudderingly .

aunt Jamesina had brought with her not only the Sarah-cat but Joseph .

Joseph , she explained , had belonged to a dear friend of hers who had gone to live in Vancouver .

" she couldn't take Joseph with her so she begged me to take him .

I really couldn't refuse .

he 's a beautiful cat that is , his disposition is beautiful .

she called him Joseph because his coat is of many colors . "

it certainly was .

Joseph , as the disgusted Stella said , looked like a walking rag-bag .

it was impossible to say what his ground color was .

his legs were white with black spots on them .

his back was gray with a huge patch of yellow on one side and a black patch on the other .

his tail was yellow with a gray tip .

one ear was black and one yellow .

a black patch over one eye gave him a fearfully rakish look .

in reality he was meek and inoffensive , of a sociable disposition .

in one respect , if in no other , Joseph was like a lily of the field .

he toiled not neither did he spin or catch mice .

yet Solomon in all his glory slept not on softer cushions , or feasted more fully on fat things .

Joseph and the Sarah-cat arrived by express in separate boxes .

she had been given to Aunt Jamesina by her washerwoman .

" her name was Sarah , so my husband always called puss the Sarah-cat , " explained Aunt Jamesina .

" she is eight years old , and a remarkable mouser .

don't worry , Stella .

the Sarah-cat NEVER fights and Joseph rarely . "

" they 'll have to fight here in self-defense , " said Stella .

at this juncture Rusty arrived on the scene .

he bounded joyously half way across the room before he saw the intruders .

then he stopped short ; his tail expanded until it was as big as three tails .

the stately animal had stopped washing her face and was looking at him curiously .

she met his onslaught with one contemptuous sweep of her capable paw .

Rusty went rolling helplessly over on the rug ; he picked himself up dazedly .

what sort of a cat was this who had boxed his ears ?

he looked dubiously at the Sarah-cat .

would he or would he not ?

the Sarah-cat deliberately turned her back on him and resumed her toilet operations .

Rusty decided that he would not .

he never did .

from that time on the Sarah-cat ruled the roost .

Rusty never again interfered with her .

but Joseph rashly sat up and yawned .

Rusty , burning to avenge his disgrace , swooped down upon him .

Joseph , pacific by nature , could fight upon occasion and fight well .

the result was a series of drawn battles .

every day Rusty and Joseph fought at sight .

Anne took Rusty 's part and detested Joseph .

Stella was in despair .

but Aunt Jamesina only laughed .

" let them fight it out , " she said tolerantly .

" they 'll make friends after a bit .

Joseph needs some exercise he was getting too fat .

and Rusty has to learn he isn't the only cat in the world . "

eventually Joseph and Rusty accepted the situation and from sworn enemies became sworn friends .

they slept on the same cushion with their paws about each other , and gravely washed each other 's faces .

" we 've all got used to each other , " said Phil .

" and I 've learned how to wash dishes and sweep a floor . "

" but you needn't try to make us believe you can chloroform a cat , " laughed Anne .

" it was all the fault of the knothole , " protested Phil .

" it was a good thing the knothole was there , " said Aunt Jamesina rather severely .

" Kittens HAVE to be drowned , I admit , or the world would be overrun .

but no decent , grown-up cat should be done to death unless he sucks eggs . "

" you wouldn't have thought Rusty very decent if you 'd seen him when he came here , " said Stella .

" he positively looked like the Old Nick . "

" I don't believe Old Nick can be so very , ugly " said Aunt Jamesina reflectively .

" he wouldn't do so much harm if he was .

I always think of him as a rather handsome gentleman . "

chapter XVII

a Letter from Davy

I never noticed before what exquisite things snowflakes really are .

one has time to notice things like that in the simple life .

bless you all for permitting me to live it .

it 's really delightful to feel worried because butter has gone up five cents a pound . "

" has it ? " demanded Stella , who kept the household accounts .

" it has and here 's your butter .

I 'm getting quite expert at marketing .

it 's better fun than flirting , " concluded Phil gravely .

" everything is going up scandalously , " sighed Stella .

" never mind .

thank goodness air and salvation are still free , " said Aunt Jamesina .

" and so is laughter , " added Anne .

" there 's no tax on it yet and that is well , because you 're all going to laugh presently .

I 'm going to read you Davy 's letter .

listen and laugh , before we settle down to the evening 's study-grind . "

it 's snowing some today and Marilla says the old woman in the sky is shaking her feather beds .

is the old woman in the sky God 's wife , Anne ?

I want to know .

" Mrs Lynde has been real sick but she is better now .

she fell down the cellar stairs last week .

Marilla thought it was an earthquake at first .

" one of the stewpans was all dinged up and Mrs Lynde straned her ribs .

the doctor came and gave her medicine to rub on her ribs but she didn't under stand him and took it all inside instead .

but we couldent fix up the stewpan .

Marilla had to throw it out .

thanksgiving was last week .

there was no school and we had a great dinner .

I et mince pie and rost turkey and frut cake and donuts and cheese and jam and choklut cake .

Marilla said I 'd die but I dident .

Dora had earake after it , only it wasent in her ears it was in her stummick .

I dident have earake anywhere .

" our new teacher is a man .

he does things for jokes .

he laughed fit to kill when he read them .

this was mine .

I thought youd like to see it .

" ' The kind of a wife I 'd like to Have .

" ' She must have good manners and get my meals on time and do what I tell her and always be very polite to me .

she must be fifteen yers old .

she must be good to the poor and keep her house tidy and be good tempered and go to church regularly .

she must be very handsome and have curly hair .

if I get a wife that is just what I like Ill be an awful good husband to her .

I think a woman ought to be awful good to her husband .

some poor women haven't any husbands .

" ' THE END . ' "

" I was at Mrs Isaac Wrights funeral at White Sands last week .

the husband of the corpse felt real sorry .

Mrs Lynde says Mrs Wrights grandfather stole a sheep but Marilla says we mustent speak ill of the dead .

why mustent we , Anne ?

I want to know .

it 's pretty safe , ain't it ?

" Mrs Lynde was awful mad the other day because I asked her if she was alive in Noah 's time .

I dident mean to hurt her feelings .

I just wanted to know .

was she , Anne ?

" Mr Harrison wanted to get rid of his dog .

Mr Harrison has a new man working for him .

he 's awful okward .

Mr Harrison says he is left handed in both his feet .

Mr Barry 's hired man is lazy .

" Mrs Harmon Andrews prize pig that she talked so much of died in a fit .

Mrs Lynde says it was a judgment on her for pride .

but I think it was hard on the pig .

Milty Boulter has been sick .

the doctor gave him medicine and it tasted horrid .

I offered to take it for him for a quarter but the Boulters are so mean .

Milty says he 'd rather take it himself and save his money .

" the A.V.I.S. is going to paint the hall again .

they 're tired of having it blue .

" the new minister was here to tea last night .

he took three pieces of pie .

if I did that Mrs Lynde would call me piggy .

and he et fast and took big bites and Marilla is always telling me not to do that .

why can ministers do what boys can't ?

I want to know .

" I haven't any more news .

here are six kisses . xxxxxx .

Dora sends one .

Heres hers . x .

" your loving friend DAVID KEITH "

" P.S. Anne , who was the devils father ?

I want to know . "

chapter XVIII

miss Josephine Remembers the Anne-girl

when Christmas holidays came the girls of Patty 's Place scattered to their respective homes , but Aunt Jamesina elected to stay where she was .

" I couldn't go to any of the places I 've been invited and take those three cats , " she said .

" and I 'm not going to leave the poor creatures here alone for nearly three weeks .

if we had any decent neighbors who would feed them I might , but there 's nothing except millionaires on this street .

so I 'll stay here and keep Patty 's Place warm for you . "

Anne went home with the usual joyous anticipations which were not wholly fulfilled .

Green Gables was literally hemmed in by huge drifts .

almost every day of that ill-starred vacation it stormed fiercely ; and even on fine days it drifted unceasingly .

no sooner were the roads broken than they filled in again .

it was almost impossible to stir out .

Anne was lonely ; Diana , during the whole of the holidays , was imprisoned at home with a bad attack of bronchitis .

Ruby Gillis was sleeping in the white-heaped graveyard ; Jane Andrews was teaching a school on western prairies .

Gilbert , to be sure , was still faithful , and waded up to Green Gables every possible evening .

but Gilbert 's visits were not what they once were .

Anne almost dreaded them .

Anne wished herself back at Patty 's Place , where there was always somebody else about to take the edge off a delicate situation .

at Green Gables Marilla went promptly to Mrs Lynde 's domain when Gilbert came and insisted on taking the twins with her .

the significance of this was unmistakable and Anne was in a helpless fury over it .

Davy , however , was perfectly happy .

he reveled in getting out in the morning and shoveling out the paths to the well and henhouse .

" I tell you it 's a bully story , Anne , " he said ecstatically .

" I 'd ever so much rather read it than the Bible . "

" would you ? " smiled Anne .

Davy peered curiously at her .

" you don't seem a bit shocked , Anne .

Mrs Lynde was awful shocked when I said it to her . "

" no , I 'm not shocked , Davy .

I think it 's quite natural that a nine-year-old boy would sooner read an adventure story than the Bible .

but when you are older I hope and think that you will realize what a wonderful book the Bible is . "

" oh , I think some parts of it are fine , " conceded Davy .

" that story about Joseph now it 's bully .

but if I 'd been Joseph I wouldn't have forgive the brothers .

no , siree , Anne .

I 'd have cut all their heads off .

I told Milty the story about Elisha and the bears and it scared him so he 's never made fun of Mr Harrison 's bald head once .

are there any bears on P.E . Island , Anne ?

I want to know . "

" not nowadays , " said Anne , absently , as the wind blew a scud of snow against the window .

" oh , dear , will it ever stop storming . "

" God knows , " said Davy airily , preparing to resume his reading .

Anne WAS shocked this time .

" Davy ! " she exclaimed reproachfully .

" Mrs Lynde says that , " protested Davy .

" it isn't right for anybody to take that name in vain or speak it lightly , Davy .

don't ever do it again . "

" not if I say it slow and solemn , like the minister ? " queried Davy gravely .

" no , not even then . "

" well , I won't .

Ludovic Speed and Theodora Dix live in Middle Grafton and Mrs Rachel says he has been courting her for a hundred years .

won't they soon be too old to get married , Anne ?

I hope Gilbert won't court YOU that long .

when are you going to be married , Anne ?

Mrs Lynde says it 's a sure thing . "

" Mrs Lynde is a " began Anne hotly ; then stopped .

" awful old gossip , " completed Davy calmly .

" that 's what every one calls her .

but is it a sure thing , Anne ?

I want to know . "

" you 're a very silly little boy , Davy , " said Anne , stalking haughtily out of the room .

the kitchen was deserted and she sat down by the window in the fast falling wintry twilight .

the sun had set and the wind had died down .

a pale chilly moon looked out behind a bank of purple clouds in the west .

Anne looked across the still , white fields , cold and lifeless in the harsh light of that grim sunset , and sighed .

it did not seem likely .

the only scholarship possible in the Sophomore year was a very small affair .

she would not take Marilla 's money ; and there seemed little prospect of being able to earn enough in the summer vacation .

and by that time all my old class will have graduated and Patty 's Place will be out of the question .

but there !

I 'm not going to be a coward .

I 'm thankful I can earn my way through if necessary . "

" here 's Mr Harrison wading up the lane , " announced Davy , running out .

" I hope he 's brought the mail .

it 's three days since we got it .

I want to see what them pesky Grits are doing .

I 'm a Conservative , Anne .

and I tell you , you have to keep your eye on them Grits . "

Mr Harrison had brought the mail , and merry letters from Stella and Priscilla and Phil soon dissipated Anne 's blues .

it 's real company to hear her purring when I wake up in the night and think of my poor daughter in the foreign field .

if it was anywhere but in India I wouldn't worry , but they say the snakes out there are terrible .

it takes all the Sarah-cats 's purring to drive away the thought of those snakes .

I have enough faith for everything but the snakes .

I can't think why Providence ever made them .

sometimes I don't think He did .

I 'm inclined to believe the Old Harry had a hand in making THEM . "

Anne had left a thin , typewritten communication till the last , thinking it unimportant .

when she had read it she sat very still , with tears in her eyes .

" what is the matter , Anne ? " asked Marilla .

" Miss Josephine Barry is dead , " said Anne , in a low tone .

" so she has gone at last , " said Marilla .

" well , she has been sick for over a year , and the Barrys have been expecting to hear of her death any time .

it is well she is at rest for she has suffered dreadfully , Anne .

she was always kind to you . "

" she has been kind to the last , Marilla .

this letter is from her lawyer .

she has left me a thousand dollars in her will . "

" Gracious , ain't that an awful lot of money , " exclaimed Davy .

" she 's the woman you and Diana lit on when you jumped into the spare room bed , ain't she ?

Diana told me that story .

is that why she left you so much ? "

" hush , Davy , " said Anne gently .

" do you s'pose Anne will ever get married now ? " speculated Davy anxiously .

" Davy Keith , do hold your tongue , " said Mrs Rachel severely .

" the way you talk is scandalous for a small boy , that 's what . "

chapter XIX

an Interlude

they were alone in the living room .

Stella and Priscilla had gone to a committee meeting and Phil was upstairs adorning herself for a party .

" I suppose you feel kind of , sorry " said Aunt Jamesina .

" the teens are such a nice part of life .

I 'm glad I 've never gone out of them myself . "

Anne laughed .

" you never will , Aunty .

you 'll be eighteen when you should be a hundred .

yes , I 'm sorry , and a little dissatisfied as well .

Miss Stacy told me long ago that by the time I was twenty my character would be formed , for good or evil .

I don't feel that it 's what it should be .

it 's full of flaws . "

" so 's everybody 's , " said Aunt Jamesina cheerfully .

" mine 's cracked in a hundred places .

don't worry over it , Anne .

do your duty by God and your neighbor and yourself , and have a good time .

that 's my philosophy and it 's always worked pretty well .

where 's Phil off to tonight ? "

" she 's going to a dance , and she 's got the sweetest dress for it creamy yellow silk and cobwebby lace .

it just suits those brown tints of hers . "

" there 's magic in the words ' silk ' and ' lace , ' isn't there ? " said Aunt Jamesina .

" the very sound of them makes me feel like skipping off to a dance .

and YELLOW silk .

it makes one think of a dress of sunshine .

I always wanted a yellow silk dress , but first my mother and then my husband wouldn't hear of it .

the very first thing I 'm going to do when I get to heaven is to get a yellow silk dress . "

amid Anne 's peal of laughter Phil came downstairs , trailing clouds of glory , and surveyed herself in the long oval mirror on the wall .

" a flattering looking glass is a promoter of amiability , " she said .

" the one in my room does certainly make me green .

do I look pretty nice , Anne ? "

" do you really know how pretty you are , Phil ? " asked Anne , in honest admiration .

" of course I do .

what are looking glasses and men for ?

that wasn't what I meant .

are all my ends tucked in ?

is my skirt straight ?

and would this rose look better lower down ?

I 'm afraid it 's too high it will make me look lop-sided .

but I hate things tickling my ears . "

" everything is just right , and that southwest dimple of yours is lovely . "

" Anne , there 's one thing in particular I like about you you're so ungrudging .

there isn't a particle of envy in you . "

" why should she be envious ? " demanded Aunt Jamesina .

" she 's not quite as goodlooking as you , maybe , but she 's got a far handsomer nose . "

" I know it , " conceded Phil .

" my nose always has been a great comfort to me , " confessed Anne .

" and I love the way your hair grows on your forehead , Anne .

and that one wee curl , always looking as if it were going to drop , but never dropping , is delicious .

but as for noses , mine is a dreadful worry to me .

I know by the time I 'm forty it will be Byrney .

what do you think I 'll look like when I 'm forty , Anne ? "

" like an old , matronly , married woman , " teased Anne .

" I won't , " said Phil , sitting down comfortably to wait for her escort .

" Joseph , you calico beastie , don't you dare jump on my lap .

I won't go to a dance all over cat hairs .

no , Anne , I WON'T look matronly .

but no doubt I 'll be married . "

" to Alec or Alonzo ? " asked Anne .

" to one of them , I suppose , " sighed Phil , " if I can ever decide which . "

" it shouldn't be hard to decide , " scolded Aunt Jamesina .

" I was born a see-saw Aunty , and nothing can ever prevent me from teetering . "

" you ought to be more levelheaded , Philippa . "

" it 's best to be levelheaded , of course , " agreed Philippa , " but you miss lots of fun .

as for Alec and Alonzo , if you knew them you 'd understand why it 's difficult to choose between them .

they 're equally nice . "

" then take somebody who is nicer " suggested Aunt Jamesina .

" there 's that Senior who is so devoted to you Will Leslie .

he has such nice , large , mild eyes . "

" they 're a little bit too large and too mild like a cow 's , " said Phil cruelly .

" what do you say about George Parker ? "

" there 's nothing to say about him except that he always looks as if he had just been starched and ironed . "

" Marr Holworthy then .

you can't find a fault with him . "

" no , he would do if he wasn't poor .

I must marry a rich man , Aunt Jamesina .

that and good looks is an indispensable qualification .

I 'd marry Gilbert Blythe if he were rich . "

" oh , would you ? " said Anne , rather viciously .

" we don't like that idea a little bit , although we don't want Gilbert ourselves , oh , no , " mocked Phil .

" but don't let's talk of disagreeable subjects .

I 'll have to marry sometime , I suppose , but I shall put off the evil day as long as I can . "

" you mustn't marry anybody you don't love , Phil , when all 's said and done , " said Aunt Jamesina .

" ' Oh , hearts that loved in the good old way Have been out o ' the fashion this many a day . ' "

trilled Phil mockingly .

" there 's the carriage .

I fly Bi-bi , you two old-fashioned darlings . "

when Phil had gone Aunt Jamesina looked solemnly at Anne .

" oh , I don't think there 's anything the matter with Phil 's mind , " said Anne , hiding a smile .

" it 's just her way of talking . "

aunt Jamesina shook her head .

" well , I hope so , Anne .

I do hope so , because I love her .

but I can't understand her she beats me .

she isn't like any of the girls I ever knew , or any of the girls I was myself . "

" how many girls were you , Aunt Jimsie ? "

" about half a dozen , my dear . "

chapter XX

Gilbert Speaks

Anne looked up from Pickwick Papers .

now that spring examinations were over she was treating herself to Dickens .

some one has been rapturously happy in it .

perhaps a great deed has been done somewhere today or a great poem written or a great man born .

and some heart has been broken , Phil . "

" why did you spoil your pretty thought by tagging that last sentence on , honey ? " grumbled Phil .

" I don't like to think of broken hearts or anything unpleasant . "

" do you think you 'll be able to shirk unpleasant things all your life , Phil ? "

" dear me , no .

am I not up against them now ?

you don't call Alec and Alonzo pleasant things , do you , when they simply plague my life out ? "

" you never take anything seriously , Phil . "

" why should I ?

there are enough folks who do .

the world needs people like me , Anne , just to amuse it .

it would be a terrible place if EVERYBODY were intellectual and serious and in deep , deadly earnest .

MY mission is , as Josiah Allen says , ' to charm and allure . '

confess now .

hasn't life at Patty 's Place been really much brighter and pleasanter this past winter because I 've been here to leaven you ? "

" yes , it has , " owned Anne .

" and you all love me even Aunt Jamesina , who thinks I 'm stark mad .

so why should I try to be different ?

oh , dear , I 'm so sleepy .

I was awake until one last night , reading a harrowing ghost story .

no !

and if Stella had not fortunately come in late that lamp would have burned good and bright till morning .

when I heard Stella I called her in , explained my predicament , and got her to put out the light .

if I had got out myself to do it I knew something would grab me by the feet when I was getting in again .

by the way , Anne , has Aunt Jamesina decided what to do this summer ? "

" yes , she 's going to stay here .

" what are you reading ? "

" Pickwick . "

" that 's a book that always makes me hungry , " said Phil .

" there 's so much good eating in it .

the characters seem always to be reveling on ham and eggs and milk punch .

I generally go on a cupboard rummage after reading Pickwick .

the mere thought reminds me that I 'm starving .

is there any tidbit in the pantry , Queen Anne ? "

" I made a lemon pie this morning .

you may have a piece of it . "

Phil dashed out to the pantry and Anne betook herself to the orchard in company with Rusty .

it was a moist , pleasantly-odorous night in early spring .

it kept the harbor road muddy , and chilled the evening air .

but grass was growing green in sheltered spots and Gilbert had found some pale , sweet arbutus in a hidden corner .

he came up from the park , his hands full of it .

she frowned as she saw Gilbert coming through the orchard .

of late she had managed not to be left alone with Gilbert .

but he had caught her fairly now ; and even Rusty had deserted her .

Gilbert sat down beside her on the boulder and held out his Mayflowers .

" don't these remind you of home and our old schoolday picnics , Anne ? "

Anne took them and buried her face in them .

" I 'm in Mr . Silas Sloane 's barrens this very minute , " she said rapturously .

" I suppose you will be there in reality in a few days ? "

" no , not for a fortnight .

I 'm going to visit with Phil in Bolingbroke before I go home .

you 'll be in Avonlea before I will . "

" no , I shall not be in Avonlea at all this summer , Anne .

I 've been offered a job in the Daily News office and I 'm going to take it . "

" oh , " said Anne vaguely .

she wondered what a whole Avonlea summer would be like without Gilbert .

somehow she did not like the prospect .

" well , " she concluded flatly , " it is a good thing for you , of course . "

" yes , I 've been hoping I would get it .

it will help me out next year . "

" you mustn't work too HARD , " said Anne , without any very clear idea of what she was saying .

she wished desperately that Phil would come out .

" you 've studied very constantly this winter .

isn't this a delightful evening ?

do you know , I found a cluster of white violets under that old twisted tree over there today ?

I felt as if I had discovered a gold mine . "

" you are always discovering gold mines , " said Gilbert also absently .

" let us go and see if we can find some more , " suggested Anne eagerly .

" I 'll call Phil and "

" there is something I want to say to you . "

" oh , don't say it , " cried Anne , pleadingly .

" don't PLEASE , Gilbert . "

" I must .

things can't go on like this any longer .

Anne , I love you .

you know I do .

I I can't tell you how much .

will you promise me that some day you 'll be my wife ? "

" I I can't , " said Anne miserably .

" oh , Gilbert you you 've spoiled everything . "

" don't you care for me at all ? "

Gilbert asked after a very dreadful pause , during which Anne had not dared to look up .

" not not in that way .

I do care a great deal for you as a friend .

but I don't love you , Gilbert . "

" but can't you give me some hope that you will yet ? "

" no , I can't , " exclaimed Anne desperately .

" I never , never can love you in that way Gilbert .

you must never speak of this to me again . "

there was another pause so long and so dreadful that Anne was driven at last to look up .

Gilbert 's face was white to the lips .

and his eyes but Anne shuddered and looked away .

there was nothing romantic about this .

must proposals be either grotesque or horrible ?

could she ever forget Gilbert 's face ?

" is there anybody else ? " he asked at last in a low voice .

" no no , " said Anne eagerly .

" I don't care for any one like THAT and I LIKE you better than anybody else in the world , Gilbert .

and we must we must go on being friends , Gilbert . "

Gilbert gave a bitter little laugh .

" Friends !

your friendship can't satisfy me , Anne .

I want your love and you tell me I can never have that . "

" I 'm sorry .

forgive me , Gilbert , " was all Anne could say .

Gilbert released her hand gently .

" there isn't anything to forgive .

there have been times when I thought you did care .

I 've deceived myself , that 's all .

goodbye , Anne . "

Anne got herself to her room , sat down on her window seat behind the pines , and cried bitterly .

she felt as if something incalculably precious had gone out of her life .

it was Gilbert 's friendship , of course .

oh , why must she lose it after this fashion ?

" what is the matter , honey ? " asked Phil , coming in through the moonlit gloom .

Anne did not answer .

at that moment she wished Phil were a thousand miles away .

" I suppose you 've gone and refused Gilbert Blythe .

you are an idiot , Anne Shirley ! "

" do you call it idiotic to refuse to marry a man I don't love ? " said Anne coldly , goaded to reply .

" you don't know love when you see it .

you 've tricked something out with your imagination that you think love , and you expect the real thing to look like that .

there , that 's the first sensible thing I 've ever said in my life .

I wonder how I managed it ? "

" Phil , " pleaded Anne , " please go away and leave me alone for a little while .

my world has tumbled into pieces .

I want to reconstruct it . "

" without any Gilbert in it ? " said Phil , going .

a world without any Gilbert in it !

Anne repeated the words drearily .

would it not be a very lonely , forlorn place ?

well , it was all Gilbert 's fault .

he had spoiled their beautiful comradeship .

she must just learn to live without it .

chapter XXI

Roses of Yesterday

there was not , however , much time to think about him .

" Mount Holly , " the beautiful old Gordon homestead , was a very gay place , overrun by Phil 's friends of both sexes .

they were both nice , manly fellows , but Anne would not be drawn into any opinion as to which was the nicer .

" you must do that for yourself .

you are quite expert at making up your mind as to whom other people should marry , " retorted Anne , rather caustically .

" oh , that 's a very different thing , " said Phil , truly .

she looked at it with delighted eyes , as she and Phil turned in at the gate .

" it 's almost exactly as I 've pictured it , " she said .

how glad I am it is still painted yellow . "

a very tall , very thin woman opened the door .

" yes , the Shirleys lived here twenty years ago , " she said , in answer to Anne 's question .

" they had it rented .

I remember ' em .

they both died of fever at onct .

it was turrible sad .

they left a baby .

I guess it 's dead long ago .

it was a sickly thing .

old Thomas and his wife took it as if they hadn't enough of their own . "

" it didn't die , " said Anne , smiling .

" I was that baby . "

" you don't say so !

why , you have grown , " exclaimed the woman , as if she were much surprised that Anne was not still a baby .

" come to look at you , I see the resemblance .

you 're complected like your pa .

he had red hair .

but you favor your ma in your eyes and mouth .

she was a nice little thing .

my darter went to school to her and was nigh crazy about her .

they was buried in the one grave and the School Board put up a tombstone to them as a reward for faithful service .

will you come in ? "

" will you let me go all over the house ? " asked Anne eagerly .

" Laws , yes , you can if you like .

' Twon't take you long there ain't much of it .

I keep at my man to build a new kitchen , but he ain't one of your hustlers .

the parlor 's in there and there 's two rooms upstairs .

just prowl about yourselves .

I 've got to see to the baby .

the east room was the one you were born in .

Anne went up the narrow stairs and into that little east room with a full heart .

it was as a shrine to her .

Anne looked about her reverently , her eyes with tears .

it was for her one of the jeweled hours of life that gleam out radiantly forever in memory .

" just to think of it mother was younger than I am now when I was born , " she whispered .

when Anne went downstairs the lady of the house met her in the hall .

she held out a dusty little packet tied with faded blue ribbon .

" here 's a bundle of old letters I found in that closet upstairs when I came here , " she said .

you can take ' em if you 'd keer to have ' em . "

" oh , thank you thank you , " cried Anne , clasping the packet rapturously .

" that was all that was in the house , " said her hostess .

" the furniture was all sold to pay the doctor bills , and Mrs Thomas got your ma's clothes and little things .

I reckon they didn't last long among that drove of Thomas youngsters .

they was destructive young animals , as I mind ' em . "

" I haven't one thing that belonged to my mother , " said Anne , chokily .

" I I can never thank you enough for these letters . "

" you 're quite welcome .

Laws , but your eyes is like your ma's .

she could just about talk with hers .

your father was sorter homely but awful nice .

Anne longed to get home to read her precious letters ; but she made one little pilgrimage first .

then she hastened back to Mount Holly , shut herself up in her room , and read the letters .

some were written by her father , some by her mother .

there were not many only a dozen in all for Walter and Bertha Shirley had not been often separated during their courtship .

the letters were yellow and faded and dim , blurred with the touch of passing years .

no profound words of wisdom were traced on the stained and wrinkled pages , but only lines of love and trust .

the sweetness of forgotten things clung to them the far-off , fond imaginings of those long-dead lovers .

the letters were tender , intimate , sacred .

to Anne , the sweetest of all was the one written after her birth to the father on a brief absence .

it was full of a proud young mother 's accounts of " baby " her cleverness , her brightness , her thousand sweetnesses .

" I love her best when she is asleep and better still when she is awake , " Bertha Shirley had written in the postscript .

probably it was the last sentence she had ever penned .

the end was very near for her .

" this has been the most beautiful day of my life , " Anne said to Phil that night .

" I 've FOUND my father and mother .

those letters have made them REAL to me .

I 'm not an orphan any longer .

I feel as if I had opened a book and found roses of yesterday , sweet and beloved , between its leaves . "

chapter XXII

spring and Anne Return to Green Gables

Marilla was sitting by the fire at least , in body .

in spirit she was roaming olden ways , with feet grown young .

of late Marilla had thus spent many an hour , when she thought she should have been knitting for the twins .

" I suppose I 'm growing old , " she said .

Marilla felt that out of her sixty years she had lived only the nine that had followed the advent of Anne .

and Anne would be home tomorrow night .

the kitchen door opened .

Marilla looked up expecting to see Mrs Lynde .

Anne stood before her , tall and starry-eyed , with her hands full of Mayflowers and violets .

" Anne Shirley ! " exclaimed Marilla .

" I never looked for you till tomorrow night .

how did you get from Carmody ? "

" walked , dearest of Marillas .

haven't I done it a score of times in the Queen 's days ?

the mailman is to bring my trunk tomorrow ; I just got homesick all at once , and came a day earlier .

and oh !

smell them , Marilla drink them in . "

Marilla sniffed obligingly , but she was more interested in Anne than in drinking violets .

" sit down , child .

you must be real tired .

I 'm going to get you some supper . "

" there 's a darling moonrise behind the hills tonight , Marilla , and oh , how the frogs sang me home from Carmody !

I do love the music of the frogs .

it seems bound up with all my happiest recollections of old spring evenings .

and it always reminds me of the night I came here first .

do you remember it , Marilla ? "

" well , yes , " said Marilla with emphasis .

" I 'm not likely to forget it ever . "

" they used to sing so madly in the marsh and brook that year .

oh , but it 's good to be home again !

Redmond was splendid and Bolingbroke delightful but Green Gables is HOME . "

" Gilbert isn't coming home this summer , I hear , " said Marilla .

" no . "

something in Anne 's tone made Marilla glance at her sharply , but Anne was apparently absorbed in arranging her violets in a bowl .

" See , aren't they sweet ? " she went on hurriedly .

" the year is a book , isn't it , Marilla ?

" did Gilbert do well in his examinations ? " persisted Marilla .

" excellently well .

he led his class .

but where are the twins and Mrs Lynde ? "

" Rachel and Dora are over at Mr Harrison 's .

Davy is down at Boulters ' .

I think I hear him coming now . "

Davy burst in , saw Anne , stopped , and then hurled himself upon her with a joyful yell .

" oh , Anne , ain't I glad to see you !

say , Anne , I 've grown two inches since last fall .

Mrs Lynde measured me with her tape today , and say , Anne , see my front tooth .

it 's gone .

Mrs Lynde tied one end of a string to it and the other end to the door , and then shut the door .

I sold it to Milty for two cents .

milty 's collecting teeth . "

" what in the world does he want teeth for ? " asked Marilla .

" to make a necklace for playing Indian Chief , " explained Davy , climbing upon Anne 's lap .

" he 's got fifteen already , and everybody 's else 's promised , so there 's no use in the rest of us starting to collect , too .

I tell you the Boulters are great business people . "

" were you a good boy at Mrs Boulter 's ? " asked Marilla severely .

" yes ; but say , Marilla , I 'm tired of being good . "

" you 'd get tired of being bad much sooner , Davy-boy , " said Anne .

" well , it 'd be fun while it lasted , wouldn't it ? " persisted Davy .

" I could be sorry for it afterwards , couldn't I ? "

" being sorry wouldn't do away with the consequences of being bad , Davy .

don't you remember the Sunday last summer when you ran away from Sunday School ?

you told me then that being bad wasn't worth while .

what were you and Milty doing today ? "

" oh , we fished and chased the cat , and hunted for eggs , and yelled at the echo .

there 's a great echo in the bush behind the Boulter barn .

say , what is echo , Anne ; I want to know . "

" what does she look like ? "

" her hair and eyes are dark , but her neck and arms are white as snow .

no mortal can ever see how fair she is .

she is fleeter than a deer , and that mocking voice of hers is all we can know of her .

you can hear her calling at night ; you can hear her laughing under the stars .

but you can never see her .

she flies afar if you follow her , and laughs at you always just over the next hill . "

" is that true , Anne ?

or is it a whopper ? " demanded Davy staring .

" Davy , " said Anne despairingly , " haven't you sense enough to distinguish between a fairytale and a falsehood ? "

" then what is it that sasses back from the Boulter bush ?

I want to know , " insisted Davy .

" when you are a little older , Davy , I 'll explain it all to you . "

the mention of age evidently gave a new turn to Davy 's thoughts for after a few moments of reflection , he whispered solemnly :

" Anne , I 'm going to be married . "

" when ? " asked Anne with equal solemnity .

" oh , not until I 'm grown-up , of course . "

" well , that 's a relief , Davy .

who is the lady ? "

" Stella Fletcher ; she 's in my class at school .

and say , Anne , she 's the prettiest girl you ever saw .

if I die before I grow up you 'll keep an eye on her , won't you ? "

" Davy Keith , do stop talking such nonsense , " said Marilla severely .

" ' Tisn't nonsense , " protested Davy in an injured tone .

" she 's my promised wife , and if I was to die she 'd be my promised widow , wouldn't she ?

and she hasn't got a soul to look after her except her old grandmother . "

" come and have your supper , Anne , " said Marilla , " and don't encourage that child in his absurd talk . "

chapter XXIII

Paul Cannot Find the Rock People

she would not admit , even in her inmost reflections , that this was caused by Gilbert 's absence .

Gilbert did not even write to her , as she thought he might have done .

apart from this , Anne enjoyed her summer .

" Miss Lavendar " had not changed , except to grow even sweeter and prettier .

Paul adored her , and the companionship between them was beautiful to see .

" but I don't call her ' mother ' just by itself , " he explained to Anne .

" you see , THAT name belongs just to my own little mother , and I can't give it to any one else .

you know , teacher .

but I call her ' Mother Lavendar ' and I love her next best to father .

I I even love her a LITTLE better than you , teacher . "

" which is just as it ought to be , " answered Anne .

Paul was thirteen now and very tall for his years .

he and Anne had delightful rambles to wood and field and shore .

never were there two more thoroughly " kindred spirits . "

Charlotta the Fourth had blossomed out into young ladyhood .

" you don't think I talk with a Yankee accent , do you , Miss Shirley , ma'am ? " she demanded anxiously .

" I don't notice it , Charlotta . "

" I 'm real glad of that .

they said I did at home , but I thought likely they just wanted to aggravate me .

I don't want no Yankee accent .

not that I 've a word to say against the Yankees , Miss Shirley , ma'am .

they 're real civilized .

but give me old P.E. island every time . "

Paul spent his first fortnight with his grandmother Irving in Avonlea .

he could hardly wait to eat his supper .

could he not see Nora 's elfin face peering around the point , watching for him wistfully ?

but it was a very sober Paul who came back from the shore in the twilight .

" didn't you find your Rock People ? " asked Anne .

Paul shook his chestnut curls sorrowfully .

" the Twin Sailors and the Golden Lady never came at all , " he said .

" Nora was there but Nora is not the same , teacher .

she is changed . "

" oh , Paul , it is you who are changed , " said Anne .

" you have grown too old for the Rock People .

they like only children for playfellows .

Even Nora will not meet you much longer .

you must pay the penalty of growing-up , Paul .

you must leave fairyland behind you . "

" you two talk as much foolishness as ever you did , " said old Mrs Irving , half-indulgently , half-reprovingly .

" oh , no , we don't , " said Anne , shaking her head gravely .

" we are getting very , very wise , and it is such a pity .

we are never half so interesting when we have learned that language is given us to enable us to conceal our thoughts . "

" but it isn't it is given us to exchange our thoughts , " said Mrs Irving seriously .

she had never heard of Tallyrand and did not understand epigrams .

Anne spent a fortnight of halcyon days at Echo Lodge in the golden prime of August .

( @number@ Chronicles of Avonlea . )

" what a nice play-time this has been , " said Anne .

" I feel like a giant refreshed .

and it 's only a fortnight more till I go back to Kingsport , and Redmond and Patty 's Place .

Patty 's Place is the dearest spot , Miss Lavendar .

I feel as if I had two homes one at Green Gables and one at Patty 's Place .

but where has the summer gone ?

it doesn't seem a day since I came home that spring evening with the Mayflowers .

when I was little I couldn't see from one end of the summer to the other .

it stretched before me like an unending season .

now , " tis a handbreadth , ' tis a tale . ' "

" Anne , are you and Gilbert Blythe as good friends as you used to be ? " asked Miss Lavendar quietly .

" I am just as much Gilbert 's friend as ever I was , Miss Lavendar . "

Miss Lavendar shook her head .

" I see something 's gone wrong , Anne .

I 'm going to be impertinent and ask what .

have you quarrelled ? "

" no ; it 's only that Gilbert wants more than friendship and I can't give him more . "

" are you sure of that , Anne ? "

" perfectly sure . "

" I 'm very , very sorry . "

" I wonder why everybody seems to think I ought to marry Gilbert Blythe , " said Anne petulantly .

" because you were made and meant for each other , Anne that is why .

you needn't toss that young head of yours .

it 's a fact . "

chapter XXIV

enter Jonas

" PROSPECT POINT , " @date@

" Dear Anne spelled with an E , " wrote Phil , " I must prop my eyelids open long enough to write you .

I 've neglected you shamefully this summer , honey , but all my other correspondents have been neglected , too .

I have a huge pile of letters to answer , so I must gird up the loins of my mind and hoe in.

excuse my mixed metaphors .

I 'm fearfully sleepy .

last night Cousin Emily and I were calling at a neighbor 's .

I knew they would begin on Cousin Emily and me as soon as the door shut behind us .

when we came home Mrs Lilly informed us that the aforesaid neighbor 's hired boy was supposed to be down with scarlet fever .

you can always trust Mrs Lilly to tell you cheerful things like that .

I have a horror of scarlet fever .

I couldn't sleep when I went to bed for thinking of it .

Anne , I had them all .

so I went back to bed , and knowing the worst , slept like a top the rest of the night .

though why a top should sleep sounder than anything else I never could understand .

but this morning I was quite well , so it couldn't have been the fever .

I suppose if I did catch it last night it couldn't have developed so soon .

I can remember that in daytime , but at three o'clock at night I never can be logical .

" I suppose you wonder what I 'm doing at Prospect Point .

so a fortnight ago I came as usual .

he is a nice old man and gave me a handful of pink peppermints .

once I asked , referring to the smell of peppermints , ' Is that the odor of sanctity ? '

but I wouldn't hurt his dear old feelings for anything , so I carefully sowed them along the road at intervals .

you 'll likely have the stummick-ache . '

" Cousin Emily has only five boarders besides myself four old ladies and one young man .

my right-hand neighbor is Mrs Lilly .

she is one of those people who seem to take a gruesome pleasure in detailing all their many aches and pains and sicknesses .

Jonas declares he once spoke of locomotor ataxia in hearing and she said she knew too well what that was .

she suffered from it for ten years and was finally cured by a traveling doctor .

" who is Jonas ?

just wait , Anne Shirley .

you 'll hear all about Jonas in the proper time and place .

he is not to be mixed up with estimable old ladies .

" my left-hand neighbor at the table is Mrs Phinney .

she always speaks with a wailing , dolorous voice you are nervously expecting her to burst into tears every moment .

" Miss Maria Grimsby sits cati-corner from me .

the first day I came I remarked to Miss Maria that it looked a little like rain and Miss Maria laughed .

I said the road from the station was very pretty and Miss Maria laughed .

I said there seemed to be a few mosquitoes left yet and Miss Maria laughed .

I said that Prospect Point was as beautiful as ever and Miss Maria laughed .

she can't help it she was born so ; but is very sad and awful .

" the fifth old lady is Mrs Grant .

she is a sweet old thing ; but she never says anything but good of anybody and so she is a very uninteresting conversationalist .

" and now for Jonas , Anne .

" he is a very ugly young man really , the ugliest young man I 've ever seen .

he has a big , loose-jointed figure with absurdly long legs .

" he has a lovely voice if you shut your eyes he is adorable and he certainly has a beautiful soul and disposition .

" we were good chums right way .

of course he is a graduate of Redmond , and that is a link between us .

we fished and boated together ; and we walked on the sands by moonlight .

he didn't look so homely by moonlight and oh , he was nice .

Niceness fairly exhaled from him .

" somehow , Anne , I don't want him to think me frivolous .

this is ridiculous .

why should I care what a tow-haired person called Jonas , whom I never saw before thinks of me ?

" last Sunday Jonas preached in the village church .

I went , of course , but I couldn't realize that Jonas was going to preach .

the fact that he was a minister or going to be one persisted in seeming a huge joke to me .

" well , Jonas preached .

Jonas never said a word about women and he never looked at me .

SHE would be grand and strong and noble .

he was so earnest and tender and true .

he was everything a minister ought to be .

" it was a splendid sermon and I could have listened to it forever , and it made me feel utterly wretched .

oh , I wish I was like YOU , Anne .

" he caught up with me on the road home , and grinned as cheerfully as usual .

but his grin could never deceive me again .

I had seen the REAL Jonas .

I wondered if he could ever see the REAL PHIL whom NOBODY , not even you , Anne , has ever seen yet .

" ' Jonas , ' I said I forgot to call him Mr Blake .

wasn't it dreadful ?

but there are times when things like that don't matter ' Jonas , you were born to be a minister .

you COULDN'T be anything else . '

" ' No , I couldn't , ' he said soberly .

' I tried to be something else for a long time I didn't want to be a minister .

" his voice was low and reverent .

SHE would be no feather , blown about by every fickle wind of fancy .

SHE would always know what hat to put on .

probably she would have only one .

ministers never have much money .

but she wouldn't mind having one hat or none at all , because she would have Jonas .

" Anne Shirley , don't you dare to say or hint or think that I 've fallen in love with Mr Blake .

could I care for a lank , poor , ugly theologue named Jonas ?

as Uncle Mark says , ' It 's impossible , and what 's more it 's improbable . '

" good night , PHIL . "

" P.S . it is impossible but I am horribly afraid it 's true .

I 'm happy and wretched and scared .

HE can NEVER care for me , I know .

do you think I could ever develop into a passable minister 's wife , Anne ?

and WOULD they expect me to lead in prayer ?

P G. "

chapter XXV

enter Prince Charming

" I 've an afternoon to spend in sweet doing nothing , Aunt Jimsie .

" I thought that you claimed to be as young as any of us , Aunty , " teased Anne .

" yes , in my soul .

but I 'll admit my legs aren't as young as yours .

you go and get some fresh air , Anne .

you look pale lately . "

" I think I 'll go to the park , " said Anne restlessly .

" I don't feel like tame domestic joys today .

I want to feel alone and free and wild .

the park will be empty , for every one will be at the football match . "

" why didn't you go to it ? "

" ' Nobody axed me , sir , she said ' at least , nobody but that horrid little Dan Ranger .

I don't mind .

I 'm not in the mood for football today somehow . "

I 've rheumatism in my leg . "

" only old people should have rheumatism , Aunty . "

" anybody is liable to rheumatism in her legs , Anne .

it 's only old people who should have rheumatism in their souls , though .

thank goodness , I never have .

when you get rheumatism in your soul you might as well go and pick out your coffin . "

it was November the month of crimson sunsets , parting birds , deep , sad hymns of the sea , passionate wind-songs in the pines .

Anne was not wont to be troubled with soul fog .

outwardly , existence at Patty 's Place was the same pleasant round of work and study and recreation that it had always been .

the " Jonas " of Phil 's letter came often , running up from St Columbia on the early train and departing on the late .

" he 's VERY nice , my dear , " she told Phil , " but ministers ought to be graver and more dignified . "

" can't a man laugh and laugh and be a Christian still ? " demanded Phil .

" oh , MEN yes .

but I was speaking of MINISTERS , my dear , " said Aunt Jamesina rebukingly .

" and you shouldn't flirt so with Mr Blake you really shouldn't . "

" I 'm not flirting with him , " protested Phil .

nobody believed her , except Anne .

the others thought she was amusing herself as usual , and told her roundly that she was behaving very badly .

" Mr Blake isn't of the Alec-and-Alonzo type , Phil , " said Stella severely .

" he takes things seriously .

you may break his heart . "

" do you really think I could ? " asked Phil .

" I 'd love to think so . "

" Philippa Gordon !

I never thought you were utterly unfeeling .

the idea of you saying you 'd love to break a man 's heart ! "

" I didn't say so , honey .

quote me correctly .

I said I 'd like to think I COULD break it .

I would like to know I had the POWER to do it . "

" I don't understand you , Phil .

you are leading that man on deliberately and you know you don't mean anything by it . "

" I mean to make him ask me to marry him if I can , " said Phil calmly .

" I give you up , " said Stella hopelessly .

Gilbert came occasionally on Friday evenings .

he seemed always in good spirits , and held his own in the jests and repartee that flew about .

he neither sought nor avoided Anne .

when circumstances brought them in contact he talked to her pleasantly and courteously , as to any newly-made acquaintance .

the old camaraderie was gone entirely .

now she saw that she need not have worried .

men have died and the worms have eaten them but not for love .

Gilbert evidently was in no danger of immediate dissolution .

he was enjoying life , and he was full of ambition and zest .

for him there was to be no wasting in despair because a woman was fair and cold .

there were not lacking those who would gladly have stepped into Gilbert 's vacant place .

but Anne snubbed them without fear and without reproach .

if the real Prince Charming was never to come she would have none of a substitute .

so she sternly told herself that gray day in the windy park .

suddenly the rain of Aunt Jamesina 's prophecy came with a swish and rush .

Anne put up her umbrella and hurried down the slope .

as she turned out on the harbor road a savage gust of wind tore along it .

instantly her umbrella turned wrong side out .

Anne clutched at it in despair .

and then there came a voice close to her .

" Pardon me may I offer you the shelter of my umbrella ? "

Anne looked up .

he could not have more closely resembled her ideal if he had been made to order .

" thank you , " she said confusedly .

" we 'd better hurry over to that little pavillion on the point , " suggested the unknown .

" we can wait there until this shower is over .

it is not likely to rain so heavily very long . "

the words were very commonplace , but oh , the tone !

and the smile which accompanied them !

Anne felt her heart beating strangely .

together they scurried to the pavilion and sat breathlessly down under its friendly roof .

Anne laughingly held up her false umbrella .

" it is when my umbrella turns inside out that I am convinced of the total depravity of inanimate things , " she said gaily .

the raindrops sparkled on her shining hair ; its loosened rings curled around her neck and forehead .

her cheeks were flushed , her eyes big and starry .

her companion looked down at her admiringly .

she felt herself blushing under his gaze .

who could he be ?

why , there was a bit of the Redmond white and scarlet pinned to his coat lapel .

yet she had thought she knew , by sight at least , all the Redmond students except the Freshmen .

and this courtly youth surely was no Freshman .

" we are schoolmates , I see , " he said , smiling at Anne 's colors .

" that ought to be sufficient introduction .

my name is Royal Gardner .

and you are the Miss Shirley who read the Tennyson paper at the Philomathic the other evening , aren't you ? "

" yes ; but I cannot place you at all , " said Anne , frankly .

" please , where DO you belong ? "

" I feel as if I didn't belong anywhere yet .

I put in my Freshman and Sophomore years at Redmond two years ago .

I 've been in Europe ever since .

now I 've come back to finish my Arts course . "

" this is my Junior year , too , " said Anne .

" so we are classmates as well as collegemates .

the rain came steadily down for the best part of an hour .

but the time seemed really very short .

when the clouds parted and a burst of pale November sunshine fell athwart the harbor and the pines Anne and her companion walked home together .

by the time they had reached the gate of Patty 's Place he had asked permission to call , and had received it .

Anne went in with cheeks of flame and her heart beating to her fingertips .

Rusty , who climbed into her lap and tried to kiss her , found a very absent welcome .

Anne , with her soul full of romantic thrills , had no attention to spare just then for a crop-eared pussy cat .

that evening a parcel was left at Patty 's Place for Miss Shirley .

it was a box containing a dozen magnificent roses .

Phil pounced impertinently on the card that fell from it , read the name and the poetical quotation written on the back .

" Royal Gardner ! " she exclaimed .

" why , Anne , I didn't know you were acquainted with Roy Gardner ! "

" I met him in the park this afternoon in the rain , " explained Anne hurriedly .

" my umbrella turned inside out and he came to my rescue with his . "

" oh ! "

Phil peered curiously at Anne .

or why we should blush divinest rosy-red when we look at his card ?

Anne , thy face betrayeth thee . "

" don't talk nonsense , Phil .

do you know Mr Gardner ? "

" I 've met his two sisters , and I know of him .

So does everybody worthwhile in Kingsport .

the Gardners are among the richest , bluest , of Bluenoses .

Roy is adorably handsome and clever .

two years ago his mother 's health failed and he had to leave college and go abroad with her his father is dead .

he must have been greatly disappointed to have to give up his class , but they say he was perfectly sweet about it .

Fee fi fo fum , Anne .

I smell romance .

almost do I envy you , but not quite .

after all , Roy Gardner isn't Jonas . "

" you goose ! " said Anne loftily .

but she lay long awake that night , nor did she wish for sleep .

her waking fancies were more alluring than any vision of dreamland .

had the real Prince come at last ?

recalling those glorious dark eyes which had gazed so deeply into her own , Anne was very strongly inclined to think he had .

chapter XXVI

enter Christine

the girls at Patty 's Place were dressing for the reception which the Juniors were giving for the Seniors in February .

Anne surveyed herself in the mirror of the blue room with girlish satisfaction .

she had a particularly pretty gown on .

originally it had been only a simple little slip of cream silk with a chiffon overdress .

but Phil had insisted on taking it home with her in the Christmas holidays and embroidering tiny rosebuds all over the chiffon .

Phil 's fingers were deft , and the result was a dress which was the envy of every Redmond girl .

Anne was trying the effect of a white orchid in her hair .

" Anne , this is certainly your night for looking handsome .

nine nights out of ten I can easily outshine you .

the tenth you blossom out suddenly into something that eclipses me altogether .

how do you manage it ? "

" it 's the dress , dear .

fine feathers . "

" ' Tisn't .

the last evening you flamed out into beauty you wore your old blue flannel shirtwaist that Mrs Lynde made you .

if Roy hadn't already lost head and heart about you he certainly would tonight .

but I don't like orchids on you , Anne .

no ; it isn't jealousy .

orchids don't seem to BELONG to you .

they 're too exotic too tropical too insolent .

don't put them in your hair , anyway . "

" well , I won't .

I admit I 'm not fond of orchids myself .

I don't think they 're related to me .

Roy doesn't often send them he knows I like flowers I can live with .

orchids are only things you can visit with . "

" Jonas sent me some dear pink rosebuds for the evening but he isn't coming himself .

he said he had to lead a prayer-meeting in the slums !

I don't believe he wanted to come .

Anne , I 'm horribly afraid Jonas doesn't really care anything about me .

and I 'm trying to decide whether I 'll pine away and die , or go on and get my B.A . and be sensible and useful . "

" you couldn't possibly be sensible and useful , Phil , so you 'd better pine away and die , " said Anne cruelly .

" Heartless Anne ! "

" Silly Phil !

you know quite well that Jonas loves you . "

" but he won't TELL me so .

and I can't MAKE him .

he LOOKS it , I'll admit .

but isn't a really reliable reason for embroidering doilies and hemstitching tablecloths .

I don't want to begin such work until I 'm really engaged .

it would be tempting Fate . "

" Mr Blake is afraid to ask you to marry him , Phil .

he is poor and can't offer you a home such as you 've always had .

you know that is the only reason he hasn't spoken long ago . "

" I suppose so , " agreed Phil dolefully .

" well " brightening up " if he WON'T ask me to marry him I 'll ask him , that 's all .

so it 's bound to come right .

I won't worry .

by the way , Gilbert Blythe is going about constantly with Christine Stuart .

did you know ? "

Anne was trying to fasten a little gold chain about her throat .

she suddenly found the clasp difficult to manage .

WHAT was the matter with it or with her fingers ?

" no , " she said carelessly .

" who is Christine Stuart ? "

" Ronald Stuart 's sister .

she 's in Kingsport this winter studying music .

I haven't seen her , but they say she 's very pretty and that Gilbert is quite crazy over her .

how angry I was when you refused Gilbert , Anne .

but Roy Gardner was foreordained for you .

I can see that now .

you were right , after all . "

Anne did not blush , as she usually did when the girls assumed that her eventual marriage to Roy Gardner was a settled thing .

all at once she felt rather dull .

Phil 's chatter seemed trivial and the reception a bore .

she boxed poor Rusty 's ears .

" get off that cushion instantly , you cat , you !

why don't you stay down where you belong ? "

Anne picked up her orchids and went downstairs , where Aunt Jamesina was presiding over a row of coats hung before the fire to warm .

Roy Gardner was waiting for Anne and teasing the Sarah-cat while he waited .

the Sarah-cat did not approve of him .

she always turned her back on him .

but everybody else at Patty 's Place liked him very much .

such remarks made Anne restive .

she turned to Roy with her gayest expression .

he smiled back at her with what Phil called " his deep , black , velvety smile . "

yet she really did not see Roy at all .

she was acutely conscious that Gilbert was standing under the palms just across the room talking to a girl who must be Christine Stuart .

she was very handsome , in the stately style destined to become rather massive in middle life .

a tall girl , with large dark-blue eyes , ivory outlines , and a gloss of darkness on her smooth hair .

" she looks just as I 've always wanted to look , " thought Anne miserably .

" Rose-leaf complexion starry violet eyes raven hair yes , she has them all .

it 's a wonder her name isn't Cordelia Fitzgerald into the bargain !

but I don't believe her figure is as good as mine , and her nose certainly isn't . "

Anne felt a little comforted by this conclusion .

chapter XXVII

mutual Confidences

over the girls at Patty 's Place was falling the shadow of April examinations .

they were studying hard ; even Phil had settled down to text and notebooks with a doggedness not to be expected of her .

" I 'm going to take the Johnson Scholarship in Mathematics , " she announced calmly .

" when I was a girl it wasn't considered lady-like to know anything about Mathematics , " said Aunt Jamesina .

" but times have changed .

I don't know that it 's all for the better .

can you cook , Phil ? "

you know the kind .

" maybe , " said Aunt Jamesina cautiously .

" I am not decrying the higher education of women .

my daughter is an M.A . she can cook , too .

but I taught her to cook BEFORE I let a college professor teach her Mathematics . "

in mid-March came a letter from Miss Patty Spofford , saying that she and Miss Maria had decided to remain abroad for another year .

" so you may have Patty 's Place next winter , too , " she wrote .

" Maria and I are going to run over Egypt .

I want to see the Sphinx once before I die . "

" fancy those two dames ' running over Egypt ' !

I wonder if they 'll look up at the Sphinx and knit , " laughed Priscilla .

" I 'm so glad we can keep Patty 's Place for another year , " said Stella .

" I was afraid they 'd come back .

" I 'm off for a tramp in the park , " announced Phil , tossing her book aside .

" I think when I am eighty I 'll be glad I went for a walk in the park tonight . "

" what do you mean ? " asked Anne .

" come with me and I 'll tell you , honey . "

they captured in their ramble all the mysteries and magics of a March evening .

the girls wandered down a long pineland aisle that seemed to lead right out into the heart of a deep-red , overflowing winter sunset .

" it 's all so wonderful here this great , white stillness , and those dark trees that always seem to be thinking . "

" ' The woods were God 's first temples , ' " quoted Anne softly .

" one can't help feeling reverent and adoring in such a place .

I always feel so near Him when I walk among the pines . "

" Anne , I 'm the happiest girl in the world , " confessed Phil suddenly .

" so Mr Blake has asked you to marry him at last ? " said Anne calmly .

" yes .

and I sneezed three times while he was asking me .

wasn't that horrid ?

but I said ' yes ' almost before he finished I was so afraid he might change his mind and stop .

I 'm besottedly happy .

I couldn't really believe before that Jonas would ever care for frivolous me . "

" Phil , you 're not really frivolous , " said Anne gravely .

" ' Way down underneath that frivolous exterior of yours you 've got a dear , loyal , womanly little soul .

why do you hide it so ? "

" I can't help it , Queen Anne .

you are right I 'm not frivolous at heart .

but there 's a sort of frivolous skin over my soul and I can't take it off .

as Mrs Poyser says , I 'd have to be hatched over again and hatched different before I could change it .

but Jonas knows the real me and loves me , frivolity and all .

and I love him .

I never was so surprised in my life as I was when I found out I loved him .

I 'd never thought it possible to fall in love with an ugly man .

fancy me coming down to one solitary beau .

and one named Jonas !

but I mean to call him Jo .

that 's such a nice , crisp little name .

I couldn't nickname Alonzo . "

" what about Alec and Alonzo ? "

" oh , I told them at Christmas that I never could marry either of them .

it seems so funny now to remember that I ever thought it possible that I might .

they felt so badly I just cried over both of them howled .

but I knew there was only one man in the world I could ever marry .

I had made up my own mind for once and it was real easy , too .

it 's very delightful to feel so sure , and know it 's your own sureness and not somebody else 's . "

" do you suppose you 'll be able to keep it up ? "

" making up my mind , you mean ?

I don't know , but Jo has given me a splendid rule .

he says , when I 'm perplexed , just to do what I would wish I had done when I shall be eighty .

" what will your father and mother say ? "

" father won't say much .

he thinks everything I do right .

but mother WILL talk .

oh , her tongue will be as Byrney as her nose .

but in the end it will be all right . "

" you 'll have to give up a good many things you 've always had , when you marry Mr Blake , Phil . "

" but I 'll have HIM .

I won't miss the other things .

we 're to be married a year from next June .

Jo graduates from St Columbia this spring , you know .

then he 's going to take a little mission church down on Patterson Street in the slums .

fancy me in the slums !

but I 'd go there or to Greenland 's icy mountains with him . "

" and this is the girl who would NEVER marry a man who wasn't rich , " commented Anne to a young pine tree .

" oh , don't cast up the follies of my youth to me .

I shall be poor as gaily as I 've been rich .

you 'll see .

I 'm going to learn how to cook and make over dresses .

I 've learned how to market since I 've lived at Patty 's Place ; and once I taught a Sunday School class for a whole summer .

aunt Jamesina says I 'll ruin Jo 's career if I marry him .

but I won't .

I know I haven't much sense or sobriety , but I 've got what is ever so much better the knack of making people like me .

there is a man in Bolingbroke who lisps and always testifies in prayer-meeting .

he says , ' If you can't thine like an electric thtar thine like a candlethtick . '

I 'll be Jo 's little candlestick . "

" Phil , you 're incorrigible .

well , I love you so much that I can't make nice , light , congratulatory little speeches .

but I 'm heart-glad of your happiness . "

" I know .

those big gray eyes of yours are brimming over with real friendship , Anne .

some day I 'll look the same way at you .

you 're going to marry Roy , aren't you , Anne ? "

" my dear Philippa , did you ever hear of the famous Betty Baxter , who ' refused a man before he 'd axed her ' ?

I am not going to emulate that celebrated lady by either refusing or accepting any one before he ' axes ' me . "

" all Redmond knows that Roy is crazy about you , " said Phil candidly .

" and you DO love him , don't you , Anne ? "

" I I suppose so , " said Anne reluctantly .

Gilbert Blythe and Christine Stuart were nothing to her absolutely nothing .

but Anne had given up trying to analyze the reason of her blushes .

as for Roy , of course she was in love with him madly so .

how could she help it ?

was he not her ideal ?

who could resist those glorious dark eyes , and that pleading voice ?

were not half the Redmond girls wildly envious ?

and what a charming sonnet he had sent her , with a box of violets , on her birthday !

Anne knew every word of it by heart .

it was very good stuff of its kind , too .

not exactly up to the level of Keats or Shakespeare even Anne was not so deeply in love as to think that .

but it was very tolerable magazine verse .

and it was addressed to HER not to Laura or Beatrice or the Maid of Athens , but to her , Anne Shirley .

Gilbert would never have dreamed of writing a sonnet to her eyebrows .

but then , Gilbert could see a joke .

she had once told Roy a funny story and he had not seen the point of it .

but who could expect a melancholy , inscrutable hero to see the humorous side of things ?

it would be flatly unreasonable .

chapter XXVIII

a June Evening

" you 'd get tired of it , " said Marilla , with a sigh .

everything loves June .

Davy-boy , why this melancholy November face in blossom-time ? "

" I 'm just sick and tired of living , " said the youthful pessimist .

" at ten years ?

dear me , how sad ! "

" I 'm not making fun , " said Davy with dignity .

" I 'm dis dis discouraged " bringing out the big word with a valiant effort .

" why and wherefore ? " asked Anne , sitting down beside him .

" ' Cause the new teacher that come when Mr Holmes got sick give me ten sums to do for Monday .

it 'll take me all day tomorrow to do them .

it isn't fair to have to work Saturdays .

Milty Boulter said he wouldn't do them , but Marilla says I've got to .

I don't like Miss Carson a bit . "

" don't talk like that about your teacher , Davy Keith , " said Mrs Rachel severely .

" Miss Carson is a very fine girl .

there is no nonsense about her . "

" that doesn't sound very attractive , " laughed Anne .

" I like people to have a little nonsense about them .

but I 'm inclined to have a better opinion of Miss Carson than you have .

I saw her in prayer-meeting last night , and she has a pair of eyes that can't always look sensible .

now , Davy-boy , take heart of grace .

' Tomorrow will bring another day ' and I 'll help you with the sums as far as in me lies .

don't waste this lovely hour ' twixt light and dark worrying over arithmetic . "

" well , I won't , " said Davy , brightening up .

" if you help me with the sums I 'll have ' em done in time to go fishing with Milty .

I wish old Aunt Atossa 's funeral was tomorrow instead of today .

but Marilla said she didn't . "

" Poor Atossa laid in her coffin peaceful enough , " said Mrs Lynde solemnly .

" I never saw her look so pleasant before , that's what .

well , there weren't many tears shed over her , poor old soul .

the Elisha Wrights are thankful to be rid of her , and I can't say I blame them a mite . "

" nobody except her parents ever loved poor Atossa , that 's certain , not even her husband , " averred Mrs Lynde .

" she was his fourth wife .

he 'd sort of got into the habit of marrying .

he only lived a few years after he married her .

the doctor said he died of dyspepsia , but I shall always maintain that he died of Atossa 's tongue , that 's what .

poor soul , she always knew everything about her neighbors , but she never was very well acquainted with herself .

well , she 's gone anyhow ; and I suppose the next excitement will be Diana 's wedding . "

" I don't see what 's horrible about it , when she 's doing so well , " said Mrs Lynde emphatically .

" Fred Wright has a fine farm and he is a model young man . "

" he certainly isn't the wild , dashing , wicked , young man Diana once wanted to marry , " smiled Anne .

" Fred is extremely good . "

" that 's just what he ought to be .

would you want Diana to marry a wicked man ?

or marry one yourself ? "

" oh , no .

" you 'll have more sense some day , I hope , " said Marilla .

Marilla spoke rather bitterly .

she was grievously disappointed .

she knew Anne had refused Gilbert Blythe .

Avonlea gossip buzzed over the fact , which had leaked out , nobody knew how .

perhaps Charlie Sloane had guessed and told his guesses for truth .

perhaps Diana had betrayed it to Fred and Fred had been indiscreet .

Anne , who had always liked Gilbert 's merry , young-hearted mother , was grieved in secret over this .

after that Mrs Rachel held her tongue , though she still wished in her inmost heart that Anne had accepted Gilbert .

Riches were all very well ; but even Mrs Rachel , practical soul though she was , did not consider them the one essential .

Marilla knew Anne too well to fear this ; but she felt that something in the universal scheme of things had gone sadly awry .

" what is to be , will be , " said Mrs Rachel gloomily , " and what isn't to be happens sometimes .

I can't help believing it 's going to happen in Anne 's case , if Providence doesn't interfere , that's what . "

Mrs Rachel sighed .

she was afraid Providence wouldn't interfere ; and she didn't dare to .

he had gone into the newspaper office again when college closed , and Avonlea seemed very dull without him .

he never wrote to her , and Anne missed the letters that never came .

to be sure , Roy wrote twice a week ; his letters were exquisite compositions which would have read beautifully in a memoir or biography .

Anne flung the harmless screed across her room and sat down to write an especially nice epistle to Roy .

Diana was to be married in five more days .

Anne was enjoying the excitement of the various preparations , but under it all she carried a little heartache .

two big , painful tears welled up in her gray eyes .

" oh , " she thought , " how horrible it is that people have to grow up and marry and CHANGE ! "

chapter XXIX

Diana 's Wedding

" they are the flowers of love and faith . "

Anne had draped that veil , in accordance with the sentimental compact of years before .

" you are the bride of my dreams , Diana , with the ' lovely misty veil ' ; and I am YOUR bridesmaid .

but , alas !

I haven't the puffed sleeves though these short lace ones are even prettier .

neither is my heart wholly breaking nor do I exactly hate Fred . "

" we are not really parting , Anne , " protested Diana .

" I 'm not going far away .

we 'll love each other just as much as ever .

we 've always kept that ' oath ' of friendship we swore long ago , haven't we ? "

" yes .

we 've kept it faithfully .

we 've had a beautiful friendship , Diana .

we 've never marred it by one quarrel or coolness or unkind word ; and I hope it will always be so .

but things can't be quite the same after this .

you 'll have other interests .

I 'll just be on the outside .

but ' such is life ' as Mrs Rachel says .

" the mean thing about your getting married is that I won't be able to be your bridesmaid , " lamented Diana .

" here comes the minister , Diana . "

" oh , Anne , " gasped Diana , suddenly turning very pale and beginning to tremble .

" oh , Anne I 'm so nervous I can't go through with it Anne , I know I 'm going to faint . "

" if you do I 'll drag you down to the rainwater hogshed and drop you in , " said Anne unsympathetically .

" cheer up , dearest .

getting married can't be so very terrible when so many people survive the ceremony .

see how cool and composed I am , and take courage . "

" wait till your turn comes , Miss Anne .

oh , Anne , I hear father coming upstairs .

give me my bouquet .

is my veil right ?

am I very pale ? "

" you look just lovely .

Di , darling , kiss me good-bye for the last time .

Diana Barry will never kiss me again . "

" Diana Wright will , though .

there , mother 's calling .

come . "

following the simple , old-fashioned way in vogue then , Anne went down to the parlor on Gilbert 's arm .

they met at the top of the stairs for the first time since they had left Kingsport , for Gilbert had arrived only that day .

Gilbert shook hands courteously .

he was looking very well , though , as Anne instantly noted , rather thin .

as they entered the crowded parlor together a little murmur of admiration ran around the room .

" what a fine-looking pair they are , " whispered the impressible Mrs Rachel to Marilla .

Fred ambled in alone , with a very red face , and then Diana swept in on her father 's arm .

she did not faint , and nothing untoward occurred to interrupt the ceremony .

something of their old comradeship had returned during the informal mirth of the evening .

oh , it was nice to be walking over that well-known road with Gilbert again !

the beauty of moonlight on familiar fields irradiated the world .

Anne assented readily .

there had been a time when such a walk with Gilbert through Lovers ' Lane would have been far too dangerous .

but Roy and Christine had made it very safe now .

Anne found herself thinking a good deal about Christine as she chatted lightly to Gilbert .

she had met her several times before leaving Kingsport , and had been charmingly sweet to her .

Christine had also been charmingly sweet .

indeed , they were a most cordial pair .

but for all that , their acquaintance had not ripened into friendship .

evidently Christine was not a kindred spirit .

" are you going to be in Avonlea all summer ? " asked Gilbert .

" no .

I 'm going down east to Valley Road next week .

Esther Haythorne wants me to teach for her through July and August .

they have a summer term in that school , and Esther isn't feeling well .

so I 'm going to substitute for her .

in one way I don't mind .

do you know , I 'm beginning to feel a little bit like a stranger in Avonlea now ?

it makes me sorry but it 's true .

half of my pupils are grown up .

it makes me feel awfully old to see them in the places you and I and our mates used to fill . "

Anne laughed and sighed .

she felt very old and mature and wise which showed how young she was .

where was it now the glory and the dream ?

" 'So wags the world away , ' " quoted Gilbert practically , and a trifle absently .

Anne wondered if he were thinking of Christine .

oh , Avonlea was going to be so lonely now with Diana gone !

chapter XXX

Mrs Skinner 's Romance

Anne stepped off the train at Valley Road station and looked about to see if any one had come to meet her .

the only person in sight was an elderly woman , sitting in a wagon with mail bags piled around her .

" here , you , " she called , waving her whip at Anne .

" are you the new Valley Road schoolma'am ? "

" yes . "

" well , I thought so .

Valley Road is noted for its good-looking schoolma'ams , just as Millersville is noted for its humly ones .

Janet Sweet asked me this morning if I could bring you out .

I said , ' Sartin I kin , if she don't mind being scrunched up some .

this rig of mine 's kinder small for the mail bags and I 'm some heftier than Thomas ! '

just wait , miss , till I shift these bags a bit and I 'll tuck you in somehow .

it 's only two miles to Janet 's .

her next-door neighbor 's hired boy is coming for your trunk tonight .

my name is Skinner Amelia Skinner . "

Anne was eventually tucked in , exchanging amused smiles with herself during the process .

" jog along , black mare , " commanded Mrs Skinner , gathering up the reins in her pudgy hands .

" this is my first trip on the mail rowte .

Thomas wanted to hoe his turnips today so he asked me to come .

so I jest sot down and took a standing-up snack and started .

I sorter like it .

O ' course it 's rather tejus .

Part of the time I sits and thinks and the rest I jest sits .

jog along , black mare .

I want to git home airly .

Thomas is terrible lonesome when I 'm away .

you see , we haven't been married very long . "

" oh ! " said Anne politely .

" just a month .

Thomas courted me for quite a spell , though .

it was real romantic . "

Anne tried to picture Mrs Skinner on speaking terms with romance and failed .

" oh ? " she said again .

" yes .

y' see , there was another man after me .

jog along , black mare .

I 'd been a widder so long folks had given up expecting me to marry again .

but when my darter she 's a schoolma'am like you went out West to teach I felt real lonesome and wasn't nowise sot against the idea .

Bime-by Thomas began to come up and so did the other feller William Obadiah Seaman , his name was .

y' see , W.O. was rich he had a fine place and carried considerable style .

he was by far the best match .

jog along , black mare . "

" why didn't you marry him ? " asked Anne .

" well , y' see , he didn't love me , " answered Mrs Skinner , solemnly .

Anne opened her eyes widely and looked at Mrs Skinner .

but there was not a glint of humor on that lady 's face .

evidently Mrs Skinner saw nothing amusing in her own case .

" he 'd been a widder-man for three yers , and his sister kept house for him .

then she got married and he just wanted some one to look after his house .

it was worth looking after , too , mind you that .

it 's a handsome house .

jog along , black mare .

but , y' see , I loved Thomas , and I didn't care one red cent for W.O. so I argued it out with myself .

folks can't get along together in this world without a little bit of love .

you 'd just better tie up to Thomas , for he loves you and you love him and nothing else ain't going to do you . '

jog along , black mare .

so I told Thomas I 'd take him .

but now I never think of it at all , and I 'm just that comfortable and happy with Thomas .

jog along , black mare . "

" how did William Obadiah take it ? " queried Anne .

" oh , he rumpussed a bit .

but he 's going to see a skinny old maid in Millersville now , and I guess she 'll take him fast enough .

she 'll make him a better wife than his first did .

W.O. never wanted to marry her .

he just asked her to marry him ' cause his father wanted him to , never dreaming but that she 'd say ' no . '

but mind you , she said ' yes . '

there was a predicament for you .

jog along , black mare .

she was a great housekeeper , but most awful mean .

she wore the same bonnet for eighteen years .

then she got a new one and W.O . met her on the road and didn't know her .

jog along , black mare .

I feel that I 'd a narrer escape .

I might have married him and been most awful miserable , like my poor cousin , Jane Ann .

Jane Ann married a rich man she didn't care anything about , and she hasn't the life of a dog .

she come to see me last week and says , says she , ' Sarah Skinner , I envy you .

the only way to git him to do anything is to coax him to do the opposite .

but there ain't any love to smooth things down and it 's a poor way of living .

jog along , black mare .

there 's Janet 's place in the hollow ' Wayside , ' she calls it .

quite pictureaskew , ain't it ?

I guess you 'll be glad to git out of this , with all them mail bags jamming round you . "

" yes , but I have enjoyed my drive with you very much , " said Anne sincerely .

" Git away now ! " said Mrs Skinner , highly flattered .

" wait till I tell Thomas that .

he always feels dretful tickled when I git a compliment .

jog along , black mare .

well , here we are .

I hope you 'll git on well in the school , miss .

there 's a short cut to it through the ma'sh back of Janet 's .

if you take that way be awful keerful .

jog along , black mare . "

chapter XXXI

Anne to Philippa

" Anne Shirley to Philippa Gordon , greeting .

" Well-beloved , it 's high time I was writing you .

" I like her ; and she likes me principally , it seems , because she had a sister named Anne who died young .

" ' I 'm real glad to see you , ' she said briskly , when I landed in her yard .

' My , you don't look a mite like I expected .

I was sure you 'd be dark my sister Anne was dark .

and here you 're redheaded ! '

" for a few minutes I thought I wasn't going to like Janet as much as I had expected at first sight .

then I reminded myself that I really must be more sensible than to be prejudiced against any one simply because she called my hair red .

probably the word ' auburn ' was not in Janet 's vocabulary at all .

" ' Wayside ' is a dear sort of little spot .

the house is small and white , set down in a delightful little hollow that drops away from the road .

between road and house is an orchard and flower-garden all mixed up together .

my room is a neat little spot ' off the parlor ' just big enough for the bed and me .

Robby 's face is so lugubrious that it is no wonder I have bad dreams .

why , the first night I was here I dreamed I COULDN'T LAUGH .

" the parlor is tiny and neat .

its one window is so shaded by a huge willow that the room has a grotto-like effect of emerald gloom .

if I go suddenly insane some of these days ' know all men by these presents ' that those coffin-plates have caused it .

" but it 's all delightful and I said so .

now , I glory in feather-beds , and the more unhygienic and feathery they are the more I glory .

Esther is really a dear girl , but she is rather given to fads .

the trouble is that she hasn't enough imagination and HAS a tendency to indigestion .

" Janet told me I could have the use of the parlor when any young men called !

I don't think there are many to call .

the only remarks he volunteered in all that time were , ' Hev a peppermint , miss !

dew now-fine thing for carARRH , peppermints , ' and , ' Powerful lot o ' jump-grasses round here ternight .

yep . '

" but there is a love affair going on here .

it seems to be my fortune to be mixed up , more or less actively , with elderly love affairs .

Mr. and Mrs. Irving always say that I brought about their marriage .

Mrs Stephen Clark of Carmody persists in being most grateful to me for a suggestion which somebody else would probably have made if I hadn't .

" in the present affair I am only a passive spectator .

I 've tried once to help things along and made an awful mess of it .

so I shall not meddle again .

I 'll tell you all about it when we meet . "

chapter XXXII

Tea with Mrs Douglas

on the first Thursday night of Anne 's sojourn in Valley Road Janet asked her to go to prayer-meeting .

Janet blossomed out like a rose to attend that prayer-meeting .

Anne felt quite amazed .

later on , she found out Janet 's motive in so arraying herself a motive as old as Eden .

valley Road prayer-meetings seemed to be essentially feminine .

there were thirty-two women present , two half-grown boys , and one solitary man , beside the minister .

Anne found herself studying this man .

his hands were big , his hair wanted barbering , and his moustache was unkempt .

she finally concluded that this man had suffered and been strong , and it had been made manifest in his face .

when prayer-meeting was over this man came up to Janet and said ,

" may I see you home , Janet ? "

" miss Shirley , permit me to introduce Mr Douglas , " she said stiffly .

she smiled appreciatively at him and dropped obligingly behind on the moonlit road .

so Janet had a beau !

Anne was delighted .

Janet would make a paragon of a wife cheery , economical , tolerant , and a very queen of cooks .

it would be a flagrant waste on Nature 's part to keep her a permanent old maid .

" John Douglas asked me to take you up to see his mother , " said Janet the next day .

" she 's bed-rid a lot of the time and never goes out of the house .

but she 's powerful fond of company and always wants to see my boarders .

can you go up this evening ? "

Anne assented ; but later in the day Mr Douglas called on his mother 's behalf to invite them up to tea on Saturday evening .

" oh , why didn't you put on your pretty pansy dress ? " asked Anne , when they left home .

" old Mrs Douglas would think it terrible frivolous and unsuitable , I 'm afraid .

John likes that dress , though , " she added wistfully .

the old Douglas homestead was half a mile from " Wayside " cresting a windy hill .

the house itself was large and comfortable , old enough to be dignified , and girdled with maple groves and orchards .

there were big , trim barns behind it , and everything bespoke prosperity .

whatever the patient endurance in Mr Douglas ' face had meant it hadn't , so Anne reflected , meant debts and duns .

John Douglas met them at the door and took them into the sitting-room , where his mother was enthroned in an armchair .

Anne had expected old Mrs Douglas to be tall and thin , because Mr Douglas was .

" how do you do , Janet dear ? " she said sweetly .

" I am so glad to see you again , dear . "

she put up her pretty old face to be kissed .

" and this is our new teacher .

I 'm delighted to meet you .

my son has been singing your praises until I 'm half jealous , and I 'm sure Janet ought to be wholly so . "

Poor Janet blushed , Anne said something polite and conventional , and then everybody sat down and made talk .

she made Janet sit by her and stroked her hand occasionally .

Janet sat and smiled , looking horribly uncomfortable in her hideous dress , and John Douglas sat without smiling .

at the tea table Mrs Douglas gracefully asked Janet to pour the tea .

Janet turned redder than ever but did it .

Anne wrote a description of that meal to Stella .

" ' I 'm afraid dear Janet 's cooking has spoiled you for any other , ' she said sweetly .

' Of course nobody in Valley Road aspires to rival HER .

WON'T you have another piece of pie , Miss Shirley ?

you haven't eaten ANYTHING . '

after tea Mrs Douglas smiled benevolently and told John to take " dear Janet " out into the garden and get her some roses .

" Miss Shirley will keep me company while you are out won't you ? " she said plaintively .

she settled down in her armchair with a sigh .

" I am a very frail old woman , Miss Shirley .

for over twenty years I 've been a great sufferer .

for twenty long , weary years I 've been dying by inches . "

" how painful ! " said Anne , trying to be sympathetic and succeeding only in feeling idiotic .

" there have been scores of nights when they 've thought I could never live to see the dawn , " went on Mrs Douglas solemnly .

" nobody knows what I 've gone through nobody can know but myself .

well , it can't last very much longer now .

my weary pilgrimage will soon be over , Miss Shirley .

" Janet is a lovely woman , " said Anne warmly .

" lovely !

a beautiful character , " assented Mrs Douglas .

" and a perfect housekeeper something I never was .

my health would not permit it , Miss Shirley .

I am indeed thankful that John has made such a wise choice .

I hope and believe that he will be happy .

he is my only son , Miss Shirley , and his happiness lies very near my heart . "

" of course , " said Anne stupidly .

for the first time in her life she was stupid .

yet she could not imagine why .

she seemed to have absolutely nothing to say to this sweet , smiling , angelic old lady who was patting her hand so kindly .

" come and see me soon again , dear Janet , " said Mrs Douglas lovingly , when they left .

" you don't come half often enough .

but then I suppose John will be bringing you here to stay all the time one of these days . "

Anne , happening to glance at John Douglas , as his mother spoke , gave a positive start of dismay .

he looked as a tortured man might look when his tormentors gave the rack the last turn of possible endurance .

she felt sure he must be ill and hurried poor blushing Janet away .

" isn't old Mrs Douglas a sweet woman ? " asked Janet , as they went down the road .

" M m , " answered Anne absently .

she was wondering why John Douglas had looked so .

" she 's been a terrible sufferer , " said Janet feelingly .

" she takes terrible spells .

it keeps John all worried up .

he 's scared to leave home for fear his mother will take a spell and nobody there but the hired girl . "

chapter XXXIII

" he Just Kept Coming and Coming "

three days later Anne came home from school and found Janet crying .

Tears and Janet seemed so incongruous that Anne was honestly alarmed .

" oh , what is the matter ? " she cried anxiously .

" I 'm I'm forty today , " sobbed Janet .

" well , you were nearly that yesterday and it didn't hurt , " comforted Anne , trying not to smile .

" but but , " went on Janet with a big gulp , " John Douglas won't ask me to marry him . "

" oh , but he will , " said Anne lamely .

" you must give him time , Janet

" time ! " said Janet with indescribable scorn .

" he has had twenty years .

how much time does he want ? "

" do you mean that John Douglas has been coming to see you for twenty years ? "

" he has .

and he has never so much as mentioned marriage to me .

and I don't believe he ever will now .

John Douglas begun to go with me twenty years ago , before mother died .

there wasn't anything I could do .

mother died when we 'd been going together for eight years .

I thought he maybe would speak out then , seeing as I was left alone in the world .

he was real kind and feeling , and did everything he could for me , but he never said marry .

and that 's the way it has been going on ever since .

people blame ME for it .

they say I won't marry him because his mother is so sickly and I don't want the bother of waiting on her .

why , I 'd LOVE to wait on John 's mother !

but I let them think so .

I'd rather they 'd blame me than pity me !

it 's so dreadful humiliating that John won't ask me .

and WHY won't he ?

seems to me if I only knew his reason I wouldn't mind it so much . "

" perhaps his mother doesn't want him to marry anybody , " suggested Anne .

" oh , she does .

she 's told me time and again that she 'd love to see John settled before her time comes .

she 's always giving him hints you heard her yourself the other day .

I thought I 'd ha ' gone through the floor . "

" it 's beyond me , " said Anne helplessly .

she thought of Ludovic Speed .

but the cases were not parallel .

John Douglas was not a man of Ludovic 's type .

" you should show more spirit , Janet , " she went on resolutely .

" why didn't you send him about his business long ago ? "

" I couldn't , " said poor Janet pathetically .

" you see , Anne , I 've always been awful fond of John .

he might just as well keep coming as not , for there was never anybody else I 'd want , so it didn't matter . "

" but it might have made him speak out like a man , " urged Anne .

Janet shook her head .

" no , I guess not .

I was afraid to try , anyway , for fear he 'd think I meant it and just go .

I suppose I 'm a poor-spirited creature , but that is how I feel .

and I can't help it . "

" oh , you COULD help it , Janet .

it isn't too late yet .

take a firm stand .

let that man know you are not going to endure his shillyshallying any longer .

I'LL back you up . "

" I dunno , " said Janet hopelessly .

" I dunno if I could ever get up enough spunk .

things have drifted so long .

but I 'll think it over . "

Anne felt that she was disappointed in John Douglas .

he certainly should be taught a lesson , and Anne felt vindictively that she would enjoy seeing the process .

" I 'll let John Douglas see I 'm not going to be trodden on any longer . "

" you are perfectly right , " said Anne emphatically .

when prayer-meeting was over John Douglas came up with his usual request .

Janet looked frightened but resolute .

" no , thank you , " she said icily .

" I know the road home pretty well alone .

I ought to , seeing I 've been traveling it for forty years .

so you needn't trouble yourself , MR . Douglas . "

Anne was looking at John Douglas ; and , in that brilliant moonlight , she saw the last twist of the rack again .

without a word he turned and strode down the road .

" stop !

stop ! "

Anne called wildly after him , not caring in the least for the other dumbfounded onlookers .

" Mr Douglas , stop !

come back . "

John Douglas stopped but he did not come back .

Anne flew down the road , caught his arm and fairly dragged him back to Janet .

" you must come back , " she said imploringly .

" it 's all a mistake , Mr Douglas all my fault .

I made Janet do it .

she didn't want to but it 's all right now , isn't it , Janet ? "

without a word Janet took his arm and walked away .

Anne followed them meekly home and slipped in by the back door .

" well , you are a nice person to back me up , " said Janet sarcastically .

" I couldn't help it , Janet , " said Anne repentantly .

" I just felt as if I had stood by and seen murder done .

I HAD to run after him . "

" oh , I 'm just as glad you did .

it was an awful feeling . "

" did he ask you why you did it ? " asked Anne .

" no , he never said a word about it , " replied Janet dully .

chapter XXXIV

John Douglas Speaks at Last

Anne was not without a feeble hope that something might come of it after all .

but nothing did .

the summer waned .

Anne taught her school and wrote letters and studied a little .

her walks to and from school were pleasant .

nevertheless , Anne found life in Valley Road a little monotonous .

to be sure , there was one diverting incident .

but one warm August night he appeared , and solemnly seated himself on the rustic bench by the porch .

he was chewing a straw and he kept on chewing it while he looked solemnly at Anne .

Anne laid her book aside with a sigh and took up her doily .

conversation with Sam was really out of the question .

after a long silence Sam suddenly spoke .

" I 'm leaving over there , " he said abruptly , waving his straw in the direction of the neighboring house .

" oh , are you ? " said Anne politely .

" yep . "

" and where are you going now ? "

" wall , I 've been thinking some of gitting a place of my own .

there 's one that 'd suit me over at Millersville .

but ef I rents it I 'll want a woman . "

" I suppose so , " said Anne vaguely .

" yep . "

there was another long silence .

finally Sam removed his straw again and said ,

" will yeh hev me ? "

" Wh a t ! " gasped Anne .

" will yeh hev me ? "

" do you mean MARRY you ? " queried poor Anne feebly .

" yep . "

" why , I 'm hardly acquainted with you , " cried Anne indignantly .

" but yeh'd git acquainted with me after we was married , " said Sam .

Anne gathered up her poor dignity .

" certainly I won't marry you , " she said haughtily .

" wall , yeh might do worse , " expostulated Sam .

" I 'm a good worker and I 've got some money in the bank . "

" don't speak of this to me again .

whatever put such an idea into your head ? " said Anne , her sense of humor getting the better of her wrath .

it was such an absurd situation .

" Yeh 're a likely-looking girl and hev a right-smart way o ' stepping , " said Sam .

" I don't want no lazy woman .

think it over .

I won't change my mind yit awhile .

wall , I must be gitting .

Gotter milk the cows . "

Anne 's illusions concerning proposals had suffered so much of late years that there were few of them left .

so she could laugh wholeheartedly over this one , not feeling any secret sting .

she mimicked poor Sam to Janet that night , and both of them laughed immoderately over his plunge into sentiment .

" they want you at the Douglas place quick , " he said .

" I really believe old Mrs Douglas is going to die at last , after pretending to do it for twenty years . "

Janet ran to get her hat .

Anne asked if Mrs Douglas was worse than usual .

" she 's not half as bad , " said Alec solemnly , " and that 's what makes me think it 's serious .

other times she 'd be screaming and throwing herself all over the place .

this time she 's lying still and mum .

when Mrs Douglas is mum she is pretty sick , you bet . "

" you don't like old Mrs Douglas ? " said Anne curiously .

" I like cats as IS cats .

I don't like cats as is women , " was Alec 's cryptic reply .

Janet came home in the twilight .

" Mrs Douglas is dead , " she said wearily .

" she died soon after I got there .

she just spoke to me once ' I suppose you 'll marry John now ? ' she said .

it cut me to the heart , Anne .

to think John 's own mother thought I wouldn't marry him because of her !

I couldn't say a word either there were other women there .

I was thankful John had gone out . "

Janet began to cry drearily .

but Anne brewed her a hot drink of ginger tea to her comforting .

to be sure , Anne discovered later on that she had used white pepper instead of ginger ; but Janet never knew the difference .

the evening after the funeral Janet and Anne were sitting on the front porch steps at sunset .

the wind had fallen asleep in the pinelands and lurid sheets of heat-lightning flickered across the northern skies .

Janet wore her ugly black dress and looked her very worst , her eyes and nose red from crying .

they talked little , for Janet seemed faintly to resent Anne 's efforts to cheer her up .

she plainly preferred to be miserable .

suddenly the gate-latch clicked and John Douglas strode into the garden .

he walked towards them straight over the geranium bed .

Janet stood up .

so did Anne .

Anne was a tall girl and wore a white dress ; but John Douglas did not see her .

" Janet , " he said , " will you marry me ? "

the words burst out as if they had been wanting to be said for twenty years and MUST be uttered now , before anything else .

Janet 's face was so red from crying that it couldn't turn any redder , so it turned a most unbecoming purple .

" why didn't you ask me before ? " she said slowly .

" I couldn't .

she made me promise not to mother made me promise not to .

nineteen years ago she took a terrible spell .

we thought she couldn't live through it .

she implored me to promise not to ask you to marry me while she was alive .

but she begged it on her knees , sick and suffering .

I had to promise . "

" what had your mother against me ? " cried Janet .

" nothing nothing .

she just didn't want another woman ANY woman there while she was living .

she said if I didn't promise she 'd die right there and I 'd have killed her .

so I promised .

" why didn't you tell me this ? " asked Janet chokingly .

" if I'd only KNOWN !

why didn't you just tell me ? "

" she made me promise I wouldn't tell a soul , " said John hoarsely .

Janet , you 'll never know what I 've suffered these nineteen years .

I know I 've made you suffer , too , but you 'll marry me for all , won't you , Janet ?

oh , Janet , won't you ?

I 've come as soon as I could to ask you . "

at this moment the stupefied Anne came to her senses and realized that she had no business to be there .

she slipped away and did not see Janet until the next morning , when the latter told her the rest of the story .

" that cruel , relentless , deceitful old woman ! " cried Anne .

" hush she 's dead , " said Janet solemnly .

" if she wasn't but she IS .

so we mustn't speak evil of her .

but I 'm happy at last , Anne .

and I wouldn't have minded waiting so long a bit if I 'd only known why . "

" when are you to be married ? "

" next month .

of course it will be very quiet .

I suppose people will talk terrible .

they 'll say I made enough haste to snap John up as soon as his poor mother was out of the way .

I don't mind what people say , now that I know the truth myself .

it don't matter a mite .

let it all be buried with the dead ' says I to him .

so I coaxed him round to agree with me . "

" you 're much more forgiving than I could ever be , " Anne said , rather crossly .

" you 'll feel differently about a good many things when you get to be my age , " said Janet tolerantly .

" that 's one of the things we learn as we grow older how to forgive .

it comes easier at forty than it did at twenty . "

chapter XXXV

the Last Redmond Year Opens

" isn't it jolly to see this dear old Patty 's Place again and Aunty and the cats ?

Rusty has lost another piece of ear , hasn't he ? "

" aren't you glad to see us back , Aunty ? " demanded Phil .

" yes .

" you can talk just as well later on .

work first and then play used to be my motto when I was a girl . "

" oh , we 've just reversed that in this generation , Aunty .

OUR motto is play your play and then dig in .

you can do your work so much better if you 've had a good bout of play first . "

" why ? " moaned Phil .

" oh , why must a minister 's wife be supposed to utter only prunes and prisms ?

I shan't .

" have you broken the news to your family ? " asked Priscilla , feeding the Sarah-cat bits from her lunchbasket .

Phil nodded .

" how did they take it ? "

" oh , mother rampaged .

but I stood rockfirm even I , Philippa Gordon , who never before could hold fast to anything .

father was calmer .

father 's own daddy was a minister , so you see he has a soft spot in his heart for the cloth .

I had Jo up to Mount Holly , after mother grew calm , and they both loved him .

but mother gave him some frightful hints in every conversation regarding what she had hoped for me .

oh , my vacation pathway hasn't been exactly strewn with roses , girls dear .

but I 've won out and I 've got Jo .

nothing else matters . "

" to you , " said Aunt Jamesina darkly .

" nor to Jo , either , " retorted Phil .

" you keep on pitying him .

why , pray ?

I think he 's to be envied .

he 's getting brains , beauty , and a heart of gold in ME . "

" it 's well we know how to take your speeches , " said Aunt Jamesina patiently .

" I hope you don't talk like that before strangers .

what would they think ? "

" oh , I don't want to know what they think .

I don't want to see myself as others see me .

I 'm sure it would be horribly uncomfortable most of the time .

I don't believe Burns was really sincere in that prayer , either . "

" I 've a notion that such prayers don't rise very far .

when I finally got that I DID want to I forgave her without having to pray about it . "

" I can't picture you as being unforgiving for long , " said Stella .

" oh , I used to be .

but holding spite doesn't seem worth while when you get along in years . "

" that reminds me , " said Anne , and told the tale of John and Janet .

" and now tell us about that romantic scene you hinted so darkly at in one of your letters , " demanded Phil .

Anne acted out Samuel 's proposal with great spirit .

the girls shrieked with laughter and Aunt Jamesina smiled .

" tell us about your beaux , Aunty , " entreated Phil .

" you must have had any number of them . "

" they 're not in the past tense , " retorted Aunt Jamesina .

" I 've got them yet .

there are three old widowers at home who have been casting sheep 's eyes at me for some time .

you children needn't think you own all the romance in the world . "

" Widowers and sheep 's eyes don't sound very romantic , Aunty . "

" well , no ; but young folks aren't always romantic either .

some of my beaux certainly weren't .

I used to laugh at them scandalous , poor boys .

there was Jim Elwood he was always in a sort of day-dream never seemed to sense what was going on .

he didn't wake up to the fact that I 'd said ' no ' till a year after I 'd said it .

then there was Dan Winston .

he knew too much .

he knew everything in this world and most of what is in the next .

he could give you an answer to any question , even if you asked him when the Judgment Day was to be .

Milton Edwards was real nice and I liked him but I didn't marry him .

for one thing , he took a week to get a joke through his head , and for another he never asked me .

Horatio Reeve was the most interesting beau I ever had .

but when he told a story he dressed it up so that you couldn't see it for frills .

I never could decide whether he was lying or just letting his imagination run loose . "

" and what about the others , Aunty ? "

" go away and unpack , " said Aunt Jamesina , waving Joseph at them by mistake for a needle .

" the others were too nice to make fun of .

I shall respect their memory .

there 's a box of flowers in your room , Anne .

they came about an hour ago . "

Anne devoted herself to English , Priscilla pored over classics , and Philippa pounded away at Mathematics .

sometimes they grew tired , sometimes they felt discouraged , sometimes nothing seemed worth the struggle for it .

in one such mood Stella wandered up to the blue room one rainy November evening .

Anne sat on the floor in a little circle of light cast by the lamp beside her , amid a surrounding snow of crumpled manuscript .

" what in the world are you doing ? "

" just looking over some old Story Club yarns .

I wanted something to cheer AND inebriate .

I 'd studied until the world seemed azure .

so I came up here and dug these out of my trunk .

they are so drenched in tears and tragedy that they are excruciatingly funny . "

" I 'm blue and discouraged myself , " said Stella , throwing herself on the couch .

" nothing seems worthwhile .

my very thoughts are old .

I 've thought them all before .

what is the use of living after all , Anne ? "

" Honey , it 's just brain fag that makes us feel that way , and the weather .

A pouring rainy night like this , coming after a hard day 's grind , would squelch any one but a Mark Tapley .

you know it IS worthwhile to live . "

" oh , I suppose so .

but I can't prove it to myself just now . "

" just think of all the great and noble souls who have lived and worked in the world , " said Anne dreamily .

" isn't it worthwhile to come after them and inherit what they won and taught ?

isn't it worthwhile to think we can share their inspiration ?

and then , all the great souls that will come in the future ?

isn't it worthwhile to work a little and prepare the way for them make just one step in their path easier ? "

" oh , my mind agrees with you , Anne .

but my soul remains doleful and uninspired .

I 'm always grubby and dingy on rainy nights . "

" I like it when it stays on the roof , " said Stella .

" it doesn't always .

I spent a gruesome night in an old country farmhouse last summer .

the roof leaked and the rain came pattering down on my bed .

there was no poetry in THAT .

and then that drip-drop , drip-drop kept up all night until my nerves just went to pieces .

you 've no idea what an eerie noise a great drop of rain falling with a mushy thud on a bare floor makes in the night .

it sounds like ghostly footsteps and all that sort of thing .

what are you laughing over , Anne ? "

" these stories .

as Phil would say they are killing in more senses than one , for everybody died in them .

what dazzlingly lovely heroines we had and how we dressed them !

" Silks satins velvets jewels laces they never wore anything else .

here is one of Jane Andrews ' stories depicting her heroine as sleeping in a beautiful white satin nightdress trimmed with seed pearls . "

" go on , " said Stella .

" I begin to feel that life is worth living as long as there 's a laugh in it . "

" here 's one I wrote .

my heroine is disporting herself at a ball ' glittering from head to foot with large diamonds of the first water . '

but what booted beauty or rich attire ?

' The paths of glory lead but to the grave . '

they must either be murdered or die of a broken heart .

there was no escape for them . "

" let me read some of your stories . "

" well , here 's my masterpiece .

note its cheerful title ' My Graves . '

I shed quarts of tears while writing it , and the other girls shed gallons while I read it .

Jane Andrews ' mother scolded her frightfully because she had so many handkerchiefs in the wash that week .

it 's a harrowing tale of the wanderings of a Methodist minister 's wife .

I made her a Methodist because it was necessary that she should wander .

she buried a child every place she lived in .

there were nine of them and their graves were severed far apart , ranging from Newfoundland to Vancouver .

I described the children , pictured their several death beds , and detailed their tombstones and epitaphs .

what fun they had had !

how the sunshine and mirth of those olden summers returned as she read .

among the manuscripts Anne found one written on sheets of wrapping paper .

a wave of laughter filled her gray eyes as she recalled the time and place of its genesis .

it was the sketch she had written the day she fell through the roof of the Cobb duckhouse on the Tory Road .

Anne glanced over it , then fell to reading it intently .

it was a little dialogue between asters and sweet-peas , wild canaries in the lilac bush , and the guardian spirit of the garden .

after she had read it , she sat , staring into space ; and when Stella had gone she smoothed out the crumpled manuscript .

" I believe I will , " she said resolutely .

chapter XXXVI

the Gardners'Call

" here is a letter with an Indian stamp for you , Aunt Jimsie , " said Phil .

" here are three for Stella , and two for Pris , and a glorious fat one for me from Jo .

there 's nothing for you , Anne , except a circular . "

nobody noticed Anne 's flush as she took the thin letter Phil tossed her carelessly .

but a few minutes later Phil looked up to see a transfigured Anne .

" Honey , what good thing has happened ? "

" Anne Shirley !

how glorious !

what was it ?

when is it to be published ?

did they pay you for it ? "

" yes ; they 've sent a check for ten dollars , and the editor writes that he would like to see more of my work .

dear man , he shall .

it was an old sketch I found in my box .

" what are you going to do with that ten dollars , Anne ?

let's all go up town and get drunk , " suggested Phil .

" I AM going to squander it in a wild soulless revel of some sort , " declared Anne gaily .

" at all events it isn't tainted money like the check I got for that horrible Reliable Baking Powder story .

I spent IT usefully for clothes and hated them every time I put them on . "

" think of having a real live author at Patty 's Place , " said Priscilla .

" it 's a great responsibility , " said Aunt Jamesina solemnly .

" indeed it is , " agreed Pris with equal solemnity .

" authors are kittle cattle .

you never know when or how they will break out .

Anne may make copy of us . "

my daughter used to write stories before she went to the foreign field , but now she has turned her attention to higher things .

she used to say her motto was ' Never write a line you would be ashamed to read at your own funeral . '

you 'd better take that for yours , Anne , if you are going to embark in literature .

though , to be sure , " added Aunt Jamesina perplexedly , " Elizabeth always used to laugh when she said it .

she always laughed so much that I don't know how she ever came to decide on being a missionary .

I'm thankful she did I prayed that she might but I wish she hadn't . "

then Aunt Jamesina wondered why those giddy girls all laughed .

nevertheless , she was not so rapt from things of earth as to be unable to notice that Christine 's walk was decidedly ungraceful .

" but I suppose Gilbert looks only at her face .

so like a man , " thought Anne scornfully .

" shall you be home Saturday afternoon ? " asked Roy .

" yes . "

" my mother and sisters are coming to call on you , " said Roy quietly .

something went over Anne which might be described as a thrill , but it was hardly a pleasant one .

" I shall be glad to see them , " she said flatly ; and then wondered if she really would be glad .

she ought to be , of course .

but would it not be something of an ordeal ?

gossip had filtered to Anne regarding the light in which the Gardners viewed the " infatuation " of son and brother .

Roy must have brought pressure to bear in the matter of this call .

Anne knew she would be weighed in the balance .

" I shall just be myself .

I shall not TRY to make a good impression , " thought Anne loftily .

by night she had decided that she would wear her brown chiffon on Saturday , but would do her hair low .

Friday afternoon none of the girls had classes at Redmond .

Stella always vowed she never could write anything unless she threw each sheet down as she completed it .

Joseph and Rusty were both curled up in her lap .

a warm plummy odor filled the whole house , for Priscilla was cooking in the kitchen .

at this auspicious moment the knocker sounded .

on the doorstep stood Mrs Gardner and her daughters .

Stella began feverishly gathering up her manuscript .

only Aunt Jamesina and Phil remained normal .

thanks to them , everybody was soon sitting at ease , even Anne .

Mrs Gardner was tall and thin and handsome , exquisitely gowned , cordial with a cordiality that seemed a trifle forced .

Aline Gardner was a younger edition of her mother , lacking the cordiality .

she endeavored to be nice , but succeeded only in being haughty and patronizing .

Dorothy Gardner was slim and jolly and rather tomboyish .

Anne knew she was Roy 's favorite sister and warmed to her .

she would have looked very much like Roy if she had had dreamy dark eyes instead of roguish hazel ones .

" you are fond of cats ? " said Mrs Gardner , with a slight intonation of tolerant wonder .

Anne , despite her affection for Rusty , was not especially fond of cats , but Mrs Gardner 's tone annoyed her .

Inconsequently she remembered that Mrs John Blythe was so fond of cats that she kept as many as her husband would allow .

" they ARE adorable animals , aren't they ? " she said wickedly .

" I have never liked cats , " said Mrs Gardner remotely .

" I love them , " said Dorothy .

" they are so nice and selfish .

dogs are TOO good and unselfish .

they make me feel uncomfortable .

but cats are gloriously human . "

" you have two delightful old china dogs there .

picking up Magog , she sat down on the cushion under which was secreted Priscilla 's chocolate cake .

Priscilla and Anne exchanged agonized glances but could do nothing .

the stately Aline continued to sit on the cushion and discuss china dogs until the time of departure .

Dorothy lingered behind a moment to squeeze Anne 's hand and whisper impulsively .

" I KNOW you and I are going to be chums .

oh , Roy has told me all about you .

I 'm the only one of the family he tells things to , poor boy nobody COULD confide in mamma and Aline , you know .

what glorious times you girls must have here !

won't you let me come often and have a share in them ? "

" come as often as you like , " Anne responded heartily , thankful that one of Roy 's sisters was likable .

she would never like Aline , so much was certain ; and Aline would never like her , though Mrs Gardner might be won .

altogether , Anne sighed with relief when the ordeal was over .

" ' Of all sad words of tongue or pen The saddest are it might have been , ' "

quoted Priscilla tragically , lifting the cushion .

" this cake is now what you might call a flat failure .

and the cushion is likewise ruined .

never tell me that Friday isn't unlucky . "

" people who send word they are coming on Saturday shouldn't come on Friday , " said Aunt Jamesina .

" I fancy it was Roy 's mistake , " said Phil .

" that boy isn't really responsible for what he says when he talks to Anne .

where IS Anne ? "

Anne had gone upstairs .

she felt oddly like crying .

but she made herself laugh instead .

Rusty and Joseph had been TOO awful !

and Dorothy WAS a dear .

chapter XXXVII

Full-fledged B.A . 's

" I wish I were dead , or that it were tomorrow night , " groaned Phil .

" if you live long enough both wishes will come true , " said Anne calmly .

" it 's easy for you to be serene .

you 're at home in Philosophy .

I'm not and when I think of that horrible paper tomorrow I quail .

if I should fail in it what would Jo say ? "

" you won't fail .

how did you get on in Greek today ? "

" I don't know .

perhaps it was a good paper and perhaps it was bad enough to make Homer turn over in his grave .

I 've studied and mulled over notebooks until I 'm incapable of forming an opinion of anything .

how thankful little Phil will be when all this examinating is over . "

" Examinating ?

I never heard such a word . "

" Well , haven't I as good a right to make a word as any one else ? " demanded Phil .

" words aren't made they grow , " said Anne .

" never mind I begin faintly to discern clear water ahead where no examination breakers loom .

girls , do you can you realize that our Redmond Life is almost over ? "

" I can't , " said Anne , sorrowfully .

" it seems just yesterday that Pris and I were alone in that crowd of Freshmen at Redmond .

and now we are Seniors in our final examinations . "

" ' Potent , wise , and reverend Seniors , ' " quoted Phil .

" do you suppose we really are any wiser than when we came to Redmond ? "

" you don't act as if you were by times , " said Aunt Jamesina severely .

" but I mistrust you haven't any too much sense yet .

it 's not to be expected , of course .

experience teaches sense .

you can't learn it in a college course .

you 've been to college four years and I never was , but I know heaps more than you do , young ladies . "

quoted Stella .

" have you learned anything at Redmond except dead languages and geometry and such trash ? " queried Aunt Jamesina .

" oh , yes .

I think we have , Aunty , " protested Anne .

" we 've learned the truth of what Professor Woodleigh told us last Philomathic , " said Phil .

" he said , ' Humor is the spiciest condiment in the feast of existence .

isn't that worth learning , Aunt Jimsie ? "

" yes , it is , dearie .

" what have you got out of your Redmond course , Anne ? " murmured Priscilla aside .

summing up , I think that is what Redmond has given me . "

" I shall have to fall back on another Professor Woodleigh quotation to express what it has done for me , " said Priscilla .

I think Redmond has taught me that in some measure , Anne . "

well , that justifies higher education in my opinion .

it 's a matter I was always dubious about before . "

" but what about people who haven't natural gumption , Aunt Jimsie ? "

" people who haven't natural gumption never learn , " retorted Aunt Jamesina , " neither in college nor life .

if they live to be a hundred they really don't know anything more than when they were born .

it 's their misfortune not their fault , poor souls .

but those of us who have some gumption should duly thank the Lord for it . "

" will you please define what gumption is , Aunt Jimsie ? " asked Phil .

" no , I won't , young woman .

any one who has gumption knows what it is , and any one who hasn't can never know what it is .

so there is no need of defining it . "

the busy days flew by and examinations were over .

Anne took High Honors in English .

Priscilla took Honors in Classics , and Phil in Mathematics .

Stella obtained a good all-round showing .

then came Convocation .

she meant to carry them , of course , but her eyes wandered to another box on her table .

it was filled with lilies-of-the-valley , as fresh and fragrant as those which bloomed in the Green Gables yard when June came to Avonlea .

Gilbert Blythe 's card lay beside it .

Anne wondered why Gilbert should have sent her flowers for Convocation .

she had seen very little of him during the past winter .

he had come to Patty 's Place only one Friday evening since the Christmas holidays , and they rarely met elsewhere .

Anne 's own winter had been quite gay socially .

Anne expected it herself .

yet just before she left Patty 's Place for Convocation she flung Roy 's violets aside and put Gilbert 's lilies-of-the-valley in their place .

she could not have told why she did it .

somehow , old Avonlea days and dreams and friendships seemed very close to her in this attainment of her long-cherished ambitions .

she and Gilbert had once picturedout merrily the day on which they should be capped and gowned graduates in Arts .

the wonderful day had come and Roy 's violets had no place in it .

only her old friend 's flowers seemed to belong to this fruition of old-blossoming hopes which he had once shared .

it was not of Aline Gardner 's condescending congratulations , or Dorothy 's ardent , impulsive good wishes .

the Arts graduates gave a graduation dance that night .

in it was a thread-like gold chain with a tiny pink enamel heart as a pendant .

on the accompanying card was written , " with all good wishes from your old chum , Gilbert . "

but she had never worn the trinket .

tonight she fastened it about her white throat with a dreamy smile .

she and Phil walked to Redmond together .

Anne walked in silence ; Phil chattered of many things .

suddenly she said ,

" I heard today that Gilbert Blythe 's engagement to Christine Stuart was to be announced as soon as Convocation was over .

did you hear anything of it ? "

" no , " said Anne .

" I think it 's true , " said Phil lightly .

Anne did not speak .

in the darkness she felt her face burning .

she slipped her hand inside her collar and caught at the gold chain .

one energetic twist and it gave way .

Anne thrust the broken trinket into her pocket .

her hands were trembling and her eyes were smarting .

" Moody Spurgeon MacPherson called here tonight after you left , " said Aunt Jamesina , who had sat up to keep the fire on .

" he didn't know about the graduation dance .

that boy ought to sleep with a rubber band around his head to train his ears not to stick out .

I had a beau once who did that and it improved him immensely .

it was I who suggested it to him and he took my advice , but he never forgave me for it . "

" Moody Spurgeon is a very serious young man , " yawned Priscilla .

" he is concerned with graver matters than his ears .

he is going to be a minister , you know . "

aunt Jamesina had a proper respect for the cloth even in the case of an unfledged parson .

chapter XXXVIII

False Dawn

" but just imagine this night week I 'll be gone forever from Patty 's Place horrible thought ! "

Miss Patty and Miss Maria were coming home , after having trotted over most of the habitable globe .

" we 'll be back the second week in May " wrote Miss Patty .

and I 'll be glad enough to be home again .

I 'm afraid Maria will never be contented again . "

she had knelt at its window to pray and had bent from it to watch the sunset behind the pines .

she had heard the autumn raindrops beating against it and had welcomed the spring robins at its sill .

I am sure if I came into this room fifty years from now it would say ' Anne , Anne ' to me .

what nice times we 've had here , honey !

what chats and jokes and good chummy jamborees !

oh , dear me !

I 'm to marry Jo in June and I know I will be rapturously happy .

but just now I feel as if I wanted this lovely Redmond life to go on forever . "

" I 'm unreasonable enough just now to wish that , too , " admitted Anne .

it 's over forever , Phil . "

" what are you going to do with Rusty ? " asked Phil , as that privileged pussy padded into the room .

" I am going to take him home with me and Joseph and the Sarah-cat , " announced Aunt Jamesina , following Rusty .

" it would be a shame to separate those cats now that they have learned to live together .

it 's a hard lesson for cats and humans to learn . "

Marilla detests cats , and Davy would tease his life out .

besides , I don't suppose I 'll be home very long .

I 've been offered the principalship of the Summerside High School . "

" are you going to accept it ? " asked Phil .

" I I haven't decided yet , " answered Anne , with a confused flush .

Phil nodded understandingly .

naturally Anne 's plans could not be settled until Roy had spoken .

he would soon there was no doubt of that .

and there was no doubt that Anne would say " yes " when he said " will you please ? "

Anne herself regarded the state of affairs with a seldom-ruffled complacency .

she was deeply in love with Roy . True , it was not just what she had imagined love to be .

but was anything in life , Anne asked herself wearily , like one 's imagination of it ?

" that 's not my idea of a diamond , " she had said .

but Roy was a dear fellow and they would be very happy together , even if some indefinable zest was missing out of life .

" Anne is a very fortunate girl , " said Aunt Jamesina .

" I suppose so , " said Stella , shrugging her shoulders .

" Roy is a nice fellow and all that .

but there 's really nothing in him . "

" that sounds very like a jealous remark , Stella Maynard , " said Aunt Jamesina rebukingly .

" it does but I am not jealous , " said Stella calmly .

" I love Anne and I like Roy . everybody says she is making a brilliant match , and even Mrs Gardner thinks her charming now .

it all sounds as if it were made in heaven , but I have my doubts .

make the most of that , Aunt Jamesina . "

Anne thought it very romantic that he should have chosen that spot .

the whole effect was quite flawless .

and it was also sincere .

there was no doubt that Roy meant what he said .

there was no false note to jar the symphony .

Anne felt that she ought to be thrilling from head to foot .

but she wasn't ; she was horribly cool .

when Roy paused for his answer she opened her lips to say her fateful yes .

and then she found herself trembling as if she were reeling back from a precipice .

she pulled her hand from Roy 's .

" oh , I can't marry you I can't I can't , " she cried , wildly .

Roy turned pale and also looked rather foolish .

he had small blame to him felt very sure .

" what do you mean ? " he stammered .

" I mean that I can't marry you , " repeated Anne desperately .

" I thought I could but I can't . "

" why can't you ? "

Roy asked more calmly .

" because I don't care enough for you . "

a crimson streak came into Roy 's face .

" so you 've just been amusing yourself these two years ? " he said slowly .

" no , no , I haven't , " gasped poor Anne .

oh , how could she explain ?

she COULDN'T explain .

there are some things that cannot be explained .

" I did think I cared truly I did but I know now I don't . "

" you have ruined my life , " said Roy bitterly .

" forgive me , " pleaded Anne miserably , with hot cheeks and stinging eyes .

Roy turned away and stood for a few minutes looking out seaward .

when he came back to Anne , he was very pale again .

" you can give me no hope ? " he said .

Anne shook her head mutely .

" then good-bye , " said Roy .

" I can't understand it I can't believe you are not the woman I 've believed you to be .

but reproaches are idle between us .

you are the only woman I can ever love .

I thank you for your friendship , at least .

good-bye , Anne . "

" good-bye , " faltered Anne .

it was her hour of humiliation and self-contempt and shame .

their waves went over her .

and yet , underneath it all , was a queer sense of recovered freedom .

she slipped into Patty 's Place in the dusk and escaped to her room .

but Phil was there on the window seat .

" wait , " said Anne , flushing to anticipate the scene .

" wait til you hear what I have to say .

Phil , Roy asked me to marry him-and I refused . "

" you you REFUSED him ? " said Phil blankly .

" yes . "

" Anne Shirley , are you in your senses ? "

" I think so , " said Anne wearily .

" oh , Phil , don't scold me .

you don't understand . "

" I certainly don't understand .

you 've encouraged Roy Gardner in every way for two years and now you tell me you 've refused him .

then you 've just been flirting scandalously with him .

Anne , I couldn't have believed it of YOU . "

" I DIDN'T . I never thought about his money .

oh , I can't explain it to you any more than I could to him . "

" well , I certainly think you have treated Roy shamefully , " said Phil in exasperation .

" he 's handsome and clever and rich and good .

what more do you want ? "

" I want some one who BELONGS in my life .

he doesn't .

" I am bad enough for not knowing my own mind , but you are worse , " said Phil .

" I DO know my own mind , " protested Anne .

" the trouble is , my mind changes and then I have to get acquainted with it all over again . "

" well , I suppose there is no use in saying anything to you . "

" there is no need , Phil .

I 'm in the dust .

this has spoiled everything backwards .

I can never think of Redmond days without recalling the humiliation of this evening .

Roy despises me and you despise me and I despise myself . "

" you poor darling , " said Phil , melting .

" just come here and let me comfort you .

I 've no right to scold you .

I 'd have married Alec or Alonzo if I hadn't met Jo .

oh , Anne , things are so mixed-up in real life .

they aren't clear-cut and trimmed off , as they are in novels . "

chapter XXXIX

Deals with Weddings

Anne felt that life partook of the nature of an anticlimax during the first few weeks after her return to Green Gables .

she missed the merry comradeship of Patty 's Place .

she had dreamed some brilliant dreams during the past winter and now they lay in the dust around her .

in her present mood of self-disgust , she could not immediately begin dreaming again .

and she discovered that , while solitude with dreams is glorious , solitude without them has few charms .

she had not seen Roy again after their painful parting in the park pavilion ; but Dorothy came to see her before she left Kingsport .

" I 'm awfully sorry you won't marry Roy , " she said .

" I did want you for a sister .

but you are quite right .

he would bore you to death .

I love him , and he is a dear sweet boy , but really he isn't a bit interesting .

he looks as if he ought to be , but he isn't . "

" this won't spoil OUR friendship , will it , Dorothy ? "

Anne had asked wistfully .

" no , indeed .

you 're too good to lose .

if I can't have you for a sister I mean to keep you as a chum anyway .

and don't fret over Roy . he is feeling terribly just now I have to listen to his outpourings every day but he 'll get over it .

he always does . "

" oh ALWAYS ? " said Anne with a slight change of voice .

" so he has ' got over it ' before ? "

" dear me , yes , " said Dorothy frankly .

" twice before .

and he raved to me just the same both times .

not that the others actually refused him they simply announced their engagements to some one else .

but I don't think you need worry . "

Anne decided not to worry .

her feelings were a mixture of relief and resentment .

Roy had certainly told her she was the only one he had ever loved .

no doubt he believed it .

but it was a comfort to feel that she had not , in all likelihood , ruined his life .

there were other goddesses , and Roy , according to Dorothy , must needs be worshipping at some shrine .

nevertheless , life was stripped of several more illusions , and Anne began to think drearily that it seemed rather bare .

she came down from the porch gable on the evening of her return with a sorrowful face .

" what has happened to the old Snow Queen , Marilla ? "

" oh , I knew you 'd feel bad over that , " said Marilla .

" I felt bad myself .

that tree was there ever since I was a young girl .

it blew down in the big gale we had in March .

it was rotten at the core . "

" I 'll miss it so , " grieved Anne .

" the porch gable doesn't seem the same room without it .

I 'll never look from its window again without a sense of loss .

and oh , I never came home to Green Gables before that Diana wasn't here to welcome me . "

" Diana has something else to think of just now , " said Mrs Lynde significantly .

" there isn't much news except what we 've wrote you , " said Mrs Lynde .

" I suppose you haven't heard that Simon Fletcher broke his leg last week .

it 's a great thing for his family .

they 're getting a hundred things done that they 've always wanted to do but couldn't as long as he was about , the old crank . "

" he came of an aggravating family , " remarked Marilla .

" aggravating ?

well , rather !

his mother used to get up in prayer-meeting and tell all her children 's shortcomings and ask prayers for them .

' Course it made them mad , and worse than ever . "

" you haven't told Anne the news about Jane , " suggested Marilla .

" oh , Jane , " sniffed Mrs. Lynde .

you may be sure Mrs Harmon lost no time in telling it far and wide . "

" dear old Jane I 'm so glad , " said Anne heartily .

" she deserves the good things of life . "

" oh , I ain't saying anything against Jane .

she 's a nice enough girl .

but she isn't in the millionaire class , and you 'll find there 's not much to recommend that man but his money , that's what .

Mrs Harmon says he 's an Englishman who has made money in mines but I believe he 'll turn out to be a Yankee .

he certainly must have money , for he has just showered Jane with jewelry .

her engagement ring is a diamond cluster so big that it looks like a plaster on Jane 's fat paw . "

Mrs Lynde could not keep some bitterness out of her tone .

and Mrs Harmon Andrews did brag insufferably .

" what has Gilbert Blythe been doing to at college ? " asked Marilla .

" I saw him when he came home last week , and he is so pale and thin I hardly knew him . "

" he studied very hard last winter , " said Anne .

" you know he took High Honors in Classics and the Cooper Prize .

it hasn't been taken for five years !

so I think he 's rather run down .

we 're all a little tired . "

" anyhow , you 're a B.A . and Jane Andrews isn't and never will be , " said Mrs Lynde , with gloomy satisfaction .

" of course an Avonlea dressmaker wouldn't do for Jane under the circumstances . "

" I 've heard something very nice about Jane , " said Anne .

" Mr Inglis is worth millions , and they 're going to Europe on their wedding tour .

when they come back they 'll live in a perfect mansion of marble in Winnipeg .

Jane has only one trouble she can cook so well and her husband won't let her cook .

he is so rich he hires his cooking done .

they 're going to keep a cook and two other maids and a coachman and a man-of-all-work .

but what about YOU , Anne ?

I don't hear anything of your being married , after all your college-going . "

" oh , " laughed Anne , " I am going to be an old maid .

I really can't find any one to suit me . "

it was rather wicked of her .

but Mrs Harmon took swift revenge .

" well , the over-particular girls generally get left , I notice .

and what 's this I hear about Gilbert Blythe being engaged to a Miss Stuart ?

Charlie Sloane tells me she is perfectly beautiful .

is it true ? "

" I once thought you and Gilbert would have made a match of it , " said Mrs Harmon .

" if you don't take care , Anne , all of your beaux will slip through your fingers . "

Anne decided not to continue her duel with Mrs Harmon .

you could not fence with an antagonist who met rapier thrust with blow of battle axe .

" since Jane is away , " she said , rising haughtily , " I don't think I can stay longer this morning .

I 'll come down when she comes home . "

" do , " said Mrs Harmon effusively .

" Jane isn't a bit proud .

she just means to associate with her old friends the same as ever .

she 'll be real glad to see you . "

Jane 's millionaire arrived the last of May and carried her off in a blaze of splendor .

Mrs Lynde was spitefully gratified to find that Mr Inglis was every day of forty , and short and thin and grayish .

Mrs Lynde did not spare him in her enumeration of his shortcomings , you may be sure .

" it will take all his gold to gild a pill like him , that's what , " said Mrs Rachel solemnly .

" he looks kind and good-hearted , " said Anne loyally , " and I 'm sure he thinks the world of Jane . "

" Humph ! " said Mrs Rachel .

Phil Gordon was married the next week and Anne went over to Bolingbroke to be her bridesmaid .

Phil made a dainty fairy of a bride , and the Rev Jo was so radiant in his happiness that nobody thought him plain .

mother thinks it is terrible she thinks Jo might at least take a church in a decent place .

but the wilderness of the Patterson slums will blossom like the rose for me if Jo is there .

oh , Anne , I 'm so happy my heart aches with it . "

and it was just the same when she went back to Avonlea .

this time it was Diana who was bathed in the wonderful glory that comes to a woman when her first-born is laid beside her .

Anne looked at the white young mother with a certain awe that had never entered into her feelings for Diana before .

could this pale woman with the rapture in her eyes be the little black-curled , rosy-cheeked Diana she had played with in vanished schooldays ?

" isn't he perfectly beautiful ? " said Diana proudly .

the little fat fellow was absurdly like Fred just as round , just as red .

Anne really could not say conscientiously that she thought him beautiful , but she vowed sincerely that he was sweet and kissable and altogether delightful .

" before he came I wanted a girl , so that I could call her ANNE , " said Diana .

" but now that little Fred is here I wouldn't exchange him for a million girls .

he just COULDN'T have been anything but his own precious self . "

" ' Every little baby is the sweetest and the best , ' " quoted Mrs Allan gaily .

" if little Anne HAD come you 'd have felt just the same about her . "

Mrs Allan was visiting in Avonlea , for the first time since leaving it .

she was as gay and sweet and sympathetic as ever .

her old girl friends had welcomed her back rapturously .

the reigning minister 's wife was an estimable lady , but she was not exactly a kindred spirit .

" I can hardly wait till he gets old enough to talk , " sighed Diana .

" I just long to hear him say ' mother . '

and oh , I 'm determined that his first memory of me shall be a nice one .

the first memory I have of my mother is of her slapping me for something I had done .

I am sure I deserved it , and mother was always a good mother and I love her dearly .

but I do wish my first memory of her was nicer . "

" I have just one memory of my mother and it is the sweetest of all my memories , " said Mrs Allan .

" I was five years old , and I had been allowed to go to school one day with my two older sisters .

when school came out my sisters went home in different groups , each supposing I was with the other .

instead I had run off with a little girl I had played with at recess .

we went to her home , which was near the school , and began making mud pies .

we were having a glorious time when my older sister arrived , breathless and angry .

" ' You naughty girl " she cried , snatching my reluctant hand and dragging me along with her .

' Come home this minute .

oh , you 're going to catch it !

mother is awful cross .

she is going to give you a good whipping . '

" I had never been whipped .

dread and terror filled my poor little heart .

I have never been so miserable in my life as I was on that walk home .

I had not meant to be naughty .

Phemy Cameron had asked me to go home with her and I had not known it was wrong to go .

and now I was to be whipped for it .

when we got home my sister dragged me into the kitchen where mother was sitting by the fire in the twilight .

my poor wee legs were trembling so that I could hardly stand .

' I was so frightened you were lost , darling , ' she said tenderly .

I could see the love shining in her eyes as she looked down on me .

she never scolded or reproached me for what I had done only told me I must never go away again without asking permission .

she died very soon afterwards .

that is the only memory I have of her .

isn't it a beautiful one ? "

Anne felt lonelier than ever as she walked home , going by way of the Birch Path and Willowmere .

she had not walked that way for many moons .

it was a darkly-purple bloomy night .

the air was heavy with blossom fragrance almost too heavy .

the cloyed senses recoiled from it as from an overfull cup .

the birches of the path had grown from the fairy saplings of old to big trees .

everything had changed .

Anne felt that she would be glad when the summer was over and she was away at work again .

perhaps life would not seem so empty then .

" ' I 've tried the world it wears no more The coloring of romance it wore , ' "

sighed Anne and was straightway much comforted by the romance in the idea of the world being denuded of romance !

chapter XL

a Book of Revelation

the Irvings came back to Echo Lodge for the summer , and Anne spent a happy three weeks there in July .

Miss Lavendar had not changed ; Charlotta the Fourth was a very grown-up young lady now , but still adored Anne sincerely .

Paul was almost grown up , too .

he was sixteen , his chestnut curls had given place to close-cropped brown locks , and he was more interested in football than fairies .

but the bond between him and his old teacher still held .

kindred spirits alone do not change with changing years .

it was a wet , bleak , cruel evening in July when Anne came back to Green Gables .

one of the fierce summer storms which sometimes sweep over the gulf was ravaging the sea .

as Anne came in the first raindrops dashed against the panes .

" was that Paul who brought you home ? " asked Marilla .

" why didn't you make him stay all night .

it 's going to be a wild evening . "

" he 'll reach Echo Lodge before the rain gets very heavy , I think .

anyway , he wanted to go back tonight .

well , I 've had a splendid visit , but I 'm glad to see you dear folks again .

' East , west , hame's best . '

Davy , have you been growing again lately ? "

" I 've growed a whole inch since you left , " said Davy proudly .

" I 'm as tall as Milty Boulter now .

ain't I glad .

he 'll have to stop crowing about being bigger .

say , Anne , did you know that Gilbert Blythe is dying ? "

Anne stood quite silent and motionless , looking at Davy .

her face had gone so white that Marilla thought she was going to faint .

" Davy , hold your tongue , " said Mrs Rachel angrily .

" Anne , don't look like that DON'T LOOK LIKE THAT !

we didn't mean to tell you so suddenly . "

" is it true ? " asked Anne in a voice that was not hers .

" Gilbert is very ill , " said Mrs Lynde gravely .

" he took down with typhoid fever just after you left for Echo Lodge .

did you never hear of it ? "

" no , " said that unknown voice .

" it was a very bad case from the start .

the doctor said he 'd been terribly run down .

they 've a trained nurse and everything 's been done .

DON'T look like that , Anne .

while there 's life there 's hope . "

" Mr Harrison was here this evening and he said they had no hope of him , " reiterated Davy .

Marilla , looking old and worn and tired , got up and marched Davy grimly out of the kitchen .

" oh , DON'T look so , dear , " said Mrs Rachel , putting her kind old arms about the pallid girl .

" I haven't given up hope , indeed I haven't .

he 's got the Blythe constitution in his favor , that 's what . "

at its window she knelt down , staring out unseeingly .

it was very dark .

the rain was beating down over the shivering fields .

and Gilbert was dying !

there is a book of Revelation in every one 's life , as there is in the Bible .

Anne read hers that bitter night , as she kept her agonized vigil through the hours of storm and darkness .

she loved Gilbert had always loved him !

she knew that now .

and the knowledge had come too late too late even for the bitter solace of being with him at the last .

if she had not been so blind so foolish she would have had the right to go to him now .

but he would never know that she loved him he would go away from this life thinking that she did not care .

oh , the black years of emptiness stretching before her !

she could not live through them she could not !

she cowered down by her window and wished , for the first time in her gay young life , that she could die , too .

if Gilbert went away from her , without one word or sign or message , she could not live .

nothing was of any value without him .

she belonged to him and he to her .

in her hour of supreme agony she had no doubt of that .

he did not love Christine Stuart never had loved Christine Stuart .

and now she must pay for her folly as for a crime .

the storm raged all night , but when the dawn came it was spent .

Anne saw a fairy fringe of light on the skirts of darkness .

soon the eastern hilltops had a fire-shot ruby rim .

the clouds rolled themselves away into great , soft , white masses on the horizon ; the sky gleamed blue and silvery .

a hush fell over the world .

Anne rose from her knees and crept downstairs .

the freshness of the rain-wind blew against her white face as she went out into the yard , and cooled her dry , burning eyes .

a merry rollicking whistle was lilting up the lane .

a moment later Pacifique Buote came in sight .

Anne 's physical strength suddenly failed her .

if she had not clutched at a low willow bough she would have fallen .

Pacifique was George Fletcher 's hired man , and George Fletcher lived next door to the Blythes .

Mrs Fletcher was Gilbert 's aunt .

Pacifique would know if if Pacifique would know what there was to be known .

Pacifique strode sturdily on along the red lane , whistling .

he did not see Anne .

she made three futile attempts to call him .

he was almost past before she succeeded in making her quivering lips call , " Pacifique ! "

Pacifique turned with a grin and a cheerful good morning .

" Pacifique , " said Anne faintly , " did you come from George Fletcher 's this morning ? "

" sure , " said Pacifique amiably .

" I got de word las ' night dat my fader , he was seeck .

it was so stormy dat I couldn't go den , so I start vair early dis mornin ' .

I 'm goin ' troo de woods for short cut . "

" did you hear how Gilbert Blythe was this morning ? "

Anne 's desperation drove her to the question .

even the worst would be more endurable than this hideous suspense .

" he 's better , " said Pacifique .

" he got de turn las ' night .

de doctor say he 'll be all right now dis soon while .

had close shave , dough !

Dat boy , he jus ' keel himself at college .

well , I mus ' hurry .

de old man , he 'll be in hurry to see me . "

Pacifique resumed his walk and his whistle .

Anne gazed after him with eyes where joy was driving out the strained anguish of the night .

he was a very lank , very ragged , very homely youth .

but in her sight he was as beautiful as those who bring good tidings on the mountains .

the morning was a cup filled with mist and glamor .

in the corner near her was a rich surprise of new-blown , crystal-dewed roses .

the trills and trickles of song from the birds in the big tree above her seemed in perfect accord with her mood .

a sentence from a very old , very true , very wonderful Book came to her lips ,

" weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning . "

XLI

love Takes Up the Glass of Time

" suppose we visit Hester Gray 's garden . "

Anne , sitting on the stone step with her lap full of a pale , filmy , green stuff , looked up rather blankly .

" oh , I wish I could , " she said slowly , " but I really can't , Gilbert .

I 'm going to Alice Penhallow 's wedding this evening , you know .

I 've got to do something to this dress , and by the time it 's finished I 'll have to get ready .

I 'm so sorry .

I 'd love to go . "

" well , can you go tomorrow afternoon , then ? " asked Gilbert , apparently not much disappointed .

" yes , I think so . "

" in that case I shall hie me home at once to do something I should otherwise have to do tomorrow .

so Alice Penhallow is to be married tonight .

three weddings for you in one summer , Anne Phil 's , Alice 's , and Jane 's .

I 'll never forgive Jane for not inviting me to her wedding . "

" you really can't blame her when you think of the tremendous Andrews connection who had to be invited .

the house could hardly hold them all .

I was only bidden by grace of being Jane 's old chum at least on Jane 's part .

I think Mrs Harmon 's motive for inviting me was to let me see Jane 's surpassing gorgeousness . "

" is it true that she wore so many diamonds that you couldn't tell where the diamonds left off and Jane began ? "

Anne laughed .

" she certainly wore a good many .

but she was VERY happy , and so was Mr Inglis and so was Mrs Harmon . "

" is that the dress you 're going to wear tonight ? " asked Gilbert , looking down at the fluffs and frills .

" yes .

isn't it pretty ?

and I shall wear starflowers in my hair .

the Haunted Wood is full of them this summer . "

the vision made him catch his breath .

but he turned lightly away .

" well , I 'll be up tomorrow .

hope you 'll have a nice time tonight . "

Anne looked after him as he strode away , and sighed .

Gilbert was friendly very friendly far too friendly .

he had come quite often to Green Gables after his recovery , and something of their old comradeship had returned .

but Anne no longer found it satisfying .

the rose of love made the blossom of friendship pale and scentless by contrast .

and Anne had again begun to doubt if Gilbert now felt anything for her but friendship .

in the common light of common day her radiant certainty of that rapt morning had faded .

she was haunted by a miserable fear that her mistake could never be rectified .

it was quite likely that it was Christine whom Gilbert loved after all .

perhaps he was even engaged to her .

but but Anne picked up her green dress and sighed again .

Gilbert , glancing at her sideways as they walked along a shadowy woodpath , thought she had never looked so lovely .

Anne , glancing sideways at Gilbert , now and then , thought how much older he looked since his illness .

it was as if he had put boyhood behind him forever .

the day was beautiful and the way was beautiful .

Anne was almost sorry when they reached Hester Gray 's garden , and sat down on the old bench .

" have you any unfulfilled dreams , Anne ? " asked Gilbert .

something in his tone something she had not heard since that miserable evening in the orchard at Patty 's Place made Anne 's heart beat wildly .

but she made answer lightly .

" of course .

everybody has .

it wouldn't do for us to have all our dreams fulfilled .

we would be as good as dead if we had nothing left to dream about .

what a delicious aroma that low-descending sun is extracting from the asters and ferns .

I wish we could see perfumes as well as smell them .

I 'm sure they would be very beautiful . "

Gilbert was not to be thus sidetracked .

" I have a dream , " he said slowly .

" I persist in dreaming it , although it has often seemed to me that it could never come true .

I dream of a home with a hearth-fire in it , a cat and dog , the footsteps of friends and YOU ! "

Anne wanted to speak but she could find no words .

happiness was breaking over her like a wave .

it almost frightened her .

" I asked you a question over two years ago , Anne .

if I ask it again today will you give me a different answer ? "

still Anne could not speak .

but she lifted her eyes , shining with all the love-rapture of countless generations , and looked into his for a moment .

he wanted no other answer .

they lingered in the old garden until twilight , sweet as dusk in Eden must have been , crept over it .

there was so much to talk over and recall things said and done and heard and thought and felt and misunderstood .

Gilbert laughed boyishly .

" Christine was engaged to somebody in her home town .

I knew it and she knew I knew it .

so I did .

and then I liked Christine for her own sake .

she is one of the nicest girls I 've ever known .

I knew college gossip credited us with being in love with each other .

I didn't care .

nothing mattered much to me for a time there , after you told me you could never love me , Anne .

there was nobody else there never could be anybody else for me but you .

I 've loved you ever since that day you broke your slate over my head in school . "

" I don't see how you could keep on loving me when I was such a little fool , " said Anne .

I believed it until one blessed day when I was sitting up after the fever .

well , the doctor was amazed at my rapid recovery after that . "

Anne laughed then shivered .

" I can never forget the night I thought you were dying , Gilbert .

oh , I knew I KNEW then and I thought it was too late . "

" but it wasn't , sweetheart .

oh , Anne , this makes up for everything , doesn't it ?

let's resolve to keep this day sacred to perfect beauty all our lives for the gift it has given us . "

" it 's the birthday of our happiness , " said Anne softly .

" I 've always loved this old garden of Hester Gray 's , and now it will be dearer than ever . "

" but I 'll have to ask you to wait a long time , Anne , " said Gilbert sadly .

" it will be three years before I 'll finish my medical course .

and even then there will be no diamond sunbursts and marble halls . "

Anne laughed .

" I don't want sunbursts and marble halls .

I just want YOU .

you see I 'm quite as shameless as Phil about it .

Sunbursts and marble halls may be all very well , but there is more ' scope for imagination ' without them .

and as for the waiting , that doesn't matter .

we 'll just be happy , waiting and working for each other and dreaming .

oh , dreams will be very sweet now . "

Gilbert drew her close to him and kissed her .

End of Project Gutenberg 's Anne Of The Island , by Lucy Maud Montgomery

produced by Kent Fielden

THE ADVENTURES OF JERRY MUSKRAT

by Thornton W Burgess

CHAPTER I : Jerry Muskrat Has A Fright

what was it Mother Muskrat had said about Farmer Brown 's boy and his traps ?

Jerry Muskrat sat on the edge of the Big Rock and kicked his heels while he tried to remember .

the fact is , Jerry had not half heeded .

he had been thinking of other things .

besides , it seemed to him that Mother Muskrat was altogether foolish about a great many things .

what if Farmer Brown 's boy is setting traps around the Smiling Pool ?

I guess he can't fool your Uncle Jerry .

he isn't so smart as he thinks he is ; I can fool him any day . "

Jerry chuckled .

he was thinking of how he had once fooled Farmer Brown 's boy into thinking a big trout was on his hook .

slowly Jerry slid into the Smiling Pool and swam over towards his favorite log .

Peter Rabbit stuck his head over the edge of the bank .

better watch out ! "

" go chase yourself , Peter Rabbit .

I guess I can look out for myself , " replied Jerry , just a little crossly .

Peter made a wry face and started for the sweet clover patch .

hardly was he out of sight when Billy Mink and Bobby Coon came down the Laughing Brook together .

they seemed very much excited .

" you 'd better watch out , Jerry , " warned Billy Mink , who is a great traveler and has had wide experience .

and what do you suppose he was thinking about as he swam along ?

as he drew near his favorite log , something tickled his nose .

he stopped swimming to sniff and sniff .

my , how good it did smell !

and it seemed to come right straight from the old log .

Jerry began to swim as fast as he could .

in a few minutes he scrambled out on the old log .

then Jerry rubbed his eyes three times to be sure that he saw aright .

there were luscious pieces of carrot lying right in front of him .

now there is nothing that Jerry Muskrat likes better than carrot .

so he didn't stop to wonder how it got there .

he just reached out for the nearest piece and ate it .

then he reached for the next piece and ate it .

then he did a funny little dance just for joy .

when he was quite out of breath , he sat down to rest .

snap !

something had Jerry Muskrat by the tail !

Jerry squealed with fright and pain .

oh , how it did hurt !

he twisted and turned , but he was held fast and could not see what had him .

then he pulled and pulled , until it seemed as if his tail would pull off .

but it didn't .

so he kept pulling , and pretty soon the thing let go so suddenly that Jerry tumbled head first into the water .

when he reached home , Mother Muskrat did his sore tail up for him .

" what did I tell you about traps ? " she asked severely .

Jerry stopped crying .

" was that a trap ? " he asked .

then he remembered that in his fright he didn't even see it .

" oh , dear , " he moaned , " I wouldn't know one to-day if I met it . "

CHAPTER II : the Convention At The Big Rock

jolly round , red Mr Sun looked down on the Smiling Pool .

he almost forgot to keep on climbing up in the blue sky , he was so interested in what he saw there .

what do you think it was ?

why , it was a convention at the Big Rock , the queerest convention he ever had seen .

your papa would say that it was a mass-meeting of angry citizens .

maybe it was , but that is a pretty long term .

anyway , Mother Muskrat said it was a convention , and she ought to know , for she is the one who had called it .

of course Jerry Muskrat was there , and his uncles and aunts and all his cousins .

Little Joe Otter was there , with his father and mother and all his relations even to his third cousins .

and everybody was looking very solemn , very solemn indeed .

then she made a speech .

she stopped and pointed to Jerry 's sore tail .

" what do you think did that ? " she demanded .

Mrs Muskrat glared at him , for she had overheard the remark .

then she held up one hand to command silence .

" it is no longer safe for our little folks to play around the Smiling Pool or along the Laughing Brook .

what are we going to do about it ? "

everybody looked at everybody else in dismay .

indeed , I am afraid that they would have blistered .

such excitement !

everybody had a different idea , and nobody would listen to anybody else .

old Mr Mink lost his temper and called Grandpa Otter a meddlesome know-nothing .

it looked very much as if the convention was going to break up in a sad quarrel .

then Mr Coon climbed up on the Big Rock and with a stick pounded for silence .

all in favor please raise their right hands . "

at once the air was full of hands , and everybody was good-natured once more .

so it was agreed to call in Great-Grandfather Frog .

CHAPTER III : the Oracle Of The Smiling Pool

but he pretended to be very much surprised when Jerry Muskrat very politely said : " good morning , Grandfather Frog . "

" good morning , Jerry Muskrat .

you 're out early this morning , " replied Grandfather Frog .

" if you please , you are wanted over at the Big Rock , " said Jerry .

grandfather Frog 's eyes twinkled , but he made his voice very deep and gruff as he replied : " Chugarum !

you 're a scamp , Jerry Muskrat , and Little Joe Otter is another .

what trick are you trying to play on me now ? "

" really and truly , Grandfather Frog , there isn't any trick this time , " said Jerry .

please come . "

finally he spoke .

" get right on my back and I 'll take you over there , " said Jerry eagerly .

" I 'm afraid that you 'll spill me off , " replied Grandfather Frog .

" no , I won't ; just try me and see , " begged Jerry .

so Grandfather Frog climbed on Jerry Muskrat 's back , and Jerry started for the Big Rock as fast as he could go .

you know an oracle is one who is very wise .

when she said this , Grandfather Frog puffed himself up until it seemed as if his white and yellow waistcoat would surely burst .

he sat very still for a while and gazed straight at jolly , round , red Mr Sun without blinking once .

then he spoke in a very deep voice .

" To-morrow morning at sunrise I will tell you what to do , " said he .

and not another word could they get out of him .

CHAPTER IV : grandfather Frog 's Plan

early as he was , all the little people who live along the Laughing Brook and around the Smiling Pool were waiting for him .

Bobby Coon had found two traps set by Farmer Brown 's boy , and Billy Mink had almost stepped in a third .

no one felt safe any more , yet no one knew what to do .

so they all waited for the advice of Great-Grandfather Frog , who , you know , is accounted very , very wise .

grandfather Frog cleared his throat .

" Chugarum ! " said he .

" you must find all the traps that Farmer Brown 's boy has set . "

" how are we going to do it ? " asked Bobby Coon .

" by looking for them , " replied Grandfather Frog tartly .

Bobby Coon looked foolish and slipped out of sight behind his mother .

you must use your eyes and your noses .

when you find things good to eat where you have never found them before , watch out !

when you get the first whiff of the man-smell , watch out !

Billy Mink , you are small and quick , and your eyes are sharp .

you sit here on the Big Rock until you see Farmer Brown 's boy coming .

then go hide in the bulrushes where you can watch him , but where he cannot see you .

follow him everywhere he goes around the Smiling Pool or along the Laughing Brook .

without knowing it , he will show you where every trap is hidden .

" when all the traps have been found , drop a stick or a stone in each .

that will spring them , and then they will be harmless .

then you can bury them deep in the mud .

" hurrah for Grandfather Frog !

that 's a great idea ! " shouted Little Joe Otter , turning a somersault in the water .

every one agreed with Little Joe Otter , and immediately they began to plan a grand hunt for the traps of Farmer Brown 's boy .

CHAPTER V : a Busy Day At The Smiling Pool

everybody was excited .

yes , Sir , everybody in the Smiling Pool and along the Laughing Brook was just bubbling over with excitement .

what was it all about ?

yes , Sir , they were hunting for traps set by Farmer Brown 's boy , just as Grandfather Frog had advised them to .

Jerry Muskrat and Little Joe Otter were hunting together .

sniff , sniff , sniff , went Jerry Muskrat .

then little cold shivers ran down his backbone and way out to the tip of his tail .

" what is it ? " asked Little Joe Otter .

" it 's the man-smell , " whispered Jerry .

just then Little Joe Otter gave a long sniff .

" my , I smell fish ! " he cried , his eyes sparkling , and started in the direction from which the smell came .

he swam faster than Jerry , and in a minute he shouted in delight .

" hi , Jerry !

some one's left a fish on the edge of the bank : what a feast ! "

" don't touch it , " he panted .

" don't touch it , Joe Otter ! "

Little Joe laughed .

" what 's the matter , Jerry ?

' Fraid I 'll eat it all up before you get here ? " he asked , as he reached out for the fish .

" stop ! " shrieked Jerry , and gave Little Joe a push , just as the latter touched the fish .

snap !

a pair of wicked steel jaws flew together and caught Little Joe Otter by a claw of one toe .

if it hadn't been for Jerry 's push , he would have been caught by a foot .

" oh !

oh !

oh ! " cried Little Joe Otter .

but he left the claw behind and had a dreadfully sore toe as a result .

then they buried the trap deep down in the mud and started to look for another .

CHAPTER VI : Farmer Brown 's Boy Is Puzzled

Farmer Brown 's boy was whistling merrily as he tramped down across the Green Meadows .

the Merry Little Breezes saw him coming , and they raced over to the Smiling Pool to tell Billy Mink .

Farmer Brown 's boy was coming to visit his traps .

he was very sure that he would find Billy Mink or Little Joe Otter , or Jerry Muskrat , or perhaps Bobby Coon .

Billy Mink was sitting on top of the Big Rock .

he saw the Merry Little Breezes racing across the Green Meadows , and behind them he saw Farmer Brown 's boy .

Billy Mink dived head first into the Smiling Pool .

then he swam over to Jerry Muskrat 's house and warned Jerry .

the first place Farmer Brown 's boy visited was Jerry Muskrat 's old log .

very cautiously he peeped over the edge of the bank .

the trap was gone !

" hurrah ! " shouted Farmer Brown 's boy .

he was very much excited , as he caught hold of the end of the chain , which fastened it to the old log .

he was sure that at last he had caught Jerry Muskrat .

when he pulled the trap up , it was empty .

Farmer Brown 's boy was disappointed .

" well , I 'll get him to-morrow , anyway , " said he to himself .

then he went on to his next trap ; it was nowhere to be seen .

when he pulled the chain he was so excited that he trembled .

the trap did not come up at once .

he pulled and pulled , and then suddenly up it came , all covered with mud .

in it was one little claw from Little Joe Otter .

very carefully Farmer Brown 's boy set the trap again .

he had stopped whistling by this time , and there was a puzzled frown on his freckled face .

what did it mean ?

could some other boy have found all his traps and played a trick by springing all of them ?

the more he thought about it , the more puzzled he became .

" Chugarum ! " said Grandfather Frog , as he snapped up a foolish green fly .

" much good it will do you to set those traps again ! "

then they prepared for a grand feast of the good things to eat which Farmer Brown 's boy had left , scattered around the traps .

CHAPTER VII : Jerry Muskrat Makes A Discovery

Little Joe Otter had been more full of fun than ever , if that were possible .

Mr and Mrs. Redwing had come back to the bulrushes from their winter home way down in the warm Southland .

everybody was happy , just as happy as could be .

suddenly Jerry 's sharp eyes saw something that made him wrinkle his forehead in a puzzled frown and look and look at the opposite bank .

finally he called to Little Joe Otter .

" hi , Little Joe !

come over here ! " shouted Jerry .

" what for ? " asked Little Joe , turning a somersault in the water .

" I want you to see if there is anything wrong with my eyes , " replied Jerry .

Little Joe Otter stopped swimming and stared up at Jerry Muskrat .

" they look all right to me , " said he , as he started to climb up on the Big Rock .

" of course they look all right , " replied Jerry , " but what I want to know is if they see all right .

look over at that bank . "

Little Joe Otter looked over at the bank .

he stared and stared , but he didn't see anything unusual .

it looked just as it always did .

he told Jerry Muskrat so .

" then it must be my eyes , " sighed Jerry .

" it certainly must be my eyes .

it looks to me as if the water does not come as high up on the bank as it did yesterday . "

Little Joe Otter looked again and his eyes opened wide .

" you are right , Jerry Muskrat ! " he cried .

" there 's nothing the matter with your eyes .

the water is as low as it ever gets , even in the very middle of summer .

what can it mean ? "

" I don't know , " replied Jerry Muskrat .

" it is queer !

it certainly is very queer !

let's go ask Grandfather Frog .

you know he is very old and very wise , so perhaps he can tell us what it means . "

splash !

Jerry Muskrat and Little Joe Otter dived into the Smiling Pool and started a race to see who could reach Grandfather Frog first .

" Chugarum !

there 's nothing the matter with the Smiling Pool ; it 's the best place in all the world , " replied Grandfather Frog gruffly .

" but there is something the matter , " insisted Jerry Muskrat , and then he told what he had discovered .

" I don't believe it , " said Grandfather Frog .

" I never heard of such a thing in the springtime . "

CHAPTER VIII : grandfather Frog Watches His Toes

grandfather Frog sat among the bulrushes on the edge of the Smiling Pool .

over his head Mr Redwing was singing as if his heart would burst with the very joy of springtime .

" Tra-la-la-lee , see me !

see me !

Happy am I as I can be !

Happy am I the whole day long And so I sing my gladsome song . "

of course Mr Redwing was happy .

why shouldn't he be ?

here it was the beautiful springtime , the gladdest time of all the year , the time when happiness creeps into everybody 's heart .

grandfather Frog listened .

he nodded his head .

" Chugarum !

I 'm happy , too , " said Grandfather Frog .

Little by little the smile grew smaller and smaller , until there wasn't any smile .

no , Sir , there wasn't any smile .

instead of looking happy , as he said he felt , Grandfather Frog actually looked unhappy .

he didn't believe it , not a word of it .

at least he tried to make himself think that he didn't believe it .

now Grandfather Frog is very old and very wise , and he had never heard of such a thing happening in the springtime .

so he wouldn't believe it now .

and yet and yet Grandfather Frog had an uncomfortable feeling that something was wrong .

Ha ! he knew now what it was !

you see he just couldn't make himself believe what he wanted to believe , try as he would .

" Chugarum !

I know what I 'll do ; I 'll watch my toes ! " exclaimed Grandfather Frog .

So Grandfather Frog waded out into the water until it covered his feet , and then he sat down and began to watch his toes .

" watching my toes , " replied Grandfather Frog gruffly .

" watching your toes !

Ho , ho , ho !

watching your toes !

who ever heard of such a thing ?

are you afraid that they will run away , Grandfather Frog ? " shouted Mr Redwing .

grandfather Frog didn't answer .

he kept right on watching his toes .

Mr Redwing flew away to tell everybody he met how Grandfather Frog had become foolish and was watching his toes .

the sun shone down warm and bright , and pretty soon Grandfather Frog 's big goggly eyes began to blink .

then his head began to nod , and then why , then Grandfather Frog fell fast asleep .

by and by Grandfather Frog awoke with a start .

he looked down at his toes .

they were not in the water at all !

indeed , the water was a good long jump away .

" Chugarum !

CHAPTER IX : the Laughing Brook Stops Laughing

there was something wrong .

grandfather Frog knew it the very minute he got up that morning .

at first he couldn't think what it was .

suddenly Grandfather Frog realized how still it was .

it was a different kind of stillness from anything he could ever remember .

he missed something , and he couldn't think what it was .

it wasn't the song of Mr Redwing .

there were many times when he didn't hear that .

it was Grand-father Frog gave a startled jump out on to the shore .

" Chugarum !

it 's the Laughing Brook !

the Laughing Brook has stopped laughing ! " cried Grandfather Frog .

could it be ?

who ever heard of such a thing , excepting when Jack Frost bound the Laughing Brook with hard black ice ?

never once in all that time had the Laughing Brook failed to laugh .

it couldn't be true now !

grandfather Frog put a hand behind one ear and listened and listened , but not a sound could he hear .

" Chugarum !

it must be me , " said Grandfather Frog .

" it must be that I am growing old and deaf .

I 'll go over and ask Jerry Muskrat . "

so Grandfather Frog dove into the water and swam out to the middle of the Smiling Pool , on his way to Jerry Muskrat 's house .

he stopped swimming to look around , and it seemed as if his great goggly eyes would pop right out of his head .

yes , Sir , it seemed as if those great goggly eyes certainly would pop right out of Grandfather Frog 's head .

the Smiling Pool had grown so small that there wasn't enough of it left to smile !

" where are you going , Grandfather Frog ? " asked a voice over his head .

grandfather Frog looked up .

looking down on him from over the edge of the Big Rock was Jerry Muskrat .

the edge of the Big Rock was twice as high above the water as Grandfather Frog had ever seen it before .

" I I was going to swim over to your house to see you , " replied Grandfather Frog .

" it 's of no use , " replied Jerry , " because I 'm not there .

besides , you couldn't swim there , anyway . "

" why not ? " demanded Grandfather Frog in great surprise .

" what 's that you say ? " cried Grandfather Frog , as if he couldn't believe his own ears .

" it 's just as true as that I 'm sitting here , " replied Jerry sadly .

" listen , Jerry Muskrat , and tell me truly ; is the Laughing Brook laughing ? " cried Grandfather Frog sharply .

CHAPTER X : why The World Seemed Upside Down To Jerry Muskrat

you see , Jerry Muskrat 's little world was topsy-turvy .

yes , Sir , Jerry 's world was upside down !

anyway , it seemed so to him , and he couldn't understand it at all .

the Smiling Pool , the Laughing Brook , and the Green Meadows are Jerry Muskrat 's little world .

now , as he sat on the Big Rock and looked about him , the Green Meadows were as lovely as ever .

he could see no change in them .

but the Laughing Brook had stopped laughing , and the Smiling Pool had stopped smiling .

the truth is there wasn't enough of the Laughing Brook left to laugh , and there wasn't enough of the Smiling Pool left to smile .

it was dreadful !

Jerry looked over to his house , of which he had once been so proud .

he had built it with the doorway under water .

now the Smiling Pool had grown so small that Jerry 's house wasn't in the water at all .

anybody who wanted to could get into it .

there was the doorway plainly to be seen .

worse still , there was the secret entrance to the long tunnel leading to his castle under the roots of the Big Hickory-tree .

that had been Jerry 's most secret secret , and now there it was for all the world to see .

now anybody could find them , for they were plainly to be seen .

and where had always been smiling , dimpling water , Jerry saw only mud .

it was mud , mud , mud everywhere !

Jerry turned towards the Laughing Brook .

all the secrets of the Laughing Brook were exposed , just as were the secrets of the Smiling Pool .

" yes , Sir , the world has turned upside down , " said Jerry in a mournful voice .

" I know it has ! " cried Jerry .

" I wonder if it will ever turn upside up again . "

" if it doesn't , what are you going to do ? " asked Grandfather Frog .

" I don't know , " replied Jerry Muskrat .

" here come Little Joe Otter and Billy Mink ; let's find out what they are going to do . "

CHAPTER XI : five Heads Together

something had to be done .

Jerry Muskrat said so .

grandfather Frog said so .

Billy Mink said so .

Little Joe Otter said so .

even Spotty the Turtle said so .

the Laughing Brook couldn't laugh , and the Smiling Pool couldn't smile .

you see , there wasn't water enough in either of them to laugh or smile , and nobody knew if there ever would be again .

nobody had ever known anything like it before , and so nobody knew what to think or do .

and yet they all felt that something must be done .

" what do you think , Billy Mink ? " asked Grandfather Frog .

but somehow he didn't want to catch them .

" I think that the best thing we can do is to move down to the Big River .

I 've been down there , and that 's all right , " said Billy Mink .

" that 's what I think , " said Little Joe Otter .

" there 's no danger that the Big River will go dry . "

" how do you know ? " asked Jerry Muskrat .

" the Laughing Brook and the Smiling Pool never went dry before . "

" Chugarum !

I , for one , don't want to leave the Smiling Pool without finding out what the trouble is .

" there 's nothing happens , as you know , But has a cause to make it so .

Jerry Muskrat nodded his head .

" grandfather Frog is right , " said he .

" of course there must be a cause , but where are we to look for it ?

I 've been all over the Smiling Pool , and I 'm sure it isn't there . "

grandfather Frog actually smiled .

" Chugarum ! " said he .

" of course the cause of all the trouble isn't in the Smiling Pool .

any one would know that ! "

" well , if you know so much , tell us where it is then ! " snapped Jerry Muskrat .

" in the Laughing Brook , of course , " replied Grandfather Frog .

" no such thing ! " said Billy Mink .

" I 've been all the way down the Laughing Brook to the Big River , and I didn't find a thing . "

" have you been all the way up the Laughing Brook to the place it starts from ? " asked Grandfather Frog .

" No-o , " replied Billy Mink .

" that 's so !

I never had thought of that , " cried Little Joe Otter .

" I tell you what , Billy Mink and I will go way up the Laughing Brook and see what we can find . "

" Chugarum !

let us all go , " said Grandfather Frog .

then the five put their heads together and decided that they would go up the Laughing Brook to hunt for the trouble .

CHAPTER XII : a Hunt For Trouble

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard , sailing high in the blue , blue sky , looked down on a funny sight .

yes , Sir , it certainly was a funny sight .

it was a little procession of five of his friends of the Smiling Pool .

First was Billy Mink , who , because he is slim and nimble , moves so quickly it sometimes is hard to follow him .

behind him was Little Joe Otter , whose legs are so short that he almost looks as if he hadn't any .

Behind Little Joe was Jerry Muskrat , who is a better traveler in the water than on land .

Behind Jerry was Grandfather Frog , who neither walks nor runs but travels with great jumps .

last of all was Spotty the Turtle , who travels very , very slowly because , you know , he carries his house with him .

and all five were headed up the Laughing Brook , which laughed no more , because there was not water enough in it .

" Fo ' the lan's sake !

Fo ' the lan's sake ! "

" where are yo'alls going ? " asked Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

" Chugarum !

to find out what is the trouble with the Laughing Brook , " replied Grandfather Frog .

" I 'll help you , " said Ol ' Mistah Buzzard , once more sailing up in the blue , blue sky .

grandfather Frog watched him until he was nothing but a speck .

the Laughing Brook came down from the Green Forest and wound through the Green Meadows for a little way before it reached the Smiling Pool .

there the sun shone down into it , and Grandfather Frog didn't mind , although his legs were getting tired .

but when they got into the Green Forest it was dark and gloomy .

at least Grandfather Frog thought so , and so did Spotty the Turtle , for both dearly love the sunshine .

but still they kept on , for they felt that they must find the trouble with the Laughing Brook .

if they found this , they would also find the trouble with the Smiling Pool .

CHAPTER XIII : Ol ' Mistah Buzzard Sees Something

indeed , Ol ' Mistah Buzzard can see all that is going on below on the Green Meadows and in the Green Forest .

his wings are very broad , and he can sail through the air very swiftly when he makes up his mind to .

in a few minutes he was as far ahead of Billy Mink as Billy was ahead of Spotty the Turtle .

for wings are swifter far than legs , On whatsoever purpose bent , But doubly swift and tireless Those wings on kindly deed intent .

he forgot everything but his own great surprise , and he blinked his eyes a great many times to make sure that he wasn't dreaming .

" did yo ' ever ?

no , Ah never !

did yo ' ever ?

no , Ah never ! "

CHAPTER XIV : Spotty The Turtle Keeps Right On Going

" one step , two steps , three steps , so !

four steps , five steps , six steps go !

keep right on and do your best ; Mayhap you 'll win while others rest . "

and every time he said it , he felt better .

they were very short steps , very short steps indeed , for Spotty 's legs are very short .

but each one carried him forward just so much , and he knew that he was just so much nearer the thing he was seeking .

anyway , he hoped he was .

so Spotty the Turtle , who has to carry his house with him , was a long , long way behind the others .

but he kept right on going .

" one step , two steps , three steps , so ! "

and he didn't stop for anything .

he crawled over sticks and around big stones and sometimes , when he found a little pool of water , he swam .

he always felt better then , because he can swim faster than he can walk .

after a long , long time , Spotty the Turtle came to a little pool where the sunshine lay warm and inviting .

there , in the middle of it , on a mossy stone , sat Grandfather Frog fast asleep .

he had thought that he was so far ahead of Spotty that he could safely rest his tired legs .

Spotty wanted to climb right up beside him and take a nap too , but he didn't .

he just grinned and kept right on going .

" one step , two steps , three steps , so ! "

while Grandfather Frog slept on .

Spotty would have liked to take just one slide , but he didn't .

he didn't even let Little Joe Otter see him , but kept right on going .

" one step , two steps , three steps , so ! "

who was it ?

why , Billy Mink , to be sure !

Spotty the Turtle didn't waken him .

CHAPTER XV : what Spotty The Turtle Found

Spotty the Turtle stared and stared and stared , until it seemed as if his eyes surely would pop out of his funny little head .

no , Sir , he wouldn't have believed it .

you see , he couldn't have believed it because why , because it didn't seem as if it could be really and truly so .

it made no difference .

Spotty the Turtle was feeling pretty good .

at least , he thought that he was the first , and he was of all the little people who live in the Smiling Pool .

the ones who really counted were Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter and Jerry Muskrat and Grandfather Frog .

Billy Mink had stopped for a nap .

Little Joe Otter had stopped to play .

Jerry Muskrat had stopped to eat .

grandfather Frog had stopped for a sun-nap .

do you wonder that he felt proud and very happy ?

keeping at it , that 's the way Spotty won the race that day .

but now Spotty was beginning to wish that some of the others would hurry up .

he wanted to know what they thought .

he wanted to talk it all over .

so Spotty the Turtle found a good place to spend the night , and then he sat down to watch and wait .

right before him was the thing which he had found and which puzzled him so .

what was it ?

why , it was a wall .

Spotty wondered what lay behind that wall , and who had built it , and what for , and a lot of other things .

and he was still wondering when he fell asleep .

CHAPTER XVI : the Pond In The Green Forest

SPOTTY THE TURTLE was awake by the time the first rays of the rising sun began to creep through the Green Forest .

when he had rubbed the last sleepy-wink out of his eyes , he looked again .

there it was , just as he had seen it the night before !

then Spotty knew that it was real , and he began to wonder what was on the other side of it .

" oh , dear , I wish that I could climb like Happy Jack Squirrel ! "

just then a thought popped into his head and chased away the little frown that had crept into Spotty 's face .

" perhaps Happy Jack sometimes wishes that he could swim as I can , so I guess we are even .

I can't climb , but he can't swim .

how foolish it is to wish for things never meant for you ! "

So Spotty the Turtle wasted no more time wishing that he could do something it was never meant that he should do .

instead , he picked out what looked like the easiest place to climb the bank and started up .

my , my , my , it was hard work !

" I can if I will , and will if I can !

I 'm sure to get there if I follow this plan . "

" I needed to cool off , " said Spotty to himself and slid into a little pool of water .

then he tried the bank again , and just as before he slipped back two steps for every three he went up .

there he stopped to get his breath .

" I can if I will , and will if I can !

I 'm sure to get there if I follow this plan , "

said he and started on again .

twice more he tumbled clear down to the place he had started from , but each time he laughed at himself and tried again .

and at last he reached the top of the bank .

" I said I could if I would , and I would if I could , and I have ! " he cried .

then he hurried to see what was behind the strange wall .

what do you think it was ?

why , a pond !

yes , Sir , there was a pond right in the middle of the Green Forest !

trees were coming up right out of the middle of it , but it was a sure enough pond .

Spotty found it harder work to believe his own eyes now than when he had first seen the strange wall across the Laughing Brook .

" why , why , why , what does it mean ? " exclaimed Spotty the Turtle .

" that 's what I want to know ! " cried Billy Mink , who came hurrying up just then .

CHAPTER XVII : who Had Made The Strange Pond ?

who had made the strange pond ?

that is what Spotty the Turtle wanted to know .

that is what Billy Mink wanted to know .

so did Little Joe Otter and Jerry Muskrat and Grandfather Frog , when they arrived .

so did Ol ' Mistah Buzzard , looking down from the blue , blue sky .

it was very strange , very strange indeed !

of course some one had made it .

Spotty the Turtle had known that as soon as he had seen the strange pond .

all in a flash he had understood what that wall of logs and brush and mud across the Laughing Brook was for .

it was to stop the water from running down the Laughing Brook .

of course !

there was nothing else for it to do .

Spotty felt very proud when he had thought that out all by himself .

" you don't say so ! " said Billy Mink .

" how ever , ever , did you guess it ?

are you sure , quite sure that the pond didn't make the wall ? "

" this wall is what Farmer Brown 's boy calls a dam , " said Billy Mink , who is a great traveler .

" dams are usually built to keep water from running where it isn't wanted or to make it go where it is wanted .

who do you think built this dam , Grandfather Frog ? "

grandfather Frog shook his head .

his big goggly eyes seemed more goggly than ever , as he stared at the new pond in the Green Forest .

" I don't know , " said Grandfather Frog .

" I don't know what to think . "

" why , it must be Farmer Brown 's boy or Farmer Brown himself , " said Jerry Muskrat .

" of course , " said Little Joe Otter , just as if he knew all about it .

still Grandfather Frog shook his head , as if he didn't agree .

" I don't know , " said Grandfather Frog , " I don't know .

it doesn't look so to me . "

Billy Mink ran along the top of the dam and down the back side .

he looked it all over with those sharp little eyes of his .

" grandfather Frog is right , " said he , when he came back .

" it doesn't look like the work of Farmer Brown or Farmer Brown 's boy .

but if they didn't do it , who did ?

who could have done it ? "

" I don't know , " said Grandfather Frog again , in a dreamy sort of voice .

CHAPTER XVIII : Jerry Muskrat 's Big Cousin

fiddle , faddle , feedle , fuddle !

was there ever such a muddle ?

fuddle , feedle , faddle , fiddle !

who is there will solve the riddle ?

here was the Laughing Brook laughing no longer .

here was the Smiling Pool smiling no longer .

here was a brand new pond deep in the Green Forest .

here was a wall of logs and bushes and mud called a dam , built by some one whom nobody had seen .

" I I haven't any big cousin , " said Jerry , when he had quite recovered from his surprise at Grandfather Frog 's question .

" Chugarum ! " exclaimed Grandfather Frog , and the scornful way in which he said it made Jerry Muskrat feel very small .

" Chugarum !

of course you 've got a big cousin in the North .

do you mean to tell me that you don't know that , Jerry Muskrat ? "

Jerry had to admit that it was true that he didn't know anything about that big cousin .

still , it was very hard for Jerry to believe that he had a big cousin of whom he had never heard .

" did did you ever see him , Grandfather Frog ? "

Jerry asked .

" no ! " snapped Grandfather Frog .

" I never did , but I know all about him .

he is a great worker , is this big cousin of yours , and he builds dams like this one we are sitting on . "

" I don't believe it ! " cried Billy Mink .

" I don't believe any cousin of Jerry Muskrat 's ever built such a dam as this .

why , just look at that great tree trunk at the bottom !

no one but Farmer Brown or Farmer Brown 's boy could ever have dragged that there .

you 're crazy , Grandfather Frog , just plain crazy . "

Billy Mink sometimes is very disrespectful to Grandfather Frog .

" Chugarum ! " replied Grandfather Frog .

" did I say that that tree trunk was dragged here ? "

" no , " replied Billy Mink , " but if it wasn't dragged here , how did it get here ?

you are so smart , Grandfather Frog , tell me that ! "

that tree wasn't dragged here ; it was cut so that it fell right where it lies . "

as he spoke , Grandfather Frog pointed to the stump of the tree , and Billy Mink saw that he was right .

but Billy Mink is like a great many other people ; he dearly loves to have the last word .

now he suddenly began to laugh .

" Ha , ha , ha !

Ho , ho , ho ! " laughed Billy Mink .

" Ho , ho , ho !

Ha , ha , ha ! "

" what is it that is so funny ? " snapped Grandfather Frog , for nothing makes him so angry as to be laughed at .

" why , that would be as hard as to drag the tree here . "

" Jerry Muskrat 's big cousin from the North could do it , and I believe he did , " replied Grandfather Frog .

CHAPTER XIX : Jerry Muskrat Has A Busy Day

it was very queer .

the more they thought about it , the queerer it seemed .

they looked this way , and they looked that way .

" they are selfish , just plain , every-day selfish ; that 's what they are !

" and so what ? " cried Billy Mink impatiently .

" and so we must spoil this dam .

we must make a place for the water to run through , " said Grandfather Frog very gravely .

" of course !

that 's the very thing ! " cried Little Joe Otter and Billy Mink and Jerry Muskrat and Spotty the Turtle .

grandfather Frog scratched his head thoughtfully and looked a long time at the dam of logs and sticks and mud .

then his big mouth widened in a big smile .

" the very thing ! " cried Little Joe Otter and Billy Mink and Spotty the Turtle , but Jerry Muskrat thought it wasn't fair .

you see , it gave him all of the real work to do .

but almost right away he found trouble .

yes , Sir , Jerry had hardly begun before he found real trouble .

it was hard work , the hardest kind of hard work .

but Jerry Muskrat is the kind that is the more determined to do the work the harder the work is to be done .

CHAPTER XX : Jerry Has A Dreadful Disappointment

there 's nothing in this world that 's sure , No matter how we scheme and plan .

we simply have to be content With doing just the best we can .

but he was happy .

yes , indeed , Jerry was happy .

he could hear the Laughing Brook beginning to laugh again .

so Jerry was happy , for was it not because of him that the Laughing Brook was beginning to laugh ?

it was because he had worked so hard all day that he was going to sleep now .

usually he would rather sleep a part of the day and be abroad at night .

he was still dreaming when Spotty the Turtle found him and waked him , for it was broad daylight .

Jerry yawned and stretched , and then he lay still for a minute to listen to the pleasant murmur of the Laughing Brook .

but there wasn't any pleasant murmur .

there wasn't any sound at all .

Jerry began to wonder if he really was awake after all .

he looked at Spotty the Turtle , and he knew then that he was , for Spotty 's face had such a worried look .

" get up , Jerry Muskrat , and come look at the hole you made yesterday in the dam .

" I did do it well ! " snapped Jerry crossly .

" I did it just as well as I know how .

" I I beg your pardon , Jerry Muskrat .

I didn't mean to say just that , " replied Spotty .

" you see , we are all worried .

first he carefully examined it from the Laughing Brook side .

then he dived down under water on the other side .

" what is the trouble ? " cried Spotty the Turtle and Grandfather Frog and Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter together .

" is the hole filled up with stuff that has drifted in ? "

Jerry shook his head , as he slowly climbed out of the water .

" no , " said he .

" no , it isn't filled with drift stuff brought down by the water .

it is filled with sticks and mud that somebody has put there .

CHAPTER XXI : Jerry Muskrat Keeps Watch

I 'm going to find out if I have to move up here and live all summer ! "

the way in which Jerry said this and snapped his teeth together showed that he meant just what he said .

that had been enough for Jerry .

he hadn't tried again .

instead he had made up his mind that he would find out who was playing such a trick on him .

Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter had given up in disgust and started for the Big River .

they bad gone to sleep now , each in his own secret place where he would be safe for the night .

so Jerry Muskrat sat alone and watched .

the black shadows crept farther and farther across the pond and grew blacker and blacker .

Jerry had sat there a long time without moving .

he was listening and watching .

by and by he saw something that made him draw in his breath and anger leap into his eyes .

it was a little silver line on the water , and it was coming straight towards the dam where he sat .

Jerry knew that it was made by some one swimming .

" Ha ! " said Jerry .

" now we shall see ! "

nearer and nearer came the silver line .

then Jerry made out the head of the swimmer .

suddenly all the anger left Jerry .

he didn't have room for anger ; a great fear had crowded it out .

the head was bigger than that of any Muskrat Jerry had ever seen .

it was bigger than the head of any of Billy Mink 's relatives .

Jerry held his breath as the stranger swam past and then climbed out on the dam .

he looked very much like Jerry himself , only ever and ever so much bigger .

and his tail !

Jerry had never seen such a tail .

it was very broad and flat .

suddenly the big stranger turned and looked straight at Jerry .

" Hello , Jerry Muskrat ! " said he .

" don't you know me ? "

Jerry was too frightened to speak .

CHAPTER XXII : Jerry Loses His Fear

it 's true .

it 's the truest thing that ever was .

if you don't believe it , you just go ask Jerry Muskrat .

he 'll tell you it 's true , and Jerry knows .

you see , it 's this way : words are more than just sounds .

oh , my , yes !

they are little messengers , and once they have been sent out , you can't call them back .

just take the ease of Jerry Muskrat .

so he sat with chattering teeth , too frightened to even try to run .

" I wish I had let some one else keep watch , " said Jerry to himself .

then the big stranger had spoken .

he had said : " hello , Jerry Muskrat !

don't you know me ? " and his voice hadn't sounded the least bit angry .

then he had told Jerry that he was his big cousin , Paddy the Beaver , and he hoped that they would be friends .

so he replied to Paddy the Beaver as politely as he knew how .

Jerry didn't know just what to say .

at last he made up his mind to tell the whole story .

CHAPTER XXIII : Paddy The Beaver Does A Kind Deed

" that is why I tried to spoil your dam . "

" I don't know , " said Jerry Muskrat sadly .

" I don't see what we can do about it .

I tell you what ! "

Jerry 's eyes sparkled as a brand new thought came to him .

" couldn't you come down and live in the Smiling Pool with us ?

I 'm sure there is room enough ! "

Paddy the Beaver shook his head .

" no , " said he , and Jerry 's heart sank .

" no , I can't do that because down there there isn't any of the kind of food I eat .

besides , I wouldn't feel at all safe in the Smiling Pool .

you see , I always live in the woods .

no , I couldn't possibly come down to live in the Smiling Pool .

but I 'm truly sorry that I have made you so much worry , Cousin Jerry , and I 'm going to prove it to you .

now you sit right here until I come back . "

then there began a great disturbance down under water .

Paddy was gone a long time .

Jerry wondered how he could stay under water so long without air .

all the time Paddy was just fooling him .

what do you think that sound was ?

why , it was the sound of rushing water , the sweetest sound Jerry had listened to for a long time .

there was a great hole in the dam , and already the brook was beginning to laugh as the water rushed down it .

" how do you like that , Cousin Jerry ? " said a voice right in his ear .

Paddy the Beaver had climbed up beside him , and his eyes were twinkling .

" it it 's splendid ! " cried Jerry .

" but but you 've spoiled your dam ! "

" oh , that 's all right , " replied Paddy.

" I didn't really want it now , anyway .

you see , I was traveling through here , and it seemed such a nice place , that I thought I would stay a while .

I didn't know anything about the Smiling Pool , you know .

you see , I don't like to be troubled myself , and so I don't want to trouble other people .

this Green Forest is a very nice place . "

" the very nicest place in all the world excepting the Green Meadows and the Smiling Pool ! " replied Jerry promptly .

" won't you stay , Cousin Paddy ?

I 'm sure we would all like to have you . "

" of course we would , " said a gruff voice right beside them .

it was Grandfather Frog .

Paddy the Beaver looked thoughtful .

" perhaps I will , " said he , " if I can find some good hiding-places in the Laughing Brook . "

CHAPTER XXIV : a Merry Home-Going

" the Laughing Brook is merry And so am I , " cried Jerry .

grandfather Frog said he was too .

and Spotty was , the others knew .

in the dam was a great hole made by Paddy himself .

through the Green Forest rang the laughter of the Laughing Brook , for once more the water ran deep between its banks .

and there was one more who laughed .

who was it ?

Spotty laughed good-naturedly .

I 've found that is the only way to get anywhere . "

" let us all go down together " said Grandfather Frog .

" we can help each other over the bad places . "

now Spotty the Turtle is a very slow traveler on land , but in the water Spotty is not so slow .

in fact , it was not long before Grandfather Frog found that he was the one who could not keep up .

you see , while he is a great diver and can swim fast for a short distance , he is soon tired out .

pretty soon he was puffing and blowing and dropping farther and farther behind .

by and by , Spotty the Turtle looked back .

there was Grandfather Frog just tumbling head first over a little waterfall .

he came up choking and gasping and kicking his long legs very feebly .

Spotty climbed out on a rock and waited .

why , he took Grandfather Frog right on his back and started on again .

now Jerry Muskrat and Paddy the Beaver , being great swimmers , were soon out of sight .

so he and Paddy sat down to wait .

after what seemed a long time , they saw something queer bobbing along in the water .

" it 's Grandfather Frog , " cried Paddy the Beaver .

" no , it 's Spotty the Turtle , " said Jerry Muskrat .

" it 's both , " replied Paddy , beginning to laugh .

" I have an idea ! " cried Paddy.

" what is it ? " asked Jerry .

" Chugarum ! " said Grandfather Frog .

CHAPTER XXV : Paddy The Beaver Decides To Stay

" Chugarum ! " said Grandfather Frog in his great deep voice from the bulrushes .

" one never knows how great their blessings are until they have been lost and found again . "

the bulrushes nodded , as if they too were thinking of this .

you see their feet were once more in the cool water .

" it surely is a very nice place here , and I don't wonder that you couldn't bear to leave it , " said he .

" I 'm sorry that I made you all that trouble and worry , but you see I didn't know . "

" oh , that 's all right , " replied Jerry Muskrat , who was now very proud of his big cousin .

" I hope that now you see how nice it is , you will stay and make your home here . "

Paddy the Beaver looked back at the great black shadow which he knew was the Green Forest .

way over in the middle of it he heard the hunting-call of Hooty the Owl .

" no , " said Paddy the Beaver , " I can't possibly live here in the Smiling Pool .

it is a very nice pool , but it wouldn't do at all for me , Cousin Jerry .

I wouldn't feel safe here a minute .

besides , there is nothing to eat here . "

" oh , yes , there is , " Jerry Muskrat interrupted .

" there are lily-roots and the nicest fresh-water clams and "

" but there are no trees , " said Paddy the Beaver , " and you know I have to have trees . "

Jerry stared at Paddy as if he didn't understand .

" Do do you eat trees ? " he asked finally .

Paddy laughed .

" just the bark , " said he , " and I have to have a great deal of it . "

Jerry looked as disappointed as he felt .

Paddy 's eyes twinkled .

" perhaps we may yet , " said he .

but if I do stay , you and Grandfather Frog and Spotty the Turtle must keep my secret .

no one must know that I am there .

Will you ? "

" of course we will ! " cried Jerry Muskrat and Grandfather Frog and Spotty the Turtle together .

" then I 'll stay , " said Paddy the Beaver , diving into the Smiling Pool with a great splash .

and so one of Jerry Muskrat 's greatest adventures ended in the finding of his biggest cousin , Paddy the Beaver .

now Jerry has a lot of cousins , and one of them lives on the Green Meadows not far from the Smiling Pool .

his name is Danny Meadow Mouse , and Danny is forever having adventures too .

he has them every day .

in the next book you will be told about some of these , if you care to read about them .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Jerry Muskrat , by Thornton W Burgess

produced by Elizabeth Morton , Mary Mark Ockerbloom , and Ben Crowder

KILMENY OF THE ORCHARD

by L M MONTGOMERY

Author of " Anne 's House of Dreams , " " Rainbow Valley , " " Rilla of Ingleside , " etc

Transcriber 's Note :

@url@

reformatted by Ben Crowder

TO MY COUSIN

Beatrice A McIntyre

THIS BOOK

IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED

the Queen 's Wake JAMES HOGG

CONTENTS

I ..y the Thoughts of Youth II .

a Letter of Destiny III .

the Master of Lindsay School IV .

a Tea Table Conversation V . a Phantom of Delight VI .

the Story of Kilmeny VII .

A Rose of Womanhood VIII .

at the Gate of Eden IX .

the Straight Simplicity of Eve X A Troubling of the Waters XI .

a Lover and His Lass XII .

a Prisoner of Love XIII .

a Sweeter Woman Ne'er Drew Breath XIV .

In Her Selfless Mood XV .

An Old , Unhappy , Far-off Thing XVI .

David Baker 's Opinion XVII .

a Broken Fetter XVIII .

Neil Gordon Solves His Own Problem XIX .

Victor from Vanquished Issues

KILMENY OF THE ORCHARD

CHAPTER I THE THOUGHTS OF YOUTH

it was a wind that sang of many things , but what it sang to each listener was only what was in that listener 's heart .

it sang of the dreams of youth that may never be quite fulfilled , but are well worth the dreaming for all that .

he has missed his birthright .

the crowd streamed out of the entrance hall and scattered over the campus , fraying off into the many streets beyond .

Eric Marshall and David Baker walked away together .

physically the two men bore no resemblance to one another , although they were second cousins .

he was a rich man 's son , with a clean young manhood behind him and splendid prospects before him .

he was considered a practical sort of fellow , utterly guiltless of romantic dreams and visions of any sort .

he was a doctor a specialist in troubles of the throat and voice and he was beginning to have a national reputation .

he had won his way to success through difficulties and drawbacks which would have daunted most men .

in the year Eric was born David Baker was an errand boy in the big department store of Marshall & Company .

thirteen years later he graduated with high honors from Queenslea Medical College .

he had followed Eric 's college course with keen , watchful interest .

" it 's a clean waste of your talents , " he grumbled , as they walked home from the college .

where is your ambition , man ? "

" in the right place , " answered Eric , with his ready laugh .

" it is not your kind , perhaps , but there is room and need for all kinds in this lusty young country of ours .

yes , I am going into the business .

" he wouldn't oppose you if he thought you really wanted to go in for something else . "

" not he .

but I don't really want to that 's the point , David , man .

you hate a business life so much yourself that you can't get it into your blessed noddle that another man might like it .

there , I 'm waxing eloquent , so I 'd better stop .

but ambition , man !

why , I 'm full of it it 's bubbling in every pore of me .

I mean to make the department store of Marshall & Company famous from ocean to ocean .

father started in life as a poor boy from a Nova Scotian farm .

he has built up a business that has a provincial reputation .

I mean to carry it on .

in five years it shall have a maritime reputation , in ten , a Canadian .

I want to make the firm of Marshall & Company stand for something big in the commercial interests of Canada .

" go your own gait and dree your own weird .

Whew , this street takes it out of a fellow !

what could have possessed our ancestors to run a town up the side of a hill ?

I 'm not so slim and active as I was on MY graduation day ten years ago .

by the way , what a lot of co-eds were in your class twenty , if I counted right .

when I graduated there were only two ladies in our class and they were the pioneers of their sex at Queenslea .

but mark you , they were excellent females oh , very excellent .

times have changed with a vengeance , judging from the line-up of co-eds to-day .

" the oracle speaks in poetry , " laughed Eric .

" that was Florence Percival , who led the class in mathematics , as I 'm a living man .

by many she is considered the beauty of her class .

I can't say that such is my opinion .

I don't greatly care for that blonde , babyish style of loveliness I prefer Agnes Campion .

" I DID notice her , " said David emphatically , darting a keen side glance at his friend .

whereupon I stared at her with all my eyes . "

" there is no truth in that report , " said Eric in a tone of annoyance .

" Agnes and I are the best of friends and nothing more .

I haven't even started out to look for her and don't intend to for some years to come .

" you 'll meet the lady of the future some day , " said David dryly .

A word of advice , oh , son of your mother .

when you go courting take your common sense with you . "

" do you think I shall be likely to leave it behind ? " asked Eric amusedly .

" well , I mistrust you , " said David , sagely wagging his head .

when you pick you a wife please remember that I shall reserve the right to pass a candid opinion on her . "

" confound you , yes , you stubborn offshoot of a stubborn breed , " growled David , looking at him affectionately .

she 's not hard to find .

nine out of ten girls in this country of ours are fit for kings ' palaces .

but the tenth always has to be reckoned with . "

" you are as bad as Clever Alice in the fairy tale who worried over the future of her unborn children , " protested Eric .

" Clever Alice has been very unjustly laughed at , " said David gravely .

" we doctors know that .

perhaps she overdid the worrying business a little , but she was perfectly right in principle .

but he checked himself .

he changed his question to , " why don't you leave this on the knees of the gods where it properly belongs ?

I thought you were a firm believer in predestination , David . "

" well , so I am , to a certain extent , " said David cautiously .

and it is precisely such unchancy happenings that make the scheme of things go wrong .

I want to see you safely anchored to the love of some good woman as soon as may be , that 's all .

I'm rather sorry Miss Campion isn't your lady of the future .

I liked her looks , that I did .

she is good and strong and true and has the eyes of a woman who could love in a way that would be worth while .

" I agree with you , " said Eric carelessly .

" I could not marry any woman who did not fulfill those conditions .

but , as I have said , I am not in love with Agnes Campion and it wouldn't be of any use if I were .

she is as good as engaged to Larry West .

you remember West ? "

" that thin , leggy fellow you chummed with so much your first two years in Queenslea ?

yes , what has become of him ? "

" he had to drop out after his second year for financial reasons .

he is working his own way through college , you know .

for the past two years he has been teaching school in some out-of-the-way place over in Prince Edward Island .

he isn't any too well , poor fellow never was very strong and has studied remorselessly .

I haven't heard from him since February .

he said then that he was afraid he wasn't going to be able to stick it out till the end of the school year .

I hope Larry won't break down .

he is a fine fellow and worthy even of Agnes Campion .

well , here we are .

coming in , David ? "

" not this afternoon haven't got time .

I must mosey up to the North End to see a man who has got a lovely throat .

nobody can find out what is the matter .

he has puzzled all the doctors .

he has puzzled me , but I 'll find out what is wrong with him if he 'll only live long enough . "

CHAPTER II .

a LETTER OF DESTINY

" I am writing to ask a favour of you , Marshall , " wrote West .

" the fact is , I 've fallen into the hands of the Philistines that is to say , the doctors .

I 've not been feeling very fit all winter but I 've held on , hoping to finish out the year .

" I went and did not stand upon the order of my going .

Mrs Williamson is She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed .

you feel that what she thinks to-day you will think to-morrow .

" in Charlottetown I consulted a doctor .

I am not to be allowed to do any work until the fall .

such was his dictum and Mrs Williamson enforces it .

" I shall teach this week out and then the spring vacation of three weeks begins .

come over and take the school till the end of the term , you petted son of luxury .

" seriously , Marshall , I hope you can come , for I don't know any other fellow I can ask .

the work isn't hard , though you 'll likely find it monotonous .

of course , this little north-shore farming settlement isn't a very lively place .

the rising and setting of the sun are the most exciting events of the average day .

" I 'll bequeath you my boarding house .

you 'll find it comfortable and not further from the school than a good constitutional .

he is an amusing old gossip , with a turn for racy comment and a finger in everybody 's pie .

he knows everything about everybody in Lindsay for three generations back .

" they have no living children , but Old Bob has a black cat which is his especial pride and darling .

the name of this animal is Timothy and as such he must always be called and referred to .

you will never be forgiven and he will not consider you a fit person to have charge of the school .

" ' O'er the foam Of perilous seas in faerie lands forlorn . ' "

" wire me if you can come ; and if you can , report for duty on the twenty-third of May . "

Mr Marshall , Senior , came in , just as Eric was thoughtfully folding up his letter .

he had a round , rosy face , fringed with white whiskers , a fine head of long white hair , and a pursed-up mouth .

she had died while still young , when Eric was a boy of ten .

Mr Marshall was very proud of his son 's success in college , but he had no intention of letting him see it .

" well , that fuss is over , thank goodness , " he said testily , as he dropped into his favourite chair .

" didn't you find the programme interesting ? " asked Eric absently .

" most of it was tommyrot , " said his father .

" the only things I liked were Charlie 's Latin prayer and those pretty little girls trotting up to get their diplomas .

Latin IS the language for praying in , I do believe , at least , when a man has a voice like Old Charlie 's .

there was such a sonorous roll to the words that the mere sound of them made me feel like getting down on my marrow bones .

and then those girls were as pretty as pinks , now weren't they ?

Agnes was the finest-looking of the lot in my opinion .

I hope it 's true that you 're courting her , Eric ? "

" I 've never said a word to David Baker on such a subject , " protested Mr Marshall .

" well , you are just as bad as he is .

he hectored me all the way home from the college on the subject .

but why are you in such a hurry to have me married , dad ? "

" because I want a homemaker in this house as soon as may be .

there has never been one since your mother died .

I am tired of housekeepers .

and I want to see your children at my knees before I die , Eric , and I 'm an old man now . "

" well , your wish is natural , father , " said Eric gently , with a glance at his mother 's picture .

" but I can't rush out and marry somebody off-hand , can I ?

and I fear it wouldn't exactly do to advertise for a wife , even in these days of commercial enterprise . "

" no .

I never yet saw the woman who could make my heart beat any faster . "

" I don't know what you young men are made of nowadays , " growled his father .

" I was in love half a dozen times before I was your age . "

" you might have been ' in love . '

but you never LOVED any woman until you met my mother .

I know that , father .

and it didn't happen till you were pretty well on in life either . "

" you 're too hard to please .

that 's what 's the matter , that 's what 's the matter ! "

" perhaps I am .

when a man has had a mother like mine his standard of womanly sweetness is apt to be pitched pretty high .

let's drop the subject , father .

here , I want you to read this letter it 's from Larry . "

" Humph ! " grunted Mr Marshall , when he had finished with it .

" so Larry 's knocked out at last always thought he would be always expected it .

sorry , too .

he was a decent fellow .

well , are you going ? "

" yes , I think so , if you don't object . "

" you 'll have a pretty monotonous time of it , judging from his account of Lindsay . "

" probably .

but I am not going over in search of excitement .

I 'm going to oblige Larry and have a look at the Island . "

" well , it 's worth looking at , some parts of the year , " conceded Mr Marshall .

" when I 'm on Prince Edward Island in the summer I always understand an old Scotch Islander I met once in Winnipeg .

he was always talking of ' the Island . '

somebody once asked him , ' What island do you mean ? '

he simply LOOKED at that ignorant man .

then he said , ' Why , Prince Edward Island , mon .

WHAT OTHER ISLAND IS THERE ? '

go if you 'd like to .

you need a rest after the grind of examinations before settling down to business .

and mind you don't get into any mischief , young sir . "

" not much likelihood of that in a place like Lindsay , I fancy , " laughed Eric .

" probably the devil finds as much mischief for idle hands in Lindsay as anywhere else .

the worst tragedy I ever heard of happened on a backwoods farm , fifteen miles from a railroad and five from a store .

however , I expect your mother 's son to behave himself in the fear of God and man .

and if that does happen may the Lord have mercy on your soul ! "

CHAPTER III .

THE MASTER OF LINDSAY SCHOOL

the whole world seemed to have fallen , for the time being , into a pleasant untroubled dream .

how was he going to put in a whole month here , he wondered , with a little smile at his own expense .

" well , one week is ended , at any rate .

it is an exhilarating thought .

everything seems to go by clock work in Lindsay educational institution .

Larry must certainly have possessed a marked gift for organizing and drilling .

I feel as if I were merely a big cog in an orderly machine that ran itself .

they may make things more interesting .

also a few more compositions , such as John Reid 's , would furnish some spice to professional life . "

Eric 's laughter wakened the echoes as he swung into the road down the long sloping hill .

his opening sentence made Eric 's face twitch mutinously whenever he recalled it during the day .

" courting is a very pleasant thing which a great many people go too far with . "

the distant hills and wooded uplands were tremulous and aerial in delicate spring-time gauzes of pearl and purple .

half way down the hill Eric met a shambling , old gray horse drawing an express wagon which had seen better days .

she stopped her horse , and beckoned Eric over to her with the knobby handle of a faded and bony umbrella .

" reckon you 're the new Master , ain't you ? " she asked .

Eric admitted that he was .

but I always told him every time I laid eyes on him that he was in consumption , if ever a man was .

YOU look real healthy though you can't aways tell by looks , either .

I had a brother complected like you , but he was killed in a railroad accident out west when he was real young .

" I 've got a boy I 'll be sending to school to you next week .

but go he shall , for I 'm determined he 's got to have more larning hammered into his head yet .

I reckon you 'll have trouble with him , Master , for he 's as stupid as an owl , and as stubborn as Solomon 's mule .

but mind this , Master , I 'll back you up .

you can depend on Rebecca Reid every time , Master . "

" thank you .

I am sure I can , " said Eric , in his most winning tones .

Mrs Reid reflected that this young man had a way with him .

Eric surveyed them with some curiosity .

they did not look in the least like the ordinary run of Lindsay people .

he had a lithe , supple body , with sloping shoulders , and a lean , satiny brown throat above his open shirt collar .

his face was richly , though somewhat heavily featured , olive tinted , save for the cheeks , which had a dusky crimson bloom .

his mouth was as red and beguiling as a girl 's , and his eyes were large , bold and black .

he was evidently tall , with a spare , ungainly figure , and stooping shoulders .

his mouth was close-lipped and relentless , and did not look as if it had ever smiled .

indeed , the idea of smiling could not be connected with this man it was utterly incongruous .

yet there was nothing repellent about his face ; and there was something in it that compelled Eric 's attention .

CHAPTER IV .

a TEA TABLE CONVERSATION

the Williamson place , where Eric boarded , was on the crest of the succeeding hill .

he liked it as well as Larry West had prophesied that he would .

Eric did not disturb this belief , although he said nothing to contribute to it .

the Williamsons were at tea in the kitchen when Eric went in .

Mrs Williamson was the " saint in spectacles and calico " which Larry West had termed her .

Eric liked her greatly .

she was a slight , gray-haired woman , with a thin , sweet , high-bred face , deeply lined with the records of outlived pain .

she talked little as a rule ; but , in the pungent country phrase she never spoke but she said something .

the one thing that constantly puzzled Eric was how such a woman ever came to marry Robert Williamson .

she smiled in a motherly fashion at Eric , as he hung his hat on the white-washed wall and took his place at the table .

old Robert Williamson sat opposite him , on a bench .

he was a small , lean old man , half lost in loose clothes that seemed far too large for him .

when he spoke his voice was as thin and squeaky as he appeared to be himself .

the other end of the bench was occupied by Timothy , sleek and complacent , with a snowy breast and white paws .

after old Robert had taken a mouthful of anything he gave a piece to Timothy , who ate it daintily and purred resonant gratitude .

" you see we 're busy waiting for you , Master , " said old Robert .

" you 're late this evening .

keep any of the youngsters in ?

that 's a foolish way of punishing them , as hard on yourself as on them .

one teacher we had four years ago used to lock them in and go home .

then he 'd go back in an hour and let them out if they were there .

they weren't always .

Tom Ferguson kicked the panels out of the old door once and got out that way .

we put a new door of double plank in that they couldn't kick out . "

" I stayed in the schoolroom to do some work , " said Eric briefly .

" well , you 've missed Alexander Tracy .

don't beat him too often , even if you can .

Seth Tracy 's a young imp , and he 'd far sooner be in mischief than eat .

he tries to run on every new teacher and he 's run two clean out of the school .

but he met his match in Mr West .

William Tracy 's boys now you won't have a scrap of bother with THEM .

they 're always good because their mother tells them every Sunday that they 'll go straight to hell if they don't behave in school .

it 's effective .

take some preserve , Master .

mother , Aleck says old George Wright is having the time of his life .

he 's on a regular orgy , Aleck says .

he smokes in the parlour and sits up till eleven o'clock reading dime novels . "

" perhaps I met Mr Tracy , " said Eric .

" is he a tall man , with gray hair and a dark , stern face ? "

" no , he 's a round , jolly fellow , is Aleck , and he stopped growing pretty much before he 'd ever begun .

I reckon the man you mean is Thomas Gordon .

I seen him driving down the road too .

HE won't be troubling you with invitations up , small fear of it .

the Gordons ain't sociable , to say the least of it .

no , sir !

mother , pass the biscuits to the Master . "

" who was the young fellow he had with him ? " asked Eric curiously .

" Neil Neil Gordon . "

" that is a Scotchy name for such a face and eyes .

I should rather have expected Guiseppe or Angelo .

the boy looks like an Italian . "

" well , now , you know , Master , I reckon it 's likely he does , seeing that that 's exactly what he is .

you 've hit the nail square on the head .

Italyun , yes , sir !

rather too much so , I 'm thinking , for decent folks ' taste . "

" how has it happened that an Italian boy with a Scotch name is living in a place like Lindsay ? "

" well , Master , it was this way .

about twenty-two years ago WAS it twenty-two , Mother or twenty-four ?

well , Master , twenty-two years ago a couple of Italian pack peddlers came along and called at the Gordon place .

the country was swarming with them then .

I useter set the dog on one every day on an average .

a baby was born the next day , and the woman died .

then the first thing anybody knew the father skipped clean out , pack and all , and was never seen or heard tell of afterwards .

the Gordons were left with the fine youngster to their hands .

old James Gordon was living then , Thomas and Janet 's father , and he said he would never turn a child out of his door .

he was a masterful old man and liked to be boss .

Folks used to say he had a grudge against the sun ' cause it rose and set without his say so .

anyhow , they kept the baby .

they called him Neil and had him baptized same as any Christian child .

he 's always lived there .

they did well enough by him .

he was sent to school and taken to church and treated like one of themselves .

some folks think they made too much of him .

Neil 's smart and a great worker , they tell me .

but folks hereabouts don't like him .

they say he ain't to be trusted further'n you can see him , if as far .

" well now , father , you know they teased him terrible , " protested Mrs Williamson .

" the poor boy had a real hard time when he went to school , Master .

the other children were always casting things up to him and calling him names . "

" oh , I daresay they tormented him a lot , " admitted her husband .

" he 's a great hand at the fiddle and likes company .

he goes to the harbour a good deal .

but they say he takes sulky spells when he hasn't a word to throw to a dog .

' Twouldn't be any wonder , living with the Gordons .

they 're all as queer as Dick 's hat-band . "

" father , you shouldn't talk so about your neighbours , " said his wife rebukingly .

" well now , Mother , you know they are , if you 'd only speak up honest .

but you 're like old Aunt Nancy Scott , you never say anything uncharitable except in the way of business .

you know the Gordons ain't like other people and never were and never will be .

they 're about the only queer folks we have in Lindsay , Master , except old Peter Cook , who keeps twenty-five cats .

Lord , Master , think of it !

what chanct would a poor mouse have ?

none of the rest of us are queer , leastwise , we hain't found it out if we are .

but , then , we 're mighty uninteresting , I 'm bound to admit that . "

they never go away anywheres , except to church they never miss that and nobody goes there .

there 's just old Thomas , and his sister Janet , and a niece of theirs , and this here Neil we 've been talking about .

they 're a queer , dour , cranky lot , and I WILL say it , Mother .

there , give your old man a cup of tea and never mind the way his tongue runs on .

speaking of tea , do you know Mrs Adam Palmer and Mrs Jim Martin took tea together at Foster Reid 's last Wednesday afternoon ? "

" no , why , I thought they were on bad terms , " said Mrs Williamson , betraying a little feminine curiosity .

" so they are , so they are .

but they both happened to visit Mrs Foster the same afternoon and neither would leave because that would be knuckling down to the other .

so they stuck it out , on opposite sides of the parlour .

Mrs Foster says she never spent such an uncomfortable afternoon in all her life before .

she would talk a spell to one and then t'other .

and they kept talking TO Mrs Foster and AT each other .

Mrs Foster says she really thought she 'd have to keep them all night , for neither would start to go home afore the other .

Master , you ain't eating anything .

don't mind my stopping ; I was at it half an hour afore you come , and anyway I 'm in a hurry .

my hired boy went home to-day .

he heard the rooster crow at twelve last night and he 's gone home to see which of his family is dead .

he knows one of ' em is .

mother , if the Master don't want any more tea , ain't there some cream for Timothy ? "

CHAPTER V . a PHANTOM OF DELIGHT

shortly before sunset that evening Eric went for a walk .

the farms ran back from them into solitudes of woods and pasture lands .

he felt it and loved it and yielded to it , as anyone of clean life and sane pulses must do .

the spruce wood in which he presently found himself was smitten through with arrows of ruby light from the setting sun .

no house was in sight , but he found himself looking into an orchard ; an old orchard , evidently long neglected and forsaken .

the ghosts of these things seem to linger in their old haunts through many empty years .

old paths were still visible , bordered by stones and large pebbles .

there were two clumps of lilac trees ; one blossoming in royal purple , the other in white .

between them was a bed ablow with the starry spikes of June lilies .

their penetrating , haunting fragrance distilled on the dewy air in every soft puff of wind .

along the fence rosebushes grew , but it was as yet too early in the season for roses .

the charm of the place took sudden possession of Eric as nothing had ever done before .

he walked the length of the orchard 's middle avenue between long , sinuous boughs picked out with delicate , rose-hearted bloom .

it seemed a dull , gloomy , remote place , and he did not know who lived there .

he had a wide outlook to the west , over far hazy fields and misty blue intervales .

the sun had just set , and the whole world of green meadows beyond swam in golden light .

Robins were whistling , clear and sweet and sudden , in the woods all about him .

" this is a veritable ' haunt of ancient peace , ' " quoted Eric , looking around with delighted eyes .

" I could fall asleep here , dream dreams and see visions .

what a sky !

could anything be diviner than that fine crystal eastern blue , and those frail white clouds that look like woven lace ?

what a dizzying , intoxicating fragrance lilacs have !

I wonder if perfume could set a man drunk .

those apple trees now why , what is that ? "

Eric started up and listened .

was he dreaming ?

no , it was real music , the music of a violin played by some hand inspired with the very spirit of harmony .

at first Eric listened as a man spellbound , mutely and motionlessly , lost in wonderment .

then a very natural curiosity overcame him .

who in Lindsay could play a violin like that ?

and who was playing so here , in this deserted old orchard , of all places in the world ?

her eyes were on the faraway horizon and she did not see Eric .

for a few moments he stood there and looked at her .

the pictures she made photographed itself on his vision to the finest detail , never to be blotted from his book of remembrance .

her loveliness was so perfect that his breath almost went from him in his first delight of it .

her skin was as fine and purely tinted as the heart of a white rose .

one long , drooping plume of lilac blossom lightly touched her hair and cast a wavering shadow over the flower-like face beneath it .

there was something very child-like about her , and yet at least eighteen sweet years must have gone to the making of her .

she seemed to be playing half unconsciously , as if her thoughts were far away in some fair dreamland of the skies .

the sudden change that swept over her was startling .

she sprang to her feet , the music breaking in mid-strain and the bow slipping from her hand to the grass .

every hint of colour fled from her face and she trembled like one of the wind-stirred June lilies .

" I beg your pardon , " said Eric hastily .

" I am sorry that I have alarmed you .

but your music was so beautiful that I did not remember you were not aware of my presence here .

please forgive me . "

it hurt him that any woman should look at him in such a fashion , at him who had always held womanhood in such reverence .

" I will not hurt you .

you are safe , quite safe . "

in his eagerness to reassure her he took an unconscious step forward .

before Eric could recover his wits she had vanished from his sight among the firs .

he stooped and picked up the violin bow , feeling slightly foolish and very much annoyed .

" well , this is a most mysterious thing , " he said , somewhat impatiently .

" am I bewitched ?

who was she ?

WHAT was she ?

can it be possible that she is a Lindsay girl ?

and why in the name of all that 's provoking should she be so frightened at the mere sight of me ?

I have never thought I was a particularly hideous person , but certainly this adventure has not increased my vanity to any perceptible extent .

perhaps I have wandered into an enchanted orchard , and been outwardly transformed into an ogre .

now that I have come to think of it , there is something quite uncanny about the place .

anything might happen here .

it is no common orchard for the production of marketable apples , that is plain to be seen .

no , it 's a most unwholesome locality ; and the sooner I make my escape from it the better . "

he glanced about it with a whimsical smile .

the light was fading rapidly and the orchard was full of soft , creeping shadows and silences .

it seemed to wink sleepy eyes of impish enjoyment at his perplexity .

he laid the violin bow down on the old bench .

but I certainly wish she hadn't fled in such evident terror .

eyes like hers were never meant to express anything but tenderness and trust .

why why WHY was she so frightened ?

and who who WHO can she be ? "

all the way home , over fields and pastures that were beginning to be moonlight silvered he pondered the mystery .

" let me see , " he reflected .

" Mr. Williamson was describing the Lindsay girls for my benefit the other evening .

if I remember rightly he said that there were four handsome ones in the district .

what were their names ?

Florrie Woods , Melissa Foster no , Melissa Palmer Emma Scott , and Jennie May Ferguson .

can she be one of them ?

no , it is a flagrant waste of time and gray matter supposing it .

that girl couldn't be a Florrie or a Melissa or an Emma , while Jennie May is completely out of the question .

well , there is some bewitchment in the affair .

of that I 'm convinced .

so I 'd better forget all about it . "

but Eric found that it was impossible to forget all about it .

the more he tried to forget , the more keenly and insistently he remembered .

the girl 's exquisite face haunted him and the mystery of her tantalized him .

true , he knew that , in all likelihood , he might easily solve the problem by asking the Williamsons about her .

but somehow , to his own surprise , he found that he shrank from doing this .

he had planned to go to the harbour the next evening .

one of the lobstermen had promised to take him out cod-fishing .

but instead he wandered southwest over the fields again .

he found the orchard easily he had half expected NOT to find it .

it was still the same fragrant , grassy , wind-haunted spot .

but it had no occupant and the violin bow was gone from the old bench .

" I wonder if she will possibly come this evening , or if I have frightened her away for ever .

I 'll hide me behind this spruce copse and wait . "

Eric waited until dark , but no music sounded through the orchard and no one came to it .

the keenness of his disappointment surprised him , nay more , it vexed him .

what nonsense to be so worked up because a little girl he had seen for five minutes failed to appear !

where was his common sense , his " gumption , " as old Robert Williamson would have said ?

naturally a man liked to look at a pretty face .

he called himself a fool and went home in a petulant mood .

the next day was Sunday and Eric went to church twice .

the Williamson pew was one of the side ones at the top of the church and its occupants practically faced the congregation .

he was well-dressed in a suit of dark blue serge , with a white collar and tie .

but Eric idly thought it did not become him so well as the working clothes in which he had first seen him .

he was too obviously dressed up , and he looked coarser and more out of harmony with his surroundings .

for two days Eric refused to let himself think of the orchard .

Monday evening he went cod-fishing , and Tuesday evening he went up to play checkers with Alexander Tracy .

Alexander won all the games so easily that he never had any respect for Eric Marshall again .

" played like a feller whose thoughts were wool gathering , " he complained to his wife .

" he 'll never make a checker player never in this world . "

CHAPTER VI .

THE STORY OF KILMENY

Wednesday evening Eric went to the orchard again ; and again he was disappointed .

he went home , determined to solve the mystery by open inquiry .

she hummed softly to herself as she knitted , and Timothy slept blackly at her feet .

she looked at Eric with quiet affection in her large , candid eyes .

she had liked Mr West .

do you know whose it is ? "

" I suppose it must be the old Connors orchard , " answered Mrs Williamson after a moment 's reflection .

" I had forgotten all about it .

it must be all of thirty years since Mr and Mrs. Connors moved away .

their house and barns were burned down and they sold the land to Thomas Gordon and went to live in town .

they 're both dead now .

Mr Connors used to be very proud of his orchard .

there weren't many orchards in Lindsay then , though almost everybody has one now . "

I have no idea who she was .

do you know ? "

Mrs Williamson did not make an immediate reply .

she laid down her knitting and gazed out of the window as if pondering seriously some question in her own mind .

finally she said , with an intonation of keen interest in her voice ,

" I suppose it must have been Kilmeny Gordon , Master . "

" Kilmeny Gordon ?

do you mean the niece of Thomas Gordon of whom your husband spoke ? "

" yes . "

" I can hardly believe that the girl I saw can be a member of Thomas Gordon 's family . "

" well , if it wasn't Kilmeny Gordon I don't know who it could have been .

there is no other house near that orchard and I 've heard she plays the violin .

if it was Kilmeny you 've seen what very few people in Lindsay have ever seen , Master .

and those few have never seen her close by .

I have never laid eyes on her myself .

it 's no wonder she ran away , poor girl .

she isn't used to seeing strangers . "

" I 'm rather glad if that was the sole reason of her flight , " said Eric .

" I admit I didn't like to see any girl so frightened of me as she appeared to be .

she was as white as paper , and so terrified that she never uttered a word , but fled like a deer to cover . "

" well , she couldn't have spoken a word in any case , " said Mrs Williamson quietly .

" Kilmeny Gordon is dumb . "

Eric sat in dismayed silence for a moment .

that beautiful creature afflicted in such a fashion why , it was horrible !

mingled with his dismay was a strange pang of personal regret and disappointment .

" it couldn't have been Kilmeny Gordon , then , " he protested at last , remembering .

" the girl I saw played on the violin exquisitely .

I never heard anything like it .

it is impossible that a deaf mute could play like that . "

" oh , she isn't deaf , Master , " responded Mrs Williamson , looking at Eric keenly through her spectacles .

she picked up her knitting and fell to work again .

" that is the strange part of it , if anything about her can be stranger than another .

she can hear as well as anybody and understands everything that is said to her .

but she can't speak a word and never could , at least , so they say .

the truth is , nobody knows much about her .

Janet and Thomas never speak of her , and Neil won't either .

" why isn't she to be spoken of ? " queried Eric impatiently .

" what is the mystery about her ? "

" it 's a sad story , Master .

I suppose the Gordons look on her existence as a sort of disgrace .

for my own part , I think it 's terrible , the way she 's been brought up .

but the Gordons are very strange people , Mr Marshall .

I kind of reproved father for saying so , you remember , but it is true .

they have very strange ways .

and you 've really seen Kilmeny ?

what does she look like ?

I 've heard that she was handsome .

is it true ? "

" I thought her very beautiful , " said Eric rather curtly .

" but HOW has she been brought up , Mrs Williamson ?

and why ? "

" well , I might as well tell you the whole story , Master .

Kilmeny is the niece of Thomas and Janet Gordon .

her mother was Margaret Gordon , their younger sister .

old James Gordon came out from Scotland .

Janet and Thomas were born in the Old Country and were small children when they came here .

they were never very sociable folks , but still they used to visit out some then , and people used to go there .

they were kind and honest people , even if they were a little peculiar .

she was a great deal younger than he was and a very pretty woman , as my mother often told me .

she was friendly and gay and liked social life .

they were real fond of their stepmother , I 've heard .

then , six years after she was married , the second Mrs Gordon died too .

she died when Margaret was born .

they say James Gordon almost broke his heart over it .

" Janet brought Margaret up .

she and Thomas just worshipped the child and so did their father .

I knew Margaret Gordon well once .

we were just the same age and we set together in school .

we were always good friends until she turned against all the world .

" she was a strange girl in some ways even then , but I always liked her , though a great many people didn't .

she had some bitter enemies , but she had some devoted friends too .

that was her way .

she made folks either hate or love her .

those who did love her would have gone through fire and water for her .

everybody who saw her looked at her a second time .

she was a little vain of her beauty , I think , Master .

and she was proud , oh , she was very proud .

she liked to be first in everything , and she couldn't bear not to show to good advantage .

she was dreadful determined , too .

you couldn't budge her an inch , Master , when she once had made up her mind on any point .

but she was warm-hearted and generous .

she could sing like an angel and she was very clever .

she could learn anything with just one look at it and she was terrible fond of reading .

I declare it almost seems as if she was right here in this room instead of being over there in the churchyard .

I wish you 'd light the lamp , Master .

I feel kind of nervous . "

Eric rose and lighted the lamp , rather wondering at Mrs Williamson 's unusual exhibition of nerves .

she was generally so calm and composed .

" thank you , Master .

that 's better .

I won't be fancying now that Margaret Gordon 's here listening to what I 'm saying .

I had the feeling so strong a moment ago .

" I suppose you think I 'm a long while getting to Kilmeny , but I 'm coming to that .

I didn't mean to talk so much about Margaret , but somehow my thoughts got taken up with her .

" well , Margaret passed the Board and went to Queen 's Academy and got a teacher 's license .

" she went to teach school over at Radnor .

it was there she met a man named Ronald Fraser .

Margaret had never had a beau before .

she could have had any young man in Lindsay if she had wanted him , but she wouldn't look at one of them .

they said it was because she thought nobody was good enough for her , but that wasn't the way of it at all , Master .

I knew , because Margaret and I used to talk of those matters , as girls do .

she didn't believe in going with anybody unless it was somebody she thought everything of .

and there was nobody in Lindsay she cared that much for .

" this Ronald Fraser was a stranger from Nova Scotia and nobody knew much about him .

he was a widower , although he was only a young man .

he had set up store-keeping in Radnor and was doing well .

he was real handsome and had taking ways women like .

" they came over to church in Lindsay together the next Sunday and everybody said it would be a match .

Margaret looked lovely that day , so gentle and womanly .

Ronald Fraser was very tall and fair , with blue eyes .

they made as handsome a couple as I ever saw .

" but old James Gordon and Thomas and Janet didn't much approve of him .

I saw that plain enough one time I was there and he brought Margaret home from Radnor Friday night .

I guess they wouldn't have liked anybody , though , who come after Margaret .

they thought nobody was good enough for her .

" but Margaret coaxed them all round in time .

she could do pretty near anything with them , they were so fond and proud of her .

her father held out the longest , but finally he give in and consented for her to marry Ronald Fraser .

" they had a big wedding , too all the neighbours were asked .

Margaret always liked to make a display .

I was her bridesmaid , Master .

I helped her dress and nothing would please her ; she wanted to look that nice for Ronald 's sake .

she was a handsome bride ; dressed in white , with red roses in her hair and at her breast .

she wouldn't wear white flowers ; she said they looked too much like funeral flowers .

she looked like a picture .

if ever a girl loved a man with all her heart Margaret Gordon did .

it almost made me feel frightened .

she gave him the worship it isn't right to give anybody but God , Master , and I think that is always punished .

" they went to live at Radnor and for a little while everything went well .

Margaret had a nice house , and was gay and happy .

she dressed beautiful and entertained a good deal .

then well , Ronald Fraser 's first wife turned up looking for him !

she wasn't dead after all .

" oh , there was terrible scandal , Master .

the talk and gossip was something dreadful .

every one you met had a different story , and it was hard to get at the truth .

some said Ronald Fraser had known all the time that his wife wasn't dead , and had deceived Margaret .

but I don't think he did .

he swore he didn't .

they hadn't been very happy together , it seems .

her mother made trouble between them .

then she went to visit her mother in Montreal , and died in the hospital there , so the word came to Ronald .

perhaps he believed it a little too readily , but that he DID believe it I never had a doubt .

her story was that it was another woman of the same name .

when she found out Ronald thought her dead she and her mother agreed to let him think so .

but when she heard he had got married again she thought she 'd better let him know the truth .

" it all sounded like a queer story and I suppose you couldn't blame people for not believing it too readily .

but I 've always felt it was true .

Margaret didn't think so , though .

she believed that Ronald Fraser had deceived her , knowing all the time that he couldn't make her his lawful wife .

she turned against him and hated him just as much as she had loved him before .

" Ronald Fraser went away with his real wife , and in less than a year word came of his death .

they said he just died of a broken heart , nothing more nor less .

" Margaret came home to her father 's house .

from the day that she went over its threshold , she never came out until she was carried out in her coffin three years ago .

not a soul outside of her own family ever saw her again .

I went to see her , but Janet told me she wouldn't see me .

it was foolish of Margaret to act so .

she hadn't done anything real wrong ; and everybody was sorry for her and would have helped her all they could .

" they say her father was hard on her , too ; and that was unjust if it was true .

Janet and Thomas felt the disgrace , too .

" old James Gordon died that winter .

he never held his head up again after the scandal .

he had been an elder in the church , but he handed in his resignation right away and nobody could persuade him to withdraw it .

" Kilmeny was born in the spring , but nobody ever saw her , except the minister who baptized her .

she was never taken to church or sent to school .

but it was dreadful that she was never taken to church , or let go among the children and young folks .

and it was a real shame that nothing was ever done to find out why she couldn't talk , or if she could be cured .

" Margaret Gordon died three years ago , and everybody in Lindsay went to the funeral .

but they didn't see her .

the coffin lid was screwed down .

and they didn't see Kilmeny either .

I would have loved to see HER for Margaret 's sake , but I didn't want to see poor Margaret .

she must have had a very sad , lonely life .

" that is the story , Master , and I 've been a long time telling it , as I dare say you think .

but the past just seemed to be living again for me as I talked .

if you don't want to be pestered with questions about Kilmeny Gordon , Master , you 'd better not let on you 've seen her . "

Eric was not likely to .

he had heard all he wanted to know and more .

" so this girl is at the core of a tragedy , " he reflected , as he went to his room .

" and she is dumb !

the pity of it !

Kilmeny !

the name suits her .

she is as lovely and innocent as the heroine of the old ballad .

' And oh , Kilmeny was fair to see . '

he tried to put her out of his thoughts , but he could not .

the memory of her beautiful face drew him with a power he could not resist .

the next evening he went again to the orchard .

CHAPTER VII .

a ROSE OF WOMANHOOD

she was there , bending over the bed of June lilies in the centre of the garden plot .

he could only see her profile , virginal and white .

he stopped , not wishing to startle her again .

" do not be afraid of me .

I am a friend , and I do not wish to disturb or annoy you in any way . "

she seemed to hesitate a moment .

then she lifted a little slate that hung at her belt , wrote something on it rapidly , and held it out to him .

he read , in a small distinctive handwriting ,

" I am not afraid of you now .

mother told me that all strange men were very wicked and dangerous , but I do not think you can be .

I have thought a great deal about you , and I am sorry I ran away the other night . "

he realized her entire innocence and simplicity .

looking earnestly into her still troubled eyes he said ,

" I would not do you any harm for the world .

all men are not wicked , although it is too true that some are so .

my name is Eric Marshall and I am teaching in the Lindsay school .

you , I think , are Kilmeny Gordon .

I thought your music so very lovely the other evening that I have been wishing ever since that I might hear it again .

won't you play for me ? "

then she wrote , " I am very sorry that I cannot play this evening .

I did not bring my violin with me .

but I will bring it to-morrow evening and play for you if you would like to hear me .

I should like to please you . "

again that note of innocent frankness !

what a child she was what a beautiful , ignorant child , utterly unskilled in the art of hiding her feelings !

but why should she hide them ?

they were as pure and beautiful as herself .

Eric smiled back at her with equal frankness .

" I should like it more than I can say , and I shall be sure to come to-morrow evening if it is fine .

but if it is at all damp or unpleasant you must not come .

in that case another evening will do .

and now won't you give me some flowers ? "

she nodded , with another little smile , and began to pick some of the June lilies , carefully selecting the most perfect among them .

he watched her lithe , graceful motions with delight ; every movement seemed poetry itself .

when she came to him , radiant , her hands full of the lilies , a couplet from a favourite poem darted into his head

the next moment he was angry with himself for his folly .

she was , after all , nothing but a child and a child set apart from her fellow creatures by her sad defect .

he must not let himself think nonsense .

" thank you .

these June lilies are the sweetest flowers the spring brings us .

do you know that their real name is the white narcissus ? "

she looked pleased and interested .

" no , I did not know , " she wrote .

" I have often read of the white narcissus and wondered what it was like .

I never thought of it being the same as my dear June lilies .

I am glad you told me .

I love flowers very much .

they are my very good friends . "

" you couldn't help being friends with the lilies .

like always takes to like , " said Eric .

" come and sit down on the old bench here , where you were sitting that night I frightened you so badly .

I could not imagine who or what you were .

she sat down beside him on the old bench and looked unshrinkingly in his face .

there was no boldness in her glance nothing but the most perfect , childlike trust and confidence .

but he could meet them unafraid .

then she wrote ,

" I was very much frightened .

you must have thought me very silly , but I had never seen any man except Uncle Thomas and Neil and the egg peddler .

and you are different from them oh , very , very different .

I was afraid to come back here the next evening .

and yet , somehow , I wanted to come .

I did not want you to think I did not know how to behave .

I sent Neil back for my bow in the morning .

I could not do without it .

I cannot speak , you know .

are you sorry ? "

" I am very sorry for your sake . "

" yes , but what I mean is , would you like me better if I could speak like other people ? "

" no , it does not make any difference in that way , Kilmeny .

by the way , do you mind my calling you Kilmeny ? "

she looked puzzled and wrote , " what else should you call me ?

that is my name .

everybody calls me that . "

" but I am such a stranger to you that perhaps you would wish me to call you Miss Gordon . "

" oh , no , I would not like that , " she wrote quickly , with a distressed look on her face .

" nobody ever calls me that .

it would make me feel as if I were not myself but somebody else .

and you do not seem like a stranger to me .

is there any reason why you should not call me Kilmeny ? "

" no reason whatever , if you will allow me the privilege .

you have a very lovely name the very name you ought to have . "

" I am glad you like it .

do you know that I was called after my grandmother and she was called after a girl in a poem ?

aunt Janet has never liked my name , although she liked my grandmother .

but I am glad you like both my name and me .

I was afraid you would not like me because I cannot speak . "

" you can speak through your music , Kilmeny . "

she looked pleased .

" how well you understand , " she wrote .

" yes , I cannot speak or sing as other people can , but I can make my violin say things for me . "

" do you compose your own music ? " he asked .

but he saw she did not understand him .

" I mean , did any one ever teach you the music you played here that evening ? "

" oh , no .

it just came as I thought .

it has always been that way .

when I was very little Neil taught me to hold the violin and the bow , and the rest all came of itself .

my violin once belonged to Neil , but he gave it to me .

Neil is very good and kind to me , but I like you better .

tell me about yourself . "

the wonder of her grew upon him with every passing moment .

how lovely she was !

what dear little ways and gestures she had ways and gestures as artless and unstudied as they were effective .

and how strangely little her dumbness seemed to matter after all !

she wrote so quickly and easily , her eyes and smile gave such expression to her mobile face , that voice was hardly missed .

they lingered in the orchard until the long , languid shadows of the trees crept to their feet .

Eric told her of his life , and the life in the great outer world , in which she was girlishly and eagerly interested .

she asked him many questions about it direct and incisive questions which showed that she had already formed decided opinions and views about it .

yet it was plain to be seen that she did not regard it as anything she might ever share herself .

Eric discovered that she had read a great deal of poetry and history , and a few books of biography and travel .

she did not know what a novel meant and had never heard of one .

curiously enough , she was well informed regarding politics and current events , from the weekly paper for which her uncle subscribed .

" I never read the newspaper while mother was alive , " she wrote , " nor any poetry either .

she taught me to read and write and I read the Bible all through many times and some of the histories .

after mother died Aunt Janet gave me all her books .

she had a great many .

do you know the story of my father and mother ? "

Eric nodded .

" yes , Mrs Williamson told me all about it .

she was a friend of your mother . "

" I am glad you have heard it .

it is so sad that I would not like to tell it , but you will understand everything better because you know .

I never heard it until just before mother died .

then she told me all .

she said that when people were dying they saw things more clearly and she saw she had made a mistake about father .

it was a long while before I had the heart to read her books .

but when I did I thought them so beautiful .

they were poetry and it was like music put into words . "

" I will bring you some books to read , if you would like them , " said Eric .

her great blue eyes gleamed with interest and delight .

" oh , thank you , I would like it very much .

I have read mine over so often that I know them nearly all by heart .

one cannot get tired of really beautiful things , but sometimes I feel that I would like some new books . "

" are you never lonely , Kilmeny ? "

" oh , no , how could I be ?

there is always plenty for me to do , helping Aunt Janet about the house .

I can do a great many things " she glanced up at him with a pretty pride as her flying pencil traced the words .

" I can cook and sew .

aunt Janet says I am a very good housekeeper , and she does not praise people very often or very much .

and then , when I am not helping her , I have my dear , dear violin .

that is all the company I want .

it must be a very wonderful place . "

at once he saw that , in some way he could not understand , he had hurt her .

" no , no , no .

I do not want to go anywhere away from home .

I do not want ever to see strangers or have them see me .

I could not bear it . "

he thought that possibly the consciousness of her defect accounted for this .

yet she did not seem sensitive about her dumbness and made frequent casual references to it in her written remarks .

or perhaps it was the shadow on her birth .

yet she was so innocent that it seemed unlikely she could realize or understand the existence of such a shadow .

at last the lengthening shadows warned him that it was time to go .

" you won't forget to come to-morrow evening and play for me , " he said , rising reluctantly .

she answered by a quick little shake of her sleek , dark head , and a smile that was eloquent .

he watched her as she walked across the orchard ,

" with the moon 's beauty and the moon 's soft pace , "

and along the wild cherry lane .

at the corner of the firs she paused and waved her hand to him before turning it .

when Eric reached home old Robert Williamson was having a lunch of bread and milk in the kitchen .

he looked up , with a friendly grin , as Eric strode in , whistling .

" been having a walk , Master ? " he queried .

" yes , " said Eric .

unconsciously and involuntarily he infused so much triumph into the simple monosyllable that even old Robert felt it .

she wondered if he had been back to the Connors orchard and if he could have seen Kilmeny Gordon again .

" you didn't discover a gold mine , I s'pose ? " said old Robert dryly .

" you look as if you might have . "

CHAPTER VIII .

AT THE GATE OF EDEN

when it was finished she dropped her bow , and looked up at him with flushed cheeks and questioning eyes .

" what did that say to you ? " she wrote .

" it said something like this , " answered Eric , falling into her humour smilingly .

" welcome , my friend .

it is a very beautiful evening .

the sky is so blue and the apple blossoms so sweet .

the wind and I have been here alone together and the wind is a good companion , but still I am glad to see you .

it is an evening on which it is good to be alive and to wander in an orchard that is fine and white .

welcome , my friend . "

she clapped her hands , looking like a pleased child .

" you are very quick to understand , " she wrote .

" that was just what I meant .

of course I did not think it in just those words , but that was the FEELING of it .

you are quicker than Neil .

he is almost always puzzled to understand my music , and I am puzzled to understand his .

sometimes it frightens me .

somehow Eric did not like her references to Neil .

he put the thought away from him , and flung himself down on the long grass at her feet .

" now play for me , please , " he said .

" I want to lie here and listen to you . "

" and look at you , " he might have added .

he could not tell which was the greater pleasure .

her beauty , more wonderful than any pictured loveliness he had ever seen , delighted him .

every tint and curve and outline of her face was flawless .

her music enthralled him .

this child , he told himself as he listened , had genius .

but it was being wholly wasted .

he found himself thinking resentfully of the people who were her guardians , and who were responsible for her strange life .

they had done her a great and irremediable wrong .

how dared they doom her to such an existence ?

if her defect of utterance had been attended to in time , who knew but that it might have been cured ?

now it was probably too late .

nature had given her a royal birthright of beauty and talent , but their selfish and unpardonable neglect had made it of no account .

then she drifted into a still sweeter strain .

there was no thought of concealment about her ; she could not help the revelation she was unconscious of making .

at last she laid her violin aside and wrote ,

" I have done my best to give you pleasure .

it is your turn now .

do you remember a promise you made me last night ?

have you kept it ? "

he gave her the two books he had brought for her a modern novel and a volume of poetry unknown to her .

he had no doubts about the poetry .

he read her some of the poems .

then he talked to her of his college days and friends .

the minutes passed very swiftly .

there was just then no world for him outside of that old orchard with its falling blossoms and its shadows and its crooning winds .

it fell on Eric 's ear with a shock of surprise .

he thought it strange that she could laugh like that when she could not speak .

wherein lay the defect that closed for her the gates of speech ?

was it possible that it could be removed ?

will it hurt you to talk of the matter with me ? "

she shook her head .

" oh , no , " she wrote , " I do not mind at all .

of course I am sorry I cannot speak , but I am quite used to the thought and it never hurts me at all . "

" then , Kilmeny , tell me this .

do you know why it is that you are unable to speak , when all your other faculties are so perfect ? "

" no , I do not know at all why I cannot speak .

" were you ever taken to a doctor to have your tongue and organs of speech examined ? "

" no .

she said it would be no use .

and I do not think Uncle Thomas thought it would be , either . "

" you can laugh very naturally .

can you make any other sound ? "

" yes , sometimes .

when I am pleased or frightened I have made little cries .

but it is only when I am not thinking of it at all that I can do that .

if I TRY to make a sound I cannot do it at all . "

this seemed to Eric more mysterious than ever .

" do you ever try to speak to utter words ? " he persisted .

" oh yes , very often .

do not look so sorry , my friend .

I must play to you again .

you look too sober . "

Eric smiled ; but the puzzled look returned to his face many times that evening .

he walked home in a brown study .

Kilmeny 's case certainly seemed a strange one , and the more he thought of it the stranger it seemed .

" I wish David Baker could examine her .

but I suppose that is out of the question .

that grim pair who have charge of her would never consent . "

CHAPTER IX .

THE STRAIGHT SIMPLICITY OF EVE

but this life was a dream of workaday .

at every meeting her beauty came home afresh to him with the old thrill of glad surprise .

he learned to watch for the undisguised light of welcome that always leaped into her eyes at the sound of his footsteps .

she was never in the same mood twice .

now she was grave , now gay , now stately , now pensive .

but she was always charming .

Thrawn and twisted the old Gordon stock might be , but it had at least this one offshoot of perfect grace and symmetry .

her mind and heart , utterly unspoiled of the world , were as beautiful as her face .

all the ugliness of existence had passed her by , shrined in her double solitude of upbringing and muteness .

she was naturally quick and clever .

delightful little flashes of wit and humour sparkled out occasionally .

she could be whimsical even charmingly capricious .

sometimes innocent mischief glimmered out in the unfathomable deeps of her blue eyes .

sarcasm , even , was not unknown to her .

now and then she punctured some harmless bubble of a young man 's conceit or masculine superiority with a biting little line of daintily written script .

hers was the spear of Ithuriel , trying out the dross of everything and leaving only the pure gold .

in manner and outlook she was still a child .

yet now and again she was as old as Eve .

her way of smiling enchanted him .

the smile always began far down in her eyes and flowed outward to her face like a sparkling brook stealing out of shadow into sunshine .

he knew everything about her life .

she told him her simple history freely .

she often mentioned her uncle and aunt and seemed to regard them with deep affection .

she rarely spoke of her mother .

there had not been between them the natural beautiful confidence of mother and child .

of Neil , she wrote frequently at first , and seemed very fond of him .

later she ceased to mention him .

once she asked him naively ,

" are there many people like you out in the world ? "

" thousands of them , " said Eric , laughing .

she looked gravely at him .

then she gave her head a quick decided little shake .

" I do not think so , " she wrote .

" I do not know much of the world , but I do not think there are many people like you in it . "

this was a beautiful , passionate idyl exquisitely told .

it was not a long story ; and when he had finished it he shut the book and looked up at her questioningly .

" do you like it , Kilmeny ? " he asked .

very slowly she took her slate and wrote ,

" yes , I like it .

but it hurt me , too .

I did not know that a person could like anything that hurt her .

I do not know why it hurt me .

I felt as if I had lost something that I never had .

that was a very silly feeling , was it not ?

but I did not understand the book very well , you see .

it is about love and I do not know anything about love .

mother told me once that love is a curse , and that I must pray that it would never enter into my life .

she said it very earnestly , and so I believed her .

but your book teaches that it is a blessing .

it says that it is the most splendid and wonderful thing in life .

which am I to believe ? "

" Love real love is never a curse , Kilmeny , " said Eric gravely .

" there is a false love which IS a curse .

perhaps your mother believed it was that which had entered her life and ruined it ; and so she made the mistake .

there is nothing in the world or in heaven either , as I believe so truly beautiful and wonderful and blessed as love . "

she asked the question simply and without embarrassment .

she knew of no reason why love might not be discussed with Eric as other matters music and books and travel might be .

I suppose I have mine , in some sealed , secret chamber of my heart . "

" I suppose your ideal woman would be beautiful , like the woman in your book ? "

" our ideals are always beautiful , whether they so translate themselves into realities or not .

but the sun is going down .

time does certainly fly in this enchanted orchard .

I believe you bewitch the moments away , Kilmeny .

will you let me give you this book ?

I should never commit the sacrilege of reading it in any other place than this .

it is an old book , Kilmeny .

a new book , savouring of the shop and market-place , however beautiful it might be , would not do for you .

this was one of my mother 's books .

she read it and loved it .

see the faded rose leaves she placed in it one day are there still .

" won't you take the book , Kilmeny ?

why not ? "

she took her pencil and wrote slowly , unlike her usual quick movement .

" do not be offended with me .

I shall not need anything to make me remember you because I can never forget you .

but I would rather not take the book .

I do not want to read it again .

it is about love , and there is no use in my learning about love , even if it is all you say .

nobody will ever love me .

I am too ugly . "

" you !

Ugly ! " exclaimed Eric .

" Kilmeny , " he said in astonishment , " you don't really think yourself ugly , do you ? "

she nodded , without looking at him , and then wrote ,

" oh , yes , I know that I am .

I have known it for a long time .

mother told me that I was very ugly and that nobody would ever like to look at me .

I am sorry .

it hurts me much worse to know I am ugly than it does to know I cannot speak .

I suppose you will think that is very foolish of me , but it is true .

that was why I did not come back to the orchard for such a long time , even after I had got over my fright .

I hated to think that YOU would think me ugly .

and that is why I do not want to go out into the world and meet people .

he stared at me so .

I knew it was because he thought me so ugly , and I have always hidden when he came ever since . "

Eric 's lips twitched .

" but , Kilmeny , do you think yourself ugly when you look in a mirror ? " he asked smiling .

" I have never looked in a mirror , " she wrote .

" I never knew there was such a thing until after mother died , and I read about it in a book .

then I asked Aunt Janet and she said mother had broken all the looking glasses in the house when I was a baby .

but I have seen my face reflected in the spoons , and in a little silver sugar bowl Aunt Janet has .

and it IS ugly very ugly . "

Eric 's face went down into the grass .

for his life he could not help laughing ; and for his life he would not let Kilmeny see him laughing .

instead , when he dared to look up he said slowly ,

" I don't think you are ugly , Kilmeny . "

" oh , but I am sure you must , " she wrote protestingly .

" Even Neil does .

do not let us speak of this again .

it makes me feel sorry and spoils everything .

I forget it at other times .

let me play you some good-bye music , and do not feel vexed because I would not take your book .

it would only make me unhappy to read it . "

never mind about your looks , Kilmeny .

beauty isn't everything . "

" oh , it is a great deal , " she wrote naively .

" but you do like me , even though I am so ugly , don't you ?

you like me because of my beautiful music , don't you ? "

Kilmeny was aware of it , however , and she picked up her violin with a pleased smile .

he left her playing there , and all the way through the dim resinous spruce wood her music followed him like an invisible guardian spirit .

a girl of eighteen who has never looked in a mirror !

I wonder if there is another such in any civilized country in the world .

what could have possessed her mother to tell her such a falsehood ?

I wonder if Margaret Gordon could have been quite sane .

it is strange that Neil has never told her the truth .

perhaps he doesn't want her to find out . "

Eric had met Neil Gordon a few evenings before this , at a country dance where Neil had played the violin for the dancers .

influenced by curiosity he had sought the lad 's acquaintance .

he looked secretive and suspicious , almost sinister .

plainly nothing was to be found out from him about Kilmeny and her grim guardians .

CHAPTER X A TROUBLING OF THE WATERS

one evening in late June Mrs Williamson was sitting by her kitchen window .

she rested her face on her hand and looked out of the window , across the distant harbour , with troubled eyes .

" I guess I must speak , " she thought wistfully .

" I hate to do it .

I always did hate meddling .

but I guess it 's my duty .

I was Margaret 's friend , and it is my duty to protect her child any way I can .

if the Master does go back across there to meet her I must tell him what I think about it . "

Overhead in his room , Eric was walking about whistling .

presently he came downstairs , thinking of the orchard , and the girl who would be waiting for him there .

as he crossed the little front entry he heard Mrs Williamson 's voice calling to him .

" Mr Marshall , will you please come here a moment ? "

he went out to the kitchen .

Mrs Williamson looked at him deprecatingly .

there was a flush on her faded cheek and her voice trembled .

" Mr Marshall , I want to ask you a question .

perhaps you will think it isn't any of my business .

but it isn't because I want to meddle .

no , no .

it is only because I think I ought to speak .

I have thought it over for a long time , and it seems to me that I ought to speak .

I hope you won't be angry , but even if you are I must say what I have to say .

are you going back to the old Connors orchard to meet Kilmeny Gordon ? "

for a moment an angry flush burned in Eric 's face .

it was more Mrs Williamson 's tone than her words which startled and annoyed him .

" yes , I am , Mrs Williamson , " he said coldly .

" what of it ? "

even my husband doesn't know .

but tell me this , Master .

do Kilmeny 's uncle and aunt know that you are meeting her there ? "

" why , " said Eric , in some confusion , " I I do not know whether they do or not .

but Mrs Williamson , surely you do not suspect me of meaning any harm or wrong to Kilmeny Gordon ? "

" no , I don't , Master .

I might think it of some men , but never of you .

I don't for a minute think that you would do her or any woman any wilful wrong .

but you may do her great harm for all that .

I want you to stop and think about it .

I guess you haven't thought .

Kilmeny can't know anything about the world or about men , and she may get to thinking too much of you .

that might break her heart , because you couldn't ever marry a dumb girl like her .

so I don't think you ought to be meeting her so often in this fashion .

it isn't right , Master .

don't go to the orchard again . "

without a word Eric turned away , and went upstairs to his room .

Mrs Williamson picked up her knitting with a sigh .

" that 's done , Timothy , and I 'm real thankful , " she said .

" I guess there 'll be no need of saying anything more .

Mr Marshall is a fine young man , only a little thoughtless .

now that he 's got his eyes opened I 'm sure he 'll do what is right .

I don't want Margaret 's child made unhappy . "

Mrs Williamson answered at random , and heard not one word in ten .

" what 's got the Master , Mother ? " inquired old Robert , presently .

" I hear him striding up and down in his room ' sif he was caged .

sure you didn't lock him in by mistake ? "

" shucks , he needn't worry a morsel over that .

Seth 'll quiet down as soon as he finds he can't run the Master .

he 's a rare good teacher better'n Mr West was even , and that 's saying something .

the trustees are hoping he 'll stay for another term .

they 're going to ask him at the school meeting to-morrow , and offer him a raise of supplement . "

up and down , to and fro , he walked , with set lips and clenched hands .

when he was wearied out he flung himself on a chair by the window and wrestled with the flood of feeling .

Mrs Williamson 's words had torn away the delusive veil with which he had bound his eyes .

he wondered how he could have been so long blind to it .

he knew that he must have loved her ever since their first meeting that May evening in the old orchard .

would not a marriage with Kilmeny Gordon be an unwise thing from any standpoint ?

then something stronger and greater and more vital than wisdom or unwisdom rose up in him and mastered him .

Kilmeny , beautiful , dumb Kilmeny was , as he had once involuntarily thought , " the one maid " for him .

nothing should part them .

the mere idea of never seeing her again was so unbearable that he laughed at himself for having counted it a possible alternative .

" her misfortune will only make her dearer to me .

I cannot realize that a month ago I did not know her .

it seems to me that she has been a part of my life for ever .

I wonder if she was grieved that I did not go to the orchard last night if she waited for me .

if she does , she does not know it herself yet .

at the annual school meeting , the next afternoon , the trustees asked Eric to take the Lindsay school for the following year .

he consented unhesitatingly .

that evening he went to Mrs Williamson , as she washed her tea dishes in the kitchen .

" Mrs Williamson , I am going back to the old Connors orchard to see Kilmeny again to-night . "

she looked at him reproachfully .

" well , Master , I have no more to say .

I suppose it wouldn't be of any use if I had .

but you know what I think of it . "

" I intend to marry Kilmeny Gordon if I can win her . "

an expression of amazement came into the good woman 's face .

she looked scrutinizingly at the firm mouth and steady gray eyes for a moment .

then she said in a troubled voice ,

" do you think that is wise , Master ?

I suppose Kilmeny is pretty ; the egg peddler told me she was ; and no doubt she is a good , nice girl .

but she wouldn't be a suitable wife for you a girl that can't speak . "

" that doesn't make any difference to me . "

" but what will your people say ? "

" I have no ' people ' except my father .

when he sees Kilmeny he will understand .

she is all the world to me , Mrs Williamson . "

but young people never think of those things . "

" my only fear is that she won't care for me , " said Eric soberly .

Mrs Williamson surveyed the handsome , broad-shouldered young man shrewdly .

" I don't think there are many women would say you ' no ' , Master .

I wish you well in your wooing , though I can't help thinking you 're doing a daft-like thing .

I hope you won't have any trouble with Thomas and Janet .

they are so different from other folks there is no knowing .

but take my advice , Master , and go and see them about it right off .

don't go on meeting Kilmeny unbeknownst to them . "

" I shall certainly take your advice , " said Eric , gravely .

" I should have gone to them before .

it was merely thoughtlessness on my part .

possibly they do know already .

Kilmeny may have told them . "

Mrs Williamson shook her head decidedly .

" no , no , Master , she hasn't .

they 'd never have let her go on meeting you there if they had known .

I know them too well to think of that for a moment .

go you straight to them and say to them just what you have said to me .

that is your best plan , Master .

and take care of Neil .

people say he has a notion of Kilmeny himself .

he 'll do you a bad turn if he can , I 've no doubt .

I feel that somehow I always feel it when I look at him singing in the choir . "

" oh , I am not afraid of Neil , " said Eric carelessly .

" he couldn't help loving Kilmeny nobody could . "

she watched Eric out of sight anxiously .

" I hope it 'll all come out right , " she thought .

" I hope he ain't making an awful mistake but I 'm afraid .

Kilmeny must be very pretty to have bewitched him so .

well , I suppose there is no use in my worrying over it .

but I do wish he had never gone back to that old orchard and seen her . "

CHAPTER XI .

a LOVER AND HIS LASS

when Eric stepped through the gap she ran to meet him with outstretched hands , smiling .

he took her hands and looked into her eyes with an expression before which hers for the first time faltered .

she looked down , and a warm blush strained the ivory curves of her cheek and throat .

his heart bounded , for in that blush he recognized the banner of love 's vanguard .

" are you glad to see me , Kilmeny ? " he asked , in a low significant tone .

she nodded , and wrote in a somewhat embarrassed fashion ,

" yes .

why do you ask ?

you know I am always glad to see you .

I was afraid you would not come .

you did not come last night and I was so sorry .

nothing in the orchard seemed nice any longer .

I couldn't even play .

I tried to , and my violin only cried .

I waited until it was dark and then I went home . "

" I am sorry you were disappointed , Kilmeny .

I couldn't come last night .

some day I shall tell you why .

I stayed home to learn a new lesson .

I am sorry you missed me no , I am glad .

can you understand how a person may be glad and sorry for the same thing ? "

she nodded again , with a return of her usual sweet composure .

" yes , I could not have understood once , but I can now .

did you learn your new lesson ? "

" yes , very thoroughly .

it was a delightful lesson when I once understood it .

I must try to teach it to you some day .

come over to the old bench , Kilmeny .

there is something I want to say to you .

but first , will you give me a rose ? "

" thank you .

it is as beautiful as as a woman I know , " Eric said .

a wistful look came into her face at his words , and she walked with a drooping head across the orchard to the bench .

" Kilmeny , " he said , seriously , " I am going to ask you to do something for me .

I want you to take me home with you and introduce me to your uncle and aunt . "

she lifted her head and stared at him incredulously , as if he had asked her to do something wildly impossible .

understanding from his grave face that he meant what he said , a look of dismay dawned in her eyes .

she shook her head almost violently and seemed to be making a passionate , instinctive effort to speak .

then she caught up her pencil and wrote with feverish haste :

" I cannot do that .

do not ask me to .

you do not understand .

they would be very angry .

they do not want to see any one coming to the house .

and they would never let me come here again .

oh , you do not mean it ? "

he pitied her for the pain and bewilderment in her eyes ; but he took her slender hands in his and said firmly ,

" yes , Kilmeny , I do mean it .

you cannot now understand this , but believe me it is so . "

she looked questioningly , pityingly into his eyes .

what she read there seemed to convince her , for she turned very pale and an expression of hopelessness came into her face .

releasing her hands , she wrote slowly ,

" if you say it is wrong I must believe it .

I did not know anything so pleasant could be wrong .

but if it is wrong we must not meet here any more .

mother told me I must never do anything that was wrong .

but I did not know this was wrong . "

" it was not wrong for you , Kilmeny .

but it was a little wrong for me , because I knew better or rather , should have known better .

I didn't stop to think , as the children say .

some day you will understand fully .

she shook her head .

" no , " she wrote , " Uncle Thomas and Aunt Janet will tell you to go away and never come back .

and they will never let me come here any more .

since it is not right to meet you I will not come , but it is no use to think of going to them .

" you must take me to them , " said Eric firmly .

" I am quite sure that things will not be as you fear when they hear what I have to say . "

Uncomforted , she wrote forlornly ,

" I must do it , since you insist , but I am sure it will be no use .

I cannot take you to-night because they are away .

they went to the store at Radnor .

but I will take you to-morrow night ; and after that I shall not see you any more . "

two great tears brimmed over in her big blue eyes and splashed down on her slate .

her lips quivered like a hurt child 's .

Eric put his arm impulsively about her and drew her head down upon his shoulder .

as she cried there , softly , miserably , he pressed his lips to the silky black hair with its coronal of rosebuds .

Neil Gordon was crouched there , with clenched hands and heaving breast , watching them .

" Kilmeny , dear , don't cry , " said Eric tenderly .

" you shall see me again .

I promise you that , whatever happens .

Kilmeny lifted her head , and wiped the tears from her eyes .

" you do not know what they are like , " she wrote .

" they will lock me into my room .

that is the way they always punished me when I was a little girl .

and once , not so very long ago , when I was a big girl , they did it . "

" if they do I 'll get you out somehow , " said Eric , laughing a little .

she allowed herself to smile , but it was a rather forlorn little effort .

she did not cry any more , but her spirits did not come back to her .

Eric talked gaily , but she only listened in a pensive , absent way , as if she scarcely heard him .

when he asked her to play she shook her head .

" very well , Kilmeny .

now , don't worry , little girl .

it will all come out all right . "

evidently she did not share his confidence , for her head drooped again as they walked together across the orchard .

at the entrance of the wild cherry lane she paused and looked at him half reproachfully , her eyes filling again .

she seemed to be bidding him a mute farewell .

with an impulse of tenderness which he could not control , Eric put his arm about her and kissed her red , trembling mouth .

she started back with a little cry .

a burning colour swept over her face , and the next moment she fled swiftly up the darkening lane .

the sweetness of that involuntary kiss clung to Eric 's lips as he went homeward , half-intoxicating him .

he knew that it had opened the gates of womanhood to Kilmeny .

never again , he felt , would her eyes meet his with their old unclouded frankness .

when next he looked into them he knew that he should see there the consciousness of his kiss .

behind her in the orchard that night Kilmeny had left her childhood .

CHAPTER XII .

a PRISONER OF LOVE

when Eric betook himself to the orchard the next evening he had to admit that he felt rather nervous .

" I do hope they won't be very uncivil to you , Master , " was the best she could say .

he walked across it to the wild cherry lane ; but at its entrance he stopped short in sudden dismay .

with a thrill of dismay Eric instantly understood what must have taken place .

he realized how unfortunate it was that this should have happened before he had had time to make his own explanation .

it would probably prejudice Kilmeny 's guardians still further against him .

at this point in his thoughts Neil 's pent up passion suddenly found vent in a burst of wild words .

" so you 've come to meet her again .

but she isn't here you 'll never see her again !

I hate you I hate you I hate you ! "

his voice rose to a shrill scream .

he took a furious step nearer Eric as if he would attack him .

Eric looked steadily in his eyes with a calm defiance , before which his wild passion broke like foam on a rock .

" so you have been making trouble for Kilmeny , Neil , have you ? " said Eric contemptuously .

" I suppose you have been playing the spy .

and I suppose that you have told her uncle and aunt that she has been meeting me here .

well , you have saved me the trouble of doing it , that is all .

I was going to tell them myself , tonight .

I don't know what your motive in doing this has been .

was it jealousy of me ?

or have you done it out of malice to Kilmeny ? "

his contempt cowed Neil more effectually than any display of anger could have done .

" never you mind why I did it , " he muttered sullenly .

" what I did or why I did it is no business of yours .

and you have no business to come sneaking around here either .

Kilmeny won't meet you here again . "

" she will meet me in her own home then , " said Eric sternly .

" Neil , in behaving as you have done you have shown yourself to be a very foolish , undisciplined boy .

I am going straightway to Kilmeny 's uncle and aunt to explain everything . "

Neil sprang forward in his path .

" No no go away , " he implored wildly .

" oh , sir oh , Mr Marshall , please go away .

I 'll do anything for you if you will .

I love Kilmeny .

I 've loved her all my life .

I 'd give my life for her .

I can't have you coming here to steal her from me .

if you do I 'll kill you !

I wanted to kill you last night when I saw you kiss her .

oh , yes , I saw you .

I was watching spying , if you like .

I don't care what you call it .

I had followed her I suspected something .

she was so different so changed .

she never would wear the flowers I picked for her any more .

she seemed to forget I was there .

I knew something had come between us .

and it was you , curse you !

oh , I 'll make you sorry for it . "

he was working himself up into a fury again the untamed fury of the Italian peasant thwarted in his heart 's desire .

it overrode all the restraint of his training and environment .

Eric , amid all his anger and annoyance , felt a thrill of pity for him .

Neil Gordon was only a boy still ; and he was miserable and beside himself .

" Neil , listen to me , " he said quietly .

" you are talking very foolishly .

it is not for you to say who shall or shall not be Kilmeny 's friend .

now , you may just as well control yourself and go home like a decent fellow .

I am not the sort of person to put up with that , my lad . "

the restrained power in his tone and look cowed Neil .

the latter turned sullenly away , with another muttered curse , and plunged into the shadow of the firs .

his heart beat as he thought of Kilmeny .

what might she not be suffering ?

Anxious to avert their wrath as soon as might be , he hurried on , almost forgetting his meeting with Neil .

the threats of the latter did not trouble him at all .

he thought the angry outburst of a jealous boy mattered but little .

what did matter was that Kilmeny was in trouble which his heedlessness had brought upon her .

presently he found himself before the Gordon house .

it was an old building with sharp eaves and dormer windows , its shingles stained a dark gray by long exposure to wind and weather .

faded green shutters hung on the windows of the lower story .

behind it grew a thick wood of spruces .

it seemed to fling itself over the grim old house as if intent on bombarding it with an alien life and joyousness .

Eric knocked at the door , wondering if it might be possible that Kilmeny should come to it .

in any case , he preferred her unsmiling dourness to vulgar garrulity .

he lifted his hat .

" have I the honour of speaking to Miss Gordon ? " he asked .

" I am Janet Gordon , " said the woman stiffly .

" then I wish to talk with you and your brother . "

" come in . "

she stepped aside and motioned him to a low brown door opening on the right .

" go in and sit down .

I 'll call Thomas , " she said coldly , as she walked out through the hall .

Eric walked into the parlour and sat down as bidden .

he found himself in the most old-fashioned room he had ever seen .

the painted floor was covered with round braided rugs .

on the centre table was a lamp , a Bible and some theological volumes contemporary with the square-runged furniture .

never had he seen a countenance indicative of more intense and stubborn will power .

what then must have been the power of such a personality in life ?

Eric realized that this woman could and would have done whatsoever she willed , unflinchingly and unrelentingly .

many things in Kilmeny 's upbringing and temperament became clear to him .

" if that woman had told me I was ugly I should have believed her , " he thought .

" ay , even though I had a mirror to contradict her .

I should never have dreamed of disputing or questioning anything she might have said .

the strange power in her face is almost uncanny , peering out as it does from a mask of beauty and youthful curves .

pride and stubbornness are its salient characteristics .

well , Kilmeny does not at all resemble her mother in expression and only very slightly in feature . "

his reflections were interrupted by the entrance of Thomas and Janet Gordon .

the former had evidently been called from his work .

he nodded without speaking , and the two sat gravely down before Eric .

he paused .

Janet still sat in a sort of expectant immovability .

" I fear that you have formed an unfavourable opinion of me on this account , Mr Gordon , " Eric went on .

" but I hardly think I deserve it .

I can explain the matter if you will allow me .

I met your niece accidentally in the orchard three weeks ago and heard her play .

I thought her music very wonderful and I fell into the habit of coming to the orchard in the evenings to hear it .

I had no thought of harming her in any way , Mr Gordon .

I thought of her as a mere child , and a child who was doubly sacred because of her affliction .

but recently I I it occurred to me that I was not behaving quite honourably in encouraging her to meet me thus .

yesterday evening I asked her to bring me here and introduce me to you and her aunt .

we would have come then if you had been at home .

as you were not we arranged to come tonight . "

" I hope you will not refuse me the privilege of seeing your niece , Mr Gordon , " said Eric eagerly .

" I ask you to allow me to visit her here .

but I do not ask you to receive me as a friend on my own recommendations only .

I will give you references men of standing in Charlottetown and Queenslea .

if you refer to them "

" I don't need to do that , " said Thomas Gordon , quietly .

" I know more of you than you think , Master .

I know your father well by reputation and I have seen him .

I know you are a rich man 's son , whatever your whim in teaching a country school may be .

but all this doesn't make you a suitable friend for her , sir it makes you all the more unsuitable .

the less she sees of you the better . "

he had got on better than he had expected so far ; he must not now jeopardize what he had gained by rashness or impatience .

" why do you think so , Mr Gordon ? " he asked , regaining his self-control with an effort .

" well , plain speaking is best , Master .

if you were to come here and see Kilmeny often she 'd most likely come to think too much of you .

I mistrust there 's some mischief done in that direction already .

then when you went away she might break her heart for she is one of those who feel things deeply .

she has been happy enough .

I know folks condemn us for the way she has been brought up , but they don't know everything .

it was the best way for her , all things considered .

and we don't want her made unhappy , Master . "

" but I love your niece and I want to marry her if I can win her love , " said Eric steadily .

he surprised them out of their self possession at last .

both started , and looked at him as if they could not believe the evidence of their ears .

" marry her !

marry Kilmeny ! " exclaimed Thomas Gordon incredulously .

" you can't mean it , sir .

why , she is dumb Kilmeny is dumb . "

" that makes no difference in my love for her , although I deeply regret it for her own sake , " answered Eric .

" I can only repeat what I have already said , Mr Gordon .

I want Kilmeny for my wife . "

he was evidently puzzled by this unexpected turn of the conversation , and in grave doubt what to say .

" what would your father say to all this , Master ? " he queried at last .

" I have often heard my father say that a man must marry to please himself , " said Eric , with a smile .

" if he felt tempted to go back on that opinion I think the sight of Kilmeny would convert him .

but , after all , it is what I say that matters in this case , isn't it , Mr Gordon ?

I am well educated and not afraid of work .

I can make a home for Kilmeny in a few years even if I have to depend entirely on my own resources .

only give me the chance to win her that is all I ask . "

" I don't think it would do , Master , " said Thomas Gordon , shaking his head .

" mine will not , " Eric broke in vehemently .

" it is not a fancy , Mr Gordon .

it is the love that comes once in a lifetime and once only .

I may be but a lad , but I know that Kilmeny is the one woman in the world for me .

there can never be any other .

oh , I 'm not speaking rashly or inconsiderately .

I have weighed the matter well and looked at it from every aspect .

" well ! "

Thomas Gordon drew a long breath that was almost a sigh .

" maybe if you feel like that , Master I don't know there are some things it isn't right to cross .

perhaps we oughtn't Janet , woman , what shall we say to him ? "

Janet Gordon had hitherto spoken no word .

at first their expression had been guarded and hostile , but as the conversation proceeded they lost this gradually and became almost kindly .

now , when her brother appealed to her , she leaned forward and said eagerly ,

" do you know that there is a stain on Kilmeny 's birth , Master ? "

" I know that her mother was the innocent victim of a very sad mistake , Miss Gordon .

I admit no real stain where there was no conscious wrong doing .

a sudden change swept over Janet Gordon 's face , quite marvelous in the transformation it wrought .

her grim mouth softened and a flood of repressed tenderness glorified her cold gray eyes .

perhaps your world will say she is not good enough for you , but she is she is " this half defiantly .

" she is a sweet and innocent and true-hearted lassie .

she is bright and clever and she is not ill looking .

Thomas , I say let the young man have his will . "

Thomas Gordon stood up , as if he considered the responsibility off his shoulders and the interview at an end .

" very well , Janet , woman , since you think it is wise .

and may God deal with him as he deals with her .

good evening , Master .

I 'll see you again , and you are free to come and go as suits you .

but I must go to my work now .

I left my horses standing in the field . "

" I will go up and send Kilmeny down , " said Janet quietly .

she lighted the lamp on the table and left the room .

a few minutes later Kilmeny came down .

" you see I was right after all , Kilmeny , " he said , smiling .

" your uncle and aunt haven't driven me away .

on the contrary they have been very kind to me , and they say I may see you whenever and wherever I like . "

she smiled , and went over to the table to write on her slate .

" but they were very angry last night , and said dreadful things to me .

I felt very frightened and unhappy .

they seemed to think I had done something terribly wrong .

uncle Thomas said he would never trust me out of his sight again .

I could hardly believe it when Aunt Janet came up and told me you were here and that I might come down .

she looked at me very strangely as she spoke , but I could see that all the anger had gone out of her face .

she seemed pleased and yet sad .

but I am glad they have forgiven us . "

she did not yet dream that she loved Eric Marshall , or that he loved her .

but she was no longer the child to be made a dear comrade of .

CHAPTER XIII .

a SWEETER WOMAN NE'ER DREW BREATH

Thenceforward Eric Marshall was a constant visitor at the Gordon homestead .

he soon became a favourite with Thomas and Janet , especially the latter .

he liked them both , discovering under all their outward peculiarities sterling worth and fitness of character .

Eric hardly recognized him the first time he saw him thus animated .

Janet never talked on matters of church and state ; such she plainly considered to be far beyond a woman 's province .

of Neil , Eric saw but little .

the Italian boy avoided him , or if they chanced to meet passed him by with sullen , downcast eyes .

" you have been too kind to the lad , lassie , and he 's got presumptuous .

he must be taught his place .

I mistrust we have all made more of him than we should . "

Eric promised himself that when she was his wife her wonderful gift for music should be cultivated to the utmost .

to Eric , the days were all pages in an inspired idyl .

he had never dreamed that love could be so mighty or the world so beautiful .

he wondered if the universe were big enough to hold his joy or eternity long enough to live it out .

his whole existence was , for the time being , bounded by that orchard where he wooed his sweetheart .

his own world seemed very far away and the things of that world forgotten .

" or is there a girl in the case ? " he wrote .

" there must be , to tie you down to a place like Lindsay for a year .

take care , master Eric ; you 've been too sensible all your life .

David also wrote , expostulating more gravely ; but he did not express the suspicions Eric knew he must entertain .

" good old David !

it could not long remain a secret in Lindsay that " the Master " was going to the Gordon place on courting thoughts intent .

one or two incautious people ventured to express their opinion of the Master 's wisdom to the Master himself ; but they never repeated the experiment .

curiosity was rife .

a hundred stories were circulated about Kilmeny , all greatly exaggerated in the circulation .

wise heads were shaken and the majority opined that it was a great pity .

but then you never could guess what way a man 's fancy would jump when he set out to pick him a wife .

they guessed Neil Gordon didn't like it much .

he seemed to have got dreadful moody and sulky of late and wouldn't sing in the choir any more .

thus the buzz of comment and gossip ran .

to those two in the old orchard it mattered not a whit .

Kilmeny knew nothing of gossip .

to her , Lindsay was as much of an unknown world as the city of Eric 's home .

in that life she had blossomed out , a fair , unique thing .

he wished he might keep her to himself for ever , in that old , spruce-hidden orchard where the roses fell .

one day he indulged himself in the fulfillment of the whim he had formed when Kilmeny had told him she thought herself ugly .

Janet was somewhat dubious at first .

" there hasn't been such a thing in the house for sixteen years , Master .

there never was but three one in the spare room , and a little one in the kitchen , and Margaret 's own .

she broke them all the day it first struck her that Kilmeny was going to be bonny .

I might have got one after she died maybe .

but I didn't think of it ; and there 's no need of lasses to be always prinking at their looking glasses . "

but Eric pleaded and argued skilfully , and finally Janet said ,

" well , well , have your own way .

you 'd have it anyway I think , lad .

you are one of those men who always get their own way .

but that is different from the men who TAKE their own way and that 's a mercy , " she added under her breath .

Eric went to town the next Saturday and picked out a mirror that pleased him .

" it 's a present the Master is making Kilmeny , " she told him .

she sent Kilmeny off to the orchard after tea , and Eric slipped around to the house by way of the main road and lane .

he and Janet together unpacked the mirror and hung it on the parlour wall .

" I hope it won't make her vain .

she is very bonny , but it may not do her any good to know it . "

" it won't harm her , " said Eric confidently .

" when a belief in her ugliness hasn't spoiled a girl a belief in her beauty won't . "

but Janet did not understand epigrams .

she carefully removed a little dust from the polished surface , and frowned meditatively at the by no means beautiful reflection she saw therein .

" I cannot think what made Kilmeny suppose she was ugly , Master . "

" her mother told her she was , " said Eric , rather bitterly .

" ah ! "

Janet shot a quick glance at the picture of her sister .

" was that it ?

Margaret was a strange woman , Master .

I suppose she thought her own beauty had been a snare to her .

she WAS bonny .

that picture doesn't do her justice .

I never liked it .

it was taken before she was before she met Ronald Fraser .

we none of us thought it very like her at the time .

but , Master , three years later it was like her oh , it was like her then !

that very look came in her face . "

" does she look like her father ? "

" no , not a great deal , though some of her ways are very like his .

she looks like her grandmother Margaret 's mother , Master .

her name was Kilmeny too , and she was a handsome , sweet woman .

I was very fond of my stepmother , Master .

when she died she gave her baby to me , and asked me to be a mother to it .

" that will be my task , " said Eric .

" you 'll do your best , I do not doubt .

but maybe it will be through you that sorrow will come to her after all . "

" not through any fault of mine , Aunt Janet . "

" no , no , I 'm not saying it will be your fault .

but my heart misgives me at times .

oh , I dare say I am only a foolish old woman , Master .

go your ways and bring your lass here to look at your plaything when you like .

I 'll not make or meddle with it . "

Janet betook herself to the kitchen and Eric went to look for Kilmeny .

she was not in the orchard and it was not until he had searched for some time that he found her .

in them she held a white Mary-lily from the orchard .

she did not run to meet him while he was crossing the pasture , as she would once have done .

she waited motionless until he was close to her .

Eric began , half laughingly , half tenderly , to quote some lines from her namesake ballad :

" ' Kilmeny , Kilmeny , where have you been ?

long hae we sought baith holt and den , By linn , by ford , and greenwood tree !

yet you are halesome and fair to see .

where got you that joup o ' the lily sheen ?

that bonny snood o ' the birk sae green , And those roses , the fairest that ever was seen ?

Kilmeny , Kilmeny , where have you been ? '

" only it 's a lily and not a rose you are carrying .

I might go on and quote the next couplet too

" ' Kilmeny looked up with a lovely grace , But there was nae smile on Kilmeny 's face . '

" why are you looking so sober ? "

" come down to the house , Kilmeny .

Run along don't wait for me .

but you are not to go into the parlour until I come .

I want to pick some of those Mary-lilies up in the orchard . "

her marvelous loveliness was brought out into brilliant relief by the dark wood work and shadows of the dim old hall .

she wore a trailing , clinging dress of some creamy tinted fabric that had been her mother 's .

quoted Eric in a whisper as he watched her descend .

aloud he said ,

" take these lilies on your arm , letting their bloom fall against your shoulder so .

now , give me your hand and shut your eyes .

don't open them until I say you may . "

he led her into the parlour and up to the mirror .

" look , " he cried , gaily .

Kilmeny opened her eyes and looked straight into the mirror where , like a lovely picture in a golden frame , she saw herself reflected .

for a moment she was bewildered .

then she realized what it meant .

the lilies fell from her arm to the floor and she turned pale .

with a little low , involuntary cry she put her hands over her face .

Eric pulled them boyishly away .

" Kilmeny , do you think you are ugly now ?

this is a truer mirror than Aunt Janet 's silver sugar bowl !

look look look !

did you ever imagine anything fairer than yourself , dainty Kilmeny ? "

she was blushing now , and stealing shy radiant glances at the mirror .

with a smile she took her slate and wrote naively ,

" I think I am pleasant to look upon .

I cannot tell you how glad I am .

it is so dreadful to believe one is ugly .

you can get used to everything else , but you never get used to that .

it hurts just the same every time you remember it .

but why did mother tell me I was ugly ?

could she really have thought so ?

perhaps I have become better looking since I grew up . "

come , let us go back to the orchard now .

we mustn't waste this rare evening in the house .

there is going to be a sunset that we shall remember all our lives .

the mirror will hang here .

it is yours .

don't look into it too often , though , or Aunt Janet will disapprove .

she is afraid it will make you vain . "

she blew an airy little kiss at her mirrored face and turned from it , smiling happily .

on their way to the orchard they met Neil .

he went by them with an averted face , but Kilmeny shivered and involuntarily drew nearer to Eric .

" I don't understand Neil at all now , " she wrote nervously .

" he is not nice , as he used to be , and sometimes he will not answer when I speak to him .

and he looks so strangely at me , too .

besides , he is surly and impertinent to Uncle and Aunt . "

" don't mind Neil , " said Eric lightly .

" he is probably sulky because of some things I said to him when I found he had spied on us . "

she was still lingering there dreamily when Aunt Janet 's grim face appeared in the shadows of the doorway .

" are you thinking about your own good looks , lassie ?

Kilmeny smiled softly .

" I 'll try to remember , " she wrote , " but oh , Aunt Janet , I am so glad I am not ugly .

it is not wrong to be glad of that , is it ? "

the older woman 's face softened .

" no , I don't suppose it is , lassie , " she conceded .

" a comely face is something to be thankful for as none know better than those who have never possessed it .

I remember well when I was a girl but that is neither here nor there .

the Master thinks you are wonderful bonny , Kilmeny , " she added , looking keenly at the girl .

Kilmeny started and a scarlet blush scorched her face .

that , and the expression that flashed into her eyes , told Janet Gordon all she wished to know .

with a stifled sigh she bade her niece good night and went away .

her aunt 's words had revealed to her the hidden secret of her heart .

she knew that she loved Eric Marshall and the knowledge brought with it a strange anguish .

for was she not dumb ?

all night she lay staring wide-eyed through the darkness till the dawn .

CHAPTER XIV .

IN HER SELFLESS MOOD

Eric noticed a change in Kilmeny at their next meeting a change that troubled him .

she seemed aloof , abstracted , almost ill at ease .

when he proposed an excursion to the orchard he thought she was reluctant to go .

the days that followed convinced him of the change .

something had come between them .

Eric had a bad week of it ; but he determined to put an end to it by plain speaking .

one evening in the orchard he told her of his love .

Kilmeny was sitting on the old bench where he had first seen her .

she had been playing for him , but her music did not please her and she laid aside the violin with a little frown .

it might be that she was afraid to play afraid that her new emotions might escape her and reveal themselves in music .

it was difficult to prevent this , so long had she been accustomed to pour out all her feelings in harmony .

the necessity for restraint irked her and made of her bow a clumsy thing which no longer obeyed her wishes .

more than ever at that instant did she long for speech speech that would conceal and protect where dangerous silence might betray .

he spoke humbly but not fearfully , for he believed that she loved him , and he had little expectation of any rebuff .

" Kilmeny , will you be my wife ? " he asked finally , taking her hands in his .

Kilmeny had listened with averted face .

at first she had blushed painfully but now she had grown very pale .

" Kilmeny , dearest , have I alarmed you ?

surely you knew before that I loved you .

don't you care for me ? "

Eric said , putting his arm about her and trying to draw her to him .

but she shook her head sorrowfully , and wrote with compressed lips ,

" yes , I do love you , but I will never marry you , because I cannot speak . "

if you love me that is enough . "

but Kilmeny only shook her head again .

there was a very determined look on her pale face .

she wrote ,

" no , it is not enough .

your world would think you had done a very foolish thing and it would be right .

I have thought it all over many times since something Aunt Janet said made me understand , and I know I am doing right .

I am sorry I did not understand sooner , before you had learned to care so much . "

" Kilmeny , darling , you have taken a very absurd fancy into that dear black head of yours .

don't you know that you will make me miserably unhappy all my life if you will not be my wife ? "

" no , you think so now ; and I know you will feel very badly for a time .

then you will go away and after awhile you will forget me ; and then you will see that I was right .

I shall be very unhappy , too , but that is better than spoiling your life .

do not plead or coax because I shall not change my mind . "

it was all in vain .

Kilmeny grew paler and paler , and her eyes revealed how keenly she was suffering .

she did not even try to argue with him , but only listened patiently and sadly , and shook her head .

say what he would , entreat and implore as he might , he could not move her resolution a hairs-breadth .

it held her back unflinchingly from doing him what she believed to be a wrong .

CHAPTER XV .

AN OLD , UNHAPPY , FAR-OFF THING

the next day Eric sought Kilmeny again and renewed his pleadings , but again in vain .

nothing he could say , no argument which he could advance , was of any avail against her sad determination .

when he was finally compelled to realize that her resolution was not to be shaken , he went in his despair to Janet Gordon .

Janet listened to his story with concern and disappointment plainly visible on her face .

when he had finished she shook her head .

" I 'm sorry , Master .

I can't tell you how sorry I am .

I had hoped for something very different .

HOPED !

I have PRAYED for it .

since you came I had hoped she would have a protector in you .

but if Kilmeny says she will not marry you I am afraid she 'll stick to it . "

" no , Master , it wouldn't be any use .

oh , we will , of course , but it will not be any use .

Kilmeny is as determined as her mother when once she makes up her mind .

when her mother died Thomas and I wanted to take her to church .

we could not prevail on her to go .

we did not know why then , but now I suppose it was because she believed she was so very ugly .

it is because she thinks so much of you that she will not marry you .

she is afraid you would come to repent having married a dumb girl .

maybe she is right maybe she is right . "

" I cannot give her up , " said Eric stubbornly .

" something must be done .

perhaps her defect can be remedied even yet .

have you ever thought of that ?

you have never had her examined by a doctor qualified to pronounce on her case , have you ? "

" no , Master , we never took her to anyone .

when we first began to fear that she was never going to talk Thomas wanted to take her to Charlottetown and have her looked to .

he thought so much of the child and he felt terrible about it .

but her mother wouldn't hear of it being done .

there was no use trying to argue with her .

" and did you give in meekly to a morbid whim like that ? " asked Eric impatiently .

" Master , you didn't know my sister .

we HAD to give in nobody could hold out against her .

she was a strange woman and a terrible woman in many ways after her trouble .

we were afraid to cross her for fear she would go out of her mind . "

" but , could you not have taken Kilmeny to a doctor unknown to her mother ? "

" no , that was not possible .

Margaret never let her out of her sight , not even when she was grown up .

it WAS a sin that made her as she is . "

" aunt Janet , how can you talk such nonsense ?

where was there any sin ?

your sister thought herself a lawful wife .

" no , I am not meaning that , Master .

no , it 's something else something far worse .

it gives me a shiver whenever I think of it .

oh , Master , the Good Book is right when it says the sins of the parents are visited on the children .

there isn't a truer word in it than that from cover to cover . "

" what , in heaven 's name , is the meaning of all this ? " exclaimed Eric .

" tell me what it is .

I must know the whole truth about Kilmeny .

do not torment me . "

" I am going to tell you the story , Master , though it will be like opening an old wound .

no living person knows it but Thomas and me .

she doesn't know the truth and you must never tell her .

it isn't a fit story for her ears , especially when it is about her mother .

promise me that you will never tell her , no matter what may happen . "

" I promise .

go on go on , " said the young man feverishly .

Janet Gordon locked her hands together in her lap , like a woman who nerves herself to some hateful task .

she looked very old ; the lines on her face seemed doubly deep and harsh .

" my sister Margaret was a very proud , high-spirited girl , Master .

but I would not have you think she was unlovable .

no , no , that would be doing a great injustice to her memory .

she had her faults as we all have ; but she was bright and merry and warm-hearted .

we all loved her .

she was the light and life of this house .

yes , Master , before the trouble that came on her Margaret was a winsome lass , singing like a lark from morning till night .

maybe we spoiled her a little maybe we gave her too much of her own way .

" our father was a very proud man .

oh , Master , if Margaret was too proud she got it from no stranger .

and her misfortune cut him to the heart .

he never spoke a word to us here for more than three days after he heard of it .

he sat in the corner there with bowed head and would not touch bite or sup .

it was just at sunset and a red ray came in at the window and fell right across her breast like a stain of blood .

" father called her a hard name , Master .

" and father was sorry for it Oh , Master , the word wasn't out of his mouth before he was sorry for it .

but the mischief was done .

oh , I 'll never forget Margaret 's face , Master !

it haunts me yet in the black of the night .

it was full of anger and rebellion and defiance .

but she never answered him back .

and , Master , never a word did Margaret say from that day until after Kilmeny was born not one word , Master .

nothing we could do for her softened her .

and we were kind to her , Master , and gentle with her , and never reproached her by so much as a look .

but she would not speak to anyone .

she just sat in her room most of the time and stared at the wall with such awful eyes .

father implored her to speak and forgive him , but she never gave any sign that she heard him .

" I haven't come to the worst yet , Master .

father sickened and took to his bed .

Margaret would not go in to see him .

then one night Thomas and I were watching by him ; it was about eleven o'clock .

all at once he said ,

" Master , I went .

Margaret was sitting in her room all alone in the cold and dark , staring at the wall .

I told her what our father had said .

she never let on she heard me .

I pleaded and wept , Master .

master , she wouldn't !

she never moved or looked at me .

I had to get up and go downstairs and tell that old man she would not come . "

Janet Gordon lifted her hands and struck them together in her agony of remembrance .

" when I told father he only said , oh , so gently ,

" ' Poor lass , I was too hard on her .

she isna to blame .

but I canna go to meet her mother till our little lass has forgie'n me for the name I called her .

Thomas , help me up .

since she winna come to me I must e'en go to her . '

" there was no crossing him we saw that .

he got up from his deathbed and Thomas helped him out into the hall and up the stair .

I walked behind with the candle .

oh , Master , I 'll never forget it the awful shadows and the storm wind wailing outside , and father 's gasping breath .

but we got him to Margaret 's room and he stood before her , trembling , with his white hairs falling about his sunken face .

and he prayed Margaret to forgive him to forgive him and speak just one word to him before he went to meet her mother .

master " Janet 's voice rose almost to a shriek " she would not she would not !

and yet she WANTED to speak afterwards she confessed to me that she wanted to speak .

but her stubbornness wouldn't let her .

it was like some evil power that had gripped hold of her and wouldn't let go .

father might as well have pleaded with a graven image .

oh , it was hard and dreadful !

she saw her father die and she never spoke the word he prayed for to him .

THAT was her sin , Master , and for that sin the curse fell on her unborn child .

when father understood that she would not speak he closed his eyes and was like to have fallen if Thomas had not caught him .

" ' Oh , lass , you 're a hard woman , ' was all he said .

and they were his last words .

Thomas and I carried him back to his room , but the breath was gone from him before we ever got him there .

she spoke and wept and was herself again .

oh , how she wept !

she implored us to forgive her and we did freely and fully .

but the one against whom she had sinned most grievously was gone , and no word of forgiveness could come to her from the grave .

my poor sister never knew peace of conscience again , Master .

but she was gentle and kind and humble until until she began to fear that Kilmeny was never going to speak .

we thought then that she would go out of her mind .

indeed , Master , she never was quite right again .

" but that is the story and it 's a thankful woman I am that the telling of it is done .

Kilmeny can't speak because her mother wouldn't . "

Eric had listened with a gray horror on his face to the gruesome tale .

but you may be mistaken .

it may have been nothing more than a strange coincidence .

possibly something may be done for her .

at all events , we must try .

I have a friend in Queenslea who is a physician .

his name is David Baker , and he is a very skilful specialist in regard to the throat and voice .

I shall have him come here and see Kilmeny . "

" it will be necessary to tell Dr Baker why Kilmeny cannot speak or why you think she cannot . "

Janet 's face twitched .

" must that be , Master ?

oh , it 's a bitter tale to tell a stranger . "

" don't be afraid .

I shall tell him nothing that is not strictly necessary to his proper understanding of the case .

" well , do as you think best , Master . "

Janet plainly had no faith in the possibility of anything being done for Kilmeny .

but a rosy glow of hope flashed over Kilmeny 's face when Eric told her what he meant to do .

" oh , do you think he can make me speak ? " she wrote eagerly .

" I don't know , Kilmeny .

I hope that he can , and I know he will do all that mortal skill can do .

if he can remove your defect will you promise to marry me , dearest ? "

she nodded .

the grave little motion had the solemnity of a sacred promise .

" yes , " she wrote , " when I can speak like other women I will marry you . "

CHAPTER XVI .

DAVID BAKER'S OPINION

the next week David Baker came to Lindsay .

he arrived in the afternoon when Eric was in school .

but he looked curiously at Eric when the two young men found themselves alone in the upstairs room .

" now , Eric , I want to know what all this is about .

what scrape have you got into ?

you write me a letter , entreating me in the name of friendship to come to you at once .

accordingly I come post haste .

you seem to be in excellent health yourself .

explain why you have inveigled me hither . "

" I want you to do me a service which only you can do , David , " said Eric quietly .

" I didn't care to go into the details by letter .

I have met in Lindsay a young girl whom I have learned to love .

I have asked her to marry me , but , although she cares for me , she refuses to do so because she is dumb .

I wish you to examine her and find out the cause of her defect , and if it can be cured .

she can hear perfectly and all her other faculties are entirely normal .

in order that you may better understand the case I must tell you the main facts of her history . "

this Eric proceeded to do .

David Baker listened with grave attention , his eyes fastened on his friend 's face .

when he had heard the whole story he thrust his hands into his pockets and strode up and down the room several times in silence .

finally he halted before Eric .

" so you have done what I foreboded all along you would do left your common sense behind you when you went courting . "

" if I did , " said Eric quietly , " I took with me something better and nobler than common sense . "

David shrugged his shoulders .

" you 'll have hard work to convince me of that , Eric . "

" no , it will not be difficult at all .

I have one argument that will convince you speedily and that is Kilmeny Gordon herself .

but we will not discuss the matter of my wisdom or lack of it just now .

what I want to know is this what do you think of the case as I have stated it to you ? "

David frowned thoughtfully .

" I hardly know what to think .

it is very curious and unusual , but it is not totally unprecedented .

there have been cases on record where pre-natal influences have produced a like result .

I cannot just now remember whether any were ever cured .

well , I 'll see if anything can be done for this girl .

I cannot express any further opinion until I have examined her . "

the next morning Eric took David up to the Gordon homestead .

" what is that ? " exclaimed David , starting .

" that is Kilmeny playing on her violin , " answered Eric .

" she has great talent in that respect and improvises wonderful melodies . "

" oh , ye gods ! " muttered David helplessly .

he could not hide his amazement and Eric smiled to see it .

the latter had not failed to perceive that his friend had until now considered him as little better than a lunatic .

" Kilmeny , this is my friend , Dr Baker , " he said .

Kilmeny held out her hand with a smile .

but Kilmeny was charmingly at ease .

there was not a trace of embarrassment in her manner , though there was a pretty shyness .

Eric smiled as he recalled HIS first meeting with her .

he suddenly realized how far Kilmeny had come since then and how much she had developed .

with a little gesture of invitation Kilmeny led the way through the orchard to the wild cherry lane , and the two men followed .

" Eric , she is simply unutterable ! " said David in an undertone .

" last night , to tell you the truth , I had a rather poor opinion of your sanity .

but now I am consumed with a fierce envy .

she is the loveliest creature I ever saw . "

Eric introduced David to the Gordons and then hurried away to his school .

on his way down the Gordon lane he met Neil and was half startled by the glare of hatred in the Italian boy 's eyes .

pity succeeded the momentary alarm .

prompted by sudden compassionate impulse Eric stopped and held out his hand .

" Neil , can't we be friends ? " he said .

" I am sorry if I have been the cause of inflicting pain on you . "

" Friends !

never ! " said Neil passionately .

" you have taken Kilmeny from me .

I shall hate you always .

and I 'll be even with you yet . "

the day seemed interminably long to him .

don't keep me in suspense any longer , David .

I have endured all I can .

To-day has seemed like a thousand years .

have you discovered what is the matter with Kilmeny ? "

" there is nothing the matter with her , " answered David slowly , flinging himself into a chair by the window .

" what do you mean ? "

" just exactly what I say .

her vocal organs are all perfect .

as far as they are concerned , there is absolutely no reason why she should not speak . "

" then why can't she speak ?

do you think do you think "

that is all there is to it .

the trouble is psychological , not physical .

medical skill is helpless before it .

" then there is no hope , " said Eric in a tone of despair .

" you can do nothing for her ? "

David took from the back of his chair a crochet antimacassar with a lion rampant in the center and spread it over his knee .

" I can do nothing for her , " he said , scowling at that work of art .

" I do not believe any living man can do anything for her .

but I do not say exactly that there is no hope . "

" come , David , I am in no mood for guessing riddles .

speak plainly , man , and don't torment me . "

David frowned dubiously and poked his finger through the hole which represented the eye of the king of beasts .

" I don't know that I can make it plain to you .

it isn't very plain to myself .

and it is only a vague theory of mine , of course .

I cannot substantiate it by any facts .

in short , Eric , I think it is possible that Kilmeny may speak sometime if she ever wants it badly enough . "

" wants to !

why , man , she wants to as badly as it is possible for any one to want anything .

she loves me with all her heart and she won't marry me because she can't speak .

don't you suppose that a girl under such circumstances would ' want ' to speak as much as any one could ? "

" yes , but I do not mean that sort of wanting , no matter how strong the wish may be .

" all this sounds like great nonsense to me , " said Eric restlessly .

" I suppose you have an idea what you are talking about , but I haven't .

and , in any case , it practically means that there is no hope for her or me .

even if your theory is correct it is not likely such an occasion as you speak of will ever arise .

and Kilmeny will never marry me . "

" don't give up so easily , old fellow .

there HAVE been cases on record where women have changed their minds . "

" not women like Kilmeny , " said Eric miserably .

I thank you for your sympathy and interest , David .

you have done all you could but , heavens , what it would have meant to me if you could have helped her ! "

with a groan Eric flung himself on a chair and buried his face in his hands .

it was a moment which held for him all the bitterness of death .

David , with a sigh , returned the crochet antimacassar carefully to its place on the chair back .

but since I have seen her well , I would give my right hand if I could do anything for her .

" she cannot be convinced of that .

no , David , I have lost her .

did you tell her what you have told me ? "

" I told her I could not help her .

I did not say anything to her of my theory that would have done no good . "

" how did she take it ? "

" very bravely and quietly ' like a winsome lady ' .

but the look in her eyes Eric , I felt as if I had murdered something .

she bade me good-bye with a pitiful smile and went upstairs .

I did not see her again , although I stayed to dinner as her uncle 's request .

those old Gordons are a queer pair .

I liked them , though .

they are strong and staunch good friends , bitter enemies .

Eric smiled mechanically .

" I must go up and see Kilmeny .

you 'll excuse me , won't you , David ?

my books are there help yourself . "

" she thought you would come up , and she left this with me to give you , Master . "

Janet handed him a little note .

it was very brief and blotted with tears .

" do not come any more , Eric , " it ran .

" I must not see you , because it would only make it harder for us both .

you must go away and forget me .

you will be thankful for this some day .

I shall always love and pray for you . "

" KILMENY . "

" I MUST see her , " said Eric desperately .

" aunt Janet , be my friend .

tell her she must see me for a little while at least . "

Janet shook her head but went upstairs .

she soon returned .

" she says she cannot come down .

you know she means it , Master , and it is of no use to coax her .

and I must say I think she is right .

since she will not marry you it is better for her not to see you . "

Eric was compelled to go home with no better comfort than this .

in the morning , as it was Sunday , he drove David Baker to the station .

he had not slept and he looked so miserable and reckless that David felt anxious about him .

David would have stayed in Lindsay for a few days , but a certain critical case in Queenslea demanded his speedy return .

he shook hands with Eric on the station platform .

" Eric , give up that school and come home at once .

you can do no good in Lindsay now , and you 'll only eat your heart out here . "

" I must see Kilmeny once more before I leave , " was all Eric 's answer .

that afternoon he went again to the Gordon homestead .

but the result was the same ; Kilmeny refused to see him , and Thomas Gordon said gravely ,

" Master , you know I like you and I am sorry Kilmeny thinks as she does , though maybe she is right .

it will do no good , and the sooner you and she get over thinking about each other the better for you both .

go now , lad , and God bless you . "

" do you know what it is you are asking of me ? " said Eric hoarsely .

" I know I am asking a hard thing for your own good , Master .

it is not as if Kilmeny would ever change her mind .

we have had some experience with a woman 's will ere this .

Tush , Janet , woman , don't be weeping .

you women are foolish creatures .

do you think tears can wash such things away ?

no , they cannot blot out sin , or the consequences of sin .

CHAPTER XVII .

a BROKEN FETTER

Eric went home with a white , haggard face .

he had never thought it was possible for a man to suffer as he suffered then .

what was he to do ?

it seemed impossible to go on with life there was NO life apart from Kilmeny .

anguish wrung his soul until his strength went from him and youth and hope turned to gall and bitterness in his heart .

he never afterwards could tell how he lived through the following Sunday or how he taught school as usual on Monday .

he found out how much a man may suffer and yet go on living and working .

on Tuesday afternoon there was a funeral in the district and , according to custom , the school was closed .

Eric went again to the old orchard .

he had no expectation of seeing Kilmeny there , for he thought she would avoid the spot lest she might meet him .

as he crossed the pasture field before the spruce wood he came upon Neil Gordon , building a longer fence .

Neil did not look up as Eric passed , but sullenly went on driving poles .

before this Eric had pitied Neil ; now he was conscious of feeling sympathy with him .

had Neil suffered as he was suffering ?

Eric had entered into a new fellowship whereof the passport was pain .

the grass had become ragged and sere and unkempt .

but in the corners the torches of the goldenrod were kindling and a few misty purple asters nodded here and there .

so deep was his abstraction that he was conscious of nothing around him .

he did not hear stealthy footsteps behind him in the dim spruce wood .

he did not even see Kilmeny as she came slowly around the curve of the wild cherry lane .

Kilmeny had sought the old orchard for the healing of her heartbreak , if healing were possible for her .

years seemed to have passed over the girl in those few days .

she had drunk of pain and broken bread with sorrow .

Thomas Gordon had shaken his head bodingly when he had looked at her that morning at the breakfast table .

" she won't stand it , " he thought .

" she isn't long for this world .

maybe it is all for the best , poor lass .

but I wish that young Master had never set foot in the Connors orchard , or in this house .

Kilmeny walked through the lane slowly and absently like a woman in a dream .

she stopped quickly and the blood rushed wildly over her face .

the next moment it ebbed , leaving her white as marble .

horror filled her eyes , blank , deadly horror , as the livid shadow of a cloud might fill two blue pools .

behind Eric Neil Gordon was standing tense , crouched , murderous .

all this photographed itself in her brain in an instant .

she knew that by the time she could run across the orchard to warn Eric by a touch it would be too late .

yet she must warn him she MUST she MUST !

" ERIC , ERIC , LOOK BEHIND YOU LOOK BEHIND YOU ! "

Eric started up , confused , bewildered , as the voice came shrieking across the orchard .

he did not in the least realize that it was Kilmeny who had called to him , but he instinctively obeyed the command .

he wheeled around and saw Neil Gordon , who was looking , not at him , but past him at Kilmeny .

the axe , lying at his feet where he had dropped it in his unutterable consternation on hearing Kilmeny 's cry told the whole tale .

a moment later Kilmeny , her lovely face dewed with tears and sunned over with smiles , flung herself on Eric 's breast .

" oh , Eric , I can speak , I can speak !

oh , it is so wonderful !

Eric , I love you I love you ! "

CHAPTER XVIII .

NEIL GORDON SOLVES HIS OWN PROBLEM

" it is a miracle ! " said Thomas Gordon in an awed tone .

" oh , no , it is very wonderful , but it is not a miracle , " said Eric .

" David told me it might happen .

I had no hope that it would .

he could explain it all to you if he were here . "

Thomas Gordon shook his head .

" I doubt if he could , Master he , or any one else .

it is near enough to a miracle for me .

let us thank God reverently and humbly that he has seen fit to remove his curse from the innocent .

your doctors may explain it as they like , lad , but I 'm thinking they won't get much nearer to it than that .

it is awesome , that is what it is .

Janet , woman , I feel as if I were in a dream .

can Kilmeny really speak ? "

" indeed I can , Uncle , " said Kilmeny , with a rapturous glance at Eric .

" oh , I don't know how it came to me I felt that I MUST speak and I did .

and it is so easy now it seems to me as if I could always have done it . "

she spoke naturally and easily .

the only difficulty which she seemed to experience was in the proper modulation of her voice .

occasionally she pitched it too high again , too low .

but it was evident that she would soon acquire perfect control of it .

it was a beautiful voice very clear and soft and musical .

" oh , I am so glad that the first word I said was your name , dearest , " she murmured to Eric .

" what about Neil ? " asked Thomas Gordon gravely , rousing himself with an effort from his abstraction of wonder .

" what are we to do with him when he returns ?

in one way this is a sad business . "

Eric had almost forgotten about Neil in his overwhelming amazement and joy .

the realization of his escape from sudden and violent death had not yet had any opportunity to take possession of his thoughts .

" we must forgive him , Mr Gordon .

I know how I should feel towards a man who took Kilmeny from me .

it was an evil impulse to which he gave way in his suffering and think of the good which has resulted from it . "

and we have cared for him and instructed him as our own with all his faults we have loved him !

it is a hard thing , and I do not see what we are to do .

we cannot act as if nothing had happened .

we can never trust him again . "

but Neil Gordon solved the problem himself .

Timothy sat on the dresser in black velvet state and gravely addressed himself to the disposal of various tid-bits that came his way .

" good night , Master .

Glad to see you 're looking more like yourself .

I told the wife it was only a lover 's quarrel most like .

she 's been worrying about you ; but she didn't like to ask you what was the trouble .

she ain't one of them unfortunate folks who can't be happy athout they 're everlasting poking their noses into other people 's business .

but what kind of a rumpus was kicked up at the Gordon place , to-night , Master ? "

Eric looked amazed .

what could Robert Williamson have heard so soon ?

" what do you mean ? " he asked .

" Neil gone !

on the harvest excursion ! " exclaimed Eric .

" yes , sir .

you know this was the night the excursion train left .

they cross on the boat to-night special trip .

there was a dozen or so fellows from hereabouts went .

we was all standing around chatting when Lincoln Frame drove up full speed and Neil jumped out of his rig .

we was all too surprised to speak till he was gone .

Lincoln couldn't give us much information .

the filly was Neil 's own , and Lincoln had been wanting to buy her but Neil would never hear to it afore .

Lincoln jumped at the chance .

Neil had brought the filly with him , and Lincoln hitched right up and took him to the station .

Neil hadn't no luggage of any kind and wouldn't open his mouth the whole way up , Lincoln says .

we concluded him and old Thomas must have had a row .

D'ye know anything about it ?

or was you so wrapped up in sweethearting that you didn't hear or see nothing else ? "

Eric reflected rapidly .

he was greatly relieved to find that Neil had gone .

he would never return and this was best for all concerned .

old Robert must be told a part of the truth at least , since it would soon become known that Kilmeny could speak .

" there was some trouble at the Gordon place to-night , Mr Williamson , " he said quietly .

" Neil Gordon behaved rather badly and frightened Kilmeny terribly , so terribly that a very surprising thing has happened .

she has found herself able to speak , and can speak perfectly . "

" God bless my soul , Master , what an extraordinary thing ! " he ejaculated .

" are you in earnest ?

or are you trying to see how much of a fool you can make of the old man ? "

" no , Mr Williamson , I assure you it is no more than the simple truth .

Dr Baker told me that a shock might cure her , and it has .

as for Neil , he has gone , no doubt for good , and I think it well that he has . "

not caring to discuss the matter further , Eric left the kitchen .

but as he mounted the stairs to his room he heard old Robert muttering , like a man in hopeless bewilderment ,

" well , I never heard anything like this in all my born days never never .

Timothy , did YOU ever hear the like ?

them Gordons are an unaccountable lot and no mistake .

they couldn't act like other people if they tried .

I must wake mother up and tell her about this , or I 'll never be able to sleep . "

CHAPTER XIX .

VICTOR FROM VANQUISHED ISSUES

now that everything was settled Eric wished to give up teaching and go back to his own place .

he resolved to teach until the fall vacation , which came in October , and then go .

Kilmeny had promised that their marriage should take place in the following spring .

Eric had pleaded for an earlier date , but Kilmeny was sweetly resolute , and Thomas and Janet agreed with her .

" there are so many things that I must learn yet before I shall be ready to be married , " Kilmeny had said .

" and I want to get accustomed to seeing people .

I feel a little frightened yet whenever I see any one I don't know , although I don't think I show it .

I am going to church with Uncle and Aunt after this , and to the Missionary Society meetings .

and Uncle Thomas says that he will send me to a boarding school in town this winter if you think it advisable . "

Eric vetoed this promptly .

the idea of Kilmeny in a boarding school was something that could not be thought about without laughter .

" but we want to keep her with us for another winter yet , " explained Thomas Gordon patiently .

" we are going to miss her terrible when she does go , Master .

she has never been away from us for a day she is all the brightness there is in our lives .

it is very kind of you to say that she can come home whenever she likes , but there will be a great difference .

she will belong to your world and not to ours .

that is for the best and we wouldn't have it otherwise .

but let us keep her as our own for this one winter yet . "

Eric yielded with the best grace he could muster .

after all , he reflected , Lindsay was not so far from Queenslea , and there were such things as boats and trains .

" have you told your father about all this yet ? " asked Janet anxiously .

no , he had not .

but he went home and wrote a full account of his summer to old Mr Marshall that night .

Mr Marshall , Senior , answered the letter in person .

a few days later , Eric , coming home from school , found his father sitting in Mrs Williamson 's prim , fleckless parlour .

nothing was said about Eric 's letter , however , until after tea .

when they found themselves alone , Mr Marshall said abruptly ,

" Eric , what about this girl ?

I hope you haven't gone and made a fool of yourself .

it sounds remarkably like it .

your wife will have to fill your mother 's place , and your mother was a pearl among women .

do you think this girl is worthy of it ?

it isn't possible !

you 've been led away by a pretty face and dairy maid freshness .

I expected some trouble out of this freak of yours coming over here to teach school . "

" wait until you see Kilmeny , father , " said Eric , smiling .

" Humph !

that 's just exactly what David Baker said .

and all HE said was , ' Wait until you see Kilmeny Gordon , sir . '

and if she isn't what your wife ought to be , sir , you give her up or paddle your own canoe .

I shall not aid or abet you in making a fool of yourself and spoiling your life . "

Eric bit his lip , but only said quietly ,

" come with me , father .

we will go to see her now . "

they went around by way of the main road and the Gordon lane .

Kilmeny was not in when they reached the house .

" she is up in the old orchard , Master , " said Janet .

" she loves that place so much she spends all her spare time there .

she likes to go there to study . "

they sat down and talked awhile with Thomas and Janet .

when they left , Mr Marshall said ,

" I like those people .

if Thomas Gordon had been a man like Robert Williamson I shouldn't have waited to see your Kilmeny .

but they are all right rugged and grim , but of good stock and pith native refinement and strong character .

but I must say candidly that I hope your young lady hasn't got her aunt 's mouth . "

" Kilmeny 's mouth is like a love-song made incarnate in sweet flesh , " said Eric enthusiastically .

" Humph ! " said Mr Marshall .

Kilmeny was reading on the bench under the lilac trees when they reached the orchard .

she stood up and came shyly forward to meet them , guessing who the tall , white-haired old gentleman with Eric must be .

as she approached Eric saw with a thrill of exultation that she had never looked lovelier .

her face was flushed delicately with excitement .

she looked like a young princess , crowned with a ruddy splash of sunlight that fell through the old trees .

" father , this is Kilmeny , " said Eric proudly .

Kilmeny held out her hand with a shyly murmured greeting .

then he drew her to him and kissed her gravely and gently on her white forehead .

THE END .

End of Project Gutenberg 's Kilmeny of the Orchard , by Lucy Maud Montgomery

produced by Leslee Suttie , Mary Mark Ockerbloom , and Ben Crowder

THE STORY GIRL

by L M Montgomery

Author of " Anne of Green Gables , " " Anne of Avonlea , " " Kilmeny of the Orchard , " etc

with frontispiece and cover in colour by George Gibbs

@url@

reformatted by Ben Crowder

TO MY COUSIN

Frederica E Campbell

IN REMEMBRANCE OF OLD DAYS , OLD DREAMS , AND OLD LAUGHTER

CONTENTS

I ..y the Home of Our Fathers II .

A Queen of Hearts III .

Legends of the Old Orchard IV .

the Wedding Veil of the Proud Princess V Peter Goes to Church VI .

the Mystery of Golden Milestone VII .

how Betty Sherman Won a Husband VIII .

a Tragedy of Childhood IX .

Magic Seed X A Daughter of Eve XI .

the Story Girl Does Penance XII .

the Blue Chest of Rachel Ward XIII .

an Old Proverb With a New Meaning XIV .

forbidden Fruit XV .

a Disobedient Brother XVI .

the Ghostly Bell XVII .

the Proof of the Pudding XVIII .

how Kissing Was Discovered XIX .

a Dread Prophecy XX .

the Judgment Sunday XXI .

Dreamers of Dreams XXII .

the Dream Books XXIII .

such Stuff as Dreams Are Made On XXIV .

the Bewitchment of Pat XXV .

a Cup of Failure XXVI .

Peter Makes an Impression XXVII .

the Ordeal of Bitter Apples XXVIII .

the Tale of the Rainbow Bridge XXIX .

the Shadow Feared of Man XXX .

a Compound Letter XXXI .

on the Edge of Light and Dark XXXII .

the Opening of the Blue Chest

THE STORY GIRL

CHAPTER I THE HOME OF OUR FATHERS

" I do like a road , because you can be always wondering what is at the end of it . "

the Story Girl said that once upon a time .

we did not know her at all under that name .

further than that we did not think about her .

we were more interested in Felicity and Cecily and Dan , who lived on the homestead and would therefore be our roofmates for a season .

but the spirit of the Story Girl 's yet unuttered remark was thrilling in our hearts that morning , as the train pulled out of Toronto .

we were delighted at the thought of seeing father 's old home , and living among the haunts of his boyhood .

the time had come sooner than we had dared to hope ; but father could not take us after all .

his firm asked him to go to Rio de Janeiro that spring to take charge of their new branch there .

our mother had died before either of us was old enough to remember her ; father could not take us to Rio de Janeiro .

I fear she had an anxious trip of it , poor woman !

indeed , she said as much .

" the fat one isn't so bad .

he isn't so quick to move and get out of your sight while you 're winking as the thin one .

" the fat one " was Felix , who was very sensitive about his plumpness .

he was always taking exercises to make him thin , with the dismal result that he became fatter all the time .

he vowed that he didn't care ; but he DID care terribly , and he glowered at Mrs MacLaren in a most undutiful fashion .

he had never liked her since the day she had told him he would soon be as broad as he was long .

we knew that Uncle Alec was fond of children and was heart-glad to welcome " Alan 's boys . "

we felt at home with him , and were not afraid to ask him questions on any subject that came uppermost in our minds .

we became very good friends with him on that twenty-four mile drive .

we peered eagerly through the gloom .

" there 's the big willow , Bev , " whispered Felix excitedly , as we turned in at the gate .

" I 'm going to climb it to-morrow , " I said joyfully .

everything was just as father had described it .

we felt that we had come home , leaving exile behind us .

Dan was the oldest ; he was my age thirteen .

he was a lean , freckled fellow with rather long , lank , brown hair and the shapely King nose .

we recognized it at once .

but it could grin in friendly fashion , and both Felix and I felt that we were going to like Dan .

felicity was twelve .

she had been called after Aunt Felicity , who was the twin sister of Uncle Felix .

she fully justified our expectations .

the Kings were noted for their noses and complexion .

felicity had also delightful hands and wrists .

at every turn of them a dimple showed itself .

it was a pleasure to wonder what her elbows must be like .

this made us feel quite important .

so far as we knew , no feminine creatures had ever gone to the pains of dressing up on our account before .

Cecily , who was eleven , was pretty also or would have been had Felicity not been there .

felicity rather took the colour from other girls .

we remembered that Aunt Olivia had written to father that Cecily was a true Ward she had no sense of humour .

we did not know what this meant , but we thought it was not exactly complimentary .

still , we were both inclined to think we would like Cecily better than Felicity .

to be sure , Felicity was a stunning beauty .

in brief , we saw that Felicity was vain .

" it 's a wonder the Story Girl isn't over to see you , " said Uncle Alec .

" she 's been quite wild with excitement about your coming . "

she made her go to bed instead .

the Story Girl was awfully disappointed . "

" who is the Story Girl ? " asked Felix .

" oh , Sara Sara Stanley .

besides , Sara Stanley doesn't like her name and she 'd rather be called the Story Girl . "

" peter ? "

I questioned .

I had never heard of any Peter .

" he is your Uncle Roger 's handy boy , " said Uncle Alec .

" his name is Peter Craig , and he is a real smart little chap .

but he 's got his share of mischief , that same lad . "

" he wants to be Felicity 's beau , " said Dan slyly .

" don't talk silly nonsense , Dan , " said Aunt Janet severely .

felicity tossed her golden head and shot an unsisterly glance at Dan .

" I wouldn't be very likely to have a hired boy for a beau , " she observed .

we saw that her anger was real , not affected .

evidently Peter was not an admirer of whom Felicity was proud .

Dan shared it with us , sleeping in a bed of his own in the opposite corner .

the sheets and pillow-slips were fragrant with lavender , and one of Grandmother King 's noted patchwork quilts was over us .

the window was open and we heard the frogs singing down in the swamp of the brook meadow .

we had heard frogs sing in Ontario , of course ; but certainly Prince Edward Island frogs were more tuneful and mellow .

this was home father 's home OUR home !

" just think , those are the very frogs father listened to when he was a little boy , " whispered Felix .

" they can hardly be the SAME frogs , " I objected doubtfully , not feeling very certain about the possible longevity of frogs .

" it 's twenty years since father left home . "

" well , they 're the descendants of the frogs he heard , " said Felix , " and they 're singing in the same swamp .

that 's near enough . "

" what do you think of the boys ? " asked Cecily .

" Beverley is handsome , but Felix is too fat , " answered Felicity promptly .

Felix twitched the quilt rather viciously and grunted .

but I began to think I would like Felicity .

it might not be altogether her fault that she was vain .

how could she help it when she looked in the mirror ?

" I think they 're both nice and nice looking , " said Cecily .

dear little soul !

somehow , we , too , felt that it was .

we felt that if the Story Girl did not approve of us it made little difference who else did or did not .

" I wonder if the Story Girl is pretty , " said Felix aloud .

" no , she isn't , " said Dan instantly , from across the room .

" but you 'll think she is while she 's talking to you .

everybody does .

it 's only when you go away from her that you find out she isn't a bit pretty after all . "

the girls ' door shut with a bang .

silence fell over the house .

we drifted into the land of sleep , wondering if the Story Girl would like us .

CHAPTER II .

a QUEEN OF HEARTS

I wakened shortly after sunrise .

the pale May sunshine was showering through the spruces , and a chill , inspiring wind was tossing the boughs about .

" Felix , wake up , " I whispered , shaking him .

" what 's the matter ? " he murmured reluctantly .

" it 's morning .

let's get up and go down and out .

I can't wait another minute to see the places father has told us of . "

I had hard work to keep Felix from trying to see if he could " shy " a marble into that tempting open mouth .

everything was very still as we crept downstairs .

we paused a moment in the hall to look at the big " grandfather " clock .

then we opened the front door and stepped out , rapture swelling in our bosoms .

on the further side of it was a thick plantation of slender silver birches and whispering poplars ; and beyond it was Uncle Roger 's house .

we knew all about it , from father 's descriptions , and in fancy we had roamed in it many a time and oft .

it was now nearly sixty years since it had had its beginning , when Grandfather King brought his bride home .

it was a vision to develop slowly into fulfilment .

grandfather King was in no hurry .

so the morning after he had brought his young wife home they went together to the south meadow and planted their bridal trees .

when a son was born to Abraham and Elizabeth a tree was planted in the orchard for him .

they had fourteen children in all , and each child had its " birth tree . "

so it came to pass that every tree in it was a fair green monument to some love or delight of the vanished years .

she lifted her hand and beckoned blithely to us ; and , the orchard forgotten , we followed her summons .

we looked at her as we drew near with such interest that we forgot to feel shy .

no , she was not pretty .

then she spoke ; she said ,

" good morning . "

never had we heard a voice like hers .

never , in all my life since , have I heard such a voice .

I cannot describe it .

if voices had colour , hers would have been like a rainbow .

it made words LIVE .

whatever she said became a breathing entity , not a mere verbal statement or utterance .

from that moment we were as good friends as if we had known each other for a hundred years .

" I am glad to see you .

I was so disappointed I couldn't go over last night .

I can tell things so much better than Felicity or Cecily .

do you think Felicity is VERY pretty ? "

" she 's the prettiest girl I ever saw , " I said enthusiastically , remembering that Felicity had called me handsome .

" the boys all think so , " said the Story Girl , not , I fancied , quite well pleased .

" and I suppose she is .

she is a splendid cook , too , though she is only twelve .

I can't cook .

I am trying to learn , but I don't make much progress .

but then , Felicity is stupid .

it 's not ill-natured of me to say that .

it 's just the truth , and you 'd soon find it out for yourselves .

I like Felicity very well , but she IS stupid .

Cecily is ever so much cleverer .

Cecily 's a dear .

so is Uncle Alec ; and Aunt Janet is pretty nice , too . "

" what is Aunt Olivia like ? " asked Felix .

" aunt Olivia is very pretty .

she is just like a pansy all velvety and purply and goldy . "

Felix and I SAW , somewhere inside of our heads , a velvet and purple and gold pansy-woman , just as the Story Girl spoke .

" but is she NICE ? "

I asked .

that was the main question about grown-ups .

their looks mattered little to us .

" she is lovely .

but she is twenty-nine , you know .

that 's pretty old .

she doesn't bother me much .

aunt Janet says that I 'd have no bringing up at all , if it wasn't for her .

Aunt Olivia says children should just be let COME up that everything else is settled for them long before they are born .

I don't understand that .

do you ? "

no , we did not .

but it was our experience that grown-ups had a habit of saying things hard to understand .

" what is Uncle Roger like ? " was our next question .

" well , I like Uncle Roger , " said the Story Girl meditatively .

" he is big and jolly .

but he teases people too much .

you ask him a serious question and you get a ridiculous answer .

he hardly ever scolds or gets cross , though , and THAT is something .

he is an old bachelor . "

" doesn't he ever mean to get married ? " asked Felix .

" I don't know .

aunt Olivia wishes he would , because she 's tired keeping house for him , and she wants to go to Aunt Julia in California .

but she says he 'll never get married , because he is looking for perfection , and when he finds her she won't have HIM . "

he was a lordly animal , with a silver-gray coat beautifully marked with darker stripes .

with such colouring most cats would have had white or silver feet ; but he had four black paws and a black nose .

such points gave him an air of distinction , and marked him out as quite different from the common or garden variety of cats .

he seemed to be a cat with a tolerably good opinion of himself , and his response to our advances was slightly tinged with condescension .

" this isn't Topsy , is it ? "

I asked .

I knew at once that the question was a foolish one .

" no , but it is Topsy 's , " said the Story Girl gravely .

" his name is Paddy and he is my own particular cat .

we have barn cats , but Paddy never associates with them .

I am very good friends with all cats .

they are so sleek and comfortable and dignified .

and it is so easy to make them happy .

oh , I 'm so glad you boys have come to live here .

nothing ever happens here , except days , so we have to make our own good times .

we were short of boys before only Dan and Peter to four girls . "

" FOUR girls ?

oh , yes , Sara Ray .

felicity mentioned her .

what is she like ?

where does she live ? "

" just down the hill .

you can't see the house for the spruce bush .

Sara is a nice girl .

she 's only eleven , and her mother is dreadfully strict .

she never allows Sara to read a single story .

JUST you fancy !

Sara 's conscience is always troubling her for doing things she 's sure her mother won't approve , but it never prevents her from doing them .

it only spoils her fun .

but , between you and me , I believe the real reason is that her mother doesn't give her half enough to eat .

not that she 's mean , you know but she thinks it isn't healthy for children to eat much , or anything but certain things .

isn't it fortunate we weren't born into that sort of a family ? "

" I think it 's awfully lucky we were all born into the same family , " Felix remarked .

" isn't it ?

I 've often thought so .

and I 've often thought what a dreadful thing it would have been if Grandfather and Grandmother King had never got married to each other .

Felix and I shivered .

we felt suddenly that we had escaped a dreadful danger the danger of having been born somebody else .

" who lives over there ? "

I asked , pointing to a house across the fields .

" oh , that belongs to the Awkward Man .

his name is Jasper Dale , but everybody calls him the Awkward Man .

and they do say he writes poetry .

he calls his place Golden Milestone .

I know why , because I 've read Longfellow 's poems .

he never goes into society because he is so awkward .

the girls laugh at him and he doesn't like it .

I know a story about him and I 'll tell it to you sometime . "

" Old Peg Bowen .

she 's very queer .

she lives there with a lot of pet animals in winter , and in summer she roams over the country and begs her meals .

they say she is crazy .

people have always tried to frighten us children into good behaviour by telling us that Peg Bowen would catch us if we didn't behave .

I 'm not so frightened of her as I once was , but I don't think I would like to be caught by her .

Sara Ray is dreadfully scared of her .

Peter Craig says she is a witch and that he bets she 's at the bottom of it when the butter won't come .

but I don't believe THAT .

witches are so scarce nowadays .

there may be some somewhere in the world , but it 's not likely there are any here right in Prince Edward Island .

they used to be very plenty long ago .

I know some splendid witch stories I 'll tell you some day .

they 'll just make your blood freeze in your veins . "

we hadn't a doubt of it .

if anybody could freeze the blood in our veins this girl with the wonderful voice could .

but it was a May morning , and our young blood was running blithely in our veins .

we suggested a visit to the orchard would be more agreeable .

" all right .

" oh , aren't you glad it is spring ?

the beauty of winter is that it makes you appreciate spring . "

the latch of the gate clicked under the Story Girl 's hand , and the next moment we were in the King orchard .

CHAPTER III .

LEGENDS OF THE OLD ORCHARD

we hurried over to it , treading on the spears of mint that were beginning to shoot up about it .

it was a very deep well , and the curb was of rough , undressed stones .

" it 's so pretty , when the vines leaf out and hang down in long festoons , " said the Story Girl .

" the birds build their nests in it .

A pair of wild canaries come here every summer .

and ferns grow out between the stones of the well as far down as you can see .

the water is lovely .

so you see it is quite famous . "

" it is the very same cup , " said the Story Girl impressively .

" isn't it an amazing thing ?

that cup has been here for forty years , and hundreds of people have drunk from it , and it has never been broken .

I think it is bound up with the fortunes of the King family , like the Luck of Edenhall in Longfellow 's poem .

it is the last cup of Grandmother King 's second best set .

her best set is still complete .

aunt Olivia has it .

you must get her to show it to you .

it 's so pretty , with red berries all over it , and the funniest little pot-bellied cream jug .

aunt Olivia never uses it except on a family anniversary . "

we took a drink from the blue cup and then went to find our birthday trees .

we were rather disappointed to find them quite large , sturdy ones .

it seemed to us that they should still be in the sapling stage corresponding to our boyhood .

" your apples are lovely to eat , " the Story Girl said to me , " but Felix 's are only good for pies .

those two big trees behind them are the twins ' trees my mother and Uncle Felix , you know .

the apples are so dead sweet that nobody but us children and the French boys can eat them .

even the pigs won't eat them .

aunt Janet tried to make pies of them once , because she said she hated to see them going to waste .

but she never tried again .

she said it was better to waste apples alone than apples and sugar too .

and then she tried giving them away to the French hired men , but they wouldn't even carry them home . "

the Story Girl 's words fell on the morning air like pearls and diamonds .

even her prepositions and conjunctions had untold charm , hinting at mystery and laughter and magic bound up in everything she mentioned .

apple pies and sour seedlings and pigs became straightway invested with a glamour of romance .

" I like to hear you talk , " said Felix in his grave , stodgy way .

" everybody does , " said the Story Girl coolly .

" I 'm glad you like the way I talk .

but I want you to like ME , too AS WELL as you like Felicity and Cecily .

not BETTER .

I wanted that once but I 've got over it .

I found out in Sunday School , the day the minister taught our class , that it was selfish .

but I want you to like me AS WELL . "

" well , I will , for one , " said Felix emphatically .

I think he was remembering that Felicity had called him fat .

Cecily now joined us .

it appeared that it was Felicity 's morning to help prepare breakfast , therefore she could not come .

we all went to Uncle Stephen 's Walk .

this was a double row of apple trees , running down the western side of the orchard .

uncle Stephen was the first born of Abraham and Elizabeth King .

he had none of grandfather 's abiding love for woods and meadows and the kindly ways of the warm red earth .

grandmother King had been a Ward , and in Uncle Stephen the blood of the seafaring race claimed its own .

then he sailed away again and the ship was never heard of more .

the gray first came in grandmother 's brown hair in those months of waiting .

the , for the first time , the orchard heard the sound of weeping and was consecrated by a sorrow .

" when the blossoms come out it 's wonderful to walk here , " said the Story Girl .

" it 's like a dream of fairyland as if you were walking in a king 's palace .

the apples are delicious , and in winter it 's a splendid place for coasting . "

from the Walk we went to the Pulpit Stone a huge gray boulder , as high as a man 's head , in the southeastern corner .

it was straight and smooth in front , but sloped down in natural steps behind , with a ledge midway on which one could stand .

the Story Girl mounted to the ledge , sat on the rim , and looked at us .

Pat sat gravely at its base and daintily washed his face with his black paws .

" now for your stories about the orchard , " said I .

" there are two important ones , " said the Story Girl .

" the story of the Poet Who Was Kissed , and the Tale of the Family Ghost .

which one shall I tell ? "

" tell them both , " said Felix greedily , " but tell the ghost one first . "

" I don't know . "

the Story Girl looked dubious .

" that sort of story ought to be told in the twilight among the shadows .

then it would frighten the souls out of your bodies . "

we thought it might be more agreeable not to have the souls frightened out of our bodies , and we voted for the Family Ghost .

" ghost stories are more comfortable in daytime , " said Felix .

the Story Girl began it and we listened avidly .

Cecily , who had heard it many times before , listened just as eagerly as we did .

her name was Emily King .

she was very small and very sweet .

" of course , there was no orchard here then .

she had a lover .

his name was Malcolm Ward and he was as handsome as a prince .

she loved him with all her heart and he loved her the same ; but they had never spoken about it .

they used to meet under the birches and talk about everything except love .

Emily promised to meet him there .

I would have .

and the next day she dressed herself beautifully in her best pale blue muslin and sleeked her curls and went smiling to the birches .

Emily just put her hands to her heart so and fell , all white and broken among the ferns .

and when she came back to life she never cried or lamented .

she was CHANGED .

when the winter came she died .

nobody knew just who told it first .

but more than one person saw her .

grandfather saw her when he was a little boy .

and my mother saw her once . "

" did YOU ever see her ? " asked Felix skeptically .

" no , but I shall some day , if I keep on believing in her , " said the Story Girl confidently .

" I wouldn't like to see her .

I 'd be afraid , " said Cecily with a shiver .

" there wouldn't be anything to be afraid of , " said the Story Girl reassuringly .

" it 's not as if it were a strange ghost .

it 's our own family ghost , so of course it wouldn't hurt us . "

we were not so sure of this .

ghosts were unchancy folk , even if they were our family ghosts .

the Story Girl had made the tale very real to us .

we were glad we had not heard it in the evening .

how could we ever have got back to the house through the shadows and swaying branches of a darkening orchard ?

but all we saw was Felicity , tearing over the green sward , her curls streaming behind her in a golden cloud .

" Felicity 's afraid she 's missed something , " remarked the Story Girl in a tone of quiet amusement .

Felix and I couldn't keep our eyes off her .

Crimson-cheeked , shining-eyed from her haste , her face was like a rose of youth .

but when the Story Girl spoke , we forgot to look at Felicity .

" about ten years after Grandfather and Grandmother King were married , a young man came to visit them .

he was a distant relative of grandmother 's and he was a Poet .

he was just beginning to be famous .

he was VERY famous afterward .

then Great-Aunt Edith came into the orchard .

she was not a Great-Aunt then , of course .

she was only eighteen , with red lips and black , black hair and eyes .

they say she was always full of mischief .

she had been away and had just come home , and she didn't know about the Poet .

but when she saw him , sleeping there , she thought he was a cousin they had been expecting from Scotland .

and she tiptoed up so and bent over so and kissed his cheek .

then he opened his big blue eyes and looked up into Edith 's face .

she blushed as red as a rose , for she knew she had done a dreadful thing .

this could not be her cousin from Scotland .

she knew , for he had written so to her , that he had eyes as black as her own .

Edith ran away and hid ; and of course she felt still worse when she found out that he was a famous poet .

we had SEEN it all the sleeping genius the roguish , red-lipped girl the kiss dropped as lightly as a rose-petal on the sunburned cheek .

" they should have got married , " said Felix .

" well , in a book they would have , but you see this was in real life , " said the Story Girl .

" we sometimes act the story out .

I like it when Peter plays the poet .

I don't like it when Dan is the poet because he is so freckled and screws his eyes up so tight .

but you can hardly ever coax Peter to be the poet except when Felicity is Edith and Dan is so obliging that way . "

" what is Peter like ? "

I asked .

" Peter is splendid .

his mother lives on the Markdale road and washes for a living .

Peter 's father ran away and left them when Peter was only three years old .

he has never come back , and they don't know whether he is alive or dead .

isn't that a nice way to behave to your family ?

Peter has worked for his board ever since he was six .

uncle Roger sends him to school , and pays him wages in summer .

we all like Peter , except Felicity . "

he is only a hired boy , and he hasn't been well brought up , and hasn't much education .

I don't think you should make such an equal of him as you do . "

laughter rippled over the Story Girl 's face as shadow waves go over ripe wheat before a wind .

" he can hardly write , " said Felicity .

" William the Conqueror couldn't write at all , " said the Story Girl crushingly .

" he never goes to church , and he never says his prayers , " retorted Felicity , uncrushed .

" I do , too , " said Peter himself , suddenly appearing through a little gap in the hedge .

" I say my prayers sometimes . "

this Peter was a slim , shapely fellow , with laughing black eyes and thick black curls .

early in the season as it was , he was barefooted .

" you don't pray very often , " insisted Felicity .

this was rank heresy to Felicity , but the Story Girl looked as if she thought there might be something in it .

" you NEVER go to church , anyhow , " continued Felicity , determined not to be argued down .

" Well , I ain't going to church till I 've made up my mind whether I 'm going to be a Methodist or a Presbyterian .

aunt Jane was a Methodist .

my mother ain't much of anything but I mean to be something .

it 's more respectable to be a Methodist or a Presbyterian , or SOMETHING , than not to be anything .

when I 've settled what I 'm to be I 'm going to church same as you . "

" that 's not the same as being BORN something , " said Felicity loftily .

" now , never mind quarrelling , " said Cecily .

" you leave Peter alone , Felicity .

peter , this is Beverley King , and this is Felix .

and we 're all going to be good friends and have a lovely summer together .

think of the games we can have !

but if you go squabbling you 'll spoil it all .

Peter , what are you going to do to-day ? "

" harrow the wood field and dig your Aunt Olivia 's flower beds . "

I am NOT going to dig them up this year to see if they have sprouted .

it is bad for them .

I shall try to cultivate patience , no matter how long they are coming up . "

" I am going to help mother plant the vegetable garden to-day , " said Felicity .

" oh , I never like the vegetable garden , " said the Story Girl .

" except when I am hungry .

then I DO like to go and look at the nice little rows of onions and beets .

but I love a flower garden .

I think I could be always good if I lived in a garden all the time . "

" they mightn't have kept good as long as they did if they hadn't lived in a garden , " said the Story Girl .

we were now summoned to breakfast .

" well , what do you think of the Story Girl ? " asked Felicity .

" she 's just fine , " said Felix , enthusiastically .

" I never heard anything like her to tell stories . "

" she can't cook , " said Felicity , " and she hasn't a good complexion .

mind you , she says she 's going to be an actress when she grows up .

isn't that dreadful ? "

we didn't exactly see why .

" oh , because actresses are always wicked people , " said Felicity in a shocked tone .

" but I daresay the Story Girl will go and be one just as soon as she can .

her father will back her up in it .

he is an artist , you know . "

evidently Felicity thought artists and actresses and all such poor trash were members one of another .

" aunt Olivia says the Story Girl is fascinating , " said Cecily .

the very adjective !

Felix and I recognized its beautiful fitness at once .

yes , the Story Girl WAS fascinating and that was the final word to be said on the subject .

but all things considered , we liked the prospect of our summer very much .

CHAPTER IV .

THE WEDDING VEIL OF THE PROUD PRINCESS

when we had lived for a fortnight in Carlisle we belonged there , and the freedom of all its small fry was conferred on us .

but we had long hours for play .

Even Peter had plenty of spare time when the planting was over .

we got along very well with each other in the main , in spite of some minor differences of opinion .

as for the grown-up denizens of our small world , they suited us also .

if we kept ourselves tolerably clean , and refrained from quarrelling or talking slang , Aunt Olivia did not worry us .

uncle Roger was , as we had been informed , quite jolly and fond of teasing .

we liked him ; but we had an uncomfortable feeling that the meaning of his remarks was not always that which met the ear .

sometimes we believed Uncle Roger was making fun of us , and the deadly seriousness of youth in us resented that .

to Uncle Alec we gave our warmest love .

we felt that we always had a friend at court in Uncle Alec , no matter what we did or left undone .

and we never had to turn HIS speeches inside out to discover their meaning .

the social life of juvenile Carlisle centred in the day and Sunday Schools .

I am afraid the remembrance grew a little dim the rest of the week .

the only thing she could think of , along this line , was to persuade Peter to go to church .

felicity did not approve of the design , and said so plainly .

it 's all right to have our mite boxes for the heathen , and send missionaries to them .

they 're far away and we don't have to associate with them .

but I don't want to have to sit in a pew with a hired boy . "

but the Story Girl undauntedly continued to coax the reluctant Peter .

it was not an easy matter .

" it isn't a bit of difference which you are , " pleaded the Story Girl .

" they both go to heaven . "

" but one way must be easier or better than the other , or else they 'd all be one kind , " argued Peter .

" I want to find the easiest way .

and I 've got a hankering after the Methodists .

my Aunt Jane was a Methodist . "

" isn't she one still ? " asked Felicity pertly .

" well , I don't know exactly .

she 's dead , " said Peter rebukingly .

" do people go on being just the same after they 're dead ? "

" no , of course not .

they 're angels then not Methodists or anything , but just angels .

that is , if they go to heaven . "

" S'posen they went to the other place ? "

but Felicity 's theology broke down at this point .

she turned her back on Peter and walked disdainfully away .

the Story Girl returned to the main point with a new argument .

" we have such a lovely minister , Peter .

he looks just like the picture of St John my father sent me , only he is old and his hair is white .

I know you 'd like him .

and even if you are going to be a Methodist it won't hurt you to go to the Presbyterian church .

the nearest Methodist church is six miles away , at Markdale , and you can't attend there just now .

go to the Presbyterian church until you 're old enough to have a horse . "

" but s'posen I got too fond of being Presbyterian and couldn't change if I wanted to ? " objected Peter .

" he 's going to church with us to-morrow , " she said triumphantly .

we were out in Uncle Roger 's hill pasture , sitting on some smooth , round stones under a clump of birches .

behind us was an old gray fence , with violets and dandelions thick in its corners .

below us was the Carlisle valley , with its orchard-embowered homesteads , and fertile meadows .

its upper end was dim with a delicate spring mist .

winds blew up the field like wave upon wave of sweet savour spice of bracken and balsam .

we were eating little jam " turnovers , " which Felicity had made for us .

felicity 's turnovers were perfection .

I looked at her and wondered why it was not enough that she should be so pretty and capable of making such turnovers .

if she were only more interesting !

ah well , one cannot have every good gift !

the Story Girl had no dimples at her slim , brown wrists .

we all enjoyed our turnovers except Sara Ray .

she ate hers but she knew she should not have done so .

her mother did not approve of snacks between meals , or of jam turnovers at any time .

once , when Sara was in a brown study , I asked her what she was thinking of .

" I 'm trying to think of something ma hasn't forbid , " she answered with a sigh .

we were all glad to hear that Peter was going to church , except Felicity .

she was full of gloomy forebodings and warnings .

" I 'm surprised at you , Felicity King , " said Cecily severely .

" you ought to be glad that poor boy is going to get started in the right way . "

" there 's a great big patch on his best pair of trousers , " protested Felicity .

" well , that 's better than a hole , " said the Story Girl , addressing herself daintily to her turnover .

" God won't notice the patch . "

" and I don't believe that Peter has got a decent stocking to his name .

" I 'm not a bit afraid , " said the Story Girl staunchly .

" Peter knows better than that . "

" well , all I hope is that he 'll wash behind his ears , " said Felicity resignedly .

" how is Pat to-day ? " asked Cecily , by way of changing the conversation .

" Pat isn't a bit better .

he just mopes about the kitchen , " said the Story Girl anxiously .

" I went out to the barn and I saw a mouse .

I had a stick in my hand and I fetched a swipe at it so .

I killed it stone dead .

then I took it in to Paddy.

will you believe it ?

he wouldn't even look at it .

I 'm so worried .

uncle Roger says he needs a dose of physic .

but how is he to be made take it , that 's the question .

I mixed a powder in some milk and tried to pour it down his throat while Peter held him .

just look at the scratches I got !

and the milk went everywhere except down Pat 's throat . "

" wouldn't it be awful if if anything happened to Pat ? " whispered Cecily .

" well , we could have a jolly funeral , you know , " said Dan .

we looked at him in such horror that Dan hastened to apologize .

" I 'd be awful sorry myself if Pat died .

but if he DID , we 'd have to give him the right kind of a funeral , " he protested .

" why , Paddy just seems like one of the family . "

she was bare headed , as usual , and her scarlet ribbon was bound filletwise about her head .

" look at that long , thin , lacy cloud up there , " she said .

" what does it make you think of , girls ? "

" a wedding veil , " said Cecily .

" that is just what it is the Wedding Veil of the Proud Princess .

I know a story about it .

I read it in a book .

but she was as proud as she was beautiful .

she laughed all her suitors to scorn .

and when her father urged her to choose one of them as her husband she drew herself up haughtily so "

the Story Girl sprang to her feet and for a moment we saw the proud princess of the old tale in all her scornful loveliness

" and she said ,

" ' I will not wed until a king comes who can conquer all kings .

then I shall be the wife of the king of the world and no one can hold herself higher than I. '

" ' But I am the king who conquers all kings , ' he said .

" ' You must prove it before I shall marry you , ' said the proud princess .

but she trembled and turned pale , for there was something in his voice that frightened her .

and when he laughed , his laughter was still more dreadful .

" it was a strange wooing and the friends of the princess begged her to refuse .

then they were married at once , but the bridegroom never lifted his visor and no one saw his face .

the proud princess held herself more proudly than ever , but she was as white as her veil .

on and on they rode , and the skies grew darker and the wind blew and wailed , and the shades of evening came down .

and just in the twilight they rode into a dark valley , filled with tombs and graves .

" ' Why have you brought me here ? ' cried the proud princess angrily .

" ' This is my kingdom , ' he answered .

' These are the tombs of the kings I have conquered .

behold me , beautiful princess .

I am Death ! '

" he lifted his visor .

all saw his awful face .

the proud princess shrieked .

" ' Come to my arms , my bride , ' he cried .

' I have won you fairly .

I am the king who conquers all kings ! '

" he clasped her fainting form to his breast and spurred his white horse to the tombs .

a tempest of rain broke over the valley and blotted them from sight .

very sadly the old king and courtiers rode home , and never , never again did human eye behold the proud princess .

the weird spell of the tale rested on us for some moments after the Story Girl had finished .

we had walked with her in the place of death and grown cold with the horror that chilled the heart of the poor princess .

Dan presently broke the spell .

" you see it doesn't do to be too proud , Felicity , " he remarked , giving her a poke .

" you 'd better not say too much about Peter 's patches . "

CHAPTER V PETER GOES TO CHURCH

there was no Sunday School the next afternoon , as superintendent and teachers wished to attend a communion service at Markdale .

the Carlisle service was in the evening , and at sunset we were waiting at Uncle Alec 's front door for Peter and the Story Girl .

none of the grown-ups were going to church .

aunt Olivia had a sick headache and Uncle Roger stayed home with her .

aunt Janet and Uncle Alec had gone to the Markdale service and had not yet returned .

felicity and Cecily were wearing their new summer muslins for the first time and were acutely conscious of the fact .

Cecily cherished a grudge against fate because she had not been given naturally curly hair as had the other two girls .

but she attained the desire of her heart on Sundays at least , and was quite well satisfied .

it was impossible to convince her that the satin smooth lustre of her week-day tresses was much more becoming to her .

at first glance they seemed well enough ; but closer inspection revealed something not altogether customary .

" what is the matter with your stockings , Peter ? " asked Dan bluntly .

so I put on two pairs .

the holes don't come in the same places , and you 'd never notice them unless you looked right close . "

" have you got a cent for collection ? " demanded Felicity .

" I 've got a Yankee cent .

I s'pose it will do , won't it ? "

felicity shook her head vehemently .

" oh , no , no .

" I 'll have to go without any , then , " said Peter .

" I haven't another cent .

I only get fifty cents a week and I give it all to ma last night . "

but Peter must have a cent .

Felicity would have given him one herself and she was none too lavish of her coppers rather than have him go without one .

Dan , however , lent him one , on the distinct understanding that it was to be repaid the next week .

uncle Roger wandered by at this moment and , beholding Peter , said ,

" ' Is Saul also among the prophets ? '

what can have induced you to turn church-goer , Peter , when all Olivia 's gentle persuasions were of no avail ?

the old , old argument I suppose ' beauty draws us with a single hair . ' "

uncle Roger looked quizzically at Felicity .

we did not know what his quotations meant , but we understood he thought Peter was going to church because of Felicity .

felicity tossed her head .

" it isn't my fault that he 's going to church , " she said snappishly .

" it 's the Story Girl 's doings . "

he shook his big , blond head , shut his eyes , and murmured ,

" not her fault !

oh , Felicity , Felicity , you 'll be the death of your dear Uncle yet if you don't watch out . "

Felicity started off indignantly , and we followed , picking up Sara Ray at the foot of the hill .

the Carlisle church was a very old-fashioned one , with a square , ivy-hung tower .

it was shaded by tall elms , and the graveyard surrounded it completely , many of the graves being directly under its windows .

I do not think that poetry was Great-grandmother King 's strong point .

when Felix read it , on our first Sunday in Carlisle , he remarked dubiously that it LOOKED like poetry but didn't SOUND like it .

she had died in a far , foreign land , and the murmur of an alien sea sounded about her grave .

" ' They were lovely and pleasant in their lives and in their death they were not divided . ' "

the tones of her voice brought out the poignant and immortal beauty and pathos of that wonderful old lament .

the girls wiped their eyes ; and we boys felt as if we might have done so , too , had nobody been looking .

what better epitaph could any one wish than to have it said that he was lovely and pleasant in his life ?

when I heard the Story Girl read it I made a secret compact with myself that I would try to deserve such an epitaph .

" I wish I had a family plot , " said Peter , rather wistfully .

" I haven't ANYTHING you fellows have .

the Craigs are just buried anywhere they happen to die . "

" I 'd like to be buried here when I die , " said Felix .

the interior of the church was as old-fashioned as its exterior .

uncle Alec 's pew was at the top of the church , quite near the pulpit .

Peter 's appearance did not attract as much attention as we had fondly expected .

indeed , nobody seemed to notice him at all .

the lamps were not yet lighted and the church was filled with a soft twilight and hush .

outside , the sky was purple and gold and silvery green , with a delicate tangle of rosy cloud above the elms .

" isn't it awful nice and holy in here ? " whispered Peter reverently .

" I didn't know church was like this .

it 's nice . "

felicity frowned at him , and the Story Girl touched her with her slippered foot to remind him that he must not talk in church .

Peter stiffened up and sat at attention during the service .

nobody could have behaved better .

but when the sermon was over and the collection was being taken up , he made the sensation which his entrance had not produced .

we knew Elder Frewen quite well and liked him ; he was Aunt Janet 's cousin and often visited her .

the contrast between his week-day jollity and the unearthly solemnity of his countenance on Sundays always struck us as very funny .

it seemed so to strike Peter ; for as Peter dropped his cent into the plate he laughed aloud !

everybody looked at our pew .

I have always wondered why Felicity did not die of mortification on the spot .

the Story Girl turned white , and Cecily turned red .

as for that poor , unlucky Peter , the shame of his countenance was pitiful to behold .

none of us uttered a word until we reached the road , lying in the white moonshine of the May night .

then Felicity broke the tense silence by remarking to the Story Girl ,

" I told you so ! "

the Story Girl made no response .

Peter sidled up to her .

" I 'm awful sorry , " he said contritely .

" I never meant to laugh .

it just happened before I could stop myself .

it was this way "

" don't you ever speak to me again , " said the Story Girl , in a tone of cold concentrated fury .

" go and be a Methodist , or a Mohammedan , or ANYTHING !

I don't care what you are !

you have HUMILIATED me ! "

she marched off with Sara Ray , and Peter dropped back to us with a frightened face .

" what is it I've done to her ? " he whispered .

" what does that big word mean ? "

" oh , never mind , " I said crossly for I felt that Peter HAD disgraced us " she 's just mad and no wonder .

whatever made you act so crazy , Peter ? "

" well , I didn't mean to .

she hadn't ought to tell me stories about people if she don't want me to laugh when I see them .

I remembered the way she took him off , and I wanted to laugh .

" ' This pulpit door was made for speerits ' and I wanted to laugh .

and he wouldn't , just to be stubborn .

but he didn't and just went round with one whisker till the burned one grew out .

and then Celia gave in and took him , because she saw there wasn't no hope of HIM ever giving in .

we felt ashamed ourselves , because we knew people should conduct themselves decently and in order on Sunday farings-forth .

but , as with Peter , it " had laughed itself . "

Even Felicity laughed .

felicity was not nearly so angry with Peter as might have been expected .

she even walked beside him and let him carry her Bible .

they talked quite confidentially .

" I 'm going to keep on going to church , " Peter told her .

" I like it .

sermons are more int'resting than I thought , and I like the singing .

I wish I could make up my mind whether to be a Presbyterian or a Methodist .

I s'pose I might ask the ministers about it . "

" oh , no , no , don't do that , " said Felicity in alarm .

" Ministers wouldn't want to be bothered with such questions . "

" why not ?

what are ministers for if they ain't to tell people how to get to heaven ? "

" oh , well , it 's all right for grown-ups to ask them things , of course .

but it isn't respectful for little boys especially hired boys . "

" I don't see why .

look here , Felicity , what IS the difference between them ? "

" I I don't know , " said Felicity reluctantly .

" I s'pose children can't understand such things .

there must be a great deal of difference , of course , if we only knew what it was .

anyhow , I am a Presbyterian , and I 'm glad of it . "

we walked on in silence for a time , thinking our own young thoughts .

presently they were scattered by an abrupt and startling question from Peter .

" what does God look like ? " he said .

it appeared that none of us had any idea .

" the Story Girl would prob'ly know , " said Cecily .

" I wish I knew , " said Peter gravely .

" I wish I could see a picture of God .

it would make Him seem lots more real . "

" I 've often wondered myself what he looks like , " said Felicity in a burst of confidence .

even in Felicity , so it would seem , there were depths of thought unplumbed .

" I 've seen pictures of Jesus , " said Felix meditatively .

" he looks just like a man , only better and kinder .

but now that I come to think of it , I 've never seen a picture of God . "

" Well , if there isn't one in Toronto it isn't likely there 's one anywhere , " said Peter disappointedly .

" I saw a picture of the devil once , " he added .

" it was in a book my Aunt Jane had .

she got it for a prize in school .

my Aunt Jane was clever . "

" it couldn't have been a very good book if there was such a picture in it , " said Felicity .

" it was a real good book .

my Aunt Jane wouldn't have a book that wasn't good , " retorted Peter sulkily .

he refused to discuss the subject further , somewhat to our disappointment .

for we had never seen a picture of the person referred to , and we were rather curious regarding it .

" we 'll ask Peter to describe it sometime when he 's in a better humour , " whispered Felix .

she had recovered her calmness of mind , but she made no reference to Peter .

when we reached our lane and passed under Grandfather King 's big willow the fragrance of the orchard struck us in the face like a wave .

we could see the long rows of trees , a white gladness in the moonshine .

it seemed to us that there was in the orchard something different from other orchards that we had known .

we were too young to analyze the vague sensation .

" the orchard doesn't seem the same place by moonlight at all , " said the Story Girl dreamily .

" it 's lovely , but it 's different .

when I was very small I used to believe the fairies danced in it on moonlight nights .

I would like to believe it now but I can't . "

" why not ? "

" oh , it 's so hard to believe things you know are not true .

it was Uncle Edward who told me there were no such things as fairies .

I was just seven .

he is a minister , so of course I knew he spoke the truth .

ah , do we ever " feel quite the same " towards people who destroy our illusions ?

shall I ever be able to forgive the brutal creature who first told me there was no such person as Santa Claus ?

but I know what he must ever seem to me !

we waited at Uncle Alec 's door for the others to come up .

Peter was by way of skulking shamefacedly past into the shadows ; but the Story Girl 's brief , bitter anger had vanished .

" wait for me , Peter , " she called .

she went over to him and held out her hand .

" I forgive you , " she said graciously .

Felix and I felt that it would really be worth while to offend her , just to be forgiven in such an adorable voice .

Peter eagerly grasped her hand .

no , sir !

and I 'm going to church and Sunday School regular , and I 'll say my prayers every night .

I want to be like the rest of you .

and look here !

I 've thought of the way my Aunt Jane used to give medicine to a cat .

if Paddy isn't any better to-morrow , we 'll do that . "

they went away together hand in hand , children-wise , up the lane of spruces crossed with bars of moonlight .

and there was peace over all that fresh and flowery land , and peace in our little hearts .

CHAPTER VI .

THE MYSTERY OF GOLDEN MILESTONE

Paddy was smeared with medicated lard the next day , all of us assisting at the rite , although the Story Girl was high priestess .

we might earn it by honest toil , or gather it in by contributions levied on our friends .

our relatives started us with a quarter apiece .

for the rest , we knew we must depend on our own exertions .

Peter was handicapped at the beginning by the fact that he had no family friend to finance him .

" if my Aunt Jane 'd been living she 'd have given me something , " he remarked .

" and if my father hadn't run away he might have given me something too .

but I 'm going to do the best I can anyhow .

felicity made a similar bargain with her mother .

the Story Girl and Cecily were each to be paid ten cents a week for washing dishes in their respective homes .

Felix and Dan contracted to keep the gardens free from weeds .

I caught brook trout in the westering valley of spruces and sold them for a cent apiece .

Sara Ray was the only unhappy one among us .

she could do nothing .

to Sara , this was humiliation indescribable .

" I 'm just going to pray to God to send me some money , " she announced desperately at last .

" I don't believe that will do any good , " said Dan .

" he gives lots of things , but he doesn't give money , because people can earn that for themselves . "

" I can't , " said Sara , with passionate defiance .

" I think He ought to take that into account . "

" don't worry , dear , " said Cecily , who always poured balm .

" if you can't collect any money everybody will know it isn't your fault . "

" I won't ever feel like reading a single book in the library if I can't give something to it , " mourned Sara .

Dan and the girls and I were sitting in a row on Aunt Olivia 's garden fence , watching Felix weed .

Felix worked well , although he did not like weeding " fat boys never do , " felicity informed him .

Felix pretended not to hear her , but I knew he did , because his ears grew red .

Felix 's face never blushed , but his ears always gave him away .

as for Felicity , she did not say things like that out of malice prepense .

it never occurred to her that Felix did not like to be called fat .

" I always feel so sorry for the poor weeds , " said the Story Girl dreamily .

" it must be very hard to be rooted up . "

" they shouldn't grow in the wrong place , " said Felicity mercilessly .

" when weeds go to heaven I suppose they will be flowers , " continued the Story Girl .

" you do think such queer things , " said Felicity .

" a rich man in Toronto has a floral clock in his garden , " I said .

" oh , I wish we had one here , " exclaimed Cecily .

" what would be the use of it ? " asked the Story Girl a little disdainfully .

" nobody ever wants to know the time in a garden . "

I slipped away at this point , suddenly remembering that it was time to take a dose of magic seed .

I had bought it from Billy Robinson three days before in school .

Billy had assured me that it would make me grow fast .

I was beginning to feel secretly worried because I did not grow .

I had overheard Aunt Janet say I was going to be short , like Uncle Alec .

now , I loved Uncle Alec , but I wanted to be taller than he was .

Billy was taller than any boy of his age in Carlisle , and he assured me it all came from taking magic seed .

" I was a regular runt before I begun , " he said , " and look at me now .

I got it from Peg Bowen .

she 's a witch , you know .

I wouldn't go near her again for a bushel of magic seed .

it was an awful experience .

I haven't much left , but I guess I've enough to do me till I 'm as tall as I want to be .

I wouldn't spare any of it to any one but you . "

I felt deeply grateful to Billy , and sorry that I had not liked him better .

somehow , nobody did like Billy Robinson over and above .

but I vowed I WOULD like him in future .

I could not see any advance in growth yet , but then I had been taking it only three days .

one day the Story Girl had an inspiration .

" let us go and ask the Awkward Man and Mr Campbell for a contribution to the library fund , " she said .

" I am sure no one else has asked them , because nobody in Carlisle is related to them .

let us all go , and if they give us anything we 'll divide it equally among us . "

but where the Story Girl led we would follow to the death .

the next day being Saturday , we started out in the afternoon .

at first all was not harmonious .

neither Felicity nor Cecily could have worn it ; but it became the Story Girl perfectly .

" I shouldn't think you 'd put on your best clothes to go begging for the library in , " said Felicity cuttingly .

" aunt Olivia spoils you , " said Felicity .

" she doesn't either , Felicity King !

aunt Olivia is just sweet .

she kisses me good-night every night , and your mother NEVER kisses you . "

" my mother doesn't make kisses so common , " retorted Felicity .

" but she gives us pie for dinner every day . "

" So does Aunt Olivia . "

" yes , but look at the difference in the size of the pieces !

and Aunt Olivia only gives you skim milk .

my mother gives us cream . "

" aunt Olivia 's skim milk is as good as your mother 's cream , " cried the Story Girl hotly .

" oh , girls , don't fight , " said Cecily , the peacemaker .

" it 's such a nice day , and we 'll have a nice time if you don't spoil it by fighting . "

" we 're NOT fighting , " said Felicity .

" and I like Aunt Olivia .

but my mother is just as good as Aunt Olivia , there now ! "

" of course she is .

aunt Janet is splendid , " agreed the Story Girl .

they smiled at each other amicably .

felicity and the Story Girl were really quite fond of each other , under the queer surface friction that commonly resulted from their intercourse .

" you said once you knew a story about the Awkward Man , " said Felix .

" you might tell it to us . "

" all right , " agreed the Story Girl .

" the only trouble is , I don't know the whole story .

but I 'll tell you all I do know .

I call it ' The Mystery of the Golden Milestone . ' "

" oh , I don't believe that story is true , " said Felicity .

" I believe Mrs Griggs was just romancing .

she DOES romance , mother says . "

" anyway , this is the story , boys .

you know the Awkward Man has lived alone ever since his mother died , ten years ago .

Abel Griggs is his hired man , and he and his wife live in a little house down the Awkward Man 's lane .

Mrs Griggs makes his bread for him , and she cleans up his house now and then .

she says he keeps it very neat .

but till last fall there was one room she never saw .

it was always locked the west one , looking out over his garden .

one day last fall the Awkward Man went to Summerside , and Mrs Griggs scrubbed his kitchen .

then she went over the whole house and she tried the door of the west room .

Mrs Griggs is a VERY curious woman .

Uncle Roger says all women have as much curiosity as is good for them , but Mrs Griggs has more .

she expected to find the door locked as usual .

it was NOT locked .

she opened it and went in .

what do you suppose she found ? "

" something like like Bluebeard 's chamber ? " suggested Felix in a scared tone .

" oh , no , NO !

nothing like THAT could happen in Prince Edward Island .

she says she never saw a room like it in a country farmhouse .

it was like a bed-room and sitting-room combined .

the floor was covered with a carpet like green velvet .

there were fine lace curtains at the windows and beautiful pictures on the walls .

there was a woman 's picture above the bookcase .

Mrs Griggs says she thinks it was a coloured photograph , but she didn't know who it was .

anyway , it was a very pretty girl .

but the most amazing thing of all was that A WOMAN'S DRESS was hanging over a chair by the table .

besides that , there was a pair of blue satin slippers on the floor beside it HIGH-HEELED slippers .

and on the fly-leaves of the books the name ' Alice ' was written .

now , there never was an Alice in the Dale connection and nobody ever heard of the Awkward Man having a sweetheart .

there , isn't that a lovely mystery ? "

" it 's a pretty queer yarn , " said Felix .

" I wonder if it is true and what it means . "

" I intend to find out what it means , " said the Story Girl .

" I am going to get acquainted with the Awkward Man sometime , and then I 'll find out his Alice-secret . "

" I don't see how you 'll ever get acquainted with him , " said Felicity .

" he never goes anywhere except to church .

he just stays home and reads books when he isn't working .

mother says he is a perfect hermit . "

" I 'll manage it somehow , " said the Story Girl and we had no doubt that she would .

" but I must wait until I 'm a little older , for he wouldn't tell the secret of the west room to a little girl .

and I mustn't wait till I 'm TOO old , for he is frightened of grown-up girls , because he thinks they laugh at his awkwardness .

I know I will like him .

he has such a nice face , even if he is awkward .

he looks like a man you could tell things to . "

" well , I 'd like a man who could move around without falling over his own feet , " said Felicity .

" and then the look of him !

uncle Roger says he is long , lank , lean , narrow , and contracted . "

" things always sound worse than they are when Uncle Roger says them , " said the Story Girl .

" uncle Edward says Jasper Dale is a very clever man and it 's a great pity he wasn't able to finish his college course .

he went to college two years , you know .

then his father died , and he stayed home with his mother because she was very delicate .

I call him a hero .

I wonder if it is true that he writes poetry .

Mrs Griggs says it is .

she says she has seen him writing it in a brown book .

she said she couldn't get near enough to read it , but she knew it was poetry by the shape of it . "

" very likely .

if that blue silk dress story is true , I 'd believe ANYTHING of him , " said Felicity .

we were near Golden Milestone now .

the house was a big , weather-gray structure , overgrown with vines and climbing roses .

we did not get into the house , however .

we met the Awkward man in his yard , and he gave us a quarter apiece for our library .

he did not seem awkward or shy ; but then we were only children , and his foot was on his native heath .

he had large hands and feet , and walked with a slight stoop .

I am afraid we stared at him rather rudely while the Story Girl talked to him .

I leave it to you .

" he gave us the money like a gentleman , " said the Story Girl .

" I felt he didn't grudge it .

and now for Mr Campbell .

it was on HIS account I put on my red silk .

I don't suppose the Awkward Man noticed it at all , but Mr Campbell will , or I 'm much mistaken . "

CHAPTER VII .

HOW BETTY SHERMAN WON A HUSBAND

the rest of us did not share the Story Girl 's enthusiasm regarding our call on Mr Campbell .

we secretly dreaded it .

if , as was said , he detested children , who knew what sort of a reception we might meet ?

Mr Campbell was a rich , retired farmer , who took life easily .

he had visited New York and Boston , Toronto and Montreal ; he had even been as far as the Pacific coast .

therefore he was regarded in Carlisle as a much travelled man ; and he was known to be " well read " and intelligent .

but it was also known that Mr Campbell was not always in a good humour .

in short , we had the impression that Mr Campbell resembled the famous little girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead .

" when he was good , he was very , very good , and when he was bad he was horrid . "

what if this were one of his horrid days ?

" he can't DO anything to us , you know , " said the Story Girl .

" he may be rude , but that won't hurt any one but himself . "

" hard words break no bones , " observed Felicity philosophically .

" but they hurt your feelings .

I am afraid of Mr Campbell , " said Cecily candidly .

" perhaps we 'd better give up and go home , " suggested Dan .

" you can go home if you like , " said the Story Girl scornfully .

" but I am going to see Mr Campbell .

I know I can manage him .

that settled it .

we were not going to let the Story Girl get ahead of us in the manner of collecting .

Mr Campbell 's housekeeper ushered us into his parlour and left us .

presently Mr Campbell himself was standing in the doorway , looking us over .

we took heart of grace .

it seemed to be one of his good days , for there was a quizzical smile on his broad , clean-shaven , strongly-featured face .

Mr Campbell was a tall man , with a massive head , well thatched with thick , black hair , gray-streaked .

he had big , black eyes , with many wrinkles around them , and a thin , firm , long-lipped mouth .

we thought him handsome , for an old man .

his gaze wandered over us with uncomplimentary indifference until it fell on the Story Girl , leaning back in an arm-chair .

she looked like a slender red lily in the unstudied grace of her attitude .

a spark flashed into Mr Campbell 's black eyes .

" is this a Sunday School deputation ? " he inquired rather ironically .

" no .

we have come to ask a favour of you , " said the Story Girl .

the magic of her voice worked its will on Mr Campbell , as on all others .

he came in , sat down , hooked his thumb into his vest pocket , and smiled at her .

" what is it ? " he asked .

" we are collecting for our school library , and we have called to ask you for a contribution , " she replied .

" why should I contribute to your school library ? " demanded Mr Campbell .

this was a poser for us .

why should he , indeed ?

but the Story Girl was quite equal to it .

leaning forward , and throwing an indescribable witchery into tone and eyes and smile , she said ,

" because a lady asks you . "

Mr Campbell chuckled .

" the best of all reasons , " he said .

" but see here , my dear young lady , I 'm an old miser and curmudgeon , as you may have heard .

I HATE to part with my money , even for a good reason .

and I NEVER part with any of it , unless I am to receive some benefit from the expenditure .

now , what earthly good could I get from your three by six school library ?

none whatever .

but I shall make you a fair offer .

I have heard from my housekeeper 's urchin of a son that you are a ' master hand ' to tell stories .

tell me one , here and now .

I shall pay you in proportion to the entertainment you afford me .

come now , and do your prettiest . "

there was a fine mockery in his tone that put the Story Girl on her mettle instantly .

she sprang to her feet , an amazing change coming over her .

her eyes flashed and burned ; crimson spots glowed in her cheeks .

" I shall tell you the story of the Sherman girls , and how Betty Sherman won a husband , " she said .

we gasped .

was the Story Girl crazy ?

but Mr Campbell chuckled again .

" an excellent test , " he said .

" if you can amuse ME with that story you must be a wonder .

I 've heard it so often that it has no more interest for me than the alphabet . "

it was bitter , bitter cold , and a storm was brewing .

but , storm , or no storm , Donald meant to go over the bay that evening to see Nancy Sherman .

he was thinking of her as he played ' Annie Laurie , ' for Nancy was more beautiful than the lady of the song .

he did not know whether Nancy cared for him or not .

he had many rivals .

but he knew that if she would not come to be the mistress of his new house no one else ever should .

so he sat there that afternoon and dreamed of her , as he played sweet old songs and rollicking jigs on his fiddle .

" while he was playing a sleigh drove up to the door , and Neil Campbell came in .

Donald was not overly glad to see him , for he suspected where he was going .

" Neil sat down by the roaring fire , looking quite well satisfied with himself .

it was ten miles from Berwick to the bay shore , and a call at a half way house was just the thing .

then Donald brought out the whisky .

they always did that eighty years ago , you know .

" ' You look cold , ' said Donald , in his great , hearty voice .

' Sit nearer the fire , man , and put a bit of warmth in your veins .

it 's bitter cold the day .

and now tell me the Berwick news .

has Jean McLean made up with her man yet ?

and is it true that Sandy McQuarrie is to marry Kate Ferguson ?

' Twill be a match now !

sure , with her red hair , Sandy will not be like to lose his bride past finding . '

" Neil had plenty of news to tell .

and the more whisky he drank the more he told .

he didn't notice that Donald was not taking much .

Neil talked on and on , and of course he soon began to tell things it would have been much wiser not to tell .

finally he told Donald that he was going over the bay to ask Nancy Sherman that very night to marry him .

and if she would have him , then Donald and all the folks should see a wedding that WAS a wedding .

" oh , wasn't Donald taken aback !

this was more than he had expected .

Neil hadn't been courting Nancy very long , and Donald never dreamed he would propose to her QUITE so soon .

" at first Donald didn't know what to do .

he felt sure deep down in his heart , that Nancy liked HIM .

but Donald knew that if Neil proposed first he would have the best chance .

Neil was rich and the Shermans were poor , and old Elias Sherman would have the most to say in the matter .

if he told Nancy she must take Neil Campbell she would never dream of disobeying him .

old Elias Sherman was a man who had to be obeyed .

but if Nancy had only promised some one else first her father would not make her break her word .

" wasn't it a hard plight for poor Donald ?

but he was a Scotchman , you know , and it 's pretty hard to stick a Scotchman long .

presently a twinkle came into his eyes , for he remembered that all was fair in love and war .

so he said to Neil , oh , so persuasively ,

" ' Have some more , man , have some more .

' Twill keep the heart in you in the teeth of that wind .

help yourself .

there 's plenty more where that came from . '

" Neil didn't want MUCH persuasion .

he took some more , and said slyly ,

" ' Is it going over the bay the night that yourself will be doing ? '

" Donald shook his head .

have another taste , man , have another taste . '

at last Neil 's head fell forward on his breast , and he was sound asleep .

Donald got up , put on his overcoat and cap , and went to the door .

" with that he untied Neil 's horse , climbed into Neil 's sleigh , and tucked Neil 's buffalo robe about him .

" ' Now , Bess , old girl , do your bonniest , ' he said .

' There 's more than you know hangs on your speed .

if the Campbell wakes too soon Black Dan could show you a pair of clean heels for all your good start .

on , my girl . '

SUPPOSE he was mistaken .

SUPPOSE she said ' no ! '

" ' Neil would have the laugh on me then .

sure he 's sleeping well .

and the snow is coming soon .

There'll be a bonny swirl on the bay ere long .

I hope no harm will come to the lad if he starts to cross .

when he wakes he 'll be in such a fine Highland temper that he 'll never stop to think of danger .

well , Bess , old girl , here we are .

now , Donald Fraser , pluck up heart and play the man .

never flinch because a slip of a lass looks scornful at you out of the bonniest dark-blue eyes on earth . '

" but in spite of his bold words Donald 's heart was thumping as he drove into the Sherman yard .

Nancy was there milking a cow by the stable door , but she stood up when she saw Donald coming .

oh , she was very beautiful !

Donald felt more nervous than ever .

but he knew he must make the most of his chance .

he might not see Nancy alone again before Neil came .

he caught her hand and stammered out ,

" ' Nan , lass , I love you .

you may think ' tis a hasty wooing , but that 's a story I can tell you later maybe .

I know well I 'm not worthy of you , but if true love could make a man worthy there 'd be none before me .

will you have me , Nan ? '

" Nancy didn't SAY she would have him .

she just LOOKED it , and Donald kissed her right there in the snow .

" the next morning the storm was over .

Donald knew Neil must be soon on his track .

he did not want to make the Sherman house the scene of a quarrel , so he resolved to get away before the Campbell came .

he persuaded Nancy to go with him to visit some friends in another settlement .

as he brought Neil 's sleigh up to the door he saw a black speck far out on the bay and laughed .

" ' Black Dan goes well , but he 'll not be quick enough , ' he said .

" half an hour later Neil Campbell rushed into the Sherman kitchen and oh , how angry he was !

there was nobody there but Betty Sherman , and Betty was not afraid of him .

she was never afraid of anybody .

" ' Good morning , Mr Campbell , ' she said , with a toss of her head .

' It's early abroad you are .

and on Black Dan , no less !

was I mistaken in thinking that Donald Fraser said once that his favourite horse should never be backed by any man but him ?

but doubtless a fair exchange is no robbery , and Brown Bess is a good mare in her way . '

" ' Where is Donald Fraser ? ' said Neil , shaking his fist .

' It 's him I 'm seeking , and it 's him I will be finding .

where is he , Betty Sherman ? '

" ' Donald Fraser is far enough away by this time , ' mocked Betty .

' He is a prudent fellow , and has some quickness of wit under that sandy thatch of his .

did you ever hear a like story , Mr Campbell ? '

" ' Oh , yes , ' said Neil fiercely .

' It is laughing at me over the country side and telling that story that Donald Fraser will be doing , is it ?

but when I meet him it is not laughing he will be doing .

oh , no .

there will be another story to tell ! '

" ' Now , don't meddle with the man , ' cried Betty .

' What a state to be in because one good-looking lass likes sandy hair and gray eyes better than Highland black and blue !

you have not the spirit of a wren , Neil Campbell .

there 's many a girl would gladly say ' yes ' for your asking .

and here stands one !

why not marry ME , Neil Campbell ?

" what do you suppose the Campbell did ?

why , just the thing he ought to have done .

he took Betty at her word on the spot ; and there was a double wedding soon after .

and it is said that Neil and Betty were the happiest couple in the world happier even than Donald and Nancy .

so all was well because it ended well ! "

the Story Girl curtsied until her silken skirts swept the floor .

then she flung herself in her chair and looked at Mr Campbell , flushed , triumphant , daring .

the story was old to us .

but we had listened entranced .

it LIVED for us .

Donald and Neil , Nancy and Betty , were there in that room with us .

we realized all the mingled coquetry and feeling and defiance and archness in Betty Sherman 's daring speech .

we had even forgotten all about Mr Campbell .

that gentleman , in silence , took out his wallet , extracted a note therefrom , and handed it gravely to the Story Girl .

" there are five dollars for you , " he said , " and your story was well worth it .

you ARE a wonder .

some day you will make the world realize it .

and now , will you do me a favour ? "

" of course , " said the delighted Story Girl .

" recite the multiplication table for me , " said Mr Campbell .

we stared .

well might Mr Campbell be called eccentric .

what on earth did he want the multiplication table recited for ?

even the Story Girl was surprised .

but she began promptly , with twice one and went through it to twelve times twelve .

she repeated it simply , but her voice changed from one tone to another as each in succession grew tired .

we had never dreamed that there was so much in the multiplication table .

Mr Campbell nodded his satisfaction .

" I thought you could do it , " he said .

" the other day I found this statement in a book .

' Her voice would have made the multiplication table charming ! '

I thought of it when I heard yours .

I didn't believe it before , but I do now . "

then he let us go .

" you see , " said the Story Girl as we went home , " you need never be afraid of people . "

" but we are not all Story Girls , " said Cecily .

that night we heard Felicity talking to Cecily in their room .

" could you ever do what Betty Sherman did , do you suppose ? " asked Cecily absently .

" no ; but I believe the Story Girl could , " answered Felicity rather snappishly .

CHAPTER VIII .

a TRAGEDY OF CHILDHOOD

the Story Girl went to Charlottetown for a week in June to visit Aunt Louisa .

life seemed very colourless without her , and even Felicity admitted that it was lonesome .

but three days after her departure Felix told us something on the way home from school which lent some spice to existence immediately .

" what do you think ? " he said in a very solemn , yet excited , tone .

to think that Jerry Cowan should have seen such a picture often !

we were as deeply impressed as Felix had meant us to be .

" did he say what it was like ? " asked Peter .

" no only that it was a picture of God , walking in the garden of Eden . "

" I asked him that , soon as ever he told me , " said Felix .

if she 'll let him he 'll bring it to-morrow . "

" oh , I 'll be almost afraid to look at it , " said Sara Ray tremulously .

I think we all shared her fear to some extent .

nevertheless , we went to school the next day burning with curiosity .

and we were disappointed .

possibly night had brought counsel to Jerry Cowan ; or perhaps his mother had put him up to it .

we talked the matter over in serious conclave in the orchard that evening .

we were all rather short of hard cash , having devoted most of our spare means to the school library fund .

but the general consensus of opinion was that we must have the picture , no matter what pecuniary sacrifices were involved .

if we could each give about seven cents we would have the amount .

Peter could only give four , but Dan gave eleven , which squared matters .

" fifty cents would be pretty dear for any other picture , but of course this is different , " said Dan .

" and there 's a picture of Eden thrown in , too , you know , " added Felicity .

" fancy selling God 's picture , " said Cecily in a shocked , awed tone .

" nobody but a Cowan would do it , and that 's a fact , " said Dan .

" when we get it we 'll keep it in the family Bible , " said Felicity .

" that 's the only proper place . "

" oh , I wonder what it will be like , " breathed Cecily .

we all wondered .

next day in school we agreed to Jerry Cowan 's terms , and Jerry promised to bring the picture up to Uncle Alec 's the following afternoon .

we were all intensely excited Saturday morning .

to our dismay , it began to rain just before dinner .

" what if Jerry doesn't bring the picture to-day because of the rain ? "

I suggested .

" never you fear , " answered Felicity decidedly .

" a Cowan would come through ANYTHING for fifty cents . "

after dinner we all , without any verbal decision about it , washed our faces and combed our hair .

the girls put on their second best dresses , and we boys donned white collars .

we all had the unuttered feeling that we must do such honour to that Picture as we could .

felicity and Dan began a small spat over something , but stopped at once when Cecily said severely ,

" how DARE you quarrel when you are going to look at a picture of God to-day ? "

owing to the rain we could not foregather in the orchard , where we had meant to transact the business with Jerry .

" I 'm afraid I did very wrong to come against ma's will , " she said miserably , " but I COULDN'T wait .

I wanted to see the picture as soon as you did . "

we waited and watched at the window .

the valley was full of mist , and the rain was coming down in slanting lines over the tops of the spruces .

but as we waited the clouds broke away and the sun came out flashingly ; the drops on the spruce boughs glittered like diamonds .

" I don't believe Jerry can be coming , " said Cecily in despair .

" I suppose his mother must have thought it was dreadful , after all , to sell such a picture . "

" there he is now ! " cried Dan , waving excitedly from the window .

" he 's carrying a fish-basket , " said Felicity .

" you surely don't suppose he would bring THAT picture in a fish-basket ! "

Jerry HAD brought it in a fish-basket , as appeared when he mounted the granary stairs shortly afterwards .

it was folded up in a newspaper packet on top of the dried herring with which the basket was filled .

we paid him his money , but we would not open the packet until he had gone .

" Cecily , " said Felicity in a hushed tone .

" you are the best of us all .

YOU open the parcel . "

" oh , I 'm no gooder than the rest of you , " breathed Cecily , " but I 'll open it if you like . "

with trembling fingers Cecily opened the parcel .

we stood around , hardly breathing .

she unfolded it and held it up .

we saw it .

suddenly Sara began to cry .

" oh , oh , oh , does God look like THAT ? " she wailed .

Felix and I spoke not .

disappointment , and something worse , sealed our speech .

DID God look like that like that stern , angrily frowning old man with the tossing hair and beard of the wood-cut Cecily held .

" I suppose He must , since that is His picture , " said Dan miserably .

" he looks awful cross , " said Peter simply .

" oh , I wish we 'd never , never seen it , " cried Cecily .

we all wished that too late .

our curiosity had led us into some Holy of Holies , not to be profaned by human eyes , and this was our punishment .

as we stood there wretchedly we heard flying feet below and a blithe voice calling ,

" where are you , children ? "

the Story Girl had returned !

at any other moment we would have rushed to meet her in wild joy .

but now we were too crushed and miserable to move .

" whatever is the matter with you all ? " demanded the Story Girl , appearing at the top of the stairs .

" what is Sara crying about ?

what have you got there ? "

look ! "

the Story Girl looked .

an expression of scorn came over her face .

" surely you don't believe God looks like that , " she said impatiently , while her fine eyes flashed .

" he doesn't He couldn't .

he is wonderful and beautiful .

I 'm surprised at you .

THAT is nothing but the picture of a cross old man . "

Hope sprang up in our hearts , although we were not wholly convinced .

" I don't know , " said Dan dubiously .

" it says under the picture ' God in the Garden of Eden . '

it 's PRINTED . "

" well , I suppose that 's what the man who drew it thought God was like , " answered the Story Girl carelessly .

" but HE couldn't have known any more than you do .

HE had never seen Him . "

" it 's all very well for you to say so , " said Felicity , " but YOU don't know either .

I wish I could believe that isn't like God but I don't know what to believe . "

" well , if you won't believe me , I suppose you 'll believe the minister , " said the Story Girl .

" go and ask him .

he 's in the house this very minute .

he came up with us in the buggy . "

at any other time we would never have dared catechize the minister about anything .

but desperate cases call for desperate measures .

we drew straws to see who should go and do the asking , and the lot fell to Felix .

" better wait until Mr Marwood leaves , and catch him in the lane , " advised the Story Girl .

" you 'll have a lot of grown-ups around you in the house . "

Felix took her advice .

Mr Marwood , presently walking benignantly along the lane , was confronted by a fat , small boy with a pale face but resolute eyes .

the rest of us remained in the background but within hearing .

" well , Felix , what is it ? " asked Mr Marwood kindly .

" please , sir , does God really look like this ? " asked Felix , holding out the picture .

" we hope He doesn't but we want to know the truth , and that is why I 'm bothering you .

please excuse us and tell me . "

the minister looked at the picture .

a stern expression came into his gentle blue eyes and he got as near to frowning as it was possible for him to get .

" where did you get that thing ? " he asked .

THING !

we began to breathe easier .

" we bought it from Jerry Cowan .

he found it in a red-covered history of the world .

it SAYS it 's God 's picture , " said Felix .

" it is nothing of the sort , " said Mr Marwood indignantly .

" there is no such thing as a picture of God , Felix .

no human being knows what he looks like no human being CAN know .

we should not even try to think what He looks like .

never believe anything else , my boy .

as for this this SACRILEGE take it and burn it . "

we did not know what a sacrilege meant , but we knew that Mr Marwood had declared that the picture was not like God .

that was enough for us .

we felt as if a terrible weight had been lifted from our minds .

" I could hardly believe the Story Girl , but of course the minister KNOWS , " said Dan happily .

" we 've lost fifty cents because of it , " said Felicity gloomily .

we had lost something of infinitely more value than fifty cents , although we did not realize it just then .

the mischief was done .

" Mr Marwood told me to burn it , " said Felix .

" it doesn't seem reverent to do that , " said Cecily .

" even if it isn't God 's picture , it has His name on it . "

" bury it , " said the Story Girl .

we did bury it after tea , in the depths of the spruce grove ; and then we went into the orchard .

it was so nice to have the Story Girl back again .

she had wreathed her hair with Canterbury Bells , and looked like the incarnation of rhyme and story and dream .

" Canterbury Bells is a lovely name for a flower , isn't it ? " she said .

" it makes you think of cathedrals and chimes , doesn't it ?

let's go over to Uncle Stephen 's Walk , and sit on the branches of the big tree .

such a dear old lady , with lovely silvery curls . "

scattered through the grass in Uncle Stephen 's Walk , were blossoming pale , aerial flowers which had no name that we could ever discover .

nobody seemed to know anything about them .

they had been there when Great-grandfather King bought the place .

I have never seen them elsewhere , or found them described in any floral catalogue .

we called them the White Ladies .

the Story Girl gave them the name .

she said they looked like the souls of good women who had had to suffer much and had been very patient .

" it 's sad and beautiful and true .

I do love to tell stories that I know really happened .

Mrs Dunbar lives next door to Aunt Louisa in town .

she is so sweet .

you wouldn't think to look at her that she had a tragedy in her life , but she has .

aunt Louisa told me the tale .

it all happened long , long ago .

interesting things like this all did happen long ago , it seems to me .

they never seem to happen now .

this was in ' @number@ when people were rushing to the gold fields in California .

it was just like a fever , Aunt Louisa says .

people took it , right here on the Island ; and a number of young men determined they would go to California .

" it is easy to go to California now ; but it was a very different matter then .

it was a long and dangerous journey ; and sometimes it took over six months .

when you got there you had no way of sending word home again except by the same plan .

it might be over a year before your people at home heard a word about you and fancy what their feelings would be !

" but these young men didn't think of these things ; they were led on by a golden vision .

they made all their arrangements , and they chartered the brig Fanny to take them to California .

" the captain of the Fanny is the hero of my story .

his name was Alan Dunbar , and he was young and handsome .

heroes always are , you know , but Aunt Louisa says he really was .

and he was in love wildly in love , with Margaret Grant .

but her parents were bitterly opposed to him , and they had forbidden Margaret to see him or speak to him .

they hadn't anything against him as a MAN , but they didn't want her to throw herself away on a sailor .

" well , when Alan Dunbar knew that he must go to California in the Fanny he was in despair .

he felt that he could NEVER go so far away for so long and leave his Margaret behind .

and Margaret felt that she could never let him go .

I know EXACTLY how she felt . "

" how can you know ? " interrupted Peter suddenly .

" you ain't old enough to have a beau .

how can you know ? "

the Story Girl looked at Peter with a frown .

she did not like to be interrupted when telling a story .

" those are not things one KNOWS about , " she said with dignity .

" one FEELS about them . "

Peter , crushed but not convinced , subsided , and the Story Girl went on .

" finally , Margaret ran away with Alan , and they were married in Charlottetown .

Alan intended to take his wife with him to California in the Fanny .

they had three days ONLY three days of happiness , and then the blow fell .

the crew and the passengers of the Fanny refused to let Captain Dunbar take his wife with him .

they told him he must leave her behind .

and all his prayers were of no avail .

oh , what a parting it was ! "

there was heartbreak in the Story Girl 's voice and tears came into our eyes .

" when it was all over , Margaret 's father and mother forgave her , and she went back home to wait to WAIT .

oh , it is so dreadful just to WAIT , and do nothing else .

Margaret waited for nearly a year .

how long it must have seemed to her !

and at last there came a letter but not from Alan .

Alan was DEAD .

he had died in California and had been buried there .

Cecily sprang up , shaking with sobs .

" oh , don't don't go on , " she implored .

" I CAN'T bear any more . "

" there is no more , " said the Story Girl .

" that was the end of it the end of everything for Margaret .

it didn't kill HER , but her heart died . "

" I just wish I 'd hold of those fellows who wouldn't let the Captain take his wife , " said Peter savagely .

" well , it was awful said , " said Felicity , wiping her eyes .

" but it was long ago and we can't do any good by crying over it now .

let us go and get something to eat .

I made some nice little rhubarb tarts this morning . "

we went .

in spite of new disappointments and old heartbreaks we had appetites .

and Felicity did make scrumptious rhubarb tarts !

CHAPTER IX .

MAGIC SEED

when the time came to hand in our collections for the library fund Peter had the largest three dollars .

felicity was a good second with two and a half .

this was simply because the hens had laid so well .

" I didn't , " said Felicity indignantly .

" look how Aunt Olivia 's hens laid , too , and she fed them herself just the same as usual . "

" never mind , " said Cecily , " we have all got something to give .

if you were like poor Sara Ray , and hadn't been able to collect anything , you might feel bad . "

but Sara Ray HAD something to give .

she came up the hill after tea , all radiant .

when Sara Ray smiled and she did not waste her smiles she was rather pretty in a plaintive , apologetic way .

a dimple or two came into sight , and she had very nice teeth small and white , like the traditional row of pearls .

" oh , just look , " she said .

" here are three dollars and I 'm going to give it all to the library fund .

I had a letter to-day from Uncle Arthur in Winnipeg , and he sent me three dollars .

he said I was to use it ANY way I liked , so ma couldn't refuse to let me give it to the fund .

she thinks it 's an awful waste , but she always goes by what Uncle Arthur says .

oh , I 've prayed so hard that some money might come some way , and now it has .

see what praying does ! "

I was very much afraid that we did not rejoice quite as unselfishly in Sara 's good fortune as we should have done .

WE had earned our contributions by the sweat of our brow , or by the scarcely less disagreeable method of " begging . "

and Sara 's had as good as descended upon her out of the skies , as much like a miracle as anything you could imagine .

" she prayed for it , you know , " said Felix , after Sara had gone home .

" that 's too easy a way of earning money , " grumbled Peter resentfully .

" if the rest of us had just set down and done nothing , only prayed , how much do you s'pose we 'd have ?

it don't seem fair to me . "

" oh , well , it 's different with Sara , " said Dan .

" we COULD earn money and she COULDN'T . you see ?

but come on down to the orchard .

the Story Girl had a letter from her father to-day and she 's going to read it to us . "

we went promptly .

before coming to Carlisle , Uncle Blair Stanley had been a mere name to us .

now he was a personality .

he belonged to a different world from theirs .

they had never known him very intimately or understood him .

I realize now that Uncle Blair was a bit of a Bohemian a respectable sort of tramp .

had he been a poor man he might have been a more successful artist .

but Uncle Blair could do at least one thing surpassingly well .

he could write letters .

such letters !

by contrast , Felix and I were secretly ashamed of father 's epistles .

father could talk well but , as Felix said , he couldn't write worth a cent .

Felix and I were always glad to get his letters , but we never read them aloud to an admiring circle in the orchard .

we climbed Mount Blanc , saw the Jungfrau soaring into cloudland , and walked among the gloomy pillars of Bonnivard 's prison .

" it must be splendid to go to Europe , " sighed Cecily longingly .

" I am going some day , " said the Story Girl airily .

we looked at her with a slightly incredulous awe .

to us , in those years , Europe seemed almost as remote and unreachable as the moon .

it was hard to believe that one of US should ever go there .

but Aunt Julia had gone and SHE had been brought up in Carlisle on this very farm .

so it was possible that the Story Girl might go too .

" what will you do there ? " asked Peter practically .

" I shall learn how to tell stories to all the world , " said the Story Girl dreamily .

it was a lovely , golden-brown evening ; the orchard , and the farm-lands beyond , were full of ruby lights and kissing shadows .

we sat there and talked until the first star lighted a white taper over the beech hill .

I had not grown a single bit , by the merciless testimony of the hall door .

I took the box of seed out of my trunk in the twilit room and swallowed the decreed pinch .

as I did so , Dan 's voice rang out behind me .

" Beverley King , what have you got there ? "

I thrust the box hastily into my trunk and confronted Dan .

" none of your business , " I said defiantly .

" yes , ' tis . "

Dan was too much in earnest to resent my blunt speech .

" Look here , Bev , is that magic seed ?

and did you get it from Billy Robinson ? "

Dan and I looked at each other , suspicion dawning in our eyes .

" what do you know about Billy Robinson and his magic seed ? "

I demanded .

" just this .

I bought a box from him for for something .

he said he wasn't going to sell any of it to anybody else .

did he sell any to you ? "

" what for ?

YOUR mouth is a decent size , " said Dan .

" mouth ?

it had nothing to do with my mouth !

he said it would make me grow tall .

and it hasn't not an inch !

I don't see what you wanted it for !

you are tall enough . "

" I got it for my mouth , " said Dan with a shame-faced grin .

" the girls in school laugh at it so .

Kate Marr says it 's like a gash in a pie .

Billy said that seed would shrink it for sure . "

well , there it was !

Billy had deceived us both .

nor were we the only victims .

we did not find the whole story out at once .

but I shall anticipate the successive relations in this chapter .

every pupil of Carlisle school , so it eventually appeared , had bought magic seed , under solemn promise of secrecy .

Felix had believed blissfully that it would make him thin .

Cecily 's hair was to become naturally curly , and Sara Ray was not to be afraid of Peg Bowen any more .

it was to make Felicity as clever as the Story Girl and it was to make the Story Girl as good a cook as Felicity .

what Peter had bought magic seed for remained a secret longer than any of the others .

skilfully indeed had that astute Billy played on our respective weaknesses .

Peg Bowen had had nothing to do with it .

well , we had all been badly hoaxed .

but we did not trumpet our wrongs abroad .

we did not even call Billy to account .

we thought that least said was soonest mended in such a matter .

we went very softly indeed , lest the grown-ups , especially that terrible Uncle Roger , should hear of it .

" after all , what could you expect from a pig but a grunt ? "

we were not surprised to find that Billy Robinson 's contribution to the library fund was the largest handed in by any of the scholars .

Cecily said she didn't envy him his conscience .

but I am afraid she measured his conscience by her own .

I doubt very much if Billy 's troubled him at all .

CHAPTER X . a DAUGHTER OF EVE

they were slender and shapely and satin smooth with arched insteps , the daintiest of toes , and nails like pink shells .

we were all in the hayloft .

the Story Girl had been telling us a tale

" of old , unhappy , far-off things , And battles long ago . "

felicity and Cecily were curled up in a corner , and we boys sprawled idly on the fragrant , sun-warm heaps .

Haylofts are delicious places , with just enough of shadow and soft , uncertain noises to give an agreeable tang of mystery .

Pat was with us , of course , prowling about stealthily , or making frantic , bootless leaps at the swallows .

a cat in a hayloft is a beautiful example of the eternal fitness of things .

we had not heard of this fitness then , but we all felt that Paddy was in his own place in a hayloft .

" I think it is very vain to talk about anything you have yourself being beautiful , " said Felicity .

" I am not a bit vain , " said the Story Girl , with entire truthfulness .

" it is not vanity to know your own good points .

it would just be stupidity if you didn't .

it 's only vanity when you get puffed up about them .

I am not a bit pretty .

my only good points are my hair and eyes and feet .

so I think it 's real mean that one of them has to be covered up the most of the time .

I 'm always glad when it gets warm enough to go barefooted .

but , when I grow up they 'll have to covered all the time .

it IS mean . "

" I don't know that .

I 'm thinking of going barefooted . "

" oh , you wouldn't !

Sara Stanley , you 're not in earnest ! " exclaimed Felicity , her blue eyes filling with horror .

she dearly loved to " take a rise " out of Felicity now and then .

" indeed , I would if I just made up my mind to .

why not ?

why not bare feet if they 're clean as well as bare hands and face ? "

" oh , you wouldn't !

it would be such a disgrace ! " said poor Felicity in real distress .

" we went to school barefooted all June , " argued that wicked Story Girl .

" what is the difference between going to the schoolhouse barefooted in the daytime and going in the evening ? "

" oh , there 's EVERY difference .

I can't just explain it but every one KNOWS there is a difference .

you know it yourself .

oh , PLEASE , don't do such a thing , Sara . "

we were all rather excited over the magic lantern show which an itinerant lecturer was to give in the schoolhouse that evening .

Even Felix and I , who had seen such shows galore , were interested , and the rest were quite wild .

there had never been such a thing in Carlisle before .

we were all going , Peter included .

Peter went everywhere with us now .

it was a feather in the Story Girl 's cap , for she took all the credit of having started Peter on the right road .

felicity was resigned , although the fatal patch on Peter 's best trousers was still an eyesore to her .

she declared she never got any good of the singing , because Peter stood up then and every one could see the patch .

Mrs James Clark , whose pew was behind ours , never took her eye off it or so Felicity averred .

but Peter 's stockings were always darned .

aunt Olivia had seen to that , ever since she heard of Peter 's singular device regarding them on his first Sunday .

she had also given Peter a Bible , of which he was so proud that he hated to use it lest he should soil it .

" I think I 'll wrap it up and keep it in my box , " he said .

" I 've an old Bible of Aunt Jane 's at home that I can use .

I s'pose it 's just the same , even if it is old , isn't it ? "

" oh , yes , " Cecily had assured him .

" the Bible is always the same . "

" I thought maybe they 'd got some new improvements on it since Aunt Jane 's day , " said Peter , relieved .

" Sara Ray is crying half her time , " said Cecily impatiently .

" I 'm sure she cries a quartful of tears a month .

there are times when you can't help crying .

but I hide then .

Sara just goes and cries in public . "

we all showed the sympathy we felt .

" she SAID yesterday you could go , " said the Story Girl indignantly .

" why has she changed her mind ? "

" because of the measles in Markdale , " sobbed Sara .

" she says Markdale is full of them , and there'll be sure to be some of the Markdale people at the show .

so I 'm not to go .

and I 've never seen a magic lantern I 've never seen ANYTHING . "

" I don't believe there 's any danger of catching measles , " said Felicity .

" if there was we wouldn't be allowed to go . "

" I wish I COULD get the measles , " said Sara defiantly .

" maybe I 'd be of some importance to ma then . "

" suppose Cecily goes down with you and coaxes your mother , " suggested the Story Girl .

" perhaps she 'd let you go then .

she likes Cecily .

she doesn't like either Felicity or me , so it would only make matters worse for us to try . "

" Ma 's gone to town pa and her went this afternoon and they 're not coming back till to-morrow .

there 's nobody home but Judy Pineau and me . "

" then , " said the Story Girl , " why don't you just go to the show anyhow ?

your mother won't ever know , if you coax Judy to hold her tongue . "

" oh , but that 's wrong , " said Felicity .

" you shouldn't put Sara up to disobeying her mother . "

now , Felicity for once was undoubtedly right .

but Felicity was one of those unfortunate people whose protests against wrong-doing serve only to drive the wrong-doer further on her sinful way .

the Story Girl resented Felicity 's superior tone , and proceeded to tempt Sara in right good earnest .

the rest of us held our tongues .

it was , we told ourselves , Sara 's own lookout .

I haven't a single thing to wear , except my school gingham . "

" well , that 's new and pretty , " said the Story Girl .

" we 'll lend you some things .

you can have my lace collar .

that 'll make the gingham quite elegant .

and Cecily will lend you her second best hat . "

" but I 've no shoes or stockings .

they 're locked up too . "

Sara did yield .

when the Story Girl 's voice entreated it was not easy to resist its temptation , even if you wanted to .

that evening , when we started for the schoolhouse , Sara Ray was among us , decked out in borrowed plumes .

" suppose she DOES catch the measles ? "

felicity said aside .

" I don't believe there 'll be anybody there from Markdale .

the lecturer is going to Markdale next week .

they 'll wait for that , " said the Story Girl airily .

it was a cool , dewy evening , and we walked down the long , red hill in the highest of spirits .

the air was sweet with the breath of mown hayfields where swaths of clover had been steeping in the sun .

wild roses grew pinkly along the fences , and the roadsides were star-dusted with buttercups .

those of us who had nothing the matter with our consciences enjoyed our walk to the little whitewashed schoolhouse in the valley .

felicity and Cecily were void of offence towards all men .

the Story Girl walked uprightly like an incarnate flame in her crimson silk .

her pretty feet were hidden in the tan-coloured , buttoned Paris boots which were the secret envy of every school girl in Carlisle .

but Sara Ray was not happy .

her face was so melancholy that the Story Girl lost patience with her .

the Story Girl herself was not altogether at ease .

probably her own conscience was troubling her .

but admit it she would not .

never mind if it is bad .

there 's no use being naughty if you spoil your fun by wishing all the time you were good .

you can repent afterwards , but there is no use in mixing the two things together . "

" I 'm not repenting , " protested Sara .

" I 'm only scared of ma finding it out . "

" oh ! "

the Story Girl 's voice expressed her scorn .

for remorse she had understanding and sympathy ; but fear of her fellow creatures was something unknown to her .

" didn't Judy Pineau promise you solemnly she wouldn't tell ? "

" yes ; but maybe some one who sees me there will mention it to ma . "

" well , if you 're so scared you 'd better not go .

it isn't too late .

here 's your own gate , " said Cecily .

but Sara could not give up the delights of the show .

the magic lantern show was a splendid one .

the views were good and the lecturer witty .

we repeated his jokes to each other all the way home .

Sara , who had not enjoyed the exhibition at all , seemed to feel more cheerful when it was over and she was going home .

the Story Girl on the contrary was gloomy .

I wish I 'd never egged Sara on to going but don't tell Felicity I said so .

if Sara Ray had really enjoyed the show I wouldn't mind .

but she didn't .

I could see that .

so I 've done wrong and made her do wrong and there 's nothing to show for it . "

the night was scented and mysterious .

the wind was playing an eerie fleshless melody in the reeds of the brook hollow .

the sky was dark and starry , and across it the Milky Way flung its shimmering misty ribbons .

he had a retentive memory , and never forgot anything he heard or read .

felicity was so impressed by his knowledge of astronomy that she dropped back from the other girls and walked beside him .

she had not done so before because he was barefooted .

but Felicity would not walk with a barefooted companion .

it was dark now , so nobody would notice his feet .

" I know a story about the Milky Way , " said the Story Girl , brightening up .

" I read it in a book of Aunt Louisa 's in town , and I learned it off by heart .

once there were two archangels in heaven , named Zerah and Zulamith "

" have angels names same as people ? " interrupted Peter .

" yes , of course .

they MUST have .

they 'd be all mixed up if they hadn't . "

" and when I 'm an angel if I ever get to be one will my name still be Peter ? "

" no .

you 'll have a new name up there , " said Cecily gently .

" it says so in the Bible . "

" well , I 'm glad of that .

Peter would be such a funny name for an angel .

and what is the difference between angels and archangels ? "

" how long does it take for an angel to grow into an archangel ? " pursued Peter .

" oh , I don't know .

millions of years likely .

and even then I don't suppose ALL the angels do .

A good many of them must just stay plain angels , I expect . "

" I shall be satisfied just to be a plain angel , " said Felicity modestly .

" dry up , all of you , and let the Story Girl go on . "

we dried up , and the Story Girl went on .

" Zerah and Zulamith loved each other , just as mortals love , and this is forbidden by the laws of the Almighty .

and because Zerah and Zulamith had so broken God 's law they were banished from His presence to the uttermost bounds of the universe .

only one thing could cross it and that was love .

for a thousand thousand years they both built the bridge of light , and at last they met and sprang into each other 's arms .

" ' See what these rebellious ones have done !

they have built them a bridge of light across the universe , and set Thy decree of separation at naught .

do Thou , then , stretch forth Thine arm and destroy their impious work . '

" they ceased and all heaven was hushed .

Through the silence sounded the voice of the Almighty .

" ' Nay , ' He said , ' whatsoever in my universe true love hath builded not even the Almighty can destroy .

the bridge must stand forever . '

that bridge is the Milky Way . "

" what a lovely story , " sighed Sara Ray , who had been wooed to a temporary forgetfulness of her woes by its charm .

the rest of us came back to earth , feeling that we had been wandering among the hosts of heaven .

we were not old enough to appreciate fully the wonderful meaning of the legend ; but we felt its beauty and its appeal .

then the Story Girl and I walked up the hill together .

Peter and Felicity lagged behind .

Cecily and Dan and Felix were walking before us , hand in hand , singing a hymn .

Cecily had a very sweet voice , and I listened in delight .

but the Story Girl sighed .

" what if Sara does take the measles ? " she asked miserably .

" everyone has to have the measles sometime , " I said comfortingly , " and the younger you are the better . "

CHAPTER XI .

THE STORY GIRL DOES PENANCE

ten days later , Aunt Olivia and Uncle Roger went to town one evening , to remain over night , and the next day .

Peter and the Story Girl were to stay at Uncle Alec 's during their absence .

I had read the story before , and it had been my opinion that it was " rot . "

no king , I felt certain , would ever marry a beggar maid when he had princesses galore from whom to choose .

but now I understood it all .

when Felicity returned we concluded from her expression that she had news .

and she had .

" Sara is real sick , " she said , with regret , and something that was not regret mingled in her voice .

" she has a cold and sore throat , and she is feverish .

Mrs Ray says if she isn't better by the morning she 's going to send for the doctor .

AND SHE IS AFRAID IT'S THE MEASLES . "

felicity flung the last sentence at the Story Girl , who turned very pale .

" oh , do you suppose she caught them at the magic lantern show ? " she said miserably .

" where else could she have caught them ? " said Felicity mercilessly .

" I didn't see her , of course Mrs Ray met me at the door and told me not to come in .

but Felicity had done her work too thoroughly .

the Story Girl was not to be comforted .

" I 'd give anything if I 'd never put Sara up to going to that show , " she said .

" it 's all my fault but the punishment falls on Sara , and that isn't fair .

I sha'n't sleep a wink to-night . "

I don't think she did .

she looked very pale and woebegone when she came down to breakfast .

but , for all that , there was a certain exhilaration about her .

" I 'm going to do penance all day for coaxing Sara to disobey her mother , " she announced with chastened triumph .

" penance ? " we murmured in bewilderment .

" yes .

and if any of you think of anything I don't , just mention it to me .

I thought it out last night .

maybe Sara won't be so very sick if God sees I 'm truly sorry . "

" he can see it anyhow , without your doing anything , " said Cecily .

" well , my conscience will feel better . "

" I don't believe Presbyterians ever do penance , " said Felicity dubiously .

" I never heard of one doing it . "

but the rest of us rather looked with favour on the Story Girl 's idea .

we felt sure that she would do penance as picturesquely and thoroughly as she did everything else .

" you might put peas in your shoes , you know , " suggested Peter .

" the very thing !

I never thought of that .

I 'll get some after breakfast .

I 'm not going to eat a single thing all day , except bread and water and not much of that ! "

this , we felt , was a heroic measure indeed .

we felt WE could never do it .

but the Story Girl did it .

we admired and pitied her .

but now I do not think that she either needed our pity or deserved our admiration .

her ascetic fare was really sweeter to her than honey of Hymettus .

Aunt Janet , of course , noticed the Story Girl 's abstinence and asked if she was sick .

" no .

I am just doing penance , Aunt Janet , for a sin I committed .

I can't confess it , because that would bring trouble on another person .

so I 'm going to do penance all day .

you don't mind , do you ? "

aunt Janet was in a very good humour that morning , so she merely laughed .

" not if you don't go too far with your nonsense , " she said tolerantly .

" thank you .

and will you give me a handful of hard peas after breakfast , Aunt Janet ?

I want to put them in my shoes . "

" there isn't any ; I used the last in the soup yesterday . "

" oh ! "

the Story Girl was much disappointed .

" then I suppose I 'll have to do without .

the new peas wouldn't hurt enough .

they 're so soft they'd just squash flat . "

" I 'll tell you , " said Peter , " I 'll pick up a lot of those little round pebbles on Mr King 's front walk .

they 'll be just as good as peas . "

" you 'll do nothing of the sort , " said Aunt Janet .

" Sara must not do penance in that way .

she would wear holes in her stockings , and might seriously bruise her feet . "

" I wouldn't SAY anything , " retorted Aunt Janet .

" I 'd simply turn you over my knee and give you a sound , solid spanking , Miss Sara .

you 'd find that penance enough . "

the Story Girl was crimson with indignation .

to have such a remark made to you when you were fourteen and a half and before the boys , too !

really , Aunt Janet could be very dreadful .

it was vacation , and there was not much to do that day ; we were soon free to seek the orchard .

but the Story Girl would not come .

she had seated herself in the darkest , hottest corner of the kitchen , with a piece of old cotton in her hand .

" I am not going to play to-day , " she said , " and I 'm not going to tell a single story .

and I 'm going to work buttonholes all over this cotton .

I hate working buttonholes worse than anything in the world , so I 'm going to work them all day . "

" what 's the good of working buttonholes on an old rag ? " asked Felicity .

" it isn't any good .

the beauty of penance is that it makes you feel uncomfortable .

so it doesn't matter what you do , whether it 's useful or not , so long as it 's nasty .

oh , I wonder how Sara is this morning . "

" mother 's going down this afternoon , " said Felicity .

" she says none of us must go near the place till we know whether it is the measles or not . "

" I 've thought of a great penance , " said Cecily eagerly .

" don't go to the missionary meeting to-night . "

the Story Girl looked piteous .

" I thought of that myself but I CAN'T stay home , Cecily .

it would be more than flesh and blood could endure .

I MUST hear that missionary speak .

they say he was all but eaten by cannibals once .

just think how many new stories I 'd have to tell after I 'd heard him !

no , I must go , but I 'll tell you what I 'll do .

I 'll wear my school dress and hat .

THAT will be penance .

felicity , when you set the table for dinner , put the broken-handled knife for me .

I hate it so .

and I 'm going to take a dose of Mexican Tea every two hours .

it 's such dreadful tasting stuff but it 's a good blood purifier , so Aunt Janet can't object to it . "

the Story Girl carried out her self-imposed penance fully .

all day she sat in the kitchen and worked buttonholes , subsisting on bread and water and Mexican Tea .

felicity did a mean thing .

she went to work and made little raisin pies , right there in the kitchen before the Story Girl .

the smell of raisin pies is something to tempt an anchorite ; and the Story Girl was exceedingly fond of them .

felicity ate two in her very presence , and then brought the rest out to us in the orchard .

the Story Girl could see us through the window , carousing without stint on raisin pies and Uncle Edward 's cherries .

but she worked on at her buttonholes .

Pat came over , but his most seductive purrs won no notice from his mistress , who refused herself the pleasure of even patting him .

the Story Girl slipped over home , and when she came back we gasped .

" Sara Stanley , have you taken leave of your senses ? " demanded Aunt Janet .

" what do you mean by putting on such a rig !

don't you know I have company to tea ? "

" yes , and that is just why I put it on , Aunt Janet .

I want to mortify the flesh "

" I 'll ' mortify ' you , if I catch you showing yourself to the Millwards like that , my girl !

go right home and dress yourself decently or eat your supper in the kitchen . "

the Story Girl chose the latter alternative .

she was highly indignant .

and she had tied her hair with a snuff-brown ribbon which was very unbecoming to her .

the first person we saw in the church porch was Mrs Ray .

she told us that Sara had nothing worse than a feverish cold .

the missionary had at least seven happy listeners that night .

we were all glad that Sara did not have measles , and the Story Girl was radiant .

" oh , I don't know .

I feel better since I punished myself .

but I 'm going to make up for it to-morrow , " said the Story Girl energetically .

" in fact , I 'll begin to-night .

I 'm going to the pantry as soon as I get home , and I 'll read father 's letter before I go to bed .

wasn't the missionary splendid ?

that cannibal story was simply grand .

I tried to remember every word , so that I can tell it just as he told it .

missionaries are such noble people . "

" I 'd like to be a missionary and have adventures like that , " said Felix .

" but sposen they weren't ? "

" nothing would prevent cannibals from eating Felix if they once caught him , " giggled Felicity .

" he 's so nice and fat . "

I am sure Felix felt very unlike a missionary at that precise moment .

" I 'm going to put two cents more a week in my missionary box than I 've been doing , " said Cecily determinedly .

two cents more a week out of Cecily 's egg money , meant something of a sacrifice .

it inspired the rest of us .

we all decided to increase our weekly contribution by a cent or so .

and Peter , who had had no missionary box at all , up to this time , determined to start one .

I 'll want to know how my money 's being spent .

I won't be able to give much .

but I 'll do the best I can .

my Aunt Jane was fond of missions .

are there any Methodist heathen ?

I s'pose I ought to give my box to them , rather than to Presbyterian heathen . "

" no , it 's only after they 're converted that they 're anything in particular , " said Felicity .

" before that , they 're just plain heathen .

but if you want your money to go to a Methodist missionary you can give it to the Methodist minister at Markdale .

I guess the Presbyterians can get along without it , and look after their own heathen . "

" her roses are all out and that bed of Sweet William is a sight by daylight . "

" Sweet William is a dreadful name for a flower , " said the Story Girl .

" William is a man 's name , and men are NEVER sweet .

they are a great many nice things , but they are NOT sweet and shouldn't be .

that is for women .

oh , look at the moonshine on the road in that gap between the spruces !

I 'd like a dress of moonshine , with stars for buttons . "

" it wouldn't do , " said Felicity decidedly .

" you could see through it . "

which seemed to settle the question of moonshine dresses effectually .

CHAPTER XII .

THE BLUE CHEST OF RACHEL WARD

" it 's utterly out of the question , " said Aunt Janet seriously .

if a thing really was out of the question she merely laughed and refused to discuss it at all .

the particular matter in or out of the question that opening day of August was a project which Uncle Edward had recently mooted .

uncle Alec and Aunt Olivia were eager to go ; but Aunt Janet at first declared it was impossible .

" how could we go away and leave the place to the mercy of all those young ones ? " she demanded .

" we 'd come home and find them all sick , and the house burned down . "

" not a bit of fear of it , " scoffed Uncle Roger .

you 've been promising Edward for years to visit him , and you 'll never have a better chance .

the haying is over and harvest isn't on , and Alec needs a change .

he isn't looking well at all . "

I think it was Uncle Roger 's last argument which convinced Aunt Janet .

in the end she decided to go .

Uncle Roger 's house was to be closed , and he and Peter and the Story Girl were to take up their abode with us .

we were all delighted .

felicity , in especial , seemed to be in seventh heaven .

of course , we were all to help ; but Felicity was to " run things , " and she gloried in it .

the Story Girl was pleased , too .

" Felicity is going to give me cooking lessons , " she confided to me , as we walked in the orchard .

" isn't that fine ?

it will be easier when there are no grown-ups around to make me nervous , and laugh if I make mistakes . "

uncle Alec and aunts left on Monday morning .

" and if anything dreadful happens telegraph us . "

then they were really gone and we were all left " to keep house . "

uncle Roger and Peter went away to their work .

felicity at once set the preparations for dinner a-going , and allotted to each of us his portion of service .

Felicity made our mouths water by announcing that she was going to make a roly-poly jam pudding for dinner .

I peeled my turnips on the back porch , put them in their pot , and set them on the stove .

then I was at liberty to watch the others , who had longer jobs .

the kitchen was a scene of happy activity .

" I am sitting on a tragedy , " said the Story Girl suddenly .

Felix and I stared .

the old chest filled up the corner between the table and the wall .

neither Felix nor I had ever thought about it particularly .

it was very large and heavy , and Felicity generally said hard things of it when she swept the kitchen .

" this old blue chest holds a tragedy , " explained the Story Girl .

" I know a story about it . "

" Cousin Rachel Ward 's wedding things are all in that old chest , " said Felicity .

who was Cousin Rachel Ward ?

and why were her wedding things shut up in an old blue chest in Uncle Alec 's kitchen ?

we demanded the tale instantly .

the Story Girl told it to us as she peeled her potatoes .

perhaps the potatoes suffered Felicity declared the eyes were not properly done at all but the story did not .

grandmother 's cousin Rachel Ward came to spend a winter with them .

she belonged to Montreal and she was an orphan too , just like the Family Ghost .

I have never heard what she looked like , but she MUST have been beautiful , of course . "

" mother says she was awful sentimental and romantic , " interjected Felicity .

" well , anyway , she met Will Montague that winter .

he was handsome everybody says so "

" and an awful flirt , " said Felicity .

" Felicity , I WISH you wouldn't interrupt .

it spoils the effect .

what would you feel like if I went and kept stirring things that didn't belong to it into that pudding ?

I feel just the same way .

Poor Rachel was so happy that winter ; she made all her wedding things with her own hands .

girls did , then , you know , for there was no such thing as a sewing-machine .

and " the Story Girl laid down her knife and potato and clasped her wet hands " WILL MONTAGUE NEVER CAME ! "

we felt as much of a shock as if we had been one of the expectant guests ourselves .

" what happened to him ?

was HE killed too ? " asked Felix .

the Story Girl sighed and resumed her work .

" no , indeed .

I wish he had been .

THAT would have been suitable and romantic .

no , it was just something horrid .

he had to run away for debt !

fancy !

he acted mean right through , Aunt Janet says .

he never sent even a word to Rachel , and she never heard from him again . "

" pig ! " said Felix forcibly .

" she was broken-hearted of course .

then she went away back to Montreal , and took the key with her .

she never came back to the Island again I suppose she couldn't bear to .

and she has lived in Montreal ever since and never married .

she is an old woman now nearly seventy-five .

and this chest has never been opened since . "

there 's a crack in the back as big as your finger .

but she could not bear that any one but herself should see or touch that one thing .

so she wanted it left as it was .

Ma said she washed her hands of it , moths or no moths .

but I think , " concluded Cecily , " that I would feel just like Cousin Rachel in her place . "

" what was the thing she couldn't bear any one to see ? "

I asked .

" Ma thinks it was her wedding dress .

but father says he believes it was Will Montague 's picture , " said Felicity .

" he saw her put it in .

father knows some of the things that are in the chest .

he was ten years old , and he saw her pack it .

there 's a white muslin wedding dress and a veil and and a a " felicity dropped her eyes and blushed painfully .

" a petticoat , embroidered by hand from hem to belt , " said the Story Girl calmly .

" and a china fruit basket with an apple on the handle , " went on Felicity , much relieved .

" and a tea set , and a blue candle-stick . "

" I 'd dearly love to see all the things that are in it , " said the Story Girl .

" Pa says it must never be opened without Cousin Rachel 's permission , " said Cecily .

Felix and I looked at the chest reverently .

" what happened to Will Montague ? "

I asked .

" nothing ! " said the Story Girl viciously .

" he just went on living and flourishing .

did you ever HEAR of anything so unjust ? "

" wasn't that right ? "

I cried , in an agony of shame .

I had added a tradition on my own account to the family archives .

uncle Roger roared when he heard it ; and he roared again at night over Peter 's account of Felix attempting to milk a cow .

Felix had previously acquired the knack of extracting milk from the udder .

but he had never before tried to " milk a whole cow . "

he did not get on well ; the cow tramped on his foot , and finally upset the bucket .

" what are you to do when a cow won't stand straight ? " spluttered Felix angrily .

" that 's the question , " said Uncle Roger , shaking his head gravely .

uncle Roger 's laughter was hard to bear , but his gravity was harder .

meanwhile , in the pantry the Story Girl , apron-enshrouded , was being initiated into the mysteries of bread-making .

under Felicity 's eyes she set the bread , and on the morrow she was to bake it .

CHAPTER XIII .

AN OLD PROVERB WITH A NEW MEANING

it was half-past five when we boys got up the next morning .

we were joined on the stairs by Felicity , yawning and rosy .

" oh , dear me , I overslept myself .

uncle Roger wanted breakfast at six .

well , I suppose the fire is on anyhow , for the Story Girl is up .

I guess she got up early to knead the bread .

she couldn't sleep all night for worrying over it . "

the fire was on , and a flushed and triumphant Story Girl was taking a loaf of bread from the oven .

" just look , " she said proudly .

" I have every bit of the bread baked .

and it 's all done and out of the way .

but the loaves don't seem quite as big as they should be , " she added doubtfully .

" Sara Stanley ! "

felicity flew across the kitchen .

the Story Girl turned quite pale .

" yes , I did , " she faltered .

" oh , Felicity , wasn't it right ? "

" you 've ruined the bread , " said Felicity flatly .

" it 's as heavy as a stone .

I declare , Sara Stanley , I 'd rather have a little common sense than be a great story teller . "

Bitter indeed was the poor Story Girl 's mortification .

" don't tell Uncle Roger , " she implored humbly .

" oh , I won't tell him , " promised Felicity amiably .

" it 's lucky there 's enough old bread to do to-day .

this will go to the hens .

but it 's an awful waste of good flour . "

the Story Girl crept out with Felix and me to the morning orchard , while Dan and Peter went to do the barn work .

" it isn't ANY use for me to try to learn to cook , " she said .

" never mind , " I said consolingly .

" you can tell splendid stories . "

" but what good would that do a hungry boy ? " wailed the Story Girl .

" Boys ain't ALWAYS hungry , " said Felix gravely .

" there 's times when they ain't . "

" I don't believe it , " said the Story Girl drearily .

" but Aunt Olivia won't let me waste the stuff .

my only hope was to learn this week .

but I suppose Felicity is so disgusted with me now that she won't give me any more lessons . "

" I don't care , " said Felix .

" I like you better than Felicity , even if you can't cook .

there 's lots of folks can make bread .

but there isn't many who can tell a story like you . "

" but it 's better to be useful than just interesting , " sighed the Story Girl bitterly .

and Felicity , who was useful , would , in her secret soul , have given anything to be interesting .

which is the way of human nature .

company descended on us that afternoon .

First came Aunt Janet 's sister , Mrs Patterson , with a daughter of sixteen years and a son of two .

" it never rains but it pours , " said Uncle Roger , as he went out to take their horse .

but Felicity 's foot was on her native heath .

Cecily set the table , and the Story Girl waited on it and washed all the dishes afterwards .

the Story Girl , on the contrary , was under eclipse .

she was pale and lustreless from her disturbed night and early rising ; and no opportunity offered to tell a melting tale .

nobody took any notice of her .

it was Felicity 's day .

after tea Mrs Frewen and her sister wished to visit their father 's grave in the Carlisle churchyard .

Dan finally volunteered to look after him .

don't let him go outside , though .

he has a cold now . "

we went away , leaving Dan sitting on the door-sill reading his book , and Jimmy P. snoozing blissfully on the sofa .

" Dan , where 's the baby ? " cried Felicity .

Dan looked around .

his jaw fell in blank amazement .

I never saw any one look as foolish as Dan at that moment .

" good gracious , I don't know , " he said helplessly .

" you 've been so deep in that wretched book that he 's got out , and dear knows where he is , " cried Felicity distractedly .

" I wasn't , " cried Dan .

" he MUST be in the house .

I 've been sitting right across the door ever since you left , and he couldn't have got out unless he crawled right over me .

he must be in the house . "

so are all the windows .

he MUST have gone out of that door , Dan King , and it 's your fault . "

" he DIDN'T go out of this door , " reiterated Dan stubbornly .

" I know that . "

" well , where is he , then ?

he isn't here .

did he melt into air ? " demanded Felicity .

" oh , come and look for him , all of you .

don't stand round like ninnies .

we MUST find him before his mother gets here .

Dan King , you 're an idiot ! "

Dan was too frightened to resent this , at the time .

however and wherever Jimmy had gone , he WAS gone , so much was certain .

we tore about the house and yard like maniacs ; we looked into every likely and unlikely place .

but Jimmy we could not find , anymore than if he had indeed melted into air .

Mrs Patterson came , and we had not found him .

things were getting serious .

uncle Roger and Peter were summoned from the field .

Mrs Patterson became hysterical , and was taken into the spare room with such remedies as could be suggested .

everybody blamed poor Dan .

Cecily asked him what he would feel like if Jimmy was never , never found .

the Story Girl had a gruesome recollection of some baby at Markdale who had wandered away like that

" this beats me , " said Uncle Roger , when a fruitless hour had elapsed .

" I do hope that baby hasn't wandered down to the swamp .

it seems impossible he could walk so far ; but I must go and see .

felicity , hand me my high boots out from under the sofa , there 's a girl . "

felicity , pale and tearful , dropped on her knees and lifted the cretonne frill of the sofa .

there , his head pillowed hardly on Uncle Roger 's boots , lay Jimmy Patterson , still sound asleep !

" well , I 'll be jiggered ! " said Uncle Roger .

" I KNEW he never went out of the door , " cried Dan triumphantly .

Cecily was in quest of information .

" what does ' it never rains but it pours ' mean ? "

" oh , it means if anything happens something else is sure to happen , " said the Story Girl .

" I'll illustrate .

there 's Mrs Murphy .

do you see what it means now ? "

" yes , I guess so , " said Cecily somewhat doubtfully .

later on we heard her imparting her newly acquired knowledge to Felicity in the pantry .

CHAPTER XIV .

FORBIDDEN FRUIT

we were all , with the exception of Uncle Roger , more or less grumpy in the household of King next day .

perhaps our nerves had been upset by the excitement attendant on Jimmy Patterson 's disappearance .

but it is more likely that our crankiness was the result of the supper we had eaten the previous night .

even children cannot devour mince pie , and cold fried pork ham , and fruit cake before going to bed with entire impunity .

Aunt Janet had forgotten to warn Uncle Roger to keep an eye on our bedtime snacks , and we ate what seemed good unto us .

some of us had frightful dreams , and all of us carried chips on our shoulders at breakfast .

felicity and Dan began a bickering which they kept up the entire day .

in the main they did ; but on this particular morning Dan was plainly inclined to rebel .

it was not a pleasant day , and to make matters worse it rained until late in the afternoon .

she stroked the purring Paddy , and read steadily on , with maddening indifference to all our pleadings .

Even Cecily , the meek and mild , was snappish , and complained of headache .

Peter had gone home to see his mother , and Uncle Roger had gone to Markdale on business .

Sara Ray came up , but was so snubbed by Felicity that she went home , crying .

felicity got the dinner by herself , disdaining to ask or command assistance .

she banged things about and rattled the stove covers until even Cecily protested from her sofa .

" I wish Aunt Janet and Uncle Alec were home , " said Felix .

" it 's not half so much fun having the grown-ups away as I thought it would be . "

" I wish I was back in Toronto , " I said sulkily .

the mince pie was to blame for THAT wish .

" I wish you were , I 'm sure , " said Felicity , riddling the fire noisily .

" any one who lives with you , Felicity King , will always be wishing he was somewhere else , " said Dan .

" oh , oh , oh , " wailed Cecily on the sofa .

" I WISH it would stop raining .

I WISH my head would stop aching .

I WISH ma had never gone away .

I WISH you 'd leave Felicity alone , Dan . "

" I wish girls had some sense , " said Dan which brought the orgy of wishing to an end for the time .

a wishing fairy might have had the time of her life in the King kitchen that morning particularly if she were a cynically inclined fairy .

but even the effects of unholy snacks wear away at length .

by tea-time things had brightened up .

felicity had put on her blue muslin , and looked so beautiful in it that her good humour was quite restored .

Cecily 's headache was better , and the Story Girl , refreshed by an afternoon siesta , came down with smiles and sparkling eyes .

" the Rev. Mr Scott was the man who thought the pulpit door must be made for speerits , you know , " she said .

" I heard Uncle Edward telling ever so many stories about him .

" what does that mean ? " asked Peter .

" hush !

it just means queer , " said Cecily , nudging him with her elbow .

" a common man would be queer , but when it 's a minister , it 's eccentric . "

" when he gets very old , " continued the Story Girl , " the Presbytery thought it was time he was retired .

HE didn't think so ; but the Presbytery had their way , because there were so many of them to one of him .

he was retired , and a young man was called to Carlisle .

one day the young minister was visiting the Crawfords in Markdale , when they suddenly heard old Mr Scott 's voice in the kitchen .

the young minister turned pale as the dead , and implored Mrs Crawford to hid him .

but she couldn't get him out of the room , and all she could do was to hide him in the china closet .

the young minister slipped into the china closet , and old Mr Scott came into the room .

he talked very nicely , and read , and prayed .

give him courage not to fear the face of man .

make him a burning and a shining light to this sadly abused congregation . '

just imagine the feelings of the young minister in the china closet !

but he came right out like a man , though his face was very red , as soon as Mr Scott had done praying .

and Mr Scott was lovely to him , and shook hands , and never mentioned the china closet .

and they were the best of friends ever afterwards . "

" how did old Mr Scott find out the young minister was in the closet ? " asked Felix .

" nobody ever knew .

I wonder what he meant .

I don't see anything very Christian about planting a tree . "

" I do , " said the Story Girl sagely .

when next we assembled ourselves together , it was after milking , and the cares of the day were done with .

" an Irishman who lived at Markdale had a little pig , " she said , " and he gave it a pailful of mush .

now , how was that , when it held a whole pailful of mush ? "

this seemed to be a rather unanswerable kind of conundrum .

during the discussion we came out to the fence of the hill pasture where grew the " bad berry " bushes .

Just what these " bad berries " were I cannot tell .

we never knew their real name .

Dan picked a cluster and held it up .

" Dan King , don't you DARE eat those berries , " said Felicity in her " bossiest " tone .

" they 're poison .

drop them right away . "

now , Dan had not had the slightest intention of eating the berries .

but at Felicity 's prohibition the rebellion which had smouldered in him all day broke into sudden flame .

he would show her !

" I 'll eat them if I please , Felicity King , " he said in a fury : " I don't believe they 're poison .

look here ! "

Dan crammed the whole bunch into his capacious mouth and chewed it up .

we feared that Dan would drop dead on the spot .

but nothing occurred immediately .

" I knew they wouldn't hurt me , " he said loftily .

" felicity 's so fond of making a fuss over everything . "

nevertheless , when it grew dark and we returned to the house , I noticed that Dan was rather pale and quiet .

he lay down on the kitchen sofa .

" don't you feel all right , Dan ? "

I whispered anxiously .

" shut up , " he said .

I shut up .

Felicity and Cecily were setting out a lunch in the pantry when we were all startled by a loud groan from the sofa .

" oh , I 'm sick I'm awful sick , " said Dan abjectly , all the defiance and bravado gone out of him .

we all went to pieces , except Cecily , who alone retained her presence of mind .

" have you got a pain in your stomach ? " she demanded .

" oh oh oh ! "

" go for Uncle Roger , " commanded Cecily , pale but composed .

" felicity , put on the kettle .

Dan , I 'm going to give you mustard and warm water . "

the mustard and warm water produced its proper effect promptly , but gave Dan no relief .

he continued to writhe and groan .

Peter went , but returned accompanied by Sara only .

Mrs Ray and Judy Pineau were both away .

Cecily took charge of things .

she made the writhing Dan go to bed .

there was no doubt Dan was suffering intense pain .

he moaned and writhed , and cried for his mother .

" oh , isn't it dreadful ! " said Felicity , wringing her hands as she walked the kitchen floor .

" oh , why doesn't the doctor come ?

I TOLD Dan the bad berries were poison .

but surely they can't kill people ALTOGETHER . "

" Pa 's cousin died of eating something forty years ago , " sobbed Sara Ray .

" hold your tongue , " said Peter in a fierce whisper .

" you oughter have more sense than to say such things to the girls .

they don't want to be any worse scared than they are . "

" but Pa 's cousin DID die , " reiterated Sara .

" my Aunt Jane used to rub whisky on for a pain , " suggested Peter .

" we haven't any whisky , " said Felicity disapprovingly .

" this is a temperance house . "

" but rubbing whisky on the OUTSIDE isn't any harm , " argued Peter .

" it 's only when you take it inside it is bad for you . "

" well , we haven't any , anyhow , " said Felicity .

" I suppose blueberry wine wouldn't do in its place ? "

Peter did not think blueberry wine would be any good .

it was ten o'clock before Dan began to get better ; but from that time he improved rapidly .

Mrs Ray now appeared , looking for Sara , and said she would stay all night with us .

" I 'll be much obliged to you if you will , " said Uncle Roger .

" I feel a bit shook .

now , you young fry , get straight off to your beds .

Dan is out of danger , and you can't do any more good .

not that any of you have done much , except Cecily .

she 's got a head of her shoulders . "

" it 's been a horrid day all through , " said Felicity drearily , as we climbed the stairs .

" I suppose we made it horrid ourselves , " said the Story Girl candidly .

" but it 'll be a good story to tell sometime , " she added .

" I 'm awful tired and thankful , " sighed Cecily .

we all felt that way .

CHAPTER XV .

a DISOBEDIENT BROTHER

fortunately Felicity forgot to repeat the command , so Dan did stay in bed .

Cecily carried his meals to him , and read a Henty book to him all her spare time .

the Story Girl went up and told him wondrous tales ; and Sara Ray brought him a pudding she had made herself .

" ain't he just a great old fellow ? " said Dan .

" he knows I 'm kind of sick , just as well as a human .

he never pays no attention to me when I 'm well . "

in August it was a place of shady sweetness , fragrant with the odour of ripening apples , full of dear , delicate shadows .

overhead the lacing leaves made a green , murmurous roof .

there was no such thing as hurry in the world , while we lingered there and talked of " cabbages and kings . "

we wondered what it would be like to be a king .

Peter thought it would be fine , only kind of inconvenient , wearing a crown all the time .

" oh , but they don't , " said the Story Girl .

" maybe they used to once , but now they wear hats .

the crowns are just for special occasions .

they look very much like other people , if you can go by their photographs . "

" I don't believe it would be much fun as a steady thing , " said Cecily .

" I 'd like to SEE a queen though .

that is one thing I have against the Island you never have a chance to see things like that here . "

" the Prince of Wales was in Charlottetown once , " said Peter .

" my Aunt Jane saw him quite close by . "

" I think queens and kings were thicker long ago , " said the Story Girl .

" they do seem dreadfully scarce now .

there isn't one in this country anywhere .

perhaps I 'll get a glimpse of some when I go to Europe . "

well , the Story Girl was destined to stand before kings herself , and she was to be one whom they delighted to honour .

but we did not know that , as we sat in the old orchard .

we thought it quite sufficiently marvellous that she should expect to have the chance of just seeing them .

" Can a queen do exactly as she pleases ? "

Sara Ray wanted to know .

" not nowadays , " explained the Story Girl .

" then I don't see any use in being one , " Sara decided .

" a king can't do as he pleases now , either , " said Felix .

" if he tries to , and if it isn't what pleases other people , the Parliament or something squelches him . "

" isn't ' squelch ' a lovely word ? " said the Story Girl irrelevantly .

" it 's so expressive .

Squ-u-e-l-ch ! "

certainly it was a lovely word , as the Story Girl said it .

even a king would not have minded being squelched , if it were done to music like that .

" Uncle Roger says that Martin Forbes ' wife has squelched HIM , " said Felicity .

" he says Martin can't call his soul his own since he was married . "

" I 'm glad of it , " said Cecily vindictively .

we all stared .

this was so very unlike Cecily .

" Martin Forbes is the brother of a horrid man in Summerside who called me Johnny , that 's why , " she explained .

" he was visiting here with his wife two years ago , and he called me Johnny every time he spoke to me .

just you fancy !

I 'll NEVER forgive him . "

" that isn't a Christian spirit , " said Felicity rebukingly .

" I don't care .

would YOU forgive James Forbes if he had called YOU Johnny ? " demanded Cecily .

" I know a story about Martin Forbes ' grandfather , " said the Story Girl .

" long ago they didn't have any choir in the Carlisle church just a precentor you know .

but at last they got a choir , and Andrew McPherson was to sing bass in it .

grandfather King asked him what he thought of the choir .

if you could have heard the Story Girl 's " bur-r-r-r ! "

not old Mr Forbes himself could have invested it with more of Doric scorn .

we rolled over in the cool grass and screamed with laughter .

" Poor Dan , " said Cecily compassionately .

" he 's up there all alone in his room , missing all the fun .

I suppose it 's mean of us to be having such a good time here , when he has to stay in bed . "

" if Dan hadn't done wrong eating the bad berries when he was told not to , he wouldn't be sick , " said Felicity .

" you 're bound to catch it when you do wrong .

it was just a Providence he didn't die . "

" that makes me think of another story about old Mr Scott , " said the Story Girl .

" you know , I told you he was very angry because the Presbytery made him retire .

there were two ministers in particular he blamed for being at the bottom of it .

one time a friend of his was trying to console him , and said to him ,

" ' You should be resigned to the will of Providence . '

" ' Providence had nothing to do with it , ' said old Mr Scott . " Twas the McCloskeys and the devil . ' "

" you shouldn't speak of the the DEVIL , " said Felicity , rather shocked .

" well , that 's just what Mr Scott said . "

" oh , it 's all right for a MINISTER to speak of him .

but it isn't nice for little girls .

if you HAVE to speak of of him you might say the Old Scratch .

that is what mother calls him . "

" it wouldn't do , " she decided .

" I don't think it 's any harm to mention the the that person , when you 're telling a story , " said Cecily .

" it 's only in plain talking it doesn't do .

it sounds too much like swearing then . "

" I know another story about Mr Scott , " said the Story Girl .

" not long after he was married his wife wasn't quite ready for church one morning when it was time to go .

she took it very quietly .

it 's the best way , I guess , when you 're married to a man like old Mr Scott .

but just a few Sundays after wasn't he late himself !

old Mr Scott finally arrived at the church , pretty hot and dusty , and in none too good a temper .

he went into the pulpit , leaned over it and looked at his wife , sitting calmly in her pew at the side .

" ' It was cleverly done , ' he said , right out loud , ' BUT DINNA TRY IT AGAIN ! ' "

in the midst of our laughter Pat came down the Walk , his stately tail waving over the grasses .

he proved to be the precursor of Dan , clothed and in his right mind .

" do you think you should have got up , Dan ? " said Cecily anxiously .

" I had to , " said Dan .

" the window was open , and it was more'n I could stand to hear you fellows laughing down here and me missing it all .

' Sides , I 'm all right again .

I feel fine . "

" I guess this will be a lesson to you , Dan King , " said Felicity , in her most maddening tone .

" I guess you won't forget it in a hurry .

you won't go eating the bad berries another time when you 're told not to . "

he straightened up and turned a wrathful face on his provoking sister .

then , red with indignation , but without a word , he stalked up the walk .

" now he 's gone off mad , " said Cecily reproachfully .

" oh , Felicity , why couldn't you have held your tongue ? "

" why , what did I say to make him mad ? " asked Felicity in honest perplexity .

" I think it 's awful for brothers and sisters to be always quarrelling , " sighed Cecily .

" the Cowans fight all the time ; and you and Dan will soon be as bad . "

" oh , talk sense , " said Felicity .

" Dan 's got so touchy it isn't safe to speak to him .

I should think he 'd be sorry for all the trouble he made last night .

but you just back him up in everything , Cecily . "

" I don't ! "

" you do !

and you 've no business to , specially when mother 's away .

she left ME in charge . "

" you didn't take much charge last night when Dan got sick , " said Felix maliciously .

felicity had told him at tea that night he was getting fatter than ever .

this was his tit-for-tat .

" you were pretty glad to leave it all to Cecily then . "

" who 's talking to you ? " said Felicity .

it 's dreadful to spoil a whole day .

just let's all sit still and count a hundred before we say another word . "

we sat still and counted the hundred .

when Cecily finished she got up and went in search of Dan , resolved to soothe his wounded feelings .

felicity called after her to tell Dan there was a jam turnover she had put away in the pantry specially for him .

" oh , come , come quick , " she gasped .

" Dan 's eating the bad berries again he 's et a whole bunch of them he says he 'll show Felicity .

I can't stop him .

come you and try . "

we rose in a body and rushed towards the house .

in the yard we encountered Dan , emerging from the fir wood and champing the fatal berries with unrepentant relish .

" Dan King , do you want to commit suicide ? " demanded the Story Girl .

" look here , Dan , " I expostulated .

" you shouldn't do this .

think how sick you were last night and all the trouble you made for everybody .

don't eat any more , there 's a good chap . "

" all right , " said Dan .

" I 've et all I want .

they taste fine .

I don't believe it was them made me sick . "

but now that his anger was over he looked a little frightened .

felicity was not there .

we found her in the kitchen , lighting up the fire .

" Bev , fill the kettle with water and put it on to heat , " she said in a resigned tone .

" if Dan 's going to be sick again we 've got to be ready for it .

I wish mother was home , that 's all .

I hope she 'll never go away again .

Dan King , you just wait till I tell her of the way you 've acted . "

" fudge !

I ain't going to be sick , " said Dan .

" and if YOU begin telling tales , Felicity King , I'LL tell some too .

I know how many eggs mother said you could use while she was away and I know how many you HAVE used .

I counted .

so you 'd better mind your own business , Miss . "

but in an hour 's time Dan was still in good health , and announced his intention of going to bed .

he went , and was soon sleeping as peacefully as if he had nothing on either conscience or stomach .

but Felicity declared she meant to keep the water hot until all danger was past ; and we sat up to keep her company .

we were sitting there when Uncle Roger walked in at eleven o'clock .

" what on earth are you young fry doing up at this time of night ? " he asked angrily .

" you should have been in your beds two hours ago .

and with a roaring fire on a night that 's hot enough to melt a brass monkey !

have you taken leave of your senses ? "

" it 's because of Dan , " explained Felicity wearily .

" he went and et more of the bad berries a whole lot of them and we were sure he 'd be sick again .

but he hasn't been yet , and now he 's asleep . "

" is that boy stark , staring mad ? " said Uncle Roger .

" it was Felicity 's fault , " cried Cecily , who always took Dan 's part through evil report and good report .

" she told him she guessed he 'd learned a lesson and wouldn't do what she 'd told him not to again .

so he went and et them because she vexed him so . "

" how could I tell Dan would act so like a mule ! " cried Felicity .

" get off to bed , every one of you .

it 's a thankful man I 'll be when your father and mother come home .

the wretched bachelor who undertakes to look after a houseful of children like you is to be pitied .

nobody will ever catch me doing it again .

Felicity , is there anything fit to eat in the pantry ? "

that last question was the most unkindest cut of all .

felicity could have forgiven Uncle Roger anything but that .

it really was unpardonable .

she confided to me as we climbed the stairs that she hated Uncle Roger .

her red lips quivered and the tears of wounded pride brimmed over in her beautiful blue eyes .

in the dim candle-light she looked unbelievably pretty and appealing .

I put my arm about her and gave her a cousinly salute .

" never you mind him , Felicity , " I said .

" he 's only a grown-up . "

CHAPTER XVI .

THE GHOSTLY BELL

Friday was a comfortable day in the household of King .

everybody was in good humour .

" if you love me as I love you , No knife can cut our love in two "

" but , Sara Ray , NEVER you breathe this to a living soul . "

Felix also averred that he heard Sara ask Cecily very seriously ,

" Cecily , how old must we be before we can have a REAL beau ? "

but Sara always denied it ; so I am inclined to believe Felix simply made it up himself .

then Pat sneaked abjectly off , his tail drooping .

he resented being called a sweet cat .

he had a sense of humour , had Pat .

Paddy had a finer taste .

the Story Girl and I were the only ones who could pay him compliments to his liking .

but to be called " a sweet cat ! "

oh , Sara , Sara !

Uncle Roger ate three slices of it at tea-time and told Felicity she was an artist .

" Peter says there 's any amount of raspberries back in the maple clearing , " said Dan .

" S'posen we all go after tea and pick some ? "

" I 'd like to , " sighed Felicity , " but we 'd come home tired and with all the milking to do .

you boys better go alone . "

" Peter and I will attend to the milking for one evening , " said Uncle Roger .

" you can all go .

I have an idea that a raspberry pie for to-morrow night , when the folks come home , would hit the right spot . "

accordingly , after tea we all set off , armed with jugs and cups .

felicity , thoughtful creature , also took a smal l basketful of jelly cookies along with her .

the raspberries were plentiful , and we were not long in filling our receptacles .

" I wish there was such a place as fairyland and a way to get to it , " said Cecily .

well , the Story Girl was right .

there is such a place as fairyland but only children can find the way to it .

and they do not know that it is fairyland until they have grown so old that they forget the way .

on that day the gates of Eden are shut behind them and the age of gold is over .

henceforth they must dwell in the common light of common day .

as we sat there the Awkward Man passed by , with his gun over his shoulder and his dog at his side .

he did not look like an awkward man , there in the heart of the maple woods .

he strode along right masterfully and lifted his head with the air of one who was monarch of all he surveyed .

" I don't understand why they call him the awkward man , " said Cecily , when he was out of earshot .

they say it 's pitiful to see him . "

" I must get well acquainted with that man next summer , " said the Story Girl .

" if I put it off any longer it will be too late .

I 'm growing so fast , Aunt Olivia says I 'll have to wear ankle skirts next summer .

if I begin to look grown-up he 'll get frightened of me , and then I 'll never find out the Golden Milestone mystery . "

" do you think he 'll ever tell you who Alice is ? "

I asked .

" I have a notion who Alice is already , " said the mysterious creature .

but she would tell us nothing more .

In the east , above the maple woods , was a silvery sheen that hinted the moonrise .

but the orchard was a place of shadows and mysterious sounds .

his face was as white as a sunburned face could be , and his eyes were brimmed with panic .

" Peter , what is the matter ? " cried Cecily .

" there 's SOMETHING in the house , RINGING A BELL , " said Peter , in a shaking voice .

not the Story Girl herself could have invested that " something " with more of creepy horror .

we all drew close together .

I felt a crinkly feeling along my back which I had never known before .

if Peter had not been so manifestly frightened we might have thought he was trying to " pass a joke " on us .

but such abject terror as his could not be counterfeited .

" nonsense ! " said Felicity , but her voice shook .

" there isn't a bell in the house to ring .

you must have imagined it , Peter .

or else Uncle Roger is trying to fool us . "

" your Uncle Roger went to Markdale right after milking , " said Peter .

" he locked up the house and gave me the key .

there wasn't a soul in it then , that I 'm sure of .

I druv the cows to the pasture , and I got back about fifteen minutes ago .

I tell you I was skeered .

I made a bolt for the orchard and you won't catch me going near that house till your Uncle Roger comes home . "

you wouldn't catch any of us doing it .

we were almost as badly scared as Peter .

there we stood in a huddled demoralized group .

oh , what an eerie place that orchard was !

what shadows !

what noises !

what spooky swooping of bats !

you COULDN'T look every way at once , and goodness only knew what might be behind you !

" there CAN'T be anybody in the house , " said Felicity .

" well , here 's the key go and see for yourself , " said Peter .

felicity had no intention of going and seeing .

" I think you boys ought to go , " she said , retreating behind the defence of sex .

" you ought to be braver than girls . "

" but we ain't , " said Felix candidly .

" I wouldn't be much scared of anything REAL .

but a haunted house is a different thing . "

" I always thought something had to be done in a place before it could be haunted , " said Cecily .

" somebody killed or something like that , you know .

nothing like that ever happened in our family .

the Kings have always been respectable . "

" perhaps it is Emily King 's ghost , " whispered Felix .

" she never appeared anywhere but in the orchard , " said the Story Girl .

" oh , oh , children , isn't there something under Uncle Alec 's tree ? "

we peered fearfully through the gloom .

there WAS something something that wavered and fluttered advanced retreated

" that 's only my old apron , " said Felicity .

" I hung it there to-day when I was looking for the white hen 's nest .

oh , what shall we do ?

uncle Roger may not be back for hours .

I CAN'T believe there 's anything in the house . "

" maybe it 's only Peg Bowen , " suggested Dan .

there was not a great deal of comfort in this .

we were almost as much afraid of Peg Bowen as we would be of any spectral visitant .

Peter scoffed at the idea .

" no , it isn't Peg Bowen .

it 's SOMETHING that WALKS . "

" I know a story about a ghost , " said the Story Girl , the ruling passion strong even in extremity .

" it is about a ghost with eyeholes but no eyes "

" don't , " cried Cecily hysterically .

" don't you go on !

don't you say another word !

I can't bear it !

don't you ! "

the Story Girl didn't .

but she had said enough .

there was something in the quality of a ghost with eyeholes but no eyes that froze our young blood .

there never were in all the world six more badly scared children than those who huddled in the old King orchard that August night .

all at once something leaped from the bough of a tree and alighted before us .

we split the air with a simultaneous shriek .

we would have run , one and all , if there had been anywhere to run to .

but there wasn't all around us were only those shadowy arcades .

then we saw with shame that it was only our Paddy.

" Pat , Pat , " I said , picking him up , feeling a certain comfort in his soft , solid body .

" stay with us , old fellow . "

but Pat would none of us .

he struggled out of my clasp and disappeared over the long grasses with soundless leaps .

he was no longer our tame , domestic , well acquainted Paddy.

he was a strange , furtive animal a " questing beast . "

presently the moon rose ; but this only made matters worse .

the shadows had been still before ; now they moved and danced , as the night wind tossed the boughs .

the old house , with its dreadful secret , was white and clear against the dark background of spruces .

we were woefully tired , but we could not sit down because the grass was reeking with dew .

" the Family Ghost only appears in daylight , " said the Story Girl .

" I wouldn't mind seeing a ghost in daylight .

but after dark is another thing . "

" there 's no such thing as a ghost , " I said contemptuously .

oh , how I wished I could believe it !

" then what rung that bell ? " said Peter .

" bells don't ring of themselves , I s'pose , specially when there ain't any in the house to ring . "

" oh , will Uncle Roger never come home ! " sobbed Felicity .

" I know he 'll laugh at us awful , but it 's better to be laughed at than scared like this . "

uncle Roger did not come until nearly ten .

never was there a more welcome sound than the rumble of his wheels in the lane .

we ran to the orchard gate and swarmed across the yard , just as Uncle Roger alighted at the front door .

he stared at us in the moonlight .

" have you tormented any one into eating more bad berries , Felicity ? " he demanded .

" oh , Uncle Roger , don't go in , " implored Felicity seriously .

" there 's something dreadful in there something that rings a bell .

Peter heard it .

don't go in . "

" there 's no use asking the meaning of this , I suppose , " said Uncle Roger with the calm of despair .

" I 've gave up trying to fathom you young ones .

Peter , where 's the key ?

what yarn have you been telling ? "

" I DID hear a bell ring , " said Peter stubbornly .

uncle Roger unlocked and flung open the front door .

as he did so , clear and sweet , rang out ten bell-like chimes .

" that 's what I heard , " cried Peter .

" there 's the bell ! "

we had to wait until Uncle Roger stopped laughing before we heard the explanation .

we thought he never WOULD stop .

" that 's Grandfather King 's old clock striking , " he said , as soon as he was able to speak .

he had it going merrily in no time .

and now it has almost frightened you poor little monkeys to death . "

we heard Uncle Roger chuckling all the way to the barn .

I just feel sick , I was so frightened . "

" I wouldn't mind if he 'd laugh once and have it done with it , " said Felicity bitterly .

" but he 'll laugh at us for a year , and tell the story to every soul that comes to the place . "

" you can't blame him for that , " said the Story Girl .

" I shall tell it , too .

I don't care if the joke is as much on myself as any one .

a story is a story , no matter who it 's on .

but it IS hateful to be laughed at and grown-ups always do it .

I never will when I 'm grown up .

I 'll remember better . "

" it 's all Peter 's fault , " said Felicity .

" I do think he might have had more sense than to take a clock striking for a bell ringing . "

" I never heard that kind of a strike before , " protested Peter .

" it don't sound a bit like other clocks .

and the door was shut and the sound kind o ' muffled .

it 's all very fine to say you would have known what it was , but I don't believe you would . "

" I wouldn't have , " said the Story Girl honestly .

" I thought it WAS a bell when I heard it , and the door open , too .

let us be fair , Felicity . "

" I 'm dreadful tired , " sighed Cecily .

we were all " dreadful tired , " for this was the third night of late hours and nerve racking strain .

it was not , for any one but Cecily , who couldn't swallow a mouthful .

" I 'm glad father and mother will be back to-morrow night , " she said .

" it 's too exciting when they 're away .

that 's my opinion . "

CHAPTER XVII .

THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING

felicity was cumbered with many cares the next morning .

felicity devoted her whole attention to this , and left the secondary preparation of the regular meals to Cecily and the Story Girl .

it was agreed that the latter was to make a cornmeal pudding for dinner .

but Felicity had no time to oversee her this morning .

" you must attend to the pudding yourself , " she said .

" the recipe 's so plain and simple even you can't go astray , and if there 's anything you don't understand you can ask me .

but don't bother me if you can help it . "

the Story Girl did not bother her once .

she was very proud of it ; and certainly as far as appearance went it justified her triumph .

it was tough decidedly tough and lacked the richness of flavour which was customary in Aunt Janet 's cornmeal puddings .

if it had not been for the abundant supply of sauce it would have been very dry eating indeed .

eaten it was , however , to the last crumb .

" I wish I was twins so 's I could eat more , " said Dan , when he simply had to stop .

" what good would being twins do you ? " asked Peter .

" people who squint can't eat any more than people who don't squint , can they ? "

we could not see any connection between Peter 's two questions .

" what has squinting got to do with twins ? " asked Dan .

" why , twins are just people that squint , aren't they ? " said Peter .

we thought he was trying to be funny , until we found out that he was quite in earnest .

then we laughed until Peter got sulky .

" I don't care , " he said .

" how 's a fellow to know ?

Tommy and Adam Cowan , over at Markdale , are twins ; and they 're both cross-eyed .

so I s'posed that was what being twins meant .

it 's all very fine for you fellows to laugh .

I never went to school half as much as you did ; and you was brought up in Toronto , too .

" never mind , Peter , " said Cecily .

" you know lots of things they don't . "

but Peter was not to be conciliated , and took himself off in high dudgeon .

to be laughed at before Felicity to be laughed at BY Felicity was something he could not endure .

if the Story Girl laughed at Peter the mills of the gods ground out his revenge for him in mid-afternoon .

presently she came out , frowning .

I thought it was in the tin box . "

" so it is , " said Cecily .

" it isn't .

there isn't a speck of sawdust in that box . "

the Story Girl 's face wore a quite indescribable expression , compound of horror and shame .

she need not have confessed .

if she had but held her tongue the mystery of the sawdust 's disappearance might have forever remained a mystery .

felicity and Cecily stared blankly at the Story Girl .

we boys began to laugh , but were checked midway by Uncle Roger .

he was rocking himself back and forth , with his hand pressed against his stomach .

" oh , " he groaned , " I 've been wondering what these sharp pains I 've been feeling ever since dinner meant .

I know now .

I must have swallowed a needle several needles , perhaps .

I 'm done for ! "

the poor Story Girl went very white .

" oh , Uncle Roger , could it be possible ?

you COULDN'T have swallowed a needle without knowing it .

it would have stuck in your tongue or teeth . "

" I didn't chew the pudding , " groaned Uncle Roger .

" it was too tough I just swallowed the chunks whole . "

he groaned and twisted and doubled himself up .

but he overdid it .

he was not as good an actor as the Story Girl .

felicity looked scornfully at him .

" uncle Roger , you are not one bit sick , " she said deliberately .

" you are just putting on . "

" even if there were no needles in it , sixty-year-old sawdust can't be good for my tummy .

I daresay it wasn't even clean . "

" well , you know every one has to eat a peck of dirt in his life , " giggled Felicity .

" but nobody has to eat it all at once , " retorted Uncle Roger , with another groan .

" oh , Sara Stanley , it 's a thankful man I am that your Aunt Olivia is to be home to-night .

you 'd have me kilt entirely by another day .

I believe you did it on purpose to have a story to tell . "

uncle Roger hobbled off to the barn , still holding on to his stomach .

" do you think he really feels sick ? " asked the Story Girl anxiously .

" no , I don't , " said Felicity .

" you needn't worry over him .

there 's nothing the matter with him .

I don't believe there were any needles in that sawdust .

mother sifted it very carefully . "

" and he ran and wakened up a very tired doctor just as he had got to sleep .

" ' Oh , doctor , my son has swallowed a mouse , ' he cried .

' What shall I do ? '

" ' Tell him to swallow a cat , ' roared the poor doctor , and slammed his door .

" now , if Uncle Roger has swallowed any needles , maybe it would make it all right if he swallowed a pincushion . "

we all laughed .

but Felicity soon grew sober .

" it seems awful to think of eating a sawdust pudding .

how on earth did you make such a mistake ? "

" it looked just like cornmeal , " said the Story Girl , going from white to red in her shame .

" well , I 'm going to give up trying to cook , and stick to things I can do .

and if ever one of you mentions sawdust pudding to me I 'll never tell you another story as long as I live . "

the threat was effectual .

never did we mention that unholy pudding .

but the Story Girl could not so impose silence on the grown-ups , especially Uncle Roger .

he tormented her for the rest of the summer .

never a breakfast did he sit down to , without gravely inquiring if they were sure there was no sawdust in the porridge .

not a tweak of rheumatism did he feel but he vowed it was due to a needle , travelling about his body .

and Aunt Olivia was warned to label all the pincushions in the house .

" Contents , sawdust ; not intended for puddings . "

CHAPTER XVIII .

HOW KISSING WAS DISCOVERED

an August evening , calm , golden , dewless , can be very lovely .

in the west was a field of crocus sky over which pale cloud blossoms were scattered .

Uncle Roger had gone to the station to meet the travellers , and the dining-room table was spread with a feast of fat things .

" I wonder if they 'll bring us anything , " said Dan .

" I 'm thinking long to hear all about the wedding , " said Felicity , who was braiding timothy stalks into a collar for Pat .

" you girls are always thinking about weddings and getting married , " said Dan contemptuously .

" we ain't , " said Felicity indignantly .

" I am NEVER going to get married .

I think it is just horrid , so there ! "

" I guess you think it would be a good deal horrider not to be , " said Dan .

" it depends on who you 're married to , " said Cecily gravely , seeing that Felicity disdained reply .

" if you got a man like father it would be all right .

but S'POSEN you got one like Andrew Ward ?

he 's so mean and cross to his wife that she tells him every day she wishes she 'd never set eyes on him . "

" perhaps that 's WHY he 's mean and cross , " said Felix .

" I tell you it isn't always the man 's fault , " said Dan darkly .

" when I get married I 'll be good to my wife , but I mean to be boss .

when I open my mouth my word will be law . "

" if your word is as big as your mouth I guess it will be , " said Felicity cruelly .

" I pity the man who gets you , Felicity King , that 's all , " retorted Dan .

" now , don't fight , " implored Cecily .

" who 's fighting ? " demanded Dan .

" felicity thinks she can say anything she likes to me , but I 'll show her different . "

" just look how the Story Girl has got herself up ! " said Felicity .

" why , she 's no more than decent ! "

the Story Girl was barefooted and barearmed , having rolled the sleeves of her pink gingham up to her shoulders .

she paused under the outmost tree , in a golden-green gloom , and laughed at us over a big branch .

her wild , subtle , nameless charm clothed her as with a garment .

" felicity , " said the Story Girl reproachfully , " what have you been doing to Peter ?

he 's up there sulking in the granary , and he won't come down , and he says it 's your fault .

you must have hurt his feelings dreadfully . "

I boxed them both good and hard . "

" oh , Felicity !

what for ? "

" well , he tried to kiss me , that 's what for ! " said Felicity , turning very red .

" as if I would let a hired boy kiss me !

I guess Master Peter won't try anything like that again in a hurry . "

the Story Girl came out of her shadows and sat down beside us on the grass .

but talking of kissing makes me think of a story I found in Aunt Olivia 's scrapbook the other day .

wouldn't you like to hear it ?

it is called , ' How Kissing Was Discovered . ' "

" wasn't kissing always discovered ? " asked Dan .

" not according to this story .

it was just discovered accidentally . "

the Story Girl scattered her roses around her on the grass , and clasped her slim hands over her knees .

" it happened long , long ago in Greece where so many other beautiful things happened .

before that , nobody had ever heard of kissing .

and then it was just discovered in the twinkling of an eye .

and a man wrote it down and the account has been preserved ever since .

" there was a young shepherd named Glaucon a very handsome young shepherd who lived in a little village called Thebes .

it became a very great and famous city afterwards , but at this time it was only a little village , very quiet and simple .

too quiet for Glaucon 's liking .

he grew tired of it , and he thought he would like to go away from home and see something of the world .

so he took his knapsack and his shepherd 's crook , and wandered away until he came to Thessaly .

that is the land of the gods ' hill , you know .

the name of the hill was Olympus .

but it has nothing to do with this story .

this happened on another mountain Mount Pelion .

" Glaucon hired himself to a wealthy man who had a great many sheep .

and every day Glaucon had to lead the sheep up to pasture on Mount Pelion , and watch them while they ate .

" Aglaia was his master 's daughter .

" Aglaia had fallen in love with Glaucon just as he had with her .

but she never let him suspect it for ever so long .

" but after awhile Glaucon found out that Aglaia loved him , and everything was well .

but he did not play as much as he used to , because he liked better to talk with Aglaia .

and in the evening they would lead the sheep home together .

" one day Aglaia went up the mountain by a new way , and she came to a little brook .

something was sparkling very brightly among its pebbles .

Aglaia picked it up , and it was the most beautiful little stone that she had ever seen .

it was only as large as a pea , but it glittered and flashed in the sunlight with every colour of the rainbow .

Aglaia was so delighted with it that she resolved to take it as a present to Glaucon .

" but all at once she heard a stamping of hoofs behind her , and when she turned she almost died from fright .

the gods were not all beautiful , you know .

and , beautiful or not , nobody ever wanted to meet them face to face .

" ' Give that stone to me , ' said Pan , holding out his hand .

" but Aglaia , though she was frightened , would not give him the stone .

" ' I want it for Glaucon , ' she said .

" ' I want it for one of my wood nymphs , ' said Pan , ' and I must have it . '

" he advanced threateningly , but Aglaia ran as hard as she could up the mountain .

if she could only reach Glaucon he would protect her .

Pan followed her , clattering and bellowing terribly , but in a few minutes she rushed into Glaucon 's arms .

" the dreadful sight of Pan and the still more dreadful noise he made , so frightened the sheep that they fled in all directions .

if Glaucon had NOT been a good shepherd dear knows what would have happened to him and Aglaia .

but still he WENT , and that was the main thing .

" ' Now , dearest , what is all this trouble about ? ' asked Glaucon ; and Aglaia told him the story .

" ' But where is the beautiful stone ? ' he asked , when she had finished .

' Didst thou drop it in thy alarm ? '

" no , indeed !

Aglaia had done nothing of the sort .

when she began to run , she had popped it into her mouth , and there it was still , quite safe .

now she poked it out between her red lips , where it glittered in the sunlight .

" ' Take it , ' she whispered .

" the question was how was he to take it ?

then Glaucon had a brilliant idea .

he would take the beautiful stone from Aglaia 's lips with his own lips .

" he bent over until his lips touched hers and THEN , he forgot all about the beautiful pebble and so did Aglaia .

kissing was discovered !

" I don't believe a word of it . "

" of course , we know it wasn't really true , " said Felicity .

" well , I don't know , " said the Story Girl thoughtfully .

" I don't believe there 's any but the one kind of trueness , " said Felicity .

" and anyway , this story couldn't be true .

you know there was no such thing as a god Pan . "

" how do you know what there might have been in the Golden Age ? " asked the Story Girl .

which was , indeed , an unanswerable question for Felicity .

" I wonder what became of the beautiful stone ? " said Cecily .

" Likely Aglaia swallowed it , " said Felix practically .

" did Glaucon and Aglaia ever get married ? " asked Sara Ray .

" the story doesn't say .

it stops just there , " said the Story Girl .

" but of course they did .

I will tell you what I think .

I don't think Aglaia swallowed the stone .

" but you only THINK that , " said Sara Ray .

" I 'd like to be really sure that was what happened . "

" oh , bother , none of it happened , " said Dan .

" I believed it while the Story Girl was telling it , but I don't now .

isn't that wheels ? "

Wheels it was .

two wagons were driving up the lane .

we rushed to the house and there were Uncle Alec and Aunt Janet and Aunt Olivia !

the excitement was quite tremendous .

every body talked and laughed at once , and it was not until we were all seated around the supper table that conversation grew coherent .

what laughter and questioning and telling of tales followed , what smiles and bright eyes and glad voices .

" well , I 'm thankful to be home again , " said Aunt Janet , beaming on us .

" we had a real nice time , and Edward 's folks were as kind as could be .

but give me home for a steady thing .

how has everything gone ?

how did the children behave , Roger ? "

" like models , " said Uncle Roger .

" they were as good as gold most of the days . "

there were times when one couldn't help liking Uncle Roger .

CHAPTER XIX .

a DREAD PROPHECY

" I 've got to go and begin stumping out the elderberry pasture this afternoon , " said Peter dolefully .

" I tell you it 's a tough job .

Mr Roger might wait for cool weather before he sets people to stumping out elderberries , and that 's a fact . "

" why don't you tell him so ? " asked Dan .

" it ain't my business to tell him things , " retorted Peter .

" I 'm hired to do what I 'm told , and I do it .

but I can have my own opinion all the same .

it 's going to be a broiling hot day . "

we were all in the orchard , except Felix , who had gone to the post-office .

it was the forenoon of an August Saturday .

Cecily and Sara Ray , who had come up to spend the day with us her mother having gone to town were eating timothy roots .

the fad was at once taken up by the Carlisle schoolgirls .

but timothy roots were fashionable , therefore timothy roots must be eaten .

pecks of them must have been devoured in Carlisle that summer .

Pat was there also , padding about from one to the other on his black paws , giving us friendly pokes and rubs .

we all made much of him except Felicity , who would not take any notice of him because he was the Story Girl 's cat .

we boys were sprawling on the grass .

our morning chores were done and the day was before us .

we should have been feeling very comfortable and happy , but , as a matter of fact , we were not particularly so .

the Story Girl was sitting on the mint beside the well-house , weaving herself a wreath of buttercups .

felicity was sipping from the cup of clouded blue with an overdone air of unconcern .

felicity could not succeed .

the Story Girl managed it better .

we had not passed a very pleasant week .

an air of restraint was over all our games and conversations .

on the preceding Monday Felicity and the Story Girl had quarrelled over something .

what the cause of the quarrel was I cannot tell because I never knew .

it remained a " dead secret " between the parties of the first and second part forever .

but it was more bitter than the general run of their tiffs , and the consequences were apparent to all .

they had not spoken to each other since .

this was not because the rancour of either lasted so long .

on the contrary it passed speedily away , not even one low descending sun going down on their wrath .

but dignity remained to be considered .

neither would " speak first , " and each obstinately declared that she would not speak first , no , not in a hundred years .

" I have forgiven her , " was Felicity 's answer , " but I am not going to speak first for all that . "

" it 's very wrong , and , more than that , it 's so uncomfortable , " complained Cecily .

" it spoils everything . "

" were they ever like this before ? "

I asked Cecily , as we talked the matter over privately in Uncle Stephen 's Walk .

" never for so long , " said Cecily .

" they had a spell like this last summer , and one the summer before , but they only lasted a couple of days . "

" and who spoke first ? "

" oh , the Story Girl .

she got excited about something and spoke to Felicity before she thought , and then it was all right .

but I 'm afraid it isn't going to be like that this time .

don't you notice how careful the Story Girl is not to get excited ?

that is such a bad sign . "

" we 've just got to think up something that will excite her , that 's all , " I said .

" I 'm I'm praying about it , " said Cecily in a low voice , her tear-wet lashes trembling against her pale , round cheeks .

" do you suppose it will do any good , Bev ? "

" very likely , " I assured her .

" remember Sara Ray and the money .

that came from praying . "

" I 'm glad you think so , " said Cecily tremulously .

" Dan said it was no use for me to bother praying about it .

he said if they COULDN'T speak God might do something , but when they just WOULDN'T it wasn't likely He would interfere .

Dan does say such queer things .

" which half does he believe is true ? "

I inquired with unholy curiosity .

" oh , just the nice parts .

he says there 's a heaven all right , but no no HELL .

I don't want Dan to grow up like that .

it isn't respectable .

and you wouldn't want all kinds of people crowding heaven , now , would you ? "

" well , no , I suppose not , " I agreed , thinking of Billy Robinson .

" of course , I can't help feeling sorry for those who have to go to THE OTHER PLACE , " said Cecily compassionately .

" but I suppose they wouldn't be very comfortable in heaven either .

they wouldn't feel at home .

he said he believed THE OTHER PLACE must be lots more interesting than heaven because fires were such jolly things .

now , did you ever hear the like ? "

" I guess it depends a good deal on whether you 're inside or outside the fires , " I said .

" oh , Andrew didn't really mean it , of course .

he just said it to sound smart and make us stare .

the Marrs are all like that .

but anyhow , I 'm going to keep on praying that something will happen to excite the Story Girl .

I don't believe there is any use in praying that Felicity will speak first , because I am sure she won't . "

" but don't you suppose God could make her ? "

I said , feeling that it wasn't quite fair that the Story Girl should always have to speak first .

if she had spoken first the other times it was surely Felicity 's turn this time .

" well , I believe it would puzzle Him , " said Cecily , out of the depths of her experience with Felicity .

that , he said , had always been his Aunt Jane 's rule .

Sara Ray thought Felicity should speak first , because the Story Girl was half an orphan .

Felix tried to make peace between them , and met the usual fate of all peacemakers .

the Story Girl loftily told him that he was too young to understand , and Felicity said that fat boys should mind their own business .

after that , Felix declared it would serve Felicity right if the Story Girl never spoke to her again .

Dan had no patience with either of the girls , especially Felicity .

" what they both want is a right good spanking , " he said .

if only a spanking would mend the matter it was not likely it would ever be mended .

the Story Girl finished her wreath and put it on .

the buttercups drooped over her high , white brow and played peep with her glowing eyes .

" I know a story about a man who always had his own opinion "

the Story Girl got no further .

we never heard the story of the man who always had his own opinion .

Felix came tearing up the lane , with a newspaper in his hand .

" he must have got some bad news at the office , " said Sara Ray .

" he wouldn't be running so fast for good news , " said Dan cynically .

we were not left long in doubt .

the orchard gate flew open and Felix was among us .

one glimpse of his face told us that he was no bearer of glad tidings .

he had been running hard and should have been rubicund .

instead , he was " as pale as are the dead . "

I could not have asked him what was the matter had my life depended on it .

it was Felicity who demanded impatiently of my shaking , voiceless brother :

" Felix King , what has scared you ? "

Felix held out the newspaper it was the Charlottetown Daily Enterprise .

" it 's there , " he gasped .

" Look read oh , do you think it 's true ?

the end of the world is coming to-morrow at two o'clock in the afternoon ! "

crash !

at any other time we should all have been aghast over such a catastrophe , but it passed unnoticed now .

what mattered it that all the cups in the world be broken to-day if the crack o ' doom must sound to-morrow ?

" oh , Sara Stanley , do you believe it ?

DO you ? " gasped Felicity , clutching the Story Girl 's hand .

Cecily 's prayer had been answered .

excitement had come with a vengeance , and under its stress Felicity had spoken first .

but this , like the breaking of the cup , had no significance for us at the moment .

the Story Girl snatched the paper and read the announcement to a group on which sudden , tense silence had fallen .

if the Daily Enterprise said that August twelfth was to be the Judgment Day how were you going to get around it ?

" do you believe it , Sara Stanley ? " persisted Felicity .

" DO you ? "

" no no , I don't believe a word of it , " said the Story Girl .

but for once her voice failed to carry conviction or , rather , it carried conviction of the very opposite kind .

" it CAN'T be true , " said Sara Ray , seeking refuge , as usual , in tears .

" why , everything looks just the same .

things COULDN'T look the same if the Judgment Day was going to be to-morrow . "

" but that 's just the way it 's to come , " I said uncomfortably .

" it tells you in the Bible .

it 's to come just like a thief in the night . "

" but it tells you another thing in the Bible , too , " said Cecily eagerly .

" it says nobody knows when the Judgment Day is to come not even the angels in heaven .

" I guess he knows as much about it as a Tory would , " retorted the Story Girl .

uncle Roger was a Liberal and Uncle Alec a Conservative , and the girls held fast to the political traditions of their respective households .

if he IS a prophet perhaps he has found out somehow . "

" and it 's in the paper , too , and that 's printed as well as the Bible , " said Dan .

" well , I 'm going to depend on the Bible , " said Cecily .

" I don't believe it 's the Judgment Day to-morrow but I 'm scared , for all that , " she added piteously .

that was exactly the position of us all .

as in the case of the bell-ringing ghost , we did not believe but we trembled .

" nobody might have known when the Bible was written , " said Dan , " but maybe somebody knows now .

why , the Bible was written thousands of years ago , and that paper was printed this very morning .

there 's been time to find out ever so much more . "

" it can't be much worse than dying , I s'pose , " said Felix , grasping at any straw of comfort .

" I 'm awful glad I 've got into the habit of going to church and Sunday School this summer , " said Peter very soberly .

" I wish I 'd made up my mind before this whether to be a Presbyterian or a Methodist .

Do you s'pose it 's too late now ? "

" oh , that doesn't matter , " said Cecily earnestly .

" if if you 're a Christian , Peter , that is all that 's necessary . "

" but it 's too late for that , " said Peter miserably .

" I can't turn into a Christian between this and two o'clock to-morrow .

I 'll just have to be satisfied with making up my mind to be a Presbyterian or a Methodist .

I guess I 'll be a Presbyterian , ' cause I want to be like the rest of you .

yes , I 'll be a Presbyterian . "

if to-morrow isn't the Judgment Day I 'll tell it Monday . "

indeed I wouldn't , " said Felicity , with very unusual humility .

ah , Felicity !

what a black and endless list they made those sins of omission and commission that rushed accusingly across our young memories !

and to-morrow might be the great and terrible day of the last accounting !

oh , if I had only been a better boy !

" the quarrel was as much my fault as yours , Felicity , " said the Story Girl , putting her arm around Felicity .

" we can't undo it now .

but if to-morrow isn't the Judgment Day we must be careful never to quarrel again .

oh , I wish father was here . "

" he will be , " said Cecily .

" if it 's the Judgment Day for Prince Edward Island it will be for Europe , too . "

" I wish we could just KNOW whether what the paper says is true or not , " said Felix desperately .

" it seems to me I could brace up if I just KNEW . "

but to whom could we appeal ?

Uncle Alec was away and would not be back until late that night .

neither Aunt Janet nor Uncle Roger were people to whom we cared to apply in such a crisis .

we were afraid of the Judgment Day ; but we were almost equally afraid of being laughed at .

how about Aunt Olivia ?

" no , Aunt Olivia has gone to bed with a sick headache and mustn't be disturbed , " said the Story Girl .

I don't know how I can put my thoughts into it when the Judgment Day may be to-morrow .

besides , what is the good of asking the grown-ups ?

they don't know anything more about this than we do . "

" but if they'd just SAY they didn't believe it , it would be a sort of comfort , " said Cecily .

" I suppose the minister would know , but he 's away on his vacation " said Felicity .

" anyhow , I 'll go and ask mother what she thinks of it . "

felicity picked up the Enterprise and betook herself to the house .

we awaited her return in dire suspense .

" well , what does she say ? " asked Cecily tremulously .

" she said , ' Run away and don't bother me .

I haven't any time for your nonsense .' " responded Felicity in an injured tone .

" well , that 's kind of comforting , " said Peter .

" she can't put any faith in it , or she 'd be more worked up . "

" if it only wasn't PRINTED ! " said Dan gloomily .

" let's all go over and ask Uncle Roger , " said Felix desperately .

that we should make Uncle Roger a court of last resort indicated all too clearly the state of our minds .

but we went .

uncle Roger was in his barn-yard , hitching his black mare into the buggy .

his copy of the Enterprise was sticking out of his pocket .

he looked , as we saw with sinking hearts , unusually grave and preoccupied .

there was not a glimmer of a smile about his face .

" you ask him , " said Felicity , nudging the Story Girl .

IS it ?

do YOU think it is ? "

" I 'm afraid so , " said Uncle Roger gravely .

" the Enterprise is always very careful to print only reliable news . "

" but mother doesn't believe it , " cried Felicity .

uncle Roger shook his head .

" that is just the trouble , " he said .

" people won't believe it till it 's too late .

my old one is too shabby for the Judgment Day . "

he got into his buggy and drove away , leaving eight distracted mortals behind him .

" well , I suppose that settles it , " said Peter , in despairing tone .

" is there anything we can do to PREPARE ? " asked Cecily .

" I wish I had a white dress like you girls , " sobbed Sara Ray .

" but I haven't , and it 's too late to get one .

oh , I wish I had minded what ma said better .

I wouldn't have disobeyed her so often if I 'd thought the Judgment Day was so near .

when I go home I 'm going to tell her about going to the magic lantern show . "

" I 'm not sure that Uncle Roger meant what he said , " remarked the Story Girl .

" I couldn't get a look into his eyes .

if he was trying to hoax us there would have been a twinkle in them .

he can never help that .

you know he would think it a great joke to frighten us like this .

it 's really dreadful to have no grown-ups you can depend on . "

" we could depend on father if he was here , " said Dan stoutly .

" HE'D tell us the truth . "

" he would tell us what he THOUGHT was true , Dan , but he couldn't KNOW .

he 's not such a well-educated man as the editor of the Enterprise .

no , there 's nothing to do but wait and see . "

" let us go into the house and read just what the Bible does say about it , " suggested Cecily .

we crept in carefully , lest we disturb Aunt Olivia , and Cecily found and read the significant portion of Holy Writ .

there was little comfort for us in that vivid and terrible picture .

" well , " said the Story Girl finally .

" I must go and get the potatoes ready .

I suppose they must be boiled even if it is the Judgment Day to-morrow .

but I don't believe it is . "

" and I 've got to go and stump elderberries , " said Peter .

" I don't see how I can do it go away back there alone .

I 'll feel scared to death the whole time . "

" yes , and if he lets you off then we 'll know he was in earnest , " chimed in Cecily .

" but if he still says you must go that 'll be a sign he doesn't believe it . "

but Felicity bore it very patiently nay , more , she seemed to delight in it .

then we plunged down into fear and wretchedness again .

" but he said I must go and stump elderberries just the same " said Peter .

but I just can't stand it back there alone .

some of you fellows must come with me .

I don't want you to work , but just for company . "

it was finally decided that Dan and Felix should go .

I wanted to go also , but the girls protested .

" YOU must stay and keep us cheered up , " implored Felicity .

" I just don't know how I 'm ever going to put in the afternoon .

I promised Kitty Marr that I 'd go down and spend it with her , but I can't now .

and I can't knit any at my lace .

I 'd just keep thinking , ' What is the use ?

perhaps it 'll all be burned up to-morrow . ' "

so I stayed with the girls , and a miserable afternoon we had of it .

Cecily pestered Aunt Janet 's life out , asking repeatedly , " Ma , will you be washing Monday ? "

" Ma , will you be going to prayer meeting Tuesday night ? "

" Ma , will you be preserving raspberries next week ? " and various similar questions .

Sara Ray cried until I wondered how one small head could contain all the tears she shed .

but I do not believe she was half as much frightened as disappointed that she had no white dress .

" Sara , I am going to give you this jug , " she said solemnly .

now , Sara had always coveted this particular jug .

she stopped crying long enough to clutch it delightedly .

" oh , Cecily , thank you .

but are you sure you won't want it back if to-morrow isn't the Judgment Day ? "

" are you going to give any one your cherry vase ? " asked Felicity , trying to speak indifferently .

" no , I 'm not , " answered Cecily , with a change of tone .

" oh , well , I don't care , " said Felicity quickly .

" only , if to-morrow is the last day , the cherry vase won't be much use to you . "

" I guess it will be as much use to me as to any one else , " said Cecily indignantly .

felicity needn't be giving any hints !

with the gathering shades of night our plight became pitiful .

but now , in this time of shadows , dread belief clutched us and wrung us with terror .

but there was not .

our grown-ups , instead , considered our terror an exquisite jest .

Aunt Janet 's throaty gurgle and Aunt Olivia 's trilling mirth floated out through the open window .

" perhaps they 'll laugh on the other side of their faces to-morrow , " said Dan , with gloomy satisfaction .

we were sitting on the cellar hatch , watching what might be our last sunset o'er the dark hills of time .

Peter was with us .

it was his last Sunday to go home , but he had elected to remain .

" if to-morrow is the Judgment Day I want to be with you fellows , " he said .

Sara Ray had also yearned to stay , but could not because her mother had told her she must be home before dark .

" never mind , Sara , " comforted Cecily .

" it 's not to be till two o'clock to-morrow , so you 'll have plenty of time to get up here before anything happens . "

" but there might be a mistake , " sobbed Sara .

" it might be two o'clock to-night instead of to-morrow . "

it might , indeed .

this was a new horror , which had not occurred to us .

" I 'm sure I won't sleep a wink to-night , " said Felix .

" the paper SAYS two o'clock to-morrow , " said Dan .

" you needn't worry , Sara . "

but Sara departed , weeping .

she did not , however , forget to carry the forget-me-not jug with her .

all things considered , her departure was a relief .

such a constantly tearful damsel was not a pleasant companion .

Cecily and Felicity and the Story Girl did not cry .

they were made of finer , firmer stuff .

Dry-eyed , with such courage as they might , they faced whatever might be in store for them .

it was an ominous sunset .

the sun dropped down amid dark , livid clouds , that turned sullen shades of purple and fiery red behind him .

" I hope we 'll be all together , wherever we are , " said Cecily gently .

" nothing can be so very bad then . "

" I 'm going to read the Bible all to-morrow forenoon , " said Peter .

when Aunt Olivia came out to go home the Story Girl asked her permission to stay all night with Felicity and Cecily .

aunt Olivia assented lightly , swinging her hat on her arm and including us all in a friendly smile .

she looked very pretty , with her big blue eyes and warm-hued golden hair .

we loved Aunt Olivia ; but just now we resented her having laughed at us with Aunt Janet , and we refused to smile back .

Peter resolved to stay all night with us , too , not troubling himself about anybody 's permission .

nobody forgot or hurried over his prayers that night .

CHAPTER XX .

THE JUDGMENT SUNDAY

Sunday morning broke , dull and gray .

we were all up early .

none of us , it appeared , had slept well , and some of us not at all .

the Story Girl had been among the latter , and she looked very pale and wan , with black shadows under her deep-set eyes .

Peter , however , had slept soundly enough after twelve o'clock .

" but when I woke up this morning it was just awful .

I 'd forgot it for a moment , and then it all came back with a rush , and I was worse scared than before . "

Cecily was pale but brave .

for the first time in years she had not put her hair up in curlers on Saturday night .

it was brushed and braided with Puritan simplicity .

" if it 's the Judgment Day I don't care whether my hair is curly or not , " she said .

at breakfast our appetites were poor .

how could the grown-ups eat as they did ?

after breakfast and the necessary chores there was the forenoon to be lived through .

Peter , true to his word , got out his Bible and began to read from the first chapter in Genesis .

there was no preaching in Carlisle that day , and Sunday School was not till the evening .

Cecily got out her Lesson Slip and studied the lesson conscientiously .

the rest of us did not see how she could do it .

we could not , that was very certain .

but I never found it so hard to remember the Golden Text before . "

the long dragging hours were hard to endure .

we roamed restlessly about , and went to and fro all save Peter , who still steadily read away at his Bible .

he was through Genesis by eleven and beginning on Exodus .

that story about Joseph and his brother was so int'resting I almost forgot about the Judgment Day . "

but the long drawn out dread was beginning to get on Dan 's nerves .

" oh , Dan ! " cried Felicity and Cecily together , in a chorus of horror .

but the Story Girl looked as if she rather sympathized with Dan .

if we had eaten little at breakfast we could eat still less at dinner .

after dinner the clouds rolled away , and the sun came joyously and gloriously out .

this , we thought , was a good omen .

felicity opined that it wouldn't have cleared up if it was the Judgment Day .

nevertheless , we dressed ourselves carefully , and the girls put on their white dresses .

Sara Ray came up , still crying , of course .

" that 's why she let me come up , " she sobbed .

" if she hadn't been afraid I don't believe she would have let me come up .

but I 'd have died if I couldn't have come .

and she wasn't a bit cross when I told her I had gone to the magic lantern show .

that 's an awful bad sign .

I hadn't a white dress , but I put on my white muslin apron with the frills . "

" that seems kind of queer , " said Felicity doubtfully .

" well , it 's the best I could do , " said Sara disconsolately .

" I wanted to have something white on .

it 's just like a dress only it hasn't sleeves . "

" let's go into the orchard and wait , " said the Story Girl .

" it 's one o'clock now , so in another hour we 'll know the worst .

we 'll leave the front door open , and we 'll hear the big clock when it strikes two . "

the world was beautiful and peaceful and green .

Overhead was a dazzling blue sky , spotted with heaps of white cloud .

" well , don't whistle on Sunday anyhow , " said Felicity severely .

" when does it begin to tell about them ? "

" there 's nothing about Methodists or Presbyterians in the Bible , " said Felicity scornfully .

Peter looked amazed .

" well , how did they happen then ? " he asked .

" when did they begin to be ? "

" I 've often thought it such a strange thing that there isn't a word about either of them in the Bible , " said Cecily .

" especially when it mentions Baptists or at least one Baptist . "

I never thought it was such an int'resting book . "

" it sounds simply dreadful to hear you call the Bible an interesting book , " said Felicity , with a shudder at the sacrilege .

" why , you might be talking about ANY common book . "

" I didn't mean any harm , " said Peter , crestfallen .

" the Bible IS an interesting book , " said the Story Girl , coming to Peter 's rescue .

" and there are magnificent stories in it yes , Felicity , MAGNIFICENT .

if the world doesn't come to an end I 'll tell you the story of Ruth next Sunday or look here !

I 'll tell it anyhow .

that 's a promise .

wherever we are next Sunday I 'll tell you about Ruth . "

" why , you wouldn't tell stories in heaven , " said Cecily , in a very timid voice .

" why not ? " said the Story Girl , with a flash of her eyes .

" indeed I shall .

I 'll tell stories as long as I 've a tongue to talk with , or any one to listen . "

ay , doubtless .

some vague thought of this was in our minds as we looked at her ; and somehow it comforted us .

not even the Judgment was so greatly to be feared if after it we were the SAME , our own precious little identities unchanged .

" it must be getting handy two , " said Cecily .

" it seems as if we 'd been waiting here for ever so much longer than an hour . "

conversation languished .

we watched and waited nervously .

the moments dragged by , each seeming an hour .

would two o'clock never come and end the suspense ?

we all became very tense .

Even Peter had to stop reading .

any unaccustomed sound or sight in the world about us struck on our taut senses like the trump of doom .

a cloud passed over the sun and as the sudden shadow swept across the orchard we turned pale and trembled .

a wagon rumbling over a plank bridge in the hollow made Sara Ray start up with a shriek .

the slamming of a barn door over at Uncle Roger 's caused the cold perspiration to break out on our faces .

" I don't believe it 's the Judgment Day , " said Felix , " and I never have believed it .

but oh , I wish that clock would strike two . "

" can't you tell us a story to pass the time ? "

I entreated the Story Girl .

she shook her head .

" no , it would be no use to try .

but if this isn't the Judgment Day I 'll have a great one to tell of us being so scared . "

" it can't be the Judgment Day , " said Sara Ray , brightening up .

" Paddy would never be eating mice if it was . "

" if that clock doesn't soon strike two I shall go out of my seven senses , " declared Cecily with unusual vehemence .

" time always seems long when you 're waiting , " said the Story Girl .

" but it does seem as if we had been here more than an hour . "

" maybe the clock struck and we didn't hear it , " suggested Dan .

" somebody 'd better go and see . "

" I 'll go , " said Cecily .

" I suppose , even if anything happens , I 'll have time to get back to you . "

we watched her white-clad figure pass through the gate and enter the front door .

a few minutes passed or a few years we could not have told which .

then Cecily came running at full speed back to us .

but when she reached us she trembled so much that at first she could not speak .

" what is it ?

is it past two ? " implored the Story Girl .

" it 's it 's four , " said Cecily with a gasp .

" the old clock isn't going .

mother forgot to wind it up last night and it stopped .

but it 's four by the kitchen clock so it isn't the Judgment Day and tea is ready and mother says to come in . "

we looked at each other , realizing what our dread had been , now that it was lifted .

it was not the Judgment Day .

the world and life were still before us , with all their potent lure of years unknown .

" I 'll never believe anything I read in the papers again , " said Dan , rushing to the opposite extreme .

" I told you the Bible was more to be depended on than the newspapers , " said Cecily triumphantly .

Sara Ray and Peter and the Story Girl went home , and we went in to tea with royal appetites .

" yes , and Felicity and the Story Girl are speaking again , " said Cecily happily .

" and Felicity DID speak first , " I said .

" yes , but it took the Judgment Day to make her .

" and I wish I hadn't been in such a hurry deciding I 'd be a Presbyterian , " said Peter .

" well , it 's not too late for that , " said Dan .

" you can change your mind now . "

I said I 'd be Presbyterian and I mean to stick to it . "

" you said you knew a story that had something to do with Presbyterians , " I said to the Story Girl .

" tell us it now . "

" oh , no , it isn't the right kind of story to tell on Sunday , " she replied .

" but I 'll tell it to-morrow morning . "

accordingly , we heard it the next morning in the orchard .

Mrs Frewen had been a school-teacher , and she was very particular as to how people talked , and the grammar they used .

and she didn't like anything but refined words .

one very hot day she heard Judy Pineau say she was ' all in a sweat . '

Mrs Frewen was greatly shocked , and said , ' Judy , you shouldn't say that .

it 's horses that sweat .

you should say you are in a perspiration . '

well , Judy promised she 'd remember , because she liked Mrs Frewen and was anxious to please her .

I declare I 'm all in a Presbyterian . ' "

CHAPTER XXI .

DREAMERS OF DREAMS

August went out and September came in .

Harvest was ended ; and though summer was not yet gone , her face was turned westering .

at least , our slumbers were peaceful and undisturbed until our orgy of dreaming began .

" oh , " said Felicity in a shocked tone , when Uncle Roger had passed by , " uncle Roger SWORE . "

" oh , no , he didn't , " said the Story Girl quickly .

" ' Deviltry ' isn't swearing at all .

it only means extra bad mischief . "

" well , it 's not a very nice word , anyhow , " said Felicity .

" no , it isn't , " agreed the Story Girl with a regretful sigh .

" it 's very expressive , but it isn't nice .

that is the way with so many words .

they 're expressive , but they 're not nice , and so a girl can't use them . "

the Story Girl sighed again .

she loved expressive words , and treasured them as some girls might have treasured jewels .

to her , they were as lustrous pearls , threaded on the crimson cord of a vivid fancy .

" well , anyhow , it isn't a suitable word in this case , " insisted Felicity .

" we are not up to any dev any extra bad mischief .

writing down one 's dreams isn't mischief at all . "

certainly it wasn't .

surely not even the straitest sect of the grown-ups could call it so .

I trow not .

we had been at it for a fortnight , and during that time we only lived to have dreams and write them down .

" my Aunt Jane used to say it wasn't polite to chew gum anywhere , " said Peter rather ruefully .

but Peter was not to be so crushed .

he had in him a certain toughness of fibre , that would have been proof against a whole dictionary .

" she did , too , " he retorted .

" my Aunt Jane was a real lady , even if she was only a Craig .

and she was smart .

if father had had half her git-up-and-git I wouldn't be a hired boy to-day . "

" have you any idea where your father is ? " asked Dan .

" no , " said Peter indifferently .

" the last we heard of him he was in the Maine lumber woods .

but that was three years ago .

" oh , Peter , that sounds dreadful , " said Cecily .

" your own father ! "

" perhaps your father may come home some of these days with a huge fortune , " suggested the Story Girl .

" perhaps pigs may whistle , but they 've poor mouths for it , " was all the answer Peter deigned to this charming suggestion .

" there goes Mr Campbell down the road , " said Dan .

" that 's his new mare .

isn't she a dandy ?

she 's got a skin like black satin .

he calls her Betty Sherman . "

" I don't think it 's very nice to call a horse after your own grandmother , " said Felicity .

" Betty Sherman would have thought it a compliment , " said the Story Girl .

" maybe she would .

she couldn't have been very nice herself , or she would never have gone and asked a man to marry her , " said Felicity .

" why not ? "

" goodness me , it was dreadful !

would YOU do such a thing yourself ? "

" well , I don't know , " said the Story Girl , her eyes gleaming with impish laughter .

" if I wanted him DREADFULLY , and HE wouldn't do the asking , perhaps I would . "

" I 'd rather die an old maid forty times over , " exclaimed Felicity .

felicity tossed her golden tressed head and tried to look angry , but made a dismal failure of it .

" it wouldn't be ladylike to ask any one to marry you , you know , " argued Cecily .

" I don't suppose the Family Guide would think so , " agreed the Story Girl lazily , with some sarcasm in her voice .

the Story Girl never held the Family Guide in such reverence as did Felicity and Cecily .

" they say Mrs Richard Cook asked HER husband to marry her , " said Dan .

" I know a story about Mrs Richard Cook 's grandmother .

she was one of those women who are always saying ' I told you so ' "

" take notice , Felicity , " said Dan aside .

" and she was very stubborn .

soon after she was married she and her husband quarrelled about an apple tree they had planted in their orchard .

the label was lost .

he said it was a Fameuse and she declared it was a Yellow Transparent .

they fought over it till the neighbours came out to listen .

finally he got so angry that he told her to shut up .

they didn't have any Family Guide in those days , so he didn't know it wasn't polite to say shut up to your wife .

I suppose she thought she would teach him manners , for would you believe it ?

that woman did shut up , and never spoke one single word to her husband for five years .

and then , in five years ' time , the tree bore apples , and they WERE Yellow Transparents .

and then she spoke at last .

she said , ' I told you so . ' "

" and did she talk to him after that as usual ? " asked Sara Ray .

" oh , yes , she was just the same as she used to be , " said the Story Girl wearily .

" but that doesn't belong to the story .

it stops when she spoke at last .

you 're never satisfied to leave a story where it should stop , Sara Ray . "

" well , I always like to know what happens afterwards , " said Sara Ray .

" uncle Roger says he wouldn't want a wife he could never quarrel with , " remarked Dan .

" he says it would be too tame a life for him . "

" I wonder if Uncle Roger will always stay a bachelor , " said Cecily .

" he seems real happy , " observed Peter .

" if your Aunt Olivia was to up and get married what would your Uncle Roger do for a housekeeper ? " asked Peter .

" oh , but Aunt Olivia will never be married now , " said Felicity .

" why , she 'll be twenty-nine next January . "

" it would be awful splendid and exciting to have a wedding in the family , wouldn't it ? " said Cecily .

" I 've never seen any one married , and I 'd just love to .

I 've been to four funerals , but not to one single wedding . "

" I 've never even got to a funeral , " said Sara Ray gloomily .

" and look at that sweet pink cloud below it , " added Felicity .

" maybe that little pink cloud is a dream , getting all ready to float down into somebody 's sleep , " suggested the Story Girl .

" I had a perfectly awful dream last night , " said Cecily , with a shudder of remembrance .

" I dreamed I was on a desert island inhabited by tigers and natives with two heads . "

" oh ! " the Story Girl looked at Cecily half reproachfully .

" why couldn't you tell it better than that ?

if I had such a dream I could tell it so that everybody else would feel as if they had dreamed it , too . "

" well , I 'm not you , " countered Cecily , " and I wouldn't want to frighten any one as I was frightened .

it was an awful dream but it was kind of interesting , too . "

" I 've had some real int'resting dreams , " said Peter , " but I can't remember them long .

I wish I could . "

" why don't you write them down ? " suggested the Story Girl .

" oh " she turned upon us a face illuminated with a sudden inspiration .

" I 've an idea .

let us each get an exercise book and write down all our dreams , just as we dream them .

we 'll see who 'll have the most interesting collection .

and we 'll have them to read and laugh over when we 're old and gray . "

instantly we all saw ourselves and each other by inner vision , old and gray all but the Story Girl .

we could not picture her as old .

CHAPTER XXII .

THE DREAM BOOKS

the next day the Story Girl coaxed Uncle Roger to take her to Markdale , and there she bought our dream books .

they were ten cents apiece , with ruled pages and mottled green covers .

on the cover is pasted a lady 's visiting card , on which is written , " the Dream Book of Beverley King . "

I hear their laughing voices , I see their bright , unclouded eyes .

Felix sits on the right of the Story Girl , fat and stodgy , grimly in earnest even over dreams .

he writes with his knees stuck up to form a writing-desk , and he always frowns fiercely the whole time .

Sara Ray is at his left .

there is seldom anything to be said of Sara except to tell where she is .

like Tennyson 's Maud , in one respect at least , Sara is splendidly null .

In dreamland we were all equal .

Cecily , indeed , seemed to have the most decided talent for dramatic dreams .

that meekest and mildest of girls was in the habit of dreaming truly terrible things .

almost every night battle , murder , or sudden death played some part in her visions .

but if the Story Girl could not dream anything more wonderful than the rest of us , she scored when it came to the telling .

to hear her tell a dream was as good or as bad as dreaming it yourself .

as far as writing them down was concerned , I believe that I , Beverley King , carried off the palm .

I was considered to possess a pretty knack of composition .

Sara Ray 's own dreams never amounted to much .

she was always in trouble of some sort couldn't get her hair braided , or her shoes on the right feet .

consequently , her dream book was very monotonous .

" if you hadn't woke up you 'd have died , " said Peter with a dark significance .

" if you dream of falling and DON'T wake you DO land with a thud and it kills you .

that 's what happens to people who die in their sleep . "

" how do you know ? " asked Dan skeptically .

" nobody who died in his sleep could ever tell it . "

" my Aunt Jane told me so , " said Peter .

" I suppose that settles it , " said Felicity disagreeably .

" you always say something nasty when I mention my Aunt Jane , " said Peter reproachfully .

" what did I say that was nasty ? " cried Felicity .

" I didn't say a single thing . "

" Well , it sounded nasty , " said Peter , who knew that it is the tone that makes the music .

" what did your Aunt Jane look like ? " asked Cecily sympathetically .

" was she pretty ? "

I 've seen Aunt Jane look at me just like that woman looks at her baby .

Ma never looks so .

Poor ma is too busy washing .

I wish I could dream of my Aunt Jane .

I never do . "

" ' Dream of the dead , you 'll hear of the living , ' " quoted Felix oracularly .

" one is so apt to wake up just as things get interesting , " remarked the Story Girl discontentedly .

" I dreamed last night that I had really truly curly hair , " said Cecily mournfully .

" and oh , I was so happy !

it was dreadful to wake up and find it as straight as ever . "

Felix , that sober , solid fellow , dreamed constantly of flying through the air .

his descriptions of his aerial flights over the tree-tops of dreamland always filled us with envy .

Cecily 's might be more dramatic , but Felix 's was more amusing .

" I was afraid to take the liver pills for fear they 'd prevent me from dreaming , " he said .

" don't you remember old Miss Baxter in Toronto , Bev ?

I 'd rather have died than risk it , " concluded Felix solemnly .

" I 'd an exciting dream last night for once , " said Dan triumphantly .

" I dreamt old Peg Bowen chased me .

I thought I was up to her house and she took after me .

you bet I scooted .

and she caught me yes , sir !

I felt her skinny hand reach out and clutch my shoulder .

I let out a screech and woke up . "

" I should think you did screech , " said Felicity .

" we heard you clean over into our room . "

" I hate to dream of being chased because I can never run , " said Sara Ray with a shiver .

" I just stand rooted to the ground and see it coming and can't stir .

it don't sound much written out , but it 's awful to go through .

I 'm sure I hope I 'll never dream Peg Bowen chases me .

I 'll die if I do . "

" I wonder what Peg Bowen would really do to a fellow if she caught him , " speculated Dan .

" Peg Bowen doesn't need to catch you to do things to you , " said Peter ominously .

" she can put ill-luck on you just by looking at you and she will if you offend her . "

" I don't believe that , " said the Story Girl airily .

" don't you ?

all right , then !

last summer she called at Lem Hill 's in Markdale , and he told her to clear out or he 'd set the dog on her .

Peg cleared out , and she went across his pasture , muttering to herself and throwing her arms round .

and next day his very best cow took sick and died .

how do you account for that ? "

" it might have happened anyhow , " said the Story Girl somewhat less assuredly , though .

" it might .

but I'd just as soon Peg Bowen didn't look at MY cows , " said Peter .

" as if you had any cows ! " giggled Felicity .

" I 'm going to have cows some day , " said Peter , flushing .

" I don't mean to be a hired boy all my life .

I 'll have a farm of my own and cows and everything .

you 'll see if I won't . "

and we were laughing , and trying the things on , and having such fun .

" I dreamed last night that Felix was thin , " said Peter , laughing .

" he did look so queer .

his clothes just hung loose , and he was going round trying to hold them on . "

everybody thought this was funny , except Felix .

he would not speak to Peter for two days because of it .

felicity also got into trouble because of her dreams .

a huge hole was burned in it , and when Aunt Janet discovered it she lifted up her voice with no uncertain sound .

felicity had never received a sharper scolding .

but she took it very philosophically .

she was used to her mother 's bitter tongue , and she was not unduly sensitive .

" anyhow , I saved my dream , " she said placidly .

and that , of course , was all that really mattered .

grown people were so strangely oblivious to the truly important things of life .

but if a dream escape you , in what market-place the wide world over can you hope to regain it ?

what coin of earthly minting will ever buy back for you that lost and lovely vision ?

CHAPTER XXIII .

SUCH STUFF AS DREAMS ARE MADE ON

" last night I dreamed I was in church , " he said .

and then I found that I hadn't a stitch of clothes on NOT ONE BLESSED STITCH .

I was of the opinion that it would be rather questionable ; but Dan vowed he didn't see why .

HE'D tell it quick as any other dream .

there was nothing bad in it .

" but they 're your own relations , " said Peter .

" they 're no relation to me , and that makes a difference .

besides , they 're all such ladylike girls .

I guess I 'd better not risk it .

I 'm pretty sure Aunt Jane wouldn't think it was proper to tell such a dream .

and I don't want to offend Fel any of them . "

so Peter never told that dream , nor did he write it down .

instead , I remember seeing in his dream book , under the date of September fifteenth , an entry to this effect :

" last nite i dremed a drem . it wasent a polit drem so i won't rite it down . "

as Peter said , they were " ladies " in the best and truest sense of that much abused appellation .

Full of fun and frolic and mischief they were , with all the defects of their qualities and all the wayward faults of youth .

but no indelicate thought or vulgar word could have been shaped or uttered in their presence .

Dan was once guilty of swearing .

uncle Alec whipped him for it the only time he ever so punished any of his children .

but it was because Cecily cried all night that Dan was filled with saving remorse and repentance .

he vowed next day to Cecily that he would never swear again , and he kept his word .

all at once the Story Girl and Peter began to forge ahead in the matter of dreaming .

when they assured us solemnly that their dreams all happened exactly as they described them we were compelled to believe them .

but there was something up , we felt sure of that .

Peter and the Story Girl certainly had a secret between them , which they kept for a whole fortnight .

there was no finding it out from the Story Girl .

she was not well , so Aunt Olivia told Aunt Janet .

" I don't know what is the matter with the child , " said the former anxiously .

" she hasn't seemed like herself the past two weeks .

she complains of headache , and she has no appetite , and she is a dreadful colour .

I 'll have to see a doctor about her if she doesn't get better soon . "

" give her a good dose of Mexican Tea and try that first , " said Aunt Janet .

" I 've saved many a doctor 's bill in my family by using Mexican Tea . "

finally , we did find out .

Peter was not proof against this double attack .

he yielded and told the secret .

I expected the Story Girl would overwhelm him with scorn and indignation .

but she took it very coolly .

" I knew Felicity would get it out of him sometime , " she said .

" I think he has done well to hold out this long . "

aunt Olivia knew nothing about it , of course .

she permitted them only a plain , wholesome lunch at bed-time .

I should have stopped with the pie and pickles and left the tarts alone .

he woke up before the water got hot , though .

well , Miss Felicity , you 're pretty smart .

but how will you like to walk to Sunday School with a boy who wears patched trousers ? "

" I won't have to , " said Felicity triumphantly .

" Peter is having a new suit made .

it 's to be ready by Saturday .

I knew that before I promised . "

having discovered how to produce exciting dreams , we all promptly followed the example of Peter and the Story Girl .

I don't think it 's fair . "

" can't you hide something away through the day as we do ? " asked Felicity .

" no . "

Sara shook her fawn-coloured head mournfully .

" Ma always keeps the pantry locked , for fear Judy Pineau will treat her friends . "

even the Story Girl and I had a fight something that had never happened before .

Peter was the only one who kept his normal poise .

nothing could upset that boy 's stomach .

one night Cecily came into the pantry with a large cucumber , and proceeded to devour the greater part of it .

I remember I supped that night off a solid hunk of fat pork , topped off with a slab of cold plum pudding .

" I thought you didn't like cucumber , Cecily , " Dan remarked .

" neither I do , " said Cecily with a grimace .

" but Peter says they 're splendid for dreaming .

he et one that night he had the dream about being caught by cannibals .

I 'd eat three cucumbers if I could have a dream like that . "

soon the house was dark and silent .

I was just dropping into an uneasy slumber when I heard a commotion in the girls ' room across the hall .

their door opened and through our own open door I saw Felicity 's white-clad figure flit down the stairs to Aunt Janet 's room .

from the room she had left came moans and cries .

" Cecily 's sick , " said Dan , springing out of bed .

" that cucumber must have disagreed with her . "

in a few minutes the whole house was astir .

Cecily was sick very , very sick , there was no doubt of that .

she was even worse than Dan had been when he had eaten the bad berries .

uncle Alec , tired as he was from his hard day 's work and evening outing , was despatched for the doctor .

aunt Janet and Felicity administered all the homely remedies they could think of , but to no effect .

felicity told Aunt Janet of the cucumber , but Aunt Janet did not think the cucumber alone could be responsible for Cecily 's alarming condition .

" cucumbers are indigestible , but I never knew of them making any one as sick as this , " she said anxiously .

" what made the child eat a cucumber before going to bed ?

I didn't think she liked them . "

" it was that wretched Peter , " sobbed Felicity indignantly .

" he told her it would make her dream something extra . "

" what on earth did she want to dream for ? " demanded Aunt Janet in bewilderment .

" oh , to have something worth while to write in her dream book , ma .

Cecily was no better when the doctor came .

" why , milk and cucumbers together make a rank poison , " he said .

" no wonder the child is sick .

there there now " seeing the alarmed faces around him , " don't be frightened .

as old Mrs Fraser says , ' It's no deidly . '

it won't kill her , but she 'll probably be a pretty miserable girl for two or three days . "

she was .

and we were all miserable in company .

aunt Janet investigated the whole affair and the matter of our dream books was aired in family conclave .

Peter received an extra " setting down , " which he considered rank injustice .

" I didn't tell Cecily to drink the milk , and the cucumber alone wouldn't have hurt her , " he grumbled .

Cecily was able to be out with us again that day , so Peter felt that he might venture on a grumble .

" ' Sides , she coaxed me to tell her what would be good for dreams .

I just told her as a favour .

and now your Aunt Janet blames me for the whole trouble . "

" they 'd like to stop us from dreaming altogether if they could , " said the Story Girl wrathfully .

" well , anyway , they can't prevent us from growing up , " consoled Dan .

" we needn't worry about the bread and milk rule , " added Felicity .

that will be what will happen this time , too .

" well , let's go down to the Pulpit Stone and I 'll tell you a story I know , " said the Story Girl .

we went and straightway drank of the waters of forgetfulness .

in a brief space we were laughing right merrily , no longer remembering our wrongs at the hands of those cruel grown-ups .

our laughter echoed back from the barns and the spruce grove , as if elfin denizens of upper air were sharing in our mirth .

presently , also , the laughter of the grown-ups mingled with ours .

' Twas then we liked our grown-ups best , for then they seemed half children again .

the Story Girl was in great fettle that night .

never had her tales sparkled with such wit and archness .

Sara , tell us that story of the Serpent Woman I heard you tell one day last summer . "

the Story Girl began it glibly .

but before she had gone far with it , I , who was sitting beside her , felt an unaccountable repulsion creeping over me .

for the first time since I had known her I wanted to draw away from the Story Girl .

looking around on the faces of the group , I saw that they all shared my feeling .

Cecily had put her hands over her eyes .

Peter was staring at the Story Girl with a fascinated , horror-strickened gaze .

aunt Olivia was pale and troubled .

all looked as if they were held prisoners in the bonds of a fearsome spell which they would gladly break but could not .

it was not our Story Girl who sat there , telling that weird tale in a sibilant , curdling voice .

she had put on a new personality like a garment , and that personality was a venomous , evil , loathly thing .

I would rather have died than have touched the slim , brown wrist on which she supported herself .

the light in her narrowed orbs was the cold , merciless gleam of the serpent 's eye .

I felt frightened of this unholy creature who had suddenly come in our dear Story Girl 's place .

when the tale ended there was a brief silence .

then Aunt Janet said severely , but with a sigh of relief ,

" little girls shouldn't tell such horrible stories . "

this truly Aunt Janetian remark broke the spell .

" well , Uncle Roger asked me to tell it .

I don't like telling such stories either .

they make me feel dreadful .

do you know , for just a little while , I felt exactly like a snake . "

" you looked like one , " said Uncle Roger .

" how on earth do you do it ? "

" I can't explain how I do it , " said the Story Girl perplexedly .

" it just does itself . "

genius can never explain how it does it .

it would not be genius if it could .

and the Story Girl had genius .

as we left the orchard I walked along behind Uncle Roger and Aunt Olivia .

" that was an uncanny exhibition for a girl of fourteen , you know , Roger , " said Aunt Olivia musingly .

" what is in store for that child ? "

" fame , " said Uncle Roger .

" if she ever has a chance , that is , and I suppose her father will see to that .

at least , I hope he will .

you and I , Olivia , never had our chance .

I hope Sara will have hers . "

this was my first inkling of what I was to understand more fully in later years .

here , you , " added Uncle Roger , perceiving me , " cut along and get off to your bed .

and mind you don't eat cucumbers and milk before you go . "

CHAPTER XXIV .

THE BEWITCHMENT OF PAT

Pat , our own , dear , frolicsome Paddy , was sick again very , very sick .

on Friday he moped and refused his saucer of new milk at milking time .

In vain we stroked and entreated and brought him tidbits .

at that Cecily and Felicity and Sara Ray all began crying , and we boys felt choky .

nor did he deny it when I taxed him with it , but he would not give in that he was crying about Paddy.

nonsense !

" what were you crying for , then ? "

I said .

" I 'm crying because because my Aunt Jane is dead , " said Peter defiantly .

" but your Aunt Jane died two years ago , " I said skeptically .

" well , ain't that all the more reason for crying ? " retorted Peter .

" I 've had to do without her for two years , and that 's worse than if it had just been a few days . "

" I believe you were crying because Pat is so sick , " I said firmly .

" as if I 'd cry about a cat ! " scoffed Peter .

and he marched off whistling .

of course we had tried the lard and powder treatment again , smearing Pat 's paws and sides liberally .

but to our dismay , Pat made no effort to lick it off .

" I tell you he 's a mighty sick cat , " said Peter darkly .

" when a cat don't care what he looks like he 's pretty far gone . "

" I could tell you what 's the matter with him , but you 'd only laugh at me , " said Peter .

we all looked at him .

" Peter Craig , what do you mean ? " asked Felicity .

" ' Zackly what I say . "

" then , if you know what is the matter with Paddy , tell us , " commanded the Story Girl , standing up .

she said it quietly ; but Peter obeyed .

I know I should .

" he 's BEWITCHED that 's what 's the matter with him , " said Peter , half defiantly , half shamefacedly .

" bewitched ?

nonsense ! "

" there now , what did I tell you ? " complained Peter .

the Story Girl looked at Peter , at the rest of us , and then at poor Pat .

" how could he be bewitched ? " she asked irresolutely , " and who could bewitch him ? "

" I don't know HOW he was bewitched , " said Peter .

" I 'd have to be a witch myself to know that .

but Peg Bowen bewitched him . "

" nonsense ! " said the Story Girl again .

" all right , " said Peter .

" you don't have to believe me . "

" if Peg Bowen could bewitch anything and I don't believe she could why should she bewitch Pat ? " asked the Story Girl .

" everybody here and at Uncle Alec 's is always kind to her . "

" I 'll tell you why , " said Peter .

" Thursday afternoon , when you fellows were all in school , Peg Bowen came here .

your Aunt Olivia gave her a lunch a good one .

" aunt Olivia would be good to any poor creature , and so would mother , " said Felicity .

but she isn't a witch that 's ridiculous . "

" all right .

but wait till I tell you .

when Peg Bowen was leaving Pat stretched out on the steps .

she tramped on his tail .

you know Pat doesn't like to have his tail meddled with .

he slewed himself round and clawed her bare foot .

if you 'd just seen the look she gave him you 'd know whether she was a witch or not .

and she went off down the lane , muttering and throwing her hands round , just like she did in Lem Hill 's cow pasture .

she put a spell on Pat , that 's what she did .

he was sick the next morning . "

we looked at each other in miserable , perplexed silence .

" if that 's so though I can't believe it we can't do anything , " said the Story Girl drearily .

" Pat must die . "

Cecily began to weep afresh .

" I 'd do anything to save Pat 's life , " she said .

" I'd BELIEVE anything . "

" there 's nothing we can do , " said Felicity impatiently .

she might , if we apologized real humble . "

at first we were appalled by the suggestion .

we didn't believe that Peg Bowen was a witch .

and that this suggestion should come from timid Cecily , of all people !

but then , there was poor Pat !

" would it do any good ? " said the Story Girl desperately .

" even if she did make Pat sick I suppose it would only make her crosser if we went and accused her of bewitching him .

besides , she didn't do anything of the sort . "

but there was some uncertainty in the Story Girl 's voice .

" it wouldn't do any harm to try , " said Cecily .

" if she didn't make him sick it won't matter if she is cross . "

" it won't matter to Pat , but it might to the one who goes to her , " said Felicity .

" she isn't a witch , but she 's a spiteful old woman , and goodness knows what she 'd do to us if she caught us .

I 'm scared of Peg Bowen , and I don't care who knows it .

ever since I can mind ma 's been saying , ' If you 're not good Peg Bowen will catch you . ' "

" I 'm frightened of her , too but just look at poor , darling Paddy. "

we looked at Paddy who continued to stare fixedly before him with unwinking eyes .

uncle Roger came out and looked at him also , with what seemed to us positively brutal unconcern .

" I 'm afraid it 's all up with Pat , " he said .

" uncle Roger , " said Cecily imploringly , " Peter says Peg Bowen has bewitched Pat for scratching her .

do you think it can be so ? "

" did Pat scratch Peg ? " asked Uncle Roger , with a horror-stricken face .

" dear me !

dear me !

that mystery is solved .

Poor Pat ! "

uncle Roger nodded his head , as if resigning himself and Pat to the worst .

" do you really think Peg Bowen is a witch , Uncle Roger ? " demanded the Story Girl incredulously .

" do I think Peg Bowen is a witch ?

my dear Sara , what do YOU think of a woman who can turn herself into a black cat whenever she likes ?

is she a witch ?

or is she not ?

I leave it to you . "

" can Peg Bowen turn herself into a black cat ? " asked Felix , staring .

" it 's my belief that that is the least of Peg Bowen 's accomplishments , " answered Uncle Roger .

" it 's the easiest thing in the world for a witch to turn herself into any animal you choose to mention .

yes , Pat is bewitched no doubt of that not the least in the world . "

" what are you telling those children such stuff for ? " asked Aunt Olivia , passing on her way to the well .

" it 's an irresistible temptation , " answered Uncle Roger , strolling over to carry her pail .

" you can see your Uncle Roger believes Peg is a witch , " said Peter .

" and you can see Aunt Olivia doesn't , " I said , " and I don't either . "

" see here , " said the Story Girl resolutely , " I don't believe it , but there MAY be something in it .

suppose there is .

the question is , what can we do ? "

" I 'll tell you what I'D do , " said Peter .

" I 'd take a present for Peg , and ask her to make Pat well .

I wouldn't let on I thought she 'd made him sick .

then she couldn't be offended and maybe she 'd take the spell off . "

" I think we 'd better all give her something , " said Felicity .

" I 'm willing to do that .

but who 's going to take the presents to her ? "

" we must all go together , " said the Story Girl .

" I won't , " cried Sara Ray in terror .

" I wouldn't go near Peg Bowen 's house for the world , no matter who was with me . "

" I 've thought of a plan , " said the Story Girl .

" let's all give her something , as Felicity says .

" if she 'll let us , " said Dan significantly .

" can Peg read a letter ? "

I asked .

" oh , yes .

aunt Olivia says she is a good scholar .

she went to school and was a smart girl until she became crazy .

we 'll write it very plain . "

" what if we don't see her ? " asked Felicity .

" we 'll put the things on her doorstep then and leave them . "

but it 's the only thing to do .

what can we give her ? "

" we mustn't offer her any money , " said the Story Girl .

" she 's very indignant when any one does that .

she says she isn't a beggar .

but she 'll take anything else .

I shall give her my string of blue beads .

she 's fond of finery . "

" I 'll give her that sponge cake I made this morning , " said Felicity .

" I guess she doesn't get sponge cake very often . "

" I 've nothing but the rheumatism ring I got as a premium for selling needles last winter , " said Peter .

" I 'll give her that .

even if she hasn't got rheumatism it 's a real handsome ring .

it looks like solid gold . "

" I 'll give her a roll of peppermint candy , " said Felix .

" I 'll give one of those little jars of cherry preserve I made , " said Cecily .

I decided to give the redoubtable Peg some apples from my birthday tree , and Dan declared he would give her a plug of tobacco .

" oh , won't she be insulted ? " exclaimed Felix , rather horrified .

" Naw , " grinned Dan .

" Peg chews tobacco like a man .

she 'd rather have it than your rubbishy peppermints , I can tell you .

I 'll run down to old Mrs Sampson 's and get a plug . "

we adjourned to the granary to indite the important document , which the Story Girl was to compose .

" how shall I begin it ? " she asked in perplexity .

" it would never do to say , ' Dear Peg , ' and ' Dear Miss Bowen ' sounds too ridiculous . "

" besides , nobody knows whether she is Miss Bowen or not , " said Felicity .

if she 's married , she won't like being called Miss . "

" well , how am I to address her ? " asked the Story Girl in despair .

Peter again came to the rescue with a practical suggestion .

" begin it , ' Respected Madam , ' " he said .

" Ma has a letter a school trustee once writ to my Aunt Jane and that 's how it begins . "

" respected Madam , " wrote the Story Girl .

" we want to ask a very great favour of you and we hope you will kindly grant it if you can .

our favourite cat , Paddy , is very sick , and we are afraid he is going to die .

do you think you could cure him ?

and will you please try ?

we are all so fond of him , and he is such a good cat , and has no bad habits .

it 's a very tender part of him , and it 's his only way of preventing it , and he doesn't mean any harm .

if you can cure Paddy for us we will always be very , very grateful to you .

the accompanying small offerings are a testimonial of our respect and gratitude , and we entreat you to honour us by accepting them .

" very respectfully yours ,

" SARA STANLEY . "

" I tell you that last sentence has a fine sound , " said Peter admiringly .

" I didn't make that up , " admitted the Story Girl honestly .

" I read it somewhere and remembered it . "

" I think it 's TOO fine , " criticized Felicity .

" Peg Bowen won't know the meaning of such big words . "

but it was decided to leave them in and we all signed the letter .

then we got our " testimonials , " and started on our reluctant journey to the domains of the witch .

Sara Ray would not go , of course , but she volunteered to stay with Pat while we were away .

we did not think it necessary to inform the grown-ups of our errand , or its nature .

Grown-ups had such peculiar views .

they might forbid our going at all and they would certainly laugh at us .

Peg Bowen 's house was nearly a mile away , even by the short cut past the swamp and up the wooded hill .

when we reached the green gloom of the woods beyond we began to feel frightened , but nobody would admit it .

we walked very closely together , and we did not talk .

of course , Peg wasn't a witch , but it was best to be on the safe side .

finally we came to the lane which led directly to her abode .

we were all very pale now , and our hearts were beating .

the red September sun hung low between the tall spruces to the west .

it did not look to me just right for a sun .

in fact , everything looked uncanny .

I wished our errand were well over .

a sudden bend in the lane brought us out to the little clearing where Peg 's house was before we were half ready to see it .

in spite of my fear I looked at it with some curiosity .

it was a small , shaky building with a sagging roof , set amid a perfect jungle of weeds .

the only door was in the upper story , and was reached by a flight of rickety steps .

there was no sign of life about the place except sight of ill omen a large black cat , sitting on the topmost step .

we thought of Uncle Roger 's gruesome hints .

could that black cat be Peg ?

nonsense !

but still it didn't look like an ordinary cat .

it was so large and had such green , malicious eyes !

plainly , there was something out of the common about the beastie !

her brown fingers trembled and her face was very pale .

suddenly the door above us opened , and Peg Bowen herself appeared on the threshold .

her feet , arms , and neck were bare , and she had a battered old clay pipe in her mouth .

her brown face was seamed with a hundred wrinkles , and her tangled , grizzled hair fell unkemptly over her shoulders .

she was scowling , and her flashing black eyes held no friendly light .

we had borne up bravely enough hitherto , in spite of our inward , unconfessed quakings .

but now our strained nerves gave way , and sheer panic seized us .

Peter gave a little yelp of pure terror .

we turned and fled across the clearing and into the woods .

down the long hill we tore , like mad , hunted creatures , firmly convinced that Peg Bowen was after us .

Wild was that scamper , as nightmare-like as any recorded in our dream books .

more by blind instinct than anything else we kept together and found our way out of the woods .

presently we were in the field beyond the brook .

we halted , with a glad realization that we were back in our own haunts and that Peg Bowen had not caught us .

" oh , wasn't that an awful experience ? " gasped Cecily , shuddering .

" I wouldn't go through it again I couldn't , not even for Pat . "

" it come on a fellow so suddent , " said Peter shamefacedly .

" I think I could a-stood my ground if I 'd known she was going to come out .

but when she popped out like that I thought I was done for . "

" we shouldn't have run , " said Felicity gloomily .

" it showed we were afraid of her , and that always makes her awful cross .

she won't do a thing for Pat now . "

" I don't believe she could do anything , anyway , " said the Story Girl .

" I think we 've just been a lot of geese . "

we were all , except Peter , more or less inclined to agree with her .

the Story Girl announced that she would take him into the kitchen and sit up all night with him .

" he sha'n't die alone , anyway , " she said miserably , gathering his limp body up in her arms .

we did not think Aunt Olivia would give her permission to stay up ; but Aunt Olivia did .

aunt Olivia really was a duck .

we wanted to stay with her also , but Aunt Janet wouldn't hear of such a thing .

she ordered us off to bed , saying that it was positively sinful in us to be so worked up over a cat .

" there 's nothing we can do now , except pray God to make Pat better , " said Cecily .

she knew and we knew , that prayer was a solemn rite , not to be lightly held , nor degraded to common uses .

felicity voiced this conviction when she said ,

" I don't believe it would be right to pray about a cat . "

and I 'm sure He 's abler to help him than Peg Bowen .

anyhow , I 'm going to pray for Pat with all my might and main , and I 'd like to see you try to stop me .

of course I won't mix it up with more important things .

I 'll just tack it on after I 've finished asking the blessings , but before I say amen . "

more petitions than Cecily 's were offered up that night on behalf of Paddy.

PLEASE do . "

as soon as we were up the next morning we rushed off to Uncle Roger 's .

" Pat 's better , " cried the Story Girl , blithe , triumphant .

" last night , just at twelve , he began to lick his paws .

then he licked himself all over and went to sleep , too , on the sofa .

when I woke Pat was washing his face , and he has taken a whole saucerful of milk .

oh , isn't it splendid ? "

" you see Peg Bowen did put a spell on him , " said Peter , " and then she took it off . "

" I guess Cecily 's prayer had more to do with Pat 's getting better than Peg Bowen , " said Felicity .

" she prayed for Pat over and over again .

that is why he 's better . "

" oh , all right , " said Peter , " but I 'd advise Pat not to scratch Peg Bowen again , that 's all . "

" I wish I knew whether it was the praying or Peg Bowen that cured Pat , " said Felix in perplexity .

" I don't believe it was either of them , " said Dan .

" Pat just got sick and got better again of his own accord . "

" I 'm going to believe that it was the praying , " said Cecily decidedly .

" it 's so much nicer to believe that God cured Pat than that Peg Bowen did . "

" but you oughtn't to believe a thing just ' cause it would be more comfortable , " objected Peter .

" mind you , I ain't saying God couldn't cure Pat .

but nothing and nobody can't ever make me believe that Peg Bowen wasn't at the bottom of it all . "

thus faith , superstition , and incredulity strove together amongst us , as in all history .

CHAPTER XXV .

a CUP OF FAILURE

two voices ring out for me above all others in the music that echoes through the halls of recollection .

Cecily 's sweet and silvery , and Uncle Alec 's fine tenor .

" if you 're a King , you sing , " was a Carlisle proverb in those days .

aunt Julia had been the flower of the flock in that respect and had become a noted concert singer .

the world had never heard of the rest .

their music echoed only along the hidden ways of life , and served but to lighten the cares of the trivial round and common task .

that evening , after they tired of singing , our grown-ups began talking of their youthful days and doings .

this was always a keen delight to us small fry .

we listened avidly to the tales of our uncles and aunts in the days when they , too hard fact to realize had been children .

it wasn't cushioned , however , and he always bruised his hands in his self-forgetful earnestness .

we thought him a regular wonder .

" I should think I do , " laughed Uncle Alec .

I never heard such stuck-up sermons as you preach . '

our uncles roared with laughter over the recollection .

but he was determined to finish his sermon , and finish it he did .

he was a plucky little beggar .

no wonder he succeeded in life . "

" and his sermons and prayers were always just about as outspoken as those Julia objected to , " said Uncle Alec .

it seems like the other day that we were all here together , just as these children are , and now we are scattered everywhere .

very reverently we all listened to the majestic words .

" Lord , thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations .

for a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past , and as a watch in the night ....v .

for all our days are passed away in thy wrath ; we spend our years as a tale that is told .

so teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom ....y .

oh , satisfy us early with thy mercy ; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days ....v .

the dusk crept into the orchard like a dim , bewitching personality .

you could see her feel her hear her .

she tiptoed softly from tree to tree , ever drawing nearer .

presently her filmy wings hovered over us and through them gleamed the early stars of the autumn night .

we were on the lookout for some new amusement .

dream books had begun to pall .

we no longer wrote in them very regularly , and our dreams were not what they used to be before the mischance of the cucumber .

so the Story Girl 's suggestion came pat to the psychological moment .

" I 've thought of a splendid plan , " she said .

" it just flashed into my mind when the uncles were talking about Uncle Edward .

but this is a Christian game , so it will be all right . "

" it isn't like the religious fruit basket game , is it ? " asked Cecily anxiously .

we had good reason to hope that it wasn't .

this , he argued , would make it quite lawful and proper to play on Sunday .

it would be so much easier to call out your own name than fit your tongue to an unfamiliar one .

so Peter retaliated by choosing Nebuchadnezzar , which no one could ever utter three times before Peter shrieked it out once .

in the midst of our hilarity , however , Uncle Alec and Aunt Janet came down upon us .

it is best to draw a veil over what followed .

suffice it to say that the recollection gave point to Cecily 's question .

" no , it isn't that sort of game at all , " said the Story Girl .

" it is this ; each of you boys must preach a sermon , as Uncle Edward used to do .

one of you next Sunday , and another the next , and so on .

and whoever preaches the best sermon is to get a prize . "

Dan promptly declared he wouldn't try to preach a sermon ; but Peter , Felix and I thought the suggestion a very good one .

secretly , I believed I could cut quite a fine figure preaching a sermon .

" who 'll give the prize ? " asked Felix .

" I will , " said the Story Girl .

" I 'll give that picture father sent me last week . "

" but who 's to be the judge ? "

I said , " and what kind of a sermon would you call the best ? "

" the one that makes the most impression , " answered the Story Girl promptly .

" and we girls must be the judges , because there 's nobody else .

now , who is to preach next Sunday ? "

I am not so proud of it as I once was .

I was really puffed up with earthly vanity over it at that time .

Felix , I thought , would be hard put to it to beat it .

as for Peter , I did not consider him a rival to be feared .

I preached it over several times in the granary with only Paddy , sitting immovably on a puncheon , for audience .

Paddy stood the test fairly well .

at least , he made an adorable listener , save at such times as imaginary rats distracted his attention .

Mr Marwood had at least three absorbed listeners the next Sunday morning .

Felix , Peter and I were all among the chiels who were taking mental notes on the art of preaching a sermon .

not a motion , or glance , or intonation escaped us .

in the afternoon we all repaired to the orchard , Bibles and hymn books in hand .

we did not think it necessary to inform the grown-ups of what was in the wind .

you could never tell what kink a grown-up would take .

they might not think it proper to play any sort of a game on Sunday , not even a Christian game .

least said was soonest mended where grown-ups were concerned .

I mounted the pulpit steps , feeling rather nervous , and my audience sat gravely down on the grass before me .

our opening exercises consisted solely of singing and reading .

we had agreed to omit prayer .

neither Felix , Peter nor I felt equal to praying in public .

but we took up a collection .

the proceeds were to go to missions .

Dan passed the plate Felicity 's rosebud plate looking as preternaturally solemn as Elder Frewen himself .

every one put a cent on it .

well , I preached my sermon .

and it fell horribly flat .

I realized that , before I was half way through it .

I think I preached it very well ; and never a thump did I forget or misplace .

but my audience was plainly bored .

it had made no impression at all .

Felix would be sure to get the prize .

" that was a very good sermon for a first attempt , " said the Story Girl graciously .

" it sounded just like real sermons I have heard . "

" every word of it was true , " said Cecily , her tone unconsciously implying that this was its sole merit .

" I often feel , " said Felicity primly , " that we don't think enough about the heathens .

we ought to think a great deal more . "

Sara Ray put the finishing touch to my mortification .

" it was so nice and short , " she said .

" what was the matter with my sermon ? "

I asked Dan that night .

since he was neither judge nor competitor I could discuss the matter with him .

" it was too much like a reg'lar sermon to be interesting , " said Dan frankly .

" I should think the more like a regular sermon it was , the better , " I said .

" not if you want to make an impression , " said Dan seriously .

" you must have something sort of different for that .

peter , now , HE'LL have something different . "

" oh , Peter !

I don't believe he can preach a sermon , " I said .

" maybe not , but you 'll see he 'll make an impression , " said Dan .

CHAPTER XXVI .

PETER MAKES AN IMPRESSION

Peter 's turn came next .

he did not write his sermon out .

that , he averred , was too hard work .

nor did he mean to take a text .

" why , who ever heard of a sermon without a text ? " asked Felix blankly .

" I am going to take a SUBJECT instead of a text , " said Peter loftily .

" I ain't going to tie myself down to a text .

and I 'm going to have heads in it three heads .

you hadn't a single head in yours , " he added to me .

it would doubtless have made a much deeper impression .

but the truth was I had forgotten all about such things .

" Well , I 'm going to have them , and I don't care if they are unfashionable , " said Peter .

" they 're good things .

" what are you going to preach on ? " asked Felix .

" you 'll find out next Sunday , " said Peter significantly .

the next Sunday was in October , and a lovely day it was , warm and bland as June .

there was something in the fine , elusive air , that recalled beautiful , forgotten things and suggested delicate future hopes .

the woods had wrapped fine-woven gossamers about them and the westering hill was crimson and gold .

we sat around the Pulpit Stone and waited for Peter and Sara Ray .

presently he arrived and mounted the granite boulder as if to the manor born .

he was dressed in his new suit and I , perceiving this , felt that he had the advantage of me .

there were , I saw , compensations for being a hired boy .

Peter made quite a handsome little minister , in his navy blue coat , white collar , and neatly bowed tie .

therefore Peter proceeded with the service .

he read the chapter and gave out the hymn with as much SANG FROID as if he had been doing it all his life .

Mr Marwood himself could not have bettered the way in which Peter said ,

" we will sing the whole hymn , omitting the fourth stanza . "

that was a fine touch which I had not thought of .

I began to think that , after all , Peter might be a foeman worthy of my steel .

when Peter was ready to begin he thrust his hands into his pockets a totally unorthodox thing .

then he plunged in without further ado , speaking in his ordinary conversational tone another unorthodox thing .

it was not a forgettable kind of sermon .

" dearly beloved , " said Peter , " my sermon is about the bad place in short , about hell . "

an electric shock seemed to run through the audience .

everybody looked suddenly alert .

Peter had , in one sentence , done what my whole sermon had failed to do .

he had made an impression .

" I shall divide my sermon into three heads , " pursued Peter .

" the first head is , what you must not do if you don't want to go to the bad place .

" now , there 's a great many things you must not do , and it 's very important to know what they are .

you ought not to lose no time in finding out .

in the first place you mustn't ever forget to mind what grown-up people tell you that is , GOOD grown-up people . "

" oh , that is easy , " said Peter .

" you can always just FEEL who is good and who isn't .

and you mustn't tell lies and you mustn't murder any one .

you must be specially careful not to murder any one .

at this point Felicity gave Dan a significant poke with her elbow , and Dan was up in arms at once .

" don't you be preaching at me , Peter Craig , " he cried out .

" I won't stand it .

I don't quarrel with my sister any oftener than she quarrels with me .

you can just leave me alone . "

" who 's touching you ? " demanded Peter .

" I didn't mention no names .

and you mustn't call names or make faces . "

" amen , " cried Felix , who had suffered many things because Felicity so often made faces at him .

Peter stopped and glared at him over the edge of the Pulpit Stone .

" you haven't any business to call out a thing like that right in the middle of a sermon , " he said .

" they do it in the Methodist church at Markdale , " protested Felix , somewhat abashed .

" I heard them . "

" I know they do .

that 's the Methodist way and it is all right for them .

I haven't a word to say against Methodists .

my Aunt Jane was one , and I might have been one myself if I hadn't been so scared of the Judgment Day .

but you ain't a Methodist .

you 're a Presbyterian , ain't you ? "

" yes , of course .

I was born that way . "

" very well then , you 've got to do things the Presbyterian way .

don't let me hear any more of your amens or I 'll amen you . "

" oh , don't anybody interrupt again , " implored the Story Girl .

" it isn't fair .

how can any one preach a good sermon if he is always being interrupted ?

nobody interrupted Beverley . "

" Bev didn't get up there and pitch into us like that , " muttered Dan .

" you mustn't fight , " resumed Peter undauntedly .

" that is , you mustn't fight for the fun of fighting , nor out of bad temper .

you must not say bad words or swear .

you mustn't get drunk although of course you wouldn't be likely to do that before you grow up , and the girls never .

there 's prob'ly a good many other things you mustn't do , but these I 've named are the most important .

of course , I 'm not saying you 'll go to the bad place for sure if you do them .

I only say you 're running a risk .

and that 's all about the first head of my sermon . "

at this point Sara Ray arrived , somewhat out of breath .

Peter looked at her reproachfully .

I think I ought to preach it over again for you . "

" that was really done once .

I know a story about it , " said the Story Girl .

" who 's interrupting now ? " aid Dan slyly .

" never mind , tell us the story , " said the preacher himself , eagerly leaning over the pulpit .

" it was Mr Scott who did it , " said the Story Girl .

Mr Scott stopped until he had taken his seat .

then he said , ' My friend , you are very late for this service .

I hope you won't be late for heaven .

the congregation will excuse me if I recapitulate the sermon for our friend 's benefit . '

and then he just preached the sermon over again from the beginning .

it is said that that particular man was never known to be late for church again . "

" it served him right , " said Dan , " but it was pretty hard lines on the rest of the congregation . "

" now , let 's be quiet so Peter can go on with his sermon , " said Cecily .

Peter squared his shoulders and took hold of the edge of the pulpit .

" I 've come now to the second head of my sermon what the bad place is like . "

he proceeded to describe the bad place .

but at the time we supposed he must be drawing from Biblical sources .

therefore , his utterances carried all the weight of inspiration , and we sat appalled before his lurid phrases .

suddenly Sara Ray sprang to her feet with a scream a scream that changed into strange laughter .

we all , preacher included , looked at her aghast .

Cecily and Felicity sprang up and caught hold of her .

she shrieked , cried , laughed , and flung herself about .

" she 's gone clean crazy , " said Peter , coming down out of his pulpit with a very pale face .

" you 've frightened her crazy with your dreadful sermon , " said Felicity indignantly .

the rest of us looked at each other in terrified questioning .

" you 've made rather too much of an impression , Peter , " said the Story Girl miserably .

" she needn't have got so scared .

but you girls are always in such a hurry , " said Peter bitterly .

" do you s'pose they 'll have to take her to the asylum ? " said Dan in a whisper .

" hush , here 's your father , " said Felix .

uncle Alec came striding down the orchard .

we had never before seen Uncle Alec angry .

but there was no doubt that he was very angry .

his blue eyes fairly blazed at us as he said ,

" what have you been doing to frighten Sara Ray into such a condition ? "

" we we were just having a sermon contest , " explained the Story Girl tremulously .

" and Peter preached about the bad place , and it frightened Sara .

that is all , Uncle Alec . "

" all !

I don't know what the result will be to that nervous delicate child .

she is shrieking in there and nothing will quiet her .

what do you mean by playing such a game on Sunday , and making a jest of sacred things ?

no , not a word " for the Story Girl had attempted to speak .

" you and Peter march off home .

the Story Girl and Peter went humbly home and we went with them .

" I CAN'T understand grown-up people , " said Felix despairingly .

you don't hear such sermons nowadays . '

but when Peter preaches just such a sermon , it 's a very different story . "

" it 's no wonder we can't understand the grown-ups , " said the Story Girl indignantly , " because we 've never been grown-up ourselves .

but THEY have been children , and I don't see why they can't understand us .

of course , perhaps we shouldn't have had the contest on Sundays .

but all the same I think it 's mean of Uncle Alec to be so cross .

oh , I do hope poor Sara won't have to be taken to the asylum . "

Poor Sara did not have to be .

Peter granted it rather grumpily , and I fear that he never really quite forgave Sara for her untimely outburst .

Felix , too , felt resentment against her , because he had lost the chance of preaching his sermon .

that 's what comes of having those cry-baby girls mixed up in things .

Cecily was just as scared as Sara Ray , but she'd more sense than to show it like that . "

" oh , tell us , what is it ? " everybody entreated .

" well , it 's a trial by ordeal , and we 're to see which of us can pass it .

the ordeal is to eat one of the bitter apples in big mouthfuls without making a single face . "

Dan made a face to begin with .

" I don't believe any of us can do that , " he said .

" YOU can't , if you take bites big enough to fill your mouth , " giggled Felicity , with cruelty and without provocation .

" well , maybe you could , " retorted Dan sarcastically .

" I think the bitter apples would be real good for Felix , " said Felicity .

" they say sour things make people thin . "

we went to the seedling tree and got an apple apiece .

the game was that every one must take a bite in turn , chew it up , and swallow it , without making a face .

Peter again distinguished himself .

in every subsequent trial it was the same .

Peter never made a face , and no one else could help making them .

it sent him up fifty per cent in Felicity 's estimation .

" Peter is a real smart boy , " she said to me .

" it 's such a pity he is a hired boy . "

but , if we could not pass the ordeal , we got any amount of fun out of it , at least .

evening after evening the orchard re-echoed to our peals of laughter .

" bless the children , " said Uncle Alec , as he carried the milk pails across the yard .

" nothing can quench their spirits for long . "

CHAPTER XXVII .

THE ORDEAL OF BITTER APPLES

I could never understand why Felix took Peter 's success in the Ordeal of Bitter Apples so much to heart .

but to Felix everything suddenly became flat , stale , and unprofitable , because Peter continued to hold the championship of bitter apples .

it haunted his waking hours and obsessed his nights .

I heard him talking in his sleep about it .

if anything could have made him thin the way he worried over this matter would have done it .

for myself , I cared not a groat .

I had wished to be successful in the sermon contest , and felt sore whenever I thought of my failure .

but I had no burning desire to eat sour apples without grimacing , and I did not sympathize over and above with my brother .

Felix prayed earnestly that he might be enabled to eat a bitter apple without making a face .

but Felix was vastly encouraged .

" another prayer or two , and I 'll be able to eat a whole one , " he said jubilantly .

but this devoutly desired consummation did not come to pass .

in spite of prayers and heroic attempts , Felix could never get beyond that last bite .

not even faith and works in combination could avail .

for a time he could not understand this .

but he thought the mystery was solved when Cecily came to him one day and told him that Peter was praying against him .

" he 's praying that you 'll never be able to eat a bitter apple without making a face , " she said .

" he told Felicity and Felicity told me .

she said she thought it was real cute of him .

I think that is a dreadful way to talk about praying and I told her so .

Felix was very indignant and aggrieved as well .

" I don't see why God should answer Peter 's prayers instead of mine , " he said bitterly .

" I 've gone to church and Sunday School all my life , and Peter never went till this summer .

it isn't fair . "

" oh , Felix , don't talk like that , " said Cecily , shocked .

" God MUST be fair .

I 'll tell you what I believe is the reason .

did you ever hear of such goings-on ? "

" well , he 's got to stop praying against me , anyhow , " said Felix resolutely .

" I won't put up with it , and I 'll go and tell him so right off . "

Felix marched over to Uncle Roger 's , and we trailed after , scenting a scene .

we found Peter shelling beans in the granary , and whistling cheerily , as with a conscience void of offence towards all men .

now , I tell you "

" I never did ! " exclaimed Peter indignantly .

" I never mentioned your name .

I never prayed that you couldn't eat a bitter apple .

I just prayed that I 'd be the only one that could . "

" well , that 's the same thing , " cried Felix .

" you 've just been praying for the opposite to me out of spite .

and you 've got to stop it , Peter Craig . "

" well , I just guess I won't , " said Peter angrily .

I s'pose you think a hired boy hasn't any business to pray for particular things , but I 'll show you .

I 'll just pray for what I please , and I 'd like to see you try and stop me . "

" you 'll have to fight me , if you keep on praying against me , " said Felix .

the girls gasped ; but Dan and I were jubilant , snuffing battle afar off .

" all right .

I can fight as well as pray . "

" oh , don't fight , " implored Cecily .

" I think it would be dreadful .

surely you can arrange it some other way .

let's all give up the Ordeal , anyway .

there isn't much fun in it .

and then neither of you need pray about it . "

" I don't want to give up the Ordeal , " said Felix , " and I won't . "

" oh , well , surely you can settle it some way without fighting , " persisted Cecily .

" I 'm not wanting to fight , " said Peter .

" it 's Felix .

if he don't interfere with my prayers there 's no need of fighting .

but if he does there 's no other way to settle it . "

" but how will that settle it ? " asked Cecily .

" oh , whoever 's licked will have to give in about the praying , " said Peter .

" that 's fair enough .

if I 'm licked I won't pray for that particular thing any more . "

" it 's dreadful to fight about anything so religious as praying , " sighed poor Cecily .

" why , they were always fighting about religion in old times , " said Felix .

" the more religious anything was the more fighting there was about it . "

that 's my way of looking at it . "

" what would Miss Marwood say if she knew you were going to fight ? " asked Felicity .

Miss Marwood was Felix ' Sunday School teacher and he was very fond of her .

but by this time Felix was quite reckless .

" I don't care what she would say , " he retorted .

felicity tried another tack .

" you 'll be sure to get whipped if you fight with Peter , " she said .

" you 're too fat to fight . "

after that , no moral force on earth could have prevented Felix from fighting .

he would have faced an army with banners .

" you might settle it by drawing lots , " said Cecily desperately .

" drawing lots is wickeder that fighting , " said Dan .

" it 's a kind of gambling . "

" what would Aunt Jane say if she knew you were going to fight ? "

Cecily demanded of Peter .

" don't you drag my Aunt Jane into this affair , " said Peter darkly .

" you said you were going to be a Presbyterian , " persisted Cecily .

" Good Presbyterians don't fight . "

" oh , don't they !

Cecily had but one more shot in her locker .

" I thought you said in your sermon , Master Peter , that people shouldn't fight . "

" I said they oughtn't to fight for fun , or for bad temper , " retorted Peter .

" this is different .

I know what I 'm fighting for but I can't think of the word . "

" I guess you mean principle , " I suggested .

" yes , that 's it , " agreed Peter .

" it 's all right to fight for principle .

it 's kind of praying with your fists . "

" it doesn't do to meddle in an affair of this kind between boys , " said the Story Girl sagely .

I may be mistaken , but I do not believe the Story Girl wanted that fight stopped .

and I am far from being sure that Felicity did either .

it was ultimately arranged that the combat should take place in the fir wood behind Uncle Roger 's granary .

it was a nice , remote , bosky place where no prowling grown-up would be likely to intrude .

and thither we all resorted at sunset .

do you think he will ? "

" I don't know , " I confessed dubiously .

" Felix is too fat .

he 'll get out of breath in no time .

and Peter is such a cool customer , and he 's a year older than Felix .

but then Felix has had some practice .

he has fought boys in Toronto .

and this is Peter 's first fight . "

" did you ever fight ? " asked the Story Girl .

" once , " I said briefly , dreading the next question , which promptly came .

" who beat ? "

it is sometimes a bitter thing to tell the truth , especially to a young lady for whom you have a great admiration .

" the other fellow , " I said with reluctant honesty .

when we arrived behind the granary the others were all there .

Cecily was very pale , and Felix and Peter were taking off their coats .

there was a pure yellow sunset that evening , and the aisles of the fir wood were flooded with its radiance .

a cool , autumnal wind was whistling among the dark boughs and scattering blood red leaves from the maple at the end of the granary .

Cecily , keep quiet .

now , one two three ! "

Peter and Felix " pitched in , " with more zeal than discretion on both sides .

as a result , Peter got what later developed into a black eye , and Felix 's nose began to bleed .

Cecily gave a shriek and ran out of the wood .

Felix and Peter drew apart after that first onset , and circled about one another warily .

then , just as they had come to grips again , Uncle Alec walked around the corner of the granary , with Cecily behind him .

he was not angry .

there was a quizzical look in his eyes .

but he took the combatants by their shirt collars and dragged them apart .

" this stops right here , boys , " he said .

" you know I don't allow fighting . "

" oh , but Uncle Alec , it was this way , " began Felix eagerly .

" peter "

" no , I don't want to hear about it , " said Uncle Alec sternly .

" I don't care what you were fighting about , but you must settle your quarrels in a different fashion .

remember my commands , Felix .

peter , Roger is looking for you to wash his buggy .

be off . "

Peter went off rather sullenly , and Felix , also sullenly , sat down and began to nurse his nose .

he turned his back on Cecily .

Cecily " caught it " after Uncle Alec had gone .

Dan called her a tell-tale and a baby , and sneered at her until Cecily began to cry .

" I couldn't stand by and watch Felix and Peter pound each other all to pieces , " she sobbed .

" they 've been such friends , and it was dreadful to see them fighting . "

" uncle Roger would have let them fight it out , " said the Story Girl discontentedly .

" uncle Roger believes in boys fighting .

he says it 's as harmless a way as any of working off their original sin .

Peter and Felix wouldn't have been any worse friends after it .

they 'd have been better friends because the praying question would have been settled .

and now it can't be unless Felicity can coax Peter to give up praying against Felix . "

for once in her life the Story Girl was not as tactful as her wont .

or is it possible that she said it out of malice prepense ?

at all events , Felicity resented the imputation that she had more influence with Peter than any one else .

" I don't meddle with hired boys ' prayers , " she said haughtily .

" just as much nonsense as praying about the bitter apples in the first place . "

" oh , Dan , don't you believe there is some good in praying ? " said Cecily reproachfully .

" yes , I believe there 's some good in some kinds of praying , but not in that kind , " said Dan sturdily .

" I don't believe God cares whether anybody can eat an apple without making a face or not . "

" there 's something wrong somewhere , " said Cecily perplexedly .

it seems as if he must be right and yet it doesn't seem so .

I wish I could understand it . "

" Peter 's prayer was wrong because it was a selfish prayer , I guess , " said the Story Girl thoughtfully .

we mustn't pray selfish prayers . "

" oh , I see through it now , " said Cecily joyfully .

what do you make of that ? "

" oh ! " the Story Girl shook her head impatiently .

" there 's no use trying to make such things out .

we only get more mixed up all the time .

let's leave it alone and I 'll tell you a story .

aunt Olivia had a letter today from a friend in Nova Scotia , who lives in Shubenacadie .

and I did .

don't you want to hear it ? "

of course we did .

we all sat down at the roots of the firs .

Felix , having finally squared matters with his nose , turned around and listened also .

he would not look at Cecily , but every one else had forgiven her .

her cheeks were still flushed with the excitement of the evening .

in the dim light she was beautiful , with a wild , mystic loveliness , a compelling charm that would not be denied .

" Many , many moons ago , an Indian tribe lived on the banks of a river in Nova Scotia .

one of the young braves was named Accadee .

he was the tallest and bravest and handsomest young man in the tribe "

" why is it they 're always so handsome in stories ? " asked Dan .

" why are there never no stories about ugly people ? "

" perhaps ugly people never have stories happen to them , " suggested Felicity .

" I think they 're just as interesting as the handsome people , " retorted Dan .

I like them best that way .

I just love to read a story where the heroine is beautiful as a dream . "

" pretty people are always conceited , " said Felix , who was getting tired of holding his tongue .

" the heroes in stories are always nice , " said Felicity , with apparent irrelevance .

" they 're always so tall and slender .

wouldn't it be awful funny if any one wrote a story about a fat hero or about one with too big a mouth ? "

" it doesn't matter what a man LOOKS like , " I said , feeling that Felix and Dan were catching it rather too hotly .

" he must be a good sort of chap and DO heaps of things .

that 's all that 's necessary . "

we apologized and promised to behave better ; she went on , appeased :

" Accadee was all these things that I have mentioned , and he was the best hunter in the tribe besides .

never an arrow of his that did not go straight to the mark .

Many and many a snow white moose he shot , and gave the beautiful skin to his sweetheart .

and he was doing this when Shuben , who was also out hunting , saw him from afar and thought he was a real moose .

she stole cautiously through the woods until she came to the brink of a little valley .

below her stood the snow white moose .

she drew her arrow to her eye alas , she knew the art only too well ! and took careful aim .

the next moment Accadee fell dead with her arrow in his heart . "

the Story Girl paused a dramatic pause .

it was quite dark in the fir wood .

we could see her face and eyes but dimly through the gloom .

a silvery moon was looking down on us over the granary .

the stars twinkled through the softly waving boughs .

beyond the wood we caught a glimpse of a moonlit world lying in the sharp frost of the October evening .

the sky above it was chill and ethereal and mystical .

" what did Shuben do when she found out she had killed Accadee ? " asked Felicity .

the sharp wind blew around the granary and Cecily shivered .

we heard Aunt Janet 's voice calling " children , children . "

shaking off the spell of firs and moonlight and romantic tale , we scrambled to our feet and went homeward .

" I kind of wish I 'd been born an Injun , " said Dan .

" it must have been a jolly life nothing to do but hunt and fight . "

" it wouldn't be so nice if they caught you and tortured you at the stake , " said Felicity .

" no , " said Dan reluctantly .

" I suppose there 'd be some drawback to everything , even being an Injun . "

" isn't it cold ? " said Cecily , shivering again .

" it will soon be winter .

I wish summer could last forever .

felicity likes the winter , and so does the Story Girl , but I don't .

it always seems so long till spring . "

truly , we had had a delectable summer ; and , having had it , it was ours forever .

" the gods themselves cannot recall their gifts . "

they may rob us of our future and embitter our present , but our past they may not touch .

with all its laughter and delight and glamour it is our eternal possession .

nevertheless , we all felt a little of the sadness of the waning year .

then we brightened up .

it was really a very decent world after all .

CHAPTER XXVIII .

THE TALE OF THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

Felix , so far as my remembrance goes , never attained to success in the Ordeal of Bitter Apples .

he and Peter remained on bad terms for some time , however .

we were all of us too tired those nights to do any special praying .

sometimes I fear our " regular " prayers were slurred over , or mumbled in anything but reverent haste .

October was a busy month on the hill farms .

the apples had to be picked , and this work fell mainly to us children .

we stayed home from school to do it .

some of the apples had to be picked very carefully .

but with others it did not matter ; we boys would climb the trees and shake the apples down until the girls shrieked for mercy .

the hens and turkeys prowled about , pecking at windfalls , and Pat made mad rushes at them amid the fallen leaves .

the world beyond the orchard was in a royal magnificence of colouring , under the vivid blue autumn sky .

the Story Girl generally had her head garlanded with their leaves .

they became her vastly .

neither Felicity nor Cecily could have worn them .

those two girls were of a domestic type that assorted ill with the wildfire in Nature 's veins .

what tales she told us on those far-away autumn days , peopling the russet arcades with folk of an elder world .

we ate a good many , of course , feeling that the labourer was worthy of his hire .

the apples from our own birthday trees were stored in separate barrels inscribed with our names .

we might dispose of them as we willed .

felicity has not gotten over that to this day .

then we sucked on the juice ; sweeter was it than the nectar drunk by blissful gods on the Thessalian hill .

the constellations of autumn scintillated above us .

Peter and the Story Girl knew all about them , and imparted their knowledge to us generously .

Job 's Coffin and the Northern Cross were to the west of us ; south of us flamed Fomalhaut .

the Great Square of Pegasus was over our heads .

Cassiopeia sat enthroned in her beautiful chair in the north-east ; and north of us the Dippers swung untiringly around the Pole Star .

the next day he complained of headache and sore throat , and seemed to prefer lying on Aunt Olivia 's kitchen sofa to doing any work .

as it was not in Peter to be a malingerer he was left in peace , while we picked apples .

Felix alone , must unjustly and spitefully , declared that Peter was simply shirking .

" he 's just lazy , that 's what 's the matter with him , " he said .

" why don't you talk sense , if you must talk ? " said Felicity .

" there 's no sense in calling Peter lazy .

you might as well say I had black hair .

of course , Peter , being a Craig , has his faults , but he 's a smart boy .

his father was lazy but his mother hasn't a lazy bone in her body , and Peter takes after her . "

" uncle Roger says Peter 's father wasn't exactly lazy , " said the Story Girl .

" the trouble was , there were so many other things he liked better than work . "

" I wonder if he 'll ever come back to his family , " said Cecily .

" just think how dreadful it would be if OUR father had left us like that ! "

" our father is a King , " said Felicity loftily , " and Peter 's father was only a Craig .

A member of our family COULDN'T behave like that . "

" they say there must be a black sheep in every family , " said the Story Girl .

" there isn't any in ours , " said Cecily loyally .

" why do white sheep eat more than black ? " asked Felix .

" is that a conundrum ? " asked Cecily cautiously .

" if it is I won't try to guess the reason .

I never can guess conundrums . "

" it isn't a conundrum , " said Felix .

" it 's a fact .

they do and there 's a good reason for it . "

we argued over it seriously , but finally had to give it up .

" well , what is the reason ? " asked Felicity .

" because there 's more of them , " said Felix , grinning .

I forget what we did to Felix .

a shower came up in the evening and we had to stop picking .

after the shower there was a magnificent double rainbow .

Odin was the great god of the northland , you know .

always he walked on Odin 's right hand , and always the first light of Odin 's smile fell on him .

" In Odin 's band was a beautiful maiden named A Alin.

" at last they came to the very place where the rainbow touched the earth .

but under the Rainbow Bridge rolled a terrible flood , deep and wide and violent , full of rocks and rapids and whirlpools .

" there was a Warder of the bridge , a god , dark and stern and sorrowful .

and the Warder set open the gate .

" ' Pass on and drink of the fountain , ' he said .

' To all who taste of it shall immortality be given .

but only to that one who shall drink of it first shall be permitted to walk at Odin 's right hand forever . '

last of all came Ving .

" ' Ving , strong , noble , and valiant , ' he said , ' Rainbow Bridge is not for thee . '

" very dark grew Ving 's face .

hot rebellion rose in his heart and rushed over his pale lips .

" ' Why dost thou keep back the draught of immortality from me ? ' he demanded passionately .

" the Warder pointed to the dark flood that rolled under the bridge .

" ' The path of the rainbow is not for thee , ' he said , ' but yonder way is open .

ford that flood .

on the furthest bank is the fountain of life . '

" ' Thou mockest me , ' muttered Ving sullenly .

' No mortal could cross that flood .

oh , Master , ' he prayed , turning beseechingly to Odin , ' thou didst promise to me eternal life as to the others .

wilt thou not keep that promise ?

command the Warder to let me pass .

he must obey thee . '

" but Odin stood silent , with his face turned from his beloved , and Ving 's heart was filled with unspeakable bitterness and despair .

" ' Thou mayest return to earth if thou fearest to essay the flood , ' said the Warder .

" and he plunged fiercely in.

he swam , and struggled , he buffetted the turmoil .

the waves went over his head again and again , the whirlpools caught him and flung him on the cruel rocks .

long , long , long , to him seemed that bitter and perilous passage ; but at last he won through to the furthest side .

he staggered to its brink and drank of its clear stream .

then all pain and weariness fell away from him , and he rose up , a god , beautiful with immortality .

and as he did there came rushing over the Rainbow Bridge a great company the band of fellow travellers .

but all were too late to win the double boon .

Ving had won to it through the danger and suffering of the dark river . "

the rainbow had faded out , and the darkness of the October dusk was falling .

" I expect we 'd get tired of it after awhile , " said the Story Girl .

" but , " she added , " I think it would be a goodly while before I would . "

CHAPTER XXIX .

THE SHADOW FEARED OF MAN

we were all up early the next morning , dressing by candlelight .

" what do you think ? " she exclaimed .

" Peter has the measles !

he was dreadfully sick all night , and Uncle Roger had to go for the doctor .

he was quite light-headed , and didn't know any one .

this was mingled bitter and sweet .

what orgies of story telling we should have !

" I suppose we 'll all have the measles now , " grumbled Felicity .

" and October is such an inconvenient time for measles there 's so much to do . "

" I don't believe any time is very convenient to have the measles , " Cecily said .

" oh , perhaps we won't have them , " said the Story Girl cheerfully .

" Peter caught them at Markdale , the last time he was home , his mother says . "

" I don't want to catch the measles from Peter , " said Felicity decidedly .

" fancy catching them from a hired boy ! "

" oh , Felicity , don't call Peter a hired boy when he 's sick , " protested Cecily .

during the next two days we were very busy too busy to tell tales or listen to them .

only in the frosty dusk did we have time to wander afar in realms of gold with the Story Girl .

then , on the third day , the Story Girl came to us with a very white face .

she had been over to Uncle Roger 's yard to hear the latest bulletin from the sick room .

hitherto they had been of a non-committal nature ; but now it was only too evident that she had bad news .

" Peter is very , very sick , " she said miserably .

we all stood around , stricken , incredulous .

" do you mean , " said Felix , finding voice at length , " that Peter is going to die ? "

the Story Girl nodded miserably .

" they 're afraid so . "

Cecily sat down by her half filled basket and began to cry .

felicity said violently that she didn't believe it .

" I can't pick another apple to-day and I ain't going to try , " said Dan .

none of us could .

then we roamed about in our wretchedness and tried to comfort one another .

we avoided the orchard ; it was for us too full of happy memories to accord with our bitterness of soul .

we could not really believe that Peter was going to die to DIE .

old people died .

Grown-up people died .

even children of whom we had heard died .

but that one of US of our merry little band should die was unbelievable .

we could not believe it .

and yet the possibility struck us in the face like a blow .

we sat on the mossy stones under the dark old evergreens and gave ourselves up to wretchedness .

we all , even Dan , cried , except the Story Girl .

" I don't see how you can be so unfeeling , Sara Stanley , " said Felicity reproachfully .

I looked at the Story Girl 's dry , piteous eyes , and suddenly remembered that I had never seen her cry .

" I can't cry , " she said drearily .

" I wish I could .

I 've a dreadful feeling here " she touched her slender throat " and if I could cry I think it would make it better .

but I can't . "

" maybe Peter will get better after all , " said Dan , swallowing a sob .

" I 've heard of lots of people who went and got better after the doctor said they were going to die . "

" while there 's life there 's hope , you know , " said Felix .

" we shouldn't cross bridges till we come to them . "

" those are only proverbs , " said the Story Girl bitterly .

" oh , I wish I 'd never said Peter wasn't fit to associate with , " moaned Felicity .

" if he ever gets better I 'll never say such a thing again I'll never THINK it .

he 's just a lovely boy and twice as smart as lots that aren't hired out . "

" he was always so polite and good-natured and obliging , " sighed Cecily .

" he was just a real gentleman , " said the Story Girl .

" there ain't many fellows as fair and square as Peter , " said Dan .

" and such a worker , " said Felix .

" uncle Roger says he never had a boy he could depend on like Peter , " I said .

" it 's too late to be saying all these nice things about him now , " said the Story Girl .

" he won't ever know how much we thought of him .

it 's too late . "

" if he gets better I 'll tell him , " said Cecily resolutely .

" of course I couldn't be expected to let a hir to let a boy kiss me .

but I needn't have been so cross about it .

I might have been more dignified .

and I told him I just hated him .

that wasn't true , but I s'pose he'll die thinking it is .

oh , dear me , what makes people say things they 've got to be so sorry for afterwards ? "

" I suppose if Peter d-d-dies he 'll go to heaven anyhow , " sobbed Cecily .

" he 's been real good all this summer , but he isn't a church member . "

" he 's a Presbyterian , you know , " said Felicity reassuringly .

her tone expressed her conviction that that would carry Peter through if anything would .

" we 're none of us church members .

but of course Peter couldn't be sent to the bad place .

that would be ridiculous .

what would they do with him there , when he 's so good and polite and honest and kind ? "

" don't you suppose that anybody , even God , would make allowances for that ? "

" of course Peter will go to heaven , " said the Story Girl .

" he 's not grown up enough to go anywhere else .

children always go to heaven .

but I don't want him to go there or anywhere else .

I want him to stay right here .

I know heaven must be a splendid place , but I 'm sure Peter would rather be here , having fun with us . "

" Sara Stanley , " rebuked Felicity .

" I should think you wouldn't say such things at such a solemn time .

you 're such a queer girl . "

" wouldn't you rather be here yourself than in heaven ? " said the Story Girl bluntly .

" wouldn't you now , Felicity King ?

tell the truth , ' cross your heart . "

but Felicity took refuge from this inconvenient question in tears .

" if we could only DO something to help Peter ! "

I said desperately .

" it seems dreadful not to be able to do a single thing . "

" there 's one thing we can do , " said Cecily gently .

" we can pray for him . "

" so we can , " I agreed .

" I 'm going to pray like sixty , " said Felix energetically .

" we 'll have to be awful good , you know , " warned Cecily .

" there 's no use praying if you 're not good . "

" that will be easy , " sighed Felicity .

" I don't feel a bit like being bad .

if anything happens to Peter I feel sure I 'll never be naughty again .

I won't have the heart . "

we did , indeed , pray most sincerely for Peter 's recovery .

Peter was no better the next day .

aunt Olivia reported that his mother was broken-hearted .

we did not again ask to be released from work .

instead , we went at it with feverish zeal .

if we worked hard there was less time for grief and grievious thoughts .

we picked apples and dragged them to the granary doggedly .

in the afternoon Aunt Janet brought us a lunch of apple turnovers ; but we could not eat them .

Peter , as Felicity reminded us with a burst of tears , had been so fond of apple turnovers .

and , oh , how good we were !

how angelically and unnaturally good !

never was there such a band of kind , sweet-tempered , unselfish children in any orchard .

Even Felicity and Dan , for once in their lives , got through the day without any exchange of left-handed compliments .

Cecily confided to me that she never meant to put her hair up in curlers on Saturday nights again , because it was pretending .

she was so anxious to repent of something , sweet girl , and this was all she could think of .

during the afternoon Judy Pineau brought up a tear-blotted note from Sara Ray .

Sara had not been allowed to visit the hill farm since Peter had developed measles .

these epistles were as gushingly underlined as if Sara had been a correspondent of early Victorian days .

" my OWN DEAREST Cecily , " ran Sara 's letter .

" I have just heard the sad news about POOR DEAR PETER .

I can't describe MY FEELINGS .

they are DREADFUL .

I have been crying ALL THE AFTERNOON .

I wish I could FLY to you , but ma will not let me .

but I have felt , ever since the Judgment Sunday that I MUST OBEY MA BETTER than I used to do .

the master is awful cross by spells .

Jimmy Frewen walked home with Nellie Bowan last night from prayer-meeting and HER ONLY FOURTEEN .

don't you think it horrid BEGINNING SO YOUNG ?

YOU AND ME would NEVER do anything like that till we were GROWN UP , would we ?

Willy Fraser looks SO LONESOME in school these days .

I must stop for ma says I waste FAR TOO MUCH TIME writing letters .

tell Judy ALL THE NEWS for me .

" your OWN TRUE FRIEND ,

" SARA RAY .

" P.S . oh I DO hope Peter will get better .

Ma is going to get me a new brown dress for the winter .

" S. R. "

when evening came we went to our seats under the whispering , sighing fir trees .

it was a beautiful night clear , windless , frosty .

some one galloped down the road on horseback , lustily singing a comic song .

how dared he ?

we felt that it was an insult to our wretchedness .

how could any one in the world be happy when we were so unhappy ?

presently Aunt Olivia came down the long twilight arcade .

her bright hair was uncovered and she looked slim and queen-like in her light dress .

we thought Aunt Olivia very pretty then .

" dear , sorrowful little people , I bring you glad tidings of great joy , " she said .

" the doctor has just been here , and he finds Peter much better , and thinks he will pull through after all . "

we gazed up at her in silence for a few moments .

when we had heard the news of Paddy 's recovery we had been noisy and jubilant ; but we were very quiet now .

I had never heard any one cry so , with dreadful , rending sobs .

I was used to hearing girls cry .

it was as much Sara Ray 's normal state as any other , and even Felicity and Cecily availed themselves occasionally of the privilege of sex .

but I had never heard any girl cry like this .

it gave me the same unpleasant sensation which I had felt one time when I had seen my father cry .

" oh , don't , Sara , don't , " I said gently , patting her convulsed shoulder .

" Sara , child , come with me , " said Aunt Olivia , bending over her .

the Story Girl got up and went away , with Aunt Olivia 's arms around her .

in the reaction our spirits rose with a bound .

" oh , ain't it great that Peter 's going to be all right ? " said Dan , springing up .

" I never was so glad of anything in my whole life , " declared Felicity in shameless rapture .

" can't we send word somehow to Sara Ray to-night ? " asked Cecily , the ever-thoughtful .

" she 's feeling so bad and she 'll have to feel that way till to-morrow if we can't . "

" let's all go down to the Ray gate and holler to Judy Pineau till she comes out , " suggested Felix .

accordingly , we went and " hollered , " with a right good will .

WE had no intention of going to bed for a good two hours yet .

we were a blithe little crew , sitting there in the light of our goblin lantern .

we had in very truth been given beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning .

life was as a red rose once more .

" I 'm going to make a big batch of patty-pans , first thing in the morning , " said Felicity jubilantly .

" isn't it queer ?

last night I felt just like praying , and tonight I feel just like cooking . "

" we mustn't forget to thank God for making Peter better , " said Cecily , as we finally went to the house .

" do you s'pose Peter wouldn't have got better anyway ? " said Dan .

" oh , Dan , what makes you ask such questions ? " exclaimed Cecily in real distress .

" I dunno , " said Dan .

" they just kind of come into my head , like .

but of course I mean to thank God when I say my prayers to-night .

that 's only decent . "

CHAPTER XXX .

a COMPOUND LETTER

CECILY'S LETTER

" DEAR PETER : I am so very glad and thankful that you are going to get better .

we were so afraid you would not last Tuesday , and we felt dreadful , even Felicity .

we all prayed for you .

I think the others have stopped now , but I keep it up every night still , for fear you might have a relaps .

( I don't know if that is spelled right .

I am saving some of the Honourable Mr Whalen 's pears for you .

I 've got them hid where nobody can find them .

there 's only a dozen because Dan et all the rest , but I guess you will like them .

if we have to , though , I 'd rather catch them from you than from any one else , because we are acquainted with you .

if I do take the measles and anything happens to me Felicity is to have my cherry vase .

the Story Girl has told us some splendid stories lately .

I wish I was clever like her .

Ma says it doesn't matter if you 're not clever as long as you are good , but I am not even very good .

" I think this is all my news , except that I want to tell you how much we all think of you , Peter .

it is easier to write it than to tell it out to your face .

we think you are smart and polite and obliging and a great worker and a gentleman .

" your true friend ,

" CECILY KING .

" P.S . if you answer my letter don't say anything about the pears , because I don't want Dan to find out there 's any left .

c. K. "

FELICITY'S LETTER

" DEAR PETER : aunt Olivia says for us all to write a compound letter to cheer you up .

we are all awful glad you are getting better .

it gave us an awful scare when we heard you were going to die .

but you will soon be all right and able to get out again .

be careful you don't catch cold .

I am going to bake some nice things for you and send them over , now that the doctor says you can eat them .

and I 'll send you my rosebud plate to eat off of .

I 'm only lending it , you know , not giving it .

I let very few people use it because it is my greatest treasure .

Mind you don't break it .

aunt Olivia must always wash it , not your mother .

" I do hope the rest of us won't catch the measles .

it must look horrid to have red spots all over your face .

we all feel pretty well yet .

the Story Girl says as many queer things as ever .

Felix thinks he is getting thin , but he is fatter than ever , and no wonder , with all the apples he eats .

he has give up trying to eat the bitter apples at last .

Beverley has grown half an inch since July , by the mark on the hall door , and he is awful pleased about it .

I told him I guessed the magic seed was taking effect at last , and he got mad .

he never gets mad at anything the Story Girl says , and yet she is so sarkastic by times .

Dan is pretty hard to get along with as usul , but I try to bear pashently with him .

Cecily is well and says she isn't going to curl her hair any more .

she is so conscienshus .

I am glad my hair curls of itself , ain't you ?

" we haven't seen Sara Ray since you got sick .

she is awful lonesome , and Judy says she cries nearly all the time but that is nothing new .

I 'm awful sorry for Sara but I 'm glad I 'm not her .

she is going to write you a letter too .

you 'll let me see what she puts in it , won't you ?

you 'd better take some Mexican Tea now .

it 's a great blood purifyer .

" I am going to get a lovely dark blue dress for the winter .

it is ever so much prettier than Sara Ray 's brown one .

Sara Ray 's mother has no taste .

the Story Girl 's father is sending her a new red dress , and a red velvet cap from Paris .

she is so fond of red .

I can't bear it , it looks so common .

mother says I can get a velvet hood too .

Cecily says she doesn't believe it 's right to wear velvet when it 's so expensive and the heathen are crying for the gospel .

she got that idea from a Sunday School paper but I am going to get my hood all the same .

" well , Peter , I have no more news so I will close for this time .

" hoping you will soon be quite well , I remain

" yours sincerely ,

" FELICITY KING .

F. K. "

FELIX ' LETTER

" DEAR PETER : I am awful glad you are getting better .

I 'm sorry and , Peter , you can pray for anything you like and I won't ever object again .

I 'm glad Uncle Alec interfered and stopped the fight .

if I had licked you and you had died of the measles it would have been a dreadful thing .

I 'm a lot thinner than I was .

I guess working so hard picking apples is a good thing to make you thin .

the girls are all well .

felicity puts on as many airs as ever , but she makes great things to eat .

I have had some splendid dreams since we gave up writing them down .

that is always the way .

we ain't going to school till we 're sure we are not going to have the measles .

this is all I can think of , so I will draw to a close .

remember , you can pray for anything you like .

FELIX KING . "

SARA RAY'S LETTER

" DEAR PETER : I never wrote to A BOY before , so PLEASE excuse ALL mistakes .

I am SO glad you are getting better .

we were SO afraid you were GOING TO DIE .

I CRIED ALL NIGHT about it .

but now that you are OUT OF DANGER will you tell me WHAT IT REALLY FEELS LIKE to think you are going to die ?

does it FEEL QUEER ?

were you VERY badly frightened ?

" Ma won't let me go up the hill AT ALL now .

I would DIE if it was not for Judy Pinno .

( the French names are SO HARD TO SPELL . )

JUDY IS VERY OBLIGING and I feel that she SIMPATHISES WITH ME .

in my LONELY HOURS I read my dream book and Cecily 's old letters and they are SUCH A COMFORT to me .

I have been reading one of the school library books too .

I is PRETTY GOOD but I wish they had got more LOVE STORIES because they are so exciting .

but the master would not let them .

" if you had DIED , Peter , and YOUR FATHER had heard it wouldn't he have FELT DREADFUL ?

we are having BEAUTIFUL WEATHER and the seenary is fine since the leaves turned .

I think there is nothing so pretty as Nature after all .

" I hope ALL DANGER from the measles will soon be over and we can ALL MEET AGAIN AT THE HOME ON THE HILL .

till then FAREWELL .

" your true friend ,

" SARA RAY .

" P ..y S. don't let Felicity see this letter .

S. R. "

DAN'S LETTER

" DEAR OLD PETE : Awful glad you cheated the doctor .

I thought you weren't the kind to turn up your toes so easy .

you should of heard the girls crying .

" they 're all getting their winter finery now and the talk about it would make you sick .

the Story Girl is getting hers from Paris and Felicity is awful jealous though she pretends she isn't .

I can see through her .

" Kitt Mar was up here Thursday to see the girls .

she 's had the measles so she isn't scared .

she 's a great girl to laugh .

I like a girl that laughs , don't you ?

" we had a call from Peg Bowen yesterday .

you should of seen the Story Girl hustling Pat out of the way , for all she says she don't believe he was bewitched .

Peg had your rheumatism ring on and the Story Girl 's blue beads and Sara Ray 's lace soed across the front of her dress .

she wanted some tobacco and some pickles .

" I ain't any hand to write letters so I guess I 'll stop .

hope you 'll be out soon .

DAN . "

THE STORY GIRL'S LETTER

" DEAR PETER : oh , how glad I am that you are getting better !

those days when we thought you wouldn't were the hardest of my whole life .

it seemed too dreadful to be true that perhaps you would die .

and then when we heard you were going to get better that seemed too good to be true .

oh , Peter , hurry up and get well , for we are having such good times and we miss you so much .

Uncle Alec consented , though Aunt Janet said it was high time they were burned .

uncle Roger burned his last night and it was such fun .

" Pat is splendid .

he has never had a sick spell since that bad one .

I would send him over to be company for you , but Aunt Janet says no , because he might carry the measles back .

I don't see how he could , but we must obey Aunt Janet .

she is very good to us all , but I know she does not approve of me .

she says I 'm my father 's own child .

I know that doesn't mean anything complimentary because she looked so queer when she saw that I had heard her , but I don't care .

I 'm glad I 'm like father .

I had a splendid letter from him this week , with the darlingest pictures in it .

he is painting a new picture which is going to make him famous .

I wonder what Aunt Janet will say then .

" do you know , Peter , yesterday I thought I saw the Family Ghost at last .

I was coming through the gap in the hedge , and I saw somebody in blue standing under Uncle Alec 's tree .

how my heart beat !

my hair should have stood up on end with terror but it didn't .

I felt to see , and it was lying down quite flat .

but it was only a visitor after all .

I don't know whether I was glad or disappointed .

I don't think it would be a pleasant experience to see the ghost .

but after I had seen it think what a heroine I would be !

" oh , Peter , what do you think ?

I have got acquainted with the Awkward Man at last .

I never thought it would be so easy .

and while I was sitting there , looking into the spring who should come along but the Awkward Man himself .

he sat right down beside me and began to talk .

I never was so surprised in my life .

they may say what they like , but he was not one bit shy or awkward , and he has beautiful eyes .

he did not tell me any of his secrets , but I believe he will some day .

of course I never said a word about his Alice-room .

but I gave him a hint about his little brown book .

he said , yes , he sometimes felt that way , but he did not mention the brown book .

I thought he might have .

but after all I don't like people who tell you everything the first time you meet them , like Sara Ray .

I am sure he could never have said it if I had been really grown up .

" I told the children a beautiful new fairy story to-day .

I made them go to the spruce wood to hear it .

a spruce wood is the proper place to tell fairy stories in .

felicity says she can't see that it makes any difference where you tell them , but oh , it does .

I wish you had been there to hear it too , but when you are well I will tell it over again for you .

" I am going to call the southernwood ' appleringie ' after this .

Beverley says that is what they call it in Scotland , and I think it sounds so much more poetical than southernwood .

felicity says the right name is ' Boy 's Love , ' but I think that sounds silly .

" oh , Peter , shadows are such pretty things .

the orchard is full of them this very minute .

sometimes they are so still you would think them asleep .

then they go laughing and skipping .

outside , in the oat field , they are always chasing each other .

they are the wild shadows .

the shadows in the orchard are the tame shadows .

" everything seems to be rather tired growing except the spruces and chrysanthemums in Aunt Olivia 's garden .

the sunshine is so thick and yellow and lazy , and the crickets sing all day long .

the birds are nearly all gone and most of the maple leaves have fallen .

" just to make you laugh I 'll write you a little story I heard Uncle Alec telling last night .

it was about Elder Frewen 's grandfather taking a pair of rope reins to lead a piano home .

everybody laughed except Aunt Janet .

old Mr Frewen was HER grandfather too , and she wouldn't laugh .

you 're to go to-morrow and bring it home . '

so next day Sandy started off on horseback with a pair of rope reins to lead the piano home .

he thought it was some kind of livestock .

( of course he didn't get drunk at the social .

he went there that way . )

and this was his speech .

" ' Ladies and gentlemen , Mr Chairman , I can't express my thoughts on this grand subject of missions .

it 's in this poor human critter ' patting himself on the breast ' but he can't git it out . '

" I 'll tell you these stories when you get well .

I can tell them ever so much better than I can write them .

" I know Felicity is wondering why I 'm writing such a long letter , so perhaps I 'd better stop .

" I remain

" your very affectionate friend ,

" SARA STANLEY . "

Peter 's delight on receiving our letters knew no bounds .

he insisted on answering them and his letter , painstakingly disinfected , was duly delivered to us .

Aunt Olivia had written it at his dictation , which was a gain , as far as spelling and punctuation went .

but Peter 's individuality seemed merged and lost in Aunt Olivia 's big , dashing script .

PETER'S LETTER

" DEAR EVERYBODY , BUT ESPECIALLY FELICITY : I was awful glad to get your letters .

it makes you real important to be sick , but the time seems awful long when you 're getting better .

your letters were all great , but I liked Felicity 's best , and next to hers the Story Girl 's .

felicity , it will be awful good of you to send me things to eat and the rosebud plate .

I 'll be awful careful of it .

if I was you I would get the velvet hood all right .

the heathen live in warm countries so they don't want hoods .

" I 'm glad you are still praying for me , Cecily , for you can't trust the measles .

and I 'm glad you 're keeping you know what for me .

it 's such a good book to read on Sundays .

it is interesting and religious , too .

so is the Bible .

I hadn't quite finished the Bible before I took the measles , but ma is reading the last chapters to me .

there 's an awful lot in that book .

I can't understand the whole of it , since I 'm only a hired boy , but some parts are real easy .

" I 'm awful glad you have such a good opinion of me .

I don't deserve it , but after this I 'll try to .

I can't tell you how I feel about all your kindness .

I 'm like the fellow the Story Girl wrote about who couldn't get it out .

I have the picture the Story Girl gave me for my sermon on the wall at the foot of my bed .

I like to look at it , it looks so much like Aunt Jane .

it was a horrid mean prayer .

I didn't know it then , but after the measles struck in I found out it was .

aunt Jane wouldn't have liked it .

after this I 'm going to pray prayers I needn't be ashamed of .

mother says I was luny most of the time after they struck in .

it was just because they struck in I was luny .

I ain't luny naturally , Felicity .

I will do what you asked in your postscript , Sara , although it will be hard .

" I 'm glad Peg Bowen didn't catch you , Dan .

maybe she bewitched me that night we were at her place , and that is why the measles struck in .

I guess she will find out about Alice yet .

perhaps I 'd never have found it out if the measles hadn't struck in .

so I 'm glad they did but I hope they never will again .

" your obedient servant ,

" PETER CRAIG . "

CHAPTER XXXI .

ON THE EDGE OF LIGHT AND DARK

we celebrated the November day when Peter was permitted to rejoin us by a picnic in the orchard .

Sara Ray was also allowed to come , under protest ; and her joy over being among us once more was almost pathetic .

she and Cecily cried in one another 's arms as if they had been parted for years .

we had a beautiful day for our picnic .

November dreamed that it was May .

the air was soft and mellow , with pale , aerial mists in the valleys and over the leafless beeches on the western hill .

the sere stubble fields brooded in glamour , and the sky was pearly blue .

the wind made a sweet , drowsy murmur in the boughs , as of bees among apple blossoms .

" it 's just like spring , isn't it ? " asked Felicity .

the Story Girl shook her head .

" no , not quite .

it looks like spring , but it isn't spring .

it 's as if everything was resting getting ready to sleep .

in spring they 're getting ready to grow .

can't you FEEL the difference ? "

" I think it 's just like spring , " insisted Felicity .

in the sun-sweet place before the Pulpit Stone we boys had put up a board table .

aunt Janet allowed us to cover it with an old tablecloth , the worn places in which the girls artfully concealed with frost-whitened ferns .

we had the kitchen dishes , and the table was gaily decorated with Cecily 's three scarlet geraniums and maple leaves in the cherry vase .

as for the viands , they were fit for the gods on high Olympus .

felicity had spent the whole previous day and the forenoon of the picnic day in concocting them .

this was put before Peter 's place , and almost overcame him .

" to think that you 'd go to so much trouble for me ! " he said , with a glance of adoring gratitude at Felicity .

but that is the way of the world .

" we ought to have grace , " said Felicity , as we sat down at the festal board .

" will any one say it ? "

she looked at me , but I blushed to the roots of my hair and shook my head sheepishly .

we looked at him when it was over with an increase of respect .

" where on earth did you learn that , Felix ? "

I asked .

" it 's the grace Uncle Alec says at every meal , " answered Felix .

we felt rather ashamed of ourselves .

" now , " said Felicity jubilantly , " let's eat everything up . "

in truth , it was a merry little feast .

we had gone without our dinners , in order to " save our appetites , " and we did ample justice to Felicity 's good things .

Paddy sat on the Pulpit Stone and watched us with great yellow eyes , knowing that tidbits would come his way later on .

Many witty things were said or at least we thought them witty and uproarious was the laughter .

never had the old King orchard known a blither merrymaking or lighter hearts .

the stalks were in heaps all over the field , and we were allowed the privilege of setting fire to them .

' Twas glorious !

in a few minutes the field was alight with blazing bonfires , over which rolled great , pungent clouds of smoke .

in what a whirl of smoke and firelight and wild , fantastic , hurtling shadows we were !

away to the east a shimmering silveryness beneath a palace of aerial cloud foretokened moonrise .

now , what 's the matter , Felicity ? "

" I can never get used to the way you mention the the that name , " complained Felicity .

" to hear you speak of the Old Scratch any one would think he was just a common person . "

" never mind .

tell us the story , " I said curiously .

" it is about Mrs John Martin 's uncle at Markdale , " said the Story Girl .

" I heard Uncle Roger telling it the other night .

he didn't know I was sitting on the cellar hatch outside the window , or I don't suppose he would have told it .

he did everything bad he could think of , and never went to church , and he laughed at everything religious , even the devil .

he didn't believe there was a devil at all .

one beautiful summer Sunday evening his mother pleaded with him to go to church with her , but he would not .

half way between the church and the harbour there was a thick spruce wood , and the path ran through it .

when William Cowan was half way through it SOMETHING came out of the wood and walked beside him . "

I have never heard anything more horribly suggestive than that innocent word " something , " as enunciated by the Story Girl .

I felt Cecily 's hand , icy cold , clutching mine .

" what what was IT like ? " whispered Felix , curiosity getting the better of his terror .

William Cowan gave a horrible scream and fell on his face right there in the wood .

some of the men around the church door heard the scream , and they rushed down to the wood .

they saw nothing but William Cowan , lying like a dead man on the path .

it was weeks before the burns healed , and the scars never went away .

always , as long as William Cowan lived , he carried on his shoulders the prints of the devil 's hand . "

I really do not know how we should ever have got home , had we been left to our own devices .

we were cold with fright .

how could we turn our backs on the eerie spruce wood , out of which SOMETHING might pop at any moment ?

how cross those long , shadowy fields between us and our rooftree ?

how venture through the darkly mysterious bracken hollow ?

fortunately , Uncle Alec came along at this crisis and said he thought we 'd better come home now , since the fires were nearly out .

we slid down from the fence and started , taking care to keep close together and in front of Uncle Alec .

" I don't believe a word of that yarn , " said Dan , trying to speak with his usual incredulity .

" I don't see how you can help believing it , " said Cecily .

" it isn't as if it was something we 'd read of , or that happened far away .

it happened just down at Markdale , and I 've seen that very spruce wood myself . "

" how did William Cowan behave afterwards ? "

I asked .

" he was a changed man , " said the Story Girl solemnly .

" too much changed .

he never was known to laugh again , or even smile .

he became a very religious man , which was a good thing , but he was dreadfully gloomy and thought everything pleasant sinful .

he wouldn't even eat any more than was actually necessary to keep him alive .

" yes , but your Uncle Roger was never clapped on the shoulder and called brother by the devil , " said Peter .

" if he had , he mightn't have been so precious jolly afterwards himself . "

I 'm so scared now that I keep thinking father 's steps behind us are SOMETHING'S . just think , my own father ! "

the Story Girl slipped her arm through Felicity 's .

" never mind , " she said soothingly .

" I 'll tell you another story such a beautiful story that you 'll forget all about the devil . "

and beyond us , on the hill , the homelight was glowing from the farmhouse window like a beacon of old loves .

CHAPTER XXXII .

THE OPENING OF THE BLUE CHEST

November wakened from her dream of May in a bad temper .

but we carried summer and sunshine in our hearts , and the bleak unloveliness of the outer world only intensified our inner radiance .

felicity wore her new velvet hood , with a coquettish little collar of white fur about her neck .

her golden curls framed her lovely face , and the wind stung the pink of her cheeks to crimson .

on my left hand walked the Story Girl , her red cap on her jaunty brown head .

she scattered her words along the path like the pearls and diamonds of the old fairy tale .

" I can't think who that is from , " said Felicity .

" nobody in Montreal ever writes to mother .

Cecily 's letter is from Em Frewen .

she always puts ' In Haste ' on her letters , no matter what is in them . "

when we reached home , Aunt Janet opened and read her Montreal letter .

then she laid it down and looked about her in astonishment .

" well , did ever any mortal ! " she said .

" what in the world is the matter ? " said Uncle Alec .

" this letter is from James Ward 's wife in Montreal , " said Aunt Janet solemnly .

" Rachel Ward is dead .

and she told James ' wife to write to me and tell me to open the old blue chest . "

" hurrah ! " shouted Dan .

" Donald King , " said his mother severely , " Rachel Ward was your relation and she is dead .

what do you mean by such behaviour ? "

" I never was acquainted with her , " said Dan sulkily .

" and I wasn't hurrahing because she is dead .

I hurrahed because that blue chest is to be opened at last . "

" so poor Rachel is gone , " said Uncle Alec .

" she must have been an old woman seventy-five I suppose .

I remember her as a fine , blooming young woman .

well , well , and so the old chest is to be opened at last .

what is to be done with its contents ? "

" Rachel left instructions about them , " answered Aunt Janet , referring to the letter .

" the wedding dress and veil and letters are to be burned .

there are two jugs in it which are to be sent to James ' wife .

the rest of the things are to be given around among the connection .

each members is to have one , ' to remember her by . ' "

" oh , can't we open it right away this very night ? " said Felicity eagerly .

" no , indeed ! "

aunt Janet folded up the letter decidedly .

" that chest has been locked up for fifty years , and it 'll stand being locked up one more night .

you children wouldn't sleep a wink to-night if we opened it now .

you 'd go wild with excitement . "

" I 'm sure I won't sleep anyhow , " said Felicity .

" well , at least you 'll open it the first thing in the morning , won't you , ma ? "

" no , I 'll do nothing of the sort , " was Aunt Janet 's pitiless decree .

" I want to get the work out of the way first and Roger and Olivia will want to be here , too .

we 'll say ten o'clock to-morrow forenoon . "

" that 's sixteen whole hours yet , " sighed Felicity .

" I 'm going right over to tell the Story Girl , " said Cecily .

" won't she be excited ! "

we were all excited .

the morning dawned on a beautiful world .

a new blossom time seemed to have revisited the orchard .

the spruce wood behind the house appeared to be woven out of enchantment .

there is nothing more beautiful than a thickly growing wood of firs lightly powdered with new-fallen snow .

as the sun remained hidden by gray clouds , this fairy-beauty lasted all day .

felicity did not approve of this .

" she 's a particular friend of mine , " said Cecily with dignity .

" we have her in everything , and it would hurt her feelings dreadfully to be left out of this .

Peter is no relation either , but he is going to be here when we open it , so why shouldn't Sara ? "

" Peter ain't a member of the family YET , but maybe he will be some day .

hey , Felicity ? " said Dan .

" you 're awful smart , aren't you , Dan King ? " said Felicity , reddening .

" perhaps you 'd like to send for Kitty Marr , too though she DOES laugh at your big mouth . "

" it seems as if ten o'clock would never come , " sighed the Story Girl .

" mother SAID ten o'clock and she 'll stick to it , " said Felicity crossly .

" it 's only nine now . "

" let us put the clock on half an hour , " said the Story Girl .

" the clock in the hall isn't going , so no one will know the difference . "

we all looked at each other .

" I wouldn't dare , " said Felicity irresolutely .

" oh , if that 's all , I 'll do it , " said the Story Girl .

when ten o'clock struck Aunt Janet came into the kitchen , remarking innocently that it hadn't seemed anytime since nine .

we must have looked horribly guilty , but none of the grown-ups suspected anything .

uncle Alec brought in the axe , and pried off the cover of the old blue chest , while everybody stood around in silence .

then came the unpacking .

it was certainly an interesting performance .

Aunt Janet and Aunt Olivia took everything out and laid it on the kitchen table .

we children were forbidden to touch anything , but fortunately we were not forbidden the use of our eyes and tongues .

" aren't they handsome ? "

" and oh , " exclaimed Cecily in delight , " there 's the china fruit basket with the apple on the handle .

doesn't it look real ?

I 've thought so much about it .

oh , mother , please let me hold it for a minute .

I 'll be as careful as careful . "

" there comes the china set Grandfather King gave her , " said the Story Girl wistfully .

" oh , it makes me feel sad .

think of all the hopes that Rachel Ward must have put away in this chest with all her pretty things . "

following these , came a quaint little candlestick of blue china , and the two jugs which were to be sent to James ' wife .

" they ARE handsome , " said Aunt Janet rather enviously .

" they must be a hundred years old .

aunt Sara Ward gave them to Rachel , and she had them for at least fifty years .

I should have thought one would have been enough for James ' wife .

but of course we must do just as Rachel wished .

I declare , here 's a dozen tin patty pans ! "

" tin patty pans aren't very romantic , " said the Story Girl discontentedly .

" I notice that you are as fond as any one of what is baked in them , " said Aunt Janet .

" I 've heard of those patty pans .

an old servant Grandmother King had gave them to Rachel .

now we are coming to the linen .

that was Uncle Edward Ward 's present .

how yellow it has grown . "

but Aunt Olivia was quite enraptured over them .

" what sewing ! " she said .

" look , Janet , you 'd almost need a magnifying glass to see the stitches .

and the dear , old-fashioned pillow-slips with buttons on them ! "

" here are a dozen handkerchiefs , " said Aunt Janet .

" look at the initial in the corner of each .

Rachel learned that stitch from a nun in Montreal .

it looks as if it was woven into the material . "

" here are her quilts , " said Aunt Olivia .

the colours are not faded one bit .

I want that rug , Janet . "

underneath the linen were Rachel Ward 's wedding clothes .

the excitement of the girls waxed red hot over these .

there was a Paisley shawl in the wrappings in which it had come from the store , and a wide scarf of some yellowed lace .

" this was to have been her appearing out dress , " said Aunt Olivia , lifting out a shot green silk .

" it is all cut to pieces but what a pretty soft shade it was !

look at the skirt , Janet .

how many yards must it measure around ? "

" Hoopskirts were in then , " said Aunt Janet .

" I don't see her wedding hat here .

I was always told that she packed it away , too . "

" so was I . but she couldn't have .

it certainly isn't here .

I have heard that the white plume on it cost a small fortune .

here is her black silk mantle .

it seems like sacrilege to meddle with these clothes . "

" don't be foolish , Olivia .

they must be unpacked at least .

and they must all be burned since they have cut so badly .

this purple cloth dress is quite good , however .

it can be made over nicely , and it would become you very well , Olivia . "

" no , thank you , " said Aunt Olivia , with a little shudder .

" I should feel like a ghost .

make it over for yourself , Janet . "

" well , I will , if you don't want it .

I am not troubled with fancies .

that seems to be all except this box .

I suppose the wedding dress is in it . "

" oh , " breathed the girls , crowding about Aunt Olivia , as she lifted out the box and cut the cord around it .

" Poor Rachel Ward , " said Aunt Olivia softly .

" here is her point lace handkerchief .

she made it herself .

it is like a spider 's web .

here are the letters Will Montague wrote her .

we looked eagerly at the daguerreotypes in the old case .

" why , Rachel Ward wasn't a bit pretty ! " exclaimed the Story Girl in poignant disappointment .

no , Rachel Ward was not pretty , that had to be admitted .

" Rachel wasn't pretty , " said Uncle Alec , " but she had a lovely colour , and a beautiful smile .

she looks far too sober in that picture . "

" she has a beautiful neck and bust , " said Aunt Olivia critically .

" anyhow , Will Montague was really handsome , " said the Story Girl .

" a handsome rogue , " growled Uncle Alec .

" I never liked him .

I was only a little chap of ten but I saw through him .

Rachel Ward was far too good for him . "

we would dearly have liked to get a peep into the letters , too .

but Aunt Olivia would not allow that .

they must be burned unread , she declared .

she took the wedding dress and veil , the picture case , and the letters away with her .

the rest of the things were put back into the chest , pending their ultimate distribution .

aunt Janet gave each of us boys a handkerchief .

the Story Girl got the blue candlestick , and Felicity and Cecily each got a pink and gold vase .

Moses wore a scarlet cloak , while Aaron disported himself in bright blue .

Pharaoh was arrayed in yellow .

the plate had a scalloped border with a wreath of green leaves around it .

" I shall never use it to eat off , " said Sara rapturously .

" I 'll put it up on the parlour mantelpiece . "

" I don't see much use in having a plate just for ornament , " said Felicity .

" and I 'll never light it without thinking of poor Rachel Ward .

but I DO wish she had been pretty . "

" well , " said Felicity , with a glance at the clock , " it 's all over , and it has been very interesting .

but that clock has got to be put back to the right time some time through the day .

I don't want bedtime coming a whole half-hour before it ought to . "

" but now that it is over I believe I am sorry that it is opened .

it isn't mysterious any longer .

we know all about it now , and we can never imagine what things are in it any more . "

" it 's better to know than to imagine , " said Felicity .

" oh , no , it isn't , " said the Story Girl quickly .

" when you know things you have to go by facts .

but when you just dream about things there 's nothing to hold you down . "

" you 're letting the taffy scorch , and THAT'S a fact you 'd better go by , " said Felicity sniffing .

" haven't you got a nose ? "

when we went to bed , that wonderful white enchantress , the moon , was making an elf-land of the snow-misted world outside .

from where I lay I could see the sharp tops of the spruces against the silvery sky .

the frost was abroad , and the winds were still and the land lay in glamour .

across the hall , the Story Girl was telling Felicity and Cecily the old , old tale of Argive Helen and " evil-hearted Paris . "

" but that 's a bad story , " said Felicity when the tale was ended .

" she left her husband and run away with another man . "

" I suppose it was bad four thousand years ago , " admitted the Story Girl .

" but by this time the bad must have all gone out of it .

it 's only the good that could last so long . "

our summer was over .

it had been a beautiful one .

we had had brotherhood with wind and star , with books and tales , and hearth fires of autumn .

ours had been the little , loving tasks of every day , blithe companionship , shared thoughts , and adventuring .

Rich were we in the memory of those opulent months that had gone from us richer than we then knew or suspected .

and before us was the dream of spring .

it is always safe to dream of spring .

for it is sure to come ; and if it be not just as we have pictured it , it will be infinitely sweeter .

THE END .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story Girl , by Lucy Maud Montgomery

RAINBOW VALLEY

by L M Montgomery

@url@

reformatted by Ben Crowder

" the thoughts of youth are long , long thoughts . " LONGFELLOW

TO THE MEMORY OF

GOLDWIN LAPP , ROBERT BROOKES AND MORLEY SHIER

WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE THAT THE HAPPY VALLEYS OF THEIR HOME LAND MIGHT BE KEPT SACRED FROM THE RAVAGE OF THE INVADER

CONTENTS

I ..y home Again II .

sheer Gossip III .

the Ingleside Children IV .

the Manse Children V . the Advent of Mary Vanse VI .

Mary Stays at the Manse VII .

a Fishy Episode VIII .

miss Cornelia Intervenes IX .

Una Intervenes X . the Manse Girls Clean House XI .

a Dreadful Discovery XII .

An Explanation and a Dare XIII .

the House on the Hill XIV .

Mrs Alec Davis Makes a Call XV .

more Gossip XVI .

Tit for Tat XVII .

a Double Victory XVIII .

Mary Brings Evil Tidings XIX .

Poor Adam !

XX .

Faith Makes a Friend XXI .

the Impossible Word XXII .

St George Knows All About It XXIII .

the Good-Conduct Club XXIV .

a Charitable Impulse XXV .

another Scandal and Another " explanation " XXVI .

miss Cornelia Gets a New Point of View XXVII .

a Sacred Concert XXVIII .

a Fast Day XXIX .

a Weird Tale XXX .

the Ghost on the Dyke XXXI .

Carl Does Penance XXXII .

two Stubborn People XXXIII .

Carl Is not whipped XXXIV .

Una Visits the Hill XXXV .

" let the Piper Come "

RAINBOW VALLEY

CHAPTER I HOME AGAIN

the old name was dear to her old friends , only one of them contemptuously dropped it .

Miss Cornelia was going up to Ingleside to see Dr and Mrs. Blythe , who were just home from Europe .

for one thing , there was a new family in the manse .

and such a family !

Miss Cornelia shook her head over them several times as she walked briskly along .

he was brown-haired , brown-eyed and brown-skinned , with very rosy cheeks , and he was Susan 's especial love .

Dr Blythe had said that but for her he would never have lived .

" I gave him life just as much as you did , Mrs Dr dear , " Susan was wont to say .

" he is just as much my baby as he is yours . "

once , Dr Blythe had spanked him and Susan had been stormily indignant .

nevertheless , Susan was very glad to find herself back at Ingleside , with all her darlings around her again .

Ingleside was her world and in it she reigned supreme .

" here is Cornelia Bryant coming up the harbour road , Mrs Dr . dear , " said Susan .

" she will be coming up to unload three months ' gossip on us . "

" I hope so , " said Anne , hugging her knees .

" I 'm starving for Glen St Mary gossip , Susan .

it 's so delightful to be home again with all the dear Glen folks , and I want to know all about them .

why , I remember wondering , as I walked through Westminster Abbey which of her two especial beaux Millicent Drew would finally marry .

do you know , Susan , I have a dreadful suspicion that I love gossip . "

" well , of course , Mrs Dr . dear , " admitted Susan , " every proper woman likes to hear the news .

I am rather interested in Millicent Drew 's case myself .

Millicent 's hair always looks to me as if she had swept it up with a broom .

but the men do not seem to mind that . "

" they see only her pretty , piquant , mocking , little face , Susan . "

" that may very well be , Mrs Dr dear .

I have no doubt we will all be beautiful when we are angels , but what good will it do us then ?

speaking of gossip , however , they do say that poor Mrs Harrison Miller over harbour tried to hang herself last week . "

" oh , Susan ! "

" calm yourself , Mrs Dr dear .

she did not succeed .

but I really do not blame her for trying , for her husband is a terrible man .

but she was very foolish to think of hanging herself and leaving the way clear for him to marry some other woman .

not that I hold with people hanging themselves under any circumstances , Mrs Dr . dear . "

" what is the matter with Harrison Miller , anyway ? " said Anne impatiently .

" he is always driving some one to extremes . "

it seems they cannot make out which it is in Harrison 's case .

there are days when he growls at everybody because he thinks he is fore-ordained to eternal punishment .

and then there are days when he says he does not care and goes and gets drunk .

my own opinion is that he is not sound in his intellect , for none of that branch of the Millers were .

his grandfather went out of his mind .

he thought he was surrounded by big black spiders .

they crawled over him and floated in the air about him .

as for Mrs Miller , I do not know whether she really deserves pity or not .

there are some who say she just married Harrison to spite Richard Taylor , which seems to me a very peculiar reason for getting married .

but then , of course , I am no judge of things matrimonial , Mrs Dr . dear .

and there is Cornelia Bryant at the gate , so I will put this blessed brown baby on his bed and get my knitting . "

CHAPTER II .

SHEER GOSSIP

" Shirley is in bed and Jem and Walter and the twins are down in their beloved Rainbow Valley , " said Anne .

they love it above every spot on earth .

even the maple grove doesn't rival it in their affections . "

" I am afraid they love it too well , " said Susan gloomily .

" I suppose they had a great time in Avonlea ? " said Miss Cornelia .

" Enormous .

Marilla does spoil them terribly .

Jem , in particular , can do no wrong in her eyes . "

Miss Cornelia held that the woman whose hands were employed always had the advantage over the woman whose hands were not .

" Marilla is eighty-five , " said Anne with a sigh .

" her hair is snow-white .

but , strange to say , her eyesight is better than it was when she was sixty . "

" well , dearie , I 'm real glad you 're all back .

I 've been dreadful lonesome .

but we haven't been dull in the Glen , believe ME .

there hasn't been such an exciting spring in my time , as far as church matters go .

we 've got settled with a minister at last , Anne dearie . "

" the Reverend John Knox Meredith , Mrs Dr dear , " said Susan , resolved not to let Miss Cornelia tell all the news .

" is he nice ? " asked Anne interestedly .

Miss Cornelia sighed and Susan groaned .

" yes , he 's nice enough if that were all , " said the former .

" he is VERY nice and very learned and very spiritual .

but , oh Anne dearie , he has no common sense !

" how was it you called him , then ? "

" I suppose it is because he is so moony and absent-minded that he never got a town call .

his trial sermon was simply wonderful , believe ME .

every one went mad about it and his looks . "

" besides , " said Miss Cornelia , " we were anxious to get settled .

and Mr Meredith was the first candidate we were all agreed on .

somebody had some objection to all the others .

there was some talk of calling Mr Folsom .

he was a good preacher , too , but somehow people didn't care for his appearance .

he was too dark and sleek . "

" he looked exactly like a great black tomcat , that he did , Mrs Dr dear , " said Susan .

" I never could abide such a man in the pulpit every Sunday . "

" then Mr Rogers came and he was like a chip in porridge neither harm nor good , " resumed Miss Cornelia .

everybody laughed , and poor Rogers had no chance after that .

some thought we ought to call Mr Stewart , because he was so well educated .

he could read the New Testament in five languages . "

" but I do not think he was any surer than other men of getting to heaven because of that , " interjected Susan .

" most of us didn't like his delivery , " said Miss Cornelia , ignoring Susan .

" he talked in grunts , so to speak .

and Mr Arnett couldn't preach AT ALL .

and he picked about the worst candidating text there is in the Bible ' Curse ye Meroz . ' "

" whenever he got stuck for an idea , he would bang the Bible and shout very bitterly , ' Curse ye Meroz . '

Poor Meroz got thoroughly cursed that day , whoever he was , Mrs Dr . dear , " said Susan .

" the minister who is candidating can't be too careful what text he chooses , " said Miss Cornelia solemnly .

" I believe Mr Pierson would have got the call if he had picked a different text .

but when he announced ' I will lift my eyes to the hills ' HE was done for .

and Mr Newman had too large a family . "

" he stayed with my brother-in-law , James Clow , " said Susan .

" ' How many children have you got ? '

I asked him .

' Nine boys and a sister for each of them , ' he said .

' Eighteen ! ' said I .

' Dear me , what a family ! '

and then he laughed and laughed .

" he had only ten children , Susan , " explained Miss Cornelia , with contemptuous patience .

" and ten good children would not be much worse for the manse and congregation than the four who are there now .

though I wouldn't say , Anne dearie , that they are so bad , either .

I like them everybody likes them .

it 's impossible to help liking them .

they would be real nice little souls if there was anyone to look after their manners and teach them what is right and proper .

for instance , at school the teacher says they are model children .

but at home they simply run wild . "

" what about Mrs Meredith ? " asked Anne .

" there 's NO Mrs . Meredith .

that is just the trouble .

Mr Meredith is a widower .

his wife died four years ago .

but he was heard to speak of his children and we all supposed there was a mother , too .

and when they came there was nobody but old Aunt Martha , as they call her .

she 's a cousin of Mr Meredith 's mother , I believe , and he took her in to save her from the poorhouse .

she is seventy-five years old , half blind , and very deaf and very cranky . "

" and a very poor cook , Mrs Dr dear . "

" the worst possible manager for a manse , " said Miss Cornelia bitterly .

" Mr Meredith won't get any other housekeeper because he says it would hurt Aunt Martha 's feelings .

Anne dearie , believe me , the state of that manse is something terrible .

everything is thick with dust and nothing is ever in its place .

and we had painted and papered it all so nice before they came . "

" there are four children , you say ? " asked Anne , beginning to mother them already in her heart .

" yes .

they run up just like the steps of a stair .

Gerald 's the oldest .

he 's twelve and they call him Jerry .

he 's a clever boy .

faith is eleven .

she is a regular tomboy but pretty as a picture , I must say . "

" she looks like an angel but she is a holy terror for mischief , Mrs Dr . dear , " said Susan solemnly .

" I was at the manse one night last week and Mrs James Millison was there , too .

she had brought them up a dozen eggs and a little pail of milk a VERY little pail , Mrs Dr dear .

Faith took them and whisked down the cellar with them .

near the bottom of the stairs she caught her toe and fell the rest of the way , milk and eggs and all .

you can imagine the result , Mrs Dr dear .

but that child came up laughing .

' I don't know whether I 'm myself or a custard pie , ' she said .

and Mrs James Millison was very angry .

she said she would never take another thing to the manse if it was to be wasted and destroyed in that fashion . "

" Maria Millison never hurt herself taking things to the manse , " sniffed Miss Cornelia .

" she just took them that night as an excuse for curiosity .

but poor Faith is always getting into scrapes .

she is so heedless and impulsive . "

" just like me .

I 'm going to like your Faith , " said Anne decidedly .

" she is full of spunk and I do like spunk , Mrs Dr dear , " admitted Susan .

" there 's something taking about her , " conceded Miss Cornelia .

" you never see her but she 's laughing , and somehow it always makes you want to laugh too .

she can't even keep a straight face in church .

Una is ten she 's a sweet little thing not pretty , but sweet .

and Thomas Carlyle is nine .

they call him Carl , and he has a regular mania for collecting toads and bugs and frogs and bringing them into the house . "

" I suppose he was responsible for the dead rat that was lying on a chair in the parlour the afternoon Mrs Grant called .

to be sure it may have been the cat who left it , there .

HE is as full of the old Nick as he can be stuffed , Mrs Dr . dear .

a manse cat should at least LOOK respectable , in my opinion , whatever he really is .

but I never saw such a rakish-looking beast .

" the worst of it is , they are NEVER decently dressed , " sighed Miss Cornelia .

" and since the snow went they go to school barefooted .

and I DO wish they wouldn't play in the old Methodist graveyard . "

" it 's very tempting , when it 's right beside the manse , " said Anne .

" I 've always thought graveyards must be delightful places to play in . "

" oh , no , you did not , Mrs Dr dear , " said loyal Susan , determined to protect Anne from herself .

" you have too much good sense and decorum . "

" why did they ever build that manse beside the graveyard in the first place ? " asked Anne .

" their lawn is so small there is no place for them to play except in the graveyard . "

" it WAS a mistake , " admitted Miss Cornelia .

" but they got the lot cheap .

and no other manse children ever thought of playing there .

Mr Meredith shouldn't allow it .

but he has always got his nose buried in a book , when he is home .

he reads and reads , or walks about in his study in a day-dream .

and he forgot about Fanny Cooper 's wedding .

they rang him up on the ' phone and then he rushed right over , just as he was , carpet slippers and all .

one wouldn't mind if the Methodists didn't laugh so about it .

but there 's one comfort they can't criticize his sermons .

he wakes up when he 's in the pulpit , believe ME .

and the Methodist minister can't preach at all so they tell me .

I have never heard him , thank goodness . "

Miss Cornelia 's scorn of men had abated somewhat since her marriage , but her scorn of Methodists remained untinged of charity .

Susan smiled slyly .

" they do say , Mrs Marshall Elliott , that the Methodists and Presbyterians are talking of uniting , " she said .

" well , all I hope is that I 'll be under the sod if that ever comes to pass , " retorted Miss Cornelia .

" I shall never have truck or trade with Methodists , and Mr Meredith will find that he 'd better steer clear of them , too .

he is entirely too sociable with them , believe ME .

why , he went to the Jacob Drews ' silver-wedding supper and got into a nice scrape as a result . "

" what was it ? "

" Mrs Drew asked him to carve the roast goose for Jacob Drew never did or could carve .

and he just said dreamily .

' Mrs Reese , will you kindly return me that goose ? '

the worst of it is , she was a Methodist . "

" but I think that is better than if she was a Presbyterian , " interjected Susan .

" if she had been a Presbyterian she would mostly likely have left the church and we cannot afford to lose our members .

" if he had had a wife it would not have happened . "

" they say that was her husband 's doing , " said Miss Cornelia .

" Jacob Drew is a conceited , stingy , domineering creature . "

but then , of course , I have had no experience along that line , " said Susan , tossing her head .

" and I am not one to blame everything on the men .

Mrs Drew is mean enough herself .

she contributed it to a church social .

nobody found out about the rat until afterwards . "

" fortunately , all the people the Merediths have offended so far are Methodists , " said Miss Cornelia .

' Do you feel any better now ? ' whispered Jerry when William sat down .

Poor Jerry meant to be sympathetic , but Mr Marsh thought he was impertinent and is furious at him .

of course , Jerry had no business to be in a Methodist prayer-meeting at all .

but they go where they like . "

" I hope they will not offend Mrs Alec Davis of the Harbour Head , " said Susan .

I have heard that she says the Merediths are the worst brought up children she ever saw . "

" when all is said and done , they DO , " admitted Miss Cornelia .

" and that balances everything .

anyway , we 've got them now and we must just do the best we can by them and stick up for them to the Methodists .

well , I suppose I must be getting down harbour .

Marshall will soon be home he went over-harbour to-day and wanting his super , man-like .

I 'm sorry I haven't seen the other children .

and where 's the doctor ? "

" up at the Harbour Head .

when that over-harbour doctor married the undertaker 's daughter at Lowbridge people felt suspicious of him .

it didn't look well .

you and the doctor must come down soon and tell us all about your trip .

I suppose you 've had a splendid time . "

" we had , " agreed Anne .

" it was the fulfilment of years of dreams .

the old world is very lovely and very wonderful .

but we have come back very well satisfied with our own land .

Canada is the finest country in the world , Miss Cornelia . "

" nobody ever doubted that , " said Miss Cornelia , complacently .

she waved her hand at it .

" I saw nothing more beautiful than that in Europe , Miss Cornelia .

must you go ?

the children will be sorry to have missed you . "

" they must come and see me soon .

tell them the doughnut jar is always full . "

" oh , at supper they were planning a descent on you .

they 'll go soon ; but they must settle down to school again now .

and the twins are going to take music lessons . "

" not from the Methodist minister 's wife , I hope ? " said Miss Cornelia anxiously .

" no from Rosemary West .

I was up last evening to arrange it with her .

what a pretty girl she is ! "

" rosemary holds her own well .

she isn't as young as she once was . "

" I thought her very charming .

I 've never had any real acquaintance with her , you know .

their house is so out of the way , and I 've seldom ever seen her except at church . "

" Ellen has always kept her down , so to speak .

she has tyrannized over her , and yet she has always indulged her in a good many ways .

rosemary was engaged once , you know to young Martin Crawford .

his ship was wrecked on the Magdalens and all the crew were drowned .

Rosemary was just a child only seventeen .

but she was never the same afterwards .

she and Ellen have stayed very close at home since their mother 's death .

they don't often get to their own church at Lowbridge and I understand Ellen doesn't approve of going too often to a Presbyterian church .

to the Methodist she NEVER goes , I 'll say that much for her .

that family of Wests have always been strong Episcopalians .

rosemary and Ellen are pretty well off .

Rosemary doesn't really need to give music lessons .

she does it because she likes to .

they are distantly related to Leslie , you know .

are the Fords coming to the harbour this summer ? "

" no .

they are going on a trip to Japan and will probably be away for a year .

Owen 's new novel is to have a Japanese setting .

this will be the first summer that the dear old House of Dreams will be empty since we left it . "

" the Life Book was the best book he 's ever written and he got the material for that right here in Four Winds . "

" Captain Jim gave him the most of that , you know .

and he collected it all over the world .

but Owen 's books are all delightful , I think . "

" oh , they 're well enough as far as they go .

I shall write and tell him my opinion of this Japanese business , believe ME .

does he want Kenneth and Persis to be converted into pagans ? "

with which unanswerable conundrum Miss Cornelia took her departure .

CHAPTER III .

THE INGLESIDE CHILDREN

it was a fairy realm of romance to them .

" let us call it Rainbow Valley , " said Walter delightedly , and Rainbow Valley thenceforth it was .

outside of Rainbow Valley the wind might be rollicking and boisterous .

here it always went gently .

Little , winding , fairy paths ran here and there over spruce roots cushioned with moss .

wild cherry trees , that in blossom time would be misty white , were scattered all over the valley , mingling with the dark spruces .

a little brook with amber waters ran through it from the Glen village .

for the rest , the garden was overgrown with caraway that swayed and foamed in the moonshine of summer eves like seas of silver .

the valley was full of dear , friendly hollows and the largest of these was their favourite stamping ground .

here they were assembled on this particular evening .

by the brook grew a silver birch-tree , a young , incredibly straight thing which Walter had named the " White Lady . "

" how nice it is to be back ! " said Nan .

" after all , none of the Avonlea places are quite as nice as Rainbow Valley . "

but they were very fond of the Avonlea places for all that .

a visit to Green Gables was always considered a great treat .

there were jolly playmates there , too " uncle " Davy 's children and " aunt " Diana 's children .

but they all knew she loved Jem the best .

Jem was at present busily occupied in frying a mess of small trout which he had just caught in the pond .

nevertheless , ripping good meals had before now been thus prepared .

Jem was the child of the House of Dreams .

all the others had been born at Ingleside .

and he was the only one of the family who had ears nice enough to please Susan .

but he had a standing feud with Susan because she would not give up calling him Little Jem .

it was outrageous , thought thirteen-year-old Jem .

mother had more sense .

" I 'm NOT little any more , Mother , " he had cried indignantly , on his eighth birthday .

" I 'm AWFUL big . "

mother had sighed and laughed and sighed again ; and she never called him Little Jem again in his hearing at least .

he was and always had been a sturdy , reliable little chap .

he never broke a promise .

he was not a great talker .

his teachers did not think him brilliant , but he was a good , all-round student .

he never took things on faith ; he always liked to investigate the truth of a statement for himself .

once Susan had told him that if he touched his tongue to a frosty latch all the skin would tear off it .

Jem had promptly done it , " just to see if it was so . "

he found it was " so , " at the cost of a very sore tongue for several days .

but Jem did not grudge suffering in the interests of science .

by constant experiment and observation he learned a great deal and his brothers and sisters thought his extensive knowledge of their little world quite wonderful .

Walter Blythe was sitting under the White Lady , with a volume of poems lying beside him , but he was not reading .

Walter 's eyes were very wonderful .

all the joy and sorrow and laughter and loyalty and aspiration of many generations lying under the sod looked out of their dark gray depths .

Walter was a " hop out of kin , " as far as looks went .

he did not resemble any known relative .

he was quite the handsomest of the Ingleside children , with straight black hair and finely modelled features .

but he had all his mother 's vivid imagination and passionate love of beauty .

Frost of winter , invitation of spring , dream of summer and glamour of autumn , all meant much to Walter .

in school , where Jem was a chieftain , Walter was not thought highly of .

Walter loved the poets and pored over their pages from the time he could first read .

their music was woven into his growing soul the music of the immortals .

Walter cherished the ambition to be a poet himself some day .

the thing could be done .

a certain Uncle Paul so called out of courtesy who lived now in that mysterious realm called " the States , " was Walter 's model .

Uncle Paul had once been a little school boy in Avonlea and now his poetry was read everywhere .

but the Glen schoolboys did not know of Walter 's dreams and would not have been greatly impressed if they had .

nobody in Glen St Mary school could talk like him .

the ten year old Ingleside twins violated twin tradition by not looking in the least alike .

Anne , who was always called Nan , was very pretty , with velvety nut-brown eyes and silky nut-brown hair .

she was a very blithe and dainty little maiden Blythe by name and blithe by nature , one of her teachers had said .

her complexion was quite faultless , much to her mother 's satisfaction .

" I 'm so glad I have one daughter who can wear pink , " Mrs Blythe was wont to say jubilantly .

perhaps this was why she was her father 's favourite .

she kept all his secrets , even from Nan , and told him all hers .

" won't you soon have those fish ready , Jem ? " said Nan , sniffing with her dainty nose .

" the smell makes me awfully hungry . "

" they 're nearly ready , " said Jem , giving one a dexterous turn .

" get out the bread and the plates , girls .

Walter , wake up . "

" how the air shines to-night , " said Walter dreamily .

not that he despised fried trout either , by any means ; but with Walter food for the soul always took first place .

" the flower angel has been walking over the world to-day , calling to the flowers .

I can see his blue wings on that hill by the woods . "

" any angels ' wings I ever saw were white , " said Nan .

" the flower angel 's aren't .

they are a pale misty blue , just like the haze in the valley .

oh , how I wish I could fly .

it must be glorious . "

" one does fly in dreams sometimes , " said Di .

" I never dream that I 'm flying exactly , " said Walter .

" but I often dream that I just rise up from the ground and float over the fences and the trees .

it 's delightful and I always think , ' This ISN'T a dream like it 's always been before .

THIS is real ' and then I wake up after all , and it 's heart-breaking . "

" hurry up , Nan , " ordered Jem .

it was converted into a table by propping it on two large , mossy stones .

Newspapers served as tablecloth , and broken plates and handleless cups from Susan 's discard furnished the dishes .

from a tin box secreted at the root of a spruce tree Nan brought forth bread and salt .

the brook gave Adam 's ale of unsurpassed crystal .

" sit in , " invited Nan , as Jem placed his sizzling tin platter of trout on the table .

" it 's your turn to say grace , Jem . "

" I 've done my part frying the trout , " protested Jem , who hated saying grace .

" let Walter say it .

he LIKES saying grace .

and cut it short , too , Walt .

I 'm starving . "

but Walter said no grace , short or long , just then .

an interruption occurred .

" who 's coming down from the manse hill ? " said Di .

CHAPTER IV .

THE MANSE CHILDREN

but it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St Mary manse in spite of its untidiness .

even the critical housewives of the Glen felt it , and were unconsciously mellowed in judgment because of it .

so much of the credit must be given to the personality of its new inmates .

there was an atmosphere of laughter and comradeship about it ; the doors were always open ; and inner and outer worlds joined hands .

love was the only law in Glen St Mary manse .

the people of his congregation said that Mr Meredith spoiled his children .

very likely he did .

it is certain that he could not bear to scold them .

but he did not know the half of their goings-on .

he belonged to the sect of dreamers .

if ever a graveyard could be called a cheerful place , the old Methodist graveyard at Glen St Mary might be so called .

it was surrounded on three sides by a dyke of stones and sod , topped by a gray and uncertain paling .

outside the dyke grew a row of tall fir trees with thick , balsamic boughs .

little ferns clustered companionably between its stones , and here and there a big bracken grew .

on the eastern side there was neither fence nor dyke .

the graveyard there straggled off into a young fir plantation , ever pushing nearer to the graves and deepening eastward into a thick wood .

the Meredith children loved the old graveyard .

Blue-eyed ivy , " garden-spruce , " and mint ran riot over the sunken graves .

blueberry bushes grew lavishly in the sandy corner next to the fir wood .

she had made him turn Presbyterian and kept him toeing the Presbyterian mark all his life .

but when he died she did not dare to doom him to a lonely grave in the Presbyterian graveyard over-harbour .

they made jolly seats for one thing .

they were all sitting on one now .

Jerry , tired of leap frog , was playing on a jew's-harp .

Jerry had his father 's black hair and large black eyes , but in him the latter were flashing instead of dreamy .

Faith , who came next to him , wore her beauty like a rose , careless and glowing .

she had golden-brown eyes , golden-brown curls and crimson cheeks .

it 's a world of laughter . "

little dreamy Una was not given to laughter .

her braids of straight , dead-black hair betrayed no lawless kinks , and her almond-shaped , dark-blue eyes had something wistful and sorrowful in them .

she longed to put it right , but did not know how .

he knew the secrets of bugs and had a sort of freemasonry with bees and beetles .

Una never liked to sit near him because she never knew what uncanny creature might be secreted about him .

perhaps it was just as well that Aunt Martha was half blind when she made that bed .

" where would you like to be buried if you were a Methodist ? " asked Faith cheerfully .

this opened up an interesting field of speculation .

" there isn't much choice .

the place is full , " said Jerry .

" I'D like that corner near the road , I guess .

I could hear the teams going past and the people talking . "

" I 'd like that little hollow under the weeping birch , " said Una .

" that birch is such a place for birds and they sing like mad in the mornings . "

" I 'd take the Porter lot where there 's so many children buried .

I like lots of company , " said Faith .

" Carl , where'd you ? "

" I 'd rather not be buried at all , " said Carl , " but if I had to be I 'd like the ant-bed .

ants are AWF'LY int'resting . "

" there doesn't seem to be a single bad person in the whole graveyard .

Methodists must be better than Presbyterians after all . "

" maybe the Methodists bury their bad people just like they do cats , " suggested Carl .

" maybe they don't bother bringing them to the graveyard at all . "

" nonsense , " said Faith .

" the people that are buried here weren't any better than other folks , Una .

but when anyone is dead you mustn't say anything of him but good or he 'll come back and ha'nt you .

aunt Martha told me that .

I asked father if it was true and he just looked through me and muttered , ' True ?

true ?

what is truth ?

what IS truth , O jesting Pilate ? '

I concluded from that it must be true . "

" Mrs Davis would , " giggled Faith .

" she just watches us in church like a cat watching mice .

last Sunday I made a face at her nephew and he made one back at me and you should have seen her glare .

I 'll bet she boxed HIS ears when they got out .

Mrs Marshall Elliott told me we mustn't offend her on any account or I 'd have made a face at her , too ! "

" I wonder what the Blythe gang will be like . "

" I liked their looks , " said Faith .

the manse children had been at the station that afternoon when the Blythe small fry had arrived .

" I liked Jem 's looks ESPECIALLY . "

" they say in school that Walter 's a sissy , " said Jerry .

" I don't believe it , " said Una , who had thought Walter very handsome .

" well , he writes poetry , anyhow .

he won the prize the teacher offered last year for writing a poem , Bertie Shakespeare Drew told me .

" I suppose we 'll get acquainted with them as soon as they begin going to school , " mused Faith .

" I hope the girls are nice .

I don't like most of the girls round here .

even the nice ones are poky .

but the Blythe twins look jolly .

I thought twins always looked alike , but they don't .

I think the red-haired one is the nicest . "

" I liked their mother 's looks , " said Una with a little sigh .

Una envied all children their mothers .

" they say she isn't like other people , " said Jerry .

" Mrs Elliot says that is because she never really grew up , " said Faith .

" she 's taller than Mrs Elliott . "

" yes , yes , but it is inside Mrs Elliot says Mrs Blythe just stayed a little girl inside . "

" what do I smell ? " interrupted Carl , sniffing .

they all smelled it now .

a most delectable odour came floating up on the still evening air from the direction of the little woodsy dell below the manse hill .

" that makes me hungry , " said Jerry .

" we had only bread and molasses for supper and cold ditto for dinner , " said Una plaintively .

" let's go and see where that smell is coming from , " said Jerry .

they halted shyly .

Una wished they had not been so precipitate : but Di Blythe was equal to that and any occasion .

she stepped forward , with a comrade 's smile .

" I guess I know who you are , " she said .

" you belong to the manse , don't you ? "

Faith nodded , her face creased by dimples .

" we smelled your trout cooking and wondered what it was . "

" you must sit down and help us eat them , " said Di .

" maybe you haven't more than you want yourselves , " said Jerry , looking hungrily at the tin platter .

" we 've heaps three apiece , " said Jem .

" sit down . "

no more ceremony was necessary .

down they all sat on mossy stones .

Merry was that feast and long .

but they never knew it , so it never hurt them .

where can folks get better acquainted than over a meal table ?

when the last trout had vanished , the manse children and the Ingleside children were sworn friends and allies .

they had always known each other and always would .

the race of Joseph recognized its own .

they poured out the history of their little pasts .

faith was inclined to resent the fact that people laughed at her for petting a rooster .

she liked the Blythes because they accepted it without question .

" a handsome rooster like Adam is just as nice a pet as a dog or cat , I think , " she said .

" if he was a canary nobody would wonder .

and I brought him up from a little , wee , yellow chicken .

Mrs Johnson at Maywater gave him to me .

a weasel had killed all his brothers and sisters .

I called him after her husband .

I never liked dolls or cats .

cats are too sneaky and dolls are DEAD . "

" who lives in that house away up there ? " asked Jerry .

" the Miss Wests Rosemary and Ellen , " answered Nan .

" Di and I are going to take music lessons from Miss Rosemary this summer . "

Una gazed at the lucky twins with eyes whose longing was too gentle for envy .

oh , if she could only have music lessons !

it was one of the dreams of her little hidden life .

but nobody ever thought of such a thing .

" Miss Rosemary is so sweet and she always dresses so pretty , " said Di .

" I like Miss Ellen , too , " said Nan .

" she always used to give me candies when she came to church .

but Di is afraid of her . "

" her brows are so black and she has such a great deep voice , " said Di .

" oh , how scared of her Kenneth Ford used to be when he was little !

mother says the first Sunday Mrs Ford brought him to church Miss Ellen happened to be there , sitting right behind them .

and the minute Kenneth saw her he just screamed and screamed until Mrs Ford had to carry him out . "

" who is Mrs Ford ? " asked Una wonderingly .

" oh , the Fords don't live here .

they only come here in the summer .

and they 're not coming this summer .

they live in that little house ' way , ' way down on the harbour shore where father and mother used to lie .

I wish you could see Persis Ford .

she is just like a picture . "

" I 've heard of Mrs Ford , " broke in Faith .

" Bertie Shakespeare Drew told me about her .

she was married fourteen years to a dead man and then he came to life . "

" nonsense , " said Nan .

" that isn't the way it goes at all .

Bertie Shakespeare can never get anything straight .

mother doesn't like us to be out late these damp evenings . "

nobody cared whether the manse children were out in the damp or not .

but they went home , too , with visions of good times coming in their heads .

" I think Rainbow Valley is even nicer than the graveyard , " said Una .

" and I just love those dear Blythes .

it 's SO nice when you can love people because so often you CAN'T . father said in his sermon last Sunday that we should love everybody .

but how can we ?

how could we love Mrs Alec Davis ? "

" oh , father only said that in the pulpit , " said Faith airily .

" he has more sense than to really think it outside . "

Mayflowers grew there and Jem never forgot to take his mother a bouquet as long as they lasted .

CHAPTER V THE ADVENT OF MARY VANCE

" and that , " groaned one ancient maiden , " is our minister 's daughter . "

" what else could you expect of a widower 's family ? " groaned the other ancient maiden .

and then they both shook their heads .

it was early on Saturday morning and the Merediths were out in the dew-drenched world with a delightful consciousness of the holiday .

they had never had anything to do on a holiday .

it DID please Faith , but Una felt a secret , bitter humiliation because they never learned to do anything .

the other girls in her class at school could cook and sew and knit ; she only was a little ignoramus .

thither the Meredith children trooped , and prowled about the ground floor for several minutes .

" what was that ? " whispered Una suddenly .

they all listened .

there was a faint but distinct rustle in the hayloft above .

the Merediths looked at each other .

" there 's something up there , " breathed Faith .

" I 'm going up to see what it is , " said Jerry resolutely .

" oh , don't , " begged Una , catching his arm .

" I 'm going . "

" we 'll all go , too , then , " said Faith .

he longed to see a bat in daylight .

when they stepped off the ladder they saw what had made the rustle and the sight struck them dumb for a few moments .

in a little nest in the hay a girl was curled up , looking as if she had just wakened from sleep .

" who are you ? " asked Jerry .

the girl looked about her as if seeking a way of escape .

then she seemed to give in with a little shiver of despair .

" I 'm Mary Vance , " she said .

" Where'd you come from ? " pursued Jerry .

Mary , instead of replying , suddenly sat , or fell , down on the hay and began to cry .

instantly Faith had flung herself down beside her and put her arm around the thin , shaking shoulders .

" you stop bothering her , " she commanded Jerry .

then she hugged the waif .

" don't cry , dear .

just tell us what 's the matter .

WE'RE friends . "

" I 'm so so hungry , " wailed Mary .

" I I hain't had a thing to eat since Thursday morning , ' cept a little water from the brook out there . "

the manse children gazed at each other in horror .

Faith sprang up .

" you come right up to the manse and get something to eat before you say another word . "

Mary shrank .

" oh I can't .

what will your pa and ma say ?

besides , they 'd send me back . "

" we 've no mother , and father won't bother about you .

neither will Aunt Martha .

come , I say . "

faith stamped her foot impatiently .

was this queer girl going to insist on starving to death almost at their very door ?

Mary yielded .

aunt Martha , muddling through her Saturday cooking , took no notice of her .

Mary Vance attacked the food ravenously and uncritically , while the manse children stood around and watched her .

Jerry noticed that she had a pretty mouth and very nice , even , white teeth .

faith decided , with secret horror , that Mary had not one stitch on her except that ragged , faded dress .

Una was full of pure pity , Carl of amused wonder , and all of them of curiosity .

" now come out to the graveyard and tell us about yourself , " ordered Faith , when Mary 's appetite showed signs of failing her .

Mary was now nothing loath .

food had restored her natural vivacity and unloosed her by no means reluctant tongue .

" you won't tell your pa or anybody if I tell you ? " she stipulated , when she was enthroned on Mr. pollock 's tombstone .

opposite her the manse children lined up on another .

here was spice and mystery and adventure .

something HAD happened .

" no , we won't . "

" cross your hearts ? "

" cross our hearts . "

" well , I 've run away .

I was living with Mrs Wiley over-harbour .

do you know Mrs Wiley ? "

" no . "

" well , you don't want to know her .

she 's an awful woman .

my , how I hate her !

she worked me to death and wouldn't give me half enough to eat , and she used to larrup me ' most every day .

look a-here . "

Mary rolled up her ragged sleeves , and held up her scrawny arms and thin hands , chapped almost to rawness .

they were black with bruises .

the manse children shivered .

faith flushed crimson with indignation .

Una 's blue eyes filled with tears .

" she licked me Wednesday night with a stick , " said Mary , indifferently .

" it was ' cause I let the cow kick over a pail of milk .

how 'd I know the darn old cow was going to kick ? "

a not unpleasant thrill ran over her listeners .

certainly this Mary Vance was an interesting creature .

" I don't blame you for running away , " said Faith .

" oh , I didn't run away ' cause she licked me .

A licking was all in the day 's work with me .

I was darn well used to it .

I wasn't going to stand for THAT .

she was a worse sort than Mrs Wiley even .

Mrs Wiley lent me to her for a month last summer and I 'd rather live with the devil himself . "

Sensation number two .

but Una looked doubtful .

" so I made up my mind I 'd beat it .

I had seventy cents saved up that Mrs John Crawford give me in the spring for planting potatoes for her .

Mrs Wiley didn't know about it .

she was away visiting her cousin when I planted them .

I thought I 'd sneak up here to the Glen and buy a ticket to Charlottetown and try to get work there .

I 'm a hustler , let me tell you .

there ain't a lazy bone in MY body .

so I lit out Thursday morning ' fore Mrs Wiley was up and walked to the Glen six miles .

and when I got to the station I found I 'd lost my money .

Dunno how dunno where .

anyhow , it was gone .

I didn't know what to do .

if I went back to old Lady Wiley she 'd take the hide off me .

so I went and hid in that old barn . "

" and what will you do now ? " asked Jerry .

" Dunno .

I s'pose I 'll have to go back and take my medicine .

now that I 've got some grub in my stomach I guess I can stand it . "

but there was fear behind the bravado in Mary 's eyes .

Una suddenly slipped from the one tombstone to the other and put her arm about Mary .

" don't go back .

just stay here with us . "

" oh , Mrs Wiley 'll hunt me up , " said Mary .

" it 's likely she 's on my trail before this .

I might stay here till she finds me , I s'pose , if your folks don't mind .

I was a darn fool ever to think of skipping out .

she 'd run a weasel to earth .

but I was so misrebul . "

Mary 's voice quivered , but she was ashamed of showing her weakness .

" I hain't had the life of a dog for these four years , " she explained defiantly .

" you 've been four years with Mrs Wiley ? "

" yip .

she took me out of the asylum over in Hopetown when I was eight . "

" that 's the same place Mrs Blythe came from , " exclaimed Faith .

" I was two years in the asylum .

I was put there when I was six .

my ma had hung herself and my pa had cut his throat . "

" holy cats !

why ? " said Jerry .

" booze , " said Mary laconically .

" and you 've no relations ? "

" not a darn one that I know of .

must have had some once , though .

I was called after half a dozen of them .

my full name is Mary Martha Lucilla Moore Ball Vance .

can you beat that ?

my grandfather was a rich man .

I 'll bet he was richer than YOUR grandfather .

but pa drunk it all up and ma , she did her part .

THEY used to beat me , too .

Laws , I 've been licked so much I kind of like it . "

Mary tossed her head .

she divined that the manse children were pitying her for her many stripes and she did not want pity .

she wanted to be envied .

she looked gaily about her .

her strange eyes , now that the dullness of famine was removed from them , were brilliant .

she would show these youngsters what a personage she was .

" I 've been sick an awful lot , " she said proudly .

" there 's not many kids could have come through what I have .

I 've had scarlet fever and measles and ersipelas and mumps and whooping cough and pewmonia . "

" were you ever fatally sick ? " asked Una .

" I don't know , " said Mary doubtfully .

" of course she wasn't , " scoffed Jerry .

" if you 're fatally sick you die . "

" oh , well , I never died exactly , " said Mary , " but I come blamed near it once .

they thought I was dead and they were getting ready to lay me out when I up and come to . "

" what is it like to be half dead ? " asked Jerry curiously .

" like nothing .

I didn't know it for days afterwards .

it was when I had the pewmonia .

Mrs Wiley wouldn't have the doctor said she wasn't going to no such expense for a home girl .

old Aunt Christina MacAllister nursed me with poultices .

she brung me round .

but sometimes I wish I 'd just died the other half and done with it .

I 'd been better off . "

" if you went to heaven I s'pose you would , " said Faith , rather doubtfully .

" well , what other place is there to go to ? " demanded Mary in a puzzled voice .

" there 's hell , you know , " said Una , dropping her voice and hugging Mary to lessen the awfulness of the suggestion .

" hell ?

what 's that ? "

" why , it 's where the devil lives , " said Jerry .

" you 've heard of him you spoke about him . "

" oh , yes , but I didn't know he lived anywhere .

I thought he just roamed round .

Mr Wiley used to mention hell when he was alive .

he was always telling folks to go there .

I thought it was some place over in New Brunswick where he come from . "

" Hell is an awful place , " said Faith , with the dramatic enjoyment that is born of telling dreadful things .

" bad people go there when they die and burn in fire for ever and ever and ever . "

" who told you that ? " demanded Mary incredulously .

" it 's in the Bible .

and Mr Isaac Crothers at Maywater told us , too , in Sunday School .

he was an elder and a pillar in the church and knew all about it .

but you needn't worry .

if you 're good you 'll go to heaven and if you 're bad I guess you 'd rather go to hell . "

" I wouldn't , " said Mary positively .

" no matter how bad I was I wouldn't want to be burned and burned .

I know what it 's like .

I picked up a red hot poker once by accident .

what must you do to be good ? "

" you must go to church and Sunday School and read your Bible and pray every night and give to missions , " said Una .

" it sounds like a large order , " said Mary .

" anything else ? "

" you must ask God to forgive the sins you 've committed .

" but I 've never com committed any , " said Mary .

" what 's a sin any way ? "

" oh , Mary , you must have .

everybody does .

did you never tell a lie ? "

" Heaps of ' em , " said Mary .

" that 's a dreadful sin , " said Una solemnly .

why , I HAD to .

Mr Wiley would have broken every bone in my body one time if I hadn't told him a lie .

lies have saved me many a whack , I can tell you . "

Una sighed .

here were too many difficulties for her to solve .

she shuddered as she thought of being cruelly whipped .

very likely she would have lied too .

she squeezed Mary 's little calloused hand .

" is that the only dress you 've got ? " asked Faith , whose joyous nature refused to dwell on disagreeable subjects .

" I just put on this dress because it was no good , " cried Mary flushing .

" Mrs Wiley 'd bought my clothes and I wasn't going to be beholden to her for anything .

and I 'm honest .

if I was going to run away I wasn't going to take what belong to HER that was worth anything .

when I grow up I 'm going to have a blue sating dress .

your own clothes don't look so stylish .

I thought ministers ' children were always dressed up . "

it was plain that Mary had a temper and was sensitive on some points .

but there was a queer , wild charm about her which captivated them all .

the Blythes accepted her unquestioningly , perhaps because she was fairly respectable now .

with her hair neatly braided Mary passed muster tolerably well .

she was an acceptable playmate , for she knew several new and exciting games , and her conversation lacked not spice .

in fact , some of her expressions made Nan and Di look at her rather askance .

they were not quite sure what their mother would have thought of her , but they knew quite well what Susan would .

however , she was a visitor at the manse , so she must be all right .

when bedtime came there was the problem of where Mary should sleep .

" we can't put her in the spare room , you know , " said Faith perplexedly to Una .

" I haven't got anything in my head , " cried Mary in an injured tone .

" oh , I didn't mean THAT , " protested Faith .

" the spare room is all torn up .

the mice have gnawed a big hole in the feather tick and made a nest in it .

we never found it out till Aunt Martha put the Rev. Mr Fisher from Charlottetown there to sleep last week .

HE soon found it out .

then father had to give him his bed and sleep on the study lounge .

and our room is so small , and the bed so small you can't sleep with us . "

" it was kind of chilly last night , but ' cept for that I 've had worse beds . "

" oh , no , no , you mustn't do that , " said Una .

" I 've thought of a plan , Faith .

you know that little trestle bed in the garret room , with the old mattress on it , that the last minister left there ?

let's take up the spare room bedclothes and make Mary a bed there .

you won't mind sleeping in the garret , will you , Mary ?

it 's just above our room . "

" any place 'll do me .

laws , I never had a decent place to sleep in my life .

I slept in the loft over the kitchen at Mrs Wiley 's .

the roof leaked rain in the summer and the snow druv in in winter .

my bed was a straw tick on the floor .

you won't find me a mite huffy about where I sleep . "

the manse garret was a long , low , shadowy place , with one gable end partitioned off .

the good nights were said and silence fell over the manse .

Una was just falling asleep when she heard a sound in the room just above that made her sit up suddenly .

" listen , Faith Mary 's crying , " she whispered .

faith replied not , being already asleep .

Una slipped out of bed , and made her way in her little white gown down the hall and up the garret stairs .

" Mary , " whispered Una .

there was no response .

Una crept close to the bed and pulled at the spread .

" Mary , I know you are crying .

I heard you .

are you lonesome ? "

Mary suddenly appeared to view but said nothing .

" let me in beside you .

Mary moved over and Una snuggled down beside her .

" NOW you won't be lonesome .

we shouldn't have left you here alone the first night . "

" I wasn't lonesome , " sniffed Mary .

" what were you crying for then ? "

" oh , I just got to thinking of things when I was here alone .

it all worried me something scandalous . "

" oh , Mary , " said poor Una in distress .

" I don't believe God will send you to hell for telling lies when you didn't know it was wrong .

he COULDN'T . why , He 's kind and good .

of course , you mustn't tell any more now that you know it 's wrong . "

" if I can't tell lies what 's to become of me ? " said Mary with a sob .

" YOU don't understand .

you don't know anything about it .

you 've got a home and a kind father though it does seem to me that he isn't more'n about half there .

why , this is the first day I ever remember of feeling ' sif I 'd enough to eat .

I 've been knocked about all of my life , ' cept for the two years I was at the asylum .

they didn't lick me there and it wasn't too bad , though the matron was cross .

she always looked ready to bite my head off a nail .

" perhaps you won't have to .

perhaps we 'll be able to think of a way out .

let's both ask God to keep you from having to go back to Mrs Wiley .

you say your prayers , don't you Mary ? "

" oh , yes , I always go over an old rhyme ' fore I get into bed , " said Mary indifferently .

" I never thought of asking for anything in particular though .

nobody in this world ever bothered themselves about me so I didn't s'pose God would .

he MIGHT take more trouble for you , seeing you 're a minister 's daughter . "

" he 'd take every bit as much trouble for you , Mary , I 'm sure , " said Una .

" it doesn't matter whose child you are .

you just ask Him and I will , too . "

" all right , " agreed Mary .

" it won't do any harm if it doesn't do much good .

if you knew Mrs Wiley as well as I do you wouldn't think God would want to meddle with her .

anyhow , I won't cry any more about it .

this is a big sight better'n last night down in that old barn , with the mice running about .

look at the Four Winds light .

ain't it pretty ? "

" this is the only window we can see it from , " said Una .

" I love to watch it . "

" do you ?

so do I . I could see it from the Wiley loft and it was the only comfort I had .

when I was all sore from being licked I 'd watch it and forget about the places that hurt .

on winter nights when it didn't shine , I just felt real lonesome .

say , Una , what makes all you folks so kind to me when I 'm just a stranger ? "

" because it 's right to be .

the bible tells us to be kind to everybody . "

" does it ?

well , I guess most folks don't mind it much then .

I never remember of any one being kind to me before true's you live I don't .

say , Una , ain't them shadows on the walls pretty ?

they look just like a flock of little dancing birds .

and say , Una , I like all you folks and them Blythe boys and Di , but I don't like that Nan .

she 's a proud one . "

" oh , no , Mary , she isn't a bit proud , " said Una eagerly .

" not a single bit . "

" don't tell me .

any one that holds her head like that IS proud .

I don't like her . "

" WE all like her very much . "

" oh , I s'pose you like her better'n me ? " said Mary jealously .

" do you ? "

" why , Mary we 've known her for weeks and we 've only known you a few hours , " stammered Una .

" so you do like her better then ? " said Mary in a rage .

" all right !

like her all you want to .

I don't care .

I can get along without you . "

she flung herself over against the wall of the garret with a slam .

" oh , Mary , " said Una , pushing a tender arm over Mary 's uncompromising back , " don't talk like that .

I DO like you ever so much .

and you make me feel so bad . "

no answer .

presently Una gave a sob .

instantly Mary squirmed around again and engulfed Una in a bear 's hug .

" hush up , " she ordered .

" don't go crying over what I said .

I was as mean as the devil to talk that way .

I orter to be skinned alive and you all so good to me .

I should think you WOULD like any one better'n me .

I deserve every licking I ever got .

hush , now .

if you cry any more I 'll go and walk right down to the harbour in this night-dress and drown myself . "

this terrible threat made Una choke back her sobs .

CHAPTER VI .

MARY STAYS AT THE MANSE

the manse children took Mary Vance to church with them the next day .

at first Mary objected to the idea .

" didn't you go to church over-harbour ? " asked Una .

" you bet .

Mrs Wiley never troubled church much , but I went every Sunday I could get off .

I was mighty thankful to go to some place where I could sit down for a spell .

but I can't go to church in this old ragged dress . "

this difficulty was removed by Faith offering the loan of her second best dress .

" it 's faded a little and two of the buttons are off , but I guess it 'll do . "

" I 'll sew the buttons on in a jiffy , " said Mary .

" not on Sunday , " said Una , shocked .

" sure .

the better the day the better the deed .

you just gimme a needle and thread and look the other way if you 're squeamish . "

she listened to the sermon with outward decorum and joined lustily in the singing .

she had , it appeared , a clear , strong voice and a good ear .

" his blood can make the VIOLETS clean , " carolled Mary blithely .

Mary , in a mere superfluity of naughtiness , stuck out her tongue at Mrs Milgrave , much to Una 's horror .

" I couldn't help it , " she declared after church .

" what 'd she want to stare at me like that for ?

such manners !

I 'm GLAD stuck my tongue out at her .

I wish I 'd stuck it farther out .

say , I saw Rob MacAllister from over-harbour there .

wonder if he 'll tell Mrs Wiley on me . "

no Mrs Wiley appeared , however , and in a few day the children forgot to look for her .

Mary was apparently a fixture at the manse .

but she refused to go to school with the others .

" nope .

I 've finished my education , " she said , when Faith urged her to go .

" I went to school four winters since I come to Mrs Wiley 's and I 've had all I want of THAT .

I 'm sick and tired of being everlastingly jawed at ' cause I didn't get my home-lessons done .

I'D no time to do home-lessons . "

" our teacher won't jaw you .

he is awfully nice , " said Faith .

" well , I ain't going .

I can read and write and cipher up to fractions .

that 's all I want .

you fellows go and I 'll stay home .

you needn't be scared I'll steal anything .

I swear I 'm honest . "

Mary employed herself while the others were at school in cleaning up the manse .

in a few days it was a different place .

floors were swept , furniture dusted , everything straightened out .

but there was one department with which Aunt Martha refused to let her interfere .

" I can tell you if old Martha 'd let ME cook you 'd have some decent meals , " she told the manse children indignantly .

" there 'd be no more ' ditto ' and no more lumpy porridge and blue milk either .

what DOES she do with all the cream ? "

" she gives it to the cat .

he 's hers , you know , " said Faith .

" I 'd like to CAT her , " exclaimed Mary bitterly .

" I 've no use for cats anyhow .

they belong to the old Nick .

you can tell that by their eyes .

well , if old Martha won't , she won't , I s'pose .

but it gits on my nerves to see good vittles spoiled . "

when school came out they always went to Rainbow Valley .

Mary refused to play in the graveyard .

she declared she was afraid of ghosts .

" there 's no such thing as ghosts , " declared Jem Blythe .

" oh , ain't there ? "

" did you ever see any ? "

" hundreds of ' em , " said Mary promptly .

" what are they like ? " said Carl .

" Awful-looking .

dressed all in white with skellington hands and heads , " said Mary .

" what did you do ? " asked Una .

" run like the devil , " said Mary .

then she caught Walter 's eyes and blushed .

Mary was a good deal in awe of Walter .

she declared to the manse girls that his eyes made her nervous .

Jem was Mary 's favourite .

she also won Carl 's heart entirely by her interest in his beetles and ants .

it could not be denied that Mary got on rather better with the boys than with the girls .

she quarrelled bitterly with Nan Blythe the second day .

" your mother is a witch , " she told Nan scornfully .

" red-haired women are always witches . "

then she and Faith fell out about the rooster .

Mary said its tail was too short .

faith angrily retorted that she guessed God know what length to make a rooster 's tail .

they did not " speak " for a day over this .

Una crept away to her room and cried over this , but Mary hunted her out , hugged her repentantly and implored forgiveness .

Mary was jolly .

she could and did tell the most thrilling ghost stories .

rainbow Valley seances were undeniably more exciting after Mary came .

she learned to play on the jew's-harp and soon eclipsed Jerry .

" never struck anything yet I couldn't do if I put my mind to it , " she declared .

Mary seldom lost a chance of tooting her own horn .

and when they all went picking gum in Rainbow Valley Mary always got " the biggest chew " and bragged about it .

there were times when they hated her and times when they loved her .

but at all times they found her interesting .

" it 's the queerest thing that Mrs Wiley hain't been after me , " said Mary .

" I can't understand it . "

" maybe she isn't going to bother about you at all , " said Una .

" then you can just go on staying here . "

" this house ain't hardly big enough for me and old Martha , " said Mary darkly .

" it 's a very fine thing to have enough to eat I 've often wondered what it would be like but I 'm p'ticler about my cooking .

and Mrs Wiley 'll be here yet .

SHE'S got a rod in pickle for me all right .

I dunno's one real good whipping would be much worse'n all the dozen I 've lived through in my mind ever since I run away .

were any of you ever licked ? "

" no , of course not , " said Faith indignantly .

" father would never do such a thing . "

" you don't know you 're alive , " said Mary with a sigh half of envy , half of superiority .

" you don't know what I 've come through .

and I s'pose the Blythes were never licked either ? "

" No-o-o , I guess not .

but I THINK they were sometimes spanked when they were small . "

" a spanking doesn't amount to anything , " said Mary contemptuously .

" if my folks had just spanked me I 'd have thought they were petting me .

well , it ain't a fair world .

I wouldn't mind taking my share of wallopings but I 've had a darn sight too many . "

" it isn't right to say that word , Mary , " said Una reproachfully .

" you promised me you wouldn't say it . "

" G'way , " responded Mary .

" if you knew some of the words I COULD say if I liked you wouldn't make such a fuss over darn .

and you know very well I hain't ever told any lies since I come here . "

" what about all those ghosts you said you saw ? " asked Faith .

Mary blushed .

" that was diff'runt , " she said defiantly .

" I knew you wouldn't believe them yarns and I didn't intend you to .

and I really did see something queer one night when I was passing the over-harbour graveyard , true 's you live .

CHAPTER VII .

a FISHY EPISODE

Susan had dressed her daintily in a white , starched , and embroidered dress , with sash of blue and beaded slippers .

she was very conscious of her hat , and I am afraid she strutted up the manse hill .

the strut , or the hat , or both , got on the nerves of Mary Vance , who was swinging on the lawn gate .

Mary 's temper was somewhat ruffled just then , into the bargain .

aunt Martha had refused to let her peel the potatoes and had ordered her out of the kitchen .

" Yah !

you 'll bring the potatoes to the table with strips of skin hanging to them and half boiled as usual !

my , but it 'll be nice to go to your funeral , " shrieked Mary .

then he went on with his sermon .

Mary slipped from the gate and confronted the spick-and-span damsel of Ingleside .

" what you got there ? " she demanded , trying to take the basket .

Rilla resisted .

" It'th for Mithter Meredith , " she lisped .

" give it to me .

I'LL give it to him , " said Mary .

" no .

Thuthan thaid that I wathn't to give it to anybody but Mithter Mer'dith or Aunt Martha , " insisted Rilla .

Mary eyed her sourly .

" you think you 're something , don't you , all dressed up like a doll !

look at me .

my dress is all rags and I don't care !

I 'd rather be ragged than a doll baby .

go home and tell them to put you in a glass case .

look at me look at me look at me ! "

but as the latter tried to edge away towards the gate Mary pounced on her again .

" you give me that basket , " she ordered with a grimace .

Mary was past mistress in the art of " making faces . "

she could give her countenance a most grotesque and unearthly appearance out of which her strange , brilliant , white eyes gleamed with weird effect .

" I won't , " gasped Rilla , frightened but staunch .

" you let me go , Mary Vanth . "

Mary let go for a minute and looked around here .

Just inside the gate was a small " flake , " on which a half a dozen large codfish were drying .

Mary had a diabolical inspiration .

she flew to the " flake " and seized the largest fish there a huge , flat thing , nearly as big as herself .

with a whoop she swooped down on the terrified Rilla , brandishing her weird missile .

Rilla 's courage gave way .

to be lambasted with a dried codfish was such an unheard-of thing that Rilla could not face it .

with a shriek she dropped her basket and fled .

the basket and contents were no longer in Mary 's mind .

she thought only of the delight of giving Rilla Blythe the scare of her life .

she would teach HER to come giving herself airs because of her fine clothes .

Rilla flew down the hill and along the street .

through the Glen street they swept , while everybody ran to the windows and gates to see them .

Mary felt she was making a tremendous sensation and enjoyed it .

Rilla , blind with terror and spent of breath , felt that she could run no longer .

in another instant that terrible girl would be on her with the codfish .

Miss Cornelia took the whole situation in at a glance .

so did Mary .

Miss Cornelia 's lips tightened ominously , but she knew it was no use to think of chasing her .

so she picked up poor , sobbing , dishevelled Rilla instead and took her home .

Rilla was heart-broken .

her dress and slippers and hat were ruined and her six year old pride had received terrible bruises .

Susan , white with indignation , heard Miss Cornelia 's story of Mary Vance 's exploit .

" oh , the hussy oh , the littly hussy ! " she said , as she carried Rilla away for purification and comfort .

" this thing has gone far enough , Anne dearie , " said Miss Cornelia resolutely .

" something must be done .

WHO is this creature who is staying at the manse and where does she come from ? "

" she is almost in rags and when she goes to church she wears Faith Meredith 's old clothes .

there 's some mystery here , and I 'm going to investigate it , since it seems nobody else will .

I believe she was at the bottom of their goings-on in Warren Mead 's spruce bush the other day .

did you hear of their frightening his mother into a fit ? "

" no .

I knew Gilbert had been called to see her , but I did not hear what the trouble was . "

" well , you know she has a weak heart .

her heart gave out at once .

they told him they were only in fun and didn't think anyone would hear them .

they were just playing Indian ambush .

Warren went back to the house and found his poor mother unconscious on the veranda . "

Susan , who had returned , sniffed contemptuously .

" I think she was very far from being unconscious , Mrs Marshall Elliott , and that you may tie to .

I have been hearing of Amelia Warren 's weak heart for forty years .

she had it when she was twenty .

she enjoys making a fuss and having the doctor , and any excuse will do . "

" I don't think Gilbert thought her attack very serious , " said Anne .

" oh , that may very well be , " said Miss Cornelia .

" but the matter has made an awful lot of talk and the Meads being Methodists makes it that much worse .

what is going to become of those children ?

sometimes I can't sleep at nights for thinking about them , Anne dearie .

they are just running wild and now that school is closing they 'll be worse than ever . "

" and they are all brave and frank and loyal and truthful . "

" when all is said and done , Mrs Dr dear , they are very nice children , " said Susan .

only I do think it is not proper for them to play in a graveyard and that I will maintain . "

" but they really play quite quietly there , " excused Anne .

" they don't run and yell as they do elsewhere .

such howls as drift up here from Rainbow Valley sometimes !

though I fancy my own small fry bear a valiant part in them .

Jem is passing through the stage where all boys hanker to be soldiers . "

" well , thank goodness , he 'll never be a soldier , " said Miss Cornelia .

" I never approved of our boys going to that South African fracas .

but it 's over , and not likely anything of the kind will ever happen again .

I think the world is getting more sensible .

" he called twice at the Kirks ' last week , so I am told , " said Susan .

" well , " said Miss Cornelia thoughtfully , " as a rule , I don't approve of a minister marrying in his congregation .

it generally spoils him .

even the Hill girls balk at that .

they haven't been found laying traps for Mr Meredith .

Elizabeth would make him a good wife if he only thought so .

he isn't SO other-worldly when it comes to that , believe ME . "

" she would likely turn Presbyterian if she married Mr Meredith , " retorted Susan .

Miss Cornelia shook her head .

evidently with her it was , once a Methodist , always a Methodist .

" Sarah Kirk is entirely out of the question , " she said positively .

" and so is Emmeline Drew though the Drews are all trying to make the match .

they are literally throwing poor Emmeline at his head , and he hasn't the least idea of it . "

" Emmeline Drew has no gumption , I must allow , " said Susan .

and her mother was a very poor housekeeper .

did you ever hear the story of her dishcloth ?

she lost her dishcloth one day .

but the next day she found it .

oh , yes , Mrs Dr dear , she found it , in the goose at the dinner-table , mixed up with the stuffing .

do you think a woman like that would do for a minister 's mother-in-law ?

I do not .

but no doubt I would be better employed in mending little Jem 's trousers than in talking gossip about my neighbours .

he tore them something scandalous last night in Rainbow Valley . "

" where is Walter ? " asked Anne .

" he is up to no good , I fear , Mrs Dr . dear .

he is in the attic writing something in an exercise book .

and he has not done as well in arithmetic this term as he should , so the teacher tells me .

too well I know the reason why .

he has been writing silly rhymes when he should have been doing his sums .

I am afraid that boy is going to be a poet , Mrs Dr dear . "

" he is a poet now , Susan . "

" well , you take it real calm , Mrs Dr dear .

I suppose it is the best way , when a person has the strength .

I had an uncle who began by being a poet and ended up by being a tramp .

our family were dreadfully ashamed of him . "

" you don't seem to think very highly of poets , Susan , " said Anne , laughing .

" who does , Mrs Dr dear ? " asked Susan in genuine astonishment .

" what about Milton and Shakespeare ?

and the poets of the Bible ? "

" they tell me Milton could not get along with his wife , and Shakespeare was no more than respectable by times .

I never knew any good to come of writing poetry , and I hope and pray that blessed boy will outgrow the tendency .

if he does not we must see what emulsion of cod-liver oil will do . "

CHAPTER VIII .

MISS CORNELIA INTERVENES

Miss Cornelia was more favourably impressed than she had expected to be , but deemed it her duty to be severe .

" say , it was rotten mean of me , " admitted Mary easily .

" I dunno what possessed me .

that old codfish seemed to come in so blamed handy .

but I was awful sorry I cried last night after I went to bed about it , honest I did .

you ask Una if I didn't .

Laws , I ain't got any feelings to hurt worth speaking of .

what worries me is why Mrs Wiley hain't been hunting for me .

it ain't like her . "

" if the child 's story is true the matter ought to be looked into , " she said .

" I know something about that Wiley woman , believe ME .

Marshall used to be well acquainted with her when he lived over-harbour .

I heard him say something last summer about her and a home child she had likely this very Mary-creature .

he said some one told him she was working the child to death and not half feeding and clothing it .

you know , Anne dearie , it has always been my habit neither to make nor meddle with those over-harbour folks .

but I shall send Marshall over to-morrow to find out the rights of this if he can .

and THEN I 'll speak to the minister .

mind you , Anne dearie , the Merediths found this girl literally starving in James Taylor 's old hay barn .

she had been there all night , cold and hungry and alone .

and us sleeping warm in our beds after good suppers . "

" if she has been ill-used , Miss Cornelia , she mustn't be taken back to such a place .

I was an orphan once in a very similar situation . "

" we 'll have to consult the Hopetown asylum folks , " said Miss Cornelia .

" anyway , she can't be left at the manse .

Dear knows what those poor children might learn from her .

I understand that she has been known to swear .

but just think of her being there two whole weeks and Mr Meredith never waking up to it !

what business has a man like that to have a family ?

why , Anne dearie , he ought to be a monk . "

two evenings later Miss Cornelia was back at Ingleside .

" it 's the most amazing thing ! " she said .

" Mrs Wiley was found dead in her bed the very morning after this Mary-creature ran away .

she has had a bad heart for years and the doctor had warned her it might happen at any time .

she had sent away her hired man and there was nobody in the house .

some neighbours found her the next day .

the cousin didn't come to the funeral and so nobody ever knew that Mary wasn't with her .

you know , it puts Marshall in a regular fury to hear of a child being ill-used .

they said she whipped her mercilessly for every little fault or mistake .

some folks talked of writing to the asylum authorities but everybody 's business is nobody 's business and it was never done . "

" I am sorry that Wiley person is dead , " said Susan fiercely .

" I should like to go over-harbour and give her a piece of my mind .

starving and beating a child , Mrs Dr dear !

as you know , I hold with lawful spanking , but I go no further .

and what is to become of this poor child now , Mrs Marshall Elliott ? "

" I suppose she must be sent back to Hopetown , " said Miss Cornelia .

" I think every one hereabouts who wants a home child has one .

I 'll see Mr Meredith to-morrow and tell him my opinion of the whole affair . "

" and no doubt she will , Mrs Dr dear , " said Susan , after Miss Cornelia had gone .

" she would stick at nothing , not even at shingling the church spire if she took it into her head .

but I cannot understand how even Cornelia Bryant can talk to a minister as she does .

you would think he was just any common person . "

the others were already there .

Jem and Jerry were playing quoits with old horseshoes borrowed from the Glen blacksmith .

Carl was stalking ants on a sunny hillock .

" say , ain't them in'resting lies ? " said Mary admiringly when Walter had closed the book .

" they aren't lies , " said Di indignantly .

" you don't mean they 're true ? " asked Mary incredulously .

" no not exactly .

they 're like those ghost-stories of yours .

they weren't true but you didn't expect us to believe them , so they weren't lies . "

" that yarn about the divining rod is no lie , anyhow , " said Mary .

" old Jake Crawford over-harbour can work it .

they send for him from everywhere when they want to dig a well .

and I believe I know the Wandering Jew . "

" oh , Mary , " said Una , awe-struck .

" I do true 's you 're alive .

there was an old man at Mrs Wiley 's one day last fall .

he looked old enough to be ANYTHING .

she was asking him about cedar posts , if he thought they 'd last well .

and he said , ' Last well ?

they 'll last a thousand years .

I know , for I 've tried them twice . '

now , if he was two thousand years old who was he but your Wandering Jew ? "

" I don't believe the Wandering Jew would associate with a person like Mrs Wiley , " said Faith decidedly .

" I love the Pied Piper story , " said Di , " and so does mother .

I always feel so sorry for the poor little lame boy who couldn't keep up with the others and got shut out of the mountain .

he must have been so disappointed .

" but how glad his mother must have been , " said Una softly .

" I think she had been sorry all her life that he was lame .

perhaps she even used to cry about it .

but she would never be sorry again never .

she would be glad he was lame because that was why she hadn't lost him . "

and I will follow him follow him down to the shore down to the sea away from you all .

I don't think I 'll want to go Jem will want to go it will be such an adventure but I won't .

only I'll HAVE to the music will call and call and call me until I MUST follow . "

" no .

you 'll sit here and wait , " said Walter , his great , splendid eyes full of strange glamour .

" you 'll wait for us to come back .

and we may not come for we cannot come as long as the Piper plays .

he may pipe us round the world .

and still you 'll sit here and wait and WAIT . "

" oh , dry up , " said Mary , shivering .

" don't look like that , Walter Blythe .

you give me the creeps .

do you want to set me bawling ?

Walter smiled in triumph .

he liked to exercise this power of his over his companions to play on their feelings , waken their fears , thrill their souls .

it satisfied some dramatic instinct in him .

but under his triumph was a queer little chill of some mysterious dread .

Carl , coming up to their group with a report of the doings in ant-land , brought them all back to the realm of facts .

" Ants ARE darned in'resting , " exclaimed Mary , glad to escape the shadowy Piper 's thrall .

" Carl and me watched that bed in the graveyard all Saturday afternoon .

I never thought there was so much in bugs .

say , but they 're quarrelsome little cusses some of ' em like to start a fight ' thout any reason , far 's we could see .

and some of ' em are cowards .

they got so scared they just doubled theirselves up into a ball and let the other fellows bang ' em .

they wouldn't put up a fight at all .

some of ' em are lazy and won't work .

we watched ' em shirking .

a shocked silence prevailed .

every one knew that Mary had not started out to say " goodness . "

faith and Di exchanged glances that would have done credit to Miss Cornelia herself .

Walter and Carl looked uncomfortable and Una 's lip trembled .

Mary squirmed uncomfortably .

you folks over here are mighty squeamish seems to me .

wish you could have heard the Wileys when they had a fight . "

" ladies don't say such things , " said Faith , very primly for her .

" it isn't right , " whispered Una .

" I ain't a lady , " said Mary .

" what chance 've I ever had of being a lady ?

but I won't say that again if I can help it .

I promise you . "

" I don't expect Him to answer ' em anyhow , " said Mary of little faith .

" I 've been asking Him for a week to clear up this Wiley affair and He hasn't done a thing .

I 'm going to give up . "

at this juncture Nan arrived breathless .

" oh , Mary , I 've news for you .

Mrs Elliott has been over-harbour and what do you think she found out ?

Mrs Wiley is dead she was found dead in bed the morning after you ran away .

so you 'll never have to go back to her . "

" dead ! " said Mary stupefied .

then she shivered .

" do you s'pose my praying had anything to do with that ? " she cried imploringly to Una .

" if it had I 'll never pray again as long as I live .

why , she may come back and ha'nt me . "

" no , no , Mary , " said Una comfortingly , " it hadn't .

why , Mrs Wiley died long before you ever began to pray about it at all . "

" that 's so , " said Mary recovering from her panic .

" but I tell you it gave me a start .

I wouldn't like to think I 'd prayed anybody to death .

I never thought of such a thing as her dying when I was praying .

she didn't seem much like the dying kind .

did Mrs Elliott say anything about me ? "

" she said you would likely have to go back to the asylum . "

" I thought as much , " said Mary drearily .

" and then they 'll give me out again likely to some one just like Mrs Wiley .

well , I s'pose I can stand it .

I 'm tough . "

" you can do as you like , " said Mary decidedly , " but I vow I won't .

I 'm good and scared of this praying business .

see what 's come of it .

if Mrs Wiley HAD died after I started praying it would have been my doings . "

" oh , no , it wouldn't , " said Una .

" I wish I could explain things better father could , I know , if you 'd talk to him , Mary . "

" catch me !

I don't know what to make of your father , that 's the long and short of it .

he goes by me and never sees me in broad daylight .

I ain't proud but I ain't a door-mat , neither ! "

" oh , Mary , it 's just father 's way .

most of the time he never sees us , either .

he is thinking deeply , that is all .

and I AM going to pray that God will keep you in Four Winds because I like you , Mary . "

" all right .

only don't let me hear of any more people dying on account of it , " said Mary .

" I 'd like to stay in Four Winds fine .

I like it and I like the harbour and the light house and you and the Blythes .

you 're the only friends I ever had and I 'd hate to leave you . "

CHAPTER IX .

UNA INTERVENES

Miss Cornelia had an interview with Mr Meredith which proved something of a shock to that abstracted gentleman .

" I don't say there is much harm done , of course , " she concluded .

" this Mary-creature isn't what you might call bad , when all is said and done .

but think what might have happened if she 'd been like some of those home children we know of .

you know yourself what that poor little creature the Jim Flaggs ' had , taught and told the Flagg children . "

Mr Meredith did know and was honestly shocked over his own carelessness in the matter .

" but what is to be done , Mrs Elliott ? " he asked helplessly .

" we can't turn the poor child out .

she must be cared for . "

" of course .

we 'd better write to the Hopetown authorities at once .

meanwhile , I suppose she might as well stay here for a few more days till we hear from them .

but keep your eyes and ears open , Mr Meredith . "

Susan would have died of horror on the spot if she had heard Miss Cornelia so admonishing a minister .

Mary obeyed , looking literally ghastly with fright .

but she got the surprise of her poor , battered little life .

this man , of whom she had stood so terribly in awe , was the kindest , gentlest soul she had ever met .

Mary left the study with her face and eyes so softened that Una hardly knew her .

" your father 's all right , when he does wake up , " she said with a sniff that just escaped being a sob .

" it 's a pity he doesn't wake up oftener .

I dunno what good points she had , unless it was keeping her house clean and making first-class butter .

I know I ' most wore my arms out scrubbing her old kitchen floor with the knots in it .

but anything your father says goes with me after this . "

Mary proved a rather dull companion in the following days , however .

she confided to Una that the more she thought of going back to the asylum the more she hated it .

" Mrs Elliott might take Mary herself .

she has a great big house and Mr Elliott is always wanting her to have help .

it would be just a splendid place for Mary .

only she 'd have to behave herself . "

" oh , Nan , do you think Mrs Elliott would take her ? "

" it wouldn't do any harm if you asked her , " said Nan .

at first Una did not think she could .

she was so shy that to ask a favour of anybody was agony to her .

and she was very much in awe of the bustling , energetic Mrs Elliott .

the next evening she slipped away from the manse to the harbour road .

Far down in Rainbow Valley she heard joyous laughter but her way lay not there .

Marshall Elliott had planted trees about it and set out a rose garden and a spruce hedge .

it was quite a different place from what it had been in years agone .

the manse children and the Ingleside children liked to go there .

it was a beautiful walk down the old harbour road , and there was always a well-filled cooky jar at the end .

the misty sea was lapping softly far down on the sands .

three big boats were skimming down the harbour like great white sea-birds .

a schooner was coming up the channel .

but when Una turned in at Miss Cornelia 's gate her very legs had almost refused to carry her .

Miss Cornelia was alone on the veranda .

Una had hoped Mr Elliott would be there .

he was so big and hearty and twinkly that there would be encouragement in his presence .

she sat on the little stool Miss Cornelia brought out and tried to eat the doughnut Miss Cornelia gave her .

it stuck in her throat , but she swallowed desperately lest Miss Cornelia be offended .

" what 's on your mind , dearie ? " she asked .

" there 's something , that 's plain to be seen . "

Una swallowed the last twist of doughnut with a desperate gulp .

" Mrs Elliott , won't you take Mary Vance ? " she said beseechingly .

Miss Cornelia stared blankly .

" me !

take Mary Vance !

do you mean keep her ? "

" yes keep her adopt her , " said Una eagerly , gaining courage now that the ice was broken .

" oh , Mrs Elliott , PLEASE do .

she doesn't want to go back to the asylum she cries every night about it .

she 's so afraid of being sent to another hard place .

and she's SO smart there isn't anything she can't do .

I know you wouldn't be sorry if you took her . "

" I never thought of such a thing , " said Miss Cornelia rather helplessly .

" WON'T you think of it ? " implored Una .

" but , dearie , I don't want help .

I 'm quite able to do all the work here .

and I never thought I 'd like to have a home girl if I did need help . "

the light went out of Una 's eyes .

her lips trembled .

she sat down on her stool again , a pathetic little figure of disappointment , and began to cry .

" don't dearie don't , " exclaimed Miss Cornelia in distress .

she could never bear to hurt a child .

" I don't say I WON'T take her but the idea is so new it has just kerflummuxed me .

I must think it over . "

" Mary is SO smart , " said Una again .

" Humph !

so I 've heard .

I 've heard she swears , too .

is that true ? "

" I 've never heard her swear EXACTLY , " faltered Una uncomfortably .

" but I 'm afraid she COULD . "

" I believe you !

does she always tell the truth ? "

" I think she does , except when she 's afraid of a whipping . "

" and yet you want me to take her ! "

" SOME ONE has to take her , " sobbed Una .

" SOME ONE has to look after her , Mrs Elliott . "

" that 's true .

perhaps it IS my duty to do it , " said Miss Cornelia with a sigh .

" well , I 'll have to talk it over with Mr Elliott .

so don't say anything about it just yet .

take another doughnut , dearie . "

Una took it and ate it with a better appetite .

" I 'm very fond of doughnuts , " she confessed " aunt Martha never makes any .

but Miss Susan at Ingleside does , and sometimes she lets us have a plateful in Rainbow Valley .

do you know what I do when I 'm hungry for doughnuts and can't get any , Mrs Elliott ? "

" no , dearie .

what ? "

" I get out mother 's old cook book and read the doughnut recipe and the other recipes .

they sound SO nice .

I always do that when I 'm hungry especially after we 've had ditto for dinner .

THEN I read the fried chicken and the roast goose recipes .

mother could make all those nice things . "

" and he won't and what 's to be done ?

and SHALL we take this Mary-creature , Marshall ? "

" yes , take her , " said Marshall laconically .

" just like a man , " said his wife , despairingly .

" ' Take her ' as if that was all .

there are a hundred things to be considered , believe ME . "

" take her and we 'll consider them afterwards , Cornelia , " said her husband .

in the end Miss Cornelia did take her and went up to announce her decision to the Ingleside people first .

" Splendid ! " said Anne delightedly .

" I 've been hoping you would do that very thing , Miss Cornelia .

I want that poor child to get a good home .

I was a homeless little orphan just like her once . "

" I don't think this Mary-creature is or ever will be much like you , " retorted Miss Cornelia gloomily .

" she 's a cat of another colour .

but she 's also a human being with an immortal soul to save .

Mary received the news with chastened satisfaction .

" it 's better luck than I expected , " she said .

" you 'll have to mind your p's and q 's with Mrs Elliott , " said Nan .

" well , I can do that , " flashed Mary .

" I know how to behave when I want to just as well as you , Nan Blythe . "

" you mustn't use bad words , you know , Mary , " said Una anxiously .

" I s'pose she 'd die of horror if I did , " grinned Mary , her white eyes shining with unholy glee over the idea .

" but you needn't worry , Una .

butter won't melt in my mouth after this .

I 'll be all prunes and prisms . "

" nor tell lies , " added Faith .

" not even to get off from a whipping ? " pleaded Mary .

" Mrs Elliott will NEVER whip you NEVER , " exclaimed Di .

" won't she ? " said Mary skeptically .

" if I ever find myself in a place where I ain't licked I 'll think it 's heaven all right .

no fear of me telling lies then .

I ain't fond of telling ' em I 'd ruther not , if it comes to that . "

Carl gave her his Noah 's ark and Jerry his second best jew's-harp .

Faith gave her a little hairbrush with a mirror in the back of it , which Mary had always considered very wonderful .

Una hesitated between an old beaded purse and a gay picture of Daniel in the lion 's den , and finally offered Mary her choice .

Mary really hankered after the beaded purse , but she knew Una loved it , so she said ,

" give me Daniel .

I 'd rusher have it ' cause I 'm partial to lions .

only I wish they 'd et Daniel up .

it would have been more exciting . "

at bedtime Mary coaxed Una to sleep with her .

" I don't mind ' em when I 'm not handy to graveyards , " said Mary .

" if I was alone here I 'd cry my eyes out I 'd be so lonesome .

I feel awful bad to be leaving you all . "

" Mrs Elliott will let you come up and play in Rainbow Valley quite often I 'm sure , " said Una .

" and you WILL be a good girl , won't you , Mary ? "

" oh , I 'll try , " sighed Mary .

you hadn't such scalawags of relations as I had . "

" but your people must have had some good qualities as well as bad ones , " argued Una .

" you must live up to them and never mind their bad ones . "

" I don't believe they had any good qualities , " said Mary gloomily .

" I never heard of any .

my grandfather had money , but they say he was a rascal .

no , I 'll just have to start out on my own hook and do the best I can . "

" and God will help you , you know , Mary , if you ask Him . "

" I don't know about that . "

" oh , Mary .

you know we asked God to get a home for you and He did . "

" I don't see what He had to do with it , " retorted Mary .

" it was you put it into Mrs Elliott 's head . "

" but God put it into her HEART to take you .

all my putting it into her HEAD wouldn't have done any good if He hadn't . "

" well , there may be something in that , " admitted Mary .

" mind you , I haven't got anything against God , Una .

I 'm willing to give Him a chance .

" oh , Mary , no ! " exclaimed horrified Una .

" God isn't a bit like father I mean He 's a thousand times better and kinder . "

" if He 's as good as your father He 'll do for me , " said Mary .

" when your father was talking to me I felt as if I never could be bad any more . "

" I wish you 'd talk to father about Him , " sighed Una .

" he can explain it all so much better than I can . "

" why , so I will , next time he wakes up , " promised Mary .

" that night he talked to me in the study he showed me real clear that my praying didn't kill Mrs Wiley .

my mind 's been easy since , but I 'm real cautious about praying .

I guess the old rhyme is the safest .

I think the sensible way would be to say to HIM , ' Good devil , please don't tempt me .

just leave me alone , please . '

now , don't you ? "

" oh , no , no , Mary .

I 'm sure it couldn't be right to pray to the devil .

and it wouldn't do any good because he 's bad .

it might aggravate him and he 'd be worse than ever . "

I 'll do the best I can alone till then . "

" if mother was alive she could tell us everything , " said Una with a sigh .

" I wisht she was alive , " said Mary .

" I don't know what 's going to become of you youngsters when I 'm gone .

anyhow , DO try and keep the house a little tidy .

the way people talks about it is scandalous .

and the first thing you know your father will be getting married again and then your noses will be out of joint . "

Una was startled .

the idea of her father marrying again had never presented itself to her before .

she did not like it and she lay silent under the chill of it .

" stepmothers are AWFUL creatures , " Mary went on .

" I could make your blood run cold if I was to tell you all I know about ' em .

the Wilson kids across the road from Wiley 's had a stepmother .

she was just as bad to ' em as Mrs Wiley was to me .

it 'll be awful if you get a stepmother . "

" I 'm sure we won't , " said Una tremulously .

" father won't marry anybody else . "

" he 'll be hounded into it , I expect , " said Mary darkly .

" all the old maids in the settlement are after him .

there 's no being up to them .

and the worst of stepmothers is , they always set your father against you .

he 'd never care anything about you again .

he 'd always take her part and her children 's part .

you see , she 'd make him believe you were all bad . "

" I wish you hadn't told me this , Mary , " cried Una .

" it makes me feel so unhappy . "

" I only wanted to warn you , " said Mary , rather repentantly .

" of course , your father 's so absent-minded he mightn't happen to think of getting married again .

but it 's better to be prepared . "

long after Mary slept serenely little Una lay awake , her eyes smarting with tears .

she couldn't bear it she couldn't !

Mary had not instilled any poison of the kind Miss Cornelia had feared into the manse children 's minds .

yet she had certainly contrived to do a little mischief with the best of intentions .

but she slept dreamlessly , while Una lay awake and the rain fell and the wind wailed around the old gray manse .

and the Rev John Meredith forgot to go to bed at all because he was absorbed in reading a life of St Augustine .

it was gray dawn when he finished it and went upstairs , wrestling with the problems of two thousand years ago .

the door of the girls ' room was open and he saw Faith lying asleep , rosy and beautiful .

he wondered where Una was .

perhaps she had gone over to " stay all night " with the Blythe girls .

she did this occasionally , deeming it a great treat .

John Meredith sighed .

he felt that Una 's whereabouts ought not to be a mystery to him .

Cecelia would have looked after her better than that .

if only Cecelia were still with him !

how pretty and gay she had been !

how the old manse up at Maywater had echoed to her songs !

how could SHE , the beautiful and vivid , have died ?

the idea of a second marriage had never presented itself seriously to John Meredith .

he had loved his wife so deeply that he believed he could never care for any woman again .

he had a vague idea that before very long Faith would be old enough to take her mother 's place .

until then , he must do the best he could alone .

he sighed and went to his room , where the bed was still unmade .

but Mr Meredith did not notice that it was unmade .

his last thoughts were of St Augustine .

CHAPTER X THE MANSE GIRLS CLEAN HOUSE

" Ugh , " said Faith , sitting up in bed with a shiver .

" it 's raining .

I do hate a rainy Sunday .

Sunday is dull enough even when it 's fine . "

" but we DO , you know , " said Faith candidly .

" Mary Vance says most Sundays are so dull she could hang herself . "

" we ought to like Sunday better than Mary Vance , " said Una remorsefully .

" we 're the minister 's children . "

" I wish we were a blacksmith 's children , " protested Faith angrily , hunting for her stockings .

" THEN people wouldn't expect us to be better than other children .

JUST look at the holes in my heels .

Mary darned them all up before she went away , but they 're as bad as ever now .

Una , get up .

I can't get the breakfast alone .

oh , dear .

I wish father and Jerry were home .

you wouldn't think we 'd miss father much we don't see much of him when he is home .

and yet EVERYTHING seems gone .

I must run in and see how Aunt Martha is . "

" is she any better ? " asked Una , when Faith returned .

" no , she isn't .

she 's groaning with the misery still .

maybe we ought to tell Dr Blythe .

but she says not she never had a doctor in her life and she isn't going to begin now .

she says doctors just live by poisoning people .

do you suppose they do ? "

" no , of course not , " said Una indignantly .

" I 'm sure Dr Blythe wouldn't poison anybody . "

" well , we 'll have to rub Aunt Martha 's back again after breakfast .

we 'd better not make the flannels as hot as we did yesterday . "

Faith giggled over the remembrance .

they had nearly scalded the skin off poor Aunt Martha 's back .

Una sighed .

Mary Vance would have known just what the precise temperature of flannels for a misery back should be .

Mary knew everything .

they knew nothing .

and how could they learn , save by bitter experience for which , in this instance , unfortunate Aunt Martha had paid ?

the preceding Monday Mr Meredith had left for Nova Scotia to spend his short vacation , taking Jerry with him .

she could not rise from her bed , any movement causing agony .

a doctor she flatly refused to have .

Faith and Una cooked the meals and waited on her .

the less said about the meals the better yet they were not much worse than Aunt Martha 's had been .

" you must worry on till I kin git around , " she groaned .

" thank goodness , John isn't here .

there 's a plenty o ' cold biled meat and bread and you kin try your hand at making porridge . "

the girls had tried their hand , but so far without much success .

the first day it had been too thin .

the next day so thick that you could cut it in slices .

and both days it had been burned .

" I hate porridge , " said Faith viciously .

" when I have a house of my own I 'm NEVER going to have a single bit of porridge in it . "

" what 'll your children do then ? " asked Una .

" children have to have porridge or they won't grow .

everybody says so . "

" they 'll have to get along without it or stay runts , " retorted Faith stubbornly .

" here , Una , you stir it while I set the table .

if I leave it for a minute the horrid stuff will burn .

it 's half past nine .

we 'll be late for Sunday School . "

" I haven't seen anyone going past yet , " said Una .

" there won't likely be many out .

just see how it 's pouring .

and when there 's no preaching the folks won't come from a distance to bring the children . "

" go and call Carl , " said Faith .

Carl , it appeared , had a sore throat , induced by getting wet in the Rainbow Valley marsh the previous evening while pursuing dragon-flies .

he had come home with dripping stockings and boots and had sat out the evening in them .

he could not eat any breakfast and Faith made him go back to bed again .

she and Una left the table as it was and went to Sunday School .

there was no one in the school room when they got there and no one came .

they waited until eleven and then went home .

" there doesn't seem to be anybody at the Methodist Sunday School either , " said Una .

" I 'm GLAD , " said Faith .

" I 'd hate to think the Methodists were better at going to Sunday School on rainy Sundays than the Presbyterians .

but there 's no preaching in their Church to-day , either , so likely their Sunday School is in the afternoon . "

Una washed the dishes , doing them quite nicely , for so much had she learned from Mary Vance .

faith swept the floor after a fashion and peeled the potatoes for dinner , cutting her finger in the process .

" I wish we had something for dinner besides ditto , " sighed Una .

" I 'm so tired of it .

the Blythe children don't know what ditto is .

and we NEVER have any pudding .

Nan says Susan would faint if they had no pudding on Sundays .

why aren't we like other people , Faith ? "

" I don't want to be like other people , " laughed Faith , tying up her bleeding finger .

" I like being myself .

it 's more interesting .

Jessie Drew is as good a housekeeper as her mother , but would you want to be as stupid as she is ? "

" but our house isn't right .

Mary Vance says so .

she says people talk about it being so untidy . "

faith had an inspiration .

" we 'll clean it all up , " she cried .

" we 'll go right to work to-morrow .

it 's a real good chance when Aunt Martha is laid up and can't interfere with us .

we 'll have it all lovely and clean when father comes home , just like it was when Mary went away .

ANY ONE can sweep and dust and wash windows .

people won't be able to talk about us any more .

Jem Blythe says it 's only old cats that talk , but their talk hurts just as much as anybody 's . "

" I hope it will be fine to-morrow , " said Una , fired with enthusiasm .

" oh , Faith , it will be splendid to be all cleaned up and like other people . "

" I hope Aunt Martha 's misery will last over to-morrow , " said Faith .

" if it doesn't we won't get a single thing done . "

Faith 's amiable wish was fulfilled .

the next day found Aunt Martha still unable to rise .

Carl , too , was still sick and easily prevailed on to stay in bed .

the world was full of summer sunshine after the rain .

it was a peerless day for house-cleaning and Faith and Una went gaily to work .

" we 'll clean the dining-room and the parlour , " said Faith .

" it wouldn't do to meddle with the study , and it doesn't matter much about the upstairs .

the first thing is to take everything out . "

accordingly , everything was taken out .

the furniture was piled on the veranda and lawn and the Methodist graveyard fence was gaily draped with rugs .

Una surveyed the streaked result dubiously .

" they don't look right , somehow , " she said .

" Mrs Elliott 's and Susan 's windows just shine and sparkle . "

" never mind .

they let the sunshine through just as well , " said Faith cheerfully .

" they MUST be clean after all the soap and water I 've used , and that 's the main thing .

now , it 's past eleven , so I 'll wipe up this mess on the floor and we 'll go outside .

you dust the furniture and I 'll shake the rugs .

I 'm going to do it in the graveyard .

I don't want to send dust flying all over the lawn . "

faith enjoyed the rug shaking .

to stand on Hezekiah Pollock 's tombstone , flapping and shaking rugs , was real fun .

" isn't that a terrible sight ? " said Elder Abraham solemnly .

faith waved a door mat cheerily at the Clow party .

it did not worry her that the elder and his wife did not return her greeting .

everybody knew that Elder Abraham had never been known to smile since he had been appointed Superintendent of the Sunday School fourteen years previously .

but it hurt her that Minnie and Adella Clow did not wave back .

faith liked Minnie and Adella .

next to the Blythes , they were her best friends in school and she always helped Adella with her sums .

this was gratitude for you .

faith flounced around to the veranda , where she found Una grieved in spirit because the Clow girls had not waved to her , either .

" I suppose they 're mad over something , " said Faith .

" perhaps they 're jealous because we play so much in Rainbow Valley with the Blythes .

well , just wait till school opens and Adella wants me to show her how to do her sums !

we 'll get square then .

come on , let's put the things back in .

I HATE house-cleaning . "

it was two o'clock before the tired girls finished the two rooms .

they got a dreary bite in the kitchen and intended to wash the dishes at once .

but Faith happened to pick up a new story-book Di Blythe had lent her and was lost to the world until sunset .

meanwhile , a weird story flew through Glen St Mary and folks asked each other seriously what was to be done with those manse youngsters .

" that is past laughing at , believe ME , " said Miss Cornelia to her husband , with a heavy sigh .

" I couldn't believe it at first .

Miranda Drew brought the story home from the Methodist Sunday School this afternoon and I simply scoffed at it .

but Mrs Elder Abraham says she and the Elder saw it with their own eyes . "

" saw what ? " asked Marshall .

" Faith and Una Meredith stayed home from Sunday School this morning and CLEANED HOUSE , " said Miss Cornelia , in accents of despair .

I can never look a Methodist in the face again .

just think what a scandal it will make ! "

" this is the last of our bread , " said Faith , " and the ditto is done .

if Aunt Martha doesn't get better soon WHAT will we do ? "

" we can buy some bread in the village and there 's the codfish Mary dried , " said Una .

" but we don't know how to cook it . "

" oh , that 's easy , " laughed Faith .

" you just boil it . "

Boil it they did ; but as it did not occur to them to soak it beforehand it was too salty to eat .

that night they were very hungry ; but by the following day their troubles were over .

CHAPTER XI .

a DREADFUL DISCOVERY

" well , you kids have gone and done it now , " was Mary 's greeting , as she joined them in the Valley .

" done what ? " demanded everybody but Walter , who was day-dreaming as usual .

" it 's you manse young ones , I mean , " said Mary .

" it was just awful of you .

" what have WE done ? " asked Faith blankly .

" done !

you 'd BETTER ask !

the talk is something terrible .

I expect it 's ruined your father in this congregation .

he 'll never be able to live it down , poor man !

everybody blames him for it , and that isn't fair .

but nothing IS fair in this world .

you ought to be ashamed of yourselves . "

" what HAVE we done ? " asked Una again , despairingly .

Faith said nothing , but her eyes flashed golden-brown scorn at Mary .

" oh , don't pretend innocence , " said Mary , witheringly .

" everybody knows what you have done . "

" I don't , " interjected Jem Blythe indignantly .

" don't let me catch you making Una cry , Mary Vance .

what are you talking about ? "

" I s'pose you don't know , since you 're just back from up west , " said Mary , somewhat subdued .

Jem could always manage her .

" but everybody else knows , you 'd better believe . "

" knows what ? "

" that Faith and Una stayed home from Sunday School last Sunday and CLEANED HOUSE . "

" we didn't , " cried Faith and Una , in passionate denial .

Mary looked haughtily at them .

" I didn't suppose you 'd deny it , after the way you 've combed ME down for lying , " she said .

" what 's the good of saying you didn't ?

everybody knows you DID .

Elder Clow and his wife saw you .

some people say it will break up the church , but I don't go that far .

you ARE nice ones . "

Nan Blythe stood up and put her arms around the dazed Faith and Una .

" you are VERY grateful , I must say . "

" I AM grateful , " retorted Mary .

" you 'd know it if you 'd heard me standing up for Mr Meredith through thick and thin .

I 've blistered my tongue talking for him this week .

I 've said again and again that he isn't to blame if his young ones did clean house on Sunday .

he was away and they knew better . "

" but we didn't , " protested Una .

" it was MONDAY we cleaned house .

wasn't it , Faith ? "

" of course it was , " said Faith , with flashing eyes .

" it was Saturday it rained , " said Mary .

" Sunday was as fine as silk .

I wasn't at Sunday School because I had toothache , but every one else was and they saw all your stuff out on the lawn .

and Elder Abraham and Mrs Elder Abraham saw you shaking rugs in the graveyard . "

Una sat down among the daisies and began to cry .

" look here , " said Jem resolutely , " this thing must be cleared up .

SOMEBODY has made a mistake .

Sunday WAS fine , Faith .

how could you have thought Saturday was Sunday ? "

so there ! "

" Prayer-meeting was Wednesday night , " said Mary .

" Elder Baxter was to lead and he couldn't go Thursday night and it was changed to Wednesday .

you were just a day out , Faith Meredith , and you DID work on Sunday . "

suddenly Faith burst into a peal of laughter .

" I suppose we did .

what a joke ! "

" it isn't much of a joke for your father , " said Mary sourly .

" it 'll be all right when people find out it was just a mistake , " said Faith carelessly .

" we 'll explain . "

I'VE seen more of the world than you and I know .

besides , there are plenty of folks won't believe it was a mistake . "

" they will if I tell them , " said Faith .

" you can't tell everybody , " said Mary .

" no , I tell you you 've disgraced your father . "

Una 's evening was spoiled by this dire reflection , but Faith refused to be made uncomfortable .

besides , she had a plan that would put everything right .

so she put the past with its mistake behind her and gave herself over to enjoyment of the present .

Jem went away to fish and Walter came out of his reverie and proceeded to describe the woods of heaven .

Mary pricked up her ears and listened respectfully .

despite her awe of Walter she revelled in his " book talk . "

it always gave her a delightful sensation .

Walter had been reading his Coleridge that day , and he pictured a heaven where

" I didn't know there was any woods in heaven , " said Mary , with a long breath .

" I thought it was all streets and streets AND streets . "

" of course there are woods , " said Nan .

they are built of gold and diamonds whole streets of diamonds , flashing like the sun .

in the squares there are crystal fountains kissed by the light , and everywhere the asphodel blooms the flower of heaven . "

" fancy ! " said Mary .

" I saw the main street in Charlottetown once and I thought it was real grand , but I s'pose it 's nothing to heaven .

well , it all sounds gorgeous the way you tell it , but won't it be kind of dull , too ? "

" oh , I guess we can have some fun when the angels ' backs are turned , " said Faith comfortably .

" heaven is ALL fun , " declared Di .

" mother says the Bible language is figurative , " said Nan .

" does that mean that it isn't true ? " asked Mary hopefully .

" no not exactly but I think it means that heaven will be just like what you 'd like it to be . "

" I 'd like it to be just like Rainbow Valley , " said Mary , " with all you kids to gas and play with .

THAT'S good enough for me .

anyhow , we can't go to heaven till we 're dead and maybe not then , so what 's the use of worrying ?

here 's Jem with a string of trout and it 's my turn to fry them . "

" we KNOW just as much , but Walter can IMAGINE , " said Faith .

" Mrs Elliott says he gets it from his mother . "

" I do wish we hadn't made that mistake about Sunday , " sighed Una .

" don't worry over that .

I 've thought of a great plan to explain so that everybody will know , " said Faith .

" just wait till to-morrow night . "

CHAPTER XII .

AN EXPLANATION AND A DARE

the Rev Dr Cooper preached in Glen St Mary the next evening and the Presbyterian Church was crowded with people from near and far .

but when the folks went home that night it was not of Dr Cooper 's sermon they talked .

they had completely forgotten all about it .

there was a slight pause .

Charles Baxter and Thomas Douglas , whose duty it was to pass the plates , were on the point of rising to their feet .

the organist had got out the music of her anthem and the choir had cleared its throat .

suddenly Faith Meredith rose in the manse pew , walked up to the pulpit platform , and faced the amazed audience .

Miss Cornelia half rose in her seat and then sat down again .

there was no use making the exhibition worse than it had to be .

" if the child was only dressed decently itself , " she groaned in spirit .

Faith , having spilled ink on her good dress , had serenely put on an old one of faded pink print .

but Faith was not thinking of her clothes at all .

she was feeling suddenly nervous .

what had seemed easy in imagination was rather hard in reality .

confronted by all those staring questioning eyes Faith 's courage almost failed her .

the lights were so bright , the silence so awesome .

she thought she could not speak after all .

but she MUST her father MUST be cleared of suspicion .

only the words would NOT come .

Una 's little pearl-pure face gleamed up at her beseechingly from the manse pew .

the Blythe children were lost in amazement .

Back under the gallery Faith saw the sweet graciousness of Miss Rosemary West 's smile and the amusement of Miss Ellen 's .

but none of these helped her .

it was Bertie Shakespeare Drew who saved the situation .

Bertie Shakespeare sat in the front seat of the gallery and he made a derisive face at Faith .

she found her voice and spoke out clearly and bravely .

people are saying that Una and I stayed home last Sunday and cleaned house instead of going to Sunday School .

well , we did but we didn't mean to .

we got mixed up in the days of the week .

Carl was laid up sick and so was Aunt Martha , so they couldn't put us right .

we went to Sunday School in all that rain on Saturday and nobody came .

it isn't the dead folks who have made the fuss over this it 's the living folks .

he 's just the best father that ever lived in the world and we love him with all our hearts . "

faith 's bravado ebbed out in a sob .

she ran down the steps and flashed out of the side door of the church .

there the friendly starlit , summer night comforted her and the ache went out of her eyes and throat .

she felt very happy .

inside the church people gazed blankly at each other , but Thomas Douglas rose and walked up the aisle with a set face .

HIS duty was clear ; the collection must be taken if the skies fell .

the Reverend Doctor had a sense of humour and Faith 's performance tickled him .

besides , John Meredith was well known in Presbyterian circles .

Mr Meredith returned home the next afternoon , but before his coming Faith contrived to scandalize Glen St Mary again .

in the reaction from Sunday evening 's intensity and strain she was especially full of what Miss Cornelia would have called " devilment " on Monday .

this led her to dare Walter Blythe to ride through Main Street on a pig , while she rode another one .

Walter did not want to ride a pig through Glen St Mary , but whatever Faith Meredith dared him to do must be done .

they tore down the hill and through the village , Faith bent double with laughter over her terrified courser , Walter crimson with shame .

but he had forgotten the trifling incident by the time he reached home .

they passed Mrs Alec Davis , who shrieked in horror , and they passed Miss Rosemary West who laughed and sighed .

" so that is how you bring up your boys , " said Gilbert with mock severity .

how hungry for love and fun I was an unloved little drudge with never a chance to play !

they do have such good times with the manse children . "

" what about the poor pigs ? " asked Gilbert .

Anne tried to look sober and failed .

" do you really think it hurt them ? " she said .

" I don't think anything could hurt those animals .

they 've been the plague of the neighbourhood this summer and the Drews WON'T shut them up .

but I 'll talk to Walter if I can keep from laughing when I do it . "

Miss Cornelia came up to Ingleside that evening to relieve her feelings over Sunday night .

to her surprise she found that Anne did not view Faith 's performance in quite the same light as she did .

" you could see she was frightened to death yet she was bound to clear her father .

I loved her for it . "

THAT had begun to die away , and this has started it all up again .

Miss Ellen thought it all a good joke , and said she hadn't had as much fun in church for years .

of course THEY don't care they are Episcopalians .

but we Presbyterians feel it .

and there were so many hotel people there that night and scores of Methodists .

Mrs Leander Crawford cried , she felt so bad .

and Mrs Alec Davis said the little hussy ought to be spanked . "

" Mrs Leander Crawford is always crying in church , " said Susan contemptuously .

" she cries over every affecting thing the minister says .

but you do not often see her name on a subscription list , Mrs Dr . dear .

tears come cheaper .

but I could tell worse things than THAT of Mrs Leander Crawford , if I was disposed to gossip .

" if poor Faith had only been decently dressed , " lamented Miss Cornelia again , " it wouldn't have been quite that bad .

but that dress looked dreadful , as she stood there upon the platform . "

" it was clean , though , Mrs Dr . dear , " said Susan .

" they ARE clean children .

" the idea of Faith forgetting what day was Sunday , " persisted Miss Cornelia .

" she will grow up just as careless and impractical as her father , believe ME .

I suppose Carl would have known better if he hadn't been sick .

no wonder they made him sick .

if I was a Methodist I 'd try to keep my graveyard cleaned up at least . "

" I am of the opinion that Carl only ate the sours that grow on the dyke , " said Susan hopefully .

" I do not think ANY minister 's son would eat blueberries that grew on the graves of dead people .

you know it would not be so bad , Mrs Dr dear , to eat things that grew on the dyke . "

" Elder Clow declares she made it at him .

and DID you hear that she was seen riding on a pig to-day ? "

" I saw her .

Walter was with her .

I gave him a little a VERY little scolding about it .

" I do not not believe THAT , Mrs Dr dear , " cried Susan , up in arms .

" that is just Walter 's way to take the blame on himself .

" oh , there 's no doubt the notion was hatched in Faith Meredith 's brain , " said Miss Cornelia .

" and I don't say that I 'm sorry that Amos Drew 's old pigs did get their come-uppance for once .

but the minister 's daughter ! "

" AND the doctor 's son ! " said Anne , mimicking Miss Cornelia 's tone .

then she laughed .

" dear Miss Cornelia , they 're only little children .

and you KNOW they 've never yet done anything bad they 're just heedless and impulsive as I was myself once .

they 'll grow sedate and sober as I 've done . "

Miss Cornelia laughed , too .

well , I feel encouraged .

somehow , a talk with you always does have that effect on me .

now , when I go to see Barbara Samson , it 's just the opposite .

she makes me feel that everything 's wrong and always will be .

but of course living all your life with a man like Joe Samson wouldn't be exactly cheering . "

" it is a very strange thing to think that she married Joe Samson after all her chances , " remarked Susan .

" she was much sought after when she was a girl .

she used to boast to me that she had twenty-one beaus and Mr Pethick . "

" what was Mr Pethick ? "

" well , he was a sort of hanger-on , Mrs Dr dear , but you could not exactly call him a beau .

he did not really have any intentions .

twenty-one beaus and me that never had one !

but Barbara went through the woods and picked up the crooked stick after all .

" Mary said she could set it and no doubt she could .

but while I live and move and have my being I set my own bread , believe me . "

" how is Mary getting on ? " asked Anne .

" I 've no fault to find with Mary , " said Miss Cornelia rather gloomily .

" she 's getting some flesh on her bones and she 's clean and respectful though there 's more in her than I can fathom .

she 's a sly puss .

if you dug for a thousand years you couldn't get to the bottom of that child 's mind , believe ME !

as for work , I never saw anything like her .

she EATS it up .

Mrs Wiley may have been cruel to her , but folks needn't say she made Mary work .

Mary 's a born worker .

sometimes I wonder which will wear out first her legs or her tongue .

I don't have enough to do to keep me out of mischief these days .

I 'll be real glad when school opens , for then I 'll have something to do again .

Mary doesn't want to go to school , but I put my foot down and said that go she must .

I shall NOT have the Methodists saying that I kept her out of school while I lolled in idleness . "

CHAPTER XIII .

THE HOUSE ON THE HILL

not a great many people knew of its existence .

the manse and Ingleside children knew , of course , as they knew everything else about the magic valley .

occasionally they went there to get a drink , and it figured in many of their plays as a fountain of old romance .

Anne knew of it and loved it because it somehow reminded her of the beloved Dryad 's Bubble at Green Gables .

Rosemary West knew of it ; it was her fountain of romance , too .

eighteen years ago she had sat behind it one spring twilight and heard young Martin Crawford stammer out a confession of fervent , boyish love .

she had whispered her own secret in return , and they had kissed and promised by the wild wood spring .

the spring was a hidden thing .

you might have passed within ten feet of it and never have suspected its existence .

two generations past a huge old pine had fallen almost across it .

John Meredith , under all his shyness and aloofness , had the heart of a boy .

he had been called Jack in his youth , though nobody in Glen St Mary would ever have believed it .

Walter and he had taken to each other and had talked unreservedly .

Mr Meredith found his way into some sealed and sacred chambers of the lad 's soul wherein not even Di had ever looked .

they were to be chums from that friendly hour and Walter knew that he would never be frightened of the minister again .

" I never believed before that it was possible to get really acquainted with a minister , " he told his mother that night .

the moon was rising .

he sat there and dreamed like any boy .

and it was at this propitious moment that Rosemary West stepped aside from the by-path and stood beside him in that dangerous , spell-weaving place .

John Meredith stood up as she came in and saw her REALLY saw her for the first time .

before to-night , if anyone had asked John Meredith what Rosemary West looked like he would not have had the slightest notion .

but he was never to forget her , as she appeared to him in the glamour of kind moonlight by the spring .

she was certainly not in the least like Cecilia , who had always been his ideal of womanly beauty .

Rosemary West was always called a " sweet woman . "

life had taught her to be brave , to be patient , to love , to forgive .

she had watched the ship on which her lover went sailing out of Four Winds Harbour into the sunset .

but , though she watched long , she had never seen it coming sailing back .

that vigil had taken girlhood from her eyes , yet she kept her youth to a marvellous degree .

John Meredith was startled by her loveliness and Rosemary was startled by his presence .

she had never thought she would find anyone by that remote spring , least of all the recluse of Glen St Mary manse .

she felt that she was an unpardonable goose and she longed to shake herself .

" let me get you a cup , " he said smiling .

deftly he fashioned this into a three-cornered cup , filled it from the spring , and handed it to Rosemary .

yet the memory of that draught was to be very pleasant to Rosemary .

In after years it seemed to her that there was something sacramental about it .

perhaps this was because of what the minister did when she handed him back the cup .

he stooped again and filled it and drank of it himself .

it was only by accident that he put his lips just where Rosemary had put hers , and Rosemary knew it .

nevertheless , it had a curious significance for her .

they two had drunk of the same cup .

John Meredith held the cup uncertainly .

he did not know what to do with it .

the logical thing would have been to toss it away , but somehow he was disinclined to do this .

rosemary held out her hand for it .

" will you let me have it ? " she said .

" you made it so knackily .

I never saw anyone make a birch cup so since my little brother used to make them long ago before he died . "

" I learned how to make them when I was a boy , camping out one summer .

an old hunter taught me , " said Mr Meredith .

" let me carry your books , Miss West . "

rosemary was startled into another fib and said oh , they were not heavy .

but the minister took them from her with quite a masterful air and they walked away together .

it was the first time Rosemary had stood by the valley spring without thinking of Martin Crawford .

the mystic tryst had been broken .

the little by-path wound around the marsh and then struck up the long wooded hill on the top of which Rosemary lived .

beyond , through the trees , they could see the moonlight shining across the level summer fields .

but the little path was shadowy and narrow .

trees crowded over it , and trees are never quite as friendly to human beings after nightfall as they are in daylight .

they wrap themselves away from us .

they whisper and plot furtively .

if they reach out a hand to us it has a hostile , tentative touch .

rosemary 's dress brushed against John Meredith as they walked .

it is never quite safe to think we have done with life .

when we imagine we have finished our story fate has a trick of turning the page and showing us yet another chapter .

these two people each thought their hearts belonged irrevocably to the past ; but they both found their walk up that hill very pleasant .

Rosemary thought the Glen minister was by no means as shy and tongue-tied as he had been represented .

he seemed to find no difficulty in talking easily and freely .

Glen housewives would have been amazed had they heard him .

but then so many Glen housewives talked only gossip and the price of eggs , and John Meredith was not interested in either .

rosemary , it appeared , possessed a book which Mr Meredith had not read and wished to read .

she offered to lend it to him and when they reached the old homestead on the hill he went in to get it .

the house itself was an old-fashioned gray one , hung with vines , through which the light in the sitting-room winked in friendly fashion .

it looked down the Glen , over the harbour , silvered in the moonlight , to the sand-dunes and the moaning ocean .

they walked in through a garden that always seemed to smell of roses , even when no roses were in bloom .

" you have the whole world at your doorstep here , " said John Meredith , with a long breath .

" what a view what an outlook !

at times I feel stifled down there in the Glen .

you can breathe up here . "

" it is calm to-night , " said Rosemary laughing .

" if there were a wind it would blow your breath away .

we get ' a ' the airts the wind can blow ' up here .

this place should be called Four Winds instead of the Harbour . "

" I like wind , " he said .

" a day when there is no wind seems to me DEAD .

a windy day wakes me up . "

he gave a conscious laugh .

" on a calm day I fall into day dreams .

no doubt you know my reputation , Miss West .

if I cut you dead the next time we meet don't put it down to bad manners .

please understand that it is only abstraction and forgive me and speak to me . "

they found Ellen West in the sitting room when they went in .

she laid her glasses down on the book she had been reading and looked at them in amazement tinctured with something else .

but she shook hands amiably with Mr Meredith and he sat down and talked to her , while Rosemary hunted out his book .

Ellen West was ten years older than Rosemary , and so different from her that it was hard to believe they were sisters .

she had her chance now and she tackled him on world politics .

" a dangerous man , " was his answer .

" I believe you ! "

Miss Ellen nodded .

" mark my words , Mr Meredith , that man is going to fight somebody yet .

he 's ACHING to .

he is going to set the world on fire . "

" if you mean that he will wantonly precipitate a great war I hardly think so , " said Mr Meredith .

" the day has gone by for that sort of thing . "

" bless you , it hasn't , " rumbled Ellen .

" the day never goes by for men and nations to make asses of themselves and take to the fists .

the millenniun isn't THAT near , Mr Meredith , and YOU don't think it is any more than I do .

" yes , if he isn't nipped in the bud he 's going to make trouble .

WE'LL live to see it you and I will live to see it , Mr Meredith .

and who is going to nip him ?

England should , but she won't .

WHO is going to nip him ?

tell me that , Mr Meredith . "

Mr Meredith couldn't tell her , but they plunged into a discussion of German militarism that lasted long after Rosemary had found the book .

Rosemary said nothing , but sat in a little rocker behind Ellen and stroked an important black cat meditatively .

John Meredith hunted big game in Europe with Ellen , but he looked oftener at Rosemary than at Ellen , and Ellen noticed it .

after Rosemary had gone to the door with him and come back Ellen rose and looked at her accusingly .

" Rosemary West , that man has a notion of courting you . "

rosemary quivered .

Ellen 's speech was like a blow to her .

it rubbed all the bloom off the pleasant evening .

but she would not let Ellen see how it hurt her .

" nonsense , " she said , and laughed , a little too carelessly .

" you see a beau for me in every bush , Ellen .

why he told me all about his wife to-night how much she was to him how empty her death had left the world . "

" well , that may be HIS way of courting , " retorted Ellen .

" men have all kinds of ways , I understand .

but don't forget your promise , Rosemary . "

" there is no need of my either forgetting or remembering it , " said Rosemary , a little wearily .

" YOU forget that I 'm an old maid , Ellen .

it is only your sisterly delusion that I am still young and blooming and dangerous .

Mr Meredith merely wants to be a friend if he wants that much itself .

he 'll forget us both long before he gets back to the manse . "

" I 've no objection to your being friends with him , " conceded Ellen , " but it musn't go beyond friendship , remember .

I 'm always suspicious of widowers .

they are not given to romantic ideas about friendship .

they 're apt to mean business .

as for this Presbyterian man , what do they call him shy for ?

he 's got brains , too .

there 's so few men round here that can talk sense to a body .

I 've enjoyed the evening .

I wouldn't mind seeing more of him .

but no philandering , Rosemary , mind you no philandering . "

she had always laughed at the warning with unfeigned amusement .

this time it did not amuse her it irritated her a little .

who wanted to philander ?

" don't be such a goose , Ellen , " she said with unaccustomed shortness as she took her lamp .

she went upstairs without saying goodnight .

Ellen shook her head dubiously and looked at the black cat .

" what is she so cross about , St George ? " she asked .

" when you howl you 're hit , I 've always heard , George .

but she promised , Saint she promised , and we Wests always keep our word .

so it won't matter if he does want to philander , George .

she promised .

I won't worry . "

she felt vaguely upset and unsettled .

she was suddenly tired of outworn dreams .

and in the garden the petals of the last red rose were scattered by a sudden little wind .

summer was over it was autumn .

CHAPTER XIV .

MRS ALEC DAVIS MAKES A CALL

John Meredith walked slowly home .

he passed through Rainbow Valley and knew it not .

the charm of Rainbow Valley had no potency against German theology .

old Mrs Marshall , over-harbour , was very ill and sent for him , but the message lay unheeded on his desk and gathered dust .

Mrs Marshall recovered but never forgave him .

" dear me , " he said absently , " that is strange very strange . "

the bride , who was very nervous , began to cry .

the bridegroom , who was not in the least nervous , giggled .

" please , sir , I think you 're burying us instead of marrying us , " he said .

" excuse me , " said Mr Meredith , as it it did not matter much .

he forgot his prayer-meeting again but that did not matter , for it was a wet night and nobody came .

he might even have forgotten his Sunday service if it had not been for Mrs Alec Davis .

Aunt Martha came in on Saturday afternoon and told him that Mrs Davis was in the parlour and wanted to see him .

Mr Meredith sighed .

Mrs Davis was the only woman in Glen St Mary church whom he positively detested .

unfortunately , she was also the richest , and his board of managers had warned Mr Meredith against offending her .

Mr Meredith seldom thought of such a worldly matter as his stipend ; but the managers were more practical .

also , they were astute .

without mentioning money , they contrived to instil into Mr Meredith 's mind a conviction that he should not offend Mrs Davis .

otherwise , he would likely have forgotten all about her as soon as Aunt Martha had gone out .

as it was , he turned down his Ewald with a feeling of annoyance and went across the hall to the parlour .

Mrs Davis was sitting on the sofa , looking about her with an air of scornful disapproval .

what a scandalous room !

there were no curtains on the window .

the blinds were cracked and torn .

" what are we coming to ? "

Mrs Davis asked herself , and then primmed up her unbeautiful mouth .

Jerry and Carl had been whooping and sliding down the banisters as she came through the hall .

they did not see her and continued whooping and sliding , and Mrs Davis was convinced they did it on purpose .

faith 's pet rooster ambled through the hall , stood in the parlour doorway and looked at her .

not liking her looks , he did not venture in .

Mrs Davis gave a scornful sniff .

A pretty manse , indeed , where roosters paraded the halls and stared people out of countenance .

" shoo , there , " commanded Mrs Davis , poking her flounced , changeable-silk parasol at him .

Adam shooed .

Adam scuttled through the hall as the minister came in .

Mr Meredith still wore slippers and dressing gown , and his dark hair still fell in uncared-for locks over his high brow .

each felt the antagonisn of the other 's personality .

Mr Meredith shrank , but Mrs Davis girded up her loins for the fray .

she had come to the manse to propose a certain thing to the minister and she meant to lose no time in proposing it .

she was going to do him a favour a great favour and the sooner he was made aware of it the better .

she had been thinking about it all summer and had come to a decision at last .

this was all that mattered , Mrs Davis thought .

when she decided a thing it WAS decided .

nobody else had any say in the matter .

that had always been her attitude .

when she had made her mind up to marry Alec Davis she had married him and that was the end to it .

Alec had never known how it happened , but what odds ?

so in this case Mrs Davis had arranged everything to her own satisfaction .

now it only remained to inform Mr Meredith .

" will you please shut that door ? " said Mrs Davis , unprimming her mouth slightly to say it , but speaking with asperity .

" I have something important to say , and I can't say it with that racket in the hall . "

Mr Meredith shut the door meekly .

then he sat down before Mrs Davis .

he was not wholly aware of her yet .

his mind was still wrestling with Ewald 's arguments .

Mrs Davis sensed this detachment and it annoyed her .

" I have come to tell you , Mr Meredith , " she said aggressively , " that I have decided to adopt Una . "

" to adopt Una ! "

Mr Meredith gazed at her blankly , not understanding in the least .

" yes .

I 've been thinking it over for some time .

I have often thought of adopting a child , since my husband 's death .

but it seemed so hard to get a suitable one .

it is very few children I would want to take into MY home .

I wouldn't think of taking a home child some outcast of the slums in all probability .

and there is hardly ever any other child to be got .

one of the fishermen down at the harbour died last fall and left six youngsters .

their grandfather stole a horse .

besides , they were all boys and I wanted a girl a quiet , obedient girl that I could train up to be a lady .

Una will suit me exactly .

she would be a nice little thing if she was properly looked after so different from Faith .

I would never dream of adopting Faith .

not one of my own relatives shall have a cent of it in any case , I 'm determined on that .

it was the idea of aggravating them that set me to thinking of adopting a child as much as anything in the first place .

Mr Meredith was wide enough awake by this time .

there was a faint flush in his pale cheek and a dangerous light in his fine dark eyes .

Cecilia had clung to her baby until the gates of death had shut between them .

she had looked over the little dark head to her husband .

" take good care of her , John , " she had entreated .

" she is so small and sensitive .

the others can fight their way but the world will hurt HER .

oh , John , I don't know what you and she are going to do .

you both need me so much .

but keep her close to you keep her close to you . "

these had been almost her last words except a few unforgettable ones for him alone .

and it was this child whom Mrs Davis had coolly announced her intention of taking from him .

he sat up straight and looked at Mrs Davis .

after all , there WAS a certain divinity hedging a minister , even a poor , unworldly , abstracted one .

Mrs Davis looked blank .

she had never dreamed of his refusing .

" why , Mr Meredith , " she said in astonishment .

" you must be cr you can't mean it .

you must think it over think of all the advantages I can give her . "

" there is no need to think it over , Mrs Davis .

it is entirely out of the question .

all the worldly advantages it is in your power to bestow on her could not compensate for the loss of a father 's love and care .

I thank you again but it is not to be thought of . "

disappointment angered Mrs Davis beyond the power of old habit to control .

her broad red face turned purple and her voice trembled .

" I thought you 'd be only too glad to let me have her , " she sneered .

" why did you think that ? " asked Mr Meredith quietly .

" because nobody ever supposed you cared anything about any of your children , " retorted Mrs Davis contemptuously .

" you neglect them scandalously .

it is the talk of the place .

they aren't fed and dressed properly , and they 're not trained at all .

they have no more manners than a pack of wild Indians .

you never think of doing your duty as a father .

YOU wouldn't have cared if they 'd caught small-pox from her .

and Faith made an exhibition of herself getting up in preaching and making that speech !

and she rid a pig down the street under your very eyes I understand .

the way they act is past belief and you never lift a finger to stop them or try to teach them anything .

and now when I offer one of them a good home and good prospects you refuse it and insult me .

a pretty father you , to talk of loving and caring for your children ! "

" that will do , woman ! " said Mr Meredith .

he stood up and looked at Mrs Davis with eyes that made her quail .

" that will do , " he repeated .

" I desire to hear no more , Mrs Davis .

you have said too much .

let us say good afternoon . "

Mrs Davis did not say anything half so amiable as good afternoon , but she took her departure .

Mrs Davis gave a shriek and in trying to avoid treading on the awful thing , lost her balance and her parasol .

but Mrs Davis , recovering her feet , waved him back furiously .

" don't you dare to touch me , " she almost shouted .

" this is some more of your children 's doings , I suppose .

this is no fit place for a decent woman .

give me my umbrella and let me go .

I 'll never darken the doors of your manse or your church again . "

Mr Meredith picked up the gorgeous parasol meekly enough and gave it to her .

Mrs Davis seized it and marched out .

Jerry and Carl had given up banister sliding and were sitting on the edge of the veranda with Faith .

Mrs Davis believed the song was meant for her and her only .

she stopped and shook her parasol at them .

" he isn't , " cried Faith .

" We're not , " cried the boys .

but Mrs Davis was gone .

" Goodness , isn't she mad ! " said Jerry .

" and what is a ' varmint ' anyhow ? "

John Meredith paced up and down the parlour for a few minutes ; then he went back to his study and sat down .

but he did not return to his German theology .

he was too grievously disturbed for that .

Mrs Davis had wakened him up with a vengeance .

WAS he such a remiss , careless father as she had accused him of being ?

HAD he so scandalously neglected the bodily and spiritual welfare of the four little motherless creatures dependent on him ?

WERE his people talking of it as harshly as Mrs Davis had declared ?

and , if so , what then ?

John Meredith groaned and resumed his pacing up and down the dusty , disordered room .

what could he do ?

but WAS he fit to have charge of them ?

he knew none better his weaknesses and limitations .

what was needed was a good woman 's presence and influence and common sense .

but how could that be arranged ?

Even were he able to get such a housekeeper it would cut Aunt Martha to the quick .

she believed she could still do all that was meet and necessary .

he could not so hurt and insult the poor old woman who had been so kind to him and his .

how devoted she had been to Cecilia !

and Cecilia had asked him to be very considerate of Aunt Martha .

to be sure , he suddenly remembered that Aunt Martha had once hinted that he ought to marry again .

he felt she would not resent a wife as she would a housekeeper .

but that was out of the question .

he did not wish to marry he did not and could not care for anyone .

then what could he do ?

it suddenly occurred to him that he would go over to Ingleside and talk over his difficulties with Mrs Blythe .

Mrs Blythe was one of the few women he never felt shy or tongue-tied with .

she was always so sympathetic and refreshing .

it might be that she could suggest some solution of his problems .

he dressed hurriedly and ate his supper less abstractedly than usual .

it occurred to him that it was a poor meal .

they were all laughing and talking certainly they seemed happy .

Carl was especially happy because he had two most beautiful spiders crawling around his supper plate .

their voices were pleasant , their manners did not seem bad , they were considerate of and gentle to one another .

yet Mrs Davis had said their behaviour was the talk of the congregation .

as Mr Meredith went through his gate Dr Blythe and Mrs Blythe drove past on the road that led to Lowbridge .

the minister 's face fell .

Mrs Blythe was going away there was no use in going to Ingleside .

and he craved a little companionship more than ever .

as he gazed rather hopelessly over the landscape the sunset light struck on a window of the old West homestead on the hill .

it flared out rosily like a beacon of good hope .

he suddenly remembered Rosemary and Ellen West .

he thought that he would relish some of Ellen 's pungent conversation .

he thought it would be pleasant to see Rosemary 's slow , sweet smile and calm , heavenly blue eyes again .

what did that old poem of Sir Philip Sidney 's say ? " continual comfort in a face " that just suited her .

and he needed comfort .

why not go and call ?

it was surely his duty to guard against that in this case .

he went back into his study , got the book , and plunged downward into Rainbow Valley .

CHAPTER XV .

MORE GOSSIP

on the evening after Mrs Myra Murray of the over-harbour section had been buried Miss Cornelia and Mary Vance came up to Ingleside .

there were several things concerning which Miss Cornelia wished to unburden her soul .

the funeral had to be all talked over , of course .

Susan and Miss Cornelia thrashed this out between them ; Anne took no part or delight in such goulish conversations .

Mary Vance sat beside her , knitting meekly .

she had to knit so many rounds of her stocking before she might go to the valley .

Mary knit and held her tongue , but used her ears .

" I never saw a nicer looking corpse , " said Miss Cornelia judicially .

" Myra Murray was always a pretty woman she was a Corey from Lowbridge and the Coreys were noted for their good looks . "

" I said to the corpse as I passed it , ' poor woman .

I hope you are as happy as you look . ' " sighed Susan .

" she had not changed much .

that dress she wore was the black satin she got for her daughter 's wedding fourteen years ago .

and I may say she did .

Myra Murray was not a woman to attend her own funeral before she died .

and you see my words have come true , Mrs Marshall Elliott . "

Susan sighed again heavily .

she was enjoying herself hugely .

a funeral was really a delightful subject of conversation .

" I always liked to meet Myra , " said Miss Cornelia .

" she was always so gay and cheerful she made you feel better just by her handshake .

Myra always made the best of things . "

" that is true , " asserted Susan .

I always liked house-cleaning in spring , ' she says , ' but I always hated it in the fall .

I will get clear of it this year , thank goodness . '

there are people who would call that levity , Mrs Marshall Elliott , and I think her sister-in-law was a little ashamed of it .

she said perhaps her sickness had made Myra a little light-headed .

but I said , ' No , Mrs Murray , do not worry over it .

it was just Myra 's way of looking at the bright side . ' "

" her sister Luella was just the opposite , " said Miss Cornelia .

" there was no bright side for Luella there was just black and shades of gray .

for years she used always to be declaring she was going to die in a week or so .

' I won't be here to burden you long , ' she would tell her family with a groan .

she has better health now but no more cheerfulness .

Myra was so different .

she was always doing or saying something to make some one feel good .

perhaps the men they married had something to do with it .

Luella 's man was a Tartar , believe ME , while Jim Murray was decent , as men go .

he looked heart-broken to-day .

it isn't often I feel sorry for a man at his wife 's funeral , but I did feel for Jim Murray . "

" no wonder he looked sad .

he will not get a wife like Myra again in a hurry , " said Susan .

" maybe he will not try , since his children are all grown up and Mirabel is able to keep house .

but there is no predicting what a widower may or may not do and I , for one , will not try . "

" we 'll miss Myra terrible in church , " said Miss Cornelia .

" she was such a worker .

nothing ever stumped HER .

' I 'll keep a stiff upper lip to my journey 's end , ' said she to me once .

well , she has ended her journey . "

" do you think so ? " asked Anne suddenly , coming back from dreamland .

" I can't picture HER journey as being ended .

can YOU think of her sitting down and folding her hands that eager , asking spirit of hers , with its fine adventurous outlook ?

no , I think in death she just opened a gate and went through on on to new , shining adventures . "

" maybe maybe , " assented Miss Cornelia .

I want to bustle round in heaven the same as here .

and I hope there 'll be a celestial substitute for pies and doughnuts something that has to be MADE .

of course , one does get awful tired at times and the older you are the tireder you get .

but the very tiredest could get rested in something short of eternity , you 'd think except , perhaps , a lazy man . "

" why not , Susan ?

do you think we will be crying there ? "

" no , no , Mrs Dr dear , do not misunderstand me .

I do not think we shall be either crying or laughing . "

" what then ? "

the idea seems really irreverent , Mrs Dr dear . "

" I heard that Mrs Laurie Jamieson wanted it , " said Anne .

" the Jamiesons have come to church very regularly since they moved to the Glen from Lowbridge . "

" new brooms ! " said Miss Cornelia dubiously .

" wait till they 've gone regularly for a year . "

" you cannot depend on Mrs Jamieson a bit , Mrs Dr dear , " said Susan solemnly .

now , Mrs. Dr. dear , you know you CANNOT depend on a woman like that . "

" she might turn Methodist at any moment , " said Miss Cornelia .

" they tell me they went to the Methodist Church at Lowbridge quite as often as to the Presbyterian .

I haven't caught them at it here yet , but I would not approve of taking Mrs Jamieson into the Sunday School .

yet we must not offend them .

we are losing too many people , by death or bad temper .

Mrs Alec Davis has left the church , no one knows why .

she told the managers that she would never pay another cent to Mr Meredith 's salary .

of course , most people say that the children offended her , but somehow I don't think so .

" Varmints , indeed ! " said Susan furiously .

" does Mrs Alec Davis forget that her uncle on her mother 's side was suspected of poisoning his wife ?

not that it was ever proved , Mrs Dr dear , and it does not do to believe all you hear .

" I do not think Mrs Alec Davis is very well liked by the rest of the clan , " said Susan .

" it is not likely she will be able to influence them . "

" but those Douglases all hang together so .

if you touch one , you touch all .

we can't do without them , so much is certain .

they pay half the salary .

they are not mean , whatever else may be said of them .

Norman Douglas used to give a hundred a year long ago before he left . "

" what did he leave for ? " asked Anne .

" he declared a member of the session cheated him in a cow deal .

he hasn't come to church for twenty years .

she felt dreadfully humiliated .

I don't know that he was any too good a husband to her , though she was never heard to complain .

but she always had a cowed look .

Norman Douglas didn't get the woman he wanted thirty years ago and the Douglases never liked to put up with second best . "

" who was the woman he did want . "

" Ellen West .

they weren't engaged exactly , I believe , but they went about together for two years .

and then they just broke off nobody ever know why .

Just some silly quarrel , I suppose .

and Norman went and married Hester Reese before his temper had time to cool married her just to spite Ellen , I haven't a doubt .

so like a man !

Hester was a nice little thing , but she never had much spirit and he broke what little she had .

she was too meek for Norman .

he needed a woman who could stand up to him .

Ellen would have kept him in fine order and he would have liked her all the better for it .

he despised Hester , that is the truth , just because she always gave in to him .

and then he went and married a girl who couldn't say boo to a goose man-like .

that family of Reeses were just vegetables .

they went through the motions of living , but they didn't LIVE . "

" Russell Reese used his first wife 's wedding-ring to marry his second , " said Susan reminiscently .

" that was TOO economical in my opinion , Mrs Dr . dear .

most folks would not consider that much fun , but it is plain he does .

people do have such different ideas of enjoyment .

as for Norman Douglas , he is a perfect heathen .

" oh , Norman doesn't believe there is such a place , " said Miss Cornelia .

" I hope he 'll find out his mistake when he comes to die .

there , Mary , you 've knit your three inches and you can go and play with the children for half an hour . "

Mary needed no second bidding .

" I don't know what is to be done , honest to goodness .

if only old Norman Douglas would come back to church and pay , it wouldn't be so bad .

but he won't and the Douglases will leave and you all will have to go . "

faith carried a heavy heart to bed with her that night .

the thought of leaving the Glen was unbearable .

nowhere else in the world were there such chums as the Blythes .

she could not contemplate calmly the thought of such another and harder wrench .

she COULDN'T leave Glen St . Mary and dear Rainbow Valley and that delicious graveyard .

" it 's awful to be minister 's family , " groaned Faith into her pillow .

" just as soon as you get fond of a place you are torn up by the roots .

I'll never , never , NEVER marry a minister , no matter how nice he is . "

faith sat up in bed and looked out of the little vine-hung window .

the night was very still , the silence broken only by Una 's soft breathing .

faith felt terribly alone in the world .

she could see Glen St Mary lying under the starry blue meadows of the autumn night .

over the valley a light shone from the girls ' room at Ingleside , and another from Walter 's room .

faith wondered if poor Walter had toothache again .

then she sighed , with a little passing sigh of envy of Nan and Di .

away beyond the Glen , amid fields that were very quiet with sleep , another light was burning .

faith knew it shone in the house where Norman Douglas lived .

he was reputed to sit up all hours of the night reading .

Mary had said if he could only be induced to return to the church all would be well .

and why not ?

she knew what ought to be done and she , Faith Meredith , would do it .

she would make everything right .

with a sigh of satisfaction , she turned from the lonely , dark world and cuddled down beside Una .

CHAPTER XVI .

TIT FOR TAT

with Faith , to decide was to act .

she lost no time in carrying out the idea .

as soon as she came home from school the next day she left the manse and made her way down the Glen .

Walter Blythe joined her as she passed the post office .

" I 'm going to Mrs Elliott 's on an errand for mother , " he said .

" where are you going , Faith ? "

" I am going somewhere on church business , " said Faith loftily .

she did not volunteer any further information and Walter felt rather snubbed .

they walked on in silence for a little while .

it was a warm , windy evening with a sweet , resinous air .

beyond the sand dunes were gray seas , soft and beautiful .

the Glen brook bore down a freight of gold and crimson leaves , like fairy shallops .

Faith cruelly broke up the august assembly by climbing up on the fence and hurling a broken rail at it .

instantly the air was filled with flapping black wings and indignant caws .

" why did you do that ? " said Walter reproachfully .

" they were having such a good time . "

" oh , I hate crows , " said Faith airily .

" the are so black and sly I feel sure they 're hypocrites .

they steal little birds ' eggs out of their nests , you know .

I saw one do it on our lawn last spring .

Walter , what makes you so pale to-day ?

did you have the toothache again last night ? "

Walter shivered .

" yes a raging one .

that helped ever so much for a while and then I got so bad I couldn't imagine anything . "

" did you cry ? " asked Faith anxiously .

" no but I lay down on the floor and groaned , " admitted Walter .

Susan said it served me right for sitting up in the cold garret yesterday writing poetry trash .

but she started up the kitchen fire and got me a hot-water bottle and it stopped the toothache .

as soon as I felt better I told Susan my poetry wasn't trash and she wasn't any judge .

now you know , Faith , that isn't so .

" why don't you go to the dentist at Lowbridge and get the tooth out ? "

Walter shivered again .

" they want me to but I can't .

it would hurt so . "

" are you afraid of a little pain ? " asked Faith contemptuously .

Walter flushed .

" it would be a BIG pain .

I hate being hurt .

father said he wouldn't insist on my going he 'd wait until I 'd made up my own mind to go . "

" it wouldn't hurt as long as the toothache , " argued Faith , " you 've had five spells of toothache .

if you 'd just go and have it out there 'd be no more bad nights .

I had a tooth out once .

I yelled for a moment , but it was all over then only the bleeding . "

" the bleeding is worst of all it 's so ugly , " cried Walter .

" it just made me sick when Jem cut his foot last summer .

Susan said I looked more like fainting than Jem did .

but I couldn't hear to see Jem hurt , either .

somebody is always getting hurt , Faith and it 's awful .

I just can't BEAR to see things hurt .

it makes me just want to run and run and run till I can't hear or see them . "

" there 's no use making a fuss over anyone getting hurt , " said Faith , tossing her curls .

but I don't want to run I want to go to work and help them .

your father HAS to hurt people lots of times to cure them .

what would they do if HE ran away ? "

" I didn't say I WOULD run .

I said I WANTED to run .

that 's a different thing .

I want to help people , too .

but oh , I wish there weren't any ugly , dreadful things in the world .

I wish everything was glad and beautiful . "

" well , don't let's think of what isn't , " said Faith .

" after all , there 's lots of fun in being alive .

you wouldn't have toothache if you were dead , but still , wouldn't you lots rather be alive than dead ?

I would , a hundred times .

oh , here 's Dan Reese .

he 's been down to the harbour for fish . "

" I hate Dan Reese , " said Walter .

" so do I. all us girls do .

I 'm just going to walk past and never take the least notice of him .

you watch me ! "

faith accordingly stalked past Dan with her chin out and an expression of scorn that bit into his soul .

he turned and shouted after her .

" Pig-girl !

Pig-girl ! !

Pig-girl ! ! ! " in a crescendo of insult .

faith walked on , seemingly oblivious .

but her lip trembled slightly with a sense of outrage .

she knew she was no match for Dan Reese when it came to an exchange of epithets .

she wished Jem Blythe had been with her instead of Walter .

if Dan Reese had dared to call her a pig-girl in Jem 's hearing , Jem would have wiped up the dust with him .

but it never occurred to Faith to expect Walter to do it , or blame him for not doing it .

Walter , she knew , never fought other boys .

neither did Charlie Clow of the north road .

the strange part was that , while she despised Charlie for a coward , it never occurred to her to disdain Walter .

it was simply that he seemed to her an inhabitant of a world of his own , where different traditions prevailed .

Faith would as soon have expected a starry-eyed young angel to pummel dirty , freckled Dan Reese for her as Walter Blythe .

she would not have blamed the angel and she did not blame Walter Blythe .

but she wished that sturdy Jem or Jerry had been there and Dan 's insult continued to rankle in her soul .

Walter was pale no longer .

he had flushed crimson and his beautiful eyes were clouded with shame and anger .

he knew that he ought to have avenged Faith .

Jem would have sailed right in and made Dan eat his words with bitter sauce .

Ritchie Warren would have overwhelmed Dan with worse " names " than Dan had called Faith .

but Walter could not simply could not " call names . "

he knew he would get the worst of it .

he could never conceive or utter the vulgar , ribald insults of which Dan Reese had unlimited command .

and as for the trial by fist , Walter couldn't fight .

he hated the idea .

it was rough and painful and , worst of all , it was ugly .

he never could understand Jem 's exultation in an occasional conflict .

but he wished he COULD fight Dan Reese .

he was horribly ashamed because Faith Meredith had been insulted in his presence and he had not tried to punish her insulter .

he felt sure she must despise him .

she had not even spoken to him since Dan had called her pig-girl .

he was glad when they came to the parting of the ways .

Faith , too , was relieved , though for a different reason .

she wanted to be alone because she suddenly felt rather nervous about her errand .

impulse had cooled , especially since Dan had bruised her self-respect .

she must go through with it , but she no longer had enthusiasm to sustain her .

she was going to see Norman Douglas and ask him to come back to church , and she began to be afraid of him .

what had seemed so easy and simple up at the Glen seemed very different down here .

she had heard a good deal about Norman Douglas , and she knew that even the biggest boys in school were afraid of him .

suppose he called her something nasty she had heard he was given to that .

faith could not endure being called names they subdued her far more quickly than a physical blow .

but she would go on Faith Meredith always went on .

if she did not her father might have to leave the Glen .

on the back veranda Norman Douglas himself was sitting , reading a newspaper .

his big dog was beside him .

Norman Douglas was rather a fine-looking personage in his way .

his high , white forehead was unwrinkled and his blue eyes could flash still with all the fire of his tempestuous youth .

he could be very amiable when he liked , and he could be very terrible .

Poor Faith , so anxiously bent on retrieving the situation in regard to the church , had caught him in one of his terrible moods .

he did not know who she was and he gazed at her with disfavour .

Norman Douglas liked girls of spirit and flame and laughter .

at this moment Faith was very pale .

she was of the type to which colour means everything .

lacking her crimson cheeks she seemed meek and even insignificant .

she looked apologetic and afraid , and the bully in Norman Douglas 's heart stirred .

" who the dickens are you ?

and what do you want here ? " he demanded in his great resounding voice , with a fierce scowl .

for once in her life Faith had nothing to say .

she had never supposed Norman Douglas was like THIS .

she was paralyzed with terror of him .

he saw it and it made him worse .

" what 's the matter with you ? " he boomed .

" you look as if you wanted to say something and was scared to say it .

what 's troubling you ?

confound it , speak up , can't you ? "

no .

Faith could not speak up .

no words would come .

but her lips began to tremble .

" for heaven 's sake , don't cry , " shouted Norman .

" I can't stand snivelling .

if you 've anything to say , say it and have done .

Great Kitty , is the girl possessed of a dumb spirit ?

don't look at me like that I'm human I haven't got a tail !

who are you who are you , I say ? "

Norman 's voice could have been heard at the harbour .

operations in the kitchen were suspended .

Mrs Wilson was listening open-eared and eyed .

Norman put his huge brown hands on his knees and leaned forward , staring into Faith 's pallid , shrinking face .

he seemed to loom over her like some evil giant out of a fairy tale .

she felt as if he would eat her up next thing , body and bones .

" I am Faith Meredith , " she said , in little more than a whisper .

" Meredith , hey ?

one of the parson 's youngsters , hey ?

I 've heard of you I 've heard of you !

riding on pigs and breaking the Sabbath !

a nice lot !

what do you want here , hey ?

what do you want of the old pagan , hey ?

I don't ask favours of parsons and I don't give any .

what do you want , I say ? "

Faith wished herself a thousand miles away .

she stammered out her thought in its naked simplicity .

" I came to ask you to go to church and pay to the salary . "

Norman glared at her .

then he burst forth again .

" you impudent hussy you !

who put you up to it , jade ?

who put you up to it ? "

" nobody , " said poor Faith .

" that 's a lie .

don't lie to me !

who sent you here ?

it wasn't your father he hasn't the smeddum of a flea but he wouldn't send you to do what he dassn't do himself .

I suppose it was some of them confounded old maids at the Glen , was it was it , hey ? "

" no I I just came myself . "

" do you take me for a fool ? " shouted Norman .

" no I thought you were a gentleman , " said Faith faintly , and certainly without any thought of being sarcastic .

Norman bounced up .

" mind your own business .

I don't want to hear another word from you .

if you wasn't such a kid I 'd teach you to interfere in what doesn't concern you .

when I want parsons or pill-dosers I 'll send for them .

till I do I 'll have no truck with them .

do you understand ?

now , get out , cheese-face . "

Faith got out .

she stumbled blindly down the steps , out of the yard gate and into the lane .

half way up the lane her daze of fear passed away and a reaction of tingling anger possessed her .

by the time she reached the end of the lane she was in such a furious temper as she had never experienced before .

Norman Douglas ' insults burned in her soul , kindling a scorching flame .

go home !

not she !

she would go straight back and tell that old ogre just what she thought of him she would show him oh , wouldn't she !

Cheese-face , indeed !

unhesitatingly she turned and walked back .

the veranda was deserted and the kitchen door shut .

Faith opened the door without knocking , and went in .

Norman Douglas had just sat down at the supper table , but he still held his newspaper .

Faith walked inflexibly across the room , caught the paper from his hand , flung it on the floor and stamped on it .

then she faced him , with her flashing eyes and scarlet cheeks .

she was such a handsome young fury that Norman Douglas hardly recognized her .

" what 's brought you back ? " he growled , but more in bewilderment than rage .

Unquailingly she glared back into the angry eyes against which so few people could hold their own .

" I have come back to tell you exactly what I think of you , " said Faith in clear , ringing tones .

" I am not afraid of you .

you are a rude , unjust , tyrannical , disagreeable old man .

Susan says you are sure to go to hell , and I was sorry for you , but I am not now .

your wife never had a new hat for ten years no wonder she died .

I am going to make faces at you whenever I see you after this .

every time I am behind you you will know what is happening .

you are an old vampire and I hope you 'll have the Scotch fiddle ! "

faith did not know what a vampire meant any more than she knew what the Scotch fiddle was .

she had heard Susan use the expressions and gathered from her tone that both were dire things .

but Norman Douglas knew what the latter meant at least .

he had listened in absolute silence to Faith 's tirade .

when she paused for breath , with a stamp of her foot , he suddenly burst into loud laughter .

with a mighty slap of hand on knee he exclaimed ,

" I vow you 've got spunk , after all I like spunk .

come , sit down sit down ! "

" I will not . "

Faith 's eyes flashed more passionately .

she thought she was being made fun of treated contemptuously .

she would have enjoyed another explosion of rage , but this cut deep .

" I will not sit down in your house .

I am going home .

but I am glad I came back here and told you exactly what my opinion of you is . "

" so am I so am I , " chuckled Norman .

" I like you you're fine you 're great .

such roses such vim !

did I call her cheese-face ?

why , she never smelt a cheese .

sit down .

if you 'd looked like that at the first , girl !

so you 'll write my name under the devil 's picture , will you ?

but he 's black , girl , he 's black and I 'm red .

it won't do it won't do !

and you hope I 'll have the Scotch fiddle , do you ?

Lord love you , girl , I had IT when I was a boy .

don't wish it on me again .

sit down sit in .

we 'll tak ' a cup o ' kindness . "

" no , thank you , " said Faith haughtily .

" oh , yes , you will .

come , come now , I apologize , girl I apologize .

I made a fool of myself and I 'm sorry .

Man can't say fairer .

forget and forgive .

shake hands , girl shake hands .

she won't no , she won't !

but she must !

I 'm the only one in the clan can do it .

is it a bargain , girl ? "

it seemed a bargain .

Faith found herself shaking hands with the ogre and then sitting at his board .

her temper was over Faith 's tempers never lasted very long but its excitement still sparkled in her eyes and crimsoned her cheeks .

Norman Douglas looked at her admiringly .

" go , get some of your best preserves , Wilson , " he ordered , " and stop sulking , woman , stop sulking .

what if we did have a quarrel , woman ?

a good squall clears the air and briskens things up .

but no drizzling and fogging afterwards no drizzling and fogging , woman .

I can't stand that .

temper in a woman but no tears for me .

here , girl , is some messed up meat and potatoes for you .

begin on that .

Wilson has some fancy name for it , but I call lit macanaccady .

anything I can't analyze in the eating line I call macanaccady and anything wet that puzzles me I call shallamagouslem .

Wilson 's tea is shallamagouslem .

I swear she makes it out of burdocks .

don't take any of the ungodly black liquid here 's some milk for you .

what did you say your name was ? "

" Faith . "

" no name that no name that !

I can't stomach such a name .

got any other ? "

" no , sir . "

" don't like the name , don't like it .

there 's no smeddum to it .

besides , it makes me think of my Aunt Jinny .

she called her three girls Faith , Hope , and Charity .

Faith didn't believe in anything Hope was a born pessimist and Charity was a miser .

you ought to be called Red Rose you look like one when you 're mad .

I'LL call you Red Rose .

and you 've roped me into promising to go to church ?

but only once a month , remember only once a month .

come now , girl , will you let me off ?

I used to pay a hundred to the salary every year and go to church .

if I promise to pay two hundred a year will you let me off going to church ?

come now ! "

" no , no , sir , " said Faith , dimpling roguishly .

" I want you to go to church , too . "

" well , a bargain is a bargain .

I reckon I can stand it twelve times a year .

what a sensation it 'll make the first Sunday I go !

and old Susan Baker says I 'm going to hell , hey ?

do you believe I 'll go there come , now , do you ? "

" I hope not , sir , " stammered Faith in some confusion .

" WHY do you hope not ?

come , now , WHY do you hope not ?

give us a reason , girl give us a reason . "

" it it must be a very uncomfortable place , sir . "

" Uncomfortable ?

all depends on your taste in comfortable , girl .

I 'd soon get tired of angels .

fancy old Susan in a halo , now ! "

faith did fancy it , and it tickled her so much that she had to laugh .

Norman eyed her approvingly .

" see the fun of it , hey ?

oh , I like you you 're great .

about this church business , now can your father preach ? "

" he is a splendid preacher , " said loyal Faith .

" he is , hey ?

I 'll see I 'll watch out for flaws .

he 'd better be careful what he says before ME .

I 'll catch him I 'll trip him up I'll keep tabs on his arguments .

I 'm bound to have some fun out of this church going business .

does he ever preach hell ? "

" no o o I don't think so . "

" too bad .

I like sermons on that subject .

I like ' em smoking .

and think of all the pleasure he 'd give the old maids , too .

they 'd all keep looking at old Norman Douglas and thinking , ' That 's for you , you old reprobate .

that 's what 's in store for YOU ! '

I 'll give an extra ten dollars every time you get your father to preach on hell .

here 's Wilson and the jam .

like that , hey ?

IT isn't macanaccady .

taste ! "

Faith obediently swallowed the big spoonful Norman held out to her .

luckily it WAS good .

" best plum jam in the world , " said Norman , filling a large saucer and plumping it down before her .

" Glad you like it .

I 'll give you a couple of jars to take home with you .

there 's nothing mean about me never was .

the devil can't catch me at THAT corner , anyhow .

it wasn't my fault that Hester didn't have a new hat for ten years .

it was her own she pinched on hats to save money to give yellow fellows over in China .

I never gave a cent to missions in my life never will .

never you try to bamboozle me into that !

a hundred a year to the salary and church once a month but no spoiling good heathens to make poor Christians !

why , girl , they wouldn't be fit for heaven or hell clean spoiled for either place clean spoiled .

hey , Wilson , haven't you got a smile on yet ?

Beats all how you women can sulk !

" there 's a nice little tom-pussy out in the barn .

I 'll give you that too , if you 'd like it .

say the word , " he said .

" no , thank you , " said Faith decidedly .

" I don't like cats , and besides , I have a rooster . "

" listen to her .

you can't cuddle a rooster as you can a kitten .

who ever heard of petting a rooster ?

better take little Tom .

I want to find a good home for him . "

" no .

aunt Martha has a cat and he would kill a strange kitten . "

Norman yielded the point rather reluctantly .

" it 's only once a month only once a month , mind ! "

she was happy and thankful .

no fear now that they would have to leave the Glen and the graveyard and Rainbow Valley .

CHAPTER XVII .

a DOUBLE VICTORY

Norman Douglas came to church the first Sunday in November and made all the sensation he desired .

Mr Meredith shook hands with him absently on the church steps and hoped dreamily that Mrs Douglas was well .

Norman intercepted Faith at the gate .

" kept my word , you see kept my word , Red Rose .

I 'm free now till the first Sunday in December .

fine sermon , girl fine sermon .

your father has more in his head than he carries on his face .

but he contradicted himself once tell him he contradicted himself .

and tell him I want that brimstone sermon in December .

great way to wind up the old year with a taste of hell , you know .

and what 's the matter with a nice tasty discourse on heaven for New Year 's ?

though it wouldn't be half as interesting as hell , girl not half .

only I 'd like to know what your father thinks about heaven he CAN think rarest thing in the world a person who can think .

but he DID contradict himself .

Ha , ha !

here 's a question you might ask him sometime when he 's awake , girl .

' Can God make a stone so big He couldn't lift it Himself ? '

don't forget now .

I want to hear his opinion on it .

I 've stumped many a minister with that , girl . "

faith was glad to escape him and run home .

next day in school was a different matter .

at noon recess Faith encountered Dan in the little spruce plantation behind the school and Dan shouted once more ,

" Pig-girl !

Pig-girl !

ROOSTER-GIRL ! "

Walter Blythe suddenly rose from a mossy cushion behind a little clump of firs where he had been reading .

he was very pale , but his eyes blazed .

" you hold your tongue , Dan Reese ! " he said .

" oh , hello , Miss Walter , " retorted Dan , not at all abashed .

he vaulted airily to the top of the rail fence and chanted insultingly ,

" Cowardy , cowardy-custard Stole a pot of mustard , Cowardy , cowardy-custard ! "

" you are a coincidence ! " said Walter scornfully , turning still whiter .

" Yah !

Cowardy ! " he yelled gain .

" your mother writes lies lies lies !

and Faith Meredith is a pig-girl a pig-girl a pig-girl !

and she 's a rooster-girl a rooster-girl a rooster-girl !

Yah !

Cowardy cowardy cust "

Dan got no further .

Walter had hurled himself across the intervening space and knocked Dan off the fence backward with one well-directed blow .

Dan 's sudden inglorious sprawl was greeted with a burst of laughter and a clapping of hands from Faith .

Dan sprang up , purple with rage , and began to climb the fence .

but just then the school-bell rang and Dan knew what happened to boys who were late during Mr Hazard 's regime .

" we 'll fight this out , " he howled .

" Cowardy ! "

" any time you like , " said Walter .

" oh , no , no , Walter , " protested Faith .

" don't fight him .

I don't mind what he says I wouldn't condescend to mind the like of HIM . "

" he insulted you and he insulted my mother , " said Walter , with the same deadly calm .

" tonight after school , Dan . "

" I 've got to go right home from school to pick taters after the harrows , dad says , " answered Dan sulkily .

" but to-morrow night 'll do . "

" all right here to-morrow night , " agreed Walter .

" and I 'll smash your sissy-face for you , " promised Dan .

Walter shuddered not so much from fear of the threat as from repulsion over the ugliness and vulgarity of it .

but he held his head high and marched into school .

faith followed in a conflict of emotions .

she hated to think of Walter fighting that little sneak , but oh , he had been splendid !

and he was going to fight for HER Faith Meredith to punish her insulter !

of course he would win such eyes spelled victory .

Faith 's confidence in her champion had dimmed a little by evening , however .

Walter had seemed so very quiet and dull the rest of the day in school .

" if it were only Jem , " she sighed to Una , as they sat on Hezekiah Pollock 's tombstone in the graveyard .

" HE is such a fighter he could finish Dan off in no time .

but Walter doesn't know much about fighting . "

" he oughtn't to be , " said Faith uncomfortably .

" he 's every bit as big as Dan . "

" but Dan 's so much older , " said Una .

" why , he 's nearly a year older . "

" Dan hasn't done much fighting when you come to count up , " said Faith .

" I believe he 's really a coward .

he didn't think Walter would fight , or he wouldn't have called names before him .

oh , if you could just have seen Walter 's face when he looked at him , Una !

it made me shiver with a nice shiver .

he looked just like Sir Galahad in that poem father read us on Saturday . "

" I hate the thought of them fighting and I wish it could be stopped , " said Una .

" oh , it 's got to go on now , " cried Faith .

" it 's a matter of honour .

don't you DARE tell anyone , Una .

if you do I 'll never tell you secrets again ! "

" I won't tell , " agreed Una .

" but I won't stay to-morrow to watch the fight .

I 'm coming right home . "

" oh , all right .

I have to be there it would be mean not to , when Walter is fighting for me .

I 'm going to tie my colours on his arm that 's the thing to do when he 's my knight .

how lucky Mrs Blythe gave me that pretty blue hair-ribbon for my birthday !

I 've only worn it twice so it will be almost new .

but I wish I was sure Walter would win .

it will be so so HUMILIATING if he doesn't . "

faith would have been yet more dubious if she could have seen her champion just then .

Walter had gone home from school with all his righteous anger at a low ebb and a very nasty feeling in its place .

he had to fight Dan Reese the next night and he didn't want to he hated the thought of it .

and he kept thinking of it all the time .

not for a minute could he get away from the thought .

would it hurt much ?

he was terribly afraid that it would hurt .

and would he be defeated and shamed ?

he could not eat any supper worth speaking of .

Susan had made a big batch of his favourite monkey-faces , but he could choke only one down .

Jem ate four .

Walter wondered how he could .

how could ANYBODY eat ?

and how could they all talk gaily as they were doing ?

there was mother , with her shining eyes and pink cheeks .

SHE didn't know her son had to fight next day .

would she be so gay if she knew , Walter wondered darkly .

Jem had taken Susan 's picture with his new camera and the result was passed around the table and Susan was terribly indignant over it .

Jem laughed over this and Anne laughed again with him .

Walter couldn't endure it .

he got up and fled to his room .

" that child has got something on his mind , Mrs Dr . dear , " said Susan .

" he has et next to nothing .

do you suppose he is plotting another poem ? "

Poor Walter was very far removed in spirit from the starry realms of poesy just then .

he propped his elbow on his open window-sill and leaned his head drearily on his hands .

" come on down to the shore , Walter , " cried Jem , busting in .

" the boys are going to burn the sand-hill grass to-night .

father says we can go .

come on . "

at any other time Walter would have been delighted .

he gloried in the burning of the sand-hill grass .

but now he flatly refused to go , and no arguments or entreaties could move him .

Walter sat at his window until bedtime .

Di crept in , hoping to be told what was wrong , but Walter could not talk of it , even to Di .

talking of it seemed to give it a reality from which he shrank .

it was torture enough to think of it .

the crisp , withered leaves rustled on the maple trees outside his window .

Afar off , a ruddy woodfire was painting a page of glory on the horizon beyond the hills .

it was a sharp , clear evening when far-away sounds were heard distinctly .

how could people laugh ?

how could foxes and blue-jays and engines behave as if nothing were going to happen on the morrow ?

" oh , I wish it was over , " groaned Walter .

he slept very little that night and had hard work choking down his porridge in the morning .

Susan WAS rather lavish in her platefuls .

Mr Hazard found him an unsatisfactory pupil that day .

Faith Meredith 's wits seemed to be wool-gathering , too .

Una had gone home , but Faith was there , having tied her blue ribbon around Walter 's arm .

Walter was thankful that neither Jem nor Di nor Nan were among the crowd of spectators .

somehow they had not heard of what was in the wind and had gone home , too .

Walter faced Dan quite undauntedly now .

at the last moment all his fear had vanished , but he still felt disgust at the idea of fighting .

Dan , it was noted , was really paler under his freckles than Walter was .

one of the older boys gave the word and Dan struck Walter in the face .

Walter reeled a little .

the pain of the blow tingled through all his sensitive frame for a moment .

then he felt pain no longer .

something , such as he had never experienced before , seemed to roll over him like a flood .

his face flushed crimson , his eyes burned like flame .

the scholars of Glen St Mary school had never dreamed that " Miss Walter " could look like that .

he hurled himself forward and closed with Dan like a young wildcat .

there were no particular rules in the fights of the Glen school boys .

it was catch-as-catch can , and get your blows in anyhow .

Walter fought with a savage fury and a joy in the struggle against which Dan could not hold his ground .

it was all over very speedily .

" have you had enough ? " demanded Walter through his clenched teeth .

Dan sulkily admitted that he had .

" my mother doesn't write lies ? "

" no . "

" Faith Meredith isn't a pig-girl ? "

" no . "

" nor a rooster-girl ? "

" no . "

" and I 'm not a coward ? "

" no . "

Walter had intended to ask , " and you are a liar ? " but pity intervened and he did not humiliate Dan further .

besides , that blood was so horrible .

" you can go , then , " he said contemptuously .

there was a loud clapping from the boys who were perched on the rail fence , but some of the girls were crying .

they were frightened .

they had seen schoolboy fights before , but nothing like Walter as he had grappled with Dan .

there had been something terrifying about him .

they thought he would kill Dan .

now that all was over they sobbed hysterically except Faith , who still stood tense and crimson cheeked .

Walter did not stay for any conqueror 's meed .

he sprang over the fence and rushed down the spruce hill to Rainbow Valley .

it had been so ugly , and Walter hated ugliness .

also , he began to realize that he himself was somewhat sore and battered up .

his lip was cut and swollen and one eye felt very strange .

in Rainbow Valley he encountered Mr Meredith , who was coming home from an afternoon call on the Miss Wests .

that reverend gentleman looked gravely at him .

" it seems to me that you have been fighting , Walter ? "

" yes , sir , " said Walter , expecting a scolding .

" what was it about ? "

" Dan Reese said my mother wrote lies and that that Faith was a pig-girl , " answered Walter bluntly .

" oh h !

then you were certainly justified , Walter . "

" do you think it 's right to fight , sir ? " asked Walter curiously .

" not always and not often but sometimes yes , sometimes , " said John Meredith .

" when womenkind are insulted for instance as in your case .

my motto , Walter , is , don't fight till you 're sure you ought to , and THEN put every ounce of you into it .

in spite of sundry discolorations I infer that you came off best . "

" yes .

I made him take it all back . "

" very good very good , indeed .

I didn't think you were such a fighter , Walter . "

the Rev John 's eyes twinkled .

" you were a little frightened at first ? "

" I was a whole lot frightened , " said honest Walter .

" but I 'm not going to be frightened any more , sir .

being frightened of things is worse than the things themselves .

I 'm going to ask father to take me over to Lowbridge to-morrow to get my tooth out . "

" right again .

' Fear is more pain than is the pain it fears . '

do you know who wrote that , Walter ?

it was Shakespeare .

was there any feeling or emotion or experience of the human heart that that wonderful man did not know ?

when you go home tell your mother I am proud of you . "

" are all mothers as nice as you ? " asked Walter , hugging her .

" you 're WORTH standing up for . "

Miss Cornelia and Susan were in the living room when Anne came downstairs , and listened to the story with much enjoyment .

Susan in particular was highly gratified .

" I am real glad to hear he has had a good fight , Mrs Dr dear .

perhaps it may knock that poetry nonsense out of him .

and I never , no , never could bear that little viper of a Dan Reese .

will you not sit nearer to the fire , Mrs Marshall Elliott ?

these November evenings are very chilly . "

" thank you , Susan , I 'm not cold .

the kitchen looked as if it had been stirred up with a stick , believe ME .

Mr Meredith wasn't home .

I couldn't find out where he was , but I have an idea that he was up at the Wests ' .

" he would get a very charming wife if he married Rosemary , " said Anne , piling driftwood on the fire .

" she is one of the most delightful girls I 've ever known truly one of the race of Joseph . "

" ye s only she is an Episcopalian , " said Miss Cornelia doubtfully .

however , very likely there is nothing in it .

it 's only a month ago that I said to him , ' You ought to marry again , Mr Meredith . '

he looked as shocked as if I had suggested something improper .

' My wife is in her grave , Mrs Elliott , ' he said , in that gentle , saintly way of his .

' I suppose so , ' I said , ' or I wouldn't be advising you to marry again . '

then he looked more shocked than ever .

so I doubt if there is much in this Rosemary story .

if a single minister calls twice at a house where there is a single woman all the gossips have it he is courting her . "

" he ISN'T shy , believe ME , " retorted Miss Cornelia .

" Absent-minded , yes but shy , no .

he may have a notion of Rosemary West and he may not .

if he has , we must make the best of it .

she is a sweet girl and a fine housekeeper , and would make a good mother for those poor , neglected children .

and , " concluded Miss Cornelia resignedly , " my own grandmother was an Episcopalian . "

CHAPTER XVIII .

MARY BRINGS EVIL TIDINGS

" I was so hungry I just felt as if I had to chew something , " she protested .

" you know well enough what breakfast was like , Jerry Meredith .

I COULDN'T eat scorched porridge and my stomach just felt so queer and empty .

the gum helped a lot and I didn't chew VERY hard .

I didn't make any noise and I never cracked the gum once . "

" you mustn't chew gum in church , anyhow , " insisted Jerry .

" don't let me catch you at it again . "

" you chewed yourself in prayer-meeting last week , " cried Faith .

" THAT'S different , " said Jerry loftily .

" Prayer-meeting isn't on Sunday .

besides , I sat away at the back in a dark seat and nobody saw me .

you were sitting right up front where every one saw you .

then I came away and forgot it .

I went back to get it next morning , but it was gone .

I suppose Rod Warren swiped it .

and it was a dandy chew . "

Mary Vance walked down the Valley with her head held high .

she was very conscious of her new clothes and very well pleased with herself .

her hair was elaborately crimped , her face was quite plump , her cheeks rosy , her white eyes shining .

she did not look much like the forlorn and ragged waif the Merediths had found in the old Taylor barn .

Una tried not to feel envious .

here was Mary with a new velvet cap , but she and Faith had to wear their shabby old gray tams again this winter .

Mary had told them once that ministers were always short of money , and found it " awful hard " to make ends meet .

since then Faith and Una would have gone in rags rather than ask their father for anything if they could help it .

the new squirrel muff was really the last straw .

neither Faith nor Una had ever had a muff , counting themselves lucky if they could compass mittens without holes in them .

aunt Martha could not see to darn holes and though Una tried to , she made sad cobbling .

somehow , they could not make their greeting of Mary very cordial .

but Mary did not mind or notice that ; she was not overly sensitive .

she vaulted lightly to a seat on the pine tree , and laid the offending muff on a bough .

Una saw that it was lined with shirred red satin and had red tassels .

" give us a chew , " said Mary companionably .

Nan , Di and Faith all produced an amber-hued knot or two from their pockets and passed them to Mary .

Una sat very still .

people with squirrel muffs needn't expect to get everything in the world .

Una tucked HER feet under her .

there was a hole in the toe of one of her boots and both laces were much knotted .

but they were the best she had .

oh , this Mary Vance !

why hadn't they left her in the old barn ?

Una never felt badly because the Ingleside twins were better dressed than she and Faith were .

THEY wore their pretty clothes with careless grace and never seemed to think about them at all .

somehow , they did not make other people feel shabby .

of course , Mary was going out for a visit and she was not .

but even if she had been she had nothing better to put on and in this lay the sting .

" say , this is great gum .

listen to me cracking it .

there ain't any gum spruces down at Four Winds , " said Mary .

" sometimes I just hanker after a chew .

Mrs Elliott won't let me chew gum if she sees me .

she says it ain't lady-like .

this lady-business puzzles me .

I can't get on to all its kinks .

say , Una , what 's the matter with you ?

Cat got your tongue ? "

" no , " said Una , who could not drag her fascinated eyes from that squirrel muff .

Mary leaned past her , picked it up and thrust it into Una 's hands .

" stick your paws in that for a while , " she ordered .

" they look sorter pinched .

ain't that a dandy muff ?

Mrs. Elliott give it to me last week for a birthday present .

I 'm to get the collar at Christmas .

I heard her telling Mr Elliott that . "

" Mrs Elliott is very good to you , " said Faith .

" you bet she is .

and I'M good to her , too , " retorted Mary .

" I work like a nigger to make it easy for her and have everything just as she likes it .

we was made for each other .

' Tisn't every one could get along with her as well as I do .

she 's pizen neat , but so am I , and so we agree fine . "

" I told you she would never whip you . "

" so you did .

she 's never tried to lay a finger on me and I ain't never told a lie to her not one , true 's you live .

she combs me down with her tongue sometimes though , but that just slips off ME like water off a duck 's back .

say , Una , why didn't you hang on to the muff ? "

Una had put it back on the bough .

" my hands aren't cold , thank you , " she said stiffly .

" well , if you 're satisfied , I am .

say , old Kitty Alec has come back to church as meek as Moses and nobody knows why .

but everybody is saying it was Faith brought Norman Douglas out .

his housekeeper says you went there and gave him an awful tongue-lashing .

did you ? "

" I went and asked him to come to church , " said Faith uncomfortably .

" fancy your spunk ! " said Mary admiringly .

" I wouldn't have dared do that and I 'm not so slow .

say , is your father going to preach here to-morrow ? "

" no .

he 's going to exchange with Mr Perry from Charlottetown .

father went to town this morning and Mr Perry is coming out to-night . "

" I THOUGHT there was something in the wind , though old Martha wouldn't give me any satisfaction .

but I felt sure she wouldn't have been killing that rooster for nothing . "

" what rooster ?

what do you mean ? " cried Faith , turning pale .

" I don't know what rooster .

I didn't see it .

when she took the butter Mrs Elliott sent up she said she 'd been out to the barn killing a rooster for dinner tomorrow . "

faith sprang down from the pine .

" It's Adam we have no other rooster she has killed Adam . "

" now , don't fly off the handle .

" if she has killed Adam " faith began to run up the hill .

Mary shrugged her shoulders .

" she 'll go crazy now .

she was so fond of that Adam .

he ought to have been in the pot long ago he 'll be as tough as sole leather .

but I wouldn't like to be in Martha 's shoes .

Faith 's just white with rage ; Una , you 'd better go after her and try to peacify her . "

Mary had gone a few steps with the Blythe girls when Una suddenly turned and ran after her .

" why , thanks , " said Mary , rather taken by surprise .

to the Blythe girls , after Una had gone , she said , " ain't she a queer little mite ?

but I 've always said she had a good heart . "

CHAPTER XIX .

POOR ADAM !

when Una got home Faith was lying face downwards on her bed , utterly refusing to be comforted .

aunt Martha had killed Adam .

he was reposing on a platter in the pantry that very minute , trussed and dressed , encircled by his liver and heart and gizzard .

aunt Martha heeded Faith 's passion of grief and anger not a whit .

" we had to have something for the strange minister 's dinner , " she said .

" you 're too big a girl to make such a fuss over an old rooster .

you knew he 'd have to be killed sometime . "

" I 'll tell father when he comes home what you 've done , " sobbed Faith .

" don't you go bothering your poor father .

he has troubles enough .

and I'M housekeeper here . "

" Adam was MINE Mrs Johnson gave him to me .

you had no business to touch him , " stormed Faith .

" don't you get sassy now .

the rooster 's killed and there 's an end of it .

I ain't going to set no strange minister down to a dinner of cold b'iled mutton .

I was brought up to know better than that , if I have come down in the world . "

Faith would not go down to supper that night and she would not go to church the next morning .

but at dinner time she went to the table , her eyes swollen with crying , her face sullen .

he was certainly not handsome and he was a very tiresome , pompous sort of person .

but if he had looked like the Archangel Michael and talked with the tongues of men and angels Faith would still have utterly detested him .

he carved Adam up dexterously , showing off his plump white hands and very handsome diamond ring .

also , he made jovial remarks all through the performance .

Jerry and Carl giggled , and even Una smiled wanly , because she thought politeness demanded it .

but Faith only scowled darkly .

the Rev James thought her manners shockingly bad .

once , when he was delivering himself of an unctuous remark to Jerry , Faith broke in rudely with a flat contradiction .

the Rev James drew his bushy eyebrows together at her .

this put Faith in a worse temper than ever .

to be called " little girl " as if she were no bigger than chubby Rilla Blythe over at Ingleside !

it was insufferable .

and how that abominable Mr Perry did eat !

he even picked poor Adam 's bones .

neither Faith nor Una would touch a mouthful , and looked upon the boys as little better than cannibals .

" God hadn't a single thing to do with providing Adam for you , " muttered Faith rebelliously under her breath .

" you father 's books seem to be in somewhat deplorable confusion , my little girl , " he said severely .

faith darkled in her corner and said not a word .

she would NOT talk to this this creature .

" you are quite old enough to attend to such duties .

MY little daughter at home is only ten and she is already an excellent little housekeeper and the greatest help and comfort to her mother .

she is a very sweet child .

I wish you had the privilege of her acquaintance .

she could help you in many ways .

of course , you have not had the inestimable privilege of a good mother 's care and training .

a sad lack a very sad lack .

I trust he may awaken to a realization of his responsibility before it is too late .

in the meantime , it is your duty and privilege to endeavour to take your sainted mother 's place .

you might exercise a great influence over your brothers and your little sister you might be a true mother to them .

I fear that you do not think of these things as you should .

my dear child , allow me to open your eyes in regard to them . "

Mr Perry 's oily , complacent voice trickled on .

he was in his element .

nothing suited him better than to lay down the law , patronize and exhort .

he had no idea of stopping , and he did not stop .

he stood before the fire , his feet planted firmly on the rug , and poured out a flood of pompous platitudes .

Faith heard not a word .

she was really not listening to him at all .

but she was watching his long black coat-tails with impish delight growing in her brown eyes .

Mr Perry was standing VERY near the fire .

his coat-tails began to scorch his coat-tails began to smoke .

he still prosed on , wrapped up in his own eloquence .

the coat-tails smoked worse .

a tiny spark flew up from the burning wood and alighted in the middle of one .

it clung and caught and spread into a smouldering flame .

faith could restrain herself no longer and broke into a stifled giggle .

Mr Perry stopped short , angered over this impertinence .

suddenly he became conscious that a reek of burning cloth filled the room .

he whirled round and saw nothing .

then he clapped his hands to his coat-tails and brought them around in front of him .

there was already quite a hole in one of them and this was his new suit .

Faith shook with helpless laughter over his pose and expression .

" did you see my coat-tails burning ? " he demanded angrily .

" yes , sir , " said Faith demurely .

" why didn't you tell me ? " he demanded , glaring at her .

" you said it wasn't good manners to interrupt , sir , " said Faith , more demurely still .

but he did not walk up the aisle with his usual consciousness of the honour he was conferring on the building .

but Faith felt a certain gloomy satisfaction .

Adam was partially avenged .

CHAPTER XX .

FAITH MAKES A FRIEND

next day in school was a hard one for Faith .

Mary Vance had told the tale of Adam , and all the scholars , except the Blythes , thought it quite a joke .

the girls told Faith , between giggles , that it was too bad , and the boys wrote sardonic notes of condolence to her .

Poor Faith went home from school feeling her very soul raw and smarting within her .

" I 'm going over to Ingleside to have a talk with Mrs Blythe , " she sobbed .

" SHE won't laugh at me , as everybody else does .

I 've just GOT to talk to somebody who understands how bad I feel . "

she ran down through Rainbow Valley .

enchantment had been at work the night before .

A light snow had fallen and the powdered firs were dreaming of a spring to come and a joy to be .

the long hill beyond was richly purple with leafless beeches .

the rosy light of sunset lay over the world like a pink kiss .

of all the airy , fairy places , full of weird , elfin grace , Rainbow Valley that winter evening was the most beautiful .

but all its dreamlike loveliness was lost on poor , sore-hearted little Faith .

by the brook she came suddenly upon Rosemary West , who was sitting on the old pine tree .

she was on her way home from Ingleside , where she had been giving the girls their music lesson .

she had been lingering in Rainbow Valley quite a little time , looking across its white beauty and roaming some by-ways of dream .

judging from the expression of her face , her thoughts were pleasant ones .

perhaps the faint , occasional tinkle from the bells on the Tree Lovers brought the little lurking smile to her lips .

into Rosemary 's dreams burst Faith Meredith full of rebellious bitterness .

Faith stopped abruptly when she saw Miss West .

she did not know her very well just well enough to speak to when they met .

and she did not want to see any one just then except Mrs Blythe .

she knew her eyes and nose were red and swollen and she hated to have a stranger know she had been crying .

" good evening , Miss West , " she said uncomfortably .

" what is the matter , Faith ? " asked Rosemary gently .

" nothing , " said Faith rather shortly .

" oh ! "

rosemary smiled .

" you mean nothing that you can tell to outsiders , don't you ? "

Faith looked at Miss West with sudden interest .

here was a person who understood things .

and how pretty she was !

how golden her hair was under her plumy hat !

how pink her cheeks were over her velvet coat !

how blue and companionable her eyes were !

Faith felt that Miss West could be a lovely friend if only she were a friend instead of a stranger !

" I I 'm going up to tell Mrs Blythe , " said Faith .

" she always understands she never laughs at us .

I always talk things over with her .

it helps . "

" dear girlie , I 'm sorry to have to tell you that Mrs Blythe isn't home , " said Miss West , sympathetically .

" she went to Avonlea to-day and isn't coming back till the last of the week . "

Faith 's lip quivered .

" then I might as well go home again , " she said miserably .

" I suppose so unless you think you could bring yourself to talk it over with me instead , " said Miss Rosemary gently .

" it IS such a help to talk things over .

I know .

I don't suppose I can be as good at understanding as Mrs Blythe but I promise you that I won't laugh . "

" you wouldn't laugh outside , " hesitated Faith .

" but you might inside . "

" no , I wouldn't laugh inside , either .

why should I ?

something has hurt you it never amuses me to see anybody hurt , no matter what hurts them .

if you feel that you 'd like to tell me what has hurt you I 'll be glad to listen .

but if you think you 'd rather not that 's all right , too , dear . "

faith took another long , earnest look into Miss West 's eyes .

they were very serious there was no laughter in them , not even far , far back .

with a little sigh she sat down on the old pine beside her new friend and told her all about Adam and his cruel fate .

rosemary did not laugh or feel like laughing .

she understood and sympathized really , she was almost as good as Mrs Blythe yes , quite as good .

" Mr Perry is a minister , but he should have been a BUTCHER , " said Faith bitterly .

" he is so fond of carving things up .

he ENJOYED cutting poor Adam to pieces .

he just sliced into him as if he were any common rooster . "

" I never did like him .

I went to school with him he was a Glen boy , you know and he was a most detestable little prig even then .

oh , how we girls used to hate holding his fat , clammy hands in the ring-around games .

but we must remember , dear , that he didn't know that Adam had been a pet of yours .

he thought he WAS just a common rooster .

we must be just , even when we are terribly hurt . "

" I suppose so , " admitted Faith .

" but why does everybody seem to think it funny that I should have loved Adam so much , Miss West ?

if it had been a horrid old cat nobody would have thought it queer .

when Lottie Warren 's kitten had its legs cut off by the binder everybody was sorry for her .

she cried two days in school and nobody laughed at her , not even Dan Reese .

yet everybody laughs at ME . "

" I think it is because the name ' rooster ' seems rather a funny one , " said Rosemary gravely .

" there IS something in it that is comical .

now , ' chicken ' is different .

it doesn't sound so funny to talk of loving a chicken . "

" Adam was the dearest little chicken , Miss West .

he was just a little golden ball .

he would run up to me and peck out of my hand .

he knew his name and always came when I called him he was a very intelligent rooster .

and Aunt Martha had no right to kill him .

he was mine .

it wasn't fair , was it , Miss West ? "

" no , it wasn't , " said Rosemary decidedly .

" not a bit fair .

I remember I had a pet hen when I was a little girl .

she was such a pretty little thing all golden brown and speckly .

I loved her as much as I ever loved any pet .

she was never killed she died of old age .

mother wouldn't have her killed because she was my pet . "

" if MY mother had been living she wouldn't have let Adam be killed , " said Faith .

" for that matter , father wouldn't have either , if he 'd been home and known of it .

I 'm SURE he wouldn't , Miss West . "

" I 'm sure , too , " said Rosemary .

there was a little added flush on her face .

she looked rather conscious but Faith noticed nothing .

" was it VERY wicked of me not to tell Mr Perry his coat-tails were scorching ? " she asked anxiously .

" oh , terribly wicked , " answered Rosemary , with dancing eyes .

" Una thought I should have told him because he was a minister . "

" dearest , if a minister doesn't behave as a gentleman we are not bound to respect his coat-tails .

I know I would just have loved to see Jimmy Perry 's coat-tails burning up .

it must have been fun . "

both laughed ; but Faith ended with a bitter little sigh .

" well , anyway , Adam is dead and I am NEVER going to love anything again . "

" don't say that , dear .

we miss so much out of life if we don't love .

the more we love the richer life is even if it is only some little furry or feathery pet .

would you like a canary , Faith a little golden bit of a canary ?

if you would I 'll give you one .

we have two up home . "

" oh , I WOULD like that , " cried Faith .

" I love birds .

only would Aunt Martha 's cat eat it ?

it 's so TRAGIC to have your pets eaten .

I don't think I could endure it a second time . "

" if you hang the cage far enough from the wall I don't think the cat could harm it .

I 'll tell you just how to take care of it and I 'll bring it to Ingleside for you the next time I come down . "

to herself , Rosemary was thinking ,

" it will give every gossip in the Glen something to talk of , but I WILL not care .

I want to comfort this poor little heart . "

Faith was comforted .

sympathy and understanding were very sweet .

finally they parted firm friends .

Faith was telling Una of her meeting with Rosemary .

" she is just lovely , I think , " said Faith .

" just as nice as Mrs . Blythe but different .

I felt as if I wanted to hug her .

she did hug ME such a nice , velvety hug .

and she called me ' dearest . '

it THRILLED me .

I could tell her ANYTHING . "

" so you liked Miss West , Faith ? "

Mr Meredith asked , with a rather odd intonation .

" I love her , " cried Faith .

" ah ! " said Mr Meredith .

" ah ! "

CHAPTER XXI .

THE IMPOSSIBLE WORD

John Meredith walked meditatively through the clear crispness of a winter night in Rainbow Valley .

the hills beyond glistened with the chill splendid lustre of moonlight on snow .

every little fir tree in the long valley sang its own wild song to the harp of wind and frost .

his children and the Blythe lads and lasses were coasting down the eastern slope and whizzing over the glassy pond .

far on the western hill gleamed a paler but more alluring star .

he had come to realize that he had learned to care for Rosemary .

not as he had cared for Cecilia , of course .

THAT was entirely different .

that love of romance and dream and glamour could never , he thought , return .

but Rosemary was beautiful and sweet and dear very dear .

she was the best of companions .

he was happier in her company than he had ever expected to be again .

she would be an ideal mistress for his home , a good mother to his children .

it was commonly thought he was never aware of them .

but he was quite acutely aware of them .

and in his own occasional visitations of common sense he knew that the common sensible thing for him to do was to marry .

how he hated that word " suitable . "

it reminded him so strongly of James Perry .

Mrs Marshall Elliott was his good friend and he liked her .

he knew there were women in his congregation " of suitable age " who would marry him quite readily .

that fact had seeped through all his abstraction very early in his ministry in Glen St . Mary .

he had some ideals to which no seeming necessity could make him false .

and where , in his limited feminine acquaintance , was such a woman to be found ?

Rosemary West had come into his life on that autumn evening bringing with her an atmosphere in which his spirit recognized native air .

across the gulf of strangerhood they clasped hands of friendship .

he had fled to her for comfort when Mrs Alec Davis had outraged his mind and soul and had found it .

Emmeline bore no further grudge towards Rosemary .

when all was said and done , an unencumbered bachelor was far better than a widower with four children .

it had been only the glamour of the manse that had temporarily blinded Emmeline 's eyes to the better part .

a sled with three shrieking occupants sped past Mr Meredith to the pond .

faith 's long curls streamed in the wind and her laughter rang above that of the others .

John Meredith looked after them kindly and longingly .

but they needed something more , and that something would be supplied when he brought Rosemary West as a bride to the old manse .

there was in her a quality essentially maternal .

but he had chosen this night because he had learned that Ellen West was going to be away and Rosemary would be alone .

Ellen had always been there .

he did not precisely object to Ellen being there .

he liked Ellen West very much and they were the best of friends .

Ellen had an almost masculine understanding and a sense of humour which his own shy , hidden appreciation of fun found very agreeable .

he liked her interest in politics and world events .

there was no man in the Glen , not even excepting Dr Blythe , who had a better grasp of such things .

" I think it is just as well to be interested in things as long as you live , " she had said .

" if you 're not , it doesn't seem to me that there 's much difference between the quick and the dead . "

she was always splendidly sincere .

Mr Meredith , who had picked up Miss Cornelia 's way of classifying people , considered that Ellen belonged to the race of Joseph .

altogether , an admirable woman for a sister-in-law .

nevertheless , a man did not want even the most admirable of women around when he was proposing to another woman .

and Ellen was always around .

she did not insist on talking to Mr Meredith herself all the time .

she let Rosemary have a fair share of him .

sometimes they quite forgot her presence .

but if it was ever to reach a climax that climax must come when Ellen was away .

and Ellen was so seldom away , especially in winter .

she found her own fireside the pleasantest place in the world , she vowed .

gadding had no attraction for her .

she was fond of company but she wanted it at home .

she had been bridesmaid when the principals were married .

only old guests were invited , so Rosemary was not included .

Mr Meredith pricked up his ears a trifle and a gleam flashed into his dreamy dark eyes .

" he means to ask her , St George I 'm perfectly sure of that .

so he might as well have his chance to do it and find out he can't get her , George .

she 'd rather like to take him , Saint .

I know that but she promised , and she 's got to keep her promise .

I 'm rather sorry in some ways , St George .

I don't know of a man I 'd sooner have for a brother-in-law if a brother-in-law was convenient .

that 's HIS blind spot .

but he 's good company and I like him .

a woman can say anything she likes to a man with a mouth like John Meredith 's and be sure of not being misunderstood .

such a man is more precious than rubies , Saint and much rarer , George .

but he can't have Rosemary and I suppose when he finds out he can't have her he 'll drop us both .

and we 'll miss him , Saint we 'll miss him something scandalous , George .

but she promised , and I 'll see that she keeps her promise ! "

Ellen 's face looked almost ugly in its lowering resolution .

Upstairs Rosemary was crying into her pillow .

so Mr Meredith found his lady alone and looking very beautiful .

so she wore her plain dark afternoon dress and looked like a queen in it .

her suppressed excitement coloured her face to brilliancy , her great blue eyes were pools of light less placid than usual .

she wished the interview were over .

she had looked forward to it all day with dread .

she felt that her refusal would disappoint him considerably , but she did not think it would altogether overwhelm him .

yet she hated to make it ; hated for his sake and Rosemary was quite honest with herself for her own .

she knew she could have loved John Meredith if if it had been permissible .

she knew that life would be a blank thing if , rejected as lover , he refused longer to be a friend .

she knew that she could be very happy with him and that she could make him happy .

but between her and happiness stood the prison gate of the promise she had made to Ellen years ago .

Rosemary could not remember her father .

he had died when she was only three years old .

Ellen , who had been thirteen , remembered him , but with no special tenderness .

he had been a stern , reserved man many years older than his fair , pretty wife .

five years later their brother of twelve died also ; since his death the two girls had always lived alone with their mother .

both had what was called " a disappointment " in their girlhood .

they were devoted to their mother , who was a chronic invalid .

the three had a little circle of home interests books and pets and flowers which made them happy and contented .

Mrs West 's death , which occurred on Rosemary 's twenty-fifth birthday , was a bitter grief to them .

at first they were intolerably lonely .

Ellen , especially , continued to grieve and brood , her long , moody musings broken only by fits of stormy , passionate weeping .

the old Lowbridge doctor told Rosemary that he feared permanent melancholy or worse .

" oh , Ellen , you have me yet , " she said imploringly .

" am I nothing to you ?

we have always loved each other so . "

" I won't have you always , " Ellen had said , breaking her silence with harsh intensity .

" you will marry and leave me .

I shall be left all alone .

I cannot bear the thought I CANNOT .

I would rather die . "

" I will never marry , " said Rosemary , " never , Ellen . "

Ellen bent forward and looked searchingly into Rosemary 's eyes .

" will you promise me that solemnly ? " she said .

" promise it on mother 's Bible . "

Rosemary assented at once , quite willing to humour Ellen .

what did it matter ?

she knew quite well she would never want to marry any one .

her love had gone down with Martin Crawford to the deeps of the sea ; and without love she could not marry any one .

so she promised readily , though Ellen made rather a fearsome rite of it .

Ellen 's condition improved from that hour .

she soon regained her normal cheery poise .

for ten years she and Rosemary lived in the old house happily , undisturbed by any thought of marrying or giving in marriage .

their promise sat very lightly on them .

as for Rosemary , Ellen 's obsession regarding that promise had always been a little matter of mirth to her until lately .

now , it was a merciless fetter , self-imposed but never to be shaken off .

because of it to-night she must turn her face from happiness .

it was true that the shy , sweet , rosebud love she had given to her boy-lover she could never give to another .

but she knew now that she could give to John Meredith a love richer and more womanly .

John Meredith did not immediately grasp his opportunity .

on the contrary , he talked for two good hours on the least lover-like of subjects .

he even tried politics , though politics always bored Rosemary .

the later began to think that she had been altogether mistaken , and her fears and expectations suddenly seemed to her grotesque .

she felt flat and foolish .

the glow went out of her face and the lustre out of her eyes .

John Meredith had not the slightest intention of asking her to marry him .

and then , quite suddenly , he rose , came across the room , and standing by her chair , he asked it .

the room had grown terribly still .

Even St George ceased to purr .

rosemary heard her own heart beating and was sure John Meredith must hear it too .

now was the time for her to say no , gently but firmly .

she had been ready for days with her stilted , regretful little formula .

and now the words of it had completely vanished from her mind .

she had to say no and she suddenly found she could not say it .

it was the impossible word .

she knew now that it was not that she COULD have loved John Meredith , but that she DID love him .

the thought of putting him from her life was agony .

she must say SOMETHING ; she lifted her bowed golden head and asked him stammeringly to give her a few days for for consideration .

John Meredith was a little surprised .

he was not vainer than any man has a right to be , but he had expected that Rosemary West would say yes .

he had been tolerably sure she cared for him .

then why this doubt this hesitation ?

she was not a school girl to be uncertain as to her own mind .

he felt an ugly shock of disappointment and dismay .

but he assented to her request with his unfailing gentle courtesy and went away at once .

" I will tell you in a few days , " said Rosemary , with downcast eyes and burning face .

when the door shut behind him she went back into the room and wrung her hands .

CHAPTER XXII .

ST .

GEORGE KNOWS ALL ABOUT IT

at midnight Ellen West was walking home from the Pollock silver wedding .

she had stayed a little while after the other guests had gone , to help the gray-haired bride wash the dishes .

the evening had been a pleasant one .

Ellen , who had not been to a party for years , found it very pleasant .

not the least sentiment was awakened in Ellen 's heart by their meeting .

but she had rather liked meeting him again .

she had forgotten how bracing and stimulating he could be .

no gathering was ever stagnant when Norman Douglas was present .

everybody had been surprised when Norman came .

it was well known he never went anywhere .

the Pollocks had invited him because he had been one of the original guests , but they never thought he would come .

he had taken his second cousin , Amy Annetta Douglas , out to supper and seemed rather attentive to her .

Ellen thought these things over as she walked home , tasting them with reminiscent relish .

the moonlit air sparkled with frost .

the snow crisped under her feet .

below her lay the Glen with the white harbour beyond .

there was a light in the manse study .

so John Meredith had gone home .

had he asked Rosemary to marry him ?

and after what fashion had she made her refusal known ?

Ellen felt that she would never know this , though she was quite curious .

she was sure Rosemary would never tell her anything about it and she would not dare to ask .

she must just be content with the fact of the refusal .

after all , that was the only thing that really mattered .

" I hope he 'll have sense enough to come back once in a while and be friendly , " she said to herself .

she disliked so much to be alone that thinking aloud was one of her devices for circumventing unwelcome solitude .

" it 's awful never to have a man-body with some brains to talk to once in a while .

and like as not he 'll never come near the house again .

there 's Norman Douglas , too I like that man , and I 'd like to have a good rousing argument with him now and then .

it seems like a dream that we could ever have been beaus .

she paused at her gate with a sudden vague feeling of alarm .

what was Rosemary doing up at this hour of the night ?

and why was she striding about like a lunatic ?

Ellen went softly in.

as she opened the hall door Rosemary came out of the room .

she was flushed and breathless .

an atmosphere of stress and passion hung about her like a garment .

" why aren't you in bed , Rosemary ? " demanded Ellen .

" come in here , " said Rosemary intensely .

" I want to tell you something . "

Ellen composedly removed her wraps and overshoes , and followed her sister into the warm , fire-lighted room .

she stood with her hand on the table and waited .

she was looking very handsome herself , in her own grim , black-browed style .

she wore coiled around her neck the rich heavy necklace of amber beads which was a family heirloom .

her walk in the frosty air had stung her cheeks into a glowing scarlet .

but her steel-blue eyes were as icy and unyielding as the sky of the winter night .

she stood waiting in a silence which Rosemary could break only by a convulsive effort .

" Ellen , Mr Meredith was here this evening . "

" yes ? "

" and and he asked me to marry him . "

" so I expected .

of course , you refused him ? "

" no . "

" Rosemary . "

Ellen clenched her hands and took an involuntary step forward .

" do you mean to tell me that you accepted him ? "

" no no . "

Ellen recovered her self-command .

" what DID you do then ? "

" I I asked him to give me a few days to think it over . "

rosemary held out her hands beseechingly .

" Ellen , " she said desperately , " I love John Meredith I want to be his wife .

will you set me free from that promise ? "

" no , " said Ellen , merciless , because she was sick from fear .

" Ellen Ellen "

" listen , " interrupted Ellen .

" I did not ask you for that promise .

you offered it . "

" I know I know .

but I did not think then that I could ever care for anyone again . "

" you offered it , " went on Ellen unmovably .

" you promised it over our mother 's Bible .

it was more than a promise it was an oath .

now you want to break it . "

" I only asked you to set me free from it , Ellen . "

" I will not do it .

a promise is a promise in my eyes .

I will not do it .

Break your promise be forsworn if you will but it shall not be with any assent of mine . "

" you are very hard on me , Ellen . "

" hard on you !

and what of me ?

have you ever given a thought to what my loneliness would be here if you left me ?

I could not bear it I would go crazy .

I CANNOT live alone .

haven't I been a good sister to you ?

have I ever opposed any wish of yours ?

haven't I indulged you in everything ? "

" yes yes . "

" then why do you want to leave me for this man whom you hadn't seen a year ago ? "

" I love him , Ellen . "

" Love !

you talk like a school miss instead of a middle-aged woman .

he doesn't love you .

he wants a housekeeper and a governess .

you don't love him .

that 's all there is to it . "

rosemary quivered .

Ellen could not , or would not , understand .

there was no use arguing with her .

" so you won't release me , Ellen ? "

" no , I won't .

and I won't talk of it again .

you promised and you 've got to keep your word .

that 's all .

go to bed .

look at the time !

you 're all romantic and worked up .

To-morrow you 'll be more sensible .

at any rate , don't let me hear any more of this nonsense .

go . "

Rosemary went without another word , pale and spiritless .

a reluctant smile overspread her dark face .

" I expect there 'll be some sulking , St George .

yes , Saint , I expect we are in for a few unpleasant foggy days .

well , we 'll weather them through , George .

we 've dealt with foolish children before , Saint .

rosemary 'll sulk a while and then she 'll get over it and all will be as before , George .

she promised and she 's got to keep her promise .

and that 's the last word on the subject I 'll say to you or her or anyone , Saint . "

but Ellen lay savagely awake till morning .

there was no sulking , however .

rosemary was pale and quiet the next day , but beyond that Ellen could detect no difference in her .

certainly , she seemed to bear Ellen no grudge .

it was stormy , so no mention was made of going to church .

in the afternoon Rosemary shut herself in her room and wrote a note to John Meredith .

she could not trust herself to say " no " in person .

she must make him think she cared nothing at all for him and she could do that only by letter .

she wrote him the stiffest , coolest little refusal imaginable .

it was barely courteous ; it certainly left no loophole of hope for the boldest lover and John Meredith was anything but that .

he shrank into himself , hurt and mortified , when he read Rosemary 's letter next day in his dusty study .

but under his mortification a dreadful realization presently made itself felt .

he had thought he did not love Rosemary as deeply as he had loved Cecilia .

now , when he had lost her , he knew that he did .

she was everything to him everything !

and he must put her out of his life completely .

even friendship was impossible now .

life stretched before him in intolerable dreariness .

he must go on there was his work his children but the heart had gone out of him .

he sat alone all that evening in his dark , cold , comfortless study with his head bowed on his hands .

" what would women do if headaches had never been invented , St George ?

but never mind , Saint .

we 'll just wink the other eye for a few weeks .

I admit I don't feel comfortable myself , George .

I feel as if I had drowned a kitten .

but she promised , Saint and she was the one to offer it , George .

Bismillah ! "

CHAPTER XXIII .

THE GOOD-CONDUCT CLUB

the harbour and the gulf and the low-lying shore fields had been dim with pearl-gray mists .

but now in the evening the rain had ceased and the mists had blown out to sea .

clouds sprinkled the sky over the harbour like little fiery roses .

beyond it the hills were dark against a spendthrift splendour of daffodil and crimson .

a great silvery evening star was watching over the bar .

a brisk , dancing , new-sprung wind was blowing up from Rainbow Valley , resinous with the odours of fir and damp mosses .

Carl and Jerry were sitting opposite them on another tombstone and all were rather full of mischief after being cooped up all day .

" the air just SHINES to-night , doesn't it ?

it 's been washed so clean , you see , " said Faith happily .

Mary Vance eyed her gloomily .

knowing what she knew , or fancied she knew , Mary considered that Faith was far too light-hearted .

Mary had something on her mind to say and she meant to say it before she went home .

the half hour was nearly up , so Mary uncurled her cramped legs from under her and said abruptly ,

" never mind about the air .

Just you listen to me .

you manse young ones have just got to behave yourselves better than you 've been doing this spring that 's all there is to it .

I just come up to-night a-purpose to tell you so .

the way people are talking about you is awful . "

" what have we been doing now ? " cried Faith in amazement , pulling her arm away from Mary .

Una 's lips trembled and her sensitive little soul shrank within her .

Mary was always so brutally frank .

Jerry began to whistle out of bravado .

he meant to let Mary see he didn't care for HER tirades .

their behaviour was no business of HERS anyway .

what right had SHE to lecture them on their conduct ?

" doing now !

you 're doing ALL the time , " retorted Mary .

" just as soon as the talk about one of your didos fades away you do something else to start it up again .

it seems to me you haven't any idea of how manse children ought to behave ! "

" maybe YOU can tell us , " said Jerry , killingly sarcastic .

sarcasm was quite thrown away on Mary .

" I can tell you what will happen if you don't learn to behave yourselves .

the session will ask your father to resign .

there now , Master Jerry-know-it-all .

Mrs Alec Davis said so to Mrs Elliott .

I heard her .

I always have my ears pricked up when Mrs Alec Davis comes to tea .

the Methodists just laugh and laugh at you , and that hurts the Presbyterian feelings .

SHE says you all need a good dose of birch tonic .

Lor ' , if that would make folks good I oughter be a young saint .

I 'm not telling you this because I want to hurt YOUR feelings .

I 'm sorry for you " Mary was past mistress of the gentle art of condescension .

" I understand that you haven't much chance , the way things are .

but other people don't make as much allowance as I do .

miss Drew says Carl had a frog in his pocket in Sunday School last Sunday and it hopped out while she was hearing the lesson .

she says she 's going to give up the class .

why don't you keep your insecks home ? "

" I popped it right back in again , " said Carl .

" it didn't hurt anybody a poor little frog !

and I wish old Jane Drew WOULD give up our class .

I hate her .

her own nephew had a dirty plug of tobacco in his pocket and offered us fellows a chew when Elder Clow was praying .

I guess that 's worse than a frog . "

" no , ' cause frogs are more unexpected-like .

they make more of a sensation .

' Sides , he wasn't caught at it .

and then that praying competition you had last week has made a fearful scandal .

everybody is talking about it . "

" why , the Blythes were in that as well as us , " cried Faith , indignantly .

" it was Nan Blythe who suggested it in the first place .

and Walter took the prize . "

" well , you get the credit of it any way .

it wouldn't have been so bad if you hadn't had it in the graveyard . "

" I should think a graveyard was a very good place to pray in , " retorted Jerry .

he thought you were making fun of HIM . "

" so I was , " declared unabashed Jerry .

" only I didn't know he was going by , of course .

that was just a mean accident .

I wasn't praying in real earnest I knew I had no chance of winning the prize .

so I was just getting what fun I could out of it .

Walter Blythe can pray bully .

why , he can pray as well as dad . "

" Una is the only one of US who really likes praying , " said Faith pensively .

" well , if praying scandalizes people so much we mustn't do it any more , " sighed Una .

" shucks , you can pray all you want to , only not in the graveyard and don't make a game of it .

that was what made it so bad that , and having a tea-party on the tombstones . "

" we hadn't . "

" well , a soap-bubble party then .

you had SOMETHING .

the over-harbour people swear you had a tea-party , but I 'm willing to take your word .

and you used this tombstone as a table . "

" well , Martha wouldn't let us blow bubbles in the house .

she was awful cross that day , " explained Jerry .

" and this old slab made such a jolly table . "

" weren't they pretty ? " cried Faith , her eyes sparkling over the remembrance .

" all but one and it went over and bust up on the Methodist spire , " said Carl .

" I 'm glad we did it once , anyhow , before we found out it was wrong , " said Faith .

" it wouldn't have been wrong to blow them on the lawn , " said Mary impatiently .

" seems like I can't knock any sense into your heads .

you 've been told often enough you shouldn't play in the graveyard .

the Methodists are sensitive about it . "

" we forget , " said Faith dolefully .

" and the lawn is so small and so caterpillary and so full of shrubs and things .

we can't be in Rainbow Valley all the time and where are we to go ? "

" it 's the things you DO in the graveyard .

it wouldn't matter if you just sat here and talked quiet , same as we 're doing now .

Deacon Hazard is his cousin . "

" I wish they wouldn't bother father about us , " said Una .

" well , people think he ought to bother himself about you a little more .

I don't I understand him .

he 's a child in some ways himself that 's what he is , and needs some one to look after him as bad as you do .

well , perhaps he 'll have some one before long , if all tales is true . "

" what do you mean ? " asked Faith .

" haven't you got any idea honest ? " demanded Mary .

" no , no .

what DO you mean ? "

" well , you are a lot of innocents , upon my word .

why , EVERYbody is talking of it .

your pa goes to see Rosemary West .

SHE is going to be your step-ma . "

" I don't believe it , " cried Una , flushing crimson .

" well , I dunno .

I just go by what folks say .

I don't give it for a fact .

but it would be a good thing .

they 're always that way till they 've caught them .

but you need some one to bring you up .

you 're disgracing your pa and I feel for him .

I 've always thought an awful lot of your pa ever since that night he talked to me so nice .

I 've never said a single swear word since , or told a lie .

the way she looked at the eggs I brought her to-night .

' I hope they 're fresh , ' says she .

I just wished they WAS rotten .

but you just mind that she gives you all one for breakfast , including your pa .

make a fuss if she doesn't .

that was what they was sent up for but I don't trust old Martha .

she 's quite capable of feeding ' em to her cat . "

Mary 's tongue being temporarily tired , a brief silence fell over the graveyard .

the manse children did not feel like talking .

they were digesting the new and not altogether palatable ideas Mary had suggested to them .

Jerry and Carl were somewhat startled .

but , after all , what did it matter ?

and it wasn't likely there was a word of truth in it .

faith , on the whole , was pleased .

only Una was seriously upset .

she felt that she would like to get away and cry .

" will there be any stars in my crown ? " sang the Methodist choir , beginning to practise in the Methodist church .

" I want just three , " said Mary , whose theological knowledge had increased notably since her residence with Mrs Elliott .

" are there different sizes in souls ? " asked Carl .

" of course .

why , little babies must have smaller ones than big men .

well , it 's getting dark and I must scoot home .

Mrs Elliott doesn't like me to be out after dark .

laws , when I lived with Mrs Wiley the dark was just the same as the daylight to me .

I didn't mind it no more'n a gray cat .

them days seem a hundred years ago .

now , you mind what I 've said and try to behave yourselves , for you pa's sake .

I'LL always back you up and defend you you can be dead sure of that .

Mrs Elliott says she never saw the like of me for sticking up for my friends .

I was real sassy to Mrs Alec Davis about you and Mrs Elliott combed me down for it afterwards .

the fair Cornelia has a tongue of her own and no mistake .

but she was pleased underneath for all , ' cause she hates old Kitty Alec and she 's real fond of you .

I can see through folks . "

Mary sailed off , excellently well pleased with herself , leaving a rather depressed little group behind her .

" Mary Vance always says something that makes us feel bad when she comes up , " said Una resentfully .

" I wish we 'd left her to starve in the old barn , " said Jerry vindictively .

" oh , that 's wicked , Jerry , " rebuked Una .

" may as well have the game as the name , " retorted unrepentant Jerry .

" if people say we 're so bad let 's BE bad . "

" but not if it hurts father , " pleaded Faith .

Jerry squirmed uncomfortably .

he adored his father .

through the unshaded study window they could see Mr Meredith at his desk .

he did not seem to be either reading or writing .

his head was in his hands and there was something in his whole attitude that spoke of weariness and dejection .

the children suddenly felt it .

" I dare say somebody 's been worrying him about us to-day , " said Faith .

" I wish we COULD get along without making people talk .

oh Jem Blythe !

how you scared me ! "

Jem Blythe had slipped into the graveyard and sat down beside the girls .

he had been prowling about Rainbow Valley and had succeeded in finding the first little star-white cluster of arbutus for his mother .

the manse children were rather silent after his coming .

Jem was beginning to grow away from them somewhat this spring .

he was studying for the entrance examination of Queen 's Academy and stayed after school with the older pupils for extra lessons .

also , his evenings were so full of work that he seldom joined the others in Rainbow Valley now .

he seemed to be drifting away into grown-up land .

" what is the matter with you all to-night ? " he asked .

" there 's no fun in you . "

" not much , " agreed Faith dolefully .

" there wouldn't be much fun in you either if YOU knew you were disgracing your father and making people talk about you . "

" who 's been talking about you now ? "

" everybody so Mary Vance says . "

and Faith poured out her troubles to sympathetic Jem .

" you see , " she concluded dolefully , " we 've nobody to bring us up .

and so we get into scrapes and people think we 're bad . "

" why don't you bring yourselves up ? " suggested Jem .

" I 'll tell you what to do .

form a Good-Conduct Club and punish yourselves every time you do anything that 's not right . "

" that 's a good idea , " said Faith , struck by it .

" but , " she added doubtfully , " things that don't seem a bit of harm to US seem simply dreadful to other people .

how can we tell ?

we can't be bothering father all the time and he has to be away a lot , anyhow . "

" the trouble is you just rush into things and don't think them over at all .

mother says you 're all too impulsive , just as she used to be .

the Good-Conduct Club would help you to think , if you were fair and honest about punishing yourselves when you broke the rules .

you 'd have to punish in some way that really HURT , or it wouldn't do any good . "

" whip each other ? "

" not exactly .

you 'd have to think up different ways of punishment to suit the person .

you wouldn't punish each other you 'd punish YOURSELVES .

I read all about such a club in a story-book .

you try it and see how it works . "

" let 's , " said Faith ; and when Jem was gone they agreed they would .

" if things aren't right we 've just got to make them right , " said Faith , resolutely .

" we 've got to be fair and square , as Jem says , " said Jerry .

" this is a club to bring ourselves up , seeing there 's nobody else to do it .

there 's no use in having many rules .

let's just have one and any of us that breaks it has got to be punished hard . "

" but HOW . "

" we 'll think that up as we go along .

that 's the rule .

we 'll all decide on the kind of punishment it must be made to fit the crime , as Mr Flagg says .

and the one that 's , guilty will be bound to carry it out and no shirking .

there 's going to be fun in this , " concluded Jerry , with a relish .

" you suggested the soap-bubble party , " said Faith .

" but that was before we 'd formed the club , " said Jerry hastily .

" everything starts from to-night . "

" but what if we can't agree on what 's right , or what the punishment ought to be ?

S'pose two of us thought of one thing and two another .

there ought to be five in a club like this . "

" we can ask Jem Blythe to be umpire .

he is the squarest boy in Glen St . Mary .

but I guess we can settle our own affairs mostly .

we want to keep this as much of a secret as we can .

don't breathe a word to Mary Vance .

she 'd want to join and do the bringing up . "

" I think , " said Faith , " that there 's no use in spoiling every day by dragging punishments in .

let's have a punishment day . "

" we 'd better choose Saturday because there is no school to interfere , " suggested Una .

" and spoil the one holiday in the week , " cried Faith .

" not much !

no , let's take Friday .

that 's fish day , anyhow , and we all hate fish .

we may as well have all the disagreeable things in one day .

then other days we can go ahead and have a good time . "

" nonsense , " said Jerry authoritatively .

" such a scheme wouldn't work at all .

we 'll just punish ourselves as we go along and keep a clear slate .

now , we all understand , don't we ?

this is a Good-Conduct Club , for the purpose of bringing ourselves up .

Jem Blythe to be umpire in case of disputes .

no more taking bugs to Sunday School , Carl , and no more chewing gum in public , if you please , Miss Faith . "

" no more making fun of elders praying or going to the Methodist prayer meeting , " retorted Faith .

" why , it isn't any harm to go to the Methodist prayer meeting , " protested Jerry in amazement .

" Mrs Elliott says it is , She says manse children have no business to go anywhere but to Presbyterian things . "

" darn it , I won't give up going to the Methodist prayer meeting , " cried Jerry .

" it 's ten times more fun than ours is . "

" you said a naughty word , " cried Faith .

" NOW , you 've got to punish yourself . "

" not till it 's all down in black and white .

we 're only talking the club over .

it isn't really formed until we 've written it out and signed it .

there 's got to be a constitution and by-laws .

and you KNOW there 's nothing wrong in going to a prayer meeting . "

" but it 's not only the wrong things we 're to punish ourselves for , but anything that might hurt father . "

" it won't hurt anybody .

you know Mrs Elliott is cracked on the subject of Methodists .

nobody else makes any fuss about my going .

I always behave myself .

you ask Jem or Mrs Blythe and see what they say .

I 'll abide by their opinion .

I 'm going for the paper now and I 'll bring out the lantern and we 'll all sign . "

the others had gone quietly into the manse and to bed .

" do you think it is true that father is going to marry Miss West ? "

Una had tremulously asked of Faith , after their prayers had been said .

" I don't know , but I 'd like it , " said Faith .

" oh , I wouldn't , " said Una , chokingly .

" she is nice the way she is .

but Mary Vance says it changes people ALTOGETHER to be made stepmothers .

they get horrid cross and mean and hateful then , and turn your father against you .

she says they 're sure to do that .

she never knew it to fail in a single case . "

" I don't believe Miss West would EVER try to do that , " cried Faith .

" Mary says ANYBODY would .

she knows ALL about stepmothers , Faith she says she 's seen hundreds of them and you 've never seen one .

oh , Mary has told me blood-curdling things about them .

she says they 're ALL aching to do things like that . "

" I don't believe Miss West would .

you don't know her as well as I do , Una .

just think of that sweet little bird she sent me .

I love it far more even than Adam . "

" it 's just being a stepmother changes them .

Mary says they can't help it .

I wouldn't mind the whippings so much as having father hate us . "

" you know nothing could make father hate us .

don't be silly , Una .

I dare say there 's nothing to worry over .

Likely if we run our club right and bring ourselves up properly father won't think of marrying any one .

and if he does , I KNOW Miss West will be lovely to us . "

but Una had no such conviction and she cried herself to sleep .

CHAPTER XXIV .

a CHARITABLE IMPULSE

for a fortnight things ran smoothly in the Good-Conduct Club .

it seemed to work admirably .

not once was Jem Blythe called in as umpire .

not once did any of the manse children set the Glen gossips by the ears .

not one word did she reply to his genial greeting , but went silently away to call her father briefly .

but nothing worse came of it , and generally their penances did no harm to themselves or anybody else .

all of them were beginning to feel quite cocksure that after all , it was a very easy matter to bring yourself up .

" I guess people will soon see that we can behave ourselves properly as well as anybody , " said Faith jubilantly .

" it isn't hard when we put our minds to it . "

she and Una were sitting on the Pollock tombstone .

the rain had held up , but the east wind blew mercilessly in from the sea , cutting to bone and marrow .

Lida Marsh , who had come up to bring the manse a mess of herring , slipped in through the gate shivering .

he would not have expected a good mackerel catch if he had not so sent the first fruits of the season .

Lida was a mite of ten and looked younger , because she was such a small , wizened little creature .

her face was purple and her pale-blue , bold little eyes were red and watery .

she wore a tattered print dress and a ragged woollen comforter , tied across her thin shoulders and under her arms .

she had walked the three miles from the harbour mouth barefooted , over a road where there was still snow and slush and mud .

her feet and legs were as purple as her face .

but Lida did not mind this much .

there was no self-pity in her heart as she sat down on the tombstone and grinned cheerfully at Faith and Una .

faith and Una grinned cheerfully back .

they knew Lida slightly , having met her once or twice the preceding summer when they had gone down the harbour with the Blythes .

" hello ! " said Lida , " ain't this a fierce kind of a night ?

' T'ain't fit for a dog to be out , is it ? "

" then why are you out ? " asked Faith .

" Pa made me bring you up some herring , " returned Lida .

she shivered , coughed , and stuck out her bare feet .

Lida was not thinking about herself or her feet , and was making no bid for sympathy .

she held her feet out instinctively to keep them from the wet grass around the tombstone .

but Faith and Una were instantly swamped with a wave of pity for her .

she looked so cold so miserable .

" oh , why are you barefooted on such a cold night ? " cried Faith .

" your feet must be almost frozen . "

" Pretty near , " said Lida proudly .

" I tell you it was fierce walking up that harbour road . "

" why didn't you put on your shoes and stockings ? " asked Una .

" Hain't none to put on .

all I had was wore out by the time winter was over , " said Lida indifferently .

for a moment Faith stated in horror .

this was terrible .

here was a little girl , almost a neighbour , half frozen because she had no shoes or stockings in this cruel spring weather .

Impulsive Faith thought of nothing but the dreadfulness of it .

in a moment she was pulling off her own shoes and stockings .

" here , take these and put them right on , " she said , forcing them into the hands of the astonished Lida .

" Quick now .

you 'll catch your death of cold .

I 've got others .

put them right on . "

Lida , recovering her wits , snatched at the offered gift , with a sparkle in her dull eyes .

sure she would put them on , and that mighty quick , before any one appeared with authority to recall them .

in a minute she had pulled the stockings over her scrawny little legs and slipped Faith 's shoes over her thick little ankles .

" I 'm obliged to you , " she said , " but won't your folks be cross ? "

" no and I don't care if they are , " said Faith .

" do you think I could see any one freezing to death without helping them if I could ?

it wouldn't be right , especially when my father 's a minister . "

" will you want them back ?

it 's awful cold down at the harbour mouth long after it 's warm up here , " said Lida slyly .

" no , you 're to keep them , of course .

that is what I meant when I gave them .

I have another pair of shoes and plenty of stockings . "

Lida had meant to stay awhile and talk to the girls about many things .

but now she thought she had better get away before somebody came and made her yield up her booty .

so she shuffled off through the bitter twilight , in the noiseless , shadowy way she had slipped in .

she had no intention of keeping them on down that dirty harbour road .

they were to be kept good for gala occasions .

not another little girl down at the harbour mouth had such fine black cashmere stockings and such smart , almost new shoes .

Lida was furnished forth for the summer .

she had no qualms in the matter .

in her eyes the manse people were quite fabulously rich , and no doubt those girls had slathers of shoes and stockings .

" you 'll have to wear your good boots every day now and they 'll soon scuff out . "

" I don't care , " cried Faith , still in the fine glow of having done a kindness to a fellow creature .

" it isn't fair that I should have two pairs of shoes and poor little Lida Marsh not have any .

NOW we both have a pair .

and it 's true .

I feel FAR happier now than I ever did in my whole life before .

just think of Lida walking home this very minute with her poor little feet all nice and warm and comfy . "

" you know you haven't another pair of black cashmere stockings , " said Una .

you 've nothing but those two pairs of striped stockings you hate so . "

all the glow and uplift went out of Faith .

her gladness collapsed like a pricked balloon .

she sat for a few dismal minutes in silence , facing the consequences of her rash act .

" oh , Una , I never thought of that , " she said dolefully .

" I didn't stop to think at all . "

they were undoubtedly hideous .

faith loathed them as she had never loathed anything before .

wear them she certainly would not .

they were still unworn in her bureau drawer .

" you 'll have to wear the striped stockings after this , " said Una .

" just think how the boys in school will laugh at you .

you know how they laugh at Mamie Warren for her striped stockings and call her barber pole and yours are far worse . "

" I won't wear them , " said Faith .

" I 'll go barefooted first , cold as it is . "

" you can't go barefooted to church to-morrow .

think what people would say . "

" then I 'll stay home . "

" you can't .

you know very well Aunt Martha will make you go . "

faith did know this .

the one thing on which Aunt Martha troubled herself to insist was that they must all go to church , rain or shine .

how they were dressed , or if they were dressed at all , never concerned her .

but go they must .

that was how Aunt Martha had been brought up seventy years ago , and that was how she meant to bring them up .

" haven't you got a pair you can lend me , Una ? " said poor Faith piteously .

Una shook her head .

" no , you know I only have the one black pair .

and they 're so tight I can hardly get them on .

they wouldn't go on you .

neither would my gray ones .

besides , the legs of THEM are all darned AND darned . "

" I won't wear those striped stockings , " said Faith stubbornly .

" the feel of them is even worse than the looks .

they make me feel as if my legs were as big as barrels and they 're so SCRATCHY . "

" well , I don't know what you 're going to do . "

" if father was home I 'd go and ask him to get me a new pair before the store closes .

but he won't be home till too late .

I 'll ask him Monday and I won't go to church tomorrow .

I 'll pretend I 'm sick and Aunt Martha 'll HAVE to let me stay home . "

" that would be acting a lie , Faith , " cried Una .

" you CAN'T do that .

you know it would be dreadful .

what would father say if he knew ?

he said we must never tell or act a lie he said he'd TRUST us not to .

you CAN'T do it , Faith .

just wear the striped stockings .

it 'll only be for once .

nobody will notice them in church .

it isn't like school .

and your new brown dress is so long they won't show much .

" I won't wear those stockings , " repeated Faith .

she uncoiled her bare , white legs from the tombstone and deliberately walked through the wet , cold grass to the bank of snow .

setting her teeth , she stepped upon it and stood there .

" what are you doing ? " cried Una aghast .

" you 'll catch your death of cold , Faith Meredith . "

" I 'm trying to , " answered Faith .

" I hope I 'll catch a fearful cold and be AWFUL sick to-morrow .

then I won't be acting a lie .

I 'm going to stand here as long as I can bear it . "

" but , Faith , you might really die .

you might get pneumonia .

please , Faith don't .

let's go into the house and get SOMETHING for your feet .

oh , here 's Jerry .

I 'm so thankful .

Jerry , MAKE Faith get off that snow .

look at her feet . "

" holy cats !

faith , what ARE you doing ? " demanded Jerry .

" are you crazy ? "

" no .

go away ! " snapped Faith .

" then are you punishing yourself for something ?

it isn't right , if you are .

you 'll be sick . "

" I want to be sick .

I 'm not punishing myself .

go away . "

" Where's her shoes and stockings ? " asked Jerry of Una .

" she gave them to Lida Marsh . "

" Lida Marsh ?

what for ? "

" because Lida had none and her feet were so cold .

and now she wants to be sick so that she won't have to go to church to-morrow and wear her striped stockings .

but , Jerry , she may die . "

" Faith , " said Jerry , " get off that ice-bank or I 'll pull you off . "

" pull away , " dared Faith .

Jerry sprang at her and caught her arms .

he pulled one way and Faith pulled another .

Una ran behind Faith and pushed .

Faith stormed at Jerry to leave her alone .

Jerry stormed back at her not to be a dizzy idiot ; and Una cried .

they made no end of noise and they were close to the road fence of the graveyard .

Henry Warren and his wife drove by and heard and saw them .

very soon the Glen heard that the manse children had been having an awful fight in the graveyard and using most improper language .

they all went in amiably and went to bed .

faith slept like a cherub and woke in the morning without a trace of a cold .

she felt that she couldn't feign sickness and act a lie , after remembering that long-ago talk with her father .

but she was still as fully determined as ever that she would not wear those abominable stockings to church .

CHAPTER XXV .

ANOTHER SCANDAL AND ANOTHER " EXPLANATION "

Faith went early to Sunday School and was seated in the corner of her class pew before any one came .

two good inches of bare white leg showed plainly .

faith and Carl sat alone in the manse pew .

Jerry had gone into the gallery to sit with a chum and the Blythe girls had taken Una with them .

the Meredith children were given to " sitting all over the church " in this fashion and a great many people thought it very improper .

but Jerry hated the manse pew at the very top of the church , under the eyes of Elder Clow and his family .

he escaped from it whenever he could .

Carl , absorbed in watching a spider spinning its web at the window , did not notice Faith 's legs .

she walked home with her father after church and he never noticed them .

but nobody else in Glen St Mary was ignorant of it .

the few who had not seen soon heard .

nothing else was talked of on the way home from church .

Miss Cornelia said that she , for her part , gave up .

there was no use worrying over the manse fry any longer .

even Mrs Dr Blythe felt a little shocked , though she attributed the occurrence solely to Faith 's forgetfulness .

" you need not tell me anything but that it was old Martha 's fault , Mrs Dr dear . " she told Anne .

" I suppose that poor little child had no decent stockings to wear .

I suppose every stocking she had was in holes , as you know very well they generally are .

I really did not know what way to look . "

I thought Mrs Deacon Hazard 's eyes would drop out of her head .

when she came out of church she said , ' Well , that exhibition was no more than decent .

I do pity the Presbyterians . '

and we just had to TAKE it .

there was nothing one could say . "

" there was something I could have said , Mrs Dr dear , if I had heard her , " said Susan grimly .

" I would have said , for one thing , that in my opinion clean bare legs were quite as decent as holes .

I could have squelched Mrs Deacon Hazard , Mrs Dr dear , and that you may tie to . "

" I wish Mr Meredith didn't preach quite so well and looked after his family a little better , " retorted Miss Cornelia .

" he could at least glance over his children before they went to church and see that they were quite properly clothed .

I 'm tired making excuses for him , believe ME . "

meanwhile , Faith 's soul was being harrowed up in Rainbow Valley .

Mary Vance was there and , as usual , in a lecturing mood .

" everybody " was talking , and " everybody " said the same thing .

" I simply feel that I can't associate with you any longer , " she concluded .

" WE are going to associate with her then , " cried Nan Blythe .

Nan secretly thought Faith HAD done a awful thing , but she wasn't going to let Mary Vance run matters in this high-handed fashion .

" and if YOU are not you needn't come any more to Rainbow Valley , MISS Vance . "

Nan and Di both put their arms around Faith and glared defiance at Mary .

the latter suddenly crumpled up , sat down on a stump and began to cry .

" it ain't that I don't want to , " she wailed .

" but if I keep in with Faith people 'll be saying I put her up to doing things .

some are saying it now , true 's you live .

I can't afford to have such things said of me , now that I 'm in a respectable place and trying to be a lady .

and I never went bare-legged in church in my toughest days .

I 'd never have thought of doing such a thing .

but that hateful old Kitty Alec says Faith has never been the same girl since that time I stayed in the manse .

she says Cornelia Elliott will live to rue the day she took me in .

it hurts my feelings , I tell you .

but it 's Mr Meredith I 'm really worried over . "

" I think you needn't worry about him , " said Di scornfully .

" it isn't likely necessary .

now , Faith darling , stop crying and tell us why you did it . "

faith explained tearfully .

the Blythe girls sympathized with her , and even Mary Vance agreed that it was a hard position to be in .

but Jerry , on whom the thing came like a thunderbolt , refused to be placated .

so THIS was what some mysterious hints he had got in school that day meant !

" I don't see that it was any harm , " said Faith defiantly .

" not MUCH of my legs showed .

it wasn't WRONG and it didn't hurt anybody . "

" it will hurt Dad .

you KNOW it will .

you know people blame him whenever we do anything queer . "

" I didn't think of that , " muttered Faith .

" that 's just the trouble .

you didn't think and you SHOULD have thought .

that 's what our Club is for to bring us up and MAKE us think .

we promised we 'd always stop and think before doing things .

you didn't and you 've got to be punished , Faith and real hard , too .

you 'll wear those striped stockings to school for a week for punishment . "

" oh , Jerry , won't a day do two days ?

not a whole week ! "

" yes , a whole week , " said inexorable Jerry .

" it is fair ask Jem Blythe if it isn't . "

Faith felt she would rather submit then ask Jem Blythe about such a matter .

she was beginning to realize that her offence was a quite shameful one .

" I 'll do it , then , " she muttered , a little sulkily .

" you 're getting off easy , " said , Jerry severely .

" and no matter how we punish you it won't help father .

people will always think you just did it for mischief , and they 'll blame father for not stopping it .

we can never explain it to everybody . "

this aspect of the case weighed on Faith 's mind .

her own condemnation she could bear , but it tortured her that her father should be blamed .

if people knew the true facts of the case they would not blame him .

but how could she make them known to all the world ?

getting up in church , as she had once done , and explaining the matter was out of the question .

faith had heard from Mary Vance how the congregation had looked upon that performance and realized that she must not repeat it .

faith worried over the problem for half a week .

then she had an inspiration and promptly acted upon it .

she spent that evening in the garret , with a lamp and an exercise book , writing busily , with flushed cheeks and shining eyes .

it was the very thing !

how clever she was to have thought of it !

it would put everything right and explain everything and yet cause no scandal .

it was eleven o'clock when she had finished to her satisfaction and crept down to bed , dreadfully tired , but perfectly happy .

a letter signed " Faith Meredith " occupied a prominent place on the front page and ran as follows :

" TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN :

it was dreadfully coarse yarn and all knots , and I never saw any of Mrs Burr 's own children wearing things made of such yarn .

" I just couldn't bear to wear those hateful stockings .

they were so ugly and rough and felt so scratchy .

everybody would have made fun of me .

I will not mention any names , but I know who they are and so does father .

but it didn't hurt me a bit and so I couldn't get out of going to church .

so I just decided I would put my boots on and go that way .

" there is another thing I want to explain about before I stop .

Mary Vance told me that Mr Evan Boyd is blaming the Lew Baxters for stealing potatoes out of his field last fall .

they did not touch his potatoes .

they are very poor , but they are honest .

it was us did it Jerry and Carl and I . Una was not with us at the time .

we never thought it was stealing .

we just wanted a few potatoes to cook over a fire in Rainbow Valley one evening to eat with our fried trout .

but Mr Boyd must not blame the Lew Baxters any more , when they were quite innocent , and give them a bad name .

" yours respectfully ,

" FAITH MEREDITH . "

CHAPTER XXVI .

MISS CORNELIA GETS A NEW POINT OF VIEW

" nobody may see me , but I 'll be here .

" and I do NOT believe in ghosts , seen or unseen . "

" oh , Susan , I shall not be a ghost !

that has such a horrible sound .

I shall just be ME .

and I shall run around in the twilight , whether it is morn or eve , and see all the spots I love .

do you remember how badly I felt when I left our little House of Dreams , Susan ?

I thought I could never love Ingleside so well .

but I do .

I love every inch of the ground and every stick and stone on it . "

there are such things as fires and earthquakes .

we should always be prepared .

the Tom MacAllisters over-harbour were burned out three nights ago .

some say Tom MacAllister set the house on fire himself to get the insurance .

that may or may not be .

but I advise the doctor to have our chimneys seen to at once .

an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure .

but I see Mrs Marshall Elliott coming in at the gate , looking as if she had been sent for and couldn't go . "

" Anne dearie , have you seen the Journal to-day ? "

Anne bent over the daffodils to hide a smile .

" isn't it dreadful ?

what IS to be done ? " asked Miss Cornelia despairingly .

Anne led the way to the veranda , where Susan was knitting , with Shirley and Rilla conning their primers on either side .

Susan was already on her second pair of stockings for Faith .

Susan never worried over poor humanity .

she did what in her lay for its betterment and serenely left the rest to the Higher Powers .

I have never thought I was , and so I go calmly along .

not but what it has sometimes occurred to me that things might be run a little better than they are .

but it is not for us poor worms to nourish such thoughts .

they only make us uncomfortable and do not get us anywhere . "

" I don't see that anything can be done now " said Anne , pulling out a nice , cushiony chair for Miss Cornelia .

" but how in the world did Mr Vickers allow that letter to be printed ?

surely he should have known better . "

" why , he 's away , Anne dearie he 's been away to New Brunswick for a week .

and that young scalawag of a Joe Vickers is editing the Journal in his absence .

as you say , I don't suppose there is anything to be done now , only live it down .

but if I ever get Joe Vickers cornered somewhere I 'll give him a talking to he won't forget in a hurry .

Marshall never will take anything seriously just like a man .

fortunately , Evan Boyd is like that , too .

he takes it as a joke and is laughing all over the place about it .

and he 's another Methodist !

as for Mrs Burr of Upper Glen , of course she will be furious and they will leave the church .

not that it will be a great loss from any point of view .

the Methodists are quite welcome to THEM . "

" she will find that she will not be able to cheat the Methodist parson out of HIS salary with bad yarn . "

" the worst of it is , there 's not much hope of things getting any better , " said Miss Cornelia gloomily .

" as long as Mr Meredith was going to see Rosemary West I did hope the manse would soon have a proper mistress .

but that is all off .

I suppose she wouldn't have him on account of the children at least , everybody seems to think so . "

" I do not believe that he ever asked her , " said Susan , who could not conceive of any one refusing a minister .

" well , nobody knows anything about THAT .

but one thing is certain , he doesn't go there any longer .

and Rosemary didn't look well all the spring .

I hope her visit to Kingsport will do her good .

she 's been gone for a month and will stay another month , I understand .

I can't remember when Rosemary was away from home before .

she and Ellen could never bear to be parted .

but I understand Ellen insisted on her going this time .

and meanwhile Ellen and Norman Douglas are warming up the old soup . "

" is that really so ? " asked Anne , laughing .

" I heard a rumour of it , but I hardly believed it . "

" believe it !

you may believe it all right , Anne , dearie .

nobody is in ignorance of it .

Norman Douglas never left anybody in doubt as to his intentions in regard to anything .

he always did his courting before the public .

he said he 'd clean forgot how handsome she was .

he hadn't seen her for twenty years , if you can believe it .

of course he never went to church , and Ellen never went anywhere else round here .

oh , we all know what Norman means , but what Ellen means is a different matter .

I shan't take it upon me to predict whether it will be a match or not . "

" he jilted her once but it seems that does not count with some people , Mrs Dr . dear , " Susan remarked rather acidly .

" he jilted her in a fit of temper and repented it all his life , " said Miss Cornelia .

" that is different from a cold-blooded jilting .

for my part , I never detested Norman as some folks do .

he could never over-crow ME .

I DO wonder what started him coming to church .

I have never been able to believe Mrs Wilsons 's story that Faith Meredith went there and bullied him into it .

I 've always intended to ask Faith herself , but I 've never happened to think of it just when I saw her .

what influence could SHE have over Norman Douglas ?

he was in the store when I left , bellowing with laughter over that scandalous letter .

you could have heard him at Four Winds Point .

' The greatest girl in the world , ' he was shouting .

' She 's that full of spunk she 's bursting with it .

and all the old grannies want to tame her , darn them .

but they 'll never be able to do it never !

they might as well try to drown a fish .

Boyd , see that you put more fertilizer on your potatoes next year .

Ho , ho , ho ! '

and then he laughed till the roof shook . "

" Mr Douglas pays well to the salary , at least , " remarked Susan .

" oh , Norman isn't mean in some ways .

besides , he likes Mr Meredith 's sermons , and Norman Douglas was always willing to shell out if he got his brains tickled up .

there is no more Christianity about him than there is about a black , naked heathen in Africa and never will be .

but he 's clever and well read and he judges sermons as he would lectures .

anyhow , it 's well he backs up Mr Meredith and the children as he does , for they 'll need friends more than ever after this .

I am tired of making excuses for them , believe ME . "

" do you know , dear Miss Cornelia , " said Anne seriously , " I think we have all been making too many excuses .

it is very foolish and we ought to stop it .

I am going to tell you what I 'd LIKE to do .

but I 'd LIKE to do it .

you Methodists need not pity us , and we Presbyterians need not pity ourselves .

we are not going to do it any more .

Mr Meredith is the best preacher Glen St Mary church ever had .

moreover , he is a sincere , earnest teacher of truth and Christian charity .

he is a faithful friend , a judicious pastor in all essentials , and a refined , scholarly , well-bred man .

his family are worthy of him .

Gerald Meredith is the cleverest pupil in the Glen school , and Mr Hazard says that he is destined to a brilliant career .

he is a manly , honourable , truthful little fellow .

Faith Meredith is a beauty , and as inspiring and original as she is beautiful .

there is nothing commonplace about her .

all the other girls in the Glen put together haven't the vim , and wit , and joyousness and ' spunk ' she has .

she has not an enemy in the world .

every one who knows her loves her .

of how many , children or grown-ups , can that be said ?

Una Meredith is sweetness personified .

she will make a most lovable woman .

do you know of any other family in the Glen , or out of it , of whom all these things can be said ?

away with shamefaced excuses and apologies .

we REJOICE in our minister and his splendid boys and girls ! "

that good lady was staring helplessly at Anne , apparently engulfed in billows of new ideas .

but she came up with a gasp and struck out for shore gallantly .

" Anne Blythe , I wish you WOULD call that meeting and say just that !

you 've made me ashamed of myself , for one , and far be it from me to refuse to admit it .

OF COURSE , that is how we should have talked especially to the Methodists .

and it 's every word of it true every word .

we 've just been shutting our eyes to the big worth-while things and squinting them on the little things that don't really matter a pin 's worth .

oh , Anne dearie , I can see a thing when it 's hammered into my head .

no more apologizing for Cornelia Marshall !

even that letter I felt so bad about why , it 's only a good joke after all , as Norman says .

not many girls would have been cute enough to think of writing it and all punctuated so nicely and not one word misspelled .

just let me hear any Methodist say one word about it though all the same I 'll never forgive Joe Vickers believe ME !

where are the rest of your small fry to-night ? "

" Walter and the twins are in Rainbow Valley .

Jem is studying in the garret . "

" they are all crazy about Rainbow Valley .

Mary Vance thinks it 's the only place in the world .

she 'd be off up here every evening if I 'd let her .

but I don't encourage her in gadding .

besides , I miss the creature when she isn't around , Anne dearie .

I never thought I 'd get so fond of her .

not but what I see her faults and try to correct them .

I was fifty-nine my last birthday .

I don't FEEL it , but there is no gainsaying the Family Bible . "

CHAPTER XXVII .

a SACRED CONCERT

in spite of Miss Cornelia 's new point of view she could not help feeling a little disturbed over the next performance of the manse children .

but in private Miss Cornelia allowed herself the relief of bemoaning it to Anne .

" Anne dearie , they had a CONCERT IN THE GRAVEYARD last Thursday evening , while the Methodist prayer meeting was going on .

there they sat , on Hezekiah Pollock 's tombstone , and sang for a solid hour .

of course , I understand it was mostly hymns they sang , and it wouldn't have been quite so bad if they 'd done nothing else .

but I 'm told they finished up with Polly Wolly Doodle at full length and that just when Deacon Baxter was praying . "

" I don't know what YOU were doing in a Methodist prayer meeting , " said Miss Cornelia acidly .

" I have never found that Methodism was catching , " retorted Susan stiffly .

when Mrs Deacon Baxter said , as we came out , ' What a disgraceful exhibition ! '

their voices appear to be in tune only on Sundays ! '

she was quite meek and I felt that I had snubbed her properly .

but I could have done it much more thoroughly , Mrs Dr dear , if only they had left out Polly Wolly Doodle .

it is truly terrible to think of that being sung in a graveyard . "

" some of those dead folks sang Polly Wolly Doodle when they were living , Susan .

perhaps they like to hear it yet , " suggested Gilbert .

they might injure his practice .

people might get it into their heads that he wasn't orthodox .

to be sure , Marshall said even worse things habitually , but then HE was not a public man .

" I understand that their father was in his study all the time , with his windows open , but never noticed them at all .

of course , he was lost in a book as usual .

but I spoke to him about it yesterday , when he called . "

" how could you dare , Mrs Marshall Elliott ? " asked Susan rebukingly .

" dare !

it 's time somebody dared something .

why , they say he knows nothing about that letter of Faith 's to the JOURNAL because nobody liked to mention it to him .

he never looks at a JOURNAL of course .

but I thought he ought to know of this to prevent any such performances in future .

he said he would ' discuss it with them . '

but of course he 'd never think of it again after he got out of our gate .

that man has no sense of humour , Anne , believe ME .

he preached last Sunday on ' How to Bring up Children . '

a beautiful sermon it was , too and everybody in church thinking ' what a pity you can't practise what you preach . ' "

Miss Cornelia did Mr Meredith an injustice in thinking he would soon forget what she had told him .

they went in , somewhat awed .

it was such an unusual thing for their father to do .

what could he be going to say to them ?

they racked their memories for any recent transgression of sufficient importance , but could not recall any .

but Mr Meredith had not noticed it , and Mrs Flagg , who was a kindly soul , had made no fuss .

besides , Carl had been punished by having to wear Una 's dress all the rest of the evening .

Una suddenly thought that perhaps her father meant to tell them that he was going to marry Miss West .

her heart began to beat violently and her legs trembled .

then she saw that Mr Meredith looked very stern and sorrowful .

no , it could not be that .

" children , " said Mr Meredith , " I have heard something that has pained me very much .

" Great Caesar , Dad , we forgot all about it being their prayer meeting night , " exclaimed Jerry in dismay .

" then it is true you did do this thing ? "

" why , Dad , I don't know what you mean by ribald songs .

we sang hymns it was a sacred concert , you know .

what harm was that ?

I tell you we never thought about it 's being Methodist prayer meeting night .

they used to have their meeting Tuesday nights and since they 've changed to Thursdays it 's hard to remember . "

" did you sing nothing but hymns ? "

" why , " said Jerry , turning red , " we DID sing Polly Wolly Doodle at the last .

Faith said , ' Let 's have something cheerful to wind up with . '

but we didn't mean any harm , Father truly we didn't . "

" the concert was my idea , Father , " said Faith , afraid that Mr Meredith might blame Jerry too much .

" you know the Methodists themselves had a sacred concert in their church three Sunday nights ago .

I thought it would be good fun to get one up in imitation of it .

YOU were sitting in here all the time , " she added , " and never said a word to us . "

" I did not notice what you were doing .

that is no excuse for me , of course .

I am more to blame than you I realize that .

but why did you sing that foolish song at the end ? "

" we 're sorry , Father truly , we are .

Pitch into us hard we deserve a regular combing down . "

but Mr Meredith did no combing down or pitching into .

he sat down and gathered his small culprits close to him and talked a little to them , tenderly and wisely .

they were overcome with remorse and shame , and felt that they could never be so silly and thoughtless again .

" we 've just got to punish ourselves good and hard for this , " whispered Jerry as they crept upstairs .

" we 'll have a session of the Club first thing tomorrow and decide how we 'll do it .

I never saw father so cut up .

but I wish to goodness the Methodists would stick to one night for their prayer meeting and not wander all over the week . "

" anyhow , I 'm glad it wasn't what I was afraid it was , " murmured Una to herself .

behind them , in the study , Mr Meredith had sat down at his desk and buried his face in his arms .

" God help me ! " he said .

" I 'm a poor sort of father .

oh , Rosemary !

if you had only cared ! "

CHAPTER XXVIII .

a FAST DAY

the Good-Conduct Club had a special session the next morning before school .

after various suggestions , it was decided that a fast day would be an appropriate punishment .

" we won't eat a single thing for a whole day , " said Jerry .

" I 'm kind of curious to see what fasting is like , anyhow .

this will be a good chance to find out . "

" let's pick Monday , " said Faith .

" we mostly have a pretty FILLING dinner on Sundays , and Mondays meals never amount to much anyhow . "

" but that 's just the point , " exclaimed Jerry .

it wouldn't be much punishment to fast from ditto .

let's take next Sunday .

it will be a good day , for father is going to exchange for the morning service with the Upper Lowbridge minister .

father will be away till evening .

aunt Martha did not .

Mr Meredith had gone away early in the morning before any one was up .

he went without his breakfast , too , but that was , of course , of common occurrence .

half of the time he forgot it and there was no one to remind him of it .

Breakfast Aunt Martha 's breakfast was not a hard meal to miss .

but it was different at dinner time .

in desperation they rushed to the graveyard where they couldn't smell it .

but Una could not keep her eyes from the dining room window , through which the Upper Lowbridge minister could be seen , placidly eating .

" if I could only have just a weeny , teeny piece , " she sighed .

" now , you stop that , " commanded Jerry .

" of course it 's hard but that 's the punishment of it .

I could eat a graven image this very minute , but am I complaining ?

let's think of something else .

we 've just got to rise above our stomachs . "

at supper time they did not feel the pangs of hunger which they had suffered earlier in the day .

" I suppose we 're getting used to it , " said Faith .

" I feel an awfully queer all-gone sort of feeling , but I can't say I 'm hungry . "

" my head is funny , " said Una .

" it goes round and round sometimes . "

but she went gamely to church with the others .

but he noticed nothing and his sermon was something longer than usual .

Mrs Elder Clow was the first to reach her .

she caught the thin little body from the arms of white-faced , terrified Faith and carried it into the vestry .

Mr Meredith forgot the hymn and everything else and rushed madly after her .

the congregation dismissed itself as best it could .

" oh , Mrs Clow , " gasped Faith , " is Una dead ?

have we killed her ? "

" what is the matter with my child ? " demanded the pale father .

" she has just fainted , I think , " said Mrs Clow .

" oh , here 's the doctor , thank goodness . "

Gilbert did not find it a very easy thing to bring Una back to consciousness .

he worked over her for a long time before her eyes opened .

then he carried her over to the manse , followed by Faith , sobbing hysterically in her relief .

" she is just hungry , you know she didn't eat a thing to-day none of us did we were all fasting . "

" fasting ! " said Mr Meredith , and " fasting ? " said the doctor .

" yes to punish ourselves for singing Polly Wolly in the graveyard , " said Faith .

" my child , I don't want you to punish yourselves for that , " said Mr Meredith in distress .

" I gave you your little scolding and you were all penitent and I forgave you . "

" yes , but we had to be punished , " explained Faith .

we are bringing ourselves up , you know , because there is nobody to do it . "

Mr Meredith groaned , but the doctor got up from Una 's side with an air of relief .

" then this child simply fainted from lack of food and all she needs is a good square meal , " he said .

" Mrs Clow , will you be kind enough to see she gets it ?

and I think from Faith 's story that they all would be the better for something to eat , or we shall have more faintings . "

" I suppose we shouldn't have made Una fast , " said Faith remorsefully .

" when I think of it , only Jerry and I should have been punished .

WE got up the concert and we were the oldest . "

faith 's innocently uttered phrase rankled in her father 's mind like a barbed shaft .

there was " nobody " to look after them to comfort their little souls and care for their little bodies .

how frail Una had looked , lying there on the vestry sofa in that long faint !

how thin were her tiny hands , how pallid her little face !

since his wife 's death he had not felt such an agony of dread as when he had hung over his little girl in her unconsciousness .

he must do something but what ?

should he ask Elizabeth Kirk to marry him ?

she was a good woman she would be kind to his children .

he might bring himself to do it if it were not for his love for Rosemary West .

but until he had crushed that out he could not seek another woman in marriage .

and he could not crush it out he had tried and he could not .

Rosemary had been in church that evening , for the first time since her return from Kingsport .

he had caught a glimpse of her face in the back of the crowded church , just as he had finished his sermon .

his heart had given a fierce throb .

he sat while the choir sang the " collection piece , " with his bent head and tingling pulses .

he had not seen her since the evening upon which he had asked her to marry him .

when he had risen to give out the hymn his hands were trembling and his pale face was flushed .

then Una 's fainting spell had banished everything from his mind for a time .

now , in the darkness and solitude of the study it rushed back .

rosemary was the only woman in the world for him .

it was of no use for him to think of marrying any other .

he could not commit such a sacrilege even for his children 's sake .

then he lighted his lamp and took up a bulky new book which was setting the theological world by the ears .

he would read just one chapter to compose his mind .

five minutes later he was lost to the world and the troubles of the world .

CHAPTER XXIX .

a WEIRD TALE

the wind was laughing and whistling about them like a leal , glad-hearted comrade .

the young ferns were spicy in the hollow .

the wild cherry trees scattered over the valley , among the dark firs , were mistily white .

the robins were whistling over in the maples behind Ingleside .

beyond , on the slopes of the Glen , were blossoming orchards , sweet and mystic and wonderful , veiled in dusk .

it was spring , and young things MUST be glad in spring .

everybody was glad in Rainbow Valley that evening until Mary Vance froze their blood with the story of Henry Warren 's ghost .

Jem was not there .

Jem spent his evenings now studying for his entrance examination in the Ingleside garret .

Jerry was down near the pond , trouting .

Walter had been reading Longfellow 's sea poems to the others and they were steeped in the beauty and mystery of the ships .

then they talked of what they would do when they were grown up where they would travel the far , fair shores they would see .

Nan and Di meant to go to Europe .

Walter longed for the Nile moaning past its Egyptian sands , and a glimpse of the sphinx .

Carl 's heart was set on African jungles .

Una said nothing .

she thought she would just like to stay at home .

it was prettier here than anywhere else .

it would be dreadful when they were all grown up and had to scatter over the world .

the very idea made Una feel lonesome and homesick .

but the others dreamed on delightedly until Mary Vance arrived and vanished poesy and dreams at one fell swoop .

" Laws , but I 'm out of puff , " she exclaimed .

" I 've run down that hill like sixty .

I got an awful scare up there at the old Bailey place . "

" what frightened you ? " asked Di .

" I dunno .

I was poking about under them lilacs in the old garden , trying to see if there was any lilies-of-the-valley out yet .

it was WHITE .

I tell you I didn't stop for a second look .

I flew over the dyke quicker than quick .

I was sure it was Henry Warren 's ghost . "

" who was Henry Warren ? " asked Di .

" and why should he have a ghost ? " asked Nan .

" Laws , did you never hear the story ?

and you brought up in the Glen .

well , wait a minute till I get by breath all back and I 'll tell you . "

Walter shivered delightsomely .

he loved ghost stories .

their mystery , their dramatic climaxes , their eeriness gave him a fearful , exquisite pleasure .

Longfellow instantly grew tame and commonplace .

Mary wished he wouldn't look at her so .

she felt she could make a better job of the ghost story if Walter were not looking at her .

she could put on several frills and invent a few artistic details to enhance the horror .

as it was , she had to stick to the bare truth or what had been told her for the truth .

he was an awful old rip , they say , and his wife wasn't much better .

he was about twelve when he came to them , and kind of undersized and delicate .

they say Tom and his wife used him awful from the start whipped him and starved him .

folks said they wanted him to die so 's they could get the little bit of money his mother had left for him .

his uncle used to thrash him in that garden up there ' cause it was back of the house where no one could see him .

but folks could hear , and they say it was awful sometimes hearing poor Henry plead with his uncle not to kill him .

but nobody dared interfere ' cause old Tom was such a reprobate he 'd have been sure to get square with ' em some way .

he burned the barns of a man at Harbour Head who offended him .

and it wasn't long till it got around that Henry WALKED .

that old garden was HA'NTED .

he was heard there at nights , moaning and crying .

old Tom and his wife got out went out West and never came back .

the place got such a bad name nobody 'd buy or rent it .

that 's why it 's all gone to ruin .

that was thirty years ago , but Henry Warren 's ghost ha'nts it yet . "

" do you believe that ? " asked Nan scornfully .

" I don't . "

" Well , GOOD people have seen him and heard him . " retorted Mary .

so I cut and run .

it MIGHTN'T have been his ghost , but I wasn't going to take any chances with a ha'nt . "

" it was likely old Mrs Stimson 's white calf , " laughed Di .

" it pastures in that garden I 've seen it . "

" maybe so .

but I'M not going home through the Bailey garden any more .

here 's Jerry with a big string of trout and it 's my turn to cook them .

Jem and Jerry both say I 'm the best cook in the Glen .

and Cornelia told me I could bring up this batch of cookies .

I all but dropped them when I saw Henry 's ghost . "

Jerry went up to Ingleside with the Blythes to see Jem about something , and Mary Vance went around that way home .

so Faith and Una and Carl had to go back to the manse alone .

they walked very close together and gave the old Bailey garden a wide berth .

they did not believe that it was haunted , of course , but they would not go near it for all that .

CHAPTER XXX .

THE GHOST ON THE DYKE

somehow , Faith and Carl and Una could not shake off the hold which the story of Henry Warren 's ghost had taken upon their imaginations .

they had never believed in ghosts .

after the first half-awful , half-pleasant thrill of awe and terror they thought of them no more .

but this story came home to them .

the old Bailey garden was almost at their very door almost in their beloved Rainbow Valley .

but never again !

after the night when Mary Vance told them its gruesome tale they would not have gone through or near it on pain of death .

death !

what was death compared to the unearthly possibility of falling into the clutches of Henry Warren 's grovelling ghost ?

one warm July evening the three of them were sitting under the Tree Lovers , feeling a little lonely .

nobody else had come near the valley that evening .

Jem Blythe was away in Charlottetown , writing on his entrance examinations .

Jerry and Walter Blythe were off for a sail on the harbour with old Captain Crawford .

Nan had asked Faith to go with them , but Faith had declined .

no , she wasn't going to go down there and play second fiddle to anybody .

Carl came and sat down close to the girls .

they all wished they had gone home a little sooner , but nobody said anything .

great , velvety , purple clouds heaped up in the west and spread over the valley .

there was no wind and everything was suddenly , strangely , dreadfully still .

the marsh was full of thousands of fire-flies .

surely some fairy parliament was being convened that night .

altogether , Rainbow Valley was not a canny place just then .

Faith looked fearfully up the valley to the old Bailey garden .

then , if anybody 's blood ever did freeze , Faith Meredith 's certainly froze at that moment .

the eyes of Carl and Una followed her entranced gaze and chills began gallopading up and down their spines also .

the three Merediths sat and gazed as if turned to stone .

" it 's it's the calf , " whispered Una at last .

" it 's too big for the calf , " whispered Faith .

her mouth and lips were so dry she could hardly articulate the words .

suddenly Carl gasped ,

" it 's coming here . "

the girls gave one last agonized glance .

yes , it was creeping down over the dyke , as no calf ever did or could creep .

reason fled before sudden , over-mastering panic .

for the moment every one of the trio was firmly convinced that what they saw was Henry Warren 's ghost .

Carl sprang to his feet and bolted blindly .

with a simultaneous shriek the girls followed him .

like mad creatures they tore up the hill , across the road and into the manse .

they had left Aunt Martha sewing in the kitchen .

she was not there .

they rushed to the study .

it was dark and tenantless .

as with one impulse , they swung around and made for Ingleside but not across Rainbow Valley .

nobody tried to stop them , though everybody who saw them wondered what fresh devilment those manse youngsters were up to now .

but at the gate of Ingleside they ran into Rosemary West , who had just been in for a moment to return some borrowed books .

she saw their ghastly faces and staring eyes .

she realized that their poor little souls were wrung with some awful and real fear , whatever its cause .

she caught Carl with one arm and Faith with the other .

Una stumbled against her and held on desperately .

" children , dear , what has happened ? " she said .

" what has frightened you ? "

" Henry Warren 's ghost , " answered Carl , through his chattering teeth .

" Henry Warren 's ghost ! " said amazed Rosemary , who had never heard the story .

" yes , " sobbed Faith hysterically .

" it 's there on the Bailey dyke we saw it and it started to chase us . "

Rosemary herded the three distracted creatures to the Ingleside veranda .

" what is all this rumpus about ? " she inquired .

again the children gasped out their awful tale , while Rosemary held them close to her and soothed them with wordless comfort .

" Likely it was an owl , " said Susan , unstirred .

an owl !

the Meredith children never had any opinion of Susan 's intelligence after that !

do owls CRAWL ? "

Rosemary looked at Susan .

" they must have seen something to frighten them so , " she said .

" I will go and see , " said Susan coolly .

" now , children , calm yourselves .

whatever you have seen , it was not a ghost .

no fear of HIM venturing back , and that you may tie to .

if you can make them see reason , Miss West , I will find out the truth of the matter . "

a pitchfork might not be of much use against " ha'nts , " but it was a comforting sort of weapon .

there was nothing to be seen in Rainbow Valley when Susan reached it .

no white visitants appeared to be lurking in the shadowy , tangled old Bailey garden .

Back at Ingleside Rosemary had succeeded in calming the children .

this suspicion became a certainty when Susan finally returned .

" old Mrs Stimson has had a pair of factory cotton sheets bleaching in the Bailey garden for a week .

she spread them on the dyke under the tamarack tree because the grass was clean and short there .

this evening she went out to take them in .

she had her knitting in her hands so she hung the sheets over her shoulders by way of carrying them .

and then she must have dropped one of her needles and find it she could not and has not yet .

the Merediths sat , crimson with a shame that even Rosemary 's understanding sympathy could not remove .

they sneaked off home , met Jerry at the manse gate and made remorseful confession .

a session of the Good-Conduct Club was arranged for next morning .

" wasn't Miss West sweet to us to-night ? " whispered Faith in bed .

" yes , " admitted Una .

" it is such a pity it changes people so much to be made stepmothers . "

" I don't believe it does , " said Faith loyally .

CHAPTER XXXI .

CARL DOES PENANCE

" I don't see why we should be punished at all , " said Faith , rather sulkily .

" we didn't do anything wrong .

we couldn't help being frightened .

and it won't do father any harm .

it was just an accident . "

" you were cowards , " said Jerry with judicial scorn , " and you gave way to your cowardice .

that is why you should be punished .

everybody will laugh at you about this , and that is a disgrace to the family . "

I wouldn't go through it again for anything in the whole world . "

" I believe you 'd have run yourself if you 'd been there , " muttered Carl .

" from an old woman in a cotton sheet , " mocked Jerry .

" Ho , ho , ho ! "

" it didn't look a bit like an old woman , " cried Faith .

" it was just a great , big , white thing crawling about in the grass just as Mary Vance said Henry Warren did .

and how are we to be punished ?

I don't think it 's fair , but let's know what we have to do , Judge Meredith ! "

" the way I look at it , " said Jerry , frowning , " is that Carl was the most to blame .

he bolted first , as I understand it .

besides , he was a boy , so he should have stood his ground to protect you girls , whatever the danger was .

you know that , Carl , don't you ? "

" I s'pose so , " growled Carl shamefacedly .

" very well .

this is to be your punishment .

To-night you 'll sit on Mr Hezekiah Pollock 's tombstone in the graveyard alone , until twelve o'clock . "

Carl gave a little shudder .

the graveyard was not so very far from the old Bailey garden .

" all right , " he said sturdily .

" but how 'll I know when it is twelve ? "

" the study windows are open and you 'll hear the clock striking .

and mind you that you are not to budge out of that graveyard until the last stroke .

as for you girls , you 've got to go without jam at supper for a week . "

faith and Una looked rather blank .

they were inclined to think that even Carl 's comparatively short though sharp agony was lighter punishment than this long drawn-out ordeal .

a whole week of soggy bread without the saving grace of jam !

but no shirking was permitted in the club .

the girls accepted their lot with such philosophy as they could summon up .

that night they all went to bed at nine , except Carl , who was already keeping vigil on the tombstone .

Una slipped in to bid him good night .

her tender heart was wrung with sympathy .

" oh , Carl , are you much scared ? " she whispered .

" not a bit , " said Carl airily .

" I won't sleep a wink till after twelve , " said Una .

" if you get lonesome just look up at our window and remember that I 'm inside , awake , and thinking about you .

that will be a little company , won't it ? "

" I 'll be all right .

don't you worry about me , " said Carl .

but in spite of his dauntless words Carl was a pretty lonely boy when the lights went out in the manse .

he had hoped his father would be in the study as he so often was .

he would not feel alone then .

but that night Mr Meredith had been summoned to the fishing village at the harbour mouth to see a dying man .

he would not likely be back until after midnight .

Carl must dree his weird alone .

a Glen man went past carrying a lantern .

the mysterious shadows caused by the lantern-light went hurtling madly over the graveyard like a dance of demons or witches .

then they passed and darkness fell again .

one by one the lights in the Glen went out .

it was a very dark night , with a cloudy sky , and a raw east wind that was cold in spite of the calendar .

far away on the horizon was the low dim lustre of the Charlottetown lights .

the wind wailed and sighed in the old fir-trees .

Mr Alec Davis ' tall monument gleamed whitely through the gloom .

the willow beside it tossed long , writhing arms spectrally .

at times , the gyrations of its boughs made it seem as if the monument were moving , too .

Carl curled himself up on the tombstone with his legs tucked under him .

it wasn't precisely pleasant to hang them over the edge of the stone .

just suppose just suppose bony hands should reach up out of Mr . pollock 's grave under it and clutch him by the ankles .

that had been one of Mary Vance 's cheerful speculations one time when they had all been sitting there .

it returned to haunt Carl now .

he didn't believe those things ; he didn't even really believe in Henry Warren 's ghost .

as for Mr ..y pollock , he had been dead sixty years , so it wasn't likely he cared who sat on his tombstone now .

but there is something very strange and terrible in being awake when all the rest of the world is asleep .

you are alone then with nothing but your own feeble personality to pit against the mighty principalities and powers of darkness .

Carl was only ten and the dead were all around him and he wished , oh , he wished that the clock would strike twelve .

would it NEVER strike twelve ?

surely Aunt Martha must have forgotten to wind it .

and then it struck eleven only eleven !

he must stay yet another hour in that grim place .

if only there were a few friendly stars to be seen !

the darkness was so thick it seemed to press against his face .

there was a sound as of stealthy passing footsteps all over the graveyard .

Carl shivered , partly with prickling terror , partly with real cold .

then it began to rain a chill , penetrating drizzle .

Carl 's thin little cotton blouse and shirt were soon wet through .

he felt chilled to the bone .

he forgot mental terrors in his physical discomfort .

but he must stay there till twelve he was punishing himself and he was on his honour .

nothing had been said about rain but it did not make any difference .

Carl 's teeth were chattering .

he thought he would never get warm again .

he was warm enough when morning came .

Jerry gave one startled look at his crimson face and then rushed to call his father .

Mr Meredith came hurriedly , his own face ivory white from the pallor of his long night vigil by a death bed .

he had not got home until daylight .

he bent over his little lad anxiously .

" Carl , are you sick ? " he said .

" that tombstone over here , " said Carl , " it 's moving about it 's coming at me keep it away please . "

Mr Meredith rushed to the telephone .

in ten minutes Dr Blythe was at the manse .

Gilbert shook his head more than once in the fortnight that followed .

Carl developed double pneumonia .

Dr Blythe and the nurse never left the bedside .

they fought death gallantly until the red dawn and they won the victory .

Carl rallied and passed the crisis in safety .

the news was phoned about the waiting Glen and people found out how much they really loved their minister and his children .

is it true that Carl got pneumonia from straying out in the graveyard that wet night for a dare ? "

" no .

he was staying there to punish himself for cowardice in that affair of the Warren ghost .

it seems they have a club for bringing themselves up , and they punish themselves when they do wrong .

Jerry told Mr Meredith all about it . "

" the poor little souls , " said Miss Cornelia .

Carl got better rapidly , for the congregation took enough nourishing things to the manse to furnish forth a hospital .

Norman Douglas drove up every evening with a dozen fresh eggs and a jar of Jersey cream .

Mary Vance was there , too , but she did not tell any ghost stories .

miss Cornelia had given her a talking on that subject which Mary would not forget in a hurry .

CHAPTER XXXII .

TWO STUBBORN PEOPLE

Rosemary West , on her way home from a music lesson at Ingleside , turned aside to the hidden spring in Rainbow Valley .

she had not been there all summer ; the beautiful little spot had no longer any allurement for her .

the spirit of her young lover never came to the tryst now ; and the memories connected with John Meredith were too painful and poignant .

if he overtook her she would have to walk home with him and she was not going to do that .

so she slipped at once behind the maples of the spring , hoping he had not seen her and would pass on .

but Norman had seen her and , what was more , was in pursuit of her .

he had been wanting for some time to have talk with Rosemary , but she had always , so it seemed , avoided him .

rosemary had never , at any time , liked Norman Douglas very well .

his bluster , his temper , his noisy hilarity , had always antagonized her .

long ago she had often wondered how Ellen could possibly be attracted to him .

Norman Douglas was perfectly aware of her dislike and he chuckled over it .

it never worried Norman if people did not like him .

it did not even make him dislike them in return , for he took it as a kind of extorted compliment .

he thought Rosemary a fine girl , and he meant to be an excellent , generous brother-in-law to her .

Rosemary was sitting pensively on the maple seat where John Meredith had been sitting on that evening nearly a year ago .

the tiny spring shimmered and dimpled under its fringe of ferns .

Ruby-red gleams of sunset fell through the arching boughs .

a tall clump of perfect asters grew at her side .

the little spot was as dreamy and witching and evasive as any retreat of fairies and dryads in ancient forests .

into it Norman Douglas bounced , scattering and annihilating its charm in a moment .

his personality seemed to swallow the place up .

there was simply nothing there but Norman Douglas , big , red-bearded , complacent .

" good evening , " said Rosemary coldly , standing up .

" ' Evening , girl .

sit down again sit down again .

I want to have a talk with you .

bless the girl , what 's she looking at me like that for ?

I don't want to eat you I 've had my supper .

sit down and be civil . "

" I can hear what you have to say quite as well here , " said Rosemary .

" so you can , girl , if you use your ears .

I only wanted you to be comfortable .

you look so durned uncomfortable , standing there .

well , I'LL sit anyway . "

Norman accordingly sat down in the very place John Meredith had once sat .

the contrast was so ludicrous that Rosemary was afraid she would go off into a peal of hysterical laughter over it .

Norman cast his hat aside , placed his huge , red hands on his knees , and looked up at her with his eyes a-twinkle .

" come , girl , don't be so stiff , " he said , ingratiatingly .

when he liked he could be very ingratiating .

" let's have a reasonable , sensible , friendly chat .

there 's something I want to ask you .

Ellen says she won't , so it 's up to me to do it . "

Rosemary looked down at the spring , which seemed to have shrunk to the size of a dewdrop .

Norman gazed at her in despair .

" Durn it all , you might help a fellow out a bit , " he burst forth .

" what is it you want me to help you say ? " asked Rosemary scornfully .

" you know as well as I do , girl .

don't be putting on your tragedy airs .

no wonder Ellen was scared to ask you .

Look here , girl , Ellen and I want to marry each other .

that 's plain English , isn't it ?

got that ?

and Ellen says she can't unless you give her back some tom-fool promise she made .

come now , will you do it ?

will you do it ? "

" yes , " said Rosemary .

Norman bounced up and seized her reluctant hand .

" good !

I knew you would I told Ellen you would .

I knew it would only take a minute .

we shan't leave you to roost on that hill-top like a lonely crow don't you worry .

I know you hate me , but , Lord , it 'll be great fun living with some one that hates me .

life 'll have some spice in it after this .

Ellen will roast me and you 'll freeze me .

I won't have a dull moment . "

Rosemary did not condescend to tell him that nothing would ever induce her to live in his house .

she let him go striding back to the Glen , oozing delight and complacency , and she walked slowly up the hill home .

she had known this was coming ever since she had returned from Kingsport , and found Norman Douglas established as a frequent evening caller .

his name was never mentioned between her and Ellen , but the very avoidance of it was significant .

it was not in Rosemary 's nature to feel bitter , or she would have felt very bitter .

she was coldly civil to Norman , and she made no difference in any way with Ellen .

but Ellen had not found much comfort in her second courtship .

she was in the garden , attended by St George , when Rosemary came home .

the two sisters met in the dahlia walk .

" did you ever see such dahlias ? " demanded Ellen proudly .

" they are just the finest we 've ever had . "

Rosemary had never cared for dahlias .

their presence in the garden was her concession to Ellen 's taste .

she noticed one huge mottled one of crimson and yellow that lorded it over all the others .

" that dahlia , " she said , pointing to it , " is exactly like Norman Douglas .

it might easily be his twin brother . "

Ellen 's dark-browed face flushed .

she admired the dahlia in question , but she knew Rosemary did not , and that no compliment was intended .

but she dared not resent Rosemary 's speech poor Ellen dared not resent anything just then .

and it was the first time Rosemary had ever mentioned Norman 's name to her .

she felt that this portended something .

" yes ?

what did you say ? " asked Ellen , trying to speak naturally and off-handedly , and failing completely .

she could not meet Rosemary 's eyes .

she looked down at St George 's sleek back and felt horribly afraid .

rosemary had either said she would or she wouldn't .

" thank you , " said Ellen , still looking at St George .

rosemary 's face softened .

" I hope you 'll be happy , Ellen , " she said gently .

" we won't speak about that , " said Rosemary hurriedly and decidedly .

" but but , " persisted Ellen , " you are free now , too and it 's not too late John Meredith "

" Ellen West ! "

Rosemary had a little spark of temper under all her sweetness and it flashed forth now in her blue eyes .

" have you quite lost your senses in EVERY respect ?

is that what you want me to do ? "

" no no but a little encouragement he would come back "

" never .

he despises me and rightly .

no more of this , Ellen .

I bear you no grudge marry whom you like .

but no meddling in my affairs . "

" then you must come and live with me , " said Ellen .

" I shall not leave you here alone . "

" do you really think that I would go and live in Norman Douglas 's house ? "

" why not ? " cried Ellen , half angrily , despite her humiliation .

rosemary began to laugh .

" Ellen , I thought you had a sense of humour .

can you see me doing it ? "

" I don't see why you wouldn't .

his house is big enough you 'd have your share of it to yourself he wouldn't interfere . "

" Ellen , the thing is not to be thought of .

don't bring this up again . "

" then , " said Ellen coldly , and determinedly , " I shall not marry him .

I shall not leave you here alone .

that is all there is to be said about it . "

" nonsense , Ellen . "

" it is not nonsense .

it is my firm decision .

it would be absurd for you to think of living here by yourself a mile from any other house .

if you won't come with me I 'll stay with you .

now , we won't argue the matter , so don't try . "

" I shall leave Norman to do the arguing , " said Rosemary .

" I'LL deal with Norman .

I can manage HIM .

I couldn't prevent him .

you need not suppose you are the only person in the world who possesses self-respect .

I never dreamed of marrying and leaving you here alone .

and you 'll find I can be as determined as yourself . "

rosemary turned away and went into the house , with a shrug of her shoulders .

Ellen looked down at St George , who had never blinked an eyelash or stirred a whisker during the whole interview .

look at the trouble and bother they 've made right here , George torn our happy old life completely up by the roots , Saint .

John Meredith began it and Norman Douglas has finished it .

and now both of them have to go into limbo .

mark my words , St George , the minister would come back if she raised her little finger .

but she won't George she 'll never do it she won't even crook it and I don't dare meddle , Saint .

well , well , ' despair is a free man , hope is a slave , ' Saint .

so now come into the house , George , and I 'll solace you with a saucerful of cream .

then there will be one happy and contented creature on this hill at least . "

CHAPTER XXXIII .

CARL IS NOT WHIPPED

" there is something I think I ought to tell you , " said Mary Vance mysteriously .

she and Faith and Una were walking arm in arm through the village , having foregathered at Mr Flagg 's store .

Una and Faith exchanged looks which said , " NOW something disagreeable is coming . "

when Mary Vance thought she ought to tell them things there was seldom much pleasure in the hearing .

they often wondered why they kept on liking Mary Vance for like her they did , in spite of everything .

to be sure , she was generally a stimulating and agreeable companion .

if only she would not have those convictions that it was her duty to tell them things !

" do you know that Rosemary West won't marry your pa because she thinks you are such a wild lot ?

she 's afraid she couldn't bring you up right and so she turned him down . "

Una 's heart thrilled with secret exultation .

she was very glad to hear that Miss West would not marry her father .

but Faith was rather disappointed .

" how do you know ? " she asked .

" oh , everybody 's saying it .

I heard Mrs Elliott talking it over with Mrs . Doctor .

they thought I was too far away to hear , but I 've got ears like a cat 's .

Mrs Elliott said she hadn't a doubt that Rosemary was afraid to try stepmothering you because you 'd got such a reputation .

your pa never goes up the hill now .

neither does Norman Douglas .

folks say Ellen has jilted him just to get square with him for jilting her ages ago .

but Norman is going about declaring he 'll get her yet .

" you told me all stepmothers were cruel and wicked , " said Una .

" oh well , " said Mary rather confusedly , " they 're mostly awful cranky , I know .

but Rosemary West couldn't be very mean to any one .

I tell you if your pa turns round and marries Emmeline Drew you 'll wish you 'd behaved yourselves better and not frightened Rosemary out of it .

it 's awful that you 've got such a reputation that no decent woman 'll marry your pa on account of you .

of course , I know that half the yarns that are told about you ain't true .

but give a dog a bad name .

I told Mrs Elliott so right to her face . "

" what did Carl do ? " cried Faith .

Mrs Carr drove past in that old rattletrap buggy of hers with the open back .

and Carl he just up and threw a big eel into the back .

when poor old Mrs Carr was driving up the hill by Ingleside that eel came squirming out between her feet .

she thought it was a snake and she just give one awful screech and stood up and jumped clean over the wheels .

the horse bolted , but it went home and no damage was done .

but Mrs Carr jarred her legs most terrible , and has had nervous spasms ever since whenever she thinks of the eel .

say , it was a rotten trick to play on the poor old soul .

she 's a decent body , if she is as queer as Dick 's hat band . "

faith and Una looked at each other again .

this was a matter for the Good-Conduct Club .

they would not talk it over with Mary .

well , I 'm getting so 's I don't mind it .

but there are folks who do . "

Mr Meredith had not seen them , but he was not walking along in his usual dreamy and abstracted fashion .

he strode up the hill in agitation and distress .

Mrs Alec Davis had just told him the story of Carl and the eel .

she had been very indignant about it .

old Mrs Carr was her third cousin .

Mr Meredith was more than indignant .

he was hurt and shocked .

he had not thought Carl would do anything like this .

he was not inclined to be hard on pranks of heedlessness or forgetfulness , but THIS was different .

THIS had a nasty tang in it .

when he reached home he found Carl on the lawn , patiently studying the habits and customs of a colony of wasps .

" yes , " said Carl , flushing , but meeting his father 's eyes bravely .

Mr Meredith groaned .

he had hoped that there had been at least exaggeration .

" tell me the whole matter , " he said .

" the boys were fishing for eels over the bridge , " said Carl .

" Link Drew had caught a whopper I mean an awful big one the biggest eel I ever saw .

he caught it right at the start and it had been lying in his basket a long time , still as still .

I thought it was dead , honest I did .

then old Mrs Carr drove over the bridge and she called us all young varmints and told us to go home .

and we hadn't said a word to her , father , truly .

so when she drove back again , after going to the store , the boys dared me to put Link 's eel in her buggy .

I thought it was so dead it couldn't hurt her and I threw it in .

then the eel came to life on the hill and we heard her scream and saw her jump out .

I was awful sorry .

that 's all , father . "

it was not quite as bad as Mr Meredith had feared , but it was quite bad enough .

" I must punish you , Carl , " he said sorrowfully .

" yes , I know , father . "

" I I must whip you . "

Carl winced .

he had never been whipped .

then , seeing how badly his father felt , he said cheerfully ,

" all right , father . "

Mr Meredith misunderstood his cheerfulness and thought him insensible .

he dreaded the evening sevenfold more than Carl did .

the poor minister did not even know what he should whip his boy with .

what was used to whip boys ?

rods ?

canes ?

no , that would be too brutal .

A timber switch , then ?

and he , John Meredith , must hie him to the woods and cut one .

it was an abominable thought .

then a picture presented itself unbidden to his mind .

he saw Mrs Carr 's wizened , nut-cracker little face at the appearance of that reviving eel he saw her sailing witch-like over the buggy wheels .

before he could prevent himself the minister laughed .

then he was angry with himself and angrier still with Carl .

he would get that switch at once and it must not be too limber , after all .

Carl was talking the matter over in the graveyard with Faith and Una , who had just come home .

they were horrified at the idea of his being whipped and by father , who had never done such a thing !

but they agreed soberly that it was just .

" you know it was a dreadful thing to do , " sighed Faith .

" and you never owned up in the club . "

" I forgot , " said Carl .

" besides , I didn't think any harm came of it .

I didn't know she jarred her legs .

but I 'm to be whipped and that will make things square . "

" will it hurt very much ? " said Una , slipping her hand into Carl 's .

" oh , not so much , I guess , " said Carl gamely .

" anyhow , I 'm not going to cry , no matter how much it hurts .

it would make father feel so bad , if I did .

he 's all cut up now .

I wish I could whip myself hard enough and save him doing it . "

after supper , at which Carl had eaten little and Mr Meredith nothing at all , both went silently into the study .

the switch lay on the table .

Mr Meredith had had a bad time getting a switch to suit him .

he cut one , then felt it was too slender .

Carl had done a really indefensible thing .

then he cut another it was far too thick .

after all , Carl had thought the eel was dead .

" hold out your hand , " he said to Carl .

Carl threw back his head and held out his hand unflinchingly .

but he was not very old and he could not quite keep a little fear out of his eyes .

John Meredith threw down the switch .

" go , " he said , " I cannot whip you . "

Carl fled to the graveyard , feeling that the look on his father 's face was worse than any whipping .

" is it over so soon ? " asked Faith .

she and Una had been holding hands and setting teeth on the Pollock tombstone .

Una slipped away .

her heart yearned to comfort her father .

as noiselessly as a little gray mouse she opened the study door and crept in .

the room was dark with twilight .

her father was sitting at his desk .

his back was towards her his head was in his hands .

as silently as she had come in she slipped out and closed the door .

John Meredith went on talking out his pain in what he deemed his undisturbed solitude .

CHAPTER XXXIV .

UNA VISITS THE HILL

Una went upstairs .

Una had no wish to go .

she sought her own room first where she sat down on her bed and had a little cry .

she did not want anybody to come in her dear mother 's place .

she did not want a stepmother who would hate her and make her father hate her .

but father was so desperately unhappy and if she could do any anything to make him happier she MUST do it .

there was only one thing she could do and she had known the moment she had left the study that she must do it .

but it was a very hard thing to do .

after Una cried her heart out she wiped her eyes and went to the spare room .

it was dark and rather musty , for the blind had not been drawn up nor the window opened for a long time .

aunt Martha was no fresh-air fiend .

there was a closet in the spare room and far back in the closet a gray silk dress was hanging .

Una went into the closet and shut the door , went down on her knees and pressed her face against the soft silken folds .

it had been her mother 's wedding-dress .

it was still full of a sweet , faint , haunting perfume , like lingering love .

Una always felt very close to her mother there as if she were kneeling at her feet with head in her lap .

she went there once in a long while when life was TOO hard .

but I have to do it , mother , because father is so very unhappy .

I know you wouldn't want him to be unhappy .

Una carried some fine , spiritual strength away from her secret shrine .

she slept peacefully that night with the tear stains still glistening on her sweet , serious , little face .

the next afternoon she put on her best dress and hat .

they were shabby enough .

every other little girl in the Glen had new clothes that summer except Faith and Una .

Mary Vance had a lovely dress of white embroidered lawn , with scarlet silk sash and shoulder bows .

but to-day Una did not mind her shabbiness .

she only wanted to be very neat .

she washed her face carefully .

she brushed her black hair until it was as smooth as satin .

she tied her shoelaces carefully , having first sewed up two runs in her one pair of good stockings .

she would have liked to black her shoes , but she could not find any blacking .

it was quite a long walk and Una was tired and warm when she got there .

she saw Rosemary West sitting under a tree in the garden and stole past the dahlia beds to her .

rosemary had a book in her lap , but she was gazing afar across the harbour and her thoughts were sorrowful enough .

life had not been pleasant lately in the house on the hill .

Ellen had not sulked Ellen had been a brick .

but things can be felt that are never said and at times the silence between the two women was intolerably eloquent .

all the many familiar things that had once made life sweet had a flavour of bitterness now .

Norman Douglas made periodical irruptions also , bullying and coaxing Ellen by turns .

existence would be horribly lonely then , but it would be no longer charged with dynamite .

she was roused from her unpleasant reverie by a timid little touch on her shoulder .

turning , she saw Una Meredith .

" why , Una , dear , did you walk up here in all this heat ? "

" yes , " said Una , " I came to I came to "

but she found it very hard to say what she had come to do .

her voice failed her eyes filled with tears .

" why , Una , little girl , what is the trouble ?

don't be afraid to tell me . "

rosemary put her arm around the thin little form and drew the child close to her .

her eyes were very beautiful her touch so tender that Una found courage .

" I came to ask you to marry father , " she gasped .

Rosemary was silent for a moment from sheer dumbfounderment .

she stared at Una blankly .

" oh , don't be angry , please , dear Miss West , " said Una , pleadingly .

" you see , everybody is saying that you wouldn't marry father because we are so bad .

he is VERY unhappy about it .

so I thought I would come and tell you that we are never bad ON PURPOSE .

and if you will only marry father we will all try to be good and do just what you tell us .

I 'm SURE you won't have any trouble with us .

PLEASE , Miss West . "

rosemary had been thinking rapidly .

gossiping surmise , she saw , had put this mistaken idea into Una 's mind .

she must be perfectly frank and sincere with the child .

" Una , dear , " she said softly .

" it isn't because of you poor little souls that I cannot be your father 's wife .

I never thought of such a thing .

you are not bad I never supposed you were .

there there was another reason altogether , Una . "

" don't you like father ? " asked Una , lifting reproachful eyes .

" oh , Miss West , you don't know how nice he is .

I 'm sure he 'd make you a GOOD husband . "

even in the midst of her perplexity and distress Rosemary couldn't help a twisted , little smile .

" oh , don't laugh , Miss West , " Una cried passionately .

" father feels DREADFUL about it . "

" I think you 're mistaken , dear , " said Rosemary .

" I'm not .

I 'm SURE I 'm not .

I 'll tell you , Miss West , if you 'll let me whisper it in your ear . "

Una whispered earnestly .

rosemary 's face turned crimson .

so John Meredith still cared .

HE hadn't changed his mind .

and he must care intensely if he had said that care more than she had ever supposed he did .

she sat still for a moment , stroking Una 's hair .

then she said ,

" will you take a little letter from me to your father , Una ? "

" oh , are you going to marry him , Miss West ? " asked Una eagerly .

" perhaps if he really wants me to , " said Rosemary , blushing again .

" I 'm glad I 'm glad , " said Una bravely .

then she looked up , with quivering lips .

Rosemary stared again .

" Una Meredith !

do you think I would do such a thing ?

whatever put such an idea into your head ? "

" you poor child !

and yet you came up here and asked me to marry your father because you wanted to make him happy ?

you 're a darling a heroine as Ellen would say , you 're a brick .

now listen to me , very closely , dearest .

Mary Vance is a silly little girl who doesn't know very much and she is dreadfully mistaken about some things .

I would never dream of trying to turn your father against you .

I would love you all dearly .

I don't want to take your own mother 's place she must always have that in your hearts .

but neither have I any intention of being a stepmother .

I want to be your friend and helper and CHUM .

" oh , it would be lovely , " cried Una , with a transfigured face .

she flung her arms impulsively round Rosemary 's neck .

she was so happy that she felt as if she could fly on wings .

" do the others do Faith and the boys have the same idea you had about stepmothers ? "

" no .

Faith never believed Mary Vance .

I was dreadfully foolish to believe her , either .

Faith loves you already she has loved you ever since poor Adam was eaten .

and Jerry and Carl will think it is jolly .

I don't know anything .

I won't be much trouble I 'll try to learn fast . "

" darling , I 'll teach you and help you all I can .

and you 'll stay and have tea with me ? "

" oh , thank you but but I think I 'd rather go right back and take the letter to father , " faltered Una .

" you see , he 'll be glad that much SOONER , Miss West . "

" I see , " said Rosemary .

she went to the house , wrote a note and gave it to Una .

" Ellen , " she said , " Una Meredith has just been here to ask me to marry her father . "

Ellen looked up and read her sister 's face .

" and you 're going to ? " she said .

" it 's quite likely . "

Ellen went on shelling peas for a few minutes .

then she suddenly put her hands up to her own face .

there were tears in her black-browed eyes .

" I I hope we 'll all be happy , " she said between a sob and a laugh .

his pale face flushed as he saw the clear , fine handwriting he knew so well .

he opened the letter .

it was very short but he shed twenty years as he read it .

Rosemary asked him if he could meet her that evening at sunset by the spring in Rainbow Valley .

CHAPTER XXXV .

" LET THE PIPER COME "

" and so , " said Miss Cornelia , " the double wedding is to be sometime about the middle of this month . "

" it is so delightful especially in regard to Mr Meredith and Rosemary , " said Anne .

" I 'm as happy in the thought of it , as I was when I was getting married myself .

I felt exactly like a bride again last evening when I was up on the hill seeing Rosemary 's trousseau . "

" I have been invited up to see them also and I intend to go some evening .

I understand that Rosemary is to wear white silk and a veil , but Ellen is to be married in navy blue .

a vision of Susan in " white and a veil " presented itself before Anne 's inner vision and was almost too much for her .

" as for Mr Meredith , " said Miss Cornelia , " even his engagement has made a different man of him .

he isn't half so dreamy and absent-minded , believe me .

" aunt Martha and Jerry are coming here , " said Anne .

" Carl is going to Elder Clow 's .

I haven't heard where the girls are going . "

" oh , I 'm going to take them , " said Miss Cornelia .

" of course , I was glad to , but Mary would have given me no peace till I asked them any way .

nobody ever saw or heard anything quite like Norman Douglas these days , believe ME .

he 's so tickled that he 's going to marry Ellen West after wanting her all his life .

if I was Ellen but then , I'm not , and if she is satisfied I can very well be .

I heard her say years ago when she was a schoolgirl that she didn't want a tame puppy for a husband .

there 's nothing tame about Norman , believe ME . "

the sun was setting over Rainbow Valley .

the pond was wearing a wonderful tissue of purple and gold and green and crimson .

they had been having a special celebration , for it would be Jem 's last evening in Rainbow Valley .

on the morrow he would leave for Charlottetown to attend Queen 's Academy .

" see there is a great golden palace over there in the sunset , " said Walter , pointing .

" look at the shining tower and the crimson banners streaming from them .

perhaps a conqueror is riding home from battle and they are hanging them out to do honour to him . "

" oh , I wish we had the old days back again , " exclaimed Jem .

" I 'd love to be a soldier a great , triumphant general .

I 'd give EVERYTHING to see a big battle . "

the shadow of the Great Conflict had not yet made felt any forerunner of its chill .

slowly the banners of the sunset city gave up their crimson and gold ; slowly the conqueror 's pageant faded out .

twilight crept over the valley and the little group grew silent .

" the Piper is coming nearer , " he said , " he is nearer than he was that evening I saw him before .

his long , shadowy cloak is blowing around him .

he pipes he pipes and we must follow Jem and Carl and Jerry and I round and round the world .

listen listen can't you hear his wild music ? "

the girls shivered .

" you know you 're only pretending , " protested Mary Vance , " and I wish you wouldn't .

you make it too real .

I hate that old Piper of yours . "

but Jem sprang up with a gay laugh .

he stood up on a little hillock , tall and splendid , with his open brow and his fearless eyes .

there were thousands like him all over the land of the maple .

" let the Piper come and welcome , " he cried , waving his hand .

" I'LL follow him gladly round and round the world . "

THE END

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Rainbow Valley , by Lucy Maud Montgomery

produced by Brandon Ryan

MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS

by Louisa M Alcott

author of " Little Women , " " Little Men , " " An Old-Fashioned Girl , " etc

BOSTON

@number@

MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS

but the little maid neither saw nor heard , for her eyes were fixed on the green pods , and her thoughts were far away .

she was recalling the fairy-tale granny told her last night , and wishing with all her heart that such things happened nowadays .

she was just finishing , when a voice called out from the lane ,

running down to the gate , Marjorie dropped a curtsy , saying pleasantly ,

" what did you wish , sir ? "

" just undo that check-rein for me .

" twelve to-day , sir ; " and Marjorie stood up straight and tall , as if mindful of her years .

" had any presents ? " asked the old man , peering up with an odd smile .

proudly displaying it on the rude railing of the bridge , she added , with a happy face ,

" granny gave it to me , and all the money in it is going to be mine . "

" how will you do it ? " continued the inquisitive old man .

" oh , I 'm going to pick berries and dig dandelions , and weed , and drive cows , and do chores .

it is vacation , and I can work all the time , and earn ever so much . "

" but vacation is play-time , how about that ? "

" why , that sort of work IS play , and I get bits of fun all along .

I always have a good swing when I go for the cows , and pick flowers with the dandelions .

weeding isn't so nice , but berrying is very pleasant , and we have good times all together . "

" what shall you do with your money when you get it ? "

" oh , lots of things !

buy books and clothes for school , and , if I get a great deal , give some to granny .

I 'd love to do that , for she takes care of me , and I 'd be so proud to help her ! "

" good little lass ! " said the old gentleman , as he put his hand in his pocket .

" well , perhaps it wouldn't be best on the whole .

industry is a good teacher , and money cannot buy happiness , as I know to my sorrow . "

but she did it cleverly , smoothed the ruffled mane , and , dropping another curtsy , stood aside to let the little carriage pass .

" thank you , child thank you .

here is something for your bank , and good luck to it . "

this done , she took a long breath , and looked over the railing , to be sure it was not all a dream .

" I 'll play he was the Brownie , and this is the good-luck penny he gave me .

oh , what fun ! " and away she skipped , rattling the dear new bank like a castanet .

" would you kindly catch my hat for me , before it blows quite away ? "

as she ran , Marjorie heard the lady singing , like the princess in the story of the Goose-Girl ,

" blow , breezes , blow !

let Curdkin 's hat go !

blow , breezes , blow !

let him after it go !

O'er hills , dales and rocks , Away be it whirled , Till the silvery locks Are all combed and curled . "

this made her laugh so that she tumbled into a clover-bed , and lay there a minute to get her breath .

" now come and see what I am doing , " said the lady , when she had thanked the child .

Marjorie drew near confidingly , and looked down at the wide-spread book before her .

" oh , how pretty !

there is Rover , and Kitty and the robins , and me !

" I 'll show you presently ; but tell me , first , if it looks quite right and natural to you .

" it looks just like our house , only more beautiful .

perhaps that is because I know how shabby it really is .

that moss looks lovely on the shingles , but the roof leaks .

I wish the house and everything would stay pretty forever , as they will in the picture . "

" it can't be summer always , dear , but we can make fair weather for ourselves if we try .

" so do I , " said the lady , in her happy voice .

" I guess granny has found that out , for she never frets .

" birthdays were made for presents , and I should like to give you one .

would it please you to have this little picture ? " she added , lifting it out of the book .

" truly my own ?

oh , yes , indeed ! " cried Marjorie , coloring with pleasure , for she had never owned so beautiful a thing before .

" then you shall have it , dear .

" it 's Billy ! and I know he 's come for me ! "

" it 's a s'prise party ! " cried one small lad , tumbling out behind .

" we are going up the mountain to have fun ! " added a chorus of voices , as a dozen hands beckoned wildly .

that a fine banquet was spread , and eaten with a relish many a Lord Mayor 's feast has lacked .

then how the whole court danced and played together afterward !

" oh , Billy , it has been just splendid !

ROSES AND FORGET-ME-NOTS

I ROSES

it was a cold November storm , and everything looked forlorn .

a servant came just then to lead her upstairs ; for Miss Belle wished the hat altered , and must give directions .

" yes , miss , " was all Lizzie could say ; for SHE considered that hat the loveliest thing a girl could possibly own .

" you had better ask your mamma about it , Miss Belle , before you give any orders .

" I suppose I must ; but I WON'T have roses , " answered Belle , crossly .

" I 'm afraid I 'll wet the pretty rug , miss ; my feet are sopping , " said Lizzie , gratefully , but timidly .

" so they are !

why didn't you wear rubber boots ? "

" I haven't got any . "

Marie , bring them here ; I shall be glad to get rid of them , and I 'm sure they 'll be useful to you . "

" oh , thank you , miss !

" I haven't got any mother , " said Lizzie , with a pathetic glance at her poor clothes .

" I 'm so sorry !

" no , miss ; I 've got no folks at all . "

" oh , dear ; how sad !

why , who takes care of you ? " cried Belle , looking quite distressed .

" no one ; I take care of myself .

I work for Madame , and she pays me a dollar a week .

I stay with Mrs Brown , and chore round to pay for my keep .

my dollar don't get many clothes , so I can't be as neat as I'd like . "

and the forlorn look came back to poor Lizzie 's face .

it was a new idea to Belle , who was loved and petted as an only child is apt to be .

" aren't you afraid and lonely and unhappy ? " she said , slowly , trying to understand and put herself in Lizzie 's place .

" yes ; but it 's no use .

" what is your wish ? " asked Belle , hoping mamma wouldn't come just yet , for she was getting interested in the stranger .

" to have a nice little room , and make flowers , like a French girl I know .

it 's such pretty work , and she gets lots of money , for every one likes her flowers .

she shows me how , sometimes , and I can do leaves first-rate ; but "

before Belle could ask what was the matter , Marie came in with a tray of cake and fruit , saying :

" here 's your lunch , Miss Belle . "

" put it down , please ; I 'm not ready for it yet . "

" please have some ; you must be tired of waiting . "

" oh , don't cry so !

are you sick ?

have I been rude ?

tell me all about it ; and if I can't do anything , mamma can , " said Belle , surprised and troubled .

" thank you .

I didn't want it only because it was pretty , but I wanted to copy it .

I can't get any for myself , and so I can't do my make-believe ones well .

she gives me bits of muslin and wire and things , and shows me now and then .

I 'm SO tired of slopping round the streets , I 'd do anything to earn my living some other way . "

Belle was much touched , and , in her impetuous way , set about mending matters as fast as possible .

" put on those boots and that pair of dry stockings right away .

then tuck as much cake and fruit into your pocket as it will hold .

I 'm going to get you some flowers , and see if mamma is too busy to attend to me . "

" Mamma can't come ; but I don't care about the hat .

it will do very well , and isn't worth fussing about .

there , will those be of any use to you ? "

and she offered the nosegay with a much happier face than the one Lizzie first saw .

" oh , miss , they 're just lovely !

" I 'd like it very much , for I should think you 'd have to be very clever to make such pretty things .

I really quite fancy those rosebuds in my hat , now I know that you 're going to learn how to make them .

Good-by .

bring home our hats every time and tell me how you get on . "

with kind words like these , Belle dismissed Lizzie , who ran downstairs , feeling as rich as if she had found a fortune .

away to the next place she hurried , anxious to get her errands done and the precious posy safely into fresh water .

but Mrs Turretviile was not at home , and the bonnet could not be left till paid for .

so Lizzie turned to go down the high steps , glad that she need not wait .

II .

FORGET-ME-NOTS

" oh , mamma , I am so relieved that the box has come at last !

I hope you will like it . "

" dear mamma , I know I shall like it ; your taste is so good and you know what suits me so well .

" mamma , it is too lovely I and you are very kind to do so much for me .

how shall I ever thank you ? "

" great Heavens , madame ! the wreath has been forgotten !

what an affliction !

Mademoiselle 's enchanting toilette is destroyed without the wreath , and nowhere do I find it . "

In vain they searched ; in vain Marie wailed and Belle declared it must be somewhere ; no wreath appeared .

the dress fitted to a charm , and was pronounced by all beholders the loveliest thing ever seen .

" wear natural ones , " suggested a sympathizing friend .

but another hunt among greenhouses was as fruitless as that among the milliners ' rooms .

no forget-me-nots could be found , and Marie fell exhausted into a chair , desolated at what she felt to be an awful calamity .

Marnma was deep in preparations for the ball , and could not help her afflicted daughter , though she was much disappointed at the mishap .

so Belle drove off , resolved to have her flowers whether there were any or not .

as fast as possible , she told her tale and demanded the flowers , no matter what the price might be .

imagine her feelings when the Frenchwoman , with a shrug , announced that it was impossible to give mademoiselle a single spray .

all were engaged to trim a bridesmaid 's dress , and must be sent away at once .

it really was too bad ! and Belle lost her temper entirely , for no persuasion or bribes would win a spray from Estelle .

" Mademoiselle may , perhaps , find the flowers she desires at Miss Berton 's .

she has been helping me with these garlands , and may have some left .

here is her address . "

Mamma knew this , and the kiss Belle gave her when the dress came had a more tender meaning than gratified vanity or daughterly love .

as she spoke , she glanced about the room , hoping to see some blue blossoms awaiting her .

but none appeared ; and she was about to despond again , when the girl said , gently :

" I have none by me now , but I may be able to find you some . "

" thank you very much ; but I have been everywhere in vain .

still , if you do get any , please send them to me as soon as possible .

here is my card . "

" what is it ?

what do you see ? "

" I see the dear young lady who was so kind to me long ago .

you don't remember me , and never knew my name ; but I never have forgotten you all these years .

" but you are so changed , " began Belle , who did faintly recollect that little incident in her happy life .

" yes , I had a fall and hurt myself so that I shall always be lame . "

" I 'm very happy now , " ended Lizzie , looking about the little bare room with a face full of the sweetest content .

" I get nearly work enough to pay my way , and Estelle sends me some when she has more than she can do .

though I do sometimes wish I was able to trudge , one gets on so slowly with crutches . "

Lizzie thanked her with a look , and then said , in a tone of interest that was delightful to hear :

" tell about the wreath you want ; I should so love to do it for you , if I can . "

Belle had forgotten all about it in listening to this sad little story of a girl 's life .

" you shall have the flowers in time for your ball to-morrow night .

I will engage to make a wreath that will please you , only it may take longer than I think .

don't be troubled if I don't send it till evening ; it will surely come in time .

" you are altogether too grateful for the little I have done .

it makes me feel ashamed to think I did not find you out before and do something better worth thanks . "

" ah , it wasn't the boots or the cake or the roses , dear Miss Belle .

I never stole a pin after that day , for the little rose wouldn't let me forget how you forgave me so sweetly .

her heart was very full and tender just then , and the lesson sunk deep into it never to be forgotten .

evening came , and all was ready .

Belle was dressed , and looked so lovely that mamma declared she needed nothing more .

but Marie insisted that the grand effect would be ruined without the garland among the sunshiny hair .

Belle had time now to be anxious , and waited with growing impatience for the finishing touch to her charming toilette .

" truly , yes ; mademoiselle is now adorable ! "

" I am so glad you like it .

a fold of the airy skirt was caught on one of the blue clusters , and Lizzie knelt down to arrange it as she spoke .

this is the happiest night of my life , and I want to make every one feel glad also . "

End of Project Gutenberg 's Marjorie 's Three Gifts , by Louisa May Alcott

produced by Charles Keller for Tina

THE RED FAIRY BOOK

by Various

edited by Andrew Lang

TO

MASTER BILLY TREMAYNE MILES

a PROFOUND STUDENT

YET

AN AMIABLE CRITIC

PREFACE

IN a second gleaning of the fields of Fairy Land we cannot expect to find a second Perrault .

A. L.

CONTENTS

THE TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES

I

ONCE upon a time there lived in the village of Montignies-sur-Roc a little cow-boy , without either father or mother .

II

but , as was natural , they only laughed at the Star Gazer .

the next day at the same hour he went to sleep again under the same tree .

in the evening Michael told his friends that he had dreamed the same dream again , but they only laughed at him more than before .

the following day , to the great astonishment of all the village , about two o'clock in the afternoon a voice was heard singing :

' Raleo , raleo , How the cattle go ! '

it was the little cow-boy driving his herd back to the byre .

it was enough to make anyone laugh , certainly .

III

on hearing the proclamation a number of princes arrived at the castle to try their luck .

IV

when he reached the castle , Michael went straight to the gardener and offered his services .

accordingly he placed himself behind the door of the princesses ' room , with the twelve bouquets in a basket .

V

nevertheless , the Star Gazer had another dream .

she thus addressed him :

then after that ask anything you choose , and the laurels will give it to you . '

Michael thanked the lady in the golden dress , and when he woke he found the two laurel bushes beside him .

so he carefully obeyed the orders he had been given by the lady .

teach me how to become invisible . '

then there instantly appeared on the laurel a pretty white flower , which Michael gathered and stuck into his button-hole .

VI

the princesses began at once to open their wardrobes and boxes .

Michael could see nothing from his hiding-place , but he could hear everything , and he listened to the princesses laughing and jumping with pleasure .

at last the eldest said , ' Be quick , my sisters , our partners will be impatient . '

' Are you ready ? ' asked the eldest .

' Yes , ' replied the other eleven in chorus , and they took their places one by one behind her .

then the eldest Princess clapped her hands three times and a trap door opened .

all the princesses disappeared down a secret staircase , and Michael hastily followed them .

as he was following on the steps of the Princess Lina , he carelessly trod on her dress .

' There is somebody behind me , ' cried the Princess ; ' they are holding my dress . '

' You foolish thing , ' said her eldest sister , ' you are always afraid of something .

it is only a nail which caught you . '

VII

they next crossed another wood where the leaves were sprinkled with gold , and after that another still , where the leaves glittered with diamonds .

each princess entered one of the boats , and Michael slipped into that which held the youngest .

the boats glided along rapidly , but Lina 's , from being heavier , was always behind the rest .

' We never went so slowly before , ' said the Princess ; ' what can be the reason ? '

' I don't know , ' answered the Prince .

' I assure you I am rowing as hard as I can . '

VIII

Michael followed , and entered the ball-room in their train .

everywhere were mirrors , lights , flowers , and damask hangings .

the Star Gazer was quite bewildered at the magnificence of the sight .

he placed himself out of the way in a corner , admiring the grace and beauty of the princesses .

their loveliness was of every kind .

some were fair and some were dark ; some had chestnut hair , or curls darker still , and some had golden locks .

with what eagerness she danced ! leaning on her partner 's shoulder she swept by like a whirlwind .

her cheeks flushed , her eyes sparkled , and it was plain that she loved dancing better than anything else .

the young men were really the princes who , to the number of fifty at least , had tried to steal the princesses ' secret .

the princesses had made them drink something of a philtre , which froze the heart and left nothing but the love of dancing .

IX

they danced on till the shoes of the princesses were worn into holes .

after supper , the dancers all went back to their boats , and this time the Star Gazer entered that of the eldest Princess .

Lina turned as she heard the noise made by the breaking of the branch .

' What was that noise ? ' she said .

while she was speaking Michael managed to slip in front , and running up the staircase , he reached the princesses ' room first .

x

when Lina discovered it she was much surprised .

this time it was the Prince who complained that the boat seemed very heavy .

' It is the heat , ' replied the Princess .

' I , too , have been feeling very warm . '

during the ball she looked everywhere for the gardener 's boy , but she never saw him .

' It is nothing , ' said Lina ; ' only the cry of the owl which roosts in the turrets of the castle . '

XI

as soon as she got up she found the branch in her bouquet .

when the sisters went down she stayed a little behind and said to the cow-boy : ' Where does this branch come from ? '

' Your Royal Highness knows well enough , ' answered Michael .

' So you have followed us ? '

' Yes , Princess . '

' How did you manage it ? we never saw you . '

' I hid myself , ' replied the Star Gazer quietly .

the Princess was silent a moment , and then said :

' You know our secret ! keep it .

here is the reward of your discretion . '

and she flung the boy a purse of gold .

' I do not sell my silence , ' answered Michael , and he went away without picking up the purse .

for three nights Lina neither saw nor heard anything extraordinary ; on the fourth she heard a rustling among the diamond-spangled leaves of the wood .

that day there was a branch of the trees in her bouquet .

she took the Star Gazer aside , and said to him in a harsh voice :

' You know what price my father has promised to pay for our secret ? '

' I know , Princess , ' answered Michael .

' Don't you mean to tell him ? '

' That is not my intention . '

' Are you afraid ? '

' No , Princess . '

' What makes you so discreet , then ? '

but Michael was silent .

XII

Lina 's sisters had seen her talking to the little garden boy , and jeered at her for it .

' What prevents your marrying him ? ' asked the eldest , ' you would become a gardener too ; it is a charming profession .

the Princess Lina was very angry , and when the Star Gazer presented her bouquet , she received it in a disdainful manner .

Michael behaved most respectfully .

he never raised his eyes to her , but nearly all day she felt him at her side without ever seeing him .

one day she made up her mind to tell everything to her eldest sister .

' What ! ' said she , ' this rogue knows our secret , and you never told me !

I must lose no time in getting rid of him . '

' But how ? '

' Why , by having him taken to the tower with the dungeons , of course . '

for this was the way that in old times beautiful princesses got rid of people who knew too much .

XIII

it was agreed that the question should be submitted to the other ten sisters .

all were on the side of the eldest .

they sent for the Star Gazer , and asked him how he had contrived to learn their secret ; but still he remained silent .

then , in commanding tones , the eldest sister gave him the order they had agreed upon .

he only answered :

' I will obey . '

dress me like a prince . '

a beautiful pink flower appeared .

thus dressed , he presented himself that evening before the Duke of Beloeil , and obtained leave to try and discover his daughters ' secret .

he looked so distinguished that hardly anyone would have known who he was .

XIV

the twelve princesses went upstairs to bed .

Michael followed them , and waited behind the open door till they gave the signal for departure .

this time he did not cross in Lina 's boat .

he gave his arm to the eldest sister , danced with each in turn , and was so graceful that everyone was delighted with him .

at last the time came for him to dance with the little Princess .

she found him the best partner in the world , but he did not dare to speak a single word to her .

when he was taking her back to her place she said to him in a mocking voice :

' Here you are at the summit of your wishes : you are being treated like a prince . '

' Don't be afraid , ' replied the Star Gazer gently .

' You shall never be a gardener 's wife . '

the little Princess stared at him with a frightened face , and he left her without waiting for an answer .

when the satin slippers were worn through the fiddles stopped , and the negro boys set the table .

Michael was placed next to the eldest sister , and opposite to the youngest .

but he took care not to be intoxicated , either by the wine or the compliments .

XV

at last the eldest sister made a sign , and one of the black pages brought in a large golden cup .

' The enchanted castle has no more secrets for you , ' she said to the Star Gazer .

' Let us drink to your triumph . '

he cast a lingering glance at the little Princess , and without hesitation lifted the cup .

' Don't drink ! ' suddenly cried out the little Princess ; ' I would rather marry a gardener . '

and she burst into tears .

Michael flung the contents of the cup behind him , sprang over the table , and fell at Lina 's feet .

the charm was broken .

the twelve couples embarked in the boats , which crossed back many times in order to carry over the other princes .

they went straight to the room of the Duke of Beloeil , who had just awoke .

Michael held in his hand the golden cup , and he revealed the secret of the holes in the shoes .

' Choose , then , ' said the Duke , ' whichever you prefer . '

XVI

and this is why the country girls go about singing :

Nous n'irons plus au bois , Les lauriers sont coupes , '

and dancing in summer by the light of the moon .

THE PRINCESS MAYBLOSSOM

the Queen wondered how she dared offer herself , and she was told to go away , as she certainly would not do .

upon which she muttered something and passed on , but hid herself in a hollow tree , from which she could see all that happened .

when the King saw this he cried :

then the Queen began to cry .

' I say that she shall be the unluckiest of the unlucky until she is twenty years old . '

but the ugly old Fairy only grunted and made no answer .

at this Carabosse laughed maliciously , and climbed away up the chimney , leaving them all in great consternation , and especially the Queen .

so the King had a tower built on purpose .

often the King said to the Queen :

' We were cleverer than Carabosse after all .

our Mayblossom will be happy in spite of her predictions . '

and the Queen laughed until she was tired at the idea of having outwitted the old Fairy .

it was a scene of woe .

when the Princess saw that they all pitied her she made up her mind to have her own way .

at the head of it rode Fanfaronade himself upon a white horse , which pranced and caracoled to the sound of the trumpets .

nothing could have been more splendid than the ambassador 's attire .

at the sight of him the Princess lost her wits entirely , and determined that Fanfaronade and nobody else would she marry .

' It is quite impossible , ' she said , ' that his master should be half as handsome and delightful .

I am sure that bread and water shared with Fanfaronade will please me far better than roast chicken and sweetmeats with anybody else . '

and so she went on talk , talk , talking , until her waiting-women wondered where she got it all from .

as soon as the ambassador arrived at the palace , the Queen started to fetch her daughter .

they had hardly begun to get the Princess ready when a dwarf arrived , mounted upon an elephant .

but the Princess scarcely gave a glance to any of these treasures , for she thought of nothing but Fanfaronade .

the Dwarf was rewarded with a gold piece , and decorated with so many ribbons that it was hardly possible to see him at all .

how pretty she is ! '

the Queen put her royal mantle over her head , and all the princesses did the same with their trains .

and then peals of mocking laughter rang through the air , and they guessed that this was another of the Fairy Carabosse 's unpleasant jokes .

' Ah ! ' cried the Queen , ' can nothing appease this enemy of ours ?

she is as angry as ever . '

when we are once under shelter we can laugh at her . '

then he offered his hand to conduct the Princess , and she said softly :

so , if you think about it as I do , I will marry you instead of your master .

the Ambassador thought he must be dreaming , and could hardly believe what the lovely Princess said .

he dared not answer , but only squeezed the Princess 's hand until he really hurt her little finger , but she did not cry out .

when they reached the palace the King kissed his daughter on both cheeks , and said :

' If you please , sire , ' said the Princess , dropping a curtsey .

' I consent also , ' said the Queen ; ' so let the banquet be prepared . '

this was done with all speed , and everybody feasted except Mayblossom and Fanfaronade , who looked at one another and forgot everything else .

only the lovers were as wide-awake as mice , and the Princess , seeing that there was nothing to fear , said to Fanfaronade :

' Let us be quick and run away , for we shall never have a better chance than this . '

they could see neither moon nor stars , but in the Queen 's neck-handkerchief there was a carbuncle which glowed like fifty torches .

' But , Princess , ' said he , ' I dare not take you back to King Merlin 's court .

he would think hanging too good for me . '

so she ordered the old boatman to steer for Squirrel Island .

and the Queen asked for her neck-handkerchief , that she might look smart .

by this time the King had missed his dagger , and the search began all over again .

when the King saw that the search was hopeless he said :

' Never mind , let us make haste and get the wedding over before anything else is lost . '

and then he asked where the Princess was .

upon this her nurse came forward and said :

' Sire , I have been seeking her these two hours , but she is nowhere to be found . '

this was more than the Queen could bear .

she gave a shriek of alarm and fainted away , and they had to pour two barrels of eau-de-cologne over her before she recovered .

' Go and find the Ambassador Fanfaronade , who is doubtless asleep in some corner , and tell him the sad news . '

then the King summoned his counsellors and his guards , and , accompanied by the Queen , went into his great hall .

' Listen , great and small !

my dear daughter Mayblossom is lost : whether she has been stolen away or has simply disappeared I cannot tell .

' Sire , we are all very sorry to see you so sorry .

perhaps this may give some clue to the mystery of their disappearance . '

here the Queen interrupted him , saying , ' Take care what you say , sir .

believe me , the Princess Mayblossom was far too well brought up to think of falling in love with an Ambassador . '

but the Admiral Cocked-Hat interrupted her , crying :

' Let us be off after this good-for-nothing Fanfaronade , for with out a doubt he has run away with our Princess . '

then there was a great clapping of hands , and everybody shouted , ' By all means let us be after him . '

but the answer everywhere was , ' You must go farther , we have not seen them . '

but he would not answer any questions , and pretended to be deaf and dumb .

then the Admiral said : ' Oh ! deaf and dumb is he ?

lash him to the mast and give him a taste of the cat-o'-nine-tails .

I don't know anything better than that for curing the deaf and dumb ! '

' Pray , madam , how long do you mean to stay here ?

I see nothing to eat , and though you may be very charming , the sight of you does not prevent me from famishing . '

' What !

you ought to be thinking all the time how happy you are . '

' Happy ! ' cried he ; ' say rather unhappy .

I wish with all my heart that you were back in your dark tower again . '

' Darling , don't be cross , ' said the Princess .

' I will go and see if I can find some wild fruit for you . '

' I wish you might find a wolf to eat you up , ' growled Fanfaronade .

when he saw that she came empty-handed he got up and left her , grumbling to himself .

the next day they searched again , but with no better success .

' No , I should not mind that either , ' answered Fanfaronade .

' Is it possible , ' said she , ' that you would not care if I died of hunger ?

oh , Fanfaronade , you said you loved me ! '

' That was when we were in quite another place and I was not hungry , ' said he .

' It makes a great difference in one 's ideas to be dying of hunger and thirst on a desert island . '

at this the Princess was dreadfully vexed , and she sat down under a white rose bush and began to cry bitterly .

and the tears ran down her cheeks and splashed on to the rose-tree roots .

presently she was surprised to see the whole bush rustling and shaking , and a soft little voice from the prettiest rosebud said :

Mayblossom ran to the tree , and sure enough there was the honey .

without losing a moment she ran with it to Fanfaronade , crying gaily :

' See , here is a honeycomb that I have found .

I might have eaten it up all by myself , but I had rather share it with you . '

indeed , when she humbly asked for some he said mockingly that it was too sweet for her , and would spoil her teeth .

' Take courage , pretty Princess , all is not lost yet .

take this pitcher of milk and drink it up , and whatever you do , don't leave a drop for Fanfaronade . '

and this time the Princess , who was fainting with hunger , took the nightingale 's advice , and ate what she found all by herself .

their Majesties were overjoyed at the news , and the King sent for a great book , each leaf of which was eight ells long .

it was the work of a very clever Fairy , and contained a description of the whole earth .

he very soon found that Squirrel Island was uninhabited .

' Go , ' said he , to Jack-the-Chatterer , ' tell the Admiral from me to land at once .

I am surprised at his not having done so sooner . '

as he was not very brave he accepted her aid gladly .

when he reached them , of course he recognised the Princess , and he went down on his knees and kissed her hand quite joyfully .

while they were talking she cried suddenly :

' I declare I smell a savoury dinner . '

' Will your Highness please to taste any of them ? '

' By all means , ' said the Fairy , ' especially as the Princess will certainly be glad of a good meal . '

so the Admiral sent back to his ship for everything that was needful , and they feasted merrily under the trees .

by the time they had finished the peacock had come back with a robe for the Princess , in which the Fairy arrayed her .

then salutes were fired , the fleet weighed anchor , and very soon they reached the port .

but , after all , it must have been all Carabosse 's fault .

as he was a hundred times handsomer and braver than the Ambassador , the Princess found she could like him very much .

so the wedding was held at once , with so much splendour and rejoicing that all the previous misfortunes were quite forgotten . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) la Princesse Printaniere .

par Mme. d'Aulnoy .

SORIA MORIA CASTLE

THERE was once upon a time a couple of folks who had a son called Halvor .

and Halvor had a fancy for that , so he was not long in getting ready .

so as he had now been walking the whole day and had not brought anything to eat away with him , he was frightfully hungry .

nevertheless , the nearer he came to the castle the more afraid he was .

there were vessels of gold and silver , but not one human being was to be seen .

' Nay ! ' she cried , ' can Christian folk dare to come hither ?

but the best thing that you can do is to go away again , for if not the Troll will devour you .

a Troll with three heads lives here . '

Halvor took a draught , and in a moment he was able to swing the sword about with perfect ease .

Halvor got behind the door .

' Hutetu ! ' said the Troll as he put his head in at the door .

' It smells just as if there were Christian man 's blood here ! '

' Yes , you shall learn that there is ! ' said Halvor , and cut off all his heads .

' Where are they ? ' asked Halvor .

so she told him where they were .

' But now , ' said she , ' you must first help me to get this dead body away from here . '

Halvor was so strong that he cleared everything away , and made all clean and tidy very quickly .

so then they ate and drank , and were happy , and next morning he set off in the grey light of dawn .

he gave himself no rest , but walked or ran the livelong day .

when he came in sight of the castle he was again just a little afraid .

it was much more splendid than the other , but here too there was not a human being to be seen .

so Halvor went into the kitchen , and did not linger there either , but went straight in .

' Nay ! do Christian folk dare to come here ? ' cried the second Princess .

' I know not how long it is since I myself came , but during all that time I have never seen a Christian man .

it will be better for you to depart at once , for a Troll lives here who has six heads . '

' No , I shall not go , ' said Halvor ; ' even if he had six more I would not . '

' He will swallow you up alive , ' said the Princess .

so she gave him as much as he would have , and then she once more tried to make him go away .

soon afterwards the Troll came , and he was so large and stout that he was forced to go sideways to get through the door .

when the Troll got his first head in he cried : ' Hutetu !

it smells of a Christian man 's blood here ! '

with that Halvor cut off the first head , and so on with all the rest .

the Princess was now exceedingly delighted , but then she remembered her sisters , and wished that they too were free .

it was a long way to the castle , and he both walked and ran to get there in time .

late in the evening he caught sight of it , and it was very much more magnificent than either of the others .

and this time he was not in the least afraid , but went into the kitchen , and then straight on inside the castle .

there a Princess was sitting , who was so beautiful that there was never anyone to equal her .

the Troll had nine heads , she told him .

so she gave him the Troll 's sword , and bade him take a drink from the flask to enable him to wield it .

' Hutetu ! what a smell of Christian blood there is here ! ' said he .

they thought that this might easily be done .

' You shall go and return in perfect safety if you will follow our advice , ' said the Princesses .

so he said that he would do nothing that they did not wish .

Halvor was standing outside his father and mother 's cottage before he knew what he was about .

Halvor then inquired if he could stay there and have lodging for the night .

no , that he certainly could not .

it will be better for you to go up to the farm .

it is not far off , you can see the chimney-pots from here , and there they have plenty of everything . '

' No , ' said Halvor , ' I will not go up there till early to-morrow morning ; let me stay here to-night .

I can sit down on the hearth . '

' Could I be he ? ' said Halvor .

' I should know him well enough , ' said the old woman rising .

such a fellow as he was could never turn into such a man as you are , sir . '

she went there first , and Halvor followed her .

when she got there she told them how Halvor had come home again , and now they should just see how magnificent he was .

' He looks like a prince , ' she said .

' We shall see that he is just the same ragamuffin that he was before , ' said the girls , tossing their heads .

I wish to Heaven they were here , and then you would see them . '

he followed them out , and they came to a large pond outside the farm-house .

so Halvor laid his head down on her lap , and she combed it , and it was not long before he fell asleep .

I would that we were at Soria Moria Castle . '

he again had three hundred dollars , which he put into his pocket and went on his way .

when he had walked some distance he met a man with a tolerably good horse .

Halvor longed to buy it , and began to bargain with the man .

Halvor inquired how much he wanted to have for the horse .

at last they agreed about the price , and Halvor laid his bag on the horse , and sometimes he walked and sometimes he rode .

in the evening he came to a green field , where stood a great tree , under which he seated himself .

then he let the horse loose and lay down to sleep , but before he did that he took his bag off the horse .

at daybreak he set off again , for he did not feel as if he could take any rest .

so he walked and he rode , and it seemed to him that the wood would never come to an end .

but on the evening of the second day he saw a light shining through the trees .

' If only there were some people up there I might warm myself and get something to eat , ' thought Halvor .

' Good evening ! good evening ! ' said the old hag ; ' but what errand have you that can bring you here ?

No Christian folk have been here for more than a hundred years . '

so Halvor told her that he wanted to get to Soria Moria Castle , and inquired if she knew the way thither .

she can easily see it , for she shines on all things . '

so when the Moon stood clear and bright above the tree-tops the old woman went out .

' Moon !

Moon ! ' she screamed .

' Canst thou tell me the way to Soria Moria Castle ? '

' What ! have you a horse too ? ' she said when she came in again .

but won't you exchange him with me ?

we have a pair of old boots here with which you can go fifteen quarters of a mile at each step .

you shall have them for the horse , and then you will be able to get sooner to Soria Moria Castle . '

Halvor consented to this at once , and the old woman was so delighted with the horse that she was ready to dance .

' For now I , too , shall be able to ride to church , ' she said .

Halvor could take no rest , and wanted to set off immediately ; but the old woman said that there was no need to hasten .

ere long came the West Wind , roaring so loud that the walls creaked .

the old woman went out and cried :

' West Wind !

West Wind !

Canst thou tell me the way to Soria Moria Castle ?

here is one who would go thither . '

' Yes , I know it well , ' said the West Wind .

' I am just on my way there to dry the clothes for the wedding which is to take place .

if he is fleet of foot he can go with me . '

Out ran Halvor .

' Yes , ' said Halvor , ' he has only gone to break down a bit of spruce fir .

it won't be long before he is here . '

and then he asked them the way to Soria Moria Castle .

( @number@ ) from P . C Asbjornsen .

THE DEATH OF KOSHCHEI THE DEATHLESS

IN a certain kingdom there lived a Prince Ivan .

he had three sisters .

the first was the Princess Marya , the second the Princess Olga , the third the Princess Anna .

don't go keeping them by you ! '

suddenly the sky was covered by a black cloud ; a terrible storm arose .

' Let us go home , sisters ! ' he cried .

the Falcon smote upon the ground , became a brave youth , and said :

' Hail , Prince Ivan !

before I came as a guest , but now I have come as a wooer !

I wish to propose for your sister , the Princess Marya . '

' If you find favour in the eyes of my sister , I will not interfere with her wishes .

let her marry you , in God 's name ! '

the Princess Marya gave her consent ; the Falcon married her and bore her away into his own realm .

days follow days , hours chase hours ; a whole year goes by .

one day Prince Ivan and his two sisters went out to stroll in the garden green .

again there arose a storm-cloud , with whirlwind and lightning .

' Let us go home , sisters ! ' cries the Prince .

the Eagle smote upon the ground and became a brave youth .

' Hail , Prince Ivan !

I Before I came as a guest , but now I have come as a wooer ! '

and he asked for the hand of the Princess Olga .

Prince Ivan replied :

' If you find favour in the eyes of the Princess Olga , then let her marry you .

I will not interfere with her liberty of choice . '

the Princess Olga gave her consent and married the Eagle .

the Eagle took her and carried her off to his own kingdom .

another year went by .

Prince Ivan said to his youngest sister :

' Let us go out and stroll in the garden green ! '

they strolled about for a time .

again there arose a storm-cloud , with whirlwind and lightning .

' Let us return home , sister ! ' said he .

the Raven smote upon the floor and became a brave youth .

the former youths had been handsome , but this one was handsomer still .

' Well , Prince Ivan !

before I came as a guest , but now I have come as a wooer !

give me the Princess Anna to wife . '

' I won't interfere with my sister 's freedom .

if you gain her affections , let her marry you . '

so the Princess Anna married the Raven , and he bore her away into his own realm .

Prince Ivan was left alone .

a whole year he lived without his sisters ; then he grew weary , and said :

' I will set out in search of my sisters . '

he got ready for the journey , he rode and rode , and one day he saw a whole army lying dead on the plain .

he cried aloud , ' If there be a living man there , let him make answer !

who has slain this mighty host ? '

there replied unto him a living man :

' All this mighty host has been slain by the fair Princess Marya Morevna . '

Prince Ivan rode further on , and came to a white tent , and forth came to meet him the fair Princess Marya Morevna .

Prince Ivan replied , ' Not against their will do brave youths ride ! '

' Well , if your business be not pressing , tarry awhile in my tent . '

Thereat was Prince Ivan glad .

he spent two nights in the tent , and he found favour in the eyes of Marya Morevna , and she married him .

the fair Princess , Marya Morevna , carried him off into her own realm .

they spent some time together , and then the Princess took it into her head to go a warring .

so she handed over all the house-keeping affairs to Prince Ivan , and gave him these instructions :

' Go about everywhere , keep watch over everything ; only do not venture to look into that closet there . '

he couldn't help doing so .

then Koshchei entreated Prince Ivan , saying :

' Have pity upon me and give me to drink !

ten years long have I been here in torment , neither eating nor drinking ; my throat is utterly dried up . '

the Prince gave him a bucketful of water ; he drank it up and asked for more , saying :

' A single bucket of water will not quench my thirst ; give me more ! '

the Prince gave him a second bucketful .

Down flew the Falcon from the oak , smote upon the ground , turned into a brave youth , and cried aloud :

' Ha , dear brother-in-law ! how deals the Lord with you ? '

the Prince spent three days with them ; then he said :

' I cannot abide with you ; I must go in search of my wife , the fair Princess Marya Morevna . '

' Hard will it be for you to find her , ' answered the Falcon .

' At all events leave with us your silver spoon .

we will look at it and remember you . '

So Prince Ivan left his silver spoon at the Falcon 's , and went on his way again .

Down flew the Eagle from the oak , smote upon the ground , turned into a brave youth , and cried aloud :

' Rise up , Princess Olga !

hither comes our brother dear ! '

with them Prince Ivan stopped three days ; then he said :

' I cannot stay here any longer .

I am going to look for my wife , the fair Princess Marya Morevna . '

' Hard will it be for you to find her , ' replied the Eagle .

' Leave with us a silver fork .

we will look at it and remember you . '

he left a silver fork behind , and went his way .

Down flew the Raven from the oak , smote upon the ground , turned into a brave youth , and cried aloud :

' Princess Anna , come forth quickly ! our brother is coming . '

Prince Ivan stayed with them three days ; then he said :

' Farewell !

I am going to look for my wife , the fair Princess Marya Morevna . '

' Hard will it be for you to find her , ' replied the Raven .

' Anyhow , leave your silver snuff-box with us .

we will look at it and remember you . '

the Prince handed over his silver snuff-box , took his leave , and went his way .

one day he went , another day he went , and on the third day he came to where Marya Morevna was .

she caught sight of her love , flung her arms around his neck , burst into tears , and exclaimed :

' Oh , Prince Ivan ! why did you disobey me and go looking into the closet and letting out Koshchei the Deathless ? '

' Forgive me , Marya Morevna !

remember not the past ; much better fly with me while Koshchei the Deathless is out of sight .

perhaps he won't catch us . '

so they got ready and fled .

now Koshchei was out hunting .

towards evening he was returning home , when his good steed stumbled beneath him .

' Why stumblest thou , sorry jade ?

Scentest thou some ill ? '

the steed replied :

' Prince Ivan has come and carried off Marya Morevna . '

' Is it possible to catch them ? '

Koshchei galloped off and caught up Prince Ivan .

and a second time I will forgive you ; but the third time beware !

I will cut you to bits . '

then he took Marya Morevna from him , and carried her off .

but Prince Ivan sat down on a stone and burst into tears .

he wept and wept and then returned back again to Marya Morevna .

now Koshchei the Deathless happened not to be at home .

' Let us fly , Marya Morevna ! '

' Ah , Prince Ivan ! he will catch us . '

' Suppose he does catch us .

at all events we shall have spent an hour or two together . '

so they got ready and fled .

as Koshchei the Deathless was returning home , his good steed stumbled beneath him .

' Why stumblest thou , sorry jade ?

Scentest thou some ill ? '

' Prince Ivan has come and carried off Marya Morevna . '

' Is it possible to catch them ? '

Koshchei galloped off , caught up Prince Ivan :

' Didn't I tell you that you should not see Marya Morevna any more than your own ears ? '

and he took her away and carried her off home with him .

Prince Ivan was left there alone .

he wept and wept ; then he went back again after Marya Morevna .

Koshchei happened to be away from home at that moment .

' Let us fly , Marya Morevna ! '

' Ah , Prince Ivan ! he is sure to catch us and hew you in pieces . '

' Let him hew away !

I cannot live without you .

so they got ready and fled .

Koshchei the Deathless was returning home when his good steed stumbled beneath him .

' Why stumblest thou ?

Scentest thou any ill ? '

' Prince Ivan has come and has carried off Marya Morevna . '

but Marya Morevna he carried off home .

at that very time the silver articles turned black which Prince Ivan had left with his brothers-in-law .

' Ah ! ' said they , ' the evil is accomplished sure enough ! '

the Raven sprinkled them with the Water of Death the pieces joined together , the body became whole .

the Falcon sprinkled it with the Water of Life Prince Ivan shuddered , stood up , and said :

' Ah ! what a time I 've been sleeping ! '

' You 'd have gone on sleeping a good deal longer if it hadn't been for us , ' replied his brothers-in-law .

' Now come and pay us a visit . '

' Not so , brothers ; I shall go and look for Marya Morevna . '

and when he had found her , he said to her :

' Find out from Koshchei the Deathless whence he got so good a steed . '

so Marya Morevna chose a favourable moment , and began asking Koshchei about it .

Koshchei replied :

' Beyond thrice nine lands , in the thirtieth kingdom , on the other side of the fiery river , there lives a Baba Yaga .

she has so good a mare that she flies right round the world on it every day .

and she has many other splendid mares .

' But how did you get across the fiery river ? '

Marya Morevna listened to all this , and repeated it to Prince Ivan , and she carried off the handkerchief and gave it to him .

so he managed to get across the fiery river , and then went on to the Baba Yaga 's .

Long went he on without getting anything either to eat or to drink .

at last he came across an outlandish bird and its young ones .

says Prince Ivan :

' I 'll eat one of these chickens . '

he went on farther and saw a hive of bees in the forest .

' I 'll get a bit of honeycomb , ' says he .

so he didn't disturb it , but went on .

presently there met him a lioness with her cub .

' Anyhow , I 'll eat this lion cub , ' says he ; ' I 'm so hungry I feel quite unwell ! '

' Very well ; have it your own way , ' says he .

Hungry and faint he wandered on , walked farther and farther , and at last came to where stood the house of the Baba Yaga .

' Hail , granny ! '

' Hail , Prince Ivan ! wherefore have you come ?

is it of your own accord , or on compulsion ? '

' I have come to earn from you an heroic steed . '

' So be it , Prince !

you won't have to serve a year with me , but just three days .

if you take good care of my mares , I 'll give you an heroic steed .

but if you don't why , then you mustn't be annoyed at finding your head stuck on top of the last pole up there . '

Prince Ivan agreed to these terms .

the Baba Yaga gave him food and drink , and bade him set about his business .

before the Prince had time to look round they were all out of sight .

thereupon he began to weep and to disquiet himself , and then he sat down upon a stone and went to sleep .

but when the sun was near its setting the outlandish bird came flying up to him , and awakened him , saying :

' Arise , Prince Ivan !

the mares are at home now . '

the Prince arose and returned home .

there the Baba Yaga was storming and raging at her mares , and shrieking :

' Whatever did ye come home for ? '

' How could we help coming home ? ' said they .

' There came flying birds from every part of the world , and all but pecked our eyes out . '

' Well , well ! to-morrow don't go galloping over the meadows , but disperse amid the thick forests . '

Prince Ivan slept all night .

in the morning the Baba Yaga says to him :

he drove the mares afield .

immediately they cocked up their tails and dispersed among the thick forests .

again did the Prince sit down on the stone , weep and weep , and then go to sleep .

the sun went down behind the forest .

up came running the lioness .

' Arise , Prince Ivan !

the mares are all collected . '

Prince Ivan arose and went home .

more than ever did the Baba Yaga storm at her mares and shriek :

' Whatever did ye come back home for ? '

' How could we help coming back ?

beasts of prey came running at us from all parts of the world , and all but tore us utterly to pieces . '

' Well , to-morrow run off into the blue sea . '

again did Prince Ivan sleep through the night .

next morning the Baba Yaga sent him forth to watch the mares .

he drove the mares afield .

immediately they cocked up their tails , disappeared from sight , and fled into the blue sea .

there they stood , up to their necks in water .

Prince Ivan sat down on the stone , wept , and fell asleep .

but when the sun had set behind the forest , up came flying a bee , and said :

' Arise , Prince !

the mares are all collected .

there you will find a sorry colt rolling in the muck .

do you steal it , and at the dead of night ride away from the house . '

' Why did ye come back ? '

' How could we help coming back ?

the Baba Yaga went to sleep .

when the Baba Yaga got up in the morning the sorry colt was not to be seen !

off she set in pursuit .

at full speed did she fly in her iron mortar , urging it on with the pestle , sweeping away her traces with the broom .

she dashed up to the fiery river , gave a glance , and said , ' A capital bridge ! '

there truly did she meet with a cruel death !

Prince Ivan fattened up the colt in the green meadows , and it turned into a wondrous steed .

then he rode to where Marya Morevna was .

she came running out , and flung herself on his neck , crying :

' By what means has God brought you back to life ? '

' Thus and thus , ' says he .

' Now come along with me . '

' I am afraid , Prince Ivan !

if Koshchei catches us you will be cut in pieces again . '

' No , he won't catch us !

I have a splendid heroic steed now ; it flies just like a bird . '

so they got on its back and rode away .

Koshchei the Deathless was returning home when his horse stumbled beneath him .

' What art thou stumbling for , sorry jade ?

Dost thou scent any ill ? '

' Prince Ivan has come and carried off Marya Morevna . '

' Can we catch them ? '

' God knows !

Prince Ivan has a horse now which is better than I . '

' Well , I can't stand it , ' says Koshchei the Deathless .

' I will pursue . '

wherever they went they met with a joyful greeting .

' Ah , Prince Ivan ! why , we never expected to see you again .

well , it wasn't for nothing that you gave yourself so much trouble .

such a beauty as Marya Morevna one might search for all the world over and never find one like her ! '

and so they visited , and they feasted ; and afterwards they went off to their own realm . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Ralston .

THE BLACK THIEF AND KNIGHT OF THE GLEN .

seeing that death was drawing near her , she called the King to her and spoke as follows :

this is all I have to say , so farewell . '

however , he caused the tower to be built and his sons placed in it , under proper guardians , according to his promise .

that fared well , and King and Queen lived happy together for several years .

' What must I pay you ? ' asked the Queen .

' How much wool will it take to the pack ? ' says the Queen .

' It will take seven herds of sheep , ' said she , ' and their increase for seven years . '

' How much butter will it take to fill your crock ? '

' Seven dairies , ' said she , ' and their increase for seven years . '

' And how much will it take to fill the barrel you have ? ' says the Queen .

' It will take the increase of seven barrels of wheat for seven years . '

' What is that ? ' says the Queen .

the prince , willing to gratify his request , told him their affairs from the beginning to the end .

' Ah ! my brave fellows , ' says the Black Thief , ' you little know the danger you run .

' Bless me , ' says the young prince , ' what will we do ?

if we return without the steed we will lose our heads , so I see we are ill fixed on both sides . '

he seems to be the captain , and looks as if he had come through many toils . '

' But , ' says the Black Thief , ' I was within one moment of my death , and I am here yet . '

' How was that ? ' says the knight ; ' I would be glad to hear it , for it seems impossible . '

' I will , ' says the knight , ' so go on with your story . '

at length I came to an old kiln , and being much fatigued I went up and lay on the ribs .

I had not been long there when I saw three witches coming in with three bags of gold .

each put their bags of gold under their heads , as if to sleep .

I found by their discourse that everybody had got my name into their mouth , though I kept silent as death during their discourse .

at length it began to bend , and I found that one or two blows at the most would put it down .

' Indeed , ' says the Black Thief , ' I would fain think he would not die this time either . '

' How so ? ' says the knight ; ' it is impossible for him to escape . '

' Why , have you been in another great danger ? ' says the knight .

being in great fear and not knowing how to pass , I fired a pistol at him , and he immediately fell across the entrance .

I was then very sorry that I had the misfortune to kill him , but it then could not be helped .

I knew very well on the first sight of me that could be got , I would be shot like a dog .

however , I had not time to lose .

' Well , then , ' says the knight , ' let us hear it . '

' She told me of a house a distance off where I would get a woman who would take care of it .

" but what will I do in regard of the pie ? "

' " bless me , " said she , " what will you do now ?

' I took her advice , and laid myself down among the rest , as if dead , to see how he would behave .

the first thing I heard was him calling for his pie .

you may be certain I was in great pain , but the fear of being killed prevented me from making any complaint .

' And is this my deliverer ? ' says he .

( @number@ ) the Hibernian Tales .

THE MASTER THIEF

THERE was once upon a time a husbandman who had three sons .

he would gladly accompany them for some part of their way , he said , and that he did .

what became of the two elder I have never been able to discover , but the youngest went both far and wide .

it came to pass , one night , as he was going through a great wood , that a terrible storm came on .

but he went on , and at last he saw a light far away in the wood .

then he thought he must try and get to it , and after a long , long time he did reach it .

there was a large house , and the fire was burning so brightly inside that he could tell that the people were not in bed .

so he went in , and inside there was an old woman who was busy about some work .

' Good evening , mother ! ' said the youth .

' Good evening ! ' said the old woman .

' Hutetu ! it is terrible weather outside to-night , ' said the young fellow .

' Indeed it is , ' said the old woman .

' Can I sleep here , and have shelter for the night ? ' asked the youth .

' What kind of people are they then , who dwell here ? ' said the youth .

' I still think I will go to bed , all the same , ' said the youth .

' No matter what happens , I 'll not go out to-night in such weather as this . '

' Well , then , it will be the worse for yourself , ' said the old woman .

' Did you see if he had any money ? ' said the robbers .

' He 's not one to have money , he is a tramp !

if he has a few clothes to his back , that is all . '

' Have you a fancy for stealing , then ? ' said the robbers .

' Yes , ' said the boy , for he thought that was a trade which would not take long to learn .

not very far off there dwelt a man who had three oxen , one of which he was to take to the town to sell .

so the youth set off , taking with him a pretty shoe with a silver buckle that was lying about in the house .

when the man came up he at once saw the shoe .

' That 's a brave shoe , ' said he .

for he had a wife who was so cross and ill-tempered that the time between the beatings she gave him was very short .

in the meantime the youth had taken the ox and gone off with it .

but the robbers they knew it well , because they got out their magic .

' Well , that will not be a very hard thing to do , ' thought the youth .

so the man came with his ox , and when he saw the body hanging there he felt a little queer .

' What a hard lot yours must have been to make you hang yourself ! ' said he .

' Ah , well ! you may hang there for me ; I can't breathe life into you again . '

so on he went with his ox .

but when the man once more saw this he said to himself , ' What a bad business this is !

can they all have been so heavy-hearted that they have all three hanged themselves ?

no , I can't believe that it is anything but witchcraft !

so he tied up his ox and ran back to see if they really were hanging there .

any one may easily imagine what a fury the man fell into when he came back and saw that his ox was gone .

so he went home and took the third ox , and drove it off without his wife knowing anything about it .

so he tied up the third , and ran away off the road to look for them in the wood .

in the meantime the youth went away with the third ox .

after a long , long time he came to the road on which he was travelling when he came to the robbers .

then he entered the house and asked if he could find a lodging there .

' No , indeed you can't ! ' said his father .

' How could I possibly be able to lodge such a great gentleman as you ?

it is all that I can do to find clothes and bedding for myself , and wretched they are . '

' Are you my son ? ' said the man .

' Do you not know me again then ? ' said the youth .

' Oh , that I will tell you , ' answered the youth .

' If he asks what trade I follow , you may say that I am a Master Thief , ' said he .

' You must go to the Governor and beg for his daughter there is no help , ' said the youth .

' But I dare not go to the Governor and say this .

he is so rich and has so much wealth of all kinds , ' said the man .

' There is no help for it , ' said the Master Thief ; ' go you must , whether you like it or not .

if I can't get you to go by using good words , I will soon make you go with bad ones . '

' Now , my man , and what 's amiss with you ? ' said the Governor .

' Console yourself , my man , ' said the Governor , laughing .

' You may tell him from me that he must first give me some proof of this .

will you tell him that ? '

the man did tell him , and the youth thought it would be easy enough to do it .

the Governor himself and every one in the house was in the kitchen , keeping watch over the joint .

' Just look at that hare , ' said the people in the kitchen , and wanted to go out and catch it .

so again they wanted to go out and catch it , but the Governor again told them that it was of no use to try .

very soon afterwards , however , the youth let slip the third hare , and it set off and ran round and round the courtyard .

' It 's a remarkably fine hare ! ' said the Governor .

' Come and let us see if we can get hold of it . '

so out he went , and the others with him , and away went the hare , and they after it , in real earnest .

but the Priest repeated what he had said , and mocked the Governor for having allowed himself to be made such a fool of .

later in the afternoon the Master Thief came and wanted to have the Governor 's daughter as he had promised .

' Well , it wouldn't be very hard to do that , ' said the Master Thief .

so when the Priest returned home in the evening the youth began to cry , ' Father Lawrence !

father Lawrence ! ' for the Priest was called Father Lawrence .

' Who is calling me ? ' said the Priest .

' Oh ! oh ! ' cried the Priest in the sack .

' Where are you taking me ? '

' This is the way to heaven .

' Oh ! oh ! oh !

where am I now ? ' asked the Priest .

' Oh , heavens ! who is that , and what ails you ? ' said she .

' I am no angel , ' said the girl , and helped the Priest out of the sack .

' This is the Master Thief 's doing !

I have twelve horses in my stable , and I will put twelve stable boys in it , one on each horse .

if you are clever enough to steal the horses from under them , I will see what I can do for you . '

' Yes ; if you can do that I will do my best for you , ' said the Governor .

then he engaged eleven men to lie that night in hiding behind the Governor 's stable .

' What on earth do you want here ? ' said one of them to the old woman .

' Oh dear ! oh dear !

how cold it is ! ' she said , sobbing , and shivering with cold .

' You will get nothing of the kind !

be off this moment !

if the Governor were to catch sight of you here , he would lead us a pretty dance , ' said one .

' Oh ! what a poor helpless old creature ! ' said another , who felt sorry for her .

' That poor old woman can do no harm to anyone .

she may sit there and welcome . '

as the night wore on the stable boys found it rather cold work to sit still on horseback .

' Hutetu !

but it is fearfully cold ! ' said one , and began to beat his arms backwards and forwards across his breast .

' Yes , I am so cold that my teeth are chattering , ' said another .

' If one had but a little tobacco , ' said a third .

this was some help to them , but very soon they were just as cold as before .

' Hutetu ! ' said one of them , shivering again .

' What is that you have in your flask , old woman ? ' asked one of the stable boys .

' Oh , it 's only a little drop of brandy , your honour , ' she said .

' Brandy !

what !

let me have a drop !

let me have a drop ! ' screamed all the twelve at once .

' Oh , but what I have is so little , ' whimpered the old woman .

' It will not even wet your mouths . '

in the morning when the Governor came to look after his stable boys they were just beginning to come to again .

and they all got a beating for not having kept watch better .

but the Governor gave him a hundred dollars , and said that he must do something that was better still .

' Do you think you can steal my horse from under me when I am out riding on it ? ' said he .

when the Master Thief got there the mare went along so slowly and quietly that the cart hardly seemed to move from the spot .

the mare pulled it a little forward , and then a little back , and then it stopped quite short .

he rode straight up to him , and asked if he had seen anyone hiding anywhere about in a wood that was close by .

' No , ' said the man , ' that have I not . '

' Hark you , ' said the Governor .

' Oh , just ride off , ' said the Governor , ' and I will look after the cask and the horse too . '

so the Governor said that he would do his very best , and the Master Thief got on the Governor 's horse .

the following day he went to the Governor and wanted to have his daughter according to promise .

well , the Master Thief thought he might if he could hear what it was .

' Do you think you can steal the sheet off our bed , and my wife 's night-gown ? ' said the Governor .

' That is by no means impossible , ' said the Master Thief .

' I only wish I could get your daughter as easily . '

' There 's the Master Thief , mother ! ' said the Governor , nudging his wife .

' Now I 'll just shoot him , that I will ! '

so he took up a rifle which he had laid at his bedside .

' Just do what you think best , father , ' said his wife .

' Well , father dear , ' said she , for she thought it was her husband .

' Have you got done already ? '

so she gave him the sheet .

so off he went with the sheet , and the night-gown too .

an hour later the real Governor returned .

' What do you mean ? ' asked the Governor .

' Good heavens ! ' said the Governor , ' has he actually got the better of me again ? '

( @number@ ) from P . C Asbjornsen .

BROTHER AND SISTER

BROTHER took sister by the hand and said : ' Look here ; we haven't had one single happy hour since our mother died .

that stepmother of ours beats us regularly every day , and if we dare go near her she kicks us away .

we never get anything but hard dry crusts to eat why , the dog under the table is better off than we are .

she does throw him a good morsel or two now and then .

oh dear ! if our own dear mother only knew all about it !

come along , and let us go forth into the wide world together . '

' Heaven and our hearts are weeping together . '

then said brother :

' I 'm so thirsty , sister ; if I did but know where to find a little stream , I 'd go and have a drink .

I do believe I hear one . '

he jumped up , took sister by the hand , and they set off to hunt for the brook .

now their cruel stepmother was in reality a witch , and she knew perfectly well that the two children had run away .

she had crept secretly after them , and had cast her spells over all the streams in the forest .

' Who drinks of me will be a tiger ! who drinks of me will be a tiger ! '

brother was dreadfully thirsty , but he did not drink .

' Very well , ' said he , ' I 'll wait till we come to the next spring . '

when they came to the second brook , sister heard it repeating too :

' Who drinks of me will be a wolf I who drinks of me will be a wolf ! '

again brother did not drink , but he said :

and when they got to the third brook , sister heard it say as it rushed past :

' Who drinks of me will be a roe ! who drinks of me will be a roe ! '

and she begged , ' Ah ! brother , don't drink yet , or you 'll become a roe and run away from me . '

sister cried bitterly over her poor bewitched brother , and the little Roe wept too , and sat sadly by her side .

at last the girl said :

then she plucked rushes and plaited a soft cord of them , which she fastened to the collar .

when she had done this she led the Roe farther and farther , right into the depths of the forest .

and he fed from her hand , and played round her and seemed quite happy .

and if brother had but kept his natural form , really it would have been a most delightful kind of life .

' Ah ! ' said he to sister , ' do let me go off to the hunt !

I can't keep still any longer . '

and he begged and prayed till at last she consented .

' But , ' said she , ' mind you come back in the evening .

if you don't speak I shan't open the door . '

so off sprang the little Roe , and he felt quite well and happy in the free open air .

when night came on it ran home , and knocking at the door of the little house cried :

' My sister dear , open ; I 'm here . '

the door opened , and he ran in and rested all night on his soft mossy bed .

' Sister , open the door , I must get out . '

so sister opened the door and said , ' Now mind and get back by nightfall , and say your little rhyme . '

the huntsman remembered all this carefully , and went off straight to the King and told him all he had seen and heard .

' To-morrow we will hunt again , ' said the King .

Poor sister was terribly frightened when she saw how her little Fawn had been wounded .

the wound was really so slight that it was quite well next day , and the little Roe did not feel it at all .

no sooner did it hear the sounds of hunting in the forest than it cried :

' I can't stand this , I must be there too ; I 'll take care they shan't catch me . '

I can't and won't let you out . '

when the sun had set the King said to his huntsman , ' Now come and show me the little house in the wood . '

and when he got to the house he knocked at the door and said , ' My sister dear , open ; I 'm here . '

then the door opened and the King walked in , and there stood the loveliest maiden he had ever seen .

' Oh yes ! ' replied the maiden , ' but you must let my Roe come too .

I could not possibly forsake it . '

' It shall stay with you as long as you live , and shall want for nothing , ' the King promised .

the Roe was petted and caressed , and ran about at will in the palace gardens .

' Be quiet , will you , ' said the old woman ; ' when the time comes I shall be at hand . '

now after some time it happened one day when the King was out hunting that the Queen gave birth to a beautiful little boy .

come , let us be quick , for fear the water should get cold . '

they took care beforehand to make a blazing hot fire under the bath , so that the lovely young Queen might be suffocated .

so the King went away and never knew that it was a false Queen who lay in the bed .

she lifted the child from its cradle , laid it on her arm , and nursed it for some time .

then she carefully shook up the pillows of the little bed , laid the baby down and tucked the coverlet in all round him .

she did not forget the little Roe either , but went to the corner where it lay , and gently stroked its back .

after some little time had elapsed the Queen spoke one night , and said :

' Is my child well ?

is my Roe well ?

I 'll come back twice and then farewell . '

the nurse made no answer , but as soon as the Queen had disappeared she went to the King and told him all .

the King exclaimed , ' Good heavens ! what do you say ?

I will watch myself to-night by the child 's bed . '

when the evening came he went to the nursery , and at midnight the Queen appeared and said :

' Is my child well ?

is my Roe well ?

I 'll come back once and then farewell . '

and she nursed and petted the child as usual before she disappeared .

the King dared not trust himself to speak to her , but the following night he kept watch again .

that night when the Queen came she said :

' Is my child well ?

is my Roe well ?

I 've come this once , and now farewell . '

then she told the King all the cruel things the wicked witch and her daughter had done .

the King had them both arrested at once and brought to trial , and they were condemned to death .

( @number@ ) Grimm .

PRINCESS ROSETTE

when it was over , and they were preparing to go away , the Queen said to them :

' Do not forget your usual good custom .

tell me what is going to happen to Rosette . '

for that was the name they had given the Princess .

but the fairies said they had left their book of magic at home , and they would come another day and tell her .

So , after a great deal of persuasion , they said :

we are very sorry to have nothing better to tell you . '

the Queen said that she had been sitting too near the fire , and had burnt all the flax that was upon her distaff .

but the Queen still looked sad , and the King asked her again what was the matter .

she answered that she had been walking by the river and had dropped one of her green satin slippers into the water .

but it so happened that the King knew better , for he had the ring himself , and he said :

' Oh I you are not telling me the truth , for I have your ring here in my purse . '

then it was the King 's turn to look sad , and at last he said :

' I see no way of saving our sons except by having Rosette 's head cut off while she is still little . '

' You are welcome , Queen .

what do you come to ask of me ? '

the Queen thanked and rewarded him , and hastened back to the castle to tell the King .

the eldest brother was called ' the Great Prince , ' and the second ' the Little Prince . '

everybody was sorry , Rosette especially , and all the bells in the kingdom were tolled .

and after that there was nothing but feasting and rejoicing .

the new King and his brother said to one another :

' Now that we are the masters , let us take our sister out of that dull tower which she is so tired of . '

they had only to go across the garden to reach the tower , which was very high , and stood up in a corner .

Rosette was busy at her embroidery , but when she saw her brothers she got up , and taking the King 's hand cried :

' Good morning , dear brother .

now that you are King , please take me out of this dull tower , for I am so tired of it . '

Rosette thought she had never seen anything so pretty .

she showed them the peacock , and asked what it was , and they answered that it was a bird which people sometimes ate .

' What ! ' said the Princess , ' do they dare to kill that beautiful creature and eat it ?

at this the King was very much astonished .

' But , little sister , ' said he , ' where shall we find the King of the Peacocks ? '

' Oh ! wherever you like , sire , ' she answered , ' but I will never marry any one else . '

then they said to her :

if we find him for you we shall be very glad .

in the meantime , mind you take good care of our kingdom . '

so they set out , and asked everyone they met

' Do you know the King of the Peacocks ? '

but the answer was always , ' No , no . '

he asked the most distinguished-looking cockchafer they met if he knew where they could find the King of the Peacocks .

' Sire , ' replied the cockchafer , ' his kingdom is thirty thousand leagues from this ; you have come the longest way . '

' And how do you know that ? ' said the King .

the King and the Prince were delighted to see that the King of the Peacocks was as handsome as possible .

he had curly golden hair and was very pale , and he wore a crown of peacocks ' feathers .

when they had greeted him they said :

' Sire , we have come from very far away to show you a beautiful portrait . '

so saying they drew from their travelling bag the picture of Rosette .

the King looked at it in silence a long time , but at last he said :

' I could not have believed that there was such a beautiful Princess in the world ! '

' Indeed , she is really a hundred times as pretty as that , ' said her brothers .

' I think you must be making fun of me , ' replied the King of the Peacocks .

' Sire , ' said the Prince , ' my brother is a King , like yourself .

we have come to ask if you would like to marry her .

she is as good as she is beautiful , and we will give her a bushel of gold pieces for her dowry . '

' Oh ! with all my heart , ' replied the King , ' and I will make her very happy .

' Oh ! certainly , we quite agree to that , ' said the brothers in one breath .

' Very well .

off with you into prison , and stay there until the Princess arrives , ' said the King of the Peacocks .

and the Princes were so sure that Rosette was far prettier than her portrait that they went without a murmur .

they were very kindly treated , and that they might not feel dull the King came often to see them .

Guns were fired , and fireworks let off .

everyone had as many cakes and sweetmeats as he wanted .

then she set out , only taking with her her nurse , and the nurse 's daughter , and the little green dog Frisk .

the nurse asked the boatman :

' Can you take us , can you take us to the kingdom of the peacocks ? '

but he answered :

' Oh no ! oh no ! '

then she said :

' You must take us , you must take us . '

and he answered :

' Very soon , very soon . '

then the nurse said :

' Will you take us ? will you take us ? '

and the boatman answered :

' Yes , yes . '

then she whispered in his ear :

' Do you want to make your fortune ? '

and he said :

' Certainly I do . '

' I can tell you how to get a bag of gold , ' said she .

' I ask nothing better , ' said the boatman .

the boatman was very much surprised at this proposal , and said :

' But what a pity to drown such a pretty Princess ! '

as for her , she said to herself :

' How our boat does rock upon the water !

I am really glad that I am not often as uncomfortable as I have been to-night . '

' That horrid little animal and his mistress are drinking our health in sea-water now .

let us make haste to land , for we must be quite near the city of the King of the Peacocks . '

the King had sent a hundred carriages to meet them , drawn by every kind of strange animal .

there were lions , bears , wolves , stags , horses , buffaloes , eagles , and peacocks .

the nurse had taken all the pains imaginable to deck out her daughter .

she put on her Rosette 's prettiest frock , and covered her with diamonds from head to foot .

' Now then , look alive , ' cried the false Princess .

' If you don't bring me something to eat I will have all your heads cut off ! '

then they whispered one to another :

' Here 's a pretty state of things ! she is as wicked as she is ugly .

what a bride for our poor King !

she certainly was not worth bringing from the other end of the world ! '

but she went on ordering them all about , and for no fault at all would give slaps and pinches to everyone she could reach .

' Oh ! how ugly she is ! '

which offended her so much that she said to the guards :

' Make haste and kill all these insolent peacocks who have dared to insult me . '

but the peacocks only flew away , laughing at her .

the rogue of a boatman , who noticed all this , said softly to the nurse :

' This is a bad business for us , gossip ; your daughter ought to have been prettier . '

but she answered :

' Be quiet , stupid , or you will spoil everything . '

now they told the King that the Princess was approaching .

' Well , ' said he , ' did her brothers tell me truly ?

is she prettier than her portrait ? '

' Sire , ' they answered , ' if she were as pretty that would do very well . '

' That 's true , ' said the King ; ' I for one shall be quite satisfied if she is .

let us go and meet her . '

for they knew by the uproar that she had arrived , but they could not tell what all the shouting was about .

the King thought he could hear the words :

' How ugly she is !

how ugly she is ! ' and he fancied they must refer to some dwarf the Princess was bringing with her .

it never occurred to him that they could apply to the bride herself .

the Princess Rosette 's portrait was carried at the head of the procession , and after it walked the King surrounded by his courtiers .

for she was really ugly enough to have frightened anybody .

do they propose that I shall marry this hideous creature ?

they must mean to kill us . '

and this idea annoyed them very much .

I mean to make short work with you , and the sword is being sharpened that will cut off your heads ! '

' King of the Peacocks , ' answered the King angrily , ' you had better take care what you are about .

you are pleased to jest about having our heads cut off ; perhaps you think we have stolen something from you ? '

while all this was going on at court , let us see what had been happening to the real Princess .

the Princess cried and cried , until even the fishes were sorry for her .

but how strange of him , when I should have loved him so much , and we should have been so happy together ! '

and then she cried harder than ever , for she could not help still loving him .

when night came the Princess was so frightened that she said to Frisk :

' Oh !

do please keep on barking for fear the soles should come and eat us up ! '

now it happened that they had floated close in to the shore , where a poor old man lived all alone in a little cottage .

when he heard Frisk 's barking he thought to himself :

he soon saw the Princess and Frisk floating up and down , and Rosette , stretching out her hands to him , cried :

' Oh !

good old man , do save me , or I shall die of cold and hunger ! '

the old man saw that Rosette must be some great lady , for her bed coverings were all of satin and gold .

he begged that she would tell him all her history , as she might safely trust him .

the Princess told him everything , weeping bitterly again at the thought that it was by the King 's orders that she had been thrown overboard .

' And now , my daughter , what is to be done ? ' said the old man .

shall I go and tell the King of the Peacocks that you are here ?

if he sees you he will certainly wish to marry you . '

' Oh no ! ' cried Rosette , ' he must be wicked , since he tried to drown me .

don't let us tell him , but if you have a little basket give it to me . '

' Now go back to the pantry , and bring the best of everything you find there . '

when the King of the Peacocks wanted his dinner there was nothing in the pot and nothing in the pantry .

all the courtiers looked at one another in dismay , and the King was terribly cross .

when evening came the Princess said to Frisk :

the King , who was very much astonished , said he should like to go and see for himself .

the King ordered that they should be seized and bound with ropes , and Frisk also .

when they were brought back to the palace some one told the King , who said :

then the old man went down on his knees before the King and begged for time to tell him everything .

as soon as they came in Rosette ran to embrace her brothers , while the traitors threw themselves down before her and begged for mercy .

( @number@ ) Madame d'Aulnoy .

THE ENCHANTED PIG

ONCE upon a time there lived a King who had three daughters .

now it happened that he had to go out to battle , so he called his daughters and said to them :

' My dear children , I am obliged to go to the wars .

the enemy is approaching us with a large army .

it is a great grief to me to leave you all .

during my absence take care of yourselves and be good girls ; behave well and look after everything in the house .

' You may keep your mind easy , father , ' they replied .

' We have never been disobedient to you .

go in peace , and may heaven give you a glorious victory ! '

his daughters kissed his hands with tears in their eyes , and wished him prosperity , and he gave the eldest the keys .

now when the girls found themselves alone they felt so sad and dull that they did not know what to do .

as long as they did this all went well with them .

but this happy state of things did not last long .

every day they grew more and more curious , and you will see what the end of that was .

' Sisters , ' said the eldest Princess , ' all day long we sew , spin , and read .

we have been several days quite alone , and there is no corner of the garden that we have not explored .

Sister , ' said the youngest , ' I cannot think how you can tempt us to break our father 's command .

' Surely the sky won't fall about our heads if we DO go in , ' said the second Princess .

' Dragons and such like monsters that would devour us will not be hidden in the room .

and how will our father ever find out that we have gone in ? '

the three girls entered , and what do you think they saw ?

now the Princesses were curious to know what was written in the book , especially the eldest , and this is what she read :

' The eldest daughter of this King will marry a prince from the East . '

then the second girl stepped forward , and turning over the page she read :

' The second daughter of this King will marry a prince from the West . '

the girls were delighted , and laughed and teased each other .

but the youngest Princess did not want to go near the table or to open the book .

' The youngest daughter of this King will be married to a pig from the North . '

now if a thunderbolt had fallen upon her from heaven it would not have frightened her more .

' How can you believe such nonsense ?

when did it ever happen that a king 's daughter married a pig ? '

besides , the thought weighed on her heart that she had been guilty of disobeying her father .

everyone went out to meet him with cymbals and fifes and drums , and there was great rejoicing over his victorious return .

the King 's first act on reaching home was to thank Heaven for the victory he had gained over the enemies who had risen against him .

he then entered his palace , and the three Princesses stepped forward to meet him .

his joy was great when he saw that they were all well , for the youngest did her best not to appear sad .

in spite of this , however , it was not long before the King noticed that his third daughter was getting very thin and sad-looking .

they confessed everything , but took good care not to say which had led the other two into temptation .

the King was so distressed when he heard it that he was almost overcome by grief .

but he took heart and tried to comfort his daughters , who looked frightened to death .

he saw that what had happened had happened , and that a thousand words would not alter matters by a hair's-breadth .

the King gladly gave his consent .

after some time the same thing befell the second daughter , who was wooed and won by a prince from the West .

now when the young Princess saw that everything fell out exactly as had been written in the book , she grew very sad .

but the King would not allow her to do anything so wrong , and he comforted her in all possible ways .

may your life be as prosperous and bright as sunrise on a clear day ! '

' I come a-wooing , ' replied the Pig .

the King then sent for his daughter , and advised her to submit to fate , as there was nothing else to be done .

and he added :

' My child , the words and whole behaviour of this Pig are quite unlike those of other pigs .

I do not myself believe that he always was a pig .

depend upon it some magic or witchcraft has been at work .

obey him , and do everything that he wishes , and I feel sure that Heaven will shortly send you release . '

' If you wish me to do this , dear father , I will do it , ' replied the girl .

in the meantime the wedding-day drew near .

after the marriage , the Pig and his bride set out for his home in one of the royal carriages .

what was the poor girl to do ?

she bethought herself of her father 's words , and , pulling out her pocket handkerchief , she gently wiped the Pig 's snout and kissed it .

by the time they reached the Pig 's dwelling , which stood in a thick wood , it was quite dark .

during the night the Princess noticed that the Pig had changed into a man .

she was not a little surprised , but remembering her father 's words , she took courage , determined to wait and see what would happen .

and now she noticed that every night the Pig became a man , and every morning he was changed into a Pig before she awoke .

this happened several nights running , and the Princess could not understand it at all .

clearly her husband must be bewitched .

in time she grew quite fond of him , he was so kind and gentle .

one fine day as she was sitting alone she saw an old witch go past .

why is he a Pig by day and a human being by night ? '

' I was just going to tell you that one thing , my dear , to show you what a good fortune-teller I am .

if you like , I will give you a herb to break the spell . '

I do not want any reward .

I shall be sufficiently repaid by knowing that you are happy .

just as she was pulling the knot tight there was a crack , and the thread broke , for it was rotten .

her husband awoke with a start , and said to her , ' Unhappy woman , what have you done ?

so saying he disappeared .

now who do you think lived there ?

the Moon .

the Princess knocked at the door , and begged to be let in that she might rest a little .

and while she was here the Princess had a little baby .

one day the mother of the Moon asked her :

' How was it possible for you , a mortal , to get hither to the house of the Moon ? '

now I beg one last favour of you ; can your daughter , the Moon , tell me where my husband is ? '

sometimes she would rest for a little on a mountain , and then start afresh always farther and farther on .

at length , wearied to death , she reached the palace in which the Sun lived .

she knocked and begged for admission .

but his mother had soothed him with soft words , assuring him that this was not so .

so the Princess took heart when she saw how kindly she was treated , and asked :

' But how in the world is it possible for the Sun to be angry ?

he is so beautiful and so good to mortals . '

' This is how it happens , ' replied the Sun 's mother .

from there he comes back here . '

this was where the Wind lived .

there was a little door in the railing in front of the cave , and here the Princess knocked and begged for admission .

the mother of the Wind had pity on her and took her in , that she might rest a little .

here too she was hidden away , so that the Wind might not notice her .

on and on she walked until her last pair of shoes fell in pieces .

at last she reached a beautiful green meadow on the edge of a wood .

her heart was cheered by the sight of the flowers and the soft cool grass , and she sat down and rested for a little .

for three days and three nights she struggled through it , but could find nothing .

it had no windows , and the door was up in the roof .

round the house she went , in search of steps , but could find none .

what was she to do ?

how was she to get in ?

she thought and thought , and tried in vain to climb up to the door .

perhaps now , in my hour of need , they may be of use to me . '

so she took the bones out of her bundle , and having thought for a moment , she placed the two ends together .

across them she placed the other bones , piece by piece , like the steps of a ladder .

but just as she got near the top she noticed that there were no bones left for the last rung of the ladder .

what was she to do ?

without that last step the whole ladder was useless .

she must have lost one of the bones .

then suddenly an idea came to her .

taking a knife she chopped off her little finger , and placing it on the last step , it stuck as the bones had done .

the ladder was complete , and with her child on her arm she entered the door of the house .

here she found everything in perfect order .

when her husband , the Pig , came back to his house , he was startled by what he saw .

here he found a woman rocking a child .

the Princess stood up when she saw him , and her heart beat with fear , for she did not know him .

he was a very handsome man , as straight as a fir tree .

they sat down together and she told him all her adventures , and he wept with pity at the tale .

and then he told her his own history .

' I am a King 's son .

once when my father was fighting against some dragons , who were the scourge of our country , I slew the youngest dragon .

his mother , who was a witch , cast a spell over me and changed me into a Pig .

it was she who in the disguise of an old woman gave you the thread to bind round my foot .

now that we have suffered for each other , and have found each other again , let us forget the past . '

and in their joy they kissed one another .

next morning they set out early to return to his father 's kingdom .

then they set out to see her father .

the old King nearly went out of his mind with joy at beholding his daughter again .

when she had told him all her adventures , he said to her :

you see , my child , how wise you were in doing what I told you . '

and as the King was old and had no heirs , he put them on the throne in his place .

and they ruled as only kings rule who have suffered many things .

and if they are not dead they are still living and ruling happily . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Rumanische Marchen ubersetzt von Nite Kremnitz .

THE NORKA

ONCE upon a time there lived a King and Queen .

they had three sons , two of them with their wits about them , but the third a simpleton .

now the King had a deer park in which were quantities of wild animals of different kinds .

the King did all he could , but he was unable to destroy it .

well , the eldest son undertook the task .

as soon as it was night , he took his weapons and set out .

when he came to his senses it was too late ; the day had already dawned .

he felt himself disgraced in the eyes of his father , but there was no help for it .

the next day the second son went , and did just the same .

their father scolded them both soundly , and there was an end of it .

well , on the third day the youngest son undertook the task .

they all laughed him to scorn , because he was so stupid , feeling sure he wouldn't do anything .

presently the midnight hour sounded .

the Prince pulled himself together , leapt to his feet , crossed himself , and went straight at the beast .

it fled back , and the Prince ran after it .

presently he came up with the beast , and they began a fight .

they fought and fought ; the Prince gave the beast three wounds .

at last they were both utterly exhausted , so they lay down to take a short rest .

but the moment the Prince closed his eyes , up jumped the beast and took to flight .

again the Prince gave the beast three wounds , and then he and the beast lay down again to rest .

thereupon away fled the beast as before .

the Prince caught it up , and again gave it three wounds .

his father ordered this to be done .

when they got there , they built a palace on the spot , and lived in it for some time .

and when he had flung the stone aside , he spoke a second time to his brothers , saying :

' Who is going into the other world , to overcome the Norka ? '

neither of them offered to do so .

then he laughed at them for being such cowards , and said :

' Well , brothers , farewell !

his brothers lowered him accordingly , and when he had reached the other world , underneath the earth , he went on his way .

he walked and walked .

presently he espied a horse with rich trappings , and it said to him :

' Hail , Prince Ivan !

Long have I awaited thee ! '

he mounted the horse and rode on rode and rode , until he saw standing before him a palace made of copper .

he entered the courtyard , tied up his horse , and went indoors .

in one of the rooms a dinner was laid out .

he sat down and dined , and then went into a bedroom .

there he found a bed , on which he lay down to rest .

presently there came in a lady , more beautiful than can be imagined anywhere but in a fairy tale , who said :

' Thou who art in my house , name thyself !

thereupon he came forth .

and when she saw him she was delighted with him , and said :

' Wherefore , O Prince Ivan my husband dear shalt thou be ! wherefore hast thou come hither ? '

then he told her all that had happened , and she said :

' That beast which thou wishest to overcome is my brother .

he is staying just now with my second sister , who lives not far from here in a silver palace .

I bound up three of the wounds which thou didst give him . '

she told him that her brother Norka was then at her youngest sister 's .

so he went on to the youngest sister , who lived in a golden palace .

and when he had heard these things , he went his way .

the Prince crossed himself , went up to it , and smote it on the head with his sword .

the head jumped off , saying the while , ' Well , I 'm done for now ! ' and rolled far away into the sea .

and then they all went to the place from which they had to be hoisted into the upper world .

and when they came to where the rope was , the Prince took hold of it and made the maidens fast to it .

then he jerked away at the rope and his brothers began to haul it up .

perhaps he 'll be killed ; but then if he isn't , he 'll never give us these beauties as wives . '

so when they had agreed on this , they lowered the rope .

his brothers hoisted the stone to a great height , and then cut the rope .

down fell the stone and broke in pieces ; the Prince poured forth tears and went away .

well , he walked and walked .

presently a storm arose ; the lightning flashed , the thunder roared , the rain fell in torrents .

so he took off his coat and covered them over with it , and he himself sat down under the tree .

presently there came flying a bird such a big one that the light was blotted out by it .

it had been dark there before , but now it became darker still .

now this was the mother of those small birds which the Prince had covered up .

thanks !

in return , ask of me anything thou desirest .

I will do anything for thee . '

' Then carry me into the other world , ' he replied .

all this the Prince did .

then the bird having taken the vessel on her back , with the Prince sitting in the middle of it began to fly .

and after flying some distance she brought him to his journey 's end , took leave of him , and flew away back .

but he went to the house of a certain tailor , and engaged himself as his servant .

having entered into the service of this master , the Prince began to ask what was going on in that country .

the King has called all the workmen together , but not one of them will undertake to do it . '

' However can I undertake to make clothes of that sort ?

I work for quite common folks , ' says his master .

' Go along , master !

I will answer for everything , ' says the Prince .

so the tailor went .

the King was delighted that at least one good workman had been found , and gave him as much money as ever he wanted .

when his tailor had settled everything , he went home .

and the Prince said to him :

' Now then , pray to God , and lie down to sleep ; to-morrow all will be ready . '

and the tailor followed his lad 's advice , and went to bed .

midnight sounded .

and when he got there he hung up the robes on the wall , and lay down to sleep .

he was delighted , and he seized them and carried them off to the King .

and the master , having handed over the clothes , went home , but he no longer found his dear journeyman there .

but when they were ready for the wedding , the youngest bride said to the King :

' Allow me , my father , to go and give alms to the beggars . '

he gave her leave , and she went and began bestowing alms upon them , and examining them closely .

so she seized him by the hand , and brought him into the hall , and said to the King :

' Here is he who brought us out of the other world .

his brothers forbade us to say that he was alive , threatening to slay us if we did . '

then the King was wroth with those sons , and punished them as he thought best .

and afterwards three weddings were celebrated .

THE WONDERFUL BIRCH

ONCE upon a time there were a man and a woman , who had an only daughter .

then the good wife met a witch , who said to her :

the woman neither spat , nor did she run between her legs , but yet the witch changed her into a sheep .

then she made herself look exactly like the woman , and called out to the good man :

' Ho , old man , halloa !

I have found the sheep already ! '

when they were safe at home the witch said to the man :

' Look here , old man , we must really kill that sheep lest it run away to the wood again . '

the man , who was a peaceable quiet sort of fellow , made no objections , but simply said :

' Good , let us do so . '

the daughter , however , had overheard their talk , and she ran to the flock and lamented aloud :

' Oh , dear little mother , they are going to slaughter you ! '

shortly after this they took the black sheep from the flock and slaughtered it .

the witch made pease-soup of it , and set it before the daughter .

but the girl remembered her mother 's warning .

' Come , people all !

Poor and wretched , one and all !

blind and crippled though ye be , Mount your steeds or come by sea . '

and so they drove into the King 's feast all the outcasts , and the maimed , and the halt , and the blind .

in the good man 's house , too , preparations were made to go to the palace .

the witch said to the man :

so the man took the child and set out .

but the witch kindled a fire on the hearth , threw a potful of barleycorns among the cinders , and said to the girl :

then she hastened after the others , and the poor girl stayed at home and wept .

in the midst of her grief she suddenly heard her mother 's voice speak from the grave , and say to her :

' Why do you weep , little daughter ? '

' Do not weep , ' said her mother consolingly .

' Break off one of my branches , and strike the hearth with it crosswise , and all will be put right . '

the girl did so .

she struck the hearth with the birchen branch , and lo ! the barleycorns flew into the pot , and the hearth was clean .

then she went back to the birch tree and laid the branch upon the grave .

then her mother bade her bathe on one side of the stem , dry herself on another , and dress on the third .

when the girl had done all that , she had grown so lovely that no one on earth could rival her .

the girl sprang into the saddle , and rode as swift as an arrow to the palace .

are you not sorry for the witch 's daughter ?

it was not her fault that her mother was a witch .

in a short time the man and the woman came home again too , and the witch said to the girl :

' Ah ! you poor thing , there you are to be sure !

you don't know what fine times we have had at the palace !

the King 's son carried my daughter about , but the poor thing fell and broke her arm . '

the girl knew well how matters really stood , but she pretended to know nothing about it , and sat dumb behind the stove .

the next day they were invited again to the King 's banquet .

take you the child ; I will give the other one work , lest she weary . '

she kindled the fire , threw a potful of hemp seed among the ashes , and said to the girl :

' If you do not get this sorted , and all the seed back into the pot , I shall kill you ! '

again the King 's son came out to meet her , tied her horse to a pillar , and led her into the banqueting hall .

at the feast the girl sat next him in the place of honour , as she had done the day before .

she was VERY unlucky !

she had not time to look for it , but sprang to the saddle and rode like an arrow to the birch tree .

there she left her horse and her fine clothes , and said to her mother :

' I have lost my circlet at the castle ; the door-post was tarred , and it stuck fast . '

' And even had you lost two of them , ' answered her mother , ' I would give you finer ones . '

then the witch said to her :

' You poor thing ! what is there to see here compared with what WE have seen at the palace ?

the man 's daughter held her peace all the time , and busied herself about the hearth .

the night passed , and when the day began to dawn , the witch awakened her husband , crying :

' Hi ! get up , old man !

we are bidden to the royal banquet . '

so the old man got up .

then the witch gave him the child , saying :

' Take you the little one ; I will give the other girl work to do , else she will weary at home alone . '

she did as usual .

this time it was a dish of milk she poured upon the ashes , saying :

' If you do not get all the milk into the dish again before I come home , you will suffer for it . '

how frightened the girl was this time !

when she got to the courtyard she found the Prince waiting for her .

she reached the birch tree , and laying aside her finery , she said :

' Alas I dear little mother , I have lost my gold slippers ! '

' Let them be , ' was her mother 's reply ; ' if you need them I shall give you finer ones . '

scarcely was she in her usual place behind the stove when her father came home with the witch .

immediately the witch began to mock her , saying :

my little girl was carried about again , but had the ill-luck to fall and get her eye knocked out .

you stupid thing , you , what do you know about anything ? '

now the Prince had kept all the things the girl had lost , and he soon set about finding the owner of them .

for this purpose a great banquet was given on the fourth day , and all the people were invited to the palace .

the witch got ready to go too .

when all the people were gathered together , the King 's son stepped in among the crowd and cried :

what a great trying on there was now among them all !

the things would fit no one , however .

' Don't give them to her ; she soils everything with cinders ; give them to my daughter rather . '

it was the same with the circlet and the shoes of gold .

what was to be done now ?

some days passed , and at last he had to take his bride home to the palace , and he got ready to do so .

' Alas ! dear Prince , do not rob me of my silver and my gold . '

thereupon the King 's son recognised the cinder wench ; so he took both the girls with him , and set out .

no help was near , so she cried at last in her anguish :

' May there grow a golden hemlock out of my body ! perhaps my mother will know me by that token . '

scarcely had she spoken when a golden hemlock sprang up from her , and stood upon the bridge .

there they lived a long time together , and the young wife bore a son to the Prince .

and so saying she set out .

' Alas ! dear mother , do not cut me so ! '

' Are you here ? ' demanded the witch .

in a moment the witch had the bridge shivered to atoms , and then she hastened away to the palace .

stepping up to the young Queen 's bed , she began to try her magic arts upon her , saying :

' Are you there again to bring trouble upon me ? ' said the young woman .

but now the child grew restless and cried , because it missed its mother 's care .

they took it to the court , and tried to pacify it in every conceivable way , but its crying never ceased .

' What makes the child so restless ? ' asked the Prince , and he went to a wise widow woman to ask her advice .

' Is there any way of getting my own wife back from the wood again ? ' asked the Prince .

' Give me the child , ' answered the widow woman .

' I 'll take it with me to-morrow when I go to drive the cows to the wood .

I 'll make a rustling among the birch leaves and a trembling among the aspens perhaps the boy will grow quiet when he hears it . '

but the King 's son stood firm by what he had commanded , and said :

' Carry the child about the wood ; perhaps that will pacify it . '

so the widow woman took the child to the wood .

she came to the edge of a marsh , and seeing a herd of reindeer there , she began all at once to sing

' Little Bright-eyes , little Redskin , Come nurse the child you bore !

that bloodthirsty monster , That man-eater grim , Shall nurse him , shall tend him no more .

they may threaten and force as they will , He turns from her , shrinks from her still , '

the following morning the widow woman went back to the castle to fetch the child .

the witch interfered , of course , but the Prince said :

so the widow took the child in her arms , and carried it to the marsh in the forest .

there she sang as on the preceding day

' Little Bright-eyes , little Redskin , Come nurse the child you bore !

that bloodthirsty monster , That man-eater grim , Shall nurse him , shall tend him no more .

they may threaten and force as they will , He turns from her , shrinks from her still , '

and immediately the reindeer left the herd and came to the child , and tended it as on the day before .

and so it was that the child throve , till not a finer boy was to be seen anywhere .

but the King 's son had been pondering over all these things , and he said to the widow woman :

' Is there no way of changing the reindeer into a human being again ? '

' I don't rightly know , ' was her answer .

thereupon they both went to the wood with the child ; scarcely were they there when the reindeer appeared and nursed the child as before .

then the widow woman said to the reindeer :

good ; the young woman stript off the reindeer skin , and let the widow woman do as she wished .

in the meantime the King 's son threw the reindeer skin into the fire unobserved .

' What smells of singeing here ? ' asked the young woman , and looking round she saw her own husband .

' Woe is me ! you have burnt my skin .

why did you do that ? '

' To give you back your human form again . '

' Alack-a-day !

but all these shapes the King 's son went on destroying till she stood before him in human form again .

' She will not eat you up , ' answered her husband ; and they started for home with the child .

and the Prince , and his wife , and the baby lived happy ever afterwards . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Russo-Karelian .

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

JACK SELLS THE COW

ONCE upon a time there was a poor widow who lived in a little cottage with her only son Jack .

Jack was a giddy , thoughtless boy , but very kind-hearted and affectionate .

there had been a hard winter , and after it the poor woman had suffered from fever and ague .

Jack did no work as yet , and by degrees they grew dreadfully poor .

he was very sorry , and mother and son went to bed very sadly that night ; their last hope seemed gone .

at daybreak Jack rose and went out into the garden .

' At least , ' he thought , ' I will sow the wonderful beans .

mother says that they are just common scarlet-runners , and nothing else ; but I may as well sow them . '

so he took a piece of stick , and made some holes in the ground , and put in the beans .

the stalks had twined and twisted themselves together till they formed quite a ladder .

' It would be easy to climb it , ' thought Jack .

and , having thought of the experiment , he at once resolved to carry it out , for Jack was a good climber .

however , after his late mistake about the cow , he thought he had better consult his mother first .

WONDERFUL GROWTH OF THE BEANSTALK

' I wonder where it ends , ' said Jack to his mother ; ' I think I will climb up and see . '

so after resting for a moment he went on .

while Jack was standing looking at the castle , a very strange-looking woman came out of the wood , and advanced towards him .

Jack took off his cap and made her a bow .

' If you please , ma'am , ' said he , ' is this your house ? '

' No , ' said the old lady .

' Listen , and I will tell you the story of that castle .

' Once upon a time there was a noble knight , who lived in this castle , which is on the borders of Fairyland .

then he went to the part of the castle which was the nursery , and also killed all the poor little ones he found there .

' Happily for her , the lady was not to be found .

years rolled on .

' Jack , that poor lady is your mother .

this castle was once your father 's , and must again be yours . '

Jack uttered a cry of surprise .

' My mother ! oh , madam , what ought I to do ?

my poor father !

my dear mother ! '

' Your duty requires you to win it back for your mother .

but the task is a very difficult one , and full of peril , Jack .

have you courage to undertake it ? '

' I fear nothing when I am doing right , ' said Jack .

' Then , ' said the lady in the red cap , ' you are one of those who slay giants .

you must get into the castle , and if possible possess yourself of a hen that lays golden eggs , and a harp that talks .

remember , all the giant possesses is really yours . '

as she ceased speaking , the lady of the red hat suddenly disappeared , and of course Jack knew she was a fairy .

jack determined at once to attempt the adventure ; so he advanced , and blew the horn which hung at the castle portal .

the door was opened in a minute or two by a frightful giantess , with one great eye in the middle of her forehead .

as soon as Jack saw her he turned to run away , but she caught him , and dragged him into the castle .

' Ho , ho ! ' she laughed terribly .

' You didn't expect to see me here , that is clear !

no , I shan't let you go again .

I am weary of my life .

I am so overworked , and I don't see why I should not have a page as well as other ladies .

and you shall be my boy .

you shall clean the knives , and black the boots , and make the fires , and help me generally when the giant is out .

while she spoke she dragged Jack right into the castle .

the poor boy was very much frightened , as I am sure you and I would have been in his place .

but he remembered that fear disgraces a man ; so he struggled to be brave and make the best of things .

come here , child ; go into my wardrobe : he never ventures to open THAT ; you will be safe there . '

and she opened a huge wardrobe which stood in the great hall , and shut him into it .

but the keyhole was so large that it ad-mitted plenty of air , and he could see everything that took place through it .

' Fe , fa , fi-fo-fum , I smell the breath of an Englishman .

let him be alive or let him be dead , I 'll grind his bones to make my bread . '

' Wife , ' cried the Giant , ' there is a man in the castle .

let me have him for breakfast . '

' You are grown old and stupid , ' cried the lady in her loud tones .

' It is only a nice fresh steak off an elephant , that I have cooked for you , which you smell .

there , sit down and make a good breakfast . '

he helped her all day .

she fed him well , and when evening came put him back in the wardrobe .

THE HEN THAT LAYS GOLDEN EGGS .

the Giant came in to supper .

when the supper was ended he bade his wife bring him his hen that laid the golden eggs .

the Giantess went away , and soon returned with a little brown hen , which she placed on the table before her husband .

' Go , ' said the Giant ; ' I shall be glad to have a nap by-and-by . '

then he took up the brown hen and said to her :

' Lay ! '

and she instantly laid a golden egg .

' Lay ! ' said the Giant again .

and she laid another .

' Lay ! ' he repeated the third time .

and again a golden egg lay on the table .

now Jack was sure this hen was that of which the fairy had spoken .

she was very glad to see the hen , which would make them rich once more .

THE MONEY BAGS .

she bade him stay quite still there , or the Giant would eat him .

then the Giant came in saying :

' Fe , fa , fi-fo-fum , I smell the breath of an Englishman .

let him be alive or let him be dead , I 'll grind his bones to make my bread . '

the Giant sat down , and soon his wife brought up a roasted bullock on a large dish , and they began their supper .

Jack was amazed to see them pick the bones of the bullock as if it had been a lark .

as soon as they had finished their meal , the Giantess rose and said :

' Now , my dear , with your leave I am going up to my room to finish the story I am reading .

if you want me call for me . '

the Giantess obeyed .

she went and soon returned with two large bags over her shoulders , which she put down by her husband .

' There , ' she said ; ' that is all that is left of the knight 's money .

when you have spent it you must go and take another baron 's castle . '

' That he shan't , if I can help it , ' thought Jack .

she had just returned from town , and was crying at not finding Jack .

' There , mother , I have brought you the gold that my father lost . '

tell me how you came to go there again . '

and Jack told her all about it .

Jack 's mother was very glad to get the money , but she did not like him to run any risk for her .

but after a time Jack made up his mind to go again to the Giant 's castle .

THE TALKING HARP .

so he climbed the Beanstalk once more , and blew the horn at the Giant 's gate .

By-and-by the Giant came home , and as soon as he had crossed the threshold he roared out :

' Fe , fa , fi-fo-fum , I smell the breath of an Englishman .

let him be alive or let him be dead , I 'll grind his bones to make my bread . '

and the Giant sat down , and his wife brought up a whole sheep for his dinner .

when he had eaten it all up , he said :

' Now bring me my harp , and I will have a little music while you take your walk . '

the Giantess obeyed , and returned with a beautiful harp .

the framework was all sparkling with diamonds and rubies , and the strings were all of gold .

' This is one of the nicest things I took from the knight , ' said the Giant .

' I am very fond of music , and my harp is a faithful servant . '

so he drew the harp towards him , and said :

' Play ! '

and the harp played a very soft , sad air .

' Play something merrier ! ' said the Giant .

and the harp played a merry tune .

' MASTER !

MASTER ! '

and the Giant woke up .

with a tremendous roar he sprang from his seat , and in two strides had reached the door .

but Jack was very nimble .

' Mother I mother ! ' cried Jack , ' make haste and give me the axe . '

his mother ran to him with a hatchet in her hand , and Jack with one tremendous blow cut through all the Beanstalks except one .

' Now , mother , stand out of the way ! ' said he .

THE GIANT BREAKS HIS NECK .

before Jack and his mother had recovered from their alarm and agitation , a beautiful lady stood before them .

dig a grave and bury the Giant , and then go and kill the Giantess . '

moreover , the Giantess was very kind to me . '

the Fairy smiled on Jack .

' I am very much pleased with your generous feeling , ' she said .

' Nevertheless , return to the castle , and act as you will find needful . '

Jack asked the Fairy if she would show him the way to the castle , as the Beanstalk was now down .

she told him that she would drive him there in her chariot , which was drawn by two peacocks .

Jack thanked her , and sat down in the chariot with her .

the Fairy drove him a long distance round , till they reached a village which lay at the bottom of the hill .

here they found a number of miserable-looking men assembled .

the Fairy stopped her carriage and addressed them :

the old Giantess saw them coming from the turret loop-hole .

when the people outside found that the door was not opened to them , they took crowbars and forced the portal .

nobody was to be seen , but on leaving the hall they found the body of the Giantess at the foot of the stairs .

thus Jack took possession of the castle .

the Fairy went and brought his mother to him , with the hen and the harp .

he had the Giantess buried , and endeavoured as much as lay in his power to do right to those whom the Giant had robbed .

she then took her leave of Jack and his mother .

THE LITTLE GOOD MOUSE

ONCE upon a time there lived a King and Queen who loved each other so much that they were never happy unless they were together .

now in the next kingdom everything was as different as it could possibly be .

the King was sulky and savage , and never enjoyed himself at all .

this kingdom was very appropriately called the Land of Tears .

the Queen , when she heard of it , was frightened out of her wits , and began to cry bitterly .

but the King answered :

' Fie , madam !

I am far too brave for that .

it is better to die than to be a coward . '

then he assembled all his armed men , and after bidding the Queen a tender farewell , he mounted his splendid horse and rode away .

when he was lost to sight the Queen could do nothing but weep , and wring her hands , and cry .

' Alas !

' What news , courier ?

what news ? ' cried the Queen , and he answered :

' The battle is lost and the King is dead , and in another moment the enemy will be here . '

the poor Queen fell back insensible , and all her ladies carried her to bed , and stood round her weeping and wailing .

the fairy was so touched by the sight of her misery that when she kissed her hand she whispered :

' Courage , madam !

I think I see a way to help you . '

but the King got very cross when he saw them whispering together , and cried harshly :

' Make an end of these fine speeches , madam .

I brought you here to tell me if the child will grow up pretty and fortunate . '

then he stamped off , taking the Fairy with him , and leaving the poor Queen in tears .

if I could only hide her away somewhere , so that the cruel King could never find her . '

' Alas , little creature ! what are you coming to look for here ?

I only have three peas for my day 's provision , so unless you wish to fast you must go elsewhere . '

she had hardly spoken when she saw upon the table a delicious little roast partridge , and two dishes of preserved fruit .

then she was quite provoked , and said :

' What a bad little beast that mouse must be !

if it goes on like this I shall be starved . '

' Oh ! if I could only think of some way of escaping . '

as she spoke she saw the little mouse playing in a corner with some long straws .

the Queen took them and began to plait them , saying :

she really could not imagine where all the nice things came from .

presently she said :

' I know your trouble , madam .

if you like I will help you . '

' Oh ! my dear friend , ' said the Queen .

if you will take her , and bring her up for me , when I am rich I will reward you splendidly . '

' I don't care about the reward , ' said the old woman , ' but there is one thing I should like .

' What ! ' cried the old woman , in a rage .

' Do you care more for a miserable mouse than for your own baby ?

good-bye , madam !

and she hobbled off grumbling and growling .

' Ah ! little one , ' said the Queen , ' it cost me dear to save your life .

how shall I know now whether my Delicia is being taken care of or no ?

whereupon the Mouse answered :

' Believe me , madam , you will never repent of your kindness . '

the Fairy smiled at her astonished look , and said :

' It is not possible that YOU should want for friends , you charming creature , ' said the Queen , kissing her .

' Indeed it is so , ' the Fairy said .

' For those who are only friendly with me for their own advantage , I do not count at all .

then , turning to the little Princess , she kissed her rosy lips three times , saying :

in the greatest terror she ran up again to the Queen , crying :

' All is lost ! my enemy Cancaline has stolen the Princess away .

I know no way of rescuing Delicia from her clutches . '

she answered that a fairy , whose name she did not know , had come and carried her off by force .

upon this the King stamped upon the ground , and cried in a terrible voice :

' You shall be hung !

I always told you you should . '

but though the good little mouse did her very utmost , they could not find out where Cancaline had hidden the little Princess .

the Turkey-maiden answered proudly :

' I never will marry you ! you are too ugly and too much like your cruel father .

leave me in peace with my turkeys , which I like far better than all your fine gifts . '

' Good day , my pretty one ! you have a fine flock of turkeys there . '

the young Turkey-maiden turned her gentle eyes upon the old woman , and answered :

' Yet they wish me to leave them to become a miserable Queen ! what is your advice upon the matter ? '

' You have goodness and beauty , which are of more value than ten kingdoms , ' said the wise Fairy .

I accepted gladly , not knowing that I should have to see him day by day .

and now he wants to marry me , but that I will never consent to . '

upon hearing this the Fairy became convinced that the little Turkey-maiden was none other than the Princess Delicia .

' What is your name , my little one ? ' said she .

' I am called Delicia , if it please you , ' she answered .

then the Fairy threw her arms round the Princess 's neck , and nearly smothered her with kisses , saying :

' Ah , Delicia !

take this pretty dress and let us see the difference it will make . '

' Now you look as you ought to look , Delicia : what do you think about it yourself ? '

and Delicia answered :

' I feel as if I were the daughter of some great king . '

' And would you be glad if you were ? ' said the Fairy .

' Indeed I should , ' answered she .

' Ah , well , ' said the Fairy , ' to-morrow I may have some pleasant news for you . '

so she hurried back to her castle , where the Queen sat busy with her embroidery , and cried :

' There , there , don't be melancholy , ' said the Fairy .

' I assure you the Princess is quite well , and I have never seen her equal for beauty .

' I will not hear of her being made to marry the wicked King 's son , ' she said .

' Let us go at once and bring her here . '

' What is the matter with you , that you are making all this disturbance ? '

the Prince replied :

' It is all because our Turkey-maiden will not love me ! '

' Won't love you ? eh ! ' said the King .

' We 'll very soon see about that ! '

so he called his guards and told them to go and fetch Delicia .

' See if I don't make her change her mind pretty soon ! ' said the wicked King with a chuckle .

but she said to them very politely :

' Pray tell me what you are looking for here ? '

' Madam , ' they answered , ' we are sent for an insignificant little person called Delicia . '

' Alas ! ' said she , ' that is my name .

what can you want with me ? '

when he saw her he was very much astonished at her beauty , which would have made anyone less hard-hearted sorry for her .

make haste and begin to love him this instant , or you shall be tarred and feathered . '

then the poor little Princess , shaking with terror , went down on her knees , crying :

' Oh , don't tar and feather me , please !

it would be so uncomfortable .

let me have two or three days to make up my mind , and then you shall do as you like with me . '

but the Fairy bade her take courage .

' I 'll pay them out yet , ' said she , nodding her head with an air of great determination .

' Help ! help !

I am pursued by rats . '

then the good Fairy ran to tell the Queen , and they went together to the black dungeon where Delicia was imprisoned .

then the Fairy showed her all the wonderful dresses and jewels she had brought for her , and said :

' Don't let us waste time ; we must go and harangue the people . '

so she walked first , looking very serious and dignified , and wearing a dress the train of which was at least ten ells long .

behind her came the Queen wearing a blue velvet robe embroidered with gold , and a diamond crown that was brighter than the sun itself .

last of all walked Delicia , who was so beautiful that it was nothing short of marvellous .

( @number@ ) La bonne vetite Souris ' par Madame d'Aulnoy .

GRACIOSA AND PERCINET

ONCE upon a time there lived a King and Queen who had one charming daughter .

everybody said she was the happiest Princess in the world .

now there lived at this same court a very rich old duchess whose name was Grumbly .

but if anybody who went to see her happened to mention the charming Princess , she would cry angrily :

' It 's not true that she is lovely .

I have more beauty in my little finger than she has in her whole body . '

which do you like , canary , St Julien , champagne , hermitage sack , raisin , or cider ? '

then Duchess Grumbly took up a little hammer and tapped upon the cask twice , and out came at least a thousand crowns .

' What 's the meaning of this ? ' said she smiling .

then she tapped the next cask , and out came a bushel of gold pieces .

' I don't understand this at all , ' said the Duchess , smiling more than before .

' Ah ! ' she cried , ' this is altogether beyond my comprehension , sire .

someone must have stolen my good wine and put all this rubbish in its place . '

' Rubbish , do you call it , Madam Grumbly ? ' cried the King .

' Rubbish ! why there is enough there to buy ten kingdoms . '

now the King loved money more than anything else in the world , so he cried joyfully :

' Marry you ? why with all my heart ! to-morrow if you like . '

' Oh certainly , you shall have your own way ; let us shake hands upon the bargain , ' said the King .

when he got back to his own palace Graciosa ran out to meet him , and asked if he had had good sport .

' I have caught a dove , ' answered he .

' And you call her a dove ? ' cried the Princess .

' I should have called her a screech owl . '

' Hold your tongue , ' said the King , very crossly .

' I intend you to behave prettily to her .

so now go and make yourself fit to be seen , as I am going to take you to visit her . '

so the Princess went very sorrowfully to her own room , and her nurse , seeing her tears , asked what was vexing her .

you must promise me not to let the Duchess see how much you dislike her . '

when she was ready nobody could have been prettier , but she still could not help looking sad .

meanwhile the Duchess Grumbly was also occupied in attiring herself .

she dyed her red hair black , and painted her face .

he was dressed in green , and the cap which he held in his hand was adorned with white plumes .

when Graciosa looked at him he went down on one knee , and said to her :

' Princess , the King awaits you . '

thinking he might belong to the household of the Duchess , she said :

' How long have you been one of the King 's pages ? '

' I am not in the service of the King , madam , ' answered he , ' but in yours . '

' In mine ? ' said the Princess with great surprise .

' Then how is it that I have never seen you before ? '

' Ah , Percinet ! ' cried the Princess , ' is it really you ?

I have so often heard of you and wished to see you .

if you will indeed be my friend , I shall not be afraid of that wicked old Duchess any more . '

so they went back to the palace together , and there Graciosa found a beautiful horse which Percinet had brought for her to ride .

indeed , she was so pretty that it was a real pleasure to look at her .

when they met the Duchess Grumbly she was seated in an open carriage trying in vain to look dignified .

the King and the Princess saluted her , and her horse was brought forward for her to mount .

but when she saw Graciosa 's she cried angrily :

' If that child is to have a better horse than mine , I will go back to my own castle this very minute .

what is the good of being a Queen if one is to be slighted like this ? '

upon this the King commanded Graciosa to dismount and to beg the Duchess to honour her by mounting her horse .

Even then she was not satisfied , and was still grumbling and muttering , so they asked her what was the matter .

and the King ordered the Page to come and lead the Queen 's horse .

the Duchess was greatly elated , and as she sat there in state would not have wished to change places even with Graciosa .

her bonnet was here and her shoes there , her face was scratched , and her fine clothes were covered with mud .

never was a bride seen in such a dismal plight .

at this the King was terribly frightened , for he did not at all want to lose all those barrels of gold and jewels .

so he hastened to appease the Duchess , and told her she might punish Graciosa in any way she pleased .

thereupon she sent for Graciosa , who turned pale and trembled at the summons , for she guessed that it promised nothing agreeable for her .

Poor Graciosa wished miserably that Percinet could only know what was happening and come to rescue her .

however , when nearly all the strangers had been defeated , a young unknown knight presented himself .

the unknown knight then saluted her gracefully and retired , without telling his name to anybody .

but Graciosa had no difficulty in guessing that it was Percinet .

but I will not bear it , proud Princess .

I will have my revenge . '

Graciosa belongs to her ! '

the wicked Queen waited impatiently until night fell , and then she ordered her carriage to be brought .

presently she was too tired to advance another step , so she threw herself down upon the ground and cried miserably :

' Oh , Percinet ! where are you ?

have you forgotten me altogether ? '

she had hardly spoken when all the forest was lighted up with a sudden glow .

at that moment a slight sound behind her made her start round , and there stood Percinet himself .

' Did I frighten you , my Princess ? ' said he .

' Your painters must indeed be diligent , ' she said , pointing out the last picture to the Prince .

' They are obliged to be , for I will not have anything forgotten that happens to you , ' he answered .

Percinet at first offered to send his courier to find out , but the Princess said :

' Oh ! isn't there a quicker way of knowing than that ? '

' Very well , ' said Percinet , ' you shall see for yourself . '

I have ordered that she shall be buried at once . '

when the Princess saw that the King was so sorry for her pretended death that he could neither eat nor drink , she cried :

' Ah , Percinet ! take me back quickly if you love me . '

and so , though he did not want to at all , he was obliged to promise that he would let her go .

' Oh , Percinet ! ' she cried , ' what has happened ?

the palace is gone . '

then he caressed Graciosa , and made her sit down to supper with him , and they were as happy as possible .

meanwhile the Queen had sent for an old Fairy , as malicious as herself , and said to her :

so the old Fairy said she would think it over , and come again the next day .

the Queen sent for Graciosa , and said to her :

' Do you see this skein ?

so saying she left her , locking the door behind her with three keys .

the Princess stood dismayed at the sight of the terrible skein .

if she did but turn it over to see where to begin , she broke a thousand threads , and not one could she disentangle .

at last she threw it into the middle of the floor , crying :

and immediately in came Percinet as easily as if he had all the keys in his own possession .

' Don't be vexed with me , Percinet , ' she said .

' I am unhappy enough without that . '

' But why should you be unhappy , my Princess ? ' cried he .

' Only come with me and we shall be as happy as the day is long together . '

' But suppose you get tired of me ? ' said Graciosa .

the Prince was so grieved at this want of confidence that he left her without another word .

and then she sent her back to be locked into the garret once more .

then the Queen sent for the Fairy again and scolded her furiously .

' Don't make such a mistake again ; find me something that it will be quite impossible for her to do , ' she said .

so the next day the Fairy appeared with a huge barrel full of the feathers of all sorts of birds .

these feathers were all mixed up in such confusion that the birds themselves could not have chosen out their own .

' Here , ' said the Fairy , ' is a little task which it will take all your prisoner 's skill and patience to accomplish .

tell her to pick out and lay in a separate heap the feathers of each bird .

she would need to be a fairy to do it . '

the Queen was more than delighted at the thought of the despair this task would cause the Princess .

' Ah ! well , ' she sighed , ' the Queen wishes to kill me , and if I must die I must .

' I am here , my Graciosa , ' cried Percinet , springing out of the barrel where he had been hiding .

' How can you still doubt that I love you with all my heart ? '

' What should I do without you , Percinet ? ' said Graciosa gratefully .

when the wicked Queen came at sunset she was amazed and infuriated to find the task done .

at the end of three days she came again , bringing with her a box .

' Tell your slave , ' said he , ' to carry this wherever you please , but on no account to open it .

she will not be able to help doing so , and then you will be quite satisfied with the result . '

so the Queen came to Graciosa , and said :

' Carry this box to my castle , and place it upon the table in my own room .

but I forbid you on pain of death to look at what it contains . '

she was carefully holding the box upon her lap when she suddenly felt the greatest desire to open it .

' What could possibly happen if I did ? ' she said to herself .

' I should not take anything out .

I should only just see what was there . '

and without farther hesitation she lifted the cover .

at last , weary and terrified , she sat down and cried .

' It is my own fault , ' she said sadly .

' Percinet , if you can still care for such an imprudent Princess , do come and help me once more . '

immediately Percinet stood before her .

' Indeed I should , ' said Graciosa ; ' I am not so ungrateful as you think .

only wait a little and I believe I shall love you quite dearly . '

' No , no , my little shepherdess , ' said he , ' that is not the place for you .

no wooden shoes have ever been over that floor yet . '

then Graciosa begged him to give her a written message telling the Queen that he had refused to admit her .

this he did , and she went back to Percinet , who was waiting for her , and they set out together for the palace .

then she went and walked near it , and said to Graciosa and all her ladies who were with her :

' I am told that a great treasure lies under that stone ; let us see if we can lift it . '

Graciosa felt that now indeed she was hopelessly lost , surely not even Percinet could find her in the heart of the earth .

' This is like being buried alive , ' she said with a shudder .

' Oh , Percinet ! if you only knew how I am suffering for my want of trust in you !

as she spoke she suddenly saw a little door open , and the sunshine blazed into the dismal well .

Graciosa did not hesitate an instant , but passed through into a charming garden .

yes ! there was no mistaking it , and the Queen and Percinet were coming to meet her .

' Ah , Princess ! ' said the Queen , ' don't keep this poor Percinet in suspense any longer .

you little guess the anxiety he has suffered while you were in the power of that miserable Queen . '

' Do you remember telling me that I should not see your palace again until I had been buried ?

( @number@ ) Gracieuse et Percinet .

Mdme . d'Aulnoy .

THE THREE PRINCESSES OF WHITELAND

THERE was once upon a time a fisherman , who lived hard by a palace and fished for the King 's table .

one day he was out fishing , but caught nothing at all .

the King was very unwilling to permit it , but at last the lad got leave .

there he landed , and when he had walked on for some distance he met an old man with a long white beard .

' What is the name of this country ? ' said the youth .

' If thou wilt do what I tell thee , thou shalt choose among us three , ' said the Princess .

' Yes , ' answered the lad , ' I will certainly try to do so . '

then lay hold of the sword which is hanging by the side of the flask , and smite the Troll dead . '

so he did what the Princess had told him .

having done this , he grasped the sword and smote the Troll dead .

in the morning when he went to the sea-shore the Princesses were out of the earth as far as their waists .

so he took the youngest for his Queen , and lived with her very happily for a long time .

at last , however , he took a fancy to go home for a short time to see his parents .

so she gave him a ring , which enabled him who wore it to obtain two wishes .

' Well , you can see what kind of Queen mine is , but I can't see yours .

I do not believe you have such a pretty Queen as I have . '

now must I go home again at once , and thou hast wasted both thy wishes . '

then she tied a ring in his hair , which had her name upon it , and wished herself at home again .

so the King asked where Whiteland was .

' I do not know that , ' he answered , ' but I will ask my beasts . '

then he blew his horn and inquired whether any of them knew where Whiteland lay , but there was not one who knew that .

so the man gave him a pair of snow shoes .

when the King arrived there he turned the shoes as the Lord of the beasts had bidden him , and they went back .

no , none knew this .

long after the others there came an old eagle .

he had been absent ten whole years , but he too knew no more than the rest .

' Well , well , ' said the man , ' then you shall have the loan of a pair of snow shoes of mine .

if you wear them you will get to my brother , who lives hundreds of miles from here .

he is Lord of all the fish in the sea you can ask him .

but do not forget to turn the shoes round . '

the man called the fish together with his horn , but none of them knew anything about it .

at last came an old , old pike , which he had great difficulty in bringing home to him .

' If that be the case I will give you a piece of advice , ' said the man .

so the King thanked him and went , and did what he had said .

while he was going quickly through the air he fell in with the North Wind .

' And where may you be going ? ' said the North Wind .

' To Whiteland , ' said the King , and then he related what had happened to him .

as the North Wind had said , so did the King .

and when he was rid of him the King went into the castle .

( @number@ ) from J . Moe .

THE VOICE OF DEATH

ONCE upon a time there lived a man whose one wish and prayer was to get rich .

day and night he thought of nothing else , and at last his prayers were granted , and he became very wealthy .

he got ready for his journey , took leave of his wife , and started .

at last he reached a country where he was told that the people did not even know the meaning of the word death .

our traveller was delighted when he heard this , and said :

' But surely there are great numbers of people in your land , if no one ever dies ? '

' And do they see the person who calls them , ' he asked , ' or do they only hear his voice ? '

' They both see and hear him , ' was the answer .

for some years everything went well with them , and they lived happily in their new home .

' I am coming !

I am coming ! '

' Don't you remember what I told you ?

stay where you are unless you wish to die . '

' But don't you hear that voice calling me ? ' she answered .

' I am merely going to see why I am wanted .

I shall come back directly . '

so she fought and struggled to get away from her husband , and to go where the voice summoned .

but he would not let her go , and had all the doors of the house shut and bolted .

when she saw that he had done this , she said :

' Very well , dear husband , I shall do what you wish , and remain where I am . '

' I am coming !

I am coming ! '

when she was quite out of sight her husband recovered his wits and went back into his house , murmuring :

' If she is so foolish as to wish to die , I can't help it .

I warned and implored her to pay no heed to that voice , however loudly it might call . '

well , days and weeks and months and years passed , and nothing happened to disturb the peace of the household .

but one day the man was at the barber 's as usual , being shaved .

' I won't come , do you hear ?

I won't come ! '

the barber and the other people in the shop listened to him with amazement .

but again looking towards the door , he exclaimed :

' I tell you , once and for all , I do not mean to come , so go away . '

and a few minutes later he called out again :

' Go away , I tell you , or it will be the worse for you .

you may call as much as you like but you will never get me to come . '

and he got so angry that you might have thought that some one was actually standing at the door , tormenting him .

at last he jumped up , and caught the razor out of the barber 's hand , exclaiming :

' Give me that razor , and I 'll teach him to let people alone for the future . '

and he rushed out of the house as if he were running after some one , whom no one else saw .

so he too , like the others , had been forced against his will to follow the voice that called him .

all that they could see was a vast plain , that looked as if it had been there since the beginning of the world .

and from that time the people of the country began to die like ordinary mortals all the world over . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Roumanian Tales from the German of Mite Thremnitz .

THE SIX SILLIES

' What are you doing there ? ' asked the mother .

' I was thinking what I shall call my first child after I am married to that young man .

all the names in the calendar are taken already . '

the mother sat down on the staircase beside her daughter and said , ' I will think about it with you , my dear . '

' What are you doing there ?

the beer is running all over the cellar . '

' We were thinking what we should call the children that our daughter will have when she marries that young man .

all the names in the calendar are taken already . '

' Well , ' said the father , ' I will think about it with you . '

all the names in the calendar are taken . '

when the young man heard this answer he replied :

' Well ! good-bye , I am going away .

when I shall have found three people sillier than you I will come back and marry your daughter . '

so he continued his journey , and after walking a long way he reached an orchard .

then he saw some people knocking down walnuts , and trying to throw them into a cart with a fork .

' What are you doing there ? ' he asked .

' We want to load the cart with our walnuts , but we can't manage to do it . '

the lover advised them to get a basket and to put the walnuts in it , so as to turn them into the cart .

' Well , ' he said to himself , ' I have already found someone more foolish than those three . '

so he went on his way , and by-and-by he came to a wood .

' What are you doing , my good man ? ' asked he .

' I want to make my pig eat some acorns , and I can't get him to go up the tree . '

' If you were to climb up and shake down the acorns the pig would pick them up . '

' Oh , I never thought of that . '

' Here is the second idiot , ' said the lover to himself .

' Dear me to be sure !

you are sharper than I am , for that never occurred to me . '

and in course of time they had a great many children .

Story from Hainaut .

( M Lemoine .

la Tradition .

no , @number@ )

KARI WOODENGOWN

THERE was once upon a time a King who had become a widower .

at last she thought that everything was too good for her , and set her to work to look after the cattle .

so she went about with the cattle , and herded them in the woods and in the fields .

of food she got little or none , and grew pale and thin , and was nearly always weeping and sad .

she made no answer , but continued to weep .

so the waiting-maid went home and told the Queen .

and now the King came home , and he had conquered the other King with whom he had been at war .

so there was great gladness in the palace , but no one was more glad than the King 's daughter .

when the King 's daughter heard it she was full of sorrow , and went down to the byre to the Bull .

he too was standing there hanging his head , and looking so downcast that she fell a-weeping over him .

' What are you weeping for ? ' said the Bull .

' When once they have taken my life they will soon kill you also , ' said the Bull .

' If you are of the same mind with me , we will take our departure this very night . '

but before they entered the wood the Bull said to the King 's daughter :

so she said she would be on her guard , and not touch anything .

' Oh ! oh !

what have you done now ? ' said the Bull .

' It will now cost us a battle for life or death ; but do be careful to keep the leaf . '

very soon afterwards they came to the end of the wood , and the Troll with three heads came rushing up to them .

' Who is that who is touching my wood ? ' said the Troll .

' The wood is just as much mine as yours ! ' said the Bull .

' We shall have a tussle for that ! ' shrieked the Troll .

' That may be , ' said the Bull .

and now they journeyed on for many , many days , and then after a long , long time they came to a silver wood .

the trees , and the boughs , and the leaves , and the flowers , and everything else was of silver .

but when they got into the wood it was so crowded , and the trees so close together , that they could scarcely get forward .

' Oh ! oh !

what have you done now ? ' said the Bull .

just as he said this came the Troll .

' Who is that who is touching my wood ? ' he said .

' It is just as much mine as yours ! '

' We shall have a tussle for that ! ' screamed the Troll .

so he told the King 's daughter to take the horn of ointment that was hanging at the Troll 's belt , and anoint him with it .

at last they set forth on their way again , but the Bull was still weak , and at first could not go quickly .

here all happened just as it had happened in the copper wood and silver wood .

so she said that she would take great care not to touch anything , and he should see that she did .

Just then the Troll with nine heads came , and he was so frightful that the King 's daughter scarcely dared to look at him

' Who is this who is breaking my wood ? ' he screamed

' It is as much mine as yours ! ' said the Bull .

' We shall have a tussle for that ! ' screamed the Troll .

but then he himself was so worn out and weak that he could not move at all .

this lasted for a while , and then they came upon the fells .

' Do you see anything ? ' asked the Bull .

' No , I see nothing but the sky above and the wild fell side , ' said the King 's daughter .

then they climbed up higher , and the fell grew more level , so that they could see farther around them .

' Do you see anything now ? ' said the Bull .

' Yes , I see a small castle , far , far away , ' said the Princess .

' It is not so very little after all , ' said the Bull .

after a long , long time they came to a high hill , where there was a precipitous wall of rock .

' Do you see nothing now ? ' said the Bull .

' Yes , now I see the castle quite near , and now it is much , much larger , ' said the King 's daughter .

' Thither shall you go , ' said the Bull ; ' immediately below the castle there is a pig-sty , where you shall dwell .

then she put on the wooden gown , and walked to the King 's palace .

when she got there she went into the kitchen and begged for a place , saying that her name was Kari Woodengown .

' And as soon as you get tired of being here you will take yourself off too , ' said he .

' No , ' said she , ' that I shall certainly not . '

and then she washed up , and did it very tidily .

do you think the Prince will ever look at such a fright as you ? '

she would not give it up , however , but went on begging until at last she got leave .

' I was to take this water to you , ' said Kari .

' Do you suppose that I will have any water that you bring ? ' said the Prince , and emptied it over her .

she had to bear that , but then she asked permission to go to church .

she got that , for the church was very near .

instantly a man came forth and asked what she wanted .

so he brought her a gown that was as bright as the copper wood , and she got a horse and saddle too from him .

then she went away and mounted her horse again ; the Prince again followed her , and asked her whence she came .

' Oh !

I am from Bathland , ' said Kari .

and when the Prince took out the glove and wanted to give it back to her , she said :

' Darkness behind me , but light on my way , That the Prince may not see where I 'm going to-day ! '

next Sunday some one had to take up a towel to the Prince .

' Ah ! may I have leave to go up with that ? ' said Kari .

after that the Prince went to church , and Kari also asked leave to go .

' Darkness behind me , but light on my way , That the Prince may not see where I 'm going to-day ! '

and she was gone again , neither could the Prince see what had become of her .

next Sunday some one had to go to the Prince with a comb .

after that the Prince went to church , and Kari also begged for leave to go .

and now all happened just as it had happened twice already .

when she had seated herself on the horse the Prince came running out of the church and asked her whence she came .

' From Combland , ' said Kari .

but when the Prince wanted to reach her her gold shoe , she said :

' Darkness behind me , but light on my way , That the Prince may not see where I 'm going to-day ! '

after a long , long while came Kari Woodengown 's wicked stepmother , with her daughter too , and the shoe fitted her .

but she was so ugly and looked so loathsome that the Prince was very unwilling to do what he had promised .

' A slice off her heel And a slice off her toes , Kari Woodengown 's shoe Fills with blood as she goes ! '

and when they looked to it the bird had spoken the truth , for blood was trickling out of the shoe .

( @number@ ) from P . C Asbjornsen .

DRAKESTAIL

he had not gone far when he met friend Fox , on his rounds that way .

' Good-morning , neighbour , ' says the friend , ' where are you off to so early ? '

' I am going to the King for what he owes me . '

' Oh ! take me with thee ! '

Drakestail said to himself : ' One can't have too many friends . ' ....y

' I will , ' says he , ' but going on all-fours you will soon be tired .

make yourself quite small , get into my throat go into my gizzard and I will carry you . '

' Happy thought ! ' says friend Fox .

he takes bag and baggage , and , presto ! is gone like a letter into the post .

he had not gone far when he met his lady-friend Ladder , leaning on her wall .

' Good morning , my duckling , ' says the lady friend , ' whither away so bold ? '

' I am going to the King for what he owes me . '

' Oh ! take me with thee ! '

Drakestail said to himself : ' One can't have too many friends . ' ....y

' I will , ' says he , ' but with your wooden legs you will soon be tired .

make yourself quite small , get into my throat go into my gizzard and I will carry you . '

' Happy thought ! ' says my friend Ladder , and nimble , bag and baggage , goes to keep company with friend Fox .

and ' Quack , quack , quack . '

Drakestail is off again , singing and spruce as before .

a little farther he meets his sweetheart , my friend River , wandering quietly in the sunshine .

' Thou , my cherub , ' says she , ' whither so lonesome , with arching tail , on this muddy road ? '

' I am going to the King , you know , for what he owes me . '

' Oh ! take me with thee ! '

Drakestail said to himself : ' We can't be too many friends . ' ....y

' I will , ' says he , ' but you who sleep while you walk will soon be tired .

make yourself quite small , get into my throat go into my gizzard and I will carry you . '

' Ah ! happy thought ! ' says my friend River .

she takes bag and baggage , and glou , glou , glou , she takes her place between friend Fox and my friend Ladder .

and ' Quack , quack , quack . '

Drakestail is off again singing .

a little farther on he meets comrade Wasp's-nest , manoeuvring his wasps .

' Well , good-morning , friend Drakestail , ' said comrade Wasp's-nest , ' where are we bound for so spruce and fresh ? '

' I am going to the King for what he owes me . '

' Oh ! take me with thee ! '

Drakestail said to himself , ' One can't have too many friends . ' ....y

' I will , ' says he , ' but with your battalion to drag along , you will soon be tired .

make yourself quite small , go into my throat get into my gizzard and I will carry you . '

' By Jove I that 's a good idea ! ' says comrade Wasp's-nest .

and left file ! he takes the same road to join the others with all his party .

there was not much more room , but by closing up a bit they managed ....y .

and Drakestail is off again singing .

he strikes with the knocker : ' Toc ! toc ! '

' Who is there ? ' asks the porter , putting his head out of the wicket .

" Tis I , Drakestail .

I wish to speak to the King . '

' Speak to the King ! ....v

that 's easily said .

the King is dining , and will not be disturbed . '

' Tell him that it is I , and I have come he well knows why . '

' Good , good ! ' said the King laughing .

' I know what it is !

make him come in , and put him with the turkeys and chickens . '

the porter descends .

' Have the goodness to enter . '

' Good ! ' says Drakestail to himself , ' I shall now see how they eat at court . '

' This way , this way , ' says the porter .

' One step further ....y .

there , there you are . '

' How ? what ? in the poultry yard ? '

fancy how vexed Drakestail was !

' Ah ! so that 's it , ' says he .

' Wait !

I will compel you to receive me .

quack , quack , quack , when shall I get my money back ? '

but turkeys and chickens are creatures who don't like people that are not as themselves .

' What is it ? what does he want ? '

finally they rushed at him all together , to overwhelm him with pecks .

' Reynard , Reynard , come out of your earth , Or Drakestail 's life is of little worth . '

he ordered them to throw this tail of a drake into the well , to make an end of him .

and it was done as he commanded .

Drakestail was in despair of getting himself out of such a deep hole , when he remembered his lady friend , the Ladder .

' Ladder , Ladder , come out of thy hold , Or Drakestail 's days will soon be told . '

he commanded that the furnace should be heated , and this tail of a drake thrown into it , because he must be a sorcerer .

the furnace was soon hot , but this time Drakestail was not so afraid ; he counted on his sweetheart , my friend River .

' River , River , outward flow , Or to death Drakestail must go . '

' Bring him here , and I 'll cut his throat ! bring him here quick ! ' cried he .

and quickly two footmen ran to fetch Drakestail .

' At last , ' said the poor chap , going up the great stairs , ' they have decided to receive me . '

he thought this time it was all up with him .

happily , he remembered that there was still one remaining friend , and he cried with dying accents :

' Wasp's-nest , Wasp's-nest , make a sally , Or Drakestail nevermore may rally . '

Hereupon the scene changes .

' Bs , bs , bayonet them !

' The brave Wasp's-nest rushes out with all his wasps .

behold Drakestail much astonished , all alone in the big saloon and master of the field .

he could not get over it .

but in vain he rummaged in all the drawers ; he found nothing ; all had been spent .

' The King is dead , long live the King !

heaven has sent us down this thing . '

thus he became King .

' And now , ' said he after the ceremony , ' ladies and gentlemen , let 's go to supper .

I am so hungry ! ' ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Contes of Ch .

Marelles .

THE RATCATCHER

the night was even worse .

as soon as the lights were out , these untiring nibblers set to work .

neither cats nor dogs , nor poison nor traps , nor prayers nor candles burnt to all the saints nothing would do anything .

the more they killed the more came .

' Qui vivra verra : le voila , Le preneur des rats . '

that is how he may be seen to this day , painted on a window of the cathedral of Hamel .

' Who lives shall see : this is he , The ratcatcher . '

the town council had just assembled to consider once more this plague of Egypt , from which no one could save the town .

' Then he is a sorcerer ! ' cried the citizens with one voice ; ' we must beware of him . '

the Town Counsellor , who was considered clever , reassured them .

well , we must learn to catch the devil in his own snares .

you leave it to me . '

' Leave it to the Town Counsellor , ' said the citizens one to another .

and the stranger was brought before them .

' A gros a head ! ' cried the citizens , ' but that will come to millions of florins ! '

the Town Counsellor simply shrugged his shoulders and said to the stranger :

' A bargain !

to work ; the rats will be paid one gros a head as you ask . '

the bagpiper announced that he would operate that very evening when the moon rose .

' Leave it to the Town Counsellor , ' said the town council with a malicious air .

and the good people of Hamel repeated with their counsellors , ' Leave it to the Town Counsellor . '

towards nine at night the bagpiper re-appeared on the market place .

arrived there he turned round ; the rats were following .

the plunging continued thus without ceasing till midnight .

at last , dragging himself with difficulty , came a big rat , white with age , and stopped on the bank .

it was the king of the band .

' Are they all there , friend Blanchet ? ' asked the bagpiper .

' They are all there , ' replied friend Blanchet .

' And how many were they ? '

' Nine hundred and ninety thousand , nine hundred and ninety-nine . '

' Well reckoned ? '

' Well reckoned . '

' Then go and join them , old sire , and au revoir . '

then the old white rat sprang in his turn into the river , swam to the whirlpool and disappeared .

when the bagpiper had thus concluded his business he went to bed at his inn .

and for the first time during three months the people of Hamel slept quietly through the night .

the next morning , at nine o'clock , the bagpiper repaired to the town hall , where the town council awaited him .

they were nine hundred and ninety thousand , nine hundred and ninety-nine , at one gros a head .

reckon ! '

' Let us reckon the heads first .

one gros a head is one head the gros .

where are the heads ? '

the ratcatcher did not expect this treacherous stroke .

he paled with anger and his eyes flashed fire .

' The heads ! ' cried he , ' if you care about them , go and find them in the river . '

' So , ' replied the Town Counsellor , ' you refuse to hold to the terms of your agreement ?

we ourselves could refuse you all payment .

' Keep your recompense for yourself , ' replied the ratcatcher proudly .

' If you do not pay me I will be paid by your heirs . '

but what made them laugh above all was his threat of getting himself paid by their heirs .

Ha ! they wished that they only had such creditors for the rest of their lives .

they never suspected the terrible surprise that awaited them on their return home .

no children anywhere , they had all disappeared !

' Our children ! where are our poor children ? ' was the cry that was soon heard in all the streets .

then through the east door of the town came three little boys , who cried and wept , and this is what they told :

while the parents were at church a wonderful music had resounded .

there they found the ratcatcher playing his bagpipes at the same spot as the evening before .

at their approach the mountain had opened a little , and the bagpiper had gone in with them , after which it had closed again .

only the three little ones who told the adventure had remained outside , as if by a miracle .

at this story the parents redoubled their lamentations .

at last , the night falling , they returned desolate to Hamel .

what had become of all these unfortunate children ?

it was not till much later that anything was to be heard of them .

these people also declared that they came from Germany , but they did not know how they chanced to be in this strange country .

there are more difficult things to believe than that . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Ch .

Marelles .

THE TRUE HISTORY OF LITTLE GOLDEN HOOD

only listen .

the story begins something like the tale .

there was once a little peasant girl , pretty and nice as a star in its season .

and as the good old woman was considered something of a witch , everyone thought the little hood rather bewitched too .

and so it was , as you will see .

you shall take this good piece of cake to your Grandmother for a Sunday treat to-morrow .

do you quite understand ? '

' I quite understand , ' replied Blanchette gaily .

and off she went with the cake , quite proud of her errand .

but the Grandmother lived in another village , and there was a big wood to cross before getting there .

at a turn of the road under the trees , suddenly ' Who goes there ? '

' Friend Wolf . '

instead of falling upon Blanchette he came frisking up to her like a good dog .

" Tis you ! my nice Little Golden-hood , ' said he .

so the little girl stops to talk with the Wolf , who , for all that , she did not know in the least .

' You know me , then ! ' said she ; ' what is your name ? '

' My name is friend Wolf .

and where are you going thus , my pretty one , with your little basket on your arm ? '

' I am going to my Grandmother , to take her a good piece of cake for her Sunday treat to-morrow . '

' And where does she live , your Grandmother ? '

' Ah ! yes !

I know now , ' said the Wolf .

thereupon the Wolf cuts across the wood , and in five minutes arrives at the Grandmother 's house .

he knocks at the door : toc , toc .

no answer .

he knocks louder .

nobody .

then he stands up on end , puts his two fore-paws on the latch and the door opens .

not a soul in the house .

' Good ! ' said the Wolf to himself , ' I know what I 'll do . '

at last she arrives at the door .

knock , knock .

' Who is there ? ' says the Wolf , softening his rough voice as best he can .

' It 's me , Granny , your little Golden-hood .

I 'm bringing you a big piece of cake for your Sunday treat to-morrow . '

' Press your finger on the latch , then push and the door opens . '

' Why , you 've got a cold , Granny , ' said she , coming in .

' Ahem ! a little , a little ... ' replies the Wolf , pretending to cough .

' Shut the door well , my little lamb .

the good child undresses , but observe this !

she kept her little hood upon her head .

when she saw what a figure her Granny cut in bed , the poor little thing was much surprised .

' Oh ! ' cries she , ' how like you are to friend Wolf , Grandmother ! '

' That 's on account of my night-cap , child , ' replies the Wolf .

' Oh ! what hairy arms you 've got , Grandmother ! '

' All the better to hug you , my child . '

' Oh ! what a big tongue you 've got , Grandmother ! '

' All the better for answering , child . '

' Oh ! what a mouthful of great white teeth you have , Grandmother ! '

' That 's for crunching little children with !

' And the Wolf opened his jaws wide to swallow Blanchette .

but she put down her head crying :

' Mamma !

mamma ! ' and the Wolf only caught her little hood .

thereupon , oh dear ! oh dear ! he draws back , crying and shaking his jaw as if he had swallowed red-hot coals .

it was the little fire-coloured hood that had burnt his tongue right down his throat .

Just at this moment the Grandmother arrives , returning from the town with her long sack empty on her shoulder .

' Ah , brigand ! ' she cries , ' wait a bit ! '

quickly she opens her sack wide across the door , and the maddened Wolf springs in head downwards .

it is he now that is caught , swallowed like a letter in the post .

' Ah , scoundrel ! you thought you would crunch my little grandchild !

thereupon the Grandmother hastened to dress poor Blanchette , who was still trembling with fear in the bed .

' Well , ' she said to her , ' without my little hood where would you be now , darling ? '

and then , who was it who scolded her when she knew all that had happened ?

it was the mother .

and Blanchette , the Little Golden-hood , kept her word .

and in fine weather she may still be seen in the fields with her pretty little hood , the colour of the sun .

but to see her you must rise early . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Ch .

Marelles

THE GOLDEN BRANCH

this King Grumpy , as he was called , had one son , who was as different from his father as he could possibly be .

no prince equalled him in cleverness and kindness of heart , but unfortunately he was most terribly ugly .

he had crooked legs and squinting eyes , a large mouth all on one side , and a hunchback .

never was there a beautiful soul in such a frightful little body , but in spite of his appearance everybody loved him .

the Queen , his mother , called him Curlicue , because it was a name she rather liked , and it seemed to suit him .

the Prince after one glance at it turned away with a disdainful air , which greatly offended his father .

' Am I to understand that you are not pleased ? ' he said very sharply .

' No , sire , ' replied the Prince .

' How could I be pleased to marry an ugly , lame Princess ? '

' That is the very reason , ' said the Prince , ' that I wish to marry someone who is not ugly .

I am quite tired enough of seeing myself . '

' I tell you that you shall marry her , ' cried King Grumpy angrily .

and the Prince , seeing that it was of no use to remonstrate , bowed and retired .

I had rather be the unhappy Princess Cabbage-Stalk all my life than inflict the sight of my ugliness on anyone else . '

but the King would not listen to her , and sent her away with the ambassadors .

' We drink your health , Curlicue .

the noise he made brought his guards to his aid , and as soon as he revived they asked him what was the matter .

he answered that he was so faint and giddy with hunger that he had imagined he saw and heard all sorts of strange things .

taking a hammer he broke away a bit of the stone , and found behind it a little golden key .

ugly and old as the cabinet was outside , nothing could have been more rich and beautiful than what met the Prince 's astonished eyes .

every drawer was made of crystal , of amber , or of some precious stone , and was quite full of every kind of treasure .

' I believe that this must open that little golden door in the middle , ' said the Prince to himself .

and he fitted in the little key and turned it .

the tiny door swung back , and a soft crimson light gleamed over the whole cabinet .

the Prince found that it proceeded from an immense glowing carbuncle , made into a box , which lay before him .

the voice ceased , and though the Prince in his bewilderment asked various questions , he received no answer .

the walls were of turquoises , and upon a low couch lay a lovely lady , who seemed to be asleep .

taking the branch he touched her lightly with it , saying :

instantly the lady opened her lustrous eyes , and saw the Eagle hovering near .

' Ah ! stay , dear love , stay , ' she cried .

but the Eagle , uttering a dolorous cry , fluttered his broad wings and disappeared .

then the lady turned to Prince Curlicue , and said :

' I know that it is to you I owe my deliverance from an enchantment which has held me for two hundred years .

I cannot explain more at present .

but is there nothing you wish for yourself ? '

' Madam , ' cried the Prince , flinging himself down at her feet , ' only look at my ugliness .

I am called Curlicue , and am an object of derision ; I entreat you to make me less ridiculous . '

' Rise , Prince , ' said the Fairy , touching him with the Golden Branch .

fly from the tower , Prince , and remember that the Fairy Douceline will be your friend always . '

and there we must leave him for the present , and see what was happening elsewhere .

in the meantime the Princess Cabbage-Stalk had reached the palace , travelling in a litter .

this made King Grumpy very angry .

' They seem to have taken a great delight in painting me since I came to this country , ' she said to herself .

ah ! how nice it would be to be as pretty as that . '

and then she looked at herself in a mirror , and turned away quickly with tears in her eyes from the doleful sight .

if you wish to be pretty you shall have your way , but you will also be vain , capricious , and frivolous .

if you remain as you are now , you shall be wise and amiable and modest . '

' Alas I madam , ' cried the Princess , ' is it impossible to be at once wise and beautiful ? '

' No , child , ' answered the old woman , ' only to you it is decreed that you must choose between the two .

See , I have brought with me my white and yellow muff .

breathe upon the white side and your looks will not alter , but you will grow better and happier day by day .

now you may choose . '

and so she breathed upon the white side of the muff and thanked the old fairy , who immediately disappeared .

' If I could but get up into the turret , ' she thought , ' to see if any one is coming . '

but to climb up there seemed impossible .

nevertheless she presently hit upon a plan .

the great clock was in the turret , as she knew , though the weights hung down into the gallery .

out fell the broken stone , and with it the golden key .

the clatter it made upon the floor attracted the Princess Cabbage-Stalk 's attention .

and at this moment a voice in her ear said softly :

' Take courage , Princess ; upon this adventure your future happiness depends . '

' What am I to do ? ' said the Princess trembling .

limping across at her utmost speed she threw the window open , and the great Eagle sailed in beating with his wings for joy .

' Princess , ' said he , ' for two hundred years has a wicked enchanter kept me here .

we both loved the same Fairy , but she preferred me .

it is she also who permits me to show my gratitude to you by granting whatever favour you may ask of me .

tell me , Princess , what is it that you wish for most ?

shall I make you as beautiful as you deserve to be ? '

she grew tall and straight and pretty , with eyes like shining stars , and a skin as white as milk .

be called Princess Sunbeam , for you are bright and charming enough to deserve the name . '

he was still watching her admiringly when the Princess opened her eyes , and as she also recognised him they were soon great friends .

so they went there together , and the Princess was charmed with the old woman and everything belonging to her .

at last he said :

they are princes and princesses who have happened to offend me .

they used to love one another as much as they now hate one another .

aha !

it 's a pretty little revenge to keep them like that . '

' Oh !

if you would only change me into a mouse too , ' cried the Princess .

' Oh ! so you won't marry me ? ' said he .

' Little simpleton , you should have everything heart can desire . '

off with you , Madam Grasshopper . '

but as soon as she was safely out she began to be rather sorry for herself .

' Ah !

Florimond , ' she sighed , ' is this the end of your gift ?

certainly beauty is short-lived , and this funny little face and a green crape dress are a comical end to it .

I had better have married my amiable shepherd .

she was quaintly dressed in a ruff and farthingale , and a velvet hood covered her snow-white hair .

' You seem sorrowful , my son , ' she said .

' What is the matter ? '

' Go that way , my son , ' said the old woman , pointing towards the path that led to the castle .

' I have an idea that you will soon overtake her . '

the Prince thanked her heartily and set out .

Prince Peerless hastened after her at the top of his speed , but could not get any nearer ; then he called to her :

' Sunbeam , my darling only wait for me a moment . '

but the phantom did but fly the faster , and the Prince spent the whole day in this vain pursuit .

he entered without difficulty , and in the hall the terrible old Fairy met him .

' At last you have come to see me , Prince , ' said she .

' Don't waste another thought upon that little shepherdess , who is unworthy of your notice .

I am the Queen of the Comets , and can bring you to great honour if you will marry me . '

' Marry you , Madam , ' cried the Prince , in horror .

' No , I will never consent to that . '

' You see your beloved there ?

take care what you are about , for if you again refuse to marry me she shall be torn in pieces by two tigers . '

the Prince was distracted , for he fancied he heard his dear shepherdess weeping and begging him to save her .

In despair he cried :

' Oh , Fairy Douceline , have you abandoned me after so many promises of friendship ?

help , help us now ! '

immediately a soft voice said in his ear :

' Be firm , happen what may , and seek the Golden Branch . '

thus encouraged , the Prince persevered in his refusal , and at length the old Fairy in a fury cried :

' Get out of my sight , obstinate Prince .

become a Cricket ! '

without in the least expecting an answer , the Prince asked it :

' And where may you be going , Gammer Grasshopper ? '

' Where are you going yourself , Gaffer Cricket ? ' replied the Grasshopper .

' What ! can you speak ? ' said he .

' Why should I not speak as well as you ?

isn't a Grasshopper as good as a Cricket ? ' said she .

' I can talk because I was a Prince , ' said the Cricket .

' Then you have met with the same fate as I have , ' said he .

' But where are you going now ?

cannot we journey together ? '

how does your Highness find yourself ? '

are we pursued , think you ?

how lucky we were to escape ! '

' I only trust that we may escape cats and traps , and reach the Golden Branch soon , ' said the fat Mouse .

' You know the way then ? ' said the other .

' Oh dear , yes ! as well as the way to my own house , Madam .

this Golden Branch is indeed a marvel , a single leaf from it makes one rich for ever .

it breaks enchantments , and makes all who approach it young and beautiful .

we must set out for it at the break of day . '

' May we have the honour of travelling with you this respectable Cricket and myself ? ' said the Grasshopper , stepping forward .

' We also are on a pilgrimage to the Golden Branch . '

the Mice courteously assented , and after many polite speeches the whole party fell asleep .

it grew in the midst of a wonderful garden , all the paths of which were strewn with pearls as big as peas .

the roses were crimson diamonds , with emerald leaves .

the Golden Branch itself had become as tall as a forest tree , and sparkled with ruby cherries to its topmost twig .

' So you two have found one another again , I see , but I have still a surprise left for you .

so come here both of you and let me crown you , and we will have the wedding at once . '

( @number@ ) le Rameau d'Or .

par Madame d'Aulnoy .

THE THREE DWARFS

the two girls were great friends and used often to play together .

one day the woman turned to the man 's daughter and said :

the girl went straight home and told her father what the woman had said .

' What am I to do ? ' he answered .

' Marriage is either a success or it is a failure . '

if it holds water I will marry again , but if it doesn't I won't . '

the girl did as she was bid , but the water drew the hole together and the boot filled up to the very top .

so she went and told her father the result .

on the second morning , water to wash in and water to drink was standing for the man 's daughter as well .

the woman hated her stepdaughter from the bottom of her heart , and did all she could to make her life miserable .

' There , put on this dress and go out into the wood and fetch me a basket of strawberries ! '

then she gave her a hard crust of bread , saying :

the girl was so obedient that she put on the paper dress and set out with her little basket .

there was nothing but snow far and near , and not a green blade of grass to be seen anywhere .

when she came to the wood she saw a little house , and out of it peeped three little dwarfs .

she wished them good-day , and knocked modestly at the door .

the Dwarfs said at once : ' Give us some of your food ! '

' Gladly , ' she said , and breaking her crust in two , she gave them the half .

then they asked her what she was doing in the depths of winter in her thin dress .

when she had finished her bread they gave her a broom and told her to sweep away the snow from the back door .

the first said : ' Every day she shall grow prettier . '

the second : ' Every time she opens her mouth a piece of gold shall fall out . '

and the third : ' A King shall come and marry her . '

when she walked in and said ; Good evening , ' a piece of gold fell out of her mouth .

but her mother refused to let her go , saying :

' My dear child , it is far too cold ; you might freeze to death . '

the girl went straight to the little house in the wood , and as before the three little men were looking out of the window .

' Give us some , ' cried the Dwarfs .

but she answered : ' No , I won't , it 's hardly enough for myself ; so catch me giving you any . '

when she had finished eating they said :

' There 's a broom for you , go and clear up our back door . '

' I 'll see myself further , ' she answered rudely .

' Do it yourselves ; I 'm not your servant . '

when she saw that they did not mean to give her anything , she left the house in no amiable frame of mind .

the first said : ' She shall grow uglier every day . '

the second : ' Every time she speaks a toad shall jump out of her mouth . '

and the third : ' She shall die a most miserable death . '

the girl searched for strawberries , but she found none , and returned home in a very bad temper .

at last , one day the wicked woman took a large pot , put it on the fire and boiled some yarn in it .

her stepdaughter obeyed as usual , and went and broke a hole in the ice .

when she was in the act of wringing out the yarn a magnificent carriage passed , and the King sat inside .

the carriage stood still , and the King asked her :

' My child , who are you , and what in the wide world are you doing here ? '

' I am only a poor girl , ' she answered , ' and am rinsing out my yarn in the river . '

then the King was sorry for her , and when he saw how beautiful she was he said :

' Will you come away with me ? '

so all turned out just as the three little Dwarfs had said .

after a year the Queen gave birth to a little son .

when the King came home and wished to speak to his wife the woman called out :

' Quietly , quietly I this will never do ; your wife is very ill , you must let her rest all to-day . '

the King suspected no evil , and didn't come again till next morning .

when he spoke to his wife and she answered him , instead of the usual piece of gold a toad jumped out of her mouth .

but that same evening the scullion noticed a duck swimming up the gutter , saying as it passed :

' What does the King , I pray you tell , Is he awake or sleeps he well ? '

and receiving no reply , it continued :

' And all my guests , are they asleep ? '

and the Scullion answered :

' Yes , one and all they slumber deep . '

then the Duck went on :

' And what about my baby dear ? '

and he answered :

' Oh , it sleeps soundly , never fear . '

this was repeated for two nights , and on the third the Duck said to the Scullion :

' Go and tell the King to swing his sword three times over me on the threshold . '

the King rejoiced greatly , but he kept the Queen in hiding till the Sunday on which the child was to be christened .

after the christening he said :

then the wicked old stepmother answered :

then it was fastened down securely , and the barrel was rolled down the hill till it fell into the river . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Grimm .

DAPPLEGRIM

when he had walked a long way , he came to a King 's palace .

there he asked for a place and got it .

' Shall I , then , receive nothing at all of my inheritance ? ' asked the youth .

' Who could know that you were still alive you who have been a wanderer so long ? ' answered the brothers .

' Well , my little foal , you are a fine fellow ! ' said the youth .

so the youth did this he killed all the twelve foals , and then went back again .

but now you shall come away with me . '

' No , ' said the dappled Colt once more ; ' here I must stay for another year .

so the youth did it he killed all the little foals , and then went home again .

but next year , when he returned to look after the dappled colt and the mares , he was quite appalled .

for this year also each mare had her foal .

so the lad promised not to forget to do that .

' Nay , ' said he , ' never in my whole life have I seen such a man and such a horse . '

' Yes ; but I must have a good stable and most excellent fodder for my horse , ' said he .

he went down into the stable , and very sad and full of care he was .

' Oh , but it might be done , ' said Dapplegrim .

' I will help you ; but you must first have me well shod .

so the youth did this , and no one said him nay .

' Yes , yes , ' said the King .

for there was a large and high hill outside the windows which overshadowed the palace so much that the sun could not shine in .

' That was no part of our bargain , ' answered the youth .

the youth went down to the stable again , and very sad and sorrowful he was , as anyone may well imagine .

' Oh yes , there is one to match me , ' said Dapplegrim .

' But it will not be easy to get him , for he is underground .

however , we will try .

' That is all the wild birds in the forest flying about ; they are sent to stop us , ' said Dapplegrim .

the youth did it .

' That is all the wild beasts in the forest , ' said Dapplegrim ; ' they are sent out to stop us .

' Do you hear anything ? he said .

' Yes ; I heard something like a foal neighing quite plainly a long , long way off , ' answered the youth .

so they travelled onwards a long time , and saw one new scene after another once more .

then Dapplegrim neighed again .

' Do you hear anything now ? ' said he .

' Yes ; now I heard it quite distinctly , and it neighed like a full-grown horse , ' answered the youth .

' Now he is here ! ' said Dapplegrim .

when he comes , fire will spurt out of both his nostrils , and then the tar will catch fire .

they bit , and they fought with their fore legs and their hind legs , and sometimes the youth looked at them .

this horse was dappled too , and so like Dapplegrim that no one could distinguish the one from the other .

when he got there , the King was standing outside in the courtyard .

' If you can't , I think your daughter is mine . '

she shall hide herself twice , and then thou shalt hide thyself twice .

' That , too , was not in our bargain , ' said the youth .

' But we will make this trial since it must be so . '

so the King 's daughter was to hide herself first .

then she changed herself into a duck , and lay swimming in a lake that was just outside the palace .

but the youth went down into the stable and asked Dapplegrim what she had done with herself .

the youth snatched up his gun and ran to the lake .

' I will just have a shot at that duck , ' said he , and began to aim at it .

' Oh , no , dear friend , don't shoot !

it is I , ' said the Princess .

so he had found her once .

' I will have a bit of this bread for myself , ' said he .

first he turned himself into a horse-fly , and hid himself in Dapplegrim 's left nostril .

' Now you are mine ! ' said he to the Princess .

' Now you can see that it is fated that she should be mine , ' he said to the King .

' Yes , fated it is , ' said the King .

' So what must be , must . '

so everyone must see that they could not be long on their way thither . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from J . Moe .

THE ENCHANTED CANARY

I

instead of chatting with them in the dusk , he wandered about the woods , whispering to the moon .

' What is the matter with you ? ' his father often said to him .

' You have everything you can possibly wish for : a good bed , good food , and tuns full of beer .

so marry , and you will be perfectly happy . '

' I ask nothing better than to marry , ' replied Desire , ' but I have never seen a woman that pleases me .

all the girls here are pink and white , and I am tired to death of their eternal lilie and roses .

' No , father , nothing of the sort .

II

that evening Tubby and his son ate the golden apples at supper , and thought them delicious .

next morning as the day dawned , Desire went down to the stable and saddled his pretty white horse .

then he went , all dressed for a journey , to the bedside of Tubby , and found him smoking his first pipe .

' Father , ' he said gravely , ' I have come to bid you farewell .

last night I dreamed that I was walking in a wood , where the trees were covered with golden apples .

I gathered one of them , and when I opened it there came out a lovely princess with a golden skin .

that is the wife I want , and I am going to look for her . '

he jumped lightly on his horse , and was a mile from home before Tubby had ceased laughing .

' A yellow wife !

he must be mad ! fit for a strait waistcoat ! ' cried the good man , when he was able to speak .

' Here ! quick ! bring him back to me . '

III

an old man with a white beard was sitting on the doorstep enjoying the fresh air .

the Prince got down from his horse and asked leave to rest .

the traveller entered , and his host put before him a simple meal .

when his hunger was satisfied the old man said to him :

' If I do not mistake , you come from far .

may I ask where you are going ? '

' I will tell you , ' answered Desire , ' though most likely you will laugh at me .

it is she I am seeking . '

' Why should I laugh ? ' asked the old man .

' Madness in youth is true wisdom .

IV

the next day the Prince arose early and took leave of his host .

' The wood that you saw in your dream is not far from here , ' said the old man .

' It is in the depth of the forest , and this road will lead you there .

you will come to a vast park surrounded by high walls .

in the middle of the park is a castle , where dwells a horrible witch who allows no living being to enter the doors .

behind the castle is the orange grove .

follow the wall till you come to a heavy iron gate .

don't try to press it open , but oil the hinges with this , ' and the old man gave him a small bottle .

next , you will see a baking woman leaning over her heated oven .

give her this brush .

when you have done this , do not enter the castle , but go round it and enter the orange grove .

then gather three oranges , and get back to the gate as fast as you can .

once out of the gate , leave the forest by the opposite side .

out of each orange will come a princess , and you can choose which you like for your wife .

V

Desire thanked his host warmly , and took the road he pointed out .

in less than an hour he arrived at the wall , which was very high indeed .

he sprang to the ground , fastened his horse to a tree , and soon found the iron gate .

the Prince entered boldly into the courtyard .

Desire flung him the oat cake , which the great dog instantly snapped up , and the young Prince passed quietly on .

a few yards further he saw a huge oven , with a wide , red-hot gaping mouth .

a woman as tall as a giant was leaning over the oven .

Desire gave her the brush , which she took in silence .

then he went on to the well , drew up the cord , which was half rotten , and stretched it out in the sun .

lastly he went round the castle , and plunged into the orange grove .

there he gathered the three most beautiful oranges he could find , and turned to go back to the gate .

but just at this moment the sun was darkened , the earth trembled , and Desire heard a voice crying :

' Baker , baker , take him by his feet , and throw him into the oven ! '

YOU never cared to give me a brush ; but he has given me one , and he shall go in peace . '

' Rope , O rope ! ' cried the voice again , ' twine yourself round his neck and strangle him . '

' No , ' replied the rope ; ' you have left me for many years past to fall to pieces with the damp .

he has stretched me out in the sun .

let him go in peace . '

' No , ' replied the dog ; ' though I have served you long , you never gave me any bread .

he has given me as much as I want .

let him go in peace . '

let him go in peace . '

VI

about mid-day he reached a sandy plain , scorching in the sun .

here he was seized with dreadful thirst ; he took his gourd and raised it to his lips .

but the gourd was empty ; in the excitement of his joy he had forgotten to fill it .

he rode on , struggling with his sufferings , but at last he could bear it no longer .

already he felt that death was near him , when his eyes fell on the bag where the oranges peeped out .

' Ah ! ' he said to himself .

' If only these oranges were real fruit fruit as refreshing as what I ate in Flanders !

and , after all , who knows ? '

this idea put some life into him .

he had the strength to lift himself up and put his hand into his bag .

he drew out an orange and opened it with his knife .

Out of it flew the prettiest little female canary that ever was seen .

' Give me something to drink , I am dying of thirst , ' said the golden bird .

Out of it flew another canary , and she too began to cry :

' I am dying of thirst ; give me something to drink . '

VII

when he came to himself , he had a pleasant feeling of freshness all about him .

it was night , the sky was sparkling with stars , and the earth was covered with a heavy dew .

he hardly had courage to open his last orange .

then he remembered that the night before he had disobeyed the orders of the old man .

he took his knife and cut it open .

alas ! out of it flew a little canary , just like the others , who cried :

' I am thirsty ; give me something to drink . '

Great was the disappointment of Desire .

desire had never seen anyone half so lovely , and he stood gazing at her in delight .

he asked her name .

but Zizi wished to know where he meant to take her .

' To my father 's castle , ' he said .

he mounted his horse and took her in front of him , and , holding her carefully in his arms , they began their journey .

VIII

everything the Princess saw was new to her , and in passing through mountains , valleys , and towns , she asked a thousand questions .

Desire was charmed to answer them .

it is so delightful to teach those one loves !

once she inquired what the girls in his country were like .

' They are pink and white , ' he replied , ' and their eyes are blue . '

' And no doubt , ' went on the Princess , ' one of them is your intended bride ? '

still he was silent , and Zizi drew herself up proudly .

' No , ' he said at last .

was I wrong , my lovely Zizi ? '

this time it was Zizi 's turn to be silent .

IX

talking in this way they drew near to the castle .

when they were about four stone-throws from the gates they dismounted in the forest , by the edge of a fountain .

we must enter the castle with more ceremony .

Wait for me here , and in an hour I will return with carriages and horses fit for a princess . '

' Don't be long , ' replied Zizi , and she watched him go with wistful eyes .

when she was left by herself the poor girl began to feel afraid .

she was alone for the first time in her life , and in the middle of a thick forest .

suddenly she heard a noise among the trees .

fearing lest it should be a wolf , she hid herself in the hollow trunk of a willow tree which hung over the fountain .

it was big enough to hold her altogether , but she peeped out , and her pretty head was reflected in the clear water .

then there appeared , not a wolf , but a creature quite as wicked and quite as ugly .

let us see who this creature was .

x

not far from the fountain there lived a family of bricklayers .

he carried her home to his wife , and the good woman was sorry for her , and brought her up with her own sons .

as she grew older , the little gypsy became much more remarkable for strength and cunning than for sense or beauty .

as she was always being teased about her complexion , she got as noisy and cross as a titmouse .

so they used to call her Titty .

it was she who had frightened Zizi by appearing with her pitcher on her shoulder .

just as she was stooping to fill it , she saw reflected in the water the lovely image of the Princess .

' What a pretty face ! ' she exclaimed , ' Why , it must be mine !

how in the world can they call me ugly ?

I am certainly much too pretty to be their water carrier ! '

So saying , she broke her pitcher and went home .

' Where is your pitcher ? ' asked the bricklayer .

' Well , what do you expect ?

the pitcher may go many times to the well ....y . '

' But at last it is broken .

well , here is a bucket that will not break . '

the gypsy returned to the fountain , and addressing once more the image of Zizi , she said :

' No ; I don't mean to be a beast of burden any longer . '

and she flung the bucket so high in the air that it stuck in the branches of an oak .

' I met a wolf , ' she told the bricklayer , ' and I broke the bucket across his nose . '

then he handed to her an old copper milk-can , and said :

' If you don't bring it back full , your bones shall suffer for it . '

XI

it was not at all easy to fill the milk-can , which was large and round .

it would not go down into the well , and the gypsy had to try again and again .

' What are you doing there , you lovely creature ? ' she said to Zizi .

the gypsy had often seen the young Prince pass by , with his gun on his shoulder , when he was going after crows .

' Dear , dear ! ' she said to herself .

' So he likes yellow women !

why , I am yellow too , and if I could only think of a way '

it was not long before she did think of it .

get down at once , my poor child , and let me dress your hair for you ! '

the innocent Zizi came down at once , and stood by Titty .

' That was neatly done , ' said the gypsy .

' The Prince will be clever if he finds his bride . '

and , arranging her dress , she seated herself on the grass to await Desire .

XII

meanwhile the Prince was coming as fast as his horse could carry him .

he was so impatient that he was always full fifty yards in front of the lords and ladies sent by Tubby to bring back Zizi .

at the sight of the hideous gypsy he was struck dumb with surprise and horror .

' Ah me ! ' said Titty , ' so you don't know your poor Zizi ?

while you were away the wicked witch came , and turned me into this .

but if you only have the courage to marry me I shall get back my beauty . '

and she began to cry bitterly .

now the good-natured Desire was as soft-hearted as he was brave .

' Poor girl , ' he thought to himself .

' It is not her fault , after all , that she has grown so ugly , it is mine .

oh ! why did I not follow the old man 's advice ?

why did I leave her alone ?

and besides , it depends on me to break the spell , and I love her too much to let her remain like this . '

they all pretended to believe it , and the ladies at once put on the false princess the rich dresses they had brought for Zizi .

she was then perched on the top of a magnificent ambling palfrey , and they set forth to the castle .

in order to do her more honour , Tubby came to meet her at the foot of the great marble staircase .

at the sight of the hideous creature he almost fell backwards .

' What ! ' he cried .

' Is this the wonderful beauty ? '

' Yes , father , it is she , ' replied Desire with a sheepish look .

' But she has been bewitched by a wicked sorceress , and will not regain her beauty until she is my wife . '

' Does she say so ?

well , if you believe that , you may drink cold water and think it bacon , ' the unhappy Tubby answered crossly .

XIII

the feast was excellent , but Desire hardly touched anything .

however , to make up , the other guests ate greedily , and , as for Tubby , nothing ever took away his appetite .

but as the goose gave no sign of appearing , he sent his head carver to find out what was the matter in the kitchen .

now this was what had happened .

while the goose was turning on the spit , a beautiful little canary hopped on to the sill of the open window .

' Good-morning , my fine cook , ' she said in a silvery voice to the man who was watching the roast .

' Good-morning , lovely golden bird , ' replied the chief of the scullions , who had been well brought up .

and instantly the chief of the scullions fell fast asleep , and the goose was burnt to a cinder .

while it was browning at the fire , Tubby inquired for his goose a second time .

the Master Cook himself mounted to the hall to make his excuses , and to beg his lord to have a little patience .

Tubby showed his patience by abusing his son .

it isn't a wife he has brought me , it is Famine herself . '

XIV

' Good-morning , my fine Scullion ! '

' Good-morning , lovely Golden Bird , ' replied the Scullion , whom the Master Cook had forgotten in his excitement to warn .

and the Scullion fell fast asleep , and when the Master Cook came back he found the goose as black as the chimney .

in a fury he woke the Scullion , who in order to save himself from blame told the whole story .

' That accursed bird , ' said the Cook ; ' it will end by getting me sent away .

come , some of you , and hide yourselves , and if it comes again , catch it and wring its neck . '

he spitted a third goose , lit a huge fire , and seated himself by it .

the bird appeared a third time , and said : ' Good-morning , my fine Cook . '

the bird flew into the kitchen .

then all the cooks and scullions sprang after it , knocking at it with their aprons .

at length one of them caught it just at the very moment that Tubby entered the kitchen , waving his sceptre .

he had come to see for himself why the goose had never made its appearance .

the Scullion stopped at once , just as he was about to wring the Canary 's neck .

XV

' Will some one be kind enough to tell me the meaning of all this ? ' cried the Lord of Avesnes .

' Your Excellency , it is the bird , ' replied the Scullion , and he placed it in his hand .

' Nonsense !

what a lovely bird ! ' said Tubby , and in stroking its head he touched a pin that was sticking between its feathers .

' Gracious ! what a pretty girl ! ' said Tubby .

' Father ! it is she ! it is Zizi ! ' exclaimed Desire , who entered at this moment .

' Well , and the other one ? ' asked Tubby .

the other one was stealing quietly to the door .

' Stop her ! called Tubby .

' We will judge her cause at once . '

and he seated himself solemnly on the oven , and condemned Titty to be burned alive .

after which the lords and cooks formed themselves in lines , and Tubby betrothed Desire to Zizi .

XVI

the marriage took place a few days later .

all the boys in the country side were there , armed with wooden swords , and decorated with epaulets made of gilt paper .

Zizi obtained Titty 's pardon , and she was sent back to the brick-fields , followed and hooted at by all the boys .

and this is why to-day the country boys always throw stones at a titmouse .

they are the descendants of Zizi . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Charles Deulin , Contes du Roi Gambrinus .

THE TWELVE BROTHERS

one day the King said to his wife :

then he ordered twelve coffins to be made , and filled them with shavings , and placed a little pillow in each .

' Dear mother , why are you so sad ? '

' My child , ' she answered , ' I may not tell you the reason . '

she wept bitterly as she spoke , but her son comforted her and said :

' Don't cry , dear mother ; we 'll manage to escape somehow , and will fly for our lives . '

then she blessed her sons and they set out into the wood .

they found a very high oak tree , and there they sat , turn about , keeping their eyes always fixed on the castle tower .

when the brothers heard this they were very angry , and said :

' Shall we forsooth suffer death for the sake of a wretched girl ?

so they went forth into the wood , and shot hares and roe-deer , birds and wood-pigeons , and any other game they came across .

they always brought their spoils home to Benjamin , who soon learnt to make them into dainty dishes .

so they lived for ten years in this little house , and the time slipped merrily away .

in the meantime their little sister at home was growing up quickly .

she was kind-hearted and of a fair countenance , and she had a gold star right in the middle of her forehead .

' Who in the world do these shirts belong to ?

surely they are far too small for my father ? '

and the Queen answered sadly : ' Dear child , they belong to your twelve brothers . '

' But where are my twelve brothers ? ' said the girl .

' I have never even heard of them . '

' Heaven alone knows in what part of the wide world they are wandering , ' replied her mother .

' These coffins , ' she said , ' were intended for your brothers , but they stole secretly away before you were born . '

then she to tell her all that had happened , and when she had finished her daughter said :

' Do not cry , dearest mother ; I will go and seek my brothers till I find them . '

so she took the twelve shirts and went on straight into the middle of the big wood .

she walked all day long , and came in the evening to the little enchanted house .

' I am a Princess , ' she answered , ' and am seeking for my twelve brothers .

I mean to wander as far as the blue sky stretches over the earth till I find them . '

' I am Benjamin , your youngest brother . '

so they wept for joy , and kissed and hugged each other again and again .

after a time Benjamin said :

she did as she was bid , and soon the others came home from the chase and sat down to supper .

' Well , Benjamin , what 's the news ? ' they asked .

but he replied , ' I like that ; have you nothing to tell me ? '

' No , ' they answered .

' Then tell us , ' they cried .

but he answered : ' Only on condition that you promise faithfully that the first girl we meet shall not be killed . '

' She shall be spared , ' they promised , ' only tell us the news . '

and Benjamin and his sister cooked their meals for them .

now there was a little garden round the enchanted house , in which grew twelve tall lilies .

' My child , what have you done ?

why didn't you leave the flowers alone ?

they were your twelve brothers .

now they are changed for ever into ravens . '

the girl asked , sobbing : ' Is there no means of setting them free ? '

then the girl said to herself : ' If that is all I am quite sure I can free my brothers . '

she gave no answer , but nodded slightly with her head .

then he climbed up the tree himself , lifted her down , put her on his horse and bore her home to his palace .

the marriage was celebrated with much pomp and ceremony , but the bride neither spoke nor laughed .

' She is only a low-born beggar maid that you have married ; who knows what mischief she is up to ?

then a sudden rushing sound was heard in the air , and twelve ravens were seen flying overhead .

the King rejoiced greatly when he heard she was innocent , and they all lived happily ever afterwards . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Grimm .

RAPUNZEL

ONCE upon a time there lived a man and his wife who were very unhappy because they had no children .

then her husband grew alarmed and said :

' What ails you , dear wife ? '

she made them into a salad , which tasted so good that her longing for the forbidden food was greater than ever .

you shall suffer for your foolhardiness . '

' Oh ! ' he implored , ' pardon my presumption ; necessity alone drove me to the deed .

then the Witch 's anger was a little appeased , and she said :

all shall go well with it , and I will look after it like a mother . '

Rapunzel was the most beautiful child under the sun .

when the old Witch wanted to get in she stood underneath and called out :

' Rapunzel , Rapunzel , Let down your golden hair , '

for Rapunzel had wonderful long hair , and it was as fine as spun gold .

as he drew near it he heard someone singing so sweetly that he stood still spell-bound , and listened .

it was Rapunzel in her loneliness trying to while away the time by letting her sweet voice ring out into the wood .

the Prince longed to see the owner of the voice , but he sought in vain for a door in the tower .

he rode home , but he was so haunted by the song he had heard that he returned every day to the wood and listened .

one day , when he was standing thus behind a tree , he saw the old Witch approach and heard her call out :

' Rapunzel , Rapunzel , Let down your golden hair . '

then Rapunzel let down her plaits , and the Witch climbed up by them .

' So that 's the staircase , is it ? ' said the Prince .

' Then I too will climb it and try my luck . '

so on the following day , at dusk , he went to the foot of the tower and cried :

' Rapunzel , Rapunzel , Let down your golden hair , '

and as soon as she had let it down the Prince climbed up .

very soon Rapunzel forgot her fear , and when he asked her to marry him she consented at once .

so she put her hand in his and said :

' Yes , I will gladly go with you , only how am I to get down out of the tower ?

' How is it , good mother , that you are so much harder to pull up than the young Prince ?

he is always with me in a moment . '

' Oh ! you wicked child , ' cried the Witch .

' What is this I hear ?

I thought I had hidden you safely from the whole world , and in spite of it you have managed to deceive me . '

' Rapunzel , Rapunzel , Let down your golden hair , '

Rapunzel is lost to you for ever you will never see her more . '

of a sudden he heard a voice which seemed strangely familiar to him .

( @number@ ) Grimm .

THE NETTLE SPINNER

I

his wife , on the other hand , was always tender and pitiful to the poor and miserable .

this Countess was adored as much as the Count was hated .

II

' What is your name ? ' he asked her .

' Renelde , my lord . '

' You must get tired of staying in such a lonely place ? '

' I am accustomed to it , my lord , and I never get tired of it . '

' That may be so ; but come to the castle , and I will make you lady 's maid to the Countess . '

' I cannot do that , my lord .

I have to look after my grandmother , who is very helpless . '

' Come to the castle , I tell you .

I shall expect you this evening , ' and he went on his way .

three days later the Count again passed by .

' Why didn't you come ? ' he asked the pretty spinner .

' I told you , my lord , that I have to look after my grandmother . '

' Come to-morrow , and I will make you lady-in-waiting to the Countess , ' and he went on his way .

this offer produced no more effect than the other , and Renelde did not go to the castle .

so even if the Count had really wished to marry Renelde , she would always have refused .

III

some weeks passed before Burchard appeared again .

this time Renelde was spinning not hemp , but flax .

' What are you spinning ? ' he asked in a rough voice .

' My wedding shift , my lord . '

' You are going to be married , then ? '

' Yes , my lord , by your leave . '

for at that time no peasant could marry without the leave of his master .

' I will give you leave on one condition .

do you see those tall nettles that grow on the tombs in the churchyard ?

go and gather them , and spin them into two fine shifts .

one shall be your bridal shift , and the other shall be my shroud .

for you shall be married the day that I am laid in my grave . '

and the Count turned away with a mocking laugh .

Renelde trembled .

never in all Locquignol had such a thing been heard of as the spinning of nettles .

every evening , when his work was done , Guilbert came to visit his future bride .

this evening he came as usual , and Renelde told him what Burchard had said .

' Would you like me to watch for the Wolf , and split his skull with a blow from my axe ? '

' No , ' replied Renelde , ' there must be no blood on my bridal bouquet .

and then we must not hurt the Count .

remember how good the Countess was to my mother . '

an old , old woman now spoke : she was the mother of Renelde 's grandmother , and was more than ninety years old .

all day long she sat in her chair nodding her head and never saying a word .

but what God commands , man can do .

why should not Renelde try it ? '

IV

Renelde did try , and to her great surprise the nettles when crushed and prepared gave a good thread , soft and light and firm .

very soon she had spun the first shift , which was for her own wedding .

she wove and cut it out at once , hoping that the Count would not force her to begin the other .

just as she had finished sewing it , Burchard the Wolf passed by .

' Well , ' said he , ' how are the shifts getting on ? '

the Count grew pale , but he replied roughly , ' Very good .

now begin the other . '

the spinner set to work .

he tried to eat his supper , but could not ; he went to bed shaking with fever .

but he did not sleep , and in the morning could not manage to rise .

this sudden illness , which every instant became worse , made him very uneasy .

no doubt Renelde 's spinning-wheel knew all about it .

was it not necessary that his body , as well as his shroud , should be ready for the burial ?

the first thing Burchard did was to send to Renelde and to stop her wheel .

Renelde obeyed , and that evening Guilbert asked her :

' Has the Count given his consent to our marriage ? '

' No , ' said Renelde .

' Continue your work , sweetheart .

it is the only way of gaining it .

you know he told you so himself . '

V

the following morning , as soon as she had put the house in order , the girl sat down to spin .

when they reached the bank they flung her in , and watched her sink , after which they left her .

but Renelde rose to the surface , and though she could not swim she struggled to land .

directly she got home she sat down and began to spin .

the moment their backs were turned the stone untied itself .

Renelde waded the ford , returned to the hut , and sat down to spin .

and still the spinner spun .

when he saw her he fired a shot at her , as he would have fired at a wild beast .

the bullet rebounded without harming the spinner , who still spun on .

Burchard fell into such a violent rage that it nearly killed him .

he broke the wheel into a thousand pieces , and then fell fainting on the ground .

he was carried back to the castle , unconscious .

the next day the wheel was mended , and the spinner sat down to spin .

but the guards fell asleep , the bonds loosed themselves , and the spinner spun on .

Burchard had every nettle rooted up for three leagues round .

scarcely had they been torn from the soil when they sowed themselves afresh , and grew as you were looking at them .

and every day Burchard grew worse , and watched his end approaching .

VI

but the Count in his pride refused more than ever to give his consent to the marriage .

Renelde gave her promise , but in the evening Guilbert arrived at the cottage .

seeing that the cloth was no farther advanced than it was the evening before , he inquired the reason .

Renelde confessed that the Countess had prayed her not to let her husband die .

' Will he consent to our marriage ? '

' No. '

' Let him die then . '

' But what will the Countess say ? '

' The Countess will understand that it is not your fault ; the Count alone is guilty of his own death . '

' Let us wait a little .

perhaps his heart may be softened . '

so they waited for one month , for two , for six , for a year .

the spinner spun no more .

the Count had ceased to persecute her , but he still refused his consent to the marriage .

Guilbert became impatient .

' Let us have done with it , ' said Guilbert .

' Wait a little still , ' pleaded Renelde .

but the young man grew weary .

he came more rarely to Locquignol , and very soon he did not come at all .

Renelde felt as if her heart would break , but she held firm .

one day she met the Count .

she clasped her hands as if in prayer , and cried :

' My lord , have mercy ! '

Burchard the Wolf turned away his head and passed on .

she might have humbled his pride had she gone to her spinning-wheel again , but she did nothing of the sort .

not long after she learnt that Guilbert had left the country .

when she came in she put her silent wheel into a corner , and cried for three days and three nights .

VII

so another year went by .

however , the Count grew worse and worse till he was given up by the doctors .

the passing bell was rung , and he lay expecting Death to come for him .

but Death was not so near as the doctors thought , and still he lingered .

he seemed in a desperate condition , but he got neither better nor worse .

he could neither live nor die ; he suffered horribly , and called loudly on Death to put an end to his pains .

in this extremity he remembered what he had told the little spinner long ago .

if Death was so slow in coming , it was because he was not ready to follow him , having no shroud for his burial .

he sent to fetch Renelde , placed her by his bedside , and ordered her at once to go on spinning his shroud .

hardly had the spinner begun to work when the Count began to feel his pains grow less .

so Renelde forgave him , and went on spinning night and day .

when the thread of the nettles was spun she wove it with her shuttle , and then cut the shroud and began to sew it .

VIII

( @number@ ) Ch .

Denlin .

FARMER WEATHERBEARD

THERE was once upon a time a man and a woman who had an only son , and he was called Jack .

the woman thought that it was his duty to go out to service , and told her husband that he was to take him somewhere .

' Where are you going ? ' he said .

get up behind with you , ' he said to the boy , and off the horse went with them straight up into the air .

' No , no , wait a little ! ' screamed the father of the boy .

' I ought to know what your name is and where you live . '

' You may come here again in a year 's time , and then I will tell you if the lad suits me . '

and then they set off again and were gone .

when the man got home the old woman inquired what had become of the son .

' Ah !

heaven only knows what has become of him ! ' said the man .

' They went up aloft . '

and then he told her what had happened .

' Good-evening , mother , ' said the man .

' Good-evening to you too , ' said the old woman .

' No one has called me mother this hundred years . '

' Can I lodge here to-night ? ' said the man .

' No , ' said the old woman .

but the man took out his roll of tobacco , lighted a little of it , and then gave her a whiff .

then she was so delighted that she began to dance , and thus the man got leave to stay the night there .

it was not long before he asked about Farmer Weatherbeard .

the man set out and got there at night .

when he arrived , this old woman also was standing drawing water out of the well with her nose .

' Good-evening , mother , ' said the man .

' Good-evening to you , ' said the old woman .

' No one has ever called me mother this hundred years . '

' Can I lodge here to-night ? ' said the man .

' No , ' said the old woman .

then she was so delighted that she began to dance , and the man got leave to stay all night .

it was not long before he began to ask about Farmer Weatherbeard .

she knew nothing about him , but she ruled over all the fishes , she said , and perhaps some of them might know something .

' Well , ' said the old woman , ' I have another sister ; perhaps she may know something about him .

she lives six hundred miles off , but you shall have my horse and carriage , and then you will get there by nightfall . '

so the man set off and he got there by nightfall .

the old woman was standing raking the fire , and she was doing it with her nose , so long it was .

' Good-evening , mother , ' said the man .

' Good-evening to you , ' said the old woman .

' No one has called me mother this hundred years . '

' Can I lodge here to-night ? ' said the man .

' No , ' said the old woman .

then she was so delighted that she began to dance , and the man got leave to stay in her house .

it was not long before he asked about Farmer Weatherbeard .

then the old woman said that it was to guide the man to him .

the man did this ; when he had got the bits of bread he first plucked out one feather .

' Oof ! ' screamed Farmer Weatherbeard .

and now the Eagle told the man what he was to do next , and he did it .

he knocked at the stable door and it opened at once .

he threw down the three little bits of bread and a hare came out and ate them .

he caught the hare .

when the Eagle had flown a long way it alighted on a stone .

' Do you see anything ? ' it asked .

' Yes ; I see a flock of crows coming flying after us , ' said the man .

' Then we shall do well to fly on a little farther , ' said the Eagle , and off it set .

in a short time it asked again , ' Do you see anything now ? '

' Yes ; now the crows are close behind us , ' said the man .

' Then throw down the three feathers which you plucked out of his head , ' said the Eagle .

then the Eagle flew on much farther with the man , but at length it alighted on a stone for a while .

' Do you see anything ? ' it said .

' I am not quite certain , ' said the man , ' but I think I see something coming in the far distance . '

' Then we shall do well to fly on a little farther , ' said the Eagle , and away it went .

' Do you see anything now ? ' it said , after some time had gone by .

' Yes ; now they are close behind us , ' said the man .

' Then throw down the splinters of wood which you took from beneath the gray stone by the stable door , ' said the Eagle .

so the Eagle flew on a long , long way , but then it grew tired and sat down on a fir tree .

' Do you see anything ? ' it asked .

' Then we shall do well to fly on a little farther , ' said the Eagle , and it set off again .

' Do you see anything now ? ' it said after some time had gone by .

' Yes ; he is close behind us now , ' said the man .

' Then you must fling down the great stone which you took away from the stable door , ' said the Eagle .

and thus it happened .

so each of them went his way .

the next day he changed himself into a brown horse and told his father that he was to set off to market with him .

and thus it happened .

on the third day all happened in the same way .

' No , ' said the man , ' I will not forget . '

' I am here ! ' shrieked Farmer Weatherbeard , rushing out of doors .

but the horse had already shaken off the halter and flung himself into a goose-pond , where he changed himself into a little fish .

Farmer Weatherbeard went after him , and changed himself into a great pike .

so Jack turned himself into a dove , and Farmer Weatherbeard turned himself into a hawk , and flew after the dove and struck it .

but a Princess was standing at a window in the King 's palace watching the struggle .

so the dove came flying in through the window and changed itself into Jack again , and told her all as it had happened .

' Change thyself into a gold ring , and set thyself on my finger , ' said the Princess .

' I will say that it was my mother 's , and that I will not part with it , ' said the Princess .

but then all that the youth had foretold came to pass .

so the King sent a messenger to the Princess for the ring .

she , however , refused to part with it , because she had inherited it from her mother .

' Well , it 's of no use to be angry about it , ' said the Princess , ' for I can't get it off .

if you want the ring you will have to take the finger too ! '

' I will try , and then the ring will very soon come off , ' said Farmer Weatherbeard .

so the ring came off and was lost among the ashes .

( @number@ ) from P . C Asbjornsen .

MOTHER HOLLE

' Oh ! take me out , take me out , or I shall be burnt to a cinder .

I am quite done enough . '

so she stepped up quickly to the oven and took out all the loaves one after the other .

' Oh I shake me , shake me , my apples are all quite ripe . '

she did as she was asked , and shook the tree till the apples fell like rain and none were left hanging .

' What are you afraid of , dear child ?

she spoke so kindly that the girl took heart and agreed readily to enter her service .

at last she discovered that she was homesick , so she went to Mother Holle and said :

I can remain with you no longer , but must return to my own people . '

' Click , clock , clack , Our golden maid 's come back . '

then she went in to her stepmother , and as she had returned covered with gold she was welcomed home .

in order to make her spindle bloody , she stuck her hand into a hedge of thorns and pricked her finger .

then she threw the spindle into the well , and jumped in herself after it .

like her sister she came to the beautiful meadow , and followed the same path .

when she reached the baker 's oven the bread called out as before :

' Oh ! take me out , take me out , or I shall be burnt to a cinder .

I am quite done enough . '

but the good-for-nothing girl answered :

' A pretty joke , indeed ; just as if I should dirty my hands for you ! '

and on she went .

soon she came to the apple tree , which cried :

' Oh ! shake me , shake me , my apples are all quite ripe . '

' I 'll see myself farther , ' she replied , ' one of them might fall on my head . '

and so she pursued her way .

she didn't make Mother Holle 's bed as she ought to have done , and never shook it enough to make the feathers fly .

so her mistress soon grew weary of her , and dismissed her , much to the lazy creature 's delight .

' For now , ' she thought , ' the shower of golden rain will come . '

' That 's a reward for your service , ' said Mother Holle , and she closed the door behind her .

' Click , clock , clack , Our dirty slut 's come back . '

but the pitch remained sticking to her , and never as long as she lived could it be got off . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Grimm .

MINNIKIN

the man was not overpleased at this .

as soon as this baby was born it began to look about the room .

' What will you be called ? ' asked the elder .

' I will be called Minnikin , ' answered the second ; ' and you , what will you be called ? '

' I will be called King Pippin , ' answered the elder .

they christened each other and then went onwards .

this they did , but no sooner had they walked a short distance than they met again .

then they arranged with each other that each should choose his own quarter , and one should go east and the other west .

when Minnikin had walked a long way alone , he met an old , old crook-backed hag , who had only one eye .

Minnikin stole it .

' Oh ! oh ! ' cried the old hag , ' what has become of my eye ? '

' What will you give me to get your eye back ? ' said Minnikin .

' Let me have it , then , ' said Minnikin .

the old hag gave him the sword , so she got her eye back .

Minnikin stole it before she was aware .

' Oh ! oh ! what has become of my eye ? ' cried the old hag .

' What will you give me to get your eye back ? ' said Minnikin .

' Let me have it then , ' said Minnikin .

' I will give thee the art to brew a hundred lasts of malt in one brewing . '

so , for teaching that art , the old hag got her eye back , and they both went away by different roads .

' Oh , I will tell you that , ' answered the kitchen-maid .

the Princess wept , and begged him most earnestly not to go and leave her ; but Ritter Red did not concern himself about that .

' It is better that one should die than two , ' said he .

in the meantime Minnikin begged the kitchen-maid very prettily to give him leave to go down to the strand for a short time .

' Oh , what could you do down at the strand ? ' said the kitchen-maid .

' You have nothing to do there . '

' Oh yes , my dear , just let me go , ' said Minnikin .

' I should so like to go and amuse myself with the other children . '

Minnikin promised this , and ran down to the sea-shore .

' Fire ! ' screeched the Troll .

' Fire yourself ! ' said Minnikin .

' Can you fight ? ' roared the Troll .

' If not , I can learn , ' said Minnikin .

' Fie ! ' said Minnikin .

' That was not much of a blow .

now you shall see one of mine . '

but when Ritter Red saw that there was no longer any danger afoot , he lost no time in creeping down from the tree .

so when the kitchen-maid heard that they were for her , she asked no more questions about the matter .

she thanked Minnikin , and everything was right again at once .

Minnikin once more begged the cook 's leave to go down to the sea-shore for a short time .

' Oh , what can you do there ? ' said the cook .

' Fire ! ' shrieked the Troll .

' Fire yourself ! ' said Minnikin .

' Can you fight ? ' roared the Troll .

' If not , I can learn , ' said Minnikin .

' Fie ! ' said Minnikin .

' That was not much of a blow .

now you shall see one of my blows . '

then he grasped his sword and struck at the Troll , so that all his ten heads danced away over the sands .

Minnikin , however , took home with him an armful of gold and silver hoops from the Troll 's ship .

when the third Thursday evening came , everything happened exactly as it had happened on the two former occasions .

the Princess wept and entreated him to stay , but all to no purpose .

he stuck to his old speech , ' It is better that one life should be lost than two . '

this evening also , Minnikin begged for leave to go down to the sea-shore .

' Oh , what can you do there ? ' answered the kitchen-maid .

' Fire ! ' roared the Troll .

' Fire yourself ! ' said Minnikin .

' Can you fight ? ' screamed the Troll .

' If not , I can learn , ' said Minnikin .

' Fie ! ' said Minnikin .

' That was not much of a blow .

now I will let you see one of my blows . '

then the Princess was delivered , and she thanked Minnikin and blessed him for saving her .

' But now , how shall we have it made known that it was you who saved me ? ' said the King 's daughter .

' That I will tell you , ' answered Minnikin .

but the third time you must say , " shame on you thus to smite the beloved of mine heart .

it is he who delivered me from the Troll , and he is the one whom I will have . " '

then the King 's daughter said : ' Shame on you thus to smite the beloved of my heart .

it is he who delivered me from the Troll , and he is the one whom I will have . '

so Ritter Red was thrown into the snake-pit , and Minnikin was to have the Princess , and half the kingdom .

one day the King went out walking with Minnikin , and Minnikin asked him if he had never had any other children .

when they had sailed thus a long , long way , the ship stopped short in the middle of the sea .

then he took the cable and tied one end of it round his body .

so saying he sprang into the water , and yellow bubbles rose up all around him .

he sank lower and lower , and at last he came to the bottom .

there he saw a large hill with a door in it , and in he went .

when he had got inside he found the other Princess sitting sewing , but when she saw Minnikin she clapped her hands .

' Ah , heaven be praised ! ' she cried , ' I have not seen a Christian man since I came here . '

' I have come for you , ' said Minnikin .

' Alas ! you will not be able to get me , ' said the King 's daughter .

' It is no use even to think of that ; if the Troll catches sight of you he will take your life . '

' You had better tell me about him , ' said Minnikin .

' Where is he gone ?

it would be amusing to see him . '

' I can do that , ' said Minnikin .

but I will try to find some way of doing it .

can you hide yourself here in the cupboard ? and then we will see what happens . '

Minnikin did this , and almost before he had crept into the cupboard and hidden himself , came the Troll .

' Huf !

what a smell of Christian man 's blood ! ' said the Troll .

' I made haste enough to get it away again , but it must be that which smells so , notwithstanding . '

' Yes , it must be that , ' said the Troll .

then the Princess asked if he had got hold of anyone who could brew a hundred lasts of malt at one brewing .

' No , there is no one who can do it , ' said the Troll .

' A short time since there was a man here who said he could do it , ' said the King 's daughter .

' How clever you always are ! ' said the Troll .

' How could you let him go away ?

you must have known that I was just wanting a man of that kind . '

' Let him come in , ' said the Troll .

when Minnikin came , the Troll asked if it were true that he could brew a hundred lasts of malt at one brewing .

' Yes , ' said Minnikin , ' it is . '

' It is well then that I have lighted on thee , ' said the Troll .

' Fall to work this very minute , but Heaven help thee if thou dost not brew the ale strong . '

' Oh , it shall taste well , ' said Minnikin , and at once set himself to work to brew .

so he got more and so many that there was a swarm of them , and then the brewing went on .

at last there was no one left but one wretched old hag who was lying behind the stove .

' Oh , poor old creature ! ' said Minnikin , ' you shall have a taste of the wort too like the rest . '

while Minnikin was now standing there looking about him , he cast his eye on a large chest .

and in a moment the ship went off so fast that the yellow foam rose up all round about it .

as soon as this thought occurred to him he went outside the palace and called for King Pippin , but no one came .

so he called a second time , and a little louder , but no ! still no one came .

so Minnikin called for the third time , and with all his might , and there stood his brother by his side .

' Shame on you to strike me ! ' said Minnikin .

when King Pippin heard that he begged his brother 's pardon , and they were reconciled at once and became good friends .

for he knew that the elder Princess was the stronger , so he could very well guess how things would go .

King Pippin at once agreed to this .

he changed clothes with his brother , and went into the palace .

( @number@ ) from J . Moe .

BUSHY BRIDE

THERE was once on a time a widower who had a son and a daughter by his first wife .

they were both good children , and loved each other with all their hearts .

but his sister , who was still at home , fared worse and worse .

' Brush me , girl ! ' said the head .

when she had got it done , another and a much more ugly and horrible-looking head rose up out of the water .

' Kiss me , girl ! ' said the head .

' She shall be the prettiest girl that ever was , and fair and bright as the day , ' said the first head .

' Gold shall drop from her hair whenever she brushes it , ' said the second .

' Gold shall drop from her mouth whenever she speaks , ' said the third head .

it was not long before the mother wanted her own daughter to go to the stream to fetch some water .

when she got there with her pails , the first head rose up out of the water close to the bank .

' Wash me , girl ! ' it said .

' Wash yourself ! ' answered the woman 's daughter .

then the second head appeared .

' Brush me , girl ! ' said the head .

' Brush yourself ! ' said the woman 's daughter .

so down it went to the bottom , and the third head came up .

' Kiss me , girl ! ' said the head .

' As if I would kiss your ugly mouth ! ' said the girl .

' Open the door yourself , my own dear child ! ' said the mother .

' I can't get near , because of my nose , ' said the daughter .

' Open the door ! ' cried the King , but the youth did not hear .

so the King called to him again , but the youth was praying so fervently that he did not hear him this time either .

' Open the door , I say ! ' cried the King again .

' It is I !

I want to come in . '

so the youth sprang to the door and unlocked it , but in his haste he forgot to hide the picture .

' There is nowhere on earth so beautiful a woman as this ! ' said the King .

the youth promised to make all the haste he could , and set forth from the King 's palace .

when the brother arrived at home to fetch his sister , her stepmother and step-sister would go too .

these two things were all that she had inherited from her mother .

at last they came in sight of land .

' Look at that white strand there ; that is where we shall land , ' said the brother , pointing across the sea .

' What is my brother saying ? ' inquired the man 's daughter .

' He says that you are to throw your casket out into the sea , ' answered the step-mother .

when they had sailed for some time longer , the brother once more pointed over the sea .

' There you may see the palace to which we are bound , ' said he .

' What is my brother saying ? ' asked the man 's daughter .

' Now he says that you are to throw your dog into the sea , ' answered the step-mother .

so they sailed onwards a long way farther .

' There may'st thou see the King coming out to meet thee , ' said the brother , pointing to the sea-shore .

' What is my brother saying ? ' asked his sister again .

' Now he says that you are to make haste and throw yourself overboard , ' answered the step-mother .

she begged very prettily , and got it , and then she brushed her hair , and the gold dropped from it .

this she said thrice , and the third time that she sent out the dog to see , it was very near dawn .

then she was forced to depart , but as she went she said :

I shall come twice more , and then never again , ' said she .

on the third Thursday night the King once more insisted on keeping watch .

the third time it was just beginning to grow light , and then she said :

' Now I shall never come again , ' she said , and then she turned to go .

thus the true bride was freed .

the King then awoke , and she told him all that had taken place , and how her step-mother and step-sister had betrayed her .

the King and his bride drove to church , and Little Snow was in the carriage too .

when the blessing was given they went home again , and after that I saw no more of them . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from J . Moe .

SNOWDROP

they called her Snowdrop , and not long after her birth the Queen died .

after a year the King married again .

his new wife was a beautiful woman , but so proud and overbearing that she couldn't stand any rival to her beauty .

she possessed a magic mirror , and when she used to stand before it gazing at her own reflection and ask :

' Mirror , mirror , hanging there , Who in all the land 's most fair ? '

it always replied :

' You are most fair , my Lady Queen , None fairer in the land , I ween . '

then she was quite happy , for she knew the mirror always spoke the truth .

one day when the latter asked her mirror the usual question , it replied :

' My Lady Queen , you are fair , ' tis true , But Snowdrop is fairer far than you . '

then the Queen flew into the most awful passion , and turned every shade of green in her jealousy .

at last she could endure Snowdrop 's presence no longer , and , calling a huntsman to her , she said :

' Take the child out into the wood , and never let me see her face again .

you must kill her , and bring me back her lungs and liver , that I may know for certain she is dead . '

and because she was so young and pretty the Huntsman had pity on her , and said :

' Well , run along , poor child . '

for he thought to himself : ' The wild beasts will soon eat her up . '

and his heart felt lighter because he hadn't had to do the deed himself .

and the wicked woman had them stewed in salt , and ate them up , thinking she had made an end of Snowdrop for ever .

everything was very small in the little house , but cleaner and neater than anything you can imagine .

side by side against the wall there were seven little beds , covered with snow-white counterpanes .

so she lay down upon it , said her prayers like a good child , and fell fast asleep .

when it got quite dark the masters of the little house returned .

they were seven dwarfs who worked in the mines , right down deep in the heart of the mountain .

the first said :

' Who 's been sitting on my little chair ? '

the second said :

' Who 's been eating my little loaf ? '

the third said :

' Who 's been tasting my porridge ? '

the fourth said :

' Who 's been eating out of my little plate ? '

the fifth said :

' Who 's been using my little fork ? '

the sixth said :

' Who 's been cutting with my little knife ? '

the seventh said :

' Who 's been drinking out of my little tumbler ? '

then the first Dwarf looked round and saw a little hollow in his bed , and he asked again :

' Who 's been lying on my bed ? '

the others came running round , and cried when they saw their beds :

' Somebody has lain on ours too . '

but when the seventh came to his bed , he started back in amazement , for there he beheld Snowdrop fast asleep .

' Goodness gracious ! ' they cried , ' what a beautiful child ! '

and they were so enchanted by her beauty that they did not wake her , but let her sleep on in the little bed .

but the seventh Dwarf slept with his companions one hour in each bed , and in this way he managed to pass the night .

in the morning Snowdrop awoke , but when she saw the seven little Dwarfs she felt very frightened .

but they were so friendly and asked her what her name was in such a kind way , that she replied :

' I am Snowdrop . '

' Why did you come to our house ? ' continued the Dwarfs .

the Dwarfs , when they had heard her sad story , asked her :

' Yes , ' answered Snowdrop , ' I will gladly do all you ask . '

and so she took up her abode with them .

but during the day the girl was left quite alone , so the good Dwarfs warned her , saying :

' Beware of your step-mother .

she will soon find out you are here , and whatever you do don't let anyone into the house . '

' Mirror , mirror , hanging there , Who in all the land 's most fair ? '

and the mirror replied :

' My Lady Queen , you are fair , ' tis true , But Snowdrop is fairer far than you .

snowdrop , who dwells with the seven little men , Is as fair as you , as fair again . '

at last she hit upon a plan .

she stained her face and dressed herself up as an old peddler wife , so that she was quite unrecognisable .

in this guise she went over the seven hills till she came to the house of the seven Dwarfs .

there she knocked at the door , calling out at the same time :

' Fine wares to sell , fine wares to sell ! '

Snowdrop peeped out of the window , and called out :

' Good-day , mother , what have you to sell ? '

' Surely I can let the honest woman in , ' thought Snowdrop ; so she unbarred the door and bought the pretty lace .

' Good gracious ! child , ' said the old woman , ' what a figure you 've got .

come !

I 'll lace you up properly for once . '

' Now you are no longer the fairest , ' said the wicked old woman , and then she hastened away .

when the Dwarfs heard what had happened , they said :

' Depend upon it , the old peddler wife was none other than the old Queen .

In future you must be sure to let no one in , if we are not at home . '

as soon as the wicked old Queen got home she went straight to her mirror , and said :

' Mirror , mirror , hanging there , Who in all the land 's most fair ? '

and the mirror answered as before :

' My Lady Queen , you are fair , ' tis true , But Snowdrop is fairer far than you .

snowdrop , who dwells with the seven little men , Is as fair as you , as fair again . '

when she heard this she became as pale as death , because she saw at once that Snowdrop must be alive again .

' Fine wares for sale . '

Snowdrop looked out of the window and said :

' You must go away , for I may not let anyone in . '

it pleased the girl so much that she let herself be taken in , and opened the door .

when they had settled their bargain the old woman said :

' Now I 'll comb your hair properly for you , for once in the way . '

Poor Snowdrop thought no evil , but hardly had the comb touched her hair than the poison worked and she fell down unconscious .

fortunately it was now near evening , and the seven Dwarfs returned home .

then they warned her once more to be on her guard , and to open the door to no one .

as soon as the Queen got home she went straight to her mirror , and asked :

' Mirror , mirror , hanging there , Who in all the land 's most fair ? '

and it replied as before :

' My Lady Queen , you are fair , ' tis true , But Snowdrop is fairer far than you .

snowdrop , who dwells with the seven little men , Is as fair as you , as fair again . '

when she heard these words she literally trembled and shook with rage .

' Snowdrop shall die , ' she cried ; ' yes , though it cost me my own life . '

then she went to a little secret chamber , which no one knew of but herself , and there she made a poisonous apple .

she knocked at the door , as usual , but Snowdrop put her head out of the window and called out :

' I may not let anyone in , the seven Dwarfs have forbidden me to do so . '

' Are you afraid of being poisoned ? ' asked the old woman .

' See , I will cut this apple in half .

I 'll eat the white cheek and you can eat the red . '

but the apple was so cunningly made that only the red cheek was poisonous .

but hardly had the first bite passed her lips than she fell down dead on the ground .

then the eyes of the cruel Queen sparkled with glee , and laughing aloud she cried :

when she got home she asked the mirror :

' Mirror , mirror , hanging there , Who in all the land 's most fair ? '

and this time it replied :

' You are most fair , my Lady Queen , None fairer in the land , I ween . '

then her jealous heart was at rest at least , as much at rest as a jealous heart can ever be .

when the little Dwarfs came home in the evening they found Snowdrop lying on the ground , and she neither breathed nor stirred .

they lifted her up , and looked round everywhere to see if they could find anything poisonous about .

then they placed her on a bier , and all the seven Dwarfs sat round it , weeping and sobbing for three whole days .

' We can't hide her away in the black ground . '

now it happened one day that a Prince came to the wood and passed by the Dwarfs ' house .

' Give me the coffin .

I 'll give you whatever you like for it . '

but the Dwarf said : ' No ; we wouldn't part with it for all the gold in the world . '

' Well , then , ' he replied , ' give it to me , because I can't live without Snowdrop .

I will cherish and love it as my dearest possession . '

she gradually opened her eyes , lifted up the lid of the coffin , and sat up alive and well .

' Oh ! dear me , where am I ? ' she cried .

will you come with me to my father 's palace and be my wife ? '

Snowdrop consented , and went with him , and the marriage was celebrated with great pomp and splendour .

now Snowdrop 's wicked step-mother was one of the guests invited to the wedding feast .

when she had dressed herself very gorgeously for the occasion , she went to the mirror , and said :

' Mirror , mirror , hanging there , Who in all the land 's most fair ? '

and the mirror answered :

' My Lady Queen , you are fair , ' tis true , But Snowdrop is fairer far than you . '

when the wicked woman heard these words she uttered a curse , and was beside herself with rage and mortification .

( @number@ ) Grimm .

THE GOLDEN GOOSE

THERE was once a man who had three sons .

the youngest of them was called Dullhead , and was sneered and jeered at and snubbed on every possible opportunity .

he too met the little old grey man , who begged him for a morsel of cake and a draught of wine .

but the second son spoke most sensibly too , and said : ' Whatever I give to you I deprive myself of .

just go your own way , will you ? '

so then Dullhead said : ' Father , let me go out and cut wood . '

but his father answered : ' Both your brothers have injured themselves .

you had better leave it alone ; you know nothing about it . '

but Dullhead begged so hard to be allowed to go that at last his father said : ' Very well , then go .

perhaps when you have hurt yourself , you may learn to know better . '

his mother only gave him a very plain cake made with water and baked in the cinders , and a bottle of sour beer .

there stands an old tree ; cut it down , and amongst its roots you 'll find something . '

with that the little man took leave .

he lifted it out , carried it off , and took it with him to an inn where he meant to spend the night .

but , lo and behold ! her fingers seemed to stick fast to the goose , and she could not take her hand away .

so she sprang to them ; but no sooner had she touched one of them than she stuck fast to her .

so they all three had to spend the night with the goose .

they just had to run after him right or left as best they could .

what do you mean by running after a young fellow through the fields like that ?

do you call that proper behaviour ? '

and with that he caught the youngest girl by the hand to try and draw her away .

but directly he touched her he hung on himself , and had to run along with the rest of them .

not long after the clerk came that way , and was much surprised to see the parson following the footsteps of three girls .

on seeing them the parson called out and begged them to come and rescue him and the clerk .

so the King had decreed that whoever should succeed in making her laugh should marry her .

cold water doesn't suit me at all .

to be sure I 've emptied a whole barrel of wine , but what is one drop on a hot stone ? '

' I think I can help you , ' said Dullhead .

' Come with me , and you shall drink to your heart 's content . '

he required Dullhead to find a man who could eat a mountain of bread .

I declare my stomach feels quite empty , and I must draw my belt tight if I 'm not to die of starvation . '

when you come sailing in such a ship , ' said he , ' you shall have my daughter without further delay . '

I have done all this for you because you were kind and merciful to me . '

( @number@ ) Grimm .

THE SEVEN FOALS

he walked on and on for the whole day , and when night was beginning to fall he came to a royal palace .

the King was standing outside on the steps , and asked where he was going .

' Oh , I am going about seeking a place , my father , ' said the youth .

' Wilt thou serve me , and watch my seven foals ? ' asked the King .

the youth thought that it was very easy work to watch the foals , and that he could do it well enough .

' Come hither , come hither , my handsome son , and let me comb your hair for you . '

when evening was drawing near , the youth wanted to go .

' Yes , that I have ! ' said the youth .

' Then you are able to tell me what it is that my seven foals eat and drink , ' said the King .

so the youth produced the bottle of water and the bit of moss which he had got from the old woman , saying :

' Here you see their meat , and here you see their drink . '

when the youth reached home again , anyone can imagine what a state of mind he was in .

he had gone out once to seek a place , he said , but never would he do such a thing again .

next day the second son said that he would now go out into the world to seek his fortune .

then the King promised him the same punishment and the same reward that he had promised his brother .

but all went with him as it had gone with his brother .

' Come hither , come hither , my handsome son , and let me comb your hair . '

so there he sat with his head on her lap , taking his ease the livelong day .

on the third day Cinderlad wanted to set out .

he had a fancy to try to watch the seven foals himself , he said .

the two others laughed at him , and mocked him .

' What I when all went so ill with us , do you suppose that you are going to succeed ?

you look like succeeding you who have never done anything else but lie and poke about among the ashes ! ' said they .

' Yes , I will go too , ' said Cinderlad , ' for I have taken it into my head . '

so when he had walked the whole day , he too came to the King 's palace as darkness began to fall .

there stood the King outside on the steps , and he asked whither he was bound .

' I am walking about in search of a place , ' said Cinderlad .

' Oh , shame on them ! ' said the King , for it enraged him even to think of them .

' If thou art brother to those two , thou too art not good for much .

I have had enough of such fellows . '

' Well , but as I have come here , you might just give me leave to make the attempt , ' said Cinderlad .

' I would much rather have the Princess , ' said Cinderlad .

when he had run thus for a long time , he too came to the cleft in the rock .

there the old hag was once more sitting spinning from her distaff , and she cried to Cinderlad ;

' Come hither , come hither , my handsome son , and let me comb your hair for you . '

when he had got safely past the cleft in the rock , the youngest foal said :

' Get on my back , for we have still a long way to go . '

so the lad did this .

and thus they journeyed onwards a long , long way .

' Dost thou see anything now ? ' said the Foal .

' No , ' said Cinderlad .

so they journeyed onwards a good bit farther .

' Dost thou see anything now ? ' asked the Foal .

' Oh , no , ' said the lad .

when they had gone thus for a long , long way , the Foal again asked :

' Dost thou see anything now ? '

' Yes , now I see something that is white , ' said Cinderlad .

' It looks like the trunk of a great thick birch tree . '

' Yes , that is where we are to go in , ' said the Foal .

' Canst thou wield that sword ? ' asked the Foal .

Cinderlad promised to do this , and then they went on farther .

when they had travelled a long , long way , the Foal said :

' Dost thou see anything ? '

' No , ' said Cinderlad .

so they went on a great distance farther .

' And now ? ' inquired the Foal , ' seest thou nothing now ? '

' Alas ! no , ' said Cinderlad .

so they travelled onwards again , for many and many a mile , over hill and dale .

' Now , then , ' said the Foal , ' dost thou not see anything now ? '

' Yes , ' said Cinderlad ; ' now I see something like a bluish streak , far , far away . '

' That is a river , ' said the Foal , ' and we have to cross it . '

yes , this time he saw something that looked black , far , far away , and was rather like a church tower .

' Yes , ' said the Foal , ' we shall go into that . '

' Hast thou watched well and faithfully the whole day ? ' said the King to Cinderlad .

' I have done my best , ' replied Cinderlad .

' Then thou canst tell me what my seven foals eat and drink ? ' asked the King .

so Cinderlad pulled out the consecrated bread and the flask of wine , and showed them to the King .

' Here may you behold their meat , and here their drink , ' said he .

when he got there , he did what the foals had bidden him , and cut off the heads of all the seven .

therefore , as all may well believe , there was joy and merriment at that wedding . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from J . Moe .

THE MARVELLOUS MUSICIAN

THERE was once upon a time a marvellous musician .

then he said to himself :

' Time hangs very heavily on my hands when I 'm all alone in the wood .

I must try and find a pleasant companion . '

so he took his fiddle out , and fiddled till he woke the echoes round .

after a time a wolf came through the thicket and trotted up to the musician .

' Oh ! it 's a Wolf , is it ? ' said he .

' I 've not the smallest wish for his society . '

but the Wolf approached him and said :

' Oh , my dear musician , how beautifully you play !

I wish you 'd teach me how it 's done . '

' That 's easily learned , ' answered the fiddler ; ' you must only do exactly as I tell you . '

' Of course I will , ' replied the Wolf .

' I can promise that you will find me a most apt pupil . '

' Now , ' said the Musician , ' if you want to learn to fiddle , here 's your chance .

lay your front paws in this crack . '

' Wait there till I return , ' said the Fiddler , and he went on his way .

after a time he said to himself again :

' Time hangs very heavily on my hands when I 'm all alone in the wood ; I must try and find a companion . '

so he drew out his fiddle , and fiddled away lustily .

presently a fox slunk through the trees .

' Aha I what have we here ? ' said the Musician .

' A fox ; well , I haven't the smallest desire for his company . '

the Fox came straight up to him and said :

' My dear friend , how beautifully you play the fiddle ; I would like to learn how you do it . '

' Nothing easier , ' said the Musician , ' if you 'll promise to do exactly as I tell you . '

' Certainly , ' answered the Fox , ' you have only to say the word . '

' Well , then , follow me , ' replied the Fiddler .

when they had gone a bit of the way , they came to a path with high trees on each side .

then he bent a branch down from the other side and said :

' Give me your left front paw , my little Fox , if you really wish to learn how it 's done . '

the Fox did as he was told , and the Musician tied his front paw to the end of one of the branches .

' Now , my friend , ' he said , ' give me your right paw . '

' Just you wait where you are till I return , ' said the Musician , and he went on his way again .

once more he said to himself :

' Time hangs heavily on my hands when I 'm all alone in the wood ; I must try and find another companion . '

so he took out his fiddle and played as merrily as before .

this time a little hare came running up at the sound .

' Oh ! here comes a hare , ' said the Musician ; ' I 've not the smallest desire for his company . '

' How beautifully you play , dear Mr Fiddler , ' said the little Hare .

' I wish I could learn how you do it . '

' It 's easily learnt , ' answered the Musician ; ' just do exactly as I tell you . '

' That I will , ' said the Hare , ' you will find me a most attentive pupil . '

they went on a bit together , till they came to a thin part of the wood , where they found an aspen tree growing .

the Musician bound a long cord round the little Hare 's neck , the other end of which he fastened to the tree .

' Now , my merry little friend , ' said the Musician , ' run twenty times round the tree . '

' Wait there till I return , ' said the Musician , and went on his way .

in the meantime the Wolf had pulled and bitten and scratched at the stone , till at last he succeeded in getting his paws out .

full of anger , he hurried after the Musician , determined when he met him to tear him to pieces .

when the Fox saw him running by , he called out as loud as he could :

' Brother Wolf , come to my rescue , the Musician has deceived me too . '

the Wolf pulled the branches down , bit the cord in two , and set the Fox free .

so they went on their way together , both vowing vengeance on the Musician .

they found the poor imprisoned little Hare , and having set him free also , they all set out to look for their enemy .

during this time the Musician had once more played his fiddle , and had been more fortunate in the result .

and he began playing so enchantingly that the poor man stood there as if bewitched , and his heart leapt for joy as he listened .

( @number@ ) Grimm .

THE STORY OF SIGURD

( this is a very old story : the Danes who used to fight with the English in King Alfred 's time knew this story .

they have carved on the rocks pictures of some of the things that happen in the tale , and those carvings may still be seen .

ONCE upon a time there was a King in the North who had won many wars , but now he was old .

the old King went out and fought bravely , but at last his sword broke , and he was wounded and his men fled .

but he said ' No , ' his luck was gone , his sword was broken , and he must die .

then he died .

and when they were brought before the King , he thought the maid looked like a Queen , and the Queen like a maid .

and she said :

' A strange Queen to light the fires , ' thought the King .

' A rich house where the maids wore gold , ' said the King .

' Truly you are no maid , but a King 's daughter . '

so he treated her royally , and as time went on she had a son called Sigurd , a beautiful boy and very strong .

he had a tutor to be with him , and once the tutor bade him go to the King and ask for a horse .

then the old man said , ' Drive all the horses into the river , and choose the one that swims across . '

so Sigurd drove them , and only one swam across .

Sigurd chose him : his name was Grani , and he came of Sleipnir 's breed , and was the best horse in the world .

for Sleipnir was the horse of Odin , the God of the North , and was as swift as the wind .

' I am no coward , ' says Sigurd ; ' why do you want me to fight with this dragon ? '

then the person who had killed Otter went down and caught the Dwarf who owned all the treasure and took it from him .

only one ring was left , which the Dwarf wore , and even that was taken from him .

but it brought good luck to nobody .

when Sigurd heard the story he said to Regin :

' Make me a good sword that I may kill this Dragon . '

So Regin made a sword , and Sigurd tried it with a blow on a lump of iron , and the sword broke .

another sword he made , and Sigurd broke that too .

then Sigurd went to his mother , and asked for the broken pieces of his father 's blade , and gave them to Regin .

and he hammered and wrought them into a new sword , so sharp that fire seemed to burn along its edges .

Sigurd tried this blade on the lump of iron , and it did not break , but split the iron in two .

then he threw a lock of wool into the river , and when it floated down against the sword it was cut into two pieces .

so Sigurd said that sword would do .

there he waited , and presently the earth began to shake with the weight of the Dragon as he crawled to the water .

and a cloud of venom flew before him as he snorted and roared , so that it would have been death to stand before him .

but Sigurd waited till half of him had crawled over the pit , and then he thrust the sword Gram right into his very heart .

then the Dragon lashed with his tail till stones broke and trees crashed about him .

then he spoke , as he died , and said :

' Whoever thou art that hast slain me this gold shall be thy ruin , and the ruin of all who own it . '

Sigurd said :

' I would touch none of it if by losing it I should never die .

but all men die , and no brave man lets death frighten him from his desire .

die thou , Fafnir , ' and then Fafnir died .

and after that Sigurd was called Fafnir 's Bane , and Dragonslayer .

then Sigurd rode back , and met Regin , and Regin asked him to roast Fafnir 's heart and let him taste of it .

so Sigurd put the heart of Fafnir on a stake , and roasted it .

but it chanced that he touched it with his finger , and it burned him .

then he put his finger in his mouth , and so tasted the heart of Fafnir .

then immediately he understood the language of birds , and he heard the Woodpeckers say :

' There is Sigurd roasting Fafnir 's heart for another , when he should taste of it himself and learn all wisdom . '

the next bird said :

' There lies Regin , ready to betray Sigurd , who trusts him . '

the third bird said :

' Let him cut off Regin 's head , and keep all the gold to himself . '

the fourth bird said :

' That let him do , and then ride over Hindfell , to the place where Brynhild sleeps . '

then all ' he birds broke out singing :

' High over Hindfell Red fire is flaming , There doth the maiden dwell She that should love thee well , Meet for thy taming .

then Sigurd remembered how the story went that somewhere , far away , there was a beautiful lady enchanted .

there he determined to go , but first he rode right down the horrible trail of Fafnir .

all these he piled on the back of the good horse Grani , and then he rode south to Hindfell .

then he set the horse Grani at the fire , and he leaped through it lightly , as if it had been through the heather .

so Sigurd went within the castle door , and there he saw someone sleeping , clad all in armour .

then he took the helmet off the head of the sleeper , and behold , she was a most beautiful lady .

for she was a warrior maid herself , and went armed into the battle like a man .

then Sigurd rode away , and he came to the house of a King who had a fair daughter .

her name was Gudrun , and her mother was a witch .

now Gudrun fell in love with Sigurd , but he was always talking of Brynhild , how beautiful she was and how dear .

then Gunnar tried Sigurd 's horse Grani , but he would not move with Gunnar on his back .

but he has forgotten me , and my promise I must keep . '

so Gunnar and Brynhild were married , though it was not Gunnar but Sigurd in Gunnar 's shape , that had ridden the fire .

but he was brave , and he spoke not a word of it to the others to make them unhappy .

and the curse soon came upon all of them .

for her husband , she said , had ridden through the flame when no other man dared face it .

all that evening she never spoke .

then she rent all her needlework asunder and wept aloud , so that everyone in the house heard her .

for her heart was broken , and her pride was broken in the same hour .

she had lost her true love , Sigurd , the slayer of Fafnir , and she was married to a man who was a liar .

Brynhild said :

' It is too late . '

then Sigurd was so grieved and his heart so swelled in his breast that it burst the steel rings of his shirt of mail .

Sigurd went out and Brynhild determined to slay him .

thus died Sigurd , Fafnir 's bane , whom no ten men could have slain in fair fight .

and then Brynhild fell a-weeping till her heart broke .

and the wind bore it blazing out to sea , flaming into the dark .

so there were Sigurd and Brynhild burned together , and the curse of the dwarf Andvari was fulfilled . ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) the Volsunga Saga .

end of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Red Fairy Book , by Various

produced by JC Byers , Carrie Lorenz , Gaston Picard and David Widger

THE PINK FAIRY BOOK

by Various

edited by Andrew Lang

preface

all people in the world tell nursery tales to their children .

the Japanese tell them , the Chinese , the Red Indians by their camp fires , the Eskimo in their dark dirty winter huts .

I am quite sure that this story is not true .

the other Danish and Swedish stories are not alarming .

they are translated by Mr W A Craigie .

Miss Alma Alleyne did the stories from Andersen , out of the German .

so far all the tales are true , and no further .

Contents

the Cat 's Elopement .

the Cat 's Elopement

From the Japanische Marchen und Sagen , von David Brauns ( Leipzig : Wilhelm Friedrich ) .

now not far from the music master 's house there dwelt a lady who possessed a most lovely little pussy cat called Koma .

now , before he had time to think , Cupid had entangled him in his net , and he was filled with love towards Koma .

Gon entreated his master to set matters right by buying Koma , but her mistress would not part from her .

at length the love of the couple grew to such a pitch that they determined to please themselves , and to seek their fortunes together .

so one moonlight night they stole away , and ventured out into an unknown world .

he came springing towards them showing all his teeth , and Koma shrieked , and rushed up a cherry tree .

so poor little Koma was left alone , while Gon was borne away full of trouble , not in the least knowing what to do .

time passed on , and one morning Gon lay before the house door , basking in the sun .

and they rubbed their heads and their noses again and again , while their purring might have been heard a mile off .

Paw in paw they appeared before the princess , and told her the story of their life and its sorrows .

By-and-bye the princess herself got married , and brought a prince to dwell in the palace in the park .

and when the prince heard , he swore they should never leave them , but should go with the princess wherever she went .

how the Dragon Was Tricked

from Griechtsche und Albanesische Marchen , von J G von Hahn .

( Leipzig : Engelmann .

@number@ )

' I wish you would bind me to a tree , ' exclaimed the shepherd , ' so that my back would get straight . '

' With all the pleasure in life , ' replied the youth .

' If you will loosen these cords I will tie you up with them as firmly as I can . '

so he commanded his guards to capture the young man and bring him before him .

fail in this , and you shall be hewn in a thousand pieces . '

' If that is all , ' said the youth , ' you shall soon have it . '

so he went out and made his way straight to the stable where the flying horse was tethered .

he stretched his hand cautiously out to seize the bridle , when the horse suddenly began to neigh as loud as he could .

but the king said , ' The flying horse is all very well , but I want something more .

' Is that all ? ' answered the youth .

' That is easily done . '

and when night came he went away to the dragon 's house and climbed up on to the roof .

then he snatched up the covering and carried it to the king .

the king was seated on his throne when the youth appeared before him and spread out the covering with a deep bow .

' So be it , ' said the king .

he found his enemy before his house , very busy making a box , and addressed him politely , ' Good morning , your worship .

have you a morsel of bread ? '

' What will you do with the box when it is made ? ' inquired the beggar .

' He deserves nothing better , ' answered the beggar , ' for it was an ill deed .

still that box is too small for him , for he is a big man . '

' You are wrong , ' said the dragon .

' The box is large enough even for me . '

but I am sure you would find it a tight fit . '

' No , there is plenty of room , ' said the dragon , tucking himself carefully inside .

the dragon pressed as hard as he could , but the lid never moved .

' It is all right , ' he cried ; ' now you can open it . '

then the young man married the king 's daughter and ruled over the land , but what he did with the dragon nobody knows .

the Goblin and the Grocer

translated from the German of Hans Andersen .

there was once a hard-working student who lived in an attic , and he had nothing in the world of his own .

there was also a hard-working grocer who lived on the first floor , and he had the whole house for his own .

the grocer could afford this , so the Goblin stayed in the grocer 's shop ; and this teaches us a good deal .

when the student had said good night he suddenly stood still , reading the sheet of paper in which the cheese had been wrapped .

it was a leaf torn out of an old book a book of poetry

' There 's more of that over there ! ' said the grocer ' I gave an old woman some coffee for the book .

if you like to give me twopence you can have the rest . '

' Yes , ' said the student , ' give me the book instead of the cheese .

I can eat my bread without cheese .

it would be a shame to leave the book to be torn up .

you are a clever and practical man , but about poetry you understand as much as that old tub over there ! '

and that sounded rude as far as the tub was concerned , but the grocer laughed , and so did the student .

it was only said in fun .

but only one thing at a time could use it , and that was a good thing , or they would have all spoken together .

the Goblin laid the tongue on the tub in which were the old newspapers .

' Is it true , ' he asked , ' that you know nothing about poetry ? '

' Certainly not ! ' answered the tub .

' Poetry is something that is in the papers , and that is frequently cut out .

and the Goblin put the tongue on the coffee-mill , and how it began to grind !

but how bright it was !

Out of the book shot a streak of light which grew into a large tree and spread its branches far above the student .

every fruit was a glittering star , and there was a marvellous music in the student 's room .

the little Goblin had never even dreamt of such a splendid sight , much less seen it .

' I have never seen anything like this ! ' said the Goblin .

' I never expected this !

I must stay with the student . '

the little fellow thought it over , for he was a sensible Goblin .

then he sighed , ' The student has no jam ! '

and on that he went down to the grocer again .

and it was a good thing that he did go back , for the tub had nearly worn out the tongue .

but the Goblin could no longer sit quietly listening to the wisdom and intellect downstairs .

there he felt the sort of feeling we have looking at the great rolling sea in a storm , and he burst into tears .

he could not himself say why he wept , but in spite of his tears he felt quite happy .

there he stood out on the cold landing , the autumn wind blowing through the cracks of the floor .

ah ! then it froze him , and he crept down again into his warm corner ; there it was comfortable and cosy .

when Christmas came , and with it the jam with the large lump of butter , ah ! then the grocer was first with him .

but in the middle of the night the Goblin awoke , hearing a great noise and knocking against the shutters people hammering from outside .

the watchman was blowing his horn : a great fire had broken out ; the whole town was in flames .

was it in the house ? or was it at a neighbour 's ?

where was it ?

the alarm increased .

the grocer seized his account books . and the maid her black silk dress .

he was standing quietly by the open window looking at the fire that was burning in the neighbour 's house just opposite .

the Goblin seized the book lying on the table , put it in his red cap , and clasped it with both hands .

the best treasure in the house was saved , and he climbed out on to the roof with it on to the chimney .

but when the fire was put out , and the Goblin thought it over then

' I will divide myself between the two , ' he said .

' I cannot quite give up the grocer , because of the jam ! '

and it is just the same with us .

we also cannot quite give up the grocer because of the jam .

the House in the Wood

from the German of Grimm .

a poor woodcutter lived with his wife and three daughters in a little hut on the borders of a great forest .

when the sun had risen high over the forest , the girl set out with a basin of soup .

she went on and on , till the sun set and night came on .

the trees rustled in the darkness , the owls hooted , and she began to be very much frightened .

then she saw in tile distance a light that twinkled between the trees .

not long afterwards she came to a house with lights in the windows .

she knocked at the door , and a gruff voice called , ' Come in ! '

the girl stepped into the dark entrance , and tapped at the door of the room .

' Just walk in , ' cried the voice , and when she opened the door there sat an old gray-haired man at the table .

his face was resting on his hands , and his white beard flowed over the table almost down to the ground .

by the stove lay three beasts , a hen , a cock , and a brindled cow .

the girl told the old man her story , and asked for a night 's lodging .

the man said :

pretty cock , Pretty hen , And you , pretty brindled cow , What do you say now ?

the girl found plenty of everything in the kitchen , and cooked a good meal , but she did not think of the beasts .

she placed the full dishes on the table , sat down opposite the gray-haired man , and ate till her hunger was appeased .

the beasts answered :

you have eaten with him , You have drunk with him , Of us you have not thought , Sleep then as you ought !

the maiden went upstairs , and when she had made the bed , she lay down .

after some time the gray-haired man came , looked at her by the light of his candle , and shook his head .

and when he saw that she was sound asleep , he opened a trapdoor and let her fall into the cellar .

the woodcutter came home late in the evening , and reproached his wife for leaving him all day without food .

' No , I did not , ' she answered ; ' the girl went off with your dinner .

she must have lost her way , but will no doubt come back to-morrow . '

but at daybreak the woodcutter started off into the wood , and this time asked his second daughter to bring his food .

the man with the white hair again asked the beasts :

pretty cock , Pretty hen , And you , pretty brindled cow , What do you say now ?

the beasts answered , ' Duks , ' and everything happened as on the former day .

the girl cooked a good meal , ate and drank with the old man , and did not trouble herself about the animals .

and when she asked for a bed , they replied :

you have eaten with him You have drunk with him , Of us you have not thought ,

now sleep as you ought !

and when she was asleep , the old man shook his head over her , and let her fall into the cellar .

on the third morning the woodcutter said to his wife , ' Send our youngest child to-day with my dinner .

but the mother said , ' Must I lose my dearest child too ? '

' Do not fear , ' he answered ; ' she is too clever and intelligent to lose her way .

she was much distressed , and thought constantly of her poor hungry father and her anxious mother .

at last , when it grew dark , she saw the little light , and came to the house in the wood .

she asked prettily if she might stay there for the night , and the man with the white beard asked his beasts again :

pretty cock , Pretty hen , And you , pretty brindled cow , What do you say now ?

' Duks , ' they said .

there is food to spare outside ; I will attend to them first . '

then she went out and fetched barley and strewed it before the cock and hen , and brought the cow an armful of sweet-smelling hay .

' Eat that , dear beasts , ' she said , ' and when you are thirsty you shall have a good drink . '

when the beasts were satisfied , the maiden sat down beside the old man at the table and ate what was left for her .

pretty cock , Pretty hen , And you , pretty brindled cow , What do you say now ?

the animals said , ' Duks :

you have eaten with us , You have drunk with us , You have tended us right , So we wish you good night . '

the maiden therefore went upstairs , made the bed and put on clean sheets and fell asleep .

she slept peacefully till midnight , when there was such a noise in the house that she awoke .

then all became still , and as no harm came to the maiden she lay down again and fell asleep .

but when she awoke again in broad daylight , what a sight met her eyes !

the maiden thought she must be dreaming , but in came three servants richly dressed , who asked what were her commands .

the spell could only be broken by the arrival of a maiden who should show herself kind not only to men but to beasts .

you are that maiden , and last night at midnight we were freed , and this poor house was again transformed into my royal palace .

as they stood there the king 's son told his three servants to go and fetch the maiden 's parents to be present at the wedding feast .

' But where are my two sisters ? ' asked the maid .

Uraschimataro and the Turtle

from the Japanische Marchen und Sagen , von David Brauns ( Leipzig : Wilhelm Friedrich ) .

there was once a worthy old couple who lived on the coast , and supported themselves by fishing .

' After all , ' it said , ' what good can I do you ?

I am so young and small , and I would so gladly live a little longer .

be merciful and set me free , and I shall know how to prove my gratitude . '

years flew by , and every morning Uraschimataro sailed his boat into the deep sea .

Uraschimataro himself very nearly shared the same fate .

but he was a powerful swimmer , and struggled hard to reach the shore .

I will now pay my debt and show my gratitude .

the land is still far distant , and without my help you would never get there .

Climb on my back , and I will take you where you will . '

Uraschimataro did not wait to be asked twice , and thankfully accepted his friend 's help .

Uraschimataro agreed willingly , and in another moment they were deep , deep down , with fathoms of blue water above their heads .

oh , how quickly they darted through the still , warm sea !

' Where have you brought me ? ' he asked his guide in a low voice .

' To the palace of Ringu , the house of the sea god , whose subjects we all are , ' answered the turtle .

' I am the first waiting maid of his daughter , the lovely princess Otohime , whom you will shortly see . '

Uraschimataro was still so puzzled with the adventures that had befallen him , that he waited in a dazed condition for what would happen next .

' Is not that reward enough ? ' she asked , smiling , looking all the while as fair as the sun itself .

and Uraschimataro said ' Yes , ' and so he stayed there .

for how long ?

that he only knew later .

then he told her of the longing he had to visit his old home , and that he must see his parents once more .

the princess was almost frozen with horror , and implored him to stay with her , or something dreadful would be sure to happen .

' You will never come back , and we shall meet again no more , ' she moaned bitterly .

Uraschimataro thanked her from his heart , and swore solemnly to do her bidding .

three days and three nights they swam through the sea , and at length Uraschimataro arrived at the beach which lay before his old home .

the turtle bade him farewell , and was gone in a moment .

Uraschimataro drew near to the village with quick and joyful steps .

he saw the smoke curling through the roof , and the thatch where green plants had thickly sprouted .

yet suddenly he felt a pang at his heart as he wandered down the street .

after all , everything was changed .

neither men nor houses were those he once knew .

quickly he saw his old home ; yes , it was still there , but it had a strange look .

anxiously he knocked at the door , and asked the woman who opened it after his parents .

but she did not know their names , and could give him no news of them .

still more disturbed , he rushed to the burying ground , the only place that could tell him what he wished to know .

here at any rate he would find out what it all meant .

and he was right .

and so he found that since he had deft his home , three hundred years had passed by .

but when the man spoke , he knew he was not dreaming , though he felt as if he had lost his senses .

in despair he bethought him of the box which was the gift of the princess .

perhaps after all this dreadful thing was not true .

he might be the victim of some enchanter's spell , and in his hand lay the counter-charm .

almost unconsciously he opened it , and a purple vapour came pouring out .

he ran to the brook , which flowed in a clear stream down from the mountain . and saw himself reflected as in a mirror .

it was the face of a mummy which looked back at him .

but she never came back any more , but instead , death came soon , and set him free .

the Slaying of the Tanuki

from the Japanische Murchen und Sagen .

' He shall pay for them with his skin , ' he said to his wife .

' We will first kill him , and then cook him . '

so saying , he hanged the Tanuki , head downwards , to a beam , and went out to gather wood for a fire .

suddenly she heard something whining and weeping in the corner , and , stopping her work , she looked round to see what it was .

the Tanuki , however , did not despair , and seeing that her heart was softened , began his prayers anew .

' He only asked to have his bonds taken from him , ' he said .

these last words melted the good woman completely , and she unfastened the bonds that held him .

poor foolish creature !

in one moment the Tanuki had seized her , stripped off all her clothes , and popped her in the mortar .

then he said to the peasant , ' You are a nice sort of person to seize animals and to talk of killing them !

you are caught in your own net .

with these words he turned and made for the forest .

the old peasant grew cold with horror as he listened , and seemed frozen to the place where he stood .

he wondered what had happened , and put his head in at the door and asked if anything was the matter .

' The false knave shall not go unpunished , ' said he .

next he took a hatchet , bade farewell to the old man , and departed to the forest .

he bent his steps to the dwelling of the Tanuki and knocked at the door .

so he accepted the rascal 's company with joy , and made himself very pleasant as they strolled along .

then he trotted gaily to the house , the hare following after with his lighter bundle .

shrieking with pain , he let fall the burning wood from his back , and stamped and howled with agony .

no , the only way every to get any peace and quiet was to render the Tanuki harmless for ever .

the Tanuki fell straight into the water , and was held there by the hare till he was quite dead .

then he put the body in his boat and rowed to land , and told the old man that his enemy was dead at last .

the Flying Trunk

translated from the German of Hans Andersen .

but he did not do that ; he knew another way of spending his money .

if he spent a shilling he got back a florin-such an excellent merchant he was till he died .

now his son inherited all this money .

in this way the money was likely to come soon to an end , and so it did .

at last he had nothing left but four shillings , and he had no clothes except a pair of slippers and an old dressing-gown .

his friends did not trouble themselves any more about him ; they would not even walk down the street with him .

but one of them who was rather good-natured sent him an old trunk with the message , ' Pack up ! "

that was all very well , but he had nothing to pack up , so he got into the trunk himself .

it was an enchanted trunk , for as soon as the lock was pressed it could fly .

he pressed it , and away he flew in it up the chimney , high into the clouds , further and further away .

in this way he arrived at the land of the Turks .

he hid the trunk in a wood under some dry leaves , and then walked into the town .

he could do that quite well , for all the Turks were dressed just as he was-in a dressing-gown and slippers .

he met a nurse with a little child .

' Halloa ! you Turkish nurse , ' said he , ' what is that great castle there close to the town ?

the one with the windows so high up ? '

' The sultan 's daughter lives there , ' she replied .

she was lying on the sofa asleep , and was so beautiful that the young merchant had to kiss her .

they sat close to each other , and he told her a story about her eyes .

they were beautiful dark lakes in which her thoughts swam about like mermaids .

and her forehead was a snowy mountain , grand and shining .

these were lovely stories .

then he asked the princess to marry him , and she said yes at once .

they will be indeed proud that I receive the god of the Turks .

but mind you have a really good story ready , for my parents like them immensely .

my mother likes something rather moral and high-flown , and my father likes something merry to make him laugh . '

' Yes , I shall only bring a fairy story for my dowry , ' said he , and so they parted .

but the princess gave him a sabre set with gold pieces which he could use .

when he had it ready it was Saturday .

the sultan , the sultana , and the whole court were at tea with the princess .

he was most graciously received .

' Will you tell us a story ? ' said the sultana ; ' one that is thoughtful and instructive ? '

' But something that we can laugh at , ' said the sultan .

' Oh , certainly , ' he replied , and began : ' Now , listen attentively .

' " we used to be on the green fir-boughs .

we were very rich , because the other trees only dressed in summer , but we had green dresses in summer and in winter .

then the woodcutter came , and our family was split up .

we have now the task of making light for the lowest people .

that is why we grand people are in the kitchen . "

' " my fate was quite different , " said the iron pot , near which the matches lay .

' " since I came into the world I have been many times scoured , and have cooked much .

my only pleasure is to have a good chat with my companions when I am lying nice and clean in my place after dinner . "

' " now you are talking too fast , " spluttered the fire .

' " yes , let us decide who is the grandest ! " said the matches .

' " no , I don't like talking about myself , " said the pot .

' " let us arrange an evening 's entertainment .

I will tell the story of my life .

' " on the Baltic by the Danish shore- "

' What a beautiful beginning ! " said all the plates .

" that 's a story that will please us all . "

' And the end was just as good as the beginning .

all the plates clattered for joy .

' " now I will dance , " said the tongs , and she danced .

oh ! how high she could kick !

' The old chair-cover in the corner split when he saw her .

' The urn would have sung but she said she had a cold ; she could not sing unless she boiled .

' In the window was an old quill pen .

there was nothing remarkable about her except that she had been dipped too deeply into the ink .

but she was very proud of that .

' " I don't think it 's proper , " said the kettle , " that such a foreign bird should be heard . "

' " oh , let us have some acting , " said everyone .

" do let us ! "

' Suddenly the door opened and the maid came in .

everyone was quite quiet .

there was not a sound .

but each pot knew what he might have done , and how grand he was .

' The maid took the matches and lit the fire with them .

how they spluttered and flamed , to be sure !

" now everyone can see , " they thought , " that we are the grandest !

how we sparkle !

what a light- "

' But here they were burnt out . '

' That was a delightful story ! ' said the sultana .

' I quite feel myself in the kitchen with the matches .

yes , now you shall marry our daughter . '

' Yes , indeed , ' said the sultan , ' you shall marry our daughter on Monday . '

and they treated the young man as one of the family .

the wedding was arranged , and the night before the whole town was illuminated .

Biscuits and gingerbreads were thrown among the people , the street boys stood on tiptoe crying hurrahs and whistling through their fingers .

it was all splendid .

' Now I must also give them a treat , ' thought the merchant 's son .

Whirr-r-r , how they fizzed and blazed !

all the Turks jumped so high that their slippers flew above their heads ; such a splendid glitter they had never seen before .

now they could quite well understand that it was the god of the Turks himself who was to marry the princess .

and it was quite natural that he should want to do this .

oh ! what stories the people had to tell !

each one whom he asked had seen it differently , but they had all found it beautiful .

' I saw the Turkish god himself , ' said one .

' He had eyes like glittering stars , and a beard like foaming water . '

' He flew away in a cloak of fire , ' said another .

they were splendid things that he heard , and the next day was to be his wedding day .

then he went back into the wood to sit in his trunk ; but what had become of it ?

the trunk had been burnt .

a spark of the fireworks had set it alight , and the trunk was in ashes .

he could no longer fly , and could never reach his bride .

she stood the whole day long on the roof and waited ; perhaps she is waiting there still .

but he wandered through the world and told stories ; though they are not so merry as the one he told about the matches .

the Snow-man

translated from the German of Hans Andersen .

' How astonishingly cold it is !

my body is cracking all over ! ' said the Snow-man .

' The wind is really cutting one 's very life out !

and how that fiery thing up there glares ! '

he meant the sun , which was just setting .

' It sha'n't make me blink , though , and I shall keep quite cool and collected . '

he was born amidst the shouts and laughter of the boys , and greeted by the jingling bells and cracking whips of the sledges .

the sun went down , the full moon rose , large , round , clear and beautiful , in the dark blue sky .

' There it is again on the other side ! ' said the Snow-man , by which he meant the sun was appearing again .

' I have become quite accustomed to its glaring .

I hope it will hang there and shine , so that I may be able to see myself .

I wish I knew , though , how one ought to see about changing one 's position .

I should very much like to move about .

' Bow-wow ! ' barked the old yard-dog ; he was rather hoarse and couldn't bark very well .

his hoarseness came on when he was a house-dog and used to lie in front of the stove .

' The sun will soon teach you to run !

I saw that last winter with your predecessor , and farther back still with his predecessors !

they have all run away ! '

' I don't understand you , my friend , ' said the Snow-man .

' That thing up there is to teach me to run ? '

he meant the moon .

' You know nothing at all about it , ' said the yard-dog .

' Why , you have only just been made .

the thing you see there is the moon ; the other thing you saw going down the other side was the sun .

he will come up again tomorrow morning , and will soon teach you how to run away down the gutter .

' I can't understand him , ' said the Snow-man ; ' but I have an idea that he is speaking of something unpleasant .

that thing that glares so , and then disappears , the sun , as he calls it , is not my friend .

I know that by instinct . '

' Bow-wow ! ' barked the yard-dog , and walked three times round himself , and then crept into his kennel to sleep .

the weather really did change .

towards morning a dense damp fog lay over the whole neighbourhood ; later on came an icy wind , which sent the frost packing .

but when the sun rose , it was a glorious sight .

' Isn't it wonderful ? ' exclaimed a girl who was walking with a young man in the garden .

they stopped near the Snow-man , and looked at the glistening trees .

' Summer cannot show a more beautiful sight , ' she said , with her eyes shining .

' And one can't get a fellow like this in summer either , ' said the young man , pointing to the Snow-man .

' He 's a beauty ! '

the girl laughed , and nodded to the Snow-man , and then they both danced away over the snow .

' Who were those two ? ' asked the Snow-man of the yard-dog .

' You have been in this yard longer than I have .

do you know who they are ? '

' Do I know them indeed ? ' answered the yard-dog .

' She has often stroked me , and he has given me bones .

I don't bite either of them ! '

' But what are they ? ' asked the Snow-man .

' Lovers ! ' replied the yard-dog .

' They will go into one kennel and gnaw the same bone ! '

' Are they the same kind of beings that we are ? ' asked the Snow-man .

' They are our masters , ' answered the yard-dog .

' Really people who have only been in the world one day know very little . '

that 's the conclusion I have come to .

Bow-wow ! '

' The cold is splendid , ' said the Snow-man .

' Tell me some more .

but don't rattle your chain so , it makes me crack ! '

' Bow-wow ! ' barked the yard-dog .

' They used to say I was a pretty little fellow ; then I lay in a velvet-covered chair in my master 's house .

my mistress used to nurse me , and kiss and fondle me , and call me her dear , sweet little Alice !

but by-and-by I grew too big , and I was given to the housekeeper , and I went into the kitchen .

my food was just as good , or even better .

I used to creep right under that stove .

ah me !

I often dream of that stove still !

Bow-wow ! '

' Is a stove so beautiful ? ' asked the Snow-man .

' Is it anything like me ? '

' It is just the opposite of you !

it is coal-black , and has a long neck with a brass pipe .

it eats firewood , so that fire spouts out of its mouth .

one has to keep close beside it-quite underneath is the nicest of all .

you can see it through the window from where you are standing . '

and the Snow-man looked in that direction , and saw a smooth polished object with a brass pipe .

the flicker from the fire reached him across the snow .

' Why did you leave her ? ' asked the Snow-man .

he had a feeling that such a being must be a lady .

' How could you leave such a place ? '

' I had to ! ' said the yard-dog .

' They turned me out of doors , and chained me up here .

but they were very angry , and from that time I have been chained here , and I have lost my voice .

don't you hear how hoarse I am ?

Bow-wow !

I can't speak like other dogs .

Bow-wow !

that was the end of happiness ! '

' How something is cracking inside me ! ' he said .

' Shall I never be able to get in there ?

it is certainly a very innocent wish , and our innocent wishes ought to be fulfilled .

I must get there , and lean against the stove , if I have to break the window first ! '

' You will never get inside there ! ' said the yard-dog ; ' and if you were to reach the stove you would disappear .

Bow-wow ! '

' I 'm as good as gone already ! ' answered the Snow-man .

' I believe I 'm breaking up ! '

' I can't stand it any longer ! ' he said .

' How beautiful it looks with its tongue stretched out like that ! '

the window would not open ; he couldn't see the stove which he thought was such a lovely lady .

there was a cracking and cracking inside him and all around ; there was just such a frost as a snow-man would delight in .

but this Snow-man was different : how could he feel happy ?

' Yours is a bad illness for a Snow-man ! ' said the yard-dog .

' I also suffered from it , but I have got over it .

Bow-wow ! ' he barked .

' The weather is going to change ! ' he added .

the weather did change .

there came a thaw .

when this set in the Snow-man set off .

he did not say anything , and he did not complain , and those are bad signs .

one morning he broke up altogether .

and lo ! where he had stood there remained a broomstick standing upright , round which the boys had built him !

' Ah ! now I understand why he loved the stove , ' said the yard-dog .

' That is the raker they use to clean out the stove !

the Snow-man had a stove-raker in his body !

that 's what was the matter with him !

and now it 's all over with him !

Bow-wow ! '

and before long it was all over with the winter too !

' Bow-wow ! ' barked the hoarse yard-dog .

but the young girl sang :

Woods , your bright green garments don !

Willows , your woolly gloves put on !

Lark and cuckoo , daily sing February has brought the spring !

my heart joins in your song so sweet ; Come out , dear sun , the world to greet !

and no one thought of the Snow-man .

the Shirt-collar

translated from the German of Hans Andersen .

' Hulloa ! ' said the shirt-collar , ' never before have I seen anything so slim and delicate , so elegant and pretty !

may I be permitted to ask your name ? '

' I shan't tell you , ' said the garter .

' Where is the place of your abode ? ' asked the shirt-collar .

but the garter was of a bashful disposition , and did not think it proper to answer .

' You ought not to speak to me ! ' said the garter ' ' I 'm sure I haven't given you any encouragement ! '

' When anyone is as beautiful as you , ' said the shirt-collar , ' is not that encouragement enough ? '

' Go away , don't come so close ! ' said the garter .

' You seem to be a gentleman ! '

that was not true ; it was his master who owned these things ; but he was a terrible boaster .

' Don't come so close , ' said the garter .

' I 'm not accustomed to such treatment ! '

' What affectation ! ' said the shirt-collar .

then came the glowing iron .

' Mistress widow ! ' said the shirt-collar , ' dear mistress widow !

I am becoming another man , all my creases are coming out ; you are burning a hole in me !

Ugh !

stop , I implore you ! '

' Rag ! ' it said .

the shirt-collar was rather frayed out at the edge , so the scissors came to cut off the threads .

' Oh ! ' said the shirt-collar , ' you must be a dancer !

how high you can kick !

that is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen !

no man can imitate you ! '

' I know that ! ' said the scissors .

' You ought to be a duchess ! ' said the shirt-collar .

' My worldly possessions consist of a fine gentleman , a boot-jack , and a hair-brush .

if only I had a duchy ! '

' What !

' Well , I shall have to propose to the hair-brush ! ' thought the shirt-collar .

' It is really wonderful what fine hair you have , madam !

have you never thought of marrying ? '

' Yes , that I have ! ' answered the hair-brush ; ' I 'm engaged to the boot-jack ! '

' Engaged ! ' exclaimed the shirt-collar .

and now there was no one he could marry , so he took to despising matrimony .

time passed , and the shirt-collar came in a rag-bag to the paper-mill .

they had all much to tell , but no one more than the shirt-collar , for he was a hopeless braggart .

' I have had a terrible number of love affairs ! ' he said .

' They give me no peace .

I was such a fine gentleman , so stiff with starch !

I had a boot-jack and a hair-brush , which I never used !

you should just have seen me then !

never shall I forget my first love !

she was a girdle , so delicate and soft and pretty !

she threw herself into a wash-tub for my sake !

then there was a widow , who glowed with love for me .

but I left her alone , till she became black .

then there was the dancer , who inflicted the wound which has caused me to be here now ; she was very violent !

my own hair-brush was in love with me , and lost all her hair in consequence .

I have much on my conscience ; it is high time for me to become white paper ! '

and so he did ! he became white paper , the very paper on which this story is printed .

and that was because he had boasted so terribly about things which were not true .

the Princess in the Chest

translated from the Danish .

from the very first they loved each other greatly , and lived very happily together , but they had no heir .

they had been married for seven years , but had neither son nor daughter , and that was a great grief to both of them .

this was hard to listen to , and she went and cried and vexed herself .

finally , the king said to her one day , ' This can't be borne any longer .

I go about childless , and it 's your fault .

I am going on a journey and shall be away for a year .

but if the nest is just as empty when I come home , then I must part with you . '

the wise woman knew help for this .

on that bush there are just at this moment three buds .

it was sweet to taste , but afterwards was as bitter as gall .

six months after this , she brought into the world a little girl .

this was a long time to wait .

the queen had also seen what the wise woman could do , so she insisted strongly that her warning should be obeyed .

I must see my daughter at once .

a few hours , more or less , can't make any difference . '

the queen begged him to have patience till the morning .

when they had waited so long , they could surely wait a single day more .

but the king was quite unreasonable .

he burst the door open , and pushed aside the nurse , who tried to stop him , and there he saw his daughter .

but you shall not die , even if you are ill now . '

the king kept his promise .

the first morning when they came to let the sentinel out , there was no sentinel there .

they thought he had just got frightened and run away , and next evening a new one was posted in the church .

in the morning he was also gone .

so it went every night .

the king then promised a large reward to the soldier who would volunteer for the post .

this did for some time , as there were found a few reckless fellows , who wished to earn this good payment .

but they never got it , for in the morning , they too had disappeared like the rest .

it was the capital of the country , and people of every king came to it to get work .

this smith , whose name was Christian , had come for that same purpose .

there was no work for him in the place he belonged to , and he wanted now to seek a place in the capital .

there he entered an inn where he sat down in the public room , and got something to eat .

some under-officers were sitting there , who were out to try to get some one enlisted to stand sentry .

they had to go in this way , day after day , and hitherto they had always succeeded in finding one or other reckless fellow .

but on this day they had , as yet , found no one .

these sat down beside Christian , and ordered drinks , and drank along with him .

he told these under-officers that he was one of that kind of folk who never are afraid of anything .

but neither did anyone know what had become of all the sentinels .

with that he felt as if he were rooted to the spot and could not move .

' Nowhere , ' said he .

Christian said , very humbly , that he dared not , and therefore wanted to get away , and begged to be let go .

the little man then pushed him in at the door again , and locked it after him .

Christian made haste to get up into the pulpit , and stood there , without noticing anything , until the clock struck twelve .

it shrieked and howled , ' Sentry , where are you ?

sentry , where are you ?

if you don't come , you shall get the most cruel death anyone had ever got . '

when the clock struck one , the appearance had to go back into the chest again , and Christian heard the lid slam after it .

after this there was dead silence in the church .

then he came down from the pulpit , and stood with his musket in front of the princess 's chest .

the king immediately got out of bed , and laid the hundred dollars for him on the table , and then wanted to question him .

' Have you seen anything ? ' said he .

' Have you seen my daughter ? '

the king professed to be quite satisfied , and asked him whether he would engage himself to stand on guard again the following night .

' No , thank you , ' said Christian , ' I will have no more of that ! '

you must be needing something to strengthen you after that turn . '

Christian needed no pressing , but did full justice both to the food and drink , and not least to the latter .

see whether she had eaten him !

before he had been there two hours , he got tired of it , and thought only of getting away .

there you shall stay till you hear the lid of the chest slam down over the dead .

in that way you will come to no harm . '

with that the little man shoved him in at the door , and locked it .

' Sentry , where are you ?

sentry , where are you ? ' it shrieked , and then rushed to the pulpit , and right up into it .

but there was no one there that night .

then it howled and shrieked again ,

my father has set no sentry in , War and Pest this night begin .

at the same moment , it noticed the smith standing in front of the altar , and came rushing towards him .

' Are you there ? ' it screamed ; ' now I 'll catch you . '

that night , however , it had not the same appearance as on the previous one ; it was less ugly .

he was taken up to the king again , and things went on as the day before .

the remainder of the day went like the previous one .

he played the boastful soldier , and the merry smith , and he had comrades and boon-companions in plenty .

at eight o'clock he had to put on his uniform again , and was shut up in the church .

so he decided to leave , without waiting so long as on the previous nights .

in that way he would escape the little man who had watched him before .

it was fairly high in the wall , but he got to the ground with no bones broken , and started to run .

he got down to the shore without meeting anyone , and there he got into a boat , and pushed off from land .

he laughed immensely to himself at the thought of how cleverly he had managed and how he had cheated the little man .

just then he heard a voice from the shore , ' Good evening , Christian , where are you going ? '

he gave no answer .

' To-night your legs will be too short , ' he thought , and pulled at the oars .

he could never get in at that window again , Christian said ; it was far too high up .

then he said to him : ' Notice well now what you have to do .

this evening you must stretch yourself out on the left-hand side of her chest .

the lid opens to the right , and she comes out to the left .

then she has no power over you , and both you and she are freed . '

sentry , where are you ? '

she went towards the altar , and right up to it , but there was no one there ; then she screamed again ,

my father has set no sentry in , War and Pest will now begin .

then she went round the whole church , both up and down , sighing and weeping ,

my father has set no sentry in , War and Pest will now begin .

then she went away again , and at the same moment the clock in the tower struck one .

then the smith heard in the church a soft music , which grew louder and louder , and soon filled the whole building .

he heard also a multitude of footsteps , as if the church was being filled with people .

the church was packed full , but he could see nothing .

when it was silent , the light of day began to break in through the windows .

the smith sprang up out of the chest and fell on his knees and thanked God .

she said further , that if he who had delivered her would take her in marriage , she would be his .

so they agreed that they would have each other , and love each other all their days .

and as for what Christian said he saw , he had been drinking more wine than was good for him .

the Three Brothers

translated from the German of the Brothers Grimm .

there was once a man who had three sons , and no other possessions beyond the house in which he lived .

the sons were quite satisfied .

the eldest wished to be a blacksmith , the second a barber , and the third a fencing-master .

they appointed a time when they were to return home , and then they all set out .

it so happened that each found a good master , where he learnt all that was necessary for his trade in the best possible way .

the blacksmith had to shoe the king 's horses , and thought to himself , ' Without doubt the house will be yours ! '

the barber shaved the best men in the kingdom , and he , too , made sure that the house would be his .

just then a hare came running across the field towards them .

' I like that very much indeed , ' said the father .

' Unless the others exert themselves to the utmost , the house will be yours . '

soon after they saw a man driving a carriage furiously towards them .

' You are a clever fellow ! ' said the father , ' and know your trade as well as your brother .

I really don't know to which of you I shall give the house . '

when the father saw this he was astonished , and said , ' You have produced the greatest masterpiece : the house is yours . '

and so , because they had all been so clever , and so fond of each other , they were all laid in one grave .

the Snow-queen

translated from the German of Hans Andersen by Miss Alma Alleyne .

there was once a dreadfully wicked hobgoblin .

that was the best part of it , said the hobgoblin .

but one day the looking-glass was dropped , and it broke into a million-billion and more pieces .

for every tiny splinter of the glass possessed the same power that the whole glass had .

some people got a splinter in their hearts , and that was dreadful , for then it began to turn into a lump of ice .

the hobgoblin laughed till his sides ached , but still the tiny bits of glass flew about .

and now we will hear all about it .

they were not brother and sister , but they loved each other just as much as if they were .

their parents lived opposite one another in two attics , and out on the leads they had put two boxes filled with flowers .

then they had splendid games .

his name was Kay , and hers was Gerda .

outside it was snowing fast .

' Those are the white bees swarming , ' said the old grandmother .

' Have they also a queen bee ? ' asked the little boy , for he knew that the real bees have one .

' To be sure , ' said the grandmother .

' She flies wherever they swarm the thickest .

she is larger than any of them , and never stays upon the earth , but flies again up into the black clouds .

' Yes , we have seen that , ' said both children ; they knew that it was true .

' Can the Snow-queen come in here ? ' asked the little girl .

' Just let her ! ' cried the boy , ' I would put her on the stove , and melt her ! '

but the grandmother stroked his hair , and told some more stories .

a few snow-flakes were falling outside , and one of the , the largest , lay on the edge of one of the window-boxes .

the snow-flake grew larger and larger till it took the form of a maiden , dressed in finest white gauze .

she was so beautiful and dainty , but all of ice , hard bright ice .

still she was alive ; her eyes glittered like two clear stars , but there was no rest or peace in them .

she nodded at the window , and beckoned with her hand .

the little boy was frightened , and sprang down from the chair .

it seemed as if a great white bird had flown past the window .

the next day there was a harder frost than before .

then came the spring , then the summer , when the roses grew and smelt more beautifully than ever .

' I think it is gone now , ' said he ; but it had not gone .

and poor Kay had also a splinter in his heart , and it began to change into a lump of ice .

it did not hurt him at all , but the splinter was there all the same .

' Why are you crying ? ' he asked ; ' it makes you look so ugly !

there 's nothing the matter with me .

just look ! that rose is all slug-eaten , and this one is stunted !

what ugly roses they are ! '

and he began to pull them to pieces .

' Kay , what are you doing ? ' cried the little girl .

this he did very well , and everybody laughed .

very soon he could imitate the way all the people in the street walked and talked .

his games were now quite different .

on a winter 's day he would take a burning glass and hold it out on his blue coat and let the snow-flakes fall on it .

' Look in the glass , Gerda !

just see how regular they are !

they are much more interesting than real flowers .

each is perfect ; they are all made according to rule .

if only they did not melt ! '

one morning Kay came out with his warm gloves on , and his little sledge hung over his shoulder .

he shouted to Gerda , ' I am going to the market-place to play with the other boys , ' and away he went .

the sledge drove twice round the square , and Kay fastened his little sledge behind it and drove off .

it went quicker and quicker into the next street .

the driver turned round , and nodded to Kay ina friendly way as if they had known each other before .

every time that Kay tried to unfasten his sledge the driver nodded again , and Kay sat still once more .

then he cried out , but nobody heard him .

he was dreadfully frightened .

the snowflakes grew larger and larger till they looked like great white birds .

all at once they flew aside , the large sledge stood still , and the figure who was driving stood up .

the fur cloak and cap were all of snow .

it was a lady , tall and slim , and glittering .

it was the Snow-queen .

' We have come at a good rate , ' she said ; ' but you are almost frozen .

creep in under my cloak . '

and she set him close to her in the sledge and drew the cloak over him .

he felt as though he were sinking into a snow-drift .

' Are you cold now ? ' she asked , and kissed his forehead .

the kiss was cold as ice and reached down to his heart , which was already half a lump of ice .

' My sledge !

don't forget my sledge ! '

the Snow-queen kissed Kay again , and then he forgot all about little Gerda , his grandmother , and everybody at home .

' Now I must not kiss you any more , ' she said , ' or else I should kiss you to death . '

then away they flew over forests and lakes , over sea and land .

Round them whistled the cold wind , the wolves howled , and the snow hissed ; over them flew the black shrieking crows .

but high up the moon shone large and bright , and thus Kay passed the long winter night .

in the day he slept at the Snow-queen 's feet .

but what happened to little Gerda when Kay did not come back ?

what had become of him ?

nobody knew .

the other boys told how they had seen him fasten his sledge on to a large one which had driven out of the town gate .

Gerda cried a great deal .

the winter was long and dark to her .

then the spring came with warm sunshine .

' I will go and look for Kay , ' said Gerda .

so she went down to the river and got into a little boat that was there .

presently the stream began to carry it away .

' Perhaps the river will take me to Kay , ' thought Gerda .

before the door stood two wooden soldiers , who were shouldering arms .

Gerda called to them , but they naturally did not answer .

the river carried the boat on to the land .

Gerda called out still louder , and there came out of the house a very old woman .

she leant upon a crutch , and she wore a large sun-hat which was painted with the most beautiful flowers .

' You poor little girl ! ' said the old woman .

and then she stepped into the water , brought the boat in close with her crutch , and lifted little Gerda out .

' And now come and tell me who you are , and how you came here , ' she said .

then Gerda told her everything , and asked her if she had seen Kay .

but she said he had not passed that way yet , but he would soon come .

she then took Gerda 's hand and led her into the little house and shut the door .

the beautiful sunny hair rippled and shone round the dear little face , which was so soft and sweet .

then she led Gerda out into the garden .

how glorious it was , and what lovely scents filled the air !

all the flowers you can think of blossomed there all the year round .

the next day she played again with the flowers in the warm sunshine , and so many days passed by .

she was looking one day at the old woman 's sun-hat which had hte painted flowers on it , and there she saw a rose .

Gerda kissed the roses and thought of the lovely roses at home , and with them came the thought of little Kay .

' Oh , what have I been doing ! ' said the little girl .

' I wanted to look for Kay . '

she ran to the end of the garden .

the gate was shut , but she pushed against the rusty lock so that it came open .

she ran out with her little bare feet .

no one came after her .

at last she could not run any longer , and she sat down on a large stone .

when she looked round she saw that the summer was over ; it was late autumn .

it had not changed in the beautiful garden , where were sunshine and flowers all the year round .

' Oh , dear , how late I have made myself ! ' said Gerda .

' It 's autumn already !

I cannot rest ! '

and she sprang up to run on .

oh , how tired and sore her little feet grew , and it became colder and colder .

she had to rest again , and there on the snow in front of her was a large crow .

then it asked the little girl why she was alone in the world .

she told the crow her story , and asked if he had seen Kay .

the crow nodded very thoughtfully and said , ' It might be !

it might be ! '

' What !

do you think you have ? ' cried the little girl , and she almost squeezed the crow to death as she kissed him .

' Gently , gently ! ' said the crow .

' I think I know I think it might be little Kay , but now he has forgotten you for the princess ! '

' Does he live with a princess ? ' asked Gerda .

' Yes , listen , ' said the crow .

then he told her all he knew .

' In the kingdom in which we are now sitting lives a princess who is dreadfully clever .

she has read all the newspapers in the world and has forgotten them again .

she is as clever as that .

the other day she came to the throne , and that is not so pleasant as people think .

then she began to say , " why should I not marry ? "

' When she told all the Court ladies , they were delighted .

of course his sweetheart was a crow .

indeed , ' said the crow , ' you can quite believe me .

it is as true as that I am sitting here .

' Young men came in streams , and there was such a crowding and a mixing together !

but nothing came of it on the first nor on the second day .

it seemed as if they were walking in their sleep until they came out into the street again , when they could speak once more .

there was a row stretching from the gate of the town up to the castle .

' They were hungry and thirsty , but in the palace they did not even get a glass of water .

' But what about Kay ? ' asked Gerda .

' When did he come ?

was he in the crowd ? '

' Wait a bit ; we are coming to him !

on the third day a little figure came without horse or carriage and walked jauntily up to the palace .

his eyes shone as yours do ; he had lovely curling hair , but quite poor clothes . '

' That was Kay ! ' cried Gerda with delight .

' Oh , then I have found him ! ' and she clapped her hands .

' He had a little bundle on his back , ' said the crow .

' No , it must have been his skates , for he went away with his skates ! '

' Very likely , ' said the crow , ' I did not see for certain .

he nodded to them , saying , " it must be rather dull standing on the stairs ; I would rather go inside ! "

' The halls blazed with lights ; councillors and ambassadors were walking about in noiseless shoes carrying gold dishes .

it was enough to make one nervous !

his boots creaked dreadfully loud , but he was not frightened . '

' That must be Kay ! ' said Gerda .

' I know he had new boots on ; I have heard them creaking in his grandmother 's room ! '

' They did creak , certainly ! ' said the crow .

all the ladies-in-waiting were standing round , each with their attendants , and the lords-in-waiting with their attendants .

the nearer they stood to the door the prouder they were . '

' It must have been dreadful ! ' said little Gerda .

' And Kay did win the princess ? '

and the end of it was that they fell in love with each other . '

' Oh , yes ; that was Kay ! ' said Gerda .

' He was so clever ; he could do sums with fractions .

oh , do lead me to the palace ! '

' That 's easily said ! ' answered the crow , ' but how are we to manage that ?

I must talk it over with my tame sweetheart .

' Yes , I will get it ! ' said Gerda .

' When Kay hears that I am there he will come out at once and fetch me ! '

' Wait for me by the railings , ' said the crow , and he nodded his head and flew away .

it was late in the evening when he came back .

she took it out of the kitchen ; there 's plenty there , and you must be hungry .

you cannot come into the palace .

the guards in silver and the footmen in gold would not allow it .

but don't cry !

you shall get in all right .

my sweetheart knows a little back-stairs which leads to the sleeping-room , and she knows where to find the key . '

oh , how Gerda 's heart beat with anxiety and longing !

it seemed as if she were going to do something wrong , but she only wanted to know if it were little Kay .

yes , it must be he !

she remembered so well his clever eyes , his curly hair .

she could see him smiling as he did when they were at home under the rose trees !

he would be so pleased to see her , and to hear how they all were at home .

now they were on the stairs ; a little lamp was burning , and on the landing stood the tame crow .

she put her head on one side and looked at Gerda , who bowed as her grandmother had taught her .

' My betrothed has told me many nice things about you , my dear young lady , ' she said .

' Will you take the lamp while I go in front ?

we go this way so as to meet no one . '

through beautiful rooms they came to the sleeping-room .

she pushed aside the curtain , and saw a brown neck .

oh , it was Kay !

she called his name out loud , holding the lamp towards him .

he woke up , turned his head and it was not Kay !

it was only his neck that was like Kay 's , but he was young and handsome .

the princess sat up in her lily-bed and asked who was there .

then Gerda cried , and told her story and all that the crows had done .

now they should have a reward .

and both crows bowed and asked for a permanent appointment , for they thought of their old age .

the next day she was dressed from head to foot in silk and satin .

the prince and princess helped her into the carriage and wished her good luck .

' Good-bye , good-bye ! ' called the prince and princess ; and little Gerda cried , and the crow cried .

they came at last to a dark wood , but the coach lit it up like a torch .

when the robbers saw it , they rushed out , exclaiming , ' Gold ! gold ! '

they seized the horses , killed the coachman , footmen and postilions , and dragged Gerda out of the carriage .

' She is plump and tender !

I will eat her ! ' said the old robber-queen , and she drew her long knife , which glittered horribly .

' You shall not kill her ! ' cried her little daughter .

' She shall play with me .

she shall give me her muff and her beautiful dress , and she shall sleep in my bed . '

the little robber-girl was as big as Gerda , but was stronger , broader , with dark hair and black eyes .

she threw her arms round Gerda and said , ' They shall not kill you , so long as you are not naughty .

aren't you a princess ? '

' No , ' said Gerda , and she told all that had happened to her , and how dearly she loved little Kay .

and she dried Gerda 's eyes , and stuck both her hands in the beautiful warm muff .

the little robber-girl took Gerda to a corner of the robbers ' camp where she slept .

all round were more than a hundred wood-pigeons which seemed to be asleep , but they moved a little when the two girls came up .

there was also , near by , a reindeer which the robber-girl teased by tickling it with her long sharp knife .

Gerda lay awake for some time .

' Coo , coo ! ' said the wood-pigeons .

' We have seen little Kay .

she breathed on them , and all except we two died .

coo , coo ! '

' What are you saying over there ? ' cried Gerda .

' Where was the Snow-queen going to ?

do you know at all ? '

' She was probably travelling to Lapland , where there is always ice and snow .

ask the reindeer . '

' There is capital ice and snow there ! ' said the reindeer .

' One can jump about there in the great sparkling valleys .

there the Snow-queen has her summer palace , but her best palace is up by the North Pole , on the island called Spitzbergen . '

' O Kay , my little Kay ! ' sobbed Gerda .

' You must lie still , ' said the little robber-girl , ' or else I shall stick my knife into you ! '

in the morning Gerda told her all that the wood-pigeons had said .

she nodded .

' Do you know where Lapland is ? ' she asked the reindeer .

' Who should know better than I ? ' said the beast , and his eyes sparkled .

' I was born and bred there on the snow-fields . '

but you must go quickly and carry this little girl to the Snow-queen 's palace , where her playfellow is .

you must have heard all that she told about it , for she spoke loud enough ! '

the reindeer sprang high for joy .

but , so that you may not freeze , here are my mother 's great fur gloves ; they will come up to your elbows .

creep into them ! '

and Gerda cried for joy .

' Don't make such faces ! ' said the little robber-girl .

' You must look very happy .

and here are two loaves and a sausage ; now you won't be hungry ! '

but take great care of the little girl . '

and Gerda stretched out her hands with the large fur gloves towards the little robber-girl and said , ' Good-bye ! '

then the reindeer flew over the ground , through the great forest , as fast as he could .

the wolves howled , the ravens screamed , the sky seemed on fire .

' Those are my dear old northern lights , ' said the reindeer ; ' see how they shine ! '

and then he ran faster still , day and night .

the loaves were eaten , and the sausage also , and then they came to Lapland .

there was no one in the house except an old Lapland woman who was cooking fish over an oil-lamp .

' Ah , you poor creatures ! ' said the Lapland woman ; ' you have still further to go !

you must go over a hundred miles into Finland , for there the Snow-queen lives , and every night she burns Bengal lights .

she laid a piece of ice on the reindeer 's head , and then read what was written on the stock-fish .

then the reindeer told his story , and afterwards little Gerda 's and the Finland woman blinked her eyes but said nothing .

' You are very clever , ' said the reindeer .

' I know .

cannot you give the little girl a drink so that she may have the strength of twelve men and overcome the Snow-queen ? '

' The strength of twelve men ! ' said the Finland woman ; ' that would not help much .

Little Kay is with the Snow-queen and he likes everything there very much and thinks it the best place in the world .

but that is because he has a splinter of glass in his heart and a bit in his eye .

if these do not come out , he will never be free , and the Snow-queen will keep her power over him . '

' But cannot you give little Gerda something so that she can have power over her ? '

' I can give her no greater power than she has already ; don't you see how great it is ?

don't you see how men and beasts must help her when she wanders into the wide world with her bare feet ?

she is powerful already , because she is a dear little innocent child .

if she cannot by herself conquer the Snow-queen and take away the glass splinters from little Kay , we cannot help her !

the Snow-queen 's garden begins two miles from here .

you can carry the little maiden so far ; put her down by the large bush with red berries growing in the snow .

then you must come back here as fast as you can . '

then the Finland woman lifted little Gerda on the reindeer and away he sped .

' Oh , I have left my gloves and boots behind ! ' cried Gerda .

she missed them in the piercing cold , but the reindeer did not dare to stop .

on he ran till he came to the bush with red berries .

then he set Gerda down and kissed her mouth , and great big tears ran down his cheeks , and then he ran back .

there stood poor Gerda , without shoes or gloves in the middle of the bitter cold of Finland .

she ran on as fast as she could .

a regiment of gigantic snowflakes came against her , but they melted when they touched her , and she went on with fresh courage .

and now we must see what Kay was doing .

he was not thinking of Gerda , and never dreamt that she was standing outside the palace .

the walls of the palace were built of driven snow , and the doors and windows of piercing winds .

there were more than a hundred halls in it all of frozen snow .

here the Snow-queen used to sit when she was at home .

he was pulling about some sharp , flat pieces of ice , and trying to fit one into the other .

he thought each was most beautiful , but that was because of the splinter of glass in his eye .

he fitted them into a great many shapes , but he wanted to make them spell the word ' Love . '

the Snow-queen had said , ' If you can spell out that word you shalt be your own master .

I will give you the whole world and a new pair of skates . '

but he could not do it .

' Now I must fly to warmer countries , ' said the Snow-queen .

' I must go and powder my black kettles ! '

( this was what she called Mount Etna and Mount Vesuvius . )

' It does the lemons and grapes good . '

and off she flew , and Kay sat alone in the great hall trying to do his puzzle .

he sat so still that you would have thought he was frozen .

then it happened that little Gerda stepped into the hall .

the biting cold winds became quiet as if they had fallen asleep when she appeared in the great , empty , freezing hall .

I have found you at last ! '

but he sat quite still and cold .

then Gerda wept hot tears which fell on his neck and thawed his heart and swept away the bit of the looking-glass .

he looked at her and then he burst into tears .

where have you been so long ? and where have I been ? '

and he looked round him .

' How cold it is here !

how wide and empty ! ' and he threw himself on Gerda , and she laughed and wept for joy .

the Snow-queen might come home now ; his release the word ' Love ' stood written in sparkling ice .

when they reached the bush with red berries there stood the reindeer waiting for them .

then they went to the Lapland woman , who gave them new clothes and mended their sleigh .

the reindeer ran with them until they came to the green fields fresh with the spring green .

here he said good-bye .

it was the little robber girl who was tired of being at home and wanted to go out into the world .

she and Gerda knew each other at once .

' You are a nice fellow ! ' she said to Kay .

' I should like to know if you deserve to be run all over the world ! '

but Gerda patted her cheeks and asked after the prince and princess .

' They are travelling about , ' said the robber girl .

' And the crow ? ' asked Gerda .

' Oh , the crow is dead ! ' answered the robber-girl .

' His tame sweetheart is a widow and hops about with a bit of black crape round her leg .

she makes a great fuss , but that 's all nonsense .

but tell me what happened to you , and how you caught him . '

and Kay and Gerda told her all .

then she rode on .

but Gerda and Kay went home hand in hand .

there they found the grandmother and everything just as it had been , but when they went through the doorway they found they were grown-up .

there were the roses on the leads ; it was summer , warm , glorious summer .

the Fir-tree

translated from the German of Hans Christian Andersen .

there was once a pretty little fir-tree in a wood .

the tree did not like that at all .

but when two more winters had passed the fir-tree was so tall that the hare had to run round it .

but then they were laid on waggons and dragged out of the wood by horses .

' Where are they going ?

what will happen to them ? '

in spring , when the swallows and storks came , the fir-tree asked them , ' Do you know where they were taken ?

have you met them ? '

the swallows knew nothing of them , but the stork nodded his head thoughtfully , saying , ' I think I know .

I met many new ships as I flew from Egypt ; there were splendid masts on the ships .

I 'll wager those were they !

they had the scent of fir-trees .

ah ! those are grand , grand ! '

' Oh ! if I were only big enough to sail away over the sea too !

what sort of thing is the sea ? what does it look like ? '

' Oh ! it would take much too long to tell you all that , ' said the stork , and off he went .

and the wind kissed it and the dew wept tears over it , but the fir-tree did not understand .

why do they keep their branches ?

where are they taken to ? '

' We know ! we know ! ' twittered the sparrows .

' Down there in the city we have peeped in at the windows , we know where they go !

they attain to the greatest splendour and magnificence you can imagine !

' And then ? ' asked the fir-tree , trembling in every limb with eagerness , ' and then ? what happens then ? '

' Oh , we haven't seen anything more than that .

that was simply matchless ! '

' Am I too destined to the same brilliant career ? ' wondered the fir-tree excitedly .

' That is even better than sailing over the sea !

I am sick with longing .

if it were only Christmas !

now I am tall and grown-up like those which were taken away last year .

ah , if I were only in the cart !

if I were only in the warm room with all the splendour and magnificence !

and then ?

then comes something better , something still more beautiful , else why should they dress us up ?

there must be something greater , something grander to come but what ?

oh !

I am pining away !

I really don't know what 's the matter with me ! '

' Rejoice in us , ' said the air and sunshine , ' rejoice in your fresh youth in the free air ! '

and at Christmas-time it was the first to be cut down .

the axe went deep into the pith ; the tree fell to the ground with a groan ; it felt bruised and faint .

altogether the parting was not pleasant .

then came two footmen in livery and carried the fir-tree to a large and beautiful room .

how the tree trembled !

what was coming now ?

' To-night , ' they all said , ' to-night it will be lighted ! '

' Ah ! ' thought the tree , ' if it were only evening !

then the tapers would soon be lighted .

what will happen then ?

I wonder whether the trees will come from the wood to see me , or if the sparrows will fly against the window panes ?

am I to stand here decked out thus through winter and summer ? '

now the tapers were lighted .

what a glitter !

what splendour !

the tree quivered in all its branches so much , that one of the candles caught the green , and singed it .

' Take care ! ' cried the young ladies , and they extinguished it .

now the tree did not even dare to quiver .

it was really terrible !

it was so afraid of losing any of its ornaments , and it was quite bewildered by all the radiance .

' What are they doing ? ' thought the tree .

' What is going to happen ? '

but I am only going to tell one story .

shall it be Henny Penny or Humpty Dumpty who fell downstairs , and yet gained great honour and married a princess ? '

' Henny Penny ! ' cried some ; ' Humpty Dumpty ! ' cried others ; there was a perfect babel of voices !

only the fir-tree kept silent , and thought , ' Am I not to be in it ?

am I to have nothing to do with it ? '

but it had already been in it , and played out its part .

and the man told them about Humpty Dumpty who fell downstairs and married a princess .

the children clapped their hands and cried , ' Another ! another ! '

they wanted the story of Henny Penny also , but they only got Humpty Dumpty .

the fir-tree stood quite astonished and thoughtful ; the birds in the wood had never related anything like that .

' Well , who knows ?

perhaps I shall fall downstairs and marry a princess . '

and it rejoiced to think that next day it would be decked out again with candles , toys , glittering ornaments , and fruits .

' To-morrow I shall quiver again with excitement .

I shall enjoy to the full all my splendour .

To-morrow I shall hear Humpty Dumpty again , and perhaps Henny Penny too . '

and the tree stood silent and lost in thought all through the night .

next morning the servants came in .

' Now the dressing up will begin again , ' thought the tree .

' What does this mean ? ' thought the tree .

' What am I to do here ?

what is there for me to hear ? '

and it leant against the wall , and thought and thought .

now the tree was quite covered ; it seemed as if it had been quite forgotten .

' Now it is winter out-doors , ' thought the fir-tree .

how thoughtful they are !

only I wish it were not so terribly dark and lonely here ; not even a little hare !

it 's so dreadfully lonely up here . '

' Squeak , squeak ! ' said a little mouse , stealing out , followed by a second .

they sniffed at the fir-tree , and then crept between its boughs .

' It 's frightfully cold , ' said the little mice .

' How nice it is to be here !

don't you think so too , you old fir-tree ? '

' I 'm not at all old , ' said the tree ; ' there are many much older than I am . '

' Where do you come from ? ' asked the mice , ' and what do you know ? '

they were extremely inquisitive .

' Do tell us about the most beautiful place in the world .

is that where you come from ?

' I know nothing about that , ' said the tree .

' But I know the wood , where the sun shines , and the birds sing . '

how lucky you have been ! '

' I ? ' said the fir-tree , and then it thought over what it had told them .

' Yes , on the whole those were very happy times . '

but then it went on to tell them about Christmas Eve , when it had been adorned with sweet-meats and tapers .

' Oh ! ' said the little mice , ' how lucky you have been , you old fir-tree ! '

' I 'm not at all old ' said the tree .

' I only came from the wood this winter .

I am only a little backward , perhaps , in my growth . '

' How beautifully you tell stories ! ' said the little mice .

but they may come again .

Humpty dumpty fell downstairs , and yet he married a princess ; perhaps I shall also marry a princess ! '

' Who is Humpty Dumpty ? ' asked the little mice .

' Is that the only story you know ? ' asked the rats .

' The only one , ' answered the tree .

' I heard that on my happiest evening , but I did not realise then how happy I was . '

' That 's a very poor story .

don't you know one about bacon or tallow candles ? a storeroom story ? '

' No , ' said the tree .

' Then we are much obliged to you , ' said the rats , and they went back to their friends .

but now that 's over too .

but now I will think of the time when I shall be brought out again , to keep up my spirits . '

but when did that happen ?

' Now life begins again ! ' thought the tree .

it felt the fresh air , the first rays of the sun , and there it was out in the yard !

everything passed so quickly ; the tree quite forgot to notice itself , there was so much to look at all around .

the golden star was still on its highest bough , and it glittered in the bright sunlight .

in the yard some of the merry children were playing , who had danced so gaily round the tree at Christmas .

one of the little ones ran up , and tore off the gold star .

' Too late !

too late ! ' thought the old tree .

' If only I had enjoyed myself whilst I could .

now all is over and gone . '

and that 's the way with all stories !

here our Danish author ends .

this is what people call sentiment , and I hope you enjoy it !

Hans , the Mermaid 's Son

translated from the Danish .

in a village there once lived a smith called Basmus , who was in a very poor way .

there was nothing the matter with him , and he complained neither of hunger or thirst .

he had got into a fog , he said , and could not find land again .

in those days everyone took what they found and got leave to keep it , so that the smith grew more prosperous day by day .

' Will you have a bite of bread ? ' said the smith .

' Oh , yes , ' said Hans , for that was his name .

the smith then told his wife to cut a piece of bread for him .

she did so , and the boy swallowed it at one mouthful and went out again to the smithy to his father .

' Have you got all you can eat ? ' said the smith .

' No , ' said Hans , ' that was just a little bit . '

in a while the boy came out to the smithy again .

' Well , have you got as much as you can eat ? ' said the smith .

' It must be of iron , ' said he , ' and one that can hold out . '

then the smith came dragging one as thick as a waggon-pole , but Hans bent it over his knee and broke it like a straw .

when Hans had got this he said , ' Many thanks , father ; now I have got my inheritance . '

Hans first arrived at a large estate , and it so happened that the squire himself was standing outside the farmyard .

' Where are you going ? ' said the squire .

it was arranged that he should have a pot to himself , and he could then use the ladle to take his food with .

he slept both well and long , and all the rest were up and at their work while he was still sleeping soundly .

' Get up , Hans , ' he cried ; ' you are sleeping too long . '

Hans woke up and rubbed his eyes .

' Yes , that 's true , ' he said , ' I must get up and have my breakfast . '

he was to thresh that day , said the squire ; the other twelve men were already busy at it .

there were twelve threshing-floors , and the twelve men were at work on six of them two on each .

Hans must thresh by himself all that was lying upon the other six floors .

he went out to the barn and got hold of a flail .

he then looked round for something else to work with , and found a pair of strong beams lying near .

next he caught sight of a horse-hide nailed up on the barn-door .

with the beams he made a flail , using the skin to tie them together .

the one beam he used as a handle , and the other to strike with , and now that was all right .

but the barn was too low , there was no room to swing the flail , and the floors were too small .

he then emptied down all the corn that he could lay his hands on and threshed away .

the squire opened his eyes at this announcement ; and came out to see if it was really true .

it was true , sure enough , but he was scarcely delighted with the mixed grain that he got from all his crops .

' What does that mean ? ' asked Hans .

Hans began to take up a little and sift it in his hands , but he soon saw that this would never do .

then he reported to the squire that that job also was done .

the squire said that that was well ; there was nothing more for him to do that day .

so Hans had no objections to make .

long before the sun was up next morning , all the twelve men were on foot .

they took all the best horses and carts , and drove off to the forest .

Hans , however , lay and slept on , and the squire said , ' Just let him lie . '

at last , Hans thought it was time to have his breakfast , so he got up and put on his clothes .

he took plenty of time to his breakfast , and then went out to get his horse and cart ready .

he therefore laid down the axe , put his arms round the tree , and pulled it up by the roots .

' What ! ' said Hans , ' can twelve men not move that stone ? '

the squire was walking about there , looking and looking , for he was very curious to know what had happened .

at length the other men came home with their loads .

when they came in , Hans said to them , ' Do you remember the bargain we made last night ?

which of you is it that 's going to be hanged ? '

' Oh , ' said they , ' that was only a joke ; it didn't mean anything . '

' Oh well , it doesn't matter , ' said Hans , and there was no more about it .

the steward said that he would manage this all right .

next morning they were to clean the well , and they would use of that opportunity .

after that they could just fill in the well , and then escape being at any expense for his funeral .

but Hans was hard to kill , as we shall see .

' Get up , Hans , you are sleeping too long , ' he cried .

Hans woke up and rubbed his eyes .

' That 's so , ' said he , ' I shall rise and have my breakfast . '

he got up then and dressed himself , while the breakfast stood waiting for him .

when he had finished the whole of this , he asked what he was to do that day .

he was told to help the other men to clean out the well .

that was all right , and he went out and found the other men waiting for him .

they answered that they would rather stay above-ground , as there would be no room for so many of them down in the well .

they then saw that they could not kill him with little stones , but they had still the big one left .

the whole twelve of them set to work with poles and rollers and rolled the big mill-stone to the brink of the well .

at this , Hans would stay down no longer .

he would not be their priest , he said ; he had too little learning for that .

saying this , he bent down his head and shook the stone off , so that it crushed one of the squire 's big toes .

the squire went limping in to his wife , and the steward was sent for .

he was told that he must devise some plan for getting rid of this terrible person .

the scheme he had devised before had been of no use , and now good counsel was scarce .

' Oh , no ' said the steward , ' there are good enough ways yet .

meanwhile , Hans could do a little job where he would be free from these rascals .

he should go out on the lake and fish there that night , and would then be free from all work on the following day .

I can't do with less than that . '

there he got into the boat , rowed out upon the lake , and got everything ready to fish .

old Eric hasn't taken him .

I am certain that all the fish are out of the lake , for the yard is just filled with them . '

' Willingly , ' said Hans ; ' but what road do I go , to get there ? '

the squire stood , and did not know what to say , and had first to go in to his wife to ask her .

whether he gets there or not , we shall be quit of him . '

Out goes the squire again to Hans .

' The way lies straight forward , south through the wood , ' said he .

he tied all these up together , and got them on his shoulder hanging on his good walking-stick , and off he tramped southward .

as he sat there and took his bite , a man came riding past him .

' Where are you from ? ' said Hans .

' From Purgatory , ' said the man .

this brought it down on its hind legs , and the man went flying over its head into a ditch .

' Just wait a little , ' said Hans ; ' I am going the same way . '

there both horse and rider disappeared , and Hans was left alone outside .

' They will come and let me in presently , ' he thought to himself ; but no one came .

he hammered at the gate ; still no one appeared .

then he got tired of waiting , and smashed at the gate with his staff until he knocked it in pieces and got inside .

a whole troop of little demons came down upon him and asked what he wanted .

his master 's compliments , said Hans , and he wanted three years ' tribute .

they told him that a messenger had come from the squire at Devilmoss to demand three years ' tribute .

he had knocked the gate to pieces and bruised their arms and legs with his iron staff .

' Give him three years ' ! give him ten ! ' shouted Old Eric , ' only don't let him come near me . '

so all the little demons came dragging so much silver and gold that it was something awful .

but Hans was also tired of service now .

the other half he took home to his father the smith in Furreby .

since that time no one has ever seen Hans , the Mermaid 's son .

Peter Bull

from the Danish .

there once lived in Denmark a peasant and his wife who owned a very good farm , but had no children .

they often lamented to each other that they had no one of their own to inherit all the wealth that they possessed .

they continued to prosper , and became rich people , but there was no heir to it all .

one year it happened that they owned a pretty little bull-calf , which they called Peter .

you might at least ask him about it . '

it will also cost you something , as some very expensive books are required . '

that did not matter at all , the man said ; they would not care so very much what it cost .

the clerk could have a hundred dollars to begin with to buy the books .

he also promised to tell no one about it , and to bring the calf round in the evening .

in a week 's time he came back to the clerk to hear about the calf and see how it was thriving .

he was getting on well with his learning , but another hundred dollars were needed , as they must have more books .

the peasant had the money with him , so he gave it to the clerk , and went home again with high hopes .

in another week the man came again to learn what progress Peter had made now .

' He is getting on very well , ' said the clerk .

' I suppose he can't say anything yet ? ' said the man .

' Oh , yes , ' said the clerk , ' he can say " Moo " now . '

' Do you think he will get on with his learning ? ' asked the peasant .

' Oh , yes , ' said the clerk , ' but I shall want another hundred dollars for books .

Peter can't learn well out of the ones that he has got . '

' Well , well , ' said the man , ' what must be spent shall be spent . '

so he gave the clerk the third hundred dollars for books , and a cask of good old ale for Peter .

the clerk drank the ale himself , and gave the calf milk , which he thought would be better for it .

meanwhile the clerk decided that the calf was as fat as it could be , so he killed it .

as soon as he had said ' Good-day ' he asked , ' Has Peter come home here ? '

' No , indeed , he hasn't , ' said the man ; ' surely he hasn't run away ? '

he could say anything he liked now , so he said to-day that he longed to see his parents again .

when we had got outside the house I remembered that I had left my stick inside , and went in again to get it .

when I came out again Peter had gone off on his own account .

I thought he would be here , and if he isn't I don't know where he is . '

the worst of it was that now they had no heir after all .

perhaps he had only gone astray , and he would advertise him at church next Sunday , and find out where anyone had seen him .

then he bade them ' Good-bye , ' and went home nad dined on a good fat veal roast .

he put the newspaper in his pocket , and went round to the sorrowing couple who had lost their heir .

he read the paragraph to them , and added , ' I wonder , now , whether that could be your bull-calf Peter ? '

' Yes , of course it is , ' said the man ; ' who else would it be ? '

it was no short way , and he travelled for many days before he finally arrived there .

he reached it one morning , just at daybreak , found out the right place , and asked if the merchant was at home .

yes , he was , said the people , but he was not up yet .

' That doesn't matter , ' said the peasant , ' for I am his father .

just show me up to his bedroom . '

the peasant rushed straight up to him and took a firm hold of him .

get up , now , so that I can see you properly , and have a talk with you . '

the merchant thought that it was a lunatic who had made his way in to him , and thought it best to take things quietly .

' All right , ' said he , ' I shall do so at once . '

he got out of bed and made haste to dress himself .

' Ay , ' said the peasant , ' now I can see how clever our clerk is .

he has done well by you , for now you look just like a human being .

' No , ' said the merchant , ' I can't find time just now .

I have a big business to look after . '

' You could have the farm at once , you know , ' said the peasant , ' and we old people would retire .

but if you would rather stay in business , of course you may do so .

are you in want of anything ? '

' Oh , yes , ' said the merchant ; ' I want nothing so much as money .

a merchant has always a use for that . '

' I can well believe that , ' said the peasant , ' for you had nothing at all to start with .

I have brought some with me for that very end . '

with that he emptied his bag of money out upon the table , so that it was all covered with bright dollars .

' Very well , ' said the peasant , ' but you must call me " father . " '

' I have neither father nor mother alive , ' said Peter Bull .

she was delighted to hear that it was true enough about Peter Bull that he was no other than their own bull-calf .

the man agreed with this , and thanked the clerk for all he had done , and gave him two hundred dollars .

then he sold the farm , and removed with his wife to the town where their dear son and heir was living .

to him they gave all their wealth , and lived with him till their dying day .

the Bird ' Grip '

translated from the Swedish .

the blind king was greatly rejoiced at his son 's resolve , fitted him out in the best way he could , and let him go .

the king granted his request , and fitted him out in the finest fashion .

this prince also was fitted out in the finest manner , like his brothers , and so rode away .

he then said farewell to his brothers , and rode on to find another inn in which to pass the night .

he sprang up from the table and asked the girl what those cries were , and whether he had fallen into a den of robbers .

the prince answered that his errand was too important to be confided to everyone that he met .

when they had traversed the forest together they saw the castle at some distance .

he could then take the bird , but he must beware of stroking it ; otherwise it would go ill with him .

the prince took the grains of gold , and promised to follow the fox 's directions faithfully .

when he came to the guard-room of the castle he threw one of the grains in there , and the guards at once fell asleep .

at this the whole castle woke up , and the prince was taken prisoner .

to this also the prince said ' Yes . '

at the same time he strictly warned him not to kiss the princess .

then both she and all the others in the castle woke ; the prince was taken prisoner , and put into a strong dungeon .

to this also the prince said ' Yes . '

when he had gone a little way from the castle he met the fox , and they continued on their journey together .

the prince promised to be firm this time .

this recalled to him his promise and his danger , so he led out the horse without looking at the golden saddle again .

' I know that , ' said the fox , ' for it was I who struck you over the arm . '

the prince was quite ready , and promised to keep better command of himself this time , and not kiss her .

when they came near to the castle where the bird Grip sat in his cage he again asked the fox for three grains of gold .

these he got , and with them he was successful in carrying off the bird .

' Here our ways part , ' said the fox .

they soon arrived at the inn where the two eldest brothers had stayed , forgetting their errand .

but now no merry song or noise of mirth was heard from it .

then they set the princess on horseback , took the bird Grip , and rode homeward .

when they arrived at their father 's palace there was great rejoicing , and everyone praised the two princes for their courage and bravery .

nor was the fox angry with him for having forgot his last warning .

the prince replied that he would do him any service that was in his power .

then at last the prince drew his good sword and cut off the fox 's head , and the next moment a youth stood before him .

with this they parted and the prince , disguising himself as a horse-shoer , went up to his father 's palace and offered his services there .

he himself knew so much about the bird 's ways that if he only got to see it he could tell at once what it lacked .

snowflake

Slavonic story .

Contes Populaires Slaves , traduits par Louis Leger .

Paris : Leroux , Editeur .

once upon a time there lived a peasant called Ivan , and he had a wife whose name was Marie .

Ivan and Marie watched them , the while thinking about many things .

' Why not ? ' replied Marie , who happened to be in a very good temper ; ' it might amuse us a little .

but there is no use making a woman .

let us make a little snow child , and pretend it is a living one . '

then the two set to work with all their might to make a doll out of the snow .

they shaped a little body and two little hands and two little feet .

on top of all they placed a ball of snow , out of which the head was to be .

' What in the world are you doing ? ' asked a passer-by .

' Can't you guess ? ' returned Ivan .

' Making a snow-child , ' replied Marie .

they had finished the nose and the chin .

two holes were left for the eyes , and Ivan carefully shaped out the mouth .

no sooner had he done so than he felt a warm breath upon his cheek .

' What is it ? ' cried Ivan , crossing himself .

' Am I mad , or is the thing bewitched ? '

the snow-child bent its head as if it had been really alive .

it moved its little arms and its little legs in the snow that lay about it just as the living children did theirs .

' Ah !

Ivan , Ivan , ' exclaimed Marie , trembling with joy , ' heaven has sent us a child at last ! '

and she threw herself upon Snowflake ( for that was the snow-child 's name ) and covered her with kisses .

' Oh ! my darling Snowflake ! ' cried the old woman , and led her into the cottage .

and Snowflake grew fast ; each hour as well as each day made a difference , and every day she became more and more beautiful .

the old couple hardly knew how to contain themselves for joy , and thought of nothing else .

she was their doll , and they were continually inventing new dresses for her , and teaching her songs or playing with her .

nobody knew how clever she was !

she noticed everything , and could learn a lesson in a moment .

anyone would have taken her for thirteen at least !

and , besides all that , she was so good and obedient ; and so pretty , too !

her skin was as white as snow , her eyes as blue as forget-me-nots , and her hair was long and golden .

only her cheeks had no colour in them , but were as fair as her forehead .

so the winter went on , till at last the spring sun mounted higher in the heavens and began to warm the earth .

the grass grew green in the fields , and high in the air the larks were heard singing .

the village girls met and danced in a ring , singing , ' Beautiful spring , how came you here ?

how came you here ?

did you come on a plough , or was it a harrow ? '

only Snowflake sat quite still by the window of the cottage .

' What is the matter , dear child ? ' asked Marie .

' Why are you so sad ?

are you ill ? or have they treated you unkindly ? '

' No , ' replied Snowflake , ' it is nothing , mother ; no one has hurt me ; I am well . '

but the gayer grew the birds and the flowers the sadder became Snowflake .

she hid herself from her playmates , and curled herself up where the shadows were deepest , like a lily amongst its leaves .

her only pleasure was to lie amid the green willows near some sparkling stream .

at the dawn and at twilight only she seemed happy .

the spring passed , and it was the eve of St John , or Midsummer Day .

this was the greatest holiday of the year , when the young girls met in the woods to dance and play .

they went to fetch Snowflake , and said to Marie : ' Let her come and dance with us . '

but Marie was afraid ; she could not tell why , only she could not bear the child to go .

Snowflake did not wish to go either , but they had no excuse ready .

you know she is the light of my eyes to me . '

' Oh , we will take care of her , ' cried the girls gaily , and they ran off to the woods .

there they wore wreaths , gathered nosegays , and sang songs some sad , some merry .

and whatever they did Snowflake did too .

when the sun set they lit a fire of dry grass , and placed themselves in a row , Snowflake being the last of all .

' Now , watch us , ' they said , ' and run just as we do . '

and they all began to sing and to jump one after another across the fire .

suddenly , close behind them , they heard a sigh , then a groan .

' Ah ! '

they turned hastily and looked at each other .

there was nothing .

they looked again .

where was Snowflake ?

she has hidden herself for fun , they thought , and searched for her everywhere .

' Snowflake !

snowflake ! '

but there was no answer .

' Where can she be ?

oh , she must have gone home . '

they returned to the village , but there was no Snowflake .

for days after that they sought her high and low .

they examined every bush and every hedge , but there was no Snowflake .

and sometimes they thought they heard a call , but it was never the voice of Snowflake .

and what had become of her ?

had a fierce wild beast seized her and dragged her into his lair in the forest ?

had some bird carried her off across the wide blue sea ?

no , no beast had touched her , no bird had borne her away .

I Know What I Have Learned

from the Danish .

there was once a man who had three daughters , and they were all married to trolls , who lived underground .

then he entered the mound along with her .

' We can get it easier than that ! ' said the troll .

he was just as well as ever after doing this , and they got their broth without further trouble .

the troll then gave the old man a sackful of money , and laden with this he betook himself homewards .

' What kind of a hurry is this to come home in ? ' said she .

' No , the cow has not calved yet . '

' Then you must come out and help me in with a sackful of money , ' said the man .

' A sackful of money ? ' cried his wife .

' Yes , a sackful of money , ' said he .

' Is that so very wonderful ? '

his wife did not believe very much what he told her , but she humoured him , and went out with him .

when they came to the spot where he had left it there was no money there ; a thief had come along and stolen it .

his wife then grew angry and scolded him heartily .

' Well , well ! ' said he , ' hang the money !

I know what I have learned . '

' What have you learned ? ' said she .

' Ah !

I know that , ' said the man .

after some time had passed the man had a mind to visit his second eldest daughter .

as he sat there his daughter came up out of the mound , and invited him to come inside , which he did very willingly .

soon after this the troll came home .

it was dark by that time , and his wife bade him go and buy some candles .

' Oh , we shall soon get a light , ' said the troll .

with that he dipped his fingers into the fire , and they then gave light without being burned in the least .

the old man got two sacks of money here , and plodded away homewards with these .

' Whatever is the matter with you ? ' said she .

' You come hurrying as if the whole house was about to fall .

you may set your mind at rest : the cow has not calved yet . '

the man now asked her to come and help him home with the two sacks of money .

when they came to the spot there had again been a thief there and taken the money .

a third time the man set out to visit his eldest daughter .

the daughter then came out of the mound and invited her father to come inside .

in a little the troll came home , and his wife asked him to go and buy some fish .

' We can get them much more easily than that , ' said the troll .

' Give me your dough trough and your ladle . '

they seated themselves in the trough , and rowed out on the lake which was beside the mound .

when they had got out a little way the troll said to his wife , ' Are my eyes green ? '

' No , not yet , ' said she .

he rowed on a little further and asked again , ' Are my eyes not green yet ? '

' Yes , ' said his wife , ' they are green now . '

then the troll sprang into the water and ladled up so many fish that in a short time the trough could hold no more .

they then rowed home again , and had a good meal off the fish .

the old man now got three sacks full of money , and set off home with them .

when he was almost home the cow again came into his head , and he laid down the money .

then he ran home and asked his wife whether the cow had calved .

I know what I have learned . '

' What have you learned I should like to know ? ' said his wife .

' You will see that yet , ' said the man .

' There 's no need of that , ' said he ; ' we can get it an easier way . '

after he had recovered from this his wife asked him one day to go and buy candles , as they had none .

' No , ' he said , ' there 's no need for that ; ' and he stuck his hand into the fire .

this also made him take to bed for a good while .

when he had got better again his wife one day wanted fish , and asked him to go and buy some .

they both seated themselves in this , and rowed upon the lake .

when they had got out a little way the man said , ' Are my eyes green ? '

' No , ' said his wife ; ' why should they be ? '

they rowed a little further out , and he asked again , ' Are my eyes not green yet ? '

' What nonsense is this ? ' said she ; ' why should they be green ? '

' Oh , my dear , ' said he , ' can't you just say that they are green ? '

' Very well , ' said she , ' they are green . '

the Cunning Shoemaker

Sicilianische Mahrchen .

so down he went to Mascalucia , and walked through the streets crying , ' Who wants some shoes ? '

and very soon a window was pushed up , and a woman 's head was thrust out of it .

' Here are a pair for you to patch , ' she said .

and he sat down on her doorstep and set about patching them .

' How much do I owe you ? ' she asked when they were done .

' A shilling . '

' Here is eighteen pence , and good luck to you . '

and he went his way .

' Here are some shoes for you to patch . '

and the shoemaker sat down on the doorstep and patched them .

' How much do I owe you ? ' asked the woman when the shoes were finished .

' A florin . '

' Here is a crown piece , and good luck to you . '

and she shut the window .

' Well , ' thought the shoemaker , ' I have done finely .

but as he entered a thick wood he saw in the distance a band of robbers who were coming quickly towards him .

what can I do ? '

then he rode on .

directly the robber came up to him they seized him exactly as he had foretold and took away all his money .

as he spoke the donkey gave himself a shake , and down fell the five florins .

' Where did that come from ? ' asked the robbers .

' Ah , ' replied the shoemaker , ' you have guessed my secret .

the donkey is a golden donkey , and supplies me with all my money . '

' Sell him to us , ' said the robbers .

' We will give you any price you like . '

' But listen to what I tell you , ' said he .

his companions agreed , and then he told his wife to put a mattress in the stable .

she asked if he had gone out of his mind , but he answered crossly , ' What is that to you ?

Do as you are bid , and to-morrow I will bring you some treasures . '

but I shall say nothing about it till everyone has had his turn ! '

one after another they all took the donkey , but no money was forthcoming for anybody .

just as before , the shoemaker saw them a long way off , and began to think how he could outwit them again .

there you must lie till I play on my guitar ; then get up and begin to dance . '

they entered with a great noise , and overwhelmed the shoemaker with reproaches for having deceived them about the donkey .

you shall have back the fifty gold pieces that you gave for him .

' Wait a little , ' answered she ; ' I must first bake this fish .

it will be spoilt if I leave it now . '

the blood spurted out freely , and she fell to the ground as if she was dead .

' What have you done ? ' asked the robbers , looking at him in dismay .

' The poor woman was doing nothing . '

hardly had he struck the first notes than his wife sat up ; then got on her feet and danced .

the robbers stared with open mouths , and at last they said , ' Master Joseph , you may keep the fifty gold pieces .

but tell us what you will take for your guitar , for you must sell it to us ? '

however , the robbers would not listen to him , and at last he consented to take forty gold pieces for the guitar .

but the captain declared that the first trial belonged to him , and after that the others might have their turn .

that evening he called to his wife and said , ' What have you got for supper ? '

' Macaroni , ' answered she .

' Why have you not boiled a fish ? ' he cried , and stabber in the neck so that she fell dead .

' Oh , lying shoemaker !

oh , abominable knave !

twice has he got the better of me .

but I will pay him out ! '

so he raged and swore , but it did him no good .

the fact remained that he had killed his wife and could not bring her back again .

the next morning came one of the robbers to fetch the guitar , and to hear what had happened .

' Well , how have you got on ? '

' Oh , splendidly !

I stabbed my wife , and then began to play , and now she is as well as ever . '

' Did you really ?

then this evening I will try for myself . '

the band lost no time in setting out for his house , and , as before , the shoemaker saw them coming from afar .

then tell the dog to call me , and chase him from the house . '

when he had given these directions he ran out of the back door and hid behind a barrel .

a few minutes later the robbers arrived , and called loudly for the shoemaker .

' Alas ! good gentlemen , he is up in the vineyard , but I will send the dog after him at once .

here ! now quickly to the vineyard , and tell your master some gentlemen are here who wish to speak to him .

go as fast as you can . '

and she opened the door and let the dog out .

' You can really trust the dog to call your husband ? ' asked the robbers .

' Dear me , yes !

he understands everything , and will always carry any message I give him . '

By-and-bye the shoemaker came in and said , ' Good morning , gentlemen ; the dog tells me you wish to speak to me . '

' Yes , we do , ' replied the robber ; ' we have come to speak to you about that guitar .

' You could not have played properly , ' said the shoemaker .

' It was your own fault . '

' Well , we will forget all about it , ' answered the robbers , ' if you will only sell us your dog . '

' Oh , that is impossible !

I should never get on without him . '

but the robbers offered him forty gold pieces , and at last he agreed to let them have the dog .

the dog bounded off , but ran straight to the shoemaker .

' Master Joseph , is the dog here ? ' asked he .

' Ah ! yes , the poor beast is so fond of me !

you must give him time to get accustomed to new ways . '

the shoemaker lay quite still , and let them do as they would .

so they put the sack down by the roadside , and went into the church .

now , on a hill near by there was a swineherd looking after a great herd of pigs and whistling merrily .

when Master Joseph heard him he cried out as loud as he could , ' I won't ; I won't , I say . '

' What won't you do ? ' asked the swineherd .

' Oh , ' replied the shoemaker .

' They want me to marry the king 's daughter , and I won't do it . '

' How lucky you are ! ' sighed the swineherd .

' Now , if it were only me ! '

' Oh , if that 's all ! ' replied the cunning shoemaker , ' get you into this sack , and let me out . '

then the swineherd opened the sack and took the place of the shoemaker , who went gaily off , driving the pigs before him .

as they came back they met the shoemaker , and stared at him with open mouths .

' Oh , if you only knew how many pigs live in the sea , ' he cried .

' And the deeper you go the more there are .

I have just brought up these , and mean to return for some more . '

' There are still some left there ? '

' Oh , more than I could count , ' replied the shoemaker .

' I will show you what you must do . '

then he led the robbers back to the shore .

the King Who Would Have a Beautiful Wife

Sicilianische Mahrchen .

one day he had wandered far and wide , and was feeling very tired and thirsty .

by the roadside stood a tiny little house , and here he knocked and asked for a cup of water .

now in this house dwelt two sisters , and one was eighty and the other ninety years old .

they were very poor , and earned their living by spinning .

and he made haste back , and told the king .

' Go back at once , ' said his majesty , ' and try to get a sight of her . '

as before , the old woman did not open the door , but passed the water through the lattice .

' Do you live here alone ? ' asked the man .

' No , ' replied she , ' my sister lives with me .

we are poor girls , and have to work for our bread . '

' How old are you ? '

' I am fifteen , and she is twenty . '

then the servant went back to the king , and told him all he knew .

and his majesty answered : ' I will have the fifteen-year-old one .

go and bring her here . '

the servant returned a third time to the little house and knocked at the door .

In reply to his knock the lattice window was pushed open , and a voice inquired what it was he wanted .

' The king has desired me to bring back the youngest of you to become his queen , ' he replied .

' Tell his majesty I am ready to do his bidding , but since my birth no ray of light has fallen upon my face .

if it should ever do so I shall instantly grow black .

the king was eagerly awaiting her , and when she arrived he begged her politely to raise her veil and let him see her face .

but she answered : ' Here the tapers are too bright and the light too strong .

would you have me turn black under your very eyes ? '

and the king believed her words , and the marriage took place without the veil being once lifted .

and , in a furious burst of anger , he dashed open the window and flung her out .

but , luckily for her , her clothes caught on a nail in the wall , and kept her hanging between heaven and earth .

while she was thus suspended , expecting every moment to be dashed to the ground , four fairies happened to pass by .

' Look , sisters , ' cried one , ' surely that is the old woman that the king sent for .

shall we wish that her clothes may give way , and that she should be dashed to the ground ? '

' Oh no ! no ! ' exclaimed another .

' Let us wish her something good .

I myself will wish her youth . '

' And I beauty . '

' And I wisdom . '

' And I a tender heart . '

So spake the fairies , and went their way , leaving the most beautiful maiden in the world behind them .

the next morning when the king looked from his window he saw this lovely creature hanging on the nail .

' Ah ! what have I done ?

surely I must have been blind last night ! '

and he ordered long ladders to be brought and the maiden to be rescued .

then he fell on his knees before her , and prayed her to forgive him , and a great feast was made in her honour .

some days after came the ninety-year-old sister to the palace and asked for the queen .

' Who is that hideous old witch ? ' said the king .

' Oh , an old neighbour of mine , who is half silly , ' she replied .

I should like to be young and beautiful too . '

' But , my good woman , if I do that you will die ! '

' Ah ! ' she shrieked as she felt the pain .

' Il faut souffrir pour etre belle , ' said the barber , who had been in France .

and at the second blow her head rolled off , and the old woman was dead for good and all .

Catherine and Her Destiny

Sicilianische Mahrchen von Laura Gonzenbach .

Leipzig , Engelmann , @number@

but his greatest treasure of all was his only daughter , who was called Catherine .

no , I would bear trouble now , and have something better to look forward to . '

so she looked up and replied , ' Give me a happy old age . '

now this beautiful lady was the Destiny of poor Catherine .

the shock was too much for him .

he took to his bed , and in a short time he was dead of his disappointment .

so poor Catherine was left alone in the world without a penny or a creature to help her .

' Ah , my lady , I am very poor , and must go to service to earn my bread . '

' I will take you into my service , ' said she ; and Catherine served her well .

so she went away , and Catherine took her work and sat down at the window .

suddenly the door burst open , and in came her Destiny .

' Oh ! so here you are , Catherine !

did you really think I was going to leave you in peace ? '

when the mistress reached home she called Catherine , but no Catherine was there .

' Can she have robbed me ? ' thought the old lady , and looked hastily round the house ; but nothing was missing .

meanwhile Catherine wandered on and on , without knowing very well where she was going , till at last she came to another town .

and Catherine answered , ' Ah , my lady , I am very poor , and must go to service to earn my bread . '

and in a passion she tore up everything she saw , till in sheer misery poor Catherine rushed out of the house .

and so it befell for seven years , and directly Catherine found a fresh place her Destiny came and forced her to leave it .

after seven years , however , Destiny seemed to get tired of persecuting her , and a time of peace set in for Catherine .

then her lady 's Destiny would come and take away the offering .

' That will I gladly do , ' said Catherine .

one day her lady saw her , and said , ' Catherine , what is it ?

why are you always weeping ? '

and then Catherine told her story .

' I have got an idea , ' exclaimed the lady .

perhaps something may come of it ! '

but if you will come to-morrow I will bring her with me . '

it is surely time for her good days to begin ? '

' What shall I do with it ? ' she asked .

' It is not worth sixpence , and it is no good to me ! '

' Take care of it , ' replied her mistress .

' Who can tell how useful it may be ? '

bring it to the king , and you can ask what you like for it . '

then Catherine put on her best clothes and went to the court , and looked more beautiful than any woman there .

' Your majesty , ' asked one of the courtiers , ' shall I give the maiden its weight in gold ? '

but lo ! let the king lay in the scales as many gold pieces as he would , the silk was always heavier still .

at last there was only one thing left that had not been put in , and that was his golden crown .

' Where got you this silk ? ' asked the king .

' It was given me , royal majesty , by my mistress , ' replied Catherine .

So Catherine told him the whole story , and how she had once been as rich as he .

and so it fell out .

how the Hermit Helped to Win the King 's Daughter

Sicilianische Mahrchen

long ago there lived a very rich man who had three sons .

when he felt himself to be dying he divided his property between them , making them share alike , both in money and lands .

so he called together all the shipbuilders in the land , and gave them orders to begin the ship without delay .

' Ah , master , give us work , ' they said , ' so that we may earn our bread . '

but he only gave them hard words , and spoke roughly to them .

' You are old , and have lost your strength ; of what use are you ? '

and he drove them away .

get you gone ! '

and if any presented themselves that were not skilled workmen he would have none of them .

but he was only driven away like the rest .

by this time he had not a penny left , so he went back to his two brothers and told his tale .

but his heart was no softer than his brother 's , and every man that was not a skilled workman was chased away with hard words .

last came the white-bearded man , but he fared no better than the rest .

when he told his story the youngest said to himself , ' I am not rich enough to support us all three .

so he called together all the shipbuilders in the kingdom , and gave orders that a new ship should be built .

' Oh , good father , ' cried the young man , ' you will not forsake me ?

stay with me , I pray you , and lead me to the king ! '

' Oh , if that is all , ' answered he , ' it is easily promised ! '

and they set out together on the ship .

after they had gone some distance they saw a man standing in a thick fog , which he was trying to put into a sack .

' Oh , good father , ' exclaimed the youth , ' what can he be doing ? '

' Ask him , ' said the old man .

' What are you doing , my fine fellow ? '

' I am putting the fog into my sack .

that is my business . '

' Ask him if he will come with us , ' whispered the hermit .

and the man answered : ' If you will give me enough to eat and drink I will gladly stay with you . '

' Good father , ' exclaimed the youth , ' only look !

what can he have done that for ? '

' Ask him why he has torn up all those trees . '

and the man replied , ' Why , I 've merely been gathering a handful of brushwood . '

' Beg him to come with us , ' whispered the hermit .

and the strong man answered : ' Willingly , as long as you give me enough to eat and drink . '

and he came on the ship .

and the youth said to the hermit , ' Good father , before we were three , and now we are four . '

' Good father , ' said the youth , ' just look at that man !

did you ever see anybody drink like that ? '

' Ask him why he does it , ' answered the hermit .

' Why , there is nothing very odd in taking a mouthful of water ! ' replied the man , standing up .

' Beg him to come with us . '

and the youth did so .

' With pleasure , as long as you give me enough to eat and drink . '

and the youth whispered to the hermit , ' Good father , before we were four , and now we are five . '

a little way along they noticed another man in the middle of a stream , who was shooting into the water .

' Good father , ' said the youth , ' what can he be shooting at ? '

' Ask him , ' answered the hermit .

' Hush , hush ! ' cried the man ; ' now you have frightened it away .

in the Underworld sits a quail on a tree , and I wanted to shoot it .

that is my business .

I hit everything I aim at . '

' Ask him if he will come with us . '

and the man replied , ' With all my heart , as long as I get enough to eat and drink . '

' Good father , look at him !

what long steps he takes ! '

' Ask him why he does it , ' replied the hermit .

' Oh , I am only going out for a little walk , ' answered he .

' Ask him if he will come with us . '

and the young man whispered , ' Good father , before we were six , and now we are seven . '

but the hermit knew what he was about , and why he gathered these strange people into the ship .

after many days , at last they reached the town where lived the king and his daughter .

they stopped the vessel right in front of the palace , and the young man went in and bowed low before the king .

' O Majesty , I have done your bidding , and now is the ship built that can travel over land and sea .

give me my reward , and let me have your daughter to wife . '

but the king said to himself , ' What ! am I to wed my daughter to a man of whom I know nothing .

not even whether he be rich or poor a knight or a beggar . '

and aloud he spake : it is not enough that you have managed to build the ship .

' That is not in the bond , ' answered the young man .

' Well , do as you like , ' replied the king , ' only you will not get my daughter . '

the young man went out , sorely troubled , to tell his old friend what had happened .

' Silly boy ! ' cried the hermit , ' Accept his terms at once .

and send off the long-legged man with the letter .

he will take it in no time at all . '

so the youth 's heard leapt for joy , and he returned to the king .

' Majesty , I accept your terms .

HEre is the messenger who will do what you wish . '

' What can be keeping him , ' he said to the hermit when the hour was nearly up .

' Oh , he is sound asleep in the palace of the Underworld .

however , I can wake him . '

then he drew his bow , and shot an arrow straight into the man 's knee .

now the young man thought he was sure of his bride , but the king said , " still you have not done enough .

before I give you my daughter you must find a man who can drink half the contents of my cellar in one day . '

' That is not in the bond , ' complained the poor youth .

' Well , do as you like , only you will not get my daughter . '

the young man went sadly out , and asked the hermit what he was to do .

' Silly boy ! ' said he .

' Why , tell the man to do it who drinks up everything . '

' Dear me , yes , and as much more as you want , ' answered he .

' I am never satisfied . '

oh , how he enjoyed himself !

and when the king saw this he said to the youth , ' You have conquered , and I can no longer withhold my daughter .

but , as her dowry , I shall only give so much as one man can carry away . '

' Well , do as you like ; I have said my say .

it is your affair not mine . '

I have no money of my own left , and my brothers have none either . '

' Silly boy !

why , you have only got to fetch the man who carried half the forest on his shoulders . '

and the youth was glad , and called the strong man , and told him what he must do .

' Take everything you can , till you are bent double .

never mind if you leave the palace bare . '

the strong man promised , and nobly kept his word .

at last he took the king 's crown , and put it on the top .

he carried his burden to the ship and stowed his treasures away , and the youth followed , leading the king 's daughter .

and the king 's ships sailed very fast , and soon caught up the little vessel , and the sailors all shouted for joy .

so they sailed back to the palace , and told the king what strange things had happened .

meanwhile the young man 's vessel reached home in safety .

' Good father , it is finished , ' said he at length ; ' there is nothing more left to divide . '

' Nothing more left ! ' cried the hermit .

' Why , you have forgotten the best thing of all ! '

' What can that be ? ' asked he .

' We have divided everything . '

' And the king 's daughter ? ' said the hermit .

then the young man 's heart stood still , for he loved her dearly .

I gave you my help because you had pity on those that were in need .

and when you are in need yourself , call upon me , and I will come to you . '

as he spoke he softly touched their heads and vanished .

the Water of Life

Cuentos Populars Catalans , per lo Dr D Francisco de S Maspous y Labros .

Barcelona , @number@

three brothers and one sister lived together in a small cottage , and they loved one another dearly .

and his brothers and sister answered joyfully , ' Yes , we will all work ! '

' And what may that be ? '

' A church . '

' And what may that be ? '

' And where am I to find all those ? '

' Go to the mountain that is far off yonder , and you will find what you seek . '

' But suppose some evil thing befalls you ? ' asked his sister .

' How shall we know ? '

' You are right , ' he replied ; ' I had not thought of that ! '

but how shall we know if any evil thing befall him ? '

' Can you tell me how much further I have still to go before I reach that mountain yonder ? '

' And why do you wish to go there ? '

' I am seeking the water of life , the talking bird , and a branch of the tree of beauty . '

follow this path , and when you reach the mountain you will find it covered with stones .

do not stop to look at them , but keep on your way .

as you go you will hear scoffs and laughs behind you ; it will be the stones that mock .

do not heed them ; above all , do not turn round .

if you do you will become as one of them .

walk straight on till you get to the top , and then take all you wish for . '

the young man thanked him for his counsel , and walked , and walked , and walked , till he reached the mountain .

and as he climbed he heard behind him scoffs and jeers , but he kept his ears steadily closed to them .

then she cried out to her brothers that something terrible had come to pass .

' I will go and find him , ' said the second .

and he went .

and the giant answered , ' Yes , I have seen him pass , but I have not seen him come back .

the spell must have worked upon him . '

' Follow this path , and when you reach the mountain you will find it covered with stones .

do not stop to look at them , but climb steadily on .

above all , heed not the laughs and scoffs that will arise on all sides , and never turn round .

and when you reach the top you can then take all you desire . '

the young man thanked him for his counsel , and set out for the mountain .

but no sooner did he reach it than loud jests and gibes broke out on every side , and almost deafened him .

he stopped and looked back ; and another stone was added to the number .

meanwhile the sister left at home was counting the days when her two brothers should return to her .

her cry of horror brought her youngest brother to her , and , unable to speak , she held out the knife !

' I will go , ' he said .

the young man thanked the giant for his counsel , and set forth to the mountain .

a moment now and he would have gained it , when , through the groans and yells , he heard his brothers ' voices .

he turned , and there was one stone the more .

the blade grew red before her eyes , and she said , ' Now it is my turn . '

but as she mounted the clamour increased sevenfold : high above them all rang the voices of her three brothers .

but the girl took no heed , and at last her feet stood upon the top .

then she looked round , and saw , lying in a hollow , the pool of the water of life .

and she took the brazen pitcher that she had brought with her , and filled it to the brim .

and the branch shot up into a tree , and was heavy with flowers , and the talking bird nestled in its branches .

so he went home and told his parents , and gained their consent to wed her for his wife .

then the marriage was celebrated in the church adjoining the palace .

then the bridegroom took her to his own home , where they lived happy for ever after .

the Wounded Lion

Cuentos Populars Catalans .

there was once a girl so poor that she had nothing to live on , and wandered about the world asking for charity .

one day she arrived at a thatched cottage , and inquired if they could give her any work .

so she became a cowherd .

one morning she was driving her cows through the meadows when she heard near by a loud groan that almost sounded human .

she hastened to the spot from which the noise came , and found it proceeded from a lion who lay stretched upon the ground .

you can guess how frightened she was !

then he said , ' Now you will have to look after the asses . '

after that she returned to her flock , but they were nowhere to be seen .

she searched here and she searched there , but they had vanished completely !

then she had to go home and confess to her master , who first scolded her and afterwards beat her .

' Now go , ' he ended , ' and look after the pigs ! '

so the next day she took out the pigs , and found them such good feeding grounds that they grew fatter every day .

another year passed by , and one morning when the maiden was out with her pigs she heard a groan which sounded quite human .

she fell on her knees before him and washed his wounds one by one , and laid healing herbs upon them .

and the lion licked her hands and thanked her , and asked if she would not stay and sit by him .

but the girl said she had her pigs to watch , and she must go and see after them .

so she ran to the place where she had left them , but they had vanished as if the earth had swallowed them up .

she whistled and called , but only the birds answered her .

then she sank down on the ground and wept bitterly , not daring to return home until some hours had passed away .

and when she had had her cry out she got up and searched all up and down the wood .

but it was no use ; there was not a sign of the pigs .

at last she thought that perhaps if she climbed a tree she might see further .

but no sooner was she seated on the highest branch than something happened which put the pigs quite out of her head .

the maiden rubbed her eyes and wondered if she had been dreaming .

next she thought , ' I will not stir from here till I see him come out , and discover who he is . '

accordingly she waited , and at dawn the next morning the rock moved to one side and a lion came out .

the path led to a beautiful house .

she went in , swept and dusted the furniture , and put everything tidy .

next morning out came the lion .

he looked sharply about him on all sides , but saw no one , and then vanished into the forest .

the maiden then came down from the tree and did exactly as she had done the day before .

thus three days went by , and every day she went and tidied up the palace .

and the girl asked him , ' What can I do to disenchant you ? '

who will hire me for a servant ? '

who will hire me for a servant ? '

at last there came the waiting-maid of the princess .

' What can you do ? ' she said ; and the girl was forced to confess that she could do very little .

now the hair of the princess was very thick and long , and shone like the sun .

and the girl combed it and combed it till it was brighter than ever .

but the girl could not give up hope , and each day she entreated to be allowed to cut off just one tress .

he tried on the coat , but it was too short , and he threw it off , and declared it was no use .

and the girl picked it up sadly , and returned quite in despair to the king 's palace .

the next morning , when she was combing the princess 's hair , she begged leave to cut off another lock .

and when it was finished she carried it to the giant .

this time it fitted him , and he was quite pleased , and asked her what he could give her in return .

then the young man thanked the maiden for all she had done for him , and said she should be his wife and none other .

but the prince replied , ' If it is the princess , we must go quickly .

come with me . '

so they went together to the king 's palace .

the Man Without a Heart

once upon a time there were seven brothers , who were orphans , and had no sister .

therefore they were obliged to do all their own housework .

this they did not like at all ; so after much deliberation they decided to get married .

he consented willingly , and the six young men set off in good spirits .

whither away so fast and cheerily ? '

' We are going to find bonny brides for ourselves , and one for our youngest brother at home , ' they replied .

presently they came to a town where were seven sisters , as young and as lovely as anyone could wish .

each brother chose one , and the youngest they kept for their brother at home .

then the whole party set out on the return journey , and again their path led through the wood and past the old man 's cottage .

' She is not for you , said the young men .

' She is for our youngest brother , as we promised . '

' What ! ' said the old man , ' promised !

I 'll make you eat your promises ! '

only the youngest sister he had not bewitched .

he took her into the cottage , and from that time she was obliged to keep house for him .

she was not very unhappy , but one thought troubled her .

what if the old man should die and leave her here alone in the solitary cottage deep in the heart of the wood !

she would be as ' terribly lonely ' as he had formerly been .

one day she told him of her fear .

' Don't be anxious , ' he said .

' You need neither fear my death nor desire it , for I have no heart in my breast !

then you will surely have company enough . '

' Where in all the world do you keep your heart , if not in your breast ? ' asked the girl .

' Do you want to know everything ? ' her husband said .

' Well , if you must know , my heart is in the bed-cover . '

the old man was much amused .

he laughed , and said to her : ' You are a good child , but I was only joking .

my heart is really in in '

' Now where is it , dear husband ? '

' It is in the doorway , ' he replied .

next day , while he was out , the girl decorated the door with gay feathers and fresh flowers , and hung garlands upon it .

and on his return the old fellow asked what it all meant .

' I did it to show my love for your heart , ' said the girl .

and again the old man smiled , saying , ' You are a dear child , but my heart is not in the doorway . '

its doors are of iron , and round it runs a deep moat , spanned by no bridge .

within that church is a bird which flies up and down ; it never eats , and never drinks , and never dies .

no one can catch it , and while that bird lives so shall I , for in it is my heart . '

it made the little bride quite sad to think she could do nothing to show her love for the old man 's heart .

she used to think about it as she sat all alone during the long days , for her husband was almost always out .

one day a young traveller came past the house , and seeing such a pretty girl he wished her ' Good day . '

she returned his greeting , and as he drew near she asked him whence he came and where he was going .

' Alas ! ' sighed the youth , ' I am very sorrowful .

' Oh , good friend , ' said the girl , ' you need go no farther .

come , sit down , eat and drink , and afterwards I 'll tell you all about it . '

she wept as she told how the others were turned to stone , and how she was kept as the old man 's bride .

she left out nothing , even telling him the story of her husband 's heart .

when the young man heard this he said : ' I shall go in search of the bird .

it may be that God will help me to find and catch it . '

then she hid the young man , for it was now late , and her husband would soon be home .

' What a feast ! ' he exclaimed ; ' will anyone come and share it ? '

' I 'm delighted to see you .

pray help yourself .

all I have is at your service , ' said the hospitable youth .

and the ox lay down comfortably , licking his lips , and made a hearty meal .

' Many thanks to you , ' said the animal as it rose up .

' When you are in danger or necessity call me , even if only by a thought , ' and it disappeared among the bushes .

was it you ? and did you mean me to come ? '

' By all means .

help yourself to what I have , ' said the young traveller .

and the two enjoyed their meal together .

for a long time the youth walked on .

by evening he was miles away .

he felt hungry again , and , having still some provisions left , thought he had better make ready his supper .

when it was all spread out he cried as before , ' Anyone who cares to share my meal is welcome . '

he heard a sound overhead like the flapping of wings , and a shadow was cast upon the ground .

then a huge griffin appeared , saying : ' I heard someone giving an invitation to eat ; is there anything for me ? '

' Why not ? ' said the youth .

' Come down and take all you want .

there won't be much left after this . '

So the griffin alighted and ate his fill , saying , as he flew away , ' Call me if you need me . '

' What a hurry he was in ! ' the youth said to himself .

' He might have been able to direct me to the church , for I shall never find it alone . '

he gathered up his things , and started to walk a little farther before resting .

he had not gone far when all of a sudden he saw the church !

he soon came to it , or rather to the wide and deep moat which surrounded it without a single bridge by which to cross .

scarcely had the thought crossed his brain before the ox appeared and began to drink up the water .

the young man quickly entered the church , and saw a bird flying about , but he could not catch it .

' Oh ! ' he exclaimed , ' if only the griffin were here , he would soon catch it . '

the young man hurried home as fast as possible , and reached the cottage before evening .

presently the old man came home , and complained of feeling ill .

nothing , he said , would go well with him any more : his ' heart bird ' was caught .

so he pinched the bird , and the old man cried , ' Ah !

I feel death gripping me !

child , I am dying ! '

then there was great joy , and kissing and embracing .

and there lay the old man , quite dead , and no magic wand could restore him to life , even had they wished it .

after that they all went away and were married , and lived many years happily together .

the Two Brothers

Sicilianische Malirchen .

L Gonzenbach .

' What a wretched little creature ! ' cried one brother .

' However , it is better than nothing , and I will bake him with bread crumbs and have him for supper . '

' You silly thing ! ' said the young man ; ' I 've caught you , and I shall eat you . '

but his brother was sorry for the fish , and put in a word for him .

' Let the poor little fellow live .

he would hardly make one bite , and , after all , how do we know we are not throwing away our luck !

put him back into the sea .

it will be much better . '

but again the younger brother interposed : ' Oh , do let him live !

you know if he is lying to us we can always catch him again .

it is quite worth while trying . '

at the first streaks of dawn they were both up , and in a very few minutes were running down to the shore .

' There ! ' said the younger brother .

' Are you not thankful you did not eat that fish ?

he has brought us good luck , and there is no knowing how great we may become !

now , we will each seek our own adventures .

if you will take one road I will go the other . '

' Very well , ' replied the elder ; ' but how shall we let each other know if we are both living ? '

' Do you see this fig-tree ? ' said the younger .

the elder brother rode straight on till he reached the borders of a strange kingdom .

when the young man saw the maiden weeping bitterly he said to her , ' What is the matter , my poor girl ? '

' Oh ! ' she answered , ' I am chained here till a horrible serpent with seven heads comes to eat me .

oh , sir , do not linger here , or he will eat you too . '

' I shall stay , ' replied the young man , ' for I mean to set you free . '

' That is impossible .

you do not know what a fearful monster the serpent is ; you can do nothing against him . '

' Well , if you are resolved to free me , listen to my advice .

but you had better begin first with the young man , for I am chained and cannot run away . "

when he hears this most likely he will attack you . '

but she cried out , ' O serpent , to-day you can eat two people .

and you had better begin with the young man , for I am chained and cannot run away . '

but he answered , ' I cannot become your husband yet , for I have still far to travel .

but wait for me seven years and seven months .

then , if I do not return , you are free to marry whom you will .

what could the poor girl do ?

this time there was no knight to come to her aid .

so she promised to do as the slave wished , and he took up the seven heads and brought the princess to her father .

oh , how enchanted the king was to see her again , and the whole town shared his joy !

but she flung herself at her father 's feet , and prayed him to delay .

when they are over , then I will marry the slave . '

yet pardon the slave , for he was sorely tempted . '

but the king answered , ' Such treachery can no man pardon .

Quick , away with him , and off with his head ! '

' What can it be ? ' he said to his wife .

at length he came to the door of a fine castle , which had a blaze streaming from every window .

he mounted a flight of steps and entered a hall where a hideous old woman was sitting on a golden chair .

' Oh , what nonsense ! ' cried he .

' Be quiet , old woman .

what could you do with one hair ? '

' I will go to the fig-tree , ' he said to himself , ' to see whether he is alive or dead . '

so he rode through the forest till he came where the fig-tree stood , and cut a slit in the bark , and waited .

in a moment a little gurgling noise was heard , and out came a stream of blood , running fast .

' Ah , woe is me ! ' he cried bitterly .

' My brother is dead or dying !

shall I ever reach him in time to save his life ? '

in this manner several days went by .

and one evening , as the young man leaned from the balcony , he saw a bright light shining on the mountain .

' What can that be ? ' he said to the princess .

' Oh , come away , ' she cried ; ' has not that light already proved your bane ?

do you wish to fight a second time with that old witch ? '

he marked her words , though she knew it not , and they taught him where his brother was , and what had befallen him .

so before sunrise he stole out early , saddled his horse , and rode off to the mountain .

then the young man told him his story , and added .

' Somehow or other I must free my brother , who has fallen into the power of an old witch . '

' I will tell you what you must do , ' said the old man .

for she has an ointment that will heal all wounds , and even wake the dead .

and when your brother stands safe and well before you , then cut off her head , for she is a wicked woman . '

the young man was grateful for these words , and promised to obey them .

then he rode on , and soon reached the castle .

he walked boldly up the steps and entered the hall , where the hideous old witch came to meet him .

she grinned horribly at him , and cried out , ' With one hair of my head I can change you into stone . '

' Can you , indeed ? ' said the young man , seizing her by the hair .

now the witch 's strength was all gone from her , and she had to obey .

you hold me so tight that I cannot walk . '

' You must manage somehow , ' he answered , and held her tighter than ever .

the young man looked at them all and shook his head .

' My brother is not here .

take me to him , or it will be the worse for you . '

' That is my brother , ' said he .

' Now give me the ointment that will restore him to life . '

but he was on the watch for trickery , and examined it carefully , and saw that it had no power to heal .

this happened many times , till at length she found it was no use , and gave him the one he wanted .

then the elder brother got up and stretched himself , and said , ' Oh , how long I have slept !

and where am I ? '

' The old witch had enchanted you , but now she is dead and you are free .

we will wake up the other knights that she laid under her spells , and then we will go . '

this they did , and , after sharing amongst them the jewels and gold they found in the castle , each man went his way .

the two brothers remained together , the elder tightly grasping the ointment which had brought him back to life .

she took me for her husband , and I did not say her nay . '

then he rode on till he reached his home , where his wife was still sitting , weeping bitterly .

when she saw him she sprang up with a cry , and threw herself into his arms .

' Oh , how long have I waited for thee !

never , never must you leave me any more ! '

master and Pupil

from the Danish .

there was once a man who had a son who was very clever at reading , and took great delight in it .

' I am going about seeking for service , ' said the boy .

' Will you serve me ? ' asked the man .

' Oh , yes ; just as readily you as anyone else , ' said the boy .

' But can you read ? ' asked the man .

' As well as the priest , ' said the boy .

then I can't have you , ' said the man .

' In fact , I was just wanting a boy who couldn't read .

his only work would be to dust my old books . '

the man then went on his way , and left the boy looking after him .

' It was a pity I didn't get that place , ' thought he ' That was just the very thing for me . '

then he ran along behind the mounds , and met the man at the other end of them .

' I am going about seeking for service ? ' said the boy .

' Will you serve me ? ' asked the man .

' Oh , yes ; just as readily you as anyone else , ' said the boy .

' But can you read ? ' said the man .

' No , I don't know a single letter , ' said the boy .

the man then took him into his service , and all the work he had to do was to dust his master 's books .

among other feats , he could change himself into the shape of any animal , or any other thing that he pleased .

I shall come home again all right . '

his mother was frightened at the idea , but the boy told her that she need not be alarmed ; all would be well .

the next time that there was a market the boy again changed himself to a horse , and was taken thither by his father .

the horse soon found a purchaser , and while the two were inside drinking the luck-penny the wizard came along and saw the horse .

when the horse saw this it changed itself to a dove , and flew up into the air .

the wizard at once changed himself into a hawk , and flew up after it .

the dove now turned into a gold ring , and fell into a girl 's lap .

the Golden Lion

Sicilianische Mahrchen .

L Gonzenbach .

I pray you let me . '

so the father ordered a beautiful ship to be fitted up , and the young man sailed away in it .

after some weeks the vessel cast anchor before a large town , and the merchant 's son went on shore .

' Certainly , ' replied the king .

' You have the whole palace to search in ; but remember , if you fail it will cost you your head . '

all this time his father and brothers had had no news of him , and were very anxious .

I must try myself , and seek him as well as her .

it cannot be such a very difficult matter . '

but he fared no better than his brother , and in eight days his head was cut off .

and when the vessel started a high wind arose , and blew him straight to the harbour where the notice was set .

' Oho ! ' said he , as he read , ' whoever can find the king 's daughter shall have her to wife .

it is quite clear now what has befallen my brothers .

but in spite of that I think I must try my luck , ' and he took the road to the castle .

on the way he met an old woman , who stopped and begged .

' Leave me in peace , old woman , ' replied he .

' Oh , do not send me away empty , ' she said .

' You are such a handsome young man you will surely not refuse an old woman a few pence . '

' I tell you , old woman , leave me alone . '

' You are in some trouble ? ' she asked .

' Tell me what it is , and perhaps I can help you . '

then he told her how he had set his heart on finding the king 's daughter .

' I can easily manage that for you as long as you have enough money . '

' Oh , as to that , I have plenty , ' answered he .

when it is ready bring it to me . '

but she replied , ' It does not belong to me , and my master will not part from it at any price . '

' Yes , I can do that , ' answered the old woman ; ' but to-morrow I must have it back again .

and she went away .

below the floor there was a staircase , which he went down till he reached a door at the foot .

this he unlocked , and found himself in a narrow passage closed by another door , which he also opened .

the young man , hidden in the golden lion , kept count of everything , and marked that there were in all seven doors .

after they had all been unlocked the king entered a lovely hall , where the princess was amusing herself with eleven friends .

all twelve girls wore the same clothes , and were as like each other as two peas .

' What bad luck ! ' thought the youth .

but the princess took the lion into her own room and laid it on the floor .

she was just beginning to doze when she heard a voice quite close to her , which made her jump .

' O lovely princess , if you only knew what I have gone through to find you ! '

' O lovely úprincess ! ' continued the voice , ' fear nothing !

I am the son of a rich merchant , and desire above all things to have you for my wife .

and in order to get to you I have hidden myself in this golden lion . '

' What use is that ? ' she asked .

' For if you cannot pick me out from among my companions you will still lose your head . '

' I look to you to help me , ' he said .

' I have done so much for you that you might do this one thing for me . '

' Then listen to me .

on the eighth day I will tie a white sash round my waist , and by that you will know me . '

the next morning the king came very early to fetch the lion , as the old woman was already at the palace asking for it .

on the eighth day he entered the room where the king was sitting .

' Take up the floor in this place , ' he said .

the king gave a cry , but stopped himself , and asked , ' What do you want the floor up for ?

there is nothing there . '

the youth then want straight down the staircase till he reached the door ; then he turned and demanded that the key should be brought .

and the king owned himself beaten , and commanded that the wedding feast should be held .

the Sprig of Rosemary

Cuentos Populars Catalans , per lo Dr D Francisco de S Maspons y Labros ( Barcelona : Libreria de Don Alvar Verdaguer @number@ ) .

once upon a time there lived a man with one daughter and he made her work hard all the day .

the girl went out , and soon collected a large bundle , and then she plucked at a sprig of sweet-smelling rosemary for herself .

the girl , who felt much confused , only managed to stammer out as an excuse that her father had sent her .

' Very well , ' replied the young man ; ' then come with me . '

and the maiden said ' yes , she would , ' and so they were married .

but the lock was stiff and resisted all her efforts , and in the end she had to break it .

and what was inside after all ?

so she walked and she walked and she walked , till she arrived at a house built of straw .

and she knocked at the door , and asked if they wanted a servant .

the mistress said she did , and if the girl was willing she might stay .

then she told her story how she was going through the world seeking after her husband .

I have come to ask if , of your charity , you will help me in my need .

' Indeed ! ' spoke the Sun .

' Do you , rich as you are , need help ?

but though you live in a palace without windows , the Sun enters everywhere , and he knows you . '

then the bride told him the whole story . and did not hide her own ill-doing .

' All hail ! ' said the girl .

' I have come , of your charity , to ask your help ! '

' It is my mistress , the Moon , you seek .

I will tell her of your prayer . '

and she spake to her and said :

' Do you , rich as you are , need help ? '

so the damsel thanked her , and departed , and walked and walked and walked till she came to another castle .

and she knocked at the door , and said :

' All hail !

I have come to ask if , of your charity , you will help me in my need . '

' It is my lord , the Wind , that you want , ' answered the old woman who opened it .

' I will tell him of your prayer . '

' Do you , rich as you are , want help ? '

and she told him the whole story .

but the girl did not go as the Wind expected .

she was tired and sad , and knew not where to turn , so she began to weep bitterly .

the Wind wept too for company , and said :

' Don't be frightened ; I will go and see if I can find out something . '

who can tell the despair which seized the poor maiden when she heard this news !

down came the Wind right in the middle of their lace and satin and trimmings of pearl !

after them ran the tailors , catching , jumping , climbing , but all to no purpose !

the lace was torn , the satin stained , the pearls knocked off !

there was nothing for it but to go to the shops to buy fresh , and to begin all over again !

it was plainly quite impossible that the wedding clothes could be ready next day .

then she rang the bell , and asked :

' Is not the princess to be married to-day ? '

' Yes , she is . '

' Ask her if she would like to buy this mantle . '

so she told the maiden to ask what price she would , and it should be given her .

now the maiden hid her gold in the pocket of her dress , and turned away from the castle .

the moment she was out of sight she broke her almond , and drew from it the most magnificent petticoats that ever were seen .

then she went back to the castle , and asked if the princess wished to buy any petticoats .

and the maiden named many pieces of gold , which the princess paid her gladly , so pleased was she with her new possessions .

so she sent at once to say she would buy the dress , and what sum did the maiden want for it .

this time the maiden answered that the price of the dress was the permission to see the bridegroom .

so the maiden was led to the rooms which had been given to her husband .

then they went back to the maiden 's home , and grew to be very old , and lived happy all the days of their life .

the White Dove

from the Danish .

a king had two sons .

they were a pair of reckless fellows , who always had something foolish to do .

one day they rowed out alone on the sea in a little boat .

the oars went overboard at once , and the little boat was tossed about on the rolling billows like a nut-shell .

the princes had to hold fast by the seats to keep from being thrown out of the boat .

in the midst of all this they met a wonderful vessel it was a dough-trough , in which there sat an old woman .

' We can't do that , ' shouted the princes ; ' he doesn't belong to us so we can't give him away . '

as soon as they had done so the storm ceased and the waves fell .

it happened one evening that there arose a raging storm , with mist and darkness .

the prince was now in the witch 's power , and in her service .

the first thing she set him to was to pick feathers .

he started to the feathers , and picked and picked until there was only a single feather left that had not passed through his hands .

it was a white dove , which sat outside the window , and was pecking at it with its beak .

however , such a prince might be expected to have neat fingers . '

next morning the witch said to the prince , ' To-day you shall have some easy work to do .

outside the door I have some firewood lying ; you must split that for me into little bits that I can kindle the fire with .

that will soon be done , but you must be finished before I come home . '

the prince got a little axe and set to work at once .

' Yes , ' said the prince , ' many thanks for your help yesterday , and for what you offer to-day . '

thereupon the little dove seized one piece of wood after another and split it with its beak .

with that it was a dove no longer , but a beautiful young maiden , who stood by his side .

the prince was quite captivated by the beautiful princess , and was quite willing to do anything whatsoever to get her for himself .

when she agrees to this you must ask her straight out for the princess that she has flying about as a white dove .

' Oh yes , indeed , ' said the old woman ; ' what is it that you want ? '

' I want the princess here who is in the shape of a white dove , ' said the prince .

' What nonsense ! ' said the witch .

' Why should you imagine that there are princesses here flying about in the shape of white doves ?

but if you will have a princess , you can get one such as we have them . '

she then came to him , dragging a shaggy little grey ass with long ears .

' Will you have this ? ' said she ; ' you can't get any other princess ! '

' What will you do with it ? ' asked the witch .

' You can have no other princess , ' said she .

' Will you have her ? '

' Yes , I will , ' said the prince , for he saw the red silk thread on the old woman 's finger .

they were then taken to the bridal chamber , and the door was shut .

I shall lay two pieces of wood in the bed to answer for us when the witch speaks to us .

No sooner said than done .

before daybreak she was at the door again and called to them , and again the pieces of wood answered for them .

these she threw on the floor , so that they were splintered into a thousand pieces , and off she hastened after the fugitives .

with the first sunbeam the princess said to the prince , ' Look round ; do you see anything behind us ? '

' Yes , I see a dark cloud , far away , ' said he .

' Then throw the flower-pot over your head , ' said she .

when this was done there was a large thick forest behind them .

when the witch came to the forest she could not get through it until she went home and brought her axe to cut a path .

a little after this the princess said again to the prince , ' Look round ; do you see anything behind us ? '

' Yes , ' said the prince , ' the big black cloud is there again . '

' Then throw the glass of water over your head , ' said she .

meanwhile the fugitives had reached the castle which was the prince 's home .

they climbed over the garden wall , ran across the garden , and crept in at an open window .

within the castle there was great rejoicing over the prince and his bride .

the Troll 's Daughter

from the Danish .

there was once a lad who went to look for a place .

as he went along he met a man , who asked him where he was going .

the bargain was made , and the lad went home with the man to whom he had engaged himself .

the latter was a great troll , and had marvellous power over both men and beasts .

next day the lad had to begin his service .

the first thing that the troll set him to was to feed all the wild animals from the forest .

you shall have leave to play about for a little , until they are to be fed again . '

but in this they met with no success ; there was no dog that could overtake him , and no marksman that could hit him .

they shot and shot at him , and he ran and ran .

the troll then said some words to him which he did not understand , and the hare immediately became a human being again .

the lad replied that he liked it very well ; he had never been able to go over the ground so quickly before .

' Well , how did you like being a raven ? ' said the troll .

next day he got his old task of feeding all the wild beasts .

he swam up and he swam down , and thought it was pleasant to let himself drive with the stream .

in this way he came right out into the sea , and swam further and further out .

at last he came to a glass palace , which stood at the bottom of the sea .

the most beautiful thing of all , however , was a young girl who went about there , all alone .

she went about from one room to another , but did not seem to be happy with all the grandeur she had about her .

the lad thought so too while he swam round the palace and peeped in from every side .

in a moment he stood in human form at the bottom of the sea .

he made haste then to enter the glass palace , and went up to the young girl and spoke to her .

but there was much to attend to , and he must give careful heed to all that she told him .

' And he cannot pay , ' said she ; ' I know that for certain .

when the time comes near for his debt becoming due you will be able to notice by his manner that he is ill at ease .

the amount is six bushels just what you have .

the first question my father will ask will be , " where is my daughter ? "

then you shall step forward and answer " she is at the bottom of the sea . "

he will then ask you whether you can recognise her , and to this you will answer " yes . "

you have then answered his first question .

his next question will be , " where is my heart ? "

you shall then step forward again and answer , " it is in a fish . "

" do you know that fish ? " he will say , and you will again answer " yes . "

he will then cause all kinds of fish to come before you , and you shall choose between them .

then all will be over with the troll ; he will ask no more questions , and we shall be free to wed . '

he went about all day in despair , and thought and thought , but he could not remember what they sounded like .

he made haste to repeat the words , and at the same moment he became a fish again and slipped out into the sea .

' Well , how do you like to be a fish ? ' asked the troll .

it was what he had liked best of all , said the youth , and that was no lie , as everybody can guess .

he obtained his request , and was taken on as stableman , to tend the king 's horses .

some time passed , and he noticed how the king always went about sorrowing and grieving , and was never glad or happy .

' It 's of no use speaking about that , ' said the king ; ' you cannot help me , at any rate . '

the king gladly agreed to all that the youth proposed , and it was now high time for them to set out .

they were measured and found to be correct .

this the troll had not reckoned on , but he could make no objection against it .

the old debt was honestly paid , and the king got his bond back again .

But there still remained all the damage that had been done that day , and the king had nothing with which to pay for this .

there was nothing else to be done than to try to answer the troll 's riddles .

the fool then stationed himself just by the king 's side while the troll came forward with his questions .

he first asked , ' Where is my daughter ? '

the fool spoke up and said , ' She is at the bottom of the sea . '

' How do you know that ? ' said the troll .

' The little fish saw it , ' said the fool .

' Would you know her ? ' said the troll .

' Yes , bring her forward , ' said the fool .

he thereupon caught her round the waist and held her fast , and the troll had to admit that his first riddle was solved .

then the troll asked again : ' Where is my heart ? '

' It is in a fish , ' said the fool .

' Would you know that fish ? ' said the troll .

' Yes , bring it forward , ' said the fool .

then all the fishes came swimming past them , and meanwhile the troll 's daughter stood just by the youth 's side .

at the same moment the troll fell dead and turned into pieces of flint .

and if they have not died since they are living there to this day .

Esben and the Witch

from the Danish .

as for Esben , no one had ever thought about him ; his brothers had not even said farewell to him .

' You are a little fool , ' said his father .

' Well , you will soon be rid of me at any rate , ' said Esben .

the brothers rode on the whole day , and towards evening they came to a great forest , which they entered .

Far within the wood they came to a little house , and knocked at the door .

the eleven brothers thought that they had come to very hospitable people .

they were well attended to , and when they went to bed , each of them got one of the hag 's daughters .

Esben had been coming along behind them , and had followed the same way , and had also found the same house in the forest .

he slipped into this , without either the witch or her daughters noticing him , and hid himself under one of the beds .

a little before midnight he crept quietly out and wakened his brothers .

he told these to change night-caps with the witch 's daughters .

when midnight came Esben heard the old witch come creeping along .

she had a broad-bladed axe in her hand , and went over all the eleven beds .

they quite forgot to thank Esben for what he had done for them .

when they had ridden onwards for some time they reached a king 's palace , and inquired there whether they could be taken into service .

quite easily , they were told , if they would be stablemen , otherwise the king had no use for them .

they were quite ready for this , and got the task of looking after all the king 's horses .

however , he stayed there and occupied himself as best he could .

he got his food , but nothing more , and by night he lay just where he could .

at this time there was in the palace a knight who was called Sir Red .

he was very well liked by the king , but hated by everyone else , for he was wicked both in will and deed .

but they would not procure it unless they were threatened with death .

with that the king let them go , and there was great grief among them ; some wept and others lamented .

' What good would it do to tell you , you little fool ?

you can't help us . '

' Oh , you don't know that , ' answered Esben .

' I have helped you before . '

' Give me a bag of peas ' said Esben , ' and I shall see what I can do for you . '

Esben got his bag of peas ; then he took his white stick , and said ,

fly quick , my little stick , Carry me across the stream .

Straightway the stick carried him across the river and straight into the old witch 's courtyard .

' Ye e s ! '

' Is it you that has taken my dove ? '

' Ye e s ! '

' Was it you that made me kill my eleven daughters ? '

' Ye e s ! '

' Are you coming back again ? '

' That may be , ' said Esben .

' Then you 'll catch it , ' shouted the witch .

the stick carried Esben with the dove back to the king 's palace , and his brothers were greatly delighted .

the king thanked them many times for the dove , and gave them in return both silver and gold .

at this Sir Red became still more embittered , and again thought of how to avenge himself on the brothers .

' You must get me that boar within three days , ' said the king , ' or it will cost you your heads . '

with that they had to go .

this was still worse than before , they thought .

where could they get such a marvellous boar ?

they all went about hanging their heads ; but when only one day remained of the three Esben came along .

when he saw his brothers ' sorrowful looks he cried , ' Hallo , what 's the matter now ? '

' Oh , what 's the use of telling you ? ' said his brothers .

' You can't help us , at any rate . '

' Ah , you don't know that , ' said Esben ; ' I 've helped you before . '

Esben got his sack of malt ; then he took his little white stick , set himself upon it , and said ,

fly quick , my little stick , Carry me across the stream .

off went the stick with him , and very soon he was again in the witch 's courtyard .

there he emptied out the malt , and next moment came the boar , which had every second bristle of gold and of silver .

' Ye e s ! '

' Is it you that has taken my pretty boar ? '

' Ye e s ! '

' It was also you that took my dove ? '

' Ye e s ! '

' And it was you that made me kill my eleven daughters ? '

' Ye e s ! '

' Are you coming back again ? '

' That may be , ' said Esben .

' Then you 'll catch it , ' said the witch .

not one of them , however , ever thought of thanking Esben for what he had done for them .

' If they have said that , ' said the king , ' they shall also be made to bring it to me .

that would be a glorious lamp for me . '

again the king sent a message to the brothers to come up to the palace .

they went accordingly , although very unwillingly , for they suspected that Sir Red had fallen on some new plan to bring them into trouble .

as soon as they came before the king he said to them ,

' You brothers have said that you could , if you liked , get for me a lamp that can shine over seven kingdoms .

that lamp must be mine within three days , or it will cost you your lives . '

' The lamp ! ' said the king , ' or it will cost you your heads . '

the brothers were now in greater despair than ever .

they did not know what to do , for such a lamp no one had ever heard of .

but just as things looked their worst along came Esben .

' Something wrong again ? ' said he .

' What 's the matter with you now ? '

' Oh , it 's no use telling you , ' said they .

' You can't help us , at any rate . '

' Oh , you might at least tell me , ' said Esben ; ' I have helped you before . '

' Give me a bushel of salt , ' said Esben , ' and we shall see how matters go . '

he got his bushel of salt , and then mounted his little white stick , and said ,

fly quick , my little stick , Carry me across the stream .

with that both he and his bushel of salt were over beside the witch 's courtyard .

but now matters were less easy , for he could not get inside the yard , as it was evening and the gate was locked .

finally he hit upon a plan ; he got up on the roof and crept down the chimney .

she had grown hungry , and had taken such a fancy to some porridge .

the daughter got out of bed , kindled the fire , and put on a pot with water in it .

' You mustn't put any salt in the porridge , though , ' cried the witch .

the daughter came back then and put in the meal , and after it had boiled a little she took it in to her mother .

the witch took a spoonful and tasted it .

so the daughter had to go and make new porridge , and her mother warned her strictly not to put any salt in it .

' There you have it , then , ' said the witch ; ' but take good care of it . '

when she was going to draw the water from the well she set the lamp down on a stone beside her .

then he made off with the lamp .

but the witch got out of her bed and ran after him , crying :

' Hey ! is that you again , Esben ? '

' Ye e s ! '

' Was it you that took my dove ? '

' Ye e s ! '

' Was it also you that took my boar ? '

' Ye e s ! '

' And it was you that made me kill my eleven daughters ? '

' Ye e s ! '

' And now you have taken my lamp , and drowned my twelfth daughter in the well ? '

' Ye e s ! '

' Are you coming back again ? '

' That may be , ' said Esben .

' Then you 'll catch it , ' said the witch .

the king gave them many fine presents , but Esben did not get even so much as thanks from them .

the king asked what that was .

' It is , ' said Sir Red , ' the most beautiful coverlet that any mortal ever heard tell of .

it also has the property that , when anyone touches it , it sounds so that it can be heard over eight kingdoms . '

' That must be a splendid coverlet , ' said the king , and he at once sent for the brothers .

you shall procure it for me , or else lose your lives , ' said he .

things looked very black again for the brothers , for they were sure there was no escape for them .

not one of them thought it worth while to look for Esben , but he soon came along of himself .

' Well , what 's the matter now ? ' said he .

' Oh , what 's the use of telling you ? ' said the brothers .

' You can't help us , at any rate . '

' Ah ! who knows that ? ' said Esben .

' I have helped you before . '

he again took his little white stick , set himself on it , and said ,

fly quick , my little stick , Carry me across the stream .

next moment he was across the river and beside the witch 's house .

it was evening , and the door was locked , but he knew the way down the chimney .

the witch awoke , sprang out of bed , and caught hold of Esben .

Ho , ho ! now I have him ! '

in this time however , she had taken a liking to Esben , and would willingly have set him free , but could not .

the daughter went and told Esben , and asked him what she should do .

the daughter did so , but when the witch bit it she cried , ' Uh ! no , no !

this is nothing but skin and bone ; he must be fattened much longer yet . '

now he shall be killed . '

the daughter promised all this , and the witch went off on her journey .

the daughter then made the oven as hot as could be , and took Esben out of his prison in order to roast him .

she brought the oven spade , and told Esben to seat himself on it , so that she could shoot him into the oven .

' You mustn't sit like that , ' said she .

' How then ? ' said Esben .

' You must cross your legs , ' said the daughter ; but Esben could not understand what she meant by this .

' Get out of the way , ' said she , ' and I will show you how to place yourself . '

' Ye e s ! '

' It was you that made me kill my eleven daughters ? '

' Ye e s ! '

' And took my dove ? '

' Ye e s ! '

' And my beautiful boar ? '

' Ye e s ! '

' And drowned my twelfth daughter in the well , and took my lamp ? '

' Ye e s ! '

' And now you have roasted my thirteenth and last daughter in the oven , and taken my coverlet ? '

' YeÄeÄs ! '

' Are you coming back again ? '

' No , never again , ' said Esben .

Esben had found again his little stick , which the witch had taken from him , so he said ,

fly quick , my little stick , Carry me across the stream .

next moment he was back at the king 's palace .

Esben now went up to the king and gave him the coverlet , with which the king was greatly delighted .

much was made of Esben and his brothers , and these now thanked him for all that he had done for them .

the twelve of them received as much gold and silver as they could carry , and betook themselves home to their old father .

Princess Minon-minette

Bibliotheque des Fees et aes Genies

under these circumstances it is not surprising that the Council did not get through much work .

no sooner was the revolt put down than the Council turned their attention to the question of the young king 's marriage .

this plan was by no means new , but it had often succeeded , and , anyhow , they could think of nothing better .

such a splendid embassy had never before been seen in any country .

the princess made some difficulties , but , as the weather was lovely and very still , she at last consented to the king 's wishes .

the king went forward to steady her , but the wind that he caused only drove her further away from him .

he rushed after her exclaiming , ' O princess ! are you really running away from me ? '

' Good gracious , no ! ' she replied .

' Run a little quicker and you will be able to stop me , and I shall be for ever grateful .

then he continued his journey .

but he was not to be let off so easy .

' What about my bundle ? ' cried the old woman .

' Where is your politeness ?

really , you seem to have been very nicely brought up !

what have they taught you ? '

' Taught me ?

nothing , ' replied he .

' I can well believe it ! ' she said .

' You don't know even how to pick up a bundle .

oh , you can come near ; I am cleverer than you , and know how to pick up a bundle very well . '

the king blushed at her words , which he felt had a great deal of truth in them , and took up the bundle meekly .

Aveline , delighted at the success of her first experiment , hobbled along after him , chattering all the while , as old women do .

' I wish , ' she said , ' that all kings had done as much once in their lives .

then they would know what a lot of trouble it takes to get wood for their fires . '

Souci felt this to be true , and was sorry for the old woman .

' Where are we going to ? ' asked he .

' To the castle of the White Demon ; and if you are in want of work I will find you something to do . '

' But I can't do anything , ' he said , ' except carry a bundle , and I shan't earn much by that . '

' Oh , you are learning , ' replied the old woman , ' and it isn't bad for a first lesson . '

but the king was paying very little attention to her , for he was rather cross and very tired .

she ran to them , exclaiming to the old woman ,

' Oh , you poor thing !

I was just coming after you to see if I could help you . '

' Here is a young man , ' replied the old woman , ' who will be quite ready to give you up the bundle .

you see he does not look as if he enjoyed carrying it . '

' Will you let me take it , sir ? ' she asked .

matters went on this way for some time .

he found her spinning in an underground chamber , but quite ready to tell him all he wanted to know .

for a moment Souci was very much cast down on hearing this , but then he plucked up .

and show me how I can repay you for your kindness , and you shall have anything I can give you .

shall I bring in your bundle of faggots every day ? '

' Is it the skein of my life ? ' he asked .

' It is the skein of your love 's ill-luck , ' she said .

and he took it and went away .

now the fairy Girouette , who had brought up Souci , had an old friend called Grimace , the protectress of Prince Fluet .

so saying , she also went away .

' What are you doing in my country ? ' he cried fiercely .

' Do you dare to insult me in my own court ? ' cried the king .

' Away with him to Little Ease ! '

to his surprise the bar gave way at once , and he found he could break it into a thousand pieces .

then Souci 's heart died within him .

I am grateful for your goodwill , but take back your gift ! '

the fairy had pity on his youth and want of faith , and took care that one end of the thread remained in his hand .

then he rolled up the thread and put it carefully into his pocket , breathing silent thanks to the fairy .

the princess at once gave her promise , and all went well for some days .

she remembered Aveline 's warning , and tried to turn her horse , but it stood as still as if it had been marble .

then the princess felt that she was slowly , and against her will , being dragged to the ground .

scarcely had her feet touched the threshold than Grimace appeared .

' So here you are at last , Minon-Minette !

I have been watching for you a long time , and my trap was ready for you from the beginning .

come here , my darling !

I will teach you to make war on my friends !

things won't turn out exactly as you fancied .

meanwhile you will have to be my servant . '

from that day the poor princess was put to the hardest and dirtiest work , and each morning something more disagreeable seemed to await her .

besides which , she had no food but a little black bread , and no bed but a little straw .

then she felt sure that the fairy had not forgotten her , and took heart .

the fairy , in a rage , tried to snatch it from her , but the princess would not let it go .

' Give me that fan at once ! ' cried Grimace .

' If she is not on the earth , ' said Souci to himself , ' perhaps she is hiding somewhere in the air .

it is there that I shall find her . '

she guided the fan above the spot where the two armies lay encamped before each other ready to give battle .

maiden Bright-eye

from the Danish

once , upon a time there was a man and his wife who had two children , a boy and a girl .

the wife died , and the man married again .

she was spared from all the hardest of the housework , and had always the prettiest clothes to wear .

' Who 's that pulling the roof off my house ? '

if you will be good to me I will give you a bit of my dinner . '

the little fellow was quite willing , and she gave him the biggest share of her pancakes .

they were not particularly good , but when one is hungry anything tastes well .

after he had got them all eaten he said to her :

the third wish shall be that you may be married to the young king , and become the queen of the country .

Maiden Bright-eye thanked the little bergman ever so often , and drove home her sheep in the evening .

by that time she had grown so beautiful that her people could scarcely recognise her .

her stepmother asked her how it had come about that she had grown so beautiful .

she did not tell , however , that she had given him a share of her dinner .

next morning she baked for her the finest cakes , and dressed her prettily to go out with the sheep .

but she was afraid to go away there without having a stick to defend herself with if anything should come near her .

' Who 's that pulling the roof off my house ? '

' What 's that to you ? ' said she .

' Well , if you will give me a bit of your dinner I won't do you any mischief , ' said he .

' I will give you something else in place of my dinner , ' said she .

' What a wicked little girl you are ! ' said he ; ' but you shall be none the better of this .

I shall give you three wishes , and choose them for you .

in the third place I shall wish for you a violent death . '

now we must hear something about the stepson .

he had gone out into the world to look about him , and took service in the king 's palace .

he told them that it was because he had such a lovely sister at home .

he got a ship , and everything else that he required , and sailed home for his sister .

she must not be allowed to come to such honour . '

when the brother learned what had happened he was greatly distressed , and did not know what to do .

he could not bring himself to tell the truth about what had happened , nor did he expect that the king would believe it .

in the long run he decided to hold on his way , and let things go as they liked .

the duck swam away after the ship , and came to the king 's palace on the next evening .

the duck hopped up till it could talk to the dog .

' Good evening , ' it said .

' Thanks , Maiden Bright-eye , ' said the dog .

' Where is my brother ? '

' He is in the serpent-pit . '

' Where is my wicked sister ? '

' She is with the noble king . '

' Alas ! alas !

I am here this evening , and shall be for two evenings yet , and then I shall never come again . '

when it had said this the duck waddled off again .

they had heard it say that it would come again .

next evening it appeared as it had said , and a great many were present to see it .

it came waddling in by the drain , and went up to the dog , which was lying on the hearth-stone .

' Good evening , ' it said .

' Thanks , Maiden Bright-eye , ' said the dog .

' Where is my brother ? '

' He is in the serpent-pit . '

' Where is my wicked sister ? '

' She is with the noble king . '

' Alas ! alas !

I am here this evening , and shall be for one evening yet , and then I shall never come again . '

after this it slipped out , and no one could get hold of it .

but the king 's cook thought to himself , ' I shall see if I can't get hold of you to-morrow evening . '

on the third evening the duck again came waddling in by the drain , and up to the dog on the hearth-stone .

' Good evening , ' it said .

' Thanks , Maiden Bright-eye , ' said the dog .

' Where is my brother ? '

' He is in the serpent-pit . '

' Where is my wicked sister ? '

' She is with the noble king . '

' Alas ! alas ! now I shall never come again . '

the king then asked him if he could produce to him his sister as beautiful as he had formerly described her .

the brother said he could if they would bring him the duck and a knife .

next moment Maiden Bright-eye stood there , as lovely and beautiful as he had seen her when he was home .

this was his sister now , he said ; and the whole story now came out of how the other had behaved to her .

the Merry Wives

from the Danish

all three were married , and their wives were very good friends .

this was at the time when half a pint of brandy cost threepence , so that was just a penny from each of them .

but the brandy went up in price , and the taverner said that he must have fourpence for the half-pint .

if we had only had a fierce watchdog he would have kept them away . '

' Yes , ' said the man , ' that would have been a good thing . '

the husband was not very sure about this , although otherwise he was always ready to give in to her .

' Oh yes , you will see it will work all right , ' said the wife .

there he stood and barked and growled at everyone that moved in his neighbourhood .

the neighbour wives knew all about this , and were greatly amused at it .

you are ill . '

the husband now began to grow anxious , and thought that perhaps he was not quite well .

' No , indeed , ' said she ; ' it 's high time that you were in bed . '

' You will never get over it , ' said she ; ' I am afraid you are going to die . '

' Do you think so ? ' said the carpenter ; ' I can well believe it , for I am indeed very poorly . '

in a little while she said again , ' Ah , now I must part with you .

here comes Death .

now I must close your eyes . '

and she did so .

meanwhile word had gone round the village that the carpenter was dead , and was to be buried next day .

it was now the turn of the smith 's wife .

' Gracious , man , ' said she , ' you are lying there yet ?

you are sleeping too long .

you know you are going to the funeral . '

the smith was quite confused ; he knew nothing about any funeral .

' It 's our neighbour the carpenter , ' said his wife , ' who is to be buried to-day .

they are already half-way to church with him . '

' All right , ' said the smith , ' make haste to help me on with my black clothes . '

' What nonsense ! ' said his wife , ' you have them on already .

be off with you now . '

this was already close to the church , and the smith wanted to take part in carrying the coffin , like a good neighbour .

the lid sprang off the coffin with the shock , and the carpenter woke up and looked out .

King Lindorm

from the Swedish .

there once lived a king and a queen who ruled over a very great kingdom .

one day a poor old woman came to the castle and asked to speak with the queen .

the royal servants answered that they could not let such a poor beggar-woman go in to their royal mistress .

they offered her a penny , and told her to go away .

then the woman desired them to tell the queen that there stood at the palace gate one who would help her secret sorrow .

this message was taken to the queen , who gave orders to bring the old woman to her .

this was done , and the old woman said to her :

' I know your secret sorrow , O queen , and am come to help you in it .

you wish to have a son ; you shall have two if you follow my instructions . '

the queen was greatly surprised that the old woman knew her secret wish so well , and promised to follow her advice .

' You must have a bath set in your room , O queen , ' said she , ' and filled with running water .

when you have bathed in this you will find . under the bath two red onions .

these you must carefully peel and eat , and in time your wish will be fulfilled . '

the queen did as the poor woman told her ; and after she had bathed she found the two onions under the bath .

they were both alike in size and appearance .

when she had done so she remembered that the woman had told her to peel them carefully before she ate them .

it was now too late for the one of them , but she peeled the other and then ate it too .

no one saw this but her waiting-woman , who threw it out of the window into the forest beside the castle .

the prince obeyed , had his horses harnessed to his gilded chariot , and set out to woo his bride .

' Where are you driving to ? ' asked the lindorm with a hideous voice .

' That does not concern you , ' said the prince .

' I am the prince , and can drive where I please . '

' Turn back , ' said the lindorm .

' I know your errand , but you shall get no bride until I have got a mate and slept by her side . '

the lindorm came to the palace and received a bride of this kind , but in the morning she lay torn in pieces .

so it happened every time that the king and queen compelled any woman to be his bride .

the report of this soon spread over all the country .

now it happened that there was a man who had married a second time , and his wife heard of the lindorm with great delight .

at this the king was greatly delighted , and gave orders that the young girl should be brought to the palace .

she begged that she might be allowed to spend another night in her father 's house .

this was granted her , and she went to her mother 's grave .

there she lamented her hard fate in being given over to the lindorm , and earnestly prayed her mother for counsel .

then she rose up from the grave , quite happy at heart , and began to search about in the fields .

there she found three nuts , which she carefully put away in her pocket .

' When I come into very great danger I must break one of these , ' she said to herself .

then she went home , and set out quite willingly with the king 's messengers .

when they were left alone in the bridal chamber the lindorm , in a threatening voice , ordered her to undress herself .

' Undress yourself first ! ' said she .

' None of the others bade me do that , ' said he in surprise .

' But I bid you , ' said she .

then his bride took off one of her snow-white shirts , and cast it on the lindorm's skin .

again he ordered her to undress , and again she commanded him to do so first .

when she had nearly worn out the last of these there stood before her the loveliest youth in the world .

then he asked her whether she would keep the promise she had made to the lindorm , to share everything with him .

to this she was well content to answer ' Yes . '

he told them of the wonderful sight he had seen .

the waiting-woman was then summoned , and admitted that she had thrown it out through the window into the forest .

the king and queen now sent for their eldest son and his young bride .

soon afterwards his mother also departed from this world .

then he took farewell of his queen , and marched out to war .

she now plotted continually how she might destroy her good fortune .

the queen , who did not imagine that any person could be so deceitful , bade her stepmother welcome , and kept her beside her .

soon after this the queen had two children , the prettiest boys that anyone could see .

the queen gave her permission , and the stepmother combed her hair until she fell asleep .

he therefore wrote back to his most trusted retainer that the queen and her two whelps should be taken care of while he was away .

this she also sealed with the queen 's seal , which was in all respects like the king 's .

the stepmother had made these known to the people , adding that the queen was a wicked sorceress .

the queen obeyed , and no one knew but that both she and her children had been burned .

he then begged her to leave the palace before the king returned .

the queen now took her two little sons , and wandered out into the wild forest .

they walked all day without ending a human habitation , and became very tired .

the queen then caught sight of a man who carried some venison .

he spoke but little , however , and all that he said about himself was that his name was Peter .

later in the day he rode out into the forest , and the queen thought that he looked very unhappy .

she was surprised at this , but thought that the man would get the blood on his shirt when he was carrying home venison .

she washed the shirts , and hung them up to dry , and said nothing to Peter about the matter .

he then told her that he had formerly lived a wild life , and had finally entered into a written contract with the Evil Spirit .

before this contract had expired he had repented and turned from his evil ways , and withdrawn himself to this solitude .

then at a distance she heard a terrible voice demanding to know what she wanted .

' I have come to get Peter 's contract , ' said she .

the queen then took one of her nuts and cracked it , and turned her horse about .

they would not , however , give up the contract , but threatened both her and the man .

the queen had only one nut left now , but even that she was ready to give up in order to deliver the man .

the attendants were surprised : they knew of no whelps .

the queen had had two beautiful princes ; but the king had sent orders that all these were to be burned .

the king then went forth alone into the wild forest , and wandered there the whole day without seeing a single human being .

so it went with him the second day also , but on the third day he came by roundabout ways to the little hut .

he went in there , and asked for leave to rest himself for a little on the bench .

he lay down on the bench , and , tired as he was , he soon fell asleep .

the bench was a narrow one , and as he slept his arm fell down and hung by the side of it .

then he felt a pair of little hands softly clasping his arm ; he opened his eyes , and saw his queen and her children .

the most unbounded rejoicing reigned there then , as well as over the whole kingdom , but the wicked stepmother was burned .

the Jackal , the Dove , and the Panther

Contes populaires des Bassoutos .

Recueillis et traduits par E . Jacottet .

Paris : Leroux , Editeur .

there was once a dove who built a nice soft nest as a home for her three little ones .

so he shouted as loud as he could , ' Ohe , ohe , mother dove . '

and the dove replied , trembling with fear , ' What do you want , sir ? '

the jackal ate it up , and went home to sleep .

but the heron replied , ' You should not have believed him .

he could never have jumped so high .

he only deceived you because he wanted something for supper . '

and with these words the heron flew off .

he had hardly got out of sight when again the jackal came creeping slowly round the foot of the rock .

' It was the heron who told me , ' replied she .

' And which way did he go ? ' said the jackal .

' Down there among the reeds .

you can see him if you look , ' said the dove .

then the jackal nodded good-bye , and went quickly after the heron .

' And which side do you turn to ? ' asked the heron .

the jackal answered , ' I always turn to this side . '

' Then that is the side I turn to , ' remarked the heron .

' And when the rain comes from that quarter , which side do you turn to ? '

and the heron replied , ' And which side do you turn to ? '

' Oh , I always turn to this side , ' said the jackal .

' Then that is the side I turn to , ' said the heron .

' And when the rain comes straight down , what do you do ? '

' What do you do yourself ? ' asked the heron .

' I do this , ' answered the jackal .

' I cover my head with my paws . '

' Then that is what I do , ' said the heron .

with one bound the jackal had seized him by the neck , and began to shake him .

' Oh , have pity , have pity ! ' cried the heron .

' I never did you any harm . '

' You told the dove how to get the better of me , and I am going to eat you for it . '

' Now you may go , my friend , for there is plenty of food here for me . '

' I should be very much obliged , ' said the panther ; ' but be sure you take care of them .

they always cry all the time that I am away . '

By-and-bye the panther returned from hunting , and said to him , ' Jackal , bring out my little ones for their supper . '

next day she went again to the chase , and the jackal ate up another little panther , so now there were only eight .

in the evening , when she came back , the panther said , ' Jackal , bring out my little ones ! '

but the jackal replied : ' Bring out your little ones , indeed !

why , you know as well as I do that you have eaten them all up . '

and , what was worse , she did not find the little ones either .

now the panther was not going to let the jackal get off like that , and set off at a trot to catch him .

and the jackal answered : ' They are up there .

it is where I keep school . '

the panther looked about , and then inquired , ' But where ?

I see nothing of them . '

' Come a little this way , ' said the jackal , ' and you will hear how beautifully they sing . '

so the panther drew near the cleft of the rock .

she was still standing in the same place when a baboon went by .

' What are you doing there , panther ? '

' I am listening to my children singing .

it is here that the jackal keeps his school . '

the Little Hare

Contes populaires des Bassoutos .

Recueillis et traduits par E . Jacottet .

Paris : Leroux , Editeur .

one day the wife said to her husband , ' I am pining to have the liver of a nyamatsane for my dinner .

if not , I shall know that your love is not worth having . '

' Bake some bread , ' was all her husband answered , ' then take the crust and put it in this little bag . '

' Very well , ' said he , ' and now good-bye ; I am going after the nyamatsane . '

but the nyamatsane was not so easy to find as the woman had hoped .

but there were no more nyamatsanes here than anywhere else .

they rushed clattering into the hut , exclaiming , ' We smell human flesh !

what should any man be doing here ? '

and they led their grandmother outside , and all of them began hungrily to eat pebbles .

however , as the nyamatsanes did not see this they had no idea that he was not really their grandmother .

towards evening the nyamatsanes came back to the hut full of anxiety to know how their grandmother had got on during their absence .

then they stooped down to find traces of the man 's footsteps , and when they had got them instantly set out in hot pursuit .

his heart stood still within him , and he said to himself , ' I am lost .

so they returned home .

then our friend staggered into his own hut and called to his wife : ' Ichou ! how tired I am !

quick , give me something to drink .

then go and get fuel and light a fire . '

and the wife answered , ' It is well .

her husband watched her for a moment , and then said , ' Be sure you eat it all yourself .

do not give a scrap to any of the children , but eat every morsel up . '

so the woman took the liver and ate it all herself .

but the neighbour pushed her away , saying , ' No , I shall have none left for my children . '

she wandered in this manner through the whole village till she had drunk every water-pot dry .

but by this time she had drunk so much that she could not rise from the ground .

he saw at once that the water had been troubled again , and was very angry .

why , there is mud all over his face and paws ! '

but the little hare hastily replied , ' I only asked you to pass me my stick . '

but one of the beasts whose ears were longer than the rest caught the words , and went to tell Big Lion about it .

do you hear what the little hare is saying ? '

so Big Lion sent for the little hare , and asked him what he meant by talking like that .

then he turned and ran as fast as he could , with all the other beasts pursuing him .

when the last tail was out of sight the little hare crept cautiously out , and the first person he met was the rabbit .

it was really you who drank that water , and you accused me of having done it . '

' Oh , my good rabbit , never mind that !

I 've got such a wonderful secret to tell you !

do you know what to do so as to escape death ? '

' No , I don't . '

' Well , we must begin by digging a hole . '

then he called loudly ' Itchi , Itchi !

rabbit , my friend , be quick , be quick !

don't you hear how my skin is crackling ? '

and the rabbit came in a great hurry and pulled him out .

then the little hare said , ' Now it is your turn ! ' and he threw the rabbit in the fire .

but the little hare only laughed , and said , ' No , you may stay there !

it is your own fault .

why were you such a fool as to let yourself be thrown in ?

didn't you know that fire burns ? '

and in a very few minutes nothing was left of the rabbit but a few bones .

Pii , pii , O flute that I love , Pii , pii , rabbits are but little boys .

one day he said to his master , ' Grandfather , shall I show you a splendid way to kill game ? '

' What is it ? ' asked Big Lion .

' We must dig a ditch , and then you must lie in it and pretend to be dead . '

Pii , pii , all you animals come and see , Big Lion is dead , and now peace will be .

directly they heard this they all came running .

the little hare received them and said , ' Pass on , this way to the lion . '

so they all entered into the Animal Kingdom .

last of all came the monkey with her baby on her back .

then the monkey cried , ' Come , my baby , climb on my back and let us go .

what sort of a dead body is it that can still feel when it is tickled ? '

and she and her baby went away in a fright .

then the little hare said to the other beasts , ' Now , shut the gate of the Animal Kingdom . '

and it was shut , and great stones were rolled against it .

he had long ago found out that Big Lion was very easily taken in ; so he laid his plans accordingly .

' What is pricking me so ? ' asked Big Lion .

' Oh , just a little branch sticking out .

in a little while he gave another prick , and Big Lion called again , ' What is pricking me so ? '

this time the little hare said to himself , ' He will find out what I am at .

I must try some other plan .

Big Lion did as he was bid , and the little hare tied it tightly to the stakes of the wall .

but there was no answer , not even a growl , for the hailstones had killed Big Lion .

but one day a great wind arose , and flung down the Big Lion 's half-dried skin from the roof of the hut .

so , dressed in Big Lion 's skin , the little hare started on his travels .

the hyaena dared not disobey , and in a few minutes was scalded to death .

one day all the hyaenas that remained alive went out very early into the fields , leaving only one little daughter at home .

but her father answered , ' Oh , my dear child , you don't know what you are talking about . '

she replied , ' Yes , father , it is quite true .

I saw it with my own eyes . '

and the next day they hid themselves and waited till the little hare came out of the royal hut .

he walked gaily towards the enclosure , threw off , Big Lion 's skin , and sang and danced as before

but the hyaena never stirred .

there was silence for a moment ; then a hyaena took a stone , and flung it with all his force against the lion 's skin .

' No , I have seen no one . '

' Where can he be ? ' said the hyaenas one to another .

' Of course , this creature is quite different , and not at all like the little hare . '

the Sparrow with the Slit Tongue

from the Japanische Marchen und Sagen .

a long long time ago , an old couple dwelt in the very heart of a high mountain .

at last , one morning her opportunity came .

she threw her broom at the bird , who was perched on a bracket high up on the wall .

the broom missed the bird , but knocked down and broke the vase on the bracket , which did not soothe the angry woman .

by this time the woman was more furious than ever .

By-and-bye the old man came back , and at once began to ask for his pet .

day after day he searched and called ; and evening after evening he returned in despair .

at length he gave up hope , and made up his mind that he should see his little friend no more .

' Oh , my dear old friend , ' she exclaimed , ' how glad I am you have found me at last !

I am your little sparrow , whose life you saved , and whom you took such care of . '

and as she spoke , her servants brought in two chests , one of them very small , the other large and heavy .

' Now choose which of them you will carry with you . '

so the old man chose the small chest , and hid it under his cloak , and set out on his homeward way .

and it was even worse than he expected .

when she had got it into her head , she put on her best clothes and set out at once .

but in her blind haste she often missed the path , and she wandered for several hours before she at length reached the little house .

but nothing of the sort .

' Of course not , ' replied the girl , and at her orders two chests were brought in , as they had been before .

it was a long way to her own house , and the chest seemed to grow heavier at every step .

and they twined themselves about her and darted poison into her veins , and she died , and no man regretted her .

the Story of Ciccu

from Sicilianische Mahrchen .

once upon a time there lived a man who had three sons .

the eldest was called Peppe , the second Alfin , and the youngest Ciccu .

they were all very poor , and at last things got so bad that they really had not enough to eat .

' No , no ! ' exclaimed his sons ; ' that you shall never do .

rather , if it must be , would we do it ourselves .

but we have thought of a better plan than that . '

' What is it ? ' asked the father .

then they built a little hut where they might take shelter , and set to work .

he bade his sons fetch a lawyer , so that he might make his will , and when the man arrived he explained his wishes .

' I have , ' said he , ' a little house in the village , and over it grows a fig-tree .

the house I leave to my sons , who are to live in it together ; the fig-tree I divide as follows .

to my son Peppe I leave the branches .

to my son Alfin I leave the trunk .

to my son Ciccu I leave the fruit .

besides the house and tree , I have an old coverlet , which I leave to my eldest son .

and an old purse , which I leave to my second son .

and a horn , which I leave to my youngest son .

and now farewell . '

thus speaking , he laid himself down , and died quietly .

' What shall we do now ? ' said they .

' Shall we live in the wood , or go back to the village ? '

and they made up their minds to stay where they were and continue to earn their living by selling firewood .

one very hot evening , after they had been working hard all day , they fell asleep under a tree in front of the hut .

and as they slept there came by three fairies , who stopped to look at them .

' What fine fellows ! ' said one .

' Let us give them a present . '

' Yes , what shall it be ? ' asked another .

' This youth has a coverlet over him , ' said the first fairy .

' When he wraps it round him , and wishes himself in any place , he will find himself there in an instant . '

then said the second fairy : ' This youth has a purse in his hand .

I will promise that it shall always give him as much gold as he asks for . '

last came the turn of the third fairy .

' This one has a horn slung round him .

when he blows at the small end the seas shall be covered with ships .

and if he blows at the wide end they shall all be sunk in the waves . '

so they vanished , without knowing that Ciccu had been awake and heard all they said .

I have a fancy for them , for the sake of old times . '

when he had got them safely Ciccu went on , ' Dear brothers , I am tired of the forest .

I want to live in the town , and work at some trade . '

' O Ciccu ! stay with us , ' they cried .

' We are very happy here ; and who knows how we shall get on elsewhere ? '

so saying he picked up his bundle of sticks , and his brothers did the same .

' Bring us three dishes , the nicest that you have , and a good bottle of wine . '

' Ciccu !

Ciccu ! ' whispered his brothers , horrified at this extravagance , ' are you mad ?

how do you ever mean to pay for it ? '

' Let me alone , ' replied Ciccu ; ' I know what I am about . '

and when they had finished their dinner Ciccu told the others to go on , and he would wait to pay the bill .

then he paid the bill and joined his brothers .

' How did you manage ? ' they asked .

' Never you mind , ' answered he .

' I have paid every penny , ' and no more would he say .

I am going away to seek my own fortune . '

then he embraced them , and struck down another road .

he wandered on for many days , till at length he came to the town where the king had his court .

the first thing Ciccu did was to order himself some fine clothes , and then buy a grand house , just opposite the palace .

lastly the rumour of these wonders reached the ears of the king , who left his palace to behold these splendours with his own eyes .

and Ciccu received him with all respect , and showed him over the house .

the princess returned to the palace , taking with her the purse , which she had not the smallest intention of ever restoring to Ciccu .

very soon Ciccu had spent all the money he had by him , and could get no more without the help of his purse .

then he took up the coverlet , and wished he was safe in his own house .

no sooner had he gone than the princess hastened to her father and complained of her sufferings .

then the king rose up in a fury , and commanded Ciccu to be brought before him .

what could Ciccu do ?

however , he was pleased to see that the fig-tree looked in splendid condition , and was full of fruit .

the figs of course are yours , but the branches they grow on are mine , and I forbid you to touch them . '

the others agreed , and when they had found a man whom they could trust Ciccu told him the whole story .

' This is my verdict , ' said the judge .

' The figs in truth belong to you , but you cannot pluck them without touching both the trunk and the branches .

the rest you can keep for yourself . '

perhaps he will give us something in return , and if he does we will divide it faithfully between us . '

so the best figs were carefully packed in a basket , and Peppe set out with it to the castle .

' What is that to you ? ' was the answer ; ' mind your own business . '

but the old man only repeated his question , and Peppe , to get rid of him , exclaimed in anger , ' Dirt . '

' Good , ' replied the old man ; ' dirt you have said , and dirt let it be . '

Peppe only tossed his head and went on his way till he got to the castle , where he knocked at the door .

when Peppe uncovered his basket sure enough a layer of beautiful purple figs met the king 's eyes , but underneath there was nothing but dirt .

' How dare you play me such a trick ? ' shrieked the king in a rage .

' Take him away , and give him fifty lashes . '

this was done , and Peppe returned home , sore and angry , but determined to say nothing about his adventure .

and when his brothers asked him what had happened he only answered , ' When we have all three been I will tell you . '

a few days after this more figs were ready for plucking , and Alfin in his turn set out for the palace .

he had not gone far down the road before he met the old man , who asked him what he had in his basket .

' Horns , ' answered Alfin , shortly .

' Good , ' replied the old man ; ' horns you have said , and horns let it be . '

the king commanded that Alfin should be admitted to his presence , and a silver dish to be brought on which to lay the figs .

when the basket was uncovered some beautiful purple figs lay on the top , but underneath there was nothing but horns .

then the king was beside himself with passion , and screamed out , ' Is this a plot to mock me ?

take him away , and give him a hundred and fifty lashes ! '

however , he plucked them , as they had agreed , and set out for the king 's palace .

' Figs for the king , ' answered he .

' Let me have a peep , ' and Ciccu lifted the lid .

' Oh , do give me one , I am so fond of figs , ' begged the little man .

' But there are not enough left to take to the king , ' murmured Ciccu .

Ciccu did not much like it ; however he went on his way , and with a trembling heart rang the castle bell .

I suppose it is a wager ! '

but Ciccu uncovered the basket , and there lay a pile of beautiful ripe figs .

Ciccu accepted gratefully , but said he must first return home and give the five florins to his brothers .

when he got home Peppe spoke : ' Now we will see what we each have got from the king .

I myself received from him fifty lashes . '

' And I a hundred and fifty , ' added Alfin .

then Ciccu went back to the Court and served the king , and the king loved him .

' How can I get it ? ' asked the king .

' Oh , Ciccu can get it for you ; ask him . '

beg the king to give you fifty gold pieces and leave to ride me , and the rest will be easy . '

Ciccu believed what the horse said , and prayed the king to grant him what he asked .

then the two friends set out , but the horse chose what roads he pleased , and directed Ciccu in everything .

he himself hid carefully under the bed and waited .

he was so busy over the mosquitos that he did not hear Ciccu steal softly out , or see him catch up the sword .

the king had suffered much pain in his absence , thinking that if the Man-eater ate Ciccu , it would be all his fault .

and he was so overjoyed to have him safe that he almost forgot the sword which he had sent him to bring .

you may have any help you like , but somehow or other you must manage to do it . '

Ciccu felt very much cast , down at these words , and went to the stable to ask advice of his friend the horse .

' Fear nothing , ' said the horse ; ' just say you want me and fifty pieces of gold . '

Ciccu did as he was bid , and the two set out together .

when they reached the country of the Man-eater , Ciccu made all the church bells toll and a proclamation to be made .

' Ciccu , the servant of the king , is dead . '

' What are you doing in my wood ? ' asked the Maneater , coming up .

' Noble lord , ' answered Ciccu , ' I am making a coffin for the body of Ciccu , who is dead . '

then Ciccu scratched his ear thoughtfully , and cried , ' Idiot that I am !

I never took any measures .

how am I to know if it is big enough ?

but now I come to think of it , Ciccu was about your size .

I wonder if you would be so good as just to put yourself in the coffin , and see if there is enough room . '

' Oh , delighted ! ' said the Man-eater , and laid himself at full length in the coffin .

Just about this time the queen died , and soon after the king thought he should like to marry again .

he sought everywhere , but he could not hear of any princess that took his fancy .

' But where can I find her ? ' asked the king

' Oh , Ciccu will know , and he will bring her to you . '

now the king had got so used to depending on Ciccu , that he really believed he could do everything .

Ciccu did as he was bid , and they started at a gallop .

' Get down , and give the poor things some honey , ' said the horse , and Ciccu dismounted .

' Jump down , and throw the fish into the water ; he will be useful to us , ' and Ciccu did so .

farther along the hillside they saw an eagle whose leg was caught in a snare .

at length they came to the castle where the fairest in the world lived with her parents .

then said the horse , ' You must get down and sit upon that stone , for I must enter the castle alone .

if you fail to do this , we are both lost . '

soon a crowd collected first to watch him and then to pat him , and the king and queen and princess came with the rest .

but the horse made one bound forward , and the princess was forced to hold tight by his mane , lest she should fall off .

and as they dashed past the stone where Ciccu was waiting for them , he swung himself up and held her round the waist .

but she said nothing , and they rode on fast , fast .

but she answered , ' That can only be when Ciccu brings me the veil that I let fall on my way here . '

' Wait a moment , ' answered a voice that seemed to come from somewhere very high up indeed .

and Ciccu saw it was the very same eagle that he had freed from the snare .

so he took the veil and rode back to the king .

' Not so fast , ' answered she .

' I can never be your wife till Ciccu puts on my finger the ring I threw into the stream .

' Now , call three times on the emperor of the fishes , and beg him to restore you the ring that the princess dropped .

Ciccu did as the horse told him , and a voice was heard in answer that seemed to come from a very long way off .

' A fish is playing with it just now , ' replied the voice ; ' however , you shall have it without delay . '

and sure enough , very soon a little fish was seen rising to the surface with the lost ring in his mouth .

and the king forgot how Ciccu had served him , and desired him to do as the princess had said .

this time Ciccu felt that no escape was possible , and he went to the horse and laid his hand on his neck .

then get down , and scrape off the foam with a knife .

' Willingly , ' replied the king , stooping over the oven .

and in a moment the fire caught him , and he was burned up .

so Ciccu married the fairest in the world , and became king of the country .

don Giovanni De La Fortuna

Sicilianische Mahrchen

' Would you like to be rich , ' asked the devil , ' and to lead a pleasant life ? '

' Yes , of course I should , ' replied the Don .

now Don Giovanni was a man who never troubled his head about the future .

he soon began to ask for money for the mere pleasure of it , and there was always as much as he needed .

' What is that you can do ? ' laughed the gentleman .

' Will you sell me your house ? ' asked Don Giovanni .

' I will buy it from you on the spot . '

' Oh , the dirty creature is quite mad ! ' thought the gentleman .

' I shall just accept his offer for a joke . '

and Don Giovanni left the inn and dwelt in the beautiful rooms , where his rags and dirt looked sadly out of place .

and every day these got worse and worse .

Don Giovanni readily agreed to lend him what he wanted , and sent next day a huge waggon laden with sacks of gold .

' Who can he be ? ' thought the king to himself .

' Why , he is much richer than I ! '

I shall certainly not take back that handful of gold , and , if he declines to accept it , keep it yourself . '

the servant departed and delivered the message , and the king wondered more than ever how anyone could be so rich .

I wish to give him the hand of our eldest daughter . '

' His majesty is too good , ' he replied .

' I can only humbly accept the honour . '

but when it came , and the princess saw the horrible figure , she screamed out , ' What ! marry this dirty beggar ?

never , never ! '

but I have passed my royal word , and I cannot break it , so there is no help for you . '

and the queen took her part , and reproached her husband bitterly for wishing his daughter to marry a creature like that .

then the youngest daughter spoke : ' Dear father , do not look so sad .

as you have given your word , I will marry Don Giovanni . '

soon after the old king died , and Don Giovanni became king .

end of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Pink Fairy Book , by Various

produced by Juliet Sutherland , Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team

MRS PETER RABBIT

by Thornton W Burgess

Illustrations by Harrison Cady

@number@

TO MY DAUGHTER

WHOSE ASSISTANCE IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS VOLUME HAS BEEN INVALUABLE IT IS MOST AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I PETER RABBIT LOSES HIS APPETITE

II PETER RABBIT PLANS A JOURNEY

III HOOTY THE OWL CHANGES HIS HUNTING GROUNDS

IV THE SHADOW WITH SHARP CLAWS

V IN THE OLD PASTURE

VI PETER RABBIT IS STILL LONESOME

VII PETER FINDS TRACKS

VIII THE STRANGE TRACKS IN THE OLD PASTURE

IX AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE

x PETER RABBIT ALMOST DECIDES TO RETURN HOME

XI PETER RABBIT HAS A SUDDEN CHANGE OF MIND

XII PETER LEARNS SOMETHING FROM TOMMY TIT

XIII LITTLE MISS FUZZYTAIL

XIV SOME ONE FOOLS OLD JED THUMPER

XV A PLEASANT SURPRISE FOR PETER

XVI PETER RABBIT'S LOOKING-GLASS

XVII PETER MEETS MISS FUZZYTAIL

XVIII TOMMY TIT PROVES A FRIEND INDEED

XIX OLD MAN COYOTE PAYS A DEBT

XX LITTLE MISS FUZZYTAIL WHISPERS " YES "

XXI PETER AND LITTLE MISS FUZZYTAIL LEAVE THE OLD PASTURE

XXII SAMMY JAY BECOMES CURIOUS

XXIII PETER INTRODUCES MRS . PETER

XXIV DANNY MEADOW MOUSE WARNS PETER RABBIT

XXV PETER RABBIT'S HEEDLESSNESS

XXVI PETER RABBIT LISTENS TO MRS . PETER

XXVII MISTAH MOCKER PLAYS A JOKE ON MRS . PETER

XXVIII NEWS FROM THE OLD BRIAR-PATCH

XXIX JIMMY SKUNK VISITS PETER RABBIT

XXX REDDY FOX LEARNS THE SECRET

XXXI BLACKY THE CROW HAS SHARP EYES

XXXII PETER RABBIT'S NURSERY

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

every one who could walk , creep , or fly headed for the Old Briar-patch .....!.n

frontispiece

he dodged and jumped , and all the time the shadow followed him

that night Old Man Coyote started for the Old Pasture

" the quickest way for me to know is for you to tell me , " replied Jimmy

CHAPTER I

PETER RABBIT LOSES HIS APPETITE

good appetite , you 'll always find , Depends upon your state of mind .

Peter Rabbit .

Peter Rabbit had lost his appetite .

now when Peter Rabbit loses his appetite , something is very wrong indeed with him .

Peter has boasted that he can eat any time and all the time .

So when Peter loses his appetite or his curiosity , there is surely something the matter with him .

now there wasn't any reason why he should go far from the dear Old Briar-patch .

so there was plenty for Peter to eat without running any risk of danger .

with nothing to do but eat and sleep , Peter should have grown fat and contented .

but he didn't .

now that is just the way with a lot of people .

yet in spite of all this , Danny was happy and never once lost his appetite .

" I don't know what 's the matter with me .

" I think I 'll go and cut some new paths through the Old Briar-patch . "

now , though he didn't know it , that was the very best thing he could do .

it gave him something to think about .

for two or three days he was very busy cutting new paths , and his appetite came back .

but when he had made all the paths he wanted , and there was nothing else to do , he lost his appetite again .

he just sat still all day long and moped and thought and thought and thought .

the trouble with Peter Rabbit 's thinking was that it was all about himself and how unhappy he was .

of course , the more he thought about this , the more unhappy he grew .

" if I only had some one to talk to , I 'd feel better , " said he to himself .

that reminded him of Johnny Chuck and what good times they used to have together when Johnny lived on the Green Meadows .

and right then Peter found out what was the matter with him .

" I believe I 'm just lonesome , " said Peter .

" yes , Sir , that 's what 's the matter with me .

" it isn't good to be alone , I 've often heard my mother say .

it makes one selfish , grouchy , cross , And quite unhappy all the day .

CHAPTER II

PETER RABBIT PLANS A JOURNEY

it 's a long jump that makes no landing .

Peter Rabbit .

" the trouble with me is that I 'm lonesome , " repeated Peter Rabbit as he sat in the dear Old Briar-patch .

" yes , Sir , that 's the only thing that 's wrong with me .

I 'm just tired of myself , and that 's why I 've lost my appetite .

and now I know what 's the matter , what am I going to do about it ?

Peter sat a little longer , thinking and thinking .

then a bright idea popped into his head .

he kicked up his heels .

" I 'll do it , " said he .

" I 'll make a journey !

that 's what I 'll do !

I 'll make a journey and see the Great World .

" by staying here and sitting still I 'm sure I 'll simply grow quite ill .

a change of scene is what I need To be from all my trouble freed . "

but Peter is one of those who does his thinking afterward .

Peter is what is called impulsive .

that is , he does things and then thinks about them later , and often wishes he hadn't done them .

you see , Peter never looks ahead .

now the minute Peter made up his mind to make a journey , he began to feel better .

his lost appetite returned , and the first thing he did was to eat a good meal of sweet clover .

" let me see , " said he , as he filled his big stomach , " I believe I 'll visit the Old Pasture .

at last he saw jolly , round , red Mr Sun drop down to his bed behind the Purple Hills .

Peter grinned .

CHAPTER III

HOOTY THE OWL CHANGES HIS HUNTING GROUNDS

a full stomach makes a pleasant Day ; An empty stomach turns the whole world gray .

Peter Rabbit .

Hooty the owl sat on the tip-top of a tall dead tree in the Green Forest while the Black Shadows crept swiftly among the trees .

he was talking to himself .

what he was saying was this :

" Towhit , towhoo !

Towhit , towhoo !

will some one tell me what to do ?

Towhit , towhoo !

Towhit , towhoo !

will some one tell me what to do ? "

when it was dark enough he gave his fierce hunting call " Whooo-hoo-hoo , whoo-hoo ! "

hunting was very poor , very poor indeed , and Hooty was at his wits ' end to know what he should do .

" it 's all because of Old Man Coyote and Granny and Reddy Fox , " said Hooty angrily .

" they 've spoiled the hunting .

yes , Sir , that 's just what they have done !

if I expect to feed those hungry babies of mine , I must find new hunting grounds .

I believe I 'll go up to the Old Pasture .

perhaps I 'll have better luck up there . "

if he had , perhaps he would have thought twice before starting .

anyway , he would have kept a sharper watch on the sky .

CHAPTER IV

THE SHADOW WITH SHARP CLAWS

for when that one alone you need , And nothing else will do , What good are all the thousand then ?

I do not see ; do you ?

Peter Rabbit .

forgetting leads to more trouble than almost anything under the sun .

Peter Rabbit knew this .

of course he knew it .

Peter had had many a narrow escape just from forgetting something .

it was a moonlight night , and Peter was sharp enough to keep in the shadows whenever he could .

the nearer he got to the Old Pasture , the safer he felt from Old Man Coyote and Granny and Reddy Fox .

when he scampered across the patches of moonshine his heart didn't come up in his mouth the way it had at first .

he grew bolder and bolder .

once or twice he stopped for a mouthful of sweet clover .

" plenty of hiding places there , " thought Peter .

" it really looks as safe as the dear Old Briar-patch .

no one will ever think to look for me way off here . "

just then he spied a patch of sweet clover out in the moonlight .

his mouth began to water .

" you 'd better be careful , Peter Rabbit , " said a wee warning voice inside him .

" pooh ! " said Peter .

" there 's nothing to be afraid of way up here ! "

a shadow drifted across the sweet clover patch .

Peter saw it .

just as he reached the patch of clover , the shadow drifted over it again .

then all in a flash a terrible thought entered Peter 's head .

he didn't stop to look up .

he suddenly sprang sideways , and even as he did so , sharp claws tore his coat and hurt him dreadfully .

he twisted and dodged and jumped and turned this way and that way , and all the time the shadow followed him .

once again sharp claws tore his coat and made him squeal with pain .

Illustration : HE DODGED AND JUMPED , AND ALL THE TIME THE SHADOW FOLLOWED HIM .

at last , when his breath was almost gone , he reached the edge of the Old Pasture and dived under a friendly old bramble-bush .

" oh , " sobbed Peter , " I forgot all about Hooty the Owl !

besides , I didn't suppose he ever came way up here . "

CHAPTER V

IN THE OLD PASTURE

brambles never scratch those who understand and are considerate of them .

Peter Rabbit .

Peter had had a terrible fright .

there were long tears in his coat , and he smarted and ached dreadfully where the cruel claws of Hooty the Owl had torn him .

but Peter had had so many narrow escapes in his life that he had learned not to worry over dangers that are past .

Peter is what wise men call a phi-los-o-pher .

that is a big word , but its meaning is very simple .

Peter had learned his lesson .

he was sure of that .

if he hadn't , I might have forgotten all about him some time when he could catch me .

I certainly wouldn't have watched out for him way up here , for I didn't think he ever came up to the Old Pasture .

but now I know he does , Mr Hooty 'll have to be smarter than he 's ever been before to catch me napping again .

my , how I do smart and ache !

I know now just how Danny Meadow Mouse felt that time Hooty caught him and dropped him into the Old Briar-patch .

ouch !

well , as my mother used to say :

' Yesterday has gone away ; Make the most of just to-day . '

here I am up in the Old Pasture , and the question is , what shall I do next ? "

Peter felt a queer little thrill as he peeped out from under the friendly bramble-bush .

very strange and wonderful it seemed .

Peter wondered what dangers might be awaiting him there , but somehow he didn't feel much afraid .

no , Sir , he didn't feel much afraid .

so when he saw them , he felt almost at home .

Peter drew a long breath .

then he cried " ouch ! "

you see , he had forgotten for a minute how sore he was .

but the first move he made brought another " ouch " from him , and he made up a wry face .

" I haven't anything to fear from him , anyway , for he 'll never think of coming way up here , " said he .

CHAPTER VI

PETER RABBIT IS STILL LONESOME

a sympathetic word or two A wond'rous help is , when you 're blue .

so pity him who sits alone His aches and troubles to bemoan .

Peter Rabbit .

Peter looked up at him , and he felt sure that Mr Sun winked at him .

somehow it made him feel better .

the fact is , Peter was beginning to feel just a wee , wee bit homesick .

before that long night was over Peter felt as if his heart had gone way down to his very toes .

yes , Sir , that 's the way he felt .

every time he moved at all he cried " ouch ! "

he just knew that he was growing more stiff and sore every minute .

then he began to wonder what he should do for something to eat , for he was in a strange place , you remember .

at that moment he looked up and saw jolly , round , red Mr Sun wink .

Peter tried to wink back , and that made the two tears fall .

but there were no more tears to follow .

you see that wink had made all the difference in the world , Peter 's heart had jumped right back where it belonged .

Mr Sun was one of his oldest friends and you know

when trouble comes , a friendly face Makes bright the very darkest place .

to be sure Peter was still lonesome , but it was a different kind of lonesomeness .

CHAPTER VII

PETER FINDS TRACKS

every day is different from every other day , And always there is something new to see along the way .

Peter Rabbit .

Peter Rabbit had sat still just as long as he could .

he just HAD to explore the Old Pasture .

now Hooty the Owl had taught Peter wisdom .

with his torn clothes and his aches and smarts he couldn't very well forget to be careful .

then he limped out to the very patch of sweet clover where Hooty had so nearly caught him the night before .

" a good breakfast , " said Peter , " will make a new Rabbit of me . "

you know Peter thinks a great deal of his stomach .

so he began to eat as fast as he could , stopping every other mouthful to look and listen .

so he ate and ate and ate as fast as he could make his little jaws go , which is very fast indeed .

when Peter 's stomach was stuffed full he gave a great sigh of relief and limped back to the friendly old bramble-bush to rest .

but he couldn't sit still long , for he just had to find out all about the Old Pasture .

so pretty soon he started out to explore .

such a wonderful place as it seemed to Peter !

there were clumps of bushes with little open spaces between , just the nicest kind of playgrounds .

then there were funny spreading , prickly juniper-trees , which made the very safest places to crawl out of harm 's way and to hide .

everywhere were paths made by cows .

very wonderful they seemed to Peter , who had never seen any like them before .

he liked to follow them because they led to all kinds of queer places .

once he found an old tumble-down stone wall all covered with vines , and he shouted right out with delight .

but he never was wholly safe from Shadow the Weasel anywhere , so he didn't let that thought worry him .

by and by he came to a wet place called a swamp .

the ground was soft , and there were little pools of water .

great ferns grew here just as they did along the bank of the Laughing Brook , only more of them .

there were pretty birch-trees and wild cherry-trees .

it was still and dark and oh , so peaceful !

Peter liked that place and sat down under a big fern to rest .

he didn't hear a sound excepting the beautiful silvery voice of Veery the Thrush .

listening to it , Peter fell asleep , for he was very tired .

by and by Peter awoke .

for a minute he couldn't think where he was .

then he remembered .

what do you think Peter saw ?

tracks !

yes , Sir , he saw tracks , Rabbit tracks in the soft mud , and Peter knew that he hadn't made them !

CHAPTER VIII

THE STRANGE TRACKS IN THE OLD PASTURE

who has attentive ear and eye Will learn a lot if he but try .

Peter Rabbit .

Peter Rabbit stared and stared at the tracks in the soft mud of the swamp in the Old Pasture .

he would look first at the tracks , then at his own feet , and finally back at the tracks again .

he scratched his long right ear with his long right hind foot .

then he scratched his long left ear with his long left hind foot , all the time staring his hardest at those strange tracks .

they certainly were the tracks of a Rabbit , and it was equally certain that they were not his own .

" they are too big for mine , and they are too small for Jumper the Hare 's .

besides , Jumper is in the Green Forest and not way off up here , " said Peter to himself .

" I wonder well , I wonder if he will try to drive me away . "

now he wondered if the maker of these tracks would feel the same way about the Old Pasture .

Peter looked troubled as he thought it over .

then his face cleared .

you see he realized all of a sudden that he didn't feel much like fighting .

the Old Pasture looks big enough for a lot of Rabbits , and perhaps if I don't bother him , he won't bother me .

I wonder what he looks like .

I believe I 'll follow these tracks and see what I can find . "

so Peter began to follow the tracks of the strange Rabbit , and he was so interested that he almost forgot to limp .

they led him this way and they led him that way through the swamp and then out of it .

at the foot of a certain birch-tree Peter stopped .

" Ha ! " said he , " now I shall know just how big this fellow is . "

how was he to know ?

why , that tree was a kind of Rabbit measuring-stick .

yes , Sir , that is just what it was .

and this was the measuring-tree of the Rabbit whose tracks Peter had been following .

Peter stopped at the foot of it and sat down to think it over .

he knew what that tree meant perfectly well .

he had one or two measuring-trees of his own on the edge of the Green Forest .

he knew , too , that it was more than a mere measuring-tree .

it was a kind of " no trespassing " sign .

it meant that some other Rabbit had lived here for some time and felt that he owned this part of the Old Pasture .

Peter 's nose told him that , for the tree smelled very , very strong of Rabbit of the Rabbit with the big feet .

this was because whoever used it for a measuring-tree used to rub himself against it as far up as he could reach .

Peter hopped up close to it .

you see , he didn't want to leave his own mark there .

" my sakes , he is a big fellow ! " exclaimed Peter .

" I guess I don't want to meet him until I feel better and stronger than I do now . "

CHAPTER IX

AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE

Peter Rabbit .

then , anyway , I 'm too stiff and sore to fight .

and then , he has no business to think he owns the Old Pasture , because he doesn't .

I have just as much right here as he has .

I 'll show him !

yes , Sir-e-e , I 'll show him !

I guess my wits are as sharp as his , and I wouldn't wonder if they are a little bit sharper . "

Foolish Peter Rabbit !

Peter was like a lot of other people ; he wasn't fair .

no , Sir , he wasn't fair .

he let his own desires destroy his sense of fair play .

oh , my , yes !

that was quite a different matter !

the very thought of it made Peter very , very angry .

when he thought of this other Rabbit , it was always as the stranger .

that shows just how unfair Peter was , because , you see , Peter himself was really the stranger .

it was his first visit to the Old Pasture , while it was very plain that the other had lived there for some time .

but Peter couldn't or wouldn't see that .

if the other Rabbit had been smaller than he well , that might have made a difference .

the truth is , Peter was just a wee bit afraid .

and perhaps it was that wee bit of fear that made him unfair and unjust .

no sooner had this thought popped into his head than he received a surprise , such an unpleasant surprise !

it was three heavy thumps right behind him .

Peter knew what that meant .

of course he knew .

it meant that he must run or fight .

thump !

thump !

thump !

there it was again .

Peter knew by the sound that it was of no use to stay and fight , especially when he was so sore and stiff .

there was nothing to do but run away .

he simply had to .

and that is just what he did do , while his eyes were filled with tears of rage and bitterness .

CHAPTER X

PETER RABBIT ALMOST DECIDES TO RETURN HOME

I have no doubt that you 've been told How timid folks are sometimes bold .

Peter Rabbit .

in all his life Peter Rabbit had never been so disappointed .

the fact is , Peter was more unhappy than he could remember ever to have been before .

you see , it was this way : Peter had expected to find some enemies in the Old Pasture .

but Peter didn't worry about any of these dangers .

he was used to them , was Peter .

who was it ?

he had seen just enough to want to see more .

you know how very curious Peter is .

but the old gray Rabbit didn't do anything of the kind .

twice Peter had tried to fight , but the old gray Rabbit was too big for him .

Poor Peter !

after the second time Peter didn't try to fight again .

he just tried to keep out of the way .

and he did , too .

and still he hated to give in When there was still so much to see .

" persistence , I was taught , will win , And so I will persist , " said he .

and he did persist day after day , until at last he felt that he really must give it up .

but instead of the angry face of the old gray Rabbit he saw what do you think ?

why , two of the softest , gentlest eyes peeping at him from behind a big fern .

CHAPTER XI

PETER RABBIT HAS A SUDDEN CHANGE OF MIND

whatever you decide to do Make up your mind to see it through .

Peter Rabbit .

and so he just stared and stared .

it was very rude .

of course it was .

it was very rude indeed .

it is always rude to stare at any one .

Peter gave a great sigh .

then he remembered how rude he had been to stare so .

" I beg your pardon .

I didn't mean to frighten you .

please forgive me . "

with the greatest eagerness Peter waited for a reply .

you know it was because he had been so lonesome that he had left his home in the dear Old Briar-patch on the Green Meadows .

and since he had been in the Old Pasture he had been almost as lonesome , for he had had no one to talk to .

so now he waited eagerly for a reply .

but though he waited and waited , there wasn't a sound from the big fern .

" perhaps you don't know who I am .

still there was no sound .

Peter didn't know just what to do .

he wanted to hop over to the big fern and peep behind it , but he didn't dare to .

he was afraid that whoever was hiding there would run away .

still there was no reply .

it seemed to Peter that never in all his life had he seen such beautiful eyes .

they looked so shy and bashful that Peter held his breath for fear that he would frighten them away .

after a time the eyes disappeared .

then Peter saw a little movement among the ferns , and he knew that whoever was there was stealing away .

he wanted to follow , but something down inside him warned him that It was best to sit still .

so Peter sat just where he was and kept perfectly still for the longest time .

but the eyes didn't appear again , and at last he felt sure that whoever they belonged to had really gone away .

then he sighed another great sigh , for suddenly he felt more lonesome than ever .

he hopped over to the big fern and looked behind it .

there in the soft earth was a footprint , the footprint of a Rabbit , and it was SMALLER than his own .

it seemed to Peter that it was the most wonderful little footprint he ever had seen .

" I believe , " said Peter right out loud , " that I 'll change my mind .

I won't go back to the dear Old Briar-patch just yet , after all . "

CHAPTER XII

PETER LEARNS SOMETHING FEOM TOMMY TIT

when you find a friend in trouble Pass along a word of cheer .

often it is very helpful Just to feel a friend is near .

Peter Rabbit .

" hello , Peter Rabbit !

what are you doing way up here , and what are you looking so mournful about ? "

Peter gave a great start of pleased surprise .

that was the first friendly voice he had heard for days and days .

" Hello yourself , Tommy Tit ! " shouted Peter joyously .

" my , my , my , but I am glad to see you !

but what are you doing up here in the Old Pasture yourself ? "

Tommy Tit the Chickadee hung head down from the tip of a slender branch of a maple-tree and winked a saucy bright eye at Peter .

" I 've got a secret up here , " he said .

now there is nothing in the world Peter Rabbit loves more than a secret .

but he cannot keep one to save him .

no , Sir , Peter Rabbit can no more keep a secret than he can fly .

he means to .

his intentions are the very best in the world , but

alas ! alack ! poor Peter 's tongue Is very , very loosely hung .

and so , because he MUST talk and WILL talk every chance he gets , he cannot keep a secret .

people who talk too much never can .

" what is your secret ? " asked Peter eagerly .

Tommy Tit looked down at Peter , and his sharp little eyes twinkled .

" it 's a nest with six of the dearest little babies in the world in it , " he replied .

" oh , how lovely ! " cried Peter .

" where is it , Tommy Tit ? "

" in a hollow birch-stub , " replied Tommy , his eyes twinkling more than ever .

" but where is the hollow birch-stub ? " persisted Peter .

Tommy laughed .

" that 's my real secret , " said he , " and if I should tell you it wouldn't be a secret at all .

now tell me what you are doing up here in the Old Pasture , Peter Rabbit . "

Peter saw that it was of no use to tease Tommy Tit for his secret , so instead he poured out all his own troubles .

" Ho ! " interrupted Tommy Tit , " I know him .

he 's Old Jed Thumper , the oldest , biggest , crossest Rabbit anywhere around .

he 's lived in the Old Pasture so long that he thinks he owns it .

it 's a wonder that he hasn't killed you . "

Tommy Tit laughed .

" that 's the very wisest thing you could have done , " said he .

" but why don't you go back to the dear Old Briar-patch in the Green Meadows ? "

Peter hesitated and looked a wee bit foolish .

" those eyes belong to little Miss Fuzzy-tail , and she 's the favorite daughter of Old Jed Thumper .

you take my advice , Peter Rabbit , and trot along home to the Old Briar-patch before you get into any more trouble .

there 's my wife calling .

yes , my dear , I 'm coming !

Chickadee-dee-dee ! "

and with a wink and a nod to Peter Rabbit , off flew Tommy Tit .

CHAPTER XIII

LITTLE MISS FUZZYTAIL

foolish questions waste time , but wise questions lead to knowledge .

Peter Rabbit .

" little Miss Fuzzytail ! "

" it 's a pretty name , " said Peter .

" yes , Sir , it 's a pretty name .

it 's the prettiest name I 've ever heard .

I wonder if she is just as pretty .

I I think she must be .

yes , I am quite sure she must be . "

now all the time , although Peter didn't know it , little Miss Fuzzytail was very close by .

and Peter is such a nice sounding name !

it sounds so honest and good and true .

poor fellow !

Poor Peter Rabbit ! "

here little Miss Fuzzytail wiped her eyes .

" he looks so miserable I do wish I could do something for him .

I I oh , dear , I do believe he is coming right over here !

I guess I better be going .

how he limps ! "

once more the tears filled her soft , gentle eyes as she stole away , making not the least little sound .

when she was sure she was far enough away to hurry without attracting Peter 's attention , she began to run .

by and by , Tommy Tit stopped to rest .

he looked down at Miss Fuzzytail and winked a saucy black eye .

Miss Fuzzytail winked back .

then both laughed , for they were very good friends , indeed .

" tell me , Tommy Tit , all about Peter Rabbit , " commanded little Miss Fuzzytail .

and Tommy did .

CHAPTER XIV

SOME ONE FOOLS OLD JED THUMPER

you cannot judge a person 's temper by his size .

there is more meanness in the head of a Weasel than in the whole of a Bear .

Peter Rabbit .

old Jed Thumper sat in his bull-briar castle in the middle of the Old Pasture , scowling fiercely and muttering to himself .

he was very angry , was Old Jed Thumper .

the more he chewed his temper , the angrier he grew .

he was big and stout and strong and gray .

yet here was a strange Rabbit who had had the impudence to come up from the Green Meadows and refused to be driven away .

such impudence !

of course it was Peter Rabbit of whom Old Jed Thumper was thinking .

that very morning he had visited his favorite feeding ground , only to find Peter 's tracks there .

at last Old Jed Thumper stopped chewing on his temper .

he scowled more fiercely than ever and stamped the ground impatiently .

I certainly will ! " he said aloud , and started forth to hunt .

now it would have been better for the plans of Old Jed Thumper if he had kept them to himself instead of speaking aloud .

two dainty little ears heard what he said , and two soft , gentle eyes watched him leave the bull-briar castle .

there it was again thump , thump !

he was just going to thump back an angry reply , when he thought better of it .

so instead , he turned and hurried in the direction from which the thumps had come , taking the greatest care to make no noise .

every few jumps he would stop to listen .

" he 's down at my blueberry-patch , " he muttered .

at last he reached the blueberry-patch .

very softly he crept to a place where he could see and not be seen .

no one was there .

no , Sir , no one was there !

he waited and watched , and there wasn't a hair of Peter Rabbit to be seen .

he was just getting ready to go look for Peter 's tracks when he heard that thump , thump again .

this time it came from his favorite clover-patch where he never allowed even his favorite daughter , little Miss Fuzzytail , to go .

anger nearly choked him as he hurried in that direction .

but when he got there , just as before no one was to be seen .

so , all the morning long , Old Jed Thumper hurried from one place to another and never once caught sight of Peter Rabbit .

can you guess why ?

well , the reason was that all the time Peter was stretched out on his warm sunning-bank getting the rest he so much needed .

it was some one else who was fooling Old Jed Thumper .

CHAPTER XV

a PLEASANT SURPRISE FOR PETER

sticks will break and sticks will bend , And all things bad will have an end .

Peter Rabbit .

Peter did go to sleep .

Peter slept a long time , for no one came to disturb him .

when he did , he sprang to his feet and hastily looked this way and that way .

" my gracious ! " exclaimed Peter .

" my gracious , what a careless fellow I am !

it 's a wonder that Old Jed Thumper didn't find me asleep .

my , but I 'm hungry !

seems as if I hadn't had a good square meal for a year . "

Peter stopped suddenly and began to wrinkle his nose .

Um-m , my , my !

am I really awake , or am I still dreaming ?

I certainly do smell sweet clover ! "

slowly Peter turned his head In the direction from which the delicious smell seemed to come .

then he whirled around and stared as hard as ever he could , his mouth gaping wide open in surprise .

he blinked , rubbed his eyes , then blinked again .

there could be no doubt of it ; there on the edge of the sunning-bank was a neat little pile of tender , sweet clover .

yes , Sir , there it was !

Peter walked all around it , looking for all the world as if he couldn't believe that it was real .

finally he reached out and nibbled a leaf of it .

it WAS real !

there was no doubt in Peter 's mind then .

some one had put it there while Peter was asleep , and Peter knew that it was meant for him .

who could it have been ?

suddenly a thought popped into Peter 's head .

Peter 's heart gave a happy little jump .

he felt sure now who had put the clover there .

he looked wistfully about among the ferns , but she was nowhere to be seen .

CHAPTER XVI

PETER RABBIT'S LOOKING-GLASS

Peter Rabbit .

for the first time in his life Peter Rabbit had begun to think about his clothes .

always he had been such a happy-go-lucky fellow that it never had entered his head to care how he looked .

as for himself , Peter didn't care how he looked .

if his coat was whole , or in rags and tags , it was all the same to Peter .

yes , Sir , he wanted to be good-looking .

he wished that he were bigger .

he wished that he were the biggest and strongest Rabbit in the world .

he wished that he had a handsome coat .

and it was all because of the soft , gentle eyes of little Miss Fuzzytail that he had seen peeping out at him so often .

the fact is , Peter Rabbit was falling in love .

yes , Sir , Peter Rabbit was falling in love .

" I 've just got to meet her .

I 've just got to ! " said Peter to himself , and right then he began to wish that he were big and fine-looking .

" my , I must be a sight ! " he thought , " I wonder how I do look , anyway .

I must hunt up a looking-glass and find out . "

now when Peter Rabbit thinks of doing a thing , he wastes very little time .

it was that way now .

he started at once for the bit of swamp where he had first seen the tracks of Old Jed Thumper .

he still limped from the wounds made by Hooty the Owl .

but in spite of this he could travel pretty fast , and it didn't take him long to reach the swamp .

there , just as he expected , he found a looking-glass .

what was it like ?

why , it was just a tiny pool of water .

that was Peter 's looking-glass .

for a long time he stared into it .

at last he gave a great sigh .

" my , but I am a sight ! " he exclaimed .

he was .

his coat was ragged and torn from the claws of Hooty the Owl and the teeth of Old Jed Thumper .

the white patch on the seat of his trousers was stained and dirty from sitting down in the mud .

there were burrs tangled in his waistcoat .

he was thin and altogether a miserable looking Rabbit .

" it must be that Miss Fuzzytail just pities me .

she certainly can't admire me , " muttered Peter , as he pulled out the burrs .

for the next hour Peter was very busy .

he washed and he brushed and he combed .

" though I am homely , lank and lean , I can at least be neat and clean , "

said he , as he started back for the sunning-bank .

CHAPTER XVII

PETER MEETS MISS FUZZYTAIL

that this is true there 's no denying There 's nothing in the world like trying .

Peter Rabbit .

Peter Rabbit was feeling better .

certainly he was looking better .

then , too , Peter was getting enough to eat these days .

days and days had passed since he had seen Old Jed Thumper , and this had given him time to eat and sleep .

Peter wondered what had become of Old Jed Thumper .

" perhaps something has happened to him , " thought Peter .

" I I almost hope something has . "

now all this time Peter had been trying to find little Miss Fuzzytail .

but Peter didn't know this .

if he had , I am afraid that he would have been more in love than ever .

the harder she was to find , the more Peter wanted to find her .

but one day followed another , and Peter seemed no nearer than ever to meeting little Miss Fuzzytail .

somehow Peter knew whose voice that was , although he never had heard it before .

he sprang around the little juniper-tree , and what he saw filled him with such rage that he didn't once stop to think of himself .

like a flash Peter sprang over Black Pussy , and as he did so he kicked with all his might .

the cat hadn't seen him coming , and the kick knocked her right into the prickly juniper-tree .

of course she lost her grip on little Miss Fuzzytail , who hadn't been hurt so much as frightened .

" oh ? how brave you are ! " sobbed little Miss Fuzzytail .

and this is the way that Peter Rabbit at last got his heart 's desire .

CHAPTER XVIII

TOMMY TIT PROVES A FRIEND INDEED

nothing in all the world is so precious as a true friend .

Peter Rabbit .

Miss Fuzzytail laughed at that , for she felt quite able to take care of herself .

finally she said that he could go part way with her .

after that there were many pleasant days for Peter Rabbit .

old Jed Thumper went into a terrible rage .

he chewed and chewed with nothing in his mouth , that is , nothing but his temper , the way an angry Rabbit will .

he vowed and declared that if he never ate another mouthful he would drive Peter Rabbit from the Old Pasture .

my , my , my , those were bad days for Peter Rabbit !

yes , Sir , those certainly were bad days !

he did something worse than that .

one day he saw fierce Mr Goshawk hunting .

he let Mr Goshawk almost catch him , and then ducked under a bramble-bush .

then he showed himself again and once more escaped in the same way .

that certainly would have been the last of Peter Rabbit if it hadn't been for Tommy Tit the Chickadee .

dear me , dear me , those certainly were dreadful days for Peter Rabbit and little Miss Fuzzytail .

you see , all the time little Miss Fuzzytail was terribly worried for fear Peter would be caught .

Illustration with caption : THAT NIGHT OLD MAN COYOTE STARTED FOR THE OLD PASTURE .

CHAPTER XIX

OLD MAN COYOTE PAYS A DEBT

some little seeds of goodness You 'll find in every heart , To sprout and keep on growing When once they get a start .

Peter Rabbit .

matters went from bad to worse with Peter Rabbit and little Miss Fuzzytail .

now Peter , as you know , had an old friend in the Old Pasture , Tommy Tit the Chickadee .

one day Tommy took it into his head to fly down to the Green Meadows .

now one of the first to ask Tommy Tit if he had seen Peter Rabbit was Old Man Coyote .

pretty soon he came to a bramble-bush , and under it he could see Old Jed Thumper .

for just a minute he chuckled , a noiseless chuckle , to himself .

" Ha , ha , ha !

Ho , ho , ho !

Hee , hee , hee !

Ha , ho , hee , ho ! "

old Jed Thumper never had heard anything like that before .

it frightened him so that before he thought what he was doing he had jumped out from under the bramble-bush .

of course this was just what Old Man Coyote wanted .

in a flash he was after him , and then began such a race as the Old Pasture never had seen before .

" one good turn deserves another , and I always pay my debts , Peter Rabbit , " said he .

I don't think that old gray Rabbit will dare to poke so much as his nose out of his bull-briar castle for a week .

CHAPTER XX

LITTLE MISS FUZZYTAIL WHISPERS " YES "

love is a beautiful , wonderful thing .

there 's nothing quite like it on all the green earth .

' Tis love in the heart teaches birdies to sing , And gives the wide world all its joy and its mirth .

Peter Rabbit .

Peter Rabbit was finding this out .

always he had been happy , for happiness had been born in him .

but love doesn't need words , and Peter had seen it shining in the two soft , gentle eyes of little Miss Fuzzytail .

the next morning Peter had found her there .

she hadn't slept a wink , and she was still too frightened to even go look for her breakfast .

" oh , Peter Rabbit , did you hear that terrible noise last night ? " she cried .

" what noise ? " asked Peter , just as if he didn't know anything about it .

" why , that terrible voice ! " cried little Miss Fuzzytail , and shivered at the thought of it .

" what was it like ? " asked Peter .

" oh , I can't tell you , " said little Miss Fuzzy tall , " it wasn't like anything I ever had heard before .

" oh ? " replied Peter , " you must mean the voice of my friend .

Old Man Coyote .

he came up here last night just to do me a good turn because I once did him a good turn . "

" is is he fond of Rabbits ? " asked little Miss Fuzzytail .

Peter was quite sure that he was .

" and do you think he 'll come up here hunting again ? " she asked .

Peter didn't know , but he suspected that he would .

" oh , dear , " wailed little Miss Fuzzytail .

" now , I never , never will feel safe again ! "

then Peter had a happy thought .

Little Miss Fuzzytail sighed and dropped a tear or two .

then she nestled up close to Peter .

" yes , " she whispered .

CHAPTER XXI

PETER AND LITTLE MISS FUZZYTAIL LEAVE THE OLD PASTURE

a danger past is a danger past , So why not just forget it ?

watch out instead for the one ahead Until you 've safely met it , Peter Rabbit .

that 's a big word , but it is a word that everybody has to learn the meaning of sometime .

at last there was just such a night .

at last it was time to start .

Peter led the way .

you see , she felt that she was going out into the Great World , of which she knew nothing at all .

" oh , Peter , " she whispered , " supposing we should meet Reddy Fox !

I wouldn't know where to run or hide . "

I have fooled Reddy so many times that I 'm not afraid of him . "

never in all his life had Peter been so watchful and careful .

that was because he felt his re-sponsi-bil-ity .

every few jumps he would stop to sit up and look and listen .

once a dim shadow swept across the meadow grass ahead of them .

" Wha what was it ? " she whispered .

" I think it was Hooty the Owl , " Peter whispered back , " but he didn't see us . "

Peter hopped to his feet .

" come on , " said he .

" there 's nothing to fear from him now . "

" here we are ! " cried Peter .

" oh , I 'm so glad ! " cried little Miss Fuzzytail , hopping along one of Peter 's private little paths .

CHAPTER XXII

SAMMY JAY BECOMES CURIOUS

learn all you can about others , but keep your own affairs to yourself .

Peter Rabbit .

of course it was Sammy Jay who first found out that Peter Rabbit was back in the dear Old Briar-patch .

Sammy took it into his head to fly over there the very morning of Peter 's home-coming .

they wanted to keep by themselves for a little while and just be happy with each other .

of course Sammy Jay saw him right away , and of course Sammy was very much surprised .

" hello , Peter Rabbit !

" oh , " said Peter with a very grand air , " I 've been on a long journey to see the Great World . "

by the way , Tommy Tit the Chickadee was down here the other day and told us all about you .

what 's the matter ?

did her father , Old Jed Thumper , drive you out ? "

I came home because I wanted to . "

Sammy chuckled , for he dearly loves to tease Peter and make him angry .

so he just pretended not to have heard Sammy 's question .

now when Sammy had asked the question he had thought nothing about it .

it had just popped into his head by way of something to say .

but Sammy Jay is sharp , and he noticed right away that Peter didn't answer but began to talk about other things .

the last time that he did this he spied little Mrs Peter , who was , you know , Miss Fuzzytail .

at once Sammy Jay started for the Green Forest , screaming at the top of his voice :

" Peter Rabbit 's married !

Peter Rabbit 's married ! "

CHAPTER XXIII

PETER INTRODUCES MRS . PETER

Peter Rabbit .

" Peter Rabbit 's married ! "

he hurried to where Mrs Peter was hiding under a sweet-briar bush .

" do you hear what that mischief-maker , Sammy Jay , is screaming ? " asked Peter .

Mrs Peter nodded .

Peter chuckled .

" it sounds more than KIND of nice to me , " said he .

though he isn't saying it to be nice , it really is the nicest thing I 've ever heard him say .

we haven't been able to keep our secret , so I think the very best thing we can do is to invite everybody to call .

then we can get it over with and have a little time to ourselves .

here come the Merry Little Breezes , and I know that they will be glad to take the invitations for us . "

Mrs Peter agreed , for she thought that anything Peter did or suggested was just about right .

so the Merry Little Breezes were soon skipping and dancing over the Green Meadows and through the Green Forest with this message :

" Mr and Mrs. Peter Rabbit will be at home in the Old Briar-patch to their friends to-morrow after-noon at shadow-time . "

" why did you make it at shadow-time ? " asked Mrs Peter .

" because that will give all our friends a chance to come , " replied Peter .

" those who sleep through the day will have waked up , and those who sleep through the night will not have gone to bed .

" how thoughtful you are , " said little Mrs Peter with a little sigh of happiness .

from the Smiling Pool came Billy Mink , Little Joe Otter , Jerry Muskrat , Spotty the Turtle , and old Grandfather Frog .

Johnny and Polly Chuck came down from the Old Orchard and Drummer the Woodpecker came from the same place .

granny and Reddy Fox and Hooty the Owl didn't call , but they sat where they could look on and make fun .

you see , Peter had fooled all three so many times that they felt none too friendly .

everybody said that she was " too sweet for anything " , and when Reddy Fox overheard that remark he grinned and said :

" not for me !

she can't be too sweet for me , and I hope I 'll have a chance to find out just how sweet she is . "

what do you suppose he meant ?

CHAPTER XXIV

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE WARNS PETER RABBIT

good advice Is always needed But , alas ! is seldom heeded , Peter Rabbit .

of course , he hadn't the slightest intention of giving them the chance .

the second good reason Danny had for waiting was this very friendship .

Danny stood up on his hind legs so as to whisper in one of Peter 's ears .

" do you know that Old Man Coyote is the most dangerous enemy we have , Peter Rabbit ?

do you know that ? " he asked .

Peter Rabbit shook his head .

" I don't believe that , Danny , " said he .

" his terrible voice has frightened you so that you just think him as bad as he sounds .

why , Old Man Coyote is a friend of mine . "

Danny Meadow Mouse looked doubtful .

" what else did he say ? " he demanded .

" nothing , excepting that we were even now , " replied Peter .

" Ha ! " said Danny Meadow Mouse .

the way he said it made Peter turn to look at him sharply .

" Ha ! " said Danny again .

" if you are even , why you don't owe him anything , and he doesn't owe you anything .

watch out , Peter Rabbit !

watch out !

I would stick pretty close to the Old Briar-patch with Mrs Peter if I were you .

I would indeed .

you used to think old Granny Fox pretty smart , but Old Man Coyote is smarter .

yes , Sir , he is smarter !

and every one of the rest of us has got to be smarter than ever before to keep out of his clutches .

watch out , Peter Rabbit , if you and Old Man Coyote are even .

now , if you don't mind , I 'll curl up in my old hiding-place for the night .

I really don't dare go back home to-night . "

" what did that funny little Meadow Mouse have to say ? " asked Mrs Peter .

Peter told her and then added , " but I don't believe we have anything to fear from Old Man Coyote .

you know he is my friend . "

and Peter promised her that he would .

CHAPTER XXV

PETER RABBIT'S HEEDLESSNESS

Heedlessness is just the twin of thoughtlessness , you know , And where you find them both at once , there trouble 's sure to grow .

Peter Rabbit .

Peter Rabbit didn't mean to be heedless .

no , indeed !

oh , my , no !

peter thought so much of Mrs Peter , he meant to be so thoughtful that she never would have a thing to worry about .

but Peter was heedless .

he always was heedless .

this is the worst of a bad habit you can try to let go of it , but it won't let go of you .

so it was with Peter .

he had been heedless so long that now he actually didn't know when he was heedless .

when there was nobody but himself to think about , and no one to worry about him , his heedlessness didn't so much matter .

if anything had happened to him then , there would have been no one to suffer .

but now all this was changed .

you see , there was little Mrs Peter .

at first Peter had been perfectly content to stay with her in the dear Old Briar-patch .

he had led her through all his private little paths , and they had planned where they would make two or three more .

he had showed her all his secret hiding-places and the shortest way to the sweet-clover patch .

he had shown her where the Crooked Little Path came down the hill .

little Mrs Peter had been delighted with everything , and not once had she complained of being homesick for the Old Pasture .

but after a little while Peter began to get uneasy .

he felt quite as smart as they and perhaps a little bit smarter .

anyway , they never had caught him , and he didn't believe they ever would .

so he had come and gone as he pleased , and poked his nose into everybody 's business , and gossiped with everybody .

probably Mrs Peter wouldn't have worried very much if it hadn't been for the warning left by Danny Meadow Mouse .

one day he had ventured as far as halfway up the Crooked Little Path .

he remembered that Jimmy Skunk 's old house was near , and he reached it just one jump ahead of Old Man Coyote .

" I thought you said that we were friends , " panted Peter , as he heard Mr Coyote sniffing at the doorway .

" so we were until I had paid my debt to you .

now that I 've paid that , we are even , and it is everybody watch out for himself , " replied Old Man Coyote .

" but don't forget that I always pay my debts , Peter Rabbit . "

CHAPTER XXVI

PETER RABBIT LISTENS TO MRS . PETER

safety first is a wise rule for those who would live long .

Peter Rabbit .

and little Mrs Peter was glad enough to have him , you may be sure .

Poor little Mrs Peter !

she was so anxious that she couldn't sit still .

she felt that she just had to do something to warn Peter .

she stole out from the dear Old Briar-patch and halfway to where Old Man Coyote was hiding .

he was so busy watching the doorway of the old house where Peter was hiding that he didn't notice her at all .

little Mrs Peter found a bunch of tall grass behind which she could sit up and still not be seen .

by and by she saw Peter poke his nose out to see if the way was clear .

old Man Coyote saw him too , and began to grin .

it was a hungry , wicked-looking grin , and it made little Mrs Peter very , very angry indeed .

now of course Old Man Coyote heard those thumps , and he knew just what they meant .

Peter didn't have a word to say .

for a long time he sat thinking and thinking , every once in a while scratching his head as if puzzled .

little Mrs Peter noticed it .

" what 's the matter with you , Peter ? " she asked finally .

I don't understand it , " said Peter , shaking his head .

" oh , you dear old stupid ! " replied little Mrs Peter .

" now , you listen to me .

you did Old Man Coyote a good turn and he paid you back by doing you a good turn .

that made you even , didn't it ? "

Peter nodded .

then he will always be your friend . "

as little Mrs Peter stopped speaking , Peter sprang to his feet .

" the very thing ! " he cried .

" it 's sort of a Golden Rule , and I do believe it will work . "

" of course it will , " replied little Mrs Peter .

CHAPTER XXVII

MISTAH MOCKER PLAYS A JOKE ON MRS . PETER

this little point remember , please There 's little gained by those who tease .

Peter Rabbit .

Mistah Mocker the Mockingbird had been very late in coming up to the Green Meadows from way down South .

the truth is , he had almost decided not to come .

" I believe I 'll go pay my respects to Mrs Peter , " said Mistah Mocker one day , winking at Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard chuckled and winked back .

there he hid in a thick tangle of vines .

now it happened that Peter Rabbit had gone over to the sweet-clover patch , and little Mrs Peter was quite alone .

it was just then that she heard a familiar voice .

little Mrs Peter pricked up her ears and smiled happily .

Phoebe ! '

how lovely of them to come down to see me so soon . "

just then she heard another voice , a deep , beautiful , ringing voice , a voice that she loved .

it was the voice of Veery the Thrush .

" oh ! " cried little Mrs Peter , and then held her breath so as not to miss one note of the beautiful song .

hardly had the song ended when she heard the familiar voice of Redeye the Vireo .

little Mrs Peter clapped her hands happily .

" it must be a surprise party by my old friends and neighbors of the Old Pasture ! " she cried .

" how good of them to come way down here , and how glad I shall be to see them ! "

but all she saw was a stranger wearing a very sober-colored suit .

he was very polite and told her that he was an old friend of Peter Rabbit .

" if you are a friend of Peter , then you are a friend of mine . " said little Mrs Peter very prettily .

" have you seen anybody in this tangle of vines since you arrived ?

I am sure some friends of mine are here , but I haven't been able to find them . "

" no , " said the stranger , who was , of course , Mistah Mocker the Mockingbird .

" I haven't seen any one here , and I don't think there has been any one here but myself . "

" oh , yes , indeed there has ! " cried little Mrs. peter .

Mistah Mocker had the grace to look ashamed of himself when saw how disappointed little Mrs Peter was .

very softly he began to sing the song of Veery the Thrush .

little Mrs Peter looked up quickly .

" there it is ! " she cried .

" there " she stopped with her mouth gaping wide open .

she suddenly realized that it was Mistah Mocker who was singing .

" I I 'm very sorry , " he stammered .

" I did it just for a joke and not to make you feel bad .

will you forgive me ? "

" yes , " replied little Mrs Peter , " if you will come here often at shadow-time and sing to me . "

and Mistah Mocker promised that he would .

CHAPTER XXVIII

NEWS FROM THE OLD BRIAR-PATCH

to use your eyes is very wise And much to be commended ; But never see what cannot be For such as you intended .

Peter Rabbit .

Jenny Wren is a busybody .

yes , Sir , she certainly is a busybody .

if there is anything going on in her neighborhood that she doesn't know about , it isn't because she doesn't try to find out .

then , before you can say a word , she is gone .

it is sharp sometimes , but when she wants it to be so there is none smoother .

you see she is a great gossip , is Jenny Wren , a great gossip .

but if you get on the right side of Jenny Wren and ask her to keep a secret , she 'll do it .

no one knows how to keep a secret better than she does .

anyway , Peter had been back some time before Jenny Wren knew it .

just as soon as she could get away , she started for the Old Briar-patch .

she wanted to hear all about Peter 's adventures in the Old Pasture and to meet Mrs Peter .

so when she reached the Old Briar-patch , she didn't make a sound .

it didn't take her long to find Peter .

he was sitting under one of his favorite bramble-bushes smiling to himself .

he smiled and smiled until Jenny Wren had to bite her tongue to keep from asking what was pleasing him so .

Illustration with caption : " THE QUICKEST WAY FOR ME TO KNOW IS FOR YOU TO TELL ME , " REPLIED JIMMY .

" I guess I 'll look around a bit first .

I wonder where Mrs Peter is . "

so leaving Peter to smile to his heart 's content , she went peeking and peering through the Old Briar-patch .

of course it wasn't a nice thing to do , not a bit nice .

but Jenny Wren didn't stop to think of that .

by and by she saw something that made her flutter all over with excitement .

she looked and looked until she could sit still no longer .

then she hurried back to where Peter was sitting .

he was still smiling .

" oh , Peter Rabbit , it 's perfectly lovely ! " she cried .

Peter looked up quickly , and a worried look chased the smile away .

" hello , Jenny Wren !

where did you come from ?

I haven't seen you since I got back , " said he .

" I 've been so busy that I haven't had time to call before , " replied Jenny .

" I know what you 've been smiling about , Peter , and it 's perfectly splendid .

has everybody heard the news ? "

" no , " said Peter , " nobody knows it but you , and I don't want anybody else to know it just yet .

will you keep it a secret , Jenny Wren ? "

but though Peter looked greatly relieved as he watched her start for home , he didn't smile as he had before .

" I wish her tongue didn't wag so much , " said he .

CHAPTER XXIX

JIMMY SKUNK VISITS PETER RABBIT

it 's hard to keep a secret which you fairly ache to tell ; So not to know such secrets is often quite as well .

Peter Rabbit .

now just as usual Jenny Wren was fidgeting and fussing about , and Jimmy Skunk grinned as he watched her .

" Hello , Jenny Wren ! " said he .

" what are you doing here ? "

" Ho , ho , ho ! " laughed Jimmy Skunk .

" do you call that resting !

that 's a joke , Jenny Wren .

resting !

why , you couldn't sit still and rest if you tried ! "

" I could so !

" I guess if you knew what I know , you 'd be excited too . "

" well , I guess the quickest way for me to know is for you to tell me , " replied Jimmy .

" I 'm just aching to be excited . "

Jimmy grinned , for you know Jimmy Skunk never does get excited and never hurries , no matter what happens .

" you 'll have to keep right on aching then , " replied Jenny Wren , with a saucy flirt of her funny little tail .

" there 's great news in the Old Briar-patch , and I 'm the only one that knows it , but I 've promised not to tell . "

Jimmy pricked up his ears .

" news in the Old Briar-patch must have something to do with Peter Rabbit , " said he .

" what has Peter done now ? "

" I 'll never tell !

" I promised not to and I never will ! "

then , for fear that she would in spite of herself , she flew on her way home .

Jimmy watched her out of sight with a puzzled frown .

" anyway , I haven't anything better to do , so I believe I 'll drop around that way and make Peter Rabbit a call . "

he found Peter in some sweet clover just outside the Old Briar-patch , and it struck Jimmy that Peter looked uncommonly happy .

he said as much .

" I am , " replied Peter , before he thought .

then he added hastily , " you see , I 've been uncommonly happy ever since I returned with Mrs Peter from the Old Pasture . "

" but I hear there 's great news over here in the Old Briar-patch , " persisted Jimmy Skunk .

" what is it , Peter ? "

Peter pretended to be very much surprised .

" great news ! " he repeated .

" great news !

why , what news can there be over here ?

who told you that ? "

" a little bird told me , " replied Jimmy slyly .

" it must have been Jenny Wren ! " said Peter , once more speaking before he thought .

" then there IS news over here ! " cried Jimmy triumphantly .

" what is it , Peter ? "

but Peter shook his head as if he hadn't the slightest idea and couldn't imagine .

Jimmy coaxed and teased , but all in vain .

finally he started for home no wiser than before .

" something has happened over there , and Peter won't tell .

I wonder what it can be . "

CHAPTER XXX

REDDY FOX LEARNS THE SECRET

nothing that you ever do , Nothing good or nothing bad , But has effect on other folks Gives them pain or makes them glad .

Peter Rabbit .

of course Jenny Wren didn't mean to tell the secret of the Old Briar-patch , because she had promised Peter Rabbit that she wouldn't .

after Jimmy Skunk 's visit came a whole string of visitors to the Old Briar-patch .

one would hardly have left before another would appear .

there isn't much going on in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows that Reddy doesn't know about .

of course he heard the foolish gossip of Jenny Wren and he pricked up his ears .

" so there 's news down in the Old Briar-patch , is there ?

a secret that Jenny Wren won't tell ?

I think I 'll trot down there and make Peter a call .

of course he 'll be glad to see me . "

so Reddy trotted down to the Old Briar-patch .

but Reddy asked no questions .

he didn't once mention the fact that he had heard there was news in the Old Briar-patch .

he didn't once speak of Jenny Wren .

but while he was talking , Reddy was using those sharp eyes and those keen ears of his the best he knew how .

at last he reached a certain place where a little stronger breath of air tickled his nose .

he stopped for a few minutes , and slowly a smile grew and grew .

then , without saying a word , he turned and trotted back towards the Green Forest .

Peter Rabbit watched him go .

then he joined Mrs Peter in the heart of the Old Briar-patch .

" never mind , " said little Mrs Peter brightly .

" it would have to be found out soon , anyway . "

trotting back up the Lone Little Path , Reddy Fox was grinning broadly .

" it IS news ! " said he .

" Jenny Wren was right , it IS news !

what a wonderful thing a good nose is !

it tells me what my eyes cannot see nor my ears hear . "

CHAPTER XXXI

BLACKY THE CROW HAS SHARP EYES

mischief always waits to greet Idle hands and idle feet .

Peter Rabbit .

that is what a lot of people say about Blacky the Crow .

but this doesn't worry Blacky the Crow .

no , Sir , it doesn't worry him a bit .

you see he has grown used to it .

and then he is so smart that he is never afraid of being caught when he does do wrong things .

no one has sharper eyes than Blacky , and no one knows better how to use them .

there is very little going on in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows that he misses when he is about .

now , being over the Old Briar-patch , he could look right down into it and see all through it .

he saw Peter Rabbit right away and winked at him .

he thought Peter looked worried and anxious .

" Peter must have something on his mind , " thought Blacky .

" I wonder where Mrs Peter is . "

just then he caught sight of her under the thickest growing sweet-briar bush .

he almost forgot to flap his wings to keep himself in the air .

he hovered right where he was for a few minutes , looking down through the brambles .

then with a hoarse chuckle , he started for the Smiling Pool , forgetting all about Farmer Brown 's cornfield .

" caw , caw , caw ! " he shrieked , " Peter Rabbit 's got a family !

Peter Rabbit 's got a family ! "

Reddy Fox heard him and ground his teeth .

Jimmy Skunk heard Blacky and grinned broadly .

" so that 's the great news Jenny Wren found out ! " said he .

" I hope Peter will take better care of his babies than he ever has of himself .

I must call at once . "

Redtail the Hawk heard , and he smiled too , but it wasn't a kindly smile like Jimmy Skunk 's .

" I think young Rabbit will taste very good for a change , " said he .

CHAPTER XXXII

PETER RABBIT'S NURSERY

Peter Rabbit .

the news was out at last , thanks to Blacky the Crow .

Peter Rabbit had a family !

yes , Sir , Peter Rabbit had a family !

of course all of Peter 's friends called as soon as ever they could .

they found Peter looking very proud , and very important , and very happy .

Mrs Peter looked just as proud , and just as happy , but she also looked very anxious .

you see , while she was very glad to have so many friends call , there were also other visitors .

indeed , they seemed more interested .

who were they ?

why , Reddy Fox was one .

then there was Old Man Coyote , also Redtail the Hawk and Digger the Badger , and just at dusk Hooty the Owl .

they all seemed very much interested indeed , but every time little Mrs Peter saw them , she shivered .

but happy-go-lucky Peter Rabbit didn't let this worry him .

hadn't he grown up from a teeny-weeny baby and been smart enough to escape all these dangers which worried Mrs Peter so ?

and if he could do it , of course his own babies could do it , with him to teach them and show them how .

besides , they were too little to go outside of the Old Briar-patch now .

" I don't believe in borrowing trouble .

did you ever see such beautiful babies in all your life ? "

for a minute the worried look left little Mrs Peter , and she gazed at the four little helpless babies fondly .

" no , " she replied softly , " I never did .

oh , Peter , they are perfectly lovely !

this one is the perfect image of you , and I 'm going to call him Little Pete .

and don't you think his brother looks like his grandfather ?

I think we 'll call him Little Jed . "

Peter coughed behind his hand as if something had stuck in his throat .

if Mrs Peter wanted to name this one Little Jed , he wouldn't say a word .

aloud he said :

and her sister we 'll call Wuzzy , " continued Peter .

" was ever there such a splendid nursery for baby Rabbits ? "

" I don't believe there ever was , Peter .

and Peter softly tiptoed away to the nearest sweet-clover patch with his heart almost bursting with pride .

besides , Bowser the Hound insists that I must write a book about him , and I have promised to do it right away .

so the next book will be Bowser the Hound .

End of Project Gutenberg 's Mrs Peter Rabbit , by Thornton W Burgess

produced by Juliet Sutherland , Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team

THE ADVENTURES OF JOHNNY CHUCK

THE BEDTIME STORY BOOKS

by Thornton W Burgess

author of " old Mother West Wind , " " the Adventures of Reddy Fox , " etc

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I GENTLE SISTER SOUTH WIND ARRIVES

II .

JOHNNY CHUCK RECEIVES CALLERS

III .

THE SINGERS OF THE SMILING POOL

IV .

JOHNNY CHUCK FINDS OUT WHO THE SWEET SINGERS ARE

V JOHNNY CHUCK BECOMES DISSATISFIED

VI .

JOHNNY CHUCK TURNS TRAMP

VII .

JOHNNY'S FIRST ADTENTURE

VIII .

JOHNNY HAS ANOTHER ADVENTURE

IX .

ANOTHER STRANGE CHUCK

x . WHY JOHNNY CHUCK DIDN'T FIGHT

XI .

THE GREATEST THING IN THE WORLD

XII .

JOHNNY CHUCK PROVES HIS LOVE

XIII .

POLLY AND JOHNNY CHUCK GO HOUSE HUNTING

XIV .

a NEW HOME AT LAST

XV .

SAMMY JAY FINDS THE NEW HOME

XVI .

SAMMY JAY PLANS MISCHIEF

XVII .

MORE MISCHIEF

XVIII .

FARMER BROWN'S BOY MAKES A DISCOVERY

XIX .

JOHNNY CHUCK'S PRIDE

XX .

SAMMY JAY UNDERSTANDS

XXI .

SAMMY JAY HAS A CHANGE OF HEART

XXII .

JOHNNY CHUCK IS KEPT BUSY

XXIII .

THE SCHOOL IN THE OLD ORCHARD

XXIV .

SAMMY JAY PROVES THAT HE IS NOT ALL BAD

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ( not available in this file )

JOHNNY CHUCK BADE CHATTERER GOOD-BY AND STARTED ON Frontispiece

" IS IT REALLY AND TRULY YOU , JOHNNY CHUCK ? "

HE CRIED

" HO , HO , HO !

THAT'S THE BEST JOKE THIS SPRING ! "

SHOUTED JERRY MUSKRAT

WITH A SQUEAL OF RAGE , JOHNNY SPRANG AT THE GRAY OLD CHUCK

IF POLLY WANTED TO LIVE THERE SHE SHOULD

" HAVE YOU CALLED ON JOHNNY CHUCK AT HIS NEW HOME YET ? "

ASKED SAMMY JAY

I GENTLE SISTER SOUTH WIND ARRIVES

all the Green Meadows and all the Green Forest had heard the news .

Peter Rabbit had seen to that .

and each , when he heard that sweet voice of Winsome Bluebird , had kicked up his heels and shouted " hurrah ! "

it is surprising what a difference a little good news makes .

and it was all because that sweet whistle was a promise , a promise that every one knew would come true .

and so there was joy in all the hearts on the Green Meadows and in the Green Forest .

and then gentle Sister South Wind arrived .

she touched the little banks of snow that remained , and straightway they melted and disappeared .

she knocked at the door of Digger the Badger , and Digger awoke .

Peter Rabbit followed her about .

he couldn't understand it at all .

now Peter nearly tumbled over with surprise , as he heard Johnny Chuck yawn at the first low call of gentle Sister South Wind .

" how does she do it ?

I don't understand it at all , " said Peter , as he scratched his long left ear with his long left hind leg .

gentle Sister South Wind smiled at Peter .

" there are a lot of things in this world that you will never understand , Peter Rabbit .

II .

JOHNNY CHUCK RECEIVES CALLERS

Peter was happy .

he didn't know why .

he just was happy .

it was in the air .

everybody else seemed happy , too .

Peter had to stop every few minutes just to kick up his heels and try to jump over his own shadow .

he had felt just that way ever since gentle Sister South Wind arrived .

" I simply have to kick and dance !

I cannot help but gaily prance !

somehow I feel it in my toes Whenever gentle South Wind blows . "

so sang Peter Rabbit as he hopped and skipped down the Lone Little Path .

suddenly he stopped right in the middle of the verse .

he sat up very straight and stared down at Johnny Chuck 's house .

some one was sitting on Johnny Chuck 's door-step .

it looked like Johnny Chuck .

no , it looked like the shadow of Johnny Chuck .

Peter rubbed his eyes and looked again .

then he hurried as fast as he could , lipperty-lipperty-lip .

the nearer he got , the less like Johnny Chuck looked the one sitting on Johnny Chuck 's door-step .

Johnny Chuck had gone to sleep round and fat and roly-poly , so fat he could hardly waddle .

this fellow was thin , even thinner than Peter Rabbit himself .

he waved a thin hand to Peter .

" hello , Peter Rabbit !

I told you that I would see you in the spring .

how did you stand the long winter ? "

that certainly was Johnny Chuck 's voice .

Peter was so delighted that in his hurry he fell over his own feet .

" is it really and truly you , Johnny Chuck ? " he cried .

" I I I didn't know , " confessed Peter Rabbit .

" I thought it was you and I thought it wasn't you .

what have you been doing to yourself , Johnny Chuck ?

your coat looks three sizes too big for you , and when I last saw you it didn't look big enough . "

Peter hopped all around Johnny Chuck , looking at him as if he didn't believe his own eyes .

{ Illustration : " is it really and truly you , Johnny Chuck ? " he cried . }

" oh , Johnny 's all right .

he 's just been living on his own fat , " said another voice .

it was Jimmy Skunk who had spoken , and he now stood holding out his hand to Johnny Chuck and grinning good-naturedly .

he had come up without either of the others seeing him .

Peter 's big eyes opened wider than ever .

" do you mean to say that he has been eating his own fat ? " he gasped .

Johnny Chuck and Jimmy Skunk both laughed .

don't you see he hasn't got a particle of fat on him now ? "

Jimmy Skunk shrugged his shoulders .

" don't ask me .

that is one of Old Mother Nature 's secrets ; you 'll have to ask her , " he replied .

" and don't ask me , " said Johnny Chuck , " for I 've been asleep all the time .

my , but I 'm hungry ! "

" so am I ! " said another voice .

there was Reddy Fox grinning at them .

Johnny Chuck dove into the doorway of his house with Peter Rabbit at his heels , for there was nowhere else to go .

Jimmy Skunk just stood still and chuckled .

he knew that Reddy Fox didn't dare touch him .

III .

THE SINGERS OF THE SMILING POOL

Mistress Spring was making everybody happy on the Green Meadows and in the Green Forest and around the Smiling Pool .

as they wakened , many began to sing for joy .

but the clearest , loudest singers of all lived in the Smiling Pool .

it was a long time before Peter Rabbit and Johnny Chuck knew where they lived .

" Spring !

Spring !

Spring !

Spring !

Beautiful , beautiful , beautiful Spring !

so gentle , so loving , so sweet and so fair !

oh , who can be cross when there 's love in the air ?

be happy !

be joyful !

and join in our song And help us to send the glad tidings along !

Spring !

Spring !

Spring !

Spring !

Beautiful , beautiful , beautiful Spring ! "

when Johnny Chuck had first heard them , he had looked in all the tree-tops for the singers , but not one could he see .

it was very mysterious .

finally he asked Peter Rabbit if he knew who the sweet singers were and where they were .

Peter didn't know , but he was willing to try to find out .

Peter is always willing to try to find out about things he doesn't already know about .

so Johnny Chuck and Peter Rabbit started out to find the sweet singers .

so over to the Smiling Pool they hurried .

the nearer they got , the louder became the voices singing :

" Spring !

Spring !

Spring !

Spring !

Beautiful , beautiful , beautiful Spring ! "

but look as they would , they couldn't see a single singer among the brown bulrushes .

it was very strange , very strange indeed !

it seemed as if the voices came right out of the Smiling Pool itself !

after he had sat perfectly still for a little while , it began again .

there was no doubt about it this time ; those voices came right out of the water .

Johnny Chuck stared at Peter Rabbit , and Peter stared at Johnny Chuck .

" how can birds stay under water and still sing ? " asked Johnny Chuck .

" Ho , ho , ho !

Ha , ha , ha ! "

{ Illustration : " Ho , ho , ho !

that 's the best joke this spring ! " shouted Jerry Muskrat . }

" Ho , ho , ho !

that 's the best joke this spring ! " shouted Jerry Muskrat , and laughed until he had to hold his sides .

" birds under water !

Ho , ho , ho ! "

IV .

JOHNNY CHUCK FINDS OUT WHO THE SWEET SINGERS ARE

Johnny Chuck couldn't keep away from the Smiling Pool .

no , Sir , Johnny Chuck couldn't keep away from the Smiling Pool .

and this is why he couldn't keep away from the Smiling Pool .

you see it was this way : Johnny and Peter had thought that of course the sweet singers were birds .

they hadn't dreamed of anything else .

so of course they went looking for birds .

when they reached the Smiling Pool , the voices came right out of the water .

" hello , Johnny Chuck !

have you seen the birds sing under water yet ? "

Johnny would smile good-naturedly and reply : " not yet , Jerry Muskrat .

won't you point them out to me ? "

then Jerry would reply :

" two eyes you have , bright as can be ; Perhaps some day you 'll learn to see . "

one day a sudden thought popped into his head .

perhaps those singers were not birds at all !

why hadn't he thought of that before ?

perhaps it was because he was looking so hard for birds that he hadn't seen anything else .

Johnny began to look , not for anything in particular , but to see everything that he could .

almost right away he saw some tiny little dark spots on the water .

they didn't look like much of anything .

they were so small that he hadn't noticed them before .

he was so surprised that he hopped to his feet and excitedly beckoned to Jerry Muskrat .

" why why-e-e !

the singers are Grandfather Frog 's children ! " cried Johnny Chuck .

" I told you that if you used your eyes , you 'd learn to see . "

" my , but they 've got voices bigger than they are ! " said Johnny Chuck , as he started home across the Green Meadows .

" I 'm glad I know who the singers of the Smiling Pool are , and I mustn't forget their name Hylas .

what a funny name ! "

but Farmer Brown 's boy , listening to their song that evening , didn't call them Hylas .

he said : " hear the peepers !

Spring is surely here . "

V JOHNNY CHUCK BECOMES DISSATISFIED

Johnny Chuck was unhappy .

here it was the glad springtime , when everybody is supposed to be the very happiest , and Johnny Chuck was unhappy .

why was he unhappy ?

well , he hardly knew himself .

he had slept comfortably all the long winter .

he had awakened very , very hungry , but now he had plenty to eat .

all about him the birds were singing or busily at work building new homes .

and still Johnny Chuck felt unhappy .

it was dreadful to feel this way and not have any good reason for it .

one bright morning Johnny Chuck sat on his door-step watching Drummer the Woodpecker building a new home in the old apple-tree .

Drummer 's red head flew back and forth , back and forth , and his sharp bill cut out tiny bits of wood .

it was slow work ; it was hard work .

but Drummer seemed happy , very happy indeed .

it was watching Drummer that started Johnny Chuck to thinking about his own home .

he had always thought it a very nice home .

he had built it just as he wanted it .

from the doorstep he could look in all directions over the Green Meadows .

it had a front door and a hidden back door .

yes , it was a very nice home indeed .

but now , all of a sudden , Johnny Chuck became dissatisfied with his home .

it was too near the Lone Little Path .

too many people knew where it was .

it wasn't big enough .

the front door ought to face the other way .

dear me , what a surprising lot of faults a discontented heart can find with things that have always been just right !

it was so with Johnny Chuck .

if other people had new houses , why shouldn't he ?

the more he thought about it , the more dissatisfied and discontented he became and of course the more unhappy .

you know one cannot be dissatisfied and discontented and happy at the same time .

now dissatisfied and discontented people are not at all pleasant to have around .

Johnny Chuck had always been one of the best natured of all the little meadow people , and everybody liked him .

Jimmy Skunk was feeling very good-natured himself .

he had just had a fine breakfast of fat beetles and he was at peace with all the world .

so he sat down beside Johnny Chuck and began to talk , just as if Johnny Chuck was his usual good-natured self .

" it 's a fine day , " said Jimmy Skunk .

Johnny Chuck just sniffed .

" you 're looking very fine , " said Jimmy .

Johnny just scowled .

" I think you 've got the best place on the Green Meadows for a house , " said Jimmy , pretending to admire the view .

Johnny scowled harder than ever .

" and such a splendid house ! " said Jimmy .

" I wish I had one like it . "

" I 'm glad you like it !

you can have the old thing ! " snapped Johnny Chuck .

" what 's that ? " demanded Jimmy Skunk , opening his eyes very wide .

" I said that you can have it .

I 'm going to move , " replied Johnny Chuck .

now he really hadn't thought of moving until that very minute .

and he didn't know why he had said it .

but he had said it , and because he is an obstinate little fellow he stuck to it .

" when can I move in ? " asked Jimmy Skunk , his eyes twinkling .

VI .

JOHNNY CHUCK TURNS TRAMP

Johnny Chuck had turned tramp .

yes , Sir , Johnny Chuck had turned tramp .

it was a funny thing to do , but he had done it .

he didn't know why he had done it , excepting that he had become dissatisfied and discontented and unhappy in his old home .

then Johnny Chuck had swaggered away down the Lone Little Path without once looking back at the home he was leaving .

where was he going ?

well , to tell the truth , Johnny didn't know .

he was going to see the world , and perhaps when he had seen the world , he would build him a new house .

but right down in his heart Johnny Chuck didn't feel half so bold as he pretended .

but now , here he was , actually setting forth , and without a home to come back to !

the fact is , Johnny Chuck already began to feel homesick .

but he swallowed very hard and tried to make himself think that he was having a splendid time .

" the world may stretch full far and wide What matters that to me ?

I 'll tramp it up ; I 'll tramp it down !

for I am bold and free . "

it was a very brave little song , but Johnny Chuck didn't feel half so brave and bold as he tried to think he did .

already he was beginning to wonder where he should spend the night .

the thought made him look around hastily , and there was old Whitetail himself , sailing back and forth hungrily just ahead of him .

he made up his mind that anyway he would fight .

nearer and nearer came old Whitetail !

finally he passed right over Johnny Chuck .

but he didn't offer to touch him .

indeed , it seemed to Johnny that old Whitetail actually grinned and winked at him .

and right then all his fear left him .

" pooh ! " said Johnny Chuck scornfully .

" who 's afraid of him ! "

VII .

JOHNNY'S FIRST ADVENTURE

after old Whitetail the Marshhawk passed Johnny Chuck without offering to touch him , Johnny began to feel very brave and bold and important .

he strutted and swaggered along as much as his short legs would let him .

he held his head very high .

already he felt that he had had an adventure and he longed for more .

he forgot the terrible lonesome feeling of a little while before .

he forgot that he had given away the only home he had .

in fact , he felt as if he wouldn't care if he never had another home .

yes , Sir , that is the way that Johnny Chuck felt .

do you know why ?

just because he had just begun to realize how big and strong he really was .

now it is a splendid thing to feel big and strong and brave , a very splendid thing !

but it is a bad thing to let that feeling turn to pride , foolish pride .

of course old Whitetail hadn't really been afraid of Johnny Chuck .

but foolish Johnny Chuck really thought that old Whitetail was afraid of him .

the more he thought about it , the more tickled he felt and the more puffed up he felt .

he began to talk to himself and to brag .

yes , Sir , Johnny Chuck began to brag :

" I 'm not afraid of any one ; They 're all afraid of me !

I only have to show my teeth To make them turn and flee ! "

" pooh ! " said a voice .

" pooh !

it would take two like you to make me run away ! "

Johnny Chuck gave a startled jump .

there was a strange Chuck glaring at him from behind a little bunch of grass .

no , Sir , he didn't look the teeniest , weeniest bit afraid !

somehow , Johnny Chuck didn't feel half so big and strong and brave as he had a few minutes before .

but it wouldn't do to let this stranger know it .

of course not !

so , though he felt very small inside , Johnny made all his hair bristle up and tried to look very fierce .

" who are you and what are you doing on my Green Meadows ? " he demanded .

" your Green Meadows !

your Green Meadows !

Ho , ho , ho !

your Green Meadows ! "

the stranger laughed an unpleasant laugh .

" how long since you owned the Green Meadows ?

so run along , little boaster !

there isn't room for both of us here , and the sooner you trot along the better . "

the stranger suddenly showed all his teeth and gritted them unpleasantly .

now when Johnny Chuck heard this , great anger filled his heart .

a stranger had ordered him to leave the Green Meadows where he had been born and always lived !

he could hardly believe his own ears .

he , Johnny Chuck , would show this stranger who was master here !

with a squeal of rage , Johnny sprang at the gray old Chuck .

then began such a fight as the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind had never seen before .

over and over the two little fighters rolled , biting and scratching and tearing and growling and snarling .

jolly , round , red Mr Sun hid his face behind a cloud , so as not to see such a dreadful sight .

the stranger had been in many fights and he was very crafty .

the very thought filled him with new rage and he fought harder than ever .

now the stranger was old and his teeth were worn , while Johnny was young and his teeth were very sharp .

after a long , long time , Johnny felt the stranger growing weaker .

Johnny fought harder than ever .

at last the stranger cried " enough ! " and when he could break away , started back towards the Old Pasture .

Johnny Chuck had won !

VIII .

JOHNNY HAS ANOTHER ADVENTURE

Johnny Chuck lay stretched out on the cool , soft grass of the Green Meadows , panting for breath .

he was very tired and very sore .

his face was scratched and bitten .

his clothes were torn , and he smarted dreadfully in a dozen places .

but still Johnny Chuck was happy .

when he raised his head to look , he could see a gray old Chuck limping off towards the Old Pasture .

Johnny Chuck smiled .

it had been a great fight , and more than once Johnny Chuck had thought that he should have to give up .

he thought of this now , and then he thought with shame of how he had bragged and boasted just before the fight .

what if he had lost ?

he resolved that he would never again brag or boast .

but he also made up his mind that if any one should pick a quarrel with him , he would show that he wasn't afraid .

it was getting late in the afternoon when Johnny finally felt rested enough to go on .

he had got to find a place to spend the night .

jolly , round , red Mr Sun was almost ready to go down to his bed behind the Purple Hills .

shadows were already beginning to creep through the Green Forest .

somehow they gave Johnny Chuck that same lonesome feeling that he had had when he first left his old home .

you see he had always lived out in the Green Meadows and somehow he was afraid of the Green Forest in the night .

at last he came to a hollow log lying just out on the edge of the Green Meadows .

very carefully Johnny Chuck examined it , to be sure that no one else was using it .

" it 's just the place I 'm looking for ! " he said aloud .

just then there was a sharp hiss , a very fierce hiss .

Mr Blacksnake glided swiftly up to the old log and coiled himself in front of the opening .

then he raised his head and ran out his tongue in the most impudent way .

" run along , Johnny Chuck !

I 've decided to sleep here myself to-night ! " he said sharply .

and because he didn't know any better , he had been afraid ever since .

Mr Blacksnake knew this and so now he looked as ugly as he knew how .

but you see he didn't know about the great fight that Johnny Chuck had just won .

now to win an honest fight always makes one feel very strong and very sure of oneself .

Johnny looked at Mr Blacksnake and saw that Mr . Blacksnake didn't look half as big as Johnny had always thought he did .

he made up his mind that as he had found the old log first , he had the best right to it .

now Mr Blacksnake is a great bluffer , while at heart he is really a coward .

with a fierce hiss he rushed right at Johnny Chuck , expecting to see him turn tail and run .

but Johnny stood his ground and showed all his sharp teeth .

instead of attacking Johnny , Mr Blacksnake glided past him and sneaked away through the grass .

Johnny Chuck chuckled as he crept into the hollow log .

" only a coward runs away without fighting , " he murmured sleepily .

IX .

ANOTHER STRANGE CHUCK

Johnny Chuck awoke just as jolly , round , red Mr Sun pulled his own nightcap off .

at first Johnny couldn't think where he was .

he blinked and blinked .

then he rolled over .

" ouch ! " cried Johnny Chuck .

you see he was so stiff and sore from his great fight the day before , that it hurt to roll over .

but when he felt the smart of those wounds , he remembered where he was .

he was in the old hollow log that he had found on the edge of the Green Meadows just before dark .

" well , well , well !

what are you doing here ? " cried a sharp voice .

Johnny Chuck looked towards the open end of the old log .

there , peeping in , was a little face as sharp as the voice .

" Hello , Chatterer ! " cried Johnny .

" I say , what are you doing here ? " persisted Chatterer the Red Squirrel , for it was he .

" just waking up , " replied Johnny , with a grin .

" it 's time , " replied Chatterer .

" but that isn't telling me what you are doing so far from home . "

" I haven't any home , " said Johnny , his face growing just a wee bit wistful .

" you haven't any home ! "

Chatterer 's voice sounded as if he didn't think he had heard aright .

" what have you done with it ? "

" given it to Jimmy Skunk , " replied Johnny Chuck .

now Chatterer never gives anything to anybody , and how any one could give away his home was more than he could understand .

he stared at Johnny as if he thought Johnny had gone crazy .

finally he found his tongue .

" I don't believe it ! " he snapped .

" if Jimmy Skunk has got your old home , it 's because he put you out of it . "

" no such thing !

I 'd like to see Jimmy Skunk or anybody else put me out of my home ! "

Johnny Chuck spoke scornfully .

" I gave it to him because I didn't want it any longer .

I 'm going to see the world , and then I 'm going to build me a new home .

everybody else seems to be building new homes this spring ; why shouldn't I ? "

" I'm not ! " retorted Chatterer .

" I know enough to know when I am well off .

" who has a discontented heart Is sure to play a sorry part . "

Johnny Chuck crawled out of the old log and stretched himself somewhat painfully .

" that may be , but there are different kinds of discontent .

who never looks for better things Will live his life in little rings .

well , I must be moving along , if I am to see the world . "

so Johnny Chuck bade Chatterer good-by and started on .

it was very delightful to wander over the Green Meadows on such a beautiful spring morning .

the violets and the wind-flowers nodded to him , and the dandelions smiled up at him .

Johnny almost forgot his torn clothes and the bites and scratches of his great fight with the gray old Chuck the day before .

it was fun to just go where he pleased and not have a care in the world .

he was thinking of this , as he sat up to look over the Green Meadows .

his heart gave a great throb .

what was that over near the lone elm-tree ?

it was yes , it certainly was another Chuck !

could it be the old gray Chuck come back for another fight ?

A great anger filled the heart of Johnny Chuck , and he whistled sharply .

the strange Chuck didn't answer .

Johnny ground his teeth and started for the lone elm-tree .

he would show this other Chuck who was master of the Green Meadows !

x . WHY JOHNNY CHUCK DIDN'T FIGHT

anger is an awful thing ; It never stops to reason .

it boils right over all at once , No matter what the season .

it was so with Johnny Chuck .

of course it was foolish , very foolish indeed .

now the Green Meadows are very broad , and there is room for many Chucks .

it was pure selfishness on the part of Johnny Chuck to want to drive away every other Chuck .

but anger never stops to reason .

it didn't now .

so great was Johnny 's anger that every hair stood on end , and as he ran he chattered and scolded .

" I 'll fix him !

these are my Green Meadows , and no one else has any business here unless I say so !

I 'll fix him !

I 'll fix him ! "

then Johnny would grind his teeth , and in his eyes was the ugliest look .

he wasn't nice to see , not a bit nice .

the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind didn't know what to make of him .

could this be the Johnny Chuck they had known so long , the good-natured , happy Johnny Chuck whom everybody loved ?

they drew away from him , for they didn't want anything to do with any one in such a frightful temper .

but Johnny Chuck didn't even notice , and if he had he wouldn't have cared .

that is the trouble with anger .

it crowds out everything else , when it once fills the heart .

it was a younger Chuck and much smaller than the old gray Chuck .

it was smaller than Johnny himself .

that was because he was so angry .

anger never is fair .

pretty soon he reached the lone elm-tree .

the stranger wasn't to be seen !

no , Sir , the stranger wasn't anywhere in sight .

Johnny Chuck sat up and looked this way and looked that way , but the stranger was nowhere in sight .

" pooh ! " said Johnny Chuck , " he 's afraid to fight !

he 's a coward .

but he can't get away from me so easily .

So Johnny Chuck hunted for the stranger , and the longer he hunted the angrier he grew .

somehow the stranger managed to keep out of his sight .

he was almost ready to give up , when he almost stumbled over the stranger , hiding in a little clump of bushes .

and then a funny thing happened .

what do you think it was ?

why , all the anger left Johnny Chuck .

his hair no longer stood on end .

he didn't know why , but all of a sudden he felt foolish , very foolish indeed .

" who are you ? " he demanded gruffly .

" I I 'm Polly Chuck , " replied the stranger , in a small , timid voice .

XI .

THE GREATEST THING IN THE WORLD

Johnny Chuck had begun to think about his clothes .

yes , Sir , he spent a whole lot of time thinking about how he looked and wishing that he had a handsomer coat .

it seemed to Johnny that his own coat was so plain and so dull that no one would look at it twice .

Johnny smoothed it down and brushed it carefully and tried to make himself look as spick and span as he knew how .

" oh , dear ! " he sighed .

" I don't see why Old Mother Nature didn't give me as handsome a coat as she did Reddy Fox .

now this wasn't at all like Johnny Chuck .

first he had been discontented with his house and had given it to Jimmy Skunk .

now he was discontented with his clothes .

what was coming over Johnny Chuck ?

he really didn't know himself .

at least , he wouldn't have admitted that he knew .

but right down deep in his heart was a great desire the desire to have Polly Chuck admire him .

yes , Sir , that is what it was !

and it seemed to him that she would admire him a great deal more if he wore fine clothes .

you see , he hadn't learned yet what Peter Rabbit had learned a long time ago , which is that

fine clothes but catch the passing eye ; Fine deeds win love from low and high .

sometimes she would not notice him at all .

sometimes he would find her shyly peeping at him from behind a clump of grass .

then Johnny Chuck would try to make himself look very important , and would strut about as if he really did own the Green Meadows .

sometimes she would hide from him , and when he found her she would run away .

then Johnny Chuck 's heart would swell until it seemed to him that it would fairly burst with happiness .

when he wasn't with her , he spent his time looking for new patches of sweet clover to take her to .

at first she wouldn't go without a great deal of coaxing , but after a while he didn't have to coax at all .

she seemed to delight to be with him as much as he did to be with her .

so Johnny Chuck grew happier and happier .

he was happier than he had ever been in all his life before .

you see Johnny Chuck had found the greatest thing in the world .

do you know what it is ?

it is called love .

XII .

JOHNNY CHUCK PROVES HIS LOVE

these spring days were beautiful days on the Green Meadows .

it seemed to Johnny Chuck that the Green Meadows never had been so lovely or the songs of the birds so sweet .

he had forgotten all about his old friends , Jimmy Skunk and Peter Rabbit and the other little meadow people .

you see , he couldn't think of anybody but Polly Chuck , and he didn't want to be with anybody but Polly Chuck .

he had even forgotten that he had started out to see the world .

he didn't care anything more about the world .

all he wanted was to be where Polly Chuck was .

then he was perfectly happy .

that was because Johnny Chuck had found the greatest thing in the world , which is love .

one morning they were feasting in a patch of sweet clover over near an old stone wall .

it was the same stone wall in which Johnny Chuck had escaped from old Whitetail the Marshhawk , when Johnny was a very little fellow .

suddenly Polly gave a little scream of fright .

Johnny Chuck looked up to see a dog almost upon her .

Johnny 's first thought was to run to the old stone wall .

he was nearer to it than Polly was .

then he saw that that dreadful dog would catch Polly before she could reach the stone wall .

a great rage filled Johnny 's heart , just as it had when he had fought the old gray Chuck .

every hair stood on end , not with fear , but with anger , and he sprang in front of Polly .

" run , Polly , run ! " he cried , and Polly ran .

but Johnny didn't run .

oh , my , no !

Johnny didn't run .

he drew himself together ready to spring .

he showed all his sharp teeth and ground them savagely .

little sparks of fire seemed to snap out of his eyes .

there was no sign of fear in Johnny Chuck then , not the least little bit .

Just in front of him the dog stopped and barked .

he was a little dog , a young and foolish dog , and he was terribly excited .

he barked until he almost lost his breath .

he didn't like the looks of Johnny Chuck 's sharp teeth .

so he circled around Johnny , trying to get behind him .

but Johnny turned as the dog circled , and always the little dog found those sharp teeth directly in front of him .

he barked and barked , until it seemed as if he would bark his head off .

finally the little dog , who was young and foolish , grew tired of just dancing around and barking .

" pooh ! " said he to himself .

" he 's nothing but a Chuck ! "

then he stopped barking and sprang straight at Johnny with an ugly growl .

Johnny Chuck was ready for him and he was quicker than the little dog .

his sharp teeth closed on one of the little dog 's ears , and he held on while with his stout claws he scratched and tore .

the little dog , who was young and foolish and hadn't yet learned how to fight , couldn't get hold of Johnny Chuck anywhere .

then he tried to shake Johnny Chuck off , but he couldn't , because Johnny held on to that ear with his sharp teeth .

" Kiyi-yi-yi-yi ! " yelled the little dog , for those teeth hurt dreadfully .

" Kiyi-yi-yi-yi ! "

finally Johnny had to let go to get his breath .

the little dog sprang to his feet and started for home across the Green Meadows as fast as he could run .

Johnny Chuck shook himself and grinned , as he heard the little dog 's " Kiyi-yi-yi " grow fainter and fainter .

" I 'm glad it wasn't Bowser the Hound , " muttered Johnny Chuck , as he started towards the old stone wall .

there he found Polly Chuck peeping out at him , and all of a tremble with fright .

" my , how brave you are ! " said Polly Chuck .

" pooh , that 's nothing ! " replied Johnny Chuck .

XIII .

POLLY AND JOHNNY CHUCK GO HOUSE HUNTING

Johnny Chuck was happy .

yes , Sir , Johnny Chuck was happy so happy that he felt like doing foolish things .

you see Johnny Chuck loved Polly Chuck and he knew now that Polly Chuck loved him .

he had known it ever since he had fought with the foolish little dog who had dared to frighten Polly Chuck .

and Johnny had felt his heart swell and swell with happiness until it almost choked him .

so now once more Johnny Chuck began to think of a new home .

he had forgotten all about seeing the world .

so , with shy little Polly Chuck by his side , he began to search for a place to make a new home .

it was a splendid place .

from it you could see a great way in every direction .

it would be shady on hot summer days .

it was near a great big patch of sweet clover .

it seemed to Johnny Chuck that it was the best place on all the Green Meadows .

he whispered as much to Polly Chuck .

she turned up her nose .

" it 's too low ! " said she .

" oh ! " replied Johnny , and looked puzzled , for really it was one of the highest places on the Green Meadows .

" yes , " said Polly , in a brisk , decided way , " it 's altogether too low .

probably it is wet . "

" oh ! " said Johnny once more .

of course he knew that it wasn't wet , but if Polly didn't want to live there , he wouldn't say a word .

of course not .

" now there 's a place right over there , " continued Polly .

" I think we 'll build our house right there . "

it was in a little hollow .

Johnny knew before he began to dig that the ground was damp , almost wet .

but if Polly wanted to live there she should , and Johnny began to dig .

by and by he stopped to rest .

where was Polly ?

he looked this way and that way anxiously .

just as he was getting ready to go hunt for her , she came hurrying back .

{ Illustration : if Polly wanted to live there she should }

" I 've found a perfectly lovely place for our new home ! " she cried .

Johnny looked ruefully at the hole he had worked so hard to dig ; then he brushed the dirt from his clothes and followed her .

this time Johnny had no fault to find with the ground .

it was high and dry .

but Polly had chosen a spot close to a road that wound down across the Green Meadows .

Johnny shook his head doubtfully , but he began to dig .

it wasn't long before back she came in great excitement .

she had found a better place !

so they wandered over the Green Meadows , Polly leading the way .

Johnny had learned by this time to waste no time digging .

and he had made up his mind to one thing .

what do you think it was ?

XIV .

a NEW HOME AT LAST

Johnny Chuck was thinking of this as he worked with might and main .

and where do you think Johnny was building his new home ?

it was clear way over on the edge of Farmer Brown 's old orchard !

it wasn't of his own accord that Johnny Chuck had left the Green Meadows .

no , indeed !

he loved them too well for that .

sometimes Johnny shivered when he thought how near were Farmer Brown and Farmer Brown 's boy and Bowser the Hound .

he had never been so far from his old home on the Green Meadows before , and it was all very strange up here .

it was very lovely , too .

besides , it was in this very old orchard that Polly Chuck had been born , and she knew every part of it .

Johnny felt better when he found that out .

so he set to work to build a home , and this time he meant business .

now Johnny Chuck had grown wise in the ways of the world since he first ran away from the home where he was born .

twice since then he had built a new home , and now this would be better than either of the others .

he paid no heed to Polly , when she pouted because he did not dig where she wanted him to .

Polly watched him get ready for work and she pouted some more .

" it would be a lot nicer out in that grassy place , and a lot easier to dig , " said she .

Johnny Chuck smiled and made the dirt fly .

now , these old roots are just far enough apart for us to go in and out .

they make a beautiful doorway .

but Bowser the Hound cannot get through if he tries , and he can't make our doorway any larger .

don't you see how safe it is ? "

Polly Chuck had to own up that it was safer than a home in the open could possibly be , and Johnny went on digging .

he made a long hall down to the snuggest of bedrooms , deep , deep down under ground .

then he made a long back hall , and all the sand from this he carried out the front way .

you would never have guessed that there was a back door there .

XV .

SAMMY JAY FINDS THE NEW HOME

Johnny Chuck was missed from his old home on the Green Meadows .

but they one and all thought that Johnny Chuck must be crazy .

yes , Sir , they thought that Johnny Chuck must be crazy .

they were sure of it when the Merry Little Breezes brought word of how Johnny had started out to see the world .

but everybody was so busy about their own affairs in the beautiful bright spring-time that they couldn't spend much time wondering about Johnny Chuck .

they missed him every time they passed his old house and then forgot him ; that is , most of the little meadow people did .

Peter Rabbit didn't .

Jimmy Skunk was always asleep or off somewhere .

besides , he was such a traveler that he knew all the news almost as soon as Peter himself .

but there is where Peter made a mistake .

he knew those eyes .

they were such sharp eyes that they were unpleasant .

he didn't even have to look for the blue and white coat of the owner to know who had found his snug home .

but he pretended to keep right on dozing , and pretty soon the owner of the eyes disappeared without making a sound .

XVI .

SAMMY JAY PLANS MISCHIEF

of all the little people who live in the Green Forest and on the Green Meadows , none is more mischievous than Sammy Jay .

when he isn't actually in mischief , Sammy Jay is planning mischief .

now Sammy Jay had no quarrel with Johnny Chuck .

oh , my , no !

he would have told you that he liked Johnny Chuck .

everybody likes Johnny Chuck .

but just as soon as Sammy Jay found Johnny Chuck 's new house , he began to plan mischief .

he didn't really want any harm to come to Johnny Chuck , but he wanted to make Johnny uncomfortable .

that is Sammy Jay 's idea of fun seeing somebody else uncomfortable .

he didn't know why Johnny wanted it a secret and he didn't care .

if Johnny wanted it a secret , it would be fun to tell everybody about it .

as he sat wondering who he should tell first ; he saw Reddy Fox trotting down the Lone Little Path .

" hi , Reddy Fox ! " he shouted .

Reddy looked up .

" hello , Sammy Jay !

what have you got on your mind this morning ? " said Reddy .

" nothing much , " replied Sammy Jay .

" what 's the news ? "

Reddy grinned .

" there isn't any news , " said he .

" I was just going to ask you the same thing . "

it was Sammy Jay 's turn to grin , " just as if I could tell you any news , Reddy Fox !

just as if I could tell you any news ! " he exclaimed .

" why , everybody knows that you are so smart that you find out everything as soon as it happens . "

Reddy Fox felt flattered .

you know people who do a great deal of flattering themselves are often the very easiest to flatter if you know how .

Sammy knew this perfectly well , and he chuckled to himself as he watched Reddy Fox pretending to be so modest .

" have you called on Johnny Chuck at his new home yet ? " asked Sammy Jay , in the most matter-of-fact way .

" no , " replied Reddy , " but I mean to , soon . "

in fact he had hunted and hunted for it , but hadn't found a trace of it .

and all the time Sammy Jay knew that Reddy didn't know where it was .

but Sammy didn't let on that he knew .

" by the way , he thinks you don't know where he lives now . "

" huh ! " said Reddy Fox .

" as if Johnny Chuck could fool me !

well , I must be moving along .

Good-by , Sammy Jay . "

" I guess Johnny Chuck will have a visitor , " chuckled Sammy Jay , as he started to look for Jimmy Skunk .

XVII .

MORE MISCHIEF

mischief 's like a snowball Sent rolling down a hill ; With every turn it bigger grows And bigger , bigger still .

Sammy Jay had started mischief by telling Reddy Fox where Johnny Chuck 's new house was .

if you had asked him , Sammy Jay would have said that he hadn't told .

now Reddy Fox is very sly , oh , very sly .

he had pretended to Sammy Jay that he knew all the time where Johnny Chuck was living .

but Sammy Jay is just as sly as Reddy Fox .

he wasn't fooled for one minute , not one little minute .

he chuckled to himself as he started to look for Jimmy Skunk .

then he changed his mind .

" I think I 'll go up to the old orchard myself ! " said Sammy Jay , and away he flew .

he got there first and hid in the top of a big apple-tree , where he could see all that went on .

it wasn't long before he saw Reddy Fox steal out from the Green Forest and over to the old orchard .

Reddy was nervous , very nervous .

you see , it was broad daylight , and the old orchard was very near Farmer Brown 's house .

every few steps he would stop and look and listen .

at every little noise he would start nervously .

then Sammy Jay would chuckle under his breath .

so Reddy Fox crept and tiptoed about through the old orchard .

every minute he grew more nervous , and every minute he grew more disappointed , for he could find no sign of Johnny Chuck 's house .

he began to think that Sammy Jay had fooled him , and the very thought made him grind his teeth .

at last he decided to give it up .

Johnny Chuck wasn't in sight , but there was the new house , and Johnny must be either inside or not far away .

Reddy grinned .

it was a sly , wicked , hungry grin .

he flattened himself out in the grass behind the big apple-tree .

" I 'll give Johnny Chuck the surprise of his life ! " muttered Reddy Fox under his breath .

now Sammy Jay had been watching all this time .

he knew that Johnny Chuck was safely inside his house , for Johnny had seen Reddy when he first came into the old orchard .

and Sammy knew that Johnny Chuck knew that when Reddy found that new house , he would hide just as he had done .

Just then Sammy looked over to Farmer Brown 's house , and there was Farmer Brown 's boy getting ready to saw wood .

the imp of mischief under Sammy 's pert cap gave him an idea .

he flew over to the old apple-tree , just over Reddy 's head , and began to scream at the top of his lungs .

Farmer Brown 's boy stopped work and looked over towards the old orchard .

" when a jay screams like that there is usually a fox around , " he muttered , as he unfastened Bowser the Hound .

XVIII .

FARMER BROWN'S BOY MAKES A DISCOVERY

Reddy Fox glared up at Sammy Jay .

" what 's the matter with you ? " snarled Reddy Fox .

" why don't you mind your own affairs , instead of making trouble for other people ? "

you see , Reddy was afraid that Johnny Chuck would hear Sammy Jay and take warning .

" hello , Reddy Fox !

I thought you had gone down to the Green Meadows ! "

Sammy said this as if he was very much surprised to see Reddy there .

" I changed my mind ! " he snapped .

" what are you screaming so for ? "

" well , go somewhere else and scream ; I want to sleep , " said Reddy crossly .

so he screamed louder than ever .

Reddy Fox lost his temper .

he sat up and called Sammy Jay all the bad names he could think of .

he forgot where he was .

he told Sammy Jay what he thought of him and what he would do to him if ever he caught him .

Sammy Jay kept right on screaming .

he made such a noise that Reddy didn't hear footsteps coming nearer and nearer .

suddenly there was a great roar right behind him .

" bow , wow , wow !

bow , wow , wow , wow ! " just like that .

Reddy was so frightened that he didn't even look to see where he was jumping , and bumped his head against the apple-tree .

then he started for the Green Forest , with Bowser the Hound at his heels .

Sammy Jay laughed till he lost his breath and nearly tumbled off his perch .

then he flew away , still laughing .

he thought it the greatest joke ever .

Farmer Brown 's boy had followed Bowser the Hound into the old orchard .

" I wonder what a fox was doing up here in broad daylight , " said he , talking to himself .

" perhaps one of my hens has stolen her nest down here , and he has found it .

I 'll have a look , anyway . "

when he got there , of course he saw Johnny Chuck 's new house right away .

" Ho ! " cried Farmer Brown 's boy .

" Brer Fox was hunting Chucks .

I 'll keep my eye on this , and if Mr Chuck makes any trouble in my garden , I 'll know where to catch him . "

XIX .

JOHNNY CHUCK'S PRIDE

it was not that he was afraid for himself .

oh , my , no !

Johnny Chuck felt perfectly able to take care of himself .

but there was Polly Chuck !

he was terribly afraid that something might happen to Polly Chuck .

you see she was not big and strong like him , and then Polly Chuck was apt to be careless .

so for a while Johnny Chuck worried a great deal .

but Reddy Fox didn't come again in daytime .

you see Bowser the Hound had given him such a scare that he didn't dare to .

and Farmer Brown 's boy seemed to have forgotten all about the new house .

so after a while Johnny Chuck stopped worrying so much .

the fact is Johnny Chuck had something else to think about .

he had a secret .

yes , Sir , Johnny Chuck had a secret .

Sammy Jay came up to the old orchard almost every morning .

whatever it was , it made Johnny Chuck very happy .

he would come out on his doorstep and smile and sometimes give a funny little whistle of pure joy .

it puzzled Sammy Jay a great deal .

he couldn't see why Johnny Chuck should be any happier than he ever was .

to be sure it was a happy time of year .

but what it was , Sammy Jay couldn't imagine .

he spent so much time thinking about it and wondering what it could be , that it actually kept him out of mischief .

one morning Johnny Chuck came out , looking happier than ever .

he chuckled and chuckled as only a happy Chuck can .

then he did foolish things .

he kicked up his heels .

he rolled over and over in the grass .

he whistled .

he even tried to sing , which is something no Chuck can do or should ever try to do .

then suddenly he scrambled to his feet , carefully brushed his coat , and tried to look very dignified .

he strutted back and forth in front of his doorway , as if he was very proud of something .

there was pride in the very way in which he took each step .

there was pride in the very way in which he held his head .

it was too much for Sammy Jay .

you know Sammy Jay is very proud of his own handsome blue and white coat and dearly loves to show it off .

" it isn't that , " said Johnny Chuck .

" it isn't that , " said Johnny Chuck .

" well , what is it , then ? " snapped Sammy Jay .

" that 's for you to find out , " replied Johnny Chuck .

and with that , Johnny Chuck disappeared in his new house .

XX .

SAMMY JAY UNDERSTANDS

it was a beautiful morning .

jolly , round , red Mr Sun had thrown his bedclothes off very early and started to climb up the sky , smiling his broadest .

old Mother West Wind had swept his path clear of clouds .

each apple-tree was like a huge bouquet of loveliness .

yes , indeed , it was very beautiful that spring morning .

Sammy Jay had gotten up almost as early as Mr Sun and Old Mother West Wind .

so he sat very , very still among the apple blossoms and waited and watched .

by and by Johnny Chuck appeared on his doorstep .

he seemed very much excited , did Johnny Chuck .

he sat up very straight and looked this way and looked that way .

he looked up in the apple-trees , and Sammy Jay held his breath , for fear that Johnny would see him .

but Sammy was so well hidden that , bright as Johnny Chuck 's eyes are , they failed to see him .

Sammy Jay grew impatient .

" he seems to be terribly watchful this morning .

I never knew him to be so watchful before .

I don't understand it , " muttered Sammy to himself .

after a while Johnny Chuck seemed quite satisfied that there was no one about .

he hopped down from the old stone wall and scampered over to the doorway of his new house , and there he began to chatter .

pretty soon Johnny Chuck backed out and sat up , and he looked very proud and important .

then Sammy Jay saw something that nearly took his breath away .

it was the head of Polly Chuck peeping out of the doorway .

it was the first time that he had seen Polly Chuck .

so that 's his secret and the reason he has appeared so proud lately ! "

Polly Chuck came out on the doorstep .

she looked just as proud as Johnny Chuck , and at the same time she seemed terribly anxious .

she sat up beside Johnny Chuck , and she looked this way and that way , just as Johnny had .

then she put her head in at the doorway and began to call in the softest voice .

in a minute Sammy Jay saw something more .

it surprised him so that he nearly lost his balance .

it was another head peeping out of the doorway , a head just like Johnny Chuck 's , only it was a teeny-weeny one .

then there was another and another !

Sammy Jay understood now why Johnny Chuck had been so proud for the last few days .

it was because he had a family !

in a flash the three little Chucks and Polly Chuck had disappeared inside the house , while Johnny Chuck looked up angrily .

he knew that his secret was a secret no longer .

XXI .

SAMMY JAY HAS A CHANGE OF HEART

it is so with Sammy Jay .

yes , Sir , it is so with Sammy Jay .

you may think that because Sammy Jay is vain , a trouble-maker and a thief , he is all bad .

he isn't .

there is some good in Sammy Jay , just as there is some good in everybody .

if there wasn't , Old Mother Nature never , never would allow Sammy Jay to go his mischievous way through the Green Forest .

he dearly loves to get other people into all kinds of trouble , and this is one reason why nobody loves him .

you may have to look a long time for it , but sooner or later you will find it .

Johnny Chuck did .

Sammy Jay had already made a lot of trouble for Johnny Chuck .

you see he had been the first of the little forest and meadow people to find Johnny Chuck 's new house .

now he had discovered Johnny Chuck 's greatest secret that Johnny had a family .

what a chance to make trouble now !

Sammy started for the Green Forest as fast as his wings could take him .

he would tell Reddy Fox and Redtail the Hawk .

they were very fond of young Chucks .

it would be great fun to see the fright of Johnny Chuck and his family when Reddy Fox or Redtail the Hawk appeared .

Sammy Jay chuckled wickedly as he flew .

when he reached the Green Forest and stopped in his favorite hemlock-tree to rest , he was still chuckling .

but by that time it was a different kind of a chuckle .

yes , Sir , it was a different kind of a chuckle .

it was a better chuckle to hear .

the fact is , Sammy Jay was no longer chuckling over the thought of the trouble he could make .

the more he thought about it , the more he tickled and laughed .

right in the midst of his laughter along came Redtail the Hawk .

Sammy Jay opened his mouth to call to Redtail and tell him about Johnny Chuck 's secret .

then he closed it again with a snap .

I guess I 'll wait a while . "

and with that , off flew Sammy Jay to hunt for some other mischief .

you see , he had had a change of heart .

the little goodness way down deep inside had come out of hiding .

XXII .

JOHNNY CHUCK IS KEPT BUSY

Johnny Chuck is naturally lazy .

you see , Johnny has very simple tastes and usually he is contented .

he does not have to go far from his own doorstep to get all he wants to eat .

now people who do not have to work usually become lazy .

it is the easiest habit in the world to learn and the hardest to get over .

and so , because he seldom has to work , Johnny Chuck quite naturally is lazy .

but Johnny can work when there really is need of it .

no one , unless it is Digger the Badger or Miner the Mole , can dig faster than Johnny Chuck .

and when there is real need of working , Johnny works with a will .

when he was a very tiny Chuck , old Mother Chuck had taught him this :

" when work there is that must be done Don't fret and whine and spoil the day !

the quicker that you do your work The longer time you 'll have to play . "

Johnny never has forgotten this , and when it is really necessary that he should work , no one works harder than he does .

and now Johnny Chuck was the busiest he had ever been in all his life .

if he felt lazy these beautiful spring days , he didn't have time to think about it .

no , Sir , he actually didn't have time to remember that he is naturally lazy .

so Johnny Chuck was busy , so busy that he hardly had time to get enough to eat .

and he never forgot to look up in the apple-trees to make sure that Sammy Jay was not there .

then he would call to Polly Chuck and the three baby Chucks .

oh , those were busy days for Johnny Chuck , and anxious days , too !

so , from the first thing in the morning until the very last thing at night , Johnny Chuck was on the watch for danger .

whose were they ?

why , Sammy Jay 's , to be sure .

you see , Sammy Jay hadn't told Johnny Chuck 's great secret , after all .

XXIII .

THE SCHOOL IN THE OLD ORCHARD

you didn't know that , did you ?

well , it 's a fact .

yes , Sir , it 's a fact .

they go to the greatest school in the world , and it is called the School of Experience .

old Mother Nature has charge of it , but the teachers usually are father and mother for the first few weeks , anyway .

after that Old Mother Nature herself gives them a few lessons , and a very stern teacher she is .

they just HAVE to learn her lessons .

if they don't , something dreadful is almost sure to happen .

of course Sammy Jay knew all this , because he had had to go to school when he was a little fellow .

Johnny Chuck was the teacher and his three baby Chucks were the pupils .

Sammy Jay was so interested in that funny little school in the old orchard that he quite forgot to think about mischief .

the very first lesson that the three little Chucks had to learn was obedience .

Johnny Chuck was very particular about that .

you see he knew that unless they learned this first of all , none of the other lessons would do them much good .

they must first learn to mind instantly , without asking questions .

dear me , dear me , Johnny Chuck certainly did have his hands full , teaching those three little Chucks to mind !

first , there were signals .

when Johnny whistled a certain way , it meant " a stranger in sight ; possible danger ! "

but all the time their sharp little eyes would be looking this way and that way , to see what the danger might be .

after a while Johnny would give another little whistle , which meant " danger past . "

then they would once more begin to fill their little stomachs with sweet , tender , young clover .

sometimes , however , Johnny would whistle sharply .

that meant " Run ! "

then there was a still different whistle .

it meant " danger very near ; lie low ! "

of course , there never was any real danger .

it surely was a funny little school , and sometimes Sammy Jay had hard work to keep from laughing right out .

XXIV .

SAMMY JAY PROVES THAT HE IS NOT ALL BAD

he took them up along the old stone wall and showed them how to find safe hiding-places among the stones .

then he took them off a little way and suddenly gave the danger signal .

it was funny , very funny indeed to see the three little Chucks scamper for the old stone wall and crawl out of sight .

such a scolding as Johnny Chuck did give those two little Chucks !

then he made them try it all over again .

then Johnny Chuck took them over to the edge of the old orchard , where they could peep out over the Green Meadows .

he told them about Farmer Brown 's boy and about Bowser the Hound and a great many other things that little Chucks should learn about .

but even the most watchful are surprised sometimes .

Johnny Chuck did not see him coming .

so this morning he failed to see Farmer Brown 's boy coming .

but Sammy Jay , sitting in his snug hiding-place in the top of one of the old apple-trees , saw him .

at first Sammy Jay 's sharp eyes twinkled .

there would be some fun now !

perhaps Farmer Brown 's boy would catch one of the little Chucks !

Sammy Jay could picture to himself the fright of Johnny Chuck and the three little Chucks .

he fairly hugged himself in delight , for you know Sammy Jay dearly loves to see other people in trouble .

almost without stopping to think , he screamed at the top of his lungs :

" run , Johnny Chuck , run !

here comes Farmer Brown 's boy ! "

and Johnny Chuck ran .

he didn't wait to ask questions or even to look .

he started the three little Chucks ahead of him , and he nipped their heels to make them run faster .

and just in time they reached the snug house under the old apple-tree in the far corner .

Farmer Brown 's boy was just in time to see them disappear .

he watched Sammy Jay flying over to the Green Forest and screaming " thief ! thief ! " as he flew .

" I wonder now if that jay warned those chucks purposely , " said he , as he scratched his head thoughtfully .

but Peter wasn't there .

you may read all about it in The Adventures of Peter Cottontail .

you see it takes a whole book to tell all about Peter and his doings .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Johnny Chuck , by Thornton W Burgess

produced by Juliet Sutherland , Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team

THE ADVENTURES OF POOR MRS . QUACK

the Bedtime Story-Books

by Thornton W Burgess

author of " old Mother West Wind , " " the Bedtime Story-Books , " etc

CONTENTS

I Peter Rabbit Becomes Acquainted with Mrs . quack II .

Mrs Quack is Distrustful III .

Mrs Quack Tells About Her Home IV .

Mrs Quack Continues Her Story V Peter Learns More of Mrs Quack 's Troubles VI .

Farmer Brown 's Boy Visits the Smiling Pool VII .

Mrs Quack Returns VIII .

Mrs Quack Has a Good Meal and a Rest IX .

Peter Rabbit Makes an Early Call X . how Mr. and Mrs Quack Started North XI .

the Terrible , Terrible Guns XII .

what Did Happen to Mr Quack XIII .

Peter Tells About Mrs . quack XIV .

Sammy Jay 's Plan to Help Mrs . quack XV .

the Hunt for Mr Quack XVI .

Sammy Jay Sees Something Green XVII .

Mr Quack Is Found at Last XVIII.Sammy Jay Sends Mrs . quack to the Swamp XIX .

Jerry Muskrat 's Great Idea XX .

Happy Days for Mr. and Mrs Quack

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

" marshes must be something like swamps , " ventured Peter Rabbit Frontispiece

several times she circled around , high over the Smiling Pool

" some folks call him Alligator and some just ' Gator ' "

" just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't "

" yes , " said he in a low voice , " I am Mr Quack "

those were happy days indeed for Mr and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver

I

PETER RABBIT BECOMES ACQUAINTED WITH MRS . QUACK

make a new acquaintance every time you can ; You 'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan .

it means more knowledge .

you cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open .

every one is at least a little different from every one else , and the more people you know , the more you may learn .

Peter Rabbit knows this , and that is one reason he always is so eager to find out about other people .

he knew right away who it was .

he knew that it was Mrs Quack the Duck , because he had often heard about her .

Peter was so surprised to see her in the Smiling Pool that he almost forgot to be polite .

I am afraid he stared in a very impolite way as he hurried to the edge of the bank .

you are Mrs Quack , aren't you ? "

" yes , " replied Mrs Quack , " and you must be Peter Rabbit .

I 've heard of you very often . "

all the time Mrs Quack was swimming back and forth and in little circles in the most uneasy way .

" I hope you 've heard nothing but good of me , " replied Peter .

Peter looked a wee , wee bit foolish , and then he laughed right out .

" I guess that is true enough , " said he .

" I like to learn all I can , and how can I learn without being curious ?

I 'm curious right now .

I 'm wondering what brings you to the Smiling Pool when you never have been here before .

it is the last place in the world I ever expected to find you . "

" that 's why I 'm here , " replied Mrs Quack .

" I hope others feel the same way .

I came here because I just HAD to find some place where people wouldn't expect to find me and so wouldn't come looking for me .

Peter 's eyes opened very wide with surprise .

" why , " he exclaimed , " I should think you would be perfectly safe on the Big River !

I don't see how any harm can possibly come to you out there . "

the words were no sooner out of Peter 's mouth than a faint bang sounded from way off towards the Big River .

Mrs Quack gave a great start and half lifted her wings as if to fly .

but she thought better of it , and then Peter saw that she was trembling all over .

" did you hear that ? " she asked in a faint voice .

Peter nodded .

" that was a gun , a terrible gun , but it was a long way from here , " said he .

" it was over on the Big River , " said Mrs Quack .

" that 's why it isn't safe for me over there .

that 's why I just had to find some other place .

oh , dear , the very sound of a gun sets me to shaking and makes my heart feel as if it would stop beating .

are you sure I am perfectly safe here ? "

" I 'm not afraid of THEM , " declared Mrs Quack .

" it 's those two-legged creatures with terrible guns I 'm afraid of , " and she began to swim about more uneasily than ever .

II

MRS QUACK IS DISTRUSTFUL

Jerry Muskrat thinks there is no place in the world like the Smiling Pool .

So , for the matter of that , does Grandfather Frog and also Spotty the Turtle .

you see , they have spent their lives there and know little about the rest of the Great World .

" no one hunts here now that Farmer Brown 's boy has put away his terrible gun , " explained Jerry .

" who is Farmer Brown 's boy ? " demanded Mrs Quack , looking more anxious than ever .

" is he one of those two-legged creatures ? "

he is such a good friend that he ought to be a Quaddy himself .

he won't let any harm come to you here , Mrs Quack . "

" I wouldn't trust him , not for one single little minute , " declared Mrs Quack .

" I wouldn't trust one of those two-legged creatures , not ONE .

you say he fed some of you last winter , but that doesn't mean anything good .

do you know what I 've known these two-legged creatures to do ? "

" what ? " demanded Peter and Jerry together .

I wouldn't trust one of them , not ONE ! "

" oh , how dreadful ! " cried Peter , looking quite as shocked as he felt .

then he added eagerly , " but our Farmer Brown 's boy wouldn't do anything like that .

you haven't the least thing to fear from him . "

" perhaps not , " said Mrs Quack , shaking her head doubtfully , " but I wouldn't trust him .

I wouldn't trust him as far off as I could see him .

" you are safe right here , if you have sense enough to stay here , " declared Jerry Muskrat rather testily .

" don't you suppose Peter and I know what we are talking about ? "

there was a little sob in her voice and tears in her eyes .

" tell us all about it , " begged Peter .

" perhaps we can help you . "

III

MRS QUACK TELLS ABOUT HER HOME

" begin at the beginning , " said Jerry Muskrat .

" your home is somewhere way up in the Northland where Honker the Goose lives , isn't it ? "

Mrs Quack nodded .

" I wish I were there this very minute , " she replied , the tears coming again .

" but sometimes I doubt if ever I 'll get there again .

" I never could understand what people want to leave their homes for , anyway , " declared Peter .

what would you do if you couldn't find a single thing to eat ? "

" I guess I 'd starve , " replied Peter simply .

" he comes earlier up there and stays twice as long as he does here , and makes ten times as much ice and snow .

we just HAVE to come south .

it isn't because we want to , but because we must !

there is nothing else for us to do . "

" then I don't see what you want to make your home in such a place for , " said practical Peter .

" I should think you would make it where you can live all the year around . "

" I was born up there , and I love it just as you love the dear Old Briar-patch , " replied Mrs . quack simply .

" it is home , and there is no place like home .

besides , it is a very beautiful and a very wonderful place in summer .

there is everything that Ducks and Geese love .

we have all we want of the food we love best .

everywhere is shallow water with tall grass growing in it . "

" huh ! " interrupted Peter , " I wouldn't think much of a place like that . "

" that 's because you don't know what is good , " snapped Jerry Muskrat .

" it would suit me , " he added , with shining eyes .

" there are the dearest little islands just made for safe nesting-places , " continued Mrs Quack , without heeding the interruptions .

" if there is nothing to fear , why do you care about places to hide ? " demanded Peter .

that is perfectly fair , so we don't mind that .

it is only men who are not fair .

they don't know what fairness is . "

Peter nodded that he understood , and Mrs Quack went on .

" last summer Mr Quack and I had our nest on the dearest little island , and no one found it .

first we had twelve eggs , and then twelve of the dearest babies you ever saw . "

" maybe , " said Peter doubtfully , thinking of his own babies .

" and they were smart , too .

they had learned how to take care of themselves just as well as I could .

I certainly was proud of that family .

but now I don't know where one of them is . "

Mrs Quack suddenly choked up with grief , and Peter Rabbit politely turned his head away .

IV

MRS QUACK CONTINUES HER STORY

in a few minutes she bravely went on with her story .

for a while we had nothing much to fear .

perhaps you don't know what marshes are .

Jerry Muskrat 's eyes sparkled .

" I would like a place like that ! " he exclaimed .

" you certainly would , " replied Mrs Quack .

" we always find lots of your relatives in such places . "

" marshes must be something like swamps , " ventured Peter Rabbit , who had been thinking the matter over .

" very much the same , only with grass and rushes in place of trees and bushes , " replied Mrs Quack .

" there is plenty to eat and the loveliest hiding-places .

in some of these we stayed days at a time .

in fact , we stayed until Jack Frost came to drive us out .

if we could have just kept flying all the time or never had to go near the shore , we would have been all right .

but we had to eat . "

" of course , " said Peter .

" everybody has to eat . "

" and we had to rest , " said Mrs Quack .

" certainly , " said Peter .

" everybody has to do that . "

" it takes a lot of strength to fly as we fly , and strength requires plenty of food .

if we saw none , we would drop down a little nearer and a little nearer .

but with all our watchfulness , we never could be sure , absolutely sure , that all was safe .

sometimes those terrible two-legged creatures would be hiding in the very middle of the wildest , most lonely looking marshes .

they would be covered with grass so that we couldn't see them .

so we would fly our hardest .

it was awful , just simply awful ! "

Mrs Quack paused and shuddered , and Peter Rabbit and Jerry Muskrat shuddered in sympathy .

" sometimes we would have to try three or four feeding-places before we found one where there were no terrible guns .

it was like that every day .

the farther we got , the worse it became .

our flock grew smaller and smaller .

what became of our twelve children I don't know .

I am afraid the terrible guns killed some .

I hope some joined other flocks and escaped , but I don't know . "

" I hope they did too , " said Peter .

V

PETER LEARNS MORE OF MRS . QUACK'S TROUBLES

" I don't see why you didn't stay right there .

I would have , " said Peter , nodding his head with an air of great wisdom .

" not if you were I , " replied Mrs Quack .

" in the first place it isn't a proper place in which to bring up young Ducks and make them strong and healthy .

in the second place there are more dangers down there for young Ducks than up in the far Northland .

in the third place there isn't room for all the Ducks to nest properly .

we couldn't be happy if we didn't . "

" is the journey back as bad as the journey down ? " asked Peter .

" worse , very much worse , " replied Mrs. quack sadly .

" you can see for yourself just how bad it is , for here I am all alone . "

tears filled Mrs Quack 's eyes .

" it is almost too terrible to talk about , " she continued after a minute .

but it is much worse now , very much worse .

we cannot go any faster than Jack Frost does .

then there is nothing to do but to turn back to where those terrible guns are waiting for us .

we just HAVE to do it . "

Mrs Quack stopped and shivered .

" it seems to me I have heard nothing but the noise of those terrible guns ever since we started , " said she .

" I haven't had a good square meal for days and days , nor a good rest .

that is what makes me so dreadfully nervous .

then just as we would think we were safe for a little while , there would come the bang of a terrible gun .

then we would have to do it all over again until night came .

sometimes I think that those men with terrible guns must hate us and want to kill every one of us .

if they didn't , they would have a little bit of pity .

they simply haven't any hearts at all . "

" it does seem so , " agreed Peter .

" but wait until you know Farmer Brown 's boy !

HE'S got a heart ! " he added brightly .

" I don't want to know him , " retorted Mrs Quack .

" if he comes near here , you 'll see me leave in a hurry .

I wouldn't trust one of them , not one minute .

you don't think he will come , do you ? "

Peter sat up and looked across the Green Meadows , and his heart sank .

" he 's coming now , but I 'm sure he won't hurt you , Mrs . quack , " said he .

but Mrs Quack wouldn't wait to see .

VI

FARMER BROWN'S BOY VISITS THE SMILING POOL

cheer up !

cheer up !

cheer ! " had awakened quite as much gladness in his heart as it had in Peter 's heart .

it meant that his feathered friends would soon be busy house-hunting and building .

it meant that his little friends in fur would also be doing something very similar , if they had not already done so .

it meant that soon there would be a million lovely things to see and a million joyous sounds to hear .

Farmer Brown 's boy stopped and watched until the bird had disappeared , and on his face was a look of great surprise .

" as I live , that was a Duck ! " he exclaimed .

" that is the first time I 've ever known a wild Duck to be in the Smiling Pool .

I wonder what under the sun could have brought her over here . "

Just then there was a distant bang in the direction of the Big River .

Farmer Brown 's boy scowled , and it made his face very angry-looking .

" that 's it , " he muttered .

farmer Brown 's boy had guessed exactly right , as you and I know , and as Peter Rabbit and Jerry Muskrat knew .

some people haven't any hearts ; they 're all stomachs .

he grinned at the idea , and then he continued his way towards the Smiling Pool .

he hoped he might find another Duck there , and he approached the Smiling Pool very , very carefully .

Farmer Brown 's boy smiled when he saw them .

" Hello , Jerry Muskrat ! " said he .

" I wonder how a bite of carrot would taste to you . "

he felt in his pocket and brought out a couple of carrots .

one he put on a little tussock in the water where he knew Jerry would find it .

the other he tossed across the Smiling Pool where he felt sure Peter would find it .

presently he noticed two or three feathers on the water close to the edge of the bank .

Mrs Quack had left them there .

" I believe that was a Mallard Duck , " said he , as he studied them .

" I know what I 'll do .

I 'll go straight back home and get some wheat and corn and put it here on the edge of the Smiling Pool .

perhaps she will come back and find it . "

and this is just what Farmer Brown 's boy did .

VII

MRS QUACK RETURNS

Peter Rabbit just couldn't go back to the dear Old Briar-patch .

he just HAD to know if Mrs Quack would come back to the Smiling Pool .

jolly , round , red Mr Sun was just getting ready to go to bed behind the Purple Hills when Mrs Quack returned .

the first Peter knew of her coming was the whistle of her wings as she passed over him .

it didn't seem possible that one so big could move through the air so fast .

it was very clear that she was terribly nervous and suspicious .

" it 's all right .

there 's nothing to be afraid of , " said Jerry Muskrat .

" are you sure ? " asked Mrs Quack anxiously .

as she spoke she swam about nervously .

" there hasn't been anybody near here excepting Farmer Brown 's boy , and we told you he wouldn't hurt you . "

" he brought us each a carrot , " Peter Rabbit broke in eagerly .

" just the same , I wouldn't trust him , " replied Mrs Quack .

" where is he now ? "

" he left ever so long ago , and he won't be back to-night , " declared Peter confidently .

" I hope not , " said Mrs Quack , with a sigh .

" did you hear the bang of that terrible gun just after I left here ? "

" yes , " replied Jerry Muskrat .

" was it fired at you ? "

Mrs Quack nodded and held up one wing .

Peter and Jerry could see that one of the long feathers was missing .

it is very hard work to know just how far those terrible guns can throw things at you .

next time I will fly higher . "

" where have you been since you left us ? " asked Peter .

" eight in the middle of the Big River , " replied Mrs Quack .

" it was the only safe place .

I didn't dare go near either shore , and I 'm nearly starved .

I haven't had a mouthful to eat to-day . "

Peter opened his mouth to tell her of the wheat and corn left by Farmer Brown 's boy and then closed it again .

he would let her find it for herself .

if he told her about it , she might suspect a trick and refuse to go near the place .

he never had seen any one so suspicious , not even Old Man Coyote .

but he couldn't blame her , after all she had been through .

so he kept still and waited .

he was learning , was Peter Rabbit .

he was learning a great deal about Mrs Quack .

VIII

MRS QUACK HAS A GOOD MEAL AND A REST

that 's a fact .

a full stomach makes the whole world seem different , brighter , better , and more worth living in .

it is the hardest kind of hard work to be cheerful and see only the bright side of things when your stomach is empty .

but once fill that empty stomach , and everything is changed .

it was just that way with Mrs Quack .

Peter Rabbit looked over at Jerry Muskrat sitting on the Big Rock , and Jerry winked .

in a minute up bobbed the head of Mrs Quack , and there was both a pleased and a worried look on her face .

she had found some of the corn left there by Farmer Brown 's boy .

at once she swam out to the middle of the Smiling Pool , looking suspiciously this way and that way .

" there is corn over there , " said she .

" do you know how it came there ? "

" I saw Farmer Brown 's boy throwing something over there , " replied Peter .

" didn't we tell you that he would be good to you ? "

" quack , quack , quack !

I 've seen that kind of kindness too often to be fooled by it , " snapped Mrs Quack .

he thinks that if I do , he 'll have a chance to hide near enough to shoot me .

I didn't believe this could be a safe place for me , and now I know it .

I 'll stay here to-night , but to-morrow I 'll try to find some other place .

oh , dear , it 's dreadful not to have any place at all to feel safe in . "

there were tears in her eyes .

we ought to know Farmer Brown 's boy if any one does , and we tell you that he won't harm a feather of you . "

" he won't get the chance ! " snapped Mrs . quack .

Jerry Muskrat sniffed in disgust .

I wouldn't trust many of those two-legged creatures myself , but Farmer Brown 's boy is different .

if all of them were like him , we wouldn't have a thing to fear from them .

he has a heart .

yes , indeed , he has a heart .

now you take my advice and eat whatever he has put there for you , be thankful , and stop worrying .

Peter and I will keep watch and warn you if there is any danger . "

Peter Rabbit tiptoed away , and then he hurried lipperty-lipperty-lip to the dear Old Briar-patch to tell Mrs Peter all about Mrs Quack .

IX

PETER RABBIT MAKES AN EARLY CALL

with the first bit of daylight , Mrs Quack swam out from her hiding-place among the brown rushes .

but he didn't .

he kept perfectly still .

Mrs Quack shook herself and then began to carefully dress her feathers .

that is , she carefully put back in place every feather that had been rumpled up .

of course it was very impolite of Peter to watch her make her toilet , but he didn't think of that .

he didn't mean to be impolite .

and then it was so interesting .

you know Peter doesn't waste any time on his clothes .

in fact , he doesn't seem to care a bit how he looks .

so he waited as patiently as he could , which wasn't patiently at all .

at last Mrs Quack finished her breakfast , and then she had to make her toilet all over again .

finally Peter hopped to the edge of the bank where she would see him .

" good morning , Mrs Quack , " said he very politely .

" I hope you had a good rest and are feeling very well this morning . "

" thank you , " replied Mrs Quack .

" I 'm feeling as well as could be expected .

in fact , I 'm feeling better than I have felt for some time in spite of the sore place made by that terrible gun yesterday .

you see , I have had a good rest and two square meals , and these are things I haven't had since goodness knows when .

this is a very nice place .

let me see , what is it you call it ? "

" the Smiling Pool , " said Peter .

" that 's a good name for it , " returned Mrs Quack .

at the mention of Mr Quack , the eyes of Mrs Quack suddenly filled with tears .

Peter felt tears of sympathy in his own eyes .

" where is Mr Quack ? " he asked .

" I don't know , " sobbed Mrs Quack .

" I wish I did .

ever since we started for our home in the far North , I have been fearing that something of this kind might happen .

I ought to be on my way there now , but what is the use without Mr Quack ?

without him , I would be all alone up there and wouldn't have any home . "

" won't you tell me all that has happened since you started on your long journey ? " asked Peter .

" perhaps some of us can help you . "

x

HOW MR . AND MRS QUACK STARTED NORTH

and yet without knowing it , Peter WAS helping Mrs. quack .

he was giving her his sympathy , and sympathy often helps others a great deal more than we even guess .

it sometimes is a very good plan to tell your troubles to some one who will listen with sympathy .

it was so with Mrs Quack .

she had kept her troubles locked in her own heart so long that it did her good to pour them all out to Peter .

" Mr Quack and I spent a very comfortable winter way down in the sunny Southland , " said she with a far-away look .

" it was very warm and nice down there , and there were a great many other Ducks spending the winter with us .

" then there was another fellow we had to watch out for , a queer fellow whom we never see anywhere but down there .

" what 's that ? "

Peter Rabbit leaned forward and stared at Mrs Quack with his eyes popping right out .

" what 's that ? " he repeated .

" how can an old log have a mouth ? "

Mrs Quack just had to smile , Peter was so in earnest and looked so astonished .

then , too , he will swim under water and come up underneath and seize you without any warning .

he has the biggest mouth I 've ever seen , with terrible-looking teeth , and could swallow me whole . "

Illustration with caption : " some folks call him Alligator and some just ' Gator . "

by this time Peter 's eyes looked as if they would fall out of his head .

" what is his name ? " whispered Peter .

" it 's Old Ally the ' Gator , " replied Mrs Quack .

" some folks call him Alligator and some just ' Gator , but we call him Old Ally .

he 's a very interesting old fellow .

some time perhaps I 'll tell you more about him .

Mr Quack and I kept out of his reach , you may be sure .

we lived quietly and tried to get in as good condition as possible for the long journey back to our home in the North .

in fact , before we started there was a great deal of love-making , and each one chose a mate .

it is hard enough to lose father or mother or brother or sister , but it is worse to lose a dear mate . "

Mrs Quack 's eyes suddenly filled with tears again .

" oh , dear , " she sobbed , " I wish I knew what became of Mr Quack . "

Peter said nothing , but looked the sympathy he felt .

presently Mrs Quack went on with her story .

Mr Quack was the leader as usual , and I flew right behind him .

we hadn't gone far before we began to hear the terrible guns , and the farther we went , the worse they got .

Mr Quack led us to the safest feeding and resting grounds he knew of , and for a time our flock escaped the terrible guns .

but the farther we went , the more guns there were . "

Mrs Quack paused and Peter waited .

XI

THE TERRIBLE , TERRIBLE GUNS

" bang !

bang !

bang !

not a feather spare !

kill !

kill !

kill !

Wound and rip and tear ! "

I don't wonder that she was terribly uneasy and nervous as she sat in the Smiling Pool talking to Peter Rabbit ; do you ?

the very safest-looking places sometimes were the most dangerous .

Peter nodded .

" I certainly would , " said he .

" if it was safe for them it certainly would be safe for me . "

we were tired , for we had flown a long distance , and we were hungry .

it was still and peaceful there and not a thing to be seen that looked the least bit like danger .

my heart almost stopped beating .

then how we did fly !

" where were the others ? " asked Peter , although he guessed .

" killed or hurt by those terrible guns , " replied Mrs Quack sadly .

" and that wasn't the worst of it .

I told you that when we started each of us had a mate .

now we found that of those who had escaped , four had lost their mates .

they were heartbroken .

when it came time for us to move on , they wouldn't go .

besides , they hoped that if they waited around they might find their mates .

they thought they might not have been killed , but just hurt , and might be able to get away from those hunters .

so they left us and swam back towards that terrible place , calling for their lost mates , and it was the saddest sound .

I know now just how they felt , for I have lost Mr Quack , and that 's why I 'm here . "

Mrs Quack drew a wing across her eyes to wipe away the tears .

" nothing , " replied Mrs Quack .

the hunters were hidden under grass , and that is why we didn't see them . "

Peter blinked his eyes rapidly as if he were having hard work to believe what he had been told .

" why , " said he at last , " I never heard of anything so dreadfully unfair in all my life !

do you mean to tell me that those hunters actually made other Ducks lead you into danger ? "

" that 's just what I mean , " returned Mrs Quack .

" those two-legged creatures don't know what fairness is .

why , some of them have learned our language and actually call us in where they can shoot us .

just think of that !

you ought to be mighty thankful , Peter Rabbit , that you are not a Duck . "

" I am , " replied Peter .

he knew that not one of the meadow and forest people who were always trying to catch him would do a thing like that .

" it 's all true , " said Mrs Quack , " and those hunters do other things just as unfair .

sometimes awful storms will come up , and we just have to find places where we can rest .

those hunters will hide near those places and shoot at us when we are so tired that we can hardly move a wing .

they only hunt when they are hungry , and they hunt fairly .

when , they have got enough to make a dinner , they stop .

they keep our wits sharp .

if we do not keep out of their way , it is our own fault .

it is a kind of game the game of life .

I guess it is Old Mother Nature 's way of keeping us wide-awake and sharpening our wits , and so making us better fitted to live .

" with these two-legged creatures with terrible guns , it is all different .

we don't have any chance at all .

if they hunted us as Reddy Fox does , tried to catch us themselves , it would be different .

but their terrible guns kill when we are a long way off , and there isn't any way for us to know of the danger .

and then , when one of them does kill a Duck , he isn't satisfied , but keeps on killing and killing and killing .

I 'm sure one would make him a dinner , if that is what he wants .

oh , dear , I 'm afraid that is what has happened to Mr Quack . "

once more poor Mrs Quack was quite overcome with her troubles and sorrows .

XII

WHAT DID HAPPEN TO MR . QUACK

" early yesterday morning , " replied Mrs Quack , the tears once more filling her eyes .

how we got as far as that I don't know .

" we were flying up the Big River , and everything seemed perfectly safe .

that was where Mr Quack made a mistake .

even the smartest people will make mistakes sometimes , you know . "

Peter Rabbit nodded , " I know , " said he .

" I 've made them myself . "

and then he wondered why Jerry Muskrat laughed right out .

" yes , " continued Mrs Quack , " that is where Mr Quack made a mistake , a great mistake .

so to save time he led us close to shore .

and then it happened .

there was a bang , bang of a terrible gun , and down fell Mr Quack just as we had seen so many fall before .

it was awful .

I couldn't stop to see what became of Mr Quack , because if I had , that terrible gun would have killed me .

so I kept on a little way and then turned and went back , only I kept out in the middle of the Big River .

I am afraid he was killed , and if he was , I wish I had been killed myself . "

here Mrs Quack choked up so that she couldn't say another word .

Peter 's own eyes were full of tears as he tried to comfort her .

" perhaps , " said he , " Mr Quack wasn't killed and is hiding somewhere along the Big River .

I don't know why I feel so , but I feel sure that he wasn't killed , and that you will find him yet . "

I 'm going back to the Big River now to look for him .

I think I 'll be going along now , but I 'll be back to-night if nothing happens to me .

you folks who can always stay at home have a great deal to be thankful for . "

" Mrs Peter is forever worrying and scolding because I don't stay in the dear Old Briar-patch .

if she had heard Mrs Quack say that , I never would have heard the last of it .

I wish there was something we could do for Mrs Quack .

XIII

PETER TELLS ABOUT MRS . QUACK

to get things done , if you 'll but try , You 'll always find there is a way .

what you yourself can't do alone The chances are another may .

then for a long , long time he sat in a brown study .

a brown study , you know , is sitting perfectly still and thinking very hard .

that was what Peter did .

he sat so still that if you had happened along , you probably would have thought him asleep .

but he wasn't asleep .

no , indeed !

he was just thinking and thinking .

he was trying to think of some way to help Mrs Quack .

at last he gave a little sigh of disappointment .

Illustration with caption : " just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't . "

" it can't be done , " said he .

" there isn't any way . "

" what can't be done ? " demanded a voice right over his head .

Peter looked up .

there sat Sammy Jay .

Peter had been thinking so hard that he hadn't seen Sammy arrive .

" what can't be done ? " repeated Sammy .

" there isn't anything that can't be done .

there are plenty of things that you can't do , but what you can't do some one else can .

just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't . "

you know Sammy dearly loves to tease Peter .

Peter made a good-natured face at Sammy .

" which means , I suppose , that what I can't do you can .

you always did have a pretty good opinion of yourself , Sammy , " said he .

" nothing of the kind , " retorted Sammy .

" I simply mean that nobody can do everything , and that very often two heads are better than one .

it struck me that you had something on your mind , and I thought I might be able to help you get rid of it .

the Old Briar-patch is rather a dull place anyway . "

Peter started to make a sharp retort , but thought better of it .

instead he replied mildly : " I was just trying to think of some way to help poor Mrs Quack . "

" help Mrs Quack ! " exclaimed Sammy in surprise .

" where under the sun did you get acquainted with Mrs Quack ?

what 's the matter with her ?

she always has looked to me quite able to help herself . "

" well , she isn't .

when Peter finished , Sammy flew down a little nearer to Peter .

" I beg your pardon for saying your head is empty , Peter , " said he .

" your heart is right , anyway .

now I don't say that I can help Mrs Quack , but I can try .

I believe I 'll do a little thinking myself . "

so Sammy Jay in his turn went into a brown study , and Peter watched him anxiously and a little hopefully .

XIV

SAMMY JAY'S PLAN TO HELP MRS . QUACK

Peter watched him and wondered if Sammy would be able to think of any plan for helping poor Mrs Quack .

he hoped so .

he himself had thought and thought until he felt as if his brains were all mixed up and he couldn't think any more .

so he watched Sammy and waited and hoped .

presently Sammy flirted his wings in a way which Peter knew meant that he had made up his mind .

Peter nodded .

" and that she said that she doesn't dare go near the banks because of fear of the terrible guns ? "

again Peter nodded .

" I will , for one , and I 'm quite sure that my cousin , Blacky the Crow , will , for another .

he surely will if he thinks it will spoil the plans of any hunters .

Blacky would go a long distance to do that .

he hates terrible guns and the men who use them .

and he knows all about them .

he has very sharp eyes , has Blacky , and he knows when a man has got a gun and when he hasn't .

" that will be splendid ! " cried Peter , clapping his hands .

" but aren't you afraid of those terrible guns , Sammy ? "

" not when the hunters are trying for Ducks , " replied Sammy .

you see , they know that shooting at us would frighten the Ducks .

Blacky knows all about the Big River .

in the winter he often gets considerable of his food along its banks .

I 've been over there a number of times , but I don't know so much about it as he does .

now here is my plan .

I 'll go find Blacky and tell him all about what we want to do for Mrs Quack .

she must swim right up the Big River , keeping out in the middle where she will be safe .

are you quite sure that Mrs Quack will come back to the Smiling Pool to-night ? "

" she said she would , " replied Peter .

I think your plan is perfectly splendid , Sammy Jay .

I do hope Blacky the Crow will help . "

" he will .

don't worry about that , " replied Sammy .

" hello !

there goes Farmer Brown 's boy over to the Smiling Pool now . "

" then there will be some more corn for Mrs Quack .

I just know it ! " cried Peter .

" he is going to see if Mrs Quack is there , and I just know he has his pockets full of corn . "

" I wouldn't mind a little of it myself , " said Sammy .

" well , I must go along to hunt up Blacky .

Good-by , Peter . "

" Good-by and good luck , " replied Peter .

" I 've always said you are not half such a bad fellow as you try to make folks think you are , Sammy Jay . "

" thanks , " said Sammy , and started for the Green Forest to look for his cousin , Blacky the Crow .

XV

THE HUNT FOR MR . QUACK

now she had that very comfortable feeling that goes with a full stomach , she could think better .

as the Black Shadows crept across the Smiling Pool , she turned over in her mind Sammy Jay 's plan for helping her the next day .

at the time she had been tired and hungry and discouraged .

now she was beginning to feel rested , and she was no longer hungry .

these things made all the difference in the world .

when they did get there , they saw Mrs Quack out in the middle , swimming about and watching for them .

Blacky flew across the river and pretended to be hunting for food along the farther bank , just as every hunter knows he often does .

Sammy Jay did the same thing on the other bank .

now Sammy Jay dearly loves to hunt for things .

whenever he knows that one of his neighbors in the Green Forest has hidden something , he likes to hunt for it .

when he does find it , he usually steals it , I 'm sorry to say .

but it is the fun of hunting that Sammy enjoys most .

so now Sammy thoroughly enjoyed hunting for Mr Quack .

he peered into every likely hiding-place and became so interested that he quite forgot about the hunters who might be waiting along the bank .

so it happened that he didn't see a boat drawn in among the bushes until he was right over it .

sitting in it was a man with a terrible gun , very intently watching Mrs Quack out in the middle of the Big River .

Mrs Quack heard his scream and understood just what it meant .

a little later Blacky the Crow discovered another hunter hiding behind the bushes on his side .

" quack ! quack ! " replied Mrs Quack , which meant that she understood .

and so the hunt went on without a sign of poor Mr Quack .

XVI

SAMMY JAY SEES SOMETHING GREEN

" I guess Mrs Quack was right and that Mr Quack was killed when he was shot , " muttered Sammy to himself .

" probably one of those hunters had him for dinner long ago .

hello !

there 's another hunter up where the Laughing Brook joins the Big River !

I guess I won't take any chances .

so Sammy silently flew around back of the hunter and stopped in a tree where he could watch all that the man did .

for some time Sammy sat there watching .

but of course Sammy could see him perfectly , because he was behind him .

" why doesn't he shoot them ? " thought Sammy .

this was very curious , very curious indeed .

Sammy flew a little nearer and then a little nearer , taking the greatest care not to make a sound .

pretty soon he was so near that he could see those Ducks very plainly , and he stared with all his might .

he couldn't see any feathers !

no , Sir , he couldn't see any feathers !

then he understood .

" huh ! " said he to himself .

" those are not Ducks at all .

they are just pieces of wood made to look like Ducks .

now I wonder what they are for . "

In a few minutes he found out .

he saw the hunter crouch down a little lower and look down the Big River .

Sammy looked too .

he saw a flock of real Ducks flying swiftly just above the middle of the Big River .

suddenly the leader turned straight towards the place where the hunter was hiding , and the others followed him .

he could hear Mrs Quack calling excitedly out in the middle of the Big River , but the strangers did not heed her .

they had their eyes on those wooden Ducks and were coming straight in to join them .

" they think they are real Ducks and so this place is perfectly safe ! " thought Sammy .

he saw the Ducks suddenly swing out towards the middle of the Big River and knew that they had heard his warning .

he saw the hunter suddenly rise and point his gun at the flying Ducks .

he heard the bang , bang of the terrible gun , but not one of the flock was hit .

the distance was too great .

Sammy chuckled happily .

then he remembered that he himself was within easy reach of that terrible gun , and probably the hunter was very angry .

in great fright Sammy turned and flew , dodging behind trees and every second expecting to hear again the roar of that terrible gun .

but he didn't , and so when he thought he was safe , he stopped .

Just beyond where Sammy was sitting was a pile of brush in the water .

idly he watched it , and presently it moved .

instantly Sammy was all curiosity .

he flew over where he could see better .

XVII

MR . QUACK IS FOUND AT LAST

it had done this right here in the little swamp where Sammy was .

Sammy sat perfectly still , for he learned long ago that only by keeping perfectly still may one see all that is to be seen .

that green spot had moved .

he was sure of that .

and if it moved , it must be something alive .

if it were alive , it must be somebody , and Sammy wanted to know who it was .

Try as he would he couldn't remember any one who wore such glossy green as that .

so , his eyes sparkling with excitement , Sammy watched .

he was impatiently patient .

did you know that it is possible to be impatiently patient ?

well , it is .

Sammy was just boiling with impatience inside , but he didn't let that impatience spoil the patience of his waiting .

that is what is called self-control .

it means the power to make yourself do a certain thing , no matter how much you may want to do something else .

it is a splendid thing to have , is self-control .

after what seemed to Sammy a very long time , the green spot moved again .

Little by little something reached out from under the pile of brush .

Sammy choked back a little gasp of surprise as a sudden thought popped into his head .

could this be the lost Mr Quack ?

" I believe it IS Mr . quack ! " thought Sammy .

" if it is , I 'll have the best news ever to tell Mrs Quack .

just trust Sammy Jay to find anything he goes looking for . "

this was just plain boasting , and Sammy knew it .

but Sammy always does have a good opinion of himself .

it is one of his faults .

he quite lost sight of the fact that it was entirely by accident that he had come over to this swamp .

now that he had guessed who this might be , he was less impatient .

Sammy could keep still no longer .

Illustration with caption : " yes , " said he in a low voice , " I am Mr Quack . "

" are you Mr Quack ? " he asked eagerly .

the beautiful head disappeared like a flash .

Sammy waited a minute or two , before he repeated his question , adding : " you needn't be afraid .

there isn't anybody here but me , and I 'm your friend .

I just want to know if you are Mr Quack because I 've been looking for you for Mrs Quack .

are you ? "

" yes , " said he in a low voice , " I am Mr Quack .

where is Mrs Quack ? "

" safe and sound over on the Big River , " replied Sammy joyfully .

" oh , I 'm so glad I 've found you ! "

XVIII

SAMMY JAY SENDS MRS QUACK TO THE SWAMP

no , indeed , that wouldn't do at all .

one of the hunters would be sure to see her .

so Sammy wisely flew back to the Smiling Pool to wait until Mrs Quack should come back there for the night .

" does Mrs Quack know yet ? " asked Peter .

Sammy shook his head .

" I 'm going to tell her when she comes back here to-night , " he explained .

" I was afraid if I told her before then she would fly straight to him and perhaps get them both in trouble . "

" quite right , Sammy !

quite right ! "

Peter exclaimed .

" I wouldn't have thought of that .

my , won't she be happy when you do tell her !

I wonder what she 'll say and what she 'll do .

I 'm going to stay right here so as to see her when she hears the good news .

here comes your cousin , Blacky the Crow .

does he know yet ? "

" no , " replied Sammy , " but I 'm going to tell him as soon as he gets here . "

they watched Blacky draw nearer and nearer , and as soon as he was within hearing Sammy shouted the news .

" caw , caw , caw , " replied Blacky , hurrying a little faster .

in fact , Sammy Jay and Blacky were getting very uneasy .

it was almost bed-time for them , for neither of them dared stay out after dark .

" what 's the news , Mrs Quack ? " asked Peter , his eyes dancing .

" there isn't any , " replied Mrs Quack .

" oh , yes , there is ! " cried Sammy Jay , who couldn't possibly keep still any longer .

Mrs Quack nodded her head rapidly .

" what of it ? " she demanded .

" nothing much , only if I were you I would go down there after dark , " replied Sammy .

Mrs Quack looked up at Sammy sharply .

" why should I go down there ? " she asked .

" if I tell you , will you wait until I get quite through ? " asked Sammy in his turn .

Mrs Quack promised that she would .

" Mr Quack !

" stop ! " cried Sammy sharply .

" you said you would wait until I am through .

it won't do for you to go there until after dark , because there is a hunter hiding very near Mr Quack 's hiding-place .

wait until it is dark and he has gone home .

then take my advice , and when you have found Mr Quack , bring him right up here to the Smiling Pool .

he can't fly , but he can swim up the Laughing Brook , and this is the safest place for both of you .

now good night and good luck . "

XIX

JERRY MUSKRAT'S GREAT IDEA

a friendly friend is a friend indeed When he proves a friend in the time of need .

both jumped a little .

you see their nerves had been very much upset for a long time , and the least unexpected thing made them jump .

then both laughed .

" hello , Jerry Muskrat !

we 'd forgotten all about you , " said Mrs Quack .

" what was that you said ? "

Jerry good-naturedly repeated what he had said .

Mrs Quack 's face brightened .

" do you really mean it ? " she asked eagerly .

" that 's what I said , " replied Jerry briefly .

" oh , Jerry , you 're not joking , are you ?

tell me you 're not joking , " begged Mrs Quack .

the idea came to me while you were talking .

I know of just the lonesomest kind of a lonesome pond , and you won't have to fly a stroke to get to it .

Mrs Quack 's eyes fairly shone with hope and eagerness .

" oh , Jerry , tell us where it is , and we 'll start for it right away ! " she cried .

Jerry 's eyes twinkled .

" of course , the owner of that pond might not like to have neighbors .

I hadn't thought of that , " said he .

" perhaps he ought to be asked first . "

Mrs Quack 's face fell .

" who is the owner ? " she asked .

" my cousin , Paddy the Beaver .

he made it , " replied Jerry proudly .

Mrs Quack 's face lighted up again at once .

" I 'm sure he won't object , " said she .

" we know a great many of the Beaver family .

in fact , they are very good neighbors of ours in our home in the far Northland .

I didn't suppose there was a Beaver pond anywhere around here .

tell me where it is , Jerry , and I 'll go right up there and call on your cousin . "

" he made that pond himself two years ago .

he has got a very nice pond there now .

Honker the Goose and his flock spent a night in it on their way south last fall . "

Mrs Quack waited to hear no more .

she shot up into the air and disappeared over the tops of the trees in the Green Forest .

" what do you think of my idea ? " asked Jerry , as he and Mr Quack watched her out of sight .

" I think it is great , just simply great , " replied Mr Quack .

XX

HAPPY DAYS FOR MR . AND MRS . QUACK

if you don't believe it , just ask Mr and Mrs. Quack .

they know .

you see , the heart of Mrs Quack was true and brave and strong .

she was determined that they should have a home anyway , and Paddy the Beaver 's little pond was not such a bad place after all .

so she wasted no time .

she examined every inch of the shore of that little pond .

in it she laid ten eggs .

the broken wing healed and grew strong again , for it had not been so badly broken , after all .

Unknown to them , Farmer Brown 's boy discovered where they were .

in fact , after the first few times , he made no attempt to hide .

you see he discovered that Farmer Brown 's boy was a friend .

Illustration with caption : those were happy days indeed for Mr and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver .

I hope they got there safely , don't you ?

in the next book I will tell you of some of Bobby 's adventures .

THE END

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Poor Mrs. quack , by Thornton W Burgess

produced by David Widger and Charles Keller for Tina

THE YELLOW FAIRY BOOK

by Various

edited By Andrew Lang

dedication

TO

JOAN , TODDLES , AND TINY

for every child should understand That letters from the first were planned To guide us into Fairy Land

so labour at your Alphabet , For by that learning shall you get To lands where Fairies may be met .

and going where this pathway goes , You too , at last , may find , who knows ?

the Garden of the Singing Rose .

PREFACE

the Editor thinks that children will readily forgive him for publishing another Fairy Book .

we have had the Blue , the Red , the Green , and here is the Yellow .

he is named Mr G Laurence Gomme , and he is president of a learned body called the Folk Lore Society .

( @number@ ) you may buy them from Mr Nutt , in the Strand .

where is the harm ?

this is contained in very old tales , such as country people tell , and savages :

' Little Sioux and little Crow , Little frosty Eskimo . '

these people are thought to know most about fairyland and its inhabitants .

as to whether there are really any fairies or not , that is a difficult question .

Professor Huxley thinks there are none .

the Editor never saw any himself , but he knows several people who have seen them in the Highlands and heard their music .

again , if there are really no fairies , why do people believe in them , all over the world ?

the Rev. Mr Baring-Gould saw several fairies when he was a boy , and was travelling in the land of the Troubadours .

as to Giants , they have died out , but real Dwarfs are common in the forests of Africa .

the exact facts he can learn later , or he can leave them alone .

there are Russian , German , French , Icelandic , Red Indian , and other stories here .

A LANG .

CONTENTS

THE YELLOW FAIRY BOOK

THE CAT AND THE MOUSE IN PARTNERSHIP

' But we must provide for the winter or else we shall suffer hunger , ' said the Cat .

' You , little Mouse , cannot venture everywhere in case you run at last into a trap . '

this good counsel was followed , and a little pot of fat was bought .

but they did not know where to put it .

no one will trouble to take it away from there .

we will hide it in a corner , and we won't touch it till we are in want . '

let me go out to-day , and do you take care of the house alone . '

but it was all untrue .

the Cat had no cousin , and had not been asked to be godmother .

she went straight to the church , slunk to the little pot of fat , began to lick it , and licked the top off .

as soon as it was evening she went home again .

' Ah , here you are again ! ' said the Mouse ; ' you must certainly have had an enjoyable day . '

' It went off very well , ' answered the Cat .

' What was the child 's name ? ' asked the Mouse .

' Top Off , ' said the Cat drily .

' Topoff ! ' echoed the Mouse , ' it is indeed a wonderful and curious name .

is it in your family ? '

' What is there odd about it ? ' said the Cat .

' It is not worse than Breadthief , as your godchild is called . '

not long after this another great longing came over the Cat .

when she came home the Mouse asked , ' What was this child called ? '

' Half Gone , ' answered the Cat .

' Halfgone ! what a name !

I have never heard it in my life .

I don't believe it is in the calendar . '

soon the Cat 's mouth began to water once more after her licking business .

' All good things in threes , ' she said to the Mouse ; ' I have again to stand godmother .

the child is quite black , and has very white paws , but not a single white hair on its body .

this only happens once in two years , so you will let me go out ? '

' Topoff !

Halfgone ! ' repeated the Mouse , ' they are such curious names ; they make me very thoughtful . '

that comes of not going out in the day . '

the Mouse asked at once after the third child 's name .

' It won't please you any better , ' said the Cat , ' he was called Clean Gone . '

' Cleangone ! ' repeated the Mouse .

' I do not believe that name has been printed any more than the others .

Cleangone !

what can it mean ? '

she shook her head , curled herself up , and went to sleep .

they started off , and when they reached it they found the pot in its place , but quite empty !

' Ah , ' said the Mouse , ' ' now I know what has happened !

it has all come out !

you are a true friend to me !

you have eaten it all when you stood godmother ; first the top off , then half of it gone , then '

' Will you be quiet ! ' screamed the Cat .

' Another word and I will eat you up . '

you see that is the way of the world .

THE SIX SWANS

a king was once hunting in a great wood , and he hunted the game so eagerly that none of his courtiers could follow him .

when evening came on he stood still and looked round him , and he saw that he had quite lost himself .

he sought a way out , but could find none .

then he saw an old woman with a shaking head coming towards him ; but she was a witch .

' Good woman , ' he said to her , ' can you not show me the way out of the wood ? '

' What is the condition ? ' asked the King .

but the King went so often to his dear children that the Queen was offended at his absence .

she grew curious , and wanted to know what he had to do quite alone in the wood .

and when the King had ridden off she took the little shirts and went into the wood , and the reel showed her the way .

the next day the King came to visit his children , but he found no one but the girl .

' Where are your brothers ? ' asked the King .

' Alas ! dear father , ' she answered , ' they have gone away and left me all alone . '

the poor maiden thought , ' My home is no longer here ; I will go and seek my brothers . '

and when night came she fled away into the forest .

she ran all through the night and the next day , till she could go no farther for weariness .

then she saw a little hut , went in , and found a room with six little beds .

but when the sun had set she heard a noise , and saw six swans flying in at the window .

then the maiden recognised her brothers , and overjoyed she crept out from under the bed .

her brothers were not less delighted than she to see their little sister again , but their joy did not last long .

' You cannot stay here , ' they said to her .

' This is a den of robbers ; if they were to come here and find you they would kill you . '

' Could you not protect me ? ' asked the little sister .

' No , ' they answered , ' for we can only lay aside our swan skins for a quarter of an hour every evening .

for this time we regain our human forms , but then we are changed into swans again . '

then the little sister cried and said , ' Can you not be freed ? '

' Oh , no , ' they said , ' the conditions are too hard .

you must not speak or laugh for six years , and must make in that time six shirts for us out of star-flowers .

if a single word comes out of your mouth , all your labour is vain . '

but the maiden had determined to free her brothers even if it should cost her her life .

she left the hut , went into the forest , climbed a tree , and spent the night there .

the next morning she went out , collected star-flowers , and began to sew .

she could speak to no one , and she had no wish to laugh , so she sat there , looking only at her work .

they called to her and said ' Who are you ? '

but she gave no answer .

' Come down to us , ' they said , ' we will do you no harm . '

but she shook her head silently .

as they pressed her further with questions , she threw them the golden chain from her neck .

the huntsmen would not leave her alone , but climbed the tree , lifted the maiden down , and led her to the King .

the King asked , ' Who are you ?

what are you doing up that tree ? '

but she answered nothing .

he asked her in all the languages he knew , but she remained as dumb as a fish .

because she was so beautiful , however , the King 's heart was touched , and he was seized with a great love for her .

he wrapped her up in his cloak , placed her before him on his horse , and brought her to his castle .

but the King had a wicked mother who was displeased with the marriage , and said wicked things of the young Queen .

' Who knows who this girl is ? ' she said ; ' she cannot speak , and is not worthy of a king . '

after a year , when the Queen had her first child , the old mother took it away from her .

then she went to the King and said that the Queen had killed it .

the King would not believe it , and would not allow any harm to be done her .

but she sat quietly sewing at the shirts and troubling herself about nothing .

he said , ' She is too sweet and good to do such a thing as that .

if she were not dumb and could defend herself , her innocence would be proved . '

the six shirts were done ; there was only the left sleeve wanting to the last .

then she knew that her release was at hand and her heart danced for joy .

the swans fluttered round her , and hovered low so that she could throw the shirts over them .

when they had touched them the swan-skins fell off , and her brothers stood before her living , well and beautiful .

only the youngest had a swan 's wing instead of his left arm .

she told him of the old woman 's deceit , and how she had taken the three children away and hidden them .

then they were fetched , to the great joy of the King , and the wicked mother came to no good end .

but the King and the Queen with their six brothers lived many years in happiness and peace .

THE DRAGON OF THE NORTH ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) ' Der Norlands Drache , ' from Esthnische Mahrchen .

Kreutzwald .

when it moved it jumped like a frog , and with every spring it covered half a mile of ground .

this inscription would enable anyone who was wise enough to interpret it to find out how the Dragon could be destroyed .

at last a young man , with a good heart and plenty of courage , set out to search for the ring .

he took his way towards the sunrising , because he knew that all the wisdom of old time comes from the East .

after some years he met with a famous Eastern magician , and asked for his advice in the matter .

the magician answered :

I can help you to understand it if you will stay with me a few days . '

at parting the magician said to him .

but time went on , and he heard nothing about the ring .

the first bird said :

' I know that wandering fool under the tree there , who has come so far without finding what he seeks .

he is trying to find King Solomon 's lost ring . '

if she has not got the ring herself , she knows well enough who has it . '

( @number@ ) Hollenmadchen .

' But where is he to find the Witch-maiden ? ' said the first bird .

' She has no settled dwelling , but is here to-day and gone to-morrow .

he might as well try to catch the wind . '

' Well , ' said the first bird , ' the spring is not far from here .

shall we go and see how it is she does it ? '

' Willingly , if you like , ' said the other .

he ate his breakfast , and waited until the birds should start , but they did not leave the place all day .

they remained on the tree till noon ; then they flew away and went towards the south .

when the youth had overtaken them , he saw that there was a clear spring in the middle of the space .

do you think she will see that young man sitting under the tree ? '

' Nothing is likely to escape her eyes , certainly not a young man , said the other bird .

' Will the youth have the sense not to let himself be caught in her toils ? '

' We will wait , ' said the first bird , ' and see how they get on together . '

the youth could not turn away his eyes from the maiden , for he had never in his life seen a woman so beautiful .

' Full-faced moon with light unshaded , Let my beauty ne'er be faded .

never let my cheek grow pale !

while the moon is waning nightly , May the maiden bloom more brightly , May her freshness never fail ! '

the youth rose and stood waiting .

then the maiden said , ' You ought to have a heavy punishment because you have presumed to watch my secret doings in the moonlight .

but I will forgive you this time , because you are a stranger and knew no better .

the youth answered humbly : ' Forgive me , beautiful maiden , if I have unintentionally offended you .

I chanced to come here after long wandering , and found a good place to sleep under this tree .

the maiden answered kindly , ' Come and spend this night with us .

you will sleep better on a pillow than on damp moss . '

when the youth entered he found many splendid chambers , each one finer than the last .

hundreds of tapers burnt upon golden candlesticks , and shed a light like the brightest day .

at length they reached a chamber where a table was spread with the most costly dishes .

at the table were placed two chairs , one of silver , the other of gold .

the maiden seated herself upon the golden chair , and offered the silver one to her companion .

therefore he answered cautiously , ' Do not be angry , dear maiden , if I do not decide immediately on this important matter .

give me a few days to consider before we come to an understanding . '

' Why not ? ' answered the maiden .

' Take some weeks to consider if you like , and take counsel with your own heart . '

but the youth did not know this ; he thought they were all real .

one day the maiden took him into a secret chamber , where a little gold box was standing on a silver table .

it is a precious gold ring .

when the youth heard these words a cold shudder ran over him , for he remembered that his soul was at stake .

but even with my half-knowledge I can work great wonders .

if I put it on the forefinger of my left hand , then I can with its help produce whatever I wish .

I can in a single moment build houses or anything I desire .

besides these , the ring has other secret signs which , as I said , no one can understand .

no doubt it contains secrets of great importance .

the ring formerly belonged to King Solomon , the wisest of kings , during whose reign the wisest men lived .

then the maiden opened the box and took the ring out , and it glittered as she held it like the clearest sunbeam .

he was unwilling at first , but the maiden insisted .

then she put the ring on her third finger , and in an instant she had vanished from his eyes .

presently she was beside him again laughing , and holding the ring between her fingers .

' Do let me try , ' said the youth , ' whether I can do these wonderful things . '

the maiden , suspecting no treachery , gave him the magic ring .

' Oh , the middle finger of your left hand , ' the maiden answered , laughing .

she took the knife and tried to strike the youth , and he even tried to cut himself with it , but found it impossible .

then he asked the maiden to show him how to split stones and rocks with the help of the ring .

so she led him into a courtyard where stood a great boulder-stone .

the youth did so , and found to his astonishment that with a single blow of his fist the stone flew into a thousand pieces .

' Now , ' said the maiden , ' you are invisible to me until you take the ring off again . '

but the young man never came back .

then the maiden saw she was deceived , and bitterly repented that she had ever trusted him with the ring .

the young man never halted in his flight until he reached the dwelling of the wise magician who had taught him the speech of birds .

the spear must be as thick in the middle as a large tree , and both its ends must be sharp .

in the middle of the spear you must have two strong chains ten fathoms in length .

after two or three days the monster 's strength will be so far exhausted that you will be able to come near him .

the young man thanked the magician for his directions , and promised , should they succeed , to reward him .

then they parted , and the youth quickly flew home through the air .

the King willingly agreed , and the iron horse , the great spear , and the chains were all prepared as the youth requested .

the Dragon was now so near that in a couple of springs he would be over the frontier .

the youth did so , and found that in this way he could easily move forwards .

the Dragon had his monstrous jaws wide open , all ready for his expected prey .

a few paces nearer , and man and horse would have been swallowed up by them !

then quick as lightning he sprang from his horse before the Dragon had time to shut his mouth .

the youth now hastened to fasten down the chains to the ground by means of the enormous iron pegs which he had provided .

you can fancy how great was the rejoicing when the news was spread abroad that the terrible monster was dead .

his conqueror was received into the city with as much pomp as if he had been the mightiest of kings .

the Witch-maiden had never rested night nor day until she had found out where the ring was .

then the eagle flew down to the earth with her prey , and the two stood face to face once more in human form .

' Now , villain , you are in my power ! ' cried the Witch-maiden .

' I favoured you with my love , and you repaid me with treachery and theft .

you stole my most precious jewel from me , and do you expect to live happily as the King 's son-in-law ?

now the tables are turned ; you are in my power , and I will be revenged on you for your crimes . '

I will bring you every day enough food to prevent you dying of hunger , but you need never hope for freedom any more . '

with these words she left him .

the old King and his daughter waited anxiously for many weeks for the Prince 's return , but no news of him arrived .

I will therefore go with you myself . '

he recognised the magician immediately , but the old man did not know him , he had grown so thin .

when he reached home he found that the old King had died that morning , so that he was now raised to the throne .

now , if YOU had been the Prince , would you not rather have stayed with the pretty witch-maiden ?

STORY OF THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Andersen .

in the great city in which he lived there was always something going on ; every day many strangers came there .

one day two impostors arrived who gave themselves out as weavers , and said that they knew how to manufacture the most beautiful cloth imaginable .

' Those must indeed be splendid clothes , ' thought the Emperor .

yes , this cloth must be woven for me at once . '

and he gave both the impostors much money , so that they might begin their work .

they placed two weaving-looms , and began to do as if they were working , but they had not the least thing on the looms .

' I should like very much to know how far they have got on with the cloth , ' thought the Emperor .

but he remembered when he thought about it that whoever was stupid or not fit for his office would not be able to see it .

' I will send my old and honoured minister to the weavers , ' thought the Emperor .

now the good old minister went into the hall where the two impostors sat working at the empty weaving-looms .

' Dear me ! ' thought the old minister , opening his eyes wide , ' I can see nothing ! '

but he did not say so .

' Dear , dear ! ' thought he , ' can I be stupid ?

I have never thought that , and nobody must know it !

can I be not fit for my office ?

no , I must certainly not say that I cannot see the cloth ! '

' Have you nothing to say about it ? ' asked one of the men who was weaving .

' Oh , it is lovely , most lovely ! ' answered the old minister , looking through his spectacles .

' What a texture !

what colours !

yes , I will tell the Emperor that it pleases me very much . '

the impostors now wanted more money , more silk , and more gold to use in their weaving .

the Emperor soon sent another worthy statesman to see how the weaving was getting on , and whether the cloth would soon be finished .

' Stupid I am not ! ' thought the man , ' so it must be my good office for which I am not fitted .

it is strange , certainly , but no one must be allowed to notice it . '

' Yes , it is quite beautiful , ' he said to the Emperor .

everybody in the town was talking of the magnificent cloth .

now the Emperor wanted to see it himself while it was still on the loom .

' Is it not splendid ! ' said both the old statesmen who had already been there .

' See , your Majesty , what a texture !

what colours ! '

and then they pointed to the empty loom , for they believed that the others could see the cloth quite well .

' What ! ' thought the Emperor , ' I can see nothing !

this is indeed horrible !

am I stupid ?

am I not fit to be Emperor ?

that were the most dreadful thing that could happen to me .

oh , it is very beautiful , ' he said .

' It has my gracious approval . '

and then he nodded pleasantly , and examined the empty loom , for he would not say that he could see nothing .

and they advised him to wear these new and magnificent clothes for the first time at the great procession which was soon to take place .

' Splendid !

lovely !

the people could see that they were very busy making the Emperor 's new clothes ready .

here is the coat !

here the cloak ! ' and so on .

' Yes , ' said all the knights , but they could see nothing , for there was nothing there .

' How beautifully they fit !

how well they sit ! ' said everybody .

' What material !

what colours !

it is a gorgeous suit ! '

' Look , I am ready , ' said the Emperor .

' Doesn't it sit well ! '

and he turned himself again to the mirror to see if his finery was on all right .

they would not have it noticed that they could see nothing .

that train fastened to his dress , how beautifully it hangs ! '

none of the Emperor 's clothes had met with such approval as these had .

' But he has nothing on ! ' said a little child at last .

' Just listen to the innocent child ! ' said the father , and each one whispered to his neighbour what the child had said .

' But he has nothing on ! ' the whole of the people called out at last .

and the chamberlains walked along still more uprightly , holding up the train which was not there at all .

THE GOLDEN CRAB ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) ' Prinz Krebs , ' from Griechische Mahrchen .

Schmidt .

once upon a time there was a fisherman who had a wife and three children .

every morning he used to go out fishing , and whatever fish he caught he sold to the King .

one day , among the other fishes , he caught a golden crab .

' Let down , let down thy petticoat That lets thy feet be seen . '

she turned round in surprise , and then she saw the little creature , the Golden Crab .

' What !

you can speak , can you , you ridiculous crab ? ' she said , for she was not quite pleased at the Crab 's remarks .

then she took him up and placed him on a dish .

they were all very much surprised , but they gave him something to eat .

the fisherman 's wife went home and gave this message .

the old woman did so and went away again .

the next morning , when the King awoke , what do you think he saw ?

the wall stood there before his eyes , exactly as he had bespoken it !

then the old woman went back to the King and said to him , ' Your Majesty 's orders have been fulfilled . '

so the old woman had to strike again three times upon the ground with the rod , and the next morning the garden was there .

the King now gave his consent , and the wedding was fixed for the very next day .

and bring me also the golden cushion . '

( @number@ ) ein Mohr .

the old man went and did his errand .

and the same thing happened every day .

but the Princess 's affection for the Crab , and the polite attention with which she behaved to him , surprised the royal family very much .

they suspected some secret , but though they spied and spied , they could not discover it .

thus a year passed away , and the Princess had a son , whom she called Benjamin .

but her mother still thought the whole matter very strange .

but when the daughter was questioned she only answered :

' I am married to the Crab , and him only will I have . '

and bring them to me . '

the Princess did so , and brought him what he desired .

the following evening the Prince dressed himself for the tournament .

before he went he said to his wife , ' Now mind you do not say when you see me that I am the Crab .

for if you do this evil will come of it .

place yourself at the window with your sisters ; I will ride by and throw you the silver apple .

take it in your hand , but if they ask you who I am , say that you do not know . '

So saying , he kissed her , repeated his warning once more , and went away .

the Princess went with her sisters to the window and looked on at the tournament .

presently her husband rode by and threw the apple up to her .

she caught it in her hand and went with it to her room , and by-and-by her husband came back to her .

but her father was much surprised that she did not seem to care about any of the Princes ; he therefore appointed a second tournament .

but before the Prince went to the tournament he said to his wife , ' Now I know you will betray me to-day . '

but she swore to him that she would not tell who he was .

he then repeated his warning and went away .

the Princess in her fright exclaimed , ' That is the Crab himself ! '

then the poor Princess cried bitterly , but it was of no use ; her husband did not come back .

now we must leave the Princess and turn to the other persons in the story .

he did not overtake the dog , but found himself above a staircase , which he descended .

then he saw before him a stately palace , and , entering , he found in a large hall a table set for twelve persons .

he hid himself in the hall behind a great picture , that he might see what would happen .

at noon he heard a great noise , so that he trembled with fear .

when he took courage to look out from behind the picture , he saw twelve eagles flying in .

at this sight his fear became still greater .

the eagles flew to the basin of a fountain that was there and bathed themselves , when suddenly they were changed into twelve handsome youths .

and another said , ' A health to my mother ! ' and so the healths went round .

then one of them said :

' A health to my dearest lady , Long may she live and well !

but a curse on the cruel mother That burnt my golden shell ! '

and so saying he wept bitterly .

then the youths rose from the table , went back to the great stone fountain , turned themselves into eagles again , and flew away .

then the old man went away too , returned to the light of day , and went home .

soon after he heard that the Princess was ill , and that the only thing that did her good was having stories told to her .

no sooner had he finished than the Princess asked him whether he could find the way to that palace .

' Yes , ' he answered , ' certainly . '

and now she desired him to guide her thither at once .

the youths seated themselves at the table ; and now the Prince said again , while he took up the cup of wine :

' A health to my dearest lady , Long may she live and well !

but a curse on the cruel mother That burnt my golden shell ! '

then the Princess could restrain herself no longer , but ran forward and threw her arms round her husband .

and immediately he knew her again , and said :

' Do you remember how I told you that day that you would betray me ?

now you see that I spoke the truth .

but all that bad time is past .

now listen to me : I must still remain enchanted for three months .

will you stay here with me till that time is over ? '

and then they lived happily , and we who hear the story are happier still .

THE IRON STOVE ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Grimm .

there he lived for many years , and no one could free him .

at last a king 's daughter came into the wood ; she had lost her way , and could not find her father 's kingdom again .

she had been wandering round and round for nine days , and she came at last to the iron case .

a voice came from within and asked her , ' Where do you come from , and where do you want to go ? '

she answered , ' I have lost my way to my father 's kingdom , and I shall never get home again . '

I am a greater prince than you are a princess , and I will marry you . '

then she grew frightened , and thought , ' What can a young lassie do with an iron stove ? '

but as she wanted very much to go home to her father , she promised to do what he wished .

he said , ' You must come again , and bring a knife with you to scrape a hole in the iron . '

there was great joy in the castle when the Princess came back , and the old King fell on her neck and kissed her .

but she was very much troubled , and said , ' Dear father , listen to what has befallen me !

the old King was so frightened that he nearly fainted , for she was his only daughter .

so they consulted together , and determined that the miller 's daughter , who was very beautiful , should take her place .

they took her there , gave her a knife , and said she must scrape at the iron stove .

she scraped for twenty-four hours , but did not make the least impression .

when the day broke , a voice called from the iron stove , ' It seems to me that it is day outside . '

then she answered , ' It seems so to me ; I think I hear my father 's mill rattling . '

' So you are a miller 's daughter !

then go away at once , and tell the King 's daughter to come . '

the old King was frightened , and his daughter wept .

then she was taken out , and had to scrape for four-and-twenty hours , but she could make no impression .

as soon as the day broke the voice from the stove called out , ' It seems to be daylight outside . '

then she answered , ' It seems so to me too ; I think I hear my father blowing his horn . '

' So you are a swineherd 's daughter !

go away at once , and let the King 's daughter come .

when the Princess heard this she began to cry , but it was no good ; she had to keep her word .

she took leave of her father , put a knife in her belt , and went to the iron stove in the wood .

so she scraped away harder than ever , and made the hole so large that he could get out .

then he said , ' You are mine , and I am thine ; you are my bride and have set me free ! '

but the Prince was free , and was no longer shut up in it .

she sought it for nine days , and then her hunger became so great that she did not know how she could live any longer .

when midnight came she saw afar off a little light , and thought , ' Ah ! if only I could reach that ! '

then she got down from the tree and went towards the light .

then she took heart and knocked .

then a fat toad called out :

' Little green toad with leg like crook , Open wide the door , and look Who it was the latch that shook . '

and a little toad came forward and let her in .

when she entered they all bid her welcome , and made her sit down .

they asked her how she came there and what she wanted .

then the old toad said :

and the little toad went and brought out a great chest .

when the day dawned she arose , and the old toad gave her three things out of the huge chest to take with her .

she would have need of them , for she had to cross a high glass mountain , three cutting swords , and a great lake .

when she had passed these she would find her lover again .

so she was given three large needles , a plough-wheel , and three nuts , which she was to take great care of .

then she reached the three cutting swords , and got on her plough-wheel and rolled over them .

at last she came to a great lake , and , when she had crossed that , arrived at a beautiful castle .

she went in and gave herself out as a servant , a poor maid who would gladly be engaged .

but she knew that the Prince whom she had freed from the iron stove in the great wood was in the castle .

so she was taken on as a kitchen-maid for very small wages .

now the Prince was about to marry another princess , for he thought she was dead long ago .

she cracked one and was going to eat the kernel , when behold ! there was a beautiful royal dress inside it !

then she said she would not sell it unless she was granted one favour namely , to sleep by the Prince 's door .

the bride granted her this , because the dress was so beautiful and she had so few like it .

when it was evening she said to her bridegroom , ' That stupid maid wants to sleep by your door . '

' If you are contented , I am , ' he said .

but she gave him a glass of wine in which she had poured a sleeping-draught .

then they both went to his room , but he slept so soundly that she could not wake him .

the servants outside heard how she cried the whole night , and they told their master in the morning .

when she had washed up the next evening she bit the second nut , and there was a still more beautiful dress inside .

when the bride saw it she wanted to buy it also .

but the maid did not want money , and asked that she should sleep again by the Prince 's door .

the bride , however , gave him a sleeping-draught , and he slept so soundly that he heard nothing .

the servants outside heard how she cried the whole night , and in the morning they told their master .

but the Prince took care not to drink the sleeping-draught .

you are mine , and I am thine . '

so they arrived at last at the little old house , but when they stepped inside it turned into a large castle .

the toads were all freed , and were beautiful King 's children , running about for joy .

there they were married , and they remained in the castle , which was much larger than that of the Princess 's father 's .

but because the old man did not like being left alone , they went and fetched him .

so they had two kingdoms and lived in great wealth .

a mouse has run , My story 's done .

THE DRAGON AND HIS GRANDMOTHER

then three of them took counsel together and determined to desert .

the other said , ' Do you see that large cornfield there ?

if we were to hide ourselves in that , no one could find us .

the army cannot come into it , and to-morrow it is to march on . '

they crept into the corn , but the army did not march on , but remained encamped close around them .

they said at last , ' What use was it our deserting ?

we must perish here miserably . '

whilst they were speaking a fiery dragon came flying through the air .

it hovered near them , and asked why they were hidden there .

they answered , ' We are three soldiers , and have deserted because our pay was so small .

now if we remain here we shall die of hunger , and if we move out we shall be strung up on the gallows . '

' We have no choice , and must take your offer , ' said they .

you can then live as great lords , keep horses , and drive about in carriages .

but after seven years you are mine . '

then he put a book before them , which he made all three of them sign .

the dragon then flew away , and they journeyed on with their little whip .

they had as much money as they wanted , wore grand clothes , and made their way into the world .

wherever they went they lived in merrymaking and splendour , drove about with horses and carriages , ate and drank , but did nothing wrong .

they went into a field , sat down , and the two pulled long faces .

an old woman passed by , and asked them why they were so sad .

' Alas ! what have you to do with it ?

you cannot help us . '

' Who knows ? ' she answered .

' Only confide your trouble in me . '

he must go in , and there he will find help . '

the two melancholy ones thought , ' That won't save us ! ' and they remained where they were .

but the third and merry one jumped up and went into the wood till he found the rock hut .

in the hut sat a very old woman , who was the Dragon 's grandmother .

she asked him how he came , and what was his business there .

only sit still and don't stir .

at midnight the Dragon flew in , and asked for his supper .

his grandmother laid the table , and brought out food and drink till he was satisfied , and they ate and drank together .

then in the course of the conversation she asked him what he had done in the day , and how many souls he had conquered .

' I haven't had much luck to-day , ' he said , ' but I have a tight hold on three soldiers . '

' Indeed ! three soldiers ! ' said she .

' Who cannot escape you ? '

' What sort of a riddle is it ? ' she asked .

' I will tell you this .

when the Dragon had gone to bed , his old grandmother pulled up the stone and let out the soldier .

' Did you pay attention to everything ? '

' Yes , ' he replied , ' I know enough , and can help myself splendidly . '

then he went by another way through the window secretly , and in all haste back to his comrades .

then said the first soldier , ' In the North Sea lies a dead sea-cat ; that shall be the roast meat . '

' The rib of a whale shall be our silver spoon . '

' An old horse's hoof shall be our wineglass . '

then the Dragon flew away with a loud shriek , and had no more power over them .

but the three soldiers took the little whip , whipped as much money as they wanted , and lived happily to their lives end .

THE DONKEY CABBAGE

there was once a young Hunter who went boldly into the forest .

you are very merry and contented , but I suffer hunger and thirst , so give me a trifle . '

the Hunter was sorry for the poor old woman , and he felt in his pocket and gave her all he could spare .

he was going on then , but the old woman stopped him and said , ' Listen , dear hunter , to what I say .

because of your kind heart I will make you a present .

' Well , ' said the Hunter , ' this is wonderful !

then the flock took flight with much screaming , but one fell dead , and the cloak fluttered down .

the next morning when he awoke he remembered the promise , and wanted to see if it had come true .

I will travel and look a bit about me in the world . '

so he took leave of his parents , slung his hunting knapsack and his gun round him , and journeyed into the world .

at one of the windows in it stood an old woman with a most beautiful maiden by her side , looking out .

he has a bird 's heart in him , and so every morning there lies a gold piece under his pillow . '

but the real reason was that he had caught sight of the lovely face .

he went into the house , and was kindly received and hospitably entertained .

then the old witch said , ' Now we must have the bird-heart ; he will not feel when it is gone . '

' Drink to me now , my dearest , ' she said .

then he took the goblet , and when he had swallowed the drink the bird-heart came out of his mouth .

the maiden had to get hold of it secretly and then swallow it herself , for the old witch wanted to have it .

then the old witch said , ' We have the bird-heart , but we must also get the wishing-cloak from him . '

the maiden answered , ' We will leave him that ; he has already lost his wealth ! '

she beat the maiden , and said that if she did not obey it would go ill with her .

' Why are you standing there looking so sad ? ' asked the Hunter .

' Alas , my love , ' she replied , ' over there lies the granite mountain where the costly precious stones grow .

I have a great longing to go there , so that when I think of it I am very sad .

for who can fetch them ?

only the birds who fly ; a man , never . '

' If you have no other trouble , ' said the Hunter , ' that one I can easily remove from your heart . '

but now the old witch had through her caused the Hunter 's eyes to become heavy .

so they sat down , and he laid his head on her lap and fell asleep .

so he lay down as if he had fallen into a deep sleep .

the second said , ' Crush him dead . '

but the third said contemptuously , ' It is not worth the trouble !

talking thus they went away .

but the Hunter had listened to their talk , and as soon as they had gone he rose and climbed to the summit .

when he had sat there a little while a cloud swept by , and , seizing him , carried him away .

the Hunter then looked about him , saying , ' If only I had something to eat !

the Hunter now lay down and slept off his weariness .

then he put the heads in his pockets , climbed the wall , and started off to seek the castle of his love .

when he had wandered about for a couple of days he found it quite easily .

' I am so tired , ' he said , ' I can go no farther . '

the witch asked , ' Countryman , who are you , and what is your business ? '

' Why not ? ' he answered ; ' I have brought two heads with me , and will give you one . '

So saying , he opened his sack and gave her the bad one .

then thought the Hunter , ' The cabbage must have already begun to work . '

and he said , ' I will go to the kitchen and fetch it myself . '

when he came there he saw the two donkeys running about in the courtyard , but the salad was lying on the ground .

' That 's all right , ' said he ; ' two have had their share ! '

and lifting the remaining leaves up , he laid them on the dish and brought them to the maiden .

he tied them all three with a rope , and drove them away till he came to a mill .

he knocked at the window , and the miller put his head out and asked what he wanted .

' I have three tiresome animals , ' he answered , ' which I don't want to keep any longer .

the miller replied , ' Why not ?

what shall I do with them ? '

then he went back into the castle , and he found there all that he wanted .

then the Hunter took pity on them , laid aside his anger , and told the miller to drive them back again .

and when they came he gave them some of the good cabbage to eat , so that they became human again .

my mother compelled me to do it ; it was against my will , for I love you dearly .

your wishing-cloak is hanging in a cupboard , and as for the bird-heart I will make a drink and give it back to you . '

and the wedding was celebrated , and they lived happy together till death .

THE LITTLE GREEN FROG ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) Cabinet des Fees .

in a part of the world whose name I forget lived once upon a time two kings , called Peridor and Diamantino .

the Queen-dowager was wise and good , and tried her best to make her people happy .

by the time he was fifteen Saphir had learnt everything that a prince should know , and he was , besides , charming and agreeable .

and , better still , every movement of the girl , just growing out of childhood , was also reflected in the wonderful glass .

the magic mirror had been for about a year in the Prince 's possession , when one day a new subject of disquiet seized upon him .

and in this he was perfectly right .

the young girl had only possessed it for a short time , and neglected all her duties for the sake of the mirror .

all he knew was that the face was that of a man , and this was quite enough to make him madly jealous .

this was the doing of the fairies , and we must suppose that they had their reasons for acting as they did .

when these things happened Saphir was about eighteen years old , and fifteen years had passed away since the death of his mother .

all the doctors and all the water-cures in the kingdom had been tried , and nothing would do him any good .

at last he persuaded them to let him lie quietly in his room , where no one came to trouble him .

so he commanded his servants to leave the windows open in order that he might get more air .

as to his voice I can say nothing about that , for the bird never sang at all .

in spite of the opposition he met with , he rode away , followed by his household , trusting to chance to help him .

he had formed no plan , and there was no reason that he should choose one path more than another .

his only idea was to make straight for those spots which were the favourite haunts of birds .

but in vain he examined all the hedges and all the thickets ; in vain he questioned everyone he met along the road .

the more he sought the less he found .

at last he came to one of the largest forests in all the world , composed entirely of cedars .

and he did more .

in this he had to help him not only the fowlers by profession , but also his attendants , who excelled in this art .

for a man is not a courtier unless he can do everything .

after searching as usual for nearly a whole day Prince Saphir began to feel overcome with thirst .

he was too tired to go any farther , when happily he discovered a little way off a bubbling fountain of the clearest water .

' Now , ' she began , ' be sure you do exactly in every respect what I tell you .

first you must call together your attendants , and order them to remain in a little hamlet close by until you want them .

then go , quite alone , down a road that you will find on your right hand , looking southwards .

and now , ' she went on , ' attend carefully to what I am going to say .

take this tiny grain of sand , and put it into the ground as close as you can to the gate of the castle .

it has the virtue both of opening the gate and also of sending to sleep all the inhabitants .

then go at once to the stable , and pay no heed to anything except what I tell you .

choose the handsomest of all the horses , leap quickly on its back , and come to me as fast as you can .

farewell , Prince ; I wish you good luck , ' and with these words the Little Frog plunged into the water and disappeared .

the Prince , who felt more hopeful than he had done since he left home , did precisely as he had been ordered .

however , he had no thoughts to spare for its beauty , and quickly buried his grain of sand in the earth .

in one instant the gates flew open , and all the dwellers inside fell sound asleep .

suddenly the people in the castle became broad awake , and rushed to the stable .

' Whom do you take me for ? ' she exclaimed angrily .

the Prince obeyed the Frog 's orders one by one , and all went well for this second time also .

he woke her , and begged her firmly , but politely , to follow him quickly .

after a little persuasion the maiden consented , but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress .

this sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the Prince 's head to refuse her request .

but the maiden 's hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace suddenly awoke from its sleep , and the Prince was seized and bound .

however , what troubled him most was the idea of having to meet the Frog who had been his benefactress .

how was he ever to appear before her with this tale ?

' You must learn to do as you are told , ' was all the Frog would reply .

' Go back , ' she said , ' to the castle , and bury this little diamond close to the door .

but be careful not to return to the stable or to the bedroom ; they have proved too fatal to you .

perched on this tree you will see the beautiful bird you have been seeking so long .

you must cut the branch on which it is sitting , and bring it back to me without delay .

' What !

madam ! ' he cried , hardly knowing what he said .

' What !

is it you ? '

let me tell you my story ; it is not a long one .

I know neither my country nor my parents , and the only thing I can say for certain is that I am called Serpentine .

I have always lived in seclusion , and for the last two years I have wished for nothing better .

however , there was no help for it , and , painful as it was , I had to submit .

on this Saphir explained about the state of his father 's health , and all that has been told before .

on hearing this story Serpentine grew very sad , and her lovely eyes filled with tears .

I shall be very unhappy , of course , but I shall never alter my mind .

this matter being comfortably arranged , she started off her chariot .

they were still quite confused with the pleasure of seeing each other , when the chariot arrived at King Peridor 's palace .

he had had himself carried to a room on the roof , where his nurses thought that he would die at any moment .

the people of the kingdom were delighted , and everybody lived happy and contented to the end of their lives .

THE SEVEN-HEADED SERPENT ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) ' Die Siebenkopfige Schlange , ' from Schmidt 's Griechische Mahrchen .

once upon a time there was a king who determined to take a long voyage .

he assembled his fleet and all the seamen , and set out .

as soon as the King had landed his men , the lions all rose up together and tried to devour them .

after a long battle they managed to overcome the wild beasts , but the greater number of the men were killed .

there were also in the garden three springs : the first flowed with silver , the second with gold , and the third with pearls .

the men unbuckled their knapsacks and filled them with those precious things .

are you come to visit our king ? '

but they were too much frightened to answer .

then the Lake said , ' You do well to be afraid , for it is at your peril that you are come hither .

Woe to anyone who meets him in the garden , for it is impossible to escape from him .

this is what you must do if you wish to save your lives .

take off your clothes and spread them on the path which leads from here to the castle .

he will give you some punishment , but then he will let you go . '

the men did as the Lake advised them , and waited for a time .

the Lake answered that it had been done by people who had come to do him homage .

the King commanded that the men should be brought before him .

they came humbly on their knees , and in a few words told him their story .

every year you must bring me from among your people twelve youths and twelve maidens , that I may devour them .

if you do not do this , I will destroy your whole nation . '

then he desired one of his beasts to show the men the way out of the garden , and dismissed them .

they then left the island and went back to their own country , where they related what had happened to them .

soon the time came round when the king of the beasts would expect the youths and maidens to be brought to him .

so they waited then , and it was not long before the earth quaked even more terribly than the first time .

the Seven-headed Serpent came without his train of beasts , saw his prey waiting for him , and devoured it at one mouthful .

then the ship 's crew returned home , and the same thing happened yearly until many years had passed .

now the King of this unhappy country was growing old , and so was the Queen , and they had no children .

' Alas , good mother , ' answered the Queen , ' I am unhappy because I have no children . '

' Is that what vexes you ? ' said the old woman .

' Listen to me .

I am a nun from the Spinning Convent , ( @number@ ) and my mother when she died left me this apple .

whoever eats this apple shall have a child . '

( @number@ ) convent Gnothi .

the Queen gave money to the old woman , and bought the apple from her .

after a time the Queen had a little boy , and the mare also had a male foal .

the boy and the foal grew up together and loved each other like brothers .

mount upon my back : I will take you to a woman who can direct you how to kill the Seven-headed Serpent . '

in the cavern sat an old woman spinning .

this was the cloister of the nuns , and the old woman was the Abbess .

they all spent their time in spinning , and that is why the convent has this name .

I will tell you what you have to do .

thus you will be able to cut off all his seven heads .

then take down the sword gently , and quickly give the monster a blow on his tail with it .

this will make him waken up , and if he catches sight of you he will seize you .

but you must quickly cut off his first head , and then wait till the next one comes up .

then strike it off also , and so go on till you have cut off all his seven heads . '

they pursued him as fast as they could , but they found it impossible to overtake him , and he reached home in safety .

thus he freed his country from this terrible oppression .

THE GRATEFUL BEASTS ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Hungarian .

Kletke .

so the sons determined to set out into the world and to try their luck .

one day all the three were sitting resting under a tree , for the sun was hot and they were tired of walking .

he is so beautiful that everyone takes a fancy to him , which is more than they do to us .

if we could only get him out of the way we might succeed better . '

but it was no tree he leant against , but a gallows on which two ravens were seated .

' I should just think there was , ' replied the other ; ' many things that don't exist anywhere else in the world .

and so they flew away .

their words rejoiced Ferko 's heart , and he waited impatiently till evening should come and he could rub the precious dew on his sightless eyes .

the moon was shining brightly , and lighted him to the lake where he could bathe his poor broken legs .

then Ferko crawled to the edge of the lake and dipped his limbs in the water .

he filled a bottle with the healing water , and then continued his journey in the best of spirits .

the grateful creature thanked his benefactor warmly , and promised Ferko to do him a good turn if he should ever need it .

Ferko continued his way till he came to a ploughed field .

here he noticed a little mouse creeping wearily along on its hind paws , for its front paws had both been broken in a trap .

in a moment the mouse was sound and whole , and after thanking the kind physician it scampered away over the ploughed furrows .

and with these words she flew away humming , gaily .

then Ferko wandered on for many a long day , and at length reached a strange kingdom .

the King was pleased with this proposal , and commanded Ferko to set to work on the following day .

the two brothers were delighted , for they thought they had now got rid of Ferko for ever .

the poor youth himself was heart-broken , and cursed the hour he had crossed the boundary of the King 's domain .

can I be of any help to you ?

I am the bee whose wing you healed , and would like to show my gratitude in some way . '

To-morrow I must build a palace more beautiful than the King 's , and it must be finished before evening . '

just stay here till I come again and tell you that it is finished . '

Ferko spent the whole day in the meadows waiting the return of the bee .

and when evening was come the queen bee flew by , and perching on his shoulder she said , ' The wonderful palace is ready .

be of good cheer , and lead the King to the hill just outside the city walls . '

and humming gaily she flew away again .

Ferko went at once to the King and told him the palace was finished .

the whole court went out to see the wonder , and their astonishment was great at the sight which met their eyes .

this splendid palace had been built by the grateful queen bee , who had summoned all the other bees in the kingdom to help her .

but the two brothers had grown quite green with envy , and only declared the more that Ferko was nothing but a wicked magician .

let us make it as difficult as possible , and if he fails he shall die . '

but he could think of no way of escape .

can I be of any help to you , and thus repay your great kindness to me ? '

' Is that all ? ' answered the mouse ; ' that needn't distress you much .

just trust in me , and before the sun sets again you shall hear that your task is done . '

and with these words the little creature scampered away into the fields .

then Ferko went joyfully to the King and told him that all he demanded had been done .

and the whole Court went out to see the wonder , and were no less astonished than they had been the first time .

and how had all this been done ?

only the beautiful Princess rejoiced over Ferko 's success , and looked on him with friendly glances , which the youth returned .

no matter how impossible it is , he must do it or die . '

the eldest answered quickly , ' Let him drive all the wolves of the kingdom on to this hill before to-morrow night .

if he does this he may go free ; if not he shall be hung as you have said . '

Ferko wandered out into the fields again , and sat down on the stump of a tree wondering what he should do next .

what are you thinking about all alone by yourself ?

' If that 's all you want done , ' answered the wolf , ' you needn't worry yourself .

I 'll undertake the task , and you 'll hear from me again before sunset to-morrow .

keep your spirits up . '

and with these words he trotted quickly away .

he lay down once more on the grass and soon fell fast asleep .

then return at once to me and get on my back , and I will help you to drive all the wolves together . '

Ferko himself returned to the fields , and mounting on the wolf 's back he rode to the wood close by .

he drove them all before him on to the hill , where the King and his whole Court and Ferko 's two brothers were standing .

only the lovely Princess was not present , for she was shut up in her tower weeping bitterly .

the wicked brothers stamped and foamed with rage when they saw the failure of their wicked designs .

but Ferko pretended not to hear , and drove some more thousands before him , so that everyone quaked with horror and fear .

but the wolf kept on encouraging Ferko , and said , ' Go on ! go on ! '

THE GIANTS AND THE HERD-BOY ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Bukowniaer .

von Wliolocki .

there was once upon a time a poor boy who had neither father nor mother .

in order to gain a living he looked after the sheep of a great Lord .

he rose up and followed the direction of the noise .

on the contrary , I will reward you handsomely if you will bind up my foot .

I hurt it when I was trying to root up an oak-tree . '

the Herd-boy took off his shirt , and bound up the Giant 's wounded foot with it .

then the Giant rose up and said , ' Now come and I will reward you .

we are going to celebrate a marriage to-day , and I promise you we shall have plenty of fun .

the wounded Giant remained behind to the last and called out , ' Herd-boy , where are you ? '

' Here I am , close to you , ' was the reply .

' Touch me , ' said the Giant , ' so that you too may come with us under ground . '

then to his astonishment he saw that the hall was furnished with the tables and chairs that belonged to his master .

in a few minutes the company began to eat and drink .

the banquet was a very gorgeous one , and the poor youth fell to and ate and drank lustily .

I shall be glad of it to-morrow . '

so he seized a loaf when no one was looking and stowed it away under his tunic .

' Here I am , ' replied the youth .

' Then hold on to me , ' said the Giant , ' so that I may lead you up above again . '

the Herd-boy returned to his sheep , and took off the invisible belt which he hid carefully in his bag .

but although he tried with all his might , he couldn't cut off the smallest piece .

for a long time the Herd-boy had made up his mind to prepare a surprise for this beautiful creature on her birthday .

the girl 's joy was great , and so was her parents ' next day when they found the sack full of gold pieces .

but one night they determined to watch , and see from their hiding place who the bringer of the sack of gold really was .

the Herd-boy was so taken aback by his words , that he stood trembling before him , and did not dare to explain his presence .

then his master spoke .

so the Herd-boy went back to his hut , and taking his loaf and belt with him , he went to the nearest town .

you may imagine how astonished he was to see his Herd-boy returning to him in this manner !

this was readily granted , and the two lived in peace and happiness to the end of their lives .

THE INVISIBLE PRINCE

to the second son , whose wisdom and prudence made amends for his being rather dull , she gave the government of the earth .

the youngest , who was the slave of his passions and of a very uncertain temper , became Prince of the Air .

now it is all very well to abuse the God of Love , but a man cannot struggle against his fate .

the King of this island had a daughter named Rosalie , who was more lovely than any girl in the whole world .

it is easy to imagine the feelings of the King when he found that his daughter had vanished .

' You are trying to soothe me by vain promises , ' answered the King .

the walls , washed by the quiet waters , were covered with gold , which made one think of the yellow sands .

above them was a rampart of orange and lemon trees , and all the streets were paved with gold .

the King of this beautiful island had one son , for whom a life of adventure had been foretold at his birth .

in this way the good fairy hoped that the Prince would be protected against all dangers .

so , under pretence of visiting some small islands that belonged to his father , he set out .

the first land he sighted was the Island of Roses , and he went at once to the court of the King , Rosalie 's father .

the moment his eyes beheld the Princess , he fell in love with her like everyone else .

' Alas ! ' he cried ; ' shall I never see my lovely Princess again ? '

who knows where she may be , and what fairy may have her in his keeping ?

So saying , he left the court , and made ready for his journey .

he hastened his steps , and quickly arrived at the gate of the palace , which was formed of a single agate .

everything around was rare and beautiful , but the Prince scarcely raised his eyes to all these wonders .

three of these were empty except for statues and wonderful things , but in the fourth the Invisible Prince caught sight of Rosalie .

but it was in vain that he implored her to listen ; she only shook her head .

go !

I can never feel anything towards you but hate and contempt . '

with these words she turned away and entered her own apartments .

at these words the Prince could contain himself no longer .

he took the pebble from his mouth , and flung himself at Rosalie 's feet .

but Rosalie would not hear of this .

' No , Prince , ' she said ; ' since you are here this island no longer feels a prison .

besides , you are under the protection of a Fairy , who always visits your father 's court at this season .

go instantly and seek her , and when she is found implore the gift of another stone with similar powers .

once you have that , there will be no further difficulty in the way of escape . '

the Prince of the Air returned a few days later from his mother 's palace , but the Invisible Prince had already set out .

as our hero had the magic stone in his mouth they imagined themselves alone , and did not lower their voices .

you know that I have in my palace the cabinets of the years .

it was here that I fled after I had gazed on the Princess Argentine , but instead of love I only saw scorn and contempt .

think how great must be my devotion , when , in spite of my fate , I still love on ! '

but though he found the palace he did not find Rosalie .

however , he resolved to seek the whole world through till he came to the right place .

he began by setting sail in a favourable wind , but his bad luck followed him even on the sea .

his curiosity was instantly roused , and he advanced cautiously till he saw two huge dragons guarding the gate of a wood .

they were terrible indeed to look upon .

in vain the Prince rushed to their assistance and strove to undo the cord .

he could not loosen it ; so he buried them like the others and continued his path .

but he could not forget the terrible things he had seen , and hoped eagerly for a clue to the mystery .

noticing two young people talking together , he drew near thinking that he might get some explanation of what puzzled him .

and so he did .

she carries off the lovers who have been cast away by their mistresses , and wish to have done with life .

then the cord is pulled and they lie where they fall , till they are buried by the first passer by .

as he looked a woman rose from the depths of the sea , flying madly before a furious giant .

the giant then hastily rejoined his prey , and , seizing her in his arms , he plunged her into the sea .

on the tallest of the rocks sat the giant as on a throne .

go , and add to the number of those whom it is my pleasure to torture . '

indeed , it was his chief delight to create a storm , in order to add to the list of his prisoners .

but at last the time came when the giant took it into his head to amuse himself by arranging fights between some of his captives .

lots were drawn , and one fell upon our Prince , whose chains were immediately loosened .

the moment he was set free , he snatched up his stone , and became invisible .

the astonishment of the giant at the sudden disappearance of the Prince may well be imagined .

he ordered all the passages to be watched , but it was too late , for the Prince had already glided between two rocks .

filled with joy , he made his way to the top of the mountain which pierced the clouds , and there he found a palace .

there was no door anywhere , nor any window .

at this sight the Prince became more puzzled than ever , for he did not know how he was to warn Rosalie of his return .

yet it broke his heart to see her weeping from dawn till dark .

this was enough to cause the Princess to suspect that her lover had returned .

at first the only favour she asked was to be allowed to walk for one hour every day up and down the long gallery .

no words can paint the fury of her captor at her disappearance .

he ordered the spirits of the air to fly through all space , and to bring back Rosalie wherever she might be .

they instantly flew off to obey his commands , and spread themselves over the whole earth .

but , alas ! the joy of liberty lasted but a short time .

the Princess , having wandered in vain up and down the forest , stopped at last on the edge of a fountain .

these words were read by one of the genii , who repeated them to his master .

the Prince of the Air , in his turn making himself invisible , was led to the fountain , and waited for Rosalie .

he felt so overwhelmed by despair that he thought for an instant of putting an end to his life .

' Can I survive my misfortunes ? ' he cried .

' I fancied I had come to an end of my troubles , and now they are worse than ever .

what will become of me ?

never can I discover the place where this monster will hide Rosalie . '

being invisible , he was able to enter unharmed .

in the middle of the temple was an altar , on which lay a book , and behind the altar hung a great curtain .

this was not , however , the view taken by the Prince .

on leaving the temple the Invisible Prince saw six paths lying before him , each of which led through the wood .

I know that the Princess Argentine will never love me , yet each day I feel her dearer still .

and as if this were not enough , I have the horror of feeling that she probably loves another .

so I have resolved to put myself out of my pain by means of the Golden Fountain .

a single drop of its water falling on the sand around will trace the name of my rival in her heart .

I dread the test , and yet this very dread convinces me of my misfortune . '

the unhappy lover stooped down with a sigh , and dipping his finger in the water let fall a drop on the sand .

it instantly wrote the name of Prince Flame , his brother .

the shock of this discovery was so real , that Prince Gnome sank fainting into the arms of his friend .

meanwhile the Invisible Prince was turning over in his mind how he could best deliver Rosalie .

the Prince promptly guessed that the cord was used to chain the Princess , and drew his sword and cut it .

Speechless and invisible they clung together on the brink , trembling at the frightful tempest the Prince of the Air had raised in his fury .

the storm had already lasted many days when tremendous heat began to make itself felt .

the lightning flashed , the thunder rattled , fire bolts fell from heaven , burning up the forests and even the fields of corn .

in one instant the very streams were dried up , and the Prince , seizing his opportunity , carried the Princess over the Golden Fountain .

THE CROW ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Polish .

Kletke .

the poor beast was all torn and bleeding , and the kind little Princess was quite unhappy about it .

when the crow saw this it turned to her and said :

' I am not really a black crow , but an enchanted Prince , who has been doomed to spend his youth in misery .

if you only liked , Princess , you could save me .

but you would have to say good-bye to all your own people and come and be my constant companion in this ruined castle .

when night approached she lay down , but though she shut her eyes tight sleep would not come .

they at once proceeded to light a fire in the huge fireplace ; then they placed a great cauldron of boiling water on it .

she nearly died with fright , but she never uttered a sound .

then of a sudden the cock crew , and all the evil spirits vanished .

at the same moment the crow appeared and hopped all round the room with joy .

it thanked the Princess most heartily for her goodness , and said that its sufferings had already been greatly lessened .

then she saw a handsome youth standing beside her ; who knelt down at her feet and kissed the little weary white hands .

come now to my castle with me , and let us live there happily together . '

so they went to the castle where they had both endured so much .

and there they lived for a hundred years , a hundred years of joy and happiness .

HOW SIX MEN TRAVELLED THROUGH THE WIDE WORLD

he strode angrily into the forest , and there he saw a man standing who had uprooted six trees as if they were straws .

he said to him , ' Will you be my servant and travel with me ? '

the master said to him , ' Hunter , what are you aiming at ? '

the man said , ' I don't know what is turning those windmills ; there is not the slightest breeze blowing . '

' Fellow , what are you puffing at up there ? ' asked the man .

he replied , ' Two miles from this place are standing seven windmills ; see , I am blowing to drive them round . '

then said the master , ' You have made yourself very comfortable to rest ! '

' Oh , go with me ; if we five are together , we shall easily travel through the wide world . '

the King replied , ' Then both your heads must be staked , and your head and his must be guaranteed for the winner . '

it was arranged that whoever should first bring water out of a stream a long way off , should be the victor .

in a short time he reached the stream , filled his pitcher with water , and turned round again .

but , half way home , a great drowsiness came over him ; he put down his pitcher , lay down , and fell asleep .

she emptied his pitcher and ran on .

then the runner awoke , jumped up , and saw that his pitcher was empty and the King 's daughter far ahead .

' Look , ' said he , ' I have only just exercised my legs ; that was nothing of a run . '

but the King was angry , and his daughter even more so , that she should be carried away by a common , discharged soldier .

they consulted together how they could destroy both him and his companions .

' Then , ' said the King to her , ' I have found a way .

don't be frightened ; they shall not come home again . '

in the room was a table spread with delicious food .

then he made the cook come , and ordered him to keep up a large fire under the room until the iron was red-hot .

then the King went angrily to the cook , and scolded him , and asked him why he had not done what he was told .

but the cook answered , ' There is heat enough there ; see for yourself . '

the King now began again to think how he could free himself from his unwelcome guests .

the King was delighted , and the man said , ' I will come and fetch it in fourteen days . '

then he called all the tailors in the kingdom together , and made them sit down for fourteen days sewing at a sack .

that scarcely covers the bottom ! '

' Bring more , ' he cried , ' these crumbs don't fill it . '

then he threw it on his back and went with his companions .

' What do you say ? ' said the blower , ' we are prisoners ?

before that , you shall dance in the air ! '

a sergeant-major cried for mercy , saying he had nine wounds , and was a brave fellow , and did not deserve this disgrace .

so the blower let him off , and he came down without hurt .

when the King received the message , he said , ' Let the fellows go ; they are bewitched . '

then the Six brought the treasure home , shared it among themselves , and lived contentedly till the end of their days .

THE WIZARD KING ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from Les fees illustres .

after a year 's time a son was born , worthy in every way of such distinguished parents , and much admired by the whole Court .

as soon as the Queen thought him strong enough for a journey she set out with him secretly to visit her Fairy godmother .

accordingly , to the delight of his teachers , he made the most rapid progress in his education , constantly surpassing everyone 's expectations .

for some time the Princess remained speechless ; but recovering herself a little , she burst into a flood of tears .

the King , much moved , said , ' Adorable Princess , dry your tears .

I implore you .

my only wish is to make you the happiest person in the world . '

' If you speak truth , my lord , ' replied the Princess , ' restore to me the liberty you have deprived me of .

otherwise I can only look on you as my worst enemy . '

here he gently placed her on a lawn , and as he did so she saw a magnificent palace spring up at her feet .

the architecture was imposing , and in the interior the rooms were handsome and furnished in the best possible taste .

the King hoped , however , that time might not only soften her anger , but accustom her to his sight .

the Prince , after visiting several Courts , arrived at the one where the lost Princess was still deeply mourned .

the King and Queen received him most graciously , and some festivities were revived to do him honour .

one day when the Prince was visiting the Queen in her own apartments he was much struck by a most beautiful portrait .

after listening attentively to the whole adventure , the Fairy asked for time to consult her books .

this , she added , did not appear impossible , as it often flew about to some distance in the neighbourhood .

presently the King appeared , and the parrot noticed with joy how much he was disliked .

the parrot said so many clever and tender things to comfort her that she began to doubt whether this could indeed be her own parrot .

so saying he drew forth the miniature from under his wing .

when he found her listening attentively to him , he implored the Princess to allow him to resume his natural shape .

as they rose through the air the Princess remarked a figure mounted on an eagle 's back flying in front of the chariot .

that same morning the King woke suddenly from a troubled sleep .

the Queen hastened to inform the King her husband , and the wedding took place on the spot .

as the ceremony was completed the Wizard King arrived .

the Prince implored and obtained his father 's pardon , and the prison doors were opened .

everyone entreated the Fairy to settle in the kingdom where she now was , to which she consented .

THE NIXY ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the German .

Kletke .

one morning he rose up before dawn and went outside , for he thought his heart would be lighter in the open air .

while he hesitated the nixy spoke , called him by his name , and asked him why he was so sad .

on the threshold he was greeted by a servant with the news that his wife had just given birth to a boy .

but no one could think of any advice to give him , beyond taking care that the child never went near the mill-pond .

in a short time he married a pretty young wife , and lived with her in great peace and happiness .

the hunter pursued it hotly for some time , and at last shot it dead .

he soon finished the skinning , and went to the water to wash the blood off his hands .

she was nearly beside herself with grief , and roamed round and round the pond calling on her husband without ceasing .

the poor wife told her all that had happened and how she had been told in a dream of the witch 's power to help her .

the hunter 's wife gave the witch a handsome present , thanked her heartily , and returned home .

but immediately another wave came , and the head sank back into the water without having said a word .

so next morning she went again to the flowery meadow and sought the witch in her hut , and told her of her grief .

then he gazed sadly at his wife and stretched out his arms towards her .

but another rushing wave arose and dragged him under once more .

in a few minutes a rushing sound was heard in the waters , and a wave swept the spinning-wheel from the bank .

but the waters of the pond rose up suddenly , overflowed the bank where the couple stood , and dragged them under the flood .

the hunter determined to become a shepherd , and his wife too became a shepherdess .

so they herded their sheep for many years in solitude and sadness .

now it happened once that the shepherd came to the country where the shepherdess lived .

the neighbourhood pleased him , and he saw that the pasture was rich and suitable for his flocks .

so he brought his sheep there , and herded them as before .

the shepherd and shepherdess became great friends , but they did not recognise each other in the least .

but one evening when the moon was full they sat together watching their flocks , and the shepherd played upon his flute .

the shepherd asked her why she was crying , and left her no peace till she told him all her story .

then the scales fell from the shepherd 's eyes , and he recognised his wife , and she him .

so they returned joyfully to their own home , and lived in peace and happiness ever after .

THE GLASS MOUNTAIN ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Polish .

Kletke .

Many knights had come from afar to try their luck , but it was in vain they attempted to climb the mountain .

sometimes they broke an arm , sometimes a leg , and many a brave man had broken his neck even .

the beautiful Princess sat at her window and watched the bold knights trying to reach her on their splendid horses .

but all in vain , and for seven years the Princess had sat now and waited for some one to scale the Glass Mountain .

the whole neighbourhood had the appearance of a vast churchyard .

nothing was left of either of them except their bones , which rattled in the battered golden armour like dry peas in a pod .

and now there was only one more day before the close of the seven years .

then there arrived on the scene a mere schoolboy a merry , happy-hearted youth , but at the same time strong and well-grown .

he saw how many knights had broken their necks in vain , but undaunted he approached the steep mountain on foot and began the ascent .

for long he had heard his parents speak of the beautiful Princess who sat in the golden castle at the top of the Glass Mountain .

he listened to all he heard , and determined that he too would try his luck .

armed with these weapons he boldly started up the Glass Mountain .

the sun was nearly going down , and the youth had not got more than half-way up .

he could hardly draw breath he was so worn out , and his mouth was parched by thirst .

he opened his mouth , but the black cloud sailed past and not as much as a drop of dew moistened his dry lips .

his feet were torn and bleeding , and he could only hold on now with his hands .

evening closed in , and he strained his eyes to see if he could behold the top of the mountain .

then he gazed beneath him , and what a sight met his eyes !

a yawning abyss , with certain and terrible death at the bottom , reeking with half-decayed bodies of horses and riders !

and this had been the end of all the other brave men who like himself had attempted the ascent .

it was almost pitch dark now , and only the stars lit up the Glass Mountain .

the poor boy still clung on as if glued to the glass by his blood-stained hands .

he made no struggle to get higher , for all his strength had left him , and seeing no hope he calmly awaited death .

then all of a sudden he fell into a deep sleep , and forgetful of his dangerous position , he slumbered sweetly .

now the golden apple-tree was guarded by the eagle which had overthrown the golden knight and his horse .

greedy for carrion , and sure that this must be a fresh corpse , the bird swooped down upon the boy .

but he was awake now , and perceiving the eagle , he determined by its help to save himself .

the creature in terror lifted him high up into the air and began to circle round the tower of the castle .

the youth held on bravely .

he pulled several of the beautiful apples and put them in his pocket ; then he entered the castle .

the door was guarded by a great dragon , but as soon as he threw an apple at it , the beast vanished .

as soon as she saw the youth , she ran towards him and greeted him as her husband and master .

she gave him all her treasures , and the youth became a rich and mighty ruler .

but as the eagle had lost its feet it died , and its body was found in a wood on the Glass Mountain .

. . . . . . .

he blew his silver whistle , and the swallow who acted as messenger in the golden castle flew past .

' The blood of the eagle has restored all the people below to life .

ALPHEGE , OR THE GREEN MONKEY

many years ago there lived a King , who was twice married .

she named the baby Alphege , and from that moment took him to her heart .

time wipes away the greatest griefs , and after two or three years the King married again .

his second wife was a Princess of undeniable beauty , but by no means of so amiable a disposition as the first Queen .

she took care however to conceal her jealous feelings from the King .

the ' Good Queen ' on her side watched carefully over her godson .

the King had an only sister who was deeply attached to him , and who was married to the sovereign of a distant country .

Prince Alphege was at this time fourteen years old , and the handsomest and most engaging youth imaginable .

they were glad to take shelter under a group of trees near , and here the Prince complained of burning thirst .

In vain did his anxious followers seek for him , he was nowhere to be found .

her hard rule made her very unpopular , and it was commonly believed that she had made away with Prince Alphege .

indeed , had the King her son not been deservedly beloved a revolution would certainly have arisen .

the young King was devoted to hunting , and often indulged in his favourite pastime , attended by the noblest youths in his kingdom .

the monkey took it very daintily and finally came to the table .

the King took him on his knees , and , delighted with his capture , brought him home with him .

he would trust no one else with its care , and the whole Court soon talked of nothing but the pretty green monkey .

one morning , as Prince Alphege 's governess and her daughter were alone together , the little monkey sprang in through an open window .

the mother said , ' My dear child , I can no longer hide my feelings from you .

I know the idea sounds wild , but I cannot get it out of my heart , and it leaves me no peace . '

as she spoke she glanced up , and there sat the little monkey , whose tears and gestures seemed to confirm her words .

go into your garden and lift up the little marble slab at the foot of the great myrtle tree .

you will find beneath it a crystal vase filled with a bright green liquid .

the joy of such a meeting was beyond words .

his only comfort had been in visits from the Good Queen , who had at length put him in the way of meeting his brother .

the Queen on her side was feeling very anxious .

her suspicions were confirmed by the Fairy of the Mountain , and she hastened in tears to the King , her son .

' I am informed , ' she cried , ' that some ill-disposed people have raised up an impostor in the hopes of dethroning you .

you must at once have him put to death . '

the King , who was very brave , assured the Queen that he would soon punish the conspirators .

what was their surprise when the door was opened to see the King and his suite .

he spoke with such grace and dignity that everyone gazed at him with mute surprise .

So saying , he respectfully kissed the Prince 's hand .

to clear away any possible doubt , he showed the ruby which the Good Queen had given him in his childhood .

as they were gazing at it , it suddenly split with a loud noise , and at the same moment the Wicked Queen expired .

King Alphege insisted on his brother sharing his throne , and they all lived to a good old age , universally beloved and admired .

FAIRER-THAN-A-FAIRY

once there lived a King who had no children for many years after his marriage .

the eldest of their tribe was entrusted to carry out their revenge .

with her large experience , added to her native spite , she found but little difficulty in carrying off Fairer-than-a-Fairy .

the poor child , who was only seven years old , nearly died of fear on finding herself in the power of this hideous creature .

Fairer-than-a-Fairy lost no moment in which she could meet her lover , and they enjoyed many long and interesting interviews .

she took the bird 's advice , and in due time arrived at the house of Locrinos .

then she sent her away without doing her any harm .

one day Prince Rainbow appeared in the depths of woe .

he had just heard that he was to be banished from this lovely spot , but he had no idea where he was to go .

the poor young couple were in despair , and only parted with the last ray of sunshine , and in hopes of meeting next morning .

no other water was at hand except that in the two bottles .

when Lagree became aware of her prisoner 's flight she was furious , and set off at full speed in pursuit .

fear gave her strength for some time , but at last she could go no further , and sank down to rest .

but Lagree had not given up her pursuit , and arrived just as Fairer-than-a-Fairy had fallen fast asleep .

here again she received a present with the same injunctions , but instead of a nut this lady gave her a golden pomegranate .

their occupation consisted in helping those in misfortune , and they were as gentle and benevolent as Lagree had been cruel and spiteful .

the third Fairy comforted the poor traveller , begged her not to lose heart , and assured her that her troubles should be rewarded .

she accompanied her advice by the gift of a crystal smelling-bottle , with strict orders only to open it in case of urgent need .

Fairer-than-a-Fairy thanked her warmly , and resumed her way cheered by pleasant thoughts .

it was so perfectly hung that a gentle breeze rocked it sufficiently to send you pleasantly to sleep .

she entered a magnificent room which appeared to occupy the entire Castle , and which was lighted by gold and jewelled stars in the ceiling .

at the same time she could not help feeling rather hurt at the apparent indifference with which she was received .

the Prince was not completely roused , but he opened his eyes a little and looked all the handsomer .

at the same moment the walls of the room expanded and opened out , revealing a golden throne covered with jewels .

a magnificent Court now began to assemble , and at the same time several elegant carriages filled with ladies in magnificent dresses drove up .

in the first and most splendid of these carriages sat Prince Rainbow 's mother .

here they were received with tumultuous joy .

THE THREE BROTHERS ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Polish .

Kletke .

in the same village there lived three brothers , who were all determined to kill the mischievous hawk .

he saw the hawk swooping down upon the church , and in a moment he had seized his gun and shot at the bird .

the hawk fell heavily under a big stone , severely wounded in its right wing .

the youth ran to look at it , and saw that a huge abyss had opened below the stone .

he went at once to fetch his brothers , and with their help dragged a lot of pine-wood and ropes to the spot .

they fastened some of the burning pine-wood to the end of the rope , and let it slowly down to the bottom of the abyss .

at first it was quite dark , and the flaming torch only lit up dirty grey stone walls .

but the youngest brother determined to explore the abyss , and letting himself down by the rope he soon reached the bottom .

here he found a lovely meadow full of green trees and exquisite flowers .

in the middle of the meadow stood a huge stone castle , with an iron gate leading to it , which was wide open .

he fell in love with her on the spot , and kneeling at her feet , he implored her to become his wife .

she was combing her silver hair , and every hair that fell on the ground rang out like pure metal .

the second girl handed him the sword , but though he tried with all his strength he could not lift it .

then he hid himself in the castle and awaited the old witch 's arrival .

at last as it was beginning to grow dark she appeared .

she swooped down upon a big apple-tree , and after shaking some golden apples from it , she pounced down upon the earth .

as soon as her feet touched the ground she became transformed from a hawk into a woman .

first the treasures were attached to the rope and then the three lovely girls .

and now everything was up above and only he himself remained below .

the youth told him all that had befallen him , and the magician said :

' Do not grieve , young man !

if you will guard the children who are hidden in the golden apple-tree , I will bring you at once up to the earth .

another magician who lives in this land always eats my children up .

it is in vain that I have hidden them under the earth and locked them into the castle .

now I have hidden them in the apple-tree ; hide yourself there too , and at midnight you will see my enemy . '

the youth climbed up the tree , and picked some of the beautiful golden apples , which he ate for his supper .

at midnight the wind began to rise , and a rustling sound was heard at the foot of the tree .

the youth looked down and beheld a long thick serpent beginning to crawl up the tree .

it wound itself round the stem and gradually got higher and higher .

they trembled with terror when they saw the hideous creature , and hid themselves beneath the leaves .

then the youth swung his mighty sword in the air , and with one blow cut off the serpent 's head .

he cut up the rest of the body into little bits and strewed them to the four winds .

with what joy did he hurry now to his brothers ' house !

he burst into a room where they were all assembled , but no one knew who he was .

only his bride , who was serving as cook to her sisters , recognised her lover at once .

but the good youth forgave them all they had done , and divided his treasures with them .

THE BOY AND THE WOLVES , OR THE BROKEN PROMISE ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) A North American Indian story .

at last , however , the strong man felt sick , and before long he knew he must die .

so he gathered his family round him , and said his last words to them .

' Never ! ' they replied , holding out their hands .

and the hunter died content .

but remember our father 's words .

shall we not seek our own pleasures , and forget the little one ? '

but he would not listen , and , making no reply , he took his bow and arrows and left the hut .

stay here within the shelter of the hut .

I go to seek our brother , and when I have found him I shall return hither . '

and without them he would have died in the snow .

' My brother , my brother !

I am becoming a wolf , I am becoming a wolf ! '

and when he had so sung he howled as wolves howl .

THE GLASS AXE ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Hungarian .

Kletke .

there was once upon a time a King and Queen who had everything they could possibly wish for in this world except a child .

and these were the last words the poor Queen spoke .

every day he rode through the neighbouring fields and woods , and always returned home in the evening safe and well .

one day the Prince and his suite went out for a ride in a wood where his father sometimes held a hunt .

their way led through a stream whose banks were overgrown with thick brushwood .

no sooner had his foot touched the earth than he disappeared before the eyes of the horrified courtiers .

hardly had the Prince touched the ground than he felt himself violently seized by an unseen power , and hurried away he knew not whither .

a whole new world stretched out before him , quite unlike the one he had left .

at the same time she cautioned him with many angry words against speaking to a black girl he would most likely meet in the wood .

the Prince listened to her words meekly , and when she had finished took up the glass axe and set out for the forest .

but no sooner had he struck the first blow with his axe than it broke into a thousand pieces against the tree .

the Prince nodded his head silently in answer .

he made all haste across the bridge of clouds , and told the Fairy that her commands were obeyed .

but the Prince lied manfully , and swore he had never looked up from his work for a moment .

when he awoke everything , was done .

all the trees of the wood were cut up into firewood and arranged in bundles ready for use .

he returned to the castle as quickly as he could , and told the Fairy that her commands were obeyed .

on the following day the Fairy set him a third task to do , even harder than the other two .

the Prince heard her words without anxiety , so entirely did he rely on the help of his black friend .

but before they had accomplished half the way they heard again the rustle of her garments and her muttered curses pursuing them closely .

the Prince was terrified ; he dared not look back , and he felt his strength giving way .

but the sand hill only drove the pond a little farther away , and its waters seemed to increase instead of diminishing .

when the old woman saw that the powers of her magic were of so little avail , she had recourse to cunning .

in her desperation she determined to pull down the church , and thus to destroy her two victims for ever .

she stamped three times on the ground , and the earth trembled , and both the church and the monk began to shake .

take this bow and arrow and kill every beast you see with them , and be sure you spare no living creature . '

quick as lightning , and forgetful of every danger , she flew down upon them .

and so at last the Prince and his lovely Bride were free .

they hurried as quickly as they could to the old King , who received them with joy and gladness .

THE DEAD WIFE ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Iroquois .

once upon a time there were a man and his wife who lived in the forest , very far from the rest of the tribe .

one day , when he was away hunting , the woman fell ill , and in a few days she died .

he seated it in front of the fire , and tried to think he had his wife back again .

and so a whole year passed away .

at the end of that time he came back from hunting one night and found some wood by the door and a fire within .

the next night there was not only wood and fire , but a piece of meat in the kettle , nearly ready for eating .

he searched all about to see who could have done this , but could find no one .

the next time he went to hunt he took care not to go far , and came in quite early .

and while he was still a long way off he saw a woman going into the house with wood on her shoulders .

if you do , I shall die . '

let us now go back to our tribe .

then you will be well , and I can touch you . '

therefore they made a fire , cooked some food , and spread out their skins to sleep .

but he would not listen to her , and caught her to him , and behold ! he was clasping the wooden doll .

and the man grieved sore all the days of his life .

IN THE LAND OF SOULS ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Red Indian .

the heart of her lover had been set upon her , and the thought of her remained with him night and day .

at last , after many days , a light seemed to come to him out of the darkness .

only one thing he knew , that if the path was there , he would find it .

at first he was puzzled , as there seemed no reason he should go in one direction more than another .

for many , many miles the country looked the same as it did round his own home .

the forests , the hills , and the rivers all seemed exactly like the ones he had left .

then he knew that he was in the right road .

the thought that he should soon behold his lost bride made his heart beat for joy , and he sped along lightly and swiftly .

it is but a short while since she whom you seek was here .

rest in my hut , as she also rested , and I will tell you what you ask , and whither you should go . '

' Look , ' he said , ' at the water which lies far out yonder , and the plains which stretch beyond .

that is the Land of Souls , but no man enters it without leaving his body behind him .

so , lay down your body here ; your bow and arrows , your skin and your dog .

they shall be kept for you safely . '

very soon he noticed with wonder , that neither rocks nor trees barred his path .

only the children had no fear , and reached the other side in safety .

THE WHITE DUCK

once upon a time a great and powerful King married a lovely Princess .

and the Queen promised faithfully to obey her royal lord and master in these four matters .

' Why are you sad and cast down , fair Queen ?

all the brightness outside would help to drive away your cares , O Queen . '

and so , in all ignorance , the Queen followed her out into the garden and listened to her smooth , flattering words .

' The day is so warm , and the sun 's rays so scorching , that the water in the pond looks very cool and inviting .

would you not like to bathe in it , fair Queen ? '

no harm could come of it .

and , so saying , she slipped off her robes and stepped into the water .

' Swim henceforth , White Duck ! '

' Little ones , are you asleep ? '

and the little drake answered for the other two :

' Little ones , are you asleep ? '

and again the little drake answered for his sisters :

' Just the same answer , ' muttered the witch ; ' I think I 'll go in and see . '

so she opened the door gently , and seeing the two little ducklings sound asleep , she there and then killed them .

and there , laid out on the marble floor of the court , dead and stone cold , were her three children .

the White Duck threw herself upon them , and , covering up their little bodies with her wings , she cried :

' Quack , quack my little loves !

quack , quack my turtle-doves !

I brought you up with grief and pain , And now before my eyes you 're slain .

I gave you always of the best ; I kept you warm in my soft nest .

I loved and watched you day and night You were my joy , my one delight . '

listen to that White Duck . '

but the witch answered , ' My dear husband , what do you mean ?

there is nothing wonderful in a duck 's quacking .

here , servants !

chase that duck out of the courtyard . '

' Quack , quack my little loves !

quack , quack my turtle-doves !

the wicked witch your lives did take The wicked witch , the cunning snake .

first she stole my King away , Then my children did she slay .

changed me , from a happy wife , To a duck for all my life .

would I were the Queen again ; Would that you had never been slain . '

but , though they ran to and fro , the duck always fled past them , and would not let herself be caught .

so the King himself stepped down amongst them , and instantly the duck fluttered down into his hands .

and as he stroked her wings she was changed into a beautiful woman , and he recognised his dear wife .

and she told him that a bottle would be found in her nest in the garden , containing some drops from the spring of healing .

and the King and Queen were overjoyed when they saw their children , and they all lived happily together in the beautiful palace .

but the wicked witch was taken by the King 's command , and she came to no good end .

THE WITCH AND HER SERVANTS ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Russian .

Kletke .

during their wanderings they came unperceived on a piece of waste land where three splendid trees grew .

the King looked on them for a moment , and then , shaking his head sadly , he passed on in silence .

when it was quite ripe the fruit would become a golden yellow .

' But instead of replying , the gardener threw himself at my feet and swore that he was innocent .

for some time past I have given up even having the trees watched . '

so he kept watch half the night ; but a little after midnight he was overcome by an irresistible drowsiness , and fell fast asleep .

he did not awake till it was bright daylight , and all the fruit on the trees had vanished .

the following year Warza , the second brother , tried his luck , but with the same result .

then it came to the turn of the third and youngest son .

at midnight a gentle west wind shook the tree , and at the same moment a snow-white swan-like bird sank down gently on his breast .

' You need not fear Militza , ' said the beautiful girl , looking at the Prince with friendly eyes .

Iwanich , who had been prepared to meet a terrible magician and not a lovely girl , fell desperately in love with her .

they spent the rest of the night in pleasant conversation , and when Militza wished to go away he begged her not to leave him .

but if your love is really true , come and find me in my own kingdom .

I may not show you the way there , but this ring will guide you .

if it sparkles as brightly as ever go straight on , but if its lustre is dimmed choose another path . '

the King was beside himself for joy , and hurried at once to the garden and made the gardener pick him some of the fruit .

he tasted it , and found the apple quite as luscious as it had been in his dream .

this question placed Iwanich in a dilemma .

the whole capital was in a stir , and everyone shared in the King 's joy ; the Prince alone took no part in the festivities .

whither are you going ? '

' Where else should I be going , ' he said , ' than through the wood ? '

' Through the wood ? ' said the old man in amazement .

' It 's easily seen that you have heard nothing of this forest , that you rush so blindly to meet your doom .

take my advice , therefore , and if you wish to save your life follow some other path . '

' Take this bagful of bread-crumbs and this live hare .

when you have gone about a hundred yards into the wood the wild beasts will surround you .

then you must instantly seize your bag , and scatter the bread-crumbs among them .

in this way you will be able to get through the wood unhurt . '

he threw them to the beasts , but soon the bag grew lighter and lighter , and the Prince began to feel a little frightened .

and now the last crumb was gone , and the hungry beasts thronged round him , greedy for fresh prey .

then he seized the hare and threw it to them .

he looked at his ring , and when he saw that it sparkled as brightly as ever he went straight on through the forest .

he hadn't gone very far when he saw a most extraordinary looking man coming towards him .

two lions walked with him , fastened to his side by the two ends of his long beard .

he stopped the Prince and asked him in a harsh voice : ' Are you the man who has just fed my body-guard ? '

' All I ask , ' replied Iwanich , ' is , that I should be allowed to go through this wood in safety . '

with these words he loosened the lion from his beard and bade the beast guard the youth carefully .

at length , towards evening , the mass of trees grew more transparent , and through the interlaced branches a wide plain was visible .

it had become quite dark , and Iwanich was forced to wait for daylight before continuing his journey .

he made himself a bed of grass and leaves , lit a fire of dry branches , and slept soundly till the next morning .

then he got up and walked towards a beautiful white palace which he saw gleaming in the distance .

in about an hour he reached the building , and opening the door he walked in .

after wandering through many marble halls , he came to a huge staircase made of porphyry , leading down to a lovely garden .

then the Princess called her court together , and introduced Iwanich to them as her future husband .

preparations were at once made for the wedding , which was held soon after with great pomp and magnificence .

three months of great happiness followed , when Militza received one day an invitation to visit her mother 's sister .

Iwanich promised what she asked , and Militza departed , repeating her promise to return in seven days .

when the Prince found himself alone he began to be tormented by pangs of curiosity as to what the room in the tower contained .

what an unexpected sight met his gaze !

the Prince perceived a small room black with smoke , lit up feebly by a fire from which issued long blue flames .

' And how can I do that ? ' asked the Prince .

' With a little water , ' replied the man ; ' only sprinkle a few drops over me and I shall feel better . '

the Prince , who now realised what his heedlessness had done , cursed too late his spirit of curiosity .

in his despair he wandered on over the heath , never looking where he put his feet , and full of sorrowful thoughts .

at last he saw a light in the distance , which came from a miserable-looking little hut .

the owner of it was none other than the kind-hearted gaunt grey beggar who had given the Prince the bag of bread-crumbs and the hare .

without recognising Iwanich , he opened the door when he knocked and gave him shelter for the night .

Iwanich thanked the gaunt grey beggar for his information , and went on his way .

the Prince knocked , and a rasping woman 's voice told him to enter .

here he perceived two pitch-black horses in a stall .

Iwanich , who thought he could not be much worse off than he was already , agreed to the witch 's proposal .

the witch stood at her door and received him kindly , and set a good meal before him .

so it continued for some time , and all went well with the Prince .

Early every morning he led the horses out to the fields , and brought them home safe and sound in the evening .

Iwanich , who felt sorry for the poor creature , seized it in his arms and flung it into the stream .

' My kind benefactor , how can I reward you for your goodness ? '

' I desire nothing , ' answered the Prince .

' I am quite content to have been able to be of some service to you . '

if you should ever need my help , throw it into the river , and I will come to your aid at once . '

Iwanich bowed , loosened a scale from the body of the grateful beast , put it carefully away , and returned home .

Iwanich thanked the bird , and placing the feather beside the scale he drove the horses home .

Iwanich put the fox 's hairs with the scale and the feather , and as it was getting dark he hastened home with his horses .

the Prince followed her secretly to see what she was going to do .

when Iwanich heard all this he went back to his room , determined that nothing should induce him to fall asleep next day .

then he suddenly remembered the fish 's scale , which , with the eagle 's feather and the fox 's hairs , he always carried about with him .

he drew the scale from his pocket , and hurrying to the river he threw it in .

' Wait a moment , ' answered the fish , ' and I and my friends will soon drive them out of the water . '

with these words the creature disappeared into the depths of the stream .

Iwanich sprang at once on to the mare 's back , seized the foal by its bridle , and hastened home in the highest spirits .

the Prince followed her , and heard her scolding the beasts harshly for not having hidden themselves better .

if they did not do as she told them she would beat them till they bled .

the next morning , after Iwanich had led his horses to the fields , he fell once more into a magic sleep .

the horses at once ran away and hid themselves in the clouds , which hung down from the mountains in soft billowy masses .

in a moment the bird swooped down beside him and asked : ' What do you wish me to do ? '

with these words the bird flew up into the air and disappeared among the clouds .

almost directly Iwanich saw his two horses being driven towards him by a host of eagles of all sizes .

he caught the mare and foal , and having thanked the eagle he drove them cheerfully home again .

if they failed to do as she told them she would certainly beat them this time till they bled .

on the following morning the Prince drove his horses as usual to the fields .

' I wish to know , ' replied Iwanich , ' where the King 's hen-house is . '

' Hardly an hour 's walk from here , ' answered the fox , and offered to show the Prince the way to it .

while they were walking along the fox asked him what he wanted to do at the royal hen-house .

the Prince told him of the misfortune that had befallen him , and of the necessity of recovering the mare and foal .

' That is no easy matter , ' replied the fox .

' But wait a moment .

I have an idea .

stand at the door of the hen-house , and wait there for your horses .

when they see the horses they will at once imagine them to be the cause of the disturbance , and will drive them out .

then you must lay hands on the mare and foal and catch them .

all turned out exactly as the sly fox had foreseen .

the Prince swung himself on the mare , seized the foal by its bridle , and hurried home .

if you promise never to betray me I will give you a piece of advice which you will do well to follow . '

Iwanich longed to possess such an animal , and promised the mare to follow her advice .

this time Corva received him in the most friendly manner , and set a sumptuous repast before him .

as soon as he had finished she asked him what reward he demanded for his year 's service .

' Nothing more nor less , ' replied the Prince , ' than the foal of your mare . '

seize him at once by the beard and dash him to the ground . '

Iwanich thanked the old witch , mounted his foal , put spurs to its sides , and they flew like lightning through the air .

but the Prince , without saying a word , seized him at once by his beard and dashed him to the ground .

at the same moment the foal sprang on the top of the magician and kicked and stamped on him with his hoofs till he died .

then Iwanich found himself once more in the palace of his bride , and Militza herself flew into his arms .

from this time forward they lived in undisturbed peace and happiness till the end of their lives .

THE MAGIC RING

once upon a time there lived an old couple who had one son called Martin .

now when the old man 's time had come , he stretched himself out on his bed and died .

though all his life long he had toiled and moiled , he only left his widow and son two hundred florins .

so Martin started off for the town .

when he reached the meat-market he found the whole place in turmoil , and a great noise of angry voices and barking of dogs .

overcome with pity , Martin spoke to the butchers , saying :

' Friends , why are you beating the poor dog so cruelly ? '

' We have every right to beat him , ' they replied ; ' he has just devoured a newly-killed pig . '

' Leave off beating him , ' said Martin , ' and sell him to me instead . '

' A hundred ! ' exclaimed Martin .

when Martin got home , his mother met him with the question :

' Well , what have you bought ? '

' Schurka , the dog , ' replied Martin , pointing to his new possession .

whereupon his mother became very angry , and abused him roundly .

' Stop , ' cried Martin ; ' where are you dragging that poor cat ? '

' I mean to drown him , ' was the answer .

' What harm has the poor beast done ? ' said Martin .

' It has just killed a goose , ' replied the peasant .

' Don't drown him , sell him to me instead , ' begged Martin .

' Not for a hundred florins , ' was the answer .

' Surely for a hundred florins you 'll sell it ? ' said Martin .

when he reached his home his mother greeted him with the question :

' Well , what have you brought back ? '

' I have brought this cat , Waska , ' answered Martin .

' And what besides ? '

' I had no money over to buy anything else with , ' replied Martin .

' You useless ne'er-do-weel ! ' exclaimed his mother in a great passion .

on the way he met a rich peasant , who asked him where he was going .

' I want to get work as a day labourer , ' he answered .

' Come along with me , then .

but I must tell you I engage my labourers without wages .

if you serve me faithfully for a year , I promise you it shall be for your advantage . '

so Martin consented , and for a year he worked diligently , and served his master faithfully , not sparing himself in any way .

' There must be some trick about this ; I had better take the sand . '

and throwing the sack over his shoulders he started out into the world , in search of fresh work .

on and on he walked , and at last he reached a great gloomy wood .

' Martin , if you would win happiness , save my life .

extinguish the flames with the sand that you earned in payment of your faithful service . '

' Do not be afraid of me , Martin ; I love you , and will go with you through the world .

pointing to the rock , she showed him an opening just big enough for a man to wriggle through .

In the middle of the field stood a magnificent castle , built out of porphyry , with a roof of gold and with glittering battlements .

and his beautiful guide told him that this was the palace in which her father lived and reigned over his kingdom in the Under-world .

together they entered the palace , and were received by the King with great kindness .

turning to his daughter , he said :

' My child , I had almost given up the hope of ever seeing you again .

where have you been all these years ? '

' My father , ' she replied , ' I owe my life to this youth , who saved me from a terrible death . '

take as much gold , silver , and precious stones as you choose . '

if you do , you will straightway bring misfortune on yourself . '

so uneventful was their life that it almost seemed as if it would go on in this way always , without let or hindrance .

but as he did not trust himself as a wooer , he determined to send his old mother on the mission .

' What are you thinking of , my son ? ' answered the old woman , aghast at the idea .

' Why cannot you marry someone in your own rank ?

why , it is as much as our heads are worth .

neither my life nor yours would be worth anything if I went on such a fool 's errand . '

' Never fear , little mother , ' answered Martin .

' Trust me ; all will be well .

but see that you do not come back without an answer of some kind . '

Courtesying low , the old woman stood silent before him .

' Well , my good old dame , what can I do for you ? ' asked the King .

' I have come , ' replied Martin 's mother ' and your Majesty must not be angry with me I have come a-wooing . '

' Is the woman out of her mind ? ' said the King , with an angry frown .

you , O King , have a lovely daughter to give in marriage .

I have a son a wooer as clever a youth and as good a son-in-law as you will find in your whole kingdom .

there is nothing that he cannot do .

now tell me , O King , plump and plain , will you give your daughter to my son as wife ? '

the palace must be joined together by a bridge of pure crystal .

now the poor old woman was mortally afraid and , in a trembling voice she asked :

' Is that really your royal will , O King ?

must I take this order to my poor son ? '

' Yes , old dame ; such is my command .

' Didn't I tell you , my son , that you should marry someone of your own rank ?

it would have been better for us this day if you had .

it is terrible ! ' and she moaned and cried .

' Never fear , little mother , ' answered Martin ; ' trust me , and you will see all will be well .

you may go to sleep with a quiet mind . '

then he told them the King 's commands , and they answered that by next morning all should be accomplished exactly as the King had ordered .

at each side of the bridge trees were growing , from whose branches hung golden and silver apples , among which birds of Paradise perched .

so unhappy was she that she spent all her time wondering how she should get rid of her undesirable husband .

on the instant the twelve youths appeared , and asked her what she commanded them to do .

' You shall be obeyed , ' answered the twelve youths at the same moment .

immediately the King sent for his son-in-law , and commanded him to explain what had happened .

but Martin looked at his royal father-in-law , and answered never a word .

No sooner said than done .

' Fresh rolls , sweet cake , Fancy bread of every kind .

come and buy , come and take , Sure you 'll find it to your mind , '

Waska , being very agile , climbed up by the outside to the grated window , and called in an anxious voice :

' Are you alive , master ? '

' Scarcely alive almost starved to death , ' answered Martin in a weak voice .

' I little thought it would come to this , that I should die of hunger . '

' Never fear , dear master .

Schurka and I will look after you , ' said Waska .

you must be careful that the rolls last till our return . '

and Waska took leave of her beloved master , and set off with Schurka on their journey .

' So be it , ' said Waska .

' I will spare your life ; but in return you must do something for me .

in this castle there lives a Princess , the wicked wife of my dear master .

she has stolen away his magic ring .

you must get it away from her at whatever cost ; do you hear ?

till you have done this I won't take my claws out of your fur . '

' Good ! ' replied the mouse ; ' I will do what you ask . '

and , so saying , he summoned all the mice in his kingdom together .

all day she wears it on her finger , and at night she keeps it in her mouth .

I will undertake , sire , to steal away the ring for you . '

in a flash the tiny mouse had seized it , and brought it to Waska as a ransom for the King of the Mice .

' Martin , dear master , are you still alive ? '

' Ah !

Waska , my faithful little cat , is that you ? ' replied a weak voice .

' I am dying of hunger .

for three days I have not tasted food . '

if this were a moment to trouble you with riddles , I would make you guess what Schurka and I have brought you back .

only think , we have got you your ring ! '

then the King sent his chief counsellors , and they too were transfixed with wonder .

at last the King came himself , and he likewise was spellbound by the beauty of the music .

and one thing more : bring back my faithless wife , and lead her into the women 's chamber . '

and Martin spoke to the King , saying , ' King and royal father , I have suffered much at the hands of your daughter .

what punishment shall be dealt to her ? '

and Martin 's heart was softened and he forgave his wife , and they lived happily together ever after .

THE FLOWER QUEEN'S DAUGHTER ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Bukowinaer .

von Wliolocki .

he was turning aside to avoid it , when he heard the sound of someone crying in the ditch .

he dismounted from his horse , and stepped along in the direction the sound came from .

to his astonishment he found an old woman , who begged him to help her out of the ditch .

then the Prince said to her , ' You can hardly walk ; I will put you on my horse and lead you home .

where do you live ? '

' Over there , at the edge of the forest in the little hut you see in the distance , ' replied the old woman .

would you like to have the most beautiful woman in the world for your wife ? '

' Most certainly I would , ' replied the Prince .

if you wish to marry her , you must first set her free , and this I will help you to do .

these will help you if you are in any difficulty .

now farewell , and heaven prosper your undertaking . '

she handed him the little bell , and there disappeared hut and all , as though the earth had swallowed her up .

so the next morning the Prince mounted his fine horse and left his home .

at last one day he came to a hut , in front of which sat a very old man .

the Prince asked him , ' Do you not know where the Dragon lives who keeps the daughter of the Flower Queen prisoner ? '

' No , I do not , ' answered the old man .

he asked him the same question , and the old man answered , ' No , I do not know where the Dragon lives .

but go straight along this road for another year , and you will come to a hut in which my father lives .

I know he can tell you . '

for one whole year he is always awake , and the next he sleeps .

so the Prince went up the second mountain , where he found a castle all made of gold with diamond windows .

they entered the castle and walked through twelve splendid halls , all made of gold and diamonds .

in the twelfth room they found the Mother Dragon seated on a diamond throne .

she was the ugliest woman under the sun , and , added to it all , she had three heads .

her appearance was a great shock to the Prince , and so was her voice , which was like the croaking of many ravens .

she asked him , ' Why have you come here ? '

the Prince undertook the task and led the mare out to the meadow .

but no sooner had they reached the grass than she vanished .

the Prince sought for her in vain , and at last in despair sat down on a big stone and contemplated his sad fate .

as he sat thus lost in thought , he noticed an eagle flying over his head .

then he suddenly bethought him of his little bell , and taking it out of his pocket he rang it once .

in a moment he heard a rustling sound in the air beside him , and the King of the Eagles sank at his feet .

' I know what you want of me , ' the bird said .

' You are looking for the Mother Dragon 's mare who is galloping about among the clouds .

I will summon all the eagles of the air together , and order them to catch the mare and bring her to you . '

and with these words the King of the Eagles flew away .

they sank at his feet on to the ground and gave the mare over to him .

here , too , was the Flower Queen 's beautiful daughter .

her dress was woven out of the most lovely flowers in the world , and her complexion was like lilies and roses .

as the Prince was dancing with her he managed to whisper in her ear , ' I have come to set you free ! '

the ball came to an end at midnight , and early next morning the Prince again led the Mother Dragon 's mare out into the meadow .

but again she vanished before his eyes .

then he took out his little bell and rang it twice .

with these words the King of the Foxes disappeared , and in the evening many thousand foxes brought the mare to the Prince .

after the ball we will fly away together . '

on the third day the Prince led the mare to the meadow again ; but once more she vanished before his eyes .

then the Prince took out his little bell and rang it three times .

towards evening the mare was returned to him , and when he led her home to the Mother Dragon she said to him :

' You are a brave youth , and I will make you my body-servant .

but what shall I give you as a reward to begin with ? '

but the dragons had noticed their flight , and woke their brother out of his year 's sleep .

the Prince consented to this , and led his beautiful bride home , where the wedding was held with great pomp and magnificence .

the young couple lived happily together till winter came , when the Flower Queen 's daughter departed and went home to her mother .

this coming and going continued all her life long , and in spite of it they always lived happily together .

THE FLYING SHIP ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Russian .

immediately the two elder brothers determined to try their luck , and asked their parents ' blessing .

when they had gone the poor Simpleton began to tease his mother to smarten him up and let him start off .

' What would become of a dolt like you ? ' she answered .

' Why , you would be eaten up by wolves . '

but the foolish youth kept repeating , ' I will go , I will go , I will go ! '

so the Simpleton set off on his way .

when he had gone a short distance he met a little old manikin .

they greeted one another , and the manikin asked him where he was going .

' I am off to the King 's Court , ' he answered .

' He has promised to give his daughter to whoever can make a flying ship . '

' And can you make such a ship ? '

' Not I. '

' Then why in the world are you going ? '

' Can't tell , ' replied the Simpleton .

give me what you have got in your satchel . '

now , the poor Simpleton was ashamed to show what was in it .

he shared them with the manikin , who licked his lips and said :

you will then find a ship at your side , step into it and fly to the King 's Palace .

if you meet anyone on the way , take him with you . '

the Simpleton thanked the manikin very kindly , bade him farewell , and went into the road .

' Hallo ! ' he called out , ' what are you doing down there ? '

' I am listening to what is going on in the world , ' replied the man .

' Come with me in my ship , ' said the Simpleton .

so he hailed him , calling out :

' Hallo ! what are you doing , hopping on one leg ? '

' I can't help it , ' replied the man .

' I walk so fast that unless I tied up one leg I should be at the end of the earth in a bound . '

' Hallo ! ' he shouted to him , ' what are you aiming at ?

as far as eye can see , there is no bird in sight . '

that is the kind of shot I enjoy . '

and he waved to him , calling out :

' Hallo ! where are you going ? '

' To fetch bread for my breakfast . '

' Bread ?

why , you have got a whole basket-load of it on your back . '

' That 's nothing , ' answered the man ; ' I should finish that in one mouthful . '

' Come along with us in my ship , then . '

' Hallo ! ' he cried to him , ' what are you seeking ?

' I want water to drink , I 'm so thirsty , ' replied the man .

' Well , there 's a whole lake in front of you ; why don't you drink some of that ? '

' Do you call that enough ? ' answered the other .

' Why , I should drink it up in one gulp . '

' Well , come with us in the ship . '

' Hallo ! ' he shouted to him , ' why are you carrying wood through a forest ? '

' This is not common wood , ' answered the other .

' What sort of wood is it , then ? ' said the Simpleton .

' If you throw it upon the ground , ' said the man , ' it will be changed into an army of soldiers . '

' Come into the ship with us , then . '

' Hallo !

where are you carrying that straw to ? '

' To the village , ' said the man .

' Do you mean to say there is no straw in the village ? '

' Ah ! but this is quite a peculiar straw .

then the Simpleton asked him also to join them .

at last the ship , with its strange crew , arrived at the King 's Court .

so he thought and thought , and then said to himself :

' I will give him some impossible tasks to perform ; that will be the best way of getting rid of him . '

' Alas , alas ! ' he cried ; ' what am I to do now ?

it would take me quite a year , possibly my whole life , to find the water . '

' Never fear , ' said his fleet-footed comrade , ' I will fetch what the King wants . '

just then the courtier arrived , bearing the King 's command .

' Dear me , ' he thought to himself , ' that 's rather tiring !

I 'll just rest for a few minutes ; it will be some little time yet before the King has got to dessert . '

so the man with the marvellous quick hearing lay down and , putting his ear to the ground , listened .

' That 's a nice sort of fellow ! ' he suddenly exclaimed .

' He 's lying on the ground , snoring hard ! '

and a moment later the swift runner reappeared , and , stepping on board the ship , handed the healing water to the Simpleton .

what was to be done now ?

the King determined to think of a still more impossible task .

once more the sharp-eared comrade overheard the King 's words while he was still talking to the courtier , and reported them to the Simpleton .

' Alas , alas ! ' he sighed ; ' what in the world shall I do ?

why , it would take us a year , possibly our whole lives , to eat up twelve oxen and twelve tons of bread . '

' Never fear , ' said the glutton .

' It will scarcely be enough for me , I 'm so hungry . '

so when the courtier arrived with the royal message he was told to take back word to the King that his orders should be obeyed .

' I call that a small meal , ' he said .

' I wish they 'd brought me some more . '

when these words were overheard by the sharp-eared comrade and repeated to the Simpleton , he was in despair .

' Alas , alas ! ' he exclaimed ; ' what is to be done ?

it would take us a year , possibly our whole lives , to drink so much . '

' Never fear , ' said his thirsty comrade .

' I 'll drink it all up at a gulp , see if I don't . '

' Why , I 'm still thirsty .

I should have been glad of two more casks . '

and so when the poor silly youth entered the room , he discovered that the iron walls were red hot .

so the Simpleton climbed up upon the stove , and , wrapping himself up in the bath blankets , lay there the whole night .

and in the morning when they opened the door there he lay sound and safe , singing cheerfully to himself .

' Tell the rascal to raise me an army , now at this instant ! ' he exclaimed to one of his courtiers .

' Inform him at once of this , my royal will . '

and to himself he added , ' I think I shall do for him this time . '

as on former occasions , the quick-eared comrade had overheard the King 's command and repeated it to the Simpleton .

' Alas , alas ! ' he groaned ; ' now I am quite done for . '

' Have you quite forgotten me ? '

' Good ! ' remarked the Simpleton .

' I will raise an army for the King , ' and he drew himself up .

and , stepping to the window , he saw the lances gleam in the sunlight and the armour and weapons glitter .

and the proud monarch said to himself , ' I am powerless in comparison with this man . '

so he sent him royal robes and costly jewels , and commanded him to come to the palace to be married to the Princess .

THE SNOW-DAUGHTER AND THE FIRE-SON ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Bukowinaer Tales and Legends .

von Wliolocki .

there was once upon a time a man and his wife , and they had no children , which was a great grief to them .

she sighed , and turning to her husband said , ' I wish I had as many children as there are icicles hanging there . '

' Nothing would please me more either , ' replied her husband .

her husband laughed at his wife 's strange idea , and they went back into the house .

but after a short time the woman gave birth to a little girl , who was as white as snow and as cold as ice .

if they brought the child anywhere near the fire , it screamed loudly till they put it back into some cool place .

the little maid throve wonderfully , and in a few months she could run about and speak .

her father and mother called her simply ' Our Snow-daughter , ' and this name stuck to her all her life .

the woman sighed deeply and said , ' I wish I had given birth to a Fire-son ! '

the man laughed at his wife 's words , and thought it was a good joke .

the Snow-daughter herself avoided him as much as she could , and always crept into a corner as far away from him as possible .

the parents called the boy simply ' Our Fire-son , ' a name which stuck to him all his life .

just as the girl grew up into a beautiful woman , her father and mother both died one after the other .

how shall we travel about together without being odious the one to the other ? '

he wondered very much who the beautiful girl clad in such garments could be , and he stopped and spoke to her .

he soon learnt that she could not stand heat , and that her brother could not endure cold .

the King was so charmed by the Snow-daughter , that he asked her to be his wife .

the girl consented , and the wedding was held with much state .

the King had a huge house of ice made for his wife underground , so that even in summer it did not melt .

but for his brother-in-law he had a house built with huge ovens all round it , that were kept heated all day and night .

one day the King gave a great feast , and asked his brother-in-law among the other guests .

then the Fire-son replied with a laugh , ' Don't be angry , dear brother !

I love heat and my sister loves cold come here and let me embrace you , and then I 'll go home at once . '

and before the King had time to reply , the Fire-son seized him in a tight embrace .

when the Snow-daughter saw this she turned on her brother and flew at him .

then a fight began , the like of which had never been seen on earth .

and so ended the unhappy brother and sister .

THE STORY OF KING FROST ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Russian .

there was once upon a time a peasant-woman who had a daughter and a step-daughter .

send her out into the fields , and let the cutting frost do for her . '

In vain did the poor old father weep and implore her pity ; she was firm , and he dared not gainsay her .

deserted by her father , the poor girl sat down under a fir-tree at the edge of the forest and began to weep silently .

suddenly she heard a faint sound : it was King Frost springing from tree to tree , and cracking his fingers as he went .

' Well , maiden , ' he snapped out , ' do you know who I am ?

I am King Frost , king of the red-noses . '

' All hail to you , great King ! ' answered the girl , in a gentle , trembling voice .

' Have you come to take me ? '

' Are you warm , maiden ? ' he replied .

' Quite warm , King Frost , ' she answered , though she shivered as she spoke .

' Maiden , are you warm ?

are you warm , you beautiful girl ? '

and though her breath was almost frozen on her lips , she whispered gently , ' Quite warm , King Frost . '

' Maiden , are you still warm ?

are you still warm , little love ? '

and the poor girl was so stiff and numb that she could just gasp , ' Still warm , O King ! '

in the meantime the wicked step-mother was waiting at home for news of the girl 's death , and preparing pancakes for the funeral feast .

just as the old man was leaving the house the little dog under the table began to bark , saying :

' YOUR daughter shall live to be your delight ; HER daughter shall die this very night . '

' Hold your tongue , you foolish beast ! ' scolded the woman .

' There 's a pancake for you , but you must say :

" HER daughter shall have much silver and gold ; HIS daughter is frozen quite stiff and cold . " '

but the doggie ate up the pancake and barked , saying :

' His daughter shall wear a crown on her head ; Her daughter shall die unwooed , unwed . '

for a moment the step-mother 's eyes were dazzled .

in a few minutes King Frost came past , and , looking at the girl , he said :

' Are you warm , maiden ? '

' What a blind old fool you must be to ask such a question ! ' she answered angrily .

' Can't you see that my hands and feet are nearly frozen ? '

but the doggie beneath the table began to bark , saying :

' Your daughter is frozen quite stiff and cold , And shall never have a chest full of gold . '

' Don't tell such wicked lies ! ' scolded the woman .

' There 's a cake for you ; now say :

" HER daughter shall marry a mighty King . "

THE DEATH OF THE SUN-HERO ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Bukowinaer Tales and Legends .

von Wliolocki .

Many , many thousand years ago there lived a mighty King whom heaven had blessed with a clever and beautiful son .

now it happened one night that both his parents had the same extraordinary dream .

the Prince was delighted at the prospect , and set out on his travels that very day .

he knocked at the door , which was opened noiselessly and by invisible hands .

finding no one about , the Prince rode on , and came to a great meadow , where the Sun-Tree grew .

then he heard some one behind him laughing .

turning round , he saw the girl in red walking towards him , who addressed him in these words :

before you can do that , you have a difficult task before you .

do you think you can undertake this ? '

' Yes , ' answered the Sun-Hero , ' I will guard the Tree of the Sun nine days and nine nights . '

then the girl continued : ' Remember , though , if you do not succeed the Sun will kill you .

now begin your watch . '

with these words the Red Girl went back into the golden castle .

so watch and keep the wolves away . '

the youth mounted his horse sadly , and rode home .

so cheer up and be happy . '

and a similar fate will overtake everyone under the Sun who wrongfully assumes a title to which he has no right . '

THE WITCH ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Russian .

once upon a time there was a peasant whose wife died , leaving him with two children twins a boy and a girl .

and so one morning she spoke to them , saying :

' We will first go and see our own dear grandmother , and tell her where our step-mother is sending us . '

and when the grandmother heard where they were going , she cried and said :

' You poor motherless children !

how I pity you ; and yet I can do nothing to help you !

your step-mother is not sending you to her granny , but to a wicked witch who lives in that great gloomy wood .

now listen to me , children .

who knows if , after all , help may not be sent to you ? '

' Who 's there ? ' she snarled , in an awful voice , when she saw the children .

and they answered civilly , though they were so terrified that they hid behind one another , and said :

' Good-morning , granny ; our step-mother has sent us to wait upon you , and serve you . '

' See that you do it well , then , ' growled the witch .

you have been gently reared , but you 'll find my work hard enough .

see if you don't . '

' Little girl , why are your eyes so red ?

if you want help , then give us some bread . '

and the girl gave them the bread that her grandmother had given her .

and the wrens said :

' Give us some crumbs , then you need not grieve .

for you 'll find that water will stay in the sieve . '

then the twins crumbled their bread on the ground , and the wrens pecked it , and chirruped and chirped .

so he did what they said , and carried the sieve full of water into the hut without spilling a drop .

when they entered the hut the cat was curled up on the floor .

so they stroked her , and fed her with ham , and said to her :

' Pussy , grey pussy , tell us how we are to get away from the witch ? '

as soon as the handkerchief touched the ground a deep , broad river would spring up , which would hinder the witch 's progress .

the cat had scarcely finished speaking when the witch returned to see if the children had fulfilled their tasks .

then the witch left them to their tasks , and went out into the wood .

then they were hindered by the birch-trees , whose branches almost put their eyes out .

in the meantime in the hut the cat was busy weaving the linen and tangling the threads as it wove .

and the witch returned to see how the children were getting on ; and she crept up to the window , and whispered :

' Are you weaving , my little dear ? '

' Yes , granny , I am weaving , ' answered the cat .

why did you not scratch their eyes out ? '

then the witch was furious with the watch-dog and with the birch-trees , because they had let the children pass .

but the dog answered :

but the twins ran straight on till they reached their own home .

THE HAZEL-NUT CHILD ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Bukowniaer .

Van Wliolocki .

at last Heaven heard their prayer and sent them a child exactly the size of a hazel-nut , and it never grew an inch .

the parents were very devoted to the little creature , and nursed and tended it carefully .

what do you intend to be ? '

' A messenger , ' answered the Hazel-nut child .

then his mother burst out laughing and said , ' What an idea !

you a messenger !

why , your little feet would take an hour to go the distance an ordinary person could do in a minute ! '

but the Hazel-nut child replied , ' Nevertheless I mean to be a messenger !

just send me a message and you 'll see that I shall be back in next to no time . '

so his mother said , ' Very well , go to your aunt in the neighbouring village , and fetch me a comb . '

the Hazel-nut child jumped quickly out of the egg-shell and ran out into the street .

here he found a man on horseback who was just setting out for the neighbouring village .

on the way home he met another rider , and did the return journey in exactly the same way .

his father too possessed a horse which he often used to take out into the fields to graze .

one day he took the Hazel-nut child with him .

at midday the father turned to his small son and said , ' Stay here and look after the horse .

I must go home and give your mother a message , but I shall be back soon . '

so he mounted the horse and rode away .

one autumn when the Hazel-nut child was twenty years old he said to his parents : ' Farewell , my dear father and mother .

I am going to set out into the world , and as soon as I have become rich I will return home to you . '

the parents laughed at the little man 's words , but did not believe him for a moment .

in the evening the Hazel-nut child crept on to the roof , where some storks had built their nest .

the next morning the storks flew towards the south , for winter was approaching .

in this way he reached the country of the black people , where the storks took up their abode close to the capital .

when the people saw the Hazel-nut child they were much astonished , and took him with the stork to the King of the country .

so the Hazel-nut child and his parents lived in happiness and prosperity after this till they died .

THE STORY OF BIG KLAUS AND LITTLE KLAUS

in a certain village there lived two people who had both the same name .

both were called Klaus , but one owned four horses and the other only one .

now you shall hear what befell them both , for this is a true story .

' You mustn't say that , ' said Big Klaus .

' Only one horse is yours . '

' I really won't say it again ! ' said Little Klaus .

' Alas !

now I have no horse ! ' said Little Klaus , beginning to cry .

he had a long way to go , and had to pass through a great dark forest .

right in front of him was a large farm-house .

the window-shutters were closed , but the light came through the chinks .

' Well , I must lie down outside , ' said Little Klaus ; and the farmer 's wife shut the door in his face .

close by stood a large haystack , and between it and the house a little out-house , covered with a flat thatched roof .

for a live stork was standing on the roof , where it had its nest .

so Little Klaus crept up into the out-house , where he lay down , and made himself comfortable for the night .

the wooden shutters over the windows were not shut at the top , and he could just see into the room .

there stood a large table , spread with wine and roast meat and a beautiful fish .

the farmer 's wife and the sexton sat at the table , but there was no one else .

she was filling up his glass , while he stuck his fork into the fish which was his favourite dish .

' If one could only get some of that ! ' thought Little Klaus , stretching his head towards the window .

ah , what delicious cakes he saw standing there !

it WAS a feast !

then he heard someone riding along the road towards the house .

it was the farmer coming home .

he was a very worthy man ; but he had one great peculiarity namely , that he could not bear to see a sexton .

if he saw one he was made quite mad .

but when they heard the farmer coming they were frightened , and the farmer 's wife begged the sexton to creep into a great empty chest .

he did so , as he knew the poor man could not bear to see a sexton .

' Oh , dear ! oh , dear ! ' groaned Little Klaus up in the shed , when he saw the good food disappearing .

' Is anybody up there ? ' asked the farmer , catching sight of Little Klaus .

' Why are you lying there ?

come with me into the house . '

then Little Klaus told him how he had lost his way , and begged to be allowed to spend the night there .

' Yes , certainly , ' said the farmer ; ' but we must first have something to eat ! '

the wife received them both very kindly , spread a long table , and gave them a large plate of porridge .

the porridge did not taste good to him , so he trod upon his sack , and the dry skin in the sack squeaked loudly .

' Hallo ! what have you got in your sack ? ' asked the farmer .

' Oh , it is a wizard ! ' said Little Klaus .

' He says we should not eat porridge , for he has conjured the whole oven full of roast meats and fish and cakes . '

Little Klaus now trod again on his sack , so that the skin squeaked .

' What does he say now ? ' asked the farmer .

the wife had to fetch the wine which she had hidden , and the farmer drank and grew very merry .

he would very much like to have had such a wizard as Little Klaus had in the sack .

' Can he conjure up the Devil ? ' asked the farmer .

' I should like to see him very much , for I feel just now in very good spirits ! '

' Yes , ' said Little Klaus ; ' my wizard can do everything that I ask .

isn't that true ? ' he asked , treading on the sack so that it squeaked .

' Do you hear ?

he says " yes ; " but that the Devil looks so ugly that we should not like to see him . '

' Oh !

I 'm not at all afraid .

what does he look like ? '

' He will show himself in the shape of a sexton ! '

' I say ! ' said the farmer , ' he must be ugly !

you must know that I can't bear to look at a sexton !

but it doesn't matter .

I know that it is the Devil , and I sha'n't mind !

I feel up to it now .

but he must not come too near me ! '

' I must ask my wizard , ' said Little Klaus , treading on the sack and putting his ear to it .

' What does he say ? '

the farmer opened the lid a little way , and saw him inside .

' Ugh ! ' he shrieked , springing back .

' Yes , now I have seen him ; he looked just like our sexton .

oh , it was horrid ! '

so he had to drink again , and they drank till far on into the night .

' You MUST sell me the wizard , ' said the farmer .

' Ask anything you like !

I will pay you down a bushelful of money on the spot . '

' No , I really can't , ' said Little Klans .

' Just think how many things I can get from this wizard ! '

' Ah !

I should like to have him so much ! ' said the farmer , begging very hard .

you shall have the wizard for a bushel of money , but I must have full measure . '

' That you shall , ' said the farmer .

' But you must take the chest with you .

I won't keep it another hour in the house .

who knows that he isn't in there still ? '

Little Klaus gave the farmer his sack with the dry skin , and got instead a good bushelful of money .

the farmer also gave him a wheelbarrow to carry away his money and the chest .

' Farewell , ' said Little Klaus ; and away he went with his money and the big chest , wherein sat the sexton .

on the other side of the wood was a large deep river .

the water flowed so rapidly that you could scarcely swim against the stream .

' Now , what am I to do with this stupid chest ?

it is as heavy as if it were filled with stones !

I shall only be tired , dragging it along ; I will throw it into the river .

if it swims home to me , well and good ; and if it doesn't , it 's no matter . '

' No , don't do that ! ' called out the sexton in the chest .

' Let me get out first ! '

' Oh , oh ! ' said Little Klaus , pretending that he was afraid .

' He is still in there !

I must throw him quickly into the water to drown him ! '

' Oh ! no , no ! ' cried the sexton .

' I will give you a whole bushelful of money if you will let me go ! '

' Ah , that 's quite another thing ! ' said Little Klaus , opening the chest .

one he had had already from the farmer , and now he had his wheelbarrow full of money .

so he sent a boy to Big Klaus to borrow a bushel measure from him .

and this is just what happened ; for when he got his measure back , three new silver five-shilling pieces were sticking to it .

what does this mean ? ' said Big Klaus , and he ran off at once to Little Klaus .

' Where did you get so much money from ? '

' Oh , that was from my horse-skin .

I sold it yesterday evening . '

' Skins ! skins !

who will buy skins ? ' he cried through the streets .

all the shoemakers and tanners came running to ask him what he wanted for them .

' A bushel of money for each , ' said Big Klaus .

' Are you mad ? ' they all exclaimed .

' Do you think we have money by the bushel ? '

' Skins ! skins !

' Skins ! skins ! ' they cried mockingly ; yes , we will tan YOUR skin for you !

' Aha ! ' said he when he came home , ' Little Klaus shall pay dearly for this .

I will kill him ! '

Little Klaus ' grandmother had just died .

there she lay the whole night , while he sat in the corner and slept on a chair , which he had often done before .

and in the night as he sat there the door opened , and Big Klaus came in with his axe .

' There ! ' said he .

' Now you won't get the best of me again ! '

and he went home .

' What a very wicked man ! ' thought Little Klaus .

' He was going to kill me !

it was a good thing for my grandmother that she was dead already , or else he would have killed her ! '

when the sun rose they were in front of a large inn .

Little Klaus got down , and went in to get something to drink .

the host was very rich .

he was a very worthy but hot-tempered man .

' Good morning ! ' said he to Little Klaus .

' You are early on the road . '

' Yes , ' said Little Klaus .

' I am going to the town with my grandmother .

she is sitting outside in the cart ; I cannot bring her in .

will you not give her a glass of mead ?

but you will have to speak loud , for she is very hard of hearing . '

' Here is a glass of mead from your son , ' said the host .

but the dead woman did not answer a word , and sat still .

' Don't you hear ? ' cried the host as loud as he could .

' Here is a glass of mead from your son ! '

' Hullo ! ' cried Little Klaus , running out of the door , and seizing the host by the throat .

' You have killed my grandmother !

look ! there is a great hole in her forehead ! '

' Oh , what a misfortune ! ' cried the host , wringing his hands .

' It all comes from my hot temper !

dear Little Klaus !

So Little Klaus got a bushel of money , and the host buried his grandmother as if she had been his own .

now when Little Klaus again reached home with so much money he sent his boy to Big Klaus to borrow his bushel measure .

' What 's this ? ' said Big Klaus .

' Didn't I kill him ?

I must see to this myself ! '

so he went himself to Little Klaus with the measure .

' Well , now , where did you get all this money ? ' asked he , opening his eyes at the heap .

' You killed my grandmother not me , ' said Little Klaus .

' I sold her , and got a bushel of money for her . '

' Who is it , and how did you get it ? ' asked the apothecary .

' It is my grandmother , ' said Big Klaus .

' I killed her in order to get a bushel of money . '

' You are mad ! ' said the apothecary .

' Don't mention such things , or you will lose your head ! '

the apothecary and all the people thought he must be mad , so they let him go .

' You shall pay for this ! ' said Big Klaus as he drove home .

' You shall pay for this dearly , Little Klaus ! '

first I killed my horses , then my grandmother !

it is all your fault ; but you sha'n't do it again ! '

he had to go a long way before he came to the river , and Little Klaus was not very light .

the road passed by the church ; the organ was sounding , and the people were singing most beautifully .

Little Klaus could not get out , and everybody was in church ; so he went in .

' Oh , dear ! oh , dear ! ' groaned Little Klaus in the sack , twisting and turning himself .

but he could not undo the string .

there came by an old , old shepherd , with snow-white hair and a long staff in his hand .

he was driving a herd of cows and oxen .

these pushed against the sack so that it was overturned .

' Alas ! ' moaned Little Klans , ' I am so young and yet I must die ! '

' And I , poor man , ' said the cattle-driver , ' I am so old and yet I cannot die ! '

' I will gladly do that , ' said the cattle-driver ; and he opened the sack , and Little Klaus struggled out at once .

' How easy he is to carry now !

that must be because I heard part of the service . '

' Down you go !

you won't mock me any more now ! '

then he went home ; but when he came to the cross-roads , there he met Little Klaus , who was driving his cattle .

' What 's this ? ' said Big Klaus .

' Haven't I drowned you ? '

' Yes , ' replied Little Klaus ; ' you threw me into the river a good half-hour ago ! '

' But how did you get those splendid cattle ? ' asked Big Klaus .

' They are sea-cattle ! ' said Little Klaus .

how frightened I was when I was in the sack !

how the wind whistled in my ears as you threw me from the bridge into the cold water !

I sank at once to the bottom ; but I did not hurt myself for underneath was growing the most beautiful soft grass .

now I saw that the river was a great high-road for the sea-people .

along it they travel underneath from the sea to the land till the river ends .

what lovely people there were , and what fine cattle were grazing in the ditches and dykes ! '

' But why did you come up to us again ? ' asked Big Klaus .

' I should not have done so , if it is so beautiful down below ! '

' Oh ! ' said Little Klaus , ' that was just so politic of me .

but I know what windings the river makes , now here , now there , so that it is a long way round .

therefore it makes it much shorter if one comes on the land and drives across the field to the river .

thus I have spared myself quite half a mile , and have come much quicker to my sea-cattle ! '

' Oh , you 're a lucky fellow ! ' said Big Klaus .

' Do you think I should also get some cattle if I went to the bottom of the river ? '

' Oh , yes !

I think so , ' said Little Klaus .

' But I can't carry you in a sack to the river ; you are too heavy for me !

if you like to go there yourself and then creep into the sack , I will throw you in with the greatest of pleasure . '

' Oh , no !

don't be so hard on me ! '

then they went to the river .

when the cattle , which were thirsty , caught sight of the water , they ran as quickly as they could to drink .

' Look how they are running ! ' said Little Klaus .

' They want to go to the bottom again ! '

' Yes ; but help me first , ' said Big Klaus , ' or else you shall have a beating ! '

and so he crept into the large sack , which was lying on the back of one of the oxen .

' Put a stone in , for I am afraid I may not reach the bottom , ' said Big Klaus .

plump ! there was Big Klaus in the water , and he sank like lead to the bottom .

' I doubt if he will find any cattle ! ' said Little Klaus as he drove his own home .

PRINCE RING ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Icelandic .

once upon a time there was a King and his Queen in their kingdom .

they had one daughter , who was called Ingiborg , and one son , whose name was Ring .

when he was twelve years old , one fine winter day he rode into the forest along with his men to enjoy himself .

they went on a long way , until they caught sight of a hind with a gold ring on its horns .

the Prince went up to her and saluted her politely , and she received him very graciously .

then she fixed the top on the barrel and threw it out into the sea .

the old woman was greatly pleased , and began to fondle the Prince with the utmost delight .

he stayed there with them , and was very willing and obedient to them in everything , while they grew kinder to him every day .

then he saw that it was a big Dog , which spoke to him and said :

' Choose me , Prince Ring . '

the Giant was taken by surprise , and said :

' There , you chose my old woman 's right hand ; but I must not break my word . '

after he had walked on in silence for a time the Dog spoke to him and said :

' You don't seem to have much curiosity , seeing you never ask my name . '

the Prince then forced himself to ask , ' What is your name ? '

' You had best call me Snati-Snati , ' said the Dog .

the Prince now began to be less afraid of the Dog .

they came to the King and asked him to keep them all the winter , to which he agreed .

they replied that they didn't care a bit what he thought .

the King replied that it was only a short time since he had come there .

Red then asked him to send them both to cut down wood next morning , and see which of them could do most work .

next morning the King asked Ring and Red to go and cut down trees for him , and both agreed .

Ring was now in far greater esteem with the King than before , and Red was all the more discontented .

Ring grew terribly afraid .

' How do you like them ? ' asked Snati .

' Not well at all , ' said the Prince .

with this Snati leapt at the big one , and was not long in bringing him down .

each of them then began to flay their own ox , but Ring was only half through by the time Snati had finished his .

the Prince agreed , and laid everything on the Dog except the skin of the smaller ox , which he staggered along with himself .

one day a good idea came into his head .

he came to the King and said he had something to say to him .

' What is that ? ' said the King .

' Don't remind me of them ! ' said the King .

' What is that ? ' said Ring .

if you can bring them to me before Christmas I will give you my daughter in marriage . '

' Where am I to look for them , then ? ' said Ring .

' That you must find out for yourself , ' said the King : ' I don't know . '

the Prince assented to this , and began to prepare for the journey .

' We must go up here , ' said Snati .

' I don't think that will be child 's play , ' said the Prince .

the Prince began to get giddy , but up went Snati on to the second shelf .

this was on Christmas Eve .

' Now you must empty all the salt into the porridge-pot , ' said Snati .

Ring did so , and soon the trolls wakened up .

the old hag , who was the most frightful of them all , went first to taste the porridge .

' How comes this ? ' she said ; ' the porridge is salt !

I got the milk by witchcraft yesterday out of four kingdoms , and now it is salt ! '

' I won't go , ' said she , ' unless you lend me your bright gold piece . '

' Though I should die you shan't have that , ' said the hag .

' Die , then , ' said the girl .

the girl took the gold and ran out with it , and it was so bright that it shone all over the plain .

' I won't go , ' said he , ' unless I get the gold cloak . '

' Though I should die you shan't have that , ' said the hag .

' Die , then , ' said the son .

he put on the cloak , and when he came outside it shone so bright that he could see to go with it .

' I won't go , ' said the old troll , ' unless you lend me the gold chess-board . '

' Though I should die you shan't have that , ' said the hag .

Snati immediately sprang upon him , and Ring assisted in the attack , and after a hard struggle they mastered him a second time .

when they got back again to the window they saw that the old hag was moving towards the door .

she is the worst witch that ever lived , and no iron can cut her .

one of us must pour boiling porridge out of the pot on her , and the other punch her with red-hot iron . '

then they burned the old troll and her to ashes , and explored the cave , where they found plenty of gold and treasures .

the most valuable of these they carried with them as far as the cliff , and left them there .

Ring said he was welcome to do so , and that he deserved more from him than that came to .

so the King sent for Ring and asked him for what reason he had done this .

the King went with him to his sleeping-room , and saw lying on the bed a man 's hand holding a sword .

so Red was hanged , and Ring married the King 's daughter .

Ring instantly took the skin and burned it , and then shook the Prince , who was lying unconscious , until he woke up .

the bridegroom then asked his name ; he replied that he was called Ring , and was a King 's son .

then they went to the island and removed all that was valuable from it .

THE SWINEHERD

there was once a poor Prince .

he possessed a kingdom which , though small , was yet large enough for him to marry on , and married he wished to be .

now it was certainly a little audacious of him to venture to say to the Emperor 's daughter , ' Will you marry me ? '

but he did venture to say so , for his name was known far and wide .

there were hundreds of princesses who would gladly have said ' Yes , ' but would she say the same ?

well , we shall see .

on the grave of the Prince 's father grew a rose-tree , a very beautiful rose-tree .

it only bloomed every five years , and then bore but a single rose , but oh , such a rose !

its scent was so sweet that when you smelt it you forgot all your cares and troubles .

and he had also a nightingale which could sing as if all the beautiful melodies in the world were shut up in its little throat .

this rose and this nightingale the Princess was to have , and so they were both put into silver caskets and sent to her .

and when she caught sight of the big caskets which contained the presents , she clapped her hands for joy .

' If only it were a little pussy cat ! ' she said .

but the rose-tree with the beautiful rose came out .

' But how prettily it is made ! ' said all the ladies-in-waiting .

' It is more than pretty , ' said the Emperor , ' it is charming ! '

but the Princess felt it , and then she almost began to cry .

' Ugh !

papa , ' she said , ' it is not artificial , it is REAL ! '

' Ugh ! ' said all the ladies-in-waiting , ' it is real ! '

it sang so beautifully that one could scarcely utter a cross word against it .

' Superbe ! charmant ! ' said the ladies-in-waiting , for they all chattered French , each one worse than the other .

' How much the bird reminds me of the musical snuff-box of the late Empress ! ' said an old courtier .

' Ah , yes , it is the same tone , the same execution ! '

' Yes , ' said the Emperor ; and then he wept like a little child .

' I hope that this , at least , is not real ? ' asked the Princess .

' Yes , it is a real bird , ' said those who had brought it .

' Then let the bird fly away , ' said the Princess ; and she would not on any account allow the Prince to come .

' But he was nothing daunted .

he painted his face brown and black , drew his cap well over his face , and knocked at the door .

' Good-day , Emperor , ' he said .

' Can I get a place here as servant in the castle ? '

and the Prince got the situation of Imperial Swineherd .

all round it were little bells , and when the pot boiled they jingled most beautifully and played the old tune

' Where is Augustus dear ?

alas ! he 's not here , here , here ! '

that was indeed something quite different from the rose .

it was the only tune she knew , but that she could play with one finger .

' Why , that is what I play ! ' she said .

' He must be a most accomplished Swineherd !

listen !

go down and ask him what the instrument costs . '

and one of the ladies-in-waiting had to go down ; but she put on wooden clogs .

' What will you take for the pot ? ' asked the lady-in-waiting .

' I will have ten kisses from the Princess , ' answered the Swineherd .

' Heaven forbid ! ' said the lady-in-waiting .

' Yes , I will sell it for nothing less , ' replied the Swineherd .

' Well , what does he say ? ' asked the Princess .

' I really hardly like to tell you , ' answered the lady-in-waiting .

' Oh , then you can whisper it to me . '

' He is disobliging ! ' said the Princess , and went away .

but she had only gone a few steps when the bells rang out so prettily

' Where is Augustus dear ?

alas ! he 's not here , here , here . '

' Listen ! ' said the Princess .

' Ask him whether he will take ten kisses from my ladies-in-waiting . '

' No , thank you , ' said the Swineherd .

' Ten kisses from the Princess , or else I keep my pot . '

' That is very tiresome ! ' said the Princess .

' But you must put yourselves in front of me , so that no one can see . '

what happiness that was !

the ladies-in-waiting danced and clapped their hands .

' Yes , very interesting ! ' said the first lady-in-waiting .

' But don't say anything about it , for I am the Emperor 's daughter . '

' Oh , no , of course we won't ! ' said everyone .

' But that is superbe ! ' said the Princess as she passed by .

' I have never heard a more beautiful composition .

listen !

go down and ask him what this instrument costs ; but I won't kiss him again . '

' He wants a hundred kisses from the Princess , ' said the lady-in-waiting who had gone down to ask him .

' One ought to encourage art , ' she said .

' I am the Emperor 's daughter !

tell him he shall have , as before , ten kisses ; the rest he can take from my ladies-in-waiting . '

' But we don't at all like being kissed by him , ' said the ladies-in-waiting .

' That 's nonsense , ' said the Princess ; ' and if I can kiss him , you can too .

besides , remember that I give you board and lodging . '

so the ladies-in-waiting had to go down to him again .

' A hundred kisses from the Princess , ' said he , ' or each keeps his own . '

' What can that commotion be by the pigsties ? ' asked the Emperor , who was standing on the balcony .

he rubbed his eyes and put on his spectacles .

' Why those are the ladies-in-waiting playing their games ; I must go down to them . '

so he took off his shoes , which were shoes though he had trodden them down into slippers .

what a hurry he was in , to be sure !

he stood on tiptoe .

' Be off with you ! ' said the Emperor , for he was very angry .

and the Princess and the Swineherd were driven out of the empire .

then she stood still and wept ; the Swineherd was scolding , and the rain was streaming down .

' Alas , what an unhappy creature I am ! ' sobbed the Princess .

' If only I had taken the beautiful Prince !

alas , how unfortunate I am ! '

' I now come to this .

I despise you ! ' he said .

this is what you get for it ! '

and he went into his kingdom and shut the door in her face , and she had to stay outside singing

' Where 's my Augustus dear ?

alas ! he 's not here , here , here !

HOW TO TELL A TRUE PRINCESS

there was once upon a time a Prince who wanted to marry a Princess , but she must be a true Princess .

so he travelled through the whole world to find one , but there was always something against each .

there were plenty of Princesses , but he could not find out if they were true Princesses .

in every case there was some little defect , which showed the genuine article was not yet found .

so he came home again in very low spirits , for he had wanted very much to have a true Princess .

one night there was a dreadful storm ; it thundered and lightened and the rain streamed down in torrents .

it was fearful !

there was a knocking heard at the Palace gate , and the old King went to open it .

there stood a Princess outside the gate ; but oh , in what a sad plight she was from the rain and the storm !

the water was running down from her hair and her dress into the points of her shoes and out at the heels again .

and yet she said she was a true Princess !

' Well , we shall soon find that ! ' thought the old Queen .

then she put twenty mattresses on top of the pea , and twenty eider-down quilts on the top of the mattresses .

and this was the bed in which the Princess was to sleep .

the next morning she was asked how she had slept .

' Oh , very badly ! ' said the Princess .

' I scarcely closed my eyes all night !

I am sure I don't know what was in the bed .

I laid on something so hard that my whole body is black and blue .

it is dreadful ! '

now they perceived that she was a true Princess , because she had felt the pea through the twenty mattresses and the twenty eider-down quilts .

no one but a true Princess could be so sensitive .

so the Prince married her , for now he knew that at last he had got hold of a true Princess .

and the pea was put into the Royal Museum , where it is still to be seen if no one has stolen it .

now this is a true story .

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

the chance came and they took it .

on the second morning the Scotsman saw from the top of his tree a great castle far away .

at this he looked up , and saw the most beautiful woman he had ever set eyes on .

' Oh , it is Fortune that has sent you to me , ' he said .

' It is indeed , ' said she .

' What are you in need of , or what has sent you here ? '

' Necessity , ' said he .

' I am dying for want of food and drink . '

' Come inside , then , ' she said ; ' there is plenty of both here . '

she then set food before him , and after that showed him to the room where the others were .

he lay down on one of the beds and fell sound asleep .

and now we must go back to the two that he left behind him in the wood .

off he went without saying a word to the Irishman , and everything happened to him just as it had done to the Scotsman .

when night came he climbed up into the same tree as the Englishman had been on the night before .

this he did very willingly , and she set before him food and drink that he had never seen the like of before .

' I shall tell you that , ' said she .

if ever I saw a man who looked likely to do this , you are the one .

every other man that has come , so long as I have been here , lies asleep in the big room down there . '

' I am the man for you , then , ' said he ; ' I will take on hand to do it . '

' I won't , ' he said .

the next moment the door came flying in , and those outside along with it .

the Irishman was little more than alive by this time .

as soon as daylight appeared the Princess came , and found him lying full length on the floor , unable to speak a word .

she tried to see if there was breath in him , but could not quite make it out .

then she put her hand on his pulse , and found a faint movement in it .

so that business was finished , and the Princess was freed from the spell .

he told her to ' be aisy , ' and not speak like that to him .

' Where did you come from , my lad ? ' said the Irishman .

' I came to make ready your food for you , ' said he .

' Who told you to do that ? ' said the Irishman .

' My mistress , ' answered the lad ' the Princess that was under the spell and is now free . '

by this the Irishman knew that she had sent the lad to wait on him .

before long the Princess came with the carriage and four horses , and asked the lad whether his master was awake .

he said that he wasn't .

' It is bad for him , ' said she , ' when the night is not long enough for him to sleep .

as soon as she was gone the lad took the pin out of his master 's coat , who instantly awoke .

the first word he said to the lad was , ' Have you seen her ? '

' Dear ! dear ! ' said the Princess , ' I am sorry for him .

was the sleep he had last night not enough for him ?

with this she went off , and as soon as she had gone the lad took the pin out of his master 's coat .

he awoke instantly , and the first word he said was , ' Have you seen her ? '

the lad said that he had , and there was the sword she had left for him .

they started to their feet at once , and he gave them as much silver and gold as they could carry when they went away .

so he took the best horse in the stable and set out .

three years he spent travelling through forests and wildernesses , but could find no one able to tell him anything of the Princess .

he looked at this , and read there , ' You will find me in the Blue Mountains . '

seeing a stranger on horseback , he asked what brought him there and where he was going .

' Come in , ' said the old man , ' and stay with me all night .

the Irishman stayed there all night , and as soon as morning came rose to go .

the Irishman answered that he could never go these nine hundred miles , for his horse was giving in already .

' That doesn't matter , ' said the old man ; ' I can do better than that .

I have only to blow my whistle and you will be at my brother 's house before nightfall . '

' I am going to see if I can find anyone that can tell me where the Blue Mountains are , ' he said .

he stayed there all night , but there was not a word in the book about the Blue Mountains .

so he blew his whistle , and the Irishman landed at the brother 's house before nightfall .

' Where are you going to ? ' he said .

' I am going about asking for the Blue Mountains , ' said the Irishman .

' The Blue Mountains ? ' said the old man .

' Yes , ' said the Irishman .

' I never heard the name before ; but if they do exist I shall find them out .

I am master of all the birds in the world , and have only to blow my whistle and every one will come to me .

so he blew his whistle , and when he blew it then all the birds of the world began to gather .

soon afterwards he saw something big coming towards him , darkening the sky .

it kept coming nearer and growing bigger , and what was this after all but the Eagle ?

when she arrived the old man scolded her , and asked what had kept her so long behind .

' Where have you come from , then ? ' said the old man .

' From the Blue Mountains , ' said she .

' Indeed ! ' said the old man ; and what are they doing there ? '

now she can wait no longer , for three years is the time that she agreed with her father to remain without marrying . '

as soon as the Irishman and the old man heard her demand they went out hunting , and before evening they had killed three-score cattle .

fortunately the points of his toes just touched the bottom , and he managed to get ashore .

he went into the first house he came to , and this happened to be the house of the King 's hen-wife .

he asked the old woman what was causing all the noise and light in the town .

' There is a guinea for you , ' said he ; ' go and bring her here . '

the old woman went , and soon returned along with the Princess .

she and the Irishman recognised each other , and were married , and had a great wedding that lasted for a year and a day .

THE TINDER-BOX

a soldier came marching along the high road left , right !

a left , right !

an old Witch met him on the road .

she was very ugly to look at : her under-lip hung down to her breast .

' Good evening , Soldier ! ' she said .

' What a fine sword and knapsack you have !

you are something like a soldier !

you ought to have as much money as you would like to carry ! '

' Thank you , old Witch , ' said the Soldier .

' Do you see that great tree there ? ' said the Witch , pointing to a tree beside them .

' It is hollow within .

you must climb up to the top , and then you will see a hole through which you can let yourself down into the tree .

I will tie a rope round your waist , so that I may be able to pull you up again when you call . '

' What shall I do down there ? ' asked the Soldier .

' Get money ! ' answered the Witch .

' Listen !

then you will see three doors , which you can open the keys are in the locks .

it is copper there .

but don't take any notice of him ; just set him upon my apron , and help yourself to the money .

but the dog that guards the chest there has eyes as large as the Round Tower at Copenhagen !

he is a savage dog , I can tell you ; but you needn't be afraid of him either .

' Come , this is not bad ! ' said the Soldier .

' But what am I to give you , old Witch ; for surely you are not going to do this for nothing ? '

' Yes , I am ! ' replied the Witch .

' Not a single farthing will I take !

for me you shall bring nothing but an old tinder-box which my grandmother forgot last time she was down there . '

' Well , tie the rope round my waist ! ' said the Soldier .

' Here it is , ' said the Witch , ' and here is my blue-check apron . '

well , he opened the first door .

Ugh ! there sat the dog with eyes as big as saucers glaring at him .

sure enough there sat the dog with eyes as large as mill-wheels .

' You had better not look at me so hard ! ' said the Soldier .

' Your eyes will come out of their sockets ! '

and then he set the dog on the apron .

then he went into the third room .

' Good evening ! ' said the Soldier and saluted , for he had never seen a dog like this before .

heavens ! what a heap of gold there was !

now he was rich indeed .

he put the dog back upon the chest , shut the door , and then called up through the tree :

' Now pull me up again , old Witch ! '

' Have you got the tinder-box also ? ' asked the Witch .

' Botheration ! ' said the Soldier , ' I had clean forgotten it ! '

and then he went back and fetched it .

' What do you want to do with the tinder-box ? ' asked the Soldier .

' That doesn't matter to you , ' replied the Witch .

' You have got your money , give me my tinder-box . '

' We 'll see ! ' said the Soldier .

' No ! ' screamed the Witch .

the Soldier immediately cut off her head .

that was the end of her !

it was a splendid town !

it certainly occurred to the servant who had to clean his boots that they were astonishingly old boots for such a rich lord .

but that was because he had not yet bought new ones ; next day he appeared in respectable boots and fine clothes .

' How can one get to see her ? ' asked the Soldier .

' I should very much like to see her , ' thought the Soldier ; but he could not get permission .

and the Soldier liked that .

none of his friends came to visit him there , for there were too many stairs to climb .

it was a dark evening , and he could not even buy a light .

' What does my lord command ? '

' What 's the meaning of this ? ' exclaimed the Soldier .

' This is a pretty kind of tinder-box , if I can get whatever I want like this .

now the Soldier knew what a capital tinder-box this was .

now , the Soldier went down again to his beautiful rooms , and appeared once more in splendid clothes .

all his friends immediately recognised him again , and paid him great court .

one day he thought to himself : ' It is very strange that no one can get to see the Princess .

can I not manage to see her somehow ?

the dog was already outside the door , and before the Soldier could look round , in he came with the Princess .

she was lying asleep on the dog 's back , and was so beautiful that anyone could see she was a real Princess .

the Soldier really could not refrain from kissing her he was such a thorough Soldier .

then the dog ran back with the Princess .

' That is certainly a fine story , ' said the Queen .

but the lady-in-waiting slipped on india-rubber shoes and followed them .

then she went home and lay down , and the dog came back also , with the Princess .

Early next morning the King , Queen , ladies-in-waiting , and officers came out to see where the Princess had been .

' There it is ! ' said the King , when he saw the first door with a cross on it .

' No , there it is , my dear ! ' said the Queen , when she likewise saw a door with a cross .

then they realised that the sign would not help them at all .

but the Queen was an extremely clever woman , who could do a great deal more than just drive in a coach .

she took her great golden scissors , cut up a piece of silk , and made a pretty little bag of it .

there he sat .

oh , how dark and dull it was there !

and they told him : ' To-morrow you are to be hanged . '

hearing that did not exactly cheer him , and he had left his tinder-box in the inn .

he heard the drums and saw the soldiers marching ; all the people were running to and fro .

' Oh , shoemaker 's boy , you needn't be in such a hurry ! ' said the Soldier to him .

' There 's nothing going on till I arrive .

but if you will run back to the house where I lived , and fetch me my tinder-box , I will give you four shillings .

but you must put your best foot foremost . '

outside the town a great scaffold had been erected , and all round were standing the soldiers , and hundreds of thousands of people .

the King and Queen were sitting on a magnificent throne opposite the judges and the whole council .

he would so much like to smoke a small pipe of tobacco ; it would be his last pipe in this world .

the King could not refuse him this , and so he took out his tinder-box , and rubbed it once , twice , three times .

' Help me now , so that I may not be hanged ! ' cried the Soldier .

then they put the Soldier into the King 's coach , and the three dogs danced in front , crying ' Hurrah ! '

and the boys whistled and the soldiers presented arms .

the Princess came out of the copper castle , and became Queen ; and that pleased her very much .

the wedding festivities lasted for eight days , and the dogs sat at table and made eyes at everyone .

THE WITCH IN THE STONE BOAT ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Icelandic .

Sigurd was not averse to this , and asked his father where he thought it best to look for a wife .

so the two parted , and Sigurd prepared for the journey , and went to where his father had directed him .

after that Sigurd married the Princess , and helped his father-in-law to govern the kingdom .

Sigurd now prepared to return home with his wife and child , and went on board ship to go by sea .

Sigurd and his Queen were one day on deck , when most of the others on the ship had fallen asleep .

there they sat and talked for a while , and had their little son along with them .

a good while after Sigurd had gone below the Queen saw something black on the sea , which seemed to be coming nearer .

last of all she took the Queen , put her into the boat , and said

' This spell I lay upon you , that you slacken not your course until you come to my brother in the Underworld . '

it was great carelessness of him , she said , to leave no one to watch the ship with her .

as soon as the child got into her charge he stopped crying , and behaved well as before .

after the sea-voyage it seemed to the King that the Queen had altered very much in many ways , and not for the better .

he thought her much more haughty and stubborn and difficult to deal with than she used to be .

before long others began to notice this as well as the King .

their room was next the Queen 's , and often during the day they heard the Queen talking .

as she said this she yawned tremendously , and in a moment had put on the appearance of a fearfully ugly troll .

she began to eat out of it , and never stopped till she had finished it .

the young fellows saw all this going on , but did not hear the two of them say anything to each other .

now we must go back to the King 's son after he had been put in charge of the nurse .

although the woman had not spoken a single word to her , the nurse was very much frightened , but told no one about it .

the King saw at once that it was his own Queen , and immediately hewed asunder the iron chain that was fastened to the belt .

at last , however , the noises and shaking stopped , and they began to come to themselves again .

the Giant 's dwelling , indeed , was right under the Palace , and the terrible shakings must have been caused by him in his death-throes .

the King now understood how the Queen he had had for some time past had been so ill-tempered .

the real Queen was now restored to all her dignity , and was beloved by all .

the nurse was married to a nobleman , and the King and Queen gave her splendid presents .

THUMBELINA

' Oh , we have just got one ready ! ' said the Witch .

put it in a flower-pot , and then you will see something happen . '

' Oh , thank you ! ' said the woman , and gave the Witch a shilling , for that was what it cost .

she was scarcely half a thumb in height ; so they called her Thumbelina .

an elegant polished walnut-shell served Thumbelina as a cradle , the blue petals of a violet were her mattress , and a rose-leaf her coverlid .

it was such a pretty sight !

she could sing , too , with a voice more soft and sweet than had ever been heard before .

one night , when she was lying in her pretty little bed , an old toad crept in through a broken pane in the window .

she was very ugly , clumsy , and clammy ; she hopped on to the table where Thumbelina lay asleep under the red rose-leaf .

there flowed a great wide stream , with slippery and marshy banks ; here the toad lived with her son .

Ugh ! how ugly and clammy he was , just like his mother !

' Croak , croak , croak ! ' was all he could say when he saw the pretty little girl in the walnut-shell .

' Don't talk so load , or you 'll wake her , ' said the old toad .

' She might escape us even now ; she is as light as a feather .

we will put her at once on a broad water-lily leaf in the stream .

that will be quite an island for her ; she is so small and light .

she can't run away from us there , whilst we are preparing the guest-chamber under the marsh where she shall live . '

Outside in the brook grew many water-lilies , with broad green leaves , which looked as if they were swimming about on the water .

the leaf farthest away was the largest , and to this the old toad swam with Thumbelina in her walnut-shell .

she wanted to fetch the pretty cradle to put it into her room before Thumbelina herself came there .

' Croak , croak , croak ! ' was all that the son could say .

when they saw her , they thought her so pretty that they were very sorry she should go down with the ugly toad to live .

no ; that must not happen .

they assembled in the water round the green stalk which supported the leaf on which she was sitting , and nibbled the stem in two .

away floated the leaf down the stream , bearing Thumbelina far beyond the reach of the toad .

the leaf floated farther and farther away ; thus Thumbelina left her native land .

a beautiful little white butterfly fluttered above her , and at last settled on the leaf .

oh , dear ! how terrified poor little Thumbelina was when the cockchafer flew off with her to the tree !

how very miserable ! '

' She has no feelers ! ' cried another .

' How ugly she is ! ' said all the lady chafers and yet Thumbelina was really very pretty .

so he flew down from the tree with her and put her on a daisy .

the whole summer poor little Thumbelina lived alone in the great wood .

thus the summer and autumn passed , but then came winter the long , cold winter .

she was terribly cold , for her clothes were ragged , and she herself was so small and thin .

poor little Thumbelina ! she would surely be frozen to death .

just outside the wood where she was now living lay a great corn-field .

but the corn had been gone a long time ; only the dry , bare stubble was left standing in the frozen ground .

this made a forest for her to wander about in .

all at once she came across the door of a field-mouse , who had a little hole under a corn-stalk .

there the mouse lived warm and snug , with a store-room full of corn , a splendid kitchen and dining-room .

' Poor little creature ! ' said the field-mouse , for she was a kind-hearted old thing at the bottom .

' Come into my warm room and have some dinner with me . '

and Thumbelina did all that the kind old field-mouse asked , and did it remarkably well too .

' Now I am expecting a visitor , ' said the field-mouse ; ' my neighbour comes to call on me once a week .

he is in better circumstances than I am , has great , big rooms , and wears a fine black-velvet coat .

if you could only marry him , you would be well provided for .

but he is blind .

you must tell him all the prettiest stories you know . '

but Thumbelina did not trouble her head about him , for he was only a mole .

he came and paid them a visit in his black-velvet coat .

' He is so rich and so accomplished , ' the field-mouse told her .

but the mole kicked him with his bandy legs and said :

' Now he can't sing any more !

it must be very miserable to be a little bird !

I 'm thankful that none of my little children are ; birds always starve in winter . '

' Yes , you speak like a sensible man , ' said the field-mouse .

' What has a bird , in spite of all his singing , in the winter-time ?

he must starve and freeze , and that must be very pleasant for him , I must say ! '

' Perhaps it was he that sang to me so prettily in the summer , ' she thought .

' How much pleasure he did give me , dear little bird ! '

the mole closed up the hole again which let in the light , and then escorted the ladies home .

' Farewell , pretty little bird ! ' she said .

then she laid her head against the bird 's heart .

Thumbelina trembled , she was so frightened ; for the bird was very large in comparison with herself only an inch high .

next night she crept out again to him .

' Thank you , pretty little child ! ' said the swallow to her .

' I am so beautifully warm !

soon I shall regain my strength , and then I shall be able to fly out again into the warm sunshine . '

so at last he had dropped down exhausted , and then he could remember no more .

the whole winter he remained down there , and Thumbelina looked after him and nursed him tenderly .

neither the mole nor the field-mouse learnt anything of this , for they could not bear the poor swallow .

' No , I mustn't come ! ' she said .

' Farewell , dear good little girl ! ' said the swallow , and flew off into the sunshine .

Thumbelina gazed after him with the tears standing in her eyes , for she was very fond of the swallow .

' Tweet , tweet ! ' sang the bird , and flew into the green wood .

Thumbelina was very unhappy .

she was not allowed to go out into the warm sunshine .

' Now you are to be a bride , Thumbelina ! ' said the field-mouse , ' for our neighbour has proposed for you !

what a piece of fortune for a poor child like you !

yes , when the summer had passed , they would keep the wedding .

but she was not at all pleased about it , for she did not like the stupid mole .

but he never came ; no doubt he had flown away far into the great green wood .

by the autumn Thumbelina had finished the dowry .

you will get a fine husband !

the King himself has not such a velvet coat .

his store-room and cellar are full , and you should be thankful for that . '

well , the wedding-day arrived .

the poor little girl was very sad ; for now she must say good-bye to the beautiful sun .

' Farewell , farewell ! ' she said , and put her arms round a little red flower that grew there .

' Give my love to the dear swallow when you see him ! '

' Tweet , tweet ! ' sounded in her ear all at once .

she looked up .

there was the swallow flying past !

as soon as he saw Thumbelina , he was very glad .

' The cold winter is coming now , ' said the swallow .

' I must fly away to warmer lands : will you come with me ?

do come with me , dear little Thumbelina , who saved my life when I lay frozen in the dark tunnel ! '

up he flew into the air , over woods and seas , over the great mountains where the snow is always lying .

but the swallow flew on farther , and it became more and more beautiful .

under the most splendid green trees besides a blue lake stood a glittering white-marble castle .

' Here is my house ! ' said he .

' But it won't do for you to live with me ; I am not tidy enough to please you .

' That will be splendid ! ' said she , clapping her little hands .

the swallow flew down with Thumbelina , and set her upon one of the broad leaves .

he was the spirit of the flower .

in each blossom there dwelt a tiny man or woman ; but this one was the King over the others .

' How handsome he is ! ' whispered Thumbelina to the swallow .

the little Prince was very much frightened at the swallow , for in comparison with one so tiny as himself he seemed a giant .

but when he saw Thumbelina , he was delighted , for she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen .

yes ! he was a different kind of husband to the son of the toad and the mole with the black-velvet coat .

so she said ' Yes ' to the noble Prince .

and out of each flower came a lady and gentleman , each so tiny and pretty that it was a pleasure to see them .

we will call you May Blossom . '

there he had a little nest above a window , where his wife lived , who can tell fairy-stories .

' Tweet , tweet ! ' he sang to her .

and that is the way we learnt the whole story .

THE NIGHTINGALE

in China , as I daresay you know , the Emperor is a Chinaman , and all his courtiers are also Chinamen .

if you ever got beyond it , you came to a stately forest with great trees and deep lakes in it .

the forest sloped down to the sea , which was a clear blue .

large ships could sail under the boughs of the trees , and in these trees there lived a Nightingale .

' How beautiful it is ! ' he said ; but he had to attend to his work , and forgot about the bird .

from all the countries round came travellers to the Emperor 's town , who were astonished at the Palace and the garden .

but when they heard the Nightingale they all said , ' This is the finest thing after all ! '

the books were circulated throughout the world , and some of them reached the Emperor .

he sat in his golden chair , and read and read .

he nodded his head every moment , for he liked reading the brilliant accounts of the town , the Palace , and the garden .

' But the Nightingale is better than all , ' he saw written .

' What is that ? ' said the Emperor .

' I don't know anything about the Nightingale !

is there such a bird in my empire , and so near as in my garden ?

I have never heard it !

fancy reading for the first time about it in a book ! '

and he called his First Lord to him .

' Here is a most remarkable bird which is called a Nightingale ! ' said the Emperor .

' They say it is the most glorious thing in my kingdom .

why has no one ever said anything to me about it ? '

' I have never before heard it mentioned ! ' said the First Lord .

' I will look for it and find it ! '

but where was it to be found ?

' Your Imperial Majesty cannot really believe all that is written !

there are some inventions called the Black Art ! '

she must be here this evening !

everyone was asking after the wonderful Nightingale which all the world knew of , except those at Court .

at last they met a poor little girl in the kitchen , who said , ' Oh !

I know the Nightingale well .

how she sings !

it brings tears to my eyes , and I feel as if my mother were kissing me ! '

and so they all went into the wood where the Nightingale was wont to sing , and half the Court went too .

when they were on the way there they heard a cow mooing .

' Oh ! ' said the Courtiers , ' now we have found her !

what a wonderful power for such a small beast to have !

I am sure we have heard her before ! '

' No ; that is a cow mooing ! ' said the little kitchenmaid .

' We are still a long way off ! '

then the frogs began to croak in the marsh .

' Splendid ! ' said the Chinese chaplain .

' Now we hear her ; it sounds like a little church-bell ! '

' No , no ; those are frogs ! ' said the little kitchenmaid .

' But I think we shall soon hear her now ! '

then the Nightingale began to sing .

' There she is ! ' cried the little girl .

' Listen !

she is sitting there ! '

and she pointed to a little dark-grey bird up in the branches .

' Is it possible ! ' said the First Lord .

' I should never have thought it !

how ordinary she looks !

she must surely have lost her feathers because she sees so many distinguished men round her ! '

' Little Nightingale , ' called out the little kitchenmaid , ' our Gracious Emperor wants you to sing before him ! '

' With the greatest of pleasure ! ' said the Nightingale ; and she sang so gloriously that it was a pleasure to listen .

' It sounds like glass bells ! ' said the First Lord .

' And look how her little throat works !

it is wonderful that we have never heard her before !

she will be a great success at Court . '

' Shall I sing once more for the Emperor ? ' asked the Nightingale , thinking that the Emperor was there .

at the Palace everything was splendidly prepared .

there was such a hurrying and draught that all the bells jingled so much that one could not hear oneself speak .

in the centre of the great hall where the Emperor sat was a golden perch , on which the Nightingale sat .

the whole Court was there , and the little kitchenmaid was allowed to stand behind the door , now that she was a Court-cook .

everyone was dressed in his best , and everyone was looking towards the little grey bird to whom the Emperor nodded .

the Nightingale sang so gloriously that the tears came into the Emperor 's eyes and ran down his cheeks .

then the Nightingale sang even more beautifully ; it went straight to all hearts .

the Emperor was so delighted that he said she should wear his gold slipper round her neck .

but the Nightingale thanked him , and said she had had enough reward already .

' I have seen tears in the Emperor 's eyes that is a great reward .

an Emperor 's tears have such power ! '

then she sang again with her gloriously sweet voice .

' That is the most charming coquetry I have ever seen ! ' said all the ladies round .

and they all took to holding water in their mouths that they might gurgle whenever anyone spoke to them .

then they thought themselves nightingales .

in short , the Nightingale was a real success .

she was given twelve servants , who each held a silken string which was fastened round her leg .

there was little pleasure in flying about like this .

yes , and eleven grocer 's children were called after her , but not one of them could sing a note .

one day the Emperor received a large parcel on which was written ' The Nightingale . '

' Here is another new book about our famous bird ! ' said the Emperor .

' Now they must sing together ; what a duet we shall have ! '

then the artificial bird had to sing alone .

Three-and-thirty times it sang the same piece without being tired .

people would like to have heard it again , but the Emperor thought that the living Nightingale should sing now but where was she ?

no one had noticed that she had flown out of the open window away to her green woods .

' What SHALL we do ! ' said the Emperor .

and all the Court scolded , and said that the Nightingale was very ungrateful .

but they did not yet know it by heart ; it was much too difficult .

they should hear it sing , commanded the Emperor .

the real Nightingale was banished from the kingdom .

and the bandmaster wrote a work of twenty-five volumes about the artificial bird .

so a whole year passed .

the Emperor , the Court , and all the Chinese knew every note of the artificial bird 's song by heart .

but they liked it all the better for this ; they could even sing with it , and they did .

the street boys sang ' Tra-la-la-la-la , and the Emperor sang too sometimes .

it was indeed delightful .

something snapped !

Whir-r-r ! all the wheels ran down and then the music ceased .

the Emperor sprang up , and had his physician summoned , but what could HE do !

here was a calamity !

only once a year was the artificial bird allowed to sing , and even that was almost too much for it .

but then the bandmaster made a little speech full of hard words , saying that it was just as good as before .

and so , of course , it WAS just as good as before .

so five years passed , and then a great sorrow came to the nation .

the Chinese look upon their Emperor as everything , and now he was ill , and not likely to live it was said .

' P ! ' said he , and shook his head .

and nothing came to break the silence .

the Emperor longed for something to come and relieve the monotony of this deathlike stillness .

if only someone would speak to him !

if only someone would sing to him .

music would carry his thoughts away , and would break the spell lying on him .

the moon was streaming in at the open window ; but that , too , was silent , quite silent .

' Music ! music ! ' cried the Emperor .

' You little bright golden bird , sing ! do sing !

but the bird was silent .

there was no one to wind it up , and so it could not sing .

and all was silent , so terribly silent !

all at once there came in at the window the most glorious burst of song .

and as she sang the blood flowed quicker and quicker in the Emperor 's weak limbs , and life began to return .

' Thank you , thank you ! ' said the Emperor .

' You divine little bird !

I know you .

I chased you from my kingdom , and you have given me life again !

how can I reward you ? '

' You have done that already ! ' said the Nightingale .

' I brought tears to your eyes the first time I sang .

I shall never forget that .

they are jewels that rejoice a singer 's heart .

but now sleep and get strong again ; I will sing you a lullaby . '

and the Emperor fell into a deep , calm sleep as she sang .

the sun was shining through the window when he awoke , strong and well .

none of his servants had come back yet , for they thought he was dead .

but the Nightingale sat and sang to him .

' You must always stay with me ! ' said the Emperor .

' You shall sing whenever you like , and I will break the artificial bird into a thousand pieces . '

' Don't do that ! ' said the Nightingale .

' He did his work as long as he could .

keep him as you have done !

I cannot build my nest in the Palace and live here ; but let me come whenever I like .

I will sing of joy , and of sorrow ; I will sing of the evil and the good which lies hidden from you .

I love your heart more than your crown , though that has about it a brightness as of something holy .

now I will sing to you again ; but you must promise me one thing '

' One thing I beg of you !

don't tell anyone that you have a little bird who tells you everything .

it will be much better not to ! '

then the Nightingale flew away .

the servants came in to look at their dead Emperor .

the Emperor said , ' Good-morning ! '

HERMOD AND HADVOR ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) from the Icelandic .

the King gave the promise , and thereafter the Queen died .

time went past , and the King , growing tired of living alone , fitted out his ship and sailed out to sea .

as he sailed there came upon him so thick a mist that he altogether lost his bearings , but after long trouble he found land .

there he laid his ship to , and went on shore all alone .

after walking for some time he came to a forest , into which he went a little way and stopped .

after the King had looked at them for a little he went forward and saluted them .

the King immediately asked her hand ; she gladly received his proposal and accepted him at once .

there he made a great feast , and celebrated his marriage with this woman ; and after that things are quiet for a time .

one time , when Olof was in the castle beside Hadvor , she asked the Princess if she knew where Hermod had gone to .

at this Hadvor became very sad , and said that she did not .

' I shall tell you then , ' said Olof , ' for I know all about it .

that will prove too much for him . '

Hadvor remained in her castle , and had made preparations to receive her wooer when he came .

one night , not long after , a loud noise and rumbling was heard under the castle .

Hadvor at once guessed what it was , and told her maids to be ready to help her .

with that the noises grew fainter and fainter , till at last they ceased altogether .

next morning the Queen rose early , and went out to the Palace gate , and there she found her brother the Giant lying dead .

the body of the dead Giant now became that of a beautiful prince , and the Queen went in again .

' I don't think , ' said she to the King , ' that your daughter is as good as she is said to be .

my brother came and asked her hand , and she has had him put to death .

I have just found his dead body lying at the Palace gate . '

the Queen 's decision was that the King should make a big grave-mound for her brother , and put Hadvor into it beside him .

the Giant 's ghost will walk after you are both left together in there , and he will have two dogs along with him .

after they were both left there everything happened just as Olof had said .

this Hadvor now did , and the Giant then let her get up on his shoulders to get out of the mound .

this strait she easily crossed , for the shoes kept her up .

on reaching the island she found a sandy beach all along by the sea , and high cliffs above .

you need only hold the end of the thread , and the clew will run on before and show you the way .

I also lay this belt beside you , to put on when you awaken ; it will keep you from growing faint with hunger . '

the woman now disappeared , and Hadvor woke , and saw that all her dream had been true .

the rope hung down from the cliff , and the clew and belt lay beside her .

she went into the cave , and saw there a low couch , under which she crept and lay down .

then she went back into the cave and wakened Hermod , and they had a most joyful meeting .

in the morning they talked over their plans , and were most at a loss to know how to get out of the island .

Hadvor told Hermod her dream , and said she suspected there was some one in the island who would be able to help them .

the next minute they saw coming after them another huge whale , followed by fifteen smaller ones .

all of these swam past the boat and went on to meet the whale .

now the story goes back to the King 's hall , where strange things had happened in the meantime .

the Queen and her daughter had disappeared , but a rat and a mouse were always fighting with each other there .

ever so many people had tried to drive them away , but no one could manage it .

all were astonished then by seeing two witches lying dead on the floor of the hall .

Hermod now told the whole story to the King , who was very glad to be rid of such vile creatures .

Olof married a good-looking nobleman , and that is the end of the story .

THE STEADFAST TIN-SOLDIER

there were once upon a time five-and twenty tin-soldiers all brothers , as they were made out of the same old tin spoon .

their uniform was red and blue , and they shouldered their guns and looked straight in front of them .

in front of the castle stood some little trees surrounding a tiny mirror which looked like a lake .

wax swans were floating about and reflecting themselves in it .

that was all very pretty ; but the most beautiful thing was a little lady , who stood in the open doorway .

this is no place for her !

but I must make her acquaintance . '

when the night came all the other tin-soldiers went into their box , and the people of the house went to bed .

then the toys began to play at visiting , dancing , and fighting .

the tin-soldiers rattled in their box , for they wanted to be out too , but they could not raise the lid .

the only two who did not stir from their places were the Tin-soldier and the little Dancer .

she remained on tip-toe , with both arms outstretched ; he stood steadfastly on his one leg , never moving his eyes from her face .

' Hullo , Tin-soldier ! ' said the imp .

' Don't look at things that aren't intended for the likes of you ! '

but the Tin-soldier took no notice , and seemed not to hear .

' Very well , wait till to-morrow ! ' said the imp .

that was a terrible fall , I can tell you !

he landed on his head with his leg in the air , his gun being wedged between two paving-stones .

soon it began to drizzle ; then the drops came faster , and there was a regular down-pour .

when it was over , two little street boys came along .

' Just look ! ' cried one .

' Here is a Tin-soldier !

he shall sail up and down in a boat ! '

what great waves there were in the gutter , and what a swift current !

all at once the boat passed under a long tunnel that was as dark as his box had been .

' Where can I be coming now ? ' he wondered .

' Oh , dear !

this is the black imp 's fault !

suddenly there came along a great water-rat that lived in the tunnel .

' Have you a passport ? ' asked the rat .

' Out with your passport ! '

but the Tin-soldier was silent , and grasped his gun more firmly .

the boat sped on , and the rat behind it .

he has not shown his passport ! '

but the current became swifter and stronger .

the Tin-soldier could already see daylight where the tunnel ended ; but in his ears there sounded a roaring enough to frighten any brave man .

now he was so near to it that he could not hold on any longer .

the boat whirled three , four times round , and became filled to the brim with water : it began to sink !

' Forward , forward , soldier bold !

death 's before thee , grim and cold ! '

the paper came in two , and the soldier fell but at that moment he was swallowed by a great fish .

oh ! how dark it was inside , even darker than in the tunnel , and it was really very close quarters !

but there the steadfast little Tin-soldier lay full length , shouldering his gun .

up and down swam the fish , then he made the most dreadful contortions , and became suddenly quite still .

she was still standing on one leg with the other high in the air ; she too was steadfast .

that touched the Tin-soldier , he was nearly going to shed tin-tears ; but that would not have been fitting for a soldier .

he looked at her , but she said nothing .

there was nothing left of the little Dancer but her gilt rose , burnt as black as a cinder .

BLOCKHEAD-HANS

far away in the country lay an old manor-house where lived an old squire who had two sons .

they thought themselves so clever , that if they had known only half of what they did know , it would have been quite enough .

' I shall win the king 's daughter ! ' they both cried .

then they oiled the corners of their mouths so that they might be able to speak more fluently .

' Oh , oh ! ' said Blockhead-Hans .

' Where are you off to ?

you are in your Sunday-best clothes ! '

' We are going to Court , to woo the Princess !

don't you know what is known throughout all the country side ? '

and they told him all about it .

' Hurrah !

I 'll go to ! ' cried Blockhead-Hans ; and the brothers laughed at him and rode off .

' Dear father ! ' cried Blockhead-Hans , ' I must have a horse too .

what a desire for marriage has seized me !

if she will have me , she WILL have me , and if she won't have me , I will have her . '

' Stop that nonsense ! ' said the old man .

' I will not give you a horse .

YOU can't speak ; YOU don't know how to choose your words .

your brothers !

ah ! they are very different lads ! '

and he did so .

he sat astride on the goat , struck his heels into its side , and went rattling down the high-road like a hurricane .

' Hoppetty hop ! what a ride ! '

here I come ! ' shouted Blockhead-Hans , singing so that the echoes were roused far and near .

but his brothers were riding slowly in front .

' Hullo ! ' bawled Blockhead-Hans , ' here I am !

just look what I found on the road ! ' and he showed them a dead crow which he had picked up .

' Blockhead ! ' said his brothers , ' what are you going to do with it ? '

' With the crow ?

I shall give it to the Princess ! '

' Do so , certainly ! ' they said , laughing loudly and riding on .

' Slap ! bang ! here I am again !

look what I have just found !

you don't find such things every day on the road ! '

and the brothers turned round to see what in the world he could have found .

' Blockhead ! ' said they , ' that is an old wooden shoe without the top !

are you going to send that , too , to the Princess ? '

' Of course I shall ! ' returned Blockhead-Hans ; and the brothers laughed and rode on a good way .

' Slap ! bang ! here I am ! ' cried Blockhead-Hans ; ' better and better it is really famous ! '

' What have you found now ? ' asked the brothers .

' Oh , ' said Blockhead-Hans , ' it is really too good !

how pleased the Princess will be ! '

' Why ! ' said the brothers , ' this is pure mud , straight from the ditch . '

' Of course it is ! ' said Blockhead-Hans , ' and it is the best kind !

look how it runs through one 's fingers ! ' and , so saying , he filled his pocket with the mud .

' It doesn't matter ! ' said the Princess .

' Away ! out with him ! '

it was fearful , and they had made up the fire so hot that it was grilling .

' It is hot in here , isn't it ! ' said the suitor .

' Of course it is !

my father is roasting young chickens to-day ! ' said the Princess .

' Ahem ! '

there he stood like an idiot .

he was not prepared for such a speech ; he did not know what to say , although he wanted to say something witty .

' Ahem ! '

' It doesn't matter ! ' said the Princess .

' Take him out ! ' and out he had to go .

now the other brother entered .

' How hot it is ! ' he said .

' Of course !

we are roasting young chickens to-day ! ' remarked the Princess .

' How do you um ! ' he said , and the reporters wrote down .

' How do you um . '

' It doesn't matter ! ' said the Princess .

' Take him out ! '

now Blockhead-Hans came in ; he rode his goat right into the hall .

' I say !

how roasting hot it is here ! ' said he .

' Of course !

I am roasting young chickens to-day ! ' said the Princess .

' That 's good ! ' replied Blockhead-Hans ; ' then can I roast a crow with them ? '

' Oh , rather ! ' said Blockhead-Hans .

' That is quite a meal ! ' said the Princess ; ' but where shall we get the soup from ? '

' I 've got that in my pocket ! ' said Blockhead-Hans .

' I have so much that I can quite well throw some away ! ' and he poured some mud out of his pocket .

' I like you ! ' said the Princess .

and the reporters giggled , and each dropped a blot of ink on the floor .

' Ah ! are those the great people ? ' said Blockhead-Hans .

' Then I will give the editor the best ! '

So saying , he turned his pockets inside out , and threw the mud right in his face .

' That was neatly done ! ' said the Princess .

' I couldn't have done it ; but I will soon learn how to ! '

a STORY ABOUT A DARNING-NEEDLE

there was once a Darning-needle who thought herself so fine that she believed she was an embroidery-needle .

' Take great care to hold me tight ! ' said the Darning-needle to the Fingers who were holding her .

' Don't let me fall !

if I once fall on the ground I shall never be found again , I am so fine ! '

' It is all right ! ' said the Fingers , seizing her round the waist .

the Fingers were using the needle on the cook 's shoe .

the upper leather was unstitched and had to be sewn together .

' This is common work ! ' said the Darning-needle .

' I shall never get through it .

I am breaking !

I am breaking ! '

and in fact she did break .

' Didn't I tell you so ! ' said the Darning-needle .

' I am too fine ! '

' Now I am a breast-pin ! ' said the Darning-needle .

' I always knew I should be promoted .

when one is something , one will become something ! '

and she laughed to herself ; you can never see when a Darning-needle is laughing .

then she sat up as proudly as if she were in a State coach , and looked all round her .

' May I be allowed to ask if you are gold ? ' she said to her neighbour , the Pin .

' You have a very nice appearance , and a peculiar head ; but it is too small !

you must take pains to make it grow , for it is not everyone who has a head of sealing-wax . '

' Now I am off on my travels ! ' said the Darning-needle .

' I do hope I sha'n't get lost ! '

she did indeed get lost .

and the Darning-needle kept her proud bearing and did not lose her good-temper .

all kinds of things swam over her shavings , bits of straw , and scraps of old newspapers .

' Just look how they sail along ! ' said the Darning-needle .

' They don't know what is underneath them !

here I am sticking fast !

there goes a shaving thinking of nothing in the world but of itself , a mere chip !

there goes a straw well , how it does twist and twirl , to be sure !

don't think so much about yourself , or you will be knocked against a stone .

there floats a bit of newspaper .

what is written on it is long ago forgotten , and yet how proud it is !

I am sitting patient and quiet .

I know who I am , and that is enough for me ! '

one day something thick lay near her which glittered so brightly that the Darning-needle thought it must be a diamond .

but it was a bit of bottle-glass , and because it sparkled the Darning-needle spoke to it , and gave herself out as a breast-pin .

' No doubt you are a diamond ? '

' Yes , something of that kind ! '

and each believed that the other was something very costly ; and they both said how very proud the world must be of them .

and yet they were only there to take me out of the work-box and to put me back again ! '

' Were they of noble birth , then ? ' asked the bit of bottle-glass .

' Of noble birth ! ' said the Darning-needle ; ' no indeed , but proud !

they were five brothers , all called " fingers . "

they held themselves proudly one against the other , although they were of different sizes .

Longman , the third , looked at the others over his shoulder .

there was too much ostentation , and so I came away . '

' And now we are sitting and shining here ! ' said the bit of bottle-glass .

at that moment more water came into the gutter ; it streamed over the edges and washed the bit of bottle-glass away .

' Ah ! now he has been promoted ! ' said the Darning-needle .

' I remain here ; I am too fine .

but that is my pride , which is a sign of respectability ! '

and she sat there very proudly , thinking lofty thoughts .

' I really believe I must have been born a sunbeam , I am so fine !

it seems to me as if the sunbeams were always looking under the water for me .

ah , I am so fine that my own mother cannot find me !

one day two street-urchins were playing and wading in the gutter , picking up old nails , pennies , and such things .

it was rather dirty work , but it was a great delight to them .

' I am not a fellow ; I am a young lady ! ' said the Darning-needle ; but no one heard .

' Here comes an egg-shell sailing along ! ' said the boys , and they stuck the Darning-needle into the egg-shell .

' The walls white and I black what a pretty contrast it makes ! ' said the Darning-needle .

' Now I can be seen to advantage !

if only I am not sea-sick !

I should give myself up for lost ! '

but she was not sea-sick , and did not give herself up .

' It is a good thing to be steeled against sea-sickness ; here one has indeed an advantage over man !

now my qualms are over .

the finer one is the more one can beat . '

' Crack ! ' said the egg-shell as a wagon-wheel went over it .

' Oh ! how it presses ! ' said the Darning-needle .

' I shall indeed be sea-sick now .

I am breaking ! '

but she did not break , although the wagon-wheel went over her ; she lay there at full length , and there she may lie .

end of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Yellow Fairy Book , by Various

produced by Charles Keller for Tina

THE VIOLET FAIRY BOOK

by Various

edited By Andrew Lang

TO VIOLET MYERS IS DEDICATED THE VIOLET FAIRY BOOK

PREFACE

he is accustomed to being asked , by ladies , ' Have you written anything else except the Fairy Books ? '

these stories are as old as anything that men have invented .

they are narrated by naked savage women to naked savage children .

the stories are full of the oldest ideas of ages when science did not exist , and magic took the place of science .

who were the first authors of them nobody knows probably the first men and women .

Eve may have told these tales to amuse Cain and Abel .

as people grew more civilised and had kings and queens , princes and princesses , these exalted persons generally were chosen as heroes and heroines .

then learned men collected and printed the country people 's stories , and these we have translated , to amuse children .

this is the whole truth of the matter .

I have said so before , and I say so again .

but nothing will prevent children from thinking that I invented the stories , or some ladies from being of the same opinion .

but who really invented the stories nobody knows ; it is all so long ago , long before reading and writing were invented .

Mr W A Craigie translated from the Scandinavian , ' Jasper who herded the Hares . '

Mrs Lang did the rest .

some of the most interesting are from the Roumanion , and three were previously published in the late Dr Steere 's ' Swahili Tales . '

by the permission of his representatives these three African stories have here been abridged and simplified for children .

CONTENTS

a TALE OF THE TONTLAWALD

the men were as dirty and ragged as gipsies , and there were besides a quantity of old women and half-naked children .

a few miles from the Tontlawald was a large village , where dwelt a peasant who had recently married a young wife .

as not uncommonly happens in such cases , she turned the whole house upside down , and the two quarrelled and fought all day long .

for two years Elsa suffered all this ill-treatment , when one day she went out with the other village children to pluck strawberries .

' Run , run as fast as you can !

we are in the Tontlawald ! '

like the others , she heard the boy 's cry , but could not make up her mind to leave the strawberries .

' After all , what does it matter ? ' thought she .

nobody will dare to beat you if I tell them not .

oh ! what wonders and splendours unfolded themselves before Elsa 's astonished eyes !

she thought she really must be in Heaven .

and the birds were not shy , but let the girls take them in their hands , and stroke their gold and silver feathers .

' What sort of a guest are you bringing to me ? '

' I found her alone in the wood , ' replied her daughter , ' and brought her back with me for a companion .

you will let her stay ? '

the mother laughed , but said nothing , only she looked Elsa up and down sharply .

Elsa stooped and kissed her hand , then , kneeling down , buried her face in the woman 's lap , and sobbed out :

' My mother has lain for many years under the ground .

my father is still alive , but I am nothing to him , and my stepmother beats me all the day long .

I can do nothing right , so let me , I pray you , stay with you .

she will half kill me for not having come back with the other children . '

then the daughter said to Elsa , ' Fear nothing , my mother will be your friend .

Elsa meanwhile was tossed about between hope and fear , and felt as if the girl would never come .

at last Elsa saw her crossing the grass with a box in her hand .

' My mother says we may play together to-day , as she wants to make up her mind what to do about you .

but I hope you will stay here always , as I can't bear you to go away .

have you ever been on the sea ? '

' The sea ? ' asked Elsa , staring ; ' what is that ?

I 've never heard of such a thing ! '

two drops of water were glistening on the cloak , and these the girl shook on the ground .

only under their feet was a tiny dry spot .

then the girl placed the mussel shell on the water and took the fish scales in her hand .

the mussel shell grew bigger and bigger , and turned into a pretty little boat , which would have held a dozen children .

Elsa asked what it meant , and the girl replied that it was her name .

everything round them was dry and firm , and there was no water anywhere .

the mussel shell and the fish scales were put back in the box , and the girls went in .

at the head of the table sat the lady of the house in a golden chair .

Elsa did not know which way to look , for everything that met her eyes was more beautiful than she could have dreamed possible .

but she sat down with the rest , and ate some delicious fruit , and thought she must be in heaven .

the guests talked softly , but their speech was strange to Elsa , and she understood nothing of what was said .

he bowed low to the lady and then stood quietly near the door .

' Do you see this girl ? ' said the lady of the house , pointing to Elsa .

' I wish to adopt her for my daughter .

make me a copy of her , which we can send to her native village instead of herself . '

is that so ? '

my waiting-maid , who teaches Kisika all sorts of fine handiwork , shall teach you too . '

' Now , ' he said to the lady , ' all we want is a drop of the maiden 's blood . '

when she heard this Elsa grew white with horror , for she thought she was selling her soul to the evil one .

who could have taken them ?

well , she was to know that by-and-by .

but WE can guess that the doll had been dressed in them , which was to go back to the village in her stead .

by the time the sun rose the doll had attained her full size , and no one could have told one girl from the other .

Elsa started back when she met herself as she looked only yesterday .

it is for your stepmother , that she may beat it instead of you .

let her flog it as hard as she will , it can never feel any pain .

at the third blow , out sprang a large golden cock , and stood upon the stone .

whenever he crowed and flapped his wings the rock opened and something came out of it .

after everybody had had enough , the old man struck the rock again .

the golden cock crowed afresh , and back went dishes , table , chairs , and plates into the middle of the block .

there they all remained , till they were joined by the old man .

and this wonderful stone contained not only food , but clothes and everything you could possibly want in the house .

' Do not worry yourself with useless wondering .

you wish to know why we never eat of the thirteenth dish ?

greed is man 's worst fault . '

nine years slipped away in this manner , when one day the lady called Elsa into her room .

Elsa was surprised at the summons , for it was unusual , and her heart sank , for she feared some evil threatened her .

' Dearest child , ' she began , ' the time has come when we must part . '

' Part ? ' cried Elsa , burying her head in the lady 's lap .

' No , dear lady , that can never be till death parts us .

you once opened your arms to me ; you cannot thrust me away now . '

now you are a woman , and I have no right to keep you here .

you must return to the world of men , where joy awaits you . '

' Dear lady , ' entreated Elsa again .

' Do not , I beseech you , send me from you .

I want no other happiness but to live and die beside you .

make me your waiting maid , or set me to any work you choose , but do not cast me forth into the world .

but it has to be .

you are only a common mortal , who will have to die one day , and you cannot stay here any longer .

though we have the bodies of men , we are not men at all , though it is not easy for you to understand why .

life seemed to stretch before her like a dark starless night .

if the father ever tried to come to his daughter 's help , his wife turned upon him , and things were rather worse than before .

one day the stepmother had given the girl a frightful beating , and then threatened to kill her outright .

his screams brought the neighbours from their cottages , but they were unable to explain how it had all come about .

the rest of the day all was still , but no one had seen anything of the daughter .

on the table he saw a slice of bread lying , and , being hungry , he ate it before going to sleep .

a few days later he was placed in the grave beside his wife , but nothing more was ever heard of their daughter .

then she soared high in the air , and floated up towards the clouds , as if she had really been hatched an eagle .

for several days she flew steadily south , resting from time to time when her wings grew tired , for hunger she never felt .

suddenly a sharp pain quivered through her body , and she fell to the ground , pierced by an arrow .

when Elsa recovered her senses , she found herself lying under a bush in her own proper form .

what had befallen her , and how she got there , lay behind her like a bad dream .

every night , for half a year , have I dreamed , dear lady , that I should one day find you in this wood .

and although I have passed through it hundreds of times in vain , I have never given up hope .

To-day I was going in search of a large eagle that I had shot , and instead of the eagle I have found you . '

then he took Elsa on his horse , and rode with her to the town , where the old king received her graciously .

and after the king 's death Elsa became queen , and when she was old she told this story .

but that was the last that was ever heard of the Tontlawald .

( from Ehstnische Marchen . )

THE FINEST LIAR IN THE WORLD

' Good greeting , beardless one ! ' cried he .

' Good greeting , sonny , ' replied the man .

' Could I grind something here ? '

' Yes , certainly !

I will finish what I am doing and then you can grind as long as you like . '

but this time also the beardless man had been too clever for him , and had arrived first by another road .

' Look here , sonny : if we share this cake we shall neither of us have enough .

let us see who can tell the biggest lie , and the one who lies the best shall have the whole cake . '

the boy , not knowing what else to do , answered , ' All right ; you begin . '

listen to me , and I will tell you a true story .

' In my youth , when I was an old man , we had a quantity of beehives .

I traced him as far as the shore , and knew that he had crossed the sea , and that I must follow .

' " that is my bee ! "

I shouted .

" where did you get him from ? " '

" brother , " replied the man , " if he is yours , take him . "

but when I awoke with the sun what a scene met my eyes !

during the night wolves had come and had eaten my bee .

and honey lay ankle-deep in the valley and knee-deep on the hills .

then I began to consider how I could best collect some , to take home with me .

and more than that , it was even cut by an invisible hand , and made into a cake .

ah , how vexed I was at its loss when I was safe on earth again .

' Suddenly I remembered that my hair was very long .

if I stood it touched the ground , although if I was sitting it only reached my ears .

but what was I to do for a fire ?

a tinder box I had , but no wood .

but ill-luck still pursued me .

while I was sleeping a spark from the fire lighted on the hair , which was burnt up in a moment .

in despair I threw myself on the ground , and instantly sank in it as far as my waist .

I put up my hand and discovered that I really had no head , and that I must have left it in the well .

with these words the boy rose , took the cake , and went home , while the beardless one remained behind to swallow his disappointment .

( Volksmarchen der Serben . )

THE STORY OF THREE WONDERFUL BEGGARS

there once lived a merchant whose name was Mark , and whom people called ' Mark the Rich . '

' Dear daddy , let the poor old men sleep here to-night , do to please me . '

' What news is there ? ' asked the eldest .

' In the next village the peasant Ivan has just had his seventh son .

what shall we name him , and what fortune shall we give him ? ' said the second .

after a little more talk the three made themselves ready and crept softly away .

Anastasia , who had heard every word , ran straight to her father , and told him all .

he went first to the priest , and asked him about the children in his parish .

' Yesterday , ' said the priest , ' a boy was born in the poorest house in the village .

I named the unlucky little thing " Vassili . "

he is the seventh son , and the eldest is only seven years old , and they hardly have a mouthful amongst them all .

who can be got to stand godfather to such a little beggar boy ? '

the merchant 's heart beat fast , and his mind was full of bad thoughts about that poor little baby .

after the ceremony was over he took Ivan aside and said :

' Look here , my friend , you are a poor man .

how can you afford to bring up the boy ?

give him to me and I 'll make something of him , and I 'll give you a present of a thousand crowns .

is that a bargain ? '

Ivan scratched his head , and thought , and thought , and then he agreed .

the merchants picked up the child , wrapped it up carefully , and drove on .

when they saw Mark they told him what a strange thing they had found .

Mark guessed at once that the child must be his godson , asked to see him , and said :

' That 's a nice little fellow ; I should like to keep him .

if you will make him over to me , I will let you off your debt . '

the merchants were very pleased to make so good a bargain , left the child with Mark , and drove off .

at night Mark took the child , put it in a barrel , fastened the lid tight down , and threw it into the sea .

the barrel floated away to a great distance , and at last it floated close up to a monastery .

the monks were just spreading out their nets to dry on the shore , when they heard the sound of crying .

it seemed to come from the barrel which was bobbing about near the water 's edge .

they drew it to land and opened it , and there was a little child !

when the abbot heard the news , he decided to bring up the boy , and named him ' Vassili . '

the boy lived on with the monks , and grew up to be a clever , gentle , and handsome young man .

now , it happened about this time that the merchant , Mark , came to the monastery in the course of a journey .

the monks were very polite to him and showed him their house and church and all they had .

he said to the abbot : ' I can't tell you how much I enjoy that young man 's singing .

if he could only come to me I would make him overseer of all my business .

as you say , he is so good and clever .

do spare him to me .

I will make his fortune , and will present your monastery with twenty thousand crowns . '

Vassili had a good voyage , and on landing set off on foot for Mark 's home .

on the way he met three beggars , who asked him : ' Where are you going , Vassili ? '

' I am going to the house of Mark the Merchant , and have a letter for his wife , ' replied Vassili .

' Show us the letter . '

Vassili handed them the letter .

they blew on it and gave it back to him , saying : ' Now go and give the letter to Mark 's wife .

you will not be forsaken . '

Vassili reached the house and gave the letter .

when the mistress read it she could hardly believe her eyes and called for her daughter .

if you don't obey my orders I shall be very angry . '

Anastasia saw the bearer of the letter and he pleased her very much .

they dressed Vassili in fine clothes and next day he was married to Anastasia .

in due time , Mark returned from his travels .

his wife , daughter , and son-in-law all went out to meet him .

when Mark saw Vassili he flew into a terrible rage with his wife .

' How dared you marry my daughter without my consent ? ' he asked .

' I only carried out your orders , ' said she .

' Here is your letter . '

Mark read it .

it certainly was his handwriting , but by no means his wishes .

and he waited a month and was very kind and pleasant to his daughter and her husband .

twelve years ago he built a castle on some land of mine .

Vassili dared not disobey .

I really cannot tell you whether the journey was long or short .

as he tramped along he suddenly heard a voice saying : ' Vassili ! where are you going ? '

Vassili looked about him , and , seeing no one , called out : ' Who spoke to me ? '

' I did ; this old wide-spreading oak .

tell me where you are going . '

' I am going to the Serpent King to receive twelve years ' rent from him . '

is it to stand much longer on the earth ? " '

Vassili went on further .

he came to a river and got into the ferryboat .

the old ferryman asked : ' Are you going far , my friend ? '

' I am going to the Serpent King . '

' Then think of me and say to the king : " for thirty years the ferryman has rowed to and fro .

will the tired old man have to row much longer ? " '

' Very well , ' said Vassili ; ' I 'll ask him . '

and he walked on .

as he stepped on it the whale said , ' Do tell me where you are going . '

' I am going to the Serpent King . '

is he to lie there much longer ? " '

' I will remember , ' said Vassili , and he went on .

he walked , and walked , and walked , till he came to a great green meadow .

in the meadow stood a large and splendid castle .

Vassili walked in , and went from one room to another astonished at all the splendour he saw .

when he reached the last room of all , he found a beautiful girl sitting on a bed .

as soon as she saw him she said : ' Oh , Vassili , what brings you to this accursed place ? '

Vassili told her why he had come , and all he had seen and heard on the way .

she had not time to say more , when the whole castle shook , and a rustling , hissing , groaning sound was heard .

then she rose up to receive the Serpent King .

the monster rushed into the room , and threw itself panting on the bed , crying : ' I 've flown half over the world .

I 'm tired , VERY tired , and want to sleep scratch my head . '

after you left , I had such a wonderful dream .

will you tell me what it means ? '

' Out with it then , quick !

what was it ? '

is it to stand much longer on the earth ? " '

' It must stand till some one comes and pushes it down with his foot .

then it will fall , and under its roots will be found more gold and silver than even Mark the Rich has got . '

will the tired old man have to row much longer ? " '

' That depends on himself .

the man in the boat will then have to take his place . '

must I lie here much longer ? " '

' He will have to lie there till he has thrown up the twelve ships of Mark the Rich which he swallowed .

then he may plunge back into the sea and heal his back . '

and the Serpent King closed his eyes , turned round on his other side , and began to snore so loud that the windows rattled .

in all haste the lovely girl helped Vassili out of the chest , and showed him part of his way back .

he thanked her very politely , and hurried off .

when he reached the strait the whale asked : ' Have you thought of me ? '

' Yes , as soon as I am on the other side I will tell you what you want to know . '

the great fish heaved itself up and threw up all the twelve ships and their crews .

then he shook himself for joy , and plunged into the sea .

Vassili went on further till he reached the ferry , where the old man asked : ' Did you think of me ? '

' Yes , and as soon as you have ferried me across I will tell you what you want to know . '

there , at the roots , was more gold and silver than even Mark the Rich had .

and now the twelve ships which the whale had thrown up came sailing along and anchored close by .

then they vanished away and he never saw them again .

the sailors carried all the gold and silver into the ship , and then they set sail for home with Vassili on board .

Mark was more furious than ever .

when he reached the river he sprang into the ferryboat .

the ferryman , however , did not get in but pushed the boat off ....y .

Vassili led a good and happy life with his dear wife , and his kind mother-in-law lived with them .

he helped the poor and fed and clothed the hungry and naked and all Mark 's riches became his .

for many years Mark has been ferrying people across the river .

his face is wrinkled , his hair and beard are snow white , and his eyes are dim ; but still he rows on .

( from the Serbian . )

SCHIPPEITARO

he hastened quickly towards it , and curling himself up in a warm corner soon fell asleep .

keep it hidden and secret !

do not tell Schippeitaro ! '

then , the midnight hour having passed , they all vanished , and the youth was left alone .

exhausted by all that had been going on round him , he flung himself on the ground and slept till the sun rose .

the moment he woke he felt very hungry , and began to think how he could get something to eat .

he followed the track , and by-and-by came on some scattered huts , beyond which lay a village .

as he listened to this story , the young man was filled with a great longing to rescue the maiden from her dreadful fate .

' Who is Schippeitaro ? ' he suddenly asked ; ' can any of you tell me ? '

and they began to laugh at the question , which seemed to them so odd and useless .

in the evening he knew that the cask would be placed in the chapel , so he hid himself there and waited .

the monster looked eagerly about him , and his eyes sparkled with joy when he saw the cask .

he bounded high into the air with delight and uttered cries of pleasure ; then he drew near and undid the bolts .

( Japanische Marchen . )

THE THREE PRINCES AND THEIR BEASTS ( LITHUANIAN FAIRY TALE )

once on a time there were three princes , who had a step-sister .

one day they all set out hunting together .

when they had gone some way through a thick wood they came on a great grey wolf with three cubs .

it will be a faithful friend to you . '

so the princes went on their way , and a little wolf followed each of them .

soon after they came on a lioness with three cubs .

and she too begged them not to shoot her , and she would give each of them a cub .

towards evening they came to a clearing in the wood , where three birches grew at the crossing of three roads .

the eldest prince took an arrow , and shot it into the trunk of one of the birch trees .

turning to his brothers he said :

' Let each of us mark one of these trees before we part on different ways .

' With the eldest , ' she answered .

then the brothers separated from each other , and each of them set out down a different road , followed by their beasts .

and the step-sister went with the eldest prince .

the prince walked up to the door and knocked .

then the prince and his step-sister entered the castle and took up their abode in it .

the next morning the prince went out hunting .

before leaving he told his step-sister that she might go into every room in the house except into the cave where the dead robbers lay .

as soon as she looked in the robber who had only pretended to be dead sat up and said to her :

' Don't be afraid .

do what I tell you , and I will be your friend .

if you marry me you will be much happier with me than with your brother .

but you must first go into the sitting-room and look in the cupboard .

there you will find three bottles .

if I were to fasten your thumbs behind your back with a stout silk cord , could you wrench yourself free ? "

and when you see that he cannot do it , call me . '

when the brother came home , the step-sister did as the robber had told her , and fastened her brother 's thumbs behind his back .

but again he freed himself , though not so easily as the first time , and he said to his sister :

' Even that cord is not strong enough . '

the third day , on his return from the wood he consented to have his strength tested for the last time .

so he called to her and said : ' Sister , this time the cord is so strong I cannot break it .

come and unfasten it for me . '

but the prince spoke and said :

' Have patience for one minute .

so the robber consented , and the prince blew the horn .

so he awoke the wolf by flicking him across the eyes with his brush .

then the prince turned to the step-sister and said :

' I will not kill you , but I will leave you here to repent . '

So saying , he called his beasts , and set out on his travels .

when he had gone a little way he came to an inn .

everyone in the inn seemed so sad that he asked them what was the matter .

' Ah , ' replied they , ' to-day our king 's daughter is to die .

she is to be handed over to a dreadful nine-headed dragon . '

then the prince said : ' Why should she die ?

I am very strong , I will save her . '

and he set out to the sea-shore , where the dragon was to meet the princess .

but the prince remained , and soon he saw a movement in the water a long way off .

as it came nearer , he knew what it was , for skimming swiftly along the waters came a monster dragon with nine heads .

then the prince rushed forward with his sword and killed the dragon , and the beasts tore the body in pieces .

then the princess turned to the prince and thanked him for delivering her from the dragon , and she said to him :

' Step into this carriage with me , and we will drive back to my father 's palace . '

and she gave him a ring and half of her handkerchief .

but on the way back the coachman and footman spoke to one another and said :

' Why should we drive this stranger back to the palace ?

so they killed the prince , and left him dead on the roadside .

and the faithful beasts came round the dead body and wept , and wondered what they should do .

soon after a crow flew past , and began to peck at the dead ox .

in a moment the fox had caught it and brought it to the lion .

then the lion said to the crow :

then he set out for the town , accompanied by his faithful beasts .

I have her token here this ring and half her handkerchief . '

and when the king saw these tokens he knew that the prince was speaking the truth .

one day , soon after his marriage , the prince was walking through the woods in the evening , followed by his faithful beasts .

as he was very tired , and the night was very dark , the prince determined not to wander further .

so he asked the old woman if he might spend the night beside her fire .

' Of course you may , ' she answered .

' But I am afraid of your beasts .

let me hit them with my rod , and then I shall not be afraid of them . '

and when he came into the town all the people were in great sorrow because their prince had disappeared .

then they led him to the king , and he too thought that it was his son-in-law .

so the youngest prince set out to look for his brother , and he too lost his way in the wood and night overtook him .

and she answered : ' Certainly you may .

but I am afraid of your beasts .

may I give them a stroke with my rod , then I shall not be afraid of them . '

and he said she might , for he did not know that she was a witch .

so she stretched out her rod , and in a moment the beasts and their master were turned into stone .

it happened soon after that the second brother returned from his wanderings and came to the cross-roads where the three birches grew .

as he went round the trees he saw that blood poured from the cuts in the bark of two of the trees .

then he wept and said :

' Alas ! both my brothers are dead . '

and he too set out towards the town in which his brother had ruled , and his faithful beasts followed him .

and they led him to the king 's palace , but the princess knew that he was not her husband .

so when they were alone together she besought him to go and seek for his brother and bring him home .

Calling his beasts round him , he set out and wandered through the woods .

and he put his ear down to the earth , to listen if he could hear the sound of his brother 's beasts .

and it seemed to him as if he heard a faint sound far off , but he did not know from what direction it came .

so he blew on his hunting horn and listened again .

and again he heard the sound , and this time it seemed to come from the direction of a fire burning in the wood .

so he went towards the fire , and there the old woman was raking sticks and leaves into the embers .

and he asked her if he might spend the night beside her fire .

but he answered her :

' Certainly not .

I am their master , and no one shall strike them but I myself .

give me the rod ' ; and he touched the fox with it , and in a moment it was turned into stone .

then he knew that the old woman was a witch , and he turned to her and said :

' Unless you restore my brothers and their beasts back to life at once , my lion will tear you in pieces . '

and in a moment the two princes stood before their brother , and their beasts stood round them .

then the three princes set off together to the town .

THE GOAT'S EARS OF THE EMPEROR TROJAN

once upon a time there lived an emperor whose name was Trojan , and he had ears like a goat .

when the youth was taken to the emperor 's bedroom , he was asked why he had come and not his master .

the young man replied that the master was ill , and there was no one but himself who could be trusted with the honour .

the emperor was satisfied with the answer , and sat down , and let a sheet of fine linen be put round him .

from this time the apprentice went regularly up to the palace , receiving each morning twelve ducats in payment .

his master saw there was something on his mind , and asked what it was .

the youth replied that he had been tormenting himself for some months , and should never feel easy until some one shared his secret .

then put back the earth and come away . '

and as he said so a great burden seemed to roll off him , and he shovelled the earth carefully back and ran lightly home .

weeks passed away , and there sprang up in the hole an elder tree which had three stems , all as straight as poplars .

he instantly sent for the apprentice and said to him :

' What have you been saying about me to all my people ? '

( Volksmarchen der Serben . )

THE NINE PEA-HENS AND THE GOLDEN APPLES

once upon a time there stood before the palace of an emperor a golden apple tree , which blossomed and bore fruit each night .

he felt very much ashamed of himself , and went with lagging feet to tell his father !

next came the turn of the youngest son , who made himself a comfortable bed under the apple tree , and prepared himself to sleep .

towards midnight he awoke , and sat up to look at the tree .

and behold ! the apples were beginning to ripen , and lit up the whole palace with their brightness .

then she changed herself back into a pea-hen , and the whole nine flew away .

that evening the prince returned to the apple tree , and everything passed as before , and so it happened for several nights .

so , when the evening came , the old woman hid herself under the tree and waited for the prince .

before long he arrived and laid down on his bed , and was soon fast asleep .

he dragged her out , and in his fury called his guards , and ordered them to put her to death as fast as possible .

but that did no good as far as the pea-hens went .

the prince would listen to nothing , and , accompanied by only one servant , set out on his quest .

and she hastened to him , and took his hand , and drew him into the palace .

' What CAN there be in that twelfth cellar , ' he thought to himself , ' which I must not see ? '

and he went downstairs and unlocked the doors , one after the other .

so the prince went back , and brought some more water , and again a hoop sprang .

take one of my scales , and when you are in danger twist it in your fingers , and I will come ! '

then he went on his way till , some miles further down the road , he found a fox caught in a trap .

Pull out one of my hairs , and when you are in danger twist it in your fingers , and I will come . '

so the prince unfastened the trap , pulled out one of the fox 's hairs , and continued his journey .

and as he was going over the mountain he passed a wolf entangled in a snare , who begged to be set at liberty .

' Only deliver me from death , ' he said , ' and you will never be sorry for it .

take a lock of my fur , and when you need me twist it in your fingers . '

and the prince undid the snare and let the wolf go .

' Oh , brother ! ' asked the prince , ' tell me , if you can , where the dragon-emperor lives ? '

hardly were they out of sight of the palace than the dragon came home and found that his prisoner had flown .

he sent at once for his talking horse , and said to him :

' Give me your advice ; what shall I do have my supper as usual , or set out in pursuit of them ? '

' Eat your supper with a free mind first , ' answered the horse , ' and follow them afterwards . '

half mad with grief , the prince rode sadly on a little further , hardly knowing what he was doing .

then he could bear it no longer and turned back to the palace , in spite of the dragon 's threats .

again the empress was sitting alone , and once more they began to think of a scheme by which they could escape the dragon 's power .

then , fearing to meet his enemy , he stole out of the castle .

' But tell me about that wonderful horse you were riding yesterday .

there cannot be another like it in the whole world .

where did you get it from ? '

and he answered :

' The way I got it is a way which no one else can take .

he is twin brother to my own horse , and can fly as high as the clouds themselves .

but no one can ever get this horse without first serving the old woman for three whole days .

but if he fails to keep the foal and its mother safe on any one of the three nights his head will pay . '

the prince at once determined to seek the old woman on the top of the mountain , and lost no time in setting out .

it was a long and steep climb , but at last he found her , and with a low bow he began :

' Good greeting to you , little mother ! '

' Good greeting to you , my son !

what are you doing here ? '

' I wish to become your servant , ' answered he .

' So you shall , ' said the old woman .

one post only was empty , and as they passed it cried out :

' Woman , give me the head I am waiting for ! '

the old woman made no answer , but turned to the prince and said :

but the prince did not waver , and declared he would abide by his words .

when evening came he led the mare out of the stable and mounted her , and the colt ran behind .

he had gone some way without a single trace to guide him , when he came to a little river .

it had hardly touched his fingers when the fish appeared in the stream beside him .

' What is it , my brother ? ' asked the fish anxiously .

' The old woman 's mare strayed last night , and I don't know where to look for her . '

' Oh , I can tell you that : she has changed herself into a big fish , and her foal into a little one .

the prince did as he was bid , and the mare and her foal stood before him .

then he put the halter round her neck , and rode her home , the foal always trotting behind them .

' You should have gone among the fishes , ' cried the old woman , striking the animal with a stick .

he gave a shriek of dismay , and sprang up in search of the wanderers .

' What is it , my brother ? ' asked the fox , who instantly appeared before him .

' The old witch's mare has run away from me , and I do not know where to look for her . '

he mounted and rode back , and the old woman placed food on the table , and led the mare back to the stable .

' You should have gone to the foxes , as I told you , ' said she , striking the mare with a stick .

' I did go to the foxes , ' replied the mare , ' but they are no friends of mine and betrayed me . '

the third night the prince mounted the mare and rode her out to the meadows , with the foal trotting after .

' What is it , my brother ? ' asked the wolf as it stood before him .

' You should have gone among the wolves , ' said she , striking her with a stick .

' So I did , ' replied the mare , ' but they are no friends of mine and betrayed me . '

the old woman made no answer , and left the stable , but the prince was at the door waiting for her .

' I have served you well , ' said he , ' and now for my reward . '

' What I promised that will I perform , ' answered she .

' Choose one of these twelve horses ; you can have which you like . '

' Give me , instead , that half-starved creature in the corner , ' asked the prince .

' I prefer him to all those beautiful animals . '

' You can't really mean what you say ? ' replied the woman .

' Yes , I do , ' said the prince , and the old woman was forced to let him have his way .

then he mounted , and they flew straight through the air to the dragon 's palace .

but the dragon made no reply to the horse 's words , but sprang on his back and set off in chase of the fugitives .

I shall sink to the earth if I try to keep up with you . '

and the prince 's horse answered , ' Why do you serve a monster like that ?

kick him off , and let him break in pieces on the ground , and come and join us . '

and the dragon 's horse plunged and reared , and the dragon fell on a rock , which broke him in pieces .

then the empress mounted his horse , and rode back with her husband to her kingdom , over which they ruled for many years .

( Volksmarchen der Serben . )

THE LUTE PLAYER

once upon a time there was a king and queen who lived happily and comfortably together .

they were very fond of each other and had nothing to worry them , but at last the king grew restless .

if I go myself and the heathen king sees me he will just take me to be one of his wives .

if I were to send one of the ministers ! but I hardly know if I can depend on them . '

she thought , and thought , and at last an idea came into her head .

she cut off all her beautiful long brown hair and dressed herself in boy 's clothes .

then she took her lute and , without saying anything to anyone , she went forth into the wide world .

when she got there she walked all round the palace and at the back she saw the prison .

after she had played for some time she began to sing , and her voice was sweeter than the lark 's :

' Oh ! who will thank me for my song , Reward my simple lay ?

like lover 's sighs it still shall rise To greet thee day by day .

' Of the sad captive 's longing Within his prison wall , Of hearts that sigh when none are nigh To answer to their call .

no sooner had the heathen king heard this touching song sung by such a lovely voice , than he had the singer brought before him .

' Welcome , O lute player , ' said he .

' Where do you come from ? '

' My country , sire , is far away across many seas .

for years I have been wandering about the world and gaining my living by my music . '

he cared for nothing but the music , and nodded his head as he declared , ' That 's something like playing and singing .

it makes me feel as if some gentle hand had lifted every care and sorrow from me . '

after three days the lute player came to take leave of the king .

' Well , ' said the king , ' what do you desire as your reward ? '

' Sire , give me one of your prisoners .

you have so many in your prison , and I should be glad of a companion on my journeys .

when I hear his happy voice as I travel along I shall think of you and thank you . '

' Come along then , ' said the king , ' choose whom you will . '

and he took the lute player through the prison himself .

the queen walked about amongst the prisoners , and at length she picked out her husband and took him with her on her journey .

when they reached the frontier the prisoner said :

' Let me go now , kind lad ; I am no common prisoner , but the king of this country .

let me go free and ask what you will as your reward . '

' Do not speak of reward , ' answered the lute player .

' Go in peace . '

' Then come with me , dear boy , and be my guest . '

' When the proper time comes I shall be at your palace , ' was the reply , and so they parted .

the queen took a short way home , got there before the king and changed her dress .

an hour later all the people in the palace were running to and fro and crying out : ' Our king has come back !

our king has returned to us . '

the king greeted every one very kindly , but he would not so much as look at the queen .

then he called all his council and ministers together and said to them :

' See what sort of a wife I have .

she only returned to-day . '

then the king was very angry and cried , ' Judge my faithless wife !

never would you have seen your king again , if a young lute player had not delivered him .

I shall remember him with love and gratitude as long as I live . '

whilst the king was sitting with his council , the queen found time to disguise herself .

she took her lute , and slipping into the court in front of the palace she sang , clear and sweet :

' I sing the captive 's longing Within his prison wall , Of hearts that sigh when none are nigh To answer to their call .

' Here , ' he cried , ' is the boy who released me from my prison .

and now , my true friend , I will indeed give you your heart 's desire . '

' I am sure you will not be less generous than the heathen king was , sire .

I ask of you what I asked and obtained from him .

but this time I don't mean to give up what I get .

I want YOU yourself ! '

and as she spoke she threw off her long cloak and everyone saw it was the queen .

who can tell how happy the king was ?

I was there too , and ate and drank many good things .

I sha'n't forget that feast as long as I live .

( from the Russian . )

THE GRATEFUL PRINCE

as he was wandering down one path which had looked at first more hopeful than the rest he saw a man coming towards him .

' I have lost myself , ' answered the king , ' and am trying to get home . '

the king did not answer directly , but after awhile he spoke : ' Why should I give away my BEST sporting dog .

I can surely find my way out of the forest as well as this man . '

so the stranger left him , but the king followed path after path for three whole days , with no better success than before .

he was almost in despair , when the stranger suddenly appeared , blocking up his way .

' Promise you will give me the first thing that comes out of your house to meet you ? '

but still the king was stiff-necked and would promise nothing .

then for the third time the stranger stood before the king , and said :

' Why are you such a fool ?

what can a dog be to you , that you should give your life for him like this ?

just promise me the reward I want , and I will guide you out of the forest . '

I accept your terms , so take me to my palace . '

scarcely had he uttered the words than he found himself at the edge of the wood , with the palace in the dim distance .

the king shrank back , and ordered the nurse to take the baby away at once .

then his great boarhound bounded up to him , but his caresses were only answered by a violent push .

but he did not dare to bring back the baby , lest the trick should be found out .

the peasants were quite contented with this arrangement , which gave them food and money in abundance .

By-and-by the boy grew big and tall , and seemed to lead a happy life in the house of his foster parents .

to become king at the cost of a maiden 's life was too heavy a price to pay .

after he had walked some way he began to cry loudly : ' Oh , how unlucky I am !

where can I be ?

is there no one to show me the way out of the wood ? '

then appeared a strange man with a long grey beard , with a leather bag hanging from his girdle .

' What can a beggar such as I promise you ? ' answered the prince .

' It is full of peas , ' was the reply .

' Then you are an orphan ? ' asked the stranger .

' Why should you not enter my service ?

I want a sharp fellow in the house , and you please me . '

' Why not , indeed , if we can strike a bargain ? ' said the other .

' I was born a peasant , and strange bread is always bitter , so it is the same to me whom I serve !

what wages will you give me ? '

' I shall be satisfied with that , ' said the youth .

' Somebody else will have to bury my aunt .

I will go with you ! '

at night they slept under a fig tree , and when the sun rose started on their way .

suddenly there appeared under the stone a secret door , which led to what looked like the mouth of a cave .

the old fellow seized the youth by the arm , and said roughly , ' Follow me ! '

thick darkness surrounded them , yet it seemed to the prince as if their path led into still deeper depths .

not a rustle or a sound could be heard .

here and there he noticed a bird sitting on a branch , with head erect and swelling throat , but his ear caught nothing .

it sounded as if a troop of horses were ploughing their way over a moor .

then the greybeard opened his mouth , and said : ' The kettle is boiling ; we are expected at home . '

they reached it at last , and found an empty kennel standing in front of the gate .

' Creep inside this , ' said the master , ' and wait while I go in and see my grandmother .

like all very old people , she is very obstinate , and cannot bear fresh faces about her . '

the prince crept tremblingly into the kennel , and began to regret the daring which had brought him into this scrape .

By-and-by the master came back , and called him from his hiding-place .

keep your eyes and ears open , and your mouth shut , obey without questions .

be grateful if you will , but never speak unless you are spoken to . '

when the prince stepped over the threshold he caught sight of a maiden of wonderful beauty , with brown eyes and fair curly hair .

then she took out a needle and thread , and began to darn her stockings .

the master sat at table alone , and invited neither his new servant nor the maid to eat with him .

neither was the old grandmother anywhere to be seen .

his appetite was tremendous : he soon cleared all the dishes , and ate enough to satisfy a dozen men .

during the meal he stole many glances at the maiden , and would even have spoken to her , but she gave him no encouragement .

besides , the master was stretched on a bench by the oven after his huge meal , and would have heard everything .

but the day after to-morrow you must come with me , and I will point out the work you have to do .

the maid will show you where you are to sleep . '

' You dog of a servant !

if you disobey the laws of the house you will soon find yourself a head shorter !

hold your tongue , and leave me in peace . '

the girl made a sign to him to follow her , and , throwing open a door , nodded to him to go in .

' It is impossible that she can be his daughter ! ' he said to himself , ' for she has a kind heart .

he got into bed , but it was long before he fell asleep , and even then his dreams gave him no rest .

he seemed to be surrounded by dangers , and it was only the power of the maiden who helped him through it all .

when he woke his first thoughts were for the girl , whom he found hard at work .

on the evening of the second day he went , as he had been told , to receive his orders for the following morning .

' I am going to set you something very easy to do to-morrow , ' said the old man when his servant entered .

' Take this scythe and cut as much grass as the white horse will want for its day 's feed , and clean out its stall .

if I come back and find the manger empty it will go ill with you .

so beware ! '

' For to-morrow , ' answered the prince , ' it is really nothing at all !

just to cut hay for the horse , and to clean out his stall ! '

' Oh , luckless being ! ' sighed the girl ; ' how will you ever get through with it .

how , then , do you expect to do it all by yourself ?

but listen to me , and do what I tell you .

it is your only chance .

after these words the maiden went away as softly as she had come .

Early the next morning he set to work .

his scythe danced through the grass much more easily than he had hoped , and soon he had enough to fill the manger .

he put it in the crib , and returned with a second supply , when to his horror he found the crib empty .

then he knew that without the maiden 's advice he would certainly have been lost , and began to put it into practice .

he took out the rushes which had somehow got mixed up with the hay , and plaited them quickly .

' My son , what are you doing ? ' asked the horse wonderingly .

' Oh , nothing ! ' replied he .

' Just weaving a chin strap to bind your jaws together , in case you might wish to eat any more ! '

the white horse sighed deeply when it heard this , and made up its mind to be content with what it had eaten .

he had barely finished when in walked the old man , who stood astonished at the door .

' Is it really you who have been clever enough to do that ? ' he asked .

' Or has some one else given you a hint ? '

' Oh , I have had no help , ' replied the prince , ' except what my poor weak head could give me . '

the old man frowned , and went away , and the prince rejoiced that everything had turned out so well .

but take care you milk her dry , or it may be the worse for you . '

I have never milked a cow before , but I have good strong fingers . '

' Oh , you are unlucky , ' cried she .

' If you were to try from morning till night you couldn't do it .

the black cow will ask you what is the meaning of all this , and you must answer what I will whisper to you . '

and she stood on tip-toe and whispered something in his ear , and then went away .

the black cow watched him with surprise for some time , and then said : ' What are you doing , sonny ? '

' Have you really managed it all yourself , or did somebody help you ? '

' I have nobody to help me , ' answered the prince , ' but my own poor head . '

the old man got up from his seat and went away .

the prince was overjoyed to hear he had nothing worse to do .

I am certainly not going to spare the old grandmother . '

By-and-by the maiden stole up to ask what task he had for the next day .

the young man laughed , and said : ' It appears that I have got to learn all kinds of farmer 's work .

' Oh , you unlucky creature ! ' cried she ; ' and how do you think you are to do it .

if you had all the men in the world to help you , you could not clear off this one little hay-rick in a week .

the instant you have thrown down the hay at the top , it will take root again from below .

but listen to what I say .

you must steal out at daybreak to-morrow and bring out the white horse and some good strong ropes .

then get on the hay-stack , put the ropes round it , and harness the horse to the ropes .

when you are ready , climb up the hay-stack and begin to count one , two , three .

the horse will ask you what you are counting , and you must be sure to answer what I whisper to you . '

so the maiden whispered something in his ear , and left the room .

and the prince knew nothing better to do than to get into bed .

the master was dumb with surprise as he came in after breakfast and found his man 's day 's work quite done .

' Was it really you who were so clever ? ' asked he .

' Or did some one give you good advice ? '

Late in the evening the prince went to his master to learn what he was to do next day .

and he went towards his room , where the maiden met him .

' Oh , you unlucky being ! ' sighed she .

' Do you know that this calf is so swift that in a single day he can run three times round the world ?

take heed to what I tell you .

after this the prince went to bed and slept soundly .

I am sure you have found some clever friend ! '

the young man wondered at this strange freak , and went laughing in search of the maiden .

' Ah , it is no laughing matter , ' sighed she .

' He means to eat you , and there is only one way in which I can help you .

you must heat an iron shovel red hot , and hold it out to him instead of your hand . '

so next morning he wakened very early , and had heated the shovel before the old man was awake .

at length he heard him calling , ' You lazy fellow , where are you ?

come and wish me good morning . '

you must return this evening , when I may be better . '

the prince loitered about all day , and in the evening went back to the old man 's room .

come to me at dawn and bring the maiden with you .

I know you have long loved each other , and I wish to make you man and wife . '

the young man nearly jumped into the air for joy , but , remembering the rules of the house , he managed to keep still .

we must escape somehow , or else we shall be lost .

take an axe , and cut off the head of the calf with one blow .

with a second , split its head in two , and in its brain you will see a bright red ball .

bring that to me .

meanwhile , I will do what is needful here .

and the prince thought to himself , ' Better kill the calf than be killed ourselves .

if we can once escape , we will go back home .

the peas which I strewed about must have sprouted , so that we shall not miss the way . '

then he went into the stall , and with one blow of the axe killed the calf , and with the second split its brain .

in an instant the place was filled with light , as the red ball fell from the brain of the calf .

the prince picked it up , and , wrapping it round with a thick cloth , hid it in his bosom .

mercifully , the cow slept through it all , or by her cries she would have awakened the master .

he looked round , and at the door stood the maiden , holding a little bundle in her arms .

' Where is the ball ? ' she asked .

' Here , ' answered he .

so they went on till the day began to dawn .

the old man slept very late that morning , and rubbed his eyes till he was properly awake .

then he remembered that very soon the couple were to present themselves before him .

at last he grew a little uneasy , and cried loudly , ' Man and maid ! what has become of you ? '

after repeating this many times , he became quite frightened , but , call as he would , neither man nor maid appeared .

then he went straight to the stable , where the sight of the dead calf told him all .

swearing loudly , he opened the door of the third stall quickly , and cried to his goblin servants to go and chase the fugitives .

' Bring them to me , however you may find them , for have them I must ! ' he said .

so spake the old man , and the servants fled like the wind .

the runaways were crossing a great plain , when the maiden stopped .

' Something has happened ! ' she said .

then the maiden turned the ball thrice in her hand , and cried ,

' Listen to me , my ball , my ball .

be quick and change me into a brook , And my lover into a little fish . '

and in an instant there was a brook with a fish swimming in it .

when they were quite out of sight , the brook and the fish returned to their usual shapes and proceeded on their journey .

' Nothing , ' said they ; ' the plain was quite empty , save for a brook and a fish swimming in it . '

' Idiots ! ' roared the master ; ' of course it was they ! '

and the goblins jumped up , and flew like the wind .

the young pair had almost reached the edge of the wood , when the maiden stopped again .

' Something has happened , ' said she .

' Those are our pursuers , ' cried she , and turning the ball three times in her hand she spoke to it thus :

' Listen to me , my ball , my ball .

be quick and change us both .

me into a wild rose bush , And him into a rose on my stem . '

and in the twinkling of an eye it was done .

only just in time too , for the goblins were close at hand , and looked round eagerly for the stream and the fish .

but neither stream nor fish was to be seen ; nothing but a rose bush .

' Well , did you find them ? ' asked the old man when his goblins came back .

' No , ' replied the leader of the goblins , ' we found neither brook nor fish in the desert . '

' And did you find nothing else at all ? '

' Oh , nothing but a rose tree on the edge of a wood , with a rose hanging on it . '

' Idiots ! ' cried he .

' Why , that was they . '

and he threw open the door of the seventh stall , where his mightiest goblins were locked in .

tear up the rose tree and the roots too , and don't leave anything behind , however strange it may be ! '

the fugitives were resting in the shade of a wood , and were refreshing themselves with food and drink .

suddenly the maiden looked up .

' Something has happened , ' said she .

' The ball has nearly jumped out of my bosom !

some one is certainly following us , and the danger is near , but the trees hide our enemies from us . '

as she spoke she took the ball in her hand , and said :

' Listen to me , my ball , my ball .

be quick and change me into a breeze , And make my lover into a midge . '

an instant , and the girl was dissolved into thin air , while the prince darted about like a midge .

but they had hardly turned their backs to go home empty-handed when the prince and the maiden stood on the earth again .

worn out and breathless , they came at length to a large stone , and here the ball began to move restlessly .

the maiden , seeing this , exclaimed :

' Listen to me , my ball , my ball .

roll the stone quickly to one side , That we may find a door . '

and in a moment the stone had rolled away , and they had passed through the door to the world again .

' Now we are safe , ' cried she .

' Here the old wizard has no more power over us , and we can guard ourselves from his spells .

but , my friend , we have to part !

you will return to your parents , and I must go in search of mine . '

' No ! no ! ' exclaimed the prince .

' I will never part from you .

you must come with me and be my wife .

we have gone through many troubles together , and now we will share our joys .

the maiden resisted his words for some time , but at last she went with him .

she herself stayed behind in a peasant 's hut , so that father and son might meet alone .

and the councillors cried with one voice , ' Let her be your wife , and our liege lady . '

and that is the end of the story .

( Ehstnische Marchen . )

THE CHILD WHO CAME FROM AN EGG

once upon a time there lived a queen whose heart was sore because she had no children .

now it happened that a war broke out with the king of a neighbouring country , and the queen was left in the palace alone .

' Under rough bark lies smooth wood and sweet kernel , ' replied the old woman .

' Let me see your hand , that I may read the future . '

the queen held out her hand , and the old woman examined its lines closely .

then she said , ' Your heart is heavy with two sorrows , one old and one new .

but your other sorrow is much older than this .

your happiness is spoilt because you have no children . '

at these words the queen became scarlet , and tried to draw away her hand , but the old woman said :

' Have a little patience , for there are some things I want to see more clearly . '

' But who are you ? ' asked the queen , ' for you seem to be able to read my heart . '

you must , however , promise to do exactly what I tell you , if any good is to come of it . '

she held it out to the queen , saying , ' In the basket you will find a bird 's egg .

this you must be careful to keep in a warm place for three months , when it will turn into a doll .

the boy you will bring up yourself , but you must entrust the little girl to a nurse .

a fortnight after the old woman had paid her visit , the king came home , having conquered his enemies .

next she sent for the king , who nearly went mad with joy at the sight of the children .

the boy was called Willem .

then , kissing the baby three times , she mounted her coach and drove away .

the children throve well , and Dotterine 's nurse loved her as if she were the baby 's real mother .

at length she told the queen what she had seen , but they determined to keep it as a secret between themselves .

the twins were by this time nearly two years old , when the queen was taken suddenly ill .

all the best doctors in the country were sent for , but it was no use , for there is no cure for death .

the queen knew she was dying , and sent for Dotterine and her nurse , who had now become her lady-in-waiting .

to her , as her most faithful servant , she gave the lucky basket in charge , and besought her to treasure it carefully .

about my son , I have no fears .

he is the heir of the kingdom , and his father will look after him . '

the lady-in-waiting promised to carry out the queen 's directions , and above all to keep the affair a secret .

and that same morning the queen died .

but if they ever strayed across the path of the queen , she would kick them out of her sight like dogs .

two more years slipped by , when one day during the king 's absence the stepmother found Dotterine sitting under a lime tree .

she fell as usual into a passion , and beat the child so badly that Dotterine went staggering to her own room .

very much disappointed , she lifted the wool , and there lay the goose 's wing .

' What old rubbish , ' said the child to herself , and , turning , threw the wing out of the open window .

in a moment a beautiful lady stood beside her .

' Do not be afraid , ' said the lady , stroking Dotterine 's head .

' I am your godmother , and have come to pay you a visit .

your red eyes tell me that you are unhappy .

I know that your stepmother is very unkind to you , but be brave and patient , and better days will come .

now come into the garden , that I may talk to you under the lime trees , where no one can hear us . '

' Hand me the basket , ' said she , ' for you must have some supper .

I cannot let you go hungry to bed . '

it lasted so long that food began to fail , and even in the palace there was not enough to eat .

so one morning Dotterine , who had had neither supper nor breakfast , and was feeling very hungry , let her wing fly away .

she was so weak and miserable , that directly her godmother appeared she burst into tears , and could not speak for some time .

' Do not cry so , dear child , ' said the godmother .

' I will carry you away from all this , but the others I must leave to take their chance . '

the queen had already met her death from a spear carelessly thrown .

but you will have to endure a little longer yet . '

then , warning her once more to take care of the basket , the lady bade the girl farewell .

anyhow at the end of three days she could do everything as well as if she had cleaned pots and swept rooms all her life .

one morning Dotterine was busy scouring a wooden tub , when a noble lady happened to pass through the village .

' Would you not like to come and enter my service ? ' she asked .

' Very much , ' replied Dotterine , ' if my present mistress will allow me . '

the girl wept bitterly for his loss , but in secrecy , as she had told her mistress nothing about her past life .

nobody will be so fine as you . '

Dotterine did not want to be told twice !

she put it on with fingers that trembled with joy , and , looking in the glass , was struck dumb at her own beauty .

the king 's palace was a long way off , yet it seemed only a few minutes before Dotterine drew up at the great gates .

she was just going to alight , when she suddenly remembered she had left her basket behind her .

what was she to do ?

but before she could decide , a little swallow flew up with the basket in its beak , and the girl was happy again .

their hopes faded as they gazed , but their mothers whispered together , saying , ' Surely this is our lost princess ! '

the young king did not know her again , but he never left her side nor took his eyes from her .

and at midnight a strange thing happened .

a thick cloud suddenly filled the hall , so that for a moment all was dark .

then the mist suddenly grew bright , and Dotterine 's godmother was seen standing there .

( Ehstnische Marchen . )

STAN BOLOVAN

once upon a time what happened did happen , and if it had not happened this story would never have been told .

in the house lived a man who had a wife , and the wife was sad all day long .

' Dear wife , what is wrong with you that you hang your head like a drooping rosebud ? ' asked her husband one morning .

' You have everything you want ; why cannot you be merry like other women ? '

at length he felt he could bear it no longer , and tried a third time , and then his wife turned and answered him .

' Good gracious ! ' cried she , ' why cannot you let things be as they are ?

if I were to tell you , you would become just as wretched as myself .

if you would only believe , it is far better for you to know nothing . '

but no man yet was ever content with such an answer .

the more you beg him not to inquire , the greater is his curiosity to learn the whole .

' Well , if you MUST know , ' said the wife at last , ' I will tell you .

there is no luck in this house no luck at all ! '

' Is not your cow the best milker in all the village ?

are not your trees as full of fruit as your hives are full of bees ?

has anyone cornfields like ours ?

really you talk nonsense when you say things like that ! '

' Yes , all that you say is true , but we have no children . '

then Stan understood , and when a man once understands and has his eyes opened it is no longer well with him .

from that day the little house in the outskirts contained an unhappy man as well as an unhappy woman .

and at the sight of her husband 's misery the woman became more wretched than ever .

and so matters went on for some time .

some weeks had passed , and Stan thought he would consult a wise man who lived a day 's journey from his own house .

the wise man was sitting before his door when he came up , and Stan fell on his knees before him .

' Give me children , my lord , give me children . '

' Take care what you are asking , ' replied the wise man .

' Will not children be a burden to you ?

are you rich enough to feed and clothe them ? '

he reached home that evening tired and dusty , but with hope in his heart .

' Good gracious ! how many there are ! how many ! ' he muttered to himself .

' Oh , but not one too many , ' smiled his wife , coming up with a crowd more children clinging to her skirts .

I am hungry I am hungry , ' till Stan scratched his head and wondered what he was to do next .

the cow had ceased to give milk , and it was too early for the fruit trees to ripen .

in the shadow of some trees lay the rest of the flock .

and this happened every night .

' One of every three rams , one of every three sheep , one of every three lambs , ' answered the herd .

however , that matter could be settled later .

at present night was not far off , and he must consider how best to fight with the dragon .

he half turned ; then he remembered the children , and turned back .

' You or I , ' said Stan to himself , and took up his position on the edge of the flock .

' Stop ! ' he suddenly cried , as the air was filled with a rushing noise , and the dragon came dashing past .

' Dear me ! ' exclaimed the dragon , looking round .

' Who are you , and where do you come from ? '

' I fight you ? ' replied Stan , ' why I could slay you with one breath ! '

the dragon did as Stan bade him , and brought back a stone out of the brook .

' Can you get buttermilk out of your stone ? ' asked Stan .

the dragon picked up his stone with one hand , and squeezed it till it fell into powder , but no buttermilk flowed from it .

' Of course I can't ! ' he said , half angrily .

' Well , if you can't , I can , ' answered Stan , and he pressed the cheese till buttermilk flowed through his fingers .

' Listen to me , ' he said at last .

' I see you are a very useful person , and my mother has need of a fellow like you .

three times seven sacks full of ducats !

the offer was very tempting , and Stan could not resist it .

he did not waste words , but nodded to the dragon , and they started along the road .

' Stay here , ' said he , ' and wait for me ; I am going to explain things to my mother . '

' Oh , just leave him to me ! ' she said .

' I have never yet let a man slip through my fingers . '

So Stan had to stay and do the old mother service .

they walked to the spot where the club lay .

' What are you doing ? ' asked the dragon .

' I was thinking what a beautiful club it was , and what a pity it is that it should cause your death . '

' How do you mean my death ? ' asked the dragon .

' Only that I am afraid that if I throw it you will never see another dawn .

you don't know how strong I am ! '

' Oh , never mind that be quick and throw . '

then Stan seated himself on the sack of provisions , and remained quietly watching the setting moon .

' What are you doing ? ' asked the dragon .

' Waiting till the moon gets out of my way . '

' What do you mean ?

I don't understand . '

' Don't you see that the moon is exactly in my way ?

but of course , if you like , I will throw the club into the moon . '

at these words the dragon grew uncomfortable for the second time .

' I 'll tell you what , ' he said , after thinking a little .

' Don't throw the club at all .

I will throw it a second time , and that will do just as well . '

' No , certainly not ! ' replied Stan .

' Just wait till the moon sets . '

' Oh , dear me , that is indeed a strong man , ' said the dragon , turning to his mother .

' Would you believe that I have had the greatest difficulty in preventing him from throwing the club into the moon ? '

then the old woman grew uncomfortable too !

only to think of it !

it was no joke to throw things into the moon !

so no more was heard of the club , and the next day they had all something else to think about .

but he only took an old knife out of his pocket and began to scratch up the earth near the brook .

' What are you doing there ?

how are you going to carry the water into the house ? ' asked the dragon .

' How ?

dear me , that is easy enough !

I shall just take the brook ! '

at these words the dragon 's jaw dropped .

' I 'll tell you what ! ' he said .

' Let me carry your skins for you . '

on the third day the old mother sent Stan into the forest for wood , and , as usual , the dragon went with him .

and so he did to a whole line of trees .

' What are you doing there ? ' asked the dragon .

' You can see for yourself , ' answered Stan , going quietly on with his work .

' Why are you tying the trees together ? '

' Not to give myself unnecessary work ; when I pull up one , all the others will come up too . '

' But how will you carry them home ? '

' You are a good fellow , and I agree to your proposal , ' answered Stan , and the dragon carried the wood .

in the evening the dragon and his mother had a long talk , but Stan heard every word through a crack in the ceiling .

' Woe be to us , mother , ' said the dragon ; ' this man will soon get us into his power .

give him his money , and let us be rid of him . '

but the old mother was fond of money , and did not like this .

' Listen to me , ' said she ; ' you must murder him this very night . '

' I am afraid , ' answered he .

' There is nothing to fear , ' replied the old mother .

' When he is asleep take the club , and hit him on the head with it .

it is easily done . '

and so it would have been , had not Stan heard all about it .

then he hid himself underneath , and began to snore loudly .

very soon the dragon stole softly into the room , and gave a tremendous blow on the spot where Stan 's head should have been .

Stan groaned loudly from under the bed , and the dragon went away as softly as he had come .

the next morning he came into the room when the dragon and his mother were having their breakfast .

' Good morning , ' said he .

' Good morning .

how did you sleep ? '

' Oh , very well , but I dreamed that a flea had bitten me , and I seem to feel it still . '

the dragon and his mother looked at each other .

' Do you hear that ? ' whispered he .

' He talks of a flea .

I broke my club on his head . '

this time the mother grew as frightened as her son .

but on his side Stan was trembling like an aspen , as he could not lift even one sack from the ground .

so he stood still and looked at them .

' What are you standing there for ? ' asked the dragon .

I am ashamed that when I get home they should see I have brought back so little .

' I 'll tell you what ! ' said Stan at last .

' I see you don't want me to stay , and I should be very sorry to make myself disagreeable .

the words were hardly out of his mouth before the dragon had snatched up the sacks and piled them on his back .

then he and Stan set forth .

he did not wish the dragon to know where he lived , lest some day he should come to take back his treasure .

was there nothing he could say to get rid of the monster ?

suddenly an idea came into Stan 's head , and he turned round .

' I hardly know what to do , ' said he .

' I have a hundred children , and I am afraid they may do you harm , as they are always ready for a fight .

however , I will do my best to protect you . '

a hundred children !

that was indeed no joke !

the dragon let fall the sacks from terror , and then picked them up again .

( adapted from Rumanische Marchen . )

THE TWO FROGS

' Oh , that is easily managed , ' returned the Kioto frog .

' Dear me ! ' cried the Osaka frog , ' Kioto is exactly like Osaka .

it is certainly not worth such a long journey .

I shall go home ! '

( Japanische Marchen . )

THE STORY OF A GAZELLE

then he jumped up and returned to the dust-heap .

' For who knows , ' he said to himself , ' whether I may not have some good luck again . '

as he was walking down the road , he saw a man coming towards him , carrying a cage made of twigs .

' Hi ! you fellow ! ' called he , ' what have you got inside there ? '

' Gazelles , ' replied the man .

' Bring them here , for I should like to see them . '

and he took up his cage and went towards the scratcher of dust-heaps , and the men went with him .

' What do you ask for your gazelles ? ' said the beggar .

' Will you let me have one for an eighth ? '

this he did night and morning , till five days went by .

then , as he slept , the gazelle woke him , saying , ' Master . '

and the man answered , ' How is it that I see a wonder ? '

' What wonder ? ' asked the gazelle .

' Never mind that , ' said the gazelle , ' but listen to what I say !

first , I took you for my master .

second , you gave for me all you had in the world .

what you find in the dust-heaps is not enough for both of us . '

' Go , then , ' answered the master ; and the gazelle went .

in the morning it said to him , ' I am going away to feed . '

and glad he was when the evening came , and he could return home .

he lay on the grass chewing tobacco , when the gazelle trotted up .

' Good evening , my master ; how have you fared all day ?

it is far away in the forest , and no one knows of it but me , and to-morrow I shall go again . '

but , instead , it saw something lying in the earth , which turned out to be a diamond , very large and bright .

I had better take it myself to some great rich man , and see what it will do for me . '

the people were standing about the streets doing their marketing , when the gazelle bounded past , the diamond flashing as it ran .

and the gazelle galloped up to him , and laid the diamond at his feet .

and he likewise ordered milk to be brought , and rice , that it might eat and drink and be refreshed .

and when the gazelle was rested , the sultan said to it : ' Give me the news you have come with . '

and the gazelle answered : ' I am come with this diamond , which is a pledge from my master the Sultan Darai .

and the sultan said : ' I am content .

the wife is his wife , the family is his family , the slave is his slave .

let him come to me empty-handed , I am content . '

and the sultan answered : ' So let it be . '

the sultan answered politely , and inquired where it had left its master , whom it had promised to bring back .

and he is now hiding under a bush , lest a passing stranger might see him . '

and the gazelle answered : ' Can I take those soldiers to go and put my master to shame as he lies there naked ?

I am enough by myself , my lord . '

' How will you be enough , ' asked the sultan , ' to manage this horse and all these clothes ? '

' Oh , that is easily done , ' replied the gazelle .

' Farewell , gazelle , ' answered the sultan ; ' when shall we see you again ? '

and in the eyes of the sultan the gazelle became a person of consequence .

leave all the talking to me .

' Very good , I will be silent , ' replied the man as he mounted the horse .

' So they went their way , and they went and went till the gazelle saw in the distance the palace of the sultan .

' What IS my name , eh , my father ? ' asked the man .

' Sultan Darai , ' said the gazelle .

very soon some soldiers came to meet them , while others ran off to tell the sultan of their approach .

get off your horse and go to greet him . '

but be careful not to leave the house till I come . '

and the master answered , ' I will not leave the house . '

' Very good , ' said the sultan .

and it went and it went through the forest and wilderness , till it arrived at a town full of fine houses .

at the end of the chief road was a great house , beautiful exceedingly , built of sapphire and turquoise and marbles .

for in this town have I as yet seen no people .

if I die , I die , and if I live , I live .

here can I think of no plan , so if anything is to kill me , it will kill me . '

then it knocked twice at the door , and cried ' Open , ' but no one answered .

and it cried again , and a voice replied :

' Who are you that are crying " open " ? '

and the gazelle said , ' It is I , great mistress , your grandchild . '

' If you are my grandchild , ' returned the voice , ' go back whence you came .

don't come and die here , and bring me to my death as well . '

' Open , mistress , I entreat , I have something to say to you . '

' Grandchild , ' replied she , ' I fear to put your life in danger , and my own too . '

' Oh , mistress , my life will not be lost , nor yours either ; open , I pray you . '

so she opened the door .

' What is the news where you come from , my grandson , ' asked she .

' Great lady , where I come from it is well , and with you it is well . '

' Ah , my son , here it is not well at all .

and the lord of it all is an exceeding great and wonderful snake . '

' My son , ' returned the old woman , ' do not say words like these ; you risk both our lives .

he has put me here all by myself , and I have to cook his food .

he eats till he has had enough , and then drinks a whole tankful of water .

after that he goes away .

every second day he comes , when the sun is over the house .

and he has seven heads .

how then can you be a match for him , my son ? '

' Mind your own business , mother , ' answered the gazelle , ' and don't mind other people 's !

has this snake a sword ? '

' He has a sword , and a sharp one too .

it cuts like a dash of lightning . '

' You must be quick , ' she said , ' for he may be here at any moment .

hark ! is not that the wind rising ?

he has come ! '

and after he had done eating and drinking he came to the door :

' Oh , master ! ' answered she , ' I am alone , as I always am !

but to-day , after many days , I have sprinkled fresh scent all over me , and it is that which you smell .

what else could it be , master ? '

all this time the gazelle had been standing close to the door , holding the sword in one of its front paws .

then the sword fell rattling on the ground , for the gazelle had fainted .

and the heart of the old woman was glad , and she gave it more water , till by-and-by the gazelle got up .

so she arose and showed the gazelle rooms full of gold and precious things , and other rooms full of slaves .

' They are all yours , goods and slaves , ' said she .

but the gazelle answered , ' You must keep them safe till I call my master . '

and he said : ' It is for you to speak .

where you go , I will follow . '

' Then I shall go to your father-in-law and tell him this news . '

' Go , my son . '

' Must he really go so quickly ?

at last one day signs of houses appeared , far , far off .

and those who saw cried out , ' Gazelle ! '

and it answered , ' Ah , my mistresses , that is the house of Sultan Darai . '

and she answered , ' Forgive me , my son .

Sultan Darai looked about him , and at length he said :

' Unfasten those horses that are tied up , and let loose those people that are bound .

but this house , and you , such as you are , we have never seen or heard of . '

after a few days , the ladies said they wished to go home again .

and they all thought the gazelle greater a thousand times than its master , Sultan Darai .

who is the owner of it ?

and this town , were there no people in it ? "

all good things I have done for the master , and he has not one day done me any good thing .

' Good , ' replied the old woman , and they went to bed .

in the morning , when light came , the gazelle was sick in its stomach and feverish , and its legs ached .

and it said ' Mother ! '

and she answered , ' Here , my son ? '

and it said , ' Go and tell my master upstairs the gazelle is very ill . '

' Very good , my son ; and if he should ask me what is the matter , what am I to say ? '

' Tell him all my body aches badly ; I have no single part without pain . '

' To tell the master the gazelle is ill , ' said she .

' What is the matter ? ' asked the wife .

' All its body pains ; there is no part without pain . '

' Well , what can I do ?

make some gruel of red millet , and give to it . '

eh , master , that is not well . '

but he answered , ' Oh , you are mad !

Rice is only kept for people . '

' Eh , master , this is not like a gazelle .

it is the apple of your eye .

if sand got into that , it would trouble you . '

' My wife , your tongue is long , ' and he left the room .

the old woman saw she had spoken vainly , and went back weeping to the gazelle .

and when the gazelle saw her it said , ' Mother , what is it , and why do you cry ?

if it be good , give me the answer ; and if it be bad , give me the answer . '

but still the old woman would not speak , and the gazelle prayed her to let it know the words of the master .

and his wife asked what was the matter , and I told her that there was not a part of your body without pain .

and he answered her , ' Silly chatterer , your words are many .

I know its price ; I bought it for an eighth .

what loss will it be to me ? '

the gazelle kept silence for a few moments .

so the old woman returned , and found the master and the mistress drinking coffee .

then it happened to get both life and wealth , but now it had no honour with its master .

I cannot sleep , I cannot eat , I cannot drink , for the worry of that gazelle .

shall a creature that I bought for an eighth trouble me from morning till night ?

not so , old woman ! '

the old woman went downstairs , and there lay the gazelle , blood flowing from its nostrils .

and it said , ' Mother , I shall die , for my soul is full of anger and bitterness .

my face is ashamed , that I should have done good to my master , and that he should repay me with evil . '

I might have every day half a basinful , and would my master be any the poorer ?

but did not the elders say , " he that does good like a mother ! " '

and it said , ' Go and tell my master that the gazelle is nearer death than life . '

how has he failed you ?

the things you do to him are not good , and you will draw on yourself the hatred of the people .

for this gazelle is loved by all , by small and great , by women and men .

ah , my husband !

I thought you had great wisdom , and you have not even a little ! '

but he answered , ' You are mad , my wife . '

' Take also this cloth , ' she said , ' to cover it with , and this pillow for its head .

and if the gazelle wants more , let it ask me , and not its master .

and , after all , what is it but a gazelle , that I bought for an eighth ? '

but his wife answered , ' Master , we looked upon that gazelle as we looked upon you .

and when the people heard her they lifted up their voices and spoke :

' We never saw you , we saw the gazelle .

it was the gazelle who met with trouble here , it was the gazelle who met with rest here .

so , then , when such an one departs from this world we weep for ourselves , we do not weep for the gazelle . '

and they said furthermore :

' The gazelle did you much good , and if anyone says he could have done more for you he is a liar !

therefore , to us who have done you no good , what treatment will you give ?

the gazelle has died from bitterness of soul , and you ordered your slaves to throw it into the well .

ah ! leave us alone that we may weep . '

but Sultan Darai would not heed their words , and the dead gazelle was thrown into the well .

and he commanded horses to be saddled , and called the governor and the judges and all the rich men , and said :

' Come now with me ; let us go and bury it . '

night and day they travelled , till the sultan came to the well where the gazelle had been thrown .

and when he saw the gazelle lying there he wept afresh , and took it in his arms and carried it away .

' I too have eaten no food , neither have I drunk water , since the day the gazelle died .

I have not spoken , and I have not laughed . '

and the man dreamed that he was on the dust-heap , scratching .

and when he woke , behold ! that also was no dream , but the truth .

( Swahili Tales . )

HOW A FISH SWAM IN THE AIR AND A HARE IN THE WATER .

once upon a time an old man and his wife lived together in a little village .

they might have been happy if only the old woman had had the sense to hold her tongue at proper times .

one day , he drove to the forest .

when he reached the edge of it he got out of his cart and walked beside it .

suddenly he stepped on such a soft spot that his foot sank in the earth .

' What can this be ? ' thought he .

' I 'll dig a bit and see . '

so he dug and dug , and at last he came on a little pot full of gold and silver .

' Oh , what luck !

he sat down and thought over the matter a long time , and at last he made a plan .

then he got into his cart and trotted merrily home .

' Wife ! ' cried he , the moment he got indoors .

' You can't think what a piece of good luck has come our way . '

' What , what , dear husband ?

do tell me all about it at once . '

' No , no , you 'll just go off and tell everyone . '

' No , indeed !

how can you think such things !

for shame !

if you like I will swear never to '

' Oh , well ! if you are really in earnest then , listen . '

and he whispered in her ear : ' I 've found a pot full of gold and silver in the forest !

hush ! '

' And why didn't you bring it back ? '

' Because we 'll drive there together and bring it carefully back between us . '

so the man and his wife drove to the forest .

as they were driving along the man said :

' What strange things one hears , wife !

well ! well ! times are certainly changed . '

' Why , you must be crazy , husband !

dear , dear , what nonsense people do talk sometimes . '

' Nonsense , indeed !

why , just look .

bless my soul , if there isn't a fish , a real pike I do believe , up in that tree . '

' Gracious ! ' cried his wife .

' How did a pike get there ?

it IS a pike you needn't attempt to say it 's not .

can people have said true '

' What are you standing staring at there , stupid ? ' said his wife .

' Climb up the tree quick and catch the pike , and we 'll cook it for dinner . '

the man climbed up the tree and brought down the pike , and they drove on .

when they got near the stream he drew up .

' What are you staring at again ? ' asked his wife impatiently .

' Drive on , can't you ? '

' Why , I seem to see something moving in that net I set .

I must just go and see what it is . '

he ran to it , and when he had looked in it he called to his wife :

' Just look !

here is actually a four-footed creature caught in the net .

I do believe it 's a hare . '

' Good heavens ! ' cried his wife .

' How did the hare get into your net ?

it IS a hare , so you needn't say it isn't .

after all , people must have said the truth '

but her husband only shook his head and shrugged his shoulders as if he could not believe his own eyes .

' Now what are you standing there for , stupid ? ' cried his wife .

' Take up the hare .

a nice fat hare is a dinner for a feast day . '

the old man caught up the hare , and they drove on to the place where the treasure was buried .

they swept the twigs away , dug up the earth , took out the pot , and drove home again with it .

and now the old couple had plenty of money and were cheery and comfortable .

but the wife was very foolish .

every day she asked a lot of people to dinner and feasted them , till her husband grew quite impatient .

he tried to reason with her , but she would not listen .

' You 've got no right to lecture me ! ' said she .

' We found the treasure together , and together we will spend it . '

the old woman was very angry .

' Oh , what a good-for-nothing fellow to want to spend all the money himself !

but just wait a bit and see what I shall do . '

off she went to the governor to complain of her husband .

' Oh , my lord , protect me from my husband !

ever since he found the treasure there is no bearing him .

he only eats and drinks , and won't work , and he keeps all the money to himself . '

the governor took pity on the woman , and ordered his chief secretary to look into the matter .

the secretary called the elders of the village together , and went with them to the man 's house .

' The governor , ' said he , ' desires you to give all that treasure you found into my care . '

the man shrugged his shoulders and said : ' What treasure ?

I know nothing about a treasure . '

' How ?

you know nothing ?

why your wife has complained of you .

don't attempt to tell lies .

' Pardon me , your excellency , but what sort of treasure was it supposed to have been ?

my wife must have dreamt of it , and you gentlemen have listened to her nonsense . '

' Nonsense , indeed , ' broke in his wife .

' A kettle full of gold and silver , do you call that nonsense ? '

' You are not in your right mind , dear wife .

sir , I beg your pardon .

ask her how it all happened , and if she convinces you I 'll pay for it with my life . '

' This is how it all happened , Mr. Secretary , ' cried the wife .

' We were driving through the forest , and we saw a pike up in the top of a tree '

' What , a PIKE ? ' shouted the secretary .

' Do you think you may joke with me , pray ? '

' Indeed , I 'm not joking , Mr Secretary !

I 'm speaking the bare truth . '

' Chatter , indeed ?

I ! !

perhaps you have forgotten , too , how we found a live hare in the river ? '

everyone roared with laughter ; even the secretary smiled and stroked his beard , and the man said :

' Come , come , wife , everyone is laughing at you .

you see for yourself , gentlemen , how far you can believe her . '

the secretary could make nothing of it all , and drove back to the town .

TWO IN A SACK

what a life that poor man led with his wife , to be sure !

he had no peace or comfort at all , and really hardly knew how to bear it .

what kind of bird do you think he caught in his net ?

he caught a crane , and the crane said , ' Let me go free , and I 'll show myself grateful . '

the man answered , ' No , my dear fellow .

I shall take you home , and then perhaps my wife won't scold me so much . '

said the crane : ' You had better come with me to my house , ' and so they went to the crane 's house .

when they got there , what do you think the crane took from the wall ?

he took down a sack , and he said :

' Two out of a sack ! '

instantly two pretty lads sprang out of the sack .

they brought in oak tables , which they spread with silken covers , and placed all sorts of delicious dishes and refreshing drinks on them .

the man had never seen anything so beautiful in his life , and he was delighted .

then the crane said to him , ' Now take this sack to your wife . '

the man thanked him warmly , took the sack , and set out .

' Two out of the sack ! '

never in their lives had the cousin and her daughters seen such a supper , and they were delighted and astonished at it .

when the man was safe in the bathroom she told her daughters to make a sack exactly like his , as quickly as possible .

then she changed the two sacks , and hid the man 's sack away .

as soon as he saw his house he began to shout from a distance , ' Hallo ! old woman !

come out and meet me ! '

his wife screamed back : ' You come here , and I 'll give you a good thrashing with the poker ! '

the man walked into the house , hung his sack on a nail , and said , as the crane had taught him :

' Two out of the sack ! '

but not a soul came out of the sack .

then he said again , exactly as the crane had taught him :

' Two out of the sack ! '

his wife , hearing him chattering goodness knows what , took up her wet broom and swept the ground all about him .

why , he took down a sack , and he said :

' Two out of the sack ! '

' Take this sack , ' said the crane .

the man thanked him heartily , took the sack , and went .

' Two out of the sack ! '

and they beat on till the man panted out :

' Two into the sack . '

the words were hardly out of his mouth , when the two crept back into the sack .

then the man shouldered the sack , and went off straight to his cousin 's house .

he hung the sack up on a nail , and said : ' Please have the bathroom heated , cousin . '

meantime his cousin felt hungry , so she called her daughters , and all four sat down to table .

then the mother said :

' Two out of the sack . '

instantly two rough men crept out of the sack , and began to beat the cousin as they cried :

' Greedy pack !

Thievish pack !

one two Give the peasant back his sack !

one two '

and they went on beating till the woman called to her eldest daughter : ' Go and fetch your cousin from the bathroom .

tell him these two ruffians are beating me black and blue . '

' I 've not finished rubbing myself yet , ' said the peasant .

and the two ruffians kept on beating as they sang :

' Greedy pack !

Thievish pack !

one two Give the peasant back his sack !

one two '

then the woman sent her second daughter and said : ' Quick , quick , get him to come to me . '

' I 'm just washing my head , ' said the man .

then she sent the youngest girl , and he said : ' I 've not done drying myself . '

at last the woman could hold out no longer , and sent him the sack she had stolen .

NOW he had quite finished his bath , and as he left the bathroom he cried :

' Two into the sack . '

and the two crept back at once into the sack .

then the man took both sacks , the good and the bad one , and went away home .

when he was near the house he shouted : ' Hallo , old woman , come and meet me ! '

his wife only screamed out :

' You broomstick , come here !

your back shall pay for this . '

the man went into the cottage , hung his sack on a nail , and said , as the crane had taught him :

' Two out of the sack . '

the woman ate and drank , and praised her husband .

' Well , now , old man , I won't beat you any more , ' said she .

then he lounged up and down in the yard .

meantime his wife became thirsty .

she looked with longing eyes at the sack , and at last she said , as her husband had done :

' Two out of the sack . '

and at once the two rogues with their big sticks crept out of the sack , and began to belabour her as they sang :

' Would you beat your husband true ?

don't cry so !

now we 'll beat you black and blue !

oh !

oh ! '

the woman screamed out : ' Old man , old man !

come here , quick !

here are two ruffians pommelling me fit to break my bones . '

her husband only strolled up and down and laughed , as he said : ' Yes , they 'll beat you well , old lady . '

and the two thumped away and sang again :

for how it hurts , you now can tell , One two '

at last her husband took pity on her , and cried :

' Two into the sack . '

he had hardly said the words before they were back in the sack again .

( from Russiche Marchen . )

THE ENVIOUS NEIGHBOUR

one day the old man was working in his garden , with his dog , as usual , close by .

curious to know if the dog had really found anything , the husband began to dig , and very soon the spade struck against something .

he stooped down and pulled out a large box , filled quite full with shining gold pieces .

' How can you ask such a thing ? ' answered the old man indignantly .

' You know how much we love him , and that he is never out of our sight for five minutes . '

but when he had dug up the ground , what did he find ?

why , nothing but a parcel of old bones , which smelt so badly that he could not stay there a moment longer .

and I thought I had better come straight and tell you . '

from morning till night he and his wife mourned over their loss , and nothing could comfort them .

at the sight of all this gold the hearts of the old people were glad , and once more they blessed their faithful dog .

we may be sure that in a very little while the envious neighbour had heard this also , and his bosom was filled with hate .

his heart beat with pleasure when he caught the first glimpses of the Daimio 's train , and he held himself ready for the right moment .

then the prince ordered the evil-doer to be seized and bound and thrown into prison , where he was kept for many months .

( Japanische Marchen . )

THE FAIRY OF THE DAWN

once upon a time what should happen DID happen ; and if it had not happened this tale would never have been told .

and all the while the emperor 's sons were growing up .

and such sons !

all three like the morning stars in the sky !

Florea , the eldest , was so tall and broad-shouldered that no man in the kingdom could approach him .

Costan , the second , was quite different .

small of stature , and slightly built , he had a strong arm and stronger wrist .

Petru , the third and youngest , was tall and thin , more like a girl than a boy .

he spoke very little , but laughed and sang , sang and laughed , from morning till night .

but Florea would not go .

he had learnt by experience that this question always put the emperor in a rage .

Petru next went to Costan , but did not succeed any better with him .

' Well , well , as everyone else is afraid , I suppose I must do it myself , ' observed Petru at length .

no sooner said than done ; the boy went straight to his father and put his question .

' I wonder if it has anything to do with my question , ' thought he .

' I 'll try again !

after all , what do two boxes on the ear matter ? '

' It really MUST be true , ' thought Petru .

' Now I know what I have to do .

I shall have to go on putting that question , and getting boxes on the ear , till both eyes laugh together . '

No sooner said than done .

Petru never , never forswore himself .

well , I will let you into the secret .

thus spoke the emperor , and Petru picked up his hat and went to find his brothers .

the three young men took counsel together , and talked the subject well over , as brothers should do .

so saying he disappeared round a corner of the palace .

for three days and three nights he never drew rein .

like a spirit the horse flew over mountains and valleys till he came to the borders of the empire .

at this awful sight Florea did not wait to give battle .

he put spurs to his horse and dashed off , WHERE he neither knew nor cared .

the dragon heaved a sigh and vanished without leaving a trace behind him .

a week went by .

Florea did not return home .

two passed ; and nothing was heard of him .

after a month Costan began to haunt the stables and to look out a horse for himself .

' If I fail , then you come , ' said he , and followed the path that Florea had taken .

nothing more was heard either of him or Florea ; and Petru remained alone .

' I must go after my brothers , ' said Petru one day to his father .

Petru stopped for a moment when he caught sight of this terrible creature .

then he found his voice .

' Get out of the way ! ' cried he .

' Get out of the way ! ' he repeated again , as the dragon did not move .

' Get out of the way ! ' and with this last summons he drew his sword and rushed upon him .

the horse neighed and reared at the horrible sight , and Petru could not use the sword he had in readiness .

but even so he got on no better , for he could see nothing but fire and smoke .

at the gate of the palace his nurse , old Birscha , was waiting for him eagerly .

' Ah , Petru , my son , I knew you would have to come back , ' she cried .

' You did not set about the matter properly . '

' How ought I to have set about it ? ' asked Petru , half angrily , half sadly .

' Look here , my boy , ' replied old Birscha .

go and ask where it is to be found , and then mount it and be off with you . '

Petru thanked her heartily for her advice , and went at once to make inquiries about the horse .

' By the light of my eyes ! ' exclaimed the emperor when Petru had put his question .

' Who has told you anything about that ?

it must have been that old witch of a Birscha ?

have you lost your wits ?

I have forgotten all about him long ago . '

Petru turned away in anger , and went back to his old nurse .

go and fetch the scrap of the reins ; I shall soon know what must be done . '

the place was full of saddles , bridles , and bits of leather .

' Take the reins , ' said she , ' and strike them violently against the pillars of the house . '

a splendid horse , a splendid saddle , and a splendid bridle , all ready for the splendid young prince !

' Jump on the back of the brown horse , ' said the old woman , and she turned round and went into the house .

the moment Petru was seated on the horse he felt his arm three times as strong as before , and even his heart felt braver .

but , horrible though he was , he had met his match .

Petru showed no fear , but rolled up his sleeves , that his arms might be free .

Petru wasted no more words , but drew his sword and prepared to throw himself on the bridge .

and in this fashion they passed the bridge .

' But we have got to go further still , ' said Petru , after he had taken a farewell glance at his native land .

like the wind ?

like thought ?

like desire ? or like a curse ? '

Petru looked about him , up at the heavens and down again to the earth .

a desert lay spread out before him , whose aspect made his hair stand on end .

before Petru lay a wood made of copper , with copper trees and copper leaves , with bushes and flowers of copper also .

Petru stood and stared as a man does when he sees something that he has never seen , and of which he has never heard .

then he rode right into the wood .

' Take me , for I am lovely , and can give strength to whoever plucks me , ' said one .

Petru was not deaf to their persuasion , and was just stooping to pick one when the horse sprang to one side .

' Why don't you stay still ? ' asked Petru roughly .

' Do not pick the flowers ; it will bring you bad luck ; answered the horse .

' Why should it do that ? '

' These flowers are under a curse .

whoever plucks them must fight the Welwa ( @number@ ) of the woods . '

( @number@ ) A goblin .

' What kind of a goblin is the Welwa ? '

' Oh , do leave me in peace !

but listen .

look at the flowers as much as you like , but pick none , ' and the horse walked on slowly .

but in vain !

if a man is fated to be unlucky , unlucky he will be , whatever he may do !

the flowers went on beseeching him , and his heart grew ever weaker and weaker .

' You have done very wrong , ' said the horse sadly .

' But it can't be helped now .

get yourself ready for battle , for here is the Welwa ! '

hardly had he done speaking , scarcely had Petru twisted his wreath , when a soft breeze arose on all sides at once .

' Are you afraid ? ' asked the horse , shaking his mane .

' Not yet , ' replied Petru stoutly , though cold shivers were running down his back .

' What must come will come , whatever it is . '

' Don't be afraid , ' said the horse .

' I will help you .

take the bridle from my neck , and try to catch the Welwa with it . '

she had not exactly a head , yet neither was she without one .

she did not fly through the air , but neither did she walk upon the earth .

and that was the Welwa .

Petru planted himself firmly in his stirrups , and began to lay about him with his sword , but could feel nothing .

a day and a night went by , and the fight was still undecided , but at last the Welwa began to pant for breath .

' Let us wait a little and rest , ' gasped she .

Petru stopped and lowered his sword .

the Welwa gave a neigh like a horse and a howl like a wolf , and threw herself afresh on Petru .

for another day and night the battle raged more furiously than before .

and Petru grew so exhausted he could scarcely move his arm .

' You must not stop an instant , ' said the horse .

and Petru went on fighting , though he barely had strength to move his arm .

in a moment , from the Welwa sprang a horse the most beautiful horse in the world .

and he told Petru all his story , and how he had been bewitched for many years .

so Petru tied the Welwa to his own horse and rode on .

where did he ride ?

that I cannot tell you , but he rode on fast till he got out of the copper wood .

for in front of him stretched a forest that was far more wonderful , as it was made of glistening trees and shining flowers .

it was the silver wood .

as before , the flowers began to beg the young man to gather them .

for three days and three nights they fought , but at last Petru cast the bridle over the head of the second Welwa .

he drew his sword and made himself ready for the fight .

' I will die ! ' cried he , ' or he shall have my bridle over his head . '

by dawn of the second day it had vanished altogether , and the sun shone brightly in the heavens .

it seemed to Petru that he had been born again .

and the Welwa ?

she had vanished .

' You had better take breath now you can , for the fight will have to begin all over again , ' said the horse .

' What was it ? ' asked Petru .

' It was the Welwa , ' replied the horse , ' changed into a fog ' Listen !

she is coming ! '

and Petru had hardly drawn a long breath when he felt something approaching from the side , though what he could not tell .

' Woe be to me ! ' cried Petru , frightened at last .

the battle began anew .

for a day and a night Petru fought on , without knowing at whom or what he struck .

at dawn on the second , he felt that both his feet were lame .

' Now I am done for , ' thought he , and his blows fell thicker and harder in his desperation .

and the sun came out and the water disappeared , without his knowing how or when .

' Take breath , ' said the horse , ' for you have no time to lose .

the Welwa will return in a moment . '

Petru made no reply , only wondered how , exhausted as he was , he should ever be able to carry on the fight .

but he settled himself in his saddle , grasped his sword , and waited .

and then something came to him WHAT I cannot tell you .

at least , that was what the Welwa seemed like to Petru .

as the day wore on , his strength began to fail , and when darkness fell he could hardly keep his eyes open .

when the grey light of morning came , he was past standing on his feet , but fought now upon his knees .

' Make one more struggle ; it is nearly over now , ' said the horse , seeing that Petru 's strength was waning fast .

Petru wiped the sweat from his brow with his gauntlet , and with a desperate effort rose to his feet .

' Strike the Welwa on the mouth with the bridle , ' said the horse , and Petru did it .

so the four horses galloped fast , and by nightfall they were at the borders of the golden forest .

then Petru began to think of the crowns that he wore , and what they had cost him .

' After all , what do I want with so many ?

' Stay ! ' cried the horse , ' do not throw them away !

perhaps we shall find them of use .

get down and pick them up . '

so Petru got down and picked them up , and they all went on .

at the same instant the horse stood still of itself .

' What is the matter ? ' asked Petru .

' I am afraid that something evil will happen to us , ' answered the horse .

' But why should it ? '

but all along the road there are huge fires , and I dread lest you should stop and warm yourself at them . '

( @number@ ) in German ' Mittwoch , ' the feminine form of Mercury .

' And why should I not warm myself ? '

' Something fearful will happen to you if you do , ' replied the horse sadly .

' Well , forward ! ' cried Petru lightly , ' and if I have to bear cold , I must bear it ! '

but Petru was no coward ; the fight he had gone through had strengthened his powers of endurance , and he stood the test bravely .

the breath froze in his mouth , but he took no notice , only bade his horse ride on the faster .

' Good-day , little mother ! ' said he .

' Very well , thank you , my frozen friend ! '

Petru laughed , and waited for her to speak .

' You have borne yourself bravely , ' went on the goddess , tapping him on the shoulder .

' Now you shall have your reward , ' and she opened an iron chest , out of which she took a little box .

take it , and treasure it , for some day it may help you .

if you open it , it will tell you anything you want , and give you news of your fatherland . '

Petru thanked her gratefully for her gift , mounted his horse , and rode away .

when he was some distance from the hut , he opened the casket .

' What are your commands ? ' asked a voice inside .

' Give me news of my father , ' he replied , rather nervously .

' He is sitting in council with his nobles , ' answered the casket .

' Is he well ? '

' Not particularly , for he is furiously angry . '

' What has angered him ? '

' Your brothers Costan and Florea , ' replied the casket .

' Stop !

I have some advice to give you , ' said the horse at last .

' What is it ? ' asked Petru .

' You have known what it is to suffer cold ; you will have to endure heat , such as you have never dreamed of .

be as brave now as you were then .

let no one tempt you to try to cool yourself , or evil will befall you . '

' Forwards ! ' answered Petru .

' Do not worry yourself .

if I have escaped without being frozen , there is no chance of my melting . '

' Why not ?

( @number@ ) in the German ' Donnerstag ' the day of the Thunder God , i.e. Jupiter .

and it WAS hot .

the very iron of the horse 's shoes began to melt , but Petru gave no heed .

the sweat ran down his face , but he dried it with his gauntlet .

when Petru looked at them his heart burned within him , and his mouth grew parched .

' Come , my hero , come and rest ; the heat will kill you , ' said they .

Petru shook his head and said nothing , for he had lost the power of speech .

Long he rode in this awful state , how long none can tell .

suddenly the heat seemed to become less , and , in the distance , he saw a little hut on a hill .

she welcomed him , and kindly invited him in , and bade him tell her all his adventures .

' For , ' he said , ' who knows how far the Fairy of the Dawn may yet be ? '

' Stay for one moment , for I have a word of advice to give you .

on your way back , come to me again , and I will give you something that may be of use to you . '

( @number@ ) ' Vineri ' is Friday , and also ' Venus . '

so Petru mounted his horse , and had hardly ridden three steps when he found himself in a new country .

then he stopped in front of the house , and Petru jumped off and went to the door .

' Do not be in such a hurry , ' cried the horse .

' There are several things I must tell you first .

you cannot enter the house of the goddess Venus like that .

she is always watched and guarded by the whirlwind . '

' What am I to do then ? '

' Take the copper wreath , and go with it to that little hill over there .

when you reach it , say to yourself , " were there ever such lovely maidens ! such angels ! such fairy souls ! "

' And why should I do all this ? ' said Petru .

' Ask no questions , but go and do it , ' replied the horse .

and Petru did .

scarcely had he flung away the copper wreath than the whirlwind flung himself upon it , and tore it in pieces .

then Petru turned once more to the horse .

' Stop ! ' cried the horse again .

' I have other things to tell you .

take the silver wreath and knock at the windows of the goddess Venus .

when she says , " who is there ? " answer that you have come on foot and lost your way on the heath .

she will then tell you to go your way back again ; but take care not to stir from the spot .

this is what you must say .

what happens after is your affair . '

Petru asked no more , but went towards the house .

' Which of those dogs is barking ?

is he tired of life ? ' asked the goddess Venus .

' It is I , O goddess ! ' replied Petru , rather timidly .

' I have lost my way on the heath , and do not know where I am to sleep this night . '

' Where did you leave your horse ? ' asked the goddess sharply .

Petru did not answer .

he was not sure if he was to lie , or whether he had better tell the truth .

' Go away , my son , there is no place for you here , ' replied she , drawing back from the window .

' Let me see this wreath , my son , ' and Petru held it out to her .

' Come into the house , ' went on the goddess ; ' do not fear the dogs , they always know my will . '

and so they did , for as the young man passed they wagged their tails to him .

but Petru agreed with her in everything , as he had been taught was only polite .

but was anybody ever so old as she !

but Venus was joyful in her heart when she saw Petru 's eyes fixed upon her .

' Nothing was that is , and the world was not a world when I was born , ' said she .

but every hundred years there came a wrinkle on my face .

and now I am old . '

Petru did not know what to do .

' Close to the Fairy 's house is a well , and whoever drinks from it will blossom again like a rose .

bring me a flagon of it , and I will do anything to prove my gratitude .

it is not easy ! no one knows that better than I do !

then she rose and lifted the lid of an iron-bound chest , and took out of it a very tiny flute .

' Do you see this ? ' she asked .

so Petru bade her good-night , put the flute in its case , and laid himself down in the lowest chamber to sleep .

then he dressed himself and made ready to start .

' Stop , ' cried Venus from her window , ' I have still a piece of advice to give you .

leave one of your horses here , and only take three .

ride slowly till you get to the fairy 's kingdom , then dismount and go on foot .

when you return , see that all your three horses remain on the road , while you walk .

she is hideous , more hideous than anything you can imagine , with owl 's eyes , foxy face , and cat 's claws .

do you hear ? do you hear ?

be sure you never look at her . '

Petru thanked her , and managed to get off at last .

he did not know there was such a beautiful castle in the world .

he had hardly gone many steps when he stumbled over a huge giant , who had been lulled to sleep by the music .

this was one of the guards of the castle !

as he lay there on his back , he seemed so big that in spite of Petru 's haste he stopped to measure him .

it is needless to say what the dragons were like , for nowadays everyone knows , and dragons are not things to joke about .

Petru ran through them like the wind .

was it haste or fear that spurred him on ?

at last he came to a river , but let nobody think for a moment that this river was like other rivers ?

instead of water , there flowed milk , and the bottom was of precious stones and pearls , instead of sand and pebbles .

and it ran neither fast nor slow , but both fast and slow together .

all this saw Petru from the other side .

but how was he to get over ?

who could tell what it was made of ?

it looked like soft little woolly clouds !

so he stood thinking what was to be done , for get across he must .

after a while , he determined to take the risk , and strode back to the sleeping giant .

' Wake up , my brave man ! ' he cried , giving him a shake .

the giant woke and stretched out his hand to pick up Petru , just as we should catch a fly .

but Petru played on his flute , and the giant fell back again .

when the giant saw the trick which had been played on him he said to Petru .

' Do you call this a fair fight ?

fight according to rules , if you really are a hero ! '

' I will by-and-by , but first I want to ask you a question !

will you swear that you will carry me over the river if I fight honourably with you ? '

and the giant swore .

when his hands were freed , the giant flung himself upon Petru , hoping to crush him by his weight .

but he had met his match .

it was not yesterday , nor the day before , that Petru had fought his first battle , and he bore himself bravely .

' Let me go ! let me go ! ' shrieked he .

' I own that I am beaten ! '

' Will you take me over the river ? ' asked Petru .

' I will , ' gasped the giant .

' What shall I do to you if you break your word ? '

' Kill me , any way you like !

but let me live now . '

' That is all right , ' said Petru .

then he played a few notes on his flute , and the giant went to sleep again .

even the fairies who had been bathing a little lower down heard the music and fell asleep among the flowers on the bank .

but he dared not linger , and pushed on .

and now he was in the wonderful gardens , which seemed more wonderful still than they had done from afar .

but Petru could see no faded flowers , nor any birds , as he hastened through them to the castle .

no one was there to bar his way , for all were asleep .

even the leaves had ceased to move .

he passed through the courtyard , and entered the castle itself .

Petru went up the stairs and walked quickly through eight-and-forty rooms , hung with silken stuffs , and all empty .

in the forty-ninth he found the Fairy of the Dawn herself .

and by the well slept the Fairy of the Dawn the Fairy of the Dawn herself !

and as Petru looked at her the magic flute dropped by his side , and he held his breath .

near the well was a table , on which stood bread made with does ' milk , and a flagon of wine .

it was the bread of strength and the wine of youth , and Petru longed for them .

as he looked a mist came over his senses .

then he filled a flask with water from the well , and vanished swiftly .

as he passed through the garden it seemed quite different from what it was before .

the flowers were lovelier , the streams ran quicker , the sunbeams shone brighter , and the fairies seemed gayer .

and all this had been caused by the three kisses Petru had given the Fairy of the Dawn .

he passed everything safely by , and was soon seated in his saddle again .

faster than the wind , faster than thought , faster than longing , faster than hatred rode Petru .

at length he dismounted , and , leaving his horses at the roadside , went on foot to the house of Venus .

the goddess Venus knew that he was coming , and went to meet him , bearing with her white bread and red wine .

' Welcome back , my prince , ' said she .

' Good day , and many thanks , ' replied the young man , holding out the flask containing the magic water .

she received it with joy , and after a short rest Petru set forth , for he had no time to lose .

' Stay , I have a warning to give you , ' said she .

go , and take care , for the way is long , the world is bad , and you hold something very precious .

but I will give you this cloth to help you .

Petru thanked her and rode off , and , taking out his treasure box , inquired how matters were going at home .

not well , it said .

then the brothers had gone to consult old Birscha , who told them that Petru was already on his way home bearing the water .

' You are lying ! ' cried Petru angrily , throwing the box on the ground , where it broke into a thousand pieces .

he was still gazing , when he heard a sound in the distance as if some one was calling hit by his name .

' You , Petru ! ' it said .

' On ! on ! ' cried the horse ; ' it will fare ill with you if you stop . '

he had a thousand questions to ask , and a thousand things to tell .

but his brown horse stood sadly hanging his head .

some one might try to take it from you on the road , while no one would suspect us . '

' So it would , ' added Costan .

' Florea speaks well . '

but Petru shook his head , and told them what the Goddess of Thunder had said , and about the cloth she had given him .

and both brothers understood there was only one way in which they could kill him .

at a stone 's throw from where they stood ran a rushing stream , with clear deep pools .

' Don't you feel thirsty , Costan ? ' asked Florea , winking at him .

' Yes , ' replied Costan , understanding directly what was wanted .

' Come , Petru , let us drink now we have the chance , and then we will set out on our way home .

it is a good thing you have us with you , to protect you from harm . '

the horse neighed , and Petru knew what it meant , and did not go with his brothers .

no , he went home to his father , and cured his blindness ; and as for his brothers , they never returned again .

( from Rumanische Marchen . )

THE ENCHANTED KNIFE

one day he plucked up all his courage and went to the palace to ask the emperor for his daughter .

' Very well , my son , if you can win the princess you shall have her , and the conditions are these .

in eight days you must manage to tame and bring to me three horses that have never felt a master .

the first is pure white , the second a foxy-red with a black head , the third coal black with a white head and feet .

the sun had hardly risen the following morning when the princess 's nurse brought the young man to her apartments .

then the maiden said :

' Take my horse , and ride straight through the wood towards the sunset till you come to a hill with three peaks .

out of these you must pick out the three described to you by my father .

go to it , and cut away the roots with your knife , and you will come to countless bags of gold .

the princess had finished all she had to say , and now it depended on the young man to do his part .

he hid the knife in the folds of his girdle , mounted his horse , and rode off in search of the meadow .

this he found without much difficulty , but the horses were all so shy that they galloped away directly he approached them .

from all sides the horses rushed pressing round , and each one that passed him fell on its knees to do him honour .

but he only chose from them all the three that the emperor had described .

these he secured by a silken rope to his own horse , and then looked about for the cypress tree .

it was standing by itself in one corner , and in a moment he was beside it , tearing away the earth with his knife .

then he asked his newly made son-in-law what dowry he would require with his bride .

( Volksmarchen der Serben . )

JESPER WHO HERDED THE HARES

there was once a king who ruled over a kingdom somewhere between sunrise and sunset .

but as it was all his own , he was very proud of it , and often wondered how it would get along without him .

at last he devised a plan .

there were plenty who tried to fulfil the terms which the king proposed .

at the end of several weeks the stream of suitors began to fall off , and still there was no prospect of a suitable son-in-law .

Peter and Paul were grown men , while Jesper was just coming to manhood .

it was a fact , however , as we shall see in the course of our story .

one day the fisherman went out fishing , and among his catch for the day he brought home three dozen oysters .

when these were opened , every shell was found to contain a large and beautiful pearl .

Hereupon the three brothers , at one and the same moment , fell upon the idea of offering themselves as suitors for the princess .

next morning Peter put his pearls in a little basket , and set off for the king 's palace .

' Come and help me , ' said the King of the Ants ; ' the beetles are too big for us .

I may help you some day in return . '

a little further on the way he met an old woman .

' Good morning , young man , ' said she ; ' you are early astir .

what have you got in your basket ? '

' Cinders , ' said Peter promptly , and walked on , adding to himself , ' Take that for being so inquisitive . '

' Very well , cinders be it , ' the old woman called after him , but he pretended not to hear her .

very soon he reached the palace , and was at once brought before the king .

to his father and brothers , however , he gave no account of his attempt , except that it had been a failure .

next day Paul set out to try his luck .

' Come and help me , ' said the King of the Ants ; ' we got the worst of it yesterday .

I may help you some day in return . '

' I don't care though you get the worst of it to-day too , ' said Paul .

' I have more important business on hand than mixing myself up in your quarrels . '

so he walked on , and presently the same old woman met him .

' Good morning , ' said she ; ' what have YOU got in your basket ? '

' Very well , cinders be it , ' the old woman shouted after him , but Paul neither looked back nor answered her .

the third day came , and with it came Jesper 's turn to try his fortune .

Jesper made no reply , but put his pearls in the little basket and walked off .

' Come and help us , ' said their king to Jesper , ' or we shall be completely defeated .

I may help you some day in return . '

' Just call on me when you want me , ' he said , ' where-ever you are .

I 'm never far away from anywhere , and if I can possibly help you , I shall not fail to do it . '

Jesper was inclined to laugh at this , but he kept a grave face , said he would remember the offer , and walked on .

at a turn of the road he suddenly came upon the old woman .

' Good morning , ' said she ; ' what have YOU got in your basket ? '

' Pearls , ' said Jesper ; ' I 'm going to the palace to win the princess with them . '

and in case she might not believe him , he lifted the cover and let her see them .

however , ' she said , ' I see you have brought something with you to eat .

won't you give that to me : you are sure to get a good dinner at the palace . '

he had already taken a few steps on the way again , when the old woman called him back .

' Here , ' she said ; ' take this whistle in return for your lunch .

when Jesper presented his pearls to the king there were exclamations of wonder and delight from everyone who saw them .

in spite of the softness of the bed , he was very glad when morning came at last .

he led him out to the barn , and there in the middle of the floor was a large pile of grain .

the king walked off , and Jesper looked in despair at the task before him .

assistance was out of the question unless , he suddenly thought unless the King of the Ants could help .

on him he began to call , and before many minutes had passed that royal personage made his appearance .

Jesper explained the trouble he was in .

' Is that all ? ' said the ant ; ' we shall soon put that to rights . '

' Wonderful , ' said he ; ' I couldn't have believed it possible .

however , the hardest is yet to come , as you will see to-morrow . '

Jesper thought so too when the next day 's task was set before him .

' Now , ' said the king , ' as he walked away , ' let's see what your cleverness can do here . '

here he found something which turned out to be the whistle given to him by the old woman .

after that , Jesper allowed them to run about as they pleased , so long as they stayed in the field .

' One of them must be got out of his hands by hook or crook , ' said he .

' I 'll go and see the queen about it ; she 's good at devising plans . '

a little later , a girl in a shabby dress came into the field and walked up to Jesper .

' I can't , ' said Jesper .

' Very well ; give me a kiss and you shall have one of them . '

not long after this the hare-herd had another visit .

Jesper again refused , but the old lady was so pressing , and would take no refusal , that at last he said :

they would think I had taken leave of my senses . '

' Just as you like , ' said Jesper ; ' you know best whether you want the hare or not . '

as soon as she had left the field , the whistle was sounded again , and back came long-legs-and-ears at a marvellous speed .

' All right , ' said Jesper ; ' you can have one at an easy rate .

just stand on your head , whack your heels together , and cry " hurrah , " and the hare is yours . '

' Eh , what ! ' said the old fellow ; ' ME stand on my head , what an idea ! '

of course , it wasn't long in coming back again , like the others .

evening came , and home came Jesper with the hundred hares behind him .

' Well , well , ' said the king ; ' you have done that very well indeed .

the king and queen sat on their thrones , with the princess beside them , and the lords and ladies were all round the hall .

' But how are we to know when the tub is full ? ' said Jesper .

' Don't you trouble about that , ' said the king ; ' that 's my part of the business . '

she got the hare , but she had to give me a kiss for it ; AND THAT GIRL WAS THE PRINCESS .

isn't that true ? ' said he , looking at her .

the princess blushed and looked very uncomfortable , but had to admit that it was true .

' That hasn't filled much of the tub , ' said the king .

' Go on again . '

' After that , ' said Jesper , ' a stout old woman , in a peasant 's dress , came and begged for a hare .

isn't that true , now ? '

the queen turned very red and hot , but couldn't deny it .

' H-m , ' said the king ; ' that is something , but the tub isn't full yet . '

to the queen he whispered , ' I didn't think you would be such a fool . '

' What did YOU do ? ' she whispered in return .

' Do you suppose I would do anything for HIM ? ' said the king , and then hurriedly ordered Jesper to go on .

' In the next place , ' said Jesper , ' there came a fat old fellow on the same errand .

' Stop , stop , ' shouted the king ; ' you needn't say another word ; the tub is full . '

( Scandinavian . )

THE UNDERGROUND WORKERS

on a bitter night somewhere between Christmas and the New Year , a man set out to walk to the neighbouring village .

here he resolved to spend the night , thinking that when the sun rose he would be able to see his path again .

so he tucked his legs snugly under him like a hedgehog , rolled himself up in his sheepskin , and went to sleep .

the sleeper slowly raised his head from his furs , and opened his heavy eyes .

near him stood a long thin man , holding in his hand a young fir tree taller than himself .

the sleeper did not wait to be asked twice , but rose at once and followed the stranger .

very soon they reached a wood , and saw the friendly glow of a fire .

' What is your name ? ' asked the stranger , suddenly turning round .

' I am called Hans , the son of Long Hans , ' said the peasant .

the moss was dry and the plants green , while the grass seemed all alive with the hum of bees and cockchafers .

then , after a hot drink which warmed both their hearts , they lay down on the ground .

when he awoke , neither wood nor fire was to be seen , and he did not know where he was .

suddenly a loud noise struck on his ear , and he felt the earth tremble beneath his feet .

he found himself at length at the mouth of a rocky cave in which a fire seemed burning .

from time to time he would give his workmen a sign with his staff , for it was useless to speak amid such a noise .

then the master got down from his seat and said to Hans :

' I saw you come in , but the work was pressing , and I could not stop to speak to you .

To-day you must be my guest , and I will show you something of the way in which I live .

wait here for a moment , while I lay aside these dirty clothes . '

with these words he unlocked a door in the cave , and bade Hans pass in before him .

oh , what riches and treasures met Hans ' astonished eyes !

gold and silver bars lay piled on the floor , and glittered so that you could not look at them !

if they fell into the hands of men , everyone would be rich , and none need work or suffer hunger . '

' And it is exactly for that reason , ' answered he , ' that I must keep these riches out of their way .

the whole world would sink to idleness if men were not forced to earn their daily bread .

it is only through work and care that man can ever hope to be good for anything . '

to none comes wealth without trouble : we must first dig out the gold and mix the grains with earth , clay , and sand .

then , after long and hard seeking , it will be found in this state , by those who have good luck or much patience .

but , my friend , the hour of dinner is at hand .

if you wish to remain in this place , and feast your eyes on this gold , then stay till I call you . '

after awhile his host came back , but so changed that Hans could not believe it was really he .

Table and seats were all of silver , while the dishes and plates were of solid gold .

but as far as I have seen and heard I cannot speak well of them .

the greater part of them are always quarrelling and complaining of each other 's faults , while nobody thinks of his own . '

then he went to sleep in his chair , and knew nothing of what was happening .

wonderful dreams came to him during his sleep , where the bars of gold continually hovered before his eyes .

he felt stronger than he had ever felt during his waking moments , and lifted two bars quite easily on to his back .

he did this so often that at length his strength seemed exhausted , and he sank almost breathless on the ground .

in this way Hans suddenly became rich rich enough to buy a property of his own .

( Ehstnische Marchen . )

THE HISTORY OF DWARF LONG NOSE

In a large town in Germany there lived , some couple of hundred years ago , a cobbler and his wife .

they were poor and hard-working .

the man sat all day in a little stall at the street corner and mended any shoes that were brought him .

the couple had one boy called Jem .

a handsome , pleasant-faced boy of twelve , and tall for his age .

Jem cried his wares at the top of his voice :

' This way , gentlemen !

see these lovely cabbages and these fresh herbs !

early apples , ladies ; early pears and apricots , and all cheap .

come , buy , buy ! '

as he cried an old woman came across the Market Place .

in this fashion she came along till she got to the stall where Jem and his mother were , and there she stopped .

' Are you Hannah the herb seller ? ' she asked in a croaky voice as her head shook to and fro .

' Yes , I am , ' was the answer .

' Can I serve you ? '

' We 'll see ; we 'll see !

let me look at those herbs .

the cobbler 's wife felt much disgusted at seeing her wares treated like this , but she dared not speak .

this made Jem very angry

' You are a very rude old woman , ' he cried out .

the old woman looked sharply at the saucy boy , laughed unpleasantly , and said :

' So you don't like my long nose , sonny ?

well , you shall have one yourself , right down to your chin . '

' Don't waggle your head in that horrid way , ' begged Jem anxiously .

' Don't you like thin necks ? ' laughed the old woman .

' Don't talk such nonsense to the child , ' said the mother at last .

' If you wish to buy , please make haste , as you are keeping other customers away . '

' Very well , I will do as you ask , ' said the old woman , with an angry look .

' I will buy these six cabbages , but , as you see , I can only walk with my stick and can carry nothing .

let your boy carry them home for me and I 'll pay him for his trouble . '

she drew a rusty old hook from her pocket and stuck it into a little hole in the door , which suddenly flew open .

how surprised Jem was when they went in !

the old woman took out a silver whistle and blew it till the sound rang through the house .

' Where are my slippers , lazy crew ? ' cried the old woman , and hit about with her stick .

' How long am I to stand waiting here ? '

they rushed upstairs again and returned with a pair of cocoa nuts lined with leather , which she put on her feet .

now all limping and shuffling was at an end .

she threw away her stick and walked briskly across the glass floor , drawing little Jem after her .

' Sit down , you 've had a long walk and a heavy load to carry , and I must give you something for your trouble .

wait a bit , and I 'll give you some nice soup , which you 'll remember as long as you live . '

So saying , she whistled again .

first came in guinea pigs in men 's clothing .

they had tied on large kitchen aprons , and in their belts were stuck carving knives and sauce ladles and such things .

after them hopped in a number of squirrels .

they too walked on their hind legs , wore full Turkish trousers , and little green velvet caps on their heads .

here the old woman was bustling about , and Jem could see that she was cooking something very special for him .

and you shall be a clever cook too , but the real herb no , the REAL herb you 'll never find .

why had your mother not got it in her basket ? '

the child could not think what she was talking about , but he quite understood the soup , which tasted most delicious .

his mother had often given him nice things , but nothing had ever seemed so good as this .

as he was finishing it the guinea pigs lit some Arabian incense , which gradually filled the room with clouds of blue vapour .

they grew thicker and thicker and the scent nearly overpowered the boy .

strange dreams came to him .

first he learned to clean her cocoa-nut shoes with oil and to rub them up .

here he worked his way up from under-scullion to head-pastrycook , and reached the greatest perfection .

he did this quite according to rule .

then he went to fetch the herbs to stuff it with .

in the store-room he noticed a half-opened cupboard which he did not remember having seen before .

he peeped in and saw a lot of baskets from which came a strong and pleasant smell .

he opened one and found a very uncommon herb in it .

the stems and leaves were a bluish green , and above them was a little flower of a deep bright red , edged with yellow .

but the smell was so sharp that he began to sneeze again and again , and at last he woke up !

there he lay on the old woman 's sofa and stared about him in surprise .

' Well , what odd dreams one does have to be sure ! ' he said to himself .

how mother will laugh when I tell her !

but won't she scold me , though , for sleeping away here in a strange house , instead of helping her at market ! '

he was quite puzzled when he reached the market-place .

are you angry with me ? '

she turned round quickly and jumped up with a cry of horror .

' What do you want , you hideous dwarf ? ' she cried ; ' get away ; I can't bear such tricks . '

' But , mother dear , what 's the matter with you ? ' repeated Jem , quite frightened .

' You can't be well .

why do you want to drive your son away ? '

' I have said already , get away , ' replied Hannah , quite angrily .

' You won't get anything out of me by your games , you monstrosity . '

' Oh dear , oh dear ! she must be wandering in her mind , ' murmured the lad to himself .

' How can I manage to get her home ?

dearest mother , do look at me close .

can't you see I am your own son Jem ? '

' Well , did you ever hear such impudence ? ' asked Hannah , turning to a neighbour .

' Just see that frightful dwarf would you believe that he wants me to think he is my son Jem ? '

Poor Jem did not know what to make of it all .

and they called him a horrid dwarf !

why , what had happened to him ?

' Now I 'll see whether he will know me , ' thought he .

' I 'll stand by the door and talk to him . '

when he got to the stall he stood in the doorway and looked in .

' Good evening , master , ' said the boy , as he stepped in .

' How do you do ? '

' Very ill , little sir , replied the father , to Jem 's surprise , for he did not seem to know him .

' Business does not go well .

I am all alone , and am getting old , and a workman is costly . '

' But haven't you a son who could learn your trade by degrees ? ' asked Jem .

well , well ! so goes the world ! '

' But where is your son ? ' asked Jem , with a trembling voice .

' SEVEN YEARS AGO ! ' cried Jem , with horror .

I always thought and said that something of the kind would happen .

' And that was seven years ago , you say ? '

' Yes , seven years : we had him cried we went from house to house .

Many knew the pretty boy , and were fond of him , but it was all in vain .

as he thought it over rage filled his heart .

seven years of his youth had been stolen from him , and what had he got in return ?

to learn to rub up cocoa nuts , and to polish glass floors , and to be taught cooking by guinea pigs !

he stood there thinking , till at last his father asked him :

' Is there anything I can do for you , young gentleman ?

shall I make you a pair of slippers , or perhaps ' with a smile ' a case for your nose ? '

' What have you to do with my nose ? ' asked Jem .

' And why should I want a case for it ? '

here is a nice piece ; and think what a protection it would be to you .

as it is , you must be constantly knocking up against things . '

the lad was dumb with fright .

he felt his nose .

it was thick , and quite two hands long .

' Master , ' said he , ' have you got a glass that I could see myself in ? '

good morning . '

so saying , he gently pushed Jem into the street , shut the door , and went back to his work .

Jem stepped across to the barber , whom he had known in old days .

' Good morning , Urban , ' said he ; ' may I look at myself in your glass for a moment ? '

' With pleasure , ' said the barber , laughing , and all the people in his shop fell to laughing also .

' You are a pretty youth , with your swan-like neck and white hands and small nose .

no wonder you are rather vain ; but look as long as you like at yourself . '

So spoke the barber , and a titter ran round the room .

meantime Jem had stepped up to the mirror , and stood gazing sadly at his reflection .

tears came to his eyes .

he determined to go again to his mother , and found her still in the market-place .

at last she decided to go and talk to her husband about it .

she gathered up her baskets , told Jem to follow her , and went straight to the cobbler 's stall .

' Look here , ' said she , ' this creature says he is our lost son .

he has been telling me how he was stolen seven years ago , and bewitched by a fairy . '

' Indeed ! ' interrupted the cobbler angrily .

' Did he tell you this ?

wait a minute , you rascal !

why I told him all about it myself only an hour ago , and then he goes off to humbug you .

so you were bewitched , my son were you ?

wait a bit , and I 'll bewitch you ! '

so saying , he caught up a bundle of straps , and hit out at Jem so hard that he ran off crying .

he woke next morning with the first rays of light , and began to think what he could do to earn a living .

suddenly he remembered that he was an excellent cook , and he determined to look out for a place .

don't you know his highness is still asleep ? '

some of the servants ran off at once , and others pointed out Jem .

when he heard him ask for a place as cook , he said : ' You make some mistake , my lad .

I think you want to be the grand duke 's dwarf , don't you ? '

' No , sir , ' replied Jem .

' Well , as you will ; but believe me , you would have an easier place as the grand ducal dwarf . '

So saying , the head steward led him to the head cook 's room .

the head cook looked him over from head to foot , and burst out laughing .

' You a cook !

do you suppose our cooking stoves are so low that you can look into any saucepan on them ?

oh , my dear little fellow , whoever sent you to me wanted to make fun of you . '

but the dwarf was not to be put off .

' Name any dish you wish to have cooked , and give me the materials I ask for , and you shall see . '

he said much more , and at last persuaded the head cook to give him a trial .

they went into the kitchen a huge place with at least twenty fireplaces , always alight .

a little stream of clear water ran through the room , and live fish were kept at one end of it .

everything in the kitchen was of the best and most beautiful kind , and swarms of cooks and scullions were busy preparing dishes .

when the head cook came in with Jem everyone stood quite still .

' What has his highness ordered for luncheon ? ' asked the head cook .

' Sir , his highness has graciously ordered a Danish soup and red Hamburg dumplings . '

' Good , ' said the head cook .

' Have you heard , and do you feel equal to making these dishes ?

not that you will be able to make the dumplings , for they are a secret receipt . '

' Is that all ! ' said Jem , who had often made both dishes .

' Nothing easier .

' Why , ' cried the astonished cook , ' where did you learn cooking ?

and now Jem was allowed to try his hand .

he could not nearly reach up to the kitchen range , but by putting a wide plank on two chairs he managed very well .

all the cooks stood round to look on , and could not help admiring the quick , clever way in which he set to work .

at last , when all was ready , Jem ordered the two dishes to be put on the fire till he gave the word .

the saucepans were taken off , and he invited the head cook to taste .

' First rate , indeed ! ' he exclaimed .

' You certainly are a master of the art , little fellow , and the herb heal-well gives a particular relish . '

he hurried on his best clothes and followed the messenger .

the grand duke was looking much pleased .

he had emptied the dishes , and was wiping his mouth as the head cook came in .

' Who cooked my luncheon to-day ? ' asked he .

' I must say your dumplings are always very good ; but I don't think I ever tasted anything so delicious as they were to-day .

who made them ? '

Jem bowed to the ground , and promised to obey his new master in all things .

now all was changed .

he never even grumbled at anything , had five meals instead of three , thought everything delicious , and grew fatter daily .

and so Jem lived on for two years , much respected and considered , and only saddened when he thought of his parents .

one day passed much like another till the following incident happened .

one morning he was in the goose market , looking for some nice fat geese .

he noticed one woman sitting apart with a number of geese , but not crying or praising them like the rest .

' That goose is ill , ' said he ; ' I must make haste to kill and dress her . '

but the goose answered him quite distinctly :

' Squeeze too tight And I 'll bite , If my neck a twist you gave I 'd bring you to an early grave . '

quite frightened , the dwarf set down the cage , and the goose gazed at him with sad wise-looking eyes and sighed again .

' Good gracious ! ' said Long Nose .

' So you can speak , Mistress Goose .

I never should have thought it !

well , don't be anxious .

I know better than to hurt so rare a bird .

but I could bet you were not always in this plumage wasn't I a squirrel myself for a time ? '

' You are right , ' said the goose , ' in supposing I was not born in this horrid shape .

ah ! no one ever thought that Mimi , the daughter of the great Weatherbold , would be killed for the ducal table . '

' Be quite easy , Mistress Mimi , ' comforted Jem .

' As sure as I 'm an honest man and assistant head cook to his highness , no one shall harm you .

the goose thanked him with tears in her eyes , and the dwarf kept his word .

he spent all his spare time talking to her and comforting her , and fed her on all the daintiest dishes .

when Long Nose told her his story she said :

this was but small comfort for Jem , for how and where was he to find the herb ?

about this time the grand duke had a visit from a neighbouring prince , a friend of his .

he sent for Long Nose and said to him :

' Now is the time to show what you can really do .

this prince who is staying with me has better dinners than any one except myself , and is a great judge of cooking .

as long as he is here you must take care that my table shall be served in a manner to surprise him constantly .

at the same time , on pain of my displeasure , take care that no dish shall appear twice .

get everything you wish and spare nothing .

if you want to melt down gold and precious stones , do so .

I would rather be a poor man than have to blush before him . '

the dwarf bowed and answered :

' Your highness shall be obeyed .

I will do all in my power to please you and the prince . '

the prince had been a fortnight with the grand duke , and enjoyed himself mightily .

on the fifteenth day the duke sent for the dwarf and presented him to the prince .

' You are a wonderful cook , ' said the prince , ' and you certainly know what is good .

all the time I have been here you have never repeated a dish , and all were excellent .

but tell me why you have never served the queen of all dishes , a Suzeraine Pasty ? '

the dwarf felt frightened , for he had never heard of this Queen of Pasties before .

but he did not lose his presence of mind , and replied :

however , you will have to invent some other farewell dish , for the pasty must be on my table to-morrow . '

' As your highness pleases , ' said the dwarf , and took leave .

but it did not please HIM at all .

the moment of disgrace seemed at hand , for he had no idea how to make this pasty .

he went to his rooms very sad .

when she heard she said :

' Cheer up , my friend .

I know the dish quite well : we often had it at home , and I can guess pretty well how it was made . '

sure enough , next day a magnificent pasty all wreathed round with flowers was placed on the table .

Jem himself put on his best clothes and went into the dining hall .

as he entered the head carver was in the act of cutting up the pie and helping the duke and his guests .

the grand duke took a large mouthful and threw up his eyes as he swallowed it .

don't you think so , dear friend ? '

the prince took several small pieces , tasted and examined carefully , and then said with a mysterious and sarcastic smile :

' The dish is very nicely made , but the Suzeraine is not quite complete as I expected . '

the grand duke flew into a rage .

' Dog of a cook , ' he shouted ; ' how dare you serve me so ?

I 've a good mind to chop off your great head as a punishment . '

' For mercy 's sake , don't , your highness !

I made the pasty according to the best rules ; nothing has been left out .

ask the prince what else I should have put in . '

the prince laughed .

' I was sure you could not make this dish as well as my cook , friend Long Nose .

the grand duke was more furious than ever .

' But I WILL taste it to perfection , ' he roared .

' Either the pasty must be made properly to-morrow or this rascal 's head shall come off .

go , scoundrel , I give you twenty-four hours respite . '

the poor dwarf hurried back to his room , and poured out his grief to the goose .

luckily this is a new moon just now , for the herb only springs up at such times .

but tell me , are there chestnut trees near the palace ? '

but why do you ask ? '

take me under your arm and put me down out of doors , and I 'll hunt for it . '

the goose hunted everywhere , but in vain .

suddenly the dwarf noticed a big old tree standing alone on the other side of the lake .

' Look , ' cried he , ' let us try our luck there . '

the goose fluttered and skipped in front , and he ran after as fast as his little legs could carry him .

the dwarf stood gazing at the plant .

it gave out a strong sweet scent , which reminded him of the day of his enchantment .

the stems and leaves were a bluish green , and it bore a dark , bright red flower with a yellow edge .

' What a wonder ! ' cried Long Nose .

' I do believe this is the very herb which changed me from a squirrel into my present miserable form .

shall I try an experiment ? '

' Not yet , ' said the goose .

' Take a good handful of the herb with you , and let us go to your rooms .

we will collect all your money and clothes together , and then we will test the powers of the herb . '

then he plunged his face into the bunch of herbs , and drew in their perfume .

the goose looked on in amazement .

' Oh , how big and how beautiful you are ! ' she cried .

' Thank heaven , you are quite changed . '

Jem folded his hands in thanks , as his heart swelled with gratitude .

but his joy did not make him forget all he owed to his friend Mimi .

I will now take you back to your father , who will certainly know how to disenchant you . '

the goose accepted his offer with joy , and they managed to slip out of the palace unnoticed by anyone .

they got through the journey without accident , and the wizard soon released his daughter , and loaded Jem with thanks and valuable presents .

with the money given him by the wizard he opened a shop , which prospered well , and he lived long and happily .

the prince hinted that the duke had allowed his cook to escape , and had therefore broken his word .

the matter ended in a great war between the two princes , which was known in history as the ' Herb War . '

THE NUNDA , EATER OF PEOPLE

there was no plant and no vegetable which escaped his eye , but he lingered longest of all before his one date tree .

now the sultan had seven sons .

time passed , and one day the sultan , to his great joy , saw signs of fruit on his date tree .

and the eldest son answered , ' I will go , father , ' and he went .

so he lay down and slept , and his slaves slept likewise .

and when the tree was stripped bare , the bird went as it had come .

soon after , one of the slaves woke up and looked for the dates , but there were no dates to see .

then he ran to the young man and shook him , saying :

the lad jumped up and ran to the tree to see for himself , but there was not a date anywhere .

and he cried aloud , ' What am I to say to my father ?

shall I tell him that the dates have been stolen , or that a great rain fell and a great storm blew ?

but he will send me to gather them up and bring them to him , and there are none to bring !

shall I tell him that Bedouins drove me away , and when I returned there were no dates ?

and he will answer , " you had slaves , did they not fight with the Bedouins ? "

it is the truth that will be best , and that will I tell him . '

' Give me the news from the garden , ' said the sultan .

and the youth answered , ' The dates have all been eaten by some bird : there is not one left . '

the sultan was silent for a moment : then he asked , ' Where were you when the bird came ? '

and I went to the date tree , and saw it was true ; and that is what I have to tell you . '

and the sultan replied , ' A son like you is only good for eating and sleeping .

I have no use for you .

go your way , and when my date tree bears again , I will send another son ; perhaps he will watch better . '

so he waited many months , till the tree was covered with more dates than any tree had ever borne before .

' Good , ' said the sultan .

the youth went to the tree , and lay down and slept .

and about midnight he arose to look at the tree , and the dates were all there beautiful dates , swinging in bunches .

' Ah , my father will have a feast , indeed , ' thought he .

' What a fool my brother was not to take more heed !

now he is in disgrace , and we know him no more .

well , I will watch till the bird comes .

I should like to see what manner of bird it is . '

and he sat and read till the cocks crew and it grew light , and the dates were still on the tree .

' Oh my father will have his dates ; they are all safe now , ' he thought to himself .

when the sun rose , the head-man came and looked for the dates , and there were no dates .

and he woke the young man , and said to him , ' Look at the tree . '

and the young man looked , and there were no dates .

and his ears were stopped , and his legs trembled , and his tongue grew heavy at the thought of the sultan .

his slave became frightened as he looked at him , and asked , ' My master , what is it ? '

he answered , ' I have no pain anywhere , but I am ill everywhere .

and he will drive me away , as he drove away my brother !

I will go away myself , before he sends me . '

and the young man said , ' The dates are not ripe yet ; you must return to-morrow . '

and the slave went with him to the palace , where the sultan was sitting with his four sons .

' Good greeting , master ! ' said the youth .

and the sultan answered , ' Have you seen the man I sent ? '

' I have , master ; but the dates are not yet ripe . '

go your ways , you are my son no longer ! '

but year by year passed , and he never got them .

but whatever they did , the result was always the same .

towards dawn they fell asleep , and the bird ate the dates on the tree .

the sixth year had come , and the dates on the tree were thicker than ever .

and the head-man went to the palace and told the sultan what he had seen .

but the sultan only shook his head , and said sadly , ' What is that to me ?

now the youngest son was sitting in the kitchen , as was his custom , when he heard his father say those words .

and he rose up , and went to his father , and knelt before him .

' Father , this year you shall eat dates , ' cried he .

this time , I will watch the date tree myself . '

but his father and his mother laughed heartily , and thought his words idle talk .

his son , who happened to be standing by , heard the order , and he said :

' How is it that you have bidden a man to watch the tree , when I , your son , am left ? '

and his father answered , ' Ah , six were of no use , and where they failed , will you succeed ? '

and the sultan answered : ' I do not refuse to let him go , but my heart distrusts him .

his brothers all promised fair , and what did they do ? '

' Go then , ' said his father .

when the boy reached the garden , he told the slaves to leave him , and to return home themselves and sleep .

then he took some Indian corn out of one fold of his dress , and some sandy grit out of another .

then the boy stole softly up , and caught it by the wing .

the bird turned and flew quickly away , but the boy never let go , not even when they soared high into the air .

but the boy answered , ' Wherever you go , I will go with you .

you cannot get rid of me . '

' I did not eat your dates , ' persisted the bird , ' and the day is dawning .

leave me to go my way . '

and my father 's heart will rejoice . '

' Well , if you will not leave me , I will throw you off , ' said the bird .

so it flew up higher still so high that the earth shone like one of the other stars .

' How much of you will be left if you fall from here ? ' asked the bird .

' If I die , I die , ' said the boy , ' but I will not leave you . '

and the bird saw it was no use talking , and went down to the earth again .

' What covenant ? ' said the boy .

' Save me from the sun , ' replied the bird , ' and I will save you from rain . '

' How can you do that , and how can I tell if I can trust you ? '

and the boy answered , ' Well , I agree ; go your way . '

' Farewell , my friend .

when you call me , if it is from the depths of the sea , I will come . '

the lad watched the bird out of sight ; then he went straight to the date tree .

and when he saw the dates his heart was glad , and his body felt stronger and his eyes brighter than before .

and he laughed out loud with joy , and said to himself , ' This is MY luck , mine , Sit-in-the-kitchen !

farewell , date tree , I am going to lie down .

what ate you will eat you no more . '

' What is it ?

what is it , head-man ? ' cried they .

' Ah , it is not a son that the master has , but a lion !

this day Sit-in-the-kitchen has uncovered his face before his father ! '

' But how , head-man ? '

' To day the people may eat the dates . '

' Is it true , head-man ? '

' Oh yes , it is true , but let him sleep till each man has brought forth a present .

and the people did as he had said .

then they took the drum , and went to the tree where the boy lay sleeping .

' What news , my son ? ' said he .

' News ?

I have no news , except that if you will open your mouth you shall see what dates taste like . '

and he plucked a date , and put it into his father 's mouth .

' Ah !

you are indeed my son , ' cried the sultan .

' You do not take after those fools , those good-for-nothings .

' Yes , it was I who watched for it and who saw it .

and it will not come again , neither for its life , nor for your life , nor for the lives of your children . '

' Oh , once I had six sons , and now I have only one .

so they all lived quietly at home , till the sultan 's cat went and caught a calf .

and I shall not kill it .

let it eat the camel : let it even eat a man . '

and it waited till the next day , and caught some one 's child .

and the sultan was told , ' The cat has caught a child . '

and he said , ' The cat is mine and the child mine . '

then it caught a grown-up man .

after that the cat left the town and took up its abode in a thicket near the road .

so if any one passed , going for water , it devoured him .

if it saw a cow going to feed , it devoured him .

if it saw a goat , it devoured him .

whatever went along that road the cat caught and ate .

then the people went to the sultan in a body , and told him of all the misdeeds of that cat .

but he answered as before , ' The cat is mine and the people are mine . '

' The cat !

the cat ! ' shrieked the soldiers who were with him .

and this time the sultan said :

' Seek for it and kill it .

it is no longer a cat , but a demon ! '

and he answered : ' True , I said it . '

but he answered : ' What I have said , I cannot take back .

if I am to die , then I die , but every day I must go and seek for the Nunda . '

many times his slaves came and told him , ' We have seen footprints , and to-day we shall behold the Nunda . '

but the footprints never turned out to be those of the Nunda .

they wandered far through deserts and through forests , and at length came to the foot of a great hill .

and something in the boy 's soul whispered that here was the end of all their seeking , and to-day they would find the Nunda .

then they began their climb .

suddenly , when they had almost reached the top , a slave who was on in front cried :

' Master !

master ! '

and the boy pushed on to where the slave stood , and the slave said :

' Cast your eyes down to the foot of the mountain . '

and the boy looked , and his soul told him it was the Nunda .

and he crept down with his spear in his hand , and then he stopped and gazed below him .

' This MUST be the real Nunda , ' thought he .

' My mother told me its ears were small , and this one 's are small .

she told me it was broad and not long , and this is broad and not long .

she told me it had spots like a civet-cat , and this has spots like a civet-cat . '

then he left the Nunda lying asleep at the foot of the mountain , and went back to his slaves .

and the slaves did as he bade them .

it was now afternoon , and the lad said : ' It is time we went after the Nunda . '

and they went till they reached the bottom and came to a great forest which lay between them and the Nunda .

here the lad stopped , and ordered every slave that wore two cloths to cast one away and tuck up the other between his legs .

' For , ' said he , ' the wood is not a little one .

and they answered , ' Good , master , ' and did as he bade them .

then they crawled on their hands and knees to where the Nunda lay asleep .

Noiselessly they crept along till they were quite close to it ; then , at a sign from the boy , they threw their spears .

and after they had eaten and were filled , they lay down and slept till morning .

when the dawn broke they rose up and cooked more rice , and drank more water .

( adapted from Swahili Tales . )

THE STORY OF HASSEBU

once upon a time there lived a poor woman who had only one child , and he was a little boy called Hassebu .

and he stayed at home , eating and sleeping .

one day the boy said to his mother : ' What was my father 's business ? '

' He was a very learned doctor , ' answered she .

' Where , then , are his books ? ' asked Hassebu .

' Many days have passed , and I have thought nothing of them .

but look inside and see if they are there . '

So Hassebu looked , and saw they were eaten by insects , all but one book , which he took away and read .

for wood-cutting was their trade , and they loaded several donkeys with the wood , and sold it in the town .

and his mother answered , ' Very well ; to-morrow I will buy him a donkey , and you can all go together . '

' Knock again ! ' cried they .

and he knocked and listened .

' Let us dig , ' said the boy .

and they dug , and found a large pit like a well , filled with honey up to the brim .

' This is better than firewood , ' said they ; ' it will bring us more money .

the following day each man brought every bowl and vessel he could find at home , and Hassebu filled them all with honey .

and this he did every day for three months .

so he at once began to explore the pit and found it ran back a long way underground .

then suddenly the thought darted into his head , ' This scorpion must have come from somewhere !

perhaps there is a hole .

and when he had got outside , he saw a large open space in front of him , and a path leading out of it .

he went along the path , on and on , till he reached a large house , with a golden door standing open .

and he went in and lay down on it , and fell fast asleep , for he had wandered far .

By-and-by there was a sound of people coming through the courtyard , and the measured tramp of soldiers .

this was the King of the Snakes coming in state to his palace .

they entered the hall , but all stopped in surprise at finding a man lying on the king 's own bed .

when he was comfortably seated , he turned to his soldiers , and bade them wake the stranger gently .

' Who are you ? ' asked Hassebu .

' I am the King of the Snakes , ' was the reply , ' and this is my palace .

and will you tell me who you are , and where you come from ? '

' My name is Hassebu , but whence I come I know not , nor whither I go . '

so he said to the King of the Snakes , ' Send me home , I pray . '

but the King of the Snakes answered , ' When you go home , you will do me evil ! '

' I will do you no evil , ' replied Hassebu ; ' send me home , I pray . '

but the king said , ' I know it .

if I send you home , you will come back , and kill me .

I dare not do it . '

and Hassebu swore , and the king ordered his soldiers to take Hassebu in sight of his native city .

then he went straight to his mother 's house , and the heart of his mother was glad .

so the Vizir had set people to watch at the public baths , to see if such a man came there .

then Hassebu cried , ' Loose me , that I may take you . '

they went together a long , long way , till they reached the palace of the King of the Snakes .

' Who has beaten you like this ? ' asked the King .

' It was the Vizir , ' replied Hassebu .

' Then I am already dead , ' said the King sadly , ' but you must carry me there yourself . '

so Hassebu carried him .

and on the way the King said , ' When I arrive , I shall be killed , and my flesh will be cooked .

but take some of the water that I am boiled in , and put it in a bottle and lay it on one side .

the Vizir will tell you to drink it , but be careful not to do so .

and they went their way into the town , and all happened as the King of the Snakes had said .

and the Sultan loved Hassebu , who became a great physician , and cured many sick people .

but he was always sorry for the poor King of the Snakes .

( adapted from Swahili Tales , )

THE MAIDEN WITH THE WOODEN HELMET

in a little village in the country of Japan there lived long , long ago a man and his wife .

each day he grew more and more wretched , till at length he took to his bed and never got up again .

his wife and daughter wept bitterly for his loss , and it was many months before they could take pleasure in anything .

then one morning the mother suddenly looked at the girl , and found that she had grown still more lovely than before .

and the girl was a good girl , and listened to all her mother 's lessons , and so the years passed away .

and when she saw this the heart of the mother was at rest , and she lay back in her bed and died .

still she could manage to live , and that was enough .

from this time the girl felt as if all her troubles were ended , but the worst of them was yet to come .

however , they might have spared themselves the trouble , as he knew it was only idle talk .

' I have merely to remain firm , ' thought he , ' and they will have to give in . '

at length one night her mother appeared to her in a dream , and bade her marry the young man .

so the next time he asked her as he did nearly every day to his surprise and joy she consented .

and when they had drunk it all , and the cup was empty , a wonderful thing happened .

( Japanische Marchen . )

THE MONKEY AND THE JELLY-FISH

the sea-queen Otohime , whom you read of in the story of Uraschimatoro , grew suddenly very ill .

the movement , gentle though it was , woke the turtle .

the other apes , seeing that the turtle was not to be trifled with , ran off , leaving their young brother to his fate .

but you must get on my back and come with me . '

delighted at having secured his prize , the turtle hastened back to the shore and plunged quickly into the water .

he swam faster than he had ever done before , and soon reached the royal palace .

it was during one of these attacks of sadness that a jelly-fish happened to swim by .

at that time jelly-fishes had shells .

the monkey shrank back horrified at these words and asked the jelly-fish what crime he had committed that deserved death .

then he went away , leaving the ape cold with horror .

then with mocking words they hunted him to the shore , and into the sea , which he was only too thankful to reach alive .

( Japanische Marchen . )

THE HEADLESS DWARFS

no bells were rung , and no ringer ever came back .

indeed , there were even those who whispered that the minister himself had murdered the missing men !

' Very good , my son , ' replied the minister , ' you shall have the chance of proving your courage this very night .

To-morrow we will settle what your wages are to be . '

and if I do not put it , it will certainly be wiser for you not to do so ! '

then he picked up some cards , and played with the unknown men as if he had known them all his life .

the luck was on his side , and soon the money of the other gamblers found its way from their pockets into his .

' Stop , my little friend ! ' cried Hans .

' That is not part of the bargain !

perhaps you saw how your comrades walked down stairs , and you are going after them .

but as you are in the highest place you shall make a more dignified exit , and follow them through the window ! '

with these words he began to climb the ladder , in order to take the little man from the bell and carry out his threat .

I am small and weak , but who knows whether some day I shall not be able to reward you . '

' You wretched little shrimp , ' replied Hans , ' a great deal of good your gratitude is likely to do me !

but as I happen to be feeling in a cheerful mood to-night I will let you have your life .

but take care how you come across me again , or you may not escape so easily ! '

then Hans began to ring lustily .

Hans rang the bells for some time , then went to the hay-loft , and fell fast asleep .

this morning everyone was in his place except Hans , and no one knew anything about him .

when , however , the servants all gathered round the table for dinner , Hans at last made his appearance stretching himself and yawning .

' Where have you been all this time ? ' asked the minister .

' Asleep , ' said Hans .

' Asleep ! ' exclaimed the minister in astonishment .

' You don't mean to tell me that you can go on sleeping till mid-day ? '

' That is exactly what I do mean , ' replied Hans .

the minister tried to argue the point with him , but at length the following agreement was come to .

' Not at all ! ' answered Hans .

a few weeks later the minister was asked to attend a christening in the neighbouring town .

' What are you taking that for ? ' asked the minister .

' We shall be there before dark . '

' Who knows ? ' replied Hans .

if we don't reach the town while it is still daylight I shall leave you to shift for yourself . '

the minister thought he was joking , and made no further remark .

' Is there anything behind you ? ' asked the minister .

' Or what is it you are always turning round for ? '

' I turn round because I have no eyes in the back of my neck , ' said Hans .

' Cease talking nonsense , ' replied the minister , ' and give all your mind to getting us to the town before nightfall . '

Hans did not answer , but rode on steadily , though every now and then he cast a glance over his shoulder .

when they arrived in the middle of the wood the sun sank altogether .

then Hans reined up his horse , took his knapsack , and jumped out of the sledge .

' What are you doing ?

in vain the master prayed and threatened , and promised Hans a large reward if he would only drive him on .

the young man was not to be moved .

' Are you not ashamed to urge me to break my word ? ' said he .

' If you want to reach the town to-night you must go alone .

the hour of my freedom has struck , and I cannot go with you . '

' My good Hans , ' entreated the minister , ' I really ought not to leave you here .

consider what danger you would be in !

Yonder , as you see , a gallows is set up , and two evil-doers are hanging on it .

you could not possibly sleep with such ghastly neighbours . '

' Why not ? ' asked Hans .

as he spoke , he turned his back on the minister , and went his way .

his friends were much surprised to see him drive up without a coachman , and thought some accident had happened .

but when he told them of his conversation with Hans they did not know which was the most foolish , master or man .

it would have mattered little to Hans had he known what they were saying or thinking of him .

after some hours , he was awakened by a sudden noise , and sat up and looked about him .

the moon was shining brightly above his head , and close by stood two headless dwarfs , talking angrily .

at the sight of Hans the little dwarfs cried out :

' It is he !

my bones still ache from my fall down the steps of the tower .

I dare say you have not forgotten that night !

now it is the turn of your bones .

hi ! comrades , make haste ! make haste ! '

Hans thought his last hour was come , when just as the fight was at the hottest another little dwarf arrived on the scene .

' Hold , comrades ! ' he shouted , turning to the attacking party .

' This man once did me a service , and I am his debtor .

when I was in his power he granted me my life .

the headless dwarfs listened to his words and disappeared as suddenly as they had come .

' Ah ! ' said the dwarf , seating himself quietly under the tree .

' You laughed at me when I told you that some day I might do you a good turn .

now you see I was right , and perhaps you will learn for the future not to despise any creature , however small . '

' I thank you from my heart , ' answered Hans .

' My bones are still sore from their blows , and had it not been for you I should indeed have fared badly . '

under the stone lies a great treasure , which has been hidden there in time of war .

a third of this money you must give to the poor , but the rest you may keep for yourself . '

as he finished , the cocks in the village crowed , and the little man was nowhere to be seen .

Hans found that his limbs no longer pained him , and lay for some time thinking of the hidden treasure .

towards morning he fell asleep .

the sun was high in the heavens when his master returned from the town .

' Hans , ' said he , ' what a fool you were not to come with me yesterday !

then he returned to his work .

sure enough , there was the hole , and in the hole lay the treasure , exactly as the little man had said .

as , however , he did not claim any wages , the minister made no objections , but allowed him to do as he wished .

( Ehstnische Marchen . )

THE YOUNG MAN WHO WOULD HAVE HIS EYES OPENED

once upon a time there lived a youth who was never happy unless he was prying into something that other people knew nothing about .

but when the old man had listened attentively to him , he said , warningly :

' My son , do not follow after empty knowledge , which will not bring you happiness , but rather evil .

much is hidden from the eyes of men , because did they know everything their hearts would no longer be at peace .

knowledge kills joy , therefore think well what you are doing , or some day you will repent .

but if you will not take my advice , then truly I can show you the secrets of the night .

only you will need more than a man 's courage to bear the sight . '

it is lucky for you that the serpent-king 's feast happens to fall this year , otherwise you would have had long to wait for it .

but take care to be quick and bold , or it will be the worse for you . '

what he saw was creepier than creepy , and surpassed all he had ever dreamt of .

so , with his hair standing on end and his blood frozen in his veins , he crept forwards .

oh ! what a noise and a whirr rose afresh among the serpents .

at length his breath failed him , and he threw himself almost senseless on the turf .

while he lay there dreadful dreams haunted him .

he thought that the serpent-king with the fiery crown had twined himself round him , and was crushing out his life .

but it was no dream that he had run hard and far , or that he had drunk of the magic goats ' milk .

and once in the forest his doubts were set at rest , for he saw what no mortal eyes had ever seen before .

beneath the trees were golden pavilions , with flags of silver all brightly lighted up .

these were the wood-nymphs , daughters of the earth-mother , who came every night to hold their dances , in the forest .

then a silvery veil seemed to be drawn over the ladies , and they vanished from sight .

but the young man remained where he was till the sun was high in the heavens , and then went home .

he felt that day to be endless , and counted the minutes till night should come , and he might return to the forest .

and that was the way he learned that the wizard had spoken truly when he said , ' Blindness is man 's highest good . '

( Ehstnische Marchen . )

THE BOYS WITH THE GOLDEN STARS

once upon a time what happened did happen : and if it had not happened , you would never have heard this story .

Stana , the second , was so beautiful that when she was driving the flock the wolves protected the sheep .

but it was only the emperor going to hunt with his friends and attendants .

as they drew near the three sisters , and marked their beauty , they checked their horses and rode slowly by .

' Listen , sisters ! ' said Anna , as they passed on .

and though they spoke low the young men heard , and turned their horses ' heads .

the following morning the marriage ceremony took place , and for three days and three nights there was nothing but feasting over the whole kingdom .

now the emperor had a stepmother , and she had a daughter by her first husband , who lived with her in the palace .

so she hated the girl with all her heart , and only bided her time to do her ill .

this time her scheme was successful .

and hastily assembling whatever soldiers happened to be at hand he set off at once to meet the enemy .

the other king had not reckoned on the swiftness of his movements , and was not ready to receive him .

the emperor fell on him when he was off his guard , and routed his army completely .

the emperor came into the palace , and when they told him the news he went straight to Laptitza 's room .

not many days after , the stepmother 's wish was fulfilled .

the emperor took her daughter to wife , and again the rejoicings lasted for three days and three nights .

let us now see what happened to the two little boys .

the poor little babies had found no rest even in their graves .

they are the finest aspens I have ever beheld ! '

and the aspens grew as no aspens had ever grown before .

and when the wind moved them softly , the emperor would sit and listen to them all the day long .

the stepmother knew what it all meant , and her mind never ceased from trying to invent some way of destroying the trees .

it was not an easy thing , but a woman 's will can press milk out of a stone , and her cunning will overcome heroes .

what craft will not do soft words may attain , and if these do not succeed there still remains the resource of tears .

one morning the empress sat on the edge of her husband 's bed , and began to coax him with all sorts of pretty ways .

it was some time before the bait took , but at length even emperors are only men !

and with this the empress was forced to be content .

the aspens were cut down next morning , and before night the new bed had been placed in the emperor 's room .

but the empress felt as if she was lying on thorns and nettles , and could not close her eyes .

when the emperor was fast asleep , the bed began to crack loudly , and to the empress each crack had a meaning .

she felt as if she were listening to a language which no one but herself could understand .

' Is it too heavy for you , little brother ? ' asked one of the beds .

' Oh , no , it is not heavy at all , ' answered the bed in which the emperor was sleeping .

' I feel nothing but joy now that my beloved father rests over me . '

' It is very heavy for me ! ' said the other bed , ' for on me lies an evil soul . '

and so they talked on till the morning , the empress listening all the while .

by daybreak the empress had determined how to get rid of the beds .

she would have two others made exactly like them , and when the emperor had gone hunting they should be placed in his room .

this was done and the aspen beds were burnt in a large fire , till only a little heap of ashes was left .

yet while they were burning the empress seemed to hear the same words , which she alone could understand .

' But what are we to do with you ? ' asked the fisherman .

' Go and collect all the dew that lies on the leaves , and let us swim in it .

and when he came back , what do you think he saw ?

the boys grew fast .

and they grew in other things besides height , too .

thrice in age , and thrice in wisdom , and thrice in knowledge .

and when three days and three nights had passed they were twelve years in age , twenty-four in strength , and thirty-six in wisdom .

' Now take us to our father , ' said they .

by the time they arrived there it was midday , and the fisherman and his charges went up to an official who was standing about .

' We wish to speak with the emperor , ' said one of the boys .

' You must wait until he has finished his dinner , ' replied the porter .

' No , while he is eating it , ' said the second boy , stepping across the threshold .

' We desire to enter , ' said one of the princes sharply to a servant who stood near the door .

' That is quite impossible , ' replied the servant .

' Is it ? let us see ! ' said the second prince , pushing the servants to right and left .

but the servants were many , and the princes only two .

there was the noise of a struggle , which reached the emperor 's ears .

' What is the matter ? ' asked he angrily .

the princes stopped at the sound of their father 's voice .

' Two boys who want to force their way in , ' replied one of the servants , approaching the emperor .

' To FORCE their way in ?

who dares to use force in my palace ?

what boys are they ? ' said the emperor all in one breath .

and they are as proud as they are strong , for they will not take their caps from their heads . '

the emperor , as he listened , grew red with anger .

' Thrust them out , ' cried he .

' Set the dogs after them . '

they had almost reached the gates when a servant ran up to them .

' The emperor commands you to return , ' panted he : ' the empress wishes to see you . '

he sat at the top of a long table covered with flowers and filled with guests .

and beside him sat the empress , supported by twelve cushions .

when the princes entered one of the cushions fell down , and there remained only eleven .

' Take off your caps , ' said one of the courtiers .

' A covered head is among men a sign of honour .

we wish to seem what we are . '

' Never mind , ' said the emperor , whose anger had dropped before the silvery tones of the boy 's voice .

' Stay as you are , but tell me WHO you are !

where do you come from , and what do you want ? '

and a second cushion fell down .

' Let them take their silliness home , ' said the empress .

' Oh , no , let them go on , ' said the emperor .

' You wished to see them , but I wish to hear them .

go on , boys , sing me the story . '

the empress was silent , but the princes began to sing the story of their lives .

' There was once an emperor , ' began they , and the third cushion fell down .

when they reached the warlike expedition of the emperor three of the cushions fell down at once .

and there happened in the end what should have happened in the beginning .

Laptitza sat next her husband at the top of the table .

( Rumanische Marchen . )

THE FROG

once upon a time there was a woman who had three sons .

though they were peasants they were well off , for the soil on which they lived was fruitful , and yielded rich crops .

one day they all three told their mother they meant to get married .

whoever spins the best will be my favourite daughter-in-law . '

but the youngest brother was greatly troubled , for he had nothing to show for the skein of flax that had been given to him .

sadly he betook himself to the pond , and sitting down on the bank , began to weep .

flop ! and the frog appeared out of the water close beside him .

' Take this , ' she said ; ' here is the linen that I have spun for you . '

you may imagine how delighted the youth was .

in the house there are three puppies .

each of you take one , and give it to the woman whom you mean to bring home as your wife .

she must train it and bring it up .

whichever dog turns out the best , its mistress will be my favourite daughter-in-law . '

so the young men set out on their different ways , each taking a puppy with him .

flop ! and close beside him , he saw the frog .

' Why are you weeping ? ' she said .

then he told her his difficulty , and that he did not know to whom he should take the puppy .

' Give it to me , ' she said , ' and I will bring it up for you . '

and , seeing that the youth hesitated , she took the little creature out of his arms , and disappeared with it into the pond .

the youngest son , as was his custom , went to the pond , and called on the frog to come to his rescue .

in a minute she was at his side , bringing with her the most lovely little dog , which she put into his arms .

in high spirits the youth carried it off to his mother .

as soon as she saw it , she exclaimed : ' This is the most beautiful little dog I have ever seen .

you are indeed fortunate , my son ; you have won a pearl of a wife . '

then , turning to the others , she said : ' Here are three shirts ; take them to your chosen wives .

whoever sews the best will be my favourite daughter-in-law . '

you may imagine what the youngest brother felt on hearing these words .

whence was he to fetch a bride ?

would the frog be able to help him in this new difficulty ?

with bowed head , and feeling very sad , he sat down on the edge of the pond .

flop ! and once more the faithful frog was beside him .

' What is troubling you so much ? ' she asked him , and then the youth told her everything .

' Will you take me for a wife ? ' she asked .

' What should I do with you as a wife , ' he replied , wondering at her strange proposal .

' Once more , will you have me or will you not ? ' she said .

' I will neither have you , nor will I refuse you , ' said he .

the frog was holding the carriage door open for him to step in .

' Come with me , ' she said .

and he got up and followed her into the chariot .

their first thought was to reward the frog , who had unconsciously been the means of curing them of their misfortunes .

the first witch waved her magic wand over the frog , and changed her into the loveliest girl that had ever been seen .

the third witch gave the girl a magic purse , filled with money .

having done this , the witches disappeared , and the youth with his lovely bride drove to his mother 's home .

Great was the delight of the mother at her youngest son 's good fortune .

( from the Italian . )

THE PRINCESS WHO WAS HIDDEN UNDERGROUND

once there was a king who had great riches , which , when he died , he divided among his three sons .

the youngest of the three sons , on the contrary , made good use of his portion .

if he were not capable of finding her then he must die .

many young men sought to discover her , but all perished in the attempt .

when the latter saw the golden lamb , he asked the herd : ' Will you sell me this lamb ? '

this the king agreed to do , and he arose and took the lamb to his daughter .

when he had led it into her palace , and through many rooms , he came to a shut door .

then he called ' Open , Sartara Martara of the earth ! ' and the door opened of itself .

after that they went through many more rooms , and came to another closed door .

when the king had embraced the princess , he gave her the lamb , to her great joy .

she stroked it , caressed it , and played with it .

but the king answered : ' It is only a lamb , why should it not be free ? '

then he left the lamb with the princess , and went his way .

in the night , however , the young man threw off the skin .

then I will turn my head back , and with my bill will clean my wings , so that you may know me . '

but the king said : ' I cannot leave it with you , my daughter , for it is only lent to me . '

so he took it away with him , and gave it back to the shepherd .

when the king saw how handsome he was , he said : ' My lad , I have pity on your youth .

this enterprise has already cost the lives of many , and will certainly be your death as well . '

but the young man answered , ' I accept your conditions , oh king ; I will either find her or lose my head . '

thereupon he went before the king , who followed after him , till they came to the great door .

then the young man said to the king : ' Speak the words that it may open . '

and the king answered : ' What are the words ?

shall I say something like this : " shut ; shut ; shut " ? '

' No , ' said he ; ' say " open , Sartara Martara of the earth . " '

then spoke the king and said : ' Yes , truly , you have found the princess .

( from the German . )

THE GIRL WHO PRETENDED TO BE A BOY

once upon a time there lived an emperor who was a great conqueror , and reigned over more countries than anyone in the world .

one thing , however , held him back from this step which day by day he saw more clearly was the only one possible .

his new overlord would demand the service of one of his sons .

and the old emperor had no son ; only three daughters .

' What secret grief is troubling you ?

are your subjects discontented ? or have we given you cause for displeasure ?

' My daughter , ' answered the emperor , ' what you say is true .

never have you given me one moment 's pain .

yet now you cannot help me .

ah ! why is not one of you a boy ! '

' I don't understand , ' she answered in surprise .

' Tell us what is wrong : and though we are not boys , we are not quite useless ! '

' But what can you do , my dear children ?

spin , sew , and weave that is all your learning .

only a warrior can deliver me now , a young giant who is strong to wield the battle-axe : whose sword deals deadly blows . '

' But WHY do you need a son so much at present ?

tell us all about it !

it will not make matters worse if we know ! '

' Listen then , my daughters , and learn the reason of my sorrow .

you have heard that as long as I was young no man ever brought an army against me without it costing him dear .

but the years have chilled my blood and drunk my strength .

but who is to give him the ten years ' service that is part of the price which the vanquished must pay ? '

' I will , ' cried the eldest girl , springing to her feet .

but her father only shook his head sadly .

' Never will I bring shame upon you , ' urged the girl .

' Let me go .

am I not a princess , and the daughter of an emperor ? '

' Go then ! ' he said .

the brave girl 's heart almost stopped beating from joy , as she set about her preparations .

she was not still for a single moment , but danced about the house , turning chests and wardrobes upside down .

she set aside enough things for a whole year dresses embroidered with gold and precious stones , and a great store of provisions .

and she chose the most spirited horse in the stable , with eyes of flame , and a coat of shining silver .

then he gave her his blessing , and she touched her horse with the spur .

the silver armour of herself and her steed dazzled the eyes of the people as she darted past .

but though none of his daughters were aware of the fact , the old emperor was a magician , and had laid his plans accordingly .

he managed , unseen , to overtake his daughter , and throw a bridge of copper over a stream which she would have to cross .

then , changing himself into a wolf , he lay down under one of the arches , and waited .

he had chosen his time well , and in about half an hour the sound of a horse 's hoofs was heard .

his feet were almost on the bridge , when a big grey wolf with grinning teeth appeared before the princess .

with a deep growl that froze the blood , he drew himself up , and prepared to spring .

' My father , it is my turn now .

perhaps I shall get the better of that wolf ! '

' What , do you think you are braver than your sisters , vain little one ?

you who have hardly left your long clothes behind you ! ' but she did not mind being laughed at , and answered ,

' For your sake , father , I would cut the devil himself into small bits , or even become a devil myself .

I think I shall succeed , but if I fail , I shall come home without more shame than my sisters . '

still the emperor hesitated , but the girl petted and coaxed him till at last he said ,

' Well , well , if you must go , you must .

' He laughs best who laughs last , ' said the princess .

the girl 's eyes filled with tears , and she stood gazing at him .

ah , what a warrior he was , and what good times we shared together !

' And how should you be tended ? ' asked the girl .

' I should like to try the treatment , as you might help me in carrying out my scheme . '

' Try it then , mistress , and I promise you will never repent . '

then looking at the princess who had come early to the stable , he said joyfully ,

' May success await on the steps of my master 's daughter , for she has given me back my life .

tell me what I can do for you , princess , and I will do it . '

' I want to go to the emperor who is our over-lord , and I have no one to advise me .

which of all the white-headed boyards shall I choose as counsellor ? '

' I will listen to everything .

can you start in three days ? '

' This moment , if you like , ' said the horse .

the preparations of the emperor 's youngest daughter were much fewer and simpler than those of her sisters .

they only consisted of some boy 's clothes , a small quantity of linen and food , and a little money in case of necessity .

then she bade farewell to her father , and rode away .

then without looking round , she rode across the bridge .

and this time he took the shape of a lion .

but the horse guessed this new danger and told the princess how to escape it .

and if the wolf had made the girl quake with terror , it seemed like a lamb beside this dreadful lion .

at the sound of his roar the very trees quivered and his claws were so large that every one of them looked like a cutlass .

the breath of the princess came and went , and her feet rattled in the stirrups .

then , like a flash , she crossed this bridge also .

' Warriors , ' he told her , ' only rest when they have won the victory .

you have still another battle to fight , and it is the hardest of all . '

the fight lasted an hour and the dragon pressed her hard .

you have chosen the right horse , for without his help you would have returned with a bent head and downcast eyes .

when he had done speaking , the princess knelt down to receive his blessing , and they went their different ways .

the princess rode on and on , till at last she came to the mountains which hold up the roof of the world .

there she met two Genii who had been fighting fiercely for two years , without one having got the least advantage over the other .

then she crept back to her own bed and fell fast asleep .

she next passed on to the bedside of the princess , who still lay asleep grasping the withered flowers .

but she did not believe any the more that her guest was a man , and so she told her son .

so they put their heads together and laid another trap for her .

after breakfast the genius gave his arm to his guest , and asked her to come with him into the garden .

for some time they walked about looking at the flowers , the genius all the while pressing her to pick any she fancied .

then the genius told his mother that she was quite wrong , and his deliverer was certainly a man .

but the old woman was not convinced for all that .

after this she informed the genius that she would start early next day and take Sunlight with her .

and there was nothing for the mother to do but to submit , though she still stuck to her own opinion .

' Up to this time , mistress , you have obeyed my counsels and all has gone well .

listen to me once more , and do what I tell you .

give me leave , therefore , to return home , and do you continue your journey under the care of my brother .

put your faith in him as you put it in me , and you will never repent .

wisdom has come early to Sunlight . '

only , I must have a proof that he loves me as well as you do . '

trust me , mistress , and you shall never regret the absence of my brother .

I know there will be difficulties in our path , but we will face them together . '

then , with tears in her eyes , the princess took leave of her old horse , who galloped back to her father .

she had ridden only a few miles further , when she saw a golden curl lying on the road before her .

checking her horse , she asked whether it would be better to take it or let it lie .

on this the girl dismounted , and picking up the curl , wound it round her neck for safety .

he was sitting on his throne , surrounded by the sons of the other emperors , who served him as pages .

these youths came forward to greet their new companion , and wondered why they felt so attracted towards him .

however , there was no time for talking and concealing her fright .

the princess was led straight up to the throne , and explained , in a low voice , the reason of her coming .

she was , however , very careful in her behaviour towards the other pages , whose way of life did not please her .

and from that moment the princess was left no peace , till she had promised to cook them all a dinner .

when the pages heard of this shocking state of things , they went to their companion and implored her to come to the rescue .

when the dinner was placed before the emperor he found it so nice that he ate much more than was good for him .

' Golden Hair The fields are green , '

and that to their certain knowledge he had a curl of her hair in his possession .

' Fet-Fruners , you have hidden from me the fact that you knew the golden-haired Iliane !

why did you do this ? for I have treated you more kindly than all my other pages . '

now go ! '

at his first words she brightened up .

go back to the emperor and ask him for twenty ships filled with precious merchandise .

the rest you shall know by-and-by . '

on hearing this advice , the princess went at once into the emperor 's presence .

' May a long life be yours , O Sovereign all mighty ! ' said she .

' You shall have all that I possess if you will bring me the golden-haired Iliane , ' said the emperor .

the ships were soon ready , and the princess entered the largest and finest , with Sunlight at her side .

then the sails were spread and the voyage began .

the most splendid of these was guarded by three slaves , whose greedy eyes were caught by the glistening gold of the slippers .

they hastened up to the owner of these treasures , and inquired who he was .

luckily her gaoler was away , always trying to catch the stud of mares , so for the moment she was free and alone .

the slaves told their tale so well that their mistress insisted on going down to the shore and seeing the beautiful slippers for herself .

thus they arrived at the court of the emperor .

they were just about to land , when the mother of the genius stood before them .

one glance told Iliane who the horrible old woman was , and she whispered hastily to her companion .

without saying a word , the princess swung her into Sunlight 's saddle , and leaping up behind her , they were off like a flash .

it was not till they drew near the town that the princess stooped and asked Sunlight what they should do .

the princess did as she was told , and a huge mountain sprang up behind them .

the mother of the genius began to climb up it , and though they galloped quickly , she was quicker still .

they heard her coming , faster , faster ; and again the princess stooped to ask what was to be done now .

this time there sprang up a great tower of stone , smooth as ivory , hard as steel , which reached up to heaven itself .

and the mother of the genius gave a howl of rage , knowing that she could neither climb it nor get through it .

only her claws could be seen grasping the battlements .

the emperor received Iliane with all the respect that was due to her , and fell in love at first sight besides .

so when the emperor asked her to share his throne Iliane answered :

when he heard this , the emperor once more sent for Fet-Fruners , and said :

' Fet-Fruners , fetch me instantly the stud of mares , with their trappings all complete .

if not , your head shall pay the forfeit . '

' Mighty Emperor , I kiss your hands !

they say you are a just man ; then why not entrust this quest to one of them ?

where am I to seek these mares that I am to bring you ? '

' How do I know ?

they may be anywhere in heaven or earth ; but , wherever they are , you will have to find them . '

the princess bowed and went to consult Sunlight .

he listened while she told her tale , and then said :

' Fetch quickly nine buffalo skins ; smear them well with tar , and lay them on my back .

do not fear ; you will succeed in this also ; but , in the end , the emperor 's desires will be his undoing . '

the buffalo skins were soon got , and the princess started off with Sunlight .

the way was long and difficult , but at length they reached the place where the mares were grazing .

at last , when her strength was almost gone , the genius lowered his sword for an instant .

the princess saw her chance , and , with one swoop of her arm , severed her enemy 's head from his body .

still trembling from the long struggle , she turned away , and went to the meadow where the stud were feeding .

when the fight was ended , the buffalo skins were in ribbons , and the beaten animal writhing with pain on the grass .

nothing now remained to be done but to drive the whole stud to the emperor 's court .

on reaching the palace , she drove them into a yard , and went to inform the emperor of her arrival .

but they would suffer no one to come near them , and the princess was commanded to perform this service also .

at this , the heart of the girl swelled within her .

the hardest tasks were always given to her , and long before the two years were up , she would be worn out and useless .

then as suddenly it stopped , and , behold ! the water was ice , which held the animals firmly in its grasp .

but fear nothing , for the hour of the emperor has struck . '

' It stands , ' he said , ' on the altar of a little church , and is guarded by a troop of nuns .

but she reached the altar in safety , and found the vase of holy water standing on it .

this she thrust into her dress , and went back with the same care as she came .

in either case he thought that the punishment would be severe .

he drew forth the vase from his tunic and held it up to the emperor , saying : ' Mighty Sovereign , all hail !

when it was over , Iliane summoned Fet-Fruners before her , and addressed him thus :

' Fet-Fruners ! it is you who brought me and have saved my life , and obeyed my wishes .

and you , and none other , shall be my husband . '

' But know that in OUR house , it will be the cock who sings and not the hen ! '

( from Sept Contes Roumains , Jules Brun and Leo Bachelin . )

THE STORY OF HALFMAN

in a certain town there lived a judge who was married but had no children .

one day he was standing lost in thought before his house , when an old man passed by .

' What is the matter , sir , said he , ' you look troubled ? '

' Oh , leave me alone , my good man ! '

' But what is it ? ' persisted the other .

then the old man said , ' Here are twelve apples .

if your wife eats them , she will have twelve sons . '

the judge thanked him joyfully as he took the apples , and went to seek his wife .

' Eat these apples at once , ' he cried , ' and you will have twelve sons . '

By-and-by they all grew into men , and one day they told their father it was high time he found wives for them .

so the twelve sons saddled their horses and rode for twelve days , till they met an old woman .

follow me into my house . '

and the twelve brothers followed her gladly , and their father 's brother stood at the door , and gave them meat and drink .

this man is no uncle of ours , but an ogre . '

' Nonsense ; of course he is our uncle , ' answered they .

' Well , this very night you will see ! ' said Halfman .

and he did not go to bed , but hid himself and watched .

after that she lay down and was soon snoring loudly .

next he drew their scarlet caps from their heads and exchanged them for the veils which the ogre 's daughters were wearing .

this was hardly done when he heard steps coming along the floor , so he hid himself quickly in the folds of a curtain .

there was only half of him !

yes ! it certainly was red !

then she was quite certain the brothers lay sleeping before her , and began to kill them one by one .

and Halfman whispered to his brothers , ' Get up and run for your lives , as the ogress is killing her daughters . '

the brothers needed no second bidding , and in a moment were out of the house .

by this time the ogress had slain all her daughters but one , who awoke suddenly and saw what had happened .

' Mother , what are you doing ? ' cried she .

' Do you know that you have killed my sisters ? '

' Oh , woe is me ! ' wailed the ogress .

' Halfman has outwitted me after all ! '

and she turned to wreak vengeance on him , but he and his brothers were far away .

they rode all day till they got to the town where their real uncle lived , and inquired the way to his house .

' Why have you been so long in coming ? ' asked he , when they had found him .

' Oh , dear uncle , we were very nearly not coming at all ! ' replied they .

' We fell in with an ogress who took us home and would have killed us if it had not been for Halfman .

he knew what was in her mind and saved us , and here we are .

now give us each a daughter to wife , and let us return whence we came . '

let us put him to death and give his wife to our eldest brother ! '

and they waited for a chance .

' Halfman is the youngest , ' said the elder brother , ' he must go . '

So Halfman got down and filled a skin with water , and they drew it up by a rope and drank .

then the brothers rode away as fast as they could , with his bride .

and the fish guided him to a shallow place , so that he scrambled out .

' Yes ; but what am I to do ? ' asked Halfman .

then I will appear before you . '

' Thank you , ' said Halfman , and went his way , while the fish swam back to its home .

' Ah , Halfman , have I got you at last ?

you killed my daughters and helped your brothers to escape .

what do you think I shall do with you ? '

' Whatever you like ! ' said Halfman .

' Come into my house , then , ' said the ogress , and he followed her .

' Look here ! ' she called to her husband , ' I have got hold of Halfman .

I am going to roast him , so be quick and make up the fire ! '

so the ogre brought wood , and heaped it up till the flames roared up the chimney .

then he turned to his wife and said : ' It is all ready , let us put him on ! '

' What is the hurry , my good ogre ? ' asked Halfman .

' You have me in your power , and I cannot escape .

I am so thin now , I shall hardly make one mouthful .

better fatten me up ; you will enjoy me much more . '

' That is a very sensible remark , ' replied the ogre ; ' but what fattens you quickest ? '

' Butter , meat , and red wine , ' answered Halfman .

' Very good ; we will lock you into this room , and here you shall stay till you are ready for eating . '

so Halfman was locked into the room , and the ogre and his wife brought him his food .

' Get out , then ! ' said the ogre .

' Yes , that is a good idea , ' answered they .

' All right , ' said she , and held a billet of wood for him to chop .

but he raised his axe and cut off her head , and ran away like the wind .

but Halfman was far away .

at last he saw an iron tower which he climbed up .

' Oh , there is no door , ' replied Halfman .

' Then how did you climb up ? '

' A fish carried me on his back . '

' And what am I to do ? '

after that you can easily throw it down . '

and overhead sat Halfman , laughing heartily .

but the ogre 's wife was still alive , for she had taken no part in kindling the fire .

' Oh , that is easy enough , ' said Halfman .

' I will let down a rope , and if you tie it tightly round you , I will draw it up . '

' All right , ' returned the ogress , fastening the rope which Halfman let down .

' Now pull me up . '

' Are you sure it is secure ? '

' Yes , quite sure . '

' Don't be afraid . '

' Oh , I am not afraid at all ! '

' Oh , how can I stop it ? ' asked he .

' Will you help me ? '

' Yes , I will , ' replied the ogress .

' Thank you , thank you ! ' cried Halfman , kissing her on the forehead .

' Very well , I will rid you of him , ' said the ogress , ' but only on one condition .

if a boy is born to you , you must give him to me ! '

' Mount on my back , then , and in a quarter of an hour we shall be there . '

here she left him , while she went into the town itself , and found the wedding guests just leaving the brother 's house .

then she returned to Halfman and told him to go and claim his bride .

he jumped up hastily from his seat , and took the road to his father 's house .

' The judge 's eldest son was married yesterday , and died suddenly before night . '

he went at once to his father 's room , and found him sitting in tears on the floor .

' Dear father , ' said Halfman , ' are you not glad to see me ?

if he is dead , I at least am alive . '

' No , no , he was better than you ! ' moaned the father .

' Why , dear father ? '

' He told me you had behaved very ill , ' said he .

' Well , call my brothers , ' answered Halfman , ' as I have a story to tell them . '

so the father called them all into his presence .

but I warned my brothers that the man was not our uncle , but an ogre .

then I woke my brothers , and we all stole softly from the house , and we rode like the wind to our real uncle .

now , you are a judge !

who did well , and who did evil I or my brothers ? '

' Is this story true ? ' said the father , turning to his sons .

' It is true , my father , ' answered they .

' It is even as Halfman has said , and the girl belongs to him . '

then the judge embraced Halfman and said to him : ' You have done well , my son .

take your bride , and may you both live long and happily together ! '

' What is the matter ? ' she asked .

' The matter ? ' said he .

' Yes , why are you weeping ? '

' Because , ' replied Halfman , ' the baby is not really ours , but belongs to an ogress . '

' Are you mad ? ' cried the wife .

' What do you mean by talking like that ? '

' And will she take him from us now ? ' said the poor woman .

' No , not quite yet , ' replied Halfman ; ' when he is bigger . '

' And is she to have all our children ? ' asked she .

' No , only this one , ' returned Halfman .

' All right , ' replied the child , but when he went home forgot all about it .

the next day the ogress came again , and asked the boy what answer the father had given .

' I forgot all about it , ' said he .

' Well , put this ring on your finger , and then you won't forget . '

' Very well , ' replied the boy , and went home .

at that moment the ogress came up and asked him , ' Did you give my message to your father and mother ? '

' Yes , dear aunt , I did . '

' And what did they say ? '

' Take it away at once ! '

so she took him .

' Yes , that will be the best , ' said she .

the year passed away , then Halfman saddled his horse , and rode to the place where the ogress had found him sleeping .

she was not there , but not knowing what to do next , he got off his horse and waited .

about midnight she suddenly stood before him .

' Halfman , why did you come here ? ' said she .

' I have a question I want to ask you . '

' Well , ask it ; but I know quite well what it is .

your wife wishes you to ask whether I shall carry off your second son as I did the first . '

' Yes , that is it , ' replied Halfman .

and his father clasped him in his arms , and began to cry .

but the boy struggled to be free , saying ' Dear father , put me down .

then his father sat him down and said , ' Go in peace , my boy , but listen first to me .

tell your father the ogre and your mother the ogress , that never more shall they have any children of mine . '

' All right , ' replied the boy , and called ' Mother ! '

' What is it ? '

' You are never to take away any more of my father and mother 's children ! '

' Now that I have got you , I don't want any more , ' answered she .

( Marchen und Gedichte aus der Stadt Tripolis .

Hans von Stumme . )

THE PRINCE WHO WANTED TO SEE THE WORLD

the young man replied that he was very fond of doing so .

cards were brought , and in a very short time the prince had lost every penny he possessed to his new acquaintance .

before he had gone very far he met a woman carrying a child , which was crying from hunger .

the woman thanked him gratefully , and said :

' Listen , my lord .

you must walk straight on till you notice a very strong scent , which comes from a garden by the side of the road .

go in and hide yourself close to a tank , where three doves will come to bathe .

the young man did as he was told , and everything happened as the woman had said .

thus the prince went on his way , and in course of time he arrived at the king 's palace .

' Fear nothing ; it will be all right , ' replied the dove , as she flew away again .

the next morning when the prince awoke he saw the three loaves standing beside his bed .

taking the loaves in his arm he followed the boy , and , bowing low , laid them down before the king .

the monarch looked at the loaves for a moment without speaking , then he said :

' Good .

the man who can do this can also find the ring which my eldest daughter dropped into the sea . '

the prince hastened back to his room and summoned the dove , and when she heard this new command she said : ' Now listen .

To-morrow take a knife and a basin and go down to the shore and get into a boat you will find there . '

afterwards you must throw it into the sea . '

wondering at this strange order , the prince picked up his knife and severed the dove 's head from her body at one stroke .

another moment and it had vanished completely , and the prince took the ring and made his way back to the palace .

' This evening you will mount my colt and ride him to the field , and break him in properly . '

my father longs to see you dead , and thinks he will kill you by this means .

he himself is the colt , my mother is the saddle , my two sisters are the stirrups , and I am the bridle .

do not forget to take a good club , to help you in dealing with such a crew . '

the youngest , however , was quite unharmed .

that night she came to the prince and whispered to him :

' Now that they are all in too much pain to move , we had better seize our chance and run away .

go to the stable and saddle the leanest horse you can find there . '

however , it was dangerous to go back , and they rode on as fast as the horse would go .

when the king reached the chapel , he pulled up his horse and asked if a girl and a young man had passed that way .

the hermit raised his eyes , which were bent on the ground , and said that he had not seen a living creature .

at these words the king hastened back to the stable , and brought out the lean horse who travelled quicker than thought .

as the king rode up , the gardener looked up from the tree which he was trimming and asked if anything was the matter .

so the king turned his steps homewards and told his wife .

but there is no time to waste .

I shall have to go with you myself . '

but it was no use .

the king then filled it a second time , but again the turtle was too quick for him .

the queen saw that she was beaten , and called down a curse on her daughter that the prince should forget all about her .

after having relieved her feelings in this manner , she and the king went back to the palace .

and another perched on a table and added , ' Talk away , it might help him to remember ! '

and it did .

then they hung a collar round his neck , and held a feather on which was written the name of the dove .

and at last his memory came back to him , and he declared he would marry the princess and nobody else .

so the next day the wedding took place , and they lived happy till they died .

( from the Portuguese . )

VIRGILIUS THE SORCERER

Long , long ago there was born to a Roman knight and his wife Maja a little boy called Virgilius .

Virgilius was fond of books , and pored over them all day long .

in front of him was a cave , and , as no boy ever sees a cave without entering it , he went in .

Virgilius ! '

' Who calls ? ' he asked , stopping and looking round .

' Virgilius ! ' answered the voice , ' do you mark upon the ground where you are standing a slide or bolt ? '

' I do , ' replied Virgilius .

' Then , ' said the voice , ' draw back that bolt , and set me free . '

' But who are you ? ' asked Virgilius , who never did anything in a hurry .

' I am an evil spirit , ' said the voice , ' shut up here till Doomsday , unless a man sets me free .

if you will let me out I will give you some magic books , which will make you wiser than any other man . '

the evil spirit , unable to help itself , did as Virgilius bade him , and then the bolt was drawn back .

' Why , you can't have been as big as that when you were in the hole ! ' cried Virgilius .

' But I was ! ' replied the spirit .

' I don't believe it ! ' answered Virgilius .

then Virgilius drew the bolt , and , picking the books up under his arm , he left the cave .

for the next few weeks Virgilius hardly ate or slept , so busy was he in learning the magic the books contained .

soon after this had happened the season of tax-gathering came round , and everyone who owned land was bound to present himself before the emperor .

like the rest , Virgilius went to court , and demanded justice from the emperor against the men who had robbed him .

when the enemies of Virgilius heard of this , they assembled together and laid siege to his castle .

but Virgilius was a match for them .

after which he lifted the spell , and the invading army slunk back to Rome , and reported what Virgilius had said to the emperor .

but he got together another army , and marched straight off to the castle .

things seemed getting desperate , when a magician arrived in the camp and offered to sell his services to the emperor .

in an instant all his foes seemed turned to stone , and where each man was there he stayed .

the emperor , who by this time was thoroughly frightened , said he would agree to anything Virgilius desired .

Virgilius was enchanted at this quite unexpected favour , and stepped with glee into the basket .

at last the emperor , hearing of his plight , commanded Febilla to release him , and Virgilius went home vowing vengeance .

the next morning every fire in Rome went out , and as there were no matches in those days this was a very serious matter .

the emperor , guessing that this was the work of Virgilius , besought him to break the spell .

then Virgilius ordered a scaffold to be erected in the market-place , and Febilla to be brought clothed in a single white garment .

and further , he bade every one to snatch fire from the maiden , and to suffer no neighbour to kindle it .

for three days she stood there , till every hearth in Rome was alight , and then she was suffered to go where she would .

but the emperor was wroth at the vengeance of Virgilius , and threw him into prison , vowing that he should be put to death .

and when everything was ready he was led out to the Viminal Hill , where he was to die .

he went quietly with his guards , but the day was hot , and on reaching his place of execution he begged for some water .

then they made ready their armies , and marched against the foe .

now there was a country which had long felt bitter jealousy of Rome , and was anxious for some way of bringing about its destruction .

have we your leave to dig for it ? '

and leave having been given , the messengers took workmen and dug up the gold and made merry with it .

a week or two passed by , and once more they appeared in the senate house .

and next morning the stone gave way , and the sacred statue fell on its face and was broken .

and the senators knew that their greed had been their ruin .

the emperor , desiring nothing so much as the safety of his subjects , took counsel with Virgilius how this violence could be put down .

Virgilius thought hard for a long time , and then he spoke :

the emperor did as Virgilius advised , but thieves and murderers laughed at the horse , and went about their misdeeds as usual .

thus did Virgilius restore peace and order to the city .

the hours passed as if they were minutes , till the princess said that she could be no longer absent from her father .

then the sultan ordered his guards to bind him , and left him there till the following day .

' Not so ! ' cried the sultan , ' but a shameful death you shall die ! '

and the princess fell on her knees , and begged she might die with him .

and when the egg shakes the city quakes , and when the egg shall be broken the city shall be destroyed .

and the city Virgilius filled full of wonders , such as never were seen before , and he called its name Naples .

( adapted from ' Virgilius the Sorcerer . ' )

MOGARZEA AND HIS SON

there was once a little boy , whose father and mother , when they were dying , left him to the care of a guardian .

he climbed a hill and looked about him to see if there was no light shining from a window .

when the man awoke in the morning he was much surprised to find the boy nestling up close to him .

' Dear me ! where do you come from ? ' said he .

' I am your son , born in the night , ' replied the boy .

but take care you never cross the border of my land , or you will repent it . '

then he pointed out where the border of his land lay , and bade the boy begin his work at once .

' Mogarzea , ' answered he .

' I wonder you are not tired of living by yourself in this lonely place . '

' There is no reason you should wonder !

don't you know that there was never a bear yet who danced of his own free will ? '

' Yes , that is true , ' replied the boy .

' But why is it you are always so sad ?

tell me your history , father . '

' What is the use of my telling you things that would only make you sad too ? '

' Oh , never mind that !

I should like to hear .

are you not my father , and am I not your son ? '

and the horrible elves are so ill-natured that if anyone sets one foot on their land he is instantly punished .

that is why I warn you to be careful , lest you should share my fate . '

' All right , I will take great care .

do let me go , father , ' said the boy , as they stretched themselves out to sleep .

but the boy was so absorbed in his flute that he noticed nothing till half the flock were on the other side .

the boy understood what he must do , and played with all his might , but the maidens danced on till evening .

' Now let me go , ' he cried at last , ' for poor Mogarzea must be dying of hunger .

I will come and play for you to-morrow . '

this being settled , they each returned home .

then the boy let the flute slip through his fingers , and trod on it , as if by accident .

the hearts of the elves were quite melted , and they did all they could to comfort him .

' I shall never find another flute like that , moaned he .

' I have never heard one whose tone was as sweet as mine !

it was cut from the centre of a seven-year-old cherry tree ! '

' There is a cherry tree in our garden that is exactly seven years old , ' said they .

' Come with us , and you shall make yourself another flute . '

it was in vain that they shrieked with pain and tried to free themselves .

they could do nothing , and the young man remained cold as marble to all their entreaties .

then he demanded of them Mogarzea 's soul .

but they were mistaken .

and he turned towards home , taking his sheep and the soul of Mogarzea with him .

Mogarzea was waiting at the door , and as the boy drew near he began scolding him for being so late .

but all he did was to point to the boy who had saved him , and had followed him with his flock .

for three days the boy stayed in the palace , receiving the thanks and praises of the whole court .

then he said to Mogarzea :

he gazed at her in wonder , when suddenly she began to dance .

suddenly he sprang forward , seized her in his arms and kissed her , and plucked a rose from her hair .

the fairy gave a cry , and begged him to give her back her rose , but he would not .

he only stuck the rose in his hat , and turned a deaf ear to all her prayers .

at last she saw that her entreaties were vain , and agreed to marry him , as he wished .

and they went together to the palace , where Mogarzea was still waiting for him , and the marriage was celebrated by the emperor himself .

but every May they returned to the Milk Lake , they and their children , and bathed in its waters .

( Olumanische Marchen . )

end of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Violet Fairy Book , by Various

produced by JC Byers , Wendy Crockett and David Widger

THE GREEN FAIRY BOOK

by Various

edited by Andrew Lang

to Stella Margaret Alleyne the Green Fairy Book is dedicated

to The Friendly Reader

this is the third , and probably the last , of the Fairy Books of many colours .

however much these nations differ about trifles , they all agree in liking fairy tales .

in this way these tales are older than reading and writing , far older than printing .

the oldest fairy tales ever written down were written down in Egypt , about Joseph 's time , nearly three thousand five hundred years ago .

some of the stories were made , no doubt , not only to amuse , but to teach goodness .

this is the moral of them .

but , after all , we think more as we read them of the diversion than of the lesson .

he has been turned into stone , and you may see his remains in museums .

some of the tales here , like The Half-Chick , are for very little children ; others for older ones .

if we have a book for you next year , it shall not be a fairy book .

what it is to be is a secret , but we hope that it will not be dull .

Contents

THE BLUE BIRD

once upon a time there lived a King who was immensely rich .

indeed , he hardly seemed to hear what they said .

at last came a lady who was wrapped in a black mantle , and seemed to be in the deepest grief .

now the King had one daughter , who was just fifteen years old .

her name was Fiordelisa , and she was the prettiest and most charming Princess imaginable , always gay and merry .

the new Queen , who also had a daughter , very soon sent for her to come to the Palace .

the Queen answered :

the King , who hated disputes , said , ' Very well , it 's no affair of mine , settle it your own way . '

but they said that the Queen had expressly forbidden them to supply her with any , and they dared not disobey .

the Queen , however , only thought that he was bashful , and took pains to keep Turritella in full view .

King Charming then asked it there was not another Princess , called Fiordelisa .

at this Fiordelisa blushed , and looked so shy and so lovely , that the King was fairly astonished .

he rose , and bowing low before her , said

' Madam , your incomparable beauty needs no adornment . '

' Impossible ! ' cried King Charming .

' Wherever such a marvellously beautiful Princess appears I can look at nothing else . '

here the Queen broke in , saying sharply

' I assure you , Sire , that Fiordelisa is vain enough already .

pray make her no more flattering speeches . '

the Queen was in despair , and so was Turritella , when they saw how much the King preferred Fiordelisa .

all these things vexed the King very much , and he was silent .

I cannot believe that with that lovely face she can be as ill-tempered and contemptible as they say .

so when the Queen sent for the courtiers and questioned them about all they had found out , their report confirmed her worst fears .

as to the poor Princess Fiordelisa , she cried all night without stopping .

it was a heart cut out of one huge ruby , and was surrounded by several diamond arrows , and pierced by one .

the page who brought it begged him to accept it from the Princess , who chose him to be her knight .

' You confuse the names , Sire , ' said the page hastily .

' I come on behalf of the Princess Turritella . '

' Oh , it is Turritella who wishes me to be her knight , ' said the King coldly .

' I am sorry that I cannot accept the honour . '

and he sent the splendid gifts back to the Queen and Turritella , who were furiously angry at the contempt with which they were treated .

but she would not take any notice , and talked of nothing but the entertainments she was planning .

the Prince answered at random , and presently asked if he was not to have the pleasure of seeing the Princess Fiordelisa .

' What can be the reason for keeping that lovely Princess a prisoner ? ' cried the King in great indignation .

the King was terribly angry at being thwarted like this .

he would not leave her until she had promised to see him again the next night , which Turritella did willingly enough .

' Now , my Princess , you are free ; where will it please you that we shall hold our wedding ? '

' Oho ! my daughter , ' said the Fairy , ' I see we have no easy task before us .

he loves Fiordelisa so much that he will not be easily pacified .

I feel sure he will defy us ! '

' Who can have betrayed us ? ' he said to himself .

' How comes our enemy here ?

she must be plotting to prevent our marriage .

why doesn't my lovely Fiordelisa make haste and come hack to me ? '

but it was worse than anything he had imagined when the Fairy Mazilla entered , leading Turritella by the hand , and said to him

' King Charming , here is the Princess Turritella to whom you have plighted your faith .

let us have the wedding at once . '

' I ! ' cried the King .

' I marry that little creature !

what do you take me for ?

I have promised her nothing ! '

' Say no more .

have you no respect for a Fairy ? ' cried she angrily .

' Am I not here ? ' interrupted Turritella .

' Here is the ring you gave me .

with whom did you talk at the little window , if it was not with me ? '

' What ! ' cried the King angrily , ' have I been altogether deceived and deluded ?

where is my chariot ?

not another moment will I stay here . '

' Oho , ' said the Fairy , ' not so fast . '

and she touched his feet , which instantly became as firmly fixed to the floor as if they had been nailed there .

' Scold ! ' cried Turritella angrily .

' Who are you , I should like to know , that you dare to call me a scold ?

a miserable King who breaks his word , and goes about in a chariot drawn by croaking frogs out of a marsh ! '

' Let us have no more of these insults , ' cried the Fairy .

' Fly from that window , ungrateful King , and for seven years be a Blue Bird . '

as she spoke the King 's face altered , his arms turned to wings , his feet to little crooked black claws .

' Alas ! in seven years who knows what may happen to my darling Fiordelisa ! ' he said .

to which he answered that it was her affair , and she could give what orders she pleased about the Princess .

as soon as night came again she once more leaned out into the darkness and bewailed her miserable lot .

but soon the sound of a soft voice lamenting attracted his attention , and listening intently he heard it say

' Ah ! cruel Queen ! what have I ever done to be imprisoned like this ?

but he found the window shut , and could see no one .

' My Princess ! have I found you at last ? ' said he , alighting close to her .

' Who is speaking to me ? ' cried the Princess in great surprise .

' Only a moment since you mentioned my name , and now you do not know me , Fiordelisa , ' said he sadly .

' But no wonder , since I am nothing but a Blue Bird , and must remain one for seven years . '

' What !

Little Blue Bird , are you really the powerful King Charming ? ' said the Princess , caressing him .

' It is too true , ' he answered .

' For being faithful to you I am thus punished .

but believe me , if it were for twice as long I would bear it joyfully rather than give you up . '

' Oh ! what are you telling me ? ' cried the Princess .

' Has not your bride , Turritella , just visited me , wearing the royal mantle and the diamond crown you gave her ?

I cannot be mistaken , for I saw your ring upon her thumb . '

but the Blue Bird did not long stay in his hiding-place .

' Promise me that you will wear it always ! ' said the Blue Bird .

and the Princess promised on condition that he should come and see her in the day as well as by night .

when he presented them to the Princess , she shook her head at him reproachfully , saying

' Do you think I love you so little that I need all these gifts to remind me of you ? '

and he answered

' No , my Princess ; but I love you so much that I feel I cannot express it , try as I may .

the following night he gave Fiordelisa a watch set in a single pearl .

the Princess laughed a little when she saw it , and said

' You may well give me a watch , for since I have known you I have lost the power of measuring time .

the hours you spend with me pass like minutes , and the hours that I drag through without you seem years to me . '

' Ah , Princess , they cannot seem so long to you as they do to me ! ' he answered .

and so two years slipped away , and still the Princess was a prisoner , and Turritella was not married .

this displeased the Queen terribly .

' Fiordelisa must be in league with them , to annoy me ! ' she said .

' Let us go and accuse her of it . '

so she and Turritella went up into the tower .

these were the words :

' Oh ! what a luckless pair are we , One in a prison , and one in a tree .

all our trouble and anguish came From our faithfulness spoiling our enemies ' game .

but vainly they practice their cruel arts , For nought can sever our two fond hearts . '

' And with whom do you accuse me of intriguing , Madam ? ' said the Princess .

' Have I not been your prisoner these two years , and who have I seen except the gaolers sent by you ? '

' If one may ask , Madam , where did you get all these diamonds ?

perhaps you mean to tell me that you have discovered a mine of them in the tower ! '

' I certainly did find them here , ' answered the Princess .

' For my own , ' answered Fiordelisa .

' That 's all very fine , ' said the Queen suspiciously .

' I think I will look about , and see for myself . '

' Beware , Fiordelisa !

your false enemy is plotting against you . '

' Blue Bird , blue as the sky , Fly to me now , there 's nobody by . '

and the Blue Bird , who had never ceased to flutter round within sight and hearing of her prison , came in an instant .

' Blue Bird , blue as the sky , Fly to me now , there 's nobody nigh , '

she was wide awake in a moment , though she was sly enough to keep her eyes shut at first .

' Ah ! that insolent Princess ! ' cried the Queen .

but I know how we can avenge ourselves ! '

' Blue Bird , blue as the sky , Fly to me now , there 's nobody by ! '

but no bird came .

' Ah !

and he turned over on his side and began to die .

' Charming !

King Charming !

are you here ? '

the King at once recognised his friend 's voice , and answered very faintly :

' I am here . '

the Enchanter looked all round him , but could see nothing , and then the King said again :

' I am a Blue Bird . '

' Now , ' said he , ' let me hear all about it .

there must be a Princess at the bottom of this . '

' There are two ! ' answered King Charming , with a wry smile .

but , somehow or other , this advice did not quite please the King .

' Well , that will be the best thing to do for the present , ' said his friend .

' But I am not an Enchanter for nothing .

I 'm sure to have a brilliant idea for you before long . '

so the Fairy Mazilla received him graciously .

' And what may you be wanting , Gossip ? ' said she .

' You can do a good turn for me if you will ; ' he answered .

' A King , who is a friend of mine , was unlucky enough to offend you '

' Aha !

I know who you mean , ' interrupted the Fairy .

let him think over what I say . '

indeed , already he had met with several alarming accidents .

she feared all the time that every step she took was leading her farther from her lover .

she stopped , and said to Fiordelisa :

' What , my pretty child , are you all alone ? '

' Don't cry , ' said the old woman , ' but tell me truly what is the matter .

perhaps I can help you . '

the Queen told her willingly all that had happened , and how she was seeking the Blue Bird .

' Lovely Queen , the King whom you seek is no longer a bird .

my sister Mazilla has given his own form back to him , and he is in his own kingdom .

do not be afraid , you will reach him , and will prosper .

take these four eggs ; if you break one when you are in any great difficulty , you will find aid . '

Fiordelisa tried a thousand times , and scrambled and slipped , but always in the end found herself exactly where she started from .

at last she sat down at the foot of it in despair , and then suddenly bethought herself of the eggs .

after a night and a day the doves alighted outside the gate of King Charming 's kingdom .

but they only laughed at her , crying :

' See the King ?

and pray , why do you want to see the King , my little kitchen-maid ?

you had better go and wash your face first , your eyes are not clear enough to see him ! '

for the Queen had disguised herself , and pulled her hair down about her eyes , that no one might know her .

this was indeed terrible news to Fiordelisa .

had she come all this weary way only to find Turritella had succeeded in making King Charming forget her ?

she was too tired and miserable to walk another step , so she sat down in a doorway and cried bitterly all night long .

when Turritella had seated herself upon the throne , the Queen approached her .

' Ho , ho ! ' said Turritella , those are pretty bits of glass .

I suppose you would like five silver pieces for them . '

presently she asked him again , and then he said , with a great effort :

' I believe these bracelets are worth as much as my kingdom .

I thought there was only one such pair in the world ; but here , it seems , is another . '

then Turritella went back to the Queen , and asked her what was the lowest price she would take for them .

' By all means , my little kitchen-maid , ' said Turritella , highly delighted .

it was he who had told Fiordelisa about the Chamber of Echoes , when he was a Blue Bird .

Fiordelisa wanted to reproach him for his faithlessness , and could not imagine a better way than this .

so when , by Turritella 's orders , she was left there she began to weep and lament , and never ceased until daybreak .

the Queen answered that she often dreamed and talked aloud .

the Queen passed the day in great disquietude .

' If he did hear me , ' she said , ' could he remain so cruelly indifferent ?

but if he did not hear me , what can I do to get another chance ?

I have plenty of jewels , it is true , but nothing remarkable enough to catch Turritella 's fancy . '

' Little kitchen-maid , little kitchen-maid , what will you take for your mouse-carriage ? '

and the Queen answered :

' Let me sleep once more in the Chamber of Echoes . '

' I won't refuse your request , poor creature , ' said Turritella condescendingly .

and then she turned to her ladies and whispered

' The silly creature does not know how to profit by her chances ; so much the better for me . '

one of the pages said :

' This peasant girl must be crazy ; ' but another answered :

' Yet what she says sounds very sad and touching . '

' Oh !

I promise that willingly , ' said the page .

' That is an admirable pie , little kitchen-maid .

pray what will you take for it ? '

' The usual price , ' she answered .

' To sleep once more in the Chamber of Echoes . '

' By all means , only give me the pie , ' said the greedy Turritella .

' Ah , Charming ! ' she said , ' what have I ever done that you should forsake me and marry Turritella ?

if you could only know all I have suffered , and what a weary way I have come to seek you . '

Fiordelisa heard him , and answered quickly :

' Find out the little kitchen-maid , and she will explain everything . '

then the King in a great hurry sent for his pages and said :

' If you can find the little kitchen-maid , bring her to me at once . '

' Nothing could be easier , Sire , ' they answered , ' for she is in the Chamber of Echoes . '

the King was very much puzzled when he heard this .

how could the lovely Princess Fiordelisa be a little kitchen-maid ? or how could a little kitchen-maid have Fiordelisa 's own voice ?

so he dressed hastily , and ran down a little secret staircase which led to the Chamber of Echoes .

there , upon a heap of soft cushions , sat his lovely Princess .

she had laid aside all her ugly disguises and wore a white silken robe , and her golden hair shone in the soft lamp-light .

Fiordelisa was equally happy to be with him once more , and nothing troubled them but the remembrance of the Fairy Mazilla .

then the wedding was held with great splendour , and King Charming and Queen Fiordelisa lived happily ever after .

L'Oiseau Bleu .

par Mme. d'Aulnoy .

THE HALF-CHICK

once upon a time there was a handsome black Spanish hen , who had a large brood of chickens .

they were all fine , plump little birds , except the youngest , who was quite unlike his brothers and sisters .

this one looked just as if he had been cut in two .

he had only one leg , and one wing , and one eye , and he had half a head and half a beak .

his mother shook her head sadly as she looked at him and said :

' My youngest born is only a half-chick .

he can never grow up a tall handsome cock like his brothers .

and she called him Medio Pollito , which is Spanish for half-chick .

indeed , in character he was as unlike his brothers and sisters as he was in appearance .

they were good , obedient chickens , and when the old hen chicked after them , they chirped and ran back to her side .

many an anxious minute his brothers and sisters had looking for him , while his mother ran to and fro cackling in fear and dismay .

one day he had been out for a longer expedition than usual in the fields .

' Mother , I am tired of this life in a dull farmyard , with nothing but a dreary maize field to look at .

I 'm off to Madrid to see the King . '

' What is the use of our all crowding each other up in this poky little place ? ' he said .

a little later in the day , as he was taking a short cut through a field , he passed a stream .

now the stream was all choked up , and overgrown with weeds and water-plants , so that its waters could not flow freely .

' Oh !

' Help you , indeed ! ' exclaimed Medio Pollito , tossing his head , and shaking the few feathers in his tail .

' Do you think I have nothing to do but to waste my time on such trifles ?

help yourself , and don't trouble busy travellers .

I am off to Madrid to see the King , ' and hoppity-kick , hoppity-kick , away stumped Medio Pollito .

a little later he came to a fire that had been left by some gipsies in a wood .

it was burning very low , and would soon be out .

' Oh !

do help me , or I shall die ! '

' Help you , indeed ! ' answered Medio Pollito .

' I have other things to do .

gather sticks for yourself , and don't trouble me .

I am off to Madrid to see the King , ' and hoppity-kick , hoppity-kick , away stumped Medio Pollito .

' Oh !

Medio Pollito , ' called the wind , ' do hop up here , and help me to get free of these branches .

I cannot come away , and it is so uncomfortable . '

' It is your own fault for going there , ' answered Medio Pollito .

' I can't waste all my morning stopping here to help you .

when he entered the town he saw before him a great splendid house , with soldiers standing before the gates .

but as he was hopping past one of the back windows the King 's cook saw him :

oh ! how wet and clammy the water felt as it went over Medio Pollito 's head , making his feathers cling to his side .

' Ah !

fire , fire ! do not scorch me like this ; you can't think how it hurts . '

' Ah !

Medio Pollito , ' answered the fire , ' you would not help me when I was dying away in the wood .

you are being punished . '

' Look here ! ' he cried in horror , ' this chicken is quite useless .

it is burnt to a cinder .

I can't send it up to the royal table ; ' and opening the window he threw Medio Pollito out into the street .

' Oh , wind ! ' at last he gasped out , ' if you hurry me along like this you will kill me .

do let me rest a moment , or ' but he was so breathless that he could not finish his sentence .

' Ah !

and there stands Medio Pollito to this day .

spanish Tradition .

THE STORY OF CALIPH STORK

I.

Caliph Chasid , of Bagdad , was resting comfortably on his divan one fine afternoon .

in short , anyone could see that the Caliph was in an excellent humour .

he arrived as usual this afternoon , but , contrary to his usual custom , with an anxious face .

the Grand Vizier crossed his arms on his breast and bent low before his master as he answered :

the slave soon returned , followed by the pedlar , a short stout man with a swarthy face , and dressed in very ragged clothes .

he carried a box containing all manner of wares strings of pearls , rings , richly mounted pistols , goblets , and combs .

' I got these two articles from a merchant who had picked them up in the street at Mecca , ' said the pedlar .

send for him ; it may be that he will be able to interpret these mysterious characters . '

the learned Selim was summoned immediately .

' Selim , ' said the Caliph , ' I hear you are a scholar .

look well at this scroll and see whether you can read it .

Selim prostrated himself and said , ' Be it according to your will , oh master ! '

then he gazed long at the scroll .

suddenly he exclaimed : ' May I die , oh , my Lord , if this isn't Latin ! '

' Well , ' said the Caliph , ' if it is Latin , let us hear what it means . '

so Selim began to translate : ' Thou who mayest find this , praise Allah for his mercy .

when Selim the learned had read this , the Caliph was delighted .

he made the wise man swear not to tell the matter to anyone , gave him a splendid robe , and dismissed him .

then he said to his Vizier , ' That 's what I call a good bargain , Mansor .

I am longing for the moment when I can become some animal .

II .

first they walked through the palace gardens , but they looked in vain for some creature which could tempt them to try their magic power .

the Caliph consented , and they went straight to the pond .

at the same time they saw another stork far above in the sky flying towards the same spot .

how would it be if we turned ourselves into storks ? '

' Well said , ' replied the Caliph ; ' but first let us remember carefully how we are to become men once more .

true !

bow three times towards the east and say " Mutabor ! " and I shall be Caliph and you my Grand Vizier again .

but for Heaven 's sake don't laugh or we are lost ! '

as the Caliph spoke he saw the second stork circling round his head and gradually flying towards the earth .

' You 've got a fine long bill , Sir Vizier , ' cried the Caliph , after standing for some time lost in astonishment .

' By the beard of the Prophet I never saw such a thing in all my life ! '

meantime the second stork had reached the ground .

it first scraped its bill with its claw , stroked down its feathers , and then advanced towards the first stork .

the two newly made storks lost no time in drawing near , and to their amazement overheard the following conversation :

' Good morning , Dame Longlegs .

you are out early this morning ! '

' Yes , indeed , dear Chatterbill !

I am getting myself a morsel of breakfast .

may I offer you a joint of lizard or a frog 's thigh ? '

' A thousand thanks , but I have really no appetite this morning .

I am here for a very different purpose .

I am to dance to-day before my father 's guests , and I have come to the meadow for a little quiet practice . '

thereupon the young stork began to move about with the most wonderful steps .

the Caliph was the first to collect himself .

' That was the best joke , ' said he , ' I 've ever seen .

it 's a pity the stupid creatures were scared away by our laughter , or no doubt they would have sung next ! '

suddenly , however , the Vizier remembered how strictly they had been warned not to laugh during their transformation .

do just try and remember the stupid word , it has slipped my memory . '

' We must bow three times eastwards and say " Mu...mu...mu ....v " '

III .

the two enchanted birds wandered sadly on through the meadows .

in their misery they could not think what to do next .

they did not much care to eat frogs or lizards .

this Mirza is the son of my deadly enemy , the mighty magician Kaschnur , who in an evil moment vowed vengeance on me .

still I will not despair !

they rose from the palace roof , and spread their wings toward Medina .

but flying was not quite an easy matter , for the two storks had had but little practice as yet .

Besides , it is nearly evening , and we should do well to find some place in which to spend the night. '

the building in which they proposed to pass the night had apparently been formerly a castle .

Chasid and his companion wandered along the passages seeking a dry spot , when suddenly Mansor stood still .

the Caliph stood still and distinctly heard a low weeping sound which seemed to proceed from a human being rather than from any animal .

he saw a door which stood ajar , and through which he distinctly heard sighs , mingled with sobs .

he pushed open the door with his bill , but remained on the threshold , astonished at the sight which met his eyes .

on the floor of the ruined chamber which was but scantily lighted by a small barred window sat a large screech owl .

Big tears rolled from its large round eyes , and in a hoarse voice it uttered its complaints through its crooked beak .

as soon as it saw the Caliph and his Vizier who had crept up meanwhile it gave vent to a joyful cry .

' Welcome , ye storks !

but , alas ! your hope that you may attain your deliverance through us is but a vain one .

you will know our helplessness when you have heard our story . '

the screech owl begged him to relate it , and the Caliph accordingly told him what we already know .

IV .

my father is the King of the Indies .

I , his only daughter , am named Lusa .

that magician Kaschnur , who enchanted you , has been the cause of my misfortunes too .

he came one day to my father and demanded my hand for his son Mirza .

my father who is rather hasty ordered him to be thrown downstairs .

thus do I avenge myself on you and your proud father . "

' Since then many months have passed away .

the Caliph fell into deep thought on hearing this story of the Princess .

the owl answered : ' Oh , my Lord !

the Caliph was much surprised , and asked her what she meant .

' The Magician who has made us both miserable , ' said she , ' comes once a month to these ruins .

not far from this room is a large hall where he is in the habit of feasting with his companions .

I have often watched them .

they tell each other all about their evil deeds , and possibly the magic word which you have forgotten may be mentioned . '

' Speak , speak ! ' cried Chasid ; ' command , I will gladly do whatever you wish ! '

the storks seemed rather taken aback by this suggestion , and the Caliph beckoned to his Vizier to retire and consult with him .

when they were outside the door the Caliph said : ' Grand Vizier , this is a tiresome business .

however , you can take her . '

' Indeed ! ' said the Vizier ; ' so that when I go home my wife may scratch my eyes out !

I call it buying a pig in a poke . '

the owl was delighted .

she owned that they could not have arrived at a better time , as most probably the magicians would meet that very night .

she then proceeded to lead the two storks to the chamber .

they passed through a long dark passage till at length a bright ray of light shone before them through the chinks of a half-ruined wall .

when they reached it the owl advised them to keep very quiet .

through the gap near which they stood they could with ease survey the whole of the large hall .

it was adorned with splendid carved pillars ; a number of coloured lamps replaced the light of day .

in one of these bad men the two recognised the pedlar who had sold the magic powder .

' And what kind of word did you give them ? ' asked another old sorcerer .

' A very difficult Latin word ; it is " Mutabor . " '

v.

as soon as the storks heard this they were nearly beside themselves with joy .

they ran at such a pace to the door of the ruined castle that the owl could scarcely keep up with them .

then he turned towards the east .

three times the storks bowed their long necks to the sun , which was just rising over the mountains .

' Mutabor ! ' they both cried , and in an instant they were once more transformed .

in the rapture of their newly-given lives master and servant fell laughing and weeping into each other 's arms .

who shall describe their surprise when they at last turned round and beheld standing before them a beautiful lady exquisitely dressed !

with a smile she held out her hand to the Caliph , and asked : ' Do you not recognise your screech owl ? '

it was she !

the three set out at once for Bagdad .

here the Caliph 's arrival created the greatest sensation .

he had been quite given up for dead , and the people were greatly rejoiced to see their beloved ruler again .

their rage with the usurper Mirza , however , was great in proportion .

they marched in force to the palace and took the old magician and his son prisoners .

the Caliph sent the magician to the room where the Princess had lived as an owl , and there had him hanged .

when he chose the latter , the Grand Vizier handed him the box .

one good pinch , and the magic word transformed him to a stork .

the Caliph ordered him to be confined in an iron cage , and placed in the palace gardens .

Caliph Chasid lived long and happily with his wife the Princess .

THE ENCHANTED WATCH

once upon a time there lived a rich man who had three sons .

the young man promised to do his best , and his conduct during three years was all that it should be .

the third brother , whose name was Jenik , or Johnnie , was considered the most foolish of the three .

' Go if you like , you idiot ; but what good will it do you ? '

the youth paid no heed to his father 's observations as long as he obtained permission to go .

a little further on he came upon a cat , which someone was going to put to death .

he implored its life , and the cat followed him .

the king will ask what you would like in return , and be sure you beg for the watch which hangs on the wall .

it has all sorts of wonderful properties , you only need to rub it to get whatever you like . '

No sooner said than done .

Jenik became the master of the watch , and the moment he got out he wished to put its virtues to the proof .

imagine his joy !

in an instant they were all before him .

after supper he went to bed and slept till morning , as every honest man ought to do .

then he set forth for his father 's house , his mind dwelling on the feast that would be awaiting him .

Jenik went to his old place near the stove , and dirtied himself in the ashes without anybody minding .

so he rubbed the watch , and there it all was .

the father was much astonished , and longed to know where his son had got all this wealth .

Jenik did not reply , but begged him to invite all their relations and friends to a grand banquet .

after the first course Jenik prayed his father to invite the King , and his daughter the Princess .

the father did not dare to sit in this gorgeous coach , but went to the palace on foot .

then Jenik rubbed his watch afresh , and wished that for six miles the way to the house should be paved with marble .

who ever felt so astonished as the King ?

never had he travelled over such a gorgeous road .

the King , the Queen , and the Princess were speechless with surprise .

never had they seen such a splendid palace , nor such a high feast !

at dessert the King asked Jenik 's father to give him the young man for a son-in-law .

No sooner said than done !

now Jenik was not a very clever man , and at the end of a very short time he began to bore his wife .

she inquired how he managed to build palaces and to get so many precious things .

he told her all about the watch , and she never rested till she had stolen the precious talisman .

there she called to her own attendants , bade them follow her into the carriage , and drove straight to the sea-side .

No sooner said than done .

the Princess entered the house , rubbed her watch , and in an instant the bridge was gone .

left alone , Jenik felt very miserable .

his father , mother , and brothers , and , indeed , everybody else , all laughed at him .

nothing remained to him but the cat and dog whose lives he had once saved .

he took them with him and went far away , for he could no longer live with his family .

he reached at last a great desert , and saw some crows flying towards a mountain .

one of them was a long way behind , and when he arrived his brothers inquired what had made him so late .

' Winter is here , ' they said , ' and it is time to fly to other countries . '

he told them that he had seen in the middle of the sea the most wonderful house that ever was built .

on hearing this , Jenik at once concluded that this must be the hiding-place of his wife .

so he proceeded directly to the shore with his dog and his cat .

No sooner said than done .

the two animals crossed the sea ; the dog hid near the house , and the cat stole into the chamber .

then he took the watch between his teeth , and waited quietly till the Princess came back .

scarcely had she opened the door when the cat was outside , and the watch into the bargain .

the cat was no sooner beyond the gates than she said to the dog :

' We are going to cross the sea ; be very careful not to speak to me . '

the cat did not answer he was afraid that he might let the talisman fall .

when they touched the shore the dog repeated his question .

' Yes , ' said the cat .

and the watch fell into the sea .

then our two friends began each to accuse the other , and both looked sorrowfully at the place where their treasure had fallen in .

suddenly a fish appeared near the edge of the sea .

the cat seized it , and thought it would make them a good supper .

' I have nine little children , ' cried the fish .

' Spare the father of a family ! '

' Granted , ' replied the cat ; ' but on condition that you find our watch . '

the fish executed his commission , and they brought the treasure back to their master .

Jenik rubbed the watch and wished that the palace , with the Princess and all its inhabitants , should be swallowed up in the sea .

No sooner said than done .

Deulin .

ROSANELLA

Surcantine , therefore , resolved that she would bring up a Prince whom nothing could make constant .

while Paridamie decided to display to admiring mortals a Princess so charming that no one could see her without falling in love with her .

they were allowed to take their own time , and meanwhile the four oldest fairies were to attend to the affairs of the kingdom .

' Let some one run and see that all is well with the Princess , ' she added .

as each drew near she laid her basket at Balanice 's feet , saying :

' Charming Queen , may this be some slight consolation to you in your unhappiness ! '

oddly enough , every baby had upon its throat a tiny pink rose .

' Where is my Sweet ? ' or ' my Beautiful , ' or ' my Gay . '

of course , with all these charms they had lovers by the dozen .

but let us return to Surcantine .

she had fixed upon the son of a king who was cousin to Bardondon , to bring up as her fickle Prince .

things were in this state when he was invited to visit the court of his father 's cousin , King Bardondon .

for could he not whisper soft speeches to Sweet , and laugh with Joy , while he looked at Beauty ?

but Paridamie said not a word .

in vain did Prince Mirliflor 's father write commanding him to return , and proposing for him one good match after another .

nothing in the world could tear him from his twelve enchantresses .

the Rose-maidens , fearing their stings , uttered little shrieks , and fled all together to a distance from the rest of the company .

in short , it was evident that he was in a bad way , and the Fairy was at her wits ' end .

in it sat the Fairy Paridamie , and by her side a Princess whose beauty positively dazzled all who saw her .

after the first transports of joy were over the Queen said to Paridamie :

' But my twelve lovely ones , are they lost to me for ever ?

shall I never see them again ? '

but Paridamie only said :

' Very soon you will cease to miss them ! ' in a tone that evidently meant ' Don't ask me any more questions . '

and then mounting again into her chariot she swiftly disappeared .

the news of his beautiful cousin 's arrival was soon carried to the Prince , but he had hardly the heart to go and see her .

Prince Mirliflor was constant for the rest of his life .

and indeed who would not have been in his place ?

by the Comte de Caylus .

SYLVAIN AND JOCOSA

Sylvain and Jocosa for their parts were far from sharing this enmity , and indeed were never happy when apart .

and the Fairy took a great delight in their innocent enjoyment of the cakes and sweetmeats she gave them nearly every day .

when she presently bade them farewell , she told them never to tell anyone else that they had seen her .

So saying she vanished , leaving them in a state of great wonder and excitement .

you both remember the fountain I call my favourite ?

with one accord they turned and ran towards the fountain , reaching it at the same moment , though from opposite sides .

and now they seemed farther apart than ever , and in despair they tried once more to throw themselves into the foaming waves .

this is it :

the Yellow Bird

in spite of all his wealth he at once began to desire the promised gold , and the bargain was soon completed .

the Fowler with great joy ran home to his wife , who speedily made a savoury stew of the Yellow Bird .

Sylvain and Jocosa gave their faithful promise , and as they kept it they always enjoyed peace and prosperity .

by the Comte de Caylus .

FAIRY GIFTS

but it is chiefly of the Princess Sylvia that you are going to hear now .

in two months you may come back to me again , and I shall expect you to tell me what you think of her . '

' Now , child , ' said she , ' tell me what impression you have received . '

she never tells anyone , however , that it was your gift , though she often speaks of your kindness in general .

in allowing herself to be seen , she appeared to think that she was doing all that could possibly be required of her .

she entreated me to tell you what had happened , and to beg you , in pity , to give her beauty back to her .

' You have told me what I wanted to know , ' cried the Fairy , ' but alas !

I cannot help her ; my gifts can be given but once . '

' Ah ! madam , ' cried she , ' what a place you sent me to that time ! '

' Why , what was the matter ? ' asked the Fairy .

' Daphne was one of the princesses who asked for the gift of eloquence , if I remember rightly . '

' And very ill the gift of eloquence becomes a woman , ' replied Sylvia , with an air of conviction .

oh ! how glad I was to come away I cannot tell you . '

indeed , I had nearly decided that I would ask a similar gift . '

' Have you altered your mind , then ? ' interrupted the Fairy .

' Yes , indeed , madam , ' replied Sylvia ; ' and I will tell you why .

the longer I stayed the more I saw that Cynthia was not really happy .

however , before very long the Fairy sent her to Phyllida , and waited for her report with unabated interest .

the Fairy in her heart agreed with Sylvia 's conclusions , and felt pleased with herself for having brought her up so well .

Sylvia paused for a moment , and then answered : ' A quiet spirit . '

and the Fairy granted her request .

this lovely gift makes life a constant happiness to its possessor , and to all who are brought into contact with her .

' Sylvia 's dear face is pale to-day .

it grieves one to see her so . '

by the Comte de Caylus .

PRINCE NARCISSUS AND THE PRINCESS POTENTILLA

her name was Frivola , and her one occupation in life was the pursuit of amusement .

to this end she caused a little house to be built not far beyond the Palace gardens , on the bank of a river .

this was surrounded by a high wall , and in it the charming Potentilla was imprisoned .

and this tale she repeated so often , that at last the whole court believed it .

his parents were a King and Queen , whose story you will perhaps read some day .

before he started she gave him a ring which would render him invisible when he put it on his finger .

these rings seem to be quite common ; you must often have heard of them , even if you have never seen one .

Prince Narcissus enjoyed all that went on , and found the time pass very pleasantly .

so he made himself invisible , and passed the guard without their so much as suspecting that anyone was near .

the Princess sprang to her feet with a cry of terror at this sudden apparition , for really the Enchanter was no beauty .

Poor Potentilla only shuddered and cried :

' Oh ! where is my Narcissus ? '

to which he replied with a self-satisfied chuckle : ' You want a narcissus , madam ?

well , they are not rare ; you shall have as many as you like . '

whereupon he waved his wand , and the Princess found herself surrounded and half buried in the fragrant flowers .

assuming the Prince 's voice , she whispered in Potentilla 's ear :

' We are menaced by a great danger , but my only fear is for you , my Princess .

she appeared suddenly , in all her splendour , and cried :

' Stay , Grumedan ; this Princess is under my protection , and the smallest impertinence will cost you a thousand years of captivity .

therefore he said he would himself write an opera that should be absolutely a novelty and something worth hearing .

' Admirable Potentilla , Do you think it kind or wise In this sudden way to kill a Poor Enchanter with your eyes ? '

' You are more beautiful than I ever was .

let my example warn you to make a better use of your beauty ! '

and then the little fleet sailed on , until it was lost to view in the windings of the river .

Grumedan was also looking on at the spectacle , and said very contemptuously :

' I cannot say I think these marionettes amusing .

what a to-do to make over a single pearl !

but if you like pearls , madam , why , I will soon gratify you . '

' Those are what I call pearls , ' cried Grumedan in high glee .

and truly there were enough of them to pave every path in Potentilla 's garden and leave some to spare !

and he answered : ' Love , my Princess . '

meanwhile the Enchanter was very ill-pleased with the entertainment , which he declared was dulness itself .

' You don't seem to have any idea in these parts beyond little squeaking birds ! ' said he .

' And fancy giving a banquet without so much as an ounce of plate ! '

the Enchanter ate like six ogres , but the Princess could not touch a morsel .

presently Grumedan remarked with a grin :

' I have provided neither musicians nor singers ; but as you seem fond of music I will sing to you myself . '

Grumedan leaning back in his arm-chair , with one knee crossed over the other and his nose in the air , looked on disdainfully .

so after much consideration he devised a plan for finding out the truth .

the poor Prince had been getting quite thin with anxiety and annoyance , and was only too delighted to comply with her request .

to make matters worse , he seemed to be in a very bad temper , and came blustering and raging at the poor Princess .

but in case you should get into mischief in my absence , I think I had better put you to sleep . '

meantime the Enchanter was stumping about in the hall , crying :

' Where is this King ?

let him be told that I must see him and his wife also . '

' Shake hands , Cloverleaf , old fellow !

don't you know me ? '

' No , I can't say I do , ' replied the King , somewhat embarrassed .

' Why , I am Grumedan , the Enchanter , ' said he , ' and I am come to make your fortune .

let us come in and talk things over a bit . '

then , with one blow of his club , he changed the massive chariot into a perfect mountain of gold pieces .

' Those are for your lackeys , ' said he to the King , ' that they may drink my health . '

when the Enchanter heard this he insisted that she must come .

so four of the King 's strongest men-at-arms staggered off with it ; and after some persuasion the Queen consented to try this novel remedy .

' My name is Grumedan .

I am an extremely well-connected Enchanter ; my power is immense .

in spite of all this , the charms of your daughter Potentilla have so fascinated me that I cannot live without her .

she fancies that she loves a certain contemptible puppy called Narcissus ; but I have made very short work with him .

perhaps you will be able to induce her to be reasonable . '

' Orion , ' said the Enchanter , ' go and fetch me the Princess , and bring her here at once .

be gentle now ! '

at these words Orion went off at a great pace , and was soon at the other end of the King 's gardens .

then he trotted gently back , and in less than five minutes stood in the great hall before the astonished King and Queen .

you may imagine how Potentilla lamented her sad fate , and entreated to be spared .

an instant later in came Grumedan by the opposite door .

that any Princess could prefer a cup of poison to himself never for an instant occurred to him .

' Let this teach you to mind what I tell you another time , ' she remarked severely .

however , they took care that the King and Queen were always supplied with everything they could wish for .

Prince Narcissus and Princess Potentilla lived long and happily , beloved by all their subjects .

as for the Enchanter , I don't believe he has been let out yet .

la Princesse Pimprenella et Le Prince Romarin .

PRINCE FEATHERHEAD AND THE PRINCESS CELANDINE

as they looked round them with delight , a voice said suddenly : ' Fish , and see what you will catch . '

' Dear , dear ! what is the matter ? ' said the Fairy of the Beech-Woods soothingly .

' The matter ! ' cried Saradine .

' You shall soon hear all about it .

and what do you suppose this favour turns out to be when I have been cajoled into promising to grant it ?

and that 's how it will be all my life long , whenever I meet anybody .

but , after all , I have not taken anything of consequence from this provoking Celandine .

' What ! all alone , and without any means of existence ? ' cried the kind-hearted old Fairy .

' You had better hand her over to me .

I don't think so very badly of her after all .

I 'll just cure her vanity by making her love someone better than herself .

Celandine gracefully accepted their hospitality , and soon told them what had happened to her .

the King was charmed with her spirit , while the Queen thought she had indeed been daring thus to go against the Fairy 's wishes .

so Celandine stayed , and helped the Queen to keep house , and very soon they loved her dearly .

often she would say to the Princess , when showing her some wonderful thing :

' This will do for a wedding gift some day . '

but the person she really relied upon for curing Celandine of her vanity was Prince Featherhead .

the Fairy too was quite shocked at his conceit , and hit upon a plan for curing him of it .

this message made a great impression upon the Prince , but not so much as the portrait .

she at once noticed the change in him , and was deeply curious to find the reason of it .

Judge of her astonishment when she saw that he was holding in his hand a portrait of herself !

In vain did she puzzle over the apparent contradictoriness of his behaviour .

why did he cherish her portrait while he was so fatally indifferent to herself ?

at last she found an opportunity of asking him the name of the Princess whose picture he carried about with him always .

' Alas ! how can I tell you ? ' replied he .

' Why should you not ? ' said the Princess timidly .

' Surely there is nothing to prevent you . '

' Nothing to prevent me ! ' repeated he , ' when my utmost efforts have failed to discover the lovely original .

should I be so sad if I could but find her ?

but I do not even know her name . '

' That means that you consider it flattered , ' said the Prince severely .

' Really , Celandine , I thought better of you , and should have expected you to be above such contemptible jealousy .

but all women are alike ! '

' Indeed , I meant only that it was a good likeness , ' said the Princess meekly .

' Then you know the original , ' cried the Prince , throwing himself on his knees beside her .

' Pray tell me at once who it is , and don't keep me in suspense ! '

' Oh ! don't you see that it is meant for me ? ' cried Celandine .

now the Princess was indeed unhappy , and could no longer bear to stay in a place where she had been so cruelly disdained .

after walking until she was weary , she saw before her a tiny house , and turned her slow steps towards it .

' Here comes one of these fine beggars who are too idle to do anything but run about the country ! '

' Didn't I tell you what it would be ? ' growled the old hag .

' From shelter we shall proceed to demand supper , and from supper money to take us on our way .

not at all !

I wager that a fine lady like you has more money than I have .

' Alas ! madam , ' replied the Princess , ' I only wish I had .

I would give it to you with all the pleasure in life . '

' But you are very smartly dressed for the kind of life you lead , ' continued the old woman .

' What ! ' cried the Princess , ' do you think I am come to beg of you ? '

but what is it that you do want ?

shelter ?

well , that does not cost much ; but after that comes supper , and that I can't hear of .

oh dear no !

' Indeed no , madam , ' answered the poor Princess , ' I am too sad to be hungry . '

this must have cost you a pretty penny !

it would have been better to save enough to feed yourself , and not come begging to those who want all they have for themselves .

pray , what may you have paid for these fine clothes ? '

' Alas ! madam , ' answered the Princess , ' I did not buy them , and I know nothing about money . '

' What do you know , if I may ask ? ' said the old dame .

' Services ! ' interrupted the hag crossly .

' One has to pay for services , and I am not above doing my own work . '

' Madam , I will serve you for nothing , ' said the poor Princess , whose spirits were sinking lower and lower .

' I will do anything you please ; all I wish is to live quietly in this lonely spot . '

' Oh !

if I keep you , will you give me your clothes and wear some that I will provide you with ?

it is true that I am getting old and may want someone to take care of me some day . '

' Oh ! for pity 's sake , do what you please with my clothes , ' cried poor Celandine miserably .

' Saints ! what a magnificent lining !

and the width of it !

it will make me four dresses at least .

So saying , she folded up the robe , and put it by with great care , while she remarked to Celandine :

' That dress of mine certainly suits you to a marvel ; be sure you take great care of it . '

' Now let us sup . '

whereupon she handed Celandine a small piece of black bread and uncovered the dish , which contained two dried plums .

for instance , look at my house !

it is built entirely of the seeds of all the pears I have eaten in my life .

but Celandine did not find it possible to be interested in this and similar pieces of advice .

and the old woman soon sent her to bed , for fear the night air might give her an appetite .

she passed a sleepless night ; but in the morning the old dame remarked :

' I heard how well you slept .

when the old woman saw it her joy knew no bounds .

' Now we can have milk and cheese and butter ! ' cried she .

' Ah ! how good milk is !

what a pity it is so ruinously expensive ! '

after that he came every day in the hope of meeting her again , and often expressed his delight at being with her .

' But , ' cried Prince Featherhead , ' surely you cannot care for so contemptible and worthless a creature as that . '

' Alas ! but I do care , ' answered the Princess , weeping .

' But where can his eyes be , ' said the Prince , ' that your beauty makes no impression upon him ?

' My portrait ? ' cried Celandine with sudden interest .

' Is it possible that Prince Featherhead can have parted with it ? '

you may imagine how perfectly happy they were , and how much they had to hear and to tell .

but the Prince declared that it became her vastly , and that he thought it most picturesque .

when they reached the house the old woman received them very crossly .

' What ! ' she cried , ' feed people who were as happy as all that !

why , it was simply ruinous ! '

' For , ' she said , ' you see , Featherhead , I love you , and love makes everything right !

but we cannot stay here , ' she added ; ' what are we to do ? '

for the Fairy , as a punishment for her avarice , caused it to slip out again as fast as she dropped it in .

very soon the Fairy Saradine also arrived , bringing the King and Queen with her .

Princess Celandine implored her pardon , which she graciously gave ; indeed the Princess was so charming she could refuse her nothing .

she also restored to her the Summer Islands , and promised her protection in all things .

Le Prince Muguet et la Princesse Zaza .

THE THREE LITTLE PIGS

there was once upon a time a pig who lived with her three children on a large , comfortable , old-fashioned farmyard .

the eldest of the little pigs was called Browny , the second Whitey , and the youngest and best looking Blacky .

he was never so happy as on a wet day , when the mud in the farmyard got soft , and thick , and slab .

but no words of advice or warning could cure Browny of his bad habits .

Whitey was quite a clever little pig , but she was greedy .

her mother often scolded her for her selfishness , and told her that some day she would suffer for being so greedy and grabbing .

Blacky was a good , nice little pig , neither dirty nor greedy .

he had nice dainty ways ( for a pig ) , and his skin was always as smooth and shining as black satin .

now the time came when the mother pig felt old and feeble and near her end .

one day she called the three little pigs round her and said :

' My children , I feel that I am growing odd and weak , and that I shall not live long .

now , Browny , what sort of a house would you like to have ? '

' A house of mud , ' replied Browny , looking longingly at a wet puddle in the corner of the yard .

' Foolish , foolish child ! ' said the mother pig , looking quite distressed .

' That is a sensible little pig , ' replied his mother , looking fondly at him .

' I will see that the three houses are got ready at once .

and now one last piece of advice .

you have heard me talk of our old enemy the fox .

a short time afterwards the old pig died , and the little pigs went to live in their own houses .

Browny was quite delighted with his soft mud walls and with the clay floor , which soon looked like nothing but a big mud pie .

' May I come in , Master Browny ?

I want to see your beautiful new house . '

' I am a friend come to call on you , ' answered the voice .

' No , no , ' replied Browny , ' I don't believe you are a friend .

you are the wicked fox , against whom our mother warned us .

I won't let you in . '

' Oho ! is that the way you answer me ? ' said the fox , speaking very roughly in his natural voice .

' I am a friend come to visit you , and to have some of your good cabbage for my dinner . '

' Please don't touch it , ' cried Whitey in great distress .

do go away ; I am sure you are not a friend , but our wicked enemy the fox . '

I have brought you a present of some eggs that I picked up in a farmyard on my way here . '

' No , no , Mister Fox , ' replied Blacky , ' I am not going to open my door to you .

I know your cunning ways .

you have carried off poor Browny and Whitey , but you are not going to get me . '

at this the fox was so angry that he dashed with all his force against the wall , and tried to knock it down .

next day Blacky had to go into the neighbouring town to do some marketing and to buy a big kettle .

as he was walking home with it slung over his shoulder , he heard a sound of steps stealthily creeping after him .

for a moment his heart stood still with fear , and then a happy thought came to him .

in a moment he had snatched the lid off the kettle and had jumped in himself .

' Oho ! ' exclaimed the fox to himself , ' you think you will escape me that way , do you ?

but when they saw Blacky appear at the entrance to the den their joy knew no bounds .

HEART OF ICE

' Oh ! prate away , ' said she , ' your son will never be anything to boast of .

say what you will , he will be nothing but a Mannikin '

' A nice mass you seem to have made of this business , madam .

why did you not condescend to consult me ?

see where I put in this mark when I abandoned the hopeless undertaking which I had but just begun ! '

' There ! there ! ' said the Fairy , ' I am not offended .

I don't allow myself to be put out by trifles like that with people I really am fond of .

however , Genesta told them not to disquiet themselves .

I do not even intend to let him know that he is your son .

as for you , you had better give your minds to governing your kingdom properly . '

when they saw his tiny stature anti simple attire the strangers looked at each other doubtfully , not knowing whether to accept or refuse him .

but the Prince said haughtily :

' Give me the paper that I may sign it , ' and they obeyed .

' Miserable wretches ! ' cried the Prince ; ' but for the presence of that lovely portrait I would cut off your heads . '

meantime the Prince was travelling on , though the direction he had received for his journey were none of the clearest .

' Four hundred leagues north of Mount Caucasus you will receive your orders and instructions for the conquest of the Ice Mountain . '

fine marching orders , those , for a man starting from a country near where Japan is nowadays !

however , nothing daunted , he struggled on on foot , and at last reached a seaport .

here he lived by fishing and hunting , always hoping that the good Fairy would presently rescue him .

Mannikin was struck with pity for their miserable plight , and set to work with might and main to release them .

at last they drove rapidly into a large town , which Prince Mannikin had no doubt was the capital of the kingdom .

the Prince was delighted with the hearty welcome they gave him , and looked round him with the deepest interest .

as for the writing , it had remained the same as the Prince 's own .

' Bark , and run upon four feet , until the time comes when virtue shall be rewarded by love and fortune . '

Prince Mannikin was quite of the same opinion ; nevertheless he said what we should all have said in the same circumstances :

' Your Majesty must have patience . '

they met with no further adventures worth speaking of , and presently found themselves within two leagues of the harbour for which they were making .

when they were quite close to it the little monkey said :

' This stone looks pretty hard , but give it a blow with your spear and let us see what will happen . '

thereupon the little monkey said , laughing at his astonishment :

' I make you a present of what you have broken off ; take as much of it as you think proper . '

but that you may see the danger you have escaped by your moderation , come with me . '

he heard also the story of King Farda-Kinbras , Sabella 's father .

' We shall see about that , ' grumbled an old hag who sat by the wayside blowing her fingers to keep them warm .

the King thereupon was very angry , and wanted to punish the woman ; but the Queen prevented him , saying :

' Alas ! sire , do not let us make bad worse ; no doubt this is a Fairy ! '

so saying she mounted the dragon and flew off , the rockets shooting in all directions and leaving long trails of sparks .

Sabella grew prettier day by day .

she learnt everything a Princess ought to know without the slightest trouble , and yet something always seemed lacking to make her perfectly charming .

' She certainly sings perfectly ; but there is no tenderness , no heart in her voice . '

poor Sabella ! how could there be when her heart was far away on the Ice Mountains ?

and it was just the same with all the other things that she did .

after explaining their grief as well as he could , he ended by begging them to see the Princess for themselves .

after this they went to see Sabella ; but they had no sooner entered her presence than they cried out with one accord :

' Oh ! horror ! she has no heart ! '

' What shall we do ?

what shall we do ? ' cried the King and Queen in one breath .

her beauty alone is sufficient to engage all the Princes of the world in the quest . '

turning to the King , Prince Mannikin said with great dignity :

when Prince Mannikin quitted the King 's presence he was conducted to the audience hall of the Princess Sabella .

my devotion knows no bounds , but my absurd name has already involved me in a quarrel with one of your courtiers .

' Alas ! ' said she , ' I favour none of these foolish people , who weary me with their sentiment and their folly .

then , amid the sounding of the trumpets and the shoutings of the people , he and Mousta retired gravely from the lists .

all these events made Prince Mannikin a person of much more consequence at the Court .

' I , Brandatimor , to Farda-Kinbras send greeting .

my worthy father-in-law , farewell ! '

the reading of this letter embarrassed and displeased Farda-Kinbras and Birbantine immensely , while the Princess was furious at the insolence of the demand .

Mannikin , in despair , resolved that he would for once beg the assistance of the kind Fairy Genesta .

to which she replied that her gratitude would know no bounds .

then he wanted to know what would be her best wish for the person who was lucky enough to accomplish it .

to which she said that she would wish them to be as insensible to the folly called ' love ' as she was herself !

the pages resembled the ugliest sweeps .

he then returned to the Court , where consternation reigned .

finally the King said to him :

and so they started , full of heart and hope .

but then he was so happy and blissful himself that he found it easy to be at peace with all the world .

the Prince sent Mousta back to her , and he was welcomed with joy , for was he not her lover 's present ?

at last the travellers reached the capital , and were received with regal magnificence .

but the Prince , throwing himself on his knees beside her , held out the splendid diamond , saying :

' Ah !

' And didn't you find it very cold ? '

turning to Prince Mannikin , she said :

' I am satisfied with you , since you have shown not only courage but a good heart . '

the King having suitably acknowledged the honour done him , was next reconciled to Gorgonzola , and they two presently opened the ball together .

they lived happily ever afterwards , and their vast kingdoms were presently divided between their children .

comte de Caylus .

THE ENCHANTED RING

their mother detested her eldest son , and had only eyes for the youngest .

this excited Bramintho 's jealousy , and he invented a horrible story in order to ruin his brother .

the father flew into a rage , and flogged his son till the blood came .

the mother was miserable , and did nothing but weep , but she dared not say anything .

' Have you seen a stag and some deerhounds go by ? ' she asked .

' No , madam , ' he replied .

then she added , ' You look unhappy ; is there anything the matter ?

take this ring , which will make you the happiest and most powerful of men , provided you never make a bad use of it .

if you turn the diamond inside , you will become invisible .

if you turn it outside , you will become visible again .

if you place it on your little finger , you will take the shape of the King 's son , followed by a splendid court .

if you put it on your fourth finger , you will take your own shape . '

the youth was very impatient to try the ring , and returned home immediately .

he found that the Fairy had spoken the truth , and that he could see and hear everything , while he himself was unseen .

then Rosimond asked him how many sons he had .

' Two , ' replied he .

' I wish to see them , ' said Rosimond .

' Send for them at once .

I desire to take them both to Court , in order to make their fortunes . '

the father hesitated , then answered : ' Here is the eldest , whom I have the honour to present to your Highness . '

' But where is the youngest ?

I wish to see him too , ' persisted Rosimond .

' He is not here , ' said the father .

' I had to punish him for a fault , and he has run away . '

then Rosimond replied , ' You should have shown him what was right , but not have punished him .

' Lie there , ' she said , ' till your son comes to take you out again . '

meanwhile the son went to the King 's palace , and arrived just when the real prince was absent .

the Queen was even more delighted , and fetes were ordered over the whole kingdom .

he is in hiding here , and I desire that you shall speak to him , and listen to his reproaches . '

Bramintho trembled at these words , and , flinging himself at the Prince 's feet , confessed his crime .

' That is not enough , ' said Rosimond .

' It is to your brother that you must confess , and I desire that you shall ask his forgiveness .

he will be very generous if he grants it , and it will be more than you deserve .

he is in my ante-room , where you shall see him at once .

I myself will retire into another apartment , so as to leave you alone with him . '

Bramintho entered , as he was told , into the anteroom .

then Rosimond changed the ring , and passed into the room by another door .

Bramintho was filled with shame as soon as he saw his brother 's face .

he implored his pardon , and promised to atone for all his faults .

Rosimond embraced him with tears , and at once forgave him , adding , ' I am in great favour with the King .

Bramintho , confused and ashamed , listened to his words without daring to lift his eyes or to remind Rosimond that he was his brother .

you must never deceive anyone .

the real Prince , whom the whole nation thinks you are , will have to succeed his father , for that is just and right .

go and seek him in some distant island , and I will send winds that will swell your sails and bring you to him .

if you do not do this , you will become wicked and unhappy , and I will abandon you to all your former troubles . '

Rosimond took these wise counsels to heart .

this unfortunate youth had been taken captive by a savage people , who had kept him to guard their sheep .

other winds sent by the Fairy swelled the sails , and together the two young men entered the King 's presence .

Rosimond spoke first and said , ' You have believed me to be your son .

I am not he , but I have brought him back to you . '

or is it true that you have been shipwrecked and taken captive , and that Rosimond has set you free ? '

' Yes , my father , ' replied the Prince .

it was he , not I , who gained the victory . '

for he feared for himself the changes of fortune , the envy of mankind and his own weakness .

his desire was to go back to his mother and his native village , and to spend his time in cultivating the land .

he repeated them joyfully , for he had always longed to bring the old man back and to make his last days happy .

for many days he sought her up and down the woods and at last he found her .

I shall never feel safe till I have made it impossible for me to leave my solitude and to satisfy my passions . '

but the Fairy , who knew all about everything , said to Rosimond , when he was imploring her to accept the ring :

' Your wicked brother is doing his best to poison the mind of the King towards you , and to ruin you .

Rosimond wept at these words , and then asked :

' What do you mean by giving him the ring as a punishment ?

he will only use it to persecute everyone , and to become master . '

' The same things , ' answered the Fairy , ' are often a healing medicine to one person and a deadly poison to another .

prosperity is the source of all evil to a naturally wicked man .

if you wish to punish a scoundrel , the first thing to do is to give him power .

you will see that with this rope he will soon hang himself . '

she at once addressed him in these words :

I now give it to you , and be careful what you do with it . '

Bramintho replied with a laugh :

all these crimes , which could be traced to nobody , filled the people with astonishment .

but his triumph was short .

next day he was seized by order of the King , and his ring was taken from him .

to console Rosimond for the fate of Bramintho , the King gave him back the enchanted ring , as a pearl without price .

' Here , ' he said , ' is your ring .

my brother 's experience has made me understand many things that I did not know before .

keep it , it has only led to his destruction .

perhaps he might have been wise and happy if he had never had the chance of gratifying his wishes !

oh ! how dangerous it is to have more power than the rest of the world !

Fenelon .

THE SNUFF-BOX

as often happens in this world , there was once a young man who spent all his time in travelling .

one day , as he was walking along , he picked up a snuff-box .

he opened it , and the snuff-box said to him in the Spanish language , ' What do you want ? '

I shall know better what to say this time . '

so he took out the snuff-box and opened it , and again it asked ' What do you want ? '

' My hat full of gold , ' answered the youth , and immediately it was full .

our young man was enchanted .

henceforth he should never be in need of anything .

so on he travelled , away , away , away , through thick forests , till at last he came to a beautiful castle .

in the castle there lived a King .

' I was just looking at your castle . '

' You would like to have one like it , wouldn't you ? '

the young man did not reply , but when it grew dark he took his snuff-box and opened the lid .

' What do you want ? '

' Build me a castle with laths of gold and tiles of diamond , and the furniture all of silver and gold . '

when the King awoke he was struck dumb at the sight of the magnificent house shining in the rays of the sun .

the servants could not do their work for stopping to stare at it .

then the King dressed himself , and went to see the young man .

so it all turned out just as the King wished .

the young man married the Princess , and they lived happily in the palace of gold .

but the King 's wife was jealous both of the young man and of her own daughter .

oh how happy the Queen was !

she opened the lid , and the snuff-box said to her ' What do you want ? '

when the young couple woke up , they found themselves back in the old castle , without their snuff-box .

they hunted for it high and low , but quite vainly .

but still he went on , as fast as the strength of his horse would let him , begging his way .

someone told him that he ought to consult the moon , for the moon travelled far , and might be able to tell him something .

so he went away , away , away , and ended , somehow or other , by reaching the land of the moon .

there he found a little old woman who said to him ' What are you doing here ?

my son eats all living things he sees , and if you are wise , you will go away without coming any further . '

as he spoke these last words , the moon came in and said he smelt mortal flesh and blood .

once this house belonged to him , but now it was stolen .

there he found a little old woman , who asked him , ' What are you doing here ?

go away .

have you not heard that my son feeds upon Christians ? '

and that he had sought it far and long , and in all the earth there was no man more unhappy .

so the old woman 's heart melted , and she agreed to hide him .

when the Sun arrived , he declared that he smelt Christian flesh , and he meant to have it for his dinner .

he found there a little old woman busily occupied in filling great barrels with water .

and that it was the sun who had sent him to consult the wind .

so she hid him under the staircase , and soon they heard the south wind arrive , shaking the house to its foundations .

' Oh , do tell me where it is , ' cried the you man .

' It is a long way off , ' replied the wind , ' on the other side of the Red Sea . '

but our traveller was not discouraged , he had already journeyed too far .

so he set forth at once , and , somehow or other , he managed to reach that distant land .

and he enquired if anyone wanted a gardener .

he was told that the head gardener at the castle had just left , and perhaps he might have a chance of getting the place .

now he passed most of his day in gossiping with the servants about the wealth of their masters and the wonderful things in the house .

the following night , when everyone was fast asleep , he crept in and took the snuff-box .

think of his joy as he opened the lid !

when it asked him , as of yore , ' What do you want ? ' he replied : ' What do I want ?

what do I want ?

Sebillot .

THE GOLDEN BLACKBIRD

once upon a time there was a great lord who had three sons .

at last there came a foreign doctor , who declared that the Golden Blackbird alone could cure the sick man .

the young man began his journey , and soon arrived at a place where four roads met .

' My faith , ' said he , ' it is sheer folly to waste more time hunting for this bird .

my father is old , and if he dies I shall inherit his goods . '

the old man , after waiting patiently for some time , sent his second son to seek the Golden Blackbird .

the cap fell in the same place as before , and he walked on till he came to the spot where his brother had halted .

the latter , who was leaning out of the window of the inn , called to him to stay where he was and amuse himself .

' You are right , ' replied the youth .

' Who knows if I should ever find the Golden Blackbird , even if I sought the whole world through for it .

at the worst , if the old man dies , we shall have his property . '

he entered the inn and the two brothers made merry and feasted , till very soon their money was all spent .

they even owed something to their landlord , who kept them as hostages till they could pay their debts .

the youngest son set forth in his turn , and he arrived at the place where his brothers were still prisoners .

they called to him to stop , and did all they could to prevent his going further .

' Bah , ' said his brothers , ' you will never succeed any better than we did .

let him die if he wants to ; we will divide the property . '

as he went his way he met a little hare , who stopped to look at him , and asked :

' Where are you going , my friend ? '

' I really don't quite know , ' answered he .

' My father is ill , and he cannot be cured unless I bring him back the Golden Blackbird .

it is a long time since I set out , but no one can tell me where to find it . '

' Ah , ' said the hare , ' you have a long way to go yet .

you will have to walk at least seven hundred miles before you get to it . '

' And how am I to travel such a distance ? '

' Mount on my back , ' said the little hare , ' and I will conduct you . '

' The Golden Blackbird is in a little cabin near by , ' said the little hare , ' and you will easily find it .

it lives in a little cage , with another cage beside it made all of gold .

the youth found the Golden Blackbird standing on a wooden perch , but as stiff and rigid as if he was dead .

and beside the beautiful cage was the cage of gold .

' Perhaps he would revive if I were to put him in that lovely cage , ' thought the youth .

' No , ' he answered , ' I am not a thief .

the youth departed , weeping , and met the little hare , who was munching wild thyme .

' What are you crying for , my friend ? ' asked the hare .

' You have not followed my advice , ' said the little hare .

' And you have put the Golden Bird into the fine cage . '

' Alas ! yes ! '

' Don't despair ! the Porcelain Maiden is a young girl , beautiful as Venus , who dwells two hundred miles from here .

Jump on my back and I will take you there . '

the little hare left him , and almost immediately the Porcelain Maiden arrived with her friends .

she undressed herself and got into the water .

then the young man glided up noiselessly and laid hold of her clothes , which he hid under a rock at some distance .

' Why do you cry ? ' said the young man , approaching her .

' Alas ! ' answered she , ' while I was bathing someone stole my clothes , and my friends have abandoned me . '

' I will find your clothes if you will only come with me . '

when he reached the inn where his brothers were detained , he delivered them by paying their debt .

then they continued their journey , taking with them the Porcelain Maiden , in the firm belief that their brother was drowned .

but , happily , he had snatched in falling at a tuft of rushes and called loudly for help .

the little hare came running to him , and said ' Take hold of my leg and pull yourself out of the water . '

when he was safe on shore the little hare said to him :

once there , you will easily be able to make him understand the truth . '

' Yes , ' replied his father , ' very much indeed .

but it is not an easy place .

' I will undertake to groom it , ' said the youth .

' I never saw the horse I was afraid of yet . '

the little horse allowed itself to be rubbed down without a toss of its head and without a kick .

' Perhaps he knows me , ' answered the stable-boy .

try if she will accept your services . '

' Good gracious ! ' cried the master .

' The Porcelain Maiden and the Golden Blackbird know you too ? '

' Yes , ' replied the youth , ' and the Porcelain Maiden can tell you the whole truth , if she only will . '

then she told all that had happened , and how she had consented to follow the young man who had captured the Golden Blackbird .

so I disguised myself and came here , in order to prove the truth to you . '

the young man married the Porcelain Maiden , and had a splendid wedding-feast .

Sebillot .

THE LITTLE SOLDIER

I

once upon a time there was a little soldier who had just come back from the war .

he was a brave little fellow , but he had lost neither arms nor legs in battle .

still , the fighting was ended and the army disbanded , so he had to return to the village where he was born .

he felt for his match-box to strike a light , but to his great disgust he found he had lost it .

he had only gone about a stone 's throw after making this discovery when he noticed a light shining through the trees .

he went towards it , and perceived before him an old castle , with the door standing open .

he put his pipe in his pocket and knocked gently , saying politely :

' Would you give me a light ? '

but he got no answer .

after waiting for a moment John knocked again , this time more loudly .

there was still no reply .

he raised the latch and entered ; the hall was empty .

and what was more strange still , this serpent had the head of a woman .

he only made one step backwards , and grasped the hilt of his sword .

' Don't unsheath it , ' said the serpent .

' I have been waiting for you , as it is you who must deliver me . '

' Who are you ? '

' My name is Ludovine , and I am the daughter of the King of the Low Countries .

deliver me , and I will marry you and make you happy for ever after . '

and , besides , he felt the fascination of Ludovine 's eyes , which looked at him as a snake looks at a little bird .

the face had the beauty of an angel , though the body was only that of a serpent .

' What must I do ? ' asked the Kinglet .

' Open that door .

you will find yourself in a gallery with a room at the end just like this .

the little soldier boldly prepared to do as he was told .

and , turn his eyes which way he would , he could discover no bodies belonging to them .

he lowered his head and rushed forward amidst a storm of blows , which he returned with his fists .

when he got to the closet , he opened it , took down the tunic , and brought it to the first room .

' Here it is , ' he panted , rather out of breath .

' Clic ! ' once more the flames parted .

Ludovine was a woman down to her waist .

she took the tunic and put it on .

it was a magnificent tunic of orange velvet , embroidered in pearls , but the pearls were not so white as her own neck .

' That is not all , ' she said .

bring this to me . '

he instantly unsheathed his sword and cut his way through with such vigour that he hardly received a scratch .

he brought back the skirt , which was made of silk as blue as the skies of Spain .

' Here it is , ' said John , as the serpent appeared .

she was now a woman as far as her knees .

' I only want my shoes and stockings now , ' she said .

' Go and get them from the closet which is on the second story . '

the little soldier departed , and found himself in the presence of eight goblins armed with hammers , and flames darting from their eyes .

this time he stopped short at the threshold .

at this moment his eyes fell on the door , which was made of oak , thick and heavy .

here is a purse with two hundred ducats .

' Why shouldn't we go now ? ' asked the little soldier .

' Because the time has not yet come , ' said the Princess .

John drank , then lit his pipe and went out .

II

all night long he slept like a dead man .

the clocks were striking twelve when John awoke .

he sprang out of bed , and , scarcely waiting to dress himself , hastened to ask if anyone had been to inquire for him .

' There came a lovely princess , ' replied the landlady , ' in a coach of gold .

she left you this bouquet , and a message to say that she would pass this way to-morrow morning at eight o'clock . '

the little soldier cursed his sleep , but tried to console himself by looking at his bouquet , which was of immortelles .

' It is the flower of remembrance , ' thought he , forgetting that it is also the flower of the dead .

when the night came , he slept with one eye open , and jumped up twenty times an hour .

there he sat , dreamily gazing at his bouquet till he ended by going fast asleep .

' Did the Princess come ? ' he asked .

' Yes , indeed , she did .

' I must have been bewitched , ' thought the little soldier .

when the Princess arrived , they shook him , and beat him , and screamed at him , but it was all no good .

neither man nor horse woke till the coach was seen vanishing away in the distance .

then John put spurs to his horse , calling with all his might ' Stop ! stop ! '

thus they left many villages and towns behind them , till they came to the sea itself .

III

in the hut was a young girl who was mending a net .

when he had finished his tale , she was filled with pity and said :

I brought it home and placed it on the fire .

that is the mantle , covering my bed , and I have kept the money for my marriage-portion .

' Oh , how I wish I was in the capital of the Low Countries ! '

IV

in one moment the little soldier found himself standing before a splendid palace .

' Where are you ?

can't you see ?

before the King 's palace , of course . '

' What King ? '

' Why the King of the Low Countries ! ' replied the man , laughing and supposing that he was mad .

was there ever anything so strange ?

and he began to wonder how he could restore them to her the soonest .

in an instant he was there .

enchanted with this discovery , he ordered supper , and as it was too late to visit the King that night he went to bed .

he had scarcely time to dress himself when the golden coach of Ludovine went by .

she had a crown of gold upon her head , and the King and Queen sat by her side .

by accident her eyes fell upon the little soldier , and she grew pale and turned away her head .

but the more he talked the more they believed him mad and refused to let him pass .

the little soldier was furious .

he felt that he needed his pipe to calm him , and he entered a tavern and ordered a pint of beer .

he took out his purse to see what was left , and he found that there were still fifty crowns .

' The Seagull must have miscounted , ' thought he , and he paid for his beer .

then he counted his money again , and there were still fifty crowns .

he took away five and counted a third time , but there were still fifty .

he emptied the purse altogether and then shut it ; when he opened it the fifty crowns were still there !

then a plan came into his head , and he determined to go at once to the Court tailor and coachbuilder .

if the tailor and the coachbuilder were quick he promised to pay them double .

Inside sat John , clad in blue velvet , with a bouquet of immortelles in his hand and a scarf bound round his arm .

V

the next day no one talked of anything but the rich lord who had distributed money as he drove along .

the talk even reached the Court , and the Queen , who was very curious , had a great desire to see the wonderful Prince .

' Very well , ' said the King ; ' let him be asked to come and play cards with me . '

this time the Kinglet was not late for his appointment .

the King sent for the cards and they sat down to play .

they had six games , and John always lost .

the stake was fifty crowns , and each time he emptied his purse , which was full the next instant .

the sixth time the King exclaimed , ' It is amazing ! '

the Queen cried , ' It is astonishing ! '

the Princess said , ' It is bewildering ! '

' Not so bewildering , ' replied the little soldier , ' as your change into a serpent . '

' Hush ! ' interrupted the King , who did not like the subject .

' Is that true ? ' asked the King of the Princess .

' Quite true , ' answered Ludovine .

' But I told my deliverer to be ready to go with me when I passed by with my coach .

I passed three times , but he slept so soundly that no one could wake him . '

' What is your name ? ' said the King , ' and who are you ? '

' My name is John .

I am a soldier , and my father is a boatman . '

' You are not a fit husband for my daughter .

still , if you will give us your purse , you shall have her for your wife . '

' My purse does not belong to me , and I cannot give it away . '

' And when will that be ? '

' At Easter , ' said the monarch .

' Or in a blue moon ! ' murmured the Princess ; but the Kinglet did not hear her and let her take his purse .

next evening he presented himself at the palace to play picquet with the King and to make his court to the Princess .

but he was told that the King had gone into the country to receive his rents .

he returned the following day , and had the same answer .

then he asked to see the Queen , but she had a headache .

when this had happened five or six times , he began to understand that they were making fun of him .

' That is not the way for a King to behave , ' thought John .

' Old scoundrel ! ' and then suddenly he remembered his red cloak .

' Ah , what an idiot I am ! ' said he .

' Of course I can get in whenever I like with the help of this . '

that evening he was in front of the palace , wrapped in his red cloak .

on the first story one window was lighted , and John saw on the curtains the shadow of the Princess .

' I wish myself in the room of the Princess Ludovine , ' said he , and in a second he was there .

the King 's daughter was sitting before a table counting the money that she emptied from the inexhaustible purse .

' Eight hundred and fifty , nine hundred , nine hundred and fifty '

' A thousand , ' finished John .

' Good evening everybody ! '

the Princess jumped and gave a little cry .

' You here !

what business have you to do it ?

leave at once , or I shall call '

' I have come , ' said the Kinglet , ' to remind you of your promise .

the day after to-morrow is Easter Day , and it is high time to think of our marriage . '

Ludovine burst out into a fit of laughter .

' Our marriage !

' Then give me back the purse , ' said John .

' Never , ' said the Princess , and put it calmly in her pocket .

' As you like , ' said the little soldier .

' He laughs best who laughs the last ; ' and he took the Princess in his arms .

' Ouf , ' said John , laying her gently at the foot of a tree .

' I never took such a long journey before .

what do you say , madam ? '

the Princess understood that it was no time for jesting , and did not answer .

besides she was still feeling giddy from her rapid flight , and had not yet collected her senses .

VI

the King of the Low Countries was not a very scrupulous person , and his daughter took after him .

this was why she had been changed into a serpent .

the cunning Princess then laid her plans accordingly .

and we know how they had acted on John .

however , even in this critical moment , Ludovine did not lose her head .

here is your purse .

have you got my scarf and my bouquet ? '

' Here they are , ' said the Kinglet , delighted with this change of tone , and he drew them from his bosom .

Ludovine fastened one in his buttonhole and the other round his arm .

' Now , ' she said , ' you are my lord and master , and I will marry you at your good pleasure . '

' You are kinder than I thought , ' said John ; ' and you shall never be unhappy , for I love you . '

' Then , my little husband , tell me how you managed to carry me so quickly to the ends of the world . '

the little soldier scratched his head .

but Ludovine repeated , ' Won't you tell me ? ' in such a tender voice he did not know how to resist her .

and he told her the virtue of the red mantle .

' Oh dear , how tired I am ! ' sighed Ludovine .

' Don't you think we had better take a nap ?

and then we can talk over our plans . '

she stretched herself on the grass , and the Kinglet did the same .

he laid his head on his left arm , round which the scarf was tied , and was soon fast asleep .

in another moment she was there .

VII

he tore his hair , he beat his breast , he trampled on the bouquet , and tore the scarf of the traitress to atoms .

besides this he was very hungry , and he had nothing to eat .

he thought of all the wonderful things his grandmother had told him when he was a child , but none of them helped him now .

' Here goes for the plums , ' he said to himself , ' all is fair in war . '

he climbed the tree and began to eat steadily .

but he had hardly swallowed two plums when , to his horror , he felt as if something was growing on his forehead .

he put up his hand and found that he had two horns !

he leapt down from the tree and rushed to a stream that flowed close by .

alas ! there was no escape : two charming little horns , that would not have disgraced the head of a goat .

then his courage failed him .

what a pretty figure I should cut if I went back into the world ! '

no sooner had he swallowed two than the horns disappeared .

the little soldier was enchanted , though greatly surprised , and came to the conclusion that it was no good to despair too quickly .

when he had done eating an idea suddenly occurred to him .

she has the eyes of a deer already ; let her have the horns of one .

a horned maiden is by no means lovely to look at . '

so he plaited a basket out of the long willows , and placed in it carefully both sorts of plums .

but he feared nothing , except that his plums should decay , and this never happened .

so , at the end of a year and a day , he arrived at the capital of the kingdom .

VIII

' How much are they ? ' said the Princess .

' Fifty crowns each . '

' Fifty crowns !

but what is there so very precious about them ?

do they give one wit , or will they increase one 's beauty ? '

' They could not increase what is perfect already , fair Princess , but still they might add something . '

such a neatly turned compliment flattered Ludovine .

' What will they add ? ' she smilingly asked .

' You will see , fair Princess , when you taste them .

it will be a surprise for you . '

Ludovine 's curiosity was roused .

she drew out the purse and shook out as many little heaps of fifty crowns as there were plums in the basket .

imagine with what surprise and horror she felt all of a sudden that something was growing out of her forehead .

she flew to her mirror and uttered a piercing cry .

' Horns ! so that was what he promised me !

let someone find the plum-seller at once and bring him to me !

let his nose and ears be cut off !

let him be flayed alive , or burnt at a slow fire and his ashes scattered to the winds !

oh , I shall die of shame and despair ! '

IX

' Another madman determined to be hanged , ' said the King .

' Very well , do as he asks ; one should refuse nothing to a man with a rope round his neck . '

as soon as the little soldier was in the presence of the Princess he poured some drops of the liquid into a glass .

the Princess had scarcely tasted it , when the tip of the horns disappeared .

' They would have disappeared completely , ' said the pretended doctor , ' if there did not exist something to counteract the effect .

it is only possible to cure people whose souls are as clean as the palm of my hand .

are you sure you have not committed some little sin ?

examine yourself well . '

at last she made answer with downcast eyes ,

' I have stolen a leather purse from a little soldier . '

' Give it to me .

the remedy will not act till I hold the purse in my hands . '

' You must really have another little sin on your conscience .

did you steal nothing from this soldier but his purse ? '

' I also stole from him his cloak . '

' Give it me . '

' Here it is . '

she stood before him dumb with fright .

x

John had wished himself in the house of the Seagull .

at the noise made by the little soldier , she looked up and blushed .

' So it is you ! ' she said .

' How did you get here ? '

and then she added in a low voice , ' And have you married your Princess ? '

then John told her all his adventures , and when he had finished , he restored to her the purse and the mantle .

' What can I do with them ? ' said she .

' You have proved to me that happiness does not lie in the possession of treasures . '

' Dear Seagull , will you have me for a husband ? ' and he held out his hand .

and this they did .

Charles Deulin .

THE MAGIC SWAN

there were once upon a time three brothers , of whom the eldest was called Jacob , the second Frederick , and the youngest Peter .

this youngest brother was made a regular butt of by the other two , and they treated him shamefully .

why don't you set out and try your fortune somewhere else ? '

Peter promised faithfully he wouldn't , and the old woman continued :

' This evening at sunset go to yonder pear-tree which you see growing at the cross roads .

underneath it you will find a man lying asleep , and a beautiful large swan will be fastened to the tree close to him .

you must be careful not to waken the man , but you must unfasten the swan and take it away with you .

if you can only make her laugh your fortune is made ; then I beg you won't forget your old friend . '

Peter promised again that he wouldn't , and at sunset he went to the tree the old woman had mentioned .

the man lay there fast asleep , and a large beautiful swan was fastened to the tree beside him by a red cord .

Peter loosed the bird , and led it away with him without disturbing the bird 's master .

he walked on with the swan for some time , and came at last to a building-yard where some men were busily at work .

when she saw the poor boy fastened to the swan she felt so sorry for him that she stretched out her hand to free him .

the bird screamed .

' Swan , hold fast , ' called out Peter , and the girl was caught also .

' Most certainly I will , if that 's all you want , ' replied the sweep , and gave the girl his hand .

the bird screamed .

' Swan , hold fast , ' said Peter , and the black man was added to their number .

they soon came to a village where a fair was being held .

a travelling circus was giving a performance , and the clown was just doing his tricks .

he opened his eyes wide with amazement when he saw the remarkable trio fastened on to the swan 's tail .

' Have you gone raving mad , Blackie ? ' he asked as well as he could for laughing .

' It 's no laughing matter , ' the sweep replied .

' This wench has got so tight hold of me that I feel as if I were glued to her .

do set me free , like a good clown , and I 'll do you a good turn some day . '

without a moment 's hesitation the clown grasped the black outstretched hand .

the bird screamed .

' Swan , hold fast , ' called out Peter , and the clown became the fourth of the party .

after this no one else had any wish to join them .

Soon Peter saw the towers of the capital in front of him .

' The Princess has laughed at last , ' they all cried with joy .

she stepped out of her carriage to look more closely at the wonderful sight , and laughed again over the capers the poor captives cut .

she ordered her carriage to be turned round and drove slowly back into the town , never taking her eyes off Peter and his procession .

he laughed himself when he saw them till the tears rolled down his cheeks .

' No , I don't , ' said Peter .

' Then I 'll tell you , ' answered the King ; ' a thousand gold crowns or a piece of land .

which will you choose ? '

Peter decided in favour of the land .

then the Princess felt moved to stroke the swan , at the same time admiring its plumage .

the bird screamed .

' Swan , hold fast , ' called out Peter , and so he won the Princess for his bride .

but the swan flew up into the air , and vanished in the blue horizon .

Kletke .

THE DIRTY SHEPHERDESS

once upon a time there lived a King who had two daughters , and he loved them with all his heart .

so he called the elder Princess and said to her , ' How much do you love me ? '

' As the apple of my eye ! ' answered she .

' Ah ! ' exclaimed the King , kissing her tenderly as he spoke , ' you are indeed a good daughter . '

then he sent for the younger , and asked her how much she loved him .

' I look upon you , my father , ' she answered , ' as I look upon salt in my food . '

but the King did not like her words , and ordered her to quit the court , and never again to appear before him .

after that she smeared mud all over her hands and face , and shook her hair into a great tangle .

having thus changed her appearance , she went about offering herself as a goose-girl or shepherdess .

but as soon as the girl saw what he was at , she fled into the wood as swiftly as a bird .

when she was quite safe , she put on her rags again , and smeared over her face and hands .

at this everyone began to laugh , for they said that the shepherdess was one of the ugliest and dirtiest creatures under the sun .

although the wish appeared rather odd , they hastened to fulfil it , and the farmer was told the request of the King 's son .

the loaf , which was a very little one , was brought to the King 's son , who ate it with pleasure .

so the King made a proclamation through his whole kingdom and ladies came from afar to lay claim to the honour .

but the ring was so tiny that even those who had the smallest hands could only get it on their little fingers .

by the orders of the bride , they only served her father at the wedding breakfast bread without salt , and meat without seasoning .

' No , ' he replied , ' the dishes are carefully cooked and sent up , but they are all so dreadfully tasteless . '

' Did not I tell you , my father , that salt was the best thing in life ?

the King embraced his daughter , and allowed that he had been wrong to misinterpret her words .

Sebillot .

THE ENCHANTED SNAKE

there was once upon a time a poor woman who would have given all she possessed for a child , but she hadn't one .

and with a hearty laugh he dismissed the peasant .

in one moment , the trees were all ablaze with rubies , emeralds , diamonds , and every other precious stone you can think of .

' Do with me what you like , my lord and father , for your will is my law , ' answered Grannonia .

as soon as the snake saw Grannonia , it wound its tail round her and kissed her .

this cursed snake has most likely swallowed her up . '

then they put their eyes to the keyhole to see what had happened .

their amazement knew no bounds when they saw a beautiful youth standing before their daughter with the snake 's skin lying on the floor beside him .

in their excitement they burst open the door , and seizing the skin they threw it into the fire .

they rose up and stood for some time listening to the birds singing , because Grannonia delighted in their songs .

at last the night arrived , and all the little birds were asleep high up on the branches of a big tree .

as an attempt hurts no one , he willingly consented that she should do what she could .

it is only fair to give her a husband who gives me a son . '

and so they went into the Prince 's room .

the moment Grannonia had rubbed the blood on his wounds the illness left him , and he was as sound and well as ever .

' Far be it from me , ' replied the Prince , ' to banish the beautiful picture of my love from my heart .

he then told his father at once who she was , and what she had done and suffered for his sake .

THE BITER BIT

' But how shall we manage it , ' asked one of them .

if we only stick to it you 'll see the mule will soon be ours . '

this proposal quite satisfied the others , and they all separated as they had agreed .

now when Simon came by , the first rogue said to him , ' God bless you , my fine gentleman . '

' Thanks for your courtesy , ' replied Simon .

' Where have you been ? ' asked the thief .

' To the market , ' was the reply .

' And what did you buy there ? ' continued the rogue .

' This mule . '

' Which mule ? '

' The one I 'm sitting upon , to be sure , ' replied Simon .

' Are you in earnest , or only joking ? '

' What do you mean ? '

' Because it seems to me you 've got hold of a donkey , and not of a mule . '

' A donkey ?

rubbish ! ' screamed Simon , and without another word he rode on his way .

' From the market , ' answered Simon .

' Did things go pretty cheap ? ' asked the other .

' I should just think so , ' said Simon .

' And did you make any good bargain yourself ? '

' I bought this mule on which you see me . '

' Is it possible that you really bought that beast for a mule ? '

' Why certainly . '

' But , good heavens , it 's nothing but a donkey ! '

' Yes , I am , ' replied Simon .

' And what bargain did you drive there ? ' asked the cunning fellow .

' I bought this mule on which I am riding . '

' A mule !

are you speaking seriously , or do you wish to make a fool of me ? '

' I 'm speaking in sober earnest , ' said Simon ; ' it wouldn't occur to me to make a joke of it . '

the rascal took the beast , thanked him kindly , and rode on to join his comrades , while Simon continued his journey on foot .

' Oh , you simpleton ! ' cried Nina ; ' didn't you see that they were only playing you a trick ?

really , I thought you 'd have had more gumption than that ; they wouldn't have taken me in in that way . '

have you followed me ?

then go , and Heaven 's blessing go with you . '

when he and his guests entered the courtyard , they noticed the goat tied to the post quietly chewing the cud .

the artful woman , who at once understood her master , answered , ' Certainly I have .

the veal is roasted , and the chickens boiled . '

' That 's all right , ' said Simon .

you have been finely deceived for once in a way .

hardly had Simon said these words when the three rogues appeared and fell on him to kill him .

' My friends , ' called out Simon to then , ' what do you accuse me of ?

I am in no way to blame ; perhaps my housekeeper has done you some injury of which I know nothing . '

instantly the housekeeper fell down as if she were dead , and the blood streamed all over the ground .

what have I done ?

like a madman I have killed the woman who is the prop and stay of my old age .

how could I ever go on living without her ? '

then he seized a pipe , and when he had blown into it for some time Nina sprang up alive and well .

then he took Simon 's pipe and blew into it with all his might , in the hopes of calling his wife back to life .

but he blew in vain , for the poor soul was as dead as a door-nail .

the same thing happened to the third rogue , so that they were now all three without wives .

the shepherd asked him why he had been left there tied up in a sack .

and so the poor shepherd was drowned instead of Mr Simon !

the three rogues , having wreaked their vengeance , set out , for home .

on their way they noticed a flock of sheep grazing not far from the road .

they asked him how he had managed to get out of the river , to which he replied :

but Mr Simon returned home to his faithful Nina rich in flocks and gold , and lived for many a year in health and happiness .

Kletke .

KING KOJATA ( from the Russian )

there was once upon a time a king called Kojata , whose beard was so long that it reached below his knees .

one day he set forth from his capital , in order to make a journey through his kingdom .

' Plague on you ! ' said King Kojata .

at last a hoarse voice sounded from the depths .

' Yes , I promise that you shall have it . '

the voice replied , ' Very well ; but it will go ill with you if you fail to keep your promise . '

then the claws relaxed their hold , and the face disappeared in the depths .

all the courtiers standing round were much amazed at the King 's grief , but no one dared to ask him the cause of it .

the secret of the King remained a secret , though his grave , careworn expression escaped no one 's notice .

in the constant dread that his child would be taken from him , poor Kojata knew no rest night or day .

however , time went on and nothing happened .

Overgrown with thistles and rank weeds , in the centre of which a leafy lime tree reared itself .

' Who are you , in the name of wonder ? ' demanded the astonished Prince .

' You 'll find out soon enough , but in the meantime do as I bid you .

Farewell for the present ; we shall meet again . '

' Don't worry or distress yourself , dear father , ' answered Prince Milan .

' Things are never as bad as they look .

only give me a horse for my journey , and I wager you 'll soon see me back again . '

the King gave him a beautiful charger , with golden stirrups , and a sword .

the ducks swam about all over the place , dived down into the depths and rose again and glided through the waves .

then they finished dressing and disappeared .

the Prince lay the little garment on the bank beside her , and stepped back into the bushes .

she gave the Prince her hand and spoke .

' Many thanks , Prince Milan , for your courtesy .

I am the daughter of a wicked magician , and my name is Hyacinthia .

my father has thirty young daughters , and is a mighty ruler in the underworld , with many castles and great riches .

he has been expecting you for ages , but you need have no fear if you will only follow my advice .

as soon as you come into the presence of my father , throw yourself at once on the ground and approach him on your knees .

don't mind if he stamps furiously with his feet and curses and swears .

I 'll attend to the rest , and in the meantime we had better be off . '

as soon as Prince Milan entered he flung himself on his knees .

the Magician stamped loudly with his feet , glared frightfully out of his green eyes , and cursed so loudly that the whole underworld shook .

welcome to the underworld !

all the same , for your delay in coming here , we must demand three services from you .

for to-day you may go , but to-morrow I shall have something more to say to you . '

Early the next morning the Magician sent for him , and said , ' Let 's see now what you 've learnt .

if you do all this , I will reward you richly ; but if you don't , you shall lose your head . '

' Oh , you wicked monster ! ' thought Prince Milan , ' you might as well have put me to death at once . '

sadly he returned to his room , and with bent head sat brooding over his cruel fate till evening .

Milan opened the window quickly , and as soon as the bee had entered , it changed into the beautiful Hyacinthia .

' Good evening , Prince Milan .

why are you so sad ? '

' How can I help being sad ?

your father threatens me with death , and I see myself already without a head . '

' And what have you made up your mind to do ? '

' There 's nothing to be done , and after all I suppose one can only die once . '

' Now , don't be so foolish , my dear Prince ; but keep up your spirits , for there is no need to despair .

go to bed , and when you wake up to-morrow morning the palace will be finished .

and so it all turned out just as she had said .

the Magician himself was not a little astonished at its beauty , and could hardly believe his eyes .

' Well , you certainly are a splendid workman , ' he said to the Prince .

' I see you are very clever with your hands , now I must see if you are equally accomplished with your head .

I have thirty daughters in my house , all beautiful princesses .

To-morrow I will place the whole thirty in a row .

you must walk past them three times , and the third time you must show me which is my youngest daughter Hyacinthia .

if you don't guess rightly , you shall lose your head . '

' This time you 've made a mistake , ' thought Prince Milan , and going to his room he sat down at the window .

just fancy my not recognising the beautiful Hyacinthia !

why , that is the easiest thing in the world . '

' Not so easy as you think , ' cried the little bee , who was flying past .

' If I weren't to help you , you 'd never guess .

we are thirty sisters so exactly alike that our own father can hardly distinguish us apart . '

' Then what am I to do ? ' asked Prince Milan .

' Listen , ' answered Hyacinthia .

the next day the Magician again commanded Prince Milan to be led before him .

Prince Milan went past them and looked at them closely .

then the Prince seized the girl 's hand and cried out , ' This is the Princess Hyacinthia ! '

' You 're right again , ' said the Magician in amazement ; ' but I 've still another task for you to do .

if they aren't finished in that time , off comes your head . '

' How can I help being sad ?

your father has set me this time an impossible task .

before a candle which he has lit burns to the socket , I am to make a pair of boots .

but what does a prince know of shoemaking ?

if I can't do it , I lose my head . '

' And what do you mean to do ? ' asked Hyacinthia .

' Well , what is there to be done ?

what he demands I can't and won't do , so he must just make an end of me . '

' Not so , dearest .

I love you dearly , and you shall marry me , and I 'll either save your life or die with you .

we must fly now as quickly as we can , for there is no other way of escape . '

with these words she breathed on the window , and her breath froze on the pane .

then she led Milan out of the room with her , shut the door , and threw the key away .

Prince Milan 's charger was still grazing on the grass which grew near the water .

then it sped onwards like an arrow from a bow .

in the meantime the Magician was waiting impatiently for the Prince .

enraged by the delay , he sent his servants to fetch him , for the appointed time was past .

with this answer they returned to the Magician .

but when the Prince still did not appear , after a time he sent his servants a second time to bring him .

the frozen breath always gave the same answer , but the Prince never came .

at last the Magician lost all patience , and commanded the door to be burst open .

but when his servants did so , they found the room empty , and the frozen breath laughed aloud .

out of his mind with rage , the Magician ordered the Prince to be pursued .

then a wild chase began .

' I hear horses ' hoofs behind us , ' said Hyacinthia to the Prince .

Milan sprang from the saddle , put his ear to the ground and listened .

' Yes , ' he answered , ' they are pursuing us , and are quite close . '

behind the bridge the road branched off into three ways .

in fear and trembling they returned to tell the Magician what had happened .

go back and bring them to me at once , or it will be the worse for you . '

then the pursuit began afresh .

' I hear horses ' hoofs , ' sighed Hyacinthia .

the Prince dismounted and put his ear to the ground .

' They are hurrying after us , and are already quite near . '

their pursuers entered the forest , but searched in vain for Prince Milan and his bride .

' Then I 'll go after the wretches myself , ' he shouted .

' Bring a horse at once ; they shan't escape me . '

once more the beautiful Hyacinthia murmured , ' I hear horses ' hoofs quite near . '

and the Prince answered , ' They are pursuing us hotly and are quite close . '

' We are lost now , for that is my father himself .

but at the first church we come to his power ceases ; he may chase us no further .

hand me your cross . '

they had hardly done this when the magician and his servants rode up .

' Did you see no one pass by on horseback , reverend father ? ' he asked the monk .

Prince Milan rode on slowly with his bride without fearing any further pursuit .

the sun was just setting , and its last rays lit up a large city they were approaching .

Prince Milan was suddenly seized with an ardent desire to enter the town .

' Oh my beloved , ' implored Hyacinthia , ' please don't go ; for I am frightened and fear some evil . '

' What are you afraid of ? ' asked the Prince .

' The town is easy to get into , but more difficult to get out of , ' sighed Hyacinthia .

' But let it be as you wish .

the King and Queen of the town will come out to meet you , leading a little child with them .

whatever you do , don't kiss the child , or you will forget me and all that has happened to us .

I will wait for you here for three days . '

the Prince hurried to the town , but Hyacinthia remained behind disguised as a white milestone on the road .

the child at once caressed the Prince , who , carried away by its beauty , bent down and kissed it on the cheek .

from that moment his memory became a blank , and he forgot all about the beautiful Hyacinthia .

and one of her tears remained as a dewdrop and sparkled on the little blue flower .

now it happened shortly after this that an old man passed by , and seeing the flower , he was delighted with its beauty .

he pulled it up carefully by the roots and carried it home .

here he planted it in a pot , and watered and tended the little plant carefully .

and now the most extraordinary thing happened , for from this moment everything in the old man 's house was changed .

all night the old man never closed an eye .

' What have you done ? ' she cried .

' Why have you called me back to life ?

for I have no desire to live since my bridegroom , the beautiful Prince Milan , has deserted me . '

' Prince Milan is just going to be married , ' replied the old man .

' Everything is being got ready for the feast , and all the invited guests are flocking to the palace from all sides . '

she went straight to the King 's kitchen , where the white-aproned cooks were running about in great confusion .

bake your cake , and I myself will lay it before Prince Milan . '

the cake was soon made .

the guests were all lost in admiration , for the cake was quite a work of art .

Milan sighed deeply when he heard what the little dove said .

then he jumped up suddenly from the table and ran to the door , where he found the beautiful Hyacinthia waiting for him .

Outside stood his faithful charger , pawing the ground .

without pausing for a moment , Milan and Hyacinthia mounted him and galloped as fast as they could into the country of King Kojata .

PRINCE FICKLE AND FAIR HELENA ( from the German )

there was once upon a time a beautiful girl called Helena .

the poor child sat down to her task with her eyes so full of tears that she could hardly see to begin .

and when she had made one little heap of feathers , she sighed so deeply that they all blew apart again .

and so it went on , and the poor girl grew more and more miserable .

she bowed her head in her hands and cried , ' Is there no one under heaven who will take pity on me ? '

suddenly a soft voice replied , ' Be comforted , my child : I have come to help you . '

in the evening her stepmother returned and was much amazed to find Helena sitting quietly with her work all finished before her .

she praised her diligence , but at the same time racked her brain as to what harder task she could set her to do .

the next day she told Helena to empty a pond near the house with a spoon which was full of holes .

Helena set to work at once , but she very soon found that what her stepmother had told her to do was an impossibility .

when Helena told her of her stepmother 's new demand she said , ' Trust to me and I will do your task for you .

lie down and have a sleep in the meantime . '

Full of joy and gratitude , Helena hurried to her stepmother , hoping that now at last her heart would be softened towards her .

next morning she ordered her to build before evening a beautiful castle , and to furnish it all from garret to basement .

and so it turned out .

the Fairy appeared , promised to build the castle , and told Helena to lie down and go to sleep in the meantime .

you may think how grateful Helena was when she awoke and found her task all finished .

so Helena was now mistress of the beautiful castle , and lived there in peace and happiness .

and soon the noise of her beauty spread abroad , and many wooers came to try and gain her hand .

among them came one Prince Fickle by name , who very quickly won the love of fair Helena .

and so she sat for three days and three nights under the tree without moving .

but when her lover never returned , she grew very unhappy , and determined to set out to look for him .

Far and wide she wandered through the world , but nowhere did she find any trace of her bridegroom .

at last she gave up the search in despair .

she took a place as herd-girl with a peasant , and buried her jewels and beautiful dresses in a safe and hidden spot .

every day she drove the cattle to pasture , and all the time she thought of nothing but her faithless bridegroom .

she taught it to kneel before her , and then she whispered in its ear :

then it occurred to Helena to put his heart to the test and to see if it weren't possible to recall herself to him .

so one day as Prince Fickle rode by she said to her little calf :

in honour of the approaching wedding a feast lasting many nights was to be given in the capital .

Helena placed all her hopes on this , and determined to go to the feast and there to seek out her bridegroom .

Prince Fickle searched for her everywhere , and longed eagerly for the next night , when the beautiful lady had promised to come again .

the following evening the fair Helena started early for the feast .

this time she wore her dress embroidered with silver moons , and in her hair she placed a silver crescent .

Prince Fickle was enchanted to see her again , and she seemed to him even more beautiful than she had been the night before .

he never left her side , and refused to dance with anyone else .

he begged her to tell him who she was , but this she refused to do .

then he implored her to return again next evening , and this she promised him she would .

Prince Fickle was more in love with her than ever , and begged her once again to tell him her name .

then Helena kissed him silently on the left cheek , and in one moment Prince Fickle recognized his old love .

PUDDOCKY ( from the German )

there was once upon a time a poor woman who had one little daughter called ' Parsley . '

she was so called because she liked eating parsley better than any other food , indeed she would hardly eat anything else .

this remarkable taste of the fair Parsley soon became known , and the theft was discovered .

the mother was quite pleased with this suggestion , and so the beautiful Parsley took up her abode with the old witch .

hardly were the words out of her mouth than Parsley was changed into a toad and vanished from their sight .

he determined that fate should decide for him .

at the same time I would like the best and cleverest of you to rule over my people .

I have , therefore , determined to set you three tasks to do , and the one that performs them best shall be my heir .

the sons bowed low , and , promising to do their best , they started on their journey without further delay .

the two elder brothers took many servants and carriages with them , but the youngest set out quite alone .

the two elder brothers chose the more frequented ways , but the youngest , bidding them farewell , set out on the dreary road .

wherever linen was to be bought , there the two elder brothers hastened .

they loaded their carriages with bales of the finest linen they could find and then returned home .

so he journeyed on , and his spirits sank with every step .

at last he came to a bridge which stretched over a deep river flowing through a flat and marshy land .

before crossing the bridge he sat down on the banks of the stream and sighed dismally over his sad fate .

the Prince answered impatiently , ' There 's not much good my telling you , Puddocky , for you couldn't help me if I did . '

' Don't be too sure of that , ' replied the toad ; ' tell me your trouble and we 'll see . '

then the Prince became most confidential and told the little creature why he had been sent out of his father 's kingdom .

Puddocky watched the Prince till he was out of sight and then crept back into the water .

the King was delighted to see them all again , and at once drew the ring from his finger and the trial began .

you must bring me back a little dog that will go comfortably into a walnut-shell . '

at the cross roads they separated once more .

the youngest went by himself along his lonely way , but this time he felt much more cheerful .

the Prince , who this time never doubted the little toad 's power to help him , told her his difficulty at once .

when the Prince got home he found his brothers had just arrived with great waggon-loads of little dogs of all sorts .

the joy of the Court was great .

' The two most difficult tasks have been performed .

now listen to the third and last : whoever brings the fairest wife home with him shall be my heir . '

how could she ever find a beautiful wife for me ?

her swamps are wide and empty , and no human beings dwell there ; only frogs and toads and other creatures of that sort . '

however , he sat down as usual under the bridge , and this time he sighed from the bottom of his heart .

' Oh , Puddocky , this time you can't help me , for the task is beyond even your power , ' replied the Prince .

the Prince then told her the task they had been set to do .

with these words , Puddocky , with a spring quite unlike her usual slow movements , jumped into the water and disappeared .

in the carriage itself sat Puddocky , who kissed her hand to the Prince out of the window as she passed by .

the carriage drove on in front of him for some time and then turned a corner .

the carriage stopped when it reached him , and the footmen sprang down and opened the door for him .

and so he arrived at his father 's capital , at the same moment as his brothers who had returned with many carriage-loads of beautiful women .

but when they were all led before the King , the whole Court with one consent awarded the prize of beauty to the fair Parsley .

but he commanded the other women to be thrown into the water and drowned , like the bales of linen and the little dogs .

the Prince married Puddocky and reigned long and happily with her , and if they aren't dead I suppose they are living still .

THE STORY OF HOK LEE AND THE DWARFS

there once lived in a small town in China a man named Hok Lee .

but Hok Lee was by no means the virtuous person his neighbours thought him .

' Why , Hok Lee , what is the matter with your face ?

one side of it is all swelled up . '

true enough , Hok Lee 's right cheek was twice the size of his left , and it soon began to feel very uncomfortable .

' I will bind up my face , ' said Hok Lee ; ' doubtless the warmth will cure the swelling . '

but no such thing .

Hok Lee was at his wits ' ends what to do .

one day , as luck would have it , a travelling doctor came to the town .

he sold not only all kinds of medicine , but also dealt in many strange charms against witches and evil spirits .

Hok Lee determined to consult him , and asked him into his house .

after the doctor had examined him carefully , he spoke thus : ' This , O Hok Lee , is no ordinary swelled face .

I strongly suspect you have been doing some wrong deed which has called down the anger of the spirits on you .

then Hok Lee and the doctor began to bargain together , and it was a long time before they could come to terms .

so he was obliged to part with the greater portion of his ill-gotten gains .

after a time he would see the dwarfs and little sprites who live underground come out to dance .

when they saw him they would be sure to make him dance too .

' And mind you dance your very best , ' added the doctor .

with that he took leave and departed .

happily the first night of the full moon was near , and at the proper time Hok Lee set out for the wood .

with a little trouble he found the tree the doctor had described , and , feeling nervous , he climbed up into it .

he had hardly settled himself on a branch when he saw the little dwarfs assembling in the moonlight .

they came from all sides , till at length there appeared to be hundreds of them .

all the dwarfs stood still , and Hok Lee felt as if his heart stood still also .

then one of the dwarfs called out , ' Someone is up in that tree .

come down at once , whoever you are , or we must come and fetch you . '

' It is well , ' replied the dwarf .

' We will see about that .

first , however , thou must dance before us .

with that , he and all the other dwarfs sat down in a large ring , leaving Hok Lee to dance alone in the middle .

but the dwarfs were not to be trifled with .

' Begin ! ' cried their leader , and ' Begin ! ' shouted the rest in chorus .

so in despair Hok Lee began .

the dwarfs were very angry .

they crowded round Hok Lee and abused him .

and with that they ran off and disappeared , leaving Hok Lee to find his way home as best he might .

he hobbled away , weary and depressed , and not a little anxious on account of the dwarfs ' threat .

Hok Lee felt in despair , and his neighbours jeered at him more than ever .

the doctor , too , had disappeared , so there was nothing for it but to try the dwarfs once more .

he had not long to wait .

ere long the dwarfs came trooping out till all were assembled .

' I don't feel quite easy , ' said one ; ' I feel as if some horrid human being were near us . '

and Hok Lee danced on and on , till he really could dance no more , and was obliged to stop .

farewell . '

the way home seemed short and easy to him , and he went to bed happy , and resolved never to go out robbing again .

next day the whole town was full of the news of Hok 's sudden cure .

Hok Lee consented on condition that he swore to keep the secret .

he did so , and Hok Lee told him of the dwarfs and their dances .

the neighbour went off , carefully obeyed Hok Lee 's directions , and was duly cured by the dwarfs .

from the Chinese .

THE STORY OF THE THREE BEARS

once upon a time there were Three Bears , who lived together in a house of their own in a wood .

and while they were walking , a little old woman came to the house .

so the little old woman opened the door and went in ; and well pleased she was when she saw the porridge on the table .

but she was an impudent , bad old woman , and set about helping herself .

then the little old woman sate down in the chair of the Great , Huge Bear , and that was too hard for her .

and then she sate down in the chair of the Middle Bear , and that was too soft for her .

and the naughty old woman said a wicked word about that too .

then the little old woman went up stairs into the bed-chamber in which the three bears slept .

and first she lay down upon the bed of the Great , Huge Bear ; but that was too high at the head for her .

and next she lay down upon the bed of the Middle Bear ; and that was too high at the foot for her .

so she covered herself up comfortably , and lay there till she fell fast asleep .

by this time the three bears thought their porridge would be cool enough ; so they came home to breakfast .

now the little old woman had left the spoon of the Great , Huge Bear , standing in his porridge .

' SOMEBODY HAS BEEN AT MY PORRIDGE ! '

said the Great , Huge Bear , in his great gruff voice .

and when the Middle Bear looked at his , he saw that the spoon was standing in it too .

they were wooden spoons ; if they had been silver ones , the naughty old woman would have put them in her pocket .

' Somebody Has Been At My Porridge ! '

said the Middle Bear , in his middle voice .

' Somebody has been at my porridge , and has eaten it all up ! '

said the Little , Small Wee Bear , in his little , small wee voice .

now the little old woman had not put the hard cushion straight when she rose from the chair of the Great , Huge Bear .

' SOMEBODY HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY CHAIR ! '

said the Great , Huge Bear , in his great , rough , gruff voice .

and the little old woman had squatted down the soft cushion of the Middle Bear .

' Somebody Has Been Sitting In My Chair ! '

said the Middle Bear , in his middle voice .

and you know what the little old woman had done to the third chair .

' Somebody has been sitting in my chair , and has sate the bottom of it out ! '

said the Little , Small , Wee Bear , in his little , small , wee voice .

then the three bears thought it necessary that they should make farther search ; so they went up stairs into their bed-chamber .

now the little old woman had pulled the pillow of the Great , Huge Bear out of its place .

' SOMEBODY HAS BEEN LYING IN MY BED ! '

said the Great , Huge Bear , in his great , rough , gruff voice .

and the little old woman had pulled the bolster of the Middle Bear out of its place .

' Somebody Has Been Lying In My Bed ! '

said the Middle Bear in his middle voice .

' Somebody has been lying in my bed , and here she is ! '

said the Little , Small , Wee Bear , in his little , small , wee voice .

but the Three Bears never saw anything more of her .

Southey .

PRINCE VIVIEN AND THE PRINCESS PLACIDA

once upon a time there lived a King and Queen who loved one another dearly .

so , to the despair of King Gridelin , the Queen first of all became very ill , and then disappeared altogether .

this abrupt departure was a great blow to the State , especially as no one had any idea what had become of the Prince .

Lolotte took his reproaches meekly , and promised faithfully that she would not encourage the Princess in her idleness and indifference any more .

from this moment poor Placida 's troubles began !

but now let us return to Prince Vivien , and see what his restless spirit has brought him to .

but all this had no effect upon the old woman , who only noticed all the uproar he was making by saying gently :

' You must have patience . '

he could hear that she really was coming to open the door to him , only she was so very long about it .

however , she presently showed him a bundle of straw on which he could sleep .

' But what can I have to eat ? ' cried Prince Vivien sharply .

' Wait a little , wait a little , ' she replied .

' I shall have died of starvation by the time all that is done , ' said the Prince ruefully .

' Patience , patience , ' said the old woman looking at him with her slow gentle smile , ' I can't be hurried .

" all things come at last to him who waits ; " you must have heard that often . '

Prince Vivien was wild with aggravation , but there was nothing to be done .

' Come then , ' said the old woman , ' you shall hold the lamp to light me while I pick the peas . '

' That I will , with pleasure , ' she replied .

' But it will be a long story . '

' Oh ! if it 's long , I can't listen , ' cried the Prince .

' But , but , ' said the Prince , in his most impatient tone , ' old people should not be so long-winded !

tell me what country I have got into , and nothing else . '

' With all my heart , ' said she .

' You are in the Forest of the Black Bird ; it is here that he utters his oracles . '

' An Oracle , ' cried the Prince .

' Oh !

I must go and consult him . '

after some time he saw in the distance a huge black castle which commanded a view of the whole forest .

upon the gate hung a huge bell , upon which was written in red letters :

' Mortal , if thou art curious to know thy fate , strike this bell , and submit to what shall befall thee . '

but at last the water rose as high as his chin , and his bath was complete .

at the sound of their chanting , another band of slaves appeared , and took possession of the unhappy Vivien .

' Prince , your only chance of happiness depends upon that which is most opposed to your own nature . '

the ship was made of white paper too , as the Prince presently discovered when he reached it .

these two things , however , he did most thoroughly .

' Oh !

Vivien , save me ! '

the Prince without paying any further heed to him or to his whistling returned to the pretty gazelle , saying :

' Well ! are you satisfied now ?

since you can talk , pray tell me instantly what all this is about , and how you happen to know my name . '

in fact , ' she continued in the same languid tone , ' you had better look behind you now . '

the Prince turned sharply round and to his horror saw a huge Giant approaching with mighty strides , crying fiercely

' Who has made my lion whistle I should like to know ? '

at these words the Giant began to howl and lament .

thereupon he rushed at the Prince , brandishing an immense serpent which was coiled about his wrist .

then the Prince , without even waiting to sheathe his sword , rushed back to the gazelle , crying :

' I will tell you with pleasure , ' she answered , ' but where is the hurry ?

surely a young and active gazelle like you ought to be ashamed of not being able to walk a few steps .

' What !

' Oh ! well then don't do it , ' replied the gazelle , ' I am quite willing to stay here .

the grass is green , and the water clear .

but if I were you I should take the advice that was given me and ride the snail . '

Prince Vivien was wild with impatience , and thought that the Green Castle would never be reached .

but at last he was free to rejoin Placida , who at once began the story of her adventures .

but alas !

but go on with your story , my cousin .

I can tell you all about my doings afterwards , and then you can judge for yourself . '

I was lifted up on to the unicorn , behind Mirlifiche , who said to me

' " hold on tight , little girl , if you don't want to break your neck . "

' I knew that they were really a King and Queen , whom the Fairies were punishing for their ignorance and idleness .

never , never before , did I have such a wearisome task !

it makes me shudder to think of it now , and that was not all .

after that I really thought I should be allowed to go peaceably to my little bed , but , oh dear no !

indeed , I may tell you in confidence , that I always find disobedience answer very well .

one is often scolded , it is true , but then one has been saved some trouble .

' " I am much more pleased with you this year .

if she is not "

' Here she broke off with a significant look , and mounting my enemy the unicorn , speedily disappeared .

' Then the King and Queen , turning to me , asked me what I could do .

but early the next morning she appeared at my bedside , saying , with an apologetic air :

' " my pretty child , I am afraid you must really make up your mind to get up to-day .

make haste , I beg of you , and come down to breakfast , for I have put by some delicious cream for you . "

' It was really very tiresome , but as there was no help for it I went down !

' But the instant breakfast was over they began again their cuckoo-cry of " what will you do ? "

In vain did I answer

' " nothing at all , if it please you , madam . "

and , indeed , the sooner the better , since they had to pay for all the damage they had done .

' " my boat , my boat !

husband , come and catch the little Princess who is running away with my boat ! "

still , if you are clever at anything , " she added , " I might be able to put up with your presence . "

I only beg you , for pity 's sake , to give me something to eat . "

' " I will do that , " she replied , " before I send you where you deserve to go . "

in fact , I had a delicious breakfast , though I do not like to be waited upon so quickly .

it is so disagreeable to be hurried .

' " do you think I would keep you here ?

you !

why what do you suppose would be the good of you in this country , where everybody is wide-awake and busy ?

no , no , I have shown you all the hospitality you will get from me . "

' " what do you want of me , my sister ? "

' At these words the great Bird snatched me up , regardless of my cries , and flew off at a terrific pace '

' Oh ! you are joking , cousin , ' interrupted Prince Vivien ; ' you mean as slowly as possible .

I know that horrible Black Bird , and the lengthiness of all his proceedings and surroundings . '

' Have it your own way , ' replied Placida , tranquilly .

' I cannot bear arguing .

perhaps , this was not even the same bird .

' Then the Giant turned to me , saying ,

' " so you are an idler !

ah ! well , we must teach you to work .

you won't be the first we have cured of laziness .

see how busy all my guests are . "

' The Giant only said ,

' " then you must learn to do something ; in this world there is enough work for everybody . "

' In vain they punished me by all the usual methods .

In vain the Giant showed me his menagerie , which was entirely composed of children who would not work !

and oh ! ' concluded the Princess , ' how delightful it is once more to be able to sit still in peace .

I was so tired of trying to learn things . '

how he had taken shelter with Dame Patience , and consulted the Oracle , and voyaged in the paper ship .

' I have just seen Prince Vivien , and he seemed to me to be very ill . '

only remember that time presses ! '

the Fairy shook her head , and looked very grave .

now you can imagine these two devoted lovers hunting night and day .

he was forced to walk slowly slowly upon tip-toe , hardly venturing to breathe .

but this changing of character is one of the most ordinary miracles which love works .

neither the Prince nor the Princess gave a thought to anything but their quest .

it never even occurred to them to wonder what country they had reached .

Nonchalante et Papillon

LITTLE ONE-EYE , LITTLE TWO-EYES , AND LITTLE THREE-EYES

but because Little Two-eyes did not look any different from other children , her sisters and mother could not bear her .

they would say to her , ' You with your two eyes are no better than common folk ; you don't belong to us . '

Little Two-eyes answered , ' Have I not reason to cry ?

To-day they have given me so little that I am still quite hungry . '

only say to your goat ,

" little goat , bleat , Little table , appear , "

and when you have had enough and don't want the little table any more , you have only to say ,

" little goat , bleat , Little table , away , "

and then it will vanish . '

then the wise woman went away .

' Little goat , bleat , Little table appear , '

then Little Two-eyes said the shortest grace she knew , and set to work and made a good dinner .

and when she had had enough , she said , as the wise woman had told her ,

' Little goat , bleat , Little table , away , '

and immediately the table and all that was on it disappeared again .

' That is a splendid way of housekeeping , ' thought Little Two-eyes , and she was quite happy and contented .

the next day she went out again with her goat , and left the few scraps which were given her .

she must have found other means of getting food . '

' Little One-eye , are you awake ?

little One-eye , are you asleep ? '

she shut her one eye and fell asleep .

when Little Two-eyes saw that Little One-eye was asleep and could find out nothing , she said ,

' Little goat , bleat , Little table , appear , '

and sat down at her table and ate and drank as much as she wanted .

then she said again ,

' Little goat , bleat , Little table , away . '

and in the twinkling of an eye all had vanished .

come , we will go home . '

' Little Three eyes , are you awake ? '

but instead of singing as she ought to have done ,

' Little Three-eyes , are you asleep ? '

she sang , without thinking ,

' Little Two-eyes , are you asleep ? '

she went on singing ,

' Little Three-eyes , are you awake ?

little Two-eyes , are you asleep ? '

and when Little Two-eyes thought that Little Three-eyes was sound asleep , she said her rhyme ,

' Little goat , bleat , Little table , appear , '

and ate and drank to her heart 's content , and then made the table go away again , by saying ,

' Little goat , bleat , Little table , away . '

but Little Three-eyes had seen everything .

then Little Two-eyes came to her , and woke her and said , ' Well , Little Three-eyes , have you been asleep ?

you watch well !

come , we will go home . '

when she says to the goat in the field ,

" little goat , bleat , Little table , appear , "

" little goat , bleat , Little table , away , "

and everything disappears again .

I saw it all exactly .

when Little Two-eyes saw this , she went out full of grief , and sat down in the meadow and wept bitter tears .

then again the wise woman stood before her , and said , ' Little Two-eyes , what are you crying for ? '

the wise woman said , ' Little Two-eyes , I will give you a good piece of advice .

then they laughed and said , ' You can have that if you want nothing more . '

then the mother said to Little One-eye , ' Climb up , my child , and break us off the fruit from the tree . '

then Little Two-eyes said , ' I will just try once , perhaps I shall succeed better . '

the sisters called out , ' You with your two eyes will no doubt succeed ! '

it happened one day that when they were all standing together by the tree that a young knight came riding along .

whoever will give me a twig of it shall have whatever she wants . '

then Little One-eye and Little Three-eyes answered that the tree belonged to them , and that they would certainly break him off a twig .

they gave themselves a great deal of trouble , but in vain ; the twigs and fruit bent back every time from their hands .

when the knight saw the apples he was astonished , and asked where they came from .

but the knight demanded to see her , and called out , ' Little Two-eyes , come forth . '

' Yes , ' answered Little Two-eyes , ' I can , for the tree is mine . '

then he said , ' Little Two-eyes , what shall I give you for this ? '

then the knight lifted Little Two-eyes on his horse , and took her home to his father 's castle .

when the handsome knight carried Little Two-eyes away with him , the two sisters envied her good luck at first .

Little Two-eyes lived happily for a long time .

once two poor women came to the castle to beg alms .

Grimm .

JORINDE AND JORINGEL

in the day-time she changed herself into a cat or a night-owl , but in the evening she became like an ordinary woman again .

she could entice animals and birds to come to her , and then she would kill and cook them .

she had quite seven thousand of such cages in the castle with very rare birds in them .

now , there was once a maiden called Jorinde , who was more beautiful than other maidens .

she and a youth named Joringel , who was just as good-looking as she was , were betrothed to one another .

' Take care , ' said Joringel , ' not to come too close to the castle . '

Jorinde wept from time to time , and she sat herself down in the sunshine and lamented , and Joringel lamented too .

he was terrified and half dead with fright .

Jorinde sang :

Joringel looked up at Jorinde .

she had been changed into a nightingale , who was singing ' jug , jug . '

a night-owl with glowing eyes flew three times round her , and screeched three times ' tu-whit , tu-whit , tu-whoo . '

Joringel could not stir ; he stood there like a stone ; he could not weep , or speak , or move hand or foot .

she muttered to herself , caught the nightingale , and carried her away in her hand .

Joringel could say nothing ; he could not move from the spot , and the nightingale was gone .

then Joringel was free .

he called after her , he wept and lamented , but all in vain .

' What is to become of me ! ' he thought .

then he went away , and came at last to a strange village , where he kept sheep for a long time .

he often went round the castle while he was there , but never too close .

at last he dreamt one night that he had found a blood-red flower , which had in its centre a beautiful large pearl .

when he awoke in the morning he began to seek mountain and valley to find such a flower .

he sought it for eight days , and on the ninth early in the morning he found the blood-red flower .

in its centre was a large dew-drop , as big as the most lovely pearl .

he travelled day and night with this flower till he arrived at the castle .

he was delighted at his success , touched the great gate with the flower , and it sprung open .

he entered , passed through the courtyard , and then stopped to listen for the singing of the birds ; at last he heard it .

he went in and found the hall in which was the enchantress , and with her seven thousand birds in their wicker cages .

whilst he was considering , he observed the old witch take up a cage secretly and go with it towards the door .

instantly he sprang after her , touched the cage with the flower , and the old woman as well .

Grimm .

ALLERLEIRAUH ; OR , THE MANY-FURRED CREATURE

promise me this . '

after the King had promised her this , she closed her eyes and died .

for a long time the King was not to be comforted , and he did not even think of taking a second wife .

at last his councillors said , ' The King must marry again , so that we may have a queen . '

so messengers were sent far and wide to seek for a bride equal to the late Queen in beauty .

but there was no one in the wide world , and if there had been she could not have had such golden hair .

then the messengers came home again , not having been able to find a queen .

now , the King had a daughter , who was just as beautiful as her dead mother , and had just such golden hair .

when the Princess saw that there was no more hope of changing her father 's resolution , she determined to flee away .

then she commended herself to God , and went out and travelled the whole night till she came to a large forest .

and as she was very much tired she sat down inside a hollow tree and fell asleep .

the sun rose and she still slept on and on , although it was nearly noon .

now , it happened that the king to whom this wood belonged was hunting in it .

when his dogs came to the tree , they sniffed , and ran round and round it , barking .

the King said to the huntsmen , ' See what sort of a wild beast is in there . '

so they put her in the cart and they went back to the palace .

so the Many-furred Creature lived for a long time in great poverty .

ah , beautiful King 's daughter , what is going to befall you now ?

I will stand outside the doors . '

then she opened the nut , and took out the dress as golden as the sun .

when the dance was ended , she curtseyed to him , and when the King looked round she had disappeared , no one knew whither .

the guards who were standing before the palace were called and questioned , but no one had seen her .

so the cook went away , and the Many-furred Creature cooked the soup for the King .

then he commanded the cook to be brought before him .

when he came before the King , the King asked who had cooked the soup .

the cook answered , ' I cooked it . '

but the King said , ' That 's not true , for it was quite different and much better soup than you have ever cooked . '

then the cook said , ' I must confess ; I did not cook the soup ; the Many-furred Creature did . '

' Let her be brought before me , ' said the King .

when the Many-furred Creature came , the King asked her who she was .

' I am a poor child without father or mother . '

then he asked her , ' What do you do in my palace ? '

' I am of no use except to have boots thrown at my head . '

' How did you get the ring which was in the soup ? ' he asked .

' I know nothing at all about the ring , ' she answered .

so the King could find out nothing , and was obliged to send her away .

he answered , ' Yes , but come back again in half-an-hour and cook the King the bread-soup that he likes so much . '

but when the dance was ended , she disappeared again so quickly that the King could not see which way she went .

she ran to her little room and changed herself once more into the Many-furred Creature , and went into the kitchen to cook the bread-soup .

when the cook was upstairs , she fetched the golden spinning-wheel and put it in the dish so that the soup was poured over it .

it was brought to the King , who ate it , and liked it as much as the last time .

he had the cook sent to him , and again he had to confess that the Many-furred Creature had cooked the soup .

when the King had a feast for the third time , things did not turn out quite the same as at the other two .

but because she begged hard , he let her go up for the usual time .

now she put on the dress as shining as the stars , and stepped into the hall in it .

the King danced again with the beautiful maiden , and thought she had never looked so beautiful .

the King seized the cloak and tore it off her .

her golden hair came down , and she stood there in her full splendour , and could not hide herself away any more .

and when the soot and ashes had been washed from her face , she looked more beautiful than anyone in the world .

but the King said , ' You are my dear bride , and we will never be separated from one another . '

so the wedding was celebrated and they lived happily ever after .

Grimm .

THE TWELVE HUNTSMEN

once upon a time there was a King 's son who was engaged to a Princess whom he dearly loved .

so he said to his love : ' Alas !

then he rode off , and when he reached his father he found him mortally ill and very near death .

the King said : ' Dearest son , I have desired to see you again before my end .

thereupon the King closed his eyes and died .

her father said to her : ' My dearest child , why are you so unhappy ?

if there is anything you wish for , say so , and you shall have it . '

after this she took leave of her father , and rode off with her girls to the court of her former lover .

here she enquired whether the King did not want some huntsmen , and if he would not take them all into his service .

so they became the twelve royal huntsmen .

now , the King had a most remarkable Lion , for it knew every hidden or secret thing .

one evening the Lion said to the King : ' So you think you have got twelve huntsmen , do you ? '

' Yes , certainly , ' said the King , ' they are twelve huntsmen . '

' There you are mistaken , ' said the Lion ; ' they are twelve maidens . '

' That cannot possibly be , ' replied the King ; ' how do you mean to prove that ? '

the King was pleased with the Lion 's advice , and ordered the peas to be strewn in his ante-room .

when they pass through you 'll see how pleased they will be , quite unlike any man . '

the King was pleased with the advice , and desired twelve spinning-wheels to be placed in his ante-chamber .

but the good-natured servant went to the huntsmen and told them all about this fresh plot .

when the King sent for his twelve huntsmen next morning they walked through the ante-room without even casting a glance at the spinning-wheels .

the Lion replied : ' They knew they were being tried , and they did violence to their feelings . '

but the King declined to believe in the Lion any longer .

so the twelve huntsmen continued to follow the King , and he grew daily fonder of them .

when the true bride heard of this she felt as though a knife had pierced her heart , and she fell fainting to the ground .

the King , fearing something had happened to his dear huntsman , ran up to help , and began drawing off his gloves .

to the other Princess he despatched a messenger to beg her to return to her own kingdom with all speed .

Grimm .

SPINDLE , SHUTTLE , AND NEEDLE

once upon a time there lived a girl who lost her father and mother when she was quite a tiny child .

the old woman took the little orphan home with her and brought her up in good , pious , industrious habits .

after this the girl lived all alone in the little cottage .

she worked hard , spinning , weaving , and sewing , and her old godmother 's blessing seemed to prosper all she did .

now , it happened that about this time the King 's son was making a tour through the entire country to look out for a bride .

he could not marry a poor woman , and he did not wish for a rich one .

' She shall be my wife , ' said he , ' who is at once the poorest and the richest . '

when he reached the village where the girl lived , he inquired who was the richest and who the poorest woman in it .

he looked well at her , said nothing , but rode on further .

when he reached the poor girl 's house he did not find her at her door , for she was at work in her room .

' Spindle , spindle , go and see , If my love will come to me . '

the girl , having lost her spindle , took up the shuttle and , seating herself at her loom , began to weave .

' What do I see ? ' he cried ; ' this spindle seems to wish to point out the way to me . '

so he turned his horses head and rode back beside the golden thread .

meantime the girl sat weaving , and sang :

' Shuttle , weave both web and woof , Bring my love beneath my roof . '

the shuttle instantly escaped from her hand , and with one bound was out at the door .

on the threshold it began weaving the loveliest carpet that was ever seen .

the shuttle flew from side to side and the carpet seemed almost to grow of itself .

as the shuttle had run away the girl sat down to sew .

she took her needle and sang :

' Needle , needle , stitch away , Make my chamber bright and gay , '

and the needle promptly slipped from her fingers and flew about the room like lightning .

he dismounted and walked over the carpet into the house , and when he entered the room there stood the girl blushing like any rose .

' You are the poorest and yet the richest , ' said he : ' come with me , you shall be my bride . '

she said nothing , but she held out her hand .

the spindle , the shuttle , and the needle were carefully placed in the treasury , and were always held in the very highest honour .

Grimm .

THE CRYSTAL COFFIN

nothing is required but to set the right way to work , but of course the really important thing is to succeed .

night came on , and there seemed to be nothing for it but to seek out the best resting-place he could find .

it led him to a little hut all woven together of reeds and rushes .

' Who are you , and what do you want ? ' asked the old man roughly .

' I am a poor tailor , ' replied the youth .

' I have been benighted in the forest , and I entreat you to let me take shelter in your hut till morning . '

' Go your way , ' said the old man in a sulky tone , ' I 'll have nothing to do with tramps .

you must just go elsewhere . '

loud screams and shouts pierced the thin walls of the little hut .

the tailor , with new-born courage , sprang up , threw on his clothes with all speed and hurried out .

there he saw a huge black bull engaged in a terrible fight with a fine large stag .

the tailor could do nothing but hold on tight with both hands to the stag 's horns and resign himself to his fate .

he felt as if he were flying along .

at length the stag paused before a steep rock and gently let the tailor down to the ground .

Flames of fire rushed forth , and such clouds of steam followed that the stag had to avert its eyes .

Round the walls were several niches , in each of which stood glass vessels filled with some bright-coloured spirit or bluish smoke .

on the floor stood two large crystal boxes opposite each other , and these attracted his curiosity at once .

everything was quite tiny , but so beautifully and carefully finished that it might have been the work of an accomplished artist .

what was his amazement at seeing a girl of surpassing loveliness lying in it !

she lay as though sleeping , and her long , fair hair seemed to wrap her round like some costly mantle .

as the tailor stood gazing at her with a beating heart , the maiden suddenly opened her eyes , and started with delighted surprise .

' Great heavens ! ' she cried , ' my deliverance approaches !

Quick , quick , help me out of my prison ; only push back the bolt of this coffin and I am free . '

now sit down and hear my story .

I am the daughter of a wealthy nobleman .

there was no lack of society at our home .

Friends and neighbours paid us frequent visits , and we kept open house for all .

we granted his request with ready courtesy , and during supper he entertained us with most agreeable conversation , mingled with amusing anecdotes .

I had hardly dropped off to sleep when I was roused by the sound of some soft and charming music .

my repugnance to his magic was so great that I would not condescend to give any answer .

' I spent the night in the greatest agitation , and only fell into a doze towards morning .

' My mind misgave me .

I pushed on without pausing , and ere long I saw the stranger coming towards me , and leading a fine stag .

I asked him where he had left my brother , and how he had got the stag , whose great eyes were overflowing with tears .

I fell to the ground , and the stranger muttered some words , which robbed me of my senses .

' When I came to myself I was lying in a crystal coffin in this subterranean vault .

if I would only yield to his wishes he could easily open these vessels , and all would then resume their former shapes .

now help me to carry out the rest of my vision .

the first thing is to place the glass box which contains my castle on this large stone . '

then the young couple returned by means of the movable stone , and brought up all the glass vessels filled with smoke .

Grimm .

THE THREE SNAKE-LEAVES

there was once a poor man who could no longer afford to keep his only son at home .

the father gave him his blessing and took leave of him with much sorrow .

then others followed him , and he pressed on and defeated the enemy .

the King had a daughter who was very beautiful , but she was also very capricious .

' If he loves me truly , ' she used to say , ' what use would life be to him then ? '

at the same time she was willing to do the same , and if he died first to be buried with him .

' Do you know , ' asked the King , ' what you have to promise ? '

so the King consented , and the wedding was celebrated with great splendour .

the King had set guards before all the gates , and it was not possible to avoid his fate .

near the coffin stood a table on which were placed four candles , four loaves of bread , and four bottles of wine .

as soon as this provision came to an end he would have to die .

one day as he was sitting staring moodily in front of him , he saw a snake creep out of the corner towards the corpse .

then it took the three bits of the snake and laid them in order , and put one of the leaves on each wound .

immediately the pieces joined together , the snake moved itself and became alive and then both hurried away .

so he picked up the leaves and laid one of them on the mouth and the other two on the eyes of the dead woman .

then she drew her breath , opened her eyes , and said , ' Ah ! where am I ? '

I will praise you so much to my father that he will marry me to you and make you the heir to the throne . '

he was much astonished to see them come back alone , and asked what had happened to them .

he made them both go into a secret chamber , and let no one see them .

soon after this the large ship came in , and the wicked lady appeared before her father with a very sad face .

he said to her , ' Why have you come back alone ?

where is your husband ? '

he was at his death-bed and can tell you everything . '

the lady was as if thunderstruck when she caught sight of her husband ; she fell on her knees and begged for mercy .

but the King said , ' You shall have no mercy .

Grimm .

THE RIDDLE

he spoke to her , and said , ' Dear child , could I and my servant spend the night in this house ? '

better not go in . '

' Why not ? ' asked the King 's son .

the girl sighed and answered , ' My stepmother deals in black arts , and she is not very friendly to strangers . '

an old woman sat in an armchair near the fire , and as the strangers entered she turned her red eyes on them .

' Good evening , ' she muttered , and pretending to be quite friendly .

' Won't you sit down ? '

they went to bed , and slept soundly till morning .

when he got to the spot he saw that a raven had perched on the carcase and was pecking at it .

then they rode on all day through the forest without coming to the end .

at nightfall they reached an inn , which they entered , and the servant gave the landlord the raven to dress for their supper .

as soon as it was dark twelve murderers arrived , with the full intention of killing and robbing the strangers .

after travelling about for some length of time they reached a town where lived a lovely but most arrogant Princess .

so he came before her and propounded his riddle .

' What is this ? ' he asked .

' One slew none and yet killed twelve . '

she could not think what it was !

on the third night the King 's son thought he really might feel safe , so he went to bed .

she went on : ' And yet killed twelve what is that ? '

' Those are twelve murderers who ate the raven and died of it . '

next morning the Princess announced that she had guessed the riddle , and sent for the twelve judges , before whom she declared it .

the judges said : ' Bring us some proof . '

Grimm .

JACK MY HEDGEHOG

there was once a farmer who lived in great comfort .

the farmer said , ' What 's the use of making a fuss ?

' There is nothing we can possibly call him but Jack my Hedgehog , ' replied the wife .

which was true , but they shook down some straw for him behind the stove , and there he lay for eight years .

' Some meat and a couple of big loaves for the house , ' said she .

then he asked the maid what she wanted , and she said a pair of slippers and some stockings .

lastly he said , ' Well , Jack my Hedgehog , and what shall I bring you ? '

' Daddy , ' said he , ' do bring me a bagpipe . '

as he sat up in his tree he played away on his pipes and drew the loveliest music from them .

the King desired the servant to ask the strange creature why it sat there , and if it knew the shortest way to his kingdom .

the King thought to himself , ' That 's easy enough to promise .

the creature won't understand a word about it , so I can just write what I choose . '

meantime Jack minded his asses and pigs , sat aloft in his tree , played his bagpipes , and was always merry and cheery .

he too heard the music , and told one of his men to find out whence it came .

the man came under the tree , and looking up to the top there he saw Jack my Hedgehog astride on the cock .

the servant asked Jack what he was doing up there .

' I 'm minding my pigs and donkeys ; but what do you want ? ' was the reply .

then the servant told him they had lost their way , and wanted some one to show it them .

the King said ' Yes , ' and gave Jack a written promise to that effect .

then Jack rode on in front pointing out the way , and the King reached his own country in safety .

his father was much vexed at this news , for he thought Jack had died long ago .

so the father had the cock shod , and rejoiced at the idea of getting rid of his son .

then the King coaxed and entreated his daughter to go with Jack and so save both their lives .

she stepped into the coach , and Jack my Hedgehog with his cock and pipes took his place beside her .

they both took leave , and the King fully expected never to set eyes on them again .

now go back , I 'll have no more to say to you . '

and with that he hunted her home , and she felt she had been disgraced and put to shame till her life 's end .

then Jack my Hedgehog rode on with his cock and bagpipes to the country of the second King to whom he had shown the way .

then Jack told his story , and his old father rejoiced and returned to live with him in his kingdom .

Grimm .

THE GOLDEN LADS

' Oh , ' said the gold fish , ' I 'll take care of that .

' If that 's the case , ' said the man , ' I 've no objection to oblige you . '

if you say a word about it , it will all vanish . '

the man threw the fish back into the water , and went home .

but on the spot where his cottage used to stand he found a spacious castle .

he opened his eyes wide , went in and found his wife dressed out in smart clothes , sitting in a splendidly furnished drawing-room .

she was in high spirits , and cried out : ' Oh husband ! how can this all have happened ?

I am so pleased ! '

said his wife , ' I 've got nothing , and I don't know where anything is in this new house . '

' Never mind , ' replied the man .

' I see a big cupboard there .

suppose you unlock it . '

when the cupboard was opened they found meat , cakes , fruit , and wine , all spread out in the most tempting fashions .

when they had finished the wife asked , ' But husband , where do all these riches come from ? '

' Ah ! ' said he , ' don't ask me .

I dare not tell you .

if I reveal the secret to anyone , it will be all up with us . '

the man had to betake himself to his former trade , and set to fishing again .

as luck would have it , he caught the golden fish a second time .

' I 'll be very careful , ' promised the fisher , and threw the fish back into the water .

when he went home he found all their former splendour restored , and his wife overjoyed at their good fortune .

' There ! ' exclaimed the man , ' you would have it now we may just go on short commons . '

the man took to his fishing again , and one day fate brought the gold fish into his net for the third time .

' Well , ' said the fish , ' I see that I am evidently destined to fall into your hands .

now take me home , and cut me into six pieces .

the man carried the fish home , and did exactly as he had been told .

the children grew up both tall and handsome , and the foals and the lilies grew with them .

they will certainly fall on you and kill you . '

however , he was not to be intimidated , but said , ' I must and will ride on . '

when he had got some way he heard a rustling through the bushes and presently a sound of voices .

he 's only a bear-keeper , and as poor as any church mouse . '

so golden lad rode through the forest and no harm befell him .

he enquired : ' And who is the bridegroom ? '

then he slipped quietly away , and thought to himself , ' How lucky that I managed to control my rage !

I should certainly have committed a great crime . '

he took aim , and was about to fire when the stag bounded away .

he said , ' Haven't you seen a stag about here ? '

' Be quiet , you little toad , ' he cried , ' or I 'll shoot you dead . '

' Good heavens ! ' cried he , ' some great misfortune has befallen my brother .

I must set off at once ; perhaps I may still be in time to save him . '

his father entreated him , ' Stay at home .

if I should lose you too , what would become of me ? '

but his son replied , ' I must and will go . '

then he mounted his golden horse , and rode off till he reached the forest where his brother lay transformed to stone .

reluctantly she touched the stone with her finger , and in a moment it resumed its human shape .

then they all lived happily to their lives ' ends , and all things went well with them .

Grimm .

THE WHITE SNAKE

not very long ago there lived a King , the fame of whose wisdom was spread far and wide .

he had one very peculiar habit .

every day , after the dinner table had been cleared , and everyone had retired , a confidential servant brought in a dish .

after carefully locking the door , he lifted the cover , and there he saw a white snake lying on the dish .

hardly had it touched his tongue than he heard a strange sort of whispering of tiny voices outside his window .

the piece of the white snake which he had eaten had enabled him to understand the language of animals .

it was useless to assert his innocence ; he was dismissed without ceremony .

in his agitation and distress , he went down to the yard to think over what he could do in this trouble .

the servant stood still listening to them .

so he chopped off her head , and when she was opened there was the Queen 's ring in her stomach .

though fish are generally supposed to be quite mute , he heard them grieving aloud at the prospect of dying in this wretched manner .

having a very kind heart he dismounted and soon set the prisoners free , and in the water once more .

he rode further , and after a while he thought he heard a voice in the sand under his feet .

that stupid horse is crushing my people mercilessly to death with his great hoofs . '

the servant at once turned into a side path , and the Ant-King called after him , ' We 'll remember and reward you . '

you are quite big enough to support yourselves now . '

why , we can't even fly yet ; what can we do but die of hunger ? '

then the kind youth dismounted , drew his sword , and killing his horse left it there as food for the young ravens .

they hopped up , satisfied their hunger , and piped : ' We 'll remember , and reward you ! '

he was now obliged to trust to his own legs , and after walking a long way he reached a big town .

Many had risked their lives , but in vain .

on this he was led out to a large lake , and a gold ring was thrown into it before his eyes .

everyone felt sorry for the handsome young fellow and left him alone on the shore .

Full of delight he brought it to the King 's daughter , expecting to receive his promised reward .

she went into the garden , and with her own hands she strewed ten sacks full of millet all over the grass .

' He must pick all that up to-morrow morning before sunrise , ' she said ; ' not a grain must be lost . '

after journeying through three different kingdoms he reached a wood one night , and lying down under a tree prepared to go to sleep there .

suddenly he heard a sound in the boughs , and a golden apple fell right into his hand .

Grimm .

THE STORY OF A CLEVER TAILOR

once upon a time there lived an exceedingly proud Princess .

she gave out publicly that all comers were welcome to try their skill , and that whoever could solve her riddle should be her husband .

then said the Princess , ' I have on my head two different kinds of hair .

of what colours are they ? '

' Wrong , ' said the Princess .

' Wrong again , ' said the Princess ; ' now let the third speak .

I see he thinks he knows all about it . '

when she had recovered herself she said , ' Don't fancy you have won me yet , there is something else you must do first .

the tailor , however , had no notion of being scared , but said cheerily , ' Bravely dared is half won . '

when evening came on he was taken to the stable .

the bear tried to get at him at once and to give him a warm welcome with his great paws .

when the bear saw this he began to long for some nuts himself .

the tailor dived into his pocket and gave him a handful , but they were pebbles , not nuts .

the bear thrust them into his mouth , but try as he might he could not manage to crack them .

so he took the stone , quickly changed it for a nut , and crack ! it split open in a moment .

presently the tailor took out a little fiddle and began playing on it .

what do you think ?

would you give me some lessons ? '

' With all my heart , ' said the tailor , ' if you are sharp about it .

but just let me look at your paws .

dear me , your nails are terribly long ; I must really cut them first . '

then he fetched a pair of stocks , and the bear laid his paws on them , and the tailor screwed them up tight .

when the Princess heard the bear growling so loud that night , she made sure he was roaring with delight as he worried the tailor .

off he tore after the carriage , foaming with rage .

the tailor remained quite unmoved .

if you don't go home this minute I 'll screw you tight into them . '

when the bear saw and heard this he turned right round and ran off as fast as his legs would carry him .

whoever does not believe this story must pay a dollar .

Grimm .

THE GOLDEN MERMAID

a powerful king had , among many other treasures , a wonderful tree in his garden , which bore every year beautiful golden apples .

but he gave him the most wretched horse in his stable , because the foolish youth hadn't asked for a better .

so he too set out on his journey to secure the thief , amid the jeers and laughter of the whole court and town .

the wolf didn't wait to have the offer repeated , but set to work , and soon made an end of the poor beast .

' Most certainly , ' said the wolf , and , letting the Prince mount him , he trotted gaily through the wood .

they awoke at once , and , seizing him , beat him and put him into chains .

the Emperor and he conversed on many subjects , and , among other things , the stranger asked his host if he had many slaves .

I would really like to see this bold rascal . '

I had thought to find a powerful robber , and instead of that I have seen the most miserable creature I can imagine .

hanging is far too good for him .

if I had to sentence him I should make him perform some very difficult task , under pain of death .

my nearest neighbour , who is also a mighty Emperor , possesses a golden horse which he guards most carefully .

the prisoner shall be told to steal this horse and bring it to me . '

after a somewhat lengthy journey the Prince and the wolf came to the kingdom ruled over by the Emperor who possessed the golden horse .

when they came to a certain inner door the wolf told the Prince to remain outside , while he went in .

the Prince , who had made up his mind to be more than cautious this time , went cheerfully to work .

the cunning creature pretended he knew nothing of what had happened to the Prince , and asked him how he had fared with the horse .

the Prince told him all about his misadventure , and the condition on which the Emperor had promised to spare his life .

you will soon come upon the golden mermaid .

with these words he turned his magic ship round and steered back towards the land .

here he stopped and waited for the mermaid , who had swum after him .

when she drew near the boat he saw that she was far more beautiful than any mortal he had ever beheld .

the King 's joy was great when he embraced his youngest son , for he had long since despaired of his return .

the poor old father grew very sad when he heard of the shameful conduct of his elder sons , and had them called before him .

and so ended the adventures of the Prince with his friend the wolf .

Grimm .

THE WAR OF THE WOLF AND THE FOX

there was once upon a time a man and his wife who had an old cat and an old dog .

she never catches any mice now-a-days , and is so useless that I have made up my mind to drown her . '

but his wife replied , ' Don't do that , for I 'm sure she could still catch mice . '

' Rubbish , ' said Simon .

' The mice might dance on her and she would never catch one .

I 've quite made up my mind that the next time I see her , I shall put her in the water . '

Susan was very unhappy when she heard this , and so was the cat , who had been listening to the conversation behind the stove .

' So much the better for her , ' said Simon .

' And now we have got rid of her , we must consider what we are to do with the old dog .

he is quite deaf and blind , and invariably barks when there is no need , and makes no sound when there is .

I think the best thing I can do with him is to hang him . '

but soft-hearted Susan replied , ' Please don't do so ; he 's surely not so useless as all that . '

' Don't be foolish , ' said her husband .

' The courtyard might be full of thieves and he 'd never discover it .

no , the first time I see him , it 's all up with him , I can tell you . '

and the dog ran into the wood with his tail between his legs .

when her husband returned , his wife told him that the dog had disappeared .

' That 's lucky for him , ' said Simon , but Susan sighed , for she had been very fond of the poor creature .

they sat down under a holly tree and both poured forth their woes .

the fox answered , ' That 's the way of the world .

but I 'll help you to get back into your master 's favour , only you must first help me in my own troubles . '

this was the cat , who was marching along with her tail erect .

and while they were lying there , the fox , the cat and the dog arrived .

when the cat saw the wild boar 's ear , she pounced upon it , thinking it was a mouse in the straw .

the wild boar got up in a dreadful fright , gave one loud grunt and disappeared into the wood .

' All right , ' said the cat , and did exactly as the fox told her .

' Wonders will never cease , ' cried Simon .

' I certainly never thought the old cat would ever catch another mouse . '

' All right , ' said the dog , and as soon as it grew dusk he began to bark loudly .

do go out and see what 's the matter ; perhaps thieves may be stealing our sausages . '

but when she went to her larder , she found all the sausages gone , and a great hole in the floor .

she called out to her husband , ' I was perfectly right .

thieves have been here last night , and they have not left a single sausage .

oh ! if you had only got up when I asked you to ! '

then Simon scratched his head and said , ' I can't understand it at all .

I certainly never believed the old dog was so quick at hearing . '

Men are the same all the world over . '

and the fox scored a point too , for he had carried away the sausages himself !

Grimm .

THE STORY OF THE FISHERMAN AND HIS WIFE

so he used to sit with his rod and gaze into the shining water ; and he would gaze and gaze .

now , once the line was pulled deep under the water , and when he hauled it up he hauled a large flounder with it .

the flounder said to him , ' Listen , fisherman .

I pray you to let me go ; I am not a real flounder , I am an enchanted Prince .

what good will it do you if you kill me I shall not taste nice ?

put me back into the water and let me swim away . '

then the fisherman got up , and went home to his wife in the hut .

' Husband , ' said his wife , ' have you caught nothing to-day ? '

' No , ' said the man .

' I caught a flounder who said he was an enchanted prince , so I let him swim away again . '

' Did you wish nothing from him ? ' said his wife .

' No , ' said the man ; ' what should I have wished from him ? '

go now and call him ; say to him that we choose to have a cottage , and he will certainly give it you . '

' Alas ! ' said the man , ' why should I go down there again ? '

go down quickly . '

the man did not like going at all , but as his wife was not to be persuaded , he went down to the sea .

when he came there the sea was quite green and yellow , and was no longer shining .

so he stood on the shore and said :

' Once a prince , but changed you be Into a flounder in the sea .

come ! for my wife , Ilsebel , Wishes what I dare not tell . '

then the flounder came swimming up and said , ' Well , what does she want ? '

' Alas ! ' said the man , ' my wife says I ought to have kept you and wished something from you .

she does not want to live any longer in the hut ; she would like a cottage . '

' Go home , then , ' said the flounder ; ' she has it . '

she took him by the hand and said to him , ' Come inside , and see if this is not much better . '

and outside was a little yard in which were chickens and ducks , and also a little garden with vegetables and fruit trees .

' See , ' said the wife , ' isn't this nice ? '

' Yes , ' answered her husband ; ' here we shall remain and live very happily . '

' We will think about that , ' said his wife .

with these words they had their supper and went to bed .

all went well for a week or a fortnight , then the wife said :

I should like to live in a great stone castle .

go down to the flounder , and tell him to send us a castle . '

' Why ? ' said the wife .

' You go down ; the flounder can quite well do that . '

' No , wife , ' said the man ; ' the flounder gave us the cottage .

I do not like to go to him again ; he might take it amiss . '

' Go , ' said his wife .

' He can certainly give it us , and ought to do so willingly .

go at once . '

the fisherman 's heart was very heavy , and he did not like going .

he said to himself , ' It is not right . '

still , he went down .

so he stood there and said :

' Once a prince , but changed you be Into a flounder in the sea .

come ! for my wife , Ilsebel , Wishes what I dare not tell . '

' What does she want now ? ' said the flounder .

' Ah ! ' said the fisherman , half-ashamed , ' she wants to live in a great stone castle . '

' Go home ; she is standing before the door , ' said the flounder .

the fisherman went home and thought he would find no house .

when he came near , there stood a great stone palace , and his wife was standing on the steps , about to enter .

she took him by the hand and said , ' Come inside . '

the best of food and drink also was set before them when they wished to dine .

' Now , ' said the wife , ' isn't this beautiful ? '

' Yes , indeed , ' said the fisherman .

' Now we will stay here and live in this beautiful castle , and be very happy . '

' We will consider the matter , ' said his wife , and they went to bed .

the next morning the wife woke up first at daybreak , and looked out of the bed at the beautiful country stretched before her .

her husband was still sleeping , so she dug her elbows into his side and said :

' Husband , get up and look out of the window .

could we not become the king of all this land ?

go down to the flounder and tell him we choose to be king . '

' Ah , wife ! ' replied her husband , ' why should we be king ?

I don't want to be king . '

' Well , ' said his wife , ' if you don't want to be king , I will be king .

go down to the flounder ; I will be king . '

' Alas ! wife , ' said the fisherman , ' why do you want to be king ?

I can't ask him that . '

' And why not ? ' said his wife .

' Go down at once .

I must be king . '

so the fisherman went , though much vexed that his wife wanted to be king .

' It is not right !

it is not right , ' he thought .

he did not wish to go , yet he went .

when he came to the sea , the water was a dark-grey colour , and it was heaving against the shore .

so he stood and said :

' Once a prince , but changed you be Into a flounder in the sea .

come ! for my wife , Ilsebel , Wishes what I dare not tell . '

' What does she want now ? ' asked the flounder .

' Alas ! ' said the fisherman , ' she wants to be king . '

' Go home ; she is that already , ' said the flounder .

a sentinel was standing before the gate , and there were numbers of soldiers with kettledrums and trumpets .

then he went before her and said :

' Ah , wife ! are you king now ? '

' Yes , ' said his wife ; ' now I am king . '

he stood looking at her , and when he had looked for some time , he said :

' Let that be enough , wife , now that you are king !

now we have nothing more to wish for . '

' Nay , husband , ' said his wife restlessly , ' my wishing powers are boundless ; I cannot restrain them any longer .

go down to the flounder ; king I am , now I must be emperor . '

' Alas ! wife , ' said the fisherman , ' why do you want to be emperor ? '

' Husband , ' said she , ' go to the flounder ; I will be emperor . '

' Ah , wife , ' he said , ' he cannot make you emperor ; I don't like to ask him that .

there is only one emperor in the kingdom .

indeed and indeed he cannot make you emperor . '

' What ! ' said his wife .

' I am king , and you are my husband .

will you go at once ?

go !

if he can make king he can make emperor , and emperor I must and will be .

go ! '

so he had to go .

thinking this he came to the shore .

the fisherman was chilled with fear .

he stood and said :

' Once a prince , but changed you be Into a flounder in the sea .

come ! for my wife , Ilsebel , Wishes what I dare not tell . '

' What does she want now ? ' asked flounder .

' Alas ! flounder , ' he said , ' my wife wants to be emperor . '

' Go home , ' said the flounder ; ' she is that already . '

before the gate soldiers were marching , blowing trumpets and beating drums .

she had on a great golden crown which was three yards high and set with brilliants and sparkling gems .

many princes and dukes were standing before her .

the fisherman went up to her quietly and said :

' Wife , are you emperor now ? '

' Yes , ' she said , ' I am emperor . '

he stood looking at her magnificence , and when he had watched her for some time , said :

' Ah , wife , let that be enough , now that you are emperor . '

' Husband , ' said she , ' why are you standing there ?

I am emperor now , and I want to be pope too ; go down to the flounder . '

' Alas ! wife , ' said the fisherman , ' what more do you want ?

you cannot be pope ; there is only one pope in Christendom , and he cannot make you that . '

' Husband , ' she said , ' I will be pope .

go down quickly ; I must be pope to-day . '

' No , wife , ' said the fisherman ; ' I can't ask him that .

it is not right ; it is too much .

the flounder cannot make you pope . '

' Husband , what nonsense ! ' said his wife .

' If he can make emperor , he can make , pope too .

go down this instant ; I am emperor and you are my husband .

will you be off at once ? '

still the sky was very blue in the middle , although at the sides it was an angry red as in a great storm .

so he stood shuddering in anxiety , and said :

' Once a prince , but changed you be Into a flounder in the sea .

come ! for my wife , Ilsebel , Wishes what I dare not tell . '

' Well , what does she want now ? ' asked the flounder .

' Alas ! ' said the fisherman , ' she wants to be pope . '

' Go home , then ; she is that already , ' said the flounder .

then he went home , and when he came there he saw , as it were , a large church surrounded by palaces .

he pushed his way through the people .

all the emperors and kings were on their knees before her , and were kissing her foot .

' Wife , ' said the fisherman looking at her , ' are you pope now ? '

' Yes , ' said she ; ' I am pope . '

so he stood staring at her , and it was as if he were looking at the bright sun .

when he had watched her for some time he said :

' Ah , wife , let it be enough now that you are pope . '

but she sat as straight as a tree , and did not move or bend the least bit .

he said again :

' Wife , be content now that you are pope .

you cannot become anything more . '

' We will think about that , ' said his wife .

with these words they went to bed .

' Husband , ' said she , poking him in the ribs with her elbows , ' wake up .

go down to the flounder ; I will be a god . '

the fisherman was still half asleep , yet he was so frightened that he fell out of bed .

he thought he had not heard aright , and opened his eyes wide and said :

' What did you say , wife ? '

' Husband , ' she said , ' if I cannot make the sun and man rise when I appear I cannot rest .

I shall never have a quiet moment till I can make the sun and man rise . '

he looked at her in horror , and a shudder ran over him .

' Go down at once ; I will be a god . '

' Alas ! wife , ' said the fisherman , falling on his knees before her , ' the flounder cannot do that .

Emperor and pope he can make you .

I implore you , be content and remain pope . '

then she flew into a passion , her hair hung wildly about her face , she pushed him with her foot and screamed :

' I am not contented , and I shall not be contented !

will you go ? '

so he hurried on his clothes as fast as possible , and ran away as if he were mad .

but the storm was raging so fiercely that he could scarcely stand .

Houses and trees were being blown down , the mountains were being shaken , and pieces of rock were rolling in the sea .

so he shouted , not able to hear his own voice :

' Once a prince , but changed you be Into a flounder in the sea .

come ! for my wife , Ilsebel , Wishes what I dare not tell . '

' Well , what does she want now ? ' asked the flounder .

' Alas ! ' said he , ' she wants to be a god . '

' Go home , then ; she is sitting again in the hut . '

and there they are sitting to this day .

Grimm .

THE THREE MUSICIANS

once upon a time three musicians left their home and set out on their travels .

they had all learnt music from the same master , and they determined to stick together and to seek their fortune in foreign lands .

they wandered merrily from place to place and made quite a good living , and were much appreciated by everyone who heard them play .

one evening they came to a village where they delighted all the company with their beautiful music .

at last they ceased playing , and began to eat and drink and listen to the talk that was going on around them .

they heard all the gossip of the place , and many wonderful things were related and discussed .

at last the conversation fell on a castle in the neighbourhood , about which many strange and marvellous things were told .

the fiddler was the first to set out on his adventures , and did so in the best of spirits and full of courage .

but the silence of death reigned everywhere , and no living thing , not even a fly , was to be seen .

and the little man sat down beside the fiddler and shared his meal .

the little creature nodded , but helped himself so clumsily that he dropped the piece of meat he had carved on to the floor .

it was night when he reached the place , and the other two musicians were fast asleep .

it is a ticklish matter , that I can assure you . '

but he didn't find his companion very communicative .

at last they came to the game , and , as usual , the little man let his piece fall on the ground .

till you have done so , I don't let your beard out of my hands . '

here , too , the deepest silence reigned .

over the bed hung a bird 's cage , and the bird inside it was singing beautiful songs into the silent space .

the little grey man lifted the curtains from the bed and beckoned the youth to approach .

on the rich silk cushions embroidered with gold a lovely maiden lay sleeping .

but a sleep as of death held her in its spell , and no noise seemed able to waken the sleeper .

then the little man turned to the wondering youth and said : ' See , here is the sleeping child !

she is a mighty Princess .

so set to work and do as I tell you .

the little dwarf paused , quite worn out , and the youth did not wait long to do his bidding .

then the youth said to the dwarf : ' Give me your wand in order that I may part the waves . '

but the dwarf 's wicked intentions were doomed to disappointment .

so the happy couple returned to their castle , and lived there in peace and plenty for ever after .

Grimm .

THE THREE DOGS

there was once upon a time a shepherd who had two children , a son and a daughter .

' Hullo , my fine fellow , ' said the man , ' I see you have three fat sheep .

I 'll tell you what ; if you 'll give them to me , I 'll give you my three dogs . '

in spite of his sadness , the youth smiled and replied , ' What would I do with your dogs ?

my sheep at least feed themselves , but I should have to find food for the dogs . '

the shepherd at last let himself be persuaded , and gave the stranger his sheep .

then the youth congratulated himself on the bargain he had made , and continued his journey in the best of spirits .

inside the carriage sat a beautiful girl in a black dress crying bitterly .

the horses advanced slowly and mournfully , with their heads bent on the ground .

' Coachman , what 's the meaning of all this grief ? ' asked the shepherd .

this year the lot had fallen on the King 's daughter , and the whole country was filled with woe and lamentation in consequence .

the shepherd felt very sorry for the lovely maiden , and determined to follow the carriage .

in a little it halted at the foot of a high mountain .

the girl got out , and walked slowly and sadly to meet her terrible fate .

then the dog ate up the body , all except its two front teeth , which the shepherd picked up and put in his pocket .

the Princess was quite overcome with terror and joy , and fell fainting at the feet of her deliverer .

when she recovered her consciousness she begged the shepherd to return with her to her father , who would reward him richly .

but the poor Princess wept bitterly , though she did not dare to confide her grief to anyone .

when the year was over , she begged so hard for another year 's respite that it was granted to her .

but on the wedding-day it happened that a stranger came to the town with three black dogs .

he felt hungry too , so he called his dog ' Salt , ' and asked him to bring home some food .

with a joyful start she recognised the beast , and bound her own table-napkin round his neck .

then she plucked up her courage and told her father the whole story .

the King at once sent a servant to follow the dog , and in a short time the stranger was led into the Kings presence .

the Princess recognized her deliverer at once , and did not need the proof of the two dragon 's teeth which he drew from his pocket .

then one of the dogs spoke and said , ' Our task is done ; you have no more need of us .

we only waited to see that you did not forget your sister in your prosperity . '

and with these words the three dogs became three birds and flew away into the heavens .

Grimm .

end of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Green Fairy Book , by Various

produced by David Widger .

HTML version by Al Haines .

TWICE TOLD TALES

THE SISTER YEARS

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

the wintry moonlight showed that she looked weary of body , and sad of heart , like many another wayfarer of earth .

but , after trudging only a little distance farther , this poor Old Year was destined to enjoy a long , long sleep .

besides this luggage , there was a folio book under her arm , very much resembling the annual volume of a newspaper .

she was evidently a stranger , and perhaps had come to town by the evening train of cars .

" well , my dear sister , " said the New Year , after the first salutations , " you look almost tired to death .

what have you been about during your sojourn in this part of Infinite Space ? "

" O , I have it all recorded here in my Book of Chronicles , " answered the Old Year , in a heavy tone .

" there is nothing that would amuse you ; and you will soon get sufficient knowledge of such matters from your own personal experience .

it is but tiresome reading . "

" what have you been doing in the political way ? " asked the New Year .

but the Loco Focos "

" I do not like these party nicknames , " interrupted her sister , who seemed remarkably touchy about some points .

" perhaps we shall part in better humor , if we avoid any political discussion . "

" with all my heart , " replied the Old Year , who had already been tormented half to death with squabbles of this kind .

yet they have occupied so large a share of my attention , that I scarcely know what else to tell you .

" perhaps , " cried the hopeful New Year , " perhaps I shall see that happy day ! "

" I doubt whether it be so close at hand , " answered the Old Year , gravely smiling .

" have you done much for the improvement of the City ? " asked the New Year .

" judging from what little I have seen , it appears to be ancient and timeworn . "

old Salem now wears a much livelier expression than when I first beheld her .

strangers rumble down from Boston by hundreds at a time .

new faces throng in Essex Street .

Railroad-hacks and omnibuses rattle over the pavements .

there is a perceptible increase of oyster-shops , and other establishments for the accommodation of a transitory diurnal multitude .

but a more important change awaits the venerable town .

an immense accumulation of musty prejudices will be carried off by the free circulation of society .

much of the result will be good ; there will likewise be a few things not so good .

we sisterhood of Years never carry anything really valuable out of the world with us .

here are patterns of most of the fashions which I brought into vogue , and which have already lived out their allotted term .

you will supply their place , with others equally ephemeral .

I have likewise a quantity of men 's dark hair , instead of which , I have left gray locks , or none at all .

moreover , here is an assortment of many thousand broken promises , and other broken ware , all very light and packed into little space .

" I have a fine lot of hopes here in my basket , " remarked the New Year .

" they are a sweet-smelling flower , a species of rose . "

" they soon lose their perfume , " replied the sombre Old Year .

" what else have you brought to insure a welcome from the discontented race of mortals ? "

but I heartily wish well to poor mortals , and mean to do all I can for their improvement and happiness . "

" and must I also pickup such worthless luggage in my travels ? " asked the New Year .

" most certainly ; and well , if you have no heavier load to bear , " replied the other .

if these ridiculous people ever see anything tolerable in you , it will be after you are gone forever . "

" but I , " cried the fresh-hearted New Year , " I shall try to leave men wiser than I find them .

for my happiness must depend on them . "

" alas for you , then , my poor sister ! " said the Old fear , sighing , as she uplifted her burden .

" we grand-children of Time are born to trouble .

but hark ! my task is done . "

but she , in the company of Time and all her kindred , must hereafter hold a reckoning with Mankind .

" thank you kindly ! " said the New Year ; and she gave the watchman one of the roses of hope from her basket .

" may this flower keep a sweet smell , long after I have bidden you good by . "

wherever there was a knot of midnight roisterers , they quaffed her health .

kind Patrons , will not you redeem the pledge of the NEW YEAR ?

end of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sister Years ( from " twice Told Tales " ) , by Nathaniel Hawthorne

produced by David Widger .

HTML version by Al Haines .

TWICE TOLD TALES

THE SEVEN VAGABONDS

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

" halloo !

who stands guard here ?

is the doorkeeper asleep ? " cried I , approaching a ladder of two or three steps which was let down from the wagon .

a small piece of silver was my passport within his premises , where I found only one other person , hereafter to be described .

perhaps the movable scene of this narrative is still peregrinating New England , and may enable the reader to test the accuracy of my description .

the spectacle for I will not use the unworthy term of puppet-show consisted of a multitude of little people assembled on a miniature stage .

" what an admirable piece of work is this ! " exclaimed I , lifting up my bands in astonishment .

and then with how fresh a feeling must he return , at intervals , to his own peculiar home !

the literary man now evinced a great kindness for me , and I ventured to inquire which way he was travelling .

" you are housed but just in time , my young friends , " said the master of the wagon .

" the sky would have been down upon you within five minutes . "

I , meanwhile , with many a wild and undetermined fantasy , was narrowly inspecting these two doves that had flown into our ark .

when we had travelled through the vast extent of the mahogany box , I looked into my guide 's face .

" where are you going , my pretty maid ? " inquired I , in the words of an old song .

" ah , " said the gay damsel , " you might as well ask where the summer wind is going .

we are wanderers here , and there , and everywhere .

wherever there is mirth , our merry hearts are drawn to it .

blessed pair , whose happy home was throughout all the earth !

" O maiden ! " said I aloud , " why did you not come hither alone ? "

while the merry girl and myself were busy with the show-box , the unceasing rain had driven another wayfarer into the wagon .

" it is a bill of the Suffolk Bank , " said I , " and better than the specie . "

as the beggar had nothing to object , he now produced a small buff-leather bag , tied up carefully with a shoe-string .

in this precious heap was my bank , note deposited , the rate of exchange being considerably against me .

here let me have credit for a sober fact .

but I must stop and see the breaking up of the camp-meeting at Stamford . "

all this was a sort of happiness which I could conceive of , though I had little sympathy with it .

my reflections were here interrupted .

" another visitor ! " exclaimed the old showman .

it was a red Indian , armed with his bow and arrow .

this son of the wilderness , and pilgrim of the storm , took his place silently in the midst of us .

the Indian had not long been seated , ere our merry damsel sought to draw him into conversation .

at length , she inquired whether his journey had any particular end or purpose .

" I go shoot at the camp-meeting at Stamford , " replied the Indian .

" and here are five more , " said the girl , " all aiming at the camp-meeting too .

but , O , you would find it very dull indeed , to go all the way to Stamford alone ! "

now , hoping no offence , I should like to know where this young gentleman may be going ? "

I started .

how came I among these wanderers ?

" but in what capacity ? " asked the old showman , after a moment 's silence .

" all of us here can get our bread in some creditable way .

every honest man should have his livelihood .

you , sir , as I take it , are a mere strolling gentleman . "

" either this , " said I , " is my vocation , or I have been born in vain . "

dreading a rejection , I solicited the interest of the merry damsel .

" mirth , " cried I , most aptly appropriating the words of L'Allegro , " to thee I sue !

mirth , admit me of thy crew ! "

" I have espied much promise in him .

true , a shadow sometimes flits across his brow , but the sunshine is sure to follow in a moment .

he is never guilty of a sad thought , but a merry one is twin born with it .

this affair settled , a marvellous jollity entered into the whole tribe of us , manifesting itself characteristically in each individual .

the young foreigner flourished his fiddle-bow with a master 's hand , and gave an inspiring echo to the showman's melody .

" we 'll come among them in procession , with music and dancing , " cried the merry damsel .

casting our eyes northward , we beheld a horseman approaching leisurely , and splashing through the little puddles on the Stamford road .

what puzzled us was the fact , that his face appeared turned from , instead of to , the camp-meeting at Stamford .

" what news , what news from the camp-meeting at Stamford ? "

the missionary looked down , in surprise , at as singular a knot of people as could have been selected from all his heterogeneous auditors .

I even fancied that a smile was endeavoring to disturb the iron gravity of the preacher 's mouth .

" good people , " answered he , " the camp-meeting is broke up . "

So saying , the Methodist minister switched his steed , and rode westward .

our union being thus nullified , by the removal of its object , we were sundered at once to the four winds of heaven .

the old showman and his literary coadjutor were already tackling their horses to the wagon , with a design to peregrinate southwest along the seacoast .

end of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Seven Vagabonds ( from " twice Told Tales " ) , by Nathaniel Hawthorne

produced by David Widger

TWICE TOLD TALES

THE LILY'S QUEST

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

what a contrast between the young pilgrims of bliss and their unbidden associate !

but the three had not gone far , when they reached a spot that pleased the gentle Lily , and she paused .

" what sweeter place shall we find than this ? " said she .

" why should we seek farther for the site of our Temple ? "

there were vistas and pathways leading onward and onward into the green woodlands , and vanishing away in the glimmering shade .

" yes , " said Adam Forrester , " we might seek all day , and find no lovelier spot .

we will build our Temple here . "

" not here ! " cried old Walter Gascoigne .

" here , long ago , other mortals built their Temple of Happiness .

seek another site for yours ! "

" what ! " exclaimed Lilias Fay .

" have any ever planned such a Temple , save ourselves ? "

" poor child ! " said her gloomy kinsman .

" in one shape or other , every mortal has dreamed your dream . "

under this type , Adam Forrester and Lilias saw that the old man spake of Sorrow .

" this is very sad , " said the Lily ; sighing .

" well , there are lovelier spots than this , " said Adam Forrester , soothingly , " spots which sorrow has not blighted . "

" this glen was made on purpose for our Temple ! "

" and the glad song of the brook will be always in our ears , " said Lilias Fay .

" and its long melody shall sing the bliss of our lifetime , " said Adam Forrester .

" ye must build no Temple here ! " murmured their dismal companion .

and , alas ! there had been woe , nor that alone .

and ever since , the victim 's death-shrieks were often heard to echo between the cliffs .

" and see ! " cried old Gascoigne , " is the stream yet pure from the stain of the murderer 's hands ? "

" come , then , " said Adam Forrester , as cheerily as he could ; " we shall soon find a happier spot . "

they set forth again , young Pilgrims on that quest which millions which every child of Earth has tried in turn .

and were the Lily and her lover to be more fortunate than all those millions ?

for a long time , it seemed not so .

" where in this world , " exclaimed Adam Forrester , despondingly , " shall we build our Temple of Happiness ? "

in due time it was finished , and a day appointed for a simple rite of dedication .

with his farewell glance , a shadow had fallen over the portal , and Lilias was invisible .

but , alas for the Temple of Happiness !

and to ! a wonder !

among those forgotten ancestors was the Lily to be laid .

he watched the mourners as they lowered the coffin down .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lily 's Quest ( from " twice Told Tales " ) , by Nathaniel Hawthorne

produced by David Widger .

HTML version by Al Haines .

TWICE TOLD TALES

THE THREEFOLD DESTINY

a FAIRY LEGEND

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

" Ralph Cranfield ! " was the name that she half articulated .

" can that be my old playmate , Faith Egerton ? " thought the traveller , looking round at her figure , but without pausing .

Ralph Cranfield , from his youth upward , had felt himself marked out for a high destiny .

on encountering this lovely stranger , he was bound to address her thus : " Maiden , I have brought you a heavy heart .

may I rest its weight on you ? "

as messengers of the sign , by which Ralph Cranfield might recognize the summons , three venerable men were to claim audience of him .

and had he found them ?

few seemed to be the changes here .

but his heart grew cold , because the village did not remember him as he remembered the village .

" here is the change ! " sighed he , striking his hand upon his breast .

" who is this man of thought and care , weary with world-wandering , and heavy with disappointed hopes ?

the youth returns not , who went forth so joyously ! "

such , at least , was its appearance in the dusky light .

that would be a jest indeed ! "

it was Ralph Cranfield 's mother .

pass we over their greeting , and leave the one to her joy and the other to his rest , if quiet rest he found .

but when morning broke , he arose with a troubled brow ; for his sleep and his wakefulness had alike been full of dreams .

all the fervor was rekindled with which he had burned of yore to unravel the threefold mystery of his fate .

the crowd of his early visions seemed to have awaited him beneath his mother 's roof , and thronged riotously around to welcome his return .

at length they reached her gate , and undid the latch .

now do tell them a good long story about what you have seen in foreign parts . "

what if this embassy should bring me the message of my fate ! "

" my colleagues and myself , " began the Squire , " are burdened with momentous duties , being jointly selectmen of this village .

after a few more words , the village dignitary and his companions took their leave .

every crook in the pathway was remembered .

even the more transitory characteristics of the scene were the same as in bygone days .

a company of cows were grazing on the grassy roadside , and refreshed him with their fragrant breath .

" it is sweeter , " thought he , " than the perfume which was wafted to our shipp from the Spice Islands . "

the round little figure of a child rolled from a doorway , and lay laughing almost beneath Cranfield 's feet .

the dark and stately man stooped down , and , lifting the infant , restored him to his mother 's arms .

a sweet voice , which seemed to come from a deep and tender soul , was warbling a plaintive little air , within .

he bent his head , and passed through the lowly door .

" you are welcome home ! " said Faith Egerton .

it was precisely on the pattern of that worn by the visionary Maid .

when Cranfield departed on his shadowy search he had bestowed this brooch , in a gold setting , as a parting gift to Faith Egerton .

" so , Faith , you have kept the Heart ! " said he , at length .

may I rest its weight on you ? "

" Faith !

faith ! " cried Cranfield , clasping her in his arms , " you have interpreted my wild and weary dream ! "

yes , the wild dreamer was awake at last .

to find the mysterious treasure , he was to till the earth around his mother 's dwelling , and reap its products !

instead of warlike command , or regal or religious sway , he was to rule over the village children !

and now the visionary Maid had faded from his fancy , and in her place he saw the playmate of his childhood !

Happy they who read the riddle , without a weary world-search , or a lifetime spent in vain !

end of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Threefold Destiny ( from " twice Told Tales " ) , by Nathaniel Hawthorne

produced by David Widger

a WONDER-BOOK FOR GIRLS AND BOYS

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

THE GORGON'S HEAD

CONTENTS :

TANGLEWOOD PORCH Introductory to " the Gorgon 's Head " THE GORGON'S HEAD TANGLEWOOD PORCH After the Story

the author has long been of opinion that many of the classical myths were capable of being rendered into very capital reading for children .

in the little volume here offered to the public , he has worked up half a dozen of them , with this end in view .

they remain essentially the same , after changes that would affect the identity of almost anything else .

no epoch of time can claim a copyright in these immortal fables .

children possess an unestimated sensibility to whatever is deep or high , in imagination or feeling , so long as it is simple , likewise .

it is only the artificial and the complex that bewilder them .

Lenox , @date@ .

THE GORGON'S HEAD

TANGLEWOOD PORCH

INTRODUCTORY TO " THE GORGON'S HEAD . "

there was a prospect of as fine a day as ever gladdened the aspect of this beautiful and comfortable world .

this body of white vapor extended to within less than a hundred yards of the house .

four or five miles off to the southward rose the summit of Monument Mountain , and seemed to be floating on a cloud .

the nearer hills , which bordered the valley , were half submerged , and were specked with little cloud-wreaths all the way to their tops .

on the whole , there was so much cloud , and so little solid earth , that it had the effect of a vision .

O no , indeed !

by the by , being much addicted to wading through streamlets and across meadows , he had put on cowhide boots for the expedition .

so I hope he will tell us one this very minute . "

I am afraid you will fall asleep in reality , if I repeat any of them again . "

" no , no , no ! " cried Blue Eye , Periwinkle , Plantain , and half a dozen others .

" we like a story all the better for having heard it two or three tunes before . "

but , in the first place , do any of you know what a Gorgon is ? "

" I do , " said Primrose .

" then hold your tongue ! " rejoined Eustace , who had rather she would have known nothing about the matter .

" hold all your tongues , and I shall tell you a sweet pretty story of a Gorgon 's head . "

and so he did , as you may begin to read on the next page .

THE GORGON'S HEAD .

Perseus was the son of Danae , who was the daughter of a king .

the island was called Seriphus , and it was reigned over by King Polydectes , who happened to be the fisherman 's brother .

this fisherman , I am glad to tell you , was an exceedingly humane and upright man .

so this bad-hearted king spent a long while in considering what was the most dangerous thing that a young man could possibly undertake to perform .

at last , having hit upon an enterprise that promised to turn out as fatally as he desired , he sent for the youthful Perseus .

the young man came to the palace , and found the king sitting upon his throne .

" Perseus , " said King Polydectes , smiling craftily upon him , " you are grown up a fine young man .

" please your Majesty , " answered Perseus , " I would willingly risk my life to do so . "

I have been a little perplexed , I must honestly confess , where to obtain anything likely to please a princess of her exquisite taste .

but , this morning , I flatter myself , I have thought of precisely the article . "

" and can I assist your Majesty in obtaining it ? " cried Perseus , eagerly .

" I will set out to-morrow morning , " answered Perseus .

" pray do so , my gallant youth , " rejoined the king .

you must bring it home in the very best condition , in order to suit the exquisite taste of the beautiful Princess Hippodamia . "

the news quickly spread abroad , that Perseus had undertaken to cut off the head of Medusa with the snaky locks .

the only good man in this unfortunate island of Seriphus appears to have been the fisherman .

" Ho , ho ! " cried they ; " Medusa 's snakes will sting him soundly ! "

I hardly know what sort of creature or hobgoblin to call them .

it is , indeed , difficult to imagine what hideous beings these three sisters were .

for , not to speak of other difficulties , there was one which it would have puzzled an older man than Perseus to get over .

so disconsolate did these thoughts make him , that Perseus could not bear to tell his another what he had undertaken to do .

but , while he was in this sorrowful mood , he heard a voice close beside him .

" Perseus , " said the voice , " why are you sad ? "

so Perseus wiped his eyes , and answered the stranger pretty briskly , putting on as brave a look as he could .

" I am not so very sad , " said he ; " only thoughtful about an adventure that I have undertaken . "

" Oho ! " answered the stranger .

" well , tell me all about it , and possibly I may be of service to you .

I have helped a good many young men through adventures that looked difficult enough beforehand .

perhaps you may have heard of me .

I have more names than one ; but the name of Quicksilver suits me as well as any other .

tell me what your trouble is , and we will talk the matter over , and see what can be done . "

the stranger 's words and manner put Perseus into quite a different mood from his former one .

" and that would be a great pity , " said Quicksilver , with his mischievous smile .

" O , far rather ! " exclaimed Perseus , with the tears again standing in his eyes .

" and , besides , what would my dear mother do , if her beloved son were turned into a stone ? "

" I am the very person to help you , if anybody can .

my sister and myself will do our utmost to bring you safe through the adventure , ugly as it now looks . "

" your sister ? " repeated Perseus .

" yes , my sister , " said the stranger .

if you show yourself bold and cautious , and follow our advice , you need not fear being a stone image yet awhile .

quicksilver looked at it with a smile , and nodded his approbation .

and now we will set out .

the next thing is to find the Three Gray Women , who will tell us where to find the Nymphs . "

I never heard of them before . "

" they are three very strange old ladies , " said Quicksilver , laughing .

" they have but one eye among them , and only one tooth .

" but , " said Perseus , " why should I waste my time with these Three Gray Women ?

would it not be better to set out at once in search of the terrible Gorgons ? "

" no , no , " answered his friend .

" there are other things to be done , before you can find your way to the Gorgons .

come , let us be stirring ! "

" we must see about getting you a pair , " answered Quicksilver .

but the staff helped Perseus along so bravely , that he no longer felt the slightest weariness .

in fact , the stick seemed to be alive in his hand , and to lend some of its life to Perseus .

he evidently knew the world ; and nobody is so charming to a young man as a friend who has that kind of knowledge .

Perseus listened the more eagerly , in the hope of brightening his own wits by what he heard .

" where is she ? " he inquired .

" shall we not meet her soon ? "

" all at the proper time , " said his companion .

" but this sister of mine , you must understand , is quite a different sort of character from myself .

neither will she listen to any but the wisest conversation . "

" dear me ! " ejaculated Perseus ; " I shall be afraid to say a syllable . "

in short , she is so immoderately wise , that many people call her wisdom personified .

she has her good points , nevertheless ; and you will find the benefit of them , in your encounter with the Gorgons . "

by this time it had grown quite dusk .

all was waste and desolate , in the gray twilight , which grew every moment more obscure .

Perseus looked about him , rather disconsolately , and asked Quicksilver whether they had a great deal farther to go .

" Hist !

Hist ! " whispered his companion .

" make no noise !

this is just the time and place to meet the Three Gray Women .

" but what must I do , " asked Perseus , " when we meet them ? "

quicksilver explained to Perseus how the Three Gray Women managed with their one eye .

" you will soon find whether I tell the truth or no , " observed Quicksilver .

" hark ! hush !

Hist ! hist !

there they come , now ! "

the sight of three persons ' eyes was melted and collected into that single one .

thus the three old dames got along about as comfortably , upon the whole , as if they could all see at once .

my stars ! it was positively terrible to be within reach of so very sharp an eye !

but , before they reached the clump of bushes , one of the Three Gray Women spoke .

" sister !

sister Scarecrow ! " cried she , " you have had the eye long enough .

it is my turn now ! "

" let me keep it a moment longer , Sister Nightmare , " answered Scarecrow .

" I thought I had a glimpse of something behind that thick bush . "

" well , and what of that ? " retorted Nightmare , peevishly .

" can't I see into a thick bush as easily as yourself ?

I insist upon taking a peep immediately ! "

to end the dispute , old Dame Scarecrow took the eye out of her forehead , and held it forth in her hand .

" take it , one of you , " cried she , " and quit this foolish quarrelling .

for my part , I shall be glad of a little thick darkness .

take it quickly , however , or I must clap it into my own head again ! "

accordingly , both Nightmare and Shakejoint stretched out their hands , groping eagerly to snatch the eye out of the hand of Scarecrow .

" now is your time ! " he whispered to Perseus .

" quick , quick ! before they can clap the eye into either of their heads .

rush out upon the old ladies , and snatch it from Scarecrow 's hand ! "

" my good ladies , " said he , " pray do not be angry with one another .

" you ! you have our eye !

" O , what shall we do , sisters ? what shall we do ?

we are all in the dark !

give us our eye !

give us our one , precious , solitary eye !

you have two of your own Give us our eye ! "

I am by no means a bad young man .

" the Nymphs !

goodness me ! sisters , what Nymphs does he mean ? " screamed Scarecrow .

we know nothing at all about them .

O , give it back , good stranger ! whoever you are , give it back ! "

all this while the Three Gray Women were groping with their outstretched hands , and trying their utmost to get hold of Perseus .

but he took good care to keep out of their reach .

" A pair of flying slippers , quoth he !

his heels would quickly fly higher than his head , if he were silly enough to put them on .

and a helmet of invisibility !

how could a helmet make him invisible , unless it were big enough for him to hide under it ?

and an enchanted wallet !

what sort of a contrivance may that be , I wonder ?

no , no , good stranger ! we can tell you nothing of these marvellous things .

you have two eyes of your own , and we have but a single one amongst us three .

you can find out such wonders better than three blind old creatures , like us . "

but Quicksilver caught his hand .

" don't let them make a fool of you ! " said he .

keep fast hold of the eye , and all will go well . "

as it turned out , Quicksilver was in the right .

finding that there was no other way of recovering it , they at last told Perseus what he wanted to know .

quicksilver and Perseus , in the mean time , were making the best of their way in quest of the Nymphs .

the old dames had given them such particular directions , that they were not long in finding them out .

this was the magic wallet .

" put them on , Perseus , " said Quicksilver .

" you will find yourself as light-heeled as you can desire , for the remainder of our journey . "

so Perseus proceeded to put one of the slippers on , while he laid the other on the ground by his side .

" be more careful , " said he , as he gave it back to Perseus .

" it would frighten the birds , up aloft , if they should see a flying slipper amongst them . "

when Perseus had got on both of these wonderful slippers , he was altogether too buoyant to tread on earth .

winged slippers , and all such high-flying contrivances , are seldom quite easy to manage , until one grows a little accustomed to them .

the good-natured Nymphs had the helmet , with its dark tuft of waving plumes , all in readiness to put upon his head .

and now there happened about as wonderful an incident as anything that I have yet told you .

but when the helmet had descended over his white brow , there was no longer any Perseus to be seen !

nothing but empty air !

even the helmet , that covered him with its invisibility , had vanished !

" where are you , Perseus ? " asked Quicksilver .

" Just where I was a moment ago .

don't you see me ? "

" no , indeed ! " answered his friend .

" you are hidden under the helmet .

but , if I cannot see you , neither can the Gorgons .

follow me , therefore , and we will try your dexterity in using the winged slippers . "

it was now deep night .

and , among other objects , he saw the island of Seriplius , where his dear mother was .

so swift was their flight , however , that , in an instant , they emerged from the cloud into the moonlight again .

once , a high-soaring eagle flew right against the invisible Perseus .

" whose garment is this , " inquired Perseus , " that keeps rustling close beside me , in the breeze ? "

" O , it is my sister 's ! " answered Quicksilver .

" she is coming along with us , as I told you she would .

we could do nothing without the help of my sister .

you have no idea how wise she is .

she has such eyes , too !

just then a voice spoke in the air close by him .

it seemed to be a woman 's voice , and was melodious , though not exactly what might be called sweet , but grave and mild .

" Perseus , " said the voice , " there are the Gorgons . "

" where ? " exclaimed Perseus .

" I cannot see them . "

" on the shore of that island beneath you , " replied the voice .

" a pebble , dropped from your hand , would strike in the midst of them . "

" I told you she would be the first to discover them , " said Quicksilver to Perseus .

" and there they are ! "

the moonlight glistened on their steely scales , and on their golden wings , which drooped idly over the sand .

and , with all this , there was something partly human about them , too .

be quick ; for , if one of the Gorgons should awake , you are too late ! "

" which shall I strike at ? " asked Perseus , drawing his sword and descending a little lower .

" they all three look alike .

all three have snaky locks .

which of the three is Medusa ? "

it must be understood that Medusa was the only one of these dragon-monsters whose head Perseus could possibly cut off .

" be cautious , " said the calm voice which had before spoken to him .

" one of the Gorgons is stirring in her sleep , and is just about to turn over .

that is Medusa .

do not look at her !

the sight would turn you to stone !

look at the reflection of her face and figure in the bright mirror of your shield . "

Perseus now understood Quicksilver 's motive for so earnestly exhorting him to polish his shield .

in its surface he could safely look at the reflection of the Gorgon 's face .

the snakes , whose venomous natures could not altogether sleep , kept twisting themselves over the forehead .

she gnashed her white tusks , and dug into the sand with her brazen claws .

the snakes , too , seemed to feel Medusa 's dream , and to be made more restless by it .

they twined themselves into tumultuous knots , writhed fiercely , and uplifted a hundred hissing heads , without opening their eyes .

" now , now ! " whispered Quicksilver , who was growing impatient .

" make a dash at the monster ! "

" but be calm , " said the grave , melodious voice , at the young man 's side .

" look in your shield , as you fly downward , and take care that you do not miss your first stroke . "

Perseus flew cautiously downward , still keeping his eyes on Medusa 's face , as reflected in his shield .

the nearer he came , the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow .

but she awoke too late .

the sword was sharp ; the stroke fell like a lightning-flash ; and the head of the wicked Medusa tumbled from her body !

" admirably done ! " cried Quicksilver .

" make haste , and clap the head into your magic wallet . "

as quick as thought , he snatched it up , with the snakes still writhing upon it , and thrust it in.

" your task is done , " said the calm voice .

" now fly ; for the other Gorgons will do their utmost to take vengeance for Medusa 's death . "

and then the snakes !

they sent forth a hundred-fold hiss , with one consent , and Medusa 's snakes answered them out of the magic wallet .

and there , perhaps , those very feathers he scattered , till this day .

up rose the Gorgons , as I tell you , staring horribly about , in hopes of turning somebody to stone .

finally , our brave Perseus arrived at the island , where he expected to see his dear mother .

not finding his mother at home , Perseus went straight to the palace and was immediately ushered into the presence of the king .

however , seeing him safely returned , he put the best face he could upon the matter and asked Perseus how he had succeeded .

" have you performed your promise ? " inquired he .

" have you brought me the head of Medusa with the snaky locks ?

" I have brought you the Gorgon 's head , snaky locks and all ! "

" indeed !

pray let me see it , " quoth King Polydectes .

" it must be a very curious spectacle , if all that travellers tell about it be true ! "

" your Majesty is in the right , " replied Perseus .

" it is really an object that will be pretty certain to fix the regards of all who look at it .

few of them , I imagine , have seen a Gorgon 's head before , and perhaps never may again ! "

the king well knew that his subjects were an idle set of reprobates , and very fond of sight-seeing , as idle persons usually are .

Monarch , counsellors , courtiers , and subjects , all gazed eagerly towards Perseus .

" show us the head !

" show us the head of Medusa with the snaky locks ! "

a feeling of sorrow and pity came over the youthful Perseus .

" ah , the villain and coward ! " yelled the people , more fiercely than before .

" he is making game of us !

he has no Gorgon 's head !

show us the head , if you have it , or we will take your own head for a football ! "

" show me the Gorgon 's head , or I will cut off your own ! "

and Perseus sighed .

" this instant , " repeated Polydectes , " or you die ! "

" behold it , then ! " cried Perseus , in a voice like the blast of a trumpet .

they were all fixed , forever , in the look and attitude of that moment !

at the first glimpse of the terrible head of Medusa , they whitened into marble !

TANGLEWOOD PORCH .

AFTER THE STORY .

" is not that a very fine story ? " asked Eustace .

" O yes , yes ! " cried Cowslip , clapping her hands .

" and those funny old women , with only one eye amongst them !

I never heard of anything so strange . "

" as to their one tooth , which they shifted about , " observed Primrose , " there was nothing so very wonderful in that .

I suppose it was a false tooth .

but think of your turning Mercury into Quicksilver , and talking about his sister !

you are too ridiculous ! "

" and was she not his sister ? " asked Eustace Bright .

" well , at any rate , " said Primrose , " your story seems to have driven away the mist . "

and , indeed , while the tale was going forward , the vapors had been quite exhaled from the landscape .

it gleamed in glassy tranquillity , without the trace of a winged breeze on any part of its bosom .

beyond its farther shore was Monument Mountain , in a recumbent position , stretching almost across the valley .

over all this scene there was a genial sunshine , intermingled with a slight haze , which made it unspeakably soft and tender .

O , what a day of Indian summer was it going to be !

behind went a good old dog , whose name was Ben .

End of Project Gutenberg 's The Gorgon 's Head , by Nathaniel Hawthorne

produced by David Widger

a WONDER-BOOK FOR GIRLS AND BOYS

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

THE PARADISE OF CHILDREN

CONTENTS :

TANGLEWOOD PLAY-ROOM Introductory to " the Paradise of Children " THE PARADISE OF CHILDREN TANGLEWOOD PLAY-ROOM After the Story

TANGLEWOOD PLAY-ROOM .

at last came merry Christmas , and Eustace Bright along with it , making it all the merrier by his presence .

and , the day after his arrival from college , there came a mighty snow-storm .

but no more green grass and dandelions now .

this was such a snow-storm !

it seemed as if the hills were giants , and were flinging monstrous handfuls of snow at one another , in their enormous sport .

but these were merely peeps through the tempest .

nevertheless , the children rejoiced greatly in the snowstorm .

but the children liked the snow-storm better than them all .

it suggested so many brisk enjoyments for to-morrow , and all the remainder of the winter .

" why , we shall be blocked up till spring ! " cried they , with the hugest delight .

" what a pity that the house is too high to be quite covered up !

the little red house , down yonder , will be buried up to its eaves . "

" it has done mischief enough already , by spoiling the only skating that I could hope for through the winter .

we shall see nothing more of the lake till April ; and this was to have been my first day upon it !

don't you pity me , Primrose ? "

" O , to be sure ! " answered Primrose , laughing .

" I never heard of that before , " said Primrose .

" of course , you never did , " answered Eustace .

you may read it , word for word , in the pages that come next .

THE PARADISE OF CHILDREN .

her name was Pandora .

the first thing that Pandora saw , when she entered the cottage where Epimetheus dwelt , was a great box .

and almost the first question which she put to him , after crossing the threshold , was this ,

" Epimetheus , what have you in that box ? "

the box was left here to be kept safely , and I do not myself know what it contains . "

" but , who gave it to you ? " asked Pandora .

" and where did it come from ? "

" that is a secret , too , " replied Epimetheus .

" how provoking ! " exclaimed Pandora , pouting her lip .

" I wish the great ugly box were out of the way ! "

" O come , don't think of it , any more , " cried Epimetheus .

" let us run out of doors , and have some nice play with the other children . "

then , everybody was a child .

it was a very pleasant life indeed .

O , what a good time was that to be alive in !

" whence can the box have come ? "

Pandora continually kept saying to herself and to Epimetheus .

" and what in the world can be inside of it ? "

" always talking about this box ! " said Epimetheus , at last ; for he had grown extremely tired of the subject .

" I wish , dear Pandora , you would try to talk of something else .

come , let us go and gather some ripe figs , and eat them under the trees , for our supper .

and I know a vine that has the sweetest and juiciest grapes you ever tasted . "

" always talking about grapes and figs ! " cried Pandora , pettishly .

" I am tired of merry times , and don't care if I never have any more ! " answered our pettish little Pandora .

" and , besides , I never do have any .

this ugly box !

I am so taken up with thinking about it all the time .

I insist upon your telling me what is inside of it . "

" as I have already said , fifty times over , I do not know ! " replied Epimetheus , getting a little vexed .

" how , then , can I tell you what is inside ? "

" you might open it , " said Pandora , looking sideways at Epimetheus , " and then we could see for ourselves . "

" Pandora , what are you thinking of ? " exclaimed Epimetheus .

still , however , she could not help thinking and talking about the box .

" at least , " said she , " you can tell me how it came here . "

" what sort of a staff had he ? " asked Pandora .

" O , the most curious staff you ever saw ! " cried Epimetheus .

" I know him , " said Pandora , thoughtfully .

" nobody else has such a staff .

it was Quicksilver ; and he brought one hither , as well as the box .

" perhaps so , " answered Epimetheus , turning away .

" what a dull boy he is ! " muttered Pandora , as Epimetheus left the cottage .

" I do wish he had a little more enterprise ! "

for the first time since her arrival , Epimetheus had gone out without asking Pandora to accompany him .

so perseveringly as she did babble about this one thing !

the box , the box , and nothing but the box !

thus , a small vexation made as much disturbance , then , as a far bigger one would , in our own times .

after Epimetheus was gone , Pandora stood gazing at the box .

as the child had no other looking-glass , it is odd that she did not value the box , merely on this account .

the edges and corners of the box were carved with most wonderful skill .

nevertheless , on looking more closely , and touching the spot with her finger , she could discover nothing of the kind .

some face , that was really beautiful , had been made to look ugly by her catching a sideway glimpse at it .

the most beautiful face of all was done in what is called high relief , in the centre of the lid .

had the mouth spoken , it would probably have been something like this :

" do not be afraid , Pandora !

what harm can there be in opening the box ?

never mind that poor , simple Epimetheus !

you are wiser than he , and have ten times as much spirit .

open the box , and see if you do not find something very pretty ! "

there appeared to be no end to this knot , and no beginning .

never was a knot so cunningly twisted , nor with so many ins and outs , which roguishly defied the skilfullest fingers to disentangle them .

" I really believe , " said she to herself , " that I begin to see how it was done .

Nay , perhaps I could tie it up again , after undoing it .

there would be no harm in that , surely .

Even Epimetheus would not blame me for that .

when life is all sport , toil is the real play .

there was absolutely nothing to do .

and then , for the rest of the day , there was the box !

after all , I am not quite sure that the box was not a blessing to her in its way .

it supplied her with such a variety of ideas to think of , and to talk about , whenever she had anybody to listen !

or , if she chanced to be ill-tempered , she could give it a push , or kick it with her naughty little foot .

for it was really an endless employment to guess what was inside .

what could it be , indeed ?

do you think that you should be less curious than Pandora ?

if you were left alone with the box , might you not feel a little tempted to lift the lid ?

but you would not do it .

O , fie !

no , no !

and , possibly , a little more so ; but of that I am not quite so certain .

she was more than half determined to open it , if she could .

ah , naughty Pandora !

first , however , she tried to lift it .

it was heavy ; quite too heavy for the slender strength of a child , like Pandora .

she raised one end of the box a few inches from the floor , and let it fall again , with a pretty loud thump .

A moment afterwards , she almost fancied that she heard something stir , inside of the box .

she applied her ear as closely as possible , and listened .

positively , there did seem to be a kind of stifled murmur , within !

or was it merely the singing in Pandora 's ears ?

or could it be the beating of her heart ?

the child could not quite satisfy herself whether she had heard anything or no .

but , at all events , her curiosity was stronger than ever .

as she drew back her head , her eyes fell upon the knot of gold cord .

" it must have been a very ingenious person who tied this knot , " said Pandora to herself .

" but I think I could untie it , nevertheless .

I am resolved , at least , to find the two ends of the cord . "

so she took the golden knot in her fingers , and pried into its intricacies as sharply as she could .

almost without intending it , or quite knowing what she was about , she was soon busily engaged in attempting to undo it .

Pandora stopped to listen .

what a beautiful day it was !

" that face looks very mischievous , " thought Pandora .

" I wonder whether it smiles because I am doing wrong !

I have the greatest mind in the world to run away ! "

but just then , by the merest accident , she gave the knot a kind of a twist , which produced a wonderful result .

the gold cord untwined itself , as if by magic , and left the box without a fastening .

" this is the strangest thing I ever knew ! " said Pandora .

" what will Epimetheus say ?

and how can I possibly tie it up again ? "

she made one or two attempts to restore the knot , but soon found it quite beyond her skill .

nothing was to be done , therefore , but to let the box remain as it was , until Epimetheus should come in .

" but , " said Pandora , " when he finds the knot untied , he will know that I have done it .

how shall I make him believe that I have not looked into the box ? "

O , very naughty and very foolish Pandora !

" let us out , dear Pandora , pray let us out !

we will be such nice pretty playfellows for you !

only let us out ! "

" what can it be ? " thought Pandora .

" is there something alive in the box ?

well ! yes !

I am resolved to take just one peep !

only one peep ; and then the lid shall be shut down as safely as ever !

there cannot possibly be any harm in just one little peep ! "

but it is now time for us to see what Epimetheus was doing .

but nothing went right ; nor was he nearly so happy as on other days .

in short , he grew so uneasy and discontented , that the other children could not imagine what was the matter with Epimetheus .

neither did he himself know what ailed him , any better than they did .

the world had not yet learned to be otherwise .

but , as it happened , there was no need of his treading so very lightly .

she was too intent upon her purpose .

Epimetheus beheld her .

but Epimetheus himself , although he said very little about it , had his own share of curiosity to know what was inside .

and if there were anything pretty or valuable in the box , he meant to take half of it to himself .

so , whenever we blame Pandora for what happened , we must not forget to shake our heads at Epimetheus likewise .

but Pandora , heeding nothing of all this , lifted the lid nearly upright , and looked inside .

" O , I am stung ! " cried he .

" I am stung !

Naughty Pandora ! why have you opened this wicked box ? "

Pandora let fall the lid , and , starting up , looked about her , to see what had befallen Epimetheus .

the thundercloud had so darkened the room that she could not very clearly discern what was in it .

it was one of these that had stung Epimetheus .

had they been faithful to their trust , all would have gone well .

for it was impossible , as you will easily guess , that the two children should keep the ugly swarm in their own little cottage .

meanwhile , the naughty Pandora , and hardly less naughty Epimetheus , remained in their cottage .

of course , they were entirely unaccustomed to it , and could have no idea what it meant .

besides all this , they were in exceedingly bad humor , both with themselves and with one another .

she was crying bitterly , and sobbing as if her heart would break .

suddenly there was a gentle little tap , on the inside of the lid .

" what can that be ? " cried Pandora , lifting her head .

but either Epimetheus had not heard the tap , or was too much out of humor to notice it .

at any rate , he made no answer .

" you are very unkind , " said Pandora , sobbing anew , " not to speak to me ! "

again the tap !

it sounded like the tiny knuckles of a fairy 's hand , knocking lightly and playfully on the inside of the box .

" who are you ? " asked Pandora , with a little of her former curiosity .

" who are you , inside of this naughty box ? "

a sweet little voice spoke from within ,

" only lift the lid , and you shall see . "

" no , no , " answered Pandora , again beginning to sob , " I have had enough of lifting the lid !

you are inside of the box , naughty creature , and there you shall stay !

there are plenty of your ugly brothers and sisters already flying about the world .

you need never think that I shall be so foolish as to let you out ! "

she looked towards Epimetheus , as she spoke , perhaps expecting that he would commend her for her wisdom .

but the sullen boy only muttered that she was wise a little too late .

" ah , " said the sweet little voice again , " you had much better let me out .

I am not like those naughty creatures that have stings in their tails .

come , come , my pretty Pandora !

I am sure you will let me out ! "

Pandora 's heart had insensibly grown lighter , at every word that came from within the box .

Epimetheus , too , though still in the corner , had turned half round , and seemed to be in rather better spirits than before .

" my dear Epimetheus , " cried Pandora , " have you heard this little voice ? "

" yes , to be sure I have , " answered he , but in no very good-humor as yet .

" and what of it ? "

" shall I lift the lid again ? " asked Pandora .

" Just as you please , " said Epimetheus .

" you have done so much mischief already , that perhaps you may as well do a little more .

one other Trouble , in such a swarm as you have set adrift about the world , can make no very great difference . "

" you might speak a little more kindly ! " murmured Pandora , wiping her eyes .

" ah , naughty boy ! " cried the little voice within the box , in an arch and laughing tone .

" he knows he is longing to see me .

come , my dear Pandora , lift up the lid .

I am in a great hurry to comfort you .

" Epimetheus , " exclaimed Pandora , " come what may , I am resolved to open the box ! "

so , with one consent , the two children again lifted the lid .

Out flew a sunny and smiling little personage , and hovered about the room , throwing a light wherever she went .

have you never made the sunshine dance into dark corners , by reflecting it from a bit of looking-glass ?

well , so looked the winged cheerfulness of this fairylike stranger , amid the gloom of the cottage .

then she kissed Pandora on the forehead , and her hurt was cured likewise .

" pray , who are you , beautiful creature ? " inquired Pandora .

" I am to be called Hope ! " answered the sunshiny figure .

never fear ! we shall do pretty well , in spite of them all . "

" your wings are colored like the rainbow ! " exclaimed Pandora .

" how very beautiful ! "

" and will you stay with us , " asked Epimetheus , " for ever and ever ? "

there may come times and seasons , now and then , when you will think that I have utterly vanished .

yes , my dear children , and I know something very good and beautiful that is to be given you hereafter ! "

" O tell us , " they exclaimed , " tell us what it is ! "

" do not ask me , " replied Hope , putting her finger on her rosy mouth .

" but do not despair , even if it should never happen while you live on this earth .

trust in my promise , for it is true . "

" we do trust you ! " cried Epimetheus and Pandora , both in one breath .

and so they did ; and not only they , but so has everybody trusted Hope , that has since been alive .

I have felt them already , and expect to feel them more , as I grow older .

but then that lovely and lightsome little figure of Hope !

what in the world could we do without her ?

TANGLEWOOD PLAY-ROOM .

AFTER THE STORY .

" primrose , " asked Eustace , pinching her ear , " how do you like my little Pandora ?

don't you think her the exact picture of yourself ?

but you would not have hesitated half so long about opening the box . "

" every mite of it ! " answered Eustace .

" this very snow-storm , which has spoiled my skating , was packed up there . "

" and how big was the box ? " asked Sweet Fern .

" why , perhaps three feet long , " said Eustace , " two feet wide , and two feet and a half high . "

" ah , " said the child , " you are making fun of me , Cousin Eustace !

I know there is not trouble enough in the world to fill such a great box as that .

" hear the child ! " cried Primrose , with an air of superiority .

" how little he knows about the troubles of this world !

poor fellow !

he will be wiser when he has seen as much of life as I have . "

so saying , she began to skip the rope .

meantime , the day was drawing towards its close .

out of doors the scene certainly looked dreary .

had there been only one child at the window of Tanglewood , gazing at this wintry prospect , it would perhaps have made him sad .

End of Project Gutenberg 's The Paradise of Children , by Nathaniel Hawthorne

produced by David Widger

a WONDER-BOOK FOR GIRLS AND BOYS

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

THE THREE GOLDEN APPLES

CONTENTS :

TANGLEWOOD FIRESIDE Introductory to " the Three Golden Apples " THE THREE GOLDEN APPLES TANGLEWOOD FIRESIDE After the Story

INTRODUCTORY TO " THE THREE GOLDEN APPLES "

the snow-storm lasted another day ; but what became of it afterwards , I cannot possibly imagine .

the frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside .

how exceedingly pleasant !

and , to make it all the better , it was cold enough to nip one 's nose short off !

well , what a day of frosty sport was this !

why , what could have become of the child ?

then there was a great laugh .

there were adamantine icicles glittering around all its little cascades .

and , it being now almost sunset , Eustace thought that he had never beheld anything so fresh and beautiful as the scene .

when the sun was fairly down , our friend Eustace went home to eat his supper .

but , before he had hammered out the very first rhyme , the door opened , and Primrose and Periwinkle made their appearance .

" go away , children !

I can't be troubled with you now ! " cried the student , looking over his shoulder , with the pen between his fingers .

" what in the world do you want here ?

I thought you were all in bed ! "

" hear him , Periwinkle , trying to talk like a grown man ! " said Primrose .

" and he seems to forget that I am now thirteen years old , and may sit up almost as late as I please .

but , Cousin Eustace , you must put off your airs , and come with us to the drawing-room .

" Poh , poh , Primrose ! " exclaimed the student , rather vexed .

" I don't believe I can tell one of my stories in the presence of grown people .

" all this may be very true , " said Primrose , " but come you must !

so be a good boy , and come along . "

accordingly , without much more resistance , Eustace suffered Primrose and Periwinkle to drag him into the drawing-room .

on one side of the fireplace there were many shelves of books , gravely but richly bound .

and so he had .

at least , so I judge from a few of the incidents , which have come to me at second hand . "

" possibly not , " replied Mr. pringle .

" I suspect , however , that a young author 's most useful critic is precisely the one whom he would be least apt to choose .

pray oblige me , therefore . "

" Sympathy , methinks , should have some little share in the critic 's qualifications , " murmured Eustace Bright .

" however , sir , if you will find patience , I will find stories .

but be kind enough to remember that I am addressing myself to the imagination and sympathies of the children , not to your own . "

accordingly , the student snatched hold of the first theme which presented itself .

it was suggested by a plate of apples that he happened to spy on the mantel-piece .

THE THREE GOLDEN APPLES .

did you ever hear of the golden apples , that grew in the garden of the Hesperides ?

but there is not , I suppose , a graft of that wonderful fruit on a single tree in the wide world .

not so much as a seed of those apples exists any longer .

all had heard of them , but nobody remembered to have seen any .

adventurous young men , who desired to do a braver thing than any of their fellows , set out in quest of this fruit .

many of them returned no more ; none of them brought back the apples .

no wonder that they found it impossible to gather them !

in my opinion it was hardly worth running so much risk for the sake of a solid golden apple .

had the apples been sweet , mellow , and juicy , indeed that would be another matter .

there might then have been some sense in trying to get at them , in spite of the hundred-headed dragon .

and once the adventure was undertaken by a hero who had enjoyed very little peace or rest since he came into the world .

as he went on his way , he continually inquired whether that were the right road to the famous garden .

the young women had been having a fine time together , weaving the flowers into wreaths , and crowning one another 's heads .

but , on hearing the stranger 's question , they dropped all their flowers on the grass , and gazed at him with astonishment .

" the garden of the Hesperides ! " cried one .

" we thought mortals had been weary of seeking it , after so many disappointments .

and pray , adventurous traveller , what do you want there ? "

do you , then , love this king , your cousin , so very much ? "

" perhaps not , " replied the stranger , sighing .

" he has often been severe and cruel to me .

but it is my destiny to obey him . "

" I know it well , " answered the stranger , calmly .

but , then , the dragon with a hundred heads !

what mortal , even if he possessed a hundred lives , could hope to escape the fangs of such a monster ?

" go back , " cried they all , " go back to your own home !

No matter for the golden apples !

No matter for the king , your cruel cousin !

we do not wish the dragon with the hundred heads to eat you up ! "

the stranger seemed to grow impatient at these remonstrances .

he carelessly lifted his mighty club , and let it fall upon a rock that lay half buried in the earth , near by .

with the force of that idle blow , the great rock was shattered all to pieces .

" but the dragon of the Hesperides , you know , " observed one of the damsels , " has a hundred heads ! "

" nevertheless , " replied the stranger , " I would rather fight two such dragons than a single hydra .

so I was forced to bury it under a stone , where it is doubtless alive , to this vary day .

but the hydra 's body , and its eight other heads , will never do any further mischief . "

besides all this , he took to himself great credit for having cleaned out a stable .

" do you call that a wonderful exploit ? " asked one of the young maidens , with a smile .

" any clown in the country has done as much ! "

" had it been an ordinary stable , " replied the stranger , " I should not have mentioned it .

that did the business in a very short time ! "

" was it the girdle of Venus , " inquired the prettiest of the damsels , " which makes women beautiful ? "

" no , " answered the stranger .

" it had formerly been the sword-belt of Mars ; and it can only make the wearer valiant and courageous . "

" an old sword-belt ! " cried the damsel , tossing her head .

" then I should not care about having it ! "

" you are right , " said the stranger .

this was a very odd and frightful sort of figure , as you may well believe .

any person , looking at his tracks in the sand or snow , would suppose that three sociable companions had been walking along together .

on hearing his footsteps at , a little distance , it was no more than reasonable to judge that several people must be coming .

but it was only the strange man Geryon clattering onward , with his six legs !

six legs , and one gigantic body !

certainly , he must have been a very queer monster to look at ; and , my stars , what a waste of shoe-leather !

when the stranger had finished the story of his adventures , he looked around at the attentive faces of the maidens .

" perhaps you may have heard of me before , " said he , modestly .

" my name is Hercules ! "

" we had already guessed it , " replied the maidens ; " for your wonderful deeds are known all over the world .

we do not think it strange , any longer , that you should set out in quest of the golden apples of the Hesperides .

come , sisters , let us crown the hero with flowers ! "

then they flung beautiful wreaths over his stately head and mighty shoulders , so that the lion 's skin was almost entirely covered with roses .

it looked all like a huge bunch of flowers .

but , still , he was not satisfied .

" ah ! must you go so soon ? " they exclaimed .

Hercules shook his head .

" I must depart now , " said he .

" we will then give you the best directions we can , " replied the damsels .

" the Old One ! " repeated Hercules , laughing at this odd name .

" and , pray , who may the Old One be ? "

" why , the Old Man of the Sea , to be sure ! " answered one of the damsels .

you must talk with this Old Man of the Sea .

Hercules then asked whereabouts the Old One was most likely to be met with .

but , before he was out of hearing , one of the maidens called after him .

" do not be astonished at anything that may happen .

only hold him fast , and he will tell you what you wish to know . "

Hercules again thanked her , and pursued his way , while the maidens resumed their pleasant labor of making flower-wreaths .

they talked about the hero , long after he was gone .

meanwhile , Hercules travelled constantly onward , over hill and dale , and through the solitary woods .

sometimes he swung his club aloft , and splintered a mighty oak with a downright blow .

but thus it always is with persons who are destined to perform great things .

what they have already done seems less than nothing .

what they have taken in hand to do seems worth toil , danger , and life itself .

persons who happened to be passing through the forest must have been affrighted to see him smite the trees with his great club .

hastening forward , without ever pausing or looking behind , he by and by heard the sea roaring at a distance .

a carpet of verdant grass , largely intermixed with sweet-smelling clover , covered the narrow space between the bottom of the cliff and the sea .

and what should Hercules espy there , but an old man , fast asleep !

but was it really and truly an old man ?

well , the old man would have put you in mind of just such a wave-tost spar !

yes ; it was the selfsame Old Man of the Sea , whom the hospitable maidens had talked to him about .

as you may easily imagine , the Old Man of the Sea awoke in a fright .

but his astonishment could hardly have been greater than was that of Hercules , the next moment .

but still he kept fast hold .

but the bird could not get away .

but Hercules would not let him go .

but Hercules held on .

but Hercules was no whit disheartened , and squeezed the great snake so tightly that he soon began to hiss with pain .

for , one of the hardest things in this world is , to see the difference between real dangers and imaginary ones .

" why do you squeeze me so hard ?

let me go , this moment , or I shall begin to consider you an extremely uncivil person ! "

" my name is Hercules ! " roared the mighty stranger .

the Old One was an inhabitant of the sea , you must recollect , and roamed about everywhere , like other sea-faring people .

and the giant , if he happens to be in the humor , will tell you exactly where the garden of the Hesperides lies . "

thanking the Old Man of the Sea , and begging his pardon for having squeezed him so roughly , the hero resumed his journey .

his name was Antreus .

I have sometimes argued with such people , but never fought with one .

nothing was before him , save the foaming , dashing , measureless ocean .

it evidently drew nearer ; for , at every instant , this wonderful object became larger and more lustrous .

how it had got afloat upon the sea , is more than I can tell you .

and , true enough , what a cup it must have been !

it was as large as large but , in short , I am afraid to say how immeasurably large it was .

the waves tumbled it onward , until it grazed against the shore , within a short distance of the spot where Hercules was standing .

he had scarcely rested , until now , since he bade farewell to the damsels on the margin of the river .

the noise awoke Hercules , who instantly started up and gazed around him , wondering whereabouts he was .

and , on that island , what do you think he saw ?

no ; you will never guess it , not if you were to try fifty thousand times !

it was a giant !

but such an intolerably big giant !

this does really seem almost too much to believe .

meanwhile , the bright cup continued to float onward , and finally touched the strand .

what the sky was to the giant , such are the cares of earth to those who let themselves be weighed down by them .

poor fellow !

he had evidently stood there a long while .

" who are you , down at my feet there ?

and whence do you come , in that little cup ? "

" I am Hercules ! " thundered back the hero , in a voice pretty nearly or quite as loud as the giant 's own .

" and I am seeking for the garden of the Hesperides ! "

" Ho ! ho ! ho ! " roared the giant , in a fit of immense laughter .

" that is a wise adventure , truly ! "

" and why not ? " cried Hercules , getting a little angry at the giant 's mirth .

" do you think I am afraid of the dragon with a hundred heads ! "

at last , the storm swept over , as suddenly as it had come .

so far above the shower had been his head , that not a hair of it was moistened by the rain-drops !

when the giant could see Hercules still standing on the sea-shore , he roared out to him anew .

" I am Atlas , the mightiest giant in the world !

and I hold the sky upon my head ! "

" so I see , " answered Hercules .

" but , can you show me the way to the garden of the Hesperides ? "

" what do you want there ? " asked the giant .

" I want three of the golden apples , " shouted Hercules , " for my cousin , the king . "

" you are very kind , " replied Hercules .

" and cannot you rest the sky upon a mountain ? "

" none of them are quite high enough , " said Atlas , shaking his head .

you seem to be a fellow of some strength .

what if you should take my burden on your shoulders , while I do your errand for you ? "

nevertheless , it seemed so difficult an undertaking , that , for the first time in his life , he hesitated .

" is the sky very heavy ? " he inquired .

" why , not particularly so , at first , " answered the giant , shrugging his shoulders .

" but it gets to be a little burdensome , after a thousand years ! "

" and how long a time , " asked the hero , " will it take you to get the golden apples ? "

" O , that will be done in a few moments , " cried Atlas .

accordingly , without more words , the sky was shifted from the shoulders of Atlas , and placed upon those of Hercules .

next , he slowly lifted one of his feet out of the forest that had grown up around it ; then , the other .

this was the greatest depth of the sea .

at last the gigantic shape faded entirely out of view .

if any such misfortune were to happen , how could he ever get rid of the sky ?

and , by the by , its weight began already to be a little irksome to his head and shoulders .

" I really pity the poor giant , " thought Hercules .

" if it wearies me so much in ten minutes , how must it have wearied him in a thousand years ! "

he began to be afraid that the giant would never come back .

why , if he did not stand perfectly still , and keep the sky immovable , the sun would perhaps be put ajar !

" I am glad to see you again , " shouted Hercules , when the giant was within hearing .

" so you have got the golden apples ? "

" certainly , certainly , " answered Atlas ; " and very fair apples they are .

I took the finest that grew on the tree , I assure you .

ah ! it is a beautiful spot , that garden of the Hesperides .

yes ; and the dragon with a hundred heads is a sight worth any man 's seeing .

after all , you had better have gone for the apples yourself . "

" no matter , " replied Hercules .

" you have had a pleasant ramble , and have done the business as well as I could .

I heartily thank you for your trouble .

cannot I carry the golden apples to the king , your cousin , much quicker than you could ?

as his majesty is in such a hurry to get them , I promise you to take my longest strides .

and , besides , I have no fancy for burdening myself with the sky , just now . "

here Hercules grew impatient , and gave a great shrug of his shoulders .

it being now twilight , you might have seen two or three stars tumble out of their places .

everybody on earth looked upward in affright , thinking that the sky might be going to fall next .

" O , that will never do ! " cried Giant Atlas , with a great roar of laughter .

" I have not let fall so many stars within the last five centuries .

by the time you have stood there as long as I did , you will begin to learn patience ! "

" what ! " shouted Hercules , very wrathfully , " do you intend to make me bear this burden forever ? "

" we will see about that , one of these days , " answered the giant .

I bore it a good while longer , in spite of the back-ache .

well , then , after a thousand years , if I happen to feel in the mood , we may possibly shift about again .

you are certainly a very strong man , and can never have a better opportunity to prove it .

posterity will talk of you , I warrant it ! "

" Pish ! a fig for its talk ! " cried Hercules , with another hitch of his shoulders .

" just take the sky upon your head one instant , will you ?

I want to make a cushion of my lion 's skin , for the weight to rest upon .

it really chafes me , and will cause unnecessary inconvenience in so many centuries as I am to stand here . "

" for just five minutes , then , I 'll take back the sky .

only for five minutes , recollect !

I have no idea of spending another thousand years as I spent the last .

variety is the spice of life , say I . "

ah , the thick-witted old rogue of a giant !

TANGLEWOOD FIRESIDE .

AFTER THE STORY .

and how long was his little finger ? "

" as long as from Tanglewood to the lake , " said Eustace .

" sure enough , that was a giant ! " repeated Sweet Fern , in an ecstasy at the precision of these measurements .

" and how broad , I wonder , were the shoulders of Hercules ? "

" that is what I have never been able to find out , " answered the student .

" they were bigger , " said Eustace , " than the great chestnut-tree which stands beyond Captain Smith 's house . "

pray let me advise you never more to meddle with a classical myth .

your imagination is altogether Gothic , and will inevitably Gothicize everything that you touch .

the effect is like bedaubing a marble statue with paint .

this giant , now !

" I described the giant as he appeared to me , " replied the student , rather piqued .

they are the common property of the world , and of all time .

Mr. pringle could not forbear a smile .

" which you , doubtless , were born to remedy , " said Mr . pringle , laughing outright .

" well , well , go on ; but take my advice , and never put any of your travesties on paper .

and , as your next effort , what if you should try your hand on some one of the legends of Apollo ? "

but I will turn over your suggestion in my mind , and do not quite despair of success . "

Eustace Bright went back to the study , and again endeavored to hammer out some verses , but fell asleep between two of the rhymes .

End of Project Gutenberg 's The Three Golden Apples , by Nathaniel Hawthorne

produced by David Widger

a WONDER-BOOK FOR GIRLS AND BOYS

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

THE MIRACULOUS PITCHER

CONTENTS :

THE HILLSIDE .

Introductory to " the Miraculous Pitcher " THE MIRACULOUS PITCHER THE HILLSIDE After the Story

INTRODUCTORY TO " THE MIRACULOUS PITCHER "

and when , and where , do you think we find the children next ?

no longer in the winter-time , but in the merry month of May .

they had set out from home with the mighty purpose of climbing this high hill , even to the very tiptop of its bald head .

and was Cousin Eustace with the party ?

of that you may be certain ; else how could the book go on a step further ?

this expedition up the mountain was entirely of his contrivance .

that sociablest of flowers , the little Housatonia , was very abundant .

there were wild geraniums , too , and a thousand white blossoms of the strawberry .

it knew , I suppose , how beautiful and sweet-scented they were .

So cunning was their concealment , that the children sometimes smelt the delicate richness of their perfume , before they knew whence it proceeded .

they had done with summer before the summer came .

within those small globes of winged seeds it was autumn now !

well , but we must not waste our valuable pages with any more talk about the spring-time and wild flowers .

there is something , we hope , more interesting to be talked about .

Hereupon they brighten up , and change their grieved looks into the broadest kind of smiles .

THE MIRACULOUS PITCHER .

they had already eaten their frugal supper , and intended now to spend a quiet hour or two before bedtime .

" Well-a-day ! " answered old Baucis , " I do wish our neighbors felt a little more kindness for their fellow-creatures .

" those children will never come to any good , " said Philemon , shaking his white head .

" that ' s right , husband ! " said Baucis .

" so we will ! "

these old folks , you must know , were quite poor , and had to work pretty hard for a living .

this valley , in past ages , when the world was new , had probably been the bed of a lake .

never was there a prettier or more fruitful valley .

they were a very selfish and hard-hearted people , and had no pity for the poor , nor sympathy with the homeless .

you will hardly believe what I am going to tell you .

they would take off their hats , and make the humblest bows you ever saw .

there was a confused din , which lasted a good while , and seemed to pass quite through the breadth of the valley .

" I never heard the dogs so loud ! " observed the good old man .

" nor the children so rude ! " answered his good old wife .

close behind them came the fierce dogs , snarling at their very heels .

and this , I am afraid , was the reason why the villagers had allowed their children and dogs to treat them so rudely .

" come , wife , " said Philemon to Baucis , " let us go and meet these poor people .

no doubt , they feel almost too heavy-hearted to climb the hill . "

a comfortable bowl of bread and milk would do wonders towards raising their spirits . "

accordingly , she hastened into the cottage .

" welcome , strangers ! welcome ! "

" thank you ! " replied the younger of the two , in a lively kind of way , notwithstanding his weariness and trouble .

" this is quite another greeting than we have met with yonder , in the village .

pray , why do you live in such a bad neighborhood ? "

one thing , certainly , seemed queer .

" I used to be light-footed , in my youth , " said Philemen to the traveller .

" but I always found my feet grow heavier towards nightfall . "

this staff , in fact , was the oddest-looking staff that Philemon had ever beheld .

it was made of olive-wood , and had something like a little pair of wings near the top .

" a curious piece of work , sure enough ! " said he .

" A staff with wings !

it would be an excellent kind of stick for a little boy to ride astride of ! "

by this time , Philemon and his two guests had reached the cottage-door .

" Friends , " said the old man , " sit down and rest yourselves here on this bench .

my good wife Baucis has gone to see what you can have for supper .

we are poor folks ; but you shall be welcome to whatever we have in the cupboard . "

the younger stranger threw himself carelessly on the bench , letting his staff fall , as he did so .

and here happened something rather marvellous , though trifling enough , too .

there it stood quite still , except that the snakes continued to wriggle .

but , in my private opinion , old Philemon 's eyesight had been playing him tricks again .

before he could ask any questions , the elder stranger drew his attention from the wonderful staff , by speaking to him .

" not in my day , friend , " answered Philemon ; " and yet I am an old man , as you see .

" that is more than can be safely foretold , " observed the stranger ; and there was something very stern in his deep voice .

but , in a moment afterwards , the stranger 's face became so kindly and mild , that the old man quite forgot his terror .

while Baucis was getting the supper , the travellers both began to talk very sociably with Philemon .

" why , I am very nimble , as you see , " answered the traveller .

" so , if you call me Quicksilver , the name will fit tolerably well . "

" quicksilver ?

quicksilver ? " repeated Philemon , looking in the traveller 's face , to see if he were making fun of him .

" it is a very odd name !

and your companion there ?

has he as strange a one ? "

" you must ask the thunder to tell it you ! " replied Quicksilver , putting on a mysterious look .

" no other voice is loud enough . "

but Philemon , simple and kind-hearted old man that he was , had not many secrets to disclose .

he told what excellent butter and cheese Baucis made , and how nice were the vegetables which he raised in his garden .

as the stranger listened , a smile beamed over his countenance , and made its expression as sweet as it was grand .

it is fit that your wish be granted . "

but I took the most part of to-day 's milk to make cheese ; and our last loaf is already half eaten .

ah me !

I never feel the sorrow of being poor , save when a poor traveller knocks at our door . "

" all will be very well ; do not trouble yourself , my good dame , " replied the elder stranger , kindly .

I think I never felt hungrier in my life . "

" Mercy on us ! " whispered Baucis to her husband .

" if the young man has such a terrible appetite , I am afraid there will not be half enough supper ! "

they all went into the cottage .

and now , my little auditors , shall I tell you something that will make you open your eyes very wide ?

it is really one of the oddest circumstances in the whole story .

quicksilver 's staff , you recollect , had set itself up against the wall of the cottage .

as Baucis had said , there was but a scanty supper for two hungry travellers .

there was a pretty good bunch of grapes for each of the guests .

alas ! it is a very sad business , when a bountiful heart finds itself pinched and squeezed among narrow circumstances .

and , since the supper was so exceedingly small , she could not help wishing that their appetites had not been quite so large .

why , at their very first sitting down , the travellers both drank off all the milk in their two bowls , at a draught .

" a little more milk , kind Mother Baucis , if you please , " said Quicksilver .

" the day has been hot , and I am very much athirst . "

" now , my dear people , " answered Baucis , in great confusion , " I am so sorry and ashamed !

but the truth is , there is hardly a drop more milk in the pitcher .

O husband ! husband ! why did n't we go without our supper ? "

here is certainly more milk in the pitcher . "

the good woman could scarcely believe her eyes .

" but I am old , " thought Baucis to herself , " and apt to be forgetful .

I suppose I must have made a mistake .

at all events , the pitcher cannot , help being empty now , after filling the bowls twice over . "

" what excellent milk ! " observed Quicksilver , after quaffing the contents of the second bowl .

" excuse me , my kind hostess , but I must really ask you for a little more . "

of course , there could not possibly be any left .

and then what a delicious fragrance the milk had !

I only wish that each of you , my beloved little souls , could have a bowl of such nice milk , at supper-time !

yet , what other loaf could it possibly be ?

but , oh the honey !

I may just as well let it alone , without trying to describe how exquisitely it smelt and looked .

never was such honey tasted , seen , or smelt .

" did you ever hear the like ? " asked she .

" no , I never did , " answered Philemon , with a smile .

" and I rather think , my dear old wife , you have been walking about in a sort of a dream .

if I had poured out the milk , I should have seen through the business , at once .

there happened to be a little more in the pitcher than you thought , that is all . "

" ah , husband , " said Baucis , " say what you will , these are very uncommon people . "

" well , well , " replied Philemon , still smiling , " perhaps they are .

each of the guests had now taken his bunch of grapes upon his plate .

it was entirely a mystery to her how such grapes could ever have been produced from the old stunted vine that climbed against the cottage-wall .

" very admirable grapes these ! " observed Quicksilver , as he swallowed one after another , without apparently diminishing his cluster .

" pray , my good host , whence did you gather them ? "

" from my own vine , " answered Philemon .

" you may see one of its branches twisting across the window , yonder .

but wife and I never thought the grapes very fine ones . "

" I never tasted better , " said the guest .

" another cup of this delicious milk , if you please , and I shall then have supped better than a prince . "

it was lucky that Philemon , in his surprise , did not drop the miraculous pitcher from his hand .

" who are ye , wonder-working strangers ? " cried he , even more bewildered than his wife had been .

the supper being now over , the strangers requested to be shown to their place of repose .

but the elder traveller had inspired them with such reverence , that they dared not ask him any questions .

I can't tell what to make of my staff .

it is always playing such odd tricks as this ; sometimes getting me a supper , and , quite as often , stealing it away .

if I had any faith in such nonsense , I should say the stick was bewitched ! "

he said no more , but looked so slyly in their faces , that they rather fancied he was laughing at them .

the magic staff went hopping at his heels , as Quicksilver quitted the room .

so they all four issued from the cottage , chatting together like old friends .

" ah me !

Well-a-day ! " exclaimed Philemon , when they had walked a little way from their door .

" it is a sin and shame for them to behave so , that it is ! " cried good old Baucis , vehemently .

" and I mean to go this very day , and tell some of then what naughty people they are ! "

" I fear , " remarked Quicksilver , slyly smiling , " that you will find none of them at home . "

they gazed reverently into his face , as if they had been gazing at the sky .

on which side of us does it lie ?

Methinks I do not see it hereabouts . "

but what was their astonishment !

there was no longer any appearance of a village !

even the fertile vale , in the hollow of which it lay , had ceased to have existence .

for an instant , the lake remained perfectly smooth .

the village had been there yesterday , and now was gone !

" alas ! " cried these kind-hearted old people , " what has become of our poor neighbors ? "

" and as for those foolish people , " said Quicksilver , with his mischievous smile , " they are all transformed to fishes .

there needed but little change , for they were already a scaly set of rascals , and the coldest-blooded beings in existence .

" no , " added Philemon , making a wry face , " we could never relish them ! "

thus , the divinities have feasted , at your board , off the same viands that supply their banquets on Olympus .

you have done well , my dear old friends .

Wherefore , request whatever favor you have most at heart , and it is granted . "

" let us live together , while we live , and leave the world at the same instant , when we die !

for we have always loved one another ! "

" be it so ! " replied the stranger , with majestic kindness .

" now , look towards your cottage ! "

they did so .

" there is your home , " said the stranger , beneficently smiling on them both .

" exercise your hospitality in yonder palace , as freely as in the poor hovel to which you welcomed us last evening . "

the old folks fell on their knees to thank him ; but , behold ! neither he nor Quicksilver was there .

thus the old couple lived in their palace a great , great while , and grew older and older , and very old indeed .

the guests searched everywhere , from top to bottom of the spacious palace , and all to no purpose .

one was an oak , and the other a linden-tree .

and then there was a deep , broad murmur in the air , as if the two mysterious trees were speaking .

" I am old Philemon ! " murmured the oak .

" I am old Baucis ! " murmured the linden-tree .

but , as the breeze grew stronger , the trees both spoke at once , " Philemon !

Baucis !

Baucis !

Philemon ! " as if one were both and both were one , and talking together in the depths of their mutual heart .

and oh , what a hospitable shade did they fling around them !

" welcome , welcome , dear traveller , welcome ! "

and I wish , for all our sakes , that we had the pitcher here now !

THE HILLSIDE .

AFTER THE STORY .

" how much did the pitcher hold ? " asked Sweet Fern .

" and what has become of the pitcher now ? " inquired the little boy .

" it was broken , I am sorry to say , about twenty-five thousand years ago , " replied Cousin Eustace .

so , you see , it was no better than any other cracked earthen pitcher . "

" what a pity ! " cried all the children at once .

End of Project Gutenberg 's The Miraculous Pitcher , by Nathaniel Hawthorne

transcribed by David Price , email @email@

THE WATER BABIES

CHAPTER I

WORDSWORTH .

once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep , and his name was Tom .

that is a short name , and you have heard it before , so you will not have much trouble in remembering it .

he had never been taught to say his prayers .

he cried half his time , and laughed the other half .

and he would have apprentices , one , two , three , if he could .

one day a smart little groom rode into the court where Tom lived .

and Tom thought so likewise , and , indeed , would have done and behaved his best , even without being knocked down .

now , I dare say , you never got up at three o'clock on a midsummer morning .

all else was silent .

for old Mrs Earth was still fast asleep ; and , like many pretty people , she looked still prettier asleep than awake .

soon they came up with a poor Irishwoman , trudging along with a bundle at her back .

she had a gray shawl over her head , and a crimson madder petticoat ; so you may be sure she came from Galway .

and she took Mr. grimes ' fancy so much , that when he came alongside he called out to her :

" this is a hard road for a gradely foot like that .

will ye up , lass , and ride behind me ? "

but , perhaps , she did not admire Mr. grimes ' look and voice ; for she answered quietly :

" no , thank you : I 'd sooner walk with your little lad here . "

" you may please yourself , " growled Grimes , and went on smoking .

then he asked her where she lived , and she said far away by the sea .

and there Grimes stopped , and looked ; and Tom looked too .

tom was wondering whether anything lived in that dark cave , and came out at night to fly in the meadows .

but Grimes was not wondering at all .

Tom was picking the flowers as fast as he could .

the Irishwoman helped him , and showed him how to tie them up ; and a very pretty nosegay they had made between them .

" why , master , I never saw you do that before . "

" nor will again , most likely .

' Twasn't for cleanliness I did it , but for coolness .

I 'd be ashamed to want washing every week or so , like any smutty collier lad . "

" I wish I might go and dip my head in , " said poor little Tom .

" it must be as good as putting it under the town-pump ; and there is no beadle here to drive a chap away . "

" thou come along , " said Grimes ; " what dost want with washing thyself ?

thou did not drink half a gallon of beer last night , like me . "

" I don't care for you , " said naughty Tom , and ran down to the stream , and began washing his face .

" are you not ashamed of yourself , Thomas Grimes ? " cried the Irishwoman over the wall .

" true for you .

if you ever had been ashamed of yourself , you would have gone over into Vendale long ago . "

" what do you know about Vendale ? " shouted Grimes ; but he left off beating Tom .

" I know about Vendale , and about you , too .

I know , for instance , what happened in Aldermire Copse , by night , two years ago come Martinmas . "

" you do ? " shouted Grimes ; and leaving Tom , he climbed up over the wall , and faced the woman .

Tom thought he was going to strike her ; but she looked him too full and fierce in the face for that .

" yes ; I was there , " said the Irishwoman quietly .

" you are no Irishwoman , by your speech , " said Grimes , after many bad words .

" never mind who I am .

I saw what I saw ; and if you strike that boy again , I can tell what I know . "

grimes seemed quite cowed , and got on his donkey without another word .

" stop ! " said the Irishwoman .

" I have one more word for you both ; for you will both see me again before all is over .

those that wish to be clean , clean they will be ; and those that wish to be foul , foul they will be .

remember . "

and she turned away , and through a gate into the meadow .

grimes stood still a moment , like a man who had been stunned .

then he rushed after her , shouting , " you come back . "

but when he got into the meadow , the woman was not there .

had she hidden away ?

there was no place to hide in .

and now they had gone three miles and more , and came to Sir John 's lodge-gates .

grimes rang at the gate , and out came a keeper on the spot , and opened .

" I was told to expect thee , " he said .

I shall look sharp for one , I tell thee . "

" if that 's thy sort , I may as well walk up with thee to the hall . "

" I think thou best had .

it 's thy business to see after thy game , man , and not mine . "

so the keeper went with them ; and , to Tom 's surprise , he and Grimes chatted together all the way quite pleasantly .

he did not know that a keeper is only a poacher turned outside in , and a poacher a keeper turned inside out .

tom had never seen such enormous trees , and as he looked up he fancied that the blue sky rested on their heads .

but he was puzzled very much by a strange murmuring noise , which followed them all the way .

so much puzzled , that at last he took courage to ask the keeper what it was .

" what are bees ? " asked Tom .

" what make honey . "

" what is honey ? " asked Tom .

" thou hold thy noise , " said Grimes .

" let the boy be , " said the keeper .

" he 's a civil young chap now , and that 's more than he 'll be long if he bides with thee . "

grimes laughed , for he took that for a compliment .

the keeper laughed ; he was a kind-hearted fellow enough .

" let well alone , lad , and ill too at times .

thy life 's safer than mine at all events , eh , Mr. grimes ? "

and Grimes laughed again , and then the two men began talking , quite low .

" not now . "

" then don't ask me any questions till thou hast , for I am a man of honour . "

and at that they both laughed again , and thought it a very good joke .

these last were very difficult questions to answer .

for the attics were Anglo-Saxon .

the third door Norman .

the second Cinque-cento .

the first-floor Elizabethan .

the right wing Pure Doric .

the centre Early English , with a huge portico copied from the Parthenon .

the grand staircase was copied from the Catacombs at Rome .

the back staircase from the Tajmahal at Agra .

the cellars were copied from the caves of Elephanta .

the offices from the Pavilion at Brighton .

and the rest from nothing in heaven , or earth , or under the earth .

but he always put them off , like a canny North-countryman as he was .

Tom had never seen the like .

and now he saw , and he thought the sight very pretty .

the carpet was all over gay little flowers ; and the walls were hung with pictures in gilt frames , which amused Tom very much .

there were pictures of ladies and gentlemen , and pictures of horses and dogs .

that was a very pretty picture , Tom thought , to hang in a lady 's room .

for he could see that it was a lady 's room by the dresses which lay about .

the other picture was that of a man nailed to a cross , which surprised Tom much .

he fancied that he had seen something like it in a shop-window .

but why was it there ?

" poor man , " thought Tom , " and he looks so kind and quiet .

but why should the lady have such a sad picture as that in her room ?

and Tom felt sad , and awed , and turned to look at something else .

and then , looking toward the bed , he saw that dirty lady , and held his breath with astonishment .

under the snow-white coverlet , upon the snow-white pillow , lay the most beautiful little girl that Tom had ever seen .

her cheeks were almost as white as the pillow , and her hair was like threads of gold spread all about over the bed .

she might have been as old as Tom , or maybe a year or two older ; but Tom did not think of that .

no .

she cannot be dirty .

she never could have been dirty , thought Tom to himself .

and then he thought , " and are all people like that when they are washed ? "

and he looked at his own wrist , and tried to rub the soot off , and wondered whether it ever would come off .

" certainly I should look much prettier then , if I grew at all like her . "

he turned on it angrily .

what did such a little black ape want in that sweet young lady 's room ?

and behold , it was himself , reflected in a great mirror , the like of which Tom had never seen before .

Up jumped the little white lady in her bed , and , seeing Tom , screamed as shrill as any peacock .

but she did not hold him .

he did not need to drop out , though he would have done so bravely enough .

but all under the window spread a tree , with great leaves and sweet white flowers , almost as big as his head .

grimes upset the soot-sack in the new-gravelled yard , and spoilt it all utterly ; but he ran out and gave chase to Tom .

and all the while poor Tom paddled up the park with his little bare feet , like a small black gorilla fleeing to the forest .

Wherefore his pursuers found it very difficult to catch him ; and we will hope that they did not catch him at all .

Tom , of course , made for the woods .

if he had not known that , he would have been foolisher than a mouse or a minnow .

but when he got into the wood , he found it a very different sort of place from what he had fancied .

he pushed into a thick cover of rhododendrons , and found himself at once caught in a trap .

but how to get out was the difficult matter .

and so Tom hurt his head ; but he was a brave boy , and did not mind that a penny .

he guessed that over the wall the cover would end ; and up it he went , and over like a squirrel .

now , Tom was a cunning little fellow as cunning as an old Exmoor stag .

why not ?

he knew as well as a stag , that if he backed he might throw the hounds out .

but the Irishwoman , alone of them all , had seen which way Tom went .

she had kept ahead of every one the whole time ; and yet she neither walked nor ran .

but when she came to the plantation , they lost sight of her ; and they could do no less .

for she went quietly over the wall after Tom , and followed him wherever he went .

Sir John and the rest saw no more of her ; and out of sight was out of mind .

he thought the ground had blown up , and the end of the world come .

but his wife had heard that so often that she knew all about it , and a little more .

but he went more and more slowly as he got higher up the hill ; for now the ground grew very bad indeed .

but he could see nothing to eat anywhere , and still less to drink .

the heath was full of bilberries and whimberries ; but they were only in flower yet , for it was June .

and as for water ; who can find that on the top of a limestone rock ?

how he longed to get down to it , and cool his poor baked lips !

but , brave little chimney-sweep as he was , he dared not climb down such chimneys as those .

so he set off again , to look for the church ; for he was sure that he heard the bells quite plain .

and so it was ; for , from the top of the mountain he could see what could he not see ?

before him lay , spread out like a map , great plains , and farms , and villages , amid dark knots of trees .

they all seemed at his very feet ; but he had sense to see that they were long miles away .

and to his right rose moor after moor , hill after hill , till they faded away , blue into blue sky .

oh , if he could but get down to that stream !

then , by the stream , he saw the roof of a little cottage , and a little garden set out in squares and beds .

and there was a tiny little red thing moving in the garden , no bigger than a fly .

as Tom looked down , he saw that it was a woman in a red petticoat .

ah ! perhaps she would give him something to eat .

and there were the church-bells ringing again .

surely there must be a village down there .

well , nobody would know him , or what had happened at the Place .

shrink from me , turn from me , mother and child .

as I lose myself in the infinite main , Like a soul that has sinned and is pardoned again .

Undefiled , for the undefiled ; Play by me , bathe in me , mother and child .

so Tom went down ; and all the while he never saw the Irishwoman going down behind him .

CHAPTER II

SPENSER .

a mile off , and a thousand feet down .

and still he thought he could throw a stone into the garden .

there was no heath there , but -

then bump down a two-foot step of limestone .

then another bit of grass and flowers .

then bump down a one-foot step .

I wish it was all over ; and so did he .

and yet he thought he could throw a stone into the old woman 's garden .

he did not know that it was three hundred feet below .

you would have been giddy , perhaps , at looking down : but Tom was not .

and all the while he never saw the Irishwoman coming down behind him .

but he was getting terribly tired now .

but , of course , he dirtied everything , terribly as he went .

there has been a great black smudge all down the crag ever since .

at last he got to the bottom .

but , behold , it was not the bottom as people usually find when they are coming down a mountain .

he could not get on .

the sun was burning , and yet he felt chill all over .

he was quite empty , and yet he felt quite sick .

there was but two hundred yards of smooth pasture between him and the cottage , and yet he could not walk down it .

he lay down on the grass till the beetles ran over him , and the flies settled on his nose .

I don't know when he would have got up again , if the gnats and the midges had not taken compassion on him .

" what art thou , and what dost want ? " cried the old dame .

" a chimney-sweep !

away with thee !

I 'll have no sweeps here . "

" water , " said poor little Tom , quite faint .

" water ?

there 's plenty i ' the beck , " she said , quite sharply .

" but I can't get there ; I 'm most clemmed with hunger and drought . "

and Tom sank down upon the door-step , and laid his head against the post .

" water , " said Tom .

" God forgive me ! " and she put by her spectacles , and rose , and came to Tom .

" water 's bad for thee ; I 'll give thee milk . "

and she toddled off into the next room , and brought a cup of milk and a bit of bread .

Tom drank the milk off at one draught , and then looked up , revived .

" where didst come from ? " said the dame .

" over Fell , there , " said Tom , and pointed up into the sky .

" over Harthover ? and down Lewthwaite Crag ?

art sure thou art not lying ? "

" why should I ? " said Tom , and leant his head against the post .

" and how got ye up there ? "

" bless thy little heart !

and thou hast not been stealing , then ? "

" no . "

" bless thy little heart ! and I 'll warrant not .

why , God 's guided the bairn , because he was innocent !

away from the Place , and over Harthover Fell , and down Lewthwaite Crag !

who ever heard the like , if God hadn't led him ?

why dost not eat thy bread ? "

" I can't . "

" it 's good enough , for I made it myself . "

" I can't , " said Tom , and he laid his head on his knees , and then asked -

" is it Sunday ? "

" no , then ; why should it be ? "

" because I hear the church-bells ringing so . "

" bless thy pretty heart !

the bairn's sick .

come wi ' me , and I 'll hap thee up somewhere .

if thou wert a bit cleaner I 'd put thee in my own bed , for the Lord 's sake .

but come along here . "

but when Tom tried to get up , he was so tired and giddy that she had to help him and lead him .

and so she went in again , expecting Tom to fall fast asleep at once .

but Tom did not fall asleep .

but the people would never let him come in , all over soot and dirt like that .

he must go to the river and wash first .

but Tom did not know that , any more than he knew a great deal more which people ought to know .

and all the while he never saw the Irishwoman , not behind him this time , but before .

" where have you been ? " they asked her .

but I have brought you a new little brother , and watched him safe all the way here . "

then all the fairies laughed for joy at the thought that they had a little brother coming .

" but mind , maidens , he must not see you , or know that you are here .

he is but a savage now , and like the beasts which perish ; and from the beasts which perish he must learn .

then the fairies were sad , because they could not play with their new brother , but they always did what they were told .

and their Queen floated away down the river ; and whither she went , thither she came .

the reason of his falling into such a delightful sleep is very simple ; and yet hardly any one has found it out .

it was merely that the fairies took him .

some people think that there are no fairies .

Cousin Cramchild tells little folks so in his Conversations .

well , perhaps there are none in Boston , U.S. , where he was raised .

and Aunt Agitate , in her Arguments on political economy , says there are none .

well , perhaps there are none in her political economy .

the most wonderful and the strongest things in the world , you know , are just the things which no one can see .

" C'est l'amour , l'amour , l'amour Qui fait la monde a la ronde : "

and yet no one may be able to see them except those whose hearts are going round to that same tune .

at all events , we will make believe that there are fairies in the world .

it will not be the last time by many a one that we shall have to make believe .

and yet , after all , there is no need for that .

you don't see the logic of that ?

perhaps not .

then please not to see the logic of a great many arguments exactly like it , which you will hear before your beard is gray .

the kind old dame came back at twelve , when school was over , to look at Tom : but there was no Tom there .

but she altered her mind the next day .

all she had seen was a poor little black chimney-sweep , crying and sobbing , and going to get up the chimney again .

of course , she was very much frightened : and no wonder .

but that was all .

it was all a mistake .

for he took for granted , and Grimes too , that Tom had made his way home .

but no Tom was heard of .

but I know what I will do . "

then he took them to the place where Tom had climbed the wall ; and they shoved it down , and all got through .

but that was why cunning old Sir John started at five in the morning .

but if the dog said so , it must be true .

" Heaven forgive us ! " said Sir John .

" if we find him at all , we shall find him lying at the bottom . "

and he slapped his great hand upon his great thigh , and said -

" who will go down over Lewthwaite Crag , and see if that boy is alive ?

oh that I were twenty years younger , and I would go down myself ! "

and so he would have done , as well as any sweep in the county .

then he said -

" twenty pounds to the man who brings me that boy alive ! " and as was his way , what he said he meant .

" twenty pounds or none , I will go down over Lewthwaite Crag , if it 's only for the poor boy 's sake .

for he was as civil a spoken little chap as ever climbed a flue . "

when they came to the old dame 's school , all the children came out to see .

" well , dame , and how are you ? " said Sir John .

" I am hunting , and strange game too , " said he .

" Blessings on your heart , and what makes you look so sad the morn ? "

" I 'm looking for a lost child , a chimney-sweep , that is run away . "

" not I , not I , dame .

Whereat the old dame broke out crying , without letting him finish his story .

" so he told me the truth after all , poor little dear !

ah , first thoughts are best , and a body 's heart 'll guide them right , if they will but hearken to it . "

and then she told Sir John all .

and then they knew as much about it all as there was any need to know .

and Tom ?

ah , now comes the most wonderful part of this wonderful story .

in fact , the fairies had turned him into a water-baby .

a water-baby ?

you never heard of a water-baby .

perhaps not .

that is the very reason why this story was written .

" but there are no such things as water-babies . "

how do you know that ?

have you been there to see ?

and if you had been there to see , and had seen none , that would not prove that there were none .

and as is Eversley Wood to all the woods in England , so are the waters we know to all the waters in the world .

" but surely if there were water-babies , somebody would have caught one at least ? "

well .

how do you know that somebody has not ?

ah , my dear little man ! that does not follow at all , as you will see before the end of the story .

" but a water-baby is contrary to nature . "

you must not say that this cannot be , or that that is contrary to nature .

that is contrary to nature , " you must wait a little , and see ; for perhaps even they may be wrong .

and they would have been quite as right in saying so , as in saying that most other things cannot be .

to which you would answer the less , the more you thought .

did not learned men , too , hold , till within the last twenty-five years , that a flying dragon was an impossible monster ?

and do we not now know that there are hundreds of them found fossil up and down the world ?

wise men know that their business is to examine what is , and not to settle what is not .

no water-babies , indeed ?

there are land-babies then why not water-babies ?

" but all these things are only nicknames ; the water things are not really akin to the land things . "

that 's not always true .

they are , in millions of cases , not only of the same family , but actually the same individual creatures .

yet the history of the jelly-fish is quite as wonderful as that would be . "

let him answer that .

and so forth , and so forth , till he is quite cross .

am I in earnest ?

oh dear no !

but at all events , so it happened to Tom .

they were utterly mistaken .

Tom was quite alive ; and cleaner , and merrier , than he ever had been .

they are foolish fellows , the caperers , and fly into the candle at night , if you leave the door open .

we will hope Tom will be wiser , now he has got safe out of his sooty old shell .

and the little girl would not play with her dolls for a whole week , and never forgot poor little Tom .

and always she sang an old old song , as she sat spinning what she called her wedding-dress .

and these are the words of it : -

now if you don't like my story , then go to the schoolroom and learn your multiplication-table , and see if you like that better .

some people , no doubt , would do so .

so much the better for us , if not for them .

it takes all sorts , they say , to make a world .

CHAPTER III

COLERIDGE .

Tom was now quite amphibious .

you do not know what that means ?

you had better , then , ask the nearest Government pupil-teacher , who may possibly answer you smartly enough , thus -

" Amphibious .

Adjective , derived from two Greek words , amphi , a fish , and bios , a beast .

however that may be , Tom was amphibious : and what is better still , he was clean .

for the first time in his life , he felt how comfortable it was to have nothing on him but himself .

he did not remember having ever been dirty .

that is not strange : for you know , when you came into this world , and became a land-baby , you remembered nothing .

so why should he , when he became a water-baby ?

then have you lived before ?

my dear child , who can tell ?

there , you can know no more than that .

but if I was you , I would believe that .

doctrine of this wonderful fairy tale ; which is , that your soul makes your body , just as a snail makes his shell .

for he went downward into the water : but we , I hope , shall go upward to a very different place .

but Tom was very happy in the water .

and what did he live on ?

Water-cresses , perhaps ; or perhaps water- gruel , and water-milk ; too many land-babies do so likewise .

but we do not know what one-tenth of the water-things eat ; so we are not answerable for the water-babies .

very fanciful ladies they were ; none of them would keep to the same materials for a day .

but they were quite right , you know ; for people must always follow the fashion , even if it be spoon-bonnets .

then sometimes he came to a deep still reach ; and there he saw the water-forests .

so now he found that there was a great deal more in the world than he had fancied at first sight .

there was one wonderful little fellow , too , who peeped out of the top of a house built of round bricks .

and what do you think he was doing ?

Brick-making .

now was not he a clever little fellow ?

but whether it is nature or not , little boys can help it , and must help it .

at last one day he found a caddis , and wanted it to peep out of its house : but its house-door was shut .

what a shame !

how should you like to have any one breaking your bedroom-door in , to see how you looked when you where in bed ?

who sent you here to worry us out of our lives ? "

so Tom swam away .

it did not hurt him much ; but it held him quite tight .

" Yah , ah !

oh , let me go ! " cried Tom .

" then let me go , " said the creature .

" I want to be quiet .

I want to split . "

Tom promised to let him alone , and he let go .

" why do you want to split ? " said Tom .

" because my brothers and sisters have all split , and turned into beautiful creatures with wings ; and I want to split too .

don't speak to me .

I am sure I shall split .

I will split ! "

Tom stood still , and watched him .

Tom was so astonished that he never said a word but he stared with all his eyes .

and he went up to the top of the water too , and peeped out to see what would happen .

and as the creature sat in the warm bright sun , a wonderful change came over it .

" oh , you beautiful creature ! " said Tom ; and he put out his hand to catch it .

" no ! " it said , " you cannot catch me .

I know what I shall do .

hurrah ! "

and he flew away into the air , and began catching gnats .

" oh ! come back , come back , " cried Tom , " you beautiful creature .

I have no one to play with , and I am so lonely here .

if you will but come back I will never try to catch you . "

" I don't care whether you do or not , " said the dragon-fly ; " for you can't .

why , what a huge tree this is ! and what huge leaves on it ! "

the dragon-fly did come back , and chatted away with Tom .

so in a little while they became great friends .

and the trout and he made it up ( for trout very soon forget if they have been frightened and hurt ) .

perhaps he was not quite kind to the flies ; but one must do a good turn to one 's friends when one can .

and this was the way it happened ; and it is all quite true .

he was a very little fellow indeed : but he made the most of himself , as people ought to do .

" much obliged to you , indeed ; but I don't want it yet . "

" want what ? " said Tom , quite taken aback by his impudence .

" your leg , which you are kind enough to hold out for me to sit on .

I must just go and see after my wife for a few minutes .

well , your other leg will do as well . "

and he popped himself down on Tom 's knee , and began chatting away in his squeaking voice .

" so you live under the water ?

it 's a low place .

I lived there for some time ; and was very shabby and dirty .

but I didn't choose that that should last .

so I turned respectable , and came up to the top , and put on this gray suit .

it 's a very business-like suit , you think , don't you ? "

" very neat and quiet indeed , " said Tom .

but I 'm tired of it , that 's the truth .

I 've done quite enough business , I consider , in the last week , to last me my life .

why shouldn't one be jolly if one can ? "

" and what will become of your wife ? "

" oh ! she is a very plain stupid creature , and that 's the truth ; and thinks about nothing but eggs .

if she chooses to come , why she may ; and if not , why I go without her ; and here I go . "

and , as he spoke , he turned quite pale , and then quite white .

" why , you 're ill ! " said Tom .

but he did not answer .

" you 're dead , " said Tom , looking at him as he stood on his knee as white as a ghost .

" no , I ain't ! " answered a little squeaking voice over his head .

" this is me up here , in my ball-dress ; and that 's my skin .

Ha , ha ! you could not do such a trick as that ! "

and no more Tom could , nor Houdin , nor Robin , nor Frikell , nor all the conjurors in the world .

" ain't I a pretty fellow now ? "

" ah ! " said he , " now I will see the gay world .

no more he had .

he had grown as dry and hard and empty as a quill , as such silly shallow-hearted fellows deserve to grow .

" to drive dull care away-ay-ay ! "

and if he did not care , why nobody else cared either .

but one day Tom had a new adventure .

he was sitting on a water- lily leaf , he and his friend the dragon-fly , watching the gnats dance .

the dragon-fly had eaten as many as he wanted , and was sitting quite still and sleepy , for it was very hot and bright .

" come out , " said the wicked old otter , " or it will be worse for you . "

it was not quite well bred , no doubt ; but you know , Tom had not finished his education yet .

" come , away , children , " said the otter in disgust , " it is not worth eating , after all .

it is only a nasty eft , which nothing eats , not even those vulgar pike in the pond . "

" I am not an eft ! " said Tom ; " efts have tails . "

" I tell you I have not , " said Tom .

" I say you are an eft , and therefore you are , and not fit food for gentlefolk like me and my children .

" what are salmon ? " asked Tom .

" fish , you eft , great fish , nice fish to eat .

they are the lords of the fish , and we are lords of the salmon ; " and she laughed again .

" and where do they come from ? " asked Tom , who kept himself very close , for he was considerably frightened .

" out of the sea , eft , the great wide sea , where they might stay and be safe if they liked .

ah , that is a merry life too , children , if it were not for those horrid men . "

" what are men ? " asked Tom ; but somehow he seemed to know before he asked .

they speared my poor dear husband as he went out to find something for me to eat .

but they speared him , poor fellow , and I saw them carrying him away upon a pole .

all , he lost his life for your sakes , my children , poor dear obedient creature that he was . "

Tom hid among the water-lilies till they were gone ; for he could not guess that they were the water-fairies come to help him .

but he could not help thinking of what the otter had said about the great river and the broad sea .

and , as he thought , he longed to go and see them .

and once he set off to go down the stream .

and then , on the evening of a very hot day , he saw a sight .

he felt not quite frightened , but very still ; for everything was still .

Tom could hardly stand against the stream , and hid behind a rock .

and as they hurried past he could hear them say to each other , " we must run , we must run .

what a jolly thunderstorm !

down to the sea , down to the sea ! "

come along , children , never mind those nasty eels : we shall breakfast on salmon to-morrow .

down to the sea , down to the sea ! "

" oh stay !

" down to the sea ? " said Tom ; " everything is going to the sea , and I will go too .

good-bye , trout . "

and when the daylight came , Tom found himself out in the salmon river .

and what sort of a river was it ?

but you must not believe all that Dennis tells you , mind ; for if you ask him :

" is there a salmon here , do you think , Dennis ? "

" is it salmon , thin , your honour manes ?

salmon ?

then you fish the pool all over , and never get a rise .

" Shure thin , and your honour 's the thrue fisherman , and understands it all like a book .

why , ye spake as if ye 'd known the wather a thousand years !

as I said , how could there be a fish here at all , just now ? "

" but you said just now they were shouldering each other out of water ? "

" Shure , and didn't I think your honour would like a pleasant answer ? "

or was it like a Scotch stream , such as Arthur Clough drew in his " Bothie " : -

" where over a ledge of granite Into a granite bason the amber torrent descended . . . . .

Cliff over cliff for its sides , with rowan and pendant birch boughs . " . . .

no .

it was none of these , the salmon stream at Harthover .

it was such a stream as you see in dear old Bewick ; Bewick , who was born and bred upon them .

but if I want to describe one in England , I say , ' He knows his Bewick . '

and I think that is the higher compliment . "

but Tom thought nothing about what the river was like .

all his fancy was , to get down to the wide wide sea .

and there he stopped .

he got a little frightened .

" this must be the sea , " he thought .

" what a wide place it is !

if I go on into it I shall surely lose my way , or some strange thing will bite me .

surely he must be the salmon , the king of all the fish .

do rest yourself behind this rock ; " and he shoved her gently with his nose , to the rock where Tom sat .

you must know that this was the salmon 's wife .

then he saw Tom , and looked at him very fiercely one moment , as if he was going to bite him .

" what do you want here ? " he said , very fiercely .

" oh , don't hurt me ! " cried Tom .

" I only want to look at you ; you are so handsome . "

" ah ? " said the salmon , very stately but very civilly .

" I really beg your pardon ; I see what you are , my little dear .

I have met one or two creatures like you before , and found them very agreeable and well-behaved .

indeed , one of them showed me a great kindness lately , which I hope to be able to repay .

I hope we shall not be in your way here .

as soon as this lady is rested , we shall proceed on our journey . "

what a well-bred old salmon he was !

" so you have seen things like me before ? " asked Tom .

" several times , my dear .

" so there are babies in the sea ? " cried Tom , and clapped his little hands .

" then I shall have some one to play with there ?

how delightful ! "

" were there no babies up this stream ? " asked the lady salmon .

" no ! and I grew so lonely .

I thought I saw three last night ; but they were gone in an instant , down to the sea .

so I went too ; for I had nothing to play with but caddises and dragon-flies and trout . "

" Ugh ! " cried the lady , " what low company ! "

" my dear , if he has been in low company , he has certainly not learnt their low manners , " said the salmon .

" why do you dislike the trout so ? " asked Tom .

" and then they pretend to scrape acquaintance with us again , " said the lady .

" why , I have actually known one of them propose to a lady salmon , the little impudent little creature . "

if I saw such a thing happen , I should consider it my duty to put them both to death upon the spot . "

so the old salmon said , like an old blue-blooded hidalgo of Spain ; and what is more , he would have done it too .

CHAPTER IV

" Sweet is the lore which Nature brings ; Our meddling intellect Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things We murder to dissect .

WORDSWORTH .

and , as he went , he had a very strange adventure .

suddenly , he saw a beautiful sight .

a bright red light moved along the river-side , and threw down into the water a long tap-root of flame .

Tom came to the top , to look at this wonderful light nearer , and made a splash .

and he heard a voice say :

" there was a fish rose . "

the man with the torch bent down over the water , and looked earnestly in ; and then he said :

" Tak ' that muckle fellow , lad ; he 's ower fifteen punds ; and haud your hand steady . "

and it all began to come back to him .

all of a sudden there was a tremendous splash , and a frightful flash , and a hissing , and all was still .

for into the water , close to Tom , fell one of the men ; he who held the light in his hand .

into the swift river he sank , and rolled over and over in the current .

Tom waited a long time , till all was quiet ; and then he peeped out , and saw the man lying .

at last he screwed up his courage and swam down to him .

" perhaps , " he thought , " the water has made him fall asleep , as it did me . "

then he went nearer .

he grew more and more curious , he could not tell why .

he must go and look at him .

Tom turned tail , and swam away as fast as he could .

" oh dear me ! " he thought , " now he will turn into a water-baby .

what a nasty troublesome one he will be !

and perhaps he will find me out , and beat me again . "

so he went very carefully , peeping round all the rocks , and hiding under all the roots .

Mr. grimes lay there still ; he had not turned into a water-baby .

in the afternoon Tom went back again .

he could not rest till he had found out what had become of Mr. grimes .

but this time Mr. grimes was gone ; and Tom made up his mind that he was turned into a water-baby .

but he did not make himself easy ; and a long time he was fearful lest he should meet Grimes suddenly in some deep pool .

but , do you know , what had happened to Mr. grimes had such an effect on him that he never poached salmon any more .

then Tom went on down , for he was afraid of staying near Grimes : and as he went , all the vale looked sad .

but it could not be .

what has been once can never come over again .

and people can be little babies , even water-babies , only once in their lives .

lucky for them if they do not lose heart and stop half-way , instead of going on bravely to the end as Tom did .

and then he found to his surprise , the stream turned round , and running up inland .

it was the tide , of course : but Tom knew nothing of the tide .

he only knew that in a minute more the water , which had been fresh , turned salt all round him .

and then there came a change over him .

he did not care now for the tide being against him .

I passed them all at play outside . "

and Tom looked and looked , and listened ; and he would have been very happy , if he could only have seen the water-babies .

then when the tide turned , he left the buoy , and swam round and round in search of them : but in vain .

sometimes he thought he heard them laughing : but it was only the laughter of the ripples .

and sometimes he thought he saw them at the bottom : but it was only white and pink shells .

and once he was sure he had found one , for he saw two bright eyes peeping out of the sand .

and he sat down at the bottom of the sea , and cried salt tears from sheer disappointment .

to have come all this way , and faced so many dangers , and yet to find no water-babies !

how hard !

and the sea-snails answered , " whence we come we know not ; and whither we are going , who can tell ?

yes ; perhaps we have seen the water-babies .

we have seen many strange things as we sailed along . "

and they floated away , the happy stupid things , and all went ashore upon the sands .

" I 'm sure I don't know ; I 've lost my way .

I meant to go to the Chesapeake , and I 'm afraid I 've got wrong somehow .

dear me ! it was all by following that pleasant warm water .

I 'm sure I 've lost my way . "

and , when Tom asked him again , he could only answer , " I 've lost my way .

don't talk to me ; I want to think . "

they took him up to the town and showed him for a penny a head , and made a good day 's work of it .

but of course Tom did not know that .

and then there came a shoal of basking sharks ' some of them as long as a boat , and Tom was frightened at them .

" where do you come from ? " asked Tom .

" and why are YOU so sick and sad ? "

so I got tangled among the icebergs , and chilled with their frozen breath .

but the water-babies helped me from among them , and set me free again .

" oh ! " cried Tom .

" and you have seen water-babies ?

have you seen any near here ? "

" yes ; they helped me again last night , or I should have been eaten by a great black porpoise . "

how vexatious !

the water-babies close to him , and yet he could not find one .

and at last , with his fretting and crying , he grew quite lean and thin .

but one day among the rocks he found a playfellow .

But Tom was most astonished to see how he fired himself off snap ! like the leap-frogs which you make out of a goose's breast-bone .

certainly he took the most wonderful shots , and backwards , too .

for , if he wanted to go into a narrow crack ten yards off , what do you think he did ?

if he had gone in head foremost , of course he could not have turned round .

Tom asked him about water-babies .

" yes , " he said .

he had seen them often .

but he did not think much of them .

they were meddlesome little creatures , that went about helping fish and shells which got into scrapes .

he had lived quite long enough in the world to take care of himself .

I hope that you have not forgotten the little white lady all this while .

at least , here she comes , looking like a clean white good little darling , as she always was , and always will be .

so she started for the seaside with all the children , in order to put herself and them into condition by mild applications of iodine .

so nobody must know where My Lady went .

and his name , as I said , was Professor Ptthmllnsprts , which is a very ancient and noble Polish name .

but little Ellie was not satisfied with them at all .

" children in the water , you strange little duck ? " said the professor .

" yes , " said Ellie .

" I know there used to be children in the water , and mermaids too , and mermen .

but the professor had not the least notion of allowing that things were true , merely because people thought them beautiful .

he held very strange theories about a good many things .

he had even got up once at the British Association , and declared that apes had hippopotamus majors in their brains just as men have .

nothing is to be depended on but the great hippopotamus test .

Whereon the professor , in return , called him a regular Pharisee ; and probably he was quite right too .

what an advantage it is to be men of the world !

from all which you may guess that the professor was not the least of little Ellie 's opinion .

so he gave her a succinct compendium of his famous paper at the British Association , in a form suited for the youthful mind .

" but why are there not water-babies ? "

" because there ain't . "

and he groped with his net under the weeds so violently , that , as it befell , he caught poor little Tom .

he felt the net very heavy ; and lifted it out quickly , with Tom all entangled in the meshes .

" dear me ! " he cried .

" what a large pink Holothurian ; with hands , too !

it must be connected with Synapta . "

and he took him out .

" it has actually eyes ! " he cried .

" why , it must be a Cephalopod !

this is most extraordinary ! "

" it is a water-baby ! " cried Ellie ; and of course it was .

" Water-fiddlesticks , my dear ! " said the professor ; and he turned away sharply .

there was no denying it .

it was a water-baby : and he had said a moment ago that there were none .

what was he to do ?

he would have liked , of course , to have taken Tom home in a bucket .

he would not have put him in spirits .

of course not .

but what would all the learned men say to him after his speech at the British Association ?

and what would Ellie say , after what he had just told her ?

Cousin Cramchild says it means , " the greatest respectfulness is expected from little boys . "

but he was of a different opinion .

he hesitated a moment .

" but it was a water-baby , and I heard it speak ! " cried Ellie .

" ah , it is gone ! "

and she jumped down off the rock , to try and catch Tom before he slipped into the sea .

and this is why they say that no one has ever yet seen a water- baby .

but , you see the professor was found out , as every one is in due time .

so the old fairy took him in hand very severely there and then .

and this is the beginning thereof -

a boa constrictor , she said , was bad company enough : but what was a boa constrictor made of paving stones ?

" it was quite shocking !

what can they think is the matter with him ? " said she to the old nurse .

" that his wit 's just addled ; may be wi ' unbelief and heathenry , " quoth she .

" then why can't they say so ? "

and the heaven , and the sea , and the rocks , and the vales re- echoed " why indeed ? "

but the doctors never heard them .

a heavy tax on words over four syllables , as heterodoxy , spontaneity , spiritualism , spuriosity , etc

and on words over five syllables ( of which I hope no one will wish to see any examples ) , a totally prohibitory tax .

@number@

Hellebore , to wit -

Hellebore of AEta .

Hellebore of Galatia .

Hellebore of Sicily .

and all other Hellebores , after the method of the Helleborising Helleborists of the Helleboric era .

but that would not do .

Bumpsterhausen 's blue follicles would not stir an inch out of his encephalo digital region .

@number@

trying to find out what was the matter with him , after the method of

Hippocrates , Aretaeus , Celsus , Coelius Aurelianus , And Galen .

but they found that a great deal too much trouble , as most people have since ; and so had recourse to -

@number@

Borage .

Cauteries .

but it didn't .

Bezoar stone .

Diamargaritum .

a ram 's brain boiled in spice .

oil of wormwood .

water of Nile .

capers .

good wine ( but there was none to be got ) .

the water of a smith 's forge .

Ambergris .

mandrake pillows .

Dormouse fat .

Hares ' ears .

starvation .

Camphor .

Salts and senna .

musk .

opium .

Strait-waistcoats .

Bullyings .

Bumpings .

Bleedings .

Bucketings with cold water .

Knockings down .

kneeling on his chest till they broke it in , etc etc. ; after the medieval or monkish method : but that would not do .

Bumpsterhausen 's blue follicles stuck there still .

then -

@number@

coaxing .

kissing .

champagne and turtle .

red herrings and soda water .

good advice .

gardening .

croquet .

musical soirees .

aunt Salty .

mild tobacco .

the Saturday Review .

a carriage with outriders , etc . etc.

after the modern method .

but that would not do .

the healthiest situation in England , on Easthampstead Plain .

Free run of Windsor Forest .

the Times every morning .

@number@

Suffumigations of sulphur .

Herrwiggius his " incomparable drink for madmen : "

only they could not find out what it was .

Suffumigation of the liver of the fish

only they had forgotten its name , so Dr Gray could not well procure them a specimen .

metallic tractors .

Holloway 's Ointment .

Electro-biology .

Valentine Greatrakes his Stroking Cure .

Spirit-rapping .

Holloway 's Pills .

Table-turning .

Morison 's Pills .

homoeopathy .

Parr 's Life Pills .

Mesmerism .

pure Bosh .

Exorcisms , for which the read Maleus Maleficarum , Nideri Formicarium , Delrio , Wierus , etc

but could not get one that mentioned water-babies .

hydropathy .

Madame Rachel 's Elixir of Youth .

the Poughkeepsie Seer his Prophecies .

the distilled liquor of addle eggs .

Pyropathy .

as successfully employed by the old inquisitors to cure the malady of thought , and now by the Persian Mollahs to cure that of rheumatism .

Geopathy , or burying him .

Atmopathy , or steaming him .

Hermopathy , or pouring mercury down his throat to move the animal spirits .

antipathy , or using him like " a man and a brother . "

apathy , or doing nothing at all .

Q.E.D.

CHAPTER V

WORDSWORTH , Ode to Duty .

what became of little Tom ?

he slipped away off the rocks into the water , as I said before .

but he could not help thinking of little Ellie .

that is not surprising : size has nothing to do with kindred .

" what , have you been naughty , and have they put you in the lock- up ? " asked Tom .

" why did you get in ? "

" after that nasty piece of dead fish . "

" where did you get in ? "

" through that round hole at the top . "

" then why don't you get out through it ? "

" because I can't : " and the lobster twiddled his horns more fiercely than ever , but he was forced to confess .

" stop a bit , " said Tom .

" Turn your tail up to me , and I 'll pull you through hindforemost , and then you won't stick in the spikes . "

but the lobster was so stupid and clumsy that he couldn't hit the hole .

" hullo ! here is a pretty business , " said Tom .

" now take your great claws , and break the points off those spikes , and then we shall both get out easily . "

you see , experience is of very little good unless a man , or a lobster , has wit enough to make use of it .

for a good many people , like old Polonius , have seen all the world , and yet remain little better than children after all .

how she did grin and grin when she saw Tom .

" Yar ! " said she , " you little meddlesome wretch , I have you now !

I will serve you out for telling the salmon where I was ! "

and she crawled all over the pot to get in .

but no sooner was her head inside than valiant Mr Lobster caught her by the nose and held on .

and there they were all three in the pot , rolling over and over , and very tight packing it was .

but the lobster would not let go .

" come along , " said Tom ; " don't you see she is dead ? "

and so she was , quite drowned and dead .

and that was the end of the wicked otter .

but the lobster would not let go .

" come along , you stupid old stick-in-the-mud , " cried Tom , " or the fisherman will catch you ! "

and that was true , for Tom felt some one above beginning to haul up the pot .

but the lobster would not let go .

Tom saw the fisherman haul him up to the boat-side , and thought it was all up with him .

Tom asked the lobster why he never thought of letting go .

he said very determinedly that it was a point of honour among lobsters .

" put him in the round house till he gets sober , so early in the morning " -

now he did not mean to cut such capers as you eat with boiled mutton .

so to the Mewstone he went , and for lobsters he looked .

then he tried to get his hook in with his other hand ; but the hole was too narrow .

then he pulled again ; but he could not stand the pain .

then he shouted and bawled for help : but there was no one nearer him than the men-of-war inside the breakwater .

then he began to turn a little pale ; for the tide flowed , and still the lobster held on .

then he turned quite white ; for the tide was up to his knees , and still the lobster held on .

then he turned quite yellow ; for the tide was up to his waist , and still the lobster held on .

then he turned quite blue ; for the tide was up to his breast , and still the lobster held on .

whereby , as they fancy , they make a very cheap bargain .

but the old fairy with the birch rod soon undeceives them .

and then came a man-of-war 's boat round the Mewstone , and saw his head sticking up out of the water .

So somehow or other the Jack-tars got the lobster out , and set the mayor free , and put him ashore at the Barbican .

and now happened to Tom a most wonderful thing ; for he had not left the lobster five minutes before he came upon a water-baby .

a real live water-baby , sitting on the white sand , very busy about a little point of rock .

and when it saw Tom it looked up for a moment , and then cried , " why , you are not one of us .

you are a new baby !

oh , how delightful ! "

but they did not want any introductions there under the water .

at last Tom said , " oh , where have you been all this while ?

I have been looking for you so long , and I have been so lonely . "

" we have been here for days and days .

there are hundreds of us about the rocks .

how was it you did not see us , or hear us when we sing and romp every evening before we go home ? "

Tom looked at the baby again , and then he said :

" well , this is wonderful !

I have seen things just like you again and again , but I thought you were shells , or sea-creatures .

I never took you for water-babies like myself . "

now , was not that very odd ?

and , if you will read this story nine times over , and then think for yourself , you will find out why .

it is not good for little boys to be told everything , and never to be forced to use their own wits .

" what shall I help you at ? "

and that , I suppose , is the reason why there are no water-babies at any watering-place which I have ever seen .

and where is the home of the water-babies ?

In St Brandan 's fairy isle .

then he and his friends got into a hooker , and sailed away and away to the westward , and were never heard of more .

but the people who would not hear him were changed into gorillas , and gorillas they are until this day .

and at last he and the five hermits fell fast asleep under the cedar- shades , and there they sleep unto this day .

but the fairies took to the water-babies , and taught them their lessons themselves .

now when Tom got there , he found that the isle stood all on pillars , and that its roots were full of caves .

and there were the water-babies in thousands , more than Tom , or you either , could count .

the other children warned him , and said , " take care what you are at .

Mrs Bedonebyasyoudid is coming . "

and , if you don't quite believe me , then just think What is more cheap and plentiful than sea-rock ?

then why should there not be sea-toffee as well ?

now little Tom watched all these sweet things given away , till his mouth watered , and his eyes grew as round as an owl 's .

for he hoped that his turn would come at last ; and so it did .

" you are a very cruel woman , " said he , and began to whimper .

as you did to them , so I must do to you . "

" who told you that ? " said Tom .

" you did yourself , this very minute . "

Tom had never opened his lips ; so he was very much taken aback indeed .

" yes ; every one tells me exactly what they have done wrong ; and that without knowing it themselves .

so there is no use trying to hide anything from me .

" I did not know there was any harm in it , " said Tom .

" then you know now .

the lobster did not know that there was any harm in getting into the lobster- pot ; but it caught him all the same . "

" dear me , " thought Tom , " she knows everything ! "

and so she did , indeed .

" well , you are a little hard on a poor lad , " said Tom .

" not at all ; I am the best friend you ever had in all your life .

but I will tell you ; I cannot help punishing people when they do wrong .

if I tried not to do it , I should do it all the same .

" was it long ago since they wound you up ? " asked Tom .

" I was wound up once and for all , so long ago , that I forget all about it . "

" dear me , " said Tom , " you must have been made a long time ! "

and there came over the lady 's face a very curious expression very solemn , and very sad ; and yet very , very sweet .

and Tom smiled in her face , she looked so pleasant for the moment .

and the strange fairy smiled too , and said :

" yes .

you thought me very ugly just now , did you not ? "

Tom hung down his head , and got very red about the ears .

" and I am very ugly .

I am the ugliest fairy in the world ; and I shall be , till people behave themselves as they ought to do .

now , all of you run away , except Tom ; and he may stay and see what I am going to do .

it will be a very good warning for him to begin with , before he goes to school .

it is the old lady wheeling the maids about in perambulators .

and by that time she was so tired , she had to go to luncheon .

there are others : but that is the one which principally concerns little boys .

" pray , ma'am , may I ask you a question ? "

" certainly , my little dear . "

" why don't you bring all the bad masters here and serve them out too ?

I saw him fall into the water long ago ; so I surely expected he would have been here .

I 'm sure he was bad enough to me . "

then the old lady looked so very stern that Tom was quite frightened , and sorry that he had been so bold .

but she was not angry with him .

she understands that better than I do . "

and so she went .

Whereat all the little children began dancing and clapping their hands , and Tom danced too with all his might .

and Tom stood staring at them ; for he could not understand what it was all about .

" and who are you , you little darling ? " she said .

and when he woke she was telling the children a story .

and what story did she tell them ?

and he listened so long that he fell fast asleep again , and , when he woke , the lady was nursing him still .

" don't go away , " said little Tom .

" this is so nice .

I never had any one to cuddle me before . "

" don't go away , " said all the children ; " you have not sung us one song . "

" well , I have time for only one .

so what shall it be ? "

" the doll you lost !

the doll you lost ! " cried all the babies at once .

so the strange fairy sang : -

what a silly song for a fairy to sing !

and what silly water-babies to be quite delighted at it !

well , but you see they have not the advantage of Aunt Agitate 's Arguments in the sea-land down below .

" and you will cuddle me again ? " said poor little Tom .

" of course I will , you little duck .

I should like to take you with me and cuddle you all the way , only I must not ; " and away she went .

CHAPTER VI

WORDSWORTH .

I come to the very saddest part of all my story .

I know some people will only laugh at it , and call it much ado about nothing .

" Friends , it is borne upon my mind that that is a truly brave man . "

being quite comfortable is a very good thing ; but it does not make people good .

and I am very sorry to say that this happened to little Tom .

and he thought of nothing but lollipops by day , and dreamt of nothing else by night and what happened then ?

and all the while , close behind him , stood Mrs Bedonebyasyoudid .

some people may say , But why did she not keep her cupboard locked ?

well , I know .

it is very odd , but so it is ; and I am quite sure that she knows best .

perhaps she wishes people to keep their fingers out of the fire , by having them burned .

but all she said was :

" ah , you poor little dear ! you are just like all the rest . "

but she said it to herself , and Tom neither heard nor saw her .

now , you must not fancy that she was sentimental at all .

but what did the strange fairy do when she saw all her lollipops eaten ?

not a bit .

you may watch her at work if you know where to find her .

but you will never see her do that .

did she question him , hurry him , frighten him , threaten him , to make him confess ?

not a bit .

no .

why then did Solomon say that he would not depart from it ? "

some folks may say , " ah ! but the Fairy does not need to do that if she knows everything already . "

true .

so she just said nothing at all about the matter , not even when Tom came next day with the rest for sweet things .

he was horribly afraid of coming : but he was still more afraid of staying away , lest any one should suspect him .

but , behold ! she pulled out just as many as ever , which astonished Tom , and frightened him still more .

and he could not bear the sweets : but took them again in spite of himself .

and when Mrs Doasyouwouldbedoneby came , he wanted to be cuddled like the rest ; but she said very seriously :

" I should like to cuddle you ; but I cannot , you are so horny and prickly . "

and Tom looked at himself : and he was all over prickles , just like a sea-egg .

what could Tom do now but go away and hide in a corner and cry ?

for nobody would play with him , and he knew full well why .

he was horribly frightened when he had done so ; for he expected her to punish him very severely .

" I will forgive you , little man , " she said .

" I always forgive every one the moment they tell me the truth of their own accord . "

" then you will take away all these nasty prickles ? "

" that is a very different matter .

you put them there yourself , and only you can take them away . "

" but how can I do that ? " asked Tom , crying afresh .

and so she went away .

and what did the little girl teach Tom ?

and before she had taught Tom many Sundays , his prickles had vanished quite away , and his skin was smooth and clean again .

" dear me ! " said the little girl ; " why , I know you now .

you are the very same little chimney-sweep who came into my bedroom . "

" dear me ! " cried Tom .

" and I know you , too , now .

you are the very little white lady whom I saw in bed . "

you may fancy that Tom was quite content and happy all those seven years ; but the truth is , he was not .

he had always one thing on his mind , and that was where little Ellie went , when she went home on Sundays .

to a very beautiful place , she said .

but what was the beautiful place like , and where was it ?

ah ! that is just what she could not say .

so all that good little Ellie could say was , that it was worth all the rest of the world put together .

and of course that only made Tom the more anxious to go likewise .

" you must ask the fairies that . "

so when the fairy , Mrs Bedonebyasyoudid , came next , Tom asked her .

" little boys who are only fit to play with sea-beasts cannot go there , " she said .

" why , did Ellie do that ? "

" ask her . "

and I was afraid of you , Tom , at first , because because "

" because I was all over prickles ?

but I am not prickly now , am I , Miss Ellie ? "

" no , " said Ellie .

" I like you very much now ; and I like coming here , too . "

but Tom put his finger in his mouth , and hung his head down ; for he did not see that at all .

but , when they try it , they get just the same answer as Tom did .

for , when he asked the second fairy , she told him just what the first did , and in the very same words .

Tom was very unhappy at that .

and then he grew quite cross with her , because she was superior to him , and did what he could not do .

Tom was very nearly saying , " I don't care if she does ; " but he stopped himself in time .

" I know what she wants me to do , " he said , whining most dolefully .

" she wants me to go after that horrid old Grimes .

I don't like him , that 's certain .

and if I find him , he will turn me into a chimney-sweep again , I know .

that 's what I have been afraid of all along . "

" no , he won't I know as much as that .

nobody can turn water- babies into sweeps , or hurt them at all , as long as they are good . "

Little Ellie opened her eyes very wide at that , and they were all brimming over with tears .

and Tom cried , " oh , Ellie , where are you ? "

for neither of them could see each other not the least .

who was frightened then but Tom ?

" oh ! " said Tom .

" oh dear , oh dear !

I have been naughty to Ellie , and I have killed her I know I have killed her . "

and so they odds it till it comes even , as folks say down in Berkshire .

" how cruel of you to send Ellie away ! " sobbed Tom .

" however , I will find her again , if I go to the world 's end to look for her . "

and at last she comforted poor little Tom so much that he was quite eager to go , and wanted to set out that minute .

" only , " he said , " if I might see Ellie once before I went ! "

" why do you want that ? "

" because because I should be so much happier if I thought she had forgiven me . "

" I am going , Ellie ! " said Tom .

" I am going , if it is to the world 's end .

but I don't like going at all , and that 's the truth . "

" pooh ! pooh ! pooh ! " said the fairy .

" you will like it very well indeed , you little rogue , and you know that at the bottom of your heart .

but if you don't , I will make you like it .

come here , and see what happens to people who do only what is pleasant . "

and therefore her photographs were very curious and famous , and the children looked with great delight for the opening of the book .

" well , that is a jolly life , " said Tom .

" you think so ? " said the fairy .

" yes . "

" and do you see all those ashes , and slag , and cinders lying about ? "

" yes . "

" then turn over the next five hundred years , and you will see what happens next . "

" you see , " said the fairy , " what comes of living on a burning mountain . "

" oh , why did you not warn them ? " said little Ellie .

" I did warn them all that I could .

I let the smoke come out of the mountain ; and wherever there is smoke there is fire .

and I laid the ashes and cinders all about ; and wherever there are cinders , cinders may be again .

and , when folks are in that humour , I cannot teach them , save by the good old birch-rod . "

and they were few in number : but they only said , The more the merrier , but the fewer the better fare .

so they had to live very hard , on nuts and roots which they scratched out of the ground with sticks .

so they lived miserably on roots and nuts , and all the weakly little children had great stomachs , and then died .

" why , " said Tom , " they are growing no better than savages . "

" and look how ugly they are all getting , " said Ellie .

and she turned over the next five hundred years .

and there they were all living up in trees , and making nests to keep off the rain .

and underneath the trees lions were prowling about .

and she turned over the next five hundred years .

the children were very much surprised , and asked the fairy whether that was her doing .

" yes , and no , " she said , smiling .

" but there is a hairy one among them , " said Ellie .

and , when she turned over the next five hundred years , it was true .

then the fairy turned over the next five hundred years .

and they were fewer still .

" why , there is one on the ground picking up roots , " said Ellie , " and he cannot walk upright . "

" why , " cried Tom , " I declare they are all apes . "

" something fearfully like it , poor foolish creatures , " said the fairy .

they have almost forgotten , too , how to talk .

I am afraid they will all be apes very soon , and all by doing only what they liked . "

so all he said was " Ubboboo ! " and died .

and that was the end of the great and jolly nation of the Doasyoulikes .

" but could you not have saved them from becoming apes ? " said little Ellie , at last .

it is such things as this that help to make me so ugly , that I know not when I shall grow fair . "

" and where are they all now ? " asked Ellie .

" exactly where they ought to be , my dear . "

" yes ! " said the fairy , solemnly , half to herself , as she closed the wonderful book .

" Folks say now that I can make beasts into men , by circumstance , and selection , and competition , and so forth .

well , perhaps they are right ; and perhaps , again , they are wrong .

whatever their ancestors were , men they are ; and I advise them to behave as such , and act accordingly .

you were very near being turned into a beast once or twice , little Tom .

CHAPTER VII

LONGFELLOW .

" now , " said Tom , " I am ready be off , if it 's to the world 's end . "

" ah ! " said the fairy , " that is a brave , good boy .

but you must go farther than the world 's end , if you want to find Mr. grimes ; for he is at the Other-end-of-Nowhere .

and there Mother Carey will tell you the way to the Other-end-of-Nowhere , and there you will find Mr. grimes . "

" oh , dear ! " said Tom .

" but I do not know my way to Shiny Wall , or where it is at all . "

" well , " said Tom , " it will be a long journey , so I had better start at once .

good-bye , Miss Ellie ; you know I am getting a big boy , and I must go out and see the world . "

" I know you must , " said Ellie ; " but you will not forget me , Tom .

I shall wait here till you come . "

and she shook hands with him , and bade him good-bye .

for why ?

he was still too far down south .

at last there came out into the quarter-gallery a very pretty lady , in deep black widow 's weeds , and in her arms a baby .

she leaned over the quarter-gallery , and looked back and back toward England far away ; and as she looked she sang :

I.

II .

she gave a little shriek and start ; and then she said , quite quietly , " babies in the sea ?

and at that an old nurse , all in black , came out and talked to her , and drew her in .

" if I were you , young Gentleman , I should go to the Allalonestone , and ask the last of the Gairfowl .

but just as Tom had thanked him and set off , he called after him : " hi !

I say , can you fly ? "

" I never tried , " says Tom .

" why ? "

" because , if you can , I should advise you to say nothing to the old lady about it .

there ; take a hint .

good-bye . "

and there he saw the last of the Gairfowl , standing up on the Allalonestones all alone .

and a very grand old lady she was , full three feet high , and bolt upright , like some old Highland chieftainess .

" two little birds they sat on a stone , One swam away , and then there was one , With a fal-lal-la-lady .

however , it was a very fit song for her to sing , because she was a lady herself .

Tom came up to her very humbly , and made his bow ; and the first thing she said was -

" have you wings ?

can you fly ? "

" oh dear , no , ma'am ; I should not think of such thing , " said cunning little Tom .

" then I shall have great pleasure in talking to you , my dear .

it is quite refreshing nowadays to see anything without wings .

they must all have wings , forsooth , now , every new upstart sort of bird , and fly .

what can they want with flying , and raising themselves above their proper station in life ?

" shiny Wall ?

who should know better than I ?

why , we have quite gone down in the world , my dear , and have nothing left but our honour .

and I am the last of my family .

once we were a great nation , and spread over all the Northern Isles .

well but what was I saying ?

the dovekies and marrocks , of course , all flew away ; but we were too proud to do that .

this was the Gairfowl 's story , and , strange as it may seem , it is every word of it true .

" if you only had had wings ! " said Tom ; " then you might all have flown away too . "

why , if I had not recollected that noblesse oblige , I should not have been all alone now . "

and the poor old lady sighed .

" how was that , ma'am ? "

" of course not , ma'am , " said Tom ; though , of course , he knew nothing about it .

" she was very much diseased , I suppose ? "

" you do not understand me , my dear .

and since then I have lived all alone -

' With a fal-lal-la-lady . '

" but , please , which is the way to Shiny Wall ? " said Tom .

" oh , you must go , my little dear you must go .

let me see I am sure that is really , my poor old brains are getting quite puzzled .

" shiny Wall ?

do you want Shiny Wall ?

then come with us , and we will show you .

Tom was delighted , and swam off to them , after he had made his bow to the Gairfowl .

but she would not return his bow : but held herself bolt upright , and wept tears of oil as she sang :

" and so the poor stone was left all alone ; With a fal-lal-la-lady . "

that is what Tom will see , and perhaps you and I shall see it too .

" the old order changeth , giving place to the new , And God fulfils himself in many ways . "

and now Tom was all agog to start for Shiny Wall ; but the petrels said no .

on the rabbit burrows on the shore there gathered hundreds and hundreds of hoodie-crows , such as you see in Cambridgeshire .

and they made such a noise , that Tom came on shore and went up to see what was the matter .

so she was to be tried publicly by their laws ( for the hoodies always try some offenders in their great yearly parliament ) .

and it was in vain that she pleaded -

now , was not this a scandalous transaction ?

and Mrs Bedonebyasyoudid settled her account with the wicked hoodies .

for why ?

the fairy had told the gamekeeper in a dream , to fill the dead dog full of strychnine ; and so he did .

and at last they saw an ugly sight the black side of a great ship , waterlogged in the trough of the sea .

and the poor little dog ?

and there they fell in with a whole flock of molly-mocks , who were feeding on a dead whale .

" these are the fellows to show you the way , " said Mother Carey 's chickens ; " we cannot help you farther north .

we don't like to get among the ice pack , for fear it should nip our toes : but the mollys dare fly anywhere . "

let's have a look at the lad . "

and , when Tom told him , he seemed pleased , and said he was a good plucked one to have got so far .

we 've eaten blubber enough for to-day , and we 'll e'en work out a bit of our time by helping the lad . "

" who are you , you jolly birds ? " asked Tom .

but , because we were saucy and greedy , we were all turned into mollys , to eat whale 's blubber all our days .

" and who are you ? " asked Tom of him , for he saw that he was the king of all the birds .

so now I 'm the king of all mollys , till I 've worked out my time . "

alas , alas , for them !

" and where is the gate ? " asked Tom .

" there is no gate , " said the mollys .

" no gate ? " cried Tom , aghast .

" what am I to do , then ? "

" dive under the floe , to be sure , if you have pluck . "

" I 've not come so far to turn now , " said Tom ; " so here goes for a header . "

" a lucky voyage to you , lad , " said the mollys ; " we knew you were one of the right sort .

So good-bye . "

" why don't you come too ? " asked Tom .

but the mollys only wailed sadly , " we can't go yet , we can't go yet , " and flew away over the pack .

and yet he was not a bit frightened .

why should he be ?

he was a brave English lad , whose business is to go out and see all the world .

and there the good whales lay , the happy sleepy beasts , upon the still oily sea .

Tom swam up to the nearest whale , and asked the way to Mother Carey .

" there she sits in the middle , " said the whale .

Tom looked ; but he could see nothing in the middle of the pool , but one peaked iceberg : and he said so .

" that 's Mother Carey , " said the whale , " as you will find when you get to her .

there she sits making old beasts into new all the year round . "

" how does she do that ? "

" I suppose , " said Tom , " she cuts up a great whale like you into a whole shoal of porpoises ? "

and they were Mother Carey 's children , whom she makes out of the sea-water all day long .

and , when she saw Tom , she looked at him very kindly .

" what do you want , my little man ?

it is long since I have seen a water-baby here . "

Tom told her his errand , and asked the way to the Other-end-of- Nowhere .

" you ought to know yourself , for you have been there already . "

" have I , ma'am ?

I 'm sure I forget all about it . "

" then look at me . "

and , as Tom looked into her great blue eyes , he recollected the way perfectly .

now , was not that strange ?

" thank you , ma'am , " said Tom .

" then I won't trouble your ladyship any more ; I hear you are very busy . "

" I am never more busy than I am now , " she said , without stirring a finger .

" I heard , ma'am , that you were always making new beasts out of old . "

" so people fancy .

but I am not going to trouble myself to make things , my little dear .

I sit here and make them make themselves . "

" you are a clever fairy , indeed , " thought Tom .

and he was quite right .

there was once , for instance , a fairy who was so clever that she found out how to make butterflies .

but Mother Carey laughed .

Tom thought ; and behold , he had forgotten it utterly .

" that is because you took your eyes off me . "

Tom looked at her again , and recollected ; and then looked away , and forgot in an instant .

" but what am I to do , ma'am ?

for I can't keep looking at you when I am somewhere else . "

" backward ! " cried Tom .

" then I shall not be able to see my way . "

Tom was very much astonished : but he obeyed her , for he had learnt always to believe what the fairies told him .

" once on a time , there were two brothers .

one was called Prometheus , because he always looked before him , and boasted that he was wise beforehand .

" well , Prometheus was a very clever fellow , of course , and invented all sorts of wonderful things .

and very little he did , for many years : but what he did , he never had to do over again .

" and what happened at last ?

but one thing remained at the bottom of the box , and that was , Hope .

now , was not Mother Carey 's a wonderful story ?

and , I am happy to say , Tom believed it every word .

for so it happened to Tom likewise .

CHAPTER VIII AND LAST

" come to me , O ye children !

for I hear you at your play ; And the questions that perplexed me Have vanished quite away .

" ye open the Eastern windows , That look towards the sun , Where thoughts are singing swallows , And the brooks of morning run .

LONGFELLOW .

and there he stopped , and just in time .

at last he stopped thump ! and found himself tight in the legs of the most wonderful bogy which he had ever seen .

well , it was a very strange beast ; but no stranger than some dozens which you may see .

so Tom told him who he was , and what his errand was .

and the thing winked its one eye , and sneered :

" I am too old to be taken in in that way .

you are come after gold- - I know you are . "

" gold !

what is gold ? "

and really Tom did not know ; but the suspicious old bogy would not believe him .

but after a while Tom began to understand a little .

whereby it comes to pass that the rocks are full of metal .

" now is your time , youngster , to get down , if you are in earnest , which I don't believe . "

very well .

let them go on .

Dr Letheby and Dr Hassall cannot catch them , though they are setting traps for them all day long .

" Victrix causa diis placuit , sed victa puellis . "

but one pulled him hither , and another poked him thither , and a third cried -

" you mustn't go west , I tell you ; it is destruction to go west . "

" but I am not going west , as you may see , " said Tom .

and another , " the east lies here , my dear ; I assure you this is the east . "

" but I don't want to go east , " said Tom .

and he found them bricking up the town gate , because it was so wide that little folks could not get through .

and , when he asked why , they told him they were expanding their liturgy .

but he saw the end of such fellows , when he came to the island of the Golden Asses , where nothing but thistles grow .

and like him , mokes they must remain , till , by the laws of development , the thistles develop into roses .

one thing I am sure of .

and , most strange of all , he was running not forwards but backwards , as fast as he could .

" what ? who are you ?

and you actually don't run away , like all the rest ? "

but he had to take his spectacles off , Tom remarked , in order to see him plainly .

Tom told him who he was ; and the giant pulled out a bottle and a cork instantly , to collect him with .

if I had only been where you have been , to see what you have seen ! "

" turn into a baby , eh ?

ah , you lucky little dog ! " said the poor old giant .

" but why do you run after all these poor people ? " said Tom , who liked the giant very much .

but , I suppose I am not a man of the world , and have no tact . "

" but why don't you turn round and tell them so ? "

" because I can't .

you see , I am one of the sons of Epimetheus , and must go backwards , if I am to go at all . "

" but why don't you stop , and let them come up to you ? "

" why , my dear , only think .

" don't care ? " said Tom .

" no .

now I must go on .

dear me , while I have been talking to you , at least nine new species have escaped me . "

" an entirely new Oniscus , and three obscure Podurellae !

this is most important ! "

and down he sat on the nave of the temple ( not being a man of the world ) to examine his Podurellae .

but he never heeded ; for out of the dust flew a bat , and the giant had him in a moment .

" dear me !

this is even more important !

" well , " thought Tom , " this is a very pretty quarrel , with a good deal to be said on both sides .

but it is no business of mine . "

and then , as Shakespeare says ( and therefore it must be true ) -

" Jack shall have Gill Nought shall go ill The man shall have his mare again , and all go well . "

but Mrs Bedonebyasyoudid has named it over again the Isle of Tomtoddies , all heads and no bodies .

" I can't learn my lesson : the examiner 's coming ! "

and that was the only song which they knew .

and one cried , " can you show me how to extract this square root ? "

and another , " can you tell me the distance between alpha Lyrae and beta Camelopardis ? "

and another , " what is the latitude and longitude of Snooksville , in Noman 's County , Oregon , U.S. ? "

and another , " what was the name of Mutius Scaevola 's thirteenth cousin 's grandmother 's maid 's cat ? "

and another , " how long would it take a school-inspector of average activity to tumble head over heels from London to York ? "

" and what good on earth will it do you if I did tell you ? " quoth Tom .

well , they didn't know that : all they knew was the examiner was coming .

" about what ? " says Tom .

" about anything you like ; for as fast as I learn things I forget them again .

so my mamma says that my intellect is not adapted for methodic science , and says that I must go in for general information . "

were they not a foolish couple ?

" it would be no use , " said the stick .

" they can't play now , if they tried .

but here comes the Examiner- of-all-Examiners .

as he went down to the shore he passed the poor turnip 's new tomb .

so Tom jumped into the sea , and swam on his way , singing : -

and next he came to Oldwivesfabledom , where the folks were all heathens , and worshipped a howling ape .

and there he found a little boy sitting in the middle of the road , and crying bitterly .

" what are you crying for ? " said Tom .

" because I am not as frightened as I could wish to be . "

" not frightened ?

you are a queer little chap : but , if you want to be frightened , here goes Boo ! "

and a well-fed , ill-favoured gentleman he was , as ever served Her Majesty at Portland .

Tom was a little frightened at first ; for he thought it was Grimes .

but he soon saw his mistake : for Grimes always looked a man in the face ; and this fellow never did .

" here we are again ! " cried he , like the clown in a pantomime .

" so you can't feel frightened , my little dear eh ?

I 'll do that for you .

I 'll make an impression on you !

Yah !

boo !

Whirroo !

hullabaloo ! "

" now , then , " said the Powwow man to Tom , " wouldn't you like to be frightened , my little dear ?

for I can see plainly that you are a very wicked , naughty , graceless , reprobate boy . "

" you 're another , " quoth Tom , very sturdily .

and when the man ran at him , and cried " boo ! "

he is going to kill me !

I am a ruined man !

help ! help ! help ! "

however , he was very glad when he was safe out of the country , for the noise there made him all but deaf .

then he came to a very quiet place , called Leaveheavenalone .

no .

Tom was not astonished .

he was long past that .

neither was he frightened for he had been doing no harm .

" all right pass on , " said he at last .

and then he added : " I had better go with you , young man . "

" why have you no policeman to carry you ? " asked Tom , after a while .

we do our own work for ourselves ; and do it very well , though I say it who should not . "

" then why have you a thong to your handle ? " asked Tom .

" to hang ourselves up by , of course , when we are off duty . "

Tom had got his answer , and had no more to say , till they came up to the great iron door of the prison .

and there the truncheon knocked twice , with its own head .

" what case is this ? " he asked in a deep voice , out of his broad bell mouth .

" grimes ? " said the blunderbuss .

and he pulled in his muzzle , perhaps to look over his prison-lists .

" grimes is up chimney No . @number@ " he said from inside .

" so the young gentleman had better go on to the roof . "

and there he walked along the leads , till he met another truncheon , and told him his errand .

" very good , " it said .

" come along : but it will be of no use .

so they walked along over the leads , and very sooty they were , and Tom thought the chimneys must want sweeping very much .

but he was surprised to see that the soot did not stick to his feet , or dirty them in the least .

and at last they came to chimney No . @number@

and in his mouth was a pipe ; but it was not a-light ; though he was pulling at it with all his might .

" attention , Mr. grimes , " said the truncheon ; " here is a gentleman come to see you . "

but Mr. grimes only said bad words ; and kept grumbling , " my pipe won't draw .

my pipe won't draw . "

now he was forced to attend .

" hey ! " he said , " why , it 's Tom !

I suppose you have come here to laugh at me , you spiteful little atomy ? "

Tom assured him he had not , but only wanted to help him .

" it 's no use , " said the truncheon , leaning itself up against the chimney and looking on .

" I tell you , it is no use .

his heart is so cold that it freezes everything that comes near him .

you will see that presently , plain enough . "

" oh , of course , it 's my fault .

everything 's always my fault , " said Grimes .

" but can't I help you in any other way ?

can't I help you to get out of this chimney ? " said Tom .

" oh , yes , " said Grimes , " of course it 's me .

did I ask to be brought here into the prison ?

did I ask to be set to sweep your foul chimneys ?

did I ask to have lighted straw put under me to make me go up ?

did I ask to stick fast in the very first chimney of all , because it was so shamefully clogged up with soot ?

" no , " answered a solemn voice behind .

" no more did Tom , when you behaved to him in the very same way . "

it was Mrs Bedonebyasyoudid .

and Tom made his bow too .

but may not I help poor Mr. grimes ?

mayn't I try and get some of these bricks away , that he may move his arms ? "

" you may try , of course , " she said .

so Tom pulled and tugged at the bricks : but he could not move one .

and then he tried to wipe Mr . grimes ' face : but the soot would not come off .

" oh , dear ! " he said .

the hail 's coming on soon , and it will beat the eyes out of your little head . "

" what hail ? "

" that hail will never come any more , " said the strange lady .

" I have told you before what it was .

but she is gone to heaven now , and will weep no more for her graceless son . "

then Grimes was silent awhile ; and then he looked very sad .

" so my old mother 's gone , and I never there to speak to her !

" did she keep the school in Vendale ? " asked Tom .

" ah ! " said Grimes , " good reason she had to hate the sight of a chimney-sweep .

and he began crying and blubbering like a great baby , till his pipe dropped out of his mouth , and broke all to bits .

but it 's too late now .

but I 'm beat now , and beat I must be .

I 've made my bed , and I must lie on it .

foul I would be , and foul I am , as an Irishwoman said to me once ; and little I heeded it .

it 's all my own fault : but it 's too late . "

and he cried so bitterly that Tom began crying too .

no more was it too late .

but the strange lady put it aside .

" will you obey me if I give you a chance ? "

" as you please , ma'am .

you 're stronger than me that I know too well , and wiser than me , I know too well also .

and , as for being my own master , I 've fared ill enough with that as yet .

so whatever your ladyship pleases to order me ; for I 'm beat , and that 's the truth . "

" be it so then you may come out .

but remember , disobey me again , and into a worse place still you go . "

" I beg pardon ma'am , but I never disobeyed you that I know of .

I never had the honour of setting eyes upon you till I came to these ugly quarters . "

" never saw me ?

who said to you , Those that will be foul , foul they will be ? "

" I gave you your warning then : but you gave it yourself a thousand times before and since .

" if I 'd only known , ma'am "

" you knew well enough that you were disobeying something , though you did not know it was me .

but come out and take your chance .

perhaps it may be your last . "

" take him away , " said she to the truncheon , " and give him his ticket-of-leave . "

" and what is he to do , ma'am ? "

so the truncheon marched off Mr. grimes , looking as meek as a drowned worm .

and for aught I know , or do not know , he is sweeping the crater of Etna to this very day .

" and now , " said the fairy to Tom , " your work here is done .

you may as well go back again . "

" I am sure I shall not tell anybody about them , ma'am , if you bid me not . "

" aha !

so you think , my little man .

but you would soon forget your promise if you got back into the land-world .

save us from the consequences of our own actions , and from the cruel fairy , Mrs Bedonebyasyoudid ! '

do not you think that you would be a little tempted then to tell what you know , laddie ? "

Tom thought so certainly .

" that I shall not tell you .

I never put things into little folks ' heads which are but too likely to come there of themselves .

so come now I must bandage your eyes . "

so she tied the bandage on his eyes with one hand , and with the other she took it off .

" now , " she said , " you are safe up the stairs . "

Tom opened his eyes very wide , and his mouth too ; for he had not , as he thought , moved a single step .

and what was the song which she sang ?

ah , my little man , I am too old to sing that song , and you too young to understand it .

and when they came to her she looked up , and behold it was Ellie .

" oh , Miss Ellie , " said he , " how you are grown ! "

" oh , Tom , " said she , " how you are grown too ! "

and no wonder ; they were both quite grown up he into a tall man , and she into a beautiful woman .

" perhaps I may be grown , " she said .

at last they heard the fairy say : " attention , children .

are you never going to look at me again ? "

" we have been looking at you all this while , " they said .

and so they thought they had been .

" then look at me once more , " said she .

they looked and both of them cried out at once , " oh , who are you , after all ? "

" you are our dear Mrs Doasyouwouldbedoneby . "

" no , you are good Mrs Bedonebyasyoudid ; but you are grown quite beautiful now ! "

" to you , " said the fairy .

" but look again . "

" but you are grown quite young again . "

" to you , " said the fairy .

" look again . "

" you are the Irishwoman who met me the day I went to Harthover ! "

and when they looked she was neither of them , and yet all of them at once .

" my name is written in my eyes , if you have eyes to see it there . "

" now read my name , " said she , at last .

" not yet , young things , not yet , " said she , smiling ; and then she turned to Ellie .

" you may take him home with you now on Sundays , Ellie .

and all this from what he learnt when he was a water-baby , underneath the sea .

" and of course Tom married Ellie ? "

my dear child , what a silly notion !

don't you know that no one ever marries in a fairy tale , under the rank of a prince or a princess ?

" and Tom 's dog ? "

therefore , as new brooms sweep clean , we may hope for some warm weather this year .

and that is the end of my story .

MORAL .

and now , my dear little man , what should we learn from this parable ?

you know they won't ?

very well , I daresay you know best .

but you see , some folks have a great liking for those poor little efts .

E-text prepared by Josephine Paolucci and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team

KITTY'S CLASS DAY AND OTHER STORIES

by

Louisa M Alcott

author of " Little Women , " etc

originally published under the title

" PROVERB STORIES "

@number@

Illustration : deeper in the wood sounded the measured ring of axes

PREFACE

if it shows them what not to write it will not have been rescued from oblivion in vain .

L M ALCOTT .

CONTENTS

KITTY'S CLASS DAY AUNT KIPP PSYCHE'S ART A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS ON PICKET DUTY THE BARON'S GLOVES MY RED CAP WHAT THE BELLS SAW AND SAID

PROVERB STORIES

KITTY'S CLASS DAY

" a stitch in time saves nine . "

" O Pris , Pris , I 'm really going !

here 's the invitation rough paper Chapel spreads Lyceum Hall everything splendid ; and Jack to take care of me ! "

" who invites you , dear ? "

" why , Jack , of course , dear old cousin Jack .

nobody else ever thinks of me , or cares whether I have a bit of pleasure now and then .

isn't he kind ?

mayn't I go ? and , O Pris , what shall I wear ? "

Kitty paused suddenly , as if the last all-important question had a solemnizing effect upon both mind and body .

" why , your white muslin , silk sacque , and new hat , of course , " began Pris with an air of surprise .

but Kitty broke in impetuously ,

" I 'll never wear that old muslin again ; it 's full of darns , up to my knees , and all out of fashion .

" you don't expect an entirely new suit for this occasion , do you ? " asked Pris , anxiously .

" yes , I do , and I 'll tell you how I mean to get it .

" let us hear . "

and Pris took up her work with an air of resignation .

" I 've got the ten dollars grandpa sent me , and with eight of it I 'm going to buy Lizzie King 's organdie muslin .

the skirt is cut off and gored , with a splendid train "

" I do !

nothing would induce me to go to Class Day without a train .

Pris shook her head , and said , " go on ! " as if prepared for any extravagance after that .

" we can make it ourselves , " continued Kitty , " and trim it with the same .

it 's white with blue stripes and daisies in the stripes ; the loveliest thing you ever saw , and can't be got here .

so simple , yet distingué , I know you 'll like it .

next , my bonnet , " here the solemnity of Kitty 's face and manner was charming to behold .

" I shall make it out of one of my new illusion undersleeves .

I 've never worn them ; and the puffed part will be a plenty for a little fly-away bonnet of the latest style .

I 've got blue ribbons to tie it with , and have only to look up some daisies for the inside .

with my extra two dollars I shall buy my gloves , and pay my fares , and there I am , all complete . "

they were poor , and every penny had to be counted .

there were plenty of neighbors to gossip and criticise , and plenty of friends to make disagreeable remarks on any unusual extravagance .

she sewed thoughtfully for a minute , then looked up , saying , with the smile that always assured Kitty the day was won ,

" get your things together , and we will see what can be done .

but remember , dear , that it is both bad taste and bad economy for poor people to try to ape the rich . "

" you 're a perfect angel , Pris ; so don't moralize .

and Kitty skipped away , singing " Lauriger Horatius , " at the top of her voice .

Priscilla soon found that the girl 's head was completely turned by the advice and example of certain fashionable young neighbors .

it was in vain for Pris to remonstrate and warn .

the bonnet also was a trial , for when the lace was on , it was discovered that the ribbons didn't match the dress .

here was a catastrophe !

Kitty frantically rummaged the house , the shops , the stores of her friends , and rummaged in vain .

some one suggested a strip of blue illusion , and that could be got ; but , alas !

Kitty had no money , for the gloves were already bought .

" I see plenty just like those on your dress , " answered Pris , nodding toward the meadow full of young whiteweed .

" Pris , you 're a treasure !

I 'll wear real ones ; they keep well , I know , and are so common I can refresh my bonnet anywhere .

it 's a splendid idea . "

away rushed Kitty to return with an apron full of American daisies .

a pretty cluster was soon fastened just over the left-hand frizzle of bright hair , and the little bonnet was complete .

" now I could die content ; I 'm perfect in all respects , and I know Jack won't be ashamed of me .

" I hope you will enjoy every minute of the time , deary .

so absorbed was she in learning to manage her train gracefully , that she forgot the facing till very late .

" it 's very pretty , but one ruins a silk at Class Day , you know .

I thought this organdie would be more comfortable and appropriate this warm day .

but I do wish she had let her hair alone and worn that pretty hat of hers . "

" why , Kitty , you 're got up regardless of expense , aren't you ?

I 'm so glad you came , we 'll have a rousing good time , and you shall see all the fun . "

" oh , thank you , Jack !

do I look nice , really ?

I tried to be a credit to you and Pris , and I did have such a job of it .

I 'll make you laugh over it some time .

a carriage for me ?

that one thing was speedily vouchsafed , for before her skirts were smoothly settled , Jack called out , in his hearty way ,

" how are you , Fletcher ?

if you are bound for Chapel I 'll take you up . "

" thanks ; good-morning , Miss Heath . "

it was all done in an instant , and the next thing Kitty knew she was rolling away with the elegant Horace sitting opposite .

how little it takes to make a young girl happy !

a pretty dress , sunshine , and somebody opposite , and they are blest .

everybody knows what goes on in the Chapel , after the fight and scramble are over .

then the closing flourishes , the grand crush , and general scattering .

then the fun really begins , as far as the young folks are concerned .

after he returned , she neglected Jack , who took it coolly , and was never in the way unless she wanted him .

for the first time in her life , Kitty deliberately flirted .

" if she stands that long she 's not the girl I took her for , " thought Jack , beginning to lose patience .

" she doesn't look like my little Kitty , and somehow I don't feel half so fond and proud of her as usual .

I know one thing , my daughters shall never be seen knocking about in that style . "

I advise you to do the same , Fletcher , or give your friend in the pink bonnet a turn . "

there he locked the door , and began to comfort her by making light of the little mishap .

" oh , don't ! it was so funny ! how can you laugh , you cruel boy ?

I 'm disgraced , forever take me home to Pris , oh , take me home to Pris ! "

the new gloves were both split up the middle and very dirty with clutching at the steps as she went down .

" never mind , you can wash them , " said Jack , soothingly .

" I paid a dollar and a half for them , and they can't be washed , " groaned Kitty .

" oh , hang the gloves !

I meant your hands , " cried Jack , trying to keep sober .

" no matter for my hands , I mourn my gloves .

but I won't cry any more , for my head aches now so I can hardly see . "

and Kitty threw off her bonnet , as if even that airy trifle hurt her .

" bless the what's-its-name if it has settled him , " cried Jack .

" he is a contemptible fellow not to stay and help you out of the scrape he got you into .

follow his lead and don't trouble yourself about him . "

" handsome eyes , white hands , and angelic feet don't make a man .

wait till you can do better , Kit . "

" oh , I couldn't , " cried Kitty , with a shudder at the bare idea of meeting any one .

" I can't be seen again to-night ; let me stay here till my train goes . "

" how can you joke about it ! " and the girl 's reproachful eyes filled with tears of shame .

" I know I 've been very silly , Jack , but I 've had my punishment , and I don't need any more .

to feel that you despise me is worse than all the rest . "

she ended with a little sob , and turned her face away to hide the trembling of her lips .

at that , Jack flushed up , his eyes shone , and he stooped suddenly as if to make some impetuous reply .

" I 've lost them both by this day 's folly , " thought Kitty , as Mrs Brown departed with the teacup .

but I shall miss Jack , for I 've known and loved him all my life .

how good he 's been to me to-day ! so patient , careful , and kind , though he must have been ashamed of me .

I know he didn't like my dress ; but he never said a word and stood by me through everything .

then she surveyed herself with pensive satisfaction , saying , in the tone of one bent on resolutely mortifying the flesh ,

" Neat but not gaudy ; I 'm a fright , but I deserve it , and it 's better than being a peacock . "

" how good of you to bring me these !

they are more refreshing than oceans of tea .

you know what I like , Jack ; thank you very much " cried Kitty , sniffing at her roses with grateful rapture .

" and you know what I like , " returned Jack , with an approving glance at the altered figure before him .

" oh , dear , no ! these fit nicely .

" you are a rainy-day friend , and he isn't , " said Kitty , softly , as she drew him away .

something had happened to the evening and the place , for both seemed suddenly endowed with uncommon beauty and interest .

for both had made a little discovery , no , not a little one , the greatest and sweetest man and woman can make .

oh , I wish I was a better girl ! "

if the band had played

" oh , there 's nothing half so sweet in life As love 's young dream "

Fletcher 's ambrosial curls would have been scorched off his head .

" never mind , and don't get angry , Jack .

they are right about one thing , the daisies in my bonnet were real , and I couldn't afford any others .

I don't care much , only Pris worked so hard to get me ready I hate to have my things made fun of . "

" why , Kitty , I thought the real daisies the prettiest things about your dress .

don't throw them away .

Jack had meant to say something before she went , and was immensely surprised to find the chance lost for the present .

he was very silent as they walked to the station with Dr Dodd trudging behind them .

Kitty thought he was tired , perhaps glad to be rid of her , and meekly accepted her fate .

but as the train approached , she gave his hand an impulsive squeeze , and said very gratefully ,

" I 'll tell you how you may return it ' with all your heart , ' by and by .

good-night , my Kitty . "

" have you had a good time , dear ? " asked Pris , as her sister appeared an hour later .

he blandly wished Horace " bon voyage , " and regretted that he wouldn't be there to the wedding in October .

AUNT KIPP

" children and fools speak the truth . "

I

" what 's that sigh for , Polly dear ? "

" I 'm tired , mother , tired of working and waiting .

if I 'm ever going to have any fun , I want it now while I can enjoy it . "

" she isn't dear !

you know we all hate her , and you are more afraid of her than you are of spiders , so now . "

this young person was regarded as a reprobate by all but his mother , sister , and sister 's sweetheart , Van Bahr Lamb .

" I don't want her old money , and I 'll tell her so if she bothers me about it .

so we are quite safe for the next week at least , and bless my soul , there she is now ! "

Polly gave a groan , and pulled a bright ribbon from her hair .

toady muttered , " oh , bother ! " and vainly attempted to polish up his countenance with a fragmentary pocket-handkerchief .

" nothing but salt fish for dinner , " wailed Mrs Snow , as the shadow of the coming event fell upon her .

" Van will make a fool of himself , and ruin everything , " sighed Polly , glancing at the ring on her finger .

" I know she 'll kiss me ; she never will let a fellow alone , " growled Toady , scowling darkly .

" what a fib that was ! " said Toady , sotto voce .

" I changed my mind .

Theodore , come and kiss me , " answered Aunt Kipp , briefly .

" yes 'm , " was the plaintive reply , and , closing his eyes , Toady awaited his fate with fortitude .

but the dreaded salute did not come , for Aunt Kipp exclaimed in alarm ,

" Mercy on us ! has the boy got the plague ? "

" go and wash this moment , sir .

thank Heaven , I 've got no boys , " cried Aunt Kipp . as if boys were some virulent disease which she had narrowly escaped .

" I 'm glad you are better , " said Mary , reverently receiving the funereal head-gear .

" I 'm not better , " cut in Aunt Kipp .

" have a cup of tea , aunt ? " said Mrs Snow .

" I will . "

" lie down and rest a little , " suggested Polly .

" I won't . "

" can we do anything for you ? " said both .

" take my things away , and have dinner early . "

both departed to perform these behests , and , leaning back in her chair , Aunt Kipp reposed .

" good for Polly ! so you are ! " sung out the boy , with the hearty child 's laugh so pleasant to most ears .

" what do you mean , sir ? " demanded the old lady , irefully poking at him with her umbrella .

" why , Polly said you were a bore , " explained Toady , with artless frankness .

" you are fat , you know , and fierce sometimes , and folks are afraid of you .

good , wasn't it ? "

" very !

" May she ? well , that 's jolly now .

she was afraid you wouldn't give her the money ; so I 'll tell her it 's all right ; " and innocent Toady nodded approvingly .

" oh , she expects some of my money , does she ? "

I 'll tell you a secret , if you won't let Polly know I spoke first .

you 'll find it out to-night , for you ' d see Van and she were sweethearts in a minute . "

" sweethearts ? " cried Aunt Kipp , turning red in the face .

" yes 'm .

Van settled it last week , and Polly 's been so happy ever since .

we all like it , and we ' d all say so , if we were not afraid of you .

mother and Polly , I mean ; of course we men don't mind , but we don't want a fuss .

you won't make one , will you , now ? "

Aunt Kipp eyed him so fiercely that even before she spoke a dim suspicion that something was wrong began to dawn on his too-confiding soul .

" I don't like it , and I 'll put a stop to it .

I won't have any ridiculous baa-baas in my family .

In rushed Mrs Snow and Polly , to find the boy 's spirits quite quenched , for once , and Aunt Kipp in a towering passion .

" I didn't mean to do it , I truly didn't !

I thought I 'd just ' give her a hint , ' as you say .

she looked all right , and laughed when I told her about being a bore , and I thought she liked it .

" bless the boy !

I do believe he would ! " cried Mrs Snow , watching the little turkey-cock with maternal pride .

" you can't do that : so just be careful and not make any more mischief , dear . "

" I 'll try , mother ; but I 'm always getting into scrapes with Aunt Kipp .

she 's worse than measles , any day , such an old aggrawater !

Van 's coming this afternoon , won't he make her pleasant again ? "

" oh , dear , no !

he will probably make things ten times worse , he 's so bashful and queer .

I 'm afraid our last chance is gone , deary , and we must rub along as we have done . "

one sniff of emotion burst from Toady , and for a moment he laid his head in the knife-tray , overcome with disappointment and regret .

but scorning to yield to unmanly tears , he was soon himself again .

thrusting his beloved jackknife , with three blades and a file , into Polly 's hand , he whispered , brokenly ,

" keep it forever ' n ' ever ; I 'm awful sorry ! "

II

" Sophy , I 'm surprised at your want of judgment .

do you really mean to let your girl marry this Lamb ?

why , the man 's a fool ! " began Aunt Kipp , after dinner , by way of opening a pleasant conversation with her relatives .

" dear me , aunt ! how can you know that , when you never saw him ? " mildly returned Mrs Snow .

" I 've heard of him , and that 's enough for me .

I 've a deal of penetration in judging character , and I tell you Van Bahr Lamb is a fool . "

the amiable old lady thought this would rouse Polly , against whom her anger still burned hotly .

" I like fools . "

" bless my heart ! what does the girl mean ? " ejaculated Aunt Kipp .

" just what I say .

if Van is a fool , I prefer simpletons to wiseacres .

I know he is shy and awkward , and does absurd things now and then .

" and you insist on marrying him ? " demanded Aunt Kipp .

" yes , I do . "

" then I wish a carriage immediately , " was the somewhat irrelevant reply .

" Far from it .

I wish to see Judge Banks about altering my will , " was the awful answer .

it was a party of pleasure that just suited her , for all the fun was on her side .

away they went , leaving poor Mrs Snow to bewail herself dismally after she had smiled and nodded them out of sight .

" yes 'm , " returned Toady , with a crack which would have done honor to a French postilion .

Polly couldn't restrain a tear or two , in thinking of her own poor little prospects , and Toady was goaded to desperation .

" hold him in !

keep a taut rein !

with a snort and a bound Bob dashed straight on toward the crossing , as the train appeared round the bend .

" let me out !

let me out !

jump !

Jump ! " shrieked Aunt Kipp , thrusting her head out of the window , while she fumbled madly for the door-handle .

" don't howl ; we 'll do it !

" O Polly , wasn't it horrid ?

tell mother I stood by you like a man .

do tell her that ! "

Mrs Kipp was extricated and restored to consciousness ; for a more ludicrously deplorable spectacle was seldom seen .

having heard of Toady 's gallant behavior , she solemnly ordered him up to receive her blessing .

" ah ! poor dear , his feelings are too much for him .

he sees my doom in my face , and is overcome by what you refuse to believe .

I shan't forget that boy 's devotion .

now leave me to the meditations befitting these solemn hours . "

" they are rejoicing over my approaching end , knowing that I haven't changed my will .

Van Bahr Lamb did look rather like a sheep .

they were talking of this as the old lady suspected , and of course the following conversation afforded her intense satisfaction .

I 'm tired of being a slave to a cruel old woman just because she 's rich .

" hooray for Polly !

" it 's on your account , children , that I bear with aunt 's temper as I do .

" have you tried to soften your aunt 's heart ? " he asked , after a moment 's meditation .

" good gracious , Van , she hasn't got any , " cried Polly , who firmly believed it .

" it 's hossified , " thoughtfully remarked Toady , quite unconscious of any approach to a joke till every one giggled .

" you 've had hossification enough for one while , my lad , " laughed Van .

" that 's a beautiful remark , Van , and a wise one .

I just wish she could hear you make it , for she called you a fool , " said Polly , irefully .

" did she ?

independence is a very nice thing , and poverty isn't half as bad as this sort of slavery .

but you are not going to be poor , nor worry about anything .

" well , we 'd think of it , " said Polly , trying not to relent , but feeling that she was going very fast .

" let's do it ! " cried Toady , fired with the thought of privy conspiracy and rebellion .

" there 's no ingratitude about it , " cried Van .

" Poor Aunt Kipp ! " said Polly , softly .

Even Toady had a kind thought for her , as he broke the silence , saying soberly ,

under cover of the laugh , the old lady stole back to bed , wide awake , and with subjects enough to meditate upon now .

" I might have been a happy , useful woman , but I didn't choose to , and now it 's too late . "

it was too late to be all she might have been , for the work of seventy selfish years couldn't be undone in a minute .

III

there was a dash and daring , a generosity and integrity , about the little fellow , that charmed her .

" a story ?

yes , I 'll tell you one about a little boy who had a kind old ahem ! grandma .

she was rich , and hadn't made up her mind who she 'd leave her money to .

" if you are tired I won't go on , " observed Aunt Kipp , mildly .

what do you think of that ? " asked Aunt Kipp , pausing suddenly with her sharp eye on him .

" and what did the boy do about it ? " continued Aunt Kipp , curiously .

" what in the world is a cherakin ? " laughed Aunt Kipp , as Toady paused for breath .

" why , don't you know ?

it 's a angel crying , or pointing up , or flapping his wings .

they have them over graves ; and I 'll give you the biggest one I can find when you die .

but I 'm not in a very great hurry to have you . "

" Thankee , dear ; I 'm in no hurry , myself .

" really ? " cried the boy , with a troubled face .

" yes , really .

if he gave her any he lost it all ; the old lady said so .

toady 's eyes kindled , and his red cheeks grew redder still , as he cried out defiantly ,

" I think she was a selfish pig , don't you ? "

" no , I don't , sir ; and I 'm sure that little boy wasn't such a fool as to lose the money .

he minded his grandma 's wishes , and kept it all . "

" no , he didn't , " roared Toady , tumbling off his chair in great excitement .

" he just threw it out a winder , and smashed the old cherakin all to bits . "

" Van Bahr Lamb , ma'am , if you please .

yes , thank you , " murmured Baa-Baa , bowing , blushing , and rumpling his curly fleece in bashful trepidation .

" don't thank me , " cried the old lady .

" I 'm not going to give you anything , far from it .

I object to you altogether .

what business have you to come courting my niece ? "

" because I love her , ma'am , " returned Van , with unexpected spirit .

" no , you don't ; you want her money , or rather my money .

" I 'm glad of it ! " burst out Van , indignant at her accusation .

" what 's that ?

what property are you talking of ? " demanded Aunt Kipp , pricking up her ears .

" the great Van Bahr estate , ma'am .

there has been a long lawsuit about it , but it 's nearly settled , and there isn't much doubt that we shall get it .

I am the last of our branch , and my share will be a large one . "

" oh , indeed !

" but suppose you don't get it , how then ? "

" then I shall try to be contented with my salary of two thousand , and make Polly as happy as I can .

money doesn't always make people happy or agreeable , I find . "

and Van looked at Aunt Kipp in a way that would have made her hair stand erect if she had possessed any .

" if you had capital should you go into business for yourself , Mr Lambkin ? "

" yes , ma'am , at once , " replied Van , promptly .

" suppose it was me , wouldn't you take it ? " asked Aunt Kipp , blandly , for the new fancy pleased her .

" no , thank you , ma'am , " said Van , decidedly .

" you 're an idiot , sir , " began Aunt Kipp , in a rage again .

" thank you , ma'am . "

and Van actually laughed and bowed in return for the compliment .

" hold your tongue , sir , " snapped the old lady .

" you 're a fool and Sophy is another .

" Mrs Kipp , you forget who you are speaking to .

" I 'm a poor , lonely , abused old woman , " she moaned , with a green monkey at each eye .

" no one loves me , or minds me , or thanks me when I want to help ' em .

oh , deary me , what shall I do ! what shall I do ! "

give it to Mrs Snow ; she deserves it , poor lady , for she 's had a hard time , and done her duty faithfully .

don't wait till you are that is , till you well , till you in point of fact die , ma'am .

give it now , and enjoy the happiness it will make .

try it , ma'am , just try it , " cried Van , getting excited by the picture he drew .

" and I give you my word I 'll do my best to respect and love you like a son , ma'am . "

he knew that he was promising a great deal , but for Polly 's sake he felt that he could make even that Herculean effort .

" don't cry , aunty ; I 'm sorry I was rude .

please be good to Mother and Polly , and I 'll love and take care of you , and stand by you all my life .

yes , I 'll I'll kiss you , I will , by George ! "

and with one promiscuous plunge the Spartan boy cast himself into her arms .

that finished Aunt Kipp ; she hugged him dose , and cried out with a salute that went off like a pistol-shot ,

" oh , my dear , my dear ! this is better than a dozen cherakins ! "

Mrs Snow hugged her on the spot , and gushed , of course , murmuring thanks , welcomes , and promises in one grateful burst .

" Polly , I forgive you ; I consent to your marriage , and will provide your wedding finery .

Mr Lamb , you are not a fool , but a very excellent young man .

I thank you for saving my life , and I wish you well with all my heart .

you needn't say anything .

I 'm far from strong , and all this agitation is shortening my life . "

Polly and Van shook her hand heartily , and beamed upon each other like a pair of infatuated turtle-doves with good prospects .

" toady , you are as near an angel as a boy can be .

his face brightened , then fell , as he heaved a sigh , and answered , with a shake of his curly head ,

" you can't give me what I want most .

there are three things , and I 've got to wait for them all . "

" Gracious me , what are they ? " cried the old lady , good-naturedly , for she felt better already .

how Aunt Kipp did laugh at this early budding of romance in her pet !

and all the rest joined her , for Toady 's sentimental air was irresistible .

" you precocious chick !

I dare say you will have them all before we know where we are .

" you needn't blush , dear ; I don't bear malice ; so let's forget and forgive .

I shall settle things to-morrow , and have a free mind .

you are welcome to my money , and I hope I shall live to see you all enjoy it . "

PSYCHE'S ART

" Handsome is that handsome does . "

I

once upon a time there raged in a certain city one of those fashionable epidemics which occasionally attack our youthful population .

it wasn't the music mania , nor gymnastic convulsions , nor that wide-spread malady , croquet .

no , it was a new disease called the Art fever , and it attacked the young women of the community with great violence .

others flushed themselves with scarlet , that no landscape which they adorned should be without some touch of Turner 's favorite tint .

an atmosphere of romance began to pervade the old buildings when the girls came , and nature and art took turns .

" Psyche Dean , you 've had an adventure !

" I dropped my portfolio , and a man picked it up , that 's all . " replied Psyche , hurrying on her gray linen pinafore .

" it wasn't anything , " began Psyche a little reluctantly .

" I was coming up in a hurry when I ran against a man coming down in a hurry .

my portfolio slipped , and my papers went flying all about the landing .

" never tell people they are geniuses unless you wish to spoil them , " returned Psyche severely .

I didn't care for the dusty flowers , and told him so , and hurried away before any one came .

Psyche frowned and shook her head , as if half sorry she had told her little story .

" was he handsome ? " asked Miss Larkins , the believer in fate .

" I didn't particularly observe . "

" it was the red-headed man , whom we call Titian : he 's always on the stairs . "

" no , it wasn't ; his hair was brown and curly , " cried Psyche , innocently falling into the trap .

" had he a broken nose , like the great Mike ? " asked an irreverent damsel .

we 'll call him Michael Angelo , and he shall be your idol .

" Raphael is a dear , but Rubens is more to my taste now , " returned Miss Larkins .

" he was in the hall yesterday talking with Sir Joshua , who had his inevitable umbrella , like a true Englishman .

just as I came up , the umbrella fell right before me .

it was perfectly thrilling . "

" which , the umbrella , the speech , or the look ? " asked Psyche , who was not sentimental .

" ah , you have no soul for art in nature , and nature in art , " sighed the amber-tressed Larkins .

" I have , for I feed upon a glance , a tint , a curve , with exquisite delight .

Rubens is adorable ( as a study ) ; that lustrous eye , that night of hair , that sumptuous cheek , are perfect .

he only needs a cloak , lace collar , and slouching hat to be the genuine thing . "

" this isn't the genuine thing by any means .

what does it need ? " said Psyche , looking with a despondent air at the head on her stand .

" now I am perfectly satisfied with my Apollo , though you all insist that it is the image of Theodore Smythe .

" what shall you do if it does not ? " asked Miss Cutter , with elegance .

" she must have capacious arms if she is to receive all Art 's rejected admirers .

shall I be one of them ? "

" it 's no use ; I can't work till the clay is wet again .

where is Giovanni ? " she asked , throwing down her tools with a petulant gesture and a dejected air .

" he is probably playing truant in the empty upper rooms , as usual .

" he is not here ; come and look ; it is greatly beautiful , " cried Giovanni , beckoning with an air of importance .

Psyche did look and speedily forgot both her errand and herself .

it was the figure of a man , standing erect , and looking straight before him with a wonderfully lifelike expression .

she soon ceased to wonder what it was , feeling only the indescribable charm of something higher than beauty .

how long she stood there Psyche did not know .

Giovanni went away unseen , to fill his water-pail , and in the silence she just stood and looked .

" who did it , Giovanni ? " she asked , still looking up at the grand face with unsatisfied eyes .

" Paul Gage . "

" you have done a wonderful piece of work , and I envy you more than I can tell ! "

the enthusiasm in her face , the frankness of her manner , seemed to please him , for there was no affectation about either .

" Adam !

I might have known it was he .

" then I am satisfied . "

" I wish I could tell you , but each needs different fare , and each must look for it in different places . "

" I slept , and dreamed that life was beauty ; I woke , and found that life was duty .

was thy dream then a shadowy lie ?

toil on , sad heart , courageously , And thou shall find thy dream to be A noonday light and truth to thee . "

" is doing one 's duty a good way to feed heart , soul , and imagination ? "

as if he had caught a glimpse of what was going on in her mind , Paul answered emphatically ,

" Excellent ; for if one is good , one is happy , and if happy , one can work well .

moulding character is the highest sort of sculpture , and all of us should learn that art before we touch clay or marble . "

" did you find him ?

I thought you had forgotten , " said Miss Dickenson , now hard at work .

" yes , I found him .

no , I shall not forget , " returned Psyche , thinking of Gage , not Giovanni .

" Good-by , girls ; I shan't come any more , for I 'm going to work at home hereafter . "

II

take a day as a sample .

" Mercy on us , Harry ! what have you done to yourself now ?

split your fingers with a cricket-ball again ? " cried Psyche , as her arms went up and her book went down .

" I just thrashed one of the fellows because he got mad and said father was going to fail . "

" O Harry , is he ? "

" of course he isn't !

it 's hard times for every one , but father will pull through all right .

" what a dreadful wound !

" don't sneer , Hal , for you don't know anything about it .

wait a few years and see if you 're not proud of me . "

she had just reached the tender scene where ,

" Calista gazed with enthusiasm , while she looked like a being of heaven rather than earth .

' My friend , ' she cried , ' I read in thy picture thy immortality ! '

" how sweet ! " said Psyche , with a romantic sigh .

" faith , and swate it is , thin ! " echoed Katy , whose red head had just appeared round the half opened door .

" the boys are very thoughtless .

come in and stay with me ; you are such a mouse you won't disturb me .

" can't you hold your arm still , child ?

it shakes so I can't get it right , " she said , rather impatiently .

" no , it will tremble ' cause it 's weak .

I try hard , Sy , but there doesn't seem to be much strongness in me lately . "

" my arm is so thin you can see the bunches nicely , can't you ? "

" yes , dear . "

Psyche glanced up at the wasted limb , and when she drew again there was a blur before her eyes for a minute .

" don't , my darling ; don't say that , " cried Psyche , dropping her work with a sudden pang at her heart .

" oh , I 'd like it very much !

I wanted to go dreadfully ; but everybody is so busy all the time .

finding , much to her own surprise , that her fancy was teeming with lovely conceits , she did hope for a quiet evening .

so Psyche 's day ended , leaving her very tired , rather discouraged , and almost heart-sick with the shadow of a coming sorrow .

in the autumn May died , whispering , with her arms about her sister 's neck ,

" you make me so happy , Sy , I wouldn't mind the pain if I could stay a little longer .

but if I can't , good-by , dear , good-by . "

In the solemn pause which death makes in every family , Psyche said , with the sweet self-forgetfulness of a strong yet tender nature ,

a busy , anxious , humdrum winter , for , as Harry said , " it was hard times for every one . "

all turned to Sy for help and consolation , and her strength seemed to increase with the demand upon it .

Patience and cheerfulness , courage and skill came at her call like good fairies who had bided their time .

the studio door remained locked till her brothers begged Psyche to open it and make a bust of the child .

but she tried , and with great wonder and delight discovered that she could work as she had never done before .

III

he understood what the boy meant , and with an approving nod turned to his work again , saying , " I like that !

if there is any power in her , she has taken the right way to find it out , I suspect . "

Adam was finished at last , proved a genuine success , and Paul heartily enjoyed the well-earned reward for years of honest work .

the gate swung invitingly open , and all the ground before it was blue with violets .

only near the end did he find the clue in words of his own , spoken long ago , and a name .

soon an old house appeared nestling to the hillside with the river shining in the low green meadows just before it .

" she 's gone to town , but I expect her home every minute .

the gentleman did walk in , and while he waited looked about him .

" I hope Miss Psyche is well , " began Paul , with great discrimination if not originality .

" yes , thank heaven , Sy is well .

I don't know what would become of us if she wasn't .

it has been a hard and sorrowful year for us with Mr Dean 's business embarrassments , my feeble health , and May 's death .

Paul murmured his regrets , understanding better now the pathetic words on a certain tear-stained page of the little book still in his pocket .

" how could she with two invalids , the housekeeping , her father and the boys to attend to ?

" I 'm afraid ambition isn't good for women ; I mean the sort that makes them known by coming before the public in any way .

but Sy deserves some reward , I 'm sure , and I know she 'll have it , for a better daughter never lived . "

" Sy , my balloon has got away ; lend us a hand at catching him ! "

" Sy , I want a lot of paste made , right off . "

" Sy , I 've split my jacket down the back ; come sew me up , there 's a dear ! "

Paul laughed quietly to himself , then turned sober and said , " poor Psyche ! " with a sympathetic sigh .

" here we are ! " cried a cheery voice , as they entered without observing the new-comer .

" I 've done all my errands and had a lovely time .

there is Tom 's gunpowder , Dick 's fishhooks , and one of Professor Gazzy 's famous turtles for Harry .

here are your bundles , mother dear , and , best of all , here 's father home in time for a good rest before dinner .

I went to the mill and got him . "

his big hand patted her cheek very gently as he said , in a tone of fatherly love and pride ,

" my little Sy never forgets old father , does she ? "

" good gracious me , my dear , there 's such a mess in the kitchen !

" the violets showed me the way . "

she glanced at the posy in his button-hole and smiled .

" yes , I gave them to Adam , but I didn't think you would guess .

I enjoyed your work for an hour to-day , and I have no words strong enough to express my admiration . "

" there is no need of any .

" I 've been working and waiting , " she began .

" my diary !

I didn't know I had lost it .

where did you find it ? "

" by the brook where I stopped to rest .

the moment I saw your name I shut it up .

forgive me , but I can't ask pardon for reading a few pages of that little gospel of patience , love , and self-denial . "

" then you do not relinquish your hopes , and lay down your tools ? " he asked , with some eagerness .

" never !

all the old enthusiasm shone in her eyes , and a sense of power betrayed itself in voice and gesture as she spoke .

" I believe it , " he said heartily .

" you have learned the secret , as that proves . "

the year has gone , but I don't regret it , though this is all I have done . "

" you forget your three wishes ; I think the year has granted them . "

" what were they ? "

" to possess beauty in yourself , the power of seeing it in all things , and the art of reproducing it with truth . "

she colored deeply under the glance which accompanied the threefold compliment , and answered with grateful humility ,

" you are very kind to say so ; I wish I could believe it . "

then , as if anxious to forget herself , she added rather abruptly ,

" I hear you think of giving your Adam a mate , have you begun yet ? "

" yes , my design is finished , all but the face . "

" I should think you could image Eve 's beauty , since you have succeeded so well with Adam 's . "

" the features perhaps , but not the expression .

that is the charm of feminine faces , a charm so subtile that few can catch and keep it .

I want a truly womanly face , one that shall be sweet and strong without being either weak or hard .

" it will be hard to find a face like that . "

" I sincerely hope you will find one then , " said Psyche , thinking of the dinner .

" thank you ; I think I have . "

a COUNTRY CHRISTMAS

" a handful of good life is worth a bushel of learning . "

" dear Emily , I have a brilliant idea , and at once hasten to share it with you .

" my brilliant idea is this .

I 'm going to make it a real old-fashioned frolic , and won't you come and help me ?

you will enjoy it immensely I am sure , for Aunt is a character .

Cousin Saul worth seeing , and Ruth a far prettier girl than any of the city rose-buds coming out this season .

just telegraph yes or no , and we will expect you on Tuesday .

" ever yours ,

" SOPHIE VAUGHAN . "

" I 've done it , Aunt ; and now I want Saul to post the letter , so we can get a speedy answer . "

" well , dear , I ain't the least mite of objection , as long as it pleases you .

I guess we can stan ' it ef your city folks can .

I presume to say things will look kind of sing'lar to ' em , but I s'pose that 's what they come for .

" no fear of that , dear .

Nell is very nice and jolly when she drops her city ways , as she must here .

she will enter into the spirit of the fun at once , and I know you 'll all like her .

our darters don't hire out much .

as it could not be done , he fled temptation and " hitched up " without delay .

next day a telegram arrived accepting the invitation , for both the lady and the lion .

" she has not come for us , and there is not even a stage to take us up .

there must be some mistake , " said Emily Herrick , as she looked about the shabby little station where they were set down .

" I 'm dressed for my part , and I intend to keep it up .

this is our host , my cousin , Saul Basset .

" that is your hero , is it ?

well , he looks it , calm and comely , taciturn and tall , " said Emily , in a tone of approbation .

" Saul doesn't live in a glass house , so stones won't hurt him .

remember sarcasm is forbidden and sincerity the order of the day .

you are country folks now , and it will do you good to try their simple , honest ways for a few days . "

" isn't it nice ?

" if I may add a little smoke to your glorious fire , it will be quite perfect .

won't Samson join me ? " asked Randal , waiting for permission , cigar-case in hand .

" he has no small vices , but you may indulge yours , " answered Sophie , from the depths of a grandmotherly chair .

" his Delilah does not take this form .

I wait with interest to discover if he has one .

what a daisy the sister is .

does she ever speak ? " asked Randal , trying to lounge on the haircloth sofa , where he was slipping uncomfortably about .

" oh yes , and sings like a bird .

you shall hear her when she gets over her shyness .

" I should expect to be annihilated by the big brother if I attempted any but the ' sincerest ' admiration and respect .

have no fears on that score , but tell us what is to follow this superb dinner .

an apple bee , spinning match , husking party , or primitive pastime of some sort , I have no doubt . "

" as you are new to our ways I am going to let you rest this evening .

we will sit about the fire and tell stories .

" ah , he was there , was he ? "

" yes , all through it , and is Major Basset , though he likes his plain name best .

he fought splendidly and had several wounds , though only a mere boy when he earned his scars and bars .

" we must stir him up and hear these martial memories .

I want some new incidents , and shall book all I can get , if I may . "

here Randal was interrupted by Saul himself , who came in with an armful of wood for the fire .

" anything more I can do for you , cousin ? " he asked , surveying the scene with a rather wistful look .

" only come and sit with us and talk over war times with Mr Randal . "

" when I 've foddered the cattle and done my chores I 'd be pleased to .

what regiment were you in ? " asked Saul , looking down from his lofty height upon the slender gentleman , who answered briefly ,

" In none .

I was abroad at the time . "

" sick ? "

" no , busy with a novel . "

" took four years to write it ? "

" I was obliged to travel and study before I could finish it .

these things take more time to work up than outsiders would believe . "

if you want heroes and heroines you 'd have found plenty of ' em there . "

major . "

" I can't stop now ; heroes can wait , pigs can't . "

" laugh away , young folks , that 's better for digestion than any of the messes people use .

are you troubled with dyspepsy , dear ?

I am not dyspeptic , thank you , but a little seedy and tired , for I 've been working rather hard lately . "

the others kept their countenances with difficulty , and she answered demurely ,

" I have no trade as yet , but I dare say I should be happier if I had . "

" not a doubt on't , my dear . "

" what would you recommend , ma'am ? "

" I should say dressmakin ' was rather in your line , ain't it ?

" no , ma'am , I don't make my own things , I 'm too lazy .

it takes so much time and trouble to select them that I have only strength left to wear them . "

" Housekeepin ' used to be the favorite perfessun in my day .

" ' Pears to me there 's no call for so much art when nater is full of beauty for them that can see and love it .

that 's the Lord 's job , and I presume to say He can do it without any advice of ourn . "

" now the circle is complete and the picture perfect .

don't light the lamps yet , please , but talk away and let me make a mental study of you .

" sakes alive , why shouldn't we ? " cried Aunt Plumy .

" we have some eddication , though we ain't very genteel .

we 've got a town libry , kep up by the women mostly , with fairs and tea parties and so on .

we have all the magazines reg'lar , and Saul reads out the pieces while Ruth sews and I knit , my eyes bein ' poor .

our winter is long and evenins would be kinder lonesome if we didn't have novils and newspapers to cheer ' em up . "

" I am very glad I can help to beguile them for you .

now tell me what you honestly think of my work ?

flowers won't blow worth a cent ef you pull ' em open .

better wait and see what they can do alone .

I do relish the smart sayins , the odd ways of furrin parts , and the sarcastic slaps at folkses weak spots .

them that goes to the heart and ain't soon forgotten is the kind I hanker for .

Mis Terry 's books now , and Mis Stowe 's , and Dickens 's Christmas pieces , them is real sweet and cheerin ' , to my mind . "

" many thanks , madam ; you have discovered my weak point with surprising accuracy .

" I think all the novels are splendid !

I hope you will write hundreds more , and I shall live to read ' em . "

" Bravo , my gentle champion !

" speaking of the serial , I am very anxious to know how your hero comes out .

" upon my soul , I don't know myself .

it is very hard to find new finales .

" well , no , I don't think I 've anything to offer .

" tell us one of them , and I 'll bless you for a hint .

" tell about the splendid fellow who held the bridge , like Horatius , till help came up .

that was a thrilling story , I assure you , " answered Sophie , with an inviting smile .

but Saul would not be his own hero , and said briefly :

" any man can be brave when the battle-fever is on him , and it only takes a little physical courage to dash ahead . "

there was skirmishing going on not far off , and our prospects were rather poor between frost and fire .

one had an arm blown away , and kept up a dreadful groaning .

the other was shot bad , and bleeding to death for want of help , but never complained .

he was nearest , and I liked his pluck , for he spoke cheerful and made me ashamed to growl .

" ' Room for one more .

hard luck , old boys , but we are full and must save the worst wounded first .

take a drink , and hold on till we come back , ' says one of them with the stretcher .

" ' No , that one .

we always want mother when we are down , you know . "

" well , to be short , the groaning chap was taken , and my man left .

" I 'll never forget that night .

I dream it all over again as plain as if it was real .

it was awful ! so lonesome , helpless , and seemingly God-forsaken .

Saul drew a long breath , and held his hands to the fire as if he felt again the sharp suffering of that night .

" and the man ? " asked Emily , softly , as if reluctant to break the silence .

" he was a man !

in times like that men talk like brothers and show what they are .

he had one chance and gave it cheerfully .

he longed for those he loved , and let ' em go with a good-by they couldn't hear .

he suffered all the pains we most shrink from without a murmur , and kept my heart warm while his own was growing cold .

the cold sort of numbed me , and I dropped off , too weak and stupid to think or feel .

I never should have waked up if it hadn't been for Joe .

that 's all . "

" it was very noble , very touching .

and you ? how did you get off at last ? " asked Randal , with real admiration and respect in his usually languid face .

" crawled off , " answered Saul , relapsing into his former brevity of speech .

" why not before , and save yourself all that misery ? "

" couldn't leave Joe . "

" ah , I see ; there were two heroes that night . "

" dozens , I 've no doubt .

those were times that made heroes of men , and women , too . "

" I 've done my part .

the Bassets were charmed .

when they parted for the night and Sophie kissed her aunt , Emily did the same , saying heartily ,

" it seems as if I 'd known you all my life , and this is certainly the most enchanting old place that ever was . "

" Glad you like it , dear .

they found it difficult to keep their word when they were called at half past six next morning .

" Lord , in the morning Thou shalt hear My voice ascending high . "

" you do ' keep it up ' in earnest , upon my word ; and very becoming it is , dear .

" I like it , and really believe I 've found my proper sphere at last .

" the charming Miss Vaughan in the role of a farmer 's wife .

" what an appetite early rising gives one .

Ruth went to the window to water the flowers , and Randal followed to make himself agreeable , remembering her defence of him last night .

" anything you like !

I should be so glad to have you wear my flowers .

" you must make her happy by accepting the invitation to go home with her which I heard given last night .

a peep at the world would do you good , and be a pleasant change , I think . "

" why not ? " asked Randal , wondering at the hesitation .

" I might grow discontented with things here if I saw splendid houses and fine people .

" very often , but mother says when I 'm ready they will come , so I wait and try not to be impatient . "

" I intend to hop soon , but it won't be a very long flight or very far from mother .

she can't spare me , and nobody in the world can fill her place to me . "

" perhaps you are right .

the maternal wing is a safe shelter for confiding little souls like you , Miss Ruth .

before Randal could reply Aunt Plumy approached like a maternal hen who sees her chicken in danger .

" Saul is goin ' to haul wood after he 's done his chores , mebbe you 'd like to go along ?

the view is good , the roads well broke , and the day uncommon fine . "

" now , that 's too bad of Saul !

" you see , Em , I thought it would be appropriate to the house and season to have an old-fashioned dance .

Aunt has quantities of ancient finery stowed away , for great-grandfather Basset was a fine old gentleman and his family lived in state .

take your choice of the crimson , blue or silver-gray damask .

Ruth is to wear the worked muslin and quilted white satin skirt , with that coquettish hat . "

" being dark , I 'll take the red and trim it up with this fine lace .

you must wear the blue and primrose , with the distracting high-heeled shoes .

have you any suits for the men ? " asked Emily , throwing herself at once into the all-absorbing matter of costume .

" a claret velvet coat and vest , silk stockings , cocked hat and snuff-box for Randal .

nothing large enough for Saul , so he must wear his uniform .

won't Aunt Plumy be superb in this plum-colored satin and immense cap ? "

" it 's immense !

the view from the hill is well worth seeing , for the snow glorifies the landscape and reminds one of Switzerland .

I 'm going to make a sketch of it this afternoon ; better come and enjoy the delicious freshness , young ladies . "

Randal was eating with such an appetite that he did not see the glances the girls exchanged as they promised to go .

" how beautiful it is !

I never knew before what winter woods were like .

did you , Sophie ? " asked Emily , sitting on a stump to enjoy the novel pleasure at her ease .

" something is making a new creature of you , that is very evident .

" Scarlet is the only wear just now , I find .

" I don't know which to admire most , the man or his muscle .

" I think we have discovered a rough diamond .

bleed to death before the doctor comes ! "

" who ? who ? " cried the startled trio .

but the man ran on , with some breathless reply , in which only a name was audible " Basset . "

" the deuce it is ! " and Randal dropped his pencil , while the girls sprang up in dismay .

then , with one impulse , they hastened to the distant group , half visible behind the fallen trees and corded wood .

in the act she saw it was not Saul , and covered her bewildered face as if to hide its joy .

a strong arm lifted her , and the familiar voice said cheeringly ,

" I 'm all right , dear .

Poor Bruce is hurt , but we 've sent for help .

better go right home and forget all about it . "

" a good night 's sleep will set her up .

" last will and testament , or sudden inspiration , dear ?

how are you ? faint or feverish , delirious or in the dumps !

Saul looks so anxious , and Mrs Basset hushes us all up so , I came to bed , leaving Randal to entertain Ruth . "

as she spoke Emily saw the papers disappear in a portfolio , and Sophie rose with a yawn .

" I was writing letters , but I 'm sleepy now .

quite over my foolish fright , thank you .

go and get your beauty sleep that you may dazzle the natives to-morrow . "

Sophie can't blind me . "

a dashing sleigh-ride occupied the afternoon , and then great was the fun and excitement over the costumes .

but a worked scarf hid all deficiencies , and the towering cap struck awe into the soul of the most frivolous observer .

" keep an eye on me , girls , for I shall certainly split somewheres or lose my head-piece off when I 'm trottin ' round .

there was a glitter of gold lace in the back entry , and a train of blue and primrose shone in the dim light .

" I was so afraid you wouldn't come ! "

a pause , and then the other voice answered demurely ,

" because I was afraid my head would be turned by the fine things you were saying . "

" it is impossible to help saying what one feels to such an artless little creature as you are .

it does me good to admire anything so fresh and sweet , and won't harm you . "

" it might if "

" if what , my daisy ? "

" I believed it , " and a laugh seemed to finish the broken sentence better than the words .

" you may , Ruth , for I do sincerely admire the most genuine girl I have seen for a long time .

" oh , no ; it would be easy work if she loved you .

I know some one if I only dared to tell her name . "

" she is a captivating little creature , but it is too soon for anything but a mild flirtation .

I must delay further innocent revelations or I shall do something rash . "

" you shall tell me by and by when we are in town .

I am sure you will come , and meanwhile don't forget me . "

" I am going in the spring , but I shall not be with Sophie , " answered Ruth , in a whisper .

" with whom then ?

I shall long to see you . "

" with my husband .

I am to be married in May . "

" may I offer you the native delicacies , and share your plate ?

both are very good , but the china has run short , and after such vigorous exercise as you have had you must need refreshment .

Saul and Sophie emerged from the back entry with shining countenances , but carefully avoided each other for the rest of the evening .

now I can die happy . "

" I 'm proper glad , dear .

now you all go to bed and lay as late as you like to-morrow .

" the dear old soul speaks as if midnight was an unheard-of hour for Christians to be up .

what would she say if she knew how we seldom go to bed till dawn in the ball season ?

I 'm so wide awake I 've half a mind to pack a little .

" I 'm not going .

" my dear child , you will die of ennui up here .

very nice for a week or so , but frightful for a winter .

we are going to be very gay , and cannot get on without you , " cried Emily dismayed at the suggestion .

" you will have to , for I 'm not coming .

" have you lost your mind ? experienced religion ? or any other dreadful thing ?

you always were odd , but this last freak is the strangest of all .

" but Mr Hammond ?

Sophie laughed at her friend 's despairing cry , and turning round said quietly ,

" I wrote to Mr Hammond last night , and this evening received my reward for being an honest girl .

Saul and I are to be married in the spring when Ruth is . "

" I knew something was going on , but hoped to get you away before you were lost .

Sophie , you will repent .

be warned , and forget this sad delusion . "

" too late for that .

the pang I suffered yesterday when I thought Saul was dead showed me how well I loved him .

To-night he asked me to stay , and no power in the world can part us .

oh !

I only hope you may find as true and tender a man to live for as my Saul . "

your brave Saul is worth a dozen old Hammonds , and I do believe you are right . "

" can't we persuade you to come with us , Miss Sophie ? " asked Randal next day , as they made their adieux .

" Spring is a good time for weddin 's , and I shouldn't wonder ef there was quite a number . "

" nor I ; " and Saul and Sophie smiled at one another as they saw how carefully Randal arranged Emily 's wraps .

ON PICKET DUTY

" better late than never . "

" what air you thinkin ' of , Phil ? "

" my wife , Dick . "

" so was I !

ain't it odd how fellers fall to thinkin ' of thar little women , when they get a quiet spell like this ? "

Phil , the " romantic chap , " as he was called , looked his character to the life .

Slender , swarthy , melancholy-eyed , and darkly-bearded ; with feminine features , mellow voice , and alternately languid or vivacious manners .

months of discipline and devotion had done much for him , and some deep experience was fast ripening the youth into a man .

silence followed the last words , while the friendly moon climbed up the sky .

Thorn paced to and fro , his rifle on his shoulder , vigilant and soldierly , however soft his heart might be .

flint lounged on the sward , whistling softly as he whittled at a fallen bough .

" how was it ?

" Tellin ' how we found our wives wouldn't be a bad game , would it , Phil ? "

" I 'm agreeable ; but let's have your romance first . "

" Devilish little of that about me or any of my doin 's .

" settle up them scores byme-by ; fightin ' Christians is scurse raound here .

fire away , Dick . "

we 'd come out of the woods behind the house , and while Joe was foragin ' , I took a reconnoissance .

the view was fust-rate , for the main part of it was a girl airin ' beds on the roof of a stoop .

" what was her good p'ints , hey ? "

' Pretty , ' thinks I ; ' so far so good . '

' Plucky , ' thinks I , ' better ' n ' better . '

jest then an old woman came flyin ' out the back-door , callin ' , ' Kitty !

Kitty !

I darsn't till I 'd seen you , for I can't do nothin ' , I 'm in such a mess , ' says the old lady .

" ' Come down the ladder , there 's a dear .

I 'll pull it round and keep it stiddy , ' says the mother .

" ' Oh , ma , don't ask me ! ' says Kitty , with a shiver .

' I 'm dreadfully scared of ladders since I broke my arm off this very one .

it 's so high , it makes me dizzy jest to think of . '

she was goin ' off rather huffy , when Kitty called out ,

" ' Stop , ma !

I 'll come down and help you , only ketch me if I tumble . '

" a snug little property wouldn't a ben bad , I reckon , " said Flint .

" well , she had it , old skin-flint , though I didn't know or care about it then .

what a jolly row she 'd make if she knew I was tellin ' the ladder part of the story !

Poor little Kit , I wonder what she 's doin ' now .

Thinkin ' of me , I 'll bet . "

" that 's not all , is it ? " asked Thorn , taking a fatherly interest in the younger man 's love passages .

" not quite .

that finished me .

' Gay , ' thinks I ; ' go in and win . '

" now , then , Flint , it 's your turn to keep guard , and Thorn 's to tell his romance .

come , don't try to shirk ; it does a man good to talk of such things , and we 're all mates here . "

" I think I could tell you almost anything if you asked me that way , my boy .

I guess there isn't now , and I 'll tell you how I found my wife . "

" I never hear the number eighty-four without clapping my hand to my left breast and missing my badge .

you know I was on the police in New York , before the war , and that 's about all you do know yet .

" ' This won't do , my girl , ' said I . I never could be harsh with ' em , poor things !

" ' I know it won't , ' she says .

' I didn't want to do it , it 's so mean , but I 'm awful hungry , sir . '

" ' Better run home and get your supper , then . '

" ' I 've got no home . '

" ' Where do you live ? '

" ' In the street . '

" ' Where do you sleep ? '

I like to go there , it 's warm and safe . '

" ' If I don't take you there , what will you do ? '

" ' Don't know .

" I looked where she pointed , and thanked the Lord that they wouldn't take her .

a white , pinched face hers was , with frightened , tired-looking eyes , but so innocent !

" ' You ' d better come to the Station for to-night , and we 'll see to you to-morrow , ' says I .

" ' Thank you , sir , ' says she , looking as grateful as if I 'd asked her home .

I suppose I did speak kind of fatherly .

it was too much for her ; off came her shawl , and she said in that coaxing way of hers ,

I 've had nothing since yesterday morning , and maybe cold is easier to bear than hunger . '

" ' Have you nothing better than that to sell ? '

I says , not quite sure that she wasn't all a humbug , like so many of ' em .

" ' Nothing but myself . '

Thorn choked here , steadied his voice with a resolute hem ! but could only add one sentence more ,

" that 's how I found my wife . "

" come , don't stop thar .

I told the whole o ' mine , you do the same .

Whar did you take her ? how'd it all come round ? "

" please tell us , Thorn . "

the gentler request was answered presently , very steadily , very quietly .

she stayed there till spring working for her keep , growing brighter , prettier , every day , and fonder of me , I thought .

" I 've only got part of one .

I once saved my little girl , and her picture once saved me . "

" I gave her that the first Christmas after I found her .

yes , that 's the bit of lead that would have done for me , if Mary 's likeness hadn't been just where it was . "

" how can I , when I don't know where she is , and camp is all the home I 've got ! "

the words broke from him like a sudden groan , when some old wound is rudely touched .

she got courage finally to tell me that she wasn't happy ; that she wanted to dance again , and asked me if she mightn't .

I do ; and knew it was a bad life for a girl like mine .

that roused her spirit .

' I will go ! ' she said , one day .

it was coming summer , and I made things look as home-like and as pretty as I could .

boys , when I went to tell her and to take her to her little home , she was gone . "

" who with ? "

" oh , Thorn ! what did you do ? "

" ' See !

I 'm happy now ; go away and let me be . '

" I couldn't stand that , and got out somehow .

I couldn't do it then nor afterwards by fair means , and I wouldn't try force .

but she never answered , never came , and I have never tried again . "

" she wasn't worthy of you , Thorn ; you jest forgit her . "

" I wish I could !

I wish I could ! "

" don't say that , Dick ; such fidelity should make us charitable for its own sake .

there is always time for penitence , always certainty of pardon .

take heart , Thorn , you may not wait in vain , and she may yet return to you . "

" I know she will !

" now I 'll relieve Flint , and he will give you a laugh .

come on , Hiram , and tell us about your Beulah . "

before his multitudinous possessions could be restored to their native sphere , Thorn was himself again , and on his feet .

" stay where you are , Phil ; I like to tramp , it seems like old times , and I know you 're tired .

just forget all this I 've been saying , and go on as before .

" hush ! here 's Flint . "

" what 's up naow ? want me tew address the meetin ' , hey ?

" Waal , sir , it 's pretty nigh ten year ago , I was damster daown tew Oldtaown , clos't to Banggore .

I hedn't heared from ' em fer a long spell , when there come a letter sayin ' the old man was breakin ' up .

I sent word I 'd be ' long ' fore a gret while , and byme-by I went .

I didn't blame her a mite , and felt jest the wust kind ; so I give in every way , and fetched her raound .

he 'd never liked the lumberin ' bizness , an ' hankered arfter me a sight , I faound .

" Waal , I stood it one summer ; but it was the longest kind of a job .

come fall I turned contry , darned the farm , and vaowed I 'd go back tew loggin ' .

Aunt hed got fond er me by that time , and felt dreadful bad abaout my leavin ' on her .

Ef yeou don't , I 'll leave every cent on't tew Siah , though he ain't done as waal by me as yeou hev .

I hed my own calk'lations on that p'int , an ' went sparkin ' two or three er the pootiest gals , all that winter .

off I went that evenin ' an ' asked Almiry Nash ef she 'd hev me .

I was just as sure she 'd hev me , as I be that I 'm gittin ' the rewmatiz a settin ' in this ma'sh .

' There , ' sez she , ' it all depends on yeou , whether that place is took by Hiram or Josiah .

it 's easy done , an ' so it 's goan tew stan till the last minit . '

that riled me consid'able , an ' I streaked off tew May Jane Simlin 's .

Bewlah larfed , but I didn't mind her doin ' on't , for she sez , sez she , real sort o ' cunnin ' ,

" ' Poor Hiram ! they didn't use yeou waal .

say , Bewlah , will yeou hev me ? '

" ' Yes , I will . ' sez she .

" ' Reelly ? ' sez I.

" ' Solemn trew , ' sez she .

Yeou asked me in sport , I answered in airnest ; but I don't expect nothin ' unless yeou mean as I mean .

one think was ruther stiddier ' n the rest , an ' that was that I liked Bewlah more ' n I knew .

queer , warn't it ? "

" Love , Flint ; that was a sure symptom of it . "

the words was scarcely out of my maouth , ' fore daown come Dr . Parr .

he ' d ben up tew see aunt , an ' said she wouldn't last the night threw , prob'ly .

" ' Better git merried right away , then .

Parson Dill is tew come an ' see the old lady , an ' he 'll dew both jobs tew oncet . '

" ' Will yeou , Bewlah ? ' sez I.

" ' Yes , Hiram , to ' blige yeou , ' sez she .

" ' Hiram , don't yeou dew it , ef yeou'd ruther not .

I 've stood it a gret while alone , an ' I guess I can ag'in . '

' It won't make no odds , dear , ' whispered my wife , peekin ' over my shoulder .

" that pleased aunt .

" how 's Bewlah ? " asked Dick , after the little tribute of respect all paid to Aunt Siloam 's memory , by a momentary silence .

" Fust-rate ! that harum-scarum venter er mine was the best I ever made .

" got any boys to brag of ? "

the droll expression of Flint 's face , and the satisfied twang of his last words , were irresistible .

" there , thet's Bewlah ! we call it a cuttin ' ; but the proper name 's a silly-hoot , I b'leeve .

I 've got a harnsome big degarrytype tew hum , but the heft on't makes it bad tew kerry raound , so I took this .

" Naouw , Phil , yeou close this interestin ' and instructive meeting ; and be spry , fer time 's most up . "

try ag'in , Phil . "

you think me a Virginian ; I 'm an Alabamian by birth , and was a Rebel three months ago . "

this confession startled his hearers , as he knew it would , for he had kept his secret well .

in one of the skirmishes during our retreat , I got a wound and was left for dead .

among the faces that danced before my dizzy eyes was one that seemed familiar , probably because no cap surrounded it .

" friend , if thee has anything to say , thee had better say it , for thee probably has not long to live . '

the women sobbed at that ; but the girl bent her sweet compassionate face to mine , and kissed me on the forehead .

that was my wife . "

" so you seceded from Secession right away , to pay for that lip-service , hey ? "

" no , Thorn , not right away , to my shame be it spoken .

I 'll tell you how it came about .

I held my tongue , and behaved my best to prove my gratitude , you know .

of course , I loved Margaret very soon .

how could I help it ?

then I knew that she loved me , and my secret broke out against my will .

" ' I will not love what I cannot respect !

come to me a loyal man , and see what answer I shall give you . '

" then she went away .

but love and loyalty won the day , and , asking no quarter , the Rebel surrendered . "

" Phil Beaufort , you 're a brick ! " cried Dick , with a sounding slap on his comrade 's shoulder .

" a brand snatched from the burnin ' .

Hallelujah ! " chanted Flint , seesawing with excitement .

" then you went to find your wife ?

how ?

where ? " asked Thorn , forgetting vigilance in interest .

you can imagine what both contained ; and so I found myself penniless , but not poor , an outcast , but not alone .

" yes ! and a right noble woman too .

I don't deserve her , but I will .

we were married in the morning , and at noon I had to go .

that image of her is before me day and night , and day and night her last words are ringing in my ears ,

" ' I give you freely , do your best .

better a true man 's widow than a traitor 's wife . '

you say I fight well .

you wonder why I refused promotion .

have I any right to it yet ?

are there not men who never sinned as I have done , and beside whose sacrifices mine look pitifully small ?

you tell me I have no ambition .

Phil had risen while he spoke , as if the enthusiasm of his mood lifted him into the truer manhood he aspired to attain .

ah , brave , brief moment , cancelling years of wrong !

ah , fair and fatal decoration , serving as a mark for a hidden foe !

THE BARON'S GLOVES ;

OR ,

AMY'S ROMANCE

" all is fair in love and war . "

I

HOW THEY WERE FOUND

" what a long sigh !

are you tired , Amy ? "

" yes , and disappointed as well .

I never would have undertaken this journey if I had not thought it would be full of novelty , romance , and charming adventures . "

" well , we have had several adventures . "

I wish there were brigands in Germany it needs something of that sort to enliven its stupidity . "

Ehrenbreitstein towered opposite , the broad river glittered below , and a midsummer moon lent its enchantment to the landscape .

" yes , it is lovely ; but I want adventures and romance of some sort to make it quite perfect .

I don't care what , if something would only happen . "

" my dear , you are out of spirits and weary now , to-morrow you 'll be yourself again .

do not be ungrateful to uncle or unjust to yourself .

something pleasant will happen , I 've no doubt .

" what do you mean ? " and Amy 's listless face brightened .

" what is the beginning of a romance ? " whispered Amy , eagerly .

" A pair of gloves .

just now , as I stood here , and you lay with your eyes shut , these dropped from the balcony overhead .

now amuse yourself by weaving a romance out of them and their owner . "

Amy seized them , and stepping inside the window , examined them by the candle .

" a gentleman 's gloves , scented with violets !

here 's a little hole fretted by a ring on the third finger .

bless me ! here are the initials , ' S.P. , ' stamped on the inside , with a coat of arms below .

what a fop to get up his gloves in this style !

they are exquisite , though .

such a delicate color , so little soiled , and so prettily ornamented !

handsome hands wore these .

I 'd like to see the man . "

Helen laughed at the girl 's interest , and was satisfied if any trifle amused her ennui .

" I will send them back by the kellner , and in that way we may discover their owner , " she said .

but Amy arrested her on the way to the door .

" I 've a better plan ; these waiters are so stupid you 'll get nothing out of them .

here 's the hotel book sent up for our names ; let us look among the day 's arrivals and see who ' S.P. ' is .

he came to-day , I 'm sure , for the man said the rooms above were just taken , so we could not have them . "

opening the big book , Amy was soon intently poring over the long list of names , written in many hands and many languages .

" I 've got it !

here he is oh , Nell , he 's a baron !

isn't that charming ?

' Sigismund von Palsdorf , Dresden . '

we must see him , for I know he 's handsome , if he wears such distracting gloves . "

" you 'd better take them up yourself , then . "

he will thank us , and I can say I 've known a real baron .

that will be so nice when we go home .

now , don't be duennaish and say I 'm silly , but let me do as I like , and come and dress . "

" do you see any signs of the baron ? "

" on my left ; look at the hands . "

Amy looked and saw a white , shapely hand with an antique ring on the third finger .

Amy shook her head decidedly .

" I hate light men , and don't think that is the baron , for the gloves are a size too small for those hands .

lean back and look some four or five seats lower down on the right .

see what sort of person the dark man with the fine eyes is . "

Helen obeyed , but almost instantly bent to her plate again , smiling in spite of herself .

" that is an Englishman ; he stares rudely , says ' By Jove ! ' and wears no jewelry or beard . "

" now , I 'm disappointed .

well , keep on the watch , and tell me if you make any discoveries , for I will find the baron . "

being hungry , Amy devoted herself to her dinner , till dessert was on the table .

she was languidly eating grapes , while Helen talked with the major , when the word " baron " caught her ear .

" is the baron going on to-morrow ? " asked a gay voice in French .

" yes , he is bound for Baden-Baden .

" won't his father pardon the last escapade ? " asked a third , with a laugh .

" no , and he is right .

when is the wedding to be ? "

" never , Palsdorf says .

there is everything but love in the bargain , and he swears he 'll not agree to it .

I like that . "

" there is much nobleness in him , spite of his vagaries .

he will sow his wild oats and make a grand man in time .

by the by , if we are going to the fortress , we must be off .

give Sigismund the word ; he is dining at the other table with Power , " said the gay voice .

all five went down the hall and stood talking near the door .

" Uncle , I wish to go , " said Amy , whose will was law to the amiable major .

you are not a wild young man , so you can be trusted there . "

" I hope so .

now you are a sensible little woman , and we 'll do our best to have a gay time .

wait an instant till I get my hat . "

while the major searched for the missing article the girls went on , and coming to the door , Amy tried to open it .

" did you see the baron ? " she whispered eagerly , as they went up-stairs .

" no ; where was he ? "

" he opened the door for me .

I knew him by his hand and ring .

he was close to you . "

" I did not observe him , being busy gathering up my dress .

I thought the person was a waiter , and never looked at him , " said Helen , with provoking indifference .

" how unfortunate !

he will be there with a party of gentlemen .

you can easily manage it , men are so free and easy .

mind what he is like , and come home in time to tell me all about it . "

it was past eleven when the major came , and the only greeting he received was the breathless question ,

" did you find him ? "

" I found something much better than any baron , a courier .

" how very provoking !

did you bring the gloves back ? " asked Amy , still absorbed in the baron .

" hush , hide behind the curtains and listen ; it 's a serenade , " whispered Helen , as Amy stole to her side .

as the last melodious murmur ceased , there came a stifled laugh from below , and something fell into the balcony .

" upon my life , the romance has begun in earnest , " laughed Helen , as she examined the flowers .

" you are serenaded by some unknown nightingale , and I have flowers tossed up to me in the charming old style .

of course it is the baron , Amy . "

" I hope so ; but whoever it is , they are regular troubadours , and I 'm delighted .

I know the gloves will bring us fun of some kind .

do you take one and I 'll take the other , and see who will find the baron first .

isn't it odd that they knew our names ? "

" Amy , the writing on this card is very like that in the big book .

I may be bewitched by this mid-summer moonlight , but it really is very like it .

come and see . "

" you are right ; it is the same .

the men who stared so at dinner are gay students perhaps , and ready for any prank .

don't tell uncle , but let us see what will come of it .

I begin to enjoy myself heartily now don't you ? " said Amy , laying her glove carefully away .

II

KARL , THE COURIER

" three days , at least , before we reach Baden .

a tap at the door , which stood half open , made both look up .

" ladies , the major desired me to tell you the carriage waits . "

" why , who " began Amy , staring with her blue eyes full of wonder at the stranger .

he bowed again , and said , simply ,

" Karl Hoffman , at your service , mademoiselle . "

" the courier oh , yes !

I forgot all about it .

please take these things . "

Amy began to hand him her miscellaneous collection of bags , books , shawls and cushions .

" I'd no idea couriers were such decent creatures , " whispered Amy , as they followed him along the hall .

" don't you remember the raptures Mrs Mortimer used to have over their Italian courier , and her funny description of him ?

' Beautiful to behold , with a night of hair , eyes full of an infinite tenderness , and a sumptuous cheek . ' "

" hush ! he understands English ; we must be careful , " said Helen , and neither spoke again till they reached the carriage .

everything was ready , and as they drove away , the major , leaning luxuriously back , exclaimed ,

this man is a treasure ; everything is done in the best manner , and his knowledge of matters is really amazing . "

" he is a gentleman , my dear .

I 've had a long talk with Hoffman , and find him an excellent and accomplished fellow .

" but one doesn't know how to treat him , " said Helen .

" I don't like to address him as a servant , and yet it 's not pleasant to order a gentleman about . "

" oh , it will be easy enough as we go on together .

just call him Hoffman , and behave as if you knew nothing about his past .

he begged me not to mention it , but I thought you 'd like the romance of the thing .

" not handsome enough , " said Amy .

" I don't like blue eyes and black hair .

" not at all .

Gipsies haven't that style of face ; they are thin , sharp , and cunning in feature as in nature .

Hoffman has large , well-moulded features , and a mild , manly expression , which gives one confidence in him . "

" he has a keen , wicked look in his blue eyes , as you will see , Nell .

I mean mischievously , not malignantly wicked .

" we shall go by boat to Biebrich , and then by rail to Heidelberg .

we shall get in late to-morrow night , but can rest a day , and then on to Baden .

here we are ; now make yourselves easy , as I do , and let Karl take care of everything . "

and putting his hands in his pockets , the major strolled about the boat , while the courier made matters comfortable for the day .

Karl , what 's that old castle up there ?

the young ladies want to know about it . "

" he is a new broom now ; let us wait a little before we judge . "

all went well next day till nightfall , when a most untoward accident occurred , and Helen 's adventures began in earnest .

" oh , Hoffman , how kind of you to stop for me !

what should I have done without you , for uncle takes care of all the money , and I have only my watch . "

in half an hour he returned , finding Helen refreshed and cheerful , though a trace of anxiety was still visible in her watchful eyes .

" all goes excellently , mademoiselle .

with this , one can make one 's way everywhere .

now , if mademoiselle will permit me to advise , she will rest for an hour , as we must travel till dawn .

I will keep guard without and watch for the train . "

a far-off shriek half woke her , and starting up , she turned to meet the courier coming in to wake her .

one carriage only showed two places ; the other seats were occupied by six students , who gallantly invited the lady to enter .

but Helen shrunk back , saying ,

" is there no other place ? "

" none , mademoiselle ; this , or remain till morning , " said Karl .

" where will you go if I take this place ? "

" among the luggage , anywhere ; it is nothing .

but we must decide at once . "

" come with me ; I 'm afraid to be locked in here alone , " said Helen , desperately .

" Mademoiselle forgets I am her courier . "

" I do not forget that you are a gentleman .

pray come in ; my uncle will thank you . "

" my God , will no one come ! "

" thank heaven , you are safe .

lie still .

I will save you .

help is coming .

have no fear ! " panted the voice , with an undertone of fervent gratitude in its breathless accents .

" what has happened ?

where are the rest ? "

" we have been thrown down an embankment .

the lads are gone for help .

God only knows what harm is done . "

Karl 's voice died in a stifled groan , and Helen cried out in alarm ,

" where are you ?

you are hurt ? "

" not much .

I keep the ruins from falling in to crush us .

be quiet , they are coming . "

his face was ghastly pale , his eyes haggard with pain and suspense , and great drops stood upon his forehead .

but as she looked , he smiled with a cheery .

" bear up , dear lady , we shall soon be out of danger .

now , lads , work with a will ; my strength is going fast . "

" where is the boy who was hurt ?

bring him to me .

I am strong now .

I want to help .

I have salts in my pocket , and I can bind up his wounds , " said Helen , soon herself again .

" he is alive . "

a struggle of course ensued , for every one wished to go on , and fear made many selfish .

Helen had refused to go , and had given her place to poor Conrad , thereby overwhelming his brother and comrades with gratitude .

two went on with the wounded lad ; the rest remained , and chivalrously devoted themselves to Helen as a body-guard .

a motley assemblage ; but mutual danger and discomfort produced mutual sympathy and good will , and a general atmosphere of friendship pervaded the party .

" behold me !

the little ones cry for hunger , so I ransack the ruins and bring away my spoils .

eat , Kinder , eat and be patient . "

" you too need something .

here is your own basket with the lunch I ordered you .

In a sad state of confusion , but still eatable .

See , it is not bad , " and he deftly spread on a napkin before Helen cold chicken , sandwiches , and fruit .

her voice trembled a little as she thanked him , and the moonlight betrayed her wet eyes .

" sing , then , comrades , and while away this tedious night .

it is hard for all to wait so long , and the babies need a lullaby . "

dawn was reddening the east when a welcome whistle broke up the camp .

" it has been a happy night , in spite of the danger and discomfort .

I shall not soon forget it ; and take these as a souvenir . "

" make of that a sling , please , and put the poor hand in it .

care must be taken , or harm will come of it . "

Hoffman submitted in bashful silence , as if surprised and touched by the young lady 's interest .

she saw that , and added gratefully ,

" I do not forget that you saved my life , though you seem to have done so .

my uncle will thank you better than I can . "

III

AMY'S ADVENTURE

the excitement and suspense of the major and Amy can be imagined when news of the accident reached them .

on the afternoon of the last day the major and young ladies drove off to the castle for a farewell view .

nowhere could he find her , and no voice answered when he called .

the other visitors were gone , and the place seemed deserted , except by themselves and the old man who showed the ruins .

her call was unanswered , and glancing back , she saw the candle placed on the ground , but no Anderl .

In vain she tried to recall some landmark , the gloom had deepened and nothing was clear .

but Anderl had fled home , thinking the lady would find her way back , and preferring to lose his kreutzers to seeing a ghost .

crouching close against the wall , she stood mute till the figure was very near .

she was in the shadow of an angle , and the man paused , as if looking for the person who called for help .

" who is lost here ? " said a clear voice , in German .

" Lottchen , is it thou ?

little rogue , thou shalt pay dearly for leading me such a chase . "

" who the deuce is it , then ?

Lottchen never faints on a frolic .

some poor little girl lost in earnest .

I must get her out of this gloomy place at once , and find her party afterward . "

laying her on the grass , he gently chafed her hands , eying the pale , pretty face meantime with the utmost solicitude .

very soon she looked up with dizzy eyes , and clasping her hands imploringly , cried , in English , like a bewildered child ,

" I am lost !

oh , take me to my uncle . "

" I will , the moment you can walk .

pardon the fright I 've caused you , and let me take you to your friends . "

" indeed it is .

I was very thoughtless , but now let me atone for it .

where is your uncle , Miss Erskine ? " asked the stranger , with respectful earnestness .

" you know my name ? " cried Amy in her impulsive way .

" I have that happiness , " was the answer , with a smile .

" not yet ; I live in hope .

shall we go ?

your uncle will be uneasy . "

" we are in the park which surrounds the castle .

you were near the entrance to it from the vaults when you fainted . "

" I wish I had kept on a little longer , and not disgraced myself by such a panic . "

" Nay , that is a cruel wish , for then I should have lost the happiness of helping you . "

" must we return by these dreadful vaults ? " faltered Amy , shrinking back .

" it is the shortest and safest route , I assure you . "

" are you sure you know the way ? "

" quite sure .

I have lived here by the week together .

do you fear to trust me ? "

" no ; but it is so dark , and everything is so strange to me .

can we get down safely ?

I see nothing but a black pit . "

and Amy still hesitated , with an odd mixture of fear and coquetry .

without a word he took her hand and led her back through the labyrinth she had threaded in her bewilderment .

a dim light filled the place , but with unerring steps her guide went on till they emerged into the courtyard .

" there are my friends .

now I am safe .

come and let them thank you , " cried Amy , in her frank , childlike warmth of manner .

suddenly she uttered a cry and flew to the light , exclaiming ,

" Nell , Nell , look here !

the same letters , ' S.P. , ' the same coat of arms , the same perfume it was the baron ! "

" where did you get it ? " she added , as she inhaled the soft odor of violets shaken from its folds .

Amy blushed and answered shyly , " I didn't tell you all that happened before uncle , but now I will .

my hat was left behind , and when I recovered my wits after my fright , I found this tied over my head .

no one ever did that before , and I like it . "

" look ! look ! mine is gone , and this in its place !

oh , Nell , what shall I do ? " she said , looking half frightened , half pleased .

Helen examined the ring and shook her head , for it was far more valuable than the little pearl one which it replaced .

" how did it happen ? " she asked , rather sternly .

" upon my word , I don't know , unless he put it on while I was stupidly fainting .

rude man , to take advantage of me so .

but , Nell , it is splendid , and what shall I do about it ? "

" tell uncle , find out the man and send back his things .

" he was neither a German nor a boy , but an English gentleman , I 'm sure , " began Amy , rather offended .

" but ' S.P. ' is a baron , you know , unless there are two Richmonds in the field , " broke in Helen .

" I forgot that ; never mind , it deepens the mystery ; and after this performance , I 'm prepared for any enormity .

" Amy , I think on the whole I won't speak to uncle .

he is quick to take offence , especially where we are concerned .

he doesn't understand foreign ways , and may get into trouble .

we will manage it quietly ourselves . "

" how , Nell ? "

" Karl is discreet ; we will merely say we found these things and wish to discover the owner .

he may know this ' S.P. ' and , having learned his address , we can send them back .

how dared the creature take such a liberty ! " and Amy pulled off the ring with an expression of great scorn .

" come into the salon and see what Karl says to the matter .

let me speak , or you will say too much .

one must be prudent before "

" I will inquire , mademoiselle , and let you know at once .

it is easy to find persons if one has a clue .

may I see the handkerchief ? "

Helen showed it .

he glanced at the initials , and laid it down with a slight smile .

" the coat-of-arms is English , mademoiselle . "

" are you sure ? "

" quite so ; I understand heraldry . "

" if mademoiselle knows the name and title of this gentleman it will not be hard to find him . "

" we only fancy it is the same because of the initials .

I dare say it is a mistake , and the man is English .

" I shall do so , mademoiselle , " and with his gentlemanly bow , the courier left the room .

an old gentleman was entering his room near by , and Karl was just about to descend the stairs .

one of them had been named Samuel Peters , and he , doubtless , was the owner of the ring .

" Samuel Peters !

that spoils all the romance and dims the beauty of the diamond .

" hush , Amy , " whispered Helen .

" thanks , Hoffman ; we must wait now for chance to help us . "

IV

a POLISH EXILE

Helen and Amy exchanged glances of compassionate interest , for women always pity invalids , especially if young , comely and of the opposite sex .

the major took one look , shrugged his shoulders , and returned to his book .

presently a hollow cough gave Helen a pretext for discovering the nationality of the newcomer .

" do the open windows inconvenience you , sir ? " she asked , in English .

no answer ; the question evidently unintelligible .

she repeated it in French , lightly touching his cloak to arrest his attention .

" not an invalid , I hope , sir ? " said the major , in his bluff yet kindly voice .

a stifled sigh and a sad emphasis on the last word roused the sympathy of the girls , the interest of the major .

" you are a soldier , sir ? "

" I was ; I am nothing now but an exile , for Poland is in chains . "

" from beginning to end . "

" ah , you are kind ; it is balm to my sore heart to hear words like these .

I thank you , and tell you what you will .

" you were wounded , it seems ? "

" Many times .

exposure , privation , and sorrow will finish what the Russian bullets began .

but it is well .

I have no wish to see my country enslaved , and I can no longer help her . "

" let us hope that a happier future waits for you both .

Poland loves liberty too well , and has suffered too much for it , to be kept long in captivity . "

Helen spoke warmly , and the young man listened with a brightening face .

" it is a kind prophecy ; I accept it , and take courage .

God knows I need it , " he added , low to himself .

" are you bound for Italy ? " said the major , in a most un-English fit of curiosity .

" for Geneva first , Italy later , unless Montreaux is mild enough for me to winter in .

I go to satisfy my friends , but doubt if it avails . "

" where is Montreaux ? " asked Amy .

" near Clarens , where Rousseau wrote his Heloise , and Vevay , where so many English go to enjoy Chillon .

the climate is divine for unfortunates like myself , and life more cheap there than in Italy . "

here the train stopped again , and Hoffman came to ask if the ladies desired anything .

" by my life , it is Karl !

behold me , old friend , and satisfy me that it is thyself by a handshake . "

" Casimer !

what wind blows thee hither , my boy , in such sad plight ? " replied Hoffman , grasping the slender hand outstretched to him .

I wrote thee I was better , but the wound in the breast reopened , and nothing but a miracle will save me .

I go to Switzerland ; and thou ? "

" where my master commands .

I serve this gentleman , now . "

" Hard changes for both , but with health thou art king of circumstances , while I ?

ah well , the good God knows best .

speak they German ? "

" one , the elder ; but they understand not this rattle of ours . "

Karl disappeared , and Helen , who had understood the rapid dialogue , tried to seem as unconscious as Amy .

" say a friendly word to me at times ; I am so homesick and faint-hearted , my Hoffman .

Thanks ; they are almost worthy the lips that shall taste them . "

" you give me kind words and good hopes ; permit that I thank you in this poor way . "

all day they travelled together , and as Baden-Baden approached , they naturally fell to talking of the gay place .

" uncle , I must try my fortune once .

I 've set my heart upon it , and so has Nell .

it 's not an amusement for respectable Englishwomen , or men either .

" surely , yes .

I have a friend who has a mania for giving .

his own fortune was spent in helping needy students at the University , and poor professors .

this displeased his father , and he refused supplies , except enough for his simple personal wants .

" excellently .

" wrong , nevertheless , to do evil that good may come of it , " said the major , morally .

" it may be so : but it is not for me to censure my benefactor .

he has done much for my countrymen and myself , and is so truly noble I can see no fault in him . "

" what an odd name !

Sigismund is German , is it not ? " asked Amy , in the most artless tone of interest .

he hates slavery of all kinds , and will be free at all costs .

he is a good son , but his father is tyrannical , and asks too much .

Sigismund will not submit to sell himself , and so is in disgrace for a time . "

" yes ; I heard something of a duel and a broken betrothal , I think .

" it is the same , doubtless .

many consider him wild , because he is original , and dares act for himself .

Casimer looked eager to defend his friend , and as the girls were longing to hear the romance , permission was given .

usually all goes well ; but not always , for love cannot come at command .

Sigismund was plighted , when a boy of fifteen , to his young cousin , and then sent away to the University till of age .

on returning , he was to travel a year or two , and then marry .

he gladly went away , and with increasing disquiet saw the time draw near when he must keep his troth-plight . "

" hum ! loved some one else .

very unfortunate to be sure , " said the major with a sigh .

" not so ; he only loved his liberty , and pretty Minna was less dear than a life of perfect freedom .

" and the duel ? " asked the major , who took less interest in love than war .

" that was as characteristic as the other act .

a son of one high in office at Berlin circulated false reports of the cause of Palsdorf 's refusal of the alliance reports injurious to Minna .

Sigismund settled the matter in the most effectual manner , by challenging and wounding the man .

but for court influence it would have gone hardly with my friend .

" a true German of the old type ; blond and blue-eyed , tall and strong .

my hero in good truth brave and loyal , tender and true , " was the enthusiastic answer .

" I hate fair men , " pouted Amy , under her breath , as the major asked some question about hotels .

" I will , and leave the baron to you ; " said Amy , with a stifled laugh .

" hush !

here are Baden and Karl , " replied Helen , thankful for the interruption .

" poor boy !

I wish he had some one to take care of him . " she sighed , half aloud .

V

LUDMILLA

" I wonder what that young man 's name was .

" no , uncle ; but you can easily ask Hoffman , " replied Helen .

" Casimer Teblinski , sir . "

" a baron ? " asked Amy , who was decidedly a young lady of one idea just then .

" I was rather interested in him .

where did you pick him up , Hoffman ? " said the major .

" in Paris , where he was with fellow-exiles . "

" he is what he seems , is he ? no impostor , or anything of that sort ?

one is often deceived , you know . "

" on my honor , sir , he is a gentleman , and as brave as he is accomplished and excellent . "

" will he die ? " asked Amy , pathetically .

" how sad !

" perhaps we are .

you want to see the Lake of Geneva , Chillon , and that neighborhood .

why not go now , instead of later ? "

" Will you , uncle ?

that 's capital !

we need say nothing , but go on and help the poor boy , if we can . "

Helen spoke like a matron of forty , and looked as full of maternal kindness as if the Pole were not out of his teens .

" she shall not be lost ; I am her body-guard .

it is steep permit that I lead you , mademoiselle ; " Casimer offered his hand to Amy , and they began their winding way .

as she took the hand , the girl blushed and half smiled , remembering the vaults and the baron .

it was worth the long ascent , that wide-spread landscape basking in the August glow .

" I felt sure you understood it ; please show me . "

he did so , and a few masterly strokes gave the sketch what it needed .

but not a word did he utter , for Helen touched her forehead significantly , and said in a low tone ,

" I am an artist ; let me recommend Vandyke brown , which is not affected by heat . "

speaking rapidly , Karl said , with a peculiar blending of merriment , humility , and anxiety in his tone ,

" Mademoiselle , you are quick to discover my disguise ; will you also be kind in concealing ?

" you may , I do not forget that I owe my life to you , nor that you are a gentleman .

trust me , I never will betray you . "

" Nell , come down to lunch ; uncle is signalling as if he 'd gone mad .

Amy led the way , and all went down more quietly than they came up , especially Helen and Hoffman .

" not a harebell here ; isn't it provoking , when they grow in tufts up there , where one can't reach them .

Mercy , what 's that ?

run , Nell , the old wall is coming down ! "

" hush ; don't cry out or speak ; it may startle him .

crazy boy !

let us see what he will do , " whispered Helen .

how could he do it ?

the girls stood in the shadow of an old gateway , unperceived , and waited anxiously what should follow .

twice he missed it ; the first time he frowned , but the second he uttered an emphatic , " deuce take it ! "

Helen and Amy looked at each other with a mutual smile and exclamation ,

" he knows some English , then ! "

as he landed safely , Helen cried , " Bravo ! " and Amy rushed out , exclaiming reproachfully , yet admiringly ,

" how could you do it and frighten us so ?

" Certainement , mademoiselle , " was the smiling reply .

Casimer presented the flowers , as if the exploit was a mere trifle .

" now I shall go and press them at once in uncle 's guide-book .

come and help me , else you will be in mischief again . "

and Amy led the way to the major with her flowers and their giver .

Helen roamed into one of the ruined courts for a last look at a fountain which pleased her eye .

the girl was pretty , well dressed , and seemed refusing something for which the other pleaded eagerly .

" farewell , my Ludmilla .

keep silent and I shall soon be with you .

embrace the little one , and do not let him forget me . "

" ' Ludmilla ' and ' the little one ' are his wife and child , doubtless .

I wonder if uncle knows that . "

VI

CHATEAU DE LA TOUR

" well , little girls , what 's the matter now ? " he asked , paternally , for the excellent man adored his nieces .

" better be silly now than sorry by and by .

" bless my soul , what an idea ! " cried the major .

" of course not .

you do me justice , uncle .

I should as soon think of losing my heart to Hoffman as to the Pole , even if he wasn't what he is .

one may surely be kind to a dying man , without being accused of coquetry ; " and Amy sobbed in the most heart-rending manner .

Helen comforted her by withdrawing all objections , and promising to leave the matter in the major 's hands .

" leave future meetings to chance , and don't ask the Pole in , if you can help it . "

" nonsense , my dear .

you are as particular as your aunt .

" here , Teblinski , my good fellow , don't desert us .

we 've always a spare seat for you , if you haven't pleasanter quarters . "

but soon the cloud passed , and she emerged in a radiant state of good humor , which lasted unbroken until the journey ended .

an arrangement very agreeable to all , as Karl was a favorite , and every one missed him when away .

at Lausanne they waited while he crossed the lake to secure rooms at Vevay .

" Count Severin is absent in Egypt , and the housekeeper has permission to let the apartments to transient visitors .

the suite of rooms I speak of were engaged to a party who are detained by sickness they are cheap , pleasant , and comfortable .

a salon and four bed-rooms .

I engaged them all , thinking that Teblinski might like a room there till he finds lodgings at Montreaux .

we can enter at once , and I am sure the ladies will approve of the picturesque place . "

uncle must see to this ; " and Helen fell into a reverie till Amy came to propose retiring .

uncle says it 's a very Radcliffian place .

it was rusty and would not yield , and , giving it up , she glanced about to see whence air could be admitted .

there were four doors in the room , all low and arched , with clumsy locks and heavy handles .

one instant Helen looked , the next flung to the door , bolted it and dropped into a chair , trembling in every limb .

the noise did not wake Amy , and a moment 's thought showed Helen the wisdom of keeping her in ignorance of this affair .

she knew the major was close by , and possessing much courage , she resolved to wait a little before rousing the house .

hardly had she collected herself , when steps were heard moving softly in the octagon room .

the last hour that struck was three , and soon the summer dawn reddened the sky .

dressing herself , Helen sat by Amy , a sleepless guard , till she woke , smiling and rosy as a child .

saying nothing of her last night 's alarm , Helen went down to breakfast a little paler than usual , but otherwise unchanged .

the major never liked to be disturbed till he had broken his fast , and the moment they rose from the table he exclaimed ,

" now , girls , come and see the mysteries of Udolpho . "

such things had been , and she was in a mood to believe anything .

the upper story was a perfect museum of antique relics , very entertaining to examine .

the waxen mask was life-like , the attitude effective , and the cell excellently arranged .

" Count Severin is an antiquarian , and amuses himself with things of this sort .

in old times there really was a hermit here , and this is his effigy .

come down these narrow stairs , if you please , and see the rest of the mummery . "

Hoffman looked much concerned .

" Pardon , mademoiselle , the door should have been bolted on this side .

it usually is , but that room being unused , it was forgotten .

I remembered it , and having risen early , crept up to make sure that you did not come upon this ugly thing unexpectedly .

but I was too late , it seems ; you have suffered , to my sorrow . "

how brave and kind you were ! "

" villain !

I should much like to fire your own pistols at you for this prank of yours . "

and Casimer laughingly filliped the image on its absurdly aquiline nose .

" what in the name of common sense is this goblin here for ? " demanded the major , testily .

and Hoffman looked wrathfully at the image , as if he would much enjoy sending it down the trap .

" how ridiculous !

I shall not go about this place alone , for fear of lighting upon some horror of this sort .

I 've had enough ; come away into the garden ; it 's full of roses , and we may have as many as we like . "

" here are your roses .

pretty flower ; I know its meaning in English , for it is the same with us .

do you have that custom in your land , mademoiselle ? "

he had gathered the three as he spoke , and held the bud separately while looking at his companion wistfully .

" no , no ; for me it is too late . "

" make your room bright with these .

when one is ill nothing is so cheering as the sight of flowers . "

meantime the others had descended and gone their separate ways .

as Karl crossed the courtyard a little child ran to meet him with outstretched arms and a shout of satisfaction .

he caught it up and carried it away on his shoulder , like one used to caress and be caressed by children .

" he seems fond of little people .

I wonder if he has any of his own . "

" Hoffman ?

no , my dear ; he 's not married ; I asked him that when I engaged him . "

" and he said he was not ? "

" he seems sad and sober sometimes , and I fancied he might have some domestic trouble to harass him .

but the major 's face was impenetrable and his answer unsatisfactory .

" well , I don't know .

I like Hoffman more and more every day , and shall be sorry when I part with him . "

" Ludmilla is his sister , then , or he didn't tell uncle the truth .

it is no concern of mine ; but I wish I knew , " thought Helen anxiously , and then wondered why she should care .

VII

AT FAULT

" you are not going away , uncle ? " cried Amy , with a panic-stricken look .

" never mind Paris and the rest of it ; this is pleasanter .

I 'd rather stay here "

each seemed happier apart , and each was intent on her own affairs .

Helen watched over Amy 's health , but no longer offered advice or asked confidence .

she often looked anxious , and once or twice urged the major to go , as if conscious of some danger .

all seemed waiting for something to break up the party , and no one had the courage to do it .

the major 's decision took every one by surprise , and Amy and Casimer looked as if they had fallen from the clouds .

the persistency with which the English lessons had gone on was amazing , for Amy usually tired of everything in a day or two .

they wrote little notes as exercises Amy in French , Casimer in English , and each corrected the other 's .

as Amy took her place that day she looked forlorn , and when her pupil came her only welcome was a reproachful

" you are very late , sir . "

" it is fifteen of minutes yet to ten clocks , " was Casimer 's reply , in his best English .

" ten o'clock , and leave out ' of ' before minutes .

how many times must I tell you that ? " said Amy , severely , to cover her first mistake .

" what will you do then ? "

" I jeter myself into the lake . "

" don't be foolish ; I 'm dull to-day , and want to be cheered up ; suicide isn't a pleasant subject . "

" good !

see here , then a little plaisanterie what you call joke .

Amy colored , but had her return shot ready .

" don't exult ; that was only an oversight , not a deliberate deception like that you put upon me .

it was very wrong and rude , and I shall not forgive it . "

" Mon Dieu ! where have I gone in sinning !

I am a polisson , as I say each day , but not a villain , I swear to you .

say to me that which I have made of wrong , and I will do penance . "

how dare you , ungrateful creature that you are ! "

" be merciful to me a sinner .

I was tempted , and I could not resist . "

" get up this instant , and stop laughing .

Casimer read a little , seemed interested , and suggested that they read it together , so that he might correct her accent .

thinking to rouse him , she said , in French ,

" Poor Thaddeus ! don't you pity him ? alone , poor , sick , and afraid to own his love . "

" no , I hate him , the absurd imbecile , with his fine boots and plumes , and tragedy airs .

he was not to be pitied , for he recovered health , he found a fortune , he won his Marie .

" are you suffering to-day ?

can we do anything for you ?

please let us , if we may . "

and , to her great surprise , he rose and left her , without another word .

she saw him no more till evening ; then he looked excited , played stormily , and would sing in defiance of danger .

the trouble in Amy 's face seemed reflected in Helen 's , though not a word had passed between them .

suddenly she left the room and did not return .

" oh , Nell , what is it ?

you are so odd to-night I can't understand you .

the music excites me , and I 'm miserable , and I want to know what has happened , " she said , tearfully .

" I 've found him ! " whispered Helen , eagerly , holding up the glove with a gesture of triumph .

" who ? " asked Amy , blinded by her tears .

" the baron . "

" where ? when ? " cried the girl , amazed .

" here , and now . "

" don't take my breath away ; tell me quick , or I shall get hysterical . "

" Casimer is Sigismund Palsdorf , and no more a Pole than I am , " was Helen 's answer .

Amy dropped in a heap on the floor , not fainting , but so amazed she had neither strength nor breath left .

sitting by her , Helen rapidly went on ,

" I had a feeling as if something was wrong , and began to watch .

the feeling grew , but I discovered nothing till to-day .

it will make you laugh , it was so unromantic .

as I looked over uncle 's things when the laundress brought them this afternoon , I found a collar that was not his .

it was marked ' S.P. , ' and I at once felt a great desire to know who owned it .

the woman was waiting for her money , and I asked her .

' Monsieur Pologne , ' she said , for his name is too much for her .

she took it into his room , and that was the end of it . "

" but it may be another name ; the initials only a coincidence , " faltered Amy , looking frightened .

" no , dear , it isn't ; there is more to come .

Little Roserl came crying through the hall an hour ago , and I asked what the trouble was .

I looked into it ; no name , but the same coat-of-arms as the glove and the handkerchief .

To-night as he played I examined his hands ; they are peculiar , and some of the peculiarities have left traces on the glove .

I am sure it is he , for on looking back many things confirm the idea .

he says he is a polisson , a rogue , fond of jokes , and clever at playing them .

" but why all this concealment ? " cried Amy .

" why play jokes on us ?

you look so worried I know you have not told me all you know or fear . "

" I confess I do fear that these men are political plotters as well as exiles .

there are many such , and they make tools of rich and ignorant foreigners to further their ends .

Uncle is rich , generous , and unsuspicious ; and I fear that while apparently serving and enjoying us they are using him . "

" heavens , it may be ! and that would account for the change we see in him .

I thought he was in love with the widow , but that may be only a cloak to hide darker designs .

" don't be alarmed !

here a maid tapped to say that tea was served .

" we must go down , or some one will suspect trouble .

plead headache to excuse your paleness , and I 'll keep people away .

Casimer was not in the room , the major and Mrs Cumberland were sipping tea side by side , and the professors roaming vaguely about .

some one was pacing up and down the garden , hatless , in the dew .

Amy forgot everything but the danger of such exposure to her reckless friend .

his cloak and hat lay on a chair ; she caught them up and glided unperceived from the long window .

" you to think of me , forgetful of yourself !

" I pitied you because you were ill and lonely .

but he held her fast , saying earnestly ,

" what have I done ?

you are angry .

tell me my fault and I will amend . "

" you have deceived me . "

" how ? "

" will you own the truth ? " and in her eagerness to set her fears at rest , Amy forgot Helen .

" I will . "

she could not see his face , but his voice was steady and his manner earnest .

" tell me , then , is not your true name Sigismund Palsdorf ? "

he started , but answered instantly ,

" it is not . "

" you are not the baron ? " cried Amy .

" no ; I will swear it if you wish . "

" who , then , are you ? "

" shall I confess ? "

" yes , I entreat you . "

" remember , you command me to speak . "

" I do .

who are you ? "

" your lover . "

" yes , I love you , and I tell it , vain and dishonorable as it is in one like me .

I try to hide it .

I say ' it cannot be . '

I plan to go away .

" yes , I must go it is all wrong .

forgive me .

I have been very selfish .

oh , forget me and be happy , " faltered Amy , feeling that her only safety was in flight .

soon the story was told with sobs and moans , and despairing lamentations fit to touch a heart of stone .

he 'll die , and I can't help him , see him , or be anything to him .

oh , I 've been a wicked , wicked girl , and never can be happy any more . "

VIII

MORE MYSTERY

" uncle , can I speak to you a moment ? " said Helen , very gravely , as they left the breakfast-room next morning .

Helen knit her brows irefully , for this answer had been given her half a dozen times lately when she asked for an interview .

we have been there once , so you needn't postpone it for us . "

" very well , my dear , " and the major walked away , looking much relieved .

as Helen was about to leave the salon Casimer appeared .

for her sake , pardon that I spoke my heart in spite of prudence , and permit me to send her this . "

Helen glanced from the flowers he held to his beseeching face , and her own softened .

he looked so penitent and anxious , she had not the heart to reproach him .

" I will forgive you and carry your gift to Amy on one condition , " she said , gravely .

" ah , you are kind !

name , then , the condition .

I implore you , and I will agree . "

" tell me , then , on your honor as a gentleman , are you not Baron Palsdorf ? "

" on my honor as a gentleman , I swear to you I am not . "

" are you , in truth , what you profess to be ? "

believe this and pity me , dearest Mademoiselle Helčne . "

she did pity him , her eyes betrayed that , and her voice was very kind , as she said ,

" pardon my doubts .

I trust you now , and wish with all my heart that it was possible to make you happy .

promise me this , Casimer . "

" I may see her if I am dumb ?

do not deny me this .

I will not speak , but I must look at my little and dear angel when she is near . "

Helen , uncle must let me write or go to mamma .

she shall decide ; I can't ; and no one else has a right to part us , " sobbed Amy , over her roses .

" it is no sacrifice ; I 'm rich .

what do I care for his poverty ? "

" his religion ! " hinted Helen , anxiously .

" it need not part us ; we can believe what we will .

he is good ; why mind whether he is Catholic or Protestant ? "

" but a Pole , Amy , so different in tastes , habits , character , and beliefs .

it is a great risk to marry a foreigner ; races are so unlike . "

" but , dear , the great and sad objection still remains his health .

he just said he had but a little while to live . "

Amy 's angry eyes grew dim , but she answered , with soft earnestness ,

" so much the more need of me to make that little while happy .

think how much he has suffered and done for others ; surely I may do something for him .

Amy never could remain long under a cloud , and seeing Helen 's tears , began to cheer both her cousin and herself .

" Hoffman said he might live with care , don't you remember ? and Hoffman knows the case better than we .

let us ask him if Casimer is worse .

you do it ; I can't without betraying myself . "

leaving Amy to compose herself , Helen went away to find Hoffman .

it was never difficult , for he seemed to divine her wishes and appear uncalled the moment he was wanted .

" has mademoiselle any orders ?

will the ladies drive , sail , or make a little expedition ?

it is fine , and mademoiselle looks as if the air would refresh her .

Pardon that I make the suggestion . "

" no , Hoffman , I don't like the air of this place , and intend to leave as soon as possible . "

and Helen knit her delicate dark brows with an expression of great determination .

" can I serve you , mademoiselle ?

if so , pray command me , " he said , eagerly , coming a step nearer .

she looked up quickly , relieved , yet troubled .

" he has told you , then ? "

" everything , mademoiselle .

pardon me if this afflicts you ; I am his only friend here , and the poor lad sorely needed comfort . "

" he did .

I am not annoyed ; I am glad , for I know you will sustain him .

now I may speak freely , and be equally frank .

please tell me if he is indeed fatally ill ? "

" it was thought so some months ago ; now I hope .

happiness cures many ills , and since he has loved , he has improved .

I always thought care would save him ; he is worth it . "

Hoffman paused , as if fearful of venturing too far ; but Helen seemed to confide freely in him , and said , softly ,

" ah , if it were only wise to let him be happy .

it is so bitter to deny love . "

" God knows it is ! "

the exclamation broke from Hoffman as if an irrepressible impulse wrung it from him .

Helen started , and for a moment neither spoke .

she collected herself soonest , and without turning , said , quietly ,

" I have been troubled by a strong impression that Casimer is not what he seems .

till he denied it on his honor I believed him to be Baron Palsdorf .

did he speak the truth when he said he was not ? "

" yes , mademoiselle . "

" then , Casimer Teblinski is his real name ? "

no answer .

she turned sharply , and added ,

" for my cousin 's sake , I must know the truth .

several curious coincidences make me strongly suspect that he is passing under an assumed name . "

not a word said Hoffman , but looked on the ground , as motionless and expressionless as a statue .

as she ended , Hoffman looked up with a curious expression , in which confusion , amusement , admiration and annoyance seemed to contend .

I cannot break my word , but I will confess to you that Casimer does not bear his own name . "

" I knew it ! " said Helen , with a flash of triumph in her eyes .

" he is the baron , and no Pole .

you Germans love masquerades and jokes .

this is one , but I must spoil it before it is played out . "

" pardon ; mademoiselle is keen , but in this she is mistaken .

Casimer is not the baron ; he did fight for Poland , and his name is known and honored there .

of this I solemnly assure you . "

she stood up and looked him straight in the face .

he met her eye to eye , and never wavered till her own fell .

she mused a few minutes , entirely forgetful of herself in her eagerness to solve the mystery .

" I have it ! "

" now for it , " he muttered , as if preparing for some new surprise or attack .

" when uncle used to talk about the Polish revolution , there was , I remember a gallant young Pole who did something brave .

the name just flashed on me , and it clears up my doubts .

Stanislas Prakora ' S.P. ' and Casimer is the man . "

he sobered in a breath , and with an entire change of countenance said , in an embarrassed tone ,

" pardon my rudeness ; mademoiselle's acuteness threw me off my guard .

" you are exiles , but still hope and plot , and never relinquish your hearts ' desire ? "

" never , mademoiselle ! "

" you are in danger ? "

" you have enemies ? " she asked , unable to control her interest , and feeling the charm of these confidences .

" can you not conquer them , or escape the danger they place you in ? "

" we hope to conquer , we cannot escape . "

" this accounts for your disguise and Casimer 's false name ? "

" yes .

something in his tone nettled Helen , and she said sharply ,

" all this may be amusing to you , but it spoils my confidence in others to know they wear masks .

is your name also false ? "

" I am Karl Hoffman , as surely as the sun shines , mademoiselle .

do not wound me by a doubt , " he said , eagerly .

" and nothing more ? "

she smiled as she spoke , and glanced at his darkened skin with a shake of the head .

" I dare not answer that . "

" no matter ; I hate titles , and value people for their own worth , not for their rank . "

Helen stood where he left her , thinking , with a shy glance from her hand to the spot where he had stood ,

" it is pleasant to have one 's hand kissed , as Amy said .

Poor Karl , his fate is almost as hard as Casimer 's . "

some subtile power seemed to make the four young people shun one another carefully , though all longed to be together .

all were glad to go , hoping in the novelty and excitement to recover their composure .

she assented , and away they went as nimbly as the best .

Amy laughed , but stopped to blush , as Casimer came up with an imploring glance , and whispered ,

" is it possible that I may enjoy one divine waltz with you before I go ? "

Amy gave him her hand with a glad assent , and Helen was left alone .

every one was dancing but herself and Hoffman , who stood near by , apparently unconscious of the fact .

" Mademoiselle , may I have the honor ? "

as her dizzy eyes grew clear , she saw a little case at her feet , and taking it up , opened it .

a worn paper , containing some faded forget-me-nots and these words , fell out ,


" did you read the name on it ? "

" I saw only the flowers ; " and Helen colored beautifully as she spoke .

" and read them ? " he asked , with a look she could not meet .

she was spared an answer , for just then a lad came up , saying , as he offered a note ,

" Monsieur Hoffman , madame , at the hotel , sends you this , and begs you to come at once . "

as he impatiently opened it , the wind blew the paper into Helen 's lap .

she restored it , and in the act , her quick eye caught the signature , " Thine ever , Ludmilla . "

a slight shadow passed over her face , leaving it very cold and quiet .

Hoffman saw the change , and smiled , as if well pleased , but assuming suddenly his usual manner , said deferentially ,

" will mademoiselle permit me to visit my friend for an hour ? she is expecting me . "

IX

" S.P . "

AND THE BARON

" we know what it is , sir , " returned Helen , coolly .

" girls , I 've played a bold game , but I 've won it , and will take the consequences . "

" they will fall heaviest on you , uncle , " said Helen , thinking he was about to declare his love for the widow .

the major laughed , shrugged his shoulders , and answered , stoutly ,

" I 'll bear them ; but you are quite wrong , my dear , in your surmises , as you will soon see .

Helen is my ward , and accountable to me alone .

Amy 's mother gave her into my charge , and won't reproach me for anything that has passed when I explain matters .

as to the lads they must take care of themselves . "

suddenly both girls colored , fluttered , and became intensely interested .

the major 's eyes twinkled as he assumed a perfectly impassive expression , and rapidly delivered himself of the following thunderbolt ,

" Girls , you have been deceived , and the young men you love are impostors . "

" I thought so , " muttered Helen , grimly .

" oh , uncle , don't , don't say that ! " cried Amy , despairingly .

" it 's true , my dears ; and the worst of it is , I knew the truth all the time .

now , don't have hysterics , but listen and enjoy the joke as I do .

" uncle , you were mad , " said Helen ; and Amy added , tragically ,

" you don't know what trouble has come of it . "

" perhaps I was ; that remains to be proved .

I do know everything , and fail to see any trouble , so don't cry , little girl , " briskly replied the inexplicable major .

" well , we had a merry time planning our prank .

one of the lads insisted on playing courier , though I objected .

he 'd done it before , liked the part , and would have his way .

the other couldn't decide , being younger and more in love ; so we left him to come into the comedy when he was ready .

" go on ; who are they ? " cried both girls , breathlessly .

" wait a bit ; I 'm not bound to expose the poor fellows to your scorn and anger .

" no , no ; we will forget and forgive , only speak ! " was the command of both .

" yes , we promise ! "

" then , come in , my lads , and plead for your lives . "

" Karl ! "

" Casimer . "

I give you one hour to settle the matter ; then I shall return to bestow my blessing or to banish these scapegraces forever . "

and , having fired his last shot , the major prudently retreated , without waiting to see its effect .

" Mademoiselle , pardon me that I am a foolish baron , and dare to offer you the title that you hate .

Helen , say you forgive the deceit for love 's sake . "

" no ; you are false and forsworn .

how can I believe that anything is true ? "

and Helen drew away the hand of which he had taken possession .

Catechise me , and see if I was not true in spite of all my seeming deception . "

" it is ; I have many , and my family choose to call me Sigismund , " was the laughing answer .

" good ; I like that well ; for it assures me that all my life I shall be something to you , my heart .

what next ? "

" when I asked if you were the baron , you denied it . "

" pardon !

I simply said my name was Hoffman .

" who is Ludmilla ? " she said , sharply .

" my faith , that is superb ! " exclaimed the baron , with a triumphant smile at her betrayal of jealousy .

" how if she is a former love ? " he asked , with a sly look at her changing face .

" it would cause me no surprise ; I am prepared for anything . "

" is it , indeed , so ? "

Helen felt herself going very fast , and made an effort to harden her heart , lest too easy victory should reward this audacious lover .

" I may not go ; I also have friends , and in England we are not won in this wild way .

I will yet prove you false ; it will console me for being so duped if I can call you traitor .

you said Casimer had fought in Poland . "

" crudest of women , he did , but under his own name , Sidney Power . "

" then , he was not the brave Stanislas ? and there is no charming Casimer ? "

" but his illness was a ruse ? "

" no ; he was wounded in the war and has been ill since .

not of a fatal malady , I own ; his cough misled you , and he has no scruples in fabling to any extent .

I am not to bear the burden of his sins . "

" Sidney is enthusiastic in his friendship , and speaks too well for me .

the facts are true , but he doubtless glorified the simplest by his way of telling it .

will you forgive my follies , and believe me when I promise to play and duel no more ? "

" yes . "

she yielded her hand now , and her eyes were full of happiness , yet she added , wistfully ,

" and the betrothed , your cousin , Minna , is she , in truth , not dear to you ? "

yet I am glad ; look in my face and tell me you believe it . "

" I do believe , do love you , Sigismund ! "

meanwhile another scene was passing in the garden .

Sidney , presuming upon his cousinship , took possession of Amy , bidding her " strike but hear him . "

" Ma drogha , listen and be appeased .

years ago you and I played together as babies , and our fond mammas vowed we should one day mate .

do you remember it ? "

" not I . too young for such nonsense . "

" for eleven years we never met .

you forgot me , and ' Cousin Sidney ' remained an empty name .

" my dear boy , were you wounded ? "

" bless you , yes ; and very proud of it I am .

I 'll show you my scars some day ; but never mind that now .

a while ago I went to England , seized with a sudden desire to find my wife . "

" I admire your patience in waiting ; so flattering to me , you know , " was the sharp answer .

was it true ? "

" I never flirt , Sidney , and I was only engaged a little bit once or twice .

I didn't like it , and never mean to do so any more . "

" I shall wait till you clear your character ; I 'm not going to care for a deceitful impostor .

what made you think of this prank ? "

" you did . "

" I ?

how ? "

" when in England I saw your picture , though you were many a mile away , and fell in love with it .

your mother told me much about you , and I saw she would not frown upon my suit .

I begged her not to tell you I had come , but let me find you and make myself known when I liked .

you were in Switzerland , and I went after you .

Sigismund was with me when you came , and admired Helen immensely , so he was wild to have a part in the frolic .

I let him begin , and followed you unseen to Heidelberg , meaning to personate an artist .

" how well you did it !

wasn't it hard to act all the time ? " asked Amy , wonderingly .

I 've betrayed myself a dozen times , and you never saw it .

ah , it was capital fun to play the forlorn exile , study English , and flirt with my cousin . "

" it was very base .

I should think you 'd be devoured with remorse .

aren't you sorry ? "

" for one thing .

I cropped my head lest you should know me .

I was proud of my curls , but I sacrificed them all to you . "

" peacock !

" I did , and for that reason disfigured my head , put on a mustache , and assumed hideous spectacles .

did you never suspect my disguise , Amy ? "

" no .

Helen used to say that she felt something was wrong , but I never did till the other night . "

" didn't I do that well ?

I give you my word it was all done on the spur of the minute .

then a scene I 'd read in a novel came into my head , and I just repeated it con amore .

was I very pathetic and tragical .

Amy ? "

" I thought so then .

it strikes me as ridiculous now , and I can't help feeling sorry that I wasted so much pity on a man who "

" loves you with all his heart and soul .

he was in earnest now ; she felt it , and her anger melted away like dew before the sun .

" poor boy !

you will go home with us now , and let us take care of you in quiet England .

" if you 'll change ' cousin ' to ' wife ' I 'll be and do whatever you please .

Amy , when I was a poor , dying , Catholic foreigner you loved me and would have married me in spite of everything .

now that I 'm your well , rich , Protestant cousin , who adores you as that Pole never could , you turn cold and cruel .

is it because the romance is gone , or because your love was only a girl 's fancy , after all ? "

" you deceived me and I can't forget it ; but I 'll try , " was the soft answer to his reproaches .

" are you disappointed that I 'm not a baron ? "

" a little bit . "

" shall I be a count ?

" neither , thank you ; it 's only a girlish fancy , which will soon be forgotten .

does the baron love Helen ? " asked Amy , abruptly .

" desperately , and she ? "

how it will be with the baron I cannot say . "

" no fear of him ; he wins his way everywhere .

something softer than pity stole into her eye , as she said , anxiously ,

" you are not really ill , Sidney ? "

Amy clasped her hands , as if in a transport of gratitude , exclaiming , fervently ,

" what a relief it is to know that you are not doomed to "

" wear spectacles . "

" no , dear ; I 've given it all to you . "

" now , ladies , is it to be ' Paradise Lost ' or ' Regained ' for the prisoners at the bar ? "

from this assault he emerged flushed and breathless , but beaming with satisfaction , and saying paternally ,

" bless you , my children , bless you .

as the excitement subsided the major said , simply ,

" we were married yesterday at Montreaux .

" I have been faithful for eleven years .

give me my reward soon , won't you , dear ? " whispered Sidney .

" don't marry me to-morrow , and if mamma is willing I 'll think about it by and by , " answered Amy .

" it is beautiful ! let us go and do likewise , " said Sigismund to his betrothed .

" Amy , our search is over .

you may keep the gloves ; I have the baron . "

MY RED CAP

" he who serves well need not fear to ask his wages . "

I

it was under a blue cap that I first saw the honest face of Joe Collins .

in the third year of the late war a Maine regiment was passing through Boston , on its way to Washington .

" where are you from ? "

" Woolidge , ma'am . "

" are you glad to go ? "

" Wal , there 's two sides to that question .

there was a sudden huskiness in the man 's voice that was not apple-skins , though he tried to make believe that it was .

I knew a word about home would comfort him , so I went on with my questions .

" it is very hard .

do you leave a family ? "

" my old mother , a sick brother , and Lucindy . "

mother was a regular old hero about it and I dropped everything , and come off .

Lucindy didn't think it was my duty ; and that made it awful hard , I tell you . "

" wives are less patriotic than mothers , " I began ; but he would not hear Lucindy blamed , and said quickly ,

I couldn't shirk , and here I be .

when I git to work , I shall be all right : the first wrench is the tryin ' part . "

" I know without asking .

as the inspiring music , the grand tramp , drew near , the old thrill went through the crowd , the old cheer broke out .

but it was a different scene now than in the first enthusiastic , hopeful days .

even the lookers-on were different now .

" there he is !

the outside man , and tallest of the lot .

II

I never expected to see Joe again ; but , six months later , we did meet in a Washington hospital one winter 's night .

" can you eat ? "

I asked , as he said , " Thanky , ma'am , " after a long draught of water and a dizzy stare .

" eat !

" why , Joe ! is it really you ? "

I exclaimed , pouring the last spoonful of soup down his throat so hastily that I choked him .

" all that 's left of me .

Wal , ain't this luck , now ? " gasped Joe , as gratefully as if that hospital-cot was a bed of roses .

" what is the matter ?

a wound in the head and arm ? "

I asked , feeling sure that no slight affliction had brought Joe there .

" right arm gone .

shot off as slick as a whistle .

" that is bad , but it might have been worse .

keep up your spirits , Joe ; and we will soon have you fitted out with a new arm almost as good as new . "

" I guess it won't do much lumberin ' , so that trade is done for .

" what can I do to comfort you most , Joe ?

I 'll send my good Ben to help you to bed , and will be here myself when the surgeon goes his rounds .

is there anything else that would make you more easy ? "

then I left him " layin ' easy , " though the prospect of some months of wearing pain would have daunted most men .

" I don'no as I hanker to live , and be a burden .

if Jim was able to do for mother , I feel as if I wouldn't mind steppin ' out now I 'm so fur along .

" you will have Lucindy to help you , you know ; and that will make things easier for all . "

" think so ?

' Pears to me I couldn't ask her to take care of three invalids for my sake .

she ain't no folks of her own , nor much means , and ought to marry a man who can make things easy for her .

don't worry about that , but get well , and go home as soon as you can . "

for two months I saw Joe daily , and learned to like him very much , he was so honest , genuine , and kind-hearted .

roars of laughter sometimes greeted me as I went into his ward , and Joe 's jokes were passed round as eagerly as the water-pitcher .

Jim was evidently sick and selfish .

I kept that card among my other relics , and hoped to meet Joe again somewhere in the world .

III

a tall man with gray hair and beard , one arm , and a blue army-coat .

" I mistrusted it was you , ma'am , soon 's I see the name on the bundle , and I guess I ain't wrong .

" why , how you have changed !

Joe laughed as if that was a good joke , and sat down as if the fire was quite as welcome as the friend .

" how are they all at home ? "

I asked , as he sat turning his cap round , not quite knowing where to begin .

" mother died soon after I got back .

Suddin ' , but she was ready , and I was there , so she was happy .

" but Lucindy , where was she ? "

I asked very naturally .

" oh ! she married another man long ago .

couldn't expect her to take me and my misfortins .

she 's doin ' well , I hear , and that 's a comfort anyway . "

" how came you here , Joe ? "

I asked , making a sudden leap from past to present .

a man can't set down and starve ; so I keep waggin ' as long as I can .

when I can't do no more , I s'pose there 's almshouse and hospital ready for me . "

" that is a dismal prospect , Joe .

there ought to be a comfortable place for such as you to spend your last days in .

I am sure you have earned it . "

" some kind people have been talking of a home for soldiers , and I hope the plan will be carried out .

" that sounds mighty cheerin ' and comfortable , thanky , ma'am .

but it will be pleasant to look forrard to a snug harbor bymeby .

I feel a sight better just hearin ' tell about it . "

IV

but in the autumn I looked in vain for Joe .

talking it over one day with a friend , who spent her life working for the Associated Charities , she said ,

a sad case , and in your line ; I wish you 'd look into it . "

" that sounds like my Joe , one arm and all .

I 'll go and see him ; I 've a weakness for soldiers , sick or well . "

" there ain't much left of me but bones and pain , ma'am .

I 'm powerful glad to see you all the same .

Dust off a chair , Patsey , and let the lady set down .

" why didn't you let me know how sick you were ?

and how came they to think you dead ? "

I asked , as he festooned the wet linen out of the way , and prepared to enjoy himself as best he could .

but my orders ain't come yet , and I am doing the fust thing that come along .

" really , ma'am ?

I see a piece in the paper describing it , and it sounded dreadful nice .

shouldn't wonder if I found some of my mates there .

" I don't wonder you don't get well living in such a place , Joe .

" I haven't a relation in the world but a couple of poor old aunts , and they couldn't do anything for me .

I 'd die fust !

hooray for Biddy Flanagin !

" I shall come for you in a few days ; so cuddle the baby and make much of the children before you part .

it won't take you long to pack up , will it ? "

I asked , as we subsided with a general laugh .

" I reckon not as I don't own any clothes but what I set in , except a couple of old shirts and them socks .

my hat 's stoppin ' up the winder , and my old coat is my bed-cover .

I 'm awful shabby , ma'am , and that 's one reason I don't go out more .

" the State don't forget us , you see , and this is a Home wuth havin ' .

long life to it ! "

WHAT THE BELLS SAW AND SAID

Written in @number@

" bells ring others to church , but go not in themselves . "

no one saw the spirits of the bells up there in the old steeple at midnight on Christmas Eve .

six quaint figures , each wrapped in a shadowy cloak and wearing a bell-shaped cap .

presently one of the spirits said , in a tone , which , low as it was , filled the belfry with reverberating echoes ,

" well , brothers , are your reports ready of the year that now lies dying ? "

all bowed their heads , and one of the oldest answered in a sonorous voice :

" my report isn't all I could wish .

you know I look down on the commercial part of our city and have fine opportunities for seeing what goes on there .

it 's my business to watch the business men , and upon my word I 'm heartily ashamed of them sometimes .

when I was young , men were years making moderate fortunes , and were satisfied with them .

they don't even fail as they used to .

it 's very evident that honor and honesty don't mean now what they used to mean in the days of old May , Higginson and Lawrence .

" they preach below here , and very well too sometimes , for I often slide down the rope to peep and listen during service .

don't tell me !

I 've seen them do it , and if I dared I 'd have startled every soul of them with a rousing peal .

and the old spirit shook his head till the tassel on his cap jangled like a little bell .

" ' Treat our dead boys tenderly , and send them home to me . ' "

but , though his dress was fresh and youthful , his face was old , and he had nodded several times during his brother 's speech .

" my greatest affliction during the past year has been the terrible extravagance which prevails .

my post , as you know , is at the court end of the city , and I see all the fashionable vices and follies .

our city saints walk abroad in threadbare suits , and under quiet bonnets shine the eyes that make sunshine in the shady places .

often as I watch the glittering procession passing to and fro below me .

" yet in spite of my fault-finding I love my children , as I call them , for all are not butterflies .

many find wealth no temptation to forgetfulness of duty or hardness of heart .

" ' Into each life some rain must fall , Some days must be dark and dreary . '

as the excitement subsided and the spirits reseated themselves , looking ten years younger for that burst , another spoke .

day and night I look down on lives as full of sin , self-sacrifice and suffering as any in those famous books .

but people seem to be so intent on business , pleasure or home duties that they have no time to hear and answer my appeal .

it 's a short story , easy to tell , though long and hard to live ; listen to it .

I saw her when she first came , a hopeful , cheerful , brave-hearted little soul , alone , yet not afraid .

but there was no kind hand to feed and foster the little human dove , and so she starved .

it was a hard time for all , desperately hard for her , and in her poverty , sin and pleasure tempted her .

" I saw it all !

I cried to them with all my strength .

" ' Kind souls , below there ! a fellow-creature is perishing for lack of charity !

oh , help her before it is too late !

mothers , with little daughters on your knees , stretch out your hands and take her in !

happy women , in the safe shelter of home , think of her desolation !

rich men , who grind the faces of the poor , remember that this soul will one day be required of you !

dear Lord , let not this little sparrow fall to the ground !

help , Christian men and women , in the name of Him whose birthday blessed the world ! '

" ah me !

I rang , and clashed , and cried in vain .

" as the clock struck eleven , pain and poverty for her were over .

it was bitter cold , but she no longer felt it .

she lay serenely sleeping , with tired heart and hands , at rest forever .

" it won't take me long to spin my yarn ; for things are pretty taut and ship-shape aboard our craft .

if you want to see earnestness come aboard some Sunday when the Captain 's on the quarter-deck , and take an observation .

no danger of falling asleep there , no more than there is up aloft , ' when the stormy winds do blow . '

our crew varies a good deal .

the Baptist bell cried , briskly , ' Come up and be dipped ! come up and be dipped ! '

the Episcopal bell slowly said , ' Apos-tol-ic suc-cess-ion ! apos-tol-ic suc-cess-ion ! '

ye may shake your heads if you will and fear there 'll be trouble , but I doubt it .

you set your rich , warm and soft to the fore , and leave the poor shivering at the door .

we let rich and poor kneel together , all being equal there .

call it mummery if ye like , but let me ask you why so many of your sheep stray into our fold ?

Puritanical belief .

by Saint Peter !

do your best in your own ways to get the poor souls into bliss , and good luck to ye .

" I 've a hopeful report , brothers , for the reforms of the day are wheeling into rank and marching on .

the war isn't over nor rebeldom conquered yet , but the Old Guard has been ' up and at ' em ' through the year .

but the music of their womanly heroism still lingers in the nation 's memory , and makes a tender minor-chord in the battle-hymn of freedom .

" speaking of the rising generation reminds me of the schools .

they are doing well ; they always are , and we are justly proud of them .

there may be a slight tendency toward placing too much value upon book-learning ; too little upon home culture .

I am fond of our girls and boys .

alarm bells have been rung , anathemas pronounced , and Christians , forgetful of their creed , have abused one another heartily .

" but look ! the first red streaks of dawn are in the East .

our vigil is over , and we must fly home to welcome in the holidays .

produced by The Internet Archive Children 's Library , Samuel Thompson and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team .

Transcriber 's note : there is no Chapter XI .

UNCLE TOM'S CABIN

YOUNG FOLKS ' EDITION

by

HARRIET BEECHER STOWE

UNCLE TOM'S CABIN

CHAPTER I

UNCLE TOM AND LITTLE HARRY ARE SOLD

very many years ago , instead of having servants to wait upon them and work for them , people used to have slaves .

these slaves were paid no wages .

their masters gave them only food and clothes in return for their work .

if the poor slaves were bought by kind people they would be quite happy .

then they would work willingly for their masters and mistresses , and even love them .

but very often cruel people bought slaves .

these cruel people used to beat them and be unkind to them in many other ways .

it was very wicked to buy and sell human beings as if they were cattle .

' They are only black people , ' they said to themselves .

' Black people do not feel things as we do . '

that was not kind , as black people suffer pain just in the same way as white people do .

when this happened those who were left behind were very sad indeed more sad than if their dear one had died .

uncle Tom was a slave .

he was a very faithful and honest servant , and his master , Mr Shelby , was kind to him .

uncle Tom 's wife was called Aunt Chloe .

she was Mr Shelby 's head cook , and a very good one too , she was .

nobody in all the country round could make such delicious pies and cakes as Aunt Chloe .

uncle Tom and Aunt Chloe lived together in a pretty little cottage built of wood , quite close to Mr Shelby 's big house .

the little cottage was covered with climbing roses , and the garden was full of beautiful bright flowers and lovely fruit trees .

uncle Tom and Aunt Chloe lived happily for many years in their little cottage , or cabin , as it was called .

all day Uncle Tom used to work in the fields , while Aunt Chloe was busy in the kitchen at Mr Shelby 's house .

when evening came they both went home to their cottage and their children , and were merry together .

Mr Shelby was a good man , and kind to his slaves , but he was not very careful of his money .

when he had spent all he had , he did not know what to do to get more .

at last he borrowed money from a man called Haley , hoping to be able to pay it back again some day .

but that day never came .

then Haley said , ' Give me that slave of yours called Tom he is worth a lot of money . '

but Mr Shelby knew that Haley was not a nice man .

he knew he did not want Tom for a servant , but only wanted to sell him again , to make more money .

so Mr Shelby said , ' No , I can't do that .

I never mean to sell any of my slaves , least of all Tom .

he has been with me since he was a little boy . '

' Oh very well , ' said Haley , ' I shall sell your house and lands , as I said I should . '

Mr Shelby could not bear to think of that , so he agreed to let Haley have Tom .

he made him promise , however , not to sell Tom again except to a kind master .

' Very well , ' said Haley , ' but Tom isn't enough .

I must have another slave . '

Just at this moment a little boy came dancing into the room where Mr Shelby and Haley were talking .

he was a pretty , merry little fellow , the son of a slave called Eliza , who was Mrs Shelby 's maid .

' I can't , ' said Mr Shelby .

' My wife is very fond of Eliza , and would never hear of having Harry sold . '

' Oh , very well , ' said Haley once more , ' I must just sell your house . '

CHAPTER II

ELIZA RUNS AWAY WITH LITTLE HARRY

Mr Shelby was very unhappy because of what he had done .

he knew his wife would be very unhappy too , and he did not know how to tell her .

he had to do it that night , however , before she went to bed .

Mrs Shelby could hardly believe it .

' Oh , you do not mean this , ' she said .

' You must not sell our good Tom and dear little Harry .

do anything rather than that .

it is a wicked , wicked thing to do .

' There is nothing else I can do , ' said Mr Shelby .

Mrs Shelby cried very much about it , but at last , though she was very , very unhappy she fell asleep .

but some one whom Mr and Mrs. Shelby never thought of was listening to this talk .

Eliza was sitting in the next room .

the door was not quite closed , so she could not help hearing what was said .

as she listened she grew pale and cold and a terrible look of pain came into her face .

Eliza had had three dear little children , but two of them had died when they were tiny babies .

she loved and cared for Harry all the more because she had lost the others .

now he was to be taken from her and sold to cruel men , and she would never see him again .

she felt she could not bear it .

Eliza 's husband was called George , and was a slave too .

he did not belong to Mr Shelby , but to another man , who had a farm quite near .

George and Eliza could not live together as a husband and wife generally do .

indeed , they hardly ever saw each other .

George 's master was a cruel man , and would not let him come to see his wife .

he was so cruel , and beat George so dreadfully , that the poor slave made up his mind to run away .

he had come that very day to tell Eliza what he meant to do .

as soon as Mr and Mrs. Shelby stopped talking , Eliza crept away to her own room , where little Harry was sleeping .

there he lay with his pretty curls around his face .

' My baby , my sweet-one , ' said Eliza , ' they have sold you .

but mother will save you yet ! '

she did not cry .

she was too sad and sorrowful for that .

taking a piece of paper and a pencil , she wrote quickly .

Illustration

' Oh , missis ! dear missis ! don't think me ungrateful don't think hard of me , anyway !

I heard all you and master said to-night .

Eliza was going to run away .

she gathered a few of Harry 's clothes into a bundle , put on her hat and jacket , and went to wake him .

' What is the matter , mother ? ' he said beginning to cry .

Illustration

' Hush , ' she said , ' Harry mustn't cry or speak aloud , or they will hear us .

a wicked man was coming to take little Harry away from his mother , and carry him ' way off in the dark .

but mother won't let him .

Harry stopped crying at once , and was good and quiet as a little mouse , while his mother dressed him .

when he was ready , she lifted him in her arms , and crept softly out of the house .

it was a beautiful , clear , starlight night , but very cold , for it was winter-time .

Eliza ran quickly to Uncle Tom 's cottage , and tapped on the window .

aunt Chloe was not asleep , so she jumped up at once , and opened the door .

she was very much astonished to see Eliza standing there with Harry in her arms .

uncle Tom followed her to the door , and was very much astonished too .

' I 'm running away , Uncle Tom and Aunt Chloe carrying off my child , ' said Eliza .

' Master sold him . '

' Sold him ? ' they both echoed , lifting up their hands in dismay .

' Yes , sold him , ' said Eliza .

' I heard master tell missis that he had sold my Harry , and you , Uncle Tom .

the man is coming to take you away to-morrow . '

at first Tom could hardly believe what he heard .

then he sank down , and buried his face in his hands .

' The good Lord have pity on us ! ' said Aunt Chloe .

' What has Tom done that master should sell him ? '

Illustration

' He hasn't done anything it isn't for that .

Master don't want to sell ; but he owes this man money .

if he doesn't pay him it will end in his having to sell the house and all the slaves .

Master said he was sorry .

but missis she talked like an angel .

I 'm a wicked girl to leave her so , but I can't help it .

it must be right ; but if it an't right , the good Lord will forgive me , for I can't help doing it .

' Tom , ' said Aunt Chloe , ' why don't you go too ?

there 's time . '

Tom slowly raised his head and looked sorrowfully at her .

' No , no , ' he said .

' Let Eliza go .

it is right that she should try to save her boy .

Mas'r has always trusted me , and I can't leave him like that .

it is better for me to go alone than for the whole place to be sold .

Mas'r isn't to blame , Chloe .

he will take care of you and the poor '

Tom could say no more .

' Aunt Chloe , ' said Eliza , in a minute or two , ' I must go .

I saw my husband to-day .

he told me he meant to run away soon , because his master is so cruel to him .

try to send him a message from me .

tell him I have run away to save our boy .

tell him to come after me if he can .

good-bye , good-bye .

God bless you ! '

CHAPTER III

THE MORNING AFTER

Mrs Shelby was very glad .

' Thank God ! ' she said .

' I hope Eliza will get right away .

I could not bear to think of Harry being sold to that cruel man . '

Mr Shelby was angry .

' Haley knew I didn't want to sell the child , ' he said .

' He will blame me for this . '

one person only was quite silent , and that was Aunt Chloe .

she went on , making the breakfast as if she heard and saw nothing of the excitement round her .

all the little black boys belonging to the house thought it was fine fun .

very soon , about a dozen young imps were roosting , like so many crows , on the railings , waiting for Haley to come .

they wanted to see how angry he would be , when he heard the news .

and he was dreadfully angry .

the little nigger boys thought it was grand .

they shouted and laughed and made faces at him to their hearts ' content .

at last Haley became so angry , that Mr Shelby offered to give him two men to help him to find Eliza .

they let loose their horses and Haley 's too .

then they frightened and chased them , till they raced like mad things all over the great lawns which surrounded the house .

Cotch him !

Cotch him ! '

this frightened the horses so much that they galloped off faster than before .

Haley rushed up and down , shouting and using dreadful , naughty words , and stamping with rage all the time .

at last , about twelve o'clock , Sam came riding up with Haley 's horse .

' He 's cotched , ' he said , seemingly very proud of himself .

' I cotched him ! '

of course , now it was too late to start before dinner .

besides , the horses were so tired with all their running about , that they had to have a rest .

when at last they did start , Sam led them by a wrong road .

so the sun was almost setting before they arrived at the village where Haley hoped to find Eliza .

CHAPTER IV

THE CHASE

when Eliza left Uncle Tom 's cabin , she felt very sad and lonely .

she knew she was leaving all the friends she had ever had behind her .

at first Harry was frightened .

soon he grew sleepy .

' Mother , I don't need to keep awake , do I ? ' he said .

' No , my darling , sleep , if you want to . '

' But , mother , if I do get asleep , you won't let the bad man take me ? '

' No ! '

' You're sure , an't you , mother ? '

' Yes , sure . '

Illustration

Harry dropped his little weary head upon her shoulder , and was soon fast asleep .

Eliza walked on and on , never resting , all through the night .

when the sun rose , she was many miles away from her old home .

at last , when it was nearly dark , she arrived at a village , on the banks of the river Ohio .

if she could only get across that river , Eliza felt she would be safe .

she went to a little inn on the bank , where a kind-looking woman was busy cooking supper .

' Is there a boat that takes people across the river now ? ' she asked .

' No , indeed , ' replied the woman .

' The boats has stopped running .

it isn't safe , there be too many blocks of ice floating about . '

Eliza looked so sad and disappointed when she heard this , that the good woman was sorry for her .

Harry too was so tired , that he began to cry .

Illustration

' Here , take him into this room , ' said the woman , opening the door into a small bed-room .

Eliza laid her tired little boy upon the bed , and he soon fell fast asleep .

but for her there was no rest .

she stood at the window , watching the river with its great floating blocks of ice , wondering how she could cross it .

as she stood there she heard a shout .

looking up she saw Sam .

she drew back just in time , for Haley and Andy were riding only a yard or two behind him .

it was a dreadful moment for Eliza .

her room opened by a side door to the river .

she seized her child and sprang down the steps towards it .

Haley caught sight of her as she disappeared down the bank .

throwing himself from his horse , and calling loudly to Sam and Andy , he was after her in a moment .

in that terrible moment her feet scarcely seemed to touch the ground .

the next , she was at the water 's edge .

on they came behind her .

with one wild cry and flying leap , she jumped right over the water by the shore , on to the raft of ice beyond .

it was a desperate leap .

Haley , Sam , and Andy cried out , and lifted up their hands in astonishment .

the great piece of ice pitched and creaked as her weight came upon it .

but she stayed there not a moment .

with wild cries she leaped to another and still another stumbling leaping slipping springing up again !

her shoes were gone , her stockings cut from her feet by the sharp edges of the ice .

blood marked every step .

' Yer a brave gal , now , whoever ye are ! ' said the man .

' Oh , save me do save me do hide me , ' she cried .

' Why , what 's the matter ? ' asked the man .

' My child ! this boy mas'r sold him .

there 's his new mas'r , ' she said , pointing to the other shore .

' Oh , save me . '

' Yer a right brave gal , ' said the man .

' Go there , ' pointing to a big white house close by .

' They are kind folks ; they 'll help you . '

' Oh , thank you , thank you , ' said Eliza , as she walked quickly away .

the man stood and looked after her wonderingly .

on the other side of the river Haley was standing perfectly amazed at the scene .

when Eliza disappeared over the bank he turned and looked at Sam and Andy , with terrible anger in his eyes .

but Sam and Andy were glad , oh , so glad , that Eliza had escaped .

they were so glad that they laughed till the tears rolled down their cheeks .

' I 'll make ye laugh , ' said Haley , laying about their heads with his riding whip .

they ducked their heads , ran shouting up the bank , and were on their horses before he could reach them .

' Good evening , mas'r , ' said Sam .

' I berry much ' spect missis be anxious ' bout us .

Mas'r Haley won't want us no longer . '

then off they went as fast as their horses could gallop .

it was late at night before they reached home again , but Mrs Shelby was waiting for them .

as soon as she heard the horses galloping up she ran out to the balcony .

' Is that you , Sam ? ' she called .

' Where are they ? '

' Mas'r Haley 's a-restin ' at the tavern .

he 's drefful fatigued , missis . '

' And Eliza , Sam ? '

so Sam went up and told the wonderful story of how Eliza had crossed the river on the floating ice .

Mr and Mrs. Shelby found it hard to believe that such a thing was possible .

Mrs Shelby was very , very glad that Eliza had escaped .

she told Aunt Chloe to give Sam and Andy a specially good supper .

then they went to bed quite pleased with their day 's work .

CHAPTER V

ELIZA FINDS A REFUGE

a lady and gentleman were sitting talking happily together in the drawing-room of the white house to which Eliza had gone .

suddenly their old black man-of-all-work put his head in at the door and said , ' Will missis come into the kitchen ? '

the lady went .

presently she called to her husband , ' I do wish you would come here a moment . '

he rose and went into the kitchen .

there lay Eliza on two kitchen chairs .

her poor feet were all cut and bleeding , and she had fainted quite away .

the master of the house drew his breath short , and stood silent .

Illustration

his wife and the cook were trying to bring Eliza round .

the old man had Harry on his knee , and was busy pulling off his shoes and stockings , to warm the little cold feet .

' Poor creature , ' said the lady .

suddenly Eliza opened her eyes .

a dreadful look of pain came into her face .

she sprang up saying , ' Oh , my Harry , have they got him ? '

' Oh , he 's here ! he 's here , ' she said , kissing him .

' Nobody shall hurt you here , poor woman , ' said the lady .

' You are safe ; don't be afraid . '

' You needn't be afraid of anything ; we are friends here , poor woman .

tell me where you come from and what you want , ' said the lady .

' I came from the other side of the river , ' said Eliza .

' When ? ' said the gentleman , very much astonished .

' To-night . '

' How did you come ? '

' I crossed on the ice . '

' Crossed on the ice ! ' exclaimed every one .

' Yes , ' said Eliza slowly , ' I did .

God helped me , and I crossed on the ice .

they were close behind me right behind , and there was no other way . '

' I know it is .

I know it , ' said Eliza wildly .

' But I did it .

I would'nt have thought I could I didn't think I could get over , but I didn't care .

I could but die if I didn't .

and God helped me . '

' Were you a slave ? ' said the gentleman .

' Yes , sir . '

' Was your master unkind to you ? '

' No , sir . '

' Was your mistress unkind to you ? '

' No , sir no .

my mistress was always good to me . '

' What could make you leave a good home , then , and run away , and go through such danger ? '

' They wanted to take my boy away from me to sell him to sell him down south , ma'am .

to go all alone a baby that had never been away from his mother in his life .

I couldn't bear it .

I took him , and ran away in the night .

they chased me , they were coming down close behind me , and I heard ' em .

I jumped right on to the ice .

how I got across I don't know .

the first I knew , a man was helping me up the bank . '

it was such a sad story , that the tears came into the eyes of everyone who heard her tell it .

Illustration

' Where do you mean to go to , poor woman ? ' asked the lady .

' To Canada , if I only knew where that was .

' Poor woman , ' said she again .

' Is it a great way off ? ' asked Eliza .

' Yes , ' said the lady of the house sadly , ' it is far away .

but we will try to help you to get there . '

Eliza wanted to go to Canada , because it belonged to the British .

they did not allow any one to be made a slave there .

George , too , was going to try to reach Canada .

she is not safe here .

I know some good people , far in the country , who will take care of her . '

he gave some money to the good man too , and told him to use it for Eliza .

CHAPTER VI

UNCLE TOM SAYS GOOD-BYE

the day after the hunt for Eliza was a very sad one in Uncle Tom 's cabin .

it was the day on which Haley was going to take Uncle Tom away .

aunt Chloe had been up very early .

she had washed and ironed all Tom 's clothes , and packed his trunk neatly .

now she was cooking the breakfast , the last breakfast she would ever cook for her dear husband .

her eyes were quite red and swollen with crying , and the tears kept running down her cheeks all the time .

' It 's the last time , ' said Tom sadly .

aunt Chloe could not answer .

she sat down , buried her face in her hands , and sobbed aloud .

' S'pose we must be resigned .

but , O Lord , how can I ?

if I knew anything where you was goin' , or how they 'd treat you !

Missis says she 'll try and buy you back again in a year or two .

but , Lor ' , nobody never comes back that goes down there . '

' There 'll be the same God there , Chloe , that there is here . '

' Well , ' said Aunt Chloe , ' s'pose dere will .

but the Lord lets drefful things happen sometimes .

I don't seem to get no comfort dat way . '

' Let 's think on our mercies , ' said Tom , in a shaking voice .

' Mercies ! ' said Aunt Chloe , ' don't see any mercies in ' t .

it isn't right ! it isn't right it should be so !

Mas'r never ought to have left it so that ye could be took for his debts .

Mebbe he can't help himself now , but I feel it 's wrong .

nothing can beat that out of me .

such a faithful crittur as ye 've been , reckonin ' on him more than your own wife and chil'en . '

' Wall , anyway , there 's wrong about it somewhere , ' said Aunt Chloe , ' I can't jest make out where ' tis .

but there is wrong somewhere , I 'm sure of that . '

neither Tom nor Chloe could eat any breakfast ; their hearts were too full of sorrow .

but the little children , who hardly understood what was happening , enjoyed theirs .

it was not often that they had such a fine one as Chloe had cooked for Tom 's last morning at home .

Illustration

breakfast was just finished , when Mrs Shelby came .

Chloe was not very pleased to see her .

she was angry , and blamed her for letting Tom be sold .

but Mrs Shelby did not seem to see Aunt Chloe 's angry looks .

then all Aunt Chloe 's anger faded away .

' Lor ' , now missis , don't-don't , ' she said .

she too burst out crying again , and for a few minutes they all sobbed together .

' Tom , ' said Mrs Shelby at last , ' I can't do anything for you now .

but I promise you , most solemnly , to save as much , money as I can .

as soon as I have enough , I will buy you back again . '

just then Haley arrived .

Tom said a last sad good-bye to his wife and children , and got into the cart , which Haley had brought with him .

as soon as Tom was seated in the cart , Haley took a heavy chain , and fastened it round his ankles .

Poor Tom had done nothing wrong , yet he was treated worse than a thief , just because he was a slave .

' You don't need to do that , ' said Mrs Shelby , ' Tom won't run away . '

' Don't know so much about that , ma'am ; I 've lost one already .

I can't afford to run any more risks , ' replied Haley .

' Please give my love to Mas'r George , ' said Tom , looking round sadly .

' Tell him how sorry I am he is not at home to say good-bye . '

Master George was Mr and Mrs. Shelby 's son .

he was very fond of Tom , and was teaching him to write .

he often used to come and have tea in Uncle Tom 's little cottage .

aunt Chloe used to make her very nicest cakes when Mas'r George came to tea .

but he was not at home now , and did not know that Tom had been sold .

CHAPTER VII

UNCLE TOM MEETS EVA

Haley stayed in Washington several days .

he went to market each day and bought more slaves .

he put heavy chains on their hands and feet , and sent them to prison along with Tom .

it was a beautiful boat .

the deck was gay with lovely ladies and fine gentlemen walking about enjoying the bright spring sunshine .

down on the lower deck , in the dark , among the luggage , were crowded Tom and the other poor slaves .

some of the ladies and gentlemen on board were very sorry for the poor niggers , and pitied them .

' They are only slaves , ' they said .

among the passengers was a pretty little girl , about six years old .

she had beautiful golden hair , and big blue eyes .

she ran about here , there , and everywhere , dancing and laughing like a little fairy .

there were other children on board , but not one so pretty or so merry as she .

she was always dressed in white , and Tom thought she looked like a little angel , as she danced and ran about .

often and often she would come and walk sadly around the place where the poor slaves sat in their chains .

she would look pityingly at them , and then go slowly away .

once or twice she came with her dress full of sweets , nuts , and oranges , and gave them all some .

Tom watched the little lady , and tried to make friends with her .

his pockets were full of all kinds of things , with which he used to amuse his old master 's children .

he brought these out one by one , and though the little girl was shy at first , they soon grew to be great friends .

' What is missy 's name ? ' said Tom one day .

' Evangeline St Clare , ' said the little girl ; ' though papa and everybody else call me Eva .

now , what 's your name ? '

' My name 's Tom .

the little chil'en at my old home used to call me Uncle Tom . '

' Then I mean to call you Uncle Tom , because , you see , I like you , ' said Eva .

' So , Uncle Tom , where are you going ? '

' I don't know , Miss Eva . '

' Don't know ? ' said Eva .

' No.

I 'm going to be sold to somebody .

I don't know who . '

' My papa can buy you , said Eva quickly .

' If he buys you you will have good times .

I mean to ask him to , this very day . '

' Thank you , my little lady , ' said Tom .

Just at this moment , the boat stopped at a small landing-place to take in some wood .

Eva heard her father 's voice , and ran away to speak to him .

Tom too rose and walked to the side .

he was allowed to go about now without chains .

Tom helped the sailors to carry the wood on the boat .

he was so big and strong that they were very glad to have his help .

Illustration

Eva and her father were standing by the railings as the boat once more began to move .

it had hardly left the landing-stage when , some how or other , Eva lost her balance .

she fell right over the side of the boat into the water .

Tom was standing just under her , on the lower deck , as she fell .

in one moment he sprang after her .

the whole boat was in confusion .

every one ran to help Eva , while the poor slave went back to his place , unnoticed and uncared for .

but Mr St Clare did not forget .

the next day Tom sat on the lower deck , with folded arms , anxiously watching him as he talked to Haley .

Eva 's father was a very handsome man .

he was like Eva , with the same beautiful blue eyes and golden-brown hair .

Illustration

' Papa do buy him , it 's no matter what you pay ' , whispered Eva softly , putting her arms around her father 's neck .

' You have money enough , I know .

I want him . '

' What for , pussy ?

are you going to use him for a rattle-box , or a rocking-horse , or what ? '

' I want to make him happy . '

' Come , Eva , ' said Mr St . Clare , and , taking her hand , went across the boat to Tom .

' Look up , Tom , ' he said to him , ' and see how you like your new master . '

Tom looked up .

Mr St Clare had such a gay , young , handsome face , that Tom could not help feeling glad .

grateful tears rushed to his eyes as he said , ' God bless you , mas'r . '

' Can you drive horses , Tom ? '

' I 've been allays used to horses , ' said Tom .

' Well , I think I 'll make you a coachman .

but you must not get drunk . '

Tom looked surprised and a little hurt .

' I never drink ' , mas'r , ' he said .

' I certainly do , mas'r , ' said Tom .

' And you shall have good times , ' said Eva .

' Papa is very good to everybody , only he always will laugh at them . '

' Papa is much obliged to you , ' said Mr St Clare laughing , as he walked away .

CHAPTER VIII

ELIZA AMONG THE QUAKERS

kind people helped her all the way .

she passed from friend to friend , till she arrived safely at a village where the people were Quakers .

the Quakers were gentle , quiet people .

they all dressed alike in plain grey clothes , and the women wore big , white muslin caps .

because they thought it was wicked to have slaves , they helped those who ran away from their cruel masters .

often they were punished for doing this , but still they went on helping the poor slaves .

for though the laws said it was wrong , they felt quite sure that it was really right to do so .

the kind Quaker women grew to be very fond of Eliza , and would have been glad if she would have stayed with them .

but Eliza said , ' No , I must go on ; I dare not stop .

I can't sleep at night : I can't rest .

last night I dreamed I saw that man come into the yard . '

no slave that has run away has ever been stolen from our village .

it is safe here . '

Rachel went out to him .

' Eliza 's husband is here , ' he said .

' Art thee sure ? ' asked Rachel , her face bright with joy .

' Yes , quite certain ; he will be here soon .

will thee tell her ? '

Eliza rose trembling , she was so afraid it was bad news .

' No , no ! never fear thee .

it 's good news , Eliza , ' said Simeon ,

Rachel shut the door , and drew Eliza towards her .

' The Lord has been very good to thee , ' she said gently .

' Thy husband hath escaped , and will be here to-night . '

' To-night ! ' repeated Eliza , ' to-night ! '

then it seemed as if the room and everything in it swam round her , and she fell into Rachel 's arms .

very gently Rachel laid her down on the bed .

there in a house , which kind voices told her was her home , she saw Harry playing happily .

she heard her husband 's footstep .

she felt him coming nearer .

his arms were around her , his tears falling upon her face , and she awoke .

it was no dream .

the sun had set , the candles were lit .

Harry was sleeping by her side , and George , her husband , was holding her in his arms .

CHAPTER IX

UNCLE TOM'S NEW HOME

uncle Tom soon settled down in his new home .

he was as happy as he could be , so far away from his wife and dear little children .

he had a kind master .

Mrs St Clare , however , was not nearly so nice as her husband .

she was cruel , and would often have beaten her poor slaves , but Mr St Clare would not allow it .

Mrs St Clare said she really was too ill to look after the house , so everything was left to the slaves .

soon things began to be very uncomfortable , and even good-natured Mr St . Clare could stand it no longer .

it was on the journey back with her that the accident to Eva happened , which ended in his buying Tom .

Miss Ophelia was a very prim and precise person , not at all like the St Clares .

in her home people did not have slaves .

she was very , very sorry for the poor slaves , and would have liked to free them all .

yet she did not love them .

she could not bear even to have them near her , nor to touch them , just because they were black .

Illustration

it made her quite ill to see Eva kissing and hugging the black slave women when she came home .

' Well , I couldn't do that , ' she said .

' Why not ? ' said Mr St Clare , who was looking on .

' Well , I want to be kind to every one .

I wouldn't have anybody hurt .

but , as to kissing niggers ' she gave a little shudder .

' How can she ? '

presently a gay laugh sounded from the court .

Mr St Clare stepped out to see what was happening .

' What is it ? ' said Miss Ophelia , following him .

there sat Tom on a little mossy seat in the court .

every one of his buttonholes was stuck full of flowers .

Eva , laughing gaily , was hanging a wreath of roses round his neck .

then , still laughing , she perched on his knee like a little sparrow .

' Oh , Tom , you look so funny ! '

Tom had a sober smile on his face .

he seemed in his own quiet way to be enjoying the fun quite as much as his little mistress .

when he lifted his eyes and saw his master he looked as if he were afraid he might be scolded .

but Mr St Clare only smiled .

' How can you let her do that ? ' said Miss Ophelia .

' Why not ? ' said Mr St . Clare .

' Why ?

I don't know .

it seems dreadful to me . '

' You would think it was quite right and natural if you saw Eva playing with a large dog , even if he was black .

but a fellow-creature that can think , and reason , and feel , and is immortal , you shudder at .

I know how you north-country people feel about it .

you loathe the blacks as you would a toad or a snake .

yet you pity them , and are angry because they are often ill-treated . '

' Well , cousin , ' said Miss Ophelia thoughtfully , ' I daresay you are right .

I suppose I must try to get over my feeling . '

CHAPTER X

UNCLE TOM'S LETTER

Uncle Tom felt that he was indeed very fortunate to have found such a kind master and so good a home .

he had nice clothes , plenty of food , and a comfortable room to sleep in .

he had no hard , disagreeable work to do .

he soon grew to love his little mistress very , very much indeed .

Mr St Clare too began to find Tom very useful .

he was dreadfully careless about money , and his chief servant was just as careless as his master .

so between them a great deal was not only spent but wasted .

waste seemed dreadful to him , and he tried to do something to stop it now .

Mr St Clare was not long in finding out how clever Tom was , and soon trusted him as thoroughly as Mr Shelby had done .

but in spite of all his good fortune , Tom used to long very much to go home to see his dear ones again .

Illustration

but as time went on , Uncle Tom longed more and more for his home .

at last one day he had a grand idea .

he would write a letter .

before Uncle Tom was sold , George Shelby had been teaching him to write so he thought he could manage a letter .

he begged a sheet of writing-paper from Eva , and going to his room began to make a rough copy on his slate .

it was very difficult .

Poor Uncle Tom found that he had quite forgotten how to make some of the letters .

of those he did remember , he was not quite sure which he ought to use .

yes , it was a very difficult thing indeed .

while he was working away , breathing very hard over it , Eva came behind him , and peeped over his shoulder .

' Oh , Uncle Tom ! what funny things you are making there ! '

Eva put her little golden head close to Uncle Tom 's black one , and the two began a grave and anxious talk over the letter .

they were both very earnest , and both very ignorant .

' Yes , Uncle Tom , it begins to look beautiful , ' said Eva , gazing on it with delight .

' How pleased your wife will be , and the poor little children !

oh , it is a shame that you ever had to go away from them !

I mean to ask papa to let you go back , some day . '

' Missis said that she would send down money for me , as soon as they could get it together , ' said Tom .

' Young Mas'r George , he said he 'd come for me .

he gave me this dollar as a sign , ' and Tom drew the precious dollar from under his coat .

' Oh , he is sure to come , then , ' said Eva , ' I am so glad . '

' I say , Tom , ' said Mr St Clare , coming in at the door at this minute .

Tom and Eva both started .

' What 's this ? '

Mr St Clare went on , coming up and looking at the slate .

' Oh , it 's Tom 's letter .

I 'm helping him to write it , ' said Eva .

' Isn't it nice ? '

I 'll do it when I come home from my ride . '

he told me they had said so . '

Mr St Clare thought in his heart that very likely this meant nothing .

he did not really believe Mrs Shelby meant to buy Tom back again .

however , he did not say so out loud , but just told Tom to get the horses ready for a ride .

that evening the letter was written , and Uncle Tom carried it joyfully to the post-office .

Illustration

CHAPTER XII

GEORGE FIGHTS FOR FREEDOM

the two had much to say to each other .

then there were plans to make for going on towards Canada .

it was arranged that they should start that night at ten o'clock .

' The pursuers are hard after thee , we must not delay , ' said Simeon .

Rachel was happy and busy , packing up food and clothes for them to take on the journey .

so George and Eliza decided to start as soon as it was dark .

a little while after supper a large covered waggon drew up before the door .

they got in and the waggon drove off .

on and on , all through the dark night they drove .

about three o'clock , George heard the click of a horse 's hoof coming behind them .

' That 's Simeon , ' said Phineas , who was driving , as he pulled up the horses to listen .

' Halloa , there , Simeon , ' he shouted , ' what news ?

are they coming ? '

' Yes , right on behind , eight or ten of them . '

' Oh ! what shall we do ? ' groaned Eliza .

but Phineas knew the road well .

he lashed the horses till they flew along , the waggon rattling and jumping over the hard road behind them .

Illustration

on they went till they came to a place where the rocks rose straight up from the road like a wall .

it seemed impossible for any one to climb up there .

but Phineas knew a way .

he stopped the horses .

now follow me , ' he said to the others , ' quick , for your lives .

run now , if you you ever did run . '

' We are pretty safe here , ' said Phineas , when they had reached the top .

' Only one person can come up that path at a time .

if any one tries it , shoot him . '

the men who were chasing them had now arrived at the foot of of the rocks .

they were led by a big man called Tom Loker , and another mean-looking little man , whom Haley had sent .

after some hunting about , they found the path , and , headed by Tom Loker , began to climb up .

' Come up if you like , ' George called out , ' but if you do we will shoot you . '

for answer , the little man took aim at George , and fired .

Eliza screamed , but the shot did not hurt him .

it passed close to his hair , nearly touched her cheek , and , struck a tree behind .

Tom Loker came on .

George waited until he was near enough , then he fired .

the shot hit him in the side .

but , though wounded , he would not go back .

with a yell like that of a mad bull he came leaping on , and sprang right in among them .

Quakers are not allowed to use guns and pistols , so Phineas had been standing back while George shot .

now he sprang forward .

down fell Tom Loker , down , down the steep side of the rock .

he crashed and crackled among trees , bushes , logs , loose stones , till he lay bruised and groaning far below .

the fall might have killed him , had it not been broken by his clothes catching on the branches of a large tree .

cruel people are , very often , cowardly too .

when the men saw their leader first wounded , and then thrown down , they all ran away .

mounting their horses , they rode off as fast as they could , leaving Tom Loker lying on the ground wounded and groaning with pain .

they had just reached the bottom , when they saw him coming back with the waggon and two other men .

' Now we are safe , ' cried Phineas joyfully .

' Well , do stop then , ' said Eliza , ' and do something for that poor man .

he is groaning dreadfully . '

' It would be no more than Christian , ' said George .

' Let us take him with us . '

then they all set out once more .

Illustration

a drive of about an hour brought them to a neat farm-house .

there the tired travellers were kindly received and given a good breakfast .

Tom Loker was put into a comfortable bed , far cleaner and softer than any he had ever slept in before .

George and Eliza walked about the garden hand-in-hand , feeling happy together , and almost safe .

they were so near Canada now .

CHAPTER XIII

AUNT DINAH

miss Ophelia found that it was no easy matter to bring anything like order into the St Clare household .

however , she had quite made up her mind that order there must be .

she got up at four o'clock in the morning , much to the surprise of the housemaids .

all day long she was busy dusting and tidying , till Mrs St . Clare said it made her tired to see cousin Ophelia so busy .

CHAPTER XIV

TOPSY

one morning , while Miss Ophelia was busy , as usual , she heard Mr St Clare calling her from the foot of the stairs .

' Come down here , cousin .

I have something to show you . '

' What is it ? ' said Miss Ophelia , coming down with her sewing in her hand .

' I have bought something for you .

See here , ' he said , pulling forward a little negro girl of about eight or nine years old .

she was quite black .

her round , shining eyes glittered like glass beads .

her wooly hair was plaited into little tails which stuck out in all directions .

her clothes were dirty and ragged .

Miss Ophelia thought she had never seen such a dreadful little girl in all her life .

' Cousin , what in the world have you brought that thing here for ? ' she asked , in dismay .

' Topsy , ' he went on , ' this is your new mistress .

see , now , that you behave yourself . '

' Yes , mas'r , ' said Topsy gravely , but her eyes had a wicked twinkle in them .

' You 're going to be good , Topsy , you understand ? ' said Mr St . Clare .

' Oh yes , mas'r ' said Topsy again , meekly folding her hands , but with another twinkle in her eyes .

' Now cousin , what is this for ?

your house is full of these little plagues as it is .

they tumble over the kitchen floor , so that a body can't put their foot down without treading on them .

what on earth did you want to bring this one for ? '

' For you to teach , didn't I tell you ? '

' I don't want her , I 'm sure .

I have more to do with them now than I want . '

I couldn't bear to hear her screaming every day , so I bought her .

I will give her to you .

do try and make something of her . '

' Well , I 'll do what I can , ' said Miss Ophelia .

' She is fearfully dirty , and half naked . '

' Well , take her downstairs , and tell somebody to clean her up , and give her some decent clothes . '

getting Topsy clean was a very long business .

but at last it was done .

then , sitting down before her , Miss Ophelia began to question her .

' How old are you , Topsy ? '

' Dunno , missis , ' said she , grinning like an ugly little black doll .

' Don't know how old you are !

did nobody ever tell you ?

who was your mother ? '

' Never had none , ' said Topsy , with another grin .

' Never had any mother !

what do you mean ?

where were you born ? '

' Never was born . '

' You mustn't answer me like that , child , ' said Miss Ophelia sternly .

' I am not playing with you .

tell me where you were born , and who your father and mother were . '

' Never was born , ' said Topsy again very decidedly .

' Never had no father , nor mother , nor nothin ! '

Miss Ophelia hardly knew what to make of her .

' How long have you lived with your master and mistress , then ? ' she asked .

' Dunno , missis . '

' Is it a year , or more , or less ? '

' Dunno , missis . '

' Have you ever heard anything about God , Topsy ? ' asked Miss Ophelia next .

Topsy looked puzzled , but kept on grinning .

' Do you know who made you ? '

' Nobody as I knows on , ' replied Topsy , with a laugh .

' Spect I grow 'd .

don't think nobody ever made me . '

Illustration

' Do you know how to sew ? ' asked Miss Ophelia , quite shocked .

' No , missis . '

' What can you do ?

what did you do for your master and mistress ? '

' Fetch water , and wash dishes , and clean knives , and wait on folks . '

' Well , now , Topsy , I 'm going to show you just how my bed is to be made .

I am very particular about my bed .

you must learn exactly how to do it . '

' Yes , missis , ' said Topsy , with a deep sigh and a face of woeful earnestness .

' Now , Topsy , look here .

this is the hem of the sheet .

this is the right side of the sheet .

this is the wrong .

will you remember ? '

' Yes , missis , ' said Topsy with another sigh .

do you see ? '

' Yes , missis . '

' Yes , missis , ' said Topsy as before .

when Miss Ophelia looked up again , the naughty little girl was standing with meekly-folded hand as before .

' Now , Topsy , let me see you do this , ' said Miss Ophelia , pulling the clothes off again and seating herself .

Topsy , looking very earnest , did it all just as she had been shown .

she did it so quickly and well that Miss Ophelia was very pleased .

but , alas ! as she was finishing , an end of ribbon came dangling out of her sleeve .

' What is this ? ' said Miss Ophelia , seizing it .

' You naughty , wicked child you have been stealing this . '

the ribbon was pulled out of Topsy 's own sleeve .

yet she did not seem a bit ashamed .

she only looked at it with an air of surprise and innocence .

' Why , that 's Miss Feely 's ribbon , an't it ?

how could it a got into my sleeve ? '

' Topsy , you naughty girl , don't tell me a lie .

you stole that ribbon , '

' Missis , I declare I didn't .

never seed it till dis blessed minnit . '

' Topsy , ' said Miss Ophelia , ' don't you know it is wicked to tell lies ? '

' I never tells no lies , Miss Feely , ' said Topsy .

' It 's jist the truth I 've been , tellin ' now .

it an't nothin ' else . '

Illustration

' Topsy , I shall have to whip you , if you tell lies so . '

' Laws , missis , if you whip 's all day , couldn't say no other way , ' said Topsy , beginning to cry .

' I never seed dat ribbon .

it must a caught in my sleeve .

Miss Feely must'a left it on the bed , and it got caught in the clothes , and so got in my sleeve . '

Miss Ophelia was so angry at such a barefaced lie that she caught Topsy and shook her .

' Don't tell me that again , ' she said .

the shake brought the gloves on the floor from the other sleeve .

' There , ' said Miss Ophelia , ' will you tell me now you didn't steal the ribbon ? '

Topsy now confessed to stealing the gloves .

but she , still said she had not taken the ribbon .

' Now , Topsy ' , said Miss Ophelia kindly , ' if you will confess all about it I won't whip you this time . '

so Topsy confessed to having stolen both the ribbon and the gloves .

she said she was very , very sorry , and would never do it again .

if you confess I won't whip you . '

' Laws , missis , I took Miss Eva 's red thing she wears on her neck . '

' You did , you naughty child !

well , what else ? '

' I took Rosa 's ear-rings them red ones . '

' Go and bring them to me this minute both of them . '

' Laws , missis , I can't they's burnt up . '

' Burnt up ?

what a story !

go and get them , or I shall whip you . '

Topsy began to cry and groan , and declare that she could not .

' They 's burnt up , they is . '

' What did you burn them up for ? ' asked Miss Ophelia .

' Cause I 's wicked , I is .

I's mighty wicked , anyhow .

I can't help it . '

Just at this minute Eva came into the room wearing her coral necklace .

' Why , Eva , where did you get your necklace ? ' said Miss Ophelia .

' Get it ?

why , I have had it on all day , ' answered Eva , rather surprised .

' And what is funny , aunty , I had it on all night too .

I forgot to take it off when I went to bed . '

Miss Ophelia looked perfectly astonished .

I 'm sure I don't know what to do with such a child , ' she said , in despair .

' What in the world made you tell me you took those things , Topsy ? '

' Why , missis said I must ' fess .

I couldn't think of nothing else to ' fess , ' said Topsy , wiping her eyes .

' But of course , I didn't want you to confess things you didn't do , ' said Miss Ophelia .

' That is telling a lie just as much as the other . '

' Laws , now , is it ? ' said Topsy , looking surprised and innocent .

' Poor Topsy , ' said Eva , ' why need you steal ?

you are going to be taken good care of now .

I am sure I would rather give you anything of mine than have you steal it . '

Topsy had never been spoken to so kindly and gently in all her life .

for a minute she looked as if she were going to cry .

the next she was grinning as usual in her ugly way .

what was to be done with Topsy ?

Miss Ophelia was quite puzzled .

she shut her up in a dark room till she could think about it .

' Well , whip her , then . '

' I never heard of bringing up children without it , ' said Miss Ophelia .

' Oh , well , do as you think best .

only , I have seen this child beaten with a poker , knocked down with the shovel or tongs , or anything that came handy .

so I don't think your beatings will have much effect . '

' What is to be done with her , then ? ' said Miss Ophelia .

' I never saw such a child as this . '

but Mr St Clare could not answer her question .

So Miss Ophelia had to go on , as best she could , trying to make Topsy a good girl .

she taught her to read and to sew .

Topsy liked reading , and learned her letters like magic .

but she could not bear sewing .

so she broke her needles or threw them away .

she tangled , broke , and dirtied her cotton and hid her reels .

Miss Ophelia felt sure all these things could not be accidents .

yet she could never catch Topsy doing them .

in a very few days Topsy had learned how to do Miss Ophelia 's room perfectly , for she was very quick and clever .

but if Miss Ophelia ever left her to do it by herself there was sure to be dreadful confusion .

instead of making the bed , she would amuse herself with pulling off the pillow-cases .

then she would butt her woolly head among the pillows , until it was covered with feathers sticking out in all directions .

' Dunno , missis I'spects ' cause I 's so wicked . '

' I don't know what I shall do with you , Topsy . '

' Laws , missis , you must whip me .

my old missis always did .

I an't used to workin ' unless I gets whipped . '

so Miss Ophelia tried it .

Topsy would scream and groan and implore .

but half an hour later she would be sitting among the other little niggers belonging to the house , laughing about it .

' Miss Feely whip ! ' she would say , ' she can't do it nohow . '

' Law , you niggers , ' she would go on , ' does you know you 's all sinners ?

well , you is ; everybody is .

white folks is sinners too Miss Feely says so .

but I ' spects niggers is the biggest ones .

but ye an't any of ye up to me .

I's so awful wicked , there can't nobody do nothin ' with me .

I ' spects I's the wickedest crittur in the world . '

then she would turn a somersault , and come up bright and smiling , evidently quite pleased with herself .

CHAPTER XV

EVA AND TOPSY

two or three years passed .

uncle Tom was still with Mr St Clare , far away from his home .

he was not really unhappy .

but always in his heart was the aching longing to see his dear ones again .

now he began to have a new sorrow .

he loved his little mistress Eva very tenderly , and she was ill .

he saw that she was growing white and thin .

she no longer ran and played in the garden for hours together as she used to do .

she was always tired now .

Miss Ophelia noticed it too , and tried to make Mr St Clare see it .

but he would not .

he loved his little Eva so much , that he did not want to believe that anything could be the matter with her .

Mrs St Clare never thought that any one , except herself , could be ill .

so Eva grew daily thinner and weaker , and Uncle Tom and Aunt Ophelia more and more sad and anxious .

in a week or two she was very much better .

once more she ran about playing and laughing , and her father was delighted .

only Miss Ophelia and the doctor sighed and shook their heads .

and little Eva herself knew ; but she was not troubled .

she knew she was going to God .

' Papa ' she said one day , ' there are some things I want to say to you .

I want to say them now while I am able . '

she seated herself on his knee , and laid her head on his shoulder .

' It is all no use , papa , to keep it to myself any longer .

the time is coming when I am going to leave you .

I am going , never to come back ' , and Eva sobbed .

' Eva , darling , don't say such things ; you are better you know . '

' No , papa , I am not any better .

I know it quite well , and I am going soon . '

' Don't , Eva , don't talk so .

what makes you so sad ? '

' I feel sad for our poor people .

I wish , papa , they were all free .

isn't there any way to have all slaves made free ? '

' That is a difficult question , dearest .

there is no doubt that this way is a very bad one .

A great many people think so .

I do myself .

I wish there was not a slave in the land .

but then , I don't know what is to be done about it . '

' Papa , you are such a good man , and so noble and kind .

couldn't you go all around and try and persuade people to do right about this ?

when I am dead , papa , then you will think of me , and do it for my sake . '

' When you are dead , Eva !

oh , child , don't talk to me so . '

' Promise me at least , father , that Tom shall have his freedom , as soon as I am gone . '

' Yes , dear , I will do anything you wish .

only don't talk so . '

Miss Ophelia and Eva had been to church together .

Miss Ophelia had gone to her room to take off her bonnet , while Eva talked to her father .

suddenly Mr St Clare and his little girl heard a great noise coming from Miss Ophelia 's room .

a minute later she appeared , dragging Topsy behind her .

' Come out here ' she was saying .

' I will tell your master . '

' What is the matter now ? ' asked Mr St . Clare .

' The matter is that I cannot be plagued with this child any longer ' said Miss Ophelia .

' It is past all bearing .

here , I locked her up , and gave her a hymn to learn .

what does she do , but spy out where I put my key .

she has gone to my wardrobe , taken a bonnet-trimming , and cut it all to pieces to make dolls ' jackets !

I never saw anything like it in my life . '

Illustration

' I don't know what to do ' she went on ; ' I have taught and taught .

I have talked till I 'm tired .

I 've whipped her .

I 've punished her in every way I can think of , and still she is as naughty as she was at first . '

' Come here , Topsy , you monkey , ' said Mr St . Clare .

Topsy came , her hard , round eyes glittering and blinking , half in fear , half in mischief .

' What makes you behave so ? ' said Mr St . Clare , who could not help being amused at her funny expression .

' Spects it 's my wicked heart ; Miss Feely says so . '

' Don't you see how much Miss Ophelia has done for you ?

she says she has done everything she can think of . '

' Lor ' , yes , mas'r !

old missis used to say so , too .

she whipped me a heap harder , and used to pull my hair and knock my head agin the door .

but it didn't do me no good .

I ' spect if they is to pull every hair out o ' my head it wouldn't do no good neither .

I's so wicked .

laws !

I 's nothin ' but a nigger noways . '

' I shall have to give her up , ' said Miss Ophelia .

' I can't have that trouble any longer . '

Eva had stood silent , listening .

now she took Topsy by the hand , and led her into a little room close by .

' What makes you so naughty , Topsy ? ' she said , with tears in her eyes .

' Why don't you try to be good ?

don't you love anybody , Topsy ? '

' Dunno nothin ' ' bout love .

I love candy , that 's all . '

' But you love your father and mother ? '

' Never had none , ye know .

I telled ye that , Miss Eva . '

' Oh , I forgot , ' said Eva sadly .

' But hadn't you any brother , or sister or aunt , or '

' No , none on ' em .

never had nothin ' nor nobody . '

' But , Topsy , if you would only try to be good you might '

' Couldn't never be nothin ' but a nigger , if I was ever so good , ' said Topsy .

' If I could be skinned , and come white , I 'd try then . '

' But people can love you , if you are black , Topsy .

Miss Ophelia would love you if you were good . '

Topsy laughed scornfully .

' Don't you think so ? ' said Eva .

' No.

she can't bear me , ' cause I 'm a nigger .

she 'd as soon have a toad touch her .

there can't nobody love niggers , and niggers can't do nothin ' .

I don't care , ' and Topsy began whistling to show that she didn't .

' Oh , Topsy !

I love you , ' said Eva , laying her little , thin hand on Topsy 's shoulder .

I love you , and I want you to be good .

it makes me sorry to have you so naughty .

I wish you would try to be good for my sake , because I 'm going to die soon .

I shan't be here very long . '

Topsy 's round , bright eyes grew suddenly dim with tears .

she did believe at last that it was possible for some one to love her .

she laid her head down between her knees and wept and sobbed .

' Poor Topsy , ' said Eva gently .

Illustration

I never did care nothin ' about it before . '

CHAPTER XVI

EVA'S LAST GOOD-BYE

it soon became quite plain to everybody that Eva was very ill indeed .

she never ran about and played now , but spent most of the day lying on the sofa in her own pretty room .

every one loved her , and tried to do things for her .

even naughty little Topsy used to bring her flowers , and try to be good for her sake .

uncle Tom was a great deal in Eva 's room .

she used to get very restless , and then she liked to be carried about .

he was so big and strong that he could do it very easily .

he loved to do it , and could not bear to be long away from his little mistress .

he gave up sleeping in his bed , and lay all night on the mat outside her door .

one day Eva made her aunt cut off a lot of her beautiful hair .

then she called all the slaves together , said good-bye to them , and gave them each a curl of her hair as a keepsake .

they all cried very much , and said they would never forget her , and would try to be good for her sake .

a few nights later Miss Ophelia came quickly to Tom , as he lay on the mat outside Eva 's door .

' Go , Tom , ' she said , ' go as fast as you can for the doctor . '

Tom ran .

but in the morning little Eva lay on her bed , cold and white , with closed eyes and folded hands .

she had gone to God .

Mr St Clare was very , very unhappy for a long time after Eva died .

he had loved her so much , that now his life seemed quite empty without her .

he did not forget his promise to her about Tom .

he went to his lawyer , and told him to begin writing out the papers that would make Tom free .

it took some time to make a slave free .

so have your trunk packed and get ready to set out for home . '

Joy shone in Uncle Tom 's face .

' Bless the Lord , ' he said , raising his hands to heaven .

Mr St Clare felt rather hurt .

he did not like Tom to be so glad to leave him .

' You haven't had such a very bad time here that you need be in such rapture , Tom , ' he said .

' No , no , mas'r ! tan't that .

it 's bein ' a free man !

that 's what I 'm joyin ' for . '

' Why , Tom , don't you think that you are really better off as you are ? '

' No , indeed , Mas'r St Clare , ' said Tom , very decidedly ; ' no , indeed . '

' I knows all that , Mas'r St Clare .

Mas'r has been too good .

I had so , mas'r .

I thinks it 's nature , mas'r . '

' I suppose so , Tom .

you will be going off and leaving me , in a month or two , ' he said , rather discontentedly .

' Though why you shouldn't , I don't know , ' he added , in a gayer voice .

Illustration

' Not while mas'r is in trouble , ' said Tom .

' I 'll stay with mas'r as long as he wants me so as I can be of any use . '

' Not while I am in trouble , Tom ? ' said Mr St Clare , looking sadly out of the window .

' And when will my trouble be over ? '

then half-smiling he turned from the window , and laid his hand on Tom 's shoulder .

' Ah , Tom , you soft , silly boy , ' he said .

' I won't keep you .

go home to your wife and children , and give them all my love . '

' Cousin , ' said Miss Ophelia , coming into the room , ' I want to speak to you about Topsy . '

' What has she been doing now ? '

Illustration

' Nothing ; she is a much better girl than she used to be .

but I want to ask you , whose is she yours or mine ? '

' Why yours , of course ; I gave her to you , ' said Mr St . Clare .

' But not by law .

if you are really willing I should have her , I want you to give me a paper saying she is mine . '

' But you think it is wicked to keep slaves .

now you want to have one of your own .

oh ! shocking , cousin , ' said Mr St . Clare , who loved to tease .

' Nonsense !

I only want to have her , so that I can set her free . '

' Very well , ' said Mr St . Clare , ' I will write the paper for you . '

then he sat down and began to read .

' But I want it done now , ' said Miss Ophelia .

' Why are you in such a hurry ? '

you may die or lose all your money .

then Topsy would be taken away and sold , in spite of anything I could say . '

Mr St Clare hated being made to do things when he didn't want to .

however , after teasing his cousin a little more , he wrote out the paper , and Topsy belonged to Miss Ophelia .

that evening Mr St Clare went out for a ride .

Tom saw him go , and asked if he should come too .

' No , my boy , ' said Mr St . Clare , ' I shall be back in an hour . '

Tom sat down on the verandah to wait till his master came home .

while he waited , he fell asleep .

presently he was awakened by loud knocking , and the sound of voices at the gate .

he ran to open it .

several men were there carrying a load .

it was Mr St . Clare .

he had been hurt in an accident , and was dying .

very gently they laid him on a sofa .

nothing could be done .

in a short time he had gone to join his little Eva .

CHAPTER XVII

UNCLE TOM'S NEW MASTER

there had been great grief in the house when Eva died .

now there was not only sorrow , but gloom and fear .

the kind master was dead , and the poor slaves asked themselves in despair what would happen to them now .

they were not long left in doubt .

one morning Mrs St Clare told them that they were all to be sold .

she was going back to her father 's house to live , and would not want them any more .

Poor Uncle Tom !

the news was a dreadful blow to him .

for a few days he had been so happy in the thought of going home .

once more , after all these years , he thought he would see his dear wife and little children .

now , at one stroke , he had lost both his kind master and his hope of freedom .

instead of going home , he was to be sent farther away than ever from his dear ones .

he could not bear it .

he tried to say , " Thy will be done " , but bitter tears almost choked the words .

he had one hope left .

he would ask Miss Ophelia to speak to Mrs St Clare for him .

' Mas'r St Clare promised me my freedom , Miss Feely , ' he said .

' He told me that he had begun to take it out for me .

seeing it was Mas'r St Clare 's wish , she might . '

' I 'll speak for you , Tom , and do my best , ' said Miss Ophelia .

' I haven't much hope , but I will try . '

so Miss Ophelia asked Mrs St Clare to set Tom free .

' Indeed , I shall do no such thing , ' she replied .

' Tom is worth more than any of the other slaves .

I couldn't afford to lose so much money .

besides , what does he want with his freedom ?

he is a great deal better off as he is . '

' But he does want it very much , ' replied Miss Ophelia .

' And his master promised it to him . '

' I dare say he does want it , ' replied Mrs St . Clare .

' They all want it .

Just because they are a discontented set , always wanting what they haven't got . '

' But Tom is so good and gentle , and such a splendid worker .

if you sell him there is the chance of his getting a bad master . '

' Oh , I have no fear about that .

most masters are good , in spite of all the talk people make about it , ' replied Mrs St . Clare .

he promised dear little Eva that he should have it .

I think you ought to do it . '

there was only one other thing she could do .

she wrote to Mrs Shelby , telling her that poor Uncle Tom was going to be sold again .

she asked her to send money to buy him back , as soon as possible .

the next day , Uncle Tom and the other slaves belonging to Mr St Clare were sent to market to be sold .

as Uncle Tom stood in the market-place , waiting for some one to buy him , he looked anxiously round .

in the crowd of faces , he was trying to find one kind , handsome one , like Mr St Clare 's .

but there was none .

presently a short , broad man , with a coarse , ugly face and dirty hands , came up to Tom .

Tom knew from the way this man looked and spoke , that he must be bad and cruel .

he prayed in his heart that this might not be his new master .

but it was .

his name was Legree .

he bought Uncle Tom , several other men slaves , and two women .

the other was an old woman .

the two women were chained together .

the men , Uncle Tom among them , had heavy chains put on both hands and feet .

then Legree drove them all on to a boat which was going up the river to his plantation .

it was a sad journey .

this time there was no pretty Eva , nor kind-hearted Mr St . Clare , to bring any happiness to the poor slaves .

one of the first things Legree did was to take away all Tom 's nice clothes which Mr St Clare had given him .

he made him put on his oldest clothes , then he sold all the others to the sailors .

Legree made his slaves unhappy in every way he could think of .

then he would come up to them and say , ' Come , come , I don't allow any sulky looks .

be cheerful , now , or ' and he would crack his whip in a way to make them tremble .

at last the weary journey was over .

Legree and his slaves landed .

his house was a long way from the river .

the men slaves walked , while Legree and the two women drove in a cart .

Legree was not a gentleman like Mr Shelby or Mr St . Clare .

he was a very rough kind of farmer .

on his farm he grew cotton .

the cotton had to be gathered and tied into bundles .

then he sold it to people who made it into calico , muslin , and other things , which we need to use and wear .

gathering cotton is very hard work .

the house Legree lived in had once been a very fine one , and had belonged to a rich gentleman .

now , it was old , neglected , and almost in ruins .

the house was bad enough , but the cabins where the slaves lived were far worse .

they were roughly built of wood .

the wind and the rain came through the chinks between the planks .

there were no windows .

the floors were nothing but the bare earth .

there was no furniture of any kind in them , only heaps of dirty straw to sleep upon .

uncle Tom felt more unhappy than ever .

he had hoped at least to have a little room which he could keep clean and tidy .

but this hole he did not even have to himself .

he had to share it with five or six others .

now began the saddest time of Uncle Tom 's life .

every morning very early the slaves were driven out into the fields like cattle .

all day long they worked hard .

the burning sun blazed down upon them , making them hot and tired .

Legree and his two chief slaves , called Quimbo and Sambo , marched about all the time with whips in their hands .

at night they drove the slaves back again to their miserable huts .

but before they could rest , they had to grind and cook the corn for their supper .

when at last they did go to sleep , they had to lie on the heaps of dirty straw instead of in comfortable beds .

CHAPTER XVIII

GEORGE AND ELIZA FIND FREEDOM

Tom Loker lay tossing and tumbling in his clean , comfortable bed at the Quaker farmhouse .

a pretty , old Quaker lady , with white hair and a kind face , was nursing him .

Tom Loker did not like being ill and having to lie in bed .

he threw the clothes about , grumbling and using naughty words all the tune .

he gave another great lunge , and made the sheets and blankets all untidy again .

' Yes , they are , ' said the old lady .

' They had better get away across the lake , ' said Tom Loker , ' the quicker the better . '

' Very likely they will do so , ' said the old lady , calmly going on with her knitting .

' But , listen , ' said Tom Loker , getting excited , ' there are people who are watching the boats for us .

I don't care if I tell now .

' Thomas Loker ! ' said the old lady .

' I tell you , granny , if you bottle a fellow up too tight he 'll split , ' said Tom Loker .

' But about Eliza tell them to dress her up some way so as to alter her .

we have sent a description of what she looks like to the town where the boats start from .

she will be caught yet if she doesn't dress up differently . '

' I thank thee , Thomas Loker , ' replied the old lady with her usual calmness .

' We will attend to that .

thank thee . '

then she went to tell George and Eliza what Tom Loker had said .

so next day Eliza cut off all her beautiful black hair , and dressed herself like a boy .

' Don't I make a pretty young fellow ? ' she said to George , laughing and blushing at the same time .

' You always will be pretty , ' said George gravely , ' do what you will . '

' What makes you so sober ? ' asked Eliza , kneeling on one knee , and laying her hand on his .

' We are within twenty-four hours of Canada , they say .

only a day and a night on the lake , and then oh , then ! '

' O Eliza , ' said George , holding her fast , ' that is just it .

to be so near liberty , to be almost in sight of it and then if we lost it .

O Eliza , I should die . '

' Don't fear , ' said Eliza hopefully .

' The good Lord would not have brought us so far if He didn't mean to save us .

I seem to feel him with us , George . '

so George kissed his wife and took heart again .

then the kind old lady brought Harry in dressed as a little girl .

and a very pretty girl he made too .

they called him ' Harriet , ' as it was so like Harry it was easy to remember .

so the kind lady was going with them , pretending to be the little girl 's aunt .

when everything was ready they got into a cab , and drove to the wharf .

as he was standing at the office , taking the tickets , George overheard two men talking by his side .

' I 've watched every one that came on board , ' said one , ' and I know they are not on this boat . '

' You would scarcely know the woman from a white one , ' said the other .

' The man is very fair too .

he has an H burned into the palm of his hand . '

it was a lovely day .

the blue waves of Lake Erie danced , rippling and sparkling , in the sunlight .

hour after hour the boat steamed on .

night came ; and in the morning , clear and beautiful before them , rose the shores of Canada .

George and his wife stood arm in arm as the boat came near the little town , where they were going to land .

the bell rang the boat stopped .

Illustration

scarcely seeing what he did , George looked out his luggage , and gathered his little party .

they were landed on the shore , and stood still till the boat had started again .

they were free .

CHAPTER XIX

UNCLE TOM FINDS FREEDOM

soon Mr Shelby died .

Mrs Shelby was very sad , but in her sorrow she did not forget her promise to Aunt Chloe and Uncle Tom .

at last , after searching about for months , George Shelby found out where Uncle Tom was , and followed him .

two days after Legree had been so cruel , George Shelby drove up the avenue and stopped at the door of the old house .

' I hear , ' he said to Legree , ' that you bought a slave named Tom .

he used to belong to my father .

I have come to buy him back again . '

Legree 's face grew black with anger .

' Yes , I did buy such a fellow , ' he growled in rage .

' And a bad bargain it was , too !

the most rebellious , saucy , impudent dog !

set up my niggers to run away .

he owned to it , and , when I bid him tell me where they were , he said he knew , but wouldn't tell .

he stuck to it , too , though I gave him the very worst beating I ever gave a nigger yet .

I believe he is trying to die .

I shouldn't wonder if he did . '

' Where is he ? ' said George .

' Let me see him . '

his cheeks were crimson , and his eye flashed fire at the thought that Legree had dared to treat dear Uncle Tom so badly .

' He is in that shed , ' said a little fellow who was holding George Shelby 's horse .

George , without saying another word , hurried to the place to which the little boy pointed .

as he entered the shed , his head felt giddy and his heart sick .

Uncle Tom lay on a heap of straw on the floor , still and quiet .

here 's Mas'r George your own little Mas'r George .

don't you know me ? '

' Mas'r George ! ' said Tom , opening his eyes , and speaking in a feeble voice .

' Mas'r George ? it is it is .

it 's all I wanted .

they haven't forgot me .

it warms my soul ; it does my old heart good .

now I shall die content . '

' You shan't die ! you mustn't die , nor think of it .

' Oh , Mas'r George , ye 're too late .

the Lord has bought me , and is going to take me home . '

Illustration

' Oh , don't .

it breaks my heart to think of what you 've suffered lying in this old shed , too . '

' It would seem so dreadful to her .

only tell her ye found me going into glory , and that I couldn't stay for no one .

and oh , the poor chil'en , and the baby my old heart 's been most broke for them .

tell them to follow me .

give my love to mas'r , and dear , good missis , and everybody in the place .

I love them all . '

he closed his eyes , and with a smile he fell asleep .

uncle Tom too was free .

beyond the gates of Legree 's farm , George had noticed a dry , sandy knoll , shaded by a few trees .

there he made Uncle Tom 's grave .

no stone marks his last resting-place .

he needs none .

God knows where he lies .

kneeling there George bent his head , in shame and sorrow .

CHAPTER XX

GEORGE SHELBY FREES HIS SLAVES

George Shelby wrote a little note to his mother , telling her that he was coming home .

he tried to write about Uncle Tom , but he could not ; tears blinded him , and sobs choked him .

on the day he was expected every one was in a state of bustle and excitement .

Aunt Chloe in a new print dress , and clean white apron walked round the supper-table , making sure that everything was right .

her black face shone with joy at the thought of seeing Uncle Tom again .

' I 'm thinking my old man won't know the boys and the baby , ' she said .

Mrs Shelby sighed .

ever since the letter had come from George she had had a very sad heart .

she felt sure something must be wrong .

just then the sound of wheels was heard .

' It 's Mas'r George , ' cried Aunt Chloe , running to the window in great excitement .

Mrs Shelby ran to the door .

as George met her he put his arms round her , and kissed her tenderly .

aunt Chloe stood behind anxiously looking out into the darkness .

' Oh , poor Aunt Chloe , ' said George , gently taking her hard , black hand between both his own .

' I 'd have given all my fortune to have brought Uncle Tom home with me ; but he has gone to a better country . '

Mrs Shelby cried out as if she had been hurt , but Aunt Chloe did not make a sound .

in silence they went into the supper-room .

Illustration :

he 's been sold and murdered on dem old plantations . '

then she turned and walked proudly out of the room .

Mrs Shelby followed her softly , took one of her hands , drew her down into a chair , and sat down beside her .

' My poor , good Chloe , ' she said gently .

' I know it is , ' said Mrs Shelby , as her tears fell fast , ' and I cannot heal it . '

there was silence for a little as they wept together .

then George sat down beside Aunt Chloe , and took her hand .

he talked gently to her , telling her of Uncle Tom 's last loving messages .

so she was comforted a little .

they wondered what it could be , and were very much surprised when he appeared , carrying a bundle of papers in his hand .

they were still more astonished when he gave a paper to each one , and told them all that they were free .

with sobs and tears and shouts they pressed round him , thanking and blessing him .

but some of them came with anxious faces , begging him to take their free papers back again , and not to send them away .

' We don't want to be any freer than we are , ' they said .

' We have always had all we wanted . '

' We don't want to leave the old place , and young mas'r and Missis , and the rest . '

Illustration

we want quite as many servants as we did before .

but now you are free men and free women .

that is all the difference .

I want you all to stay with me , for I want to teach you how to live as free men and women ought . '

' One thing more , ' added George , when the cheering and rejoicing had died away a little .

' You all remember our good old Uncle Tom .

you have heard how he died , and how he sent his love to you all .

THE END .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Uncle Tom 's Cabin , Young Folks ' Edition by Harriet Beecher Stowe

produced by David Newman and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team .

THE ADVENTURES OF MR . MOCKER

BY THORNTON W BURGESS

author of " the Adventures of Reddy Fox , " " old Mother West Wind , " etc

with Illustrations by HARRISON CADY

@number@

CONTENTS

I THE LONE TRAVELER II .

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM GROWS EXCITED III .

UNC ' BILLY'S VAIN SEARCH IV .

UNC ' BILLY COMES HOME V SAMMY JAY IS INDIGNANT VI .

SAMMY JAY THINKS HE'S GOING CRAZY VII .

SAMMY JAY SITS UP ALL NIGHT VIII .

SAMMY JAY IS GLAD HE SAT UP ALL NIGHT IX .

THE MYSTERY GROWS X SAMMY JAY SEEKS ADVICE XI .

HOW BLACKY THE CROW'S PLAN WORKED OUT XII .

NO ONE BELIEVES PETER RABBIT XIII .

STICKY-TOES THE TREE TOAD POURS OUT HIS TROUBLES XIV .

PETER RABBIT MEETS UNC ' BILLY POSSUM XV .

PETER RABBIT AND UNC ' BILLY POSSUM KEEP WATCH XVI .

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM DOES A LITTLE SURPRISING HIMSELF XVII .

THE MEETING OF TWO OLD FRIENDS XVIII .

THE MISCHIEF-MAKERS XIX .

BOBBY COON MAKES A DISCOVERY XX .

BOBBY COON AND OL ' MISTAH BUZZARD HAVE A TALK XXI .

BOBBY COON HAS A BUSY DAY XXII .

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM SEES MANY BACKS XXIII .

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM CONSULTS OL ' MISTAH BUZZARD XXIV .

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM GIVES A PARTY XXV .

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM'S SURPRISE XXVI .

MR . MOCKER MAKES HIMSELF AT HOME

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

" I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S ANY OF YOUR BUSINESS ! "

SAID STICKY-TOES .

SUCH A THING AS UNC ' BILLY FORGETTING TO SAY GOOD-BY HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE

BLACKY'S EYES TWINKLED AS HE LISTENED TO SAMMY JAY'S TALE OF WOE .

" GOOD MO'NING , BRER COON , " SAID OL ' MISTAH BUZZARD

THERE SAT THE THREE LITTLE SCAMPS ON THE BIG ROCK

SOMETIMES HE WOKE UP IN THE NIGHT AND WOULD SING FOR VERY JOY

THE ADVENTURES OF MISTAH MOCKER

I

THE LONE TRAVELER

Winsome Bluebird goes just a little way ahead of her , for Winsome is the herald of Mistress Spring .

and with her come Little Friend the Song Sparrow , and Cheerful Robin and Mr and Mrs. Redwing .

then follow other travelers , ever so many of them , all eager to get back to the beautiful Green Forest and Green Meadows .

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard used to think that way .

but he was .

yes , Sir , he was .

he was so much interested that he began to wish he could see for himself all these things Ol ' Mistah Buzzard was telling about .

but he didn't say a word , not a word .

he just listened and listened and then went on about his business .

he didn't say anything about it to any one , but he just started off by himself .

" all Ah done got to do is to keep on going till Ah see Brer Buzzard , " thought he .

so he traveled and traveled without speaking to any one , and always looking up in the blue , blue sky .

finally it dropped down , down , down until it disappeared among the trees .

" ah reckon Ah 'll give Unc ' Billy a surprise .

yes , Sah , Ah reckon so . "

II

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM GROWS EXCITED

Unc ' Billy Possum sat at the foot of the great hollow tree in which his home is .

Unc ' Billy felt very fine that morning .

he could hear old Mrs Possum cleaning house and scolding the little Possums who kept climbing up on her back .

as he listened , Unc ' Billy grinned and began to sing in a queer cracked voice :

" Mah ol ' woman am a plain ol ' dame ' Deed she am !

' Deed she am !

quick with her broom , with her tongue the same ' Deed she am !

' Deed she am !

' Deed she am ! "

just then out tumbled his eight children , making such a racket that Unc ' Billy clapped both hands over his ears .

" Mah goodness gracious sakes alive ! " he exclaimed .

one pulled Unc ' Billy 's tail .

two scrambled up on his back .

right in the midst of it Unc ' Billy sprang to his feet .

his eyes were shining , and his funny little ears were pricked up .

" hush , yo'alls ! " he commanded .

" how do yo'alls think Ah can hear anything with yo'alls making such a racket ? "

" ah cert'nly thought Ah heard the voice of an ol ' friend from way down Souf !

III

UNC ' BILLY'S VAIN SEARCH

Unc ' Billy Possum was excited .

any one would have known it just to look at him .

he hurried off up the Lone Little Path through the Green Forest without even saying good-by to old Mrs Possum and all the little Possums .

yes , indeed , Unc ' Billy certainly was excited .

old Mrs Possum sat in the doorway of their home in the great hollow tree and watched Unc ' Billy out of sight .

her sharp little eyes seemed to grow sharper as she watched .

no , Sah !

then she started out to hunt for their dinner , still muttering as she went .

old Mrs Possum was quite right .

Unc ' Billy had forgotten all about that dinner .

you see he had something else on his mind .

he had listened and listened but didn't hear it again , and yet he was sure he had heard it that once .

he just had to go look for him .

but nowhere did he catch a glimpse of his old friend .

the longer he looked , the more excited he grew .

" Nuffin , nuffin , Sah !

ah 'm just walking fo ' mah health , " replied Unc ' Billy over his shoulder , as he hurried on .

his neck ached from looking up in the tree-tops , and his feet were sore from walking .

and just then Unc ' Billy for the first time thought of that dinner that old Mrs Possum had sent him to get .

Unc ' Billy sat down and mopped his brow in dismay .

" ah ' specks Ah'm in fo ' it this time , sho ' enough ! " he said .

IV

UNC ' BILLY COMES HOME

" ah ' specks Ah'm in fo ' it .

ah ' specks Ah sho'ly am in fo ' it this time , " he kept muttering .

so Unc ' Billy crept along in the black shadows until he got where he could look up and see his own doorway .

then he sat down and watched a while .

all was still .

there wasn't a sound in the great hollow tree .

but at the first scratch of his toe-nails on the bark the sharp face of old Mrs Possum appeared in the doorway .

" good evening , mah dear , " said Unc ' Billy , in the mildest kind of a voice .

old Mrs Possum said nothing , but Unc ' Billy felt as if her sharp black eyes were looking right through him .

Unc ' Billy grinned a sickly kind of grin as he said :

" ah hopes yo'alls are feeling good tonight . "

" where 's that dinner Ah sent yo ' fo ' ? " demanded old Mrs Possum sharply .

Unc ' Billy fidgeted uneasily .

" ah done brought yo ' two eggs from Farmer Brown 's hen-house , " he replied meekly .

" two eggs !

two eggs !

how do yo ' think Ah am going to feed eight hungry mouths on two eggs ? " snapped old Mrs . possum .

Unc ' Billy hung his head .

he hadn't a word to say .

no , Sir , Unc ' Billy hadn't a word to say .

Unc ' Billy knew that he deserved every bit of it .

he felt very miserable , and he was too tired to have a bit of spirit left .

all the time she was looking at Unc ' Billy with those sharp eyes of hers .

when she had finished the egg , she pushed the other over to him .

" yo ' eat that ! " she said shortly .

" yo ' look as if yo ' hadn't had anything to eat to-day " ( which was true ) .

" then yo ' hustle up to bed ; it 's all ready fo ' yo ' . "

Unc ' Billy did as he was bid , and as he tucked himself into his snug , warm bed he murmured sleepily :

" Ol ' Mrs Possum has a sharp , sharp tongue , But her bark is worse than her bite .

for Ol ' Mrs Possum has a soft , soft heart Though she hides it way out of sight . "

V

SAMMY JAY IS INDIGNANT

Sammy Jay was indignant .

yes , Sir , Sammy Jay was very much put out .

in fact , Sammy was just plain downright mad !

it had begun when he met Jimmy Skunk early in the morning .

" hello , Sammy Jay !

what were you doing up so late last night ? " said Jimmy Skunk .

" oh , come , Sammy Jay , be honest for once in your life !

what was it all about ? "

Sammy Jay stamped one foot .

he was beginning to lose his temper .

you know he loses it very easily .

" I am honest ! " he screamed .

" I tell you I went to bed just as I always do , and I didn't wake up until this morning . "

when he did , he flew off screaming at the top of his lungs .

he was still screaming when he flew over the Old Briar-patch where Peter Rabbit was just beginning to doze off .

Peter was sleepy .

he didn't like to have his morning nap disturbed .

" hi , Sammy Jay !

didn't you make racket enough last night to give honest folks a little peace and quiet to-day ? " shouted Peter Rabbit .

" what 's the joke , Peter Rabbit ?

" then it 's a funny way you have of sleeping , " replied Peter Rabbit .

" Peter Rabbit , you and Jimmy Skunk are crazy , just as crazy as loons ! " sputtered Sammy Jay .

" I tell you I was asleep , and I guess I ought to know ! "

" and I guess I know your voice when I hear it ! " replied Peter Rabbit .

" it 's bad enough in daytime , but if I was you , I 'd quit yelling in the night .

some one of these times Hooty the Owl will hear you , and that will be the end of you and your noise .

now go away ; I want to sleep . "

Sammy went .

he was mad clear through , and yet he didn't know what to make of it .

were they just trying to make him mad , or had he really been screaming in his sleep ?

he flew over to the Smiling Pool .

Jerry Muskrat looked up and saw him .

" what were you yelling about in the night , Sammy Jay ? " asked Jerry .

this was too much .

Sammy Jay let his wings and his tail droop dejectedly and hung his head .

" I don't know .

I really don't know anything about it , " he said .

VI

SAMMY JAY THINKS HE'S GOING CRAZY

" Sammy Jay screams all day long , And now what do you think ?

why , Sammy sits and yells all night And doesn't sleep a wink ! "

everywhere he went Sammy Jay heard that shouted after him .

dozens and dozens of times a day he heard it .

at first he lost his temper and was the very maddest Jaybird ever seen on the Green Meadows or in the Green Forest .

" it isn't true !

it isn't true !

it isn't true ! " he would scream at the top of his lungs .

and then everybody within hearing would shout : " it is true ! "

Sammy would just dance up and down and scream and scream and scream , he was so angry .

and then he was sure to hear some one pipe up :

" Sammy 's mad and we are glad , And we know how to tease him !

but some dark night he 'll get a fright , For Hooty 'll come and seize him ! "

that really began to worry him .

then he began to think that it might be true that he did talk in his sleep , and this worried him a whole lot .

the more he thought about it , the more worried Sammy Jay became .

he lost his appetite and began to grow thin .

he kept out of sight whenever possible and no longer screamed " Thief ! thief ! " through the Green Forest .

in fact his voice was rarely heard during the day .

but it seemed that he must be talking just as much as ever in the night .

at least everybody said that he was .

worse still , different ones said that they heard him in different places in the Green Forest and even down on the Green Meadows .

could it be that he was flying about as well as talking in his sleep ?

and nobody believed him when he said that he was asleep all night .

they thought that he was awake and doing it purposely .

" if they are not all crazy , then I must be , " said .

Sammy Jay to himself , as he turned away from the breakfast which he could not eat .

then he had a happy idea .

" why didn't I think of it before ?

I 'll sleep all day , and then I 'll keep awake all night and see what happens then ! " he exclaimed .

so Sammy Jay hurried away to the darkest part of the Green Forest and tried to sleep through the day .

VII

SAMMY JAY SITS UP ALL NIGHT

Sammy Jay sat in the dark and shivered .

Sammy was lonely , more lonely than he had ever supposed anybody could be .

and to tell the truth Sammy Jay was scared .

yes , Sir , that was just the way Sammy Jay felt scared .

every time a leaf rustled , Sammy jumped almost out of his skin .

his heart went pit-a-pat , pit-a-pat , pit-a-pat .

but to-night Sammy sat in the darkest , thickest part of a big pine-tree and kept blinking his eyes to keep from going to sleep .

he just would keep his eyes and his ears wide open .

what was he doing it for ?

now Sammy knew better .

he never in his life had screamed in the night unless well , unless he did it in his sleep and didn't know it .

he had watched the black shadows creep through the Green Forest and grow blacker and blacker .

the blacker they grew , the lonesomer he became .

by and by it was so dark that he couldn't see anything at all , and every little noise made him shiver .

Sammy Jay had it now .

he felt so creepy that it seemed as if he would crawl right out of his skin .

he kept saying over and over to himself : " there 's nothing to be afraid of .

there 's nothing to be afraid of .

I 'm just as safe as if I was fast asleep . "

but still he shivered and shook .

by and by , looking up through the top of the big pine-tree , he saw the little stars come out one by one .

they seemed to be looking right down at him and winking at him in the jolliest way .

somehow , he didn't feel quite so lonely then , and he tried to wink back .

then little , soft , silvery bars of light began to creep through the branches of the trees and along the ground .

they were moonbeams , and Sammy could see just a little , a very little .

he began to feel better .

" Whooo-hoo-hoo , whooo-hoo ! "

it was a terrible sound , fierce and hungry .

Sammy Jay nearly fell from his perch .

he opened his mouth to scream with fright .

then he remembered just in time and closed it without a sound .

it was the hunting-cry of Hooty the Owl .

Sammy Jay sat huddled in a little , forlorn , shivering heap , while twice more that fierce cry rang through the Green Forest .

then a shadow floated over the big pine-tree .

Hooty the Owl had flown away without seeing him , and Sammy breathed easier .

VIII

SAMMY JAY IS GLAD HE SAT UP ALL NIGHT

Sammy Jay was having no trouble in keeping awake now .

not a bit !

he was too frightened and shivery and creepy to sleep .

but he didn't want to , anyway .

so he sat in the thickest part of the big pine-tree , shivering and creepy and miserable .

Out in a patch of bright moonlight he saw Peter Rabbit jumping and dancing and having the greatest kind of a time all by himself .

pretty soon Peter was joined by his cousin , Jumper the Hare .

such antics as they did cut up !

Sammy Jay almost laughed aloud as he watched .

it was less lonely with them there , and he did want to call to them dreadfully .

but that would never , never do , for no one must know that he was sitting up awake all night .

by and by along came Jimmy Skunk , walking out into the patch of bright moonlight .

he touched noses with Peter Rabbit and Jumper the Hare , which is one way of saying " good evening " in the Green Forest .

" isn't it most time for Sammy Jay to scream in his sleep ? " asked Peter Rabbit .

Sammy pricked up his ears .

" scream in his sleep !

nonsense !

Sammy Jay isn't any more asleep than I am .

he just screams out of pure meanness to wake up and frighten good honest folks who want to sleep .

for my part , I don't see what any one wants to sleep for on such a fine night as this , anyway .

it serves ' em right if they do get waked up , " replied Jimmy Skunk .

" but Sammy Jay says that he doesn't do it and doesn't know anything about it , " said Peter Rabbit .

" have you ever seen him scream in the night , Jimmy Skunk ? "

" no , I don't have to , " replied Jimmy Skunk .

Peter shook his head .

" I guess you 're right , Jimmy Skunk .

I guess you 're right , " he said .

" of course I 'm right .

there , now ! "

Jimmy held up one hand to warn Peter to keep still .

they all heard it .

Sammy Jay heard it , too , and scratched himself to be sure that he was awake and sitting there in the big pine-tree .

" I 'm glad I kept awake , but

" maybe I 'm going crazy !

my wits are getting hazy !

that 's surely me , Yet here I be !

oh , dear , I sure am crazy ! "

IX

THE MYSTERY GROWS

" can a body be a body , Yet not a body be ?

tell a body , anybody , Didst such a body see ? "

of course it was Sammy Jay who was humming such a foolish-sounding rhyme as that .

but really , it wasn't so foolish in Sammy 's case , after all .

now he knew .

did ever a Jaybird have anything so queer as that to puzzle him ?

anyway , Sammy Jay knew that he didn't scream in his sleep , and there was a whole lot of comfort in that .

he could eat with a better appetite now .

now he knew that he could go to sleep in peace , just as he always had .

Sammy Jay brushed and smoothed out his handsome blue coat and made himself as pert and smart-appearing as possible .

he had been so worried lately that he hadn't taken much care of himself , which is very unusual for Sammy Jay .

now , however , he felt so much better that he began to think about his looks .

when he had finished dressing , he started for the alders beside the Laughing Brook just to have a look around .

of course he didn't expect to find his voice down there , for who ever saw a voice ?

still he thought that he might find something that would explain the mystery .

he hunted all around in the thicket of alders beside the Laughing Brook , but nothing unusual did he find .

then for a long time he sat as still as still can be , studying and thinking .

" thief ! thief ! thief ! "

then out popped Jenny Wren , and she was so mad that she couldn't sit still a second .

my , my , my , how she did scold !

" you ought to be ashamed of yourself , Sammy Jay !

you ought to be ashamed of yourself ! " she sputtered .

" isn't it enough to keep us awake half the night without coming down and screaming all day ? "

" I haven't been down here in the night , and I haven't kept anybody awake ! " replied Sammy Jay indignantly .

Jenny Wren came right up in front of Sammy Jay and hopped up and down .

she was so mad that with every word she jerked her funny little tail so that Sammy Jay almost had to laugh .

" don't tell that to me , Sammy Jay !

don't tell that to me ! " she cried .

" didn't I see you with my own eyes sitting in that alder over there ?

don't tell that to me !

you ought to be ashamed of yourself ! "

x

SAMMY JAY SEEKS ADVICE

Sammy Jay had a headache , such a headache !

he had thought and thought and thought , until now it seemed to him that the world surely had turned topsy-turvy .

his poor little head was all in a whirl , and that was what made it ache .

first he had been accused of screaming in the night to waken and scare the little meadow and forest people who wanted to sleep .

it was no wonder that his head ached .

hardly any of the little meadow and forest people would speak to him now .

they just turned their backs to him whenever he met them .

he didn't mind this so much , because he knew that none of them had ever liked him very well .

you see he had played too many mean tricks for any one to really like him .

but he did hate to have them blame him for something that he hadn't done .

" it 's too much for me ! " said Sammy Jay .

" it 's too much for me !

I must get help somewhere .

now , who can I go to , so few will have anything to do with me ? "

" caw , caw , caw ! "

Sammy Jay pricked up his ears and spread his wings .

" my cousin , Blacky the Crow ! " he cried .

" why didn't I think of him before ?

he 's very smart , is Blacky the Crow , and perhaps he can tell me what to do . "

So Sammy Jay hurried as fast as he could to lay his troubles before Blacky the Crow .

Blacky 's eyes twinkled as he listened to Sammy Jay 's tale of woe .

when Sammy had finished and had asked for Blacky 's advice , Blacky went into a black study .

Sammy sat and waited patiently , for he felt certain that Blacky 's shrewd head would find some plan to solve the mystery .

" how ? " asked Sammy Jay eagerly .

" go away from the Green Meadows and the Green Forest and stay away for a week , " replied Blacky the Crow .

" go up to the far-away Old Pasture on the edge of the mountain , where Reddy and Granny Fox are living .

" the very thing ! " cried Sammy Jay .

" I 'll move at once ! "

and off he hurried to prepare to move up to the Old Pasture .

XI

HOW BLACKY THE CROW'S PLAN WORKED OUT

" thief ! thief ! thief ! "

old Granny Fox , trotting along a cow-path in the Old Pasture on the edge of the mountain , heard it and grinned .

pretty soon he caught sight of a wonderful coat of bright blue with white trimmings .

" hi , Sammy Jay !

what are you doing up here ? " shouted Reddy Fox .

Sammy Jay heard him and hurried over to where Reddy Fox was sitting .

" hello , Reddy Fox !

how are you feeling ? " said Sammy Jay .

" better , thank you .

what are you doing way up here in this lonely place ? " replied Reddy .

" it 's a long story , " said Sammy Jay .

" tell it to me , " begged Reddy Fox .

then he told about Blacky the Crow 's plan , which was that Sammy should come to the Old Pasture and live for a week .

Reddy Fox chuckled as he listened .

that night Sammy Jay found a comfortable place which seemed quite safe in which to go to sleep .

Sammy screamed twice .

Boomer heard him and down he came with a rush .

" why , Sammy Jay , what under the sun are you doing way off here ? " exclaimed Boomer .

" going to bed , " replied Sammy .

" say , Boomer , will you do something for me ? "

" that depends upon what it is , " replied Boomer .

Boomer promised that he would , and off he started .

he found Peter and told him .

XII

NO ONE BELIEVES PETER RABBIT

Peter Rabbit sat in his secret place in the middle of the Old Briar-patch .

Peter was doing some very hard thinking .

he ought to have been asleep , for he had been out the whole night long .

but instead of sleeping , he was wide awake and thinking and thinking .

you see early the night before Boomer the Nighthawk had told Peter that Sammy Jay was up in the far-away Old Pasture .

Boomer had seen him going to bed there and had come straight down to tell Peter .

so he had hurried this way and that way , telling every one he met how Sammy Jay had moved away to the Old Pasture .

but no one believed him .

" wait and see !

wait and see ! " said Jimmy Skunk .

" it 's just a trick , " said Bobby Coon .

" but Boomer the Nighthawk saw him up there going to bed and talked with him ! " cried Peter Rabbit .

" but that would be a wrong story , and I don't believe that Boomer would do anything like that ! " cried Peter .

just then there was a shrill scream of " Thief ! thief ! thief ! " over in the alder bushes .

it certainly sounded like Sammy Jay 's voice .

" what did I tell you ?

now what do you think ? " cried Bobby Coon .

Peter didn't know what to think , and he said so .

so now Peter sat in the Old Briar-patch thinking and thinking , when he should have been asleep .

finally he yawned and stretched and then started along one of his private little paths .

" I 'll just run up to the Green Forest and try to find Sammy Jay , " he said .

so Peter hunted and hunted all through the Green Forest for Sammy Jay , and asked everybody he met if they had seen Sammy .

but no one had , though every one took pains to tell Peter that they had heard Sammy in the night .

at last Peter found Sticky-toes the Tree Toad .

he was muttering and grumbling to himself , and he didn't see Peter .

XIII

STICKY-TOES THE TREE TOAD POURS OUT HIS TROUBLES

Sticky-toes was quite upset .

there was no doubt about it .

" don't know what it means !

don't know what it means !

don't know what it means ! " croaked Sticky-toes the Tree Toad , over and over again .

" don't know what what means ? " asked Peter Rabbit , whose curiosity would not let him keep still .

" hello , Long-ears !

I don't know that it 's any of your business ! " said Sticky-toes .

Sticky-toes nodded his head .

" I heard it , " said he .

" but how could Sammy Jay be down here if he went to bed way off there in the Old Pasture ?

tell me that , Sticky-toes ? " said Peter Rabbit .

Sticky-toes shook his head .

" don't ask me !

don't ask me !

just tell me how it is that I hear my own voice when I don't speak a word , " said Sticky-toes the Tree Toad .

" what 's that ? " exclaimed Peter Rabbit .

then Sticky-toes poured out all his troubles to Peter Rabbit .

they were very much like the troubles of Sammy Jay .

he was getting so worried that he couldn't eat .

Peter Rabbit listened with his mouth wide open .

it was just the same kind of a story that Sammy Jay had told .

what under the sun could be going on ?

Peter couldn't understand it at all .

it certainly was very , very curious .

he just must find out about it !

XIV

PETER RABBIT MEETS UNC ' BILLY POSSUM

after Sticky-toes the Tree Toad had poured out his troubles , Peter went back to the Old Briar-patch , more puzzled than ever .

wasn't it enough to drive any one crazy ?

the more Peter studied over it , the more puzzled he grew .

the next night he started out for the Green Forest with a new plan in his head .

he would hide down among the alders by the Laughing Brook .

he would see for himself who was screaming with the voice of Sammy Jay and talking with the voice of Sticky-toes the Tree Toad .

he just had to know !

he was hurrying so that he almost ran into Unc ' Billy Possum .

" yo ' seem to be in a powerful hurry , Brer Rabbit , " said Unc ' Billy .

" I am , " replied Peter .

" I must get down to the Laughing Brook before dark . "

" ' Pears to me it must be mighty impo'tant to make yo ' hurry this way , " said Unc ' Billy Possum .

" it is , " replied Peter Rabbit .

" it 's to keep me from going crazy . "

Unc ' Billy looked at Peter very hard for a few minutes , just as if he thought that Peter was crazy already .

then he put a hand behind one ear just as if he was hard of hearing .

Peter chuckled in spite of himself , as he once more replied :

" it 's to keep me from going crazy . "

then Peter told Unc ' Billy all about Sammy Jay 's troubles and all about the troubles of Sticky-toes the Tree Toad .

he listened to all that Peter Rabbit had to say , and a funny , pleased sort of look came into his eyes .

" ah reckon Ah will go along with yo'all , " said he .

so Unc ' Billy Possum went with Peter Rabbit to the Laughing Brook , where they hid underneath the alders .

XV

PETER RABBIT AND UNC ' BILLY POSSUM KEEP WATCH

" what 's that ? " asked Peter , pricking up his ears .

" nothing , nothing , Brer Rabbit , nothing at all .

ah has a habit of just talking foolishness to mahself , " replied Unc ' Billy .

Unc ' Billy agreed , and side by side they sat as still as if they were made of wood or stone .

it grew later and later , and still there was not a sound of the voice of either Sammy Jay or Sticky-toes the Tree Toad .

Peter began to get hungry .

the more he thought about it , the hungrier he grew .

the moonbeams crept farther and farther into the thicket of alder trees and bushes where Peter Rabbit and Unc ' Billy Possum were hiding .

then it was that they heard the voice of Sticky-toes the Tree Toad .

Peter looked up .

there sat Sticky-toes himself , but his voice was coming from an alder on the other side of the Laughing Brook .

" do you hear that ?

do you hear that ?

there 's my voice over there , and here I am here !

what do you make of it ? " whispered Sticky-toes .

Peter didn't know what to make of it .

all he could do was to gaze at Sticky-toes as if he thought Sticky-toes was a ghost .

Peter turned to ask Unc ' Billy Possum what he thought , but Unc ' Billy wasn't there .

XVI

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM DOES A LITTLE SURPRISING HIMSELF

but when he heard a whisper right over their heads and looked up to see Sticky-toes himself , Unc ' Billy almost chuckled out loud .

" yo ' can't fool Uncle Billy , So don't go fo ' to try !

ah knows yo ' , yes , Ah knows yo ' Ah knows yo ' , Mistah Sly . "

Unc ' Billy is very soft-footed , oh , very soft-footed indeed , when he wants to be .

you see one must needs be very soft-footed to steal eggs in Farmer Brown 's hen-house .

Peter rubbed his eyes and stared all around , this way and that way , but no sign of Unc ' Billy could he see .

this so surprised Peter Rabbit that he felt queer all over .

now here Unc ' Billy Possum had disappeared , just as if the earth had swallowed him up .

all this time Unc ' Billy Possum had been crawling along without the tiniest sound .

when he came to the Laughing Brook , he went up a way until he found a big tree with a branch stretching clear across .

he was across the Laughing Brook without even wetting his feet .

Unc ' Billy didn't waste any time .

Unc ' Billy listened , and the longer he listened , the broader grew the smile on Unc ' Billy 's shrewd face .

" thief ! thief ! thief ! "

it certainly sounded for all the world like Sammy Jay 's voice , and it was right over Unc ' Billy 's head .

Unc ' Billy peered up through the alders .

the leaves were so thick that he could not see very well , but what he did see was enough .

it was a long tail , a tail of feathers hanging down .

it wasn't Sammy Jay 's tail , either .

" Don ' yo'all think that yo'all have joked enough ? " asked Unc ' Billy , trying hard to keep from chuckling aloud .

a cry of " Thief " stopped right in the middle , and two sharp eyes looked down in surprise at Unc ' Billy .

XVII

THE MEETING OF TWO OLD FRIENDS

" why , Unc ' Billy Possum !

what are yo'all doing way up here ? " cried the owner of the long tail and sharp eyes .

" this is mah home now .

ah done moved up here , " replied Unc ' Billy .

" ' Pears to me that the question is what am yo'all doing way off up here ?

ah thought Ah sho'ly done hear your voice the other day , and Ah most wore mah po ' feet out looking fo ' yo ' .

ah thought Ah was mistaken , but now Ah reckon that Ah was right , after all .

my , but Ah am right smart glad to see yo ' ! "

" thank yo ' , Unc ' Billy , " replied the owner of the long tail and the sharp eyes .

" ah reckon yo ' can't be any more glad to see me , than Ah am to see yo ' .

fact is , Ah was getting right smart lonesome .

" ' Pears like if all Ah hear am true , that yo ' haven't done much lying low nights .

ah reckon yo ' done make up fo ' those lonesome feelings .

yes , Sah , Ah reckon so .

Mah goodness , man , yo ' done set everybody to running around like they was crazy ! " exclaimed Unc ' Billy .

the owner of the long tail and sharp eyes threw back his head and laughed , and his laugh was like the most beautiful music .

it made Unc ' Billy feel good just listening to it .

the next mo'ning everybody said that he had been screaming just the same , and po ' Sammy Jay just moved away .

yo ' ought to be ashamed to play such jokes . "

Unc ' Billy grinned as he said it .

then both little rascals laughed fit to kill themselves .

" yo ' come over to my house , " said Unc ' Billy .

she done been laughing at me fo ' a week , because Ah was sho ' Ah done hear yo ' that day . "

XVIII

THE MISCHIEF-MAKERS

there was a dreadful time on the Green Meadows and in the Green Forest .

oh , dear , dear , dear !

it really was dreadful !

First Sammy Jay had been accused of screaming in the night and keeping honest little meadow and forest people awake when they wanted to sleep .

and all the time Sammy Jay hadn't made a sound .

those who had been the very best of friends would pass without speaking .

you see , everybody on the Green Meadows and in the Green Forest knows everybody else by their voice .

instead , he went straight over and told Johnny Chuck the unkind things that he had overheard Mrs Redwing saying about Johnny .

and so it was , all over the Green Meadows and through the Green Forest .

it seemed as if almost everybody was heard talking about some one else , and never saying nice things .

the only one who still managed to keep on good terms with everybody was Unc ' Billy Possum .

my , my , no , indeed !

then they would whisper and sometimes talk right out loud , when they felt sure that no one was near to hear .

what were they talking about ?

yes , Sir , they were the mischief-makers .

it was great fun to fool everybody so .

they never once stopped to think how very , very uncomfortable it kept everybody feeling .

XIX

BOBBY COON MAKES A DISCOVERY

Bobby Coon had overslept .

usually Bobby is astir shortly after jolly , round , red Mr Sun has gone to bed behind the Purple Hills .

but Bobby is very irregular in his habits .

this night Bobby Coon had overslept because he had not gone to bed until the middle of the day .

by this time Bobby Coon had sticks in his eyes .

he was so sleepy that it seemed to him that he never , never could get home .

he was stumbling along through the Green Forest when he came to a hollow log .

what do you think he did ?

there Bobby slept all the rest of the day and until long after Mr Sun had pulled on his rosy nightcap .

perhaps he would have slept there all night , if he hadn't been waked up .

it was the cry of " Thief ! thief ! thief ! " that waked him .

it seemed to come from right over his head .

at first he couldn't think where he was .

then he remembered .

" this is the greatest joke that ever was ! " said Unc ' Billy .

" pretty soon nobody on the Green Meadows or in the Green Forest will speak to anybody else excepting me .

yo ' cert'nly have got all your ol ' tricks with yo ' . "

" yes , " said the voice , " ah done got all mah ol ' tricks and some more .

Don ' yo ' think it is most time to stop ?

ah don't want to show mahself in daylight .

besides , if Ah'm found out , nobody ain't gwine to have anything to do with me . "

" don't yo ' worry .

nobody 's gwine to find yo ' out .

we 'll keep it up just a day or two longer .

yo ' cert'nly am powerful good at imitating other people 's voices .

ah wonder that Ol ' Mistah Buzzard hasn't got his eye on yo ' before now , " said Unc ' Billy Possum .

Bobby Coon had become wide awake as he listened .

Bobby waited until Unc ' Billy and his friend had left .

then he crawled out of the hollow log , and he was chuckling to himself .

" I 'll just have a little talk with Ol ' Mistah Buzzard , " said Bobby to himself .

XX

BOBBY COON AND OL ' MISTAH BUZZARD HAVE A TALK

Bobby had watched him until his own neck ached .

Mistah Buzzard hardly ever moved his wings .

at last Mistah Buzzard came sailing down straight for the tall dead tree .

with two or three flaps of his great wings he settled down on his favorite perch and looked down at Bobby Coon .

" good mo'ning , Brer Coon , " said Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

" fair to middling well , " said Ol ' Mistah Buzzard , with a twinkle in his eyes .

" what can Ah do fo ' yo'all ? "

is there ? "

Bobby was using his very politest manner .

" Cert'nly !

Cert'nly ! " chuckled Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

" it 's Mistah Mockah the Mocking-bird .

why , that bird just likes to go around making trouble ; he just naturally likes to .

why do yo ' ask , Brer Coon ? "

" because he is right here in the Green Forest now , " replied Bobby Coon .

" what 's that yo ' am a-saying , Brer Coon ?

what 's that ? " cried Ol ' Mistah Buzzard , growing very excited .

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard chuckled .

" yo ' might have known Unc ' Billy was behind all that trouble , " said he .

" yes , Sah , yo ' might have known that ol ' rascal was behind it .

when Unc ' Billy Possum and Mockah get their haids together , there sho'ly is gwine to be something doing . "

XXI

BOBBY COON HAS A BUSY DAY

Bobby Coon had left Ol ' Mistah Buzzard sitting on his favorite dead tree .

every few minutes Ol ' Mistah Buzzard would chuckle .

" Brer Coon is right smart , and Ah reckon Unc ' Billy Possum is gwine to get a taste of his own medicine .

yes , Sah , Ah reckon he is ! " said Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

he whispered a few words in the ear of one and then hurried on to whisper to the next one .

when he got through , he always carried away with him a promise that just what he had asked should be done .

it was the busiest day that Bobby Coon could remember .

it was the very next morning that Unc ' Billy Possum was trotting along the Crooked Little Path down the hill .

he was just starting out on his daily round of calls , and he was grinning as only Unc ' Billy Possum can grin .

" Mah name is Billy Possum and mah home 's a hollow tree !

by day or night Ah wander forth it 's all the same to me !

ah fill mah stomach with an egg , or sometimes it is fish ; In fact Ah always helps mahself to anything Ah wish .

this morning he was on his way to call first on Johnny Chuck .

half-way down the hill he met Bobby Coon .

Unc ' Billy stopped and held out one hand as he said " good mo'ning , Brer Coon .

how do yo'all do this fine mo'ning ? "

Bobby Coon walked right past as if he didn't see Unc ' Billy at all .

he didn't even look at him .

" what 's the matter with yo ' this mo'ning , Brer Coon ? " shouted Unc ' Billy .

Bobby Coon kept right on , without so much as turning his head .

Unc ' Billy watched him , and there was a puzzled look on Unc ' Billy 's face .

" must be that Brer Coon has something powerful impo'tant on his mind , " muttered Unc ' Billy , as he started on .

pretty soon he met Jimmy Skunk who had always been one of Unc ' Billy 's best friends .

Jimmy was looking under every stick and stone for beetles for his breakfast .

" good mo'ning , Neighbor Skunk ! " said Unc ' Billy in his heartiest voice .

Jimmy just went right on about his business .

Unc ' Billy sat down and scratched his head .

his face had lost the cheerful grin with which he had started out .

pretty soon he started on , but every few minutes he would stop and scratch his head thoughtfully .

he didn't know what to make of Bobby Coon and Jimmy Skunk .

he was so surprised that he hadn't known whether to be angry or not .

" ah must find out what Brer Chuck knows about it , " thought Unc ' Billy , as he trotted on .

XXII

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM SEES MANY BACKS

Unc ' Billy Possum was very sober as he hurried down the Lone Little Path to Johnny Chuck 's house .

he was very sober indeed , and that is very unusual for Unc ' Billy Possum .

it was very plain to see that something was bothering him .

Johnny Chuck was sitting on his doorstep when Unc ' Billy Possum came in sight , trotting down the Lone Little Path .

Unc ' Billy came to a stop about two feet behind Johnny Chuck .

" A-hem ! " said Unc ' Billy .

Johnny Chuck sat there without moving , just as if he hadn't heard .

" it 's a fine mo'ning , " said Unc ' Billy in his pleasantest voice .

instead of replying , Johnny Chuck suddenly kicked up his heels and disappeared inside his house .

after a while he started on .

pretty soon he came to where Danny Meadow Mouse was playing all by himself .

he didn't know that Unc ' Billy was about until Unc ' Billy said : " good mo'ning , Brer Meadow Mouse . "

now Danny had always been delighted to see Unc ' Billy Possum and to have a chat with him whenever Unc ' Billy would stop .

but this morning no sooner did Danny hear Unc ' Billy 's voice than he turned his back to Unc ' Billy .

this was more than Unc ' Billy could stand .

so Unc ' Billy Possum gave it up and went on down to the Smiling Pool .

there Little Joe Otter and Billy Mink and Jerry Muskrat were at play .

" Hello , yo'alls ! " shouted Unc ' Billy .

splash !

all three had dived into the Smiling Pool , and though Unc ' Billy waited and waited , he didn't see one of them again .

so he went home to his hollow tree in the Green Forest early that day to try and study out what it all meant .

XXIII

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM CONSULTS OL ' MISTAH BUZZARD

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard has very sharp eyes .

nobody has sharper eyes than he .

there is very little that Ol ' Mistah Buzzard misses .

by and by Unc ' Billy looked up in the sky where Ol ' Mistah Buzzard was sailing ' round and ' round .

then Unc ' Billy hopped up mighty spry .

he hadn't been there long when Unc ' Billy Possum came shuffling along , just as if he was out walking for his health .

" howdy , Mistah Buzzard !

ah cert'nly hopes yo'all feel right smart , " said Unc ' Billy .

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard 's eyes twinkled as he replied : " ah feel right pert , Brer Possum , thank yo ' .

ah hopes yo ' feel the same .

yo ' look like nothing ever bothers yo ' . "

nothing ever does bother me . "

" ah watched yo ' take a long walk this mo'ning , Brer Possum , " said Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

" did yo ' , indeed ; yo ' have keen eyes , Mistah Buzzard ! " replied Unc ' Billy .

" ah saw yo ' meet a lot of yo ' friends .

it 's fine to have a lot of friends , isn't it , Brer Possum ? " said Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

Unc ' Billy looked at Ol ' Mistah Buzzard sharply .

Unc ' Billy stared , and for a minute he couldn't find his tongue .

then he heard a noise that sounded very much like a chuckle .

in a few minutes it was a laugh .

finally Unc ' Billy began to laugh too .

Unc ' Billy shook his head doubtfully .

" Serves yo'alls right !

" ah know it .

it cert'nly does , " replied Unc ' Billy meekly .

" mischief always trots ahead of grim ol ' Mistah Trouble , They look and act enough alike to be each other 's double .

whoever fools with Mischief 's gwine to wake some day or other And find that Trouble 's just the same as Mischief 's own twin brother . "

old Mrs Possum grumbled and scolded , but all the time she was thinking , and Unc ' Billy knew that she was .

finally she finished sweeping the doorsteps and looked thoughtfully at Unc ' Billy .

" why don't yo ' give a party fo ' Mistah Mocking-bird ? " she inquired .

" the very thing ! " cried Unc ' Billy , and like a flash back came his old-time grin .

XXIV

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM GIVES A PARTY

at first Unc ' Billy had been afraid that no one would come .

of course that meant that Unc ' Billy must take them around himself .

my , but that was hard work !

it took him two whole days .

in the first place there were so many to see .

then Unc ' Billy would make another low bow and hurry on to the next one .

Mistah Buzzard had found Sammy Jay in the far-away Old Pasture , and Sammy had moved back to the Green Forest that very day .

such a good time as everybody did have !

there were heaps and heaps of good things to eat .

they danced and played hide and seek .

finally Unc ' Billy climbed up on a stump .

he was dressed in his finest suit , and he wore his broadest grin .

everybody crowded around to hear what Unc ' Billy was about to say .

" Mah friends and neighbors , " said Unc ' Billy , " ah have a great surprise fo ' yo'alls . "

then he stepped down , and everybody began to wonder and to guess what the surprise could be .

XXV

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM'S SURPRISE

everybody was asking everybody else what the surprise could be which Unc ' Billy had said he had for them .

after he had made his speech , he had scurried out of sight , and no one could find him .

Sammy Jay became greatly excited .

" there ! " he cried !

" you heard that when you was standing right in front of me and talking to me , Jerry Muskrat .

you know that I wasn't making a sound !

I told you that I hadn't been screaming in the night , and this proves it ! "

Jerry Muskrat looked as if he couldn't believe his own ears .

just then the voice of Sticky-toes the Tree Toad began to Croak " it 's going to rain !

it 's going to rain !

it 's going to rain ! "

the voice seemed to come out of that very same hemlock-tree .

it was Sticky-toes himself , and he had dropped from another tree altogether .

" you hear it ! " he shrieked , dancing up and down he was so angry .

" you hear it !

it isn't me , is it ?

that 's my voice , yet it isn't mine , because I 'm right here !

how can I be here and over there too ?

tell me that ! "

no one could tell him , and Sticky-toes continued to scold and sputter and swell himself up with anger .

now no one knew that Blacky the Crow had come to the party , for Blacky never goes abroad at night .

" come out , Blacky ! " they all shouted .

but no Blacky appeared .

instead out of that magic hemlock-tree poured a beautiful song , so beautiful that when it ended everybody clapped their hands .

no one had ever heard anything like it , and when it ended every one shouted for more .

even Sticky-toes the Tree Toad forgot his ill temper .

instead of more music , out from the hemlock-tree flew a stranger .

he was about the size of Sammy Jay and wore a modest gray suit with white trimmings .

Unc ' Billy wore his broadest grin .

we uns is right sorry fo ' the trouble we uns have made .

it was all a joke , and now we asks yo ' pardon .

Mah friend Mistah Mockah would like to stay here and live , if yo'alls is willing , " said Unc ' Billy .

XXVI

MR . MOCKER MAKES HIMSELF AT HOME

while they were talking the matter over , Mr Mocker began to sing again that wonderful song of his .

it was so beautiful that by the time it was ended , every one was ready to grant the pardon .

of course they heard all about the party the next morning and were very anxious indeed to see the stranger with the wonderful voice .

of course Mr Mocker had to show off his wonderful voice to each one .

so he soon made himself at home and , because he was happy , he would sing all day long .

and sometimes , when the moon was shining , he woke up in the night and would sing for very joy .

it was great fun .

finally he thought of Grandfather Frog , who is very old and very wise .

" he 'll know , " said Peter , as off he posted to the Smiling Pool .

now Grandfather Frog was feeling out of sorts that morning .

" Chugarum ! " replied Grandfather Frog crossly .

" go ask Mr Buzzard , " and that was all that Peter could get out of him .

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard laughed when he heard that some folks said that Mr Mocker had not come by his voice honestly .

" there isn't a word of truth in it , Brer Rabbit , " he declared .

" yo ' go tell all your friends that Mistah Mockah is the best loved of all the birds way down Souf . "

and this is all for the present about the adventures of Mr Mocker the Mocking-bird .

but others have had adventures , and one is Jerry Muskrat .

the next book will tell all about them .

THE END

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Mr Mocker by Thornton W Burgess

produced by Judy Boss , John Hamm and David Widger

TREASURE ISLAND

by Robert Louis Stevenson

TREASURE ISLAND

TO THE HESITATING PURCHASER

so be it , and fall on !

and may I And all my pirates share the grave Where these and their creations lie !

CONTENTS

PART ONE The Old Buccaneer

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THE OLD SEA-DOG AT THE ADMIRAL BENBOW @number@ @number@

BLACK DOG APPEARS AND DISAPPEARS . . . .

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THE BLACK SPOT . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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THE SEA-CHEST . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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THE LAST OF THE BLIND MAN . . . . . . .

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THE CAPTAIN'S PAPERS . . . . . . . . . .

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PART TWO The Sea Cook

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I GO TO BRISTOL . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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AT THE SIGN OF THE SPY-GLASS . . . . . . .

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POWDER AND ARMS . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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THE VOYAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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WHAT I HEARD IN THE APPLE BARREL . . . .

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COUNCIL OF WAR . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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PART THREE My Shore Adventure

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HOW MY SHORE ADVENTURE BEGAN . . . . . .

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THE FIRST BLOW . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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THE MAN OF THE ISLAND . . . . . . . . . .

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PART FOUR The Stockade

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NARRATIVE CONTINUED BY THE DOCTOR : HOW THE SHIP WAS ABANDONED . . . . . .

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NARRATIVE CONTINUED BY THE DOCTOR : THE JOLLY-BOAT'S LAST TRIP . . . . . .

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NARRATIVE CONTINUED BY THE DOCTOR : END OF THE FIRST DAY'S FIGHTING . . .

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NARRATIVE RESUMED BY JIM HAWKINS : THE GARRISON IN THE STOCKADE . . . . .

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SILVER'S EMBASSY . . . . . . . . . . . .

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THE ATTACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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PART FIVE My Sea Adventure

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HOW MY SEA ADVENTURE BEGAN . . . . . . .

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THE EBB-TIDE RUNS . . . . . . . . . . .

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THE CRUISE OF THE CORACLE . . . . . . .

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I STRIKE THE JOLLY ROGER . . . . . . . .

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ISRAEL HANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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" PIECES OF EIGHT " . . . . . . . . . . .

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PART SIX Captain Silver

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IN THE ENEMY'S CAMP . . . . . . . . . .

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THE BLACK SPOT AGAIN . . . . . . . . . .

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ON PAROLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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THE TREASURE-HUNT FLINT'S POINTER . . .

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THE TREASURE-HUNT THE VOICE AMONG THE TREES . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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THE FALL OF A CHIEFTAIN . . . . . . . .

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AND LAST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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TREASURE ISLAND

PART ONE The Old Buccaneer

@number@

the Old Sea-dog at the Admiral Benbow

" fifteen men on the dead man 's chest Yo-ho-ho , and a bottle of rum ! "

in the high , old tottering voice that seemed to have been tuned and broken at the capstan bars .

" this is a handy cove , " says he at length ; " and a pleasant sittyated grog-shop .

much company , mate ? "

my father told him no , very little company , the more was the pity .

" well , then , " said he , " this is the berth for me .

here you , matey , " he cried to the man who trundled the barrow ; " bring up alongside and help up my chest .

I 'll stay here a bit , " he continued .

what you mought call me ?

you mought call me captain .

oh , I see what you 're at there " ; and he threw down three or four gold pieces on the threshold .

" you can tell me when I 've worked through that , " says he , looking as fierce as a commander .

and that was all we could learn of our guest .

he was a very silent man by custom .

every day when he came back from his stroll he would ask if any seafaring men had gone by along the road .

how that personage haunted my dreams , I need scarcely tell you .

to see him leap and run and pursue me over hedge and ditch was the worst of nightmares .

and altogether I paid pretty dear for my monthly fourpenny piece , in the shape of these abominable fancies .

nor would he allow anyone to leave the inn till he had drunk himself sleepy and reeled off to bed .

his stories were what frightened people worst of all .

all the time he lived with us the captain made no change whatever in his dress but to buy some stockings from a hawker .

the great sea-chest none of us had ever seen open .

suddenly he the captain , that is began to pipe up his eternal song :

" fifteen men on the dead man 's chest Yo-ho-ho , and a bottle of rum !

drink and the devil had done for the rest Yo-ho-ho , and a bottle of rum ! "

the old fellow 's fury was awful .

the doctor never so much as moved .

let that suffice . "

@number@

Black Dog Appears and Disappears

I had always my eye open for seafaring men , with one leg or two , and I remember this one puzzled me .

he was not sailorly , and yet he had a smack of the sea about him too .

I paused where I was , with my napkin in my hand .

" come here , sonny , " says he .

" come nearer here . "

I took a step nearer .

" is this here table for my mate Bill ? " he asked with a kind of leer .

" well , " said he , " my mate Bill would be called the captain , as like as not .

he has a cut on one cheek and a mighty pleasant way with him , particularly in drink , has my mate Bill .

ah , well !

I told you .

now , is my mate Bill in this here house ? "

I told him he was out walking .

" which way , sonny ?

which way is he gone ? "

but it was no affair of mine , I thought ; and besides , it was difficult to know what to do .

the stranger kept hanging about just inside the inn door , peering round the corner like a cat waiting for a mouse .

but the great thing for boys is discipline , sonny discipline .

now , if you had sailed along of Bill , you wouldn't have stood there to be spoke to twice not you .

that was never Bill 's way , nor the way of sich as sailed with him .

" Bill , " said the stranger in a voice that I thought he had tried to make bold and big .

" come , Bill , you know me ; you know an old shipmate , Bill , surely , " said the stranger .

the captain made a sort of gasp .

" black Dog ! " said he .

" and who else ? " returned the other , getting more at his ease .

" Black Dog as ever was , come for to see his old shipmate Billy , at the Admiral Benbow inn .

" that 's you , Bill , " returned Black Dog , " you 're in the right of it , Billy .

he bade me go and leave the door wide open .

" none of your keyholes for me , sonny , " he said ; and I left them together and retired into the bar .

" no , no , no , no ; and an end of it ! " he cried once .

and again , " if it comes to swinging , swing all , say I . "

you may see the notch on the lower side of the frame to this day .

that blow was the last of the battle .

the captain , for his part , stood staring at the signboard like a bewildered man .

then he passed his hand over his eyes several times and at last turned back into the house .

" are you hurt ? " cried I .

" rum , " he repeated .

" I must get away from here .

rum !

rum ! "

at the same instant my mother , alarmed by the cries and fighting , came running downstairs to help me .

between us we raised his head .

he was breathing very loud and hard , but his eyes were closed and his face a horrible colour .

" dear , deary me , " cried my mother , " what a disgrace upon the house !

and your poor father sick ! "

it was a happy relief for us when the door opened and Doctor Livesey came in , on his visit to my father .

" oh , doctor , " we cried , " what shall we do ?

where is he wounded ? "

" wounded ?

a fiddle-stick 's end ! " said the doctor .

" no more wounded than you or I . the man has had a stroke , as I warned him .

now , Mrs. Hawkins , just you run upstairs to your husband and tell him , if possible , nothing about it .

for my part , I must do my best to save this fellow 's trebly worthless life ; Jim , you get me a basin . "

when I got back with the basin , the doctor had already ripped up the captain 's sleeve and exposed his great sinewy arm .

it was tattooed in several places .

" Prophetic , " said the doctor , touching this picture with his finger .

" and now , Master Billy Bones , if that be your name , we 'll have a look at the colour of your blood .

Jim , " he said , " are you afraid of blood ? "

" no , sir , " said I .

a great deal of blood was taken before the captain opened his eyes and looked mistily about him .

first he recognized the doctor with an unmistakable frown ; then his glance fell upon me , and he looked relieved .

but suddenly his colour changed , and he tried to raise himself , crying , " where 's Black Dog ? "

" there is no Black Dog here , " said the doctor , " except what you have on your own back .

now , Mr Bones "

" that 's not my name , " he interrupted .

" much I care , " returned the doctor .

come , now , make an effort .

I 'll help you to your bed for once . "

" now , mind you , " said the doctor , " I clear my conscience the name of rum for you is death . "

and with that he went off to see my father , taking me with him by the arm .

" this is nothing , " he said as soon as he had closed the door .

@number@

the Black Spot

ABOUT noon I stopped at the captain 's door with some cooling drinks and medicines .

he was lying very much as we had left him , only a little higher , and he seemed both weak and excited .

never a month but I 've given you a silver fourpenny for yourself .

" the doctor " I began .

but he broke in cursing the doctor , in a feeble voice but heartily .

" look , Jim , how my fingers fidges , " he continued in the pleading tone .

" I can't keep ' em still , not I ..y I haven't had a drop this blessed day .

that doctor 's a fool , I tell you .

if I don't have a drain o ' rum , Jim , I 'll have the horrors ; I seen some on ' em already .

your doctor hisself said one glass wouldn't hurt me .

I 'll give you a golden guinea for a noggin , Jim . "

" I want none of your money , " said I , " but what you owe my father .

I 'll get you one glass , and no more . "

when I brought it to him , he seized it greedily and drank it out .

" Aye , aye , " said he , " that 's some better , sure enough .

and now , matey , did that doctor say how long I was to lie here in this old berth ? "

" a week at least , " said I .

" thunder ! " he cried .

" A week !

I can't do that ; they 'd have the black spot on me by then .

is that seamanly behaviour , now , I want to know ?

but I 'm a saving soul .

I never wasted good money of mine , nor lost it neither ; and I 'll trick ' em again .

I 'm not afraid on ' em .

I 'll shake out another reef , matey , and daddle ' em again . "

his words , spirited as they were in meaning , contrasted sadly with the weakness of the voice in which they were uttered .

he paused when he had got into a sitting position on the edge .

" that doctor 's done me , " he murmured .

" my ears is singing .

lay me back . "

before I could do much to help him he had fallen back again to his former place , where he lay for a while silent .

" Jim , " he said at length , " you saw that seafaring man today ? "

" black Dog ? "

I asked .

" ah !

black Dog , " says he .

" HE'S a bad un ; but there 's worse that put him on .

I was first mate , I was , old Flint 's first mate , and I 'm the on'y one as knows the place .

he gave it me at Savannah , when he lay a-dying , like as if I was to now , you see .

" but what is the black spot , captain ? "

I asked .

" that 's a summons , mate .

I 'll tell you if they get that .

but you keep your weather-eye open , Jim , and I 'll share with you equals , upon my honour . "

what I should have done had all gone well I do not know .

but as things fell out , my poor father died quite suddenly that evening , which put all other matters on one side .

I have said the captain was weak , and indeed he seemed rather to grow weaker than regain his strength .

he had an alarming way now when he was drunk of drawing his cutlass and laying it bare before him on the table .

but with all that , he minded people less and seemed shut up in his own thoughts and rather wandering .

I never saw in my life a more dreadful-looking figure .

" you are at the Admiral Benbow , Black Hill Cove , my good man , " said I .

" I hear a voice , " said he , " a young voice .

will you give me your hand , my kind young friend , and lead me in ? "

I held out my hand , and the horrible , soft-spoken , eyeless creature gripped it in a moment like a vise .

" now , boy , " he said , " take me in to the captain . "

" sir , " said I , " upon my word I dare not . "

" oh , " he sneered , " that 's it !

take me in straight or I 'll break your arm . "

and he gave it , as he spoke , a wrench that made me cry out .

" sir , " said I , " it is for yourself I mean .

the captain is not what he used to be .

he sits with a drawn cutlass .

another gentleman "

if you don't , I 'll do this , " and with that he gave me a twitch that I thought would have made me faint .

the poor captain raised his eyes , and at one look the rum went out of him and left him staring sober .

the expression of his face was not so much of terror as of mortal sickness .

he made a movement to rise , but I do not believe he had enough force left in his body .

" now , Bill , sit where you are , " said the beggar .

" if I can't see , I can hear a finger stirring .

business is business .

hold out your left hand .

boy , take his left hand by the wrist and bring it near to my right . "

" ten o'clock ! " he cried .

" six hours .

we 'll do them yet , " and he sprang to his feet .

I ran to him at once , calling to my mother .

but haste was all in vain .

the captain had been struck dead by thundering apoplexy .

it was the second death I had known , and the sorrow of the first was still fresh in my heart .

@number@

the Sea-chest

something must speedily be resolved upon , and it occurred to us at last to go forth together and seek help in the neighbouring hamlet .

No sooner said than done .

Bare-headed as we were , we ran out at once in the gathering evening and the frosty fog .

we were not many minutes on the road , though we sometimes stopped to lay hold of each other and hearken .

but there was no unusual sound nothing but the low wash of the ripple and the croaking of the inmates of the wood .

for you would have thought men would have been ashamed of themselves no soul would consent to return with us to the Admiral Benbow .

the more we told of our troubles , the more man , woman , and child they clung to the shelter of their houses .

for that matter , anyone who was a comrade of the captain 's was enough to frighten them to death .

Back we will go , the way we came , and small thanks to you big , hulking , chicken-hearted men .

we 'll have that chest open , if we die for it .

and I 'll thank you for that bag , Mrs Crossley , to bring back our lawful money in . "

my heart was beating finely when we two set forth in the cold night upon this dangerous venture .

then my mother got a candle in the bar , and holding each other 's hands , we advanced into the parlour .

he lay as we had left him , on his back , with his eyes open and one arm stretched out .

" draw down the blind , Jim , " whispered my mother ; " they might come and watch outside .

I went down on my knees at once .

on the floor close to his hand there was a little round of paper , blackened on the one side .

" he had till ten , Mother , " said I ; and just as I said it , our old clock began striking .

this sudden noise startled us shockingly ; but the news was good , for it was only six .

" now , Jim , " she said , " that key . "

I felt in his pockets , one after another .

" perhaps it 's round his neck , " suggested my mother .

they had never been worn , my mother said .

I have often wondered since why he should have carried about these shells with him in his wandering , guilty , and hunted life .

underneath there was an old boat-cloak , whitened with sea-salt on many a harbour-bar .

" I 'll show these rogues that I 'm an honest woman , " said my mother .

" I 'll have my dues , and not a farthing over .

hold Mrs Crossley 's bag . "

and she began to count over the amount of the captain 's score from the sailor 's bag into the one that I was holding .

the guineas , too , were about the scarcest , and it was with these only that my mother knew how to make her count .

it drew nearer and nearer , while we sat holding our breath .

at last the tapping recommenced , and , to our indescribable joy and gratitude , died slowly away again until it ceased to be heard .

that was enough , and more than enough , for both of us .

" I 'll take what I have , " she said , jumping to her feet .

" and I 'll take this to square the count , " said I , picking up the oilskin packet .

we had not started a moment too soon .

far less than half-way to the hamlet , very little beyond the bottom of the hill , we must come forth into the moonlight .

" my dear , " said my mother suddenly , " take the money and run on .

I am going to faint . "

this was certainly the end for both of us , I thought .

farther I could not move her , for the bridge was too low to let me do more than crawl below it .

so there we had to stay my mother almost entirely exposed and both of us within earshot of the inn .

@number@

the Last of the Blind Man

the next moment his voice showed me that I was right .

" down with the door ! " he cried .

but the pause was brief , for the blind man again issued his commands .

his voice sounded louder and higher , as if he were afire with eagerness and rage .

" In , in , in ! " he shouted , and cursed them for their delay .

four or five of them obeyed at once , two remaining on the road with the formidable beggar .

there was a pause , then a cry of surprise , and then a voice shouting from the house , " bill 's dead . "

but the blind man swore at them again for their delay .

" search him , some of you shirking lubbers , and the rest of you aloft and get the chest , " he cried .

I could hear their feet rattling up our old stairs , so that the house must have shook with it .

" pew , " he cried , " they 've been before us .

someone 's turned the chest out alow and aloft . "

" is it there ? " roared Pew .

" the money 's there . "

the blind man cursed the money .

" flint 's fist , I mean , " he cried .

" we don't see it here nohow , " returned the man .

" here , you below there , is it on Bill ? " cried the blind man again .

at that another fellow , probably him who had remained below to search the captain 's body , came to the door of the inn .

" Bill 's been overhauled a'ready , " said he ; " nothin ' left . "

" it 's these people of the inn it's that boy .

I wish I had put his eyes out ! " cried the blind man , Pew .

" there were no time ago they had the door bolted when I tried it .

Scatter , lads , and find ' em . "

" sure enough , they left their glim here , " said the fellow from the window .

" Scatter and find ' em !

rout the house out ! " reiterated Pew , striking with his stick upon the road .

" there 's Dirk again , " said one .

" twice !

we 'll have to budge , mates . "

" budge , you skulk ! " cried Pew .

" Dirk was a fool and a coward from the first you wouldn't mind him .

they must be close by ; they can't be far ; you have your hands on it .

Scatter and look for them , dogs !

oh , shiver my soul , " he cried , " if I had eyes ! "

" you have your hands on thousands , you fools , and you hang a leg !

you 'd be as rich as kings if you could find it , and you know it 's here , and you stand there skulking .

there wasn't one of you dared face Bill , and I did it a blind man !

and I 'm to lose my chance for you !

I 'm to be a poor , crawling beggar , sponging for rum , when I might be rolling in a coach !

if you had the pluck of a weevil in a biscuit you would catch them still . "

" hang it , Pew , we 've got the doubloons ! " grumbled one .

" they might have hid the blessed thing , " said another .

" take the Georges , Pew , and don't stand here squalling . "

almost at the same time a pistol-shot , flash and report , came from the hedge side .

at this Pew saw his error , turned with a scream , and ran straight for the ditch , into which he rolled .

the rider tried to save him , but in vain .

down went Pew with a cry that rang high into the night ; and the four hoofs trampled and spurned him and passed by .

he fell on his side , then gently collapsed upon his face and moved no more .

I leaped to my feet and hailed the riders .

they were pulling up , at any rate , horrified at the accident ; and I soon saw what they were .

Pew was dead , stone dead .

he hailed her .

soon after , the lugger doubled the point and disappeared .

" and that , " said he , " is just about as good as nothing .

they 've got off clean , and there 's an end .

Mr Dance could make nothing of the scene .

" they got the money , you say ?

well , then , Hawkins , what in fortune were they after ?

more money , I suppose ? "

" no , sir ; not money , I think , " replied I .

" to be sure , boy ; quite right , " said he .

" I 'll take it , if you like . "

" I thought perhaps Dr Livesey " I began .

" perfectly right , " he interrupted very cheerily , " perfectly right a gentleman and a magistrate .

and , now I come to think of it , I might as well ride round there myself and report to him or squire .

now , I 'll tell you , Hawkins , if you like , I 'll take you along . "

I thanked him heartily for the offer , and we walked back to the hamlet where the horses were .

by the time I had told mother of my purpose they were all in the saddle .

" Dogger , " said Mr Dance , " you have a good horse ; take up this lad behind you . "

@number@

the Captain 's Papers

WE rode hard all the way till we drew up before Dr Livesey 's door .

the house was all dark to the front .

Mr Dance told me to jump down and knock , and Dogger gave me a stirrup to descend by .

the door was opened almost at once by the maid .

" is Dr Livesey in ? "

I asked .

" so there we go , boys , " said Mr Dance .

here Mr Dance dismounted , and taking me along with him , was admitted at a word into the house .

I had never seen the squire so near at hand .

" come in , Mr Dance , " says he , very stately and condescending .

" good evening , Dance , " says the doctor with a nod .

" and good evening to you , friend Jim .

what good wind brings you here ? "

at last Mr Dance finished the story .

" Mr Dance , " said the squire , " you are a very noble fellow .

this lad Hawkins is a trump , I perceive .

Hawkins , will you ring that bell ?

Mr Dance must have some ale . "

" and so , Jim , " said the doctor , " you have the thing that they were after , have you ? "

" here it is , sir , " said I , and gave him the oilskin packet .

" as you will , Livesey , " said the squire ; " Hawkins has earned better than cold pie . "

" and now , squire , " said the doctor .

" and now , Livesey , " said the squire in the same breath .

" one at a time , one at a time , " laughed Dr Livesey .

" you have heard of this Flint , I suppose ? "

" Heard of him ! " cried the squire .

" heard of him , you say !

he was the bloodthirstiest buccaneer that sailed .

Blackbeard was a child to Flint .

the Spaniards were so prodigiously afraid of him that , I tell you , sir , I was sometimes proud he was an Englishman .

" well , I 've heard of him myself , in England , " said the doctor .

" but the point is , had he money ? "

" money ! " cried the squire .

" have you heard the story ?

what were these villains after but money ?

what do they care for but money ?

for what would they risk their rascal carcasses but money ? "

" that we shall soon know , " replied the doctor .

" but you are so confoundedly hot-headed and exclamatory that I cannot get a word in .

" amount , sir ! " cried the squire .

" very well , " said the doctor .

" now , then , if Jim is agreeable , we 'll open the packet " ; and he laid it before him on the table .

the bundle was sewn together , and the doctor had to get out his instrument case and cut the stitches with his medical scissors .

it contained two things a book and a sealed paper .

" first of all we 'll try the book , " observed the doctor .

I could not help wondering who it was that had " got itt , " and what " itt " was that he got .

A knife in his back as like as not .

" not much instruction there , " said Dr Livesey as he passed on .

the next ten or twelve pages were filled with a curious series of entries .

" I can't make head or tail of this , " said Dr Livesey .

" the thing is as clear as noonday , " cried the squire .

" this is the black-hearted hound 's account-book .

these crosses stand for the names of ships or towns that they sank or plundered .

the sums are the scoundrel 's share , and where he feared an ambiguity , you see he added something clearer .

' Offe Caraccas , ' now ; you see , here was some unhappy vessel boarded off that coast .

God help the poor souls that manned her coral long ago . "

" right ! " said the doctor .

" see what it is to be a traveller .

right !

and the amounts increase , you see , as he rose in rank . "

" thrifty man ! " cried the doctor .

" he wasn't the one to be cheated . "

" and now , " said the squire , " for the other . "

over on the back the same hand had written this further information :

tall tree , Spy-glass shoulder , bearing a point to the N of N.N.E.

Skeleton Island E.S.E. and by E .

ten feet .

the arms are easy found , in the sand-hill , N ..y point of north inlet cape , bearing E. and a quarter N ..y J.F.

that was all ; but brief as it was , and to me incomprehensible , it filled the squire and Dr Livesey with delight .

" Livesey , " said the squire , " you will give up this wretched practice at once .

tomorrow I start for Bristol .

Hawkins shall come as cabin-boy .

you 'll make a famous cabin-boy , Hawkins .

you , Livesey , are ship 's doctor ; I am admiral .

we 'll take Redruth , Joyce , and Hunter .

there 's only one man I 'm afraid of . "

" and who 's that ? " cried the squire .

" name the dog , sir ! "

" you , " replied the doctor ; " for you cannot hold your tongue .

we are not the only men who know of this paper .

we must none of us go alone till we get to sea .

" Livesey , " returned the squire , " you are always in the right of it .

I 'll be as silent as the grave . "

PART TWO The Sea-cook

@number@

I Go to Bristol

I brooded by the hour together over the map , all the details of which I well remembered .

old Anchor Inn , Bristol , @date@

the ship is bought and fitted .

she lies at anchor , ready for sea .

you never imagined a sweeter schooner a child might sail her two hundred tons ; name , HISPANIOLA .

I got her through my old friend , Blandly , who has proved himself throughout the most surprising trump .

" Redruth , " said I , interrupting the letter , " Dr Livesey will not like that .

the squire has been talking , after all . "

" well , who 's a better right ? " growled the gamekeeper .

" a pretty rum go if squire ain't to talk for Dr Livesey , I should think . "

at that I gave up all attempts at commentary and read straight on :

blandly himself found the HISPANIOLA , and by the most admirable management got her for the merest trifle .

there is a class of men in Bristol monstrously prejudiced against Blandly .

none of them dare , however , to deny the merits of the ship .

so far there was not a hitch .

the workpeople , to be sure riggers and what not were most annoyingly slow ; but time cured that .

it was the crew that troubled me .

I was standing on the dock , when , by the merest accident , I fell in talk with him .

he had hobbled down there that morning , he said , to get a smell of the salt .

he has no pension , Livesey .

imagine the abominable age we live in !

well , sir , I thought I had only found a cook , but it was a crew I had discovered .

I declare we could fight a frigate .

Long John even got rid of two out of the six or seven I had already engaged .

he showed me in a moment that they were just the sort of fresh-water swabs we had to fear in an adventure of importance .

Seaward , ho !

hang the treasure !

it 's the glory of the sea that has turned my head .

so now , Livesey , come post ; do not lose an hour , if you respect me .

let young Hawkins go at once to see his mother , with Redruth for a guard ; and then both come full speed to Bristol .

John Trelawney

Long John Silver unearthed a very competent man for a mate , a man named Arrow .

I have a boatswain who pipes , Livesey ; so things shall go man-o'-war fashion on board the good ship HISPANIOLA .

J. T.

P.P.S.

Hawkins may stay one night with his mother .

J. T.

you can fancy the excitement into which that letter put me .

nobody but old Redruth would have dared so much as even to grumble .

the captain , who had so long been a cause of so much discomfort , was gone where the wicked cease from troubling .

he had found her a boy as an apprentice also so that she should not want help while I was gone .

it was on seeing that boy that I understood , for the first time , my situation .

the night passed , and the next day , after dinner , Redruth and I were afoot again and on the road .

next moment we had turned the corner and my home was out of sight .

the mail picked us up about dusk at the Royal George on the heath .

" where are we ? "

I asked .

" Bristol , " said Tom .

" get down . "

Mr Trelawney had taken up his residence at an inn far down the docks to superintend the work upon the schooner .

though I had lived by the shore all my life , I seemed never to have been near the sea till then .

the smell of tar and salt was something new .

I saw the most wonderful figureheads , that had all been far over the ocean .

" here you are , " he cried , " and the doctor came last night from London .

Bravo !

the ship 's company complete ! "

" oh , sir , " cried I , " when do we sail ? "

" sail ! " says he .

" we sail tomorrow ! "

@number@

at the Sign of the Spy-glass

it was a bright enough little place of entertainment .

the sign was newly painted ; the windows had neat red curtains ; the floor was cleanly sanded .

the customers were mostly seafaring men , and they talked so loudly that I hung at the door , almost afraid to enter .

he was very tall and strong , with a face as big as a ham plain and pale , but intelligent and smiling .

but one look at the man before me was enough .

" Mr Silver , sir ? "

I asked , holding out the note .

" yes , my lad , " said he ; " such is my name , to be sure .

and who may you be ? "

and then as he saw the squire 's letter , he seemed to me to give something almost like a start .

" oh ! " said he , quite loud , and offering his hand .

" I see .

you are our new cabin-boy ; pleased I am to see you . "

and he took my hand in his large firm grasp .

just then one of the customers at the far side rose suddenly and made for the door .

it was close by him , and he was out in the street in a moment .

but his hurry had attracted my notice , and I recognized him at glance .

it was the tallow-faced man , wanting two fingers , who had come first to the Admiral Benbow .

" oh , " I cried , " stop him !

it 's Black Dog ! "

" I don't care two coppers who he is , " cried Silver .

" but he hasn't paid his score .

Harry , run and catch him . "

one of the others who was nearest the door leaped up and started in pursuit .

" black what ? "

" dog , sir , " said I .

" has Mr Trelawney not told you of the buccaneers ?

he was one of them . "

" so ? " cried Silver .

" In my house !

Ben , run and help Harry .

one of those swabs , was he ?

was that you drinking with him , Morgan ?

step up here . "

the man whom he called Morgan an old , grey-haired , mahogany-faced sailor came forward pretty sheepishly , rolling his quid .

" not I , sir , " said Morgan with a salute .

" you didn't know his name , did you ? "

" no , sir . "

" by the powers , Tom Morgan , it 's as good for you ! " exclaimed the landlord .

and what was he saying to you ? "

" I don't rightly know , sir , " answered Morgan .

" do you call that a head on your shoulders , or a blessed dead-eye ? " cried Long John .

" don't rightly know , don't you !

perhaps you don't happen to rightly know who you was speaking to , perhaps ?

come , now , what was he jawing v'yages , cap'ns , ships ?

Pipe up !

what was it ? "

" we was a-talkin ' of keel-hauling , " answered Morgan .

" Keel-hauling , was you ?

and a mighty suitable thing , too , and you may lay to that .

get back to your place for a lubber , Tom . "

and now , " he ran on again , aloud , " let's see Black Dog ?

no , I don't know the name , not I ..y yet I kind of think I've yes , I 've seen the swab .

he used to come here with a blind beggar , he used . "

" that he did , you may be sure , " said I .

" I knew that blind man too .

his name was Pew . "

" it was ! " cried Silver , now quite excited .

" pew !

that were his name for certain .

ah , he looked a shark , he did !

if we run down this Black Dog , now , there 'll be news for Cap'n Trelawney !

Ben 's a good runner ; few seamen run better than Ben .

he should run him down , hand over hand , by the powers !

he talked o ' keel-hauling , did he ?

I'LL keel-haul him ! "

my suspicions had been thoroughly reawakened on finding Black Dog at the Spy-glass , and I watched the cook narrowly .

there 's Cap'n Trelawney what 's he to think ?

here I have this confounded son of a Dutchman sitting in my own house drinking of my own rum !

here you comes and tells me of it plain ; and here I let him give us all the slip before my blessed deadlights !

now , Hawkins , you do me justice with the cap'n .

you 're a lad , you are , but you 're as smart as paint .

I see that when you first come in .

now , here it is : what could I do , with this old timber I hobble on ?

and then , all of a sudden , he stopped , and his jaw dropped as though he had remembered something .

" the score ! " he burst out .

" three goes o ' rum !

why , shiver my timbers , if I hadn't forgotten my score ! "

and falling on a bench , he laughed until the tears ran down his cheeks .

I could not help joining , and we laughed together , peal after peal , until the tavern rang again .

" why , what a precious old sea-calf I am ! " he said at last , wiping his cheeks .

" you and me should get on well , Hawkins , for I 'll take my davy I should be rated ship 's boy .

but come now , stand by to go about .

this won't do .

Dooty is dooty , messmates .

I 'll put on my old cockerel hat , and step along of you to Cap'n Trelawney , and report this here affair .

nor you neither , says you ; not smart none of the pair of us smart .

but dash my buttons !

that was a good un about my score . "

I began to see that here was one of the best of possible shipmates .

Long John told the story from first to last , with a great deal of spirit and the most perfect truth .

" all hands aboard by four this afternoon , " shouted the squire after him .

" Aye , aye , sir , " cried the cook , in the passage .

" the man 's a perfect trump , " declared the squire .

" and now , " added the doctor , " Jim may come on board with us , may he not ? "

" to be sure he may , " says squire .

" take your hat , Hawkins , and we 'll see the ship . "

@number@

powder and Arms

" captain Smollett , sir , axing to speak with you , " said he .

" I am always at the captain 's orders .

show him in , " said the squire .

the captain , who was close behind his messenger , entered at once and shut the door behind him .

" well , Captain Smollett , what have you to say ?

all well , I hope ; all shipshape and seaworthy ? "

" well , sir , " said the captain , " better speak plain , I believe , even at the risk of offence .

I don't like this cruise ; I don't like the men ; and I don't like my officer .

that 's short and sweet . "

" perhaps , sir , you don't like the ship ? " inquired the squire , very angry , as I could see .

" I can't speak as to that , sir , not having seen her tried , " said the captain .

" she seems a clever craft ; more I can't say . "

" possibly , sir , you may not like your employer , either ? " says the squire .

but here Dr Livesey cut in .

" stay a bit , " said he , " stay a bit .

no use of such questions as that but to produce ill feeling .

you don't , you say , like this cruise .

now , why ? "

" so far so good .

but now I find that every man before the mast knows more than I do .

I don't call that fair , now , do you ? "

" no , " said Dr Livesey , " I don't . "

" next , " said the captain , " I learn we are going after treasure hear it from my own hands , mind you .

" silver 's parrot ? " asked the squire .

" it 's a way of speaking , " said the captain .

" blabbed , I mean .

" that is all clear , and , I dare say , true enough , " replied Dr Livesey .

" we take the risk , but we are not so ignorant as you believe us .

next , you say you don't like the crew .

are they not good seamen ? "

" I don't like them , sir , " returned Captain Smollett .

" and I think I should have had the choosing of my own hands , if you go to that . "

" perhaps you should , " replied the doctor .

" my friend should , perhaps , have taken you along with him ; but the slight , if there be one , was unintentional .

and you don't like Mr Arrow ? "

" I don't , sir .

I believe he 's a good seaman , but he 's too free with the crew to be a good officer .

a mate should keep himself to himself shouldn't drink with the men before the mast ! "

" do you mean he drinks ? " cried the squire .

" no , sir , " replied the captain , " only that he 's too familiar . "

" well , now , and the short and long of it , captain ? " asked the doctor .

" tell us what you want . "

" well , gentlemen , are you determined to go on this cruise ? "

" like iron , " answered the squire .

" very good , " said the captain .

" then , as you 've heard me very patiently , saying things that I could not prove , hear me a few words more .

they are putting the powder and the arms in the fore hold .

now , you have a good place under the cabin ; why not put them there ? first point .

then , you are bringing four of your own people with you , and they tell me some of them are to be berthed forward .

why not give them the berths here beside the cabin ? second point . "

" any more ? " asked Mr Trelawney .

" one more , " said the captain .

" there 's been too much blabbing already . "

" Far too much , " agreed the doctor .

" I never told that , " cried the squire , " to a soul ! "

" the hands know it , sir , " returned the captain .

" Livesey , that must have been you or Hawkins , " cried the squire .

" it doesn't much matter who it was , " replied the doctor .

and I could see that neither he nor the captain paid much regard to Mr Trelawney 's protestations .

otherwise I would ask you to let me resign . "

" I see , " said the doctor .

in other words , you fear a mutiny . "

no captain , sir , would be justified in going to sea at all if he had ground enough to say that .

but I am responsible for the ship 's safety and the life of every man Jack aboard of her .

I see things going , as I think , not quite right .

and I ask you to take certain precautions or let me resign my berth .

and that 's all . "

you 'll excuse me , I dare say , but you remind me of that fable .

when you came in here , I 'll stake my wig , you meant more than this . "

" doctor , " said the captain , " you are smart .

when I came in here I meant to get discharged .

I had no thought that Mr Trelawney would hear a word . "

" no more I would , " cried the squire .

" had Livesey not been here I should have seen you to the deuce .

as it is , I have heard you .

I will do as you desire , but I think the worse of you . "

" that 's as you please , sir , " said the captain .

" you 'll find I do my duty . "

and with that he took his leave .

" well , " says the doctor , " we shall see . "

the new arrangement was quite to my liking .

" what 's this ? "

" we 're a-changing of the powder , Jack , " answers one .

" why , by the powers , " cried Long John , " if we do , we 'll miss the morning tide ! "

" my orders ! " said the captain shortly .

" you may go below , my man .

hands will want supper . "

" that 's a good man , captain , " said the doctor .

" very likely , sir , " replied Captain Smollett .

off with you to the cook and get some work . "

I assure you I was quite of the squire 's way of thinking , and hated the captain deeply .

@number@

the Voyage

" now , Barbecue , tip us a stave , " cried one voice .

" the old one , " cried another .

" fifteen men on the dead man 's chest "

and then the whole crew bore chorus :

" Yo-ho-ho , and a bottle of rum ! "

and at the third " Ho ! " drove the bars before them with a will .

I am not going to relate that voyage in detail .

it was fairly prosperous .

the ship proved to be a good ship , the crew were capable seamen , and the captain thoroughly understood his business .

but before we came the length of Treasure Island , two or three things had happened which require to be known .

Mr Arrow , first of all , turned out even worse than the captain had feared .

he had no command among the men , and people did what they pleased with him .

time after time he was ordered below in disgrace .

in the meantime , we could never make out where he got the drink .

that was the ship 's mystery .

" overboard ! " said the captain .

" well , gentlemen , that saves the trouble of putting him in irons . "

but there we were , without a mate ; and it was necessary , of course , to advance one of the men .

Mr Trelawney had followed the sea , and his knowledge made him very useful , for he often took a watch himself in easy weather .

aboard ship he carried his crutch by a lanyard round his neck , to have both hands as free as possible .

still more strange was it to see him in the heaviest of weather cross the deck .

yet some of the men who had sailed with him before expressed their pity to see him so reduced .

" he 's no common man , Barbecue , " said the coxswain to me .

I seen him grapple four and knock their heads together him unarmed . "

all the crew respected and even obeyed him .

he had a way of talking to each and doing everybody some particular service .

" come away , Hawkins , " he would say ; " come and have a yarn with John .

nobody more welcome than yourself , my son .

sit you down and hear the news .

here 's Cap'n Flint I calls my parrot Cap'n Flint , after the famous buccaneer here 's Cap'n Flint predicting success to our v'yage .

wasn't you , cap'n ? "

and the parrot would say , with great rapidity , " pieces of eight !

Pieces of eight !

Pieces of eight ! " till you wondered that it was not out of breath , or till John threw his handkerchief over the cage .

she 's sailed with England , the great Cap'n England , the pirate .

she 's been at Madagascar , and at Malabar , and Surinam , and Providence , and Portobello .

she was at the fishing up of the wrecked plate ships .

it 's there she learned ' Pieces of eight , ' and little wonder ; three hundred and fifty thousand of ' em , Hawkins !

but you smelt powder didn't you , cap'n ? "

" stand by to go about , " the parrot would scream .

" there , " John would add , " you can't touch pitch and not be mucked , lad .

here 's this poor old innocent bird o ' mine swearing blue fire , and none the wiser , you may lay to that .

she would swear the same , in a manner of speaking , before chaplain . "

and John would touch his forelock with a solemn way he had that made me think he was the best of men .

in the meantime , the squire and Captain Smollett were still on pretty distant terms with one another .

the squire made no bones about the matter ; he despised the captain .

as for the ship , he had taken a downright fancy to her .

" she 'll lie a point nearer the wind than a man has a right to expect of his own married wife , sir .

but , " he would add , " all I say is , we 're not home again , and I don't like the cruise . "

the squire , at this , would turn away and march up and down the deck , chin in air .

" A trifle more of that man , " he would say , " and I shall explode . "

we had some heavy weather , which only proved the qualities of the HISPANIOLA .

" never knew good come of it yet , " the captain said to Dr Livesey .

" spoil forecastle hands , make devils .

that 's my belief . "

this was how it came about .

we were heading S.S.W. and had a steady breeze abeam and a quiet sea .

the HISPANIOLA rolled steadily , dipping her bowsprit now and then with a whiff of spray .

I ran on deck .

the watch was all forward looking out for the island .

the barrel shook as he leaned his shoulders against it , and I was just about to jump up when the man began to speak .

@number@

what I Heard in the Apple Barrel

" NO , not I , " said Silver .

" flint was cap'n ; I was quartermaster , along of my timber leg .

the same broadside I lost my leg , old Pew lost his deadlights .

that was Roberts ' men , that was , and comed of changing names to their ships ROYAL FORTUNE and so on .

now , what a ship was christened , so let her stay , I says .

" ah ! " cried another voice , that of the youngest hand on board , and evidently full of admiration .

" he was the flower of the flock , was Flint ! "

" Davis was a man too , by all accounts , " said Silver .

I laid by nine hundred safe , from England , and two thousand after Flint .

that ain't bad for a man before the mast all safe in bank .

' Tain't earning now , it 's saving does it , you may lay to that .

where 's all England 's men now ?

I dunno .

where 's Flint 's ?

why , most on ' em aboard here , and glad to get the duff been begging before that , some on ' em .

where is he now ?

well , he 's dead now and under hatches ; but for two year before that , shiver my timbers , the man was starving !

he begged , and he stole , and he cut throats , and starved at that , by the powers ! "

" well , it ain't much use , after all , " said the young seaman .

" ' Tain't much use for fools , you may lay to it that , nor nothing , " cried Silver .

" but now , you look here : you 're young , you are , but you 're as smart as paint .

I see that when I set my eyes on you , and I 'll talk to you like a man . "

I think , if I had been able , that I would have killed him through the barrel .

meantime , he ran on , little supposing he was overheard .

" here it is about gentlemen of fortune .

now , the most goes for rum and a good fling , and to sea again in their shirts .

but that 's not the course I lay .

I puts it all away , some here , some there , and none too much anywheres , by reason of suspicion .

I 'm fifty , mark you ; once back from this cruise , I set up gentleman in earnest .

time enough too , says you .

and how did I begin ?

before the mast , like you ! "

" well , " said the other , " but all the other money 's gone now , ain't it ?

you daren't show face in Bristol after this . "

" why , where might you suppose it was ? " asked Silver derisively .

" at Bristol , in banks and places , " answered his companion .

" it were , " said the cook ; " it were when we weighed anchor .

but my old missis has it all by now .

and the Spy-glass is sold , lease and goodwill and rigging ; and the old girl 's off to meet me .

I would tell you where , for I trust you , but it 'd make jealousy among the mates . "

" and can you trust your missis ? " asked the other .

but I have a way with me , I have .

feared he was , and proud .

they was the roughest crew afloat , was Flint 's ; the devil himself would have been feared to go to sea with them .

ah , you may be sure of yourself in old John 's ship . "

by this time I had begun to understand the meaning of their terms .

" dick 's square , " said Silver .

" oh , I know 'd Dick was square , " returned the voice of the coxswain , Israel Hands .

" he 's no fool , is Dick . "

and he turned his quid and spat .

I 've had a'most enough o ' Cap'n Smollett ; he 's hazed me long enough , by thunder !

I want to go into that cabin , I do .

I want their pickles and wines , and that . "

" Israel , " said Silver , " your head ain't much account , nor ever was .

but you 're able to hear , I reckon ; leastways , your ears is big enough .

" well , I don't say no , do I ? " growled the coxswain .

" what I say is , when ?

that 's what I say . "

" when !

by the powers ! " cried Silver .

" well now , if you want to know , I 'll tell you when .

the last moment I can manage , and that 's when .

here 's a first-rate seaman , Cap'n Smollett , sails the blessed ship for us .

here 's this squire and doctor with a map and such I don't know where it is , do I ?

no more do you , says you .

well then , I mean this squire and doctor shall find the stuff , and help us to get it aboard , by the powers .

then we 'll see .

" why , we 're all seamen aboard here , I should think , " said the lad Dick .

" we 're all forecastle hands , you mean , " snapped Silver .

" we can steer a course , but who 's to set one ?

that 's what all you gentlemen split on , first and last .

but I know the sort you are .

I 'll finish with ' em at the island , as soon 's the blunt 's on board , and a pity it is .

but you 're never happy till you 're drunk .

split my sides , I 've a sick heart to sail with the likes of you ! "

" Easy all , Long John , " cried Israel .

" who 's a-crossin ' of you ? "

" why , how many tall ships , think ye , now , have I seen laid aboard ?

and how many brisk lads drying in the sun at Execution Dock ? " cried Silver .

" and all for this same hurry and hurry and hurry .

you hear me ?

I seen a thing or two at sea , I have .

if you would on'y lay your course , and a p'int to windward , you would ride in carriages , you would .

but not you !

I know you .

you 'll have your mouthful of rum tomorrow , and go hang . "

" they liked a bit o ' fun , they did .

they wasn't so high and dry , nohow , but took their fling , like jolly companions every one . "

" so ? " says Silver .

" well , and where are they now ?

Pew was that sort , and he died a beggar-man .

flint was , and he died of rum at Savannah .

ah , they was a sweet crew , they was !

On'y , where are they ? "

" there 's the man for me ! " cried the cook admiringly .

" that 's what I call business .

well , what would you think ?

put ' em ashore like maroons ?

that would have been England 's way .

or cut ' em down like that much pork ?

that would have been Flint 's , or Billy Bones 's . "

" Billy was the man for that , " said Israel .

" ' Dead men don't bite , ' says he .

" right you are , " said Silver ; " rough and ready .

but mark you here , I 'm an easy man I 'm quite the gentleman , says you ; but this time it 's serious .

Dooty is dooty , mates .

I give my vote death .

Wait is what I say ; but when the time comes , why , let her rip ! "

" John , " cries the coxswain , " you 're a man ! "

" you 'll say so , Israel when you see , " said Silver .

" only one thing I claim I claim Trelawney .

I 'll wring his calf 's head off his body with these hands , Dick ! " he added , breaking off .

" you just jump up , like a sweet lad , and get me an apple , to wet my pipe like . "

you may fancy the terror I was in !

I should have leaped out and run for it if I had found the strength , but my limbs and heart alike misgave me .

don't you get sucking of that bilge , John .

let 's have a go of the rum . "

" Dick , " said Silver , " I trust you .

I 've a gauge on the keg , mind .

there 's the key ; you fill a pannikin and bring it up . "

dick was gone but a little while , and during his absence Israel spoke straight on in the cook 's ear .

hence there were still faithful men on board .

@number@

Council of War

THERE was a great rush of feet across the deck .

there all hands were already congregated .

a belt of fog had lifted almost simultaneously with the appearance of the moon .

all three seemed sharp and conical in figure .

and then I heard the voice of Captain Smollett issuing orders .

the HISPANIOLA was laid a couple of points nearer the wind and now sailed a course that would just clear the island on the east .

" I have , sir , " said Silver .

" I 've watered there with a trader I was cook in . "

" the anchorage is on the south , behind an islet , I fancy ? " asked the captain .

" yes , sir ; Skeleton Island they calls it .

it were a main place for pirates once , and a hand we had on board knowed all their names for it .

" I have a chart here , " says Captain Smollett .

" see if that 's the place . "

Sharp as must have been his annoyance , Silver had the strength of mind to hide it .

" yes , sir , " said he , " this is the spot , to be sure , and very prettily drawed out .

who might have done that , I wonder ?

the pirates were too ignorant , I reckon .

Aye , here it is : ' Capt Kidd 's Anchorage ' just the name my shipmate called it .

there 's a strong current runs along the south , and then away nor'ard up the west coast .

right you was , sir , " says he , " to haul your wind and keep the weather of the island .

Leastways , if such was your intention as to enter and careen , and there ain't no better place for that in these waters . "

" thank you , my man , " says Captain Smollett .

" I 'll ask you later on to give us a help .

you may go . "

why , it makes me young again .

I was going to forget my timber leg , I was .

it 's a pleasant thing to be young and have ten toes , and you may lay to that .

and clapping me in the friendliest way upon the shoulder , he hobbled off forward and went below .

while I was still casting about in my thoughts to find some probable excuse , Dr Livesey called me to his side .

get the captain and squire down to the cabin , and then make some pretence to send for me .

I have terrible news . "

the doctor changed countenance a little , but next moment he was master of himself .

and with that he turned on his heel and rejoined the other two .

" my lads , " said Captain Smollett , " I 've a word to say to you .

this land that we have sighted is the place we have been sailing for .

I 'll tell you what I think of this : I think it handsome .

and if you think as I do , you 'll give a good sea-cheer for the gentleman that does it . "

" one more cheer for Cap'n Smollett , " cried Long John when the first had subsided .

and this also was given with a will .

the stern window was open , for it was a warm night , and you could see the moon shining behind on the ship 's wake .

" now , Hawkins , " said the squire , " you have something to say .

speak up . "

I did as I was bid , and as short as I could make it , told the whole details of Silver 's conversation .

" Jim , " said Dr Livesey , " take a seat . "

" now , captain , " said the squire , " you were right , and I was wrong .

I own myself an ass , and I await your orders . "

" no more an ass than I , sir , " returned the captain .

but this crew , " he added , " beats me . "

" captain , " said the doctor , " with your permission , that 's Silver .

a very remarkable man . "

" he 'd look remarkably well from a yard-arm , sir , " returned the captain .

" but this is talk ; this don't lead to anything .

I see three or four points , and with Mr Trelawney 's permission , I 'll name them . "

" you , sir , are the captain .

it is for you to speak , " says Mr Trelawney grandly .

" first point , " began Mr Smollett .

" we must go on , because we can't turn back .

if I gave the word to go about , they would rise at once .

second point , we have time before us at least until this treasure 's found .

third point , there are faithful hands .

we can count , I take it , on your own home servants , Mr Trelawney ? "

" as upon myself , " declared the squire .

" three , " reckoned the captain ; " ourselves make seven , counting Hawkins here .

now , about the honest hands ? "

" Nay , " replied the squire .

" Hands was one of mine . "

" I did think I could have trusted Hands , " added the captain .

" and to think that they 're all Englishmen ! " broke out the squire .

" sir , I could find it in my heart to blow the ship up . "

" well , gentlemen , " said the captain , " the best that I can say is not much .

we must lay to , if you please , and keep a bright lookout .

it 's trying on a man , I know .

it would be pleasanter to come to blows .

but there 's no help for it till we know our men .

Lay to , and whistle for a wind , that 's my view . "

" Jim here , " said the doctor , " can help us more than anyone .

the men are not shy with him , and Jim is a noticing lad . "

" Hawkins , I put prodigious faith in you , " added the squire .

PART THREE My Shore Adventure

@number@

how My Shore Adventure Began

THE appearance of the island when I came on deck next morning was altogether changed .

Grey-coloured woods covered a large part of the surface .

the hills ran up clear above the vegetation in spires of naked rock .

the HISPANIOLA was rolling scuppers under in the ocean swell .

I volunteered for one of the boats , where I had , of course , no business .

the heat was sweltering , and the men grumbled fiercely over their work .

Anderson was in command of my boat , and instead of keeping the crew in order , he grumbled as loud as the worst .

" well , " he said with an oath , " it 's not forever . "

all the way in , Long John stood by the steersman and conned the ship .

the bottom was clean sand .

a peculiar stagnant smell hung over the anchorage a smell of sodden leaves and rotting tree trunks .

I observed the doctor sniffing and sniffing , like someone tasting a bad egg .

" I don't know about treasure , " he said , " but I 'll stake my wig there 's fever here . "

if the conduct of the men had been alarming in the boat , it became truly threatening when they had come aboard .

they lay about the deck growling together in talk .

the slightest order was received with a black look and grudgingly and carelessly obeyed .

even the honest hands must have caught the infection , for there was not one man aboard to mend another .

mutiny , it was plain , hung over us like a thunder-cloud .

and it was not only we of the cabin party who perceived the danger .

he fairly outstripped himself in willingness and civility ; he was all smiles to everyone .

of all the gloomy features of that gloomy afternoon , this obvious anxiety on the part of Long John appeared the worst .

we held a council in the cabin .

" sir , " said the captain , " if I risk another order , the whole ship 'll come about our ears by the run .

you see , sir , here it is .

I get a rough answer , do I not ?

now , we 've only one man to rely on . "

" and who is that ? " asked the squire .

" silver , sir , " returned the captain ; " he 's as anxious as you and I to smother things up .

let's allow the men an afternoon ashore .

if they all go , why we 'll fight the ship .

if they none of them go , well then , we hold the cabin , and God defend the right .

if some go , you mark my words , sir , Silver 'll bring ' em aboard again as mild as lambs . "

" my lads , " said he , " we 've had a hot day and are all tired and out of sorts .

I 'll fire a gun half an hour before sundown . "

the captain was too bright to be in the way .

had he been on deck , he could no longer so much as have pretended not to understand the situation .

it was as plain as day .

silver was the captain , and a mighty rebellious crew he had of it .

the honest hands and I was soon to see it proved that there were such on board must have been very stupid fellows .

it is one thing to be idle and skulk and quite another to take a ship and murder a number of innocent men .

at last , however , the party was made up .

six fellows were to stay on board , and the remaining thirteen , including Silver , began to embark .

then it was that there came into my head the first of the mad notions that contributed so much to save our lives .

it occurred to me at once to go ashore .

no one took notice of me , only the bow oar saying , " is that you , Jim ?

keep your head down . "

" Jim , Jim ! "

I heard him shouting .

@number@

the First Blow

on the far side of the open stood one of the hills , with two quaint , craggy peaks shining vividly in the sun .

I now felt for the first time the joy of exploration .

the isle was uninhabited ; my shipmates I had left behind , and nothing lived in front of me but dumb brutes and fowls .

I turned hither and thither among the trees .

Little did I suppose that he was a deadly enemy and that the noise was the famous rattle .

the marsh was steaming in the strong sun , and the outline of the Spy-glass trembled through the haze .

I judged at once that some of my shipmates must be drawing near along the borders of the fen .

by the sound they must have been talking earnestly , and almost fiercely ; but no distinct word came to my hearing .

the sun beat full upon them .

if I hadn't took to you like pitch , do you think I 'd have been here a-warning of you ?

and will you tell me you 'll let yourself be led away with that kind of a mess of swabs ?

not you !

as sure as God sees me , I 'd sooner lose my hand .

if I turn agin my dooty "

and then all of a sudden he was interrupted by a noise .

I had found one of the honest hands well , here , at that same moment , came news of another .

Tom had leaped at the sound , like a horse at the spur , but Silver had not winked an eye .

he stood where he was , resting lightly on his crutch , watching his companion like a snake about to spring .

" John ! " said the sailor , stretching out his hand .

" hands off , if you like , John Silver , " said the other .

" it 's a black conscience that can make you feared of me .

but in heaven 's name , tell me , what was that ? "

" that ?

oh , I reckon that 'll be Alan . "

and at this point Tom flashed out like a hero .

" Alan ! " he cried .

" then rest his soul for a true seaman !

and as for you , John Silver , long you 've been a mate of mine , but you 're mate of mine no more .

if I die like a dog , I 'll die in my dooty .

you 've killed Alan , have you ?

kill me too , if you can .

but I defies you . "

and with that , this brave fellow turned his back directly on the cook and set off walking for the beach .

but he was not destined to go far .

it struck poor Tom , point foremost , and with stunning violence , right between the shoulders in the middle of his back .

his hands flew up , he gave a sort of gasp , and fell .

whether he were injured much or little , none could ever tell .

like enough , to judge from the sound , his back was broken on the spot .

but he had no time given him to recover .

from my place of ambush , I could hear him pant aloud as he struck the blows .

when I came again to myself the monster had pulled himself together , his crutch under his arm , his hat upon his head .

I could not tell , of course , the meaning of the signal , but it instantly awoke my fears .

more men would be coming .

I might be discovered .

they had already slain two of the honest people ; after Tom and Alan , might not I come next ?

indeed , could anyone be more entirely lost than I ?

when the gun fired , how should I dare to go down to the boats among those fiends , still smoking from their crime ?

would not the first of them who saw me wring my neck like a snipe 's ?

would not my absence itself be an evidence to them of my alarm , and therefore of my fatal knowledge ?

it was all over , I thought .

good-bye to the HISPANIOLA ; good-bye to the squire , the doctor , and the captain !

there was nothing left for me but death by starvation or death by the hands of the mutineers .

mingled with these were a few scattered pines , some fifty , some nearer seventy , feet high .

the air too smelt more freshly than down beside the marsh .

and here a fresh alarm brought me to a standstill with a thumping heart .

@number@

the Man of the Island

my eyes turned instinctively in that direction , and I saw a figure leap with great rapidity behind the trunk of a pine .

what it was , whether bear or man or monkey , I could in no wise tell .

it seemed dark and shaggy ; more I knew not .

but the terror of this new apparition brought me to a stand .

I was now , it seemed , cut off upon both sides ; behind me the murderers , before me this lurking nondescript .

and immediately I began to prefer the dangers that I knew to those I knew not .

instantly the figure reappeared , and making a wide circuit , began to head me off .

yet a man it was , I could no longer be in doubt about that .

I began to recall what I had heard of cannibals .

I was within an ace of calling for help .

at that I once more stopped .

" who are you ? "

I asked .

" Ben Gunn , " he answered , and his voice sounded hoarse and awkward , like a rusty lock .

" I 'm poor Ben Gunn , I am ; and I haven't spoke with a Christian these three years . "

I could now see that he was a white man like myself and that his features were even pleasing .

of all the beggar-men that I had seen or fancied , he was the chief for raggedness .

about his waist he wore an old brass-buckled leather belt , which was the one thing solid in his whole accoutrement .

" three years ! "

I cried .

" were you shipwrecked ? "

" Nay , mate , " said he ; " marooned . "

" marooned three years agone , " he continued , " and lived on goats since then , and berries , and oysters .

wherever a man is , says I , a man can do for himself .

but , mate , my heart is sore for Christian diet .

you mightn't happen to have a piece of cheese about you , now ?

no ?

well , many 's the long night I 've dreamed of cheese toasted , mostly and woke up again , and here I were . "

" if ever I can get aboard again , " said I , " you shall have cheese by the stone . "

but at my last words he perked up into a kind of startled slyness .

" if ever you can get aboard again , says you ? " he repeated .

" why , now , who 's to hinder you ? "

" not you , I know , " was my reply .

" and right you was , " he cried .

" now you what do you call yourself , mate ? "

" Jim , " I told him .

" Jim , Jim , " says he , quite pleased apparently .

" well , now , Jim , I 've lived that rough as you 'd be ashamed to hear of .

now , for instance , you wouldn't think I had had a pious mother to look at me ? " he asked .

" why , no , not in particular , " I answered .

" ah , well , " said he , " but I had remarkable pious .

and here 's what it come to , Jim , and it begun with chuck-farthen on the blessed grave-stones !

but it were Providence that put me here .

I 've thought it all out in this here lonely island , and I 'm back on piety .

you don't catch me tasting rum so much , but just a thimbleful for luck , of course , the first chance I have .

I 'm bound I 'll be good , and I see the way to .

and , Jim " looking all round him and lowering his voice to a whisper " I 'm rich . "

Rich !

I says .

and I 'll tell you what : I 'll make a man of you , Jim .

ah , Jim , you 'll bless your stars , you will , you was the first that found me ! "

" now , Jim , you tell me true : that ain't Flint 's ship ? " he asked .

at this I had a happy inspiration .

I began to believe that I had found an ally , and I answered him at once .

" not a man with one leg ? " he gasped .

" silver ? "

I asked .

" ah , Silver ! " says he .

" that were his name . "

" he 's the cook , and the ringleader too . "

he was still holding me by the wrist , and at that he give it quite a wring .

" if you was sent by Long John , " he said , " I 'm as good as pork , and I know it .

but where was you , do you suppose ? "

he heard me with the keenest interest , and when I had done he patted me on the head .

" you 're a good lad , Jim , " he said ; " and you 're all in a clove hitch , ain't you ?

well , you just put your trust in Ben Gunn Ben Gunn 's the man to do it .

I told him the squire was the most liberal of men .

" I am sure he would , " said I .

" as it was , all hands were to share . "

" AND a passage home ? " he added with a look of great shrewdness .

" why , " I cried , " the squire 's a gentleman .

and besides , if we got rid of the others , we should want you to help work the vessel home . "

" ah , " said he , " so you would . "

and he seemed very much relieved .

" now , I 'll tell you what , " he went on .

" so much I 'll tell you , and no more .

I were in Flint 's ship when he buried the treasure ; he and six along six strong seamen .

they was ashore nigh on a week , and us standing off and on in the old WALRUS .

the sun was getting up , and mortal white he looked about the cutwater .

but , there he was , you mind , and the six all dead dead and buried .

how he done it , not a man aboard us could make out .

it was battle , murder , and sudden death , leastways him against six .

Billy Bones was the mate ; Long John , he was quartermaster ; and they asked him where the treasure was .

that 's what he said .

" well , I was in another ship three years back , and we sighted this island .

' Boys , ' said I , ' here 's Flint 's treasure ; let's land and find it . '

the cap'n was displeased at that , but my messmates were all of a mind and landed .

you can stay here and find Flint 's money for yourself , ' they says .

" well , Jim , three years have I been here , and not a bite of Christian diet from that day to this .

but now , you look here ; look at me .

do I look like a man before the mast ?

no , says you .

nor I weren't , neither , I says . "

and with that he winked and pinched me hard .

" Just you mention them words to your squire , Jim , " he went on .

" nor he weren't , neither that 's the words .

and then you 'll give him a nip , like I do . "

and he pinched me again in the most confidential manner .

" well , " I said , " I don't understand one word that you 've been saying .

but that 's neither here nor there ; for how am I to get on board ? "

" ah , " said he , " that 's the hitch , for sure .

well , there 's my boat , that I made with my two hands .

I keep her under the white rock .

if the worst come to the worst , we might try that after dark .

hi ! " he broke out .

" what 's that ? "

" they have begun to fight ! "

I cried .

" follow me . "

" left , left , " says he ; " keep to your left hand , mate Jim !

under the trees with you !

Theer 's where I killed my first goat .

they don't come down here now ; they 're all mastheaded on them mountings for the fear of Benjamin Gunn .

ah !

and there 's the cetemery " cemetery , he must have meant .

" you see the mounds ?

I come here and prayed , nows and thens , when I thought maybe a Sunday would be about doo .

so he kept talking as I ran , neither expecting nor receiving any answer .

the cannon-shot was followed after a considerable interval by a volley of small arms .

PART FOUR The Stockade

@number@

Narrative Continued by the Doctor : how the Ship Was Abandoned

IT was about half past one three bells in the sea phrase that the two boats went ashore from the HISPANIOLA .

the captain , the squire , and I were talking matters over in the cabin .

it never occurred to us to doubt Jim Hawkins , but we were alarmed for his safety .

with the men in the temper they were in , it seemed an even chance if we should see the lad again .

we ran on deck .

one of them was whistling " Lillibullero . "

waiting was a strain , and it was decided that Hunter and I should go ashore with the jolly-boat in quest of information .

the gigs had leaned to their right , but Hunter and I pulled straight in , in the direction of the stockade upon the chart .

I had not gone a hundred yards when I reached the stockade .

this was how it was : a spring of clear water rose almost at the top of a knoll .

the people in the log-house had them in every way ; they stood quiet in shelter and shot the others like partridges .

what particularly took my fancy was the spring .

I was thinking this over when there came ringing over the island the cry of a man at the point of death .

" Jim Hawkins is gone , " was my first thought .

it is something to have been an old soldier , but more still to have been a doctor .

there is no time to dilly-dally in our work .

and so now I made up my mind instantly , and with no time lost returned to the shore and jumped on board the jolly-boat .

by good fortune Hunter pulled a good oar .

we made the water fly , and the boat was soon alongside and I aboard the schooner .

I found them all shaken , as was natural .

and one of the six forecastle hands was little better .

" there 's a man , " says Captain Smollett , nodding towards him , " new to this work .

he came nigh-hand fainting , doctor , when he heard the cry .

another touch of the rudder and that man would join us . "

I told my plan to the captain , and between us we settled on the details of its accomplishment .

we put old Redruth in the gallery between the cabin and the forecastle , with three or four loaded muskets and a mattress for protection .

" Mr Hands , " he said , " here are two of us with a brace of pistols each .

if any one of you six make a signal of any description , that man 's dead . "

" down , dog ! " cries the captain .

and the head popped back again ; and we heard no more , for the time , of these six very faint-hearted seamen .

by this time , tumbling things in as they came , we had the jolly-boat loaded as much as we dared .

Joyce and I got out through the stern-port , and we made for shore again as fast as oars could take us .

this second trip fairly aroused the watchers along shore .

we had soon touched land in the same place as before and set to provision the block house .

all three made the first journey , heavily laden , and tossed our stores over the palisade .

that we should have risked a second boat load seems more daring than it really was .

they had the advantage of numbers , of course , but we had the advantage of arms .

the squire was waiting for me at the stern window , all his faintness gone from him .

he caught the painter and made it fast , and we fell to loading the boat for our very lives .

by this time the tide was beginning to ebb , and the ship was swinging round to her anchor .

" now , men , " said he , " do you hear me ? "

there was no answer from the forecastle .

" it 's to you , Abraham Gray it 's to you I am speaking . "

still no reply .

I have my watch here in my hand ; I give you thirty seconds to join me in . "

there was a pause .

" come , my fine fellow , " continued the captain ; " don't hang so long in stays .

I 'm risking my life and the lives of these good gentlemen every second . "

" I 'm with you , sir , " said he .

and the next moment he and the captain had dropped aboard of us , and we had shoved off and given way .

we were clear out of the ship , but not yet ashore in our stockade .

@number@

Narrative Continued by the Doctor : the Jolly-boat 's Last Trip

THIS fifth trip was quite different from any of the others .

in the first place , the little gallipot of a boat that we were in was gravely overloaded .

add to that the powder , pork , and bread-bags .

the gunwale was lipping astern .

the captain made us trim the boat , and we got her to lie a little more evenly .

all the same , we were afraid to breathe .

if we let the current have its way we should come ashore beside the gigs , where the pirates might appear at any moment .

" I cannot keep her head for the stockade , sir , " said I to the captain .

I was steering , while he and Redruth , two fresh men , were at the oars .

" the tide keeps washing her down .

could you pull a little stronger ? "

" not without swamping the boat , " said he .

" you must bear up , sir , if you please bear up until you see you 're gaining . "

" we 'll never get ashore at this rate , " said I .

" if it 's the only course that we can lie , sir , we must even lie it , " returned the captain .

" we must keep upstream .

suddenly the captain spoke up again , and I thought his voice was a little changed .

" the gun ! " said he .

" I have thought of that , " said I , for I made sure he was thinking of a bombardment of the fort .

" they could never get the gun ashore , and if they did , they could never haul it through the woods . "

" look astern , doctor , " replied the captain .

" Israel was Flint 's gunner , " said Gray hoarsely .

at any risk , we put the boat 's head direct for the landing-place .

I could hear as well as see that brandy-faced rascal Israel Hands plumping down a round-shot on the deck .

" who 's the best shot ? " asked the captain .

" Mr Trelawney , out and away , " said I .

" Mr Trelawney , will you please pick me off one of these men , sir ?

hands , if possible , " said the captain .

Trelawney was as cool as steel .

he looked to the priming of his gun .

" now , " cried the captain , " easy with that gun , sir , or you 'll swamp the boat .

all hands stand by to trim her when he aims . "

" here come the gigs , sir , " said I .

" give way , then , " cried the captain .

" we mustn't mind if we swamp her now .

if we can't get ashore , all 's up . "

" they 'll have a hot run , sir , " returned the captain .

" Jack ashore , you know .

It's not them I mind ; it 's the round-shot .

carpet bowls !

my lady 's maid couldn't miss .

tell us , squire , when you see the match , and we 'll hold water . "

the gig was no longer to be feared ; the little point had already concealed it from our eyes .

the ebb-tide , which had so cruelly delayed us , was now making reparation and delaying our assailants .

the one source of danger was the gun .

" if I durst , " said the captain , " I 'd stop and pick off another man . "

but it was plain that they meant nothing should delay their shot .

" ready ! " cried the squire .

" hold ! " cried the captain , quick as an echo .

and he and Redruth backed with a great heave that sent her stern bodily under water .

the report fell in at the same instant of time .

this was the first that Jim heard , the sound of the squire 's shot not having reached him .

the other three took complete headers , and came up again drenched and bubbling .

so far there was no great harm .

no lives were lost , and we could wade ashore in safety .

Mine I had snatched from my knees and held over my head , by a sort of instinct .

as for the captain , he had carried his over his shoulder by a bandoleer , and like a wise man , lock uppermost .

the other three had gone down with the boat .

@number@

Narrative Continued by the Doctor : End of the First Day 's Fighting

soon we could hear their footfalls as they ran and the cracking of the branches as they breasted across a bit of thicket .

I began to see we should have a brush for it in earnest and looked to my priming .

" captain , " said I , " Trelawney is the dead shot .

give him your gun ; his own is useless . "

at the same time , observing Gray to be unarmed , I handed him my cutlass .

it was plain from every line of his body that our new hand was worth his salt .

forty paces farther we came to the edge of the wood and saw the stockade in front of us .

after reloading , we walked down the outside of the palisade to see to the fallen enemy .

he was stone dead shot through the heart .

both the squire and I returned the shot , but as we had nothing to aim at , it is probable we only wasted powder .

then we reloaded and turned our attention to poor Tom .

the captain and Gray were already examining him , and I saw with half an eye that all was over .

the squire dropped down beside him on his knees and kissed his hand , crying like a child .

" be I going , doctor ? " he asked .

" Tom , my man , " said I , " you 're going home . "

" I wish I had had a lick at them with the gun first , " he replied .

" Tom , " said the squire , " say you forgive me , won't you ? "

" would that be respectful like , from me to you , squire ? " was the answer .

" Howsoever , so be it , amen ! "

after a little while of silence , he said he thought somebody might read a prayer .

" it 's the custom , sir , " he added apologetically .

and not long after , without another word , he passed away .

then , climbing on the roof , he had with his own hand bent and run up the colours .

this seemed mightily to relieve him .

he re-entered the log-house and set about counting up the stores as if nothing else existed .

" don't you take on , sir , " he said , shaking the squire 's hand .

" all 's well with him ; no fear for a hand that 's been shot down in his duty to captain and owner .

it mayn't be good divinity , but it 's a fact . "

then he pulled me aside .

" Dr Livesey , " he said , " in how many weeks do you and squire expect the consort ? "

" you can calculate for yourself , " I said .

" how do you mean ? "

I asked .

" it 's a pity , sir , we lost that second load .

that 's what I mean , " replied the captain .

" as for powder and shot , we 'll do .

but the rations are short , very short so short , Dr Livesey , that we 're perhaps as well without that extra mouth . "

and he pointed to the dead body under the flag .

" Oho ! " said the captain .

" blaze away !

you 've little enough powder already , my lads . "

" captain , " said the squire , " the house is quite invisible from the ship .

it must be the flag they are aiming at .

would it not be wiser to take it in ? "

" strike my colours ! " cried the captain .

" no , sir , not I " ; and as soon as he had said the words , I think we all agreed with him .

all through the evening they kept thundering away .

" there is one good thing about all this , " observed the captain ; " the wood in front of us is likely clear .

the ebb has made a good while ; our stores should be uncovered .

volunteers to go and bring in pork . "

Gray and Hunter were the first to come forward .

well armed , they stole out of the stockade , but it proved a useless mission .

the mutineers were bolder than we fancied or they put more trust in Israel 's gunnery .

the captain sat down to his log , and here is the beginning of the entry :

Thomas Redruth , owner 's servant , landsman , shot by the mutineers ; James Hawkins , cabin-boy

and at the same time , I was wondering over poor Jim Hawkins ' fate .

A hail on the land side .

" somebody hailing us , " said Hunter , who was on guard .

" Doctor !

Squire !

captain !

hullo , Hunter , is that you ? " came the cries .

and I ran to the door in time to see Jim Hawkins , safe and sound , come climbing over the stockade .

@number@

Narrative Resumed by Jim Hawkins : the Garrison in the Stockade

AS soon as Ben Gunn saw the colours he came to a halt , stopped me by the arm , and sat down .

" now , " said he , " there 's your friends , sure enough . "

" far more likely it 's the mutineers , " I answered .

" that ! " he cried .

no , that 's your friends .

ah , he was the man to have a headpiece , was Flint !

barring rum , his match were never seen .

he were afraid of none , not he ; on'y Silver Silver was that genteel . "

" Nay , mate , " returned Ben , " not you .

you 're a good boy , or I 'm mistook ; but you 're on'y a boy , all told .

now , Ben Gunn is fly .

and he pinched me the third time with the same air of cleverness .

" and when Ben Gunn is wanted , you know where to find him , Jim .

just wheer you found him today .

and him that comes is to have a white thing in his hand , and he 's to come alone .

oh !

and you 'll say this : ' Ben Gunn , ' says you , ' has reasons of his own . ' "

" well , " said I , " I believe I understand .

is that all ? "

" and when ? says you , " he added .

" why , from about noon observation to about six bells . "

" good , " said I , " and now may I go ? "

" you won't forget ? " he inquired anxiously .

" precious sight , and reasons of his own , says you .

reasons of his own ; that 's the mainstay ; as between man and man .

well , then " still holding me " I reckon you can go , Jim .

and , Jim , if you was to see Silver , you wouldn't go for to sell Ben Gunn ?

wild horses wouldn't draw it from you ?

no , says you .

and if them pirates camp ashore , Jim , what would you say but there 'd be widders in the morning ? "

the next moment each of us had taken to his heels in a different direction .

for a good hour to come frequent reports shook the island , and balls kept crashing through the woods .

I moved from hiding-place to hiding-place , always pursued , or so it seemed to me , by these terrifying missiles .

it was the last of the cannonade .

I lay for some time watching the bustle which succeeded the attack .

men were demolishing something with axes on the beach near the stockade the poor jolly-boat , I afterwards discovered .

but there was a sound in their voices which suggested rum .

at length I thought I might return towards the stockade .

I had soon told my story and began to look about me .

the log-house was made of unsquared trunks of pine roof , walls , and floor .

the latter stood in several places as much as a foot or a foot and a half above the surface of the sand .

all hands were called up before him , and he divided us into watches .

the doctor and Gray and I for one ; the squire , Hunter , and Joyce upon the other .

" that man Smollett , " he said once , " is a better man than I am .

and when I say that it means a deal , Jim . "

another time he came and was silent for a while .

then he put his head on one side , and looked at me .

" is this Ben Gunn a man ? " he asked .

" I do not know , sir , " said I .

" I am not very sure whether he 's sane . "

" if there 's any doubt about the matter , he is , " returned the doctor .

it doesn't lie in human nature .

was it cheese you said he had a fancy for ? "

" yes , sir , cheese , " I answered .

" well , Jim , " says he , " just see the good that comes of being dainty in your food .

you 've seen my snuff-box , haven't you ?

well , that 's for Ben Gunn ! "

before supper was eaten we buried old Tom in the sand and stood round him for a while bare-headed in the breeze .

every time we had a crack at them , we were to take it , saving our own lives , with the extremest care .

and besides that , we had two able allies rum and the climate .

" so , " he added , " if we are not all shot down first they 'll be glad to be packing in the schooner .

it 's always a ship , and they can get to buccaneering again , I suppose . "

" first ship that ever I lost , " said Captain Smollett .

" flag of truce ! "

I heard someone say ; and then , immediately after , with a cry of surprise , " Silver himself ! "

and at that , up I jumped , and rubbing my eyes , ran to a loophole in the wall .

@number@

silver 's Embassy

it was still quite early , and the coldest morning that I think I ever was abroad in a chill that pierced into the marrow .

the sky was bright and cloudless overhead , and the tops of the trees shone rosily in the sun .

the chill and the vapour taken together told a poor tale of the island .

it was plainly a damp , feverish , unhealthy spot .

" keep indoors , men , " said the captain .

" ten to one this is a trick . "

then he hailed the buccaneer .

" who goes ?

Stand , or we fire . "

" flag of truce , " cried Silver .

the captain was in the porch , keeping himself carefully out of the way of a treacherous shot , should any be intended .

he turned and spoke to us , " Doctor 's watch on the lookout .

Dr. Livesey take the north side , if you please ; Jim , the east ; Gray , west .

the watch below , all hands to load muskets .

lively , men , and careful . "

and then he turned again to the mutineers .

" and what do you want with your flag of truce ? " he cried .

this time it was the other man who replied .

" Cap'n Silver , sir , to come on board and make terms , " he shouted .

" Cap'n Silver !

don't know him .

who 's he ? " cried the captain .

and we could hear him adding to himself , " Cap'n , is it ?

my heart , and here's promotion ! "

Long John answered for himself .

" me , sir .

these poor lads have chosen me cap'n , after your desertion , sir " laying a particular emphasis upon the word " desertion . "

" we 're willing to submit , if we can come to terms , and no bones about it .

" my man , " said Captain Smollett , " I have not the slightest desire to talk to you .

if you wish to talk to me , you can come , that 's all .

if there 's any treachery , it 'll be on your side , and the Lord help you . "

" that 's enough , cap'n , " shouted Long John cheerily .

" a word from you 's enough .

I know a gentleman , and you may lay to that . "

we could see the man who carried the flag of truce attempting to hold Silver back .

nor was that wonderful , seeing how cavalier had been the captain 's answer .

but Silver laughed at him aloud and slapped him on the back as if the idea of alarm had been absurd .

he was whistling " come , Lasses and Lads . "

silver had terrible hard work getting up the knoll .

" here you are , my man , " said the captain , raising his head .

" you had better sit down . "

" you ain't a-going to let me inside , cap'n ? " complained Long John .

" it 's a main cold morning , to be sure , sir , to sit outside upon the sand . "

it 's your own doing .

A sweet pretty place you have of it here .

ah , there 's Jim !

the top of the morning to you , Jim .

doctor , here 's my service .

why , there you all are together like a happy family , in a manner of speaking . "

" if you have anything to say , my man , better say it , " said the captain .

" right you were , Cap'n Smollett , " replied Silver .

" Dooty is dooty , to be sure .

well now , you look here , that was a good lay of yours last night .

I don't deny it was a good lay .

some of you pretty handy with a handspike-end .

but you mark me , cap'n , it won't do twice , by thunder !

we 'll have to do sentry-go and ease off a point or so on the rum .

maybe you think we were all a sheet in the wind 's eye .

he wasn't dead when I got round to him , not he . "

" well ? " says Captain Smollett as cool as can be .

all that Silver said was a riddle to him , but you would never have guessed it from his tone .

as for me , I began to have an inkling .

Ben Gunn 's last words came back to my mind .

" well , here it is , " said Silver .

" we want that treasure , and we 'll have it that 's our point !

you would just as soon save your lives , I reckon ; and that 's yours .

you have a chart , haven't you ? "

" that 's as may be , " replied the captain .

" oh , well , you have , I know that , " returned Long John .

" you needn't be so husky with a man ; there ain't a particle of service in that , and you may lay to it .

what I mean is , we want your chart .

now , I never meant you no harm , myself . "

" that won't do with me , my man , " interrupted the captain .

and the captain looked at him calmly and proceeded to fill a pipe .

" if Abe Gray " Silver broke out .

" Avast there ! " cried Mr Smollett .

so there 's my mind for you , my man , on that . "

this little whiff of temper seemed to cool Silver down .

he had been growing nettled before , but now he pulled himself together .

" like enough , " said he .

" I would set no limits to what gentlemen might consider shipshape , or might not , as the case were .

and seein ' as how you are about to take a pipe , cap'n , I 'll make so free as do likewise . "

it was as good as the play to see them .

" now , " resumed Silver , " here it is .

you give us the chart to get the treasure by , and drop shooting poor seamen and stoving of their heads in while asleep .

you do that , and we 'll offer you a choice .

now , you 'll own that 's talking .

handsomer you couldn't look to get , now you .

captain Smollett rose from his seat and knocked out the ashes of his pipe in the palm of his left hand .

" is that all ? " he asked .

" every last word , by thunder ! " answered John .

" refuse that , and you 've seen the last of me but musket-balls . "

" very good , " said the captain .

" now you 'll hear me .

if you won't , my name is Alexander Smollett , I 've flown my sovereign 's colours , and I 'll see you all to Davy Jones .

you can't find the treasure .

you can't sail the ship there 's not a man among you fit to sail the ship .

you can't fight us Gray , there , got away from five of you .

your ship 's in irons , Master Silver ; you 're on a lee shore , and so you 'll find .

tramp , my lad .

bundle out of this , please , hand over hand , and double quick . "

silver 's face was a picture ; his eyes started in his head with wrath .

he shook the fire out of his pipe .

" give me a hand up ! " he cried .

" not I , " returned the captain .

" who 'll give me a hand up ? " he roared .

not a man among us moved .

growling the foulest imprecations , he crawled along the sand till he got hold of the porch and could hoist himself again upon his crutch .

then he spat into the spring .

" there ! " he cried .

" that 's what I think of ye .

before an hour 's out , I'll stove in your old block house like a rum puncheon .

laugh , by thunder , laugh !

before an hour 's out , ye 'll laugh upon the other side .

them that die 'll be the lucky ones . "

@number@

the Attack

it was the first time we had ever seen him angry .

" Quarters ! " he roared .

Mr Trelawney , I 'm surprised at you , sir .

doctor , I thought you had worn the king 's coat !

if that was how you served at Fontenoy , sir , you 'd have been better in your berth . "

the captain looked on for a while in silence .

then he spoke .

" my lads , " said he , " I 've given Silver a broadside .

I pitched it in red-hot on purpose ; and before the hour 's out , as he said , we shall be boarded .

I 've no manner of doubt that we can drub them , if you choose . "

then he went the rounds and saw , as he said , that all was clear .

in the middle , the cutlasses lay ranged .

the iron fire-basket was carried bodily out by Mr Trelawney , and the embers smothered among sand .

" Hawkins hasn't had his breakfast .

Hawkins , help yourself , and back to your post to eat it , " continued Captain Smollett .

" Lively , now , my lad ; you 'll want it before you 've done .

Hunter , serve out a round of brandy to all hands . "

and while this was going on , the captain completed , in his own mind , the plan of the defence .

" Doctor , you will take the door , " he resumed .

" See , and don't expose yourself ; keep within , and fire through the porch .

Hunter , take the east side , there .

Joyce , you stand by the west , my man .

if they can get up to it and fire in upon us through our own ports , things would begin to look dirty .

Hawkins , neither you nor I are much account at the shooting ; we 'll stand by to load and bear a hand . "

as the captain had said , the chill was past .

soon the sand was baking and the resin melting in the logs of the block house .

an hour passed away .

" hang them ! " said the captain .

" this is as dull as the doldrums .

gray , whistle for a wind . "

and just at that moment came the first news of the attack .

" if you please , sir , " said Joyce , " if I see anyone , am I to fire ? "

" I told you so ! " cried the captain .

" thank you , sir , " returned Joyce with the same quiet civility .

so some seconds passed , till suddenly Joyce whipped up his musket and fired .

not a bough waved , not the gleam of a musket-barrel betrayed the presence of our foes .

" did you hit your man ? " asked the captain .

" no , sir , " replied Joyce .

" I believe not , sir . "

" next best thing to tell the truth , " muttered Captain Smollett .

" load his gun , Hawkins .

how many should say there were on your side , doctor ? "

" I know precisely , " said Dr Livesey .

" three shots were fired on this side .

I saw the three flashes two close together one farther to the west . "

" three ! " repeated the captain .

" and how many on yours , Mr Trelawney ? "

but this was not so easily answered .

there had come many from the north seven by the squire 's computation , eight or nine according to Gray .

from the east and west only a single shot had been fired .

but Captain Smollett made no change in his arrangements .

nor had we much time left to us for thought .

the boarders swarmed over the fence like monkeys .

Squire and Gray fired again and yet again ; three men fell , one forwards into the enclosure , two back on the outside .

several shots were fired , but such was the hurry of the marksmen that not one appears to have taken effect .

in a moment , the four pirates had swarmed up the mound and were upon us .

the head of Job Anderson , the boatswain , appeared at the middle loophole .

" at ' em , all hands all hands ! " he roared in a voice of thunder .

meanwhile a third , running unharmed all around the house , appeared suddenly in the doorway and fell with his cutlass on the doctor .

our position was utterly reversed .

the log-house was full of smoke , to which we owed our comparative safety .

Cries and confusion , the flashes and reports of pistol-shots , and one loud groan rang in my ears .

" out , lads , out , and fight ' em in the open !

Cutlasses ! " cried the captain .

I dashed out of the door into the clear sunlight .

someone was close behind , I knew not whom .

" round the house , lads !

round the house ! " cried the captain ; and even in the hurly-burly , I perceived a change in his voice .

mechanically , I obeyed , turned eastwards , and with my cutlass raised , ran round the corner of the house .

next moment I was face to face with Anderson .

he roared aloud , and his hanger went up above his head , flashing in the sunlight .

when I had first sallied from the door , the other mutineers had been already swarming up the palisade to make an end of us .

and yet , in this breath of time , the fight was over and the victory was ours .

Gray , following close behind me , had cut down the big boatswain ere he had time to recover from his last blow .

A third , as I had seen , the doctor had disposed of at a blow .

" fire fire from the house ! " cried the doctor .

" and you , lads , back into cover . "

the doctor and Gray and I ran full speed for shelter .

the survivors would soon be back where they had left their muskets , and at any moment the fire might recommence .

the house was by this time somewhat cleared of smoke , and we saw at a glance the price we had paid for victory .

" the captain 's wounded , " said Mr Trelawney .

" have they run ? " asked Mr Smollett .

" five ! " cried the captain .

" come , that 's better .

five against three leaves us four to nine .

that 's better odds than we had at starting .

we were seven to nineteen then , or thought we were , and that 's as bad to bear . "

but this was , of course , not known till after by the faithful party .

PART FIVE My Sea Adventure

@number@

how My Sea Adventure Began

THERE was no return of the mutineers not so much as another shot out of the woods .

as for the captain , his wounds were grievous indeed , but not dangerous .

no organ was fatally injured .

my own accidental cut across the knuckles was a flea-bite .

doctor Livesey patched it up with plaster and pulled my ears for me into the bargain .

" why , in the name of Davy Jones , " said he , " is Dr Livesey mad ? "

" why no , " says I.

" he 's about the last of this crew for that , I take it . "

these biscuits , should anything befall me , would keep me , at least , from starving till far on in the next day .

as for the scheme I had in my head , it was not a bad one in itself .

but I was only a boy , and I had made my mind up .

well , as things at last fell out , I found an admirable opportunity .

it was already late in the afternoon , although still warm and sunny .

I have never seen the sea quiet round Treasure Island .

behind me was the sea , in front the anchorage .

the HISPANIOLA , in that unbroken mirror , was exactly portrayed from the truck to the waterline , the Jolly Roger hanging from her peak .

I saw I must lose no time if I were to find the boat that evening .

night had almost come when I laid my hand on its rough sides .

the thing was extremely small , even for me , and I can hardly imagine that it could have floated with a full-sized man .

there was one thwart set as low as possible , a kind of stretcher in the bows , and a double paddle for propulsion .

but the great advantage of the coracle it certainly possessed , for it was exceedingly light and portable .

this was to slip out under cover of the night , cut the HISPANIOLA adrift , and let her go ashore where she fancied .

down I sat to wait for darkness , and made a hearty meal of biscuit .

it was a night out of ten thousand for my purpose .

the fog had now buried all heaven .

as the last rays of daylight dwindled and disappeared , absolute blackness settled down on Treasure Island .

one was the great fire on shore , by which the defeated pirates lay carousing in the swamp .

the other , a mere blur of light upon the darkness , indicated the position of the anchored ship .

@number@

the Ebb-tide Runs

Even Ben Gunn himself has admitted that she was " queer to handle till you knew her way . "

certainly I did not know her way .

the hawser was as taut as a bowstring , and the current so strong she pulled upon her anchor .

all round the hull , in the blackness , the rippling current bubbled and chattered like a little mountain stream .

one cut with my sea-gully and the HISPANIOLA would go humming down the tide .

but the light airs which had begun blowing from the south-east and south had hauled round after nightfall into the south-west .

then I lay quiet , waiting to sever these last when the strain should be once more lightened by a breath of wind .

now , however , when I had nothing else to do , I began to pay more heed .

one I recognized for the coxswain 's , Israel Hands , that had been Flint 's gunner in former days .

the other was , of course , my friend of the red night-cap .

but they were not only tipsy ; it was plain that they were furiously angry .

Oaths flew like hailstones , and every now and then there came forth such an explosion as I thought was sure to end in blows .

on shore , I could see the glow of the great camp-fire burning warmly through the shore-side trees .

I had heard it on the voyage more than once and remembered these words :

" but one man of her crew alive , What put to sea with seventy-five . "

and I thought it was a ditty rather too dolefully appropriate for a company that had met such cruel losses in the morning .

but , indeed , from what I saw , all these buccaneers were as callous as the sea they sailed on .

the breeze had but little action on the coracle , and I was almost instantly swept against the bows of the HISPANIOLA .

at the same time , the schooner began to turn upon her heel , spinning slowly , end for end , across the current .

instantly I grasped it .

why I should have done so I can hardly say .

one glance , however , was sufficient ; and it was only one glance that I durst take from that unsteady skiff .

it showed me Hands and his companion locked together in deadly wrestle , each with a hand upon the other 's throat .

I dropped upon the thwart again , none too soon , for I was near overboard .

" fifteen men on the dead man 's chest Yo-ho-ho , and a bottle of rum !

drink and the devil had done for the rest Yo-ho-ho , and a bottle of rum ! "

at the same moment , she yawed sharply and seemed to change her course .

the speed in the meantime had strangely increased .

I opened my eyes at once .

all round me were little ripples , combing over with a sharp , bristling sound and slightly phosphorescent .

I glanced over my shoulder , and my heart jumped against my ribs .

there , right behind me , was the glow of the camp-fire .

I lay down flat in the bottom of that wretched skiff and devoutly recommended my spirit to its Maker .

@number@

the Cruise of the Coracle

IT was broad day when I awoke and found myself tossing at the south-west end of Treasure Island .

I was scarce a quarter of a mile to seaward , and it was my first thought to paddle in and land .

that notion was soon given over .

I have understood since that they were sea lions , and entirely harmless .

I felt willing rather to starve at sea than to confront such perils .

in the meantime I had a better chance , as I supposed , before me .

North of Haulbowline Head , the land runs in a long way , leaving at low tide a long stretch of yellow sand .

there was a great , smooth swell upon the sea .

I began after a little to grow very bold and sat up to try my skill at paddling .

but even a small change in the disposition of the weight will produce violent changes in the behaviour of a coracle .

I began to be horribly frightened , but I kept my head , for all that .

no sooner thought upon than done .

I was , indeed , close in .

I could see the cool green tree-tops swaying together in the breeze , and I felt sure I should make the next promontory without fail .

it was high time , for I now began to be tortured with thirst .

right in front of me , not half a mile away , I beheld the HISPANIOLA under sail .

the HISPANIOLA was under her main-sail and two jibs , and the beautiful white canvas shone in the sun like snow or silver .

" clumsy fellows , " said I ; " they must still be drunk as owls . "

and I thought how Captain Smollett would have set them skipping .

again and again was this repeated .

it became plain to me that nobody was steering .

and if so , where were the men ?

the current was bearing coracle and schooner southward at an equal rate .

if only I dared to sit up and paddle , I made sure that I could overhaul her .

I could not choose but suppose she was deserted .

for some time she had been doing the worse thing possible for me standing still .

she headed nearly due south , yawing , of course , all the time .

each time she fell off , her sails partly filled , and these brought her in a moment right to the wind again .

but now , at last , I had my chance .

the main-sail hung drooped like a banner .

she was stock-still but for the current .

for the last little while I had even lost , but now redoubling my efforts , I began once more to overhaul the chase .

my first impulse was one of despair , but my second was towards joy .

I could see the waves boiling white under her forefoot .

immensely tall she looked to me from my low station in the coracle .

and then , of a sudden , I began to comprehend .

I had scarce time to think scarce time to act and save myself .

I was on the summit of one swell when the schooner came stooping over the next .

the bowsprit was over my head .

I sprang to my feet and leaped , stamping the coracle under water .

@number@

I Strike the Jolly Roger

not a soul was to be seen .

suddenly the HISPANIOLA came right into the wind .

the moan , which told of pain and deadly weakness , and the way in which his jaw hung open went right to my heart .

but when I remembered the talk I had overheard from the apple barrel , all pity left me .

I walked aft until I reached the main-mast .

" come aboard , Mr Hands , " I said ironically .

he rolled his eyes round heavily , but he was too far gone to express surprise .

all he could do was to utter one word , " Brandy . "

it was such a scene of confusion as you can hardly fancy .

all the lockfast places had been broken open in quest of the chart .

the floor was thick with mud where ruffians had sat down to drink or consult after wading in the marshes round their camp .

the bulkheads , all painted in clear white and beaded round with gilt , bore a pattern of dirty hands .

dozens of empty bottles clinked together in corners to the rolling of the ship .

one of the doctor 's medical books lay open on the table , half of the leaves gutted out , I suppose , for pipelights .

in the midst of all this the lamp still cast a smoky glow , obscure and brown as umber .

certainly , since the mutiny began , not a man of them could ever have been sober .

he must have drunk a gill before he took the bottle from his mouth .

" Aye , " said he , " by thunder , but I wanted some o ' that ! "

I had sat down already in my own corner and begun to eat .

" much hurt ? "

I asked him .

he grunted , or rather , I might say , he barked .

as for that swab , he 's good and dead , he is , " he added , indicating the man with the red cap .

" he warn't no seaman anyhow .

and where mought you have come from ? "

he looked at me sourly enough but said nothing .

better none than these . "

and again dodging the boom , I ran to the colour lines , handed down their cursed black flag , and chucked it overboard .

" God save the king ! " said I , waving my cap .

" and there 's an end to Captain Silver ! "

he watched me keenly and slyly , his chin all the while on his breast .

" I reckon , " he said at last , " I reckon , Cap'n Hawkins , you 'll kind of want to get ashore now .

S'pose we talks . "

" why , yes , " says I , " with all my heart , Mr Hands .

say on . "

and I went back to my meal with a good appetite .

well , HE'S dead now , he is as dead as bilge ; and who 's to sail this ship , I don't see .

without I gives you a hint , you ain't that man , as far's I can tell .

" I 'll tell you one thing , " says I : " I 'm not going back to Captain Kidd 's anchorage .

I mean to get into North Inlet and beach her quietly there . "

" to be sure you did , " he cried .

" why , I ain't sich an infernal lubber after all .

I can see , can't I ?

I 've tried my fling , I have , and I 've lost , and it 's you has the wind of me .

North Inlet ?

why , I haven't no ch'ice , not I !

I 'd help you sail her up to Execution Dock , by thunder !

so I would . "

Well , as it seemed to me , there was some sense in this .

we struck our bargain on the spot .

then I lashed the tiller and went below to my own chest , where I got a soft silk handkerchief of my mother 's .

the breeze served us admirably .

we skimmed before it like a bird , the coast of the island flashing by and the view changing every minute .

I was greatly elated with my new command , and pleased with the bright , sunshiny weather and these different prospects of the coast .

@number@

Israel Hands

THE wind , serving us to a desire , now hauled into the west .

we could run so much the easier from the north-east corner of the island to the mouth of the North Inlet .

" I 'm not strong enough , and I don't like the job ; and there he lies , for me , " said I .

" this here 's an unlucky ship , this HISPANIOLA , Jim , " he went on , blinking .

I never seen sich dirty luck , not I. there was this here O'Brien now he 's dead , ain't he ?

" you can kill the body , Mr Hands , but not the spirit ; you must know that already , " I replied .

" O'Brien there is in another world , and may be watching us . "

" ah ! " says he .

" well , that 's unfort'nate appears as if killing parties was a waste of time .

Howsomever , sperrits don't reckon for much , by what I 've seen .

I 'll chance it with the sperrits , Jim .

the whole story was a pretext .

he wanted me to leave the deck so much was plain ; but with what purpose I could in no way imagine .

" some wine ? "

I said .

" Far better .

will you have white or red ? "

" all right , " I answered .

" I 'll bring you port , Mr Hands .

but I 'll have to dig for it . "

this was all that I required to know .

while I was thus turning the business over in my mind , I had not been idle with my body .

then he lay quiet for a little , and then , pulling out a stick of tobacco , begged me to cut him a quid .

ah , Jim , Jim , I reckon I 've missed stays !

cut me a quid , as 'll likely be the last , lad , for I 'm for my long home , and no mistake . "

" why ? " said he .

" now , you tell me why . "

" why ? "

I cried .

" you were asking me just now about the dead .

for God 's mercy , Mr Hands , that 's why . "

he , for his part , took a great draught of the wine and spoke with the most unusual solemnity .

well , now I tell you , I never seen good come o ' goodness yet .

him as strikes first is my fancy ; dead men don't bite ; them 's my views amen , so be it .

and now , you look here , " he added , suddenly changing his tone , " we 've had about enough of this foolery .

the tide 's made good enough by now .

you just take my orders , Cap'n Hawkins , and we 'll sail slap in and be done with it . "

scarcely had we passed the heads before the land closed around us .

right before us , at the southern end , we saw the wreck of a ship in the last stages of dilapidation .

it was a sad sight , but it showed us that the anchorage was calm .

" now , " said Hands , " look there ; there 's a pet bit for to beach a ship in .

" and once beached , " I inquired , " how shall we get her off again ? "

come high water , all hands take a pull upon the line , and off she comes as sweet as natur ' .

and now , boy , you stand by .

we 're near the bit now , and she 's too much way on her .

Starboard a little so steady starboard larboard a little steady steady ! "

and I put the helm hard up , and the HISPANIOLA swung round rapidly and ran stem on for the low , wooded shore .

the excitement of these last manoeuvres had somewhat interfered with the watch I had kept hitherto , sharply enough , upon the coxswain .

I might have fallen without a struggle for my life had not a sudden disquietude seized upon me and made me turn my head .

at the same instant , he threw himself forward and I leapt sideways towards the bows .

before he could recover , I was safe out of the corner where he had me trapped , with all the deck to dodge about .

the hammer fell , but there followed neither flash nor sound ; the priming was useless with sea-water .

I cursed myself for my neglect .

why had not I , long before , reprimed and reloaded my only weapons ?

then I should not have been as now , a mere fleeing sheep before this butcher .

I had no time to try my other pistol , nor indeed much inclination , for I was sure it would be useless .

once so caught , and nine or ten inches of the blood-stained dirk would be my last experience on this side of eternity .

I placed my palms against the main-mast , which was of a goodish bigness , and waited , every nerve upon the stretch .

so near were we , indeed , that my head came against the coxswain 's foot with a crack that made my teeth rattle .

Blow and all , I was the first afoot again , for Hands had got involved with the dead body .

then , with a pistol in either hand , I addressed him .

" one more step , Mr Hands , " said I , " and I 'll blow your brains out !

dead men don't bite , you know , " I added with a chuckle .

he stopped instantly .

at last , with a swallow or two , he spoke , his face still wearing the same expression of extreme perplexity .

in order to speak he had to take the dagger from his mouth , but in all else he remained unmoved .

" Jim , " says he , " I reckon we 're fouled , you and me , and we 'll have to sign articles .

@number@

" Pieces of Eight "

Hands , who was not so far up , was in consequence nearer to the ship and fell between me and the bulwarks .

he rose once to the surface in a lather of foam and blood and then sank again for good .

as the water settled , I could see him lying huddled together on the clean , bright sand in the shadow of the vessel 's sides .

a fish or two whipped past his body .

sometimes , by the quivering of the water , he appeared to move a little , as if he were trying to rise .

I was no sooner certain of this than I began to feel sick , faint , and terrified .

the hot blood was running over my back and chest .

I clung with both hands till my nails ached , and I shut my eyes as if to cover up the peril .

oddly enough , that very shudder did the business .

these last I broke through with a sudden jerk , and then regained the deck by the starboard shrouds .

O'Brien , though still quite a young man , was very bald .

I was now alone upon the ship ; the tide had just turned .

I began to see a danger to the ship .

the jibs I speedily doused and brought tumbling to the deck , but the main-sail was a harder matter .

I thought this made it still more dangerous ; yet the strain was so heavy that I half feared to meddle .

at last I got my knife and cut the halyards .

for the rest , the HISPANIOLA must trust to luck , like myself .

it began to be chill ; the tide was rapidly fleeting seaward , the schooner settling more and more on her beam-ends .

I scrambled forward and looked over .

it seemed shallow enough , and holding the cut hawser in both hands for a last security , I let myself drop softly overboard .

about the same time , the sun went fairly down and the breeze whistled low in the dusk among the tossing pines .

at least , and at last , I was off the sea , nor had I returned thence empty-handed .

there lay the schooner , clear at last from buccaneers and ready for our own men to board and get to sea again .

I had nothing nearer my fancy than to get home to the stockade and boast of my achievements .

so thinking , and in famous spirits , I began to set my face homeward for the block house and my companions .

and yet I wondered , in my heart , that he should show himself so careless .

suddenly a kind of brightness fell about me .

it would have been a poor end of my adventures to get shot down by my own party in mistake .

it was red and hot , and now and again it was a little darkened as it were , the embers of a bonfire smouldering .

for the life of me I could not think what it might be .

at last I came right down upon the borders of the clearing .

there was not a soul stirring nor a sound beside the noises of the breeze .

I stopped , with much wonder in my heart , and perhaps a little terror also .

to make assurance surer , I got upon my hands and knees and crawled , without a sound , towards the corner of the house .

as I drew nearer , my heart was suddenly and greatly lightened .

the sea-cry of the watch , that beautiful " all 's well , " never fell more reassuringly on my ear .

in the meantime , there was no doubt of one thing ; they kept an infamous bad watch .

if it had been Silver and his lads that were now creeping in on them , not a soul would have seen daybreak .

by this time I had got to the door and stood up .

all was dark within , so that I could distinguish nothing by the eye .

with my arms before me I walked steadily in .

my foot struck something yielding it was a sleeper 's leg ; and he turned and groaned , but without awaking .

and then , all of a sudden , a shrill voice broke forth out of the darkness :

" Pieces of eight !

Pieces of eight !

Pieces of eight !

Pieces of eight !

Pieces of eight ! " and so forth , without pause or change , like the clacking of a tiny mill .

silver 's green parrot , Captain Flint !

I had no time left me to recover .

" bring a torch , Dick , " said Silver when my capture was thus assured .

and one of the men left the log-house and presently returned with a lighted brand .

PART SIX Captain Silver

@number@

In the Enemy 's Camp

THE red glare of the torch , lighting up the interior of the block house , showed me the worst of my apprehensions realized .

I could only judge that all had perished , and my heart smote me sorely that I had not been there to perish with them .

there were six of the buccaneers , all told ; not another man was left alive .

five of them were on their feet , flushed and swollen , suddenly called out of the first sleep of drunkenness .

the parrot sat , preening her plumage , on Long John 's shoulder .

he himself , I thought , looked somewhat paler and more stern than I was used to .

" so , " said he , " here 's Jim Hawkins , shiver my timbers !

dropped in , like , eh ?

well , come , I take that friendly . "

and thereupon he sat down across the brandy cask and began to fill a pipe .

you needn't stand up for Mr Hawkins ; HE'LL excuse you , you may lay to that .

and so , Jim " stopping the tobacco " here you were , and quite a pleasant surprise for poor old John .

to all this , as may be well supposed , I made no answer .

silver took a whiff or two of his pipe with great composure and then ran on again .

I always wanted you to jine and take your share , and die a gentleman , and now , my cock , you 've got to .

Cap'n Smollett 's a fine seaman , as I 'll own up to any day , but stiff on discipline .

' Dooty is dooty , ' says he , and right he is .

Just you keep clear of the cap'n .

so far so good .

I 'm all for argyment ; I never seen good come out o ' threatening .

" am I to answer , then ? "

I asked with a very tremulous voice .

" lad , " said Silver , " no one 's a-pressing of you .

take your bearings .

none of us won't hurry you , mate ; time goes so pleasant in your company , you see . "

" Wot 's wot ? " repeated one of the buccaneers in a deep growl .

" ah , he 'd be a lucky one as knowed that ! "

" you 'll perhaps batten down your hatches till you 're spoke to , my friend , " cried Silver truculently to this speaker .

says he , ' Cap'n Silver , you 're sold out .

Ship 's gone . '

well , maybe we 'd been taking a glass , and a song to help it round .

I won't say no .

Leastways , none of us had looked out .

we looked out , and by thunder , the old ship was gone !

' Well , ' says the doctor , ' let's bargain . '

as for them , they 've tramped ; I don't know where 's they are . "

he drew again quietly at his pipe .

' Four , ' says he ; ' four , and one of us wounded .

as for that boy , I don't know where he is , confound him , ' says he , ' nor I don't much care .

we 're about sick of him . '

these was his words .

" is that all ? "

I asked .

" well , it 's all that you 're to hear , my son , " returned Silver .

" and now I am to choose ? "

" and now you are to choose , and you may lay to that , " said Silver .

" well , " said I , " I am not such a fool but I know pretty well what I have to look for .

let the worst come to the worst , it 's little I care .

I 've seen too many die since I fell in with you .

kill me , if you please , or spare me .

it is for you to choose .

kill another and do yourselves no good , or spare me and keep a witness to save you from the gallows . "

" it was him that knowed Black Dog . "

" well , and see here , " added the sea-cook .

" I 'll put another again to that , by thunder !

for it was this same boy that faked the chart from Billy Bones .

first and last , we 've split upon Jim Hawkins ! "

" then here goes ! " said Morgan with an oath .

and he sprang up , drawing his knife as if he had been twenty .

" Avast , there ! " cried Silver .

" who are you , Tom Morgan ?

maybe you thought you was cap'n here , perhaps .

by the powers , but I 'll teach you better !

there 's never a man looked me between the eyes and seen a good day a'terwards , Tom Morgan , you may lay to that . "

Morgan paused , but a hoarse murmur rose from the others .

" Tom 's right , " said one .

" I stood hazing long enough from one , " added another .

" I 'll be hanged if I 'll be hazed by you , John Silver . "

" put a name on what you 're at ; you ain't dumb , I reckon .

him that wants shall get it .

you know the way ; you 're all gentlemen o ' fortune , by your account .

well , I 'm ready .

not a man stirred ; not a man answered .

" that 's your sort , is it ? " he added , returning his pipe to his mouth .

" well , you 're a gay lot to look at , anyway .

not much worth to fight , you ain't .

P'r'aps you can understand King George 's English .

I 'm cap'n here by ' lection .

I 'm cap'n here because I 'm the best man by a long sea-mile .

I like that boy , now ; I never seen a better boy than that .

there was a long pause after this .

" you seem to have a lot to say , " remarked Silver , spitting far into the air .

" Pipe up and let me hear it , or lay to . "

one after another the rest followed his example , each making a salute as he passed , each adding some apology .

" according to rules , " said one .

" forecastle council , " said Morgan .

and so with one remark or another all marched out and left Silver and me alone with the torch .

the sea-cook instantly removed his pipe .

they 're going to throw me off .

but , you mark , I stand by you through thick and thin .

I didn't mean to ; no , not till you spoke up .

I was about desperate to lose that much blunt , and be hanged into the bargain .

but I see you was the right sort .

I says to myself , you stand by Hawkins , John , and Hawkins 'll stand by you .

you 're his last card , and by the living thunder , John , he 's yours !

back to back , says I . you save your witness , and he 'll save your neck ! "

I began dimly to understand .

" you mean all 's lost ? "

I asked .

" Aye , by gum , I do ! " he answered .

" ship gone , neck gone that's the size of it .

once I looked into that bay , Jim Hawkins , and seen no schooner well , I 'm tough , but I gave out .

as for that lot and their council , mark me , they 're outright fools and cowards .

I 'll save your life if so be as I can from them .

but , see here , Jim tit for tat you save Long John from swinging . "

I was bewildered ; it seemed a thing so hopeless he was asking he , the old buccaneer , the ringleader throughout .

" what I can do , that I 'll do , " I said .

" it 's a bargain ! " cried Long John .

" you speak up plucky , and by thunder , I 've a chance ! "

he hobbled to the torch , where it stood propped among the firewood , and took a fresh light to his pipe .

" understand me , Jim , " he said , returning .

" I 've a head on my shoulders , I have .

I 'm on squire's side now .

I know you 've got that ship safe somewheres .

how you done it , I don't know , but safe it is .

I guess Hands and O'Brien turned soft .

I never much believed in neither of THEM .

now you mark me .

I ask no questions , nor I won't let others .

I know when a game 's up , I do ; and I know a lad that 's staunch .

ah , you that 's young you and me might have done a power of good together ! "

he drew some cognac from the cask into a tin cannikin .

" I need a caulker , for there 's trouble on hand .

and talking o ' trouble , why did that doctor give me the chart , Jim ? "

my face expressed a wonder so unaffected that he saw the needlessness of further questions .

" ah , well , he did , though , " said he .

" and there 's something under that , no doubt something , surely , under that , Jim bad or good . "

and he took another swallow of the brandy , shaking his great fair head like a man who looks forward to the worst .

@number@

the Black Spot Again

Silver briefly agreed , and this emissary retired again , leaving us together in the dark .

" there 's a breeze coming , Jim , " said Silver , who had by this time adopted quite a friendly and familiar tone .

I turned to the loophole nearest me and looked out .

the rest were all somewhat stooping , as though watching the manoeuvres of this last .

" well , let ' em come , lad let ' em come , " said Silver cheerily .

" I 've still a shot in my locker . "

the door opened , and the five men , standing huddled together just inside , pushed one of their number forward .

" step up , lad , " cried Silver .

" I won't eat you .

hand it over , lubber .

I know the rules , I do ; I won't hurt a depytation . "

the sea-cook looked at what had been given him .

" the black spot !

I thought so , " he observed .

" where might you have got the paper ?

why , hillo !

look here , now ; this ain't lucky !

you 've gone and cut this out of a Bible .

what fool 's cut a Bible ? "

" ah , there ! " said Morgan .

" there !

Wot did I say ?

no good 'll come o ' that , I said . "

" well , you 've about fixed it now , among you , " continued Silver .

" you 'll all swing now , I reckon .

what soft-headed lubber had a Bible ? "

" it was Dick , " said one .

" Dick , was it ?

then Dick can get to prayers , " said Silver .

" he 's seen his slice of luck , has Dick , and you may lay to that . "

but here the long man with the yellow eyes struck in .

" Belay that talk , John Silver , " he said .

then you can talk . "

" Thanky , George , " replied the sea-cook .

" you always was brisk for business , and has the rules by heart , George , as I 'm pleased to see .

well , what is it , anyway ?

ah !

' Deposed ' that 's it , is it ?

very pretty wrote , to be sure ; like print , I swear .

your hand o ' write , George ?

why , you was gettin ' quite a leadin ' man in this here crew .

you 'll be cap'n next , I shouldn't wonder .

just oblige me with that torch again , will you ?

this pipe don't draw . "

" come , now , " said George , " you don't fool this crew no more .

" I thought you said you knowed the rules , " returned Silver contemptuously .

after that , we 'll see . "

" oh , " replied George , " you don't be under no kind of apprehension ; WE'RE all square , we are .

first , you 've made a hash of this cruise you 'll be a bold man to say no to that .

second , you let the enemy out o ' this here trap for nothing .

why did they want out ?

I dunno , but it 's pretty plain they wanted it .

third , you wouldn't let us go at them upon the march .

oh , we see through you , John Silver ; you want to play booty , that 's what 's wrong with you .

and then , fourth , there 's this here boy . "

" is that all ? " asked Silver quietly .

" enough , too , " retorted George .

" we 'll all swing and sun-dry for your bungling . "

" well now , look here , I 'll answer these four p'ints ; one after another I 'll answer ' em .

I made a hash o ' this cruise , did I ?

well , who crossed me ?

who forced my hand , as was the lawful cap'n ?

who tipped me the black spot the day we landed and began this dance ?

but who done it ?

why , it was Anderson , and Hands , and you , George Merry !

by the powers !

but this tops the stiffest yarn to nothing . "

Silver paused , and I could see by the faces of George and his late comrades that these words had not been said in vain .

" why , I give you my word , I 'm sick to speak to you .

you 've neither sense nor memory , and I leave it to fancy where your mothers was that let you come to sea .

Sea !

Gentlemen o ' fortune !

I reckon tailors is your trade . "

" go on , John , " said Morgan .

" speak up to the others . "

" ah , the others ! " returned John .

" they 're a nice lot , ain't they ?

you say this cruise is bungled .

ah !

by gum , if you could understand how bad it 's bungled , you would see !

we 're that near the gibbet that my neck 's stiff with thinking on it .

' Who 's that ? ' says one .

' That !

why , that 's John Silver .

I knowed him well , ' says another .

and you can hear the chains a-jangle as you go about and reach for the other buoy .

and if you want to know about number four , and that boy , why , shiver my timbers , isn't he a hostage ?

are we a-going to waste a hostage ?

no , not us ; he might be our last chance , and I shouldn't wonder .

kill that boy ?

not me , mates !

and number three ?

ah , well , there 's a deal to say to number three .

and maybe , perhaps , you didn't know there was a consort coming either ?

you look there that's why ! "

why the doctor had given it to him was more than I could fancy .

but if it were inexplicable to me , the appearance of the chart was incredible to the surviving mutineers .

they leaped upon it like cats upon a mouse .

" yes , " said one , " that 's Flint , sure enough .

J . F. , and a score below , with a clove hitch to it ; so he done ever . "

" Mighty pretty , " said George .

" but how are we to get away with it , and us no ship . "

" one more word of your sauce , and I 'll call you down and fight you .

how ?

why , how do I know ?

you had ought to tell me that you and the rest , that lost me my schooner , with your interference , burn you !

but not you , you can't ; you hain't got the invention of a cockroach .

but civil you can speak , and shall , George Merry , you may lay to that . "

" that 's fair enow , " said the old man Morgan .

" fair !

I reckon so , " said the sea-cook .

" you lost the ship ; I found the treasure .

who 's the better man at that ?

and now I resign , by thunder !

elect whom you please to be your cap'n now ; I 'm done with it . "

" silver ! " they cried .

" barbecue forever !

barbecue for cap'n ! "

" so that 's the toon , is it ? " cried the cook .

" George , I reckon you 'll have to wait another turn , friend ; and lucky for you as I 'm not a revengeful man .

but that was never my way .

and now , shipmates , this black spot ?

' Tain't much good now , is it ?

dick 's crossed his luck and spoiled his Bible , and that 's about all . "

" a Bible with a bit cut out ! " returned Silver derisively .

" not it .

it don't bind no more'n a ballad-book . "

" don't it , though ? " cried Dick with a sort of joy .

" well , I reckon that 's worth having too . "

" here , Jim here 's a cur'osity for you , " said Silver , and he tossed me the paper .

it was around about the size of a crown piece .

that was the end of the night 's business .

@number@

on Parole

" block house , ahoy ! " it cried .

" here 's the doctor . "

and the doctor it was .

although I was glad to hear the sound , yet my gladness was not without admixture .

" you , doctor !

top o ' the morning to you , sir ! " cried Silver , broad awake and beaming with good nature in a moment .

" Bright and early , to be sure ; and it 's the early bird , as the saying goes , that gets the rations .

George , shake up your timbers , son , and help Dr Livesey over the ship 's side .

all a-doin ' well , your patients was all well and merry . "

" we 've quite a surprise for you too , sir , " he continued .

" we 've a little stranger here he ! he !

" the very same Jim as ever was , " says Silver .

the doctor stopped outright , although he did not speak , and it was some seconds before he seemed able to move on .

let us overhaul these patients of yours . "

a moment afterwards he had entered the block house and with one grim nod to me proceeded with his work among the sick .

well , George , how goes it ?

you 're a pretty colour , certainly ; why , your liver , man , is upside down .

did you take that medicine ?

did he take that medicine , men ? "

" Aye , aye , sir , he took it , sure enough , " returned Morgan .

the rogues looked at each other but swallowed the home-thrust in silence .

" Dick don't feel well , sir , " said one .

" don't he ? " replied the doctor .

" well , step up here , Dick , and let me see your tongue .

no , I should be surprised if he did !

the man 's tongue is fit to frighten the French .

another fever . "

" ah , there , " said Morgan , " that comed of sp'iling Bibles . "

camp in a bog , would you ?

silver , I 'm surprised at you .

and now I should wish to have a talk with that boy , please . "

and he nodded his head in my direction carelessly .

silver struck the barrel with his open hand .

" Si-lence ! " he roared and looked about him positively like a lion .

and I take it I 've found a way as 'll suit all .

I readily gave the pledge required .

good day to you , sir , and all our dooties to the squire and Cap'n Smollett . "

the explosion of disapproval , which nothing but Silver 's black looks had restrained , broke out immediately the doctor had left the house .

it seemed to me so obvious , in this case , that I could not imagine how he was to turn their anger .

but he was twice the man the rest were , and his last night 's victory had given him a huge preponderance on their minds .

" no , by thunder ! " he cried .

" slow , lad , slow , " he said .

" they might round upon us in a twinkle of an eye if we was seen to hurry . "

" why , John , you 're not afraid ? " asked Dr Livesey .

" Doctor , I 'm no coward ; no , not I not SO much ! " and he snapped his fingers .

" if I was I wouldn't say it .

but I 'll own up fairly , I 've the shakes upon me for the gallows .

you 're a good man and a true ; I never seen a better man !

and you 'll not forget what I done good , not any more than you 'll forget the bad , I know .

and I step aside see here and leave you and Jim alone .

and you 'll put that down for me too , for it 's a long stretch , is that ! "

" so , Jim , " said the doctor sadly , " here you are .

as you have brewed , so shall you drink , my boy .

I will own that I here began to weep .

" doctor , " I said , " you might spare me .

if they come to torture me "

" Jim , " the doctor interrupted , and his voice was quite changed , " Jim , I can't have this .

whip over , and we 'll run for it . "

" doctor , " said I , " I passed my word . "

" I know , I know , " he cried .

" we can't help that , Jim , now .

I 'll take it on my shoulders , holus bolus , blame and shame , my boy ; but stay here , I cannot let you .

jump !

one jump , and you 're out , and we 'll run for it like antelopes . "

but , doctor , you did not let me finish .

at half tide she must be high and dry . "

" the ship ! " exclaimed the doctor .

rapidly I described to him my adventures , and he heard me out in silence .

" there is a kind of fate in this , " he observed when I had done .

that would be a poor return , my boy .

oh , by Jupiter , and talking of Ben Gunn !

why , this is the mischief in person .

silver ! " he cried .

" silver !

" why , sir , I do my possible , which that ain't , " said Silver .

" Sir , " said Silver , " as between man and man , that 's too much and too little .

and yet I done your bidding with my eyes shut and never a word of hope !

but no , this here 's too much .

if you won't tell me what you mean plain out , just say so and I 'll leave the helm . "

silver 's face was radiant .

" you couldn't say more , I 'm sure , sir , not if you was my mother , " he cried .

" well , that 's my first concession , " added the doctor .

" my second is a piece of advice : keep the boy close beside you , and when you need help , halloo .

I 'm off to seek it for you , and that itself will show you if I speak at random .

good-bye , Jim . "

and Dr Livesey shook hands with me through the stockade , nodded to Silver , and set off at a brisk pace into the wood .

@number@

the Treasure-hunt Flint 's Pointer

Jim , that 's one to you .

this is the first glint of hope I had since the attack failed , and I owe it you .

Even Silver , eating away , with Captain Flint upon his shoulder , had not a word of blame for their recklessness .

and this the more surprised me , for I thought he had never shown himself so cunning as he did then .

" Aye , mates , " said he , " it 's lucky you have Barbecue to think for you with this here head .

I got what I wanted , I did .

sure enough , they have the ship .

where they have it , I don't know yet ; but once we hit the treasure , we 'll have to jump about and find out .

and then , mates , us that has the boats , I reckon , has the upper hand . "

" as for hostage , " he continued , " that 's his last talk , I guess , with them he loves so dear .

I 've got my piece o ' news , and thanky to him for that ; but it 's over and done .

it was no wonder the men were in a good humour now .

for my part , I was horribly cast down .

should the scheme he had now sketched prove feasible , Silver , already doubly a traitor , would not hesitate to adopt it .

to complete his strange appearance , Captain Flint sat perched upon his shoulder and gabbling odds and ends of purposeless sea-talk .

for all the world , I was led like a dancing bear .

all the stores , I observed , came from our stock , and I could see the truth of Silver 's words the night before .

as we pulled over , there was some discussion on the chart .

they ran , the reader may remember , thus :

tall tree , Spy-glass shoulder , bearing a point to the N of N.N.E. Skeleton Island E.S.E. and by E . ten feet .

a tall tree was thus the principal mark .

the top of the plateau was dotted thickly with pine-trees of varying height .

thence , bending to our left , we began to ascend the slope towards the plateau .

it was , indeed , a most pleasant portion of the island that we were now approaching .

a heavy-scented broom and many flowering shrubs had almost taken the place of grass .

the air , besides , was fresh and stirring , and this , under the sheer sunbeams , was a wonderful refreshment to our senses .

the party spread itself abroad , in a fan shape , shouting and leaping to and fro .

Shout after shout came from him , and the others began to run in his direction .

indeed , as we found when we also reached the spot , it was something very different .

I believe a chill struck for a moment to every heart .

" Leastways , this is good sea-cloth . "

" Aye , aye , " said Silver ; " like enough ; you wouldn't look to find a bishop here , I reckon .

but what sort of a way is that for bones to lie ?

' Tain't in natur ' . "

indeed , on a second glance , it seemed impossible to fancy that the body was in a natural position .

" I 've taken a notion into my old numbskull , " observed Silver .

" here 's the compass ; there 's the tip-top p'int o ' Skeleton Island , stickin ' out like a tooth .

just take a bearing , will you , along the line of them bones . "

it was done .

the body pointed straight in the direction of the island , and the compass read duly E.S.E. and by E .

" I thought so , " cried the cook ; " this here is a p'inter .

right up there is our line for the Pole Star and the jolly dollars .

but , by thunder !

if it don't make me cold inside to think of Flint .

this is one of HIS jokes , and no mistake .

they 're long bones , and the hair 's been yellow .

Aye , that would be Allardyce .

you mind Allardyce , Tom Morgan ? "

" speaking of knives , " said another , " why don't we find his'n lying round ?

flint warn't the man to pick a seaman 's pocket ; and the birds , I guess , would leave it be . "

" by the powers , and that 's true ! " cried Silver .

it don't look nat'ral to me . "

" no , by gum , it don't , " agreed Silver ; " not nat'ral , nor not nice , says you .

great guns !

Messmates , but if Flint was living , this would be a hot spot for you and me .

six they were , and six are we ; and bones is what they are now . "

" I saw him dead with these here deadlights , " said Morgan .

" Billy took me in .

there he laid , with penny-pieces on his eyes . "

dear heart , but he died bad , did Flint ! "

' Fifteen Men ' were his only song , mates ; and I tell you true , I never rightly liked to hear it since .

" come , come , " said Silver ; " stow this talk .

care killed a cat .

fetch ahead for the doubloons . "

the terror of the dead buccaneer had fallen on their spirits .

@number@

the Treasure-hunt The Voice Among the Trees

the plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west , this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand .

sheer above us rose the Spyglass , here dotted with single pines , there black with precipices .

there was no sound but that of the distant breakers , mounting from all round , and the chirp of countless insects in the brush .

not a man , not a sail , upon the sea ; the very largeness of the view increased the sense of solitude .

silver , as he sat , took certain bearings with his compass .

" there are three ' tall trees ' " said he , " about in the right line from Skeleton Island .

' Spy-glass shoulder , ' I take it , means that lower p'int there .

it 's child 's play to find the stuff now .

I 've half a mind to dine first . "

" I don't feel sharp , " growled Morgan .

" Thinkin ' o ' Flint I think it were as done me . "

" ah , well , my son , you praise your stars he 's dead , " said Silver .

" he were an ugly devil , " cried a third pirate with a shudder ; " that blue in the face too ! "

" that was how the rum took him , " added Merry .

" blue !

well , I reckon he was blue .

that 's a true word . "

" fifteen men on the dead man 's chest Yo-ho-ho , and a bottle of rum ! "

I never have seen men more dreadfully affected than the pirates .

" it 's Flint , by ! " cried Merry .

" come , " said Silver , struggling with his ashen lips to get the word out ; " this won't do .

stand by to go about .

his courage had come back as he spoke , and some of the colour to his face along with it .

" Darby M'Graw , " it wailed for that is the word that best describes the sound " Darby M'Graw !

the buccaneers remained rooted to the ground , their eyes starting from their heads .

long after the voice had died away they still stared in silence , dreadfully , before them .

" that fixes it ! " gasped one .

" let's go . "

" they was his last words , " moaned Morgan , " his last words above board . "

Dick had his Bible out and was praying volubly .

he had been well brought up , had Dick , before he came to sea and fell among bad companions .

still Silver was unconquered .

I could hear his teeth rattle in his head , but he had not yet surrendered .

" nobody in this here island ever heard of Darby , " he muttered ; " not one but us that 's here . "

I never was feared of Flint in his life , and , by the powers , I 'll face him dead .

there 's seven hundred thousand pound not a quarter of a mile from here .

but there was no sign of reawakening courage in his followers , rather , indeed , of growing terror at the irreverence of his words .

" Belay there , John ! " said Merry .

" don't you cross a sperrit . "

and the rest were all too terrified to reply .

he , on his part , had pretty well fought his weakness down .

" Sperrit ?

well , maybe , " he said .

" but there 's one thing not clear to me .

there was an echo .

that ain't in natur ' , surely ? "

this argument seemed weak enough to me .

but you can never tell what will affect the superstitious , and to my wonder , George Merry was greatly relieved .

" well , that 's so , " he said .

" you 've a head upon your shoulders , John , and no mistake .

' Bout ship , mates !

this here crew is on a wrong tack , I do believe .

it was liker somebody else 's voice now it was liker "

" by the powers , Ben Gunn ! " roared Silver .

" Aye , and so it were , " cried Morgan , springing on his knees .

" Ben Gunn it were ! "

" it don't make much odds , do it , now ? " asked Dick .

" Ben Gunn 's not here in the body any more'n Flint . "

but the older hands greeted this remark with scorn .

" why , nobody minds Ben Gunn , " cried Merry ; " dead or alive , nobody minds him . "

it was extraordinary how their spirits had returned and how the natural colour had revived in their faces .

he had said the truth : dead or alive , nobody minded Ben Gunn .

" I told you , " said he " I told you you had sp'iled your Bible .

if it ain't no good to swear by , what do you suppose a sperrit would give for it ?

not that ! " and he snapped his big fingers , halting a moment on his crutch .

the first of the tall trees was reached , and by the bearings proved the wrong one .

so with the second .

it was conspicuous far to sea both on the east and west and might have been entered as a sailing mark upon the chart .

the thought of the money , as they drew nearer , swallowed up their previous terrors .

certainly he took no pains to hide his thoughts , and certainly I read them like print .

shaken as I was with these alarms , it was hard for me to keep up with the rapid pace of the treasure-hunters .

now and again I stumbled , and it was then that Silver plucked so roughly at the rope and launched at me his murderous glances .

we were now at the margin of the thicket .

" Huzza , mates , all together ! " shouted Merry ; and the foremost broke into a run .

and suddenly , not ten yards further , we beheld them stop .

a low cry arose .

before us was a great excavation , not very recent , for the sides had fallen in and grass had sprouted on the bottom .

in this were the shaft of a pick broken in two and the boards of several packing-cases strewn around .

on one of these boards I saw , branded with a hot iron , the name WALRUS the name of Flint 's ship .

all was clear to probation .

the CACHE had been found and rifled ; the seven hundred thousand pounds were gone !

@number@

the Fall of a Chieftain

THERE never was such an overturn in this world .

each of these six men was as though he had been struck .

but with Silver the blow passed almost instantly .

" Jim , " he whispered , " take that , and stand by for trouble . "

and he passed me a double-barrelled pistol .

there was no time left for him to answer in .

Morgan found a piece of gold .

he held it up with a perfect spout of oaths .

it was a two-guinea piece , and it went from hand to hand among them for a quarter of a minute .

" two guineas ! " roared Merry , shaking it at Silver .

" that 's your seven hundred thousand pounds , is it ?

you 're the man for bargains , ain't you ?

you 're him that never bungled nothing , you wooden-headed lubber ! "

" dig away , boys , " said Silver with the coolest insolence ; " you 'll find some pig-nuts and I shouldn't wonder . "

" Pig-nuts ! " repeated Merry , in a scream .

" Mates , do you hear that ?

I tell you now , that man there knew it all along .

look in the face of him and you 'll see it wrote there . "

" ah , Merry , " remarked Silver , " standing for cap'n again ?

you 're a pushing lad , to be sure . "

but this time everyone was entirely in Merry 's favour .

they began to scramble out of the excavation , darting furious glances behind them .

one thing I observed , which looked well for us : they all got out upon the opposite side from Silver .

silver never moved ; he watched them , very upright on his crutch , and looked as cool as ever I saw him .

he was brave , and no mistake .

at last Merry seemed to think a speech might help matters .

now , mates "

he was raising his arm and his voice , and plainly meant to lead a charge .

but just then crack ! crack ! crack ! three musket-shots flashed out of the thicket .

at the same moment , the doctor , Gray , and Ben Gunn joined us , with smoking muskets , from among the nutmeg-trees .

" forward ! " cried the doctor .

" double quick , my lads .

we must head ' em off the boats . "

and we set off at a great pace , sometimes plunging through the bushes to the chest .

I tell you , but Silver was anxious to keep up with us .

as it was , he was already thirty yards behind us and on the verge of strangling when we reached the brow of the slope .

" Doctor , " he hailed , " see there !

no hurry ! "

sure enough there was no hurry .

" thank ye kindly , doctor , " says he .

" you came in in about the nick , I guess , for me and Hawkins .

and so it 's you , Ben Gunn ! " he added .

" well , you 're a nice one , to be sure . "

" I 'm Ben Gunn , I am , " replied the maroon , wriggling like an eel in his embarrassment .

" and , " he added , after a long pause , " how do , Mr Silver ?

pretty well , I thank ye , says you . "

" Ben , Ben , " murmured Silver , " to think as you 've done me ! "

it was a story that profoundly interested Silver ; and Ben Gunn , the half-idiot maroon , was the hero from beginning to end .

" ah , " said Silver , " it were fortunate for me that I had Hawkins here .

you would have let old John be cut to bits , and never given it a thought , doctor . "

" not a thought , " replied Dr Livesey cheerily .

and by this time we had reached the gigs .

this was a run of eight or nine miles .

three miles farther , just inside the mouth of North Inlet , what should we meet but the HISPANIOLA , cruising by herself ?

as it was , there was little amiss beyond the wreck of the main-sail .

another anchor was got ready and dropped in a fathom and a half of water .

a gentle slope ran up from the beach to the entrance of the cave .

at the top , the squire met us .

to me he was cordial and kind , saying nothing of my escapade either in the way of blame or praise .

at Silver 's polite salute he somewhat flushed .

" John Silver , " he said , " you 're a prodigious villain and imposter a monstrous imposter , sir .

I am told I am not to prosecute you .

well , then , I will not .

but the dead men , sir , hang about your neck like mill-stones . "

" thank you kindly , sir , " replied Long John , again saluting .

" I dare you to thank me ! " cried the squire .

" it is a gross dereliction of my duty .

stand back . "

and thereupon we all entered the cave .

it was a large , airy place , with a little spring and a pool of clear water , overhung with ferns .

the floor was sand .

that was Flint 's treasure that we had come so far to seek and that had cost already the lives of seventeen men from the HISPANIOLA .

" come in , Jim , " said the captain .

" you 're a good boy in your line , Jim , but I don't think you and me 'll go to sea again .

you 're too much of the born favourite for me .

is that you , John Silver ?

what brings you here , man ? "

" come back to my dooty , sir , " returned Silver .

" ah ! " said the captain , and that was all he said .

never , I am sure , were people gayer or happier .

@number@

and Last

therefore the work was pushed on briskly .

Gray and Ben Gunn came and went with the boat , while the rest during their absences piled treasure on the beach .

it was only a snatch that reached our ears , followed by the former silence .

" Heaven forgive them , " said the doctor ; " 'tis the mutineers ! "

" all drunk , sir , " struck in the voice of Silver from behind us .

indeed , it was remarkable how well he bore these slights and with what unwearying politeness he kept on trying to ingratiate himself with all .

accordingly , it was pretty gruffly that the doctor answered him .

" Drunk or raving , " said he .

" right you were , sir , " replied Silver ; " and precious little odds which , to you and me . "

" ask your pardon , sir , you would be very wrong , " quoth Silver .

" you would lose your precious life , and you may lay to that .

" no , " said the doctor .

" you 're the man to keep your word , we know that . "

well , that was about the last news we had of the three pirates .

only once we heard a gunshot a great way off and supposed them to be hunting .

that was about our last doing on the island .

the three fellows must have been watching us closer than we thought for , as we soon had proved .

the doctor hailed them and told them of the stores we had left , and where they were to find them .

silver was gone .

but this was not all .

the sea-cook had not gone empty-handed .

I think we were all pleased to be so cheaply quit of him .

five men only of those who had sailed returned with her .

with one man of her crew alive , What put to sea with seventy-five .

all of us had an ample share of the treasure and used it wisely or foolishly , according to our natures .

captain Smollett is now retired from the sea .

of Silver we have heard no more .

it is to be hoped so , I suppose , for his chances of comfort in another world are very small .

Pieces of eight ! "

End of Project Gutenberg 's Treasure Island , by Robert Louis Stevenson

produced by David Newman and PG Distributed Proofreaders

THE ADVENTURES OF OLD MR . TOAD

BY THORNTON W BURGESS

with Illustrations by HARRISON CADY

@number@

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I JIMMY SKUNK IS PUZZLED II .

JIMMY SKUNK CONSULTS HIS FRIENDS III .

THE HUNT FOR OLD MR . TOAD IV .

PETER RABBIT FINDS OLD MR . TOAD V OLD MR . TOAD'S MUSIC BAG VI .

PETER DISCOVERS SOMETHING MORE VII .

a SHADOW PASSES OVER THE SMILING POOL VIII .

OLD MR . TOAD'S BABIES IX .

THE SMILING POOL KINDERGARTEN X THE LITTLE TOADS START OUT TO SEE THE WORLD XI .

OLD MR . TOAD'S QUEER TONGUE XII .

OLD MR . TOAD SHOWS HIS TONGUE XIII .

PETER RABBIT IS IMPOLITE XIV .

OLD MR . TOAD DISAPPEARS XV .

OLD MR . TOAD GIVES PETER A SCARE XVI .

JIMMY SKUNK IS SURPRISED XVII .

OLD MR . TOAD'S MISTAKE XVIII .

JIMMY SKUNK IS JUST IN TIME XIX .

OLD MR . TOAD GETS HIS STOMACH FULL XX .

OLD MR . TOAD IS PUFFED UP XXI .

OLD MR . TOAD RECEIVES ANOTHER INVITATION XXII .

OLD MR . TOAD LEARNS A LESSON XXIII .

OLD MR . TOAD IS VERY HUMBLE

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

" CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE ALL THESE LITTLE TOADS CAME FROM ? "

" DO YOU SEE ANYTHING QUEER ABOUT HIM ? "

HE ASKED " IF HE DON'T WATCH OUT , HE'LL BLOW UP AND BUST ! "

THE ADVENTURES OF OLD MR . TOAD

I

JIMMY SKUNK IS PUZZLED

old Mother West Wind almost sighed as she watched them for a few minutes .

she felt that she would like to join them .

always the springtime made her feel this way , young , mad , carefree , and happy .

but she had work to do .

so she puffed her cheeks out and started about her business .

Jimmy Skunk sat at the top of the hill that overlooks the Green Meadows and watched her out of sight .

then he started to amble down the Lone Little Path to look for some beetles .

of course he turned to see who it was , and he was greatly surprised when he discovered Old Mr Toad .

yes , Sir , it was Old Mr Toad , and he seemed in a great hurry .

now it is a very unusual thing for Mr Toad to hurry , very unusual indeed .

as a rule he hops a few steps and then sits down to think it over .

of course the first thing Jimmy thought of was Mr Blacksnake , and he looked for him .

but there was no sign of Mr Blacksnake nor of any other danger .

old Mr Toad didn't say a word , but simply tried to get past Jimmy and keep on his way .

" I I beg your pardon .

I didn't have any breath to spare , " panted Old Mr Toad .

" you see I 'm in a great hurry . "

" yes , I see , " replied Jimmy .

" but don't you know that it isn't good for the health to hurry so ?

now , pray , what are you in such a hurry for ?

I don't see anything to run away from . "

" I 'm not running away , " retorted Old Mr Toad indignantly .

" I 've business to attend to at the Smiling Pool , and I 'm late as it is . "

" business ! " exclaimed Jimmy as if he could hardly believe his ears .

" what business have you at the Smiling Pool ? "

" that is my own affair , " retorted Old Mr Toad , " but if you really want to know , I 'll tell you .

I have a very important part in the spring chorus , and I 'm going down there to sing .

I have a very beautiful voice . "

that was too much for Jimmy Skunk .

he just lay down and rolled over and over with laughter .

the idea of any one so homely , almost ugly-looking , as Mr Toad thinking that he had a beautiful voice !

" Ha , ha , ha !

Ho , ho , ho ! " roared Jimmy .

when at last he stopped because he couldn't laugh any more , he discovered that Old Mr Toad was on his way again .

hop , hop , hipperty-hop , hop , hop , hipperty-hop went Mr Toad .

Jimmy watched him , and he confessed that he was puzzled .

II

JIMMY SKUNK CONSULTS HIS FRIENDS

he certainly was puzzled , was Jimmy Skunk .

the truth is , Jimmy didn't believe it .

he thought that Old Mr Toad was trying to fool him .

presently Peter Rabbit came along .

he found Jimmy Skunk sitting in a brown study .

" hello , old Striped-coat , what have you got on your mind this fine morning ? " cried Peter Rabbit .

" him , " said Jimmy simply , pointing down the Lone Little Path .

Peter looked .

" do you mean Old Mr Toad ! " he asked .

Jimmy nodded .

" do you see anything queer about him ? " he asked in his turn .

Illustration : " do you see anything queer about him ? " he asked .

Peter stared down the Lone Little Path .

" no , " he replied , " except that he seems in a great hurry . "

" that 's just it , " Jimmy returned promptly .

" did you ever see him hurry unless he was frightened ? "

Peter confessed that he never had .

" well , he isn't frightened now , yet just look at him go , " retorted Jimmy .

Peter looked very hard at Jimmy to see if he was fooling or telling the truth .

then he began to laugh .

" old Mr . Toad sing !

the very idea ! " he cried .

" he can sing about as much as I can , and that is not at all . "

Jimmy grinned .

" I think he 's crazy , if you ask me , " said he .

" and yet he was just as earnest about it as if it were really so .

I think he must have eaten something that has gone to his head .

there 's Unc ' Billy Possum over there .

let's ask him what he thinks . "

So Jimmy and Peter joined Unc ' Billy , and Jimmy told the story about Old Mr Toad all over again .

Unc ' Billy chuckled and laughed just as they had at the idea of Old Mr Toad 's saying he had a beautiful voice .

but Unc ' Billy has a shrewd little head on his shoulders .

after a few minutes he stopped laughing .

" We-uns done think of Brer Toad as ugly-lookin ' fo ' so long that we-uns may have overlooked something .

ah don ' reckon Brer Toad can sing , but Ah ' lows that perhaps he thinks he can .

what do you-alls say to we-uns going down to the Smiling Pool and finding out what he really is up to ? "

" the very thing ! " cried Peter , kicking up his heels .

you know Peter is always ready to go anywhere or do anything that will satisfy his curiosity .

III

THE HUNT FOR OLD MR . TOAD

you see he cannot make long jumps like his cousin , Grandfather Frog , but only little short hops .

so Peter and Jimmy and Unc ' Billy took their time about following him .

they stopped to hunt for fat beetles for Jimmy Skunk , and at every little patch of sweet clover for Peter Rabbit to help himself .

he didn't find the nest for the very good reason that Carol hadn't built one yet .

Peter was secretly glad .

you know he doesn't eat eggs , and he is always sorry for his feathered friends when their eggs are stolen .

when at last they started on again , Old Mr Toad was out of sight .

you see all the time he had kept right on going , hop , hop , hipperty-hop .

" never mind , " said Peter , " we can catch up with him easy enough , he 's such a slow-poke . "

so it was with Old Mr Toad .

" do you suppose he hid somewhere , and we passed him ? " asked Peter .

Unc ' Billy shook his head .

" ah don ' reckon so , " said he .

" We-uns done been foolin ' away our time , an ' Brer Toad done stole a march on us .

ah reckons we-uns will find him sittin ' on the bank here somewhere . "

so right away the three separated to look for Old Mr Toad .

all along the bank of the Smiling Pool they looked .

they peeped under old leaves and sticks .

they looked in every place where Old Mr Toad might have hidden , but not a trace of him did they find .

" Tra-la-la-lee !

Oka-chee !

Oka-chee !

Happy am I as I can be ! "

sang Mr Redwing , as he swayed to and fro among the bulrushes .

" say , Mr Redwing , have you seen Old Mr Toad ? " called Peter Rabbit .

" no , " replied Mr Redwing .

" is that whom you fellows are looking for ?

I wondered if you had lost something .

what do you want with Old Mr Toad ? "

Peter explained how they had followed Old Mr Toad just to see what he really was up to .

it looks to us as if the spring has made Old Mr Toad crazy . "

" oh , that 's it , is it ? " replied Mr Redwing , his bright eyes twinkling .

" some people don't know as much as they might .

then once more Mr Redwing began to sing .

IV

PETER RABBIT FINDS OLD MR . TOAD

it isn't often that Peter Rabbit is truly envious , but sometimes in the joyousness of spring he is .

he envies the birds because they can pour out in beautiful song the joy that is in them .

the only way he can express his feelings is by kicking his long heels , jumping about , and such foolish things .

so there are times when Peter wishes he could sing .

he was wishing this very thing now , as he sat on the bank of the Smiling Pool , listening to the great spring chorus .

" Tra-la-la-lee !

Oka-chee !

Oka-chee !

there 's joy in the spring for you and for me . "

sang Redwing the Blackbird from the bulrushes .

Even Sammy Jay was adding a beautiful , bell-like note instead of his usual harsh scream .

Peter knew who those singers were , although look as he would he could see none of them .

they were hylas , the tiny cousins of Stickytoes the Tree Toad .

listening to all these joyous voices , Peter forgot for a time what had brought him to the Smiling Pool .

but Jimmy Skunk and Unc ' Billy Possum didn't forget .

they were still hunting for Old Mr Toad .

Peter came to himself with a start .

" no , " said he .

" I was just listening and wishing that I could sing , too .

don't you ever wish you could sing , Jimmy ? "

" no , " replied Jimmy .

" I never waste time wishing I could do things it was never meant I should do .

it 's funny where Old Mr Toad is .

he said that he was coming down here to sing , and Redwing the Blackbird seemed to be expecting him .

I 've looked everywhere I can think of without finding him , but I don't believe in giving up without another try .

stop your dreaming and come help us hunt . "

so Peter stopped his dreaming and joined in the search .

now there was one place where neither Peter nor Jimmy nor Unc ' Billy had thought of looking .

that was in the Smiling Pool itself .

they just took it for granted that Old Mr Toad was somewhere on the bank .

suddenly he jumped right up in the air with surprise .

there was a familiar-looking head sticking out of the water .

Peter had found Old Mr Toad !

V

OLD MR . TOAD'S MUSIC BAG

never think that you have learned All there is to know .

that 's the surest way of all Ignorance to show .

" I 've found Old Mr Toad ! " cried Peter Rabbit , hurrying after Jimmy Skunk .

" where ? " demanded Jimmy .

" In the water , " declared Peter .

" he 's sitting right over there where the water is shallow , and he didn't notice me at all .

sure enough , there sat Old Mr Toad with just his head out of water .

and while they were watching him , something very strange happened .

" what what 's the matter with him ? " whispered Peter , his big eyes looking as if they might pop out of his head .

" if he don't watch out , he 'll blow up and bust ! " exclaimed Jimmy .

Illustration : " if he don't watch out , he 'll blow up and bust ! " exclaimed Jimmy .

" listen ! " whispered Unc ' Billy Possum .

" do mah ol ' ears hear right ?

' Pears to me that that song is coming right from where Brer Toad is sitting . "

it certainly did appear so , and of all the songs that glad spring day there was none sweeter .

indeed there were few as sweet .

the only trouble was the song was so very short .

it lasted only for two or three seconds .

and when it ended , Old Mr Toad looked quite his natural self again ; just as commonplace , almost ugly , as ever .

Peter looked at Jimmy Skunk , Jimmy looked at Unc ' Billy Possum , and Unc ' Billy looked at Peter .

and no one had a word to say .

then all three looked back at Old Mr Toad .

it was very hard to believe , but Peter and Jimmy and Unc ' Billy both saw and heard , and that was enough .

their respect for Old Mr Toad grew tremendously as they listened .

" how does he do it ? " whispered Peter .

" with that bag under his chin , of course , " replied Jimmy Skunk .

" don't you see it 's only when that is swelled out that he sings ?

it 's a regular music bag .

and I didn't know he had any such bag there at all . "

VI

PETER DISCOVERS SOMETHING MORE

there are stranger things in the world to-day Than ever you dreamed could be .

there 's beauty in some of the commonest things If only you've eyes to see .

also he had thought Old Mr Toad almost ugly-looking , and he knew that most of his neighbors thought the same way .

this was especially so with Peter .

" what was the use of wasting my breath ? " demanded Old Mr Toad .

" you wouldn't have believed me if I had .

you didn't believe me when I did tell you . "

Peter knew that this was true , and he couldn't find any answer ready .

at last he ventured another question .

" why haven't I ever heard you sing before ? "

" you have , " replied Old Mr Toad tartly .

" I sang right in this very place last spring , and the spring before , and the spring before that .

you 've sat on that very bank lots of times while I was singing .

the trouble with you , Peter , is that you don't use your eyes or your ears . "

Peter looked more foolish than ever .

but he ventured another question .

it wouldn't be Peter to let a chance for questions go by .

" have I ever heard you singing up on the meadows or in the Old Orchard ? "

" no , " replied Old Mr Toad , " I only sing in the springtime .

that 's the time for singing .

I just have to sing then .

in the summer it is too hot , and in the winter I sleep .

I always return to my old home to sing .

you know I was born here .

all my family gathers here in the spring to sing , so of course I come too . "

old Mr Toad filled out his queer music bag under his chin and began to sing again .

Peter watched him .

now it just happened that Old Mr Toad was facing him , and so Peter looked down straight into his eyes .

" oh ! " he exclaimed , " what beautiful eyes you have , Mr Toad ! "

" so I 've been told before , " replied Old Mr Toad .

" my family always has had beautiful eyes .

there is an old saying that every Toad has jewels in his head , but of course he hasn't , not real jewels .

it is just the beautiful eyes .

excuse me , Peter , but I 'm needed in that chorus . "

old Mr Toad once more swelled out his throat and began to sing .

Peter watched him a while longer , then hopped away to the dear Old Briarpatch , and he was very thoughtful .

don't you think so ?

VII

a SHADOW PASSES OVER THE SMILING POOL

he says that that is the reason that he lives to a good old age , does Old Mr Toad .

it is the same way with danger and trouble .

so Old Mr Toad very wisely watches out when there seems to be the least need of it , and he finds it always pays .

it was a beautiful spring evening .

but over the Green Meadows and the Smiling Pool the shadows had drawn a curtain of soft dusk which in the Green Forest became black .

the little stars looked down from the sky and twinkled just to see their reflections twinkle back at them from the Smiling Pool .

and there and all around it was perfect peace .

all the feathered songsters who had made joyous the bright day had gone to bed .

but this did not mean that the glad spring chorus was silent .

oh , my , no !

no indeed !

it was so peaceful and beautiful there that it didn't seem possible that danger of any kind could be lurking near .

instantly he stopped singing .

now that was a signal .

that great chorus stopped as abruptly as the electric lights go out when you press a button .

after awhile the shadow floated away over the Green Meadows without a sound .

then he swelled out his music bag and began to sing again .

VIII

OLD MR . TOAD'S BABIES

the Smiling Pool 's a nursery Where all the sunny day A thousand funny babies Are taught while at their play .

really the Smiling Pool is a sort of kindergarten , one of the most interesting kindergartens in the world .

Little Joe Otter 's children learn to swim there .

so do Jerry Muskrat 's babies and those of Billy Mink , the Trout and Minnow babies , and a lot more .

and there you will find the children and grandchildren of Grandfather Frog and Old Mr Toad .

Peter had heard it said that Toads rain down from the sky , and sometimes it seems as if this must be so .

of course he knew it couldn't be , but it puzzled him a great deal .

there wouldn't be a Toad in sight .

he remembered this as he went to pay his daily call on Old Mr Toad in the Smiling Pool and listen to his sweet song .

old Mr Toad was sitting in his usual place , but he wasn't singing .

he was staring at something in the water .

when Peter said " good morning , " old Mr Toad didn't seem to hear him .

he was too much interested in what he was watching .

" what are you staring at so , Mr Sobersides ? " asked Peter , speaking a little louder than before .

old Mr Toad turned and looked at Peter , and there was a look of great pride in his face .

" I 'm just watching my babies .

aren't they lovely ? " said he .

Peter stared harder than ever , but he couldn't see anything that looked like a baby Toad .

" where are they ? " asked he .

old Mr Toad grew indignant .

" those are not Grandfather Frog 's children ; they 're mine ! " he sputtered .

" and I 'll have you know that they are the most beautiful babies in th ' world ! "

Peter drew a hand across his mouth to hide a smile .

" I beg your pardon , Mr Toad , " said he .

" I I thought all tadpoles were Frog babies .

they all look alike to me . "

" well , they 're not , " declared Old Mr Toad .

" how any one can mistake my babies for their cousins I cannot understand .

now mine are beautiful , while "

" Chug-arum ! " interrupted the great deep voice of Grandfather Frog .

" what are you talking about ?

why , your babies are no more to be compared with my babies for real beauty than nothing at all !

I 'll leave it to Peter if they are . "

but Peter wisely held his tongue .

to tell the truth , he couldn't see beauty in any of them .

to him they were all just wriggling pollywogs .

IX

THE SMILING POOL KINDERGARTEN

play a little , learn a little , grow a little too ; That 's what every pollywoggy tries his best to do .

of course .

that 's what a kindergarten is for .

they looked considerably alike , did these little cousins , for they were all pollywogs to begin with .

Peter Rabbit came over every day to watch them .

Peter stared .

could it be that that ugly-looking bug was as dangerous an enemy to the baby Toad as Reddy Fox is to a baby Rabbit ?

there were several kinds of queer , ugly-looking bugs forever darting out at the wriggling pollywogs .

Hungry-looking fish lay in wait for them , and Longlegs the Blue Heron seemed to have a special liking for them .

but the pollywogs were spry , and seemed to have learned to watch out .

they seemed to Peter to spend all their time swimming and eating and growing .

they grew so fast that it seemed to him that he could almost see them grow .

that puzzled Peter more than anything he had seen in a long time .

" why , I couldn't do that ! " he exclaimed right out loud .

" Do what ? " demanded Jerry Muskrat , who happened along just then .

" why , grow a new tail like that pollywog , " replied Peter , and told Jerry all that he had seen .

Jerry laughed .

" you 'll see queerer things than that if you watch those pollywogs long enough , " said he .

" they are a queer lot of babies , and very interesting to watch if you 've got the time for it .

I haven't .

this Smiling Pool is a great kindergarten , and there 's something happening here every minute .

there 's no place like it . "

" are those great big fat pollywogs Grandfather Frog 's children , or Old Mr Toad 's ? " asked Peter .

" grandfather Frog 's last year 's children , " replied Jerry .

" they 'll grow into real Frogs this summer , if nothing happens to them . "

" where are Old Mr Toad 's last year 's children ? " asked Peter .

" don't ask me , " replied Jerry .

" they hopped away last summer .

never saw anything like the way those Toad youngsters grow .

those Toad pollywogs you see now will turn into real Toads , and be leaving the Smiling Pool in a few weeks .

people think Old Mr Toad is slow , but there is nothing slow about his children .

look at that little fellow over there ; he 's begun to grow legs already . "

Peter looked , and sure enough there was a pollywog with a pair of legs sprouting out .

they were his fore legs , and they certainly did make him look funny .

and only a few days before there hadn't been a sign of legs .

" my gracious ! " exclaimed Peter .

" what a funny sight !

I thought my babies grew fast , but these beat them . "

x

THE LITTLE TOADS START OUT TO SEE THE WORLD

it had been some time since Peter Rabbit had visited the Smiling Pool to watch the pollywogs .

so off he started , lipperty-lipperty-lip .

he wondered if those pollywog children of Old Mr Toad would be much changed .

the last time he saw them some of them had just begun to grow legs , although they still had long tails .

he had almost reached the Smiling Pool when great big drops of rain began to splash down .

and with those first raindrops something funny happened .

anyway , it seemed funny to Peter .

right away he was surrounded by tiny little Toads .

Peter 's big eyes grew round with surprise as he stared .

where had they all come from so suddenly ?

a minute before he hadn't seen a single one , and now he could hardly move without stepping on one .

it seemed , it really seemed , as if each raindrop turned into a tiny Toad the instant it struck the ground .

of course Peter knew that that couldn't be , but it was very puzzling .

and all those little Toads were bravely hopping along as if they were bound for some particular place .

Peter watched them for a few minutes , then he once more started for the Smiling Pool .

on the very bank whom should he meet but Old Mr Toad .

he looked rather thin , and his back was to the Smiling Pool .

yes , Sir , he was hopping away from the Smiling Pool where he had been all the spring , singing in the great chorus .

" good morning , Old Mr Toad , " said Peter in his most polite manner .

" can you tell me where all these little Toads came from ? "

Illustration : " can you tell me where all these little Toads came from ? "

" certainly , " replied Old Mr Toad .

" they came from the Smiling Pool , of course .

where did you suppose they came from ? "

" I I didn't know .

there wasn't one to be seen , and then it began to rain , and right away they were everywhere .

it it almost seemed as if they had rained down out of the sky . "

old Mr Toad chuckled .

" they 've got good sense , if I must say it about my own children , " said he .

" they know that wet weather is the only weather for Toads to travel in .

the minute this shower came up , they knew it was good traveling weather and out they popped . "

" but what did they leave the Smiling Pool for ? "

Peter asked .

" to see the Great World , " replied Old Mr Toad .

" foolish , very foolish of them , but they would do it .

I did the same thing myself when I was their age .

couldn't stop me any more than I could stop them .

they don't know when they 're well off , but young folks never do .

fine weather , isn't it ? "

XI

OLD MR . TOAD'S QUEER TONGUE

old Mother Nature doth provide For all her children , large or small .

her wisdom foresees all their needs And makes provision for them all .

perhaps you 'll learn something just as Peter did .

when the last little Toad had passed them , Old Mr Toad suddenly remembered that he was hungry , very hungry indeed .

" didn't have time to eat much while I was in the Smiling Pool , " he explained .

" couldn't eat and sing too , and while I was down there , I was supposed to sing .

see that bug over there on that leaf ?

watch him . "

Peter looked , and sure enough there was a fat bug crawling along on an old leaf .

he was about two inches from Old Mr Toad , and he was crawling very fast .

and right while Peter was looking at him he disappeared .

Peter turned to look at Old Mr Toad .

he hadn't budged .

Peter opened his eyes very wide .

" Wha what " he began .

" Nice bug , " interrupted Old Mr Toad .

" nicest bug I 've eaten for a longtime . "

" but I didn't see you catch him ! " protested Peter , looking at Old Mr Toad as if he suspected him of joking .

" anything wrong with your eyes ? " inquired Old Mr Toad .

" no , " replied Peter just a wee bit crossly .

" my eyes are just as good as ever . "

" then watch me catch that fly over yonder , " said Old Mr Toad .

he hopped towards a fly which had lighted on a blade of grass just ahead .

about two inches from it he stopped , and so far as Peter could see , he sat perfectly still .

but the fly disappeared , and it wasn't because it flew away , either .

Peter was sure of that .

old Mr Toad chuckled .

" didn't you see that one go , Peter ? " he asked .

Peter shook his head .

" I wish you Would stop fooling me , " said Peter .

please , Mr Toad . "

now when Peter said please that way , of course Old Mr Toad couldn't resist him .

nobody could .

" here comes an ant this way .

now you watch my mouth instead of the ant and see what happens , " said Old Mr Toad .

Peter looked and saw a big black ant coming .

then he kept his eyes on Old Mr Toad 's mouth .

but when he looked for the ant , it was nowhere to be seen .

Peter looked at Old Mr Toad very hard .

old Mr Toad chuckled again .

with every insect swallowed he felt better natured .

" you 've guessed it , Peter , " said he .

" handy tongue , isn't it ? "

" I think it 's a very queer tongue , " retorted Peter , " and I don't understand it at all .

if it 's so long as all that , where do you keep it when it isn't in use ?

" Ha , ha , ha , ha , ha ! " laughed Old Mr Toad .

" my tongue never is in the way , and it 's the handiest tongue in the world .

I 'll show it to you . "

XII

OLD MR . TOAD SHOWS HIS TONGUE

I 'm quite sure you would .

old Mr Toad thinks his tongue the most satisfactory tongue in the world .

in fact , he is quite sure that without it he couldn't get along at all , and I don't know as he could .

and yet very few of his neighbors know anything about that tongue and how different it is from most other tongues .

what Peter couldn't understand was what Old Mr Toad did with a tongue that would reach two inches beyond his mouth .

he said as much .

he opened his big mouth and slowly ran his tongue out its full length .

" why !

Why-ee ! " exclaimed Peter .

" it 's fastened at the wrong end ! "

" no such thing ! " replied Old Mr Toad indignantly .

" if it was fastened at the other end , how could I run it out so far ? "

" but mine and all other tongues that I ever have seen are fastened way down in the throat , " protested Peter .

" yours is fastened at the other end , way in the very front of your mouth .

I never heard of such a thing . "

" there are a great many things you have never heard of , Peter Rabbit , " replied Old Mr Toad drily .

" mine is the right way to have a tongue .

because it is fastened way up in the front of my mouth that way , I can use the whole of it .

you see it goes out its full length .

Peter thought this over for a few minutes before he ventured another question .

" I begin to understand , " said he , " but how do you hold on to the bug with your tongue ? "

" my tongue is sticky , of course , Mr Stupid , " replied Old Mr Toad , looking very much disgusted .

" just let me touch a bug with it , and he 's mine every time . "

Peter thought this over .

then he felt of his own tongue .

" mine isn't sticky , " said he very innocently .

old Mr Toad laughed right out .

" perhaps if it was , you couldn't ask so many questions , " said he .

" now watch me catch that fly . "

his funny little tongue darted out , and the fly was gone .

Illustration : his funny little tongue darted out , and the fly was gone .

" it certainly is very handy , " said Peter politely .

" I think we are going to have more rain , and I 'd better be getting back to the dear Old Briarpatch .

very much obliged to you , Mr Toad .

I think you are very wonderful . "

" not at all , " replied Old Mr Toad .

" I 've simply got the things I need in order to live , just as you have the things you need .

I couldn't get along with your kind of a tongue , but no more could you get along with mine .

if you live long enough , you will learn that Old Mother Nature makes no mistakes .

she gives each of us what we need , and each one has different needs . "

XIII

PETER RABBIT IS IMPOLITE

peter Rabbit couldn't get Old Mr Toad off his mind .

and his respect for Old Mr Toad had become very great indeed .

of course .

who wouldn't respect any one with such beautiful eyes and such a sweet voice and such a wonderful tongue ?

" Funny , " mused Peter , " how we can live right beside people all our lives and not really know them at all .

I suppose that is why we should never judge people hastily .

I believe I will go hunt up Old Mr Toad and see if I can find out anything more . "

off started Peter , lipperty-lipperty-lip .

but when he got there , Peter found no trace of Old Mr Toad .

you see , it had rained the day before , and that is just the kind of weather that a Toad likes best for traveling .

Peter ought to have thought of that , but he didn't .

jolly , round , bright Mr Sun was shining his brightest , and Peter soon forgot all about Old Mr Toad .

he had just done this when his ears caught the sound of a queer noise a little to one side of the Crooked Little Path .

instantly Peter stopped and sat up to listen .

there it was again , and it seemed to come from under an old piece of board .

it was just a little , rustling sound , hardly to be heard .

" there 's some one under that old board , " thought Peter , and peeped under .

all he could see was that there was something moving .

instantly Peter was all curiosity .

whoever was there was not very big .

he was sure of that .

of course that meant that he had nothing to fear .

so what do you think Peter did ?

why , he just pulled that old board over .

and when he did that , he saw , whom do you think ?

why , Old Mr Toad , to be sure .

but such a sight as Old Mr Toad was !

Peter just stared .

for a full minute he couldn't find his voice .

old Mr Toad was changing his clothes !

yes , Sir , that is just what Old Mr Toad was doing .

he was taking off his old suit , and under it was a brand new one .

but such a time as he was having !

he was opening and shutting his big mouth , and drawing his hind legs under him , and rubbing them against his body .

then Peter saw a strange thing .

all the time Old Mr Toad was working very hard to suck it at the corners of his big mouth .

he glared angrily at Peter , but he couldn't say anything because his mouth was too full .

he looked so funny that Peter just threw himself on the ground and rolled over and over with laughter .

this made Old Mr Toad glare more angrily than ever , but he couldn't say anything , not a word .

XIV

OLD MR . TOAD DISAPPEARS

admit your fault when you 've done wrong , And don't postpone it over long .

Peter Rabbit didn't blame Old Mr Toad a bit for being indignant because Peter had watched him change his suit .

it wasn't a nice thing to do .

old Mr Toad had looked very funny while he was struggling out of his old suit , and Peter just couldn't help laughing at him .

but he realized that he had been very impolite , and he very meekly told Old Mr Toad so .

" you see , it was this way , " explained Peter .

" I heard something under that old board , and I just naturally turned it over to find out what was there . "

" hump ! " grunted Old Mr . toad .

" I didn't have the least idea that you were there , " continued Peter .

but I 'm sorry , Mr Toad .

truly I am .

I didn't mean to be so impolite .

I promise never to do it again .

I had heard that you swallowed your old suits , but I never half believed it .

now I know it is so and just how you do it , and I feel as if I had learned something worth knowing .

do you go down into the mud at the bottom of the Smiling Pool the way Grandfather Frog does ? "

" certainly not ! " retorted Old Mr Toad .

" use your common sense , Peter Rabbit .

I 'm not so fond of long journeys as all that . "

" that 's so . "

Peter looked foolish .

" I didn't think of that when I spoke . "

" now if I wanted to , I could disappear right here . "

" nothing of the sort ! " snapped Old Mr Toad .

" I could disappear and not go near that old board , not a step nearer than I am now . "

old Mr Toad 's eyes twinkled .

here was a chance to get even with Peter for watching him change his suit .

" more than that , I give you my word of honor that I will not hop three feet from where I am sitting . "

" all right , " replied Peter promptly , turning his back to Old Mr Toad .

" I 'll look down the Crooked Little Path for five minutes and promise not to peek . "

so Peter sat and gazed straight down the Crooked Little Path .

when he thought the five minutes were up , he turned around .

old Mr Toad was nowhere to be seen .

Peter looked hastily this way and that way , but there was not a sign of Old Mr Toad .

he had disappeared as completely as if he never had been there .

XV

OLD MR . TOAD GIVES PETER A SCARE

old Mr Toad was getting even with Peter for laughing at him .

while Peter 's back had been turned , Old Mr Toad had disappeared .

it was too much for Peter .

nevertheless , Peter hopped over to it and turned it over again , because he couldn't think of any other place to look .

of course , Old Mr Toad wasn't there .

of course not .

he had given his word that he wouldn't hide there , and he always lives up to his word .

Peter should have known better than to have looked there .

but if Old Mr Toad had nothing to hide under , of course he must have hopped away , reasoned Peter .

Peter never had felt more foolish in all his life .

he began to think that Old Mr Toad must be bewitched and had some strange power of making himself invisible .

and yet Old Mr Toad had disappeared .

suddenly Peter gave a frightened scream and jumped higher than he ever had jumped before in all his life .

a voice , the voice of Old Mr Toad himself , had said , " well , now are you satisfied ? "

and that voice had come from right under Peter ! do you wonder that he was frightened ?

when he turned to look , there sat Old Mr Toad right where he himself had been sitting a moment before .

Peter rubbed his eyes and stared very foolishly .

" Wh-wh-where did you come from ? " he stammered at last .

old Mr Toad grinned .

" I 'll show you , " said he .

then that disappeared .

old Mr Toad had gone down , and the sand had fallen right back over him .

Peter just had to rub his eyes again .

he had to !

then , to make sure , he began to dig away the sand where Old Mr Toad had been sitting .

in a minute he felt Old Mr Toad , who at once came out again .

old Mr Toad 's beautiful eyes twinkled more than ever .

" I guess we are even now , Peter , " said he .

Peter nodded .

" more than that , Mr Toad .

I think you have a little the best of it , " he replied .

" now won't you tell me how you did it ? "

old Mr Toad held up one of his stout hind feet , and on it was a kind of spur .

" there 's another just like that on the other foot , " said he , " and I use them to dig with .

you go into a hole headfirst , but I go in the other way .

I make my hole in soft earth and back into it at the same time , this way . "

he began to work his stout hind feet , and as he kicked the earth out , he backed in at the same time .

when he once more reappeared , Peter thanked him .

then he asked one more question .

" is that the way you go into winter quarters ? "

old Mr Toad nodded .

" and it 's the way I escape from my enemies . "

XVI

JIMMY SKUNK IS SURPRISED

Jimmy Skunk ambled along the Crooked Little Path down the hill .

he didn't hurry because Jimmy doesn't believe in hurrying .

the only time he ever hurries is when he sees a fat beetle trying to get out of sight .

then Jimmy does hurry .

but just now he didn't see any fat beetles , although he was looking for them .

so he just ambled along as if he had all the time in the world , as indeed he had .

he was feeling very good-natured , was Jimmy Skunk .

and why shouldn't he ?

there was everything to make him feel good-natured .

Summer had arrived to stay .

on every side he heard glad voices .

Bumble the Bee was humming a song .

best of all , Jimmy had found three beetles that very morning , and he knew that there were more if he could find them .

so why shouldn't he feel good ?

his sharp little eyes twinkled as he ambled along , and there wasn't much that they missed .

" Beetle , beetle , smooth and smug , You are nothing but a bug .

bugs were made for Skunks to eat , So come out from your retreat .

" hello !

there 's a nice big piece of bark over there that looks as if it ought to have a dozen fat beetles under it .

it 's great fun to pull over pieces of bark and see fat beetles run all ways at once .

I 'll just have to see what is under that piece . "

" Beetle , beetle , smooth and smug , You are nothing but a bug . "

as he said the last word , he suddenly pulled the piece of bark over .

" who 's a bug ? " asked a funny voice , and it sounded rather cross .

Jimmy Skunk nearly tumbled over backward in surprise , and for a minute he couldn't find his tongue .

" who 's a bug ? " he repeated .

instead of answering , Jimmy Skunk began to laugh .

" who 's a bug ? " demanded Old Mr Toad , more crossly than before .

" there isn't any bug , Mr Toad , and I beg your pardon , " replied Jimmy , remembering his politeness .

" I just thought there was .

you see , I didn't know you were under that piece of bark .

I hope you will excuse me , Mr Toad .

have you seen any fat beetles this morning ? "

" no , " said Old Mr Toad grumpily , and yawned and rubbed his eyes .

" why , " exclaimed Jimmy Skunk , " I believe you have just waked up ! "

" what if I have ? " demanded Old Mr Toad .

" who was the other ? " asked Old Mr Toad .

" Mr Blacksnake , " replied Jimmy .

" he inquired for you . "

old Mr Toad turned quite pale .

" I I think I 'll be moving along , " said he .

XVII

OLD MR . TOAD'S MISTAKE

and when he had pulled it over , he found Old Mr Toad there .

old Mr Toad had crept under that piece of bark because he wanted to take a nap .

yes , Sir , he was wide awake right away .

you see , he knew right away why Mr Blacksnake had asked after him .

he knew that Mr Blacksnake has a fondness for Toads .

he turned quite pale when he heard that Mr Blacksnake had asked after him , and right then he made his mistake .

he hardly waited long enough to say good-by to Jimmy Skunk , but started off as fast as he could go .

now when people are very much afraid , they almost always seem to think that danger is behind instead of in front of them .

it was so with Old Mr Toad .

instead of watching out in front as he hopped along , he kept watching over his shoulder , and that was his second mistake .

and all the time he kept looking behind for Mr Blacksnake .

it was a question which was more surprised .

for just a wee second they stared at each other .

then Mr Blacksnake 's eyes began to sparkle .

" good morning , Mr Toad .

isn't this a beautiful morning ?

I was just thinking about you , " said he .

but poor Old Mr Toad didn't say good morning .

he didn't say anything .

he couldn't , because he was too scared .

XVIII

JIMMY SKUNK IS JUST IN TIME

it had been funny , very funny indeed , to see Mr Toad try to hurry .

suddenly Jimmy stopped chuckling .

then he stopped ambling along the Crooked Little Path .

he turned around and looked back , and as he did so he scratched his head thoughtfully .

how stupid of him not to have asked me where Mr Blacksnake was !

well , it 's none of my business .

I guess I 'll go on . "

but he had gone on down the Crooked Little Path only a few steps when he stopped again .

" I hate to go way back there , " he grumbled , for you know he is naturally rather lazy .

" still , the Green Meadows wouldn't be quite the same without Old Mr Toad .

I should miss him if anything happened to him .

" maybe he won't meet Mr Blacksnake , " said a little voice inside of Jimmy .

" and maybe he will , " said Jimmy right out loud .

and with that , he started back up the Crooked Little Path , and strange to say Jimmy hurried .

he had just reached a turn in the Crooked Little Path when who should run right plump into him but poor Old Mr Toad .

he gave a frightened squeal and fell right over on his back , and kicked foolishly as he tried to get on his feet again .

but he was all out of breath , and so frightened and tired that all he could do was to kick and kick .

right behind him came Mr Blacksnake .

of course he saw Jimmy , and he stopped short and hissed angrily .

" what were you going to do to Mr Toad ? " demanded Jimmy .

" none of your business ! " hissed Mr Blacksnake .

" get out of my way , or you 'll be sorry . "

Jimmy Skunk just laughed and stepped in front of poor Old Mr Toad .

Mr Blacksnake coiled himself up in the path and darted his tongue out at Jimmy in the most impudent way .

then he tried to make himself look very fierce .

you see , he was just trying to scare Jimmy .

but Jimmy didn't scare .

he knows all about Mr Blacksnake and that really he is a coward .

so he suddenly gritted his teeth in a way not at all pleasant to hear and started for Mr Blacksnake .

Mr Blacksnake didn't wait .

no , Sir , he didn't wait .

he suddenly turned and glided back up the Crooked Little Path , hissing angrily .

Jimmy followed him a little way , and then he went back to Old Mr Toad .

" oh , " panted Mr Toad , " you came just in time !

I couldn't have hopped another hop . "

" I guess I did , " replied Jimmy .

" now you get your breath and come along with me . "

and Old Mr Toad did .

XIX

OLD MR . TOAD GETS HIS STOMACH FULL

there are ants , for instance .

you wouldn't want to eat them even if you were dreadfully hungry .

but Old Mr Toad and Buster Bear think there is nothing much nicer .

right away he invited Old Mr Toad to dine with him .

he fell right over on his back , which wasn't at all dignified , and made Buster Bear laugh .

that frightened Mr Toad more than ever .

so he said in a very faint voice that he would be pleased to dine with Buster .

then he waved his feet feebly , trying to get on his feet again .

Buster Bear laughed harder than ever .

it was a low , deep , grumbly-rumbly laugh , and sent cold shivers all over poor Old Mr Toad .

but when Buster reached out a great paw with great cruel-looking claws Mr Toad quite gave up .

he didn't have strength enough left to even kick .

he just closed his eyes and waited for the end .

what do you think happened ?

why , he was rolled over on to his feet so gently that he just gasped with surprise .

it didn't seem possible that such a great paw could be so gentle .

you follow me , and we 'll have it in no time . "

So Buster Bear led the way , and Old Mr Toad followed as fast as he could , because he didn't dare not to .

presently Buster stopped beside a big decayed old log .

" if you are ready , Mr Toad , we will dine now , " said he .

old Mr Toad didn't see anything to eat .

his heart sank again , and he shook all over .

" I I 'm not hungry , " said he in a very faint voice .

Buster Bear didn't seem to hear .

he hooked his great claws into the old log and gave a mighty pull .

" help yourself , " said Buster Bear politely .

old Mr Toad didn't wait to be told twice .

he forgot all about his fright .

he forgot all about Buster Bear .

he forgot that he wasn't hungry .

he forgot his manners .

he jumped right in among those ants , and for a little while he was the busiest Toad ever seen .

Buster Bear was busy too .

at last Old Mr Toad couldn't hold another ant .

then he remembered Buster Bear and looked up a little fearfully .

Buster was smacking his lips , and there was a twinkle in each eye .

" good , aren't they ? " said he .

" the best I ever ate , " declared Old Mr Toad with a sigh of satisfaction .

" thank you , I will , " replied Old Mr Toad .

XX

OLD MR . TOAD IS PUFFED UP

old Mr Toad hopped slowly down the Lone Little Path .

he usually does hop slowly , but this time he hopped slower than ever .

you see , he was so puffed up that he couldn't have hopped fast if he had wanted to , and he didn't want to .

in the first place his stomach was so full of ants that there wasn't room for another one .

no , Sir , Old Mr Toad couldn't have swallowed another ant if he had tried .

of course they made his stomach stick out , but it wasn't the ants that puffed him out all over .

oh , my , no !

it was pride .

that 's what it was pride .

you know nothing can puff any one up quite like foolish pride .

old Mr Toad was old enough to have known better .

he held his head so high that he couldn't see his own feet , and more than once he stubbed his toes .

presently he met his old friend , Danny Meadow Mouse .

he tipped his head a little higher , puffed himself out a little more , and pretended not to see Danny .

" Hello , Mr Toad , " said Danny .

Mr Toad pretended not to hear .

Danny looked puzzled .

then he spoke again , and this time he shouted : " Hello , Mr Toad !

I haven't seen you for some time . "

it wouldn't do to pretend not to hear this time .

" Sorry I can't stop , but I 've been dining with , my friend , Buster Bear , and now I must get home . "

when he mentioned the name of Buster Bear , he puffed himself out a little more .

Danny grinned as he watched him hop on down the Lone Little Path .

" can't talk with common folks any more , " he muttered .

" I 've heard that pride is very apt to turn people 's heads , but I never expected to see Old Mr Toad proud . "

Illustration : " can't talk with common folks any more , " he muttered .

Mr Toad kept on his way , and presently he met Peter Rabbit .

Peter stopped to gossip , as is his way .

but Old Mr Toad took no notice of him at all .

he kept right on with his head high , and all puffed out .

Peter might have been a stick or a stone for all the notice Old Mr Toad took of him .

Peter looked puzzled .

then he hurried down to tell Danny Meadow Mouse about it .

Striped Chipmunk told the same story .

so did Unc ' Billy Possum .

XXI

OLD MR . TOAD RECEIVES ANOTHER INVITATION

the friends and neighbors of Old Mr Toad decided that he needed to be taught a lesson .

the very next day Jimmy Skunk went into the Green Forest to look for Buster Bear .

you know Jimmy isn't afraid of Buster .

Jimmy is usually very polite , but this time he quite forgot politeness .

I am afraid he is rather apt to when fat beetles are concerned .

but Buster didn't seem to mind .

when the last beetle had disappeared Jimmy smacked his lips , and then he told Buster Bear what he had come for .

of course , at first Buster had thought it was for the fat beetles .

but it wasn't .

no , Sir , it wasn't for the fat beetles at all .

it was to get Buster Bear 's help in a plan to teach Old Mr Toad a lesson .

then Jimmy told him the plan to teach Old Mr Toad a lesson and asked Buster if he would help .

Buster 's eyes twinkled as he promised to do what Jimmy asked .

then Jimmy went straight to where Old Mr Toad was sitting all puffed up , taking a sun-bath .

now if Old Mr Toad was puffed up before , just think how he swelled out when he heard that .

Jimmy Skunk was actually afraid that he would burst .

Jimmy went off to deliver his reply , and Old Mr Toad sat and puffed himself out until he could hardly breathe .

" honor him by dining with him , " said he over and over to himself .

" I never was so flattered in my life . "

XXII

OLD MR . TOAD LEARNS A LESSON

pride is like a great big bubble ; You 'll find there 's nothing in it .

prick it and for all your trouble It has vanished in a minute .

everybody knew where he was going , and this made Old Mr Toad feel more important and proud than ever .

no , indeed , Jimmy didn't say anything at all about that !

he didn't see his old friends and neighbors peeping out at him and laughing because he looked so foolish and silly .

Buster was waiting for him .

" how do you do this fine day ?

you look a little tired and rather warm , Mr Toad , " said he .

" I hope you are feeling as well as you are looking , Mr Bear . "

Illustration : " I am a little warm , " replied Mr Toad in his most polite manner .

Buster Bear laughed a great , grumbly-rumbly laugh .

" I always feel fine when there is a dinner of fat ants ready for me , " said he .

" it is fine of you to honor me by coming to dine . "

here Mr Toad put one hand on his stomach and tried to make a very grand bow .

Peter Rabbit , hiding behind a near-by tree , almost giggled aloud , he looked so funny .

" I have ventured to invite another to enjoy the dinner with us , " continued Buster Bear .

Mr Toad 's face fell .

you see he was selfish .

he wanted to be the only one to have the honor of dining with Buster Bear .

ah , there he comes now ! "

old Mr Toad looked in the direction in which Buster Bear was looking .

he gave a little gasp and turned quite pale .

all his puffiness disappeared .

he didn't look like the same Toad at all .

the newcomer was Mr Blacksnake .

" Ha , ha , ha ! " shouted Peter Rabbit , jumping out from behind a tree .

" Ho , ho , ho ! " shouted Jimmy Skunk from behind another .

" Hee , hee , hee ! " shouted Johnny Chuck from behind a third .

then Old Mr Toad knew that his old friends and neighbors had planned this to teach him a lesson .

XXIII

OLD MR . TOAD IS VERY HUMBLE

he forgot to ask Buster Bear to excuse him .

he forgot that he was tired and hot .

he forgot all the pride with which he had been so puffed up .

he forgot everything but the need of getting out of sight of Mr Blacksnake as soon as ever he could .

so away went Old Mr Toad , hop , hop , hipperty-hop , hop , hop , hipperty-hop !

he heard Peter Rabbit and Jimmy Skunk and Johnny Chuck and others of his old friends and neighbors shouting with laughter .

yes , and he heard the deep , grumbly-rumbly laugh of Buster Bear .

but he didn't mind it .

not then , anyway .

he hadn't room for any feeling except fear of Mr Blacksnake .

but Old Mr Toad had to stop after a while .

you see , his legs were so tired they just wouldn't go any longer .

and he was so out of breath that he wheezed .

he crawled under a big piece of bark , and there he lay flat on the ground and panted and panted for breath .

he would stay there until jolly , round , bright Mr Sun went to bed behind the Purple Hills .

then Mr Blacksnake would go to bed too , and it would be safe for him to go home .

at first he was angry , very angry indeed .

then he began to see how foolish and silly he had been , and shame took the place of anger .

as he remembered the deep , grumbly-rumbly laughter of Buster Bear , the feeling of shame grew .

" I deserve it , " thought Old Mr Toad .

" yes , Sir , I deserve every bit of it .

the only thing that I have to be proud of is that I 'm honest and work for my living .

yes , Sir , that 's all . "

when darkness came at last , and he crawled out to go home , he was feeling very humble .

Peter Rabbit happened along just then .

Mr Toad gulped and went on .

pretty soon he met Jimmy Skunk .

Jimmy went right on about his business and actually stepped right over Old Mr Toad as if he had been a stick or a stone .

old Mr Toad gulped again and went on .

the next day he went down to see Danny Meadow Mouse .

he meant to tell Danny how ashamed he was for the way he had treated Danny and his other friends .

but Danny brushed right past without even a glance at him .

old Mr Toad gulped and started up to see Johnny Chuck .

the same thing happened again .

so it did when he met Striped Chipmunk .

he didn't have appetite enough to snap at a single fly .

Late that afternoon he heard a little noise and looked up to find all his old friends and neighbors forming a circle around him .

suddenly they began to dance and shout :

" old Mr Toad is a jolly good fellow !

his temper is sweet , disposition is mellow !

and now that his bubble of pride is quite busted We know that he knows that his friends can be trusted . "

the next book will tell you all about his adventures .

THE END

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Old Mr Toad by Thornton W Burgess

produced by Stephen Schulze and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team .

HAPPY JACK

BY

THORNTON W BURGESS

with Illustrations by HARRISON CADY

@number@

TO

DR . WILLIAM T HORNADAY

CONTENTS

I HAPPY JACK DROPS A NUT

II .

THE QUARREL

III .

STRIPED CHIPMUNK Is KEPT VERY BUSY

IV .

HAPPY JACK AND CHATTERER FEEL FOOLISH

V HAPPY JACK SUSPECTS STRIPED CHIPMUNK

VI .

HAPPY JACK SPIES ON STRIPED CHIPMUNK

VII .

STRIPED CHIPMUNK HAS FUN WITH HAPPY JACK

VIII .

HAPPY JACK TURNS BURGLAR

IX .

HAPPY JACK SQUIRREL'S SAD MISTAKE

x . STRIPED CHIPMUNK'S HAPPY THOUGHT

XI .

STRIPED CHIPMUNK'S THANKSGIVING DINNER

XII .

HAPPY JACK DOES SOME THINKING

XIII .

HAPPY JACK GETS A WARNING

XIV .

HAPPY JACK'S RUN FOR LIFE

XV .

WHO SAVED HAPPY JACK SQUIRREL ?

XVI .

HAPPY JACK MISSES FARMER BROWN'S BOY

XVII .

TOMMY TIT BRINGS NEWS

XVIII .

HAPPY JACK DECIDES TO MAKE A CALL

XIX .

TOMMY TIT AND HAPPY JACK PAY A VISIT

XX .

WHAT WAS THE MATTER WITH FARMER BROWN'S BOY ?

XXI .

HAPPY JACK SQUIRREL GROWS VERY BOLD

XXII .

HAPPY JACK DARES TOMMY TIT

XXIII .

SAMMY JAY IS QUITE UPSET

XXIV .

a DREAM COMES TRUE

XXV .

HAPPY JACK HAS A HAPPY THOUGHT

XXVI .

FARMER BROWN'S BOY WAKES WITH A START

XXVII .

HAPPY JACK IS AFRAID TO GO HOME

XXVIII .

HAPPY JACK FINDS A NEW HOME

XXIX .

FARMER BROWN'S BOY TAKES A PRISONER

XXX .

a PRISONER WITHOUT FEAR

XXXI .

WHAT FARMER BROWN'S BOY DID WITH SHADOW

XXXII .

HAPPY JACK IS PERFECTLY HAPPY

XXXIII .

SAMMY JAY UPSETS HAPPY JACK

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Peter Rabbit , who happened along just then , put his hands over his ears

happy Jack tried every trick he knew to get away from Shadow the Weasel

" did you find out anything ? " asked Happy Jack eagerly

it wasn't long before Shadow began to receive many visitors

HAPPY JACK

CHAPTER I

HAPPY JACK DROPS A NUT

save a little every day , And for the future put away .

Happy Jack .

happy Jack Squirrel sat on the tip of one of the highest branches of a big hickory tree .

happy Jack was up very early that morning .

he washed himself thoroughly and was ready for business by the time Mr Sun began his climb up in the blue , blue sky .

you see , Happy Jack had found that big hickory tree just loaded with nuts all ripe and ready to gather .

so he was all ready and off he raced to the big tree just as soon as it was light enough to see .

" the nuts that grow in the hickory tree They 're all for me !

they 're all for me ! "

just then he heard a great scolding a little way over in the Green Forest .

happy Jack stopped humming and listened .

he knew that voice .

it was his cousin 's voice the voice of Chatterer the Red Squirrel .

happy Jack frowned .

" I hope he won't come over this way , " muttered Happy Jack .

he does not love his cousin Chatterer anyway , and then there was the big tree full of hickory nuts !

he didn't want Chatterer to find that .

I am afraid that Happy Jack was selfish .

now Chatterer is short-tempered and a great scold .

happy Jack sat perfectly still and watched .

he didn't move so much as the tip of his big gray tail .

would Chatterer go past and not see that big tree full of nuts ?

it looked very much as if he would , for he was so busy scolding that he wasn't paying much attention to other things .

happy Jack smiled as Chatterer came running under the tree without once looking up .

he was so tickled that he started to hug himself and didn't remember that he was holding a big , fat nut in his hands .

of course he dropped it .

where do you think it went ?

then he looked up to see where it had come from .

of course , he looked straight up at Happy Jack .

" you did that purposely ! " screamed Chatterer , his short temper flaring up .

" I didn't ! " snapped Happy Jack .

" you did ! "

" I didn't ! "

it was such a sad , sad sight , for you know they were cousins .

CHAPTER II

THE QUARREL

it 's up to you and up to me To see how thrifty we can be .

to do our bit like soldiers true It 's up to me and up to you .

Happy Jack .

two angry little people were making a dreadful noise in the Green Forest .

you see they were quarreling .

yes , Sir , they were quarreling , and it wasn't at all nice to see or nice to hear .

you know who they were .

you see Happy Jack was greedy and wanted all of them himself .

now Chatterer the Red Squirrel has a sharp temper , and also he has sharp eyes .

without wasting any more time he started up the tree to get some .

happy Jack grew very angry , very angry indeed .

he hurried down to meet Chatterer the Red Squirrel and to prevent him climbing the tree .

" you keep out of this tree ; it 's mine ! " he shrieked .

" no such thing !

" ' Tis , too , mine !

I found it first ! " shouted Happy Jack .

" you 're a thief , so there ! "

" I'm not ! "

" you are ! "

" you 're a pig , Happy Jack !

you 're just a great big pig ! "

" I 'm not a pig !

and all the time he was chasing round and round the trunk of the tree trying to prevent Chatterer getting up .

now Happy Jack is ever so much bigger than his cousin Chatterer but he isn't as spry .

Illustration : PETER RABBIT , WHO HAPPENED ALONG JUST THEN , PUT HIS HANDS OVER HIS EARS .

CHAPTER III

STRIPED CHIPMUNK IS KEPT VERY BUSY

I prefer big acorns but I never refuse little ones .

they fit in between .

Happy Jack .

Striped Chipmunk was sitting just inside a hollow log , studying about how he could fill up his new storehouse for the winter .

Striped Chipmunk is very thrifty .

he lives right on the edge of both and knows everybody , and everybody knows him .

almost every morning the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind hurry over to have a frolic with him the very first thing .

but though he dearly loves to play , he never lets play interfere with work .

whatever he does , be it play or work , he does with all his might .

" I love the sun ; I love the rain ; I love to work ; I love to play .

whatever it may bring to me I love each minute of each day . "

so said Striped Chipmunk , as he sat in the hollow log and studied how he could fill that splendid big new storehouse .

pretty soon he pricked up his funny little ears .

what was all that noise over in the Green Forest ?

Striped Chipmunk peeped out of the hollow log .

over in the top of a tall hickory tree a terrible fuss was going on .

Striped Chipmunk listened .

he heard angry voices , such angry voices !

they were the voices of his big cousins , Happy Jack the Gray Squirrel and Chatterer the Red Squirrel .

" dear me !

dear me !

how those two do quarrel !

I must go over and see what it is all about , " thought Striped Chipmunk .

he knew all about that tree .

when he reached the tall hickory tree , what do you think was happening ?

but Old Mother West Wind wasn't there at all .

no , Sir , there wasn't even one of the Merry Little Breezes up in the tree-tops .

the big fat nuts were rattling down just on account of the dreadful quarrel of Striped Chipmunk 's two foolish cousins , Happy Jack and Chatterer .

it was all because Happy Jack was greedy .

Striped Chipmunk didn't stop to listen to the quarrel .

no , Sir-ee !

CHAPTER IV

HAPPY JACK AND CHATTERER FEEL FOOLISH

if you get and spend a penny , Then of course you haven't any .

be like me a Happy Jack And put it where you 'll get it back .

Happy Jack .

happy Jack and Chatterer were out of breath .

so Happy Jack was the first to stop .

" couldn't catch me , could you , smarty ? " taunted Chatterer .

" you just wait until I do !

I 'll make you sorry you ever came near my hickory tree , " snapped Happy Jack .

" I 'm waiting .

besides , it isn't your tree any more than it 's mine , " replied Chatterer , and made a face at Happy Jack .

he stopped scolding long enough to steal a look at them , and then what do you think Happy Jack did ?

why , he gave such a jump of surprise that he nearly lost his balance .

not a nut was to be seen !

happy Jack blinked .

then , he rubbed his eyes and looked again .

he couldn't see a nut anywhere !

there were the husks in which the nuts had grown big and fat until they were ripe , but now every husk was empty .

Chatterer saw the queer look on Happy Jack 's face , and he looked too .

now Chatterer the Red Squirrel had very quick wits , and he guessed right away what had happened .

like a little red flash , Chatterer started down the tree .

when he reached the ground , there was Chatterer scurrying around and poking under the fallen leaves , but he hadn't found a single nut .

it was queer , very queer , how those nuts could have hidden so !

they hunted and hunted , but no nuts were to be found .

then they stopped and stared up at the top of the tall hickory tree .

not a nut could they see .

then they stared at each other , and gradually a foolish , a very foolish look crept over each face .

" where where do you suppose they have gone ? " asked Happy Jack in a queer-sounding voice .

just then they heard some one laughing fit to kill himself .

it was Peter Rabbit .

" did you take our hickory nuts ? " they both shouted angrily .

" no , " replied Peter , " no , I didn't take them , though they were not yours , anyway ! "

CHAPTER V

HAPPY JACK SUSPECTS STRIPED CHIPMUNK

thrift is one test of true loyalty to your country .

Happy Jack .

happy Jack didn't look happy a bit .

indeed , Happy Jack looked very unhappy .

you see , he looked just as he felt .

worse still , he knew right down in his heart that it was his own fault .

he had been too greedy .

but what had become of those nuts ?

Happy Jack was studying about this as he sat with his back against a big chestnut tree .

suddenly they saw something moving among the brown-and-yellow leaves on the ground .

happy Jack looked sharply , and then a sudden thought popped into his head .

" hi , there , Cousin Chipmunk ! " he shouted .

" hi , there , your own self ! " replied Striped Chipmunk , for it was he .

" what are you doing down there ? " asked Happy Jack .

but Striped Chipmunk looked back at him so innocently that Happy Jack didn't know just what to think .

" have you begun to fill your storehouse for winter yet ? " inquired Happy Jack .

" of course I have .

I don't mean to let Jack Frost catch me with an empty storehouse , " replied Striped Chipmunk .

" what are you filling your storehouse with ? " asked Happy Jack , trying not to show too much interest .

" corn , nice ripe yellow corn , and seeds and acorns and chestnuts , " answered Striped Chipmunk .

" and now I 'm looking for some big , fat hickory nuts , " he added , and his bright eyes twinkled .

" have you seen any , Happy Jack ? "

Happy Jack said that he hadn't seen any , and Striped Chipmunk remarked that he couldn't waste any more time talking , and scurried away .

happy Jack watched him go , a puzzled little frown puckering up his brows .

" I believe he knows something about those nuts .

I think I 'll follow him and have a peep into his storehouse , " he muttered .

CHAPTER VI

HAPPY JACK SPIES ON STRIPED CHIPMUNK

it 's more important to mind your own affairs than to know what your neighbors are doing , but not nearly so interesting .

Happy Jack .

Striped Chipmunk was whisking about among the brown-and-yellow leaves that covered the ground on the edge of the Green Forest .

anyway , Happy Jack Squirrel found it so .

you see , Happy Jack was spying on Striped Chipmunk .

yes , Sir , Happy Jack was spying .

spying , you know , is secretly watching other people and trying to find out what they are doing .

it isn't a nice thing to do , not a bit nice .

happy Jack knew it , and all the time he was doing it , he was feeling very much ashamed of himself .

but spying on Striped Chipmunk isn't the easiest thing in the world .

happy Jack was finding it the hardest work he had ever undertaken .

Striped Chipmunk is so spry , and whisks about so , that you need eyes all around your head to keep track of him .

every few minutes he would disappear and then bob up again in the most unexpected place and most provoking way .

" now I 'm here , and now I 'm there !

now I am not anywhere !

watch me now , for here I go Out of sight !

I told you so ! "

with the last words , Striped Chipmunk was nowhere to be seen .

it seemed as if the earth must have opened and swallowed him .

happy Jack began to suspect that Striped Chipmunk was just having fun with him .

what else could he mean by saying such things ?

no , it couldn't be , it just couldn't be that Striped Chipmunk knew that he was anywhere about .

he would just be patient a little longer , and he would surely see that smart little cousin of his go to his storehouse .

so Happy Jack waited and watched .

CHAPTER VII

STRIPED CHIPMUNK HAS FUN WITH HAPPY JACK

thrift is the meat in the nut of success .

Happy Jack .

Striped Chipmunk would shout in his shrillest voice :

" Hipperty , hopperty , one , two , three !

what do you think becomes of me ? "

then he would vanish from sight all in the wink of an eye .

you couldn't tell where he went to .

at least Happy Jack couldn't , and his eyes are sharper than yours or mine .

happy Jack was spying , you remember .

he was watching Striped Chipmunk without letting Striped Chipmunk know it .

at least he thought he was .

but really he wasn't .

those sharp twinkling eyes of Striped Chipmunk see everything .

you know , he is such a very little fellow that he has to be very wide-awake to keep out of danger .

and he is wide-awake .

oh , my , yes , indeed !

when he is awake , and that is every minute of the daytime , he is the most wide-awake little fellow you ever did see .

really he was just having the best time ever fooling Happy Jack .

" the corn is ripe ; the nuts do fall ; Acorns are sweet and plump .

I soon will have my storehouse full Inside the hollow stump . "

Striped Chipmunk sang this just as if no one was anywhere near , and he was singing just for joy .

of course Happy Jack heard it and he grinned .

" so your storehouse is in a hollow stump , my smart little cousin ! " said Happy Jack to himself .

" if that 's the case , I 'll soon find it . "

Striped Chipmunk scurried along , and now he took pains to always keep in sight .

happy Jack followed , hiding behind the trees .

pretty soon Striped Chipmunk picked up a plump acorn and put it in the pocket of his right cheek .

then he picked up another and put that in the pocket in his left cheek .

my , my , he was a funny sight !

but he had done this very thing , and so he must be going to take them to his storehouse .

off scampered Striped Chipmunk , and after him stole Happy Jack , his eyes shining with excitement .

pretty soon he saw an old stump which looked as if it must be hollow .

happy Jack grinned more than ever as he carefully hid himself and watched .

happy Jack didn't try to follow him .

he waited until he was sure that Striped Chipmunk was out of sight and hearing , and then he walked over to the old stump .

" it 's his storehouse fast enough , " said Happy Jack .

CHAPTER VIII

HAPPY JACK TURNS BURGLAR

as trees from little acorns , so Great sums from little pennies grow .

Happy Jack .

happy Jack was going to turn burglar .

yet this is just what Happy Jack Squirrel was planning to do .

he tried very hard to make himself believe that it wouldn't be stealing .

of course they didn't , but he had made himself think they did .

happy Jack walked all around the old stump , and then he climbed up on top of it .

there was only one doorway , and that was the little round hole through which Striped Chipmunk had entered and then come out .

happy Jack sniffed and sniffed .

he could smell nuts and corn and other good things .

my , how good they did smell !

his eyes shone greedily .

soon the hole was big enough for him to get his head inside .

it was a storehouse , sure enough .

happy Jack worked harder than ever , and soon the hole was large enough for him to get wholly inside .

what a sight !

happy Jack chuckled to himself , a wicked , greedy chuckle , as he looked .

and then something happened .

" oh !

oh !

stop it !

leave me alone ! " yelled Happy Jack .

CHAPTER IX

HAPPY JACK SQUIRREL'S SAD MISTAKE

a Squirrel always is thrifty .

be as wise as a Squirrel .

Happy Jack .

" let me go !

can you guess why ?

I 'll tell you .

it was because he was being pulled out .

yes , Sir , Happy Jack Squirrel was being pulled out by his big , bushy tail .

happy Jack was more frightened than hurt .

and then , right inside Happy Jack didn't feel a bit good .

why ?

well , because he was doing a dreadful thing , and he knew that it was a dreadful thing .

he had broken into somebody 's storehouse to steal .

but Happy Jack had been careless .

when he had made the doorway big enough for him to crawl inside , he had left his tail hanging outside .

some one had very , very softly stolen up and grabbed it and begun to pull .

it was so sudden and unexpected that Happy Jack yelled with fright .

when he could get his wits together , he thought of course Striped Chipmunk had come back and was pulling his tail .

so as fast as he could , Happy Jack backed out of the hole and whirled around .

of course he expected to face a very angry little Chipmunk .

but he didn't .

no , Sir , he didn't .

instead , he looked right into the angry face of his other cousin , Chatterer the Red Squirrel .

and Chatterer was angry !

oh my , my , how angry Chatterer was !

for a minute he couldn't find his voice , because his anger fairly choked him .

and when he did , how his tongue did fly !

" you thief !

you robber !

what are you doing in my storehouse ? " he shrieked .

" I I didn't know it was your storehouse , " said Happy Jack , backing away still further .

" it doesn't make any difference if you didn't ; you 're a thief just the same ! " screamed Chatterer and rushed at Happy Jack .

and what do you think Happy Jack did ?

why , he just turned tail and ran , Chatterer after him , crying " Thief !

robber !

coward ! " at the top of his lungs , so that every one in the Green Forest could hear .

CHAPTER X

STRIPED CHIPMUNK'S HAPPY THOUGHT

waste seems to me a dreadful sin ; It works to lose and not to win .

thrift will win ; it cannot lose .

between them ' tis for you to choose .

Happy Jack .

Striped Chipmunk sat on a mossy old log , laughing until his sides ached .

" Ha , ha , ha !

Ho , ho , ho !

oh , dear !

oh , dear !

Ho , ho , ho , ho , ho ! " laughed Striped Chipmunk , holding his sides .

over in the Green Forest he could still hear Chatterer the Red Squirrel crying " Thief !

robber ! " as he chased his big cousin , Happy Jack , and every time he heard it , Striped Chipmunk laughed harder .

he had known that Happy Jack was following him so as to find out where his storehouse was .

then Striped Chipmunk had remembered the storehouse of Chatterer the Red Squirrel .

and that is just what happened .

then Striped Chipmunk had hidden himself where he could see all that happened .

he had seen Chatterer come up , fly into a rage , and pull Happy Jack out by the tail .

indeed , he had had to clap both hands over his mouth to keep from laughing out loud .

so he sat on the mossy old log and laughed and laughed and laughed .

finally Striped Chipmunk wiped the tears from his eyes and jumped up .

" my , my , this will never do ! " said he .

" idle hands and idle feet Never filled a storehouse yet ; But instead , so I 've heard say , Into mischief surely get . "

" I wonder if Happy Jack and Chatterer would come to a Thanksgiving dinner , " he muttered .

" I believe I 'll ask them just for fun . "

then Striped Chipmunk hurried home full of his new idea and chuckled as he planned his Thanksgiving dinner .

of course he couldn't have it at his own house .

that wouldn't do at all .

in the first place , the doorway would be altogether too small for Happy Jack .

then he thought of the big , smooth , mossy log he had been sitting on that very morning .

CHAPTER XI

STRIPED CHIPMUNK'S THANKSGIVING DINNER

there 's nothing quite so sweet in life As making up and ending strife .

Happy Jack .

Striped Chipmunk jumped out of bed very early Thanksgiving morning .

it was going to be a very busy day .

Striped Chipmunk chuckled as he thought how neither of his guests knew that the other was to be there .

he washed his face and hands , brushed his hair , and ate his breakfast .

back and forth , back and forth between his secret storehouse and the smooth , mossy log hurried Striped Chipmunk .

and as he scurried along , he sang a little song .

" thanksgiving comes but once a year , But when it comes it brings good cheer .

for in my storehouse on this day Are piles of good things hid away .

so light of heart the whole day long , I 'll sing a glad Thanksgiving song . "

promptly at the dinner hour Happy Jack appeared coming from one direction , and Chatterer the Red Squirrel coming from another direction .

they didn't see each other until just as they reached Striped Chipmunk 's smooth , mossy log .

then they stopped and scowled .

Striped Chipmunk pretended not to notice anything wrong and bustled about , talking all the time as if his guests were the best of friends .

on the smooth , mossy log was a great pile of shining yellow corn .

there was another pile of plump ripe acorns , and three little piles of dainty looking brown seeds .

but the thing that Happy Jack couldn't keep his eyes off was right in the middle .

it was a huge pile of big , fat hickory nuts .

now who could remain ill-tempered and cross with such a lot of goodies spread before him ?

certainly not Happy Jack or his cousin , Chatterer the Red Squirrel .

they just had to smile in spite of themselves , and when Striped Chipmunk urged them to sit down and help themselves , they did .

" it 's quite a family party , isn't it ? " said Striped Chipmunk , for you know they are all cousins .

Whitefoot the Wood Mouse happened along , and Striped Chipmunk insisted that he should join the party .

later Sammy Jay came along , and nothing would excuse him from sharing in the feast , too .

" thanksgiving comes but once a year , And when it comes it brings good cheer , "

said Striped Chipmunk to himself as he watched his guests depart .

CHAPTER XII

HAPPY JACK DOES SOME THINKING

to call another a thief doesn't make him one .

Happy Jack .

happy Jack sat up in a chestnut tree , and his face was very sober .

the fact is , Happy Jack was doing some very hard thinking .

this is so very unusual for him that Sammy Jay stopped to ask if he was sick .

you see he is naturally a happy-go-lucky little scamp , and that is one reason that he is called Happy Jack .

what was he thinking about ?

can you not guess ?

as it is , I 've got only those that Striped Chipmunk gave me , and Chatterer has only those that Striped Chipmunk gave him .

the more he thought of it , the harder he laughed .

" the joke certainly is on me ! " he exclaimed .

" the joke certainly is on me , and it served me right .

hereafter I 'll mind my own business .

then he laughed again as he thought how Striped Chipmunk must have enjoyed seeing him pulled out of Chatterer 's storehouse by the tail .

" what 's the joke ? " asked Bobby Coon , who happened along just then .

" I 've just learned a lesson , " replied Happy Jack .

" what is it ? " asked Bobby .

happy Jack grinned as he answered :

" I 've found that greed will never , never pay .

it makes one cross and ugly , and it drives one 's friends away .

and being always selfish and always wanting more , One 's very apt to lose the things that one has had before . "

" pooh ! " said Bobby Coon .

" have you just found that out ?

I learned that a long time ago . "

CHAPTER XIII

HAPPY JACK GETS A WARNING

it matters not how smart you are , So be it you are heedless too .

it isn't what you know that counts So much as what it is to you .

Happy Jack .

but they never did .

happy Jack knew all about these big hungry neighbors , and he was always on the watch for them .

he knew their ways and just where they would be likely to hide .

so Happy Jack didn't do much worrying about them .

having nuts stored away , he would have been perfectly happy but for one thing .

and this worried him .

yes , Sir , it worried Happy Jack .

he sometimes actually wished that he wasn't as fat as he was .

then he would be less tempting to his hungry neighbors .

but no good comes of worrying .

no , Sir , not a bit of good comes of worrying , and Happy Jack knows it .

Reddy looked up and showed his teeth angrily .

Happy Jack laughed and scampered away through the tree-tops to another part of the Green Forest where he had some very secret stores of nuts .

he was in such good spirits that for once he quite forgot Shadow the Weasel .

he turned to see Tommy Tit the Chickadee hurrying towards him , and it was very clear that Tommy was greatly excited .

" hello , Tommy Tit !

what ails you ? " exclaimed Happy Jack .

" don't go in there , Happy Jack ! " cried Tommy Tit .

" Shadow the Weasel is in there waiting for you ! "

happy Jack turned quite pale .

" are you sure ? " he gasped .

Tommy Tit nodded as if he would nod his head off .

" I saw him go in , and he hasn't come out , for I 've kept watch , " said he .

" you better get away from here before he knows you are about . "

that was good advice , but it was too late .

even as Tommy Tit spoke , a sharp face with red , angry eyes was thrust out of Happy Jack 's doorway .

it was the face of Shadow the Weasel .

CHAPTER XIV .

HAPPY JACK'S RUN FOR LIFE

Happy Jack .

it isn't cowardly to run away when it is quite useless to stay and fight .

so it wasn't so cowardly of Happy Jack Squirrel to turn tail and run the instant he caught sight of Shadow the Weasel .

but when it comes to a fight , Happy Jack is no match at all for Shadow the Weasel , and he knows it .

yes , Sir , that is just what he did , and it was the wisest thing he could have done .

he hoped with a mighty hope that Shadow would not follow him , but he hoped in vain .

but Tommy didn't mind that threat .

oh , my , no !

Tommy didn't mind it at all .

he can fly , and so he had no fear of Shadow the Weasel .

but he was terribly afraid for Happy Jack .

so Tommy flitted from tree to tree behind Happy Jack , hoping that in some way he might be able to help him .

from tree to tree raced Happy Jack , making desperately long leaps .

it didn't worry him at all that Happy Jack was so far ahead that he was out of sight .

he knew that he could trust his nose to follow the scent of Happy Jack .

and this is just what Happy Jack did do .

but he couldn't rest much .

he was too terribly frightened .

he shivered and shook while he got his breath , and never for a second did he take his eyes from his back trail .

presently he saw a slim white form darting along the snow straight towards the tree in which he was resting .

once more Happy Jack ran , and somehow he felt terribly helpless and hopeless .

Poor Happy Jack !

he had tried every trick he knew , and not one of them had fooled Shadow the Weasel .

now he was too tired to run much farther .

the last little bit of hope left Happy Jack 's heart .

then he gritted his teeth and made up his mind that anyway he would fight his best , even if it was hopeless .

CHAPTER XV

WHO SAVED HAPPY JACK SQUIRREL ?

Blessed he whose words of cheer Help put hope in place of fear .

Happy Jack .

some say that Tommy Tit the Chickadee deserves all the credit , and some say that but wait .

let me tell you just what happened , and then perhaps you can decide for yourself who saved Happy Jack .

at last he was so out of breath and so tired that he felt that he couldn't run any more .

Illustration : HAPPY JACK TRIED EVERY TRICK HE KNEW TO GET AWAY FROM SHADOW THE WEASEL .

" dee , dee , chickadee !

come here quick , Happy Jack !

come here quick ! " called Tommy Tit .

a wee bit of hope sprang up in Happy Jack 's heart .

he couldn't imagine what possible help Tommy Tit could be , but he would go see .

so taking a long breath he started on as fast as he could in the direction of Tommy 's voice .

he couldn't run very fast , because , you know , he was so tired , but he did the best he could .

presently he saw Tommy just ahead of him flying about in great excitement .

" Dee , dee , dee , there he is !

go to him !

go to him , Happy Jack !

hurry !

hurry !

dee , dee , dee , oh , do hurry ! " cried Tommy Tit .

for just a second Happy Jack didn't know what he meant .

then he saw Farmer Brown 's boy watching Tommy Tit as if he didn't know what to make of the little fellow 's excitement .

" go to him !

go to him ! " called Tommy .

" he won't hurt you , and he won't let Shadow the Weasel hurt you !

see me !

see me !

Dee , dee , see me ! "

and with that Tommy Tit flew right down on Farmer Brown 's boy 's hand , for you know he and Farmer Brown 's boy are great friends .

happy Jack hesitated .

he couldn't quite trust him .

so now he hesitated .

then he looked back .

Shadow the Weasel was only a few jumps behind him , and his little eyes glowed red and savage .

Farmer Brown 's boy might not hurt him , but Shadow certainly would .

Shadow would kill him .

Shadow the Weasel had been so intent on catching Happy Jack that he hadn't noticed Farmer Brown 's boy at all .

now he saw him for the first time and stopped short , snarling and spitting .

whatever else you may say of Shadow the Weasel , he is no coward .

but Shadow knows when he is well off , and now he knew better than to come a step nearer .

very gently and softly Farmer Brown 's boy talked to Happy Jack as he took him to the nearest tree .

he pulled over the stones until at last Shadow jumped out , and then Farmer Brown 's boy chased him clear into the Green Forest .

now who really saved Happy Jack Tommy Tit or Farmer Brown 's boy ?

CHAPTER XVI

HAPPY JACK MISSES FARMER BROWN'S BOY

one and one are always two , And two and two are four .

and just as true it is you 'll find That love and love make more .

Happy Jack .

go ask Happy Jack Squirrel .

he knows .

he knows because he has proved it .

it began when Farmer Brown 's boy saved him from Shadow the Weasel .

after that , of course , Happy Jack and Farmer Brown 's boy became great friends .

at first Happy Jack had been a wee bit shy .

he couldn't quite get over that old fear he had had so long .

pretty soon Happy Jack began to love Farmer Brown 's boy a little .

he couldn't help it .

he just had to love any one who was so kind and gentle to him .

at last there came a day when he missed that cheery whistle .

he waited and waited .

at last he went clear to the edge of the Green Forest , but there was no whistle and no sign of Farmer Brown 's boy .

it was the same way the next day and the next .

happy Jack forgot to frisk about the way he usually does .

he lost his appetite .

he just sat around and moped .

when Tommy Tit the Chickadee came to call , as he did every day , Happy Jack found that Tommy was anxious too .

Tommy had been up to Farmer Brown 's dooryard several times , and he hadn't seen anything of Farmer Brown 's boy .

" I think he must have gone away , " said Tommy .

" he would have come down here first and said good-by , " replied Happy Jack .

" you you don't suppose something has happened to him , do you ? " asked Tommy .

" I don't know .

I don't know what to think , " replied Happy Jack , soberly .

" do you know , Tommy , I 've grown very fond of Farmer Brown 's boy . "

" of course .

Dee , dee , dee , of course .

everybody who really knows him is fond of him .

I 've said all along that he is the best friend we 've got , but no one seemed to believe me .

I 'm glad you 've found it out for yourself .

I tell you what , I 'll go up to his house and have another look around . "

and without waiting for a reply , Tommy was off as fast as his little wings could take him .

CHAPTER XVII

TOMMY TIT BRINGS NEWS

no one knows too much , but many know too little .

Happy Jack .

happy Jack very plainly was not happy .

his name was the only happy thing about him .

he fussed about on the edge of the Green Forest .

he just couldn't keep still .

it was very clear that Happy Jack was watching for some one and that he was anxious , very anxious , indeed .

the later it got , the more anxious and uneasy Happy Jack grew .

" did you find out anything ? " asked Happy Jack eagerly , before Tommy had a chance to say a word .

Illustration : " DID YOU FIND OUT ANYTHING ? "

ASKED HAPPY JACK EAGERLY .

Tommy nodded .

" he 's there ! " he panted , for he was quite out of breath from hurrying so .

" where ? "

happy Jack fairly shouted the question .

" over there in the house , " replied Tommy Tit .

" then he hasn't gone away !

" no , " replied Tommy , " he hasn't gone away , but I think there is something the matter with him . "

happy Jack grew very sober .

" what makes you think so ? " he demanded .

" if you 'll give me time to get my breath , I 'll tell you all about it , " retorted Tommy Tit .

" all right , only please hurry , " replied Happy Jack , and tried to look patient even if he wasn't .

Tommy Tit smoothed out some rumpled feathers and was most provokingly slow about it .

I don't see what Farmer Brown keeps her about for , anyway . "

" never mind her ; go on ! " interrupted Happy Jack .

Tommy looked very indignant .

" never mind him , go on ! " cried Happy Jack impatiently .

" after that I flew back to the big maple tree close by the house , " continued Tommy .

" you know Farmer Brown 's boy has kept a piece of suet tied in that tree all winter for me .

I was hungry , and I thought I would get a bite to eat , but there wasn't any suet there .

that pig of a Sammy Jay had managed to get it untied and had carried it all away .

of course that made me angry , and twice as hungry as before .

" what ? " demanded Happy Jack eagerly .

" a lot of cracked hickory nuts ! " declared Tommy .

they tasted so good that I almost forgot about Farmer Brown 's boy , when I just happened to look in the window .

you know those windows are made of some queer stuff that looks like ice and isn't , and that you can see right through . "

happy Jack didn't know , for he never had been near enough to see , but he nodded , and Tommy Tit went on .

" there were many queer things inside , and I was wondering what they could be when all of a sudden I saw him .

he was lying down , and there was something the matter with him .

I tapped on the window to him and then I hurried back here . "

CHAPTER XVIII

HAPPY JACK DECIDES TO MAKE A CALL

you 'll find when all is said and done Two heads are better far than one .

Happy Jack .

happy Jack Squirrel hadn't slept very well .

he had had bad dreams .

ever so many times in the night he had waked up , a very unusual thing for Happy Jack .

the fact is , he had something on his mind .

yes , Sir , Happy Jack had something on his mind , and that something was Farmer Brown 's boy .

he often had had Farmer Brown 's boy on his mind before , but in a very different way .

then it had been in the days when Farmer Brown 's boy hunted through the Green Forest and over the Green Meadows with his terrible gun .

then everybody had Farmer Brown 's boy on their minds most of the time .

happy Jack had hated him then , hated him because he had feared him .

you know fear almost always leads to hate .

but now it was different .

Farmer Brown 's boy had put away his terrible gun .

happy Jack no longer feared him .

and now Tommy Tit had brought word that some thing was the matter with Farmer Brown 's boy .

it was this that was on Happy Jack 's mind and had given him such a bad night .

as soon as it was daylight , Happy Jack scrambled out of bed to look for Tommy Tit .

he didn't have long to wait , for Tommy is quite as early a riser as Happy Jack .

" dee , dee , chickadee !

I hope you feel as well as me ! "

sang Tommy merrily , as he flitted over to where Happy Jack was looking for his breakfast .

the very sound of Tommy 's voice made Happy Jack feel better .

one must feel very badly indeed not to be a little more cheerful when Tommy Tit is about .

" Hello , Tommy , " said Happy Jack .

" if I could make other people feel as good as you do , do you know what I would do ? "

" what ? " asked Tommy .

" I 'd go straight up to Farmer Brown 's house and try to cheer up Farmer Brown 's boy , " replied Happy Jack .

" that 's the very thing I have in mind , " chuckled Tommy .

" I 've come over here to see if you won't come along with me .

I 've been up to his house so often that he won't think half so much of a visit from me as he will from you .

will you do it ? "

happy Jack looked a little startled .

" I I do you really suppose I could ? " he asked .

" I 'm sure of it , " replied Tommy Tit .

then you can look right in and see Farmer Brown 's boy , and he can look out and see you .

will you do it ? "

happy Jack thought very hard for a few minutes .

then he made up his mind .

" I 'll do it ! " said he in a very decided tone of voice .

" let's start right away . "

" good for you !

dee , dee , good for you ! " cried Tommy Tit , and started to lead the way .

CHAPTER XIX

TOMMY TIT AND HAPPY JACK PAY A VISIT

as grows the mighty elm tree , From just a tiny seed , So often great things happen From just a kindly deed .

Happy Jack .

great things were happening to Happy Jack Squirrel .

now you may not think that it was anything very great that Happy Jack should be on his way to Farmer Brown 's house .

very likely you are saying , " pooh ! that 's nothing ! "

this may be true , and then again it may not .

suppose you do a little supposing .

suppose you had all your life been terribly afraid of a great giant fifty times bigger than you .

suppose that great giant had stopped hunting you and by little deeds of kindness had at last won your love .

wouldn't you think that great things were happening to you ?

through the Old Orchard they went , Tommy Tit flitting ahead and keeping a sharp watch for danger .

he was back in a few minutes .

" dee , dee , everything is all right , " said he .

" Bowser the Hound is eating ; his breakfast out back where he can't see you at all , and Black Pussy is nowhere about .

" I I 'm afraid , " confessed Happy Jack .

" pooh !

there 's nothing to be afraid of , " asserted Tommy Tit in the most positive way .

" don't be a coward .

remember how Farmer Brown 's boy saved you from Shadow the Weasel .

come on !

Dee , dee , dee , come on ! "

with that Tommy flew across to the tree close by the house .

happy Jack scrambled up on the old stone wall and looked this way and looked that way .

he couldn't see a thing to be afraid of .

he jumped down and ran a few steps .

then his heart failed , and he scampered back to the old stone wall in a panic .

after a few minutes he tried again , and once more a foolish fear sent him back .

the third time he gritted his teeth , said to himself over and over , " I will !

I will !

I will ! " and ran with all his might .

in no time at all he was across the dooryard and up in the big tree , his heart pounding with excitement .

" Dee , dee , dee , " called Tommy Tit .

happy Jack looked over to the house , and there sat Tommy on a window-sill , helping himself to the most delicious-looking cracked nuts .

the sight of them made Happy Jack 's mouth water .

a long branch hung down over the window and almost touched the sill .

happy Jack ventured half way and stopped .

somehow it seemed very dangerous to go so close to that window .

" come on !

come on !

what are you afraid of ? " called Tommy .

something like shame that such a little fellow as Tommy Tit should dare to go where he did not , crept into Happy Jack 's heart .

at first he didn't see anything of Farmer Brown 's boy , but in a few minutes he made him out .

he was lying down all covered over except his head .

there was something the matter with him .

Happy Jack didn't need to be told that , and a great pity filled his heart .

he wanted to do something for Farmer Brown 's boy .

CHAPTER XX

WHAT WAS THE MATTER WITH FARMER BROWN'S BOY ?

he who climbs the highest has the farthest to fall , but often it is worth the risk .

Happy Jack .

all the way home from his visit to Farmer Brown 's house Happy Jack Squirrel puzzled and wondered over what he had seen .

he had peeped in at a window and seen Farmer Brown 's boy lying all covered up , with only his head showing .

happy Jack couldn't see very well , but somehow that head didn't look just right .

one thing was sure , and that was there was something wrong with Farmer Brown 's boy .

he never would have been lying still like that if there hadn't been .

Happy Jack had been so troubled by what he saw that he had hardly tasted the nuts he had found on the window-sill .

" of course , " replied Tommy .

" I expected you would .

I will be around for you at the same time .

you 're not afraid any more to go up there , are you ? "

" No-o , " replied Happy Jack , slowly .

the truth is , he was still a little afraid .

it was .

they found things just as they had been the day before .

they saw Farmer Brown 's boy , but he didn't see them .

you see , they never had made her acquaintance , and having her walk in so suddenly frightened them terribly .

they didn't stop to think that there was nothing to fear because there was the window between .

somehow they couldn't understand that queer stuff that they could see through but which shut them out .

but they had been too badly frightened to look back , and so they didn't know anything about that .

the next morning Tommy Tit was on hand as usual , but he found Happy Jack a little doubtful about paying another visit .

he wasn't wholly over his scare of the day before .

it took him some time to make up his mind to go , but finally he did .

this time when they reached the tree close by the house , they found a great surprise awaiting them .

Farmer Brown 's boy was sitting just inside the window , looking out .

at least , they thought it was Farmer Brown 's boy , but when they got a little nearer , they grew doubtful .

it looked like Farmer Brown 's boy , and yet it didn't .

his cheeks stuck way out just as Striped Chipmunk 's do when he has them stuffed full of corn or nuts .

happy Jack stared at him very hard .

" my goodness , I didn't know he carried his food that way ! " he exclaimed .

" I should think it would be dreadfully uncomfortable . "

he didn't smile at all but made up an awful face instead and clapped both hands to his cheeks .

then they were glad too .

but what was the matter with Farmer Brown 's boy ?

happy Jack puzzled over it all the rest of the day , and then gave it up .

CHAPTER XXI

HAPPY JACK SQUIRREL GROWS VERY BOLD

when you find a friend in trouble Pass along a word of cheer .

often it is very helpful Just to feel a friend is near .

Happy Jack .

most people are just like Happy Jack they do the easiest thing .

each day Farmer Brown 's boy looked more and more like himself .

his cheeks stuck out less and less , and finally did not stick out at all .

and now he smiled at Happy Jack with his mouth as well as with his eyes .

you know when his cheeks had stuck out so , he couldn't smile at all except with his eyes .

one morning he got a surprise .

when he ran out along the branch of the tree that led to the window-sill he suddenly discovered something wrong .

there were no nuts on the sill !

more than this there was something very suspicious looking about the window .

it didn't look just right .

the truth is it was partly open , but Happy Jack didn't understand this , not then , anyway .

he stopped short and scolded , a way he has when things don't suit him .

Farmer Brown 's boy came to the window and called to him .

then he thrust a hand out , and in it were some of the fattest nuts Happy Jack ever had seen .

his mouth watered right away .

there might be something wrong with the window , but certainly the sill was all right .

it would do no harm to go that far .

so Happy Jack nimbly jumped across to the window-sill .

Farmer Brown 's boy 's hand with the fat nuts was still there , and Happy Jack lost no time in getting one .

then he sat up on the sill to eat it .

my , but it was good !

it was just as good as it had looked .

happy Jack 's eyes twinkled as he ate .

when he had finished that nut , he wanted another .

but now Farmer Brown 's boy had drawn his hand inside the window .

what if that window should be closed while he was in there ?

then he would be a prisoner .

so he sat up and begged .

he knew that Farmer Brown 's boy knew what he wanted .

but Farmer Brown 's boy kept his hand just where it was .

" come on , you little rascal , " said he .

" you ought to know me well enough by this time to know that I won't hurt you or let any harm come to you .

hurry up , because I can't stand here all day .

you see , I 've just got over the mumps , and if I should catch cold I might be sick again .

come along now , and show how brave you are . "

of course Happy Jack couldn't understand what he said .

so at last he screwed up his courage and put his head inside .

nothing happened , so he went wholly in and sat on the inside sill .

Farmer Brown 's boy laughed , and putting the rest of the nuts outside , he closed the window .

happy Jack ate his fill and then scampered back to the Green Forest .

he felt all puffed up with pride .

" pooh , that 's nothing ! " replied Tommy , when he had heard about it .

" I 've done that often . "

CHAPTER XXII

HAPPY JACK DARES TOMMY TIT

Happy Jack .

somehow Happy Jack 's day had been spoiled .

he knew that he had no business to allow it to be spoiled , but it was , just the same .

he couldn't help feeling quite puffed up about it .

but when he told Tommy Tit the Chickadee about it , Tommy had said , " pooh !

I 've done that often . "

that was what had spoiled the day for Happy Jack .

so Happy Jack hadn't been so dreadfully bold , after all , and had nothing to brag about .

it made him feel quite put out .

he thought about it all the rest of the day , and just before he fell asleep that night an idea came to him .

" I know what I 'll do !

but he was doing his best to call Farmer Brown 's boy .

you see , there wasn't a single nut on the window-sill , and the window was closed .

pretty soon Farmer Brown 's boy came to the window and opened it .

but he didn't put out any nuts .

Tommy Tit at once flew over to the sill , and to show that he was just as bold , Happy Jack followed .

this was the chance Happy Jack wanted to try the plan he had thought of the night before .

" I dare you to go way in there and get a nut , " said he to Tommy Tit .

he hoped that Tommy would be afraid .

but Tommy wasn't anything of the kind .

" Dee , dee , dee !

of course now that he had dared Tommy Tit , and Tommy had taken the dare , he just had to do it too .

it looked a long way in to where Farmer Brown 's boy was standing .

twice he started and turned back .

then he heard Tommy Tit chuckle .

that was too much .

he wouldn't be laughed at .

he just wouldn't .

he scampered across , grabbed a nut , and rushed back to the window-sill , where he ate the nut .

this was a little more than Tommy Tit could make up his mind to do .

he wasn't afraid to fly in for a nut and then fly out again , but he couldn't feel easy inside a house like that .

of course , this made Happy Jack feel good all over .

you see , he felt that now he really did have something to boast about .

happy Jack swelled himself out at the thought .

now everybody would say , " what a bold fellow ! "

CHAPTER XXIII

SAMMY JAY IS QUITE UPSET

I know of nothing sweeter than Success to Squirrel or to man .

Happy Jack .

very few people can be all puffed up with pride without showing it .

happy Jack Squirrel couldn't .

Just to have looked at him you would have known that he was feeling very , very good about something .

when he thought no one was looking , he would actually strut .

and it was all because he considered himself a very bold fellow .

that was a new feeling for Happy Jack .

but now he felt that he dared do a thing that not one of them dared do .

he dared go right into Farmer Brown 's house and make himself quite at home in the room of Farmer Brown 's boy .

he felt that he was a tremendously brave fellow .

you see , he quite forgot one thing .

it is never brave to do a thing that you are not afraid to do .

of course , it wasn't long before others began to notice Happy Jack 's pride .

one of the first was Sammy Jay .

there is very little that escapes Sammy Jay 's sharp eyes .

silently stealing through the Green Forest early one morning , he surprised Happy Jack strutting .

" huh , " said he , " what are you feeling so big about ? "

like a flash the thought came to Happy Jack that here was a chance to show what a bold fellow he had become .

" hello , Sammy ! " he exclaimed .

" are you feeling very brave this morning ? "

" me feeling brave ?

what are you talking about ?

if I was as timid as you are , I wouldn't ever talk about bravery to other people .

if there is anything you dare to do that I don't , I 've never heard of it , " retorted Sammy Jay .

" come on ! " cried Happy Jack .

" I 'm going to get my breakfast , and I dare you to follow me ! "

Sammy Jay actually laughed right out .

" go ahead .

wherever you go , I 'll go , " he declared .

happy Jack started right away for Farmer Brown 's house , and Sammy followed .

he had been there many times .

Sammy was a little surprised when he saw Happy Jack jump over on to the window-sill .

" come on ! " called Happy Jack , his eyes twinkling .

Sammy Jay chuckled .

" he thinks I don't dare go over there , " he thought .

" well , I 'll fool him . "

with a hasty look to see that no danger was near , he spread his wings to follow Happy Jack on to the window-sill .

when Sammy saw Happy Jack disappear inside he gave a little gasp .

when he looked inside and saw Happy Jack making himself quite at home , he gasped again .

he didn't dare stay to see more , and for once in his life was quite speechless as he flew back to the Green Forest .

CHAPTER XXIV

a DREAM COMES TRUE

what are all our dreams made up of That they often are so queer ?

wishes , hopes , and fond desires All mixed up with foolish fears .

Happy Jack .

which is worse , to have a very beautiful dream never come true , or to have a bad dream really come true ?

happy Jack Squirrel says the latter is worse , much worse .

dreams do come true once in a great while , you know .

one of Happy Jack 's did .

it came true , and it made a great difference in Happy Jack 's life .

you see , it was like this :

happy Jack had had so many things to think of that he had almost forgotten about Shadow the Weasel .

since then life had been too full of pleasant things to think of anything so unpleasant as Shadow the Weasel .

but one night Happy Jack had a bad dream .

yes , Sir , it was a very bad dream .

Shadow was right at his heels and in one more jump would have him .

happy Jack opened his mouth to scream , and awoke .

he was all ashake with fright .

it was a great relief to find that it was only a dream , but even then he couldn't get over it right away .

he was glad that it was almost morning , and just as soon as it was light enough to see , he crept out .

it was too early to go over to Farmer Brown 's house ; Farmer Brown 's boy wouldn't be up yet .

but all the time he kept thinking of that dreadful dream .

a little spot of black moving against the white snow caught his sharp eyes .

what was it ?

he leaned forward and held his breath , as he tried to make sure .

ah , now he could see !

just ahead of that black thing was a long , slim fellow all in white , and that black spot was his tail .

if it hadn't been for that , Happy Jack very likely wouldn't have seen him at all .

it was Shadow the Weasel !

he was running swiftly , first to one side and then to the other , with his nose to the snow .

he was hunting .

there was no doubt about that .

he was hunting for his breakfast .

happy Jack 's eyes grew wide with fear .

would Shadow find his tracks ?

otherwise he might have been caught right in his own bed .

Shadow was almost at Happy Jack 's house when he stopped abruptly with his nose to the snow and sniffed eagerly .

then he turned , and with his nose to the snow , started straight toward the tree where Happy Jack was .

happy Jack waited to see no more .

he knew now that Shadow had found his trail and that it was to be a case of run for his life .

" my dream has come true ! " he sobbed as he ran .

" my dream has come true , and I don't know what to do ! "

but all the time he kept on running as fast as ever he could , which really was the only thing to do .

CHAPTER XXV

HAPPY JACK HAS A HAPPY THOUGHT

who runs when danger comes his way Will live to run some other day .

Happy Jack .

frightened and breathless , running with all his might from Shadow the Weasel , Happy Jack Squirrel was in despair .

he didn't know what to do or where to go .

but now it was too early in the morning for him to expect to meet Farmer Brown 's boy .

now most of us are creatures of habit .

we do the thing that we have been in the habit of doing , and do it without thinking anything about it .

that is why good habits are such a blessing .

happy Jack Squirrel is just like the rest of us .

he has habits , both good and bad .

in fact , he was halfway there before he realized in which direction he was running .

right then a thought came to him .

it gave him a wee bit of hope , and seemed to help him run just a little faster .

how he did hope that that window would be open !

he knew that it was his only chance .

no doubt he was .

he didn't stop to look to see if the way was clear .

there wasn't time for that .

Shadow the Weasel was surprised .

he had not dreamed that Happy Jack would come over here .

but Shadow is a bold fellow , and it made little difference to him where Happy Jack went .

at least , that is what he thought .

so he followed Happy Jack across the dooryard and up the maple tree .

" he never 'll get out of this tree , " thought Shadow , as he started to climb it .

he fully expected to find Happy Jack huddled in a miserable little heap somewhere near the top .

just imagine how surprised he was when he discovered that Happy Jack wasn't to be seen .

he rubbed his angry little red eyes , and they grew angrier and redder than before .

" must be a hollow up here somewhere , " he muttered .

" I 'll just follow the scent of his feet , and that will lead me to him . "

but when that scent led him out on a branch the tip of which brushed against Farmer Brown 's house Shadow got another surprise .

there was no sign of Happy Jack .

he couldn't have reached the roof .

there was no place he could have gone unless .

Shadow stared across at a window open about two inches .

" he couldn't have ! " muttered Shadow .

" he wouldn't dare .

he couldn't have ! "

but Happy Jack had .

he had gone inside that window .

CHAPTER XXVI

FARMER BROWN'S BOY WAKES WITH A START

never think another crazy just because it happens you Never 've heard of just the thing that they have started out to do .

Happy Jack .

it was just so with Farmer Brown 's boy .

I suppose he wouldn't have been a real boy if it hadn't been so .

that was very nice , but it made it all the harder to get up when he should after he was well again .

in two minutes he was dreaming just as if there were no such things as duties to be done .

for a while they were very pleasant dreams , very pleasant indeed .

but suddenly they changed .

a terrible monster was chasing him .

it had great red eyes as big as saucers , and sparks of fire flew from its mouth .

it had great claws as big as ice tongs , and it roared like a lion .

in his dream Farmer Brown 's boy was running with all his might .

then he tripped and fell , and somehow he couldn't get up again .

the terrible monster came nearer and nearer .

Farmer Brown 's boy tried to scream and couldn't .

he was so frightened that he had lost his voice .

the terrible monster was right over him now and reached out one of his huge paws with the great claws .

one of them touched him on the cheek , and it burned like fire .

with a yell , a real , genuine yell , Farmer Brown 's boy awoke and sprang out of bed .

for a minute he couldn't think where he was .

a thump and a scurry of little feet caught his attention , and he turned to see a Gray Squirrel running for the open window .

a great light broke over Farmer Brown 's boy .

" Happy Jack , you little rascal , I believe you are the terrible monster that scared me so ! " he exclaimed .

" I believe you were on my bed , and that it was your claws that I felt on my face .

but what ails you ?

you look frightened almost to death . "

he went over to the window and looked out .

a movement in the big maple tree just outside caught his attention .

he saw a long , slim white form dart down the tree and disappear .

he knew who it was .

it was Shadow the Weasel .

" this is the place to come to every time .

poor little chap , you 're all of a tremble .

I guess I know how you feel when a Weasel is after you .

I guess you feel just as I felt when I dreamed that that monster was after me .

my , but you certainly did give me a scare when you touched my face ! "

he gently stroked Happy Jack as he talked , and Happy Jack let him .

" breakfast ! " called a voice from downstairs .

CHAPTER XXVII

HAPPY JACK IS AFRAID TO GO HOME

safety first is the best rule to insure a long life .

Happy Jack .

happy Jack didn't dare go home .

can you think of anything more dreadful than to be afraid to go to your own home ?

why , home is the dearest place in the world , and it should be the safest .

it often happens that way with the little people of the Green Meadows and the Green Forest .

it was that way with Happy Jack Squirrel now .

you see , Happy Jack knew that Shadow the Weasel is not one to give up easily .

Shadow has one very good trait , and that is persistence .

he is not easily discouraged .

when he sets out to do a thing , usually he does it .

if he starts to get a thing , usually he gets it .

no , he isn't easily discouraged .

happy Jack knows this .

no one knows it better .

so Happy Jack didn't dare to go home .

he knew that any minute of night or day Shadow might surprise him there , and that would be the end of him .

he had stayed in the room of Farmer Brown 's boy until Mrs Brown had come to make the bed .

then he had jumped out the window into the big maple tree .

he wasn't quite sure of Mrs Brown yet .

she had kindly eyes .

they were just like the eyes of Farmer Brown 's boy .

but he didn't feel really acquainted yet , and he felt safer outside than inside the room while she was there .

" oh dear , oh dear !

what shall I do ?

I have no home , and so To keep me warm and snug and safe I have no place to go ! "

Happy Jack said this over and over as he sat in the maple tree , trying to decide what was to be done .

" I wonder what ails that Squirrel .

he seems to be doing a lot of scolding , " said Mrs Brown , as she looked out of the window .

and that shows how easy it is to misunderstand people when we don't know all about their affairs .

the window had been closed , so he couldn't go inside .

he looked at it longingly a great many times during the day , hoping that he would find it open .

but he didn't .

of course Happy Jack didn't know that .

Late that afternoon Farmer Brown 's boy , who had been at school all day , came whistling into the yard .

he noticed Happy Jack right away .

" hello !

you back again !

isn't one good meal a day enough ? " he exclaimed .

" he 's been there all day , " said his mother , who had come to the door just in time to overhear him .

" I don't know what ails him . "

then Farmer Brown 's boy noticed how forlorn Happy Jack looked .

he remembered Happy Jack 's fright that morning .

" I know what 's the matter ! " he cried .

" it 's that Weasel .

the poor little chap is afraid to go home .

we must see what we can do for him .

I wonder if he will stay if I make a new house for him .

I believe I 'll try it and see . "

CHAPTER XXVIII

HAPPY JACK FINDS A NEW HOME

Happy Jack .

he was afraid to go to his home in the Green Forest because Shadow the Weasel might be waiting for him there .

he was afraid of the night which would soon come .

he was cold , and he was hungry .

altogether he was as miserable a little Squirrel as ever was seen .

he whistled cheerily to Happy Jack as he put the ladder against the tree and climbed up .

even if he was afraid , there was comfort in having Farmer Brown 's boy near .

when he had fixed things to suit him , he went down the ladder and carried it away with him .

in the crotch of the tree he had left the queer thing that he had brought under his arm .

in spite of his fears , Happy Jack was curious .

Little by little he crept nearer .

on the shelf were some of the nuts that he liked best .

for a long time Happy Jack looked and looked .

was it a trap ?

somehow he couldn't believe that it was .

what would Farmer Brown 's boy try to trap him for when they were such good friends ?

at last the sight of the nuts was too much for him .

it certainly was safe enough to help himself to those .

how good they tasted !

almost before he knew it , they were gone .

then he got up courage enough to peep inside .

the box was filled with soft hay .

it certainly did look inviting in there to a fellow who had no home and no place to go .

he put his head inside .

finally he went wholly in .

it was just as nice as it looked .

he doesn't know much about making a bed , but I guess he means well . "

CHAPTER XXIX

FARMER BROWN'S BOY TAKES A PRISONER

the craftiest and cleverest , the strongest and the bold Will make mistakes like other folks , young , middle-aged , and old .

Happy Jack .

happy Jack Squirrel was happy once more .

happy Jack and Farmer Brown 's boy were getting to be greater friends than ever .

every morning Happy Jack jumped over to the window-sill and then in at the open window of the room of Farmer Brown 's boy .

there he was sure to find a good breakfast of fat hickory nuts .

when Farmer Brown 's boy overslept , as he did sometimes , Happy Jack would jump up on the bed and waken him .

he thought this great fun .

several times she climbed up in the tree and tried to catch him .

after that , he rather enjoyed having her try to catch him .

it was almost like a game .

after a while she was content to sit at the foot of the tree and just glare at him .

happy Jack had only one worry now , and this didn't trouble him a great deal .

it was possible that Shadow the Weasel might take it into his head to try to surprise him some night .

still , being so close to Farmer Brown 's boy gave Happy Jack a very comfortable feeling .

then something happened that made Farmer Brown 's boy very , very angry .

that decided him .

he felt sure that Shadow would come again , and he meant to give Shadow a surprise .

he hunted until he found the little hole through which Shadow had got into the henhouse , and there he set a trap .

" I don't like to do it , but I 've got to , " said he .

the very next morning Happy Jack saw Farmer Brown 's boy coming from the henhouse with something under his arm .

he came straight over to the foot of the big maple tree and put the thing he was carrying down on the ground .

he whistled to Happy Jack , and as Happy Jack came down to see what it was all about , Farmer Brown 's boy grinned .

" here 's a friend of yours you probably will be glad to see , " said he .

at first , all Happy Jack could make out was a kind of wire box .

then he saw something white inside , and it moved .

very suspiciously Happy Jack came nearer .

then his heart gave a great leap .

that wire box was a cage , and glaring between the wires with red , angry eyes was Shadow the Weasel !

he was a prisoner !

right away Happy Jack was so excited that he acted as if he were crazy .

he no longer had a single thing to be afraid of .

do you wonder that he was excited ?

CHAPTER XXX

a PRISONER WITHOUT FEAR

a bad name is easy to get but hard to live down .

Happy Jack .

Shadow the Weasel was a prisoner .

for once he had been careless , and this was the result .

Farmer Brown 's boy had caught him in a trap .

of course , he should have known better than to have visited the henhouse a second time after killing three of the best pullets there .

he should have known that Farmer Brown 's boy would be sure to do something about it .

the truth is , he had yielded to temptation when common sense had warned him not to .

so he had no one to blame for his present difficulty but himself , and he knew it .

at first he had been in a terrible rage and had bitten at the wires until he had made his mouth sore .

of course it hurt his pride terribly to be made fun of by those who always had feared him .

happy Jack Squirrel was the first one of these to see him .

perhaps he was crazy with joy .

so Happy Jack raced up and down the tree in the very greatest excitement , and his tongue went quite as fast as his legs .

he wanted everybody to know that Shadow was a prisoner at last .

at first he did not dare go very close to the cage .

you see , he had so long feared Shadow that he was still afraid of him even though he was so helpless .

but little by little Happy Jack grew bolder and came very close .

and then he began doing something not at all nice .

he began calling Shadow names and making fun of him , and telling him how he wasn't afraid of him .

it was all very foolish and worse it was like hitting a foe who was helpless .

of course Happy Jack hastened to tell everybody he met all about Shadow , so it wasn't long before Shadow began to receive many visitors .

somehow it seems as if always it is that way when people get into trouble .

you know it is very easy to appear to be bold and brave when there is nothing to be afraid of .

of course that isn't bravery at all , though many seem to think it is .

Illustration : IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE SHADOW BEGAN TO RECEIVE MANY VISITORS .

why , they hoped they would see Shadow afraid .

yes , Sir , that is just what they hoped .

but they didn't .

that is where they were disappointed .

not once did Shadow show the least sign of fear .

but he was too proud and too brave to let any one know that any such fear ever entered his mind .

whatever his faults , Shadow is no coward .

he was a prisoner , but he kept just as stout a heart as ever .

CHAPTER XXXI

WHAT FARMER BROWN'S BOY DID WITH SHADOW

Ribble , dibble , dibble , dab !

some people have the gift of gab !

some people have no tongues at all To trip them up and make them fall .

Happy Jack .

it is because of his unruly tongue that Sammy Jay is forever getting into trouble .

it is the same way with Chatterer the Red Squirrel .

and it is just the same way with a great many little boys and girls , and with grown-ups as well .

Shadow said never a word in reply .

he was too wise to do that .

he just turned his back on them .

but these little people with the foolish tongues didn't stop to think of what might happen .

perhaps they wouldn't have , if they could have known just what was going on in the mind of Farmer Brown 's boy .

at first he had thought he would keep him in a cage the rest of his life .

then he thought that he would kill Shadow and put him out of his misery at once .

" he 's a pest . "

bad as he seemed , she must have some use for him .

the more he thought of this , the harder it was for Farmer Brown 's boy to make up his mind to kill him .

but if he couldn't keep him a prisoner and he couldn't kill him , what could he do ?

he was scowling down at Shadow one morning and puzzling over this when a happy idea came to him .

" I know what I 'll do ! " he exclaimed .

happy Jack watched him out of sight .

he had gone in the direction of the Old Pasture .

he was gone a long time , and when he did return , the cage was empty .

happy Jack blinked at the empty cage .

then he began to ask in a scolding tone , " what did you do with him ?

what did you do with him ? "

Farmer Brown 's boy just smiled and tossed a nut to Happy Jack .

and far up in the Old Pasture , Shadow the Weasel was once more free .

it was well for Happy Jack 's peace of mind that he didn't know that .

CHAPTER XXXII

HAPPY JACK IS PERFECTLY HAPPY

never say a thing is so Unless you absolutely know .

just remember every day To be quite sure of what you say .

Happy Jack .

taking things for granted doesn't do at all in this world .

to take a thing for granted is to think that it is so without taking the trouble to find out whether it is or not .

it is apt not only to get you yourself into trouble , but to make trouble for other people as well .

Happy Jack saw Farmer Brown 's boy carry Shadow the Weasel away in a cage , and he saw him bring back the cage empty .

what could he have done with Shadow ?

for a while he teased Farmer Brown 's boy to tell him , but of course Farmer Brown 's boy didn't understand Happy Jack 's language .

now Happy Jack knew just what he would like to believe .

he would like to believe that Farmer Brown 's boy had taken Shadow away and made an end of him .

and because he wanted to believe that , it wasn't very hard to believe it .

there was the empty cage .

of course Farmer Brown 's boy wouldn't have gone to the trouble of trapping Shadow unless he intended to get rid of him for good .

you see , he felt that he no longer had anything to worry about .

yes , Sir , Happy Jack was happy .

he liked the house Farmer Brown 's boy had made for him in the big maple tree close by his own house .

by this time he wasn't afraid of her ; not a bit .

in fact , he rather enjoyed teasing her and getting her to chase him .

he had made friends with Mrs Brown and with Farmer Brown , and he even felt almost friends with Bowser the Hound .

sometimes he would climb up on the roof of Bowser 's little house and drop nutshells on Bowser 's head when he was asleep .

the funny thing was Bowser never seemed to mind .

he would lazily open his eyes and wink one of them at Happy Jack and thump with his tail .

he seemed to feel that now Happy Jack was one of the family , just as he was .

so Happy Jack was just as happy as a fat Gray Squirrel with nothing to worry him could be .

he was so happy that Sammy Jay actually became jealous .

you know Sammy is a born trouble maker .

that is just the way with some folks ; they always are suspicious .

CHAPTER XXXIII

SAMMY JAY UPSETS HAPPY JACK

a good deed well done often is overlooked , but you never are allowed to forget a mistake .

Happy Jack .

Sammy Jay chuckled as he flew across the snow-covered Green Meadows on his way to his home in the Green Forest .

he chuckled and he chuckled .

" too late to-day .

time I was home now .

it 'll keep until to-morrow , " he muttered .

" don't know what started me off to the Old Pasture this afternoon , but I 'm glad I went .

" it pays to snoop around in this world and see what is going on .

nothing like using my own eyes and my own ears .

well , I must get to sleep . "

he began to chuckle again , and he was still chuckling as he fell asleep .

the next morning Sammy Jay was astir at the very first sign of light .

then he headed straight for Farmer Brown 's house .

just as he expected he found Happy Jack Squirrel was awake , for Happy Jack is an early riser .

" you seem to be looking as happy as ever . "

" of course I am , " replied Happy Jack .

" why shouldn't I be ?

I haven't a thing to worry about .

of course I 'm happy , and I hope you 're just as happy as I am .

I 'm going to get my breakfast now , and then I 'll be happier still . "

" that 's so .

" by the way , I saw an old friend of yours yesterday .

he inquired after you particularly .

he said that he didn't know of any one he likes to look at better than you . "

happy Jack looked flattered .

" that was very nice of him , " said he .

" who was it ? "

" guess , " replied Sammy .

happy Jack scratched his head thoughtfully .

there were not many friends in winter .

most of them were asleep or had gone to the far away southland .

" Peter Rabbit , " he ventured .

Sammy shook his head .

" Jimmy Skunk ! "

again Sammy shook his head .

" Jumper the Hare ! "

" guess again , " said Sammy , chuckling .

" little Joe Otter ! "

" wrong , " replied Sammy .

" I give up .

who was it ?

do tell me , " begged Happy Jack .

" it was Shadow the Weasel ! " cried Sammy , triumphantly .

" I I don't believe you , " he stammered .

" Farmer Brown 's boy took him away and put an end to him .

I saw him take him . "

" but you didn't see him put an end to Shadow , " declared Sammy , " because he didn't .

he took him ' way up in the Old Pasture and let him go , and I saw him up there yesterday .

that 's what comes of guessing at things .

Shadow is no more dead than you are .

well , I must be going along .

I hope you 'll enjoy your breakfast . "

perhaps if you ask him , he will tell you of these other adventures himself .

meanwhile , bashful little Mrs Peter Rabbit is anxious that you should know something about her .

so I have promised to call the next book , " Mrs Peter Rabbit . "

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Happy Jack , by Thornton Burgess

produced by Rick Niles , John Hagerson , and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team .

TWICE-TOLD TALES .

BY

NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE .

PHILADELPHIA : DAVID McKAY , PUBLISHER , @number@ SOUTH NINTH STREET .

@number@

CONTENTS .

PAGE

THE GRAY CHAMPION @number@

SUNDAY AT HOME @number@

THE WEDDING-KNELL @number@

THE MINISTER'S BLACK VEIL @number@

THE MAYPOLE OF MERRY MOUNT @number@

THE GENTLE BOY @number@

MR . HIGGINBOTHAM'S CATASTROPHE @number@

LITTLE ANNIE'S RAMBLE @number@

WAKEFIELD @number@

a RILL FROM THE TOWN PUMP @number@

THE GREAT CARBUNCLE @number@

THE PROPHETIC PICTURES @number@

DAVID SWAN @number@

SIGHTS FROM A STEEPLE @number@

THE HOLLOW OF THE THREE HILLS @number@

THE TOLL-GATHERER'S DAY @number@

THE VISION OF THE FOUNTAIN @number@

FANCY'S SHOW-BOX @number@

DR . HEIDEGGER'S EXPERIMENT @number@

LEGENDS OF THE PROVINCE HOUSE : I .

HOWE'S MASQUERADE @number@ II .

EDWARD RANDOLPH'S PORTRAIT @number@ III .

LADY ELEANORE'S MANTLE @number@ IV .

OLD ESTHER DUDLEY @number@

THE HAUNTED MIND @number@

THE VILLAGE UNCLE @number@

THE AMBITIOUS GUEST @number@

THE SISTER-YEARS @number@

SNOWFLAKES @number@

THE SEVEN VAGABONDS @number@

THE WHITE OLD MAID @number@

PETER GOLDTHWAITE'S TREASURE @number@

CHIPPINGS WITH A CHISEL @number@

THE SHAKER BRIDAL @number@

NIGHT-SKETCHES @number@

ENDICOTT AND THE RED CROSS @number@

THE LILY'S QUEST @number@

FOOTPRINTS ON THE SEASHORE @number@

EDWARD FANE'S ROSEBUD @number@

THE THREEFOLD DESTINY @number@

TWICE-TOLD TALES .

THE GRAY CHAMPION .

there was once a time when New England groaned under the actual pressure of heavier wrongs than those threatened ones which brought on the Revolution .

still , the intelligence produced a marked effect .

the sun was near setting when the march commenced .

these holy men exerted their influence to quiet the people , but not to disperse them .

" Satan will strike his master-stroke presently , " cried some , " because he knoweth that his time is short .

all our godly pastors are to be dragged to prison .

we shall see them at a Smithfield fire in King street . "

" the pope of Rome has given orders for a new St Bartholomew , " cried others .

" we are to be massacred , man and male-child . "

neither was this rumor wholly discredited ; although the wiser class believed the governor 's object somewhat less atrocious .

his predecessor under the old charter , Bradstreet , a venerable companion of the first settlers , was known to be in town .

" stand firm for the old charter-governor ! " shouted the crowd , seizing upon the idea " the good old Governor Bradstreet ! "

" my children , " concluded this venerable person , " do nothing rashly .

cry not aloud , but pray for the welfare of New England and expect patiently what the Lord will do in this matter . "

the event was soon to be decided .

their steady march was like the progress of a machine that would roll irresistibly over everything in its way .

those around him were his favorite councillors and the bitterest foes of New England .

on the other side was Bullivant , scattering jests and mockery as he rode along .

the captain of a frigate in the harbor and two or three civil officers under the Crown were also there .

another guard of soldiers , in double rank , brought up the rear .

" O Lord of hosts , " cried a voice among the crowd , " provide a champion for thy people ! "

this ejaculation was loudly uttered , and served as a herald 's cry to introduce a remarkable personage .

the intervening space was empty a paved solitude between lofty edifices which threw almost a twilight shadow over it .

he made a gesture at once of encouragement and warning , then turned again and resumed his way .

" who is this gray patriarch ? " asked the young men of their sires .

" who is this venerable brother ? " asked the old men among themselves .

but none could make reply .

the elderly men ought to have remembered him , too , with locks as gray in their youth as their own were now .

and the young !

" whence did he come ?

what is his purpose ?

who can this old man be ? " whispered the wondering crowd .

meanwhile , the venerable stranger , staff in hand , was pursuing his solitary walk along the centre of the street .

now he marched onward with a warrior 's step , keeping time to the military music .

" stand ! " cried he .

at the old man 's word and outstretched arm the roll of the drum was hushed at once and the advancing line stood still .

A tremulous enthusiasm seized upon the multitude .

they raised a shout of awe and exultation , and looked for the deliverance of New England .

" what does this old fellow here ? " cried Edward Randolph , fiercely .

" on , Sir Edmund !

" Nay , nay !

let us show respect to the good grandsire , " said Bullivant , laughing .

doubtless he thinks to put us down with a proclamation in Old Noll 's name . "

" are you mad , old man ? " demanded Sir Edmund Andros , in loud and harsh tones .

" how dare you stay the march of King James 's governor ? "

" I have stayed the march of a king himself ere now , " replied the gray figure , with stern composure .

and what speak ye of James ?

back , thou that wast a governor , back !

with this night thy power is ended .

To-morrow , the prison !

back , lest I foretell the scaffold ! "

but his voice stirred their souls .

they confronted the soldiers , not wholly without arms and ready to convert the very stones of the street into deadly weapons .

but where was the Gray Champion ?

but all agreed that the hoary shape was gone .

and who was the Gray Champion ?

I have heard that whenever the descendants of the Puritans are to show the spirit of their sires the old man appears again .

when eighty years had passed , he walked once more in King street .

and when our fathers were toiling at the breastwork on Bunker 's Hill , all through that night the old warrior walked his rounds .

Long , long may it be ere he comes again !

his hour is one of darkness and adversity and peril .

SUNDAY AT HOME .

every Sabbath morning in the summer-time I thrust back the curtain to watch the sunrise stealing down a steeple which stands opposite my chamber window .

now the loftiest window gleams , and now the lower .

the carved framework of the portal is marked strongly out .

Methinks though the same sun brightens it every fair morning , yet the steeple has a peculiar robe of brightness for the Sabbath .

by dwelling near a church a person soon contracts an attachment for the edifice .

but the steeple stands foremost in our thoughts , as well as locally .

it impresses us as a giant with a mind comprehensive and discriminating enough to care for the great and small concerns of all the town .

yet , in spite of this connection with human interests , what a moral loneliness on week-days broods round about its stately height !

a glance at the body of the church deepens this impression .

time where man lives not what is it but eternity ?

we will say more of this hereafter .

many have fancied so .

and ever let me recognize it !

some illusions and this among them are the shadows of great truths .

if it have gone astray , it will return again .

I love to spend such pleasant Sabbaths from morning till night behind the curtain of my open window .

are they spent amiss ?

every spot so near the church as to be visited by the circling shadow of the steeple should be deemed consecrated ground to-day .

my heart , perhaps , has no such holy , nor , I would fain trust , such impious , potency .

but I am there even before my friend the sexton .

at length he comes a man of kindly but sombre aspect , in dark gray clothes , and hair of the same mixture .

he comes and applies his key to the wide portal .

how glad , yet solemn too !

all the steeples in town are talking together aloft in the sunny air and rejoicing among themselves while their spires point heavenward .

meantime , here are the children assembling to the Sabbath-school , which is kept somewhere within the church .

or I might compare them to cherubs haunting that holy place .

about a quarter of an hour before the second ringing of the bell individuals of the congregation begin to appear .

would that the Sabbath came twice as often , for the sake of that sorrowful old soul !

I sometimes fancy that the old woman is the happier of the two .

after these , others drop in singly and by twos and threes , either disappearing through the doorway or taking their stand in its vicinity .

those pretty girls !

why will they disturb my pious meditations ?

were I the minister himself , I must needs look .

the greater part , however , have adopted a milder cheerfulness of hue .

a white stocking is infinitely more effective than a black one .

here comes the clergyman , slow and solemn , in severe simplicity , needing no black silk gown to denote his office .

his aspect claims my reverence , but cannot win my love .

by middle age , or sooner , the creed has generally wrought upon the heart or been attempered by it .

as the minister passes into the church the bell holds its iron tongue and all the low murmur of the congregation dies away .

oh , I ought to have gone to church !

the bustle of the rising congregation reaches my ears .

they are standing up to pray .

" Lord , look down upon me in mercy ! "

with that sentiment gushing from my soul , might I not leave all the rest to him ?

hark ! the hymn !

at this distance it thrills through my frame and plays upon my heart-strings with a pleasure both of the sense and spirit .

heaven be praised !

it is my misfortune seldom to fructify in a regular way by any but printed sermons .

I , their sole auditor , cannot always understand them .

suppose that a few hours have passed , and behold me still behind my curtain just before the close of the afternoon service .

the hour-hand on the dial has passed beyond four o'clock .

around the church door all is solitude , and an impenetrable obscurity beyond the threshold .

a commotion is heard .

this instantaneous outbreak of life into loneliness is one of the pleasantest scenes of the day .

I have taken a great liking to those black silk pantaloons .

the Sabbath eve is the eve of love .

at length the whole congregation is dispersed .

poor souls !

to them the most captivating picture of bliss in heaven is " there we shall be white ! "

all is solitude again .

but hark !

a broken warbling of voices , and now , attuning its grandeur to their sweetness , a stately peal of the organ .

who are the choristers ?

on the wings of that rich melody they were borne upward .

this , gentle reader , is merely a flight of poetry .

a few of the singing-men and singing-women had lingered behind their fellows and raised their voices fitfully and blew a careless note upon the organ .

yet it lifted my soul higher than all their former strains .

they are gone the sons and daughters of Music and the gray sexton is just closing the portal .

oh , but the church is a symbol of religion .

there is a moral , and a religion too , even in the silent walls .

and may the steeple still point heavenward and be decked with the hallowed sunshine of the Sabbath morn !

THE WEDDING-KNELL .

that venerable lady chanced to be a spectator of the scene , and ever after made it her favorite narrative .

with such a place , though the tumult of the city rolls beneath its tower , one would be willing to connect some legendary interest .

but there was no need of this .

if he were mad , it was the consequence , and not the cause , of an aimless and abortive life .

the widow was as complete a contrast to her third bridegroom in everything but age as can well be conceived .

sage in most matters , the widow was perhaps the more amiable for the one frailty that made her ridiculous .

but while people talked the wedding-day arrived .

it had been arranged , or possibly it was the custom of the day , that the parties should proceed separately to church .

the whole group , except the principal figure , was made up of youth and gayety .

so brilliant was the spectacle that few took notice of a singular phenomenon that had marked its entrance .

at the moment when the bride 's foot touched the threshold the bell swung heavily in the tower above her and sent forth its deepest knell .

the vibrations died away , and returned with prolonged solemnity as she entered the body of the church .

" good heavens !

what an omen ! " whispered a young lady to her lover .

" on my honor , " replied the gentleman , " I believe the bell has the good taste to toll of its own accord .

what has she to do with weddings ?

if you , dearest Julia , were approaching the altar , the bell would ring out its merriest peal .

it has only a funeral-knell for her . "

they therefore continued to advance with undiminished gayety .

but her heroism was admirable .

the bell continued to swing , strike and vibrate with the same doleful regularity as when a corpse is on its way to the tomb .

thus we may draw a sad but profitable moral from this funeral-knell . "

the young have less charity for aged follies than the old for those of youth .

two buried men with a voice at her ear and a cry afar off were calling her to lie down beside them .

but why had she returned to him when their cold hearts shrank from each other 's embrace ?

still the death-bell tolled so mournfully that the sunshine seemed to fade in the air .

immediately after , the footsteps of the bridegroom and his friends were heard at the door .

" you frighten me , my dear madam , " cried she .

" for heaven 's sake , what is the matter ? "

I am expecting my bridegroom to come into the church with my two first husbands for groomsmen . "

" look ! look ! " screamed the bridemaid .

" what is here ?

the funeral ! "

as she spoke a dark procession paced into the church .

Behind appeared another and another pair , as aged , as black and mournful as the first .

it was the bridegroom in his shroud .

no garb but that of the grave could have befitted such a death-like aspect .

" come , my bride ! " said those pale lips .

" the hearse is ready ; the sexton stands waiting for us at the door of the tomb .

let us be married , and then to our coffins ! "

how shall the widow 's horror be represented ?

it gave her the ghastliness of a dead man 's bride .

the awestruck silence was first broken by the clergyman .

" Mr Ellenwood , " said he , soothingly , yet with somewhat of authority , " you are not well .

your mind has been agitated by the unusual circumstances in which you are placed .

the ceremony must be deferred .

as an old friend , let me entreat you to return home . "

" Home yes ; but not without my bride , " answered he , in the same hollow accents .

" you deem this mockery perhaps madness .

none that beheld them could deny the terrible strength of the moral which his disordered intellect had contrived to draw .

" cruel ! cruel ! " groaned the heartstricken bride .

at your summons I am here .

but other husbands have enjoyed your youth , your beauty , your warmth of heart and all that could be termed your life .

what is there for me but your decay and death ?

the stern lesson of the day had done its work ; her worldliness was gone .

she seized the bridegroom 's hand .

" yes ! " cried she ; " let us wed even at the door of the sepulchre .

my life is gone in vanity and emptiness , but at its close there is one true feeling .

it has made me what I was in youth : it makes me worthy of you .

time is no more for both of us .

let us wed for eternity . "

with a long and deep regard the bridegroom looked into her eyes , while a tear was gathering in his own .

how strange that gush of human feeling from the frozen bosom of a corpse !

he wiped away the tear , even with his shroud .

" Beloved of my youth , " said he , " I have been wild .

the despair of my whole lifetime had returned at once and maddened me .

forgive and be forgiven .

yes ; it is evening with us now , and we have realized none of our morning dreams of happiness .

and what is time to the married of eternity ? "

amid the tears of many and a swell of exalted sentiment in those who felt aright was solemnized the union of two immortal souls .

THE MINISTER'S BLACK VEIL .

a PARABLE . @number@

the sexton stood in the porch of Milford meeting-house pulling lustily at the bell-rope .

the old people of the village came stooping along the street .

children with bright faces tripped merrily beside their parents or mimicked a graver gait in the conscious dignity of their Sunday clothes .

spruce bachelors looked sidelong at the pretty maidens , and fancied that the Sabbath sunshine made them prettier than on week-days .

the first glimpse of the clergyman 's figure was the signal for the bell to cease its summons .

in his case , however , the symbol had a different import .

" but what has good Parson Hooper got upon his face ? " cried the sexton , in astonishment .

all within hearing immediately turned about and beheld the semblance of Mr Hooper pacing slowly his meditative way toward the meeting-house .

with one accord they started , expressing more wonder than if some strange minister were coming to dust the cushions of Mr Hooper 's pulpit .

" are you sure it is our parson ? " inquired Goodman Gray of the sexton .

" of a certainty it is good Mr Hooper , " replied the sexton .

the cause of so much amazement may appear sufficiently slight .

there was but one thing remarkable in his appearance .

but so wonder-struck were they that his greeting hardly met with a return .

" I can't really feel as if good Mr Hooper 's face was behind that piece of crape , " said the sexton .

" I don't like it , " muttered an old woman as she hobbled into the meeting-house .

" he has changed himself into something awful only by hiding his face . "

" our parson has gone mad ! " cried Goodman Gray , following him across the threshold .

a rumor of some unaccountable phenomenon had preceded Mr Hooper into the meeting-house and set all the congregation astir .

but Mr Hooper appeared not to notice the perturbation of his people .

it was strange to observe how slowly this venerable man became conscious of something singular in the appearance of his pastor .

that mysterious emblem was never once withdrawn .

did he seek to hide it from the dread Being whom he was addressing ?

such was the effect of this simple piece of crape that more than one woman of delicate nerves was forced to leave the meeting-house .

yet perhaps the pale-faced congregation was almost as fearful a sight to the minister as his black veil to them .

it was tinged rather more darkly than usual with the gentle gloom of Mr Hooper 's temperament .

a subtle power was breathed into his words .

Many spread their clasped hands on their bosoms .

An unsought pathos came hand in hand with awe .

after a brief interval forth came good Mr Hooper also , in the rear of his flock .

such was always his custom on the Sabbath-day .

Strange and bewildered looks repaid him for his courtesy .

none , as on former occasions , aspired to the honor of walking by their pastor 's side .

a sad smile gleamed faintly from beneath the black veil and flickered about his mouth , glimmering as he disappeared .

" something must surely be amiss with Mr Hooper 's intellects , " observed her husband , the physician of the village .

" but the strangest part of the affair is the effect of this vagary even on a sober-minded man like myself .

do you not feel it so ? "

" truly do I , " replied the lady ; " and I would not be alone with him for the world .

I wonder he is not afraid to be alone with himself . "

" men sometimes are so , " said her husband .

the afternoon service was attended with similar circumstances .

at its conclusion the bell tolled for the funeral of a young lady .

it was now an appropriate emblem .

could Mr Hooper be fearful of her glance , that he so hastily caught back the black veil ?

a superstitious old woman was the only witness of this prodigy .

" why do you look back ? " said one in the procession to his partner .

" I had a fancy , " replied she , " that the minister and the maiden 's spirit were walking hand in hand . "

" and so had I at the same moment , " said the other .

that night the handsomest couple in Milford village were to be joined in wedlock .

there was no quality of his disposition which made him more beloved than this .

but such was not the result .

if ever another wedding were so dismal , it was that famous one where they tolled the wedding-knell .

the next day the whole village of Milford talked of little else than Parson Hooper 's black veil .

it was the first item of news that the tavernkeeper told to his guests .

the children babbled of it on their way to school .

never did an embassy so ill discharge its duties .

the topic , it might be supposed , was obvious enough .

were the veil but cast aside , they might speak freely of it , but not till then .

but there was one person in the village unappalled by the awe with which the black veil had impressed all besides herself .

as his plighted wife it should be her privilege to know what the black veil concealed .

come , good sir ; let the sun shine from behind the cloud .

first lay aside your black veil , then tell me why you put it on . "

Mr Hooper 's smile glimmered faintly .

" there is an hour to come , " said he , " when all of us shall cast aside our veils .

take it not amiss , beloved friend , if I wear this piece of crape till then . "

" your words are a mystery too , " returned the young lady .

" take away the veil from them , at least . "

" Elizabeth , I will , " said he , " so far as my vow may suffer me .

no mortal eye will see it withdrawn .

this dismal shade must separate me from the world ; even you , Elizabeth , can never come behind it . "

" what grievous affliction hath befallen you , " she earnestly inquired , " that you should thus darken your eyes for ever ? "

" but what if the world will not believe that it is the type of an innocent sorrow ? " urged Elizabeth .

" Beloved and respected as you are , there may be whispers that you hide your face under the consciousness of secret sin .

for the sake of your holy office do away this scandal . "

the color rose into her cheeks as she intimated the nature of the rumors that were already abroad in the village .

but Mr Hooper 's mildness did not forsake him .

he even smiled again that same sad smile which always appeared like a faint glimmering of light proceeding from the obscurity beneath the veil .

and with this gentle but unconquerable obstinacy did he resist all her entreaties .

at length Elizabeth sat silent .

though of a firmer character than his own , the tears rolled down her cheeks .

she arose and stood trembling before him .

" and do you feel it , then , at last ? " said he , mournfully .

she made no reply , but covered her eyes with her hand and turned to leave the room .

he rushed forward and caught her arm .

" have patience with me , Elizabeth ! " cried he , passionately .

" do not desert me though this veil must be between us here on earth .

be mine , and hereafter there shall be no veil over my face , no darkness between our souls .

it is but a mortal veil ; it is not for eternity .

oh , you know not how lonely I am , and how frightened to be alone behind my black veil !

do not leave me in this miserable obscurity for ever . "

" lift the veil but once and look me in the face , " said she .

" never !

it cannot be ! " replied Mr Hooper .

" then farewell ! " said Elizabeth .

but with the multitude good Mr Hooper was irreparably a bugbear .

a fable went the rounds that the stare of the dead people drove him thence .

their instinctive dread caused him to feel more strongly than aught else that a preternatural horror was interwoven with the threads of the black crape .

it was said that ghost and fiend consorted with him there .

even the lawless wind , it was believed , respected his dreadful secret and never blew aside the veil .

but still good Mr Hooper sadly smiled at the pale visages of the worldly throng as he passed by .

among all its bad influences , the black veil had the one desirable effect of making its wearer a very efficient clergyman .

its gloom , indeed , enabled him to sympathize with all dark affections .

such were the terrors of the black veil even when Death had bared his visage .

but many were made to quake ere they departed .

once , during Governor Belcher 's administration , Mr Hooper was appointed to preach the election sermon .

several persons were visible by the shaded candlelight in the death-chamber of the old clergyman .

natural connections he had none .

but there was the decorously grave though unmoved physician , seeking only to mitigate the last pangs of the patient whom he could not save .

there were the deacons and other eminently pious members of his church .

who but Elizabeth !

there had been feverish turns which tossed him from side to side and wore away what little strength he had .

the minister of Westbury approached the bedside .

" venerable Father Hooper , " said he , " the moment of your release is at hand .

are you ready for the lifting of the veil that shuts in time from eternity ? "

" yea , " said he , in faint accents ; " my soul hath a patient weariness until that veil be lifted . "

I pray you , my venerable brother , let not this thing be !

suffer us to be gladdened by your triumphant aspect as you go to your reward .

" never ! " cried the veiled clergyman .

" on earth , never ! "

and yet the faint , sad smile so often there now seemed to glimmer from its obscurity and linger on Father Hooper 's lips .

" why do you tremble at me alone ? " cried he , turning his veiled face round the circle of pale spectators .

" tremble also at each other .

have men avoided me and women shown no pity and children screamed and fled only for my black veil ?

what but the mystery which it obscurely typifies has made this piece of crape so awful ?

I look around me , and , lo ! on every visage a black veil ! "

still veiled , they laid him in his coffin , and a veiled corpse they bore him to the grave .

THE MAYPOLE OF MERRY MOUNT .

there is an admirable foundation for a philosophic romance in the curious history of the early settlement of Mount Wollaston , or Merry Mount .

the masques , mummeries and festive customs described in the text are in accordance with the manners of the age .

Authority on these points may be found in Strutt 's Book of English Sports and Pastimes .

Bright were the days at Merry Mount when the Maypole was the banner-staff of that gay colony .

jollity and gloom were contending for an empire .

never had the Maypole been so gayly decked as at sunset on Midsummer eve .

from its top streamed a silken banner colored like the rainbow .

where this green and flowery splendor terminated the shaft of the Maypole was stained with the seven brilliant hues of the banner at its top .

O people of the Golden Age , the chief of your husbandry was to raise flowers !

but what was the wild throng that stood hand in hand about the Maypole ?

these were Gothic monsters , though perhaps of Grecian ancestry .

there was the likeness of a bear erect , brute in all but his hind legs , which were adorned with pink silk stockings .

his inferior nature rose halfway to meet his companions as they stooped .

here might be seen the salvage man well known in heraldry hairy as a baboon and girdled with green leaves .

by his side a nobler figure , but still a counterfeit appeared an Indian hunter with feathery crest and wampum-belt .

such were the colonists of Merry Mount as they stood in the broad smile of sunset round their venerated Maypole .

within the ring of monsters appeared the two airiest forms that had ever trodden on any more solid footing than a purple-and-golden cloud .

one was a youth in glistening apparel with a scarf of the rainbow pattern crosswise on his breast .

" Votaries of the Maypole , " cried the flower-decked priest , " merrily all day long have the woods echoed to your mirth .

but be this your merriest hour , my hearts !

up with your nimble spirits , ye morrice-dancers , green men and glee-maidens , bears and wolves and horned gentlemen !

all ye that love the Maypole , lend your voices to the nuptial song of the Lord and Lady of the May ! "

when the priest had spoken , therefore , a riotous uproar burst from the rout of monstrous figures .

oh , Edith , this is our golden time .

" that was the very thought that saddened me .

" therefore do I sigh amid this festive music .

what is the mystery in my heart ? "

just then , as if a spell had loosened them , down came a little shower of withering rose-leaves from the Maypole .

alas for the young lovers !

that was Edith 's mystery .

meanwhile , we may discover who these gay people were .

two hundred years ago , and more , the Old World and its inhabitants became mutually weary of each other .

but none of these motives had much weight with the colonists of Merry Mount .

erring Thought and perverted Wisdom were made to put on masques , and play the fool .

they gathered followers from all that giddy tribe whose whole life is like the festal days of soberer men .

Light had their footsteps been on land , and as lightly they came across the sea .

the young deemed themselves happy .

sworn triflers of a lifetime , they would not venture among the sober truths of life not even to be truly blest .

all the hereditary pastimes of Old England were transplanted hither .

the King of Christmas was duly crowned , and the Lord of Misrule bore potent sway .

but what chiefly characterized the colonists of Merry Mount was their veneration for the Maypole .

it has made their true history a poet 's tale .

thus each alternate season did homage to the Maypole , and paid it a tribute of its own richest splendor .

unfortunately , there were men in the new world of a sterner faith than those Maypole worshippers .

their weapons were always at hand to shoot down the straggling savage .

their festivals were fast days , and their chief pastime the singing of psalms .

woe to the youth or maiden who did but dream of a dance !

once , it is said , they were seen following a flower-decked corpse with merriment and festive music to his grave .

but did the dead man laugh ?

who but the fiend and his bond-slaves the crew of Merry Mount had thus disturbed them ?

the future complexion of New England was involved in this important quarrel .

after these authentic passages from history we return to the nuptials of the Lord and Lady of the May .

alas ! we have delayed too long , and must darken our tale too suddenly .

but some of these black shadows have rushed forth in human shape .

yes , with the setting sun the last day of mirth had passed from Merry Mount .

the Puritans had played a characteristic part in the Maypole mummeries .

no fantastic foolery could look him in the face .

it was the Puritan of Puritans : it was Endicott himself .

" stand off , priest of Baal ! " said he , with a grim frown and laying no reverent hand upon the surplice .

" I know thee , Blackstone ! @number@

but now shall it be seen that the Lord hath sanctified this wilderness for his peculiar people .

Woe unto them that would defile it !

and first for this flower-decked abomination , the altar of thy worship ! "


the Rev. Mr Blackstone , though an eccentric , is not known to have been an immoral man .

we rather doubt his identity with the priest of Merry Mount .

and with his keen sword Endicott assaulted the hallowed Maypole .

nor long did it resist his arm .

as it sank , tradition says , the evening sky grew darker and the woods threw forth a more sombre shadow .

" there ! " cried Endicott , looking triumphantly on his work ; " there lies the only Maypole in New England .

the thought is strong within me that by its fall is shadowed forth the fate of light and idle mirthmakers amongst us and our posterity .

amen , saith John Endicott ! "

" amen ! " echoed his followers .

but the votaries of the Maypole gave one groan for their idol .

it would have served rarely for a whipping-post . "

" but there are pine trees enow , " suggested the lieutenant .

" true , good ancient , " said the leader .

" Wherefore bind the heathen crew and bestow on them a small matter of stripes apiece as earnest of our future justice .

further penalties , such as branding and cropping of ears , shall be thought of hereafter . "

" how many stripes for the priest ? " inquired Ancient Palfrey .

" none as yet , " answered Endicott , bending his iron frown upon the culprit .

let him look to himself .

" and this dancing bear ? " resumed the officer .

" must he share the stripes of his fellows ? "

" shoot him through the head ! " said the energetic Puritan .

" I suspect witchcraft in the beast . "

" here be a couple of shining ones , " continued Peter Palfrey , pointing his weapon at the Lord and Lady of the May .

" they seem to be of high station among these misdoers .

Methinks their dignity will not be fitted with less than a double share of stripes . "

Endicott rested on his sword and closely surveyed the dress and aspect of the hapless pair .

they looked first at each other and then into the grim captain 's face .

but never had their youthful beauty seemed so pure and high as when its glow was chastened by adversity .

" youth , " said Endicott , " ye stand in an evil case thou and thy maiden-wife .

make ready presently , for I am minded that ye shall both have a token to remember your wedding-day . "

" stern man , " cried the May-lord , " how can I move thee ?

were the means at hand , I would resist to the death ; being powerless , I entreat .

do with me as thou wilt , but let Edith go untouched . "

" not so , " replied the immitigable zealot .

" we are not wont to show an idle courtesy to that sex which requireth the stricter discipline .

what sayest thou , maid ?

shall thy silken bridegroom suffer thy share of the penalty besides his own ? "

" be it death , " said Edith , " and lay it all on me . "

truly , as Endicott had said , the poor lovers stood in a woeful case .

yet the deepening twilight could not altogether conceal that the iron man was softened .

he smiled at the fair spectacle of early love ; he almost sighed for the inevitable blight of early hopes .

" the troubles of life have come hastily on this young couple , " observed Endicott .

" we will see how they comport themselves under their present trials ere we burden them with greater .

look to it , some of you . "

" Crop it forthwith , and that in the true pumpkin-shell fashion , " answered the captain .

" then bring them along with us , but more gently than their fellows .

it was a deed of prophecy .

they returned to it no more .

THE GENTLE BOY .

but the measures by which it was intended to purge the land of heresy , though more than sufficiently vigorous , were entirely unsuccessful .

the Quakers , whose revengeful feelings were not less deep because they were inactive , remembered this man and his associates in after-times .

he struggled , however , against the superstitious fears which belonged to the age , and compelled himself to pause and listen .

for the ease of mine own conscience I must search this matter out . "

he therefore left the path and walked somewhat fearfully across the field .

under this unhappy tree which in after-times was believed to drop poison with its dew sat the one solitary mourner for innocent blood .

the Puritan , whose approach had been unperceived , laid his hand upon the child 's shoulder and addressed him compassionately .

" you have chosen a dreary lodging , my poor boy , and no wonder that you weep , " said he .

the boy had hushed his wailing at once , and turned his face upward to the stranger .

the Puritan , seeing the boy 's frightened gaze and feeling that he trembled under his hand , endeavored to reassure him :

" Nay , if I intended to do you harm , little lad , the readiest way were to leave you here .

what ! you do not fear to sit beneath the gallows on a new-made grave , and yet you tremble at a friend 's touch ?

take heart , child , and tell me what is your name and where is your home . "

he then spoke soothingly , intending to humor the boy 's fantasy :

" your home will scarce be comfortable , Ilbrahim , this cold autumn night , and I fear you are ill-provided with food .

I am hastening to a warm supper and bed ; and if you will go with me , you shall share them . "

the Puritan , who had laid hold of little Ilbrahim 's hand , relinquished it as if he were touching a loathsome reptile .

but he possessed a compassionate heart which not even religious prejudice could harden into stone .

" god forbid that I should leave this child to perish , though he comes of the accursed sect , " said he to himself .

" do we not all spring from an evil root ?

are we not all in darkness till the light doth shine upon us ?

he shall not perish , neither in body nor , if prayer and instruction may avail for him , in soul . "

he then spoke aloud and kindly to Ilbrahim , who had again hid his face in the cold earth of the grave :

" was every door in the land shut against you , my child , that you have wandered to this unhallowed spot ? "

I knew that my father was sleeping here , and I said , ' This shall be my home . ' "

" rise up and come with me , and fear not any harm . "

" my poor boy , are you so feeble ? " said the Puritan .

" when did you taste food last ? "

trouble not thyself for my hunger , kind friend , for I have lacked food many times ere now . "

with this determination he left the accursed field and resumed the homeward path from which the wailing of the boy had called him .

at the word " home " a thrill passed through the child 's frame , but he continued silent .

as the Puritan entered he thrust aside his cloak and displayed Ilbrahim 's face to the female .

" Dorothy , here is a little outcast whom Providence hath put into our hands , " observed he .

" be kind to him , even as if he were of those dear ones who have departed from us . "

" what pale and bright-eyed little boy is this , Tobias ? " she inquired .

" is he one whom the wilderness-folk have ravished from some Christian mother ? "

" no , Dorothy ; this poor child is no captive from the wilderness , " he replied .

Dorothy was gifted with even a quicker tenderness than her husband , and she approved of all his doings and intentions .

" have you a mother , dear child ? " she inquired .

" dry your tears , Ilbrahim , and be my child , as I will be your mother . "

the good woman prepared the little bed from which her own children had successively been borne to another resting-place .

Tobias Pearson was not among the earliest emigrants from the old country .

they had left their native country blooming like roses , and like roses they had perished in a foreign soil .

the common people manifested their opinions more openly .

Lo ! the scourge is knotted for him , even the whip of nine cords , and every cord three knots . "

the interior aspect of the meeting-house was rude .

the exercises had not yet commenced , however , when the boy 's attention was arrested by an event apparently of trifling interest .

Ilbrahim 's faint color varied , his nerves fluttered ; he was unable to turn his eyes from the muffled female .

he spoke of the danger of pity in some cases a commendable and Christian virtue , but inapplicable to this pernicious sect .

he observed that such was their devilish obstinacy in error that even the little children , the sucking babes , were hardened and desperate heretics .

the sands of the second hour were principally in the lower half of the glass when the sermon concluded .

she then divested herself of the cloak and hood , and appeared in a most singular array .

she was naturally a woman of mighty passions , and hatred and revenge now wrapped themselves in the garb of piety .

the character of her speech was changed ; her images became distinct though wild , and her denunciations had an almost hellish bitterness .

slay ! '

but I say unto ye , Woe to them that slay !

Woe to them that shed the blood of saints !

Woe to them in their lifetime !

Cursed are they in the delight and pleasure of their hearts !

Woe to them in their death-hour , whether it come swiftly with blood and violence or after long and lingering pain !

Woe in the dark house , in the rottenness of the grave , when the children 's children shall revile the ashes of the fathers !

Lift your voices , chosen ones , cry aloud , and call down a woe and a judgment with me ! "

having thus given vent to the flood of malignity which she mistook for inspiration , the speaker was silent .

the weakness of exhausted passion caused her steps to totter as she descended the pulpit stairs .

scarcely did her feet press the floor , however , when an unexpected scene occurred .

in that moment of her peril , when every eye frowned with death , a little timid boy threw his arms round his mother .

" I am here , mother ; it is I , and I will go with thee to prison , " he exclaimed .

" blessed art thou , my son ! " she sobbed .

the sorrows of past years and the darker peril that was nigh cast not a shadow on the brightness of that fleeting moment .

thou wilt go seeking through the world , and find all hearts closed against thee and their sweet affections turned to bitterness for my sake .

my child , my child , how many a pang awaits thy gentle spirit , and I the cause of all ! "

sobs were audible in the female section of the house , and every man who was a father drew his hand across his eyes .

Dorothy , however , had watched her husband 's eye .

" stranger , trust this boy to me , and I will be his mother , " she said , taking Ilbrahim 's hand .

leave the tender child with us , and be at ease concerning his welfare . "

the Quaker rose from the ground , but drew the boy closer to her , while she gazed earnestly in Dorothy 's face .

her mild but saddened features and neat matronly attire harmonized together and were like a verse of fireside poetry .

" thou art not of our people , " said the Quaker , mournfully .

doubt not that your boy shall meet you there , if there be a blessing on our tender and prayerful guidance of him .

thither , I trust , my own children have gone before me , for I also have been a mother .

I am no longer so , " she added , in a faltering tone , " and your son will have all my care . "

" but will ye lead him in the path which his parents have trodden ? " demanded the Quaker .

the boy has been baptized in blood ; will ye keep the mark fresh and ruddy upon his forehead ? "

" I will not deceive you , " answered Dorothy .

were we to act otherwise , we should abuse your trust , even in complying with your wishes . "

the mother looked down upon her boy with a troubled countenance , and then turned her eyes upward to heaven .

she seemed to pray internally , and the contention of her soul was evident .

but thou hast spoken of a husband .

Doth he stand here among this multitude of people ?

let him come forth , for I must know to whom I commit this most precious trust . "

she turned her face upon the male auditors , and after a momentary delay Tobias Pearson came forth from among them .

as she gazed an unmirthful smile spread over her features , like sunshine that grows melancholy in some desolate spot .

her lips moved inaudibly , but at length she spake :

" I hear it , I hear it !

break the bonds of natural affection , martyr thy love , and know that in all these things eternal wisdom hath its ends . '

I go , friends , I go .

take ye my boy , my precious jewel .

I go hence trusting that all shall be well , and that even for his infant hands there is a labor in the vineyard . "

having held her hands over his head in mental prayer , she was ready to depart .

she turned her steps toward the door , and the men who had stationed themselves to guard it withdrew and suffered her to pass .

a general sentiment of pity overcame the virulence of religious hatred .

she went , the apostle of her own unquiet heart , to renew the wanderings of past years .

of the malice which generally accompanies a superfluity of sensitiveness Ilbrahim was altogether destitute .

when trodden upon , he would not turn ; when wounded , he could but die .

his mind was wanting in the stamina of self-support .

her husband manifested an equal affection , although it grew daily less productive of familiar caresses .

as the sufferer 's own home was at some distance , Dorothy willingly received him under her roof and became his tender and careful nurse .

it was that of reciting imaginary adventures on the spur of the moment , and apparently in inexhaustible succession .

the boy 's parents at length removed him to complete his cure under their own roof .

but it happened that an unexpected addition was made to the heavenly little band .

the poor child 's arms had been raised to guard his head from the storm of blows , but now he dropped them at once .

its signs were principally of a negative character , and to be discovered only by those who had previously known him .

sometimes at night , and probably in his dreams , he was heard to cry , " mother !

in the mean time , neither the fierceness of the persecutors nor the infatuation of their victims had decreased .

the hale and weatherbeaten old man who sat beside him had sustained less injury from a far longer course of the same mode of life .

" thy voice has fallen on my ear like a sound afar off and indistinct , " replied Pearson , without lifting his eyes .

faint not , for thy burden is yet light . "

" it is heavy !

it is heavier than I can bear ! " exclaimed Pearson , with the impatience of a variable spirit .

all this I could have borne and counted myself blessed .

Verily , I am an accursed man , and I will lay me down in the dust and lift up my head no more . "

as we went on "

" have I not borne all this , and have I murmured ? " interrupted Pearson , impatiently .

" Nay , friend , but hear me , " continued the other .

at length we came to a tract of fertile land .

then came bitter thoughts upon me yea , remembrances that were like death to my soul .

the happiness of my early days was painted to me , the disquiet of my manhood , the altered faith of my declining years .

" Couldst thou obey the command at such a moment ? " exclaimed Pearson , shuddering .

" yea ! yea ! " replied the old man , hurriedly .

but I yielded not ; I knelt down and wrestled with the tempter , while the scourge bit more fiercely into the flesh .

my prayer was heard , and I went on in peace and joy toward the wilderness . "

her wounds have been deep and many , but this will be the sorest of all . "

the boy hath done his work , and she will feel that he is taken hence in kindness both to him and her .

blessed , blessed are they that with so little suffering can enter into peace ! "

the fitful rush of the wind was now disturbed by a portentous sound : it was a quick and heavy knocking at the outer door .

" the men of blood have come to seek me , " he observed , with calmness .

it is an end I have long looked for .

I will open unto them lest they say , ' Lo , he feareth ! ' "

" Nay ; I will present myself before them , " said Pearson , with recovered fortitude .

" it may be that they seek me alone and know not that thou abidest with me . "

" let us go boldly , both one and the other , " rejoined his companion .

" it is not fitting that thou or I should shrink . "

" enter , friend , and do thy errand , be it what it may , " said Pearson .

" it must needs be pressing , since thou comest on such a bitter night . "

" peace be with this household ! " said the stranger , when they stood on the floor of the inner apartment .

Pearson started ; the elder Quaker stirred the slumbering embers of the fire till they sent up a clear and lofty blaze .

" Catharine , blessed woman , " exclaimed the old man , " art thou come to this darkened land again ?

Art thou come to bear a valiant testimony as in former years ?

" rejoice , friends ! " she replied .

" thou who hast long been of our people , and thou whom a little child hath led to us , rejoice !

Lo , I come , the messenger of glad tidings , for the day of persecution is over-past .

a ship 's company of our friends hath arrived at yonder town , and I also sailed joyfully among them . "

as Catharine spoke her eyes were roaming about the room in search of him for whose sake security was dear to her .

Pearson made a silent appeal to the old man , nor did the latter shrink from the painful task assigned him .

sister , go on rejoicing , for his tottering footsteps shall impede thine own no more . "

but the unhappy mother was not thus to be consoled .

she shook like a leaf ; she turned white as the very snow that hung drifted into her hair .

the firm old man extended his hand and held her up , keeping his eye upon hers as if to repress any outbreak of passion .

surely , " added she , with a long shudder , " he hath spared me in this one thing . "

she broke forth with sudden and irrepressible violence : " tell me , man of cold heart , what has God done to me ?

Hath he cast me down never to rise again ?

Hath he crushed my very heart in his hand ?

and thou to whom I committed my child , how hast thou fulfilled thy trust ?

give me back the boy well , sound , alive alive or earth and heaven shall avenge me ! "

the agonized shriek of Catharine was answered by the faint the very faint voice of a child .

but after a little time he relinquished whatever secret hope had agitated him and with one low complaining whisper turned his cheek upon the pillow .

as Dorothy looked upon his features she perceived that their placid expression was again disturbed .

" friend , she is come !

open unto her ! " cried he .

he looked into her face , and , reading its agony , said with feeble earnestness ,

" mourn not , dearest mother .

I am happy now ; " and with these words the gentle boy was dead .

MR . HIGGINBOTHAM'S CATASTROPHE .

it being nearly seven o'clock , he was as eager to hold a morning gossip as a city shopkeeper to read the morning paper .

" Good-morning , mister , " said Dominicus , when within speaking-distance .

" you go a pretty good jog .

what 's the latest news at Parker 's Falls ? "

" well , then , " rejoined Dominicus Pike , " let's have the latest news where you did come from .

I 'm not particular about Parker 's Falls .

any place will answer . "

" I do remember one little trifle of news , " said he .

" old Mr Higginbotham of Kimballton was murdered in his orchard at eight o'clock last night by an Irishman and a nigger .

they strung him up to the branch of a St Michael 's pear tree where nobody would find him till the morning . "

he was rather astonished at the rapidity with which the news had spread .

the stranger on foot must have worn seven-league boots , to travel at such a rate .

" Ill-news flies fast , they say , " thought Dominicus Pike , " but this beats railroads .

the fellow ought to be hired to go express with the President 's message . "

he met with one piece of corroborative evidence .

his property would descend to a pretty niece who was now keeping school in Kimballton .

there were as many as twenty people in the room , nineteen of whom received it all for gospel .

" I tell the story as I heard it , mister , " answered Dominicus , dropping his half-burnt cigar .

he didn't seem to know any more about his own murder than I did . "

" why , then it can't be a fact ! " exclaimed Dominicus Pike .

here was a sad resurrection of old Mr Higginbotham !

" Good-morning , mister , " said the pedler , reining in his mare .

" if you come from Kimballton or that neighborhood , maybe you can tell me the real fact about this affair of old Mr Higginbotham .

was the old fellow actually murdered two or three nights ago by an Irishman and a nigger ? "

Dominicus had spoken in too great a hurry to observe at first that the stranger himself had a deep tinge of negro blood .

" no , no !

there was no colored man .

it was an Irishman that hanged him last night at eight o'clock ; I came away at seven .

his folks can't have looked for him in the orchard yet . "

Dominicus stared after him in great perplexity .

" but let the poor devil go , " thought the pedler .

" I don't want his black blood on my head , and hanging the nigger wouldn't unhang Mr Higginbotham .

Unhang the old gentleman ?

his second duty , of course , was to impart Mr Higginbotham 's catastrophe to the hostler .

the inhabitants felt their own prosperity interested in his fate .

the village poet likewise commemorated the young lady 's grief in seventeen stanzas of a ballad .

had Mr Higginbotham cared about posthumous renown , his untimely ghost would have exulted in this tumult .

it had travelled all night , and must have shifted horses at Kimballton at three in the morning .

" now we shall hear all the particulars ! " shouted the crowd .

" Mr Higginbotham !

Mr Higginbotham !

tell us the particulars about old Mr Higginbotham ! " bawled the mob .

" what is the coroner 's verdict ?

are the murderers apprehended ?

is Mr Higginbotham 's niece come out of her fainting-fits ?

Mr Higginbotham !

Mr Higginbotham ! "

the coachman said not a word except to swear awfully at the hostler for not bringing him a fresh team of horses .

we passed through Kimballton at three o'clock this morning , and most certainly should have been informed of the murder had any been perpetrated .

but I have proof nearly as strong as Mr Higginbotham 's own oral testimony in the negative .

here is a note relating to a suit of his in the Connecticut courts which was delivered me from that gentleman himself .

I find it dated at ten o'clock last evening . "

but unexpected evidence was forthcoming .

" good people , " said she , " I am Mr Higginbotham 's niece . "

but some shrewd fellows had doubted all along whether a young lady would be quite so desperate at the hanging of a rich old uncle .

he has the kindness to give me a home in his house , though I contribute to my own support by teaching a school .

I left Kimballton this morning to spend the vacation of commencement-week with a friend about five miles from Parker 's Falls .

nothing saved Dominicus either from mob-law or a court of justice but an eloquent appeal made by the young lady in his behalf .

and , as he 's a real shaver , I 'll have the minister , or some other responsible man , for an endorser . "

it was growing dusk when he reached the toll-house on Kimballton turnpike , about a quarter of a mile from the village of this name .

Dominicus was acquainted with the toll-man , and while making change the usual remarks on the weather passed between them .

he 's been to Woodfield this afternoon , attending a sheriff 's sale there .

" so they tell me , " said Dominicus .

" I never saw a man look so yellow and thin as the squire does , " continued the toll-gatherer .

" says I to myself tonight , ' He 's more like a ghost or an old mummy than good flesh and blood . ' "

the pedler strained his eyes through the twilight , and could just discern the horseman now far ahead on the village road .

Dominicus shivered .

" Mr Higginbotham has come back from the other world by way of the Kimballton turnpike , " thought he .

Dominicus knew the place , and the little mare stopped short by instinct , for he was not conscious of tightening the reins .

" for the soul of me , I cannot get by this gate ! " said he , trembling .

" I never shall be my own man again till I see whether Mr Higginbotham is hanging on the St Michael 's pear tree . "

one great branch stretched from the old contorted trunk across the path and threw the darkest shadow on that one spot .

but something seemed to struggle beneath the branch .

" Mr Higginbotham , " said Dominicus , tremulously , " you 're an honest man , and I 'll take your word for it .

have you been hanged , or not ? "

LITTLE ANNIE'S RAMBLE .

Ding-dong !

Ding-dong !

Ding-dong !

let me listen too .

perhaps little Annie would like to go ?

Little Annie shall take a ramble with me .

See !

smooth back your brown curls , Annie , and let me tie on your bonnet , and we will set forth .

what a strange couple to go on their rambles together !

yet there is sympathy between us .

now we turn the corner .

Hitherward , also , comes a man trundling a wheelbarrow along the pavement .

is not little Annie afraid of such a tumult ?

now her eyes brighten with pleasure .

who heeds the poor organ-grinder ?

but where would Annie find a partner ?

it is a sad thought that I have chanced upon .

what a company of dancers should we be !

for I too am a gentleman of sober footsteps , and therefore , little Annie , let us walk sedately on .

it is a question with me whether this giddy child or my sage self have most pleasure in looking at the shop-windows .

all that is bright and gay attracts us both .

here is a shop to which the recollections of my boyhood as well as present partialities give a peculiar magic .

here are pleasures , as some people would say , of a more exalted kind , in the window of a bookseller .

is Annie a literary lady ?

that would be very queer .

oh , my stars !

is this a toyshop , or is it fairy-land ?

betwixt the king and queen should sit my little Annie , the prettiest fairy of them all .

but what cares Annie for soldiers ?

this is the little girl 's true plaything .

Little Annie does not understand what I am saying , but looks wishfully at the proud lady in the window .

we will invite her home with us as we return .

meantime , good-bye , Dame Doll !

come , little Annie , we shall find toys enough , go where we may .

now we elbow our way among the throng again .

look up , Annie , at that canary-bird hanging out of the window in his cage .

poor little fellow !

what a pity that he does not know how miserable he is !

there is a parrot , too , calling out , " Pretty Poll !

pretty Poll ! " as we pass by .

if she had said " Pretty Annie ! " there would have been some sense in it .

see that gray squirrel at the door of the fruit-shop whirling round and round so merrily within his wire wheel !

being condemned to the treadmill , he makes it an amusement .

admirable philosophy !

Success to your search , Fidelity !

oh , sage puss , make room for me beside you , and we will be a pair of philosophers .

here we see something to remind us of the town-crier and his ding-dong-bell .

but they are choosing neither a king nor a President , else we should hear a most horrible snarling !

Annie returns the salute , much to the gratification of the elephant , who is certainly the best-bred monster in the caravan .

the lion and the lioness are busy with two beef-bones .

are there any two living creatures who have so few sympathies that they cannot possibly be friends ?

in fact , he is a bear of sentiment .

but oh those unsentimental monkeys !

the ugly , grinning , aping , chattering , ill-natured , mischievous and queer little brutes !

merrily , merrily plays the music , and merrily gallops the pony , and merrily rides the little old gentleman .

come , Annie , into the street again ; perchance we may see monkeys on horseback there .

Mercy on us !

what a noisy world we quiet people live in !

did Annie ever read the cries of London city ?

with what lusty lungs doth yonder man proclaim that his wheelbarrow is full of lobsters !

what cares the world for that ?

Annie sympathizes , though without experience of such direful woe .

Lo ! the town-crier again , with some new secret for the public ear .

I guess the latter .

Ding-dong !

Ding-dong !

Ding-dong !

now he raises his clear loud voice above all the din of the town .

what saith the people 's orator ?

whoever will bring her back to her afflicted mother "

stop , stop , town-crier !

the lost is found .

but I have gone too far astray for the town-crier to call me back .

Sweet has been the charm of childhood on my spirit throughout my ramble with little Annie .

has it been merely this ?

not so not so .

they are not truly wise who would affirm it .

their influence on us is at least reciprocal with ours on them .

all this by thy sweet magic , dear little Annie !

WAKEFIELD .

the wedded couple lived in London .

during that period he beheld his home every day , and frequently the forlorn Mrs Wakefield .

this outline is all that I remember .

we know , each for himself , that none of us would perpetrate such a folly , yet feel as if some other might .

whenever any subject so forcibly affects the mind , time is well spent in thinking of it .

thought has always its efficacy and every striking incident its moral .

what sort of a man was Wakefield ?

we are free to shape out our own idea and call it by his name .

imagination , in the proper meaning of the term , made no part of Wakefield 's gifts .

only the wife of his bosom might have hesitated .

this latter quality is indefinable , and perhaps non-existent .

let us now imagine Wakefield bidding adieu to his wife .

it is the dusk of an October evening .

he has informed Mrs Wakefield that he is to take the night-coach into the country .

Wakefield , himself , be it considered , has no suspicion of what is before him .

yet for its sake , when all others have given him up for dead , she sometimes doubts whether she is a widow .

but our business is with the husband .

we must hurry after him along the street ere he lose his individuality and melt into the great mass of London life .

it would be vain searching for him there .

he is in the next street to his own and at his journey 's end .

doubtless a dozen busybodies had been watching him and told his wife the whole affair .

poor Wakefield ! little knowest thou thine own insignificance in this great world .

no mortal eye but mine has traced thee .

remove not thyself even for a little week from thy place in her chaste bosom .

it is perilous to make a chasm in human affections not that they gape so long and wide , but so quickly close again .

in the morning he rises earlier than usual and sets himself to consider what he really means to do .

the vagueness of the project and the convulsive effort with which he plunges into the execution of it are equally characteristic of a feeble-minded man .

A morbid vanity , therefore , lies nearest the bottom of the affair .

but how is he to attain his ends ?

yet should he reappear , the whole project is knocked in the head .

Wakefield , whither are you going ?

at that instant his fate was turning on the pivot .

can it be that nobody caught sight of him ?

wonderful escape !

in ordinary cases this indescribable impression is caused by the comparison and contrast between our imperfect reminiscences and the reality .

but this is a secret from himself .

right glad is his heart , though his brain be somewhat dizzy , when he finds himself by the coal-fire of his lodgings .

so much for the commencement of this long whim-wham .

it is accomplished : Wakefield is another man .

he will not go back until she be frightened half to death .

next day the knocker is muffled .

dear woman ! will she die ?

if aught else restrains him , he does not know it .

in the course of a few weeks she gradually recovers .

" it is but in the next street , " he sometimes says .

fool ! it is in another world .

poor man !

the dead have nearly as much chance of revisiting their earthly homes as the self-banished Wakefield .

would that I had a folio to write , instead of an article of a dozen pages !

Wakefield is spellbound .

long since , it must be remarked , he has lost the perception of singularity in his conduct .

now for a scene .

he bends his head and moves with an indescribable obliquity of gait , as if unwilling to display his full front to the world .

she has the placid mien of settled widowhood .

her regrets have either died away or have become so essential to her heart that they would be poorly exchanged for joy .

just as the lean man and well-conditioned woman are passing a slight obstruction occurs and brings these two figures directly in contact .

after a ten years ' separation thus Wakefield meets his wife .

the throng eddies away and carries them asunder .

she passes in , however , opening her prayer-book as she goes .

and the man ?

you are mad ! "

perhaps he was so .

the life of a hermit is nowise parallel to his .

it would be a most curious speculation to trace out the effect of such circumstances on his heart and intellect separately and in unison .

he would look on the affair as no more than an interlude in the main business of his life .

alas , what a mistake !

would Time but await the close of our favorite follies , we should be young men all of us and till Doomsday .

on the ceiling appears a grotesque shadow of good Mrs Wakefield .

at this instant a shower chances to fall , and is driven by the unmannerly gust full into Wakefield 's face and bosom .

he is quite penetrated with its autumnal chill .

no ; Wakefield is no such fool .

he ascends the steps heavily , for twenty years have stiffened his legs since he came down , but he knows it not .

stay , Wakefield !

would you go to the sole home that is left you ?

then step into your grave .

the door opens .

how unmercifully has he quizzed the poor woman !

well , a good night 's rest to Wakefield !

this happy event supposing it to be such could only have occurred at an unpremeditated moment .

we will not follow our friend across the threshold .

like Wakefield , he may become , as it were , the outcast of the universe .

a RILL FROM THE TOWN-PUMP .

( SCENE , the corner of two principal streets , @number@ the TOWN-PUMP talking through its nose . )

Noon by the north clock !

noon by the east !

truly , we public characters have a tough time of it !

the title of " town-treasurer " is rightfully mine , as guardian of the best treasure that the town has .

I am at the head of the fire department and one of the physicians to the board of health .

as a keeper of the peace all water-drinkers will confess me equal to the constable .

I perform some of the duties of the town-clerk by promulgating public notices when they are posted on my front .

at this sultry noontide I am cupbearer to the parched populace , for whose benefit an iron goblet is chained to my waist .


here it is , gentlemen !

here is the good liquor !

walk up , walk up , gentlemen !

walk up , walk up !

here is the superior stuff !

walk up , gentlemen , walk up , and help yourselves !

it were a pity if all this outcry should draw no customers .

here they come .

A hot day , gentlemen !

quaff and away again , so as to keep yourselves in a nice cool sweat .

welcome , most rubicund sir !

now , for the first time these ten years , you know the flavor of cold water .

good-bye ; and whenever you are thirsty , remember that I keep a constant supply at the old stand .

who next ?

take it , pure as the current of your young life .

take it , and may your heart and tongue never be scorched with a fiercer thirst than now !

well , well , sir , no harm done , I hope ?

if gentlemen love the pleasant titillation of the gout , it is all one to the town-pump .

see how lightly he capers away again !

Jowler , did your worship ever have the gout ?

are you all satisfied ?

the water was as bright and clear and deemed as precious as liquid diamonds .

Endicott and his followers came next , and often knelt down to drink , dipping their long beards in the spring .

the richest goblet then was of birch-bark .

governor Winthrop , after a journey afoot from Boston , drank here out of the hollow of his hand .

the elder Higginson here wet his palm and laid it on the brow of the first town-born child .

finally the fountain vanished also .

drink and be refreshed .

your pardon , good people !

no part of my business is pleasanter than the watering of cattle .

now they roll their quiet eyes around the brim of their monstrous drinking-vessel .

an ox is your true toper .

but I perceive , my dear auditors , that you are impatient for the remainder of my discourse .

it is altogether for your good .

the better you think of me , the better men and women you will find yourselves .

let us take a broader view of my beneficial influence on mankind .

in this mighty enterprise the cow shall be my great confederate .

milk and water the TOWN-PUMP and the Cow !

blessed consummation !

then Poverty shall pass away from the land , finding no hovel so wretched where her squalid form may shelter herself .

then Disease , for lack of other victims , shall gnaw its own heart and die .

then Sin , if she do not die , shall lose half her strength .

at least , there will be no war of households .

their dead faces shall express what their spirits were and are to be by a lingering smile of memory and hope .

ahem !

dry work , this speechifying , especially to an unpractised orator .

I never conceived till now what toil the temperance lecturers undergo for my sake ; hereafter they shall have the business to themselves .

do , some kind Christian , pump a stroke or two , just to wet my whistle .

thank you , sir !

such monuments should be erected everywhere and inscribed with the names of the distinguished champions of my cause .

now , listen , for something very important is to come next .

I pray you , gentlemen , let this fault be amended .

trust me , they may .

and whenever I pour out that soul , it is to cool earth 's fever or cleanse its stains .

one o'clock !

Nay , then , if the dinner-bell begins to speak , I may as well hold my peace .

here comes a pretty young girl of my acquaintance with a large stone pitcher for me to fill .

may she draw a husband while drawing her water , as Rachel did of old !

hold out your vessel , my dear !

THE GREAT CARBUNCLE . @number@

a MYSTERY OF THE WHITE MOUNTAINS .

all who visited that region knew him as " the Seeker , " and by no other name .

near this miserable Seeker sat a little elderly personage wearing a high-crowned hat shaped somewhat like a crucible .

the fifth adventurer likewise lacked a name , which was the greater pity , as he appeared to be a poet .

Certain it is that the poetry which flowed from him had a smack of all these dainties .

several related the circumstances that brought them thither .

here we are , I say , all bound on the same goodly enterprise .

what says our friend in the bearskin ?

" how enjoy it ! " exclaimed the aged Seeker , bitterly .

" I hope for no enjoyment from it : that folly has past long ago .

I keep up the search for this accursed stone because the vain ambition of my youth has become a fate upon me in old age .

a good version of the story can be found here : @url@ , as well as on the Internet Archive and in print editions .

ideally , you would check this entire ebook with the other editions to make sure there are no more such textual errors .

the above-quoted paragraph should be as follows , including the paragraphs missing from the text :

" how enjoy it ! " exclaimed the aged Seeker , bitterly .

" I hope for no enjoyment from it that folly has past , long ago !

yet , not to have my wasted life time back again , would I give up my hopes of the Great Carbuncle !

" oh , wretch , regardless of the interests of science ! " cried Doctor Cacaphodel , with philosophic indignation .

mine is the sole purpose for which a wise man may desire the possession of the Great Carbuncle .

" Excellent ! " quoth the man with the spectacles .

I tell ye frankly , Sirs , I have an interest in keeping up the price .

" not I , pious Master Pigsnort , " said the man with the spectacles .

" I never laid such a great folly to thy charge . "

" truly , I hope not , " said the merchant .

if any of ye have a wiser plan , let him expound it . "

" that have I , thou sordid man ! " exclaimed the poet .

there night and day will I gaze upon it .

thus long ages after I am gone the splendor of the Great Carbuncle will blaze around my name . "

" well said , Master Poet ! " cried he of the spectacles .

" hide it under thy cloak , sayest thou ?

why , it will gleam through the holes and make thee look like a jack-o'-lantern ! "

have not I resolved within myself that the whole earth contains no fitter ornament for the great hall of my ancestral castle ?

" it is a noble thought , " said the cynic , with an obsequious sneer .

Hannah here and I are seeking it for a like purpose . "

" how , fellow ? " exclaimed His Lordship , in surprise .

" what castle-hall hast thou to hang it in ? "

" no castle , " replied Matthew , " but as neat a cottage as any within sight of the Crystal Hills .

and then how pleasant , when we awake in the night , to be able to see one another 's faces ! "

" the Great Carbuncle ! " answered the cynic , with ineffable scorn .

" why , you blockhead , there is no such thing in rerum naturâ .

they listened for the roll of thunder , but heard nothing , and were glad that the tempest came not near them .

the modest little wife had wrought this piece of tapestry while the other guests were talking .

" up , dear Matthew ! " cried she , in haste .

" the strange folk are all gone .

up this very minute , or we shall lose the Great Carbuncle ! "

it was a sweet emblem of conjugal affection as they toiled up the difficult ascent gathering strength from the mutual aid which they afforded .

" let us climb a little higher , " whispered she , yet tremulously , as she turned her face upward to the lonely sky .

next they came to masses and fragments of naked rock heaped confusedly together like a cairn reared by giants in memory of a giant chief .

but soon they were to be hidden from her eye .

but they drew closer together with a fond and melancholy gaze , dreading lest the universal cloud should snatch them from each other 's sight .

her breath grew short .

at last she sank down on one of the rocky steps of the acclivity .

" we are lost , dear Matthew , " said she , mournfully ; " we shall never find our way to the earth again .

and oh how happy we might have been in our cottage ! "

" dear heart , we will yet be happy there , " answered Matthew .

" look !

in this direction the sunshine penetrates the dismal mist ; by its aid I can direct our course to the passage of the Notch .

let us go back , love , and dream no more of the Great Carbuncle . "

" the sun cannot be yonder , " said Hannah , with despondence .

" but look ! " repeated Matthew , in a somewhat altered tone .

" it is brightening every moment .

if not sunshine , what can it be ? "

a ray of glory flashed across its surface .

for the simple pair had reached that lake of mystery and found the long-sought shrine of the Great Carbuncle .

but with their next glance they beheld an object that drew their attention even from the mighty stone .

but he stirred not , no more than if changed to marble .

" it is the Seeker , " whispered Hannah , convulsively grasping her husband 's arm .

" Matthew , he is dead . "

" the joy of success has killed him , " replied Matthew , trembling violently .

" or perhaps the very light of the Great Carbuncle was death . "

" ' The Great Carbuncle ' ! " cried a peevish voice behind them .

" the great humbug !

if you have found it , prithee point it out to me . "

" where is your great humbug ? " he repeated .

" I challenge you to make me see it . "

" there ! " said Matthew , incensed at such perverse blindness , and turning the cynic round toward the illuminated cliff .

" take off those abominable spectacles , and you cannot help seeing it . "

" Matthew , " said Hannah , clinging to him , " let us go hence . "

it revived her , but could not renovate her courage .

the blessed sunshine and the quiet moonlight shall come through our window .

we will kindle the cheerful glow of our hearth at eventide and be happy in its light .

but never again will we desire more light than all the world may share with us . "

and for all these purposes the gem itself could not have answered better than the granite .

the critics say that , if his poetry lacked the splendor of the gem , it retained all the coldness of the ice .

as the funeral torches gleamed within that dark receptacle , there was no need of the Great Carbuncle to show the vanity of earthly pomp .

Matthew and his bride spent many peaceful years and were fond of telling the legend of the Great Carbuncle .

when our pilgrims reached the cliff , they found only an opaque stone with particles of mica glittering on its surface .

THE PROPHETIC PICTURES . @number@

" but this painter ! " cried Walter Ludlow , with animation .

" he not only excels in his peculiar art , but possesses vast acquirements in all other learning and science .

he talks Hebrew with Dr Mather and gives lectures in anatomy to Dr Boylston .

in a word , he will meet the best-instructed man among us on his own ground .

nor is all this what I most admire in him . "

" indeed ! " said Elinor , who had listened with a women 's interest to the description of such a man .

" yet this is admirable enough . "

but the greatest wonder is yet to be told . "

are you telling me of a painter , or a wizard ? "

" in truth , " answered he , " that question might be asked much more seriously than you suppose .

they say that he paints not merely a man 's features , but his mind and heart .

it is an awful gift , " added Walter , lowering his voice from its tone of enthusiasm .

" I shall be almost afraid to sit to him . "

" Walter , are you in earnest ? " exclaimed Elinor .

" there ! it is passing away now ; but when you spoke , you seemed frightened to death , and very sad besides .

what were you thinking of ? "

" nothing , nothing ! " answered Elinor , hastily .

" you paint my face with your own fantasies .

well , come for me tomorrow , and we will visit this wonderful artist . "

yet Walter Ludlow was the chosen of her heart .

" a look ! " said Elinor to herself .

" no wonder that it startled him if it expressed what I sometimes feel .

I know by my own experience how frightful a look may be .

but it was all fancy .

but he had been born and educated in Europe .

art could add nothing to its lessons , but Nature might .

whenever such proposals were made , he fixed his piercing eyes on the applicant and seemed to look him through and through .

pictorial skill being so rare in the colonies , the painter became an object of general curiosity .

their admiration , it must be owned , was tinctured with the prejudices of the age and country .

these foolish fancies were more than half believed among the mob .

the day after the conversation above recorded they visited the painter 's rooms .

several of the portraits were known to them either as distinguished characters of the day or their private acquaintances .

Mr Cooke hung beside the ruler whom he opposed , sturdy and somewhat puritanical , as befitted a popular leader .

the ancient lady of Sir William Phipps eyed them from the wall in ruff and farthingale , an imperious old dame not unsuspected of witchcraft .

John Winslow , then a very young man , wore the expression of warlike enterprise which long afterward made him a distinguished general .

their personal friends were recognized at a glance .

among these modern worthies there were two old bearded saints who had almost vanished into the darkening canvas .

" how singular a thought , " observed Walter Ludlow , " that this beautiful face has been beautiful for above two hundred years !

oh , if all beauty would endure so well !

do you not envy her , Elinor ? "

" if earth were heaven , I might , " she replied .

" but , where all things fade , how miserable to be the one that could not fade ! "

but the Virgin looks kindly at us . "

" yes , but very sorrowfully , methinks , " said Elinor .

the easel stood beneath these three old pictures , sustaining one that had been recently commenced .

" kind old man ! " exclaimed Elinor .

" he gazes at me as if he were about to utter a word of paternal advice . "

but so does the original .

I shall never feel quite comfortable under his eye till we stand before him to be married . "

he was a middle-aged man with a countenance well worthy of his own pencil .

Walter Ludlow , who was slightly known to the painter , explained the object of their visit .

the artist was evidently struck .

I must not lose this opportunity for the sake of painting a few ells of broadcloth and brocade . "

the painter expressed a desire to introduce both their portraits into one picture and represent them engaged in some appropriate action .

two half-length portraits were therefore fixed upon .

do you believe it ? "

" not quite , " said Elinor , smiling .

at length he announced that at their next visit both the portraits would be ready for delivery .

seldom indeed has an artist such subjects . "

while speaking he still bent his penetrative eye upon them , nor withdrew it till they had reached the bottom of the stairs .

nothing in the whole circle of human vanities takes stronger hold of the imagination than this affair of having a portrait painted .

yet why should it be so ?

but we forget them only because they vanish .

it is the idea of duration of earthly immortality that gives such a mysterious interest to our own portraits .

the sunshine flashed after them into the apartment , but left it somewhat gloomy as they closed the door .

their eyes were immediately attracted to their portraits , which rested against the farthest wall of the room .

" there we stand , " cried Walter , enthusiastically , " fixed in sunshine for ever .

no dark passions can gather on our faces . "

" no , " said Elinor , more calmly ; " no dreary change can sadden us . "

this was said while they were approaching and had yet gained only an imperfect view of the pictures .

at intervals he sent a glance from beneath his deep eyebrows , watching their countenances in profile with his pencil suspended over the sketch .

at length Walter stepped forward , then back , viewing Elinor 's portrait in various lights , and finally spoke .

" is there not a change ? " said he , in a doubtful and meditative tone .

" yes ; the perception of it grows more vivid the longer I look .

" is , then , the picture less like than it was yesterday ? " inquired the painter , now drawing near with irrepressible interest .

the eyes are fixed on mine with a strangely sad and anxious expression .

Nay , it is grief and terror .

is this like Elinor ? "

" compare the living face with the pictured one , " said the painter .

Walter glanced sidelong at his mistress , and started .

had she practised for whole hours before a mirror , she could not have caught the look so successfully .

had the picture itself been a mirror , it could not have thrown back her present aspect with stronger and more melancholy truth .

she appeared quite unconscious of the dialogue between the artist and her lover .

" Elinor , " exclaimed Walter , in amazement , " what change has come over you ? "

" do you see no change in your portrait ? " asked she .

" In mine ?

none , " replied Walter , examining it .

" but let me see .

yes ; there is a slight change an improvement , I think , in the picture , though none in the likeness .

now that I have caught the look , it becomes very decided . "

while he was intent on these observations Elinor turned to the painter .

" that look ! " whispered she , and shuddered .

" how came it there ? "

the artist the true artist must look beneath the exterior .

would that I might convince myself of error in the present instance ! "

turning them over with seeming carelessness , a crayon sketch of two figures was disclosed .

I might change the action of these figures too .

but would it influence the event ? "

he directed her notice to the sketch .

" we will not have the pictures altered , " said she , hastily .

" if mine is sad , I shall but look the gayer for the contrast . "

" be it so , " answered the painter , bowing .

" may your griefs be such fanciful ones that only your pictures may mourn for them !

after the marriage of Walter and Elinor the pictures formed the two most splendid ornaments of their abode .

Walter Ludlow 's portrait attracted their earliest notice .

there was less diversity of opinion in regard to Elinor 's picture .

it was enough .

her visitors felt that the massive folds of the silk must never be withdrawn nor the portraits mentioned in her presence .

time wore on , and the painter came again .

but he did not profane that scene by the mockery of his art .

with store of such his adventurous ramble had enriched him .

his portfolio was filled with graphic illustrations of the volume of his memory which genius would transmute into its own substance and imbue with immortality .

he felt that the deep wisdom in his art which he had sought so far was found .

like all other men around whom an engrossing purpose wreathes itself , he was insulated from the mass of humankind .

he had no aim , no pleasure , no sympathies , but what were ultimately connected with his art .

he could not recross the Atlantic till he had again beheld the originals of those airy pictures .

" O glorious Art ! "

thus mused the enthusiastic painter as he trod the street .

" thou art the image of the Creator 's own .

the innumerable forms that wander in nothingness start into being at thy beck .

thou snatchest back the fleeting moments of history .

have I not achieved it ?

am I not thy prophet ? "

it is not good for man to cherish a solitary ambition .

reading other bosoms with an acuteness almost preternatural , the painter failed to see the disorder of his own .

" and this should be the house , " said he , looking up and down the front before he knocked .

" Heaven help my brains !

that picture !

Methinks it will never vanish .

he knocked .

the guest was admitted into a parlor communicating by a central door with an interior room of the same size .

he involuntarily paused on the threshold .

they had not perceived his approach .

that of Elinor had been almost prophetic .

a mixture of affright would now have made it the very expression of the portrait .

Walter 's face was moody and dull or animated only by fitful flashes which left a heavier darkness for their momentary illumination .

he looked from Elinor to her portrait , and thence to his own , in the contemplation of which he finally stood absorbed .

the painter seemed to hear the step of Destiny approaching behind him on its progress toward its victims .

a strange thought darted into his mind .

" our fate is upon us ! " howled Walter .

" die ! "

drawing a knife , he sustained her as she was sinking to the ground , and aimed it at her bosom .

in the action and in the look and attitude of each the painter beheld the figures of his sketch .

the picture , with all its tremendous coloring , was finished .

" hold , madman ! " cried he , sternly .

he stood like a magician controlling the phantoms which he had evoked .

" what ! " muttered Walter Ludlow as he relapsed from fierce excitement into sullen gloom .

" does Fate impede its own decree ? "

" wretched lady , " said the painter , " did I not warn you ? "

" you did , " replied Elinor , calmly , as her terror gave place to the quiet grief which it had disturbed .

" but I loved him . "

is there not a deep moral in the tale ?

DAVID SWAN .

a FANTASY .

we can be but partially acquainted even with the events which actually influence our course through life and our final destiny .

this idea may be illustrated by a page from the secret history of David Swan .

but we are to relate events which he did not dream of .

but censure , praise , merriment , scorn and indifference were all one or , rather , all nothing to David Swan .

a linch-pin had fallen out and permitted one of the wheels to slide off .

" how soundly he sleeps ! " whispered the old gentleman .

" from what a depth he draws that easy breath !

" and youth besides , " said the lady .

" healthy and quiet age does not sleep thus .

our slumber is no more like his than our wakefulness . "

Methinks I can see a likeness to our departed Henry .

shall we waken him ? "

" to what purpose ? " said the merchant , hesitating .

" we know nothing of the youth 's character . "

" that open countenance ! " replied his wife , in the same hushed voice , yet earnestly .

" this innocent sleep ! "

yet Fortune was bending over him , just ready to let fall a burden of gold .

in such cases people sometimes do stranger things than to act the magician and awaken a young man to splendor who fell asleep in poverty .

" shall we not waken him ? " repeated the lady , persuasively .

" the coach is ready , sir , " said the servant , behind .

the old couple started , reddened and hurried away , mutually wondering that they should ever have dreamed of doing anything so very ridiculous .

the merchant threw himself back in the carriage and occupied his mind with the plan of a magnificent asylum for unfortunate men of business .

meanwhile , David Swan enjoyed his nap .

perhaps it was this merry kind of motion that caused is there any harm in saying it ? her garter to slip its knot .

but there was peril near the sleeper .

the sting of a bee is sometimes deadly .

how sweet a picture !

" he is handsome ! " thought she , and blushed redder yet .

why , at least , did no smile of welcome brighten upon his face ?

" how sound he sleeps ! " murmured the girl .

she departed , but did not trip along the road so lightly as when she came .

had David formed a wayside acquaintance with the daughter , he would have become the father 's clerk , and all else in natural succession .

the girl was hardly out of sight when two men turned aside beneath the maple shade .

both had dark faces set off by cloth caps , which were drawn down aslant over their brows .

their dresses were shabby , yet had a certain smartness .

but , finding David asleep by the spring , one of the rogues whispered to his fellow :

" Hist !

do you see that bundle under his head ? "

the other villain nodded , winked and leered .

and if not there , we will find it in his pantaloons pocket . "

" but how if he wakes ? " said the other .

his companion thrust aside his waistcoat , pointed to the handle of a dirk and nodded .

" so be it ! " muttered the second villain .

Nay , had the villains glanced aside into the spring , even they would hardly have known themselves as reflected there .

but David Swan had never worn a more tranquil aspect , even when asleep on his mother 's breast .

" I must take away the bundle , " whispered one .

" if he stirs , I 'll strike , " muttered the other .

he then lapped out of the fountain .

" Pshaw ! " said one villain .

" we can do nothing now .

the dog 's master must be close behind . "

" let's take a drink and be off , " said the other .

it was a flask of liquor with a block-tin tumbler screwed upon the mouth .

he slept , but no longer so quietly as at first .

an hour 's repose had snatched from his elastic frame the weariness with which many hours of toil had burdened it .

now he stirred , now moved his lips without a sound , now talked in an inward tone to the noonday spectres of his dream .

he started up with all his ideas about him .

" halloo , driver !

take a passenger ? " shouted he .

" room on top ! " answered the driver .

Up mounted David , and bowled away merrily toward Boston without so much as a parting glance at that fountain of dreamlike vicissitude .

sleeping or waking , we hear not the airy footsteps of the strange things that almost happen .

SIGHTS FROM A STEEPLE .

so !

I have climbed high , and my reward is small .

here I stand with wearied knees earth , indeed , at a dizzy depth below , but heaven far , far beyond me still .

and yet I shiver at that cold and solitary thought .

what clouds are gathering in the golden west with direful intent against the brightness and the warmth of this summer afternoon ?

yonder , again , is an airy archipelago where the sunbeams love to linger in their journeyings through space .

Bright they are as a young man 's visions , and , like them , would be realized in dullness , obscurity and tears .

I will look on them no more .

Yonder is a fair street extending north and south .

certainly he has a pensive air .

is he in doubt or in debt ?

is he if the question be allowable in love ?

does he strive to be melancholy and gentlemanlike , or is he merely overcome by the heat ?

but I bid him farewell for the present .

they stand talking a little while upon the steps , and finally proceed up the street .

meantime , as their faces are now turned from me , I may look elsewhere .

upon that wharf and down the corresponding street is a busy contrast to the quiet scene which I have just noticed .

at a little distance a group of gentlemen are assembled round the door of a warehouse .

I can even select the wealthiest of the company .

but I bestow too much of my attention in this quarter .

on looking again to the long and shady walk I perceive that the two fair girls have encountered the young man .

after a sort of shyness in the recognition , he turns back with them .

in two streets converging at right angles toward my watch-tower I distinguish three different processions .

and yet it stirs my heart .

such was not the fashion of our fathers when they carried a friend to his grave .

there is now no doleful clang of the bell to proclaim sorrow to the town .

not so .

here is a proof that he retains his proper majesty .

the military men and the military boys are wheeling round the corner , and meet the funeral full in the face .

immediately the drum is silent , all but the tap that regulates each simultaneous footfall .

the new-born , the aged , the dying , the strong in life and the recent dead are in the chambers of these many mansions .

the full of hope , the happy , the miserable and the desperate dwell together within the circle of my glance .

Lo ! the raindrops are descending .

unhappy gentleman !

the ladies would not thus rival Atalanta if they but knew that any one were at leisure to observe them .

ah ! as they hasten onward , laughing in the angry face of nature , a sudden catastrophe has chanced .

all this is easy to be understood .

the old man and his daughters are safely housed , and now the storm lets loose its fury .

the large drops descend with force upon the slated roofs and rise again in smoke .

thus did Arethusa sink .

I will descend .

but stay !

THE HOLLOW OF THE THREE HILLS .

In the spot where they encountered no mortal could observe them .

the chill beauty of an autumnal sunset was now gilding the three hill-tops , whence a paler tint stole down their sides into the hollow .

" here is our pleasant meeting come to pass , " said the aged crone , " according as thou hast desired .

say quickly what thou wouldst have of me , for there is but a short hour that we may tarry here . "

as the old withered woman spoke a smile glimmered on her countenance like lamplight on the wall of a sepulchre .

the lady trembled and cast her eyes upward to the verge of the basin , as if meditating to return with her purpose unaccomplished .

but it was not so ordained .

" I am stranger in this land , as you know , " said she , at length .

there is a weight in my bosom that I cannot away with , and I have come hither to inquire of their welfare . "

" I will do your bidding though I die , " replied the lady , desperately .

" kneel down , " she said , " and lay your forehead on my knees . "

she hesitated a moment , but the anxiety that had long been kindling burned fiercely up within her .

then she heard the muttered words of prayer , in the midst of which she started and would have arisen .

" let me flee !

let me flee and hide myself , that they may not look upon me ! " she cried .

but those strangers appeared not to stand in the hollow depth between the three hills .

" A weary and lonesome time yonder old couple have of it , " remarked the old woman , smiling in the lady 's face .

" and did you also hear them ? " exclaimed she , a sense of intolerable humiliation triumphing over her agony and fear .

" Yea , and we have yet more to hear , " replied the old woman , " wherefore cover thy face quickly . "

chains were rattling , fierce and stern voices uttered threats and the scourge resounded at their command .

he went to and fro continually , and his feet sounded upon the floor .

he spoke of woman 's perfidy , of a wife who had broken her holiest vows , of a home and heart made desolate .

the lady looked up , and there was the withered woman smiling in her face .

" Couldst thou have thought there were such merry times in a mad-house ? " inquired the latter .

" Wouldst thou hear more ? " demanded the old woman .

" there is one other voice I would fain listen to again , " replied the lady , faintly .

" then lay down thy head speedily upon my knees , that thou mayst get thee hence before the hour be past . "

again that evil woman began to weave her spell .

the lady shook upon her companion 's knees as she heard that boding sound .

before them went the priest , reading the burial-service , while the leaves of his book were rustling in the breeze .

but when the old woman stirred the kneeling lady , she lifted not her head .

" here has been a sweet hour 's sport ! " said the withered crone , chuckling to herself .

THE TOLL-GATHERER'S DAY .

a SKETCH OF TRANSITORY LIFE .

if any mortal be favored with a lot analogous to this , it is the toll-gatherer .

sitting on the aforesaid bench , I amuse myself with a conception , illustrated by numerous pencil-sketches in the air , of the toll-gatherer 's day .

the toll is paid ; creak , creak , again go the wheels , and the huge hay-mow vanishes into the morning mist .

as yet nature is but half awake , and familiar objects appear visionary .

the morn breathes upon them and blushes , and they forget how wearily the darkness toiled away .

the old man looks eastward , and ( for he is a moralizer ) frames a simile of the stage-coach and the sun .

while the world is rousing itself we may glance slightly at the scene of our sketch .

beneath the window is a wooden bench on which a long succession of weary wayfarers have reposed themselves .

and there sits our good old toll-gatherer , glorified by the early sunbeams .

now the sun smiles upon the landscape and earth smiles back again upon the sky .

frequent now are the travellers .

the bottom of the chaise is heaped with multifarious bandboxes and carpet-bags , and beneath the axle swings a leathern trunk dusty with yesterday 's journey .

luckless wight doomed through a whole summer day to be the butt of mirth and mischief among the frolicsome maidens !

the vinegar-faced traveller proves to be a manufacturer of pickles .

he is a country preacher going to labor at a protracted meeting .

the next object passing townward is a butcher 's cart canopied with its arch of snow-white cotton .

see , there , a man trundling a wheelbarrow-load of lobsters .

but let all these pay their toll and pass .

but methinks her blushing cheek burns through the snowy veil .

another white-robed virgin sits in front .

and who are these on whom , and on all that appertains to them , the dust of earth seems never to have settled ?

two lovers whom the priest has blessed this blessed morn and sent them forth , with one of the bride-maids , on the matrimonial tour .

take my blessing too , ye happy ones !

may the sky not frown upon you nor clouds bedew you with their chill and sullen rain !

may the hot sun kindle no fever in your hearts !

in a close carriage sits a fragile figure muffled carefully and shrinking even from the mild breath of summer .

she leans against a manly form , and his arm enfolds her as if to guard his treasure from some enemy .

and now has Morning gathered up her dewy pearls and fled away .

the sun rolls blazing through the sky , and cannot find a cloud to cool his face with .

the horses toil sluggishly along the bridge , and heave their glistening sides in short quick pantings when the reins are tightened at the toll-house .

glisten , too , the faces of the travellers .

no air is stirring on the road .

nature dares draw no breath lest she should inhale a stifling cloud of dust .

" awful hot !

dreadful dusty ! " answers the sympathetic toll-gatherer .

yes , old friend , and a quiet heart will make a dog-day temperate .

and as the wayfarer makes ready to resume his journey he tells him a sovereign remedy for blistered feet .

now comes the noontide hour of all the hours , nearest akin to midnight , for each has its own calmness and repose .

meanwhile , on both sides of the chasm a throng of impatient travellers fret and fume .

and what are the haughtiest of us but the ephemeral aristocrats of a summer 's day ?

what miracle shall set all things right again ?

the sage old man !

strollers come from the town to quaff the freshening breeze .

one or two let down long lines and haul up flapping flounders or cunners or small cod , or perhaps an eel .

the horses now tramp heavily along the bridge and wistfully bethink them of their stables .

THE VISION OF THE FOUNTAIN .

at fifteen I became a resident in a country village more than a hundred miles from home .

the ground was rocky , uneven , overgrown with bushes and clumps of young saplings and traversed only by cattle-paths .

one solitary sunbeam found its way down and played like a goldfish in the water .

from my childhood I have loved to gaze into a spring .

the bottom was covered with coarse sand , which sparkled in the lonely sunbeam and seemed to illuminate the spring with an unborrowed light .

in one spot the gush of the water violently agitated the sand , but without obscuring the fountain or breaking the glassiness of its surface .

wherever she laid her hands on grass and flowers , they would immediately be moist , as with morning dew .

they were the reflection of my own .

the vision had the aspect of a fair young girl with locks of paly gold .

through the dim rosiness of the cheeks I could see the brown leaves , the slimy twigs , the acorns and the sparkling sand .

the solitary sunbeam was diffused among the golden hair , which melted into its faint brightness and became a glory round that head so beautiful .

my description can give no idea how suddenly the fountain was thus tenanted and how soon it was left desolate .

I breathed , and there was the face ; I held my breath , and it was gone .

had it passed away or faded into nothing ?

I doubted whether it had ever been .

my sweet readers , what a dreamy and delicious hour did I spend where that vision found and left me !

thus have I often started from a pleasant dream , and then kept quiet in hopes to wile it back .

Deep were my musings as to the race and attributes of that ethereal being .

had I created her ?

was she the daughter of my fancy , akin to those strange shapes which peep under the lids of children 's eyes ?

and did her beauty gladden me for that one moment and then die ?

I watched and waited , but no vision came again .

I departed , but with a spell upon me which drew me back that same afternoon to the haunted spring .

there was the water gushing , the sand sparkling and the sunbeam glimmering .

Methought he had a devilish look .

I could have slain him as an enchanter who kept the mysterious beauty imprisoned in the fountain .

Sad and heavy , I was returning to the village .

I was admiring the picture when the shape of a young girl emerged from behind the clump of oaks .

how could I ever reach her ?

while I gazed a sudden shower came pattering down upon the leaves .

a rainbow vivid as Niagara 's was painted in the air .

when the rainbow vanished , she who had seemed a part of it was no longer there .

was her existence absorbed in nature 's loveliest phenomenon , and did her pure frame dissolve away in the varied light ?

yet I would not despair of her return , for , robed in the rainbow , she was the emblem of Hope .

thus did the vision leave me , and many a doleful day succeeded to the parting moment .

weeks came and went , months rolled away , and she appeared not in them .

I withdrew into an inner world where my thoughts lived and breathed , and the vision in the midst of them .

in the middle of January I was summoned home .

most of the day was spent in preparing for the journey , which was to commence at four o'clock the next morning .

a gust of wind blew out my lamp as I passed through the entry .

there was no light except the little that came sullenly from two half-burnt brands , without even glimmering on the andirons .

I noticed that there was less room than usual to-night between the collegian 's chair and mine .

as people are always taciturn in the dark , not a word was said for some time after my entrance .

nothing broke the stillness but the regular click of the matron 's knitting-needles .

were we not like ghosts ?

we were aware of each other 's presence , not by sight nor sound nor touch , but by an inward consciousness .

would it not be so among the dead ?

the silence was interrupted by the consumptive daughter addressing a remark to some one in the circle whom she called Rachel .

had I ever heard that sweet , low tone ?

whom had my heart recognized , that it throbbed so ?

I listened to catch her gentle breathing , and strove by the intensity of my gaze to picture forth a shape where none was visible .

she knew me .

fair ladies , there is nothing more to tell .

if I transformed her to an angel , it is what every youthful lover does for his mistress .

therein consists the essence of my story .

but slight the change , sweet maids , to make angels of yourselves .

FANCY'S SHOW-BOX .

a MORALITY .

what is guilt ?

A stain upon the soul .

if this be true , it is a fearful truth .

let us illustrate the subject by an imaginary example .

wine will not always cheer him .

but Mr Smith had a shrewd idea that it was Conscience .

her eyes she could not lift .

he was the personification of triumphant scorn .

Mr Smith was scandalized .

" oh , vile and slanderous picture ! " he exclaims .

" when have I triumphed over ruined innocence ?

was not Martha wedded in her teens to David Tomkins , who won her girlish love and long enjoyed her affection as a wife ?

and ever since his death she has lived a reputable widow ! "

though not a death-blow , the torture was extreme .

the exhibition proceeded .

there had been mirth and revelry until the hand of the clock stood just at midnight , when Murder stepped between the boon-companions .

the murdered youth wore the features of Edward Spencer .

" what does this rascal of a painter mean ? " cries Mr Smith , provoked beyond all patience .

" Edward Spencer was my earliest and dearest friend , true to me as I to him through more than half a century .

neither I nor any other ever murdered him .

the pain was quite excruciating .

" really , this puzzles me ! " quoth Mr Smith , with the irony of conscious rectitude .

" asking pardon of the painter , I pronounce him a fool as well as a scandalous knave .

a man of my standing in the world to be robbing little children of their clothes !

ridiculous ! "

but while he spoke Memory had searched her fatal volume and found a page which with her sad calm voice she poured into his ear .

it was not altogether inapplicable to the misty scene .

fortunately , before he was quite decided , his claims had turned out nearly as devoid of law as justice .

even then , however , he sustained an ugly gash .

why should we follow Fancy through the whole series of those awful pictures ?

and could such beings of cloudy fantasy , so near akin to nothingness , give valid evidence against him at the day of judgment ?

yet his heart still seemed to fester with the venom of the dagger .

nevertheless , the unfortunate old gentleman might have argued the matter with Conscience and alleged many reasons wherefore she should not smite him so pitilessly .

were we to take up his cause , it should be somewhat in the following fashion .

a scheme of guilt , till it be put in execution , greatly resembles a train of incidents in a projected tale .

it is not until the crime is accomplished that Guilt clenches its gripe upon the guilty heart and claims it for his own .

be it considered , also , that men often overestimate their capacity for evil .

they knew not what deed it was that they deemed themselves resolved to do .

yet , with the slight fancy-work which we have framed , some sad and awful truths are interwoven .

he must feel that when he shall knock at the gate of heaven no semblance of an unspotted life can entitle him to entrance there .

penitence must kneel and Mercy come from the footstool of the throne , or that golden gate will never open .

DR . HEIDEGGER'S EXPERIMENT .

that very singular man old Dr Heidegger once invited four venerable friends to meet him in his study .

there were three white-bearded gentlemen Mr Medbourne , Colonel Killigrew and Mr Gascoigne and a withered gentlewoman whose name was the widow Wycherly .

if all stories were true , Dr Heidegger 's study must have been a very curious place .

it was a dim , old-fashioned chamber festooned with cobwebs and besprinkled with antique dust .

in the obscurest corner of the room stood a tall and narrow oaken closet with its door ajar , within which doubtfully appeared a skeleton .

between two of the bookcases hung a looking-glass , presenting its high and dusty plate within a tarnished gilt frame .

there were no letters on the back , and nobody could tell the title of the book .

such was Dr Heidegger 's study .

four champagne-glasses were also on the table .

now , Dr Heidegger was a very strange old gentleman whose eccentricity had become the nucleus for a thousand fantastic stories .

" this rose , " said Dr Heidegger , with a sigh " this same withered and crumbling flower blossomed five and fifty years ago .

it was given me by Sylvia Ward , whose portrait hangs yonder , and I meant to wear it in my bosom at our wedding .

five and fifty years it has been treasured between the leaves of this old volume .

now , would you deem it possible that this rose of half a century could ever bloom again ? "

" nonsense ! " said the widow Wycherly , with a peevish toss of her head .

" you might as well ask whether an old woman 's wrinkled face could ever bloom again . "

" see ! " answered Dr Heidegger .

he uncovered the vase and threw the faded rose into the water which it contained .

at first it lay lightly on the surface of the fluid , appearing to imbibe none of its moisture .

soon , however , a singular change began to be visible .

" pray , how was it effected ? "

" but did Ponce de Leon ever find it ? " said the widow Wycherly .

" no , " answered Dr Heidegger , " for he never sought it in the right place .

an acquaintance of mine , knowing my curiosity in such matters , has sent me what you see in the vase . "

" you shall judge for yourself , my dear colonel , " replied Dr Heidegger .

for my own part , having had much trouble in growing old , I am in no hurry to grow young again .

with your permission , therefore , I will merely watch the progress of the experiment . "

while he spoke Dr Heidegger had been filling the four champagne-glasses with the water of the Fountain of Youth .

but Dr Heidegger besought them to stay a moment .

with palsied hands they raised the glasses to their lips .

they drank off the water and replaced their glasses on the table .

there was a healthful suffusion on their cheeks instead of the ashen hue that had made them look so corpse-like .

the widow Wycherly adjusted her cap , for she felt almost like a woman again .

" give us more of this wondrous water , " cried they , eagerly .

" we are younger , but we are still too old .

Quick ! give us more ! "

" Patience , patience ! " quoth Dr Heidegger , who sat , watching the experiment with philosophic coolness .

" you have been a long time growing old ; surely you might be content to grow young in half an hour .

but the water is at your service . "

was it delusion ?

even while the draught was passing down their throats it seemed to have wrought a change on their whole systems .

at last , turning briskly away , she came with a sort of dancing step to the table .

" my dear old doctor , " cried she , " pray favor me with another glass . "

" certainly , my dear madam certainly , " replied the complaisant doctor .

" See !

I have already filled the glasses . "

even while quaffing the third draught of the Fountain of Youth , they were almost awed by the expression of his mysterious visage .

but the next moment the exhilarating gush of young life shot through their veins .

they were now in the happy prime of youth .

they felt like new-created beings in a new-created universe .

" we are young !

we are young ! " they cried , exultingly .

youth , like the extremity of age , had effaced the strongly-marked characteristics of middle life and mutually assimilated them all .

they were a group of merry youngsters almost maddened with the exuberant frolicsomeness of their years .

the most singular effect of their gayety was an impulse to mock the infirmity and decrepitude of which they had so lately been the victims .

then all shouted mirthfully and leaped about the room .

" pray excuse me , " answered the doctor , quietly .

" I am old and rheumatic , and my dancing-days were over long ago .

but either of these gay young gentlemen will be glad of so pretty a partner . "

" dance with me , Clara , " cried Colonel Killigrew .

" no , no !

I will be her partner , " shouted Mr Gascoigne .

" she promised me her hand fifty years ago , " exclaimed Mr Medbourne .

they all gathered round her .

never was there a livelier picture of youthful rivalship , with bewitching beauty for the prize .

but they were young : their burning passions proved them so .

still keeping hold of the fair prize , they grappled fiercely at one another 's throats .

as they struggled to and fro the table was overturned and the vase dashed into a thousand fragments .

the insect fluttered lightly through the chamber and settled on the snowy head of Dr Heidegger .

" come , come , gentlemen !

come , Madam Wycherly ! " exclaimed the doctor .

" I really must protest against this riot . "

" my poor Sylvia 's rose ! " ejaculated Dr . Heidegger , holding it in the light of the sunset clouds .

" it appears to be fading again . "

and so it was .

he shook off the few drops of moisture which clung to its petals .

" I love it as well thus as in its dewy freshness , " observed he , pressing the withered rose to his withered lips .

while he spoke the butterfly fluttered down from the doctor 's snowy head and fell upon the floor .

his guests shivered again .

a strange dullness whether of the body or spirit they could not tell was creeping gradually over them all .

was it an illusion ?

" are we grown old again so soon ? " cried they , dolefully .

in truth , they had .

the Water of Youth possessed merely a virtue more transient than that of wine ; the delirium which it created had effervesced away .

yes , they were old again .

such is the lesson ye have taught me . "

but the doctor 's four friends had taught no such lesson to themselves .

they resolved forthwith to make a pilgrimage to Florida and quaff at morning , noon and night from the Fountain of Youth .

LEGENDS OF THE PROVINCE-HOUSE .

I.

HOWE'S MASQUERADE .

II .

EDWARD RANDOLPH'S PORTRAIT .

III .

LADY ELEANORE'S MANTLE .

IV .

OLD ESTHER DUDLEY .

I.

HOWE'S MASQUERADE .

the sign represented the front of a stately edifice which was designated as the " OLD PROVINCE HOUSE , kept by Thomas Waite . "

the Province House is constructed of brick , which seems recently to have been overlaid with a coat of light-colored paint .

a wide door with double leaves admitted me into the hall or entry , on the right of which is the entrance to the bar-room .

but the room in its present condition cannot boast even of faded magnificence .

the cupola is an octagon with several windows , and a door opening upon the roof .

the portion of his talk which chiefly interested me was the outline of the following legend .

one other such fit of merriment , and I must throw off my clerical wig and band . "

as to this new foolery , I know no more about it than yourself perhaps not so much .

he was spared the necessity of a retort by a singular interruption .

the man was drum-major to one of the British regiments .

" Dighton , " demanded the general , " what means this foolery ?

bid your band silence that dead march , or , by my word , they shall have sufficient cause for their lugubrious strains .

silence it , sirrah ! "

I never heard it but once before , and that was at the funeral of his late Majesty , King George II . "

" well , well ! " said Sir William Howe , recovering his composure ; " it is the prelude to some masquerading antic .

let it pass . "

at the same time , the music in the street sounded a loud and doleful summons .

" in the devil 's name , what is this ? " muttered Sir William Howe to a gentleman beside him .

" a procession of the regicide judges of King Charles the martyr ? "

" why had that young man a stain of blood upon his ruff ? " asked Miss Joliffe .

" there may be a plot under this mummery . "

" Tush ! we have nothing to fear , " carelessly replied Sir William Howe .

" there can be no worse treason in the matter than a jest , and that somewhat of the dullest .

Even were it a sharp and bitter one , our best policy would be to laugh it off .

see ! here come more of these gentry . "

another group of characters had now partly descended the staircase .

the first was a venerable and white-bearded patriarch who cautiously felt his way downward with a staff .

" Prithee , play the part of a chorus , good Dr Byles , " said Sir William Howe .

" what worthies are these ? "

but we talk of these figures .

I take the venerable patriarch to be Bradstreet , the last of the Puritans , who was governor at ninety or thereabouts .

then comes Sir William Phipps , shepherd , cooper , sea-captain and governor .

may many of his countrymen rise as high from as low an origin !

lastly , you saw the gracious earl of Bellamont , who ruled us under King William . "

" but what is the meaning of it all ? " asked Lord Percy .

several other figures were now seen at the turn of the staircase .

" Governor Belcher my old patron in his very shape and dress ! " gasped Dr. Byles .

" this is an awful mockery . "

" A tedious foolery , rather , " said Sir William Howe , with an air of indifference .

" but who were the three that preceded him ? "

" governor Dudley , a cunning politician ; yet his craft once brought him to a prison , " replied Colonel Joliffe .

" Methinks they were miserable men these royal governors of Massachusetts , " observed Miss Joliffe .

" Heavens ! how dim the light grows ! "

as they vanished from the door , still did these shadows toss their arms into the gloom of night with a dread expression of woe .

" the shape of Gage , as true as in a looking-glass ! " exclaimed Lord Percy , turning pale .

perhaps he will not suffer the next to pass unchallenged . "

a wild and dreary burst of music came through the open door .

" see ! here comes the last , " whispered Miss Joliffe , pointing her tremulous finger to the staircase .

" Villain , unmuffle yourself ! " cried he .

" you pass no farther . "

but Sir William Howe had evidently seen enough .

" hark !

the procession moves , " said Miss Joliffe .

" would Your Excellency inquire further into the mystery of the pageant ? " said he .

" take care of your gray head ! " cried Sir William Howe , fiercely , though with a quivering lip .

" it has stood too long on a traitor 's shoulders . "

it was supposed that the colonel and the young lady possessed some secret intelligence in regard to the mysterious pageant of that night .

however this might be , such knowledge has never become general .

a pretty chambermaid , no doubt .

then , diving through the narrow archway , a few strides transported me into the densest throng of Washington street .

II .

EDWARD RANDOLPH'S PORTRAIT .

the old legendary guest of the Province House abode in my remembrance from midsummer till January .

the wintry blast had the same shriek that was familiar to their ears .

" only seven o'clock ! " thought I .

" my old friend 's legends will scarcely kill the hours ' twixt this and bedtime . "

time had thrown an impenetrable veil over it and left to tradition and fable and conjecture to say what had once been there portrayed .

" is it known , my dear uncle , " inquired she , " what this old picture once represented ?

Shirley , for instance , had beheld this ominous apparition on the eve of General Abercrombie 's shameful and bloody defeat under the walls of Ticonderoga .

" but would it be possible , " inquired her cousin , " to restore this dark picture to its pristine hues ? "

" such arts are known in Italy , " said Alice .

the lieutenant-governor had roused himself from his abstracted mood , and listened with a smile to the conversation of his young relatives .

yet his voice had something peculiar in its tones when he undertook the explanation of the mystery .

it was the portrait of Edward Randolph , the founder of this house , a person famous in the history of New England . "

" it was the same Randolph , " answered Hutchinson , moving uneasily in his chair .

" it was his lot to taste the bitterness of popular odium . "

" and yet , " whispered Alice Vane , " may not such fables have a moral ?

when the rulers feel themselves irresponsible , it were well that they should be reminded of the awful weight of a people 's curse . "

he knew , indeed , that Alice , in spite of her foreign education , retained the native sympathies of a New England girl .

" peace , silly child ! " cried he , at last , more harshly than he had ever before addressed the gentle Alice .

" the rebuke of a king ; is more to be dreaded than the clamor of a wild , misguided multitude .

captain Lincoln , it is decided : the fortress of Castle William must be occupied by the royal troops .

the two remaining regiments shall be billeted in the town or encamped upon the Common .

do not convert the streets of your native town into a camp .

" young man , it is decided , " repeated Hutchinson , rising from his chair .

" a British officer will be in attendance this evening to receive the necessary instructions for the disposal of the troops .

your presence also will be required .

till then , farewell . "

as he held the door for her to pass Alice beckoned to the picture and smiled .

" come forth , dark and evil shape ! " cried she .

" it is thine hour . "

would you have me wait till the mob shall sack the province-house as they did my private mansion ?

" yes , " said the British major , who was impatiently expecting the lieutenant-governor 's orders .

" the demagogues of this province have raised the devil , and cannot lay him again .

we will exorcise him in God 's name and the king 's . "

" Craving your pardon , young sir , " said the venerable selectman , " let not an evil spirit enter into your words .

we will strive against the oppressor with prayer and fasting , as our forefathers would have done .

" and there peep forth the devil 's claws ! " muttered Hutchinson , who well understood the nature of Puritan submission .

" this matter shall be expedited forthwith .

what to me is the outcry of a mob in this remote province of the realm ?

looking angrily up , he perceived that his young relative was pointing his finger to the opposite wall .

" Alice !

come hither , Alice ! "

an exclamation of surprise burst from every beholder , but the lieutenant-governor 's voice had a tone of horror .

until this hour no living man hath seen what we behold . "

beneath this cloud the eyes had a peculiar glare which was almost lifelike .

there was the struggle of defiance , beaten down and overwhelmed by the crushing weight of ignominy .

the torture of the soul had come forth upon the countenance .

" ' Twould drive me mad , that awful face , " said Hutchinson , who seemed fascinated by the contemplation of it .

" be warned , then , " whispered Alice .

" he trampled on a people 's rights .

behold his punishment , and avoid a crime like his . "

see here ! "

" away ! " answered Hutchinson , fiercely .

" though yonder senseless picture cried ' Forbear ! ' it should not move me ! "

then , it is said , he shuddered , as if that signature had granted away his salvation .

" it is done , " said he , and placed his hand upon his brow .

the truth probably was that Alice Vane 's secret for restoring the hues of the picture had merely effected a temporary renovation .

did his broken spirit feel at that dread hour the tremendous burden of a people 's curse ?

it is as if the echoes of half a century were revived .

III .

LADY ELEANORE'S MANTLE .

mine excellent friend the landlord of the Province House was pleased the other evening to invite Mr Tiffany and myself to an oyster-supper .

yet prejudices so obstinate have not made him an ungentle or impracticable companion .

in another paper of this series I may perhaps give the reader a closer glimpse of his portrait .

peace to his red-nosed ghost and a libation to his memory !

with some suitable adornments from my own fancy , it ran pretty much as follows .

" A very great disrespect ! " exclaimed Captain Langford , an English officer who had recently brought despatches to Governor Shute .

" the funeral should have been deferred lest Lady Eleanore 's spirits be affected by such a dismal welcome . "

King Death confers high privileges . "

but the governor 's stately approach was anticipated in a manner that excited general astonishment .

" up , sir ! " said the governor , sternly , at the same time lifting his cane over the intruder .

" what means the Bedlamite by this freak ? "

" who is this insolent young fellow ? " inquired Captain Langford , who still remained beside Dr Clarke .

he loved her , and her scorn has driven him mad . "

" he was mad so to aspire , " observed the English officer .

" never ! " cried Captain Langford , indignantly " neither in life nor when they lay her with her ancestors . "

not many days afterward the governor gave a ball in honor of Lady Eleanore Rochcliffe .

gradually , Lady Eleanore Rochcliffe 's circle grew smaller , till only four gentlemen remained in it .

" they tell me that I have done you harm . "

" heaven knows if that be so , " replied the young man , solemnly .

" where has this mad fellow stolen that sacramental vessel ? " exclaimed the Episcopal clergyman .

" perhaps it is poisoned , " half whispered the governor 's secretary .

" pour it down the villain 's throat ! " cried the Virginian , fiercely .

" whether knave , fool or Bedlamite , it is intolerable that the fellow should go at large . "

" pray , gentlemen , do my poor admirer no harm , " said Lady Eleanore , with a faint and weary smile .

" cast it from you , " exclaimed Jervase Helwyse , clasping his hands in an agony of entreaty .

" it may not yet be too late .

give the accursed garment to the flames . "

" Farewell , Jervase Helwyse ! " said she .

" keep my image in your remembrance as you behold it now . "

woe to those who shall be smitten by this beautiful Lady Eleanore !

but yonder stands the governor , and I have a word or two for his private ear .

good-night ! "

but the disease , pursuing its onward progress , soon ceased to be exclusively a prerogative of aristocracy .

its red brand was no longer conferred like a noble 's star or an order of knighthood .

we cannot estimate the affright which this plague inspired of yore by contemplating it as the fangless monster of the present day .

such was the dismay that now followed in the track of the disease or ran before it throughout the town .

this dark tale , whispered at first , was now bruited far and wide .

" wretched lunatic , what do you seek here ? " exclaimed Shute , extending his cane to guard himself from contact .

" there is nothing here but Death ; back , or you will meet him . "

" death will not touch me , the banner-bearer of the pestilence , " cried Jervase Helwyse , shaking the red flag aloft .

" why do I waste words on the fellow ? " muttered the governor , drawing his cloak across his mouth .

" what matters his miserable life , when none of us are sure of twelve hours ' breath ?

on , fool , to your own destruction ! "

" young man , what is your purpose ? " demanded he .

" I seek the Lady Eleanore , " answered Jervase Helwyse , submissively .

" all have fled from her , " said the physician .

" why do you seek her now ?

I tell you , youth , her nurse fell death-stricken on the threshold of that fatal chamber .

" let me look upon her , " rejoined the mad youth , more wildly .

" let me behold her in her awful beauty , clad in the regal garments of the pestilence .

she and Death sit on a throne together ; let me kneel down before them . "

" wilt thou still worship the destroyer and surround her image with fantasies the more magnificent the more evil she has wrought ?

thus man doth ever to his tyrants .

approach , then .

ascending another flight of stairs , he threw open a door and signed to Jervase Helwyse that he should enter .

he dreamed , no doubt , that her beauty was not dimmed , but brightened into superhuman splendor .

" where is the Lady Eleanore ? " whispered he .

" call her , " replied the physician .

" Lady Eleanore ! princess ! queen of Death ! " cried Jervase Helwyse , advancing three steps into the chamber .

" she is not here .

there , on yonder table , I behold the sparkle of a diamond which once she wore upon her bosom .

there " and he shuddered " there hangs her mantle , on which a dead woman embroidered a spell of dreadful potency .

but where is the Lady Eleanore ? "

he fancied , even , that he recognized its tones .

" my throat !

my throat is scorched , " murmured the voice .

" A drop of water ! "

" what thing art thou ? " said the brain-stricken youth , drawing near the bed and tearing asunder its curtains .

" whose voice hast thou stolen for thy murmurs and miserable petitions , as if Lady Eleanore could be conscious of mortal infirmity ?

Fie !

heap of diseased mortality , why lurkest thou in my lady 's chamber ? "

the curse of Heaven hath stricken me because I would not call man my brother nor woman sister .

you are avenged , they are all avenged , Nature is avenged ; for I am Eleanore Rochcliffe . "

" another triumph for the Lady Eleanore ! " he cried .

" all have been her victims ; who so worthy to be the final victim as herself ? "

impelled by some new fantasy of his crazed intellect , he snatched the fatal mantle and rushed from the chamber and the house .

arriving opposite the province-house , the mob burned the effigy , and a strong wind came and swept away the ashes .

a remarkable uncertainty broods over that unhappy lady 's fate .

supposing the legend true , can this be other than the once proud Lady Eleanore ?

IV .

OLD ESTHER DUDLEY .

finally he poured forth a great fluency of speech .

at the pathetic passages of his narrative he readily melted into tears .

a blood-stain upon the floor should then bear testimony that the last British ruler was faithful to his trust . "

the tremulous voice of a woman replied to his exclamation .

" heaven 's cause and the king 's are one , " it said .

" go forth , Sir William Howe , and trust in Heaven to bring back a royal governor in triumph . "

but Sir William Howe , if he ever heard this legend , had forgotten it .

" Mistress Dudley , why are you loitering here ? " asked he , with some severity of tone .

" it is my pleasure to be the last in this mansion of the king . "

" not so , if it please Your Excellency , " answered the time-stricken woman .

" this roof has sheltered me long ; I will not pass from it until they bear me to the tomb of my forefathers .

what other shelter is there for old Esther Dudley save the province-house or the grave ? "

" now , Heaven forgive me ! " said Sir William Howe to himself .

" I was about to leave this wretched old creature to starve or beg .

take this , good Mistress Dudley , " he added , putting a purse into her hands .

that purse will buy a better shelter than the province-house can now afford . "

" this is an evil hour for you and me .

the province which the king entrusted to my charge is lost .

I go hence in misfortune perchance in disgrace to return no more .

" never ! never ! " said the pertinacious old dame .

" here will I abide , and King George shall still have one true subject in his disloyal province . "

" she is the very moral of old-fashioned prejudice , and could exist nowhere but in this musty edifice .

well , then , Mistress Dudley , since you will needs tarry , I give the province-house in charge to you .

take this key , and keep it safe until myself or some other royal governor shall demand it of you . "

the total change of affairs that ensued on the departure of the British troops did not drive the venerable lady from her stronghold .

Many and strange were the fables which the gossips whispered about her in all the chimney-corners of the town .

and did she dwell there in utter loneliness ?

rumor said , " not so . "

yet Esther Dudley 's most frequent and favored guests were the children of the town .

toward them she was never stern .

a kindly and loving nature hindered elsewhere from its free course by a thousand rocky prejudices lavished itself upon these little ones .

" but Governor Belcher has been dead this many a year , " would the mother say to her little boy .

" but when old Esther had done speaking about him , he faded away out of his chair . "

sooner or later , it was her invincible belief , the colonies would be prostrate at the footstool of the king .

sometimes she seemed to take for granted that such was already the case .

her wrinkled visage actually gleamed with triumph , as if the soul within her were a festal lamp .

" what means this blaze of light ?

what does old Esther 's joy portend ? " whispered a spectator .

" it is frightful to see her gliding about the chambers and rejoicing there without a soul to bear her company . "

" it is as if she were making merry in a tomb , " said another .

" Pshaw !

it is no such mystery , " observed an old man , after some brief exercise of memory .

" Mistress Dudley is keeping jubilee for the king of England 's birthday . "

now , it was the fact that intelligence bearing some faint analogy to Esther 's version of it was current among the townspeople .

" oh , happy day !

oh , blessed , blessed hour ! " she exclaimed .

" let me but bid him welcome within the portal , and my task in the province-house and on earth is done . "

she turned the key , withdrew it from the lock , unclosed the door and stepped across the threshold .

he was richly dressed , but wore a gouty shoe , which , however , did not lessen the stateliness of his gait .

as he approached she involuntarily sank down on her knees and tremblingly held forth the heavy key .

" receive my trust !

take it quickly , " cried she , " for methinks Death is striving to snatch away my triumph .

but he comes too late .

thank Heaven for this blessed hour !

God save King George ! "

" yet , in reverence for your gray hairs and long-kept faith , Heaven forbid that any here should say you nay .

over the realms which still acknowledge his sceptre , God save King George ! "

years ago she had known him among the gentry of the province , but the ban of the king had fallen upon him .

how , then , came the doomed victim here ?

" have I bidden a traitor welcome ?

come , Death ! come quickly ! "

ceasing to model ourselves on ancestral superstitions , it is our faith and principle to press onward onward .

the key of the province-house fell from her grasp and clanked against the stone .

" I have been faithful unto death , " murmured she .

" God save the king ! "

" she hath done her office , " said Hancock , solemnly .

" we will follow her reverently to the tomb of her ancestors , and then , my fellow-citizens , onward onward .

we are no longer children of the past . "

many a governor had heard those midnight accents and longed to exchange his stately cares for slumber .

THE HAUNTED MIND .

what a singular moment is the first one , when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself , after starting from midnight slumber !

the distant sound of a church-clock is borne faintly on the wind .

if you could choose an hour of wakefulness out of the whole night , it would be this .

yesterday has already vanished among the shadows of the past ; to-morrow has not yet emerged from the future .

oh that he would fall asleep and let mortals live on without growing older !

hitherto you have lain perfectly still , because the slightest motion would dissipate the fragments of your slumber .

there will be time enough to trace out the analogy while waiting the summons to breakfast .

you may almost distinguish the figures on the clock that has just told the hour .

yet look at that one glorious star !

it is too cold even for the thoughts to venture abroad .

ah ! that idea has brought a hideous one in its train .

that gloomy thought will collect a gloomy multitude and throw its complexion over your wakeful hour .

but sometimes , and oftenest at midnight , those dark receptacles are flung wide open .

it is too late .

do you remember any act of enormous folly at which you would blush even in the remotest cavern of the earth ?

then recognize your shame .

pass , wretched band !

what if Remorse should assume the features of an injured friend ?

what if the fiend should come in woman 's garments with a pale beauty amid sin and desolation , and lie down by your side ?

what if he should stand at your bed 's foot in the likeness of a corpse with a bloody stain upon the shroud ?

your eye searches for whatever may remind you of the living world .

throughout the chamber there is the same obscurity as before , but not the same gloom within your breast .

her influence is over you , though she have no existence but in that momentary image .

in both you emerge from mystery , pass through a vicissitude that you can but imperfectly control , and are borne onward to another mystery .

now comes the peal of the distant clock with fainter and fainter strokes as you plunge farther into the wilderness of sleep .

it is the knell of a temporary death .

THE VILLAGE UNCLE .

AN IMAGINARY RETROSPECT .

come ! another log upon the hearth .

toss on an armful of those dry oak chips , the last relicts of the Mermaid 's knee-timbers the bones of your namesake , Susan .

and now come , Susan ; come , my children .

draw your chairs round me , all of you .

there is a dimness over your figures .

hark ! let me listen for the swell of the surf ; it should be audible a mile inland on a night like this .

how strangely the past is peeping over the shoulders of the present !

to judge by my recollections , it is but a few moments since I sat in another room .

but it was paler than my rugged old self , and younger , too , by almost half a century .

thank Heaven I am an old man now and have done with all such vanities !

still this dimness of mine eyes !

come nearer , Susan , and stand before the fullest blaze of the hearth .

there ! you made me tremble again .

do you remember it ?

you stood on the little bridge over the brook that runs across King 's Beach into the sea .

now , Susan , for a sober picture of our village .

the village was picturesque in the variety of its edifices , though all were rude .

two grocery stores stood opposite each other in the centre of the village .

the very air was fishy , being perfumed with dead sculpins , hard-heads and dogfish strewn plentifully on the beach .

you see , children , the village is but little changed since your mother and I were young .

in the autumn I toled and caught those lovely fish the mackerel .

he looked like a harbinger of tempest a shipmate of the Flying Dutchman .

one of Uncle Parker 's eyes had been blown out with gunpowder , and the other did but glimmer in its socket .

even now I seem to see the group of fishermen with that old salt in the midst .

they are a likely set of men .

be it well with you , my brethren !

but where was the mermaid in those delightful times ?

what a picture was Susan behind the counter !

a few freckles became beauty-spots beneath her eyelids .

Nature wrought the charm .

she made you a frank , simple , kind-hearted , sensible and mirthful girl .

it was beautiful to observe how her simple and happy nature mingled itself with mine .

she gave me warmth of feeling , while the influence of my mind made her contemplative .

thus went on our wooing , till I had shot wild-fowl enough to feather our bridal-bed , and the daughter of the sea was mine .

except the almanac , we had no other literature .

in truth , I dreaded him .

I feared to trust them even with the alphabet : it was the key to a fatal treasure .

sometimes my voice lost itself in a tremulous depth , for I felt his eye upon me as I spoke .

strange illusion !

like Uncle Parker , whose rheumatic bones were dashed against Egg Rock full forty years ago , I am a spinner of long yarns .

with a broken voice I give utterance to much wisdom .

with such awful fidelity did that lover return to fulfil his vows !

thus do I talk , and all my auditors grow wise while they deem it pastime .

I recollect no happier portion of my life than this my calm old age .

but with me the verdure and the flowers are not frost-bitten in the midst of winter .

show me anything that would make an infant smile , and you shall behold a gleam of mirth over the hoary ruin of my visage .

I can spend a pleasant hour in the sun watching the sports of the village children on the edge of the surf .

why should not an old man be merry too , when the great sea is at play with those little children ?

next they are smit with wonder at the black shells of a wagon-load of live lobsters packed in rock-weed for the country-market .

for I launch my boat no more .

for I am a patriarch .

Susan !

my children !

will you meet me there ?

ah !

and now for a moral to my reverie .

THE AMBITIOUS GUEST .

up the chimney roared the fire , and brightened the room with its broad blaze .

the faces of the father and mother had a sober gladness ; the children laughed .

they had found the " herb heart's-ease " in the bleakest spot of all New England .

for a moment it saddened them , though there was nothing unusual in the tones .

though they dwelt in such a solitude , these people held daily converse with the world .

the stage-coach always drew up before the door of the cottage .

the door was opened by a young man .

one glance and smile placed the stranger on a footing of innocent familiarity with the eldest daughter .

" ah ! this fire is the right thing , " cried he , " especially when there is such a pleasant circle round it .

" yes , to Burlington , and far enough beyond , " replied he .

" I meant to have been at Ethan Crawford 's to-night , but a pedestrian lingers along such a road as this .

so I shall sit down among you and make myself at home . "

the family held their breath , because they knew the sound , and their guest held his by instinct .

" the old mountain has thrown a stone at us for fear we should forget him , " said the landlord , recovering himself .

besides , we have a sure place of refuge hard by if he should be coming in good earnest . "

and thus it should have been .

is not the kindred of a common fate a closer tie than that of birth ?

the secret of the young man 's character was a high and abstracted ambition .

he could have borne to live an undistinguished life , but not to be forgotten in the grave .

" as yet , " cried the stranger , his cheek glowing and his eye flashing with enthusiasm " as yet I have done nothing .

not a soul would ask , ' Who was he ?

whither did the wanderer go ? '

but I cannot die till I have achieved my destiny .

then let Death come : I shall have built my monument . "

with quick sensibility of the ludicrous , he blushed at the ardor into which he had been betrayed .

" you laugh at me , " said he , taking the eldest daughter 's hand and laughing himself .

and truly that would be a noble pedestal for a man 's statue . "

" perhaps they may , " observed the wife .

" is the man thinking what he will do when he is a widower ? "

" no , no ! " cried he , repelling the idea with reproachful kindness .

" when I think of your death , Esther , I think of mine too .

" we 're in a strange way to-night , " said the wife , with tears in her eyes .

" they say it 's a sign of something when folks ' minds go a-wandering so .

hark to the children ! "

they listened accordingly .

at length a little boy , instead of addressing his brothers and sisters , called out to his mother .

the boy had hardly spoken , when a wagon rattled along the road and stopped a moment before the door .

" father , " said the girl , " they are calling you by name . "

" there , mother ! " cried the boy , again ; " they 'd have given us a ride to the Flume . "

again they laughed at the child 's pertinacious fancy for a night-ramble .

it forced its way , in spite of a little struggle to repress it .

then , starting and blushing , she looked quickly around the circle , as if they had caught a glimpse into her bosom .

the stranger asked what she had been thinking of .

" nothing , " answered she , with a downcast smile ; " only I felt lonesome just then . "

" oh , I have always had a gift of feeling what is in other people 's hearts , " said he , half seriously .

" shall I tell the secrets of yours ?

for I know what to think when a young girl shivers by a warm hearth and complains of lonesomeness at her mother 's side .

shall I put these feelings into words ? "

all this was said apart .

there was a wail along the road as if a funeral were passing .

the light hovered about them fondly and caressed them all .

the aged woman looked up from her task , and with fingers ever busy was the next to speak .

" old folks have their notions , " said she , " as well as young ones .

you 've been wishing and planning and letting your heads run on one thing and another till you 've set my mind a-wandering too .

children , it will haunt me night and day till I tell you . "

" what is it , mother ? " cried the husband and wife at once .

but this evening an old superstition had strangely recurred to her .

the bare thought made her nervous .

" don't talk so , grandmother , " said the girl , shuddering .

who knows but I may take a glimpse at myself and see whether all 's right ? "

" old and young , we dream of graves and monuments , " murmured the stranger-youth .

Young and old exchanged one wild glance and remained an instant pale , affrighted , without utterance or power to move .

then the same shriek burst simultaneously from all their lips :

" the slide !

the slide ! "

the simplest words must intimate , but not portray , the unutterable horror of the catastrophe .

alas ! they had quitted their security and fled right into the pathway of destruction .

down came the whole side of the mountain in a cataract of ruin .

their bodies were never found .

the next morning the light smoke was seen stealing from the cottage chimney up the mountain-side .

all had left separate tokens by which those who had known the family were made to shed a tear for each .

who has not heard their name ?

the story has been told far and wide , and will for ever be a legend of these mountains .

poets have sung their fate .

Woe for the high-souled youth with his dream of earthly immortality !

THE SISTER-YEARS .

the wintry moonlight showed that she looked weary of body and sad of heart , like many another wayfarer of earth .

but after trudging only a little distance farther this poor Old Year was destined to enjoy a long , long sleep .

besides this luggage , there was a folio book under her arm very much resembling the annual volume of a newspaper .

she was evidently a stranger , and perhaps had come to town by the evening train of cars .

" well , my dear sister , " said the New Year , after the first salutations , " you look almost tired to death .

what have you been about during your sojourn in this part of infinite space ? "

" oh , I have it all recorded here in my book of chronicles , " answered the Old Year , in a heavy tone .

" there is nothing that would amuse you , and you will soon get sufficient knowledge of such matters from your own personal experience .

it is but tiresome reading . "

" what have you been doing in the political way ? " asked the New Year .

but the Loco-Focos "

" I do not like these party nicknames , " interrupted her sister , who seemed remarkably touchy about some points .

" perhaps we shall part in better humor if we avoid any political discussion . "

" with all my heart , " replied the Old Year , who had already been tormented half to death with squabbles of this kind .

yet they have occupied so large a share of my attention that I scarcely know what else to tell you .

" perhaps , " cried the hopeful New Year " perhaps I shall see that happy day . "

" I doubt whether it be so close at hand , " answered the Old Year , gravely smiling .

" have you done much for the improvement of the city ? " asked the New Year .

" judging from what little I have seen , it appears to be ancient and time-worn . "

old Salem now wears a much livelier expression than when I first beheld her .

strangers rumble down from Boston by hundreds at a time .

new faces throng in Essex street .

Railroad-hacks and omnibuses rattle over the pavements .

there is a perceptible increase of oyster-shops and other establishments for the accommodation of a transitory diurnal multitude .

but a more important change awaits the venerable town .

an immense accumulation of musty prejudices will be carried off by the free circulation of society .

a peculiarity of character of which the inhabitants themselves are hardly sensible will be rubbed down and worn away by the attrition of foreign substances .

much of the result will be good ; there will likewise be a few things not so good .

we sisterhood of years never carry anything really valuable out of the world with us .

I have likewise a quantity of men 's dark hair , instead of which I have left gray locks or none at all .

I have several bundles of love-letters eloquently breathing an eternity of burning passion which grew cold and perished almost before the ink was dry .

moreover , here is an assortment of many thousand broken promises and other broken ware , all very light and packed into little space .

" I have a fine lot of hopes here in my basket , " remarked the New Year .

" they are a sweet-smelling flower a species of rose . "

" they soon lose their perfume , " replied the sombre Old Year .

" what else have you brought to insure a welcome from the discontented race of mortals ? "

but I heartily wish well to poor mortals , and mean to do all I can for their improvement and happiness . "

" it is a good resolution , " rejoined the Old Year .

" and must I also pick up such worthless luggage in my travels ? " asked the New Year .

" most certainly , and well if you have no heavier load to bear , " replied the other .

if these ridiculous people ever see anything tolerable in you , it will be after you are gone for ever . "

" but I , " cried the fresh-hearted New Year " I shall try to leave men wiser than I find them .

for my happiness must depend on them . "

" alas for you , then , my poor sister ! " said the Old Year , sighing , as she uplifted her burden .

" we grandchildren of Time are born to trouble .

but hark ! my task is done . "

but she , in the company of Time and all her kindred , must hereafter hold a reckoning with mankind .

" thank you kindly , " said the New Year ; and she gave the watchman one of the roses of hope from her basket .

" may this flower keep a sweet smell long after I have bidden you good-bye ! "

wherever there was a knot of midnight roisterers , they quaffed her health .

kind patrons , will not you redeem the pledge of the New Year ?

SNOWFLAKES .

these are not the big flakes heavy with moisture which melt as they touch the ground and are portentous of a soaking rain .

it is to be in good earnest a wintry storm .

the cloud-spirits are slowly weaving her white mantle .

thus gradually by silent and stealthy influences are great changes wrought .

we likewise shall lose sight of our mother 's familiar visage , and must content ourselves with looking heavenward the oftener .

now , leaving the Storm to do his appointed office , let us sit down , pen in hand , by our fireside .

Gloomy as it may seem , there is an influence productive of cheerfulness and favorable to imaginative thought in the atmosphere of a snowy day .

in our brief summer I do not think , but only exist in the vague enjoyment of a dream .

however transitory their glow , they at least shine amid the darksome shadow which the clouds of the outward sky fling through the room .

now look we forth again and see how much of his task the storm-spirit has done .

Slow and sure !

he has the day perchance the week before him , and may take his own time to accomplish Nature 's burial in snow .

this is a sad time for the shrubs that do not perish with the summer .

they neither live nor die ; what they retain of life seems but the chilling sense of death .

very sad are the flower-shrubs in midwinter .

the roofs of the houses are now all white , save where the eddying wind has kept them bare at the bleak corners .

look next into the street , where we have an amusing parallel to the combat of those fancied demons in the upper regions .

it is a snow-battle of schoolboys .

what pitched battles worthy to be chanted in Homeric strains !

what storming of fortresses built all of massive snow-blocks !

what feats of individual prowess and embodied onsets of martial enthusiasm !

who reared it ?

and what means it ? "

the shattered pedestal of many a battle-monument has provoked these questions when none could answer .

would it might inspire me to sketch out the personification of a New England winter !

and that idea , if I can seize the snow-wreathed figures that flit before my fancy , shall be the theme of the next page .

how does Winter herald his approach ?

it is stern Winter 's vesture .

it is the voice of Winter ; and when parents and children hear it , they shudder and exclaim , " Winter is come .

Cold Winter has begun his reign already . "

there he lies stark and stiff , a human shape of ice , on the spot where Winter overtook him .

on strides the tyrant over the rushing rivers and broad lakes , which turn to rock beneath his footsteps .

his dreary empire is established ; all around stretches the desolation of the pole .

such fantasies , intermixed among graver toils of mind , have made the winter 's day pass pleasantly .

on the window-sill there is a layer of snow reaching halfway up the lowest pane of glass .

the garden is one unbroken bed .

next comes a sledge laden with wood for some unthrifty housekeeper whom winter has surprised at a cold hearth .

but what dismal equipage now struggles along the uneven street ?

a sable hearse bestrewn with snow is bearing a dead man through the storm to his frozen bed .

oh how dreary is a burial in winter , when the bosom of Mother Earth has no warmth for her poor child !

evening the early eve of December begins to spread its deepening veil over the comfortless scene .

alas !

whence come they ?

where do they build their nests and seek their food ?

I know not whence they come , nor why ; yet my spirit has been cheered by that wandering flock of snow-birds .

THE SEVEN VAGABONDS .

two horses munching provender out of the baskets which muzzled them were fastened near the vehicle .

" halloo !

who stands guard here ?

is the doorkeeper asleep ? " cried I , approaching a ladder of two or three steps which was let down from the wagon .

a small piece of silver was my passport within his premises , where I found only one other person , hereafter to be described .

perhaps the movable scene of this narrative is still peregrinating New England , and may enable the reader to test the accuracy of my description .

" what an admirable piece of work is this ! " exclaimed I , lifting up my hands in astonishment .

and then with how fresh a feeling must he return at intervals to his own peculiar home !

" I would I were assured of as happy a life as his , " thought I .

indeed , his stock required some considerable powers of commendation in the salesman .

the literary-man now evinced a great kindness for me , and I ventured to inquire which way he was travelling .

I , meanwhile , with many a wild and undetermined fantasy was narrowly inspecting these two doves that had flown into our ark .

we visited together at least , our imaginations did full many a famous city in the streets of which I had long yearned to tread .

when we had travelled through the vast extent of the mahogany box , I looked into my guide 's face .

" ' Where are you going , my pretty maid ? ' " inquired I , in the words of an old song .

" ah ! " said the gay damsel ; " you might as well ask where the summer wind is going .

we are wanderers here and there and everywhere .

wherever there is mirth our merry hearts are drawn to it .

blessed pair , whose happy home was throughout all the earth !

" oh , maiden , " said I aloud , " why did you not come hither alone ? "

while the merry girl and myself were busy with the show-box the unceasing rain had driven another wayfarer into the wagon .

" it is a bill of the Suffolk Bank , " said I , " and better than the specie . "

as the beggar had nothing to object , he now produced a small buff leather bag tied up carefully with a shoe-string .

in this precious heap was my bank-note deposited , the rate of exchange being considerably against me .

here let me have credit for a sober fact .

but I must stop and see the breaking up of the camp-meeting at Stamford . "

all this was a sort of happiness which I could conceive of , though I had little sympathy with it .

my reflections were here interrupted .

" another visitor ! " exclaimed the old showman .

it was a red Indian armed with his bow and arrow .

this son of the wilderness and pilgrim of the storm took his place silently in the midst of us .

the Indian had not long been seated ere our merry damsel sought to draw him into conversation .

at length she inquired whether his journey had any particular end or purpose .

" I go shoot at the camp-meeting at Stamford , " replied the Indian .

" and here are five more , " said the girl , " all aiming at the camp-meeting too .

but oh , you would find it very dull indeed to go all the way to Stamford alone . "

now , hoping no offence , I should like to know where this young gentleman may be going ? "

I started .

how came I among these wanderers ?

" but in what capacity ? " asked the old showman , after a moment 's silence .

" all of us here can get our bread in some creditable way .

every honest man should have his livelihood .

you , sir , as I take it , are a mere strolling gentleman . "

" either this , " said I , " is my vocation , or I have been born in vain . "

dreading a rejection , I solicited the interest of the merry damsel .

" ' Mirth , ' " cried I , most aptly appropriating the words of L'Allegro , " ' to thee I sue !

mirth , admit me of thy crew ! ' "

" I have espied much promise in him .

true , a shadow sometimes flits across his brow , but the sunshine is sure to follow in a moment .

he is never guilty of a sad thought but a merry one is twin-born with it .

this affair settled , a marvellous jollity entered into the whole tribe of us , manifesting itself characteristically in each individual .

the young foreigner flourished his fiddle-bow with a master 's hand , and gave an inspiring echo to the showman's melody .

" we 'll come among them in procession , with music and dancing , " cried the merry damsel .

casting our eyes northward , we beheld a horseman approaching leisurely and splashing through the little puddle on the Stamford road .

what puzzled us was the fact that his face appeared turned from , instead of to , the camp-meeting at Stamford .

what news from the camp-meeting at Stamford ? "

the missionary looked down in surprise at as singular a knot of people as could have been selected from all his heterogeneous auditors .

I even fancied that a smile was endeavoring to disturb the iron gravity of the preacher 's mouth .

" good people , " answered he , " the camp-meeting is broke up . "

So saying , the Methodist minister switched his steed and rode westward .

our union being thus nullified by the removal of its object , we were sundered at once to the four winds of heaven .

the old showman and his literary coadjutor were already tackling their horses to the wagon with a design to peregrinate south-west along the sea-coast .

THE WHITE OLD MAID .

the moonbeams came through two deep and narrow windows and showed a spacious chamber richly furnished in an antique fashion .

but how quietly the slumberer lay ! how pale his features !

and how like a shroud the sheet was wound about his frame !

yes , it was a corpse in its burial-clothes .

suddenly the fixed features seemed to move with dark emotion .

strange fantasy !

as she drew back from that long kiss her features writhed as if a proud heart were fighting with its anguish .

again it seemed that the features of the corpse had moved responsive to her own .

still an illusion .

there the two maidens stood , both beautiful , with the pale beauty of the dead between them .

but she who had first entered was proud and stately , and the other a soft and fragile thing .

" away ! " cried the lofty one .

" thou hadst him living ; the dead is mine . "

" Thine ! " returned the other , shuddering .

" well hast thou spoken ; the dead is thine . "

a creature of hope and joy , the first draught of sorrow had bewildered her .

" Edith ! " cried her rival .

" wilt thou betray me ? " said the latter , calmly .

" till the dead bid me speak I will be silent , " answered Edith .

" leave us alone together .

go and live many years , and then return and tell me of thy life .

he too will be here .

then , if thou tellest of sufferings more than death , we will both forgive thee . "

" and what shall be the token ? " asked the proud girl , as if her heart acknowledged a meaning in these wild words .

" this lock of hair , " said Edith , lifting one of the dark clustering curls that lay heavily on the dead man 's brow .

and Edith , too !

was not her white form fading into the moonlight ?

lifting his torch on high , the slave lighted her down the staircase and undid the portal of the mansion .

the young clergyman of the town had just ascended the steps , and , bowing to the lady , passed in without a word .

years many years rolled on .

she dwelt alone , and never came into the daylight except to follow funerals .

evil was the omen to that marriage .

her blessing was better than a holy verse upon the tombstone .

still years went on , and still she followed funerals and was not yet summoned to her own festival of death .

the scene was cheerful and animated in spite of the sombre shade between the high brick buildings .

" I espy a strange sail yonder , " remarked a Liverpool captain " that woman in the long white garment . "

almost immediately the various topics of conversation gave place to speculations in an undertone on this unwonted occurrence .

" can there be a funeral so late this afternoon ? " inquired some .

" what may this portend ? " asked each man of his neighbor .

what a comet is to the earth was that sad woman to the town .

it was a long , loose robe of spotless purity .

its wearer appeared very old , pale , emaciated and feeble , yet glided onward without the unsteady pace of extreme age .

" she is but a shadow , " whispered the superstitious .

" the child put forth his arms and could not grasp her robe . "

an elderly man approached the steps , and , reverently uncovering his gray locks , essayed to explain the matter .

his heirs , being ill-agreed among themselves , have let the mansion-house go to ruin . "

but again she lifted the hammer , and gave , this time , a single rap .

the bar fell on the inside ; the door was opened .

" who undid the door ? " asked many .

this question , owing to the depth of shadow beneath the porch , no one could satisfactorily answer .

" her summons has waked up a servant of the old family , " said one , half seriously .

" let us wait here , " replied another ; " more guests will knock at the door anon .

but the gate of the graveyard should be thrown open . "

Twilight had overspread the town before the crowd began to separate or the comments on this incident were exhausted .

one after another was wending his way homeward , when a coach no common spectacle in those days drove slowly into the street .

there was something awful in the heavy rumbling of the wheels .

" whose grand coach is this ? " asked a very inquisitive body .

an old man possessed of the heraldic lore so common in that day examined the shield of arms on the panel .

her strong and rigid features had an awe about them unlike that of the white Old Maid , but as of something evil .

she passed up the steps , leaning on a gold-headed cane .

after a momentary pause , a glance backward and then a desperate effort , she went in .

" but such a hideous grin , " added he , " was never seen on the face of mortal man , black or white .

it will haunt me till my dying-day . "

these graphic reminiscences seemed to call up the ghosts of those to whom they referred .

" impossible ! " exclaimed others .

" See !

the moon shines beneath the porch , and shows every part of it except in the narrow shade of that pillar .

there is no one there . "

" did not the door open ? " whispered one of these fanciful persons .

" Didst thou see it too ? " said his companion , in a startled tone .

but the general sentiment was opposed to the idea that a third visitant had made application at the door of the deserted house .

this too was pronounced a mere fantasy .

but at once the whole multitude started , and each man beheld his own terror painted in the faces of all the rest .

" what an awful thing is this ! " cried they .

the people knew not whether to fly from the very sight of the house or to rush trembling in and search out the strange mystery .

but when possessed of the facts , his energies assumed unexpected vigor .

behold , then , the venerable clergyman ascending the steps of the mansion with a torch-bearer behind him .

like their predecessors , they gave three raps with the iron hammer .

" old Cæsar cometh not , " observed the priest .

" well , I wot he no longer doth service in this mansion . "

" assuredly , then , it was something worse in old Cæsar 's likeness , " said the other adventurer .

" be it as God wills , " answered the clergyman .

" See ! my strength , though it be much decayed , hath sufficed to open this heavy door .

let us enter and pass up the staircase . "

here occurred a singular exemplification of the dreamy state of a very old man 's mind .

" Well-a-day ! " cried the old clergyman , staring strangely around him .

" Art thou here with me , and none other ?

of a truth , I saw the shades of many that are gone .

on their right hand was the open door of a chamber , and a closed one on their left .

the clergyman pointed his cane to the carved oak panel of the latter .

it was sufficient to discover all that could be known .

it clutched a lock of hair once sable , now discolored with a greenish mould .

but it was only the shadow of a tattered curtain waving betwixt the dead face and the moonlight .

" both dead ! " said the venerable man .

" then who shall divulge the secret ?

Methinks it glimmers to and fro in my mind like the light and shadow across the Old Maid 's face .

and now ' tis gone ! "

PETER GOLDTHWAITE'S TREASURE .

" neither at that , nor treble the sum , " responded the gaunt , grizzled and threadbare Peter Goldthwaite .

next summer I intend to put a splendid new mansion over the cellar of the old house . "

what say you , again ? "

" precisely what I said before , Mr Brown , " answered Peter Goldthwaite .

" and the cost , Peter ?

eh ? " said Mr Brown as he withdrew in something of a pet .

" that , I suppose , will be provided for off-hand by drawing a check on Bubble Bank ? "

" they did but flutter in the wind , " quoth Peter Goldthwaite .

no , Peter , they beckoned , for the scarecrows knew their brother .

at the period of our story his whole visible income would not have paid the tax of the old mansion in which we find him .

so here he dwelt with bad luck till good should come .

Peter 's person was in keeping with his goodly apparel .

he raised his hand , clenched it and smote it energetically against the smoky panel over the fireplace .

tomorrow morning I will begin with the garret , nor desist till I have torn the house down . "

as the feet were ragged past all darning , she had cut pieces out of a cast-off flannel petticoat to make new soles .

should it ever be necessary , she loved him well enough to feed him with her last morsel and clothe him with her under-petticoat .

hearing him threaten to tear the house down , she looked quietly up from her work .

" best leave the kitchen till the last , Mr Peter , " said she .

" the sooner we have it all down , the better , " said Peter Goldthwaite .

" I am tired to death of living in this cold , dark , windy , smoky , creaking , groaning , dismal old house .

you shall have a room on the sunny side , old Tabby , finished and furnished as best may suit your own notions . "

" I should like it pretty much such a room as this kitchen , " answered Tabitha .

how much do you mean to lay out on the house , Mr Peter ? "

" what is that to the purpose ? " exclaimed Peter , loftily .

" I can't say but he did , Mr Peter , " said Tabitha , threading her needle .

the present Peter 's father had faith enough in the story to cause the cellar to be dug over .

but now was the crisis .

" yes , " cried Peter Goldthwaite , again ; " to-morrow I will set about it . "

the deeper he looked at the matter , the more certain of success grew Peter .

Gorgeous that night were the dreams of Peter Goldthwaite .

but the house , without losing its former aspect , had been changed into a palace of the precious metals .

a moralizer might find abundant themes for his speculative and impracticable wisdom in a garret .

he found old moth-eaten garments , all in rags and tatters , or Peter would have put them on .

here was a large box full of shoes with high heels and peaked toes .

this , however , he had unaccountably forgotten .

" well , Mr Peter ! " cried Tabitha , on the garret stairs .

" have you torn the house down enough to heat the teakettle ? "

" not yet , old Tabby , " answered Peter , " but that 's soon done , as you shall see . "

" we shall get our winter 's wood cheap , " quoth Tabitha .

never , in any of his vagaries , though each had made him happy while it lasted , had Peter been happier than now .

it was his nature to be always young , and the tendency of his mode of life to keep him so .

at the kindling of each new fire his burnt-out youth rose afresh from the old embers and ashes .

it rose exulting now .

what heart could resist him ?

Happy Peter Goldthwaite !

this was always heaped plentifully with the rubbish of his day 's labor .

all this , of course , was but an emblem of the bright fortune which the destruction of the house would shed upon its occupants .

one night the hundredth time he teased Tabitha to tell him something new about his great-granduncle .

" so there was , Mr Peter , " answered Tabitha , " and she was near about a hundred years old .

but methinks he might have invested the money better than he did .

no interest ! nothing but good security ! and the house to be torn down to come at it !

what made him hide it so snug , Tabby ? "

" just as I swore to John Brown , my old partner , " remarked Peter .

" but this is all nonsense , Tabby ; I don't believe the story . "

and as soon as Peter had given him the deed the chest flew open , and Peter caught up a handful of the gold .

but , lo and behold ! there was nothing in his fist but a parcel of old rags . "

" hold your tongue , you silly old Tabby ! " cried Peter , in great wrath .

" they were as good golden guineas as ever bore the effigies of the king of England .

old rags indeed ! "

but it was not an old woman 's legend that would discourage Peter Goldthwaite .

how enviable is the consciousness of being usefully employed !

nothing troubled Peter , or nothing but those phantoms of the mind which seem like vague recollections , yet have also the aspect of presentiments .

think a little while , and you will remember where the gold is hidden . "

days and weeks passed on , however , without any remarkable discovery .

but as yet no treasure .

it had formerly been the state-bedchamber , and was honored by tradition as the sleeping-apartment of Governor Dudley and many other eminent guests .

the furniture was gone .

one sketch , however , and that the best one , affected him differently .

" Avaunt , Satan ! " cried Peter .

" the man shall have his gold . "

moreover , his axe broke quite through the plaster and laths and discovered a cavity .

" Mercy on us , Mr Peter !

are you quarrelling with the Old Scratch ? " said Tabitha , who was seeking some fuel to put under the dinner-pot .

it contained nothing but a brass lamp covered with verdigris , and a dusty piece of parchment .

while Peter inspected the latter , Tabitha seized the lamp and began to rub it with her apron .

" there is no use in rubbing it , Tabitha , " said Peter .

" it is not Aladdin 's lamp , though I take it to be a token of as much luck .

look here , Tabby ! "

Tabitha took the parchment and held it close to her nose , which was saddled with a pair of iron-bound spectacles .

but no sooner had she begun to puzzle over it than she burst into a chuckling laugh , holding both her hands against her sides .

" you can't make a fool of the old woman , " cried she .

" this is your own handwriting , Mr Peter , the same as in the letter you sent me from Mexico . "

" there is certainly a considerable resemblance , " said Peter , again examining the parchment .

no ; this is old Peter Goldthwaite 's writing .

but the ink has either faded or peeled off , so that it is absolutely illegible .

what a pity ! "

" well , this lamp is as good as new .

that 's some comfort , " said Tabitha .

" a lamp ! " thought Peter .

" that indicates light on my researches . "

for the present Peter felt more inclined to ponder on this discovery than to resume his labors .

Peter forced it open and looked out upon the great street of the town , while the sun looked in at his old house .

the air , though mild , and even warm , thrilled Peter as with a dash of water .

it was the first day of the January thaw .

this couple rode in an old-fashioned square sleigh which had served them twenty winters and stood twenty summers in the sun beside their door .

the sleigh passed on , and when concealed by a bend of the street was still audible by a distant cry of merriment .

and Peter 's gaunt figure , half visible in the projecting second story , was worthy of his house .

" Peter !

how goes it , friend Peter ? " cried a voice across the street as Peter was drawing in his head .

" look out here , Peter ! "

his voice had directed the attention of the whole town to Peter Goldthwaite 's window , and to the dusty scarecrow which appeared at it .

you are repairing the old house , I suppose , making a new one of it ?

eh ? "

" too late for that , I am afraid , Mr Brown , " replied Peter .

" if I make it new , it will be new inside and out , from the cellar upward . "

" had not you better let me take the job ? " said Mr Brown , significantly .

peter Goldthwaite had exposed himself to this influence by merely looking out of the window .

but this was momentary .

Peter the Destroyer resumed the task which Fate had assigned him , nor faltered again till it was accomplished .

another singular discovery was that of a bottle of wine walled up in an old oven .

Peter needed no cordial to sustain his hopes , and therefore kept the wine to gladden his success .

there was likewise a silver coronation medal of George III .

we will not follow him in his triumphant progress step by step .

except the kitchen , every room and chamber was now gutted .

the house was nothing but a shell , the apparition of a house , as unreal as the painted edifices of a theatre .

it was like the perfect rind of a great cheese in which a mouse had dwelt and nibbled till it was a cheese no more .

and Peter was the mouse .

it was an admirable parallel to the feat of the man who jumped down his own throat .

this fated evening was an ugly one .

" the wine , Tabitha , " he cried " my grandfather 's rich old wine !

we will drink it now . "

it reminded him of his golden dream .

" Mr Peter , " remarked Tabitha , " must the wine be drunk before the money is found ? "

" the money is found ! " exclaimed Peter , with a sort of fierceness .

" the chest is within my reach ; I will not sleep till I have turned this key in the rusty lock .

but first of all let us drink . "

he then filled two little china teacups which Tabitha had brought from the cupboard .

its rich and delicate perfume wasted itself round the kitchen .

" drink , Tabitha ! " cried Peter .

" blessings on the honest old fellow who set aside this good liquor for you and me !

and here 's to Peter Goldthwaite 's memory ! "

" and good cause have we to remember him , " quoth Tabitha as she drank .

until they have finished the bottle we must turn our eyes elsewhere .

" poor fellow ! " thought Mr John Brown .

" Poor crack-brained Peter Goldthwaite !

for old acquaintance ' sake I ought to have taken care that he was comfortable this rough winter . "

these feelings grew so powerful that , in spite of the inclement weather , he resolved to visit Peter Goldthwaite immediately .

the strength of the impulse was really singular .

but the powers of the air had rather the best of the battle .

there seemed little hope of his reappearance earlier than the next thaw .

at the same moment his hat was snatched away and whirled aloft into some far-distant region whence no tidings have as yet returned .

he therefore entered without ceremony , and groped his way to the kitchen .

his intrusion even there was unnoticed .

Peter Goldthwaite was inserting a key into the lock .

" oh , Tabitha , " cried he , with tremulous rapture , " how shall I endure the effulgence ?

the gold ! the bright , bright gold !

Methinks I can remember my last glance at it just as the iron-plated lid fell down .

and ever since , being seventy years , it has been blazing in secret and gathering its splendor against this glorious moment .

it will flash upon us like the noonday sun . "

" then shade your eyes , Mr Peter ! " said Tabitha , with somewhat less patience than usual .

" but , for mercy 's sake , do turn the key ! "

and with a strong effort of both hands Peter did force the rusty key through the intricacies of the rusty lock .

no sudden blaze illuminated the kitchen .

" what 's here ? " exclaimed Tabitha , adjusting her spectacles and holding the lamp over the open chest .

" old Peter Goldthwaite 's hoard of old rags ! "

" pretty much so , Tabby , " said Mr Brown , lifting a handful of the treasure .

oh what a ghost of dead and buried wealth had Peter Goldthwaite raised to scare himself out of his scanty wits withal !

what , then , in sober earnest , were the delusive treasures of the chest ?

bills of a thousand pounds were intermixed with parchment pennies , and worth no more than they .

" and this , then , is old Peter Goldthwaite 's treasure ! " said John Brown .

he went mad upon the strength of it .

but never mind , Peter ; it is just the sort of capital for building castles in the air . "

" the house will be down about our ears , " cried Tabitha as the wind shook it with increasing violence .

" let it fall , " said Peter , folding his arms , as he seated himself upon the chest .

" no , no , my old friend Peter ! " said John Brown .

" I have house-room for you and Tabby , and a safe vault for the chest of treasure .

CHIPPINGS WITH A CHISEL .

his own monument , recording his decease by starvation , would probably be an early specimen of his skill .

gravestones , therefore , have generally been an article of imported merchandise .

the more recent monuments are mere slabs of slate in the ordinary style , without any superfluous flourishes to set off the bald inscriptions .

these , these were graves where loved ones slept .

her sighs had been the breath of Heaven to her soul .

after her departure I remarked that the symbol was none of the most apt .

it was seldom that I could find such pleasant food for contemplation as in the above instance .

this , indeed , was Mr Wigglesworth 's standing emblem of conjugal bereavement .

thus the wife of his youth , though she died in his and her declining age , retained the bridal dewdrops fresh around her memory .

the link is already strong enough ; it needs no visible symbol .

then would she mark out the grave the scent of which would be perceptible on the pillow of the second bridal ?

he had been picked up at sea , and stood in no present need of tombstone or epitaph .

" and how , " inquired I , " did his wife bear the shock of joyful surprise ? "

a comely woman with a pretty rosebud of a daughter came to select a gravestone for a twin-daughter , who had died a month before .

I was impressed with the different nature of their feelings for the dead .

her thoughts knew , but not her heart .

perchance her consciousness was truer than her reflection ; perchance her dead sister was a closer companion than in life .

she makes the epitaph anew , though the selfsame words may have served for a thousand graves .

" and yet , " said I afterward to Mr Wigglesworth , " they might have made a better choice than this .

one of these would have formed an inscription equally original and appropriate . "

and somehow they seem to stretch to suit a great grief and shrink to fit a small one . "

it was not seldom that ludicrous images were excited by what took place between Mr Wigglesworth and his customers .

on communicating this nonsensical picture to the old man he laughed heartily and pronounced my humor to be of the right sort .

" hard fare , " rejoined I , smiling , " but you seemed to have found it excellent of digestion , too . "

he expressed a purpose of being buried side by side with his enemy .

Methinks what they mistook for hatred was but love under a mask . "

" you talk nonsense , " said the sculptor , with the offended pride of art .

he then added with his usual good-nature , " how can Cupid die when there are such pretty maidens in the Vineyard ? "

" very true , " answered I ; and for the rest of the day I thought of other matters than tombstones .

Mr Wigglesworth consulted me as to the propriety of enabling a dead man 's dust to utter this dreadful creed .

but when the grave speaks such falsehoods , the soul of man will know the truth by its own horror . "

" so it will , " said I , struck by the idea .

I saw her no more , but soon afterward found Mr Wigglesworth cutting her virgin-name into the stone which she had chosen .

now , which of these slabs would you like best to see your own name upon ? "

every gravestone that you ever made is the visible symbol of a mistaken system .

our thoughts should soar upward with the butterfly , not linger with the exuviæ that confined him .

" would you forget your dead friends the moment they are under the sod ? "

forget them ?

no ; but , to remember them aright , I would forget what they have cast off .

and to gain the truer conception of death I would forget the grave . "

but still the good old sculptor murmured , and stumbled , as it were , over the gravestones amid which he had walked through life .

THE SHAKER BRIDAL .

at his footstool stood a man and woman , both clad in the Shaker garb .

read their faces , I pray you , and say whether the inward movement of the spirit hath guided my choice aright . "

accordingly , each elder looked at the two candidates with a most scrutinizing gaze .

" this pair are still in the summer of their years , " observed the elder from Harvard , a shrewd old man .

" I would like better to see the hoar-frost of autumn on their heads .

Methinks , also , they will be exposed to peculiar temptations on account of the carnal desires which have heretofore subsisted between them . "

year after year , therefore , their marriage had been deferred .

Adam Colburn had followed many vocations , had travelled far and seen much of the world and of life .

still , they had held fast their mutual faith .

but neither of them desired good-fortune save to share it with the other .

he sought an interview with Martha and proposed that they should join the Society of Shakers .

Martha , faithful still , had placed her hand in that of her lover and accompanied him to the Shaker village .

their faith and feelings had in some degree become assimilated to those of their fellow-worshippers .

Martha was not less distinguished in the duties proper to her sex .

they were to be the father and mother of the village .

the simple ceremony which would constitute them such was now to be performed .

even my wishes of worldly success were almost dead within me .

we are brother and sister , nor would I have it otherwise .

and in this peaceful village I have found all that I hope for all that I desire .

I will strive with my best strength for the spiritual and temporal good of our community .

my conscience is not doubtful in this matter .

I am ready to receive the trust . "

" thou hast spoken well , son Adam , " said the father .

" God will bless thee in the office which I am about to resign . "

" but our sister , " observed the elder from Harvard .

" Hath she not likewise a gift to declare her sentiments ? "

Martha started and moved her lips as if she would have made a formal reply to this appeal .

" Adam has spoken , " said she , hurriedly ; " his sentiments are likewise mine . "

they had overcome their natural sympathy with human frailties and affections .

old Father Ephraim was the most awful character of all .

but , perceiving that the elders eyed her doubtfully , she gasped for breath and again spoke .

" my children , join your hands , " said Father Ephraim .

they did so .

the elders stood up around , and the father feebly raised himself to a more erect position , but continued sitting in his great chair .

teach unto others the faith which ye have received .

receive the weary ones who have known the vanity of earth ; receive the little children , that they may never learn that miserable lesson .

in their attention to Father Ephraim their eyes were turned from Martha Pierson , who grew paler and paler , unnoticed even by Adam Colburn .

he , indeed , had withdrawn his hand from hers and folded his arms with a sense of satisfied ambition .

NIGHT-SKETCHES ,

BENEATH AN UMBRELLA .

Pleasant is a rainy winter 's day within-doors .

strange landscapes glimmer through the familiar walls of the room , and outlandish figures thrust themselves almost within the sacred precincts of the hearth .

after a time , too , the visions vanish , and will not appear again at my bidding .

a dreamer may dwell so long among fantasies that the things without him will seem as unreal as those within .

now come fearful auguries innumerable as the drops of rain .

in my own case poor human nature may be allowed a few misgivings .

it is as if Nature were dead and the world had put on black and the clouds were weeping for her .

with their tears upon my cheek I turn my eyes earthward , but find little consolation here below .

should I flounder into its depths , farewell to upper earth !

Pshaw !

but this is a lonesome and dreary spot .

how loudly tinkles the collected rain down the tin spouts !

the puffs of wind are boisterous , and seem to assail me from various quarters at once .

here they amuse themselves with lesser freaks of mischief .

see , at this moment , how they assail yonder poor woman who is passing just within the verge of the lamplight !

from hence I tread upon firm pavements into the centre of the town .

here there is almost as brilliant an illumination as when some great victory has been won either on the battlefield or at the polls .

the wet sidewalks gleam with a broad sheet of red light .

the raindrops glitter as if the sky were pouring down rubies .

the spouts gush with fire .

and , after all , it is a cheerless scene , and cheerless are the wanderers in it .

the blast will put in its word among their hoarse voices , and be understood by all of them .

some domestic emergency or other has blown this miserable man from his warm fireside in quest of a doctor .

see that little vagabond !

how carelessly he has taken his stand right underneath a spout while staring at some object of curiosity in a shop-window !

surely the rain is his native element ; he must have fallen with it from the clouds , as frogs are supposed to do .

thus they struggle against the gloomy tempest , lured onward by a vision of festal splendor .

but ah ! a most lamentable disaster !

luckless lovers !

were it my nature to be other than a looker-on in life , I would attempt your rescue .

do ye touch bottom , my young friends ?

yes ; they emerge like a water-nymph and a river-deity , and paddle hand in hand out of the depths of the dark pool .

they hurry homeward , dripping , disconsolate , abashed , but with love too warm to be chilled by the cold water .

they have stood a test which proves too strong for many .

Faithful though over head and ears in trouble !

not that mine is altogether a chameleon spirit with no hue of its own .

now I pass into a more retired street where the dwellings of wealth and poverty are intermingled , presenting a range of strongly-contrasted pictures .

here , too , may be found the golden mean .

bluster , fierce blast , and beat , thou wintry rain , against the window-panes !

ye cannot damp the enjoyment of that fireside .

peace , murmurer !

doubt not that darker guests are sitting round the hearth , though the warm blaze hides all but blissful images .

will she ever feel the night-wind and the rain ?

perhaps perhaps !

and will Death and Sorrow ever enter that proud mansion ?

as surely as the dancers will be gay within its halls to-night .

onward , still onward , I plunge into the night .

it is strange what sensations of sublimity may spring from a very humble source .

listen a while to its voice of mystery , and Fancy will magnify it till you start and smile at the illusion .

he passes fearlessly into the unknown gloom , whither I will not follow him .

this figure shall supply me with a moral wherewith , for lack of a more appropriate one , I may wind up my sketch .

ENDICOTT AND THE RED CROSS .

it was a period when the religious exiles were accustomed often to buckle on their armor and practise the handling of their weapons of war .

since the first settlement of New England its prospects had never been so dismal .

the dissensions between Charles I. and his subjects were then , and for several years afterward , confined to the floor of Parliament .

this piece of armor was so highly polished that the whole surrounding scene had its image in the glittering steel .

the blood was still plashing on the doorstep .

side by side on the meeting-house steps stood a male and a female figure .

his aspect showed no lack of zeal to maintain his heterodoxies even at the stake .

the above-mentioned individuals had been sentenced to undergo their various modes of ignominy for the space of one hour at noonday .

Methinks he must have been grievously tempted to affix the other end of the rope to some convenient beam or bough .

and even her own children knew what that initial signified .

were such the custom now , perchance we might find materials for a no less piquant sketch than the above .

a few stately savages in all the pomp and dignity of the primeval Indian stood gazing at the spectacle .

the valiant John Endicott glanced with an eye of pride at his sturdy followers , and prepared to renew the martial toils of the day .

" come , my stout hearts ! " quoth he , drawing his sword .

" let us show these poor heathen that we can handle our weapons like men of might .

well for them if they put us not to prove it in earnest ! "

his aspect was perfectly that of a pilgrim , heightened also by an apostolic dignity .

" what ho , good Mr Williams ! " shouted Endicott .

" you are welcome back again to our town of peace .

how does our worthy Governor Winthrop ?

and what news from Boston ? "

" the governor hath his health , worshipful sir , " answered Roger Williams , now resuming his staff and drawing near .

Belike it contains tidings of much import , for a ship arrived yesterday from England . "

the broad seal was impressed with Winthrop 's coat-of-arms .

" Black tidings these , Mr Williams , " said he ; " blacker never came to New England .

doubtless you know their purport ? "

" the governor is a wise man a wise man , and a meek and moderate , " said Endicott , setting his teeth grimly .

" nevertheless , I must do according to my own best judgment .

soldiers , wheel into a hollow square .

Ho , good people !

here are news for one and all of you . "

a few taps of the drum gave signal for silence and attention .

Wherefore have we come hither to set up our own tombstones in a wilderness ?

A howling wilderness it is .

the wolf and the bear meet us within halloo of our dwellings .

the savage lieth in wait for us in the dismal shadow of the woods .

the stubborn roots of the trees break our ploughshares when we would till the earth .

our children cry for bread , and we must dig in the sands of the seashore to satisfy them .

Wherefore , I say again , have we sought this country of a rugged soil and wintry sky ?

was it not for the enjoyment of our civil rights ?

was it not for liberty to worship God according to our conscience ? "

" call you this liberty of conscience ? " interrupted a voice on the steps of the meeting-house .

it was the wanton gospeller .

" what hast thou to do with conscience , thou knave ? " cried he .

" I said liberty to worship God , not license to profane and ridicule him .

break not in upon my speech , or I will lay thee neck and heels till this time to-morrow .

hearken to me , friends , nor heed that accursed rhapsodist .

but what think ye now ?

" hold thy peace , Roger Williams ! " answered Endicott , imperiously .

" my spirit is wiser than thine for the business now in hand .

A deep groan from the auditors a sound of wrath as well as fear and sorrow responded to this intelligence .

" look ye to it , brethren , " resumed Endicott , with increasing energy .

we shall hear the sacring-bell and the voices of the Romish priests saying the mass .

no !

be ye strong of hand and stout of heart .

who shall enslave us here ?

what have we to do with this mitred prelate with this crowned king ?

what have we to do with England ? "

" Officer , lower your banner , " said he .

he then waved the tattered ensign above his head .

" treason ! treason ! " roared the royalist in the stocks .

" he hath defaced the king 's banner ! "

" before God and man I will avouch the deed , " answered Endicott .

" beat a flourish , drummer shout , soldiers and people in honor of the ensign of New England .

neither pope nor tyrant hath part in it now . "

with a cry of triumph the people gave their sanction to one of the boldest exploits which our history records .

and for ever honored be the name of Endicott !

THE LILY'S QUEST .

AN APOLOGUE .

what a contrast between the young pilgrims of bliss and their unbidden associate !

but the three had not gone far when they reached a spot that pleased the gentle Lily , and she paused .

" what sweeter place shall we find than this ? " said she .

" why should we seek farther for the site of our temple ? "

there were vistas and pathways leading onward and onward into the green woodlands and vanishing away in the glimmering shade .

" yes , " said Adam Forrester ; " we might seek all day and find no lovelier spot .

we will build our temple here . "

" not here , " cried old Walter Gascoigne .

" here , long ago , other mortals built their temple of happiness ; seek another site for yours . "

" what ! " exclaimed Lilias Fay .

" have any ever planned such a temple save ourselves ? "

" poor child ! " said her gloomy kinsman .

" in one shape or other every mortal has dreamed your dream . "

under this type Adam Forrester and Lilias saw that the old man spake of sorrow .

" this is very sad , " said the Lily , sighing .

" well , there are lovelier spots than this , " said Adam Forrester , soothingly " spots which sorrow has not blighted . "

" this glen was made on purpose for our temple . "

" and the glad song of the brook will be always in our ears , " said Lilias Fay .

" and its long melody shall sing the bliss of our lifetime , " said Adam Forrester .

" ye must build no temple here , " murmured their dismal companion .

and , alas ! there had been woe , nor that alone .

" and see ! " cried old Gascoigne ; " is the stream yet pure from the stain of the murderer 's hands ? "

" come , then , " said Adam Forrester as cheerily as he could ; " we shall soon find a happier spot . "

they set forth again , young pilgrims on that quest which millions which every child of earth has tried in turn .

and were the Lily and her lover to be more fortunate than all those millions ?

for a long time it seemed not so .

" where in this world , " exclaimed Adam Forrester , despondingly , " shall we build our temple of happiness ? "

" yet there is a place even in this world where ye may build it . "

the ancestral mansion wherein the lovers would dwell together appeared on one side , and the ivied church where they were to worship on another .

in due time it was finished and a day appointed for a simple rite of dedication .

with his farewell glance a shadow had fallen over the portal , and Lilias was invisible .

but alas for the temple of happiness !

and , lo ! a wonder !

he watched the mourners as they lowered the coffin down .

" Joy ! joy ! " he cried , throwing his arms toward heaven .

" on a grave be the site of our temple , and now our happiness is for eternity . "

FOOTPRINTS ON THE SEASHORE .

nothing is within my daily reach more like a forest than the acre or two of woodland near some suburban farmhouse .

surely here is enough to feed a human spirit for a single day .

farewell , then , busy world !

highways and cross-paths are hastily traversed , and , clambering down a crag , I find myself at the extremity of a long beach .

a greeting and a homage to the sea !

I descend over its margin and dip my hand into the wave that meets me , and bathe my brow .

that far-resounding roar is Ocean 's voice of welcome .

his salt breath brings a blessing along with it .

the beach itself is a broad space of sand , brown and sparkling , with hardly any pebbles intermixed .

along the whole of this extensive beach gambols the surf-wave .

with how fierce a roar it flings itself forward and rushes far up the beach !

hardly had I beheld them , when they passed into the shadow of the rocks and vanished .

to comfort myself for truly I would fain have gazed a while longer I made acquaintance with a flock of beach-birds .

yet , with a philosophy which mankind would do well to imitate , they drew a continual pleasure from their toil for a subsistence .

the sea was each little bird 's great playmate .

but they floated as lightly as one of their own feathers on the breaking crest .

in their airy flutterings they seemed to rest on the evanescent spray .

their images long-legged little figures with gray backs and snowy bosoms were seen as distinctly as the realities in the mirror of the glistening strand .

our tracks , being all discernible , will guide us with an observing consciousness through every unconscious wandering of thought and fancy .

here we followed the surf in its reflux to pick up a shell which the sea seemed loth to relinquish .

here we found a seaweed with an immense brown leaf , and trailed it behind us by its long snake-like stalk .

here we seized a live horseshoe by the tail , and counted the many claws of that queer monster .

here we dug into the sand for pebbles , and skipped them upon the surface of the water .

here we wet our feet while examining a jelly-fish which the waves , having just tossed it up , now sought to snatch away again .

such glances always make us wiser .

this extensive beach affords room for another pleasant pastime .

with your staff you may write verses love-verses if they please you best and consecrate them with a woman 's name .

stir not hence till the record be effaced .

Child's-play becomes magnificent on so grand a scale .

but , after all , the most fascinating employment is simply to write your name in the sand .

statesmen and warriors and poets have spent their strength in no better cause than this .

is it accomplished ?

return , then , in an hour or two , and seek for this mighty record of a name .

the sea will have swept over it , even as time rolls its effacing waves over the names of statesmen and warriors and poets .

hark ! the surf-wave laughs at you .

the rocks rise in every variety of attitude .

how many a thing has troubled me with that same idea !

pass on and leave it unexplained .

how sharply and with what harsh clamor does the sea rake back the pebbles as it momentarily withdraws into its own depths !

they heap the chasm with a snow-drift of foam and spray .

and what a contrast to look through the stormy chasm and catch a glimpse of the calm bright sea beyond !

many interesting discoveries may be made among these broken cliffs .

some leviathan of former ages had used this ponderous mass as a jaw-bone .

these , these are the warm realities of those three visionary shapes that flitted from me on the beach .

hark their merry voices as they toss up the water with their feet !

they have not seen me .

I must shrink behind this rock and steal away again .

I would do battle for it even with the churl that should produce the title-deeds .

have not my musings melted into its rocky walls and sandy floor and made them a portion of myself ?

at this autumnal season the precipice is decked with variegated splendor .

a rill of water trickles down the cliff and fills a little cistern near the base .

I drain it at a draught , and find it fresh and pure .

this recess shall be my dining-hall .

and what the feast ?

there is a magic in this spot .

here , should I will it , I can summon up a single shade and be myself her lover .

yes , dreamer , but your lonely heart will be the colder for such fancies .

would that my hiding-place were lonelier , so that the Past might not find me !

of what mysteries is it telling ?

of sunken ships and whereabouts they lie ?

nothing of all this .

what , then ?

has it talked for so many ages and meant nothing all the while ?

yet how would the merchant sneer at me !

and , after all , can such philosophy be true ?

Methinks I could find a thousand arguments against it .

my maiden-speech is a triumphant one , for the gentleman in seaweed has nothing to offer in reply save an immitigable roaring .

his voice , indeed , will be heard a long while after mine is hushed .

once more I shout and the cliffs reverberate the sound .

but hush !

be silent , my good friend !

whence comes that stifled laughter ?

it was musical , but how should there be such music in my solitude ?

looking upward , I catch a glimpse of three faces peeping from the summit of the cliff like angels between me and their native sky .

let us keep each other 's secrets .

the sunshine has now passed from my hermitage , except a gleam upon the sand just where it meets the sea .

a crowd of gloomy fantasies will come and haunt me if I tarry longer here in the darkening twilight of these gray rocks .

this is a dismal place in some moods of the mind .

yes , say the word outright : self-sufficient to our own happiness .

how lonesome looks the recess now , and dreary too , like all other spots where happiness has been !

there lies my shadow in the departing sunshine with its head upon the sea .

I will pelt it with pebbles .

a hit ! a hit !

I clap my hands in triumph , and see my shadow clapping its unreal hands and claiming the triumph for itself .

what a simpleton must I have been all day , since my own shadow makes a mock of my fooleries !

Homeward ! homeward !

it is time to hasten home .

the distant sails appear astray and not of earth in their remoteness amid the desolate waste .

my spirit wanders forth afar , but finds no resting-place and comes shivering back .

it is time that I were hence .

such companionship works an effect upon a man 's character as if he had been admitted to the society of creatures that are not mortal .

I shall think my own thoughts and feel my own emotions and possess my individuality unviolated .

but it is good at the eve of such a day to feel and know that there are men and women in the world .

the three visionary girls are likewise there .

come down and sup with us ! "

the ladies wave their handkerchiefs .

can I decline ?

no ; and be it owned , after all my solitary joys , that this is the sweetest moment of a day by the seashore .

EDWARD FANE'S ROSEBUD .

some old people especially women so age-worn and woeful are they , seem never to have been young and gay .

wrinkles and furrows , the handwriting of Time , may thus be deciphered and found to contain deep lessons of thought and feeling .

now she sips , now stirs , now sips again .

it is strange that men should deem that fount a fable , when its liquor fills more bottles than the Congress-water .

get you gone , Age and Widowhood !

come back , unwedded Youth !

but , alas ! the charm will not work .

these early lovers thought to have walked hand in hand through life .

she was but three years old .

but when the sods were laid on little Mary , the heart of Rose was troubled .

how many a greeting since !

the rosebud was destined never to bloom for Edward Fane .

his mother was a rich and haughty dame with all the aristocratic prejudices of colonial times .

the lovers parted , and have seldom met again .

she went to her bridegroom 's arms with bitterer tears , they say , than young girls ought to shed at the threshold of the bridal-chamber .

he was all she had to love ; there were no children .

we must pardon his pretty wife if she sometimes blushed to own him .

his mind was palsied with his body ; its utmost energy was peevishness .

but Rose was with him in the tomb .

how long poor Mr Toothaker was kept in misery !

" this bedridden wretch cannot escape me , " quoth Death .

but no ; we have no right to ascribe such a wish to our friend Rose .

she never failed in a wife 's duty to her poor sick husband .

come put a blanket on my feet ! "

so now the Rosebud was the widow Toothaker .

her troubles had come early , and , tedious as they seemed , had passed before all her bloom was fled .

but the widow Toothaker had no such projects .

when the palsied old man was gone , even her early lover could not have supplied his place .

she missed the fragrance of the doctor 's stuff .

she walked the chamber with a noiseless footfall .

if visitors came in , she spoke in soft and soothing accents , and was startled and shocked by their loud voices .

then went her thoughts sadly to her husband 's grave .

at length she recognized her destiny .

and Nurse Toothaker alone , with her own shrivelled lips , could make known her experience in that capacity .

what a history might she record of the great sicknesses in which she has gone hand in hand with the exterminating angel !

she remembers when the small-pox hoisted a red banner on almost every house along the street .

where would be Death 's triumph if none lived to weep ?

strange that such black mischief should lurk in a maiden 's grave !

tell us , thou fearful woman ; tell us the death-secrets .

Fain would I search out the meaning of words faintly gasped with intermingled sobs and broken sentences half-audibly spoken between earth and the judgment-seat .

an awful woman !

she is the patron-saint of young physicians and the bosom-friend of old ones .

death himself has met her at so many a bedside that he puts forth his bony hand to greet Nurse Toothaker .

she is an awful woman .

by her long communion with woe has she not forfeited her inheritance of immortal joy ?

does any germ of bliss survive within her ?

hark ! an eager knocking st Nurse Toothaker 's door .

again the peal resounds just as her hand is on the lock .

" be quick , Nurse Toothaker ! " cries a man on the doorstep .

" old General Fane is taken with the gout in his stomach and has sent for you to watch by his death-bed .

make haste , for there is no time to lose . " " Fane !

Edward Fane !

and has he sent for me at last ?

I am ready .

I will get on my cloak and begone .

so , " adds the sable-gowned , ashen-visaged , funereal old figure , " Edward Fane remembers his Rosebud . "

our question is answered .

there is a germ of bliss within her .

in some happier clime the Rosebud may revive again with all the dewdrops in its bosom .

THE THREEFOLD DESTINY .

a FAËRY LEGEND .

" Ralph Cranfield ! " was the name that she half articulated .

" can that be my old playmate Faith Egerton ? " thought the traveller , looking round at her figure , but without pausing .

Ralph Cranfield from his youth upward had felt himself marked out for a high destiny .

on encountering this lovely stranger he was bound to address her thus : " Maiden , I have brought you a heavy heart .

may I rest its weight on you ? "

as messengers of the sign by which Ralph Cranfield might recognize the summons , three venerable men were to claim audience of him .

and had he found them ?

few seemed to be the changes here .

but his heart grew cold because the village did not remember him as he remembered the village .

" here is the change , " sighed he , striking his hand upon his breast .

" who is this man of thought and care , weary with world-wandering and heavy with disappointed hopes ?

the youth returns not who went forth so joyously . "

such , at least , was its appearance in the dusky light .

that would be a jest indeed . "

it was Ralph Cranfield 's mother .

pass we over their greeting , and leave the one to her joy and the other to his rest if quiet rest he found .

but when morning broke , he arose with a troubled brow , for his sleep and his wakefulness had alike been full of dreams .

all the fervor was rekindled with which he had burned of yore to unravel the threefold mystery of his fate .

the crowd of his early visions seemed to have awaited him beneath his mother 's roof and thronged riotously around to welcome his return .

at length they reached her gate and undid the latch .

now , do tell them a good long story about what you have seen in foreign parts . "

what if this embassy should bring me the message of my fate ? "

" my colleagues and myself , " began the squire , " are burdened with momentous duties , being jointly selectmen of this village .

after a few more words the village dignitary and his companions took their leave .

every crook in the pathway was remembered .

even the more transitory characteristics of the scene were the same as in by-gone days .

a company of cows were grazing on the grassy roadside , and refreshed him with their fragrant breath .

" it is sweeter , " thought he , " than the perfume which was wafted to our ship from the Spice Islands . "

the round little figure of a child rolled from a doorway and lay laughing almost beneath Cranfield 's feet .

the dark and stately man stooped down , and , lifting the infant , restored him to his mother 's arms .

" the children , " said he to himself , and sighed and smiled " the children are to be my charge . "

a sweet voice which seemed to come from a deep and tender soul was warbling a plaintive little air within .

he bent his head and passed through the lowly door .

" you are welcome home , " said Faith Egerton .

it was precisely on the pattern of that worn by the visionary maid .

" so , Faith , you have kept the heart ? " said he , at length .

may I rest its weight on you ? "

yes , the wild dreamer was awake at last .

happy they who read the riddle without a weary world-search or a lifetime spent in vain !

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Twice Told Tales , by Nathaniel Hawthorne

E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland , Josephine Paolucci , Joshua Hutchinson , and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team

note : Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations .


the Bedtime Story-Books

THE ADVENTURES OF GRANDFATHER FROG

by

THORNTON W BURGESS

author of The Adventures of Reddy Fox , Old Mother West Wind , etc .

with Illustrations by HARRISON CADY

Boston Little , Brown , and Company

@number@

Illustration : " have a nice nap ? " inquired Jerry , with a broad grin .

( frontispiece )

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I BILLY MINK FINDS LITTLE JOE OTTER

II .

LONGLEGS THE BLUE HERON RECEIVES CALLERS

III .

LONGLEGS VISITS THE SMILING POOL

IV .

THE PATIENCE OF LONGLEGS THE BLUE HERON

V GRANDFATHER FROG JUMPS JUST IN TIME

VI .

LONGLEGS AND WHITETAIL QUARREL

VII .

GRANDFATHER FROG'S BIG MOUTH GETS HIM IN TROUBLE

VIII .

SPOTTY THE TURTLE PLAYS DOCTOR

IX .

OLD MR . TOAD VISITS GRANDFATHER FROG

x . GRANDFATHER FROG STARTS OUT TO SEE THE GREAT WORLD

XI .

GRANDFATHER FROG IS STUBBORN

XII .

GRANDFATHER FROG KEEPS ON

XIII .

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE FEELS RESPONSIBLE

XIV .

GRANDFATHER FROG HAS A STRANGE RIDE

XV .

GRANDFATHER FROG GIVES UP HOPE

XVI .

THE MERRY LITTLE BREEZES WORK HARD

XVII .

STRIPED CHIPMUNK CUTS THE STRING

XVIII .

GRANDFATHER FROG HURRIES AWAY

XIX .

GRANDFATHER FROG JUMPS INTO MORE TROUBLE

XX .

GRANDFATHER FROG LOSES HEART

XXI .

THE MERRY LITTLE BREEZES TRY TO COMFORT GRANDFATHER FROG

XXII .

GRANDFATHER FROG'S TROUBLES GROW

XXIII .

THE DEAR OLD SMILING POOL ONCE MORE

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

" HAVE A NICE NAP ? "

INQUIRED JERRY , WITH A BROAD GRIN

" THANK YOU , " SAID LONGLEGS .

" I BELIEVE I HAVE AN ERRAND UP THAT WAY "

AS SOON AS THEY SAW GRANDFATHER FROG , THEY BEGAN TO LAUGH , TOO

" YOU WON'T SEE MUCH OF THE GREAT WORLD IF YOU JUMP LIKE THAT EVERY TIME YOU GET A SCARE , " SAID DANNY

HE SEIZED THE OTHER END OF THE STRING AND BEGAN TO PULL

" THAT'S JUST WHAT I'M AFRAID OF ! "

CROAKED GRANDFATHER FROG

THE ADVENTURES OF GRANDFATHER FROG

I

BILLY MINK FINDS LITTLE JOE OTTER

Billy Mink ran around the edge of the Smiling Pool and turned down by the Laughing Brook .

his eyes twinkled with mischief , and he hurried as only Billy can .

as he passed Jerry Muskrat 's house , Jerry saw him .

" hi , Billy Mink !

where are you going in such a hurry this fine morning ? " he called .

" to find Little Joe Otter .

have you seen anything of him ? " replied Billy .

" no , " said Jerry .

" he 's probably down to the Big River fishing .

I heard him say last night that he was going . "

" Thanks , " said Billy Mink , and without waiting to say more he was off like a little brown flash .

Jerry watched him out of sight .

" hump ! " exclaimed Jerry .

" Billy Mink is in a terrible hurry this morning .

now I wonder what he is so anxious to find Little Joe Otter for .

when they get their heads together , it is usually for some mischief . "

Jerry climbed to the top of his house and looked over the Smiling Pool in the direction from which Billy Mink had just come .

almost at once he saw Grandfather Frog fast asleep on his big green lily-pad .

the legs of a foolish green fly were sticking out of one corner of his big mouth .

Jerry couldn't help laughing , for Grandfather Frog certainly did look funny .

" he 's had a good breakfast this morning , and his full stomach has made him sleepy , " thought Jerry .

" but he 's getting careless in his old age .

he certainly is getting careless .

the idea of going to sleep right out in plain sight like that ! "

suddenly a new thought popped into his head .

" Billy Mink saw him , and that is why he is so anxious to find Little Joe Otter .

he is planning to play some trick on Grandfather Frog as sure as pollywogs have tails ! " exclaimed Jerry .

then his eyes began to twinkle as he added : " I think I 'll have some fun myself . "

without another word Jerry slipped down into the water and swam over to the big green lily-pad of Grandfather Frog .

then he hit the water a smart blow with his tail .

" have a nice nap ? " inquired Jerry , with a broad grin .

" I wasn't asleep ! " protested Grandfather Frog indignantly .

" I was just thinking . "

" don't you think it a rather dangerous plan to think so long with your eyes closed ? " asked Jerry .

" well , maybe I did just doze off , " admitted Grandfather Frog sheepishly .

" maybe you did , " replied Jerry .

" now listen . "

meanwhile Billy Mink had hurried down the Laughing Brook .

half-way to the Big River he met Little Joe Otter bringing home a big fish , for you know Little Joe is a great fisherman .

Billy Mink hastened to tell him how Grandfather Frog had fallen fast asleep on his big green lily-pad .

" it 's a splendid chance to have some fun with Grandfather Frog and give him a great scare , " concluded Billy .

Little Joe Otter put his fish down and grinned .

he likes to play pranks almost as well as he likes to go fishing .

" what can we do ? " said he .

" I 've thought of a plan , " replied Billy .

" do you happen to know where we can find Longlegs the Blue Heron ? "

" yes , " said Little Joe .

" I saw him fishing not five minutes ago . "

then Billy told Little Joe his plan , and laughing and giggling , the two little scamps hurried off to find Longlegs the Blue Heron .

II

LONGLEGS THE BLUE HERON RECEIVES CALLERS

Longlegs the Blue Heron felt decidedly out of sorts .

it was a beautiful morning , too beautiful for any one to be feeling that way .

indeed , it was the same beautiful morning in which Grandfather Frog had caught so many foolish green flies .

jolly , round , bright Mr Sun was smiling his broadest .

the little feathered people to whom Old Mother Nature has given the great blessing of music in their throats were pouring out their sweetest songs .

so it seemed as if there was no good reason why Longlegs should feel out of sorts .

the fact is the trouble with Longlegs was an empty stomach .

yes , Sir , that is what ailed Longlegs the Blue Heron that sunshiny morning .

you know it is hard work to be hungry and happy at the same time .

So Longlegs stood on the edge of a shallow little pool in the Laughing Brook , grumbling to himself .

in the first place it made him envious , and envy , you know , always stirs up bad feelings .

but Longlegs chose to try to make himself think that it was all luck .

moreover , he wanted to blame some one for his own lack of success , as most people who fail do .

so when Little Joe had called out : " hi , Longlegs , what luck this fine morning ? "

Longlegs just pretended not to hear .

but when Little Joe was out of sight and hearing , he began to grumble to himself .

" no wonder I have no luck with that fellow racing up and down the Laughing Brook , " said he .

I don't see what Old Mother Nature was thinking of when she gave him a liking for fish .

he and Billy Mink are just two worthless little scamps , born to make trouble for other people . "

he was still grumbling when these two same little scamps poked their heads out of the grass on the other side of the little pool .

" you look happy , Longlegs .

must be that you have had a good breakfast , " said Little Joe , nudging Billy Mink .

Longlegs snapped his great bill angrily .

" what are you doing here , spoiling my fishing ? " he demanded .

" haven't you got the Big River and all the rest of the Laughing Brook to fool around in ?

this is my pool , and I 'll thank you to keep away ! "

Billy Mink chuckled so that Longlegs heard him , and that didn't improve his temper a bit .

but before he could say anything more , Little Joe Otter spoke .

" oh , " said he , " we beg your pardon .

as long as you think so ill of us , we 'll just run over and tell Blackcap the Night Heron . "

Little Joe turned as if to start off in search of Blackcap at once .

" the truth is , I haven't had a mouthful of breakfast and to be hungry is apt to make me cross .

where did you say Grandfather Frog is ? "

" thank you , " said Longlegs .

" I believe I have an errand up that way , now I think of it .

I believe I 'll just go over and have a look at him .

I have never seen him asleep . "

Illustration : " thank you , " said Longlegs .

" I believe I have an errand up that way . "

page @number@ .

III

LONGLEGS VISITS THE SMILING POOL

Longlegs the Blue Heron watched Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter disappear down the Laughing Brook .

all this time Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter had not been so far away as Longlegs supposed .

they didn't really mean that any harm should come to Grandfather Frog , but they meant that he should have a great fright .

you see , they were like a great many other people , so heedless and thoughtless that they thought it fun to frighten others .

and won't Longlegs be hopping mad when we cheat him out of the breakfast he is so sure he is going to have ! "

" there 's the old fellow just as I left him , fast asleep , " whispered Billy Mink .

sure enough , there on his big green lily-pad sat Grandfather Frog with his eyes shut .

at least , they seemed to be shut .

and over on top of his big house sat Jerry Muskrat .

you see , he had suspected that Billy Mink was going to play some trick on Grandfather Frog , so he had warned him .

there , just as Little Joe Otter had said , sat Grandfather Frog on his big green lily-pad , fast asleep .

at least , he seemed to be fast asleep .

the eyes of Longlegs sparkled with hunger and the thought of what a splendid breakfast Grandfather Frog would make .

IV

THE PATIENCE OF LONGLEGS THE BLUE HERON

patience often wins the day When over-haste has lost the way .

if there is one virtue which Longlegs the Heron possesses above another it is patience .

yes , Sir , Longlegs certainly has got patience .

perhaps that is because he has been a fisherman all his life , and his father and his grandfather were fishermen .

you know a fisherman without patience rarely catches anything .

now Grandfather Frog is another who is very , very patient .

he can sit still the longest time waiting for something to come to him .

there he stopped and looked very hard at Grandfather Frog .

yes , he certainly must be asleep , for his eyes were closed .

Longlegs chuckled to himself right down inside without making a sound , and got ready to wade out so as to get within reach .

now all the time Grandfather Frog was doing some quiet chuckling himself .

you see , he wasn't asleep at all .

grandfather Frog pretended to yawn and opened his big goggly eyes .

Longlegs stood on one foot without moving so much as a feather .

grandfather Frog yawned again , nodded as if he were too sleepy to keep awake , and half closed his eyes .

Longlegs waited and waited .

" I guess I must wait until he falls sound asleep again , " said Longlegs to himself .

but Grandfather Frog didn't go to sleep .

they were Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter .

at first they laughed to themselves and nudged each other at the thought of the trick they had played .

then , as nothing happened , they began to grow tired and uneasy .

you see they do not possess patience .

finally they gave up in disgust and stole away to find some more exciting sport .

grandfather Frog saw them go and chuckled harder than ever to himself .

V

GRANDFATHER FROG JUMPS JUST IN TIME

back and forth over the Green Meadows sailed Whitetail the Marsh Hawk .

like Longlegs the Blue Heron , he was hungry .

perhaps it was one of Old Mother West Wind 's children , the Merry Little Breezes .

you know they are always flitting about trying to do some one a good turn .

anyway , little Mr Green Snake seemed to know that Whitetail was out hunting and managed to keep out of sight .

Danny Meadow Mouse wasn't to be found .

only a few foolish grasshoppers rewarded his patient search , and these only served to make him feel hungrier than ever .

at last he made up his mind that he was wasting time there .

" if it 's a fish , " thought Whitetail , " it will do me no good , for I am no fisherman .

but if it 's a Frog well , Frogs are not as good eating as fat Meadow Mice , but they are very filling . "

with that he hurried a little faster , and then he saw what Longlegs was watching so intently .

it was , as you know , Grandfather Frog sitting on his big green lily-pad .

old Whitetail gave a great sigh of satisfaction .

grandfather Frog certainly would be very filling , very filling , indeed .

besides , his back was toward old Whitetail .

of course Whitetail saw this , and it made him almost chuckle aloud .

now , with all his keen sight , old Whitetail had failed to see some one else who was sitting right in plain sight .

he had failed because his mind was so full of Grandfather Frog and Longlegs that he forgot to look around , as he usually does .

slap !

that was the tail of Jerry Muskrat hitting the water .

grandfather Frog knew what that meant danger !

he didn't know what the danger was , and he didn't wait to find out .

there would be time enough for that later .

when Jerry Muskrat slapped the water with his tail that way , danger was very near indeed .

with a frightened " Chugarum ! "

grandfather Frog dived head first into the Smiling Pool , and so close was old Whitetail that the water was splashed right in his face .

with a scream of disappointment and anger , he whirled in the air and made straight for Jerry Muskrat .

but Jerry just laughed in the most provoking way and ducked under water .

VI

LONGLEGS AND WHITETAIL QUARREL

" you did ! "

" I didn't !

I didn't ! "

" you did ! "

such a terrible fuss when Grandfather hid !

of course Longlegs didn't really have that good meal , but he had thought that he was surely going to have it .

so when Grandfather Frog splashed into the Smiling Pool , of course Longlegs lost his temper altogether .

his yellow eyes seemed to grow even more yellow .

" you robber !

you thief ! " he screamed harshly at old Whitetail .

now old Whitetail was just as hungry as Longlegs , and he had come even nearer to catching Grandfather Frog .

he is even quicker tempered than Longlegs .

he had whirled like a flash on Jerry Muskrat , but Jerry had just laughed in the most provoking manner and ducked under water .

this had made old Whitetail angrier than ever , and then to be called bad names robber and thief !

it was more than any self-respecting Hawk could stand .

yes , Sir , it certainly was !

he fairly shook with rage as he turned in the air once more and made straight for Longlegs the Blue Heron .

" I 'm no more robber and thief than you are ! " he shrieked .

" you frightened away my Frog ! " screamed Longlegs .

" I didn't ! "

" you did ! "

" I didn't !

it wasn't your Frog ; it was mine ! "

" Chugarum ! " said Grandfather Frog to Jerry Muskrat , as they peeped out from under some lily-pads .

" I didn't know I belonged to anybody .

I really didn't .

did you ? "

" no , " replied Jerry , his eyes sparkling with excitement as he watched Longlegs and Whitetail , " it 's news to me . "

every feather on Whitetail 's head was standing erect with rage , and he looked very fierce and terrible .

at last he saw a chance , or thought he did , and shot down .

so they fought and fought , till the ground was covered with feathers , and they were too tired to fight any longer .

" dear me !

dear me !

VII

GRANDFATHER FROG'S BIG MOUTH GETS HIM IN TROUBLE

grandfather Frog has a great big mouth .

you know that .

everybody does .

so he is rather proud of his big mouth , just as he is of his goggly eyes .

but once in a while his big mouth gets him into trouble .

it 's a way big mouths have .

it holds so much that it makes him greedy sometimes .

he stuffs it full after his stomach already has all that it can hold , and then of course he can't swallow .

he had eaten all he could hold , and he was taking the rest of his catch to a secret hiding-place up the Laughing Brook .

" good morning , Grandfather Frog !

have you had your breakfast yet ? " called Little Joe Otter .

grandfather Frog wanted to say no , but he always tells the truth .

" Ye-e-s , " he replied .

" I 've had my breakfast , such as it was .

why do you ask ? "

" oh , for no reason in particular .

I just thought that if you hadn't , you might like a fish .

he held the fish out so that Grandfather Frog could see just how plump and nice they were .

" Chugarum ! " exclaimed Grandfather Frog .

" those certainly are very nice fish , very nice fish indeed .

Little Joe Otter knows all about Grandfather Frog 's greediness .

he looked at Grandfather Frog 's white and yellow waistcoat and saw how it was already stuffed full to bursting .

the twinkle in his eyes grew more mischievous than ever as he said : " of course I can .

but I wouldn't think of giving such an old friend a teeny , weeny one . "

with that , Little Joe picked out the biggest fish he had and tossed it over to Grandfather Frog .

it landed close by his nose with a great splash , and it was almost half as big as Grandfather Frog himself .

it was plump and looked so tempting that Grandfather Frog forgot all about his full stomach .

he even forgot to be polite and thank Little Joe Otter .

he just opened his great mouth and seized the fish .

yes , Sir , that is just what he did .

almost before you could wink an eye , the fish had started down Grandfather Frog 's throat head first .

now you know Grandfather Frog has no teeth , and so he cannot bite things in two .

he has to swallow them whole .

that is just what he started to do with the fish .

it went all right until the head reached his stomach .

there the fish stuck , and gulp and swallow as hard as he could , Grandfather Frog couldn't make that fish go a bit farther .

then he tried to get it out again , but it had gone so far down his throat that he couldn't get it back .

grandfather Frog began to choke .

VIII

SPOTTY THE TURTLE PLAYS DOCTOR

greed 's a dreadful thing to see , As everybody will agree .

such greed would have been disgusting , if it hadn't been so very , very funny .

at least , it was funny at first , for the fish had stuck , with the tail hanging out of Grandfather Frog 's big mouth .

grandfather Frog hitched this way and hitched that way on his big green lily-pad , trying his best to swallow .

twice he tumbled off with a splash into the Smiling Pool .

each time he scrambled back again and rolled his great goggly eyes in silent appeal to Little Joe Otter to come to his aid .

Illustration : as soon as they saw Grandfather Frog , they began to laugh , too .

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but Little Joe was laughing so that he had to hold his sides , and he didn't understand that Grandfather Frog really was in trouble .

Billy Mink and Jerry Muskrat came along , and as soon as they saw Grandfather Frog , they began to laugh , too .

they just laughed and laughed and laughed until the tears came .

they rolled over and over on the bank and kicked their heels from sheer enjoyment .

it was the funniest thing they had seen for a long , long time .

" did you ever see such greed ? " gasped Billy Mink .

" why don't you pull it out and start over again ? " shouted Little Joe Otter .

now this is just what Grandfather Frog was trying to do .

at least , he was trying to pull the fish out .

he hadn't the least desire in the world to try swallowing it again .

in fact , he felt just then as if he never , never wanted to see another fish so long as he lived .

but Grandfather Frog 's hands are not made for grasping slippery things , and the tail of a fish is very slippery indeed .

he tried first with one hand , then with the other , and at last with both .

it was of no use at all .

he just couldn't budge that fish .

he couldn't cough it up , because it had gone too far down for that .

now Spotty the Turtle is very , very slow on land , but he is a good swimmer .

he hurried now because he didn't want to miss the fun .

at first he didn't see Grandfather Frog .

" what 's the joke ? " he asked .

Little Joe Otter simply pointed to Grandfather Frog .

Little Joe had laughed so much that he couldn't even speak .

Spotty looked over to the big green lily-pad and started to laugh too .

then he saw great tears rolling down from Grandfather Frog 's eyes and heard little choky sounds .

he stopped laughing and started for Grandfather Frog as fast as he could swim .

he climbed right up on the big green lily-pad , and reaching out , grabbed the end of the fish tail in his beak-like mouth .

then Spotty the Turtle settled back and pulled , and Grandfather Frog settled back and pulled .

splash !

grandfather Frog had fallen backward into the Smiling Pool on one side of the big green lily-pad .

splash !

Spotty the Turtle had fallen backward into the Smiling Pool on the opposite side of the big green lily-pad .

and the fish which had caused all the trouble lay floating on the water .

" thank you !

thank you ! " gasped Grandfather Frog , as he feebly crawled back on the lily-pad .

" a minute more , and I would have choked to death . "

" don't mention it , " replied Spotty the Turtle .

" I never , never will , " promised Grandfather Frog .

IX

OLD MR . TOAD VISITS GRANDFATHER FROG

grandfather Frog and old Mr Toad are cousins .

of course you know that without being told .

everybody does .

but not everybody knows that they were born in the same place .

they were .

yes , Sir , they were .

they were born in the Smiling Pool .

both had long tails and for a while no legs , and they played and swam together without ever going on shore .

in fact , when they were babies , they couldn't live out of the water .

and people who saw them didn't know the difference between them and called them by the same names tadpoles or pollywogs .

but when they grew old enough to have legs and get along without tails , they parted company .

grandfather Frog didn't expect ever to see him again .

but he did , though it wasn't for a long , long time .

and when he did come back , he had grown so that Grandfather Frog hardly knew him at first .

each was sure that what he had done was best , and each is sure of it to this day .

it was so on the day that Grandfather Frog had so nearly choked to death .

now all day long Grandfather Frog had had to listen to unpleasant remarks about his greediness .

it was such a splendid chance to tease him that everybody around the Smiling Pool took advantage of it .

old Mr Toad pretended not to notice how out of sorts Grandfather Frog was but kept right on talking .

grandfather Frog swelled right out with anger .

" Chugarum ! " he exclaimed in his deepest , gruffest voice .

" Chugarum !

go back to your Great World and learn to mind your own affairs , Mr Toad . "

right away old Mr Toad began to swell with anger too .

for a whole minute he glared at Grandfather Frog , so indignant he couldn't find his tongue .

when he did find it , he said some very unpleasant things , and right away they began to dispute .

" wise people know enough to be content with what they have .

you 've been out in the Great World ever since you could hop , and what good has it done you ?

tell me that !

you haven't even a decent suit of clothes to your back . "

old Mr Toad 's eyes snapped , for you know his suit is very plain and rough .

" people who do honest work for their living have no time to sit about in fine clothes admiring themselves , " he replied sharply .

grandfather Frog almost choked again , he was so angry .

grandfather Frog forgot his anger and began to look anxious .

old Mr Toad didn't look troubled the least bit .

he didn't even look around for a hiding-place .

he just sat still and grinned .

" you 'd better watch out , or you 'll never visit the Smiling Pool again , " called Grandfather Frog .

" oh , " replied old Mr Toad , " I 'm not afraid .

Farmer Brown 's boy is a friend of mine .

I help him in his garden .

how to make friends is one of the things the Great World has taught me . "

" Chugarum ! " said Grandfather Frog .

" I 'd have you to know that "

x

GRANDFATHER FROG STARTS OUT TO SEE THE GREAT WORLD

grandfather Frog looked very solemn as he sat on his big green lily-pad in the Smiling Pool .

he looked very much as if he had something on his mind .

a foolish green fly actually brushed Grandfather Frog 's nose and he didn't even notice it .

the fact is he did have something on his mind .

right in the midst of their quarrel along had come Farmer Brown 's boy .

in fact , he had boasted that they were friends .

he was thinking , thinking very hard .

and now , this bright , sunshiny morning , he was still thinking .

the fact is Grandfather Frog was beginning to wonder if perhaps , after all , Mr Toad was right .

if the Great World had taught him how to make friends with Farmer Brown 's boy , there really must be some things worth learning there .

but right down in his heart he was beginning to think that perhaps there were some things which he couldn't learn in the Smiling Pool .

so he sat and thought and thought .

suddenly he made up his mind .

" Chugarum ! " said he .

" I 'll do it ! "

" Do what ? " asked Jerry Muskrat , who happened to be swimming past .

" don't you do it , " advised Jerry Muskrat .

" don't you do anything so foolish as that .

you 're too old , much too old , Grandfather Frog , to go out into the Great World . "

" you just mind your own affairs , Jerry Muskrat , " he retorted sharply .

" I guess I know what is best for me without being told .

if my cousin , old Mr Toad , can take care of himself out in the Great World , I can .

he isn't half so spry as I am .

I 'm going , and that is all there is about it ! "

XI

GRANDFATHER FROG IS STUBBORN

" Fee , fi , fe , fum !

chug , chug , chugarum ! "

grandfather actually had started out to see the Great World .

you see Grandfather Frog is stubborn .

yes , that is just the word stubborn .

" I guess he isn't any smarter than I am !

he isn't half so spry as I am , and I can jump three times as far as he can .

Chugarum , how warm it is ! "

it was warm .

jolly , round , bright Mr Sun was smiling his broadest and pouring his warmest rays down on the Green Meadows .

the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind were taking a nap .

you see , they had played so hard early in the morning that they were tired .

so there was nobody and nothing to cool Grandfather Frog , and he just grew warmer and warmer with every jump .

he began to grow thirsty , and how he did long for a plunge in the dear , cool Smiling Pool !

but he was stubborn .

he wouldn't turn back , no matter how uncomfortable he felt .

he would see the Great World if it killed him .

so he kept right on , jump , jump , jump , jump .

but he didn't .

he just started right out without knowing where he was going , and of course the way was hard , very hard indeed .

he had gone only a little way before he wished with all his might that he had never thought of seeing the Great World .

it was during one of these rests that he heard footsteps , and then a dreadful sound that made cold chills run all over him .

sniff , sniff , sniff !

it was coming nearer .

grandfather Frog flattened himself down as close to the ground as he could get .

but it was of no use , no use at all .

the sniffing came nearer and nearer , and then right over him stood Bowser the Hound !

Bowser looked just as surprised as he felt .

he put out one paw and turned Grandfather Frog over on his back .

grandfather Frog struggled to his feet and made two frightened jumps .

" Bow , wow ! " cried Bowser and rolled him over again .

Bowser thought it great fun , but Grandfather Frog thought that his last day had come .

XII

GRANDFATHER FROG KEEPS ON

grandfather Frog is old and wise , But even age is foolish .

I 'm sure you 'll all agree with me His stubbornness was mulish .

that his very last day had come Grandfather Frog was sure .

he didn't have the least doubt about it .

here he was at the mercy of Bowser the Hound out on the Green Meadows far from the dear , safe Smiling Pool .

every time he moved , Bowser flipped him over on his back and danced around him , barking with joy .

every minute Grandfather Frog expected to feel Bowser 's terrible teeth , and he grew cold at the thought .

when he found that he couldn't get away , he just lay still .

he was too tired and frightened to do much of anything else , anyway .

Bowser tossed him up in the air two or three times , but Grandfather Frog simply lay where he fell without moving .

" bow , wow , wow ! " cried Bowser , in his great deep voice .

grandfather Frog didn't so much as blink his great goggly eyes .

Bowser sniffed him all over .

" I guess I 've frightened him to death , " said Bowser , talking to himself .

" I didn't mean to do that .

I just wanted to have some fun with him . "

with that , Bowser took one more sniff and then trotted off to try to find something more exciting .

you see , he hadn't had the least intention in the world of really hurting Grandfather Frog .

grandfather Frog kept perfectly still until he was sure that Bowser was nowhere near .

then he gave a great sigh of relief and crawled under a big mullein leaf to rest , and think things over .

" nothing like that ever happened to me in the Smiling Pool .

the question is , what had I best do now ? "

now right down in his heart Grandfather Frog knew the answer .

of course the best thing to do was to go straight back to the Smiling Pool as fast as he could .

but Grandfather Frog is stubborn .

yes , Sir , he certainly is stubborn .

and stubbornness is often just another name for foolishness .

he had told Jerry Muskrat that he was going out to see the Great World .

now if he went back , Jerry would laugh at him .

" I won't ! " said Grandfather Frog .

" what won't you do ? " asked a voice so close to him that Grandfather Frog made a long jump before he thought .

but there was no water here , and that jump took him right out where anybody passing could see him .

then he turned around to see who had startled him so .

it was Danny Meadow Mouse .

" I won't go back to the Smiling Pool until I have seen the Great World , " replied Grandfather Frog gruffly .

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you take my advice , Grandfather Frog , and go straight back to the Smiling Pool .

you don't know enough about the Great World to take care of yourself . "

but Grandfather Frog was set in his ways , and nothing that Danny Meadow Mouse could say changed his mind in the least .

" I started out to see the Great World , and I 'm going to keep right on , " said he .

" all right , " said Danny at last .

" if you will , I suppose you will .

I 'll go a little way with you just to get you started right . "

" thank you , " replied Grandfather Frog .

" let's start right away . "

XIII

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE FEELS RESPONSIBLE

Responsible is a great big word .

you remember Peter Rabbit felt re-spon-sible when he brought little Miss Fuzzy tail down from the Old Pasture to the dear Old Briar-patch .

now Danny Meadow Mouse is fond of Grandfather Frog , and he couldn't bear to think that something dreadful might happen to him .

yes , Sir , he just had to do it .

he felt re-spon-sible for Grandfather Frog 's safety .

of course he started to take Grandfather Frog along one of these little paths .

but Grandfather Frog doesn't walk or run ; he jumps .

there wasn't room in Danny 's little paths for jumping , as they soon found out .

grandfather Frog simply couldn't follow Danny along those little paths .

Danny sat down to think , and puckered his brows anxiously .

he was more worried than ever .

Grandfather Frog had started out to see the Great World , and he was going to see it .

Danny sighed .

it is dangerous , very dangerous , but I guess you will have to do it . "

" Chugarum ! " replied Grandfather Frog , " I 'm not afraid .

you show me the Lone Little Path and then go about your business , Danny Meadow Mouse . "

but Danny felt more worried than ever .

he wanted to go back , but he kept right on , and that shows just what a brave little fellow Danny Meadow Mouse was .

XIV

GRANDFATHER FROG HAS A STRANGE RIDE

a thousand things may happen to , Ten thousand things befall , The traveler who careless is , Or thinks he knows it all .

Danny kept as much under the grass that overhung the Lone Little Path as he could .

when he was safely across , he would wait for Grandfather Frog .

if a shadow passed over the grass , Danny would duck under the nearest leaf and hold his breath .

" foolish ! " muttered Grandfather Frog .

" foolish , foolish to be so afraid !

now , I 'm not afraid until I see something to be afraid of .

time enough then .

what 's the good of looking for trouble all the time ?

now , here I am out in the Great World , and I 'm not afraid .

and here 's Danny Meadow Mouse , who has lived here all his life , acting as if he expected something dreadful to happen any minute .

pooh !

how very , very foolish ! "

now Grandfather Frog is old and in the Smiling Pool he is accounted very , very wise .

but the wisest sometimes become foolish when they think that they know all there is to know .

it was so with Grandfather Frog .

it was he who was foolish and not Danny Meadow Mouse .

you see Danny knew all the dangers on the Green Meadows , and how many sharp eyes were all the time watching for him .

he had long ago learned that the only way to feel safe was to feel afraid .

you see , then he was watching for danger every minute , and so he wasn't likely to be surprised by his hungry enemies .

so while Grandfather Frog was looking down on Danny for being so timid , Danny was really doing the wisest thing .

more than that , he was really very , very brave .

but Grandfather Frog didn't .

and just then around a turn in the Lone Little Path came who do you think ?

why Farmer Brown 's boy !

he saw Grandfather Frog and with a whoop of joy he sprang for him .

grandfather Frog gave a frightened croak and jumped , but he was too late .

before he could jump again Farmer Brown 's boy had him by his long hind-legs .

these legs of yours will be mighty fine eating , Mr Frog .

they will , indeed . "

XV

GRANDFATHER FROG GIVES UP HOPE

it was dreadful .

half-way across the Green Meadows the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind came dancing along .

now the Merry Little Breezes are great friends of Grandfather Frog .

so when this one caught sight of him in such a dreadful position , he forgot all about teasing Farmer Brown 's boy .

he raced away to tell the other Merry Little Breezes .

for a minute they were perfectly still .

they forgot all about being merry .

" it 's awful , just perfectly awful ! " cried one .

" we must do something to help Grandfather Frog ! " cried another .

" of course we must , " said a third .

" but what can we do ? " asked a fourth .

nobody replied .

they just thought and thought and thought .

finally the first one spoke .

" we might try to comfort him a little , " said he .

" of course we will do that ! " they shouted all together .

" the very thing ! " the others cried , dancing about with excitement .

" then we can rush about and tell all Grandfather Frog 's friends what has happened to him and where he is .

perhaps some of them can help us , " the Little Breeze continued .

they wasted no more time talking , but raced after Farmer Brown 's boy as fast as they could go .

but poor old Grandfather Frog couldn't be comforted .

he couldn't see what there was that the Merry Little Breezes could do .

his legs smarted where the string cut into the skin , and his head ached , for you know he was hanging head down .

no , Sir , Grandfather Frog couldn't be comforted .

he was in a terrible fix , and he couldn't see any way out of it .

he hadn't the least bit of hope left .

and all the time Farmer Brown 's boy was trudging along , whistling merrily .

you see , it didn't occur to him to think how Grandfather Frog must be suffering and how terribly frightened he must be .

he wasn't cruel .

no , indeed , Farmer Brown 's boy wasn't cruel .

that is , he didn't mean to be cruel .

he was just thoughtless , like a great many other boys , and girls too .

so he went whistling on his way until he reached the Long Lane leading from the Green Meadows up to Farmer Brown 's dooryard .

no sooner was he in the Long Lane than something happened .

a great cloud of dust and leaves and tiny sticks was dashed in his face and nearly choked him .

dirt got in his eyes .

his hat was snatched from his head and went sailing over into the garden .

he dropped Grandfather Frog and felt for his handkerchief to wipe the dirt from his eyes .

" phew ! " exclaimed Farmer Brown 's boy , as he started after his hat .

" it 's funny where that wind came from so suddenly ! "

but you know and I know that it was the Merry Little Breezes working together who made up that sudden wind .

and Grandfather Frog ought to have known it too , but he didn't .

so he lay just where Farmer Brown 's boy dropped him , and he didn't have any more hope than before .

XVI

THE MERRY LITTLE BREEZES WORK HARD

then he had to climb the fence and chase his hat through the garden .

it was great fun for the Merry Little Breezes .

but they were not doing it for fun .

no , indeed , they were not doing it for fun !

they were doing it to lead Farmer Brown 's boy away from Grandfather Frog .

what were they going for ?

why , to hunt for some of Grandfather Frog 's friends and ask their help .

so now they were looking for some one with sharp teeth , who thought enough of Grandfather Frog to come and help him .

one thought of Striped Chipmunk and started for the old stone wall to look for him .

another went in search of Danny Meadow Mouse .

a third headed for the dear Old Briar-patch after Peter Rabbit .

a fourth remembered Jimmy Skunk and how he had once set Blacky the Crow free from a snare .

a fifth remembered what sharp teeth Happy Jack Squirrel has and hurried over to the Green Forest to look for him .

a sixth started straight for the Smiling Pool to tell Jerry Muskrat .

and every one of them raced as fast as he could .

all this time Grandfather Frog was without hope .

yes , Sir , poor old Grandfather Frog was wholly in despair .

when Farmer Brown 's boy dropped him , he lay right where he fell for a few minutes .

then , right close at hand , he saw an old board .

it was hard work , for you know his long hind-legs , which he uses for jumping , were tied together .

the best he could do was to crawl and wriggle and pull himself along .

but he knew pretty near , and he hadn't the least doubt but that he would find him .

he had just started to look when the dinner horn sounded .

Farmer Brown 's boy hesitated .

he was hungry .

if he was late , he might lose his dinner .

he could come back later to look for Grandfather Frog , for with his legs tied Grandfather Frog couldn't get far .

so , with a last look to make sure of the place , Farmer Brown 's boy started for the house .

if the Merry Little Breezes had known this , they would have felt ever so much better .

but they didn't .

XVII

STRIPED CHIPMUNK CUTS THE STRING

" hippy hop !

Flippy flop !

all on a summer day My mother turned me from the house and sent me out to play ! "

now Striped Chipmunk and the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind are great friends , very great friends , indeed .

almost every morning they have a grand frolic together .

but this morning the Merry Little Breezes hadn't come over to the old stone wall where Striped Chipmunk makes his home .

anyway , they hadn't come at the usual time .

but Striped Chipmunk didn't know anything about that .

he looked up and winked at Ol ' Mistah Buzzard , sailing round and round way , way up in the blue , blue sky .

he chased his own tail round and round until he nearly fell off of the post .

then he kicked up his heels and whisked along the old fence again .

half-way across a shaky old rail , he suddenly stopped .

his bright eyes had seen something that filled him with curiosity , quite as much curiosity as Peter Rabbit would have had .

it was a piece of string .

yes , Sir , it was a piece of string .

now Striped Chipmunk often had found pieces of string , so there was nothing particularly interesting in the string itself .

what did interest him and make him very curious was the fact that this piece of string kept moving .

every few seconds it gave a little jerk .

whoever heard of a piece of string moving all by itself ?

certainly Striped Chipmunk never had .

he couldn't understand it .

for a few minutes he watched it from the top rail of the old fence .

it gave him a funny feeling inside to see a string acting like that , so he was very careful not to get too near .

he looked at it from one side , then ran around and looked at it from the other side .

of course there was somebody hiding under that old board and jerking the string .

Illustration : he seized the other end of the string and began to pull .

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Striped Chipmunk sat down and scratched his head thoughtfully .

a gleam of mischief twinkled in Striped Chipmunk 's eyes .

he seized the other end of the string and began to pull .

such a jerking and yanking as began right away !

but he held on and pulled harder .

then out from under the old board appeared the queer webbed feet of Grandfather Frog tied together .

Striped Chipmunk was so surprised that he let go of the string and nearly fell over backward .

" why , Grandfather Frog , what under the sun are you doing here ? " he shouted .

he told how he had been caught and tied by Farmer Brown 's boy and finally dropped near the old board .

he told how terribly frightened he was , and how sore his legs were .

Striped Chipmunk didn't wait for him to finish .

in a flash he was at work with his sharp teeth and had cut the cruel string before Grandfather Frog had finished his story .

XVIII

GRANDFATHER FROG HURRIES AWAY

of course he thanked Striped Chipmunk over and over again .

striped Chipmunk said that it was nothing , just nothing at all , and that he was very glad indeed to help Grandfather Frog .

now you take my advice , Grandfather Frog , and go back to the Smiling Pool as fast as you can .

the Great World is no place for an old fellow like you , because you don't know how to take care of yourself . "

now when he said that , Striped Chipmunk made a great mistake .

old people never like to be told that they are old or that they do not know all there is to know .

grandfather Frog straightened up and tried to look very dignified .

it was just an accident that Farmer Brown 's boy caught me , and I 'd like to see him do it again .

yes , Sir , I 'd like to see him do it again ! "

dear me , dear me !

grandfather Frog was boasting .

" of course he isn't going to catch you again .

but Grandfather Frog is stubborn , you know .

so he shook his head .

do you happen to know where there is any water ?

I am very thirsty . "

Striped Chipmunk knew all about that spring , for he had been there for a drink many times .

so he told Grandfather Frog just where the spring was and how to get to it .

he even offered to show the way , but Grandfather Frog said that he would rather go alone .

grandfather Frog looked up sharply to see if Striped Chipmunk was making fun of him .

XIX

GRANDFATHER FROG JUMPS INTO MORE TROUBLE

some people are heedless and run into trouble .

some people are stupid and walk into trouble .

grandfather Frog was both heedless and stupid and jumped into trouble .

when Striped Chipmunk told him where the spring was , it seemed to him that he couldn't wait to reach it .

so he wasn't used to going a long time without water .

jump , jump , jump !

Grandfather Frog was going as fast as ever he could in the direction Striped Chipmunk had pointed out .

and each jump was a long one .

Peter Rabbit certainly would have been envious if he could have seen those long jumps of Grandfather Frog .

at last the ground began to grow damp .

the farther he went , the damper it grew .

presently it became fairly wet , and there was a great deal of soft , cool , wet moss .

how good it did feel to Grandfather Frog 's poor tired feet !

right away he saw a little path from the direction of the Long Lane .

that puzzled Grandfather Frog a great deal .

" it 's a sure enough path , " said he .

" but what under the blue , blue sky does any one want to spoil it for by putting those boards there ? "

he was still puzzling over it when he heard a sound that made him nearly lose his balance and tumble off the hummock .

it was a whistle , the whistle of Farmer Brown 's boy !

grandfather Frog knew it right away , because he often had heard it over by the Smiling Pool .

the whistle came from over in the Long Lane .

Farmer Brown 's boy had had his dinner and was on his way back to look for Grandfather Frog where he had been dropped .

grandfather Frog actually grinned as he thought how surprised Farmer Brown 's boy was going to be when he could find no trace of him .

suddenly the smile seemed to freeze on Grandfather Frog 's face .

that whistle was coming nearer !

Farmer Brown 's boy had left the Long Lane and was coming along the little path .

the truth is , he was coming for a drink at the spring , but Grandfather Frog didn't think of this .

he was sure that in some way Farmer Brown 's boy had found out which way he had gone and was coming after him .

he crouched down as flat as he could on the big hummock and held his breath .

Farmer Brown 's boy went straight past .

just a few steps beyond , he stopped and knelt down .

peeping through the grass , Grandfather Frog saw him dip up beautiful clear water in an old cup and drink .

then Grandfather Frog knew just where the spring was .

a few minutes later , Farmer Brown 's boy passed again , still whistling , on his way to the Long Lane .

grandfather Frog waited only long enough to be sure that he had really gone .

then , with bigger jumps than ever , he started for the spring .

a dozen long jumps , and he could see the water .

two more jumps and then a long jump , and he had landed in the spring with a splash !

" Chugarum ! " cried Grandfather Frog .

" how good the water feels ! "

and all the time , Grandfather Frog had jumped straight into more trouble .

XX

GRANDFATHER FROG LOSES HEART

look before you leap ; The water may be deep .

that is the very best kind of advice , but most people find that out when it is too late .

grandfather Frog did .

of course he had heard that little verse all his life .

indeed , he had been very fond of saying it to those who came to the Smiling Pool to ask his advice .

but Grandfather Frog seemed to have left all his wisdom behind him when he left the Smiling Pool to go out into the Great World .

you see , it is very hard work for any one whose advice has been sought to turn right around and take advice themselves .

he was so hot and dry and dreadfully thirsty and uncomfortable !

and so oh , dear me !

grandfather Frog didn't look at all before he leaped .

no , Sir , he didn't !

he just dived in with a great long jump .

oh , how good that water felt !

for a few minutes he couldn't think of anything else .

it was cooler than the water of the Smiling Pool , because , as you know , it was a spring .

but it felt all the better for that , and Grandfather Frog just closed his eyes and floated there in pure happiness .

presently he opened his eyes to look around .

then he blinked them rapidly for a minute or so .

he rubbed them to make sure that he saw aright .

his heart seemed to sink way , way down towards his toes .

" Chugarum ! " exclaimed Grandfather Frog , " Chugarum ! "

and after that for a long time he didn't say a word .

you see , it was this way .

all around him rose perfectly straight smooth walls .

he could look up and see a little of the blue , blue sky right overhead and whispering leaves of trees and bushes .

over the edge of the smooth straight wall grasses were bending .

but they were so far above his head , so dreadfully far !

there wasn't any place to climb out ! Grandfather Frog was in a prison !

he didn't understand it at all , but it was so .

of course , Farmer Brown 's boy could have told him all about it .

of course the water never could fill the barrel , because when it reached that hole , it ran out .

this left a straight , smooth wall up above , a wall altogether too high for Grandfather Frog to jump over from the inside .

poor old Grandfather Frog !

he wished more than ever that he never , never had thought of leaving the Smiling Pool to see the Great World .

Round and round he swam , but he couldn't see any way out of it .

the little hole where the water ran out was too small for him to squeeze through , as he found out by trying and trying .

so far as he could see , he had just got to stay there all the rest of his life .

worse still , he knew that Farmer Brown 's boy sometimes came to the spring for a drink , for he had seen him do it .

that meant that the very next time he came , he would find Grandfather Frog , because there was no place to hide .

when Grandfather Frog thought of that , he just lost heart .

yes , Sir , he just lost heart .

he gave up all hope of ever seeing the Smiling Pool again , and two big tears ran out of his big goggly eyes .

XXI

THE MERRY LITTLE BREEZES TRY TO COMFORT GRANDFATHER FROG

no one was at home , and no one was in any of the places where they usually were to be found .

the Merry Little Breezes looked and looked .

then , one by one , they sadly turned back to the Long Lane .

they felt so badly that they just hated to go back where they had left Grandfather Frog .

when they got there , they found Striped Chipmunk , who now was scolding Farmer Brown 's boy as fast as his tongue could go .

" where is he ? " cried the Merry Little Breezes excitedly .

Striped Chipmunk stopped scolding long enough to point to Farmer Brown 's boy , who was hunting in the grass for some trace of Grandfather Frog .

" we don't mean him , you stupid !

we can see him for ourselves .

where 's Grandfather Frog ? " cried the Merry Little Breezes , all speaking at once .

" I don't know , " replied Striped Chipmunk , " and what 's more , I don't care ! "

now this wasn't true , for Striped Chipmunk isn't that kind .

it was mostly talk , and the Merry Little Breezes knew it .

they knew that Striped Chipmunk really thinks a great deal of Grandfather Frog , just as they do .

so they pretended not to notice what he said or how put out he seemed .

" hello , Grandfather Frog ! " they shouted , as they peeped into the spring .

" how do you like your new home ? "

grandfather Frog made no reply .

he just rolled his great goggly eyes up at them , and they were full of tears .

" why why why , Grandfather Frog , what is the matter now ? " they cried .

" Chugarum , " said Grandfather Frog , and his voice sounded all choky , " I can't get out . "

they tried bending down the grasses that grew around the edge of the spring , but none were long enough to reach the water .

if they had stopped to think , they would have known that Grandfather Frog couldn't have climbed up by them , anyway .

then they tried to lift a big stick into the spring , but it was too heavy for them , and they couldn't move it .

then they said all the comforting things they could think of .

they told him that no harm could come to him there , unless Farmer Brown 's boy should happen to see him .

Illustration : " that 's just what I 'm afraid of ! " croaked Grandfather Frog .

page @number@ .

" that 's just what I am afraid of ! " croaked Grandfather Frog .

" he is sure to see me if he comes for a drink , for there is no place for me to hide . "

" perhaps he won't come , " said one of the Little Breezes hopefully .

grandfather Frog brightened up .

" that 's so ! " said he .

" that 's a good idea , and I 'll try it . "

XXII

GRANDFATHER FROG'S TROUBLES GROW

head first in ; no way out ; It 's best to know what you 're about !

grandfather Frog had had plenty of time to realize how very true this is .

it really wasn't so bad in the spring .

that was Grandfather Frog 's one great fear , and it gave him bad dreams whenever he tried to take a nap .

he was just in time .

yes , Sir , he was just in time .

" hello ! " he exclaimed .

" that must have blown in since I was here yesterday .

we can't have anything like that in our nice spring . "

with that he reached out for the old shingle , and Grandfather Frog , hiding under it , gave himself up for lost .

the truth is , he couldn't think of anything else to do .

if I have many more like it , I certainly shall die of fright . "

they were greenish yellow eyes , and they stared and stared .

grandfather Frog stared and stared back .

he just couldn't help it .

he didn't know who they belonged to .

he couldn't remember ever having seen them before .

he was afraid , and yet somehow he couldn't make up his mind to jump .

he stared so hard at the eyes that he didn't notice a long furry paw slowly , very slowly , reaching down towards him .

nearer it crept and nearer .

then suddenly it moved like a flash .

pounce !

two paws pinned him down , and the greenish yellow eyes were not an inch from his own .

they belonged to Black Pussy , Farmer Brown 's cat .

XXIII

THE DEAR OLD SMILING POOL ONCE MORE

Black Pussy was having a good time .

grandfather Frog wasn't .

it was great fun for Black Pussy to slip a paw under Grandfather Frog and toss him up in the air .

but there wasn't any fun in it for Grandfather Frog .

in the first place , he didn't know whether or not Black Pussy liked Frogs to eat , and he was terribly frightened .

" it 's all over , and this is the end , " moaned Grandfather Frog .

" I 'm going to be eaten now .

oh , why , why did I ever leave the Smiling Pool ? "

just as Black Pussy slipped into the Long Lane , Grandfather Frog heard a familiar sound .

it was a whistle , a merry whistle .

it was the whistle of Farmer Brown 's boy .

it was coming nearer and nearer .

a little bit of hope began to stir in the heart of Grandfather Frog .

he didn't know just why , but it did .

the whistle drew nearer .

black Pussy stopped .

then she began to make a queer whirring sound deep down in her throat .

" hello , Black Pussy !

have you been hunting ?

come here and show me what you 've got , " cried a voice .

Farmer Brown 's boy stooped down to see what she had in her mouth .

" why , " he exclaimed , " I do believe this is the very same old frog that got away from me !

you don't want him , Puss .

I 'll just put him in my pocket and take him up to the house by and by . "

with that he took Grandfather Frog from Black Pussy and dropped him in his pocket .

he patted Black Pussy , called her a smart cat , and then started on his way , whistling merrily .

it was dark and rather close in that pocket , but Grandfather Frog didn't mind this .

it was a lot better than feeling sharp teeth and claws all the time .

he wondered how soon they would reach the house and what would happen to him then .

Farmer Brown 's boy had taken off his coat and thrown it down .

the whistling stopped .

everything was quiet .

grandfather Frog waited and listened , but not a sound could he hear .

then he saw a little ray of light creeping into his prison .

he squirmed and pushed , and all of a sudden he was out of the pocket .

the bright light made him blink .

as soon as he could see , he looked to see where he was .

then he rubbed his eyes with both hands and looked again .

he wasn't at Farmer Brown 's house at all .

where do you think he was ?

why , right on the bank of the Smiling Pool , and a little way off was Farmer Brown 's boy fishing !

" Chugarum ! " cried Grandfather Frog , and it was the loudest , gladdest chugarum that the Smiling Pool ever had heard .

and never again has Grandfather Frog tried to see the Great World .

he is quite content to leave it to those who like to dwell there .

and since his own wonderful adventures , he has been ready to believe anything he is told about what happens there .

E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland , Richard J Shiffer , and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team

note : Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations .


the Bedtime Story-Books

THE ADVENTURES OF UNC ' BILLY POSSUM

by

THORNTON W BURGESS

author of The Adventures of Peter Cottontail , Old Mother West Wind , etc .

with Illustrations by HARRISON CADY

Boston Little , Brown , and Company

@number@

Illustration : Reddy Fox sprang up as if some one had stuck a pin into him .

FRONTISPIECE .

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I UNC ' BILLY POSSUM IS CAUGHT II .

REDDY FOX THINKS HE SEES A GHOST III .

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM SENDS FOR HIS FAMILY IV .

BOBBY COON ENTERS THE WRONG HOUSE V BOBBY COON IS WAKED UP VI .

SAMMY JAY LEARNS PETER RABBIT'S SECRET VII .

FOUR LITTLE SCAMPS PLAN MISCHIEF VIII .

PETER RABBIT SENDS OUT WORD IX .

MR . TOAD AND PRICKLY PORKY PUT THEIR HEADS TOGETHER X THE RUNAWAY CABBAGE XI .

REDDY FOX GOES HUNGRY XII .

PRICKLY PORKY MAKES HIMSELF AT HOME XIII .

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM GROWS HUNGRY XIV .

OLD MRS POSSUM GROWS WORRIED XV .

THE FOOLISHNESS OF UNC ' BILLY POSSUM XVI .

WHY UNC ' BILLY POSSUM DIDN'T GO HOME XVII .

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM LIES LOW XVIII .

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM IS A PRISONER XIX .

WHAT THE SNOW DID XX .

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM WISHES HE HAD SNOWSHOES XXI .

FARMER BROWN'S BOY CHOPS DOWN A TREE XXII .

WHERE UNC ' BILLY POSSUM WAS XXIII .

HAPPY JACK SQUIRREL MAKES AN UNEXPECTED CALL XXIV .

HAPPY JACK SQUIRREL HELPS UNC ' BILLY POSSUM XXV .

HAPPY JACK SQUIRREL'S BRIGHT IDEA

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

REDDY FOX SPRANG UP AS IF SOME ONE HAD STUCK A PIN INTO HIM

MY !

MY !

MY !

SUCH A RUMPUS AS THERE WAS RIGHT AWAY IN THAT HOLLOW TREE !

" WHAT DO YOU MEAN ? "

EXCLAIMED THE OTHERS ALL TOGETHER

HE JUST ATE AND ATE AND ATE UNTIL HE COULDN'T EAT ANOTHER ONE

THERE ALL THE WAY FROM FARMER BROWN'S HEN-HOUSE , WAS A BROAD TRAIL IN THE SMOOTH WHITE SNOW

" YO ' TELL UNC ' BILLY POSSUM THAT AH DON ' CARE IF HE NEVER COMES BACK "

I

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM IS CAUGHT

the Green Meadows were thrown into great excitement late one afternoon , just as the black shadows came creeping down from the Purple Hills .

Reddy Fox brought the news , and when he told it he grinned as if he enjoyed it and was glad of it .

" old Billy Possum is dead .

I know it because I saw Farmer Brown 's boy carrying him home by the tail , " said Reddy .

" so you see he wasn't so smart as you thought he was , " he added maliciously .

that is , everybody but Reddy Fox said so .

Reddy said that it served Unc ' Billy right , because he was of no account , anyway .

then everybody began to hoot and hiss at Reddy until he was glad enough to slink away .

and while they were all saying such nice things about him , Unc ' Billy Possum was having an exciting adventure .

for once he had been too bold .

he had gone up to Farmer Brown 's hen-house before dark .

Jimmy Skunk had tried to stop him , but he had heeded Jimmy Skunk not at all .

he had said that he was hungry and wanted an egg , and he couldn't wait till dark to get it .

so off he had started , for Unc ' Billy Possum is very headstrong and obstinate .

he had reached the hen-house and slipped inside without being seen .

the nests were full of eggs , and soon Unc ' Billy was enjoying his feast so that he forgot to keep watch .

suddenly the door opened , and in stepped Farmer Brown 's boy to get some eggs for supper .

there was no time to run .

Unc ' Billy just dropped right down in his tracks as if he were dead .

when Farmer Brown 's boy saw him , he didn't know what to make of him , for he had never seen Unc ' Billy before .

" he certainly is dead enough , whatever killed him .

I wonder what he was doing in here . "

then he saw some egg on Unc ' Billy 's lips .

" Ho ! ho ! " shouted Farmer Brown 's boy .

" so you are the thief who has been getting my eggs ! "

and picking up Unc ' Billy by the tail , he started with him for the house .

when he turned to pick up Unc ' Billy again , Unc ' Billy wasn't there .

Farmer Brown 's boy dropped his wood and hunted everywhere , but not a trace of Unc ' Billy could he find .

II

REDDY FOX THINKS HE SEES A GHOST

Reddy Fox came down the Lone Little Path through the Green Forest on his way to the Green Meadows .

he had brushed his red coat until it shone .

his white waistcoat was spotless , and he carried his big tail high in the air , that it might not become soiled .

Reddy was feeling as fine as he looked .

if there is one thing that Reddy Fox dislikes more than another , it is being laughed at .

Reddy chuckled at his thoughts , and what do you think he was thinking about ?

why , about how he had seen Farmer Brown 's boy carrying off Unc ' Billy Possum by the tail the afternoon before .

of course Unc ' Billy was dead .

there could be no doubt about it .

and Reddy was glad of it .

yes , Sir , Reddy was glad of it .

Reddy remembered that Unc ' Billy 's hollow tree was not far away .

he would go over that way , just to have another look at it .

so over he went .

it was Reddy 's turn to grin now .

" Ol ' Bill Possum , he 's gone before !

Ol ' Bill Possum , he is no more !

Bill was a scamp , Sir ; Bill was a thief !

Bill stole an egg , Sir ; Bill came to grief .

Ol ' Bill Possum , it served him right ; And he is no more , for he died last night . "

" very good , Sah , very good .

Reddy Fox sprang up as if some one had stuck a pin into him .

every hair stood on end , as he looked up at Unc ' Billy 's doorway .

then his teeth began to chatter with fright .

looking out of Unc ' Billy 's doorway and grinning down at him was something that looked for all the world like Unc ' Billy himself .

Reddy never once looked back .

" how did Ah do it ?

why , Ah just pretended Ah was daid , when Farmer Brown 's boy caught me , " explained Unc ' Billy .

" of course he ' wouldn't kill a daid Possum .

Unc ' Billy Possum grinned broader than ever , and Jimmy Skunk grinned , too .

III

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM SENDS FOR HIS FAMILY

everybody hastened to pay their respects , that is everybody but Reddy Fox .

thereafter whenever one of them caught sight of Reddy Fox at a safe distance , he would shout :

" Ol ' Bill Possum , he 's gone before !

Ol ' Bill Possum , he is no more ! "

and of course Reddy Fox hated Unc ' Billy Possum more than ever .

but Unc ' Billy didn't care , not he !

but in spite of all his friends , Unc ' Billy was lonesome .

finally he told Jimmy Skunk all about it , and for once Unc ' Billy had forgotten how to grin .

yes , Sir , Unc ' Billy had forgotten how to grin .

instead he just wept , wept great big tears of lonesomeness .

" ah reckon Ah 'll have to go back to Ol ' Virginny , Ah cert'nly do , " said Unc ' Billy Possum .

Jimmy Skunk grew very thoughtful .

now Unc ' Billy was talking about going away .

Jimmy thought very hard .

then he had a bright idea .

" why not send for your family to come here and live in the Green Forest , Uncle Billy ? " he asked .

Unc ' Billy stopped crying .

his two little eyes looked up sharply .

" how do yo'all reckon Ah can send word ? " he asked .

Jimmy scratched his head .

" there 's Mr Skimmer the Swallow ; he 's fixing to go South .

perhaps he 'll take the message to your family , " said he .

" the very thing ! " cried Unc ' Billy Possum , wiping his eyes .

" ah thanks yo ' , Sah .

ah does , indeed .

ah 'll see Mistah Skimmer at once . "

and without another word Unc ' Billy Possum started down the Crooked Little Path for the Green Meadows to look for Skimmer the Swallow .

IV

BOBBY COON ENTERS THE WRONG HOUSE

Unc ' Billy isn't any too fond of work .

but getting ready to receive his family was different .

no one else could arrange things to suit him .

this was Unc ' Billy 's own job , and he tended right to it every minute of the day .

first of all he had to clean house .

he had been keeping bachelor's hall so long in the big hollow tree that things were not very tidy .

So Unc ' Billy cleaned house , and while he worked he whistled and sang .

Peter Rabbit , passing that way , overheard Unc ' Billy singing :

" Mah ol ' woman is away down Souf Come along !

come along !

ain't nothin ' sharper than the tongue in her mouf Come along !

come along !

come along !

" Mah pickaninnies am a-headin ' dis way Come along !

come along !

Daddy am a-watchin ' fo ' ' em day by day Come along !

come along !

come along ! "

every little while Unc ' Billy Possum would sit down to rest , for he wasn't used to so much real work .

the more he thought about it , the more he wanted that egg .

now Unc ' Billy was hardly out of sight when along came Bobby Coon .

anyway , when he reached Unc ' Billy Possum 's hollow tree , he began to climb up it just as if it were his own .

he looked in at Unc ' Billy 's door .

there was the most comfortable bed that he had seen for a long time .

he looked this way and he looked that way .

nobody was in sight .

then he looked in at Unc ' Billy 's door once more .

that bed certainly did look soft and comfortable .

Bobby Coon chuckled to himself .

" I believe I 'll just see if that bed is as comfortable as it looks , " said he .

and two minutes later Bobby Coon was curled up fast asleep in Unc ' Billy Possum 's bed .

V

BOBBY COON IS WAKED UP

" Dey 's a-coming , dey's a-coming , dey's a-coming mighty soon .

but dey can't come soon enuff fo ' me !

Dey 's a-coming , dey's a-coming at de turning ob de moon , Whar Ah waits in mah ol ' holler tree ! "

Unc ' Billy Possum was singing to himself , as he slowly trudged home from Farmer Brown 's hen-house .

he was feeling very good , very good indeed , was Unc ' Billy Possum .

so he trudged along and sang in a funny , cracked voice .

presently he came to his big hollow tree and started to climb up to the door of his house .

half way up he broke off short in the middle of his song and sat down on a convenient branch .

he put one ear against the trunk of the tree and listened .

then he put the other ear against the tree and listened .

there certainly was a funny noise , and it seemed to come from right inside his hollow tree .

Unc ' Billy turned and looked up at his doorway , scratching his head thoughtfully with one hand .

" Mah goodness ! " said Unc ' Billy , " it cert'nly sounds like there was somebody in mah house ! "

then very softly Unc ' Billy crept up to his doorway and peeped in.

but if he couldn't see , he could hear .

oh , yes , indeed , Unc ' Billy could hear perfectly well , and what he heard was a snore !

there was some one in Unc ' Billy 's house , and more than that , they were fast asleep in Unc ' Billy 's bed .

" Mah goodness !

Mah goodness ! " exclaimed Unc ' Billy Possum , and his two sharp little eyes began to snap .

then he stuck his head in at the door and shouted :

" hi , yo'all !

what yo ' doing in mah house ? "

the only answer was another snore .

Unc ' Billy waited a minute .

then he put his head in once more .

the only answer was a snore louder than before .

then Unc ' Billy quite lost his temper .

some one who had no business there was in his house !

he didn't know who it was , and he didn't care .

they were going to come out or he would know why not .

Unc ' Billy gritted his teeth and in he went .

my ! my ! my ! such a rumpus as there was right away in that hollow tree !

Peter Rabbit happened to be coming along that way and heard it .

Peter stopped and gazed at the hollow tree with eyes and mouth wide open .

such a snarling and growling !

then out of the doorway began to fly leaves and moss .

they were part of Unc ' Billy 's bed .

then Peter saw a big ringed tail hanging out of the doorway .

Peter recognized it right away .

no one possessed a tail like that but Bobby Coon .

in a minute Bobby followed his tail , hastily backing down the tree .

then Unc ' Billy 's sharp little old face appeared at the doorway .

Unc ' Billy looked down at Peter Rabbit and grinned .

" ah guess Mistah Coon done make a mistake when he went to bed in mah house , " said he .

and Bobby Coon sheepishly admitted that he did .

VI

SAMMY JAY LEARNS PETER RABBIT'S SECRET

" I 'm Mr Jaybird , tee-hee-hee !

I 'm Mr Jaybird ; you watch me !

you 've got to rise ' fore break of day If you want to fool old Mr Jay . "

over and over Sammy Jay hummed this , as he brushed his handsome blue and white coat .

when Peter goes about whispering , it 's a sure sign that he 's got a secret .

he thinks that he can keep it from me , but he can't .

oh , my , no !

I never knew of a secret that could be kept by more than two people , and already I 've seen Peter whisper to five .

I 'll just see what Reddy Fox knows about it . "

with a flirt of his tail Sammy Jay started for the Green Meadows , where Reddy Fox was busy hunting for his breakfast .

" it 's a fine morning , Reddy Fox , " said Sammy Jay .

" it would be finer , if I could fill my stomach faster , " replied Reddy .

" that 's a pretty good secret of Peter Rabbit 's , isn't it ? " asked Sammy , pretending to look very wise .

Reddy pricked up his sharp little ears .

" what secret ? " he demanded .

Blacky knew nothing about Peter Rabbit 's secret , nor did Shadow the Weasel , whom he met by the way .

but Sammy Jay was not in the least bit discouraged .

" I 'll try Johnny Chuck ; he 'll know , " said Sammy to himself .

he found Johnny sitting on his doorstep , watching the world go by .

" good morning , Johnny Chuck , " said Sammy , with a low bow .

" good morning , " replied Johnny Chuck , who always is polite .

" isn't that a fine secret of Peter Rabbit 's ? " exclaimed Sammy , just as if he knew all about it .

Johnny Chuck raised his eyebrows and put on the most surprised look .

" do tell me what it is ! " he begged .

and as he flew , he said to himself : " Johnny Chuck can't fool me ; he does know Peter Rabbit 's secret . "

over in the Green Forest he found Drummer the Woodpecker making a great racket on the hollow limb of an old chestnut .

Sammy sat down near by and listened .

" my , that 's fine !

I wish I could do that .

you must be practising , " said Sammy at the end of a long rat-a-tat-tat .

Drummer the Woodpecker felt very much flattered .

" I am , " said he .

" I 'm practising for Peter Rabbit 's party . "

" I thought so , " replied Sammy Jay .

of course he hadn't thought anything of the kind .

" won't Unc ' Billy Possum be surprised ? " remarked Drummer the Woodpecker , as he sat down to rest .

by and by , as he flew home , Sammy Jay chuckled and said :

" you 've got to rise ' fore break of day If you want to fool old Mr Jay . "

VII

FOUR LITTLE SCAMPS PLAN MISCHIEF

" some folks think they 're mighty smart Oh , la me !

oh , la me !

like the knave who stole the tart Oh , la me !

oh , la me !

some folks will waken up some day And find they can't fool Mr Jay ! "

Sammy Jay was mightily pleased with himself .

Sammy Jay smacked his lips as he thought of this .

then he looked up at jolly , round , red Mr Sun and winked .

the worst of it is , they are not honest .

they steal whenever they get a chance , and always they try to get others into trouble .

that was why Peter Rabbit had left them out , when he planned his surprise party for Unc ' Billy Possum .

Sammy had a plan , and the angrier the others grew , the more likely were they to help him .

" you wait till I catch Peter Rabbit ! " said Reddy Fox and showed all his teeth .

he quite forgot that , despite all his smartness , he never yet had caught Peter Rabbit .

Blacky the Crow scratched his head thoughtfully .

" we can spoil his surprise by telling Unc ' Billy Possum all about it beforehand , " said he .

Sammy Jay winked at each of the others .

he cleared his throat and looked all around , to make sure that no one else was near .

then he leaned forward and whispered : " let's invite ourselves to the party . "

" what do you mean ? " exclaimed the others , all together .

" Just what I say , " replied Sammy .

" we 'll be the real surprise .

before the party begins , you will hide close to where it is to be .

of course every one will run away , and we 'll have all the good things to eat . "

" haw ! haw ! haw !

the very thing !

we 'll all be there , " cried Blacky the Crow .

the four little scamps shook hands and separated .

as they went across the Green Meadows , Sammy Jay 's voice floated back to the Lone Pine .

he was singing , although he has a very poor voice for singing , and this was his song :

Illustration : " what do you mean ? " exclaimed the others all together .

" some folks think they 're mighty smart Oh , la me !

oh , la me !

like the knave who stole the tart Oh , la me !

oh , la me !

some folks will waken up some day And find they can't fool Mr Jay ! "

" is that so ?

then old Mr Toad winked slowly and solemnly at jolly , round , red Mr Sun and started off to find Peter Rabbit .

VIII

PETER RABBIT SENDS OUT WORD

it was a beautiful morning .

everybody said so , and what everybody says is usually so .

Peter Rabbit wore the broadest kind of a smile .

Peter stopped them before they had a chance to run away .

Sammy Jay had risen very early that morning .

almost at once his sharp eyes had seen Peter Rabbit sending out the Merry Little Breezes .

Sammy 's wits are as sharp as his eyes , and you know it is very hard to really fool sharp wits .

right away Sammy had guessed what the Merry Little Breezes were hurrying so for , but he sat and waited and listened .

pretty soon he heard Drummer the Woodpecker start a long rat-a-tat-tat over by Unc ' Billy Possum 's hollow tree .

then Sammy was sure that this was the day of Peter Rabbit 's party .

Sammy grinned as he hurried off to find Blacky the Crow and Reddy Fox and Shadow the Weasel .

Reddy was not yet out of bed , but when he heard Sammy Jay at his door , he tumbled out in a hurry .

he didn't stop to get any breakfast , because he had planned to get all he could eat at the party .

so he hurried over to where the party was to be .

there he stretched himself out and made himself as comfortable as he could .

pretty soon Shadow the Weasel joined Reddy Fox in the hollow log , and they whispered and chuckled while they waited .

Sammy Jay saw him there but , smart as Sammy is , he didn't once suspect innocent-looking old Mr Toad .

you see , he didn't know that old Mr Toad had overheard all of his plans .

IX

MR . TOAD AND PRICKLY PORKY PUT THEIR HEADS TOGETHER

when he reached the ground , Prickly Porky shook himself until he rattled the thousand little spears hidden in his long coat .

" Tee-hee-hee ! "

" no one is laughing at you , " replied a voice right behind him .

Prickly Porky turned around .

there sat old Mr Toad .

his big mouth was stretched wide open , and he was laughing all to himself .

something was tickling old Mr Toad mightily .

Prickly Porky scowled , and a few more little spears peeped out of his long coat .

you know no one likes to be laughed at , and it certainly did look as if old Mr Toad was laughing at him .

Mr Toad stopped laughing and hopped a step nearer .

" it 's a joke , " said he , and slowly winked one eye .

" I don't see any joke , " said Prickly Porky , and his voice was very fretful .

Mr Toad hopped a step nearer .

" are you going to Peter Rabbit 's party ? "

" of course I am .

what a foolish question , " replied Prickly Porky .

" to be sure , a very foolish question , a very foolish question , indeed , " assented Mr Toad .

old Mr Toad chuckled deep down in his throat .

" I was underneath a piece of bark on which Sammy Jay was sitting when the plan was made .

of course he didn't know I was there , and of course I didn't tell him . "

" of course not , " interrupted Prickly Porky , beginning to grin .

" of course not , " continued Mr Toad , grinning , too .

" have you told Peter Rabbit ? " asked Prickly Porky .

" not yet , but I 'm going to , by and by , " replied old Mr Toad .

" but first , I want you to help me fool Sammy Jay and Blacky the Crow and Reddy Fox and Shadow the Weasel .

Will you ? "

" of course I will if I can , but how can I ? " answered Prickly Porky promptly .

old Mr Toad hopped up , and stretching up on tiptoe , whispered in one of Prickly Porky 's ears .

Prickly Porky began to smile .

then he began to chuckle .

finally he laughed until he had to hold his sides .

" will you do it ? " asked Mr Toad .

Prickly Porky reached for his bundle of tender young bark .

" of course I will , " said he , still chuckling .

" come on , Mr Toad , it 's time we were going . "

x

THE RUNAWAY CABBAGE

Reddy Fox , hiding with Shadow the Weasel in a hollow log near Unc ' Billy Possum 's home , nudged Shadow with his elbow .

" I hear some one coming , " he whispered .

Shadow peeped out .

" it 's old Mr Toad and Prickly Porky , " he whispered back .

" and there comes Jimmy Skunk , with a big-goose egg under each arm ! " continued Shadow , smacking his lips .

Reddy Fox wriggled up where he could peep out , too .

" my goodness !

what 's that coming down the Lone Little Path ? " whispered Reddy .

Shadow looked .

then he began to laugh , and Reddy began to laugh , too .

but it was laughter that made no sound , for Reddy and Shadow didn't want any one to know that they were hiding there .

it was a funny sight they were peeping out at .

it certainly was a funny sight .

down the Lone Little Path came Peter Rabbit and his cousin , Juniper the Hare , rolling a huge cabbage .

right at the top of a little hill the cabbage got away from them .

down it started , rolling and bounding along , with Peter Rabbit and Jumper the Hare frantically trying to catch it .

Just ahead was Johnny Chuck with a big bundle of sweet clover , which he was bringing to Peter Rabbit 's party .

he didn't see the big cabbage coming .

it knocked his feet from under him , and down he went with a thump , flat on his back .

right on top of him fell Jumper the Hare , who was close behind the runaway cabbage and had no time to turn aside .

over the two of them fell Peter Rabbit .

such a mix-up !

and the big cabbage kept right on running away .

Jimmy Skunk , who never hurries , heard the noise behind him and turned to see what it all meant .

but he didn't have time to more than blink his eyes before the runaway cabbage hit him full in the stomach .

down went Jimmy Skunk with a grunt .

one big egg flew over against a tree and broke .

Jimmy landed on the other , and this broke , too .

such a sight as Jimmy Skunk was !

Egg dripped from every part of his handsome black and white coat .

it was in his eyes and all over his face and dripped from his whiskers .

it knocked all the wind out of Mr Toad , and of course Striped Chipmunk spilled all his corn .

Prickly Porky the Porcupine heard the noise .

he looked up to see a strange thing bounding down the Lone Little Path .

Prickly Porky didn't wait to see what it was .

the runaway cabbage bounced off the stump and hit Prickly Porky .

then it stopped .

XI

REDDY FOX GOES HUNGRY

like a great green pincushion lay the runaway cabbage of Peter Rabbit and Jumper the Hare .

every one thought it was the very best joke ever .

Jimmy Skunk had gone off to take a bath and get two more eggs for Peter Rabbit 's party .

Shadow smacked his lips .

he meant to have those eggs himself .

my , such a feast as was spread out there !

over in the top of a tall pine tree Blacky the Crow was hiding and chuckling to himself as he watched .

Reddy Fox was getting impatient .

he was hungry .

it seemed as if his stomach would just give him no peace at all .

he wished that Sammy Jay would bring the false message that Bowser the Hound was coming , so as to frighten all the rest away .

" I 'm nearly starved ! " whispered Reddy Fox .

" I hope Sammy Jay will hurry up . "

just then they noticed that Peter Rabbit was very busy .

he hopped from guest to guest and whispered in the ear of each .

" now I wonder what Peter Rabbit is whispering about , " said Reddy .

suddenly the light at the end of the hollow log disappeared .

there was a queer rattling sound that sent shivers up and down Reddy 's backbone .

Reddy Fox and Shadow the Weasel were in a prison .

you see there was no other opening to the hollow log .

" never mind , " whispered Shadow the Weasel , " he 'll go away when Sammy Jay shouts that Bowser the Hound is coming . "

Blacky the Crow , hidden in the top of the tall pine , was also wondering what Peter was whispering .

now , Sammy Jay knew nothing about all this .

now , Sammy , with all his faults , is one of the best watchmen in the Green Forest .

if there is any danger which his sharp eyes discover , he always screams at the top of his lungs .

because Sammy knew this he felt sure of breaking up this party .

" run ! run ! run !

here comes Bowser the Hound , " he shouted .

still no one moved .

Sammy stopped on a tall pine and pretended to be terribly excited .

" you had better run before Bowser gets here , " he shouted .

what do you think happened then ?

why , everybody set up a great shout .

" Ha ! ha ! ha ! " laughed Peter Rabbit .

" Ho ! ho ! ho ! " shouted Johnny Chuck .

" Hee ! hee ! hee ! " giggled Danny Meadow Mouse .

" what time will Bowser get here ? " asked Bobby Coon , gravely .

" tell Bowser that we are all waiting for him , " added Jimmy Skunk .

" is Bowser quite out of breath ? " inquired Jerry Muskrat .

Sammy Jay didn't know what to do or what to say .

you see , old Mr Toad had told Peter all about Sammy 's plan , and this is what Peter had been whispering to the others .

XII

PRICKLY PORKY MAKES HIMSELF AT HOME

Peter Rabbit 's party promised to be a great success .

Prickly Porky settled himself very comfortably and began to tell stories about his home , way up in the North Woods .

worse still , he was so hungry that he could cry .

shadow the Weasel felt just as uncomfortable as Reddy Fox , and Shadow is very short-tempered .

every time Reddy moved and squeezed Shadow , Shadow would snap at him .

he certainly was enjoying himself .

it tickled him almost to pieces to think how easily he had trapped smart Reddy Fox , the boaster .

only Sammy Jay , Blacky the Crow , Reddy Fox and Shadow the Weasel were unhappy , and of course no one cared for that .

XIII

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM GROWS HUNGRY

Unc ' Billy didn't like the cold weather .

and all the time he would be saying :

" way down Souf de sun am shinin ' Yas , Sah , dat am so !

Fo ' dat lan ' mah heart am pinin ' Yas , Sah , dat am so !

now Unc ' Billy had prepared for the winter by getting just as fat as he knew how .

he was so fat that he could hardly waddle when Jack Frost first came to the Green Forest .

now Johnny Chuck just slept and slept and slept , without waking once the whole winter long .

but Unc ' Billy Possum couldn't sleep like that .

he had to stick his head out every little while to see how the world was getting along without him .

but he didn't enjoy it much .

it made his feet cold , and then he didn't like the tracks he made .

so Unc ' Billy didn't go out very much , and very seldom indeed when the snow was soft .

it seemed to Unc ' Billy Possum as if the winter never , never would go .

he was beginning to grow thin now , and of course he was getting hungry .

he began to think about it , and the more he thought about it , the hungrier he grew .

one morning he stuck his head out of his doorway , and whom should he see trotting along below but Jimmy Skunk .

Jimmy looked fat and comfortable and as if he did not mind the cold weather at all .

" good mo'ning , Jimmy Skunk , " said Unc ' Billy .

Jimmy Skunk looked up .

" hello , Unc ' Billy ! " he exclaimed .

" I haven't seen you for a long time ! "

" Whar yo ' been , Jimmy Skunk ? " asked Unc ' Billy .

Jimmy winked one eye .

" getting my breakfast of nice fresh eggs , " he replied .

Unc ' Billy Possum 's mouth began to water .

" did yo ' leave any ? " he anxiously inquired .

Unc ' Billy couldn't sleep any more now .

no , Sir , he couldn't sleep a wink .

all he could do was to think how hungry he was .

finally Unc ' Billy made up his mind .

" ah 'm going up there the very first dark night ! " said he .

XIV

OLD MRS POSSUM GROWS WORRIED

" one , two , three , four , five , six , seven , eight . "

they were all there .

just as soon as the beautiful spring came , they would one by one slip away .

Mrs Possum sighed again .

she didn't like winter .

no , Sir , she didn't like winter one bit .

but when she thought of how her babies would leave her , she almost wished that spring never would come .

sure that her babies were warm and comfortable , old Mrs Possum went to the door and looked out .

it was plain to be seen that Mrs Possum was worried .

that was the tenth time she had looked out in half an hour .

her sharp little old face looked sharper than ever .

it always looks sharper when she is worried , just as the tongues of some people always grow sharper when they are worried .

" ah don ' see what can be keepin ' mah ol ' man !

ah 'm plumb worried to death , " muttered old Mrs Possum .

right that very minute she heard a noise outside that made her hurry to the door and thrust her head out once more .

it was Sammy Jay , shrieking :

" thief !

thief !

thief ! " at the top of his lungs .

" good mo'ning , Brer Jay , " said she .

" hello ! " exclaimed Sammy Jay , not at all politely .

" where 's Uncle Billy Possum ? "

" he done go out fo ' a walk , " replied old Mrs Possum .

" ah reckons yo'all just got up , or yo ' would have met up with him somewhere . "

Sammy 's temper flared up right away .

" I 've been up ever since sun-up ! " he sputtered .

no , Sir , I wouldn't blame him the least bit ! "

" keep your temper , Brer Jay !

keep your temper , do , Oh pray ! "

said old Mrs Possum , grinning in the most aggravating way as she turned back to her babies .

she had found out what she wanted to know Sammy Jay had seen nothing of Unc ' Billy Possum .

old Mrs Possum sat down with her head in her hands .

she was more worried than ever .

XV

THE FOOLISHNESS OF UNC ' BILLY POSSUM

but all those things did happen .

after Jimmy Skunk had mentioned his fine breakfast of fresh eggs , Unc ' Billy Possum couldn't think of anything else .

he knew well enough where Jimmy had found those eggs .

yes , indeed , Unc ' Billy knew all about it .

he could see the rows of nests and the beautiful brown eggs in them .

Jimmy Skunk couldn't climb , and so he could have gotten only the eggs in the lower nests .

he hadn't been there , and he couldn't go now , because it was daylight .

it made him more and more uneasy and fidgety .

old Mrs Possum couldn't stand it .

" what all am the matter with yo ' ? " she snapped .

" ah do wish yo ' would keep still a minute ! "

Unc ' Billy muttered something , but all that Mrs Possum could hear was " eggs . "

" now don't yo'all get to thinking of such foolishness as eggs , " she commanded .

" it isn't safe to be snooping around Farmer Brown 's hen-house when there 's snow on the ground .

yo ' just fo'get all about eggs !

do yo ' hear what Ah say ? "

Unc ' Billy nodded that he did .

but just the same he couldn't think of anything else .

just the same , Unc ' Billy felt that he had got to have a nice fresh egg .

he had got to have it .

that is all there was about it .

" where are yo ' going ? " demanded Mrs Possum .

" just to stretch the kinks out of mah legs , " replied Unc ' Billy .

old Mrs Possum looked after him suspiciously .

" don't yo ' go fo ' to do any foolishness ! " she called .

Unc ' Billy didn't answer .

he was on his way to Farmer Brown 's hen-house .

XVI

WHY UNC ' BILLY POSSUM DIDN'T GO HOME

Unc ' Billy Possum had a very good reason for not going home , a very good reason , indeed .

even old Mrs Possum would have thought it was a good reason , could she have known it .

sometimes he felt little shivers of fear run all over him as he thought of what might become of him if he should be found .

now Unc ' Billy was very , very crafty .

but with all his craft , there was one thing that Unc ' Billy forgot .

yes , Sir , there was one thing Unc ' Billy forgot all about .

he forgot to keep his tail up .

Illustration : he just ate and ate until he couldn't eat another one .

when Unc ' Billy was safely in the hen-house , he hurried from one nest to another .

there were eggs , plenty of them .

it seemed to him that nothing he had ever seen before had looked half so good as those eggs .

he just ate and ate and ate until he couldn't eat another one .

now a full stomach is very apt to make a sleepy head .

Unc ' Billy knew that the thing for him to do was to hurry home as fast as he could go , but he didn't .

no , Sir , he didn't do it .

the hen-house was warm and here were some of the nicest nests of hay .

why not take a teeny , weeny nap before he started back home ?

Unc ' Billy climbed to the very last nest in the topmost row , way up in a dark corner .

it hadn't been used for a long time , but it was full of nice , soft hay .

he didn't open them again until he heard an angry voice right close to him .

he peeped out .

Farmer Brown 's boy was angry .

yes , indeed , he was very , very angry .

Unc ' Billy shivered as he listened .

then he snuggled down out of sight under the hay of the nest .

XVII

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM LIES LOW

Farmer Brown 's boy was angry .

yes , Sir , he was angry .

there was no doubt about that .

it was a terrible position to be in , right there in the hen-house , with no chance to run .

oh , dear ! oh , dear !

why hadn't he gone right straight back there , after eating those eggs , instead of taking a nap ?

but he hadn't .

he had taken a nap and overslept , and here he was , right in the hen-house , in broad daylight .

I 'll just look around a bit . "

Unc ' Billy almost chuckled as he heard Farmer Brown 's boy go out .

" he 'll find Jimmy Skunk 's tracks , but he won't find mine , " thought Unc ' Billy .

" isn't it lucky that I thought to step right in Jimmy Skunk 's tracks when I came here ? "

he lay still and listened to Farmer Brown 's boy poking around outside .

Unc ' Billy almost chuckled again as he thought what a smart fellow he had been to step in Jimmy Skunk 's tracks .

" hello ! " said the voice of Farmer Brown 's boy .

" these are queer tracks !

he had dragged it in the snow , and of course it had left a mark .

" I guess that there was more than one visitor here last night , " continued the voice of Farmer Brown 's boy .

whoever made them must be right around here now . "

back into the hen-house came Farmer Brown 's boy and began to poke around in all the corners .

he moved all the boxes and looked in the grain bin .

then he began to look in the nests .

Unc ' Billy could hear him coming nearer and nearer .

he was looking in the very next nest to the one in which Unc ' Billy was .

finally he looked into that very nest .

Unc ' Billy Possum held his breath .

" it 's queer , " said Farmer Brown 's boy .

" it 's very queer !

I guess I shall have to set some traps . "

and all the time Unc ' Billy Possum held his breath and lay low .

XVIII

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM IS A PRISONER

" Mah home is in a holler tree It 's a long way home !

ah wish Ah 's there , but here Ah be It 's a long way home !

Unc ' Billy Possum lay curled up under the hay in the highest nest in the darkest corner in Farmer Brown 's hen-house .

Unc ' Billy didn't dare go to sleep , because he was afraid that Farmer Brown 's boy might find him .

and , anyway , he wanted to see just what Farmer Brown 's boy was doing .

so peeping out , he watched Farmer Brown 's boy , who seemed to be very busy indeed .

what do you think he was doing ?

Unc ' Billy knew .

yes , Sir , Unc ' Billy knew just what Farmer Brown 's boy was doing .

he was setting traps .

Unc ' Billy almost chuckled aloud .

yes , Sir , he almost chuckled aloud .

Unc ' Billy laughed under his breath as Farmer Brown 's boy closed the door of the hen-house and went off whistling .

" Ho , ho , ho !

Ha , ha , ha !

Hee , hee ! "

Unc ' Billy broke off short , right in the very middle of his laugh .

he had just thought of something , and it wasn't funny at all .

the joke wasn't on Farmer Brown 's boy , after all ; it was on Unc ' Billy Possum .

but Unc ' Billy couldn't see that it was any joke at all .

" it 's a long way home , " said Unc ' Billy mournfully , as he peeped out of a crack toward the Green Forest .

XIX

WHAT THE SNOW DID

Unc ' Billy Possum did a lot of thinking .

he was a prisoner , just as much a prisoner as if he were in a cage .

if it hadn't been for those two worries , Unc ' Billy would have been willing to stay there the rest of the winter .

it was delightfully warm and cosy .

having all the eggs he could eat , Unc ' Billy had grown very particular .

nothing but the best , the very best , would do for him .

" Cut , cut , cut , cut , cut , cut-aa-cut !

I lay the finest eggs in the world ! "

no one lays such splendid eggs as I do ! "

sometimes the door was left open during the day , and Unc ' Billy would peep out and wish that he dared to run .

at last one day it began to snow .

it snowed all day and it snowed all night .

rough Brother North Wind piled it up in great drifts in front of the hen-house door and all along one side of the hen-house .

it covered the traps so deep that they couldn't possibly catch any one .

XX

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM WISHES HE HAD SNOWSHOES

usually he dislikes the snow very much , and doesn't go out in it any more than he has to .

but this time the snow had done Unc ' Billy a good turn , a very good turn , indeed .

once out of the hen-house , Unc ' Billy lost no time in starting for the Green Forest .

but it was slow , hard work .

you see , the snow was newly fallen and very soft .

of course Unc ' Billy sank into it almost up to his middle at every step .

he huffed and he puffed and he grunted and groaned .

now it never does to let one 's wits go to sleep .

some folks call it forgetting , but forgetting is nothing but sleepy wits .

and sleepy wits get more people into trouble than anything else in the world .

Unc ' Billy Possum 's wits were asleep when he left Farmer Brown 's hen-house .

if they hadn't been , he would have remembered this little saying :

but Unc ' Billy 's wits certainly were asleep .

yes , Sir , Unc ' Billy forgot !

what did he forget ?

Illustration : there all the way from Farmer Brown 's hen-house was a broad trail in the smooth white snow .

Unc ' Billy looked behind him , and he turned pale .

yes , Sir , Unc ' Billy Possum turned pale !

" oh , dear !

oh , dear !

whatever did Ah leave the hen-house for ? " wailed Unc ' Billy .

his wits were all wide awake now .

it wouldn't do to go back .

Farmer Brown 's boy would see that he had gone back , and then he would hunt that hen-house through until he found Unc ' Billy .

Unc ' Billy drew a long breath and began to wade ahead toward the Green Forest .

" if Ah only had snowshoes ! " he panted .

" if Ah only had snowshoes like Mrs Grouse . "

XXI

FARMER BROWN'S BOY CHOPS DOWN A TREE

" there was an old Possum lived up in a tree ; Hi , ho , see the chips fly !

the sliest old thief that you ever did see ; Hi , ho , see the chips fly !

hi , ho , see the chips fly ! "

Farmer Brown 's boy sang as he swung his keen axe , and the chips did fly .

they flew out on the white snow in all directions .

and the louder Farmer Brown 's boy sang , the faster the chips flew .

he didn't have the least doubt about it , and that is why he sang as he made the chips fly .

he had tracked that Possum right up to that tree , and there were no tracks going away from it .

right up near the top he could see a hollow , just such a hollow as a Possum likes .

all he had to do was to cut the tree down and split it open , and Mr Possum would be his .

of course it was Unc ' Billy Possum whose tracks he had followed .

he had seen them outside of the hen-house , just as Unc ' Billy had been afraid that he would .

he couldn't very well have helped it , those tracks were so very plain to be seen .

that had been a long , hard , anxious journey for Unc ' Billy from Farmer Brown 's hen-house to the Green Forest .

the snow was so deep that he could hardly wade through it .

when he reached that hollow tree , he was so tired that it was all he could do to climb it .

of course it wasn't his own hollow tree , where old Mrs Possum and the eight little Possums lived .

he knew better than to go there , leaving a plain track for Farmer Brown 's boy to follow .

so he had been very thankful to climb up this hollow tree .

and , just as he had feared , there was Farmer Brown 's boy .

chop , chop , chop !

the snow was covered with chips now .

chop , chop , chop !

the tree began to shiver and then to shake .

Cra-a-ck !

with a great crash over it went !

but he didn't run out .

Farmer Brown 's boy rapped on the tree with the handle of his axe , but no one ran out .

and as he chopped , he began to sing again .

pretty soon he had split the tree wide open .

in the bottom of the hollow was an old nest of Chatterer the Red Squirrel , and that was all .

Farmer Brown 's boy rubbed his eyes and stared and stared and stared .

there were Unc ' Billy 's tracks leading straight up to that tree and none leading away .

did that Possum have wings ?

XXII

WHERE UNC ' BILLY POSSUM WAS

where was Unc ' Billy Possum ?

that is what Farmer Brown 's boy wanted to know .

that is what Bowser the Hound wanted to know .

where was Unc ' Billy Possum ?

" you certainly did , Unc ' Billy !

how did you do it ? " asked a voice right over Unc ' Billy 's head .

Unc ' Billy looked up in surprise .

there was Tommy Tit the Chickadee .

Unc ' Billy grinned .

" ah just naturally expected Ah was gwine to have visitors , and so Ah prepared a little surprise .

yes , Sah , Ah done prepare a little surprise .

yo ' see , mah tracks in the snow was powerful plain .

yes , Sah , they sho'ly was !

yes , Sah , Ah done get so anxious Ah just couldn't get any rest in mah mind .

Sho ' enough , just before sundown , here he comes .

" so this is whar yo ' live , is it , Mistah Possum ?

ah reckon Bowser and Ah 'll make yo ' a call to-morrow . "

" when I heard him say that , Ah felt right bad .

yes , Sah , Ah sho'ly did feel right smart bad .

ah studied and Ah studied how Ah was gwine to fool Farmer Brown 's boy and Bowser the Hound .

ah done wish Ah had wings like yo ' and Brer Buzzard .

" so po ' ol ' Unc ' Billy sat studying and studying and getting mo ' and mo ' troubled in his mind .

ah didn't waste no mo ' time studying .

no , Sah , Ah just moved right away , and here Ah am . "

" and you didn't leave any tracks , and you didn't have any wings , " said Tommy Tit the Chickadee .

" Dee , dee , dee ! " laughed Tommy Tit merrily .

" be patient , Unc ' Billy , and perhaps you will . "

XXIII

HAPPY JACK SQUIRREL MAKES AN UNEXPECTED CALL

happy Jack Squirrel likes the snow .

he always has liked the snow .

it makes him feel frisky .

when his feet get cold , all he has to do is to scamper up a tree and warm them in his own fur coat .

happy Jack didn't know anything about Unc ' Billy Possum 's troubles .

after frisking about he would stop to rest .

his beautiful , great gray tail would be arched up over his back .

Farmer Brown 's boy called it barking , but it was Happy Jack 's way of shouting .

" I love to romp !

I love to play !

I 'm happy , happy , all the day !

I love the snow , so soft and white !

I love the sun that shines so bright !

I love the whole world , for , you see , The world is very good to me ! "

" hello ! " exclaimed Happy Jack .

" that 's one of the old storehouses of my cousin , Chatterer the Red Squirrel !

I 've got an old storehouse near here , and I guess I 'll see if I have left any nuts in it . "

he scampered over to another hollow tree standing near .

he scampered up the tree as only Happy Jack can and whisked in at the open doorway of the hollow .

happy Jack was so surprised that he didn't know what to do for a second .

Happy Jack was so frightened that he scrambled out as fast as he could .

he could hear a very angry voice inside , and in a minute who should appear at the doorway but Unc ' Billy Possum .

Unc ' Billy had been waked out of a sound sleep , and that was enough to make any one cross .

besides , he had been badly frightened , and that made him crosser still .

" what do you mean by stealing into other folk 's houses ? " demanded Happy Jack , just as angrily .

XXIV

HAPPY JACK SQUIRREL HELPS UNC ' BILLY POSSUM

it is enough to make any one lose his temper .

happy Jack Squirrel lost his .

it is enough to make any one lose his temper .

Unc ' Billy Possum lost his .

and Unc ' Billy Possum sat in the doorway of the hollow tree and showed his teeth to Happy Jack and said unpleasant things .

it really was very dreadful the way those two did talk .

pretty soon he was laughing just as hard as Unc ' Billy Possum .

" Ho , ho , ho !

Ha , ha , ha ! " they laughed together .

finally they had to stop for breath .

" what are you doing in my storehouse , Unc ' Billy ? " asked Happy Jack , when he could stop laughing .

happy Jack put his head on one side and thought very hard .

" why don't you stay right here until the snow goes , Unc ' Billy ? " he asked .

there was a twinkle in Unc ' Billy 's eyes .

happy Jack laughed .

" you 're welcome to stay as long as you like , Unc ' Billy , " he said .

" you better stay right where you are , and I 'll go tell old Mrs Possum where you are . "

" thank yo ' !

thank yo ' !

that is very kind of yo ' , Brer Squirrel .

that will be a great help , fo ' it will lift a great load off mah mind , " said Unc ' Billy .

" to get yourself in trouble is a very easy thing .

I notice that to others it will always worries bring .

but getting out of trouble 's always quite the other way The more you try to wriggle out , the longer you must stay . "

XXV

HAPPY JACK SQUIRREL'S BRIGHT IDEA

he found old Mrs Possum very much worried and very much out of sorts .

you see Unc ' Billy had been gone a long time for him , and she didn't know what had become of him .

but just as soon as she knew that he was safe , she forgot all about how worried she had been .

" yo ' tell Unc ' Billy Possum that Ah don ' care if he never comes back .

Happy Jack chuckled as he started back to tell Unc ' Billy Possum .

he knew perfectly well that old Mrs Possum didn't mean what she said .

he knew that Unc ' Billy would know that she didn't mean it .

then all of a sudden Happy Jack thought of a way for Unc ' Billy to get home without waiting until the snow melted away .

that might be a very long time , for there was a great deal of snow on the ground .

what do you suppose gave Happy Jack his idea ?

why , a tiny little snowflake that hit Happy Jack right on the end of his nose !

yes , Sir , it was that tiny little snowflake that gave Happy Jack Squirrel his bright idea .

he hurried back to the hollow tree where Unc ' Billy was hiding and scrambled up to the doorway .

" hello , Unc ' Billy !

you can go home to-night ! " he shouted .

Unc ' Billy Possum stuck his head out of the doorway .

" what 's that yo ' say , Brer Squirrel ? " he said .

" just look up in the sky , Unc ' Billy ! " said Happy Jack .

Unc ' Billy looked .

the sky was full of dancing snowflakes .

they got in his eyes and clung to his whiskers .

Unc ' Billy shook his head in disgust .

" ah don ' see anything but mo ' snow , and yo ' know Ah don ' like snow ! " he said .

" what yo ' driving at , Brer Squirrel ? "

happy Jack laughed .

" why , it 's just as simple as can be , Unc ' Billy ! " he cried .

" just as soon as it 's dark , you start for home .

it 's going to snow all night , and in the morning there won't be any tracks .

the snowflakes will have covered them all up . "

Unc ' Billy grinned .

" ah believe yo ' are right , Brer Squirrel , Ah believe yo ' are right ! " said Unc ' Billy .

So Unc ' Billy Possum learned how easy it is to get into trouble and how hard to get out of it .

but he isn't the only one who has found this out .

just ask Unc ' Billy 's particular friend , Mistah Mocker the Mocking Bird .

he will tell you the very same thing .

produced by Juliet Sutherland , Richard J Shiffer and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading Team .

MOTHER WEST WIND " WHY " STORIES

by

THORNTON W BURGESS

Author of " old Mother West Wind , " and " the Bed Time Story-Books . "

Illustrations in Color by HARRISON CADY

BOSTON

LITTLE , BROWN , AND COMPANY

@number@

Illustration : " he went right on about his business . "

FRONTISPIECE .

BOOKS BY THORNTON W BURGESS

BEDTIME STORY-BOOKS

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF REDDY FOX @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF JOHNNY CHUCK @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF PETER COTTONTAIL @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF UNC ' BILLY POSSUM @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF MR . MOCKER @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF JERRY MUSKRAT @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF DANNY MEADOW MOUSE @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF GRANDFATHER FROG @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF CHATTERER , THE RED SQUIRREL @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF SAMMY JAY @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF BUSTER BEAR @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF OLD MR . TOAD @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF PRICKLY PORKY @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF OLD MAN COYOTE @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF PADDY THE BEAVER @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF POOR MRS . QUACK @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY COON @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF JIMMY SKUNK @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF BOB WHITE @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF OL ' MISTAH BUZZARD

MOTHER WEST WIND SERIES

@number@

OLD MOTHER WEST WIND @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S CHILDREN @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S ANIMAL FRIENDS @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S NEIGHBORS @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " WHY " STORIES @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " HOW " STORIES @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " WHEN " STORIES @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " WHERE " STORIES

GREEN MEADOW SERIES

@number@

HAPPY JACK @number@

MRS PETER RABBIT @number@

BOWSER THE HOUND @number@

OLD GRANNY FOX

THE BURGESS BIRD BOOK FOR CHILDREN

THE BURGESS ANIMAL BOOK FOR CHILDREN

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I WHY STRIPED CHIPMUNK IS PROUD OF HIS STRIPES II .

WHY PETER RABBIT CANNOT FOLD HIS HANDS III .

WHY UNC ' BILLY POSSUM PLAYS DEAD IV .

WHY REDDY FOX WEARS RED V WHY JIMMY SKUNK NEVER HURRIES VI .

WHY SAMMY JAY HAS A FINE COAT VII .

WHY JERRY MUSKRAT BUILDS HIS HOUSE IN THE WATER VIII .

WHY OLD MAN COYOTE HAS MANY VOICES IX .

WHY MINER THE MOLE LIVES UNDER GROUND X WHY MR . SNAKE CANNOT WINK XI .

WHY BOBBY COON HAS RINGS ON HIS TAIL XII .

WHY THERE IS A BLACK HEAD IN THE BUZZARD FAMILY XIII .

WHY BUSTER BEAR APPEARS TO HAVE NO TAIL XIV .

WHY FLITTER THE BAT FLIES AT NIGHT XV .

WHY SPOTTY THE TURTLE CARRIES HIS HOUSE WITH HIM XVI .

WHY PADDY THE BEAVER HAS A BROAD TAIL

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

" HE WENT RIGHT ON ABOUT HIS BUSINESS "

" AS THEY WERE ALL VERY HUNGRY , THEY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN THE FEAST WOULD BE READY "

" YOU DON'T MEAN TO SAY SO , PETER , " INTERRUPTED GRANDFATHER FROG

HE WOULD MAKE NO REPLY , SAVE TO RUN OUT HIS TONGUE AT THEM

" THEN OLD KING BEAR WISHED THAT HE HADN'T A TAIL "

" IT MUST BE FINE TO FLY , " THOUGHT PETER .

" I WISH I COULD FLY "

" HI , SPOTTY ! "

HE SHOUTED , " WHERE DO YOU LIVE ? "

THE FIRST THING PETER LOOKED TO SEE WAS WHAT KIND OF A TAIL PADDY HAS

I

WHY STRIPED CHIPMUNK IS PROUD OF HIS STRIPES

the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind are great friends of Striped Chipmunk .

they hurry to call on him the very first thing every morning after Old Mother West Wind has brought them down from the Purple Hills .

they always beg him to stop and play with them , but often he refuses .

no , Sir , they never get cross .

if anything , they think just a little bit more of Striped Chipmunk because he won't play .

" when there is work for me to do The sooner started , sooner through . "

so every morning they ask him to play , and every morning they laugh when he says he has too much to do .

now Grandfather Frog is very old and very wise , and he knows all about the days when the world was young .

when he is feeling just right , he dearly loves to tell about those long-ago days .

" Chug-a-rum !

they are stripes of honor , " replied Grandfather Frog , in his deep , gruff voice .

" honor !

oh , how lovely !

do tell us about it !

please do ! " begged the Merry Little Breezes .

" Chug-a-rum ! " began Grandfather Frog , his big , goggly eyes twinkling .

he was always very busy , very busy , indeed , and it was always about his own affairs .

" Just what Striped Chipmunk says now , " broke in one of the Merry Little Breezes .

" old Mr Chipmunk wore just a little , plain brown coat .

it didn't worry him a bit , not a bit , that his coat was just plain brown .

he was perfectly satisfied with his little plain brown coat and took the best of care of it .

over in a little path in the meadow grass was walking old Mr Meadow Mouse .

he was strolling along as if there was nothing in the world to fear .

way back behind him in the same little path , walking very fast but very quietly , was big Mr Bob Cat .

his eyes were yellow , and a hungry look was in them .

he didn't see Mr Meadow Mouse , but he would in a few minutes .

Mr Chipmunk saw that he would , and that there was no place for Mr Meadow Mouse to hide .

" ' Humph !

I never meddle in other people 's affairs , and this is none of my business , ' said little Mr Chipmunk .

" but old Mr Meadow Mouse was a friend .

he thought a great deal of Mr Meadow Mouse , did little Mr Chipmunk .

he couldn't bear to think of what would happen to Mr Meadow Mouse if big Mr Bob Cat should catch him .

of course big Mr Bob Cat looked up right away and saw little Mr Chipmunk sitting on the old stump .

then , with great leaps , he came straight for the old stump on which little Mr Chipmunk was sitting .

" little Mr Chipmunk didn't wait for him to get there .

oh , my , no !

you see , there wasn't time to go anywhere else .

big Mr Bob Cat found the hole in the stump right away .

he snarled when he saw it .

you see it was too small , very much too small , for him to get into himself .

but he could get one hand and arm in , and he did , feeling all around inside for little Mr Chipmunk .

little Mr Chipmunk was frightened almost to death .

yes , Sir , he was frightened almost to death .

he made himself just as flat as he could on the bottom of the hollow and held his breath .

" ' You 'd better come out of there , Mr Chipmunk , or I 'll pull you out ! ' snarled Mr Bob Cat .

" little Mr Chipmunk just snuggled down flatter than ever and didn't say a word .

yes , Sir , it stood right up on end , he was so scared .

when it did that , it tickled the claws of Mr Bob Cat .

Mr Bob Cat grinned .

it was an ugly grin to see .

then he reached in a little farther and made a grab for little Mr Chipmunk .

his wide-spread , sharp claws caught in little Mr Chipmunk 's coat near the neck and tore little strips the whole length of it .

" of course little Mr Chipmunk squealed with pain , for those claws hurt dreadfully , but he was glad that his coat tore .

if it hadn't , Mr Bob Cat would surely have pulled him out .

after a long time , Mr Bob Cat gave up and went off , growling and snarling .

when he thought it was safe , little Mr Chipmunk crawled out of the old stump and hurried home .

he ached and smarted terribly , and his little plain brown coat was torn in long strips .

" ' This is what I get for meddling in the affairs of other folks ! ' said little Mr Chipmunk bitterly .

' If I 'd just minded my own business , it wouldn't have happened . '

" just then he happened to look over to the house of Mr Meadow Mouse .

there was Mr Meadow Mouse playing with his children .

little Mr Chipmunk grinned as well as he could for the pain .

" ' I 'm glad I did it , ' he muttered .

' Yes , Sir , I 'm glad I did it , and I 'm glad that Neighbor Meadow Mouse doesn't know about it .

I 'm glad that nobody knows about it .

' A kindly deed 's most kindly done In secret wrought , and seen of none .

and so I 'm glad that no one knows . '

old Mother Nature 's eyes twinkled as she said :

they are honor stripes , and hereafter you and your children and your children 's children shall always wear stripes . '

II

WHY PETER RABBIT CANNOT FOLD HIS HANDS

happy Jack Squirrel sat with his hands folded across his white waistcoat .

he is very fond of sitting with his hands folded that way .

a little way from him sat Peter Rabbit .

Peter was sitting up very straight , but his hands dropped right down in front .

happy Jack noticed it .

" why don't you fold your hands the way I do , Peter Rabbit ? " shouted Happy Jack .

" I I don't want to , " stammered Peter .

" you mean you can't ! " jeered Happy Jack .

Peter pretended not to hear , and a few minutes later he hopped away towards the dear Old Briar-patch , lipperty-lipperty-lip .

Happy Jack watched him go , and there was a puzzled look in Happy Jack 's eyes .

" I really believe he can't fold his hands , " said Happy Jack to himself , but speaking aloud .

" he can't , and none of his family can , " said a gruff voice .

happy Jack turned to find Old Mr Toad sitting in the Lone Little Path .

" why not ? " asked Happy Jack .

" ask Grandfather Frog ; he knows , " replied Old Mr Toad , and started on about his business .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog .

" old Mr Rabbit , the grandfather a thousand times removed of Peter Rabbit , was always getting into trouble .

yes , Sir , old Mr Rabbit was always getting into trouble .

seemed like he wouldn't be happy if he couldn't get into trouble .

it was all because he was so dreadfully curious about other people 's business , just as Peter Rabbit is now .

it seemed that he was just born to be curious and so , of course , to get into trouble .

my , my , my , such a hurrying and scurrying and worrying as there was !

you see , everybody wanted to look his best when Old Mother Nature arrived , Yes , Sir , everybody wanted to look his best .

" there was the greatest changing of clothes you ever did see .

old King Bear put on his blackest coat .

then everybody began to fix up their homes and make them as neat and nice as they knew how everybody but Mr Rabbit .

" now Mr Rabbit was lazy .

he didn't like to work any more than Peter Rabbit does now .

no , Sir , old Mr Rabbit was afraid of work .

the very sight of work scared old Mr Rabbit .

you see , he was so busy minding other people 's business that he didn't have time to attend to his own .

so his brown and gray coat always was rumpled and tumbled and dirty .

it was all weeds and brambles .

" ' Oh , dear !

oh , dear !

what shall I do ? ' wailed Mr Rabbit , wringing his hands .

" ' Get busy and clean up , ' advised Mr Woodchuck , hurrying about his own work .

" now Mr Woodchuck was a worker and very , very neat .

he meant to have his home looking just as fine as he could make it .

he brought up some clean yellow sand from deep down in the ground and sprinkled it smoothly over his doorstep .

" ' I 'll help you , if I get through my own work in time , ' shouted Mr Woodchuck over his shoulder .

" that gave Mr Rabbit an idea .

Mr Rabbit was very fond of sitting with folded arms .

it was very comfortable .

but this was no time to be doing it , and Mr Skunk told him so .

" ' That 's right , Mr Skunk !

" finally Mr Rabbit had made the round of all his friends and neighbors , and he once more reached his tumble-down house .

she was greatly pleased with all she saw as she went along , until she came to the home of Mr Rabbit .

' Can it be possible that any one really lives here ? '

" at first she was very indignant , oh , very indignant , indeed !

she decided that Mr Rabbit should be punished very severely .

but as she watched him sitting there , dreaming in the warm sunshine , her anger began to melt away .

with a long stick she reached in and tickled the end of his nose .

" Mr Rabbit sneezed , and this made him wake up .

he yawned and blinked , and then his eyes suddenly flew wide open with fright .

he had discovered Old Mother Nature frowning at him .

she pointed a long forefinger at him and said :

' In every single blessed day There 's time for work and time for play .

who folds his arms with work undone Doth cheat himself and spoil his fun . '

III

WHY UNC ' BILLY POSSUM PLAYS DEAD

Unc ' Billy had just grinned and said that they would have to ask his mammy .

it was just so with Peter Rabbit and Johnny Chuck and Striped Chipmunk .

the more they talked about it , the more they wanted to know .

why was it that Unc ' Billy Possum played dead instead of trying to run away when he was surprised by his enemies ?

they always tried to run away .

so did everybody else of their acquaintance excepting Unc ' Billy Possum .

" there must be a reason " said Peter gravely , as he pulled thoughtfully at one of his long ears .

" of course there is a reason , " asserted Johnny Chuck , chewing the end of a blade of grass .

" there 's a reason for everything , " added Striped Chipmunk , combing out the hair of his funny little tail .

" then of course Grandfather Frog knows it , " said Peter .

" of course !

why didn't we think of him before ? " exclaimed the others .

" I 'll beat you to the Smiling Pool ! " shouted Peter .

of course he did , for his legs are long and made for running , but Striped Chipmunk was not far behind .

Johnny Chuck took his time , for he knew that he could not keep up with the others .

besides he was so fat that to run made him puff and blow .

" Chug-a-rum !

what is it you want to know now ? " he demanded , before Peter could fairly get his breath .

grandfather Frog chuckled .

" just to fool people , stupid ! " said he .

" I suspect that his mammy taught him , " said Grandfather Frog , with another chuckle way down deep in his throat .

" but who taught his mammy ? " persisted Striped Chipmunk .

Unc ' Billy Possum 's grandfather a thousand times removed was "

" was this way back in the days when the world was young ? " interrupted Peter .

grandfather Frog scowled at Peter .

" if I have any more interruptions , there will be no story to-day " said he severely .

Peter looked ashamed and promised that he would hold his tongue right between his teeth until Grandfather Frog was through .

grandfather Frog cleared his throat and began again .

he was always very sly , and he played a great many tricks on his neighbors , and sometimes he got them into trouble .

but when he did , he always managed to keep out of their way until they had forgotten all about their anger .

" one morning the very imp of mischief seemed to get into old Mr Possum 's head .

yes , Sir , it certainly did seem that way .

I never knew it to fail .

it 's just as sure as a stomach-ache is to follow overeating . "

Just here Grandfather Frog paused and looked very hard at Peter Rabbit .

he hid Old King Bear 's breakfast , while the latter had his head turned , and then pretended that he had just come along .

he was very polite and offered to help Old King Bear hunt for his lost breakfast .

then , whenever Old King Bear came near the place where it was hidden , old Mr Possum would hide it somewhere else .

old King Bear was hungry , and he worked himself up into a terrible rage , for he was in a hurry for his breakfast .

old Mr Possum was very sympathetic and seemed to be doing his very best to find the lost meal .

at last Old King Bear turned his head suddenly and caught sight of old Mr Possum hiding that breakfast in a new place .

my , my , but his temper did boil over !

it certainly did .

and if he could have laid hands on old Mr Possum that minute , it surely would have been the end of him .

" but old Mr Possum was mighty spry , and he went off through the Green Forest laughing fit to kill himself .

pretty soon he met Mr Panther .

he was very polite to Mr Panther .

" now , Mr Panther was hungry , for he had found nothing for his breakfast that morning .

pretty soon along came Mr Lynx .

it was such a good joke that old Mr Possum tried it on Mr Wolf and Mr Fisher and Mr Fox .

then , one after another , the others came dropping in , each licking his chops , and all very polite to Old King Bear .

Illustration : " as they were all very hungry , they would like to know when the feast would be ready . "

" my , my , my , how angry everybody grew !

with Old King Bear at their head , they started out to hunt for old Mr Possum .

when he saw them coming , he realized that what he had thought was a joke had become no longer a laughing matter for him .

he was too frightened to run , so he scrambled up a tree .

he quite forgot that Mr Panther and Mr Lynx could climb just as fast as he .

up the tree after him they scrambled , and he crept as far out as he could get on one of the branches .

Mr Panther didn't dare go out there , so he just shook the branch .

" old Mr Possum was frightened almost to death .

he shut his eyes , and then he landed with a thump that knocked all the wind from his body .

presently , while he was wondering why they didn't jump on him and tear him to pieces , Old King Bear spoke :

" ' I guess Mr Possum won't play any more jokes , Mr Panther , ' said he .

' You just knocked the life out of him when you shook him off that branch . '

" Mr Panther came over and sniffed at Mr Possum and turned him over with one paw .

all the time Mr Possum lay just as if he were dead , because he was too frightened to move .

' I didn't mean to kill him , ' said Mr Panther .

' We certainly will miss him .

what will we do with him ? '

" ' Leave him here as a warning to others , ' growled Old King Bear .

" each in turn came up and sniffed of Mr Possum , and then they all went about their business .

he waited long enough to make sure that they were out of sight , and then took the shortest way home .

and then a bright idea struck him : he would try the same trick whenever he was caught .

so the next time he got in trouble , instead of running away , he tried playing dead .

Unc ' Billy says it is a lot easier than running away , and safer , too .

besides , it is always such a joke .

now , don't bother me any more , for I want to take a nap , " concluded Grandfather Frog .

" thank you ! " cried Peter Rabbit and Johnny Chuck and Striped Chipmunk , and started off to hunt up Unc ' Billy Possum .

IV

WHY REDDY FOX WEARS RED

Peter Rabbit sat in the middle of the dear Old Briar-patch making faces and laughing at Reddy Fox .

of course that wasn't a nice thing to do , not a bit nice .

now Peter was safe in the dear Old Briar-patch .

you see , Reddy Fox wouldn't run the risk of tearing his handsome red coat on the brambles .

besides , they scratched terribly .

" Reddy Fox is very sly !

Reddy Fox is very spry !

but sly and spry , ' tis vain to try To be as sly and spry as I . "

when Peter Rabbit shouted this , Reddy looked back and showed all his teeth , but Peter only laughed , and Reddy trotted on .

Peter watched him out of sight .

" my !

" you wouldn't , if you had to wear it for the same reason that Reddy Fox has to wear his .

a good heart and honest ways are better than fine clothes , Peter Rabbit . "

Peter looked up .

there was saucy , pert , little Jenny Wren fussing around in one of the old bramble bushes .

" Hello , Jenny ! " said Peter .

" why does Reddy wear a red coat ? "

" do you mean to say that you don't know ? "

Jenny Wren looked very hard at Peter with her sharp eyes .

" I thought everybody knew that !

you certainly are slow , Peter Rabbit .

I haven't time to tell you about it now .

go ask Grandfather Frog ; he knows all about it . "

Jenny Wren bustled off before Peter could find his tongue .

now , you all know how full of curiosity Peter Rabbit is .

Jenny Wren 's busy tongue had set that curiosity fairly boiling over .

he just couldn't sit still for wondering and wondering why Reddy Fox wears a red coat .

he had never thought anything about it before , but now he couldn't get it out of his head .

he just had to know .

there he found Grandfather Frog setting on his big green lily-pad , just as usual .

" if you please , Grandfather Frog , why does Reddy Fox wear a red coat ? " panted Peter , quite out of breath .

" Chug-a-rum ! " grunted Grandfather Frog crossly .

" don't you know that it is very impolite to disturb people when they are having a nap ? "

" I I 'm very sorry .

indeed I am , Grandfather Frog , " said Peter very humbly .

" will you tell me if I come again some time when you are not so sleepy ? "

" Chug-a-rum ! " said he .

if you 'll promise to sit perfectly still and ask no foolish questions , I 'll tell you the story . "

of course Peter promised , and settled himself comfortably to listen .

and this is the story that Grandfather Frog told :

he was so smart that he knew enough not to appear smart , and the fact is his neighbors thought him rather dull .

he was always very polite , very polite indeed , to every one .

yes , Sir , Mr Fox was very polite .

grandfather Frog stopped a minute and looked very hard at Peter after he said this , and Peter looked uncomfortable .

everything he heard he remembered , so that it wasn't long before he knew more about what was going on than all his neighbors together .

but he kept his mouth tight closed , did Mr Fox , and was very humble and polite to everybody .

every night he came home early and went to bed by sundown , and everybody said what good habits Mr Fox had .

" but when everybody else was asleep , Mr Fox used to steal out and be gone half the night .

yes , Sir , sometimes he 'd be gone until almost morning .

sometimes it was a storehouse broken into , and the best things taken .

sometimes it was of worse things that were told in whispers .

now , the very night before she arrived , Mrs Quack , who lived on the river bank , had a terrible fright .

somebody sprang upon her as she was sleeping , and in the struggle she lost all her tail feathers .

mother Nature called all the people of the forest and the meadows together .

she made them all pass before her , and she looked sharply at each one as they went by .

Mr Fox looked meeker than ever , and he was very humble and polite .

it was nothing but a little smear of red clay , but that was enough for Old Mother Nature .

you see , she knew that Mrs Quack 's home was right at the foot of a red claybank .

she didn't say a word until everybody had paid their respects and passed before her .

" all of a sudden Mr Fox became aware that everybody was looking at him , and in every face was hate .

he glanced at his coat .

it was bright red !

then Mr Fox knew that he had been found out , and he sneaked away with his tail between his legs .

the first chance he got , he went to Old Mother Nature and begged her to give him back his old coat .

she promised that she would when his heart changed , and he changed his ways .

but his heart never did change , and his children and his children 's children were just like him .

and now you know why Reddy Fox wears a red coat , " concluded Grandfather Frog .

Peter Rabbit drew a long breath .

" thank you , thank you , Grandfather Frog ! " said he .

" I I think hereafter I 'll be quite content with my own suit , even if it isn't handsome .

Jenny Wren was right .

a good heart and honest ways are better than fine clothes . "

V

WHY JIMMY SKUNK NEVER HURRIES

they romped and raced and danced away , some one way , some another , to see whom they could find to play with .

they knew what he was doing that for .

they knew that he was looking for fat beetles for his breakfast .

they danced over to him and formed a ring around him while they sang :

" who is it never , never hurries ?

who is it never , never worries ?

who is it does just what he pleases , Just like us Merry Little Breezes ?

Jimmy Skunk !

Jimmy Skunk ! "

now not so far away but that he could hear them very plainly sat Peter Rabbit , just finishing his breakfast in a sweet-clover patch .

he sat up very straight , so as to hear better .

of course some of the Merry Little Breezes saw him right away .

they left Jimmy to come over and dance in a circle around Peter , for Peter is a great favorite with them .

and as they danced they sang :

" who is it hops and skips and jumps ?

who is it sometimes loudly thumps ?

who is it dearly loves to play , But when there 's danger runs away ?

Peter Rabbit !

Peter Rabbit ! "

Peter grinned good-naturedly .

he is quite used to being laughed at for always running away , and he doesn't mind it in the least .

" when danger 's near , who runs away will live to run another day , " retorted Peter promptly .

" and we wish that you would tell us the same thing , " cried one of the Merry Little Breezes .

" but I can't , " protested Peter .

" everybody else seems to hurry , at times anyway , but Jimmy never does .

he says it is a waste of energy , whatever that means . "

" I tell you what let's go over to the Smiling Pool and ask Grandfather Frog about it now .

he 'll be sure to know , " spoke up one of the Merry Little Breezes .

" all right , " replied Peter , hopping to his feet .

" but you 'll have to ask him .

away they all hurried to the Smiling Pool .

" oh , Grandfather Frog , why is it that Jimmy Skunk never hurries ? " they panted .

" Chug-a-rum ! " replied Grandfather Frog in his deepest , gruffest voice .

" Chug-a-rum !

probably because he has learned better . "

" oh ! " said one of the Merry Little Breezes , in a rather faint , disappointed sort of voice .

indeed the legs of the last one he tried to swallow stuck out of one corner of his big mouth .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog , trying very hard to get those legs out of sight .

" Chug-a-rum !

I would , if Peter Rabbit were here .

" but he is here ! " cried one of the Little Breezes .

" he 's right over behind that little clump of tall grass . "

" Humph !

I thought he wasn't very far away , " grunted Grandfather Frog , with a twinkle in his great , goggly eyes .

Peter crept out of his hiding-place , looking rather shamefaced and very foolish .

the great-great-ever-so-great grandfather of Jimmy Skunk was slimmer and trimmer than Jimmy is .

he was more like his cousins , Mr Weasel and Mr Mink .

he was just as quick moving as they were .

yes , Sir , Mr Skunk was very lively on his feet .

he was dressed all in black .

" now Mr Skunk was very smart and shrewd , oh , very !

" Mr Skunk had to try his new defence only once or twice before his enemies took the greatest care to let him alone .

he found that he no longer had to run for a safe hiding-place when he met Mr Wolf or Mr Lynx or Mr Panther .

they just snarled at him and passed without offering to touch him .

so Mr Skunk grew very independent and went where he pleased when he pleased .

and , because he no longer had to run from his enemies , he got out of the habit of running .

then he made a discovery .

it wasn't long before Mr Skunk saw that in their hurry they overlooked a great deal .

in fact , by just following after them slowly , he found all he wanted to eat .

" so Mr Skunk began to grow fat .

but Mr Skunk didn't mind .

he went right on about his business .

he never worried , because , you know , he feared nobody .

and he never hurried , because he found that it paid best to go slowly .

in that way he never missed any of the good things that his hurrying , worrying neighbors did .

so he grew fatter and fatter , while others grew thinner .

after a while he almost forgot how to run .

being fat and never hurrying or worrying made him good-natured .

" of course he taught his children to do as he did , and they taught their children .

now you know why Jimmy Skunk , whom you all know , is so independent and never hurries . "

" thank you !

thank you , Grandfather Frog ! " cried the Merry Little Breezes .

" when you want some more foolish green flies , just let us know , and we 'll get them for you . "

" Chug-a-rum !

what are you looking so wistful for , Peter Rabbit ? " demanded Grandfather Frog .

" I I was just wishing that I had a " began Peter .

then suddenly he made a face .

" no , I don't either ! " he declared .

" I guess I 'd better be getting home to the dear Old Briar-patch now .

Mrs Peter probably thinks something has happened to me . "

and away he went , lipperty-lipperty-lip .

VI

WHY SAMMY JAY HAS A FINE COAT

Sammy Jay has a very fine coat , a very beautiful coat .

everybody knows that .

in fact , Sammy 's coat has long been the envy of a great many of his neighbors in the Green Forest .

some of them , you know , have very modest coats .

they are not beautiful at all .

Peter Rabbit often had thought about it .

he has a number of feathered friends whom he likes ever so much better than he does Sammy Jay .

in fact , he and Sammy are forever falling out , because Sammy delights to tease Peter .

but in spite of this , it never seemed to him quite right that Sammy Jay should be so handsomely dressed .

" of course , " said Peter to Grandfather Frog , " old Mother Nature knows a great deal more than I do "

" really !

you don't mean to say so !

Chug-a-rum !

you don't mean to say so , Peter ! " interrupted Grandfather Frog , pretending to be very much surprised at what Peter said .

Illustration : " you don't mean to say so , Peter , " interrupted Grandfather Frog .

Peter grinned and wrinkled his nose at Grandfather Frog .

there must be a reason , I suppose , but for the life of me I cannot understand it .

I should think that she would give such a thief as Sammy Jay the very homeliest suit she could find .

you may depend I would , if I were in her place . "

grandfather Frog chuckled until he shook all over .

" it 's lucky for some of us that you are not in her place ! " said he .

" Chug-a-rum !

it certainly is lucky ! "

" if I were , I would give you a handsome coat , too , Grandfather Frog , " replied Peter .

grandfather Frog suddenly swelled out with indignation .

" Chug-a-rum !

Chug-a-rum !

what 's the matter with the coat I have got , Peter Rabbit ?

tell me that !

who 's got a handsomer one ? "

grandfather Frog glared with his great , goggly eyes at Peter .

" I didn't mean to say that you haven't got a handsome coat .

your coat is handsome , very handsome indeed , Grandfather Frog , " Peter hastened to say .

" I always did like green .

I just love it !

and I should think you would be ever so proud of your white and yellow waistcoat .

I would if it were mine .

what I meant to say is , that if I were in Old Mother Nature 's place , I would give some plain folks handsome suits .

certainly , I wouldn't give such a rascal as Sammy Jay one of the handsomest coats in all the Green Forest .

knowing Sammy as well as I do , it is hard work to believe that he came by it honestly . "

grandfather Frog chuckled way down deep in his throat .

" Sammy came by it honestly enough , Peter .

" but what , Grandfather Frog ? " asked Peter eagerly , when he could keep still no longer .

grandfather Frog settled himself comfortably on his big green lily-pad and looked very hard at Peter .

in the first place , Sammy Jay is not wholly to blame for all his bad habits .

Peter nodded .

' I 'll wait a bit , ' said she to herself , ' and see how he behaves .

perhaps he is truly sorry for what he has done , and I will not have to punish him more . '

" but if Mr Jay was truly sorry , he gave no signs of it .

his bad habits had become fixed , as bad habits have a way of doing .

besides , right down in his heart , he wasn't sorry for what he had done , only angry at having been found out .

" when Old Mother Nature saw this , she changed her mind about taking away his handsome suit .

that bright blue coat was forever giving him away when he was out on mischief .

" you would suppose that he would have mended him ways , wouldn't you ? "

Peter nodded .

" but he didn't .

he grew more sly and crafty than ever .

but in spite of this , he didn't begin to make as much trouble as before .

he couldn't , you know , because of his bright coat .

now what do you think , Peter Rabbit ? "

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog in his deepest voice .

" you may be sure she does .

and another thing , Peter Rabbit : never judge any one by his clothes .

it is a great mistake , a very great mistake .

plain clothes sometimes cover the kindest hearts , and fine clothes often are a warning to beware of mischief . "

" I I don't know but you are right , " admitted Peter .

" I know I am , " said Grandfather Frog .

VII

WHY JERRY MUSKRAT BUILDS HIS HOUSE IN THE WATER

Peter Rabbit and Johnny Chuck had gone down to the Smiling Pool for a call on their old friend , Jerry Muskrat .

but Jerry was nowhere to be seen .

they waited and waited , but no Jerry Muskrat .

" that 's so , " replied Peter .

" I don't see what he has his house in the water for , anyway .

if he had built it on land , like sensible people , we might be able to waken him .

Funny place to build a house , isn't it ? "

Johnny Chuck scratched his head thoughtfully .

" it does seem a funny place , " he admitted .

" it certainly does seem a funny place .

but then , Jerry Muskrat is a funny fellow .

you know how much of the time he stays in the water .

that seems funny to me .

I suppose there is a reason for it , and probably there is a reason for building his house where it is .

I 've found that there is a reason for most things .

probably Jerry 's great-great-grandfather built his house that way , and so Jerry does the same thing . "

Peter Rabbit suddenly brightened up .

there he is , over on his big green lily-pad , and he looks as if he might be feeling very good-natured this morning .

let's go ask him why Jerry Muskrat builds his house in the water . "

grandfather Frog saw them coming , and he guessed right away that they were coming for a story .

he grinned to himself and pretended to go to sleep .

" good morning , Grandfather Frog , " said Johnny Chuck .

grandfather Frog didn't answer .

Johnny tried again , and still no reply .

Peter looked at Grandfather Frog sharply .

he wasn't so sure that that was a real nap .

it seemed to him that there was just the least little hint of a smile in the corners of Grandfather Frog 's big mouth .

" you sit here a minute , " he whispered in Johnny Chuck 's ear .

now just at that place on the bank was growing a toadstool .

Peter looked over at Johnny Chuck and winked .

then he turned around , and with one of his long hind-feet , he kicked the toadstool with all his might .

of course he didn't see it coming , and of course it gave him a great start .

" Chug-a-rum ! " exclaimed Grandfather Frog and dived head first into the water .

a minute later Peter 's sharp eyes saw him peeping out from under a lily-pad to see what had frightened him so .

" Ha , ha , ha ! " shouted Peter , dancing about on the bank .

" Ha , ha , ha !

grandfather Frog , afraid of a toadstool !

Ha , ha , ha ! "

at first Grandfather Frog was angry , very angry indeed .

so presently he climbed back on to his big green lily-pad , blinking his great , goggly eyes and looking just a wee bit foolish .

" Chug-a-rum !

what do you mean by frightening an old fellow like me this way ? "

" oh , Grandfather Frog , do tell us why it is that Jerry Muskrat builds his house in the water .

please do ! "

" goody ! " cried Peter and Johnny Chuck together , sitting down side by side on the very edge of the bank .

" Chug-a-rum ! " he began .

yes , Sir , most of the animals lived in the water , as sensible animals do to-day . "

Peter nudged Johnny Chuck .

" he means himself and his family , " he whispered with a chuckle .

" after a time , " continued Grandfather Frog , " there began to be more land and still more .

then some of the animals began to spend most of their time on the land .

but it was of no use .

you know that is the way with you to-day , Peter Rabbit . "

Peter nodded .

" one day Old Mother Nature found Mr Muskrat sitting on a rock , looking very mournful .

" ' What 's the matter , Mr Muskrat ? ' she asked .

" ' Then why don't you build you a fine house on the land ? ' asked Old Mother Nature .

" Mr Muskrat hesitated .

none of his friends on land had such a big , fine house , and Mr Muskrat was very proud of it .

and that is why Jerry Muskrat has built that fine house in the Smiling Pool and has so few enemies , " concluded Grandfather Frog .

Peter Rabbit drew a long breath , which was almost a sigh .

" I almost wish my grandfather a thousand times removed had been content to stay in the water , too , " he said .

" Chug-a-rum ! " retorted Grandfather Frog .

" if he had , you wouldn't have the dear Old Briar-patch .

be content with what you 've got , "

" I think I will , " said Peter .

VIII

WHY OLD MAN COYOTE HAS MANY VOICES

so those who hear him always say that he has many voices , and that certainly is the way it seems .

no , Sir , he wouldn't have believed you .

and you couldn't have blamed him .

he just couldn't help it .

" why , " said he , " every night I hear a whole crowd yelping and howling together . "

" but you don't ! " insisted the Merry Little Breezes .

" it is Old Man Coyote alone who makes all that noise . "

" don't you suppose I know what I hear ? " demanded Peter .

" no ! " retorted the Merry Little Breezes .

and with that the Merry Little Breezes indignantly raced away to spread the news all over the Green Meadows .

he was still thinking of it as the Black Shadows came creeping down from the Purple Hills across the Green Meadows .

suddenly Peter saw a dark form skulking among the Black Shadows .

at first he thought it was Reddy Fox , only somehow it looked bigger .

Peter , safe in the dear Old Briar-patch , watched .

and now Peter had to believe his eyes rather than his ears .

it was hard , very hard , to believe , but it was so .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog .

this sounded so much like a story that Peter straightway teased Grandfather Frog to tell him all about it .

at last , to get rid of him and enjoy a little quiet and peace , Grandfather Frog did so .

" Chug-a-rum ! " he began , as he always does .

he was just as smart and just as clever .

indeed , he was smart enough and clever enough not to let his neighbors know that he was smart and clever at all .

those were very peaceful times at first , and everybody was on the best of terms with everybody else , as you know .

So Old King Bear ruled in the Green Forest , and everybody was happy and contented .

" but there came a time when food was scarce , and it was no longer easy to get plenty to eat .

it was then that the stronger began to steal from the weaker , and by and by even to prey upon those smaller than themselves .

some of them it made very sly and cunning , like old Mr Fox .

Mr Coyote was another whom it made sly and cunning .

and yet he liked the same things to eat .

" so he used to study and plan how he could outwit them without danger to himself .

Little by little he got the habit of slyly following them when they were hunting , always keeping out of sight .

in this way , he managed to get many meals of scraps .

at last one day , as he stole soft-footed through the Green Forest , he discovered Mr Lynx having a great feast .

why not make Mr Lynx think he had a lot of friends with him ?

it would do no harm to try .

so Mr Coyote put his nose up in the air and howled .

Mr Lynx looked up and grinned .

he had no fear of Mr Coyote .

Mr Lynx stopped eating and looked up a little surprised .

' I wonder if Mr Coyote has got a brother with him , ' thought he .

a minute later Mr Coyote howled again from the place where he had howled in the first place .

Mr Lynx grew anxious and lost his appetite .

' Mr Coyote must have a whole crowd of brothers , ' thought he .

' I guess this is no place for me ! '

with that he started to sneak away .

" Mr Coyote followed him , still trying to make his voice sound like the voices of many .

Mr Lynx gave a hurried look over his shoulder and began to run .

then Mr Coyote returned to the dinner Mr Lynx had left , and ate and ate until he couldn't hold another mouthful .

" so he had plenty to eat from that time on .

and all his children and his children 's children had that same wonderful voice , just as Old Man Coyote has now .

Chug-a-rum !

now scamper home , Peter Rabbit , and see that you don't let Old Man Coyote 's sharp wits get you into trouble . "

" thank you , Grandfather Frog ! " cried Peter and scampered as fast as he could go for the dear , safe Old Briar-patch .

IX

WHY MINER THE MOLE LIVES UNDER GROUND

Striped Chipmunk sat staring at a little ridge where the grass was raised up .

he had often seen little ridges like that without thinking much about them .

he knew that they were made by Miner the Mole .

he had known that ever since he was big enough to begin to ask questions .

" what a queer way of living ! " thought Striped Chipmunk .

I wonder "

" what do you wonder ? "

the voice was so close to Striped Chipmunk that it made him jump .

he whirled about .

there was Johnny Chuck , who had tiptoed up as softly as he knew how , to give Striped Chipmunk a scare .

Johnny grinned .

" what do you wonder ? " he repeated .

Striped Chipmunk made a face at Johnny .

" I wonder something that I bet you don't know , " he replied .

" that 's easy , " replied Johnny .

" there are more things I don't know than I do know , but I 'm always ready to learn .

what is it this time ? "

" why does Miner the Mole live under ground all the time ? "

Striped Chipmunk pointed to the ridge made by Miner .

Johnny Chuck scratched his head thoughtfully .

" I don't know , " he confessed finally .

" I never thought of it before .

of course there must be a reason .

I wonder "

" well , what do you wonder ? "

" the same thing you wonder , " laughed Johnny Chuck .

Striped Chipmunk hadn't anything else to do , so off they started .

on the way they met Jimmy Skunk and Danny Meadow Mouse .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said he in his deep voice .

" it 's very strange to me how little some folks know about their nearest neighbors . "

he looked up and winked at jolly , round , bright Mr Sun .

Striped Chipmunk , Johnny Chuck , Jimmy Skunk , and Danny Meadow Mouse looked as though they felt very foolish , as indeed they did .

" it happened a long time ago , " continued Grandfather Frog .

" when the world was young ? " interrupted Danny Meadow Mouse .

" of course , " replied Grandfather Frog , pretending to be very much put out at such a foolish question .

Danny hung his head and resolved that he would bite his tongue before he asked another question .

" in those days Miner 's great-great-grandfather a thousand times removed didn't live under ground , " continued Grandfather Frog .

" nobody did .

he wasn't so very different from a lot of other animals .

food was plenty , and everybody was on the best of terms with everybody else .

Mr Mole lived just as the rest did .

he went and came as he pleased , and enjoyed the sunshine and took part in all the good times of his neighbors .

everybody liked him , and whenever he made a call , he was sure of a welcome .

but one thing Mr Mole never did ; he never meddled in other people 's affairs .

no , Sir , Mr Mole never poked his nose in where he had no business .

" for a long time everything went smoothly with all the people of the Green Forest and the Green Meadows .

then came hard times .

they grew harder and harder .

food was scarce and kept growing more scarce .

everybody was hungry , and you know how it is with hungry people they grow ugly and quarrelsome .

matters grew worse and worse , and then it was that fear was born .

" now , as I said before , Mr Mole never had meddled with other people 's business , and he didn't now .

he went off by himself to think things over .

' It isn't safe to run around any more , ' said he .

I believe he would have eaten me , if I hadn't crawled into an old hollow stump .

now I can't run fast , because my legs are too short .

I can't climb trees like Mr Squirrel , and I can't swim like Mr Muskrat .

the only thing I can do is to dig . '

when it was finished , he was tired , so he curled up at the bottom for a nap .

he was awakened by hearing voices outside .

he knew those voices right away .

they were the voices of Mr Fox and Mr Badger .

" ' These are terrible times , ' said Mr Fox .

' I 'm so hungry that I 'm wasting away to a shadow .

I wonder who has dug this hole . '

" ' Mr Mole , ' replied Mr Badger .

' I saw him at work here this morning .

have you noticed how very plump he looks ? '

" ' Yes , ' replied Mr Fox .

' He made my mouth water the very last time I saw him .

seems to me I can smell him now .

" ' I tell you what , ' replied Mr Badger .

" with that they went away , leaving Mr Mole shaking with fright at the bottom of his hole .

' It 's of no use , ' thought Mr Mole .

' If I go outside , they will soon find me , and if I stay here , they will dig me out .

oh , dear , oh , dear !

what ever can I do ? '

" he lay there feeling very helpless and miserable , when all of a sudden a thought came to him .

he would make a little tunnel off one side and hide in that .

so he went to work and made a little tunnel off one side just big enough for him to squeeze into .

" but they didn't .

finally they went away , still calling each other names , and from that day to this , Foxes and Badgers have never been friends .

" Mr Mole was very thankful for his narrow escape , and it set him to thinking .

if he had a lot of these underground tunnels , no one would be able to catch him .

it was a splendid idea !

he went to work on it at once .

and then he made a discovery such a splendid discovery !

there was plenty of food to eat right down under ground worms and grubs all he needed .

after that , Mr Mole spent all his time in his tunnels and seldom put his nose outside .

he was safe , and he was comfortable , and he could always find something to eat by digging for it .

" Little by little his old neighbors forgot all about him .

he was perfectly happy and satisfied there , and what is there in life better than to be happy and satisfied ? "

" nothing , " replied Striped Chipmunk , at whom Grandfather Frog happened to be looking when he asked the question .

" right ! " replied Grandfather Frog .

" and now you know why Miner the Mole lives under ground because he is perfectly happy and satisfied there . "

just then up came Peter Rabbit , all out of breath .

" has Grandfather Frog been telling a story ? " he panted .

and to this day Peter Rabbit wonders what the story was that he missed .

x

WHY MR . SNAKE CANNOT WINK

Peter Rabbit and Johnny Chuck were playing tag on the Green Meadows .

but he didn't .

no , Sir , Peter Rabbit didn't do anything of the kind .

it was great fun .

they raced and dodged and twisted and turned .

sometimes Peter was so excited that he would forget and use all four legs .

then Johnny Chuck would shout " no fair ! "

Peter would say that he didn't mean to , and to make up for it would be " it " and try to catch Johnny .

now it happened that curled up on a little grassy tussock , taking an early morning sun-bath , lay little Mr Greensnake .

of course Peter Rabbit and Johnny Chuck were not afraid of him .

if it had been Mr Rattlesnake or Mr Gophersnake , it would have been different .

but from little Mr Greensnake there was nothing to fear , and sometimes , just for fun , Peter would jump right over him .

when he did that , Peter always winked good-naturedly .

but Mr Greensnake never winked back .

then Peter would laugh and wink at him again .

but never once did Mr Greensnake wink back .

Illustration : he would make no reply , save to run out his tongue at them .

Peter was thinking of this as he and Johnny Chuck stretched out in a sunny spot to get their breath and rest .

he mentioned the matter to Johnny Chuck .

" that 's so , " replied Johnny thoughtfully .

" I never have seen any of them wink , either .

do you suppose they can wink ? "

" let's go ask Mr Greensnake , " said Peter .

finally they gave up asking him .

" I tell you what , let's go over to the Smiling Pool and ask Grandfather Frog .

he 'll be sure to know , and perhaps , if he is feeling good , he 'll tell us a story , " said Peter .

so off they scampered to the Smiling Pool .

his eyes twinkled as Peter and Johnny very politely wished him good morning .

" good morning , " said he gruffly .

but Peter had seen that twinkle in his eyes and knew that Grandfather Frog was feeling good-natured in spite of his gruff greeting .

" if you please , Grandfather Frog , why doesn't Mr Greensnake wink at us when we wink at him ? " he asked .

" Chug-a-rum !

because he can't , " replied Grandfather Frog .

" can't ! " cried Peter Rabbit and Johnny Chuck together .

" that 's what I said can't , " replied Grandfather Frog .

" and no more can Mr . Blacksnake , or Mr Rattlesnake , or Mr Gophersnake , or any other member of the Snake family . "

" why not ? " cried Peter and Johnny , all in the same breath .

of course Peter and Johnny promised to sit perfectly still and not say a word .

once Peter opened his mouth to ask why , but remembered in time and closed it again without making a sound .

at last Grandfather Frog cleared his throat once more , and with a far-away look in his great , goggly eyes began :

of course he wasn't old then .

he was young and spry and smart , was Mr Snake .

now there is such a thing as being too smart .

that was the trouble with Mr Snake .

yes , Sir , that was the trouble with Mr Snake .

it certainly was a very bad thing . "

grandfather Frog shook his head gravely .

Mr Snake would go about all day cheating everybody he met .

at night he would go home and chuckle over his smartness .

" now one bad habit almost always leads to another .

from cheating , Mr Snake just naturally slipped to stealing .

yes , Sir , he became a thief .

of course that made trouble right away , but still no one suspected Mr Snake .

he was always very polite to every one and always offering to do favors for his neighbors .

in fact , Mr Snake was very well liked and much respected .

when any one had been robbed , he was always the first to offer sympathy and join in the hunt for the thief .

" So Mr. snake found that lying helped him to cheat and steal , and all the time he kept thinking how smart he was .

but even Mr Snake had a little bit of conscience , and once in a while it would trouble him .

so what do you think he did ?

why , cheating had become such a habit with him that he actually tried to cheat himself to cheat his conscience !

when he was telling a lie , he would wink one eye .

but always he took care to wink the eye that was turned away from the one he was talking to .

" dear me , dear me , such terrible times as there were on the Green Meadows and in the Green Forest !

she had all the little people come before her in turn and tell their troubles .

when it came Mr Snake 's turn , he had no complaint to make .

he seemed to be the only one who had no troubles .

she asked him a great many questions , and for each one he had a ready reply .

of course a great many of these replies were lies , and every time he told one of these , he winked without knowing it .

you see , it had become a habit .

" now , with all his smartness , Mr Snake had forgotten one thing , one very important thing .

it was this : you can't fool Old Mother Nature , and it is of no use to try .

he hadn't been talking three minutes before she knew who was at the bottom of all the trouble .

she let him finish , then called all the others about her and told them who had made all the trouble .

Mr Snake was very bold .

he held his head very high in the air and pretended not to care .

" ' From this time on , no one will believe anything you say , and you shall have no friends .

" and now you know why little Mr Greensnake cannot wink at you ; he hasn't any eyelids to wink with " finished Grandfather Frog .

Peter Rabbit drew a long breath .

" thank you , oh , thank you ever so much , Grandfather Frog , " he said .

" will you tell us next time why Bobby Coon wears rings on his tail ? "

" perhaps , " replied Grandfather Frog .

XI

WHY BOBBY COON HAS RINGS ON HIS TAIL

Peter Rabbit would give Grandfather Frog no peace .

every day Peter visited the Smiling Pool to tease Grandfather Frog for a story for one particular story .

he wanted to know why it is that Bobby Coon wears rings on his tail .

you see , Peter had admired Bobby Coon 's tail for a long time .

but it wasn't envy so much as curiosity that prompted Peter to tease for that story .

Bobby Coon 's tail is very handsome , you know .

it has beautiful rings of black and gray , and Peter didn't know of any other tail at all like it .

" Chug-a-rum ! " began Grandfather Frog , smoothing down his white and yellow waistcoat .

" Chug-a-rum !

some folks seem to think that what they do doesn't matter to anybody but themselves .

that was the way with old Mr Rabbit , who lived a long time ago when the world was young .

but it wasn't so .

" it was the same way with old Mr Coon .

he was dishonest and stole from Old King Bear .

old Mother Nature didn't say anything , but watched him and smiled to herself .

you see , she knew that Mr Coon was beginning a good habit , a very good habit indeed the habit of neatness .

" it was so with Mr Coon .

he found that his food tasted better for being so clean , and he grew very fussy about what he ate .

they spoiled his supper .

yes , Sir , they spoiled his supper .

then he washed his face and brushed his coat .

' Now I feel better , and I know my supper will taste better , ' said he .

" now at this time Mr Coon had a very plain tail .

it was all of one color , a grayish white , not at all pretty .

Mr Coon used to think a great deal about that tail and wish and wish that it was handsome .

sometimes he used to envy Mr Fox his beautiful red tail with its black and white tip .

" ' Good morning , Mr Coon , ' said she in her pleasantest voice .

" Mr Coon got up and made a very low bow .

' Good morning , Mother Nature , ' he replied in his politest manner , which was very polite indeed .

" ' What were you thinking about so hard ? ' asked Old Mother Nature .

" Mr Coon looked a little bit ashamed .

then he sighed .

' I was wishing that my tail was handsomer , ' said he .

' But it is a very good tail as it is , ' he added hastily .

" old Mother Nature 's eyes twinkled .

she sat down beside Mr Coon and asked him all about his affairs , just as if she didn't know all about them already .

she told him how pleased she was to find him so neat and clean , and Mr Coon just tingled all over with pleasure .

at last she got up to go , and her eyes twinkled more than ever , as she said :

" ' By the way , Mr Coon , I am so pleased with your neatness that I am leaving you a reward .

I hope you will like it . '

" Mr Coon didn't see any reward , but he thanked her just the same , and Old Mother Nature went on her way .

Mr Coon watched her out of sight .

then he sat down on the old log again and scratched his head thoughtfully as he looked this way and that .

" ' I wonder what she meant by reward .

I don't see any anywhere , ' he said to himself .

" by and by he just happened to glance at his tail .

you see , Old Mother Nature had left a beautiful , broad , black ring around his tail .

" now about this time , hard times came to all the little people of the Green Forest and the Green Meadows .

every one began to grumble .

Mr Bear grumbled .

Mr Fox grumbled .

Mr Rabbit grumbled .

Mr Jay grumbled .

Mr Squirrel grumbled .

even Mr Chuck grumbled .

and one and all they began to blame Old Mother Nature .

then they began to quarrel among themselves and to steal from each other .

" but Mr Coon didn't grumble , and he didn't go away .

no , Sir , Mr Coon just stuck to his home and did the best he could to find enough to eat .

he kept himself as neat as ever and was always cheerful .

whenever he met one of his grumbling neighbors , he would say :

" ' Better times coming !

better times coming !

old Mother Nature is doing the best she can .

better times coming ! '

" more rings , " cried Peter Rabbit .

" yes , " replied Grandfather Frog , " Mr Coon 's tail was ringed way to the tip .

now you know , Peter Rabbit , why Bobby Coon wears rings on his tail , " concluded Grandfather Frog .

Peter gave a long sigh .

" I think it 's perfectly beautiful , " he said .

" I wish I had rings on my tail . "

and then he wondered why everybody laughed .

XII

WHY THERE IS A BLACK HEAD IN THE BUZZARD FAMILY

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard had just told the story of why he has a bald head and is proud of it .

you know he hasn't a feather on it , and it is very , very red .

" may Ah ask yo ' a question , Brer Buzzard ? " said he .

" Cert'nly , Brer Possum .

Cert'nly , " replied Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

" is Buzzard really your fam'ly name ? " asked Unc ' Billy .

" no , Brer Possum , it isn't , " replied Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

everybody looked surprised .

you see , no one ever had heard him called anything but Buzzard .

but no one said anything , and after a minute or two Ol ' Mistah Buzzard explained .

" Mah fam'ly name is Vulture , " said he .

" An ' do Ah understand that all of your fam'ly have red haids ? " inquired Unc ' Billy .

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard looked down at Unc ' Billy , and he saw a twinkle in Unc ' Billy 's shrewd little eyes .

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard grinned .

" ah knows jes ' what yo ' done got in your mind , Brer Possum , " said he .

" it 's that trifling , no ' count cousin of mine .

he has a bald haid , jes ' like Ah have , but his haid is black instead of red .

that 's because his grandpap was trifling an ' po ' trash , jes ' like he is . "

Peter Rabbit pricked up his ears .

this sounded like another story .

he was curious about that black-headed cousin of Ol ' Mistah Buzzard , very curious indeed .

he wondered if Ol ' Mistah Buzzard would have to be teased for a story , like Grandfather Frog .

anyway , he would find out .

there would be no harm in trying .

" if you please , how does your cousin happen to have a black head ? " asked Peter as politely as he knew how .

" because his grandpap asked too many questions , " replied Ol ' Mistah Buzzard , slyly winking at the others .

everybody laughed , for everybody knows that no one asks more questions than Peter Rabbit .

Peter laughed with the rest , although he looked a wee bit foolish .

but he didn't mean to give up just because he was laughed at .

oh , my , no !

" please , Mr Buzzard , please tell us the story , " he begged .

besides , he rather enjoys telling stories .

wasn't anything going on that this trifling member of the Buzzard fam'ly didn't find out about and meddle in .

he could ask mo ' questions than Peter Rabbit can , an ' anybody that can do that has got to ask a lot . "

everybody looked at Peter and laughed .

Peter made a funny face and laughed too .

" why , I thought it was warm down south ! " interrupted Peter Rabbit .

" so it is , Brer Rabbit !

so it is ! "

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard hastened to say .

so we-uns sit on the chimney-tops whenever ol ' Jack Frost gets to straying down where he have no business .

yo ' see , if we-uns keep our toes warm , we-uns are warm all over .

" one day this no ' count , trifling cousin of Grandpap Buzzard get cold in his feet .

it was on a lil ol ' house , a lil ol ' tumble-down house .

Mistah Buzzard fly right over an ' sit on that chimney-top fo ' to warm his toes .

of course he right smart curious about that lil ol ' tumble-down house and who live there .

" he listen an ' listen .

then he shift ' round to the other side of the chimney an ' listen .

no matter where he sit , he can't hear what being said down inside that lil ol ' tumble-down house .

then what do yo ' think Mistah Buzzard do ?

why , he jes ' stretch his fool haid as far down that chimney as he can an ' listen an ' listen .

yes , Sah , that is jes ' what that no ' count Buzzard do .

but all he hear is jes ' a mumbling and a mumbling , an ' that make him more curious than ever .

" now when he stretch his haid an ' neck down the chimney that way , he get ' em all black with soot .

but he don't mind that .

no , Sah , he don ' mind that a bit .

fact is , he don ' notice it .

he plumb fo'get all about this , an ' he holler down that chimney .

yes , Sah , he holler right down that chimney !

" ' Will yo'-alls please speak a lil louder , ' he holler down the chimney , jes ' like that .

yes , Sah , she sho'ly was plumb scared .

she so scared she tip over a whole kettleful of soup right in the fire .

of course that make a terrible mess an ' a powerful lot of smoke an ' hot ashes fly up the chimney .

they like to choke that no ' count Buzzard to death .

" Mistah Buzzard he give a mighty squawk an ' fly away .

his chillen jes ' like him , an ' his chillen's chillen the same way .

An ' that is the reason that mah cousin who lives down souf done have a black haid , " concluded Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

a little sigh of satisfaction went around the circle of listeners .

as usual , Peter Rabbit was the first to speak .

" that was a splendid story , Mr Buzzard , " said he , " and I 'm ever and ever so much obliged to you .

it was just as good as one of Grandfather Frog 's . "

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard grinned and slowly winked one eye at Unc ' Billy Possum as he replied : " thank yo ' , Brer Rabbit .

that 's quite the nicest thing yo ' could say . "

XIII

WHY BUSTER BEAR APPEARS TO HAVE NO TAIL

Peter Rabbit had something new to bother his bump of curiosity .

and it did bother it a lot .

he had just seen Buster Bear for the first time , and what do you think had impressed him most ?

well , it wasn't Buster 's great size , or wonderful strength , or big claws , or deep , grumbly-rumbly voice .

no , Sir , it wasn't one of these .

it was the fact that Buster Bear seemed to have no tail !

Peter couldn't get over that .

he almost pitied Buster Bear .

you see , Peter has a great admiration for fine tails .

he has always been rather ashamed of the funny little one he has himself .

still , it is a real tail , and he has often comforted himself with that thought .

so the first thing Peter did when he saw Buster Bear was to look to see what kind of a tail he had .

just imagine how surprised he was when he couldn't make sure that Buster had any tail at all .

there was something that might , just might , be meant for a tail , and Peter wasn't even sure of that .

if it was , it was so ridiculously small that Peter felt that he had no reason to be ashamed of his own tail .

he was still thinking about this when he started for home .

off he started , lipperty-lipperty-lip .

grandfather Frog regarded Peter in silence for a minute or two .

then very slowly he asked : " what are your eyes for , Peter Rabbit ?

couldn't you see whether or not he has a tail ? "

" no , Grandfather Frog .

I really couldn't tell whether he has a tail or not , " replied Peter quite truthfully .

" at first I thought he hadn't , and then I thought he might have .

if he has , it doesn't seem to me that it is enough to call a really truly tail . "

" a reminder ! " exclaimed Peter , looking very much puzzled .

" a reminder of what ? "

grandfather Frog cleared his throat two or three times .

Peter nodded and Grandfather Frog went on .

at first , before he was made king of the Green Forest , he didn't mind this at all .

in fact , he was rather pleased that he didn't have a tail .

" this was just Old Mother Nature 's view of the matter .

she had done her very best to give everybody everything that they really needed , and not to give them things which they didn't need .

she couldn't see that Mr Bear had the least need of a tail , and so she hadn't given him one .

" then he was made king over all the people of the Green Forest , and his word was law .

it was a very great honor , and for a while he felt it so and did his best to rule wisely .

he went about just as before , hunting for his living , and had no more time than before for foolish thoughts or vain wishes .

he grew so fat that when he walked , he puffed and wheezed .

he grew so lazy that he wanted to be waited on all the time .

" it happened about this time that he overheard Mr Fox talking to Mr Wolf when they both thought him asleep .

' A pretty kind of a king , he is ! ' sneered Mr Fox .

' The idea of a king without a tail ! '

" ' That 's so , ' assented Mr . wolf .

' Why , even that little upstart , Mr Rabbit , has got a make-believe tail . ' "

grandfather Frog 's eyes twinkled as he said this , and Peter looked very much embarrassed .

but he didn't say anything , so Grandfather Frog went on .

" after that he couldn't think of anything but the fact that he hadn't any tail .

he took particular notice of all who came to pay him tribute , and he saw that every one of them had a tail .

the more he tried not to think of these tails , the more he did think of them .

the more he thought of them , the more discontented he grew because he had none .

he didn't stop to think that probably all of them had use for their tails .

no , Sir , he didn't think of that .

everybody else had a tail , and he hadn't .

he felt that it was a disgrace that he , the king , should have no tail .

he brooded over it so much that he lost his appetite and grew cross and peevish .

" then along came Old Mother Nature to see how things were going in the Green Forest .

of course she saw right away that something was wrong with Old King Bear .

when she asked him what the matter was , he was ashamed to tell her at first .

but after a little he told her that he wanted a tail ; that he could never again be happy unless he had a tail .

nothing that she could say made any difference he wanted a tail .

finally she gave him one .

" for a few days Old King Bear was perfectly happy .

he spent all his spare time admiring his new tail .

but it wasn't long before he found that his new tail was very much in the way .

it bothered him when he walked .

it was in the way when he sat down .

it was a nuisance when he climbed a tree .

he didn't have a single use for it , and yet he had to carry it with him wherever he went .

worse still , he overheard little Mr Squirrel and Mr Possum making fun of it .

" and then Old King Bear wished that he hadn't a tail more than ever he wished that he did have a tail .

again he lost his appetite and grew cross and peevish , so that no one dared come near him .

so matters went from bad to worse , until once more Old Mother Nature visited the Green Forest to see how things were .

very humbly Old King Bear went down on his knees and begged her to take away his tail .

that she left as a reminder lest he should forget the lesson he had learned and should again grow envious .

Illustration : " then Old King Bear wished that he hadn't a tail . "

Peter Rabbit scratched one long ear thoughtfully as he replied : " thank you , Grandfather Frog .

XIV

WHY FLITTER THE BAT FLIES AT NIGHT

Illustration : " it must be fine to fly , " thought Peter .

" I wish I could fly . "

Flitter the Bat made Peter Rabbit 's head dizzy .

Peter couldn't help watching him .

he just had to .

it seemed so wonderful that Flitter could really fly , that whenever he saw him , Peter had to stop and watch .

" it must be fine to fly , " thought Peter .

" I wish I could fly .

if I could , I wouldn't spend all my time flying around the way Flitter does .

I 'd go on long journeys and see the Great World .

and I 'd fly in the daytime , because there is more going on then .

I never see him in the daytime , and I don't even know where he keeps himself .

I never thought of it before , but I wonder why it is that he flies only at night .

I believe I 'll ask Grandfather Frog the very next time I see him . "

now you know that once Peter Rabbit 's curiosity is aroused , it just has to be satisfied .

no sooner did he begin to wonder about Flitter the Bat than he could think of nothing else .

so he watched until the way was clear , and then he started for the Smiling Pool as fast as he could go , lipperty-lipperty-lip .

he hoped he would find Grandfather Frog sitting as usual on his big green lily-pad , and that he would be good-natured .

if he wasn't feeling good-natured , it would be of no use to ask him for a story .

when Peter reached the Smiling Pool he was disappointed , terribly disappointed .

the big green lily-pad was there , but there was no one sitting on it .

somehow the Smiling Pool didn't seem quite like itself without Grandfather Frog sitting there watching for foolish green flies .

Peter 's face showed just how disappointed he felt .

he was just going to turn away when a great , deep voice said :

" Chug-a-rum !

where are your manners , Peter Rabbit , that you forget to speak to your elders ? "

it was Grandfather Frog himself , having his morning swim .

the fact is , I I "

" you want a story , " finished Grandfather Frog for him .

" you can't fool me , Peter Rabbit .

you came over here just to ask me for a story .

I know you , Peter !

I know you !

well , what is it this time ? "

grandfather Frog climbed out on his big green lily-pad and made himself comfortable .

Peter sat still and tried not to show how impatient he felt .

grandfather Frog took his time .

it tickled him to see how hard impatient Peter was trying to be patient , and his big , goggly eyes twinkled .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said he at last , with a suddenness that made Peter jump .

" that 's very good , Peter , very good indeed !

now I 'll tell you the story . "

the latter cleared his throat two or three times , each time as if he intended to begin right then .

it was one of Grandfather Frog 's little jokes .

he did it just to tease Peter .

at last he really did begin , and the very first thing he did was to ask Peter a question .

" what is the reason that you stay in the dear Old Briar-patch when Reddy Fox is around ? "

" so that he won't catch me , of course , " replied Peter .

" very good , " said Grandfather Frog .

" now , why do you go over to the sweet-clover patch every day ? "

" why , because there is plenty to eat there , " replied Peter , looking very , very much puzzled .

" well , now you 've answered your own question , " grunted Grandfather Frog .

" Flitter flies at night because he is safest then , and because he can find plenty to eat . "

" oh , " said Peter , and his voice sounded dreadfully disappointed .

he had found out what he had wanted to know , but he hadn't had a story .

finally Peter sighed , and it was such a heavy sigh !

then very slowly he turned his back on the Smiling Pool and started to hop away .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog in his deepest , story-telling voice .

" a long time ago when the world was young , the great-great-ever-so-great grandfather of Flitter the Bat first learned to fly . "

" I know ! " cried Peter eagerly .

" you told me about that , and it was a splendid story . "

" old Mr Bat had wings ; something no other animal had , but he found that he could no longer run and jump .

he could just flop about on the ground , and was almost helpless .

of course that meant that he could very easily be caught , and so the ground was no longer a safe place for him .

but he soon found that he was not safe in the air in daytime .

old Mr Hawk could fly even faster than he , and Mr Hawk was always watching for him .

at first , Mr Bat didn't know what to do .

he didn't like to go to Old Mother Nature and complain that his new wings were not all that he had thought they would be .

that would look as if he were ungrateful for her kindness in giving him the wings .

" ' I 've got to think of some way out of my troubles myself , ' thought old Mr Bat .

' When I 'm sure that I can't , it will be time enough to go to Old Mother Nature . '

" now of course it is very hard to think when you are twisting and dodging and turning in the air . "

" of course ! " said Peter Rabbit , just as if he knew all about it .

" he flew and he flew and had almost given up hope of finding any such place when he saw a cave .

it looked very black inside , but it was big enough for Mr Bat to fly into , and in he went .

it was just the place to rest and think .

so he rested , and while he rested , he thought and thought .

" by and by he noticed that it was growing dark outside .

' My goodness !

if I am going to get anything to eat to-day , I shall have to hurry , ' thought he .

when he got outside , he found that Mr Sun had gone to bed .

so had all the birds , except Mr Owl and Mr Nighthawk .

now Mr Nighthawk doesn't belong to the Hawk family at all , so there was nothing to fear from him .

then Mr Bat had a very pleasant surprise .

he found the air full of insects , ever so many more than in the daytime .

by being very smart and quick he caught a few before it was too dark for him to see .

they didn't fill his stomach , but they kept him from starving .

as he flew back to the cave , a great idea came to him , the idea for which he had been thinking so hard .

then he would be safe and would not have to complain to Old Mother Nature .

she had given him night-seeing eyes , and he no more had to go hungry .

you ask Flitter if it isn't so . "

Peter grinned .

" he never stays in one place long enough for me to ask him anything , " said he .

" I 'm ever so much obliged for the story , Grandfather Frog .

it pays to make the best of what we have , doesn't it ? "

" it certainly does .

Chug-a-rum !

it certainly does ! " replied Grandfather Frog .

XV

WHY SPOTTY THE TURTLE CARRIES HIS HOUSE WITH HIM

Spotty the Turtle sat on an old log on the bank of the Smiling Pool , taking a sun-bath .

he had sat that way for the longest time without once moving .

Spotty was still there when Peter returned a long time after , and he didn't look as if he had moved .

a sudden thought struck Peter .

he couldn't remember that he ever had seen Spotty 's house .

" hi , Spotty ! " he shouted .

" where do you live ? "

Spotty slowly turned his head and looked up at Peter .

there was a twinkle in his eyes , though Peter didn't see it .

" right here in the Smiling Pool .

where else should I live ? " he replied .

" I mean , where is your house ? " returned Peter .

" of course I know you live in the Smiling Pool , but where is your house ?

is it in the bank or down under water ? "

" it is just wherever I happen to be .

just now it is right here , " said Spotty .

" I always take it with me wherever I go ; I find it much the handiest way . "

Illustration : " hi , Spotty ! " he shouted .

" where do you live ? "

with that Spotty disappeared .

that is to say , his head and legs and tail disappeared .

Peter stared very hard .

then he began to laugh , for it came to him that what Spotty had said was true .

his house was with him , and now he had simply retired inside .

he didn't need any other house than just that hard , spotted shell , inside of which he was now so cosily tucked away .

" that 's a great idea !

Ho , ho , ho !

that 's a great idea ! " shouted Peter .

" I wonder how it happens that he does it , " thought he .

" no wonder he is so slow .

of course , it is very handy to have his house always with him .

as he says , he is always at home .

I I why , how stupid of me !

he doesn't have to run away at all !

all he has got to do is to go inside his house and stay there until the danger is past !

I never thought of that before .

why , that is the handiest thing I ever heard of . "

now Peter knew that there must be a good story about Spotty and his house , and you know Peter dearly loves a good story .

so at the very first opportunity the next day , he hurried over to the Smiling Pool to ask Grandfather Frog about it .

as usual , Grandfather Frog was sitting on his big green lily-pad .

no sooner did Peter pop his head above the edge of the bank of the Smiling Pool than Grandfather Frog exclaimed :

" Chug-a-rum !

you 've kept me waiting a long time , Peter Rabbit .

I don't like to be kept waiting .

if you wanted to know about Spotty the Turtle , why didn't you come earlier ? "

all the time there was a twinkle in the big , goggly eyes of Grandfather Frog .

Peter was so surprised that he couldn't find his tongue .

he hadn't said a word to any one about Spotty , so how could Grandfather Frog know what he had come for ?

you see , it seemed to Peter as if Grandfather Frog had read his very thoughts .

" I I didn't know you were waiting .

truly I didn't , " stammered Peter .

" if I had , I would have been here long ago .

if you please , how did you know that I was coming and what I was coming for ? "

" never mind how I knew .

I know a great deal that I don't tell , which is more than some folks can say , " replied Grandfather Frog .

Peter wondered if he meant him , for you know Peter is a great gossip .

almost everything to-day is the result of things that happened in those long-ago days .

the great-great-ever-so-great grandfather of Spotty the Turtle lived then , and unlike Spotty , whom you know , he had no house .

if he had had , he would have been saved a great deal of trouble and worry .

for a long time everybody lived at peace with everybody else .

now Mr Turtle , living in the Smiling Pool , had plenty to eat .

he had nothing to worry about on that score .

everybody who lives in the Smiling Pool knows that it is the best place in the world , anyway . "

Grandfather Frog winked at Jerry Muskrat , who was listening , and Jerry nodded his head .

" he had two or three very narrow escapes , and these set him to thinking .

he was too slow and awkward to run or to fight .

the only thing he could do was to keep out of sight as much as possible .

so he learned to swim with only his head out of water , and sometimes with only the end of his nose out of water .

at first he was annoyed and started to shake it off .

before he succeeded , he heard someone coming , so he promptly drew in his head and legs and tail .

it was Mr Fisher , and he was very hungry and fierce .

I believe he 'll make me a good dinner . '

for a long time he lay very still .

at last he reached the Smiling Pool and slipped into the water , leaving the piece of bark on the bank .

thereafter , when he wanted to go on land , he would first make sure that no one was watching .

then he would crawl under the piece of bark and get it on his back .

wherever he went he carried the piece of bark so as to have it handy to hide under .

so she began to study how she could help Mr Turtle .

one day she came up behind him just as he sat down to rest .

then she touched the skin of his stomach and turned that into hard shell .

' Now draw in your head and your legs and your tail , ' said she .

" ' Oh , Mother Nature , how can I ever thank you ? ' he cried .

" ' By doing as you always have done , attending wholly to your own affairs , ' replied Old Mother Nature .

" oh , thank you , Grandfather Frog , " exclaimed Peter , drawing a long breath .

" that was a perfectly splendid thing for Old Mother Nature to do . "

you see , he didn't notice that Grandfather Frog was listening when he asked Spotty about his house .

XVI

WHY PADDY THE BEAVER HAS A BROAD TAIL

usually the thing that interests us most is something that we haven't got ourselves .

it is that way with Peter Rabbit .

Peter is not naturally envious .

oh , my , no !

Peter is pretty well satisfied with what he has , which is quite as it should be .

can you guess what it is ?

well , it is his tail .

yes , Sir , that is the one thing that ever really troubles Peter .

you see , Peter 's tail is , nothing but a funny little bunch of cotton , which doesn't look like a tail at all .

why , even little Danny Meadow Mouse has a real tail , short as it is .

and as for Happy Jack Squirrel and Reddy Fox and Bobby Coon and Jimmy Skunk , everybody knows what beautiful tails they have .

once Peter thought about it so much that Grandfather Frog noticed how sober he was and asked Peter what the trouble was .

" why , Peter , " said he , " you look so sober , that I thought you really had something to worry about .

what would you do with a big tail , if you had one ?

it would always be in your way .

just think how many times Reddy Fox or old Granny Fox have almost caught you .

they certainly would have before this , if you had had a long tail sticking out behind for them to get hold of .

I had a long tail when I was young , and I was mighty glad to get rid of it . "

after he heard that , Peter felt better .

he just stared and stared .

he hardly noticed the wonderful dam or the equally wonderful canals which Paddy had made .

the very next morning he hurried over to the Smiling Pool to tell Grandfather Frog about it .

grandfather Frog 's big , goggly eyes twinkled .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said he .

" Paddy the Beaver has one of the most useful tails I know of .

would you like to know how he comes by such a queer tail ? "

Illustration : the first thing Peter looked to see was what kind of a tail Paddy has .

" oh , if you please !

if you please , Grandfather Frog !

I didn't suppose there was such a queer tail in all the world , and I don't see what possible use it can be .

do tell me about it ! " cried Peter .

" Chug-a-rum !

" some people never do learn to use their eyes . "

Peter looked a bit sheepish , but he said nothing and waited patiently .

presently Grandfather Frog cleared his throat two or three times and began to talk .

" once upon a time , long , long ago , when the world was young "

" it seems to me that everything wonderful happened long ago when the world was young , " interrupted Peter .

grandfather Frog looked at Peter severely , and Peter hastened to beg his pardon .

after a long time Grandfather Frog began again .

" he was very thrifty , was Mr Beaver ; not at all like some people I know .

that is how he first came to think of making a dam and a pond .

like his small cousin , Mr Muskrat , he was very fond of the water , and felt most at home and safest there .

that made him think harder than ever .

the more sticks he added , the bigger the pool grew .

Mr Beaver had discovered what a dam is for and how to build it .

" now cutting down trees is hard work .

yes , Siree , cutting down trees is the hardest kind of hard work .

Mr Beaver had to sit up on his hind legs to do it , and his legs grew very , very tired .

in those days he had a tail very much like the tail of Jerry Muskrat .

it was very useful when he was swimming , but it was of no use at all at any other time .

sometimes he tried to brace himself with it when he was sitting up to cut trees , and found it of no help .

" he was working just as usual one day when Old Mother Nature came along to see how he was getting on .

she saw the new dam and the new pond , and she asked Mr Beaver who had made them .

he told her that he had and explained why .

old Mother Nature was greatly pleased , but she didn't say so .

she just passed the time of day with him and then sat down to watch him cut a tree .

she saw him try to brace himself with his useless tail , and she saw him stop to rest his tired legs .

" ' That looks to me like pretty hard work , ' said Old Mother Nature .

" 'So it is , ' replied Mr Beaver , stretching first one leg and then another .

' But things worth having are worth working for , ' and with that he began cutting again .

" ' You ought to have something to sit on , ' said Old Mother Nature , her eyes twinkling .

" Mr Beaver grinned .

" the next morning when he awoke , he had the greatest surprise of his life .

he had a new tail !

it was broad and thick and flat .

it wasn't like any tail he had ever seen or heard of .

it was almost like a stool to sit on , and he could work all day long without tiring his legs .

then was Mr Beaver very happy , and to show how happy he was , he worked harder than ever .

" ' Why , ' he cried , ' I believe it is the most useful tail in all the world ! '

" and then he wished with all his might that Old Mother Nature would return so that he might thank her for it .

and that , " concluded Grandfather Frog , " is how Mr Beaver came by his broad tail .

you see , Old Mother Nature always helps those who help themselves .

and ever since that long-ago day , all Beavers have had broad tails , and have been the greatest workers in the world . "

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mother West Wind ' Why ' Stories by Thornton W Burgess

produced by Juliet Sutherland , Cori Samuel and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading Team .

Illustration : " AS I LIVE , " HE MUTTERED , " THAT IS BOWSER THE HOUND ! "

page @number@

BOWSER THE HOUND

BY

THORNTON W BURGESS

with Illustrations by

HARRISON CADY

GROSSET & DUNLAP

Publishers New York

printed by arrangement with Little , Brown , and Company

copyright , @number@ BY LITTLE , BROWN , AND COMPANY .

all rights reserved

= Dedication =

TO THE CHILD'S LOVING PLAYMATE , LOYAL PROTECTOR AND STAUNCH ALLY THE DOG , THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I OLD MAN COYOTE LEADS BOWSER AWAY @number@

II OLD MAN COYOTE PLAYS A TRICK @number@

III WHAT HAPPENED TO BOWSER @number@

IV POOR BOWSER @number@

V BOWSER SPENDS A BAD NIGHT @number@

VI THE SURPRISE OF BLACKY THE CROW @number@

VII BLACKY THE CROW TAKES PITY ON BOWSER @number@

VIII HOW BLACKY THE CROW HELPED BOWSER @number@

IX OLD MAN COYOTE GIVES OUT DARK HINTS @number@

x HOW REDDY FOX INVESTIGATED @number@

XI A LITTLE UNPLEASANTNESS @number@

XII THE CLEVERNESS OF OLD MAN COYOTE @number@

XIII THE MISCHIEVOUS LITTLE NIGHT BREEZE @number@

XIV THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE @number@

XV REDDY'S FORLORN CHANCE @number@

XVI WHY REDDY WENT WITHOUT A CHICKEN DINNER @number@

XVII FARMER BROWN'S BOY DROPS A PAN OF CORN @number@

XVIII MUTUAL RELIEF @number@

XIX WHERE WAS BOWSER THE HOUND ? @number@

XX WHERE BOWSER WAS @number@

XXI BOWSER BECOMES A PRISONER @number@

XXII FARMER BROWN'S BOY LOOKS IN VAIN @number@

XXIII BOWSER'S GREAT VOICE @number@

XXIV BLACKY TRIES TO GET HELP @number@

XXV BLACKY CALLS ON REDDY FOX @number@

XXVI RED WITS AND BLACK WITS @number@

XXVII THE ARTFULNESS OF BLACKY @number@

XXVIII REDDY FOX DREAMS OF CHICKENS @number@

XXIX REDDY TRIES TO AROUSE BLACKY'S PITY @number@

XXX BLACKY THE CROW IS ALL PITY @number@

XXXI BLACKY IS MUCH PLEASED WITH HIMSELF @number@

XXXII BLACKY WAITS FOR REDDY @number@

XXXIII REDDY WATCHES THE FAT HENS @number@

XXXIV PATIENCE AND IMPATIENCE @number@

XXXV THINGS HAPPEN ALL AT ONCE @number@

XXXVI REDDY HIDES THE FAT HEN @number@

XXXVII FARMER BROWN'S BOY HAS A GLAD SURPRISE @number@

XXXVIII REDDY GOES BACK FOR HIS FAT HEN @number@

XXXIX A VANISHED DINNER @number@

XL WHERE WAS REDDY'S DINNER ? @number@

XLI WHAT BLACKY THE CROW SAW @number@

XLII ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL @number@

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

" as I live , " he muttered , " that is Bowser the Hound ! "

frontispiece

over at the gate of Farmer Brown 's henyard he could see a dark form @number@

somewhere not very far ahead of him was a house @number@

on broad wings it sailed over to that hollow stump @number@

CHAPTER I

OLD MAN COYOTE LEADS BOWSER AWAY

though great or small the matter prove Be faithful in whate'er you do .

' Tis thus and only thus you may To others and yourself be true .

Bowser the Hound .

old Man Coyote is full of tricks .

people with such clever wits as his usually are full of tricks .

on the other hand Bowser the Hound isn't tricky at all .

he just goes straight ahead with the thing he has to do and does it in the most earnest way .

not being tricky himself , he sometimes forgets to watch out for tricks in others .

he always makes up his mind like that whenever he starts out to hunt .

any time he will go without eating for the pleasure of chasing Reddy or Granny Fox , or Old Man Coyote .

now Old Man Coyote was annoyed .

he was and he wasn't afraid of Bowser the Hound .

if Bowser had appeared at almost any other time Old Man Coyote wouldn't have been so annoyed .

but to have Bowser appear just then made him angry clear through .

you see he had just started out to get his dinner .

" what right has he to meddle in other folks ' business ?

I 'll just teach that fellow a lesson ; that 's what I 'll do !

I 'll teach him that he can't interfere with me not be sorry for it . "

so Old Man Coyote ran and ran and ran , and never once did he try to break his trail .

in fact , he took pains to leave a trail that Bowser could follow easily .

after him Bowser ran and ran and ran , and all the time his great voice rang out joyously .

this was the kind of a hunt he loved .

Out of the Green Forest into the Old Pasture , Old Man Coyote led Bowser the Hound .

across the Old Pasture and out on the other side they raced .

farther and farther away from home Old Man Coyote led Bowser the Hound .

instead of circling back as usual , he kept on .

Bowser kept on after him .

by and by he was in strange country , country he had never visited before .

he didn't notice this .

he didn't notice anything but the splendid trail Old Man Coyote was making .

he didn't even realize that he was getting tired .

always in his nose was the tantalizing scent of Old Man Coyote .

Bowser was sure that this time he would catch this fellow who had fooled him so often before .

CHAPTER II

OLD MAN COYOTE PLAYS A TRICK

of people who play tricks beware , Lest they may get you in a snare .

you cannot trust them , so watch out Whenever one may be about .

Bowser the Hound .

there is such a thing as being too much interested in the thing you are doing .

that is the way accidents very often happen .

now just take the case of Bowser the Hound .

Bowser ran with his nose in Old Man Coyote 's tracks and never looked either to left or right .

he would lift his head only to look straight ahead in the hope of seeing Old Man Coyote .

then down would go his nose again to follow that scent .

So Bowser didn't notice that Old Man Coyote was leading him far , far away from home into country with which he was quite unacquainted .

it can be heard a very long distance indeed .

old Man Coyote is himself a tireless runner .

he is not so heavy as is Bowser , so does not tire as easily .

then , too , he had not wasted his breath as had Bowser with his steady baying .

so at last Old Man Coyote decided that the time had come to play a trick .

by and by he came to a river .

at that point there was a high , overhanging bank .

on the very edge of this bank Old Man Coyote made a long leap to one side .

then he made another long leap to the big trunk of a fallen tree .

he ran along this and from the end of it made still another long leap , as long a leap as he could .

then he hid in a little thicket to see what would happen .

CHAPTER III

WHAT HAPPENED TO BOWSER

when a Coyote seems most honest , watch him closest .

Bowser the Hound .

Bowser was very , very tired .

Bowser is wonderfully persistent .

Bowser didn't look to see where he was going .

he didn't care .

so , still baying with all his might and making the hills ring with the sound of his great voice , Bowser kept on .

there was a wicked grin on Old Man Coyote 's face , and in his yellow eyes a look of great eagerness .

in a few minutes Bowser came in sight , his nose in the trail Old Man Coyote had left .

into Bowser 's voice crept a new note of eagerness as his nose picked up the scent stronger than ever .

Straight on he raced and it seemed as if he had gained new strength .

his whole thought was on just one thing catching Old Man Coyote , and Old Man Coyote knew it .

Bowser didn't see that he was coming to a steep bank .

he didn't see it at all until he reached the edge of it , and then he was going so fast that he couldn't stop .

over he went with a frightened yelp !

down , down he fell , and landed with a thump on the ice below .

he landed so hard that he broke the ice , and went through into the cold , black water .

old Man Coyote crept to the edge of the bank and peeped over .

Poor Bowser was having a terrible time .

you see , the cold water had taken what little breath his fall had not knocked out of him .

he doesn't like to go in water anyway .

you know the hair of his coat is short and doesn't protect him as it would if it were long .

old Man Coyote grinned wickedly as he watched Bowser struggling feebly to climb out on the ice .

each time he tried he slipped back , and all the time he was whimpering .

old Man Coyote grinned more wickedly than ever .

I suspect that he hoped that Bowser would not be able to get out .

but after a little Bowser did manage to crawl out , and stood on the ice , shivering shaking .

once more Old Man Coyote grinned , then , turning , he trotted back towards Farmer Brown 's .

CHAPTER IV

POOR BOWSER

follow a crooked trail and you will find a scamp at the end .

Bowser the Hound .

poor Bowser !

you see , Old Man Coyote knew the way back .

he would take his time about getting there , for it really made no particular difference to him when he reached home .

he felt sure he would be able to find something to eat on the way .

but with Bowser it was very different .

Poor Bowser didn't know where he was .

he hadn't the least idea which way to turn .

he couldn't climb up the bank to find his own trail and follow it back home if he wanted to .

you see , that bank was very steep for some distance in each direction , and so it was impossible for Bowser to climb it .

for a few minutes he stood shivering , shaking and whimpering , not knowing which way to turn .

then he started down the river on the ice , for he knew he would freeze if he continued to stand still .

he limped badly because one leg had been hurt in his fall .

after a while he came to a place where he could get up on the bank .

it was in the midst of deep woods and a very , very lonely place .

hard crusted snow covered the ground , but it was better than walking on the ice and for this Bowser was thankful .

which way should he turn ?

where should he go ?

night was coming on ; he was wet , cold and hungry , and as utterly lost as ever a dog was .

poor Bowser !

for a minute or two he sat down and howled from sheer lonesomeness and discouragement .

how he did wish he had left Old Man Coyote alone !

do you wonder that he howled ?

old Man Coyote , trotting along on his way home , heard that howl and understood it .

again he grinned that wicked grin of his , and stopped to listen .

" I don't think he 'll hunt me again in a hurry , " he muttered , then trotted on .

poor Bowser !

hunting for anything but his home was farthest from his thoughts .

CHAPTER V

BOWSER SPENDS A BAD NIGHT

there 's nothing like just sticking to The thing you undertake to do .

there 'll be no cause then , though you fail , To hang your head or drop your tail .

Bowser the Hound .

Bowser was lost , utterly lost .

he hadn't the least idea in which direction Farmer Brown 's house was .

in fact he hadn't the least idea which way to turn to find any house .

but Bowser couldn't stand still for long .

he must keep moving until he found a shelter .

if he didn't he would freeze .

So whimpering and whining , Bowser limped along .

Bowser was not afraid to be out at night as some folks are .

goodness , no !

in fact , on many a moonlight night Bowser had hunted Reddy Fox or Granny Fox all night long .

never once had he felt lonesome then .

but now it was very , very different .

you see , on those nights when he had hunted he always had known where he was .

he had known that at any time he could go straight home if he wanted to .

that made all the difference in the world .

it would have been bad enough , being lost this way , had he been feeling at his best .

being lost always makes one feel terribly lonesome .

Lonesomeness is one of the worst parts of the feeling of being lost .

but added to this was the fact that Bowser was really not in fit condition to be out at all .

he was wet , tired , lame and hungry .

for a long time he kept on until it seemed to him he couldn't drag one foot after another .

then quite suddenly something big and dark loomed up in front of him .

it really wasn't as big as it seemed .

it was a little house , a sugar camp , just such a one as Farmer Brown has near his home .

Bowser crept to the door .

it was closed .

Bowser sniffed and sniffed and his heart sank , for there was no scent of human beings .

then he knew that that little house was deserted and empty .

still he whined and scratched at the door .

by and by the door opened ever so little , for it had not been locked .

Bowser crept in .

in one corner he found some hay , and in this he curled up .

it was cold , very cold , but not nearly as cold as outside that little house .

CHAPTER VI

THE SURPRISE OF BLACKY THE CROW

the harder it is to follow a trail The greater the reason you should not fail .

Bowser the Hound .

at all seasons of the year Blacky the Crow is something of a traveler .

but in winter he is much more of a traveler than in summer .

you see , in winter it is not nearly so easy to pick up a living .

all of the feathered folks have to work and work hard to find food enough to keep them warm .

you know it is food that makes heat in the body .

so in the winter Blacky is in the habit of flying long distances in search of food .

he often goes some miles from the thick hemlock-tree in the Green Forest where he spends his nights .

you may see him starting out early in the morning and returning late in the afternoon .

now Blacky knew all about that river into which Bowser the Hound had fallen .

there was a certain place on that river where Jack Frost never did succeed in making ice .

sometimes things good to eat would be washed up along the edge of this open place .

Blacky visited it regularly .

he was on the way there now , flying low over the tree-tops .

presently he came to a little opening among the trees .

in the middle of it was a little house , a rough little house .

Blacky knew all about it .

it was a sugar camp .

he knew that only in the spring of the year was he likely to find anybody about there .

all the rest of the year it was shut up .

every time he passed that way Blacky flew over it .

Blacky 's eyes are very sharp indeed , as everybody knows .

now , as he drew near , he noticed right away that the door was partly open .

it hadn't been that way the last time he passed .

" Ho ! " exclaimed Blacky .

" I wonder if the wind blew that open , or if there is some one inside .

I think I 'll watch a while . "

for a long time he sat there as silent as the trees themselves .

nothing happened .

he began to grow tired .

rather , he began to grow so hungry that he became impatient .

" if there is anybody in there he must be asleep , " muttered Blacky to himself .

" I 'll see if I can wake him up .

caw , caw , ca-a-w , caw , caw ! "

Blacky waited a few minutes , then repeated his cry .

Blacky was so surprised that he nearly fell from his perch .

" as I live , " he muttered , " that is Bowser the Hound !

it certainly is .

now what is he doing way over here ?

I 've never known him to go so far from home before . "

CHAPTER VII

BLACKY THE CROW TAKES PITY ON BOWSER

beneath a coat of ebon hue May beat a heart that 's kind and true .

the worst of scamps in time of need Will often do a kindly deed .

Bowser the Hound .

" caw , ca-a-w ! " exclaimed Blacky the Crow .

you know Blacky is not used to friendly looks .

he is used to quite the other kind .

Blacky didn't know what to make of it .

he had never been more surprised in his life .

he didn't know which surprised him most , finding Bowser ' way over here where he had no business to be , or Bowser 's friendliness .

never had he thought of Blacky the Crow as a friend .

in fact , he never thought much about Blacky at all .

so he whined softly and wagged his tail feebly as he looked up at Blacky sitting in the top of a tall tree .

presently Bowser limped out to the middle of the little clearing and turned first this way and then that way .

then he sat down and howled dismally .

in an instant Blacky the Crow understood ; Bowser was lost .

" so that 's the trouble , " muttered Blacky to himself .

" that silly dog has got himself lost .

I never will be able to understand how anybody can get lost .

I never in my life was lost , and never expect to be .

but it is easy enough to see that Bowser is lost and badly lost .

my goodness , how lame he is !

I wonder what 's happened to him .

serves him right for hunting other people , but I 'm sorry for him just the same .

what a helpless creature a lost dog is , anyway .

I suppose if he doesn't find a house pretty soon he will starve to death .

old Man Coyote wouldn't .

Reddy Fox wouldn't .

they would catch something to eat , no matter where they were .

CHAPTER VIII

HOW BLACKY THE CROW HELPED BOWSER

the blackest coat may cover the kindest heart .

Bowser the Hound .

perhaps if there had been very much trouble in it , Blacky would not have been quite so ready and willing .

then again , perhaps it isn't fair to Blacky to think that he might not have been willing .

even the most selfish people are sometimes kindly and unselfish .

Blacky knew just where the nearest house was .

Blacky makes it his business to know these things .

he could , if he would , tell you which houses have terrible guns in them and which have not .

it is by knowing such things that Blacky manages to avoid danger .

So Blacky spread his black wings and disappeared over the tree-tops in the direction of the nearest farmhouse .

Bowser watched him disappear and whined sadly , for somehow it made him feel more lonesome than before .

but for one thing he would have gone back to his bed of hay in the corner of that sugar camp .

that one thing was hunger .

it seemed to Bowser that his stomach was so empty that the very sides of it had fallen in .

he just must get something to eat .

then , too , he was very , very stiff from the cold and the wetting he had received the night before .

so poor Bowser made slow work of it , and Blacky the Crow almost lost patience waiting for him to appear .

you see , he knew that Bowser would shortly come to a road .

" if he doesn't know enough to follow that road , he deserves to starve , " thought Blacky .

Bowser did know enough to follow that road .

the instant he saw that road , he knew that if he kept on following it , it would lead him somewhere .

so with new hope in his heart , Bowser limped along .

CHAPTER IX

OLD MAN COYOTE GIVES OUT DARK HINTS

Bowser the Hound .

he didn't have any trouble at all in finding his way back .

you can't lose Old Man Coyote .

no , Sir , you can't lose Old Man Coyote , and it is of no use to try .

so , stopping two or three times to hunt a little by the way , Old Man Coyote trotted back .

he grinned as only Old Man Coyote can grin .

" if he had drowned in that river , I shouldn't have cried over it .

but even as it is , I don't think he will get back here in a hurry .

I must pass the word along . "

" why do you ask ? " said Sammy sharply .

old Man Coyote grinned slyly .

" for no reason at all , Sammy .

for no reason at all , " he replied .

" it just popped into my head that I hadn't heard Bowser 's voice for two or three days .

it set me to wondering if he is sick , or if anything has happened to him . "

that was enough to start Sammy Jay straight for Farmer Brown 's dooryard .

of course Bowser wasn't to be seen .

Sammy hung around and watched .

twice he saw Farmer Brown 's boy come to the door with a worried look on his face and heard him whistle and call for Bowser .

then there wasn't the slightest doubt in Sammy 's mind that something had happened to Bowser .

" he can't fool me .

I almost know he did from the way he grinned . "

CHAPTER X

HOW REDDY FOX INVESTIGATED

In-vest-i-gate if you would know That something is or isn't so .

Bowser the Hound .

to in-vest-i-gate something means to try to find out about it .

if it were true , well , Reddy had certain plans of his own in regard to Farmer Brown 's henhouse .

Reddy had begun by doubting that story because it seemed to have come first from Old Man Coyote .

Reddy would doubt anything with which Old Man Coyote was concerned .

just as soon as the Black Shadows came creeping out from the Purple Hills , Reddy started up towards Farmer Brown 's .

although he was inclined to think it was true that Bowser was not there , he was far too wise to take any unnecessary risk .

he approached Farmer Brown 's dooryard just as carefully as if he knew Bowser to be in his little house as usual .

he kept in the Black Shadows .

he crouched so low that he seemed hardly more than a Black Shadow himself .

every two or three steps he stopped to look , listen , and test the air with his keen nose .

as he drew near Bowser 's own little house , Reddy circled out around it until he could see the doorway .

then he sat down where he could peek around from behind a tree and watch .

he had been there only a few moments when the back door of Farmer Brown 's house opened and Farmer Brown 's boy stepped out .

Reddy didn't run .

he knew that Farmer Brown 's boy would never dream that he would dare come so near .

besides , it was very clear that Farmer Brown 's boy was thinking of no one but Bowser .

he whistled and called just as he had done several times during the day .

but no Bowser came , so after a while Farmer Brown 's boy went back into the house .

there was a worried look on his face .

Reddy barked softly .

then he barked a little louder .

he knew that if Bowser were at home , that bark would bring him out if nothing else did .

Bowser didn't appear .

Reddy grinned .

he was sure now that Bowser was nowhere about .

chuckling to himself , he turned and trotted towards Farmer Brown 's henhouse .

CHAPTER XI

a LITTLE UNPLEASANTNESS

watch a Coyote most closely when it appears that he least needs watching .

Bowser the Hound .

never in his life had Reddy Fox visited Farmer Brown 's henhouse with quite such a comfortable feeling as he now had .

he knew for a certainty that Bowser the Hound was not at home .

he knew because he had finally crept up and peeped in the door of Bowser 's little house .

what had become of Bowser he didn't know , and he didn't care .

it was enough to know that he wasn't about .

once he stopped , and looking up at the lighted windows of the house , grinned .

you see , with Bowser gone , Reddy wasn't the least bit afraid .

" if I can get into that henhouse , " thought Reddy , " I certainly will have one good feast to-night .

that is , I will if those stupid hens are not roosting so high that I can't get them .

I 'll eat one right there . "

Reddy 's mouth watered at the very thought .

" then I 'll take one home to Mrs Reddy .

if there is time we both will come back for a couple more . "

so Reddy made pleasant plans as he approached Farmer Brown 's henhouse .

when he reached it he paused to listen to certain sounds within , certain fretful little cluckings .

Reddy sat down for a minute with his tongue hanging out and the water actually dripping from it .

but Reddy sat there only for a minute .

he was too eager to find out if it would prove to be possible to get inside that henhouse .

his heart gave a leap of joy as he saw that the gate was not quite closed .

all he would have to do would be to push it and enter .

Reddy turned the corner quickly .

his first thought was of Bowser .

it must be that Bowser had returned !

believing in safety first , Reddy did not stop to see who had growled , but ran swiftly a short distance .

then he looked behind him .

over at the gate of Farmer Brown 's henyard he could see a dark form .

at once Reddy knew that it wasn't Bowser the Hound , for it had a bushy tail , while Bowser 's was smooth .

Reddy knew who it was .

it was Old Man Coyote .

Illustration : OVER AT THE GATE OF FARMER BROWN'S HENYARD HE COULD SEE A DARK FORM

CHAPTER XII

THE CLEVERNESS OF OLD MAN COYOTE

who thinks the quickest and the best Is bound to win in every test .

Bowser the Hound .

the meeting of Reddy Fox and Old Man Coyote just outside the gate to Farmer Brown 's henyard had been wholly unexpected to both .

Reddy had been so eager to get inside that gate that when he turned the corner at the henyard he hadn't looked beyond the gate .

if he had looked beyond , he would have seen Old Man Coyote just coming around the other corner .

he was sorry the very instant he did it .

" I should have kept out of sight and let him open that gate and go inside first .

there may be traps in there , for all I know .

when there 's likely to be danger , always let some one else find it out for you if you can . "

old Man Coyote grinned as he said this .

Reddy Fox sat down at a safe distance to watch what Old Man Coyote would do .

inside , Reddy was fairly boiling with disappointment and anger .

he felt that he hated Old Man Coyote more than he hated anybody else he knew of .

he hated him , yet there wasn't a thing he could do about it .

he didn't dare fight Old Man Coyote .

all he could do was to sit there at a safe distance and watch .

the gate of the henyard was open two or three inches .

for a long time Old Man Coyote stood looking through that little opening .

once or twice he thrust his nose out and sniffed cautiously around the gate , but he took the greatest care not to touch it .

finally he turned and trotted away towards the Green Forest .

Reddy sat right where he was , so surprised that he couldn't even think .

" I do believe that fellow didn't know enough to push that gate open , " muttered Reddy to himself .

all this time Old Man Coyote was not so far away as Reddy thought .

he had gone only fat enough to make sure that Reddy couldn't see him .

then , creeping along in the blackest of the Black Shadows , he had returned to a place where he could watch Reddy .

" It's queer that gate should have been left unlocked , " thought Old Man Coyote .

" it may have been an accident , and again it may have been done purposely .

there may not be any danger inside ; then again there may .

I 'm not going to push that gate open or step inside when there is some one to do it for me .

I 'll just leave it for Reddy Fox to do . "

CHAPTER XIII

THE MISCHIEVOUS LITTLE NIGHT BREEZE

A little act of mischief can Upset the deepest , best laid plan .

Bowser the Hound .

Reddy Fox was very pleased with himself as he thought how much smarter he was than Old Man Coyote .

he didn't waste any time in pushing open the henyard gate .

it didn't enter his head that there might be a trap inside .

old Man Coyote , watching from his hiding place , saw Reddy push the gate open and enter the henyard .

" so far , so good , " muttered Old Man Coyote to himself .

" there isn't any trap just inside that gate , so it will be safe enough for me to follow Reddy in there .

I think I 'll wait a bit , however , and see what luck he has in getting into the henhouse .

if he catches a chicken he won't stop to eat it there .

he won't dare to .

then I will have the chicken and will have run no risk . "

you see Old Man Coyote is a very , very clever old sinner .

it was closed , but it wasn't fastened , as Reddy could tell by poking at it .

" it is just a matter of time and patience , " muttered Reddy to himself .

" if I keep at it long enough , I can work it open . "

you see Reddy had done that very thing once before a great while ago .

he guessed that Reddy was having some trouble , but also he knew from Reddy 's actions that Reddy hoped to get inside that henhouse .

now Reddy had left the henyard gate ajar .

if he had pushed it wide open things might have been different .

but he didn't push it wide open .

he left it only halfway open .

by and by there happened along a mischievous little Night Breeze .

there is nothing that a mischievous little Night Breeze enjoys more than making things move .

Reddy Fox was a prisoner !

CHAPTER XIV

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE

you 'll find ' twill often come about That he who 's in fain would be out .

Bowser the Hound .

it certainly is queer what a difference there is between being inside and outside .

sometimes happiness is inside and sometimes it is outside .

just take the case of Reddy Fox .

he had stolen inside of Farmer Brown 's henyard , leaving the gate halfway open .

as he worked he had been filled with great contentment and joy .

he knew that Bowser the Hound had disappeared .

he felt sure that there was nothing to fear , and he fully expected to dine that night on chicken .

then along came a mischievous little Night Breeze and swung that gate shut .

at the click of the latch Reddy turned his head , and in a flash he saw what had happened .

all in an instant everything had changed for Reddy Fox .

fear and despair took the place of contentment and happy anticipations .

he was a prisoner inside that henyard .

frantically Reddy rushed over to the gate .

there wasn't even a crack through which he could thrust his sharp little nose .

then , beside himself with fear , he raced around that henyard , seeking a hole through which he might escape .

there wasn't any hole .

he couldn't dig down under it , because , you know , the ground was frozen hard and covered with snow and an icy crust .

he was caught , and that was all there was to it .

suddenly Reddy became aware of some one just outside the wire fence , looking in and grinning wickedly .

it was Old Man Coyote .

between them was nothing but that wire , but , oh , what a difference !

Reddy was inside and a prisoner .

old Man Coyote was outside and free .

" good evening , Reddy , " said Old Man Coyote .

" I hope you 'll enjoy your chicken dinner .

I would like a chicken dinner myself , but as it is , I think I will enjoy a Mouse or two better .

pay my respects to Farmer Brown 's boy when he comes in the morning . "

with this , Old Man Coyote once more grinned that wicked grin of his and trotted away towards the Green Forest .

CHAPTER XV

REDDY'S FORLORN CHANCE

this saying is both true and terse : there 's nothing bad but might be worse .

Bowser the Hound .

he wouldn't have believed a word of it .

he would have said that he couldn't possibly have been worse off than he was .

he was a prisoner , and he couldn't possibly get out .

he knew that in the morning Farmer Brown 's boy would certainly discover him .

it couldn't be otherwise .

that is , it couldn't be otherwise as long as he remained in that henyard .

there wasn't a thing , not one solitary thing , under or behind which he could hide .

so , to Reddy 's way of thinking , things couldn't possibly have been worse .

but after a while , having nothing else to do , Reddy began to think .

now it is surprising how thinking will change matters .

right away Reddy realized that to have been so caught would have been much worse than being a prisoner in Farmer Brown 's henyard .

this made him feel just a wee , wee bit better , and he began to do some more thinking .

for a long time his thinking didn't help him in the least .

at last , however , he remembered the chicken dinner he had felt so sure he was going to enjoy .

the thought of the chicken dinner reminded him that inside the henhouse it was dark .

he had been inside that henhouse before , and he knew that there were boxes in there .

so once more Reddy went to work at that little sliding door where the hens ran in and out during the day .

he already had found out that it wasn't fastened , and he felt sure that with patience he could open it .

so he worked away and worked away , until at last there was a little crack .

he got his claws in the little crack and pulled and pulled .

the little crack became a little wider .

by and by it was wide enough for him to get his whole paw in .

then it became wide enough for him to get his head half in .

after this , all he had to do was to force himself through , for as he pushed and shoved , the little door opened .

he was inside at last !

CHAPTER XVI

WHY REDDY WENT WITHOUT A CHICKEN DINNER

a dinner is far better lost Than eaten at too great a cost .

Bowser the Hound .

can you imagine Reddy Fox with a chicken dinner right before him and not touching it ?

well , that is just what happened in Farmer Brown 's henhouse .

it wasn't because Reddy had no appetite .

he was hungry , very hungry .

he always is in winter .

then it doesn't often happen that he gets enough to eat at one meal to really fill his stomach .

yet here he was with a chicken dinner right before him , and he didn't touch it .

you see it was this way : Reddy 's wits were working very fast there in Farmer Brown 's henhouse .

he knew that he had only a forlorn chance of escaping when Farmer Brown 's boy should come to open the henhouse in the morning .

he knew that he must make the most of that forlorn chance .

he knew that freedom is a thousand times better than a full stomach .

on one of the lower roosts sat a fat hen .

she was within easy jumping distance .

Reddy knew that with one quick spring she would be his .

if the henyard gate had been open , he would have wasted no time in making that one quick spring .

but the henyard gate , as you know , was closed fast .

it won't do , Reddy ; it won't do .

you can't afford to have the least little thing seem wrong in this henhouse .

what you have got to do is to swallow your appetite and keep quiet in the darkest corner you can find , "

So Reddy Fox spent the rest of the night curled up in the darkest corner , partly behind a box .

all the time his nose was filled with the smell of fat hens .

every little while a hen who was being crowded too much on the roost would stir uneasily and protest in a sleepy voice .

just think of what Reddy suffered .

some foolish folks in Reddy 's place would have eaten that dinner and trusted to luck to get out of trouble later .

but Reddy was far too wise to do anything of that kind .

doing as Reddy did that night is called exercising self-restraint .

everybody should be able to do it .

but it sometimes seems as if very many people cannot do it .

anyway , they don't do it , and because they don't do it they are forever getting into trouble .

Reddy knew when morning came , although the henhouse was still dark .

the big rooster on the topmost perch stretched his long neck , flapped his wings , and crowed at the top of his voice .

Reddy shivered .

" it won't be long now before Farmer Brown 's boy comes , " thought he .

CHAPTER XVII

FARMER BROWN'S BOY DROPS A PAN OF CORN

who when surprised keeps calm and cool Is one most difficult to fool .

Bowser the Hound .

hiding behind a box in the darkest corner of the henhouse , he hardly dared to breathe .

you see , he didn't want those hens to discover him .

Reddy had had experience with hens before .

this was the one thing that Reddy did not want .

his one chance to escape would be to take Farmer Brown 's boy entirely by surprise .

never had time dragged more slowly .

the hens were awake , and several of them flew down to the floor of the henhouse .

they passed so close to where Reddy was hiding that merely by reaching out a black paw he could have touched them .

because he took particular pains not to move , not even to twitch a black ear , they did not see him .

anyway , if they did see him , they took no notice of him .

how the moments did drag !

all the time he lay there listening , wishing that Farmer Brown 's boy would come , yet dreading to have him come .

it seemed ages before he heard sounds which told him that people were awake in Farmer Brown 's house .

finally he heard a distant door slam .

then he heard a whistle , a merry whistle .

it drew nearer and nearer ; Farmer Brown 's boy was coming to feed the hens .

Reddy tried to hold his breath .

suddenly the henhouse door was thrown open and Farmer Brown 's boy stepped inside .

in his hand he held a pan filled with the breakfast he had brought for the hens .

suddenly a box in the darkest corner of the henhouse moved .

Farmer Brown 's boy turned to look , and as he did so a slim form dashed fairly between his legs .

it startled him so that he dropped the pan and spilled the corn all over the henhouse floor .

" great Scott ! " he exclaimed .

" what under the sun was that ? " and rushed to the door to see .

he was just in time to get a glimpse of a red coat and a bushy tail disappearing around a corner of the barn .

CHAPTER XVIII

MUTUAL RELIEF

the wise Fox knows that with every chicken he steals he puts an increased price on his own skin .

Bowser the Hound .

at least , it seemed that way .

would he find the henyard gate open ?

supposing Farmer Brown 's boy had closed it after he entered !

Reddy would then be a prisoner just as he had been all night , and all hope would end .

just imagine with what terrible anxiety and eagerness Reddy looked towards that gate as he dashed out of the open door .

just imagine the relief that was his when he saw that the gate was open .

in that very instant the snowy outside world became more beautiful and wonderful than ever it had been in all his life before .

he was free ! free ! free !

" Reddy Fox ! " he exclaimed .

" now how under the sun did that rascal get in here ? "

then , as he realized that Reddy had actually been inside the henhouse , anxiety for the biddies swept over him .

there were no feathers , and so far as he could see , all the hens were standing or walking about .

at once Farmer Brown 's boy began to count them .

of course , he knew exactly how many there should be .

when he got through counting , not one was missing .

Farmer Brown 's boy was puzzled .

he counted them again .

then he counted them a third time .

he began to think there must be something wrong with his counting .

after the fourth count , however , he was forced to believe that not a single one was missing .

when two people are relieved at the same time , it is called mutual relief .

he went all around that henhouse , trying to find a way by which Reddy Fox had managed to get in .

of course , he discovered that the little sliding door where the biddies go in and out of the henhouse was open .

he guessed that this was the way by which Reddy had entered .

but this didn't explain matters at all .

he knew that the gate had been latched when he entered the henyard that morning .

how had Reddy managed to get into that henyard with that gate closed ?

to this day , Farmer Brown 's boy is still wondering .

CHAPTER XIX

WHERE WAS BOWSER THE HOUND ?

a good Hound never barks on a cold trail .

Bowser the Hound .

where was Bowser the Hound ?

that was the question which was puzzling all the little people who knew him .

also it was puzzling Farmer Brown 's boy and Farmer Brown and Mrs Brown .

I have said that it was puzzling all the little people who knew him .

this is not quite true , because there were two who could at least guess what had become of Bowser .

one was Old Man Coyote , who had , as you remember , led Bowser far away and got him lost .

the other was Blacky the Crow , who had discovered Bowser in his trouble and had helped him .

old Man Coyote didn't know exactly where Bowser was , and he wasn't interested enough to think much about it .

he hoped that Bowser had been so badly lost that he never would return .

Blacky the Crow knew exactly where Bowser was , but he kept it to himself .

it pleases Blacky to have a secret which other people would give much to know .

Blacky is one of those people who can keep a secret .

he isn't at all like Peter Rabbit .

Reddy Fox was one who was very much interested in the fate of Bowser the Hound .

as day after day went by and Bowser did not appear , Reddy had a growing hope that he never would appear .

" I can't imagine what Old Man Coyote could have done to Bowser , " said Reddy to himself .

but he certainly has caused something to happen to Bowser .

if that bothersome dog never returns , it certainly will make things a lot easier for Granny Fox and myself . "

as for Farmer Brown 's boy , he was as much puzzled as any of the little people and a whole lot more worried .

no one had seen him .

it was very mysterious .

it made Farmer Brown 's boy very sad indeed .

his cheery whistle was no longer heard , for he did not feel like whistling .

at last he quite gave up hope of ever again seeing Bowser .

CHAPTER XX

WHERE BOWSER WAS

Bowser the Hound .

you remember that Blacky the Crow led poor Bowser to an old road and there left him .

Blacky reasoned that if Bowser had any sense at all , he would know that that road must lead somewhere and would follow it .

if he didn't have sense enough to do this , he deserved to starve or freeze , was the way Blacky reasoned it out .

of course Blacky knew exactly where the road would lead .

now Bowser did have sense .

of course he did .

the minute he found that road , a great load was taken from his mind .

he no longer felt wholly lost .

the thing that worried him most was whether or not he would have strength enough to keep going until he reached that house .

you remember that he was weak from lack of food , lame , and half frozen .

poor old Bowser !

he certainly was the picture of misery as he limped along that road .

his tail hung down as if he hadn't strength enough to hold it up .

his head also hung low .

he walked on three legs and limped with one of these .

in his eyes was such a look of pain and suffering as would have touched the hardest heart .

he whined and whimpered as he limped along .

but this time it wasn't the smell of a track that tickled his nose ; it was something in the air .

Bowser lifted his head and sniffed long and hard .

what he smelled was smoke .

he knew what that meant .

somewhere not very far ahead of him was a house .

Illustration : SOMEWHERE NOT VERY FAR AHEAD OF HIM WAS A HOUSE .

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with new hope and courage Bowser tried to hurry on .

presently around a turn of the road he saw a farmyard .

into Bowser 's whimper there now crept a little note of eagerness as he dragged himself across the farmyard and up to the back door .

there his strength quite left him .

he didn't have enough left to even bark .

all he could do was whine .

after what seemed a long , long time the door opened , and a motherly woman stood looking down at him .

two minutes later Bowser lay on a mat close by the kitchen stove .

CHAPTER XXI

BOWSER BECOMES A PRISONER

there is no one in all the Great World more faithful than a faithful dog .

Bowser the Hound .

Bowser the Hound was a prisoner .

yes , Sir , Bowser was a sure-enough prisoner .

but there is a great difference in prisons .

Bowser was a prisoner of kindness .

it seems funny that kindness should ever make any one a prisoner , but it is so sometimes .

right away the people in that farmhouse knew what had happened to Bowser .

that is , they knew part of what had happened to him .

they knew that he had been lost and had somehow hurt one leg .

they were very , very good to him .

almost right away after eating Bowser went to sleep and slept and slept and slept .

it was the very best thing he could have done .

the next day he felt a whole lot better , but he was so stiff and lame that he could hardly move .

he didn't try very much .

he was petted and cared for quite as tenderly as he would have been at his own home .

so several days passed , and Bowser was beginning to feel more like himself .

the more he felt like himself , the more he wanted to go home .

so Bowser began to be uneasy .

" this dog doesn't belong anywhere around here , " said the man of the house .

" I know every Hound for miles around , and I never have seen this one before .

he has come a long distance .

we must keep him in the house or chained up .

perhaps some day we may be able to find his owner .

if not , we will keep him .

I am sure he will soon become contented here . "

now that man knew dogs .

had Bowser had the chance , he would have done exactly what that man had said .

he would have tried to find his way home , and he hadn't the least idea in the world in which direction home lay .

but he didn't get the chance to try .

when he was allowed to run out of doors it was always with some one to watch him .

he was petted and babied and made a great deal of , but he knew all the time that he was a prisoner .

he was grateful to these kindly people , but down in his heart was a great longing for Farmer Brown 's boy and home .

he always felt this longing just a wee bit stronger when Blacky the Crow passed over and cawed .

CHAPTER XXII

FARMER BROWN'S BOY LOOKS IN VAIN

loyalty is priceless and Is neither sold nor bought .

alas , how few who seem to know Its value as they ought .

Bowser the Hound .

for several days he tramped through the Green Forest and up through the Old Pasture , looking for signs of Bowser .

his heart was heavy , for you know Bowser was quite one of the family .

he visited every place he could think of where he and Bowser had hunted together .

he had quite given up all hope of ever seeing Bowser alive again .

but he did want to know just what had happened to him , and so he kept searching and searching .

one day Farmer Brown 's boy heard that a strange dog had been found over in the next township .

that afternoon he drove over there , his heart filled with great hope .

but he had his long ride for nothing , for when he got there he found that the strange dog was not Bowser at all .

meanwhile Old Man Coyote and Reddy Fox and Old Granny Fox had become very bold .

they even came up around the henyard in broad daylight .

" you certainly know that he isn't home , and I more than suspect that you know why he isn't home .

I certainly shall have to get another dog to teach you not to be so bold . "

but somehow Farmer Brown 's boy couldn't bring himself quite to taking such a step as getting a new dog .

whenever he went about away from home , he kept an eye out for dogs in the farmyards he passed .

he did it without really thinking anything about it .

he had given up hope of finding Bowser , yet he was always looking for him .

CHAPTER XXIII

BOWSER'S GREAT VOICE

to long for home when far away Will rob of joy the brightest day .

Bowser the Hound .

there is as much difference in the voices of dogs as in the voices of human beings .

for that matter , this is true of many of the little people who wear fur .

Bowser the Hound had a wonderful , deep , clear voice , a voice that could be heard a great distance .

no one who knew it would ever mistake it for the voice of any other Hound .

as a rule , Bowser seldom used that great voice of his save when he was hunting some one .

then , when the scent was strong , he gave tongue so fast that you wondered how he had breath enough left to run .

you remember that Blacky knew just where Bowser was and often flew over that farmyard to make sure that Bowser was still there .

so more than once Blacky heard Bowser 's great voice with its mournful note , and understood it .

it troubled Blacky .

yes , Sir , it actually troubled Blacky .

he knew just what was the matter with Bowser , but for the life of him he couldn't think of any way of helping Bowser .

anyway , they don't give him a chance to try .

I can't lead Farmer Brown 's boy over here because he doesn't understand my talk , and I don't understand his .

there isn't a thing I can do but keep watch .

I wish Bowser would stop barking .

it makes me feel uncomfortable .

yes , Sir , it makes me feel uncomfortable .

it won't do any harm to try , anyway . "

CHAPTER XXIV

BLACKY TRIES TO GET HELP

you 'll find that nothing more worth while can be Than helping others whose distress you see .

Bowser the Hound .

on his way back to the Green Forest near Farmer Brown 's home , Blacky the Crow kept a sharp watch for Old Man Coyote .

Blacky never is out after dark .

you might think that one with so black a coat would be fond of the Black Shadows , but it isn't so at all .

the fact is , bold and impudent as Blacky the Crow is in daylight , he is afraid of the dark .

he is quite as timid as anybody I know of in the dark .

perhaps it isn't quite fair to say that Blacky is afraid of the dark .

it isn't the dark itself that Blacky fears , but it is one who is abroad in the dark .

it is Hooty the Owl .

Hooty would just as soon dine on Blacky the Crow as he would on any one else , and Blacky knows it .

the next morning , bright and early , Blacky flew over to the Old Pasture to the home of Old Man Coyote .

just as he got there he saw Old Man Coyote coming home from an all-night hunt .

" I hope you have had good hunting , " said Blacky politely .

old Man Coyote looked up at Blacky sharply .

Blacky is polite only when he wants to get something .

" there was plenty of hunting , but little enough reward for it , " replied Old Man Coyote .

" what brings you over here so early ?

I should suppose you would be looking for a breakfast . "

now Blacky the Crow is a very wise fellow .

he knows when it is to be sly and crafty and when it is best to be frank and out-spoken .

this was a time for the latter .

" I know where Bowser the Hound is , " said Blacky .

" I saw him yesterday . "

old Man Coyote pricked up his ears and grinned .

" I thought he was dead , " said he .

" it 's a long time since we 've heard from Bowser .

is he well ? "

" quite well , " replied Blacky , " but unhappy .

he is homesick .

I suspect that the trouble with Bowser is that he hasn't the least idea in which direction home lies .

you enjoy running , so why not go with me to pay Bowser a visit and then lead him back home ? "

CHAPTER XXV

BLACKY CALLS ON REDDY FOX

saying what you mean , and meaning what you say Are matters quite as different as night is from the day .

Bowser the Hound .

Blacky the Crow wasted no time with Old Man Coyote after he heard Old Man Coyote laugh .

" you 're a hard-hearted old sinner , " declared Blacky , as he prepared to fly in search of Reddy Fox .

old Man Coyote grinned .

" it is every one for himself , you know , " said he .

" Bowser would do his best to catch me if he had the chance .

so if he is in trouble , he can stay there for all of me . "

it didn't take Blacky long to find Reddy Fox .

you see , it was so early in the morning that Reddy had not retired for his daily nap .

like Old Man Coyote , he was just returning from a night 's hunt when Blacky arrived .

" Hello , Reddy ! " exclaimed Blacky .

" you certainly are looking in mighty fine condition .

that red coat of yours is the handsomest coat I 've ever seen .

I 'm glad you 're not that way , Reddy .

one of the things I like about you is the fact that you never allow your fine coat to make you proud .

that is more than I can say for some folks I know . "

" now what has that black scamp got in his mind , " thought Reddy .

" he never pays compliments unless he wants something in return .

that old black rascal has the smoothest tongue in the Green Forest .

he hasn't come ' way over here just to tell me that I have a handsome coat .

he wouldn't fly over a fence to tell anybody that unless it was for a purpose . "

aloud he said , " good morning , Blacky .

I suppose I must admit I have a fine coat .

to be quite honest , I am not feeling half as fine as I look .

CHAPTER XXVI

RED WITS AND BLACK WITS

this fact you 'll find is always so : he 's quick of wit who fools a Crow .

Bowser the Hound .

there is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby .

his tongue is so smooth that it is a wonder it does not drip oil .

he is crafty , is Blacky .

but these same things are true of Reddy Fox .

no one ever yet had a chance to accuse Reddy Fox of lacking in sharp wits .

Mistakes he makes , as everybody does , but Reddy 's wits are always keen and active .

now Reddy knew perfectly well that Blacky wanted something of him , and this was why he was saying such pleasant things .

it was red wits against black wits .

Reddy was trying to outguess Blacky , and Blacky was trying to outguess Reddy , and both were enjoying it .

people with sharp wits always enjoy matching their wits against other sharp wits .

" you surprise me , " said he .

by the way , I saw Bowser the other day . "

at this , just for an instant , Reddy 's eyes flew wide open .

then they half closed again until they were just two yellow slits .

but quickly as he closed them , Blacky had seen that startled surprise .

" yes , " said Blacky , " I saw Bowser the other day , or at least some one who looked just like him .

wouldn't you like to have him back here , Reddy ? "

" most decidedly no , " replied Reddy with great promptness .

" a dog is a nuisance .

he isn't of any use in the wide , wide world . "

Reddy pretended not to hear this .

" I don't believe you saw Bowser , " said he .

" I don't believe anybody will ever see Bowser again .

I hope not , anyway . "

and Blacky knew by the way Reddy said this that it would be quite useless to ask Reddy to help get Bowser home .

CHAPTER XXVII

THE ARTFULNESS OF BLACKY

who runs in circles never gets far .

Bowser the Hound .

to be artful is to be very clever .

it is to do things in a way so clever that people will not see what you are really doing .

no one can be more artful than Blacky the Crow when he sets out to be .

Blacky was smart enough not to let Reddy know that he was seeking Reddy 's help for Bowser .

he changed the subject very abruptly .

" how are the chickens at Farmer Brown 's ? " inquired he .

Reddy looked up and grinned .

" they seem to be in just as good health as ever , " said he , " so far as I can judge .

Farmer Brown 's boy seems to be terribly suspicious .

he locks them up at night so tight that not even Shadow the Weasel could get his nose inside that henhouse . "

Blacky 's eyes twinkled , but he took care that Reddy should not see them .

" Farmer Brown 's boy is different from some folks I know , " said he .

" how 's that ? " demanded Reddy Fox .

I see them every day when I am flying over .

they certainly are fine-looking hens .

I don't think I 've ever seen fatter ones .

some of them are so fat they can hardly run . "

as Reddy Fox listened , a look of eagerness crept into his eyes , and his mouth began to water .

he just couldn't help it .

" where did you say those hens are ? " he asked , trying to speak carelessly .

" I didn't say , " replied Blacky , turning his head aside to hide a grin .

" it is a long way from here , Reddy , so I don't believe you would really be interested . "

" that all depends , " replied Reddy .

" I would go a long way if it were worth while .

I don't suppose you noticed if there were any dogs about where those hens are ? "

Blacky pretended not to hear this .

" I 've often thought , " said he , " of you and Mrs Reddy as I have looked down at those fat hens .

it is too bad that they are so far away . "

CHAPTER XXVIII

REDDY FOX DREAMS OF CHICKENS

it 's a poor watch-dog who sleeps with both eyes closed .

Bowser the Hound .

Reddy Fox watched Blacky the Crow grow smaller and smaller until he was just a black speck in the distance .

finally he disappeared .

Reddy looked very thoughtful .

he looked that way because he was thoughtful .

in fact , Reddy was doing a lot of hard thinking .

he was thinking about those chickens Blacky had told him of .

the more he thought of them , the hungrier he grew .

you see , Reddy had been having rather a hard time to get enough to eat .

I wish I knew just where that farm is that that black rascal talked about .

I wonder if he has gone that way now .

if I were sure that he has , I would make a little journey in that direction myself .

but I 'm not sure .

that black rascal flies all over the country .

that farm may lie in the direction he has gone now , and it may be in quite the opposite direction .

somehow I 've got to find out in just which direction it is . "

Reddy yawned , for he had been out all night , and he was sleepy .

he decided that the best thing he could do would be to get a good rest .

one must always be fit if one is to get on in this life .

so Reddy curled up to sleep .

hardly had his eyes closed when he began to dream .

it was a beautiful dream .

at least , it was a beautiful dream to Reddy .

fat hens were all about him .

they were so fat that they could hardly walk .

never in all his life had Reddy Fox known anything so wonderful as was that dream .

there were no dogs to worry him .

there were no hunters with dreadful guns .

all he had to do was to reach out and help himself to as many fat hens as he wanted .

when he started for home the fat hens that were left started along with him .

he led a procession of fat hens straight over to his home in the Old Pasture .

CHAPTER XXIX

REDDY TRIES TO AROUSE BLACKY'S PITY

trust a Fox only as far as you can see him , and lock the chickens up before you do that .

Bowser the Hound .

early the next morning , just as on the morning before , Blacky stopped over by Reddy 's house .

this time Reddy was already home .

actually he was waiting for Blacky , though he wouldn't have had Blacky know it for the world .

as soon as he saw Blacky coming , he lay down on his doorstep and pretended not to see Blacky at all .

" good morning , Reddy , " said Blacky , as he alighted in the top of a little tree close by .

Reddy raised his head as if it were all he could do to lift it .

" good morning , Blacky , " said he in a feeble voice .

Blacky looked at him sharply .

" what 's the matter , Reddy ? " he demanded .

" you seem to be feeling badly . "

Reddy sighed .

it was a long , doleful sigh .

" I am feeling badly , Blacky , " said he .

" I never felt worse in my life .

the truth is I I I " Reddy paused .

" you what ? " demanded Blacky , looking at Reddy more sharply than ever .

" I am starving , " said Reddy very feebly .

" I certainly shall starve to death unless I can find some way of getting at least one good meal soon .

you have no idea , Blacky , how dreadful it is to be hungry all the time . "

again Reddy sighed , and followed this with a second sigh and then a third sigh .

Blacky looked behind him so that Reddy might not see the twinkle in his eyes .

for Blacky understood perfectly what Reddy was trying to do .

Reddy wasn't fooling him a bit .

when he looked back at Reddy he was very grave .

he was doing his best to look very sympathetic .

" I 'm right sorry to hear this , Reddy , " said he .

" I certainly am .

I 've been hungry myself more than once .

if you were not so weak , I would be tempted to show you where they are . "

CHAPTER XXX

BLACKY THE CROW IS ALL PITY

people who think that they are fooling others very often discover that they have been fooling themselves .

Bowser the Hound .

I just can't bear to see an old friend starve .

it is too bad that those fat hens are so far away .

I feel sure that one of them would make you quite yourself again . "

" don't don't talk about them , " said Reddy feebly .

" if I could have just one fat hen that is all I would ask .

are they so very far from here ? "

Blacky nodded his head vigorously .

" yes , " said he , " they are a long way from here .

they are such a long way that I 'm afraid you are too weak to make the journey .

" it wouldn't do any harm to try it , perhaps , " suggested Reddy , in a hesitating way .

" it is no worse to starve to death in one place than another , and I never was one to give up without trying .

of course I cannot keep up with you .

in fact , I couldn't if I were feeling well and strong .

perhaps you can tell me just how to find that place , and then I needn't bother you at all . "

Blacky pretended to be lost in thought while Reddy watched him anxiously .

finally Blacky spoke .

" it certainly makes my heart ache to see you in such a condition , Brother Reddy , " said he .

" I tell you what I 'll do .

you know Crows are famous for flying in a straight line when we want to get to any place in particular .

I will fly straight towards that farm where the fat hens are .

you follow along as best you can .

in your feeble condition it will take you a long time to get anywhere near there .

this will give me time to go hunt for my own dinner , and then I will come back until I meet you .

after that , I will show you the way .

now I will start along and you follow . "

Reddy got to his feet as if it were hard work .

then Blacky spread his wings and started off , cawing encouragement .

all the time inside he was laughing to think that Reddy Fox should think he had fooled him .

" he forgot to ask again if there is a dog there , " chuckled Blacky to himself .

as for Reddy , no sooner was Blacky well on his way than he started off at his swiftest pace .

there was nothing weak or feeble in the way Reddy ran then .

he was in a hurry to get to those fat hens .

CHAPTER XXXI

BLACKY IS MUCH PLEASED WITH HIMSELF

you cannot tell from a single feather what a bird looks like , nor from a lone hair how big a dog is .

Bowser the Hound .

straight away towards the farm where Bowser the Hound was flew Blacky the Crow .

In between times Blacky would chuckle to himself .

he was mightily pleased with himself , was Blacky .

in the first place his plan was working beautifully .

you know what he was after was to get Reddy Fox over to that farm where Bowser was .

he hoped that if Reddy should catch one of those fat hens , the farmer would put Bowser on Reddy 's trail .

of course , it all depended on whether Reddy would catch one of those fat hens and whether Bowser would be allowed to hunt him .

Blacky had a plan for making sure that if Reddy did get one of those hens the folks in the farmhouse would know it .

but what tickled Blacky most the knowledge that Reddy Fox thought he was fooling Blacky .

you remember that Reddy had pretended to be very weak .

Blacky knew that Reddy was nothing of the kind .

at the very first opportunity Blacky stopped in the top of a tall tree as if to rest .

his real reason for stopping was to have a chance to look back .

you see , while he was flying he couldn't look behind him .

there was nothing weak or feeble in the way that red speck was coming across the snow-covered fields .

Blacky chuckled hoarsely .

nearer and nearer came the red speck , and of course the nearer it came the larger it grew .

presently it stopped moving fast .

it began to move slowly and stop every once in a while , as if to rest .

Blacky laughed right out .

he knew then that Reddy Fox had discovered him sitting in the top of that tall tree and was once more pretending .

it was a sort of a game , a game that Blacky thoroughly enjoyed .

as soon as he knew that Reddy had discovered him , he once more spread his black wings and started on .

the same thing happened over again .

in fact , Blacky did not fly far this time before once more waiting .

it was great fun to see Reddy suddenly pretend that he was too weak to run .

it was such fun that Blacky quite forgot that he had had no breakfast .

yes , Blacky the Crow was very much pleased with himself .

it looked very much as if he would succeed in helping Bowser the Hound .

this pleased him .

CHAPTER XXXII

BLACKY WAITS FOR REDDY

be wise , my friends , and do not fail To trust a dog who wags his tail .

Bowser the Hound .

just before reaching the farm where the fat hens and Bowser the Hound were , Blacky waited for Reddy Fox to catch up .

it was some time before Reddy appeared , for he wasn't traveling as fast now as when he had started out .

as soon as Blacky saw him he hid in the thick branches of a tall pine-tree .

Reddy didn't see him .

in fact , Blacky had been so far ahead that Reddy had lost sight of him some time before .

Out of the bushes trotted Reddy .

his tongue was hanging out just a little , and he was panting .

Blacky was just about to speak when Reddy stopped .

he stood as still as if he had suddenly been frozen stiff .

his sharp black ears were cocked forward , and his head was turned just a little to one side .

Reddy was listening .

he was listening for the voice of Blacky .

you see , he thought Blacky was still far ahead of him .

for several minutes Reddy stood listening with all his might , and Blacky 's sharp eyes twinkled as he looked down , watching Reddy .

suddenly Reddy sat down .

there was an expression on his sharp face which Blacky understood perfectly .

it was quite plain that Reddy was becoming suspicious .

he had begun to suspect that he had been tricked by Blacky and led so far away from home for nothing .

Down inside Blacky chuckled .

it was a noiseless chuckle , for Blacky did not intend to give himself away until he had to .

but when at last he saw that Reddy was beginning to get uneasy , Blacky spoke .

" you seem to be feeling better , Brother Reddy , " said he .

at the sound of Blacky 's voice , Reddy was so startled that he jumped quite as if he had sat down on a prickly briar .

he was sharp enough to know that it was no longer of any use to pretend .

" I 'm feeling better , " said he .

" the thought of those fat hens has quite restored my strength .

did you say that they are near here ? "

" I didn't say , but " Blacky didn't finish .

he didn't need to .

from the other side of a little swamp in front of them a rooster crowed .

that was answer enough !

Reddy 's yellow eyes gleamed .

in an instant he was on his feet , the picture of alertness .

" are you satisfied that I told the truth ? " asked Blacky .

Reddy nodded .

CHAPTER XXXIII

REDDY WATCHES THE FAT HENS

sooner or later the crookedest trail will straighten .

Bowser the Hound .

at the sound of that rooster 's voice on the other side of the little swamp , Reddy became a changed Fox .

he did not even glance up at Blacky .

he did not even say thank you to Blacky for having shown him the way .

he looked neither to the right nor to the left , but with eyes fixed eagerly ahead , began to steal forward swiftly .

to this he crawled on his stomach and peeped around the end of it .

everything was as Blacky the Crow had said .

they were not shut in by a wire fence as were Farmer Brown 's hens .

some were taking a sun bath just in front of the barn door .

others were scattered about , picking up bits of food which had been thrown out for them .

a few were scratching in some straw in the cowyard .

in the barn a horse stamped .

from the farmhouse sounded the voice of a woman singing .

once the door of the farmhouse opened , and an appetizing odor floated out to tickle the nose of Reddy .

Reddy looked sharply for signs of a dog .

not one could he see .

if there was a dog , he must be either in the barn or in the house .

it was quite clear to Reddy that no Fox had bothered this flock of fat hens .

he was sorely tempted to rush out and grab one of them at once , but he didn't .

he was far too clever to do anything like that until he was absolutely sure that it would be safe .

he was sure that he could get one of those fat hens , but he wanted more .

the thing to do was to be patient until he could catch one without alarming the others .

then perhaps he would be able to catch another .

Reddy decided to be patient and wait .

CHAPTER XXXIV

PATIENCE AND IMPATIENCE

Patience is a virtue In a cause that 's right .

in a cause that isn't , It 's a cause for fright .

Bowser the Hound .

one of the first things that the little people of the Green Forest and the Green Meadows who hunt other little people learn is patience .

sometimes it takes a long time to learn this , but it is a necessary lesson .

Reddy Fox had learned it .

Reddy knew that often even his cleverness would not succeed without patience .

when he was young he had lost many a good meal through impatience .

Reddy could not remember when he had been more hungry than he was now .

if he were discovered , there would be small chance for him to get another fat hen .

Reddy is keen enough to make the most of an opportunity .

he knew that if he could get one of these hens without frightening the others , he would have a chance to get another .

he might have a chance to get several in this way .

so , though he was so eager and so hungry , he made himself keep perfectly still , while he studied out a plan .

by and by he stole ever so carefully around back of the barn to the cowyard .

some of those fat hens were scratching in the straw of the cowyard .

Just outside the cowyard was a pile of old boards .

Reddy crawled behind this pile of old boards and then crouched and settled himself to be patient .

he knew that sooner or later one of those fat hens would be likely to come out of the cowyard .

in this way he might be able to catch one without the others knowing a thing about it .

Blacky the Crow sat in the top of a tall tree where he could see all that was going on .

Blacky was as impatient as Reddy was patient .

" why doesn't the red rascal rush in and get one of those fat hens ? " muttered Blacky .

" what is the matter with him , anyway ?

I wonder if he is afraid .

he could catch one of them without half trying , and there he lies as if he expected them to run right into his mouth .

I don't want to sit here all day .

yet I can't do a thing until he catches one of those hens . "

CHAPTER XXXV

THINGS HAPPEN ALL AT ONCE

the cleverest Fox is almost certain to visit the chicken yard once too often .

Bowser the Hound .

in the cowyard back of the barn of this particular farm stood several cows contentedly chewing their cuds as they took their daily airing .

half a dozen fat hens were walking about among them and scratching in the straw .

Out in the farmyard in front of the barn were many more fat hens .

behind a pile of old boards just outside the cowyard was a spot of red .

in the top of a tall tree not far distant was a spot of black .

the smoke from the chimney of the farmhouse floated skyward in a lazy way .

looking down on the Great World , jolly , round , bright Mr Sun saw no more peaceful scene anywhere .

by and by a fat hen walked over to the bars of the cowyard and hopped up on the lower bar .

there she sat for some time .

right then things happened all at once .

that red spot behind the pile of old boards suddenly came to life .

now those who know Blacky well , know when he is screaming " Fox !

fox !

fox ! " although it sounds as if he were saying " caw !

caw !

caw ! "

in a moment the door of the farmhouse flew open , and a man stepped out with a dog at his heels .

the man looked up at Blacky , and he knew by Blacky 's actions that something was going on back of the barn .

just as Reddy reached the edge of the swamp , he heard the roar of a great voice behind him .

he knew that voice .

it was the voice of Bowser the Hound .

it could be no one else but Bowser who was behind him , for there was no other voice quite like his .

dismay awoke in Reddy 's heart .

to do it he would have to drop that fat hen he had come so far to get .

do you wonder that Reddy was dismayed ?

CHAPTER XXXVI

REDDY HIDES THE FAT HEN

dishonesty will run away Where Honesty will boldly stay .

Bowser the Hound .

Reddy Fox was in a fix !

he certainly was in a fix !

Reddy 's wits were working quite as fast as his legs .

" I can't carry this fat hen far , " thought Reddy , " for Bowser will surely catch me .

goodness , what a noise he makes ! "

as he ran , Reddy watched sharply this way and that way for a place to hide the fat hen .

he knew he must find a place soon , because already that fat hen was growing very heavy .

presently he spied the hollow stump of a tree .

he didn't know it was hollow when he first saw it , but from its looks he thought it might be .

the top of it was only about two feet above the ground .

Reddy stopped and stood up on his hind legs so as to see if the top of that stump was hollow .

it was .

he had no intention of running any farther than he must .

in the first place he had traveled so far that he did not feel like running .

in the second place he wanted to get back to that hollow stump and the fat hen just as soon as possible .

it wasn't long before Reddy realized that it was not going to be so easy to fool Bowser the Hound .

Reddy didn't know that country about there at all , and little by little he began to realize how much this meant .

at home he knew every foot of the ground for a long distance in every direction .

this made all the difference in the world , because he knew just how to play all kinds of tricks .

but here it was different .

it seemed to him that all he could do was to run and run .

CHAPTER XXXVII

FARMER BROWN'S BOY HAS A GLAD SURPRISE

the sweetest sound in the world is the voice of one you love .

Bowser the Hound .

Farmer Brown 's boy had an errand which took him far from home .

he harnessed the horse to a sleigh and started off right after dinner .

Farmer Brown 's boy was not thinking of Bowser .

he had almost reached the place he had started for when ' way off across the fields to his right he heard a dog .

now Farmer Brown 's boy enjoys listening to the sound of a Hound chasing a Fox .

there is something about it which stirs the blood .

he stopped whistling and stopped the horse in order that he might listen better .

at first that sound was very , very faint , but as Farmer Brown 's boy listened , it grew louder and clearer .

suddenly Farmer Brown 's boy leaped up excitedly .

" that 's Bowser ! " he cried .

" as sure as I live that 's good old Bowser !

I would know that voice among a million ! "

he leaped from the sleigh and tied the horse .

then he climbed over the fence and began to run across the snow-covered fields .

he could tell from the sound in what direction Bowser was running .

at last he reached an old road .

he felt certain that Reddy would follow that road .

so he hid behind an old stone wall on the edge of it .

he did not have long to wait .

a red form appeared around a turn in the old road , running swiftly .

then it stopped and stood perfectly still .

of course it was Reddy Fox .

he was listening to make sure just how far behind him Bowser was .

he listened for only a moment and then started on as swiftly as before .

right down the road past Farmer Brown 's boy Reddy ran , and never once suspected he was being watched .

a few minutes later another form appeared around the turn in the road .

it was Bowser !

yes , Sir , it was Bowser !

with a glad cry Farmer Brown 's boy jumped over the stone wall and waited .

CHAPTER XXXVIII

REDDY GOES BACK FOR HIS FAT HEN

joy will make a puppy of an old dog .

Bowser the Hound .

when Bowser the Hound is following the trail of Reddy Fox , it takes a great deal to make him leave that trail .

his love of the hunt is so great that , as a rule , nothing short of losing the trail will make him stop .

he will follow it until he cannot follow it any longer .

but for once Bowser actually forgot that he was following Reddy Fox .

yes , Sir , he did .

he didn't see him until he almost ran into him .

for just a second Bowser stared in utter surprise .

then with a little yelp of pure joy he leaped up and did his best to lick his master 's face .

he yelped and whined and barked .

he nearly knocked Farmer Brown 's boy down by leaping up on him .

he raced around in circles .

when at last he was still long enough , Farmer Brown 's boy just threw his arms around him and hugged him .

he hugged him so hard he made Bowser squeal .

then two of the happiest folks in all the Great World started back across the snow-covered fields to the sleigh .

Bowser and Farmer Brown 's boy were not the only ones who rejoiced .

Reddy Fox had been badly worried .

that would mean giving up the fat hen which he had hidden in the hollow stump .

of course , Reddy knew the instant that Bowser began to yelp and bark that something had happened .

what it was he couldn't imagine .

he sat down to wait and listen .

then he heard the voice of Farmer Brown 's boy .

Reddy knew that voice and he grinned , for he felt sure that Bowser would give up the hunt .

he grinned because now he would have a chance to go back for that fat hen .

at the same time that grin was not wholly a happy grin , because Reddy knew that now Bowser would return to his home .

presently Reddy very carefully crept back to a place where he could see what was going on .

Reddy 's thoughts were very pleasant thoughts , for they were all of the fine dinner of which he now felt sure .

CHAPTER XXXIX

a VANISHED DINNER

Bowser the Hound .

yes , Sir , very pleasant were the thoughts of Reddy Fox .

he felt sure that no dinner he had ever eaten had tasted anywhere near as good as would the dinner he was about to enjoy .

in the first place his stomach had not been really filled for a long time .

there is nothing like a good appetite to make things taste good .

Reddy certainly had the appetite to make that fat hen the finest dinner a Fox ever ate .

so , with pleasant thoughts of the feast to come , Reddy trotted along swiftly .

presently he reached the little swamp in which was the hollow stump .

as he drew near it , he moved very carefully .

you see , he was not quite sure that all was safe .

so Reddy used his eyes and his ears and his nose as only he can use them .

all seemed safe .

it was as still in that little swamp as if no living creature had ever visited it .

stopping every few steps to look , listen , and sniff , Reddy approached that hollow stump .

then he blinked his eyes very fast indeed .

if ever there has been a surprised Fox in all the Great World that one was Reddy .

there was no fat hen in that hollow !

Reddy couldn't believe it .

he wouldn't believe it .

that fat hen just had to be there .

he blinked his eyes some more and looked again .

all he saw in that hollow stump was a feather .

the fat hen had vanished .

all Reddy 's dreams of a good dinner vanished too .

a great rage took their place .

somebody had stolen his fat hen !

Reddy looked about him hurriedly and anxiously .

there wasn't a sign of anybody about , or that anybody had been there .

Reddy 's anger began to give place to wonder and then to something very like fear .

how could anybody have taken that fat hen and left no trace ?

and how could a fat hen with a broken neck disappear of its own accord ?

it gave Reddy a creepy feeling .

CHAPTER XL

WHERE WAS REDDY'S DINNER ?

often it is better to look for a new trail than to waste time hunting for an old one .

Bowser the Hound .

Reddy Fox is used to all sorts of queer happenings .

yes , Sir , he is used to all sorts of queer happenings , and as a rule Reddy is seldom puzzled for long .

you see he is such a clever fellow himself that any one clever enough to fool him for long must be very clever indeed .

this time , however , all the cleverness of his sharp wits did him no good .

the fat hen he had hidden in a hollow stump had disappeared without leaving trace .

Reddy 's first thought was that probably the farmer from whom he had stolen the fat hen had found it and taken it away .

at once he began to use that wonderful nose of his searching for the scent of that farmer .

very carefully he sniffed all about the top of that old stump and inside the hollow .

there wasn't the faintest scent of anybody there .

then he jumped down , and with his nose to the ground , ran all around the stump , sniffing , sniffing , sniffing .

Reddy began to feel afraid of that old stump .

Reddy sat down at a little distance and did a lot of hard thinking .

he looked every which way even up in the tree tops , but all his looking was in vain .

it was so mysterious that if he hadn't known positively that he was awake he would have thought it was all a dream .

but Reddy is something of a philosopher .

that fat hen was gone , and there was no use in wasting time puzzling over it .

there were other fat hens where that one came from , and he would just have to catch another .

so Reddy trotted through the swamp till he came to the edge of it .

there his keen nose found the scent of the farmer .

eagerly Reddy looked over to the farmyard for those fat hens .

they , too , had disappeared .

not one was to be seen .

but there was no mystery about the disappearance of these other fat hens .

he heard the muffled crow of the big rooster .

it came from the henhouse .

all those fat hens had been shut up .

it was perfectly plain to Reddy that the farmer suspected Reddy might return , and he didn't intend to lose another fat hen .

with a little yelp of disappointment , Reddy turned his back on the farm and trotted off into the woods .

CHAPTER XLI

WHAT BLACKY THE CROW SAW

the greatest puzzle is simple enough when you know the answer .

Bowser the Hound .

there were just two people to whom the disappearance of that fat hen Reddy Fox had hidden in the hollow stump was not a mystery .

one of them was Blacky the Crow .

everything had happened just as Blacky had hoped it would .

Blacky was doubly pleased with himself .

he didn't wish Reddy any harm , and he felt sure that no harm would come to him .

" he can't carry that hen far and keep out of the way of Bowser .

I think I 'll follow and see what he does with it . "

so Blacky followed , and his eyes twinkled when he saw Reddy hide the fat hen in the hollow stump .

Reddy has earned that dinner .

now I think I 'll go get something to eat myself . "

he plunged in among the branches and hid in the thickest part he could find .

with little shivers of fear running all over him , he peeked out and watched that big gray form .

on broad wings it sailed over to that hollow stump .

two long legs with great curving claws reached down in , and a moment later that fat hen was disappearing over the tree tops .

Blacky sighed with relief .

Illustration : ON BROAD WINGS IT SAILED OVER TO THAT HOLLOW STUMP .

page @number@

" it 's a lucky thing for me that robber , Mr Goshawk , saw Reddy hide that fat hen , " muttered Blacky .

" if he hadn't , he might have caught me , for I didn't see him at all . "

CHAPTER XLII

ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL

when things go wrong , just patient be Until the end you plainly see .

for often things that seem all bad Will end by making all hands glad .

Bowser the Hound .

Reddy Fox , trotting homeward , had nothing but bitterness in his heart , and nothing at all in his stomach .

he was tired and hungry and bitterly disappointed .

do what he would , he couldn't help thinking about that fat hen he had hidden and which had so mysteriously disappeared .

the more he thought of it , the worse he felt .

to Reddy , everything was all wrong .

now on his way home Ready had to pass several farms .

he was picking these chickens in a shed attached to the barn .

he had several all picked when he was called to the house on an errand .

it happened that just after he had disappeared Reddy Fox came stealing around from behind the barn , and at once he smelled those chickens .

just imagine how Reddy felt when he peeped in that shed and saw those fine chickens just waiting for him .

two minutes later Reddy was racing back to the woods with one of them .

this time there was no dog behind him .

and in a little hollow Reddy ate the finest dinner he ever had had .

you see there were no feathers to bother him on that chicken , for it had been picked .

long before Reddy got back to the Old Pasture Farmer Brown 's boy and Bowser the Hound had reached home .

such a fuss as everybody did make over Bowser .

it seemed as if each one at Farmer Brown 's was trying to spoil Bowser .

as for Bowser himself , he was the happiest dog in all the Great World .

Blacky the Crow got back to the Green Forest near Farmer Brown 's just before jolly , round Mr Sun went to bed .

Blacky had found plenty to eat and he had seen no more of fierce Mr Goshawk .

as Blacky settled himself on his roost he heard from the direction of Farmer Brown 's house a great voice .

it was the voice of Bowser the Hound trying to express his joy in being home .

Blacky chuckled contentedly .

he , too , was happy , for it always makes one happy to have one 's plans succeed .

" all 's well that end 's well , " he chuckled , and closed his eyes sleepily .

Blacky never could have fooled old Granny Fox as he did Reddy .

she is far too smart to be fooled even by so clever a scamp as Blacky .

THE END

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bowser The Hound , by Thornton W Burgess

produced by Juliet Sutherland , Richard J Shiffer and the PG Distributed Proofreading Team .

the Bedtime Story-Books

THE ADVENTURES OF PRICKLY PORKY

BY

THORNTON W BURGESS

with Illustrations by HARRISON CADY

BOSTON

LITTLE , BROWN , AND COMPANY

@number@

Illustration : " do tell me quickly what has happened to Peter ! "

FRONTISPIECE .

see page @number@

CONTENTS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

" DO TELL ME QUICKLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO PETER ! "

frontispiece

" POOH , " EXCLAIMED REDDY FOX .

" WHO'S AFRAID OF THAT FELLOW ? "

THEN HE BRACED HIMSELF AND PULLED WITH ALL HIS MIGHT

REDDY WOULDN'T HAVE BELIEVED THAT IT WAS ALIVE

" DROP HIM ! "

HE GRUNTED

" I SEE YOU ARE UP TO YOUR OLD TRICKS , PRICKLY PORKY ! "

HE SHOUTED

THE ADVENTURES OF PRICKLY PORKY

I

HAPPY JACK SQUIRREL MAKES A FIND

happy Jack Squirrel had had a wonderful day .

now he was thinking of going home , for it was getting late in the afternoon .

he looked out across the open field where Mr Goshawk had nearly caught him that morning .

his home was on the other side .

so Happy Jack started on his long journey around the open field .

now , Happy Jack 's eyes are bright , and there is very little that Happy Jack does not see .

so , as he was jumping from one tree to another , he spied something down on the ground which excited his curiosity .

" I must stop and see what that is , " said Happy Jack .

so down the tree he ran , and in a few minutes he had found the queer thing , which had caught his eyes .

it was smooth and black and white , and at one end it was very sharp with a tiny little barb .

happy Jack found it out by pricking himself with it .

" Ooch , " he cried , and dropped the queer thing .

pretty soon he noticed there were a lot more on the ground .

" I wonder what they are , " said Happy Jack .

" they don't grow , for they haven't any roots .

they are not thorns , for there is no plant from which they could come .

they are not alive , so what can they be ? "

now , Happy Jack 's eyes are bright , but sometimes he doesn't use them to the very best advantage .

he was so busy examining the queer things on the ground that he never once thought to look up in the tops of the trees .

if he had , perhaps he would not have been so much puzzled .

as it was he just gathered up three or four of the queer things and started on again .

on the way he met Peter Rabbit and showed Peter what he had .

now , you know Peter Rabbit is very curious .

he just couldn't sit still , but must scamper over to the place Happy Jack Squirrel told him about .

" you 'd better be careful , Peter Rabbit ; they 're very sharp , " shouted Happy Jack .

but as usual , Peter was in too much of a hurry to heed what was said to him .

Lipperty-lipperty-lip , lipperty-lipperty-lip , went Peter Rabbit through the woods , as fast as his long legs would take him .

then suddenly he squealed and sat down to nurse one of his feet .

but he was up again in a flash with another squeal louder than before .

Peter Rabbit had found the queer things that Happy Jack Squirrel had told him about .

one was sticking in his foot , and one was in the white patch on the seat of his trousers .

II

THE STRANGER FROM THE NORTH

the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind were excited .

yes , Sir , they certainly were excited .

they hurried this way and that way over the Green Meadows and told every one they met .

finally they reached the Smiling Pool and excitedly told Grandfather Frog all about it .

grandfather Frog smoothed down his white and yellow waistcoat and looked very wise , for you know that Grandfather Frog is very old .

" pooh , " said Grandfather Frog .

" I know what they are . "

" what ? " cried all the Merry Little Breezes together .

" Happy Jack says he is sure they do not grow , for there are no strange plants over there . "

grandfather Frog opened his big mouth and snapped up a foolish green fly that one of the Merry Little Breezes blew over to him .

" Chug-a-rum , " said Grandfather Frog .

" things do not have to be on plants in order to grow .

now I am sure that those things grew , and that they did not grow on a plant . "

the Merry Little Breezes looked puzzled .

" what is there that grows and doesn't grow on a plant ? " asked one of them .

" how about the claws on Peter Rabbit 's toes and the hair of Happy Jack 's tail ? " asked Grandfather Frog .

the Merry Little Breezes looked foolish .

" of course , " they cried .

" we didn't think of that .

but we are quite sure that these queer things that prick so are not claws , and certainly they are not hair . "

" don't you be too sure , " said Grandfather Frog .

away raced the Merry Little Breezes to the Green Forest and began to search among the treetops .

presently , way up in the top of a big poplar , they found a stranger .

" good morning , " said the Merry Little Breezes politely .

" Mornin ' , " grunted the stranger in the treetop .

" may we ask where you come from ? " said one of the Merry Little Breezes politely .

III

PRICKLY PORKY MAKES FRIENDS

the Merry Little Breezes soon spread the news over the Green Meadows and through the Green Forest that a stranger had come from the North .

at first he was very shy and had nothing to say .

" pooh , " exclaimed Reddy Fox .

" who 's afraid of that fellow ? "

just then the stranger began to come down the tree .

Reddy backed away .

" it looks as if you were afraid , Reddy Fox , " said Peter Rabbit .

" I 'm not afraid of anything , " said Reddy Fox , and swelled himself up to look twice as big as he really is .

" it seems to me I hear Bowser the Hound , " piped up Striped Chipmunk .

Illustration : " pooh , " exclaimed Reddy Fox .

" who 's afraid of that fellow ? "

page @number@

my , how everybody did run , everybody but the stranger from the North .

he kept on coming down the tree just the same .

Bowser saw him and stopped in surprise .

he had never seen anything quite like this big dark fellow .

" bow , wow , wow ! " shouted Bowser in his deepest voice .

Bowser was so surprised that he just stood still and stared .

then he growled his deepest growl .

still the stranger paid no attention to him .

Bowser did not know what to make of it .

" I 'll teach that fellow a lesson , " said Bowser to himself .

" I 'll shake him , and shake him and shake him until he hasn't any breath left . "

by this time the stranger was down on the ground and starting for another tree , minding his own business .

then something happened .

Bowser made a rush at him , and instead of running , what do you suppose the stranger did ?

he just rolled himself up in a tight ball with his head tucked down in his waistcoat .

Bowser stopped short .

then he reached out his nose and sniffed at this queer thing .

slap !

then the stranger unrolled himself and smiled , and all the little meadow people and forest folk who had been watching shouted aloud for joy .

and this is the way that Prickly Porky the Porcupine made friends .

IV

PETER RABBIT HAS SOME STARTLING NEWS

she was worried .

there was no doubt about it .

Little Mrs Peter was very much worried .

why didn't Peter come home ?

she did wish that he would be content to stay close by the dear Old Briar-patch .

for her part , she couldn't see why under the sun he wanted to go way over to the Green Forest .

she didn't feel easy in her mind one minute while he was out of her sight .

but he wouldn't promise not to go to the Green Forest .

no , Sir , Peter wouldn't promise that .

this particular morning she was unusually anxious .

Peter had been gone all night .

" something has happened .

I just know something has happened ! " she wailed .

" oh , Peter , Peter , Peter Rabbit Why will you be so heedless ?

why will you take such dreadful risks , So foolish and so needless ? "

" don't worry .

" he 'll be home pretty soon .

in fact , I think I see him coming now . "

Mrs Peter looked in the direction that the Merry Little Breeze was looking , and sure enough there was Peter .

Mrs Peter 's heart gave a frightened thump .

in a few minutes he reached her side .

his eyes were very wide , and it was plain to see that he was bursting with important news .

" what is it , Peter ?

do tell me quick !

have you had another narrow escape ? " gasped little Mrs . Peter .

Peter nodded while he panted for breath .

V

PETER RABBIT TELLS HIS STORY

at least , that is what Peter said .

" you see , it was this way , " declared Peter .

Mrs Peter nodded .

" but somehow time slipped away faster than I thought for , or else Mr Sun got up earlier than usual , " continued Peter .

then he stopped .

that last idea was a new one , and it struck Peter as a good one .

Mrs Peter looked as if she very much doubted it , but she didn't say anything , and so Peter went on with his story .

of course I thought it was Prickly himself starting out for his breakfast , and I looked up with my mouth open to say hello .

but I didn't say hello .

no , Sir , I didn't say a word .

I was too scared .

Peter 's eyes grew very round and wide as he said this .

" I took one good look , and then I jumped .

my gracious , how I did jump ! " he continued .

Mrs Peter had listened with her mouth wide open .

when Peter finished , she closed it with a snap and hopped over and felt of his head .

" are you sick , Peter ? " she asked anxiously .

Peter stared at her .

" sick !

me sick !

not a bit of it ! " he exclaimed .

" never felt better in my life , save that I am a little tired from my long run .

what a silly question !

do I look sick ? "

" No-o , " replied little Mrs Peter slowly .

" No-o , you don't look sick , but you talk as if there were something the matter with your head .

I think you must be just a little light-headed , Peter , or else you have taken a nap somewhere and had a bad dream .

did I understand you to say that this dreadful creature has no legs , and yet that it chased you ? "

Peter scratched his head in great perplexity .

suddenly he had a happy thought .

" Mr Blacksnake runs fast enough , but he doesn't have legs , does he ? " he asked in triumph .

little Mrs Peter looked a bit discomfited .

" No-o , " she admitted slowly , " he doesn't have legs ; but I never could understand how he runs without them . "

" well , then , " snapped Peter , " if he can run without legs , why can't other creatures ?

besides , this one didn't run exactly ; it rolled .

now I 've told you all I 'm going to .

I need a long nap , after all I 've been through , so don't let any one disturb me . "

" I won't , " replied Mrs Peter meekly .

" but , Peter , if I were you , I wouldn't tell that story to any one else . "

VI

PETER HAS TO TELL HIS STORY MANY TIMES

once you start a story you cannot call it back ; It travels on and on and on and ever on , alack !

that is the reason why you should always be sure that a story you repeat is a good story .

then you will be glad to have it travel on and on and on , and will never want to call it back .

you see stories are just like rivers , they run on and on forever .

when Peter awoke , the first thing he thought of was the terrible creature he had seen in the Green Forest .

" I won't , " said Peter to himself .

" I won't repeat it to a soul .

no one will believe it .

the truth is , I can hardly believe it myself .

I 'll just keep my tongue still . "

so Peter was obliged to repeat it ever so many times , and every time it sounded to him more foolish than before .

now , strange to say , no one laughed at Peter , queer as the story sounded .

then it had been Peter 's turn to laugh at them .

so now , impossible as this new story sounded , they didn't dare laugh at it .

" that is very true , " replied Old Mr Toad solemnly .

" probably Peter has seen something out of the ordinary , and in his excitement he has exaggerated it .

the thing to do is to make sure whether or not there is a stranger in the Green Forest .

Peter says that it came down the hill where Prickly Porky the Porcupine lives .

some one ought to go ask him what he knows about it .

if there is such a terrible creature up there , he ought to have seen it .

why don't you go up there and ask him , Jimmy Skunk ?

you 're not afraid of anybody or anything . "

" I will , " replied Jimmy promptly , and off he started .

VII

JIMMY SKUNK CALLS ON PRICKLY PORKY

" of course I 'm not afraid , but just the same I don't like meddling with things I don't know anything about .

whoever heard of such a thing ?

it gives me a queer feeling inside . "

but there was nothing unusual to be seen .

the Green Forest looked just as it always did .

it was very still and quiet there save for the cheerful voice of Redeye the Vireo telling over and over how happy he was .

" that doesn't sound as if there were any terrible stranger around here , " muttered Jimmy .

Jimmy grinned as he listened .

" that 's Prickly Porky telling himself how good his dinner tastes , " laughed Jimmy .

" Funny how some people do like to hear their own voices . "

" hello ! " said Jimmy Skunk .

Prickly Porky took no notice .

he was so busy eating , and making so much noise about it , that he didn't hear Jimmy at all .

" hello ! " shouted Jimmy a little louder .

" hello , there !

are you deaf ? "

of course this wasn't polite at all , but Jimmy was feeling a little out of sorts because he had had to make this call .

this time Prickly Porky looked down .

" hello yourself , and see how you like it , Jimmy Skunk ! " he cried .

" come on up and have some of this nice bark with me . "

Jimmy made a face at him .

" thank you , I 've just dined .

come down here where I can talk to you without straining my voice , " he replied .

" wait until I get another bite , " replied Prickly Porky , stripping off a long piece of bark .

then with this to chew on , he came half way down the tree and made himself comfortable on a big limb .

" now , what is it you've got on your mind ? " he demanded .

at once Jimmy told him the queer story Peter Rabbit had told .

" I 've been sent up here to find out if you have seen this legless , headless , tailess creature .

have you ? " he concluded .

Prickly Porky slowly shook his head .

" no , " said he .

" I 've been right here all the time , and I haven't seen any such creature . "

" that 's all I want to know , " replied Jimmy .

" peter Rabbit 's got something the matter with his eyes , and I 'm going straight back to the Old Briar-patch to tell him so .

much obliged . "

with that Jimmy started back the way he had come , grumbling to himself .

VIII

PRICKLY PORKY NEARLY CHOKES

he was very busy , was Redeye , telling all who would listen how happy he was and what a beautiful world this is .

it never seems to enter his head that he is making other people happy just by being happy himself and saying so .

right away he saw that Prickly Porky was in some kind of trouble , and that it was he who was making the queer noise .

it was such a strange performance that Redeye simply stared for a minute .

then in a flash it came to him what it meant .

Prickly Porky was choking , and if something wasn't done to help him , he might choke to death !

now there was nothing that Redeye himself could do to help , for he was too small .

he must get help somewhere else , and he must do it quickly .

anxiously he looked this way and that way , but there was no one in sight .

then he remembered that Unc ' Billy Possum 's hollow tree was not far away .

perhaps Unc ' Billy could help .

he hoped that Unc ' Billy was at home , and he wasted no time in finding out .

he saw right away what was the trouble .

Prickly Porky did as he was told .

indeed , he was so weak from his long struggle that he was glad to .

Unc ' Billy caught hold of the piece of bark hanging from Prickly Porky 's mouth .

then he braced himself and pulled with all his might .

for a minute the piece of bark held .

then it gave way so suddenly that Unc ' Billy fell over flat on his back .

Illustration : then he braced himself and pulled with all his might .

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Prickly Porky grinned weakly and rather foolishly .

" it wasn't greed , Unc ' Billy .

it wasn't greed at all , " he replied .

" then what was it , may Ah ask ? " demanded Unc ' Billy severely .

he laughed and laughed and laughed , until finally Unc ' Billy quite lost patience .

" yo ' cert'nly have lost your manners , Brer Porky ! " he snapped .

Prickly Porky wiped the tears from his eyes .

" come closer so that I can whisper , Unc ' Billy , " said he .

IX

JIMMY SKUNK AND UNC ' BILLY POSSUM TELL DIFFERENT STORIES

the little people of the Green Meadows and the Green Forest didn't know what to believe .

first came Peter Rabbit with the strangest kind of a story about being chased by a terrible creature without legs , head , or tail .

he said that it had come down the hill where Prickly Porky the Porcupine lives in the Green Forest .

if Jimmy Skunk was right , why Peter Rabbit 's queer story wasn't to be believed at all .

if Unc ' Billy was right , why Peter 's story wasn't as crazy as it sounded .

Little by little they began to think that Jimmy Skunk was right , and that Peter Rabbit 's terrible creature existed only in Peter 's imagination .

about this time Unc ' Billy told of having just such an experience as Peter had .

" what did you do , Unc ' Billy ? " asked Bobby Coon .

" what did Ah do ?

" yes , Sah , Ah done run , and Ah didn't turn around until Ah was safe in mah holler tree . "

" pooh ! " sneered Reddy Fox , who had been listening .

" you 're a coward .

I wouldn't have run !

I would have waited and found out what it was .

you and Peter Rabbit would run away from your own shadows . "

" you don't dare go there yourself at daybreak to-morrow ! " retorted Unc ' Billy .

" I do too ! " declared Reddy angrily , though he didn't have the least intention of going .

" all right .

then Reddy knew that he would have to go or else be called a coward .

" I 'll be there , " he snarled angrily , as he slunk away .

x

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM TELLS JIMMY SKUNK A SECRET

be sure before you drop a friend That you 've done nothing to offend .

a friend is always worth keeping .

Unc ' Billy Possum says so , and he knows .

and when Unc ' Billy makes a friend , he keeps him .

he says that it is easier and a lot better to keep a friend than to make a new one .

instead , he goes to that friend , finds out what the trouble is , explains it all away , and then does something nice .

in fact , they had been partners in stealing eggs from the hen-house of Farmer Brown 's boy .

it seemed to him that either Prickly Porky had told an untruth or that Unc ' Billy was telling an untruth .

it made him very angry .

Jimmy scowled and was going to pass without so much as speaking .

Unc ' Billy 's shrewd little eyes twinkled , and he grinned as only Unc ' Billy can grin .

" howdy , Brer Skunk , " said he .

Jimmy just frowned harder than ever and tried to pass .

" howdy , Brer Skunk , " repeated Unc ' Billy Possum .

" yo ' must have something on your mind . "

Jimmy Skunk stopped .

" I have ! " he snapped .

" I want to know whether it is you or Prickly Porky who has been telling an untruth .

if Peter saw that thing , Prickly Porky would know it , for he hasn't been away from home this summer .

why would he tell me that he hasn't seen it if he has ? "

" Don ' be hasty , Brer Skunk .

Don ' be hasty , " replied Unc ' Billy soothingly .

" ah haven't said that Brer Porky told me that he had seen the thing that Peter says chased him .

he told the truth when he told you that he hadn't seen any stranger around his hill .

what he told me was that " here Unc ' Billy whispered .

Jimmy Skunk 's face cleared .

" that 's different , " said he .

" of course it is , " replied Unc ' Billy .

" yo ' see Peter did see something strange , even if Brer Porky didn't .

only don ' forget that it 's a secret . "

Jimmy was chuckling by this time .

" I won't forget , and I 'll be there , " he promised .

" Don ' mention it , Brer Skunk , don ' mention it .

ah 'll be looking fo ' yo ' to-morrow mo'ning , " replied Unc ' Billy , with a sly wink that made Jimmy laugh aloud .

XI

WHAT HAPPENED TO REDDY FOX

he was just idly boasting and nothing more .

you see , Reddy is one of the greatest boasters in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows .

he likes to strut around and talk big .

but like most boasters , he is a coward at heart .

but think as he would , he couldn't think of a single excuse that would sound reasonable .

but he knew that Bowser was chained .

nevertheless he did go up to Farmer Brown 's dooryard to make sure .

it was just as he expected , Bowser was chained .

Reddy sneaked away without even a look at Farmer Brown 's hen-house .

he didn't see that the door had carelessly been left open , and even if he had , it would have made no difference .

he hadn't a bit of appetite .

no , Sir .

Reddy Fox wouldn't have eaten the fattest chicken there if it had been right before him .

he just wandered about restlessly , waiting for daybreak and hoping that something would turn up to prevent him from going to Prickly Porky 's hill .

he didn't dare to tell old Granny Fox about it .

he knew just what she would say .

it seemed as if he could hear her sharp voice and the very words :

" serves you right for boasting about something you don't know anything about .

how many times have I told you that no good comes of boasting ?

a wise Fox never goes near strange things until he has found out all about them .

that is the only way to keep out of trouble and live to a ripe old age .

wisdom is nothing but knowledge , and a wise Fox always knows what he is doing . "

so Reddy wandered about all the long night .

it seemed as if it never would pass , and yet he wished it would last forever .

the more he thought about it , the more afraid he grew .

at last he saw the first beams from jolly , round , red Mr Sun creeping through the Green Forest .

the time had come , and he must choose between making his boast good or being called a coward by everybody .

very , very slowly , Reddy Fox began to walk towards the hill where Prickly Porky lives .

XII

WHAT REDDY FOX SAW AND DID

the trouble with a great many people is that they remember this too late .

Reddy Fox is one of these .

you see it is a boastful tongue and an untruthful tongue and that is the worst combination for making trouble that I know of .

he had almost reached the foot of the hill without seeing anything out of the usual and without any signs of Unc ' Billy Possum .

Reddy looked up with a sickly grin .

there sat Unc ' Billy Possum in a pine tree right over his head .

he knew now that there was no backing out ; he had got to go on .

he tried to swagger and look very bold and brave .

" I told you I 'm not afraid .

" keep right on to the foot of the hill ; that 's where Ah saw it yesterday .

my , Ah 'm glad that we 've got some one so truly brave ! " replied Unc ' Billy .

so , there being nothing else to do , he went on .

he reached the foot of the hill without seeing or hearing a thing out of the usual .

the Green Forest seemed just as it always had seemed .

Redeye the Vireo was pouring out his little song of gladness , quite as if everything was just as it should be .

Reddy 's courage began to come back .

nothing had happened , and nothing was going to happen .

of course not !

it was all some of Peter Rabbit 's foolishness .

some day he would catch Peter Rabbit and put an end to such silly tales .

" ah !

what was that ? "

Reddy 's sharp ears had caught a sound up near the top of the hill .

he stopped short and looked up .

for just a little wee minute Reddy couldn't believe that his eyes saw right .

coming down the hill straight towards him was the strangest thing he ever had seen .

he couldn't see any legs .

he couldn't see any head .

he couldn't see any tail .

it was round like a ball , but it was the strangest looking ball that ever was .

it was covered with old leaves .

Reddy wouldn't have believed that it was alive but for the noises it was making .

for just a wee minute he stared , and then , what do you think he did ?

yes , Sir , that 's just what Reddy Fox did .

Illustration : Reddy wouldn't have believed that it was alive .

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XIII

REDDY FOX IS VERY MISERABLE

he forgot all about Unc ' Billy Possum watching from the safety of a big pine-tree .

he didn't see Jimmy Skunk poking his head out from behind an old stump and laughing fit to kill himself .

when Reddy was safely past , Peter came out .

" why !

why , my gracious , I do believe Reddy has had a fright ! " exclaimed Peter .

" I do believe that was it ! " he cried .

" I do believe it was .

Reddy is coming from the direction of Prickly Porky 's , and that was where I got my fright .

I I "

Peter hesitated .

he knew it would be a foolish thing to do , for he might walk right into danger .

" it won't do any harm to go part way up there , " thought Peter .

" perhaps I will find out something without going way up there . "

with that he boldly hopped up the hill and joined them .

" what 's the joke ? " he demanded .

" did you meet Reddy Fox ? " asked Jimmy Skunk , wiping the tears of laughter from his eyes .

" did I meet him ?

why , he almost ran into me and didn't see me at all .

I guess he 's running yet .

now , what 's the joke ? "

Peter demanded .

" now who else can we scare ? "

all of which shows that there was something very like mischief being planned on the hill where Prickly Porky the Porcupine lives .

XIV

REDDY FOX TRIES TO KEEP OUT OF SIGHT

never in all his life was Reddy Fox more uncomfortable in his mind .

and he was right ; everybody did know it , and everybody was laughing about it .

usually he is very proud of his handsome red coat , but now he wished that he could get rid of it .

it is very hard to keep out of sight when you have bright colored clothes .

presently Sammy Jay 's sharp eyes spied him as he tried to crawl up on the young family of Mrs Grouse .

at once Sammy flew over there screaming at the top of his lungs :

Reddy looked up at Sammy and snarled .

he had gone only a little way when a sharp voice called : " Coward !

coward !

coward ! "

it was Chatterer the Red Squirrel .

no sooner had he got out out of Chatterer 's sight than he heard another voice .

it was saying over and over :

" Dee , dee , dee !

oh , me , me !

some folks can talk so very brave And then such cowards be . "

it was Tommy Tit the Chickadee .

but nowhere that he could go was he free from those taunting voices .

" Bumble , grumble , rumble , hum !

Reddy surely can run some . "

Late that afternoon old Granny Fox called him out , and it was clear to see that Granny was very much put out about something .

" Serves you right for boasting ! " snapped Granny .

" how many times have I told you that no good comes of boasting ?

probably somebody has played a trick on you .

I 've lived a good many years , and I never before heard of such a creature .

if there were one , I 'd have seen it before now .

you go back into the house and stay there .

you are a disgrace to the Fox family .

I am going to have a look about and find out what is going on .

if this is some trick , they 'll find that old Granny Fox isn't so easily fooled . "

XV

OLD GRANNY FOX INVESTIGATES

In-vest-i-gate is a great big word , but its meaning is very simple .

to in-vest-i-gate is to look into and try to find out all about something .

now old Granny Fox is very sly and smart and clever , as you all know .

compared with her , Reddy Fox is almost stupid .

he may be as sly and smart and clever some day , but he has got a lot to learn before then .

but old Granny Fox did nothing of the kind .

oh , my , no !

she went about hunting her dinner just as usual and didn't appear to be paying the least attention to what was going on about her .

with her nose to the ground she ran this way and ran that way as if hunting for a trail .

granny had heard that the same thing had happened to Peter Rabbit and to Unc ' Billy Possum .

so instead of coming to the hill along the hollow at the bottom , she came to it from the other way .

" if there is anything there , I 'll be behind it instead of in front of it , " she thought shrewdly .

no one would ever have guessed that she was thinking of anything else .

she followed these down to the bottom , but there they disappeared .

as she was trotting home along the Lone Little Path through the Green Forest , she met Unc ' Billy Possum .

no , she didn't exactly meet him , because he saw her before she saw him , and he promptly climbed a tree .

granny stopped and looked up .

" it doesn't take much to scare the young and innocent , Mr Possum , " she replied .

" I don't believe all I hear .

I 've just been hunting all over the hill where Prickly Porky lives , and I couldn't find so much as a Wood Mouse for dinner .

do you believe such a foolish tale , Mr Possum ? "

Unc ' Billy coughed behind one hand .

" yes , Mrs Fox , Ah confess Ah done have to believe it , " he replied .

" yo ' see , Ah done see that thing mah own self , and Ah just naturally has to believe mah own eyes . "

" huh !

I 'd like to see it !

maybe I 'd believe it then ! " snapped Granny Fox .

" the only time to see it is just at sun-up , " replied Unc ' Billy .

" anybody that comes along through that hollow at the foot of Brer Porky 's hill at sun-up is likely never to forget it .

ah wouldn't do it again .

no , Sah , once is enough fo ' your Unc ' Billy . "

" huh ! " snorted Granny and trotted on .

Unc ' Billy watched her out of sight and grinned broadly .

" as sho ' as Brer Sun gets up to-morrow mo'ning , Ol ' Granny Fox will be there , " he chuckled .

" ah must get word to Brer Porky and Brer Skunk and Brer Rabbit . "

XVI

OLD GRANNY FOX LOSES HER DIGNITY

how did Unc ' Billy know ?

well , he just guessed .

she 'll come just the way she did this afternoon , from back of the hill instead of along the holler . "

Unc ' Billy was quite right .

she was at the top of the hill where Prickly Porky lives a full hour before sun-up , and there she sat down to wait .

she couldn't see or hear anything in the least suspicious .

only Prickly Porky was to be seen , and he seemed to be asleep in his favorite tree .

everything seemed to be just as old Granny Fox had seen it a hundred times before .

at last the Jolly Little Sunbeams began to dance through the Green Forest , chasing out the Black Shadows .

Redeye the Vireo awoke and at once began to sing , as is his way , not even waiting to get a mouthful of breakfast .

Prickly Porky yawned and grunted .

old Granny Fox arose and slowly stretched .

she glanced at Prickly Porky contemptuously .

she had seen him act in this stupid , uncertain way dozens of times before .

now old Granny Fox can be very dignified when she wants to be , and she was now .

she didn't hurry the least little bit .

she carried her big , plumey tail just so .

she turned like a flash and then well , for a minute old Granny Fox was too surprised to do anything but stare .

there , rolling down the hill straight towards her , was the very thing Reddy had told her about .

the nearer it got , the stranger and more terrible it seemed .

then Granny forgot her dignity .

yes , Sir , she forgot her dignity .

in fact , she quite lost it altogether .

granny Fox ran just as Reddy had run !

XVII

GRANNY FOX CATCHES PETER RABBIT

now listen to this little tale That deals somewhat with folly , And shows how sometimes one may be A little bit too jolly .

" Ho , ho , ho ! " shouted Jimmy Skunk .

" I wonder what Reddy Fox would have said if he could have seen old Granny go down that hollow ! "

" Ha , ha , ha ! " shouted Peter Rabbit .

" did you see how her eyes popped out ? "

" Hee , hee , hee ! " squeaked Unc ' Billy Possum in his funny cracked voice .

" ah reckons she am bound to have sore feet if she keeps on running the way she started . "

Prickly Porky didn't say a word .

he just smiled in a quiet sort of way as he slowly climbed up to the top of the hill .

now old Granny Fox had been badly frightened .

who wouldn't have been at seeing a strange creature without head , tail , or legs rolling down hill straight towards them ?

but Granny was too old and wise to run very far without cause .

it didn't take her long to decide that it wasn't .

then she did some quick thinking .

" I said beforehand that there was some trick , and now I 'm sure of it , " she muttered .

" I have an idea that that good-for-nothing old Billy Possum knows something about it , and I 'm just going back to find out . "

she wasted no time thinking about it , but began to steal back the way she had come .

now , no one is lighter of foot than old Granny Fox , and no one knows better how to keep out of sight .

then she smiled grimly .

at last they were so tired with their good time that they just had to stop for a rest .

" oh , dear , I 'm all out of breath , " panted Peter , as he threw himself flat on the ground .

" that was the funniest thing I ever saw .

I wonder who we "

Peter didn't finish .

no , Sir , Peter didn't finish .

old Granny Fox had caught Peter Rabbit at last !

XVIII

a FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED

the friendship which is truest , best , Is that which meets the trouble test .

no one really knows who his best friends are until he gets in trouble .

when everything is lovely and there is no sign of trouble anywhere , one may have ever and ever so many friends .

at least , it may seem so .

these are the real friends , the true friends , and they are worth more than all the others put together .

remember that if you are a true friend to any one , you will stand by him and help him , no matter what happens .

sometimes it is almost worth while getting into trouble just to find out who your real friends are .

Peter Rabbit found out who some of his truest friends are when , because of his own carelessness , old Granny Fox caught him .

now it was her turn to laugh , all because he had been careless and foolish .

at Peter 's scream of fright , Unc ' Billy Possum scampered for the nearest tree , and Jimmy Skunk dodged behind a big stump .

you see , it was so sudden that they really didn't know what had happened .

but Prickly Porky , whom some people call stupid , made no move to run away .

he happened to be looking at Peter when Granny caught him , and so he knew just what it meant .

a spark of anger flashed in his usually dull eyes and for once in his life Prickly Porky moved quickly .

the thousand little spears hidden in his coat suddenly stood on end and Prickly Porky made a fierce little rush forward .

Illustration : " drop him ! " he grunted .

page @number@

" drop him ! " he grunted .

granny Fox just snarled and backed away , dragging Peter with her and keeping him between Prickly Porky and herself .

by this time Jimmy Skunk had recovered himself .

you know he is not afraid of anybody or anything .

he sprang out from behind the stump , looking a wee bit shame-faced , and started for old Granny Fox .

" you let Peter Rabbit go ! " he commanded in a very threatening way .

granny Fox knows all about this .

for just a minute she hesitated .

so she kept on backing away , dragging Peter with her .

he slipped down from the tree where he had sought safety , crept around behind Granny , and bit her sharply on one heel .

granny let go of Peter to turn and snap at Unc ' Billy .

this was Peter 's chance .

he slipped out from under Granny 's paws and in a flash was behind Prickly Porky .

XIX

JIMMY SKUNK TAKES WORD TO MRS . PETER

to think that she actually had caught Peter Rabbit and then lost him was too provoking !

it was more than her temper , never of the best , could stand .

her yellow eyes snapped so that it seemed almost as if sparks of fire flew from them .

it made Peter shiver just to look at her .

so she talked herself out and then with many parting threats of what she would do , she started for home .

when she had gone , the others turned to Peter Rabbit to see how badly he had been hurt .

they looked him all over and found that he wasn't much the worse for his rough experience .

" I must get home now , " said he in a rather faint voice .

" Mrs Peter will be sure that something has happened to me and will be worried almost to death . "

" no , you don't ! " declared Jimmy Skunk .

" you are going to stay right here where we can take care of you .

he found little Mrs Peter anxiously looking towards the Green Forest for some sign of Peter .

" oh ! " she cried , " you have come to bring me bad news .

do tell me quickly what has happened to Peter ! "

" nothing much has happened to Peter , " replied Jimmy promptly .

but little Mrs Peter wasn't wholly satisfied .

nothing that Jimmy could say had the least effect , and so at last he agreed to take her to Peter .

XX

a PLOT TO FRIGHTEN OLD MAN COYOTE

mischief leads to mischief , for it is almost sure To never , never be content without a little more .

no , Sir , they were not !

you see , when danger is over , it is quickly forgotten .

" there is Old Man Coyote ; he is forever frightening those smaller and weaker than himself .

I 'd just love to see him run , " said Peter Rabbit .

" the very one ! " cried Jimmy Skunk .

" I wonder if he would be afraid .

you know he is even smarter than Granny Fox , and though she was frightened at first , she soon got over it .

how do you suppose we can get him over here ? "

" We-uns will take Brer Jay into our secret .

" that 's all Brer Jay need to say .

" Peter has had trouble enough already , and I 'm not going to let him have any more , so there ! "

" Peter isn't going to get into any trouble , " spoke up Jimmy Skunk .

now , please , Mrs. peter , don't be foolish .

you don't like Old Man Coyote , do you ?

you know Sammy is always ready for any mischief .

just as he started to look for Old Man Coyote , Unc ' Billy Possum made another suggestion .

yo ' know she isn't wasting any love on him .

what do yo ' alls say ? "

XXI

SAMMY JAY DELIVERS HIS MESSAGE

Sammy Jay has been the bearer of so many messages that no one knows better than he how to deliver one .

he knows when to be polite , and no one can be more polite than he .

" all right , " replied Sammy , quite as if it made no difference to him .

" they 'll be there , " he muttered .

they 'll try to keep out of sight , but they 'll be there . "

Sammy found Old Man Coyote taking a sun-bath .

" good morning , Mr Coyote .

I hope you are feeling well , " said Sammy in his politest manner .

" what 's the news in the Green Forest ? "

" there isn't any , that is , none to amount to anything , " declared Sammy .

" I never did see such a dull summer .

is there any news down here on the Green Meadows ?

I hear Danny Meadow Mouse has found his lost baby . "

" so I hear , " replied Old Man Coyote .

" I tried to find it for him .

you know I believe in being neighborly . "

Peter is going to come to a bad end some day if he doesn't watch out . "

" that depends on what you call a bad end , " replied Old Man Coyote with a sly grin .

" it might be bad for Peter and at the same time be very good for some one else . "

Sammy laughed right out .

" that 's one way of looking at it , " said he .

I think I 'll go up to the Old Orchard and see what is going on there . "

off flew Sammy in the direction of the Old Orchard , and once more he chuckled as he flew .

" old Man Coyote will start for the Green Forest as soon as I am out of sight , " thought Sammy .

and that is just what Old Man Coyote did .

XXII

OLD MAN COYOTE LOSES HIS APPETITE

hardly was Sammy Jay out of sight , flying towards the Old Orchard , before Old Man Coyote started for the Green Forest .

he is very sharp , is Old Man Coyote , so sharp that it is not very often that he is fooled .

Sammy had been clever enough to know this .

there wasn't even a hint that Old Man Coyote should go over there .

this was what made him sure that the news about Peter was probably true .

" I knew they would be on hand , " he chuckled .

it was decided that everybody but Peter should get out of sight at once .

so Unc ' Billy Possum climbed a tree .

Jimmy Skunk crawled into a hollow log .

Sammy Jay hid in the thickest part of a hemlock tree .

Prickly Porky got behind a big stump right at the top of the hill .

Peter took a couple of steps , and it was very plain to see that he was lame , just as Sammy Jay had said .

" that good-for-nothing Jay told the truth for once , " thought Old Man Coyote , with a hungry gleam in his eyes .

he would lie perfectly still when Peter seemed to be looking towards him .

my , but it was exciting to those who were watching !

Peter knew what it meant and jumped to one side .

it was plain to see that he was afraid , very much afraid .

quite suddenly he had lost his appetite .

XXIII

BUSTER BEAR GIVES IT ALL AWAY

now , it is a very bad plan to run fast down-hill .

yes , Sir , it is a very bad plan .

you see , once you are started , it is not the easiest thing in the world to stop .

and then again , you are quite likely to stub your toes .

this is what Old Man Coyote did .

he stubbed his toes and turned a complete somersault .

he looked so funny that the little scamps watching him had all they could do to keep from shouting right out .

old Granny Fox and Reddy Fox , looking on from a safe distance , did laugh .

but Old Man Coyote didn't stop for a little thing like a tumble .

oh , my , no !

he just rolled over on to his feet and was off again , harder than before .

why , Buster Bear , to be sure .

where Buster had come from nobody knew , but there he was , as big as life .

then it was that Buster Bear first saw , rolling down the hill , the strange creature which had so frightened Old Man Coyote .

if he did , it would be almost too good to be true .

but he didn't .

then he began to laugh .

" Ha , ha , ha !

Ho , ho , ho !

Ha , ha , ho !

Illustration : " I see you are up to your old tricks , Prickly Porky ! " he shouted .

page @number@

old Man Coyote heard him and stopped short and turned to see what it meant .

very slowly the strange creature unrolled and turned over .

there was a head now and a tail and four legs .

it was none other than Prickly Porky himself !

Prickly Porky grinned .

" I think it was high time I did , " replied Buster Bear , still chuckling .

" you might have scared somebody to death down here where they don't know you . "

as for Old Man Coyote , he sneaked away , grinding his teeth angrily .

like a great many other people , he couldn't take a joke on himself .

So Prickly Porky made himself at home in the Green Forest and took his place among the little people who live there .

in just the same way Old Man Coyote came as a stranger to the Green Meadows and established himself there .

THE END

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Prickly Porky by Thornton W Burgess

produced by John Hamm and Miriam Bobkoff .

HTML version by Al Haines .

Flower Fables

by

Louisa May Alcott

EMERSON'S WOOD-NOTES .

TO ELLEN EMERSON , FOR WHOM THEY WERE FANCIED , THESE FLOWER FABLES ARE INSCRIBED , BY HER FRIEND ,

THE AUTHOR .

Boston , @date@ , @number@

Contents

FLOWER FABLES .

THE summer moon shone brightly down upon the sleeping earth , while far away from mortal eyes danced the Fairy folk .

with a gay smile , " Sunny Lock " began her story .

" as I was painting the bright petals of a blue bell , it told me this tale . "

THE FROST-KING : OR , THE POWER OF LOVE .

but while I eat , tell me , dear Violet , why are you all so sad ?

I have scarce seen a happy face since my return from Rose Land ; dear friend , what means it ? "

" I will tell you , " replied little Violet , the tears gathering in her soft eyes .

thus have we striven , and in vain ; and this night our Queen holds council for the last time .

but , dear sisters , see you not how high the sun is getting ?

so , gathering a tiny mushroom for a parasol , she flew away ; Daisy soon followed , and Violet was left alone .

at length she rose , and amid the deep silence spoke thus :

what would the green earth be without its lovely flowers , and what a lonely home for us !

their beauty fills our hearts with brightness , and their love with tender thoughts .

ought we then to leave them to die uncared for and alone ?

they give to us their all ; ought we not to toil unceasingly , that they may bloom in peace within their quiet homes ?

how then may we keep our frail blossoms from his cruel spirits ?

who will give us counsel ?

who will be our messenger for the last time ?

speak , my subjects . "

Long and eagerly they spoke , and their soft voices rose high .

then sweet music sounded on the air , and the loud tones were hushed , as in wondering silence the Fairies waited what should come .

every fairy wand glistened in the air , as with silvery voices they cried , " Love and little Violet . "

then high above , on shining wings , soared a little form .

then far below she saw the Frost-King 's home .

pillars of hard , gray ice supported the high , arched roof , hung with crystal icicles .

with a beating heart Violet folded her fading wreath more closely to her breast , and with weary wings flew onward to the dreary palace .

gently she answered , telling them her errand , beseeching them to let her pass ere the cold wind blighted her frail blossoms .

then they flung wide the doors , and she passed in .

cast by your icy crown and sceptre , and let the sunlight of love fall softly on your heart .

but he drew the dark mantle closer over his breast and answered coldly ,

" I cannot grant your prayer , little Fairy ; it is my will the flowers should die .

go back to your Queen , and tell her that I cannot yield my power to please these foolish flowers . "

so all alone she sat , and sad thoughts of her happy home came back to her , and she wept bitterly .

then she wept no longer , but patiently awaited what might come .

" and you too , " said she , " shall spin for me , and I will give you better food than helpless insects .

soon they came hastening back , and prayed him to come and see how lovely the dark cell had grown .

then the stern , cold thoughts came back again , and he harshly bid her follow him .

with a sad farewell to her little friends she followed him , and before the throne awaited his command .

" Little Fairy , I offer you two things , and you may choose between them .

will you do this ? "

ah no ! sooner would I dwell for ever in your darkest cell , than lose the love of those warm , trusting hearts . "

" then listen , " said the King , " to the task I give you .

then out into the gardens went Violet with a heavy heart ; for she had toiled so long , her strength was nearly gone .

so he wandered through his dreary palace , wondering how he had been content to live before without sunlight and love .

sadly they watched over every bird and blossom which she had loved , and strove to be like her in kindly words and deeds .

they wore cypress wreaths , and spoke of her as one whom they should never see again .

when the Elves had promised they would come , he bade farewell to happy Fairy-Land , and flew sadly home .

Soon through the air came many-colored troops of Elves .

like his subjects , the King looked on the lovely Elves , and no longer wondered that little Violet wept and longed for her home .

flowering vines folded their soft leaves around the trees , making green pillars of their rough trunks .

Soon through the long aisles came Violet , flowers and green leaves rustling as she passed .

you must now decide .

will you be King of Flower-Land , and own my gentle kindred for your loving friends ?

will you possess unfading peace and joy , and the grateful love of all the green earth 's fragrant children ?

then take this crown of flowers .

both are before you .

choose . "

kind thought came thronging to his mind , and he turned to look at the two palaces .

grant the little Fairy 's prayer ; and let her go back to her own dear home .

she has taught us that Love is mightier than Fear .

choose the Flower crown , and we will be the truest subjects you have ever had . "

brighter shone the golden shadows ; On the cool wind softly came The low , sweet tones of happy flowers , Singing little Violet 's name .

thus the Frost-King lost his kingdom , And his power to harm and blight .

thus the Fairy mission ended , And all Flower-Land was taught The " Power of Love , " by gentle deeds That little Violet wrought .

as Sunny Lock ceased , another little Elf came forward ; and this was the tale " Silver Wing " told .

EVA'S VISIT TO FAIRY-LAND .

as she was wondering where the waters went , she heard a faint , low sound , as of far-off music .

she thought it was the wind , but not a leaf was stirring , and soon through the rippling water came a strange little boat .

" gladly would I go with you , dear Fairies , " said Eva , " but I cannot sail in your little boat .

See !

I can hold you in my hand , and could not live among you without harming your tiny kingdom , I am so large . "

you cannot hurt us now .

look in the water and see what we have done . "

Eva looked into the brook , and saw a tiny child standing between the Elves .

but the Fairies took each a hand , and flew lightly over the stream .

the Queen and her subjects came to meet her , and all seemed glad to say some kindly word of welcome to the little stranger .

" now must we go home , " said the Queen , " and you shall go with us , little one . "

all was cool and still , and the Elves glided silently about , lest they should break their slumbers .

they led Eva to a bed of pure white leaves , above which drooped the fragrant petals of a crimson rose .

come , we will show you what we do . "

they led her to a lovely room , through whose walls of deep green leaves the light stole softly in .

then she went to the insects ; first to a little fly who lay in a flower-leaf cradle .

" do you suffer much , dear Gauzy-Wing ? " asked the Fairy .

" I will bind up your poor little leg , and Zephyr shall rock you to sleep . "

they passed on , and Eva saw beside each bed a Fairy , who with gentle hands and loving words soothed the suffering insects .

yet he seemed to find no rest , and murmured of the pain he was doomed to bear .

Uncared for and forgotten , I must stay here among these poor things who think only of themselves .

come here , Rose-Leaf , and bind up my wounds , for I am far more useful than idle bird or fly . "

then said the Fairy , while she bathed the broken wing ,

" Love-Blossom , you should not murmur .

we may find happiness in seeking to be patient even while we suffer .

ah , Love-Blossom , the gentle bird can teach a lesson you will be wiser and better for . "

come now to the Flower Palace , and see the Fairy Court . "

beneath green arches , bright with birds and flowers , beside singing waves , went Eva into a lofty hall .

now , Eglantine , what have you to tell us of your rosy namesakes on the earth ? "

" over hill and valley they are blooming fresh and fair as summer sun and dew can make them .

they would yield neither dew nor honey , but proudly closed their leaves and bid me go . "

go once again to the proud flowers , and tell them when they are queen of their own hearts they will ask no fairer kingdom .

thus they told what they had done , and received from their Queen some gentle chiding or loving word of praise .

" four , " replied the little one .

" seven , " sang the gay little Elf .

" twelve , " said the Fairy child .

" primrose , where lies Violet Island ? "

" In the Lake of Ripples . "

" Lilla , you may bound Rose Land . "

" you have stayed long enough , " said the Elves at length , " we have many things to show you .

come now and see what is our dearest work . "

So Eva said farewell to the child Elves , and hastened with little Rose-Leaf to the gates .

we must stay yet longer , little Eva , and you may learn yet more . "

tenderly the child fastened the drooping stem , and placed it where the one faint ray of sunlight stole into the dreary room .

no sunlight could enter at the darkened eyes , and none were near to whisper gentle words , to cheer and comfort .

thus he dwelt forgotten and alone , seeking to give no joy to others , possessing none himself .

life was dark and sad till the untiring Elves came to his dreary home , bringing sunlight and love .

then went the Elves into the dreary prison-houses , where sad hearts pined in lonely sorrow for the joy and freedom they had lost .

all Fairy-Land was dressed in flowers , and the soft wind went singing by , laden with their fragrant breath .

sweet music sounded through the air , and troops of Elves in their gayest robes hastened to the palace where the feast was spread .

at length the music ceased , and the Queen said , as she laid her hand on little Eva 's shining hair :

come now and lead her to the Fairy garden , and show her what we think our fairest sight .

weep no more , but strive to make her last hours with us happy as you can . "

" where have you brought me , and what mean these lovely sounds ? " asked Eva .

" look again , and I will tell you , " answered the Fairy .

the child saw that each one wore the colors of the flower that was its home .

she gazed in silent wonder , forgetting she knew not who they were , till the Fairy said ,

may I not go in ? "

come now , for you have seen enough , and we must be away . "

on a rosy morning cloud , surrounded by the loving Elves , went Eva through the sunny sky .

grant me this gift , and you shall see that little Eva has not forgotten what you have taught her . "

farewell .

remember Fairy-Land and all your loving friends . "

farewell , dear Eva .

think of your little Rose-Leaf when among the flowers . "

" now , Star-Twinkle , what have you to teach ? " asked the Queen .

THE FLOWER'S LESSON .

that were better far than the dew-drops that fall On the high and the low , and come alike to all .

I would be fair and stately , with a bright star to shine And give a queenly air to this crimson robe of mine . "

and proudly she cried , " these fire-flies shall be My jewels , since the stars can never come to me . "

" Heed , " said the mother rose , " daughter mine , Why shouldst thou seek for beauty not thine ?

the Father hath made thee what thou now art ; And what he most loveth is a sweet , pure heart .

then why dost thou take with such discontent The loving gift which he to thee hath sent ?

O my foolish little bud , do listen to thy mother ; Care only for true beauty , and seek for no other .

there will be grief and trouble in that wilful little heart ; Unfold thy leaves , my daughter , and let the fly depart . "

when the sun came up , she saw with grief The blooming of her sister bud leaf by leaf .

while she , once as fair and bright as the rest , Hung her weary head down on her wounded breast .

then bitterly she wept for her folly and pride , As drooping she stood by her fair sister 's side .

then shouldst thou not be grateful for all this kindly care , And strive to keep thyself most innocent and fair ?

then seek , my little blossom , to win humility ; Be fair without , be pure within , and thou wilt happy be .

you shall come next , Zephyr . "

and the little Fairy , who lay rocking to and fro upon a fluttering vine-leaf , thus began her story :

LILY-BELL AND THISTLEDOWN .

ONCE upon a time , two little Fairies went out into the world , to seek their fortune .

Thistledown was as gay and gallant a little Elf as ever spread a wing .

such was Thistledown ; but far different was his little friend , Lily-Bell .

it would be very wrong in you to repay their care with cruelty and pain .

you will be tender for my sake , dear Thistle . "

while Lily-Bell lay dreaming among the rose-leaves , Thistledown went wandering through the garden .

thus he went , leaving sorrow and pain behind him , till he came to the roses where Lily-Bell lay sleeping .

" why are you so slow in blooming , little one ?

" you silly flower , " said Thistledown , " see how quickly I will make you bloom ! your waiting is all useless . "

how could you harm the little helpless one , that never did aught to injure you ? "

soon the sky grew dark , and heavy drops began to fall .

then they waved their broad leaves stormily , and scattered the heavy drops on his dripping garments .

it serves you rightly ; to gain our love and confidence , and repay it by such cruelty !

we are very angry with you , wicked Fairy ; go away and hide yourself . "

" ah , " cried the shivering Elf , " where can I find shelter ?

I will go to the violets : they will forgive and take me in . "

but the daisies had spoken truly ; the gentle little flower was dead , and her blue-eyed sisters were weeping bitterly over her faded leaves .

" now I have no friends , " sighed poor Thistledown , " and must die of cold .

ah , if I had but minded Lily-Bell , I might now be dreaming beneath some flower 's leaves . "

but he could find no rest .

" never could I forgive one who had robbed me of my children .

soon the sunlight came again , and with it Lily-Bell seeking for Thistledown ; but he was ashamed , and stole away .

meanwhile , over hill and dale went Thistledown , and for a time was kind and gentle to every living thing .

" help me to bear my honey home , and you can stay with us tonight , " he kindly said .

and he led the tired Fairy to a little cell , where on a bed of flower-leaves he folded his wings and fell asleep .

as the first ray of sunlight stole in , he was awakened by sweet music .

it was the morning song of the bees .

" awake ! awake ! for the earliest gleam Of golden sunlight shines On the rippling waves , that brightly flow Beneath the flowering vines .

soon his friend came to bid him rise , as the Queen desired to speak with him .

some bore her fresh dew and honey , some fanned her with fragrant flower-leaves , while others scattered the sweetest perfumes on the air .

we do not spend the pleasant summer days in idleness and pleasure , but each one labors for the happiness and good of all .

if you will stay with us , we will teach you many things .

order , patience , industry , who can teach so well as they who are the emblems of these virtues ?

" our laws are few and simple .

now will you stay with us , and learn what even mortals seek to know , that labor brings true happiness ? "

then they took away his gay garments , and dressed him like themselves , in the black velvet cloak with golden bands across his breast .

" now come with us , " they said .

but he soon grew tired of working all day in the sun , and longed to be free again .

then , when she saw that no kindness could touch his heart , she said :

I cannot let my peaceful kingdom be disturbed by you ; therefore go and seek another home .

you may find other friends , but none will love you more than we , had you been worthy of it ; so farewell . "

and the doors of the once happy home he had disturbed were closed behind him .

then he was very angry , and determined to bring some great sorrow on the good Queen .

come , we will take what we have made , and think no more of what the Queen has said . "

after many wanderings , he came at length to a great forest , and here beside a still lake he stayed to rest .

Bright-eyed birds peeped at him from their nests , and many-colored insects danced above the cool , still lake .

" this is a pleasant place , " said Thistle ; " it shall be my home for a while .

come hither , blue dragon-fly , I would gladly make a friend of you , for I am all alone . "

at length his friend the dragon-fly besought him to leave the quiet home he had disturbed .

the cruel spider gladly obeyed the ungrateful Fairy ; and soon the poor fly could move neither leg nor wing .

then Thistle flew away through the wood , leaving sorrow and trouble behind him .

he had not journeyed far before he grew weary , and lay down to rest .

when you have learned this , I will set you free . "

thus did poor Thistle strive to be more gentle and unselfish , and grew daily happier and better .

thus she journeyed on , till she reached the forest where Thistledown had lost his freedom .

then Lily-Bell went seeking through the forest , listening for the voice .

" Bright shines the summer sun , Soft is the summer air ; Gayly the wood-birds sing , Flowers are blooming fair .

" but , deep in the dark , cold rock , Sadly I dwell , Longing for thee , dear friend , Lily-Bell !

Lily-Bell ! "

" thistle , dear Thistle , where are you ? " joyfully cried Lily-Bell , as she flew from rock to rock .

" through sunlight and summer air I have sought for thee long , Guided by birds and flowers , And now by thy song .

" Thistledown !

Thistledown !

O'er hill and dell Hither to comfort thee Comes Lily-Bell . "

then from the vine-leaves two little arms were stretched out to her , and Thistledown was found .

but it did not last long , for one day she did not come .

he watched and waited long , for the little face that used to peep smiling in through the vine-leaves .

at last he besought the silent Brownie earnestly to tell him whither she had gone .

I will bear and suffer any danger for her sake . "

" Lily-Bell is safe , " replied the Brownie ; " come , you shall learn the trial that awaits you . "

" you cannot wake her , " said the Brownie , as Thistle folded his arms tenderly about her .

then Thistle , with a last look on the little friend he loved so well , set forth alone to his long task .

the home of the Earth Spirits was the first to find , and no one would tell him where to look .

Long he wandered , and carefully he sought ; but could not find the Earth Spirits ' home .

and when at length he reached the pleasant garden where he and Lily-Bell first parted , he said within himself ,

this grieved poor Thistle , and he longed to tell them how changed he had become ; but they would not listen .

he came one day , while wandering through the garden , to the little rose he had once harmed so sadly .

many buds now bloomed beside her , and her soft face glowed with motherly pride , as she bent fondly over them .

" dear flower , forgive the sorrow I once brought you , and trust me now for Lily-Bell 's sake .

then the little rose looked up , and while the dew-drops shone like happy tears upon her leaves , she said ,

" I WILL love and trust you , Thistle , for you are indeed much changed .

make your home among us , and my sister flowers will soon learn to love you as you deserve .

Look up , my little ones , there is no danger near ; look up , and welcome Thistle to our home . "

but the other flowers wondered among themselves , and Hyacinth said ,

he has done many friendly things , though none save Rose-Leaf has been kind to him , and he is very sad .

dear sisters , let us trust him . "

Thistle told them all , and , after much whispering together , they said ,

on they went , and after a while , reached a path lit up by bright jewels hung upon the walls .

here Downy-Back , and Glimmer , the glow-worm , left him , saying ,

then they went quickly up the winding path , and Thistle , guided by the sweet music , went on alone .

at last they spied him out , and , gladly welcoming him , bade him join in their dance .

and Thistle said , " no task will be too hard for me to do for dear Lily-Bell 's sake . "

" what do they here ? " asked Thistle .

" I will tell , " replied little Sparkle , " for I once worked here myself .

others shape the bright jewels into lovely forms , and make the good-luck pennies which we give to mortals whom we love .

and here you must toil till the golden flower is won . "

but Thistle could not stay , for half his task was not yet done ; and he longed for sunlight and Lily-Bell .

take now one look at your little friend , and then go forth to seek from the Air Spirits your second gift . "

then he stole softly to the hive , and , placing it near the door , concealed himself to watch .

" what shall we do to you , naughty Elf ? " said they .

" you are in our power , and we will sting you if you are not still . "

see how bitterly he weeps ; be kind to him , he will not harm us more . "

" you good little Hum ! " cried a kind-hearted robin who had hopped near to listen to the bees .

be kind to him , for if he has done wrong , he has repented of it , as you may see . "

" can this be naughty Thistle ? " said Nimble-Wing .

" yes , it is I , " said Thistle , " but no longer cruel and unkind .

I have tried to win your love by patient industry .

ah , trust me now , and you shall see I am not naughty Thistle any more . "

the sky was gold and purple like an autumn sunset , and long walls of brilliant clouds lay round him .

but they answered like the Earth Spirits .

" you must serve us first , and then we will gladly give you a robe of sunlight like our own . "

" these are the things we do , " said they , " and you must aid us for a time . "

at length Star-Light bade him work no more , and gladly gave him the gift he had won .

then his second task was done , and he flew gayly back to the green earth and slumbering Lily-Bell .

the silvery moonlight shone upon her , as he came to give his second gift ; and the Brownie spoke more kindly than before .

" one more trial , Thistle , and she will awake .

go bravely forth and win your last and hardest gift . "

then with a light heart Thistle journeyed away to the brooks and rivers , seeking the Water Spirits .

but he looked in vain ; till , wandering through the forest where the Brownies took him captive , he stopped beside the quiet lake .

Thistle bent tenderly beside him , saying , " Dear Flutter , do not fear me .

forgive , and let me help and comfort you . "

then he bound up the broken wing , and spoke so tenderly that Flutter doubted him no longer , and was his friend again .

at length the broken wing was well , and Thistle said he must again seek the Water Spirits .

I would gladly do more for you , dear Thistle , but I cannot , for they live deep beneath the waves .

you will find some kind friend to aid you on your way ; and so farewell . "

Thistle followed the little brook , as it flowed through field and valley , growing ever larger , till it reached the sea .

" how shall I find the Spirits in this great sea , with none to help or guide me ?

yet it is my last task , and for Lily-Bell 's sake I must not fear or falter now , " said Thistle .

so he flew hither and thither over the sea , looking through the waves .

soon he saw , far below , the branches of the coral tree .

" they must be here , " thought he , and , folding his wings , he plunged into the deep , cold sea .

but he saw only fearful monsters and dark shapes that gathered round him ; and , trembling with fear , he struggled up again .

the great waves tossed him to and fro , and cast him bruised and faint upon the shore .

here he lay weeping bitterly , till a voice beside him said , " poor little Elf , what has befallen you ?

these rough waves are not fit playmates for so delicate a thing as you .

tell me your sorrow , and I will comfort you . "

and Thistle , looking up , saw a white sea-bird at his side , who tried with friendly words to cheer him .

so he told all his wanderings , and how he sought the Sea Spirits .

" surely , if bee and blossom do their part to help you , birds should aid you too , " said the Sea-bird .

" I will call my friend , the Nautilus , and he will bear you safely to the Coral Palace where the Spirits dwell . "

In he sprang .

Nautilus raised his little sail to the wind , and the light boat glided swiftly over the blue sea .

at last Thistle cried , " I see lovely arches far below ; let me go , it is the Spirits ' home . "

" Nay , close your eyes , and trust to me .

I will bear you safely down , " said Nautilus .

so Thistle closed his eyes , and listened to the murmur of the sea , as they sank slowly through the waves .

day after day went by , and slowly Thistle 's task drew towards an end .

but when he came where his little friend had slept , it was no longer the dark , silent spot where he last saw her .

garlands hung from every tree , and the fairest flowers filled the air with their sweet breath .

but the fairest sight was Lily-Bell , as she lay on the couch of velvet moss that Fairy hands had spread .

the golden flower lay beside her , and the glittering robe was folded round her little form .

the warmest sunlight fell upon her , and the softest breezes lifted her shining hair .

happy tears fell fast , as Thistle folded his arms around her , crying , " O Lily-Bell , dear Lily-Bell , awake !

I have been true to you , and now my task is done . "

then , with a smile , Lily-Bell awoke , and looked with wondering eyes upon the beauty that had risen round her .

" dear Thistle , what mean these fair things , and why are we in this lovely place ? "

" listen , Lily-Bell , " said the Brownie King , as he appeared beside her .

place the crown upon her head , for she is Queen of all the Forest Fairies now . "

" if I am Queen , then you are King , dear Thistle , " said the Fairy .

" take the crown , and I will have a wreath of flowers .

you have toiled and suffered for my sake , and you alone should rule over these little Elves whose love you have won . "

" keep your crown , Lily-Bell , for yonder come the Spirits with their gifts to Thistle , " said the Brownie .

long live our King and Queen ! "

" have you a tale for us too , dear Violet-Eye ? " said the Queen , as Zephyr ceased .

LITTLE BUD .

IN a great forest , high up among the green boughs , lived Bird Brown-Breast , and his bright-eyed little mate .

things went smoothly on , till one day she found in the nest a little white egg , with a golden band about it .

" my friend , " cried she , " come and see !

where can this fine egg have come from ?

my four are here , and this also ; what think you of it ? "

and the tiny maiden talked to them , and sang so merrily , that they could have listened for ever .

the father now had much to do to supply his family with food , and choice morsels did he bring little Bud .

" we dwelt once in Fairy-Land , and O how happy were we then !

but alas ! we were not worthy of so fair a home , and were sent forth into the cold world .

say we may stay with you , kind little maiden . "

" do not weep , and I will go to Queen Dew-Drop , and beseech her to let you come back .

this will I say , and more , and trust she will grant my prayer . "

call him hither , that I may seat you rightly , for if you should fall off my heart would break . "

then they all sang gayly together , till she passed out of sight over the hills , and they saw her no more .

and now Bud left the old forest far behind her .

as Bud passed through the gates , she no longer wondered that the exiled Fairies wept and sorrowed for the lovely home they had lost .

with tearful eyes , Queen Dew-Drop replied ,

" little maiden , your prayer has softened my heart .

they shall not be left sorrowing and alone , nor shall you go back without a kindly word to cheer and comfort them .

then they planted the lilies ; but they soon drooped and died , and no light came to their crowns .

amid the tears of all the Fairies , the Queen led them to the gates , and said ,

" farewell !

go and strive again , for till all is once more fair and pure , I cannot call you mine . "

time passed on , and the Fairies had done nothing to gain their lovely home again .

flowers looked lovingly up as they passed , birds sang to cheer them when sad thoughts made them weep .

and soon little Bud found out their gentle deeds , and her friendly words gave them new strength .

they sent lovely visions to the old and blind , to make their hearts young and bright with happy thoughts .

one day came little Bud to them , saying ,

" listen , dear friends .

I have a hard task to offer you .

but in the sunny Spring when they bloom again , their love and gratitude will give you happy homes among their bright leaves .

should evil befall you , our hearts would break .

then deep in the earth the Fairies dwelt , and no frost or snow could harm the blossoms they tended .

every little seed was laid in the soft earth , watered , and watched .

long waited the Elves , and at last she came with Father Brown-Breast .

happy days passed ; and summer flowers were in their fullest beauty , when Bud bade the Fairies come with her .

mounted on bright-winged butterflies , they flew over forest and meadow , till with joyful eyes they saw the flower-crowned walls of Fairy-Land .

before the gates they stood , and soon troops of loving Elves came forth to meet them .

then , amid the deep silence , little Bud , leading the Fairies to the throne , said ,

" are they not worthy of your love , dear Queen ?

have they not won their lovely home ?

say they are pardoned , and you have gained the love of hearts pure as the snow-white robes now folded over them . "

she needed no reward but the joy she had given .

the Fairy hearts were pure again , and her work was done ; yet all Fairy-Land had learned a lesson from gentle little Bud .

CLOVER-BLOSSOM .

so here , along the brook-side , Beneath the green old trees , The flowers dwelt among their friends , The sunbeams and the breeze .

I am not fair , and have dwelt unloved By butterfly , bird , and bee .

they little knew that in this dark form Lay the beauty they yet may see .

then her withered leaves were softly spread O'er the sleeping worm below , Ere the faithful little flower lay Beneath the winter snow .

but as she drooped , in silent grief , She heard little Daisy cry , " O sisters , look !

I see him now , Afar in the sunny sky ; He is floating back from Cloud-Land now , Borne by the fragrant air .

spread wide your leaves , that he may choose The flower he deems most fair . "

then , through the long , bright summer hours Through sunshine and through shower , Together in their happy home Dwelt butterfly and flower .

" most joyfully will we do our best , dear Queen , " said the Elves , as they folded their wings beside her .

LITTLE ANNIE'S DREAM ; OR , THE FAIRY FLOWER .

" who are you , lovely little thing ? " cried Annie , smiling through her tears .

" and are you really , then , a little Elf , such as I read of in my fairy books ?

do you ride on butterflies , sleep in flower-cups , and live among the clouds ? "

as thus she spoke , the Elf took from her bosom a graceful flower , whose snow-white leaves shone with a strange , soft light .

" O kind and generous Fairy , how can I ever thank you for this lovely gift ! " cried Annie .

" I will be true , and listen to my little bell whenever it may ring .

but shall I never see YOU more ?

ah ! if you would only stay with me , I should indeed be good . "

and now farewell , dear child ; be faithful to yourself , and the magic flower will never fade . "

and little Annie sat among her flowers , and watched with wondering joy the fairy blossom shining on her breast .

I will not listen to this tiresome music more , nor wear this withered flower longer . "

" now will I go among the hills , " said Annie , " she may be there . "

so up and down the green hill-sides went her little feet ; long she searched and vainly she called ; but still no Fairy came .

some of the shapes had scowling faces and bright , fiery eyes ; these were the spirits of Anger .

spirits of Pride were there , who folded their shadowy garments round them , and turned scornfully away from all the rest .

these and many others little Annie saw , which had come from her own heart , and taken form before her eyes .

she could not drive them from her sight , and they grew ever stronger , darker , and more unlovely to her eyes .

remember well the lesson of the dream , dear child , and let the shining spirits make your heart their home . "

in every flower sat little smiling Elves , singing gayly as they rocked amid the leaves .

butterflies whispered lovely tales in her ear , and birds sang cheerful songs in a sweet language she had never understood before .

earth and air seemed filled with beauty and with music she had never dreamed of until now .

guard well the magic flower , that I may find all fair and bright when next I come . "

when Moonlight ceased , Summer-Wind laid down her rose-leaf fan , and , leaning back in her acorn cup , told this tale of

RIPPLE , THE WATER-SPIRIT .

thus she could only weep for them , and lay them down to sleep where no cruel waves could harm them more .

but all in vain she whispered kindly words ; the weeping mother only cried ,

O give me back my little child , or let me lie beside him in the bosom of the cruel sea . "

watch daily on the shore , and if I do not come again , then you will know my search has been in vain .

farewell , poor mother , you shall see your little child again , if Fairy power can win him back . "

I pity the poor mother , and would most gladly help her ; but alas !

I am a Spirit like yourself , and cannot serve you as I long to do . "

" ah , dear Queen ! if you had seen her sorrow , you too would seek to keep the promise I have made .

" I cannot show the path , for it is through the air .

stay here with us in your own pleasant home , and think no more of this , for I can never let you go . "

" do you not know that Spring is coming ?

" and shall I see her , Violet , as she journeys over the earth ? " asked Ripple again .

farewell , little Spirit !

I would gladly do more , but voices are calling me far and wide , and I cannot stay . "

" now I must seek for Summer , " said Ripple , as she sailed slowly through the sunny sky .

then Ripple told her tale , and asked where she should go ; but Summer answered ,

take this sunbeam from my crown ; it will cheer and brighten the most gloomy path through which you pass .

farewell !

I shall carry tidings of you to the watcher by the sea , if in my journey round the world I find her there . "

and Summer , giving her the sunbeam , passed away over the distant hills , leaving all green and bright behind her .

I will carry comfort to the patient woman , as my sisters have already done , and tell her you are faithful still . "

" what do you seek with me , fair little Spirit , that you come so bravely here amid my ice and snow ?

when Ripple told him why she had come , he pointed upward , where the sunlight dimly shone through the heavy clouds , saying ,

come back with me , and do not go this dangerous journey to the sky .

I 'll gladly bear you home again , if you will come . "

but Ripple said , " I cannot turn back now , when I am nearly there .

So farewell , Winter !

speak to her gently , and tell her to hope still , for I shall surely come . "

" adieu , little Ripple !

may good angels watch above you !

so farewell to the pleasant earth , until we come again .

and now away , up to the sun ! "

so hasten on , good Breeze , and bring me quickly to my journey 's end . "

" the Fire-Spirits surely must be there , and I must stay no longer here , " said Ripple .

" take me to your Queen , that I may tell her why I am here , and ask for what I seek . "

as thus she spoke , the Queen , who had spied out a chain of jewels Ripple wore upon her neck , replied ,

will you give it me for what I offer , little Spirit ? "

then , bidding her remember all she had promised them , they led her to the golden arch , and said farewell .

" now come , " said they , " and finish the good work you have so bravely carried on . "

so to the quiet tomb they went , where , like a marble image , cold and still , the little child was lying .

" O faithful little Spirit !

and now another task was to be done ; her promise to the Fire-Spirits must be kept .

" do not keep me prisoner here .

if we may but have this , all will be well , and you are once more free . "

come out with us , " the Spirits said , " and see the bright path we have made for you . "

" this is indeed a pleasant road , " said Ripple .

" thank you , friendly Spirits , for your care ; and now farewell .

I would gladly stay yet longer , but we cannot dwell together , and I am longing sadly for my own cool home .

then down along the shining pathway spread before her , the happy little Spirit glided to the sea .

and now , dear Trip , call them from the lake , for the moon is sinking fast , and we must hasten home . "

FAIRY SONG .

the night-wind rocks the sleeping flowers , And sings to them , soft and low .

the early birds erelong will wake : ' T is time for the Elves to go .

and though unseen on earth we dwell , Sweet voices whisper low , And gentle hearts most joyously greet The Elves where'er they go .

now spread each wing , for the eastern sky With sunlight soon will glow .

the morning star shall light us home : farewell ! for the Elves must go .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Flower Fables , by Louisa May Alcott

E-text prepared by Janet Blenkinship , Brian Sogard , and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team ( @url@

note : Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations .


MOTHER WEST WIND " WHERE " STORIES

by

THORNTON W BURGESS

Illustrations by Harrison Cady

Illustration : " then there was a crash , and everybody 's eyes flew open . "

FRONTISPIECE .

see Page @number@

Burgess Trade Quaddies Mark

Grosset & Dunlap Publishers New York By arrangement with Little , Brown , and Company Copyright , @number@ by Thornton W Burgess .

all rights reserved Printed in the United States of America

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I WHERE GRANDFATHER FROG GOT HIS BIG MOUTH @number@

II .

WHERE MISER THE TRADE RAT FIRST SET UP SHOP @number@

III .

WHERE YAP-YAP THE PRAIRIE DOG USED HIS WITS @number@

IV .

WHERE YELLOW-WING GOT HIS LIKING FOR THE GROUND @number@

V WHERE LITTLE CHIEF LEARNED TO MAKE HAY @number@

VI .

WHERE GLUTTON THE WOLVERINE GOT HIS NAME @number@

VII .

WHERE OLD MRS.

' GATOR MADE THE FIRST INCUBATOR @number@

VIII .

WHERE MR . QUACK GOT HIS WEBBED FEET @number@

IX .

WHERE THUNDERFOOT THE BISON GOT HIS HUMP @number@

x . WHERE LIMBERHEELS GOT HIS LONG TAIL @number@

XI .

WHERE OLD MR . GOBBLER GOT THE STRUTTING HABIT @number@

XII .

WHERE SEEK-SEEK GOT HIS PRETTY COAT @number@

XIII .

WHERE OLD MR . OSPREY LEARNED TO FISH @number@

XIV .

WHERE OLD MR . BOB-CAT LEFT HIS HONOR @number@

XV .

WHERE DIPPY THE LOON GOT THE NAME OF BEING CRAZY @number@

XVI .

WHERE BIG-HORN GOT HIS CURVED HORNS @number@

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE

" THEN THERE WAS A CRASH , AND EVERYBODY'S EYES FLEW OPEN " FRONTISPIECE

" LITTLE CHIEF'S FATHER TAUGHT HIM HOW TO MAKE HAY " @number@

PETER NOTICED THOSE FEET THE FIRST TIME HE MET MR . AND MRS . QUACK @number@

" DON'T CALL ME STRIPED CHIPMUNK , AND DON'T CALL ME GOPHER ! "

SAID HE @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " WHERE " STORIES

I

WHERE GRANDFATHER FROG GOT HIS BIG MOUTH

everybody knows that Grandfather Frog has a big mouth .

of course !

it wouldn't be possible to look him straight in the face and not know that he has a big mouth .

he seems then to be all mouth and eyes .

anyway , that is what Peter Rabbit says .

Peter never will forget the first time he saw Grandfather Frog .

Peter was very young then .

he had run away from home to see the Great World , and in the course of his wanderings he came to the Smiling Pool .

never before had he seen so much water .

the most water he had ever seen before was a little puddle in the Lone Little Path .

Peter stared and stared at the Smiling Pool , and little by little he began to see other things .

first he noticed the bulrushes growing with their feet in the water .

then he noticed the lily-pads , and he stared very hard at these .

they looked like growing things , and yet they seemed to be floating right on top of the water .

he was still staring at those lily-pads when a great deep voice said :

" Chug-a-rum !

Chug-a-rum !

don't you know it isn't polite to stare at people ? "

that voice was so unexpected and so deep that Peter was startled .

he jumped , started to run , then stopped .

he wanted to run , but curiosity wouldn't let him .

he simply couldn't run away until he had found out where that voice came from and to whom it belonged .

" if you please , " said Peter timidly , " I 'm not staring at anybody . "

all the time he was staring down into the Smiling Pool with eyes fairly popping out of his head .

" Chug-a-rum !

have a care , young fellow !

have a care how you talk to your elders .

do you mean to be impudent enough to tell me to my face that I am not anybody ? "

the voice was deeper and gruffer than ever , and it made Peter more uncomfortable than ever .

" oh , no , Sir !

no , indeed ! " exclaimed Peter .

" I don't mean anything of the kind .

I 'm sure from the sound of your voice that you must be somebody very important .

please excuse me for seeming to stare .

I was just looking for you , that is all . "

if Peter had stared before he doubly stared now , eyes and mouth wide open .

grandfather Frog was looking his very best in his handsome green coat and white-and-yellow waistcoat .

but Peter had hardly noticed these at all .

" why , you 're all mouth ! " he exclaimed , and then looked very much ashamed of his impoliteness .

grandfather Frog 's great goggly eyes twinkled .

he knew that Peter was very young and innocent and just starting out in the Great World .

he knew that Peter didn't intend to be impolite .

" not quite , " said he good-naturedly .

" not quite all mouth , though I must admit that it is of good size .

the fact is , I wouldn't have it a bit smaller if I could .

the truth is , I am very proud of my big mouth .

I don't know of any one who has a bigger one for their size . "

he opened his mouth wide , and it seemed to Peter that Grandfather Frog 's whole head simply split in halves .

he hadn't supposed anybody in all the Great World possessed such a mouth .

" where did you get it ? " gasped Peter , and then felt that he had asked a very foolish question .

grandfather Frog chuckled .

" would you like to hear about it ? "

" I 'd love to ! " cried Peter .

" Chug-a-rum ! " began Grandfather Frog .

you know he always begins a story that way .

" Chug-a-rum !

once upon a time the Great World was mostly water , and most of the people lived in the water .

it was in those days that my lived .

those were happy days for the Frogs .

yes , indeed , those were happy days for the Frogs .

of course they had enemies , but those enemies were all in the water .

they didn't have to be watching out for danger from the air and from the land , as I do now .

there was plenty to eat and little to do , and the Frog tribe increased very fast .

in fact , the Frogs increased so fast that after a while there wasn't plenty to eat .

the mouths of the Frogs in those days were not big .

in fact , they were quite small .

you see , living on the kind of food they did , they had no need of big mouths .

so he caught the first one that came within reach , and he found it was good to eat .

he liked it so well that after that he caught fish whenever he could .

of course he swallowed them whole .

he had to , because he had no chewing or biting teeth .

but Great-grandfather Frog had much to learn in those day , and so he tried to swallow that fish tail first instead of head first .

he got the tail down and the smallest part of the body , and then that fish stuck .

yes , Sir , that fish stuck .

the fact was , Great-grandfather Frog 's mouth wasn't wide enough .

that fish was stuck !

it would go neither down nor up .

" Poor Great-grandfather Frog was in a terrible fix .

big tears rolled down his cheeks .

he choked and choked and choked , until it looked very much as if he might choke to death .

Just in time , in the very nick of time , who should come along but Old Mother Nature .

she saw right away what the trouble was , and she pulled out the fish .

then she asked how that fish had happened to be in such a place as Great-grandfather Frog 's mouth .

old Mother Nature looked thoughtful .

she saw the great numbers of young fish .

suddenly she reached over and put a finger in Great-grandfather Frog 's mouth and stretched it sideways .

then she did the same thing to the other corner .

Great-grandfather Frog 's mouth was three times as big as it had been before .

" she did that very day , and from then on the Frogs no longer had any trouble in getting plenty to eat .

" I think it is splendid , perfectly splendid , " cried Peter .

" I wish I had one just like it . "

and then he wondered why Grandfather Frog laughed so hard .

II

WHERE MISER THE TRADE RAT FIRST SET UP SHOP

it was quite by accident that Peter Rabbit first heard of Miser the Trade Rat .

you know how it is with Peter ; he is forever using those big ears of his to learn interesting things .

again he sometimes overhears things quite by accident when he cannot very well help hearing .

it was in this way that he first heard of Miser the Trade Rat .

Peter had crept into a hollow log in the Green Forest to rest and to feel absolutely safe while he was doing it .

the footsteps and the voice were Old Man Coyote 's .

very carefully Peter peeped out .

old Man Coyote had sat down close by the log in which Peter was hiding .

what a disgrace he is to the whole Rat tribe !

for that matter , he is a disgrace to all who live on the Green Meadows and in the Green Forest .

he isn't much like his cousin , Miser the Trade Rat . "

" Mah goodness !

do yo ' know Miser ? " exclaimed Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

" do I know Miser ?

I should say I do ! " replied Old Man Coyote .

" I 've tried to catch him enough times to know him .

he kept a junk shop very near where I used to live way out west .

do you know him , Mr Buzzard ? "

" ah cert'nly does , " chuckled Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

" ah cert'nly does .

ah never did see such a busy fellow as he is .

ah done see his junk shop many times , and always it done be growin ' bigger .

" no , " said Old Man Coyote , " I never did , and I 've wondered about it a great deal . "

Peter Rabbit almost forgot that he was hiding .

Just in the nick of time he clapped a hand over his mouth .

it seemed to Peter a long , long time before Old Man Coyote said :

" I 'd like to hear that story , Mr Buzzard , if it isn't too much to ask of you . "

" not at all , Brer Coyote ; not at all .

ah 'll be mor'n pleased to tell it to yo ' .

ah cert'nly will , " said Ol ' Mistah Buzzard , and Peter settled himself comfortably to listen .

" yo ' see it was this way , " began Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

" ah got it from mah gran'daddy , and he got it from his gran'daddy , and his gran'daddy got it from "

" I know , " interrupted Old Man Coyote .

isn't that it ? "

" yes , Suh , " replied Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

" yes , Suh , that's it .

Ol ' Mother Nature treat ' em all alike in those days .

she 's a right smart busy person , and she ain't got no time fo ' to answer foolish questions .

no , Suh , she ain't .

ah reckons yo ' know all about that , Brer Coyote . "

old Man Coyote nodded , and Ol ' Mistah Buzzard scratched his bald head gently as if trying to stir up his memory .

Peter Rabbit almost squealed aloud in his impatience while he waited for Ol ' Mistah Buzzard to go on .

" he had to win a name for hisself same as ev'ybody else .

those without homes were mostly no ' count folks , same as they are today .

Person'ly , yo ' understand , Ah thinks he was all wrong .

ah never am so happy as when Ah can take a sun-bath with nothin ' to do .

yes , Suh , it cert'nly did .

Just because he didn't have anything else to do he began to add a little more to his house .

one day he stepped on a thorn .

' Ouch ! ' cried Brer Rat , and then right away forgot the pain in a new idea .

he would cover his house with thorns , leavin ' just a little secret entrance for hisself !

" when Brer Rat had all the thorns he needed and more , he began to collect other things and added these to his pile .

so little by little his house became a sort of junk shop , the very first one in all the Great World .

bright stones and shells , bones , anything that caught his bright eyes and pleased them , he brought home .

and then the first thing he knew he had a name .

yes , Suh , he had a name .

he was called Miser .

he saw that some thought themselves ve'y smart when they stole from their neighbors .

Brer Miser didn't like this at all .

he was ve'y , ye'y honest , was Brer Miser .

perhaps he wasn't really much tempted , not fo ' a long time anyway .

" but at last came a time when he was tempted .

quite by accident he found one of Mr Squirrel 's storehouses .

in it were some nuts different from any he ever had seen befo ' .

' Brer Squirrel won't mind if Ah taste just one , ' said he , and did it .

it tasted good ; it tasted ve'y good indeed .

Brer Miser began to wish he had some nuts like those .

when he got home he couldn't think of anything but how good those nuts tasted .

he knew that all he had to do was to watch until Brer Squirrel was away and then go he'p hisself .

he knew that was just what any of his neighbors would do in his place .

but Brer Miser couldn't make it seem just right any way he looked at it .

he was too honest , was Brer Miser , to do anything like that .

' Ah knows what Ah 'll do , ' said he .

' Ah 'll just he'p mahself to some of those nuts and Ah 'll leave something of mine in place of them .

that 's what Ah 'll do . '

" and that 's what he did do .

after that he always helped himself to anything he wanted , but he always left something to pay fo ' it .

it wasn't long befo ' his neighbors found out what he was doing , and then they called him Miser the Trade Rat .

" and it 's been just so with Miser 's family ever since .

there is one Rat who is a credit to his family instead of a disgrace , " concluded Ol ' Mistah Buzzard .

III

WHERE YAP-YAP THE PRAIRIE DOG USED HIS WITS

Peter Rabbit had just had a great fright .

he is used to having great frights , but this time it was a different kind of a fright .

it was not for himself that he had been afraid but for one of his old friends and neighbors .

now that it was over , Peter drew a little breath of sheer relief .

you see it was this way : Peter had started over for a call on Johnny Chuck .

when he reached Johnny Chuck 's house he found no one at home .

then he changed his mind and decided to wait for Johnny to return .

hardly had he settled himself when he heard Johnny coming , and he knew by the sounds that Johnny was running from some danger .

very , very carefully Peter raised his head to see .

then he ducked it again and held his breath .

Johnny Chuck was running as Peter never had seen him run before and with very good reason .

Just a few jumps behind Johnny 's twinkling little black heels was Old Man Coyote .

it looked to Peter as if Old Man Coyote certainly would catch Johnny Chuck this time .

he was so frightened for Johnny that he quite forgot that he himself might be in danger .

head first through his doorway plunged Johnny , and Old Man Coyote 's teeth snapped together on nothing .

presently Johnny came half-way up his long hall where he could look out .

then he began to scold Old Man Coyote .

old Man Coyote grinned .

" I give up , Johnny Chuck , " said he .

" you did well when you made your home between the roots of this old tree .

if it wasn't for those roots , I certainly would dig you out .

as it is you are safe .

you remind me very much of your cousin , Yap-Yap the Prairie Dog , who lives out where I came from .

there 's a fellow who certainly knows how to make a house in the ground .

he doesn't have to depend on the roots of trees to keep from being dug out .

Well , I guess it is a waste of time to hang around here .

you 'll make just as good a dinner some other time as you would now , so I 'll wait until then . "

old Man Coyote grinned wickedly and trotted off .

now at the mention of Yap-Yap the Prairie Dog , the long ears of Peter Rabbit had pricked up at once .

but Johnny Chuck knew nothing about his cousin , Yap-Yap , and wasn't even interested in him .

so finally Peter left him and went back home to the dear Old Briar-patch .

the chance came that very night .

old Man Coyote came along by the dear Old Briar-patch and stopped to peer in and grin at Peter .

Peter grinned back , for he knew that under those friendly brambles he was quite safe .

" I heard what you said to Johnny Chuck about his cousin , Yap-Yap , " said Peter .

old Man Coyote looked as surprised as he felt .

" where were you ? " he demanded gruffly .

" lying flat in the grass close by Johnny Chuck 's house , " replied Peter , and grinned more broadly than ever .

" and to think I didn't know it ! " sighed Old Man Coyote .

" when I failed to catch Johnny Chuck , I thought I had missed only one dinner , but it seems I missed two .

next time I shall look around a little more sharply .

" I didn't know that Johnny Chuck had a cousin until you mentioned it , " said Peter .

" does he look like Johnny ?

won't you tell me about him , Mr Coyote ? "

" Many and many a time I have chased Yap-Yap into his house .

seems as if I can hear the rascal scolding me and calling me names right this minute .

he used to get me so provoked that it was all I could do to keep from trying to dig him out . "

" why didn't you ? " asked Peter .

" Yap-Yap never has forgotten what his learned when he first took to living on the open prairie . "

" what did he learn ?

tell me about it , Mr Coyote , " begged Peter .

" he learned to use his wits , " replied Old Man Coyote , with a provoking grin .

" he learned to use his wits , that 's all . "

" please tell me about it , Mr Coyote .

please , " begged Peter .

" I know , " interrupted Peter .

" it happened in the days when the world was young . "

" from the very beginning Yap-Yap was a keen lover of the great open spaces .

Trees were all very well for those who liked them , but he preferred to have nothing above him but the blue , blue sky .

" Yap-Yap looked and looked , then he drew a long breath of pure joy and started out across the green grass .

he had found the great open space of which he had dreamed , and he was happy .

so he ate and slept and played with the Merry Little Breezes and grew fat .

when Skimmer had gone , Yap-Yap grew uneasy .

what if some of the big and strong people he had known should come out there in quest of food and should find him ?

there was no place in which to hide .

there was no cave or hollow log .

" Yap-Yap looked at the strong claws Old Mother Nature had given him and an idea came to him .

he would dig a hole in the ground .

what was to prevent some one who was very hungry from digging him out ?

so he moved on a little way and started another hole , and this time he made it almost straight down .

every day he made that hole deeper until it was many feet deep .

when it was finished he was quite satisfied .

" ' I don't believe , ' said he , ' that any one will have the patience to dig to the bottom of this . '

all went well until there came a time of heavy rains .

then Yap-Yap discovered that the water ran down his hole , and if he didn't do something , he was likely to be drowned out .

right away he set his sharp wits to work .

he noticed that when the water on the surface reached the little piles of sand he had made , it ran around them .

then , although the water stood all around , it no longer ran down in his house .

in fair weather that mound was a splendid place on which to sit and watch for danger .

so once more Yap-Yap was happy and care-free , all because he had used his wits .

IV

WHERE YELLOW-WING GOT HIS LIKING FOR THE GROUND

Peter Rabbit was hopping along on the edge of the Green Meadows , looking for a new patch of sweet clover .

it was very beautiful that morning , and Peter was in the best of spirits .

it was good just to be alive .

every once in a while Peter would jump up and kick his long heels together just from pure happiness .

he was so happy that he didn't pay particular attention to where he was going or what was about him .

the result was that Peter got a fright .

right from under his very nose something sprang out of the grass so suddenly and so wholly unexpectedly that Peter very nearly tumbled over backward .

he made two long jumps off to one side and then turned to see what had startled him so .

but all he saw was an old feathered acquaintance headed towards the Old Orchard .

he seemed to bound along through the air much as Peter bounds along over the ground when he is in a hurry .

it was Yellow-Wing the Flicker .

Peter grinned and looked a little foolish .

he felt a little foolish .

you know it always makes you feel foolish to be frightened when there is nothing to be afraid of .

Peter suspected that he was .

but Peter was feeling too happy to mind being laughed at .

in fact , he chuckled himself .

it was something of a joke to be frightened by one who was so wholly harmless .

Peter recalled how many times he had frightened other people and thought it the best of jokes .

Peter went on until he found a new patch of sweet clover .

then he forgot all about Yellow-Wing .

he was too busy filling that big stomach of his to think of anything else .

presently his thoughts returned to Yellow-Wing , and he chuckled again at the memory of his fright that morning .

and then for the first time it struck Peter as queer that Yellow-Wing should have been out there on the Green Meadows on the ground .

he often had seen Yellow-Wing on the ground , but until that moment there never had seemed anything queer about that .

now , however , it suddenly came to Peter that Yellow-Wing belonged in trees , not on the ground .

" he belongs to the Woodpecker family , " thought Peter , " and never have I seen any of his relatives on the ground .

they get all their food in the trees .

now why is Yellow-Wing so different from his relatives ? "

so Peter made up his mind to watch for Yellow-Wing and ask him all about it the first chance he got .

the chance came the very next day in the very same place where Peter had been so startled .

this time he was on the watch and saw Yellow-Wing very busy about something .

Peter stole up within speaking distance .

" good morning , Yellow-Wing , " said he .

" I wonder if you will tell me something . "

it was Yellow-Wing 's turn to be startled , for he had not seen Peter approaching .

he half lifted his wings to fly , but when he saw who it was , he changed his mind .

" it all depends on what it is you want me to tell you , " he replied rather shortly .

" it is just this , " replied Peter .

" why do you spend so much time on the ground ? "

" that 's easily answered , " laughed Fellow-Wing .

" I do it because it is the easiest way to get enough to eat . "

Peter looked as surprised as he felt .

" I thought that all your family got their living in the trees ! " he exclaimed .

" all do but me , " replied Yellow-Wing a wee bit testily .

" but I don't have to do what they do just because they do it .

no , Siree , I 'm independent !

do you like ants , Peter ? "

" what ? " exclaimed Peter .

" I asked if you like ants , " repeated Yellow-Wing .

" I 've never tried them , " Peter replied , " but I 've heard Old Mr Toad say they are very nice . "

" they are , " said Yellow-Wing .

" they are more than nice they are de-li-cious .

it is because of them that I spend so much time on the ground .

ants changed the habits of the Flicker branch of the Woodpecker family .

I wouldn't be surprised if we became regular ground birds one of these days . "

Peter looked puzzled .

" I don't see how ants could change the habits of anybody , " he ventured after a while .

Yellow-Wing 's eyes twinkled .

" why don't you learn to eat them ? " he demanded .

" if you would , they might change your habits .

the beginning of the change in the habits of my folks began a long time ago . "

" way back in the beginning of things , when the world was young ? " asked Peter .

" no , not quite so far back as that , " replied Yellow-Wing .

it was the same with his children and his children 's children for a long time .

" but though they lived as true Woodpeckers should , the Flickers always were a bit sharper-witted and more independent than most of their relatives .

so the Flickers used to look for these trees and feast on the ants .

it saved a lot of labor .

so he watched and presently discovered that that double line of ants led out along the ground from the foot of the tree .

this made him still more curious and he followed it , flying along just over it .

he had gone but a short distance when he came to a little mound of sand , and there the line of ants ended .

" ' As I live , that must be their home ! ' exclaimed he .

' That place is alive with them .

what a place to fill one 's stomach !

I won't have to stay on it long to get my dinner here . '

" grandfather Flicker was as good as his word .

when he was ready for another meal , he flew down to that ant hill .

never in all his life before had he filled his stomach so easily .

he taught his children to do the same thing .

that was the beginning of the change of habits with the Flickers .

ever since we have spent more and more time on the ground , so that now we feel quite at home there .

and so once more the curiosity of Peter Rabbit was satisfied , and he had learned something .

V

WHERE LITTLE CHIEF LEARNED TO MAKE HAY

no one in all the Great World thinks more of the present and less of the future than does careless , happy-go-lucky Peter Rabbit .

everybody who knows Peter at all knows that Peter doesn't waste any time worrying over what may happen in a day that may never be .

no , Peter isn't the least bit thrifty .

it is the same way with Peter 's big cousin , Jumper the Hare .

the truth is the whole family is happy-go-lucky .

happy Jack Squirrel says that every blessed one of them is shiftless .

it does look that way .

he is also called a Coney and sometimes the Calling Hare .

no true member of Peter 's family ever would think of doing such a thing as that , more is the pity .

old Man Coyote grinned .

" I 'm just as well pleased not to have caught you this time , Peter , " said he .

" you wouldn't make much of a dinner just now .

when I dine I want something more than skin and bones .

it must be that you are having as hard work as I am to get a living these days . "

" I am , " replied Peter .

but they 'll keep me alive until better times come , and then perhaps I 'll get fat enough to suit you . "

it was Peter 's turn to grin .

old Man Coyote grinned back good-naturedly .

there 's the thrifty little hay-maker for you ! "

now Mr Pika , who was promptly called Little Chief , no one remembers now just why , was exactly like Little Chief of today .

he was just about a fourth as big as you , Peter .

in fact , he looked a lot like one of your babies , excepting his legs and his ears .

his legs were short and rather weak , and his ears were short and rounded .

he was very gentle and timid .

at last he came to a big rock-slide above where the trees grew , and where there was nothing but broken stone and big rocks .

it didn't take him long to discover that there were wonderful little winding galleries and hiding-places down among the stones .

these led to little cracks and caves deep down in the mountain side .

Little Chief was tickled almost to death .

" ' This is the place for me ! ' he cried .

all day long I can enjoy the sun , and at night I can sleep in perfect safety in one of these little caves . '

one day he decided he would take some of his dinner into his little cave and eat it there .

so he cut a little bundle of pea vine and other green things .

it didn't enter his head again until a few days later he happened along by that flat rock and discovered that little bundle .

so he carried it home and made a bed of it .

there wasn't quite enough , so the next day he cut some more and carried it home at once .

but this , being green , soon soured and smelled so badly that he was forced to take it out and throw it away .

that set him to thinking .

why was the first he had brought in so dry and sweet and pleasant ?

why didn't it spoil as the other had done ?

he cut some more and spread it out on the big flat rock and once again he forgot .

this he took home to add to his bed .

then he took home some more that was green , and this spoiled just as the other had done .

" Little Chief was puzzling over this as he squatted on a rock taking a sun-bath .

the sun was very warm and comforting .

after a while the rock on which he sat grew almost hot .

by and by he happened to glance at them .

they had wilted and already they were beginning to dry .

an idea popped into his funny little head .

" ' It 's the sun that does it ! ' he cried .

" up he jumped and scampered away to cut some more and spread it out on the rocks .

he had learned how to make hay .

he was the first hay-maker in the Great World .

he soon had more than enough for a bed , but he kept on making hay and storing it away just for fun .

then came cold weather and all the green things died .

there was no food for Little Chief .

he hunted and hunted , but there was nothing .

then because he was so hungry he began to nibble at his hay .

it tasted good , very good indeed .

it tasted almost as good as the fresh green things .

Little Chief 's heart gave a great leap .

he had food in plenty !

" and so it proved .

and that is how Little Chief the Pika learned to make hay while the sun shone in the days of plenty .

he taught his children and they taught their children , and Little Chief of today does it just as his did .

I don't see why you don't do the same thing , Peter .

you would make me a great deal finer dinner if you did . "

" perhaps that is the reason I don't , " replied Peter with a grin .

Illustration : " Little Chief 's father taught him how to make hay . "

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VI

WHERE GLUTTON THE WOLVERINE GOT HIS NAME

this acquaintance with Honker and Peter 's everlasting curiosity have resulted in many strange stories .

at least they have seemed strange to Peter because they have been about furred and feathered people whom Peter has never seen .

and one of the strangest of these is the story of how Glutton the Wolverine got his name .

of course you know what a glutton is .

it is one who is all the time thinking of his stomach .

no one likes to be called a glutton .

so when Honker the Goose happened to mention Glutton , it caused Peter to prick up his ears at once .

" who 's a glutton ? " he demanded .

" I didn't say any one was a glutton , " replied Honker .

" I was speaking of Glutton the Wolverine who lives in the Great Forests of the Far North , and whom everybody hates . "

" certainly , " replied Honker .

" certainly that is his name , and a very good name for him it is .

but then of course it is because he is a glutton that he is named Glutton .

rather I should say that is the reason the first Wolverine was named Glutton .

" tell me about it , " Peter begged .

" please tell me about it . "

" tell you about what ? " asked Honker , pretending not to understand .

" about how the first Wolverine got the name of Glutton , " replied Peter promptly .

" there must have been a very good reason , and if there was a very good reason , there must be a story .

please , Honker , tell me all about it . "

then he swam back to where Peter was sitting on the bank .

" peter , " said he , " I never in all my born days have seen such a fellow for questions as you are .

if I lived about here , I think I should swim away every time I saw you coming .

but as I only stop here for a day or two twice a year , I guess I can stand it .

besides , you really ought to know something about some of the people who live in the Great Forest .

it is shameful , Peter , that you should be so ignorant .

of course Peter promised .

he wanted that story so much that he would have promised anything .

so Honker told the story , and here it is just as Peter heard it .

in fact , some of his new neighbors were inclined to think that he was related to Old King Bear .

certainly he looked more like King Bear than he did like little Mr Weasel .

but for his bushy tail he would have looked still more like a member of the Bear family .

he was clumsy-looking .

he was rather slow moving , but he was strong , very strong for his size .

and he had a mean disposition .

yes , Sir , Mr Wolverine had a mean disposition .

he had such a mean disposition that he would snarl at his own reflection in a pool of water .

" now you know as well as I do that no one with a mean disposition has any friends .

it was so with Mr Wolverine .

when his neighbors found out what a mean disposition he had , they let him severely alone .

they would go out of their way to avoid meeting him .

this made his disposition all the meaner .

he didn't really care because his neighbors would have nothing to do with him .

no , he didn't really care , for the simple reason that he didn't want anything to do with them .

but just the same it made him angry to have them show that they didn't want to have anything to do with him .

he also learned very early in life that patience is a virtue few possess , and that patience and nimble wits will accomplish almost anything .

no one knew this because , you see , everybody kept away from him .

" ' One never knows when such knowledge may be useful , ' he would say to himself .

' The more I know about other people and the less they know about me the better . '

" the time did come .

Mr Wolverine didn't .

the fact is , Mr Wolverine lived very well indeed .

instead of hunting for food himself , he depended on his neighbors to hunt for him .

a growl from him was enough , and that meal was left in his possession .

when he awoke Mr Wolverine would finish what remained .

you know I told you he had a mean disposition .

glutton by name and a glutton in habit he remained as long as he lived .

both name and habits he handed down to his children and they to their children .

" Queer how a habit will stick , isn't it ? " said Peter thoughtfully .

" particularly a bad habit , " added Honker .

VII

WHERE OLD MRS.

' GATOR MADE THE FIRST INCUBATOR

Peter Rabbit and Mrs Quack the Mallard Duck are great friends .

during that long summer Peter had become very well acquainted with them .

people who live where he does call him just ' Gator , but you and I would call him Alligator .

' Gator .

it seemed as if he couldn't think of anything else .

" what ? " he squealed , hopping up and down in excitement .

I don't believe it !

besides , only birds lay eggs . "

" quack , quack , quack , quack , quack , quack , quack , Peter , you must take that back ! "

cried Mrs Quack .

" why must I take it back ? " demanded Peter .

" because as usual you 've let your tongue run loose , and that is a bad habit , Peter .

it certainly is a bad habit .

how about the Snake family ? "

" oh ! " said Peter , looking very foolish .

" I forgot all about the Snakes .

they do lay eggs . "

" and how about Spotty the Turtle ?

didn't he come from an egg ? " persisted Mrs Quack .

Peter looked more foolish than before , if that were possible .

" Y-e-s , " he replied slowly and reluctantly .

" then don't be so quick to doubt a thing just because you 've never seen it , " retorted Mrs Quack .

" I 've seen Mrs .

" I beg your pardon , Mrs Quack . "

Peter was very humble .

" I do indeed .

please forgive me .

is is Mrs.

' Gator 's nest at all like yours ? "

Peter seemed so truly sorry for having doubted her that Mrs Quack recovered her good nature at once .

" no , " said she , " it isn't .

if I hadn't seen her make it , I wouldn't have known it was a nest .

' Gator 's nest and eggs and a lot of other things .

Mrs.

' Gator is lazy , but she is smart .

she 's smart enough to make Mr Sun do her work .

what do you think of that ? "

right away Peter was all excitement .

you see , that sounded as if there might be a story behind it .

" I never have heard of such a thing ! " he cried .

" how did she learn to do such a smart thing as that ?

of course I don't for a minute believe that she herself discovered a way to get Mr Sun to work for her .

probably it was her ever-so-great-grandmother who first did it .

isn't that so , Mrs Quack ? "

Mrs Quack nodded .

" you 've guessed it , Peter , " said she .

" it all happened way , way back in the days when the world was young . "

" tell me about it !

when she was quite satisfied , she turned to Peter , fidgeting on the bank .

' Gator , who live way down south now , belong to a very old family and are proud of it .

in the beginning of things there was very little dry land , as you may have heard , so old Mr. and Mrs .

' Gator , who of course were not old then , were made to live in the water with the fish .

old Mother Nature was experimenting then .

" it didn't take Mr . and Mrs.

' Gator long to discover that their legs were not of much use in the water , for they used their powerful tails for swimming .

then one day Mrs.

' Gator crawled out on land and right away discovered what those legs were for .

she could go on dry land while fishes could not .

' Gator spent most of their time on sunny days taking sun-baths .

" one day Old Mother Nature came along and whispered a wonderful secret to Mrs.

' Gator .

but if you let those eggs get cold , there will be no babies .

don't forget that you must keep them warm . '

" old Mother Nature was as good as her word .

she gave Mrs.

' Gator twenty beautiful white eggs , and Mrs .

' Gator was perfectly happy .

those eggs were the most precious things in all the Great World .

it was very pleasant to lie there in the sun and dream of the babies to come from those wonderful eggs .

all in a twinkling happiness was turned to worry .

" ' What can I do ?

what can I do ? '

Mrs.

' Gator kept saying over and over .

' However can I keep them warm when Mr Sun goes to bed at night ?

oh , dear !

oh , dear !

my beautiful eggs never , never will turn to darling babies !

what can I do ? '

" all this time Mr .

' Gator was a great deal more interested in making himself comfortable than he was in those eggs .

the sand he had thrown in a pile at one side .

when Mrs .

' Gator went to consult Mr .

a clever idea came to her like a flash .

" first she sent Mr.

' Gator into the water to get his supper .

when this was done she stretched out close by to keep watch and see that nothing disturbed those treasures .

that was a very anxious night for Mrs.

' Gator .

the sand on which she lay grew very cool .

when Mr .

Mrs.

night and day she kept guard , and all the time she worried lest those eggs should not be warm enough .

then one day twenty baby ' Gators dug their way out of that mound of sand .

yes , Sir , they did .

and today it is done just as I 've told you , for I 've seen with my own eyes Mrs .

' Gator build her nest , cover her eggs , and then lie around while Mr Sun did the work for her .

what do you think of that ? "

VIII

WHERE MR . QUACK GOT HIS WEBBED FEET

can you guess why ?

they are Mr and Mrs. Quack , the Mallard Ducks .

one reason Peter is so fond of Mr and Mrs. Quack is because they always have a story for him .

sometimes it is a story of adventure , a tale of terrible danger and narrow escapes .

sometimes it is about their home in the far Northland , and again it is about the wonderful Southland where they spend the winter .

but the story that Peter likes best is the one about where and how the Quack family got their funny , webbed feet .

Mr Quack doesn't think those feet funny at all , but Peter does .

and always he goes back to the dear Old Briar-patch with renewed admiration for the wisdom of Old Mother Nature .

Peter noticed those feet the first time he met Mr and Mrs. Quack .

he couldn't help but notice them .

they heard him coming and not knowing at first who it was they at once started for the water .

Peter never will forget the funny way in which they waddled .

he never had seen anybody quite so awkward .

but when they reached the water he forgot to laugh .

he simply stared open-mouthed in astonishment .

you see there they were as graceful as they had been awkward on land .

afterward , when Peter had become acquainted with them and they were the best of friends , he ventured to speak of their queer feet .

" do you know , " said he , " you have the most interesting feet of anybody I know of .

they are so broad that the first time I saw them I couldn't believe my own eyes .

I didn't suppose anybody had such broad feet .

I suppose there is some special reason why they are so broad and why your legs are so short .

do you know how Mother Nature happened to give you feet so different from the feet of other birds , Mr Quack ? "

Mr Quack chuckled .

Peter agreed at once .

at last , just as Peter Rabbit was beginning to lose patience Mr Quack began .

perhaps they knew each other .

perhaps they were acquainted just as you and I are now .

they were made for scratching , and there was nothing between the toes .

you see , Old Mother Nature was experimenting .

when he walked , everybody laughed at him .

when he tried to run , they laughed harder than ever .

he didn't mind this so very much , though he did a little .

nobody likes to be laughed at , especially when it is because of something they cannot help .

and when he was quite out of breath , Mr Quack discovered that he was making all this fuss for nothing .

he didn't sink , but floated on the water , and what was more the water didn't get under his feathers at all .

but he kept moving them back and forth , and pretty soon he discovered that he moved ahead .

he knew then that he could get back to land .

then he tried his wings and he found that he could rise into the air from the water quite as easily as from the land .

right then and there all fear of the water left him .

in fact , he liked it .

" Little by little , Grandfather Quack began to understand that he had made a great discovery .

he had discovered the safest place in all the Great World for him .

out on the water he was safe from Mr Fox and Mr Wolf and all the other four-footed hunters .

so he took to spending most of his time on the water or near it .

when he wanted a nap , he would hide among the rushes that grew in the water .

' If only I didn't have to leave the water for food ! ' sighed Grandfather Quack .

' If only I could find food here , I would never leave the water . '

" at the time he was squatting at the very edge of the Smiling Pool .

presently he noticed a funny water bug crawling on the bottom where the water was only an inch or two deep .

it was good .

then quite by accident he got hold of a tender root in the mud and found that this was especially good .

" this was enough for Grandfather Quack .

he had found that he could get plenty to eat without leaving the Smiling Pool .

moreover , he didn't have to share it with anybody , because there was no one else who thought of looking for food there .

he knew when he was well off .

so Grandfather Quack grew fat and was happy .

but in spite of these things he was happy and made the best of his lot .

" one day he tugged and tugged at a root with his head under water .

' Come over here , Mr Quack , and tell me all about it , ' she commanded .

old Mother Nature smiled as she watched him .

' You look better on the water than you do on land , ' said she .

' In fact , I believe that is just where you belong .

now tell me how you happened to take to the water . '

suddenly she reached out and caught him by the bill .

' I don't think much of that bill for poking about in the mud , ' said she .

' How will this do ? '

she let go , and Grandfather Quack found he had a broad bill just suited for getting food out of the mud .

then Old Mother Nature bade him hold forth first one foot and then the other .

between the toes she stretched a tough skin clear to the toe nails .

' Now let me see you swim , ' said she .

" grandfather Quack tried .

he kicked one foot and then the other , and to his great joy he shot along swiftly .

when he drew his feet back for another kick his toes closed together , and so his feet came through the water easily .

but when he kicked back they were wide spread , and the skin between them pushed against the water , and drove him ahead .

it was wonderful !

it was splendid !

he hurried over to Old Mother Nature , and with tears of joy in his eyes he thanked her .

Illustration : Peter noticed those feet the first time he met Mr and Mrs. Quack .

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IX

WHERE THUNDERFOOT THE BISON GOT HIS HUMP

his head is carried low , very near the ground , and on his shoulders is a great hump .

no , you wouldn't call him handsome .

you would hardly call him good-looking even .

in fact , you would , I suspect , call him homely .

certainly there is nothing about him to suggest pride .

Peter Rabbit , as you know , is very fond of stories .

in this respect he is very like some other folks I know .

anyway , he never misses a chance for a story if he can help it .

perhaps Old Man Coyote hoped that Peter would become so interested that he would forget and come out of the dear Old Briar-patch .

but Peter never did .

it was thus that he heard about Thunderfoot the Bison and where he got that great hump of his .

all the very big people seem to prefer to live in the Green Forest . "

Digger shook his head sadly .

instantly Peter pricked up his ears .

" who was Thunderfoot ? " he demanded .

Digger looked at Peter with such a look of pity for Peter 's ignorance that Peter felt almost ashamed .

" if that 's the case , " replied Digger , " it is time you learned about the Lord of the Prairies . "

" but I want to know about Thunderfoot first ! " cried Peter .

" you can tell me about the Lord of the Prairies another time . "

" were you born stupid or have you grown so ? " asked Digger impatiently .

then without waiting for an answer he added : " Thunderfoot was the Lord of the Prairies .

he ruled over the Wide Prairies just as Old King Bear ruled in the Green Forest .

he ruled by might .

he ruled because no one dared deny him the right to rule .

he ruled because of his great size and his great strength .

and all who lived on the Wide Prairies looked up to him and admired him and bowed before him and paid him the utmost respect .

make way !

make way ! '

that there was a story he hadn't the least doubt .

Big was he , the biggest of all living creatures thereabouts .

Strong was he with a strength none cared to test .

and he was handsome .

he held his head proudly .

all who lived on the Wide Prairies admired him with a great admiration and hastened to pay homage to him .

" for a long time he ruled wisely .

the humblest of his subjects could come to him freely and be sure of a hearing and that justice would be done .

Big as he was and mighty as he was , he took the greatest care never to forget the rights of others .

" but there came a time when flattery turned his head , as the saying is .

Mr Coyote and Mr Fox were the chief flatterers , and in all the Great World there were no smoother tongues than theirs .

" little by little , without knowing it , he yielded to the flattery of Mr Coyote and Mr Fox .

he liked to hear the pleasant things they said .

Little by little it became easier to find them in the right than in the wrong when they were accused of wronging their neighbors .

of course they flattered him still more .

" gradually the little people of the Wide Prairies began to notice a change in Thunderfoot .

he became proud and vain .

he openly boasted of his strength and fine appearance .

when he met them he passed them haughtily , not seeing them at all , or at least appearing not to .

no longer did he regard the rights of others .

no longer did he watch out not to crush the nest of Mrs Meadow Lark or to step on the babies of Danny Meadow Mouse .

Mr Meadow Lark was in great distress .

' Turn aside , my Lord ! ' he begged .

" Thunderfoot the Bison , Lord of the Wide Prairies , tossed his head .

' If anything so unfortunate happens to it , it is your own fault , and you mustn't blame me . '

and he neither looked down to see where he was putting his feet nor turned aside so much as an inch .

" Mr Coyote , who was racing beside him on one side and saw what had happened , grinned .

Mr Fox , who was racing beside him on the other side and saw what had happened , grinned .

seeing them grin , Thunderfoot himself grinned .

thus grinning heartlessly , they continued to run until they came to a place where Mother Nature walked among the flowers of the Wide Prairies .

" ' My Lord of the Prairies seems in fine spirits , ' said Mother Nature softly .

' Is all well with my Lord ? '

" Thunderfoot tossed his head proudly .

' All is well , ' said he .

' I seem to hear the sobs of a broken-hearted little Meadow Lark , ' she continued .

" it was so .

from that day on , Thunderfoot ceased to rule over the Wide Prairies .

x

WHERE LIMBERHEELS GOT HIS LONG TAIL .

have you ever seen Limberheels the Jumping Mouse when he was in a hurry ?

if you have , very likely the first time you felt very much as Peter Rabbit did when he saw Limberheels for the first time .

Peter rubbed his eyes .

" did I see it , or didn't I ?

and if I did , what was it ? " gasped Peter .

a squeaky little laugh answered him .

" you saw it all right , Peter , but it isn't polite to call any one it .

he would be quite provoked if he had heard you .

that was my cousin , Limberheels , " replied a voice quite as squeaky as the laugh had been .

" hello , Danny ! " he exclaimed .

" do you mean to tell me that was a relative of yours ?

since when have any of your relatives taken to flying ? "

Danny chuckled .

" he wasn't flying , " he retorted .

" he just jumped , that was all . "

" jumped ! " snorted Peter .

" jumped !

do you expect me to believe that any Mouse can jump like that ?

I didn't get a good look at that fellow , but whoever he is I tell you he flew .

nobody can jump like that . "

Danny chuckled again .

" wait a minute , Peter , " said he .

he disappeared , and Peter waited .

he waited one minute , two minutes , three minutes , and then suddenly Danny poked his head out from the grass beside the path .

" here he is , Peter , " said he , coming wholly out into the path .

" let me introduce my cousin , Limberheels . "

as he spoke the grass beside him rustled , and out crept some one beside whom Danny Meadow Mouse looked big , clumsy and homely .

he was trim and slender .

he wore a reddish-brown coat with a white waistcoat .

but the things that made Peter stare very impolitely were his tail and his legs .

it took only one glance to convince Peter that here was a born jumper .

any one built like that must jump .

" you two must become acquainted and be friends , " continued Danny Meadow Mouse .

" Peter is one of my best friends , Limberheels .

he wouldn't hurt a flea .

I 'm sure that from now on he will be one of your best friends . "

" I 'll be happy to , " said Peter promptly .

" Danny has been telling me what a wonderful jumper you are .

would you mind showing me how you jump ?

" I guess I did , " replied Limberheels rather timidly .

I 'll be ever so glad to have you for a friend and next time I won't run away . "

" show him how you can jump , " interrupted Danny Meadow Mouse .

" he wouldn't believe me when I told him that you didn't fly . "

Limberheels grinned rather sheepishly .

" of course I didn't fly , " said he .

" no animal can fly but Flitter the Bat .

I just jumped like this . "

with a tremendous spring from his long hind legs Limberheels leaped , while Peter Rabbit stared , his mouth wide open with astonishment .

he hadn't dreamed that any one could jump so far in proportion to his size as this slim , trim little cousin of Danny 's .

" never in my life have I seen such jumping , " he declared .

" and never have I seen such a tail .

I thought Whitefoot the Wood Mouse had a fine tail , but it doesn't compare with that of Limberheels . "

" it is a fine tail , " replied Danny , whose own tail , as you know , is very short .

" it is a fine tail , " he repeated rather wistfully .

" would you like to hear where he got it ? "

" I know , " retorted Peter with a grin .

Danny brightened up at once .

" it 's funny how things come about in this world , " he began .

he was little , one of the smallest of the family , and his tail was short , no longer than mine .

his hind legs were like those of all his relatives .

he ran about just as his relatives did .

he was so small and kept out of sight so much that he didn't even have a name .

there was nothing about him to suggest a name .

" for a long time he was contented and happy .

then one day he happened to see Mr Hare jump .

it seemed to him the most wonderful thing in the world that any one should be able to jump like that .

so he began to spend most of his spare time where he could watch Mr Hare .

I wish I had long hind legs like Mr Hare . '

" old Mother Nature 's kindly eyes twinkled .

' That 's easily arranged , ' said she .

' If you think long hind legs will be of more use to you than the ones you have , you shall have them . '

" the next morning when little Mr Mouse awoke , he discovered that in the night something had happened to his hind legs .

they were very long and strong , regular jumping legs like those of Mr Hare .

of course he was in such a great hurry to try them that he couldn't wait for his breakfast .

he began by making little short hops , and in no time at all he was getting about splendidly .

at last he got up his courage to try a long jump .

up in the air he shot , and then something happened .

yes , Sir , something happened .

he couldn't kept his balance .

he turned two or three somersaults and landed on his back .

" ' I guess , ' said he to himself , ' I 've got to learn to make long jumps . '

so at last he gave up trying and contented himself with short jumps .

finally Old Mother Nature came that way again .

" ' How do you like your long hind legs ? ' she asked .

" ' Very much , thank you , ' replied little Mr Mouse politely .

" ' Let me see you jump , ' said Old Mother Nature .

" little Mr Mouse made half a dozen little jumps .

they were not much more than hops .

' You don't call that jumping , do you ? ' laughed Old Mother Nature .

' With such long , strong legs as I 've given you , you ought to be one of the best jumpers anywhere about .

now let me see you make a long jump . '

" little Mr Mouse tried his best to think of some excuse , but he couldn't .

so he made a long jump , and the usual thing happened he turned two or three somersaults and landed on his back .

old Mother Nature looked astonished .

then she laughed until she had to hold her sides .

' Do it again , ' she commanded .

" with the most shamefaced air that you can imagine , little Mr Mouse jumped again .

old Mother Nature watched him closely .

' Come here to me , ' said she as he scrambled to his feet after his tumble .

' It 's all my fault , ' said she kindly , as he obeyed her .

' It was very stupid of me .

what you need is a long tail to balance you on a long jump .

that short tail is all right for short jumps , but it won't do for long jumps .

it won't do at all .

I should have thought of that when I made your legs long . '

' Now jump , ' she commanded , ' and jump with all your might . '

" a little fearfully but with the beginning of a little hope Mr Mouse jumped with all his might .

mother Nature was smiling .

" ' There you are , Mr Limberheels .

I guess that that will make you quite the most wonderful jumper of all my children , ' said she .

" do you know , " he added wistfully , " sometimes I envy my cousin Limberheels . "

" I envy him myself , " declared Peter .

XI

WHERE OLD MR . GOBBLER GOT THE STRUTTING HABIT

Peter Rabbit never will forget the first time he saw Big Tom Gobbler .

it seemed to come from somewhere back in the woods in the very direction from which he had just come .

" Gobble-obble-obble ! " said the voice , and again a moment later " Gobble-obble-obble ! "

only the shine of a pair of the sharpest eyes Peter ever had seen showed that he was alive .

Peter held his breath , and it was so still that you could have heard a leaf drop had you been there .

when at last the stranger moved , it was his head only .

he turned it suddenly to the right and a moment later to the left .

it was plain that he was listening for suspicious sounds .

a sound seemed to catch the stranger 's quick ears , for he stopped and stared very hard at a little clump of brush .

Peter stared at it too .

at first he saw nothing , but presently he saw a head poked out , and this also was a stranger .

never had he seen such a change in anybody .

this stranger didn't look like the same bird at all .

he was swelled up until Peter was afraid he would burst .

his tail was spread out like a great fan .

his head was laid back on his humped shoulders .

his wings were dropped until the stiffly spread feathers brushed the ground .

his head and neck were as red as blood , and there were no feathers on either .

back and forth in front of the brush from which the other stranger was peeping very shyly this great bird strutted .

never had Peter seen such vanity , such conceit , such imposing , puffed-up pride .

" Chug-a-rum ! " exclaimed Grandfather Frog , opening his big mouth very wide to laugh at Peter and his excitement .

it was her head you saw .

Big Tom is the most conceited fellow in the Green Forest .

he dearly loves to strut .

he is just like his father and his grandfather and his great-grandfather .

the Gobblers never have gotten over strutting since Old Mr Gobbler , the first of the family , got the habit . "

" tell me about it .

please , Grandfather Frog , tell me about it , " begged Peter .

" how did Old Mr Gobbler get the habit ? "

grandfather Frog chuckled .

" he got it from admiring his own reflection in a pool of water , " said he .

with plenty to eat and little to do , they had more time to think about themselves than they do now .

then one day as he was walking along , he came to a little pool of water .

it was very clear , and there wasn't a ripple on the surface .

there for the first time Mr Gobbler saw his reflection .

the more he looked , the better he liked his own appearance .

he spread his tail just to see how it would look in the water .

then he puffed himself out and strutted .

" ' There is nobody to compare with me , ' thought he , and strutted more than ever .

" after that he used to steal away every day to admire himself in that little pool of water .

he tried new ways of strutting and of puffing himself out .

after a while he was no longer content to admire himself .

he wanted others to admire him .

so the first chance he got he began to strut and show off all his grand airs before Mrs Gobbler .

at first she paid no attention to him .

at least that is the way she appeared .

she would turn her back on him and walk off into the bushes .

that made him strut all the more .

then he took to bragging and boasting that there was no bird to compare with him .

thus he became quite unbearable , and all his neighbors would turn their backs on him when they saw him coming .

only Mrs Gobbler continued to watch in secret and to admire him .

" now in those days Mr Gobbler didn't have a red head and neck .

one day Old Mother Nature happened along when Mr Gobbler was strutting and boasting how big and brave he was .

he didn't see her , and she watched him quietly for a few minutes .

then she slipped away and hunted up Mr Wolf .

" Mr Wolf grinned and trotted off to do her bidding .

he found Mr Gobbler swelled up until he looked as if he must burst , and bragging to Mrs Gobbler .

" ' I 'm the biggest of all the birds , ' bragged Mr Gobbler .

' I 'm afraid of no one .

while you have me with you , my dear , you have nothing in all the Great World to fear . '

" Just then out sprang Mr Wolf with all his long , sharp teeth showing .

Mr Gobbler gave a yelp of fright .

he lost his swelled-up appearance as suddenly as a bubble flattens out when it is pricked .

with a frantic beating of his wings he took to the air .

the blood ran all over his head and down his neck , though he really was hardly hurt at all .

from the top of a tall tree he looked down .

there stood Old Mother Nature , looking up at him .

" ' Mr Gobbler , ' said she , ' you have acquired a bad habit , a very bad habit .

" and so it was .

and so it is with Big Tom Gobbler to this day .

there is nothing in the world more foolish than vanity , " concluded Grandfather Frog .

Illustration : " don't call me Striped Chipmunk , and don't call me Gopher ! " said he .

page @number@

XII

WHERE SEEK-SEEK GOT HIS PRETTY COAT

Peter won't forget that meeting , because of the funny mistake he made and the foolish feeling he had as a result of it .

you see , Peter didn't know that there was such a person as Seek-Seek .

but as he drew nearer , it suddenly moved .

" hello , Striped Chipmunk !

what are you doing way out here so far from the old stone wall ? " exclaimed Peter .

the small person in the striped coat whirled and faced Peter with snapping eyes .

" don't call me Striped Chipmunk , and don't call me Gopher ! " said he very fiercely for so small a person .

" I am neither one .

I am Seek-Seek the Ground Squirrel , and I 'll thank you to call me by my own name .

I am getting everlastingly tired of being called the names of other people . "

Peter looked very foolish .

" I beg your pardon , " said he .

" I do indeed .

I 'm sorry .

perhaps you don't know it , but you look very much like Striped Chipmunk , who is one of my best friends .

you look so much like him that I thought you must be him .

I wonder if you are related to him . "

" certainly I 'm related to him , or he is related to me , whichever way you please to put it , " snapped Seek-Seek .

" we are cousins .

but he is a Rock Squirrel , and I am a Ground Squirrel which is altogether different .

you don't find me where there are rocks and stones in the way if I know it .

besides , if you used your eyes , you would see that we are not dressed alike either .

Just because we both happen to wear stripes is no reason why we should be mistaken for each other . "

Peter looked at Seek-Seek more closely than he had , and at once he made a discovery .

" why ! " he exclaimed , " your coat has more stripes than Striped Chipmunk 's has , hasn't it ? "

" I should hope so , " retorted Seek-Seek .

" and it has little rows of spots , too ! " cried Peter .

" if I had noticed those spots at first , I wouldn't have made such a foolish mistake .

I do believe that your coat is prettier than Striped Chipmunk 's , and I had thought his as pretty as a coat can be . "

Seek-Seek looked rather pleased , though he tried not to .

" huh ! " he sniffed .

" of course it 's prettier .

it took you a long time to find it out .

I wouldn't trade coats with Striped Chipmunk or anybody else of my acquaintance . "

" neither would I if I were in your place , " declared Peter .

" I wish Old Mother Nature had given me a coat like that . "

he said this so wistfully that Seek-Seek , who had started to laugh , turned his head so that Peter might not know it .

" I 'm afraid it wouldn't look so well on one as big as you , " he replied .

" anyway , you wouldn't be able to hide from your enemies as you can now . "

" that 's so , " said Peter thoughtfully .

" I would be easily seen in a coat like that , for a fact .

I hadn't thought of that .

I guess Old Mother Nature knows best .

I I wonder how she ever happened to think of a coat like yours . "

Seek-Seek chuckled .

he had quite forgotten that he had felt offended because Peter had mistaken him for his cousin , Striped Chipmunk .

he enjoyed Peter 's admiration of his coat .

he is naturally rather talkative , and like most folks he enjoyed talking about himself .

" this coat , " said he , " has been in the family a very great while .

" I mean this style of coat has been in the family a very long time .

my father was dressed just as I am .

so was his father and "

" I know , " interrupted Peter .

it 's funny to me that all the interesting things happened such a long time ago .

now wasn't that what you were going to say ? "

Seek-Seek admitted that it was , and looked a little disappointed that Peter had guessed it .

" there is a story .

I know there is a story , " declared Peter .

" won't you tell it to me please , Seek-Seek ? "

the very first of all my great-great-grandfathers was called Seek-Seek .

true , he could climb a little , but it was not easy , and he felt anything but comfortable off the ground .

so Old Mother Nature must have been thinking of the Marmots when she fashioned those claws .

" at first Seek-Seek wandered about trying to find a place for himself in the Great World .

then one day he met Mr Chipmunk .

they stopped and stared at each other in surprise because , you know , their coats were so much alike .

at that time Seek-Seek was wearing plain stripes , just as Striped Chipmunk does to this day .

" ' What do you mean by stealing my coat ? ' demanded Mr Chipmunk angrily .

" ' I was just about to ask you the same question , ' retorted Seek-Seek .

" Mr Chipmunk had a sharp reply right on the tip of his tongue , but he checked it just in time .

' What 's the use of quarreling over something neither of us had anything to do with ? ' said he .

' It must be that we are cousins .

where do you live ? '

" Seek-Seek explained that he didn't live anywhere in particular but was trying to find his place in the Great World .

he told how he had tried to live like the other Squirrels and failed .

' I know !

I know all about it , ' interrupted Mr Chipmunk .

' I 've been all through it .

the place for us is on the ground or at least close to it .

come see how I live . '

" So Seek-Seek went with Mr Chipmunk and saw how he lived among the rocks and stones .

for a time he tried living there too , but he didn't like the rocks and stones much better than he did the trees .

besides , all the neighbors were forever mistaking him for Mr Chipmunk because they looked so much alike , and he didn't like this .

one day he wandered out on the Green Meadows .

it was very lovely out there among the grasses and flowers .

he wandered farther and farther , and the farther he wandered the better he liked it .

by and by he came to the home of Yap-Yap the Prairie Dog , who is one of the Marmot family , as you know .

" ' A home like that would suit me , ' thought Grandfather Seek-Seek wistfully , as he journeyed on .

' I wonder if I could dig one .

I believe I 'll try . '

" so when he found a place to suit him he began to dig .

there were no stones to hurt his feet and dull his nails , and he actually enjoyed digging .

so he dug and dug until he had a wonderful underground home .

all about were plenty of seeds and tender grasses to eat , and he was happy .

he had found his place in the Great World .

then one day along came Old Mother Nature .

" then she discovered her mistake .

' Dear me , ' said she , ' this will never do at all .

if I can't tell my own children apart , how can I expect others to ?

your coat is altogether too much like that of Mr Chipmunk .

I must change it .

I certainly must change it . '

" she leaned over and lightly tapped Seek-Seek right down the length of the broadest brown stripe of his coat .

wherever her finger touched a little spot of yellow was left .

then she did the same thing to each of the other brown stripes .

from that day on he never was mistaken for Mr Chipmunk or any one else .

that 's the story of my coat , and now I must get busy collecting seeds for my storehouse , " concluded Seek-Seek .

" come and see me again , Peter Rabbit . "

XIII

WHERE OLD MR . OSPREY LEARNED TO FISH

Peter Rabbit had seen a very strange thing .

it was strange to Peter , anyway .

coming straight towards him , but high in the air , was a big bird , a bird with broad wings .

Peter didn't have to look twice to know that it was a member of the Hawk family .

at first he thought it was Redtail .

Peter didn't stop to think of that .

he would stay there until the way was clear to get home to the dear Old Briar-patch .

as soon as he was safe in the old house of Johnny Chuck , he turned and poked his head out of the doorway .

he wanted to see if any one would be caught .

he hoped not , but if any one was caught , he wanted to see .

you know Peter never misses anything if he can help it .

then Peter saw that he had a white waist-coat and was a stranger .

" I wonder who he is ? " thought Peter , staring very hard .

" he 's bigger than either Redtail or Whitetail .

I hope he isn't going to make his home here , because we have trouble enough as it is . "

suddenly Mr Hawk paused high up in the air , then closed his wings and shot straight down like an arrow .

plunge !

Peter couldn't believe his own eyes .

Mr Hawk actually had disappeared in the Smiling Pool !

up , up he went , and then Peter saw that in his great claws was a fish .

Peter watched him fly away with the fish , and when he felt that it was quite safe to do so , he came out .

over on the end of an old log among the bulrushes sat Jerry Muskrat just where Peter had left him .

it was very plain that Jerry hadn't been the least bit frightened by Mr Hawk .

Peter couldn't understand it .

his eyes fairly popped out of his head with excitement and curiosity .

" who was that ? " he asked eagerly .

" that ?

why , that was Plunger the Osprey , though some people call him Fish Hawk , " replied Jerry .

" I thought everybody knew him .

why did you run away , Peter ?

he wouldn't hurt you . "

" huh !

I wouldn't trust any Hawk ! " snapped Peter .

" which goes to show how little you know ! " retorted Jerry Muskrat .

" Plunger never bothers anybody but the fish , but he surely is a terror to them .

old Mother Nature knew what she was doing when she made fishermen out of that family , didn't she ? "

" she certainly did , though I 've never heard how she came to do it .

how did it happen , Jerry ? "

Peter was doing some fishing himself .

he was fishing for a story .

Jerry Muskrat grinned .

" think you 'll sleep any better if I tell you ? " he inquired .

Peter grinned back and nodded .

so Jerry Muskrat told him this story :

the Great World was a new place , and they were new in it .

no one knew exactly his place or what was expected of him , and Old Mother Nature was too busy to be bothered with questions .

if he couldn't do that , she didn't want him around at all , and the sooner something happened to him the better .

so the Great World began to be peopled with birds and animals .

you 've heard about that hard time and sad time ? "

Peter nodded , and Jerry took a drink of water and then went on with his tale .

and yet I guess it wasn't wholly bad .

nothing is , so far as I can find out .

anyway , because of that hard time , everybody became a little smarter than before .

you know an empty stomach sharpens wit , and fear puts a fine edge on it .

one day he caught little Mr Sparrow when little Mr Sparrow was so busy that he forgot to watch out .

I hate to make a neighbor uncomfortable , and I 'll be just as quick and accommodating about this little matter as I can .

I just must have it , or I wouldn't bother you at all .

I hope you won't hold it against me , Mr Sparrow . '

" Mr Osprey was so nice and polite about it that little Mr Sparrow perked up a little and started his wits working .

he tried to be just as nice and polite as Mr Osprey .

so long as that emptiness is filled , I don't suppose it matters to you if I shouldn't happen to fill it . '

" ' Not at all , ' replied Mr Osprey .

" ' Mr Osprey , ' said little Mr Sparrow very earnestly , ' if I were in your place , I never would go hungry .

no , Sir , I never would go hungry .

and I certainly never , never would trouble any of my neighbors who wear feathers .

I certainly would feel most happy if Old Mother Nature had given me what she has given you .

indeed I would . '

" Mr Osprey looked down at little Mr Sparrow and blinked at him in a puzzled way .

' What has Old Mother Nature given me that you would be happy to have ? ' he asked .

" ' Fishhooks ! ' replied little Mr Sparrow , pointing to Mr Osprey 's great claws , ' the finest fishhooks in the world .

you don't hear Billy Mink or Little Joe Otter or Mr Heron complaining about hard times .

why ?

because they don't know what hard times are .

there are plenty of fish to be caught , and when they are hungry they go fishing .

fish are very filling and satisfying , I 've heard say .

seemed like he was just waiting for some one with hooks to come along and snatch him right out of the water . '

" ' Where 'd you say that fish was ? ' asked Mr Osprey .

" ' If you 'll let me go , I 'll show you , ' replied little Mr Sparrow .

" so Mr Osprey let little Mr Sparrow go , but he followed him right close .

Mr Sparrow led the way straight to the Smiling Pool .

sure enough , there was the big fish taking a sun-bath .

Mr. Osprey hardly wet his feet putting those big hooks into that fish .

he flew away with it , and presently he was rid of that emptiness in his stomach and had back his peace of mind .

after that , whenever he was hungry , he went fishing instead of hunting the birds and the animals .

by practice he learned how to use those big fishhooks of his and became one of the smartest of all fishermen .

and it 's been just that way ever since .

there comes old Redtail the Hawk .

you 'd better get out of sight , Peter . "

Peter did .

XIV

WHERE OLD MR . BOB-CAT LEFT HIS HONOR

of all those who are forever trying to catch Peter Rabbit , he fears none more than Yowler the Bob-cat .

and from that fear has grown hate .

you will find it true all through life that hate often springs from great fear .

Peter isn't much given to hate , but he does hate Yowler the Bob-cat .

he has no honor .

there are many others whom Peter fears , Reddy Fox , Old Man Coyote , Hooty the Owl , and with very good reason .

but Peter considers that these hunt him fairly .

he knows when and where to be on the watch for them .

but with Yowler it is altogether different .

Yowler hides beside one of Peter 's favorite little paths , and there he waits patiently for unsuspecting Peter to come along .

he waits and watches much as Black Pussy , who is a cousin of Yowler , waits and watches at a mousehole .

Peter feels that it doesn't give him a chance , and everybody is entitled to at least a chance to live .

he had been hopping along one of his favorite little paths without a thought of danger .

presently he came to a little branch path .

there he hesitated .

he knew no reason why he shouldn't keep on as he had planned .

it was just a feeling that it would be better to take the other path , a feeling without any real reason .

so he hesitated and finally turned down the little branch path .

as he did so he caught a glimpse of a brown form moving stealthily from behind a log farther up the main little path .

it was moving swiftly in the direction of the little branch path .

that glimpse was enough for Peter .

that stealthy form could be but one person Yowler the Bob-cat .

" who is it you hate ? " asked a voice .

for just a second Peter was startled , then he recognized the voice of Mrs Grouse , one of his very best friends .

" Yowler the Bob-cat , " said he as fiercely as before .

" I don't love him myself , " replied Mrs Grouse .

" I suspected that he was somewhere about , and that is why I am here .

did you see him ? "

" yes , " said Peter , " I saw him .

he was hiding beside my favorite little path , and it is a wonder I didn't hop straight into his jaws .

that fellow doesn't hunt fairly .

he doesn't give us a chance .

he hasn't any honor . "

" honor ! " exclaimed Mrs Grouse .

" honor !

of course he hasn't any honor .

honor !

of course Yowler hasn't any .

what could you expect ? "

at once Peter was all ears .

" I 've never heard about that , " said he .

" tell me about it , Mrs Grouse .

where was Turkey Wood , and how did old Mr Bob-cat happen to leave his honor there ? "

" he didn't happen to ; he did it deliberately , " replied Mrs Grouse .

already Mr Bob-cat had begun to form a sneaky habit of stealth .

" it happened that as he stole into Turkey Wood , Mrs Gobbler left her nest to get a bite to eat .

Mr Bob-cat saw her , but she didn't see him .

he crouched flat until she was out of sight .

" ' She seemed mighty careful about how she slipped out of those bushes , ' thought Mr Bob-cat .

' She acted as if she didn't want to be seen .

I wonder why .

I wonder if she has a secret hidden in those bushes .

I suppose the way to find out is to look . '

he didn't know what they were , for they were the first eggs he had ever seen .

he stared at them and wondered if they were good to eat .

he glanced this way and that way to be sure that no one was watching him .

" ' Don't touch them , ' warned something inside of him .

" ' Remember your honor , ' warned the first little voice .

" ' Bother my honor !

I 'm not going to do any harm , ' muttered Mr Bob-cat , and picked up one of the eggs in his mouth .

he tried it with his teeth to see if it was hard , and of course he put his teeth right through the shell .

he started to put it back in a hurry , but just then he noticed a good taste in his mouth .

the inside of that egg was good to eat , very good indeed !

" when Mrs Gobbler returned , she did miss that egg .

she looked all about for it , but there was nothing to show what had become of it .

with a troubled mind she began to sit on her eggs .

she was so worried that she didn't leave them until she simply had to get something to eat .

there he lay and watched and watched until Mrs Gobbler left to get something to eat .

no sooner was she out of sight than Mr Bob-cat stole to the nest .

" ' Remember your honor , ' warned the little voice inside .

" ' Bother honor .

I 'd rather have an egg , ' muttered Mr Bob-cat , and pulled one out of the nest .

he bit a hole in one end and sucked out the contents .

it was so good he took another .

this led to a third , and finally Mr Bob-cat had sucked every one of those eggs .

then silently he sneaked away away from Turkey Wood to a distant part of the Green Forest .

behind him in Turkey Wood he left a nestful of empty shells and his honor .

he never would meet any one face to face .

you know that is something that one who has lost his honor never can do .

it wasn't long before all his neighbors knew that he was without honor , and so would have nothing to do with him .

they shunned him .

he grew to be more and more of a sneak .

and all the time he believed that no one knew what he had done or where he had left his honor .

" but Old Mother Nature knew .

of course Mrs Gobbler told her what had happened to her eggs .

the first time she met Mr Bob-cat he tried to slip past unseen .

when Old Mother Nature stepped in front of him , he couldn't look her in the face , try as he would .

" 'Ah-ha ! ' said she .

' You are the one who left his honor in Turkey Wood .

from this time forth you shall be an outcast , friendless and alone , hated by every one . '

" and so it was , and has been ever since .

and so it is with Yowler today .

you said truly , Peter , that he hasn't any honor .

isn't it dreadful ? "

and Peter agreed that it is .

XV

WHERE DIPPY THE LOON GOT THE NAME OF BEING CRAZY

as you all know , Peter Rabbit is out and about at a time when most folks are snugly tucked in bed .

the fact is , Peter is very fond of roaming around at night .

now it happened one moonlight night that Peter had ventured way over almost to the Big River .

he had heard Hooty the Owl 's fierce hunting call far off in the Green Forest .

he had heard Reddy Fox barking up in the Old Pasture .

so Peter felt quite safe .

he felt so safe that he had almost forgotten that there could be such a thing as fear .

and then , from the direction of the Big River , there came such a sound as Peter never had heard before .

it was a sound that made his heart seem to quite stop beating for an instant .

it was a sound that sent cold chills racing and chasing all over him .

he didn't waste much time getting back to the dear Old Briar-patch , once he was sure his heart hadn't really stopped beating .

he didn't run a little way , stop , run a little farther and stop again , as is his usual way .

he kept lipperty-lipperty-lipping without a single stop until he reached the edge of the dear Old Briar-patch and once more felt really safe .

it was a voice ; Peter was sure of that .

it was a voice , but such a voice as Peter never in his life had heard before .

it was quite as bad if not worse than the voice of Old Man Coyote .

something inside Peter told him that it wasn't a human voice , in spite of its sounding so .

when he tried to tell Grandfather Frog what that voice was like , he couldn't .

he just couldn't describe it .

" it was the lonesomest and craziest sound I 've ever heard , " declared Peter , " and that is all I can tell you .

it was crazier than the voice of Old Man Coyote . "

" that is all you need tell me , " chuckled Grandfather Frog .

" that was the voice of Dippy the Loon .

and let me tell you something , Peter : you are not the first one to think his voice has a crazy sound .

oh , my , no !

no , indeed !

" but is he crazy ? " asked Peter .

" Chug-a-rum ! " exclaimed Grandfather Frog .

" Chug-a-rum !

not half so crazy as you are , Peter , coming over here to the Smiling Pool in broad daylight .

he likes to be thought crazy , just as his did before him , that 's all .

everybody thought his was crazy , and it paid Mr Loon to have them think so .

so he did his best to make them keep thinking so . "

" tell me about it .

do please tell me about it , Grandfather Frog , " begged Peter .

" please , please , please . "

now how could Grandfather Frog resist that ?

he couldn't .

he didn't even try to .

he just cleared his throat once or twice and began .

grandfather Frog chuckled and went right on with his story .

" right from the beginning Mr Loon was a mighty independent fellow .

he had sharp eyes , had old Mr Loon , just as Dippy has today , and he used them to good account .

" ' I suppose , ' said she , ' that you want a bill like Mr Duck 's . '

" Mr Loon shook his head .

' Thank you , ' said he , ' but I would prefer a sharp bill to a broad one . '

" ' How is that ? ' exclaimed Mother Nature .

' Mr Duck has been delighted with his bill ever since I gave it to him . '

" ' And with good reason , ' replied Mr . loon .

also I have noticed that there are fewer who eat fish . '

" so Mother Nature gave him the kind of bill he wanted , and Mr Loon went about his business .

in fact , his fishing was much like that of Mr Heron , save that the latter stood instead of sitting .

success was chiefly the result of luck and patience .

" now this sort of thing was not at all to the liking of Mr Loon .

he watched the fish swim , and he saw that the power which drove them through the water came from their tails .

Mr Loon grew very thoughtful .

" mother Nature was surprised .

she looked it .

' But you 'll hardly be able to walk at all with your legs there ! ' she exclaimed .

" Mr Loon said that he knew that , and that he didn't want to walk .

he would far rather spend all his time on the water .

so Mother Nature granted his request .

Mr Loon thanked her and started for the water .

he couldn't keep his balance .

he simply flopped along , while all his neighbors , who had heard his queer request , jeered at him and called him crazy .

he just didn't pay any attention , but flopped along until he reached the water .

then he swam away swiftly .

he practised a while and then he went fishing .

and those who had heard his strange request and thought him crazy were sure of it , as they listened to his wild laughter .

it pleased him to have them think him crazy , and he kept it up .

XVI

WHERE BIG-HORN GOT HIS CURVED HORNS

at the head of the flock was a Ram whose horns curved around in almost a circle , and whom Peter Rabbit often had admired .

Peter delights in doing things like this , because it isn't hard work at all .

it is only when there is real work concerned that Peter loses interest .

a lot of people are just like Peter in this respect .

for a long time Peter had greatly admired those horns , though he never had told any one so .

he had admired those horns because they were different from any other horns Peter ever had seen .

now as he watched he spoke aloud , without thinking what he was doing .

" I wish I had a pair of horns like those , " said he wistfully .

Digger the Badger stopped watching his shadow , and turned to stare at Peter .

then he laughed until finally he choked .

Peter looked at him in surprise .

" what 's the matter with you , Mr Badger ? " asked he .

" what is there to laugh at ? "

" only you , Peter .

only you , " replied Digger faintly , for he had laughed so hard that he had almost lost his voice .

" I am afraid you would find a pair of horns like those rather heavy , Peter , rather heavy . "

Peter grinned .

" of course I didn't really mean that , " said he .

" of course not .

I was just thinking how nice it would be to have such fine horns , if one were big enough to have horns .

I don't believe there are any other such horns in all the Great World . "

" and that shows how little you know about the Great World , Peter , " retorted Digger the Badger .

" did you ever see such horns before ? " demanded Peter .

from what I have heard my grandfather say , those horns over there of Mr Ram 's are nothing to brag about .

no , Sir , they are nothing to brag about .

one of those wild , free cousins of Mr Ram over there would laugh at those horns .

Peter pricked up his ears .

" that was a funny thing for Big-Horn to be doing , " said he .

" what under the sun did he have a chip on his shoulder for ?

and what harm was there in that , even if he did ? "

once more Digger began to laugh .

" Peter , " said he , " you certainly are the funniest fellow I know .

of course old Big-Horn didn't really have a chip on his shoulder .

that is just a saying , Peter , just a saying .

" oh ! " said Peter .

it wasn't that Big-Horn was ugly .

he wasn't .

you see Old Mother Nature had given him great strength .

yes , Sir , for his size Big-Horn was very strong , and in that strength be took great pride .

and Mother Nature had given him a pair of very large and strong horns with which to defend himself if there should be need .

those horns were almost straight , and with Big-Horn 's great strength behind them , they were truly dangerous weapons .

he didn't think of that .

no , Sir , he didn't think of that .

he was just brimming full of life , and he dearly loved to try his strength against the strength of others .

it got so that the instant he saw anybody , down would go his head and at them he would go full tilt .

" it was great fun for him .

but usually it was the other who got the worst of it , for those great , sharp-pointed horns of Big-Horn 's tore and hurt .

indeed , even when he tried to be gentle with those smaller than himself he was forever hurting some one .

so instead they called a meeting to which everybody except Big-Horn was invited .

if Big-Horn could have heard all that was said about him , his ears surely would have burned .

every one was of the opinion that something must be done , but just what no one could suggest .

at last , just when it seemed that the meeting would break up without anything being done , Old Man Coyote stepped forward .

being rather bashful , I haven't liked to suggest it before , because I thought surely some one else would do it .

then I think he will have had enough of fighting . '

" Up spoke Mr Fox and he winked at his neighbor on the right and he winked at his neighbor on the left .

so with one accord everybody agreed with Mr Fox , and Old Man Coyote was selected as the first one to face Big-Horn .

to everybody 's surprise , Old Man Coyote made no objections .

so it was arranged that Big-Horn should be invited to fight Old Man Coyote the very next day .

" you may be sure that everybody was on hand the next day to see that fight .

no one expected Old Man Coyote to appear .

but he did .

yes , Sir , he did .

he was right on hand at the appointed time .

Big-Horn hadn't been told whom he was to fight , and when he found that it was Old Man Coyote , he was disappointed .

you see , there was no anger in Big-Horn 's fighting ; he fought just for the love of using his great strength and big horns .

fighting was fun to him , and he wanted some one who would stand up to him .

Mr Deer had horns and was somewhere near his size .

" old Man Coyote slipped around until he had his back to a great rock .

' I 'm ready any time , ' said he .

" Big-Horn , who had been stamping with impatience , lowered his head so that his horns pointed straight at Old Man Coyote .

but they had hardly time to think of this , for with a snort Big-Horn bounded forward .

" then there was a crash , and everybody 's eyes flew open .

there lay Big-Horn on the ground , looking mighty puzzled , as if he wasn't quite sure what had happened .

and there sat Old Man Coyote , grinning at him !

what had happened ?

produced by Jason Isbell , Sankar Viswanathan , and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at @url@

ALICE'S ADVENTURES UNDER GROUND

BEING A FACSIMILE OF THE ORIGINAL MS . BOOK AFTERWARDS DEVELOPED INTO " ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND "

BY

LEWIS CARROLL

WITH THIRTY-SEVEN ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR

PRICE FOUR SHILLINGS

London

MACMILLAN AND CO .

AND NEW YORK @number@

CONTENTS .

CHAPTER

I DOWN THE RABBIT-HOLE .

THE POOL OF TEARS

II .

a LONG TALE .

THE RABBIT SENDS IN A LITTLE BILL

III .

ADVICE FROM A CATERPILLAR

IV .

THE QUEEN'S CROQUET-GROUND .

THE MOCK TURTLE'S STORY .

THE LOBSTER QUADRILLE .

WHO STOLE THE TARTS ?

chapter @number@

Illustration

in a moment down went Alice after it , never once considering how in the world she was to get out again .

how brave they 'll all think me at home !

down , down , down .

would the fall never come to an end ?

( Alice had no idea what Longitude was , or Latitude either , but she thought they were nice grand words to say . )

presently she began again : " I wonder if I shall fall right through the earth !

how funny it 'll be to come out among the people that walk with their heads downwards !

but I shall have to ask them what the name of the country is , you know .

no , it 'll never do to ask : perhaps I shall see it written up somewhere . "

down , down , down : there was nothing else to do , so Alice soon began talking again .

" Dinah will miss me very much tonight , I should think ! "

( Dinah was the cat . )

" I hope they 'll remember her saucer of milk at tea-time !

oh , dear Dinah , I wish I had you here !

but do cats eat bats , I wonder ? "

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Alice opened the door , and looked down a small passage , not larger than a rat-hole , into the loveliest garden you ever saw .

oh , how I wish I could shut up like a telescope !

I think I could , if I only knew how to begin . "

for , you see , so many out-of-the-way things had happened lately , that Alice began to think very few things indeed were really impossible .

" what a curious feeling ! " said Alice , " I must be shutting up like a telescope . "

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why , there 's hardly enough of me left to make one respectable person ! "

so she set to work , and very soon finished off the cake .

I 'm sure I can't !

let me see : I 'll give them a new pair of boots every Christmas . "

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and how odd the directions will look !

ALICE'S RIGHT FOOT , ESQ .

THE CARPET , with ALICE'S LOVE

oh dear ! what nonsense I am talking ! "

stop this instant , I tell you ! "

after a time , she heard a little pattering of feet in the distance , and dried her eyes to see what was coming .

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let me think : was I the same when I got up this morning ?

I think I remember feeling rather different .

but if I 'm not the same , who in the world am I ?

ah , that 's the great puzzle ! "

besides , she 's she , and I 'm I , and oh dear ! how puzzling it all is !

I 'll try if I know all the things I used to know .

I shall never get to twenty at this rate !

but the Multiplication Table don't signify let 's try Geography .

I must have been changed for Florence !

" how doth the little crocodile Improve its shining tail , And pour the waters of the Nile On every golden scale !

" how cheerfully it seems to grin !

how neatly spreads its claws !

and welcomes little fishes in With gently-smiling jaws ! "

no !

I 've made up my mind about it : if I 'm Florence , I 'll stay down here !

it 'll be no use their putting their heads down and saying ' come up , dear ! '

I am so tired of being all alone here ! "

" how can I have done that ? " thought she , " I must be growing small again . "

and I declare it 's too bad , it is ! "

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at this moment her foot slipped , and splash ! she was up to her chin in salt water .

well ! that 'll be a queer thing , to be sure !

however , every thing is queer today . "

" would it be any use , now , " thought Alice , " to speak to this mouse ?

I think I may as well try . "

so she began : " oh Mouse , do you know how to get out of this pool ?

I am very tired of swimming about here , oh Mouse ! "

the mouse looked at her rather inquisitively , and seemed to her to wink with one of its little eyes , but it said nothing .

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" well , perhaps not , " said Alice in a soothing tone , " don't be angry about it .

" offended indeed ! " cried the mouse , who seemed to be positively trembling with rage , " our family always hated cats !

nasty , low , vulgar things !

don't talk to me about them any more ! "

a little bright-eyed terrier , you know , with oh ! such long curly brown hair !

so she called softly after it : " mouse dear !

do come back again , and we won't talk about cats and dogs any more , if you don't like them ! "

it was high time to go , for the pool was getting quite full of birds and animals that had fallen into it .

there was a Duck and a Dodo , a Lory and an Eaglet , and several other curious creatures .

Alice led the way , and the whole party swam to the shore .

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chapter II

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I 'll soon make you dry enough ! "

" ahem ! " said the mouse , with a self-important air , " are you all ready ?

this is the driest thing I know .

Silence all round , if you please !

Edwin and Morcar , the earls of Mercia and Northumbria "

" Ugh ! " said the Lory with a shiver .

" I beg your pardon ? " said the mouse , frowning , but very politely , " did you speak ? "

" not I ! " said the Lory hastily .

" I thought you did , " said the mouse , " I proceed .

" as wet as ever , " said poor Alice , " it doesn't seem to dry me at all . "

and the Duck quacked a comfortable laugh to itself .

some of the other birds tittered audibly .

then they all sat down again in a large ring on the bank , and begged the mouse to begin his story .

" Mine is a long and a sad tale ! " said the mouse , turning to Alice , and sighing .

we lived beneath the mat Warm and snug and fat But one woe , & that Was the cat !

to our joys a clog , In our eyes a fog , On our hearts a log Was the dog !

U n d e r n e a t h

t h e

" you are not attending ! " said the mouse to Alice severely , " what are you thinking of ? "

" I beg your pardon , " said Alice very humbly , " you had got to the fifth bend , I think ? "

" I had not ! " cried the mouse , sharply and very angrily .

" I didn't mean it ! " pleaded poor Alice , " but you 're so easily offended , you know . "

the mouse only growled in reply .

" please come back and finish your story ! "

" and who is Dinah , if I might venture to ask the question ? " said the Lory .

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Alice replied eagerly , for she was always ready to talk about her pet , " Dinah 's our cat .

and she 's such a capital one for catching mice , you can't think !

and oh !

I wish you could see her after the birds !

why , she 'll eat a little bird as soon as look at it ! "

on various pretexts , they all moved off , and Alice was soon left alone .

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and then the Duck and the Dodo !

she 'll have me executed , as sure as ferrets are ferrets !

where can I have dropped them , I wonder ? "

how queer it seems to be going messages for a rabbit !

I suppose Dinah 'll be sending me messages next ! "

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I do hope it 'll make me grow larger , for I 'm quite tired of being such a tiny little thing ! "

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I do wonder what can have happened to me !

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" but then , " thought Alice , " shall I never get any older than I am now ?

that 'll be a comfort , one way never to be an old woman but then always to have lessons to learn !

oh , I shouldn't like that ! "

" oh , you foolish Alice ! " she said again , " how can you learn lessons in here ?

why , there 's hardly room for you , and no room at all for any lesson-books ! "

" Mary Ann !

Mary Ann ! " said the voice , " fetch me my gloves this moment ! "

Alice heard it say to itself " then I 'll go round and get in at the window . "

Illustration

next came an angry voice the rabbit 's " Pat , Pat ! where are you ? "

" now , tell me , Pat , what is that coming out of the window ? "

" Shure it 's an arm , yer honour ! "

( he pronounced it " arrum " . )

" an arm , you goose !

who ever saw an arm that size ?

why , it fills the whole window , don't you see ? "

" Shure , it does , yer honour , but it 's an arm for all that . "

" well , it 's no business there : go and take it away ! "

as for pulling me out of the window , I only wish they could !

I 'm sure I don't want to stop in here any longer ! "

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" and so you did , old fellow ! " said the other voices .

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chapter III

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I think that will be the best plan . "

this seemed to Alice a good opportunity for making her escape .

" I should have liked teaching it tricks , if if I 'd only been the right size to do it !

oh !

I 'd nearly forgotten that I 've got to grow up again !

let me see ; how is it to be managed ?

I suppose I ought to eat or drink something or other , but the great question is what ? "

the great question certainly was , what ?

Illustration

" who are you ? " said the caterpillar .

" what do you mean by that ? " said the caterpillar , " explain yourself ! "

" I ca'n't explain myself , I 'm afraid , sir , " said Alice , " because I 'm not myself , you see . "

" I don't see , " said the caterpillar .

" it isn't , " said the caterpillar .

" not a bit , " said the caterpillar .

" all I know is , " said Alice , " it would feel queer to me . "

" you ! " said the caterpillar contemptuously , " who are you ? "

" why ? " said the caterpillar .

" come back ! " the caterpillar called after her , " I 've something important to say ! "

this sounded promising : Alice turned and came back again .

" keep your temper , " said the caterpillar .

" is that all ? " said Alice , swallowing down her anger as well as she could .

" no , " said the caterpillar .

" Try and repeat " you are old , father William " , " said the caterpillar .

Alice folded her hands , and began :

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" I have answered three questions , and that is enough , " said his father , " don't give yourself airs !

do you think I can listen all day to such stuff ?

be off , or I 'll kick you down stairs ! "

" that is not said right , " said the caterpillar .

" not quite right , I 'm afraid , " said Alice timidly , " some of the words have got altered . "

" what size do you want to be ? " it asked .

" are you content now ? " said the caterpillar .

" the top of what ? the stalk of what ? " thought Alice .

Illustration

Illustration

" what can all that green stuff be ? " said Alice , " and where have my shoulders got to ?

and oh ! my poor hands ! how is it I ca'n't see you ? "

she was moving them about as she spoke , but no result seemed to follow , except a little rustling among the leaves .

Illustration

" serpent ! " screamed the pigeon .

" I 'm not a serpent ! " said Alice indignantly , " let me alone ! "

" I haven't the least idea what you mean , " said Alice .

there 's no pleasing ' em ! "

Alice was more and more puzzled , but she thought there was no use in saying anything till the pigeon had finished .

why , I haven't had a wink of sleep these three weeks ! "

" I 'm very sorry you 've been annoyed , " said Alice , beginning to see its meaning .

Ugh !

serpent ! "

" but I 'm not a serpent , " said Alice , " I'm a I'm a "

" well !

what are you ? " said the pigeon , " I see you 're trying to invent something . "

" I I 'm a little girl , " said Alice , rather doubtfully , as she remembered the number of changes she had gone through .

no , you 're a serpent , I know that well enough !

I suppose you 'll tell me next that you never tasted an egg ! "

I do'n't like them raw . "

" well , be off , then ! " said the pigeon , and settled down into its nest again .

how puzzling all these changes are !

I 'm never sure what I 'm going to be , from one minute to another !

just as she said this , she noticed that one of the trees had a doorway leading right into it .

" that 's very curious ! " she thought , " but everything 's curious today : I may as well go in . "

and in she went .

Illustration

Chapter IV

Illustration

don't go splashing paint over me like that ! "

" I couldn't help it , " said Five in a sulky tone , " seven jogged my elbow . "

on which Seven lifted up his head and said " that 's right , Five !

always lay the blame on others ! "

" what for ? " said the one who had spoken first .

" that 's not your business , Two ! " said Seven .

seven flung down his brush , and had just begun " well !

" would you tell me , please , " said Alice timidly , " why you are painting those roses ? "

there was a sound of many footsteps , and Alice looked round , eager to see the Queen .

Illustration

she said it to the Knave of Hearts , who only bowed and smiled in reply .

" idiot ! " said the Queen , turning up her nose , and asked Alice " what 's your name ? "

I needn't be afraid of them ! "

" how should I know ? " said Alice , surprised at her own courage , " it 's no business of mine . "

" nonsense ! " said Alice , very loudly and decidedly , and the Queen was silent .

the King laid his hand upon her arm , and said timidly " remember , my dear !

she is only a child ! "

the Queen turned angrily away from him , and said to the Knave " turn them over ! "

the Knave did so , very carefully , with one foot .

" leave off that ! " screamed the Queen , " you make me giddy . "

and then , turning to the rose tree , she went on " what have you been doing here ? "

" are their heads off ? " shouted the Queen .

" their heads are gone , " the soldiers shouted in reply , " if it please your Majesty ! "

" that 's right ! " shouted the Queen , " can you play croquet ? "

the soldiers were silent , and looked at Alice , as the question was evidently meant for her .

" yes ! " shouted Alice at the top of her voice .

" come on then ! " roared the Queen , and Alice joined the procession , wondering very much what would happen next .

" very , " said Alice , " where 's the Marchioness ? "

" hush , hush ! " said the rabbit in a low voice , " she 'll hear you .

the Queen 's the Marchioness : didn't you know that ? "

" no , I didn't , " said Alice , " what of ? "

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then the Queen left off , quite out of breath , and said to Alice " have you seen the Mock Turtle ? "

" no , " said Alice , " I don't even know what a Mock Turtle is . "

" come on then , " said the Queen , " and it shall tell you its history . "

Illustration

I must go back and see after some executions I ordered , " and she walked off , leaving Alice with the Gryphon .

the Gryphon sat up and rubbed its eyes : then it watched the Queen till she was out of sight : then it chuckled .

" what fun ! " said the Gryphon , half to itself , half to Alice .

" what is the fun ? " said Alice .

Illustration

so they went up to the Mock Turtle , who looked at them with large eyes full of tears , but said nothing .

" this here young lady " said the Gryphon , " wants for to know your history , she do . "

" once , " said the Mock Turtle at last , with a deep sigh , " I was a real Turtle . "

the master was an old Turtle we used to call him Tortoise "

" why did you call him Tortoise , if he wasn't one ? " asked Alice .

" we called him Tortoise because he taught us , " said the Mock Turtle angrily , " really you are very dull ! "

don't be all day ! " and the Mock Turtle went on in these words :

" no , indeed , " said Alice , " what sort of a thing is it ? "

" why , " said the Gryphon , " you form into a line along the sea shore "

" two lines ! " cried the Mock Turtle , " seals , turtles , salmon , and so on advance twice "

" each with a lobster as partner ! " cried the Gryphon .

Illustration

" of course , " the Mock Turtle said , " advance twice , set to partners "

" change lobsters , and retire in same order " interrupted the Gryphon .

" then , you know , " continued the Mock Turtle , " you throw the "

" the lobsters ! " shouted the Gryphon , with a bound into the air .

" as far out to sea as you can "

" swim after them ! " screamed the Gryphon .

" turn a somersault in the sea ! " cried the Mock Turtle , capering wildly about .

" change lobsters again ! " yelled the Gryphon at the top of its voice , " and then "

" it must be a very pretty dance , " said Alice timidly .

" would you like to see a little of it ? " said the Mock Turtle .

" very much indeed , " said Alice .

which shall sing ? "

" oh ! you sing ! " said the Gryphon , " I 've forgotten the words . "

Illustration

the Gryphon joined in singing the chorus , which was :

" salmon come up !

salmon go down !

salmon come twist your tail around !

of all the fishes of the sea There 's none so good as Salmon ! "

" thank you , " said Alice , feeling very glad that the figure was over .

" shall we try the second figure ? " said the Gryphon , " or would you prefer a song ? "

" oh , a song , please ! "

Alice replied , so eagerly , that the Gryphon said , in a rather offended tone , " h m ! no accounting for tastes !

sing her ' Mock Turtle Soup ' , will you , old fellow ! "

the Mock Turtle sighed deeply , and began , in a voice sometimes choked with sobs , to sing this :

" Beautiful Soup , so rich and green , Waiting in a hot tureen !

who for such dainties would not stoop ?

soup of the evening , beautiful Soup !

soup of the evening , beautiful Soup !

Beau ootiful Soo oop !

Beau ootiful Soo oop !

Soo oop of the e e evening , Beautiful beautiful Soup !

" Soo oop of the e e evening , Beautiful beautiful Soup ! "

" herald ! read the accusation ! " said the King .

on this the white rabbit blew three blasts on the trumpet , and then unrolled the parchment scroll , and read as follows :

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" now for the evidence , " said the King , " and then the sentence . "

" no ! " said the Queen , " first the sentence , and then the evidence ! "

" nonsense ! " cried Alice , so loudly that everybody jumped , " the idea of having the sentence first ! "

" hold your tongue ! " said the Queen .

" I won't ! " said Alice , " you 're nothing but a pack of cards !

who cares for you ? "

" wake up !

Alice dear ! " said her sister , " what a nice long sleep you 've had ! "

but now run in to your tea : it 's getting late . "

So Alice ran off , thinking while she ran ( as well she might ) what a wonderful dream it had been .

Illustration

happy summer days .

THE END .

POSTSCRIPT .

P.P.S.

" who will Riddle me the How and the Why ? "

So questions one of England 's sweetest singers .

but the " why ? " cannot , and need not , be put into words .

" I want you to send me one of your Easter Greetings for a very dear child who is dying at our Home .

she suffers so much that I long for what I know would so please her . " ...

" thank you very much for sending me the letter , and for writing Minnie 's name ....v .

I thought perhaps in the dark they 'd touch me , but they never have yet . '

" oh yes , " she replied readily , " I 've read both of them !

don't you think so ? "

but this was a question I felt it would be hardly discreet for me to enter upon .

LEWIS CARROLL .

@date@ .

AN EASTER GREETING

TO

EVERY CHILD WHO LOVES

" Alice . "

DEAR CHILD ,

it is a pleasure very near to sadness , bringing tears to one 's eyes like a beautiful picture or poem .

and is not that a Mother 's gentle hand that undraws your curtains , and a Mother 's sweet voice that summons you to rise ?

are these strange words from a writer of such tales as " Alice " ?

and is this a strange letter to find in a book of nonsense ?

it may be so .

your affectionate friend ,

LEWIS CARROLL .

EASTER , @number@

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS .

FROM A FAIRY TO A CHILD .

Lady dear , if Fairies may For a moment lay aside Cunning tricks and elfish play , ' Tis at happy Christmas-tide .

we have heard the children say Gentle children , whom we love Long ago , on Christmas Day , Came a message from above .

yet the hearts must childlike be Where such heavenly guests abide : unto children , in their glee , All the year is Christmas-tide !

LEWIS CARROLL .

Christmas , @number@

WORKS BY LEWIS CARROLL .

PUBLISHED BY

MACMILLAN AND CO . , LONDON .

ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND .

with Forty-two Illustrations by TENNIEL .

( first published in @number@ )


AVENTURES D'ALICE AU PAYS DES MERVEILLES .

Traduit de l'Anglais par Henri Bué .

Ouvrage illustré de @number@ Vignettes par JOHN TENNIEL .

( first published in @number@ )


ALICE'S ABENTEUER IM WUNDERLAND .

AUS DEM ENGLISCHEN , VON ANTONIE ZIMMERMANN .

MITT @number@ ILLUSTRATIONEN VON JOHN TENNIEL .

( first published in @number@ )


LE AVVENTURE D'ALICE NEL PAESE DELLE MERAVIGLIE .

Tradotte dall ' Inglese da T . PIETROCÒLA-ROSSETTI .

con @number@ Vignette di GIOVANNI TENNIEL .

( first published in @number@ )


THROUGH THE LOOKING-GLASS AND WHAT ALICE FOUND THERE .

with Fifty Illustrations by TENNIEL .

( first published in @number@ )


RHYME ?

AND REASON ?

with Sixty-five Illustrations by ARTHUR B FROST , and Nine by HENRY HOLIDAY .

Mr Frost 's pictures are new . )


WORKS BY LEWIS CARROLL .

PUBLISHED BY

MACMILLAN AND CO . , LONDON .

a TANGLED TALE .

reprinted from The Monthly Packet .

with Six Illustrations by ARTHUR B FROST .

( first published in @number@ )


THE GAME OF LOGIC .

( with an Envelope containing a card diagram and nine counters four red and five grey . )


N.B.

the Envelope , etc , may be had separately at @number@ d . each .

ALICE'S ADVENTURES UNDER GROUND .

being a Facsimile of the original MS Book , afterwards developed into " Alice 's Adventures in Wonderland . "

with Thirty-seven Illustrations by the Author .


@number@ s .

THE NURSERY ALICE .

a selection of twenty of the pictures in " Alice 's Adventures in Wonderland , " enlarged and coloured under the Artist 's superintendence , with explanations .

In preparation .

in selling them to the Public ( for cash only ) they will allow @number@ per cent . discount .

End of Project Gutenberg 's Alice 's Adventures Under Ground , by Lewis Carroll

produced by Joseph R Hauser , Juliet Sutherland and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at @url@

Illustration : wonderfully handsome was Lightfoot the Deer .

LIGHTFOOT THE DEER

BY

THORNTON W BURGESS

with Illustrations by HARRISON CADY

GROSSET & DUNLAP

Publishers New York

printed by arrangement with Little , Brown , and Company

COPYRIGHT @number@ BY THORNTON W BURGESS



PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY ARRANGEMENT WITH LITTLE , BROWN , AND COMPANY

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

dedication

TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF OUR

FOUR-FOOTED FRIENDS IN THE GREEN FOREST

WITH THE HOPE THAT THIS LITTLE VOLUME

MAY IN SOME DEGREE AID IN THE

PROTECTION OF THE INNOCENT

AND HELPLESS

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I PETER RABBIT MEETS LIGHTFOOT @number@

II LIGHTFOOT'S NEW ANTLERS @number@

III LIGHTFOOT TELLS HOW HIS ANTLERS GREW @number@

IV THE SPIRIT OF FEAR @number@

V SAMMY JAY BRINGS LIGHTFOOT WORD @number@

VI A GAME OF HIDE AND SEEK @number@

VII THE MERRY LITTLE BREEZES HELP LIGHTFOOT @number@

VIII WIT AGAINST WIT @number@

IX LIGHTFOOT BECOMES UNCERTAIN @number@

x LIGHTFOOT'S CLEVER TRICK @number@

XI THE HUNTED WATCHES THE HUNTER @number@

XII LIGHTFOOT VISITS PADDY THE BEAVER @number@

XIII LIGHTFOOT AND PADDY BECOME PARTNERS @number@

XIV HOW PADDY WARNED LIGHTFOOT @number@

XV THE THREE WATCHERS @number@

XVI VISITORS TO PADDY'S POND @number@

XVII SAMMY JAY ARRIVES @number@

XVIII THE HUNTER LOSES HIS TEMPER @number@

XIX SAMMY JAY IS MODEST @number@

XX LIGHTFOOT HEARS A DREADFUL SOUND @number@

XXI HOW LIGHTFOOT GOT RID OF THE HOUNDS @number@

XXII LIGHTFOOT'S LONG SWIM @number@

XXIII LIGHTFOOT FINDS A FRIEND @number@

XXIV THE HUNTER IS DISAPPOINTED @number@

XXV THE HUNTER LIES IN WAIT @number@

XXVI LIGHTFOOT DOES THE WISE THING @number@

XXVII SAMMY JAY WORRIES @number@

XXVIII THE HUNTING SEASON ENDS @number@

XXIX MR AND MRS QUACK ARE STARTLED @number@

XXX THE MYSTERY IS SOLVED @number@

XXXI A SURPRISING DISCOVERY @number@

XXXII LIGHTFOOT SEES THE STRANGER @number@

XXXIII A DIFFERENT GAME OF HIDE AND SEEK @number@

XXXIV A STARTLING NEW FOOTPRINT @number@

XXXV LIGHTFOOT IS RECKLESS @number@

XXXVI SAMMY JAY TAKES A HAND @number@

XXXVII THE GREAT FIGHT @number@

XXXVIII AN UNSEEN WATCHER @number@

XXXIX LIGHTFOOT DISCOVERS LOVE @number@

XL HAPPY DAYS IN THE GREEN FOREST @number@

ILLUSTRATIONS

wonderfully handsome was Lightfoot the Deer .

frontispiece

FACING PAGE

" I don't understand these men creatures , " said Peter to little Mrs Peter .

@number@

" my , but that 's a beautiful set of antlers you have ! " @number@

" I tell you what it is , " said Sammy Jay to Bobby Coon , " something has happened to Lightfoot . " @number@

LIGHTFOOT THE DEER

CHAPTER I

PETER RABBIT MEETS LIGHTFOOT

Peter Rabbit was on his way back from the pond of Paddy the Beaver deep in the Green Forest .

farewells are always rather sad , and this particular farewell had left Peter with a lump in his throat , a queer , choky feeling .

" if I were sure that they would return next spring , it wouldn't be so bad , " he muttered .

" it 's those terrible guns .

I know what it is to have to watch out for them .

Farmer Brown 's boy used to hunt me with one of them , but he doesn't any more .

but even when he did hunt me it wasn't anything like what the Ducks have to go through .

I never had to worry about my meals .

but with the Ducks it is a thousand times worse .

they 've got to eat while making that long journey , and they can eat only where there is the right kind of food .

that isn't hunting .

It's it's "

" well , what is it ?

what are you talking to yourself about , Peter Rabbit ? "

" it 's awful , " declared Peter .

" it 's worse than unfair .

it doesn't give them any chance at all . "

Peter grinned .

Lightfoot listened and his great soft eyes were filled with pity for the Quack family .

" I hope they will get through all right , " said he , " and I hope they will get back in the spring .

men are strange creatures .

I do not understand them at all .

none of the people of the Green Forest would think of doing such terrible things .

and yet that is what men seem to do it for .

I guess the trouble is they never have been hunted themselves and don't know how it feels .

sometimes I think I 'll hunt one some day just to teach him a lesson .

what are you laughing at , Peter ? "

" at the idea of you hunting a man , " replied Peter .

" your heart is all right , Lightfoot , but you are too timid and gentle to frighten any one .

Big as you are I wouldn't fear you . "

with a single swift bound Lightfoot sprang out in front of Peter .

his eyes , which Peter had always thought so soft and gentle , seemed to flash fire .

Lightfoot chuckled .

" did you say I couldn't frighten any one ? " he demanded .

" I I didn't know you could look so terribly fierce , " stammered Peter .

" those antlers look really dangerous when you point them that way .

why why what is that hanging to them ?

it looks like bits of old fur .

have you been tearing somebody 's coat , Lightfoot ? "

Peter 's eyes were wide with wonder and suspicion .

CHAPTER II

LIGHTFOOT'S NEW ANTLERS

Peter Rabbit was puzzled .

he stared at Lightfoot the Deer a wee bit suspiciously .

" have you been tearing somebody 's coat ? " he asked again .

he didn't like to think it of Lightfoot , whom he always had believed quite as gentle , harmless , and timid as himself .

but what else could he think ?

Lightfoot slowly shook his head .

" no , " said he , " I haven't torn anybody 's coat . "

" then what are those rags hanging on your antlers ? " demanded Peter .

Lightfoot chuckled .

" they are what is left of the coverings of my new antlers , " he explained .

" what 's that ?

what do you mean by new antlers ? "

Peter was sitting up very straight , with his eyes fixed on Lightfoot 's antlers as though he never had seen them before .

" just what I said , " retorted Lightfoot .

" what do you think of them ?

I think they are the finest antlers I 've ever had .

Lightfoot rubbed his antlers against the trunk of a tree till some of the rags hanging to them dropped off .

Peter blinked very hard .

he was trying to understand and he couldn't .

finally he said so .

" what kind of a story are you trying to fill me up with ? " he demanded indignantly .

" do you mean to tell me that those are not the antlers that you have had as long as I 've known you ?

how can anything hard like those antlers grow ?

and if those are new ones , where are the old ones ?

show me the old ones , and perhaps I 'll believe that these are new ones .

the idea of trying to make me believe that antlers grow just like plants !

I 've seen Bossy the Cow all summer and I know she has got the same horns she had last summer .

new antlers indeed ! "

" you are quite right , Peter , quite right about Bossy the Cow .

she never has new horns , but that isn't any reason why I shouldn't have new antlers , is it ? " replied Lightfoot patiently .

" her horns are quite different from my antlers .

I have a new pair every year .

you haven't seen me all summer , have you , Peter ? "

" no , I don't remember that I have , " replied Peter , trying very hard to remember when he had last seen Lightfoot .

" I know you haven't , " retorted Lightfoot .

" I know it because I have been hiding in a place you never visit . "

" what have you been hiding for ? " demanded Peter .

" for my new antlers to grow , " replied Lightfoot .

" when my new antlers are growing , I want to be away by myself .

I don't like to be seen without them or with half grown ones .

besides , I am very uncomfortable while the new antlers are growing and I want to be alone . "

" they dropped off last spring , but I don't remember just where , " replied Lightfoot .

" I was too glad to be rid of them to notice where they dropped .

I 've got one more point on each than I had last year . "

Lightfoot began once more to rub his antlers against the tree to get off the queer rags hanging to them and to polish the points .

Peter watched in silence for a few minutes .

then , all his suspicions returning , he said :

" but you haven't told me anything about those rags hanging to your antlers . "

" and you haven't believed what I have already told you , " retorted Lightfoot .

" I don't like telling things to people who won't believe me . "

CHAPTER III

LIGHTFOOT TELLS HOW HIS ANTLERS GREW

it is hard to believe what seems impossible .

and yet what seems impossible to you may be a very commonplace matter to some one else .

so it does not do to say that a thing cannot be possible just because you cannot understand how it can be .

Peter Rabbit wanted to believe what Lightfoot the Deer had just told him , but somehow he couldn't .

if he had seen those antlers growing , it would have been another matter .

but he hadn't seen Lightfoot since the very last of winter , and then Lightfoot had worn just such handsome antlers as he now had .

" I 'm trying to believe it , " he said , quite humbly .

" it 's all true , " broke in another voice .

Peter jumped and turned to find his big cousin , Jumper the Hare .

Unseen and unheard , he had stolen up and had overheard what Peter and Lightfoot had said .

" how do you know it is true ? " snapped Peter a little crossly , for Jumper had startled him .

" all right !

I 'll believe anything that Lightfoot tells me if you say it is true , " declared Peter , who greatly admires his cousin , Jumper .

" now tell me about those rags , Lightfoot .

please do . "

Lightfoot couldn't resist that " please . "

" very soon after my old ones dropped off the new ones began to grow .

they were not hard , not at all like they are now .

they were soft and very tender , and the blood ran through them just as it does through our bodies .

they were covered with a sort of skin with hairs on it like thin fur .

the ends were not sharply pointed as they now are , but were big and rounded , like knobs .

they were not like antlers at all , and they made my head hot and were very uncomfortable .

that is why I hid away .

it seemed to me sometimes as if all my strength went into those new antlers .

and I had to be very careful not to hit them against anything .

in the first place it would have hurt , and in the second place it might have spoiled the shape of them .

" when they had grown to the length you now see , they began to shrink and grow hard .

the knobs on the ends shrank until they became pointed .

as soon as they stopped growing the blood stopped flowing up in them , and as they became hard they were no longer tender .

the skin which had covered them grew dry and split , and I rubbed it off on trees and bushes .

the little rags you see are what is left , but I will soon be rid of those .

Lightfoot tossed his head proudly and rattled his wonderful antlers against the nearest tree .

it is hard to believe , but I suppose it must be true . "

you 've always thought of Lightfoot as timid and afraid , but you should see him when he is angry .

few people care to face him then . "

CHAPTER IV

THE SPIRIT OF FEAR

when the days grow cold and the nights are clear , There stalks abroad the spirit of fear .

Lightfoot the Deer .

it is sad but true .

autumn is often called the sad time of the year , and it is the sad time .

but it shouldn't be .

old Mother Nature never intended that it should be .

she meant it to be the glad time .

it is the season when food is plentiful , and every one is fat and is , or ought to be , care free .

all night as well as all day the Spirit of Fear searches out the little people of the Green Meadows and the Green Forest .

it will not let them sleep .

it will not let them eat in peace .

it drives them to seek new hiding-places and then drives them out of those .

it keeps them ever ready to fly or run at the slightest sound .

Peter Rabbit was thinking of this as he sat at the edge of the dear Old Briar-patch , looking over to the Green Forest .

very , very lovely were the reds and yellows and browns against the dark green of the pines and the spruces and the hemlocks .

the Purple Hills were more softly purple than at any other season of the year .

it was all very , very beautiful .

it wasn't fear of Reddy Fox , or Redtail the Hawk , or Hooty the Owl , or Old Man Coyote .

but the fear that chilled his heart now never left him even for a moment .

it was even clutching at the hearts of Granny and Reddy Fox and of great , big Buster Bear .

it seemed to Peter that no one was so big or so small that this terrible Spirit of Fear had not searched him out .

Far in the distance sounded a sudden bang .

Peter jumped and shivered .

he knew that every one else who had heard that bang had jumped and shivered just as he had .

it was the season of hunters with terrible guns .

" they seem to find pleasure , actually find pleasure , in trying to kill us .

I don't understand them at all .

they haven't any hearts .

that must be the reason ; they haven't any hearts . "

Illustration : " I don't understand these men creatures , " said Peter to little Mrs Peter .

CHAPTER V

SAMMY JAY BRINGS LIGHTFOOT WORD

Sammy Jay is one of those who believe in the wisdom of the old saying , " early to bed and early to rise . "

Sammy needs no alarm clock to get up early in the morning .

he is awake as soon as it is light enough to see and wastes no time wishing he could sleep a little longer .

his stomach wouldn't let him if he wanted to .

Sammy always wakes up hungry .

in this he is no different from all his feathered neighbors .

on this particular morning he had planned to fly over to Farmer Brown 's dooryard , but at the last minute he changed his mind .

instead , he flew over to the dooryard of another farm .

Sammy stopped on the top of the nearest tree .

" now what is that man doing up as early as this ? " muttered Sammy .

then he caught sight of something under the man 's arm .

he didn't have to look twice to know what it was .

it was a gun !

yes , sir , it was a gun , a terrible gun .

" Ha ! " exclaimed Sammy , and quite forgot that his stomach was empty .

" now who can that fellow be after so early in the morning ?

I think I 'll sit right here and watch . "

so Sammy sat in the top of the tree and watched the hunter with the terrible gun .

he saw him head straight for the Green Forest .

" it 's Mr and Mrs. Grouse after all , I guess , " thought Sammy .

" if I knew just where they were I 'd go over and warn them . "

he thought of Lightfoot the Deer .

Sammy watched the hunter enter the Green Forest , then he silently followed him .

from the way the hunter moved , Sammy decided that he wasn't thinking of Mr and Mrs. Grouse .

" it 's Lightfoot the Deer , sure as I live , " muttered Sammy .

" he ought to be warned .

he certainly ought to be warned .

I know right where he is .

I believe I 'll warn him myself . "

Sammy found Lightfoot right where he had expected to .

" he 's coming ! " cried Sammy .

" a hunter with a terrible gun is coming ! "

CHAPTER VI

a GAME OF HIDE AND SEEK

there was a game of hide and seek that Danny Meadow Mouse once played with Buster Bear .

it was a very dreadful game for Danny .

in the case of Buster Bear and Danny , the latter had simply to keep out of reach of Buster .

as long as Buster didn't get his great paws on Danny , the latter was safe .

then , too , Danny is a very small person .

he is so small that he can hide under two or three leaves .

wherever he is , he is pretty sure to find a hiding-place of some sort .

his small size gives him advantages in a game of hide and seek .

it certainly does .

but Lightfoot the Deer is big .

he is one of the largest of the people who live in the Green Forest .

being so big , it is not easy to hide .

moreover , a hunter with a terrible gun does not have to get close in order to kill .

Lightfoot knew all this as he waited for the coming of the hunter of whom Sammy Jay had warned him .

he had learned many lessons in the hunting season of the year before and he remembered every one of them .

he knew that to forget even one of them might cost him his life .

so , standing motionless behind a tangle of fallen trees , Lightfoot listened and watched .

presently over in the distance he heard Sammy Jay screaming , " Thief , thief , thief ! "

a little sigh of relief escaped Lightfoot .

he knew that that screaming of Sammy Jay 's was a warning to tell him where the hunter was .

knowing just where the hunter was made it easier for Lightfoot to know what to do .

a Merry Little Breeze came stealing through the Green Forest .

it came from behind Lightfoot and danced on towards the hunter with the terrible gun .

instantly Lightfoot began to steal softly away through the Green Forest .

he took the greatest care to make no sound .

he went in a half-circle , stopping every few steps to listen and test the air with his wonderful nose .

can you guess what Lightfoot was trying to do ?

he was trying to get behind the hunter so that the Merry Little Breezes would bring to him the dreaded man-scent .

so long as Lightfoot could get that scent , he would know where the hunter was , though he could neither see nor hear him .

if he had remained where Sammy Jay had found him , the hunter might have come within shooting distance before Lightfoot could have located him .

CHAPTER VII

THE MERRY LITTLE BREEZES HELP LIGHTFOOT

you see , Lightfoot was behind the hunter instead of in front of him .

he was following the hunter , so as to keep track of him .

as long as he knew just where the hunter was , he felt reasonably safe .

the Merry Little Breezes are Lightfoot 's best friends .

they always bring to him all the different scents they find as they wander through the Green Forest .

he knows that they will bring to him warning of any danger which may lie in that direction .

then he had begun to hunt in that direction , knowing that thus his scent would be carried behind him .

presently he found Lightfoot 's footprints in the soft ground and studying them he knew that Lightfoot had known of his coming .

" it was that confounded Jay , " muttered the hunter .

" Lightfoot heard him and knew what it meant .

I know what he has done ; he has circled round so as to get behind me and get my scent .

it is a clever trick , a very clever trick , but two can play at that game .

I 'll just try that little trick myself . "

Lightfoot had lost track of the hunter .

CHAPTER VIII

WIT AGAINST WIT

it was a dreadful game the hunter with the terrible gun and Lightfoot the Deer were playing in the Green Forest .

it was a matching of wit against wit , the hunter seeking to take Lightfoot 's life , and Lightfoot seeking to save it .

but the hunter in his turn knew much of the ways of Deer .

so it was that each was trying his best to outguess the other .

when the hunter found the hiding-place Lightfoot had left at the warning of Sammy Jay he followed Lightfoot 's tracks for a short distance .

it was slow work , and only one whose eyes had been trained to notice little things could have done it .

these things told the hunter which way Lightfoot had gone .

slowly , patiently , watchfully , the hunter followed .

after a while he stopped with a satisfied grin .

" I thought as much , " he muttered .

" he heard that pesky Jay and circled around so as to get my scent .

I 'll just cut across to my old trail and unless I am greatly mistaken , I 'll find his tracks there . "

once more he grinned .

" well , old fellow , I 've out-guessed you this time , " said he to himself .

" I am behind you and the wind is from you to me , so that you cannot get my scent .

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if you 're back right where you started from , behind that old windfall . "

he at once began to move forward silently and cautiously , with eyes and ears alert and his terrible gun ready for instant use .

Lightfoot stood still and listened with all his might for some little sound to tell him where the hunter was .

but there was no sound and after a little Lightfoot began to move on .

he didn't dare remain still , lest the hunter should creep up within shooting distance .

so long as they brought him none of the dreaded man-smell , he knew that he was safe .

CHAPTER IX

LIGHTFOOT BECOMES UNCERTAIN

Lightfoot the Deer traveled on through the Green Forest , straight ahead in the direction from which the Merry Little Breezes were blowing .

every few steps he would raise his delicate nose and test all the scents that the Merry Little Breezes were bringing .

Lightfoot uses his nose very much as you and I use our eyes .

it tells him the things he wants to know .

he knew that Reddy Fox had been along ahead of him , although he didn't get so much as a glimpse of Reddy 's red coat .

once he caught just the faintest of scents which caused him to stop abruptly and test the air more carefully than ever .

it was the scent of Buster Bear .

you know the Merry Little Breezes are Lightfoot 's best friends .

but Lightfoot didn't want to keep going in that direction all day .

it would take him far away from that part of the Green Forest with which he was familiar and which he called home .

it might in time take him out of the Green Forest and that wouldn't do at all .

so after a while Lightfoot became uncertain .

he didn't know just what to do .

you see , he couldn't tell whether or not that hunter with the terrible gun was still following him .

every once in a while he would stop in a thicket of young trees or behind a tangle of fallen trees uprooted by the wind .

" if only I could know if that hunter is still following , I would know better what to do , " thought Lightfoot .

" I 've got to find out . "

CHAPTER X

LIGHTFOOT'S CLEVER TRICK

Lightfoot the Deer is smart .

yes , Sir , Lightfoot the Deer is smart .

he has to be , especially in the hunting season , to save his life .

if he were not smart he would have been killed long ago .

he never makes the foolish mistake of thinking that other people are not smart .

he had a very great respect for the smartness of that hunter .

he knew that he couldn't afford to be careless for one little minute .

the certainty of danger is sometimes easier to bear than the uncertainty of not knowing whether or not there really is any danger .

Lightfoot felt that if he could know just where the hunter was , he himself would know better what to do .

the hunter might have become discouraged and given up following him .

in that case he could rest and stop worrying .

it would be better to know that he was being followed than not to know .

but how was he to find out ?

Lightfoot kept turning this over and over in his mind as he traveled through the Green Forest .

then an idea came to him .

" I know what I 'll do .

I know just what I 'll do , " said Lightfoot to himself .

" I 'll find out whether or not that hunter is still following me and I 'll get a little rest .

goodness knows , I need a rest . "

this was near the top of a little hill .

Lightfoot went up the hill and stopped behind the pile of brush .

for a few moments he stood there perfectly still , looking and listening .

if the hunter were still following him , he would pass through that hollow in plain sight .

for a long time Lightfoot rested comfortably behind the pile of brush .

there was not a suspicious movement or a suspicious sound to show that danger was abroad in the Green Forest .

he saw Mr and Mrs. Grouse fly down across the hollow and disappear among the trees on the other side .

he saw Unc ' Billy Possum looking over a hollow tree and guessed that Unc ' Billy was getting ready to go into winter quarters .

he saw Jumper the Hare squat down under a low-hanging branch of a hemlock-tree and prepare to take a nap .

he heard Drummer the Woodpecker at work drilling after worms in a tree not far away .

Little by little Lightfoot grew easy in his mind .

it must be that that hunter had become discouraged and was no longer following him .

CHAPTER XI

THE HUNTED WATCHES THE HUNTER

it didn't seem possible that there could be any need for watchfulness .

but Lightfoot long ago had learned that often danger is nearest when it seems least to be expected .

so , though he would have liked very much to have taken a nap , Lightfoot was too wise to do anything so foolish .

he kept his great ears gently moving to catch every little sound .

it was better to be overwatchful than the least bit careless .

by and by , Lightfoot 's keen ears caught the sound of the snapping of a little stick in the distance .

it was so faint a sound that you or I would have missed it altogether .

but Lightfoot heard it and instantly he was doubly alert , watching in the direction from which that faint sound had come .

after what seemed a long , long time he saw something moving , and a moment later a man came into view .

it was the hunter and across one arm he carried the terrible gun .

Lightfoot knew now that this hunter had patience and perseverance and had not yet given up hope of getting near enough to shoot Lightfoot .

he moved forward slowly , setting each foot down with the greatest care , so as not to snap a stick or rustle the leaves .

he was watching sharply ahead , ready to shoot should he catch a glimpse of Lightfoot within range .

right along through the hollow at the foot of the little hill below Lightfoot the hunter passed .

he was doing what is called " hunting up-wind . "

Lightfoot kept perfectly still and watched the hunter disappear among the trees .

he felt sure that that hunter would not find him again that day .

CHAPTER XII

LIGHTFOOT VISITS PADDY THE BEAVER

Deep in the Green Forest is the pond where lives Paddy the Beaver .

it is Paddy 's own pond , for he made it himself .

he made it by building a dam across the Laughing Brook .

when Lightfoot bounded away through the Green Forest , after watching the hunter pass through the hollow below him , he remembered Paddy 's pond .

" that 's where I 'll go , " thought Lightfoot .

" it is such a lonesome part of the Green Forest that I do not believe that hunter will come there .

I 'll just run over and make Paddy a friendly call . "

so Lightfoot bounded along deeper and deeper into the Green Forest .

presently through the trees he caught the gleam of water .

it was Paddy 's pond .

Lightfoot approached it cautiously .

he knew that he couldn't afford to be careless for even one little minute .

no one who is hunted , be he big or little , can afford ever to be careless .

now Lightfoot had known of hunters hiding near water , hoping to shoot him when he came to drink .

that always seemed to Lightfoot a dreadful thing , an unfair thing .

but hunters had done it before and they might do it again .

so Lightfoot was careful to approach Paddy 's pond up-wind .

he knew that if any hunters were hidden there , the Merry Little Breezes would bring him their scent and thus warn him .

he had almost reached the edge of Paddy 's pond when from the farther shore there came a sudden crash .

it startled Lightfoot terribly for just an instant .

then he guessed what it meant .

that crash was the falling of a tree .

there wasn't enough wind to blow over even the most shaky dead tree .

there had been no sound of axes , so he knew it could not have been chopped down by men .

so Lightfoot hurried forward eagerly , cautiously .

it was Paddy the Beaver taking the branch to his food pile .

CHAPTER XIII

LIGHTFOOT AND PADDY BECOME PARTNERS

the instant Lightfoot saw Paddy the Beaver he knew that for the time being , at least , there was no danger .

Paddy saw Lightfoot almost as soon as he stepped out on the bank .

there he forced the branch down until it was held by other branches already sunken in the pond .

this done , he swam over to where Lightfoot was watching .

" hello , Lightfoot ! " he exclaimed .

" you are looking handsomer than ever .

how are you feeling these fine autumn days ? "

" anxious , " replied Lightfoot .

" I am feeling terribly anxious .

do you know what day this is ? "

" no , " replied Paddy , " I don't know what day it is , and I don't particularly care .

it is enough for me that it is one of the finest days we 've had for a long time . "

" I wish I could feel that way , " said Lightfoot wistfully .

" I wish I could feel that way , Paddy , but I can't .

no , Sir , I can't .

you see , this is the first of the most dreadful days in all the year for me .

the hunters started looking for me before Mr Sun was really out of bed .

at least one hunter did , and I don't doubt there are others .

Paddy crept out on the bank and chewed a little twig of poplar thoughtfully .

Paddy says he can always think better if he is chewing something .

" that 's bad news , Lightfoot .

I 'm sorry to hear it .

I certainly am sorry to hear it , " said Paddy.

" why anybody wants to hunt such a handsome fellow as you are , I cannot understand .

my , but that 's a beautiful set of antlers you have ! "

Illustration : " my , but that 's a beautiful set of antlers you have ! "

" good looks are not always to be desired .

have you seen any hunters around here lately ? "

Paddy shook his head .

" not a single hunter , " he replied .

" I tell you what it is , Lightfoot , let's be partners for a while .

you stay right around my pond .

if I see or hear or smell anything suspicious , I 'll warn you .

you do the same for me .

two sets of eyes , ears and noses are better than one .

what do you say , Lightfoot ? "

" I 'll do it , " replied Lightfoot .

CHAPTER XIV

HOW PADDY WARNED LIGHTFOOT

it was a queer partnership , that partnership between Lightfoot and Paddy , but it was a good partnership .

they had been the best of friends for a long time .

Paddy had always been glad to have Lightfoot visit his pond .

to tell the truth , he was rather fond of handsome Lightfoot .

you know Paddy is himself not at all handsome .

on land he is a rather clumsy-looking fellow and really homely .

so he admired Lightfoot greatly .

that is one reason why he proposed that they be partners .

Lightfoot himself thought the idea a splendid one .

he spent that night browsing not far from Paddy 's pond .

with the coming of daylight he lay down in a thicket of young hemlock-trees near the upper end of the pond .

it was a quiet , peaceful day .

but they were , and Lightfoot knew that sooner or later one of them would be sure to visit Paddy 's pond .

so , though he rested and took short naps all through that beautiful day , he was anxious .

he couldn't help but be .

the next morning found Lightfoot back in the same place .

but this morning he took no naps .

he rested , but all the time he was watchful and alert .

a feeling of uneasiness possessed him .

he felt in his bones that danger in the shape of a hunter with a terrible gun was not far distant .

but the hours slipped away , and little by little he grew less uneasy .

he began to hope that that day would prove as peaceful as the previous day had been .

then suddenly there was a sharp report from the farther end of Paddy 's pond .

it was almost like a pistol shot .

however , it wasn't a pistol shot .

it wasn't a shot at all .

it was the slap of Paddy 's broad tail on the surface of the water .

instantly Lightfoot was on his feet .

he knew just what that meant .

he knew that Paddy had seen or heard or smelled a hunter .

it was even so .

Paddy had heard a dry stick snap .

it was a very tiny snap , but it was enough to warn Paddy.

with only his head above water he had watched in the direction from which that sound had come .

presently , stealing quietly along towards the pond , a hunter had come in view .

instantly , Paddy had brought his broad tail down on the water with all his force .

he knew that Lightfoot would know that that meant danger .

then Paddy had dived , and swimming under water , had sought the safety of his house .

he had done his part , and there was nothing more he could do .

CHAPTER XV

THE THREE WATCHERS

he was on his feet instantly , with eyes , ears , and nose seeking the cause of Paddy 's warning .

there he hid among some close-growing young hemlock-trees .

it wasn't long before he saw a hunter with a terrible gun come down to the shore of the pond .

now the hunter had heard Paddy slap the water with his broad tail .

of course .

there would have been something very wrong with his ears had he failed to hear it .

" confound that Beaver ! " muttered the hunter crossly .

" if there was a Deer anywhere around this pond , he probably is on his way now .

I 'll have a look around and see if there are any signs . "

so the hunter went on to the edge of Paddy 's pond and then began to walk around it , studying the ground as he walked .

presently he found the footprints of Lightfoot in the mud where Light foot had gone down to the pond to drink .

" I thought as much , " muttered the hunter .

" those tracks were made last night .

that Deer probably was lying down somewhere near here , and I might have had a shot but for that pesky Beaver .

I 'll just look the land over , and then I think I 'll wait here awhile .

if that Deer isn't too badly scared , he may come back . "

so the hunter went quite around the pond , looking into all likely hiding-places .

he found where Lightfoot had been lying , and he knew that in all probability Lightfoot had been there when Paddy gave the danger signal .

" it 's of no use for me to try to follow him , " thought the hunter .

" it is too dry for me to track him .

he may not be so badly scared , after all .

I 'll just find a good place and wait . "

so the hunter found an old log behind some small trees and there sat down .

he could see all around Paddy 's pond .

he sat perfectly still .

what he didn't know was that Lightfoot had been watching him all the time and was even then standing where he could see him .

so the hunter watched for Lightfoot , and Lightfoot and Paddy watched the hunter .

CHAPTER XVI

VISITORS TO PADDY'S POND

that hunter was a man of patience .

also he was a man who understood the little people of the Green Forest and the Green Meadows .

he knew that if he would not be seen he must not move .

so he didn't move .

he kept as motionless as if he were a part of the very log on which he was sitting .

for some time there was no sign of any living thing .

for a few moments they sat on the water , a picture of watchful suspicion .

they were looking and listening to make sure that no danger was near .

satisfied at last , they began to clean their feathers .

it was plain that they felt safe .

so Mr. and Mrs Quack swam about within easy range of that terrible gun without once suspecting that danger was anywhere near .

by and by the hunter 's keen eyes caught a movement at one end of Paddy 's dam .

an instant later Bobby Coon appeared .

it was clear that Bobby was quite unsuspicious .

he carried something , but just what the hunter could not make out .

he took it down to the edge of the water and there carefully washed it .

then he climbed up on Paddy 's dam and began to eat .

you know Bobby Coon is very particular about his food .

whenever there is water near , Bobby washes his food before eating .

once more the hunter was tempted , but did not yield to the temptation , which was a very good thing for Bobby Coon .

all this Lightfoot saw as he stood among the little hemlock-trees at the top of the ridge behind the hunter .

he saw and he understood .

" what have I ever done that he should be so anxious to kill me ? "

still the hunter sat without moving .

Mr and Mrs. Quack contentedly hunted for food in the mud at the bottom of Paddy 's pond .

Bobby Coon finished his meal , crossed the dam and disappeared in the Green Forest .

he had gone off to take a nap somewhere .

time slipped away .

the hunter continued to watch patiently for Lightfoot , and Lightfoot and Paddy the Beaver watched the hunter .

finally , another visitor appeared at the upper end of the pond a visitor in a wonderful coat of red .

it was Reddy Fox .

CHAPTER XVII

SAMMY JAY ARRIVES

when Reddy Fox arrived at the pond of Paddy the Beaver , the hunter who was hiding there saw him instantly .

so did Lightfoot .

but no one else did .

he approached in that cautious , careful way that he always uses when he is hunting .

he stopped with one foot lifted in the act of taking a step .

he had seen Mr and Mrs. Quack .

now you know there is nothing Reddy Fox likes better for a dinner than a Duck .

the instant he saw Mr. and Mrs Quack , a gleam of longing crept into his eyes and his mouth began to water .

then like a red flash he bounded out of sight behind the dam of Paddy the Beaver .

presently the hunter saw Reddy 's black nose at the end of the dam as Reddy peeped around it to watch Mr and Mrs. Quack .

the latter were slowly moving along in that direction as they fed .

Reddy was quick to see this .

all he need do was to be patient and wait .

so , with his eyes fixed fast on Mr and Mrs. Quack , Reddy Fox crouched behind Paddy 's dam and waited .

watching Reddy and the Ducks , the hunter almost forgot Lightfoot the Deer .

Mr and Mrs. Quack were getting very near to where Reddy was waiting for them .

the hunter was tempted to get up and frighten those Ducks .

he didn't want Reddy Fox to have them , because he hoped some day to get them himself .

" I suppose , " thought he , " I was foolish not to shoot them when I had the chance .

they are too far away now , and it looks very much as if that red rascal will get one of them .

I believe I 'll spoil that red scamp 's plans by frightening them away .

I don't believe that Deer will be back here to-day anyway , so I may as well save those Ducks . "

but the hunter did nothing of the kind .

you see , just as he was getting ready to step out from his hiding-place , Sammy Jay arrived .

he perched in a tree close to the end of Paddy 's dam and at once he spied Reddy Fox .

it didn't take him a second to discover what Reddy was hiding there for .

" Thief , thief , thief ! " screamed Sammy , and then looked down at Reddy with a mischievous look in his sharp eyes .

there is nothing Sammy Jay delights in more than in upsetting the plans of Reddy Fox .

at the sound of Sammy 's voice , Mr and Mrs. Quack swam hurriedly towards the middle of the pond .

they knew exactly what that warning meant .

Reddy Fox looked up at Sammy Jay and snarled angrily .

then , knowing it was useless to hide longer , he bounded away through the Green Forest to hunt elsewhere .

CHAPTER XVIII

THE HUNTER LOSES HIS TEMPER

the hunter , hidden near the pond of Paddy the Beaver , chuckled silently .

that is to say , he laughed without making any sound .

the hunter thought the warning of Mr and Mrs. Quack by Sammy Jay was a great joke on Reddy .

to tell the truth , he was very much pleased .

as you know , he wanted those Ducks himself .

" Sammy Jay did me a good turn , " thought the hunter , " although he doesn't know it .

Reddy Fox certainly would have caught one of those Ducks had Sammy not come along just when he did .

it would have been a shame to have had one of them caught by that Fox .

I mean to get one , and I hope both of them , myself . "

Reddy was hunting them because he was hungry .

the hunter would have shot them for sport .

he didn't need them .

he had plenty of other food .

Reddy Fox doesn't kill just for the pleasure of killing .

so the hunter continued to sit in his hiding-place with very friendly feelings for Sammy Jay .

Sammy watched Reddy Fox disappear and then flew over to that side of the pond where the hunter was .

for some time Sammy sat quietly in the top of the tree , but all the time his sharp eyes were very busy .

by and by he spied the hunter sitting on the log .

at first he couldn't make out just what it was he was looking at .

it didn't move , but nevertheless Sammy was suspicious .

presently he flew over to a tree where he could see better .

right away he spied the terrible gun , and he knew just what that was .

once more he began to yell , " thief ! thief ! thief ! " at the top of his lungs .

it was then that the hunter lost his temper .

he knew that now he had been discovered by Sammy Jay , and it was useless to remain there longer .

he was angry clear through .

CHAPTER XIX

SAMMY JAY IS MODEST

every one within hearing could tell just where that hunter was by Sammy 's voice .

it kept growing fainter and fainter , and by that Lightfoot knew that the hunter was getting farther and farther away .

Paddy the Beaver swam out from his hiding-place and climbed out on the bank near Lightfoot .

there was a twinkle in his eyes .

" that blue-coated mischief-maker isn't such a bad fellow at heart , after all , is he ? " said he .

Lightfoot lifted his beautiful head and set his ears forward to catch the sound of Sammy 's voice in the distance .

he brought me warning of the coming of the hunter the other morning .

you saw him save Mr and Mrs. Quack a little while ago , and then he actually drove that hunter away .

I suppose Sammy Jay has saved more lives than any one I know of .

I wish he would come back here and let me thank him . "

some time later Sammy Jay did come back .

I 'm glad to see he hasn't got you yet , Lightfoot .

I 've been a bit worried about you . "

" Sammy , " said Lightfoot , " you are one of the best friends I have .

I don't know how I can ever thank you for what you have done for me . "

" don't try , " replied Sammy shortly .

" I haven't done anything but what anybody else would have done .

old Mother Nature gave me a pair of good eyes and a strong voice .

I simply make the best use of them I can .

just to see a hunter with a terrible gun makes me angry clear through .

I 'd rather spoil his hunting than eat . "

" you want to watch out , Sammy .

by the way , Lightfoot , the Green Forest is full of hunters looking for you .

CHAPTER XX

LIGHTFOOT HEARS A DREADFUL SOUND

day after day , Lightfoot the Deer played hide and seek for his life with the hunters who were seeking to kill him .

he saw them many times , though not one of them saw him .

more than once a hunter passed close to Lightfoot 's hiding-place without once suspecting it .

but poor Lightfoot was feeling the strain .

he was growing thin , and he was so nervous that the falling of a dead leaf from a tree would startle him .

there is nothing quite so terrible as being continually hunted .

it was getting so that Lightfoot half expected a hunter to step out from behind every tree .

only when the Black Shadows wrapped the Green Forest in darkness did he know a moment of peace .

and those hours of safety were filled with dread of what the next day might bring .

Early one morning a terrible sound rang through the Green Forest and brought Lightfoot to his feet with a startled jump .

it was the baying of hounds following a trail .

at first it did not sound so terrible .

Lightfoot had often heard it before .

many times he had listened to the baying of Bowser the Hound , as he followed Reddy Fox .

it had not sounded so terrible then because it meant no danger to Lightfoot .

but suddenly a dreadful suspicion came to him and he grew more and more anxious as he listened .

in a few minutes there was no longer any doubt in his mind .

those hounds were following his trail .

it was then that the sound of that baying became terrible .

he must run for his life !

those hounds would give him no rest .

and he knew that in running from them , he would no longer be able to watch so closely for the hunters with terrible guns .

he would no longer be able to hide in thickets .

at any time he might be driven right past one of those hunters .

Lightfoot bounded away with such leaps as only Lightfoot can make .

in a little while the voices of the hounds grew fainter .

Lightfoot stopped to get his breath and stood trembling as he listened .

the baying of the hounds again grew louder and louder .

those wonderful noses of theirs were following his trail without the least difficulty .

in a panic of fear , Lightfoot bounded away again .

as he crossed an old road , the Green Forest rang with the roar of a terrible gun .

something tore a strip of bark from the trunk of a tree just above Lightfoot 's back .

it was a bullet and it had just missed Lightfoot .

it added to his terror and this in turn added to his speed .

so Lightfoot ran and ran , and behind him the voices of the hounds continued to ring through the Green Forest .

CHAPTER XXI

HOW LIGHTFOOT GOT RID OF THE HOUNDS

poor Lightfoot !

it seemed to him that there were no such things as justice and fair play .

had it been just one hunter at a time against whom he had to match his wits it would not have been so bad .

but there were many hunters with terrible guns looking for him , and in dodging one he was likely at any time to meet another .

this in itself seemed terribly unfair and unjust .

but now , added to this was the greater unfairness of being trailed by hounds .

do you wonder that Lightfoot thought of men as utterly heartless ?

he could not know that it was against the law to hunt him with dogs .

the ground was damp and scent always lies best on damp ground .

this made it easy for the hounds to follow him with their wonderful noses .

Lightfoot tried every trick he could think of to make those hounds lose the scent .

but he couldn't .

they allowed him no rest .

he was becoming very , very tired .

he could no longer bound lightly over fallen logs or brush , as he had done at first .

his lungs ached as he panted for breath .

there would come a time when he would have to stop .

then those hounds would catch up with him and tear him to pieces .

it was then that he remembered the Big River .

he turned towards it .

it was his only chance and he knew it .

straight through the Green Forest , out across the Green Meadows to the bank of the Big River , Lightfoot ran .

for just a second he paused to look behind .

the hounds were almost at his heels .

Lightfoot hesitated no longer but plunged into the Big River and began to swim .

on the banks the hounds stopped and bayed their disappointment , for they did not dare follow Lightfoot out into the Big River .

CHAPTER XXII

LIGHTFOOT'S LONG SWIM

the Big River was very wide .

it would have been a long swim for Lightfoot had he been fresh and at his best .

strange as it may seem , Lightfoot is a splendid swimmer , despite his small , delicate feet .

he enjoys swimming .

but now Lightfoot was terribly tired from his long run ahead of the hounds .

then he turned and headed for a point down the Big River .

this made the swimming easier , for the current helped him instead of hindering him .

even then he could feel his strength leaving him .

had he escaped those hounds and the terrible hunters only to be drowned in the Big River ?

this new fear gave him more strength for a little while .

but it did not last long .

he was three fourths of the way across the Big River but still that other shore seemed a long distance away .

Little by little hope died in the heart of Lightfoot the Deer .

just as Lightfoot felt that he could not take another stroke and that the end was at hand , one foot touched something .

then , all four feet touched .

a second later he had found solid footing and was standing with the water only up to his knees .

he had found a little sand bar out in the Big River .

with a little gasp of returning hope , Lightfoot waded along until the water began to grow deeper again .

he had hoped that he would be able to wade ashore , but he saw now that he would have to swim again .

so for a long time he remained right where he was .

he was so tired that he trembled all over , and he was as frightened as he was tired .

he knew that standing out there in the water he could be seen for a long distance , and that made him nervous and fearful .

supposing a hunter on the shore he was trying to reach should see him .

but rest he must , and so he stood for a long time on the little sand bar in the Big River .

and little by little he felt his strength returning .

CHAPTER XXIII

LIGHTFOOT FINDS A FRIEND

on the bank he had left , he could see two black-and-white specks moving about , and across the water came the barking of dogs .

those two specks were the hounds who had driven him into the Big River .

they were barking now , instead of baying .

presently a brown form joined the black-and-white specks .

it was a hunter drawn there by the barking of the dogs .

he was too far away to be dangerous , but the mere sight of him filled Lightfoot with terror again .

he watched the hunter walk along the bank and disappear in the bushes .

presently out of the bushes came a boat , and in it was the hunter .

he headed straight towards Lightfoot , and then Lightfoot knew that his brief rest was at an end .

he must once more swim or be shot by the hunter in the boat .

so Lightfoot again struck out for the shore .

his rest had given him new strength , but still he was very , very tired and swimming was hard work .

slowly , oh so slowly , he drew nearer to the bank .

what new dangers might be waiting there , he did not know .

he had never been on that side of the Big River .

he knew nothing of the country on that side .

but the uncertainty was better than the certainty behind him .

on Lightfoot struggled .

at last he felt bottom beneath his feet .

he staggered up through some bushes along the bank and then for an instant it seemed to him his heart stopped beating .

right in front of him stood a man .

he had come out into the back yard of the home of that man .

it is doubtful which was the more surprised , Lightfoot or the man .

right then and there Lightfoot gave up in despair .

he couldn't run .

it was all he could do to walk .

not a spark of hope remained to Lightfoot .

he simply stood still and trembled , partly with fear and partly with weariness .

then a surprising thing happened .

the man spoke softly .

he advanced , not threateningly but slowly , and in a friendly way .

he walked around back of Lightfoot and then straight towards him .

Lightfoot walked on a few steps , and the man followed , still talking softly .

Little by little he urged Lightfoot on , driving him towards an open shed in which was a pile of hay .

without understanding just how , Lightfoot knew that he had found a friend .

so he entered the open shed and with a long sigh lay down in the soft hay .

CHAPTER XXIV

THE HUNTER IS DISAPPOINTED

how he knew he was safe , Lightfoot the Deer couldn't have told you .

he just knew it , that was all .

but he didn't have to understand words to know that he had found a friend .

Lightfoot 's friend was waiting just at the top of the bank .

of course the hunter saw him at once .

" Hello , Friend ! " cried the hunter .

" did you see a Deer pass this way a few minutes ago ?

he swam across the river , and if I know anything about it he 's too tired to travel far now .

I 've been hunting that fellow for several days , and if I have any luck at all I ought to get him this time . "

" I 'm afraid you won't have any luck at all , " said Lightfoot 's friend .

" you see , I don't allow any hunting on my land . "

the hunter looked surprised , and then his surprise gave way to anger .

" you mean , " said he , " that you intend to get that Deer yourself . "

Lightfoot 's friend shook his head .

" no , " said he , " I don't mean anything of the kind .

the best thing for you to do , my friend , is to get into your boat and row back where you came from .

are those your hounds barking over there ? "

" no , " replied the hunter promptly .

" I know the law just as well as you do , and it is against the law to hunt Deer with dogs .

I don't even know who owns those two hounds over there . "

" that may be true , " replied Lightfoot 's friend .

" I don't doubt it is true .

but you are willing to take advantage of the fact that the dogs of some one else have broken the law .

you are not hunting for the pleasure of hunting but just to kill .

you don't know the meaning of justice or fairness .

now get off my land .

get back into your boat and off my land as quick as you can .

that Deer is not very far from here and so tired that he cannot move .

now go . "

muttering angrily , the hunter got back into his boat and pushed off , but he didn't row back across the river .

CHAPTER XXV

THE HUNTER LIES IN WAIT

if ever there was an angry hunter , it was the one who had followed Lightfoot the Deer across the Big River .

instead , he rowed down the river , finally landing on the same side but on land which Lightfoot 's friend did not own .

" when that Deer has become rested he 'll become uneasy , " thought the hunter .

" he won't stay on that man 's land .

he 'll start for the nearest woods .

I 'll go up there and wait for him .

I 'll get that Deer if only to spite that fellow back there who drove me off .

had it not been for him , I 'd have that Deer right now .

he was too tired to have gone far .

he 's got the handsomest pair of antlers I 've seen for years .

I can sell that head of his for a good price . "

so the hunter tied his boat to a tree and once more climbed out .

he climbed up the bank and studied the land .

across a wide meadow he could see a brushy old pasture and back of that some thick woods .

he grinned .

" that 's where that Deer will head for , " he decided .

" there isn't any other place for him to go .

all I 've got to do is be patient and wait . "

so the hunter took his terrible gun and tramped across the meadow to the brush-grown pasture .

there he hid among the bushes where he could peep out and watch the land of Lightfoot 's friend .

he was still angry because he had been prevented from shooting Lightfoot .

at the same time he chuckled , because he thought himself very smart .

so he made himself comfortable and prepared to wait the rest of the day , if necessary .

" we 'll fool him , " said he , chuckling to himself , as he walked back towards the shed where poor Lightfoot was resting .

he did not go too near Lightfoot , for he did not want to alarm him .

he just kept within sight of Lightfoot , paying no attention to him but going about his work .

Lightfoot , watching him , understood .

he knew that this man was a friend and would do him no harm .

Little by little , the wonderful , blessed feeling of safety crept over Lightfoot .

no hunter could harm him here .

CHAPTER XXVI

LIGHTFOOT DOES THE WISE THING

it required a lot of patience on the part of the hunter , but the hunter had plenty of patience .

it sometimes seems as if hunters have more patience than any other people .

but this hunter waited in vain .

jolly , round , red Mr Sun sank down in the west to his bed behind the Purple Hills .

the Black Shadows crept out and grew blacker .

one by one the stars began to twinkle .

still the hunter waited , and still there was no sign of Lightfoot .

at last it became so dark that it was useless for the hunter to remain longer .

then he tramped home and his thoughts were very bitter .

he knew that he could have shot Lightfoot had it not been for the man who had protected the Deer .

in fact , the hunter had not had so much as another glimpse of Lightfoot .

the reason that the hunter had been so disappointed was that Lightfoot was smart .

he was smart enough to understand that the man who was saving him from the hunter had done it because he was a true friend .

" he not only will let no one else harm me , but he himself will not harm me , " thought Lightfoot .

" as long as he is near , I am safe .

so all afternoon Lightfoot rested and did not so much as put his nose outside that open shed .

that is why the hunter got no glimpse of him .

when it became dark , so dark that he knew there was no longer danger , Lightfoot got up and stepped out under the stars .

he was feeling quite himself again .

his splendid strength had returned .

he bounded lightly across the meadow and up into the brushy pasture where the hunter had been hidden .

the farmer smiled .

" you are as wise as you are handsome , old fellow , " said he .

CHAPTER XXVII

SAMMY JAY WORRIES

it isn't often Sammy Jay worries about anybody but himself .

Truth to tell , he doesn't worry about himself very often .

you see , Sammy is smart , and he knows he is smart .

under that pointed cap of his are some of the cleverest wits in all the Green Forest .

Sammy seldom worries about himself because he feels quite able to take care of himself .

but Sammy Jay was worrying now .

he was worrying about Lightfoot the Deer .

yes , Sir , Sammy Jay was worrying about Lightfoot the Deer .

for two days he had been unable to find Lightfoot or any trace of Lightfoot .

but he did find plenty of hunters with terrible guns .

it seemed to him that they were everywhere in the Green Forest .

Sammy began to suspect that one of them must have succeeded in killing Lightfoot the Deer .

Sammy knew all of Lightfoot 's hiding-places .

he visited every one of them .

Lightfoot wasn't to be found , and no one whom Sammy met had seen Lightfoot for two days .

Sammy felt badly .

you see , he was very fond of Lightfoot .

you remember it was Sammy who warned Lightfoot of the coming of the hunter on the morning when the dreadful hunting season began .

ever since the hunting season had opened , Sammy had done his best to make trouble for the hunters .

Sammy had known all about the chasing of Lightfoot by the hounds .

everybody in the Green Forest had known about it .

you see , everybody had heard the voices of those hounds .

that was the last Sammy had seen of Lightfoot .

he had been able to save Lightfoot from the hunters , but he couldn't save him from the hounds .

the more Sammy thought things over , the more he worried .

" if he were alive , somebody certainly would have seen him and nobody has , since the day those hounds chased him .

I declare , I have quite lost my appetite worrying about him .

if Lightfoot is dead , and I am almost sure he is , the Green Forest will never seem the same . "

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE HUNTING SEASON ENDS

the very worst things come to an end at last .

no matter how bad a thing is , it cannot last forever .

so it was with the hunting season for Lightfoot the Deer .

there came a day when the law protected all Deer , a day when the hunters could no longer go searching for Lightfoot .

but this year there was no rejoicing .

you see , no one could find Lightfoot .

Sammy Jay had hunted everywhere through the Green Forest .

Blacky the Crow , whose eyes are quite as sharp as those of Sammy Jay , had joined in the search .

they had found no trace of Lightfoot .

Paddy the Beaver said that for three days Lightfoot had not visited his pond for a drink .

Jumper the Hare had visited Lightfoot 's favorite eating places at night , but Lightfoot had not been in any of them .

" I tell you what it is , " said Sammy Jay to Bobby Coon , " something has happened to Lightfoot .

either those hounds caught him and killed him , or he was shot by one of those hunters .

the Green Forest will never be the same without him .

I don't think I shall want to come over here very much .

there isn't one of all the other people who live in the Green Forest who would be missed as Lightfoot will be . "

Bobby Coon nodded .

" that 's true , Sammy , " said he .

" without Lightfoot , the Green Forest will never be the same .

he never harmed anybody .

why those hunters should have been so anxious to kill one so beautiful is something I can't understand .

for that matter , I don't understand why they want to kill any of us .

if they really needed us for food , it would be a different matter , but they don't .

have you been up in the Old Pasture and asked Old Man Coyote if he has seen anything of Lightfoot ? "

Sammy nodded .

" I 've been up there twice , " said he .

" old Man Coyote has been lying very low during the days , but nights he has done a lot of traveling .

I thought he might have found the place where Lightfoot was killed , but he hasn't , although he has looked for it .

well , the hunting season for Lightfoot is over , but I am afraid it has ended too late . "

CHAPTER XXIX

Mr AND MRS QUACK ARE STARTLED

it was the evening of the day after the closing of the hunting season for Lightfoot the Deer .

Mr. and Mrs Quack were getting their evening meal among the brown stalks of the wild rice along the edge of the Big River .

they took turns in searching for the rice grains in the mud .

then Mrs Quack took her turn at keeping watch , while Mr Quack stood on his head and hunted for rice .

it was wonderfully quiet and peaceful .

there was not even a ripple on the Big River .

it was so quiet that they could hear the barking of a dog at a farmhouse a mile away .

they were far enough out from the bank to have nothing to fear from Reddy Fox or Old Man Coyote .

so they had nothing to fear from any one save Hooty the Owl .

it was for Hooty that they took turns in watching .

it was just the hour when Hooty likes best to hunt .

by and by they heard Hooty 's hunting call .

it was far away in the Green Forest .

then Mr and Mrs. Quack felt easier , and they talked in low , contented voices .

they felt that for a while at least there was nothing to fear .

suddenly a little splash out in the Big River caught Mr Quack 's quick ear .

as Mrs Quack brought her head up out of the water , Mr Quack warned her to keep quiet .

Noiselessly they swam among the brown stalks until they could see out across the Big River .

there was another little splash out there in the middle .

it wasn't the splash made by a fish ; it was a splash made by something much bigger than any fish .

presently they made out a silver line moving towards them from the Black Shadows .

they knew exactly what it meant .

it meant that some one was out there in the Big River moving towards them .

could it be a boat containing a hunter ?

with their necks stretched high , Mr and Mrs. Quack watched .

they were ready to take to their strong wings the instant they discovered danger .

but they did not want to fly until they were sure that it was danger approaching .

they were startled , very much startled .

presently they made out what looked like the branch of a tree moving over the water towards them .

that was queer , very queer .

Mr Quack said so .

Mrs Quack said so .

both were growing more and more suspicious .

they couldn't understand it at all , and it is always best to be suspicious of things you cannot understand .

Mr and Mrs. Quack half lifted their wings to fly .

CHAPTER XXX

THE MYSTERY IS SOLVED

it was very mysterious .

yes , Sir , it was very mysterious .

Mr Quack thought so .

Mrs Quack thought so .

but how could the branch of a tree swim ?

that was too much for Mr Quack .

it was too much for Mrs Quack .

they were ready to spring into the air and trust to their swift wings the instant they should detect danger .

but they did not want to fly unless they had to .

besides , they were curious .

they were very curious indeed .

they wanted to find out what that mysterious thing moving through the water towards them was .

but Paddy the Beaver was way back in his own pond , deep in the Green Forest , and they knew it .

so this thing became more and more of a mystery .

the nearer it came , the more nervous and anxious they grew , and at the same time the greater became their curiosity .

at last Mr Quack felt that not even to gratify his curiosity would it be safe to wait longer .

he prepared to spring into the air , knowing that Mrs Quack would follow him .

it was just then that a funny little sound reached him .

it was half snort , half cough , as if some one had sniffed some water up his nose .

there was something familiar about that sound .

Mr Quack decided to wait a few minutes longer .

somehow I have a feeling that we are in no danger . "

so Mr. and Mrs Quack waited and watched .

it was a mystery no longer .

they saw that they had mistaken the antlers of Lightfoot the Deer for the branch of a tree .

Lightfoot was swimming across the Big River on his way back to his home in the Green Forest .

at once Mr and Mrs. Quack swam out to meet him and to tell him how glad they were that he was alive and safe .

CHAPTER XXXI

a SURPRISING DISCOVERY

so Lightfoot roamed about without fear and was happy .

it seemed to him that he could not be happier .

there was plenty to eat and that blessed feeling of nothing to fear .

what more could any one ask ?

he began to grow sleek and fat and handsomer than ever .

the days were growing colder and the frosty air made him feel good .

Just at dusk one evening he went down to his favorite drinking place at the Laughing Brook .

as he put down his head to drink he saw something which so surprised him that he quite forgot he was thirsty .

what do you think it was he saw ?

it was a footprint in the soft mud .

yes , Sir , it was a footprint .

for a long time Lightfoot stood staring at that footprint .

in his great , soft eyes was a look of wonder and surprise .

you see , that footprint was exactly like one of his own , only smaller .

to Lightfoot it was a very wonderful footprint .

he was quite sure that never had he seen such a dainty footprint .

he forgot to drink .

instead , he began to search for other footprints , and presently he found them .

each was as dainty as that first one .

who could have made them ?

that is what Lightfoot wanted to know and what he meant to find out .

it was clear to him that there was a stranger in the Green Forest , and somehow he didn't resent it in the least .

in fact , he was glad .

he couldn't have told why , but it was true .

Lightfoot put his nose to the footprints and sniffed of them .

a great longing to find the maker of those footprints took possession of him .

he lifted his handsome head and listened for some slight sound which might show that the stranger was near .

with his delicate nostrils he tested the wandering little Night Breezes for a stray whiff of scent to tell him which way to go .

but there was no sound and the wandering little Night Breezes told him nothing .

Lightfoot followed the dainty footprints up the bank .

there they disappeared , for the ground was hard .

Lightfoot paused , undecided which way to go .

CHAPTER XXXII

LIGHTFOOT SEES THE STRANGER

Lightfoot the Deer was unhappy .

it was a strange unhappiness , an unhappiness such as he had never known before .

you see , he had discovered that there was a stranger in the Green Forest , a stranger of his own kind , another Deer .

he knew it by dainty footprints in the mud along the Laughing Brook and on the edge of the pond of Paddy the Beaver .

he knew it by other signs which he ran across every now and then .

but search as he would , he was unable to find that newcomer .

he had searched everywhere but always he was just too late .

the stranger had been and gone .

now there was no anger in Lightfoot 's desire to find that stranger .

instead , there was a great longing .

for the first time in his life Lightfoot felt lonely .

so he hunted and hunted and was unhappy .

he lost his appetite .

he slept little .

he roamed about uneasily , looking , listening , testing every Merry Little Breeze , but all in vain .

then , one never-to-be-forgotten night , as he drank at the Laughing Brook , a strange feeling swept over him .

it was the feeling of being watched .

Lightfoot lifted his beautiful head and a slight movement caught his quick eye and drew it to a thicket not far away .

for a long minute Lightfoot stood gazing .

a pair of wonderful , great , soft eyes gazed back at him .

then that beautiful head disappeared .

with a mighty bound , Lightfoot cleared the Laughing Brook and rushed over to the thicket in which that beautiful head had disappeared .

he plunged in , but there was no one there .

frantically he searched , but that thicket was empty .

then he stood still and listened .

not a sound reached him .

it was as still as if there were no other living things in all the Green Forest .

the beautiful stranger had slipped away as silently as a shadow .

all the rest of that night Lightfoot searched through the Green Forest but his search was in vain .

the longing to find that beautiful stranger had become so great that he fairly ached with it .

it seemed to him that until he found her he could know no happiness .

CHAPTER XXXIII

a DIFFERENT GAME OF HIDE AND SEEK

once more Lightfoot the Deer was playing hide and seek in the Green Forest .

but it was a very different game from the one he had played just a short time before .

now , he was " it " , and some one else was doing the hiding .

at times Lightfoot would lose his temper .

yes , Sir , Lightfoot would lose his temper .

that was a foolish thing to do , but it seemed to him that he just couldn't help it .

more than once when he did this a pair of great , soft , gentle eyes were watching him , though he didn't know it .

at other times Lightfoot would steal about through the Green Forest as noiselessly as a shadow .

he would peer into thickets and behind tangles of fallen trees and brush piles , hoping to surprise the one he sought .

he would be very , very patient .

perhaps he would come to the thicket which he knew from the signs the stranger had left only a few moments before .

then his patience would vanish in impatience , and he would dash ahead , eager to catch up with the shy stranger .

but always it was in vain .

he had thought himself very clever but this stranger was proving herself more clever .

of course it wasn't long before all the little people in the Green Forest knew what was going on .

but now , instead of trying to help Lightfoot as they did then , they gave him no help at all .

the fact is , they were enjoying that game .

Mischievous Sammy Jay even went so far as to warn the stranger several times when Lightfoot was approaching .

of course Lightfoot knew when Sammy did this , and each time he lost his temper .

for the time being , he quite forgot all that Sammy had done for him when he was the one that was being hunted .

but when Buster grinned good-naturedly at him , Lightfoot thought better of it and bounded away to continue his search .

then there were times when Lightfoot would sulk and would declare over and over to himself , " I don't care anything about that stranger .

CHAPTER XXXIV

a STARTLING NEW FOOTPRINT

he had stolen very softly down to the Laughing Brook , hoping to surprise the beautiful stranger drinking there .

she wasn't to be seen .

almost at once he discovered fresh footprints .

they were not the prints he was looking for .

no , Sir , they were not the dainty prints he had learned to know so well .

they were prints very near the size of his own big ones , and they had been made only a short time before .

the finding of those prints was a dreadful shock to Lightfoot .

he understood instantly what they meant .

they meant that a second stranger had come into the Green Forest , one who had antlers like his own .

jealousy took possession of Lightfoot the Deer ; jealousy that filled his heart with rage .

" he has come here to seek that beautiful stranger I have been hunting for , " thought Lightfoot .

" he has come here to try to steal her away from me .

he has no right here in my Green Forest .

that is where that beautiful stranger must have come from , too .

I want her to stay , but I must drive this fellow out .

I 'll make him fight .

that 's what I 'll do ; I 'll make him fight !

I 'm not afraid of him , but I 'll make him fear me . "

Lightfoot stamped his feet and with his great antlers thrashed the bushes as if he felt that they were the enemy he sought .

could you have looked into his great eyes then , you would have found nothing soft and beautiful about them .

they became almost red with anger .

Lightfoot quivered all over with rage .

the hair on the back of his neck stood up .

Lightfoot the Deer looked anything but gentle .

then he leaped over the Laughing Brook and once more began to search through the Green Forest .

but this time it was not for the beautiful stranger with the dainty feet .

he had no time to think of her now .

he must first find this newcomer and he meant to waste no time in doing it .

CHAPTER XXXV

LIGHTFOOT IS RECKLESS

in his search for the new stranger who had come to the Green Forest , Lightfoot the Deer was wholly reckless .

he bounded along , careless of how much noise he made .

after such exhibitions of anger he would pause to listen , hoping to hear some sound which would tell him where the stranger was .

each time he found these signs Lightfoot 's rage increased .

of course it didn't take Sammy Jay long to discover what was going on .

there is little that escapes those sharp eyes of Sammy Jay .

then , by chance , Sammy had visited the Laughing Brook just as the big stranger had come down there to drink .

for once Sammy had kept his tongue still .

" there is going to be excitement here when Lightfoot discovers this fellow , " thought Sammy .

" if they ever meet , and I have a feeling that they will , there is going to be a fight worth seeing .

I must pass the word around . "

so Sammy Jay hunted up his cousin , Blacky the Crow , and told him what he had discovered .

then he hunted up Bobby Coon and told him .

he saw Unc ' Billy Possum sitting in the doorway of his hollow tree and told him .

he discovered Jumper the Hare sitting under a little hemlock-tree and told him .

then he flew over to the dear Old Briar-patch to tell Peter Rabbit .

Sammy didn't forget to tell Paddy the Beaver , but it was no news to Paddy.

Paddy had seen the big stranger on the edge of his pond early the night before .

of course , Lightfoot knew nothing about all this .

his one thought was to find that big stranger and drive him from the Green Forest , and so he continued his search tirelessly .

CHAPTER XXXVI

SAMMY JAY TAKES A HAND

Sammy Jay was bubbling over with excitement as he flew about through the Green Forest , following Lightfoot the Deer .

he was so excited he wanted to scream .

but he didn't .

he kept his tongue still .

you see , he didn't want Lightfoot to know that he was being followed .

under that pointed cap of Sammy Jay 's are quick wits .

Lightfoot made so much noise that it was quite easy to know just where he was and to keep out of his sight .

" that stranger is nearly as big as Lightfoot , but it is very plain that he doesn't want to fight , " thought Sammy .

" he must be a coward . "

now the truth is , the stranger was not a coward .

he was ready and willing to fight if he had to , but if he could avoid fighting he meant to .

you see , big as he was , he wasn't quite so big as Lightfoot , and he knew it .

he had seen Lightfoot 's big footprints , and from their size he knew that Lightfoot must be bigger and heavier than he .

then , too , he knew that he really had no right to be there in the Green Forest .

that was Lightfoot 's home and so he was an intruder .

he knew that Lightfoot would feel this way about it and that this would make him fight all the harder .

so the big stranger wanted to avoid a fight if possible .

but he wanted still more to find that beautiful young visitor with the dainty feet for whom Lightfoot had been looking .

if he had to , he would fight for her , but until he had to he would keep out of the fight .

so he dodged Lightfoot and at the same time looked for the beautiful stranger .

all this Sammy Jay guessed , and after a while he grew tired of following Lightfoot for nothing .

" I 'll have to take a hand in this thing myself , " muttered Sammy .

" at this rate , Lightfoot never will find that big stranger ! "

so Sammy stopped following Lightfoot and began to search through the Green Forest for the big stranger .

it didn't take very long to find him .

he was over near the pond of Paddy the Beaver .

as soon as he saw him , Sammy began to scream at the top of his lungs .

CHAPTER XXXVII

THE GREAT FIGHT

down from the top of the ridge back of the pond of Paddy the Beaver plunged Lightfoot the Deer , his eyes blazing with rage .

he had understood the screaming of Sammy Jay .

he knew that somewhere down there was the big stranger he had been looking for .

the big stranger had understood Sammy 's screaming quite as well as Lightfoot .

he must fight .

there was no way out of it , he must fight .

the hair on the back of his neck stood up with anger just as did the hair on the neck of Lightfoot .

his eyes also blazed .

he bounded out into a little open place by the pond of Paddy the Beaver and there he waited .

meanwhile Sammy Jay was flying about in the greatest excitement , screaming at the top of his lungs , " a fight !

a fight !

a fight ! "

everybody who was near enough hurried there .

Bobby Coon and Unc ' Billy Possum climbed trees from which they could see and at the same time be safe .

Billy Mink hurried to a safe place on the dam of Paddy the Beaver .

Paddy himself climbed up on the roof of his house out in the pond .

Buster Bear shuffled down the hill and watched from the other side of the pond .

Reddy and Granny Fox were both there .

then , snorting with rage , they lowered their heads and plunged together .

their antlers clashed with a noise that rang through the Green Forest , and both fell to their knees .

there they pushed and struggled .

then they separated and backed away , to repeat the movement over again .

it was a terrible fight .

everybody said so .

if they had not known before , everybody knew now what those great antlers were for .

it only made Lightfoot fight harder .

sometimes they would rear up and strike with their sharp hoofs .

Back and forth they plunged , and the ground was torn up by their feet .

both were getting out of breath , and from time to time they had to stop for a moment 's rest .

then they would come together again more fiercely than ever .

never had such a fight been seen in the Green Forest .

CHAPTER XXXVIII

AN UNSEEN WATCHER

each was filled fully with rage and determined to drive the other from the Green Forest .

each was fighting for the right to win the love of Miss Daintyfoot .

neither of them knew that Miss Daintyfoot herself was watching them .

but she was .

timidly she had stolen forward to a thicket where , safely hidden , she could watch that terrible fight .

she knew that they were fighting for her .

of course .

she knew it just as she had known how both had been hunting for her .

what she didn't know for some time was which one she wanted to win that fight .

both Lightfoot and the big stranger were handsome .

yes , indeed , they were very handsome .

Lightfoot was just a little bit the bigger and it seemed to her just a little bit the handsomer .

she almost wanted him to win .

that great fight lasted a long time .

to pretty Miss Daintyfoot it seemed that it never would end .

but after a while Lightfoot 's greater size and strength began to tell .

Little by little the big stranger was forced back towards the edge of the open place .

now he would be thrown to his knees when Lightfoot wasn't .

as Lightfoot saw this , he seemed to gain new strength .

at last he caught the stranger in such a way that he threw him over .

while the stranger struggled to get to his feet again , Lightfoot 's sharp antlers made long tears in his gray coat .

the stranger was beaten and he knew it .

the instant he succeeded in getting to his feet he turned tail and plunged for the shelter of the Green Forest .

with a snort of triumph , Lightfoot plunged after him .

but now that he was beaten , fear took possession of the stranger .

all desire to fight left him .

his one thought was to get away , and fear gave him speed .

straight back towards the Great Mountain from which he had come the stranger headed .

Lightfoot followed only a short distance .

he knew that that stranger was going for good and would not come back .

then Lightfoot turned back to the open place where they had fought .

there he threw up his beautiful head , crowned by its great antlers , and whistled a challenge to all the Green Forest .

as she looked at him , Miss Daintyfoot knew that she had wanted him to win .

she knew that there simply couldn't be anybody else so handsome and strong and brave in all the Great World .

CHAPTER XXXIX

LIGHTFOOT DISCOVERS LOVE

she adored him , which means that she loved him just as much as it was possible for her to love .

but Lightfoot didn't know this .

in fact , he didn't know that Miss Daintyfoot was there .

his one thought had been to drive out of the Green Forest the big stranger who had come down from the Great Mountain .

he had been jealous of that big stranger , though he hadn't known that he was jealous .

of course this was nothing but jealousy .

in its place was a great longing to find Miss Daintyfoot .

his great eyes became once more soft and beautiful .

in them was a look of wistfulness .

Lightfoot walked down to the edge of the water and drank , for he was very , very thirsty .

then he turned , intending to take up once more his search for beautiful Miss Daintyfoot .

when he turned he faced the thicket in which Miss Daintyfoot was hiding .

his keen eyes caught a little movement of the branches .

he wondered if she would disappear and run away as she had the last time he saw her .

he took a step or two forward .

the beautiful head was withdrawn .

Lightfoot 's heart sank .

then he bounded forward into that thicket .

there stood Miss Daintyfoot , timid , bashful , but with a look in her eyes which Lightfoot could not mistake .

it was love .

Lightfoot knew that he loved Miss Daintyfoot and , looking into her soft , gentle eyes , he knew that Miss Daintyfoot loved him .

CHAPTER XL

HAPPY DAYS IN THE GREEN FOREST

these were happy days in the Green Forest .

at least , they were happy for Lightfoot the Deer .

they were the happiest days he had ever known .

you see , he had won beautiful , slender , young Miss Daintyfoot , and now she was no longer Miss Daintyfoot but Mrs Lightfoot .

wherever Lightfoot went , Mrs Lightfoot went .

he showed her all his favorite hiding-places .

he led her to his favorite eating-places .

but he didn't stop to think and proudly led her from place to place .

and Mrs Lightfoot wisely expressed delight with all she saw quite as if it were all new .

and they really did feel glad .

the Green Forest would not be the same at all without Lightfoot the Deer .

" I know , " replied Mrs Lightfoot softly .

" I know all about it .

you see , there were hunters on the Great Mountain .

in fact , that is how I happened to come down to the Green Forest .

they hunted me so up there that I did not dare stay , and I came down here thinking that there might be fewer hunters .

I wouldn't have believed that I could ever be thankful to hunters for anything , but I am , truly I am . "

there was a puzzled look on Lightfoot 's face .

" what for ? " he demanded .

" I can't imagine anybody being thankful to hunters for anything . "

" oh , you stupid , " cried Mrs Lightfoot .

" don't you see that if I hadn't been driven down from the Great Mountain , I never would have found you ? "

" you mean , I never would have found you , " retorted Lightfoot .

" I guess I owe these hunters more than you do .

I owe them the greatest happiness I have ever known , but I never would have thought of it myself .

isn't it queer how things which seem the very worst possible sometimes turn out to be the very best possible ? "

Blacky the Crow is one of Lightfoot 's friends , but sometimes even friends are envious .

it is so with Blacky .

he insists that he is quite as important in the Green Forest as is Lightfoot and that his doings are quite as interesting .

therefore just to please him the next book is to be Blacky the Crow .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Lightfoot the Deer , by Thornton W Burgess

produced by Jason Isbell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at @url@

a CHRISTMAS CAROL

by CHARLES DICKENS

ILLUSTRATED BY GEORGE ALFRED WILLIAMS

New York THE PLATT & PECK CO .

copyright , @number@ by THE BAKER & TAYLOR COMPANY

Illustration : " he had been Tim 's blood horse all the way from church . "

INTRODUCTION

the success of the book was immediate .

Thackeray wrote of it : " who can listen to objections regarding such a book as this ?

it seems to me a national benefit , and to every man or woman who reads it , a personal kindness . "

the five are known to-day as the " Christmas Books . "

Dickens seems to have put his whole self into these glowing little stories .

a new life is brought to Scrooge when he , " running to his window , opened it and put out his head .

oh , glorious !

Glorious ! "

" the Cricket on the Hearth " strikes a different note .

Dickens 's greatest gift was characterization , and no English writer , save Shakespeare , has drawn so many and so varied characters .

it would be as absurd to interpret all of these as caricatures as to deny Dickens his great and varied powers of creation .

but there remains a host of characters marked by humour and pathos .

yet the pictorial presentation of Dickens 's characters has ever tended toward the grotesque .

the interpretations in this volume aim to eliminate the grosser phases of the caricature in favour of the more human .

it has been the illustrator 's whole aim to make these people live in some form more fully consistent with their types .

GEORGE ALFRED WILLIAMS .

Chatham , N

CONTENTS

a CHRISTMAS CAROL

STAVE PAGE

ILLUSTRATIONS

a CHRISTMAS CAROL

" he had been Tim 's blood horse all the way from church . " frontispiece

" a Merry Christmas , Uncle !

God save you ! " cried a cheerful voice . @number@

" you recollect the way ? " inquired the spirit .

" remember it ! " cried Scrooge , with fervour ; " I could walk it blindfold . " @number@

" why , it 's Ali Baba ! "

Scrooge exclaimed in ecstasy .

" it 's dear old honest Ali Baba ! " @number@

a CHRISTMAS CAROL

In Prose

BEING A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS

STAVE ONE

MARLEY'S GHOST

Marley was dead , to begin with .

there is no doubt whatever about that .

the register of his burial was signed by the clergyman , the clerk , the undertaker , and the chief mourner .

Scrooge signed it .

and Scrooge 's name was good upon ' Change for anything he chose to put his hand to .

old Marley was as dead as a door-nail .

mind !

I don't mean to say that I know , of my own knowledge , what there is particularly dead about a door-nail .

I might have been inclined , myself , to regard a coffin-nail as the deadest piece of ironmongery in the trade .

but the wisdom of our ancestors is in the simile ; and my unhallowed hands shall not disturb it , or the Country 's done for .

you will , therefore , permit me to repeat , emphatically , that Marley was as dead as a door-nail .

Scrooge knew he was dead ?

of course he did .

how could it be otherwise ?

Scrooge and he were partners for I don't know how many years .

the mention of Marley 's funeral brings me back to the point I started from .

there is no doubt that Marley was dead .

this must be distinctly understood , or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate .

Scrooge never painted out Old Marley 's name .

there it stood , years afterwards , above the warehouse door : Scrooge and Marley .

the firm was known as Scrooge and Marley .

sometimes people new to the business called Scrooge Scrooge , and sometimes Marley , but he answered to both names .

it was all the same to him .

a frosty rime was on his head , and on his eyebrows , and his wiry chin .

external heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge .

no warmth could warm , no wintry weather chill him .

foul weather didn't know where to have him .

the heaviest rain , and snow , and hail , and sleet could boast of the advantage over him in only one respect .

they often " came down " handsomely and Scrooge never did .

nobody ever stopped him in the street to say , with gladsome looks , " my dear Scrooge , how are you ?

when will you come to see me ? "

but what did Scrooge care ?

it was the very thing he liked .

once upon a time of all the good days in the year , on Christmas Eve old Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house .

Scrooge had a very small fire , but the clerk 's fire was so very much smaller that it looked like one coal .

" a merry Christmas , uncle !

God save you ! " cried a cheerful voice .

it was the voice of Scrooge 's nephew , who came upon him so quickly that this was the first intimation he had of his approach .

" Bah ! " said Scrooge .

" humbug ! "

" Christmas a humbug , uncle ! " said Scrooge 's nephew .

" you don't mean that , I am sure ? "

" I do , " said Scrooge .

" merry Christmas !

what right have you to be merry ?

what reason have you to be merry ?

you 're poor enough . "

" come , then , " returned the nephew gaily .

" what right have you to be dismal ?

what reason have you to be morose ?

you 're rich enough . "

" don't be cross , uncle ! " said the nephew .

Illustration : " a Merry Christmas , uncle !

God save you ! " cried a cheerful voice .

" what else can I be , " returned the uncle , " when I live in such a world of fools as this ?

Merry Christmas !

out upon merry Christmas !

he should ! "

" uncle ! " pleaded the nephew .

" nephew ! " returned the uncle sternly , " keep Christmas in your own way , and let me keep it in mine . "

" keep it ! " repeated Scrooge 's nephew .

" but you don't keep it . "

" let me leave it alone , then , " said Scrooge .

" much good may it do you !

much good it has ever done you ! "

the clerk in the tank involuntarily applauded .

becoming immediately sensible of the impropriety , he poked the fire , and extinguished the last frail spark for ever .

" let me hear another sound from you , " said Scrooge , " and you 'll keep your Christmas by losing your situation !

you 're quite a powerful speaker , sir , " he added , turning to his nephew .

" I wonder you don't go into Parliament . "

" don't be angry , uncle .

come !

dine with us to-morrow . "

Scrooge said that he would see him Yes , indeed he did .

he went the whole length of the expression , and said that he would see him in that extremity first .

" but why ? " cried Scrooge 's nephew .

" why ? "

" why did you get married ? " said Scrooge .

" because I fell in love . "

" good afternoon ! "

" Nay , uncle , but you never came to see me before that happened .

why give it as a reason for not coming now ? "

" good afternoon , " said Scrooge .

" I want nothing from you ; I ask nothing of you ; why cannot we be friends ? "

" good afternoon ! " said Scrooge .

" I am sorry , with all my heart , to find you so resolute .

we have never had any quarrel to which I have been a party .

but I have made the trial in homage to Christmas , and I 'll keep my Christmas humour to the last .

So A Merry Christmas , uncle ! "

" good afternoon , " said Scrooge .

" and A Happy New Year ! "

" good afternoon ! " said Scrooge .

his nephew left the room without an angry word , notwithstanding .

I 'll retire to Bedlam . "

this lunatic , in letting Scrooge 's nephew out , had let two other people in .

they were portly gentlemen , pleasant to behold , and now stood , with their hats off , in Scrooge 's office .

they had books and papers in their hands , and bowed to him .

" Scrooge and Marley 's , I believe , " said one of the gentlemen , referring to his list .

" have I the pleasure of addressing Mr Scrooge , or Mr Marley ? "

" Mr Marley has been dead these seven years , " Scrooge replied .

" he died seven years ago , this very night . "

" we have no doubt his liberality is well represented by his surviving partner , " said the gentleman , presenting his credentials .

it certainly was ; for they had been two kindred spirits .

at the ominous word " liberality " Scrooge frowned , and shook his head , and handed the credentials back .

many thousands are in want of common necessaries ; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts , sir . "

" are there no prisons ? " asked Scrooge .

" plenty of prisons , " said the gentleman , laying down the pen again .

" and the Union workhouses ? " demanded Scrooge .

" are they still in operation ? "

" they are .

still , " returned the gentleman , " I wish I could say they were not . "

" the Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour , then ? " said Scrooge .

" both very busy , sir . "

" oh !

" I am very glad to hear it . "

we choose this time , because it is a time , of all others , when Want is keenly felt , and Abundance rejoices .

what shall I put you down for ? "

" nothing ! "

Scrooge replied .

" you wish to be anonymous ? "

" I wish to be left alone , " said Scrooge .

" since you ask me what I wish , gentlemen , that is my answer .

I don't make merry myself at Christmas , and I can't afford to make idle people merry .

I help to support the establishments I have mentioned they cost enough ; and those who are badly off must go there . "

" Many can't go there ; and many would rather die . "

" if they would rather die , " said Scrooge , " they had better do it , and decrease the surplus population .

besides excuse me I don't know that . "

" but you might know it , " observed the gentleman .

" it 's not my business , " Scrooge returned .

" it 's enough for a man to understand his own business , and not to interfere with other people 's .

mine occupies me constantly .

good afternoon , gentlemen ! "

seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their point , the gentlemen withdrew .

Scrooge resumed his labours with an improved opinion of himself , and in a more facetious temper than was usual with him .

the cold became intense .

the water-plug being left in solitude , its overflowings suddenly congealed , and turned to misanthropic ice .

foggier yet , and colder !

Piercing , searching , biting cold .

" God bless you , merry gentleman , May nothing you dismay ! "

at length the hour of shutting up the counting-house arrived .

" you 'll want all day to-morrow , I suppose ? " said Scrooge .

" if quite convenient , sir . "

" it 's not convenient , " said Scrooge , " and it 's not fair .

if I was to stop half-a-crown for it , you 'd think yourself ill used , I 'll be bound ? "

the clerk smiled faintly .

" and yet , " said Scrooge , " you don't think me ill used when I pay a day 's wages for no work . "

the clerk observed that it was only once a year .

" a poor excuse for picking a man 's pocket every twenty-fifth of December ! " said Scrooge , buttoning his great-coat to the chin .

" but I suppose you must have the whole day .

be here all the earlier next morning . "

the clerk promised that he would ; and Scrooge walked out with a growl .

he lived in chambers which had once belonged to his deceased partner .

the yard was so dark that even Scrooge , who knew its every stone , was fain to grope with his hands .

Marley 's face .

as Scrooge looked fixedly at this phenomenon , it was a knocker again .

but he put his hand upon the key he had relinquished , turned it sturdily , walked in , and lighted his candle .

the sound resounded through the house like thunder .

every room above , and every cask in the wine merchant 's cellars below , appeared to have a separate peal of echoes of its own .

Scrooge was not a man to be frightened by echoes .

up Scrooge went , not caring a button for that .

darkness is cheap , and Scrooge liked it .

but , before he shut his heavy door , he walked through his rooms to see that all was right .

he had just enough recollection of the face to desire to do that .

Sitting-room , bedroom , lumber-room .

all as they should be .

Lumber-room as usual .

old fire-guard , old shoes , two fish baskets , washing-stand on three legs , and a poker .

quite satisfied , he closed his door , and locked himself in ; double locked himself in , which was not his custom .

it was a very low fire indeed ; nothing on such a bitter night .

" humbug ! " said Scrooge ; and walked across the room .

after several turns he sat down again .

this might have lasted half a minute , or a minute , but it seemed an hour .

the bells ceased , as they had begun , together .

Scrooge then remembered to have heard that ghosts in haunted houses were described as dragging chains .

" it 's humbug still ! " said Scrooge .

" I won't believe it . "

upon its coming in , the dying flame leaped up , as though it cried , " I know him !

Marley 's Ghost ! " and fell again .

the same face : the very same .

the chain he drew was clasped about his middle .

Scrooge had often heard it said that Marley had no bowels , but he had never believed it until now .

no , nor did he believe it even now .

" how now ! " said Scrooge , caustic and cold as ever .

" what do you want with me ? "

" much ! " Marley 's voice , no doubt about it .

" who are you ? "

" ask me who I was . "

" who were you , then ? " said Scrooge , raising his voice .

" you 're particular , for a shade . "

he was going to say " to a shade , " but substituted this , as more appropriate .

" in life I was your partner , Jacob Marley . "

" can you can you sit down ? " asked Scrooge , looking doubtfully at him .

" I can . "

" do it , then . "

but the Ghost sat down on the opposite side of the fire-place , as if he were quite used to it .

" you don't believe in me , " observed the Ghost .

" I don't , " said Scrooge .

" what evidence would you have of my reality beyond that of your own senses ? "

" I don't know , " said Scrooge .

" why do you doubt your senses ? "

" because , " said Scrooge , " a little thing affects them .

a slight disorder of the stomach makes them cheats .

you may be an undigested bit of beef , a blot of mustard , a crumb of cheese , a fragment of an underdone potato .

there 's more of gravy than of grave about you , whatever you are ! "

Scrooge was not much in the habit of cracking jokes , nor did he feel in his heart by any means waggish then .

there was something very awful , too , in the spectre 's being provided with an infernal atmosphere of his own .

" I do , " replied the Ghost .

" you are not looking at it , " said Scrooge .

" but I see it , " said the Ghost , " notwithstanding . "

humbug , I tell you ; humbug ! "

Scrooge fell upon his knees , and clasped his hands before his face .

" Mercy ! " he said .

" dreadful apparition , why do you trouble me ? "

" man of the worldly mind ! " replied the Ghost , " do you believe in me or not ? "

" I do , " said Scrooge .

" I must .

but why do spirits walk the earth , and why do they come to me ? "

again the spectre raised a cry , and shook its chain and wrung its shadowy hands .

" you are fettered , " said Scrooge , trembling .

" tell me why ? "

" I wear the chain I forged in life , " replied the Ghost .

is its pattern strange to you ? "

Scrooge trembled more and more .

" or would you know , " pursued the Ghost , " the weight and length of the strong coil you bear yourself ?

it was full as heavy and as long as this , seven Christmas-eves ago .

you have laboured on it since .

it is a ponderous chain ! "

" Jacob ! " he said imploringly .

" Old Jacob Marley , tell me more !

speak comfort to me , Jacob ! "

" I have none to give , " the Ghost replied .

" it comes from other regions , Ebenezer Scrooge , and is conveyed by other ministers , to other kinds of men .

nor can I tell you what I would .

a very little more is all permitted to me .

I cannot rest , I cannot stay , I cannot linger anywhere .

it was a habit with Scrooge , whenever he became thoughtful , to put his hands in his breeches pockets .

pondering on what the Ghost had said , he did so now , but without lifting up his eyes , or getting off his knees .

" you must have been very slow about it , Jacob , " Scrooge observed in a business-like manner , though with humility and deference .

" slow ! " the Ghost repeated .

" seven years dead , " mused Scrooge .

" and travelling all the time ? "

" the whole time , " said the Ghost .

" no rest , no peace .

incessant torture of remorse . "

" you travel fast ? " said Scrooge .

" on the wings of the wind , " replied the Ghost .

" you might have got over a great quantity of ground in seven years , " said Scrooge .

not to know that no space of regret can make amends for one life 's opportunities misused !

yet such was I !

oh , such was I ! "

" but you were always a good man of business , Jacob , " faltered Scrooge , who now began to apply this to himself .

" business ! " cried the Ghost , wringing its hands again .

" mankind was my business .

the common welfare was my business ; charity , mercy , forbearance , and benevolence were , all , my business .

the dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business ! "

" at this time of the rolling year , " the spectre said , " I suffer most .

were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me ? "

Scrooge was very much dismayed to hear the spectre going on at this rate , and began to quake exceedingly .

" hear me ! " cried the Ghost .

" my time is nearly gone . "

" I will , " said Scrooge .

" but don't be hard upon me !

don't be flowery , Jacob !

pray ! "

" how it is that I appear before you in a shape that you can see , I may not tell .

I have sat invisible beside you many and many a day . "

it was not an agreeable idea .

Scrooge shivered , and wiped the perspiration from his brow .

" that is no light part of my penance , " pursued the Ghost .

" I am here to-night to warn you that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate .

a chance and hope of my procuring , Ebenezer . "

" you were always a good friend to me , " said Scrooge .

" Thankee ! "

" you will be haunted , " resumed the Ghost , " by Three Spirits . "

Scrooge 's countenance fell almost as low as the Ghost 's had done .

" is that the chance and hope you mentioned , Jacob ? " he demanded in a faltering voice .

" it is . "

" I I think I 'd rather not , " said Scrooge .

" without their visits , " said the Ghost , " you cannot hope to shun the path I tread .

expect the first to-morrow when the bell tolls One . "

" couldn't I take ' em all at once , and have it over , Jacob ? " hinted Scrooge .

" expect the second on the next night at the same hour .

the third , upon the next night when the last stroke of Twelve has ceased to vibrate .

look to see me no more ; and look that , for your own sake , you remember what has passed between us ! "

when it had said these words , the spectre took its wrapper from the table , and bound it round its head as before .

Scrooge knew this by the smart sound its teeth made when the jaws were brought together by the bandage .

it beckoned Scrooge to approach , which he did .

when they were within two paces of each other , Marley 's Ghost held up its hand , warning him to come no nearer .

Scrooge stopped .

the spectre , after listening for a moment , joined in the mournful dirge ; and floated out upon the bleak , dark night .

Scrooge followed to the window : desperate in his curiosity .

he looked out .

the air was filled with phantoms , wandering hither and thither in restless haste , and moaning as they went .

Many had been personally known to Scrooge in their lives .

whether these creatures faded into mist , or mist enshrouded them , he could not tell .

but they and their spirit voices faded together ; and the night became as it had been when he walked home .

Scrooge closed the window , and examined the door by which the Ghost had entered .

it was double locked , as he had locked it with his own hands , and the bolts were undisturbed .

he tried to say " humbug ! " but stopped at the first syllable .

STAVE TWO

THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS

he was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes , when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters .

so he listened for the hour .

twelve !

it was past two when he went to bed .

the clock was wrong .

an icicle must have got into the works .

twelve !

he touched the spring of his repeater , to correct this most preposterous clock .

its rapid little pulse beat twelve , and stopped .

it isn't possible that anything has happened to the sun , and this is twelve at noon ! "

the idea being an alarming one , he scrambled out of bed , and groped his way to the window .

Scrooge went to bed again , and thought , and thought , and thought it over and over , and could make nothing of it .

the more he thought , the more perplexed he was ; and , the more he endeavoured not to think , the more he thought .

Marley 's Ghost bothered him exceedingly .

at length it broke upon his listening ear .

" Ding , dong ! "

" a quarter past , " said Scrooge , counting .

" Ding , dong ! "

" half past , " said Scrooge .

" Ding , dong ! "

" A quarter to it , " said Scrooge .

" Ding , dong ! "

" the hour itself , " said Scrooge triumphantly , " and nothing else ! "

he spoke before the hour bell sounded , which it now did with a deep , dull , hollow , melancholy ONE .

Light flashed up in the room upon the instant , and the curtains of his bed were drawn .

the curtains of his bed were drawn aside , I tell you , by a hand .

not the curtains at his feet , nor the curtains at his back , but those to which his face was addressed .

the arms were very long and muscular ; the hands the same , as if its hold were of uncommon strength .

its legs and feet , most delicately formed , were , like those upper members , bare .

it wore a tunic of the purest white ; and round its waist was bound a lustrous belt , the sheen of which was beautiful .

even this , though , when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness , was not its strangest quality .

and , in the very wonder of this , it would be itself again ; distinct and clear as ever .

" are you the Spirit , sir , whose coming was foretold to me ? " asked Scrooge .

" I am ! "

the voice was soft and gentle .

singularly low , as if , instead of being so close beside him , it were at a distance .

" who and what are you ? "

Scrooge demanded .

" I am the Ghost of Christmas Past . "

" Long Past ? " inquired Scrooge ; observant of its dwarfish stature .

" no .

your past . "

" what ! " exclaimed the Ghost , " would you so soon put out , with worldly hands , the light I give ?

Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully " bonneted " the Spirit at any period of his life .

he then made bold to inquire what business brought him there .

" your welfare ! " said the Ghost .

Scrooge expressed himself much obliged , but could not help thinking that a night of unbroken rest would have been more conducive to that end .

the Spirit must have heard him thinking , for it said immediately :

" your reclamation , then .

take heed ! "

it put out its strong hand as it spoke , and clasped him gently by the arm .

" rise ! and walk with me ! "

the grasp , though gentle as a woman 's hand , was not to be resisted .

he rose : but , finding that the Spirit made towards the window , clasped its robe in supplication .

" I am a mortal , " Scrooge remonstrated , " and liable to fall . "

as the words were spoken , they passed through the wall , and stood upon an open country road , with fields on either hand .

the city had entirely vanished .

not a vestige of it was to be seen .

" good Heaven ! " said Scrooge , clasping his hands together as he looked about him .

" I was bred in this place .

I was a boy here ! "

the Spirit gazed upon him mildly .

its gentle touch , though it had been light and instantaneous , appeared still present to the old man 's sense of feeling .

" your lip is trembling , " said the Ghost .

" and what is that upon your cheek ? "

" you recollect the way ? " inquired the Spirit .

" remember it ! " cried Scrooge with fervour ; " I could walk it blindfold . "

" Strange to have forgotten it for so many years ! " observed the Ghost .

" let us go on . "

Illustration : " you recollect the way ? " inquired the spirit .

" remember it ! " cried Scrooge with fervour ; " I could walk it blindfold . "

" these are but shadows of the things that have been , " said the Ghost .

" they have no consciousness of us . "

the jocund travellers came on ; and as they came , Scrooge knew and named them every one .

why was he rejoiced beyond all bounds to see them ?

why did his cold eye glisten , and his heart leap up as they went past ?

what was merry Christmas to Scrooge ?

out upon merry Christmas !

what good had it ever done to him ?

" the school is not quite deserted , " said the Ghost .

" a solitary child , neglected by his friends , is left there still . "

Scrooge said he knew it .

and he sobbed .

fowls clucked and strutted in the stables ; and the coach-houses and sheds were overrun with grass .

they went , the Ghost and Scrooge , across the hall , to a door at the back of the house .

the Spirit touched him on the arm , and pointed to his younger self , intent upon his reading .

" why , it 's Ali Baba ! "

Scrooge exclaimed in ecstasy .

" it 's dear old honest Ali Baba !

yes , yes , I know .

one Christmas-time when yonder solitary child was left here all alone , he did come , for the first time , just like that .

poor boy !

and Valentine , " said Scrooge , " and his wild brother , Orson ; there they go !

and the Sultan 's Groom turned upside down by the Genii : there he is upon his head !

serve him right !

I 'm glad of it .

what business had he to be married to the Princess ? "

Illustration : " why , it 's Ali Baba ! "

Scrooge exclaimed in ecstasy .

" it 's dear old honest Ali Baba . "

" there 's the Parrot ! " cried Scrooge .

Poor Robin Crusoe he called him , when he came home again after sailing round the island .

' Poor Robin Crusoe , where have you been , Robin Crusoe ? '

the man thought he was dreaming , but he wasn't .

it was the Parrot , you know .

there goes Friday , running for his life to the little creek !

Halloa !

hoop !

halloo ! "

" what is the matter ? " asked the Spirit .

" nothing , " said Scrooge .

" nothing .

there was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night .

I should like to have given him something : that 's all . "

the Ghost smiled thoughtfully , and waved its hand : saying , as it did so , " let us see another Christmas ! "

Scrooge 's former self grew larger at the words , and the room became a little darker and more dirty .

he was not reading now , but walking up and down despairingly .

Scrooge looked at the Ghost , and , with a mournful shaking of his head , glanced anxiously towards the door .

" to bring you home , home , home ! "

" home , little Fan ? " returned the boy .

" yes ! " said the child , brimful of glee .

" home for good and all .

home for ever and ever .

father is so much kinder than he used to be , that home 's like Heaven !

" you are quite a woman , little Fan ! " exclaimed the boy .

" always a delicate creature , whom a breath might have withered , " said the Ghost .

" but she had a large heart ! "

" so she had , " cried Scrooge .

" you 're right .

I will not gainsay it , Spirit .

God forbid ! "

" she died a woman , " said the Ghost , " and had , as I think , children . "

" one child , " Scrooge returned .

" true , " said the Ghost .

" your nephew ! "

Scrooge seemed uneasy in his mind ; and answered briefly , " yes . "

the Ghost stopped at a certain warehouse door , and asked Scrooge if he knew it .

" know it ! " said Scrooge .

" was I apprenticed here ? "

they went in .

" why , it 's old Fezziwig !

bless his heart , it 's Fezziwig alive again ! "

old Fezziwig laid down his pen , and looked up at the clock , which pointed to the hour of seven .

" yo ho , there !

Ebenezer !

Dick ! "

Scrooge 's former self , now grown a young man , came briskly in , accompanied by his fellow-'prentice .

" Dick Wilkins , to be sure ! " said Scrooge to the Ghost .

" bless me , yes .

there he is .

he was very much attached to me , was Dick .

Poor Dick !

dear , dear ! "

" yo ho , my boys ! " said Fezziwig .

" no more work to-night .

Christmas-eve , Dick .

Christmas , Ebenezer !

you wouldn't believe how those two fellows went at it !

" Hilli-ho ! " cried old Fezziwig , skipping down from the high desk with wonderful agility .

" clear away , my lads , and let's have lots of room here !

Hilli-ho , Dick !

chirrup , Ebenezer ! "

clear away !

there was nothing they wouldn't have cleared away , or couldn't have cleared away , with old Fezziwig looking on .

it was done in a minute .

In came Mrs . Fezziwig , one vast substantial smile .

In came the three Miss Fezziwigs , beaming and lovable .

in came the six young followers whose hearts they broke .

In came all the young men and women employed in the business .

In came the housemaid , with her cousin the baker .

in came the cook , with her brother 's particular friend the milkman .

but the great effect of the evening came after the Roast and Boiled , when the fiddler ( an artful dog , mind !

then old Fezziwig stood out to dance with Mrs Fezziwig .

as to her , she was worthy to be his partner in every sense of the term .

if that 's not high praise , tell me higher , and I 'll use it .

a positive light appeared to issue from Fezziwig 's calves .

they shone in every part of the dance like moons .

you couldn't have predicted , at any given time , what would become of them next .

when the clock struck eleven , this domestic ball broke up .

during the whole of this time Scrooge had acted like a man out of his wits .

his heart and soul were in the scene , and with his former self .

he corroborated everything , remembered everything , enjoyed everything , and underwent the strangest agitation .

" a small matter , " said the Ghost , " to make these silly folks so full of gratitude . "

" small ! " echoed Scrooge .

" why !

is it not ?

he has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money : three or four , perhaps .

is that so much that he deserves this praise ? "

" it isn't that , " said Scrooge , heated by the remark , and speaking unconsciously like his former , not his latter self .

" it isn't that , Spirit .

he has the power to render us happy or unhappy ; to make our service light or burdensome ; a pleasure or a toil .

the happiness he gives is quite as great as if it cost a fortune . "

he felt the Spirit 's glance , and stopped .

" what is the matter ? " asked the Ghost .

" nothing particular , " said Scrooge .

" something , I think ? " the Ghost insisted .

" no , " said Scrooge , " no .

I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now .

that 's all . "

" my time grows short , " observed the Spirit .

" Quick ! "

this was not addressed to Scrooge , or to any one whom he could see , but it produced an immediate effect .

for again Scrooge saw himself .

he was older now ; a man in the prime of life .

his face had not the harsh and rigid lines of later years ; but it had begun to wear the signs of care and avarice .

" it matters little , " she said softly .

" to you , very little .

" what Idol has displaced you ? " he rejoined .

" a golden one . "

" this is the even-handed dealing of the world ! " he said .

" you fear the world too much , " she answered gently .

" all your other hopes have merged into the hope of being beyond the chance of its sordid reproach .

I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one , until the master passion , Gain , engrosses you .

have I not ? "

" what then ? " he retorted .

" even if I have grown so much wiser , what then ?

I am not changed towards you . "

she shook her head .

" am I ? "

" our contract is an old one .

you are changed .

when it was made you were another man . "

" I was a boy , " he said impatiently .

" your own feeling tells you that you were not what you are , " she returned .

" I am .

that which promised happiness when we were one in heart is fraught with misery now that we are two .

how often and how keenly I have thought of this I will not say .

it is enough that I have thought of it , and can release you . "

" have I ever sought release ? "

" In words .

no .

never . "

" In what , then ? "

" In a changed nature ; in an altered spirit ; in another atmosphere of life ; another Hope as its great end .

in everything that made my love of any worth or value in your sight .

ah , no ! "

he seemed to yield to the justice of this supposition in spite of himself .

but he said , with a struggle , " you think not . "

" I would gladly think otherwise if I could , " she answered .

" heaven knows !

when I have learned a Truth like this , I know how strong and irresistible it must be .

I do ; and I release you .

with a full heart , for the love of him you once were . "

he was about to speak ; but , with her head turned from him , she resumed .

" you may the memory of what is past half makes me hope you will have pain in this .

may you be happy in the life you have chosen ! "

she left him , and they parted .

" spirit ! " said Scrooge , " show me no more !

conduct me home .

why do you delight to torture me ? "

" one shadow more ! " exclaimed the Ghost .

" no more ! " cried Scrooge .

" no more !

I don't wish to see it .

show me no more ! "

but the relentless Ghost pinioned him in both his arms , and forced him to observe what happened next .

they were in another scene and place ; a room , not very large or handsome , but full of comfort .

what would I not have given to be one of them !

though I never could have been so rude , no , no !

then the shouting and the struggling , and the onslaught that was made on the defenceless porter !

the shouts of wonder and delight with which the development of every package was received !

the immense relief of finding this a false alarm !

the joy , and gratitude , and ecstasy !

they are all indescribable alike .

" who was it ? "

" guess ! "

" how can I ?

Tut , don't I know ? " she added in the same breath , laughing as he laughed .

" Mr Scrooge . "

" Mr Scrooge it was .

his partner lies upon the point of death , I hear ; and there he sat alone .

quite alone in the world , I do believe . "

" spirit ! " said Scrooge in a broken voice , " remove me from this place . "

" I told you these were shadows of the things that have been , " said the Ghost .

" that they are what they are , do not blame me ! "

" remove me ! "

Scrooge exclaimed .

" I cannot bear it ! "

" leave me !

take me back !

haunt me no longer ! "

he was conscious of being exhausted , and overcome by an irresistible drowsiness ; and , further , of being in his own bedroom .

STAVE THREE

THE SECOND OF THE THREE SPIRITS

five minutes , ten minutes , a quarter of an hour went by , yet nothing came .

this idea taking full possession of his mind , he got up softly , and shuffled in his slippers to the door .

the moment Scrooge 's hand was on the lock , a strange voice called him by his name , and bade him enter .

he obeyed .

it was his own room .

there was no doubt about that .

but it had undergone a surprising transformation .

" come in ! " exclaimed the Ghost .

" come in ! and know me better , man ! "

Scrooge entered timidly , and hung his head before this Spirit .

" I am the Ghost of Christmas Present , " said the Spirit .

" look upon me ! "

Scrooge reverently did so .

it was clothed in one simple deep green robe , or mantle , bordered with white fur .

girded round its middle was an antique scabbard ; but no sword was in it , and the ancient sheath was eaten up with rust .

" you have never seen the like of me before ! " exclaimed the Spirit .

" never , " Scrooge made answer to it .

" I don't think I have , " said Scrooge .

" I am afraid I have not .

have you had many brothers , Spirit ? "

" more than eighteen hundred , " said the Ghost .

" a tremendous family to provide for , " muttered Scrooge .

the Ghost of Christmas Present rose .

" spirit , " said Scrooge submissively , " conduct me where you will .

I went forth last night on compulsion , and I learnt a lesson which is working now .

To-night , if you have aught to teach me , let me profit by it . "

" touch my robe ! "

Scrooge did as he was told , and held it fast .

the poulterers ' shops were still half open , and the fruiterers ' were radiant in their glory .

for they said , it was a shame to quarrel upon Christmas-day .

and so it was !

God love it , so it was !

" is there a peculiar flavour in what you sprinkle from your torch ? " asked Scrooge .

" there is .

my own . "

" would it apply to any kind of dinner on this day ? " asked Scrooge .

" to any kindly given .

to a poor one most . "

" why to a poor one most ? " asked Scrooge .

" because it needs it most . "

" spirit ! " said Scrooge after a moment 's thought .

" I ! " cried the Spirit .

" I ! " cried the Spirit .

" you seek to close these places on the Seventh Day , " said Scrooge .

" and it comes to the same thing . "

" I seek ! " exclaimed the Spirit .

" forgive me if I am wrong .

it has been done in your name , or at least in that of your family , " said Scrooge .

remember that , and charge their doings on themselves , not us . "

Scrooge promised that he would ; and they went on , invisible , as they had been before , into the suburbs of the town .

think of that !

" what has ever got your precious father , then ? " said Mrs Cratchit .

" and your brother , Tiny Tim ?

and Martha warn't as late last Christmas-day by half an hour ! "

" here 's Martha , mother ! " said a girl , appearing as she spoke .

" here 's Martha , mother ! " cried the two young Cratchits .

" hurrah !

there 's such a goose , Martha ! "

" well ! never mind so long as you are come , " said Mrs Cratchit .

" sit ye down before the fire , my dear , and have a warm , Lord bless ye ! "

" no , no !

there 's father coming , " cried the two young Cratchits , who were everywhere at once .

" hide , Martha , hide ! "

alas for Tiny Tim , he bore a little crutch , and had his limbs supported by an iron frame !

" why , where 's our Martha ? " cried Bob Cratchit , looking round .

" not coming , " said Mrs Cratchit .

" not coming upon Christmas-day ! "

" as good as gold , " said Bob , " and better .

somehow , he gets thoughtful , sitting by himself so much , and thinks the strangest things you ever heard .

Bob 's voice was tremulous when he told them this , and trembled more when he said that Tiny Tim was growing strong and hearty .

at last the dishes were set on , and grace was said .

there never was such a goose .

Bob said he didn't believe there ever was such a goose cooked .

its tenderness and flavour , size and cheapness , were the themes of universal admiration .

yet every one had had enough , and the youngest Cratchits , in particular , were steeped in sage and onion to the eyebrows !

suppose it should not be done enough !

suppose it should break in turning out !

all sorts of horrors were supposed .

hallo !

a great deal of steam !

the pudding was out of the copper .

A smell like a washing-day !

that was the cloth .

a smell like an eating-house and a pastrycook's next door to each other , with a laundress's next door to that !

that was the pudding !

oh , a wonderful pudding !

bob Cratchit said , and calmly too , that he regarded it as the greatest success achieved by Mrs Cratchit since their marriage .

Mrs Cratchit said that , now the weight was off her mind , she would confess she had her doubts about the quantity of flour .

everybody had something to say about it , but nobody said or thought it was at all a small pudding for a large family .

it would have been flat heresy to do so .

any Cratchit would have blushed to hint at such a thing .

at last the dinner was all done , the cloth was cleared , the hearth swept , and the fire made up .

two tumblers and a custard cup without a handle .

then Bob proposed :

" a merry Christmas to us all , my dears .

God bless us ! "

which all the family re-echoed .

" God bless us every one ! " said Tiny Tim , the last of all .

he sat very close to his father 's side , upon his little stool .

" spirit , " said Scrooge with an interest he had never felt before , " tell me if Tiny Tim will live . "

if these shadows remain unaltered by the Future , the child will die . "

" no , no , " said Scrooge .

" oh , no , kind Spirit ! say he will be spared . "

what then ?

if he be like to die , he had better do it , and decrease the surplus population . "

Scrooge hung his head to hear his own words quoted by the Spirit , and was overcome with penitence and grief .

will you decide what men shall live , what men shall die ?

oh God ! to hear the Insect on the leaf pronouncing on the too much life among his hungry brothers in the dust ! "

Scrooge bent before the Ghost 's rebuke , and , trembling , cast his eyes upon the ground .

but he raised them speedily on hearing his own name .

" Mr Scrooge ! " said Bob .

" I 'll give you Mr Scrooge , the Founder of the Feast ! "

" the Founder of the Feast , indeed ! " cried Mrs Cratchit , reddening .

" I wish I had him here .

I 'd give him a piece of my mind to feast upon , and I hope he 'd have a good appetite for it . "

" my dear , " said Bob , " the children !

Christmas-day . "

you know he is , Robert !

nobody knows it better than you do , poor fellow ! "

" my dear ! " was Bob 's mild answer .

" Christmas-day . "

" I 'll drink his health for your sake and the Day 's , " said Mrs Cratchit , " not for his .

long life to him !

a merry Christmas and a happy New Year !

he 'll be very merry and very happy , I have no doubt ! "

the children drank the toast after her .

it was the first of their proceedings which had no heartiness in it .

Tiny Tim drank it last of all , but he didn't care twopence for it .

Scrooge was the Ogre of the family .

the mention of his name cast a dark shadow on the party , which was not dispelled for full five minutes .

after it had passed away they were ten times merrier than before , from the mere relief of Scrooge the Baleful being done with .

there was nothing of high mark in this .

Blessings on it , how the Ghost exulted !

" what place is this ? " asked Scrooge .

" a place where Miners live , who labour in the bowels of the earth , " returned the Spirit .

" but they know me .

see ! "

a light shone from the window of a hut , and swiftly they advanced towards it .

passing through the wall of mud and stone , they found a cheerful company assembled round a glowing fire .

the Spirit did not tarry here , but bade Scrooge hold his robe , and , passing on above the moor , sped whither ?

not to sea ?

to sea .

" Ha , ha ! " laughed Scrooge 's nephew .

" Ha , ha , ha ! "

introduce him to me , and I 'll cultivate his acquaintance .

and their assembled friends , being not a bit behindhand , roared out lustily .

" Ha , ha !

Ha , ha , ha , ha ! "

" he said that Christmas was a humbug , as I live ! " cried Scrooge 's nephew .

" he believed it , too ! "

" more shame for him , Fred ! " said Scrooge 's niece indignantly .

bless those women ! they never do anything by halves .

they are always in earnest .

she was very pretty ; exceedingly pretty .

altogether she was what you would have called provoking , you know ; but satisfactory , too .

oh , perfectly satisfactory !

" he 's a comical old fellow , " said Scrooge 's nephew , " that 's the truth ; and not so pleasant as he might be .

however , his offences carry their own punishment , and I have nothing to say against him . "

" I 'm sure he is very rich , Fred , " hinted Scrooge 's niece .

" at least , you always tell me so . "

" what of that , my dear ? " said Scrooge 's nephew .

" his wealth is of no use to him .

he don't do any good with it .

he don't make himself comfortable with it .

he hasn't the satisfaction of thinking ha , ha , ha ! that he is ever going to benefit Us with it . "

" I have no patience with him , " observed Scrooge 's niece .

Scrooge 's niece 's sisters , and all the other ladies , expressed the same opinion .

" oh , I have ! " said Scrooge 's nephew .

" I am sorry for him ; I couldn't be angry with him if I tried .

who suffers by his ill whims ?

himself always .

here he takes it into his head to dislike us , and he won't come and dine with us .

what 's the consequence ?

he don't lose much of a dinner . "

" indeed , I think he loses a very good dinner , " interrupted Scrooge 's niece .

" well !

I am very glad to hear it , " said Scrooge 's nephew , " because I haven't any great faith in these young housekeepers .

what do you say , Topper ? "

Whereat Scrooge 's niece 's sister the plump one with the lace tucker , not the one with the roses blushed .

" do go on , Fred , " said Scrooge 's niece , clapping her hands .

" he never finishes what he begins to say !

he is such a ridiculous fellow ! "

I mean to give him the same chance every year , whether he likes it or not , for I pity him .

it was their turn to laugh , now , at the notion of his shaking Scrooge .

after tea they had some music .

but they didn't devote the whole evening to music .

stop !

there was first a game at blindman's buff .

of course there was .

and I no more believe Topper was really blind than I believe he had eyes in his boots .

my opinion is , that it was a done thing between him and Scrooge 's nephew ; and that the Ghost of Christmas Present knew it .

the way he went after that plump sister in the lace tucker was an outrage on the credulity of human nature .

he always knew where the plump sister was .

he wouldn't catch anybody else .

she often cried out that it wasn't fair ; and it really was not .

but she joined in the forfeits , and loved her love to admiration with all the letters of the alphabet .

but this the Spirit said could not be done .

" here is a new game , " said Scrooge .

" one half-hour , Spirit , only one ! "

at last the plump sister , falling into a similar state , cried out :

" I have found it out !

I know what it is , Fred !

I know what it is ! "

" what is it ? " cried Fred .

" it 's your uncle Scro-o-o-o-oge ! "

which it certainly was .

here is a glass of mulled wine ready to our hand at the moment ; and I say , ' Uncle Scrooge ! ' "

" well !

uncle Scrooge ! " they cried .

" a merry Christmas and a happy New Year to the old man , whatever he is ! " said Scrooge 's nephew .

" he wouldn't take it from me , but may he have it nevertheless .

uncle Scrooge ! "

much they saw , and far they went , and many homes they visited , but always with a happy end .

it was strange , too , that , while Scrooge remained unaltered in his outward form , the Ghost grew older , clearly older .

" are spirits ' lives so short ? " asked Scrooge .

" my life upon this globe is very brief , " replied the Ghost .

" it ends to-night . "

" To-night ! " cried Scrooge .

" To-night at midnight .

hark !

the time is drawing near . "

the chimes were ringing the three-quarters past eleven at that moment .

is it a foot or a claw ? "

" it might be a claw , for the flesh there is upon it , " was the Spirit 's sorrowful reply .

" look here . "

from the foldings of its robe it brought two children ; wretched , abject , frightful , hideous , miserable .

they knelt down at its feet , and clung upon the outside of its garment .

" oh , Man ! look here !

look , look , down here ! " exclaimed the Ghost .

they were a boy and girl .

yellow , meagre , ragged , scowling , wolfish ; but prostrate , too , in their humility .

where angels might have sat enthroned , devils lurked , and glared out menacing .

Scrooge started back , appalled .

" spirit ! are they yours ? "

Scrooge could say no more .

" they are Man 's , " said the Spirit , looking down upon them .

" and they cling to me , appealing from their fathers .

this boy is Ignorance .

this girl is Want .

deny it ! " cried the Spirit , stretching out its hand towards the city .

" slander those who tell it ye !

admit it for your factious purposes , and make it worse !

and bide the end ! "

" have they no refuge or resource ? " cried Scrooge .

" are there no prisons ? " said the Spirit , turning on him for the last time with his own words .

" are there no workhouses ? "

the bell struck Twelve .

Scrooge looked about him for the Ghost , and saw it not .

STAVE FOUR

THE LAST OF THE SPIRITS

the Phantom slowly , gravely , silently approached .

he felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside him , and that its mysterious presence filled him with a solemn dread .

he knew no more , for the Spirit neither spoke nor moved .

" I am in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come ? " said Scrooge .

the Spirit answered not , but pointed onward with its hand .

" is that so , Spirit ? "

the upper portion of the garment was contracted for an instant in its folds , as if the Spirit had inclined its head .

that was the only answer he received .

the Spirit paused a moment , as observing his condition , and giving him time to recover .

but Scrooge was all the worse for this .

" Ghost of the Future ! " he exclaimed , " I fear you more than any spectre I have seen .

will you not speak to me ? "

it gave him no reply .

the hand was pointed straight before them .

" lead on ! " said Scrooge .

" lead on !

the night is waning fast , and it is precious time to me , I know .

lead on , Spirit ! "

the phantom moved away as it had come towards him .

Scrooge followed in the shadow of its dress , which bore him up , he thought , and carried him along .

the Spirit stopped beside one little knot of business men .

observing that the hand was pointed to them , Scrooge advanced to listen to their talk .

" no , " said a great fat man with a monstrous chin , " I don't know much about it either way .

I only know he 's dead . "

" when did he die ? " inquired another .

" last night , I believe . "

" I thought he 'd never die . "

" God knows , " said the first with a yawn .

" I haven't heard , " said the man with the large chin , yawning again .

" left it to his company , perhaps .

he hasn't left it to me .

that 's all I know . "

this pleasantry was received with a general laugh .

suppose we make up a party , and volunteer ? "

" I don't mind going if a lunch is provided , " observed the gentleman with the excrescence on his nose .

" but I must be fed if I make one . "

another laugh .

but I 'll offer to go if anybody else will .

bye , bye ! "

Speakers and listeners strolled away , and mixed with other groups .

Scrooge knew the men , and looked towards the Spirit for an explanation .

the Phantom glided on into a street .

its finger pointed to two persons meeting .

Scrooge listened again , thinking that the explanation might lie here .

he knew these men , also , perfectly .

they were men of business : very wealthy , and of great importance .

" how are you ? " said one .

" how are you ? " returned the other .

" well ! " said the first .

" old Scratch has got his own at last , hey ? "

" so I am told , " returned the second .

" Cold , isn't it ? "

" seasonable for Christmas-time .

you are not a skater , I suppose ? "

" no .

no .

something else to think of .

good morning ! "

not another word .

that was their meeting , their conversation , and their parting .

nor could he think of any one immediately connected with himself , to whom he could apply them .

quiet and dark , beside him stood the Phantom , with its outstretched hand .

it made him shudder , and feel very cold .

the ways were foul and narrow ; the shops and houses wretched ; the people half naked , drunken , slipshod , ugly .

Scrooge and the Phantom came into the presence of this man , just as a woman with a heavy bundle slunk into the shop .

" let the charwoman alone to be the first ! " cried she who had entered first .

" let the laundress alone to be the second ; and let the undertaker 's man alone to be the third .

look here , old Joe , here 's a chance !

if we haven't all three met here without meaning it ! "

" you couldn't have met in a better place , " said old Joe , removing his pipe from his mouth .

" come into the parlour .

you were made free of it long ago , you know ; and the other two an't strangers .

stop till I shut the door of the shop .

ah !

how it skreeks !

Ha ! ha !

we 're all suitable to our calling , we 're well matched .

come into the parlour .

come into the parlour . "

the parlour was the space behind the screen of rags .

" what odds , then ?

what odds , Mrs Dilber ? " said the woman .

" every person has a right to take care of themselves .

he always did ! "

" that 's true , indeed ! " said the laundress .

" no man more so . "

" why , then , don't stand staring as if you was afraid , woman !

who 's the wiser ?

we 're not going to pick holes in each other 's coats , I suppose ? "

" no , indeed ! " said Mrs Dilber and the man together .

" we should hope not . "

" very well , then ! " cried the woman .

" that 's enough .

who 's the worse for the loss of a few things like these ?

not a dead man , I suppose ? "

" no , indeed , " said Mrs Dilber , laughing .

" it 's the truest word that ever was spoke , " said Mrs Dilber , " it 's a judgment on him . "

open that bundle , old Joe , and let me know the value of it .

speak out plain .

I 'm not afraid to be the first , nor afraid for them to see it .

we knew pretty well that we were helping ourselves before we met here , I believe .

it 's no sin .

open the bundle , Joe . "

it was not extensive .

a seal or two , a pencil-case , a pair of sleeve-buttons , and a brooch of no great value , were all .

who 's next ? "

Mrs Dilber was next .

Sheets and towels , a little wearing apparel , two old-fashioned silver tea-spoons , a pair of sugar-tongs , and a few boots .

her account was stated on the wall in the same manner .

" I always give too much to ladies .

it 's a weakness of mine , and that 's the way I ruin myself , " said old Joe .

" that 's your account .

" and now undo my bundle , Joe , " said the first woman .

" what do you call this ? " said Joe .

" Bed-curtains ? "

" ah ! " returned the woman , laughing and leaning forward on her crossed arms .

" Bed-curtains ! "

" you don't mean to say you took ' em down , rings and all , with him lying there ? " said Joe .

" yes , I do , " replied the woman .

" why not ? "

" you were born to make your fortune , " said Joe , " and you 'll certainly do it . "

" don't drop that oil upon the blankets , now . "

" his blankets ? " asked Joe .

" whose else's do you think ? " replied the woman .

" he isn't likely to take cold without ' em , I dare say . "

" I hope he didn't die of anything catching ?

eh ? " said old Joe , stopping in his work , and looking up .

" don't you be afraid of that , " returned the woman .

" I an't so fond of his company that I 'd loiter about him for such things , if he did .

ah !

you may look through that shirt till your eyes ache ; but you won't find a hole in it , nor a threadbare place .

it 's the best he had , and a fine one too .

they 'd have wasted it , if it hadn't been for me . "

" what do you call wasting of it ? " asked old Joe .

" putting it on him to be buried in , to be sure , " replied the woman with a laugh .

" somebody was fool enough to do it , but I took it off again .

if calico an't good enough for such a purpose , it isn't good enough for anything .

it 's quite as becoming to the body .

he can't look uglier than he did in that one . "

Scrooge listened to this dialogue in horror .

" this is the end of it , you see !

he frightened every one away from him when he was alive , to profit us when he was dead !

Ha , ha , ha ! "

" spirit ! " said Scrooge , shuddering from head to foot .

" I see , I see .

the case of this unhappy man might be my own .

my life tends that way now .

merciful Heaven , what is this ? "

Scrooge glanced towards the Phantom .

its steady hand was pointed to the head .

strike , Shadow , strike !

and see his good deeds springing from the wound , to sow the world with life immortal !

no voice pronounced these words in Scrooge 's ears , and yet he heard them when he looked upon the bed .

he thought , if this man could be raised up now , what would be his foremost thoughts ?

avarice , hard dealing , griping cares ?

they have brought him to a rich end , truly !

a cat was tearing at the door , and there was a sound of gnawing rats beneath the hearth-stone .

what they wanted in the room of death , and why they were so restless and disturbed , Scrooge did not dare to think .

" spirit ! " he said , " this is a fearful place .

in leaving it , I shall not leave its lesson , trust me .

let us go ! "

still the Ghost pointed with an unmoved finger to the head .

" I understand you , " Scrooge returned , " and I would do it if I could .

but I have not the power , Spirit .

I have not the power . "

again it seemed to look upon him .

I beseech you . "

at length the long-expected knock was heard .

she hurried to the door , and met her husband ; a man whose face was careworn and depressed , though he was young .

" is it good , " she said , " or bad ? " to help him .

" bad , " he answered .

" we are quite ruined ? "

" no .

there is hope yet , Caroline . "

" if he relents , " she said , amazed , " there is !

nothing is past hope , if such a miracle has happened . "

" he is past relenting , " said her husband .

" he is dead . "

she prayed forgiveness the next moment , and was sorry ; but the first was the emotion of her heart .

he was not only very ill , but dying , then . "

" to whom will our debt be transferred ? "

" I don't know .

we may sleep to-night with light hearts , Caroline ! "

yes .

soften it as they would , their hearts were lighter .

the only emotion that the Ghost could show him , caused by the event , was one of pleasure .

they entered poor Bob Cratchit 's house , the dwelling he had visited before , and found the mother and the children seated round the fire .

quiet .

very quiet .

the mother and her daughters were engaged in sewing .

but surely they were very quiet !

" ' And he took a child , and set him in the midst of them . ' "

where had Scrooge heard those words ?

he had not dreamed them .

the boy must have read them out , as he and the Spirit crossed the threshold .

why did he not go on ?

the mother laid her work upon the table , and put her hand up to her face .

" the colour hurts my eyes , " she said .

the colour ?

ah , poor Tiny Tim !

" they 're better now again , " said Cratchit 's wife .

it must be near his time . "

" past it rather , " Peter answered , shutting up his book .

" but I think he has walked a little slower than he used , these few last evenings , mother . "

they were very quiet again .

at last she said , and in a steady , cheerful voice , that only faltered once :

" I have known him walk with I have known him walk with Tiny Tim upon his shoulder very fast indeed . "

" and so have I , " cried Peter .

" often . "

" and so have I , " exclaimed another .

so had all .

and there is your father at the door ! "

she hurried out to meet him ; and little Bob in his comforter he had need of it , poor fellow came in .

his tea was ready for him on the hob , and they all tried who should help him to it most .

don't be grieved ! "

Bob was very cheerful with them , and spoke pleasantly to all the family .

he looked at the work upon the table , and praised the industry and speed of Mrs Cratchit and the girls .

they would be done long before Sunday , he said .

" Sunday !

you went to-day , then , Robert ? " said his wife .

" yes , my dear , " returned Bob .

" I wish you could have gone .

it would have done you good to see how green a place it is .

but you 'll see it often .

I promised him that I would walk there on a Sunday .

my little , little child ! " cried Bob .

" my little child ! "

he broke down all at once .

he couldn't help it .

if he could have helped it , he and his child would have been farther apart , perhaps , than they were .

he left the room , and went up-stairs into the room above , which was lighted cheerfully , and hung with Christmas .

there was a chair set close beside the child , and there were signs of some one having been there lately .

Poor Bob sat down in it , and , when he had thought a little and composed himself , he kissed the little face .

he was reconciled to what had happened , and went down again quite happy .

they drew about the fire , and talked ; the girls and mother working still .

" on which , " said Bob , " for he is the pleasantest-spoken gentleman you ever heard , I told him .

' I am heartily sorry for it , Mr Cratchit , ' he said , ' and heartily sorry for your good wife . '

By-the-bye , how he ever knew that I don't know . "

" knew what , my dear ? "

" why , that you were a good wife , " replied Bob .

" everybody knows that , " said Peter .

" very well observed , my boy ! " cried Bob .

" I hope they do .

' Heartily sorry , ' he said , ' for your good wife .

pray come to me . '

it really seemed as if he had known our Tiny Tim , and felt with us . "

" I 'm sure he 's a good soul ! " said Mrs Cratchit .

" you would be sure of it , my dear , " returned Bob , " if you saw and spoke to him .

I shouldn't be at all surprised mark what I say ! if he got Peter a better situation . "

" only hear that , Peter , " said Mrs Cratchit .

" get along with you ! " retorted Peter , grinning .

" never , father ! " cried they all .

" no , never , father ! " they all cried again .

" I am very happy , " said little Bob , " I am very happy ! "

Mrs Cratchit kissed him , his daughters kissed him , the two young Cratchits kissed him , and Peter and himself shook hands .

spirit of Tiny Tim , thy childish essence was from God !

" spectre , " said Scrooge , " something informs me that our parting moment is at hand .

I know it , but I know not how .

tell me what man that was whom we saw lying dead ? "

I see the house .

let me behold what I shall be in days to come . "

the Spirit stopped ; the hand was pointed elsewhere .

" the house is yonder , " Scrooge exclaimed .

" why do you point away ? "

the inexorable finger underwent no change .

Scrooge hastened to the window of his office , and looked in .

it was an office still , but not his .

the furniture was not the same , and the figure in the chair was not himself .

the Phantom pointed as before .

he joined it once again , and , wondering why and whither he had gone , accompanied it until they reached an iron gate .

he paused to look round before entering .

a churchyard .

here , then , the wretched man , whose name he had now to learn , lay underneath the ground .

it was a worthy place .

A worthy place !

the Spirit stood among the graves , and pointed down to One .

he advanced towards it trembling .

the Phantom was exactly as it had been , but he dreaded that he saw new meaning in its solemn shape .

" before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point , " said Scrooge , " answer me one question .

are these the shadows of the things that Will be , or are they shadows of the things that May be only ? "

still the Ghost pointed downward to the grave by which it stood .

" men 's courses will foreshadow certain ends , to which , if persevered in , they must lead , " said Scrooge .

" but if the courses be departed from , the ends will change .

say it is thus with what you show me ! "

the Spirit was immovable as ever .

" am I that man who lay upon the bed ? " he cried upon his knees .

the finger pointed from the grave to him , and back again .

" no , Spirit !

oh no , no ! "

the finger still was there .

" spirit ! " he cried , tight clutching at its robe , " hear me !

I am not the man I was .

I will not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse .

why show me this , if I am past all hope ? "

for the first time the hand appeared to shake .

assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me by an altered life ? "

the kind hand trembled .

" I will honour Christmas in my heart , and try to keep it all the year .

I will live in the Past , the Present , and the Future .

the Spirits of all Three shall strive within me .

I will not shut out the lessons that they teach .

oh , tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone ! "

in his agony , he caught the spectral hand .

it sought to free itself , but he was strong in his entreaty , and detained it .

the Spirit , stronger yet , repulsed him .

holding up his hands in a last prayer to have his fate reversed , he saw an alteration in the Phantom 's hood and dress .

it shrunk , collapsed , and dwindled down into a bedpost .

STAVE FIVE

THE END OF IT

yes ! and the bedpost was his own .

the bed was his own , the room was his own .

best and happiest of all , the Time before him was his own , to make amends in !

" I will live in the Past , the Present , and the Future ! "

Scrooge repeated as he scrambled out of bed .

" the Spirits of all Three shall strive within me .

oh , Jacob Marley !

heaven and the Christmas Time be praised for this !

I say it on my knees , old Jacob ; on my knees ! "

he was so fluttered and so glowing with his good intentions , that his broken voice would scarcely answer to his call .

he had been sobbing violently in his conflict with the Spirit , and his face was wet with tears .

they are here I am here the shadows of the things that would have been may be dispelled .

they will be .

I know they will ! "

" I am as light as a feather , I am as happy as an angel , I am as merry as a school-boy .

I am as giddy as a drunken man .

a merry Christmas to everybody !

a happy New Year to all the world !

hallo here !

whoop !

hallo ! "

he had frisked into the sitting-room , and was now standing there : perfectly winded .

" there 's the saucepan that the gruel was in ! " cried Scrooge , starting off again , and going round the fire-place .

" there 's the door by which the Ghost of Jacob Marley entered !

there 's the corner where the Ghost of Christmas Present sat !

there 's the window where I saw the wandering Spirits !

it 's all right , it 's all true , it all happened .

Ha , ha , ha ! "

the father of a long , long line of brilliant laughs !

" I don't know what day of the month it is , " said Scrooge .

" I don't know how long I have been among the Spirits .

I don't know anything .

I 'm quite a baby .

never mind .

I don't care .

I 'd rather be a baby .

hallo !

whoop !

hallo here ! "

he was checked in his transports by the churches ringing out the lustiest peals he had ever heard .

clash , clash , hammer ; ding , dong , bell !

Bell , dong , ding ; hammer , clang , clash !

oh , glorious , glorious !

running to the window , he opened it , and put out his head .

oh , glorious !

Glorious !

" EH ? " returned the boy with all his might of wonder .

" what 's to-day , my fine fellow ? " said Scrooge .

" To-day ! " replied the boy .

" why , CHRISTMAS DAY . "

" it 's Christmas Day ! " said Scrooge to himself .

" I haven't missed it .

the Spirits have done it all in one night .

they can do anything they like .

of course they can .

of course they can .

hallo , my fine fellow ! "

" hallo ! " returned the boy .

" do you know the Poulterer 's in the next street but one , at the corner ? "

Scrooge inquired .

" I should hope I did , " replied the lad .

" an intelligent boy ! " said Scrooge .

" a remarkable boy !

do you know whether they 've sold the prize Turkey that was hanging up there ?

not the little prize Turkey : the big one ? "

" what ! the one as big as me ? " returned the boy .

" what a delightful boy ! " said Scrooge .

" it 's a pleasure to talk to him .

yes , my buck ! "

" it 's hanging there now , " replied the boy .

" is it ? " said Scrooge .

" go and buy it . "

" Walk-ER ! " exclaimed the boy .

" no , no , " said Scrooge , " I am in earnest .

go and buy it , and tell ' em to bring it here , that I may give them the directions where to take it .

come back with the man , and I 'll give you a shilling .

come back with him in less than five minutes , and I 'll give you half-a-crown ! "

the boy was off like a shot .

he must have had a steady hand at a trigger who could have got a shot off half so fast .

" I 'll send it to Bob Cratchit 's , " whispered Scrooge , rubbing his hands , and splitting with a laugh .

" he shan't know who sends it .

it 's twice the size of Tiny Tim .

Joe Miller never made such a joke as sending it to Bob 's will be ! "

as he stood there , waiting his arrival , the knocker caught his eye .

" I shall love it as long as I live ! " cried Scrooge , patting it with his hand .

" I scarcely ever looked at it before .

what an honest expression it has in its face !

it 's a wonderful knocker !

here 's the Turkey .

hallo !

whoop !

how are you ?

merry Christmas ! "

it was a Turkey !

he never could have stood upon his legs , that bird .

he would have snapped ' em short off in a minute , like sticks of sealing-wax .

" why , it 's impossible to carry that to Camden Town , " said Scrooge .

" you must have a cab . "

he dressed himself " all in his best , " and at last got out into the streets .

he looked so irresistibly pleasant , in a word , that three or four good-humoured fellows said , " good morning , sir !

a merry Christmas to you ! "

and Scrooge said often afterwards that , of all the blithe sounds he had ever heard , those were the blithest in his ears .

I hope you succeeded yesterday .

it was very kind of you .

a merry Christmas to you , sir ! "

" Mr Scrooge ? "

" yes , " said Scrooge .

" that is my name , and I fear it may not be pleasant to you .

allow me to ask your pardon .

and will you have the goodness " here Scrooge whispered in his ear .

" Lord bless me ! " cried the gentleman , as if his breath were taken away .

" my dear Mr Scrooge , are you serious ? "

" if you please , " said Scrooge .

" not a farthing less .

A great many back-payments are included in it , I assure you .

will you do me that favour ? "

" don't say anything , please , " retorted Scrooge .

" come and see me .

will you come and see me ? "

" I will ! " cried the old gentleman .

and it was clear he meant to do it .

" Thankee , " said Scrooge .

" I am much obliged to you .

I thank you fifty times .

bless you ! "

he had never dreamed that any walk that anything could give him so much happiness .

in the afternoon he turned his steps towards his nephew 's house .

he passed the door a dozen times before he had the courage to go up and knock .

but he made a dash , and did it .

" is your master at home , my dear ? " said Scrooge to the girl .

nice girl !

very .

" yes sir . "

" where is he , my love ? " said Scrooge .

" he 's in the dining-room , sir , along with mistress .

I 'll show you up-stairs , if you please . "

" Thankee .

he knows me , " said Scrooge , with his hand already on the dining-room lock .

" I 'll go in here , my dear . "

he turned it gently , and sidled his face in round the door .

" Fred ! " said Scrooge .

dear heart alive , how his niece by marriage started !

" why , bless my soul ! " cried Fred , " who 's that ? "

" it 's I your uncle Scrooge .

I have come to dinner .

will you let me in , Fred ? "

let him in !

it is a mercy he didn't shake his arm off .

he was at home in five minutes .

nothing could be heartier .

his niece looked just the same .

so did Topper when he came .

so did the plump sister when she came .

so did every one when they came .

wonderful party , wonderful games , wonderful unanimity , won-der-ful happiness !

but he was early at the office next morning .

oh , he was early there !

if he could only be there first , and catch Bob Cratchit coming late !

that was the thing he had set his heart upon .

and he did it ; yes , he did !

the clock struck nine .

no Bob .

a quarter past .

no Bob .

he was full eighteen minutes and a half behind his time .

Scrooge sat with his door wide open , that he might see him come into the tank .

his hat was off before he opened the door ; his comforter too .

he was on his stool in a jiffy ; driving away with his pen , as if he were trying to overtake nine o'clock .

" hallo ! " growled Scrooge in his accustomed voice as near as he could feign it .

" what do you mean by coming here at this time of day ? "

" I am very sorry , sir , " said Bob .

" I am behind my time . "

" you are ! " repeated Scrooge .

" yes .

I think you are .

step this way , sir , if you please . "

" it 's only once a year , sir , " pleaded Bob , appearing from the tank .

" it shall not be repeated .

I was making rather merry yesterday , sir . "

" now , I 'll tell you what , my friend , " said Scrooge .

" I am not going to stand this sort of thing any longer .

Bob trembled , and got a little nearer to the ruler .

" a merrier Christmas , Bob , my good fellow , than I have given you for many a year !

make up the fires and buy another coal-scuttle before you dot another i , Bob Cratchit ! "

Scrooge was better than his word .

he did it all , and infinitely more ; and to Tiny Tim , who did NOT die , he was a second father .

his own heart laughed : and that was quite enough for him .

may that be truly said of us , and all of us !

and so , as Tiny Tim observed , God bless Us , Every One !

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Christmas Carol , by Charles Dickens

produced by Jason Isbell , Emma Morgan Isbell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at @url@

Transcriber 's note : italic sections are surrounded by underscores ( ) .

THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH By CHARLES DICKENS

ILLUSTRATED BY GEORGE ALFRED WILLIAMS

New York THE PLATT & PECK CO .

copyright , @number@ by THE BAKER & TAYLOR COMPANY

INTRODUCTION

the success of the book was immediate .

Thackeray wrote of it : " who can listen to objections regarding such a book as this ?

it seems to me a national benefit , and to every man or woman who reads it , a personal kindness . "

the five are known to-day as the " Christmas Books . "

Dickens seems to have put his whole self into these glowing little stories .

a new life is brought to Scrooge when he , " running to his window , opened it and put out his head .

oh , glorious !

Glorious ! "

" the Cricket on the Hearth " strikes a different note .

Dickens 's greatest gift was characterization , and no English writer , save Shakespeare , has drawn so many and so varied characters .

it would be as absurd to interpret all of these as caricatures as to deny Dickens his great and varied powers of creation .

but there remains a host of characters marked by humour and pathos .

yet the pictorial presentation of Dickens 's characters has ever tended toward the grotesque .

the interpretations in this volume aim to eliminate the grosser phases of the caricature in favour of the more human .

it has been the illustrator 's whole aim to make these people live in some form more fully consistent with their types .

GEORGE ALFRED WILLIAMS .

Chatham , N

THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH

Table of Contents

chirp the First @number@ Chirp the Second @number@ Chirp the Third @number@

List of Illustrations

" father , I am lonely in the dark .

I want my eyes , my patient , willing eyes . " @number@

Tilly Slowboy @number@

" that 's the way I found him , sitting by the roadside !

upright as a milestone . " @number@

Illustration

THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH

a FAIRY TALE OF HOME

CHIRP THE FIRST

the kettle began it !

don't tell me what Mrs Peerybingle said .

I know better .

I ought to know , I hope ?

the kettle began it , full five minutes by the little waxy-faced Dutch clock in the corner , before the Cricket uttered a chirp .

why , I am not naturally positive .

nothing should induce me .

but , this is a question of fact .

and the fact is , that the kettle began it at least five minutes before the Cricket gave any sign of being in existence .

contradict me , and I 'll say ten .

let me narrate exactly how it happened .

and this is what led to it , and how it came about .

besides , the kettle was aggravating and obstinate .

it was quarrelsome , and hissed and spluttered morosely at the fire .

nothing shall induce me ! "

but , Mrs Peerybingle , with restored good-humour , dusted her chubby little hands against each other , and sat down before the kettle laughing .

he was on the move , however ; and had his spasms , two to the second , all right and regular .

now it was , you observe , that the kettle began to spend the evening .

so plain , too !

bless you , you might have understood it like a book better than some books you and I could name , perhaps .

Mrs Peerybingle knew it perfectly , as she sat musing before the hearth .

the kettle had had the last of its solo performance .

it persevered with undiminished ardour ; but the Cricket took first fiddle , and kept it .

good Heaven , how it chirped !

its shrill , sharp , piercing voice resounded through the house , and seemed to twinkle in the outer darkness like a star .

yet they went very well together , the Cricket and the kettle .

the burden of the song was still the same ; and louder , louder , louder still , they sang it in their emulation .

the kettle 's weak side clearly being that he didn't know when he was beat .

there was all the excitement of a race about it .

chirp , chirp , chirp !

Cricket a mile ahead .

hum , hum , hum m m !

Kettle making play in the distance , like a great top .

chirp , chirp , chirp !

Cricket round the corner .

hum , hum , hum m m !

Kettle sticking to him in his own way ; no idea of giving in .

chirp , chirp , chirp !

cricket fresher than ever .

hum , hum , hum m m !

Kettle slow and steady .

chirp , chirp , chirp !

Cricket going in to finish him .

hum , hum , hum m m !

Kettle not to be finished .

welcome home , my boy ! "

this end attained , the kettle , being dead beat , boiled over , and was taken off the fire .

where the baby came from , or how Mrs Peerybingle got hold of it in that flash of time , I don't know .

but she was worth the trouble .

six foot six , with the lumbago , might have done it .

" oh goodness , John ! " said Mrs. P .

" what a state you 're in with the weather ! "

he was something the worse for it undeniably .

so no wonder . "

" I wish you wouldn't call me Dot , John .

I don't like it , " said Mrs Peerybingle : pouting in a way that clearly showed she did like it very much .

I don't know as ever I was nearer . "

" An't he beautiful , John ?

don't he look precious in his sleep ? "

" very precious , " said John .

" very much so .

he generally is asleep , an't he ? "

" Lor , John !

good gracious , no ! "

" oh ! " said John , pondering .

" I thought his eyes was generally shut .

Halloa ! "

" Goodness , John , how you startle one ! "

" it an't right for him to turn ' em up in that way , " said the astonished Carrier , " is it ?

see how he 's winking with both of ' em at once ! and look at his mouth !

why , he 's gasping like a gold and silver fish ! "

" you don't deserve to be a father , you don't , " said Dot , with all the dignity of an experienced matron .

" but how should you know what little complaints children are troubled with , John ?

you wouldn't so much as know their names , you stupid fellow . "

" no , " said John , pulling off his outer coat .

" it 's very true , Dot .

I don't know much about it .

I only know that I 've been fighting pretty stiffly with the wind to-night .

it 's been blowing north-east , straight into the cart , the whole way home . "

" poor old man , so it has ! " cried Mrs Peerybingle , instantly becoming very active .

" here , take the precious darling , Tilly , while I make myself of some use .

bless it , I could smother it with kissing it , I could !

hie then , good dog !

hie , Boxer , boy !

only let me make the tea first , John ; and then I 'll help you with the parcels , like a busy bee .

' How doth the little ' and all the rest of it , you know , John .

did you ever learn ' How doth the little , ' when you went to school , John ? "

" not to quite know it , " John returned .

" I was very near it once .

but I should only have spoilt it , I dare say . "

" Ha , ha ! " laughed Dot .

she had the blithest little laugh you ever heard .

" what a dear old darling of a dunce you are , John , to be sure ! "

" there !

there 's the teapot , ready on the hob ! " said Dot ; as briskly busy as a child at play at keeping house .

" and there 's the cold knuckle of ham ; and there 's the butter ; and there 's the crusty loaf , and all !

here 's a clothes basket for the small parcels , John , if you 've got any there .

where are you , John ?

don't let the dear child fall under the grate , Tilly , whatever you do ! "

it may have entertained the Cricket , too , for anything I know ; but , certainly , it now began to chirp again vehemently .

Illustration : Tilly Slowboy .

" heyday ! " said John in his slow way .

" it 's merrier than ever to-night , I think . "

" and it 's sure to bring us good fortune , John !

it always has done so .

to have a Cricket on the Hearth is the luckiest thing in all the world ! "

but it was probably one of his narrow escapes , for he said nothing .

nearly a year ago .

you recollect , John ? "

oh , yes !

John remembered .

I should think so !

" its chirp was such a welcome to me !

it seemed so full of promise and encouragement .

and really he had reason .

they were very comely .

this has been a happy home , John ; and I love the Cricket for its sake ! "

" why , so do I , then , " said the Carrier .

" so do I , Dot . "

" I love it for the many times I have heard it , and the many thoughts its harmless music has given me .

" and so do I , " repeated John .

" but , Dot !

I hope and pray that I might learn to love you ?

how you talk !

I had learnt that long before I brought you here , to be the Cricket's little mistress , Dot ! "

next moment , she was down upon her knees before the basket ; speaking in a sprightly voice , and busy with the parcels .

besides , you have been delivering , I dare say , as you came along ? "

" oh , yes ! "

John said .

" A good many . "

" why , what 's this round box ?

Heart alive , John , it 's a wedding-cake ! "

" leave a woman alone to find out that , " said John admiringly .

" now , a man would never have thought of it !

yes ; I called for it at the pastrycook's . "

" and it weighs I don't know what whole hundredweights ! " cried Dot , making a great demonstration of trying to lift it .

" whose is it , John ?

where is it going ? "

" read the writing on the other side , " said John .

" why , John !

my Goodness , John ! "

" ah ! who 'd have thought it ? "

John returned .

John nodded .

Mrs Peerybingle nodded also , fifty times at least .

" and that is really to come about ! " said Dot .

" why , she and I were girls at school together , John . "

he might have been thinking of her , or nearly thinking of her , perhaps , as she was in that same school-time .

he looked upon her with a thoughtful pleasure , but he made no answer .

" and he 's as old !

as unlike her !

why , how many years older than you is Gruff and Tackleton , John ? "

" as to eating , I eat but little ; but that little I enjoy , Dot . "

but not as she had laughed before .

the manner and the music were quite changed .

the Cricket , too , had stopped .

somehow , the room was not so cheerful as it had been .

nothing like it .

" so these are all the parcels , are they , John ? "

" that 's all , " said John .

" the old gentleman ? "

" In the cart , " said John .

" he was asleep among the straw , the last time I saw him .

I 've very nearly remembered him , twice , since I came in ; but he went out of my head again .

Halloa !

Yahip there !

rouse up !

that 's my hearty ! "

John said these latter words outside the door , whither he had hurried with the candle in his hand .

very near , though , " murmured the Carrier with a chuckle ; " very near ! "

his garb was very quaint and odd a long , long way behind the time .

its hue was brown , all over .

on which he sat down quite composedly .

" there ! " said the Carrier , turning to his wife .

" that 's the way I found him , sitting by the roadside !

upright as a milestone .

and almost as deaf . "

" Sitting in the open air , John ? "

" in the open air , " replied the Carrier , " just at dusk .

' Carriage Paid , ' he said ; and gave me eighteen-pence .

then he got in .

and there he is . "

" he 's going , John , I think ! "

not at all .

he was only going to speak .

" if you please , I was to be left till called for , " said the Stranger mildly .

" don't mind me . "

making no more of Boxer than if he had been a house lamb !

the Carrier and his wife exchanged a look of perplexity .

the Stranger raised his head ; and , glancing from the latter to the former , said :

" your daughter , my good friend ? "

" wife , " returned John .

" niece ? " said the Stranger .

" wife ! " roared John .

" indeed ? " observed the Stranger .

" surely ?

very young ! "

he quietly turned over , and resumed his reading .

but , before he could have read two lines , he again interrupted himself to say :

" baby yours ? "

John gave him a gigantic nod : equivalent to an answer in the affirmative , delivered through a speaking trumpet .

" girl ? "

" Bo-o-oy ! " roared John .

" also very young , eh ? "

Mrs Peerybingle instantly struck in .

" two months and three da-ays .

vaccinated just six weeks ago-o !

took very fine-ly !

considered , by the doctor , a remarkably beautiful chi-ild !

equal to the general run of children at five months o-ld !

takes notice in a way quite wonder-ful !

May seem impossible to you , but feels his legs al-ready ! "

Illustration : " that 's the way I found him , sitting by the roadside !

upright as a milestone . "

" hark !

he 's called for , sure enough , " said John .

" there 's somebody at the door .

open it , Tilly . "

also the word GLASS in bold characters .

" good evening , John ! " said the little man .

" good evening , mum !

good evening , Tilly !

good evening , Unbeknown !

how 's Baby , mum ?

Boxer 's pretty well I hope ? "

" all thriving , Caleb , " replied Dot .

" I am sure you need only look at the dear child , for one , to know that . "

" and I 'm sure I need only look at you for another , " said Caleb .

" or at John for another , " said Caleb .

" or at Tilly , as far as that goes .

or certainly at Boxer . "

" Busy just now , Caleb ? " asked the Carrier .

" Pretty much so .

there 's rather a run on Noah 's Arks at present .

I could have wished to improve on the Family , but I don't see how it 's to be done at the price .

it would be a satisfaction to one's mind to make it clearer which was Shems and Hams , and which was Wives .

flies an't on that scale , neither , as compared with elephants , you know !

ah , well !

have you got anything in the parcel line for me , John ? "

" there it is ! " he said , adjusting it with great care .

" not so much as a leaf damaged .

full of buds ! "

Caleb 's dull eye brightened as he took it , and thanked him .

" Dear , Caleb , " said the Carrier .

" very dear at this season . "

" never mind that .

it would be cheap to me , what ever it cost , " returned the little man .

" anything else , John ? "

" a small box , " replied the Carrier .

" here you are ! "

" ' For Caleb Plummer , ' " said the little man , spelling out the direction .

" ' With Cash . '

with Cash , John ?

I don't think it 's for me . "

" with Care , " returned the Carrier , looking over his shoulder .

" where do you make out cash ? "

" oh !

to be sure ! " said Caleb .

" it 's all right .

with care !

yes , yes ; that 's mine .

it might have been with cash , indeed , if my dear Boy in the Golden South Americas had lived , John .

you loved him like a son ; didn't you ?

you needn't say you did .

I know , of course .

' Caleb Plummer .

with care . '

yes , yes , it 's all right .

it 's a box of dolls ' eyes for my daughters ' work .

I wish it was her own sight in a box , John . "

" I wish it was , or could be ! " cried the Carrier .

" Thankee , " said the little man .

" you speak very hearty .

to think that she should never see the Dolls and them a staring at her , so bold , all day long !

that 's where it cuts .

what 's the damage , John ? "

" I 'll damage you , " said John , " if you inquire .

Dot !

very near ? "

" well ! it 's like you to say so , " observed the little man .

" it 's your kind way .

let me see .

I think that 's all . "

" I think not , " said the Carrier .

" try again . "

" something for our Governor , eh ? " said Caleb after pondering a little while .

" to be sure .

that 's what I came for ; but my head 's so running on them Arks and things !

he hasn't been here , has he ? "

" not he , " returned the Carrier .

" he 's too busy , courting . "

I had better go , by-the-bye .

you couldn't have the goodness to let me pinch Boxer 's tail , mum , for half a moment , could you ? "

" why , Caleb , what a question ! "

" oh , never mind , mum ! " said the little man .

" he mightn't like it , perhaps .

that 's all .

never mind , mum . "

it happened opportunely that Boxer , without receiving the proposed stimulus , began to bark with great zeal .

he might have spared himself the trouble , for he met the visitor upon the threshold .

" oh !

you are here , are you ?

wait a bit .

I 'll take you home .

John Peerybingle , my service to you .

more of my service to your pretty wife .

handsomer every day !

better too , if possible !

and younger , " mused the speaker in a low voice , " that 's the devil of it ! "

" you know all about it , then ? "

" I have got myself to believe it somehow , " said Dot .

" after a hard struggle , I suppose ? "

" very . "

they were his only relief , and safety-valve .

he was great in such inventions .

anything suggestive of a Pony nightmare was delicious to him .

what he was in toys , he was ( as most men are ) in other things .

Still , Tackleton , the toy merchant , was going to be married .

in spite of all this , he was going to be married .

and to a young wife too , a beautiful young wife .

but a Bridegroom he designed to be .

" In three days ' time .

next Thursday .

the last day of the first month in the year .

that 's my wedding-day , " said Tackleton .

I don't think I did .

" that 's my wedding-day ! " said Tackleton , rattling his money .

" why , it 's our wedding-day too , " exclaimed the Carrier .

" Ha , ha ! " laughed Tackleton .

" odd !

you 're just such another couple .

just ! "

the indignation of Dot at this presumptuous assertion is not to be described .

what next ?

his imagination would compass the possibility of just such another Baby , perhaps .

the man was mad .

" I say !

A word with you , " murmured Tackleton , nudging the Carrier with his elbow , and taking him a little apart .

" you 'll come to the wedding ?

we 're in the same boat , you know . "

" how in the same boat ? " inquired the Carrier .

" a little disparity , you know , " said Tackleton with another nudge .

" come and spend an evening with us beforehand . "

" why ? " demanded John , astonished at this pressing hospitality .

" why ? " returned the other .

" that 's a new way of receiving an invitation .

why , for pleasure sociability , you know , and all that . "

" I thought you were never sociable , " said John in his plain way .

" Tchah !

it 's of no use to be anything but free with you , I see , " said Tackleton .

we know better , you know , but "

" no , we don't know better , " interposed John .

" what are you talking about ? "

" well !

we don't know better , then , " said Tackleton .

" we 'll agree that we don't .

as you like ; what does it matter ?

you 'll say you 'll come ? "

" we have arranged to keep our Wedding-day ( as far as that goes ) at home , " said John .

" we have made the promise to ourselves these six months .

we think , you see , that home "

" Bah ! what 's home ? " cried Tackleton .

" four walls and a ceiling !

( why don't you kill that Cricket ?

I would !

I always do .

I hate their noise . )

there are four walls and a ceiling at my house .

come to me ! "

" you kill your Crickets , eh ? " said John .

" scrunch ' em , sir , " returned the other , setting his heel heavily on the floor .

" you 'll say you 'll come ?

I know their way .

whatever one woman says , another woman is determined to clinch always .

" do you mean to say she don't , then ? " asked the Carrier .

" don't ! " cried Tackleton with a short , sharp laugh .

" don't what ? "

the Carrier had some faint idea of adding , " dote upon you . "

" ah , you dog !

you 're joking , " said Tackleton .

" I 'm able to gratify that humour , and I do .

it 's my whim .

but now look there ! "

the Carrier looked at her , and then at him , and then at her , and then at him again .

but do you think there 's anything more in it ? "

" I think , " observed the Carrier , " that I should chuck any man out of window who said there wasn't . "

" exactly so , " returned the other with an unusual alacrity of assent .

" to be sure !

doubtless you would .

of course .

I 'm certain of it .

good night .

pleasant dreams ! "

the Carrier was puzzled , and made uncomfortable and uncertain , in spite of himself .

he couldn't help showing it in his manner .

" good night , my dear friend ! " said Tackleton compassionately .

" I 'm off .

we 're exactly alike in reality , I see .

you won't give us to-morrow evening ?

well !

next day you go out visiting , I know .

I 'll meet you there , and bring my wife that is to be .

it 'll do her good .

you 're agreeable ?

Thankee .

what 's that ? "

she had risen from her seat , and stood like one transfixed by terror and surprise .

the Stranger had advanced towards the fire to warm himself , and stood within a short stride of her chair .

but quite still .

" Dot ! " cried the Carrier .

" Mary !

darling !

what 's the matter ? "

they were all about her in a moment .

" Mary ! " exclaimed the Carrier , supporting her in his arms .

" are you ill ?

what is it ?

tell me dear ! "

she only answered by beating her hands together , and falling into a wild fit of laughter .

then , sinking from his grasp upon the ground , she covered her face with her apron , and wept bitterly .

the old man standing , as before , quite still .

" I 'm better , John , " she said .

" I 'm quite well now I "

" John ! "

but John was on the other side of her .

why turn her face towards the strange old gentleman , as if addressing him .

was her brain wandering ?

" only a fancy , John dear a kind of shock a something coming suddenly before my eyes I don't know what it was .

it 's quite gone , quite gone . "

" I 'm glad it 's gone , " muttered Tackleton , turning the expressive eye all round the room .

" I wonder where it 's gone , and what it was .

Humph !

Caleb , come here !

who 's that with the grey hair ? "

" I don't know , sir , " returned Caleb in a whisper .

" never see him before in all my life .

a beautiful figure for a nut-cracker ; quite a new model .

with a screw-jaw opening down into his waistcoat , he 'd be lovely . "

" not ugly enough , " said Tackleton .

" or for a fire-box either , " observed Caleb in deep contemplation , " what a model !

" not half ugly enough , " said Tackleton .

" nothing in him at all .

come !

bring that box !

all right now , I hope ? "

" oh , quite gone !

quite gone ! " said the little woman , waving him hurriedly away .

" good night ! "

" good night ! " said Tackleton .

" good night , John Peerybingle !

take care how you carry that box , Caleb .

let it fall , and I 'll murder you !

Dark as pitch , and weather worse than ever , eh ?

good night ! "

" he don't belong to them , you see , " said John .

" I must give him a hint to go . "

would you , in your kindness , suffer me to rent a bed here ? "

" yes , yes , " cried Dot .

" yes !

certainly ! "

" oh ! " said the Carrier , surprised by the rapidity of this consent .

" well !

I don't object ; but still I 'm not quite sure that "

" hush ! " she interrupted .

" dear John ! "

" why , he 's stone deaf , " urged John .

" I know he is , but Yes , sir , certainly .

yes , certainly !

I 'll make him up a bed directly , John . "

" and frighten it , a precious Pets , a sitting by the fires .

what frightened Dot , I wonder ? " mused the Carrier , pacing to and fro .

he scouted , from his heart , the insinuations of the toy merchant , and yet they filled him with a vague , indefinite uneasiness .

the bed was soon made ready ; and the visitor , declining all refreshment but a cup of tea , retired .

she always would sit on that little stool .

I think she must have had a kind of notion that it was a coaxing , wheedling little stool .

and the Cricket and the Kettle , turning up again , acknowledged it !

the bright fire , blazing up again , acknowledged it !

the little Mower on the clock , in his unheeded work , acknowledged it !

the Carrier , in his smoothing forehead and expanding face , acknowledged it , the readiest of all .

dots of all ages and all sizes filled the chamber .

oh , Dot !

oh , failing Dot !

there is no place for it in all your husband 's visions .

why has its shadow fallen on his hearth ?

CHIRP THE SECOND

I have said that Caleb and his poor Blind Daughter lived here .

and all was Caleb 's doing ; all the doing of her simple father !

there were houses in it , finished and unfinished , for Dolls of all stations in life .

thus , the Doll-lady of distinction had wax limbs of perfect symmetry ; but only she and her compeers .

the next grade in the social scale being made of leather , and the next of coarse linen stuff .

there were various other samples of his handicraft besides Dolls in Caleb Plummer 's room .

there were scores of melancholy little carts , which , when the wheels went round , performed most doleful music .

many small fiddles , drums , and other instruments of torture ; no end of cannon , shields , swords , spears , and guns .

in the midst of all these objects , Caleb and his daughter sat at work .

the Blind Girl busy as a Doll 's dressmaker ; Caleb painting and glazing the four-pair front of a desirable family mansion .

" so you were out in the rain last night , father , in your beautiful new great-coat , " said Caleb 's daughter .

" how glad I am you bought it , father ! "

" and of such a tailor too , " said Caleb .

" quite a fashionable tailor .

it 's too good for me . "

the Blind Girl rested from her work , and laughed with delight .

" too good , father !

what can be too good for you ? "

when I hear the boys and people say behind me , ' Halloa !

here 's a swell ! '

I don't know which way to look .

bless your Honour , don't say that ! '

I was quite ashamed .

I really felt as if I hadn't a right to wear it . "

Happy Blind Girl !

how merry she was in her exultation !

a blue coat "

" bright blue , " said Caleb .

" yes , yes !

you told me it was blue before !

a bright blue coat "

" made loose to the figure , " suggested Caleb .

" Halloa !

Halloa ! " said Caleb .

" I shall be vain presently ! "

" I think you are already , " cried the Blind Girl , pointing at him in her glee .

" I know you , father !

Ha , ha , ha !

I 've found you out , you see ! "

how different the picture in her mind , from Caleb , as he sat observing her !

she had spoken of his free step .

she was right in that .

heaven knows !

what a pity that the whole front of the house opens at once !

if there was only a staircase in it now , and regular doors to the rooms to go in at !

but that 's the worst of my calling , I 'm always deluding myself , and swindling myself . "

" you are speaking quite softly .

you are not tired , father ? "

" Tired ! " echoed Caleb with a great burst of animation .

" what should tire me , Bertha ?

I was never tired .

what does it mean ? "

it was a Bacchanalian song , something about a Sparkling Bowl .

he sang it with an assumption of a Devil-may-care voice , that made his face a thousand times more meagre and more thoughtful than ever .

" what !

you 're singing , are you ? " said Tackleton , putting his head in at the door .

" go it !

I can't sing . "

nobody would have suspected him of it .

he hadn't what is generally termed a singing face , by any means .

" I can't afford to sing , " said Tackleton .

" I 'm glad you can .

I hope you can afford to work too .

hardly time for both , I should think ? "

" if you could only see him , Bertha , how he 's winking at me ! " whispered Caleb .

" such a man to joke !

you 'd think , if you didn't know him , he was in earnest wouldn't you now ? "

the Blind Girl smiled and nodded .

" the bird that can sing and won't sing must be made to sing , they say , " grumbled Tackleton .

" the extent to which he 's winking at this moment ! " whispered Caleb to his daughter .

" oh , my gracious ! "

" always merry and light-hearted with us ! " cried the smiling Bertha .

" oh ! you 're there , are you ? " answered Tackleton .

" poor Idiot ! "

" well ! and being there , how are you ? " said Tackleton in his grudging way .

" oh ! well ; quite well !

and as happy as even you can wish me to be .

as happy as you would make the whole world , if you could ! "

" poor Idiot ! " muttered Tackleton .

" no gleam of reason .

not a gleam ! "

" what 's the matter now ? "

" I stood it close beside my pillow when I went to sleep last night , and remembered it in my dreams .

and when the day broke , and the glorious red sun the red sun , father ? "

" Red in the mornings and the evenings , Bertha , " said poor Caleb with a woeful glance at his employer .

" bedlam broke loose ! " said Tackleton under his breath .

" we shall arrive at the strait-waistcoat and mufflers soon .

we 're getting on ! "

" Bertha ! " said Tackleton , assuming , for the nonce , a little cordiality .

" come here . "

" oh , I can come straight to you !

you needn't guide me ! " she rejoined .

" shall I tell you a secret , Bertha ? "

" if you will ! " she answered eagerly .

how bright the darkened face !

how adorned with light the listening head !

" yes , " replied Bertha .

" this is the day . "

" I thought so , " said Tackleton .

" I should like to join the party . "

" do you hear that , father ? " cried the Blind Girl in an ecstasy .

it 's one of my lies , I 've no doubt . "

" you see I I want to bring the Peerybingles a little more into company with May Fielding , " said Tackleton .

" I 'm going to be married to May . "

" married ! " cried the Blind Girl , starting from him .

" she 's such a con-founded idiot , " muttered Tackleton , " that I was afraid she 'd never comprehend me .

ah , Bertha !

married !

a wedding , you know ; a wedding .

don't you know what a wedding is ? "

" I know , " replied the Blind Girl in a gentle tone .

" I understand ! "

" do you ? " muttered Tackleton .

" it 's more than I expected .

well !

on that account I want to join the party , and to bring May and her mother .

I 'll send in a little something or other , before the afternoon .

a cold leg of mutton , or some comfortable trifle of that sort .

you 'll expect me ? "

" yes , " she answered .

she had drooped her head , and turned away ; and so stood , with her hands crossed , musing .

Caleb ! "

" I may venture to say I 'm here , I suppose , " thought Caleb .

" sir ! "

" take care she don't forget what I 've been saying to her . "

" she never forgets , " returned Caleb .

" it 's one of the few things she an't clever in . "

" every man thinks his own geese swans , " observed the toy merchant with a shrug .

" poor devil ! "

having delivered himself of which remark with infinite contempt , old Gruff and Tackleton withdrew .

Bertha remained where he had left her , lost in meditation .

the gaiety had vanished from her downcast face , and it was very sad .

" father , I am lonely in the dark .

I want my eyes , my patient , willing eyes . "

" here they are , " said Caleb .

" always ready .

they are more yours than mine , Bertha , any hour in the four-and-twenty .

what shall your eyes do for you , dear ? "

" Look round the room , father . "

" all right , " said Caleb .

" No sooner said than done , Bertha . "

" tell me about it . "

" it 's much the same as usual , " said Caleb .

" homely , but very snug .

Cheerful and neat it was , wherever Bertha 's hands could busy themselves .

but nowhere else were cheerfulness and neatness possible in the old crazy shed which Caleb 's fancy so transformed .

" not quite so gallant , " answered Caleb .

" Pretty brisk , though . "

she is very fair ? "

" she is indeed , " said Caleb .

and she was indeed .

it was quite a rare thing to Caleb not to have to draw on his invention .

" her hair is dark , " said Bertha pensively , " darker than mine .

her voice is sweet and musical , I know .

I have often loved to hear it .

her shape "

" there 's not a Doll 's in all the room to equal it , " said Caleb .

" and her eyes ! "

" our friend , father , our benefactor .

I am never tired , you know , of hearing about him .

now , was I ever ? " she said hastily .

" of course not , " answered Caleb , " and with reason . "

" ah !

with how much reason ! " cried the Blind Girl .

" then tell me again about him , dear father , " said Bertha .

" Many times again !

his face is benevolent , kind , and tender .

Honest and true , I am sure it is .

the manly heart that tries to cloak all favours with a show of roughness and unwillingness , beats in its every look and glance . "

" and makes it noble , " added Caleb in his quiet desperation .

" and makes it noble , " cried the Blind Girl .

" he is older than May , father . "

" Ye-es , " said Caleb reluctantly .

" he 's a little older than May .

but that don't signify . "

" oh , father , yes !

what opportunities for proving all her truth and her devotion to him !

would she do all this , dear father ? "

" no doubt of it , " said Caleb .

" I love her , father ; I can love her from my soul ! " exclaimed the Blind Girl .

from this state of inaction he was then recalled , shining very much and roaring violently , to partake of well ?

I would rather say , if you 'll permit me to speak generally of a slight repast .

after which he went to sleep again .

how can you ?

think of Tilly ! "

but , as this might be considered ungenteel , I 'll think of it .

" John !

you 've got the basket with the Veal and Ham Pie and things , and the bottles of Beer ? " said Dot .

" if you haven't you must turn round again this very minute . "

way ! "

this monosyllable was addressed to the horse , who didn't mind it at all .

" oh , do way , John ! " said Mrs Peerybingle .

" please ! "

" it 'll be time enough to do that , " returned John , " when I begin to leave things behind me .

the basket 's safe enough . "

I declare I wouldn't go to Bertha 's without the Veal and Ham Pie and things , and the bottles of Beer , for any money .

regularly once a fortnight ever since we have been married , John , have we made our little Picnic there .

if anything was to go wrong with it , I should almost think we were never to be lucky again . "

" my dear John ! " replied Dot , turning very red .

" don't talk about honouring me .

good gracious ! "

" By-the-bye " observed the Carrier " that old gentleman "

again so visibly and instantly embarrassed !

" he 's an odd fish , " said the Carrier , looking straight along the road before them .

" I can't make him out .

I don't believe there 's any harm in him . "

" none at all .

I 'm I'm sure there 's none at all . "

" yes , " said the Carrier , with his eyes attracted to her face by the great earnestness of her manner .

" I am glad you feel so certain of it , because it 's a confirmation to me .

it 's curious that he should have taken it into his head to ask leave to go on lodging with us ; an't it ?

things come about so strangely . "

" so very strangely , " she rejoined in a low voice , scarcely audible .

that 's capital !

I may trouble you for another lift , perhaps , but I 'll engage not to fall so sound asleep again . '

he was sound asleep , sure-ly !

Dot ! what are you thinking of ? "

" thinking of , John ?

I I was listening to you . "

" oh !

that 's all right ! " said the honest Carrier .

I was very near it , I 'll be bound . "

Dot making no reply , they jogged on , for some little time , in silence .

but , it was not easy to remain silent very long in John Peerybingle 's cart , for everybody on the road had something to say .

then , Boxer gave occasion to more good-natured recognitions of , and by , the Carrier , than half-a-dozen Christians could have done !

the trip was a little foggy , to be sure , in the January weather ; and was raw and cold .

but who cared for such trifles ?

not Dot , decidedly .

you couldn't see very far in the fog , of course ; but you could see a great deal !

it 's astonishing how much you may see in a thicker fog than that , if you will only take the trouble to look for it .

the hedges were tangled and bare , and waved a multitude of blighted garlands in the wind ; but there was no discouragement in this .

it was agreeable to contemplate ; for it made the fireside warmer in possession , and the summer greener in expectancy .

the river looked chilly ; but it was in motion , and moving at a good pace which was a great point .

the canal was rather slow and torpid ; that must be admitted .

never mind .

he never sought to attract her attention by looking at her , as he often did with other people , but touched her invariably .

what experience he could ever have had of blind people or blind dogs I don't know .

" May !

my dear old friend ! " cried Dot , running up to meet her .

" what a happiness to see you ! "

Tackleton was a man of taste , beyond all question .

May was very pretty .

she also wore her gloves .

but let us be genteel , or die !

as Tilly stared about her at the dolls and toys , they stared at her and at the company .

" ah , May ! " said Dot .

" dear , dear , what changes !

to talk of those merry school days makes one young again . "

" why , you an't particularly old at any time , are you ? " said Tackleton .

" look at my sober , plodding husband there , " returned Dot .

" he adds twenty years to my age at least .

don't you , John ? "

" forty , " John replied .

" how many you ' l l add to Mary 's , I am sure I don't know , " said Dot , laughing .

" but she can't be much less than a hundred years of age on her next birthday . "

" Ha , ha ! " laughed Tackleton .

hollow as a drum that laugh , though .

and he looked as if he could have twisted Dot 's neck comfortably .

" dear , dear ! " said Dot .

" only to remember how we used to talk , at school , about the husbands we would choose .

I don't know how young , and how handsome , and how gay , and how lively mine was not to be !

and as to May 's !

ah dear !

I don't know whether to laugh or cry , when I think what silly girls we were . "

May seemed to know which to do ; for the colour flashed into her face , and tears stood in her eyes .

" even the very persons themselves real live young men we fixed on sometimes , " said Dot .

" we little thought how things would come about .

I never fixed on John , I 'm sure ; I never so much as thought of him .

and , if I had told you you were ever to be married to Mr Tackleton , why , you 'd have slapped me .

wouldn't you , May ? "

though May didn't say yes , she certainly didn't say no , or express no , by any means .

Tackleton laughed quite shouted , he laughed so loud .

John Peerybingle laughed too , in his ordinary good-natured and contented manner ; but his was a mere whisper of a laugh to Tackleton 's .

" you couldn't help yourselves , for all that .

you couldn't resist us , you see , " said Tackleton .

" here we are !

here we are !

where are your gay young bridegrooms now ? "

" some of them are dead , " said Dot ; " and some of them forgotten .

no ! they would not believe one word of it ! "

" why , Dot ! " exclaimed the Carrier .

" little woman ! "

she had spoken with such earnestness and fire , that she stood in need of some recalling to herself , without doubt .

( she was very emphatic here . )

for you ought to know that he only rested there , and gave the old horse a bait .

this was the order of the day on all the Picnic occasions , and had been ever since their institution .

there were two persons present , besides the bride and bridegroom elect , who did but indifferent honour to the toast .

" good-bye ! " said stout John Peerybingle , pulling on his dreadnought coat .

" I shall be back at the old time .

good-bye all ! "

" good-bye , John , " returned Caleb .

where 's Dot ? "

" I 'm here , John ! " she said , starting .

" come , come ! " returned the Carrier , clapping his sounding hands .

" where 's the pipe ? "

" I quite forgot the pipe , John . "

forgot the pipe !

was such a wonder ever heard of ?

she !

forgot the pipe !

" I 'll I'll fill it directly .

it 's soon done . "

but it was not so soon done , either .

" why , what a clumsy Dot you are this afternoon ! " said John .

" I could have done it better myself , I verily believe ! "

what time the dreamy Caleb still stood , watching his blind daughter , with the same expression on his face .

" Bertha ! " said Caleb , softly .

" what has happened ?

how changed you are , my darling , in a few hours since this morning !

you silent and dull all day !

what is it ?

tell me ! "

" oh , father , father ! " cried the Blind Girl , bursting into tears .

" oh , my hard , hard fate ! "

Caleb drew his hand across his eyes before he answered her .

" but think how cheerful and how happy you have been , Bertha !

how good , and how much loved , by many people . "

" that strikes me to the heart , dear father !

always so mindful of me !

always so kind to me ! "

Caleb was very much perplexed to understand her .

" to be to be blind , Bertha , my poor dear , " he faltered , " is a great affliction ; but "

" I have never felt it ! " cried the Blind Girl .

" I have never felt it in its fulness .

never !

that I might be sure I have it right !

but I have never had these feelings long .

they have passed away , and left me tranquil and contented . "

" and they will again , " said Caleb .

" but , father !

oh , my good gentle father , bear with me , if I am wicked ! " said the Blind Girl .

" this is not the sorrow that so weighs me down ! "

her father could not choose but let his moist eyes overflow ; she was so earnest and pathetic .

but he did not understand her yet .

" bring her to me , " said Bertha .

" I cannot hold it closed and shut within myself .

bring her to me , father ! "

she knew he hesitated , and said , " May .

bring May ! "

May heard the mention of her name , and , coming quietly towards her , touched her on the arm .

the Blind Girl turned immediately , and held her by both hands .

" look into my face , Dear heart , Sweet heart ! " said Bertha .

" read it with your beautiful eyes , and tell me if the truth is written on it . "

" dear Bertha , yes ! "

the Blind Girl , still upturning the blank sightless face , down which the tears were coursing fast , addressed her in these words :

" there is not , in my soul , a wish or thought that is not for your good , bright May !

every blessing on your head !

light upon your happy course !

father , May , Mary !

while speaking , she had released May Fielding 's hands , and clasped her garments in an attitude of mingled supplication and love .

but Dot , recovering her self-possession , interposed , before May could reply , or Caleb say another word .

" come , come , dear Bertha ! come away with me !

give her your arm , May !

so .

" come away , dear Bertha !

come ! and here 's her good father will come with her , won't you , Caleb ?

to be sure ! "

won't you , Mrs. fielding ? "

Caleb and Bertha had returned some time before , and Caleb had sat down to his afternoon 's work .

but he couldn't settle to it , poor fellow , being anxious and remorseful for his daughter .

not as good wives are when listening for their husbands .

no , no , no .

it was another sort of restlessness from that .

wheels heard .

a horse 's feet .

the barking of a dog .

the gradual approach of all the sounds .

the scratching paw of Boxer at the door !

" whose step is that ? " cried Bertha , starting up .

" why , mine . "

" the other step , " said Bertha .

" the man 's tread behind you ! "

" she is not to be deceived , " observed the Carrier , laughing .

" come along , sir .

you 'll be welcome , never fear ! "

he spoke in a loud tone ; and , as he spoke , the deaf old gentleman entered .

" he 's not so much a stranger that you haven't seen him once , Caleb , " said the Carrier .

" you 'll give him house room till we go ? "

" oh , surely , John , and take it as an honour ! "

" he 's the best company on earth to talk secrets in , " said John .

" I have reasonable good lungs , but he tries ' em I can tell you .

sit down , sir .

all friends here , and glad to see you ! "

he 's easily pleased . "

Bertha had been listening intently .

the Carrier was in high spirits , good fellow that he was , and fonder of his little wife than ever .

see yonder , Dot ! "

he pointed to the old man .

she looked down .

I think she trembled .

" he 's ha , ha , ha ! he's full of admiration for you ! " said the Carrier .

" talked of nothing else the whole way here .

why , he 's a brave old boy !

I like him for it ! "

" I wish he had a better subject , John , " she said with an uneasy glance about the room .

at Tackleton especially .

" a better subject ! " cried the jovial John .

" there 's no such thing .

my humble service , mistress .

a game at cribbage , you and I ?

that 's hearty .

the cards and board , Dot .

and a glass of beer here , if there 's any left , small wife ! "

his challenge was addressed to the old lady , who , accepting it with gracious readiness , they were soon engaged upon the game .

" I am sorry to disturb you but a word directly . "

" I 'm going to deal , " returned the Carrier .

" it 's a crisis . "

" it is , " said Tackleton .

" come here , man ! "

" hush !

John Peerybingle , " said Tackleton , " I am sorry for this .

I am indeed .

I have been afraid of it .

I have suspected it from the first . "

" what is it ? " asked the Carrier with a frightened aspect .

" hush !

I 'll show you , if you 'll come with me . "

the Carrier accompanied him without another word .

there was no light in the counting-house itself , but there were lamps in the long narrow ware-room ; and consequently the window was bright .

" a moment ! " said Tackleton .

" can you bear to look through that window , do you think ? "

" why not ? " returned the Carrier .

" a moment more , " said Tackleton .

" don't commit any violence .

it 's of no use .

it 's dangerous too .

you 're a strong-made man ; and you might do murder before you know it . "

the Carrier looked him in the face , and recoiled a step as if he had been struck .

in one stride he was at the window , and he saw

oh , Shadow on the Hearth !

oh , truthful Cricket !

oh , perfidious wife !

he clenched his strong right hand at first , as if it would have beaten down a lion .

" now , John dear !

good night , May !

good night , Bertha ! "

could she kiss them ?

could she be blithe and cheerful in her parting ?

could she venture to reveal her face to them without a blush ?

yes .

Tackleton observed her closely , and she did all this .

Tilly was hushing the baby , and she crossed and recrossed Tackleton a dozen times , repeating drowsily :

" now , Tilly , give me the Baby !

good night , Mr Tackleton .

where 's John , for goodness ' sake ? "

" he 's going to walk beside the horse 's head , " said Tackleton ; who helped her to her seat .

" my dear John !

walk ?

To-night ? "

the toys that had been set in motion for the Baby had all stopped and run down long ago .

CHIRP THE THIRD

the Dutch clock in the corner struck Ten when the Carrier sat down by his fireside .

the Stranger was beneath his outraged roof .

three steps would take him to his chamber door .

one blow would beat it in .

" you might do murder before you know it , " Tackleton had said .

how could it be murder , if he gave the villain time to grapple with him hand to hand ?

he was the younger man .

it was an ill-timed thought , bad for the dark mood of his mind .

he was the younger man !

yes , yes ; some lover who had won the heart that he had never touched .

oh , agony to think of it !

she had been above-stairs with the Baby ; getting it to bed .

he only knew it when he felt her hand upon his own , and saw her looking up into his face .

with wonder ?

no .

it was his first impression , and he was fain to look at her again , to set it right .

no , not with wonder .

with an eager and inquiring look ; but not with wonder .

he looked about him for a weapon .

there was a gun hanging on the wall .

he took it down , and moved a pace or two towards the door of the perfidious Stranger 's room .

he knew the gun was loaded .

that phrase is wrong .

not casting out his milder thoughts , but artfully transforming them .

changing them into scourges to drive him on .

Turning water into blood , love into hate , gentleness into blind ferocity .

In his bed ! "

no sound he could have heard , no human voice , not even hers , could so have moved and softened him .

he recoiled from the door , like a man walking in his sleep , awakened from a frightful dream ; and put the gun aside .

clasping his hands before his face , he then sat down again beside the fire , and found relief in tears .

the Cricket on the Hearth came out into the room , and stood in Fairy shape before him .

" she said so ! " cried the Carrier .

" true ! "

" ' This has been a happy home , John ! and I love the Cricket for its sake ! ' "

" it has been , Heaven knows , " returned the Carrier .

" she made it happy , always , until now . "

" so gracefully sweet-tempered ; so domestic , joyful , busy , and light-hearted ! " said the Voice .

" otherwise I never could have loved her as I did , " returned the Carrier .

the Voice , correcting him , said " do . "

the Carrier repeated " as I did . "

but not firmly .

his faltering tongue resisted his control , and would speak in its own way for itself and him .

the Figure , in an attitude of invocation , raised its hand and said :

" upon your own hearth "

" the hearth she has blighted , " interposed the Carrier .

upon your own hearth ; in its quiet sanctuary ; surrounded by its gentle influences and associations ; hear her !

hear me !

hear everything that speaks the language of your hearth and home ! "

" and pleads for her ? " inquired the Carrier .

" all things that speak the language of your hearth and home must plead for her ! " returned the Cricket .

" for they speak the truth . "

it was not a solitary Presence .

not to stand beside him as the Cricket did , but to busy and bestir themselves .

to do all honour to her image .

to pull him by the skirts , and point to it when it appeared .

to cluster round it , and embrace it , and strew flowers for it to tread on .

to try to crown its fair head with their tiny hands .

his thoughts were constant to her image .

it was always there .

she sat plying her needle , before the fire , and singing to herself .

such a blithe , thriving , steady little Dot !

there were sounds of gaiety outside , musical instruments , and noisy tongues , and laughter .

a crowd of young merry-makers came pouring in , among whom were May Fielding and a score of pretty girls .

Dot was the fairest of them all ; as young as any of them too .

they came to summon her to join their party .

it was a dance .

if ever little foot were made for dancing , hers was , surely .

and yet indifference was not her character .

oh no !

for presently there came a certain Carrier to the door ; and , bless her , what a welcome she bestowed upon him !

a shadow fell upon the mirror or the picture : call it what you will .

a great shadow of the Stranger , as he first stood underneath their roof ; covering its surface , and blotting out all other objects .

but , the nimble Fairies worked like bees to clear it off again .

and Dot again was there .

still bright and beautiful .

perhaps some calm and quiet light had risen also in his mind ; and he could think more soberly of what had happened .

as he had seen her last .

thus the night passed .

the moon went down ; the stars grew pale ; the cold day broke ; the sun rose .

the Carrier still sat , musing , in the chimney-corner .

he had sat there , with his head upon his hands , all night .

all night the faithful Cricket had been Chirp , Chirp , Chirping on the Hearth .

all night he had listened to its voice .

all night the Household Fairies had been busy with him .

all night she had been amiable and blameless in the glass , except when that one shadow fell upon it .

he rose up when it was broad day , and washed and dressed himself .

he had thought to have gone merrily to church with Dot .

but such plans were at an end .

it was their own wedding-day too .

ah ! how little he had looked for such a close to such a year !

the Carrier expected that Tackleton would pay him an early visit ; and he was right .

the horse looked much more like a bridegroom than Tackleton , whose half-closed eye was more disagreeably expressive than ever .

but the Carrier took little heed of this .

his thoughts had other occupation .

" John Peerybingle ! " said Tackleton with an air of condolence .

" my good fellow , how do you find yourself this morning ? "

but it 's over now !

can you spare me half an hour or so , for some private talk ? "

" I came on purpose , " returned Tackleton , alighting .

" never mind the horse .

he 'll stand quiet enough , with the reins over this post , if you 'll give him a mouthful of hay . "

the Carrier having brought it from his stable and set it before him , they turned into the house .

" you are not married before noon , " he said , " I think ? "

" no , " answered Tackleton .

" plenty of time .

plenty of time . "

when they entered the kitchen , Tilly Slowboy was rapping at the Stranger 's door ; which was only removed from it by a few steps .

" if you please I can't make nobody hear , " said Tilly , looking round .

" I hope nobody an't gone and been and died if you please ! "

this philanthropic wish Miss Slowboy emphasized with various new raps and kicks at the door , which led to no result whatever .

" shall I go ? " said Tackleton .

" it 's curious . "

the Carrier , who had turned his face from the door , signed him to go if he would .

so Tackleton went to Tilly Slowboy 's relief ; and he too kicked and knocked ; and he too failed to get the least reply .

" John Peerybingle , " said Tackleton in his ear , " I hope there has been nothing nothing rash in the night ? "

the Carrier turned upon him quickly .

" because he 's gone ! " said Tackleton ; " and the window 's open .

eh ? "

he nearly shut up the expressive eye altogether ; he looked at him so hard .

and he gave his eye , and his face , and his whole person , a sharp twist .

as if he would have screwed the truth out of him .

" make yourself easy , " said the Carrier .

" he went into that room last night , without harm in word or deed from me , and no one has entered it since .

he is away of his own free-will .

but he has come and gone .

and I have done with him ! "

" oh !

well , I think he has got off pretty easy , " said Tackleton , taking a chair .

" you showed me last night , " he said at length , " my wife my wife that I love secretly "

" and tenderly , " insinuated Tackleton .

" conniving at that man 's disguise , and giving him opportunities of meeting her alone .

I think there 's no sight I wouldn't have rather seen than that .

I think there 's no man in the world I wouldn't have rather had to show it me . "

" I confess to having had my suspicions always , " said Tackleton .

" and that has made me objectionable here , I know . "

for it 's settled , " said the Carrier , regarding him attentively .

" and nothing can shake it now . "

" I am a plain , rough man , " pursued the Carrier " with very little to recommend me .

I am not a clever man , as you very well know .

I am not a young man .

there 's many men I can't compare with , who never could have loved my little Dot like me , I think ! "

he paused , and softly beat the ground a short time with his foot , before resuming :

and , in the end , it came about , and we were married ! "

" hah ! " said Tackleton with a significant shake of his head .

" but I had not I feel it now sufficiently considered her . "

" to be sure , " said Tackleton .

" Giddiness , frivolity , fickleness , love of admiration !

not considered !

all left out of sight !

hah ! "

the toy merchant gazed at him in astonishment .

he went on in a softer tone :

never .

I took advantage of her hopeful nature and her cheerful disposition ; and I married her .

I wish I never had !

for her sake ; not for mine ! "

the toy merchant gazed at him without winking .

even the half-shut eye was open now .

and Heaven help me , that , in my slow mind , I have not found it out before !

poor child !

Poor Dot !

I , who have seen the secret trembling on her lips a hundred times , and never suspected it , till last night !

poor girl !

that I could ever hope she would be fond of me !

that I could ever believe she was ! "

" she made a show of it , " said Tackleton .

" she made such a show of it , that , to tell you the truth , it was the origin of my misgivings . "

and here he asserted the superiority of May Fielding , who certainly made no sort of show of being fond of him .

it will be some help and comfort to me when I am here alone . "

" here alone ? " said Tackleton .

" oh !

then you do mean to take some notice of this ? "

I can release her from the daily pain of an unequal marriage , and the struggle to conceal it .

she shall be as free as I can render her . "

" make her reparation ! " exclaimed Tackleton , twisting and turning his great ears with his hands .

" there must be something wrong here .

you didn't say that , of course . "

the Carrier set his grip upon the collar of the toy merchant , and shook him like a reed .

" listen to me ! " he said .

" and take care that you hear me right .

listen to me .

do I speak plainly ? "

" very plainly indeed , " answered Tackleton .

" as if I meant it ? "

" very much as if you meant it . "

" I sat upon that hearth , last night , all night , " exclaimed the Carrier .

" on the spot where she has often sat beside me , with her sweet face looking into mine .

I called up her whole life day by day .

I had her dear self , in its every passage , in review before me .

and , upon my soul , she is innocent , if there is One to judge the innocent and guilty ! "

staunch Cricket on the Hearth !

Loyal Household Fairies !

" passion and distrust have left me ! " said the Carrier ; " and nothing but my grief remains .

last night she saw him , in the interview we witnessed .

it was wrong .

but , otherwise than this , she is innocent , if there is truth on earth ! "

" if that is your opinion " Tackleton began .

" so , let her go ! " pursued the Carrier .

let her go , and have the peace of mind I wish her !

she 'll never hate me .

she 'll learn to like me better when I 'm not a drag upon her , and she wears the chain I have riveted more lightly .

this is the day on which I took her , with so little thought for her enjoyment , from her home .

To-day she shall return to it , and I will trouble her no more .

her father and mother will be here to-day we had made a little plan for keeping it together and they shall take her home .

I can trust her there , or anywhere .

she leaves me without blame , and she will live so I am sure .

this is the end of what you showed me .

now , it 's over ! "

" oh no , John , not over !

do not say it 's over yet !

not quite yet .

I have heard your noble words .

I could not steal away , pretending to be ignorant of what has affected me with such deep gratitude .

do not say it 's over till the clock has struck again ! "

she had entered shortly after Tackleton , and had remained there .

she never looked at Tackleton , but fixed her eyes upon her husband .

how different in this from her old self !

" but let it be so , if you will , my dear .

it will strike soon .

it 's of little matter what we say .

I 'd try to please you in a harder case than that . "

" well ! " muttered Tackleton .

good morning , John Peerybingle .

I 'm sorry to be deprived of the pleasure of your company .

Sorry for the loss , and the occasion of it too ! "

" I have spoken plainly ? " said the Carrier , accompanying him to the door .

" oh , quite ! "

" and you 'll remember what I have said ? "

" the better for us both , " returned the Carrier .

" good-bye .

I give you joy ! "

" I wish I could give it to you , " said Tackleton .

" as I can't , thankee .

between ourselves ( as I told you before , eh ? )

good-bye !

take care of yourself . "

" Ow , if you please , don't ! " said Tilly .

" it 's enough to dead and bury the Baby , so it is if you please . "

" Ow , if you please , don't !

Ow , what has everybody gone and been and done with everybody , making everybody else so wretched ?

Ow-w-w-w ! "

" Mary ! " said Bertha .

" not at the marriage ! "

" I told her you would not be there , mum , " whispered Caleb .

" I heard as much last night .

but bless you , " said the little man , taking her tenderly by both hands , " I don't care for what they say .

I don't believe them .

there an't much of me , but that little should be torn to pieces sooner than I 'd trust a word against you ! "

he put his arms about her neck and hugged her , as a child might have hugged one of his own dolls .

" Bertha couldn't stay at home this morning , " said Caleb .

so we started in good time , and came here .

you 'll stay with me the while ? " he inquired , trembling from head to foot .

but it 's best for her that she should be undeceived , and I must bear the consequences as I deserve ! "

" Mary , " said Bertha , " where is your hand ?

ah !

here it is ; here it is ! " pressing it to her lips with a smile , and drawing it through her arm .

" I heard them speaking softly among themselves last night of some blame against you .

they were wrong . "

the Carrier 's wife was silent .

Caleb answered for her .

" they were wrong , " he said .

" I knew it ! " cried Bertha , proudly .

" I told them so .

I scorned to hear a word !

blame her with justice ! " she pressed the hand between her own , and the soft cheek against her face .

" no , I am not so blind as that . "

her father went on one side of her , while Dot remained upon the other , holding her hand .

" I know you all , " said Bertha , " better than you think .

but none so well as her .

not even you , father .

there is nothing half so real and so true about me as she is .

if I could be restored to sight this instant , and not a word were spoken , I could choose her from a crowd !

my sister ! "

" Bertha , my dear ! " said Caleb .

" I have something on my mind I want to tell you while we three are alone .

hear me kindly !

I have a confession to make to you , my darling ! "

" a confession , father ? "

" I have wandered from the truth , intending to be kind to you ; and have been cruel . "

she turned her wonder-stricken face towards him , and repeated " Cruel ! "

" he accuses himself too strongly , Bertha , " said Dot .

" you 'll say so presently .

you 'll be the first to tell him so . "

" he cruel to me ! " cried Bertha with a smile of incredulity .

" not meaning it , my child , " said Caleb .

" but I have been : though I never suspected it till yesterday .

my dear blind daughter , hear me and forgive me .

the world you live in , heart of mine , doesn't exist as I have represented it .

the eyes you have trusted in have been false to you . "

she turned her wonder-stricken face towards him still ; but drew back , and clung closer to her friend .

" your road in life was rough , my poor one , " said Caleb , " and I meant to smooth it for you .

I have altered objects , changed the characters of people , invented many things that never have been , to make you happier .

I have had concealments from you , put deceptions on you , God forgive me ! and surrounded you with fancies . "

" but living people are not fancies ? " she said hurriedly , and turning very pale , and still retiring from him .

" you can't change them . "

" I have done so , Bertha , " pleaded Caleb .

" there is one person that you know , my dove "

" oh , father ! why do you say , I know ? " she answered in a term of keen reproach .

" what and whom do I know ?

I who have no leader !

I so miserably blind ! "

" the marriage that takes place to-day , " said Caleb , " is with a stern , sordid , grinding man .

a hard master to you and me , my dear , for many years .

Ugly in his looks , and in his nature .

cold and callous always .

unlike what I have painted him to you in everything , my child .

In everything . "

O Heaven , how blind I am !

how helpless and alone ! "

her afflicted father hung his head , and offered no reply but in his penitence and sorrow .

not merrily , but in a low , faint , sorrowing way .

she heard the Cricket-voice more plainly soon , and was conscious , through her blindness , of the Presence hovering about her father .

" Mary , " said the Blind Girl , " tell me what my home is .

what it truly is . "

" it is a poor place , Bertha ; very poor and bare indeed .

the house will scarcely keep out wind and rain another winter .

the Blind Girl , greatly agitated , rose , and led the Carrier 's little wife aside .

did you send them ? "

" no . "

" who , then ? "

Dot saw she knew already , and was silent .

the Blind Girl spread her hands before her face again .

but in quite another manner now .

" dear Mary , a moment .

one moment .

more this way .

speak softly to me .

you are true I know .

you 'd not deceive me now ; would you ? "

" no , Bertha , indeed ! "

" no , I am sure you would not .

you have too much pity for me .

as if his child should comfort him , Bertha . "

" yes , yes .

she will .

go on . "

" he is an old man , worn with care and work .

he is a spare , dejected , thoughtful , grey-haired man .

I see him now , despondent and bowed down , and striving against nothing .

but , Bertha , I have seen him many times before , and striving hard in many ways , for one great sacred object .

and I honour his grey head , and bless him ! "

the Blind Girl broke away from her ; and , throwing herself upon her knees before him , took the grey head to her breast .

" it is my sight restored .

it is my sight ! " she cried .

" I have been blind , and now my eyes are open .

I never knew him !

to think I might have died , and never truly seen the father who has been so loving to me ! "

there were no words for Caleb 's emotion .

the greyer , and more worn , the dearer , father !

never let them say I am blind again .

Caleb managed to articulate , " my Bertha ! "

and having him beside me day by day , so mindful of me always , never dreamed of this ! "

" the fresh smart father in the blue coat , Bertha , " said poor Caleb .

" he 's gone ! "

" nothing is gone , " she answered .

" dearest father , no !

everything is here in you .

nothing is dead to me .

the soul of all that was most dear to me is here here , with the worn face , and the grey head .

and I am NOT blind , father , any longer ! "

" father ! " said Bertha , hesitating .

" Mary ! "

" yes , my dear , " returned Caleb .

" here she is . "

" there is no change in her .

you never told me anything of her that was not true ? "

but I must have changed her for the worse , if I had changed her at all .

nothing could improve her , Bertha . "

" more changes than you think for may happen , though , my dear , " said Dot .

" changes for the better , I mean ; changes for great joy to some of us .

you mustn't let them startle you too much , if any such should ever happen , and affect you .

are those wheels upon the road ?

you 've a quick ear , Bertha .

are they wheels ? "

" yes .

coming very fast . "

Caleb wondered what this meant ; perceiving that she spoke to him , no less than to his daughter .

" they are wheels indeed ! " she panted .

" coming nearer !

nearer !

very close !

and now you hear them stopping at the garden-gate !

and now you hear a step outside the door the same step , Bertha , is it not ? and now ! "

" is it over ? " cried Dot .

" yes ! "

" happily over ? "

" yes ! "

" do you recollect the voice , dear Caleb ?

did you ever hear the like of it before ? " cried Dot .

" if my boy in the Golden South Americas was alive ! " said Caleb , trembling .

" he is alive ! " shrieked Dot , removing her hands from his eyes , and clapping them in ecstasy .

" look at him !

see where he stands before you , healthy and strong !

your own dear son .

your own dear living , loving brother , Bertha ! "

all honour to the little creature for her transports !

all honour to her tears and laughter , when the three were locked in one another 's arms !

the Carrier , entering , started back .

and well he might , to find himself in such good company .

" look , John ! " said Caleb , exultingly , " look here !

my own boy from the Golden South Americas !

my own son !

him that you fitted out , and sent away yourself !

him that you were always such a friend to ! "

" Edward !

was it you ? "

" now tell him all ! " cried Dot .

" I was the man , " said Edward .

" and could you steal , disguised , into the house of your old friend ? " rejoined the Carrier .

you were he .

so I am certain you will hear me now . "

I will . "

she was a very young girl , who perhaps ( you may tell me ) didn't know her own mind .

but I knew mine , and I had a passion for her . "

" you had ! " exclaimed the Carrier .

" you ! "

" indeed I had , " returned the other .

" and she returned it .

I have ever since believed she did , and now I am sure she did . "

" Heaven help me ! " said the Carrier .

" this is worse than all . "

I had no mind to reproach her ; but I wished to see her , and to prove beyond dispute that this was true .

I hoped she might have been forced into it against her own desire and recollection .

it would be small comfort , but it would be some , I thought , and on I came .

and it WAS right , John !

and they were brought together , John !

and they were married , John , an hour ago !

and here 's the Bride !

and Gruff and Tackleton may die a bachelor !

and I 'm a happy little woman , May , God bless you ! "

she was an irresistible little woman , if that be anything to the purpose ; and never so completely irresistible as in her present transports .

there never were congratulations so endearing and delicious as those she lavished on herself and on the Bride .

amid the tumult of emotions in his breast , the honest Carrier had stood confounded .

flying , now , towards her , Dot stretched out her hand to stop him , and retreated as before .

" no , John , no !

hear all !

don't love me any more , John , till you 've heard every word I have to say .

it was wrong to have a secret from you , John .

I 'm very sorry .

I didn't think it any harm , till I came and sat down by you on the little stool last night .

but oh , dear John , how could you , could you think so ? "

little woman , how she sobbed again !

John Peerybingle would have caught her in his arms .

but no ; she wouldn't let him .

" don't love me yet , please , John !

not for a long time yet !

you believe that , now , don't you , John ? "

John was going to make another rush at this appeal ; but she stopped him again .

" no ; keep there , please , John !

" Hooroar ! " said Caleb with unusual vigour .

" my opinion ! "

she saw that he was coming ; and stopped him again .

but she was very nearly too late .

" no , don't love me for another minute or two , if you please , John !

what I want most to tell you , I have kept to the last .

but , dear John , every day and hour I loved you more and more .

and if I could have loved you better than I do , the noble words I heard you say this morning would have made me .

but I can't .

now , my dear husband , take me to your heart again !

that 's my home , John ; and never , never think of sending me to any other ! "

it was the most complete , unmitigated , soul-fraught little piece of earnestness that ever you beheld in all your days .

but , now , the sound of wheels was heard again outside the door ; and somebody exclaimed that Gruff and Tackleton was coming back .

speedily that worthy gentleman appeared , looking warm and flustered .

" why , what the Devil 's this , John Peerybingle ? " said Tackleton .

" there 's some mistake .

I appointed Mrs Tackleton to meet me at the church , and I 'll swear I passed her on the road , on her way here .

oh ! here she is !

" but I can't spare her , " returned Edward .

" I couldn't think of it . "

" what do you mean , you vagabond ? " said Tackleton .

the look that Tackleton bestowed upon him , and the start he gave !

" Miss Slowboy , " said Tackleton , " will you have the kindness to throw that in the fire ?

Thankee . "

" oh , certainly ! " said Tackleton .

" oh , to be sure !

oh , it 's all right , it 's quite correct !

Mrs Edward Plummer , I infer ? "

" that 's the name , " returned the bridegroom .

" ah !

I shouldn't have known you , sir , " said Tackleton , scrutinising his face narrowly , and making a low bow .

" I give you joy , sir ! "

" Thankee . "

" Mrs Peerybingle , " said Tackleton , turning suddenly to where she stood with her husband ; " I 'm sorry .

you haven't done me a very great kindness , but , upon my life , I am sorry .

you are better than I thought you .

John Peerybingle , I am sorry .

you understand me ; that 's enough .

it 's quite correct , ladies and gentlemen all , and perfectly satisfactory .

good morning ! "

Tilly never came out in such force before .

her ubiquity was the theme of general admiration .

the Baby 's head was , as it were , a test and touchstone for every description of matter , animal , vegetable , and mineral .

nothing was in use that day that didn't come , at some time or other , into close acquaintance with it .

they were so like each other .

I wouldn't have missed Dot , doing the honours in her wedding-gown , my benison on her bright face ! for any money .

no ! nor the good Carrier , so jovial and so ruddy , at the bottom of the table .

nor the brown , fresh sailor-fellow , and his handsome wife .

nor any one among them .

after dinner Caleb sang the song about the Sparkling Bowl .

as I 'm a living man , hoping to keep so for a year or two , he sang it through .

and , by-the-bye , a most unlooked-for incident occurred , just as he finished the last verse .

setting this down in the middle of the table , symmetrically in the centre of the nuts and apples , he said :

" Mr Tackleton 's compliments , and , as he hasn't got no use for the cake himself , p'raps you 'll eat it . "

and , with those words , he walked off .

there was some surprise among the company , as you may imagine .

but she was overruled by acclamation ; and the cake was cut by May with much ceremony and rejoicing .

" Mr Tackleton 's compliments , and he 's sent a few toys for the Babby .

they ain't ugly . "

after the delivery of which expressions , he retired again .

the whole party would have experienced great difficulty in finding words for their astonishment , even if they had had ample time to seek them .

" Mrs Peerybingle ! " said the toy merchant , hat in hand , " I 'm sorry .

I 'm more sorry than I was this morning .

I have had time to think of it .

John Peerybingle !

Caleb !

this unconscious little nurse gave me a broken hint last night , of which I have found the thread .

Friends , one and all , my house is very lonely to-night .

I have not so much as a Cricket on my Hearth .

I have scared them all away .

be gracious to me : let me join this happy party ! "

he was at home in five minutes .

you never saw such a fellow .

what had he been doing with himself all his life , never to have known before his great capacity of being jovial ?

or what had the Fairies been doing with him , to have effected such a change ?

" John ! you won't send me home this evening , will you ? " whispered Dot .

he had been very near it , though .

there was a dance in the evening .

it was formed in an odd way ; in this way .

so , May and Edward get up , amid great applause , to dance alone ; and Bertha plays her liveliest tune .

Tackleton no sooner sees this than he skims across to Mrs. fielding , takes her round the waist , and follows suit .

hark ! how the Cricket joins the music with its Chirp , Chirp , Chirp ; and how the kettle hums !

but what is this ?

A Cricket sings upon the Hearth ; a broken child 's toy lies upon the ground : and nothing else remains .

End of Project Gutenberg 's The Cricket on the Hearth , by Charles Dickens

transcribed from the @number@ J W Arrowsmith edition by David Price , email @email@

{ Book cover : cover.jpg }

PRINCE PRIGIO

BY ANDREW LANG AUTHOR OF " THE MARK OF CAIN , " THE GOLD OF FAIRNILEE " ETC .

twenty-seven Illustrations by Gordon Browne

@number@ BRISTOL J W ARROWSMITH , QUAY STREET LONDON SIMPKIN , MARSHALL & CO . , @number@ STATIONERS ' HALL COURT All rights reserved


PRINCE PRIGIO IS Dedicated TO ALMA THYRA EDITH ROSALIND NORNA CECILY AND VIOLET

PREFACE .

in compiling the following History from the Archives of Pantouflia , the Editor has incurred several obligations to the Learned .

for the Remora , the Editor is indebted to the Voyage a la Lune of M . CYRANO DE BERGERAC .

CHAPTER I.


how the Fairies were not Invited to Court .

once upon a time there reigned in Pantouflia a king and a queen .

with almost everything else to make them happy , they wanted one thing : they had no children .

the king was anxious to consult the fairies , but the queen would not hear of such a thing .

it was a splendid room , hung with portraits of the royal ancestors .

there was Cinderella , the grandmother of the reigning monarch , with her little foot in her glass slipper thrust out before her .

on the arm of the throne was seated his celebrated cat , wearing boots .

many other pictures of celebrated persons were hanging on the walls .

" you have asked all the right people , my dear ? " said the king .

" everyone who should be asked , " answered the queen .

" people are so touchy on these occasions , " said his majesty .

" you have not forgotten any of our aunts ? "

then he waited a little , and remarked :

" the fairies , of course , you have invited ?

" how can you be so absurd ? " cried the queen .

" how often must I tell you that there are no fairies ?

and even if there were but , no matter ; pray let us drop the subject . "

" they are very old friends of our family , my dear , that 's all , " said the king timidly .

" often and often they have been godmothers to us .

one , in particular , was most kind and most serviceable to Cinderella I. , my own grandmother . "

" your grandmother ! " interrupted her majesty .

" Fiddle-de-dee !

if anyone puts such nonsense into the head of my little Prigio "

but here the baby was brought in by the nurse , and the queen almost devoured it with kisses .

and so the fairies were not invited !

some were abroad ; several were ill ; a few were in prison among the Saracens ; others were captives in the dens of ogres .

don't you like opening parcels ?

the king did , and he was most friendly and polite to the fairies .

but the queen , though she saw them distinctly , took no notice of them .

you see , she did not believe in fairies , nor in her own eyes , when she saw them .

when dinner was over , and when the nurse had brought in the baby , all the fairies gave him the most magnificent presents .

CHAPTER II .


Prince Prigio and his Family .

well , the little prince grew up .

I think I 've told you that his name was Prigio did I not ?

well , that was his name .

you cannot think how clever he was .

he argued with his nurse as soon as he could speak , which was very soon .

he argued that he did not like to be washed , because the soap got into his eyes .

then he remembered the awful curse of the oldest fairy , and was sorry for the rudeness of the queen .


indeed , I cannot tell you how the prince was hated by all !

he would go down into the kitchen , and show the cook how to make soup .

he showed the fencing-master how to fence , and the professional cricketer how to bowl , and instructed the rat-catcher in breeding terriers .

he also endeavoured to teach the queen-dowager , his grandmother , an art with which she had long been perfectly familiar !

and , what was more , he had !

as time went on , Prince Prigio had two younger brothers , whom everybody liked .

they were not a bit clever , but jolly .

Prince Alphonso , the third son , was round , fat , good-humoured , and as brave as a lion .

Prince Enrico , the second , was tall , thin , and a little sad , but never too clever .

but Prigio nearly got the country into several wars by being too clever for the foreign ambassadors .

CHAPTER III .

about the Firedrake .

of all the people who did not like Prigio , his own dear papa , King Grognio , disliked him most .

for the king knew he was not clever , himself .

and the king was afraid that Prigio would conspire , and get made king himself which was the last thing Prigio really wanted .

he much preferred to idle about , and know everything without seeming to take any trouble .


well , the king thought and thought .

how was he to get Prigio out of the way , and make Enrico or Alphonso his successor ?

and he wished he had the chance .

well , it arrived at last .

there was a very hot summer !

it began to be hot in March .

all the rivers were dried up .

the grass did not grow .

the corn did not grow .

the thermometers exploded with heat .

the barometers stood at SET FAIR .

the people were much distressed , and came and broke the palace windows as they usually do when things go wrong in Pantouflia .

the king consulted the learned men about the Court , who told him that probably a

FIREDRAKE

was in the neighbourhood .

now , the Firedrake is a beast , or bird , about the bigness of an elephant .

its body is made of iron , and it is always red-hot .

it is a little hard on Enrico , poor boy ; but anything to get rid of that Prigio ! "

put on your armour , and be off with you ! "


but the prince , who was lying on the sofa doing sums in compound division for fun , said in the politest way :

send Alphonso " ( this was the youngest brother ) , " and he will do the trick at once .

at least , if he fails , it will be most unusual , and Enrico can try his luck . "

then he went back to his arithmetic and his slate , and the king had to send for Prince Alphonso and Prince Enrico .

they both came in very warm ; for they had been whipping tops , and the day was unusually hot .

" look here , " said the king , " just you two younger ones look at Prigio !

well , I have asked that lout of a brother of yours to kill it , and he says "

" that he does not believe in Firedrakes , " interrupted Prigio .

" the weather 's warm enough without going out hunting ! "

" not believe in Firedrakes ! " cried Alphonso .

" I wonder what you do believe in !

just let me get at the creature ! " for he was as brave as a lion .

" hi !

Page , my chain-armour , helmet , lance , and buckler !

a Molinda !

a Molinda ! " which was his war-cry .


" you had better put on flannels , Alphonso , for this kind of work , " said Prigio .

" and if I were you , I 'd take a light garden-engine , full of water , to squirt at the enemy . "

" Happy thought ! " said Alphonso .

" I will ! "

but he never came back any more !

" there is some dreadful mistake , sir , " said Prigio to the king .

" you know as well as I do that the youngest son has always succeeded , up to now .

but I entertain great hopes of Enrico ! "

and he grinned ; for he fancied it was all nonsense , and that there were no Firedrakes .

Enrico was present when Prigio was consoling the king in this unfeeling way .

" Enrico , my boy , " said his majesty , " the task awaits you , and the honour .

Enrico was not quite so confident as Alphonso had been .

he insisted on making his will ; and he wrote a poem about the pleasures and advantages of dying young .

this is part of it :

the violet is a blossom sweet , That droops before the day is done Slain by thine overpowering heat , O Sun !

this poem comforted Enrico more or less , and he showed it to Prigio .

Enrico tried to improve it , but could not .

but he never came back again !

after shedding torrents of tears , the king summoned Prince Prigio to his presence .

" Dastard ! " he said .

" Poltroon !

your turn , which should have come first , has arrived at last .

you must fetch me the horns and the tail of the Firedrake .

probably you will be grilled , thank goodness ; but who will give me back Enrico and Alphonso ? "

" indeed , your majesty , " said Prigio , " you must permit me to correct your policy .

now , there can be no further question about the matter .

I , unworthy as I am , represent the sole hope of the royal family .


ask the Lord Chief Justice , if you don't believe me . "

CHAPTER IV .

how Prince Prigio was Deserted by Everybody .

meanwhile , Prince Prigio had to suffer many unpleasant things .

though he was the crown prince ( and though his arguments were unanswerable ) , everybody shunned him for a coward .

the queen , who did not believe in Firedrakes , alone took his side .

he was not only avoided by all , but he had most disagreeable scenes with his own cousins , Lady Molinda and Lady Kathleena .

in the garden Lady Molinda met him walking alone , and did not bow to him .

" oh , excuse me , " said the prince , " I am certain he has merely gone off on his travels .


" Prince Alphonso has gone on his travels , and will come back when he is tired !

and was he then tired of me ? " cried poor Molinda , bursting into tears , and forgetting her dignity .

" oh !

as for Lady Kathleena , she swept past him like a queen , without a word .

so the prince , for all his cleverness , was not happy .

after several days had gone by , the king returned from the solitary place where he had been speaking his mind .

he now felt calmer and better ; and so at last he came back to the palace .

for he was quite unendurable , the king said , and he could not trust his own temper when he thought of him .

and he grew so fierce , that even the queen was afraid of him now .

the poor queen cried a good deal ; Prigio being her favourite son , on account of his acknowledged ability and talent .

but the rest of the courtiers were delighted at leaving Prince Prigio behind .

the ungrateful courtiers left Prigio with hoots and yells , for they disliked him so much that they forgot he would be king one day .

when he wakened , the air was cold and the day was beginning to grow dark .

Prince Prigio thought he would go down and dine at a tavern in the town , for no servants had been left with him .

his wardrobe had been ransacked , and everything that had not been carried off had been cut up , burned , and destroyed .

never was such a spectacle of wicked mischief .

it was as if hay had been made of everything he possessed .

can you imagine anything more cruel and unjust than this conduct ? for it was not the prince 's fault that he was so clever .

the cruel fairy had made him so .

if you are clever , you will find it best not to let people know it if you want them to like you .

well , here was the prince in a pretty plight .

CHAPTER V.

what Prince Prigio found in the Garret .

but in the dusk the prince saw a heap of all sorts of things lying on the floor and on the table .

there were two caps ; he put one on an old , grey , ugly cap it was , made of felt .

there was a pair of boots ; and he kicked off his slippers , and got into them .

they were a good deal worn , but fitted as if they had been made for him .

then he ran downstairs , and walked out of the hall door .

CHAPTER VI .

what Happened to Prince Prigio in Town .

by this time the prince was very hungry .

but , then , the town was twenty-one leagues away sixty-three long miles !

but this , of course , the prince did not know .

now you should be told that seven-league boots only take those prodigious steps when you say you want to go a long distance .

otherwise they would be very inconvenient when you only want to cross the room , for example .

perhaps this has not been explained to you by your governess ?

well , the prince walked into " the Bear , " and it seemed odd to him that nobody took any notice of him .

he was so puzzled by not being attended to as usual , that he quite forgot to take off his cap .

at first he thought they were too busy , but presently another explanation occurred to him .


well , I don't mean to starve in the midst of plenty , anyhow ; here goes ! "

the prince rose , and went to the table in the midst of the room , where a huge roast turkey had just been placed .

he then went back to a table in a corner , where he dined very well , nobody taking any notice of him .

when he had finished , he sat watching the other people dining , and smoking his cigarette .

with these words , the officer sat down suddenly in the prince 's lap , as if he did not see him at all .

he was a heavy man , and the prince , enraged at the insult , pushed him away and jumped to his feet .

as he did so , his cap dropped off .

the officer fell on his knees at once , crying :

" pardon , my prince , pardon !

I never saw you ! "

this was more than the prince could be expected to believe .

" nonsense !

count Frederick von Matterhorn , " he said ; " you must be intoxicated .

sir ! you have insulted your prince and your superior officer .

consider yourself under arrest !

you shall be sent to a prison to-morrow . "

on this , the poor officer appealed piteously to everybody in the tavern .

" it is a disgraceful conspiracy , " he said .

" the king shall answer for this !

I shall write to the newspapers at once ! "

he was not put in a better temper by the way in which people hustled him in the street .

in one of these encounters , the prince pushed so hard against a poor old beggar woman that she fell down .

overcome with surprise , he thrust the money into the woman 's hand , and put on his cap again .


things are not as they appear . "

a great ball was going on ; but , as usual , nobody took any notice of the prince .

he walked among the guests , being careful not to jostle them , and listening to their conversation .

it was all about himself !

everyone had heard of his disgrace , and almost everyone cried " serve him right ! "

yes , one had !

it was the pretty lady of the carriage .

I never could tell you how pretty she was .

the prince first thought how nice and good she looked , even before he thought how pretty she looked .

she stood up for Prince Prigio when her partner would speak ill of him .

" and , then , think how hard they made him work at school !

and now he is Minister for Education , though he can't do a line of Greek prose ! "

the prince blushed at this , for he knew his conduct had not been honourable .

you see he was so clever !

something seemed to give a whirr ! in his brain , and in one instant he knew all about it !

he had read about those things in historical books : but now he believed in them .

CHAPTER VII .

the Prince Falls in Love .

he understood all this , and burst out laughing , which nearly frightened an old lady near him out of her wits .

ah ! how he wished he was only in evening dress , that he might dance with the charming young lady .

but there he was , dressed just as if he were going out to hunt , if anyone could have seen him .

so , even if he took off his cap of darkness , and became visible , he was no figure for a ball .

once he would not have cared , but now he cared very much indeed .

but the prince was not clever for nothing .

he struck a light with a flint and steel , lit a torch , and ran upstairs to the garret .

was there yes , there was another cap !

there it lay , a handsome green one with a red feather .

the prince pulled off the cap of darkness , put on the other , and said :

" I wish I were dressed in my best suit of white and gold , with the royal Pantouflia diamonds ! "

he threw down the wishing cap , put on the other the cap of darkness and made three strides in the direction of Gluckstein .

but he was only three steps nearer it than he had been , and the seven-league boots were standing beside him on the floor !

that 's mathematics ! "

he then hunted about in the lumber-room again till he found a small , shabby , old Persian carpet , the size of a hearthrug .

he went to his own room , took a portmanteau in his hand , sat down on the carpet , and said :

" I wish I were in Gluckstein . "


everybody made place for him , bowing down to the ground , and the loyal band struck up The Prince 's March !

Heaven bless our Prince Prigio !

what is there he doesn't know ?

Greek , Swiss , German ( High and Low ) , And the names of the mountains in Mexico , Heaven bless the prince !

he used to be very fond of this march , and the words some people even said he had made them himself .

but now , somehow , he didn't much like it .

she was the daughter of the new English Ambassador , and her name was Lady Rosalind .

however , it was impossible to refuse , and so she danced with the prince , and he danced very well .

and the prince said :

for , even a clever person can be nice when he likes above all , when he is not thinking about himself .

and now the prince was thinking of nothing in the world but the daughter of the English ambassador , and how to please her .

in Pantouflia , it is the custom that a ball must not end while one of the royal family goes on dancing .


CHAPTER VIII .

the Prince is Puzzled .

Prince Prigio did not go to bed .

it was bright daylight , and he had promised to bring the horns and tail of a Firedrake as a present to a pretty lady .

" first , " he said , " where is the Firedrake ? "

he reflected for a little , and then ran upstairs to the garret .

indeed , he had found the spyglass of carved ivory which Prince Ali , in the Arabian Nights , bought in the bazaar in Schiraz .

Prigio 's first idea was to look at his lady .

" but she does not expect to be looked at , " he thought ; " and I won't ! "

the prince clapped the glass to his eye , stared out of window , and there , sure enough , he saw the Firedrake .

he was floating about in a sea of molten lava , on the top of a volcano .

the prince did not like the looks of him .


poor little Alphonso ! poor Enrico ! what plucky fellows they were !

how horrid being too clever makes one !

and now , what am I to do ? "


what was he to do , indeed ?

and what would you have done ?

bring the horns and tail he must , or perish in the adventure .

otherwise , how could he meet his lady ? why , she would think him a mere braggart !

the prince sat down , and thought and thought ; and the day went on , and it was now high noon .

at last he jumped up and rushed into the library , a room where nobody ever went except himself and the queen .

in that book , Prince Prigio fancied he would find something he half remembered , and that would be of use to him .

and he did !

so you see that cleverness , and minding your book , have some advantages , after all .

then he seized the ivory glass , clapped it to his eye , and looked for the Remora .

never you fight , if you can help it , except with plenty of food to keep you going and in good heart .

then off he flew , and soon he reached the volcano of the Firedrake .

CHAPTER IX .


the Prince and the Firedrake .

it was dreadfully hot , even high up in the air , where the prince hung invisible .

Great burning stones were tossed up by the volcano , and nearly hit him several times .

the garden-engine of poor little Alphonso was lying in the valley , all broken and useless .

" hi ! " shouted the prince .

" who 's there ? " he said in a hoarse , angry voice .

" just let me get at you ! "

" it 's me , " answered the prince .

it was the first time he had forgotten his grammar , but he was terribly excited .

" what do you want ? " grunted the beast .

" hi ! "

" well , " grunted the Firedrake , " what 's the matter ?

why can't you give a civil answer to a civil question ? "

" will you go back to your hole and swear , on your honour as a Firedrake , to listen quietly ? "

" on my sacred word of honour , " said the beast , casually scorching an eagle that flew by into ashes .

the cinders fell , jingling and crackling , round the prince in a little shower .

then the Firedrake dived back , with an awful splash of flame , and the mountain roared round him .

the prince now flew high above him , and cried :

" A message from the Remora .

he says you are afraid to fight him . "

" don't know him , " grunted the Firedrake .

then he dropped his own glove into the fiery lake .

" does he ? " yelled the Firedrake .

" just let me get at him ! " and he scrambled out , all red-hot as he was .

CHAPTER X.

the Prince and the Remora .

if he had been too warm before , the prince was too cold now .

the prince felt his blood stand still , and he grew faint ; but he took heart , for there was no time to waste .

yet he could nowhere see the Remora .

" hi ! " shouted the prince .

then there came a whisper , like the breath of the bitter east wind on a winter day :

" where are you , and how can I come to you ? "

" here I am ! " said the prince from the top of the hill .

and still the thing slipped up , from the chink under the mountain .

" hi ! " he shouted , as soon as his tongue could move within his chattering teeth .

there came a clear , hissing answer , like frozen words dropping round him :

" wait till I come down .

what do you want ? "

then the white folds began to slide , like melting ice , from the black hill .

Prince Prigio felt the air getting warmer behind him , and colder in front of him .

CHAPTER XI .

the Battle .

it was an awul sight to behold !

the green trees dropped their leaves as he advanced ; the birds fell down dead from the sky , slain by his frosty breath !

but , fast as the Remora stole forward , the Firedrake came quicker yet , flying and clashing his fiery wings .

meanwhile , the prince , safe on his hill , was lunching on the loaf and the cold tongue he had brought with him .

" go it , Remora !

go it , Firedrake ! you 're gaining .

give it him , Remora ! " he shouted in the wildest excitement .

nobody had ever seen such a battle ; he had it all to himself , and he never enjoyed anything more .

" go it , Remora ! " cried the prince : " his legs are giving way ; he 's groggy on his pins !

one more effort , and he won't be able to move ! "

then the Firedrake stood groaning like a black bull , knee-deep in snow ; and still the Remora climbed and climbed .

the wounded Remora curled back his head again on himself , and again crawled , steaming terribly , towards his enemy .

but the struggle was too much for the gallant Remora .

with one final roar , like the breath of a thousand furnaces , the Firedrake expired .

drawing the sword of sharpness , he hacked off , at two blows , the iron head and the tail of the Firedrake .


but the castle clock struck half-past seven ; dinner was at eight , and the poor prince crawled on hands and knees to the garret .

punctuality is the politeness of princes ! and a prince is polite , when he is in love !

she seemed prettier and kinder than ever .

the prince was so happy , that he never noticed how something went wrong about the dinner .

but the prince was so busy in talking to his lady , and in eating his dinner too , that he never observed anything unusual .

he had never been at such a pleasant dinner !

CHAPTER XII .

a Terrible Misfortune .

when the ladies left , and the prince and the other gentlemen were alone , the ambassador appeared more gloomy than ever .

at last he took the prince into a corner , on pretence of showing him a rare statue .

" does your royal highness not know , " he asked , " that you are in considerable danger ? "

" still ? " said the prince , thinking of the Firedrake .

the ambassador did not know what he meant , for he had never heard of the fight , but he answered gravely :

" never more than now . "

then he showed the prince two proclamations , which had been posted all about the town .


here is the first :

TO ALL LOYAL SUBJECTS .

whereas ,

our eldest son , Prince Prigio , hath of late been guilty of several high crimes and misdemeanours .

secondly : by attending an unseemly revel in the town of Gluckstein , where he brawled in the streets .

this is to give warning ,

that whoever consorts with , comforts , aids , or abets the said Prince Prigio , is thereby a partner in his treason ; and

that a reward of FIVE THOUSAND PURSES will be given to whomsoever brings the said prince , alive , to our Castle of Falkenstein .

GROGNIO R.

and here is the second proclamation :

REWARD .

THE FIREDRAKE .

whereas ,

our dominions have lately been devastated by a Firedrake ( the Salamander Furiosus of Buffon ) ;

this is to advise all ,

GROGNIO R.

" we don't want to fight ; and no more , I think , do you , " said the prince , smiling .

" then how does your royal highness mean to treat the proclamations ? "

" why , by winning these ten thousand purses .

I can tell you @number@ pounds is worth having , " said the prince .

" I 'll deliver up the said prince , alive , at Falkenstein this very night ; also the horns and tail of the said Firedrake .

but I don't want to marry my Cousin Molly . "

" may I remind your royal highness that Falkenstein is three hundred miles away ?

the ambassador was so astonished that he ran straight upstairs , forgetting his manners , and crying :

" Linda !

Linda ! come down at once ; here 's a surprise for you ! "

Lady Rosalind came sweeping down , with a smile on her kind face .

she guessed what it was , though the prince had said nothing about it at dinner .

he turned quite pale , and said :

" will you kindly ask the servants where the little Persian prayer-rug and the parcel which I brought with me have been placed ? "

Lord Kelso rang the bell , and in came all the servants , with William , the under-butler , at their head .

" William , " said his lordship , " where have you put his royal highness 's parcel and his carpet ? "

" please , your lordship , " said William , " we think Benson have took them away with him . "

" and where is Benson ? "

" we don't know , your lordship .

we think he have been come for ! "

" come for by whom ? "

William stammered , and seemed at a loss for a reply .

" Quick ! answer ! what do you know about it ? "

William said at last , rather as if he were making a speech .

" your royaliness , and my lords and ladies , it was like this .

his royaliness comed in with a rug over his arm , and summat under it .

and he lays it down on that there seat , and Thomas shows him into the droring- room .

then Benson says : ' Dinner 'll be ready in five minutes ; how tired I do feel ! '

I 'm about tired , and I thinks of bettering myself .

I wish I was at the king 's court , and butler . '

I run to the door , and there he was , flying right hover the town , in a northerly direction .

and that 's all I know ; for I would not tell a lie , not if it was never so .

and me , and Thomas as didn't see it , and cook , we thinks as how Benson was come for .

and cook says as she don't wonder at it , neither ; for a grumblinger , more ill-conditioneder "


" thank you , William , " said Lord Kelso ; " that will do ; you can go , for the present . "

CHAPTER XIII .

surprises .

the prince said nothing , the ambassador said nothing , Lady Rosalind said never a word till they were in the drawing-room .

below them flowed the clear , green water of the Gluckthal .

and still nobody said a word .

at last the prince spoke :

" this is a very strange story , Lord Kelso ! "

" very , sir ! " said the ambassador .

" I can hardly believe , sir , that the conduct of Benson , whom I always found a most respectable man , deserved "

" that he should be ' come for , ' " said the prince .

" oh , sir , you honour us too highly , " murmured Lady Rosalind ; and the prince blushed and said :

" not at all !

impossible ! "

" what on earth am I to do with the young man ? " he thought .

it is dreadful ! "


CHAPTER XIV .

the King Explains .

the first who recovered his voice and presence of mind was Benson .

when he had gone , the prince threw himself at the king 's feet , crying :

" pardon , pardon , my liege ! "

" I shall waken presently ; this is nothing out of the way for a dream .

Dr Rumpfino ascribes it to imperfect nutrition . "

all this time , the Lady Rosalind , as pale as a marble statue , was leaning against the side of the open window .

meanwhile , the ambassador had induced the king to take a seat ; but there was no use in talking to the queen .

" it would be a miracle , " she said to herself , " and miracles do not happen ; therefore this has not happened .

presently , I shall wake up in my own bed at Falkenstein . "

now , Benson , William , and Thomas brought in the coffee , but the queen took no notice .


" you want to know all about it , I suppose ? " said his majesty , in a sulky voice .

" well , you have a right to it , and I shall tell you .

the tail is like the iron handle of a pump , but the horns are genuine .

the ambassador bowed .

" well , we asked him where he killed the Firedrake , and he said in a garden near Gluckstein .

rather a neat thing ; drew it up myself , " added his majesty .

" very much to the point , " said the ambassador , wondering what the king was coming to .

" Glad you like it , " said the king , much pleased .

" well , where was I ?

oh , yes ; your man said he had killed the creature in a garden , quite near Gluckstein .

her heart is buried , if I may say so , with poor Alphonso .

but the queen is a very remarkable woman very remarkable "

" very ! " said the Ambassador , with perfect truth .

this had not occurred to me , I am a plain king , but I at once saw the force of her majesty 's argument .

' Yes , ' said I ; ' how did you manage it ? '

but he your man , I mean was not a bit put out .

on this her majesty grew more indignant , if possible .

these were her very words . "

" her majesty 's expressions are ever choice and appropriate , " said the Ambassador .

when the experiment has failed , thy head shall from thy shoulders be shorn ! '

so your man merely said , ' Very well , mum , your majesty , I mean , ' and sat down .

then we rose , flew through the air at an astonishing pace , and here we are !

the queen accompanied him , remarking that she was sound asleep , but would waken presently .

neither of them said " good-night " to the prince .

indeed , they did not see him again , for he was on the balcony with Lady Rosalind .

after this she went to bed ; and the prince , who had not slept at all the night before , felt very sleepy also .

but he knew that first he had something that must be done .

so he went into the drawing-room , took his carpet , and wished to be now , where do you suppose ?

beside the dead body of the Firedrake !

there he was in a moment ; and dreadful the body looked , lying stark and cold in the white moonshine .

CHAPTER XV .

the King 's Cheque .

when they all wakened next morning , their first ideas were confused .

however , she was a determined woman , and stood to it that nothing unusual was occurring .

as for the king , he was only anxious to get back to Falkenstein , and have the whole business settled in a constitutional manner .

Benson 's evidence was taken first .

he declined to say exactly where or how he killed the Firedrake .

yet one or the other choice seemed certain .

unhappy lady !

perhaps no girl was ever more strangely beset by misfortune !

Prince Prigio was now called on to speak .

he admitted that the reward was offered for bringing the horns and tail , not for killing the monster .

but were the king 's intentions to go for nothing ?

any fellow with a waggon could bring the horns and tail ; the difficult thing was to kill the monster .

if Benson 's claim was allowed , the royal prerogative of saying one thing and meaning something else was in danger .

he was ready to do this himself .

was Mr Benson equally ready ?

on this being interpreted to him for he did not speak Pantouflian Benson grew pale with horror , but fell back on the proclamation .

he had brought the horns and tail , and so he must have the perquisites , and the Lady Molinda !

the king 's mind was so much confused by this time , that he determined to leave it to the Lady Molinda herself .

" which of them will you have , my dear ? " he asked , in a kind voice .

but poor Molinda merely cried .

then his majesty was almost driven to say that he would give the reward to whoever produced the hoofs by that day week .

but no sooner had he said this than the prince brought them out of his wallet , and displayed them in open Court .

and I regret to say that his temper was not at all improved by his failure to better himself .

but if Benson was irritated , and suffered from the remarks of his fellow- servants , I do not think we can envy Prince Prigio .

here he was , restored to his position indeed , but by no means to the royal favour .

for the king disliked him as much as ever , and was as angry as ever about the deaths of Enrico and Alphonso .

Nay , he was even more angry ; and , perhaps , not without reason .

he called up Prigio before the whole Court , and thereon the courtiers cheered like anything , but the king cried :

" silence !

McDougal , drag the first man that shouts to the serpent-house in the zoological gardens , and lock him up with the rattlesnakes ! "

after that the courtiers were very quiet .

but your base and malevolent nature is even more conspicuously manifest in your selfish success than in your previous dastardly contempt of duty .

eh ! what do you say , you sneak ?

' You didn't believe there were any Firedrakes ? '

that just comes of your eternal conceit and arrogance !

' You have not generally found it so ? '

when his majesty had recovered , he said to Prigio ( who had not been crying , he was too much absorbed ) :

" a king 's word is his bond .

bring me a pen , somebody , and my cheque-book . "

the royal cheque-book , bound in red morocco , was brought in by eight pages , with ink and a pen .


" hi ! here ! come back !

I forgot something ; you 've got to marry Molinda ! "

CHAPTER XVI .

a Melancholy Chapter .

the prince had gone some way , when the king called after him .

how he wished he had the seven-league boots on , or that he had the cap of darkness in his pocket !

if he had been so lucky , he would now have got back to Gluckstein , and crossed the border with Lady Rosalind .

" Prigio ! " said his majesty , " where were you off to ?

don't you remember that this is your wedding-day ?

I congratulate you , sir ; Molinda is a dear girl . "

" I have the highest affection and esteem for my cousin , sir , " said the prince , " but "

" never !

I despise him ! "


" never better , sire , " said the man , bowing with more courtliness than his profession indicated .

" very well , " said the king ; " Prince Prigio , you have your choice .

there is the gallows , here is Lady Molinda .

my duty is painful , but clear .

a king 's word cannot be broken .

Molly , or the gibbet ! "

the prince bowed respectfully to Lady Molinda :

I am compelled , most unwillingly , to slight your charms , and to select the Extreme Rigour of the Law .

executioner , lead on !

do your duty ; for me , Prigio est pret ; " for this was his motto , and meant that he was ready .

Poor Lady Molinda could not but be hurt by the prince 's preference for death over marriage to her , little as she liked him .


for Alphonso was gone crying would not bring him back .

" ah , Madam ! " said the prince , " you are forgiving "

" for you are brave ! " said Molinda , feeling quite a respect for him .

" but neither your heart nor mine is ours to give .

since mine was another 's , I understand too well the feeling of yours !

do not let us buy life at the price of happiness and honour . "

then , turning to the king , the prince said :

" sir , is there no way but by death or marriage ?

cannot the whole proclamation be annulled , and will you consider the bargain void if I tear up this flimsy scroll ? "

and here the prince fluttered the cheque for @number@ pounds in the air .

for a moment the king was tempted ; but then he said to himself :

" never mind , it 's only an extra penny on the income-tax . "

then , " keep your dross , " he shouted , meaning the million ; " but let me keep my promise .

to chapel at once , or " and he pointed to the executioner .

" the word of a king of Pantouflia is sacred . "

" and so is that of a crown prince , " answered Prigio ; " and mine is pledged to a lady . "

the prince thought for the space of a flash of lightning .

" I accept the alternative , " he said , " if your majesty will grant me my conditions . "

" name them ! " said the king .

Prigio of Pantouflia will perish by his own hand . "

the king , whose mind did not work very quickly , took some minutes to think over it .

" honour bright ? " said the king at last .

Poor Molinda merely stared ; for she could not imagine what he meant .

CHAPTER XVII .

the Black Cat and the Brethren !

who was glad to see the prince , if it was not Lady Rosalind ?

for either he would have brought his brothers back , sound and well , to Falkenstein , or he would not survive his dishonour .

and I should have fallen , dear Rosalind , if I had faced the Firedrake before I knew you . "

and the Firedrake would have made a mouthful of him , then .

but the prince said he had his plan , and he stayed that night at the ambassador 's .

at last , stretched at full length in a sunny place , the prince found a very old , half-blind , miserable cat .

" Well , " said the prince at last , " he could not live long anyway , and it must be done .

he will feel nothing . "

then he drew the sword of sharpness , and with one turn of his wrist cut the cat 's head clean off .


the dead cat lay there , like any common cat .

very soon there was nothing of old black Frank left but ashes !

then the prince ran upstairs to the fairy cupboard , his heart beating loudly with excitement .

the sun was shining through the arrow-shot window , all the yellow motes were dancing in its rays .

the light fell on the strange heaps of fairy things talismans and spells .

this was what was written on the plates :

AQVA .

DE .

FONTE .


" thank heaven ! " said the prince .

" I thought they were sure to have brought it ! "

he opened the bottle , and poured a few drops of the water on the ashes and the dying embers .


I'll ! "

do you know what he meant to do , if he could not find his brothers ?

let every child guess !

off he flew ; and there he was in a second , just beside poor Alphono 's garden-engine .

" hullo , Prigio ! " cried he ; " are you come after the monster too ?

I 've been asleep , and I had a kind of dream that he beat me .

but the pair of us will tackle him .

how is Molinda ? "

" prettier than ever , " said Prigio ; " but anxious about you .

however , the Firedrake 's dead and done for ; so never mind him .

but I left Enrico somewhere about .

Just you sit down and wait a minute , till I fetch him . "

" all right , old fellow , " says Alphonso ; " but have you any luncheon with you ?

never was so hungry in my life ! "

in a hollow of the hill , sure enough there was the sword of Enrico , the diamonds of the hilt gleaming in the sun .

and there was a little heap of grey ashes .

there they were in a moment , among the old knights whom , if you remember , the Remora had frozen into stone .

" long live Prince Prigio ! "

so he marshalled them in order , and sent them off to ride to Falkenstein and cry :

" Prince Prigio is coming ! "

off they went , the horses ' hoofs clattering , banners flying , sunshine glittering on the spear-points .


CHAPTER XVIII .

the Very Last .

the princes returned to Gluckstein on the carpet , and went to the best inn , where they dined together and slept .

kings are like that .

this threat properly frightened King Grognio , and he apologised .

then the king shook hands with Prigio in public , and thanked him , and said he was proud of him .

now , just as they were forming a procession to march into church , who should appear but the queen !

I say luckily because if she had heard of them , she would not have believed a word of them .

but when she saw Alphonso and Enrico , she was much pleased , and said :


" naughty boys !

where have you been hiding ?

the king had some absurd story about your having been killed by a fabulous monster .

Bah ! don't tell me .

I always said you would come back after a little trip didn't I , Prigio ? "

" certainly , madam , " said Prigio ; " and I said so , too .

didn't I say so ? "

and they do !

the honeymoon of Prince Prigio and the Crown Princess Rosalind was passed at the castle , where the prince had been deserted by the Court .

but the prince did not like the tone of her voice , and he said :

" no , there 's something ; do tell me what it is . "

no , not quite so very much , but I want them to like you .

now they can't , because they are afraid of you ; for you are so awfully clever .

now , couldn't you take the wishing cap , and wish to be no cleverer than other people ?

then everybody would like you ! "

the prince thought a minute , then he said :

" your will is law , my dear ; anything to please you .

just wait a minute ! "

then he ran upstairs , for the last time , to the fairy garret , and he put on the wishing cap .

" no , " thought he to himself , " I won't wish that .

every man has one secret from his wife , and this shall be mine . "

then he said aloud : " I WISH TO SEEM NO CLEVERER THAN OTHER PEOPLE . "

but occasionally Rosalind would say , " I do believe , my dear , that you are really as clever as ever ! "

and he was !


PRINTING OFFICE OF THE PUBLISHER .

Footnotes


he was a great grammarian !


London , @number@


E-text prepared by Al Haines

note : Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations .


MOTHER WEST WIND'S CHILDREN

by

THORNTON W BURGESS

Author of " old Mother West Wind "

illustrated by George Kerr

Frontispiece : " Yap-yap-yap , " barked Reddy Fox , as loud as he could .

Grosset & Dunlap Publishers New York By arrangement with Little , Brown and Company

copyright , @number@ by Thornton W Burgess .

all rights reserved

TO

ALL THE LITTLE FRIENDS

OF

JOHNNY CHUCK AND REDDY FOX ,

AND TO

ALL WHO LOVE THE GREEN MEADOWS

AND THE SMILING POOL ,

THE LAUGHING BROOK AND THE MERRY LITTLE BREEZES ,

THIS LITTLE BOOK IS DEDICATED .

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I DANNY MEADOW MOUSE LEARNS WHY HIS TAIL IS SHORT II .

WHY REDDY FOX HAS NO FRIENDS III .

WHY PETER RABBIT'S EARS ARE LONG IV .

REDDY FOX DISOBEYS V . STRIPED CHIPMUNK'S POCKETS VI .

REDDY FOX , THE BOASTER VII .

JOHNNY CHUCK'S SECRET VIII .

JOHNNY CHUCK'S GREAT FIGHT IX .

MR . TOAD'S OLD SUIT X GRANDFATHER FROG GETS EVEN XI .

THE DISAPPOINTED BUSH XII .

WHY BOBBY COON WASHES HIS FOOD XIII .

THE MERRY LITTLE BREEZES HAVE A BUSY DAY XIV .

WHY HOOTY THE OWL DOES NOT PLAY ON THE GREEN MEADOWS XV .

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE LEARNS TO LAUGH

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

" YAP-YAP-YAP , " BARKED REDDY FOX , AS LOUD AS HE COULD . . . . . . . . . . . .

frontispiece

MR . RABBIT HAD A GREAT DEAL OF CURIOSITY , A VERY GREAT DEAL , INDEED

THEN EVERYBODY SHOUTED " HAW !

HAW !

HAW ! "

HE WAS SO SURPRISED HE FORGOT TO CLOSE IT

MOTHER WEST WIND'S CHILDREN

I

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE LEARNS WHY HIS TAIL IS SHORT

Danny Meadow Mouse sat in his doorway and looked down the Lone Little Path across the Green Meadows .

way , way over near the Smiling Pool he could see Old Mother West Wind 's Children , the Merry Little Breezes , at play .

Sammy Jay was sitting on a fence post .

he pretended to be taking a sun bath , but really he was planning mischief .

you never see Sammy Jay that he isn't in mischief or planning it .

Reddy Fox had trotted past an hour before in a great hurry .

jolly , round , red Mr Sun was playing at hide and seek behind some fleecy white clouds .

all the birds were singing and singing , and the world was happy all but Danny Meadow Mouse .

no , Danny Meadow Mouse was not happy .

indeed , he was very far from happy , and all because his tail was short .

by and by up came old Mr Toad .

it was a warm day and Mr Toad was very hot and very , very thirsty .

he stopped to rest beside the house of Danny Meadow Mouse .

" good morning , Danny Meadow Mouse , " said old Mr Toad , " it 's a fine morning . "

" morning , " said Danny Meadow Mouse , grumpily .

now old Mr Toad is very ugly to look upon , but the ugliness is all in his looks .

he has the sunniest of hearts and always he is looking for a chance to help someone .

" Danny Meadow Mouse , " said old Mr Toad , " you make me think of your grandfather a thousand times removed .

you do indeed .

Danny Meadow Mouse sat up suddenly .

" what are you talking about , old Mr. toad ?

what are you talking about ? " he asked .

" did my grandfather a thousand times removed lose the half of his tail , and was it shorter then than mine is now ?

was it , old Mr . toad ?

and how did he come to lose the half of it ? "

old Mr Toad laughed a funny silent laugh .

" it 's a long story , " said old Mr Toad , " and I 'm afraid I can't tell it .

but before you go catch three fat , foolish , green flies and take them with you as a present to Grandfather Frog . "

Danny Meadow Mouse could hardly wait for old Mr Toad to stop speaking .

in fact , he was in such a hurry that he almost forgot his manners .

you see his short tail had always been a matter of mortification to Danny Meadow Mouse .

he had felt his queer short tail to be a sort of disgrace .

it looked so mean and small !

he had wondered and wondered if the Meadow Mice had always had short tails .

so he hurried this way and he hurried that way over the Green Meadows in search of fat , foolish , green flies .

and when he had caught three , he caught one more for good measure .

then he started for the Smiling Pool as fast as his short legs would take him .

when finally he reached the edge of the Smiling Pool he was quite out of breath .

there sat Great-Grandfather Frog on his big , green lily pad .

he was blinking his great goggle eyes at jolly , round , red Mr Sun .

grandfather Frog put a hand behind an ear and listened .

" did I hear someone say ' foolish , green flies ? ' " asked Grandfather Frog .

" yes , Grandfather Frog , here they are , " said Danny Meadow Mouse , still in a very small voice .

then he gave Grandfather Frog the four fat , foolish , green flies .

Will you , Grandfather Frog will you ? "

" Chug-a-rum , " said Grandfather Frog .

" my cousin , Mr Toad , talks too much . "

but he settled himself comfortably on the big lily pad , and this is what he told Danny Meadow Mouse :

Mr Rabbit complained first .

and that is just what he said had happened .

then Striped Chipmunk lost the greater part of his winter store of corn .

a fat trout was stolen from Billy Mink .

" it was a terrible time , for every one suspected every one else , and no one on the Green Meadows was happy .

" one evening Mr Meadow Mouse went for a stroll along the Crooked Little Path up the hill .

it was dark , very dark indeed .

now Mr Wharf Rat was very big and strong and Mr Meadow Mouse had for a long time looked up to and admired him .

" ' Good evening , Cousin Meadow Mouse , ' said Mr Wharf Rat , swinging a bag down from his shoulder .

' Will you do a favor for me ? '

" now Mr Meadow Mouse felt very much flattered , and as he was a very obliging fellow anyway , he promptly said he would .

" ' All right , ' said Mr Wharf Rat .

' I 'm going to get you to tote this bag down the Crooked Little Path to the hollow chestnut tree .

I 've got an errand back on top of the hill . '

" so Mr Meadow Mouse picked up the bag , which was very heavy , and swung it over his shoulder .

then he started down the Crooked Little Path .

half way down he met Striped Chipmunk .

" ' Good evening , Mr Meadow Mouse , ' said Striped Chipmunk .

' What are you toting in the bag across your shoulder ? '

" now no one had ever suspected Mr Meadow Mouse of stealing no indeed !

Striped Chipmunk picked it up and it wasn't a potato .

it was a fat acorn .

Striped Chipmunk said nothing but slipped it into his pocket .

" ' Good night , ' said Mr Meadow Mouse , once more shouldering the bag .

" ' Good night , ' said Striped Chipmunk .

" no sooner had Mr Meadow Mouse disappeared in the darkness down the Crooked Little Path than Striped Chipmunk hurried to his granary .

some one had been there and stolen all his acorns !

' And this , ' said Striped Chipmunk , holding out the fat acorn , ' is what fell out of the bag . '

Mr Rabbit looked very grave , very grave indeed .

so Hooty the Owl flew away to tell all the little meadow people who were awake to meet at the hollow chestnut tree .

" very softly Striped Chipmunk stole up and opened the bag .

out fell his store of fat acorns .

then they waked Mr Meadow Mouse and marched him off to old Mother Nature , where they charged him with being a thief .

" old Mother Nature listened to all they had to say .

she saw the bag of acorns and she heard how Mr Meadow Mouse had said that he had a planting of potatoes .

then she asked him if he had stolen the acorns .

yes , Sir , she asked him right out if he had stolen the acorns .

" of course Mr Meadow Mouse said that he had not stolen the acorns .

" ' Then where did you get the bag of acorns ? ' asked old Mother Nature .

but old Mother Nature saw him .

you can't fool old Mother Nature .

no , Sir , you can't fool old Mother Nature , and it 's of no use to try .

" Mr Meadow Mouse didn't know what to say .

he couldn't tell the world that Mr Wharf Rat was a thief .

so Mr Meadow Mouse said nothing .

I know that you did not even guess that there were stolen acorns in that bag .

everyone else thinks that you are the thief who caused so much trouble on the Green Meadows and in the Green Forest .

" ' I see him ! ' cried Hooty the Owl .

' It 's Mr Wharf Rat ! '

" ' Yes , ' said old Mother Nature , ' it 's Mr Wharf Rat he is the thief .

and this shall be his punishment : always hereafter he will be driven out wherever he is found .

he shall no longer live in the Green Meadows or the Green Forest .

everyone will turn their backs upon him .

he will live on what others throw away .

he will live in filth and there will be no one to say a good word for him .

he will become an outcast instead of a fine gentleman . '

" of course he felt terribly .

" thank you , Grandfather Frog , " said Danny Meadow Mouse , very soberly .

" now I understand why my tail is short and I shall not forget . "

II

WHY REDDY FOX HAS NO FRIENDS

the Green Meadows lay peaceful and still .

mother Moon , sailing high overhead , looked down upon them and smiled and smiled , flooding them with her silvery light .

all day long the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind had romped there among the asters and goldenrod .

they had played tag through the cat rushes around the Smiling Pool .

but Reddy Fox was there .

Jimmy Skunk was there .

if there is any mischief Reddy Fox does not think of Jimmy Skunk will be sure to discover it .

Billy Mink was there .

yes indeed , Billy Mink was there !

Billy Mink is another mischief maker .

when Reddy Fox and Jimmy Skunk are playing pranks or in trouble of any kind you are certain to find Billy Mink close by .

that is , you are certain to find him if you look sharp enough .

with Billy Mink came his cousin , Shadow the Weasel , who is sly and cruel .

no one likes Shadow the Weasel .

Little Joe Otter and Jerry Muskrat came .

of course Peter Rabbit was there .

without him no party on the Green Meadows would be complete , and Peter likes to be abroad at night even better than by day .

with Peter came his cousin , Jumper the Hare , who had come down from the Pine Forest for a visit .

Boomer the Nighthawk and Hooty the Owl completed the party , though Hooty had not been invited and no one knew that he was there .

each was to contribute something to the feast the thing that he liked best .

such an array as Mother Moon looked down upon !

Reddy Fox had brought a plump , tender chicken , stolen from Farmer Brown 's dooryard .

very quietly , like a thin , brown shadow , Billy Mink had slipped up to the duck pond and alas !

Little Joe Otter had been fishing and he brought a great fat brother of the lamented Tommy Trout , who didn't mind .

Jerry Muskrat brought up from the mud of the river bottom some fine fresh water clams , of which he is very fond .

Jimmy Skunk stole three big eggs from the nest of old Gray Goose .

Peter Rabbit and Jumper the Hare rolled up a great , tender , fresh cabbage .

now Hooty the Owl is a glutton and is lazy .

" Reddy Fox and Jimmy Skunk and Billy Mink are sure to bring somethink Transcriber 's note : something ?

so Hooty the Owl went very early to the Lone Pine and hid among the thick branches where no one could see him .

Shadow the Weasel is sly and a thief and lives by his wits .

so because he had rather steal than be honest , he too went to the midnight spread with nothing but his appetite .

now Reddy Fox is also a glutton and very , very crafty .

so straightway he began to plan how he could get possession of Billy Mink 's duck .

at once he began to plan how he could secure that particular fat trout Little Joe Otter guarded so carefully .

because Reddy Fox is the largest he was given the place of honor at the head of the table under the Lone Pine .

on his right sat Little Joe Otter and on his left Jerry Muskrat .

Shadow the Weasel was next to Little Joe Otter , while right across from him was Jimmy Skunk .

Peter Rabbit was next , sitting opposite his cousin , Jumper the Hare .

at the extreme end , facing Reddy Fox , sat Billy Mink , with the plump duck right under his sharp little nose .

Reddy Fox paused a moment to look hungrily at Billy Mink 's duck .

Billy Mink cast a longing eye at Little Joe Otter 's trout , while Jimmy Skunk stole an envious glance at Reddy Fox 's chicken .

" but there is one missing to make our joy complete , " continued Reddy Fox .

" who has seen Bobby Coon ? "

no one had seen Bobby Coon .

somehow happy-go-lucky Bobby Coon had been overlooked when the invitations were sent out .

Little Joe Otter listened and his mouth watered and watered until he could sit still no longer .

now Peter Rabbit and Jumper the Hare are very fond of tender young carrots and they volunteered to bring a supply for the feast .

so away they hurried with big jumps down the Lone Little Path and out across the Green Meadows .

no sooner was Jerry Muskrat lost in the black shadows than Reddy Fox turned to speak to Shadow the Weasel .

so when Reddy Fox turned to speak to Shadow the Weasel , he found himself alone .

at least he thought himself alone , and he smiled a wicked , selfish smile as he walked over to Billy Mink 's duck .

then without the teeniest , weeniest bit of noise , it floated back into the Lone Pine and with it went the plump chicken .

now Reddy Fox is very suspicious , as people who are not honest themselves are very apt to be .

Reddy Fox could hardly believe his eyes .

he didn't smile now .

he was too angry and too frightened .

yes , Reddy Fox was frightened .

he wrinkled and wrinkled his little black nose in an effort to smell the intruder , but not a whiff could he get .

all was as still and peaceful as could be .

Little Joe Otter 's trout lay shining in the moonlight .

the big head of cabbage lay just where Peter Rabbit and Jumper the Hare had left it .

Reddy Fox rubbed his eyes to make sure that he was not dreaming and that the plump chicken and the duck were not there too .

just then Bowser the Hound , over at Farmer Brown 's , bayed at the moon .

Reddy Fox always is nervous and by this time he was so fidgety that he couldn't stand still .

then he remembered that Bowser the Hound is always chained up at night , so that he had nothing to fear from him .

after listening and looking a moment Reddy Fox decided that all was safe .

" well , " said he to himself , " I 'll have that fat trout anyway , " and turned to get it .

but the fat trout he had seen a minute before shining in the moonlight had also disappeared .

Reddy Fox looked and looked until his eyes nearly popped out of his head .

then he did what all cowards do ran home as fast as his legs could carry him .

they also were very tired , very hungry and very cross .

pretty soon up came Peter Rabbit and Jumper the Hare , who had failed to find the tender young carrots .

and up came Jerry Muskrat , who had found no luscious sweet apples .

" where is Reddy Fox ? " asked Peter Rabbit .

sure enough , where was Reddy Fox ?

Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter and Jimmy Skunk stopped quarreling and looked at each other .

" Reddy Fox is the thief ! " they cried all together .

and Jimmy Skunk , also tired and hungry and angry , started off up the Crooked Little Path to look for some beetles .

and this is why Reddy Fox has no true friends on the Green Meadows .

III

WHY PETER RABBIT'S EARS ARE LONG

the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind were tired .

Jolly , round , red Mr Sun wore his broadest smile and the more he smiled the warmer it grew .

" I wonder why it is that Peter Rabbit has such long ears , " said the Merry Little Breeze .

" Chug-a-rum ! " replied a great , deep voice right behind him .

all the Merry Little Breezes jumped up and ran through the rushes to the very edge of the Smiling Pool .

" Chug-a-rum , " said Grandfather Frog .

grandfather Frog cleared his throat .

he looked to the east and cleared his throat again .

then he looked to the west , and cleared his throat .

he looked north and he looked south , and each time he cleared his throat , but said nothing .

then up jumped all the Merry Little Breezes and away they raced .

" now Mr Rabbit had a great deal of curiosity , a very great deal , indeed .

he was forever pushing his prying little nose into other people 's affairs , which , you know , is a most unpleasant habit .

in fact , Mr Rabbit had become a nuisance . "

Illustration : Mr Rabbit had a great deal of curiosity , a very great deal , indeed .

" the older he grew the worse Mr Rabbit became .

and the more he heard the more Mr Rabbit 's curiosity grew .

" now , like most people who meddle in other folks ' affairs , Mr Rabbit had no time to tend to his own business .

his cabbage patch grew up to weeds .

his house leaked , his fences fell to pieces , and altogether his was the worst looking place on the Green Meadows .

" worse still , Mr Rabbit was a trouble maker .

he just couldn't keep his tongue still .

and like most gossips , he never could tell the exact truth .

" dear me ! dear me ! " said Grandfather Frog , shaking his head solemnly .

" things had come to a dreadful pass on the Green Meadows .

Reddy Fox and Bobby Coon never met without fighting .

Jimmy Skunk and Johnny Chuck turned their backs on each other .

Jerry Muskrat , Little Joe Otter , and Billy Mink called each other bad names .

all because Mr Rabbit had told so many stories that were not true .

" ' It 's all because of Mr Rabbit , ' said Reddy Fox .

" ' No one is to blame but Mr Rabbit , ' said Striped Chipmunk .

" everywhere old Mother Nature inquired it was the same Mr Rabbit , Mr Rabbit , Mr Rabbit .

" so then old Mother Nature sent for blustering great Mr North Wind , who is very strong .

and she sent for Mr Rabbit .

" Mr Rabbit trembled in his shoes when he got old Mother Nature 's message .

he would have liked to run away and hide .

and besides , his curiosity would give him no peace .

he just had to know what old Mother Nature wanted .

but he didn't dare to .

no , Sir , he didn't dare to .

and then he was so curious to know what it all meant that he wouldn't have run if he had dared .

" old Mother Nature made Mr Rabbit sit up on an old log where all could see him .

then in turn she asked each present who was the cause of all the trouble on the Green Meadows .

and each in turn answered ' Mr Rabbit . '

" ' Mr Rabbit , ' said old Mother Nature , ' you are lazy , for your cabbage patch has all gone to weeds .

you are shiftless , for your house leaks .

you are a sneak , for you creep up where you are not wanted and listen to things which do not concern you .

you are a thief , for you steal the secrets of others .

you are a prevaricator , for you tell things which are not so .

Mr Rabbit , you are all these a lazy , shiftless sneak , thief and prevaricator . '

" it was dreadful .

mother Nature paused , and Mr Rabbit felt oh so ashamed .

so he hung his head and two great tears fell splash , right at his feet .

you see Mr Rabbit wasn't altogether bad .

it was just this dreadful curiosity .

" old Mother Nature knew this and down in her heart she loved Mr Rabbit and was oh so sorry for him .

and because you are shiftless and your house leaks , you will hereafter live in a hole in the ground . '

and when they put him down Peter Rabbit 's ears and his hind legs were long , many times longer than they used to be .

and now you know why Peter Rabbit 's ears are long , and why he is always sitting up and listening , " concluded Great-Grandfather Frog .

IV

REDDY FOX DISOBEYS

on the brow of the hill by the Lone Pine sat Reddy Fox .

every few moments he pointed his little black nose up at the round , yellow moon and barked .

" Yap-yap-yap , " barked Reddy Fox , as loud as he could .

" Bow-wow-wow , " said Bowser the Hound in his deepest voice .

then both would listen and watch the million little stars twinkle and twinkle in the frosty sky .

now just why Reddy Fox should bark at the moon he did not know .

he just had to .

every night for a week he had sat at the foot of the Lone Pine and barked and barked until his throat was sore .

Deep down under his little red coat was a strange feeling which he could not explain .

Bowser the Hound knew , too , and he made up his mind that Reddy Fox was making fun of him .

" Yap-yap-yap , " barked Reddy Fox , and then listened to hear Bowser 's deep voice reply .

but this time there was no reply .

Reddy listened , and listened , and then tried it again .

way off on a distant hill he could hear Hooty the Owl .

Close by him Jack Frost was busy snapping sticks .

down on the White Meadows he could see Jimmy Skunk prowling about .

so he sat still and barked , and pretty soon he forgot all else but the moon and the sound of his own voice .

now Bowser the Hound had managed to slip his collar .

Reddy Fox had just barked for the hundreth time when he heard a twig crack just back of him .

Reddy Fox didn't wait to say " good evening , " or to see more .

oh , no !

he turned a back somersault and away he sped over the hard , snowy crust as fast as his legs could carry him .

how Reddy did wish that he had minded Mother Fox !

it was coming in great pants now .

his bushy tail , of which he was so proud , had become very heavy .

how Reddy Fox did wish and wish that he had minded Mother Fox !

he twisted and turned , and doubled this way and that way , and all the time Bowser the Hound got closer and closer .

now way off on the hill behind the White Meadows Mother Fox had been hunting for her supper .

so Mother Fox pattered down the Crooked Little Path onto the White Meadows , where she could see the chase .

when she got near enough , she barked twice to tell Reddy that she would help him .

now Reddy Fox was so tired that he was almost in despair when he heard Mother Fox bark .

so for a few minutes he ran faster than ever and he gained a long way on Bowser the Hound .

as he passed a shock of corn that had been left standing on the White Meadows , Mother Fox stepped out from behind it .

" go home , Reddy Fox , " said she , sharply , " go home and stay there until I come . "

then she deliberately sat down in front of the shock of corn to wait until Bowser the Hound should come in sight .

now Bowser the Hound thinks slowly .

he would have just hunted around until he had found where Reddy had gone to .

but Bowser the Hound thinks slowly .

when he saw old Mother Fox sitting there , he thought it was Reddy Fox and that now he had him .

with a great roar of his big voice , he sprang forward .

mother Fox waited until he was almost upon her , then springing to one side , she trotted off a little way .

at once Bowser the Hound started after her .

she pretended to be very tired .

every time he rushed forward she managed to just slip out of his grasp .

Little by little she led him across the White Meadows back towards Farmer Brown 's barnyard .

pretty soon old Mother Fox began to run as fast as she could , and that is very fast indeed .

she left Bowser the Hound a long , long way behind .

when she came to a stone wall she jumped up on the stone wall and ran along it , just like a squirrel .

every once in a while she would make a long jump and then trot along a little way again .

way down at the end of the pasture an old apple tree stretched a long limb out towards the stone wall .

when she got opposite to this she jumped onto this long limb and ran up into the tree .

there in the crotch , close to the trunk , she sat and watched .

Bowser the Hound , making a tremendous noise , followed her trail up to the stone wall .

then he was puzzled .

he sniffed this way , and he sniffed that way , but he could not tell where Mother Fox had disappeared to .

he looked up at old Mother Moon and bayed and bayed , but old Mother Moon did not help him a bit .

the longer he hunted , the angrier he grew .

old Mother Fox , sitting in the apple tree , watched him and laughed and laughed to herself .

V

STRIPED CHIPMUNK'S POCKETS

it was one of Striped Chipmunk 's busy days .

so Striped Chipmunk was very busy , very busy indeed !

he whisked in and out of the old stone wall along one edge of the Green Meadows .

they got there just in time to see him disappear under a great stone in the old wall .

in a minute he was out again and off as fast as he could go to the old hickory tree .

" oh , Striped Chipmunk , come play with us , " shouted the Merry Little Breezes , running after him .

but Striped Chipmunk just flirted his funny little tail and winked with both his bright eyes at them .

" Busy ! busy ! busy ! " said Striped Chipmunk , hurrying along as fast as his short legs could take him .

the Merry Little Breezes laughed , and one of them , dancing ahead , pulled the funny little tail of Striped Chipmunk .

" it 's a beautiful day ; do come and play with us , " cried the Merry Little Breeze .

but Striped Chipmunk flirted his tail over his back once more .

" Busy ! busy ! busy ! " he shouted over his shoulder and ran faster than ever .

in a few minutes he was back again , but such a queer-looking fellow as he was !

" oh , Striped Chipmunk 's got the mumps ! " shouted the Merry Little Breezes .

but Striped Chipmunk said never a word .

he couldn't .

he ran faster than ever until he disappeared under the big stone .

when he popped his head out again he was just his usual saucy little self .

he 'll know . "

" good-bye , Striped Chipmunk , " they shouted as they romped across the Green Meadows .

and Striped Chipmunk stopped long enough to shout " good-bye " before he filled his pockets with the brown nuts .

old Grandfather Frog sat on his big green lily pad blinking in the sun .

it was very still , very , very still indeed .

suddenly out of the brown bulrushes burst the Merry Little Breezes and surrounded old Grandfather Frog .

and every one of them had brought to him a fat , foolish , green fly .

Grandfather 's big goggly eyes sparkled and he gave a funny little hop up into the air as he caught each foolish green fly .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog .

" what is it you want this morning ? "

do tell us , Grandfather Frog .

please do ! "

" Chug-a-rum , " said Grandfather Frog .

" how should I know ? "

" but you do know , Grandfather Frog , you know you do .

please tell us ! " cried the Merry Little Breezes as they settled themselves among the rushes .

and presently Grandfather Frog began :

" once upon a time a long , long while ago "

" when the world was young ? " asked a mischievous little Breeze .

grandfather Frog pretended to be very much put out by the interruption , and tried to look very severe .

but the Merry Little Breezes were all giggling , so that presently he had to smile too .

" yes , " said he , " it was when the world was young , before old King Bear became king .

Mr Chipmunk , Striped Chipmunk 's a thousand times removed , was the smallest of the squirrels , just as Striped Chipmunk is now .

but he didn't mind that , not the least little bit .

but Mr Chipmunk didn't envy his big cousins their fine tails ; not he !

" Mr Gray Squirrel grumbled .

Mr Fox Squirrel grumbled .

Mr Red Squirrel grumbled .

but they didn't dare disobey old Mother Nature , so they all set out , each to gather a thousand nuts .

and Mr Chipmunk alone was pleasant and cheerful .

" when they reached the nut trees , what do you suppose they discovered ?

they quarreled and they fought over the nuts on the ground and even up in the trees .

" poor Mr Chipmunk kept his temper and was as polite as ever , but how he did work !

" finally Mr Gray Squirrel announced that he had got his thousand nuts .

then Mr Fox Squirrel announced that he had got his thousand nuts .

the next day Mr Red Squirrel stopped hunting because he had his thousand nuts .

" but Mr Chipmunk had hardly more than half as many .

and that night he made a dreadful discovery some one had found his secret store-house and had stolen some of his precious nuts .

he had worked so hard that he had grown thinner and thinner until now he was only a shadow of his old self .

but he was as cheerful as ever and kept right on hunting and hunting for stray nuts .

Mr Gray Squirrel and Mr Fox Squirrel and Mr Red Squirrel sat around and rested and made fun of him .

" and then old Mother Nature came down across the Green Meadows .

first Mr Gray Squirrel took her to his storehouse and she counted his thousand nuts .

then Mr Fox Squirrel led her to his storehouse and she counted his thousand nuts .

then Mr Red Squirrel showed her his store-house and she counted his thousand nuts .

old Mother Nature didn't need to count them to see that there were not a thousand there .

" ' I 've done the best I could , ' said Mr . chipmunk bravely , and he trembled all over , he was so tired .

when they had all gathered before her she suddenly turned to Mr Gray Squirrel .

" ' Go bring me a hundred nuts from your store-house , ' said she .

" then she turned to Mr Fox Squirrel .

" ' Go bring me a hundred nuts from your store-house , ' said she .

" last of all she called Mr Red Squirrel out where all could see him .

Mr Red Squirrel crept out very slowly .

" then old Mother Nature told how she had ordered each squirrel to get and store for her a thousand nuts .

she told just how selfish Mr Gray Squirrel and Mr Fox Squirrel had been .

she told just how hard Mr Chipmunk had worked and then she told how part of his precious store had been stolen .

" Mr Red Squirrel sneaked off with his head hanging , and began to bring the nuts .

thief !

thief ! '

then she set Mr Chipmunk up on an old stump where all could see him and she said :

" and all the little meadow people and all the little forest folks shouted ' Hurrah for Mr Chipmunk ! '

all but his cousins , Mr Gray Squirrel and Mr Fox Squirrel and Mr Red Squirrel , who hid themselves for shame .

" and ever since that time long ago , when the world was young , the Chipmunks have had pockets in their cheeks .

" you can't fool old Mother Nature , " concluded Great-Grandfather Frog .

" no , Sir , you can't fool old Mother Nature and it 's no use to try . "

" thank you , thank you , " cried the Merry Little Breezes , clapping their hands .

then they all raced across the Green Meadows to shake down some more nuts for Striped Chipmunk .

VI

REDDY FOX , THE BOASTER

Johnny Chuck waddled down the Lone Little Path across the Green Meadows .

Johnny Chuck was very fat and rolly-poly .

his yellow brown coat fitted him so snugly that it seemed as if it must burst .

once in a while Johnny Chuck stopped to brush his coat carefully , for he is very particular about his appearance , is Johnny Chuck .

by and by he came to the old butternut tree down by the Smiling Pool .

" there must be something going on , " said Johnny Chuck to himself , and began to waddle faster .

he looked so very queer when he tried to hurry that jolly round , red Mr Sun smiled more than ever .

he could see the Merry Little Breezes dancing and racing under the old butternut tree and having such a good time !

and he could see the long ears of Peter Rabbit standing up straight above the tall meadow grasses .

one of the Merry Little Breezes spied Johnny Chuck .

" hurry up , Johnny Chuck ! " he shouted , and Johnny Chuck hurried .

when he reached the old butternut tree he was all out of breath .

" Hello , Johnny Chuck ! " shouted Peter Rabbit .

" Hello yourself , and see how you like it ! " replied Johnny Chuck .

" hello myself ! " said Peter Rabbit .

and then because it was so very foolish everybody laughed .

it is a good thing to feel foolishly happy on a beautiful sunshiny day , especially down on the Green Meadows .

Jimmy Skunk was there .

he was feeling very , very good indeed , was Jimmy Skunk , for he had found some very fine beetles for his breakfast .

Little Joe Otter was there , and Billy Mink and Jerry Muskrat and Happy Jack Squirrel , and of course Reddy Fox was there .

oh my , yes , of course Reddy Fox was there !

Reddy Fox never misses a chance to show off .

he was wearing his very newest red coat and his whitest waistcoat .

he had brushed his tail till it looked very handsome , and every few minutes he would turn and admire it .

Reddy Fox thought himself a very fine gentleman .

he admired himself and he wanted every one else to admire him .

" let's do stunts , " said Peter Rabbit .

" I can jump farther than anybody here ! "

then Peter Rabbit jumped a tremendously long jump .

then everybody jumped , everybody but Reddy Fox .

and because his hind legs are long and meant for jumping Peter Rabbit had jumped farther than any one else .

but Happy Jack Squirrel was at the top of the old butternut tree almost before the others had started .

the Merry Little Breezes clapped their hands and everybody shouted for Happy Jack Squirrel , everybody but Reddy Fox .

" I can swim faster than anybody here , " shouted Little Joe Otter .

they belonged to Little Joe Otter , Billy Mink and Jerry Muskrat .

across the Smiling Pool and back again they raced and Little Joe Otter was first out on the bank .

" hurrah for Little Joe Otter ! " shouted Blacky the Crow .

and everybody shouted " hurrah ! "

everybody but Reddy Fox .

" what can you do , Jimmy Skunk ? " asked Peter Rabbit , dancing up and down , he was so excited .

Jimmy Skunk yawned lazily .

" I can throw a wonderful perfume farther than anybody here , " said Jimmy Skunk .

" we know it !

we know it ! " shouted the Merry Little Breezes as everybody tumbled heels over head away from Jimmy Skunk , even Reddy Fox .

" but please don't ! "

and Jimmy Skunk didn't .

now for the first time in his life Johnny Chuck began to feel just a wee , wee bit discontented .

what was there he could do better than any one else ?

he couldn't jump and he couldn't climb and he couldn't swim .

he couldn't even run fast , because he was so fat and round and rolly-poly .

he quite forgot that he was so sunny-hearted and good-natured that everybody loved him , everybody but Reddy Fox .

just then Reddy Fox began to boast , for Reddy Fox is a great boaster .

" pooh ! " said Reddy Fox , " pooh !

anybody could jump if their legs were made for jumping .

and what 's the good of climbing trees anyway ?

now I can run faster than anybody here faster than anybody in the whole world ! " said Reddy Fox , puffing himself out .

" Chug-a-rum , " said Grandfather Frog .

" you can't beat Spotty the Turtle . "

for a minute Reddy Fox looked very foolish .

then he lost his temper , which is a very unwise thing to do , for it is hard to find again .

he swelled himself out until every hair stood on end and he looked twice as big as he did before .

he strutted up and down and glared at each in turn .

" and I 'm not afraid of any living thing on the Green Meadows ! " boasted Reddy Fox .

" Chug-a-rum , " said Grandfather Frog .

" do I see Bowser the Hound ? "

every hair on Reddy Fox suddenly fell back into place .

he whirled about nervously and anxiously looked over the Green Meadows .

but everybody took good care to keep away from Reddy Fox , everybody but Johnny Chuck .

he just sat still and chuckled and chuckled till his fat sides shook .

" what are you laughing at ? " demanded Reddy Fox .

Reddy Fox just glared at him for a minute , he was so mad .

then he sprang straight at Johnny Chuck .

" I 'll show you ! " he snarled .

now Johnny Chuck had been sitting close beside a hole that Grandfather Chuck had dug a long time before and which was empty .

in a flash Johnny Chuck disappeared head first in the hole .

now the hole was too small for Reddy Fox to enter , but he was so angry that he straightway began to dig it larger .

my , how the sand did fly !

it poured out behind Reddy Fox in a stream of shining yellow .

Johnny Chuck ran down the long tunnel underground until he reached the end .

my , how his short legs did fly and his stout little claws dug into the soft earth !

his little forepaws flew so fast that if you had been there you could hardly have seen them at all .

and with his strong hind legs he kicked the sand right back into the face of Reddy Fox .

all the little meadow people gathered around the hole where Johnny Chuck and Reddy Fox had disappeared .

they were very anxious , very anxious indeed .

would Reddy Fox catch Johnny Chuck ?

and what would he do to him ?

was all their fun to end in something terrible to sunny-hearted , merry Johnny Chuck , whom everybody loved ?

he looked very warm and a little tired , but he was still chuckling as he scampered across to another hole of Grandfather Chuck 's .

by and by something else crawled out of the hole Johnny Chuck had made .

could it be Reddy Fox ?

where were his white waistcoat and beautiful red coat ?

and was that thing dragging behind him his splendid tail ?

he crept out of the hole and then just lay down and panted for breath .

he was almost too tired to move .

the long hair of his fine coat was filled full of sand and no one would ever have guessed that this was Reddy Fox .

" haw ! haw ! haw ! " shouted Blacky the Crow .

Illustration : then everybody shouted " haw ! haw ! haw ! "

VII

JOHNNY CHUCK'S SECRET

he smoothed it down on the big , yellow mound he had made in front of his door .

but he wouldn't tell , not jolly Mr Sun !

no , Sir !

not even the Merry Little Breezes , who find out almost everything , had discovered it .

then he started for his old home along a secret little path he had made for himself .

pretty soon he came to the Lone Little Path that went past his own home .

he danced and he skipped along the Lone Little Path , and , because he was so happy , he tried to turn a somersault .

but Johnny Chuck was so round and fat and rolly-poly that he just tumbled over in a heap .

" well , well , well !

what 's the matter with you ? " said a voice close beside him before he could pick himself up .

it was Jimmy Skunk , who was out looking for some beetles for his dinner .

Johnny Chuck scrambled to his feet and looked foolish , very foolish indeed .

" there 's nothing the matter with me , Jimmy Skunk , " said Johnny .

" there 's nothing the matter with me .

it 's just because I 've got a secret . "

" a secret ! " cried Jimmy Skunk .

" what is it ? "

" yes , a secret , a really , truly secret , " said Johnny Chuck , and looked very important .

" tell me , Johnny Chuck .

come on , tell just me , and then we 'll have the secret together , " begged Jimmy Skunk .

now Johnny Chuck was so tickled with his secret that it seemed as if he must share it with some one .

he just couldn't keep it to himself any longer .

" you won't tell any one ? " said Johnny Chuck .

Jimmy Skunk promised that he wouldn't tell a soul .

" cross your heart , " commanded Johnny Chuck .

Jimmy Skunk crossed his heart .

then Johnny Chuck looked this way and looked that way to be sure that no one was listening .

finally he whispered in Jimmy Skunk 's ear :

" I 've got a new home under the old apple tree in a corner of the Green Meadows , " said Johnny Chuck .

of course Jimmy Skunk was very much surprised and very much interested , so Johnny Chuck told him all about it .

" I 'll remember , " said Jimmy Skunk .

" and don't tell ! " called Johnny Chuck .

Jimmy Skunk promised that he wouldn't tell .

" Hello , Jimmy Skunk , " said Peter Rabbit , " can't you see where you are going ?

it must be you have something on your mind ; what is it ? "

" I was thinking of Johnny Chuck 's new home , " said Jimmy Skunk .

" Johnny Chuck 's new home ! " exclaimed Peter Rabbit .

" has Johnny Chuck got a new home ?

where is it ? "

you see he hadn't really meant to tell .

it just slipped out .

" oh , but it 's a secret ! " cried Jimmy Skunk .

" it 's a secret , and you mustn't tell .

I guess Johnny Chuck won't mind if you know , Peter Rabbit , but you mustn't tell any one else . "

Peter Rabbit promised he wouldn't .

now Peter Rabbit is very inquisitive , very inquisitive indeed .

so as soon as he had parted from Jimmy Skunk he made up his mind that he must see the new home of Johnny Chuck .

so off he started as fast as he could go towards the old apple tree in a corner of the Green Meadows .

half way there he met Reddy Fox .

" hello , Peter Rabbit !

where are you going in such a hurry ? " asked Reddy Fox .

then of a sudden he remembered and clapped both hands over his mouth .

" oh , but it 's a secret , Reddy Fox .

it 's a secret , and you mustn't tell ! " cried Peter Rabbit .

so when Reddy Fox left Peter Rabbit he grinned a wicked grin and hurried off to find Bobby Coon .

he met him on his way to the Laughing Brook .

Reddy Fox told Bobby Coon all about Johnny Chuck 's secret and then hurried away after Peter Rabbit , for Reddy Fox also is very inquisitive .

Bobby Coon went on down to the Laughing Brook .

pretty soon Billy Mink met Little Joe Otter and told him .

then Little Joe Otter met Jerry Muskrat and told him .

Jerry Muskrat saw Blacky the Crow and told him , and Great-Grandfather Frog heard him .

Blacky the Crow met his first cousin , Sammy Jay , and told him .

Sammy Jay met Happy Jack Squirrel and told him .

happy Jack met his cousin , Striped Chipmunk , and told him .

Striped Chipmunk passed the house of old Mr Toad and told him .

he had hardly begun to dig when he heard some one cough right behind him .

" what a splendid new home you have , Johnny Chuck ! " said Peter Rabbit .

" Y e s , " said Johnny Chuck , slowly .

" it 's a secret , " he added suddenly .

" you won't tell , will you , Peter Rabbit ? "

Peter Rabbit promised that he wouldn't tell .

then Johnny Chuck felt better and went back to work as soon as Peter Rabbit left .

he had hardly begun , however , when some one just above him said : " good morning , Johnny Chuck . "

Johnny Chuck looked up and there in the old apple tree sat Blacky the Crow and his cousin , Sammy Jay .

it seemed as if all the little meadow people were there , all but Jimmy Skunk , who wisely stayed away .

" it 's so nicely hidden away , it 's really quite secret , " said Reddy Fox , grinning wickedly .

just then up raced the Merry Little Breezes and one of them had a message for Johnny Chuck from Great-Grandfather Frog .

it was this :

" whisper a secret to a friend and you shout it in the ear of the whole world . "

after every one had admired the new home , they said good-bye and scattered over the Green Meadows .

then Johnny Chuck began to dig again , but this time he wasn't making his new back door .

no indeed !

Johnny Chuck was digging at that new mound of yellow gravel of which he had been so proud .

when he got through , there wasn't any new home .

and this time he didn't take his special hidden path , for Johnny Chuck didn't care who saw him go .

" ' Whisper a secret to a friend and you shout it in the ear of the whole world . '

now what did Grandfather Frog mean by that ? " thought Johnny Chuck .

" now I didn't tell anybody but Jimmy Skunk and Jimmy Skunk didn't tell anyone but Peter Rabbit and and "

then Johnny Chuck began to chuckle and finally to laugh .

" ' Whisper a secret to a friend and you shout it in the ear of the whole world . '

and the next day Johnny Chuck started to make a new home .

where ?

oh , that 's Johnny Chuck 's secret .

and no one but jolly , round , red Mr Sun has found it out yet .

VIII

JOHNNY CHUCK'S GREAT FIGHT

Johnny Chuck sat on the doorstep of his new home , looking away across the Green Meadows .

Johnny Chuck felt very well satisfied with himself and with all the world .

he yawned lazily and stretched and stretched and then settled himself comfortably to watch the Merry Little Breezes playing down by the Smiling Pool .

by and by he saw Peter Rabbit go bobbing along down the Lone Little Path .

Lipperty , lipperty , lip , went Peter Rabbit and every other jump he looked behind him .

Johnny Chuck sat up a little straighter to watch Peter Rabbit hop down the Lone Little Path .

then of a sudden he caught sight of something that made him sit up straighter than ever and open his eyes very wide .

something was following Peter Rabbit .

yes , Sir , something was bobbing along right at Peter Rabbit 's heels .

Johnny Chuck forgot the Merry Little Breezes .

he forgot how warm it was and how lazy he felt .

he forgot everything else in his curiosity to learn what it could be following so closely at Peter Rabbit 's heels .

presently Peter Rabbit stopped and sat up very straight and then Johnny Chuck nearly tumbled over in sheer surprise !

he rubbed his eyes to make sure that he saw aright , for there were two Peter Rabbits !

yes , Sir , there were two Peter Rabbits , only one was very small , very small indeed .

" oh ! " said Johnny Chuck , " that must be Peter Rabbit 's baby brother ! "

then he began to chuckle till his fat sides shook .

when Peter Rabbit wiggled his right ear , his baby brother wiggled his right ear .

when Peter Rabbit scratched his left ear , his baby brother scratched his left ear .

whatever Peter Rabbit did , his baby brother did too .

Johnny Chuck watched them out of sight , and then he settled himself on his doorstep once more to enjoy a sun bath .

every once in a while he chuckled to himself as he remembered how funny Peter Rabbit 's baby brother had looked .

presently Johnny Chuck fell asleep .

jolly , round , red Mr Sun had climbed quite high in the sky when Johnny Chuck awoke .

he yawned and stretched and stretched and yawned , and then he sat up to look over the Green Meadows .

then he became wide awake , very wide awake indeed !

way down on the Green Meadows he caught a glimpse of something red jumping about in the long meadow grass .

" that must be Reddy Fox , " thought Johnny Chuck .

" yes , it surely is Reddy Fox .

now I wonder what mischief he is up to . "

then he saw all the Merry Little Breezes racing towards Reddy Fox as fast as they could go .

and there was Sammy Jay screaming at the top of his voice , and his cousin , Blacky the Crow .

Happy Jack Squirrel was dancing up and down excitedly on the branch of an old elm close by .

Johnny Chuck waited to see no more , but started down the Lone Little Path to find out what it all was about .

half way down the Lone Little Path he met Peter Rabbit running as hard as he could .

" what are you running so for , Peter Rabbit ? " asked Johnny Chuck .

" to get Bowser the Hound , " shouted Peter Rabbit over his shoulder , as he tried to run faster .

Johnny Chuck hurried down the Lone Little Path as fast as his short legs could take his fat , rolly-poly self .

Reddy Fox had found Peter Rabbit 's baby brother and was doing his best to frighten him to death .

" coward !

Coward , Reddy Fox ! " shrieked Sammy Jay .

" shame !

shame ! " shouted the Merry Little Breezes .

" you 're nothing but a great big bully ! " yelled Blacky the Crow .

and for a few minutes no one recognized the furious little yellow-brown bundle that suddenly knocked Reddy Fox over and seized him by the throat .

you see it didn't look a bit like Johnny Chuck .

" coward !

coward !

Coward ! " shrieked Johnny Chuck as he shook Reddy Fox by the throat .

and then began the greatest fight that the Green Meadows had ever seen .

now Johnny Chuck is not naturally a fighter .

oh my , no !

he is so good-natured and so sunny-hearted that he seldom quarrels with any one .

but when he has to fight , there isn't a cowardly hair on him , not the teeniest , weeniest one .

no one ever has a chance to cry , " ' Fraid cat !

cry baby ! " after Johnny Chuck .

he didn't stop to think of what might happen to himself .

he didn't stop to think at all .

he just gritted his teeth and in a flash had Reddy Fox on his back .

such a fight was never seen before on the Green Meadows !

and he certainly had to fight now .

" bully ! " hissed Johnny Chuck as with his stout little hind feet he ripped the bright red coat of Reddy Fox .

" you great big bully ! "

even Great-Grandfather Frog , who left his big lily pad , and came hurrying with great jumps across the Green Meadows .

they formed a ring around Reddy Fox and Johnny Chuck and danced with excitement .

and all wanted Johnny Chuck to win .

how Peter Rabbit 's little brother did hope that Johnny Chuck would win !

but Reddy Fox wasn't whipping Johnny Chuck .

try as he would , he could not get a good hold on that round , fat , little body .

pretty soon Reddy Fox began to think of nothing but getting away .

every one was shouting for Johnny Chuck .

so it was with Johnny Chuck .

he had fought so hard that his breath was nearly gone .

finally he loosed his hold on Reddy Fox for just a second to draw in a good breath .

Reddy Fox saw his chance , and , with a quick pull and spring , he broke away .

how all the little meadow people did scatter !

Jimmy Skunk knocked Jerry Muskrat flat in his hurry to get away .

Billy Mink trod on Great-Grandfather Frog 's big feet and didn't even say " excuse me . "

Striped Chipmunk ran head first into a big thistle and squealed as much from fear as pain .

but Reddy Fox paid no attention to any of them .

he just wanted to get away , and off he started , limping as fast as he could go up the Lone Little Path .

such a looking sight !

his beautiful red coat was in tatters .

his face was scratched .

he hobbled as he ran .

coward !

coward ! "

then they crowded around Johnny Chuck and all began talking at once about his great fight .

just then they heard a great noise up on the hill .

they saw Reddy Fox coming back down the Lone Little Path , and he was using his legs just as well as he knew how .

right behind him , his great mouth open and waking all the echoes with his big voice , was Bowser the Hound .

indeed , he had been very brave , very brave indeed .

he had gone up to Farmer Brown 's and had jumped right under the nose of Bowser the Hound .

now that is something that Bowser the Hound never can stand .

so off he had started after Peter Rabbit .

and Reddy Fox did .

IX

MR . TOAD'S OLD SUIT

Peter Rabbit was tired and very sleepy as he hopped along the Crooked Little Path down the hill .

Peter Rabbit yawned and yawned again as he watched them dance over to the Smiling Pool .

then he hopped on down the Crooked Little Path towards home .

Sammy Jay , sitting on a fence post , saw him coming .

" peter Rabbit out all night !

oh my goodness what a sight !

Peter Rabbit , reprobate !

no good end will be your fate ! "

shouted Sammy Jay .

Peter Rabbit ran out his tongue at Sammy Jay .

" who stole Happy Jack 's nuts ?

thief !

thief !

Thief ! " shouted Peter Rabbit at Sammy Jay , and kept on down the Crooked Little Path .

now when most of the little meadow people were just waking up Peter Rabbit was thinking of bed .

presently he came to a big piece of bark which is the roof of Mr Toad 's house .

" good morning , Mr Toad , " said Peter Rabbit .

" good morning , " said Mr Toad .

" you 're looking very fine this morning , Mr Toad , " said Peter Rabbit .

" I 'm feeling very fine this morning , " said Mr Toad .

" why , my gracious , you have on a new suit , Mr Toad ! " exclaimed Peter Rabbit .

" well , what if I have , Peter Rabbit ? " demanded Mr Toad .

what have you done with your old suit , Mr Toad ? "

" swallowed it , " said Mr Toad shortly , turning his back on Peter Rabbit .

and that was all Peter Rabbit could get out of Mr Toad , so he started on down the Crooked Little Path .

now Peter Rabbit has a great deal of curiosity and is forever poking into other people 's affairs .

the more he thought about it the more he wondered what Mr Toad could have done with his old suit .

of course he hadn't swallowed it !

who ever heard of such a thing !

the more he thought of it the more Peter Rabbit felt that he must know what Mr Toad had done with his old suit .

by this time he had forgotten that he had been out all night .

he had forgotten that he was sleepy .

he had got to find out about Mr Toad 's old suit .

" I 'll just run over to the Smiling Pool and ask Grandfather Frog .

he 'll surely know what Mr Toad does with his old suits , " said Peter Rabbit , and began to hop faster .

when he reached the Smiling Pool there sat Great-Grandfather Frog on his big green lily pad as usual .

but Peter Rabbit was too full of curiosity in Mr Toad 's affairs to notice this .

" good morning , Grandfather Frog , " said Peter Rabbit .

" good morning , " replied Grandfather Frog a wee bit gruffly .

" you 're looking very fine this morning , Grandfather Frog , " said Peter Rabbit .

" not so fine as I 'd feel if I had a few fat , foolish , green flies , " said Grandfather Frog .

" I 've just met your cousin , Mr Toad , and he has on a new suit , " said Peter Rabbit .

" indeed ! " replied Grandfather Frog .

" well , I think it 's high time . "

" what does Mr Toad do with his old suit , Grandfather Frog ? " asked Peter Rabbit .

" Chug-a-rum !

it 's none of my business .

maybe he swallows it , " replied Grandfather Frog crossly , and turned his back on Peter Rabbit .

Peter Rabbit saw that his curiosity must remain unsatisfied .

first of all they scattered over the Green Meadows .

presently back they all came , each blowing ahead of him a fat , foolish , green fly .

right over to the big green lily pad they blew the green flies .

" Chug-a-rum !

Chug-a-rum !

Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog , as each fat , foolish , green fly disappeared inside his white and yellow waistcoat .

grandfather Frog settled himself comfortably on the big green lily pad and folded his hands across his white and yellow waistcoat .

" Chug-a-rum , " began Grandfather Frog .

" once upon a time "

old King Bear appeared every day in a suit of glossy black .

Lightfoot the Deer , threw away his dingy gray suit , and put on a coat of beautiful red and fawn .

Mr Skunk changed his black and white stripes for a suit of all black , very handsome , very handsome indeed .

Mr Chipmunk took care to see that his new suit had the most beautiful stripes to be obtained .

even Mr Crow and Mr Owl took pains to look their very best .

" but Mr Toad couldn't see the need of such a fuss .

he thought his neighbors spent altogether too much time and thought on dress .

to be sure he was anxious to look his best when old Mother Nature came , so he got a new suit all ready .

but Mr Toad couldn't afford to sit around in idleness admiring his new clothes .

no indeed !

Mr Toad had too much to do .

he was altogether too busy .

he had a large garden to take care of , had Mr Toad , and work in a garden is very hard on clothes .

so Mr Toad just wore his old suit over his new one and went on about his business .

" by and by the great day came when old Mother Nature arrived to inspect the kingdom of old King Bear .

he was so busy that he didn't even know that old Mother Nature had arrived .

" Late in the afternoon , Mr Toad stopped to rest .

he had just cleared his cabbage patch of the slugs which threatened to eat up his crop and he was very tired .

" suddenly Mr Toad remembered that he had on his working clothes , which were very old , very dirty and very ragged .

for just a minute he didn't know what to do .

then he dived under a cabbage leaf and began to pull off his old suit .

but the old suit stuck !

he was in such a hurry and so excited that he couldn't find the buttons .

finally he got his trousers off .

" Mr Toad was very well pleased with himself until he thought how terribly untidy that ragged old suit looked lying on the ground .

what should he do with it ?

he couldn't hide it in the garden , for old Mother Nature 's eyes are so sharp that she would be sure to see it .

what should he do ?

" then Mr Toad had a happy thought .

every one made fun of his big mouth .

but what was a big mouth for if not to use ?

he would swallow his old suit !

in a flash Mr Toad dived under the cabbage leaf and crammed his old suit into his mouth .

" when old Mother Nature came into the garden , Mr Toad was waiting in the path to receive her .

" of course old Mother Nature saw it right away .

and how she did laugh !

and of course Mr Toad felt very much mortified .

" ' Fine clothes arc not to be compared with fine work , ' said old Mother Nature .

' I herewith appoint you my chief gardener , Mr Toad .

" and from that day to this the toads have been the very best of gardeners .

and in memory of their great , great , great-grandfather a thousand times removed they have always swallowed their old suits .

" oh , " cried the Merry Little Breezes , " thank you , thank you , Grandfather Frog ! "

then they raced away across the Green Meadows and up the Crooked Little Path to see if old Mr Toad was gardening .

and Peter Rabbit still wonders what old Mr Toad did with his old suit .

x

GRANDFATHER FROG GETS EVEN

his hands were folded across his white and yellow waistcoat .

round , red , smiling Mr Sun sent down his warmest rays on the back of Grandfather Frog 's green coat .

and still old Grandfather Frog sat dreaming and dreaming of the days when all the frogs had tails and ruled the world .

presently Billy Mink came hopping and skipping down the Laughing Brook .

sometimes he swam a little way and sometimes he ran a little way along the bank , and sometimes he jumped from stone to stone .

Billy Mink was feeling very good very good indeed .

he had caught a fine fat trout for breakfast .

he had hidden two more away for dinner in a snug little hole no one knew of but himself .

now he had nothing to do but get into mischief .

you can always depend upon Billy Mink to get into mischief .

he just can't help it .

so Billy Mink came hopping and skipping down the Laughing Brook to the Smiling Pool .

then he stopped , as still as the rock he was standing on , and peeped through the bulrushes .

Billy Mink is very cautious , very cautious indeed .

he always looks well before he shows himself , that nothing may surprise him .

so Billy Mink looked all over the Smiling Pool and the grassy banks .

he saw the sunbeams dancing on the water .

he saw the tadpoles having such a good time in the Smiling Pool .

then Billy Mink took a long breath , a very long breath , and dived into the Smiling Pool .

now , Billy Mink can swim very fast , very fast indeed .

for a little way he can swim even faster than Mr Trout .

and he can stay under water a long time .

Straight across the Smiling Pool , with not even the tip of his nose out of water , swam Billy Mink .

when he was right under the big green lily pad he suddenly kicked up hard with his hind feet .

now , Grandfather Frog 's mouth is very big .

indeed , no one else has so big a mouth , unless it be his cousin , old Mr Toad .

and when Grandfather Frog went over flat on his back , splash in the Smiling Pool , his mouth was wide open .

you see he was so surprised he forgot to close it .

finally he climbed out on his big green lily pad .

Illustration : he was so surprised he forgot to close it .

" Chug-a-rum ? " said Grandfather Frog , and looked this way and looked that way .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog .

" it is very strange .

I must have fallen asleep and had a bad dream . "

no , indeed !

they were very much awake , and they saw all that was going on in the Smiling Pool .

Great-Grandfather Frog was just pretending .

Little Joe Otter laughed and laughed until he had to hold his sides .

pretty soon one of the Merry Little Breezes danced over to see if Grandfather Frog had really gone to sleep .

then all the Merry Little Breezes clapped their hands and laughed too .

they left the buttercups and daisies and began to play tag across the Smiling Pool .

now , right on the edge of the Big Rock lay a big stick .

off it went , and then such a splashing and squealing as there was behind the Big Rock !

in a few moments Little Joe Otter crept out beside his slippery slide and slipped away holding on to his head .

Billy Mink wasn't laughing now .

oh , no !

he was limping and he was holding on to his head .

Little Joe Otter and Billy Mink had been sitting right underneath the big stick .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog once more .

XI

THE DISAPPOINTED BUSH

way down beside the Laughing Brook grew a little bush .

it looked a whole lot like other little bushes all around it .

but really it was quite different , as you shall see .

this little bush of which I am telling you put out its green leaves with the rest .

the little leaves grew bigger and bigger on all the little bushes .

by and by on some of the other little bushes , little brown buds began to appear and grow and grow .

then on more and more of the little bushes the little brown buds came and grew and grew .

but on this little bush of which I am telling you no little brown buds appeared .

the little bush felt very sad indeed .

it brought the bees from far , far away to gather the honey , and all the little bushes were very happy indeed .

but it bravely kept on growing and growing and growing .

its little leaves grew bigger and bigger and bigger , and it tried its best not to mind because it had no little flowers .

all summer long all the little bushes grew and grew and grew .

the birds came and built their nests among them .

Peter Rabbit and his brothers and sisters scampered under them .

the butterflies flew over them .

by and by came the fall , and with the fall came Jack Frost .

he went about among the little bushes , pinching the leaves .

they had no leaves at all to cover their little naked brown limbs .

the little bush of which I am telling you lost its leaves with the rest .

such a multitude of these little yellow flowers !

they covered the little bush from top to bottom .

then the little bush felt very happy indeed , for it was the only bush which had any flowers .

and every one who passed that way stopped to look at it and to praise it .

colder grew the weather and colder .

Johnny Chuck tucked himself away to sleep all winter .

Grandfather Frog went deep , deep down in the mud , not to come out again until spring .

but they left behind them tiny little packages , one for every little flower that had been on the bush .

all winter long these little packages clung to the little bush .

and they comforted the little bush because it felt that it really had something worth while .

all the summer long the little brown packages grew and grew until they looked like little nuts .

and out of each one flew two brown shiny little seeds .

you never saw such a popping and a snapping and a jumping !

pop ! pop ! snap ! snap ! hippetty hop ! they went , faster than the corn pops in the corn popper .

Reddy Fox , who always is suspicious , thought some one was shooting at him .

now , what do you think is the name of this little bush ?

why , it is the witch hazel .

do you know what it is ?

it is the gift of the witch hazel bush to little boys and big men to make them feel better when they are hurt .

XII

WHY BOBBY COON WASHES HIS FOOD

Bobby Coon had been out all night .

not that Bobby Coon is really bad !

oh my , no !

everybody likes Bobby Coon .

but he can no more keep out of mischief than a duck can keep out of water .

so Bobby Coon sat on the edge of the Laughing Brook and he was very busy , very busy indeed .

he was washing his breakfast .

really , it was his dinner , for turning night into day just turns everything topsy-turvy .

so Bobby Coon eats dinner when most of the little meadow people are eating breakfast .

this morning he was very busy washing a luscious ear of sweet corn just in the milk .

he dipped it in the water and with one little black paw rubbed it thoroughly .

then he looked it over carefully before , with a sigh of contentment , he sat down to put it in his empty little stomach .

one of the Merry Little Breezes softly followed him .

" oh !

grandfather Frog , " cried a Merry Little Breeze , " tell us why it is that Bobby Coon always washes his food .

none of the other meadow people do that . "

now Great-Grandfather Frog is counted very wise .

then , while all the Merry Little Breezes gathered around him , he settled himself on his big green lily pad and began :

" once upon a time , when the world was young , old King Bear ruled in the Green Forest .

he grew fatter and fatter and fatter until it seemed as if his skin must burst .

and the fatter he grew the lazier he grew . "

grandfather Frog paused with an expectant far-away look in his great bulging eyes .

then he leaped into the air so far that when he came down it was with a great splash in the Smiling Pool .

" now perhaps you don't know it , but the Bear family and the Coon family are very closely related .

in fact , they are second cousins .

he began to pass some of his old playfellows on the Green Meadows without seeing them .

he spent a great deal of time brushing his coat and combing his whiskers and caring for his big ringed tail .

" so just as old King Bear had grown fat and lazy and selfish , Mr Coon grew fat and lazy and selfish .

pretty soon he began to pick out the best things for himself and hide them before old King Bear saw them .

when old King Bear was asleep he would go get them and stuff himself like a greedy pig .

and because he was stealing and wanted no one to see him he always ate his stolen feasts at night .

" now old Mother Nature is , as you all know , very , very wise , oh very wise indeed .

" now when old Mother Nature made this proclamation old King Bear was fast asleep .

old Mother Nature peeped in at him .

he was snoring and probably dreaming of more good things to eat .

he shall sleep until gentle Sister South Wind comes in the spring to kiss away the snow and ice .

then he shall waken with a lean stomach and a great appetite and there shall be none to feed him . '

" now old Mother Nature always has a warm heart and she was very fond of Bobby Coon 's grandfather a thousand times removed .

but first she would teach Mr Coon that stolen food is not the sweetest .

" so old Mother Nature found some tender , juicy corn just in the milk which Mr Coon had stolen from old King Bear .

so no one was there when he took a great bite of the tender , juicy corn old Mother Nature had put back for him .

Mr Coon rolled over and over with both of his forepaws clasped over his stomach and groaned and groaned and groaned .

he had rubbed his eyes and of course had got mustard into them and could not see .

" finally old Mother Nature came to his relief and brought him some water .

" but Mr Coon remembered the burning of his stomach and mouth and could not forget it .

" oh thank you , thank you , Grandfather Frog , " cried the Merry Little Breezes as they danced away over the Green Meadows .

" Chug-a-rum , " said Grandfather Frog , smacking his lips .

XIII

THE MERRY LITTLE BREEZES HAVE A BUSY DAY

then Old Mother West Wind kissed them all around and hurried away to hunt for a rain cloud which had gone astray .

the Merry Little Breezes watched her go .

pretty soon along came Peter Rabbit , lipperty-lipperty-lip .

" Hello , Peter Rabbit ! " shouted the Merry Little Breezes .

" come play with us ! "

" can't , " said Peter Rabbit .

" I have to go find some tender young carrots for my breakfast , " and away be hurried , lipperty-lipperty-lip .

in a few minutes Jimmy Skunk came in sight and he seemed to be almost hurrying along the Crooked Little Path down the hill .

the Merry Little Breezes danced over to meet him .

" hello , Jimmy Skunk ! " they cried .

" come play with us ! "

Jimmy Skunk shook his head .

" can't , " said he .

the Merry Little Breezes watched him for a few minutes and then raced over to the Laughing Brook .

there they found Billy Mink stealing softly down towards the Smiling Pool .

" oh , Billy Mink , come play with us , " begged the Merry Little Breezes .

" can't , " said Billy Mink .

" I have to catch a trout for Grandfather Mink 's breakfast , " and he crept on towards the Smiling Pool .

just then along came Bumble the Bee .

" good morning , Bumble , " cried the Merry Little Breezes .

" come play with us ! "

" buzz , buzz , buzz , " grumbled Bumble the Bee .

" can't , for I have to get a sack of honey , " and off he hurried to the nearest dandelion .

then the Merry Little Breezes hunted up Johnny Chuck .

but Johnny Chuck was busy , too busy to play .

Bobby Coon was asleep , for he had been out all night .

Reddy Fox also was asleep .

Striped Chipmunk was in such a hurry to fill the pockets in his cheeks that he could hardly stop to say good morning .

happy Jack Squirrel just flirted his big tail and rushed away as if he had many important things to attend to .

finally the Merry Little Breezes gave it up and sat down among the buttercups and daisies to talk it over .

every one seemed to have something to do , every one but themselves .

it was such a busy world that sunshiny morning !

pretty soon one of the Merry Little Breezes hopped up very suddenly and began the maddest little dance among the buttercups .

" as we haven't anything to do for ourselves let 's do something for somebody else ! " he shouted .

up jumped all the Little Breezes , clapping their hands .

" oh let's ! " they shouted .

way over across the Green Meadows they could see two long ears above the nodding daisies .

" there 's Peter Rabbit , " cried one .

" let's help him find those tender young carrots ! "

no sooner proposed than off they all raced to see who could reach Peter first .

" come on , Peter Rabbit , for this is my busy day ! " he cried .

Peter Rabbit didn't have to be invited twice .

away he went , lipperty-lipperty-lip , as fast as his long legs could take him after the Merry Little Breeze .

and presently they came to the field of tender young carrots .

" oh thank you , Merry Little Breeze ! " cried Peter Rabbit , and straightway began to eat his breakfast .

at once the Little Breeze remembered Jimmy Skunk , who was hunting for beetles for his breakfast .

off rushed the Little Breeze in merry whirls that made the grasses sway and bend and the daisies nod .

when after a long , long hunt he found Jimmy Skunk , Jimmy was very much out of sorts .

in fact Jimmy Skunk was positively cross .

you see , he hadn't had any breakfast , for hunt as he would he couldn't find a single beetle .

in fact he said some things not at all nice to the Merry Little Breeze .

but the Merry Little Breeze just laughed .

the more he laughed the crosser Jimmy Skunk grew , and the crosser Jimmy Skunk grew the more the Merry Little Breeze laughed .

you see it is very hard , very hard indeed and very foolish , to remain cross when someone else is perfectly good natured .

suddenly the Merry Little Breeze danced up to Jimmy Skunk and whispered in his right ear .

then he danced around and whispered in his left ear .

Jimmy Skunk 's eyes snapped and his mouth began to water .

" where , Little Breeze , where ? " he begged .

when they came to the big flat stone Jimmy Skunk grasped it with both hands and pulled and pulled .

up came the stone so suddenly that Jimmy Skunk fell over flat on his back .

when he had scrambled to his feet there were beetles and beetles , running in every direction to find a place to hide .

" thank you , thank you , Little Breeze , " shouted Jimmy Skunk as he started to catch beetles for his breakfast .

and the Little Breeze laughed happily as he danced away to join the other Merry Little Breezes on the Green Meadows .

there he found them very , very busy , very busy indeed , so busy that they could hardly find time to nod to him .

what do you think they were doing ?

they were toting gold !

yes , Sir , toting gold !

and this is how it happened :

" what 's the matter , Bumble ? " cried the Merry Little Breezes .

" matter enough , " grumbled Bumble the Bee .

if I don't I can get no honey .

Buzz-buzz-buzz , " grumbled Bumble the Bee .

from flower to flower they hurried , each with a bag of gold over his shoulder .

wherever they left a bag they took a bag , and all the little flowers nodded happily to see the Merry Little Breezes at work .

his smile was broader than ever as he watched the hurrying , scurrying Little Breezes working instead of playing .

by and by the Merry Little Breezes met Peter Rabbit .

now Peter Rabbit had made a good breakfast of tender young carrots , so he felt very good , very good indeed .

" hi ! " shouted Peter Rabbit , " come play with me . "

" can't , " cried the Merry Little Breezes all together , " we have work to do ! "

off they hurried , while Peter Rabbit stretched himself out full length in a sunny spot , for Peter Rabbit also is a lazy fellow .

down the Crooked Little Path onto the Green Meadows came Jimmy Skunk .

" Ho ! " shouted Jimmy Skunk as soon as he saw the Little Breezes , " come play with me . "

" can't , " cried the Little Breezes , " for we are busy , busy , busy , " and they laughed happily .

when they reached the Laughing Brook they found Billy Mink curled up in a round ball , fast asleep .

at first Billy Mink didn't open his eyes , but rubbed his ear with a little black hand .

finally he jumped to his feet wide awake and ready to fight whoever was bothering him .

but all he saw was a laughing Little Breeze running away with a bag of gold on his back .

no wee flower was too tiny to give and receive its share of gold , and not one was overlooked by the Merry Little Breezes .

old Mother Nature , who knows everything , heard of the busy day of the Merry Little Breezes .

nobody knows how she heard of it .

perhaps jolly , round , red Mr Sun told her .

perhaps but never mind .

you can't fool old Mother Nature anyway and it 's of no use to try .

and this is the happiest time of all .

XIV

WHY HOOTY THE OWL DOES NOT PLAY ON THE GREEN MEADOWS

the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind were having a good-night game of tag down on the Green Meadows .

jolly , round , red Mr Sun had already put his nightcap on .

black shadows crept softly out from the Purple Hills onto the Green Meadows .

the Merry Little Breezes grew sleepy , almost too sleepy to play , for Old Mother West Wind was very , very late .

farther and farther and farther out onto the Green Meadows crept the black shadows .

suddenly one seemed to separate from the others .

softly , oh so softly , yet swiftly , it floated over towards the Merry Little Breezes .

one of them happened to look up and saw it coming .

it was the same Little Breeze who one time stayed out all night .

when he looked up and saw this seeming shadow moving so swiftly he knew that it was no shadow at all .

" here comes Hooty the Owl , " cried the Little Breeze .

then all the Merry Little Breezes stopped their game of tag to look at Hooty the Owl .

she had had a busy day , a very busy day indeed , hunting for a rain cloud which had gone astray .

then she took them off home behind the Purple Hills .

of course the Merry Little Breezes were disappointed , very much disappointed .

but they were also very sleepy , for they had played hard all day .

he 'll know . "

the next morning Old Mother West Wind was late in coming down from the Purple Hills .

there they found Great-Grandfather Frog sitting on his big green lily pad as usual .

" good morning , Grandfather Frog , " shouted the Merry Little Breezes .

" will you tell us why it is that Hooty the Owl never comes out to play with us on the Green Meadows ? "

" Chug-a-rum , " said Great-Grandfather Frog , gruffly , " how should I know ? "

you see , Grandfather Frog likes to be teased a little .

" Chug-a-rum , " said Grandfather Frog .

" if you 'll sit perfectly still I 'll tell you what I know about Hooty the Owl .

but remember , you must sit perfectly still , per-fect-ly still . "

the Merry Little Breezes sighed , for it is the hardest thing in the world for them to keep perfectly still unless they are asleep .

he was very big and very strong and very fierce , was Mr Owl .

so it was with Mr Owl .

whatever he saw that he wanted he took , no matter to whom it belonged , for there was no one to stop him .

it took a great many little birds and little animals to satisfy his appetite .

but he didn't stop there !

no , Sir , he didn't stop there !

he used to kill harmless little meadow people just for the fun of killing , and because he could .

every day he grew more savage .

finally no one smaller than himself dared stir on the Green Meadows when he was around .

the little birds no longer sang .

the Fieldmice children no longer played among the meadow grasses .

those were sad days , very sad days indeed on the Green Meadows , " said Grandfather Frog , with a sigh .

" at last old Mother Nature came to visit the Green Meadows and she soon saw what a terrible state things were in .

no one came to meet her , for you see no one dared to show himself for fear of fierce old Mr Owl .

" old Mother Nature wasted no time .

" Mr Owl bowed very low .

' I 'm sure I don't know .

I think they must all be taking a nap , ' said he .

" now you can't fool old Mother Nature and it 's of no use to try .

no , Sir , you can't fool old Mother Nature .

she just looked at Mr Owl and she looked at the feathers and fur scattered about the foot of the dead stump .

Mr Owl stood first on one foot and then on the other .

he tried to look old Mother Nature in the face , but he couldn't .

you see , Mr Owl had a guilty conscience and a guilty conscience never looks anyone straight in the face .

he did wish that Mother Nature would say something , did Mr Owl .

but she didn't .

she just looked and looked and looked and looked straight at Mr Owl .

the longer she looked the uneasier he got and the faster he shifted from one foot to the other .

finally he shifted so fast that he seemed to be dancing on top of the old stump .

with old Mother Nature there they felt sure that no harm could come to them .

it was the first laugh on the Green Meadows for a long , long , long time .

the faster he danced the funnier he looked , and the funnier he looked the harder the little meadow people laughed .

" finally old Mother Nature slowly raised a hand and pointed a long forefinger at Mr Owl .

all the little meadow people stopped laughing to hear what she would say .

then began such a frolic as the Green Meadows had not known for many a long day .

grandfather Frog paused and looked dreamily across the Smiling Pool .

suddenly he opened his big mouth and then closed it with a snap .

one more foolish green fly had disappeared inside the white and yellow waistcoat .

" Chug-a-rum , " said Grandfather Frog , " those were sad days , sad days indeed for Mr Owl .

he couldn't hunt for his meals by day , for the light blinded him .

at night he could see but little in the darkness .

so he got little to eat and he grew thinner and thinner and thinner until he was but a shadow of his former self .

he was always hungry , was Mr Owl , always hungry .

no one was afraid of him now , for it was the easiest thing in the world to keep out of his way .

" at last old Mother Nature came again to visit the Green Meadows and the Green Forest .

Far , far in the darkest part of the deep wood she found Mr Owl .

all the fierceness was gone from Mr Owl .

he was so weak that he just sat huddled in the thickest part of the great pine .

you see he had been able to catch very little to eat .

your feathers shall become as soft as down , so that when you fly none shall hear you . '

" and from that day it was even so .

his ears grew large and larger until his hearing became so keen that he could hear the least rustle , even at a long distance .

and when he flew he made no sound , but floated like a great shadow .

" so once more Mr Owl grew strong and fierce .

but only at night had anyone cause to fear him , and then only the foolish and timid .

" we 'll bring you the first foolish green fly we can find . "

then away they rushed to hunt for it .

XV

DANNY MEADOW MOUSE LEARNS TO LAUGH

Danny Meadow Mouse sat on his doorstep and sulked .

the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind ran past , one after another , and pointing their fingers at him cried :

" Fie , Danny Meadow Mouse !

better go inside the house !

babies cry oh my ! oh my !

you 're a baby go and cry ! "

pretty soon along the Lone Little Path came Peter Rabbit .

Peter Rabbit looked at Danny Meadow Mouse .

then he pointed a finger at him and said :

" cry , Danny , cry !

Mammy 'll whip you by and by !

then we 'll all come ' round to see How big a baby you can be .

cry , Danny , cry ! "

Danny Meadow Mouse began to snivel .

he cried softly to himself as Peter Rabbit hopped off down the Lone Little Path .

Soon along came Reddy Fox .

he saw Danny Meadow Mouse sitting on his doorstep crying all by himself .

Reddy Fox crept up behind a tall bunch of grass .

then suddenly he jumped out right in front of Danny Meadow Mouse .

" boo ! " cried Reddy Fox .

it frightened Danny Meadow Mouse .

he jumped almost out of his skin , and ran into the house crying at the top of his voice .

" Ha , ha , ha , " laughed Reddy Fox

" Danny , Danny , crying Dan Boo-hoo-hooed and off he ran ! "

then Reddy Fox chased his tail all the way down the Lone Little Path onto the Green Meadows .

by and by Danny Meadow Mouse came out again and sat on his doorstep .

he had stopped crying , but he looked very unhappy and cross and sulky .

hopping and skipping down the Lone Little Path came Striped Chipmunk .

" come play with me , " called Danny Meadow Mouse .

Striped Chipmunk kept right on hopping and skipping down the Lone Little Path .

" don't want to , " said Striped Chipmunk , sticking his tongue in his cheek .

" Cry-baby Danny Never 'll be a manny !

run to mamma , Danny , dear , And she will wipe away your tear ! "

Striped Chipmunk hopped and skipped out of sight , and Danny Meadow Mouse began to cry again because Striped Chipmunk would not play with him .

it was true , dreadfully true !

Danny Meadow Mouse was a cry-baby and no one wanted to play with him .

if he stubbed his toe he cried .

if Striped Chipmunk beat him in a race he cried .

if the Merry Little Breezes pulled his whiskers just in fun he cried .

it had come to such a pass that all the little meadow people delighted to tease him just to make him cry .

nowhere on all the Green Meadows was there such a cry-baby as Danny Meadow Mouse .

so Danny sat on his doorstep and cried because no one would play with him and he was lonely .

the more he thought how lonely he was , the more he cried .

presently along came old Mr Toad .

now Mr Toad looks very grumpy and out of sorts , but that is because you do not know old Mr Toad .

when he reached the house of Danny Meadow Mouse he stopped right in front of Danny .

he put his right hand behind his right ear and listened .

then he put his left hand behind his left ear and listened some more .

finally he put both hands on his hips and began to laugh .

now Mr Toad 's mouth is very big indeed , and when he opens it to laugh he opens it very wide indeed .

" Ha , ha , ha !

Ha , ha , ha ! " laughed Mr Toad .

Danny Meadow Mouse cried harder than ever , and the harder he cried the harder old Mr . Toad laughed .

by and by Danny Meadow Mouse stopped crying long enough to say to Mr Toad :

" what are you laughing for , Mr Toad ? "

Mr Toad stopped laughing long enough to reply :

" I 'm laughing , Danny Meadow Mouse , because you are crying at me .

what are you crying for ? "

" I 'm crying , " said Danny Meadow Mouse , " because you are laughing at me . "

then Danny began to cry again , and Mr Toad began to laugh again .

" what 's all this about ? " demanded some one right behind them .

it was Jimmy Skunk .

" it 's a new kind of game , " said old Mr Toad .

" Danny Meadow Mouse is trying to see if he can cry longer than I can laugh . "

then old Mr Toad once more opened his big mouth and began to laugh harder than ever .

Jimmy Skunk looked at him for just a minute and he looked so funny that Jimmy Skunk began to laugh too .

now a good honest laugh is like whooping cough it is catching .

the first thing Danny Meadow Mouse knew his tears would not come .

it 's a fact , Danny Meadow Mouse had run short of tears .

the next thing he knew he wasn't crying at all he was laughing .

yes , Sir , he actually was laughing .

he tried to cry , but it was of no use at all ; he just had to laugh .

the more he laughed the harder old Mr . Toad laughed .

and the harder Mr Toad laughed the funnier he looked .

by and by Mr Toad stopped laughing .

" dear me , dear me , this will never do ! " said Mr Toad .

" I must get busy in my garden .

so if you 'll excuse me I 'll hurry along to get them out of my garden . "

Mr Toad started down the Lone Little Path .

after a few hops he paused and turned around .

" Danny Meadow Mouse , " said old Mr Toad , " an honest laugh is like sunshine ; it brightens the whole world .

don't forget it . "

Danny Meadow Mouse , once more alone , sat down on his doorstep .

his sides were sore , he had laughed so hard , and somehow the whole world had changed .

the grass seemed greener than he had ever seen it before .

the sunshine was brighter and the songs of the birds were sweeter .

altogether it was a very nice world , a very nice world indeed to live in .

somehow he felt as if he never wanted to cry again .

pretty soon along came the Merry Little Breezes again , chasing butterflies .

when they saw Danny Meadow Mouse sitting on his doorstep they pointed their fingers at him , just as before , and shouted :

" Fie , Danny Meadow Mouse !

better go inside the house !

babies cry oh my ! oh my !

you 're a baby go and cry ! "

for just a little minute Danny Meadow Mouse wanted to cry .

then he remembered old Mr Toad and instead began to laugh .

the Merry Little Breezes didn't know just what to make of it .

they stopped chasing butterflies and crowded around Danny Meadow Mouse .

they began to tease him .

they pulled his whiskers and rumpled his hair .

the more they teased the more Danny Meadow Mouse laughed .

such a good frolic as they did have !

when it was over Danny Meadow Mouse once more sat down on his doorstep to rest .

hopping and skipping back up the Lone Little Path came Striped Chipmunk .

when he saw Danny Meadow Mouse he stuck his tongue in his cheek and cried :

" Cry-baby Danny Never 'll be a manny !

run to mamma , Danny dear , And she will wipe away your tear ! "

instead of crying Danny Meadow Mouse began to laugh .

Striped Chipmunk stopped and took his tongue out of his cheek .

then he began to laugh too .

" do you want me to play with you ? " asked Striped Chipmunk , suddenly .

of course Danny did , and soon they were having the merriest kind of a game of hide and seek .

right in the midst of it Danny Meadow Mouse caught his left foot in a root and twisted his ankle .

my , how it did hurt !

in spite of himself tears did come into his eyes .

but he winked them back and bravely began to laugh .

when Peter Rabbit came jumping along up the Lone Little Path he began to shout as soon as he saw Danny Meadow Mouse :

" cry , Danny , cry !

Mammy 'll whip you by and by !

then we 'll all come ' round to see How big a baby you can be .

cry , Danny , cry ! "

but Danny didn't cry .

my , no !

he laughed instead .

Peter Rabbit was so surprised that he stopped to see what had come over Danny Meadow Mouse .

then he told Danny all about the wonderful things he had seen in his travels , and of all the scrapes he had gotten into .

when Peter Rabbit finally started off home Danny Meadow Mouse still sat on his doorstep .

but no longer was he lonely .

" it is much better , oh very much better , to laugh than to cry . "

instead every one has learned to love merry little Danny Meadow Mouse , and now they call him " laughing Dan . "

E-text prepared by K Nordquist , Chris Curnow , and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team ( @url@

note : Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations .


a Bedtime Story-Book

THE ADVENTURES OF JIMMY SKUNK

by

THORNTON W BURGESS

Illustrations by Harrison Cady

Illustration

little , Brown and Company Boston Toronto

copyright @number@ by Thornton W Burgess ; Copyright renewed @number@ by Thornton W Burgess All rights reserved .

republished in @number@ Printed and Bound in Canada

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

THE ADVENTURES OF JIMMY SKUNK

I

PETER RABBIT PLANS A JOKE

the Imp of Mischief , woe is me , Is always busy as a bee .

that is why so many people are forever getting into trouble .

he won't keep still .

no , Sir , he won't keep still unless he is made to .

once let him get started there is no knowing where he will stop .

of course Peter shouldn't have listened .

certainly not .

but he did .

you know Peter dearly loves a joke when it is on some one else .

he sat right where he was and watched to see if Jimmy would come out of the barrel .

Jimmy didn't come out , and after a little Peter stole over to the barrel and peeped inside .

there was Jimmy Skunk curled up for a nap .

Peter tiptoed away very softly .

all the time the Imp of Mischief was whispering to him that this was a splendid chance to play a joke on Jimmy .

you know it is very easy to play a joke on any one who is asleep .

Peter doesn't often have a chance to play a joke on Jimmy Skunk .

it isn't a very safe thing to do , not if Jimmy is awake .

no one knows that better than Peter .

he sat down some distance from the barrel but where he could keep an eye on it .

then he went into a brown study , which is one way of saying that he thought very hard .

he wanted to play a joke on Jimmy , but like most jokers he didn't want the joke to come back on himself .

as he sat there in a brown study , he happened to glance over on the Green Meadows and there he saw something red .

he looked very hard , and in a minute he saw that it was Reddy Fox .

right away , Peter 's nimble wits began to plan how he could use Reddy Fox to play a joke on Jimmy .

all in a flash an idea came to him , an idea that made him laugh right out .

you see , the Imp of Mischief was very , very busy whispering to Peter .

" what are you laughing at ? " asked a voice .

it was the voice of Sammy Jay .

right away a plan for getting Reddy up there flashed into Peter 's head .

he would get Sammy angry , and that would make Sammy scream .

Reddy would be sure to come up there to see what Sammy Jay was making such a fuss about .

Sammy , you know , is very quick-tempered .

no one knows this better than Peter .

so instead of replying politely to Sammy , as he should have done , Peter spoke crossly :

" fly away , Sammy , fly away !

it is no business of yours what I am laughing at , " said he .

right away Sammy 's quick temper flared up .

he began to call Peter names , and Peter answered back .

Peter saw him lift his head to listen .

in a few minutes he began to trot that way .

he was coming to find out what that fuss was about .

Peter knew that Reddy wouldn't come straight up there .

that isn't Reddy 's way .

" as soon as he sees me he will think that at last he has a chance to catch me , " thought Peter .

" I shall have to run my very fastest , but if everything goes right , he will soon forget all about me .

II

PETER MAKES A FLYING JUMP

to risk your life unless there 's need Is downright foolishness indeed .

never forget that .

never do such a crazy thing as Peter Rabbit was doing .

what was he doing ?

why , he was running the risk of being caught by Reddy Fox all for the sake of a joke .

did you ever hear of anything more foolish ?

the fact is , Peter didn't stop to think what dreadful thing might happen if his plans didn't work out as he intended .

he didn't once think of little Mrs Peter over in the dear Old Briar-patch and how she would feel if he never came home again .

that 's the trouble with thoughtlessness ; it never remembers other people .

if he had known it , he would have suspected one of Peter 's tricks .

" he will steal along to that place where the wall is lowest and will jump over it right there .

I must be ready to jump the very second he does . "

it all happened just as Peter had expected .

the instant that sharp nose dropped out of sight , Peter made ready to run for his life .

" go it , Peter !

go it ! " he screamed excitedly .

that was just like Sammy .

Peter did go it .

he had to .

he ran with all his might .

Reddy grinned as he saw Peter start towards the Green Meadows .

he watched sharply for Peter to dodge and try to get back to the old stone wall .

he didn't mean to let Peter do that .

but Peter didn't even try .

he ran straight for the edge of the hill above the Green Meadows .

then , for the first time , Reddy noticed an old barrel there lying on its side .

" if he tries that , I will get him without the trouble of much of a chase , " thought Reddy , and chuckled .

Lipperty-lipperty-lip ran Peter , lipperty-lipperty-lip , Reddy right at his heels !

to Sammy Jay it looked as if in a few more jumps Reddy certainly would catch Peter .

" go it , Peter !

oh , go it !

just as he reached the old barrel , Reddy was so close to him that Peter was almost sure that he could feel Reddy 's breath .

in fact , he suspected that the joke which he had planned was working out just as he had hoped it would .

III

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE OLD BARREL

Peter Rabbit 's jump over the old barrel on the edge of the hill was unexpected to Reddy Fox .

in fact , Reddy was so close on Peter 's heels that he had no thought of anything but catching Peter .

now you remember that that barrel was right on the edge of the hill .

you know a barrel is a very rolly sort of thing , and once it has started down a hill , nothing can stop it .

it was just so this time .

Reddy Fox had no more than picked himself up when the barrel was half way down the hill and going faster and faster .

it bounced along over the ground , and every time it hit a little hummock it seemed to jump right up in the air .

and all the time it was making the strangest noises .

Reddy quite forgot the smarting sore places where he had bumped into the barrel .

he simply stood and stared at the runaway .

" as I live , " he exclaimed , " I believe there was some one in that old barrel ! "

there was .

you remember that Jimmy Skunk had curled up in there for a nap .

now Jimmy was awake , very much awake .

and it wasn't at all comfortable .

no , Sir , it wasn't at all a comfortable way in which to travel .

he went over and over so fast that it made him dizzy .

First he was right side up and then wrong side up , so fast that he couldn't tell which side up he was .

of course , he couldn't get out , because he was rolled over and over so fast that he didn't have a chance to try .

now Reddy didn't know who was in the barrel .

he just knew by the sounds that some one was .

so he started down the hill after the barrel to see what would happen when it stopped .

Sammy Jay was flying overhead , screaming enough to split his throat .

altogether , it was quite the most exciting thing Peter had ever seen .

of course , he heard the noise and looked up to see what it meant .

Peter decided that it was high time for him to get out of sight .

so he dodged into the old house of Johnny Chuck and lay low in the doorway , where he could watch .

he saw Jimmy Skunk lay perfectly still , and a great fear crept into his heart .

had Jimmy been killed ?

he hadn't once thought of what might happen to Jimmy when he planned that joke .

but presently Jimmy began to wave first one leg and then another , as if to make sure that he had some legs left .

then slowly he rolled over and got on to his feet .

Peter breathed a sigh of relief .

IV

JIMMY SKUNK IS VERY MAD INDEED

when Jimmy Skunk is angry Then every one watch out !

it 's better far at such a time To be nowhere about .

Jimmy Skunk was angry this time and no mistake .

he was just plain mad , and when Jimmy Skunk feels that way , no one wants to be very near him .

you know he is one of the very best-natured little fellows in the world ordinarily .

he minds his own business , and if no one interferes with him , he interferes with no one .

but once he is aroused and feels that he hasn't been treated fairly , look out for him !

and this time Jimmy was mad clear through , as he got to his feet and shook himself to see that he was all there .

I don't know that any one could blame him .

so he really is not to be blamed for feeling as he did .

now Jimmy can never be accused of being stupid .

he knew that an old barrel which has been lying in one place for a long time doesn't move of its own accord .

the first person he saw was Reddy Fox .

in fact , Reddy was right close at hand .

if Reddy had known that it was Jimmy Skunk , he would have been quite content to remain at the top of the hill .

now when Jimmy Skunk is angry , he doesn't bite and he doesn't scratch .

that is why he is afraid of no one , and why every one respects Jimmy and his rights .

he used it now , and he didn't waste any time about it .

he threw some of that perfume right in the face of Reddy Fox before Reddy had a chance to turn or to say a word .

" take that ! " snapped Jimmy Skunk .

" perhaps it will teach you not to play tricks on your honest neighbors ! "

poor Reddy !

some of that perfume got in his eyes and made them smart dreadfully .

in fact , for a little while he couldn't see at all .

and then the smell of it was so strong that it made him quite sick .

he rolled over and over on the ground , choking and gasping and rubbing his eyes .

Jimmy Skunk just stood and looked on , and there wasn't a bit of pity in his eyes .

" how do you like that ? " said he .

" you thought yourself very smart , rolling me down hill in a barrel , didn't you ?

you might have broken my neck . "

" huh ! " snorted Jimmy Skunk , who didn't believe a word of it .

" I didn't .

honestly I didn't , " protested Reddy .

" I ran against the barrel by accident , chasing Peter Rabbit .

I didn't have any idea that any one was in it . "

" huh ! " said Jimmy Skunk again .

" if you were chasing Peter Rabbit , where is he now ? "

Reddy had to confess he didn't know .

he was nowhere in sight , and he certainly hadn't had time to reach the dear Old Briar-patch .

Jimmy looked this way and that way , but there was no sign of Peter Rabbit .

" huh ! " said he again , turning his back on Reddy Fox and walking away with a great deal of dignity .

V

REDDY FOX SNEAKS AWAY

just as soon as Reddy Fox could see after Jimmy Skunk had thrown that terrible perfume in Reddy 's face he started for the Green Forest .

he wanted to get away by himself .

but he didn't trot with his head up and his big plumey tail carried proudly as is usual with him .

no indeed .

instead he hung his head , and his handsome tail was dropped between his legs ; he was the very picture of shame .

poor Reddy !

he didn't know what to do or where to go .

he couldn't go home , for old Granny Fox would drive him out of the house .

Sammy Jay would see to that .

he knew just how they would point at him and make fun of him .

he would never hear the last of it .

he felt as if he never , never would be able to hold his head and his tail up again .

every few minutes he stopped to roll over and over on the ground trying to get rid of that dreadful perfume .

when he reached the Green Forest he hurried over to the Laughing Brook to wash out his eyes .

it was just his luck to have Billy Mink come along while he was doing this .

Billy didn't need to be told what had happened .

" phew ! " he exclaimed , holding on to his nose .

then he turned and hurried beyond the reach of that perfume .

there he stopped and made fun of Reddy Fox and said all the provoking things he could think of .

Reddy took no notice at all .

he felt too miserable to quarrel .

after he had washed his face he felt better .

water wouldn't take away the awful smell , but it did take away the smart from his eyes .

then he tried to plan what to do next .

" the only thing I can do is to get as far away from everybody as I can , " thought he .

" I guess I 'll have to go up to the Old Pasture to live for a while . "

so he started for the Old Pasture , keeping as much out of sight as possible .

on the way he remembered that Old Man Coyote lived there .

there he stretched himself out and was perfectly miserable .

" it wouldn't be so bad if I had really been to blame , but I wasn't .

I didn't know Jimmy Skunk was in that barrel and I didn't mean to start it rolling down the hill anyway , " he muttered .

" it was all an accident and " he stopped and into his yellow eyes crept a look of suspicion .

I wonder . "

VI

PETER RABBIT DOESN'T ENJOY HIS JOKE

he felt sure that Reddy Fox was in for something unpleasant , and he was glad .

of course , that wasn't a bit nice of Peter .

so he chuckled as he waited for what was to happen .

suddenly that chuckle broke right off in the middle , and Peter cried " ouch ! "

he had felt a pain as if a hot needle had been thrust into him .

it made him almost jump out of the doorway .

so it would not do to show himself now .

no , indeed !

all he could do was to kick and squirm and twist his head around to see what was happening .

it didn't take long to find out .

two very angry little insects were just getting ready to sting him again , and more were coming .

they were Yellow Jackets , which you know belong to the wasp family and carry very sharp little lances in their tails .

Poor Peter !

what could he do ?

he didn't dare go out , and he simply couldn't stay where he was .

by this time he had lost all interest in what was going on outside .

there was quite enough going on inside ; too much , in fact .

he remembered that Johnny Chuck digs his house deep down in the ground .

he looked down the long hall .

it was dark down there .

perhaps if he went down there , these angry little warriors wouldn't follow him .

it was worth trying , anyway .

so Peter scrambled to his feet and scurried down the long hall , and as he ran , he cried " ouch !

ouch !

oh !

Ohoo ! "

those sharp little lances were very busy , and there was no way of fighting back .

at the end of the long hall was a snug little room , very dark but cool and comfortable .

it was just as he had hoped ; the Yellow Jackets did not follow him down there .

they had driven him away from their home , which was right near the entrance , and they were satisfied .

but what a fix he was in !

what a dreadful fix !

he ached and smarted all over .

my goodness , how he did smart !

and to get out he would have to go right past the Yellow Jacket home again .

" I guess I am served just right . "

I rather think he was , don't you ?

VII

SAMMY JAY DOES SOME GUESSING

Sammy Jay is a queer fellow .

Many are the times he has given them warning of danger .

this is one reason they are quite willing to overlook his own shortcomings .

so , of course , he had seen what happened to Reddy .

now , instead of being sorry for Reddy , he had openly rejoiced .

it seems to be just that way with a great many people .

they like to see others who are considered very smart get into trouble .

so Sammy had laughed and made fun of poor Reddy .

in the first place it was very exciting , and Sammy dearly loves excitement .

and then it would make such a splendid story to tell , and no one likes to carry tales more than does Sammy Jay .

he watched Reddy sneak away to the Green Forest , and Jimmy Skunk slowly walk away in a very dignified manner .

then Sammy flew back to the Old Orchard to spread the news among the little people there .

it wasn't until he reached the Old Orchard that he remembered Peter Rabbit .

the fact is , Sammy Jay was doing some hard thinking .

he had suddenly begun to wonder .

it had popped into that shrewd little head of his that it was very strange how suddenly Peter Rabbit had disappeared .

but I saw it all , and I know that it was all an accident so far as Reddy was concerned .

but Peter Rabbit may have known .

why did Peter run so that he would have to jump over that barrel when he could have run right past it ?

that would have been pretty smart of Peter and quite like him .

the more I think of it , the more I believe that Peter did know and that he planned the whole thing .

if he did , it was one of the smartest tricks I ever heard of .

I didn't think Peter had it in him .

it was rather hard on Jimmy Skunk , but it got rid of Reddy Fox for a while .

he won't dare show his face around here for a long time .

that means that Peter will have one less worry on his mind .

hello !

here comes Jimmy Skunk .

I 'll ask him a few questions . "

Jimmy came ambling along in his usual lazy manner .

he had quite recovered his good nature .

" hello , Jimmy .

have you seen Peter Rabbit this morning ? " cried Sammy Jay .

Jimmy looked up and grinned .

" yes , " said he .

" I saw him up here early this morning .

why ? "

" did he see you go into that old barrel ? " persisted Sammy .

" I don't know , " confessed Jimmy .

" he may have .

what have you got on your mind , Sammy Jay ? "

Jimmy pricked up his ears .

" then Reddy didn't do it purposely ! " he exclaimed .

" no , " replied Sammy .

" he didn't do it purposely .

I am quite sure that he didn't know you were in it .

but how about Peter Rabbit ?

I am wondering .

and I 'm doing a little guessing , too . "

VIII

JIMMY SKUNK LOOKS FOR PETER

Jimmy Skunk looked very hard at Sammy Jay .

Sammy Jay looked very hard at Jimmy Skunk .

then Sammy slowly shut one eye and as slowly opened it again .

it was a wink .

is that it ? "

Sammy Jay said nothing , but winked again .

Jimmy grinned .

then he looked thoughtful .

" I wonder , " said Sammy Jay .

" and I wonder if he did it just to get Reddy into trouble , " continued Jimmy .

" I wonder , " repeated Sammy Jay .

" I wonder , " said Sammy Jay once more , and burst out laughing .

now Jimmy Skunk has a very shrewd little head on his shoulders .

" so that is your guess , is it ?

well , I wouldn't be a bit surprised if you are right , " said he , nodding his head .

" I think I will go look for Peter .

I think he needs a lesson .

jokes that put other people in danger or make them uncomfortable can have no excuse .

my neck might have been broken in that wild ride down the hill , and certainly I was made most uncomfortable .

I felt as if everything inside me was shaken out of place and all mixed up .

even now my stomach feels a bit queer , as if it might not be just where it ought to be .

by the way , what became of Peter after he jumped over the barrel ? "

Sammy shook his head .

" I don't know , " he confessed .

I guess Reddy Fox forgot all about Peter .

I know I did .

after it was over , I looked for Peter , but he was nowhere in sight .

he hadn't had time to reach the Old Briar-patch .

I really would like to know myself what became of him . "

Jimmy Skunk turned and looked down the hill .

then in his usual slow way he started back towards the broken barrel .

" where are you going ? " asked Sammy .

" to look for Peter Rabbit , " replied Jimmy .

" I want to ask him a few questions . "

Jimmy Skunk ambled along down the hill .

he isn't likely to bother any one for some time .

Peter really ought to be punished , but somehow I don't feel so much like punishing him as I did .

I 'll just give him a little scare and let the scamp off with that .

now , I wonder where he can be .

I have an idea he isn't very far away .

let me see .

seems to me I remember an old house of Johnny Chuck 's not very far from here .

I 'll have a look in that . "

Illustration

IX

JIMMY VISITS JOHNNY CHUCK'S OLD HOUSE

Jimmy Skunk was smiling as he ambled towards the old house of Johnny Chuck near the foot of the hill .

there was no one near to see him , and this made him smile still more .

to Jimmy himself it wasn't unpleasant at all , and he couldn't understand why other people disliked it so .

he had puzzled over that a great deal .

" I guess it 's a good thing that Old Mother Nature didn't make us all alike , " said he to himself .

" I think there must be something the matter with their noses , and I suppose they think there is something the matter with mine .

but there isn't .

not a thing .

hello !

there is Johnny Chuck 's old house just ahead of me .

now we will see what we shall see . "

he walked softly as he drew near to the old house .

if Peter was way down inside , it wouldn't matter how he approached .

Jimmy didn't intend to give Peter a chance to do any such thing .

if Peter once got outside that old house , his long legs would soon put him beyond Jimmy 's reach , and Jimmy knew it .

at last he reached a position where with one jump he could land right on the doorstep .

he waited a few minutes and cocked his head on one side to listen .

there wasn't a sound to tell him whether Peter was there or not .

then lightly he jumped over to the doorstep and looked in at the doorway .

there was no Peter to be seen .

" if he is here , he is way down inside , " thought Jimmy .

" I wonder if he really is here .

I think I 'll look about a bit before I go in . "

now the doorstep was of sand , as Johnny Chuck 's doorsteps always are .

almost at once Jimmy chuckled .

there were Peter 's tracks , and they pointed straight towards the inside of Johnny Chuck 's old house .

Jimmy looked carefully , but not a single track pointing the other way could he find .

then he chuckled again .

" the scamp is here all right , " he muttered .

in this Jimmy was partly right and partly wrong , as you and I know .

he stared down the long dark doorway a minute .

then he made up his mind .

but that was as far as Jimmy Skunk went .

yes , Sir , that was just as far as Jimmy Skunk went .

Jimmy Skunk knows all about Yellow Jackets and the sharp little lances they carry in their tails ; he has the greatest respect for them .

he backed out in a hurry and actually hurried away to a safe distance .

then he sat down to think .

after a little he began to chuckle again .

" I know what happened , " said he , talking to himself .

" Peter Rabbit popped into that doorway .

those Yellow Jackets just naturally got after him .

I reckon I don't need to scare Peter to pay him for that joke .

I reckon he 's been punished already . "

Illustration

x

PETER RABBIT IS MOST UNCOMFORTABLE

if ever any one was sorry for having played pranks on other folks , that one was Peter Rabbit .

I am afraid it wasn't quite the right kind of sorrow .

Peter wished with all his might that he had known about their home in Johnny Chuck 's old house before ever he thought of hiding there .

but wishes of that kind are about the most useless things in the world .

they wouldn't help him now .

all at once he had a comforting thought .

he remembered that Johnny Chuck usually has a back door .

if that were the case here , he would be all right .

he would find out .

cautiously he poked his head out of the snug bedroom .

there was the long hall down which he had come .

and there yes , Sir , there was another hall !

it must be the way to the back door .

carefully Peter crept up it .

" funny , " thought he , " that I don't see any light ahead of me . "

and then he bumped his nose .

yes , Sir , Peter bumped his nose against the end of that hall .

you see , it was an old house , and like most old houses it was rather a tumble-down affair .

anyway , the back door had been blocked with a great stone , and the walls of the back hall had fallen in .

there was no way out there .

sadly Peter backed out to the little bedroom .

meanwhile he would try to get a nap and forget his aches and pains .

hardly had Peter curled up for that nap when he heard a voice .

it sounded as if it came from a long way off , but he knew just where it came from .

it came from the doorway of that old house .

he knew , too , whose voice it was .

it was Jimmy Skunk 's voice .

" I know where you are , Peter Rabbit , " said the voice .

" and I know why you are hiding down there .

I know , too , how it happened that I was rolled down hill in that barrel .

I 'm just giving you a little warning , Peter .

there are a lot of very angry Yellow Jackets up here , as you will find out if you try to come out before dark .

I 'm going away now , but I 'm going to come back about dark to wait for you .

I may want to play a little joke on you to pay you back for the one you played on me . "

that put an end to Peter 's hope of a nap .

he shivered as he thought of what might happen to him if Jimmy Skunk should catch him .

he was almost ready to face those Yellow Jackets rather than wait and meet Jimmy Skunk .

twice he started up the long hall , but turned back .

he just couldn't stand any more stings .

he was miserable .

yes , Sir , he was miserable and most uncomfortable in both body and mind .

" I wish I 'd never thought of that joke , " he half sobbed .

" I thought it was a great joke , but it wasn't .

it was a horrid , mean joke .

why , oh , why did I ever think of it ? "

meanwhile Jimmy Skunk had gone off , chuckling .

XI

JIMMY SKUNK KEEPS HIS WORD

keep your word , whate'er you do , And to your inmost self be true .

he did it to make Peter uneasy and to worry him .

the truth is , Jimmy was no longer angry at all .

he had quite recovered his good nature and was very much inclined to laugh himself over Peter 's trick .

so that is why he told Peter that he was coming back at dark .

as Jimmy ambled away to look for some beetles , he chuckled and chuckled and chuckled .

" I guess that by this time Peter wishes he hadn't thought of that joke on Reddy Fox and myself , " said he .

" perhaps I 'll go back there tonight and perhaps I won't .

he won't know whether I do or not , and he won't dare come out . "

then he stopped and scratched his head thoughtfully .

then he sighed .

then he scratched his head again and once more sighed .

" I really don't want to go back there tonight , " he muttered , " but I guess I 'll have to .

I said I would , and so I 'll have to do it .

I believe in keeping my word .

yes , Sir , I 'll have to go back .

there is nothing like making people believe that when you say a thing you mean it .

there is nothing like keeping your word to make people respect you . "

there Jimmy found a warm , sunny spot and curled up for a nap .

in fact , he spent all the day there .

a look at the footprints in the sand on the doorstep told him that Peter had not come out .

Jimmy sat down and waited until it was quite dark .

then he poked his head in at the doorway .

the Yellow Jackets had gone to bed for the night .

" come out , Peter .

I 'm waiting for you ! " he called down the hall , and made his voice sound as angry as he could .

but inside he was chuckling .

then Jimmy Skunk calmly turned and went about his business .

he had kept his word .

as for Peter Rabbit , that had been one of the very worst days he could recall .

he had had just a little bit of hope , and this was that Jimmy Skunk wouldn't come back when it grew dark .

Poor Peter !

the sound of that voice almost broke his heart .

" he has come back .

he 's kept his word , " he half sobbed as he once more went back to Johnny Chuck 's old bedroom .

there he stayed nearly all the rest of the night , though his stomach was so empty it ached .

Just before it was time for Mr Sun to rise , Peter ventured to dash out of Johnny Chuck 's old house .

he got past the home of the Yellow Jackets safely , for they were not yet awake .

with his heart in his mouth , he sprang out of the doorway .

Jimmy Skunk wasn't there .

with a sigh of relief , Peter started for the dear , safe Old Briar-patch , lipperty-lipperty-lip , as fast as he could go .

" I 'll never , never play another joke , " he said , over and over again as he ran .

XII

JIMMY SKUNK AND UNC ' BILLY POSSUM MEET

Jimmy Skunk ambled along down the Lone Little Path through the Green Forest .

he didn't hurry .

Jimmy never does hurry .

hurrying and worrying are two things he leaves for his neighbors .

now and then Jimmy stopped to turn over a bit of bark or a stick , hoping to find some fat beetles .

but it was plain to see that he had something besides fat beetles on his mind .

up the Lone Little Path through the Green Forest shuffled Unc ' Billy Possum .

he didn't hurry .

it was too warm to hurry .

unlike Jimmy Skunk , he does hurry sometimes , does Unc ' Billy , especially when he suspects that Bowser the Hound is about .

and sometimes Unc ' Billy does worry .

you see , there are people who think that Unc ' Billy would make a very good dinner .

Unc ' Billy doesn't think he would .

anyway , he has no desire to have the experiment tried .

so occasionally , when he discovers one of these people who think he would make a good dinner , he worries a little .

but just now Unc ' Billy was neither hurrying nor worrying .

there was no need of doing either , and Unc ' Billy never does anything that there is no need of doing .

Illustration

Jimmy Skunk grinned .

" Hello , Unc ' Billy ! " said he .

" have you seen any fat beetles this morning ? "

Unc ' Billy grinned .

" good mo'nin ' , Brer Skunk , " he replied .

" ah can't rightly say Ah have .

ah had it on mah mind to ask yo ' the same thing . "

Jimmy sat down and looked at Unc ' Billy with twinkling eyes .

his grin grew broader and became a chuckle .

" Unc ' Billy , " said he , " have you ever in your life combed your hair or brushed your coat ? "

Unc ' Billy 's eyes twinkled .

" but it seems to me a powerful waste of time .

ah have mo ' important things to worry about .

by the way , Brer Skunk , did yo ' ever run away from anybody in all your life ? "

Jimmy looked surprised at the question .

he scratched his head thoughtfully .

" not that I remember of , " said he after a little .

" most folks run away from me , " he added with a little throaty chuckle .

" those who don't run away always are polite and step aside .

why do you ask , Unc ' Billy ? "

" oh , no reason in particular , Brer Skunk .

no reason in particular .

only Ah wonder sometimes if yo ' ever realize how lucky yo ' are .

if Ah never had to worry about mah hungry neighbors , Ah reckons perhaps Ah might brush mah coat oftener . "

Unc ' Billy 's eyes twinkled more than ever .

" worry , " replied Jimmy Skunk sagely , " is the result of being unprepared .

anybody who is prepared has no occasion to worry .

just think it over , Unc ' Billy . "

it was Unc ' Billy 's turn to scratch his head thoughtfully .

" ah fear Ah don't quite get your meaning , Brer Skunk , " said he .

" sit down , Unc ' Billy , and I 'll explain , " replied Jimmy .

XIII

JIMMY SKUNK EXPLAINS

you 'll find this true where'er you go That those prepared few troubles know .

" to begin with , I am not such a very big fellow , am I ? " said Jimmy .

you know Jimmy Skunk really is a little fellow compared with some of his neighbors .

" and I haven't very long claws or very big teeth , have I ? " continued Jimmy .

" ah reckons mine are about as long and about as big , " returned Unc ' Billy , looking more puzzled than ever .

" but you never see anybody bothering me , do you ? " went on Jimmy .

" no , " replied Unc ' Billy .

" and it 's the same way with Prickly Porky the Porcupine .

you never see anybody bothering him or offering to do him any harm , do you ? " persisted Jimmy .

" no , " replied Unc ' Billy once more .

" why ? " demanded Jimmy .

Unc ' Billy grinned broadly .

Leastways , Ah does .

ah ain't aiming fo ' trouble with either of yo ' .

ah knows when Ah 's well off , and Ah reckons most folks feel the same way . "

Jimmy Skunk chuckled .

" one more question , Unc ' Billy , " said he .

" did you ever know me to pick a quarrel and use that bag of scent without being attacked ? "

Unc ' Billy considered for a few minutes .

" ah can't say Ah ever did , " he replied .

" and you never knew Prickly Porky to go hunting trouble either , " declared Jimmy .

Buster Bear could squash me by just stepping on me , but he doesn't try it .

you notice he always is very polite when we meet .

Prickly Porky and I are armed for defence , but we never use our weapons for offence .

nobody bothers us , and we bother nobody .

that 's the beauty of being prepared . "

Unc ' Billy thought it over for a few minutes .

then he sighed and sighed again .

" ah reckons yo ' and Brer Porky are about the luckiest people Ah knows , " said he .

" yes , Sah , Ah reckons yo ' is just that .

ah don't fear anybody mah own size , but Ah cert'nly does have some mighty scary times when Ah meets some people Ah might mention .

ah cert'nly believes in preparedness after seein ' yo ' , Brer Skunk .

ah cert'nly does just that very thing .

have yo ' found any nice fresh aiggs lately ? "

XIV

a LITTLE SOMETHING ABOUT EGGS

" an egg , " says Jimmy Skunk , " is good ; It 's very good indeed to eat . "

" an egg , " says Mrs Grouse , " is dear ; ' Twill hatch into a baby sweet . "

so in the matter of eggs , as in a great many other matters , it all depends on the point of view .

to Jimmy Skunk and Unc ' Billy Possum eggs are looked on from the viewpoint of something to eat .

their stomachs prompt them to think of eggs .

eggs are good to fill empty stomachs .

the mere thought of eggs will make Jimmy and Unc ' Billy smack their lips .

they say they " love " eggs , but they don't .

they " like " them , which is quite different .

it is the heart instead of the stomach that responds to the thought of eggs .

Blacky the Crow is one and his cousin , Sammy Jay , is another .

I should have said , rather , his stomach .

to tell the truth , it was a longing for some eggs that had brought Jimmy to the Green Forest .

" no , " replied Jimmy , " I haven't had any luck at all this spring .

I 've almost forgotten what an egg tastes like .

either I 'm growing dull and stupid , or some folks are smarter than they used to be .

by the way , have you seen Mrs. grouse lately ? "

Jimmy looked very innocent as he asked this .

Unc ' Billy chuckled until his sides shook .

" do yo ' suppose Ah 'd tell yo ' if Ah had ? " he demanded .

here Unc ' Billy looked back over his shoulder to make sure that old Mrs Possum wasn't within hearing , and Jimmy Skunk chuckled .

" that would be no mo ' than fair .

yo ' know Ah never did hanker fo ' to get far away from trees , but yo ' don't mind .

a right smart lot of birds make their nests on the ground there .

there is Brer Bob White and Brer Meadowlark and Brer Bobolink and Brer Field Sparrow and Brer "

" never mind any more , Unc ' Billy , " interrupted Jimmy Skunk .

" I know all about them .

that is , I know all about them I want to know , except where their eggs are .

didn't I just tell you I haven't had any luck at all ?

that 's why I 'm over here . "

XV

a SECOND MEETING

Jimmy Skunk couldn't think of anything but eggs .

the more he thought of them , the more he wanted some .

Unc ' Billy Possum was faring about the same way .

he couldn't , for the life of him , stop thinking about those eggs that belonged to Mrs Grouse .

the more he tried to forget about them , the more he thought about them .

" no , Sah , there isn't the least bit of use .

ah done look every place Ah can think of already .

still , Ah haven't got anything else special on mah mind , and those aiggs cert'nly would taste good .

ah reckons it must be Ah needs those aiggs , or Ah wouldn't have them on mah mind so much .

ah finds it rather painful to carry aiggs on mah mind all the time , but Ah would enjoy carrying them in mah stomach .

ah cert'nly would . "

Unc ' Billy grinned and started to ramble about aimlessly , hoping that chance would lead him to the nest of Mrs Grouse .

and that led him to think of Farmer Brown 's henhouse .

he stopped to listen .

there was no sign of Bowser the Hound , and Unc ' Billy sighed gently .

it was a sigh of relief .

then he crept around a corner of the henhouse towards a certain hole under it he remembered well .

just as he reached it , he saw something white .

it moved .

it was coming towards him from the other end of the henhouse .

Unc ' Billy stopped right where he was .

he was undecided whether to run or stay .

then he heard a little grunt and decided to stay .

he even grinned .

a few seconds later up came Jimmy Skunk .

it was a white stripe on Jimmy 's coat that Unc ' Billy had seen .

Jimmy gave a little snort of surprise when he almost bumped into Unc ' Billy .

" what are you doing here ? " he demanded .

" Just taking a li'l walk fo ' the good of mah appetite , " replied Unc ' Billy , grinning more broadly than ever .

" what are yo ' doing here , Brer Skunk ? "

" the same thing , " replied Jimmy .

then he chuckled .

" this is an unexpected meeting .

I guess you must have had the same thing on your mind all day that I have , " he added .

" ah reckon so , " replied Unc ' Billy , and both grinned .

Illustration

XVI

a MATTER OF POLITENESS

it costs not much to be polite And , furthermore , it 's always right .

it is queer how a like thought often brings people together .

more than this , it was the second time that day that they had met .

and it was all on account of eggs .

yes , Sir , it was all on account of eggs .

" are you just coming out , or are you just going in ? "

Jimmy inquired politely .

" ah was just going in , but Ah 'll follow yo ' , Brer Skunk , " replied Unc ' Billy just as politely .

" nothing of the kind , " returned Jimmy .

" I wouldn't for a minute think of going before you .

I hope I know my manners better than that . "

" yo ' cert'nly are most polite , Brer Skunk .

yo ' cert'nly are most polite .

yo ' are a credit to your bringing up , but politeness always did run in your family .

there is a saying that han'some is as han'some does , and your politeness is as fine as yo ' are han'some , Brer Skunk .

Jimmy Skunk chuckled .

" I guess you 've forgotten that other old saying , ' Age before beauty , ' Unc ' Billy , " said he .

" so you go first .

you know you are older than I ..y I couldn't think of being so impolite as to go first .

I really couldn't think of such a thing . "

and so they argued and argued , each insisting in the most polite way that the other should go first .

if the truth were known , neither of them was insisting out of politeness at all .

if there was , he much preferred that Unc ' Billy should be the one to find it out .

yes , Sir , that is why Jimmy Skunk was so very polite .

Unc ' Billy wanted Jimmy to go first because he always feels safer behind Jimmy than in front of him .

Jimmy seldom uses it , but sometimes he does if he happens to be startled and thinks danger near .

so Unc ' Billy preferred that Jimmy should go first .

it wasn't politeness at all on the part of Unc ' Billy .

in both cases it was a kind of selfishness .

each was thinking of self .

how long they would have continued to argue and try to appear polite if something hadn't happened , nobody knows .

but something did happen .

there was a sudden loud sniff just around the corner of the henhouse .

it was from Bowser the Hound .

they couldn't , because it wasn't big enough , but , they tried hard .

Bowser sniffed again , and this time Unc ' Billy managed to squeeze Jimmy aside and slip through .

Jimmy was right at his heels .

XVII

JIMMY SKUNK GETS A BUMP

when Bowser reached that hole , of course he smelled the tracks of Unc ' Billy and Jimmy , and right away he became excited .

he began to dig .

goodness , how he did make the dirt fly !

all the time he whined with eagerness .

Unc ' Billy knew that Bowser couldn't get through that , even if he did manage to dig his way under the henhouse .

once through that and fairly in the henhouse , Unc ' Billy drew a long breath .

he felt safe for the time being , anyway , and he didn't propose to worry over the future .

Jimmy Skunk hurried after Unc ' Billy .

it wasn't fear that caused Jimmy to hurry .

no , indeed , it wasn't fear .

he had been startled by the unexpectedness of Bowser 's appearance .

it was this that had caused him to struggle to be first through that hole under the henhouse .

but once through , he had felt a bit ashamed that he had been so undignified .

he wasn't afraid of Bowser .

he was sorely tempted to turn around and send Bowser about his business , as he knew he very well could .

but he thought better of it .

he had come for eggs , and so had Unc ' Billy .

it would never do to let Unc ' Billy be alone up there for long .

so Jimmy Skunk did what he very seldom does hurried .

yes , Sir , he hurried after Unc ' Billy Possum .

he meant to make sure of his share of the eggs he was certain were up there .

there was a row of nesting boxes along one side close to the floor .

above these was another row and above these a third row .

Jimmy doesn't climb , but Unc ' Billy is a famous climber .

" I 'll take these lower nests , " said Jimmy , and lifted his tail in a way that made Unc ' Billy nervous .

" all right , " replied Unc ' Billy promptly .

" all right , Brer Skunk .

it 's just as yo ' say . "

with this , Unc ' Billy scrambled up to the next row of nests .

Jimmy grinned and started to look in the lower nests .

he took his time about it , for that is Jimmy 's way .

there was nothing in the first one and nothing in the second one and nothing in the third one .

this was disappointing , to say the least , and Jimmy began to move a little faster .

meanwhile Unc ' Billy had hurried from one nest to another in the second row with no better success .

disappointment was making Unc ' Billy lose his temper .

at last he so lost his temper that when he found another of those eggs he angrily kicked it out of the nest .

now it happened that Jimmy Skunk was just underneath .

down fell that hard china egg squarely on Jimmy Skunk 's head .

for just a minute Jimmy saw stars .

at least , he thought he did .

Jimmy was sore at heart because he had found no eggs , and now he had a bump on the head that also was sore .

Jimmy Skunk lost his temper , a thing he rarely does .

XVIII

a SAD , SAD QUARREL

what he saw was the anxious looking face of Unc ' Billy Possum staring down at him .

" you did that purposely ! " snapped Jimmy .

" you did that purposely , and you needn't tell me you didn't . "

" on mah honor Ah didn't , " protested Unc ' Billy .

" it was an accident , just a sho ' ' nuff accident , and Ah 'm right sorry fo ' it . "

" that sounds very nice , but I don't believe a word of it .

you did it purposely , and you can't make me believe anything else .

come down here and fight .

I dare you to ! "

Jimmy was getting more and more angry every minute .

Unc ' Billy began to grow angry .

he hadn't known that Jimmy was there .

he had apologized , and he felt that no one could do more than that .

Jimmy Skunk had doubted his word , had refused to believe him , and that made him angry .

his little eyes glowed with rage .

" if yo ' want to fight , come up here .

I 'll wait fo ' yo ' right where Ah am , " he sputtered .

this made Jimmy angrier than ever .

he couldn't climb up there , and he knew that Unc ' Billy knew it .

Unc ' Billy was perfectly safe in promising to wait for him .

" you 're a coward , just a plain no-account coward ! " snapped Jimmy .

nobody can drop things on my head and not get paid back .

I thought you were a friend , but now I know better . "

" wait as long as yo ' please .

ah reckons Ah can stay as long as yo ' can , " retorted Unc ' Billy , grinding and snapping his teeth .

" suit yourself , " retorted Jimmy .

" I 'm going to pay you up for that bump on my head or know the reason why . "

it really was dreadful .

and it was all because both had been sadly disappointed .

they had found no eggs where they had been sure they would find plenty .

you see , Farmer Brown 's boy had gathered every egg when he shut the biddies up for the night .

did you ever notice what a bad thing for the temper disappointment often is ?

Illustration

XIX

JIMMY SKUNK IS TRUE TO HIS WORD

Unc ' Billy Possum was having a bad night of it .

when he had grown tired of quarreling with Jimmy Skunk , he had tried to take a nap .

he had tried first one nest and then another , but none just suited him .

this was partly because he wasn't sleepy .

he was hungry and not at all sleepy .

Unc ' Billy had no intention of going down while Jimmy was there .

he thought that Jimmy would soon grow tired of waiting and go away .

so for quite awhile Unc ' Billy didn't worry .

but as it began to get towards morning he began to grow anxious .

Unc ' Billy had no desire to be found in that henhouse when Farmer Brown 's boy came to feed the biddies .

then , too , he was hungry .

he had counted on a good meal of eggs , and not one had he found .

yes , Sir , it was a great deal better to go hungry .

several times , when he thought Jimmy was asleep , he tried to steal down .

he was just as careful not to make a sound as he could be , but every time Jimmy knew and was waiting for him .

Unc ' Billy wished that there was no such place as Farmer Brown 's henhouse .

he wished he had never thought of eggs .

" Don ' yo ' think we-uns better make up and get out of here , Brer Skunk ? " he ventured .

it was plain to see that Jimmy hadn't forgiven him .

for some time Unc ' Billy said no more , but he grew more and more restless .

you see , he knew it would soon be time for Farmer Brown 's boy to come to let the hens out and feed them .

at last he ventured to speak again .

" ah reckons yo ' done forget something , " said he .

" what is that ? " asked Jimmy .

" I 'm not worrying about Farmer Brown 's boy .

he can come as soon as he pleases , " retorted Jimmy Skunk , and grinned .

that sounded like boasting , but it wasn't .

no , Sir , it wasn't , and Unc ' Billy knew it .

he knew that Jimmy meant it .

Unc ' Billy was in despair .

he didn't dare stay , and he didn't dare go down and face Jimmy Skunk , and there he was .

it certainly had been a bad night for Unc ' Billy Possum .

XX

FARMER BROWN'S BOY ARRIVES

the light crept farther under the door of Farmer Brown 's henhouse , and by this time the hens were all awake .

furthermore , they had discovered Jimmy Skunk down below and were making a great fuss .

" I don't mind their noise .

it doesn't trouble me a bit , " replied Jimmy Skunk , and grinned .

it was plain enough to Unc ' Billy that Jimmy was enjoying the situation .

but Unc ' Billy wasn't .

he was so anxious that he couldn't keep still .

at last he heard them , and he knew by the sound that Farmer Brown 's boy was coming in a hurry .

he had heard the noise of the hens and was coming to find out what it was all about .

Unc ' Billy hoped that now Jimmy Skunk would retreat through the hole in the floor and give him a chance to escape .

" he 's coming !

Farmer Brown 's boy is coming , Brer Skunk !

yo ' better get away while yo ' can ! " whispered Unc ' Billy .

" I hear him , " replied Jimmy calmly .

" I 'm waiting for him to open the door for me to go out .

it will be much easier than squeezing through that hole . "

Unc ' Billy gasped .

he hoped that at last Jimmy 's boldness would get him into trouble .

yes , he did .

you see , that might give him a chance to slip away himself .

otherwise , he would be in a bad fix .

the latch on the door rattled .

the door swung open , letting in a flood of light .

the hens stopped their noise .

Farmer Brown 's boy stood in the doorway and looked in .

of course Farmer Brown 's boy saw him at once .

" so it 's you , you black and white rascal ! " he exclaimed .

" I suppose you expect me to step out of your way , and I suppose I will do just that very thing .

you are the most impudent and independent fellow of my acquaintance .

that 's what you are .

you didn't get any eggs , because I gathered all of them last night .

come along out of there , you rascal . "

XXI

THE NEST-EGG GIVES UNC ' BILLY AWAY

' Tis little things that often seem Scarce worth a passing thought Which in the end may prove that they With big results are fraught .

Farmer Brown 's boy watched Jimmy Skunk calmly and peacefully go his way and grinned as he watched him .

he scratched his head thoughtfully .

" I suppose , " said he , " that that is as perfect an example of the value of preparedness as there is .

Jimmy knew he was all ready for trouble if I chose to make it , and that because of that I wouldn't make it .

so he has calmly gone his way as if he were as much bigger than I as I am bigger than he .

there certainly is nothing like being prepared if you want to avoid trouble . "

then Farmer Brown 's boy once more turned to the henhouse and entered it .

that one thing was the china nest-egg on the floor .

" hello ! " exclaimed Farmer Brown 's boy when he saw it .

" now how did that come there ?

it must be that Jimmy Skunk pulled it out of one of those lower nests . "

" that 's queer , " he muttered .

" that egg must have come from one of the upper nests .

Jimmy couldn't have got up to those .

none of the hens could have kicked it out last night , because they were all on the roosts when I shut them up .

they certainly didn't do it this morning , because they wouldn't have dared leave the roosts with Jimmy Skunk here .

I 'll have to look into this . "

so he began with the second row of nests and looked in each .

yes , Sir , Unc ' Billy had forgotten his tail , and it hung just over the edge of the nest .

of course , Farmer Brown 's boy saw it .

he couldn't help but see it .

" Ho , ho ! " he exclaimed right away .

" Ho , ho !

so there was more than one visitor here last night .

this henhouse seems to be a very popular place .

I see that the first thing for me to do after breakfast is to nail a board over that hole in the floor .

so it was you , Unc ' Billy Possum , who kicked that nest-egg out .

found it a little hard for your teeth , didn't you ?

lost your temper and kicked it out , didn't you ?

that was foolish , Unc ' Billy , very foolish indeed .

never lose your temper over trifles .

it doesn't pay .

now I wonder what I 'd better do with you . "

all this time Unc ' Billy hadn't moved .

of course , he couldn't understand what Farmer Brown 's boy was saying .

nor could he see what Farmer Brown 's boy was doing .

so he held his breath and hoped and hoped that he hadn't been discovered .

and perhaps he wouldn't have been but for that telltale nest-egg on the floor .

that was the cause of all his troubles .

first it had angered Jimmy Skunk because as you remember , it had fallen on Jimmy 's head .

then it had led Farmer Brown 's boy to look in all the nests .

it had seemed a trifle , kicking that egg out of that nest , but see what the results were .

truly , little things often are not so little as they seem .

Illustration

XXII

UNC ' BILLY POSSUM TRIES HIS OLD TRICK

the first knowledge Unc ' Billy Possum had that he was discovered came to him through his tail .

yes , Sir , it came to him through his tail .

Farmer Brown 's boy pinched it .

it was rather a mean thing to do , but Farmer Brown 's boy was curious .

he wanted to see what Unc ' Billy would do .

and he didn't pinch very hard , not hard enough to really hurt .

Farmer Brown 's boy is too good-hearted to hurt any one if he can help it .

but Unc ' Billy didn't .

no , Sir , Unc ' Billy didn't .

that tail might have belonged to any one but him so far as he made any sign .

of course , he felt like pulling it away .

any one would have in his place .

but he didn't move it the tiniest bit , which goes to show that Unc ' Billy has great self-control when he wishes .

Farmer Brown 's boy pinched again , just a little harder , but still Unc ' Billy made no sign .

Farmer Brown 's boy chuckled and began to pull on that tail .

there wasn't the least sign of life about Unc ' Billy .

he looked as if he were dead , and he acted as if he were dead .

any one not knowing Unc ' Billy would have supposed that he was dead .

Farmer Brown 's boy dropped Unc ' Billy on the floor .

he lay just as he fell .

Farmer Brown 's boy rolled him over with his foot , but there wasn't a sign of life in Unc ' Billy .

he hoped that Farmer Brown 's boy really did think him dead .

that was what he wanted .

then he went about his work of cleaning out the henhouse and measuring out the grain for the biddies .

Unc ' Billy lay there on the box , and he certainly was pathetic looking .

his hair was all rumpled up , as it usually is .

it was filled with dust from the floor and bits of straw .

his lips were drawn back and his mouth partly open .

his eyes seemed to be closed .

but to have looked at him you would have thought him as dead as the deadest thing that ever was .

as he went about his work Farmer Brown 's boy kept an eye on Unc ' Billy and chuckled .

" you old fraud , " said he .

" you think you are fooling me , but I know you .

possums don't die of nothing in hens ' nests .

you certainly are a clever old rascal , and the best actor I 've ever seen .

I wonder how long you will keep it up .

I wish I had half as much self-control . "

still Unc ' Billy gave no sign of life .

he wondered where he was being taken to .

he was terribly frightened .

but he stuck to his old trick of playing dead which had served him so well more than once before .

Illustration

XXIII

UNC ' BILLY GIVES HIMSELF AWAY

never had Unc ' Billy Possum played that old trick of his better than he was playing it now .

they were half-way from the henyard to the house when Bowser the Hound came to meet his master .

" now we shall see what we shall see , " said Farmer Brown 's boy , as Bowser came trotting up .

" if Unc ' Billy can stand this test , I 'll take off my hat to him every time we meet hereafter . "

he held Unc ' Billy out to Bowser , and Bowser sniffed him all over .

just imagine that !

just think of being nosed and sniffed at by one of whom you were terribly afraid and not so much as twitching an ear !

he 's dead .

he must be the fellow I saw go under the henhouse last night .

how did you kill him ? "

Farmer Brown 's boy laughed and picked Unc ' Billy up by the tail again .

the mother of Farmer Brown 's boy was in the doorway , watching them approach .

" what have you got there ? " she demanded .

" I declare if it isn't a Possum !

where did you kill him ?

was he the cause of all that racket among the chickens ? "

Farmer Brown 's boy took Unc ' Billy into the kitchen and dropped him on a chair .

Mrs Brown came over to look at him closer .

" poor little fellow , " said she .

" poor little fellow .

it was too bad he got into mischief and had to be killed .

I don't suppose he knew any better .

she stroked Unc ' Billy gently .

the eyes of Farmer Brown 's boy twinkled .

he went over to a corner and pulled a straw from his mother 's broom .

then he returned to Unc ' Billy and began to tickle Unc ' Billy 's nose .

Mrs Brown looked puzzled .

she was puzzled .

" what are you doing that for ? " she asked .

" Just for fun , " replied Farmer Brown 's boy and kept on tickling Unc ' Billy 's nose .

he had got to sneeze .

he did sneeze .

he couldn't help it , though it were to cost him his life .

" do you mean to say that that Possum is alive ? "

" seems that way , " replied Farmer Brown 's boy as Unc ' Billy sneezed again , for that straw was still tickling his nose .

" I should certainly say it seems that way .

the old sinner is no more dead than I am .

he 's just pretending .

he fooled you all right , Mother , but he didn't fool me .

I haven't hurt a hair of him .

you ought to know me well enough by this time to know that I wouldn't hurt him . "

he looked at his mother reproachfully , and she hastened to apologize .

" but what could I think ? " she demanded .

" if he isn't a dead-looking creature , I never have seen one .

what are you going to do with him , son ? "

" take him over to the Green Forest after breakfast and let him go , " replied Farmer Brown 's boy .

this is just what he did do , and Unc ' Billy wasted no time in getting home .

it was a long time before he met Jimmy Skunk again .

when he did , Jimmy was his usual good-natured self , and Unc ' Billy was wise enough not to refer to eggs .

produced by Mark C Orton , Thomas Strong , Linda McKeown and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at @url@

Illustration : " caw , caw , caw , caw , caw ! " yelled Blacky at the top of his voice .

FRONTISPIECE .

see page @number@

BURGESS TRADE QUADDIES MARK

MOTHER WEST WIND " HOW " STORIES

BY

THORNTON W BURGESS

Illustrations by HARRISON CADY

GROSSET & DUNLAP

PUBLISHERS NEW YORK

by arrangement with Little , Brown , and Company

Copyright , @number@ , BY THORNTON W BURGESS .

all rights reserved

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I HOW OLD KING EAGLE WON HIS WHITE HEAD @number@

II .

HOW OLD MR . MINK TAUGHT HIMSELF TO SWIM @number@

III .

HOW OLD MR . TOAD LEARNED TO SING @number@

IV .

HOW OLD MR . CROW LOST HIS DOUBLE TONGUE @number@

V HOW HOWLER THE WOLF GOT HIS NAME @number@

VI .

HOW OLD MR . SQUIRREL BECAME THRIFTY @number@

VII .

HOW LIGHTFOOT THE DEER LEARNED TO JUMP @number@

VIII .

HOW MR . FLYING SQUIRREL ALMOST GOT WINGS @number@

IX .

HOW MR . WEASEL WAS MADE AN OUTCAST @number@

X HOW THE EYES OF OLD MR . OWL BECAME FIXED @number@

XI .

HOW IT HAPPENS JOHNNY CHUCK SLEEPS ALL WINTER @number@

XII .

HOW OLD MR . OTTER LEARNED TO SLIDE @number@

XIII .

HOW DRUMMER THE WOODPECKER CAME BY HIS RED CAP @number@

XIV .

HOW OLD MR . TREE TOAD FOUND OUT HOW TO CLIMB @number@

XV .

HOW OLD MR . HERON LEARNED PATIENCE @number@

XVI .

HOW TUFTY THE LYNX HAPPENS TO HAVE A STUMP OF A TAIL @number@

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE

" CAW , CAW , CAW , CAW , CAW ! "

YELLED BLACKY AT THE TOP OF HIS VOICE Frontispiece

" OLD KING BEAR , WHO WAS KING NO LONGER , WOULD GROWL A DEEP , RUMBLY-GRUMBLY GROWL " @number@

" ONE DAY MR . RABBIT SURPRISED MR . WEASEL MAKING A MEAL OF YOUNG MICE " @number@

" HIS LEGS WERE SO LONG AND HIS NECK WAS SO LONG THAT ALL HIS NEIGHBORS LAUGHED AT HIM " @number@

I

HOW OLD KING EAGLE WON HIS WHITE HEAD

MOTHER WEST WIND " HOW " STORIES

I

HOW OLD KING EAGLE WON HIS WHITE HEAD

way , way up in the sky was a black speck sailing across the snowy white face of a cloud .

it didn't seem possible that it could be alive way up there .

but it was .

Peter knew that it was , and he knew who it was .

it was King Eagle .

by and by it disappeared over towards the Great Mountain .

Peter rubbed the back of his neck , which ached because he had tipped his head back so long .

then he gave a little sigh .

" are you envious ? " asked a voice so close to him that Peter jumped .

there was Sammy Jay sitting in a little tree just over his head .

" no ! " snapped Peter , for it made him a wee bit cross to be so startled .

" no , I 'm not envious , Sammy Jay .

I 'm not envious of any bird .

the ground is good enough for me .

I was just wondering , that 's all . "

" have you ever seen King Eagle close to ? " asked Sammy .

" once , " replied Peter .

he is big and fierce-looking , but he looks his name , every inch a king .

I 've wondered a good many times since how it happens that he has a white head . "

Peter 's eyes sparkled .

" tell me about it , Sammy , " he begged .

" tell me about it , and I won't quarrel with you any more . "

" all right , Peter .

I 'll tell you the story , because it will do you good to hear it .

I supposed everybody knew it .

all birds do .

that is why we all look up to King Eagle , " replied Sammy .

" way back in the beginning of things , old King Bear ruled in the Green Forest , as you know .

that is , he ruled the animals and all the little people who lived on the ground , but he didn't rule the birds .

you see the birds were not willing to be ruled over by an animal .

they wanted one of their own kind .

now Mr Eagle was one of the biggest and strongest and most respected of all the birds of the air .

" So King Eagle ruled the air and none dared to cross him or to disobey him .

thus she left matters very much to King Eagle and old King Bear .

they settled all the quarrels between their subjects , and for a while everything went smoothly .

now after a while , this little part of the earth where the animals and the birds first lived became overcrowded .

it became harder and harder to get enough to eat .

quarrels became more frequent , until King Eagle had little time for anything but straightening out these troubles and trying to keep peace .

" old Mother Nature had been away a long time trying to make other parts of the world fit to live in .

no one knew when she was coming back or just where she was .

King Eagle , sitting on the edge of the cliff on the mountain , thought it all over .

old Mother Nature ought to know how things were .

he would send a messenger to try to find her .

" no one offered .

this one had a family to look after .

that one was not feeling well .

another had a pain in his wings .

one and all they had an excuse until Hummer , the tiniest of all the birds , was reached .

he darted into the air before King Eagle .

' I 'll go , ' said he .

" all the others laughed .

but King Eagle didn't laugh .

then King Eagle said things that made all the other birds hang their heads for shame and want to sneak out of sight .

then he spread his great wings and sailed away , every inch a king .

they watched him until he was a speck in the sky , and finally he disappeared altogether .

at last a day was set to choose a new king .

that morning , as soon as it was light enough to see , little Mr Hummer darted away , and his heart was heavy .

he would take no part in choosing a new king .

he would go until he found King Eagle or until something happened to him .

pretty soon he saw a speck way up against a cloud , a speck no bigger than himself .

it grew bigger and bigger , and at last he knew that it was King Eagle himself .

little Mr Hummer turned and flew as he never had flown before .

" he was so out of breath when he reached the other birds that he couldn't say a word for a few minutes .

then he told them that King Eagle was coming .

instead of waiting to give King Eagle a royal welcome , they hurried away , one after another .

" then King Eagle mounted into the air and proudly led the way to the promised land .

II

HOW OLD MR . MINK TAUGHT HIMSELF TO SWIM

II

HOW OLD MR . MINK TAUGHT HIMSELF TO SWIM

at least , it seems that way to his friends and neighbors .

yes , Sir , Billy Mink is just as much at home in the water as out of it .

there was some one wearing fur who could fly , and of course Billy Mink couldn't do that .

it cured Billy of boasting , for a while , anyway .

he said as much to Grandfather Frog one day , as they watched Billy Mink catch a fat trout .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog and looked sharply at Peter .

" Chug-a-rum !

people never know what they can do till they try .

" what did he do ? " asked Peter eagerly .

" learned how , " replied Grandfather Frog gruffly .

" made it his business to learn how .

" did it take old Mr Mink very long to learn how ? " asked Peter wistfully .

" quite a while , " replied Grandfather Frog .

" quite a while .

perhaps you would like to hear about it . "

" oh , if you please , Grandfather Frog , " cried Peter .

" if you please .

I should love dearly to hear about it .

perhaps then I can learn to swim . "

Grandfather Frog snapped up a foolish green fly that happened his way , and Peter heard something that sounded very much like a chuckle .

he looked at Grandfather Frog suspiciously .

was that chuckle because of the foolish green fly , or was Grandfather Frog laughing at him ?

Peter wasn't sure .

" old Mr Mink , the ever-so-great-grandfather of Billy Mink , couldn't do all the things that Billy can now .

for instance , he couldn't swim .

but he could do a great many things , and he was very smart .

it has always run in the Mink family to be smart .

he dressed very much as Billy does now , except that he didn't have the waterproof coat that Billy has .

and he was a great traveler , just as Billy is .

" now Mr Mink was small and spry , and his wits were as nimble as his feet .

Peter Rabbit fidgeted uneasily .

it seemed to him that Grandfather Frog had looked at him very hard when he said this .

but Grandfather Frog just cleared his throat and went on with his story .

this is how it happens that he learned to like fish .

Mr Mink would find it and help himself .

" but having to depend on Mr Otter to get the fish for him didn't suit Mr Mink at all .

in the first place , he didn't have as much as he wanted .

and then again he didn't have it when he wanted it .

' If I could learn to catch fish for myself , I would be much better off , ' thought Mr Mink .

" at first he didn't like it at all .

the water got in his ears and up his nose and choked him .

and then it was so dreadfully wet !

but he would grit his teeth and keep at it .

after a while he got so that he could paddle around a little .

gradually he lost his fear of the water .

then he found that because he naturally moved so quickly he could sometimes catch foolish minnows who swam in where the water was very shallow .

this was great sport , and he quite often had fish for dinner now .

" but he wasn't satisfied .

no , Sir , he wasn't satisfied .

whatever Mr Mink did , he wanted to do well .

he could run well and climb well , and there was no better hunter in all the Green Forest .

he was bound that he would swim well .

so he kept trying and trying .

the more he did this , the longer he could hold his breath .

there was only one thing that bothered Mr Mink .

the water was so dreadfully wet !

every time he came out of it , he had to run his hardest to dry off and keep from getting cold .

this was very tiresome and he did wish that there was an easier way of drying off .

but Mr Mink didn't go hungry .

oh , my , no !

you see , he had learned to catch fish , and so he had plenty to eat .

she watched him catch a fish .

then she watched him run about to dry off and keep from getting cold , and her eyes twinkled .

" ' He who helps himself deserves to be helped , ' said Old Mother Nature .

Mr Mink didn't know what she meant by that , but the next morning he found out .

yes , Sir , the next morning he found out .

he found that he had a brand new coat over his old one , and the new one was waterproof .

he could swim as much as he pleased and not get the least bit wet , because the water couldn't get through that new coat .

and ever since that long-ago day when the world was young , the Minks have had waterproof coats and have been famous fishermen .

hello , Peter Rabbit !

what under the sun are you trying to do , swelling yourself up that way ? "

" I I was just practising holding my breath , " replied Peter and looked very , very foolish .

" Ho , ho , ho !

Ha , ha , ha ! " laughed Grandfather Frog .

" you can't learn to swim by holding your breath on dry land , Peter Rabbit . "

III

HOW OLD MR . TOAD LEARNED TO SING

III

HOW OLD MR . TOAD LEARNED TO SING

why , Peter would as soon think of singing himself , and that is something he can no more do than he can fly .

Peter had known Old Mr Toad ever since he could remember .

he was rather fond of him , even if he did play jokes on him once in a while .

a few days later Peter happened over to the Smiling Pool for a call on Grandfather Frog .

a mighty chorus of joy from unseen singers rose from all about the Smiling Pool .

Peter knew about those singers .

they were Hylas , the little cousins of Sticky-toes the Tree Toad .

Peter sat very still on the edge of the bank trying to see one of them .

suddenly he became aware of a new note , one he never had noticed before and sweeter than any of the others .

it seemed to come from the shallow water just in front of Peter , and he looked eagerly for the singer .

then his eyes opened until it seemed as if they would pop right out of his head , and he dropped his lower jaw foolishly .

old Mr Toad paid no attention to Peter , not even when he was spoken to .

he was so absorbed in his singing that he just didn't hear .

then he spied Jerry Muskrat at the other end of the Smiling Pool and hurried over there .

Peter was so full of the discovery he had made that he could think of nothing else .

he fairly ached to tell .

" Jerry ! " he cried .

" oh , Jerry Muskrat !

do you know that Old Mr Toad can sing ? "

Jerry looked surprised that Peter should ask such a question .

" of course I know it , " said he .

Peter looked very much chagrined .

" I didn't know it until just how , " he confessed .

" I didn't believe him when he told me that he could sing .

I wonder how he ever learned . "

" he didn't learn any more than you learned how to jump , " replied Jerry .

" it just came to him naturally .

his father sang , and his grandfather , and his great grandfather , way back to the beginning of things .

I thought everybody knew about that . "

" I don't .

tell me about it .

please do , Jerry , " begged Peter .

" all right , I will , " replied Jerry good-naturedly .

" it 's something you ought to know about , anyway .

in the first place , Old Mr Toad belongs to a very old and honorable family , one of the very oldest .

I 've heard say that it goes way back almost to the very beginning of things when there wasn't much land .

" old Mother Nature met him hopping along and making hard work of it because , of course , it was so new .

she looked at him sharply .

' What are you doing here ? ' she demanded .

' Aren't you contented with the water where you were born ? '

" Mr Toad bowed very low .

' Yes 'm , ' said he very humbly .

' I 'll go right back there if you say so .

" his answer pleased Old Mother Nature .

she was worried .

she had so many things to attend to that she hadn't time to take care of the bugs .

' If you truly want to be of some use , ' said she , ' you can attend to some of those bugs . '

" Mr Toad went right to work , and Old Mother Nature went about some other business .

he didn't see Old Mother Nature and kept right on working .

she watched him a while as he hopped from plant to plant catching bugs as fast as he could , and then she spoke .

" ' Have you stayed right here ever since I last saw you ? ' she asked .

" Mr Toad gave a start of surprise .

' Yes 'm , ' said he .

" ' But I thought you wanted to see the Great World and learn things , ' said she .

" Mr Toad looked a little embarrassed .

besides , I have learned a great deal right here .

I I couldn't get around fast enough to save all the plants , but I have saved what I could . '

" ' I suppose , ' said she , speaking a little gruffly , ' you expect me to reward you . '

" Mr Toad looked surprised and a little hurt .

' I don't want any reward , ' said he .

' I didn't do it for that .

it will be reward enough to know that I really have helped and to be allowed to continue to help . '

" at that Old Mother Nature 's face lighted with one of her most beautiful smiles .

' Mr Toad , ' said she , ' if you could have just what you want , what would it be ? '

" Mr Toad hesitated a few minutes and then said shyly , ' A beautiful voice . '

" it was Old Mother Nature 's turn to look surprised .

' A beautiful voice ! ' she exclaimed .

' Pray , why do you want a beautiful voice ? '

" 'So that I can express my happiness in the most beautiful way I know of , by singing , ' replied Mr Toad .

" sure enough , when the next spring came , Mr Toad was filled with a great longing to go home .

and so it has been ever since with the Toad family .

Peter sighed .

" I never could work , " said he .

" perhaps that is why I cannot sing . "

" very likely , " replied Jerry Muskrat , quite forgetting that he cannot sing himself although he is a great worker .

IV

HOW OLD MR . CROW LOST HIS DOUBLE TONGUE

IV

HOW OLD MR . CROW LOST HIS DOUBLE TONGUE

" caw , caw , caw , caw ! "

Peter Rabbit peered out from the dear Old Briar-patch and frowned .

" if I had a voice as unpleasant as that , I 'd forget I could talk .

yes , Sir , I 'd forget I had a tongue , " declared Peter .

somebody laughed , and Peter turned quickly to find Jimmy Skunk .

" what are you laughing at ? " demanded Peter .

" at the idea of you forgetting that you had a tongue , " replied Jimmy .

" it 's lucky for you that you haven't then , " retorted Jimmy .

" I 'm afraid that you would lose your tongue just as old Mr Crow did . "

that sounded like a story .

right away Peter sat up and took notice .

" did old Mr Crow really lose his tongue ?

how did he lose it ?

why did he lose it ?

when "

Jimmy Skunk clapped a hand over each ear and pretended that he was going to run away .

Peter jumped in front of him .

" no , you don't ! " he cried .

" you 've just got to tell me that story , Jimmy Skunk . "

" caw , caw , caw , caw ! " shouted Blacky the Crow from the distant tree-top .

" the story of how old Mr Crow lost his tongue .

you may as well tell me first as last , because I 'll give you no peace until you do , " insisted Peter .

Jimmy grinned .

" if that 's the case , I guess I 'll have to , " said he .

" wait until I find a comfortable place to sit down .

I never could tell a story standing up . "

" once upon a time "

" never mind about that , " interrupted Peter .

" I don't see why all stories have to begin ' Once upon a time . '

it seems as if everything interesting happened long ago . "

" if you don't watch out , this story won't begin at all , " declared Jimmy .

Peter looked properly ashamed for interrupting , and Jimmy started again .

he could imitate any and everybody , and he did .

he could sing like Mr Meadow Lark , or he could bark like Mr Wolf .

he could whistle like Mr Quail , or he could growl like old King Bear .

" now the imp of mischief was in old Mr Crow , just as it is in Blacky to-day , and he was smart too .

there wasn't anybody smarter than old Mr Crow .

it 's from him that Blacky gets his smartness .

it didn't take him long to discover that no one else had such a wonderful tongue .

it was even more wonderful than the tongue of old Mr Mocker the Mocking Bird .

Mr Mocker could imitate the songs of other birds , but old Mr Crow could imitate anybody , as I have said .

he puzzled over it a good deal himself for a while .

he couldn't understand how he could make any sound he pleased , while his neighbors could make only a few special sounds .

" being very smart and shrewd , just as Blacky is , he finally made up his mind that it must be in his tongue .

sure enough , his own tongue was different from any of the others .

it was split a little , so that it was almost like two tongues in one .

" ' That 's it , ' he chuckled .

' I knew it .

it 's this little old tongue of mine .

nobody else has got one like it , but nobody knows that but me .

I must make good use of it .

yes , Sir , I must make good use of it . '

" now when old Mr Crow said that , he didn't really mean good use at all .

that is , he didn't mean what you or I or any of his neighbors would have called good use .

" but after a while Mr Crow wasn't satisfied with harmless jokes .

times were getting hard , and everybody had to work to get enough to eat .

he stole as near as he could without being seen and suddenly growled like old King Bear .

of course that meal was left in a hurry .

' It is too bad to see all that good food go to waste , ' said Mr Crow and promptly ate it .

all the time he was so sly about it that never once was he suspected .

one morning Mr Crow discovered Mr Coon just sitting down to a good breakfast .

it is a question which was the more surprised , Mr Coon or Mr Crow .

Mr Coon didn't forget his manners .

he politely invited Mr Crow to sit down and take breakfast with him .

but Mr Crow had lost his appetite .

somehow his tongue felt very queer .

he thanked Mr Coon and begged to be excused .

then he hurried over to the nearest pool of water in which he could see his reflection and stuck out his tongue .

it was no longer split into a double tongue .

" for a long , long time after that no one ever heard Mr Crow say a word .

his neighbors didn't know what to make of it , for you remember he had been a great gossip .

they said that he must have lost his tongue .

of course he hadn't , but he felt that he might as well have .

and ever since then the Crow family has had the harshest of all voices . "

" caw , caw , caw ! " shouted Blacky from the top of the tree where he was sitting .

" I wonder , " said Peter Rabbit thoughtfully , " if he could imitate other people if his tongue should be split . "

" I 've heard say that he could , " replied Jimmy Skunk , " but I don't know .

V

HOW HOWLER THE WOLF GOT HIS NAME

V

HOW HOWLER THE WOLF GOT HIS NAME

it just went all through him .

it was very different from the voice of Old Man Coyote .

Peter had no desire to hear it any nearer .

" did you hear him ? " exclaimed Jumper .

" I hope he won't take it into his head to come down here .

I don't believe he will , because it is too near the homes of men .

he 's just as fierce as his voice sounds .

there is one thing about him that I like , though , and that is that he gives fair warning when he is hunting .

he doesn't come sneaking about without a sound , like Tufty the Lynx .

he hunts like Bowser the Hound and lets you know that he is out hunting .

did you ever hear how he got his name ? "

" no .

how did he get his name ? " asked Peter eagerly .

" for a long time the first Wolf had no name .

most of the other animals and birds had names , but nothing seemed to just fit the big gray Wolf .

he looked a great deal like his cousin , Mr Dog , and still more like his other cousin , Mr Coyote .

but he was stronger than either , could run farther and faster than either , and had quite as wonderful a nose as either .

" with Mr Wolf , as with all the other animals , life was an easy matter at first .

there was plenty to eat , and everybody was on good terms with everybody else .

but there came a time , as you know , when food became scarce .

it was then that the big learned to hunt the small , and fear was born into the world .

Mr Wolf was swift of leg and keen of nose .

his teeth were long and sharp , and he was so strong that there were few he feared to fight with .

" most people like to do the things they know they can do well .

Mr Wolf early learned the joy of hunting .

I can't understand it myself .

Can you ? "

Peter shook his head .

you see neither Jumper nor Peter ever have hunted any one in all their lives .

it is always they who are hunted .

he didn't bother to hunt little people like us when there were big people like Mr Deer .

the longer and harder the hunt , the more Mr Wolf seemed to enjoy it .

" at first he hunted silently , running swiftly with his nose to the ground .

but this gave the ones he hunted very little chance ; he was upon them before they even suspected that he was on their trail .

it always made Mr Wolf feel mean .

he never could hold his head and his tail up after that kind of a hunt .

he felt so like a sneak that he just had to put his tail between his legs for very shame .

there was nothing to be proud about in such a hunt .

" one night he sat thinking about it .

Gentle Mistress Moon looked down at him through the tree-tops , and something inside him urged him to tell her his troubles .

that was the very first Wolf howl ever heard .

there was something very lonely and shivery and terrible in the sound , and all who heard it shook with fear .

Mr Wolf didn't know this , but he did know that he felt better for howling .

so every night he pointed his nose up at Mistress Moon and howled .

" it happened that once as he did this , a Deer jumped at the first sound and rushed away in great fright .

this gave Mr Wolf an idea .

the next day when he went hunting he threw up his head and howled at the very first smell of fresh tracks .

that day he had the longest hunt he ever had known , for the Deer had had fair warning .

you see , he felt that it had been a fair hunt .

after that he always gave fair warning .

as he ran , he howled for very joy .

no longer did he carry his bushy tail between his legs , for no longer did he feel like a coward and a sneak .

instead , he carried it proudly .

all the others hunted by stealth .

he alone hunted openly and boldly .

Illustration : " old King Bear , who was king no longer , would growl a deep , rumbly-grumbly growl . "

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" now this earned for him first the dislike and then the hatred of the other hunters .

Mr Lynx and Mr Panther would snarl angrily .

" of course , it wasn't long before Mr Wolf discovered that he had no friends .

the little people feared him , and the big people hated him because he spoiled their hunting .

but he didn't mind .

sometimes he would howl out of pure mischief just to spoil the hunting of the others .

so , little by little , he began to be spoken of as Howler the Wolf , and after a while everybody called him Howler .

the result was that they grew strong , able to travel long distances , keen of nose , and sharp of wit .

" it has been so ever since , and the name Howler has been handed down to this day .

be thankful , Peter , that Howler never comes down to the Green Forest , but stays far from the homes of men . "

" I am , " replied Peter .

but I don't want to be caught at all , so I think I 'll hurry back to the dear Old Briar-patch . "

and Peter did .

VI

HOW OLD MR . SQUIRREL BECAME THRIFTY

VI

HOW OLD MR . SQUIRREL BECAME THRIFTY

grandfather Frog sat on his big green lily-pad in the Smiling Pool and shook his head reprovingly at Peter Rabbit .

Peter is such a happy-go-lucky little fellow that he never thinks of anything but the good time he can have in the present .

he never looks ahead to the future .

so of course Peter seldom worries .

now Grandfather Frog is very old and very wise , and he doesn't believe in luck .

no , Sir , Grandfather Frog doesn't believe in luck .

" Chug-a-rum ! " says Grandfather Frog , " luck never just happens .

here it was summer , and winter was a long way off .

what was summer for if not to play in and have a good time ?

it was much better to play and take sun-naps among the buttercups and daisies and just have a good time all day long .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog , " did you ever hear how old Mr Squirrel learned thrift ? "

" no , " cried Peter Rabbit , stretching himself out in the soft grass on the edge of the Smiling Pool .

" do tell us about it .

please do , Grandfather Frog ! "

you know Peter dearly loves a story .

that was because he was king .

it was just this way with old King Bear .

that was before he grew so fat and lazy and selfish that Old Mother Nature declared that he should be king no longer .

" now in those days lived old Mr Squirrel , the grandfather a thousand times removed of Happy Jack Squirrel whom you all know .

of course , he wasn't old then .

he was young and frisky , just like Happy Jack , and he was a great favorite with old King Bear .

he even dared to play jokes on old King Bear .

" those were happy days , very happy days indeed , and old King Bear was a very wise ruler .

there was plenty of everything to eat , and so nobody missed the little they brought to old King Bear .

having so much brought to him , he grew very particular .

yes , Sir , old King Bear grew very particular indeed .

some began to whisper behind his back that he was fussy .

Mr Squirrel was smart .

he soon found out that the more he amused old King Bear , the more of King Bear 's good things he had .

it was a lot easier to get his living this way than to hunt for his food as he always had in the past .

besides , it was a lot more fun .

so little Mr Squirrel studied how to please old King Bear , and he grew fat on the good things which other people had earned .

" one day old King Bear gave little Mr Squirrel six big , fat nuts .

it is easy to give what you don't want yourself .

little Mr Squirrel bowed very low and thanked old King Bear in his best manner .

so he took the nuts and pretended to be delighted with them .

" ' What shall I do with them ? ' said little Mr Squirrel as soon as he was alone .

' It won't do for me to leave them where old King Bear will find them , for it might make him very angry . '

at last he remembered a certain hollow tree .

' The very place ! ' cried little Mr Squirrel .

' I 'll drop them in there , and no one will be any the wiser . '

it wasn't very long after this that Old Mother Nature began to hear complaints of old King Bear and his rule in the Green Forest .

the little forest and meadow people were growing tired of feeding the Bear family .

it was just at the beginning of winter when Old Mother Nature came to see for herself what the trouble was .

it didn't take her long to find out .

no , Sir , it didn't take her long .

you can't fool Old Mother Nature , and it 's of no use to try .

she took one good look at old King Bear nodding in the cave where he used to sleep .

he was so fat he looked as if he would burst his skin .

" old Mother Nature frowned .

' You are such a lazy fellow that you shall be king no longer .

all of old King Bear 's family , including his cousin Mr Coon , had been put to sleep just like old King Bear himself .

yes , Sir , they were all asleep , fast asleep .

" little Mr Squirrel felt lonesome .

he grew more lonesome every day .

the weather was cold , and it was hard work to find anything to eat .

Mr Squirrel was hungry all the time .

he couldn't think of anything but his stomach and how empty it was .

he grew thin and thinner .

" one cold day when the snow covered the earth , little Mr Squirrel went without breakfast .

then he went without dinner .

you see , he couldn't find so much as a pine-seed to eat .

Late in the afternoon he crept into a hollow tree to get away from the cold , bitter wind .

he was very tired and very cold and very , very hungry .

tears filled his eyes and ran over and dripped from his nose .

he curled up on the leaves at the bottom of the hollow to try to go to sleep and forget .

under him was something hard .

he twisted and turned , but he couldn't get in a comfortable position .

finally he looked to see what the trouble was caused by .

what do you think he found ?

six big , fat nuts !

yes , Sir , six big , fat nuts !

Little Mr Squirrel was so glad that he cried for very joy .

" when he had eaten two , he felt better and decided to keep the others for the next day .

then he began to wonder how those nuts happened to be in that hollow tree .

these were the very nuts , the present of old King Bear .

" right then as he thought about it , little Mr Squirrel had a bright idea .

and that is just what he did do .

he never had to beg of any one .

he had learned to save .

" and ever since then the Squirrels have been among the wisest of all the little forest people and always the busiest .

" and that 's all , " finished Grandfather Frog .

" thank you !

thank you , Grandfather Frog ! " cried Peter Rabbit .

VII

HOW LIGHTFOOT THE DEER LEARNED TO JUMP

VII

HOW LIGHTFOOT THE DEER LEARNED TO JUMP

it isn't often that Peter Rabbit is filled with envy .

as a rule , Peter is very free from anything like envy .

but once in a great while Peter becomes really and truly envious .

you see , Peter always had been very proud of his own powers of jumping .

" why don't you learn to ? " asked Jimmy Skunk with a mischievous twinkle in the eye which Peter couldn't see .

" Lightfoot couldn't always jump like that ; he had to learn .

why don't you find out how ?

probably Grandfather Frog knows all about it .

he knows about almost everything .

if I were you , I 'd ask him . "

" I I I don't just like to , " replied Peter .

" I 've asked him so many questions that I am afraid he 'll think me a nuisance .

I tell you what , Jimmy , you ask him ! "

Peter 's eyes brightened as he said this .

Jimmy chuckled .

" no , you don't ! " said he .

" if there is anything you want to know from Grandfather Frog , ask him yourself .

I don't want to know how Lightfoot learned to jump .

he may jump over the moon , for all I care .

have you seen any fat beetles this morning , Peter ? "

" no , " replied Peter shortly .

" I 'm not interested in beetles .

there may never be any fat beetles , for all I care . "

Jimmy laughed .

it was a good-natured , chuckling kind of a laugh .

" don't get huffy , Peter , " said he .

" here 's hoping that you learn how to jump like Lightfoot the Deer , and that I get a stomachful of fat beetles . "

with that Jimmy Skunk slowly ambled along down the Crooked Little Path .

grandfather Frog was there on his big green lily-pad , and Peter wasted no time .

" how did Lightfoot the Deer learn to jump so splendidly , Grandfather Frog ? " he blurted out almost before he had stopped running .

grandfather Frog blinked his great , goggly eyes .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said he .

" if you 'll jump across the Laughing Brook over there where it comes into the Smiling Pool , I 'll tell you . "

Peter looked at the Laughing Brook in dismay .

it was quite wide at that point .

" I I can't , " he stammered .

" then I can't tell you how Lightfoot learned to jump , " replied Grandfather Frog , quite as if the matter were settled .

" I I 'll try ! "

Peter hastened to blurt out .

" all right .

while you are trying , I 'll see if I can remember the story , " replied Grandfather Frog .

Peter went back a little so as to get a good start .

Jerry Muskrat and Billy Mink rolled over and over on the bank , laughing until their sides ached .

Even Spotty the Turtle smiled , which is very unusual for Spotty .

now Peter does not like the water , and though he can swim , he doesn't feel at all at home in it .

he paddled for the shore as fast as he could , and in his heart was something very like anger .

no one likes to be laughed at .

Peter intended to start for home the very minute he reached the shore .

but just before his feet touched bottom , he heard the great , deep voice of Grandfather Frog .

it all happened a great while ago when the world was young . "

grandfather Frog was talking quite as if nothing had happened , and he had never thought of laughing .

Peter was so put out that he wanted to keep right on , but he just couldn't miss that story .

his curiosity wouldn't let him .

so he shook himself and then lay down in the sunniest spot he could find within hearing .

" he had just such slim legs as Lightfoot has now and just such wonderful , branching horns .

when he had the latter , he was not much afraid of anybody .

but there was a season in every year when he had no horns , as is the case with Lightfoot .

you know , or ought to know , that every spring Lightfoot loses his horns and through the summer a new pair grows .

it was so with Mr Deer of that long-ago time , and when he lost those great horns , he felt very helpless and timid .

" now old Mr Deer loved the open meadows and spent most of his time there .

when he had to run , he wanted nothing in the way of his slim legs .

and how he could run !

my , my , my , how he could run !

but there were others who could run swiftly in those days too , Mr Wolf and Mr Dog .

Mr Deer always had a feeling that some day one or the other would catch him .

he felt perfectly helpless then .

" but one thing troubled old Mr Deer , who wasn't old then , you know .

yes , Sir , one thing troubled him a great deal .

he couldn't run fast at all among the bushes and the fallen trees and the old logs .

this was a new worry , and it troubled him almost as much as the old worry .

he felt that he was in a dreadful fix .

you see , hard times had come , and the big and strong were preying on the weak and small in order to live .

oh , dear !

oh , dear !

what shall I do ? ' cried Mr Deer , as he lay hidden among the branches of a fallen hemlock-tree .

" just at that very minute along came Mr Hare , the of your cousin Jumper .

a big log was in his path , and he jumped over it as lightly as a feather .

Mr Deer watched him and sighed .

right then he had an idea .

why shouldn't he learn to jump ?

he could try , anyway .

so when he was sure that no one was around to see him , he practised jumping over little low bushes .

at first he couldn't do much , but he kept trying and trying , and little by little he jumped higher .

it was hard work , and he scraped his slim legs many times when he tried to jump over old logs and stumps .

" now all this time some one had been watching him , though he didn't know it .

it was Old Mother Nature .

one day she stopped him as he was trotting along a path .

' What is this you are doing when you think no one is watching ? ' she demanded , looking very cross .

' Haven't I given you beauty and speed ?

and yet you are not satisfied ! '

Mr Deer hung his head .

old Mother Nature heard him through .

" ' Oh , I can't jump nearly as high as that ! ' he cried .

then tossing his head proudly , he added , ' But I 'll try . '

just imagine how surprised he was when he sailed over it without even touching the top of it with his hoofs !

now , Peter , let's see you jump over the Laughing Brook . "

what do you think Peter did ?

VIII

HOW MR . FLYING SQUIRREL ALMOST GOT WINGS

VIII

HOW MR . FLYING SQUIRREL ALMOST GOT WINGS

Jimmy Skunk and Peter Rabbit were having a dispute .

finally they decided that as neither could convince the other , they should leave it for Grandfather Frog to decide which was right .

both agreed that they would accept Grandfather Frog 's decision .

you see , each was sure that he was right .

when they reached the Smiling Pool , they found Grandfather Frog looking very comfortable and old and wise .

" good evening , Grandfather Frog .

I hope you are feeling just as fine as you look , " said Jimmy Skunk , who never forgets to be polite .

" Chug-a-rum !

I 'm feeling very well , thank you , " replied Grandfather Frog .

" what brings you to the Smiling Pool this fine evening ? "

he looked very hard at Peter Rabbit , for he suspected that Peter had come for a story .

grandfather Frog looked immensely pleased .

it always pleases him to be considered wise .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said he gruffly .

" you have a very smooth tongue , Jimmy Skunk .

but what is this matter on which you cannot agree ? "

" how many animals can fly ? " returned Jimmy , by way of answer .

" one , " replied Grandfather Frog .

" I thought everybody knew that .

Flitter the Bat is the only animal who can fly . "

" you forget Timmy , the Flying Squirrel ! " cried Peter excitedly .

" that makes two . "

grandfather Frog shook his head .

" peter , Peter , whatever is the matter with those eyes of yours ? " he exclaimed .

" they certainly are big enough .

I wonder if you ever will learn to use them .

Half-seeing is sometimes worse than not seeing at all .

Timmy cannot fly any more than I can . "

" what did I tell you ? " cried Jimmy Skunk triumphantly .

" but I 've seen him fly lots of times ! " persisted Peter .

" I guess that any one who has envied him as often as I have ought to know . "

" hump ! " grunted Grandfather Frog .

" I guess that 's the trouble .

there was so much envy that it got into your eyes , and you couldn't see straight .

envy is a bad thing . "

Jimmy Skunk chuckled .

" did you ever see him away from trees ? " continued Grandfather Frog .

" no , " confessed Peter .

" did you ever see him cut circles in the air like Flitter the Bat ? "

" No-o , " replied Peter slowly .

" of course not , " retorted Grandfather Frog .

" the reason is because he doesn't fly .

he hasn't any wings .

what he does do is to coast on the air .

he 's the greatest jumper and coaster in the Green Forest . "

" coast on the air ! " exclaimed Peter .

" I never heard of such a thing . "

" there are many things you never have heard of , " replied Grandfather Frog .

" sit down , Peter , and stop fidgeting , and I 'll tell you a story . "

perhaps this was partly because he was very small and was not big enough or strong enough to fight his way as the others did .

" but even at night there was plenty of danger .

there was Mr Owl to be watched out for , and other night prowlers .

he used to sit and watch old Mr Bat flying about and wish that he had wings .

then he thought how foolish it was to wish for something he hadn't got and couldn't have .

" ' The thing to do , ' said little Mr Squirrel to himself , ' is to make the most of what I have got .

he would climb an old stump and then jump as far as he could .

then one night he made a discovery .

it was like sliding down on the air .

it was great fun , and pretty soon he was spending all his spare time doing it .

" one moonlight night , Old Mother Nature happened along and sat down on a log to watch him .

at last he told her that he was trying to learn to jump better that he might better take care of himself .

the idea pleased Old Mother Nature .

you know she is always pleased when she finds people trying to help themselves .

" ' That 's a splendid idea , ' said she .

' I 'll help you .

I 'll make you the greatest jumper in the Green Forest . '

" then she gave to little Mr Squirrel something almost but not quite like wings .

he was afraid , very much afraid .

but Old Mother Nature had told him to do it .

he knew that he ought to trust her .

so he climbed the tall tree .

" ' Jump ! ' commanded Old Mother Nature .

" little Mr Squirrel gulped very hard , trying to swallow his fear .

you see , the skin between his legs when he spread them out had kept him from falling straight down .

" he was so delighted that he wanted to do it right over again , but he didn't forget his manners .

he first thanked Old Mother Nature .

" she smiled .

" little Mr Squirrel did .

people who , like Peter , did not use their eyes , thought that he could fly , and he was called the Flying Squirrel .

he was the of Timmy whom you both know . "

" and Timmy doesn't really fly at all , does he ? " asked Jimmy Skunk .

" certainly not .

he jumps and slides on the air , " replied Grandfather Frog .

" what did I tell you ? " cried Jimmy triumphantly to Peter .

" well , anyway , it 's next thing to flying .

I wish I could do it , " replied Peter .

IX

HOW MR . WEASEL WAS MADE AN OUTCAST

IX

HOW MR . WEASEL WAS MADE AN OUTCAST

he looked this way ; he looked that way .

Peter saw him and headed straight toward him to pass the time of day .

it was Peter 's turn to look frightened , and he hastily glanced this way and that way .

" no , " he replied .

" is he anywhere about here ? "

" I hope so !

my goodness , I hope so ! " exclaimed Peter , still looking this way and that way uneasily .

" I hate him ! " declared Chatterer fiercely .

" so do I , " replied Peter .

" I guess everybody does .

it must be dreadful to be hated by everybody .

I don't believe he has got a single friend in the wide , wide world , not even among his own relatives .

I wonder why it is he never tries to make any friends . "

" here comes Jimmy Skunk .

let's ask him .

he ought to know , for he is Shadow 's cousin , " said Chatterer .

Jimmy came ambling up in his usual lazy way , for you know he never hurries .

it seemed to Chatterer and Peter that he was slower than usual .

but he got there at last .

" I 've never asked him , but I suppose it 's because he doesn't want them , " replied Jimmy .

" but why ? " asked Peter .

" I guess it 's because he is an outcast , " replied Jimmy .

" what is an outcast , " demanded Peter .

" why , somebody with whom nobody else will have anything to do , stupid , " replied Jimmy .

" I thought everybody knew that . "

" but how did it happen that he became an outcast in the first place ? " persisted Peter .

" he 's always been an outcast , ever since he was born , and I suppose he is used to it , " declared Jimmy .

" his father was an outcast , and his grandfather , and his great-grandfathers way back to the days when the world was young . "

" tell us about it .

do tell us about it ! " begged Peter .

Jimmy smiled good-naturedly .

" well , seeing that I haven't anything else to do just now , I will .

perhaps you fellows may learn something from the story , " said he .

then he settled himself comfortably with his back to an old stump and began .

Illustration : " one day Mr Rabbit surprised Mr Weasel making a meal of young mice . "

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he was small , just as Shadow is now , and he looked just the same as Shadow does now .

he was on the best of terms with all his neighbors , and no one had a word to say against him .

in fact , he was rather liked and had quite as many friends as anybody .

but all the time he had a mean disposition .

he hid it from his neighbors , but he had it just the same .

now mean dispositions are easily hidden when everything is pleasant and there are no worries , and that is the way it was then .

" with his mean disposition , Mr Weasel was also very crafty .

being small and moving so swiftly , he was hard to keep track of .

you know how it is with Shadow now you see him , and now you don't . "

Chatterer and Peter nodded .

they knew that it is because of this that he is called Shadow .

there were no secrets that he didn't find out , and all the time no one suspected him .

" of course hard times came to Mr Weasel at last , just as to everybody else , but they didn't worry him much .

so Mr Weasel became a thief , and still no one suspected him .

now one bad habit almost always leads to another .

Mr Weasel developed a great fondness for eggs .

our whole family has always had rather a weakness that way . "

Jimmy grinned , for he knew that Peter and Chatterer knew that he himself never could pass a fresh egg when he found it .

yes , Sir , that 's what he did .

he found the taste of young birds very much to his liking , and he began to hunt for more .

then he discovered a nest of young mice , and he found these quite as good as young birds .

then came a great fear upon the littlest people , but not once did they suspect Mr Weasel .

he was very crafty and went and came among them just as always .

" but you know wrongdoing is bound to be found out sooner or later .

one day Mr Rabbit surprised Mr Weasel making a meal of young mice , and of course he hurried to tell all his neighbors .

it makes most people angry to be caught in wrongdoing and it was just that way with Mr Weasel .

so pretty soon Mr Weasel found that he hadn't a friend in the world .

this made him more savage than ever , and he hunted and killed just for the pleasure of it .

he took pleasure in the fear which he read in the eyes of his neighbors when they saw him .

he wasn't sorry for what he had done and he wouldn't promise to do better .

and it has been so to this day .

even I am not on speaking terms with Shadow , although he is my own cousin , " concluded Jimmy Skunk .

Peter Rabbit shuddered .

" isn't it dreadful not to have a single friend ? " he exclaimed .

" I would rather have to run for my life twenty times a day than to be hated and feared and without a single friend .

I wouldn't be an outcast for all the world . "

" there 's not the least bit of danger of that for you , Peter , " laughed Jimmy Skunk .

x

HOW THE EYES OF OLD MR . OWL BECAME FIXED

x

HOW THE EYES OF OLD MR . OWL BECAME FIXED

Blacky the Crow had discovered Hooty the Owl dozing the bright day away in a thick hemlock-tree .

Blacky knew that the bright light hurt Hooty 's big eyes and half blinded him .

Blacky would have taken care , the very greatest care , not to let Hooty know that he was anywhere around .

dear me , dear me , such a racket as there was then !

they flew over his head , and they settled in the tree all around him , all yelling as hard as ever they could .

everybody within hearing knew what it meant , and everybody who dared to hurried over to watch the fun .

so , though it wasn't at all nice of them , they enjoyed seeing him tormented by Blacky and his relatives .

but all the time they took the greatest care to keep out of sight themselves .

Peter Rabbit was there .

of course , Sammy Jay was there , but Sammy didn't try to keep out of sight .

oh , my , no !

you see he knew just how helpless Hooty was .

Hooty was very , very angry .

now Hooty can turn his head as no one else can .

that interested Peter Rabbit immensely .

he couldn't think of anything else .

he kept trying to do the same thing himself , but of course he couldn't .

he could turn his head sideways , but that was all .

" of course I know , " replied Jumper .

" I thought everybody knew that .

it 's because his eyes are fixed in their sockets , and he can't turn them .

so he turns his whole head in order to see in all directions .

the rest of us can roll our eyes , but Hooty can't . "

Peter scratched his long left ear with his long right hindfoot , a way he has when he is thinking or is puzzled .

" that 's funny , " said he .

" I wonder why his eyes are fixed . "

" because his rolled his eyes too much , " replied Jumper , yawning .

" he saw too much .

it 's a bad thing to see too much . "

" tell me about it .

please do , Cousin Jumper , " begged Peter .

Jumper looked up at the moon to see what time of night it was .

" all right , " said he , settling himself comfortably .

" all the Owl family , way back to the very beginning , have had very big eyes .

old Mr Owl had them .

he could move them just as we can ours .

and because they were so big , and because he could roll them , there was very little going on that Mr Owl didn't see .

she wanted to see just how many of them she could trust to obey her orders .

so she lined them all up in a row .

then she made them turn so that their backs were to her .

" ' Now , ' said she , ' everybody is to keep eyes to the front .

I am going to be very busy back here for a few minutes , but not one of you is to peek .

I shall know if you do , and I shall see to it that you never forget it as long as you live . '

" that sounded as if something dreadful might happen , so everybody sat perfectly still looking straight before them .

old Mr Rabbit just itched all over with curiosity .

it seemed to him that he just must turn his head .

but for once he managed to get the best of his curiosity and stared straight ahead .

" now Mr Owl had tremendous great ears , just as Hooty has to-day .

you can't see them because the feathers cover them , but they are there just the same . "

Peter nodded .

he knew all about those wonderful ears and how they heard the teeniest , weeniest noise when Hooty was flying at night .

so he rolled his eyes back and then looked straight ahead again .

what he had seen made him want to see more .

he tried it again .

just imagine how he felt when he found that his eyes wouldn't roll .

he couldn't move them a bit .

all he could do was to stare straight ahead .

it frightened him dreadfully , and he kept trying and trying to roll his eyes , but they were fixed fast .

he could see in only one direction , the way his head was turned .

" when at last Old Mother Nature told all the little people that they might look , Mr Owl didn't want to look .

he didn't want to face Old Mother Nature , for he knew perfectly well what had happened to his eyes .

he didn't say anything .

he was too ashamed to .

he flew away home the very first chance he got .

for a long time after that , Mr Owl never could see behind him at all .

it made him dreadfully nervous and unhappy .

he felt all the time as if people were doing things behind his back .

but he didn't complain .

he was ashamed to do that .

" old Mother Nature was watching him all the time .

after a long , long while , she decided that he had been punished enough .

" thank you , Cousin Jumper , " cried Peter .

" but there is one thing you forgot to tell .

what was it that Old Mother Nature was doing when Mr Owl rolled his eyes to look back . "

" that , " replied Jumper , " Mr Owl never told , and nobody else knew , so I can't tell you . "

XI

HOW IT HAPPENS JOHNNY CHUCK SLEEPS ALL WINTER

XI

HOW IT HAPPENS JOHNNY CHUCK SLEEPS ALL WINTER

Peter Rabbit was bothered .

he was bothered in his mind , and when Peter is bothered in his mind , he loses his appetite .

it was so now .

he had been up in the Old Orchard and , as is his way , had stopped at Johnny Chuck 's for a bit of gossip .

as he sat there talking , it suddenly came over him that Johnny was looking unusually fat .

he said so .

Johnny yawned in a very sleepy way as he replied :

" one has to get fat in order to sleep comfortably all winter .

I 've got to get fatter than I am now before I turn in . "

so he went home to think it over , and the more he thought , the more troubled he became .

how could anybody sleep all winter ?

and what good did just getting fat do ?

Johnny Chuck couldn't eat his own fat , so what was the use of it ?

" must be it 's to keep him warm , " thought Peter and brightened up .

but why wasn't a good thick coat of fur just as good or even better ?

he didn't have any trouble keeping warm .

neither did Billy Mink or Little Joe Otter or Reddy Fox .

no , it couldn't be that Johnny Chuck put on all that fat just to keep warm .

besides , he would spend the winter way down deep in the ground , and there was no excuse for being cold there .

he found him sitting on his big lily-pad , but somehow Grandfather Frog didn't look as chipper and smart as usual .

" he certainly is growing old , " thought Peter .

" he isn't as spry as he used to be .

seems as if he had grown old in the last two or three weeks .

too bad , too bad . "

aloud , Peter said : " why , Grandfather Frog , how well you are looking !

you are enough to make us young fellows envious . "

grandfather Frog looked at Peter sharply .

perhaps he read the truth in Peter 's eyes .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said he .

" be honest , Peter .

be honest .

don't try to flatter , because it is a bad habit to get into .

I know how I look .

I look old and tired .

now isn't that so ? "

Peter looked a little shamefaced .

he didn't know just what to say , so he said nothing and just nodded his head .

" that 's better , " said Grandfather Frog gruffly .

" always tell the truth .

the fact is I am tired .

I am so tired that I 'm going to sleep for the winter , and I 'm going to do it this very day . "

" oh , Grandfather Frog , " ( Peter had found his tongue ) , " please tell me something before you go .

why doesn't he starve to death ? "

grandfather Frog had to smile at the eager curiosity in Peter 's voice .

" I see you are just as full of questions as ever , Peter , " said he .

Johnny Chuck sleeps all winter because he is sensible , and he is sensible because it runs in the family to be sensible .

his was sensible .

it 's a very good thing to have good sound common sense run in the family , Peter . "

once more Peter nodded his head .

Jerry Muskrat , who was sitting on the Big Rock , listening , winked at Peter , and Peter winked back .

then he made himself comfortable and prepared not to miss a word of Grandfather Frog 's story .

" that was before the hard times of which I have told you before .

everybody had plenty to eat , and everybody was on the best of terms with all his neighbors .

then came the hard times , and the beginning of the hard times was the coming of rough Brother North Wind and Jack Frost .

their coming made the first winter .

yes , Sir , it certainly was hard on them .

some of them nearly starved to death that first winter , short as it was .

old Mr Chuck , who , of course , wasn't old then , was one of them .

he was so thin that sometimes he used to listen to see if he couldn't hear his bones rattle inside his skin .

" of course he couldn't , but he was quite sure that when the wind blew , it went right through him .

at last warm weather returned , just as it does now every summer , and once more there was plenty to eat .

some of the little people seemed to forget all about the hard times of the cold weather , but not Mr Chuck .

he had been too cold and too hungry to ever forget .

" so after a while Mr Chuck kept his thoughts to himself and went about his business as usual .

so he kept studying and studying how he could live through another cold spell , if it should come .

' I must find some other way of keeping warm .

anyway , it never will be very cold .

I believe that is a good idea .

I 'll try it at once . '

" so without wasting any time , Mr Chuck began to dig .

he dug and he dug and he dug .

when his neighbors grew curious and asked questions , he smiled good-naturedly and said that he was trying an experiment .

" ' Anyway , I won't freeze to death , ' said he .

then he sighed as he remembered how hungry , how terribly hungry he had been .

' Now if only I can think of some way to get food enough to carry me through , I 'll be all right . '

they shriveled and dried , so that he couldn't eat them at all .

Mr Chuck 's heart sank .

he thought of how soon all the tender green things would disappear .

right then an idea was born in Mr Chuck 's head .

" So day after day he spent stuffing himself , and his neighbors called him Mr Greedy .

but he didn't mind that .

there came a morning at last when Mr Chuck stuck his nose out to find Jack Frost waiting to pinch it .

all the tender green things were black and dead .

back to his bed scrambled Mr Chuck and curled up to sleep just as long as he could .

he made up his mind that he wouldn't worry until he had to .

he had done his best , and that was all he could do .

" when Old Mother Nature came to see how the little people were faring , she missed Mr Chuck .

she asked his neighbors what had become of him , but no one knew .

at length she came to his house and looking inside found him fast asleep .

she saw right away what he had done and how fat he had grown .

she knew without being told what it all meant , and the idea amused her .

" ' You shall sleep , Mr Chuck , Through the time of frost and snow .

for your courage and your pluck You shall no discomfort know . '

" and so Mr Chuck slept on until the tender young green things began once more to grow .

the cold could not reach him , and the fat he had stored under his skin took the place of food .

when he awoke in the spring , he knew nothing of the hard times his neighbors were talking about .

and ever since then the Chuck family has slept through the winter , because it is the most comfortable and sensible thing to do .

I know , because I have done the same thing for years .

Good-by , Peter Rabbit !

no more stories until spring . "

before Peter could say a word , there was a splash in the Smiling Pool , and Grandfather Frog was nowhere to be seen .

XII

HOW OLD MR . OTTER LEARNED TO SLIDE

XII

HOW OLD MR . OTTER LEARNED TO SLIDE

Little Joe Otter was having the jolliest kind of a time .

Little Joe Otter is a jolly little chap , anyway , and just now he was extra happy .

you see , he had a brand new slippery-slide .

yes , Sir , Little Joe had just built a new slippery-slide down the steepest part of the bank into the Smiling Pool .

of course he enjoyed it more because he had built it himself .

Peter Rabbit and Johnny Chuck sat watching him from the bank on the other side of the Smiling Pool .

he even let a foolish green fly brush the tip of his nose and didn't snap at it .

" Chug-a-rum ! " exclaimed Grandfather Frog to no one in particular .

" that reminds me of the days when I was young and the greatest diver in the Smiling Pool .

my goodness , it makes me feel young just to watch Little Joe shoot down that slippery-slide .

if I weren't so old , I 'd try it myself .

Wheee ! "

with , that , Grandfather Frog suddenly jumped .

Little Joe was having such a good time !

Peter actually was wishing that he did like the water .

grandfather Frog climbed out on his big green lily-pad .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said he , as once more Little Joe splashed into the Smiling Pool .

" did you ever hear about Little Joe 's family secret ? " he asked in his deep gruff voice .

" no , " cried Peter Rabbit .

" do tell us about it !

I just love secrets . "

there was a great deal of eagerness in Peter 's voice , and it made Grandfather Frog smile .

" is that the reason you never can keep them ? " he asked .

Peter looked a wee bit foolish , but he kept still and waited patiently .

" once upon a time when the world was young , the of Little Joe Otter got into a peck of trouble .

yes , Sir , he certainly did get into a peck of trouble .

you see , it was winter , and everything was covered with snow , so that food was hard to get .

most of the little forest and meadow people found little to eat , and it took a great deal of hunting to find that little .

" now an empty stomach almost always makes a short temper .

it is hard , very hard indeed to be hungry and good-natured at the same time .

so as most of the people of the Green Forest were hungry all the time , they were also short-tempered all the time .

Mr Otter knew this .

sometimes he would bring up a fine fish and eat it right before them without offering to share so much as a mouthful .

" now it happened that one fine morning Mr Otter took it into his head to take a walk in the Green Forest .

it was a beautiful morning , and Mr Otter went farther than he intended .

he looked over his shoulder , and what he saw helped him to make up his mind in a hurry .

but in spite of all he could do , Mr Lynx traveled faster , coming with great jumps and snarling and spitting with every jump .

Mr Otter was almost out of breath when he reached the high bank just above the open spring-hole .

it was very steep , very steep indeed .

Mr Otter threw a hasty glance over his shoulder .

Mr Lynx was so near that in one more jump he would catch him .

there wasn't time to run around to the place where the bank was low .

then he landed with a great splash in the cold , black water and was safe , for Mr Lynx was afraid of the water .

" now in spite of his dreadful fright , Mr Otter had enjoyed that exciting slide down the steep bank .

so he climbed out where the bank was low and ran around to the steep place and once more slid down into the water .

it was great fun , the greatest fun Mr Otter ever had had .

he did it again and again .

in fact , he kept doing it all the rest of that day .

he learned just how to hold his legs so that they would not be hurt .

why not make a slippery-slide of mud and clay ?

right away he tried it .

after that Mr Otter was perfectly happy , for summer and winter he had a slippery-slide .

" and it 's the best secret in the world , " said Little Joe Otter , swimming up behind Grandfather Frog just then .

" I wish I wish I had a slippery-slide , " said Peter Rabbit wistfully .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog .

" Chug-a-rum !

be content with the blessings you have got , Peter Rabbit .

be content with the blessings you have got .

no good comes of wishing for things which it never was meant that you should have .

it is a bad habit and it makes discontent . "

XIII

HOW DRUMMER THE WOODPECKER CAME BY HIS RED CAP

XIII

HOW DRUMMER THE WOODPECKER CAME BY HIS RED CAP

Drummer the Woodpecker was beating his long roll on a hollow tree in the Green Forest .

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat !

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat !

Drummer thought it the most beautiful sound in the world .

after each long roll he would stop and listen for a reply .

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat !

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat !

suddenly Drummer heard a scratching sound inside the hollow tree .

once more he beat the long roll and the scratching sound grew louder .

then he heard a voice just a little way above him .

" do Ah hear some one knocking ? " asked the voice .

Drummer looked up .

" hello , Unc ' Billy !

is this your house ?

I didn't know it when I began to drum .

I wasn't knocking ; I was drumming .

I just love to drum , " replied Drummer .

" ah reckons yo ' do by the noise yo ' have been making , but Ah don't like being inside the drum .

" I 'm sorry if I have disturbed you , Unc ' Billy , " he replied promptly .

" of course I won't drum here any longer , if you don't like it .

I 'll look for another hollow tree , though I don't believe I can find another as good .

it is one of the best sounding trees I have ever drummed on .

it 's simply beautiful ! "

there was a great deal of regret in his voice , as if it were the hardest work to give up that tree .

" ah 'll tell yo ' where there 's another just as good , " replied Unc ' Billy .

" yo ' see the top of that ol ' chestnut-tree way down there in the holler ?

well , yo ' try that .

ah 'm sure yo ' will like it . "

Drummer thanked Unc ' Billy politely and bobbed his red-capped head as he spread his wings and started in the direction of the big chestnut-tree .

Unc ' Billy grinned as he watched him .

then he slowly and solemnly winked one eye at Peter Rabbit , who had just come along .

" what 's the joke ? " asked Peter .

" ah done just sent Brer Drummer down to the big chestnut-tree to drum , " Unc ' Billy replied , winking again .

" why , that 's Bobby Coon 's house ! " cried Peter , and then he saw the joke and began to grin too .

in a few minutes they heard Drummer 's long roll .

then again and again .

the third time it broke off right in the middle , and right away a terrible fuss started down at the big chestnut-tree .

they could hear Drummer 's voice , and it sounded very angry .

" ah reckon Brer Coon was waked up and lost his temper , " chuckled Unc ' Billy .

" it 's a bad habit to lose one 's temper .

yes , Sah , it cert'nly is a bad habit .

ah reckons Ah better be turning in fo ' another nap , Brer Rabbit . "

with that Unc ' Billy disappeared , still chuckling .

hardly was he out of sight when Peter saw Drummer heading that way , and Drummer looked very much put out about something .

he just nodded to Peter and flew straight to Unc ' Billy 's tree .

then he began to drum .

how he did drum !

his red-capped head flew back and forth as Peter never had seen it fly before .

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat !

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat !

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat !

Drummer hardly paused for breath .

" I hope Unc ' Billy is enjoying a good nap , " he chuckled .

" Drummer certainly has turned the joke back on Unc ' Billy this time , and I guess it serves him right . "

he was still laughing when he reached the Smiling Pool .

grandfather Frog watched him until he began to smile too .

you know laughter is catching .

" Ha , ha , ha !

Ho , ho , ho ! " laughed Peter and held his sides .

" what is the joke ? " demanded Grandfather Frog in his deepest voice .

when Peter could get his breath , he told Grandfather Frog all about the joke on Unc ' Billy Possum .

" listen ! " said Peter at the end of the story .

they both listened .

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat !

" Chug-a-rum !

that reminds me , " said Grandfather Frog .

" did you ever hear how Drummer came by his red cap ? "

" no , " replied Peter .

" how did he ? "

there was great eagerness in Peter 's voice .

" of course , " said Peter , quite as if he knew all about it .

" of course , it all happened way back in the days when the world was young . "

" of course ! " said Peter .

this time Grandfather Frog took no notice .

" Drummer 's grandfather a thousand times removed was just a plain little black and white bird without the least bit of bright color on him .

he didn't have any sweeter voice than Drummer has to-day .

altogether he seemed to his neighbors a no-account little fellow , and they didn't have much to do with him .

so Mr Woodpecker lived pretty much alone .

you see , he hadn't any voice for singing , and so he got in the habit of drumming to keep his spirits up .

" now all the time , right down in his heart , Mr Woodpecker envied the birds who had handsome coats .

he used to wish and wish that he had something bright , if it were no more than a pretty necktie .

they shrugged their shoulders and went on playing and having a good time .

but Mr Woodpecker was worried .

he loved the Green Forest dearly , and he began to fear that if something wasn't done , there wouldn't be any Green Forest .

he said as much to some of his neighbors , but they only laughed at him .

the more he thought about it , the more Mr Woodpecker worried .

" ' Something must be done , ' said he to himself .

' Yes , Sir , something must be done .

if Old Mother Nature doesn't come to attend to things pretty soon , it will be too late . '

then he made up his mind that he would do what he could .

from early morning until night he hunted worms and dug them out of the trees .

then he would fly to the next tree .

he pounded with his bill until his neck ached .

he didn't even take time to drum .

his neighbors laughed at him at first , but he kept right on working , working , working every hour of the day .

" at last Old Mother Nature appeared very unexpectedly .

she went all through the Green Forest , and her sharp eyes saw all that Mr Woodpecker had done .

she made him sit up on a dead limb of a tall chestnut-tree where all could see him .

Mr Woodpecker thanked Old Mother Nature as best he could and then slipped away where he could be alone with his happiness .

" and that , " concluded Grandfather Frog , " is how Drummer whom you know came by his red cap . "

XIV

HOW OLD MR . TREE TOAD FOUND OUT HOW TO CLIMB

XIV

HOW OLD MR . TREE TOAD FOUND OUT HOW TO CLIMB

he had it on his mind one morning when he met Old Mr Toad solemnly hopping down the Lone Little Path .

right then and there Peter resolved to ask Old Mr Toad .

" good morning , Mr Toad , " said Peter politely .

" have you a few minutes to spare ? "

old Mr Toad hopped into the shade of a big mullein leaf .

" I guess so , if it is anything important , " said he .

" phew !

Hot , isn't it ?

I simply can't stand the sun .

now what is that you 've got on your mind , Peter ? "

old Mr Toad chuckled .

" looking for a story as usual , I see , " said he .

" you ought to go to Grandfather Frog for this one , because Sticky-toes is really a Frog and not a Toad .

Peter settled himself comfortably and prepared to listen .

old Mr Toad snapped up a foolish spider who came too near and then cleared his throat .

" but he wouldn't listen to their dismal croakings and hurried after the Toads .

being able to make longer jumps than they could , he soon caught up with them , and they all journeyed on together .

you see , there were no birds in those days to help .

one day little Mr Frog sat under a bush on which most of the leaves had been eaten .

he saw a worm eating a leaf on one of the lower branches .

it was quite a way above his head .

it worried him .

he kept his eyes on that worm and thought and thought until his head ached .

at last he got an idea .

' I wonder , ' thought he , ' if I jump as hard as I can , if I can catch that fellow .

I 'll try it .

it will do no harm to try . '

" so he drew his long legs close under him , and then he jumped up with all his might .

it was a very uncertain seat , but he hung on and crept along until he could dart his tongue out and catch that worm .

then he saw another , and in trying to catch that one he lost his balance and fell to the ground with a thump .

it quite knocked the wind from his body .

' If only I could hold on once I get up there , I would be all right , ' thought he .

" the next day and the next , and for many days thereafter , little Mr Frog kept jumping for bugs on the bushes .

he had to pull to get it free .

like a flash an idea popped into his head .

as long as the pitch lasted , he could climb .

" Little Mr Frog was tickled to death , with his discovery , but he didn't say a word to any one about it .

every day he rubbed pitch on his hands and then climbed about in the bushes and low trees , ridding them of bugs and worms .

" quite unexpectedly Old Mother Nature returned to see how the trees and the plants were getting on .

you see , she was worried about them .

when she found what the Toads had been doing , she was mightily pleased .

then she noticed that some of the bushes and low trees had very few leaves left , while others looked thrifty and strong .

" ' That 's queer , ' said Old Mother Nature to herself and went over to examine a bush .

Hanging on to a branch for dear life she saw a queer little fellow who was so busy that he didn't see her at all .

it was little Mr Frog .

he was catching bugs as fast as he could .

old Mother Nature wrinkled up her brows .

' Now however did he learn to climb ? ' thought she .

then she hid where she could watch .

he hurried over to a pine-tree and rubbed more pitch on and then jumped up into the bush and went to work again .

" you can guess how astonished Old Mother Nature was when she saw this performance .

and she was pleased .

oh , yes , indeed , Old Mother Nature was wonderfully pleased .

and this is the end of the story , " concluded Old Mr Toad .

XV

HOW OLD MR . HERON LEARNED PATIENCE

XV

HOW OLD MR . HERON LEARNED PATIENCE

the first tune Peter saw him , he thought that never in all his life had he seen such a homely fellow .

Peter sat and stared at him most impolitely .

he knew that he was impolite , but for the life of him he couldn't help staring .

" he 's all legs , " thought Peter .

I wonder why he doesn't move . "

but Longlegs didn't move .

Peter stared as long as his patience held out .

then he gave up and went on to see what else he could find .

but in a little while Peter was back again at the place where he had seen Longlegs .

he didn't really expect to find him there , but he did .

so far as Peter could see , Longlegs hadn't moved .

" must be asleep , " thought Peter , and after watching for a few minutes , went away again .

half an hour later Peter was once more back .

there stood Longlegs just as before .

" now I know he is asleep , " muttered Peter .

the long bill which Peter had seen sticking forth from between those humped-up shoulders darted out and down into the water like a flash .

behind that bill was the longest neck Peter ever had seen !

it was so long that Peter blinked to be perfectly sure that his eyes had not been playing him a trick .

" I thought he was all legs , but instead of that he 's all neck , " muttered Peter .

in a minute Longlegs was standing just as before , with seemingly no neck at all .

Peter watched until he grew tired , but Longlegs didn't move again .

he spoke of it one day to Grandfather Frog .

at the mere mention of Longlegs , Grandfather Frog sat up and took notice .

" where did you see him ? " asked Grandfather Frog , and Peter thought his voice sounded anxious .

" down the Laughing Brook , " replied Peter .

" why ? "

" oh , nothing , " said Grandfather Frog , trying to make his voice sound as if he weren't interested .

" I just wondered where the long-legged nuisance might be . "

" he 's the laziest fellow I ever saw , " declared Peter .

" he just stands doing nothing all day . "

" huh ! " exclaimed Grandfather Frog .

" if your family had suffered from him as much as mine has , you would say that he was altogether too busy .

ask the Trout what they think , or the Minnow family . "

" oh , " said Peter , " you mean that when he stands still that way he is fishing . "

grandfather Frog nodded .

" well , " said Peter , " all I can say is that he is the most patient fellow I ever saw .

I didn't suppose there was such patience . "

" he comes rightly by it , " returned Grandfather Frog .

" he gets it from his , who lived when the world was young .

he learned it then . "

" how ? " demanded Peter , eager for a story .

grandfather Frog 's eyes took on a far-away look , as if he were seeing into that long-ago past .

" Chug-a-rum ! " he began .

his legs were so long and his neck was so long that all his neighbors laughed at him and made fun of him .

he was just as awkward as he looked .

his long legs were in his way .

he didn't know what to do with his long neck .

when he tried to run , everybody shouted with laughter .

poor Mr Heron was ashamed of himself , actually ashamed of himself .

he quite overlooked the fact that Old Mother Nature had given him a really beautiful coat of feathers .

some of those who laughed at him would have given anything to have possessed such a beautiful coat .

but Mr Heron didn't know this .

he couldn't bear to be laughed at , wherein he was very like most people .

" so he tried his best to keep out of sight as much as possible .

so he found a use for his long legs and was glad that they were long .

at first he used to go ashore to hunt for food .

one day as he was wading ashore , he surprised a school of little fish and managed to catch one .

it tasted so good that he wanted more , and every day he went fishing .

whenever he saw little fish swimming where the water was shallow , he would rush in among them and do his best to catch one .

sometimes he did , but more often he didn't .

" one day after he had tried and tried without catching even one , he stopped just at the edge of the rushes to rest .

his long neck ached , and to rest it he laid it back on his shoulders .

for a long time he stood there , resting .

the water around his feet was cool and comforting .

he was very comfortable but for one thing , he was hungry .

' Perhaps , ' thought he , ' if I keep perfectly still , they will come near enough for me to catch one . '

so he kept perfectly still .

he didn't dare even stretch his long neck up .

sure enough , the little fish swam almost to his very feet .

they didn't see him at all .

when they were near enough , he darted his long neck forward and caught one without any trouble at all .

Mr Heron was almost as surprised as the fish he had caught .

it really was a great discovery for Mr Heron .

" of course all the other fish darted away in great fright , but Mr Heron didn't mind .

he settled himself in great contentment , for now he was less hungry .

by and by some foolish tadpoles came wriggling along .

' I 'll just try catching one of them for practice .

" 'Um-m , they are good ! ' exclaimed Mr Heron , and once more settled himself to watch and wait .

grandfather Frog sighed mournfully .

" yes , " he continued , " that was a great day for Mr Heron .

" one day he was startled into an attempt to fly by hearing the stealthy footsteps of Mr Fox behind him .

his head was drawn back on his shoulders at the time , and he was so excited that he forgot to straighten it out .

with his neck carried that way , he could fly as well as any one .

from that day on , no one laughed at Mr Heron because of his long legs and long neck .

Mr Heron himself became proud of them .

you see , he had learned how to use what he had been given .

also he had learned the value of patience .

so he was happy and envied no one .

but he still liked best to keep by himself and became known as the lone fisherman , just as Longlegs is to-day .

Chug-a-rum !

isn't that Longlegs coming this way this very minute ?

this is no place for me ! "

with a great splash Grandfather Frog dived into the Smiling Pool .

Illustration : " his legs were so long , and his neck was so long that all his neighbors laughed at him . "

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XVI

HOW TUFTY THE LYNX HAPPENS TO HAVE A STUMP OF A TAIL

XVI

HOW TUFTY THE LYNX HAPPENS TO HAVE A STUMP OF A TAIL

in all his life Peter Rabbit had seen Tufty the Lynx but once , but that once was enough .

Tufty , you know , lives in the Great Woods .

it was then that Peter had seen him .

in fact , Peter had had the narrowest of escapes , and the very memory of it made him shiver .

that tail fascinated Peter .

it was just an apology for a tail .

for Tufty 's size it was hardly as much of a tail as Peter himself has .

it made Peter feel a lot better .

also it made him very curious .

the first chance he got , he asked his cousin , Jumper the Hare , about it .

Jumper did know , and this is the story he told Peter :

" way back in the beginning of things lived old Mr Lynx . "

" I know , " interrupted Peter .

" he was the of Tufty , and he wasn't old then . "

" who 's telling this story ? " demanded Jumper crossly .

" if you know it why did you ask me ? "

" I beg your pardon .

indeed I do .

I won't say another word , " replied Peter hastily .

" all right , see that you don't .

interruptions always spoil a story , " said Jumper .

" you are quite right about old Mr Lynx .

he wasn't old then .

no one was old , because it was in the beginning of things .

at that time Mr Lynx boasted a long tail , quite as fine a tail as his cousin , Mr Panther .

he was very proud of it .

you know there is a saying that pride goes before a fall .

it was so with Mr Lynx .

he boasted about his tail .

he said that it was the finest tail in the world .

he said so much that his neighbors got tired of hearing about it .

he made a perfect nuisance of himself .

he switched and waved his long tail about continually .

it seemed as if that tail were never still .

he made fun of those whose tails were shorter or of different shape or less handsome .

" when at last his neighbors could stand it no longer , they decided to teach him a lesson .

" the chance came that very evening .

Mr Lynx had had a very successful day , and he was feeling very fine .

he was so intent on his boasting that he didn't notice old King Bear slipping around behind him .

" old Mr Lynx let out a yowl and a screech that was enough to make your blood run cold .

but he couldn't do a thing , though he tore the ground up with his great claws and pulled with all his might .

you see , old King Bear was very big and very heavy , and Mr Lynx couldn't budge his tail a bit .

and he couldn't turn to fight old King Bear , though it seemed as if he would turn himself inside out trying to .

then old King Bear let him go .

then he turned and slunk away in the shadows by himself .

what do you think he did ? "

" what ? " asked Peter eagerly .

" he bit it off , " replied Jumper slowly .

" yes , Sir , he bit it off right at the place where old King Bear had stepped on it .

of course he was sorry the minute he had done it , but it was done , and that was all there was to it .

after that he kept out of sight of all his neighbors .

he prowled around mostly at night and was very stealthy and soft-footed , always keeping in the shadows .

his temper grew worse and worse from brooding over his lost tail .

when any one chanced to surprise him , he would switch his stub of a tail just as he used to switch his long tail .

you see he would forget .

then when he was laughed at by those bigger than he , he would scream angrily and slink away like a great , gray shadow .

" once he besought Old Mother Nature to give him a new tail , but in vain .

she gave him a lecture which he never forgot .

Mr Lynx crawled on his stomach to the feet of Old Mother Nature and begged with tears in his eyes .

old Mother Nature looked him straight in the eyes , but he couldn't look straight back .

he tried , but he couldn't do it .

he would shift his eyes from side to side .

" Mr Lynx looked her straight in the face and said ' I ' Then his eyes shifted .

he brought them back to Old Mother Nature 's face with a jerk and began again .

' I promise ' Once more his eyes shifted .

then he gave up and sneaked away into the darkest shadows he could find .

he hadn't a single real use for it , as he had found out since he had had only that stub .

" old Mother Nature knew this perfectly well , for you can't fool her , and it 's of no use to try .

so Mr Lynx never did get a new tail .

to the little people , he was like a fearsome shadow to be watched out for at all times .

his children were just like him , and his children 's children .

Tufty is the same way .

no one likes him .

all who are smaller than he fear him .

and if he knows why he has only a stub of a tail , he never mentions it .

but you will notice that he switches it just as if it were a real tail .

I think he likes to imagine that it is a real one . "

" I 've noticed , " replied Peter .

he was silent for a few minutes .

THE END

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mother West Wind " how " Stories , by Thornton W Burgess

transcribed from the @number@ J W Arrowsmith edition by David Price , email @email@


PRINCE RICARDO OF PANTOUFLIA

BEING THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE PRIGIO'S SON , BY ANDREW LANG AUTHOR OF PRINCE PRIGIO

ILLUSTRATED BY GORDON BROWNE

PUBLISHED AT BRISTOL BY J W ARROWSMITH , QUAY STREET , AND AT LONDON BY SIMPKIN , MARSHALL , HAMILTON , KENT & COMPANY LIMITED

DEDICATION .

to Guy Campbell .

my dear Guy ,

here you have some of his later adventures , and you will learn from this story the advantages of minding your book .

yours always , A Lang .


Introductory .

explaining Matters .


there may be children whose education has been so neglected that they have not read Prince Prigio .

the fairies gave the little Prince cleverness , beauty , courage ; but one wicked fairy added , " you shall be too clever . "

his love for her taught him not to be conceited , though he did not cease to be extremely clever and fond of reading .

the moral of the story will easily be discovered by the youngest reader , or , if not , it does not much matter .

CHAPTER I . the Troubles of King Prigio .


" I 'm sure I don't know what to do with that boy ! " said King Prigio of Pantouflia .

you are so clever . "

the queen could not read most of them herself , but the king used to read them aloud to her .

" no , I don't know what to do with Dick , " said the king .

he meant his son , Prince Ricardo , but he called him Dick in private .

" I believe it 's the fault of his education , " his Majesty went on .

" we have not brought him up rightly .

these fairy books are at the bottom of his provoking behaviour , " and he glanced round the shelves .

" but she was wrong , you know , " said the queen .

but perhaps the thing has been overdone ; at all events , it is not a success .

I wonder if fathers and sons will ever understand each other , and get on well together ?

" and now , here 's Dick , " the monarch continued , " I can't hold him back .

never opens a book .

what does he care , off after every adventure he can hear about ?

an idle , restless youth !

ah , my poor country , when I am gone , what may not be your misfortunes under Ricardo ! "

here his Majesty sighed , and seemed plunged in thought .

" but you are not going yet , my dear , " said the queen .

" why you are not forty !

and young people will be young people .

I 'm sure she is like a daughter to me .

I cannot do without her . "

" I wish she were a daughter-in-law ; I wish Dick would take a fancy to marry her , " said the king .

" a nicer girl I never saw . "

" and so accomplished , " added Queen Rosalind .

" that girl can turn herself into anything a mouse , a fly , a lion , a wheelbarrow , a church !

I never knew such talent for magic .

even now , when she is out of the schoolroom , she still practises her scales .

I saw her turning little Dollie into a fish and back again in the bath-room last night .

the child was delighted . "

" yes , she 's a dear , good girl , " said the king ; " yet she looks melancholy .

I believe , myself , that if Ricardo asked her to marry him , she would not say ' No . '

but that 's just one of the things I object to most in Dick .

he has no more heart than a flounder .

why , at his age I "

" at his age , my dear , you were so hard-hearted that you were quite a proverb .

why , I have been told that you used to ask girls dreadful puzzling questions , like ' Who was Caesar Borgia ? '

' What do you know of Edwin and Morcar ? ' and so on . "

" I had not seen you then , " said the king .

" and Ricardo has not seen her , whoever she may be .

besides , he can't possibly marry all of them .

but ever since he found his way into that closet where the fairy presents lie , everything has been made too easy for him .

it is a royal road to glory , or giant-slaying made easy .

in his Cap of Darkness a poor brute of a dragon can't see him .

in his Shoes of Swiftness the giants can't catch him .

his Sword of Sharpness would cut any oak asunder at a blow ! "

it 's intellect I miss in Ricardo .

how am I to know whether he could make a good fight for it without all these fairy things ?

I wonder what the young rogue is about to-day ?

he 'll be late for dinner , as usual , I daresay .

" young people will be young people , " said the queen .

" if you are anxious about him , why don't you look for him in the magic crystal ? "

" I 'll just take a look at it , " said the king ; " it only wants three-quarters of an hour to dinner-time . "

his Majesty rose , and walked to the crystal globe , which was in a stand , like other globes .

he stared into it , he turned it round and round , and Queen Rosalind saw him grow quite pale as he gazed .

" I don't see him anywhere , " said the king , " and I have looked everywhere .

I do hope nothing has happened to the boy .

he is so careless .

if he dropped his Cap of Darkness in a fight with a giant , why who knows what might occur ? "

" oh , ' Gio , how you frighten me ! " said the queen .

King Prigio was still turning the crystal globe .

they must have fixed her up as a sacrifice to a sea-monster , like what's-her-name . "

this proves how anxious he was , or , being so clever and learned , he would have remembered that her name was Andromeda .

" I bet Dick is not far off , where there is an adventure on hand .

but where on earth can he be ? . . .

my word ! " suddenly exclaimed the monarch , in obvious excitement .

" what is it , dear ? " cried the queen , with all the anxiety of a mother .

" why , the sea where the girl is , has turned all red as blood ! " exclaimed the king .

" now it is all being churned up by the tail of a tremendous monster .

he is a whopper !

he 's coming on shore ; the girl is fainting .

he 's out on shore !

he is extremely poorly , blood rushing from his open jaws .

he 's dying !

he 's covered with blood , but he 's well and hearty .

he must have been swallowed by the brute , and cut him up inside .

now he 's cutting the beast 's head off .

now he 's gone to the princess ; a very neat bow he has made her .

Dick 's manners are positively improving !

now he 's cutting her iron chains off with the Sword of Sharpness .

and now he 's made her another bow , and he 's actually taking leave of her .

poor thing !

how disappointed she is looking .

and she 's so pretty , too .

" I think not , dear ; the palace is quite full , " said the queen .

" as you like , " said the king , who knew what was in her mind very well .

" besides , I see her own people coming for her .

I 'm sorry for her , but it can't be helped , and Dick is half-way home by now on the Shoes of Swiftness .

I daresay he will not keep dinner waiting after all .

but what a fright the boy has given me ! "

at this moment a whirring in the air and a joyous shout were heard .

it was Prince Ricardo flying home on his Seven-league Boots .

" hi , Ross ! " he shouted , " just weigh this beast 's head .

I 've had a splendid day with a sea-monster .

get the head stuffed , will you ?

we 'll have it set up in the billiard-room . "

" it 's a fine head , whatever , " he added , meditatively .


Prince Ricardo now came beneath the library window , and gave his parents a brief account of his adventure .

" I picked the monster up early in the morning , " he said , " through the magic telescope , father . "

" what country was he in ? " said the king .

" the country people whom I met called it Ethiopia .

they were niggers . "

" and in what part of the globe is Ethiopia , Ricardo ? "

" oh !

I don't know .

Asia , perhaps , " answered the prince .

the king groaned .

" that boy will never understand our foreign relations .

Ethiopia in Asia ! " he said to himself , but he did not choose to make any remark at the moment .

the prince ran upstairs to dress .

on the stairs he met the Princess Jaqueline .

" oh , Dick ! are you hurt ? " she said , turning very pale .

" no , not I ; but the monster is .

I had a capital day , Jack ; rescued a princess , too . "

" was she was she very pretty , Dick ? "

" oh !

I don't know .

pretty enough , I daresay .

much like other girls .

why , you look quite white !

what 's the matter ?

now you look all right again ; " for , indeed , the Princess Jaqueline was blushing .

" I must dress .

CHAPTER II .

Princess Jaqueline Drinks the Moon .


when dinner was over and the ladies had left the room , the king tried to speak seriously to Prince Ricardo .

this was a thing which he disliked doing very much .

my taste was for books ; I only took to adventures because I was obliged to do it .

Dick 's taste is for adventures ; I only wish some accident would make him take to books .

but everyone must get his experience for himself ; and when he has got it , he is lucky if it is not too late .

I wish I could see him in love with some nice girl , who would keep him at home . "

the king did not expect much from talking seriously to Dick .

however , he began by asking questions about the day 's sport , which Ricardo answered with modesty .

" I really wish , Ricardo , that you would attend to your geography a little more .

" I could always spot them through the magic glass , father , " said Dick ; " it saves such a lot of trouble .

I hate geography . "

" but the glass might be lost or broken , or the Fairies might take it away , and then where are you ? "

" oh , you would know where to go , or Mr Belsham . "

now Mr Belsham was his tutor , from Oxford .

" but I shall not always be here , and when I die "

" don't talk of dying , sire , " said Dick .

" why , you are not so very old ; you may live for years yet .

besides , I can't stand the notion .

you must live for ever ! "

" that sentiment is unusual in a Crown Prince , " thought the king ; but he was pleased for all that .

" well , to oblige you , I 'll try to struggle against old age , " he said ; " but there are always accidents .

now , Dick , like a good fellow , and to please me , work hard all to-morrow till the afternoon .

I 'll come in and help you .

and there 's always a splendid evening rise of trout in the lake just now , so you can have your play after your work .

you 'll enjoy it more , and I daresay you are tired after a long day with the big game .

it used to tire me , I remember . "

" I wish he would not call me Jack , " said the princess to the queen .

the princess was silent , and fixed her eyes on her book .

presently the king came in , and played a game with Lina at picquet .

when they were all going to bed , he said :

" just come into the study , Lina .

I want you to write a few letters for me . "

the princess followed him and took her seat at the writing table .

the letters were very short .

they were all summoned to be at the palace early next morning .

then his Majesty yawned , apologised , and went to bed .

the princess also went to her room , or bower as it was then called , but not to sleep .

she was unhappy that Dick did not satisfy his father , and that he was so careless , and also about other things .

" I could find out .

I could turn myself into a dog or a cat , and go into the room where he is giving his orders .

besides , I know it is wrong to listen to what one is not meant to hear .

it is often difficult to be a magician and a good girl .

the temptations are so strong , stronger than most people allow for . "

" how stupid of me , " she said at length , " after all the lessons I have had .

why , I can drink the moon ! "

whether it is quite fair is another matter ; but , at all events , it is not listening .

King Prigio 's secret , why he sent for the tailor and the other people , was his own secret .

however , the princess did not think about right and wrong , unluckily .

then she closed the book and put it back on the shelf .

then the princess took a great silver basin , covered with strange black signs and figures raised in the silver .

she poured water into the basin , and as she poured it she sang the magic spell from the Latin book .

it was something like this , in English :


" now I know all about it , " she said .

but it seems a cruel trick to play on poor Ricardo .

after meditating in this way , the princess fell sleep , and did not waken till her maid came to call her .

" why , what is it ? " asked the princess .

" they have not hurt the carpet ? " said the princess .

" oh dear ! the queen won't be pleased at all .

it was a little chemical experiment I was trying last night . "

but she knew very well that she must have dropped seven drops of the enchanted water .

her Majesty has often spoke about it . "

and , Rosina , you may keep the silver drops for yourself . "

we never know how far we may be carried , and so Jaqueline found out .

for when she went down to breakfast , there was the king in a great state of excitement , for him .

" it 's most extraordinary , " said his Majesty .

" what is ? " asked the queen .

" why , didn't you notice it ?

no , you had gone to bed before it happened .

but I was taking a walk in the moonlight , on the balcony , and I observed it carefully . "

" observed what , my dear ? " asked the queen , who was pouring out the tea .

" didn't you see it , Dick ?

Late as usual , you young dog ! " the king remarked as Ricardo entered the room .

" see what , sir ? " said Dick .

" oh , you were asleep hours before , now I think of it !

but it was the most extraordinary thing , an unpredicted eclipse of the moon !

you must have noticed it , Jaqueline ; you sat up later .

how the dogs howled ! "

" yes , I did see it , " she admitted , blushing .

" had it not been predicted ? "

" not a word about it whispered anywhere , " said his Majesty .

" I looked up the almanack at once .

it is the most extraordinary thing I ever saw , and I 've seen a good many . "

" the astronomers must be duffers , " said Prince Ricardo .

" I never thought there was much in physical science of any sort ; most dreary stuff .

why , they say the earth goes round the sun , whereas any fool can see it is just the other way on . "

King Prigio was struck aghast by these sentiments in the mouth of his son and heir , the hope of Pantouflia .

but what was the king to say in reply ?

the astronomers of Pantouflia , who conceived that they knew a great deal , had certainly been taken by surprise this time .

indeed , they have not yet satisfactorily explained this eclipse of the moon , though they have written volumes about it .

" why , it may be the sun next ! " exclaimed his Majesty .

" anything may happen .

the very laws of gravitation themselves may go askew ! "

" some of the royal tradesmen , by appointment , to see your Majesty . "

CHAPTER III .

the Adventure of the Shopkeepers .


Dick went on with his breakfast .

meanwhile the king had joined the tradesmen who attended by his orders .

they were all met in the royal study , where the king made them a most splendid bow , and requested them to be seated .

but they declined to sit in his sacred presence , and the king observed that , in that case he must stand up .

" your Majesty has only to command , " said Herr Schnipp .

the other merchants murmured assent , for King Prigio was really liked by his people .

he was always good-tempered and polite .

he never went to war with anybody .

he spent most of the royal income on public objects , and of course there were scarcely any taxes to speak of .

" a fellow who can't teach himself to read , " said the king , " is not worth teaching . "

only one tradesman , bowing very deep and blushing very much , said :

" your Majesty , will you hear me for one moment ? "

" for an hour , with pleasure , Herr Schmidt , " said the monarch .

but keep a secret from my wife , I fairly own to your Majesty that I can not . "

Herr Schmidt went down on his knees and wept .


" rise , Herr Schmidt , " said the king , taking him by the hand .

" A more honourable and chivalrous confession of an amiable weakness , if it is to be called a weakness , I never heard .

there is no one here , I hope , but respects and will keep the secret of Herr Schmidt 's confession ? "

the assembled shopkeepers could scarcely refrain from tears .

" long live King Prigio the Good ! " they exclaimed , and vowed that everything should be kept dark .

" indeed , sire , " said the swordmaker , " all the rest of us are bachelors . "

the caps were the Wishing Cap and the Cap of Darkness .

the rug was the famous carpet which carried its owner through the air wherever he wished to go .

the sword was the Sword of Sharpness .

the ivory glass showed you anyone you wanted to see , however far off .

the boots were the Seven-league Boots , which Hop-o'-my-Thumb stole from the Ogre about @number@

there were other valuable objects , but these were the most useful and celebrated .

of course the king did not tell the tradesmen what they were .

" now , gentlemen , " said his Majesty , " you see these old things .

the tradesmen examined the objects , each choosing that in his own line of business .

" as to the sword , sire , " said the cutler , " it is an Andrea Ferrara , a fine old blade .

by a lucky accident , I happen to have one at home in a small collection of ancient weapons , exactly like it .

this evening it shall be at your Majesty 's disposal . "

" with pleasure , your Majesty , " says the cutler .

" then you can do like Herr Schnitzler , " who was the cutler .

" and I , " said the hatter , " have two old caps just like these , part of a bankrupt theatrical stock . "

" we are most fortunate , " said the king .

" the boots , now I come to think of it , are unimportant , at least for the present .

perhaps we can borrow a pair from the theatre . "

" as for the glass , " said the optician , " if your Majesty will allow me to take it home with me "

then he called for a servant , to order luncheon for the shopkeepers , and paper for them to write their orders on .

but no one was within hearing , and in that very old part of the palace there were no bells .

I have a reason for it . "

" where on earth are they ? " cried the king , rushing through all the rooms in that part of the castle .

he shouted for them , and looked everywhere ; but there was not a trace of tailor , hatter , optician , swordmaker , upholsterer .

the king hastened to a window over the gate , and saw the sentinels on duty .

" hi ! " he called .

and the sentinels turned round , looked up , and saluted .

" have you seen anyone go out ? " he cried .

" no one , sire , " answered the soldiers .

the king , who began to guess what had happened , hurried back to the turret-room .

there were all the tradesmen with parcels under their arms .

" what means this , gentlemen ? " said his Majesty , severely .

" for what reason did you leave the room without my permission ? "

they all knelt down , humbly imploring his compassion .

" get up , you donkeys ! " said the king , forgetting his politeness .

" get up , and tell me where you have been hiding yourselves . "

the hatter came forward , and said :

" sire , you will not believe me ; indeed , I can scarcely believe it myself ! "

" nor none of us can't , " said the swordmaker .

" we have been home , and brought the articles .

all orders executed with punctuality and dispatch , " he added , quoting his own advertisement without thinking of it .

on this the swordmaker took out and exhibited the Andrea Ferrara blade , which was exactly like the Sword of Sharpness .

the upholsterer undid his parcel , and there was a Persian rug , which no one could tell from the magical carpet .

and what he wished happened , of course , as was natural .

in a moment he was alone in the turret-room .

" Owl that I am ! " said King Prigio to himself .

" I might have better wished for a complete set of sham fairy things which would not work .

however , what I have got will do very well . "

then he would be left to his own cleverness and courage to get him out of the scrape .

of course he might have locked the things up , and forbidden Ricardo to touch them , but that might have seemed harsh .

he only wanted to give him a fright or two , and make him respect the judgment of older and wiser people than himself .

CHAPTER IV .

two Lectures .


for several days Prince Ricardo minded his books , and , according to his tutors , made considerable progress in polite learning .

every morning he would climb the turret and sweep the horizon , and even much beyond the horizon , with the ivory spy-glass .

but look as he would , he saw no monsters preying on human-kind anywhere , nor princesses in distress .

but this was not the kind of adventure which he enjoyed .

Dragons for his money !

Ricardo had very bad sport , when suddenly the trout began to rise all over the lake .


but , as too often occurs , they were taking one particular fly which was on the water , and would look at nothing else .

" oh , bother them ! " cried Ricardo .

" I can't find a fly in my book in the least like that little black one they are feeding on ! "

" it 's no use , " he said ; " I have not a fly that will suit .

let's go home , " and he threw a tin can at a rising trout .

" now , Dick , " said Jaqueline , " you know I can help you .

I did not learn magic for nothing .

she had turned herself into an artificial fly ( a small black gnat ) , and Dick might set to his sport again .

" what a trump that girl is , " he said aloud .

" clever , too ! " and he began casting .

he got a trout every cast , great big ones , over a pound , and soon he had a basketful .

but he began to feel rather bored .

" there 's not much fun taking them , " he said , " when they are so silly . "

at that very moment he noticed that the fly was off his cast , and Jaqueline was sitting at the oars .

" you see , Ricardo , " she said , " I was right after all .

there is not much pleasure in sport that is easy and certain .

now , apply this moral to dragon-killing with magic instruments .

Dick had no answer ready , so he only grumbled :

" you 're always preaching at me , Jack ; everybody always is .

I seem to have been born just to be preached at . "

some people are ; and it does grow rather tedious in the long run .

things were not always to go smoothly , far from it ; and it was poor Jaqueline who fell into trouble next .

she had been very ready to lecture Dick , as we saw , and took a good deal of credit to herself for his steadiness .

it consisted of seven drops of silver , set like this :


" H'm ! " said the king .

" very curious and pretty !

may I ask you where you got this , Rosina ? "

{ " "H'm ! " said the king .


" please , your Majesty , the princess gave me the drops . "

" very interesting , " said the king .

" there is a little white moon shining in each of them !

I wonder if they shine in the dark ? "

he opened the door of a cupboard which had no windows , where the housemaid kept her mops and brooms , and shut himself in .

yes , there was no mistake ; the darkness was quite lighted up with the sheen of the seven little moons in the silver .

the king looked rather grave .

" if you can trust me with this cross till to-morrow , Rosina , I should like to have it examined and analysed .

this is no common silver . "

of course Rosina could only curtsy , but she was very much alarmed about the consequences to her mistress .

after luncheon , the king asked Jaqueline to come into his study , as he often did , to help him with his letters .

when they had sat down his Majesty said :

" what does your Majesty mean ? " said poor Jaqueline , feeling very uncomfortable ; for the king had never lectured her before .

" yes , sire , I did give her the drops .

she had them made up herself . "

" then give it back to her when you see her next .

I am glad you are frank , Jaqueline .

and you know , of course , that the drops are not ordinary silver ?

you can have no reason for it , such as a great king might have whose enemies are plotting against his country . "

" oh , sire , I will tell you everything ! " cried Jaqueline .

" no , don't ; I don't want to know .

I am sure you will make no use of your information which you think I should not approve of .

but there is another thing that eclipse of the moon !

oh , Jaqueline , was it honourable , or fair to the astronomers and men of science , to say nothing about it ?

their European reputations are seriously injured . "

Poor Jaqueline could only cry .

" never mind , " said his Majesty , comforting her .

but you are young , of course , and cannot be expected to think of everything . "

" I never thought about it at all , " wept Jaqueline .

" ' Evil is wrought by want of thought , ' " said the king , quoting the poet .

later , when you are older , we shall see about it . "

the princess flew to her room , and returned with her book .

and the king kissed her , and told her to go and see if her Majesty meant to take a drive .

" I 'll never deceive him again , never . ..y ..y unless it is quite necessary , " said the princess to herself .

" indeed , it is not so easy to deceive the king .

what a lot he has read ! "

in fact , King Prigio had been very studious when a young man , before he came to the throne .

" poor child ! " thought the king .

" no doubt she was trying her fortune , wondering if Ricardo cares for her a little .

of course I could not let her tell me that , poor child ! "

in this guess , as we know , his Majesty was mistaken , which seldom happened to him .

" I wonder who she is ? " the king went on speaking to himself .

" that great booby , Ricardo , saved her from wild birds , which were just going to eat her .

she was fastened to a mountain top , but where ? that 's the question .

Ricardo never has any notion of geography .

her ornaments were very peculiar ; there was a broad gold sun on her breast .

I must look at them again some day .

she said she was a Daughter of the Sun ; but that , of course , is absurd , unless By Jove !

" dismal old Muscovite ! " sighed the king .

" a monarch has not a moment to himself for his private studies .

ah , Prigio ! why wert thou not born to a private station ?

but Duty before everything , " and wreathing his royal countenance in smiles , his Majesty prepared to give Count Snoreonski an audience .

it was all about the attitude of Pantouflia in the event of a Polish invasion of Russia .

" I may give your message to my august mistress , the Czarina ? " said the ambassador .

the old count was affected to tears , and withdrew , while King Prigio said :

" I have not lost a day ; I have made an amiable but very stupid man happy . "

such are , or rather such were , the toils of monarchs !

CHAPTER V Prince Ricardo Crosses the Path of History .


" I say , Jack , " said Prince Ricardo one morning , " here 's a queer letter for me ! "

" I don't know the arms , " Ricardo said .

" oh , Ricardo , how you do neglect your Heraldry !

old Green Stocking is in despair over your ignorance . "

now Green Stocking was the chief herald of Pantouflia , just like Blue Mantle in England .

" why , these are the Royal Arms of England , you great ignorant Dick ! "

" but Rome isn't in England , is it ? and the post-mark is ' Roma ' : that 's Rome in some lingo , I expect .

it is in Latin , anyhow , I know .

Mortuus est Romae ' He died at Rome . '

it 's in the Latin Grammar .

let's see what the fellow says , anyhow , " added Ricardo , breaking the seal .

" he begins , ' Prins and dear Cousin ! '

I say , Jaqueline , he spells it ' Prins ; ' now it is P-R-I-N-C-E .

he must be an ignorant fellow ! "

" people in glass houses should not throw stones , Dick , " said Jaqueline .

" he signs himself ' Charles , P . W. , ' " said Ricardo , looking at the end .

" who on earth can he be ?

why does he not put ' P . w . Charles , ' if these are his initials ?

look here , it 's rather a long letter ; you might read it to us , Jack ! "

the princess took the epistle and began :

" how nice it smells , all scented !

the paper is gilt-edged , too . "

" Luxurious beggar , whoever he is , " said Ricardo .

Prins , you may be less well informed about my situation .

I have not killed any Dragguns , there being nun of them here ; but I have been under fiar , at Gaeta . '

where 's Gaeta , Dick ? "

" never heard of it , " said Ricardo .

" well , it is in Italy , and it was besieged lately .

he goes on : ' and I am told that I did not misbehave myself , nor disgrace the blud of Bruce .'! "

I remember him well enough . "

" well , your correspondent seems to be a descendant of his . "

" that 's getting more interesting , " said Dick .

" I wish my father would go to war with somebody .

with the Sword of Sharpness I 'd make the enemy whistle !

drive on , Jack . "

" ' As a prins in distress , I apeal to your valler , so renouned in Europe .

let our sords be drawn together in the caus of freedom and an outraged country , my own .

" ' I remain , " ' Prins and dear Cuzen , " ' CHARLES , P . W. '

" P W means Prince of Wales , " added Jaqueline .

" he is turned out of England you know , and lives at Rome with his father . "

" I like that chap , " said Prince Ricardo .

" he does not spell very well , as you say , but I sometimes make mistakes myself ; and I like his spirit .

I 've been looking out for an adventure ; but the big game is getting shy , and my sword rusts in his scabbard .

I 'll tell you what , Jack I 've an idea !

just wait till I spot the places . "

" well , Dick , but how do you mean to do it ? "

" do it ? nothing simpler !

" but if the English don't like Prince Charles when they get him ? "

" like him ? they 're sure to like him , a young fellow like that !

besides , I 'll take the sword with me in case of accidents . "

" oh , he won't mind this time !

there 's no kind of danger ; and I 'm sure he will approve of the principle of the thing .

kings must stick up for each other .

why , some electing characters might come here and kick us out ! "

" your father is not the sort of king who is kicked out , " said Jaqueline .

but there was no use in talking to Dick .

he made his simple preparations , and announced that he would be back in time for luncheon .

what was poor Jaqueline to do ?

she was extremely anxious .

she knew , as we saw , what King Prigio had intended about changing the fairy things for others that would not work .

she was certain Dick would get himself into a scrape ; how was she to help him ?

she made up her mind quickly , while Dick was putting his things together .

then she changed herself into a mosquito a kind of gnat that bites and hid herself under a fold of Dick 's coat .

of course he knew nothing about her being there .

there he saw an elderly gentleman , in a great curled wig , sound asleep on a seat beneath a tree .

the old gentleman had a long , pale , melancholy face , and across his breast was a broad blue ribbon with a star .

ah ! how changed was King James from the handsome Prince who had loved fair Beatrix Esmond , thirty years ago !

near him were two boys , not quite so old as Prince Ricardo .

the younger was a pretty dark boy , with a funny little roundabout white wig .

the other lad had a broad Scotch bonnet on , and no wig ; beautiful silky yellow locks fell about his shoulders .

he had laid his sword on the grass .

Prince Ricardo stepped up to this boy , took off his cap , and said :

" I think I have the honour of addressing the Prince of Wales ? "

may I inquire the reason which offers me the pleasure of this unexpected interview ? "

" oh , I 'm Ricardo of Pantouflia ! " says Dick .

" I had a letter from you this morning , and I believe you wanted to see me . "

" from Pantouflia , sir , " said Prince Charles ; " why , that is hundreds of leagues away ! "

" it is a good distance , " said Dick ; " but a mere step when you wear Seven- league Boots like mine . "

the Duke of York Prince Ricardo of Pantouflia .

gentlemen , know each other ! "

the prince bowed in the most stately manner .

it 's new to me .

you sent the ball a tremendous long shot . "

" the game is called golf , and is the favourite pastime of my loyal Scottish subjects , " said Prince Charles .

I 'm practising walking without stockings , too , to harden my feet , " he said , in a more familiar tone of voice .

" I fancy there are plenty of long marches before me , and I would not be a spear 's length behind the hardiest Highlander . "

" by Jove !

it will all be plain sailing . "

" pray explain your plan , " said Prince Charles .

" the task of conquering back the throne of my fathers is not so simple as you seem to suppose . "

" I 've done a good many difficult things , " said Dick , modestly .

" oh !

with a Sword of Sharpness and a Cap of Darkness , and so forth , you have a great pull over almost anything . "

" and you really possess those talismans ? " said the prince .

" certainly I do .

you see how short a time I took in coming to your call from Pantouflia . "

" oh , never mind Holy Church , Harry ! " said Prince Charles .

" this is business .

besides , the English are Protestants . "

" I pray for their conversion daily , " said the Duke of York .

" the end justifies the means , you know , " answered Prince Charles .

" all 's fair in love and war . "

" I should think so , " said Ricardo , " especially against those brutes of Electors ; they give trouble at home sometimes . "

" you , too , are plagued with an Elector ? " asked Prince Charles .

" an Elector ? thousands of them ! " answered Dick , who never could understand anything about politics .

Prince Charles looked puzzled , but requested Dick to explain his great plan .

they sat down on the grass , and Ricardo showed them how he meant to manage it , just as he had told Jaqueline .

as he said , nothing could be simpler .

" England !

St James 's Palace ! "

but nothing happened !

the carpet was not the right magic carpet , but the one which King Prigio had put in its place .

" get on !

England , I said ! " cried Dick .

but there they remained , under the chestnut tree , sitting on the carpet above the flowery grass .


Prince Charles leaped to his feet ; his face like fire , his eyes glowing .

" enough of this fooling , sir ! " he said .

" it is easy , but cowardly , to mock at an unfortunate prince .

take your carpet and be off with you , out of the gardens , or your shoulders shall taste my club . "

" nonsense !

you are an impostor , sir !

leave my presence ! " cried Prince Charles , lifting his golf-club .

" the quarrels of princes are not settled with clubs , sir !

draw and defend yourself ! " he said , kicking off his boots and standing in his socks on the grass .

think of the horror of poor Jaqueline , who witnessed this terrible scene of passion from a fold in Prince Ricardo 's dress !

dick drew his sword , but , as suddenly , threw it down again .

" hang it ! " he exclaimed , " I can't hit you with this !

this is the Sword of Sharpness ; it would cut through your steel and your neck at a touch . "

he paused , and thought .

" he seems to believe in his own nonsense . "

the duke yielded his sword ; Dick took it , made a nourish , and rushed at Prince Charles .

now Ricardo had always neglected his fencing lessons .

" where 's the good of it , " he used to ask , " all that stamping , and posture-making , and ha- haing ?

the Sword of Sharpness is enough for me . "

the prince , very much surprised , parried in prime , riposted , and touched Dick on the hand .

at this moment the Princess Jaqueline did what she should have thought of sooner .

she flew out of Dick 's coat , and stung old King James on his royal nose .

the prince had disarmed him .

" hullo ! what 's all this ?

" sir , take your life !

I cannot strike an unarmed man .

a prince you may be , but you have not learned the exercises of gentlemen . "

" what is all this , Carluccio ? " asked the old king .

" Swords out ! brawling in my very presence ! blood drawn ! " for Dick 's hand was bleeding a good deal .

Prince Charles , as briefly as possible , explained the unusual nature of the circumstances .

" a king must hear both sides , " said King James .

" what reply have you , sir , to make to his Royal Highness 's statements ? "

" the carpet would not work , sir , " said Dick .

" it never happened before .

I can say no more , beyond offering my apology for a disappointment which I could not have foreseen .

a gentleman can only say that he is sorry .

but wait ! " he added ; " I can at least prove that my confidence in some of my resources is not misplaced .

Bid me bring you something anything from the ends of the earth , and it shall be in your hands .

I can't say fairer . "

" bring me , " said his Majesty , " Lord Lovat 's snuff-mull . "

" where does he live ? " said Dick .

" at Gortuleg , in Scotland , " answered King James .

" most astonishing ! " said King James .

" a miracle ! " said the Duke of York .

" you have entirely cleared your character , " said the king .

" your honour is without a stain , though it is a pity about the carpet .

your nobility in not using your magical sword , under the greatest provocation , reconciles me to this fresh blighting of my hopes .

all my allies fail me , " said the poor king with a sigh ; " you alone have failed with honour .

Carluccio , embrace the prince ! "

they fell into each other 's arms .

" Prince , " said Dick , " you have taught me a lesson for which I shall not be ungrateful .

with any blade a gentleman should be able to hold his own in fair fight .

I shall no longer neglect my fencing lessons . "

we shall not part till I have induced you to accept a sword which I can never hope to draw against another adversary so noble .

in war , my weapon is the claymore . "

here the prince offered to Ricardo the ruby-studded hilt of his rapier , which had a beautiful white shark-skin sheath .

" you must accept it , sir , " said King James ; " the hilt holds the rubies of John Sobieski . "

the Prince of Wales bowed , and placed the talisman on his finger .

Ricardo never interfered in foreign affairs again , but his ring proved very useful to Prince Charles , as you may have read in history .

CHAPTER VI .

Ricardo 's Repentance .


the queen , as it happened fortunately , was lunching with one of the ladies of her Court .

Ricardo did not come down to luncheon , and Jaqueline ate hers alone ; and very mournful she felt .

the prince had certainly not come well out of the adventure .

" I wonder what he 's doing ? " she said to herself , and at last she went up and knocked at Ricardo 's door .

" go away , " he said ; " I don't want to see anybody .

who is it ? "

" it 's only me Jaqueline . "


" go away !

I want nobody . "

" do let me in , dear Dick ; I have good news for you , " said the princess .

" what is it ? " said Ricardo , unlocking the door .

" why do you bother a fellow so ? "

he had been crying his hand obviously hurt him badly ; he looked , and indeed he was , very sulky .

" how did you get on in England , Dick ? " asked the princess , taking no notice of his bandaged hand .

" oh , don't ask me ! " said Ricardo .

" I 've not been to England at all . "

" why , what happened ? "

I 'm quite broken down and desperate .

I think I 'll run away to sea ; " and indeed he looked very wild and miserable .

perhaps I can help you . "

" I 'm a beast , " said Dick .

" I beg your pardon , Jack dear .

you are always a trump , I will say ; but I don't see what you can do . "

" I was sure it was not so bad as you made it out , Dick , " she said .

she thought of lecturing him a little about disobeying his father , but it did not seem a good opportunity .

besides , Jaqueline had been lectured herself lately , and had not enjoyed it .

" what am I to say to my mother ? "

Dick repeated .

" we must think of something to say , " said Jaqueline .

" I can't tell my mother anything but the truth , " Ricardo went on .

" here 's my hand , how it does sting ! and she must find out . "

" I think I can cure it , " said Jaqueline .

" didn't you say Prince Charles gave you his own sword ? "

" yes , there it is ; but what has that to do with it ? "

" everything in the world to do with it , my dear Dick .

how lucky it is that he gave it to you ! "

and she ran to her own room , and brought a beautiful golden casket , which contained her medicines .

taking out a smal l phial , marked ( in letters of emerald ) :

" WEAPON SALVE , "

the princess drew the bright sword , extracted a little of the ointment from the phial , and spread it on a soft silk handkerchief .

" what are you going to do with the sword ? " asked Ricardo .

as she did so , Ricardo 's arm ceased to hurt , and the look of pain passed from his mouth .

" why , I feel quite better ! " he said .

" I can use my hand as well as ever . "

then he took off the stained handkerchief , and , lo , there was not even a mark where the wound had been !

but the secret of making it has long been lost , except in Pantouflia .

" you are the best girl in the world , Jaqueline , " said Ricardo .

there 's something in books after all . "

the princess did not take advantage of Dick 's permission , but advised him to lie down and try to sleep .

" I say , though , " he said , " what about my father ? "

" the king need never be told anything about it , " said Jaqueline , " need he ? "

" oh , that won't do !

I tell my father everything ; but then , I never had anything like this to tell him before .

don't you think , Jaqueline , you might break it to him ?

he 's very fond of you .

just tell him what I told you ; it 's every word of it true , and he ought to know .

he might see something about it in the Mercure de France . "

this was the newspaper of the period .

" I don't think it will get into the papers , " said Jaqueline , smiling .

" nobody could tell , except the king and the princes , and they have reasons for keeping it to themselves . "

" I don't trust that younger one , " said Dick , moodily ; " I don't care for that young man .

anyway , my father must be told ; and , if you won't , I must . "

" well , I 'll tell him , " said Jaqueline .

" and now lie down till evening . "

after dinner , in the conservatory , Jaqueline told King Prigio all about it .

his Majesty was very much moved .

" what extraordinary bad luck that family has ! " he thought .

it was the very nearest thing ! "

" this meddling with practical affairs will never do , " he said aloud .

" Dick has had a lesson , sire , " said the princess .

" he says he 'll never mix himself up with politics again , whatever happens .

" that is well , as far as it goes , " said the king .

" but , Jaqueline , about that mosquito ? " for she had told him this part of the adventure .

" that was a very convenient mosquito , though I don't know how Dick was able to observe it from any distance .

without your help , I tremble to think what might have occurred . "

the princess blushed very much , and felt very happy .

" now run away to the queen , my dear , " said his Majesty , " I want to think things over . "

he did think them over , and the more he thought the more he felt the inconvenience attending the possession of fairy things .

" An eclipse one day , as nearly as possible a revolution soon after ! " he said to himself .

" but for Jaqueline , Ricardo 's conduct would have been blazed abroad , England would have been irritated .

it is true she cannot get at Pantouflia very easily ; we have no sea-coast , and we are surrounded by friendly countries .

but it would have been a ticklish and discreditable position .

I must really speak to Dick , " which he did next morning after breakfast .

" you have broken my rules , Ricardo , " he said .

I have had enough of it .

and I 'll turn over a new leaf .

" very good , " said the king .

" I believe you mean what you say .

now go to your fencing lesson . "

" but , I say , father , " cried Ricardo , " was it not strange about the magic carpet ? "

" I told you not to trust to these things , " said the king .

you must learn to depend on yourself .

now , be off with you , I 'm busy .

and remember , you don't stir without my permission . "

CHAPTER VII .

Prince Ricardo and an Old Enemy .


" really , Ricardo , your language is most unprincely , " said his august father ; " I am always noticing it .

you mean , I suppose , that there is one enemy of the human race whom you wish to abolish .

what is the name of the doomed foe ? "

" well , he is the greatest villain in history , " said Ricardo .

" you must have read about him , sir , the Yellow Dwarf . "

" yes , I have certainly studied what is told us about him , " said the king .

" he is no favourite of mine . "

all that the friendly Mermaid could do for them was to turn them into a pair of beautiful trees which intertwine their branches .

not much use in that , sir !

and nothing was done to the scoundrel .

he may be going on still ; and , with your leave , I 'll go and try a sword-thrust with him .

Francalanza says I 'm improving uncommon . "

" you 'll take the usual Sword of Sharpness , " said his Majesty .

" what , sir , to a dwarf ?

not I , indeed : a common small sword is good enough to settle him . "

" very likely he has lost it or sold it , the shabby little miscreant ; however , I 'll risk it .

and now I must make my preparations . "

the king did not ask what they were ; as a rule , they were simple .

" just plain rose-coloured glass , Herr Spex , " said Dick , " I 'm not short- sighted . "


meanwhile , King Prigio had taken his precautions , which were perfectly simple .

he knew that this showed the neighbourhood of Jaunia , or Daunia , the country of the Yellow Dwarf .

as he pricked on , his horse stumbled and nearly came on its nose .

the prince noticed that a steel chain had been drawn across the road .

" hi , Blinkers ! "

" well , young Blinkers ! " said the Dwarf , " what are you doing on my grounds ?

you 're a prince , by your look .

Yah ! down with kings !

I 'm a man of the people ! "

the very face of the Dwarf , even seen through rose-coloured spectacles , made him nearly ill .

" yes , when you can catch me , " said the Dwarf ; " but that 's not to-day , nor yet to-morrow .

what are you doing here ?

are you an ambassador , maybe come to propose a match for me ?

I 'm not proud , I 'll hear you .

they say there 's a rather well-looking wench in your parts , the Princess Jaqueline "

going at an alarming sacrifice !

" hold your impudent tongue ! " said Dick .

" oh ! you 're for a fight , are you ? " sneered the Dwarf .

" I might tell you to hit one of your own weight , but I 'm not afraid of six of you .

Yah ! mammy's brat !

look here , young Blinkers , I don't want to hurt you .

just turn old Dobbin 's head , and trot back to your mammy , Queen Rosalind , at Pantouflia .

does she know you 're out ? "

" I 'll be into you , pretty quick , " said Ricardo .

" but why do I bandy words with a miserable peasant ? "

" and don't get much the best of them either , " said the Dwarf , provokingly .

" but I 'll fight , if you will have it . "

the prince leaped from his horse , leaving Pepper on the saddle-bow .

no sooner had he touched the ground than the Dwarf shouted :

the Dwarf took in the affair at a glance .

at his call rushed up an enormous Spanish cat , ready saddled and bridled , and darting fire from its eyes .

to leap on its back , while Ricardo sprang on his own steed , was to the active Dwarf the work of a moment .

wishing was now of no use .

this odious fowl was the Fairy of the Desert , the Dwarf 's trusted ally in every sort of mischief .

should he see Ricardo bleeding at the feet of the abominable dwarf ?

the king scarcely dared to look ; never before had he known the nature of fear .

the dwarf was on his feet in a moment , waving the diamond sword , which lighted up the whole scene , and yelling taunts .

pepper was flying at his heels , and , with great agility , was keeping out of the way of the invincible blade .

" ah ! " screamed the Dwarf as Pepper got him by the ankle .

" call off your dog , you coward , and come down off your horse , and fight fair ! "

at this moment , bleeding yellow blood , dusty , mad with pain , the dwarf was a sight to strike terror into the boldest .

" Yah ! who 's your hatter ? " screamed the infuriated dwarf .

the prince ( thanks to his excellent training ) just succeeded in stepping aside , but the dwarf recovered with astonishing quickness .

squirming fearfully , the little monster expired , his last look a defiance , his latest word an insult :

" Yah !

Gig-lamps ! "

Prince Ricardo wiped the diamond blade clean from its yellow stains .


" Princess Frutilla is avenged ! " he cried .

then pensively looking at his fallen foe , " peace to his ashes , " he said ; " he died in harness ! "

turning at the word , he observed that the two lions were stiff and dead , locked in each other 's gory jaws !

at that moment King Prigio , looking in the crystal ball , gave a great sigh of relief .

I am not satisfied , " his Majesty went on reflecting , " with this plan of changing the magical articles .

but , in to-day 's affair he owes his safety entirely to himself and Pepper , " for he had not seen the wasp .

" the Fairy of the Desert quite baffled me : it was terrible .

I shall restore the right fairy things to-night .

a hollow groan and the sound of a heavy body falling interrupted the king .

he looked all about the room , but saw nothing .

he was alone !

" but I must find her body ! "

he could not see it , of course , but he felt it with his hands .

" this is very awkward , " he remarked .

" I cannot ring for the servants and make them take her away .

there is only one plan . "

so he wished she were in her family pyramid , in the Egyptian desert , and in a second the sofa was unoccupied .

meanwhile Ricardo was riding gaily home .

the yellow light of Jaunia had vanished , and pure blue sky broke overhead as soon as the dauntless Dwarf had drawn his latest breath .

" it was sharp work , " he said to himself , " but much more exciting and glorious than the usual business . "

on his return Dick did not fail to mention the wasp , and again the king felt how great was his debt to Jaqueline .

but they did not think it well to trouble the good queen with the dangers Dick had encountered .

CHAPTER VIII .



one morning the post brought a truly enormous letter for Dick .

it was as broad as a table-cloth , and the address was written in letters as long as a hoop-stick .

he opened , with his sword , the enormous letter , which was couched in the following terms :

I not being handy with the pen , the Giant hopes you will excuse mistakes and bad writing . "

Dick simply gazed with amazement .

" if ever I thought an enemy was killed and done for , it was that Giant , " said he .

" why , I made mere mince-collops of him ! "

on second thoughts , he considered it unfair to take the cap .

all the other articles were in working order .

Jaqueline on this occasion followed him in the disguise of a crow , flying overhead .

presently he heard heavy footsteps sounding along the cavern , and the Giant came out .

if you cut off his head , he went on just as before , only without it ; and so about everything else .

on the last occasion of their meeting , Ricardo had left him in a painfully scattered condition , and thought he was done for .

" Mornin ' sir , " he said to Dick , touching his forehead with his hand .

" Glad to see you looking so well .

no bad feeling , I hope , on either side ? "

the modern world has no room for them . "

" that 's hearty , " said the Giant ; " I like a fellow of your kind .

now , shall we toss for corners ? "

" all right ! " said Dick , calling " heads " and winning .

he took the corner with the sun on his back and in the Giant 's face .

to it they went , the Giant aiming a blow with his club that would have felled an elephant .

dick dodged , and cut off the Giant 's feet at the ankles .

" first blood for the prince ! " said the Giant , coming up smiling .

" Half- minute time ! "

he occupied the half-minute in placing the feet neatly beside each other , as if they had been a pair of boots .

round II . the Giant sparring for wind , Ricardo cuts him in two at the waist .

the Giant folded his legs up neatly , like a pair of trousers , and laid them down on a rock .

he had now some difficulty in getting rapidly over the ground , and stood mainly on the defensive , and on his waist .

round III . Dick bisects the Giant .

both sides now attack him on either hand , and the feet kick him severely .

" no kicking ! " said Dick .

" nonsense ; all fair in war ! " said the Giant .

but do not let us pursue this sanguinary encounter in all its horrible details .

he well deserved the title given him by the Fancy , of " the Giant who does not Know when he has had Enough . "

the contest was over ; Dick was resting on a rock .

but the poor Princess Jaqueline !

there she stood , a beautiful , trembling maiden , her hands crossed on her bosom , entirely at the mercy of the Giant !

she merely stood , pale and trembling .

she had saved Dick , but at an enormous sacrifice , for the sword and the Seven- league Boots were lying on the trampled grass .

dick was rescued , that was all , and the Princess Jaqueline had sacrificed herself to her love for him .

" let me introduce myself , " he said , and mentioned his name and titles .

" may I ask what you are doing here , and how you came ? "


Poor Jaqueline threw herself at his feet , and murmured a short and not very intelligible account of herself .

" I don't understand , " said the Giant , replacing his head on his shoulders .

" what to do with you , I 'm sure I don't know .

' Please don't eat me , ' did you say ?

why , what do you take me for ?

I 'm not in that line at all ; low , I call it ! "

Jaqueline was somewhat comforted at these words , dropped out of the Giant 's lips from a considerable height .

" but they call you ' The Giant who does not Know when he has had Enough , ' " said Jaqueline .

" and proud of the title : not enough of fighting .

of punishment I am a glutton , or so my friends are pleased to say .

" I can't take you home with me , that is out of the question .

now Jaqueline saw that the Giant , big as he was , courageous too , was afraid of his wife !

" I 'll tell you what I 'll do ; I 'll hand you over to a neighbour of mine , who is a bachelor . "

" a bachelor giant ; would that be quite proper ? " said Jaqueline , trying to humour him .

" he 's not a giant , bless you ; he 's a queer fellow , it is not easy to say what he is .

he 's the Earthquaker , him as shakes the earth now and then , and brings the houses about people 's ears . "

Jaqueline fairly screamed at hearing this awful news .

" hush ! be quiet , do ! " said the Giant .

the Earthquaker won't do you any harm ; it 's only for safe keeping I 'll put you with him .

why , he don't waken , not once in fifty years .

he 's quite the dormouse .

come on ! "

you have heard of whirlpools in water ; well , this was just like a whirlpool of air .

but presently she sank softly on to a couch , in a beautifully-lighted rocky hall .

all around her the floor was of white and red marble , but on one side it seemed to end in black nothing .

Jaqueline , after a few moments , recovered her senses fully , and changing herself into an eagle , tried to fly up and out .

she was a prisoner in this great gleaming hall , ending in black nothingness .

it had no form or shape , or none that she could make out ; but it pulsed with a heart .

Jaqueline placed her foot on this curious thing , when a voice came , like thunder heard through a feather-bed :

it was the Earthquaker !

we are certain that there are Earthquakers , otherwise how can we account for earthquakes ?

it was not easy to have the better of an enchantress like Jaqueline and a prince like Ricardo .

the hills were those she used to see from her father 's palace windows when she was a child .

Jaqueline ran to them .

" we are nurses of the Earthquaker , " they said .

" no , I 'm not , " said Jaqueline .

" I don't know the priests of Manoa ; I don't know any new sleepy song .

I only want to find the way out . "

then they all wept softly in the stillness .

" can we get anything to eat here ? " asked poor Jaqueline , at last .

she was beginning to be very hungry , and however alarmed she might be , she felt that dinner would not be unwelcome .

CHAPTER IX .

Prigio has an Idea .


a weary and way-worn little bird was Prince Ricardo when he fluttered into the royal study window , in the palace of Pantouflia .

she just caught his tail feather .

in all his adventures the prince had never been in greater danger .

he escaped , but no more , and went flying round the ceiling , looking for a safe place .

finally he perched on a chandelier that hung from the roof .

here he was safe ; and so weary was he , that he put his head under his wing and fell fast asleep .

he was awakened by the return of the king , who threw himself on a sofa and exclaimed :

" oh , that Prime Minister ! his dulness is as heavy as lead ; much heavier , in fact ! "

then his Majesty lit a cigar and took up a volume ; he certainly was a sad bookworm .

Dick now began to fly about the room , brushing the king 's face and trying to attract his notice .

" poor little thing ! " said his Majesty .

and Dick alighted , and nestled in his breast .

on seeing this , Semiramis began to growl , as cats do when they are angry , and slowly approached his Majesty .

" an enchanted prince or princess , " said Prigio , " such as I have often read of .

who can it be ?

not Jaqueline ; she could change herself back in a moment .

by the way , where is Jaqueline ? "

he rang the bell , and asked the servant to look for the princess .

Semiramis tried to come in , but was caught and shut up downstairs .

after doing this , the man replied that her Royal Highness had not been in the palace all day .

the king rushed to the crystal ball , looked all the world over ; but no princess !

then he cocked his little eye at the king .

I must look into this . "

instantly Dick stood before him .


" Ricardo ! " cried the king in horror ; " and in this disguise !

where have you been ?

what have you done with Jaqueline ?

where are the Seven-league Boots ?

where is the Sword of Sharpness ?

speak !

get up ! " for Dick was kneeling and weeping bitterly at the royal feet .

" all lost ! " said Dick .

" Poor Jaqueline ! she was the best girl , and the prettiest , and the kindest .

and the Earthquaker 's got her , and the Giant 's got the other things , " dick ended , crying bitterly .

" calm yourself , Ricardo , " said his Majesty , very pale , but calm and determined .

" here , take a glass of port , and explain how all this happened . "

dick drank the wine , and then he told his miserable story .

" you may well sob !

why didn't you use the Cap of Darkness ?

mere conceit !

but there is no use in crying over spilt milk .

the thing is , to rescue Jaqueline .

and what are we to say to your mother ? "

" that 's the worst of it all , " said Dick .

" mother will break her heart . "

" I must see her at once , " said the king , " and break it to her . "

his Majesty retired to his study , put his head in his hands , and thought and thought .

" the thing is , of course , " he said , " to destroy the Earthquaker before he wakens ; but how ?

what can kill such a monster ?

prodding him with the sword would only stir him up and make him more vicious .

oh , for an idea ! "

then his mind , somehow , went back to the Council and the ponderous stupidity of the Prime Minister .

" heavier than lead , " said the king .

" by George !

I have a plan .

" but how to get to the moon ?

there are difficulties about that . "

but difficulties only sharpened the ingenuity of this admirable king .

" the other fellow had a Flying Horse , " said he .

I must look into this . "

the monarch received him with some surprise , but with stately kindness , and listened to Prigio while he explained what he wanted .

" I am only too happy to assist so adventurous a prince , " remarked the Great Mogul .

" this is like old times !

he clapped his hands , the Grand Vizier appeared , and the king gave orders to have the Flying Horse saddled at once .

he then presented King Prigio with a large diamond , and came down into the courtyard to see him mount .

" to the moon ! "

Up flew the horse with an easy action , and the king 's head nearly swam with the swiftness of the flight .


Through the dark rode King Prigio , into the silver dawn of the moon .

before the gate stood two beautiful ladies .

one was fair , with yellow locks , the colour of the harvest moon .

the other lady was as dark as night dark eyes , dark hair ; her crown was of poppies .

she held the ebony Wand of Sleep .

her dress was of the deepest blue , sown with stars .

he stopped the Flying Horse by turning the other knob in the saddle , alighted , and bowed very low to each of the ladies .

" daring mortal ! what make you here ? " they asked .

the ladies heard him in silence , and then they said :

" indeed , madam , " said the king , " no one knows it better than I do . "

" then make your choice of the best sort of Stupidity for your purpose , " said the dark lady .

and in the light which flowed from their bodies King Prigio looked round at the various kinds of Solid Stupidity .

" had we not better go to Jaqueline first , sir ? " said Ricardo .

" no , " said the king ; " I think mine is the best plan .

we are needed there , to judge by that angry crowd in the marketplace .

how they howl ! "

CHAPTER X . the End .


it was on a strange sight that the king and Ricardo looked down from the Flying Horse .

beneath them lay the City of Manoa , filling with its golden battlements and temples a hollow of the mountains .

here were palaces all carved over with faces of men and beasts , and with twisted patterns of serpents .

from every temple top came the roar of beaten drums , great drums of serpentskin .

among them ran about priests with hideous masks , crying them on to besiege and break down the royal palace .

from the battlements of the palace the king 's guardsmen were firing arrows and throwing spears .

the mob shot arrows back , some of them tipped with lighted straw , to burn the palace down .

the people were so furious and so eager that they did not , at first , notice King Prigio as he slowly descended .

" thou hast come , oh , Pachacamac , as is foretold in the prophecy of the Cord of the Venerable Knots !

thou hast come , but behold the shadow of the stone !

thou art too late , oh Lord of the Earth and the Sea ! "

then he pointed to the shadow , which , naturally , was growing shorter , as the sun drew near mid-day .

" I have come , " Prigio said , with presence of mind , " as it has been prophesied of old . "

" riding on a beast that flies , " said the old priest , " even as the oracle declared .

glory to Pachacamac , even though we die to-day ! "

" in what can I help my people ? " said Prigio .

" thou knowest ; why should we instruct thee ?

Lo , now the shadow shrinks to the foot of the huaca , and the maid is not offered !

for the lot fell on the daughter of thy servant the Inca , and he refuses to give her up .

" why , it must have been Jaqueline .

I killed the birds , " said Ricardo , in Pantouflian .

" silence , not a word ! " said the king , sternly .

" and what makes you bear arms against the Inca ? " he asked the old man .

" then wherefore would you slay them , when you must all perish ? "

" the people , oh Pachacamac , would have revenge before they die . "

is it not predicted in the Cord of the Venerable Knots that I shall slay this monster ? "

" hasten , oh Pachacamac , for the shadow shortens ! " said the priest .

" lead me to the Inca , " answered Prigio .

" I come , a king to a king , " he said .

" my cousin , take courage ; your sorrows are ended .

if I do not slay the Earthquaker , sacrifice me to your gods . "

" the Prophecy is fulfilled , " said the Inca , and wept for joy .

" yet thou must hasten , for it draws near to noon . "

then Prigio went up to the golden battlements , and saying no word , waved his hand .

in a moment the square was empty , for the people rushed to give thanks in the temples .

" the lost are found to-day , " he said ; " be you ready to welcome them . "

the sun was approaching mid-day , and Prigio put spurs to the Flying Horse .

" oh ! you have come , you have come ; I knew you would come ! " she cried .

then King Prigio advanced , the mighty weight in his hand , to the verge of the dreadful gulf of the Earthquaker .

A moment more , and he would waken in his strength ; and once awake , he would shatter the city walls and ruin Manoa .

King Prigio stood with the mighty mass poised in his hands .

the king drew a long breath .

but afterwards he used to say that the moment when the Earthquaker stirred was the most dreadful in his life .

who shall describe the joy of the maidens , and how often Jaqueline and Ricardo kissed each other ?

" you have saved me ! " she cried to the king , throwing her arms round him again .

" you have saved Manoa ! "

" and you have saved the Hope of Pantouflia , not once or twice , " said his Majesty , grandly .

then Dick kissed Jaqueline again , and all the maidens kissed each other , and they quite cried for gladness .

" but we keep his Majesty the Inca waiting , " said Prigio .

" punctuality is the courtesy of kings .

you ladies will excuse me , I am sure , if I remove first from the dungeon her whom we call the Princess Jaqueline .

the Inca , her father , has a claim on us to this preference . "

they beat the serpent drums , for they had no bells , on the tops of the temples .

these young men had never cared for any one else .

so , just to make everything orderly and correct , Ricardo and Jaqueline were married over again , in the Cathedral of Pantouflia .

the marriage presents came in afterwards , of course , and among them , what do you think ?

why , the Seven-League Boots and the Sword of Sharpness , with a very polite note of extraordinary size :

the Giant hopes no bad blood ; and I am ,

" yours very faithfully , " THE G. , & c.

" P.S.

his little woman sends her congratulations . "

" no need such kings should ever die ! "


PRINTING OFFICE OF THE PUBLISHER .

Footnotes :





AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG .

VOL V.

JIMMY'S CRUISE IN THE PINAFORE , ETC .

BY LOUISA M ALCOTT ,

AUTHOR OF " LITTLE WOMEN , " " AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL , " " LITTLE MEN , " " HOSPITAL SKETCHES . "

BOSTON : ROBERTS BROTHERS .

@number@

copyright , BY LOUISA M ALCOTT .

@number@

UNIVERSITY PRESS : JOHN WILSON AND SON , CAMBRIDGE .

Illustration : SIR JOSEPH PORTER , K.C.B.

Illustration : COUSIN HEBE .

and so do his sisters , and his cousins , and his aunts His sisters and his cousins !

whom he reckons by the dozens , And his aunts !

Illustration : RALPH RACKSTRAW .

" I am the lowliest tar That sails the water .

and you , proud maiden , are My captain 's daughter . "

Illustration : JOSEPHINE .

" refrain , audacious tar .

your suit from pressing ; Remember what you are , And whom addressing . "

Illustration : LITTLE BUTTERCUP .

Illustration : CAPTAIN CORCORAN .

Illustration : BILL BOBSTAY , THE BOS'N

he is an Englishman !

for he himself has said it , And it 's greatly to his credit That he is an Englishman .

Illustration : DICK DEADEYE .

" I 'm ugly too , aint I ? "

CONTENTS .

I ..y JIMMY'S CRUISE IN THE PINAFORE @number@

II .

TWO LITTLE TRAVELLERS @number@

III .

a JOLLY FOURTH @number@

IV .

SEVEN BLACK CATS @number@

V ..y ROSA'S TALE @number@

VI .

LUNCH @number@

VII .

a BRIGHT IDEA @number@

VIII .

HOW THEY CAMPED OUT @number@

IX .

MY LITTLE SCHOOL-GIRL @number@

x . WHAT A SHOVEL DID @number@

XI .

CLAMS @number@

XII .

KITTY'S CATTLE SHOW @number@

XIII .

WHAT BECOMES OF THE PINS @number@

Illustration : TOM TUCKER , MIDSHIPMITE .

AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG .

I.

JIMMY'S CRUISE IN THE PINAFORE .

HOW HE SHIPPED .

the prospect was a dull one for a lively lad full of the spring longings which sunny April weather always brings .

no , it was a burden that lay very heavily on his heart , and made it impossible to even whistle as he waited .

all day she lay moaning softly , and her one comfort was when " brother " could come and sing to her .

" she shall go !

I don't see any other way , and I 'll do it ! "

the plan which had been uppermost lately was this .

his father had been a sailor , and Jimmy proposed to run away to sea as cabin boy .

" I 'll do it as sure as my name is Jim Nelson .

" I wonder which kind of captains pay boys best ?

I guess I 'll try a steamer ; they make short trips .

I heard the cannon to-day , so one is in , and I 'll try for a place before I go to bed . "

" such fun you 'll never guess just what we wanted if your mother only will !

" fire away , then .

it will have to be extra nice to set me off .

some of our girls are going , and so am I , and you sing and must come , too , and have some fun .

won't it be jolly ? "

" I guess it would ; but I can't .

" really ?

how much ?

can I sing well enough ? " and he clutched her arm excitedly , for this unexpected ray of hope dazzled him .

" ten dollars ! " gasped Jimmy , for the immensity of the sum took his breath away .

" could I get that ?

how long ?

where do we go ?

do they really want us fellows ?

are you sure it 's all true ? "

" it was all in the paper , and Miss Pym , the teacher who boards at our house , told Ma about it .

don't you believe me now ? "

miss Pym and the newspapers settled the matter in Jimmy 's mind , and made him more anxious than before about the other point .

" do you think I would have any chance ? " he asked , still holding Will , who seemed inclined for another dance .

" I know you would .

don't you do splendidly at school ?

" mother will have to spare me now , if they pay like that .

I can work all day and do without sleep to earn money this way .

oh , Will , I 'm so glad you came , for I was just ready to run away to sea .

" run as fast as you like , and I 'll go too .

we 'll sail in the ' Pinafore , ' and come home with our pockets full of money .

" ' Sing , hey , the merry maiden and the tar ! ' "

burst out Will , who was so full of spirits she could not keep still another minute .

" we shall lose school , you know , for we act in the afternoon , not the evening .

I don't care ; but you will , you like to study so well .

they could hardly wait to be dismissed , and it was a race home to see who should be first to tell the good news .

" I 'm in !

I 'm in !

ten dollars a week !

hurrah ! "

" I can hardly believe it ! "

and weary Mrs Nelson dropped her needle to indulge in a few moments of delightful repose .

" if it goes well they may want us for a month or six weeks , " the man said .

HOW HE SAILED .

it was a real ship to him , in spite of painted cannon , shaky masts , and cabin doors that led nowhere .

day by day all grew more and more interesting .

when the grand day came at last , and the crew of jolly young tars stood ready to burst forth with the opening chorus ,

it was a very successful launch , and the merry little crew set sail with a fair wind and every prospect of a prosperous voyage .

it was the perfection of harmless merry-making , and the audience was as pleasant a spectacle as that upon the stage .

the windows stood open , and sunshine and fresh air came in to join the revel .

HOW THE VOYAGE ENDED .

a few hours later , a cheerful-looking boy might have been seen trudging toward one of the railway-stations .

" ' Yes , I know That is so ! ' "

hummed the girl with a skip to starboard , that she might bear a hand with the bag .

" keep some cherries for me , and don't forget to give Kit the doll I dressed for her . "

" running away to sea is great fun ,

' With a tar that ploughs the water ! ' "

sung Will in spite of herself .

" ' And a gallant captain 's daughter , ' "

echoed Jimmy , smiling across the carpet-bag .

then both joined in an irrepressible chorus of " dash it !

dash it ! " as a big man nearly upset them and a dog barked madly at the balloon .

" all right , I 'd like that ever so much . "

and then the irrepressible madcap burst out , to the great amusement of the passengers ,

" ' For you might have been a Roosian , A Frenchman , Turk or Proosian , Or an Ital-i-an . ' "

and Jimmy could not resist shouting back , as the train began to move ,

" ' But in spite of all temptations To belong to other nations , I 'm an Amer-i-can . ' "

II .

TWO LITTLE TRAVELLERS .

but the thing which made the deepest impression on Annie was a visit to a charity-school at the old convent of San Antonio .

but when she was at home she expressed much concern and distress at the destitute condition of the children .

thus comforted , Annie felt that she could enjoy her dear Horta and Chica Pico Fatiera , particular darlings rechristened since her arrival .

every one mourned for her , and all her small treasures were so carefully kept that they still exist .

the second small traveller I want to tell about lived in the same city as the first , and her name was Maggie Woods .

when all was ready , Maggie 's small effects were packed in a light basket , so that she could carry it herself if need be .

III .

a JOLLY FOURTH .

" it won't seem a bit like a regular Fourth without the salutes three times during the day .

" what shall we do in the evening , since the ball is given up ?

" the authorities didn't dare to stop our races in the morning .

" we must do something to finish off with .

" let us offer a prize for the brightest idea .

all agreed , and sudden silence followed the chatter , broken now and then by an exclamation of " I 've got it !

no , I haven't , " which produced a laugh at the impetuous party .

" time 's up , " announced Fred , looking at " the turnip , " as his big old-fashioned watch was called .

" why not have lots , and make a regular ' feast of lanterns , ' as they do in China ?

I was reading about it the other day , and can show you how to do it .

won't it be gay ? "

and Fred the bookworm nearly tumbled off his perch , as an excited gesture emptied his pockets of the library books which served as ballast .

" yes ! yes ! " cried the other lads , with various demonstrations of delight as the new fancy grew upon their lively minds .

" Fred and Annie must have the prize , for their idea is the most brilliant one .

" let us dress up , " said Julia , who liked theatricals .

" In different characters , " added Maud , thinking how well her long yellow hair would look as a mermaid .

" and all sing as we go under the bridges , " put in Annie , who adored music .

" I 've got two girl cousins coming , and they would like it , I guess .

I should any way , for Jack will go tagging after Grace and leave me to take care of them .

let's have a picnic , by all means , " said lazy Fred , who thought all girls but one great plagues .

" I shouldn't wonder if all our people liked that plan , and we might have a town picnic as we did once before .

the Fourth was a fine day , with a fresh air , cloudless sky , and no dust .

the town was early astir , though neither sunrise cannon nor the Antiques and Horribles disturbed the dawn with their clamor .

the older fellows did the scientific , and their prizes were duly awarded by the judges .

a social , sensible time , and when sunset came all turned homeward to make ready for the evening festivities .

higher up the stream , where two branches met about a rocky island , elves seemed gathering for a summer revel .

then a gondola of lovely Venetian ladies , rowed by the handsome artist , who was the pride of the town .

Belle and Grace waved their peacock fans like two comely little Egyptian damsels , and the many-colored lanterns made a pretty picture of the whole .

a boatful of jolly little tars followed , with Tom Brown , Jr , as skipper .

then a party of fairies in white , with silver wings and wands , and lanterns like moon and stars .

" Post-office all afire !

men wanted ! " shouted a breathless boy , racing through the crowd toward the river .

such noble exertions could not fail of success , and the fire was happily extinguished before the river was pumped dry .

but the merriest party of all was the one gathered on Fred 's piazza to eat cake and talk over the fun .

such a droll group as they were .

the Indians were sadly dilapidated as to feathers and paint , beside being muddy to the knees , having landed in hot haste .

Poor Cleopatra had been drenched by the hose , but though very damp still sparkled with unextinguishable gayety .

Elaine had tied herself up in a big shawl , having lost her hat overboard .

Jack and Grace wore one waterproof , and Annie was hoarse with leading her choir of birds on the floating island .

also several of the pirates wore their beards twisted round behind for the sake of convenience in eating .

IV .

SEVEN BLACK CATS .

I have no prejudice against color , but it so happened that our pussies were usually gray or maltese .

one white one , who would live in the coal-bin , was a failure , and we never repeated the experiment .

black cats had not been offered us , so we had no experience of them till number one came to us in this wise .

sitting at my window , I saw a very handsome puss come walking down the street in the most composed and dignified manner .

I watched him with interest , wondering where he was going .

straight up to the door he came , and finding it shut sat down to wait till some one opened it for him .

" it 's all right ; the place suits me , and I 'm going to stay . "

his coolness amused me very much , and his beauty made me glad to keep him .

he was not a common cat , but , as we afterward discovered , a Russian puss .

every one admired him , and a vainer puss never caught a mouse .

he was not fond of petting , but allowed one or two honored beings to cuddle him .

one morning after a heavy snow-fall , Czar went out to take a turn up and down the path .

catching up a broom , I belabored the dog so energetically that he was forced to turn from the poor Czar to me .

the boy fled affrighted , and I bore my poor Czar in to die .

we had company in the evening , and my interesting patient was put into another room .

Blot 's career was a sad and brief one .

misfortune marked her for its own , and life was one too many for her .

I saw some boys pelting a wretched object with mud .

Being washed and dried , she turned out a thin black kit , with dirty blue bows tied in her ears .

but Blot would not grow plump .

her early wrongs preyed upon her , and she remained a thin , timid , melancholy little cat all her days .

I could not win her confidence .

she had lost her faith in mankind , and I don't blame her .

she would not be easy and comfortable .

poor , dear little Blot !

she was a pathetic spectacle , and her end was quite in keeping with the rest of her hard fate .

my dear Mother Bunch was an entire contrast to Blot .

in our back kitchen was an old sideboard , with two little doors in the lower part .

I had never seen this mild black cat before , and I fancy no one had ever seen her three roly-poly , jet-black kits .

" the house suited me ; I 'll take it , and pay rent by allowing you to admire and pet my lovely babies . "

three jollier kits were never born , and a more devoted mother never lived .

Cuddle Bunch had a fit , and fell out of the window , killing herself instantly .

Little Purr was caught in a trap , set for a woodchuck , and so hurt she had to be gently chloroformed out of life .

we did it once , and it was a dead failure .

coming to a lonely spot , he let them out , and returned home , much relieved in mind .

returning in the spring , one of my first questions was ,

" how is old Pussy ? "

Great was my anguish when my neighbor told me that she was no more .

it seems the dear thing pined for her old home , and kept returning to it in spite of age or bad weather .

as a delicate attention to me , Mrs Bunch 's skin was preserved , and presented when the tale was told .

I am sure Mrs Bunch would have agreed with me , and not felt that I treated her remains with disrespect .

the last of my cats was the blackest of all , and such a wild thing we called him the Imp .

he got a sad pinch in his tail , which made it crooked forever after .

he fell into the soft-soap barrel , and was fished out a deplorable spectacle .

he was half strangled by a fine collar we put on him , and was found hanging by it on a peg .

people sat down on him , for he would lie in chairs .

he was not beautiful , but very impressive ; being big , without a white hair on him .

they chased , caught , and tossed the poor Imp overboard without loss of time .

so , of course , they laid it all to the loss of the cat , and were more fixed in their belief than ever .

v.

ROSA'S TALE .

" now , I believe every one has had a Christmas present and a good time .

" we 've forgotten Rosa !

her mistress is away , but she shall have a present nevertheless .

late as it is , she will like some apples and cake and a Merry Christmas from the family . "

then , recognizing a friend , she rose and came rustling through the straw to greet her late visitor .

I stroked her neck as she stooped to sniff affectionately at my hood , and said eagerly ,

" ' Tell away , dear , I 'm full of interest , and understand every word you say . '

I was a very happy colt , petted by my master , tamed by love , and never struck a blow while he lived .

I gained one race for him , and promised so well that when he died I brought a great price .

ah , how ambitious and proud I was in those days !

" ' I do not find it hard , for we have always said you had splendid points about you .

' I won several races , and great fame was predicted for me .

I was full of spirit , eager to show my speed and sure of success .

" ' I was kept carefully out of every one 's way for weeks , and only taken out for exercise by my trainer .

Poor Bill !

" ' Bill worked over me day and night , that I might be fit to run .

what a splendid minute that was when , encouraged and refreshed by my faithful Bill , I came on the track again !

" ' I wish I had been there to see you ! '

I exclaimed , quite carried away by her ardor .

" ' I wish you had , for I won , I won !

my master cared no more for me , and would have had me shot if Bill had not saved my life .

I was pronounced good for nothing , and he bought me cheap .

" ' But somehow my good times never lasted long , and when Miss Alice went West I was sold .

ah ! you never guessed that , did you ?

yes , I did my part gallantly and saved my master 's life more than once .

" ' In one of the hottest battles my captain was ordered to lead his men to a most perilous exploit .

they hesitated , so did he ; for it must cost many lives , and , brave as they were , they paused an instant .

the men thought their captain led them on , and with a cheer they followed , carrying all before them .

" ' In snow-storms it was awful , and more than one of my mates dropped dead with overwork and discouragement .

what can it be , ma'am ? '

now hurry up and finish , for I find it a trifle cold out here . '

" ' Many thanks .

I will come now to the most interesting portion of my narrative .

" ' In the autumn a livery-stable keeper bought me , and through the winter fed me up till I was quite presentable in the spring .

" ' Ah , what rides we had after that !

" ' I liked that , and we had long chats at such times , for she seemed to understand me perfectly .

" ' Then how well she rode !

" ' Ah , Miss Merry never ran away from me !

she knew my heels were to be trusted , and she let me caper as I would , glad to see me lively .

hard usage has made me seem old before my time , and I am good for years of service yet . '

didn't she study horses ' feet and shoes , that I might be cured if possible ?

have not my poor contracted feet grown much better , thanks to the weeks of rest without shoes which she gave me ?

am I not fat and handsome , and , barring the stiff knees , a very presentable horse ?

if I am , it is all owing to her ; and for that reason I want to live and die in her service .

dear Miss Belinda , please keep me !

I 'll eat as little as I can .

I won't ask for a new blanket , though your old army one is very thin and shabby .

I 'll trot for you all winter , and try not to show it if I am lame .

I stopped her , and answered , with an arm about her neck and her soft nose in my hand ,

your shoes shall be taken off , and you shall rest till March at least .

" ' Thanks , many , many thanks !

but I wish I could do something to earn my board .

I hate to be idle , though rest is delicious .

is there nothing I can do to repay you , Miss Belinda ?

" ' Yes , you can , ' I cried , as a sudden idea popped into my head .

so rest in peace , my dear ; you will have earned your living , and may feel that your debt is paid . '

" before she could reply the clock struck one , and a long sigh of satisfaction was all the response in her power .

" what more could any reasonable horse desire ? "

VI .

LUNCH .

they would not have allured any but hungry school-boys , and ought to have been labelled Dyspepsia and Headache , so unwholesome were they .

Miss Jerusha looked up from her seventeenth patchwork quilt , and answered , with a sympathetic glance over the way ,

they had their favorites , and beguiled many a long hour speculating on the looks , manners , and probable station of the lads .

something happened just then which decided her , and sealed the doom of the bilious tarts and their maker .

" it 's a shame !

he shall have something good !

the scamp ! "

" come here , boy , and get a cookie , a dozen if you want ' em . "

" sister 's done it at last ! "

and , inspired by this heroic example , Miss Jerusha threw up the window , saying , as she beckoned to the avenger ,

" you too , because you stood by that poor little boy .

come right over and help yourself . "

" here 's a nice big one for you , my dear .

" thank you , ma'am .

that 's a splendid one .

we don't get anything so nice over there . "

and Charley gratefully bolted the cake in three mouthfuls , having given away his own lunch .

" no , indeed !

one of these is worth a dozen of those nasty pies .

" wish you 'd teach old Peck how you make ' em .

" cockroach pies !

" I never do ; my mother won't let me . "

" he never has any money , that 's why , " bawled Dickson , the fat boy , dodging behind the fence as he spoke .

" never you mind , sonny , you come here every day , and I 'll see that you have a good lunch .

" Cry-baby !

Molly-coddle !

" thank you very much , ma'am , for my cookie .

I won't forget to call to-morrow . "

and little Briggs shook hands with as innocent a face as if his jacket pocket was not bulging in a most suspicious manner .

" sheer off , fellows .

we are no end obliged , ma'am , and I 'll see that Briggs isn't put upon by sneaks . "

" I 'm not sure it isn't our duty to make and sell good , wholesome lunches to those boys .

we can afford to do it cheap , and it wouldn't be much trouble .

it could be done , sister , " said Miss Jerusha , longing to distinguish herself in some way also .

" it shall be done , sister ! "

" our blessed mother understood how to feed a family .

" we 'd better make some Brighton Rock .

Ma 's resate never fails , and it will be a new treat for the little dears . "

" S'pose we have an extra can of milk left and give ' em a good mugful ?

some of those poor things look as if they never got a drop .

Peck sells beer , and milk is a deal better .

shall we , sister ? "

" we 'll try it , Jerushy .

In for a penny , in for a pound . "

" hullo !

miss Hetty has done it now , hasn't she ?

" I will ! "

" what bully buns ! "

" ain't those cookies rousers ? "

" new stuff too , looks first-rate . "

" I told you it wasn't a joke . "

" wonder how Peck likes it ? "

" Dickson sha'n't come in . "

" you go first , Charley . "

" here 's a cent for you , Briggs ; come on and trade like the rest of us . "

" it is my turn now .

be calm , and we shall soon get used to it . "

" I hope I didn't cheat any one , but I was flurried , sister , they were so very noisy and so hungry .

bless their dear hearts ; they are full now , I trust . "

" the Brighton Rock was a success ; we must have a good store for to-morrow , and more milk .

" Peck 's nose is out of joint , if I may use so vulgar an expression , and our lunch a triumphant success .

boys know what is good , and we need not fear to lose their custom as long as we can supply them .

I shall order a barrel of flour at once , and heat up the big oven .

we have put our hand to the work and must not turn back , for our honor is pledged now . "

the final triumph , however , was the closing of Peck 's shop for want of custom , for few besides the boys patronized him .

none mourned for him , and Dickson proved the truth of Miss Hetty 's prophecy by actually having a bilious fever in the spring .

" by Jove , the Aunties are bound to cover themselves with glory .

let's go in and hear all about it .

" we want the Aunties , if you please .

isn't this their shop ? " said little Briggs , bitterly disappointed at not finding his good friends .

" you will find them over there at home as usual .

yes , this is their shop , and I 'm their niece .

my husband is the Co. , and we run the shop for the aunts .

I hope you 'll patronize us , gentlemen . "

" we will ! we will !

VII .

a BRIGHT IDEA .

I was so tired of pleasure and idleness I really quite long to work at something , if I could only find it . "

" I do wish I 'd been taught a trade , mamma , or some useful art by which I could earn our bread now .

Rich people ought to remember that money takes to itself wings , and so prepare their children to face poverty bravely .

" no ; we should soon feel that we were a burden , and that would be worse than living on bread and water .

let us try to help ourselves first , and then , if we fail , we cannot be accused of indolence .

I know papa would wish it , so please let me try . "

" as you like ; I shall not be a burden to any one long . "

and Mrs Barlow looked about for her handkerchief .

but Clara prevented the impending shower by skilfully turning the poor lady 's thoughts to the new cap which was ready to try on .

" isn't it pretty ?

Just the soft effect that is so becoming to your dear , pale face .

take a good look at it , and tell me whether you 'll have pale pink bows or lavender . "

" it is very nice , child ; you always suit me , you 've such charming taste .

Clara opened several of these , and rapidly turned over their contents , as if looking for something beside pale pink ribbon .

" I 've got it , mamma , I 've got it ! "

" bless the child ! what have you got , a letter ? " cried Mrs Barlow , starting up .

" no ; but something better still , a new way to get a living .

I 'll be a milliner , and you shall have as many caps as you like .

" but how can you sell them ? " asked her mother , half bewildered by the eagerness with which the new plan was unfolded .

" that 's the best of all , and I only thought of it when I was among the boxes .

" as I stood there just now , I saw it all .

" but , child , what will people say ? "

" that I 'm an honest girl , and lend me a hand , if they are friends worth having . "

come buy , come buy ! "

on a long table in the middle of the room , a dozen delicate caps and head-dresses were set forth .

on another lay garlands of French flowers bought for pretty Clara 's own adornment .

" my dear girl , how are you , and how is mamma ?

now this is charming .

" I 'll take this mantle off your hands with pleasure , for I intended to import one , and this saves me so much trouble .

" such a sweet thing !

I must have it before any one else snaps it up .

try it on , love , and give it a touch if it doesn't fit . "

on it went , and even the wearer could not fail to see that something was amiss .

" it 's not the fault of the cap , dear .

see , now , how I 'll make even this cap becoming . "

" infinitely better ; really becoming , and just what I want with my new silver-gray satin .

dear me , what a thing taste is ! "

and Mrs Tower regarded herself with feminine satisfaction in her really fine eyes .

here a new arrival interrupted them , and Clara went to meet several girls belonging to what had lately been her own set .

" but the others are blue and lilac , both more trying than anything with a shade of pink in it .

" I bespeak something sweet for New Year 's Day .

you know my style , " said another young lady , privately resolving to buy the opal dress , when the rest had gone .

" come , dear , bestir yourself , for we must sail in ten days to pass our summer in or near Paris .

I 've got commissions enough to pay our way , and we can unite business and pleasure in the most charming manner . "

VIII .

HOW THEY CAMPED OUT .

" we can't give it up now , for here comes Patrick with the boys . "

and Gwen ran down to welcome the big sleigh , which just then drove up with four jolly lads skirmishing about inside .

" Faith , ma'm , it 's an illigant day barring the wind , that 's a thrifle could to the nose .

" be careful , dears , and come home early . "

papa said we might , and some of the big Baldwins too .

" that will be nice .

it was a very long half-hour before Pat brought them to the country-house , which was shut up for the winter .

" make haste , boys ; it is cold and dark here , and we must get home .

" if we were going to stay long I 'd have a fire in the library .

may his bed above be aisy the day !

Whist now , miss dear !

I 'll fetch ' em back in a jiffy .

stop still till I come , and kape them b'ys quite . "

" here 's a go ! " cried Mark .

" so we will , and be jolly till the blunderbuss gets back .

camp down , girls , and you fellows , come and hold the lantern while I get wood and stuff .

it is so confoundedly dark , I shall break my neck down the shed steps . "

" papa hides the matches in a tin box , so the rats won't get at them .

now we will light up , and look cosey when the boys come back . "

Thoughtful Alice went to see if Pat was returning , and found a buffalo-robe lying on the steps .

returning with this , she reported that there was no sign of the runaways , and advised making ready for a long stay .

" we will have a nice time , and play we are shipwrecked people or Arctic explorers .

here comes Dr Kane and the sailors with supplies of wood , so we can thaw our pemmican and warm our feet .

" here we are !

" I 'm hungry , " complained Gus as soon as he was warm .

" so am I , " added Rita from the rug , where the two little ones sat toasting themselves .

" eat an apple , " said Mark .

" they are so hard and cold I don't like them , " began Gus .

" roast some ! " cried Ruth .

" and crack nuts , " suggested Alice .

" we shall not have time for anything but what we have .

the rest were in high glee , and an hour or two slipped quickly away as they enjoyed the impromptu feast and played games .

Gus recalled them to the discomforts of their situation by saying with a yawn and a whimper ,

" I 'm so sleepy !

I want my own bed and mamma . "

" almost eight o'clock !

by Jove , that old Pat is taking his time , I think .

wonder if he has got into trouble ?

" better make a night of it and all go to sleep .

Pat can wake us up when he comes .

the cold makes a fellow so drowsy . "

and Bob gave a stretch that nearly rent him asunder .

" I will let the children nap on the sofa .

they are so tired of waiting , and may as well amuse themselves in that way as in fretting .

come , Gus and Rita , each take a pillow , and I 'll cover you up with my shawl . "

Gwen made the little ones comfortable , and they were off in five minutes .

" I 've eaten five Baldwins , and yet I want more .

something filling and good .

can't we catch a rat and roast him ? " proposed Bob , who was a hearty lad and was ravenous by this time .

" isn't there anything in the house ? " asked Ruth , who dared not eat nuts for fear of indigestion .

" pickles alone are rather sour feed .

" I saw a keg of soft-soap in the shed .

how would that go with the pickles ? " suggested Bob , who felt equal to the biggest and acidest cucumber ever grown .

the boys laughed , and Mark , who felt that hospitality required him to do something for his guests , said briskly ,

come on , Bob ; your sharp nose will smell out food if there is any . "

presently they came back , very dusty , cobwebby , and cold , but triumphantly bearing a droll collection of trophies .

" Meal , pickles , jam , and boards .

" can any of you make a hoe cake ? " demanded Mark .

" no , indeed !

I can make caramels and cocoanut-cakes , " said Ruth , proudly .

" I can make good toast and tea , " added Alice .

" I can't cook anything , " confessed Gwen , who was unusually accomplished in French , German , and music .

" girls aren't worth much in the hour of need .

take hold , Tony , you are the chap for me . "

and Mark disrespectfully turned his back on the young ladies , who could only sit and watch the lads work .

" he can't do it without water , " whispered Ruth .

" or salt , " answered Alice .

" or a pan to bake it in , " added Gwen ; and then all smiled at the dilemma they foresaw .

" it never will bake in the world . "

" he can't turn it , so it won't be done on both sides . "

" won't be fit to eat any way ! "

and with these dark hints the girls consoled themselves for their want of skill .

" it really does taste good ! "

Mark pillowed his head on a log , and was sound asleep in ten minutes in spite of his promise to be sentinel .

in the silence which now reigned , unbroken even by a snore , Gwen heard a sound that made her start and tremble .

some one was coming softly up the back stairs .

" Pat would knock or ring , and papa would speak , so that we might not be scared .

the steps drew nearer , paused on the threshold , and then a head appeared as the door noiselessly swung wider open .

whispers were heard , and then feet approached again , accompanied by a gleam of light .

" boys !

robbers !

fire !

tramps !

then there was a scene !

" hullo , Uncle Ed !

we are all right .

got tired of waiting for you , so we went to sleep . "

" stop screaming , girls , and quiet those children !

poor little Gwen is badly frightened .

get some snow , Tom , while I pick her up , " commanded the uncle , and order was soon established .

" why , that 's my old friend and captain , Tom May .

don't you remember him , child ?

he thought you were all asleep , so crept out to tell me and let me in . "

" how did he get in himself ? " asked Gwen , glad to turn the conversation .

" found the shed door open , and surprised the camp by a flank movement .

you wouldn't do for picket duty , boys , " laughed Captain Tom , enjoying the dismay of the lads .

" oh , thunder !

I forgot to bolt it when we first went for the wood .

had to open it , the place was so plaguy dark , " muttered Bob , much disgusted .

" where 's Pat ? " asked Tony , with great presence of mind , feeling anxious to shift all blame to his broad shoulders .

" the scamp was half-seas over when he started , and deserves all he got .

in the first place he lost his way , then tumbled overboard , and let the horses go .

the animals were stopped at the cross-roads , and there we found them after a lively cruise round the country .

your father was away , so Tom volunteered , and here we are . "

" a jolly lark ! now let us go home and go to bed , " proposed Mark , with a gape .

" isn't it most morning ? " asked Tony , who had been sleeping like a dormouse .

" just eleven .

now pack up and let us be off .

the storm is over , the moon coming out , and we shall find a good supper waiting for the loved and lost .

bear a hand , Tom , and ship this little duffer , for he 's off again . "

IX .

MY LITTLE SCHOOL-GIRL .

the first time that I saw her was one autumn morning as I rode to town in a horse-car .

" are you waiting for her ? "

I asked of the pleasant-faced conductor , who stood with his hand on the bell , and a good-natured smile in his eyes .

" thank you very much .

presently she shut her book with a decided pat , and an air of relief that amused me .

she saw the half-smile I could not repress , seemed to understand my sympathy , and said with a laugh ,

" it was a hard lesson , but I 've got it ! "

then we rumbled along again , the car getting fuller and fuller as we got down town .

" please take it , ma'am ; I can stand perfectly well . "

" hold on to that , my dear . "

" ah , " thought I , " how little we can judge from appearances !

this grim old soul is a gentleman , after all . "

" Will baby have some ? " said my girl , and made the little creature happy with some gay red leaves .

" now , I shall probably never see that child again , yet what a pleasant picture she leaves in my memory ! "

I thought to myself , as I caught a last glimpse of the brown hat going round the corner .

she was reading a paper , but looked up to give me the inside of the walk .

she understood at once , laughed , and took the bunch , saying with twinkling eyes ,

" oh , thank you ! they are beauties ! "

then , as we went on to the corner together , I told her why I did it , and recalled the car-ride .

at first I did not know how to address my nice white parcel , for I never had heard the child 's name .

" mother will plan it for me , and I can get it done by New Year .

won't it be fun to hang it on the door some day , and then run ? "

I am fond of observing faces , and seldom forget one if anything has particularly attracted my attention to it .

somehow , it looked familiar , and after thinking idly about it for a minute , I remembered where I had seen it before .

but no one was to be seen but two boys and a dog .

" don't you wait for the little girl now ? "

I asked , feeling disappointed at not seeing my pretty friend again .

" I wish I could , ma'am , " answered the man , understanding at once , though of course he did not remember me .

" New rules , perhaps ? "

x .

WHAT A SHOVEL DID .

" what do you see out there ? "

" myself , " was the answer that made me stare in surprise , as I joined him and looked curiously into the street .

all I saw was a man shovelling snow ; and , thoroughly puzzled , I turned to Richard , demanding an explanation .

he laughed , and answered readily ,

" while we wait for Kate and the children , I 'll tell you a little adventure of mine .

it may be useful to you some day .

I watched him out of sight , thinking bitterly ,

" ' Now look at the injustice of it !

a voice seemed to answer me , saying ,

" ' Why don't you do the same ?

if brains don't pay , try muscles , and thank God that you have health . '

" ' As I live I will try it ! and not give up while there is any honest work for these hands to do . '

it was bitter cold , and a heavy snow-storm had raged all night .

" my shovel explained my mission , and she beckoned with an imperious wave of her duster to the shabby man opposite .

I ploughed across , and received in silence the order to

" ' Clear them steps and sidewalk , and sweep ' em nice , for our folks always go to church , rain or shine . '

" then leaving her broom outside , the maid slammed the door with a shiver , and I fell to work manfully .

" ' You can wait here while I run up , and get the money , if master is awake . '

" the good soul warmed to me at once , and , filling a mug with coffee , gave it to me with a hearty

Ah'r , but I was a happy crayter that day ! '

" ' May his bed be aisy above , darlin ' , and many thanks , and the compliments of the sayson to ye , ladies . '

" with which grateful farewell I trudged away , well pleased at the success of my first attempt .

my blood danced in my veins , and all my despair seemed shovelled away with the snow I had cleared from other people 's paths .

presently I could not resist asking ,

" did you go on shovelling , Dick ? "

" not long , for there was no need of it , thanks to Pat 's mother , " he answered smiling .

" come , I must have all the story , for I know it has a sequel ! "

" a very happy one .

yes , I owe to that kind soul and her little story , the turn that Fortune gave her wheel .

Nay , rather say , the touch of nature that makes the whole world kin .

" I was so busy that I had not observed a lady watching me from the window .

to my surprise I was told to ' go into the dining room , and missis would attend to it . '

" for a moment I believed she did not know me , in my shabby suit and besmirched face .

I must speak to you ! '

he stopped there , and his face brightened beautifully , for the sound of little feet approached , and childish voices cried eagerly ,

" papa ! papa ! the snow has come !

may we go and shovel off the steps ? "

XI .

CLAMS .

a GHOST STORY .

" right down there , just a step , you see .

it 's all in order , and next week it will be full , for many folks prefer it because of the quiet . "

" a regular ' Cottage by the Sea . '

it will suit me exactly if I can have that front upper room .

alas , how little I knew what a night of terror I was to pass in that picturesque abode !

" pretty likely place for a prospeck . "

entering into a conversation with this ancient mariner , I asked if he knew any legend or stories concerning the old houses all about us .

" Sights of ' em ; but it aint allers the old places as has the most stories concernin ' ' em .

" what , that house at the end of the lane ? "

I asked , with sudden interest .

" Jes ' so ; nice place , but lonesome and dampish .

Ghosts and toadstools is apt to locate in houses of that sort , " placidly responded the venerable tar .

" I 've taken a room there , so I 'm rather interested in knowing what company I 'm to have . "

" took a room , hev you ?

Wal , I dare say you won't be troubled .

some folks have a knack of seeing sperrits , and then agin some hasn't .

my wife is uncommon powerful that way , but I aint ; my sight 's dreadful poor for that sort of critter . "

" has she ever seen the ghosts of the cottage ?

I think I have rather a knack that way , and I 'd like to know what to expect . "

" no , her sort is the rappin ' kind .

down yonder the only ghost I take much stock in is old Bezee Tucker 's .

it was kep ' quiet at the time , and is forgotten now by all but a few old chaps like me .

Bezee was allers civil to the ladies , so I guess he won't bother you , ma'am ; " and the old fellow laughed .

do take him by his little black head and eat him quick . "

the sharp shells gaped before me , a solemn voice said , " take her by her little head and eat her quick . "

and , as I sat up to make out where it was , another sound caught my attentive ear .

" well , let the goblins enjoy themselves ; I won't disturb them if they let me alone .

as a cheerful subject for midnight meditation I kept thinking of B Tucker , in spite of every effort to abstain .

In vain I recalled the fact that the departed gentleman was " allers civil to the ladies . "

I still was in mortal fear lest he might think it necessary to come and apologize in person for " bothering " me .

" what next ? " thought I , wondering whether tragedy or comedy would close this eventful night .

" it is the clams . "

" then who or what made those mysterious noises ? "

I asked , relieved but rather nettled at the downfall of my romance .

" my brother Seth , " replied Mrs Grant , still laughing .

he 's a powerful snorer , and that 's one of the awful sounds .

the other was the dripping of salt water ; for you wanted some , and the girl got it in a leaky pail .

Seth wiped up the slops when he came out early in the morning . "

" Johnny planned to be up awful early , and pick the last cherries off that tree .

" did you get your cherries ? "

I asked , bound to have some of the laugh on my side .

" guess I didn't , " grumbled Joe , rubbing his knees , while Johnny added , with an exulting chuckle ,

" he got a horrid scare and a right good scraping , for he didn't know any one was down there .

couldn't go fishing either , he was so lame , and I had the cherries after all .

served him right , didn't it ? "

XII .

KITTY'S CATTLE SHOW .

Little Kitty was an orphan , and she lived in the poor-house , where she ran errands , tended babies , and was everybody 's servant .

a droll , happy-hearted child , who did her best to be good , and was never tired of hoping that something pleasant would happen .

" did you say anybody could go in for nothing if they took something to show ? " she asked .

" what 's a primmynum ? " asked Kitty , forgetting to pick up chips , in her interest .

" it 's money ; some gets a lot , and some only a dollar , or so . "

" better send her ; she 's pretty enough to fetch a prize anywheres , " said Sam , who was fond of both Kittys .

" do they have cats there ? " asked the child , soberly .

" you are going to take Mr Green 's hens for him ; can't I go with you ?

you stand it among the chicken-coops , and folks will admire her , I aint a doubt . "

innocent little Kitty was in raptures at the prospect , though the people in the house laughed at her .

but she firmly believed it was all right , and made her preparations with solemn care .

" what is your name , my obliging little girl ? " asked the lady , as she brushed up the last yellow peach .

" what did you bring , patchwork ? "

the lady consented , and the children went away together .

" she aint no friends but me and the kitten , so I thought I 'd give the poor little soul a bit of pleasure .

Kitty was quite willing to sell puss , for five dollars seemed a splendid fortune to her .

XIII .

WHAT BECOMES OF THE PINS .

the old cushion stood on her table beside the new one ; which was ready for its trimming of lace and ribbon .

" it is very evident where the needles go , but I really do wish I knew what becomes of the pins . "

Miss Ellen stared much surprised , for she had used this big pin a good deal lately , but never heard it speak before .

not a whit abashed it thus continued :

" I am called ' Granny ' among my friends , because I have had a long and eventful life .

we are divided into classes by birth and constitution , and each can do much in its own sphere .

" when we were taken out I was all in a flutter to see where I was and what would happen next .

" one evening the theatre took fire , " continued the old pin impressively .

" ' Swing from the window-sill , I 'll catch you . '

" but Cora answered , as she showed the little yellow head that shone in the red glare ,

" ' No , save the child first ! '

" Nurse Benson took the little thing in her arms to visit my poor mistress , and I went too .

but alas !

I never should have known the gay and blooming girl of the day before .

poor little Sally led her , a faithful guide , a tender nurse , a devoted daughter to her all her life . "

" what happened next ?

how long did you stay in the hospital ? "

I think he was forgiven , for when at last he lay dead a smile was on his lips that never had been there before .

" ' Now I shall have a lively time ! '

I thought , and looked gaily about me , for I liked adventures , and felt that I was sure of them now .

" ' Dear old mother hasn't lost her boy yet , thank God ! '

quite a new scene I found , for in the old cabin were a dozen children and their mothers making ready to go North .

" we got there at last , and she fell to work over a washtub to earn the bread for the hungry mouths .

" ' Now I wonder what will come next ! '

" ' Will you sell me that ? ' she asked , and Jeff gladly consented , wondering what she would do with it .

" we all went together to the rich lady , and she embroidered the flowers on a screen very like that one yonder .

a kind lady , my dear , but I often wished I could suggest to her better ways of spending her life than everlasting fancy-work .

but she did not fancy being lectured by a pin , so she asked with a smile as she plaited up her lace ,

" that is all very interesting , but you have not yet told me what becomes of the pins , Granny . "

the good ones sink into the earth and turn to silver , to come forth again in a new and precious form .

some are lazy , and slip out of sight to escape service , some are too sharp , and prick and scratch wherever they are .

others are poor , weak things , who bend up and lose their heads as soon as they are used .

some obtrude themselves on all occasions , and some are never to be found in times of need .

all have the choice to wear out or to rust out .

I chose the former , and have had a useful , happy life so far .

there to be sure she found a pin hidden away , and so rusty that she could hardly pull it out .

" try Dr Emery , he can cure most cases of rust , and it is never too late to mend , neighbor . "

" too late for me ! " sighed the new comer .

" the rust of idleness has eaten into my vitals while I lay in my silken bed , and my chance is gone forever .

I am good for nothing , throw me away , and let the black pins mourn for a wasted life . "

thank you , Granny , for your little lecture .

I will not forget it , but go at once and find that poor girl , and help her all I can .

rest here , you good old soul , and teach these little things to follow your example . "

THE END .

LOUISA M ALCOTT'S FAMOUS BOOKS .

LITTLE MEN ; OR , LIFE AT PLUMFIELD WITH JO'S BOYS .


LOUISA M ALCOTT'S FAMOUS BOOKS

WORK :

a STORY OF EXPERIENCE .

Illustration

" an endless significance lies in work ; in idleness alone is there perpetual despair . " CARLYLE .


LOUISA M ALCOTT'S FAMOUS BOOKS .

ROSE IN BLOOM .

Illustration

a SEQUEL TO

" EIGHT COUSINS . "


AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG .

CUPID AND CHOW-CHOW , ETC .

Illustration

BY LOUISA M ALCOTT ,

AUTHOR OF " LITTLE WOMEN , " " AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL , " " LITTLE MEN , " " HOSPITAL SKETCHES . "

LOUISA M ALCOTT'S FAMOUS BOOKS .

Illustration : " sing , Tessa ; sing ! " cried Tommo , twanging away with all his might .

PAGE @number@

LOUISA M ALCOTT'S FAMOUS BOOKS .

Illustration : " one hand stirred gruel for sick America , and the other hugged baby Africa . " PAGE @number@

HOSPITAL SKETCHES .


MICE AT PLAY .

" WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY , THE MICE WILL PLAY . "

a STORY FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY .

by NEIL FOREST .


LOUISA M ALCOTT'S FAMOUS BOOKS .

Illustration

AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL .


LOUISA M ALCOTT'S FAMOUS BOOKS .

LITTLE WOMEN ; OR , MEG , JO , BETH , AND AMY .

Parts First and Second .


Illustration : JO IN A VORTEX .

PAGE @number@

SUSAN COOLIDGE'S POPULAR BOOKS .

Illustration : NANNY'S SUBSTITUTE .

Nanny at the Fair , taking orders and carrying trays .

PAGE @number@

MISCHIEF'S THANKSGIVING ,

AND OTHER STORIES .

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY ADDIE LEDYARD .



BOB BROWN'S BOY-BOOK .

Illustration : " WILL BRADLEY AND I . "

WE BOYS .

written by one of us for the amusement of Pa 's and Ma 's in general , Aunt Lovisa in particular .


H ..y H.'S YOUNG FOLKS ' BOOK .

BITS OF TALK , IN VERSE AND PROSE , FOR YOUNG FOLKS .

BY H. h. ,

AUTHOR OF " BITS OF TALK ABOUT HOME MATTERS , " " BITS OF TRAVEL , " " VERSES . "

Illustration :

" in all the lands No such morning-glory . "

PAGE @number@


JOLLY GOOD TIMES ;

Illustration

OR ,

CHILD LIFE ON A FARM .

BY P THORNE .


LOUISE CHANDLER MOULTON'S STORIES .

Illustration : JUST A LITTLE BIT OF CHRISTMAS .

PAGE @number@

BED-TIME STORIES .

MORE BED-TIME STORIES .

with Illustrations by Addie Ledyard .



HAMERTON'S BOY-BOOK .

Illustration

HARRY BLOUNT .

Passages in a Boy 's Life on Land and Sea .

by PHILIP GILBERT HAMERTON .


SUSAN COOLIDGE'S POPULAR BOOKS .

Illustration : ENTERING PARADISE .

PAGE @number@

WHAT KATY DID .

with Illustrations by Addie Ledyard .



these books are sold by all booksellers and newsdealers everywhere .

when not to be found , send the advertised amount by mail , to the Publishers ,

ROBERTS BROTHERS , PUBLISHERS ,

Boston .

End of Project Gutenberg 's Aunt Jo 's Scrap-Bag , Vol . @number@ by Louisa M Alcott

produced by Patricia Franks , Karyl Basmajian , Nancy K Smith , Dave Bruchie .

Kim

by

Rudyard Kipling

chapter @number@

Buddha at Kamakura .

who hold Zam-Zammah , that ' fire-breathing dragon ' , hold the Punjab , for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror 's loot .

there was some justification for Kim he had kicked Lala Dinanath 's boy off the trunnions since the English held the Punjab and Kim was English .

he afterwards took a post on the Sind , Punjab , and Delhi Railway , and his Regiment went home without him .

the wife died of cholera in Ferozepore , and O'Hara fell to drink and loafing up and down the line with the keen-eyed three-year-old baby .

the third was Kim 's birth-certificate .

those things , he was used to say , in his glorious opium-hours , would yet make little Kimball a man .

then he would weep bitterly in the broken rush chair on the veranda .

' Ah , ' said Kim , ' I shall remember .

that is how my father said they always did ; and it is always so when men work magic . '

Kim , too , held views of his own .

for Kim did nothing with an immense success .

the woman who looked after him insisted with tears that he should wear European clothes trousers , a shirt and a battered hat .

Kim found it easier to slip into Hindu or Mohammedan garb when engaged on certain businesses .

the big Punjabi grinned tolerantly : he knew Kim of old .

so did the water-carrier , sluicing water on the dry road from his goat-skin bag .

so did Jawahir Singh , the Museum carpenter , bent over new packing-cases .

the Museum was given up to Indian arts and manufactures , and anybody who sought wisdom could ask the Curator to explain .

' Off !

off !

let me up ! ' cried Abdullah , climbing up Zam-Zammah 's wheel .

' Thy father was a pastry-cook , Thy mother stole the ghi , ' sang Kim .

' All Mussalmans fell off Zam-Zammah long ago ! '

' Let me up ! ' shrilled little Chota Lal in his gilt-embroidered cap .

his father was worth perhaps half a million sterling , but India is the only democratic land in the world .

' The Hindus fell off Zam-Zammah too .

the Mussalmans pushed them off .

thy father was a pastry-cook '

at his belt hung a long open-work iron pencase and a wooden rosary such as holy men wear .

on his head was a gigantic sort of tam-o'-shanter .

his face was yellow and wrinkled , like that of Fook Shing , the Chinese bootmaker in the bazar .

his eyes turned up at the corners and looked like little slits of onyx .

' Who is that ? ' said Kim to his companions .

' Perhaps it is a man , ' said Abdullah , finger in mouth , staring .

' Without doubt , ' returned Kim ; ' but he is no man of India that I have ever seen . '

' A priest , perhaps , ' said Chota Lal , spying the rosary .

' See !

he goes into the Wonder House ! '

' Nay , nay , ' said the policeman , shaking his head .

' I do not understand your talk . '

the constable spoke Punjabi .

' O Friend of all the World , what does he say ? '

' Send him hither , ' said Kim , dropping from Zam-Zammah , flourishing his bare heels .

' He is a foreigner , and thou art a buffalo . '

the man turned helplessly and drifted towards the boys .

he was old , and his woollen gaberdine still reeked of the stinking artemisia of the mountain passes .

' O Children , what is that big house ? ' he said in very fair Urdu .

' The Ajaib-Gher , the Wonder House ! '

Kim gave him no title such as Lala or Mian .

he could not divine the man 's creed .

' Ah !

the Wonder House !

can any enter ? '

' It is written above the door all can enter . '

' Without payment ? '

' I go in and out .

I am no banker , ' laughed Kim .

' Alas !

I am an old man .

I did not know . '

then , fingering his rosary , he half turned to the Museum .

' What is your caste ?

where is your house ?

have you come far ? '

Kim asked .

' I came by Kulu from beyond the Kailas but what know you ?

from the Hills where ' he sighed ' the air and water are fresh and cool . '

' Aha !

Khitai a Chinaman , ' said Abdullah proudly .

Fook Shing had once chased him out of his shop for spitting at the joss above the boots .

' Pahari a hillman , ' said little Chota Lal .

' Aye , child a hillman from hills thou'lt never see .

Didst hear of Bhotiyal Tibet ?

' A guru from Tibet , ' said Kim .

' I have not seen such a man .

they be Hindus in Tibet , then ? '

now do you , who are children , know as much as I do who am old . '

he smiled benignantly on the boys .

' Hast thou eaten ? '

he fumbled in his bosom and drew forth a worn , wooden begging-bowl .

the boys nodded .

all priests of their acquaintance begged .

' I do not wish to eat yet . '

he turned his head like an old tortoise in the sunlight .

' Is it true that there are many images in the Wonder House of Lahore ? '

he repeated the last words as one making sure of an address .

' That is true , ' said Abdullah .

' It is full of heathen busts .

thou also art an idolater . '

' Never mind him , ' said .

Kim .

' That is the Government 's house and there is no idolatry in it , but only a Sahib with a white beard .

come with me and I will show . '

' Strange priests eat boys , ' whispered Chota Lal .

' And he is a stranger and a but-parast idolater , ' said Abdullah , the Mohammedan .

Kim laughed .

' He is new .

Run to your mothers ' laps , and be safe .

come ! '

Kim clicked round the self-registering turnstile ; the old man followed and halted amazed .

the Master was represented seated on a lotus the petals of which were so deeply undercut as to show almost detached .

Round Him was an adoring hierarchy of kings , elders , and old-time Buddhas .

below were lotus-covered waters with fishes and water-birds .

two butterfly-winged devas held a wreath over His head ; above them another pair supported an umbrella surmounted by the jewelled headdress of the Bodhisat .

' The Lord !

the Lord !

it is Sakya Muni himself , ' the lama half sobbed ; and under his breath began the wonderful Buddhist invocation :

to Him the Way , the Law , apart , Whom Maya held beneath her heart , Ananda 's Lord , the Bodhisat .

' And He is here !

the Most Excellent Law is here also .

my pilgrimage is well begun .

and what work !

what work ! '

' Yonder is the Sahib . ' said Kim , and dodged sideways among the cases of the arts and manufacturers wing .

' Yes , that is my name , ' smiling at the clumsy , childish print .

' He spoke of these . '

his lean hand moved tremulously round .

' Welcome , then , O lama from Tibet .

here be the images , and I am here ' he glanced at the lama's face ' to gather knowledge .

come to my office awhile . '

the old man was trembling with excitement .

the office was but a little wooden cubicle partitioned off from the sculpture-lined gallery .

most of the talk was altogether above his head .

' Ay , ay ! '

the lama mounted a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles of Chinese work .

' Here is the little door through which we bring wood before winter .

and thou the English know of these things ?

he who is now Abbot of Lung-Cho told me , but I did not believe .

the Lord the Excellent One He has honour here too ?

and His life is known ? '

' It is all carven upon the stones .

come and see , if thou art rested . '

in a few minutes the Curator saw that his guest was no mere bead-telling mendicant , but a scholar of parts .

he drew in his breath as he turned helplessly over the pages of Beal and Stanislas Julien .

" Tis all here .

a treasure locked . '

then he composed himself reverently to listen to fragments hastily rendered into Urdu .

then he was shown a mighty map , spotted and traced with yellow .

the brown finger followed the Curator 's pencil from point to point .

the old man bowed his head over the sheets in silence for a while , and the Curator lit another pipe .

Kim had fallen asleep .

when he waked , the talk , still in spate , was more within his comprehension .

the lama lowered his voice .

' And I come here alone .

even as the child outside said but now .

ay , even as the child said , with but-parasti . '

' So it comes with all faiths . '

' Thinkest thou ?

even the followers of the Excellent One are at feud on feud with one another .

it is all illusion .

ay , maya , illusion .

I know nothing nothing do I know but I go to free myself from the Wheel of Things by a broad and open road . '

he smiled with most simple triumph .

' As a pilgrim to the Holy Places I acquire merit .

but there is more .

listen to a true thing .

thou knowest ? '

the Curator nodded , wondering what would come next .

' So they made the triple trial of strength against all comers .

thou knowest ? '

' It is written .

I have read . '

' And , overshooting all other marks , the arrow passed far and far beyond sight .

' So it is written , ' said the Curator sadly .

the lama drew a long breath .

' Where is that River ?

Fountain of Wisdom , where fell the arrow ? '

' Alas , my brother , I do not know , ' said the Curator .

' Nay , if it please thee to forget the one thing only that thou hast not told me .

surely thou must know ?

see , I am an old man !

I ask with my head between thy feet , O Fountain of Wisdom .

we know He drew the bow !

we know the arrow fell !

we know the stream gushed !

where , then , is the River ?

my dream told me to find it .

so I came .

I am here .

but where is the River ? '

' If I knew , think you I would not cry it aloud ? '

' By it one attains freedom from the Wheel of Things , ' the lama went on , unheeding .

' The River of the Arrow !

think again !

some little stream , maybe dried in the heats ?

but the Holy One would never so cheat an old man . '

' I do not know .

I do not know . '

the lama brought his thousand-wrinkled face once more a handsbreadth from the Englishman 's .

' I see thou dost not know .

not being of the Law , the matter is hid from thee . '

' Ay hidden hidden . '

' We are both bound , thou and I , my brother .

but I ' he rose with a sweep of the soft thick drapery ' I go to cut myself free .

come also ! '

' I am bound , ' said the Curator .

' But whither goest thou ? '

' First to Kashi Benares : where else ?

there I shall meet one of the pure faith in a Jain temple of that city .

he also is a Seeker in secret , and from him haply I may learn .

maybe he will go with me to Buddh Gaya .

thence north and west to Kapilavastu , and there will I seek for the River .

Nay , I will seek everywhere as I go for the place is not known where the arrow fell . '

' And how wilt thou go ?

it is a far cry to Delhi , and farther to Benares . '

' By road and the trains .

from Pathankot , having left the Hills , I came hither in a te-rain .

it goes swiftly .

' But later , I was cramped and desired to walk , as I am used . '

' And thou art sure of thy road ? ' said the Curator .

' Oh , for that one but asks a question and pays money , and the appointed persons despatch all to the appointed place .

that much I knew in my lamassery from sure report , ' said the lama proudly .

' And when dost thou go ? '

the Curator smiled at the mixture of old-world piety and modern progress that is the note of India today .

' As soon as may be .

I follow the places of His life till I come to the River of the Arrow .

there is , moreover , a written paper of the hours of the trains that go south . '

' And for food ? '

Lamas , as a rule , have good store of money somewhere about them , but the Curator wished to make sure .

' For the journey , I take up the Master 's begging-bowl .

yes .

even as He went so go I , forsaking the ease of my monastery .

I have now no chela , but I will take the alms-bowl and thus enable the charitable to acquire merit . '

he nodded his head valiantly .

learned doctors of a lamassery do not beg , but the lama was an enthusiast in this quest .

' Be it so , ' said the Curator , smiling .

' Suffer me now to acquire merit .

now lend me thy spectacles . '

the Curator looked through them .

' A feather !

A very feather upon the face . '

the old man turned his head delightedly and wrinkled up his nose .

' How scarcely do I feel them !

how clearly do I see ! '

' They be bilaur crystal and will never scratch .

may they help thee to thy River , for they are thine . '

' That is for a memory between thee and me my pencase .

it is something old even as I am . '

for no persuasion would the lama resume his gift .

yes and of the Wheel of Life , ' he chuckled , ' for we be craftsmen together , thou and I . '

Kim followed like a shadow .

what he had overheard excited him wildly .

the lama was his trove , and he purposed to take possession .

Kim 's mother had been Irish , too .

the old man halted by Zam-Zammah and looked round till his eye fell on Kim .

the inspiration of his pilgrimage had left him for awhile , and he felt old , forlorn , and very empty .

' Do not sit under that gun , ' said the policeman loftily .

' Huh !

owl ! ' was Kim 's retort on the lama's behalf .

' Sit under that gun if it please thee .

when didst thou steal the milkwoman's slippers , Dunnoo ? '

' And whom didst thou worship within ? ' said Kim affably , squatting in the shade beside the lama .

' I worshipped none , child .

I bowed before the Excellent Law . '

Kim accepted this new God without emotion .

he knew already a few score .

' And what dost thou do ? '

' I beg .

I remember now it is long since I have eaten or drunk .

what is the custom of charity in this town ?

in silence , as we do of Tibet , or speaking aloud ? '

' Those who beg in silence starve in silence , ' said Kim , quoting a native proverb .

the lama tried to rise , but sank back again , sighing for his disciple , dead in far-away Kulu .

Kim watched head to one side , considering and interested .

' Give me the bowl .

I know the people of this city all who are charitable .

give , and I will bring it back filled . '

simply as a child the old man handed him the bowl .

' Rest , thou .

I know the people . '

he trotted off to the open shop of a kunjri , a low-caste vegetable-seller , which lay opposite the belt-tramway line down the Motee Bazar .

she knew Kim of old .

' Oho , hast thou turned yogi with thy begging-bowl ? ' she cried .

' Nay . ' said Kim proudly .

' There is a new priest in the city a man such as I have never seen . '

' Old priest young tiger , ' said the woman angrily .

' I am tired of new priests !

they settle on our wares like flies .

is the father of my son a well of charity to give to all who ask ? '

' No , ' said Kim .

' Thy man is rather yagi bad-tempered than yogi a holy man .

but this priest is new .

the Sahib in the Wonder House has talked to him like a brother .

O my mother , fill me this bowl .

he waits . '

' That bowl indeed !

that cow-bellied basket !

thou hast as much grace as the holy bull of Shiv .

he has taken the best of a basket of onions already , this morn ; and forsooth , I must fill thy bowl .

he comes here again . '

Up flew Kim 's hard little heel and caught him on his moist blue nose .

he snorted indignantly , and walked away across the tram-rails , his hump quivering with rage .

' See !

I have saved more than the bowl will cost thrice over .

now , mother , a little rice and some dried fish atop yes , and some vegetable curry . '

a growl came out of the back of the shop , where a man lay .

' He drove away the bull , ' said the woman in an undertone .

' It is good to give to the poor . '

she took the bowl and returned it full of hot rice .

' A little curry is good , and a fried cake , and a morsel of conserve would please him , I think . '

' It is a hole as big as thy head , ' said the woman fretfully .

' That is good .

when I am in the bazar the bull shall not come to this house .

he is a bold beggar-man . '

' And thou ? ' laughed the woman .

' But speak well of bulls .

Hast thou not told me that some day a Red Bull will come out of a field to help thee ?

now hold all straight and ask for the holy man 's blessing upon me .

perhaps , too , he knows a cure for my daughter 's sore eyes .

ask . him that also , O thou Little Friend of all the World . '

but Kim had danced off ere the end of the sentence , dodging pariah dogs and hungry acquaintances .

' Eat now and I will eat with thee .

Ohe , bhisti ! ' he called to the water-carrier , sluicing the crotons by the Museum .

' Give water here .

we men are thirsty . '

' We men ! ' said the bhisti , laughing .

' Is one skinful enough for such a pair ?

drink , then , in the name of the Compassionate . '

' Pardesi a foreigner , ' Kim explained , as the old man delivered in an unknown tongue what was evidently a blessing .

they ate together in great content , clearing the beggingbowl .

he stared dizzily in all directions , but none looked at him save a Hindu urchin in a dirty turban and Isabella-coloured clothes .

suddenly he bowed his head on his knees and wailed .

' What is this ? ' said the boy , standing before him .

' Hast thou been robbed ? '

' It is my new chela disciple that is gone away from me , and I know not where he is . '

' And what like of man was thy disciple ? '

he pointed towards the Museum .

' He came upon me to show me a road which I had lost .

and when I was faint with hunger he begged for me , as would a chela for his teacher .

suddenly was he sent .

suddenly has he gone away .

it was in my mind to have taught him the Law upon the road to Benares . '

' But I see now that he was but sent for a purpose .

by this I know that I shall find a certain River for which I seek . '

' The River of the Arrow ? ' said Kim , with a superior smile .

' Is this yet another Sending ? ' cried the lama .

' To none have I spoken of my search , save to the Priest of the Images .

who art thou ? '

' Thy chela , ' said Kim simply , sitting on his heels .

' I have never seen anyone like to thee in all this my life .

I go with thee to Benares .

' But the River the River of the Arrow ? '

' Oh , that I heard when thou wast speaking to the Englishman .

I lay against the door . '

the lama sighed .

' I thought thou hadst been a guide permitted .

such things fall sometimes but I am not worthy .

thou dost not , then , know the River ? '

' Not I , ' Kim laughed uneasily .

' I go to look for for a bull a Red .

bull on a green field who shall help me . '

' To what , child ? ' said the lama .

' God knows , but so my father told me ' .

' It is not pillars but a Wheel from which I would be free , ' said the lama .

' That is all one .

perhaps they will make me a king , ' said Kim , serenely prepared for anything .

' I will teach thee other and better desires upon the road , ' the lama replied in the voice of authority .

' Let us go to Benares . '

' Not by night .

thieves are abroad .

wait till the day . '

' But there is no place to sleep . '

' We shall get good lodging at the Kashmir Serai , ' said Kim , laughing at his perplexity .

' I have a friend there .

come ! '

it was his first experience of a large manufacturing city , and the crowded tram-car with its continually squealing brakes frightened him .

the cloisters , reached by three or four masonry steps , made a haven of refuge around this turbulent sea .

locked doors showed that the owner was away , and a few rude sometimes very rude chalk or paint scratches told where he had gone .

thus : ' Lutuf Ullah is gone to Kurdistan . '

Kim would deliver himself of his tale at evening , and Mahbub would listen without a word or gesture .

' He is here , ' said Kim , hitting a bad-tempered camel on the nose .

' Ohe .

Mahbub Ali ! '

he halted at a dark arch and slipped behind the bewildered lama .

he turned his head very slightly at the cry ; and seeing only the tall silent figure , chuckled in his deep chest .

' Allah !

A lama !

a Red Lama !

it is far from Lahore to the Passes .

what dost thou do here ? '

the lama held out the begging-bowl mechanically .

' God 's curse on all unbelievers ! ' said Mahbub .

' I do not give to a lousy Tibetan ; but ask my Baltis over yonder behind the camels .

they may value your blessings .

oh , horseboys , here is a countryman of yours .

see if he be hungry . '

' Go ! ' said Kim , pushing him lightly , and the lama strode away , leaving Kim at the edge of the cloister .

' Go ! ' said Mahbub Ali , returning to his hookah .

' Little Hindu , run away .

God's curse on all unbelievers !

beg from those of my tail who are of thy faith . '

' Beg from my men among the horses , I say .

there must be some Hindus in my tail . '

' Oh , Mahbub Ali , but am I a Hindu ? ' said Kim in English .

the trader gave no sign of astonishment , but looked under shaggy eyebrows .

' Little Friend of all the World , ' said he , ' what is this ? '

' Nothing .

I am now that holy man 's disciple ; and we go a pilgrimage together to Benares , he says .

he is quite mad , and I am tired of Lahore city .

I wish new air and water . '

' But for whom dost thou work ?

why come to me ? '

the voice was harsh with suspicion .

' To whom else should I come ?

I have no money .

it is not good to go about without money .

thou wilt sell many horses to the officers .

they are very fine horses , these new ones : I have seen them .

give me a rupee , Mahbub Ali , and when I come to my wealth I will give thee a bond and pay . '

' Um ! ' said Mahbub Ali , thinking swiftly .

' Thou hast never before lied to me .

call that lama stand back in the dark . '

' Oh , our tales will agree , ' said Kim , laughing .

' We go to Benares , ' said the lama , as soon as he understood the drift of Mahbub Ali 's questions .

' The boy and I , I go to seek for a certain River . '

' Maybe but the boy ? '

' He is my disciple .

he was sent , I think , to guide me to that River .

sitting under a gun was I when he came suddenly .

such things have befallen the fortunate to whom guidance was allowed .

but I remember now , he said he was of this world a Hindu . '

' And his name ? '

' That I did not ask .

is he not my disciple ? '

' His country his race his village ?

Mussalman Sikh Hindu Jain low caste or high ? '

' Why should I ask ?

there is neither high nor low in the Middle Way .

he wagged his head solemnly .

' None shall take him from thee .

go , sit among my Baltis , ' said Mahbub Ali , and the lama drifted off , soothed by the promise .

' Is he not quite mad ? ' said Kim , coming forward to the light again .

' Why should I lie to thee , Hajji ? '

Mahbub puffed his hookah in silence .

then he began , almost whispering : ' Umballa is on the road to Benares if indeed ye two go there . '

' Tck !

Tck !

I tell thee he does not know how to lie as we two know . '

' And if thou wilt carry a message for me as far as Umballa , I will give thee money .

it concerns a horse a white stallion which I have sold to an officer upon the last time I returned from the Passes .

( Mahbub here described the horse and the appearance of the officer . )

' So the message to that officer will be : " the pedigree of the white stallion is fully established . "

by this will he know that thou comest from me .

' And all for the sake of a white stallion , ' said Kim , with a giggle , his eyes aflame .

' That pedigree I will give thee now in my own fashion and some hard words as well . '

a shadow passed behind Kim , and a feeding camel .

Mahbub Ali raised his voice .

' Allah !

Art thou the only beggar in the city ?

thy mother is dead .

thy father is dead .

so is it with all of them .

well , well '

he turned as feeling on the floor beside him and tossed a flap of soft , greasy Mussalman bread to the boy .

' Go and lie down among my horseboys for tonight thou and the lama .

tomorrow I may give thee service . '

he smiled and thrust money and paper into his leather amulet-case .

the lama , sumptuously fed by Mahbub 's Baltis , was already asleep in a corner of one of the stalls .

Kim lay down beside him and laughed .

so those Kings ' Prime Ministers were seriously annoyed and took steps , after the Oriental fashion .

they suspected , among many others , the bullying , red-bearded horsedealer whose caravans ploughed through their fastnesses belly-deep in snow .

the public letter-writer , who knew English , composed excellent telegrams , such as : ' Creighton , Laurel Bank , Umballa .

Horse is Arabian as already advised .

sorrowful delayed pedigree which am translating . '

and later to the same address : ' Much sorrowful delay .

Will forward pedigree . '

to his sub-partner at Delhi he wired : ' Lutuf Ullah .

he called for a new light-ball to his hookah , and considered the case .

if the worst came to the worst , and the boy came to harm , the paper would incriminate nobody .


however , God was great , and Mahbub Ali felt he had done all he could for the time being .

Kim was the one soul in the world who had never told him a lie .

about the same hour Kim heard soft feet in Mahbub 's deserted stall .

moreover , he may have sent it away by now if ever there were such a thing . '

' Nay in a matter touching Five Kings it would be next his black heart , ' said the pundit .

' Was there nothing ? '

the Delhi man laughed and resettled his turban as he entered .

' I searched between the soles of his slippers as the Flower searched his clothes .

this is not the man but another .

I leave little unseen . '

' They did not say he was the very man , ' said the pundit thoughtfully .

' They said , " look if he be the man , since our counsels are troubled . " '

' That North country is full of horse-dealers as an old coat of lice .

' They have not yet come in , ' said the pundit .

' Thou must ensnare them later . '

phew ! ' said the Flower with deep disgust , rolling Mahbub 's head from her lap .

' I earn my money .

Farrukh Shah is a bear , Ali Beg a swashbuckler , and old Sikandar Khan yaie !

go !

I sleep now .

this swine will not stir till dawn . '

when Mahbub woke , the Flower talked to him severely on the sin of drunkenness .

' What a colt 's trick ! ' said he to himself .

' As if every girl in Peshawur did not use it !

but ' twas prettily done .

now God He knows how many more there be upon the Road who have orders to test me perhaps with the knife .

so it stands that the boy must go to Umballa and by rail for the writing is something urgent .

I abide here , following the Flower and drinking wine as an Afghan coper should . '

he halted at the stall next but one to his own .

his men lay there heavy with sleep .

there was no sign of Kim or the lama .

' Up ! '

he stirred a sleeper .

' Whither went those who lay here last even the lama and the boy ?

is aught missing ? '

' The curse of Allah on all unbelievers ! ' said Mahbub heartily , and climbed into his own stall , growling in his beard .

' It must be the pedigree of that made-up horse-lie , ' said he , ' the thing that I carry to Umballa .

better that we go now .

those who search bags with knives may presently search bellies with knives .

surely there is a woman behind this .

Hai !

Hai ! in a whisper to the light-sleeping old man .

' Come .

it is time time to go to Benares . '

the lama rose obediently , and they passed out of the serai like shadows .

chapter @number@

and whoso will , from Pride released ; Contemning neither creed nor priest , May feel the Soul of all the East .

about him at Kamakura .

Buddha at Kamakura .

all hours of the twenty-four are alike to Orientals , and their passenger traffic is regulated accordingly .

' This is where the fire-carriages come .

one stands behind that hole ' Kim pointed to the ticket-office ' who will give thee a paper to take thee to Umballa . '

' But we go to Benares , ' he replied petulantly .

' All one .

Benares then .

Quick : she comes ! '

' Take thou the purse . '

the lama , not so well used to trains as he had pretended , started as the @time@ . south-bound roared in.

' It is the train only the te-rain .

it will not come here .

wait ! '

a sleepy clerk grunted and flung out a ticket to the next station , just six miles distant .

' Nay , ' said Kim , scanning it with a grin .

' This may serve for farmers , but I live in the city of Lahore .

it was cleverly done , Babu .

now give the ticket to Umballa . '

the Babu scowled and dealt the proper ticket .

' The price is so much .

the small money in return is just so much .

I know the ways of the te-rain ....y

never did yogi need chela as thou dost , ' he went on merrily to the bewildered lama .

' They would have flung thee out at Mian Mir but for me .

this way !

come ! '

the lama jibbed at the open door of a crowded third-class carriage .

' Were it not better to walk ? ' said he weakly .

a burly Sikh artisan thrust forth his bearded head .

' Is he afraid ?

do not be afraid .

I remember the time when I was afraid of the te-rain .

enter !

this thing is the work of the Government . '

' I do not fear , ' said the lama .

' Have ye room within for two ? '

our night trains are not as well looked after as the day ones , where the sexes are very strictly kept to separate carriages .

' Oh , mother of my son , we can make space , ' said the blueturbaned husband .

' Pick up the child .

it is a holy man , see'st thou ? '

' And my lap full of seventy times seven bundles !

why not bid him sit on my knee , Shameless ?

but men are ever thus ! '

she looked round for approval .

an Amritzar courtesan near the window sniffed behind her head drapery .

' Enter !

enter ! ' cried a fat Hindu money-lender , his folded account-book in a cloth under his arm .

with an oily smirk : ' It is well to be kind to the poor . '

' Will it travel to Benares ? ' said the lama .

' Assuredly .

Else why should we come ?

enter , or we are left , ' cried Kim .

' See ! ' shrilled the Amritzar girl .

' He has never entered a train .

oh , see ! '

' Nay , help , ' said the cultivator , putting out a large brown hand and hauling him in .

' Thus is it done , father . '

' But but I sit on the floor .

it is against the Rule to sit on a bench , ' said the lama .

' Moreover , it cramps me . '

we sit , for example , side by side with all castes and peoples . '

' Yes and spent twice over what we saved on food by the way .

that was talked out ten thousand times . '

' Ay , by ten thousand tongues , ' grunted he .

' The Gods help us poor women if we may not speak .

Oho !

he is of that sort which may not look at or reply to a woman . '

for the lama , constrained by his Rule , took not the faintest notice of her .

' And his disciple is like him ? '

' Nay , mother , ' said Kim most promptly .

' Not when the woman is well-looking and above all charitable to the hungry . '

' A beggar 's answer , ' said the Sikh , laughing .

' Thou hast brought it on thyself , sister ! '

Kim 's hands were crooked in supplication .

' And whither goest thou ? ' said the woman , handing him the half of a cake from a greasy package .

' Even to Benares . '

' Jugglers belike ? ' the young soldier suggested .

' Have ye any tricks to pass the time ?

why does not that yellow man answer ? '

' Because , ' said Kim stoutly , ' he is holy , and thinks upon matters hidden from thee . '

' That may be well .

we of the Ludhiana Sikhs ' he rolled it out sonorously ' do not trouble our heads with doctrine .

we fight . '

' My sister 's brother 's son is naik corporal in that regiment , ' said the Sikh craftsman quietly .

' There are also some Dogra companies there . '

the soldier glared , for a Dogra is of other caste than a Sikh , and the banker tittered .

' They are all one to me , ' said the Amritzar girl .

' That we believe , ' snorted the cultivator 's wife malignantly .

' Nay , but all who serve the Sirkar with weapons in their hands are , as it were , one brotherhood .

' My brother is in a Jat regiment , ' said the cultivator .

' Dogras be good men . '

he told the story of a Border action in which the Dogra companies of the Ludhiana Sikhs had acquitted themselves well .

the Amritzar girl smiled ; for she knew the talk was to win her approval .

' Alas ! ' said the cultivator 's wife at the end .

' So their villages were burnt and their little children made homeless ? '

' They had marked our dead .

they paid a great payment after we of the Sikhs had schooled them .

so it was .

is this Amritzar ? '

' Ay , and here they cut our tickets , ' said the banker , fumbling at his belt .

the lamps were paling in the dawn when the half-caste guard came round .

Ticket-collecting is a slow business in the East , where people secrete their tickets in all sorts of curious places .

Kim produced his and was told to get out .

' But I go to Umballa , ' he protested .

' I go with this holy man . '

' Thou canst go to Jehannum for aught I care .

this ticket is only '

all the carriage bade the guard be merciful the banker was specially eloquent here but the guard hauled Kim on to the platform .

the lama blinked he could not overtake the situation and Kim lifted up his voice and wept outside the carriage window .

' I am very poor .

my father is dead my mother is dead .

O charitable ones , if I am left here , who shall tend that old man ? '

' What what is this ? ' the lama repeated .

' He must go to Benares .

he must come with me .

he is my chela .

if there is money to be paid '

the Amritzar girl stepped out with her bundles , and it was on her that Kim kept his watchful eye .

Ladies of that persuasion , he knew , were generous .

' A ticket a little tikkut to Umballa O Breaker of Hearts ! '

she laughed .

' Hast thou no charity ? '

' Does the holy man come from the North ? '

' From far and far in the North he comes , ' cried Kim .

' From among the hills . '

' There is snow among the pine-trees in the North in the hills there is snow .

my mother was from Kulu .

get thee a ticket .

ask him for a blessing . '

' Ten thousand blessings , ' shrilled Kim .

' O Holy One , a woman has given us in charity so that I can come with thee a woman with a golden heart .

I run for the tikkut . '

the girl looked up at the lama , who had mechanically followed Kim to the platform .

he bowed his head that he might not see her , and muttered in Tibetan as she passed on with the crowd .

' Light come light go , ' said the cultivator 's wife viciously .

' She has acquired merit , ' returned the lama .

' Beyond doubt it was a nun . '

' There be ten thousand such nuns in Amritzar alone .

return , old man , or the te-rain may depart without thee , ' cried the banker .

' Not only was it sufficient for the ticket , but for a little food also , ' said Kim , leaping to his place .

' Now eat , Holy One .

look .

day comes ! '

Golden , rose , saffron , and pink , the morning mists smoked away across the flat green levels .

all the rich Punjab lay out in the splendour of the keen sun .

the lama flinched a little as the telegraph-posts swung by .

' Great is the speed of the te-rain , ' said the banker , with a patronizing grin .

' We have gone farther since Lahore than thou couldst walk in two days : at even , we shall enter Umballa . '

' And that is still far from Benares , ' said the lama wearily , mumbling over the cakes that Kim offered .

they all unloosed their bundles and made their morning meal .

' What rivers have ye by Benares ? ' said the lama of a sudden to the carriage at large .

' We have Gunga , ' returned the banker , when the little titter had subsided .

' What others ? '

' What other than Gunga ? '

' Nay , but in my mind was the thought of a certain River of healing . '

' That is Gunga .

who bathes in her is made clean and goes to the Gods .

thrice have I made pilgrimage to Gunga . '

he looked round proudly .

' There was need , ' said the young sepoy drily , and the travellers ' laugh turned against the banker .

' Clean to return again to the Gods , ' the lama muttered .

' And to go forth on the round of lives anew still tied to the Wheel . '

he shook his head testily .

' But maybe there is a mistake .

who , then , made Gunga in the beginning ? '

' The Gods .

of what known faith art thou ? ' the banker said , appalled .

' I follow the Law the Most Excellent Law .

so it was the Gods that made Gunga .

what like of Gods were they ? '

the carriage looked at him in amazement .

it was inconceivable that anyone should be ignorant of Gunga .

' What what is thy God ? ' said the money-lender at last .

' Hear ! ' said the lama , shifting the rosary to his hand .

' Hear : for I speak of Him now !

O people of Hind , listen ! '

the gentle , tolerant folk looked on reverently .

' Um ! ' said the soldier of the Ludhiana Sikhs .

but the mad all are in God 's keeping .

his officers overlooked much in that man . '

the lama fell back on Urdu , remembering that he was in a strange land .

' Hear the tale of the Arrow which our Lord loosed from the bow , ' he said .

this was much more to their taste , and they listened curiously while he told it .

' Now , O people of Hind , I go to seek that River .

know ye aught that may guide me , for we be all men and women in evil case . '

' There is Gunga and Gunga alone who washes away sin . ' ran the murmur round the carriage .

' Though past question we have good Gods Jullundur-way , ' said the cultivator 's wife , looking out of the window .

' See how they have blessed the crops . '

' To search every river in the Punjab is no small matter , ' said her husband .

he shrugged one knotted , bronzed shoulder .

' Think you our Lord came so far North ? ' said the lama , turning to Kim .

' It may be , ' Kim replied soothingly , as he spat red pan-juice on the floor .

' The last of the Great Ones , ' said the Sikh with authority , ' was Sikander Julkarn Alexander the Great .

he paved the streets of Jullundur and built a great tank near Umballa .

that pavement holds to this day ; and the tank is there also .

I never heard of thy God . '

' Let thy hair grow long and talk Punjabi , ' said the young soldier jestingly to Kim , quoting a Northern proverb .

' That is all that makes a Sikh . '

but he did not say this very loud .

the lama sighed and shrank into himself , a dingy , shapeless mass .

in the pauses of their talk they could hear the low droning ' Om mane pudme hum !

om mane pudme hum ! ' and the thick click of the wooden rosary beads .

' It irks me , ' he said at last .

' The speed and the clatter irk me .

moreover , my chela , I think that maybe we have over-passed that River . '

' Peace , peace , ' said Kim .

' Was not the River near Benares ?

we are yet far from the place . '

' But if our Lord came North , it may be any one of these little ones that we have run across . '

' I do not know . '

' But thou wast sent to me wast thou sent to me ? for the merit I had acquired over yonder at Such-zen .

from beside the cannon didst thou come bearing two faces and two garbs . '

' Peace .

one must not speak of these things here , ' whispered Kim .

' There was but one of me .

think again and thou wilt remember .

a boy a Hindu boy by the great green cannon . '

' He we went to the Ajaib-Gher in Lahore to pray before the Gods there , ' Kim explained to the openly listening company .

' And the Sahib of the Wonder House talked to him yes , this is truth as a brother .

he is a very holy man , from far beyond the Hills .

rest , thou .

in time we come to Umballa . '

' But my River the River of my healing ? '

' And then , if it please thee , we will go hunting for that River on foot .

so that we miss nothing not even a little rivulet in a field-side . '

' But thou hast a Search of thine own ? '

the lama very pleased that he remembered so well sat bolt upright .

' Ay , ' said Kim , humouring him .

the boy was entirely happy to be out chewing pan and seeing new people in the great good-tempered world .

' It was a bull a Red Bull that shall come and help thee and carry thee whither ?

I have forgotten .

a Red Bull on a green field , was it not ? '

' Nay , it will carry me nowhere , ' said Kim .

' It is but a tale I told thee . '

' What is this ? '

the cultivator 's wife leaned forward , her bracelets clinking on her arm .

' Do ye both dream dreams ?

a Red Bull on a green field , that shall carry thee to the heavens or what ?

was it a vision ?

did one make a prophecy ?

' All holy men dream dreams , and by following holy men their disciples attain that power . '

' A Red Bull on a green field , was it ? ' the lama repeated .

' In a former life it may be thou hast acquired merit , and the Bull will come to reward thee . '

' Nay nay it was but a tale one told to me for a jest belike .

but I will seek the Bull about Umballa , and thou canst look for thy River and rest from the clatter of the train . '

' It may be that the Bull knows that he is sent to guide us both . ' said the lama , hopefully as a child .

then to the company , indicating Kim : ' This one was sent to me but yesterday .

he is not , I think , of this world . '

her husband touched his forehead lightly with one finger and smiled .

but the next time the lama would eat they took care to give him of their best .

and at last tired , sleepy , and dusty they reached Umballa City Station .

' We abide here upon a law-suit , ' said the cultivator 's wife to Kim .

' We lodge with my man 's cousin 's younger brother .

there is room also in the courtyard for thy yogi and for thee .

Will will he give me a blessing ? '

' O holy man !

a woman with a heart of gold gives us lodging for the night .

it is a kindly land , this land of the South .

see how we have been helped since the dawn ! '

the lama bowed his head in benediction .

' To fill my cousin 's younger brother 's house with wastrels ' the husband began , as he shouldered his heavy bamboo staff .

' Thy cousin 's younger brother owes my father 's cousin something yet on his daughter 's marriage-feast , ' said the woman crisply .

' Let him put their food to that account .

the yogi will beg , I doubt not . '

do not stray abroad till I return . '

' Thou wilt return ?

thou wilt surely return ? '

the old man caught at his wrist .

' And thou wilt return in this very same shape ?

is it too late to look tonight for the River ? '

' Too late and too dark .

be comforted .

think how far thou art on the road an hundred miles from Lahore already . '

' Yea and farther from my monastery .

alas !

it is a great and terrible world . '

the house blazed with lights , and servants moved about tables dressed with flowers , glass , and silver .

presently forth came an Englishman , dressed in black and white , humming a tune .

it was too dark to see his face , so Kim , beggar-wise , tried an old experiment .

' Protector of the Poor ! '

the man backed towards the voice .

' Mahbub Ali says '

' Hah !

what says Mahbub Ali ? '

he made no attempt to look for the speaker , and that showed Kim that he knew .

' The pedigree of the white stallion is fully established . '

' What proof is there ? '

the Englishman switched at the rose-hedge in the side of the drive .

' Mahbub Ali has given me this proof . '

' Will !

Will , dear ! ' called a woman 's voice .

' You ought to be in the drawing-room .

they 'll be here in a minute . '

the man still read intently .

' Will ! ' said the voice , five minutes later .

' He 's come .

I can hear the troopers in the drive . '

flat on his belly lay Kim , almost touching the high wheels .

his man and the black stranger exchanged two sentences .

' Certainly , sir , ' said the young officer promptly .

' Everything waits while a horse is concerned . '

' We shan't be more than twenty minutes , ' said Kim 's man .

' You can do the honours keep ' em amused , and all that . '

Kim saw their heads bent over Mahbub Ali 's message , and heard the voices one low and deferential , the other sharp and decisive .

' It isn't a question of weeks .

it is a question of days hours almost , ' said the elder .

' I 'd been expecting it for some time , but this ' he tapped Mahbub Ali 's paper ' clinches it .

Grogan 's dining here to-night , isn't he ? '

' Yes , sir , and Macklin too . '

' Very good .

I 'll speak to them myself .

warn the Pined and Peshawar brigades .

it will disorganize all the summer reliefs , but we can't help that .

this comes of not smashing them thoroughly the first time .

eight thousand should be enough . '

' What about artillery , sir ? '

' I must consult Macklin . '

' Then it means war ? '

' No.

punishment .

when a man is bound by the action of his predecessor '


' He bears out the other 's information .

practically , they showed their hand six months back .

but Devenish would have it there was a chance of peace .

of course they used it to make themselves stronger .

send off those telegrams at once the new code , not the old mine and Wharton 's .

I don't think we need keep the ladies waiting any longer .

we can settle the rest over the cigars .

I thought it was coming .

it 's punishment not war . '

the kitchen was crowded with excited scullions , one of whom kicked him .

' Aie , ' said Kim , feigning tears .

' I came only to wash dishes in return for a bellyful . '

' All Umballa is on the same errand .

get hence .

they go in now with the soup .

think you that we who serve Creighton Sahib need strange scullions to help us through a big dinner ? '

' It is a very big dinner , ' said Kim , looking at the plates .

' Small wonder .

the guest of honour is none other than the Jang-i-Lat Sahib the Commander-in-Chief . '

' Ho ! ' said Kim , with the correct guttural note of wonder .

he had learned what he wanted , and when the scullion turned he was gone .

' And all that trouble , ' said he to himself , thinking as usual in Hindustani , ' for a horse 's pedigree !

Mahbub Ali should have come to me to learn a little lying .

every time before that I have borne a message it concerned a woman .

now it is men .

better .

the tall man said that they will loose a great army to punish someone somewhere the news goes to Pindi and Peshawur .

there are also guns .

would I had crept nearer .

it is big news ! '

moreover , the lama was a great and venerable curiosity .

the family priest , an old , tolerant Sarsut Brahmin , dropped in later , and naturally started a theological argument to impress the family .

by creed , of course , they were all on their priest 's side , but the lama was the guest and the novelty .

' How thinkest thou of this one ? ' said the cultivator aside to the priest .

' A holy man a holy man indeed .

his Gods are not the Gods , but his feet are upon the Way , ' was the answer .

' And his methods of nativities , though that is beyond thee , are wise and sure . '

' What knowledge hast thou of thy birth-hour ? ' the priest asked , swelling with importance .

' Between first and second cockcrow of the first night in May . '

' Of what year ? '

' I do not know ; but upon the hour that I cried first fell the great earthquake in Srinagar which is in Kashmir . '

this Kim had from the woman who took care of him , and she again from Kimball O'Hara .

the earthquake had been felt in India , and for long stood a leading date in the Punjab .

' Ai ! ' said a woman excitedly .

this seemed to make Kim 's supernatural origin more certain .

' Was not such an one 's daughter born then '

he began to draw in the dust of the courtyard .

' At least thou hast good claim to a half of the House of the Bull .

how runs thy prophecy ? '

' Yes : thus ever at the opening of a vision .

A thick darkness that clears slowly ; anon one enters with a broom making ready the place .

then begins the Sight .

two men thou sayest ?

ay , ay .

the Sun , leaving the House of the Bull , enters that of the Twins .

hence the two men of the prophecy .

let us now consider .

fetch me a twig , little one . '

at the end of half an hour , he tossed the twig from him with a grunt .

' Hm !

thus say the stars .

within three days come the two men to make all things ready .

after them follows the Bull ; but the sign over against him is the sign of War and armed men . '

' There was indeed a man of the Ludhiana Sikhs in the carriage from Lahore , ' said the cultivator 's wife hopefully .

' Tck !

armed men many hundreds .

what concern hast thou with war ? ' said the priest to Kim .

' Thine is a red and an angry sign of War to be loosed very soon . '

' None none . ' said the lama earnestly .

' We seek only peace and our River . '

Kim smiled , remembering what he had overheard in the dressing-room .

decidedly he was a favourite of the stars .

the priest brushed his foot over the rude horoscope .

' More than this I cannot see .

in three days comes the Bull to thee , boy . '

' And my River , my River , ' pleaded the lama .

' I had hoped his Bull would lead us both to the River . '

' Alas , for that wondrous River , my brother , ' the priest replied .

' Such things are not common . '

next morning , though they were pressed to stay , the lama insisted on departure .

' Pity it is that these and such as these could not be freed from '

' Yonder is a small stream .

chapter @number@

Buddha at Kamakura .

behind them an angry farmer brandished a bamboo pole .

he was a market-gardener , Arain by caste , growing vegetables and flowers for Umballa city , and well Kim knew the breed .

' Such an one , ' said the lama , disregarding the dogs , ' is impolite to strangers , intemperate of speech and uncharitable .

be warned by his demeanour , my disciple . '

' Ho , shameless beggars ! ' shouted the farmer .

' Begone !

get hence ! '

' We go , ' the lama returned , with quiet dignity .

' We go from these unblessed fields . '

' Ah , ' said Kim , sucking in his breath .

' If the next crops fail , thou canst only blame thine own tongue . '

the man shuffled uneasily in his slippers .

' The land is full of beggars , ' he began , half apologetically .

' All we sought was to look at that river beyond the field there . '

' River , forsooth ! ' the man snorted .

' What city do ye hail from not to know a canal-cut ?

it runs as straight as an arrow , and I pay for the water as though it were molten silver .

there is a branch of a river beyond .

but if ye need water I can give that and milk . '

' Nay , we will go to the river , ' said the lama , striding out .

' Milk and a meal . ' the man stammered , as he looked at the strange tall figure .

' I I would not draw evil upon myself or my crops .

but beggars are so many in these hard days . '

' Take notice . '

the lama turned to Kim .

' He was led to speak harshly by the Red Mist of anger .

that clearing from his eyes , he becomes courteous and of an affable heart .

may his fields be blessed !

beware not to judge men too hastily , O farmer . '

' I have met holy ones who would have cursed thee from hearthstone to byre , ' said Kim to the abashed man .

' Is he not wise and holy ?

I am his disciple . '

he cocked his nose in the air loftily and stepped across the narrow field-borders with great dignity .

' But thou hast said he was low-caste and discourteous . '

' Low-caste I did not say , for how can that be which is not ?

afterwards he amended his discourtesy , and I forgot the offence .

moreover , he is as we are , bound upon the Wheel of Things ; but he does not tread the way of deliverance . '

he halted at a little runlet among the fields , and considered the hoof-pitted bank .

' Now , how wilt thou know thy River ? ' said Kim , squatting in the shade of some tall sugar-cane .

' When I find it , an enlightenment will surely be given .

this , I feel , is not the place .

O littlest among the waters , if only thou couldst tell me where runs my River !

but be thou blessed to make the fields bear ! '

' Look !

look ! '

Kim sprang to his side and dragged him back .

' I have no stick I have no stick , ' said Kim .

' I will get me one and break his back . '

' Why ?

he is upon the Wheel as we are a life ascending or descending very far from deliverance .

great evil must the soul have done that is cast into this shape . '

' I hate all snakes , ' said Kim .

no native training can quench the white man 's horror of the Serpent .

' Let him live out his life . '

the coiled thing hissed and half opened its hood .

' May thy release come soon , brother ! ' the lama continued placidly .

' Hast thou knowledge , by chance , of my River ? '

' Never have I seen such a man as thou art , ' Kim whispered , overwhelmed .

' Do the very snakes understand thy talk ? '

' Who knows ? '

he passed within a foot of the cobra 's poised head .

it flattened itself among the dusty coils .

' Come , thou ! ' he called over his shoulder .

' Not I , ' said Kim ' .

' I go round . '

' Come .

he does no hurt . '

Kim hesitated for a moment .

the lama backed his order by some droned Chinese quotation which Kim took for a charm .

he obeyed and bounded across the rivulet , and the snake , indeed , made no sign .

' Never have I seen such a man . '

Kim wiped the sweat from his forehead .

' And now , whither go we ? '

' That is for thee to say .

I am old , and a stranger far from my own place .

but that the rail-carriage fills my head with noises of devil-drums I would go in it to Benares now ....y

yet by so going we may miss the River .

let us find another river . '

they sought a River : a River of miraculous healing .

had any one knowledge of such a stream ?

the women were always kind , and the little children as children are the world over , alternately shy and venturesome .

they had passed beyond the belt of market-gardens round hungry Umballa , and were among the mile-wide green of the staple crops .

he was a white-bearded and affable elder , used to entertaining strangers .

' I cannot fathom it , ' said the headman at last to the priest .

' How readest thou this talk ? '

the lama , his tale told , was silently telling his beads .

' He is a Seeker . ' the priest answered .

' The land is full of such .

remember him who came only last , month the fakir with the tortoise ? '

this man seeks no God who is within my knowledge . '

' Peace , he is old : he comes from far off , and he is mad , ' the smooth-shaven priest replied .

' Hear me . '

he turned to the lama .

' Three koss six miles to the westward runs the great road to Calcutta . '

' But I would go to Benares to Benares . '

' And to Benares also .

it crosses all streams on this side of Hind .

now my word to thee , Holy One , is rest here till tomorrow .

then , if thy Gods will , be assured that thou wilt come upon thy freedom . '

' That is well said . '

the lama was much impressed by the plan .

' We will begin tomorrow , and a blessing on thee for showing old feet such a near road . '

a deep , sing-song Chinese half-chant closed the sentence .

' Seest thou my chela ? ' he said , diving into his snuff-gourd with an important sniff .

it was his duty to repay courtesy with courtesy .

' I see and hear . '

the headman rolled his eye where Kim was chatting to a girl in blue as she laid crackling thorns on a fire .

' He also has a Search of his own .

no river , but a Bull .

yea , a Red Bull on a green field will some day raise him to honour .

he is , I think , not altogether of this world .

he was sent of a sudden to aid me in this search , and his name is Friend of all the World . '

the priest smiled .

' Ho , there , Friend of all the World , ' he cried across the sharp-smelling smoke , ' what art thou ? '

' This Holy One 's disciple , ' said Kim .

' He says thou are a but a spirit . '

' Can buts eat ? ' said Kim , with a twinkle .

' For I am hungry . '

' It is no jest , ' cried the lama .

' A certain astrologer of that city whose name I have forgotten '

' That is no more than the city of Umballa where we slept last night , ' Kim whispered to the priest .

' Ay , Umballa was it ?

he cast a horoscope and declared that my chela should find his desire within two days .

but what said he of the meaning of the stars , Friend of all the World ? '

Kim cleared his throat and looked around at the village greybeards .

' The meaning of my Star is War , ' he replied pompously .

somebody laughed at the little tattered figure strutting on the brickwork plinth under the great tree .

where a native would have lain down , Kim 's white blood set him upon his feet .

' Ay , War , ' he answered .

' That is a sure prophecy , ' rumbled a deep voice .

' For there is always war along the Border as I know . '

' But this shall be a great war a war of eight thousand . '

Kim 's voice shrilled across the quick-gathering crowd , astonishing himself .

' Redcoats or our own regiments ? ' the old man snapped , as though he were asking an equal .

his tone made men respect Kim .

' Redcoats , ' said Kim at a venture .

' Redcoats and guns . '

' But but the astrologer said no word of this , ' cried the lama , snuffing prodigiously in his excitement .

' But I know .

the word has come to me , who am this Holy One 's disciple .

there will rise a war a war of eight thousand redcoats .

from Pindi and Peshawur they will be drawn .

this is sure . '

' The boy has heard bazar-talk , ' said the priest .

' But he was always by my side , ' said the lama .

' How should he know ?

I did not know . '

' He will make a clever juggler when the old man is dead , ' muttered the priest to the headman .

' What new trick is this ? '

' A sign .

give me a sign , ' thundered the old soldier suddenly .

' If there were war my sons would have told me . '

' When all is ready , thy sons , doubt not , will be told .

but it is a long road from thy sons to the man in whose hands these things lie . '

but now he was playing for larger things the sheer excitement and the sense of power .

he drew a new breath and went on .

' Old man , give me a sign .

do underlings order the goings of eight thousand redcoats with guns ? '

' No. '

still the old man answered as though Kim were an equal .

' Dost thou know who He is , then , that gives the order ? '

' I have seen Him . '

' To know again ? '

' I have known Him since he was a lieutenant in the topkhana ( the Artillery ) . '

' A tall man .

A tall man with black hair , walking thus ? '

Kim took a few paces in a stiff , wooden style .

' Ay .

but that anyone may have seen . '

the crowd were breathless still through all this talk .

' That is true , ' said Kim .

' But I will say more .

look now .

first the great man walks thus .

then He thinks thus . '

( Kim drew a forefinger over his forehead and downwards till it came to rest by the angle of the jaw . )

' Anon He twitches his fingers thus .

anon He thrusts his hat under his left armpit . '

Kim illustrated the motion and stood like a stork .

the old man groaned , inarticulate with amazement ; and the crowd shivered .

' So so so .

but what does He when He is about to give an order ? '

' He rubs the skin at the back of his neck thus .

then falls one finger on the table and He makes a small sniffing noise through his nose .

then He speaks , saying : " Loose such and such a regiment .

call out such guns . " '

the old man rose stiffly and saluted .

it is not war it is a chastisement .

Snff ! " '

' Enough .

I believe .

I have seen Him thus in the smoke of battles .

seen and heard .

it is He ! '

' I saw no smoke ' Kim 's voice shifted to the rapt sing-song of the wayside fortune-teller .

' I saw this in darkness .

first came a man to make things clear .

then came horsemen .

then came He standing in a ring of light .

the rest followed as I have said .

old man , have I spoken truth ? '

' It is He .

past all doubt it is He . '

' Said I not said I not he was from the other world ? ' cried the lama proudly .

' He is the Friend of all the World .

he is the Friend of the Stars ! '

' At least it does not concern us , ' a man cried .

' O thou young soothsayer , if the gift abides with thee at all seasons , I have a red-spotted cow .

she may be sister to thy Bull for aught I know '

' Or I care , ' said Kim .

' My Stars do not concern themselves with thy cattle . '

' Nay , but she is very sick , ' a woman struck in .

' My man is a buffalo , or he would have chosen his words better .

tell me if she recover ? '

the priest looked at him sideways , something bitterly a dry and blighting smile .

' Is there no priest , then , in the village ?

I thought I had seen a great one even now , ' cried Kim .

' Ay but ' the woman began .

' But thou and thy husband hoped to get the cow cured for a handful of thanks . '

the shot told : they were notoriously the closest-fisted couple in the village .

' It is not well to cheat the temples .

' A master-beggar art thou , ' purred the priest approvingly .

' Not the cunning of forty years could have done better .

surely thou hast made the old man rich ? '

and , as thou canst see , he is mad .

but it serves me while I learn the road at least . '

' Is his Search , then , truth or a cloak to other ends ?

it may be treasure . '

' He is mad many times mad .

there is nothing else . '

here the old soldier bobbled up and asked if Kim would accept his hospitality for the night .

Kim glanced from one face to the other , and drew his own conclusions .

' Where is the money ? ' he whispered , beckoning the old man off into the darkness .

' In my bosom .

where else ? '

' Give it me .

quietly and swiftly give it me . '

' But why ?

here is no ticket to buy . '

' Am I thy chela , or am I not ?

do I not safeguard thy old feet about the ways ?

give me the money and at dawn I will return it . '

he slipped his hand above the lama's girdle and brought away the purse .

' Be it so be it so . '

the old man nodded his head .

' This is a great and terrible world .

I never knew there were so many men alive in it . '

' Certainly the air of this country is good , ' said the lama .

' I sleep lightly , as do all old men ; but last night I slept unwaking till broad day .

even now I am heavy . '

' Drink a draught of hot milk , ' said Kim , who had carried not a few such remedies to opium-smokers of his acquaintance .

' It is time to take the Road again . '

' The long Road that overpasses all the rivers of Hind , ' said the lama gaily .

' Let us go .

but how thinkest thou , chela , to recompense these people , and especially the priest , for their great kindness ?

truly they are but parast , but in other lives , maybe , they will receive enlightenment .

a rupee to the temple ?

' Holy One , hast thou ever taken the Road alone ? '

Kim looked up sharply , like the Indian crows so busy about the fields .

' Surely , child : from Kulu to Pathankot from Kulu , where my first chela died .

when men were kind to us we made offerings , and all men were well-disposed throughout all the Hills . '

' It is otherwise in Hind , ' said Kim drily .

' Their Gods are many-armed and malignant .

let them alone . '

' I would set thee on thy road for a little , Friend of all the World , thou and thy yellow man . '

the old soldier ambled up the village street , all shadowy in the dawn , on a punt , scissor-hocked pony .

' Last night broke up the fountains of remembrance in my so-dried heart , and it was as a blessing to me .

truly there is war abroad in the air .

I smell it .

See !

I have brought my sword . '

' Tell me again how He showed in thy vision .

come up and sit behind me .

the beast will carry two . '

' I am this Holy One 's disciple , ' said Kim , as they cleared the village-gate .

the villagers seemed almost sorry to be rid of them , but the priest 's farewell was cold and distant .

he had wasted some opium on a man who carried no money .

' That is well spoken .

I am not much used to holy men , but respect is always good .

there is no respect in these days not even when a Commissioner Sahib comes to see me .

but why should one whose Star leads him to war follow a holy man ? '

' But he is a holy man , ' said Kim earnestly .

' In truth , and in talk and in act , holy .

he is not like the others .

I have never seen such an one .

we be not fortune-tellers , or jugglers , or beggars . '

' Thou art not .

that I can see .

but I do not know that other .

he marches well , though . '

the first freshness of the day carried the lama forward with long , easy , camel-like strides .

he was deep in meditation , mechanically clicking his rosary .

even the pony felt the good influence and almost broke into a trot as Kim laid a hand on the stirrup-leather .

the old soldier growled in his beard , so that the lama for the first time was aware of him .

' Seekest thou the River also ? ' said he , turning .

' The day is new , ' was the reply .

' What need of a river save to water at before sundown ?

I come to show thee a short lane to the Big Road . '

' That is a courtesy to be remembered , O man of good will .

but why the sword ? '

the old soldier looked as abashed as a child interrupted in his game of make-believe .

' The sword , ' he said , fumbling it .

' Oh , that was a fancy of mine an old man 's fancy .

' It is not a good fancy , ' said the lama .

' What profit to kill men ? '

I do not speak without knowledge who have seen the land from Delhi south awash with blood . '

' What madness was that , then ? '

' The Gods , who sent it for a plague , alone know .

A madness ate into all the Army , and they turned against their officers .

that was the first evil , but not past remedy if they had then held their hands .

but they chose to kill the Sahibs ' wives and children .

then came the Sahibs from over the sea and called them to most strict account . '

' Some such rumour , I believe , reached me once long ago .

they called it the Black Year , as I remember . '

' What manner of life hast thou led , not to know The Year ?

a rumour indeed !

all earth knew , and trembled ! '

' Our earth never shook but once upon the day that the Excellent One received Enlightenment . '

' Umph !

I saw Delhi shake at least and Delhi is the navel of the world . '

' So they turned against women and children ?

that was a bad deed , for which the punishment cannot be avoided . '

' Many strove to do so , but with very small profit .

I was then in a regiment of cavalry .

it broke .

of six hundred and eighty sabres stood fast to their salt how many , think you ?

three .

of whom I was one . '

' The greater merit . '

' Merit !

we did not consider it merit in those days .

my people , my friends , my brothers fell from me .

they said : " the time of the English is accomplished .

let each strike out a little holding for himself . "

but I had talked with the men of Sobraon , of Chilianwallah , of Moodkee and Ferozeshah .

I said : " abide a little and the wind turns .

there is no blessing in this work . "

in those days I rode seventy miles with an English Memsahib and her babe on my saddle-bow .

( wow !

that was a horse fit for a man ! )

I placed them in safety , and back came I to my officer the one that was not killed of our five .

" be content , " said he .

" there is great work forward .

when this madness is over there is a recompense . " '

' Ay , there is a recompense when the madness is over , surely ? ' the lama muttered half to himself .

' They did not hang medals in those days on all who by accident had heard a gun fired .

no !

In nineteen pitched battles was I ; in six-and-forty skirmishes of horse ; and in small affairs without number .

they said : " give him the Order of Berittish India . "

I carry it upon my neck now .

I have also my jaghir holding from the hands of the State a free gift to me and mine .

' And after ? ' said the lama .

' Oh , afterwards they go away , but not before my village has seen . '

' And at the last what wilt thou do ? '

' At the last I shall die . '

' And after ? '

' Let the Gods order it .

I have never pestered Them with prayers .

I do not think They will pester me .

no , I have never wearied the Gods .

' Ay , ' the old soldier chuckled .

' Three Rissaldar majors in three regiments .

well , well , my holding can pay for all .

how thinkest thou ?

it is a well-watered strip , but my men cheat me .

I do not know how to ask save at the lance 's point .

Ugh !

' Hast thou never desired any other thing ? '

' Yes yes a thousand times !

a straight back and a close-clinging knee once more ; a quick wrist and a keen eye ; and the marrow that makes a man .

oh , the old days the good days of my strength ! '

' That strength is weakness . '

' But I know a River of great healing . '

' I have drank Gunga-water to the edge of dropsy .

all she gave me was a flux , and no sort of strength . '

' It is not Gunga .

the River that I know washes from all taint of sin .

ascending the far bank one is assured of Freedom .

I do not know thy life , but thy face is the face of the honourable and courteous .

enter now upon the Middle Way which is the path to Freedom .

hear the Most Excellent Law , and do not follow dreams . '

' Speak , then , old man , ' the soldier smiled , half saluting .

' We be all babblers at our age . '

slowly and impressively the lama began .

the lama's voice faltered , the periods lengthened .

Kim was busy watching a grey squirrel .

the child , scared and indignant , yelled aloud .

' Hai !

Hai ! ' said the soldier , leaping to his feet .

' What is it ?

what orders ? ...

it is ... a child !

I dreamed it was an alarm .

Little one little one do not cry .

have I slept ?

that was discourteous indeed ! '

' I fear !

I am afraid ! ' roared the child .

' What is it to fear ?

two old men and a boy ?

how wilt thou ever make a soldier , Princeling ? '

the lama had waked too , but , taking no direct notice of the child , clicked his rosary .

' What is that ? ' said the child , stopping a yell midway .

' I have never seen such things .

give them me . '

' Aha . ' said the lama , smiling , and trailing a loop of it on the grass :

the child shrieked with joy , and snatched at the dark , glancing beads .

' Oho ! ' said the old soldier .

' Whence hadst thou that song , despiser of this world ? '

' I learned it in Pathankot sitting on a doorstep , ' said the lama shyly .

' It is good to be kind to babes . '

do children drop from Heaven in thy country ?

is it the Way to sing them songs ? '

' No man is all perfect , ' said the lama gravely , recoiling the rosary .

' Run now to thy mother , little one . '

' Hear him ! ' said the soldier to Kim .

' He is ashamed for that he has made a child happy .

there was a very good householder lost in thee , my brother .

Hai , child ! '

he threw it a pice .

' Sweetmeats are always sweet . '

and as the little figure capered away into the sunshine : ' They grow up and become men .

holy One , I grieve that I slept in the midst of thy preaching .

forgive me . '

' We be two old men , ' said the lama .

' The fault is mine .

I listened to thy talk of the world and its madness , and one fault led to the next . '

' Hear him !

what harm do thy Gods suffer from play with a babe ?

and that song was very well sung .

let us go on and I will sing thee the song of Nikal Seyn before Delhi the old song . '

Kim was delighted , and the lama listened with deep interest .

' Ahi !

Nikal Seyn is dead he died before Delhi !

lances of the North , take vengeance for Nikal Seyn . '

he quavered it out to the end , marking the trills with the flat of his sword on the pony 's rump .

' It is long since I have ridden this way , but thy boy 's talk stirred me .

See , Holy One the Great Road which is the backbone of all Hind .

in the days before rail-carriages the Sahibs travelled up and down here in hundreds .

now there are only country-carts and such like .

left and right is the rougher road for the heavy carts grain and cotton and timber , fodder , lime and hides .

a man goes in safety here for at every few koss is a police-station .

all castes and kinds of men move here .

' Look !

Brahmins and chumars , bankers and tinkers , barbers and bunnias , pilgrims and potters all the world going and coming .

it is to me as a river from which I am withdrawn like a log after a flood . '

and truly the Grand Trunk Road is a wonderful spectacle .

it runs straight , bearing without crowding India 's traffic for fifteen hundred miles such a river of life as nowhere else exists in the world .

they looked at the green-arched , shade-flecked length of it , the white breadth speckled with slow-pacing folk ; and the two-roomed police-station opposite .

' Who bears arms against the law ? ' a constable called out laughingly , as he caught sight of the soldier 's sword .

' Are not the police enough to destroy evil-doers ? '

' It was because of the police I bought it , ' was the answer .

' Does all go well in Hind ? '

' Rissaldar Sahib , all goes well . '

' I am like an old tortoise , look you , who puts his head out from the bank and draws it in again .

ay , this is the Road of Hindustan .

all men come by this way ....y '

' Son of a swine , is the soft part of the road meant for thee to scratch thy back upon ?

thy aunts have never had a nose for seven generations !

Thy sister What Owl 's folly told thee to draw thy carts across the road ?

a broken wheel ?

then take a broken head and put the two together at leisure ! '

the voice and a venomous whip-cracking came out of a pillar of dust fifty yards away , where a cart had broken down .

he was tall and grey-bearded , sitting the almost mad beast as a piece of her , and scientifically lashing his victim between plunges .

the old man 's face lit with pride .

' My child ! ' said he briefly , and strove to rein the pony 's neck to a fitting arch .

' Am I to be beaten before the police ? ' cried the carter .

' Justice !

I will have Justice '

' Am I to be blocked by a shouting ape who upsets ten thousand sacks under a young horse 's nose ?

that is the way to ruin a mare . '

' He speaks truth .

he speaks truth .

but she follows her man close , ' said the old man .

the carter ran under the wheels of his cart and thence threatened all sorts of vengeance .

' They are strong men , thy sons , ' said the policeman serenely , picking his teeth .

the horseman delivered one last vicious cut with his whip and came on at a canter .

' My father ! '

he reigned back ten yards and dismounted .

the old man was off his pony in an instant , and they embraced as do father and son in the East .

chapter @number@

greet her she 's hailing a stranger !

Meet her she 's busking to leave !

let her alone for a shrew to the bone And the hussy comes plucking your sleeve !

largesse !

Largesse , O Fortune !

give or hold at your will .

if I 've no care for Fortune , Fortune must follow me still !

the Wishing-Caps .

then , lowering their voices , they spoke together .

Kim came to rest under a tree , but the lama tugged impatiently at his elbow .

' Let us go on .

the River is not here . '

' Hai mai !

have we not walked enough for a little ?

our River will not run away .

Patience , and he will give us a dole . '

' This . ' said the old soldier suddenly , ' is the Friend of the Stars .

he brought me the news yesterday .

having seen the very man Himself , in a vision , giving orders for the war . '

' Hm ! ' said his son , all deep in his broad chest .

' He came by a bazar-rumour and made profit of it . '

his father laughed .

' At least he did not ride to me begging for a new charger , and the Gods know how many rupees .

are thy brothers ' regiments also under orders ? '

' I do not know .

I took leave and came swiftly to thee in case '

' In case they ran before thee to beg .

O gamblers and spendthrifts all !

but thou hast never yet ridden in a charge .

a good horse is needed there , truly .

a good follower and a good pony also for the marching .

let us see let us see . '

he thrummed on the pommel .

' This is no place to cast accounts in , my father .

let us go to thy house . '

' At least pay the boy , then : I have no pice with me , and he brought auspicious news .

Ho !

Friend of all the World , a war is toward as thou hast said . '

' Nay , as I know , the war , ' returned Kim composedly .

' Eh ? ' said the lama , fingering his beads , all eager for the road .

' My master does not trouble the Stars for hire .

we brought the news bear witness , we brought the news , and now we go . '

Kim half-crooked his hand at his side .

the son tossed a silver coin through the sunlight , grumbling something about beggars and jugglers .

it was a four-anna piece , and would feed them well for days .

the lama , seeing the flash of the metal , droned a blessing .

' Go thy way , Friend of all the World , ' piped the old soldier , wheeling his scrawny mount .

' For once in all my days I have met a true prophet who was not in the Army . '

father and son swung round together : the old man sitting as erect as the younger .

a Punjabi constable in yellow linen trousers slouched across the road .

he had seen the money pass .

' Halt ! ' he cried in impressive English .

it is the order of the Sirkar , and the money is spent for the planting of trees and the beautification of the ways . '

' And the bellies of the police , ' said Kim , slipping out of arm 's reach .

' Consider for a while , man with a mud head .

think you we came from the nearest pond like the frog , thy father-in-law ?

Hast thou ever heard the name of thy brother ? '

' And who was he ?

leave the boy alone , ' cried a senior constable , immensely delighted , as he squatted down to smoke his pipe in the veranda .

then came an Englishman and broke his head .

ah , brother , I am a town-crow , not a village-crow ! '

the policeman drew back abashed , and Kim hooted at him all down the road .

' Was there ever such a disciple as I ? ' he cried merrily to the lama .

' All earth would have picked thy bones within ten mile of Lahore city if I had not guarded thee . '

' I am thy chela . '

Kim dropped into step at his side that indescribable gait of the long-distance tramp all the world over .

' Now let us walk , ' muttered the lama , and to the click of his rosary they walked in silence mile upon mile .

the lama as usual , was deep in meditation , but Kim 's bright eyes were open wide .

this broad , smiling river of life , he considered , was a vast improvement on the cramped and crowded Lahore streets .

there were new people and new sights at every stride castes he knew and castes that were altogether out of his experience .

Kim knew that walk well , and made broad jest of it as they passed .

Kim was careful not to irritate that man ; for the Akali 's temper is short and his arm quick .

the lama never raised his eyes .

even the seller of Ganges-water he did not see , and Kim expected that he would at least buy a bottle of that precious stuff .

he looked steadily at the ground , and strode as steadily hour after hour , his soul busied elsewhere .

but Kim was in the seventh heaven of joy .

from time to time the lama took snuff , and at last Kim could endure the silence no longer .

' This is a good land the land of the South ! ' said he .

' The air is good ; the water is good .

eh ? '

' And they are all bound upon the Wheel , ' said the lama .

' Bound from life after life .

to none of these has the Way been shown . '

he shook himself back to this world .

' And now we have walked a weary way , ' said Kim .

' Surely we shall soon come to a parao a resting-place .

shall we stay there ?

look , the sun is sloping . '

' Who will receive us this evening ? '

' That is all one .

this country is full of good folk .

besides ' he sunk his voice beneath a whisper ' we have money . '

the crowd thickened as they neared the resting-place which marked the end of their day 's journey .

swiftly the light gathered itself together , painted for an instant the faces and the cartwheels and the bullocks ' horns as red as blood .

the life of the parao was very like that of the Kashmir Serai on a small scale .

Kim dived into the happy Asiatic disorder which , if you only allow time , will bring you everything that a simple man needs .

they , being withered and undesirable , do not , under certain circumstances , object to unveiling .

the old lady is , after all , intensely human , and lives to look upon life .

here was evidently a woman used to command .

Kim looked over the retinue critically .

half of them were thin-legged , grey-bearded Ooryas from down country .

the hillmen would be of her own people Kulu or Kangra folk .

something might be made out of the meeting .

the lama would give him no help , but , as a conscientious chela , Kim was delighted to beg for two .

he built his fire as close to the cart as he dared , waiting for one of the escort to order him away .

the lama dropped wearily to the ground , much as a heavy fruit-eating bat cowers , and returned to his rosary .

' Stand farther off , beggar ! '

the order was shouted in broken Hindustani by one of the hillmen .

' Huh !

it is only a pahari a hillman ' , said Kim over his shoulder .

' Since when have the hill-asses owned all Hindustan ? '

the retort was a swift and brilliant sketch of Kim 's pedigree for three generations .

' Ah ! '

Kim 's voice was sweeter than ever , as he broke the dung-cake into fit pieces .

' In my country we call that the beginning of love-talk . '

a harsh , thin cackle behind the curtains put the hillman on his mettle for a second shot .

' Not so bad not so bad , ' said Kim with calm .

' But have a care , my brother , lest we we , I say be minded to give a curse or so in return .

and our curses have the knack of biting home . '

the Ooryas laughed ; the hillman sprang forward threateningly .

the lama suddenly raised his head , bringing his huge tam-o'-shanter hat into the full light of Kim 's new-started fire .

' What is it ? ' said he .

the man halted as though struck to stone .

' I I am saved from a great sin , ' he stammered .

' The foreigner has found him a priest at last , ' whispered one of the Ooryas .

' Hai !

why is that beggar-brat not well beaten ? ' the old woman cried .

the hillman drew back to the cart and whispered something to the curtain .

there was dead silence , then a muttering .

' This goes well , ' thought Kim , pretending neither to see nor hear .

' After he has eaten he will sleep , ' Kim returned loftily .

he could not quite see what new turn the game had taken , but stood resolute to profit by it .

' Now I will get him his food . '

the last sentence , spoken loudly , ended with a sigh as of faintness .

' I I myself and the others of my people will look to that if it is permitted . '

' It is permitted , ' said Kim , more loftily than ever .

' Holy One , these people will bring us food . '

' The land is good .

all the country of the South is good a great and a terrible world , ' mumbled the lama drowsily .

' Let him sleep , ' said Kim , ' but look to it that we are well fed when he wakes .

he is a very holy man . '

again one of the Ooryas said something contemptuously .

' He is not a fakir .

he is not a down-country beggar , ' Kim went on severely , addressing the stars .

' He is the most holy of holy men .

he is above all castes .

I am his chela . '

one skinny brown finger heavy with rings lay on the edge of the cart , and the talk went this way :

' Who is that one ? '

' An exceedingly holy one .

he comes from far off .

he comes from Tibet . '

' Where in Tibet ? '

' From behind the snows from a very far place .

he knows the stars ; he makes horoscopes ; he reads nativities .

but he does not do this for money .

he does it for kindness and great charity .

I am his disciple .

I am called also the Friend of the Stars . '

' Thou art no hillman . '

' Ask him .

he will tell thee I was sent to him from the Stars to show him an end to his pilgrimage . '

' Humph !

consider , brat , that I am an old woman and not altogether a fool .

thou art a casteless Hindu a bold and unblushing beggar , attached , belike , to the Holy One for the sake of gain . '

' Do we not all work for gain ? '

Kim changed his tone promptly to match that altered voice .

' I have heard ' this was a bow drawn at a venture ' I have heard '

' What hast thou heard ? ' she snapped , rapping with the finger .

' But none the less of good Rajput blood . '

' Assuredly of good blood .

that these even sell the more comely of their womenfolk for gain .

down south they sell them to zemindars and such all of Oudh . '

the old lady explained to Kim , in a tense , indignant whisper , precisely what manner and fashion of malignant liar he was .

had Kim hinted this when she was a girl , he would have been pommelled to death that same evening by an elephant .

this was perfectly true .

' Ahai !

I am only a beggar 's brat , as the Eye of Beauty has said , ' he wailed in extravagant terror .

' Eye of Beauty , forsooth !

who am I that thou shouldst fling beggar-endearments at me ? '

and yet she laughed at the long-forgotten word .

' Forty years ago that might have been said , and not without truth .

ay . thirty years ago .

he has not yet heard the Great Queen 's order that '

' Order ?

I order a Holy One a Teacher of the Law to come and speak to a woman ?

never ! '

' Pity my stupidity .

I thought it was given as an order '

' It was not .

it was a petition .

does this make all clear ? '

a silver coin clicked on the edge of the cart .

Kim took it and salaamed profoundly .

the old lady recognized that , as the eyes and the ears of the lama , he was to be propitiated .

' I am but the Holy One 's disciple .

when he has eaten perhaps he will come . '

' Oh , villain and shameless rogue ! '

the jewelled forefinger shook itself at him reprovingly ; but he could hear the old lady 's chuckle .

' Is is there any need of a son in thy family ?

speak freely , for we priests ' That last was a direct plagiarism from a fakir by the Taksali Gate .

' We priests !

thou art not yet old enough to ' She checked the joke with another laugh .

' Believe me , now and again , we women , O priest , think of other matters than sons .

moreover , my daughter has borne her man-child . '

' Two arrows in the quiver are better than one ; and three are better still . '

Kim quoted the proverb with a meditative cough , looking discreetly earthward .

' True oh , true .

but perhaps that will come .

certainly those down-country Brahmins are utterly useless .

I sent gifts and monies and gifts again to them , and they prophesied . '

' Ah , ' drawled Kim , with infinite contempt , ' they prophesied ! '

a professional could have done no better .

' And it was not till I remembered my own Gods that my prayers were heard .

I chose an auspicious hour , and perhaps thy Holy One has heard of the Abbot of the Lung-Cho lamassery .

it was to him I put the matter , and behold in the due time all came about as I desired .

and so afterwards I go to Buddh Gaya , to make shraddha for the father of my children . '

' Thither go we . '

' Doubly auspicious , ' chirruped the old lady .

' A second son at least ! '

' O Friend of all the World ! '

the lama had waked , and , simply as a child bewildered in a strange bed , called for Kim .

' I come !

I come , Holy One ! '

' Go back !

withdraw ! '

Kim cried .

' Do we eat publicly like dogs ? '

they finished the meal in silence , each turned a little from the other , and Kim topped it with a native-made cigarette .

' Have I not said an hundred times that the South is a good land ?

here is a virtuous and high-born widow of a Hill Rajah on pilgrimage , she says , to Buddha Gay .

she it is sends us those dishes ; and when thou art well rested she would speak to thee . '

' Is this also thy work ? '

the lama dipped deep into his snuff-gourd .

' Who else watched over thee since our wonderful journey began ? '

Kim 's eyes danced in his head as he blew the rank smoke through his nostrils and stretched him on the dusty ground .

' Have I failed to oversee thy comforts , Holy One ? '

' A blessing on thee . '

the lama inclined his solemn head .

' I have known many men in my so long life , and disciples not a few .

' And I have never seen such a priest as thou . '

Kim considered the benevolent yellow face wrinkle by wrinkle .

' It is less than three days since we took the road together , and it is as though it were a hundred years . '

' Perhaps in a former life it was permitted that I should have rendered thee some service .

' Maybe , ' said Kim quietly .

he had heard this sort of speculation again and again , from the mouths of many whom the English would not consider imaginative .

' Now , as regards that woman in the bullock-cart .

I think she needs a second son for her daughter . '

' That is no part of the Way , ' sighed the lama .

' But at least she is from the Hills .

ah , the Hills , and the snow of the Hills ! '

he rose and stalked to the cart .

the woman seemed to ask questions which the lama turned over in his mind before answering .

now and again he heard the singsong cadence of a Chinese quotation .

it was a strange picture that Kim watched between drooped eyelids .

behind the cart was a wall of uncertain darkness speckled with little flames and alive with half-caught forms and faces and shadows .

most men had eaten and pulled deep at their gurgling , grunting hookahs , which in full blast sound like bull-frogs .

at last the lama returned .

a hillman walked behind him with a wadded cotton-quilt and spread it carefully by the fire .

' She deserves ten thousand grandchildren , ' thought Kim .

' None the less , but for me , those gifts would not have come . '

' A virtuous woman and a wise one . '

the lama slackened off , joint by joint , like a slow camel .

' The world is full of charity to those who follow the Way . '

he flung a fair half of the quilt over Kim .

' And what said she ? '

Kim rolled up in his share of it .

some I answered , and some I said were foolish .

many wear the Robe , but few keep the Way . '

' True .

that is true . '

Kim used the thoughtful , conciliatory tone of those who wish to draw confidences .

' But by her lights she is most right-minded .

' And ? '

' Patience a little .

to this I said that my Search came before all things .

she had heard many foolish legends , but this great truth of my River she had never heard .

such are the priests of the lower hills !

she knew the Abbot of Lung-Cho , but she did not know of my River nor the tale of the Arrow . '

' And ? '

' Aha !

" we women " do not think of anything save children , ' said Kim sleepily .

' Ohe ! ' said Kim , turning and speaking in a sharp whisper to one of the Ooryas a few yards away .

' Where is your master 's house ? '

' A little behind Saharunpore , among the fruit gardens . '

he named the village .

' That was the place , ' said the lama .

' So far , at least , we can go with her . '

' Flies go to carrion , ' said the Oorya , in an abstracted voice .

' For the sick cow a crow ; for the sick man a Brahmin . '

Kim breathed the proverb impersonally to the shadow-tops of the trees overhead .

the Oorya grunted and held his peace .

' So then we go with her , Holy One ? '

' Is there any reason against ?

I can still step aside and try all the rivers that the road overpasses .

she desires that I should come .

she very greatly desires it . '

Kim stifled a laugh in the quilt .

he was nearly asleep when the lama suddenly quoted a proverb : ' The husbands of the talkative have a great reward hereafter . '

then Kim heard him snuff thrice , and dozed off , still laughing .

the diamond-bright dawn woke men and crows and bullocks together .

Kim sat up and yawned , shook himself , and thrilled with delight .

there was no need to worry about food no need to spend a cowrie at the crowded stalls .

he was the disciple of a holy man annexed by a strong-willed old lady .

all things would be prepared for them , and when they were respectfully invited so to do they would sit and eat .

for the rest Kim giggled here as he cleaned his teeth his hostess would rather heighten the enjoyment of the road .

he inspected her bullocks critically , as they came up grunting and blowing under the yokes .

the escort , of course , would walk .

she was already ordering , haranguing , rebuking , and , it must be said , cursing her servants for delays .

' Get her her pipe .

' She and the parrots are alike .

they screech in the dawn . '

' The lead-bullocks !

Hai !

look to the lead-bullocks ! '

they were backing and wheeling as a grain-cart 's axle caught them by the horns .

' Son of an owl , where dost thou go ? '

this to the grinning carter .

' Ai !

Yai !

Yai !

that within there is the Queen of Delhi going to pray for a son , ' the man called back over his high load .

' Room for the Queen of Delhi and her Prime Minister the grey monkey climbing up his own sword ! '

from behind the shaking curtains came one volley of invective .

here the voice told him truthfully what sort of wife he had wedded , and what she was doing in his absence .

' Oh , shabash ! ' murmured Kim , unable to contain himself , as the man slunk away .

' Well done , indeed ?

but I have yet a wag left to my tongue a word or two well spoken that serves the occasion .

and still am I without my tobacco !

who is the one-eyed and luckless son of shame that has not yet prepared my pipe ? '

the escort , their heads tied up native-fashion , fell in on either side the cart , shuffling enormous clouds of dust .

they could hear the old lady 's tongue clack as steadily as a rice-husker .

her men did not eye her directly when she addressed them , and thus the proprieties were more or less observed .

' O mother , ' he cried , ' do they do this in the zenanas ?

suppose an Englishman came by and saw that thou hast no nose ? '

' What ? ' she shrilled back .

' Thine own mother has no nose ?

why say so , then , on the open road ? '

it was a fair counter .

the Englishman threw up his hand with the gesture of a man hit at sword-play .

she laughed and nodded .

' Is this a face to tempt virtue aside ? '

she withdrew all her veil and stared at him .

' That is a nut-cut rogue , ' she said .

' All police-constables are nut-cuts ; but the police-wallahs are the worst .

Hai , my son , thou hast never learned all that since thou camest from Belait Europe .

who suckled thee ? '

' A pahareen a hillwoman of Dalhousie , my mother .

keep thy beauty under a shade O Dispenser of Delights , ' and he was gone .

they know the land and the customs of the land .

the others , all new from Europe , suckled by white women and learning our tongues from books , are worse than the pestilence .

they do harm to Kings . '

then her mood changed , and she bade one of the escort ask whether the lama would walk alongside and discuss matters of religion .

so Kim dropped back into the dust and returned to his sugar-cane .

personally , he believed in Brahmins , though , like all natives , he was acutely aware of their cunning and their greed .

he also told stories of Lahore city , and sang a song or two which made the escort laugh .

they gave the scraps to certain beggars , that all requirements might be fulfilled , and sat down to a long , luxurious smoke .

chapter @number@

the fatted calf is dressed for me , But the husks have greater zest for me ....y

I think my pigs will be best for me , So I 'm off to the styes afresh .

the Prodigal Son .

once more the lazy , string-tied , shuffling procession got under way , and she slept till they reached the next halting-stage .

it was a very short march , and time lacked an hour to sundown , so Kim cast about for means of amusement .

' But why not sit and rest ? ' said one of the escort .

' Only the devils and the English walk to and fro without reason . '

' Never make friends with the Devil , a Monkey , or a Boy .

no man knows what they will do next , ' said his fellow .

the lama strode after him .

' Where goest thou ? ' he called after Kim .

' Nowhither it was a small march , and all this ' Kim waved his hands abroad ' is new to me . '

' She is beyond question a wise and a discerning woman .

but it is hard to meditate when '

' All women are thus . '

Kim spoke as might have Solomon .

' Before the lamassery was a broad platform , ' the lama muttered , looping up the well-worn rosary , ' of stone .

on that I have left the marks of my feet pacing to and fro with these . '

one thing after another drew Kim 's idle eye across the plain .

there was no purpose in his wanderings , except that the build of the huts near by seemed new , and he wished to investigate .

it struck Kim as curious that no shrine stood in so eligible a spot : the boy was observing as any priest for these things .

Far across the plain walked side by side four men , made small by the distance .

he looked intently under his curved palms and caught the sheen of brass .

' Soldiers .

white soldiers ! ' said he .

' Let us see . '

' It is always soldiers when thou and I go out alone together .

but I have never seen the white soldiers . '

' They do no harm except when they are drunk .

keep behind this tree . '

they stepped behind the thick trunks in the cool dark of the mango-tope .

two little figures halted ; the other two came forward uncertainly .

they were the advance-party of a regiment on the march , sent out , as usual , to mark the camp .

they bore five-foot sticks with fluttering flags , and called to each other as they spread over the flat earth .

at last they entered the mango-grove , walking heavily .

' It 's here or hereabouts officers ' tents under the trees , I take it , an ' the rest of us can stay outside .

have they marked out for the baggage-wagons behind ? '

they cried again to their comrades in the distance , and the rough answer came back faint and mellowed .

' Shove the flag in here , then , ' said one .

' What do they prepare ? ' said the lama , wonderstruck .

' This is a great and terrible world .

what is the device on the flag ? '

Kim stared with all his eyes , his breath coming short and sharp between his teeth .

the soldiers stamped off into the sunshine .

' O Holy One ! ' he gasped .

' My horoscope !

the drawing in the dust by the priest at Umballa !

remember what he said .

first come two ferashes to make all things ready in a dark place , as it is always at the beginning of a vision . '

' But this is not vision , ' said the lama .

' It is the world 's Illusion , and no more . '

' And after them comes the Bull the Red Bull on the green field .

look !

it is he ! '

he pointed to the flag that was snap snapping in the evening breeze not ten feet away .

' I see , and now I remember . ' said the lama .

' Certainly it is thy Bull .

certainly , also , the two men came to make all ready . '

' They are soldiers white soldiers .

what said the priest ?

" the sign over against the Bull is the sign of War and armed men . "

holy One , this thing touches my Search . '

' True .

it is true . '

the lama stared fixedly at the device that flamed like a ruby in the dusk .

' The priest at Umballa said that thine was the sign of War . '

' What is to do now ? '

' Wait .

let us wait . '

' Even now the darkness clears , ' said Kim .

' Hark ! ' said the lama .

' One beats a drum far off ! '

at first the sound , carrying diluted through the still air , resembled the beating of an artery in the head .

soon a sharpness was added .

' Ah !

the music , ' Kim explained .

he knew the sound of a regimental band , but it amazed the lama .

at the far end of the plain a heavy , dusty column crawled in sight .

then the wind brought the tune :

we crave your condescension To tell you what we know Of marching in the Mulligan Guards To Sligo Port below !

here broke in the shrill-tongued fifes :

we shouldered arms , We marched we marched away .

from Phoenix Park We marched to Dublin Bay .

the drums and the fifes , Oh , sweetly they did play , As we marched marched marched with the Mulligan Guards !

it was the band of the Mavericks playing the regiment to camp ; for the men were route-marching with their baggage .

the rippling column swung into the level carts behind it divided left and right , ran about like an ant-hill , and ....n

' But this is sorcery ! ' said the lama .

the plain dotted itself with tents that seemed to rise , all spread , from the carts .

' Stand back in the shadow .

no one can see beyond the light of a fire , ' said Kim , his eyes still on the flag .

he had never before watched the routine of a seasoned regiment pitching camp in thirty minutes .

' Look ! look ! look ! ' clucked the lama .

' Yonder comes a priest . '

it was Bennett , the Church of England Chaplain of the regiment , limping in dusty black .

he dropped into a camp-chair by the door of the Mess-tent and slid off his boots .

three or four officers gathered round him , laughing and joking over his exploit .

' The talk of white men is wholly lacking in dignity , ' said the lama , who judged only by tone .

' But I considered the countenance of that priest and I think he is learned .

is it likely that he will understand our talk ?

I would talk to him of my Search . '

' Never speak to a white man till he is fed , ' said Kim , quoting a well-known proverb .

' They will eat now , and and I do not think they are good to beg from .

let us go back to the resting-place .

after we have eaten we will come again .

it certainly was a Red Bull my Red Bull . '

' But how canst thou understand the talk ?

walk slowly .

the road is dark , ' the lama replied uneasily .

Kim put the question aside .

' I marked a place near to the trees , ' said he , ' where thou canst sit till I call .

Nay , ' as the lama made some sort of protest , ' remember this is my Search the Search for my Red Bull .

the sign in the Stars was not for thee .

I know a little of the customs of white soldiers , and I always desire to see some new things . '

' What dost thou not know of this world ? '

' Stay till I call . '

Kim flitted into the dusk .

the one thing now in his mind was further information as to the Red Bull .

but had it not been proven at Umballa that his sign in the high heavens portended War and armed men ?

was he not the Friend of the Stars as well as of all the World , crammed to the teeth with dreadful secrets ?

he lay belly-flat and wriggled towards the Mess-tent door , a hand on the amulet round his neck .

it was as he suspected .

to him the Sahibs held out their glasses and cried aloud confusedly .

Kim , with slightly raised head , was still staring at his totem on the table , when the Chaplain stepped on his right shoulder-blade .

Kim then kicked him desperately in the stomach .

Mr Bennett gasped and doubled up , but without relaxing his grip , rolled over again , and silently hauled Kim to his own tent .

the Mavericks were incurable practical jokers ; and it occurred to the Englishman that silence was best till he had made complete inquiry .

you 're a thief .

Choor ?

Mallum ? '

his Hindustani was very limited , and the ruffled and disgusted Kim intended to keep to the character laid down for him .

' Give it me .

O , give it me .

is it lost ?

give me the papers . '

the words were in English the tinny , saw-cut English of the native-bred , and the Chaplain jumped .

' A scapular , ' said he , opening his hand .

' No , some sort of heathen charm .

why why , do you speak English ?

little boys who steal are beaten .

you know that ? '

' I do not I did not steal . '

Kim danced in agony like a terrier at a lifted stick .

' Oh , give it me .

it is my charm .

do not thieve it from me . '

the Chaplain took no heed , but , going to the tent door , called aloud .

a fattish , clean-shaven man appeared .

' I want your advice , Father Victor , ' said Bennett .

' I found this boy in the dark outside the Mess-tent .

ordinarily , I should have chastised him and let him go , because I believe him to be a thief .

but it seems he talks English , and he attaches some sort of value to a charm round his neck .

I thought perhaps you might help me . '

Bennett 's official abhorrence of the Scarlet Woman and all her ways was only equalled by his private respect for Father Victor .

' A thief talking English , is it ?

let's look at his charm .

no , it 's not a scapular , Bennett . '

he held out his hand .

' But have we any right to open it ?

a sound whipping '

' I did not thieve , ' protested Kim .

' You have hit me kicks all over my body .

now give me my charm and I will go away . '

' Not quite so fast .

please look after the boy ' signing his name and regimental number in full .

' Powers of Darkness below ! ' said Father Victor , passing all over to Mr Bennett .

' Do you know what these things are ? '

' Yes . ' said Kim .

' They are mine , and I want to go away . '

' I do not quite understand , ' said Mr Bennett .

' He probably brought them on purpose .

it may be a begging trick of some kind . '

' I never saw a beggar less anxious to stay with his company , then .

there 's the makings of a gay mystery here .

ye believe in Providence , Bennett ? '

' I hope so . '

' Well , I believe in miracles , so it comes to the same thing .

Powers of Darkness !

Kimball O'Hara !

and his son !

but then he 's a native , and I saw Kimball married myself to Annie Shott .

how long have you had these things , boy ? '

' Ever since I was a little baby . '

father Victor stepped forward quickly and opened the front of Kim 's upper garment .

' You see , Bennett , he 's not very black .

what 's your name ? '

' Kim . '

' Or Kimball ? '

' Perhaps .

will you let me go away ? '

' What else ? '

' They call me Kim Rishti ke .

that is Kim of the Rishti . '

' What is that " Rishti " ? '

' Eye-rishti that was the Regiment my father 's . '

' Irish oh , I see . '

' Yess .

that was how my father told me .

my father , he has lived . '

' Has lived where ? '

' Has lived .

of course he is dead gone-out . '

' Oh !

that 's your abrupt way of putting it , is it ? '

Bennett interrupted .

' It is possible I have done the boy an injustice .

he is certainly white , though evidently neglected .

I am sure I must have bruised him .

I do not think spirits '

' Get him a glass of sherry , then , and let him squat on the cot .

now , Kim , ' continued Father Victor , ' no one is going to hurt you .

drink that down and tell us about yourself .

the truth , if you 've no objection . '

Kim coughed a little as he put down the empty glass , and considered .

this seemed a time for caution and fancy .

small boys who prowl about camps are generally turned out after a whipping .

Else why did the fat padre seem so impressed , and why the glass of hot yellow drink from the lean one ?

' My father , he is dead in Lahore city since I was very little .

the woman , she kept kabarri shop near where the hire-carriages are . '

Kim began with a plunge , not quite sure how far the truth would serve him .

' Your mother ? '

' No ! ' with a gesture of disgust .

' She went out when I was born .

my father , he got these papers from the Jadoo-Gher what do you call that ? '

( Bennett nodded ) ' because he was in good-standing .

what do you call that ? ' ( again Bennett nodded ) .

' My father told me that .

' A phenomenal little liar , ' muttered Bennett .

' Powers of Darkness below , what a country ! ' murmured Father Victor .

' Go on , Kim . '

' I did not thieve .

besides , I am just now disciple of a very holy man .

he is sitting outside .

we saw two men come with flags , making the place ready .

that is always so in a dream , or on account of a a prophecy .

so I knew it was come true .

I did not know what to do when I saw the Bull , but I went away and I came again when it was dark .

I wanted to see the Bull again , and I saw the Bull again with the the Sahibs praying to it .

I think the Bull shall help me .

the holy man said so too .

he is sitting outside .

will you hurt him , if I call him a shout now ?

he is very holy .

he can witness to all the things I say , and he knows I am not a thief . '

' " Sahibs praying to a bull ! "

what in the world do you make of that ? ' said Bennett .

" ' Disciple of a holy man ! "

is the boy mad ? '

' It 's O'Hara's boy , sure enough .

O'Hara's boy leagued with all the Powers of Darkness .

it 's very much what his father would have done if he was drunk .

we 'd better invite the holy man .

he may know something . '

' He does not know anything , ' said Kim .

' I will show you him if you come .

he is my master .

then afterwards we can go . '

they found the lama where he had dropped .

' The Search is at an end for me , ' shouted Kim in the vernacular .

' I have found the Bull , but God knows what comes next .

they will not hurt you .

come to the fat priest 's tent with this thin man and see the end .

it is all new , and they cannot talk Hindi .

they are only uncurried donkeys . '

' Then it is not well to make a jest of their ignorance , ' the lama returned .

' I am glad if thou art rejoiced , chela . '

the yellow lining of the tent reflected in the lamplight made his face red-gold .

Bennett looked at him with the triple-ringed uninterest of the creed that lumps nine-tenths of the world under the title of ' heathen ' .

' And what was the end of the Search ?

what gift has the Red Bull brought ? '

the lama addressed himself to Kim .

' He says , " what are you going to do ? " '

Bennett was staring uneasily at Father Victor , and Kim , for his own ends , took upon himself the office of interpreter .

' Ah !

he doesn't look like a villain . '

' My experience is that one can never fathom the Oriental mind .

now , Kimball , I wish you to tell this man what I say word for word . '

Kim gathered the import of the next few sentences and began thus :

' Holy One , the thin fool who looks like a camel says that I am the son of a Sahib . '

' But how ? '

' Oh , it is true .

it has happened before .

I have always avoided it .

the fat fool is of one mind and the camel-like one of another .

but that is no odds .

I may spend one night here and perhaps the next .

it has happened before .

then I will run away and return to thee . '

' But tell them that thou art my chela .

tell them how thou didst come to me when I was faint and bewildered .

tell them of our Search , and they will surely let thee go now . '

' I have already told them .

they laugh , and they talk of the police . '

' What are you saying ? ' asked Mr Bennett .

' Oah .

he only says that if you do not let me go it will stop him in his business his ur-gent private af-fairs . '

' And if you did know what his business was you would not be in such a beastly hurry to interfere . '

' What is it then ? ' said Father Victor , not without feeling , as he watched the lama's face .

' There is a River in this country which he wishes to find so verree much .

( Kim had heard mission-talk in his time . )

' I am his disciple , and we must find that River .

it is so verree valuable to us . '

' Say that again , ' said Bennett .

Kim obeyed , with amplifications .

' But this is gross blasphemy ! ' cried the Church of England .

' Tck !

Tck ! ' said Father Victor sympathetically .

' I 'd give a good deal to be able to talk the vernacular .

a river that washes away sin !

and how long have you two been looking for it ? '

' Oh , many days .

now we wish to go away and look for it again .

it is not here , you see . '

' I see , ' said Father Victor gravely .

' But he can't go on in that old man 's company .

it would be different , Kim , if you were not a soldier 's son .

tell him that if he believes in miracles he must believe that '

' There is no need to play on his credulity , ' Bennett interrupted .

' I 'm doing no such thing .

he must believe that the boy 's coming here to his own Regiment in search of his Red Bull is in the nature of a miracle .

consider the chances against it , Bennett .

this one boy in all India , and our Regiment of all others on the line o ' march for him to meet with !

it 's predestined on the face of it .

yes , tell him it 's Kismet .

Kismet , mallum ?

Do you understand ? '

he turned towards the lama , to whom he might as well have talked of Mesopotamia .

now I make pretence of agreement , for at the worst it will be but a few meals eaten away from thee .

then I will slip away and follow down the road to Saharunpore .

therefore , Holy One , keep with that Kulu woman on no account stray far from her cart till I come again .

past question , my sign is of War and of armed men .

see how they have given me wine to drink and set me upon a bed of honour !

my father must have been some great person .

so if they raise me to honour among them , good .

if not , good again .

however it goes , I will run back to thee when I am tired .

but stay with the Rajputni , or I shall miss thy feet ....y

Oah yess , ' said the boy , ' I have told him everything you tell me to say . '

' And I cannot see any need why he should wait , ' said Bennett , feeling in his trouser-pocket .

' We can investigate the details later and I will give him a ru '

' Give him time .

maybe he 's fond of the lad , ' said Father Victor , half arresting the clergyman 's motion .

the lama dragged forth his rosary and pulled his huge hat-brim over his eyes .

' What can he want now ? '

' He says ' Kim put up one hand .

' He says : " be quiet . "

he wants to speak to me by himself .

when he takes those beads like that , you see , he always wants to be quiet . '

' A Sahib and the son of a Sahib ' The lama's voice was harsh with pain .

' But no white man knows the land and the customs of the land as thou knowest .

how comes it this is true ? '

' What matter , Holy One ? but remember it is only for a night or two .

remember , I can change swiftly .

it will all be as it was when I first spoke to thee under Zam-Zammah the great gun '

' As a boy in the dress of white men when I first went to the Wonder House .

and a second time thou wast a Hindu .

what shall the third incarnation be ? '

he chuckled drearily .

' Ah , chela , thou has done a wrong to an old man because my heart went out to thee . '

' And mine to thee .

but how could I know that the Red Bull would bring me to this business ? '

the lama covered his face afresh , and nervously rattled the rosary .

Kim squatted beside him and laid hold upon a fold of his clothing .

' Now it is understood that the boy is a Sahib ? ' he went on in a muffled tone .

' Such a Sahib as was he who kept the images in the Wonder House . '

the lama's experience of white men was limited .

he seemed to be repeating a lesson .

' So then it is not seemly that he should do other than as the Sahibs do .

he must go back to his own people . '

' For a day and a night and a day , ' Kim pleaded .

' No , ye don't ! '

father Victor saw Kim edging towards the door , and interposed a strong leg .

' I do not understand the customs of white men .

the Priest of the Images in the Wonder House in Lahore was more courteous than the thin one here .

this boy will be taken from me .

they will make a Sahib of my disciple ?

Woe to me !

how shall I find my River ?

have they no disciples ?

ask . '

' He says he is very sorree that he cannot find the River now any more .

he says , Why have you no disciples , and stop bothering him ?

he wants to be washed of his sins . '

neither Bennett nor Father Victor found any answer ready .

we will look for that River like before I was caught .

I wish I did not come here to find the Red Bull and all that sort of thing .

I do not want it . '

' It 's the very best day 's work you ever did for yourself , young man , ' said Bennett .

' Good heavens , I don't know how to console him , ' said Father Victor , watching the lama intently .

' He can't take the boy away with him , and yet he 's a good man I 'm sure he 's a good man .

Bennett , if you give him that rupee he 'll curse you root and branch ! '

they listened to each other 's breathing three five full minutes .

then the lama raised his head , and looked forth across them into space and emptiness .

' And I am a Follower of the Way , ' he said bitterly .

' The sin is mine and the punishment is mine .

I made believe to myself for now I see it was but make-belief that thou wast sent to me to aid in the Search .

so my heart went out to thee for thy charity and thy courtesy and the wisdom of thy little years .

but those who follow the Way must permit not the fire of any desire or attachment , for that is all Illusion .

as says ... '

he quoted an old , old Chinese text , backed it with another , and reinforced these with a third .

' I stepped aside from the Way , my chela .

it was no fault of thine .

I delighted in the sight of life , the new people upon the roads , and in thy joy at seeing these things .

I was pleased with thee who should have considered my Search and my Search alone .

now I am sorrowful because thou art taken away and my River is far from me .

it is the Law which I have broken ! '

' Powers of Darkness below ! ' said Father Victor , who , wise in the confessional , heard the pain in every sentence .

' I see now that the sign of the Red Bull was a sign for me as well as for thee .

all Desire is red and evil .

I will do penance and find my River alone . '

' At least go back to the Kulu woman , ' said Kim , ' otherwise thou wilt be lost upon the roads .

she will feed thee till I run back to thee . '

the lama waved a hand to show that the matter was finally settled in his mind .

' Now , ' his tone altered as he turned to Kim , ' what will they do with thee ?

at least I may , acquiring merit , wipe out past ill . '

' Make me a Sahib so they think .

the day after tomorrow I return .

do not grieve . '

' Of what sort ?

such an one as this or that man ? '

he pointed to Father Victor .

' Such an one as those I saw this evening , men wearing swords and stamping heavily ? '

' Maybe . '

' That is not well .

these men follow desire and come to emptiness .

thou must not be of their sort . '

' The Umballa priest said that my Star was War , ' Kim interjected .

' I will ask these fools but there is truly no need .

I will run away this night , for all I wanted to see the new things . '

Kim put two or three questions in English to Father Victor , translating the replies to the lama .

then : ' He says , " you take him from me and you cannot say what you will make him . "

he says , " tell me before I go , for it is not a small thing to make a child . " '

' You will be sent to a school .

later on , we shall see .

Kimball , I suppose you 'd like to be a soldier ? '

' Gorah-log white-folk .

No-ah !

No-ah ! '

Kim shook his head violently .

there was nothing in his composition to which drill and routine appealed .

' I will not be a soldier . '

Kim smiled compassionately .

if these men lay under the delusion that he would do anything that he did not fancy , so much the better .

another long silence followed .

Bennett fidgeted with impatience , and suggested calling a sentry to evict the fakir .

' Do they give or sell learning among the Sahibs ?

ask them , ' said the lama , and Kim interpreted .

' They say that money is paid to the teacher but that money the Regiment will give ....v

what need ?

it is only for a night . '

' And the more money is paid the better learning is given ? '

the lama disregarded Kim 's plans for an early flight .

' It is no wrong to pay for learning .

to help the ignorant to wisdom is always a merit . '

the rosary clicked furiously as an abacus .

then he faced his oppressors .

' Ask them for how much money do they give a wise and suitable teaching ?

and in what city is that teaching given ? '

' Well , ' said Father Victor in English , when Kim had translated , ' that depends .

this took some time to interpret , for Bennett wished to cut it short .

' He wants to know how much ? ' said Kim placidly .

' Two or three hundred rupees a year . '

father Victor was long past any sense of amazement .

Bennett , impatient , did not understand .

' He says : " write that name and the money upon a paper and give it him . "

and he says you must write your name below , because he is going to write a letter in some days to you .

he says you are a good man .

he says the other man is a fool .

he is going away . '

the lama rose suddenly .

' I follow my Search , ' he cried , and was gone .

Kim made swift motion to follow , but checked himself .

there was no sound of challenge outside .

the lama had disappeared .

Kim settled himself composedly on the Chaplain 's cot .

at least the lama had promised that he would stay with the Raiput woman from Kulu , and the rest was of the smallest importance .

it pleased him that the two padres were so evidently excited .

they talked long in undertones , Father Victor urging some scheme on Mr Bennett , who seemed incredulous .

all this was very new and fascinating , but Kim felt sleepy .

they did not seem to think the woman a good guardian .

after all , this was the newest of his experiences .

sooner or later , if he chose , he could escape into great , grey , formless India , beyond tents and padres and colonels .

meantime , if the Sahibs were to be impressed , he would do his best to impress them .

he too was a white man .

' It 's miraculous past all whooping , Colonel , ' said Father Victor , when he had talked without a break for ten minutes .

' His Buddhist friend has levanted after taking my name and address .

then to Kim : ' You 'll live to be grateful to your friend the Red Bull yet .

we 'll make a man of you at Sanawar even at the price o ' making you a Protestant . '

' Certainly most certainly , ' said Bennett .

' But you will not go to Sanawar , ' said Kim .

' But we will go to Sanawar , little man .

that 's the order of the Commander-in-Chief , who 's a trifle more important than O'Hara's son . '

' You will not go to Sanawar .

you will go to thee War . '

there was a shout of laughter from the full tent .

' When you know your own Regiment a trifle better you won't confuse the line of march with line of battle , Kim .

we hope to go to " thee War " sometime . '

' Oah , I know all thatt . '

Kim drew his bow again at a venture .

it is a war of eight thousand men , besides the guns . '

' That 's explicit .

D'you add prophecy to your other gifts ?

take him along , sergeant .

take up a suit for him from the Drums , an ' take care he doesn't slip through your fingers .

who says the age of miracles is gone by ?

I think I 'll go to bed .

my poor mind 's weakening . '

' A most amazin ' young bird , ' said the sergeant .

the buck-Brahmin evaporates without explanations , an ' the bhoy sets cross-legged on the Chaplain 's bed prophesyin ' bloody war to the men at large .

Injia 's a wild land for a God-fearin ' man .

I 'll just tie his leg to the tent-pole in case he 'll go through the roof .

what did ye say about the war ? '

' Eight thousand men , besides guns , ' said Kim .

' Very soon you will see . '

' You're a consolin ' little imp .

lie down between the Drums an ' go to bye-bye .

those two boys will watch your slumbers . '

chapter @number@

now I remember comrades Old playmates on new seas Whenas we traded orpiment Among the savages .

ten thousand leagues to southward , And thirty years removed They knew not noble Valdez , But me they knew and loved .

Song of Diego Valdez .

very early in the morning the white tents came down and disappeared as the Mavericks took a side-road to Umballa .

he discovered that he was closely watched Father Victor on the one side , and Mr Bennett on the other .

in the forenoon the column checked .

A camel-orderly handed the Colonel a letter .

he read it , and spoke to a Major .

half a mile in the rear , Kim heard a hoarse and joyful clamour rolling down on him through the thick dust .

then someone beat him on the back , crying : ' Tell us how ye knew , ye little limb of Satan ?

Father dear , see if ye can make him tell . '

a pony ranged alongside , and he was hauled on to the priest 's saddlebow .

' Now , my son , your prophecy of last night has come true .

our orders are to entrain at Umballa for the Front tomorrow . '

' What is thatt ? ' said Kim , for ' front ' and ' entrain ' were newish words to him .

' We are going to " thee War , " as you called it . '

' Of course you are going to thee War .

I said last night . '

' Ye did ; but , Powers o ' Darkness , how did ye know ? '

Kim 's eyes sparkled .

he shut his lips , nodded his head , and looked unspeakable things .

the Chaplain moved on through the dust , and privates , sergeants , and subalterns called one another 's attention to the boy .

the Colonel , at the head of the column , stared at him curiously .

' It was probably some bazar rumour . ' he said ; ' but even then ' He referred to the paper in his hand .

' Hang it all , the thing was only decided within the last forty-eight hours . '

' Now I have told you , ' said the boy , ' will you let me go back to my old man ?

if he has not stayed with that woman from Kulu , I am afraid he will die . '

' By what I saw of him he 's as well able to take care of himself as you .

no .

ye 've brought us luck , an ' we 're goin ' to make a man of you .

I 'll take ye back to your baggage-cart and ye 'll come to me this evening . '

for the rest of the day Kim found himself an object of distinguished consideration among a few hundred white men .

the story of his appearance in camp , the discovery of his parentage , and his prophecy , had lost nothing in the telling .

a big , shapeless white woman on a pile of bedding asked him mysteriously whether he thought her husband would come back from the war .

Kim reflected gravely , and said that he would , and the woman gave him food .

so far , there was no sign of hard work , and he resolved to lend the spectacle his patronage .

at evening there came out to meet them bands of music , and played the Mavericks into camp near Umballa railway station .

that was an interesting night .

men of other regiments came to visit the Mavericks .

the Mavericks went visiting on their own account .

the Mavericks had a reputation for liveliness to live up to .

life as a Sahib was amusing so far ; but he touched it with a cautious hand .

Native-fashion , he curled himself up on a stripped cot and went to sleep .

an angry man stumped down the veranda , woke him up , and said he was a schoolmaster .

this was enough for Kim , and he retired into his shell .

Kim had been kicked as far as single letters , but did not think well of them .

' I do not know anything .

go away ! ' said Kim , scenting evil .

this he managed very successfully .

suddenly a beautiful idea occurred to him , and he wondered that he had not thought of it before .

the man dismissed them , and first to spring through the veranda into the open sunshine was Kim .

" ere , you !

' Alt !

stop ! ' said a high voice at his heels .

' I 've got to look after you .

my orders are not to let you out of my sight .

where are you goin' ? '

' To the bazar to get sweets for you , ' said Kim , after thought .

' Well , the bazar 's out o ' bounds .

if we go there we 'll get a dressing-down .

you come back . '

' How near can we go ? '

Kim did not know what bounds meant , but he wished to be polite for the present .

" Ow near ?

' Ow far , you mean !

we can go as far as that tree down the road . '

' Then I will go there . '

' All right .

I ain't goin' .

it 's too ' ot .

I can watch you from ' ere .

it 's no good your runnin ' away .

if you did , they 'd spot you by your clothes .

that 's regimental stuff you're wearin ' .

there ain't a picket in Umballa wouldn't ' ead you back quicker than you started out . '

this did not impress Kim as much as the knowledge that his raiment would tire him out if he tried to run .

he slouched to the tree at the corner of a bare road leading towards the bazar , and eyed the natives passing .

most of them were barrack-servants of the lowest caste .

the low , quick answer undeceived him .

Kim put his fettered soul into it , thankful for the late chance to abuse somebody in the tongue he knew best .

' And now , go to the nearest letter-writer in the bazar and tell him to come here .

I would write a letter . '

' But but what manner of white man 's son art thou to need a bazar letter-writer ?

is there not a schoolmaster in the barracks ? '

' Ay ; and Hell is full of the same sort .

do my order , you you Od !

thy mother was married under a basket !

the sweeper shuffled off in haste .

' He needs thee . '

' Will he pay ? ' said the spruce scribe , gathering up his desk and pens and sealing-wax all in order .

' I do not know .

he is not like other boys .

go and see .

it is well worth . '

Kim danced with impatience when the slim young Kayeth hove in sight .

as soon as his voice could carry he cursed him volubly .

' First I will take my pay , ' the letter-writer said .

' Bad words have made the price higher .

but who art thou , dressed in that fashion , to speak in this fashion ? '

' Aha !

that is in the letter which thou shalt write .

never was such a tale .

but I am in no haste .

another writer will serve me .

Umballa city is as full of them as is Lahore . '

' Four annas , ' said the writer , sitting down and spreading his cloth in the shade of a deserted barrack-wing .

mechanically Kim squatted beside him squatted as only the natives can in spite of the abominable clinging trousers .

the writer regarded him sideways .

' That is the price to ask of Sahibs , ' said Kim .

' Now fix me a true one . '

' An anna and a half .

how do I know , having written the letter , that thou wilt not run away ? '

I must not go beyond this tree , and there is also the stamp to be considered . '

' I get no commission on the price of the stamp .

once more , what manner of white boy art thou ? '

' That shall be said in the letter , which is to Mahbub Ali , the horse-dealer in the Kashmir Serai , at Lahore .

he is my friend . '

' Wonder on wonder ! ' murmured the letter-writer , dipping a reed in the inkstand .

' To be written in Hindi ? '

' Assuredly .

to Mahbub Ali then .

begin !

I have come down with the old man as far as Umballa in the train .

at Umballa I carried the news of the bay mare 's pedigree . '

after what he had seen in the garden , he was not going to write of white stallions .

' Slower a little .

what has a bay mare to do ....y

is it Mahbub Ali , the great dealer ? '

' Who else ?

I have been in his service .

take more ink .

again .

as the order was , so I did it .

we then went on foot towards Benares , but on the third day we found a certain regiment .

is that down ? '

' Ay , pulton , ' murmured the writer , all ears .

one priest , however , was a fool .

the clothes are very heavy , but I am a Sahib and my heart is heavy too .

they send me to a school and beat me .

I do not like the air and water here .

' " who writes this . "

it is my own fault that I was tricked .

thou art as clever as Husain Bux that forged the Treasury stamps at Nucklao .

but what a tale !

what a tale !

is it true by any chance ? '

' It does not profit to tell lies to Mahbub Ali .

it is better to help his friends by lending them a stamp .

when the money comes I will repay . '

Mahbub Ali 's was a name of power in Umballa .

' That is the way to win a good account with the Gods , ' Kim shouted after him .

' Pay me twice over when the money comes , ' the man cried over his shoulder .

' What was you bukkin ' to that nigger about ? ' said the drummer-boy when Kim returned to the veranda .

' I was watch-in ' you . '

' I was only talkin ' to him . '

' You talk the same as a nigger , don't you ? '

' No-ah !

No-ah !

I onlee speak a little .

what shall we do now ? '

' The bugles 'll go for dinner in arf a minute .

my Gawd !

I wish I 'd gone up to the Front with the Regiment .

it 's awful doin ' nothin ' but school down ' ere .

don't you ' ate it ? '

' Oah yess ! '

you can't desert without bein ' took back at once .

I 'm fair sick of it . '

' You have been in Be England ? '

' W'y , I only come out last troopin ' season with my mother .

I should think I ' ave been in England .

what a ignorant little beggar you are !

you was brought up in the gutter , wasn't you ? '

' Oah yess .

tell me something about England .

my father he came from there . '

though he would not say so , Kim of course disbelieved every word the drummer-boy spoke about the Liverpool suburb which was his England .

it passed the heavy time till dinner a most unappetizing meal served to the boys and a few invalids in a corner of a barrack-room .

but that he had written to Mahbub Ali , Kim would have been almost depressed .

the indifference of native crowds he was used to ; but this strong loneliness among white men preyed on him .

the priest was reading an English letter written in purple ink .

he looked at Kim more curiously than ever .

' An ' how do you like it , my son , as far as you 've gone ?

not much , eh ?

it must be hard very hard on a wild animal .

listen now .

I 've an amazin ' epistle from your friend . '

' Where is he ?

is he well ?

Oah !

if he knows to write me letters , it is all right . '

' You 're fond of him then ? '

' Of course I am fond of him .

he was fond of me . '

' It seems so by the look of this .

he can't write English , can he ? '

' Oah no .

not that I know , but of course he found a letter-writer who can write English verree well , and so he wrote .

I do hope you understand . '

' That accounts for it .

D'you know anything about his money affairs ? '

Kim 's face showed that he did not .

' How can I tell ? '

' That 's what I 'm askin ' .

now listen if you can make head or tail o ' this .

we 'll skip the first part ....y

it 's written from Jagadhir Road ....v

education is greatest blessing if of best sorts .

otherwise no earthly use . "

Faith , the old man 's hit the bull's-eye that time !

now what in the world does that mean ? '

' She has asked him to be her puro her clergyman at Saharunpore , I think .

he would not do that on account of his River .

she did talk . '

' It 's clear to you , is it ?

it beats me altogether .

P. M.

please note boy is apple of eye , and rupees shall be sent per hoondi three hundred per annum .

for God Almighty 's sake . "

now , is that ravin ' lunacy or a business proposition ?

I ask you , because I 'm fairly at my wits ' end . '

' He says he will give me three hundred rupees a year ?

so he will give me them . '

' Oh , that 's the way you look at it , is it ? '

' Of course .

if he says so ! '

the priest whistled ; then he addressed Kim as an equal .

' I don't believe it ; but we 'll see .

ye 'd be brought up to the Church of England .

Bennett arranged for that .

on the other hand , if ye go to St Xavier 's ye 'll get a better education an an can have the religion .

D'ye see my dilemma ?

Kim saw nothing save a vision of the lama going south in a train with none to beg for him .

' Like most people , I 'm going to temporize .

if he doesn't , ye 'll go to the Military Orphanage at the Regiment 's expense .

I 'll allow him three days ' grace , though I don't believe it at all .

even then , if he fails in his payments later on ....y but it 's beyond me .

we can only walk one step at a time in this world , praise God !

An ' they sent Bennett to the Front an ' left me behind .

Bennett can't expect everything . '

' Oah yess , ' said Kim vaguely .

the priest leaned forward .

' I 'd give a month 's pay to find what 's goin ' on inside that little round head of yours . '

' There is nothing , ' said Kim , and scratched it .

he was wondering whether Mahbub Ali would send him as much as a whole rupee .

then he could pay the letter-writer and write letters to the lama at Benares .

perhaps Mahbub Ali would visit him next time he came south with horses .

but if Mahbub Ali did not know this , it would be very unsafe to tell him so .

Mahbub Ali was hard upon boys who knew , or thought they knew , too much .

' Well , till I get further news ' Father Victor 's voice interrupted the reverie .

' Ye can run along now and play with the other boys .

they 'll teach ye something but I don't think ye 'll like it . '

the day dragged to its weary end .

when he wished to sleep he was instructed how to fold up his clothes and set out his boots ; the other boys deriding .

then he attempted running off to the village where the priest had tried to drug the lama the village where the old soldier lived .

but far-seeing sentries at every exit headed back the little scarlet figure .

Trousers and jacket crippled body and mind alike so he abandoned the project and fell back , Oriental-fashion , on time and chance .

three days of torment passed in the big , echoing white rooms .

Kim knew and despised them all long ago .

the boy resented his silence and lack of interest by beating him , as was only natural .

he did not care for any of the bazars which were in bounds .

this somewhat consoled Kim for the beatings .

on the morning of the fourth day a judgement overtook that drummer .

they had gone out together towards Umballa racecourse .

these tidings came to Father Victor , and he drew down his long upper lip .

' Powers of Darkness below ! '

father Victor fumbled with the note .

' An ' now he 's off with another of his peep-o'-day friends .

I don't know whether it will be a greater relief to me to get him back or to have him lost .

he 's beyond my comprehension .

how the Divil yes , he 's the man I mean can a street-beggar raise money to educate white boys ? '

' But , Little Friend of all the World , there is my honour and reputation to be considered .

all the officer-Sahibs in all the regiments , and all Umballa , know Mahbub Ali .

men saw me pick thee up and chastise that boy .

we are seen now from far across this plain .

they would put me in jail .

be patient .

once a Sahib , always a Sahib .

when thou art a man who knows ? thou wilt be grateful to Mahbub Ali . '

' Take me beyond their sentries where I can change this red .

give me money and I will go to Benares and be with my lama again .

I do not want to be a Sahib , and remember I did deliver that message . '

the stallion bounded wildly .

Mahbub Ali had incautiously driven home the sharp-edged stirrup .

( he was not the new sort of fluent horse-dealer who wears English boots and spurs . )

Kim drew his own conclusions from that betrayal .

' That was a small matter .

it lay on the straight road to Benares .

I and the Sahib have by this time forgotten it .

I send so many letters and messages to men who ask questions about horses , I cannot well remember one from the other .

was it some matter of a bay mare that Peters Sahib wished the pedigree of ? '

Kim saw the trap at once .

Kim replied therefore :

' Bay mare .

no .

I do not forget my messages thus .

it was a white stallion . '

' Ay , so it was .

a white Arab stallion .

but thou didst write " bay mare " to me . '

' Who cares to tell truth to a letter-writer ? '

Kim answered , feeling Mahbub 's palm on his heart .

' Hi !

Mahbub , you old villain , pull up ! ' cried a voice , and an Englishman raced alongside on a little polo-pony .

' I 've been chasing you half over the country .

that Kabuli of yours can go .

for sale , I suppose ? '

' I have some young stuff coming on made by Heaven for the delicate and difficult polo-game .

he has no equal .

he '

' Plays polo and waits at table .

yes .

we know all that .

what the deuce have you got there ? '

' A ..y boy , ' said Mahbub gravely .

' He was being beaten by another boy .

his father was once a white soldier in the big war .

the boy was a child in Lahore city .

he played with my horses when he was a babe .

now I think they will make him a soldier .

he has been newly caught by his father 's Regiment that went up to the war last week .

but I do not think he wants to be a soldier .

I take him for a ride .

tell me where thy barracks are and I will set thee there . '

' Let me go .

I can find the barracks alone . '

' And if thou runnest away who will say it is not my fault ? '

' He 'll run back to his dinner .

where has he to run to ? ' the Englishman asked .

' He was born in the land .

he has friends .

he goes where he chooses .

he is a chabuk sawai a sharp chap .

it needs only to change his clothing , and in a twinkling he would be a low-caste Hindu boy . '

' The deuce he would ! '

the Englishman looked critically at the boy as Mahbub headed towards the barracks .

Kim ground his teeth .

Mahbub was mocking him , as faithless Afghans will ; for he went on :

' They will send him to a school and put heavy boots on his feet and swaddle him in these clothes .

then he will forget all he knows .

now , which of the barracks is thine ? '

Kim pointed he could not speak to Father Victor 's wing , all staring white near by .

' Perhaps he will make a good soldier , ' said Mahbub reflectively .

' He will make a good orderly at least .

I sent him to deliver a message once from Lahore .

a message concerning the pedigree of a white stallion . '

here was deadly insult on deadlier injury and the Sahib to whom he had so craftily given that war-waking letter heard it all .

and Mahbub stared deliberately at the Englishman , who stared as deliberately at Kim , quivering and tongue-tied .

' My horse is well trained , ' said the dealer .

' Others would have kicked , Sahib . '

' Ah , ' said the Englishman at last , rubbing his pony 's damp withers with his whip-butt .

' Who makes the boy a soldier ? '

' He says the Regiment that found him , and especially the Padre-sahib of that regiment .

' There is the Padre ! '

Kim choked as bare-headed Father Victor sailed down upon them from the veranda .

' Powers O ' Darkness below , O'Hara !

how many more mixed friends do you keep in Asia ? ' he cried , as Kim slid down and stood helplessly before him .

' Good morning , Padre , ' the Englishman said cheerily .

' I know you by reputation well enough .

meant to have come over and called before this .

I 'm Creighton . '

' Of the Ethnological Survey ? ' said Father Victor .

the Englishman nodded .

' Faith , I 'm glad to meet ye then ; an ' I owe you some thanks for bringing back the boy . '

' No thanks to me , Padre .

besides , the boy wasn't going away .

you don't know old Mahbub Ali . '

the horse-dealer sat impassive in the sunlight .

' You will when you have been in the station a month .

he sells us all our crocks .

that boy is rather a curiosity .

can you tell me anything about him ? '

' Can I tell you ? ' puffed Father Victor .

' You 'll be the one man that could help me in my quandaries .

tell you !

Powers o ' Darkness , I 'm bursting to tell someone who knows something o ' the native ! '

a groom came round the corner .

Colonel Creighton raised his voice , speaking in Urdu .

' Very good , Mahbub Ali , but what is the use of telling me all those stories about the pony ?

not one pice more than three hundred and fifty rupees will I give . '

' The Sahib is a little hot and angry after riding , ' the horse-dealer returned , with the leer of a privileged jester .

' Presently , he will see my horse 's points more clearly .

I will wait till he has finished his talk with the Padre .

I will wait under that tree . '

' Confound you ! '

the Colonel laughed .

' That comes of looking at one of Mahbub 's horses .

he 's a regular old leech , Padre .

wait , then , if thou hast so much time to spare , Mahbub .

now I 'm at your service , Padre .

where is the boy ?

oh , he 's gone off to collogue with Mahbub .

queer sort of boy .

might I ask you to send my mare round under cover ? '

he dropped into a chair which commanded a clear view of Kim and Mahbub Ali in conference beneath the tree .

the Padre went indoors for cheroots .

' That is all one . '

the great red beard wagged solemnly .

' Children should not see a carpet on the loom till the pattern is made plain .

believe me , Friend of all the World , I do thee great service .

they will not make a soldier of thee . '

' You crafty old sinner ! ' thought Creighton .

' But you 're not far wrong .

that boy mustn't be wasted if he is as advertised . '

' Excuse me half a minute , ' cried the Padre from within , ' but I 'm gettin ' the documents in the case . '

' Nay , nay !

what will they give thee for blood-money ? '

' A cheerful young demon ! '

the Colonel bit his cigar , and turned politely to Father Victor .

' What are the letters that the fat priest is waving before the Colonel ?

stand behind the stallion as though looking at my bridle ! ' said Mahbub Ali .

' Oho !

is old Red Hat of that sort ?

at which school ? '

' God knows .

I think in Nucklao . '

' Yes .

there is a big school there for the sons of Sahibs and half-Sahibs .

I have seen it when I sell horses there .

so the lama also loved the Friend of all the World ? '

' Ay ; and he did not tell lies , or return me to captivity . '

' Small wonder the Padre does not know how to unravel the thread .

how fast he talks to the Colonel Sahib ! '

Mahbub Ali chuckled .

I have had some few dealings in hoondis .

the Colonel Sahib is looking at it . '

' What good is all this to me ? ' said Kim wearily .

' I do not think that .

have patience , child .

all Pathans are not faithless except in horseflesh . '

five ten fifteen minutes passed , Father Victor talking energetically or asking questions which the Colonel answered .

' Now I 've told you everything that I know about the boy from beginnin to end ; and it 's a blessed relief to me .

did ye ever hear the like ? '

' At any rate , the old man has sent the money .

Gobind Sahai 's notes of hand are good from here to China , ' said the Colonel .

' The more one knows about natives the less can one say what they will or won't do . '

' That 's consolin ' from the head of the Ethnological Survey .

are you a Mason , by any chance ? '

' By Jove , I am , now I come to think of it .

that 's an additional reason , ' said the Colonel absently .

' I 'm glad ye see a reason in it .

but as I said , it 's the mixture o ' things that 's beyond me .

they 'll cure all that nonsense at St Xavier 's , eh ? '

' Sprinkle him with holy water , ' the Colonel laughed .

' On my word , I fancy I ought to sometimes .

but I 'm hoping he 'll be brought up as a good Catholic .

all that troubles me is what'll happen if the old beggar-man '

' Lama , lama , my dear sir ; and some of them are gentlemen in their own country . '

' The lama , then , fails to pay next year .

he 's a fine business head to plan on the spur of the moment , but he 's bound to die some day .

An ' takin ' a heathen 's money to give a child a Christian education '

' But he said explicitly what he wanted .

as soon as he knew the boy was white he seems to have made his arrangements accordingly .

I 'd give a month 's pay to hear how he explained it all at the Tirthankars ' Temple at Benares .

I mean , his heirs will assume the debt .

my advice to you is , send the boy down to Lucknow .

if your Anglican Chaplain thinks you 've stolen a march on him '

' Bad luck to Bennett !

he was sent to the Front instead o ' me .

Doughty certified me medically unfit .

I 'll excommunicate Doughty if he comes back alive !

surely Bennett ought to be content with '

' Glory , leaving you the religion .

quite so !

as a matter of fact I don't think Bennett will mind .

put the blame on me .

I er strongly recommend sending the boy to St Xavier 's .

he can go down on pass as a soldier 's orphan , so the railway fare will be saved .

you can buy him an outfit from the Regimental subscription .

the Lodge will be saved the expense of his education , and that will put the Lodge in a good temper .

it 's perfectly easy .

I 've got to go down to Lucknow next week .

I 'll look after the boy on the way give him in charge of my servants , and so on . '

' You're a good man . '

' Not in the least .

don't make that mistake .

the lama has sent us money for a definite end .

we can't very well return it .

we shall have to do as he says .

well , that 's settled , isn't it ?

shall we say that , Tuesday next , you 'll hand him over to me at the night train south ?

that 's only three days .

he can't do much harm in three days . '

' You've never been a subaltern in debt .

I 'll cash it if you like , and send you the vouchers in proper order . '

' But with all your own work too !

it 's askin ' '

' It 's not the least trouble indeed .

you see , as an ethnologist , the thing 's very interesting to me .

I 'd like to make a note of it for some Government work that I 'm doing .

the transformation of a regimental badge like your Red Bull into a sort of fetish that the boy follows is very interesting . '

' But I can't thank you enough . '

' There 's one thing you can do .

all we Ethnological men are as jealous as jackdaws of one another 's discoveries .

they 're of no interest to anyone but ourselves , of course , but you know what book-collectors are like .

I 'll worm them out of the boy later on and you see ? '

' I do .

ye 'll make a wonderful account of it .

never a word will I say to anyone till I see it in print . '

' Thank you .

that goes straight to an ethnologist 's heart .

well , I must be getting back to my breakfast .

good Heavens !

old Mahbub here still ? '

' So say I also , Mahbub .

the colt will be entered for polo only .

( these fellows think of nothing in the world but horses , Padre . )

I 'll see you tomorrow , Mahbub , if you 've anything likely for sale . '

the dealer saluted , horseman-fashion , with a sweep of the off hand .

' Be patient a little , Friend of all the World , ' he whispered to the agonized Kim .

' Thy fortune is made .

in a little while thou goest to Nucklao , and here is something to pay the letter-writer .

I shall see thee again , I think , many times , ' and he cantered off down the road .

' Listen to me , ' said the Colonel from the veranda , speaking in the vernacular .

' In three days thou wilt go with me to Lucknow , seeing and hearing new things all the while .

therefore sit still for three days and do not run away .

thou wilt go to school at Lucknow . '

' Shall I meet my Holy One there ? '

Kim whimpered .

' At least Lucknow is nearer to Benares than Umballa .

it may be thou wilt go under my protection .

Mahbub Ali knows this , and he will be angry if thou returnest to the Road now .

remember much has been told me which I do not forget . '

' I will wait , ' said Kim , ' but the boys will beat me . '

then the bugles blew for dinner .

chapter @number@

unto whose use the pregnant suns are poised With idiot moons and stars retracing stars ?

creep thou betweene thy coming 's all unnoised .

Heaven hath her high , as Earth her baser , wars .

Sir John Christie .

then he ran to the bazar , and found the young letter-writer to whom he owed a stamp .

' Now I pay , ' said Kim royally , ' and now I need another letter to be written . '

' Mahbub Ali is in Umballa , ' said the writer jauntily .

he was , by virtue of his office , a bureau of general misinformation .

' This is not to Mahbub , but to a priest .

take thy pen and write quickly .

to Teshoo Lama , the Holy One from Bhotiyal seeking for a River , who is now in the Temple of the Tirthankars at Benares .

take more ink !

in three days I am to go down to Nucklao to the school at Nucklao .

the name of the school is Xavier .

I do not know where that school is , but it is at Nucklao . '

' But I know Nucklao , ' the writer interrupted .

' I know the school . '

' Tell him where it is , and I give half an anna . '

the reed pen scratched busily .

' He cannot mistake . '

the man lifted his head .

' Who watches us across the street ? '

Kim looked up hurriedly and saw Colonel Creighton in tennis-flannels .

' Oh , that is some Sahib who knows the fat priest in the barracks .

he is beckoning me . '

' What dost thou ? ' said the Colonel , when Kim trotted up .

' I I am not running away .

I send a letter to my Holy One at Benares . '

' I had not thought of that .

Hast thou said that I take thee to Lucknow ? '

' Nay , I have not .

read the letter , if there be a doubt . '

' Then why hast thou left out my name in writing to that Holy One ? '

the Colonel smiled a queer smile .

Kim took his courage in both hands .

' Thou hast been well taught , ' the Colonel replied , and Kim flushed .

' I have left my cheroot-case in the Padre 's veranda .

bring it to my house this even . '

' Where is the house ? ' said Kim .

his quick wit told him that he was being tested in some fashion or another , and he stood on guard .

' Ask anyone in the big bazar . '

the Colonel walked on .

' He has forgotten his cheroot-case , ' said Kim , returning .

' I must bring it to him this evening .

that is all my letter except , thrice over , Come to me !

come to me !

come to me !

now I will pay for a stamp and put it in the post .

he rose to go , and as an afterthought asked : ' Who is that angry-faced Sahib who lost the cheroot-case ? '

' Oh , he is only Creighton Sahib a very foolish Sahib , who is a Colonel Sahib without a regiment . '

' What is his business ? '

' God knows .

the dealers call him the father of fools , because he is so easily cheated about a horse .

Mahbub Ali says he is madder than most other Sahibs . '

' Oh ! ' said Kim , and departed .

the Commander-in-Chief of all India does not talk , as Kim had heard him talk , to fools .

and , like the horse-dealer , the Colonel evidently respected people who did not show themselves to be too clever .

here was a man after his own heart a tortuous and indirect person playing a hidden game .

Well , if he could be a fool , so could Kim .

they know all about your comin ' , an ' the Colonel will see that ye 're not lost or mislaid anywhere on the road .

better say Roman Cath'lic , tho ' I 'm not fond of the word . '

Kim lit a rank cigarette he had been careful to buy a stock in the bazar and lay down to think .

this solitary passage was very different from that joyful down-journey in the third-class with the lama .

' Sahibs get little pleasure of travel , ' he reflected .

' Hai mai !

I go from one place to another as it might be a kickball .

it is my Kismet .

no man can escape his Kismet .

but I am to pray to Bibi Miriam , and I am a Sahib . '

he looked at his boots ruefully .

' No ; I am Kim .

this is the great world , and I am only Kim .

who is Kim ? '

he considered his own identity , a thing he had never done before , till his head swam .

he was one insignificant person in all this roaring whirl of India , going southward to he knew not what fate .

presently the Colonel sent for him , and talked for a long time .

so far as Kim could gather , he was to be diligent and enter the Survey of India as a chain-man .

Kim pretended at first to understand perhaps one word in three of this talk .

then the Colonel , seeing his mistake , turned to fluent and picturesque Urdu and Kim was contented .

what then ? '

Kim thought .

would it be safe to return the Colonel 's lead ?

' I would tell what that other man had said . '

' How can I tell ?

I am only a boy .

wait till I am a man . '

' By what road ? '

Kim shook his head resolutely .

' If I said how I would earn them , another man might hear and forestall me .

it is not good to sell knowledge for nothing . '

' Tell now . '

the Colonel held up a rupee .

Kim 's hand half reached towards it , and dropped .

' Nay , Sahib ; nay .

I know the price that will be paid for the answer , but I do not know why the question is asked . '

' Take it for a gift , then , ' said Creighton , tossing it over .

' There is a good spirit in thee .

do not let it be blunted at St Xavier 's .

there are many boys there who despise the black men . '

' Their mothers were bazar-women , ' said Kim .

he knew well there is no hatred like that of the half-caste for his brother-in-law .

' True ; but thou art a Sahib and the son of a Sahib .

therefore , do not at any time be led to contemn the black men .

I have known boys newly entered into the service of the Government who feigned not to understand the talk or the customs of black men .

their pay was cut for ignorance .

there is no sin so great as ignorance .

remember this . '

several times in the course of the long twenty-four hours ' run south did the Colonel send for Kim , always developing this latter text .

he will use me as Mahbub Ali employed me , I think .

that is good , if it allows me to return to the Road again .

this clothing grows no easier by wear . '

when they came to the crowded Lucknow station there was no sign of the lama .

he swallowed his disappointment , while the Colonel bundled him into a ticca-gharri with his neat belongings and despatched him alone to St Xavier 's .

' I do not say farewell , because we shall meet again , ' he cried .

' Again , and many times , if thou art one of good spirit .

but thou art not yet tried . '

' Not when I brought thee ' Kim actually dared to use the turn of equals ' a white stallion 's pedigree that night ? '

it took him nearly five minutes to recover .

then he sniffed the new air appreciatively .

' A rich city , ' he said .

' Richer than Lahore .

how good the bazars must be !

Coachman , drive me a little through the bazars here . '

' My order is to take thee to the school . '

the driver used the ' thou ' , which is rudeness when applied to a white man .

kings have adorned her with fantastic buildings , endowed her with charities , crammed her with pensioners , and drenched her with blood .

she is the centre of all idleness , intrigue , and luxury , and shares with Delhi the claim to talk the only pure Urdu .

' A fair city a beautiful city . '

' Now we will go to the school , ' said Kim at last .

' What like of folk are they within ? ' said Kim .

' Young Sahibs all devils .

' Stop ! ' he cried .

' Stay here .

I do not go to the school at once . '

' But what is to pay me for this coming and re-coming ? ' said the driver petulantly .

' Is the boy mad ?

last time it was a dancing-girl .

this time it is a priest . '

Kim was in the road headlong , patting the dusty feet beneath the dirty yellow robe .

' I have waited here a day and a half , ' the lama's level voice began .

' Nay , I had a disciple with me .

he that was my friend at the Temple of the Tirthankars gave me a guide for this journey .

I came from Benares in the te-rain , when thy letter was given me .

yes , I am well fed .

I need nothing . '

' But why didst thou not stay with the Kulu woman , O Holy One ?

in what way didst thou get to Benares ?

my heart has been heavy since we parted . '

' The woman wearied me by constant flux of talk and requiring charms for children .

I separated myself from that company , permitting her to acquire merit by gifts .

she is at least a woman of open hands , and I made a promise to return to her house if need arose .

' Ah !

thy River , ' said Kim .

' I had forgotten the River . '

' So soon , my chela ?

I have never forgotten it .

there is debate in the Temple of the Tirthankars on this matter ; some saying one thing , and some another .

they are courteous folk . '

' So be it ; but what dost thou do now ? '

' I acquire merit in that I help thee , my chela , to wisdom .

the priest of that body of men who serve the Red Bull wrote me that all should be as I desired for thee .

they resolved my doubts most clearly .

I had a fear that , perhaps , I came because I wished to see thee misguided by the Red Mist of affection .

it is not so ....y

moreover , I am troubled by a dream . '

' But surely , Holy One , thou hast not forgotten the Road and all that befell on it .

surely it was a little to see me that thou didst come ? '

' The horses are cold , and it is past their feeding-time , ' whined the driver .

' Go to Jehannum and abide there with thy reputationless aunt ! '

Kim snarled over his shoulder .

' I am all alone in this land ; I know not where I go nor what shall befall me .

my heart was in that letter I sent thee .

except for Mahbub Ali , and he is a Pathan , I have no friend save thee , Holy One .

do not altogether go away . '

' I have considered that also , ' the lama replied , in a shaking voice .

so from time to time , therefore , I will come again .

that is my hope , for he was a Fountain of Wisdom wiser than many abbots ....y .

again , maybe thou wilt forget me and our meetings . '

' If I eat thy bread , ' cried Kim passionately , ' how shall I ever forget thee ? '

' No no . '

he put the boy aside .

' I must go back to Benares .

' But whither shall I send my letters ? ' wailed Kim , clutching at the robe , all forgetful that he was a Sahib .

' To the Temple of the Tirthankars at Benares .

that is the place I have chosen till I find my River .

do not weep ; for , look you , all Desire is Illusion and a new binding upon the Wheel .

go up to the Gates of Learning .

let me see thee go ....y

Dost thou love me ?

then go , or my heart cracks ....y

I will come again .

surely I will come again .

the lama watched the ticca-gharri rumble into the compound , and strode off , snuffing between each long stride .

' The Gates of Learning ' shut with a clang .

he suffered the usual penalties for breaking out of bounds when there was cholera in the city .

this was before he had learned to write fair English , and so was obliged to find a bazar letter-writer .

he was , of course , indicted for smoking and for the use of abuse more full-flavoured than even St Xavier 's had ever heard .

he learned to wash himself with the Levitical scrupulosity of the native-born , who in his heart considers the Englishman rather dirty .

a few were cadets of the old Eurasian houses that have taken strong root in Dhurrumtollah Pereiras , De Souzas , and D'Silvas .

Kim watched , listened , and approved .

this was not insipid , single-word talk of drummer-boys .

it dealt with a life he knew and in part understood .

the atmosphere suited him , and he throve by inches .

none the less he remembered to hold himself lowly .

one must never forget that one is a Sahib , and that some day , when examinations are passed , one will command natives .

Kim made a note of this , for he began to understand where examinations led .

then came the holidays from August to October the long holidays imposed by the heat and the Rains .

Kim was informed that he would go north to some station in the hills behind Umballa , where Father Victor would arrange for him .

' A barrack-school ? ' said Kim , who had asked many questions and thought more .

' Yes , I suppose so , ' said the master .

' It will not do you any harm to keep you out of mischief .

you can go up with young De Castro as far as Delhi . '

Kim considered it in every possible light .

he had been diligent , even as the Colonel advised .

moreover this was magic worth anything else he could write .

no word had come from the lama , but there remained the Road .

they would feed him raw beef on a platter at the barrack-school , and he must smoke by stealth .

but again , he was a Sahib and was at St Xavier 's , and that pig Mahbub Ali ....y

no , he would not test Mahbub 's hospitality and yet ....n

he thought it out alone in the dormitory , and came to the conclusion he had been unjust to Mahbub .

he was still lord of two rupees seven annas .

his new bullock-trunk , marked ' K . O'H . ' , and bedding-roll lay in the empty sleeping-room .

' Sahibs are always tied to their baggage , ' said Kim , nodding at them .

' Arre ' !

Dost thou know what manner of women we be in this quarter ?

oh , shame ! '

' Was I born yesterday ? '

Kim squatted native-fashion on the cushions of that upper room .

' A little dyestuff and three yards of cloth to help out a jest .

is it much to ask ? '

' Who is she ?

thou art full young , as Sahibs go , for this devilry . '

' Oh , she ?

she is the daughter of a certain schoolmaster of a regiment in the cantonments .

he has beaten me twice because I went over their wall in these clothes .

now I would go as a gardener 's boy .

old men are very jealous . '

' That is true .

hold thy face still while I dab on the juice . '

' Not too black , Naikan .

I would not appear to her as a hubshi ( nigger ) . '

' Oh , love makes nought of these things .

and how old is she ? '

' Twelve years , I think , ' said the shameless Kim .

' Spread it also on the breast .

it may be her father will tear my clothes off me , and if I am piebald ' he laughed .

the girl worked busily , dabbing a twist of cloth into a little saucer of brown dye that holds longer than any walnut-juice .

' Now send out and get me a cloth for the turban .

woe is me , my head is all unshaved !

and he will surely knock off my turban . '

' I am not a barber , but I will make shift .

thou wast born to be a breaker of hearts !

all this disguise for one evening ?

remember , the stuff does not wash away . '

she shook with laughter till her bracelets and anklets jingled .

' But who is to pay me for this ?

Huneefa herself could not have given thee better stuff . '

' Trust in the Gods , my sister , ' said Kim gravely , screwing his face round as the stain dried .

' Besides , hast thou ever helped to paint a Sahib thus before ? '

' Never indeed .

but a jest is not money . '

' It is worth much more . '

thou wilt go very far in this world . '

she gave the dancing-girls ' salutation in mockery .

' All one .

make haste and rough-cut my head . '

Kim shifted from foot to foot , his eyes ablaze with mirth as he thought of the fat days before him .

he gave the girl four annas , and ran down the stairs in the likeness of a low-caste Hindu boy perfect in every detail .

a cookshop was his next point of call , where he feasted in extravagance and greasy luxury .

on Lucknow station platform he watched young De Castro , all covered with prickly-heat , get into a second-class compartment .

Kim patronized a third , and was the life and soul of it .

in all India that night was no human being so joyful as Kim .

at Umballa he got out and headed eastward , plashing over the sodden fields to the village where the old soldier lived .

about this time Colonel Creighton at Simla was advised from Lucknow by wire that young O'Hara had disappeared .

Mahbub Ali was in town selling horses , and to him the Colonel confided the affair one morning cantering round Annandale racecourse .

' Oh , that is nothing , ' said the horse-dealer .

' Men are like horses .

at certain times they need salt , and if that salt is not in the mangers they will lick it up from the earth .

he has gone back to the Road again for a while .

the madrissak wearied him .

I knew it would .

another time , I will take him upon the Road myself .

do not be troubled , Creighton Sahib .

it is as though a polo-pony , breaking loose , ran out to learn the game alone . '

' Then he is not dead , think you ? '

' Fever might kill him .

I do not fear for the boy otherwise .

a monkey does not fall among trees . '

next morning , on the same course , Mahbub 's stallion ranged alongside the Colonel .

' It is as I had thought , ' said the horse-dealer .

' Read , ' said the Colonel , with a sigh of relief .

his evasion , of course , was the height of insolence , but it argued some resource and nerve .

Mahbub 's eyes twinkled as he reined out into the centre of the cramped little plain , where none could come near unseen .

' " the Friend of the Stars , who is the Friend of all the World " '

' What is this ? '

' A name we give him in Lahore city .

" the Friend of all the World takes leave to go to his own places .

he will come back upon the appointed day .

there is yet a little more , but '

' No matter , read . '

' " Certain things are not known to those who eat with forks .

it is better to eat with both hands for a while .

speak soft words to those who do not understand this that the return may be propitious . "

' Is this the Hand of Friendship to avert the Whip of Calamity ? ' laughed the Colonel .

' See how wise is the boy .

he would go back to the Road again , as I said .

not knowing yet thy trade '

' I am not at all sure of that , ' the Colonel muttered .

' He turns to me to make a peace between you .

is he not wise ?

he says he will return .

he is but perfecting his knowledge .

think , Sahib !

he has been three months at the school .

and he is not mouthed to that bit .

for my part , I rejoice .

the pony learns the game . '

' Ay , but another time he must not go alone . '

' Why ?

he went alone before he came under the Colonel Sahib 's protection .

when he comes to the Great Game he must go alone alone , and at peril of his head .

why hinder him now ?

remember how the Persians say : the jackal that lives in the wilds of Mazanderan can only be caught by the hounds of Mazanderan . '

' True .

it is true , Mahbub Ali .

and if he comes to no harm , I do not desire anything better .

but it is great insolence on his part . '

' He does not tell me , even , whither he goes , ' said Mahbub .

' He is no fool .

when his time is accomplished he will come to me .

it is time the healer of pearls took him in hand .

he ripens too quickly as Sahibs reckon . '

this prophecy was fulfilled to the letter a month later .

there was nobody within earshot to hear Mahbub 's gasp of amazement .

' Oho !

and where hast thou been ? '

' Up and down down and up . '

' Come under a tree , out of the wet , and tell . '

' I stayed for a while with an old man near Umballa ; anon with a household of my acquaintance in Umballa .

with one of these I went as far as Delhi to the southward .

that is a wondrous city .

it was a great feast ' ( Kim rubbed his stomach ) .

then I came back to the rel with a Sikh horseman , to whom I was groom for my bread ; and so here . '

' Shabash ! ' said Mahbub Ali .

' But what does the Colonel Sahib say ?

I do not wish to be beaten . '

this is too early . '

' Late enough for me .

I have learned to read and to write English a little at the madrissah .

I shall soon be altogether a Sahib . '

' Hear him ! ' laughed Mahbub , looking at the little drenched figure dancing in the wet .

' Salaam Sahib , ' and he saluted ironically .

' I come with thee , Mahbub Ali . '

chapter @number@

I would go without shirts or shoes , Friends , tobacco or bread Sooner than for an instant lose Either side of my head . '

the Two-Sided Man .

' Then in God 's name take blue for red , ' said Mahbub , alluding to the Hindu colour of Kim 's disreputable turban .

Kim countered with the old proverb , ' I will change my faith and my bedding , but thou must pay for it . '

the dealer laughed till he nearly fell from his horse .

at a shop on the outskirts of the city the change was made , and Kim stood up , externally at least , a Mohammedan .

' I have a desire to hear of that same madrissah . '

Mahbub stuffed himself with great boluses of spiced mutton fried in fat with cabbage and golden-brown onions .

' But tell me first , altogether and truthfully , the manner of thy escape .

' How should they ?

they do not know the land .

it was nothing , ' said Kim , and began his tale .

when he came to the disguisement and the interview with the girl in the bazar , Mahbub Ali 's gravity went from him .

he laughed aloud and beat his hand on his thigh .

' Shabash !

Shabash !

oh , well done , little one !

what will the healer of turquoises say to this ?

now , slowly , let us hear what befell afterwards step by step , omitting nothing . '

step by step then , Kim told his adventures between coughs as the full-flavoured tobacco caught his lungs .

' I said , ' growled Mahbub Ali to himself , ' I said it was the pony breaking out to play polo .

the fruit is ripe already except that he must learn his distances and his pacings , and his rods and his compasses .

listen now .

I have turned aside the Colonel 's whip from thy skin , and that is no small service . '

' True . '

Kim pulled serenely .

' That is true . '

' But it is not to be thought that this running out and in is any way good . '

' It was my holiday , Hajji .

I was a slave for many weeks .

why should I not run away when the school was shut ?

Mahbub 's lips twitched under his well-pruned Mohammedan moustache .

' What are a few rupees ' the Pathan threw out his open hand carelessly ' to the Colonel Sahib ?

he spends them for a purpose , not in any way for love of thee . '

' That , ' said Kim slowly , ' I knew a very long time ago . '

' Who told ? '

' The Colonel Sahib himself .

not in those many words , but plainly enough for one who is not altogether a mud-head .

yea , he told me in the te-rain when we went down to Lucknow . '

' Be it so .

then I will tell thee more , Friend of all the World , though in the telling I lend thee my head . '

' Speak a little plainer .

' And this is known to me also , ' said Kim , readjusting the live charcoal-ball on the weed .

' It is a very sure tie between us .

surely , too , the Colonel Sahib would make inquiries .

but I if I lived '

' As thou wouldst surely die '

up went a gout of heavy smoke .

' It is an order , ' said Kim blandly .

' Who am I to dispute an order ? '

' A most finished Son of Eblis , ' said Mahbub Ali .

' But what is this tale of the thief and the search ? '

the door was left unlocked , which I think is not thy custom , Mahbub .

he came in as one assured that thou wouldst not soon return .

my eye was against a knot-hole in the plank .

Else why did he prick with an iron between the soles of thy slippers ? '

' Ha ! '

Mahbub Ali smiled gently .

' And seeing these things , what tale didst thou fashion to thyself , Well of the Truth ? '

' None .

at that hour , had I chosen , thy head was forfeit .

it needed only to say to that man , " I have here a paper concerning a horse which I cannot read . "

and then ? '

Kim peered at Mahbub under his eyebrows .

' Then thou wouldst have drunk water twice perhaps thrice , afterwards .

I do not think more than thrice , ' said Mahbub simply .

' It is true .

I thought of that a little , but most I thought that I loved thee , Mahbub .

' And what did he ? ' for Kim had bitten off the conversation .

' Dost thou give news for love , or dost thou sell it ? '

Kim asked .

' I sell and I buy . '

Mahbub took a four-anna piece out of his belt and held it up .

' Eight ! ' said Kim , mechanically following the huckster instinct of the East .

Mahbub laughed , and put away the coin .

' It is too easy to deal in that market , Friend of all the World .

tell me for love .

our lives lie in each other 's hand . '

' Very good .

I saw the Jang-i-Lat Sahib the Commander-in-Chief come to a big dinner .

I saw him in Creighton Sahib 's office .

I saw the two read the white stallion 's pedigree .

I heard the very orders given for the opening of a great war . '

' Hah ! '

Mahbub nodded with deepest eyes afire .

' The game is well played .

that war is done now , and the evil , we hope , nipped before the flower thanks to me and thee .

what didst thou later ? '

but I bore away the old man 's purse , and the Brahmin found nothing .

so next morning he was angry .

Ho !

Ho !

and I also used the news when I fell into the hands of that white Regiment with their Bull ! '

' That was foolishness . '

Mahbub scowled .

' News is not meant to be thrown about like dung-cakes , but used sparingly like bhang . '

' So I think now , and moreover , it did me no sort of good .

' It is permitted , ' said Kim , and threw back the very tone .

' They say at Nucklao that no Sahib must tell a black man that he has made a fault . '

Mahbub 's hand shot into his bosom , for to call a Pathan a ' black man ' kala admi is a blood-insult .

then he remembered and laughed .

' Speak , Sahib .

thy black man hears . '

I was senseless ; for I was but newly caught , and I wished to kill that low-caste drummer-boy .

I say now , Hajji , that it was well done ; and I see my road all clear before me to a good service .

I will stay in the madrissah till I am ripe . '

' Well said .

especially are distances and numbers and the manner of using compasses to be learned in that game .

one waits in the Hills above to show thee . '

' I will learn their teaching upon a condition that my time is given to me without question when the madrissah is shut .

ask that for me of the Colonel . '

' But why not ask the Colonel in the Sahibs ' tongue ? '

' The Colonel is the servant of the Government .

he is sent hither and yon at a word , and must consider his own advancement .

( see how much I have already learned at Nucklao ! )

moreover , the Colonel I know since three months only .

I have known one Mahbub Ali for six years .

so !

to the madrissah I will go .

at the madrissah I will learn .

in the madrissah I will be a Sahib .

but when the madrissah is shut , then must I be free and go among my people .

otherwise I die ! '

' And who are thy people , Friend of all the World ? '

' And , further , I would see my lama again .

and , further , I need money . '

' That is the need of everyone , ' said Mahbub ruefully .

as to all the rest , I am well pleased , and no further talk is needed .

make haste to learn , and in three years , or it may be less , thou wilt be an aid even to me . '

' Have I been such a hindrance till now ? ' said Kim , with a boy 's giggle .

' Do not give answers , ' Mahbub grunted .

' Thou art my new horse-boy .

go and bed among my men .

they are near the north end of the station , with the horses . '

' They will beat me to the south end of the station if I come without authority . '

from Balkh to Bombay men know that rough-ridged print with the old scar running diagonally across it .

' That is enough to show my headman .

I come in the morning . '

' By which road ? ' said Kim .

' By the road from the city .

there is but one , and then we return to Creighton Sahib .

I have saved thee a beating . '

' Allah !

what is a beating when the very head is loose on the shoulders ? '

the headman , a broken-down , consumptive-looking Mohammedan , promptly challenged Kim , but was pacified at sight of Mahbub 's sign-manual .

' The Hajji has of his favour given me service , ' said Kim testily .

' If this be doubted , wait till he comes in the morning .

meantime , a place by the fire . '

followed the usual aimless babble that every low-caste native must raise on every occasion .

' I am very old , ' he thought sleepily .

' Every month I become a year more old .

I was very young , and a fool to boot , when I took Mahbub 's message to Umballa .

even when I was with that white Regiment I was very young and small and had no wisdom .

yes ; that is best .

to walk again as a chela with my lama when he comes back to Benares . '

the thoughts came more slowly and disconnectedly .

he was plunging into a beautiful dreamland when his ears caught a whisper , thin and sharp , above the monotonous babble round the fire .

it came from behind the iron-skinned horse-truck .

' He is not here , then ? '

' Where should he be but roystering in the city .

who looks for a rat in a frog-pond ?

come away .

he is not our man . '

' He must not go back beyond the Passes a second time .

it is the order . '

' Hire some woman to drug him .

it is a few rupees only , and there is no evidence . '

' Except the woman .

it must be more certain ; and remember the price upon his head . '

' Ay , but the police have a long arm , and we are far from the Border .

if it were in Peshawur , now ! '

' Yes in Peshawur , ' the second voice sneered .

' Peshawur , full of his blood-kin full of bolt-holes and women behind whose clothes he will hide .

yes , Peshawur or Jehannum would suit us equally well . '

' Then what is the plan ? '

' O fool , have I not told it a hundred times ?

wait till he comes to lie down , and then one sure shot .

the trucks are between us and pursuit .

we have but to run back over the lines and go our way .

they will not see whence the shot came .

wait here at least till the dawn .

what manner of fakir art thou , to shiver at a little watching ? '

' Oho ! ' thought Kim , behind close-shut eyes .

' Once again it is Mahbub .

indeed a white stallion 's pedigree is not a good thing to peddle to Sahibs !

or maybe Mahbub has been selling other news .

now what is to do , Kim ?

I know not where Mahbub houses , and if he comes here before the dawn they will shoot him .

that would be no profit for thee , Kim .

and this is not a matter for the police .

Allah !

here is Kim and yonder are they .

first , then , Kim must wake and go away , so that they shall not suspect .

a bad dream wakes a man thus '

' Urr-urr-urr-urr !

Ya-la-la-la-la !

Narain !

the churel !

the churel ! '

a churel is the peculiarly malignant ghost of a woman who has died in child-bed .

she haunts lonely roads , her feet are turned backwards on the ankles , and she leads men to torment .

after a few minutes he rolled towards the road and stole away into the thick darkness .

he paddled along swiftly till he came to a culvert , and dropped behind it , his chin on a level with the coping-stone .

here he could command all the night-traffic , himself unseen .

then rapped the shod feet of a horse .

' Ah !

this is more like Mahbub , ' thought Kim , as the beast shied at the little head above the culvert .

' Ohe ' , Mahbub Ali , ' he whispered , ' have a care ! '

the horse was reined back almost on its haunches , and forced towards the culvert .

' Never again , ' said Mahbub , ' will I take a shod horse for night-work .

they pick up all the bones and nails in the city . '

he stooped to lift its forefoot , and that brought his head within a foot of Kim 's .

' Down keep down , ' he muttered .

' The night is full of eyes . '

' Two men wait thy coming behind the horse-trucks .

they will shoot thee at thy lying down , because there is a price on thy head .

I heard , sleeping near the horses . '

' Didst thou see them ? ...

hold still , Sire of Devils ! '

this furiously to the horse .

' No. '

' Was one dressed belike as a fakir ? '

' One said to the other , " what manner of fakir art thou , to shiver at a little watching ? " '

' Good .

go back to the camp and lie down .

I do not die tonight . '

Mahbub wheeled his horse and vanished .

' At least Mahbub knows , ' he thought contentedly .

' And certainly he spoke as one expecting it .

I do not think those two men will profit by tonight 's watch . '

an hour passed , and , with the best will in the world to keep awake all night , he slept deeply .

Mahbub was anything but asleep .

it annoyed him vehemently that people outside his tribe and unaffected by his casual amours should pursue him for the life .

then a most brilliant notion struck him .

' The English do eternally tell the truth , ' he said , ' therefore we of this country are eternally made foolish .

by Allah , I will tell the truth to an Englishman !

of what use is the Government police if a poor Kabuli be robbed of his horses in their very trucks .

this is as bad as Peshawur !

I should lay a complaint at the station .

better still , some young Sahib on the Railway !

they are zealous , and if they catch thieves it is remembered to their honour . '

he tied up his horse outside the station , and strode on to the platform .

' What are you doing here ?

selling weeds eh ? '

' No ; I am not troubled for my horses .

I come to look for Lutuf Ullah .

I have a truck-load up the line .

could anyone take them out without the Railway 's knowledge ? '

' Shouldn't think so , Mahbub .

you can claim against us if they do . '

' I have seen two men crouching under the wheels of one of the trucks nearly all night .

fakirs do not steal horses , so I gave them no more thought .

I would find Lutuf Ullah , my partner . '

' The deuce you did ?

and you didn't bother your head about it ?

' Pon my word , it 's just almost as well that I met you .

what were they like , eh ? '

' They were only fakirs .

they will no more than take a little grain , perhaps , from one of the trucks .

there are many up the line .

the State will never miss the dole .

I came here seeking for my partner , Lutuf Ullah . '

' Never mind your partner .

where are your horse-trucks ? '

' A little to this side of the farthest place where they make lamps for the trains . '

' The signal-box !

yes . '

' And upon the rail nearest to the road upon the right-hand side looking up the line thus .

but as regards Lutuf Ullah a tall man with a broken nose , and a Persian greyhound Aie ! '

Mahbub Ali chuckled in his dyed beard .

' They will walk in their boots , making a noise , and then they will wonder why there are no fakirs .

they are very clever boys Barton Sahib and Young Sahib . '

he waited idly for a few minutes , expecting to see them hurry up the line girt for action .

a light engine slid through the station , and he caught a glimpse of young Barton in the cab .

' I did that child an injustice .

he is not altogether a fool , ' said Mahbub Ali .

' To take a fire-carriage for a thief is a new game ! '

when Mahbub Ali came to his camp in the dawn , no one thought it worth while to tell him any news of the night .

' It is all known to me , ' whispered Kim , bending above saddlebags .

' Two Sahibs came up on a te-train .

I was running to and fro in the dark on this side of the trucks as the te-train moved up and down slowly .

they fell upon two men sitting under this truck Hajji , what shall I do with this lump of tobacco ?

wrap it in paper and put it under the salt-bag ?

yes and struck them down .

they all raged as though mad together . '

Mahbub smiled with heavenly resignation .

' No !

a gun , sayest thou ?

ten good years in jail . '

' Then they both lay still , but I think they were nearly dead when they were put on the te-train .

their heads moved thus .

and there is much blood on the line .

come and see ? '

' I have seen blood before .

Jail is the sure place and assuredly they will give false names , and assuredly no man will find them for a long time .

they were unfriends of mine .

thy fate and mine seem on one string .

what a tale for the healer of pearls !

now swiftly with the saddle-bags and the cooking-platter .

we will take out the horses and away to Simla . '

Kim , regarded as Mahbub Ali 's favourite by all who wished to stand well with the Pathan , was not called upon to work .

they strolled on by the easiest of stages , halting every few hours at a wayside shelter .

that was the reason that Sahib after Sahib , rolling along in a stage-carriage , would stop and open talk .

as thus , ' and he told Kim a tale of an expression , misused in all innocence , that doubled Kim up with mirth .

he is more like to search truth with a dagger . '

' True .

true talk , ' said Kim solemnly .

' Fools speak of a cat when a woman is brought to bed , for instance .

I have heard them . '

' Therefore , in one situate as thou art , it particularly behoves thee to remember this with both kinds of faces .

' What am I ?

Mussalman , Hindu , Jain , or Buddhist ?

that is a hard knot . '

' Thou art beyond question an unbeliever , and therefore thou wilt be damned .

So says my Law or I think it does .

but thou art also my Little Friend of all the World , and I love thee .

So says my heart .

this matter of creeds is like horseflesh .

therefore I say in my heart the Faiths are like the horses .

each has merit in its own country . '

' But my lama said altogether a different thing . '

' Oh , he is an old dreamer of dreams from Bhotiyal .

' It is true , Hajji ; but that worth do I see , and to him my heart is drawn . '

' And his to thine , I hear .

hearts are like horses .

they come and they go against bit or spur .

shout Gul Sher Khan yonder to drive in that bay stallion 's pickets more firmly .

we do not want a horse-fight at every resting-stage , and the dun and the black will be locked in a little ....y

now hear me .

is it necessary to the comfort of thy heart to see that lama ? '

' It is one part of my bond , ' said Kim .

' It is true .

never was colt held on a lighter heel-rope than thou . '

Mahbub nodded his head .

' Do not be afraid . '

Kim spoke as though he could have vanished on the moment .

' My lama has said that he will come to see me at the madrissah '

' A beggar and his bowl in the presence of those young Sa '

' Not all ! '

Kim cut in with a snort .

' Their eyes are blued and their nails are blackened with low-caste blood , many of them .

Sons of mehteranees brothers-in-law to the bhungi sweeper . '

I have never in all my days met such an imp as thou art . '

' And why ?

when I always tell thee the truth . '

' Perhaps the very reason , for this is a world of danger to honest men . '

Mahbub Ali hauled himself off the ground , girt in his belt , and went over to the horses .

' Or sell it ? '

there was that in the tone that made Mahbub halt and turn .

' What new devilry ? '

' Eight annas , and I will tell , ' said Kim , grinning .

' It touches thy peace . '

' O Shaitan ! '

Mahbub gave the money .

' Rememberest thou the little business of the thieves in the dark , down yonder at Umballa ? '

' Seeing they sought my life , I have not altogether forgotten .

why ? '

' Rememberest thou the Kashmir Serai ? '

' I will twist thy ears in a moment Sahib . '

' No need Pathan .

only , the second fakir , whom the Sahibs beat senseless , was the man who came to search thy bulkhead at Lahore .

I saw his face as they helped him on the engine .

the very same man . '

' Why didst thou not tell before ? '

' Oh , he will go to jail , and be safe for some years .

there is no need to tell more than is necessary at any one time .

besides , I did not then need money for sweetmeats . '

' Allah kerim ! ' said Mahbub Ah.

' Wilt thou some day sell my head for a few sweetmeats if the fit takes thee ? '

' Into it I will go again if Mahbub Ali or the Colonel lift hand or foot against me .

once gone , who shall find me ?

Look , Hajji , is yonder the city of Simla ?

Allah , what a city ! '

' I have said that my holidays are my own .

I do not go to school twice over .

that is one part of my bond . '

' The Colonel Sahib is not yet aware of that contract .

thou art to lodge in Lurgan Sahib 's house till it is time to go again to Nucklao . '

' I had sooner lodge with thee , Mahbub . '

' Thou dost not know the honour .

Lurgan Sahib himself asked for thee .

remember this order . '

Kim nodded .

' Good , ' said he , ' and who is Lurgan Sahib ?

Nay ' he caught Mahbub 's sword-keen glance ' indeed I have never heard his name .

is he by chance he lowered his voice ' one of us ? '

' What talk is this of us , Sahib ? '

Mahbub Ali returned , in the tone he used towards Europeans .

' I am a Pathan ; thou art a Sahib and the son of a Sahib .

Lurgan Sahib has a shop among the European shops .

all Simla knows it .

ask there ....n and , Friend of all the World , he is one to be obeyed to the last wink of his eyelashes .

men say he does magic , but that should not touch thee .

go up the hill and ask .

here begins the Great Game . '

chapter @number@

S ' doaks was son of Yelth the wise Chief of the Raven clan .

Itswoot the Bear had him in care To make him a medicine-man .

he was quick and quicker to learn Bold and bolder to dare : he danced the dread Kloo-Kwallie Dance To tickle Itswoot the Bear !

Oregon Legend

Kim flung himself whole-heartedly upon the next turn of the wheel .

he would be a Sahib again for a while .

in that idea , so soon as he had reached the broad road under Simla Town Hall , he cast about for one to impress .

a Hindu child , some ten years old , squatted under a lamp-post .

' Where is Mr Lurgan 's house ? ' demanded Kim .

' I do not understand English , ' was the answer , and Kim shifted his speech accordingly .

' I will show . '

the house-lights , scattered on every level , made , as it were , a double firmament .

some were fixed , others belonged to the ' rickshaws of the careless , open-spoken English folk , going out to dinner .

' It is here , ' said Kim 's guide , and halted in a veranda flush with the main road .

no door stayed them , but a curtain of beaded reeds that split up the lamplight beyond .

' He is come , ' said the boy , in a voice little louder than a sigh , and vanished .

Kim was conscious that beyond the circle of light the room was full of things that smelt like all the temples of all the East .

a whiff of musk , a puff of sandal-wood , and a breath of sickly jessamine-oil caught his opened nostrils .

he slid off the green shade and looked fixedly at Kim for a full half-minute .

the pupils of the eye dilated and closed to pin-pricks , as if at will .

there was a fakir by the Taksali Gate who had just this gift and made money by it , especially when cursing silly women .

Kim stared with interest .

' Do not be afraid , ' said Lurgan Sahib suddenly .

' Why should I fear ? '

' Thou wilt sleep here tonight , and stay with me till it is time to go again to Nucklao .

it is an order . '

' It is an order , ' Kim repeated .

' But where shall I sleep ? '

' Here , in this room . '

Lurgan Sahib waved his hand towards the darkness behind him .

' So be it , ' said Kim composedly .

' Now ? '

he nodded and held the lamp above his head .

' I think that Lurgan Sahib wishes to make me afraid .

and I am sure that that devil 's brat below the table wishes to see me afraid .

' This place , ' he said aloud , ' is like a Wonder House .

where is my bed ? '

Lurgan Sahib pointed to a native quilt in a corner by the loathsome masks , picked up the lamp , and left the room black .

' Was that Lurgan Sahib ? '

Kim asked as he cuddled down .

no answer .

is this the way to lie to a Sahib ? '

from the darkness he fancied he could hear the echo of a chuckle .

it could not be his soft-fleshed companion , because he was weeping .

so Kim lifted up his voice and called aloud :

' Lurgan Sahib !

O Lurgan Sahib !

is it an order that thy servant does not speak to me ? '

' It is an order . '

the voice came from behind him and he started .

' Very good .

but remember , ' he muttered , as he resought the quilt , ' I will beat thee in the morning .

I do not love Hindus . '

that was no cheerful night ; the room being overfull of voices and music .

Kim was waked twice by someone calling his name .

and the voice , very hard and whirring , came out of the trumpet .

Kim rubbed his nose and grew furious , thinking , as usual , in Hindi .

Yess ' ( here he turned to English ) , ' a boy of St Xavier 's .

damn Mr Lurgan 's eyes !

it is some sort of machinery like a sewing-machine .

oh , it is a great cheek of him we are not frightened that way at Lucknow No ! '

then in Hindi : ' But what does he gain ?

he is only a trader I am in his shop .

but Creighton Sahib is a Colonel and I think Creighton Sahib gave orders that it should be done .

how I will beat that Hindu in the morning !

what is this ? '

when the vile thing drew breath , Kim was reassured by the soft , sewing-machine-like whirr .

' Chup !

Be still ' he cried , and again he heard a chuckle that decided him .

' Chup or I break your head . '

the box took no heed .

Kim wrenched at the tin trumpet and something lifted with a click .

he had evidently raised a lid .

if there were a devil inside , now was its time , for he sniffed thus did the sewing-machines of the bazar smell .

he would clean that shaitan .

he slipped off his jacket , and plunged it into the box 's mouth .

Kim finished his slumbers with a serene mind .

in the morning he was aware of Lurgan Sahib looking down on him .

' Oah ! ' said Kim , firmly resolved to cling to his Sahib-dom .

' There was a box in the night that gave me bad talk .

so I stopped it .

was it your box ? '

the man held out his hand .

' Shake hands , O'Hara , ' he said .

' Yes , it was my box .

I keep such things because my friends the Rajahs like them .

that one is broken , but it was cheap at the price .

yes , my friends , the Kings , are very fond of toys and so am I sometimes . '

Kim looked him over out of the corners of his eyes .

sweetest of all he treated Kim as an equal on the Asiatic side .

' I am sorry you cannot beat my boy this morning .

he says he will kill you with a knife or poison .

he is jealous , so I have put him in the corner and I shall not speak to him today .

he has just tried to kill me .

you must help me with the breakfast .

he is almost too jealous to trust , just now . '

now a genuine imported Sahib from England would have made a great to-do over this tale .

Lurgan Sahib stated it as simply as Mahbub Ali was used to record his little affairs in the North .

but even more than the purely Persian meal cooked by Lurgan Sahib with his own hands , the shop fascinated Kim .

' Those things are nothing , ' said his host , following Kim 's glance .

' I buy them because they are pretty , and sometimes I sell if I like the buyer 's look .

my work is on the table some of it . '

Kim opened his eyes .

' Oh , they are quite well , those stones .

it will not hurt them to take the sun .

besides , they are cheap .

but with sick stones it is very different . '

he piled Kim 's plate anew .

' There is no one but me can doctor a sick pearl and re-blue turquoises .

I grant you opals any fool can cure an opal but for a sick pearl there is only me .

suppose I were to die !

then there would be no one ....y

oh no !

you cannot do anything with jewels .

it will be quite enough if you understand a little about the Turquoise some day . '

he moved to the end of the veranda to refill the heavy , porous clay water-jug from the filter .

' Do you want drink ? '

Kim nodded .

Lurgan Sahib , fifteen feet off , laid one hand on the jar .

' Wah ! ' said Kim in most utter amazement .

' That is magic . '

Lurgan Sahib 's smile showed that the compliment had gone home .

' Throw it back . '

' It will break . '

' I say , throw it back . '

Kim pitched it at random .

it fell short and crashed into fifty pieces , while the water dripped through the rough veranda boarding .

' I said it would break . '

' All one .

look at it .

look at the largest piece . '

that lay with a sparkle of water in its curve , as it were a star on the floor .

Kim looked intently .

Lurgan Sahib laid one hand gently on the nape of his neck , stroked it twice or thrice , and whispered : ' Look !

it shall come to life again , piece by piece .

first the big piece shall join itself to two others on the right and the left on the right and the left .

look ! '

to save his life , Kim could not have turned his head .

the light touch held him as in a vice , and his blood tingled pleasantly through him .

there was one large piece of the jar where there had been three , and above them the shadowy outline of the entire vessel .

he could see the veranda through it , but it was thickening and darkening with each beat of his pulse .

yet the jar how slowly the thoughts came ! the jar had been smashed before his eyes .

another wave of prickling fire raced down his neck , as Lurgan Sahib moved his hand .

' Look !

it is coming into shape , ' said Lurgan Sahib .

' Look !

it is coming into shape , ' whispered Lurgan Sahib .

he clung desperately to the repetition .

the shadow-outline of the jar cleared like a mist after rubbing eyes .

' Look !

is it coming into shape ? ' asked Lurgan Sahib .

' But it is smashed smashed , ' he gasped Lurgan Sahib had been muttering softly for the last half-minute .

Kim wrenched his head aside .

' Look !

Dekho !

it is there as it was there . '

' It is there as it was there , ' said Lurgan , watching Kim closely while the boy rubbed his neck .

' But you are the first of many who has ever seen it so . '

he wiped his broad forehead .

' Was that more magic ? '

Kim asked suspiciously .

the tingle had gone from his veins ; he felt unusually wide awake .

' No , that was not magic .

it was only to see if there was a flaw in a jewel .

sometimes very fine jewels will fly all to pieces if a man holds them in his hand , and knows the proper way .

that is why one must be careful before one sets them .

tell me , did you see the shape of the pot ? '

' For a little time .

it began to grow like a flower from the ground . '

' And then what did you do ?

I mean , how did you think ? '

' Oah !

I knew it was broken , and so , I think , that was what I thought and it was broken . '

' Hm !

has anyone ever done that same sort of magic to you before ? '

' If it was , ' said Kim ' do you think I should let it again ?

I should run away . '

' And now you are not afraid eh ? '

' Not now . '

Lurgan Sahib looked at him more closely than ever .

' I shall ask Mahbub Ali not now , but some day later , ' he muttered .

' I am pleased with you yes ; and I am pleased with you no .

you are the first that ever saved himself .

I wish I knew what it was that ....y

but you are right .

you should not tell that not even to me . '

he turned into the dusky gloom of the shop , and sat down at the table , rubbing his hands softly .

a small , husky sob came from behind a pile of carpets .

it was the Hindu child obediently facing towards the wall .

his thin shoulders worked with grief .

' Ah !

he is jealous , so jealous .

I wonder if he will try to poison me again in my breakfast , and make me cook it twice .

' Kubbee kubbee nahin Never never .

no ! ' , came the broken answer .

' And whether he will kill this other boy ? '

' Kubbee kubbee nahin . '

' What do you think he will do ? '

he turned suddenly on Kim .

' Oah !

I do not know .

let him go , perhaps .

why did he want to poison you ? '

' Because he is so fond of me .

Kim thought .

Lurgan repeated the sentence slowly in the vernacular .

but first , I would ask that boy if it were true . '

' Ah !

he thinks everyone must be fond of me . '

' Then I think he is a fool . '

' Hearest thou ? ' said Lurgan Sahib to the shaking shoulders .

' The Sahib 's son thinks thou art a little fool .

come out , and next time thy heart is troubled , do not try white arsenic quite so openly .

surely the Devil Dasim was lord of our table-cloth that day !

it might have made me ill , child , and then a stranger would have guarded the jewels .

come ! '

' I will look into the ink-pools I will faithfully guard the jewels !

oh , my Father and my Mother , send him away ! '

he indicated Kim with a backward jerk of his bare heel .

' Not yet not yet .

in a little while he will go away again .

but now he is at school at a new madrissah and thou shalt be his teacher .

play the Play of the Jewels against him .

I will keep tally . '

the child dried his tears at once , and dashed to the back of the shop , whence he returned with a copper tray .

' Give me ! ' he said to Lurgan Sahib .

' Let them come from thy hand , for he may say that I knew them before . '

' Gently gently , ' the man replied , and from a drawer under the table dealt a half-handful of clattering trifles into the tray .

' Now , ' said the child , waving an old newspaper .

' Look on them as long as thou wilt , stranger .

count and , if need be , handle .

one look is enough for me . '

he turned his back proudly .

' But what is the game ? '

I will write mine . '

' Oah ! '

the instinct of competition waked in his breast .

he bent over the tray .

there were but fifteen stones on it .

' That is easy , ' he said after a minute .

the child slipped the paper over the winking jewels and scribbled in a native account-book .

there are two red stones , and and I made the count fifteen , but two I have forgotten .

no !

give me time .

one was of ivory , little and brownish ; and and give me time ....y '

' One two ' Lurgan Sahib counted him out up to ten .

Kim shook his head .

' Hear my count ! ' the child burst in , trilling with laughter .

' First , are two flawed sapphires one of two ruttees and one of four as I should judge .

the four-ruttee sapphire is chipped at the edge .

we have now all five blue stones .

four flawed emeralds there are , but one is drilled in two places , and one is a little carven- '

' Their weights ? ' said Lurgan Sahib impassively .

' Three five five and four ruttees as I judge it .

there is one piece of old greenish pipe amber , and a cut topaz from Europe .

he clapped his hands at the close .

' He is thy master , ' said Lurgan Sahib , smiling .

' Huh !

he knew the names of the stones , ' said Kim , flushing .

' Try again !

with common things such as he and I both know . '

' Bind my eyes let me feel once with my fingers , and even then I will leave thee opened-eyed behind , ' he challenged .

Kim stamped with vexation when the lad made his boast good .

' If it were men or horses , ' he said , ' I could do better .

this playing with tweezers and knives and scissors is too little . '

' Learn first teach later , ' said Lurgan Sahib .

' Is he thy master ? '

' Truly .

but how is it done ? '

' By doing it many times over till it is done perfectly for it is worth doing . '

the Hindu boy , in highest feather , actually patted Kim on the back .

' Do not despair , ' he said .

' I myself will teach thee . '

and there are ten days more ere thou canst return to Lucknao where they teach nothing at the long price .

we shall , I think , be friends . '

they were a most mad ten days , but Kim enjoyed himself too much to reflect on their craziness .

there were small Rajahs , escorts coughing in the veranda , who came to buy curiosities such as phonographs and mechanical toys .

there were occasional gatherings of long-coated theatrical natives who discussed metaphysics in English and Bengali , to Mr Lurgan 's great edification .

he was always interested in religions .

after dinner , Lurgan Sahib 's fancy turned more to what might be called dressing-up , in which game he took a most informing interest .

he could paint faces to a marvel ; with a brush-dab here and a line there changing them past recognition .

the Hindu child played this game clumsily .

Lurgan Sahib this annoyed Kim watched the Babu and not the play .

except that you had told me I should have opined that that that you were pulling my legs .

how soon can he become approximately effeecient chain-man ?

because then I shall indent for him . '

' That is what he must learn at Lucknow . '

' Then order him to be jolly-dam'-quick .

good-night , Lurgan . '

the Babu swung out with the gait of a bogged cow .

when they were telling over the day 's list of visitors , Lurgan Sahib asked Kim who he thought the man might be .

' God knows ! ' said Kim cheerily .

the tone might almost have deceived Mahbub Ali , but it failed entirely with the healer of sick pearls .

' That is true .

God , He knows ; but I wish to know what you think . '

Kim glanced sideways at his companion , whose eye had a way of compelling truth .

' Thou wilt understand many things later .

he is a writer of tales for a certain Colonel .

' And is there a price upon his head too as upon Mah all the others ? '

' How many ? ' said Kim promptly .

' Five hundred a thousand as many as he might ask for . '

' Good .

and for how long might such a boy live after the news was told ? '

he smiled merrily at Lurgan 's Sahib 's very beard .

' Ah !

that is to be well thought of .

perhaps if he were very clever , he might live out the day but not the night .

by no means the night . '

' Then what is the Babu 's pay if so much is put upon his head ? '

' Eighty perhaps a hundred perhaps a hundred and fifty rupees ; but the pay is the least part of the work .

these souls are very few ; and of these few , not more than ten are of the best .

among these ten I count the Babu , and that is curious .

how great , therefore , and desirable must be a business that brazens the heart of a Bengali ! '

' True .

but the days go slowly for me .

I am yet a boy , and it is only within two months I learned to write Angrezi .

even now I cannot read it well .

and there are yet years and years and long years before I can be even a chain-man . '

' Have patience , Friend of all the World ' Kim started at the title .

' Would I had a few of the years that so irk thee .

I have proved thee in several small ways .

this will not be forgotten when I make my report to the Colonel Sahib . '

then , changing suddenly into English with a deep laugh :

' By Jove !

O'Hara , I think there is a great deal in you ; but you must not become proud and you must not talk .

Kim 's face fell .

' Oh , I mean if you like .

I know where you want to go . '

four days later a seat was booked for Kim and his small trunk at the rear of a Kalka tonga .

Lurgan Sahib had given him five rupees a splendid sum as well as the assurance of his protection if he worked .

unlike Mahbub , Lurgan Sahib had spoken most explicitly of the reward that would follow obedience , and Kim was content .

if only , like the Babu , he could enjoy the dignity of a letter and a number and a price upon his head !

some day he would be all that and more .

some day he might be almost as great as Mahbub Ali !

meantime , there was the present , and not at all unpleasant , fact of St Xavier 's immediately before him .

there would be new boys to condescend to , and there would be tales of holiday adventures to hear .

Kim fell to telling himself the story of his own adventures through the last three months .

he could paralyse St Xavier 's even the biggest boys who shaved with the recital , were that permitted .

but it was , of course , out of the question .

' So I should lose Delhi for the sake of a fish , ' was his proverbial philosophy .

and if additional spur were needed , the Babu supplied it .

after a huge meal at Kalka , he spoke uninterruptedly .

was Kim going to school ?

then he , an M A of Calcutta University , would explain the advantages of education .

there were marks to be gained by due attention to Latin and Wordsworth 's Excursion ( all this was Greek to Kim ) .

french , too was vital , and the best was to be picked up in Chandernagore a few miles from Calcutta .

Still more important than Wordsworth , or the eminent authors , Burke and Hare , was the art and science of mensuration .

through the volleying drifts of English , Kim caught the general trend of the talk , and it interested him very much .

said the Babu when he had talked for an hour and a half ' I hope some day to enjoy your offeecial acquaintance .

' That is reward of merit for your performance in character of that holy man .

you see , you are so young you think you will last for ever and not take care of your body .

it is great nuisance to go sick in the middle of business .

I am fond of drugs myself , and they are handy to cure poor people too .

these are good Departmental drugs quinine and so on .

I give it you for souvenir .

now good-bye .

I have urgent private business here by the roadside . '

the record of a boy 's education interests few save his parents , and , as you know , Kim was an orphan .

he was also re-vaccinated ( from which we may assume that there had been another epidemic of smallpox at Lucknow ) about the same time .

from this date the record is silent .

yes , he had followed the traces of the Blessed Feet throughout all India .

( the Curator has still in his possession a most marvellous account of his wanderings and meditations . )

there remained nothing more in life but to find the River of the Arrow .

for example ( here came out the snuff-gourd , and the kindly Jain priests made haste to be silent ) :

one by one , with their strong trunks , they tried and failed .

at the last they gave it as their opinion that the ring was not to be broken by any bestial power .

and in a thicket , new-born , wet with moisture of birth , lay a day-old calf of the herd whose mother had died .

' Then one day the young elephant saw the half-buried iron , and turning to the elder said : " what is this ? "

" it is even my sorrow , " said he who had befriended him .

then he would shake his head benignly , and over the ever-clicking rosary point out how free that elephant-calf was from the sin of pride .

Rich would be the reward of such a master and such a chela when the time came for them to seek freedom together !

so did the lama speak , coming and going across India as softly as a bat .

' That may not be , ' said the lama .

' He has gone back to his own people . '

' He sat in that corner telling a hundred merry tales five nights ago , ' his host insisted .

' True , he vanished somewhat suddenly in the dawn after foolish talk with my granddaughter .

he grows apace , but he is the same Friend of the Stars as brought me true word of the war .

have ye parted ? '

' Yes and no , ' the lama replied .

' We we have not altogether parted , but the time is not ripe that we should take the Road together .

he acquires wisdom in another place .

we must wait . '

' All one but if it were not the boy how did he come to speak so continually of thee ? '

' And what said he ? ' asked the lama eagerly .

' Sweet words an hundred thousand that thou art his father and mother and such all .

Pity that he does not take the Qpeen 's service .

he is fearless . '

' If permission be refused to go and come as he chooses , he will make light of the refusal .

then who is to catch him ?

Colonel Sahib , only once in a thousand years is a horse born so well fitted for the game as this our colt .

and we need men . '

chapter @number@

your tiercel's too long at hack , Sire .

he 's no eyass But a passage-hawk that footed ere we caught him , Dangerously free o ' the air .

Faith ! were he mine ( as mine 's the glove he binds to for his tirings ) I 'd fly him with a make-hawk .

he 's in yarak Plumed to the very point so manned , so weathered ....y

give him the firmament God made him for , And what shall take the air of him ?

Gow 's Watch

Lurgan Sahib did not use as direct speech , but his advice tallied with Mahbub 's ; and the upshot was good for Kim .

he dipped his hand into the dish with that great trader when Mahbub and a few co-religionists were invited to a big Haj dinner .

the Babu 's famous drug-box proved useless , though Kim had restocked it at Bombay .

' That soldier is a small fish , ' Mahbub Ali explained , ' but in time we shall catch the larger one .

he only sells oxen at two prices one for himself and one for the Government which I do not think is a sin . '

' Why could not I take away the little book and be done with it ? '

' Then he would have been frightened , and he would have told his master .

then we should miss , perhaps , a great number of new rifles which seek their way up from Quetta to the North .

the Game is so large that one sees but a little at a time . '

' Oho ! ' said Kim , and held his tongue .

that was in the monsoon holidays , after he had taken the prize for mathematics .

' It must hold everything that thou hast seen or touched or considered .

write as though the Jung-i-Lat Sahib himself had come by stealth with a vast army outsetting to war . '

' How great an army ? '

' Oh , half a lakh of men . '

' Folly !

remember how few and bad were the wells in the sand .

not a thousand thirsty men could come near by here . '

I stay here till all my horses are sold .

I will hire a room by the gateway , and thou shalt be my accountant .

there is a good lock to the door . '

Kim translated it , sweating under the light of an oil-lamp , to Mahbub , the second day of their return-journey .

the Pathan rose and stooped over his dappled saddle-bags .

' I knew it would be worthy a dress of honour , and so I made one ready , ' he said , smiling .

' Were I Amir of Afghanistan ( and some day we may see him ) , I would fill thy mouth with gold . '

he laid the garments formally at Kim 's feet .

there was a gold-embroidered Peshawur turban-cap , rising to a cone , and a big turban-cloth ending in a broad fringe of gold .

' Upon a Wednesday , and in the morning , to put on new clothes is auspicious , ' said Mahbub solemnly .

' But we must not forget the wicked folk in the world .

so ! '

he capped all the splendour , that was taking Kim 's delighted breath away , with a mother-of-pearl , nickel-plated , self-extracting @number@ revolver .

' I had thought of a smaller bore , but reflected that this takes Government bullets .

a man can always come by those especially across the Border .

stand up and let me look . '

he clapped Kim on the shoulder .

' May you never be tired , Pathan !

oh , the hearts to be broken !

oh , the eyes under the eyelashes , looking sideways ! '

Kim turned about , pointed his toes , stretched , and felt mechanically for the moustache that was just beginning .

then he stooped towards Mahbub 's feet to make proper acknowledgment with fluttering , quick-patting hands ; his heart too full for words .

Mahbub forestalled and embraced him .

' My son , said he , ' what need of words between us ?

but is not the little gun a delight ?

all six cartridges come out at one twist .

it is borne in the bosom next the skin , which , as it were , keeps it oiled .

never put it elsewhere , and please God , thou shalt some day kill a man with it . '

' Hai mai ! ' said Kim ruefully .

' If a Sahib kills a man he is hanged in the jail . '

' True : but one pace beyond the Border , men are wiser .

put it away ; but fill it first .

of what use is a gun unfed ? '

' When I go back to the madrissah I must return it .

they do not allow little guns .

thou wilt keep it for me ? '

the folly of the Sahibs has neither top nor bottom .

no matter .

maybe thy written report shall save thee further bondage ; and God He knows we need men more and more in the Game . '

three weeks later , Colonel Creighton , pricing Tibetan ghost-daggers at Lurgan 's shop , faced Mahbub Ali openly mutinous .

Lurgan Sahib operated as support in reserve .

' The pony is made finished mouthed and paced , Sahib !

from now on , day by day , he will lose his manners if he is kept at tricks .

drop the rein on his back and let go , ' said the horse-dealer .

' We need him . '

' But he is so young , Mahbub not more than sixteen is he ? '

' When I was fifteen , I had shot my man and begot my man , Sahib . '

' You impenitent old heathen ! '

Creighton turned to Lurgan .

the black beard nodded assent to the wisdom of the Afghan 's dyed scarlet .

' I should have used him long ago , ' said Lurgan .

' The younger the better .

that is why I always have my really valuable jewels watched by a child .

you sent him to me to try .

I tried him in every way : he is the only boy I could not make to see things . '

' In the crystal in the ink-pool ? ' demanded Mahbub .

' No.

under my hand , as I told you .

that has never happened before .

it means that he is strong enough but you think it skittles , Colonel Creighton to make anyone do anything he wants .

and that is three years ago .

I have taught him a good deal since , Colonel Creighton .

I think you waste him now . '

' Hmm !

maybe you 're right .

but , as you know , there is no Survey work for him at present . '

' Let him out let him go , ' Mahbub interrupted .

' Who expects any colt to carry heavy weight at first ?

let him run with the caravans like our white camel-colts for luck .

I would take him myself , but '


' He must not go down there .

besides , he knows no Turki . '

' Only tell him the shape and the smell of the letters we want and he will bring them back , ' Lurgan insisted .

' No.

that is a man 's job , ' said Creighton .

these facts , and a few others not to be published , made both Mahbub and Creighton shake their heads .

' Let him go out with his Red Lama , ' said the horse-dealer with visible effort .

' He is fond of the old man .

he can learn his paces by the rosary at least . '

' I have had some dealings with the old man by letter , ' said Colonel Creighton , smiling to himself .

' Whither goes he ? '

' Up and down the land , as he has these three years .

he seeks a River of Healing .

God's curse upon all ' Mahbub checked himself .

' He beds down at the Temple of the Tirthankars or at Buddh Gaya when he is in from the Road .

then he goes to see the boy at the madrissah , as we know for the boy was punished for it twice or thrice .

he is quite mad , but a peaceful man .

I have met him .

the Babu also has had dealings with him .

we have watched him for three years .

Red Lamas are not so common in Hind that one loses track . '

' Babus are very curious , ' said Lurgan meditatively .

' Do you know what Hurree Babu really wants ?

he wants to be made a member of the Royal Society by taking ethnological notes .

I tell you , I tell him about the lama everything which Mahbub and the boy have told me .

Hurree Babu goes down to Benares at his own expense , I think . '

' I don't , ' said Creighton briefly .

he had paid Hurree 's travelling expenses , out of a most lively curiosity to learn what the lama might be .

Holy Virgin !

I could have told him all that yeears ago .

I think Hurree Babu is getting too old for the Road .

he likes better to collect manners and customs information .

yes , he wants to be an FRS .

' Hurree thinks well of the boy , doesn't he ? '

' Not for a first experience .

how does that strike you , Mahbub ?

let the boy run with the lama for six months .

after that we can see .

he will get experience . '

' He has it already , Sahib as a fish controls the water he swims in .

but for every reason it will be well to loose him from the school . '

' Very good , then , ' said Creighton , half to himself .

' He can go with the lama , and if Hurree Babu cares to keep an eye on them so much the better .

he won't lead the boy into any danger as Mahbub would .

Curious his wish to be an F R S. very human , too .

he is best on the Ethnological side Hurree . '

so Creighton smiled , and thought the better of Hurree Babu , moved by like desire .

he dropped the ghost-dagger and looked up at Mahbub .

' How soon can we get the colt from the stable ? ' said the horse-dealer , reading his eyes .

' Hmm !

if I withdraw him by order now what will he do , think you ?

I have never before assisted at the teaching of such an one . '

' He will come to me , ' said Mahbub promptly .

' Lurgan Sahib and I will prepare him for the Road . '

' So be it , then .

for six months he shall run at his choice .

but who will be his sponsor ? '

Lurgan slightly inclined his head .

' He will not tell anything , if that is what you are afraid of , Colonel Creighton . '

' It 's only a boy , after all . '

' Ye-es ; but first , he has nothing to tell ; and secondly , he knows what would happen .

also , he is very fond of Mahbub , and of me a little . '

' Will he draw pay ? ' demanded the practical horse-dealer .

' Food and water allowance only .

twenty rupees a month . '

one advantage of the Secret Service is that it has no worrying audit .

Mahbub 's eyes lighted with almost a Sikh 's love of money .

even Lurgan 's impassive face changed .

he foresaw honour and credit in the mouths of a chosen few , coming to him from his pupil .


so you must not think you are going out into the world to enjoy yourself , or that your fortune is made .

there is a great deal of hard work before you .

only , if you succeed in becoming pukka , you can rise , you know , to four hundred and fifty a month . '

it is indeed all finished , O my father ? '

Mahbub snapped his fingers to show the utterness of that end , and his eyes blazed like red coals .

' Then where is the pistol that I may wear it ? '

' Softly !

a half-year , to run without heel-ropes .

I begged that much from Colonel Creighton Sahib .

at twenty rupees a month .

old Red Hat knows that thou art coming . '

' I will pay thee dustoorie commission on my pay for three months , ' said Kim gravely .

' Yea , two rupees a month .

but first we must get rid of these . '

he plucked his thin linen trousers and dragged at his collar .

' I have brought with me all that I need on the Road .

my trunk has gone up to Lurgan Sahib 's . '

' Who sends his salaams to thee Sahib . '

' Lurgan Sahib is a very clever man .

but what dost thou do ? '

' I go North again , upon the Great Game .

what else ?

is thy mind still set on following old Red Hat ? '

' Do not forget he made me that I am though he did not know it .

year by year , he sent the money that taught me . '

' I would have done as much had it struck my thick head , ' Mahbub growled .

' Come away .

the lamps are lit now , and none will mark thee in the bazar .

we go to Huneefa 's house . '

now , excepting as to Pathans , of whom I am one , all that is true .

so it happened to such a one . '

he gave the reddest particulars .

' Then why ? '

those who know it call it The Birdcage it is so full of whisperings and whistlings and chirrupings .

the room , with its dirty cushions and half-smoked hookahs , smelt abominably of stale tobacco .

when she turned it was like the clashing of copper pots .

a lean cat in the balcony outside the window mewed hungrily .

Kim checked , bewildered , at the door-curtain .

' Is that the new stuff , Mahbub ? ' said Huneefa lazily , scarce troubling to remove the mouthpiece from her lips .

' O Buktanoos ! ' like most of her kind , she swore by the Djinns ' O Buktanoos !

he is very good to look upon . '

' That is part of the selling of the horse , ' Mahbub explained to Kim , who laughed .

' I have heard that talk since my Sixth Day , ' he replied , squatting by the light .

' Whither does it lead ? '

' To protection .

tonight we change thy colour .

this sleeping under roofs has blanched thee like an almond .

but Huneefa has the secret of a colour that catches .

no painting of a day or two .

also , we fortify thee against the chances of the Road .

that is my gift to thee , my son .

take out all metals on thee and lay them here .

make ready , Huneefa . '

Kim dragged forth his compass , Survey paint-box , and the new-filled medicine-box .

they had all accompanied his travels , and boylike he valued them immensely .

the woman rose slowly and moved with her hands a little spread before her .

then Kim saw that she was blind .

' When thou wast with me I could oversee the matter .

besides , a Pathan is a fair-skin .

strip to the waist now and look how thou art whitened . '

Huneefa felt her way back from an inner room .

' It is no matter , she cannot see . '

he took a pewter bowl from her ringed hand .

the dye-stuff showed blue and gummy .

Kim experimented on the back of his wrist , with a dab of cotton-wool ; but Huneefa heard him .

' No , no , ' she cried , ' the thing is not done thus , but with the proper ceremonies .

the colouring is the least part .

I give thee the full protection of the Road . '

' Tadoo ? magic , ' said Kim , with a half start .

he did not like the white , sightless eyes .

Mahbub 's hand on his neck bowed him to the floor , nose within an inch of the boards .

' Be still .

no harm comes to thee , my son .

I am thy sacrifice ! '

he could not see what the woman was about , but heard the dish-clash of her jewellery for many minutes .

a match lit up the darkness ; he caught the well-known purr and fizzle of grains of incense .

then the room filled with smoke heavy aromatic , and stupefying .

' Allah !

how he fought !

we should never have done it but for the drugs .

that was his white blood , I take it , ' said Mahbub testily .

' Go on with the dawut invocation .

give him full Protection . '

' O Hearer !

thou that hearest with ears , be present .

listen , O Hearer ! '

Huneefa moaned , her dead eyes turned to the west .

the dark room filled with moanings and snortings .

from the outer balcony , a ponderous figure raised a round bullet head and coughed nervously .

' Do not interrupt this ventriloquial necromanciss , my friend , ' it said in English .

' I opine that it is very disturbing to you , but no enlightened observer is jolly-well upset . '

' ...... ....x .I?.n will lay a plot for their ruin !

O Prophet , bear with the unbelievers .

let them alone awhile ! '

Huneefa 's face , turned to the northward , worked horribly , and it was as though voices from the ceiling answered her .

Hurree Babu returned to his note-book , balanced on the window-sill , but his hand shook .

' With Him are the keys of the Secret Things !

none knoweth them besides Himself He knoweth that which is in the dry land and in the sea ! '

again broke out the unearthly whistling responses .

' It it is not likely that she has killed the boy ?

if so , I decline to be witness at the trial ....y ..What?.n was the last hypothetical devil mentioned ? '

' Babuji , ' said Mahbub in the vernacular .

' Then you think I had better go ? ' said Hurree Babu , half rising .

' They are , of course , dematerialized phenomena .

Spencer says . '

Huneefa 's crisis passed , as these things must , in a paroxysm of howling , with a touch of froth at the lips .

she lay spent and motionless beside Kim , and the crazy voices ceased .

' Wah !

that work is done .

may the boy be better for it ; and Huneefa is surely a mistress of dawut .

help haul her aside , Babu .

do not be afraid . '

' How am I to fear the absolutely non-existent ? ' said Hurree Babu , talking English to reassure himself .

Mahbub chuckled .

he had been out with Hurree on the Road ere now .

' Let us finish the colouring , ' said he .

' The boy is well protected if if the Lords of the Air have ears to hear .

set him upon the way , Babu , and see that old Red Hat does not lead him beyond our reach .

I must get back to my horses . '

' All raight , ' said Hurree Babu .

' He is at present curious spectacle . '

about third cockcrow , Kim woke after a sleep of thousands of years .

Huneefa , in her corner , snored heavily , but Mahbub was gone .

' I hope you were not frightened , ' said an oily voice at his elbow .

' I superintended entire operation , which was most interesting from ethnological point of view .

it was high-class dawut . '

' Huh ! ' said Kim , recognizing Hurree Babu , who smiled ingratiatingly .

' And also I had honour to bring down from Lurgan your present costume .

I hope Mr Lurgan will note my action . '

Kim yawned and stretched himself .

it was good to turn and twist within loose clothes once again .

' What is this ? '

he looked curiously at the heavy duffle-stuff loaded with the scents of the far North .

' Oho !

that is inconspicuous dress of chela attached to service of lamaistic lama .

complete in every particular , ' said Hurree Babu , rolling into the balcony to clean his teeth at a goglet .

' I am of opeenion it is not your old gentleman 's precise releegion , but rather sub-variant of same .

I have contributed rejected notes To Whom It May Concern : Asiatic Quarterly Review on these subjects .

now it is curious that the old gentleman himself is totally devoid of releegiosity .

he is not a dam ' particular . '

' Do you know him ? '

Hurree Babu held up his hand to show he was engaged in the prescribed rites that accompany tooth-cleaning and such things among decently bred Bengalis .

then he recited in English an Arya-Somaj prayer of a theistical nature , and stuffed his mouth with pan and betel .

' Oah yes .

I have met him several times at Benares , and also at Buddh Gaya , to interrogate him on releegious points and devil-worship .

he is pure agnostic same as me . '

' Who has died in thy house ? ' asked Kim in the vernacular .

' None .

but she may have the Evil Eye that sorceress , ' the Babu replied .

' What dost thou do now , then ? '

' I go .

at what hour runs the te-rain ? '

' Is there money to be paid that witch ? '

' No.

she has charmed thee against all devils and all dangers in the name of her devils .

it was Mahbub 's desire . '

In English : ' He is highly obsolete , I think , to indulge in such supersteetion .

why , it is all ventriloquy .

Belly-speak eh ? '

but as he crossed the room he was careful not to step in Huneefa 's blotched , squat shadow on the boards .

witches when their time is on them can lay hold of the heels of a man 's soul if he does that .

' Now you must well listen , ' said the Babu when they were in the fresh air .

' Part of these ceremonies which we witnessed they include supply of effeecient amulet to those of our Department .

if you feel in your neck you will find one small silver amulet , verree cheap .

that is ours .

do you understand ? '

' Oah yes , hawa-dilli a heart-lifter , ' said Kim , feeling at his neck .

' Huneefa she makes them for two rupees twelve annas with oh , all sorts of exorcisms .

Thatt is Huneefa 's look-out , you see ?

Mr Lurgan he gives them .

there is no other source of supply ; but it was me invented all this .

it is strictly unoffeecial of course , but convenient for subordinates .

Colonel Creighton he does not know .

he is European .

the turquoise is wrapped in the paper ....y

yes , that is road to railway station ....y

now suppose you go with the lama , or with me , I hope , some day , or with Mahbub .

suppose we get into a dam'-tight place .

I am a fearful man most fearful but I tell you I have been in dam'-tight places more than hairs on my head .

you say : " I am Son of the Charm . "

Verree good . '

' I do not understand quite .

we must not be heard talking English here . '

' That is all raight .

I am only Babu showing off my English to you .

all we Babus talk English to show off ; ' said Hurree , flinging his shoulder-cloth jauntily .

it is popularly supposed to be extinct Society , but I have written notes to show it is still extant .

you see , it is all my invention .

Verree good .

sat Bhai has many members , and perhaps before they they may give you just a chance of life .

that is useful , anyhow .

you see ?

that is only in extreme instances , or to open negotiations with a stranger .

can you quite see ?

Verree good .

but suppose now , I , or any one of the Department , come to you dressed quite different .

you would not know me at all unless I choose , I bet you .

some day I will prove it .

I come as Ladakhi trader oh , anything and I say to you : " you want to buy precious stones ? "

you say : " do I look like a man who buys precious stones ? "

then I say : " even verree poor man can buy a turquoise or tarkeean . " '

' That is kichree vegetable curry , ' said Kim .

' Of course it is .

you say : " let me see the tarkeean . "

then I say : " it was cooked by a woman , and perhaps it is bad for your caste . "

then you say : " there is no caste when men go to look for tarkeean . "

you stop a little between those words , " to look " .

that is thee whole secret .

the little stop before the words . '

Kim repeated the test-sentence .

' That is all right .

and so it is with any other man of us .

we talk sometimes about turquoises and sometimes about tarkeean , but always with that little stop in the words .

it is verree easy .

first , " Son of the Charm " , if you are in a tight place .

perhaps that may help you perhaps not .

then what I have told you about the tarkeean , if you want to transact offeecial business with a strange man .

of course , at present , you have no offeecial business .

you are ah ha ! supernumerary on probation .

quite unique specimen .

the lama he expects you , because I have demi-offeecially informed him you have passed all your examinations , and will soon obtain Government appointment .

oh ho !

you are on acting-allowance , you see : so if you are called upon to help Sons of the Charm mind you jolly-well try .

now I shall say good-bye , my dear fellow , and I hope you ah will come out top-side all raight . '

Hurree Babu stepped back a pace or two into the crowd at the entrance of Lucknow station and was gone .

Kim drew a deep breath and hugged himself all over .

kings could be no richer .

he bought sweetmeats in a leaf-cup from a Hindu trader , and ate them with glad rapture till a policeman ordered him off the steps .

chapter @number@

but a man who , etc.

the Juggler 's Song , op ..y @number@

followed a sudden natural reaction .

' Now am I alone all alone , ' he thought .

' In all India is no one so alone as I !

if I die today , who shall bring the news and to whom ?

when one grows older , the power , usually , departs , but while it lasts it may descend upon a man at any moment .

' Who is Kim Kim Kim ? '

a long-haired Hindu bairagi holy man , who had just bought a ticket , halted before him at that moment and stared intently .

' I also have lost it , ' he said sadly .

' It is one of the Gates to the Way , but for me it has been shut many years . '

' What is the talk ? ' said Kim , abashed .

' Thou wast wondering there in thy spirit what manner of thing thy soul might be .

the seizure came of a sudden .

I know .

who should know but I ?

whither goest thou ? '

' Toward Kashi Benares . '

' There are no Gods there .

I have proved them .

I go to Prayag Allahabad for the fifth time seeking the Road to Enlightenment .

of what faith art thou ? '

' I too am a Seeker , ' said Kim , using one of the lama's pet words .

' Though ' he forgot his Northern dress for the moment ' though Allah alone knoweth what I seek . '

' Go in hope , little brother , ' he said .

' It is a long road to the feet of the One ; but thither do we all travel . '

Benares struck him as a peculiarly filthy city , though it was pleasant to find how his cloth was respected .

' Ay , I know the Punjab .

' Jandiala Jullundur ?

Oho !

then we be neighbours in some sort , as it were . '

he nodded tenderly to the wailing child in his arms .

' Whom dost thou serve ? '

' A most holy man at the Temple of the Tirthankers . '

' They are all most holy and most greedy , ' said the Jat with bitterness .

' I have walked the pillars and trodden the temples till my feet are flayed , and the child is no whit better .

and the mother being sick too ....v

hush , then , little one ....y

we changed his name when the fever came .

we put him into girl 's clothes .

we know His generosity , but these down-country Gods are strangers . '

the child turned on the cushion of the huge corded arms and looked at Kim through heavy eyelids .

' And was it all worthless ? '

Kim asked , with easy interest .

' All worthless all worthless , ' said the child , lips cracking with fever .

' The Gods have given him a good mind , at least ' said the father proudly .

' To think he should have listened so cleverly .

Yonder is thy Temple .

Kim considered for a while , tingling with pride .

moreover , he had tasted fever once or twice already , and knew enough to recognize starvation when he saw it .

' Call him forth and I will give him a bond on my best yoke , so that the child is cured . '

Kim halted at the carved outer door of the temple .

a white-clad Oswal banker from Ajmir , his sins of usury new wiped out , asked him what he did .

' I am chela to Teshoo Lama , an Holy One from Bhotiyal within there .

he bade me come .

I wait .

tell him . '

that cry is so common in Benares that the passers never turned their heads .

he fumbled in his waist-belt and drew out a small silver coin .

' What is now ? '

the lama's eyes turned to Kim .

it was noticeable he spoke far clearer Urdu than long ago , under ZamZammah ; but father would allow no private talk .

' It is no more than a fever , ' said Kim .

' The child is not well fed . '

' He sickens at everything , and his mother is not here . '

' If it be permitted , I may cure , Holy One . '

' What !

have they made thee a healer ?

quinine he had in tablets , and dark brown meat-lozenges beef most probably , but that was not his business .

the little thing would not eat , but it sucked at a lozenge greedily , and said it liked the salt taste .

' Take then these six . '

Kim handed them to the man .

' Praise the Gods , and boil three in milk ; other three in water .

give him the water of the other three , and the other half of this white pill when he wakes .

meantime , here is another brown medicine that he may suck at on the way home . '

' Gods , what wisdom ! ' said the Kamboh , snatching .

' Now go !

come again in the morning . '

' But the price the price , ' said the Jat , and threw back his sturdy shoulders .

' My son is my son .

' They are alike , these Jats , ' said Kim softly .

' The Jat stood on his dunghill and the King 's elephants went by .

" O driver , " said he , " what will you sell those little donkeys for ? " '

the Jat burst into a roar of laughter , stifled with apologies to the lama .

' It is the saying of my own country the very talk of it .

so are we Jats all .

now , son , we grow strong again .

do not spit it out , little Princeling !

King of my Heart , do not spit it out , and we shall be strong men , wrestlers and club-wielders , by morning . '

he moved away , crooning and mumbling .

the lama turned to Kim , and all the loving old soul of him looked out through his narrow eyes .

' To heal the sick is to acquire merit ; but first one gets knowledge .

that was wisely done , O Friend of all the World . '

' My teaching I owe to thee .

I have eaten thy bread three years .

my time is finished .

I am loosed from the schools .

I come to thee . '

' Herein is my reward .

enter !

enter !

and is all well ? '

they passed to the inner court , where the afternoon sun sloped golden across .

' Stand that I may see .

so ! '

he peered critically .

' It is no longer a child , but a man , ripened in wisdom , walking as a physician .

I did well I did well when I gave thee up to the armed men on that black night .

Dost thou remember our first day under Zam-Zammah ? '

' Ay , ' said Kim .

' Dost thou remember when I leapt off the carriage the first day I went to '

' The Gates of Learning ?

truly .

and the day that we ate the cakes together at the back of the river by Nucklao .

aha !

Many times hast thou begged for me , but that day I begged for thee . '

' Good reason , ' quoth Kim .

' I was then a scholar in the Gates of Learning , and attired as a Sahib .

do not forget , Holy One , ' he went on playfully .

' I am still a Sahib by thy favour . '

' True .

and a Sahib in most high esteem .

come to my cell , chela . '

' How is that known to thee ? '

the lama smiled .

Colonel Creighton , who had succeeded to the trusteeship when Father Victor went to England with the Mavericks , was hardly the Chaplain 's brother .

' But I do not well understand Sahibs ' letters .

they must be interpreted to me .

I chose a surer way .

the lama pointed to the Arhats .

' A fat man ? ' said Kim , a twinkle in his eye .

A man abounding in questions ; but he was a friend of thine , chela .

he told me that thou wast on the road to much honour as a scribe .

and I see thou art a physician . '

I have accomplished the years appointed for a Sahib . '

' As it were a novice ? ' said the lama , nodding his head .

' Art thou freed from the schools ?

I would not have thee unripe . '

' I am all free .

in due time I take service under the Government as a scribe '

' Not as a warrior .

that is well . '

' But first I come to wander with thee .

therefore I am here .

who begs for thee , these days ? ' he went on quickly .

the ice was thin .

from one end to another of Hind have I travelled afoot and in the te-rain .

a great and a wonderful land !

but here , when I put in , is as though I were in my own Bhotiyal . '

he looked round the little clean cell complacently .

See ! '

he pointed to a curiously-built mound of coloured rice crowned with a fantastic metal ornament .

' When I was Abbot in my own place before I came to better knowledge I made that offering daily .

it is the Sacrifice of the Universe to the Lord .

thus do we of Bhotiyal offer all the world daily to the Excellent Law .

and I do it even now , though I know that the Excellent One is beyond all pinchings and pattings . '

he snuffed from his gourd .

' It is well done , Holy One , ' Kim murmured , sinking at ease on the cushions , very happy and rather tired .

' And also , ' the old man chuckled , ' I write pictures of the Wheel of Life .

three days to a picture .

I was busied on it or it may be I shut my eyes a little when they brought word of thee .

it is good to have thee here : I will show thee my art not for pride 's sake , but because thou must learn .

the Sahibs have not all this world 's wisdom . '

he drew from under the table a sheet of strangely scented yellow Chinese paper , the brushes , and slab of Indian ink .

men say that the Bodhisat Himself first drew it with grains of rice upon dust , to teach His disciples the cause of things .

many ages have crystallized it into a most wonderful convention crowded with hundreds of little figures whose every line carries a meaning .

' I have a little learned to draw , ' said Kim .

' But this is a marvel beyond marvels . '

' I have written it for many years , ' said the lama .

' Time was when I could write it all between one lamp-lighting and the next .

I will teach thee the art after due preparation ; and I will show thee the meaning of the Wheel . '

' We take the Road , then ? '

' The Road and our Search .

I was but waiting for thee .

again and again , as thou knowest , I put this from me , fearing an illusion .

therefore I would not take thee with me that day at Lucknow , when we ate the cakes .

I would not take thee till the time was ripe and auspicious .

from the Hills to the Sea , from the Sea to the Hills have I gone , but it was vain .

then I remembered the Tataka . '

he told Kim the story of the elephant with the leg-iron , as he had told it so often to the Jam priests .

' Further testimony is not needed , ' he ended serenely .

' Thou wast sent for an aid .

that aid removed , my Search came to naught .

therefore we will go out again together , and our Search sure . '

' Whither go we ? '

' What matters , Friend of all the World ?

the Search , I say , is sure .

if need be , the River will break from the ground before us .

I acquired merit when I sent thee to the Gates of Learning , and gave thee the jewel that is Wisdom .

thou didst return , I saw even now , a follower of Sakyamuni , the Physician , whose altars are many in Bhotiyal .

it is sufficient .

we are together , and all things are as they were Friend of all the World Friend of the Stars my chela ! '

Kim watched the last dusty sunshine fade out of the court , and played with his ghost-dagger and rosary .

a lamp twinkled , and there followed the sound of a prayer .

that night he dreamed in Hindustani , with never an English word ....y

' The Jat will be here at the light . '

' I am well answered .

in my haste I would have done a wrong . '

he sat down on the cushions and returned to his rosary .

' Surely old folk are as children , ' he said pathetically .

' They desire a matter behold , it must be done at once , or they fret and weep !

it was not so when I was a man a long time ago .

none the less it is wrongful '

' But thou art indeed old , Holy One . '

' The thing was done .

does the Wheel hang still if a child spin it or a drunkard ?

Chela , this is a great and a terrible world . '

' I think it good , ' Kim yawned .

' What is there to eat ?

I have not eaten since yesterday even . '

' I had forgotten thy need .

Yonder is good Bhotiyal tea and cold rice . '

' We cannot walk far on such stuff . '

Kim felt all the European 's lust for flesh-meat , which is not accessible in a Jain temple .

yet , instead of going out at once with the begging-bowl , he stayed his stomach on slabs of cold rice till the full dawn .

it brought the farmer , voluble , stuttering with gratitude .

' In the night the fever broke and the sweat came , ' he cried .

' Feel here his skin is fresh and new !

he esteemed the salt lozenges , and took milk with greed . '

he drew the cloth from the child 's face , and it smiled sleepily at Kim .

a little knot of Jain priests , silent but all-observant , gathered by the temple door .

they knew , and Kim knew that they knew , how the old lama had met his disciple .

being courteous folk , they had not obtruded themselves overnight by presence , word , or gesture .

Wherefore Kim repaid them as the sun rose .

' Thank the Gods of the Jains , brother , ' he said , not knowing how those Gods were named .

' The fever is indeed broken . '

' Look !

See ! '

the lama beamed in the background upon his hosts of three years .

' Was there ever such a chela ?

he follows our Lord the Healer . '

now the Jains officially recognize all the Gods of the Hindu creed , as well as the Lingam and the Snake .

they wear the Brahminical thread ; they adhere to every claim of Hindu caste-law .

' Remember , ' Kim bent over the child . ' this trouble may come again . '

' Not if thou hast the proper spell , ' said the father .

' But in a little while we go away . '

' True , ' said the lama to all the Jains .

' We go now together upon the Search whereof I have often spoken .

I waited till my chela was ripe .

behold him !

we go North .

never again shall I look upon this place of my rest , O people of good will . '

' But I am not a beggar . '

the cultivator rose to his feet , clutching the child .

' Be still .

do not trouble the Holy One , ' a priest cried .

' Go , ' Kim whispered .

specially sweetmeats .

be swift ! '

Long and formal were the farewells , thrice ended and thrice renewed .

meantime Kim , lonelier than ever , squatted on the steps , and swore to himself in the language of St Xavier 's .

' But it is my own fault , ' he concluded .

' With Mahbub , I ate Mahbub 's bread , or Lurgan Sahib 's .

at St Xavier 's , three meals a day .

here I must jolly-well look out for myself .

besides , I am not in good training .

how I could eat a plate of beef now ! ...

is it finished , Holy One ? '

the lama , both hands raised , intoned a final blessing in ornate Chinese .

' I must lean on thy shoulder , ' said he , as the temple gates closed .

' We grow stiff , I think . '

' Fall to , Holy Ones ! ' he cried from fifty yards .

( they were by the shoal under the first bridge-span , out of sight of hungry priests . )

' Rice and good curry , cakes all warm and well scented with hing asafoetida , curds and sugar .

' And we , ' said Kim , turning his back and heaping a leafplatter for the lama , ' are beyond all castes . '

they gorged themselves on the good food in silence .

' If our roads lie together , ' he said roughly , ' I go with thee .

one does not often find a worker of miracles , and the child is still weak .

but I am not altogether a reed . '

he picked up his lathi a five-foot male-bamboo ringed with bands of polished iron and flourished it in the air .

' The Jats are called quarrel-some , but that is not true .

except when we are crossed , we are like our own buffaloes . '

' So be it , ' said Kim .

' A good stick is a good reason . '

the lama gazed placidly up-stream , where in long , smudged perspective the ceaseless columns of smoke go up from the burning-ghats by the river .

now and again , despite all municipal regulations , the fragment of a half-burned body bobbed by on the full current .

the priests tell us that Benares is holy which none doubt and desirable to die in .

wash here !

Wash there !

pour , drink , lave , and scatter flowers but always pay the priests .

no , the Punjab for me , and the soil of the Jullundur-doab for the best soil in it . '

' I have said many times in the Temple , I think that if need be , the River will open at our feet .

we will therefore go North , ' said the lama , rising .

' I remember a pleasant place , set about with fruit-trees , where one can walk in meditation and the air is cooler there .

it comes from the Hills and the snow of the Hills . '

' What is the name ? ' said Kim .

' How should I know ?

Didst thou not no , that was after the Army rose out of the earth and took thee away .

I abode there in meditation in a room against the dovecot except when she talked eternally . '

' Oho ! the woman from Kulu .

that is by Saharunpore . '

Kim laughed .

' How does the spirit move thy master ?

does he go afoot , for the sake of past sins ? ' the Jat demanded cautiously .

' It is a far cry to Delhi . '

' No , ' said Kim .

' I will beg a tikkut for the te-rain . '

one does not own to the possession of money in India .

' Then , in the name of the Gods , let us take the fire-carriage .

my son is best in his mother 's arms .

the Government has brought on us many taxes , but it gives us one good thing the te-rain that joins friends and unites the anxious .

a wonderful matter is the te-rain . '

they all piled into it a couple of hours later , and slept through the heat of the day .

the Kamboh plied Kim with ten thousand questions as to the lama's walk and work in life , and received some curious answers .

even today , tickets and ticket-clipping are dark oppression to Indian rustics .

so , long and furious are the debates between travellers and Eurasian ticket-collectors .

but at Somna Road the Fates sent him a matter to think upon .

his face was cut , his muslin upper-garment was badly torn , and one leg was bandaged .

he told them that a country-cart had upset and nearly slain him : he was going to Delhi , where his son lived .

Kim watched him closely .

but all his injuries seemed clean cuts , and a mere fall from a cart could not cast a man into such extremity of terror .

there were none except the Kamboh and the lama in the compartment , which , luckily , was of an old type with solid ends .

Kim made as to scratch in his bosom , and thereby lifted his own amulet .

the Mahratta 's face changed altogether at the sight , and he disposed the amulet fairly on his breast .

I was not a Son of the Charm a lucky man that day . '

' That was a great loss , ' said the Kamboh , withdrawing interest .

his experience of Benares had made him suspicious .

' Who cooked it ? ' said Kim .

' A woman . '

the Mahratta raised his eyes .

' But all women can cook tarkeean , ' said the Kamboh .

' It is a good curry , as I know . '

' Oh yes , it is a good curry , ' said the Mahratta .

' And cheap , ' said Kim .

' But what about caste ? '

' Oh , there is no caste where men go to look for tarkeean , ' the Mahratta replied , in the prescribed cadence .

' Of whose service art thou ? '

' Of the service of this Holy One . '

Kim pointed to the happy , drowsy lama , who woke with a jerk at the well-loved word .

' Ah , he was sent from Heaven to aid me .

he is called the Friend of all the World .

he is also called the Friend of the Stars .

he walks as a physician his time being ripe .

Great is his wisdom . '

' And who is that ? ' the Mahratta asked , glancing sideways nervously .

' One whose child I we have cured , who lies under great debt to us .

sit by the window , man from Jullundur .

here is a sick one . '

' Humph !

I have no desire to mix with chance-met wastrels .

my ears are not long .

I am not a woman wishing to overhear secrets . '

the Jat slid himself heavily into a far corner .

' Art thou anything of a healer ?

I am ten leagues deep in calamity , ' cried the Mahratta , picking up the cue .

' This man is cut and bruised all over .

I go about to cure him , ' Kim retorted .

' None interfered between thy babe and me . '

' I am rebuked , ' said the Kamboh meekly .

' I am thy debtor for the life of my son .

thou art a miracle-worker I know it . '

' Show me the cuts . '

Kim bent over the Mahratta 's neck , his heart nearly choking him ; for this was the Great Game with a vengeance .

' Now , tell thy tale swiftly , brother , while I say a charm . '

' I come from the South , where my work lay .

one of us they slew by the roadside .

Hast thou heard ? '

Kim shook his head .

he , of course , knew nothing of E 's predecessor , slain down South in the habit of an Arab trader .

' Having found a certain letter which I was sent to seek , I came away .

I escaped from the city and ran to Mhow .

so sure was I that none knew , I did not change my face .

at Mhow a woman brought charge against me of theft of jewellery in that city which I had left .

then I saw the cry was out against me .

I buried it under the Queen 's Stone , at Chitor , in the place known to us all . '

Kim did not know , but not for worlds would he have broken the thread .

neither love spies , and there is no justice .

they have both the corpse and the witnesses waiting . '

' But cannot the Government protect ? '

' We of the Game are beyond protection .

if we die , we die .

our names are blotted from the book .

that is all .

then I came to Agra , and would have turned back to Chitor to recover the letter .

so sure I was I had slipped them .

therefore I did not send a tar telegram to any one saying where the letter lay .

I wished the credit of it all . '

Kim nodded .

he understood that feeling well .

oh , they are clever in the South !

he recognized me as his agent for cotton .

may he burn in Hell for it ! '

' And wast thou ? '

' O fool !

I was the man they sought for the matter of the letter !

I ran into the Fleshers ' Ward and came out by the House of the Jew , who feared a riot and pushed me forth .

within earshot of the terain it was ! '

' Why did he not slay thee out of hand ? '

' They are not so foolish .

I go back guarded , and then I die slowly for an example to the rest of Us .

the South is not my country .

I run in circles like a goat with one eye .

I have not eaten for two days .

I am marked ' he touched the filthy bandage on his leg ' so that they will know me at Delhi . '

' Thou art safe in the te-rain , at least . '

' Live a year at the Great Game and tell me that again !

the wires will be out against me at Delhi , describing every tear and rag upon me .

twenty a hundred , if need be will have seen me slay that boy .

and thou art useless ! '

Kim knew enough of native methods of attack not to doubt that the case would be deadly complete even to the corpse .

the Mahratta twitched his fingers with pain from time to time .

' Hast thou a charm to change my shape ?

Else I am dead .

five ten minutes alone , if I had not been so pressed , and I might '

' Is he cured yet , miracle-worker ? ' said the Kamboh jealously .

' Thou hast chanted long enough . '

' Nay .

there is no cure for his hurts , as I see , except he sit for three days in the habit of a bairagi . '

this is a common penance , often imposed on a fat trader by his spiritual teacher .

' One priest always goes about to make another priest , ' was the retort .

like most grossly superstitious folk , the Kamboh could not keep his tongue from deriding his Church .

' Will thy son be a priest , then ?

it is time he took more of my quinine . '

' We Jats are all buffaloes , ' said the Kamboh , softening anew .

Kim rubbed a finger-tip of bitterness on the child 's trusting little lips .

' I have asked for nothing , ' he said sternly to the father , ' except food .

Dost thou grudge me that ?

I go to heal another man .

have I thy leave Prince ? '

Up flew the man 's huge paws in supplication .

' Nay nay .

do not mock me thus . '

' It pleases me to cure this sick one .

thou shalt acquire merit by aiding .

what colour ash is there in thy pipe-bowl ?

White .

that is auspicious .

was there raw turmeric among thy foodstuffs ? '

' I I '

' Open thy bundle ! '

Kim turned it over with the air of a wise warlock , muttering a Mohammedan invocation .

' There is a great evil in this man 's fortune , as shown by the Stars , which which troubles him .

shall I take it away ? '

' Friend of the Stars , thou hast done well in all things .

let it be at thy pleasure .

is it another healing ? '

' Quick !

be quick ! ' gasped the Mahratta .

' The train may stop . '

e , without a word , slipped off his turban and shook down his long black hair .

' That is my food priest , ' the jat growled .

' A buffalo in the temple !

Hast thou dared to look even thus far ? ' said Kim .

' I must do mysteries before fools ; but have a care for thine eyes .

is there a film before them already ?

I save the babe , and for return thou oh , shameless ! '

the man flinched at the direct gaze , for Kim was wholly in earnest .

' Dare so much as to think a wish to see , and and even I cannot save thee .

sit !

be dumb ! '

' I am blind dumb .

forbear to curse !

Co come , child ; we will play a game of hiding .

do not , for my sake , look from under the cloth . '


' What is thy scheme ? '

' This comes next , ' said Kim , plucking the thin body-shirt .


' What is caste to a cut throat ? ' said Kim , rending it to the waist .

' We must make thee a yellow Saddhu all over .

Strip strip swiftly , and shake thy hair over thine eyes while I scatter the ash .

now , a caste-mark on thy forehead . '

he drew from his bosom the little Survey paint-box and a cake of crimson lake .

' But two days entered to the Game , brother , ' Kim replied .

' Smear more ash on the bosom . '

' Hast thou met a physician of sick pearls ? '

' Hah !

Dost thou know his touch , then ?

he was my teacher for a while .

we must bar thy legs .

ash cures wounds .

smear it again . '

' I was his pride once , but thou art almost better .

the Gods are kind to us !

give me that . '

it was a tin box of opium pills among the rubbish of the Jat 's bundle .


' They are good against hunger , fear , and chill .

and they make the eyes red too , ' he explained .

' Now I shall have heart to play the Game .

we lack only a Saddhu 's tongs .

what of the old clothes ? '

Kim rolled them small , and stuffed them into the slack folds of his tunic .

with a yellow-ochre paint cake he smeared the legs and the breast , great streaks against the background of flour , ash , and turmeric .

' The blood on them is enough to hang thee , brother . '

' Maybe ; but no need to throw them out of the window ....v

it is finished . '

his voice thrilled with a boy 's pure delight in the Game .

' Turn and look , O Jat ! '

' The Gods protect us , ' said the hooded Kamboh , emerging like a buffalo from the reeds .

' But whither went the Mahratta ?

what hast thou done ? '


the child buried his face in his amazed father 's arms .

' Look up , Princeling !

we travel with warlocks , but they will not hurt thee .

oh , do not cry ....y

what is the sense of curing a child one day and killing him with fright the next ? '

' The child will be fortunate all his life .

he has seen a great healing .

when I was a child I made clay men and horses . '

' I have made them too .

Sir Banas , he comes in the night and makes them all alive at the back of our kitchen-midden , ' piped the child .

' And so thou art not frightened at anything .

eh , Prince ? '

' I was frightened because my father was frightened .

I felt his arms shake . '

' Oh , chicken-man ! ' said Kim , and even the abashed Jat laughed .

' I have done a healing on this poor trader .

he must forsake his gains and his account-books , and sit by the wayside three nights to overcome the malignity of his enemies .

the Stars are against him . '

' So ?

but that is thy child on thy shoulder given over to the burning-ghat not two days ago .

there remains one thing more .

I did this charm in thy presence because need was great .

I changed his shape and his soul .

this was part of an old curse picked up from a fakir by the Taksali Gate in the days of Kim 's innocence .

it lost nothing by repetition .

' Cease , Holy One !

in mercy , cease ! ' cried the Jat .

' Do not curse the household .

I saw nothing !

I heard nothing !

I am thy cow ! ' and he made to grab at Kim 's bare foot beating rhythmically on the carriage floor .

it was one that he had learned from Lurgan Sahib .

the lama stared through his spectacles as he had not stared at the business of disguisement .

' Friend of the Stars , ' he said at last , ' thou hast acquired great wisdom .

beware that it do not give birth to pride .

no man having the Law before his eyes speaks hastily of any matter which he has seen or encountered . '

' No no no , indeed , ' cried the farmer , fearful lest the master should be minded to improve on the pupil .


so , in a silence of awe and great miscomprehension , they slid into Delhi about lamp-lighting time .

chapter @number@

who hath desired the Sea the sight of salt-water unbounded ?

the heave and the halt and the hurl and the crash of the comber wind-hounded ?

the sleek-barrelled swell before storm grey , foamless , enormous , and growing ?

Stark calm on the lap of the Line or the crazy-eyed hurricane blowing ?

his Sea in no showing the same his Sea and the same ' neath all showing His Sea that his being fulfils ?

so and no otherwise so and no otherwise hill-men desire their Hills !

the Sea and the Hills .


' Hunger and fear make men dazed , or I might have thought of this escape before .

I was right .

they come to hunt for me .

thou hast saved my head . '

a group of yellow-trousered Punjab policemen , headed by a hot and perspiring young Englishman , parted the crowd about the carriages .

Behind them , inconspicuous as a cat , ambled a small fat person who looked like a lawyer 's tout .

' See the young Sahib reading from a paper .


' Thev go carriage by carriage , like fisher-folk netting a pool . '

the lama , deep in meditation , stared straight before him ; and the farmer , glancing furtively , gathered up his belongings .

I cannot go to the tar-office in this guise . '

' Is it not enough I have saved thy neck ? '

' Not if the work be left unfinished .

did never the healer of sick pearls tell thee so ?

comes another Sahib !

ah ! '

this was a tallish , sallowish District Superintendent of Police belt , helmet , polished spurs and all strutting and twirling his dark moustache .

' What fools are these Police Sahibs ! ' said Kim genially .


' It is well said , ' he muttered in a changed voice .

' I go to drink water .

keep my place . '

he blundered out almost into the Englishman 's arms , and was bad-worded in clumsy Urdu .

' Tum mut ?

you drunk ?

you mustn't bang about as though Delhi station belonged to you , my friend . '


it reminded him of the drummer-boys and the barrack-sweepers at Umballa in the terrible time of his first schooling .

' My good fool , ' the Englishman drawled .

' Nickle-jao !

go back to your carriage . '

' I don't know what you 're saying , ' the Englishman flushed angrily ' but it 's some piece of blasted impertinence .

come out of that ! '


' Oh , zoolum !

what oppression ! ' growled the Jat from his corner .

' All for the sake of a jest too . '

he had been grinning at the freedom of the Saddhu 's tongue .

' Thy charms do not work well today , Holy One ! '

the Saddhu followed the policeman , fawning and supplicating .

the ruck of passengers , busy , with their babies and their bundles , had not noticed the affair .

' He has gone now to send word of the letter which I hid .

they told me he was in Peshawur .

I might have known that he is like the crocodile always at the other ford .

he has saved me from present calamity , but I owe my life to thee . '

' Is he also one of Us ? '

Kim ducked under a Mewar camel-driver 's greasy armpit and cannoned off a covey of jabbering Sikh matrons .

' Not less than the greatest .

we are both fortunate !

I will make report to him of what thou hast done .

I am safe under his protection . '

he bored through the edge of the crowd besieging the carriages , and squatted by the bench near the telegraph-office .

' Return , or they take thy place !

have no fear for the work , brother or my life .

thou hast given me breathing-space , and Strickland Sahib has pulled me to land .

we may work together at the Game yet .

farewell ! '

Kim hurried to his carriage : elated , bewildered , but a little nettled in that he had no key to the secrets about him .

' I am only a beginner at the Game , that is sure .

I could not have leaped into safety as did the Saddhu .

he knew it was darkest under the lamp .

I could not have thought to tell news under pretence of cursing ....y and how clever was the Sahib !

no matter , I saved the life of one ....y

where is the Kamboh gone , Holy One ? ' he whispered , as he took his seat in the now crowded compartment .

' A fear gripped him , ' the lama replied , with a touch of tender malice .

' He saw thee change the Mahratta to a Saddhu in the twinkling of an eye , as a protection against evil .

that shook him .

then he saw the Saddhu fall sheer into the hands of the polis all the effect of thy art .

where is the Saddhu ? '

' With the polis , ' said Kim ....y

' Yet I saved the Kamboh 's child . '

the lama snuffed blandly .

' Ah , chela , see how thou art overtaken !

thou didst cure the Kamboh 's child solely to acquire merit .

Kim controlled himself with an effort beyond his years .

not more than any other youngster did he like to eat dirt or to be misjudged , but he saw himself in a cleft stick .

the train rolled out of Delhi into the night .

' It is true , ' he murmured .

' Where I have offended thee I have done wrong . '

' It is more , chela .

' We will put these things behind us , ' he said , indicating the brazen engine and the gleaming track .

' The jolting of the te-rain though a wonderful thing has turned my bones to water .

we will use clean air henceforward . '

' Let us go to the Kulu woman 's house ' said Kim , and stepped forth cheerily under the bundles .

early morning Saharunpore-way is clean and well scented .

he thought of the other mornings at St Xavier 's , and it topped his already thrice-heaped contentment .

' Where is this new haste born from ?

wise men do not run about like chickens in the sun .

we have come hundreds upon hundreds of koss already , and , till now , I have scarcely been alone with thee an instant .

how canst thou receive instruction all jostled of crowds ?

how can I , whelmed by a flux of talk , meditate upon the Way ? '

' Her tongue grows no shorter with the years , then ? ' the disciple smiled .

' Nor her desire for charms .

she shall acquire merit by entertaining us in a little while at an after-occasion softly , softly .

now we will wander loose-foot , waiting upon the Chain of Things .

the Search is sure . '

at mid-day , after talk and a little wayfaring , they slept ; meeting the world refreshed when the air was cooler .

night found them adventuring into new territory some chosen village spied three hours before across the fat land , and much discussed upon the road .

here sat the Gods on high and they were dreams of dreams .

here was our Heaven and the world of the demi-Gods horsemen fighting among the hills .

here were the agonies done upon the beasts , souls ascending or descending the ladder and therefore not to be interfered with .

here were the Hells , hot and cold , and the abodes of tormented ghosts .

let the chela study the troubles that come from over-eating bloated stomach and burning bowels .

it sufficed these humble ones that they had met a Holy One who might be moved to remember them in his prayers .

' Cure them if they are sick , ' said the lama , when Kim 's sporting instincts woke .

' Cure them if they have fever , but by no means work charms .

remember what befell the Mahratta . '

' Then all Doing is evil ? '

Kim replied , lying out under a big tree at the fork of the Doon road , watching the little ants run over his hand .

' To abstain from action is well except to acquire merit . '

' At the Gates of Learning we were taught that to abstain from action was unbefitting a Sahib .

and I am a Sahib . '

to those who follow the Way there is neither black nor white , Hind nor Bhotiyal .

we be all souls seeking escape .

no matter what thy wisdom learned among Sahibs , when we come to my River thou wilt be freed from all illusion at my side .

Hai !

my bones ache for that River , as they ached in the te-rain ; but my spirit sits above my bones , waiting .

the Search is sure ! '

' I am answered .

is it permitted to ask a question ? '

the lama inclined his stately head .

' I ate thy bread for three years as thou knowest .

Holy One , whence came ? '

' There is much wealth , as men count it , in Bhotiyal , ' the lama returned with composure .

' In my own place I have the illusion of honour .

I ask for that I need .

I am not concerned with the account .

that is for my monastery .

Ai !

the black high seats in the monastery , and novices all in order ! '

he spoke even of Lhassa and of the Dalai Lama , whom he had seen and adored .

each long , perfect day rose behind Kim for a barrier to cut him off from his race and his mother-tongue .

the old man 's mind turned more and more to his monastery as his eyes turned to the steadfast snows .

his River troubled him nothing .

their stomachs told them the time , and the people brought them their food , as the saying is .

' Now do I remember ' the lama spoke as though it were a wholly new proposition .

' She is virtuous , but an inordinate talker . '

Kim was sitting on the edge of a cow 's manger , telling stories to a village smith 's children .

' She will only ask for another son for her daughter .

I have not forgotten her , ' he said .

' Let her acquire merit .

send word that we will come . '

' But thou art still the shameless beggar-brat of the parao , ' she shrilled .

' I have not forgotten thee .

wash ye and eat .

the father of my daughter 's son is gone away awhile .

so we poor women are dumb and useless . '

that was on the pilgrimage .

when we travel thou knowest the proverb . '

' Called the Maharanee a Breaker of Hearts and a Dispenser of Delights ? '

' To remember that !

it was true .

so he did .

that was in the time of the bloom of my beauty . '

she chuckled like a contented parrot above the sugar lump .

' Now tell me of thy goings and comings as much as may be without shame .

how many maids , and whose wives , hang upon thine eyelashes ?

ye hail from Benares ?

I would have gone there again this year , but my daughter we have only two sons .

Phaii !

such is the effect of these low plains .

now in Kulu men are elephants .

but I would ask thy Holy One stand aside , rogue a charm against most lamentable windy colics that in mango-time overtake my daughter 's eldest .

two years back he gave me a powerful spell . '

' Oh , Holy One ! ' said Kim , bubbling with mirth at the lama's rueful face .

' It is true .

I gave her one against wind . '

' Teeth teeth teeth , ' snapped the old woman .

" ' Cure them if they are sick , " ' Kim quoted relishingly , " ' but by no means work charms .

remember what befell the Mahratta . " '

' That was two Rains ago ; she wearied me with her continual importunity . '

the lama groaned as the Unjust Judge had groaned before him .

' Thus it comes take note , my chela that even those who would follow the Way are thrust aside by idle women .

three days through , when the child was sick , she talked to me . '

' Arre ! and to whom else should I talk ?

' I gave her the charm .

what is an old man to do ? '

" 'To abstain from action is well except to acquire merit . " '

' Ah chela , if thou desertest me , I am all alone . '

' He found his milk-teeth easily at any rate , ' said the old lady .

' But all priests are alike . '

Kim coughed severely .

being young , he did not approve of her flippancy .

' To importune the wise out of season is to invite calamity . '

I am half minded to take the hakim's medicine .

he sells it cheap , and certainly it makes him fat as Shiv 's own bull .

he does not deny remedies , but I doubted for the child because of the in-auspicious colour of the bottles . '

the lama , under cover of the monologue , had faded out into the darkness towards the room prepared .

' Thou hast angered him , belike , ' said Kim .

' Not he .

he is wearied , and I forgot , being a grandmother .

( none but a grandmother should ever oversee a child .

mothers are only fit for bearing . )

tomorrow , when he sees how my daughter 's son is grown , he will write the charm .

then , too , he can judge of the new hakim's drugs . '

' Who is the hakim , Maharanee ? '

' A wanderer , as thou art , but a most sober Bengali from Dacca a master of medicine .

he relieved me of an oppression after meat by means of a small pill that wrought like a devil unchained .

he travels about now , vending preparations of great value .

he has even papers , printed in Angrezi , telling what things he has done for weak-backed men and slack women .

let the boy stop eating mangoes ....v but who can argue with a grandmother ? '

he raised his voice respectfully : ' Sahiba , the hakim sleeps after his meat .

he is in the quarters behind the dovecote . '

Kim bristled like an expectant terrier .

to outface and down-talk a Calcutta-taught Bengali , a voluble Dacca drug-vendor , would be a good game .

it was not seemly that the lama , and incidentally himself , should be thrown aside for such an one .

he knew those curious bastard English advertisements at the backs of native newspapers .

the Oorya , not unanxious to play off one parasite against the other , slunk away towards the dovecote .

' Yes , ' said Kim , with measured scorn .

' Their stock-in-trade is a little coloured water and a very great shamelessness .

their prey are broken-down kings and overfed Bengalis .

their profit is in children who are not born . '

the old lady chuckled .

' Do not be envious .

charms are better , eh ?

I never gainsaid it .

see that thy Holy One writes me a good amulet by the morning . '

none but the ignorant deny the value of medicines . '

' A rat found a piece of turmeric .

said he : " I will open a grocer 's shop , " ' Kim retorted .

battle was fairly joined now , and they heard the old lady stiffen to attention .

' The priest 's son knows the names of his nurse and three Gods .

says he : " hear me , or I will curse you by the three million Great Ones . " '

decidedly this invisible had an arrow or two in his quiver .

he went on : ' I am but a teacher of the alphabet .

I have learned all the wisdom of the Sahibs . '

' The Sahibs never grow old .

they dance and they play like children when they are grandfathers .

A strong-backed breed , ' piped the voice inside the palanquin .

' I have , too , our drugs which loosen humours of the head in hot and angry men .

many people have died before '

' That I surely believe , ' said Kim .

' They knew the value of my drugs .

' Very mightily they do so , ' sighed the old lady .

the voice launched into an immense tale of misfortune and bankruptcy , studded with plentiful petitions to the Government .

' But for my fate , which overrules all , I had been now in Government employ .

I bear a degree from the great school at Calcutta whither , maybe , the son of this House shall go . '

' He shall indeed .

' Never , ' said the voice , ' have I seen such a child !

' Hai mai ! ' said the old lady .

' To praise children is inauspicious , or I could listen to this talk .

the child 's father is away too , and I must be chowkedar watchman in my old age .

up !

up !

take up the palanquin .

let the hakim and the young priest settle between them whether charms or medicine most avail .

Ho ! worthless people , fetch tobacco for the guests , and round the homestead go I ! '

the palanquin reeled off , followed by straggling torches and a horde of dogs .

twenty villages knew the Sahiba her failings , her tongue , and her large charity .

twenty villages cheated her after immemorial custom , but no man would have stolen or robbed within her jurisdiction for any gift under heaven .

none the less , she made great parade of her formal inspections , the riot of which could be heard half-way to Mussoorie .

Kim relaxed , as one augur must when he meets another .

the hakim , still squatting , slid over his hookah with a friendly foot , and Kim pulled at the good weed .

the hangers-on expected grave professional debate , and perhaps a little free doctoring .

' To discuss medicine before the ignorant is of one piece with teaching the peacock to sing , ' said the hakim .

' True courtesy , ' Kim echoed , ' is very often inattention . '

these , be it understood , were company-manners , designed to impress .

' Hi !

I have an ulcer on my leg , ' cried a scullion .

' Look at it ! '

' Get hence !

remove ! ' said the hakim .

' Is it the habit of the place to pester honoured guests ?

ye crowd in like buffaloes . '

' If the Sahiba knew ' Kim began .

' Ai !

Ai !

come away .

they are meat for our mistress .

when her young Shaitan 's colics are cured perhaps we poor people may be suffered to '

' The mistress fed thy wife when thou wast in jail for breaking the money-lender 's head .

who speaks against her ? '

the old servitor curled his white moustaches savagely in the young moonlight .

' I am responsible for the honour of this house .

go ! ' and he drove the underlings before him .

said the hakim , hardly more than shaping the words with his lips : ' How do you do , Mister O'Hara ?

I am jolly glad to see you again . '

Kim 's hand clenched about the pipe-stem .

it annoyed him , too , that he had been hoodwinked .

' Ah ha !

I told you at Lucknow resurgam I shall rise again and you shall not know me .

how much did you bet eh ? '

he chewed leisurely upon a few cardamom seeds , but he breathed uneasily .

' But why come here , Babuji ? '

' Ah !

Thatt is the question , as Shakespeare hath it .

I come to congratulate you on your extraordinary effeecient performance at Delhi .

Oah !

I tell you we are all proud of you .

it was verree neat and handy .

our mutual friend , he is old friend of mine .

he has been in some dam'-tight places .

now he will be in some more .

he told me ; I tell Mr Lurgan ; and he is pleased you graduate so nicely .

all the Department is pleased . '

earth has nothing on the same plane to compare with it .

but , cried the Oriental in him , Babus do not travel far to retail compliments .

' Tell thy tale , Babu , ' he said authoritatively .

' Oah , it is nothing .

' The Colonel Sahib , ' the boy from St Xavier 's corrected .

' Of course .

he found me at a loose string , and I had to go down to Chitor to find that beastly letter .

I do not like the South too much railway travel ; but I drew good travelling allowance .

Ha !

Ha !

I meet our mutual at Delhi on the way back .

he lies quiett just now , and says Saddhu-disguise suits him to the ground .

well , there I hear what you have done so well , so quickly , upon the instantaneous spur of the moment .

I tell our mutual you take the bally bun , by Jove !

it was splendid .

I come to tell you so . '

' Umm ! '

the frogs were busy in the ditches , and the moon slid to her setting .

some happy servant had gone out to commune with the night and to beat upon a drum .

Kim 's next sentence was in the vernacular .

' How didst thou follow us ? '

' Oah .

Thatt was nothing .

I know from our mutual friend you go to Saharunpore .

so I come on .

Red Lamas are not inconspicuous persons .

I buy myself my drug-box , and I am very good doctor really .

I go to Akrola of the Ford , and hear all about you , and I talk here and talk there .

all the common people know what you do .

I knew when the hospitable old lady sent the dooli .

they have great recollections of the old lama's visits here .

I know old ladies cannot keep their hands from medicines .

so I am a doctor , and you hear my talk ?

I think it is verree good .

my word , Mister O'Hara , they know about you and the lama for fifty miles the common people .

so I come .

do you mind ? '

' Babuji , ' said Kim , looking up at the broad , grinning face , ' I am a Sahib . '

' My dear Mister O'Hara '

' And I hope to play the Great Game . '

' You are subordinate to me departmentally at present . '

' Then why talk like an ape in a tree ?

men do not come after one from Simla and change their dress , for the sake of a few sweet words .

I am not a child .

talk Hindi and let us get to the yolk of the egg .

thou art here speaking not one word of truth in ten .

why art thou here ?

give a straight answer . '

' That is so verree disconcerting of the Europeans , Mister O'Hara .

you should know a heap better at your time of life . '

' But I want to know , ' said Kim , laughing .

' If it is the Game , I may help .

how can I do anything if you bukh babble all round the shop ? '

Hurree Babu reached for the pipe , and sucked it till it gurgled again .

' Now I will speak vernacular .

you sit tight , Mister O'Hara ....v

it concerns the pedigree of a white stallion . '

' Still ?

that was finished long ago . '

' When everyone is dead the Great Game is finished .

not before .

listen to me till the end .

there were Five Kings who prepared a sudden war three years ago , when thou wast given the stallion 's pedigree by Mahbub Ali .

upon them , because of that news , and ere they were ready , fell our Army . '

' Ay eight thousand men with guns .

I remember that night . '

' But the war was not pushed .

that is the Government custom .

Hilas and Bunar Rajahs with guns undertook for a price to guard the Passes against all coming from the North .

they protested both fear and friendship . '

he broke off with a giggle into English : ' Of course , I tell you this unoffeecially to elucidate political situation , Mister O'Hara .

Offeecially , I am debarred from criticizing any action of superiors .

now I go on .

when the troops were withdrawn , I was left behind to pay the coolies who made new roads in the Hills .

this road-making was part of the bond between Bunar , Hilas , and the Government . '

' So ?

and then ? '

' I tell you , it was jolly-beastly cold up there too , after summer , ' said Hurree Babu confidentially .

' I was afraid these Bunar men would cut my throat every night for thee pay-chest .

my native sepoy-guard , they laughed at me !

by Jove !

I was such a fearful man .

Nevar mind thatt .

I go on colloquially ....y

nothing was done .

only my feet were frozen , and a toe dropped off .

' For ? '

' For the Russians .

the thing was an open jest among the coolies .

then I was called down to tell what I knew by speech of tongue .

Mahbub came South too .

see the end !

over the Passes this year after snow-melting ' he shivered afresh ' come two strangers under cover of shooting wild goats .

they bear guns , but they bear also chains and levels and compasses . '

' Oho !

the thing gets clearer . '

' They are well received by Hilas and Bunar .

they make great promises ; they speak as the mouthpiece of a Kaisar with gifts .

here can ye hold the road against an army " the very roads for which I paid out the rupees monthly .

the Government knows , but does nothing .

I say to Creighton Sahib , " this is not a lawsuit , that we go about to collect evidence . " '

it is , if you permit the observation , most reprehensible laxity on your part . "

and Colonel Creighton , he laughed at me !

it is all your beastly English pride .

you think no one dare conspire !

that is all tommy-rott . '

Kim smoked slowly , revolving the business , so far as he understood it , in his quick mind .

' Then thou goest forth to follow the strangers ? '

' No.

to meet them .

they are coming in to Simla to send down their horns and heads to be dressed at Calcutta .

they are exclusively sporting gentlemen , and they are allowed special faceelities by the Government .

of course , we always do that .

it is our British pride . '

' Then what is to fear from them ? '

' By Jove , they are not black people .

I can do all sorts of things with black people , of course .

they are Russians , and highly unscrupulous people .

I I do not want to consort with them without a witness . '

' Will they kill thee ? '

' Oah , thatt is nothing .

but but they may beat me . '

' Why ? '

Hurree Babu snapped his fingers with irritation .

and then I must pick up what I can , I suppose .

that is as easy for me as playing Mister Doctor to the old lady .

Onlee onlee you see , Mister O'Hara , I am unfortunately Asiatic , which is serious detriment in some respects .

and all-so I am Bengali a fearful man . '

' God made the Hare and the Bengali .

what shame ? ' said Kim , quoting the proverb .

' It was process of Evolution , I think , from Primal Necessity , but the fact remains in all the cui bono .

I am , oh , awfully fearful !

I remember once they wanted to cut off my head on the road to Lhassa .

( no , I have never reached to Lhassa . )

I sat down and cried , Mister O'Hara , anticipating Chinese tortures .

I do not suppose these two gentlemen will torture me , but I like to provide for possible contingency with European assistance in emergency . '

he coughed and spat out the cardamoms .

' It is purely unoffeecial indent , to which you can say " no , Babu " .

I have great opeenion of you since I met my friend at Delhi .

and also I will embody your name in my offeecial report when matter is finally adjudicated .

it will be a great feather in your cap .

that is why I come really . '

' Humph !

the end of the tale , I think , is true ; but what of the fore-part ? '

' About the Five Kings ?

Oah ! there is ever so much truth in it .

A lots more than you would suppose , ' said Hurree earnestly .

' You come eh ?

I go from here straight into the Doon .

it is verree verdant and painted meads .

I shall go to Mussoorie to good old Munsoorie Pahar , as the gentlemen and ladies say .

then by Rampur into Chini .

that is the only way they can come .

I do not like waiting in the cold , but we must wait for them .

I want to walk with them to Simla .

you see , one Russian is a Frenchman , and I know my French pretty well .

I have friends in Chandernagore . '

' He would certainly rejoice to see the Hills again , ' said Kim meditatively .

' All his speech these ten days past has been of little else .

if we go together '

' Oah !

we can be quite strangers on the road , if your lama prefers .

I shall just be four or five miles ahead .

there is no hurry for Hurree that is an Europe pun , ha ! ha ! and you come after .

there is plenty of time ; they will plot and survey and map , of course .

I shall go tomorrow , and you the next day , if you choose .

eh ?

you go think on it till morning .

by Jove , it is near morning now . '

he yawned ponderously , and with never a civil word lumbered off to his sleeping-place .

but Kim slept little , and his thoughts ran in Hindustani :

' Well is the Game called great !

I was four days a scullion at Quetta , waiting on the wife of the man whose book I stole .

and that was part of the Great Game !

from the South God knows how far came up the Mahratta , playing the Great Game in fear of his life .

now I shall go far and far into the North playing the Great Game .

truly , it runs like a shuttle throughout all Hind .

and my share and my joy ' he smiled to the darkness ' I owe to the lama here .

also to Mahbub Ali also to Creighton Sahib , but chiefly to the Holy One .

he is right a great and a wonderful world and I am Kim Kim Kim alone one person in the middle of it all .

but I will see these strangers with their levels and chains ....v '

' What was the upshot of last night 's babble ? ' said the lama , after his orisons .

' There came a strolling seller of drugs a hanger-on of the Sahiba 's .

him I abolished by arguments and prayers , proving that our charms are worthier than his coloured waters . '

' Alas , my charms !

is the virtuous woman still bent upon a new one ? '

' Very strictly . '

' Then it must be written , or she will deafen me with her clamour . '

he fumbled at his pencase .

' In the Plains , ' said Kim , ' are always too many people .

in the Hills , as I understand , there are fewer . '

' Oh ! the Hills , and the snows upon the Hills . '

the lami tore off a tiny square of paper fit to go in an amulet .

' But what dost thou know of the Hills ? '

' They are very close . '

Kim thrust open the door and looked at the long , peaceful line of the Himalayas flushed in morning-gold .

' Except in the dress of a Sahib , I have never set foot among them . '

the lama snuffed the wind wistfully .

is the charm made , Holy One ? '

' I have written the names of seven silly devils not one of whom is worth a grain of dust in the eye .

thus do foolish women drag us from the Way ! '

Hurree Babu came out from behind the dovecote washing his teeth with ostentatious ritual .

Full-fleshed , heavy-haunched , bull-necked , and deep-voiced , he did not look like ' a fearful man ' .

the lama's knowledge of medicine was , of course , sympathetic only .

Hurree Babu deferred to these views with enchanting politeness , so that the lama called him a courteous physician .

Kim looked on with envy .

the Hurree Babu of his knowledge oily , effusive , and nervous was gone ; gone , too , was the brazen drug-vendor of overnight .

there remained polished , polite , attentive a sober , learned son of experience and adversity , gathering wisdom from the lama's lips .

the old lady confided to Kim that these rare levels were beyond her .

she liked charms with plenty of ink that one could wash off in water , swallow , and be done with .

Else what was the use of the Gods ?

' We will go in the cool of the evening , chela , ' said the lama .

in a very short time so says the hakim we come to cool air and the smell of pines . '

' Ye go to the Hills ?

and by Kulu road ?

oh , thrice happy ! ' shrilled the old lady .

Ho !

Ho !

I know the road every march of the road I know .

ye will find charity throughout it is not denied to the well-looking .

I will give orders for provision .

a servant to set you forth upon your journey ?

no ....y

then I will at least cook ye good food . '

' What a woman is the Sahiba ! ' said the white-bearded Oorya , when a tumult rose by the kitchen quarters .

' She has never forgotten a friend : she has never forgotten an enemy in all her years .

and her cookery wah ! '

he rubbed his slim stomach .

' I am old and useless , ' she said .

come again , O people of good will .

Holy One and disciple , come again .

the room is always prepared ; the welcome is always ready ....y

see the women do not follow thy chela too openly .

I know the women of Kulu .

take heed , chela , lest he run away when he smells his Hills again ....y

Hai !

do not tilt the rice-bag upside down ....y

bless the household , Holy One , and forgive thy servant her stupidities . '

she wiped her red old eyes on a corner of her veil , and clucked throatily .

' Women talk , ' said the lama at last , ' but that is a woman 's infirmity .

I gave her a charm .

who shall say she does not acquire merit ? '

' Not I , Holy One , ' said Kim , reslinging the bountiful provision on his shoulders .

' And , O imp ? '

the lama almost laughed aloud .

' I cannot make the picture . '

' Nor I . but there are many , many millions of lives before her .

she will get wisdom a little , it may be , in each one . '

' And will she forget how to make stews with saffron upon that road ? '

' Thy mind is set on things unworthy .

but she has skill .

I am refreshed all over .

when we reach the lower hills I shall be yet stronger .

the hakim said that at any time we may return to the Plains , for we do no more than skirt the pleasant places .

the hakim is full of learning ; but he is in no way proud .

upon consideration , I marvelled that I had not thought of such a simple remedy . '

' Didst thou tell him of thy Search ? ' said Kim , a little jealously .

he preferred to sway the lama by his own speech not through the wiles of Hurree Babu .

' Assuredly .

I told him of my dream , and of the manner by which I had acquired merit by causing thee to be taught wisdom . '

' Thou didst not say I was a Sahib ? '

' What need ?

I have told thee many times we be but two souls seeking escape .

that were senseless .

I have my dreams , night upon night repeated ; I have Jataka ; and I have thee , Friend of all the World .

it was written in thy horoscope that a Red Bull on a green field I have not forgotten should bring thee to honour .

who but I saw that prophecy accomplished ?

indeed , I was the instrument .

thou shalt find me my River , being in return the instrument .

the Search is sure ! '

he set his ivory-yellow face , serene and untroubled , towards the beckoning Hills ; his shadow shouldering far before him in the dust .

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who hath desired the Sea the immense and contemptuous surges ?

his Sea in no wonder the same his Sea and the same in each wonder His Sea that his being fulfils ?

so and no otherwise so and no otherwise hill-men desire their hills !

the Sea and the Hills .

' Who goes to the hills goes to his mother . '

they had crossed the Siwaliks and the half-tropical Doon , left Mussoorie behind them , and headed north along the narrow hill-roads .

day after day they struck deeper into the huddled mountains , and day after day Kim watched the lama return to a man 's strength .

among the terraces of the Doon he had leaned on the boy 's shoulder , ready to profit by wayside halts .

Kim , plains-bred and plains-fed , sweated and panted astonished .

' This is my country , ' said the lama .

' Beside Such-zen , this is flatter than a rice-field ' ; and with steady , driving strokes from the loins he strode upwards .

in the dawns they flared windy-red above stark blue , as Kedarnath and Badrinath kings of that wilderness took the first sunlight .

all day long they lay like molten silver under the sun , and at evening put on their jewels again .

the lama was mildly surprised that anyone should object to the knife-edged breezes which had cut the years off his shoulders .

' These are but the lower hills , chela .

there is no cold till we come to the true Hills . '

it freezes at night , too . '

' A little , maybe ; but only enough to make old bones rejoice in the sun .

we must not always delight in soft beds and rich food . '

' We might at least keep to the road . '

and the people the sallow , greasy , duffle-clad people , with short bare legs and faces almost Esquimaux would flock out and adore .

the Plains kindly and gentle had treated the lama as a holy man among holy men .

but the Hills worshipped him as one in the confidence of all their devils .

' We do not use that often except when calving cows stray in summer .

there is a sudden wind among those stones that casts men down on the stillest day .

but what should such folk care for the Devil of Eua ! '

they meditated often on the Wheel of Life the more so since , as the lama said , they were freed from its visible temptations .

the men were woodcutters when they were not farmers meek , and of an incredible simplicity .

he said they could return to the Plains at any moment .

meantime , for such as loved mountains , yonder road might amuse .

Kim looked out across the jungle of peaks .

' This is not my country , hakim .

easier , I think , to find one louse in a bear-skin . '

' Oah , thatt is my strong points .

there is no hurry for Hurree .

they were at Leh not so long ago .

they said they had come down from the Karakorum with their heads and horns and all .

I am onlee afraid they will have sent back all their letters and compromising things from Leh into Russian territoree .

of course they will walk away as far to the East as possible just to show that they were never among the Western States .

you do not know the Hills ? '

he scratched with a twig on the earth .

' Look !

they should have come in by Srinagar or Abbottabad .

Thatt is their short road down the river by Bunji and Astor .

but they have made mischief in the West .

that is ascertained by process of elimination , and also by asking questions from people that I cure so well .

our friends have been a long time playing about and producing impressions .

so they are well known from far off .

you will see me catch them somewhere in Chini valley .

please keep your eye on the umbrella . '

' We came by such and such a way ! '

the lama would throw a careless finger backward at the ridges , and the umbrella would expend itself in compliments .

they came out upon grassy shoulders still snow-speckled , and through forest , to grass anew .

here one day 's march carried them no farther , it seemed , than a dreamer 's clogged pace bears him in a nightmare .

a rounded meadow revealed itself , when they had reached it , for a vast tableland running far into the valley .

three days later , it was a dim fold in the earth to southward .

' This is no place for men ! '

on this the Excellent One returned no answer ....y

when I was in Ceylon , a wise Seeker confirmed that from the gospel which is written in Pali .

certainly , since we know the way to Freedom , the question were unprofitable , but look , and know illusion , chela !

these are the true Hills !

they are like my hills by Suchzen .

never were such hills ! '

above that , in scarps and blocks upheaved , the rocks strove to fight their heads above the white smother .

above these again , changeless since the world 's beginning , but changing to every mood of sun and cloud , lay out the eternal snow .

they could see blots and blurs on its face where storm and wandering wullie-wa got up to dance .

moreover , the white of worn canvas tents against green carries far .

so the forest took them to her bosom , and , for all oaths and clamour , refused to restore .

there was no need to feign madness or the Babu had thought of another means of securing a welcome .

what can I do for you , please ? '

the gentlemen were delighted .

one was visibly French , the other Russian , but they spoke English not much inferior to the Babu 's .

they begged his kind offices .

their native servants had gone sick at Leh .

they had hurried on because they were anxious to bring the spoils of the chase to Simla ere the skins grew moth-eaten .

they bore a general letter of introduction ( the Babu salaamed to it orientally ) to all Government officials .

no , they had not met any other shooting-parties en route .

they did for themselves .

they had plenty of supplies .

they only wished to push on as soon as might be .

at least the Babu would be a witness to their oppression .

' My royal master , he will be much annoyed , but these people are onlee common people and grossly ignorant .

if your honours will kindly overlook unfortunate affair , I shall be much pleased .

in a little while rain will stop and we can then proceed .

you have been shooting , eh ?

that is fine performance ! '

he skipped nimbly from one kilta to the next , making pretence to adjust each conical basket .

the strangers did all these things , and asked many questions about women mostly to which Hurree returned gay and unstudied answers .

he babbled tales of oppression and wrong till the tears ran down his cheeks for the miseries of his land .

then he staggered off , singing love-songs of Lower Bengal , and collapsed upon a wet tree-trunk .

never was so unfortunate a product of English rule in India more unhappily thrust upon aliens .

' They are all just of that pattern , ' said one sportsman to the other in French .

' When we get into India proper thou wilt see .

I should like to visit his Rajah .

one might speak the good word there .

it is possible that he has heard of us and wishes to signify his good-will . '

' We have not time .

we must get into Simla as soon as may be , ' his companion replied .

' For my own part , I wish our reports had been sent back from Hilas , or even Leh . '

' The English post is better and safer .

remember we are given all facilities and Name of God ! they give them to us too !

is it unbelievable stupidity ? '

' It is pride pride that deserves and will receive punishment . '

' Yes !

to fight a fellow-Continental in our game is something .

there is a risk attached , but these people bah !

it is too easy . '

' Pride all pride , my friend . '

they talk so particularly fast !

it would have been much better to cut their beastly throats . '

when he presented himself again he was racked with a headache penitent , and volubly afraid that in his drunkenness he might have been indiscreet .

he loved the British Government it was the source of all prosperity and honour , and his master at Rampur held the very same opinion .

these Sahibs travelled without any retinue .

therefore they were poor Sahibs , and ignorant ; for no Sahib in his senses would follow a Bengali 's advice .

but the Bengali , appearing from somewhere , had given them money , and could make shift with their dialect .

used to comprehensive ill-treatment from their own colour , they suspected a trap somewhere , and stood by to run if occasion offered .

his thoughts were many and various .

the least of them would have interested his companions beyond words .

but he was an agreeable guide , ever keen to point out the beauties of his royal master 's domain .

he peopled the hills with anything thev had a mind to slay thar , ibex , or markhor , and bear by Elisha 's allowance .

' Decidedly this fellow is an original , ' said the taller of the two foreigners .

' He is like the nightmare of a Viennese courier . '

' He represents in little India in transition the monstrous hybridism of East and West , ' the Russian replied .

' It is we who can deal with Orientals . '

' He has lost his own country and has not acquired any other .

but he has a most complete hatred of his conquerors .

listen .

he confided to me last night , ' said the other .

he did not wish to steal anything .

he only desired to know what to steal , and , incidentally , how to get away when he had stolen it .

he thanked all the Gods of Hindustan , and Herbert Spencer , that there remained some valuables to steal .

the striped umbrella had been sighted half a march away , and Kim had suggested a halt till it came up to them .

' Ha ! ' said Hurree Babu , resourceful as Puss-in-Boots .

' That is eminent local holy man .

probably subject of my royal master . '

' What is he doing ?

it is very curious . '

' He is expounding holy picture all hand-worked . '

the two men stood bareheaded in the wash of the afternoon sunlight low across the gold-coloured grass .

the sullen coolies , glad of the check , halted and slid down their loads .

' Look ! ' said the Frenchman .

' It is like a picture for the birth of a religion the first teacher and the first disciple .

is he a Buddhist ? '

' Of some debased kind , ' the other answered .

' There are no true Buddhists among the Hills .

but look at the folds of the drapery .

look at his eyes how insolent !

why does this make one feel that we are so young a people ? '

the speaker struck passionately at a tall weed .

' We have nowhere left our mark yet .

nowhere !

that , do you understand , is what disquiets me . '

he scowled at the placid face , and the monumental calm of the pose .

' Have patience .

we shall make your mark together we and you young people .

meantime , draw his picture . '

the Babu advanced loftily ; his back out of all keeping with his deferential speech , or his wink towards Kim .

' Holy One , these be Sahibs .

my medicines cured one of a flux , and I go into Simla to oversee his recovery .

they wish to see thy picture '

' To heal the sick is always good .

' And to hear thee expound it . '

the lama's eyes lighted at the prospect of new listeners .

' To expound the Most Excellent Way is good .

have they any knowledge of Hindi , such as had the Keeper of Images ? '

' A little , maybe . '

the strangers leaned on their alpenstocks and listened .

Kim , squatting humbly , watched the red sunlight on their faces , and the blend and parting of their long shadows .

they guard it most carefully .

they have sent nothing back from Hilas or Leh .

that is sure . '

' Who is with them ? '

' Only the beegar-coolies .

they have no servants .

they are so close they cook their own food . '

' But what am I to do ? '

' Wait and see .

only if any chance comes to me thou wilt know where to seek for the papers . '

' This were better in Mahbub Ali 's hands than a Bengali 's , ' said Kim scornfully .

' There are more ways of getting to a sweetheart than butting down a wall . '

' See here the Hell appointed for avarice and greed .

flanked upon the one side by Desire and on the other by Weariness . '

the lama warmed to his work , and one of the strangers sketched him in the quick-fading light .

' That is enough , ' the man said at last brusquely .

' I cannot understand him , but I want that picture .

he is a better artist than I ..y ask him if he will sell it . '

' He says " no , sar , " ' the Babu replied .

but this was used for the initiation of a novice .

tell him so , hakim . '

' He wishes it now for money . '

the lama shook his head slowly and began to fold up the Wheel .

the Russian , on his side , saw no more than an unclean old man haggling over a dirty piece of paper .

he drew out a handful of rupees , and snatched half-jestingly at the chart , which tore in the lama's grip .

a low murmur of horror went up from the coolies some of whom were Spiti men and , by their lights , good Buddhists .

' Now you see you see why I wanted witnesses .

they are highly unscrupulous people .

oh , sar ! sar !

you must not hit holyman ! '

' Chela !

he has defiled the Written Word ! '

it was too late .

before Kim could ward him off , the Russian struck the old man full on the face .

next instant he was rolling over and over downhill with Kim at his throat .

the blow had waked every unknown Irish devil in the boy 's blood , and the sudden fall of his enemy did the rest .

they had seen sacrilege unspeakable , and it behoved them to get away before the Gods and devils of the hills took vengeance .

the Frenchman ran towards the lama , fumbling at his revolver with some notion of making him a hostage for his companion .

a shower of cutting stones hillmen are very straight shots drove him away , and a coolie from Ao-chung snatched the lama into the stampede .

all came about as swiftly as the sudden mountain-darkness .

' They have taken the baggage and all the guns , ' yelled the Frenchman , firing blindly into the twilight .

' All right , sar !

all right !

don't shoot .

' Go back to the coolies , ' whispered the Babu in his ear .

' They have the baggage .

the papers are in the kilta with the red top , but look through all .

take their papers , and specially the murasla King 's letter .

go !

the other man comes ! '

Kim tore uphill .

a revolver-bullet rang on a rock by his side , and he cowered partridge-wise .

' If you shoot , ' shouted Hurree , ' they will descend and annihilate us .

I have rescued the gentleman , sar .

this is particularly dangerous . '

' By Jove ! '

Kim was thinking hard in English .

' This is dam'-tight place , but I think it is self-defence . '

' What did I say , sar ! '

the Babu seemed to be in tears .

' Come down here and assist to resuscitate .

we are all up a tree , I tell you . '

the shots ceased .

there was a sound of stumbling feet , and Kim hurried upward through the gloom , swearing like a cat or a country-bred .

' Did they wound thee , chela ? ' called the lama above him .

' No.

and thou ? '

he dived into a clump of stunted firs .

' Unhurt .

come away .

we go with these folk to Shamlegh-under-the-Snow . '

' But not before we have done justice , ' a voice cried .

' I have got the Sahibs ' guns all four .

let us go down . '

' He struck the Holy One we saw it !

our cattle will be barren our wives will cease to bear !

the snows will slide upon us as we go home ....v

atop of all other oppression too ! '

the little fir-clump filled with clamouring coolies panic-stricken , and in their terror capable of anything .

the man from Ao-chung clicked the breech-bolt of his gun impatiently , and made as to go downhill .

' Wait a little , Holy One ; they cannot go far .

wait till I return , ' said he .

' It is this person who has suffered wrong , ' said the lama , his hand over his brow .

' For that very reason , ' was the reply .

' If this person overlooks it , your hands are clean .

moreover , ye acquire merit by obedience . '

' Wait , and we will all go to Shamlegh together , ' the man insisted .

for a moment , for just so long as it needs to stuff a cartridge into a breech-loader , the lama hesitated .

then he rose to his feet , and laid a finger on the man 's shoulder .

' Hast thou heard ?

I say there shall be no killing I who was Abbot of Such-zen .

is it thy wish to '

the man from Ao-chung fell to his knees , for the voice boomed like a Tibetan devil-gong .

' Ai ! ai ! ' cried the Spiti men .

' Do not curse us do not curse him .

it was but his zeal , Holy One ! ....v

put down the rifle , fool ! '

' Anger on anger !

evil on evil !

there will be no killing .

let the priest-beaters go in bondage to their own acts .

Just and sure is the Wheel , swerving not a hair !

they will be born many times in torment . '

his head drooped , and he leaned heavily on Kim 's shoulder .

' I have come near to great evil , chela , ' he whispered in that dead hush under the pines .

he struck me across the face ... upon the flesh ....y '

he slid to the ground , breathing heavily , and Kim could hear the over-driven heart bump and check .

' Have they hurt him to the death ? ' said the Ao-chung man , while the others stood mute .

Kim knelt over the body in deadly fear .

' Nay , ' he cried passionately , ' this is only a weakness . '

then he remembered that he was a white man , with a white man 's camp-fittings at his service .

' Open the kiltas !

the Sahibs may have a medicine . '

' Oho !

then I know it , ' said the Ao-chung man with a laugh .

' Not for five years was I Yankling Sahib 's shikarri without knowing that medicine .

I too have tasted it .

behold ! '

' So I did when Yankling Sahib twisted his foot beyond Astor .

aha !

I have already looked into their baskets but we will make fair division at Shamlegh .

give him a little more .

it is good medicine .

feel !

his heart goes better now .

lay his head down and rub a little on the chest .

if he had waited quietly while I accounted for the Sahibs this would never have come .

but perhaps the Sahibs may chase us here .

then it would not be wrong to shoot them with their own guns , heh ? '

' One is paid , I think , already , ' said Kim between his teeth .

' I kicked him in the groin as we went downhill .

would I had killed him ! '

' If we get a bad name among the Sahibs , none will employ us as shikarris any more . '

' Oh , but these are not Angrezi Sahibs not merry-minded men like Fostum Sahib or Yankling Sahib .

they are foreigners they cannot speak Angrezi as do Sahibs . '

here the lama coughed and sat up , groping for the rosary .

' There shall be no killing , ' he murmured .

' Just is the Wheel !

evil on evil '

' Nay , Holy One .

we are all here . '

the Ao-chung man timidly patted his feet .

' Except by thy order , no one shall be slain .

rest awhile .

we will make a little camp here , and later , as the moon rises , we go to Shamlegh-under-the-Snow . '

' After a blow , ' said a Spiti man sententiously , ' it is best to sleep . '

' There is , as it were , a dizziness at the back of my neck , and a pinching in it .

let me lay my head on thy lap , chela .

I am an old man , but not free from passion ....y

we must think of the Cause of Things . '

' Give him a blanket .

we dare not light a fire lest the Sahibs see . '

' Better get away to Shamlegh .

none will follow us to Shamlegh . '

this was the nervous Rampur man .

' I have been Fostum Sahib 's shikarri , and I am Yankling Sahib 's shikarri .

I should have been with Yankling Sahib now but for this cursed beegar the corvee .

let two men watch below with the guns lest the Sahibs do more foolishness .

I shall not leave this Holy One . '

they looked like kobolds from some magic mine gnomes of the hills in conclave .

and while they talked , the voices of the snow-waters round them diminished one by one as the night-frost choked and clogged the runnels .

' How he stood up against us ! ' said a Spiti man admiring .

Dupont Sahib was a good shikarri . '

' Not as good as Yankling Sahib . '

the Ao-chung man took a pull at the whisky-bottle and passed it over .

' Now hear me unless any other man thinks he knows more . '

the challenge was not taken up .

' We go to Shamlegh when the moon rises .

there we will fairly divide the baggage between us .

I am content with this new little rifle and all its cartridges . '

' Are the bears only bad on thy holding ? said a mate , sucking at the pipe .

we will do all that at Shamlegh before dawn .

' That is well for thee , but what will our Rajah say ? '

' Who is to tell him ?

those Sahibs , who cannot speak our talk , or the Babu , who for his own ends gave us money ?

will he lead an army against us ?

what evidence will remain ?

that we do not need we shall throw on Shamlegh-midden , where no man has yet set foot . '

' Who is at Shamlegh this summer ? '

the place was only a grazing centre of three or four huts . '

' The Woman of Shamlegh .

she has no love for Sahibs , as we know .

the others can be pleased with little presents ; and here is enough for us all . '

he patted the fat sides of the nearest basket .

' But but '

' I have said they are not true Sahibs .

all their skins and heads were bought in the bazar at Leh .

I know the marks .

I showed them to ye last march . '

' True .

they were all bought skins and heads .

some had even the moth in them . '

that was a shrewd argument , and the Ao-chung man knew his fellows .

we are not doing any wrong to any Sahibs whom we know .

they are priest-beaters .

they frightened us .

we fled !

who knows where we dropped the baggage ?

do ye think Yankling Sahib will permit down-country police to wander all over the hills , disturbing his game ?

it is a far cry from Simla to Chini , and farther from Shamlegh to Shamlegh-midden . '

' So be it , but I carry the big kilta .

the basket with the red top that the Sahibs pack themselves every morning . '

' Thus it is proved , ' said the Shamlegh man adroitly , ' that they are Sahibs of no account .

how can they make trouble ?

what of the kilta ? '

' Shamlegh-midden will take them all . '

' True !

but how if we insult the Sahibs ' Gods thereby !

I do not like to handle the Written Word in that fashion .

and their brass idols are beyond my comprehension .

it is no plunder for simple hill-folk . '

' The old man still sleeps .

Hst !

we will ask his chela . '

the Ao-chung man refreshed himself , and swelled with pride of leadership .

' We have here , ' he whispered , ' a kilta whose nature we do not know . '

' But I do , ' said Kim cautiously .

the lama drew breath in natural , easy sleep , and Kim had been thinking of Hurree 's last words .

as a player of the Great Game , he was disposed just then to reverence the Babu .

' It is a kilta with a red top full of very wonderful things , not to be handled by fools . '

' I said it ; I said it , ' cried the bearer of that burden .

' Thinkest thou it will betray us ? '

' Not if it be given to me .

I can draw out its magic .

otherwise it will do great harm . '

' A priest always takes his share . '

whisky was demoralizing the Ao-chung man .

' It is no matter to me . '

Kim answered , with the craft of his mother-country .

' Share it among you , and see what comes ! '

' Not I . I was only jesting .

give the order .

there is more than enough for us all .

we go our way from Shamlegh in the dawn . '

they arranged and re-arranged their artless little plans for another hour , while Kim shivered with cold and pride .

the humour of the situation tickled the Irish and the Oriental in his soul .

one of them , he privately knew , would be lame for a time .

they had made promises to Kings .

tonight they lay out somewhere below him , chartless , foodless , tentless , gunless except for Hurree Babu , guideless .

' They are there with nothing ; and , by Jove , it is cold !

I am here with all their things .

oh , they will be angry !

I am sorry for Hurree Babu . '

they demanded a plan of action .

he enlarged on this sin and its consequences till they bade him change the subject .

but he preferred to endure cold , belly-pinch , bad words , and occasional blows in the company of his honoured employers .

crouched against a tree-trunk , he sniffed dolefully .

Hurree Babu had thought of little else for some hours , but the remark was not to his address .

' We cannot wander !

I can hardly walk , ' groaned Kim 's victim .

' Perhaps the holy man will be merciful in loving-kindness , sar , otherwise '

' I promise myself a peculiar pleasure in emptying my revolver into that young bonze when next we meet , ' was the unchristian answer .

' Revolvers !

vengeance !

Bonzes ! '

Hurree crouched lower .

the war was breaking out afresh .

' Have you no consideration for our loss ?

the baggage !

the baggage ! '

he could hear the speaker literally dancing on the grass .

' Everything we bore !

everything we have secured !

our gains !

eight months ' work !

do you know what that means ?

" decidedly it is we who can deal with Orientals ! "

oh , you have done well . '

they fell to it in several tongues , and Hurree smiled .

Kim was with the kiltas , and in the kiltas lay eight months of good diplomacy .

there was no means of communicating with the boy , but he could be trusted .

Men who cannot control their own coolies are little respected in the Hills , and the hillman has a very keen sense of humour .

how quick I have been !

Just when I ran downhill I thought it !

Thee outrage was accidental , but onlee me could have worked it ah for all it was dam'-well worth .

consider the moral effect upon these ignorant peoples !

no treaties no papers no written documents at all and me to interpret for them .

how I shall laugh with the Colonel !

I wish I had their papers also : but you cannot occupy two places in space simultaneously .

Thatt is axiomatic . '

chapter @number@

his God is as his Fates assign His prayer is all the world 's and mine .

the Prayer .

at moonrise the cautious coolies got under way .

a huge pasture-ground ran up fan-shaped to the living snow .

at its base was perhaps half an acre of flat land , on which stood a few soil and timber huts .

' We will send food , ' said the Ao-chung man , ' and the red-topped kilta .

by dawn there will be none to give evidence , one way or the other .

if anything is not needed in the kilta see here ! '

he pointed through the window opening into space that was filled with moonlight reflected from the snow and threw out an empty whisky-bottle .

' No need to listen for the fall .

this is the world 's end , ' he said , and went out .

the lama looked forth , a hand on either sill , with eyes that shone like yellow opals .

from the enormous pit before him white peaks lifted themselves yearning to the moonlight .

the rest was as the darkness of interstellar space .

' These , ' he said slowly , ' are indeed my Hills .

thus should a man abide , perched above the world , separated from delights , considering vast matters . '

' Ai !

' No wonder .

it was a strong blow .

May he who dealt it '

' But for my own passions there would have been no evil . '

' What evil ?

thou hast saved the Sahibs from the death they deserved a hundred times . '

' The lesson is not well learnt , chela . '

the lama came to rest on a folded blanket , as Kim went forward with his evening routine .

' The blow was but a shadow upon a shadow .

these wrought in my blood , woke tumult in my stomach , and dazzled my ears . '

here he drank scalding black-tea ceremonially , taking the hot cup from Kim 's hand .

' Had I been passionless , the evil blow would have done only bodily evil a scar , or a bruise which is illusion .

but my mind was not abstracted , for rushed in straightway a lust to let the Spiti men kill .

in fighting that lust , my soul was torn and wrenched beyond a thousand blows .

not till I had repeated the Blessings ' ( he meant the Buddhist Beatitudes ) ' did I achieve calm .

but the evil planted in me by that moment 's carelessness works out to its end .

Just is the Wheel , swerving not a hair !

learn the lesson , chela . '

' It is too high for me , ' Kim muttered .

' I am still all shaken .

I am glad I hurt the man . '

' I felt that , sleeping upon thy knees , in the wood below .

it disquieted me in my dreams the evil in thy soul working through to mine .

now I must see into the Cause of Things .

the boat of my soul staggers . '

' Sleep , and be strong .

that is wisest . '

' I meditate .

there is a need greater than thou knowest . '

from time to time he groaned .

Shamlegh kitchen-midden took the dunnage .

' The others have gone .

they left thee this kilta as the promise was .

I do not love Sahibs , but thou wilt make us a charm in return for it .

we do not wish little Shamlegh to get a bad name on account of the accident .

I am the Woman of Shamlegh . '

she looked him over with bold , bright eyes , unlike the usual furtive glance of hillwomen .

' Assuredly .

but it must be done in secret . '

she raised the heavy kilta like a toy and slung it into her own hut .

' Out and bar the door !

let none come near till it is finished , ' said Kim .

' But afterwards we may talk ? '

Kim tilted the kilta on the floor a cascade of Survey-instruments , books , diaries , letters , maps , and queerly scented native correspondence .

at the very bottom was an embroidered bag covering a sealed , gilded , and illuminated document such as one King sends to another .

Kim caught his breath with delight , and reviewed the situation from a Sahib 's point of view .

' The books I do not want .

besides , they are logarithms Survey , I suppose . '

he laid them aside .

' The letters I do not understand , but Colonel Creighton will .

they must all be kept .

the maps they draw better maps than me of course .

all the native letters oho ! and particularly the murasla . '

he sniffed the embroidered bag .

' That must be from Hilas or Bunar , and Hurree Babu spoke truth .

by Jove !

it is a fine haul .

I wish Hurree could know ....y

the rest must go out of the window . '

he fingered a superb prismatic compass and the shiny top of a theodolite .

but after all , a Sahib cannot very well steal , and the things might be inconvenient evidence later .

he sorted out every scrap of manuscript , every map , and the native letters .

they made one softish slab .

the three locked ferril-backed books , with five worn pocket-books , he put aside .

it will be very heavy .

no .

I do not think there is anything more .

if there is , the coolies have thrown it down the khud , so thatt is all right .

now you go too . '

he repacked the kilta with all he meant to lose , and hove it up on to the windowsill .

a thousand feet below lay a long , lazy , round-shouldered bank of mist , as yet untouched by the morning sun .

a thousand feet below that was a hundred-year-old pine-forest .

he could see the green tops looking like a bed of moss when a wind-eddy thinned the cloud .

' No !

I don't think any one will go after you ! '

the wheeling basket vomited its contents as it dropped .

' Five hundred a thousand rupees could not buy them , ' he thought sorrowfully .

' It was verree wasteful , but I have all their other stuff everything they did I hope .

now how the deuce am I to tell Hurree Babu , and whatt the deuce am I to do ?

and my old man is sick .

I must tie up the letters in oilskin .

that is something to do first else they will get all sweated ....y

and I am all alone ! '

then with double care he packed away the books at the bottom of the food-bag .

the woman rapped at the door .

' But thou hast made no charm , ' she said , looking about .

' There is no need . '

Kim had completely overlooked the necessity for a little patter-talk .

the woman laughed at his confusion irreverently .

' None for thee .

thou canst cast a spell by the mere winking of an eye .

but think of us poor people when thou art gone .

they were all too drunk last night to hear a woman .

thou art not drunk ? '

' I am a priest . '

Kim had recovered himself , and , the woman being aught but unlovely , thought best to stand on his office .

' I warned them that the Sahibs will be angry and will make an inquisition and a report to the Rajah .

there is also the Babu with them .

clerks have long tongues . '

' Is that all thy trouble ? '

the plan rose fully formed in Kim 's mind , and he smiled ravishingly .

' Not all , ' quoth the woman , putting out a hard brown hand all covered with turquoises set in silver .

' I can finish that in a breath , ' he went on quickly .

' The Babu is the very hakim ( thou hast heard of him ? ) who was wandering among the hills by Ziglaur .

I know him . '

' He will tell for the sake of a reward .

sahibs cannot distinguish one hillman from another , but Babus have eyes for men and women . '

' Carry a word to him from me . '

' There is nothing I would not do for thee . '

especially the murasla .

tell me what to do .

I am at Shamlegh-under-the-Snow .

the old man is sick . '

' Take this to him .

it will altogether shut his mouth .

he cannot have gone far . '

' Indeed no .

they are still in the forest across the spur .

our children went to watch them when the light came , and have cried the news as they moved . '

Kim looked his astonishment ; but from the edge of the sheep-pasture floated a shrill , kite-like trill .

a child tending cattle had picked it up from a brother or sister on the far side of the slope that commanded Chini valley .

' My husbands are also out there gathering wood . '

she drew a handful of walnuts from her bosom , split one neatly , and began to eat .

Kim affected blank ignorance .

' Dost thou not know the meaning of the walnut priest ? ' she said coyly , and handed him the half-shells .

' Well thought of . '

he slipped the piece of paper between them quickly .

' Hast thou a little wax to close them on this letter ? '

the woman sighed aloud , and Kim relented .

' There is no payment till service has been rendered .

carry this to the Babu , and say it was sent by the Son of the Charm . '

' Ai !

truly !

truly !

by a magician who is like a Sahib . '

' Nay , a Son of the Charm : and ask if there be any answer . '

' But if he offer a rudeness ?

I I am afraid . '

Kim laughed .

' He is , I have no doubt , very tired and very hungry .

the Hills make cold bedfellows .

by this time all the villages know what has befallen the Sahibs eh ? '

' True .

news was at Ziglaur by midnight , and by tomorrow should be at Kotgarh .

the villages are both afraid and angry . '

' No need .

tell the villages to feed the Sahibs and pass them on , in peace .

we must get them quietly away from our valleys .

to steal is one thing to kill another .

the Babu will understand , and there will be no after-complaints .

be swift .

I must tend my master when he wakes . '

' So be it .

after service thou hast said ? comes the reward .

I am the Woman of Shamlegh , and I hold from the Rajah .

I am no common bearer of babes .

Shamlegh is thine : hoof and horn and hide , milk and butter .

take or leave . '

she turned resolutely uphill , her silver necklaces clicking on her broad breast , to meet the morning sun fifteen hundred feet above them .

this time Kim thought in the vernacular as he waxed down the oilskin edges of the packets .

' How can a man follow the Way or the Great Game when he is so always pestered by women ?

when I was a child it was well enough , but now I am a man and they will not regard me as a man .

walnuts , indeed !

Ho ! ho !

it is almonds in the Plains ! '

Shamlegh 's summer population is only three families four women and eight or nine men .

the neat Continental tents had been cut up and shared long ago , and there were patent aluminium saucepans abroad .

then they thawed out in the sun , and sat with their legs hanging over infinite abysses , chattering , laughing , and smoking .

they judged India and its Government solely from their experience of wandering Sahibs who had employed them or their friends as shikarris .

behind the village , Shamlegh hill itself cut off all view to southward .

it was like sitting in a swallow 's nest under the eaves of the roof of the world .

whereupon he told it : a fantastic piled narrative of bewitchment and miracles that set Shamlegh a-gasping .

turning west a little , he steered for the green hills of Kulu , and sought Kailung under the glaciers .

' For thither came I in the old , old days .

from Leh I came , over the Baralachi . '

' Yes , yes ; we know it , ' said the far-faring people of Shamlegh .

' And I slept two nights with the priests of Kailung .

these are the Hills of my delight !

shadows blessed above all other shadows !

out of the Hills I came the high Hills and the strong winds .

oh , just is the Wheel ! '

' Yes yes .

there is no place like our Hills , ' said the people of Shamlegh .

' I sent a word to the hakim , ' Kim explained , while she made reverence .

' He joined himself to the idolaters ?

Nay , I remember he did a healing upon one of them .

he has acquired merit , though the healed employed his strength for evil .

Just is the Wheel !

what of the hakim ? '

' I feared that thou hadst been bruised and and I knew he was wise . '

Kim took the waxed walnut-shell and read in English on the back of his note : your favour received .

cannot get away from present company at present , but shall take them into Simla .

after which , hope to rejoin you .

Inexpedient to follow angry gentlemen .

return by same road you came , and will overtake .

highly gratified about correspondence due to my forethought .

' He says , Holy One , that he will escape from the idolaters , and will return to us .

shall we wait awhile at Shamlegh , then ? '

the lama looked long and lovingly upon the hills and shook his head .

' That may not be , chela .

from my bones outward I do desire it , but it is forbidden .

I have seen the Cause of Things . '

' Why ?

when the Hills give thee back thy strength day by day ?

remember we were weak and fainting down below there in the Doon . '

' I became strong to do evil and to forget .

a brawler and a swashbuckler upon the hillsides was I . '

Kim bit back a smile .

' Just and perfect is the Wheel , swerving not a hair .

' Quiet , be quiet ! ' said Shamlegh , all arow .

' He speaks of Jam-lin-nin-k'or , the Horse That Can Go Round The World In a Day . '

' I did not seek truth in those days , but the talk of doctrine .

all illusion !

I drank the beer and ate the bread of Guru Ch'wan .

I went , and we fought a day . '

' But how , Holy One ? '

' With our long pencases as I could have shown ....y

I say , we fought under the poplars , both Abbots and all the monks , and one laid open my forehead to the bone .

See ! '

he tilted back his cap and showed a puckered silvery scar .

' Just and perfect is the Wheel !

followed that which thou didst see strife and stupidity .

Just is the Wheel !

the idolater's blow fell upon the scar .

then I was shaken in my soul : my soul was darkened , and the boat of my soul rocked upon the waters of illusion .

not till I came to Shamlegh could I meditate upon the Cause of Things , or trace the running grass-roots of Evil .

I strove all the long night . '

' But , Holy One , thou art innocent of all evil .

may I be thy sacrifice ! '

Kim was genuinely distressed at the old man 's sorrow , and Mahbub Ali 's phrase slipped out unawares .

' In the dawn , ' the lama went on more gravely , ready rosary clicking between the slow sentences , ' came enlightenment .

it is here ....y

I am an old man ... hill-bred , hill-fed , never to sit down among my Hills .

three years I travelled through Hind , but can earth be stronger than Mother Earth ?

my stupid body yearned to the Hills and the snows of the Hills , from below there .

I said , and it is true , my Search is sure .

so , at the Kulu woman 's house I turned hillward , over-persuaded by myself .

there is no blame to the hakim .

he following Desire foretold that the Hills would make me strong .

they strengthened me to do evil , to forget my Search .

I delighted in life and the lust of life .

I desired strong slopes to climb .

I cast about to find them .

I jested when thou wouldst not face the snow of the pass . '

' But what harm ?

I was afraid .

it was just .

I am not a hillman ; and I loved thee for thy new strength . '

thus evil followed evil till the cup was full .

Just is the Wheel !

all Hind for three years did me all honour .

and why ? '

' Because we loved thee .

it is only the fever of the blow .

I myself am still sick and shaken . '

' No !

it was because I was upon the Way tuned as are si-nen cymbals to the purpose of the Law .

I departed from that ordinance .

the tune was broken : followed the punishment .

( he touched his brow . )

' As a novice is beaten when he misplaces the cups , so am I beaten , who was Abbot of Such-zen .

no word , look you , but a blow , chela . '

' But the Sahibs did not know thee , Holy One ? '

' We were well matched .

ignorance and Lust met Ignorance and Lust upon the road , and they begat Anger .

the blow was a sign to me , who am no better than a strayed yak , that my place is not here .

who can read the Cause of an act is halfway to Freedom !

" back to the path , " says the Blow .

" the Hills are not for thee .

thou canst not choose Freedom and go in bondage to the delight of life . " '

' Would we had never met that cursed Russian ! '

' Our Lord Himself cannot make the Wheel swing backward .

and for my merit that I had acquired I gain yet another sign . '

he put his hand in his bosom , and drew forth the Wheel of Life .

' Look !

I considered this after I had meditated .

there remains untorn by the idolater no more than the breadth of my fingernail . '

' I see . '

' So much , then , is the span of my life in this body .

I have served the Wheel all my days .

now the Wheel serves me .

is it plain , chela ? '

Kim stared at the brutally disfigured chart .

the logic was unanswerable .

' Before our Lord won Enlightenment ' the lama folded all away with reverence ' He was tempted .

I too have been tempted , but it is finished .

the Arrow fell in the Plains not in the Hills .

therefore , what make we here ? '

' Shall we at least wait for the hakim ? '

' I know how long I shall live in this body .

what can a hakim do ? '

' But thou art all sick and shaken .

thou canst not walk . '

' How can I be sick if I see Freedom ? '

he rose unsteadily to his feet .

' Then I must get food from the village .

oh , the weary Road ! '

Kim felt that he too needed rest .

' That is lawful .

let us eat and go .

the Arrow fell in the Plains ... but I yielded to Desire .

make ready , chela . '

Kim turned to the woman with the turquoise headgear who had been idly pitching pebbles over the cliff .

she smiled very kindly .

' I found him like a strayed buffalo in a cornfield the Babu ; snorting and sneezing with cold .

he was so hungry that he forgot his dignity and gave me sweet words .

the Sahibs have nothing . '

she flung out an empty palm .

' One is very sick about the stomach .

thy work ? '

Kim nodded , with a bright eye .

' I spoke to the Bengali first and to the people of a near-by village after .

the Sahibs will be given food as they need it nor will the people ask money .

the plunder is already distributed .

the Babu makes lying speeches to the Sahibs .

why does he not leave them ? '

' Out of the greatness of his heart . '

' Was never a Bengali yet had one bigger than a dried walnut .

but it is no matter ....y

now as to walnuts .

after service comes reward .

I have said the village is thine . '

' It is my loss , ' Kim began .

he sighed deeply ....y

' But my master , led by a vision '

' Huh !

what can old eyes see except a full begging-bowl ? '

' turns from this village to the Plains again . '

' Bid him stay . '

Kim shook his head .

' I know my Holy One , and his rage if he be crossed , ' he replied impressively .

' His curses shake the Hills . '

' Pity they did not save him from a broken head !

I heard that thou wast the tiger-hearted one who smote the Sahib .

let him dream a little longer .

stay ! '

' The Gods be good to us !

since when have men and women been other than men and women ? '

' A priest is a priest .

he says he will go upon this hour .

I am his chela , and I go with him .

we need food for the Road .

he is an honoured guest in all the villages , but ' he broke into a pure boy 's grin ' the food here is good .

give me some . '

' What if I do not give it thee ?

I am the woman of this village . '

' Then I curse thee a little not greatly , but enough to remember . '

he could not help smiling .

' Thou hast cursed me already by the down-dropped eyelash and the uplifted chin .

curses ?

what should I care for mere words ? '

she clenched her hands upon her bosom ....y

here is the bag . '

the woman snatched it angrily .

' I was foolish , ' said she .

' Who is thy woman in the Plains ?

Fair or black ?

I was fair once .

Laughest thou ?

once , long ago , if thou canst believe , a Sahib looked on me with favour .

once , long ago , I wore European clothes at the Mission-house yonder . '

she pointed towards Kotgarh .

' Once , long ago .

I was Ker-lis-ti-an and spoke English as the Sahibs speak it .

yes .

my Sahib said he would return and wed me yes , wed me .

he went away I had nursed him when he was sick but he never returned .

then I saw that the Gods of the Kerlistians lied , and I went back to my own people ....y

I have never set eyes on a Sahib since .

( do not laugh at me .

the fit is past , little priestling . )

curse me ?

thou canst neither curse nor bless ! '

she set her hands on her hips and laughed bitterly .

' Thy Gods are lies ; thy works are lies ; thy words are lies .

there are no Gods under all the Heavens .

I know it ....v

but for awhile I thought it was my Sahib come back , and he was my God .

yes , once I made music on a pianno in the Mission-house at Kotgarh .

now I give alms to priests who are heatthen . '

she wound up with the English word , and tied the mouth of the brimming bag .

' I wait for thee , chela , ' said the lama , leaning against the door-post .

the woman swept the tall figure with her eyes .

' He walk !

he cannot cover half a mile .

whither would old bones go ? '

at this Kim , already perplexed by the lama's collapse and foreseeing the weight of the bag , fairly lost his temper .

' What is it to thee , woman of ill-omen , where he goes ? '

' Nothing but something to thee , priest with a Sahib 's face .

wilt thou carry him on thy shoulders ? '

' I go to the Plains .

none must hinder my return .

I have wrestled with my soul till I am strengthless .

the stupid body is spent , and we are far from the Plains . '

' Behold ! ' she said simply , and drew aside to let Kim see his own utter helplessness .

' Curse me .

maybe it will give him strength .

make a charm !

call on thy great God .

thou art a priest . '

she turned away .

the lama had squatted limply , still holding by the door-post .

one cannot strike down an old man that he recovers again like a boy in the night .

weakness bowed him to the earth , but his eyes that hung on Kim were alive and imploring .

' It is all well , ' said Kim .

' It is the thin air that weakens thee .

in a little while we go !

it is the mountain-sickness .

I too am a little sick at stomach , ' and he knelt and comforted with such poor words as came first to his lips .

then the woman returned , more erect than ever .

' Thy Gods useless , heh ?

try mine .

I am the Woman of Shamlegh . '

' These cattle ' she did not condescend to look at them ' are thine for so long as thou shalt need . '

' But we will not go Simla-way .

we will not go near the Sahibs , ' cried the first husband .

' They will not run away as the others did , nor will they steal baggage .

two I know for weaklings .

stand to the rear-pole , Sonoo and Taree . '

they obeyed swiftly .

' Lower now , and lift in that holy man .

I will see to the village and your virtuous wives till ye return . '

' When will that be ? '

' Ask the priests .

do not pester me .

lay the food-bag at the foot , it balances better so . '

' It is a very king 's bed a place of honour and ease .

and we owe it to '

' A woman of ill-omen .

I need thy blessings as much as I do thy curses .

it is my order and none of thine .

lift and away !

here !

Hast thou money for the road ? '

she beckoned Kim to her hut , and stooped above a battered English cash-box under her cot .

' I do not need anything , ' said Kim , angered where he should have been grateful .

' I am already rudely loaded with favours . '

she looked up with a curious smile and laid a hand on his shoulder .

' At least , thank me .

I am foul-faced and a hillwoman , but , as thy talk goes , I have acquired merit .

shall I show thee how the Sahibs render thanks ? ' and her hard eyes softened .

' I am but a wandering priest , ' said Kim , his eyes lighting in answer .

' Thou needest neither my blessings nor my curses . '

' Nay .

kissing is practically unknown among Asiatics , which may have been the reason that she leaned back with wide-open eyes and a face of panic .

' Next time , ' Kim went on , ' you must not be so sure of your heatthen priests .

now I say good-bye . '

he held out his hand English-fashion .

she took it mechanically .

' Good-bye , my dear . '

' Good-bye , and and ' she was remembering her English words one by one ' you will come back again ?

good-bye , and thee God bless you . '

' She has acquired merit beyond all others , ' said the lama .

' For to set a man upon the way to Freedom is half as great as though she had herself found it . '

' Umm , ' said Kim thoughtfully , considering the past .

' It may be that I have acquired merit also ....v

at least she did not treat me like a child . '

' These also acquire merit , ' said the lama after three miles .

' More than that , they shall be paid in silver , ' quoth Kim .

chapter @number@

I 'd not give room for an Emperor I 'd hold my road for a King .

to the Triple Crown I 'd not bow down But this is a different thing !

I 'll not fight with the Powers of Air Sentry , pass him through !

drawbridge let fall He 's the Lord of us all The Dreamer whose dream came true !

the Siege of the Fairies .

it was not his fault that , blanketed by wet mists , he conveyed them past the telegraph-station and European colony of Kotgarh .

Hurree Babu explained the greatness and glory , in their own country , of his companions , till the drowsy kinglet smiled .

he explained it to everyone who asked many times aloud variously .

the reason of his friendliness did him credit .

with millions of fellow-serfs , he had learned to look upon Russia as the great deliverer from the North .

he was a fearful man .

he had been afraid that he could not save his illustrious employers from the anger of an excited peasantry .

he himself would just as lief hit a holy man as not , but ....v

he asked neither pension nor retaining fee , but , if they deemed him worthy , would they write him a testimonial ?

it might be useful to him later , if others , their friends , came over the Passes .

they gave him a certificate praising his courtesy , helpfulness , and unerring skill as a guide .

he put it in his waist-belt and sobbed with emotion ; they had endured so many dangers together .

he led them at high noon along crowded Simla Mall to the Alliance Bank of Simla , where they wished to establish their identity .

thence he vanished like a dawn-cloud on Jakko .

Litters , she says , do not travel as fast as single men , but his birds should now be in the Plains .

the holy man would not stay though Lispeth pressed him .

the Babu groans heavily , girds up his huge loins , and is off again .

kindly villagers , remembering the Dacca drug-vendor of two months ago , give him shelter against evil spirits of the wood .

he dreams of Bengali Gods , University text-books of education , and the Royal Society , London , England .

next dawn the bobbing blue-and-white umbrella goes forward .

twelve miles a day has the dooli travelled , as the greasy , rubbed pole-ends show , and by roads that few Sahibs use .

the little hill-folk sweat in the modified heat of the lower Siwaliks , and gather round the priests for their blessing and their wage .

' Ye have acquired merit , ' says the lama .

' Merit greater than your knowing .

and ye will return to the Hills , ' he sighs .

' Surely .

the high Hills as soon as may be . '

the bearer rubs his shoulder , drinks water , spits it out again , and readjusts his grass sandal .

the men pick up the dooli and swing out of sight between the scrub clumps .

the lama raises a hand toward the rampart of the Himalayas .

' Not with you , O blessed among all hills , fell the Arrow of Our Lord !

and never shall I breathe your airs again ! '

' Here , or hereabouts , fell the Arrow , yes .

we will go very softly , perhaps , a koss a day , for the Search is sure .

but the bag weighs heavy . '

' Ay , our Search is sure .

I have come out of great temptation . '

' Never was such a chela .

I doubt at times whether Ananda more faithfully nursed Our Lord .

and thou art a Sahib ?

when I was a man a long time ago I forgot that .

now I look upon thee often , and every time I remember that thou art a Sahib .

it is strange . '

' Thou hast said there is neither black nor white .

why plague me with this talk , Holy One ?

let me rub the other foot .

it vexes me .

I am not a Sahib .

I am thy chela , and my head is heavy on my shoulders . '

' Patience a little !

we reach Freedom together .

perhaps I was once a Sahib . '

' Was never a Sahib like thee , I swear it . '

' I am certain the Keeper of the Images in the Wonder House was in past life a very wise Abbot .

but even his spectacles do not make my eyes see .

there fall shadows when I would look steadily .

no matter we know the tricks of the poor stupid carcass shadow changing to another shadow .

I am bound by the illusion of Time and Space .

how far came we today in the flesh ? '

' Perhaps half a koss . '

( three quarters of a mile , and it was a weary march . )

' Half a koss .

Ha !

I went ten thousand thousand in the spirit .

how , we are all lapped and swathed and swaddled in these senseless things . '

he looked at his thin blue-veined hand that found the beads so heavy .

' Chela , hast thou never a wish to leave me ? '

Kim thought of the oilskin packet and the books in the food-bag .

if someone duly authorized would only take delivery of them the Great Game might play itself for aught he then cared .

he was tired and hot in his head , and a cough that came from the stomach worried him .

' No. ' he said almost sternly .

' I am not a dog or a snake to bite when I have learned to love . '

' Thou art too tender towards me . '

' Not that either .

I have moved in one matter without consulting thee .

I beat myself in my mind that I did not do it when we entered the Doon .

we stay in this place till the litter returns . '

' I am content .

she is a woman with a heart of gold , as thou sayest , but a talker something of a talker . '

' She will not weary thee .

I have looked to that also .

holy One , my heart is very heavy for my many carelessnesses towards thee . '

an hysterical catch rose in his throat .

I have I have ....y

Hai mai !

but I love thee ....v and it is all too late ...

I was a child ....y

oh , why was I not a man ? ... '

overborne by strain , fatigue , and the weight beyond his years , Kim broke down and sobbed at the lama's feet .

' What a to-do is here ! ' said the old man gently .

' Thou hast never stepped a hair 's breadth from the Way of Obedience .

neglect me ?

child , I have lived on thy strength as an old tree lives on the lime of a new wall .

day by day , since Shamlegh down , I have stolen strength from thee .

therefore , not through any sin of thine , art thou weakened .

it is the Body the silly , stupid Body that speaks now .

not the assured Soul .

be comforted !

know at least the devils that thou fightest .

they are earth-born children of illusion .

we will go to the woman from Kulu .

she shall acquire merit in housing us , and specially in tending me .

thou shalt run free till strength returns .

I had forgotten the stupid Body .

if there be any blame , I bear it .

but we are too close to the Gates of Deliverance to weigh blame .

I could praise thee , but what need ?

in a little in a very little we shall sit beyond all needs . '

' Hai ! hai !

let us talk of the woman from Kulu .

think you she will ask another charm for her grandsons ?

sit up and listen , child of my soul !

my tale was told .

said he to me , " Chela , know this .

considering this I was comforted , and of his great favour he suffered me to drink tea In his presence .

suffer me now to drink tea , for I am thirsty . '

with a laugh across his tears , Kim kissed the lama's feet , and set about the tea-making .

' Thou leanest on me in the body , Holy One , but I lean on thee for some other things .

Dost know it ? '

' I have guessed maybe , ' and the lama's eyes twinkled .

' We must change that . '

I told thee I told thee , Holy One , to keep an eye upon the chela .

how didst thou do it ?

never answer me !

I know .

he has been running among the women .

look at his eyes hollow and sunk and the Betraying Line from the nose down !

he has been sifted out !

Fie !

Fie !

and a priest , too ! '

Kim looked up , over-weary to smile , shaking his head in denial .

' Do not jest , ' said the lama .

' That time is done .

we are here upon great matters .

a sickness of soul took me in the Hills , and him a sickness of the body .

since then I have lived upon his strength eating him . '

' Children together young and old , ' she sniffed , but forbore to make any new jokes .

' May this present hospitality restore ye !

hold awhile and I will come to gossip of the high good Hills . '

the two old heads nodded wisely together .

Kim had reeled to a room with a cot in it , and was dozing soddenly .

the lama had forbidden him to set blankets or get food .

' I know I know .

who but I ? ' she cackled .

I did the boy wrong .

he lent thee his strength ?

it is true that the old eat the young daily .

Stands now we must restore him . '

' Thou hast many times acquired merit '

' My merit .

what is it ?

old bag of bones making curries for men who do not ask " who cooked this ? "

now if it were stored up for my grandson '

' He that had the belly-pain ? '

' To think the Holy One remembers that !

I must tell his mother .

it is most singular honour !

" he that had the belly-pain " straightway the Holy One remembered .

she will be proud . '

' My chela is to me as is a son to the unenlightened . '

' Say grandson , rather .

mothers have not the wisdom of our years .

if a child cries they say the heavens are falling .

and since thou speakest once again of wind , when last the Holy One was here , maybe I offended in pressing for charms . '

' They are better than ten thousand doctors . '

' I say , if they comfort thee , I who was Abbot of Such-zen , will make as many as thou mayest desire .

I have never seen thy face '

' That even the monkeys who steal our loquats count for again .

Hee ! hee ! '

and he is in the spirit my very " grandson " to me . '

' Good !

I am the Holy One 's cow . '

this was pure Hinduism , but the lama never heeded .

' I am old .

I have borne sons in the body .

oh , once I could please men !

now I can cure them . '

he heard her armlets tinkle as though she bared arms for action .

' I will take over the boy and dose him , and stuff him , and make him all whole .

Hai ! hai !

we old people know something yet . '

' Thou must have ?

thou shalt have nothing .

what ?

a locked box in which to keep holy books ?

oh , that is another matter .

heavens forbid I should come between a priest and his prayers !

it shall be brought , and thou shalt keep the key . '

for some absurd reason their weight on his shoulders was nothing to their weight on his poor mind .

his neck ached under it of nights .

' Thine is a sickness uncommon in youth these days : since young folk have given up tending their betters .

she brewed drinks , in some mysterious Asiatic equivalent to the still-room drenches that smelt pestilently and tasted worse .

she stood over Kim till they went down , and inquired exhaustively after they had come up .

she laid a taboo upon the forecourt , and enforced it by means of an armed man .

then she fed him , and the house spun to her clamour .

once I was that one , and now I am this .

Nay do not play the priestling with me .

mine was but a jest .

if it does not hold good now , it will when thou takest the road again .

our work is like polishing jewels to be thrown to a dance-girl eh ? '

Kim sat up and smiled .

the terrible weakness had dropped from him like an old shoe .

his tongue itched for free speech again , and but a week back the lightest word clogged it like ashes .

' Where is my Holy One ? ' he demanded .

' Hear him !

Thy Holy One is well , ' she snapped viciously .

' Though that is none of his merit .

knew I a charm to make him wise , I 'd sell my jewels and buy it .

then , when he has nearly broken what thou hast left of my heart with anxiety , he tells me that he has acquired merit .

oh , how like are all men !

no , that was not it he tells me that he is freed from all sin .

I could have told him that before he wetted himself all over .

he is well now this happened a week ago but burn me such holiness !

a babe of three would do better .

do not fret thyself for the Holy One .

he keeps both eyes on thee when he is not wading our brooks . '

' I do not remember to have seen him .

I remember that the days and nights passed like bars of white and black , opening and shutting .

I was not sick : I was but tired . '

' A lethargy that comes by right some few score years later .

but it is done now . '

how shall I make thanks ?

ten thousand blessings upon thy house and '

' The house be unblessed ! '

( it is impossible to give exactly the old lady 's word . )

' Thank the Gods as a priest if thou wilt , but thank me , if thou carest , as a son .

heavens above !

have I shifted thee and lifted thee and slapped and twisted thy ten toes to find texts flung at my head ?

somewhere a mother must have borne thee to break her heart .

what used thou to her son ? '

' I had no mother , my mother , ' said Kim .

' She died , they tell me , when I was young . '

' Hai mai !

no matter .

I need no blessings , but but ' She stamped her foot at the poor relation .

' Take up the trays to the house .

what is the good of stale food in the room , O woman of ill-omen ? '

' I ha have borne a son in my time too , but he died , ' whimpered the bowed sister-figure behind the chudder .

' Thou knowest he died !

I only waited for the order to take away the tray . '

' It is I that am the woman of ill-omen , ' cried the old lady penitently .

when one cannot dance in the festival one must e'en look out of the window , and grandmothering takes all a woman 's time .

the hakim is brought very low these days .

he goes about poisoning my servants for lack of their betters . '

' What hakim , mother ? '

' That very Dacca man who gave me the pill which rent me in three pieces .

he was very thin and hungry , so I gave orders to have him stuffed too him and his anxiety ! '

' I would see him if he is here . '

' He eats five times a day , and lances boils for my hinds to save himself from an apoplexy .

he is so full of anxiety for thy health that he sticks to the cook-house door and stays himself with scraps .

he will keep .

we shall never get rid of him . '

' Send him here , mother ' the twinkle returned to Kim 's eye for a flash ' and I will try . '

' I 'll send him , but to chase him off is an ill turn .

' He is a very wise hakim .

send him , mother . '

' Priest praising priest ?

a miracle !

get up and see the world !

this lying abed is the mother of seventy devils ....y my son ! my son ! '

' By Jove , Mister O'Hara , but I are jolly-glad to see you .

I will kindly shut the door .

it is a pity you are sick .

are you very sick ? '

' The papers the papers from the kilta .

the maps and the murasla ! '

he held out the key impatiently ; for the present need on his soul was to get rid of the loot .

' You are quite right .

that is correct Departmental view to take .

you have got everything ? '

' All that was handwritten in the kilta I took .

the rest I threw down the hill . '

he could hear the key 's grate in the lock , the sticky pull of the slow-rending oilskin , and a quick shuffling of papers .

he had been annoyed out of all reason by the knowledge that they lay below him through the sick idle days a burden incommunicable .

for that reason the blood tingled through his body , when Hurree , skipping elephantinely , shook hands again .

' This is fine !

this is finest !

Mister O'Hara ! you have ha ! ha ! swiped the whole bag of tricks locks , stocks , and barrels .

they told me it was eight months ' work gone up the spouts !

by Jove , how they beat me ! ...

look , here is the letter from Hilas ! '

he intoned a line or two of Court Persian , which is the language of authorized and unauthorized diplomacy .

' Mister Rajah Sahib has just about put his foot in the holes .

he will have to explain offeecially how the deuce-an'-all he is writing love-letters to the Czar .

and they are very clever maps ....n and there is three or four Prime Ministers of these parts implicated by the correspondence .

by Gad , sar !

the British Government will change the succession in Hilas and Bunar , and nominate new heirs to the throne .

" Trea-son most base " ....y but you do not understand ?

eh ? '

' Are they in thy hands ? ' said Kim .

it was all he cared for .

' Just you jolly-well bet yourself they are . '

he stowed the entire trove about his body , as only Orientals can .

' They are going up to the office , too .

the old lady thinks I am permanent fixture here , but I shall go away with these straight off immediately .

Mr Lurgan will be proud man .

you are offeecially subordinate to me , but I shall embody your name in my verbal report .

it is a pity we are not allowed written reports .

we Bengalis excel in thee exact science . '

he tossed back the key and showed the box empty .

' Good .

that is good .

I was very tired .

my Holy One was sick , too .

and did he fall into '

' Oah yess .

I am his good friend , I tell you .

he was behaving very strange when I came down after you , and I thought perhaps he might have the papers .

I followed him on his meditations , and to discuss ethnological points also .

you see , I am verree small person here nowadays , in comparison with all his charms .

by Jove , O'Hara , do you know , he is afflicted with infirmity of fits .

Yess , I tell you .

Cataleptic , too , if not also epileptic .

I pulled him out . '

' Because I was not there ! ' said Kim .

' He might have died . '

' Yes , he might have died , but he is dry now , and asserts he has undergone transfiguration . '

the Babu tapped his forehead knowingly .

' I took notes of his statements for Royal Society in posse .

you must make haste and be quite well and come back to Simla , and I will tell you all my tale at Lurgan 's .

it was splendid .

the bottoms of their trousers were quite torn , and old Nahan Rajah , he thought they were European soldiers deserting . '

' Oh , the Russians ?

how long were they with thee ? '

' One was a Frenchman .

oh , days and days and days !

now all the hill-people believe all Russians are all beggars .

by Jove ! they had not one dam'-thing that I did not get them .

and I told the common people oah , such tales and anecdotes !

I will tell you at old Lurgan 's when you come up .

we will have ah a night out !

it is feather in both our caps !

Yess , and they gave me a certificate .

that is creaming joke .

you should have seen them at the Alliance Bank identifying themselves !

and thank Almighty God you got their papers so well !

you do not laugh verree much , but you shall laugh when you are well .

now I will go straight to the railway and get out .

you shall have all sorts of credits for your game .

when do you come along ?

we are very proud of you though you gave us great frights .

and especially Mahbub . '

' Ay , Mahbub .

and where is he ? '

' Selling horses in this vi-cinity , of course . '

' Here !

why ?

speak slowly .

there is a thickness in my head still . '

the Babu looked shyly down his nose .

' Well , you see , I am fearful man , and I do not like responsibility .

you were sick , you see , and I did not know where deuce-an'-all the papers were , and if so , how many .

' But wherefore wherefore ? '

' That is what I ask .

I only suggest that if anyone steals the papers I should like some good strong , brave men to rob them back again .

you see , they are vitally important , and Mahbub Ali he did not know where you were . '

' Mahbub Ali to rob the Sahiba 's house ?

thou art mad , Babu , ' said Kim with indignation .

' I wanted the papers .

suppose she had stole them ?

it was only practical suggestion , I think .

you are not pleased , eh ? '

a native proverb unquotable showed the blackness of Kim 's disapproval .

' Well , ' Hurree shrugged his shoulders ' there is no accounting for thee taste .

Mahbub was angry too .

I do not care .

I have got the papers , and I was very glad of moral support from Mahbub .

so I was glad you came with me to Chini , and I am glad Mahbub was close by .

the old lady she is sometimes very rude to me and my beautiful pills . '

' Allah be merciful ! ' said Kim on his elbow , rejoicing .

' What a beast of wonder is a Babu !

and that man walked alone if he did walk with robbed and angry foreigners ! '

' Oah , thatt was nothing , after they had done beating me ; but if I lost the papers it was pretty-jolly serious .

Mahbub he nearly beat me too , and he went and consorted with the lama no end .

I shall stick to ethnological investigations henceforwards .

now good-bye , Mister O'Hara .

I can catch @time@ . to Umballa if I am quick .

it will be good times when we all tell thee tale up at Mr Lurgan 's .

I shall report you offeecially better .

he shook hands twice a Babu to his boot-heels and opened the door .

with the fall of the sunlight upon his still triumphant face he returned to the humble Dacca quack .

' He robbed them , ' thought Kim , forgetting his own share in the game .

' He tricked them .

he lied to them like a Bengali .

they give him a chit a testimonial .

and he is a fearful man .

I must get into the world again . '

at first his legs bent like bad pipe-stems , and the flood and rush of the sunlit air dazzled him .

the unnerved brain edged away from all the outside , as a raw horse , once rowelled , sidles from the spur .

it was enough , amply enough , that the spoil of the kilta was away off his hands out of his possession .

' I am Kim .

I am Kim .

and what is Kim ? '

his soul repeated it again and again .

things that rode meaningless on the eyeball an instant before slid into proper proportion .

they were all real and true solidly planted upon the feet perfectly comprehensible clay of his clay , neither more nor less .

he shook himself like a dog with a flea in his ear , and rambled out of the gate .

said the Sahiba , to whom watchful eyes reported this move : ' Let him go .

I have done my share .

mother Earth must do the rest .

when the Holy One comes back from meditation , tell him . '

and Mother Earth was as faithful as the Sahiba .

she breathed through him to restore the poise he had lost lying so long on a cot cut off from her good currents .

his head lay powerless upon her breast , and his opened hands surrendered to her strength .

the many-rooted tree above him , and even the dead manhandled wood beside , knew what he sought , as he himself did not know .

hour upon hour he lay deeper than sleep .

' Allah !

what a fool 's trick to play in open country ! ' muttered the horse-dealer .

' He could be shot a hundred times but this is not the Border . '

' And , ' said the lama , repeating a many-times-told tale , ' never was such a chela .

Temperate , kindly , wise , of ungrudging disposition , a merry heart upon the road , never forgetting , learned , truthful , courteous .

Great is his reward ! '

' I know the boy as I have said . '

' And he was all those things ? '

' Some of them but I have not yet found a Red Hat 's charm for making him overly truthful .

he has certainly been well nursed . '

' The Sahiba is a heart of gold , ' said the lama earnestly .

' She looks upon him as her son . '

' Hmph !

half Hind seems that way disposed .

I only wished to see that the boy had come to no harm and was a free agent .

as thou knowest , he and I were old friends in the first days of your pilgrimage together . '

' That is a bond between us . '

the lama sat down .

' We are at the end of the pilgrimage . '

' No thanks to thee thine was not cut off for good and all a week back .

I heard what the Sahiba said to thee when we bore thee up on the cot . '

Mahbub laughed , and tugged his newly dyed beard .

' I was meditating upon other matters that tide .

it was the hakim from Dacca broke my meditations . '

but now , Red Hat , what is to be done ? '

remember , I have reached Knowledge , as I told thee only three nights back . '

I remember the tale .

on that , then , he goes to Fannatu l'Adn the Gardens of Eden .

but how ?

wilt thou slay him or drown him in that wonderful river from which the Babu dragged thee ? '

' I was dragged from no river , ' said the lama simply .

' Thou hast forgotten what befell .

I found it by Knowledge . '

' Oh , ay .

true , ' stammered Mahbub , divided between high indignation and enormous mirth .

' I had forgotten the exact run of what happened .

thou didst find it knowingly . '

' And to say that I would take life is not a sin , but a madness simple .

my chela aided me to the River .

it is his right to be cleansed from sin with me . '

' Ay , he needs cleansing .

but afterwards , old man afterwards ? '

' What matter under all the Heavens ?

he is sure of Nibban enlightened as I am . '

' Well said .

I had a fear he might mount Mohammed 's Horse and fly away . '

' Nay he must go forth as a teacher . '

' Aha !

now I see !

that is the right gait for the colt .

certainly he must go forth as a teacher .

he is somewhat urgently needed as a scribe by the State , for instance . '

' To that end he was prepared .

I acquired merit in that I gave alms for his sake .

a good deed does not die .

he aided me in my Search .

I aided him in his .

Just is the Wheel , O horse-seller from the North .

let him be a teacher ; let him be a scribe what matter ?

he will have attained Freedom at the end .

the rest is illusion . '

' What matter ?

when I must have him with me beyond Balkh in six months !

and I am reckoned something of a player of the Game myself !

but the madman is fond of the boy ; and I must be very reasonably mad too . '

' What is the prayer ? ' said the lama , as the rough Pushtu rumbled into the red beard .

I must get to my horses .

it grows dark .

do not wake him .

I have no wish to hear him call thee master . '

' But he is my disciple .

what else ? '

' He has told me . '

Mahbub choked down his touch of spleen and rose laughing .

' I am not altogether of thy faith , Red Hat if so small a matter concern thee . '

' It is nothing , ' said the lama .

' I thought not .

Yea , can see , too , how our Friend of all the World put his hand in thine at the first .

' Why not follow the Way thyself , and so accompany the boy ? '

Mahbub stared stupefied at the magnificent insolence of the demand , which across the Border he would have paid with more than a blow .

then the humour of it touched his worldly soul .

' Softly softly one foot at a time , as the lame gelding went over the Umballa jumps .

I may come to Paradise later I have workings that way great motions and I owe them to thy simplicity .

thou hast never lied ? '

' What need ? '

' O Allah , hear him !

" what need " in this Thy world !

nor ever harmed a man ? '

' Once with a pencase before I was wise . '

' So ?

I think the better of thee .

thy teachings are good .

thou hast turned one man that I know from the path of strife . '

he laughed immensely .

' He came here open-minded to commit a dacoity a house-robbery with violence .

yes , to cut , rob , kill , and carry off what he desired . '

' A great foolishness ! '

' Oh ! black shame too .

so he thought after he had seen thee and a few others , male and female .

so he abandoned it ; and now he goes to beat a big fat Babu man . '

' I do not understand . '

' Allah forbid it !

some men are strong in knowledge , Red Hat .

thy strength is stronger still .

keep it I think thou wilt .

if the boy be not a good servant , pull his ears off . '

' That person lacks courtesy , and is deceived by the shadow of appearances .

but he spoke well of my chela , who now enters upon his reward .

let me make the prayer ! ...

wake , O fortunate above all born of women .

wake !

it is found ! '

Kim came up from those deep wells , and the lama attended his yawning pleasure ; duly snapping fingers to head off evil spirits .

' I have slept a hundred years .

where ?

holy One , hast thou been here long ?

I went out to look for thee , but ' he laughed drowsily ' I slept by the way .

I am all well now .

Hast thou eaten ?

let us go to the house .

it is many days since I tended thee .

and the Sahiba fed thee well ?

who shampooed thy legs ?

what of the weaknesses the belly and the neck , and the beating in the ears ? '

' Gone all gone .

Dost thou not know ? '

' I know nothing , but that I have not seen thee in a monkey 's age .

know what ? '

' Strange the knowledge did not reach out to thee , when all my thoughts were theeward . '

' I cannot see the face , but the voice is like a gong .

has the Sahiba made a young man of thee by her cookery ? '

he peered at the cross-legged figure , outlined jet-black against the lemon-coloured drift of light .

so does the stone Bodhisat sit who looks down upon the patent self-registering turnstiles of the Lahore Museum .

the lama held his peace .

' Hear me !

I bring news . '

' But let us '

Out shot the long yellow hand compelling silence .

Kim tucked his feet under his robe-edge obediently .

' Hear me !

I bring news !

the Search is finished .

comes now the Reward ....v

thus .

when we were among the Hills , I lived on thy strength till the young branch bowed and nigh broke .

when we came out of the Hills , I was troubled for thee and for other matters which I held in my heart .

the boat of my soul lacked direction ; I could not see into the Cause of Things .

so I gave thee over to the virtuous woman altogether .

I took no food .

I drank no water .

still I saw not the Way .

they pressed food upon me and cried at my shut door .

so I removed myself to a hollow under a tree .

I took no food .

I took no water .

I sat in meditation two days and two nights , abstracting my mind ; inbreathing and outbreathing in the required manner ....y

upon the second night so great was my reward the wise Soul loosed itself from the silly Body and went free .

this I have never before attained , though I have stood on the threshold of it .

consider , for it is a marvel ! '

' A marvel indeed .

two days and two nights without food !

where was the Sahiba ? ' said Kim under his breath .

as a drop draws to water , so my Soul drew near to the Great Soul which is beyond all things .

I saw them at one time and in one place ; for they were within the Soul .

by this I knew the Soul had passed beyond the illusion of Time and Space and of Things .

by this I knew that I was free .

also I saw the stupid body of Teshoo Lama lying down , and the hakim from Dacca kneeled beside , shouting in its ear .

then my Soul was all alone , and I saw nothing , for I was all things , having reached the Great Soul .

and I meditated a thousand thousand years , passionless , well aware of the Causes of all Things .

then a voice cried : " the River !

I pushed aside world upon world for thy sake .

it is here !

it is behind the mango-tope here even here ! '

' Allah kerim !

oh , well that the Babu was by !

Wast thou very wet ? '

' Why should I regard ?

I remember the hakim was concerned for the body of Teshoo Lama .

' What said the Sahiba ? '

' I was meditating in that body , and did not hear .

so thus the Search is ended .

for the merit that I have acquired , the River of the Arrow is here .

it broke forth at our feet , as I have said .

I have found it .

Just is the Wheel !

Certain is our deliverance !

come ! '

he crossed his hands on his lap and smiled , as a man may who has won salvation for himself and his beloved .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Kim , by Rudyard Kipling

produced by Mark C Orton , Thomas Strong , Linda McKeown and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at @url@

BURGESS TRADE QUADDIES MARK The Bedtime Story-Books

THE ADVENTURES OF BUSTER BEAR

BY

THORNTON W BURGESS

with Illustrations by HARRISON CADY

BOSTON LITTLE , BROWN , AND COMPANY @number@

Copyright , @number@ , BY LITTLE , BROWN , AND COMPANY .

all rights reserved

Illustration : Buster blinked his greedy little eyes and looked again .

frontispiece .

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I BUSTER BEAR GOES FISHING @number@

II .

LITTLE JOE OTTER GETS EVEN WITH BUSTER BEAR @number@

III .

BUSTER BEAR IS GREATLY PUZZLED @number@

IV .

LITTLE JOE OTTER SUPPLIES BUSTER BEAR WITH A BREAKFAST @number@

V ..y GRANDFATHER FROG'S COMMON-SENSE @number@

VI .

LITTLE JOE OTTER TAKES GRANDFATHER FROG'S ADVICE @number@

VII .

FARMER BROWN'S BOY HAS NO LUCK AT ALL @number@

VIII .

FARMER BROWN'S BOY FEELS HIS HAIR RISE @number@

IX .

LITTLE JOE OTTER HAS GREAT NEWS TO TELL @number@

x . BUSTER BEAR BECOMES A HERO @number@

XI .

BLACKY THE CROW TELLS HIS PLAN @number@

XII .

FARMER BROWN'S BOY AND BUSTER BEAR GROW CURIOUS @number@

XIII .

FARMER BROWN'S BOY AND BUSTER BEAR MEET @number@

XIV .

a SURPRISING THING HAPPENS @number@

XV .

BUSTER BEAR IS A FALLEN HERO @number@

XVI .

CHATTERER THE RED SQUIRREL JUMPS FOR HIS LIFE @number@

XVII .

BUSTER BEAR GOES BERRYING @number@

XVIII .

SOMEBODY ELSE GOES BERRYING @number@

XIX .

BUSTER BEAR HAS A FINE TIME @number@

XX .

BUSTER BEAR CARRIES OFF THE PAIL OF FARMER BROWN'S BOY @number@

XXI .

SAMMY JAY MAKES THINGS WORSE FOR BUSTER BEAR @number@

XXII .

BUSTER BEAR HAS A FIT OF TEMPER @number@

XXIII .

FARMER BROWN'S BOY LUNCHES ON BERRIES @number@

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

BUSTER BLINKED HIS GREEDY LITTLE EYES RAPIDLY AND LOOKED AGAIN Frontispiece

" HERE'S YOUR TROUT , MR OTTER , " SAID HE PAGE @number@

" YOU TAKE MY ADVICE , LITTLE JOE OTTER , " CONTINUED GRANDFATHER FROG @number@

REDDY GLARED ACROSS THE SMILING POOL AT PETER @number@

BUSTER BEAR WAS RUNNING AWAY TOO @number@

THOSE WHO COULD FLY , FLEW .

THOSE WHO COULD CLIMB , CLIMBED @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF BUSTER BEAR

I

BUSTER BEAR GOES FISHING

once more he yawned , and slowly got to his feet and shook himself .

after that he yawned until it seemed as if his jaws would crack , and then sat down to think what he wanted for breakfast .

he heard Sammy Jay way off in the distance screaming , " Thief !

Thief ! " and grinned .

probably he is the thief himself . "

he heard Chatterer the Red Squirrel scolding as fast as he could make his tongue go and working himself into a terrible rage .

" must be that Chatterer got out of bed the wrong way this morning , " thought he .

he heard the sweet voices of happy little singers , and they were good to hear .

it was the voice of the Laughing Brook .

and as Buster listened it suddenly came to him just what he wanted for breakfast .

" I 'm going fishing , " said he in his deep grumbly-rumbly voice to no one in particular .

" yes , Sir , I 'm going fishing .

I want some fat trout for my breakfast . "

now it just happened that early as he was , some one was before Buster Bear .

who was it ?

why , Little Joe Otter to be sure .

he was just climbing up the bank with the fat trout in his mouth .

Buster Bear 's own mouth watered as he saw it .

Little Joe sat down on the bank and prepared to enjoy his breakfast .

he hadn't seen Buster Bear , and he didn't know that he or any one else was anywhere near .

Buster Bear tiptoed up very softly until he was right behind Little Joe Otter .

" woof , woof ! " said he in his deepest , most grumbly-rumbly voice .

" that 's a very fine looking trout .

I wouldn't mind if I had it myself . "

Buster Bear sprang forward and with one of his big paws caught the fat trout just as it was slipping back into the water .

" come and get it . "

Illustration : " here 's your trout , Mr Otter , " said he .

page @number@

but Little Joe wouldn't .

the fact is , he was afraid to .

he snarled at Buster Bear and called him a thief and everything bad he could think of .

Buster didn't seem to mind .

he chuckled as if he thought it all a great joke and repeated his invitation to Little Joe to come and get his fish .

but Little Joe just turned his back and went off down the Laughing Brook in a great rage .

" it 's too bad to waste such a fine fish , " said Buster thoughtfully .

" I wonder what I 'd better do with it . "

and while he was wondering , he ate it all up .

then he started down the Laughing Brook to try to catch some for himself .

II

LITTLE JOE OTTER GETS EVEN WITH BUSTER BEAR

Little Joe Otter was in a terrible rage .

it was a bad beginning for a beautiful day and Little Joe knew it .

but who wouldn't be in a rage if his breakfast was taken from him just as he was about to eat it ?

anyway , that is what Little Joe told Billy Mink .

perhaps he didn't tell it quite exactly as it was , but you know he was very badly frightened at the time .

he took that fat trout away from me and ate it just as if it belonged to him !

I hate him !

if I live long enough I 'm going to get even with him ! "

Buster Bear hadn't actually taken the fish away from Little Joe .

but looking at the matter as Little Joe did , it amounted to the same thing .

" where is he now ? " asked Billy Mink .

" he 's somewhere up the Laughing Brook .

I wish he 'd fall in and get drowned ! " snapped Little Joe .

Billy Mink just had to laugh .

the idea of great big Buster Bear getting drowned in the Laughing Brook was too funny .

" let's go see what he is doing , " said Billy Mink .

at first Little Joe didn't want to , but at last his curiosity got the better of his fear , and he agreed .

so the two little brown-coated scamps turned down the Laughing Brook , taking the greatest care to keep out of sight themselves .

they had gone only a little way when Billy Mink whispered : " Sh-h !

there he is . "

sure enough , there was Buster Bear sitting close beside a little pool and looking into it very intently .

" what 's he doing ? " asked Little Joe Otter , as Buster Bear sat for the longest time without moving .

" he 's fishing ! " exclaimed Billy Mink .

and that is just what Buster Bear was doing , and it was very plain to see that he was having great fun .

when he had eaten the trout he had caught , he moved along to the next little pool .

" they are our fish ! " said Little Joe fiercely .

" he has no business catching our fish ! "

" I don't see how we are going to stop him , " said Billy Mink .

" I do ! " cried Little Joe , into whose head an idea had just popped .

" I 'm going to drive all the fish out of the little pools and muddy the water all up .

then we 'll see how many fish he will get !

Just you watch me get even with Buster Bear . "

Little Joe slipped swiftly into the water and swam straight to the little pool that Buster Bear would try next .

he frightened the fish so that they fled in every direction .

then he stirred up the mud until the water was so dirty that Buster couldn't have seen a fish right under his nose .

he did the same thing in the next pool and the next .

Buster Bear 's fishing was spoiled for that day .

III

BUSTER BEAR IS GREATLY PUZZLED

Buster Bear hadn't enjoyed himself so much since he came to the Green Forest to live .

when he had finished it , he started on to do some fishing himself .

presently he came to another little pool .

he stole up to it very , very softly , so as not to frighten the fish .

then he sat down close to the edge of it and didn't move .

so he didn't move so much as an eye lash .

he was so still that he looked almost like the stump of an old tree .

one of them moved now , and quicker than a wink had scooped one of those foolish fish out on to the bank .

the fish were so frightened that they wouldn't come back for a long , long time .

at the next little pool the same thing happened .

by this time Buster Bear was in fine spirits .

it was fun to catch the fish , and it was still more fun to eat them .

what finer breakfast could any one have than fresh-caught trout ?

no wonder he felt good !

but it takes more than three trout to fill Buster Bear 's stomach , so he kept on to the next little pool .

it looked as if some one had just stirred up all the mud at the bottom .

" huh ! " said Buster Bear .

" it 's of no use to try to fish here .

I would just waste my time .

I 'll try the next pool . "

so he went on to the next little pool .

he found this just as muddy as the other .

then he went on to another , and this was no better .

Buster sat down and scratched his head .

it was puzzling .

yes , Sir , it was puzzling .

he looked this way and he looked that way suspiciously , but there was no one to be seen .

everything was still save for the laughter of the Laughing Brook .

somehow , it seemed to Buster as if the Brook were laughing at him .

" it 's very curious , " muttered Buster , " very curious indeed .

it looks as if my fishing is spoiled for to-day .

I don't understand it at all .

it 's lucky I caught what I did .

it looks as if somebody is trying to ha ! "

a sudden thought had popped into his head .

then he began to chuckle and finally to laugh .

" I do believe that scamp Joe Otter is trying to get even with me for eating that fat trout ! "

" you 're pretty smart , Mr Otter !

IV

LITTLE JOE OTTER SUPPLIES BUSTER BEAR WITH A BREAKFAST

getting even just for spite Doesn't always pay .

fact is , it is very apt To work the other way .

that is just how it came about that Little Joe Otter furnished Buster Bear with the best breakfast he had had for a long time .

he didn't mean to do it .

oh , my , no !

the truth is , he thought all the time that he was preventing Buster Bear from getting a breakfast .

spite and selfishness were at the bottom of it .

to be sure Bobby Coon caught a few little fish there , but they didn't mind Bobby .

but when they discovered that Buster Bear was a fisherman , they made up their minds that something had got to be done .

at least , Little Joe did .

" he 'll try it again to-morrow morning , " said Little Joe .

I guess that 'll teach him to let our fish alone . "

so the next morning Little Joe hid before daylight close by the little pool where Buster Bear had given him such a fright .

then he hurried down to the next little pool and did the same thing .

now Buster Bear is very smart .

you know he had guessed the day before who had spoiled his fishing .

things happened just as he had expected .

when they came to the place where Buster was waiting , all he had to do was to scoop them out on to the bank .

it was great fun .

it didn't take Buster long to catch all the fish he could eat .

then he saved a nice fat trout and waited .

by and by along came Little Joe Otter , chuckling to think how he had spoiled Buster Bear 's fishing .

he was so intent on looking behind him to see if Buster was coming that he didn't see Buster waiting there until he spoke .

" I 'm much obliged for the fine breakfast you have given me , " said Buster in his deepest , most grumbly-rumbly voice .

" I 've saved a fat trout for you to make up for the one I ate yesterday .

I hope we 'll go fishing together often . "

then he went off laughing fit to kill himself .

little Joe couldn't find a word to say .

he was so surprised and angry that he went off by himself and sulked .

and Billy Mink , who had been watching , ate the fat trout .

V

GRANDFATHER FROG'S COMMON-SENSE

there is nothing quite like common sense to smooth out troubles .

people who have plenty of just plain common sense are often thought to be very wise .

their neighbors look up to them and are forever running to them for advice , and they are very much respected .

that is the way with Grandfather Frog .

he is very old and very wise .

anyway , that is what his neighbors think .

the truth is , he simply has a lot of common sense , which after all is the very best kind of wisdom .

Little Joe wouldn't tell , but Billy Mink told the whole story .

so did Grandfather Frog .

so did Jerry Muskrat , who had been listening .

of course this made Little Joe angrier than ever .

" he 's nothing but a great big bully and thief ! " declared Little Joe .

" Chug-a-rum !

" didn't he catch my fish and eat them ? " snapped Little Joe .

" doesn't that make him a thief ? "

" they were no more your fish than mine , " protested Billy Mink .

" well , our fish , then !

he stole our fish , if you like that any better .

that makes him just as much a thief , doesn't it ? " growled Little Joe .

grandfather Frog looked up at jolly , round , bright Mr Sun and slowly winked one of his great , goggly eyes .

" there comes a foolish green fly , " said he .

" who does he belong to ? "

" nobody ! " snapped Little Joe .

" what have foolish green flies got to do with my I mean our fish ? "

" nothing , nothing at all , " replied Grandfather Frog mildly .

" I was just hoping that he would come near enough for me to snap him up ; then he would belong to me .

as long as he doesn't , he doesn't belong to any one .

I suppose that if Buster Bear should happen along and catch him , he would be stealing from me , according to Little Joe . "

" of course not !

what a silly idea !

you 're getting foolish in your old age , " retorted Little Joe .

little Joe couldn't find a word to say .

you 'll find it pays . "

Illustration : " you take my advice , Little Joe Otter , " continued Grandfather Frog .

page @number@

VI

LITTLE JOE OTTER TAKES GRANDFATHER FROG'S ADVICE

who makes an enemy a friend , To fear and worry puts an end .

Little Joe Otter found that out when he took Grandfather Frog 's advice .

he wouldn't have admitted that he was afraid of Buster Bear .

no one ever likes to admit being afraid , least of all Little Joe Otter .

and really Little Joe has a great deal of courage .

now having one 's own way too much is a bad thing .

it is apt to make one selfish and thoughtless of other people and very hard to get along with .

Little Joe Otter had his way too much .

grandfather Frog knew it and shook his head very soberly when Little Joe had been disrespectful to him .

" too bad .

too bad !

too bad !

Chug-a-rum !

it is too bad that such a fine young fellow as Little Joe should spoil a good disposition by such selfish heedlessness .

too bad , " said he .

it tickled him so that he had hard work to keep a straight face .

that was good common sense advice , but Little Joe just sniffed and went off declaring that he would get even with Buster Bear yet .

by and by he grinned .

it was a little sheepish grin at first , but at last it grew into a laugh .

I 'll try it to-morrow morning . "

it was so big and fat that it made Little Joe 's mouth water , for you know fat trout are his favorite food .

but he didn't take so much as one bite .

instead he carefully laid it on an old log where Buster Bear would be sure to see it if he should come along that way .

then he hid near by , where he could watch .

Buster was late that morning .

it seemed to Little Joe that he never would come .

once he nearly lost the fish .

he had turned his head for just a minute , and when he looked back again , the trout was nowhere to be seen .

Buster couldn't have stolen up and taken it , because such a big fellow couldn't possibly have gotten out of sight again .

Little Joe darted over to the log and looked on the other side .

Little Joe sprang at him angrily , but Shadow was too quick and darted away .

Little Joe put the fish back on the log and waited .

this time he didn't take his eyes off it .

at last , when he was almost ready to give up , he saw Buster Bear shuffling along towards the Laughing Brook .

suddenly Buster stopped and sniffed .

one of the Merry Little Breezes had carried the scent of that fat trout over to him .

then he came straight over to where the fish lay , his nose wrinkling , and his eyes twinkling with pleasure .

" now I wonder who was so thoughtful as to leave this fine breakfast ready for me , " said he out loud .

" me , " said Little Joe in a rather faint voice .

" I caught it especially for you . "

" thank you , " replied Buster , and his eyes twinkled more than ever .

" I think we are going to be friends . "

" I I hope so , " replied Little Joe .

VII

FARMER BROWN'S BOY HAS NO LUCK AT ALL

Farmer Brown 's boy tramped through the Green Forest , whistling merrily .

he always whistles when he feels light-hearted , and he always feels light-hearted when he goes fishing .

you see , he is just as fond of fishing as is Little Joe Otter or Billy Mink or Buster Bear .

so he whistled as he tramped along , and his whistle was good to hear .

he kept very quiet and fished and fished , patiently waiting for a foolish trout to take his hook .

but he didn't get so much as a nibble .

there the same thing happened .

Farmer Brown 's boy trudged on to the next pool , and there was a puzzled frown on his freckled face .

such a thing never had happened before .

he didn't know what to make of it .

" I never had such bad luck in all my life before .

hello !

what 's this ? "

there , on the bank beside the little pool , were the heads of three trout .

Farmer Brown 's boy scowled down at them more puzzled than ever .

" somebody has been fishing here , and they have had better luck than I have , " thought he .

he looked up the Laughing Brook and down the Laughing Brook and this way and that way , but no one was to be seen .

then he picked up one of the little heads and looked at it sharply .

" it wasn't cut off with a knife ; it was bitten off ! " he exclaimed .

" I wonder now if Billy Mink is the scamp who has spoiled my fun . "

this puzzled him more than ever .

it didn't seem possible that such a little fellow as Billy Mink could have caught or frightened all the fish or have eaten so many .

besides , he didn't remember ever having known Billy to leave heads around that way .

Billy sometimes catches more fish than he can eat , but then he usually hides them .

the farther he went down the Laughing Brook , the more puzzled Farmer Brown 's boy grew .

it made him feel very queer .

they were Little Joe Otter and Buster Bear .

VIII

FARMER BROWN'S BOY FEELS HIS HAIR RISE

' Twas just a sudden odd surprise Made Farmer Brown 's boy 's hair to rise .

that 's a funny thing for hair to do rise up all of a sudden isn't it ?

there are just two things that make hair rise anger and fear .

both anger and fear make it do that .

it never had happened before .

you see , there isn't much of anything that Farmer Brown 's boy is really afraid of .

perhaps he wouldn't have been afraid this time if it hadn't been for the surprise of what he found .

anyway , that is what he said when he told about it afterward .

what was it he saw ?

what do you think ?

why , it was a footprint in the soft mud .

yes , Sir , that 's what it was , and all it was .

it was the footprint of Buster Bear .

now Farmer Brown 's boy didn't know that Buster Bear had come down to the Green Forest to live .

he never had heard of a Bear being in the Green Forest .

somehow , he didn't feel like meeting Buster Bear .

if he had had his terrible gun with him , it might have been different .

but he didn't , and so he suddenly made up his mind that he didn't want to fish any more that day .

he had a funny feeling , too , that he was being watched , although he couldn't see any one .

he was being watched .

Little Joe Otter and Buster Bear were watching him and taking the greatest care to keep out of his sight .

he hadn't run , but he had wanted to .

" huh ! " said Buster Bear to Little Joe Otter , " I believe he was afraid ! "

and Buster Bear was just exactly right .

IX

LITTLE JOE OTTER HAS GREAT NEWS TO TELL

Little Joe Otter was fairly bursting with excitement .

he could hardly contain himself .

he felt that he had the greatest news to tell since Peter Rabbit had first found the tracks of Buster Bear in the Green Forest .

he couldn't keep it to himself a minute longer than he had to .

Mr and Mrs. Redwing were there , and Blacky the Crow was sitting in the Big Hickory-tree .

Little Joe Otter swam straight to the Big Rock and climbed up to the very highest part .

he looked so excited , and his eyes sparkled so , that every one knew right away that something had happened .

" hi ! " cried Billy Mink .

" look at Little Joe Otter !

it must be that for once he has been smarter than Buster Bear . "

Little Joe made a good-natured face at Billy Mink and shook his head .

" no , Billy , " said he , " you are wrong , altogether wrong .

I don't believe anybody can be smarter than Buster Bear . "

Illustration : Reddy glared across the Smiling Pool at Peter .

page @number@

Reddy Fox rolled his lips back in an unpleasant grin .

" don't be too sure of that ! " he snapped .

" I 'm not through with him yet . "

" boaster !

boaster ! " cried Peter Rabbit .

Reddy glared across the Smiling Pool at Peter .

" I 'm not through with you either , Peter Rabbit ! " he snarled .

" you 'll find it out one of these fine days ! "

" Reddy , Reddy , smart and sly , Couldn't catch a buzzing fly ! "

taunted Peter .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog in his deepest , gruffest voice .

" we know all about that .

what we want to know is what Little Joe Otter has got on his mind . "

" it 's news great news ! " cried Little Joe .

" we can tell better how great it is when we hear what it is , " replied Grandfather Frog testily .

" what is it ? "

for a minute no one said a word .

then Blacky the Crow leaned down from his perch in the Big Hickory-tree and looked very hard at Little Joe as he said :

" I don't believe it .

I don't believe a word of it .

we are all afraid of him . "

Little Joe glared back at Blacky .

" I don't care whether you believe it or not ; it 's true , " he retorted .

" now tell me that he isn't afraid ! " concluded Little Joe .

" for once he knows just how we feel when he comes prowling around where we are .

isn't that great news ?

now we 'll get even with him ! "

" I 'll believe it when I see it for myself ! " snapped Blacky the Crow .

x

BUSTER BEAR BECOMES A HERO

of course , Peter Rabbit helped spread it .

trust Peter for that !

but everybody else helped too .

and so it was that Buster Bear became a hero right away to most of them .

a few doubted Little Joe 's story .

one of them was Blacky the Crow .

another was Reddy Fox .

Blacky doubted because he knew Farmer Brown 's boy so well that he couldn't imagine him afraid .

Reddy doubted because he didn't want to believe .

you see , he was jealous of Buster Bear , and at the same time he was afraid of him .

but nearly everybody else believed it , and there was great rejoicing .

most of them were afraid of Buster , very much afraid of him , because he was so big and strong .

they tried in ever so many ways to show him how friendly they felt and went quite out of their way to do him favors .

whenever they met one another , all they could talk about was the smartness and the greatness of Buster Bear .

" and he won't dare set any more traps for me , " gloated Billy Mink .

" ah wish Brer Bear would go up to Farmer Brown 's henhouse and scare Farmer Brown 's boy so that he would keep away from there .

it would be a favor to me which Ah cert'nly would appreciate , " said Unc ' Billy Possum when he heard the news .

" let's all go together and tell Buster Bear how much obliged we are for what he has done , " proposed Jerry Muskrat .

" that 's a splendid idea ! " cried Little Joe Otter .

" we 'll do it right away . "

" caw , caw caw ! " broke in Blacky the Crow .

" I say , let's wait and see for ourselves if it is all true . "

" of course it 's true ! " snapped Little Joe Otter .

" don't you believe I 'm telling the truth ? "

" certainly , certainly .

of course no one doubts your word , " replied Blacky , with the utmost politeness .

" but you say yourself that Farmer Brown 's boy didn't see Buster Bear , but only his footprint .

perhaps he didn't know whose it was , and if he had he wouldn't have been afraid .

now I 've got a plan by which we can see for ourselves if he really is afraid of Buster Bear . "

" what is it ? " asked Sammy Jay eagerly .

Blacky the Crow shook his head and winked .

" that 's telling , " said he .

" I want to think it over .

XI

BLACKY THE CROW TELLS HIS PLAN

Blacky is a dreamer !

Blacky is a schemer !

his voice is strong ; When things go wrong Blacky is a screamer !

it 's a fact .

Blacky the Crow is forever dreaming and scheming and almost always it is of mischief .

Blacky likes excitement .

he wants something going on .

the more exciting it is , the better he likes it .

then he has a chance to use that harsh voice of his , and how he does use it !

in the first place he felt very important , and you know Blacky dearly loves to feel important .

on the Big Rock in the Smiling Pool sat Little Joe Otter , Billy Mink , and Jerry Muskrat .

on his big , green lily-pad sat Grandfather Frog .

on another lily-pad sat Spotty the Turtle .

on the other side of the Smiling Pool were Reddy Fox , Digger the Badger , and Bobby Coon .

in the Big Hickory-tree were Chatterer the Red Squirrel , Happy Jack the Gray Squirrel , and Sammy Jay .

Blacky waited until he was sure that no one else was coming .

then he cleared his throat very loudly and began to speak .

" friends , " said he .

but no one said anything , and Blacky went on .

perhaps he was , and then again perhaps he wasn't .

perhaps he had something else on his mind .

you have made a hero of Buster Bear , because you believe Little Joe 's story .

now here is my plan :

" To-morrow morning , very early , Sammy Jay and I will make a great fuss near the edge of the Green Forest .

Farmer Brown 's boy has a lot of curiosity , and he will be sure to come over to see what it is all about .

then we will lead him to where Buster Bear is .

now what do you say ? "

right away everybody began to talk at the same time .

it was such a simple plan that everybody agreed to it .

so it was agreed that Blacky should try his plan the very next morning .

XII

FARMER BROWN'S BOY AND BUSTER BEAR GROW CURIOUS

what was he watching for ?

why , for Farmer Brown 's boy to come out on his way to milk the cows .

by and by the back door of Farmer Brown 's house opened , and out stepped Farmer Brown 's boy .

in each hand he carried a milk pail .

right away Blacky began to scream at the top of his lungs .

" caw , caw , caw ! " shouted Blacky .

" caw , caw , caw ! "

no , Sir , he started straight for the barn .

Blacky didn't know what to make of it .

so , when Farmer Brown 's boy started for the barn instead of for the Green Forest , Blacky didn't know what to make of it .

when Farmer Brown 's boy disappeared in the barn , Chatterer the Red Squirrel snickered right out loud .

" Ha , ha , ha !

this is a great plan of yours , Blacky !

Ha , ha , ha ! " he shouted .

Blacky couldn't find a word to say .

he just hung his head , which is something Blacky seldom does .

so it was decided to wait .

it seemed as if Farmer Brown 's boy never would come out , but at last he did .

Blacky and Sammy Jay at once began to scream and make all the fuss they could .

Farmer Brown 's boy took the two pails of milk into the house , then out he came and started straight for the Green Forest .

he was so curious to know what it all meant that he couldn't wait another minute .

now there was some one else with a great deal of curiosity also .

he had heard the screaming of Blacky the Crow and Sammy Jay , and he had listened until he couldn't stand it another minute .

he just had to know what it was all about .

he walked very softly so as not to make a sound .

it was Buster Bear .

XIII

FARMER BROWN'S BOY AND BUSTER BEAR MEET

if you should meet with Buster Bear While walking through the wood , What would you do ?

now tell me true , I 'd run the best I could .

Farmer Brown had laughed and laughed .

if you want to find Mr Bear , you will have to go to the Great Woods .

I don't know who made that footprint , but it certainly couldn't have been a Bear .

I think you must have imagined it . "

Buster Bear had come to live in the Green Forest , and Farmer Brown 's boy had seen his footprint .

it was very exciting , the most exciting thing they could remember .

every one was so busy watching Farmer Brown 's boy that no one saw Buster coming from the other direction .

you see , Buster walked very softly .

big as he is , he can walk without making the teeniest , weeniest sound .

then everybody held their breath , even Blacky the Crow and Sammy Jay .

for just a little minute it was so still there in the Green Forest that not the least little sound could be heard .

what was going to happen ?

XIV

a SURPRISING THING HAPPENS

Blacky the Crow and Sammy Jay , looking down from the top of a tall tree , held their breath .

happy Jack the Gray Squirrel and his cousin , Chatterer the Red Squirrel , looking down from another tree , held their breath .

Unc ' Billy Possum , sticking his head out from a hollow tree , held his breath .

Bobby Coon , looking through a hole in a hollow stump in which he was hiding , held his breath .

Reddy Fox , lying flat down behind a heap of brush , held his breath .

Peter Rabbit , sitting bolt upright under a thick hemlock branch , with eyes and ears wide open , held his breath .

and all the other little people who happened to be where they could see did the same thing .

you see , it was the most exciting moment ever was in the Green Forest .

then something happened .

yes , Sir , something happened .

Farmer Brown 's boy opened his mouth and yelled !

and that yell was a yell of fright .

there wasn't any doubt that he was afraid , very much afraid .

everybody leaned forward to watch him .

" what did I tell you ?

didn't I say that he was afraid of Buster Bear ? " cried Little Joe Otter , dancing about with excitement .

" you were right , Little Joe !

I 'm sorry that I doubted it .

see him go !

caw , caw , caw ! " shrieked Blacky the Crow .

for a minute or two everybody forgot about Buster Bear .

then there was a great crash which made everybody turn to look the other way .

what do you think they saw ?

why , Buster Bear was running away too , and he was running twice as fast as Farmer Brown 's boy !

he bumped into trees and crashed through bushes and jumped over logs , and in almost no time at all he was out of sight .

altogether it was the most surprising thing that the little people of the Green Forest ever had seen .

Illustration : Buster Bear was running away , too .

page @number@ .

then Little Joe gave a funny little gasp .

" why , why-e-e ! " said he , " I believe Buster Bear is afraid too ! "

Unc ' Billy Possum chuckled .

" ah believe yo ' are right again , Brer Otter , " said he .

" it cert'nly does look so .

if Brer Bear isn't scared , he must have remembered something impo'tant and has gone to attend to it in a powerful hurry . "

then everybody began to laugh .

XV

BUSTER BEAR IS A FALLEN HERO

that was the way with Buster Bear .

at least some of them had .

it was hard to believe , but it was true .

and right away everybody lost a great deal of the respect for Buster which they had felt .

it is always that way .

they began to say unkind things about him .

a dozen times a day Buster would hear them screaming this .

he would grind his teeth and glare up at them , but that was all he could do .

he couldn't get at them .

he just had to stand it and do nothing .

he gave a deep , angry growl that made little shivers run over Chatterer , and then suddenly he started up that tree after Chatterer .

with a frightened little shriek Chatterer scampered to the top of the tree .

he hadn't known that Buster could climb .

how Chatterer did wish that he had kept his tongue still !

the worst of it was there wasn't another tree near enough for him to jump to .

he was in trouble this time , was Chatterer , sure enough !

and there was no one to help him .

XVI

CHATTERER THE RED SQUIRREL JUMPS FOR HIS LIFE

it isn't very often that Chatterer the Red Squirrel knows fear .

that is one reason that he is so often impudent and saucy .

but once in a while a great fear takes possession of him , as when he knows that Shadow the Weasel is looking for him .

you see , he knows that Shadow can go wherever he can go .

if only he had kept his tongue still instead of saying hateful things to Buster Bear !

if only he had known that Buster could climb a tree !

if only he had chosen a tree near enough to other trees for him to jump across !

Chatterer was in the worst kind of trouble , and there was no one to blame but himself .

that is usually the case with those who get into trouble .

nearer and nearer came Buster Bear , and deeper and angrier sounded his voice .

Chatterer gave a little frightened gasp and looked this way and looked that way .

what should he do ?

what could he do !

the ground seemed a terrible distance below .

if only he had wings like Sammy Jay !

but he hadn't .

" Gr-r-r-r ! " growled Buster Bear .

" I 'll teach you manners !

I 'll teach you to treat your betters with respect !

I 'll swallow you whole , that 's what I 'll do .

Gr-r-r-r ! "

" oh ! " cried Chatterer .

" Gr-r-r-r !

I 'll eat you all up to the last hair on your tail ! " growled Buster , scrambling a little nearer .

" oh !

oh ! " cried Chatterer , and ran out to the very tip of the little branch to which he had been clinging .

but Chatterer didn't think of that .

he did it now .

and then there was his tail , that funny little tail he is so fond of jerking when he scolds .

this helped him too .

it helped him keep his balance and keep from turning over and over .

down , down , down he sailed and landed on his feet .

of course , he hit the ground pretty hard , and for just a second he quite lost his breath .

but it was only for a second , and then he was scurrying off as fast as a frightened Squirrel could .

Buster Bear watched him and grinned .

XVII

BUSTER BEAR GOES BERRYING

Buster Bear is a great hand to talk to himself when he thinks no one is around to overhear .

it 's a habit .

however , it isn't a bad habit unless it is carried too far .

any habit becomes bad , if it is carried too far .

suppose you had a secret , a real secret , something that nobody else knew and that you didn't want anybody else to know .

and suppose you had the habit of talking to yourself .

then there wouldn't be any secret .

that is the way that a habit which isn't bad in itself can become bad when it is carried too far .

now Buster Bear had lived by himself in the Great Woods so long that this habit of talking to himself had grown and grown .

he did it just to keep from being lonesome .

of course , when he came down to the Green Forest to live , he brought all his habits with him .

that is one thing about habits , you always take them with you wherever you go .

" I find my appetite isn't what it ought to be .

I need a change .

yes , Sir , I need a change .

there is something I ought to have at this time of year , and I haven't got it .

there is something that I used to have and don't have now .

Ha !

I know !

I need some fresh fruit .

that 's it fresh fruit !

it must be about berry time now , and I 'd forgotten all about it .

my , my , my , how good some berries would taste !

now if I were back up there in the Great Woods I could have all I could eat .

Um-m-m-m !

makes my mouth water just to think of it .

there ought to be some up in the Old Pasture .

there ought to be a lot of ' em up there .

if I wasn't afraid that some one would see me , I 'd go up there . "

Buster sighed .

then he sighed again .

the more he thought about those berries he felt sure were growing in the Old Pasture , the more he wanted some .

it seemed to him that never in all his life had he wanted berries as he did now .

he wandered about uneasily .

he was hungry hungry for berries and nothing else .

by and by he began talking to himself again .

" if I wasn't afraid of being seen , I 'd go up to the Old Pasture this very minute .

seems as if I could taste those berries . "

he licked his lips hungrily as he spoke .

then his face brightened .

" I know what I 'll do !

I 'll go up there at the very first peep of day to-morrow .

that 's just what I 'll do .

my , I wish to-morrow morning would hurry up and come . "

now though Buster didn't know it , some one had been listening , and that some one was none other than Sammy Jay .

when at last Buster lay down for a nap , Sammy flew away , chuckling to himself .

" I believe I 'll visit the Old Pasture to-morrow morning myself , " thought he .

" I have an idea that something interesting may happen if Buster doesn't change his mind . "

Sammy was on the lookout very early the next morning .

it moved very swiftly and silently , as if in a great hurry .

Sammy knew who it was : it was Buster Bear , and he was going berrying .

Sammy waited a little until he could see better .

then he too started for the Old Pasture .

XVIII

SOMEBODY ELSE GOES BERRYING

that is just what happened the day that Buster Bear first thought of going berrying .

" will you make me a berry pie if I will get the berries to-morrow ? " asked Farmer Brown 's boy of his mother .

now the Old Pasture is very large .

it lies at the foot of the Big Mountain , and even extends a little way up on the Big Mountain .

you see , the bushes grow very thick there , and you cannot see very far in any direction .

Farmer Brown 's boy started to whistle , and then he stopped .

that is how he happened to hear a little cry , a very faint little cry .

if he had been whistling , he wouldn't have heard it at all .

he stopped to listen .

he never had heard a cry just like it before .

at first he couldn't make out just what it was or where it came from .

but one thing he was sure of , and that was that it was a cry of fright .

he stood perfectly still and listened with all his might .

there it was again " help !

help !

help " and it was very faint and sounded terribly frightened .

he waited a minute or two , but heard nothing more .

then he put down his pail and began a hurried look here , there , and everywhere .

well , I don't like to tell you , but he was trying to swallow one of the children of Stickytoes the Tree Toad .

of course Farmer Brown 's Boy didn't let him .

he made little Mr Gartersnake set Master Stickytoes free and held Mr Gartersnake until Master Stickytoes was safely out of reach .

XIX

BUSTER BEAR HAS A FINE TIME

Buster Bear was having the finest time he had had since he came down from the Great Woods to live in the Green Forest .

to be sure , he wasn't in the Green Forest now , but he wasn't far from it .

he was in the Old Pasture , one edge of which touches one edge of the Green Forest .

and where do you think he was , in the Old Pasture ?

why , right in the middle of the biggest patch of the biggest blueberries he ever had seen in all his life !

nothing can quite equal honey in Buster 's mind .

but next to honey give him berries .

he isn't particular what kind of berries .

raspberries , blackberries , or blueberries , either kind , will make him perfectly happy .

he didn't try to get them out .

oh , my , no !

he just chomped them all up together and patted his stomach from sheer delight .

it seems funny but he actually is afraid of them .

but when he found those berries he was so hungry that he forgot his fears and everything else .

they tasted so good that he just had to eat and eat and eat .

now you know that Buster is a very big fellow , and it takes a lot to fill him up .

he kept eating and eating and eating , and the more he ate the more he wanted .

you know how it is .

so he wandered from one patch of berries to another in the Old Pasture , and never once thought of the time .

somehow , time is the hardest thing in the world to remember , when you are having a good time .

jolly , round , red Mr Sun climbed higher and higher in the blue , blue sky .

he looked down on all the Great World and saw all that was going on .

he saw Buster Bear in the Old Pasture , and smiled as he saw what a perfectly glorious time Buster was having .

and he saw something else in the Old Pasture that made his smile still broader .

" Um-m-m , um-m-m , " mumbled Buster Bear with his mouth full , as he moved along to another patch of berries .

and then he gave a little gasp of surprise and delight .

right in front of him was a shiny thing just full of the finest , biggest , bluest berries !

there were no leaves or green ones there .

Buster blinked his greedy little eyes rapidly and looked again .

no , he wasn't dreaming .

they were real berries , and all he had got to do was to help himself .

Buster looked sharply at the shiny thing that held the berries .

it seemed perfectly harmless .

he reached out a big paw and pushed it gently .

it tipped over and spilled out a lot of the berries .

yes , it was perfectly harmless .

Buster gave a little sigh of pure happiness .

he would eat those berries to the last one , and then he would go home to the Green Forest .

XX

BUSTER BEAR CARRIES OFF THE PAIL OF FARMER BROWN'S BOY

the question is , did Buster Bear steal Farmer Brown 's boy 's pail ?

to steal is to take something which belongs to some one else .

there is no doubt that he stole the berries that were in the pail when he found it , for he deliberately ate them .

he knew well enough that some one must have picked them for whoever heard of blueberries growing in tin pails ?

so there is no doubt that when Buster took them , he stole them .

but with the pail it was different .

he took the pail , but he didn't mean to take it .

in fact , he didn't want that pail at all .

he didn't think anything about the right or wrong of helping himself .

and that is just what he did do .

of course he upset the pail , but he didn't mind a little thing like that .

just then he heard a little noise , as if some one were coming .

get out of there ! "

he didn't need to be told whose voice that was .

it was the voice of Farmer Brown 's boy .

right then and there Buster Bear nearly had a fit .

there was that awful pail fast over his head so that he couldn't see a thing .

he growled and whined and squealed .

he tried to back out of the pail and couldn't .

he tried to shake it off and couldn't .

he tried to pull it off , but somehow he couldn't get hold of it .

then there was another yell .

you see Farmer Brown 's boy had just discovered Buster Bear .

in fact , he was too surprised and frightened even to run .

after that second yell he just stood still and stared .

Buster clawed at that awful thing on his head more frantically than ever .

suddenly it slipped off , so that he could see .

but the funniest thing of all is this he took that pail with him !

yes , Sir , Buster Bear ran away with the big tin pail of Farmer Brown 's boy !

he didn't want it .

he would have given anything to get rid of it .

but he took it because he couldn't help it .

and that brings us back to the question , did Buster steal Farmer Brown 's boy 's pail ?

what do you think ?

XXI

SAMMY JAY MAKES THINGS WORSE FOR BUSTER BEAR

" thief , thief , thief !

thief , thief , thief ! "

Sammy Jay was screaming at the top of his lungs , as he followed Buster Bear across the Old Pasture towards the Green Forest .

never had he screamed so loud , and never had his voice sounded so excited .

but every blessed one who heard Sammy this morning stopped whatever he was doing and pricked up his ears to listen .

he was so surprised that he almost forgot to keep his wings moving .

Buster Bear had what looked to Blacky very much like a tin pail hanging from his neck !

no wonder Sammy was excited .

Blacky beat his wings fiercely and started after Sammy .

come on , everybody !

come on !

come on ! "

Poor Buster !

he felt humiliated .

that is just another way of saying shamed .

but Buster is so big that it is not easy for him to find a hiding place .

but it was of no use .

the sharp eyes of Sammy Jay and Blacky the Crow saw him .

they actually flew into the very tree under which he was hiding , and how they did scream !

Ol ' Mistah Buzzard began to grin as soon as he saw that tin pail on Buster 's neck .

even timid little Whitefoot the Wood Mouse was where he could peer out and see without being seen .

of course , Chatterer the Red Squirrel and Happy Jack the Gray Squirrel were there .

" thief , thief , thief ! " screamed Sammy until his throat was sore .

the worst of it was Buster knew that everybody knew that it was true .

that awful pail was proof of it .

" I wish I never had thought of berries , " growled Buster to himself .

XXII

BUSTER BEAR HAS A FIT OF TEMPER

a temper is a bad , bad thing When once it gets away .

there 's nothing quite at all like it To spoil a pleasant day .

Buster Bear was in a terrible temper .

yes , Sir , Buster Bear was having the worst fit of temper ever seen in the Green Forest .

now ordinarily Buster is one of the most good-natured persons in the world .

it takes a great deal to rouse his temper .

he isn't one tenth so quick tempered as Chatterer the Red Squirrel , or Sammy Jay , or Reddy Fox .

but when his temper is aroused and gets away from him , then watch out !

it seemed to Buster that he had had all that he could stand that day and a little more .

first had come the fright back there in the Old Pasture .

this was bad enough , for he knew just how funny he must look , and besides , it was very uncomfortable .

but to have Sammy Jay call everybody within hearing to come and see him was more than he could stand .

it was more than any self-respecting Bear could stand .

with a roar of anger Buster Bear charged out of his hiding place .

he rushed this way and that way !

he roared with all his might !

he was very terrible to see .

those who could fly , flew .

those who could climb , climbed .

and those who were swift of foot , ran .

a few who could neither fly nor climb nor run fast , hid and lay shaking and trembling for fear that Buster would find them .

in less time than it takes to tell about it , Buster was alone .

at least , he couldn't see any one .

Illustration : those who could fly , flew .

those who could climb , climbed .

page @number@

then he vented his temper on the tin pail .

he cuffed at it and pulled at it , all the time growling angrily .

he lay down and clawed at it with his hind feet .

at last the handle broke , and he was free !

he shook himself .

then he jumped on the helpless pail .

with a blow of a big paw he sent it clattering against a tree .

he tried to bite it .

then , and not till then , did Buster recover his usual good nature .

little by little , as he thought it all over , a look of shame crept into his face .

" I I guess it wasn't the fault of that thing .

I ought to have known enough to keep my head out of it , " he said slowly and thoughtfully .

" you ought to know by this time that no good comes of stealing . "

Buster Bear looked up and grinned , and there was a twinkle in his eyes .

" you ought to know , Sammy Jay , " said he .

" I hope you 'll always remember it . "

" thief , thief , thief ! " screamed Sammy , and flew away .

XXIII

FARMER BROWN'S BOY LUNCHES ON BERRIES

it hadn't entered his head that it could be anybody who would eat those berries .

" if he is so afraid of me , I guess I needn't be afraid of him , " said he .

" I 've lost my berries , but it is worth it to find out that he is afraid of me .

there are plenty more on the bushes , and all I 've got to do is to pick them .

it might be worse . "

he whistled .

" it 's worse than I thought , " cried he .

" that bear has cheated me out of that berry pie my mother promised me . "

yes , indeed , it might have been worse .

that bear might have tried to eat me instead of the berries .

I guess I 'll go eat that lunch I left back by the spring , and then I 'll go home .

I can pick berries some other day . "

" my , but those sandwiches will taste good , " thought he .

" I 'm glad they are big and thick .

I never was hungrier in my life .

hello ! "

no , Sir , there wasn't so much as a crumb left of those two thick sandwiches .

you see , Old Man Coyote had found them and gobbled them up while Farmer Brown 's boy was away .

but Farmer Brown 's boy didn't know anything about Old Man Coyote .

he rubbed his eyes and stared everywhere , even up in the trees , as if he thought those sandwiches might be hanging up there .

Farmer Brown 's boy gaped foolishly this way and that way .

then , instead of growing angry , a slow smile stole over his freckled face .

" I guess some one else was hungry too , " he muttered .

" wonder who it was ?

guess this Old Pasture is no place for me to-day .

I 'll fill up on berries and then I 'll go home . "

two or three times , as he trudged along , he stopped to scratch his head thoughtfully .

this is the end of the adventures of Buster Bear in this book because guess why .

THE END

THE ADVENTURES OF BUSTER BEAR

BOOKS BY

THORNTON W BURGESS

THE BEDTIME STORY-BOOKS

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF REDDY FOX

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF JOHNNY CHUCK

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF PETER COTTONTAIL

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF UNC ' BILLY POSSUM

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF MR . MOCKER

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF JERRY MUSKRAT

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF DANNY MEADOW MOUSE

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF GRANDFATHER FROG

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF CHATTERER , THE RED SQUIRREL

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF SAMMY JAY

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF BUSTER BEAR

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF OLD MR . TOAD

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF PRICKLY PORKY

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF OLD MAN COYOTE

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF PADDY THE BEAVER

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF POOR MRS . QUACK

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY COON

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF JIMMY SKUNK

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF BOB WHITE

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF OL ' MISTAH BUZZARD

MOTHER WEST WIND SERIES

@number@

OLD MOTHER WEST WIND

@number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S CHILDREN

@number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S ANIMAL FRIENDS

@number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S NEIGHBORS

@number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " WHY " STORIES

@number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " HOW " STORIES

@number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " WHEN " STORIES

@number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " WHERE " STORIES

GREEN MEADOW SERIES

@number@

HAPPY JACK

@number@

MRS PETER RABBIT

@number@

BOWSER THE HOUND

THE BURGESS BIRD BOOK FOR CHILDREN

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Buster Bear , by Thornton W Burgess

produced by Alicia Williams , Jeannie Howse and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at @url@

Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories , @number@ to @number@

Lucy Maud Montgomery was born at Clifton ( now New London ) , Prince Edward Island , Canada , on @date@ .

she achieved international fame in her lifetime , putting Prince Edward Island and Canada on the world literary map .

best known for her " Anne of Green Gables " books , she was also a prolific writer of short stories and poetry .

she published some @number@ short stories and poems and twenty novels before her death in @number@

the Project Gutenberg collection of her short stories was gathered from numerous sources and is presented in chronological publishing order :

short Stories @number@ to @number@

a Case of Trespass

Out in the pond the glassy water creamed and shimmered in the hot sun , unrippled by the faintest breath of air .

Dan Phillips had been on the pond ever since sunrise .

" pretty good catch , " he soliloquized .

" best I 've had this summer , so far .

that big spotted one must weigh near a pound .

he 's a beauty .

they 're a good price over at the hotels now , too .

I 'll go home and get my dinner and go straight over with them .

that 'll leave me time for another try at them about sunset .

Whew , how hot it is !

I must take Ella May home a bunch of them blue flags .

they 're real handsome ! "

he was a freckled , sunburned lad of thirteen years .

Dan , who was old and steady for his years , had gone manfully to work to assist his mother .

for the last two years , however , his most profitable source of summer income had been the trout pond .

this , in spite of its unattractive name , was a popular summer resort , and Dan always found a ready market for his catch .

to be sure , Dan often wondered why it was the pond was so deserted this summer .

he could not recall having seen a single person on it save himself .

still , it did not cross his mind that there could be any particular reason for this .

he would not have cared had all Carleton seen him .

he had done very well with his fish so far , and prices for trout at the Lake went up every day .

Dan was an enterprising boy , and a general favourite with the hotel owners .

they knew that he could always be depended on .

Mrs Phillips met him at the door when he reached home .

" see , Mother , " said Dan exultantly , as he held up his fish .

" just look at that fellow , will you ?

A pound if he 's an ounce !

I ought to get a good price for these , I can tell you .

let me have my dinner now , and I 'll go right over to the Lake with them . "

" it 's a long walk for you , Danny , " replied his mother pityingly , " and it 's too hot to go so far .

I 'm afraid you 'll get sun-struck or something .

you 'd better wait till the cool of the evening .

you 're looking real pale and thin this while back . "

" oh , I 'm all right , Mother , " assured Dan cheerfully .

" I don't mind the heat a bit .

a fellow must put up with some inconveniences .

wait till I bring home the money for these fish .

and I mean to have another catch tonight .

it 's you that 's looking tired .

I wish you didn't have to work so hard , Mother .

if I could only get a good place you could take it easier .

Sam French says that Mr Walters wants a boy up there at the factory , but I know I wouldn't do .

I ain't big enough .

perhaps something will turn up soon though .

when our ship comes in , Mother , we 'll have our good times . "

he picked up his flags and went into the little room where his sister lay .

" did you ever see such beauties ? "

" oh , Dan , how lovely they are !

thank you ever so much !

just look how nice my others are growing .

the pink one is going to bloom . "

" I 'll bring you all the geranium slips at the Lake , if you like .

you shall just live and sleep among posies .

is dinner ready , Mother ?

Trouting 's hungry work , I tell you .

what paper is this ? "

he picked up a folded newspaper from the table .

" Letty Mills brought it in around a parcel this morning .

it 's four weeks old , but I kept it to read if I ever get time .

it 's so seldom we see a paper of any kind nowadays .

but I haven't looked at it yet .

why , Danny , what on earth is the matter ? "

" See , Mother , " he gasped , as she came up in alarm and looked over his shoulder .

this is what they read :

notice

anyone found fishing on my pond at Carleton after date will be prosecuted according to law , without respect of persons .

June First .

H.C. Walters .

" oh , Danny , what does it mean ? "

Dan went and carefully closed the door of Ella May 's room before he replied .

his face was pale and his voice shaky .

" mean ?

well , Mother , it just means that I 've been stealing Mr Walters 's trout all summer stealing them .

that 's what it means . "

" oh , Danny !

but you didn't know . "

" no , but I ought to have remembered that he was the new owner , and have asked him .

I never thought .

mother , what does ' prosecuted according to law ' mean ? "

" I don't know , I 'm sure , Danny .

but if this is so , there 's only one thing to be done .

you must go straight to Mr Walters and tell him all about it . "

" mother , I don't dare to .

he is a dreadfully hard man .

Sam French 's father says "

" I wouldn't believe a word Sam French 's father says about Mr Walters ! " said Mrs Phillips firmly .

" he 's got a spite against him because he was dismissed .

besides , Danny , it 's the only right thing to do .

you know that .

we 're poor , but we have never done anything underhand yet . "

" yes , Mother , I know , " said Dan , gulping his fear bravely down .

" I 'll go , of course , right after dinner .

I was only scared at first .

I 'll tell you what I 'll do .

then maybe he 'll let me off , seeing as I didn't know about the notice . "

" I 'll go with you , Danny . "

" no , I 'll go alone , Mother .

you needn't go with me , " said Dan heroically .

to himself he said that his mother had troubles enough .

he would never subject her to the added ordeal of an interview with the stern factory owner .

he would beard the lion in his den himself , if it had to be done .

" don't tell Ella May anything about it .

it would worry her .

and don't cry , Mother , I guess it 'll be all right .

let me have my dinner now and I 'll go straight off . "

the newcomer nodded familiarly to Dan .

" hello , sonny .

going over to the Lake with your catch , are you ?

you 'll fry up before you get there .

there 'll be nothing left of you but a crisp . "

" no , I 'm not going to the Lake .

I 'm going up to the factory to see Mr Walters . "

Sam French gave a long whistle of surprise .

" why , Dan , what 's taking you there ?

you surely ain't thinking of trying for that place , are you ?

Walters wouldn't look at you .

why , he wouldn't take me !

you haven't the ghost of a chance . "

" no , I 'm not going for that .

" course I did the old skinflint !

he 's too mean to live , that's what .

he never goes near the pond himself .

regular dog in the manger , he is .

dad says "

" Sam , why didn't you tell me about that notice ? "

" Gracious , didn't you know ?

you don't mean to tell me you never saw that notice ? "

" no , I didn't .

do you think I 'd have gone near the pond if I had ?

I never saw it till today , and I 'm going straight to Mr Walters now to tell him about it . "

Sam French stopped short in the dusty road and stared at Dan in undisguised amazement .

" Dan Phillips , " he ejaculated , " have you plum gone out of your mind ?

Boy alive , you needn't be afraid that I'd peach on you .

I 'm too blamed glad to see anyone get the better of that old Walters , smart as he thinks himself .

gee !

to dream of going to him and telling him you 've been fishing in his pond !

why , he 'll put you in jail .

you don't know what sort of a man he is .

dad says "

" never mind what your dad says , Sam .

my mind 's made up . "

" Dan , you chump , listen to me .

that notice says ' prosecuted according to law . '

why , Danny , he 'll put you in prison , or fine you , or something dreadful . "

" I can't help it if he does , " said Danny stoutly .

" you get out of here , Sam French , and don't be trying to scare me .

" stealing , fiddlesticks !

Dan , I used to think you were a chap with some sense , but I see I was mistaken .

you ain't done no harm .

Walters will never miss them trout .

if you 're so dreadful squeamish that you won't fish no more , why , you needn't .

but just let the matter drop and hold your tongue about it .

that 's my advice . "

" well , it isn't my mother 's , then .

I mean to go by hers .

you needn't argue no more , Sam .

I 'm going . "

" go , then ! " said Sam , stopping short in disgust .

so long , Danny !

give my love to old Walters ! "

Dan was not greatly encouraged by this interview .

he shrank more than ever from the thought of facing the stern factory owner .

his courage had almost evaporated when he entered the office at the factory and asked shakily for Mr Walters .

" he 's in his office there , " replied the clerk , " but he 's very busy .

better leave your message with me . "

" I must see Mr Walters himself , please , " said Dan firmly , but with inward trepidation .

the clerk swung himself impatiently from his stool and ushered Dan into Mr Walters 's private office .

" Boy to see you , sir , " he said briefly , as he closed the ground-glass door behind him .

Dan , dizzy and trembling , stood in the dreaded presence .

Mr Walters was writing at a table covered with a businesslike litter of papers .

he laid down his pen and looked up with a frown as the clerk vanished .

he was a stern-looking man with deep-set grey eyes and a square , clean-shaven chin .

he pointed to a capacious leather chair and said concisely , " what is your business with me , boy ? "

Dan had carefully thought out a statement of facts beforehand , but every word had vanished from his memory .

he had only a confused , desperate consciousness that he had a theft to confess and that it must be done as soon as possible .

he did not sit down .

an amused , puzzled expression crossed Mr Walters 's noncommittal face .

he pushed the leather chair forward .

" sit down , my boy , " he said kindly .

" I don't quite understand this somewhat mixed-up statement of yours .

you 've been fishing on my pond , you say .

didn't you see my notice in the Advertiser ? "

Dan sat down more composedly .

the revelation was over and he was still alive .

" no , sir .

we hardly ever see an Advertiser , and nobody told me .

I 'd always been used to fishing there , and I never thought but what it was all right to keep on .

I know I ought to have remembered and asked you , but truly , sir , I didn't mean to steal your fish .

I used to sell them over at the hotels .

we saw the notice today , Mother and me , and I came right up .

Mr Walters passed his hand across his mouth to conceal something like a smile .

Mr Walters took up his pen and drew a blank sheet towards him .

I don't care for trouting myself ; I 've no time for it .

however , I hardly think you 'll do much damage .

you can keep on fishing there .

I 'll give you a written permission , so that if any of my men see you they won't interfere with you .

as for these trout here , I 'll buy them from you at Mosquito Lake prices , and will say no more about the matter .

how will that do ? "

" thank you , sir , " stammered Dan .

he could hardly believe his ears .

he took the slip of paper Mr Walters handed to him and rose to his feet .

" wait a minute , Dan .

how was it you came to tell me this ?

you might have stopped your depredations , and I should not have been any the wiser . "

" that wouldn't have been honest , sir , " said Dan , looking squarely at him .

there was a brief silence .

Mr Walters thrummed meditatively on the table .

Dan waited wonderingly .

finally the factory owner said abruptly , " there 's a vacant place for a boy down here .

I want it filled as soon as possible .

will you take it ? "

" Mr Walters !

me ! " Dan thought the world must be turning upside down .

" yes , you .

you are rather young , but the duties are not hard or difficult to learn .

I think you 'll do .

I was resolved not to fill that place until I could find a perfectly honest and trustworthy boy for it .

I believe I have found him .

" I am convinced that you are incapable of either .

will you take the place , Dan ? "

" I will if you think I can fill it , sir .

I will do my best . "

" yes , I believe you will .

perhaps I know more about you than you think .

businessmen must keep their eyes open .

we 'll regard this matter as settled then .

come up tomorrow at eight o'clock .

and one word more , Dan .

you have perhaps heard that I am an unjust and hard master .

you might easily have deceived me in this matter .

that you did not do so is the best and only recommendation I require .

take those trout up to my house and leave them .

that will do .

good afternoon . "

Dan somehow got his dazed self through the glass door and out of the building .

the whole interview had been such a surprise to him that he was hardly sure whether or not he had dreamed it all .

" I feel as if I were some person else , " he said to himself , as he started down the hot white road .

" but Mother was right .

I 'll stick to her motto .

I wonder what Sam will say to this . "

a Christmas Inspiration

" so do I , " said Nellie Preston as well as she could with a mouthful of chocolates .

" those blessed home folks of mine seem to have divined by instinct the very things I most wanted . "

it was the dusk of Christmas Eve and they were all in Jean Lawrence 's room at No . @number@ Chestnut Terrace .

Christmas came on Sunday that year and the Saturday evening mail at Chestnut Terrace had been an exciting one .

jean had lighted the pink-globed lamp on her table and the mellow light fell over merry faces as the girls chatted about their gifts .

on the table was a big white box heaped with roses that betokened a bit of Christmas extravagance on somebody 's part .

Jean 's brother had sent them to her from Montreal , and all the girls were enjoying them in common .

no . @number@ Chestnut Terrace was overrun with girls generally .

as for Jean Lawrence , she was an orphan , and had no home of her own .

everybody liked frank , open-handed and hearted Jean .

" it was so funny to see the postman when he came this evening , " said Olive .

" he just bulged with parcels .

they were sticking out in every direction . "

" we all got our share of them , " said Jean with a sigh of content .

" even the cook got six I counted . "

" Miss Allen didn't get a thing not even a letter , " said Beth quickly .

Beth had a trick of seeing things that other girls didn't .

" I forgot Miss Allen .

no , I don't believe she did , " answered Jean thoughtfully as she twisted up her pretty hair .

" how dismal it must be to be so forlorn as that on Christmas Eve of all times .

Ugh !

I 'm glad I have friends . "

" I saw Miss Allen watching us as we opened our parcels and letters , " Beth went on .

" I happened to look up once , and such an expression as was on her face , girls !

it was pathetic and sad and envious all at once .

it really made me feel bad for five minutes , " she concluded honestly .

" hasn't Miss Allen any friends at all ? " asked Beth .

" no , I don't think she has , " answered Jean .

" she has lived here for fourteen years , so Mrs Pickrell says .

think of that , girls !

fourteen years at Chestnut Terrace !

is it any wonder that she is thin and dried-up and snappy ? "

" nobody ever comes to see her and she never goes anywhere , " said Beth .

" dear me !

she must feel lonely now when everybody else is being remembered by their friends .

I can't forget her face tonight ; it actually haunts me .

girls , how would you feel if you hadn't anyone belonging to you , and if nobody thought about you at Christmas ? "

" Ow ! " said Olive , as if the mere idea made her shiver .

a little silence followed .

to tell the truth , none of them liked Miss Allen .

they knew that she did not like them either , but considered them frivolous and pert , and complained when they made a racket .

presently Jean said with a dramatic flourish , " girls , I have an inspiration a Christmas inspiration ! "

" what is it ? " cried four voices .

" just this .

let us give Miss Allen a Christmas surprise .

she has not received a single present and I 'm sure she feels lonely .

just think how we would feel if we were in her place . "

" that is true , " said Olive thoughtfully .

her room looked dreadfully bare and cheerless , too .

I think she is very poor .

what are we to do , Jean ? "

" let us each give her something nice .

we can put the things just outside of her door so that she will see them whenever she opens it .

the other girls caught her spirit and entered into the plan with enthusiasm .

" Splendid ! " cried Beth .

" Jean , it is an inspiration , sure enough .

haven't we been horribly selfish thinking of nothing but our own gifts and fun and pleasure ?

I really feel ashamed . "

" the shops are open yet .

let us go up town and invest . "

five minutes later five capped and jacketed figures were scurrying up the street in the frosty , starlit December dusk .

miss Allen in her cold little room heard their gay voices and sighed .

she was crying by herself in the dark .

it was Christmas for everybody but her , she thought drearily .

in an hour the girls came back with their purchases .

" now , let's hold a council of war , " said Jean jubilantly .

" I hadn't the faintest idea what Miss Allen would like so I just guessed wildly .

that was really all I could afford .

Christmas purchases have left my purse dreadfully lean . "

" I got her a glove-box and a pin tray , " said Belle , " and Olive got her a calendar and Whittier 's poems .

and besides we are going to give her half of that big plummy fruit cake Mother sent us from home .

Beth had bought a pretty cup and saucer and said she meant to give one of her pretty water-colours too .

" it makes such a lot of show for the money , " she explained .

" I am bankrupt , like Jean . "

" well , we 've got a lot of pretty things , " said Jean in a tone of satisfaction .

" now we must do them up nicely .

while the others chatted over their parcels Jean wrote her letter , and Jean could write delightful letters .

she had a decided talent in that respect , and her correspondents all declared her letters to be things of beauty and joy forever .

she put her best into Miss Allen 's Christmas letter .

besides , it breathed the very spirit of Christmas , and all the girls declared that it was splendid .

not content with this she hunted out a huge sheet of drawing paper and drew upon it an original pen-and-ink design after her own heart .

the girls laughed until they cried over it and voted it to be the best thing Nellie had yet done in original work .

all this had taken time and it was past eleven o'clock .

outside of Miss Allen 's door the procession halted and the girls silently arranged their gifts on the floor .

" that 's done , " whispered Jean in a tone of satisfaction as they tiptoed back .

oil has gone up , you know , girls . "

it was in the early morning that Miss Allen opened her door .

but early as it was , another door down the hall was half open too and five rosy faces were peering cautiously out .

that lady 's face was a study .

amazement , incredulity , wonder , chased each other over it , succeeded by a glow of pleasure .

on the floor before her was a snug little pyramid of parcels topped by Jean 's letter .

on a chair behind it was a bowl of delicious hot-house roses and Nellie 's placard .

Miss Allen looked down the hall but saw nothing , for Jean had slammed the door just in time .

half an hour later when they were going down to breakfast Miss Allen came along the hall with outstretched hands to meet them .

she had been crying again , but I think her tears were happy ones ; and she was smiling now .

a cluster of Jean 's roses were pinned on her breast .

it was so kind and sweet of you .

you don't know how much good you have done me . "

breakfast was an unusually cheerful affair at No . @number@ that morning .

there was no skeleton at the feast and everybody was beaming .

Miss Allen laughed and talked like a girl herself .

" oh , how surprised I was ! " she said .

" the roses were like a bit of summer , and those cats of Nellie 's were so funny and delightful .

and your letter too , Jean !

I cried and laughed over it .

I shall read it every day for a year . "

after breakfast everyone went to Christmas service .

the girls went uptown to the church they attended .

the city was very beautiful in the morning sunshine .

there had been a white frost in the night and the tree-lined avenues and public squares seemed like glimpses of fairyland .

" how lovely the world is , " said Jean .

" this is really the very happiest Christmas morning I have ever known , " declared Nellie .

" I never felt so really Christmassy in my inmost soul before . "

I 've always known it , in a way , but I never realized it before . "

" blessing on Jean 's Christmas inspiration , " said Nellie .

" but , girls , let us try to make it an all-the-year-round inspiration , I say .

we can bring a little of our own sunshine into Miss Allen 's life as long as we live with her . "

" Amen to that ! " said Jean heartily .

" oh , listen , girls the Christmas chimes ! "

and over all the beautiful city was wafted the grand old message of peace on earth and good will to all the world .

a Christmas Mistake

" ain't I glad , though .

hurrah ! "

his mother was washing the breakfast dishes in a dreary , listless sort of way .

she looked tired and broken-spirited .

Ted 's enthusiasm seemed to grate on her , for she answered sharply :

" Christmas , indeed .

I can't see that it is anything for us to rejoice over .

other people may be glad enough , but what with winter coming on I'd sooner it was spring than Christmas .

Mary Alice , do lift that child out of the ashes and put its shoes and stockings on .

everything seems to be at sixes and sevens here this morning . "

but he looked up from his slate , with his pencil suspended above an obstinate equation , to declaim with a flourish :

" Christmas comes but once a year , And then Mother wishes it wasn't here . "

" I know one thing to be thankful for , and that is that there 'll be no school .

we 'll have a whole week of holidays . "

Gordon was noted for his aversion to school and his affection for holidays .

ain't we , Ma ? "

we can't have any Christmas dinner tomorrow we can't afford it .

there 's that doctor 's bill to pay and a dozen other bills coming in and people say they can't wait .

I suppose they can't , but it 's kind of hard , I must say . "

the little Grants stood with open mouths and horrified eyes .

no turkey for Christmas !

was the world coming to an end ?

wouldn't the government interfere if anyone ventured to dispense with a Christmas celebration ?

the gluttonous Teddy stuffed his fists into his eyes and lifted up his voice .

Mrs Grant looked pityingly at the disappointed faces about her .

" don't cry , children , you make me feel worse .

we are not the only ones who will have to do without a Christmas turkey .

we ought to be very thankful that we have anything to eat at all .

I hate to disappoint you , but it can't be helped . "

" we know you 've done your best .

it 's been a hard year for you .

just wait , though .

I 'll soon be grown up , and then you and these greedy youngsters shall feast on turkey every day of the year .

hello , Teddy , have you got on your feet again ?

mind , sir , no more blubbering ! "

" when I 'm a man , " announced Teddy with dignity , " I 'd just like to see you put me in the porch .

and I mean to have turkey all the time and I won't give you any , either . "

" all right , you greedy small boy .

only take yourself off to school now , and let us hear no more squeaks out of you .

tramp , all of you , and give Mother a chance to get her work done . "

Mrs Grant got up and fell to work at her dishes with a brighter face .

" well , we mustn't give in ; perhaps things will be better after a while .

they won't whine for turkey , I 'll be bound .

I don't suppose they ever tasted such a thing in all their lives .

if I could afford it , I 'd have had them all in to dinner with us .

that sermon Mr Evans preached last Sunday kind of stirred me up .

he said we ought always to try and share our Christmas joy with some poor souls who had never learned the meaning of the word .

I can't do as much as I 'd like to .

it was different when your father was alive . "

the noisy group grew silent as they always did when their father was spoken of .

he had died the year before , and since his death the little family had had a hard time .

Keith , to hide his feelings , began to hector the rest .

" Mary Alice , do hurry up .

here , you twin nuisances , get off to school .

if you don't you 'll be late and then the master will give you a whipping . "

" he won't , " answered the irrepressible Teddy .

" he never whips us , he doesn't .

" that man , " said Mrs Grant , alluding to the teacher , " makes me nervous .

he is the most abstracted creature I ever saw in my life .

it is a wonder to me he doesn't walk straight into the river some day .

never knew the difference till Ned Slocum went and told him .

he 's always doing things like that . "

Keith had collected his books and now marched his brothers and sisters off to school .

left alone with the baby , Mrs Grant betook herself to her work with a heavy heart .

but a second interruption broke the progress of her dish-washing .

what can he want ?

dear me , I do hope Teddy hasn't been cutting capers in school again . "

but it was about time for another outbreak .

Teddy had been unnaturally good for too long a time .

he was a slight , pale , boyish-looking fellow , with an abstracted , musing look in his large dark eyes .

Mrs Grant noticed with amusement that he wore a white straw hat in spite of the season .

his eyes were directed to her face with his usual unseeing gaze .

" Just as though he was looking through me at something a thousand miles away , " said Mrs Grant afterwards .

" I believe he was , too .

" good morning , " he said absently .

" I have just called on my way to school with a message from Miss Millar .

she wants you all to come up and have Christmas dinner with her tomorrow . "

" for the land 's sake ! " said Mrs Grant blankly .

" I don't understand . "

" you and all the children every one , " went on the teacher dreamily , as if he were reciting a lesson learned beforehand .

" she told me to tell you to be sure and come .

shall I say that you will ? "

" oh , yes , that is I suppose I don't know , " said Mrs Grant incoherently .

" I never expected yes , you may tell her we 'll come , " she concluded abruptly .

" thank you , " said the abstracted messenger , gravely lifting his hat and looking squarely through Mrs Grant into unknown regions .

when he had gone Mrs Grant went in and sat down , laughing in a sort of hysterical way .

" I wonder if it is all right .

could Cornelia really have told him ?

she must , I suppose , but it is enough to take one 's breath . "

therefore this invitation surprised Mrs Grant greatly .

" if Cornelia has seen fit at last to hold out the hand of reconciliation I 'm glad enough to take it .

Dear knows , I 've wanted to make up often enough , but I didn't think she ever would .

we 've both of us got too much pride and stubbornness .

it 's the Turner blood in us that does it .

the Turners were all so set .

but I mean to do my part now she has done hers . "

and Mrs Grant made a final attack on the dishes with a beaming face .

when the young teacher got home from school that evening he found the yellow house full of all sorts of delectable odours .

the open pantry door revealed a tempting array of Christmas delicacies .

" did you call and invite the Smithsons up to dinner as I told you ? " asked Miss Cornelia anxiously .

" yes , " was the dreamy response as he glided through the kitchen and vanished into the hall .

Miss Cornelia crimped the edges of her pies delicately with a relieved air .

" I made certain he 'd forget it , " she said .

" you just have to watch him as if he were a mere child .

didn't I catch him yesterday starting off to school in his carpet slippers ?

and in spite of me he got away today in that ridiculous summer hat .

you 'd better set that jelly in the out-pantry to cool , Hannah ; it looks good .

we 'll give those poor little Smithsons a feast for once in their lives if they never get another . "

at this juncture the hall door flew open and Mr Palmer appeared on the threshold .

he seemed considerably agitated and for once his eyes had lost their look of space-searching .

" Miss Millar , I am afraid I did make a mistake this morning it has just dawned on me .

I am almost sure that I called at Mrs Grant 's and invited her and her family instead of the Smithsons .

and she said they would come . "

Miss Cornelia 's face was a study .

Linda Grant , of all women in this world ! "

" I did , " said the teacher with penitent wretchedness .

" it was very careless of me I am very sorry .

what can I do ?

I 'll go down and tell them I made a mistake if you like . "

" you can't do that , " groaned Miss Cornelia , sitting down and wrinkling up her forehead in dire perplexity .

" it would never do in the world .

for pity 's sake , let me think for a minute . "

Miss Cornelia did think to good purpose evidently , for her forehead smoothed out as her meditations proceeded and her face brightened .

then she got up briskly .

" well , you 've done it and no mistake .

I don't know that I 'm sorry , either .

anyhow , we 'll leave it as it is .

but you must go straight down now and invite the Smithsons too .

and for pity 's sake , don't make any more mistakes . "

when he had gone Miss Cornelia opened her heart to Hannah .

" I never could have done it myself never ; the Turner is too strong in me .

but I 'm glad it is done .

I 've been wanting for years to make up with Linda .

and now the chance has come , thanks to that blessed blundering boy , I mean to make the most of it .

mind , Hannah , you never whisper a word about its being a mistake .

Linda must never know .

Poor Linda !

she 's had a hard time .

when Mrs Grant and her family arrived at the yellow house next morning Miss Cornelia herself ran out bareheaded to meet them .

Linda returned the kiss warmly , and both felt that the old-time friendship was theirs again .

how those children did eat !

and how beaming Miss Cornelia and grim-faced , soft-hearted Hannah and even the absent-minded teacher himself enjoyed watching them !

the four women enjoyed the afternoon in their own way , and the schoolteacher buried himself in algebra to his own great satisfaction .

Long-suffering Miss Cornelia rescued her property and despatched Mr Palmer into the woodshed to find the shoe-brush .

then she sat down and laughed .

" Hannah , what will become of that boy yet ?

there 's no counting on what he 'll do next .

I don't know how he 'll ever get through the world , I 'm sure , but I 'll look after him while he 's here at least .

I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for this Christmas blunder .

what an awful mess this place is in !

it did me good just to see them . "

a Strayed Allegiance

" will you go to the Cove with me this afternoon ? "

it was Marian Lesley who asked the question .

my time , as you know , is entirely at your disposal . "

they were standing in the garden under the creamy bloom of drooping acacia trees .

Esterbrook Elliott , standing before her , thought proudly that he had never seen a woman who might compare with her .

in every detail she satisfied his critical , fastidious taste .

there was not a discordant touch about her .

Esterbrook Elliott had always loved Marian Lesley or thought he had .

they had grown up together from childhood .

he was an only son and she an only daughter .

it had always been an understood thing between the two families that the boy and girl should marry .

but Marian 's father had decreed that no positive pledge should pass between them until Marian was twenty-one .

Esterbrook accepted his mapped-out destiny and selected bride with the conviction that he was an exceptionally lucky fellow .

she had been his boyhood 's ideal .

his father had died two years previously , leaving him wealthy and independent .

Marian had lost her mother in childhood ; her father died when she was eighteen .

since then she had lived alone with her aunt .

her life was quiet and lonely .

Esterbrook 's companionship was all that brightened it , but it was enough .

Marian lavished on him all the rich , womanly love of her heart .

on her twenty-first birthday they were formally betrothed .

they were to be married in the following autumn .

no shadow had drifted across the heaven of her happiness .

she believed herself secure in her lover 's unfaltering devotion .

true , at times she thought his manner lacked a lover 's passionate ardour .

he was always attentive and courteous .

she had only to utter a wish to find that it had been anticipated ; he spent every spare minute at her side .

yet sometimes she half wished he would betray more lover-like impatience and intensity .

were all lovers as calm and undemonstrative ?

she reproached herself for this incipient disloyalty as often as it vexingly intruded its unwelcome presence across her inner consciousness .

surely Esterbrook was fond and devoted enough to satisfy the most exacting demands of affection .

Marian herself was somewhat undemonstrative and reserved .

passing acquaintances called her cold and proud .

only the privileged few knew the rich depths of womanly tenderness in her nature .

Esterbrook thought that he fully appreciated her .

this afternoon , under the acacias , they had been planning about their wedding .

there was no one to consult but themselves .

they were to be married early in September and then go abroad .

Esterbrook mapped out the details of their bridal tour with careful thoughtfulness .

they would visit all the old-world places that Marian wished to see .

afterwards they would come back home .

he discussed certain changes he wished to make in the old Elliott mansion to fit it for a young and beautiful mistress .

he did most of the planning .

Marian was content to listen in happy silence .

afterwards she had proposed this walk to the Cove .

" Mrs Barrett 's little Bessie is very ill with fever , " answered Marian .

then , catching his anxious look , she hastened to add , " it is nothing infectious some kind of a slow , sapping variety .

there is no danger , Esterbrook . "

" I was not afraid for myself , " he replied quietly .

" my alarm was for you .

you are too precious to me , Marian , for me to permit you to risk health and life , if it were dangerous .

what a Lady Bountiful you are to those people at the Cove .

when we are married you must take me in hand and teach me your creed of charity .

I 'm afraid I 've lived a rather selfish life .

you will change all that , dear .

you will make a good man of me . "

" you are that now , Esterbrook , " she said softly .

" if you were not , I could not love you . "

" it is a negative sort of goodness , I fear .

I have never been tried or tempted severely .

perhaps I should fail under the test . "

" I am sure you would not , " answered Marian proudly .

Esterbrook laughed ; her faith in him was pleasant .

he had no thought but that he would prove worthy of it .

the Cove , so-called , was a little fishing hamlet situated on the low , sandy shore of a small bay .

dozens of ragged children were playing about them , mingled with several disreputable yellow curs that yapped noisily at the strangers .

down on the sandy strip of beach below the houses groups of men were lounging about .

the mackerel , season had not yet set in ; the spring herring netting was past .

it was holiday time among the sea folks .

they were enjoying it to the full , a happy , ragged colony , careless of what the morrows might bring forth .

Marian led the way to a house apart from the others at the very edge of the shelving rock .

a weary-faced woman came forward to meet them .

" Bessie 's much the same , Miss Lesley , " she said , in answer to Marian 's inquiry .

" the doctor you sent was here today and did all he could for her .

he seemed quite hopeful .

she don't complain or nothing just lies there and moans .

sometimes she gets restless .

it 's very kind of you to come so often , Miss Lesley .

here , Magdalen , will you put this basket the lady 's brought up there on the shelf ? "

Marian and Esterbrook Elliott both started with involuntary surprise .

Esterbrook caught his breath like a man suddenly awakened from sleep .

in the name of all that was wonderful , who or what could this girl be , so little in harmony with her surroundings ?

standing in the crepuscular light of the corner , her marvellous beauty shone out with the vivid richness of some rare painting .

she stood quite motionless .

there was no trace of embarrassment or self-consciousness in her pose .

when Mrs Barrett said , " this is my niece , Magdalen Crawford , " she merely inclined her head in grave , silent acknowledgement .

as she moved forward to take Marian 's basket , she seemed oddly out of place in the low , crowded room .

her presence seemed to throw a strange restraint over the group .

Marian rose and went over to the cot , laying her slender hand on the hot forehead of the little sufferer .

the child opened its brown eyes questioningly .

" how are you today , Bessie ? "

" Mad'len I want Mad'len , " moaned the little plaintive voice .

Magdalen came over and stood beside Marian Lesley .

" she wants me , " she said in a low , thrilling voice ; free from all harsh accent or intonation .

" I am the only one she seems to know always .

yes , darling , Mad'len is here right beside you .

she will not leave you . "

when the mist cleared away and his head grew steadier , he wondered at himself .

" who is that girl ? " he said abruptly , when they had left the cottage .

" she is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen present company always excepted , " he concluded , with a depreciatory laugh .

the delicate bloom on Marian 's face deepened slightly .

" you had much better to have omitted that last sentence , " she said quietly , " it was so palpably an afterthought .

yes , she is wonderfully lovely a strange beauty , I fancied .

there seemed something odd and uncanny about it to me .

she must be Mrs Barrett 's niece .

her parents were both dead , the father having died recently .

Mrs Barrett seemed troubled about her .

I had forgotten all about it until I saw the girl today .

she certainly seems to be a very superior person ; she will find the Cove very lonely , I am sure .

it is not probable she will stay there long .

I must see what I can do for her , but her manner seemed rather repellent , don't you think ? "

" hardly , " responded Esterbrook curtly .

" she seemed surprisingly dignified and self-possessed , I fancied , for a girl in her position .

a princess could not have looked and bowed more royally .

there was not a shadow of embarrassment in her manner , in spite of the incongruity of her surroundings .

you had much better leave her alone , Marian .

in all probability she would resent any condescension on your part .

what wonderful , deep , lovely eyes she has . "

Esterbrook went away at sunset .

Marian asked him to remain for the evening , but he pleaded some excuse .

" I shall come tomorrow afternoon , " he said , as he stooped to drop a careless good-bye kiss on her face .

Marian watched him wistfully as he rode away , with an unaccountable pain in her heart .

she felt more acutely than ever that there were depths in her lover 's nature that she was powerless to stir into responsive life .

had any other that power ?

she thought of the girl at the Cove , with her deep eyes and wonderful face .

a chill of premonitory fear seized upon her .

if that could happen , I wonder what there would be left to live for ? "

Esterbrook Elliott meant , or honestly thought he meant , to go home when he left Marian .

nevertheless , when he reached the road branching off to the Cove he turned his horse down it with a flush on his dark cheek .

he realized that the motive of the action was disloyal to Marian and he felt ashamed of his weakness .

he saw nothing of her when he reached the Cove .

he could think of no excuse for calling at the Barrett cottage , so he rode slowly past the hamlet and along the shore .

the vast concave of sky above was of violet , infinite and flawless .

far out dusky amethystine islets clustered like gems on the shining breast of the bay .

the little pools of water along the low shores glowed like mirrors of polished jacinth .

the small , pine-fringed headlands ran out into the water , cutting its lustrous blue expanse like purple wedges .

as Esterbrook turned one of them he saw Magdalen standing out on the point of the next , a short distance away .

her back was towards him , and her splendid figure was outlined darkly against the vivid sky .

Esterbrook sprang from his horse and left the animal standing by itself while he walked swiftly out to her .

his heart throbbed suffocatingly .

he was conscious of no direct purpose save merely to see her .

she turned when he reached her with a slight start of surprise .

his footsteps had made no sound on the tide-rippled sand .

for a few moments they faced each other so , eyes burning into eyes with mute soul-probing and questioning .

little crisp puffs and flakes of foam scurried over the point like elfin things .

not a trace of colour appeared in her face under Esterbrook Elliott 's burning gaze .

but when he said " Magdalen ! " a single , hot scorch of crimson flamed up into her cheeks protestingly .

she lifted her hand with a splendid gesture , but no word passed her lips .

he reached out his hand , but she stepped back from his touch .

" what should I have to say to you ? "

" say that you are glad to see me . "

" I am not glad to see you .

you have no right to come here .

but I knew you would come . "

" you knew it ?

how ? "

" your eyes told me so today .

I am not blind I can see further than those dull fisher folks .

yes , I knew you would come .

" why must you tell me that , Magdalen ? "

" because , as I have told you , you have no right to come . "

" but if I will not obey you ?

if I will come in defiance of your prohibition ? "

she turned her steady luminous eyes on his pale , set face .

" you would stamp yourself as a madman , then , " she said coldly .

" I know that you are Miss Lesley 's promised husband .

therefore , you are either false to her or insulting to me .

in either case the companionship of Magdalen Crawford is not what you must seek .

go ! "

she turned away from him with an imperious gesture of dismissal .

Esterbrook Elliott stepped forward and caught one firm , white wrist .

" I shall not obey you , " he said in a low , intense tone ; his fine eyes burned into hers .

" you may send me away , but I will come back , again and yet again until you have learned to welcome me .

why should you meet me like an enemy ?

why can we not be friends ? "

the girl faced him once more .

" because , " she said proudly , " I am not your equal .

there can be no friendship between us .

there ought not to be .

Magdalen Crawford , the fisherman 's niece , is no companion for you .

you will be foolish , as well as disloyal , if you ever try to see me again .

go back to the beautiful , high-bred woman you love and forget me .

perhaps you think I am talking strangely .

perhaps you think me bold and unwomanly to speak so plainly to you , a stranger .

but there are some circumstances in life when plain-speaking is best .

I do not want to see you again .

now , go back to your own world . "

Esterbrook Elliott slowly turned from her and walked in silence back to the shore .

the sky overhead was thick-sown with stars ; the night breeze was blowing up from its lair in distant , echoing sea caves .

on his right the lights of the Cove twinkled out through the dusk .

" I feel like a coward and a traitor , " he said slowly .

" good God , what is this madness that has come over me ?

is this my boasted strength of manhood ? "

a moment later the hoof beats of his horse died away up the shore .

the next day , when the afternoon sun hung hot and heavy over the water , Esterbrook Elliott came again to the Cove .

he found it deserted .

a rumour of mackerel had come , and every boat had sailed out in the rose-red dawn to the fishing grounds .

she was watching a huddle of gulls clustered on the tip of a narrow , sandy spit running out to the left .

she turned at the sound of his hurried foot-fall behind her .

her face paled slightly , and into the depths of her eyes leapt a passionate , mesmeric glow that faded as quickly as it came .

" you see I have come back in spite of your command , Magdalen . "

" I do see it , " she answered in a gravely troubled voice .

" you are a madman who refuses to be warned . "

" where are you going , Magdalen ? "

she had loosened the rope from the wreck .

" I am going to row over to Chapel Point for salt .

" can you row so far alone ? "

" easily .

I learned to row long ago for a pastime then .

since coming here I find it of great service to me . "

she stepped lightly into the tiny shallop and picked up an oar .

the brilliant sunshine streamed about her , burnishing the rich tints of her hair into ruddy gold .

she balanced herself to the swaying of the dory with the grace of a sea bird .

the man looking at her felt his brain reel .

" good-bye , Mr Elliott . "

his sudden spring had set it rocking violently .

Magdalen almost lost her footing and caught blindly at his arm .

as her fingers closed on his wrist a thrill as of fire shot through his every vein .

" why have you done this , Mr Elliott ?

you must go back . "

" but I will not , " he said masterfully , looking straight into her eyes with an imperiousness that sat well upon him .

" I am going to row you over to Chapel Point .

I have the oars I will be master this once , at least . "

for an instant her eyes flashed defiant protest , then drooped before his .

a sudden , hot blush crimsoned her pale face .

his will had mastered hers ; the girl trembled from head to foot , and the proud , sensitive , mouth quivered .

into the face of the man watching her breathlessly flashed a triumphant , passionate joy .

he put out his hand and gently pushed her down into the seat .

his heart throbbed tumultuously .

once the thought of Marian drifted across his mind like a chill breath of wind , but it was forgotten when his eyes met Magdalen 's .

" tell me about yourself , Magdalen , " he said at last , breaking the tremulous , charmed , sparkling silence .

" there is nothing to tell , " she answered with characteristic straightforwardness .

" my life has been a very uneventful one .

I have never been rich , or very well educated , but it used to be different from now .

I had some chance before before Father died . "

" you must have found it very lonely and strange when you came here first . "

" yes .

at first I thought I should die but I do not mind it now .

I have made friends with the sea ; it has taught me a great deal .

there is a kind of inspiration in the sea .

when one listens to its never-ceasing murmur afar out there , always sounding at midnight and midday , one's soul goes out to meet Eternity .

sometimes it gives me so much pleasure that it is almost pain . "

she stopped abruptly .

" I don't know why I am talking to you like this . "

" you are a strange girl , Magdalen .

have you no other companion than the sea ? "

" no .

why should I wish to have ?

I shall not be here long . "

Elliott 's face contracted with a spasm of pain .

" you are not going away , Magdalen ? "

" yes in the fall .

I have my own living to earn , you know .

I am very poor .

uncle and Aunt are very kind , but I cannot consent to burden them any longer than I can help . "

a sigh that was almost a moan broke from Esterbrook Elliott 's lips .

" you must not go away , Magdalen .

you must stay here with me ! "

" you forget yourself , " she said proudly .

" how dare you speak to me so ?

have you forgotten Miss Lesley ?

or are you a traitor to us both ? "

Esterbrook made no answer .

he bowed his pale , miserable face before her , self-condemned .

the breast of the bay sparkled with its countless gems like the breast of a fair woman .

the shores were purple and amethystine in the distance .

far out , bluish , phantom-like sails clustered against the pallid horizon .

the dory danced like a feather over the ripples .

they were close under the shadow of Chapel Point .

Marian Lesley waited in vain for her lover that afternoon .

when he came at last in the odorous dusk of the June night she met him on the acacia-shadowed verandah with cold sweetness .

it was late when he left .

Marian watched him out of sight , standing under the acacias .

she shivered as with a sudden chill .

I wonder if Esther has already usurped my sceptre .

has that girl at the Cove , with her pale , priestess-like face and mysterious eyes , stolen his heart from me ?

perhaps not , for it may never have been mine .

I know that Esterbrook Elliott will be true to the letter of his vows to me , no matter what it may cost him .

but I want no pallid shadow of the love that belongs to another .

the hour of abdication is at hand , I fear .

and what will be left for throneless Vashti then ? "

Esterbrook Elliott , walking home through the mocking calm of the night , fought a hard battle with himself .

he had seen her but three times and his throbbing heart lay in the hollow of her cold white hand .

he shut his eyes and groaned .

what madness .

what unutterable folly !

he was not free he was bound to another by every cord of honour and self-respect .

and , even were he free , Magdalen Crawford would be no fit wife for him in the eyes of the world , at least .

a girl from the Cove a girl with little education and no social standing aye ! but he loved her .

he groaned again and again in his misery .

in the week that followed he went to the Cove every day .

sometimes he did not see Magdalen ; at other times he did .

but at the end of the week he had conquered in the bitter , heart-crushing struggle with himself .

if he had weakly given way to the first mad sweep of a new passion , the strength of his manhood reasserted itself at last .

they were standing in the shadow of the pine-fringed point that ran out to the left of the Cove .

Magdalen turned as Esterbrook spoke , and looked at him in a long silence .

the bay stretched out before them , tranced and shimmering ; a few stars shone down through the gloom of dusk .

in the dim , reflected light the girl 's mournful face took on a weird , unearthly beauty .

she turned her eyes from Esterbrook Elliott 's set white face to the radiant gloom of the sea .

" that is best , " she answered at last , slowly .

" best yes !

better that we had never met !

I love you you know it words are idle between us .

I never loved before I thought I did .

I made a mistake and I must pay the penalty of that mistake .

you understand me ? "

" I understand , " she answered simply .

" I do not excuse myself I have been weak and cowardly and disloyal .

but I have conquered myself I will be true to the woman to whom I am pledged .

you and I must not meet again .

I will crush this madness to death .

I think I have been delirious ever since that day I saw you first , Magdalen .

my brain is clearer now .

I see my duty and I mean to do it at any cost .

I dare not trust myself to say more .

Magdalen , I have much for which to ask your forgiveness . "

" there is nothing to forgive , " she said steadily .

" I have been as much to blame as you .

I have been weak too , and I deserve to atone for my weakness by suffering .

there is only one path open to us .

Esterbrook , good-bye . "

her voice quivered with an uncontrollable spasm of pain , but the misty , mournful eyes did not swerve from his .

the man stepped forward and caught her in his arms .

" Magdalen , good-bye , my darling .

kiss me once only once before I go . "

she loosened his arms and stepped back proudly .

" no !

no man kisses my lips unless he is to be my husband .

good-bye , dear . "

Marian Lesley looked at his pale , determined face the next evening and read it like an open book .

she had grown paler herself ; there were purple shadows under the sweet violet eyes that might have hinted of her own sleepless nights .

she greeted him calmly , holding out a steady , white hand of welcome .

she saw the traces of the struggle through which he had passed and knew that he had come off victor .

the knowledge made her task a little harder .

it would have been easier to let slip the straining cable than to cast it from her when it lay unresistingly in her hand .

for an instant her heart thrilled with an unutterably sweet hope .

might he not forget in time ?

need she snap in twain the weakened bond between them after all ?

perhaps she might win back her lost sceptre , yet if

womanly pride throttled the struggling hope .

no divided allegiance , no hollow semblance of queenship for her !

for a fleeting second Marian closed her eyes and the slender hands , lying among the laces in her lap , clasped each other convulsively .

Esterbrook turned a startled face upon her .

" not married at all !

Marian , what do you mean ? "

" just what I say .

I do not think we are as well suited to each other after all as we have fancied .

we have loved each other as brother and sister might that is all .

I think it will be best to be brother and sister forever nothing more . "

Esterbrook sprang to his feet .

" Marian , do you know what you are saying ?

you surely cannot have heard no one could have told you "

" I have heard nothing , " she interrupted hurriedly .

" no one has told me anything .

I have only said what I have been thinking of late .

I am sure we have made a mistake .

it is not too late to remedy it .

you will not refuse my request , Esterbrook ?

you will set me free ? "

" good heavens , Marian ! " he said hoarsely .

" I cannot realize that you are in earnest .

have you ceased to care for me ? "

the rigidly locked hands were clasped a little tighter .

" no I shall always care for you as my friend if you will let me .

but I know we could not make each other happy the time for that has gone by .

I would never be satisfied , nor would you .

Esterbrook , will you release me from a promise which has become an irksome fetter ? "

he looked down on her upturned face mistily .

a great joy was surging up in his heart yet it was mingled with great regret .

he knew none better what was passing out of his life , what he was losing when he lost that pure , womanly nature .

you are free . "

" thank you , dear , " she said gently , as she stood up .

she slipped his ring from her finger and held it out to him .

he took it mechanically .

he still felt dazed and unreal .

Marian held out her hand .

" good-night , Esterbrook , " she said , a little wearily .

" I feel tired .

I am glad you see it all in the same light as I do . "

" quite sure , " she answered , with a faint smile .

" I am not acting rashly .

I have thought it all over carefully .

things are much better so , dear .

we will always be friends .

your joys and sorrows will be to me as my own .

when another love comes to bless your life , Esterbrook , I will be glad .

and now , good-night .

I want to be alone now . "

then he went out into the darkness of the summer night .

an hour later he stood alone on the little point where he had parted with Magdalen the night before .

he took Marian 's ring from his pocket and kissed it reverently .

then he threw it from him far out over the water .

for a second the diamond flashed in the moonlight ; then , with a tiny splash , it fell among the ripples .

Esterbrook turned his face to the Cove , lying dark and silent in the curve between the crescent headlands .

a solitary light glimmered from the low eaves of the Barrett cottage .

tomorrow , was his unspoken thought , I will be free ; to go back to Magdalen .

an Invitation Given on Impulse

it was a gloomy Saturday morning .

only Ruth Mannering was , as usual , sitting by herself near one of the windows , looking out on the misty lawn .

she was a pale , slender girl , with a sad face , and was dressed in rather shabby black .

she had no special friend at Oaklawn , and the other girls did not know much about her .

this was not altogether their fault .

Ruth was poor and apparently friendless , but it was not her poverty that was against her .

she was there for the special purpose of studying music , and expected to earn her own living by teaching it when she left .

Carol was one of the seminary pets , and seemed to Ruth Mannering to have everything that she had not .

presently the mail was brought in , and there was a rush to the table , followed by exclamations of satisfaction or disappointment .

in a few minutes the room was almost deserted .

presently Carol gave a little cry of delight .

her mother had written that she might invite any friend she wished home with her to spend the holidays .

Carol had asked for this permission , and now that it had come was ready to dance for joy .

as to whom she would ask , there could be only one answer to that .

she was undoubtedly the richest , and was the acknowledged " leader . "

the girls affectionately called her " Princess , " and Carol adored her with that romantic affection that is found only among school girls .

she knew , too , that Maud would surely accept her invitation because she did not intend to go home .

her parents were travelling in Europe , and she expected to spend her holidays with some cousins , who were almost strangers to her .

Carol was so much pleased that she felt as if she must talk to somebody , so she turned to Ruth .

" isn't it delightful to think that we 'll all be going home in a fortnight ? "

" yes , very for those that have homes to go to , " said Ruth drearily .

Carol felt a quick pang of pity and self-reproach .

" haven't you ? " she asked .

Ruth shook her head .

in spite of herself , the kindness of Carol 's tone brought the tears to her eyes .

we were quite alone in the world , Mother and I , and now I have nobody . "

" oh , I 'm so sorry for you , " cried Carol impulsively .

she leaned forward and took Ruth 's hand in a gentle way .

" and do you mean to say that you 'll have to stay here all through the holidays ?

why , it will be horrid . "

" oh , I shall not mind it much , " said Ruth quickly , " with study and practice most of the time .

only now , when everyone is talking about it , it makes me wish that I had some place to go . "

Carol dropped Ruth 's hand suddenly in the shock of a sudden idea that darted into her mind .

a stray girl passing through the hall called out , " Ruth , Miss Siviter wishes to see you about something in Room C . "

Ruth got up quickly .

she was glad to get away , for it seemed to her that in another minute she would break down altogether .

Carol Golden hardly noticed her departure .

Maud Russell was not in and Carol was glad .

she wanted to be alone and fight down that sudden idea .

" why , I simply cannot .

I am very sorry for Ruth , of course .

it must be dreadful to be all alone like that .

but it isn't my fault .

and she is so fearfully quiet and dowdy what would they all think of her at home ?

Frank and Jack would make such fun of her .

I shall ask Maud just as soon as she comes in . "

Maud did come in presently , but Carol did not give her the invitation .

instead , she was almost snappish to her idol , and the Princess soon went out again in something of a huff .

" oh , dear , " cried Carol , " now I 've offended her .

what has got into me ?

what a disagreeable thing a conscience is , although I 'm sure I don't know why mine should be prodding me so !

mother would think it all right , of course .

she would not mind if Ruth dressed in calico and never said anything but yes and no .

but how the boys would laugh !

I simply won't do it , conscience or no conscience . "

mother wrote me to invite anyone I wished to .

don't say you can't come , dear , because you must . "

carol never , as long as she lived , forgot Ruth 's face at that moment .

" it was absolutely transfigured , " she said afterwards .

" I never saw anyone look so happy in my life . "

a fortnight later unwonted silence reigned at Oaklawn .

the girls were scattered far and wide , and Ruth Mannering and Carol Golden were at the latter 's home .

Carol was a very much surprised girl .

under the influence of kindness and pleasure Ruth seemed transformed into a different person .

her shyness and reserve melted away in the sunny atmosphere of the Golden home .

" just four days more , " sighed Carol one afternoon , " and then we must go back to Oaklawn .

can you realize it , Ruth ? "

Ruth looked up from her book with a smile .

even in appearance she had changed .

there was a faint pink in her cheeks and a merry light in her eyes .

" I shall not be sorry to go back to work , " she said .

" I feel just like it because I have had so pleasant a time here that it has heartened me up for next term .

I think it will be very different from last .

I begin to see that I kept to myself too much and brooded over fancied slights . "

" and then you are to room with me since Maud is not coming back , " said Carol .

" what fun we shall have .

did you ever toast marshmallows over the gas ?

why , I declare , there is Mr Swift coming up the walk .

look , Ruth !

he is the richest man in Westleigh . "

Ruth peeped out of the window over Carol 's shoulder .

" he reminds me of somebody , " she said absently , " but I can't think who it is .

of course , I have never seen him before .

what a good face he has ! "

" he is as good as he looks , " said Carol , enthusiastically .

" next to Father , Mr Swift is the nicest man in the world .

I have always been quite a pet of his .

his wife is dead , and so is his only daughter .

she was a lovely girl and died only two years ago .

it nearly broke Mr Swift 's heart .

there 's the bell for the second time , Mary can't have heard it .

I 'll go myself . "

as Carol showed the caller into the room , Ruth rose to leave and thus came face to face with him .

Mr Swift started perceptibly .

" Mr Swift , this is my school friend , Miss Mannering , " said Carol .

Mr Swift seemed strangely agitated as he took Ruth 's timidly offered hand .

" my dear young lady , " he said hurriedly , " I am going to ask you what may seem a very strange question .

what was your mother 's name ? "

" Agnes Hastings , " answered Ruth in surprise .

and then Carol really thought that Mr Swift had gone crazy , for he drew Ruth into his arms and kissed her .

" I knew it , " he said .

" I was sure you were Agnes ' daughter , for you are the living image of what she was when I last saw her .

child , you don't know me , but I am your Uncle Robert .

your mother was my half-sister . "

" oh , Mr Swift ! " cried Carol , and then she ran for her mother .

Ruth turned pale and dropped into a chair , and Mr Swift sat down beside her .

" to think that I have found you at last , child .

how puzzled you look .

did your mother never speak of me ?

how is she ?

where is she ? "

" mother died last year , " said Ruth .

" Poor Agnes !

and I never knew !

don't cry , little girl .

I want you to tell me all about it .

she was much younger than I was , and when our mother died my stepfather went away and took her with him .

I remained with my father 's people and eventually lost all trace of my sister .

I was a poor boy then , but things have looked up with me and I have often tried to find her . "

" I shall graduate next year , Uncle , and then I can come back to you for good . "

" just think , Mother , if I had not asked Ruth to come here , this would not have happened .

how dreadful it would have been if I hadn't . "

detected by the Camera

one summer I was attacked by the craze for amateur photography .

it became chronic afterwards , and I and my camera have never since been parted .

that is all I need tell you about myself .

Mr Carroll had asked me to photograph his place for him when the apple orchards were in bloom .

he has a picturesque old-fashioned country house behind a lawn of the most delightful old trees and flanked on each side by the orchards .

so I went one June afternoon , with all my accoutrements , prepared to " take " the Carroll establishment in my best style .

then Gertie and Lilian Carroll and I got into the hammocks and swung at our leisure , enjoying the cool breeze sweeping through the maples .

Ned Brooke was hanging around as usual , watching us furtively .

Ned was one of the hopeful members of a family that lived in a tumble-down shanty just across the road from the Carrolls .

the Brookes had a rather shady reputation .

Ned was a lank , tow-headed youth of about fourteen , with shifty , twinkling eyes that could never look you straight in the face .

Mr Carroll came at last , and we all went down to meet him at the gate .

" just as well to be careful where you put that , " he said laughingly .

" there 's a sum in it not to be picked up on every gooseberry bush .

Gilman Harris paid me this morning for that bit of woodland I sold him last fall five hundred dollars .

I promised that you and the girls should have it to get a new piano , so there it is for you . "

" thank you , " said Mrs Carroll delightedly .

" however , you 'd better put it back in your pocket till we go in .

Amy is in a hurry . "

Mr Carroll took back the pocketbook and dropped it carelessly into the inside pocket of the light overcoat that he wore .

he eyed the pocketbook in Mr Carroll 's hands furtively , after which he went off with the horse in a great hurry .

" come to take the place , are you , Amy ? " said Mr Carroll .

" well , everything is ready , I think .

I suppose we 'd better proceed .

where shall we stand ?

you had better group us as you think best . "

whereupon I proceeded to arrange them in due order under the maple .

Mrs Carroll sat in a chair , while her husband stood behind her .

Gertie stood on the steps with a basket of flowers in her hand , and Lilian was at one side .

then I went to my camera , slipped in the plate , gave them due warning and took off the cap .

" if you girls want to see something pretty , come to the back field with me .

that will wait till you come back , won't it , Amy ? "

then I took out my plate , put it in the holder and gathered up my traps .

Cecil was waiting for me , so I got in the buggy and we drove off .

on arriving home I shut myself up in my dark room and proceeded to develop the first two negatives of the Carroll housestead .

they were both excellent , the first one being a trifle the better , so that I decided to finish from it .

the next day Cecil came in and said :

" did you hear , Amy , that Mr Carroll has lost a pocketbook with five hundred dollars in it ? "

" no ! "

I exclaimed .

" how ?

when ?

where ? "

" don't overwhelm a fellow .

I can answer only one question last night .

the girls are in a bad way .

the money was to get them their longed-for piano , it seems , and now it 's gone . "

" but how did it happen , Cecil ? "

" I saw him do it , " I cried .

" yes , and then , before he went to be photographed , he hung his coat up in the hall .

after tea Mr Carroll put on the coat and went to see somebody over at Netherby .

he says the thought of the pocketbook never crossed his mind ; he had forgotten all about putting it in that coat pocket .

when he went in , just as he entered the door , the remembrance of the money flashed over him .

he felt in his pocket , but there was no pocketbook there ; he asked his wife if she had taken it out .

she had not , and nobody else had .

there was a hole in the pocket , but Mr Carroll says it was too small for the pocketbook to have worked through .

it 's not likely that they will ever see it again .

someone may pick it up , of course , but the chances are slim .

they 've been searching all day , of course .

the girls are awfully disappointed . "

" how do they know it was lost ? "

I said .

" perhaps it was stolen before Mr Carroll went to Netherby . "

" they think not , " said Cecil .

" who would have stolen it ? "

" Ned Brooke .

I saw him hanging around .

the Brookes are kind of protégés of theirs , you know , and they won't believe anything bad of them .

if Ned did take it , however , there 's not a shadow of evidence against him . "

and it was just after we came back that I saw Ned scuttling down the lane so fast . "

but they seemed positively angry when I hinted that Ned Brooke might know more about its whereabouts than anyone else .

afterwards , in the excitement of our cousins ' visit , the matter passed out of my mind completely .

one morning soon after they went away , I remembered the plate and decided to go and develop it .

Cecil went with me , and we shut ourselves up in our den , lit our ruby lantern and began operations .

so I left Cecil to develop it while I prepared the fixing bath .

Cecil was whistling away when suddenly he gave a tremendous " whew " of astonishment and sprang to his feet .

" Amy , Amy , look here ! " he cried .

I rushed to his side and looked at the plate as he held it up in the rosy light .

it was a splendid one , and the Carroll house came out clear , with the front door and the steps in full view .

the whole scene was as clear as noonday , and nobody with eyes in his head could have failed to recognize Ned Brooke .

" goodness ! "

I gasped .

" In with it quick ! "

and we doused the thing into the fixing bath and then sat down breathlessly and looked at each other .

" I say , Amy , " said Cecil , " what a sell this will be on the Carrolls !

Ned Brooke couldn't do such a thing oh , no !

the poor injured boy at whom everyone has such an unlawful pick !

I wonder if this will convince them . "

" do you think they can get it all back ? "

I asked .

" it 's not likely he would have dared to use any of it yet . "

" I don't know .

we 'll have a try , anyhow .

how long before this plate will be dry enough to carry down to the Carrolls as circumstantial evidence ? "

" three hours or thereabouts , " I answered , " but perhaps sooner .

I 'll take two prints off when it is ready .

I wonder what the Carrolls will say . "

I say , Amy , isn't this quite an adventure ? "

at last the plate was dry , and I printed two proofs .

we wrapped them up carefully and marched down to Mr Carroll 's .

Mr Carroll and Cecil took the proofs and went over to the Brooke shanty .

they found only Ned and his mother at home .

so he did not punish them at all , save by utterly discarding the whole family and their concerns .

In Spite of Myself

my trunk was packed and I had arranged with my senior partner I was the junior member of a law firm for a month 's vacation .

I wrote to Aunt Lucy to expect me , made all necessary arrangements , and went to bid Nellie goodbye .

I had made up my mind to marry Nellie .

I liked her so well that it was easy to persuade myself that I was in love with her .

she more nearly fulfilled the requirements of my ideal wife than anyone I knew .

she was pleasant to look upon , without being distractingly pretty ; small and fair and womanly .

she dressed nicely , sang and played agreeably , danced well , and had a cheerful , affectionate disposition .

I had no formidable rival , and our families were anxious for the match .

I considered myself a lucky fellow .

I felt that I would be very lonely without Nellie when I was away , and she admitted frankly that she would miss me awfully .

she looked so sweet that I was on the point of asking her then and there to marry me .

as I went down the slope towards her I noticed she was tall quite too tall for my taste .

I dislike women who can look into my eyes on a level but I had to admit that her form was remarkably symmetrical and graceful .

mother could not come to meet you , so she sent me .

will you be kind enough to hold my horse for a few minutes ?

I want to get something in the store . "

whereupon she calmly transferred the reins to me and disappeared .

at the time she certainly did not impress me as pretty , yet neither could I call her plain .

taken separately , her features were good .

her expression was open and frank , and her voice clear and musical without being sweet .

she looked about twenty-two .

at the time I did not fancy her appearance and made a mental note to the effect that I would never like Miss Ashley .

I had no use for cool , businesslike women women should have no concern with business .

Nellie would never have troubled her dear , curly head over it .

I hazarded the remark that it was a fine day ; Miss Ashley gravely admitted that it was .

" don't let 's talk about the weather the subject is rather stale , " she said .

" I suppose you are wondering why on earth Mother had to drag you away out here .

I tried to show her how foolish it was , but I didn't succeed .

mother thinks there must be a man at the head of affairs or they 'll never go right .

I could have taken full charge easily enough ; I haven't been Father 's ' boy ' all my life for nothing .

there was no need to take you away from your business . "

I protested .

I said I was going to take a vacation anyway , and business was not pressing just then .

I also hinted that , while I had no doubt of her capacity , she might have found the duties of superintendent rather arduous .

" not at all , " she said , with a serenity that made me groan inwardly .

" I like it .

father always said I was a born business manager .

you 'll find Ashley 's Mills very quiet , I 'm afraid .

it 's a sort of charmed Sleepy Hollow .

See , there 's home , " as we turned a maple-blazoned corner and looked from the crest of one hill across to that of another .

" how pretty , " I exclaimed admiringly .

" isn't it ? " said Gussie proudly .

" I love it . "

her pupils dilated into dark pools , and I rather unwillingly admitted that Miss Ashley was a fine-looking girl .

Gussie sprang out , barely touching my offered hand with her fingertips .

" I must take out your horse for you first , " I said politely .

" not at all , " said Miss Ashley , taking the reins from my hands in a way not to be disputed .

" I always unharness Charley myself .

no one understands him half so well .

besides , I 'm used to it .

didn't I tell you I 'd always been Father 's boy ? "

it was evident Miss Gussie held the reins of household government , and no doubt worthily .

those firm , capable white hands of hers looked as though they might be equal to a good many emergencies .

she talked little , leaving the conversation to Aunt Lucy and myself , though she occasionally dropped in an apt word .

toward the end of the meal , however , she caught hold of an unfortunate opinion I had incautiously advanced and tore it into tatters .

no doubt she was strong-minded and wanted to vote .

I was quite prepared to believe anything of her .

after tea Miss Ashley proposed a walk around the premises , in order to initiate me into my duties .

I felt quite ignorant in the light of her superior knowledge , and our walk was enlivened by some rather too lively discussions between us .

she had a little air of triumph at having defeated me .

the mellow air was full of sweet , mingled eventide sounds as I walked back to the house .

aunt Lucy was knitting on the verandah .

she appeared in such an amiable light that I was half inclined to reconsider my opinion of her .

Gussie and her mother passed through the hall below , and Aunt Lucy 's soft voice floated up through my half-open door .

" well , how do you like your cousin , my dear ? "

Whereat that decided young lady promptly answered , " I think he is the most conceited youth I 've met for some time . "

Pleasant , wasn't it ?

I thought of Nellie 's meek admiration of all my words and ways , and got her photo out to soothe my vanity .

for the first time it struck me that her features were somewhat insipid .

the thought seemed like disloyalty , so I banished it and went to bed .

I sprang out of bed in dismay , dressed hastily , and ran down , not a little provoked at myself .

through the window I saw Gussie in the garden digging up some geraniums .

I added slovenliness to my already long list of her demerits .

" good afternoon , rather .

don't you know what time it is ?

the men were here three hours ago for their orders .

I thought it a pity to disturb your peaceful dreams , so I gave them myself and sent them off . "

I was angrier than ever .

a nice beginning I had made .

and was that girl laughing at me ?

" I expected to be called in time , certainly , " I said stiffly .

" I am not accustomed to oversleep myself .

I promise it will not occur again . "

my dignity was quite lost on Gussie .

she peeled off her gloves cheerfully and said , " I suppose you 'd like some breakfast .

just wait till I wash my hands and I 'll get you some .

then if you 're pining to be useful you can help me take up these geraniums . "

there was no help for it .

after I had breakfasted I went , with many misgivings .

we got on fairly well , however .

Gussie was particularly lively and kept me too busy for argument .

Gussie disappeared after dinner and I saw no more of her .

I was glad of this , but after a time I began to find it a little dull .

even a dispute would have been livelier .

I visited the mills , looked over the farm , and then carelessly asked Aunt Lucy where Miss Ashley was .

aunt Lucy replied that she had gone to visit a friend and would not be back till the next day .

this was satisfactory , of course , highly so .

what a relief it was to be rid of that girl with her self-assertiveness and independence .

I said to myself that I hoped her friend would keep her for a week .

I sauntered down to relieve her , and we had a sharp argument under way before we were halfway up the lane .

as usual Gussie refused to give in that she was wrong .

her walk had brought a faint , clear tint to her cheeks and her rippling dusky hair had half slipped down on her neck .

it was not a gracious invitation but I went , rather than be left to my own company .

by the end of the week I was as much at home at Ashley Mills as if I had lived there all my life .

she could be lively and entertaining when she chose , and at times she might be called beautiful .

still , I did not approve of her at least I thought so , most of the time .

once in a while came a state of feeling which I did not quite understand .

one evening I went to prayer meeting with Aunt Lucy and Gussie .

I had not seen the minister of Ashley Mills before , though Gussie and her mother seemed to know him intimately .

I had an idea that he was old and silvery-haired and benevolent-looking .

I was still more surprised when , after the service , he joined Gussie at the door and went down the steps with her .

I felt distinctly ill-treated as I fell back with Aunt Lucy .

there was no reason why I should none ; it ought to have been a relief .

rev . Carroll Martin had every right to see Miss Ashley home if he chose .

it was none of my business .

I don't know what kept me awake so late that night .

as a consequence I overslept myself .

I had managed to redeem my reputation on this point , but here it was lost again .

I felt cross and foolish and cantankerous when I went out .

there was some unusual commotion at the well .

it was an old-fashioned open one , with a chain and windlass .

aunt Lucy was peering anxiously down its mouth , from which a ladder was sticking .

just as I got there Gussie emerged from its depths with a triumphant face .

her skirt was muddy and draggled , her hair had tumbled down , and she held a dripping black cat .

" Coco must have fallen into the well last night , " she explained , as I helped her to the ground .

so I got a ladder and went down after him . "

" you should have called me , " I said sourly .

" you might have killed yourself , going down there . "

" and Coco might have tumbled in and drowned while you were getting up , " retorted Gussie .

" besides , what was the need ?

I could go down as well as you . "

" no doubt , " I said , more sharply than I had any business to .

" I don't dream of disputing your ability to do anything you may take it into your head to do .

most young ladies are not in the habit of going down wells , however . "

" perhaps not , " she rejoined , with freezing calmness .

" but , as you may have discovered , I am not ' most young ladies . '

she walked off in her wet dress with her muddy cat .

Gussie Ashley was the only girl I ever saw who could be dignified under such circumstances .

I was in a very bad humour with myself as I went off to see about having the well cleaned out .

I had offended Gussie and I knew she would not be easily appeased .

nor was she .

for a week she kept me politely , studiously , at a distance , in spite of my most humble advances .

Rev Carroll was a frequent caller , ostensibly to make arrangements about a Sunday school they were organizing in a poor part of the community .

Gussie and he held long conversations on this enthralling subject .

then Gussie went on another visit to her friend , and when she came back so did Rev Carroll .

one calm , hazy afternoon I was coming slowly up from the mills .

happening to glance at the kitchen roof , I gasped .

it was on fire in one place .

evidently the dry shingles had caught fire from a spark .

there was not a soul about save Gussie , Aunt Lucy , and myself .

I dashed wildly into the kitchen , where Gussie was peeling apples .

" the house is on fire , " I exclaimed .

Gussie dropped her knife and turned pale .

" don't wake Mother , " was all she said , as she snatched a bucket of water from the table .

the ladder was still lying by the well .

fortunately the fire had made little headway , though a few minutes more would have given it a dangerous start .

Gussie slid down the ladder .

she trembled in every limb , but she put out her wet hand to me with a faint , triumphant smile .

we shook hands across the ladder with a cordiality never before expressed .

I held myself in some way bound to her and was she not my ideal ?

undoubtedly !

one day I got a letter from my sister .

it was long and newsy , and the eighth page was most interesting .

" if you don't come home and look after Nellie , " wrote Kate , " you 'll soon not have her to look after .

you remember that old lover of hers , Rod Allen ?

well , he 's home from the west now , immensely rich , they say , and his attentions to Nellie are the town talk .

I think she likes him too .

if you bury yourself any longer at Ashley Mills I won't be responsible for the consequences . "

this lifted an immense weight from my mind , but the ninth page hurled it back again .

" you never say anything of Miss Ashley in your letters .

what is she like young or old , ugly or pretty , clever or dull ?

I met a lady recently who knows her and thinks she is charming .

she also said Miss Ashley was to be married soon to Rev Something-or-Other .

is it true ? "

Aye , was it ?

quite likely .

Kate 's letter made a very miserable man of me .

Gussie found me a dull companion that day .

after several vain attempts to rouse me to interest she gave it up .

" there 's no use talking to you , " she said impatiently .

" I believe you are homesick .

that letter you got this morning looked suspicious .

anyhow , I hope you 'll get over it before I get back . "

" are you going away again ? "

I asked .

" yes .

I am going to stay a few days with Flossie . "

Flossie was that inseparable chum of hers .

" you seem to spend a good deal of your time with her , " I remarked discontentedly .

Gussie opened her eyes at my tone .

" why , of course , " she said .

" Flossie and I have always been chums .

and she needs me more than ever just now , for she is awfully busy .

she is to be married next month . "

" oh , I see and you "

" I 'm to be bridesmaid , of course , and we 've heaps to do .

Flossie wanted to wait until Christmas , but Mr Martin is in a "

" Mr Martin , " I interrupted .

" is Mr Martin going to marry your friend ? "

" why , yes .

didn't you know ?

they just suit each other .

there he comes now .

he 's going to drive me over , and I 'm not ready .

talk to him , for pity 's sake , while I go and dress . "

I never enjoyed a conversation more .

rev . Carroll Martin was a remarkably interesting man .

Nellie married Rod Allen at Christmas and I was best man .

Nellie made a charming little bride , and Rod fairly worshipped her .

my own wedding did not come off until spring , as Gussie said she could not get ready before that .

Kismet

the fifth heat in the free-for-all was just over .

" Lu-Lu " had won , and the crowd on the grand stand and the hangers-on around the track were cheering themselves hoarse .

Clear through the noisy clamour shrilled a woman 's cry .

" ah I have dropped my scorecard . "

a man in front of her turned .

" I have an extra one , madame .

will you accept it ? "

her small , modishly-gloved hand closed eagerly on it before she lifted her eyes to his face .

both started convulsively .

the man turned very pale , but the woman 's ripe-tinted face coloured darkly .

" you ? " she faltered .

his lips parted in the coldly-grave smile she remembered and hated .

I did not come here to annoy you .

this meeting is as unexpected to me as to you .

I had no suspicion that for the last half-hour I had been standing next to my "

she interrupted him by an imperious gesture .

still clutching the scorecard she half-turned from him .

again he smiled , this time with a tinge of scorn , and shifted his eyes to the track .

none of the people around them had noticed the little by-play .

all eyes were on the track , which was being cleared for the first heat of another race .

the free-for-all horses were being led away blanketed .

the crowd cheered " Lu-Lu " as she went past , a shapeless oddity .

the backers of " Mascot " , the rival favourite , looked gloomy .

the woman noticed nothing of all this .

she was small , very pretty , still young , and gowned in a quite unmistakable way .

she studied the man 's profile furtively .

otherwise there was little change in the quiet features and somewhat stern grey eyes .

she wondered if he had cared at all .

they had not met for five years .

she shut her eyes and looked in on her past .

it all came back very vividly .

she had been eighteen when they were married a gay , high-spirited girl and the season 's beauty .

he was much older and a quiet , serious student .

her friends had wondered why she married him sometimes she wondered herself , but she had loved him , or thought so .

the marriage had been an unhappy one .

she was fond of society and gaiety , he wanted quiet and seclusion .

she Was impulsive and impatient , he deliberate and grave .

the strong wills clashed .

after two years of an unbearable sort of life they had separated quietly , and without scandal of any sort .

in the following five years she had succeeded in burying all remembrance well out of sight .

no one knew if she were satisfied or not ; her world was charitable to her and she lived a gay and quite irreproachable life .

she wished that she had not come to the races .

it was such an irritating encounter .

before it all she saw the tall figure by her side , his face turned from her , watching the track intently .

she wondered with a vague curiosity what induced him to come to the races .

such things were not greatly in his line .

evidently their chance meeting had not disturbed him .

it was a sign that he did not care .

she sighed a little wearily and closed her eyes .

when the heat was over he turned to her .

" may I ask how you have been since since we met last ?

you are looking extremely well .

has Vanity Fair palled in any degree ? "

she was angry at herself and him .

where had her careless society manner and well-bred composure gone ?

she felt weak and hysterical .

what if she should burst into tears before the whole crowd before those coldly critical grey eyes ?

she almost hated him .

" no why should it ?

I have found it very pleasant and I have been well very well .

and you ? "

he jotted down the score carefully before he replied .

" I ?

oh , a book-worm and recluse always leads a placid life .

I never cared for excitement , you know .

I came down here to attend a sale of some rare editions , and a well-meaning friend dragged me out to see the races .

I find it rather interesting , I must confess , much more so than I should have fancied .

Sorry I can't stay until the end .

I must go as soon as the free-for-all is over , if not before .

I have backed ' Mascot ' ; you ? "

" 'Lu-Lu ' " she answered quickly it almost seemed defiantly .

how horribly unreal it was this carrying on of small talk , as if they were the merest of chance-met acquaintances !

" she belongs to a friend of mine , so I am naturally interested . "

" she and ' Mascot ' are ties now both have won two heats .

one more for either will decide it .

this is a good day for the races .

excuse me . "

he leaned over and brushed a scrap of paper from her grey cloak .

she shivered slightly .

" you are cold !

this stand is draughty . "

" I am not at all cold , thank you .

what race is this ? oh ! the three-minute one . "

she bent forward with assumed interest to watch the scoring .

she was breathing heavily .

there were tears in her eyes she bit her lips savagely and glared at the track until they were gone .

presently he spoke again , in the low , even tone demanded by circumstances .

" this is a curious meeting , is it not ? quite a flavor of romance !

By-the-way , do you read as many novels as ever ? "

she fancied there was mockery in his tone .

she remembered how very frivolous he used to consider her novel-reading .

besides , she resented the personal tinge .

what right had he ?

" almost as many , " she answered carelessly .

" I was very intolerant , wasn't I ? " he said after a pause .

" you thought so you were right .

you have been happier since you left me ? "

" yes , " she said defiantly , looking straight into his eyes .

" and you do not regret it ? "

he bent down a little .

his sleeve brushed against her shoulder .

something in his face arrested the answer she meant to make .

" I I did not say that , " she murmured faintly .

there was a burst of cheering .

the free-for-all horses were being brought out for the sixth heat .

she turned away to watch them .

the scoring began , and seemed likely to have no end .

she was tired of it all .

it didn't matter a pin to her whether " Lu-Lu " or " mascot " won .

what did matter !

had Vanity Fair after all been a satisfying exchange for love ?

he had loved her once , and they had been happy at first .

their eyes met .

he stooped and said almost in a whisper :

" will you come back to me ? "

" I don't know , " she whispered breathlessly , as one half-fascinated .

" we were both to blame but I the most .

I was too hard on you I ought to have made more allowance .

we are wiser now both of us .

come back to me my wife . "

his tone was cold and his face expressionless .

it was on her lips to cry out " No , " passionately .

but the slender , scholarly hand on her shoulder was trembling with the intensity of his repressed emotion .

he did care , then .

a wild caprice flashed into her brain .

she sprang up .

" See , " she cried , " they 're off now .

this heat will probably decide the race .

if ' Lu-Lu ' wins I will not go back to you , if ' Mascot ' does I will .

that is my decision . "

he turned paler , but bowed in assent .

he knew by bitter experience how unchangeable her whims were , how obstinately she clung to even the most absurd .

she leaned forward breathlessly .

the crowd hung silently on the track .

" Lu-Lu " and " mascot " were neck and neck , getting in splendid work .

half-way round the course " Lu-Lu " forged half a neck ahead , and her backers went mad .

but one woman dropped her head in her hands and dared look no more .

one man with white face and set lips watched the track unswervingly .

again " Mascot " crawled up , inch by inch .

in the front row a woman stood up , swayed and shaken as a leaf in the wind .

she straightened her scarlet hat and readjusted her veil unsteadily .

there was a smile on her lips and tears in her eyes .

no one noticed her .

a man beside her drew her hand through his arm in a quiet proprietary fashion .

they left the grand stand together .

Lilian 's Business Venture

Lilian Mitchell turned into the dry-goods store on Randall Street , just as Esther Miller and Ella Taylor came out .

they responded coldly to her greeting and exchanged significant glances as they walked away .

Lilian 's pale face crimsoned .

she was a tall , slender girl of about seventeen , and dressed in mourning .

these girls had been her close friends once .

but that was before the Mitchells had lost their money .

since then Lilian had been cut by many of her old chums and she felt it keenly .

the clerks in the store were busy and Lilian sat down to wait her turn .

near to her two ladies were also waiting and chatting .

" Helen wants me to let her have a birthday party , " Mrs Saunders was saying wearily .

I haven't the time or strength , so Helen must do without her party . "

" talking of girls , " said Mrs. reeves impatiently , " I am almost discouraged .

it is so hard to get a good all-round one .

the last one I had was so saucy I had to discharge her , and the one I have now cannot make decent bread .

I never had good luck with bread myself either . "

" that is Mrs Porter 's great grievance too .

it is no light task to bake bread for all those boarders .

have you made your jelly yet ? "

" no .

Maria cannot make it , she says , and I detest messing with jelly .

but I really must see to it soon . "

at this point a saleswoman came up to Lilian , who made her small purchases and went out .

" there goes Lilian Mitchell , " said Mrs. reeves in an undertone .

" she looks very pale .

they say they are dreadfully poor since Henry Mitchell died .

his affairs were in a bad condition , I am told . "

" I am sorry for Mrs Mitchell , " responded Mrs Saunders .

" she is such a sweet woman .

Lilian will have to do something , I suppose , and there is so little chance for a girl here . "

Lilian , walking down the street , was wearily turning over in her mind the problems of her young existence .

her father had died the preceding spring .

he had been a supposedly prosperous merchant ; the Mitchells had always lived well , and Lilian was a petted and only child .

then came the shock of Henry Mitchell 's sudden death and of financial ruin .

Mrs Mitchell was a delicate woman , and the burden of their situation fell on Lilian 's young shoulders .

there seemed to be no place for her .

she could not teach and had no particular talent in any line .

there was no opening for her in Willington , which was a rather sleepy little place , and Lilian was almost in despair .

" I 've no talent at all ; it is dreadful to have been born without one .

and yet I must do something , and do it soon . "

and Lilian , after she had washed up the tea dishes , went upstairs and had a good cry .

a minute later she whirled into the tiny sitting-room where her mother was sewing .

" mother , our fortune is made !

I have an idea ! "

" don't lose it , then , " said Mrs Mitchell with a smile .

" what is it , my dear ? "

Lilian sobered herself , sat down by her mother 's side , and proceeded to recount the conversation she had heard in the store that afternoon .

" now , Mother , this is where my brilliant idea comes in .

you have often told me I am a born cook and I always have good luck .

" it seems to be a good idea , " said Mrs Mitchell thoughtfully , " and I am willing that you should try .

but have you thought it all out carefully ?

there will be many difficulties . "

" I know .

I don't expect smooth sailing right along , and perhaps I 'll fail altogether ; but somehow I don't believe I will . "

" A great many of your old friends will think "

" oh , yes ; I know that too , but I am not going to mind it , Mother .

I don't think there is any disgrace in working for my living .

I 'm going to do my best and not care what people say . "

Early next morning Lilian started out .

she had carefully thought over the details of her small venture , considered ways and means , and decided on the most advisable course .

she would not attempt too much , and she felt sure of success .

to secure competent servants was one of the problems of Willington people .

Lilian was , as she had said of herself , " a born cook . "

this was her capital , and she meant to make the most of it .

Mrs Saunders listened to her businesslike details with surprise and delight .

" it is the very thing , " she said .

" Helen is so eager for that party , but I could not undertake it myself .

her birthday is Friday .

can you have everything ready by then ? "

" yes , I think so , " said Lilian briskly , producing her notebook .

" please give me the list of what you want and I will do my best . "

from Mrs Saunders she went to Mrs. reeves and found a customer as soon as she had told the reason of her call .

" I 'll furnish all the bread and rolls you need , " she said , " and they will be good , too .

now , about your jelly .

I can make good jelly , and I 'll be very glad to make yours . "

Mrs Porter was next visited and grasped eagerly at the opportunity .

" I know your bread will be good , " she said , " and you may count on me as a regular customer . "

Lilian thought she had enough on hand for a first attempt and went home satisfied .

on her way she called at the grocery store with an order that surprised Mr Hooper .

when she told him of her plan he opened his eyes .

" I must tell my wife about that .

she isn't strong and she doesn't like cooking . "

and so also were the days and weeks and months that followed .

it was hard and constant work , but it brought its reward .

Lilian had not promised more than she could perform , and her customers were satisfied .

people who gave parties found it very convenient to follow Mrs Saunders 's example and order their supplies from Lilian .

she had a very busy winter and , of course , it was not all plain sailing .

she had many difficulties to contend with .

then , again , she found herself cut by several of her old acquaintances .

but she was too sensible to worry much over this .

the friends really worth having were still hers , her mother 's face had lost its look of care , and her business was prospering .

she was hopeful and wide awake , kept her wits about her and looked out for hints , and learned to laugh over her failures .

but when spring came Lilian prepared to open up her summer campaign on a much larger scale .

Mary Robinson was hired for the season , and John Perkins was engaged to act as carrier with his express wagon .

picnics and summer weddings were frequent .

in bread and rolls her trade was brisk and constant .

it was a cardinal rule with Lilian never to send out any article that was not up to her standard .

she bore the loss of her failures , and sometimes stayed up half of the night to fill an order on time .

" prompt and perfect " was her motto .

the long hot summer days were very trying , and sometimes she got very tired of it all .

but when on the anniversary of her first venture she made up her accounts she was well pleased .

Mrs Mitchell surveyed her busy daughter with a motherly smile .

" yes , I think it has , " she said .

Miriam 's Lover

I had been reading a ghost story to Mrs Sefton , and I laid it down at the end with a little shrug of contempt .

" what utter nonsense ! "

I said .

Mrs Sefton nodded abstractedly above her fancywork .

" that is .

it is a very commonplace story indeed .

if they ever appear , it must be for a better reason than that . "

" you don't surely think that they ever do appear ? "

I said incredulously .

" we have no proof that they do not , my dear . "

" I didn't say I believed it .

I never saw anything of the sort .

I neither believe nor disbelieve .

but you know queer things do happen at times things you can't account for .

at least , people who you know wouldn't lie say so .

of course , they may be mistaken .

and I don't think that everybody can see spirits either , provided they are to be seen .

it requires people of a certain organization with a spiritual eye , as it were .

we haven't all got that in fact , I think very few of us have .

I dare say you think I 'm talking nonsense . "

" well , yes , I think you are .

you really surprise me , Mary .

I always thought you the least likely person in the world to take up with such ideas .

something must have come under your observation to develop such theories in your practical head .

tell me what it was . "

" to what purpose ?

you would remain as sceptical as ever . "

" possibly not .

try me ; I may be convinced . "

" no , " returned Mrs . Sefton calmly .

" nobody ever is convinced by hearsay .

when a person has once seen a spirit or thinks he has he thenceforth believes it .

and when somebody else is intimately associated with that person and knows all the circumstances well , he admits the possibility , at least .

that is my position .

but by the time it gets to the third person the outsider it loses power .

besides , in this particular instance the story isn't very exciting .

but then it 's true . "

" you have excited my curiosity .

you must tell me the story . "

" well , first tell me what you think of this .

suppose two people , both sensitively organized individuals , loved each other with a love stronger than life .

if they were apart , do you think it might be possible for their souls to communicate with each other in some inexplicable way ?

and if anything happened to one , don't you think that that one could and would let the spirit of the other know ? "

" you 're getting into too deep waters for me , Mary , " I said , shaking my head .

" I 'm not an authority on telepathy , or whatever you call it .

but I 've no belief in such theories .

in fact , I think they are all nonsense .

I 'm sure you must think so too in your rational moments . "

not that she had ' theories ' at least , she never aired them if she had .

but there was simply something about the girl herself that gave a person strange impressions .

when I first met her I had the most uncanny feeling that she was all spirit soul what you will ! no flesh , anyhow .

that feeling wore off after a while , but she never seemed like other people to me .

" she was Mr Sefton 's niece .

her father had died when she was a child .

when Miriam was twenty her mother had married a second time and went to Europe with her husband .

Miriam came to live with us while they were away .

upon their return she was herself to be married .

" I had never seen Miriam before .

her arrival was unexpected , and I was absent from home when she came .

I returned in the evening , and when I saw her first she was standing under the chandelier in the drawing room .

talk about spirits !

for five seconds I thought I had seen one .

" Miriam was a beauty .

I had known that before , though I think I hardly expected to see such wonderful loveliness .

she was tall and extremely graceful , dark at least her hair was dark , but her skin was wonderfully fair and clear .

her face was oval , with very large and dark eyes .

" I soon realized that Miriam was in some mysterious fashion different from other people .

I think everyone who met her felt the same way .

yet it was a feeling hard to define .

" you must not suppose that Miriam was a disagreeable person to have in the house .

on the contrary , it was the very reverse .

everybody liked her .

she was one of the sweetest , most winsome girls I ever knew , and I soon grew to love her dearly .

as for what Dick called her ' little queernesses ' well , we got used to them in time .

" Miriam was engaged , as I have told you , to a young Harvard man named Sidney Claxton .

I knew she loved him very deeply .

when she showed me his photograph , I liked his appearance and said so .

then I made some teasing remark about her love-letters just for a joke , you know .

Miriam looked at me with an odd little smile and said quickly :

" ' Sidney and I never write to each other . '

" ' Why , Miriam ! '

I exclaimed in astonishment .

' Do you mean to tell me you never hear from him at all ? '

" ' No , I did not say that .

I hear from him every day every hour .

we do not need to write letters .

there are better means of communication between two souls that are in perfect accord with each other . '

" ' Miriam , you uncanny creature , what do you mean ? '

I asked .

" but Miriam only gave another queer smile and made no answer at all .

whatever her beliefs or theories were , she would never discuss them .

" she had a habit of dropping into abstracted reveries at any time or place .

no matter where she was , this , whatever it was , would come over her .

" I remember one day in particular ; we were sewing in my room .

" ' Don't look like that , Miriam ! '

I said , with a little shiver .

' You seem to be looking at something a thousand miles away ! '

" Miriam came out of her trance or reverie and said , with a little laugh :

" ' How do you know but that I was ? '

" she bent her head for a minute or two .

then she lifted it again and looked at me with a sudden contraction of her level brows that betokened vexation .

" ' I wish you hadn't spoken to me just then , ' she said .

' You interrupted the message I was receiving .

I shall not get it at all now . '

" ' Miriam , ' I implored .

' I so wish my dear girl , that you wouldn't talk so .

it makes people think there is something queer about you .

who in the world was sending you a message , as you call it ? '

" ' Sidney , ' said Miriam simply .

" ' Nonsense ! '

" ' You think it is nonsense because you don't understand it , ' was her calm response .

Miriam said nothing at the time , but when we were alone I asked her what she thought of it .

" ' I thought you were all merely talking against time , ' she retorted evasively .

" ' But , Miriam , do you really think it is possible for ghosts '

" ' I detest that word ! '

" ' Well , spirits then to return after death , or to appear to anyone apart from the flesh ? '

" ' I will tell you what I know .

if anything were to happen to Sidney if he were to die or be killed he would come to me himself and tell me . '

" one day Miriam came down to lunch looking pale and worried .

after Dick went out , I asked her if anything were wrong .

" ' Something has happened to Sidney , ' she replied , ' some painful accident I don't know what . '

" ' How do you know ? '

I cried .

surely , Miriam , you are not so foolish as to really believe in that ! '

" ' I know , ' she answered quickly .

' Belief or disbelief has nothing to do with it .

yes , I have had a message .

I know that some accident has happened to Sidney painful and inconvenient but not particularly dangerous .

I do not know what it is .

Sidney will write me that .

he writes when it is absolutely necessary . '

" ' Aerial communication isn't perfected yet then ? '

I said mischievously .

but , observing how really worried she seemed , I added , ' Don't fret , Miriam .

you may be mistaken . '

it had happened the very morning Miriam received her message .

" Miriam had been with us about eight months when one day she came into my room hurriedly .

she was very pale .

" ' Sidney is ill dangerously ill .

what shall I do ? '

I tried to cheer her , but did not succeed .

two hours later she had a telegram from her lover 's college chum , saying that Mr Claxton was dangerously ill with typhoid fever .

" I was quite alarmed about Miriam in the days that followed .

she grieved and fretted continually .

one of her troubles was that she received no more messages ; she said it was because Sidney was too ill to send them .

anyhow , she had to content herself with the means of communication used by ordinary mortals .

" Sidney 's mother , who had gone to nurse him , wrote every day , and at last good news came .

the crisis was over and the doctor in attendance thought Sidney would recover .

Miriam seemed like a new creature then , and rapidly recovered her spirits .

" for a week reports continued favourable .

one night we went to the opera to hear a celebrated prima donna .

when we returned home Miriam and I were sitting in her room , chatting over the events of the evening .

I didn't see anything , but I just felt that there was something or someone in the room besides ourselves .

" Miriam was gazing straight before her .

she rose to her feet and held out her hands .

" ' Sidney ! ' she said .

" then she fell to the floor in a dead faint .

" I screamed for Dick , rang the bell and rushed to her .

she seemed as one dead .

we worked over her for hours .

she would come out of her faint for a moment , give us an unknowing stare and go shudderingly off again .

" the doctor talked of some fearful shock , but I kept my own counsel .

at dawn Miriam came back to life at last .

when she and I were left alone , she turned to me .

" ' Sidney is dead , ' she said quietly .

' I saw him just before I fainted .

I looked up , and he was standing between me and you .

he had come to say farewell . '

" what could I say ?

almost while we were talking a telegram came .

he was dead he had died at the very hour at which Miriam had seen him . "

Mrs Sefton paused , and the lunch bell rang .

" what do you think of it ? " she queried as we rose .

" honestly , I don't know what I think of it , " I answered frankly .

Miss Calista 's Peppermint Bottle

Miss Calista was perplexed .

there was no lack of applicants , such as they were .

she had a small , well-cultivated farm and a comfortable house , and her hired men lived in clover .

Caleb Cramp had been perfection after his kind , and Miss Calista did not expect to find his equal .

but he had met with a brusque refusal , scarcely as civil as Miss Calista had bestowed on drunken Jake Stinson from the Morrisvale Road .

not that Miss Calista had any particular prejudice against Ches Maybin , or knew anything positively to his discredit .

nothing succeeds like success , and the converse of this is likewise true that nothing fails like failure .

there was not a person in Cooperstown who would not have heartily endorsed Miss Calista 's refusal .

Miss Calista , when she had shut Chester Maybin out into the chill gloom of the November dusk , dismissed him from her thoughts .

there were other things of more moment to her just then than old Sam Maybin 's hopeful son .

she intended to go over to Kerrytown the very next day and deposit it in the Savings Bank there .

" not but what it 's safe enough , " she said , " for not a soul but you knows I 've got it .

but I 'm not used to have so much by me , and there are always tramps going round .

it worries me somehow .

I wouldn't give it a thought if Caleb was here .

I s'pose being all alone makes me nervous . "

she locked doors and windows carefully , as was her habit , and saw that the fastenings were good and secure .

Miss Calista went to bed and , despite her worry , slept soon and soundly .

it was well on past midnight when she suddenly wakened and sat bolt upright in bed .

she was not accustomed to waken in the night , and she had the impression of having been awakened by some noise .

she listened breathlessly .

there was no mistake about it .

something or some person was moving about stealthily in the room below .

it wasn't the cat Miss Calista had shut him in the woodshed before she went to bed , and he couldn't possibly get out .

it must certainly be a beggar or tramp of some description .

as noiselessly and swiftly as any burglar himself , Miss Calista slipped out of bed and into her clothes .

then she tip-toed out into the hall .

but the open drawer and the window , where the bits of glass were glistening in the moonlight , were no dream .

an examination of the sideboard showed the precious five hundred safe and sound in an undisturbed drawer .

Miss Calista kept grim watch and ward there until morning , and thought the matter over exhaustively .

in the end she resolved to keep her own counsel .

when the morning came Miss Calista lost no time in setting out for Kerrytown , where the money was soon safely deposited in the bank .

she heaved a sigh of relief when she left the building .

I feel as if I could enjoy life once more , she said to herself .

but Abiram Fell was attending to a previous customer , and Miss Calista sat grimly down by the counter to wait her turn .

the door opened , letting in a swirl of raw November evening wind and Ches Maybin .

he nodded sullenly to Mr. fell and passed down the store to mutter a message to a man at the further end .

Miss Calista lifted her head as he passed and sniffed the air as a charger who scents battle .

there had been no hint of it before Ches Maybin 's entrance .

the latter did not wait long .

he was out and striding along the shadowy road when Miss Calista left the store and drove smartly after him .

the lad glanced up furtively as she checked her fat grey pony beside him .

" good evening , Chester , " she said with brisk kindness .

" I can give you a lift , if you are going my way .

jump in , quick Dapple is a little restless . "

a wave of crimson , duskily perceptible under his sunburned skin , surged over Ches Maybin 's face .

it almost seemed as if he were going to blurt out a blunt refusal .

after a few minutes ' silence Miss Calista turned to her moody companion .

" it won't mend matters trying to get clear of me , Chester .

I know it was you and I want an answer a truthful one , mind you to my question .

I am your friend , and I am not going to harm you if you tell me the truth . "

her clear and incisive gaze met and held irresistibly the boy 's wavering one .

the sullen obstinacy of his face relaxed .

" well , " he muttered finally , " I was just desperate , that's why .

I 've never done anything real bad in my life before , but people have always been down on me .

I 'm blamed for everything , and nobody wants anything to do with me .

I 'm willing to work , but I can't get a thing to do .

I 'm in rags and I haven't a cent , and winter 's coming on .

I heard you telling Mrs Galloway yesterday about the money .

I was behind the fir hedge and you didn't see me .

I went away and planned it all out .

I 've never had any here .

the boy had blurted it all out sullenly and half-chokingly .

a world of rebellion and protest against the fate that had always dragged him down was couched in his voice .

Miss Calista drew Dapple to a standstill before her gate .

" I 'm not going to send you to jail , Chester .

I believe you 've told me the truth .

yesterday you wanted me to give you Caleb 's place and I refused .

well , I offer it to you now .

if you 'll come , I 'll hire you , and give you as good wages as I gave him . "

Ches Maybin looked incredulous .

" miss Calista , you can't mean it . "

" I do mean it , every word .

you say you have never had a chance .

well , I am going to give you one a chance to get on the right road and make a man of yourself .

nobody shall ever know about last night 's doings from me , and I 'll make it my business to forget them if you deserve it .

what do you say ? "

Ches lifted his head and looked her squarely in the face .

" I 'll come , " he said huskily .

" it ain't no use to try and thank you , Miss Calista .

but I 'll live my thanks . "

and he did .

but not all prophecies come true .

Miss Calista smiled serenely and kept on her own misguided way .

" Miss Calista has made a man of Ches Maybin , " said the oracles .

" he ought to be very grateful to her . "

and he was .

but only he and Miss Calista and the peppermint bottle ever knew the precise extent of his gratitude , and they never told .

the Jest That Failed

" and she doesn't seem a bit ashamed of it , either , " said Agnes Walters .

" rather proud of it , I should say , " returned her roommate , spitefully .

what must the boys think of her ?

" it 's a shame , " said Agnes , conclusively .

" but she needn't expect to associate with our set .

I , for one , won't have anything to do with her . "

" nor I ..y I think it is time she should be taught her place .

the idea of her consenting to be elected on the freshmen executive !

but she seems impervious to snubs . "

" Edna , let's play a joke on her .

it will serve her right .

let us send an invitation in somebody 's name to the senior ' prom . ' "

" the very thing !

and sign Sidney Hill 's name to it .

he 's the handsomest and richest fellows at Payzant , and belongs to one of the best families in town , and he 's awfully fastidious besides .

no doubt she will feel immensely flattered and , of course , she'll accept .

just think how silly she 'll feel when she finds out he never sent it .

let's write it now , and send it at once .

there is no time to lose , for the ' prom ' is on Thursday night . "

the freshmen co-eds at Payzant College did not like Grace Seeley that is to say , the majority of them .

they were a decidedly snobbish class that year .

it was the smartest and gayest of all the college functions , and a Payzant co-ed who received an invitation to it counted herself fortunate .

Grace Seeley was studying Greek in her tiny room that afternoon when the invitation was brought to her .

but she was girlishly pleased at the prospect .

grace was quite unaware of her own unpopularity among her class co-eds , although she thought it was very hard to get acquainted with them .

" grace Seeley , " he pondered .

" that 's the jolly girl with the brown eyes that I met at the philomathic the other night .

she thanks me for my invitation to the senior prom , and accepts with pleasure .

why , I certainly never invited her or anyone else to go with me to the senior prom .

there must be some mistake . "

grace passed him at this moment on her way to the Latin classroom .

she bowed and smiled in a friendly fashion and Sidney Hill felt decidedly uncomfortable .

what was he to do ?

he did not like to think of putting Miss Seeley in a false position because somebody had sent her an invitation in his name .

I 'll take Miss Seeley to the prom as if I had never intended doing anything else .

she shan't be humiliated just because there is someone at Payzant who would stoop to that sort of thing . "

Grace thought it extremely nice of him , and dressed in a flutter of pleasant anticipation .

her gown was a very simple one of sheer white organdie , and was the only evening dress she had .

she knew there would be many smarter dresses at the reception , but the knowledge did not disturb her sensible head in the least .

Grace had never in all her life before had so good a time as she had at that senior prom .

the seniors were quick to discover her unaffected originality and charm , and everywhere she went she was the centre of a merry group .

in short , Grace , as much to her own surprise as anyone 's , found herself a social success .

presently Sidney brought his brother up to be introduced , and the latter said :

" miss Seeley , will you excuse my asking if you have a brother or any relative named Max Seeley ? "

Grace nodded .

" oh , yes , my brother Max .

he is a doctor out west . "

" I was sure of it , " said Murray Hill triumphantly .

" you resemble him so strongly .

please don't consider me as a stranger a minute longer , for Max and I are like brothers .

indeed , I owe my life to him .

your brother attended me and he managed to pull me through .

he never left me day or night until I was out of danger , and he worked like a Trojan for me . "

" dear old Max , " said Grace , her brown eyes shining with pride and pleasure .

" that is so like him .

he is such a dear brother and I haven't seen him for four years .

to see somebody who knows him so well is next best thing to seeing himself . "

I want you to come ever and meet my mother and sister .

" you came with Sid , didn't you ? " she whispered .

" Sid is so sly he never tells us whom he is going to take anywhere .

but when I saw you come in with him I knew I was going to like you , you looked so jolly .

and you 're really the sister of that splendid Dr Seeley who saved Murray 's life last summer ?

and to think you 've been at Payzant nearly a whole term and we never knew it ! "

" oh ! it was splendid , " said Grace enthusiastically .

" everybody was so nice .

and then to meet someone who could tell me so much about Max !

I must write them home all about it before I sleep , just to calm my head a bit .

mother and the girls will be so interested , and I must send Lou and Mab a carnation apiece for their scrapbooks . "

" give me one back , please , " said Sid .

and Grace with a little blush , did so .

I don't know when I 've met anyone I liked so much .

she was so jolly and friendly and she didn't put on learned airs at all , as so many of those Payzant girls do .

isn't it so brave and plucky of her !

I know we are going to be great friends . "

and Sidney went upstairs and put away a single white carnation very carefully .

in the second place , Mrs Hill was saying to her eldest son , " I liked that Miss Seeley very much .

she seemed a very sweet girl . "

and , finally , Agnes Walters and Edna Hayden were discussing the matter in great mystification in their room .

" I can't understand it at all , " said Agnes slowly .

" Sid Hill took her to the prom and he must have sent her those carnations too .

she could never have afforded them herself .

and did you see the fuss his people made over her ?

if the Hills are going to take her up we 'll have to be nice to her . "

" I suppose , " said Edna conclusively , " the truth of the matter is that Sid Hill meant to ask her anyway .

I dare say he asked her long ago , and she would know our invitation was a fraud .

so the joke is on ourselves , after all . "

the Penningtons ' Girl

Winslow had been fishing or pretending to all the morning , and he was desperately thirsty .

he boarded with the Beckwiths on the Riverside East Shore , but he was nearer Riverside West , and he knew the Penningtons well .

she never could get along with them , and they left , on an average , after a fortnight 's trial .

he rowed his skiff into the shore and tied it to a fir that hung out from the bank .

a winding little footpath led up to the Pennington farmhouse , which crested the hill about three hundred yards from the shore .

she handed him a shining dipper half full and stood , pail in hand , while he drank it .

her skin was very fair , somewhat freckled , and her mouth was delicious .

as for her eyes , they were grey , but beyond that simply defied description .

" will you have some more ? " she asked in a soft , drawling voice .

" no , thank you .

that was delicious .

is Mrs Pennington home ? "

" no .

she has gone away for the day . "

" well , I suppose I can sit down here and rest a while .

you 've no serious objections , have you ? "

" oh , no . "

she carried her pail into the kitchen and came out again presently with a knife and a pan of apples .

besides , as a general rule , he had been quite good friends with Mrs Pennington 's hired girls .

she had had three strapping damsels during his sojourn in Riverside , and he used to sit on this very doorstep and chaff them .

they had all been saucy and talkative .

this girl was evidently a new species .

" do you think you 'll get along with Mrs Pennington ? " he asked finally .

" as a rule she fights with her help , although she is a most estimable woman . "

the girl smiled quite broadly .

" I guess p'r'aps she 's rather hard to suit , " was the answer , " but I like her pretty well so far .

I think we 'll get along with each other .

if we don't I can leave like the others did . "

" what is your name ? "

" Nelly Ray . "

" well , Nelly , I hope you 'll be able to keep your place .

let me give you a bit of friendly advice .

don't let the cats get into the pantry .

that is what Mrs Pennington has quarrelled with nearly every one of her girls about . "

" it is quite a bother to keep them out , ain't it ? " said Nelly calmly .

" there 's dozens of cats about the place .

what on earth makes them keep so many ? "

" Mr Pennington has a mania for cats .

he and Mrs Pennington have a standing disagreement about it .

the last girl left here because she couldn't stand the cats ; they affected her nerves , she said .

I hope you don't mind them . "

" oh , no ; I kind of like cats .

I 've been tryin ' to count them .

has anyone ever done that ? "

" not that I know of .

I tried but I had to give up in despair never could tell when I was counting the same cat over again .

look at that black goblin sunning himself on the woodpile .

I say , Nelly , you 're not going , are you ? "

" I must .

it 's time to get dinner .

Mr Pennington will be in from the fields soon . "

the next minute he heard her stepping briskly about the kitchen , shooing out intruding cats , and humming a darky air to herself .

he went reluctantly back to the shore and rowed across the river in a brown study .

Mrs Pennington was home the next time he went , and he asked her about her new girl .

to his surprise the good lady was unusually reticent .

she couldn't really say very much about Nelly .

no , she didn't belong anywhere near Riverside .

in fact , she Mrs Pennington didn't think she had any settled home at present .

her father was travelling over the country somewhere .

Nelly was a good little girl , and very obliging .

she dropped her g's badly and made some grammatical errors that caused Winslow 's flesh to creep on his bones .

but any man could have forgiven mistakes from such dimpled lips in such a sweet voice .

Winslow tried to get her to talk about herself , but failed signally and had to content himself with Mrs Pennington 's meagre information .

he made out quite a dismal case for himself and if Nelly wasn't sorry for him , she should have been .

at the end of a fortnight Riverside folks began to talk about Winslow and the Penningtons ' hired girl .

wise folks shook their heads over it and wondered that Mrs Pennington allowed it .

she was pretty , to be sure ; but she was absurdly stuck-up and wouldn't associate with other Riverside " help " at all .

Winslow and Nelly did not trouble themselves in the least over all this gossip ; in fact , they never even heard it .

Winslow was hopelessly in love , when he found this out he was aghast .

it would never do ; he must not go to see Nelly again .

he kept this prudent resolution for twenty-four hours and then rowed over to the West shore .

he found Nelly sitting on the bank in her old faded print dress and he straightway forgot everything he ought to have remembered .

Nelly herself never seemed to be conscious of the social gulf between them .

at least she never alluded to it in any way , and accepted Winslow 's attentions as if she had a perfect right to them .

she had broken the record by staying with Mrs Pennington four weeks , and even the cats were in subjection .

Winslow was well enough to have gone back to the city and , in fact , his father was writing for him .

but he couldn't leave Beckwiths ' , apparently .

at any rate he stayed on and met Nelly every day and cursed himself for a cad and a cur and a weak-brained idiot .

one day he took Nelly for a row up the river .

they went further than usual around the Bend .

but Nelly insisted on going on and on , and of course she had her way .

when they reached a little pine-fringed headland they came upon the picnickers , within a stone 's throw .

everybody recognized Winslow .

" why , there is Burton ! " he heard Mrs Keyton-Wells exclaim , and he knew she was putting up her glasses .

Will Evans , who was an especial chum of his , ran down to the water 's edge .

" bless me , Win , where did you come from ?

come right in .

we haven't had tea yet .

bring your friend too , " he added , becoming conscious that Winslow 's friend was a mighty pretty girl .

Winslow 's face was crimson .

he avoided Nelly 's eye .

" are them people friends of yours ? " she asked in a low tone .

" yes , " he muttered .

" well , let us go ashore if they want us to , " she said calmly .

" I don't mind . "

for three seconds Winslow hesitated .

then he pulled ashore and helped Nelly to alight on a jutting rock .

there was a curious , set expression about his fine mouth as he marched Nelly up to Mrs Keyton-Wells and introduced her .

Mrs Keyton-Wells 's greeting was slightly cool , but very polite .

the other women took their cue from her , but the men were more cordial .

Miss Ray might be shabby , but she was distinctly fetching , and Winslow looked savage .

" golly ! " he ejaculated in very audible tones .

" if there ain't Mrs Pennington 's hired girl ! "

Mrs Keyton-Wells stiffened with horror .

Winslow darted a furious glance at the tell-tale that would have annihilated anything except a small boy .

Will Evans grinned and went on talking to Nelly , who had failed to hear , or at least to heed , the exclamation .

the mischief was done , the social thermometer went down to zero in Nelly 's neighbourhood .

the women ignored her altogether .

Winslow set his teeth together and registered a mental vow to wring Rufus Hent 's sunburned neck at the first opportunity .

Nelly 's social ostracism did not affect her appetite .

but after lunch was over , she walked down to the skiff .

Winslow followed her .

" do you want to go home ? " he asked .

" yes , it 's time I went , for the cats may be raidin ' the pantry .

but you must not come ; your friends here want you . "

" nonsense ! " said Winslow sulkily .

" if you are going I am too . "

" I can row myself home and I mean to , " she announced , taking up the oars defiantly .

" Nelly , " he implored .

Nelly looked at him wickedly .

" you 'd better go back to your friends .

that old woman with the eyeglasses is watchin ' you . "

Winslow said something strong under his breath as he went back to the others .

Will Evans and his chums began to chaff him about Nelly , but he looked so dangerous that they concluded to stop .

his friends drove him home in the evening on their way to the station and dropped him at the Beckwith farm .

at dusk he went moodily down to the shore .

far up the Bend was dim and shadowy and stars were shining above the wooded shores .

over the river the Pennington farmhouse lights twinkled out alluringly .

Winslow watched them until he could stand it no longer .

Nelly had made off with his skiff , but Perry Beckwith 's dory was ready to hand .

in five minutes , Winslow was grounding her on the West shore .

Nelly was sitting on a rock at the landing place .

he went over and sat down silently beside her .

a full moon was rising above the dark hills up the Bend and in the faint light the girl was wonderfully lovely .

" goodbye ?

Nelly , you 're not going away ? "

" yes .

the cats were in the pantry when I got home . "

" Nelly ! "

" well , to be serious .

I 'm not goin ' for that , but I really am goin' .

I had a letter from Dad this evenin ' .

did you have a good time after I left this afternoon ?

did Mrs Keyton-Wells thaw out ? "

" hang Mrs Keyton-Wells !

Nelly , where are you going ? "

" to Dad , of course .

we used to live down south together , but two months ago we broke up housekeepin ' and come north .

we thought we could do better up here , you know .

Dad started out to look for a place to settle down and I came here while he was prospectin ' .

he 's got a house now , he says , and wants me to go right off .

I 'm goin ' tomorrow . "

" Nelly , you mustn't go you mustn't , I tell you , " exclaimed Winslow in despair .

" I love you I love you you must stay with me forever . "

" you don't know what you 're sayin ' , Mr Winslow , " said Nelly coldly .

" why , you can't marry me a common servant girl . "

" I can and I will , if you 'll have me , " answered Winslow recklessly .

" I can't ever let you go .

I 've loved you ever since I first saw you .

Nelly , won't you be my wife ?

don't you love me ? "

" oh , what will your people say ? " she contrived to ask at last .

" won't they be in a dreadful state ?

oh , it will never do for you to marry me . "

" won't it ? " said Winslow in a tone of satisfaction .

" I rather think it will .

of course , my family will rampage a bit at first .

I daresay Father 'll turn me out .

don't worry over that , Nelly .

I 'm not afraid of work .

I 'm not afraid of anything except losing you . "

" you 'll have to see what Dad says , " remarked Nelly , after another eloquent interlude .

" he won't object , will he ?

I 'll write to him or go and see him .

where is he ? "

" he is in town at the Arlington . "

" the Arlington ! "

Winslow was amazed .

the Arlington was the most exclusive and expensive hotel in town .

" what is he doing there ? "

" transacting a real estate or railroad deal with your father , I believe , or something of that sort . "

" Nelly ! "

" well ? "

" what do you mean ? "

" just what I say . "

Winslow got up and looked at her .

" Nelly , who are you ? "

" Helen Ray Scott , at your service , sir . "

" not Helen Ray Scott , the daughter of the railroad king ? "

" the same .

are you sorry that you 're engaged to her ?

if you are , she 'll stay Nelly Ray . "

Winslow dropped back on the seat with a long breath .

" Nelly , I don't understand .

why did you deceive me ?

I feel stunned . "

" oh , do forgive me , " she said merrily .

I never thought it would come to this .

I got here the night before we met .

my trunk was delayed so I put on an old cotton dress her niece had left here and you came and saw me .

I made mistakes in grammar and dropped my g's on purpose it was such fun to see you wince when I did it .

did you think I couldn't read your thoughts this afternoon , when I insisted on going ashore ?

you were a little ashamed of me you know you were .

Mrs Keyton-Wells won't snub me next time we meet .

and some way I don't think your father will turn you out , either .

have you forgiven me yet , Burton ? "

" I shall never call you anything but Nelly , " said Winslow irrelevantly .

the Red Room

you would have me tell you the story , Grandchild ?

' Tis a sad one and best forgotten few remember it now .

there are always sad and dark stories in old families such as ours .

yet I have promised and must keep my word .

this I could well believe , since of all my aunts there was not one but was counted a pretty woman .

but it was not for fairy tales and sugarplums nor yet for petting that I rejoiced to be at the Place at that time .

yet , being somewhat keener of comprehension than they knew , I heard and understood not a little of their talk .

some had much to say of her pride and insolence , and wondered if Mrs Montressor would tamely yield her mistress-ship to the stranger .

also they spoke of the company she gathered around her , thinking her to have strange and unbecoming companions for a Montressor .

the hall was lighted by small , square-paned windows , and at its end a little flight of steps led up to the Red Room .

whenever I had been at the Place before and this was often I had passed much of my time in this same Red Room .

when I had gone this Christmas to the Place I soon bethought myself of the Red Room for I had a great love for it .

" there , there , little Beatrice !

did I frighten you , child ?

forgive an old woman 's thoughtlessness .

for there were great doings at the Place and much coming and going .

my aunts were never idle ; there was to be much festivity Christmas week and a ball on Christmas Eve .

" and is this the little Beatrice ?

I have heard much of you come , kiss me , child . "

" waste not your thoughts so , little Beatrice .

but come with me , child , if you will , for I have taken a strange fancy to your solemn eyes .

and , though I understood not her meaning , I went , glad to see the Red Room once more .

after that I spent a part of every day with her in the Red Room .

then would I strive to banish such thoughts and chide myself for doubting one so kind to me .

when Christmas Eve drew nigh my silly head was full of the ball day and night .

for I thought I should not see the fine folk and , more than all , Alicia .

yet it could not be denied they were of wondrous beauty , white as polished marble .

and I gazed at her , drinking in her beauty until my soul was filled , as she stood like some goddess before her worshipper .

then she leaned down to me until her splendid eyes looked straight into my dazzled ones .

I found my voice and told her truly that I thought her beautiful beyond my dreams of angels as indeed she was .

Whereat she smiled as one well pleased .

then said he , " Sweet , will you grant me a favour ? "

and she answered , " it may be that I will . "

and he said , " do not dance with that man tonight , Alicia .

I mistrust him much . "

his voice had more of a husband 's command than a lover 's entreaty .

he laughed and his brow cleared , though he said still sternly , " do not try me too far , Alicia . "

then they went out , she a little in advance and very stately .

after that my aunts also came in , very beautifully and modestly dressed , but they seemed to me as nothing after Alicia .

I had been straitly charged to stay in bed , which I did not , but got up and put on a gown .

for it was in my mind to go quietly down , if by chance I might again see Alicia , myself unseen .

then Alicia came in , and with her a man whom I had never before seen .

Alicia sat down and he beside her , and when he had put his arms about her , he kissed her face and lips .

I was but a child and innocent , nor knew I aught of honour and dishonour .

yet he came forward quietly as Alicia and the snake drew apart and stood up .

at first he looked not at his guilty wife but at her lover , and smote him heavily in the face .

and there was that in his tone which told that his forgiveness and love should be hers nevermore .

then he motioned her out and she went , like a proud queen , with her glorious head erect and no shame on her brow .

but my Uncle Hugh kept his word , and Alicia was no more wife to him , save only in name .

in the afternoon I was sitting in the wing hall , dreaming wondrous day-dreams , when Alicia called me to the Red Room .

her hand , when she took mine , was burning hot , and her voice had a strange ring .

time hangs heavily in this gloomy house .

I do verily think this Red Room has an evil influence over me .

see if your childish prattle can drive away the ghosts that riot in these dark old corners ghosts of a ruined and shamed life !

Nay , shrink not do I talk wildly ?

I mean not all I say my brain seems on fire , little Beatrice .

come ; it may be you know some grim old legend of this room it must surely have one .

never was place fitter for a dark deed !

Tush ! never be so frightened , child forget my vagaries .

tell me now and I will listen . "

Whereat she cast herself lithely on the satin couch and turned her lovely face on me .

but his mother went mad with her remorse , and was kept a prisoner in the Red Room until her death .

so lamely told I the tale , as I had heard my Aunt Elizabeth tell it , when she knew not I listened or understood .

Alicia heard me through and said nothing , save that it was a tale worthy of the Montressors .

Whereat I bridled , for I too was a Montressor , and proud of it .

and I , remembering what I had seen in the blue parlour , was silent for I could not lie .

so she flung my hand away with a bitter laugh , and picked lightly from the table anear a small dagger with a jewelled handle .

' Twere a short path out of all difficulties , my Beatrice . "

and I made answer earnestly that it would , glad that I could say so much truly .

then her face grew tender and she sighed deeply .

" now go , " she said .

and I would have you but the once lay your arms about my neck and kiss me . "

and I did so , wondering much at her manner for it had in it a strange tenderness and some sort of hopeless longing .

and I thought how well it was that my Uncle Hugh had not to return in such a tempest .

" let me go ! " she hissed .

and he said , " I will not . "

then she turned herself about and struck at him with the dagger and never saw I such a face as was hers at the moment .

when I came rightly to my remembrance , they questioned me as to what I had seen and heard in the Red Room .

then my mother , sorely vexed over my adventures which in truth were but sorry ones for a child took me home .

the swallows still build under the eaves , though I know not if you will understand their speech as I did .

the Setness of Theodosia

when Theodosia Ford married Wesley Brooke after a courtship of three years , everybody concerned was satisfied .

there was nothing particularly romantic in either the courtship or marriage .

Wesley was a steady , well-meaning , rather slow fellow , comfortably off .

he was not at all handsome .

but Theodosia was a very pretty girl with the milky colouring of an auburn blonde and large china-blue eyes .

she looked mild and Madonna-like and was known to be sweet-tempered .

they would get along together all right .

Wesley and Theodosia were third cousins ; this meant that old Henry Ford had been the great-great-grandfather of them both .

Jim Parmelee , who was ninety , had been a small boy when this remote ancestor was still alive .

" I mind him well , " said old Jim on the morning of Theodosia 's wedding day .

there was a little group about the blacksmith 's forge .

old Jim was in the centre .

he was a fat , twinkling-eyed old man , fresh and ruddy in spite of his ninety years .

" and , " he went on , " he was about the settest man you 'd ever see or want to see .

when old Henry Ford made up his mind on any p'int a cyclone wouldn't turn him a hairsbreadth no , nor an earthquake neither .

didn't matter a mite how much he suffered for it he 'd stick to it if it broke his heart .

there was always some story or other going round about old Henry 's setness .

the family weren't quite so bad only Tom .

he was Dosia 's great-grandfather , and a regular chip of the old block .

since then it 's cropped out now and again all through the different branches of the family .

I mistrust if Dosia hasn't got a spice of it , and Wes Brooke too , but mebbe not . "

old Jim was the only croaker .

Wesley and Theodosia were married , in the golden prime of the Indian summer , and settled down on their snug little farm .

Dosia was a beautiful bride , and Wesley 's pride in her was amusingly apparent .

he thought nothing too good for her , the Heatherton people said .

this evening he was later than usual , and Theodosia had his supper kept warm for him .

she met him on the porch and kissed him .

he kissed her in return , and held her to him for a minute , with her bright head on his shoulder .

the frogs were singing down in the south meadow swamp , and there was a splendour of silvery moonrise over the wooded Heatherton hills .

Theodosia always remembered that moment .

when they went in , Wesley , full of excitement , began to talk of what he had heard at the store .

Ogden Greene and Tom Cary were going to sell out and go to Manitoba .

Out west he might make a fortune .

Wesley talked on in this strain for some time , rehashing all the arguments he had heard Greene and Cary use .

Ogden and Tom wanted him to go too , he said .

he had half a notion to .

Heatherton was a stick-in-the-mud sort of place anyhow .

" what say , Dosia ? "

he looked across the table at her , his eyes bright and questioning .

Theodosia had listened in silence , as she poured his tea and passed him her hot , flaky biscuits .

there was a little perpendicular wrinkle between her straight eyebrows .

" I think Ogden and Tom are fools , " she said crisply .

" they have good farms here .

what do they want to go west for , or you , either ?

don't get silly notions in your head , Wes . "

Wesley flushed .

" wouldn't you go with me , Dosia ? " he said , trying to speak lightly .

" no , I wouldn't , " said Theodosia , in her calm , sweet voice .

her face was serene , but the little wrinkle had grown deeper .

old Jim Parmelee would have known what it meant .

he had seen the same expression on old Henry Ford 's face many a time .

Wesley laughed good-humouredly , as if at a child .

his heart was suddenly set on going west , and he was sure he could soon bring Theodosia around .

he did not say anything more about it just then .

Wesley thought he knew how to manage women .

when he broached the subject again , two days later , Theodosia told him plainly that it was no use .

she would never consent to leave Heatherton and all her friends and go out to the prairies .

the idea was just rank foolishness , and he would soon see that himself .

all this Theodosia said calmly and sweetly , without any trace of temper or irritation .

Wesley still believed that he could persuade her and he tried perseveringly for a fortnight .

by the end of that time he discovered that Theodosia was not a great-great-granddaughter of old Henry Ford for nothing .

not that Theodosia ever got angry .

neither did she laugh at him .

she met his arguments and pleadings seriously enough , but she never wavered .

" if you go to Manitoba , Wes , you 'll go alone , " she said .

" I 'll never go , so there is no use in any more talking . "

Wesley was a descendant of old Henry Ford too .

Theodosia 's unexpected opposition roused all the latent stubbornness of his nature .

the matter was gossiped about in Heatherton , of course .

Theodosia 's family naturally sided with her and tried to dissuade Wesley .

one day he told Theodosia that he was going .

she was working her butter in her little , snowy-clean dairy under the great willows by the well .

Wesley was standing in the doorway , his stout , broad-shouldered figure filling up the sunlit space .

he was frowning and sullen .

" I 'm going west in two weeks ' time with the boys , Dosia , " he said stubbornly .

" you can come with me or stay here just exactly as you please .

but I 'm going . "

Theodosia went on spatting her balls of golden butter on the print in silence .

she looked as pliable as her butter .

her silence angered her husband .

he shuffled impatiently .

" well , what have you to say , Dosia ? "

" nothing , " said Theodosia .

" if you have made up your mind to go , go you will , I suppose .

but I will not .

there is no use in talking .

we 've been over the ground often enough , Wes .

the matter is settled . "

up to that moment Wesley had always believed that his wife would yield at last , when she saw that he was determined .

now he realized that she never would .

under that exterior of milky , dimpled flesh and calm blue eyes was all the iron will of old dead and forgotten Henry Ford .

A great , sudden anger came over the man .

he lifted his hand and for one moment it seemed to Theodosia as if he meant to strike her .

then he dropped it with the first oath that had ever crossed his lips .

" you listen to me , " he said thickly .

" if you won't go with me I 'll never come back here never .

when you want to do your duty as a wife you can come to me .

but I 'll never come back . "

he turned on his heel and strode away .

Theodosia kept on spatting her butter .

the little perpendicular wrinkle had come between her brows again .

the fortnight passed by .

Wesley was silent and sullen , never speaking to his wife when he could avoid it .

Theodosia was as sweet and serene as ever .

she made an extra supply of shirts and socks for him , put up his lunch basket , and packed his trunk carefully .

but she never spoke of his journey .

he did not sell his farm .

Irving Brooke rented it .

Theodosia was to live in the house .

the business arrangements were simple and soon concluded .

Heatherton folks gossiped a great deal .

they all condemned Theodosia .

even her own people sided against her now .

it would be disgraceful not to .

they might as well have talked to the four winds .

Theodosia was immoveable .

they coaxed and argued and blamed it all came to the same thing .

even those of them who could be " set " enough themselves on occasion could not understand Theodosia , who had always been so tractable .

they finally gave up , as Wesley had done , baffled .

time would bring her to her senses , they said ; you just had to leave that still , stubborn kind alone .

on the morning of Wesley 's departure Theodosia arose at sunrise and prepared a tempting breakfast .

Irving Brooke 's oldest son , Stanley , who was to drive Wesley to the station , came over early with his express wagon .

Wesley 's trunk , corded and labelled , stood on the back platform .

the breakfast was a very silent meal .

the sun was not yet above the trees and the long shadows lay on the dewy grass .

the wet leaves were flickering on the old maples that grew along the fence between the yard and the clover field beyond .

the skies were all pearly blue , cleanswept of clouds .

from the little farmhouse the green meadows sloped down to the valley , where a blue haze wound in and out like a glistening ribbon .

Theodosia went out and stood looking inscrutably on , while Wesley and Irving hoisted the trunk into the wagon and tied it .

then Wesley came up the porch steps and looked at her .

" Dosia , " he said a little huskily , " I said I wouldn't ask you to go again , but I will .

will you come with me yet ? "

" no , " said Theodosia gently .

he held out his hand .

he did not offer to kiss her .

" goodbye , Dosia . "

" goodbye , Wes . "

there was no tremor of an eyelash with her .

Wesley smiled bitterly and turned away .

when the wagon reached the end of the little lane he turned and looked back for the last time .

then the wagon disappeared around a curve in the road , and Theodosia turned and went back into her desolate home .

for a time there was a great buzz of gossip over the affair .

people wondered over it .

old Jim Parmelee understood better than the others .

when he met Theodosia he looked at her with a curious twinkle in his keen old eyes .

" Looks as if a man could bend her any way he 'd a mind to , doesn't she ? " he said .

" Looks is deceiving .

it 'll come out in her face by and by she 's too young yet , but it 's there .

it does seem unnatteral to see a woman so stubborn you 'd kinder look for it more in a man . "

Wesley wrote a brief letter to Theodosia when he reached his destination .

he said he was well and was looking about for the best place to settle .

he liked the country fine .

he was at a place called Red Butte and guessed he 'd locate there .

two weeks later he wrote again .

he had taken up a claim of three hundred acres .

Greene and Cary had done the same .

they were his nearest neighbours and were three miles away .

he had knocked up a little shack , was learning to cook his own meals , and was very busy .

he thought the country was a grand one and the prospects good .

Theodosia answered his letter and told him all the Heatherton news .

at the end of a year Wesley wrote and once more asked her to go out to him .

he was getting on well , and was sure she would like the place .

it was a little rough , to be sure , but time would improve that .

" won't you let bygones be bygones , Dosia ? " he wrote , " and come out to me .

do , my dear wife . "

Theodosia wrote back , refusing to go .

she never got any reply , nor did she write again .

people had given up talking about the matter and asking Theodosia when she was going out to Wes .

Heatherton had grown used to the chronic scandal within its decorous borders .

Theodosia never spoke of her husband to anyone , and it was known that they did not correspond .

she took her youngest sister to live with her .

she had her garden and hens and a cow .

the farm brought her enough to live on , and she was always busy .

when fifteen years had gone by there were naturally some changes in Heatherton , sleepy and ; unprogressive as it was .

most of the old people were in the little hillside burying-ground that fronted the sunrise .

old Jim Parmelee was there with his recollections of four generations .

men and women who had been in their prime when Wesley went away were old now and the children were grown up and married .

Wesley Brooke was almost forgotten .

people knew , through correspondents of Greene and Cary , that he had prospered and grown rich .

the curious old story had crystallized into accepted history .

such a time came at last to Theodosia .

one day in August Mrs Emory Merritt dropped in .

Emory Merritt 's sister was Ogden Greene 's wife , and the Merritts kept up an occasional correspondence with her .

today she looked slightly excited .

secretly she was wondering if the news she brought would have any effect whatever on Theodosia 's impassive calm .

" do you know , Dosia , Wesley 's real sick ?

in fact , Phoebe Greene says they have very poor hopes of him .

Phoebe says they have a hired nurse from the nearest town and a good doctor , but she reckons he won't get over it .

that fever goes awful hard with a man of his years . "

the latter looked as if someone had struck her a physical blow .

" Mercy , Dosia , you ain't going to faint !

I didn't suppose you 'd care .

you never seemed to care . "

" did you say , " asked Theodosia thickly , " that Wesley was sick dying ? "

" well , that 's what Phoebe said .

she may be mistaken .

Dosia Brooke , you 're a queer woman .

I never could make you out and I never expect to .

I guess only the Lord who made you can translate you . "

Theodosia stood up .

the sun was getting low , and the valley beneath them , ripening to harvest , was like a river of gold .

she folded up her sewing with a steady hand .

" it 's five o'clock , so I 'll ask you to excuse me , Cecilia .

I have a good deal to attend to .

you can ask Emory if he 'll drive me to the station in the morning .

I 'm going out to Wes . "

" well , for the land 's sake , " said Cecilia Merritt feebly , as she tied on her gingham sunbonnet .

she got up and went home in a daze .

Theodosia packed her trunk and worked all night , dry-eyed , with agony and fear tearing at her heart .

the iron will had snapped at last , like a broken reed , and fierce self-condemnation seized on her .

" I 've been a wicked woman , " she moaned .

beyond her , Theodosia saw the white-capped nurse .

her voice trembled .

" does does Wesley Brooke live here ? " she asked .

the girl nodded .

" yes .

but he is very ill at present .

nobody is allowed to see him . "

Theodosia put up her hand and loosened her bonnet strings as if they were choking her .

she had been sick with the fear that Wesley would be dead before she got to him .

the relief was almost overwhelming .

the nurse came forward .

" in that case I suppose you must , " she conceded .

" but he does not expect you .

I must prepare him for the surprise . "

she turned to the door of a room opening off the kitchen , but Theodosia , who had hardly heard her , was before her .

she was inside the room before the nurse could prevent her .

then she stood , afraid and trembling , her eyes searching the dim apartment hungrily .

when they fell on the occupant of the bed Theodosia started in bitter surprise .

all unconsciously she had been expecting to find Wesley as he had been when they parted .

she gave a choking cry of pain and shame , and the sick man turned his head .

their eyes met .

amazement , incredulity , hope , dread , all flashed in succession over Wesley Brooke 's lined face .

he raised himself feebly up .

" Dosia , " he murmured .

Theodosia staggered across the room and fell on her knees by the bed .

she clasped his head to her breast and kissed him again and again .

" oh , Wes , Wes , can you forgive me ?

I 've been a wicked , stubborn woman and I 've spoiled our lives .

forgive me . "

he held his thin trembling arms around her and devoured her face with his eyes .

" Dosia , when did you come ?

did you know I was sick ? "

" Wes , I can't talk till you say you 've forgiven me . "

" oh , Dosia , you have just as much to forgive .

we were both too set .

I should have been more considerate . "

" Just say , I forgive you , Dosia , ' " she entreated .

there hasn't been an hour since I left you that I haven't longed for your sweet face .

if I had thought you really cared I 'd have gone back .

but I thought you didn't .

it broke my heart .

you did though , didn't you ? "

" oh , yes , yes , yes , " she said , holding him more closely , with her tears falling .

when the young doctor from Red Butte came that evening he found a great improvement in his patient .

Joy and happiness , those world-old physicians , had done what drugs and medicines had failed to do .

" I 'm going to get better , Doc , " said Wesley .

" my wife has come and she 's going to stay .

you didn't know I was married , did you ?

I 'll tell you the story some day .

I proposed going back east , but Dosia says she 'd rather stay here .

I 'm the happiest man in Red Butte , Doc . "

he squeezed Theodosia 's hand as he had used to do long ago in Heatherton church , and Dosia smiled down at him .

there were no dimples now , but her smile was very sweet .

Wesley and Theodosia had joined hands with their long-lost happiness .

the Story of an Invitation

Bertha Sutherland hurried home from the post office and climbed the stairs of her boarding-house to her room on the third floor .

her roommate , Grace Maxwell , was sitting on the divan by the window , looking out into the twilight .

a year ago Bertha and Grace had come to Dartmouth to attend the Academy , and found themselves roommates .

she was quite alone in the world , the aunt who had brought her up having recently died .

it was almost ended now , for the terminal exams had begun , and in a week 's time the school would close for the holidays .

" have some chocolates , Grace , " said Bertha gaily .

" I got such good news in my letter tonight that I felt I must celebrate it fittingly .

so I went into Carter 's and invested all my spare cash in caramels .

it 's really fortunate the term is almost out , for I 'm nearly bankrupt .

I have just enough left to furnish a ' tuck-out ' for commencement night , and no more . "

" what is your good news , may I ask ? " said Grace .

" you know I have an Aunt Margaret commonly called Aunt Meg out at Riversdale , don't you ?

there never was such a dear , sweet , jolly aunty in the world .

I had a letter from her tonight .

listen , I 'll read you what she says . "

I want you to spend your holidays with me , my dear .

Mary Fairweather and Louise Fyshe and Lily Dennis are coming , too .

so there is just room for one more , and that one must be yourself .

" there , " said Bertha , looking up with a laugh .

" isn't that lovely ? "

" how delightful it must be to have friends like that to love you and plan for you , " said Grace wistfully .

" I am sure you will have a pleasant vacation , Bertie .

as for me , I am going into Clarkman 's bookstore until school reopens .

I saw Mr Clarkman today and he agreed to take me . "

Bertha looked surprised .

she had not known what Grace 's vacation plans were .

" I don't think you ought to do that , Grace , " she said thoughtfully .

" you are not strong , and you need a good rest .

it will be awfully trying to work at Clarkman 's all summer . "

" there is nothing else for me to do , " said Grace , trying to speak cheerfully .

well , I must set to work at those algebra problems .

I tried them before dark , but I couldn't solve them .

my head ached and I felt so stupid .

how glad I shall be when exams are over . "

" I suppose I must revise that senior English this evening , " said Bertha absently .

but she made no move to do so .

she was studying her friend 's face .

I believe she could not stand two months at Clarkman 's , thought Bertha .

if I were not going to Aunt Meg 's , I would ask her to go home with me .

aunt Meg would understand she always understands .

but she hasn't , so it can't be .

just then a thought darted into Bertha 's brain .

" what nonsense ! " she said aloud so suddenly and forcibly that Grace fairly jumped .

" what is ? "

" oh , nothing much , " said Bertha , getting up briskly .

" see here , I 'm going to get to work .

I 've wasted enough time . "

she curled herself up on the divan and tried to study her senior English .

but her thoughts wandered hopelessly , and finally she gave it up in despair and went to bed .

there she could not sleep ; she lay awake and wrestled with herself .

it was after midnight when she sat up in bed and said solemnly , " I will do it . "

next day Bertha wrote a confidential letter to Aunt Meg .

she thanked her for her invitation and then told her all about Grace .

don't think me ungrateful .

no , I 'm sure you won't , you always understand things .

but you can't have us both , and I 'd rather Grace should go .

aunt Meg understood , as usual , and was perfectly willing .

so she wrote to Bertha and enclosed a note of invitation for Grace .

I shall have to manage this affair very carefully , reflected Bertha .

grace must never suspect that I did it on purpose .

I will tell her that circumstances have prevented me from accepting Aunt Meg 's invitation .

that is true enough no need to say that the circumstances are hers , not mine .

and I 'll say I just asked Aunt Meg to invite her in my place and that she has done so .

when Grace came home from her history examination that day , Bertha told her story and gave her Aunt Meg 's cordial note .

" you must come to me in Bertha 's place , " wrote the latter .

" isn't it splendid of Aunt Meg ? " said Bertha diplomatically .

" of course you 'll go , Gracie . "

" oh , I don't know , " said Grace in bewilderment .

" are you sure you don't want to go , Bertha ? "

" indeed , I do want to go , dreadfully , " said Bertha frankly .

" but as I 've told you , it is impossible .

but if I am disappointed , Aunt Meg musn't be .

you must go , Grace , and that is all there is about it . "

the summer slipped quickly by , and finally two letters came to Bertha , one from Aunt Meg and one from Grace .

" I 've had a lovely time , " wrote the latter , " and , oh , Bertie , what do you think ?

I am to stay here always .

oh , of course I am going back to school next month , but this is to be my home after this .

aunt Meg she makes me call her that says I must stay with her for good . "

in Aunt Meg 's letter was this paragraph :

Grace is writing to you , and will have told you that I intend to keep her here .

you know I have always wanted a daughter of my own , but my greedy brothers and sisters would never give me one of theirs .

so I intend to adopt Grace .

she is the sweetest girl in the world , and I am very grateful to you for sending her here .

you will not know her when you see her .

she has grown plump and rosy .

Bertha folded her letters up with a smile .

" I have a vague , delightful feeling that I am the good angel in a storybook , " she said .

the Touch of Fate

Mrs Major Hill was in her element .

and Mrs Hill was or believed herself to be a born matchmaker .

major Hill was in command of the detachment of Northwest Mounted Police at Dufferin Bluff .

when Violet Thayer came west to pay a long-promised visit to her old schoolfellow , Mrs Hill 's cup of happiness bubbled over .

in her secret soul she vowed that Violet should never go back east unless it were post-haste to prepare a wedding trousseau .

" he and Violet are simply made for each other , " she told Major Hill the evening before Miss Thayer 's arrival .

" he has enough money and he is handsome and fascinating .

and Violet is a beauty and a clever woman into the bargain .

they can't help falling in love , I 'm sure ; it 's fate ! "

" perhaps Miss Thayer may be booked elsewhere already , " suggested Major Hill .

he had seen more than one of his wife 's card castles fall into heartbreaking ruin .

" oh , no ; Violet would have told me if that were the case .

it 's really quite time for her to think of settling down .

she is twenty-five , you know .

the men all go crazy over her , but she 's dreadfully hard to please .

however , she can't help liking Ned .

he hasn't a single fault .

I firmly believe it is foreordained . "

and in this belief Mrs Hill rested securely , but nevertheless did not fail to concoct several feminine artifices for the helping on of foreordination .

it was a working belief with her that it was always well to have the gods in your debt .

Violet Thayer came , saw , and conquered .

she would have been surprised indeed had it been otherwise .

Miss Thayer knew her power , and was somewhat unduly fond of exercising it .

Madison was foremost in the field , of course .

Madison was really a nice fellow , and quite deserved all Mrs Hill 's encomiums .

he was good-looking and well groomed could sing and dance divinely and play the violin to perfection .

the other M.P.s were all jealous of him , and more so than ever when Violet Thayer came .

they did not consider that any one of them had the ghost of a chance if Madison entered the lists against them .

Violet liked Madison , and was very chummy with him after her own fashion .

she thought all the M.P.s were nice boys , and they amused her , for which she was grateful .

the sixth evening after her arrival found Mrs Hill 's room crowded , as usual , with M.P.s .

Violet was talking to Madison and watching John Spencer out of the tail of her eye .

possibly this indifference piqued Miss Thayer .

possibly she considered it refreshing after the servile adulation of the M.P.s .

he looked up indifferently as Violet shimmered down on the divan beside him .

Robinson would have lost his head under them , but Spencer kept his heroically .

" no , " was his calmly brief reply , given without any bluntness , but with no evident intention of saying anything more .

in spite of her social experience Violet felt disconcerted .

" if he doesn't want to talk to me I won't try to make him , " she thought crossly .

no man had ever snubbed her so before .

Spencer listened immovably to the music for a time .

then he turned to his companion with a palpable effort to be civilly sociable .

" how do you like the west , Miss Thayer ? " he said .

Violet smiled the smile most men found dangerous .

" very much , so far as I have seen it .

there is a flavour about the life here that I like , but I dare say it would soon pall .

it must be horribly lonesome here most of the time , especially in winter . "

" the M.P.s are always growling that it is , " returned Spencer with a slight smile .

" for my own part I never find it so . "

Violet decided that his smile was very becoming to him and that she liked the way his dark hair grew over his forehead .

" I don't think I 've seen you at Lone Poplar Villa before ? " she said .

" no .

I haven't been here for some time .

I came up tonight to see the Major about the Loon Lake trouble . "

" otherwise you wouldn't have come , " thought Violet .

" flattering very ! "

aloud she said , " is it serious ? "

" oh , no .

A mere squabble among the Indians .

have you ever visited the Reservation , Miss Thayer ?

no ?

well , you should get some of your M.P. friends to take you out .

it would be worth while . "

" why don't you ask me to go yourself ? " said Violet audaciously .

Spencer smiled again .

" have I failed in politeness by not doing so ?

I fear you would find me an insufferably dull companion . "

so he was not going to ask her after all .

Violet felt piqued .

she was also conscious of a sensation very near akin to disappointment .

she looked across at Madison .

how trim and dapper he was !

" I hate a bandbox man , " she said to herself .

Spencer meanwhile had picked up one of Mrs Hill 's novels from the stand beside him .

" Fools of Habit , " he said , glancing at the cover .

" I see it is making quite a sensation down east .

I suppose you 've read it ? "

" yes .

it is very frivolous and clever all froth but delightful froth .

did you like it ? "

Spencer balanced the novel reflectively on his slender brown hand .

" well , yes , rather .

but I don't care for novels as a rule .

I don't understand them .

the hero of this book , now do you believe that a man in love would act as he did ? "

" I don't know , " said Violet amusedly .

" you ought to be a better judge than I ..y you are a man . "

" I have never loved anybody , so I am in no position to decide , " said Spencer .

there was as little self-consciousness in his voice as if he were telling her a fact concerning the Loon Lake trouble .

Violet rose to the occasion .

" you have an interesting experience to look forward to , " she said .

Spencer turned his deep-set grey eyes squarely upon her .

" I don't know that .

when I said I had never loved , I meant more than the love of a man for some particular woman .

I meant love in every sense .

I do not know what it is to have an affection for any human being .

my parents died before I can remember .

I don't make friends easily .

" what a revelation love will be to you when it comes , " said Violet softly .

again he looked into her eyes .

" do you think it will come ? " he asked .

before she could reply Mrs Hill pounced upon them .

Violet was wanted to sing .

Mr Spencer would excuse her , wouldn't he ?

Mr Spencer did so obligingly .

moreover , he got up and bade his hostess good night .

Violet gave him her hand .

" you will call again ? " she said .

Spencer looked across at Madison perhaps it was accidental .

" I think not , " he said .

Miss Thayer was conscious of a distinct fluttering of her heart as she went across to the piano .

this was a new sensation for her , and worthy of being analyzed .

after the M.P.s had gone she asked Mrs Hill who Mr Spencer was .

" oh , John Spencer , " said Mrs Hill carelessly .

" he 's at the head of the Land Office here .

that 's really all I know about him .

Jack says he is a downright good fellow and all that , you know .

but he 's no earthly good in a social way ; he can't talk or he won't .

he 's flat .

so different from Mr Madison , isn't he ? "

" very , " said Violet emphatically .

after Mrs Hill had gone out Violet walked to the nearest mirror and looked at herself with her forefinger in the dimple of her chin .

" it is very odd , " she said .

she did not mean the dimple .

Spencer had told her he was not coming back .

she did not believe this , but she did not expect him for a few days .

consequently , when he appeared the very next evening she was surprised .

" I wonder if it is the Loon Lake affair again ? " she thought nervously .

Mrs Hill came up at this point and whisked Madison off for a waltz .

Spencer , seeing his chance , came straight across the room to her .

Sergeant Robinson , who was watching them as usual , is willing to make affidavit that Miss Thayer changed colour .

after his greeting Spencer said nothing .

he sat beside her , and they watched Mrs Hill and Madison dancing .

Violet wondered why she did not feel bored .

when she saw Madison coming back to her she was conscious of an unreasonable anger with him .

she got up abruptly .

" let us go out on the verandah , " she said imperiously .

" it is absolutely stifling in here . "

they went out .

it was very cool and dusky .

the lights of the town twinkled out below them , and the prairie bluffs behind them were dark and sibilant .

" I am going to drive over to Loon Lake tomorrow afternoon to look into affairs there , " said Spencer .

" will you go with me ? "

Violet reflected a moment .

" you didn't ask me as if you really wanted me to go , " she said .

Spencer put his hand over the white fingers that rested on the railing .

he bent forward until his breath stirred the tendrils of hair on her forehead .

" yes , I do , " he said distinctly .

" I want you to go with me to Loon Lake tomorrow more than I ever wanted any thing in my life before . "

later on , when everybody had gone , Violet had her bad quarter of an hour with Mrs Hill .

that lady felt herself aggrieved .

" I think you treated poor Ned very badly tonight , Vi .

he felt really blue over it .

and it was awfully bad form to go out with Spencer as you did and stay there so long .

and you oughtn't to flirt with him he doesn't understand the game . "

" I 'm not going to flirt with him , " said Miss Thayer calmly .

" oh , I suppose it 's just your way .

only don't turn the poor fellow 's head .

by the way , Ned is coming up with his camera tomorrow afternoon to take us all . "

" I 'm afraid he won't find me at home , " said Violet sweetly .

" I am going out to Loon Lake with Mr Spencer . "

Mrs Hill flounced off to bed in a pet .

she was disgusted with everything , she declared to the Major .

things had been going so nicely , and now they were all muddled .

" isn't Madison coming up to time ? " queried the Major sleepily .

" Madison !

it 's Violet .

she is behaving abominably .

she treated poor Ned shamefully tonight .

you saw yourself how she acted with Spencer , and she 's going to Loon Lake with him tomorrow , she says .

I 'm sure I don't know what she can see in him .

he 's the dullest , pokiest fellow alive so different from her in every way . "

" perhaps that is why she likes him , " suggested the Major .

" the attraction of opposites and all that , you know . "

but Mrs Hill crossly told him he didn't know anything about it , so , being a wise man , he held his tongue .

Violet simply dropped everyone else , including Madison , in the coolest , most unmistakable way .

one night Spencer did not come to Lone Poplar Villa .

Violet looked for him to the last .

when she realized that he was not coming she went to the verandah to have it out with herself .

" Heard about Spencer ? " questioned one .

" no .

what of him ? "

" well , they say Miss Thayer 's thrown him over .

yesterday I was passing here about four in the afternoon and I saw Spencer coming in .

I went down to the Land Office and was chatting to Cribson when the door opened about half an hour later and Spencer burst in .

he was pale as the dead , and looked wild .

' Has Fyshe gone to Rainy River about those Crown Lands yet ? ' he jerked out .

Cribson said , ' No . '

then tell him he needn't ; I 'm going myself , ' said Spencer and out he bolted .

he posted off to Rainy River today , and won't be back for a fortnight .

she 'll be gone then . "

" rather rough on Spencer after the way she encouraged him , " returned the other as they passed out of earshot .

Violet got up .

all the callers were gone , and she swept in to Mrs Hill dramatically .

what did you tell him about me ? "

Mrs Hill looked at Violet 's blazing eyes and wilted .

" I didn't tell him anything much . "

" what was it ? "

Mrs Hill began to sob .

" don't look at me like that , Violet !

" you told Mr Spencer that I was engaged to Harry St . Maur ? "

" No-o-o I just hinted .

I didn't mean an-any harm .

I never dreamed you'd really c-care .

I thought you were just amusing yourself and so did everybody and I wanted Ned Madison "

Violet had turned very pale .

" I love him , " she said hoarsely , " and you 've sent him away .

he 's gone to Rainy River .

I shall never see him again ! "

" oh , yes , you will , " gasped Mrs Hill faintly .

" he 'll come back when he knows you c-can write and tell him "

" do you suppose I am going to write and ask him to come back ? " said Violet wildly .

I will never forgive you , Edith ! "

then Mrs Hill found herself alone with her lacerated feelings .

after soothing them with a good cry , she set to work thinking seriously .

Mrs Hill excused herself and went in .

five minutes later John Spencer , covered with the alkali dust of his twenty miles ' ride , dismounted at Violet 's side .

they sat on Major Hill 's verandah and watched the moon rising over the bluffs and making milk-white reflections in the prairie lakes .

" it seems a year of misery since last night , " sighed Violet happily .

" you couldn't have been quite as miserable as I was , " said Spencer earnestly .

" you were everything absolutely everything to me .

other men have little rills and driblets of affection for sisters and cousins and aunts , but everything in me went out to you .

do you remember you told me the first time we met that love would be a revelation to me ?

it has been more .

it has been a new gospel .

I hardly dared hope you could care for me .

even yet I don't know why you do . "

" I love you , " said Violet gravely , " because you are you . "

than which , of course , there could be no better reason .

the Waking of Helen

Robert Reeves looked somewhat curiously at the girl who was waiting on him at his solitary breakfast .

he had not seen her before , arriving at his summer boarding house only the preceding night .

reeves was an enthusiastic artist .

she did not resemble either Fraser or his wife .

she was certainly not beautiful , being very tall and rather awkward , and dressed in a particularly unbecoming dark print wrapper .

her luxuriant hair was thick and black , and was coiled in a heavy knot at the nape of her neck .

her features were delicate but irregular , and her skin was very brown .

reeves could find out nothing of her from herself , for she responded to his tentative questions about the place in the briefest fashion .

afterwards he interviewed Mrs Fraser cautiously , and ascertained that the girl 's name was Helen Fraser , and that she was Angus 's niece .

" her father and mother are dead and we 've brought her up .

Angus calculates she saves him a man 's wages clear .

no , I ain't got nothing to say against Helen . "

nevertheless , Reeves felt somehow that Mrs Fraser did not like her husband 's niece .

he often heard her scolding or nagging Helen at her work , and noticed that the latter never answered back .

reeves felt as if someone had struck him a blow .

he went to Angus and his wife that afternoon .

he wished to paint a shore picture , he said , and wanted a model .

would they allow Miss Fraser to pose for him ?

he would pay liberally for her time .

Angus and his wife had no objection .

they would pocket the money , and Helen could be spared a spell every day as well as not .

he was surprised at the sudden illumination of her face .

it almost transfigured her from a plain , sulky-looking girl into a beautiful woman .

but the glow passed quickly .

she assented to his plan quietly , almost lifelessly .

she listened in silence .

only once , when he spoke of the distant murmur of the open sea , she lifted her head and looked at him .

" what does it say to you ? " she asked .

" it speaks of eternity .

and to you ? "

I can't tell how or why .

sometimes it makes me feel as if I were asleep and wanted to wake and didn't know how . "

she turned and looked out over the bay .

a dying gleam of sunset broke through a cloud and fell across her hair .

for a moment she seemed the spirit of the shore personified all its mystery , all its uncertainty , all its elusive charm .

she has possibilities , thought Reeves .

next day he began his picture .

at first he had thought of painting her as the incarnation of a sea spirit , but decided that her moods were too fitful .

the subject suited her well , and the picture grew apace .

he tried to draw her out , at first with indifferent success .

she seemed to be frightened of him .

when he spoke of books he touched the right chord .

one of those transfiguring flashes he delighted to evoke now passed over her plain face .

" that is what I 've always wanted , " she said hungrily , " and I never get them .

aunt hates to see me reading .

she says it is a waste of time .

and I love it so .

I read every scrap of paper I can get hold of , but I hardly ever see a book . "

the next day Reeves took his Tennyson to the shore and began to read the Idylls of the King to her .

" it is beautiful , " was her sole verbal comment , but her rapt eyes said everything .

after that he never went out with her without a book now one of the poets , now some prose classic .

he was surprised by her quick appreciation of and sympathy with the finest passages .

gradually , too , she forgot her shyness and began to talk .

she knew nothing of his world , but her own world she knew and knew well .

she was a mine of traditional history about the bay .

she knew the rocky coast by heart , and every old legend that clung to it .

they drifted into making excursions along the shore and explored its wildest retreats .

the girl had an artist 's eye for scenery and colour effect .

it must be the noblest human lot . "

Helen dismissed the subject as abruptly as she always did when the conversation touched too nearly on the sensitive edge of her soul dreams .

" do you know where I am taking you today ? " she said .

" no where ? "

" to what the people here call the Kelpy 's Cave .

I hate to go there .

I believe there is something uncanny about it , but I think you will like to see it .

it is a dark little cave in the curve of a small cove , and on each side the headlands of rock run far out .

at low tide we can walk right around , but when the tide comes in it fills the Kelpy 's Cave .

reeves was interested .

" was anyone ever caught by the tide ? "

" yes , " returned Helen , with a shudder .

she was young and very pretty , and was to have been married the next week .

I 've been afraid of the place ever since . "

" do you think a kelpy would look like that ? " said the girl dreamily .

" I don't .

" well , never mind your sea kelpies , " reeves said , fishing out his Longfellow .

I want to read you ' The Building of the Ship . '

you will like it , I 'm sure . "

when the tide turned they went home .

" we haven't seen the kelpy , after all , " said Reeves .

" I think I shall see him some day , " said Helen gravely .

reeves smiled at the gloomy fancy , and Helen smiled back at him with one of her sudden radiances .

the tide was creeping swiftly up over the white sands .

the sun was low and the bay was swimming in a pale blue glory .

they parted at Clam Point , Helen to go for the cows and Reeves to wander on up the shore .

then Helen was forgotten .

the summer waned swiftly .

one afternoon Reeves took a fancy to revisit the Kelpy 's Cave .

Helen could not go .

it was harvest time , and she was needed in the field .

" don't let the kelpy catch you , " she said to him half seriously .

" the tide will turn early this afternoon , and you are given to day-dreaming . "

" I 'll be careful , " he promised laughingly , and he meant to be careful .

but somehow when he reached the cave its unwholesome charm overcame him , and he sat down on the boulder at its mouth .

" an hour yet before tide time , " he said .

" just enough time to read that article on impressionists in my review and then stroll home by the sandshore . "

from reading he passed to day-dreaming , and day-dreaming drifted into sleep , with his head pillowed on the rocky walls of the cave .

how long he had slept he did not know , but he woke with a start of horror .

he sprang to his feet , realizing his position instantly .

the tide was in far in past the headlands already .

above and beyond him towered the pitiless unscalable rocks .

there was no way of escape .

he reeled against the damp rock wall , and for a moment sea and sky and prisoning headlands and white-lined tide whirled before his eyes .

then his head grew clearer .

he tried to think .

how long had he ?

not more than twenty minutes at the outside .

well , death was sure and he would meet it bravely .

but to wait to wait helplessly !

he should go ; mad with the horror of it before those endless minutes would have passed !

he took something from his pocket and bent his , head over it , pressing his lips to it repeatedly .

reeves was dizzy again with the shock of joy and thankfulness .

he sprang forward impulsively and caught the girl 's cold hands in his as she dropped the oars and stood up .

" Helen , you have saved me !

how can I ever thank you ?

I "

he broke off abruptly , for she was looking up at him , breathlessly and voicelessly , with her whole soul in her eyes .

Helen did not notice the change in him .

she clasped her hands together and her voice trembled .

" oh , I was afraid I should be too late !

I ran down over the marsh and took Joe Simmon 's dory .

if I had not got here in time "

she broke off shiveringly .

reeves stepped into the dory and took up the oars .

" the kelpy would have been sure of its victim then , " he said , trying to speak lightly .

" it would have almost served me right for neglecting your warning .

I was very careless .

you must let me row back .

I am afraid you have overtasked your strength trying to cheat the kelpy . "

reeves rowed homeward in an absolute silence .

Helen did not speak and he could not .

when they reached the dory anchorage he helped her out .

" I think I 'll go out to the Point for a walk , " he said .

" I want to steady my nerves .

you must go right home and rest .

don't be anxious I won't take any more chances with sea kelpies . "

Helen went away without a word , and Reeves walked slowly out to the Point .

he was grieved beyond measure at the discovery he believed he had made .

he had never dreamed of such a thing .

he was not a vain man , and was utterly free from all tendency to flirtation .

it had never occurred to him that the waking of the girl 's deep nature might be attended with disastrous consequences .

he had honestly meant to help her , and what had he done ?

he felt very uncomfortable ; he could not conscientiously blame himself , but he saw that he had acted foolishly .

and of course he must go away at once .

and he must also tell her something she ought to know .

he wished he had told her long ago .

the following afternoon was a perfect one .

reeves was sketching on the sandshore when Helen came .

she sat down on a camp stool a little to one side and did not speak .

after a few moments Reeves pushed away his paraphernalia impatiently .

" I don't feel in a mood for work , " he said .

" it is too dreamy a day one ought to do nothing to be in keeping .

besides , I 'm getting lazy now that my vacation is nearly over .

I must go in a few days . "

he avoided looking at her , so he did not see the sudden pallor of her face .

" so soon ? " she said in a voice expressive of no particular feeling .

" yes .

I ought not to have lingered so long .

my world will be forgetting me and that will not do .

it has been a very pleasant summer and I shall be sorry to leave Bay Beach . "

" but you will come back next summer ? " asked Helen quickly .

" you said you would . "

reeves nerved himself for his very distasteful task .

" perhaps , " he said , with an attempt at carelessness , " but if I do so , I shall not come alone .

somebody who is very dear to me will come with me as my wife .

I am engaged to a very sweet girl , and we expect to be married next spring . "

there was a brief silence .

reeves had been vaguely afraid of a scene and was immensely relieved to find his fear unrealized .

Helen sat very still .

he could not see her face .

did she care , after all ?

was he mistaken ?

when she spoke her voice was perfectly calm .

" thank you , it is very kind of you to tell me about her .

I suppose she is very beautiful . "

" yes , here is her picture .

you can judge for yourself . "

Helen took the portrait from his hand and looked at it steadily .

it was a miniature painted on ivory , and the face looking out from it was certainly lovely .

" it is no wonder you love her , " said the girl in a low tone as she handed it back .

" it must be strange to be so beautiful as that . "

reeves picked up his Tennyson .

" shall I read you something ?

what will you have ? "

" read ' Elaine , ' please .

I want to hear that once more . "

reeves felt a sudden dislike to her choice .

" wouldn't you prefer something else ? " he asked , hurriedly turning over the leaves .

" ' Elaine ' is rather sad .

shan't I read ' Guinevere ' instead ? "

" no , " said Helen in the same lifeless tone .

" I have no sympathy for Guinevere .

Elaine did , and her life went with it .

read me the story . "

reeves obeyed .

when he had finished he held the book out to her .

" Helen , will you take this Tennyson from me in remembrance of our friendship and of the Kelpy 's Cave ?

I shall never forget that I owe my life to you . "

" thank you . "

then she rose .

" I must go back now .

aunt will need me .

thank you again for the book , Mr. reeves , and for all your kindness to me . "

reeves was relieved when the interview was over .

her calmness had reassured him .

he went away a few days later , and Helen bade him an impassive good-bye .

the tide was just beginning to come in .

she sat down on the big boulder where Reeves had fallen asleep .

beyond stretched the gleaming blue waters , mellowing into a hundred fairy shades horizonward .

the shadows of the rocks were around her .

In front was the white line of the incoming tide ; it had almost reached the headlands .

a few minutes more and escape would be cut off yet she did not move .

perhaps the kelpy understood it .

the Way of the Winning of Anne

Jerome Irving had been courting Anne Stockard for fifteen years .

but that was not Jerome 's fault , poor fellow !

at the end of the first year he had asked Anne to marry him , and Anne had refused .

Anne never would go , of course , but Jerome faithfully gave her the chance .

now , in the mellowness of a fifteen-year-old courtship , Jerome did not mind it at all .

he knew that everything comes to the man who has patience to wait .

time , of course , had not stood still with Anne and Jerome , or with the history of Deep Meadows .

at the Stockard homestead the changes had been many and marked .

Julia and Grace and Celia and Betty and Theodosia and Clementina Stockard were all married and gone .

but Anne had never had another lover .

old Esek and his wife had been put away in the Deep Meadows burying-ground .

the broad , fertile Stockard acres passed into Anne 's possession .

she was a good business-woman , and the farm continued to be the best in the district .

she kept two hired men and a servant girl , and the sixteen-year-old of her oldest sister lived with her .

and at ten o'clock he would take his hat and cane and tell Anne to be good to herself , and go home .

Anne had long since given up trying to discourage him ; she even accepted attentions from him now that she had used to refuse .

he always walked home with her from evening meetings and was her partner in the games at quilting parties .

it was great fun for the young folks .

" old Jerome and Anne " were a standing joke in Deep Meadows .

but the older people had ceased to expect anything to come of it .

Anne laughed at Jerome as she had always done , and would not have owned for the world that she could have missed him .

it was Jerome 's fortieth birthday when Anne refused him again .

he realized this as he went down the road in the moonlight , and doubt and dismay began to creep into his heart .

Anne and he were both getting old there was no disputing that fact .

it was high time that he brought her to terms if he was ever going to .

she had said no that night just as coolly and decidedly and unsentimentally as she said it fifteen years before .

Jerome had the sensation of going around in a circle and never getting any further on .

he laughed aloud and slapped his thigh , much to the amusement of two boys who were sitting unnoticed on the railing of the bridge .

" there 's old Jerome going home from seeing Anne Stockard , " said one .

" wonder what on earth he 's laughing at .

seems to me if I couldn't get a wife without hoeing a fifteen-year row , I 'd give up trying . "

but , then , the speaker was a Hamilton , and the Hamiltons never had any perseverance .

Jerome , although a well-to-do man , owning a good farm , had , so to speak , no home of his own .

the old Irving homestead belonged to his older brother , who had a wife and family .

Jerome lived with them and was so used to it he didn't mind .

at forty a lover must not waste time .

Jerome thought out the details that night , and next day he opened the campaign .

but it was not until the evening after that that Anne Stockard heard the news .

it was her niece , Octavia , who told her .

" I guess you 've lost your beau this time , Aunt Anne .

it looks as if he meant to take you at your word at last . "

" what on earth do you mean ? " asked Anne , a little sharply .

she was in the pantry counting eggs , and Octavia 's interruption made her lose her count .

" now I can't remember whether it was six or seven dozen I said last .

I shall have to count them all over again .

I wish , Octavia , that you could think of something besides beaus all the time . "

" well , but listen , " persisted Octavia wickedly .

" I don't believe it , " cried Anne , before she thought .

she dropped an egg into the basket so abruptly that the shell broke .

" oh , it 's true enough .

Sam Mitchell told me ; he was there and saw him .

Sam says he looked quite beaming , and was dressed to kill , and followed Harriet around like her shadow .

I guess you won't have any more bother with him , Aunt Anne . "

in the process of picking the broken egg out of the whole ones Anne had recovered her equanimity .

she gave a careful little laugh .

" well , it 's to be hoped so .

goodness knows it 's time he tried somebody else .

go and change your dress for milking , Octavia , and don't spend quite so much time gossiping up the lane with Sam Mitchell .

he always was a fetch-and-carry .

young girls oughtn't to be so pert . "

when the subdued Octavia had gone , Anne tossed the broken eggshell out of the pantry window viciously enough .

" there 's no fool like an old fool .

Jerome Irving always was an idiot .

the idea of his going after Harriet Warren !

he 's old enough to be her father .

and a Warren , too !

I 've seen the time an Irving wouldn't be seen on the same side of the road with a Warren .

well , anyhow , I don't care , and he needn't suppose I will .

it will be a relief not to have him hanging around any longer . "

it might have been a relief , but Anne felt strangely lonely as she walked home alone from prayer meeting the next night .

Jerome had not been there .

the Warrens were Methodists and Anne rightly guessed that he had gone to the Methodist prayer meeting at Cherry Valley .

" dancing attendance on Harriet , " she said to herself scornfully .

when she got home she looked at her face in the glass more critically than she had done for years .

Anne Stockard at her best had never been pretty .

when young she had been called " gawky . "

she was very tall and her figure was lank and angular .

she had a long , pale face and dusky hair .

her eyes had been good a glimmering hazel , large and long-lashed .

they were pretty yet , but the crow 's feet about them were plainly visible .

there were brackets around her mouth too , and her cheeks were hollow .

Anne suddenly realized , as she had never realized before , that she had grown old that her youth was left far behind .

she was an old maid , and Harriet Warren was young , and pretty .

Anne 's long , thin lips suddenly quivered .

" I declare , I 'm a worse fool than Jerome , " she said angrily .

when Saturday night came Jerome did not .

the corner of the big , old-fashioned porch where he usually sat looked bare and lonely .

Anne was short with Octavia and boxed the cat 's ears and raged at herself .

what did she care if Jerome Irving never came again ?

she could have married him years ago if she had wanted to everybody knew that !

at sunset she saw a buggy drive past her gate .

even at that distance she recognized Harriet Warren 's handsome , high-coloured profile .

it was Jerome 's new buggy and Jerome was driving .

the wheel spokes flashed in the sunlight as they crept up the hill .

Octavia was practising her music lesson in the parlour below and singing in a sweet shrill voice .

the hired men were laughing and talking in the yard .

Anne slammed down her window and banged her door and then lay down on her bed ; she said her head ached .

in reality they stung her pride unendurably .

when Jerome had gone she realized that she had no other intimate friend and that she was a very lonely woman whom nobody cared about .

one night it was three weeks afterward she met Jerome and Harriet squarely .

she was walking to church with Octavia , and they were driving in the opposite direction .

Jerome had his new buggy and crimson lap robe .

his horse 's coat shone like satin and had rosettes of crimson on his bridle .

Jerome was dressed extremely well and looked quite young , with his round , ruddy , clean-shaven face and clear blue eyes .

Harriet was sitting primly and consciously by his side ; she was a very handsome girl with bold eyes and was somewhat overdressed .

she wore a big flowery hat and a white lace veil and looked at Anne with a supercilious smile .

Anne felt dowdy and old ; she was very pale .

Jerome lifted his hat and bowed pleasantly as they drove past .

suddenly Harriet laughed out .

Anne did not look back , but her face crimsoned darkly .

was that girl laughing at her ?

she trembled with anger and a sharp , hurt feeling .

when she got home that night she sat a long while by her window .

Jerome was gone and he let Harriet Warren laugh at her and he would never come back to her .

well , it did not matter , but she had been a fool .

only it had never occurred to her that Jerome could act so .

when four weeks had elapsed Jerome came over one Saturday night .

he was fluttered and anxious , but hid it in a masterly manner .

Anne was taken by surprise .

she had not thought he would ever come again , and was off her guard .

he had come around the porch corner abruptly as she stood there in the dusk , and she started very perceptibly .

" good evening , Anne , " he said , easily and unblushingly .

Anne choked up .

she was very angry , or thought she was .

Jerome appeared not to notice her lack of welcome .

he sat coolly down in his old place .

his heart was beating like a hammer , but Anne did not know that .

" I suppose , " she said cuttingly , " that you 're on your way down to the bridge .

it 's almost a pity for you to waste time stopping here at all , any more than you have of late .

no doubt Harriet 'll be expecting you . "

a gleam of satisfaction flashed over Jerome 's face .

he looked shrewdly at Anne , who was not looking at him , but was staring uncompromisingly out over the poppy beds .

a jealous woman always gives herself away .

if Anne had been indifferent she would not have given him that slap in the face .

" I dunno's she will , " he replied coolly .

" I didn't say for sure whether I 'd be down tonight or not .

it 's so long since I had a chat with you I thought I 'd drop in for a spell .

but of course if I 'm not wanted I can go where I will be . "

Anne could not get back her self-control .

her nerves were " all strung up , " as she would have said .

she had a feeling that she was right on the brink of a " scene , " but she could not help herself .

" I guess it doesn't matter much what I want , " she said stonily .

" at any rate , it hasn't seemed that way lately .

you don't care , of course .

oh , no !

Harriet Warren is all you care about .

well , I wish you joy of her . "

Jerome looked puzzled , or pretended to .

in reality he was hugging himself with delight .

" I don't just understand you , Anne , " he said hesitatingly " you appear to be vexed about something . "

" I ?

oh , no , I 'm not , Mr Irving .

of course old friends don't count now .

well , I 've no doubt new ones will wear just as well . "

goodness knows , you took enough pains to show me you didn't want me .

I don't blame you .

a woman has a right to please herself , and a man ought to have sense to take his answer and go .

I hadn't , and that 's where I made my mistake .

I don't mean to pester you any more , but we can be real good friends , can't we ?

I 'm sure I 'm as much your friend as ever I was . "

it was the last cleverly executed movement of the campaign .

if it failed to effect a capitulation , he was a defeated man .

but it did not fail .

Anne had got to that point where an excited woman must go mad or cry .

Anne cried .

she sat flatly down on a chair and burst into tears .

Jerome 's hat went one way and his cane another .

Jerome himself sprang across the intervening space and dropped into the chair beside Anne .

he caught her hand in his and threw his arm boldly around her waist .

" goodness gracious , Anne !

do you care after all ?

tell me that ! "

" I don't suppose it matters to you if I do , " sobbed Anne .

" it hasn't seemed to matter , anyhow . "

" Anne , look here !

didn't I come after you for fifteen years ?

It's you I always have wanted and want yet , if I can get you .

I don't care a rap for Harriet Warren or anyone but you .

now that 's the truth right out , Anne . "

no doubt it was , and Anne was convinced of it .

but she had to have her cry out on Jerome 's shoulder and it soothed her nerves wonderfully .

later on Octavia , slipping noiselessly up the steps in the dusk , saw a sight that transfixed her with astonishment .

" goodness , Tavy , what 's the matter ?

Y ' look ' sif y 'd seen a ghost . "

Octavia leaned up against the wall in spasms of mirth .

and they never saw nor heard me , no more'n if they were deaf and blind ! "

but they did not know he was laughing at them and would not have cared if they had .

they were too happy for that .

there was a wedding that fall and Anne Stockard was the bride .

when she was safely his , Jerome confessed all and was graciously forgiven .

don't you think so yourself , Jerome ? "

her husband 's eyes twinkled .

" well , hardly that .

you see , Harriet 's engaged to that Johnson fellow out west .

' Tain't generally known , but I knew it and that 's why I picked on her .

I thought it probable that she 'd be willing enough to flirt with me for a little diversion , even if I was old .

Harriet 's that sort of a girl .

and I made up my mind that if that didn't fetch it nothing would and I 'd give up for good and all .

but it did , didn't it , Anne ? "

" I should say so .

I did feel dreadful .

Poor Octavia could tell you I was as cross as X . how did you come to think of it , Jerome ? "

and there it was courting fifteen years and nothing to show for it .

I dunno , though , how I did come to think of it .

guess it was a sort of inspiration .

anyhow , I 've got you and that 's what I set out to do in the beginning . "

Young Si

Mr Bentley had just driven into the yard with the new summer boarder .

Mrs Bentley was a plump , rosy-cheeked woman with a motherly smile .

the arrival of a summer boarder was a great event in her quiet life .

" ain't she pretty ? " whispered Mrs Bentley admiringly , as the girl came slowly up the green slope before the house .

" I do hope she 's nice .

you can generally calculate on men boarders , but girls are doubtful .

preserve me from a cranky boarder !

I 've had enough of them .

I kinder like her looks , though . "

Ethel Lennox had paused at the front door as Mrs Bentley and Agnes came into the hall .

she was tall , and gowned in some simple white material that fell about her in graceful folds .

nor would anyone have wished it otherwise , having once seen that glorious mass , with all its wonderful possibilities of rippling luxuriance .

her complexion was of that perfect , waxen whiteness that goes with burnished red hair and the darkest of dilated violet eyes .

" you must be real tired , Miss Lennox .

it 's a long drive from the train down here .

Agnes , show Miss Lennox up to her room , and tea will be ready when you come down . "

" she looks like a picture , doesn't she , John ? " she said to her husband .

" I never saw such a face and that hair too .

would you have believed red hair could be so handsome ?

she seems real friendly none of your stuck-up fine ladies !

I 've had all I want of them , I can tell you ! "

" Sh sh sh ! " said Mr Bentley warningly , as Ethel Lennox came in with her arm about Agnes .

she looked even more lovely without her hat , with the soft red tendrils of hair lying on her forehead .

" you 'll find it pretty quiet here , Miss Lennox .

we 're plain folks and there ain't much going and coming .

maybe you don't mind that , though ? "

" I like it .

when one has been teaching school all the year in a noisy city , quiet seems the one thing to be desired .

besides , I like to fancy myself something of an artist .

strangers are always going crazy over its ' picturesqueness , ' as they call it .

when you get tired of painting , maybe you can amuse yourself trying to get to the bottom of our mystery . "

" oh , have you a mystery ?

how interesting ! "

" yes , a mystery a mystery , " repeated Mr Bentley solemnly , " that nobody hain't been able to solve so far .

I 've give it up so has everyone else .

maybe you 'll have better luck . "

" but what is it ? "

" the mystery , " said Mr Bentley dramatically , " is Young Si .

he 's the mystery .

last spring , just when the herring struck in , a young chap suddenly appeared at the Point .

he appeared from what corner of the globe nobody hain't ever been able to make out .

Snuffy 's as poor as Job 's turkey ; it was a windfall for him .

and there he 's fished all summer . "

" but his name Young Si ? "

" well , of course , that isn't it .

he did give himself out as Brown , but nobody believes that 's his handle sounds unnatteral here .

doesn't seem to mind it .

he 's a moody , keep-to-himself sort of chap .

yet he ain't unpopular along shore , I believe .

Snuffy was telling me they like him real well , considering his unsociableness .

anyways , he 's as handsome a chap as I ever seed , and well eddicated too .

he ain't none of your ordinary fishermen .

but wife here won't give in to that . "

" no , I never will , " said Mrs Bentley firmly .

" young Si comes here often for milk and butter , and he 's a perfect gentleman .

" he ain't wasting his life , " chuckled Mr Bentley .

" he 's making money , Young Si is , though he don't seem to care about that a mite .

this has been a big year for mackerel , and he 's smart .

if he didn't know much when he begun , he 's ahead of Snuffy now .

and as for work , I never saw his beat .

he seems possessed .

up afore sunrise every blessed morning and never in bed till midnight , and just slaving away all between time .

you can't stand it .

you 're not a Pointer .

pointers can stand anything , but it 'll kill you . '

" he give one of them bitter laughs of his .

says he : ' It 's no difference if it does .

nobody 'll care , ' and off he walks , sulky like .

there 's something about Young Si I can't understand , " concluded Mr Bentley .

Ethel Lennox was interested .

" I should like to see this prince in disguise , " she said .

" it all sounds very romantic . "

" I 'll take you to the shore after tea if you 'd like , " said Agnes eagerly .

" Si 's just splendid , " she continued in a confidential aside as they rose from the table .

" Pa doesn't half like him because he thinks there 's something queer about him .

but I do .

he 's a gentleman , as Ma says .

I don't believe he 's done anything wrong . "

Ethel Lennox sauntered out into the orchard to wait for Agnes .

the sweet mouth drooped wistfully .

there was a sad , far-away look in the violet eyes .

the face was not that of a happy girl , so thought Agnes as she came down the apple tree avenue .

but how pretty she is ! she thought .

won't the folks around here stare at her !

they always do at our boarders , but we 've never had one like her .

Ethel sprang up .

" I had no idea you would be here so soon , " she said brightly .

" just wait till I get my hat . "

Numberless fishing boats dotted the shimmering reaches .

" that furthest-off boat is Young Si 's , " said Agnes .

" he always goes to that particular spot . "

" is he really all your father says ? " asked Miss Lennox curiously .

" indeed , he is .

he isn't any more like the rest of the shore men than you are .

he 's queer , of course .

I don't believe he 's happy .

it seems to me he 's worrying over something , but I 'm sure it is nothing wrong .

here we are , " she added , as they passed the sand hills and came out on the long , level beach .

to their left the shore curved around in a semi-circle of dazzling whiteness ; at their right stood a small grey fish-house .

" that 's Young Si 's place , " said Agnes .

" he lives there night and day .

wouldn't it make anyone melancholy ?

no wonder he 's mysterious .

I 'm going to get his spyglass .

he told me I might always use it . "

she pushed open the door and entered , followed by Ethel .

the interior was rough but clean .

it was a small room , lighted by one tiny window looking out on the water .

in one corner a rough ladder led up to the loft above .

the bare lathed walls were hung with fishing jackets , nets , mackerel lines and other shore appurtenances .

a little stove bore a kettle and a frying pan .

a low board table was strewn with dishes and the cold remnants of a hasty repast ; benches were placed along the walls .

a fat , bewhiskered kitten , looking as if it were cut out of black velvet , was dozing on the window sill .

" this is Young Si 's cat , " explained Agnes , patting the creature , which purred joyously and opened its sleepy green eyes .

" it 's the only thing he cares for , I believe .

witch !

witch !

how are you , Witch ?

well , here 's the spyglass .

let's go out and have a look .

if you like , we have time for a walk up the shore . "

sea gulls soared and dipped , and tiny " sand peeps " flitted along the beach .

just as the red rim of the sun dipped in the purpling sea , the boats began to come in .

" they belong there and they 're a rough crowd .

you don't catch Young Si associating with the Pointers .

there , he 's getting up sail .

we 'll just have time to get back before he comes in . "

they hurried back across the dampening sand as the sun disappeared , leaving a fiery spot behind him .

the shore was no longer quiet and deserted .

the little spot where the fishing house stood had suddenly started into life .

roughly clad boys were running hither and thither , carrying fish or water .

the boats were hauled up on the skids .

a mellow afterlight was shining over sea and shore .

the whole scene delighted Ethel 's artist eyes .

Agnes nudged her companion .

" there !

he 's counting out mackerel .

if you go over to that platform behind him , you 'll get a good look when he turns around .

I 'm going to coax a mackerel out of that stingy old Snuffy , if I can . "

she tripped off , and Ethel walked slowly over to the boats .

the men stared at her in open-mouthed admiration as she passed them and walked out on the platform behind Young Si .

there was no one near the two .

the others were all assembled around Snuffy 's boat .

they stood face to face .

" Miles ! "

" Ethel ! "

Young Si staggered back against the mast , letting two silvery bloaters slip through his hands overboard .

his handsome , sunburned face was very white .

Ethel Lennox turned abruptly and silently and walked swiftly across the sand .

Agnes felt her arm touched , and turned to see Ethel standing , pale and erect , beside her .

" let us go home , " said the latter unsteadily .

" it is very damp here I feel chilled . "

" oh , dear ! " exclaimed Agnes penitently .

" I ought to have told you to bring a shawl .

it is always damp on the shore after sunset .

here , Snuffy , give me my mackerel .

thank you .

I 'm ready now , Miss Lennox . "

they reached the lane before Agnes remembered to ask the question Ethel dreaded .

" oh , did you see Young Si ?

and what do you think of him ? "

Ethel turned her face away and answered with studied carelessness .

" he seems to be quite a superior fisherman so far as I could see in the dim light .

it was very dusky there , you know .

let us walk a little faster .

my shoes are quite wet . "

when they reached home , Miss Lennox excused herself on the plea of weariness and went straight to her room .

back at the shore Young Si had recovered himself and stooped again to his work .

his face was set and expressionless .

a dull red burned in each bronzed cheek .

he threw out the mackerel mechanically , but his hands trembled .

Snuffy strolled over to the boat .

" see that handsome girl , Si ? " he asked lazily .

" one of the Bentleys ' boarders , I hear .

Looks as if she might have stepped out of a picture frame , don't she ? "

" we 've no time to waste , Curtis , " said Young Si harshly , " with all these fish to clean before bedtime .

stop talking and get to work . "

Snuffy shrugged his shoulders and obeyed in silence .

Young Si was not a person to be trifled with .

the catch was large and it was late before they finished .

Snuffy surveyed the full barrels complacently .

" good day 's work , " he muttered , " but hard I 'm dead beat out .

' Low I 'll go to bed .

in the name o ' goodness , Si , whar be you a-goin ' to ? "

young Si had got into a dory and untied it .

he made no answer , but rowed out from the shore .

Snuffy stared at the dory blankly until it was lost in the gloom .

" Ef that don't beat all ! " he ejaculated .

" I wonder if Si is in his right senses ?

he 's been actin ' quar right along , and now to start off , Lord knows whar , at this hour o ' night !

I really don't believe it 's safe to stay here alone with him . "

Snuffy shook his unkempt head dubiously .

Young Si rowed steadily out over the dark waves .

an eastern breeze was bringing in a damp sea fog that blurred darkly over the outlines of horizon and shore .

the young fisherman found himself alone in a world of water and grey mist .

he stopped rowing and leaned forward on his oars .

" to see her here , of all places ! " he muttered .

" not a word , scarcely a look , after all this long heartbreak !

well , perhaps it is better so .

and yet to know she is so near !

how beautiful she is !

and I love her more than ever .

that is where the sting lies .

I thought that in this rough life , amid all these rude associations , where nothing could remind me of her , I might forget .

and now "

he clenched his hands .

the mist was all around and about him , creeping , impalpable , phantom-like .

the dory rocked gently on the swell .

from afar came the low persistent murmur of the ocean .

the next day Ethel Lennox declined to visit Si 's shore .

instead she went to the Point and sketched all day .

she went again the next day and the next .

the Point was the most picturesque part of the shore , she averred , and the " types " among its inhabitants most interesting .

Agnes Bentley ceased to suggest another visit to Si 's shore .

she had a vague perception that her companion did not care to discuss the subject .

at the end of a week Mrs Bentley remarked : " what in the world can have happened to Young Si ?

it 's a whole week since he was here for milk or butter .

he ain't sick , is he ? "

Mr Bentley chuckled amusedly .

" I ' low I can tell you the reason of that .

Si 's getting his stuff at Walden 's now .

I saw him going there twice this week .

' Liza Walden 's got ahead of you at last , Mary . "

" well , I never did ! " said Mrs Bentley .

" well , Young Si is the first that ever preferred ' Liza Walden 's butter to mine .

everyone knows what hers is like .

she never works her salt half in .

well , Young Si 's welcome to it , I 'm sure ; I wish him joy of his exchange . "

Mrs Bentley rattled her dishes ominously .

it was plain her faith in Young Si had received a severe shock .

Upstairs in her room , Ethel Lennox , with a few undried tears glistening on her cheeks , was writing a letter .

her lips were compressed and her hand trembled :

" I have discovered that it is no use to run away from fate , " she wrote .

" I 'm going to confess , Helen .

" you know , of course , that I was once engaged to Miles Lesley .

you also know that that engagement was broken last autumn for unexplained reasons .

well , I will tell you all about it and then mail this letter speedily , before I change my mind .

" it is over a year now since Miles and I first became engaged .

as you are aware , his family is wealthy , and noted for its exclusiveness .

now that I have thought the whole matter over calmly , I scarcely blame them .

I grew cold and formal to him .

he was very patient , but his ways were not mine , and my manner puzzled and annoyed him .

our relations soon became strained , and the trifle necessary for an open quarrel was easily supplied .

" one evening I went to a large At Home given by his mother .

he turned on his heel and went away , nor did he come near me the rest of the evening .

but I had gone too far ; his mother was shocked by my gaucherie , and he was humiliated and justly exasperated .

we had a short , bitter quarrel .

I said a great many foolish , unpardonable things , and finally I threw his ring at him .

he gave me a startled look then , in which there was something of contempt , and went away without another word .

" after my anger had passed , I was wretchedly unhappy .

I realized how unworthily I had acted , how deeply I loved Miles , and how lonely and empty my life would be without him .

" this summer I came here .

I heard much about a certain mysterious stranger known as ' Young Si ' who was fishing mackerel at this shore .

I was very curious .

the story sounded romantic , and one evening I went down to see him .

I met him face to face and , Helen , it was Miles Lesley !

" for one minute earth , sky and sea reeled around me .

the next , I remembered all , and turned and walked away .

he did not follow .

" you may be sure that I now religiously avoid that part of the shore .

we have never met since , and he has made no effort to see me .

he clearly shows that he despises me .

well , I despise myself .

my sorrow has taught me to understand hers , and I no longer resent her pride .

" you need hardly be told after this that I leave here in another week .

I cannot fabricate a decent excuse to go sooner , or I would . "

in the cool twilight Ethel went with Agnes Bentley to mail her letter .

as they stopped at the door of the little country store , a young man came around the corner .

it was Young Si .

Agnes sprang forward eagerly .

" Si , where have you been ?

why have you never I been up to see us for so long ? "

young Si made no verbal reply .

he merely lifted his cap with formal politeness and turned on his heel .

" well , I never ! " exclaimed Agnes , as soon as she recovered her powers of speech .

" if that is how Young Si is going to treat his friends !

he must have got offended at something .

I wonder what it is , " she added , her curiosity getting the better of her indignation .

when they came out they saw the solitary figure of Young Si far adown , crossing the dim , lonely shore fields .

in the dusk Agnes failed to notice the pallor of her companion 's face and the unshed tears in her eyes .

Ethel Lennox put her drawing away listlessly .

she looked pale and tired .

she was going away the next day , and this was to be her last visit to the shore .

about an hour before sunset a boat glided out from the shadow of the Point .

in it were Ethel Lennox and Agnes , together with Little Ev , the sandy-haired , undersized Pointer who owned the boat .

the evening was fine , and an off-shore breeze was freshening up rapidly .

they did not notice the long , dark bank of livid cloud low in the northwest .

" isn't this glorious ! " exclaimed Ethel .

her hat was straining back from her head and the red rings of her hair were blowing about her face .

Agnes looked about her more anxiously .

wiser in matters of sea and shore than her companion , there were some indications she did not like .

Young Si , who was standing with Snuffy their skids , lowered his spyglass with a start .

where are their eyes that they can't see a squall coming up ? "

" An ' Little Ev don't know as much about managing a boat as a cat ! " exclaimed Snuffy excitedly .

" sign ' em to come back . "

Si shook his head .

" they 're too far out .

I don't know that the squall will amount to very much .

in a good boat , with someone who knew how to manage it , they 'd be all right .

but with Little Ev " he began walking restlessly up and down the narrow platform .

the boat was now some distance out .

the breeze had stiffened to a slow strong wind and the dull-grey level of the sea was whipped into white-caps .

Agnes bent towards Ethel .

" it 's getting too rough .

I think we 'd better go back .

I 'm afraid we 're in for a thunder squall .

look at the clouds . "

A long , sullen muttering verified her words .

" little Ev , " she shouted , " we want to go in . "

Little Ev , thus recalled to things about him , looked around in alarm .

the girls questioned each other with glances of dismay .

the sky had grown very black , and the peals of thunder came louder and more continuously .

a jagged bolt of lightning hurtled over the horizon .

over land and sea was " the green , malignant light of coming storm . "

Little Ev brought the boat 's head abruptly round as a few heavy drops of rain fell .

" Ev , the boat is leaking ! " shrieked Agnes , above the wind .

" the water 's coming in ! "

" bail her out then , " shouted Ev , struggling with the sail .

" there 's two cans under the seat .

I 've got to lower this sail .

bail her out . "

" I 'll help you , " said Ethel .

she was very pale , but her manner was calm .

both girls bailed energetically .

young Si , watching through the glass , saw them .

he dropped it and ran to his boat , white and resolute .

" they 've sprung a leak .

here , Curtis , launch the boat .

we 've got to go out or Ev will drown them . "

they shot out from the shore just as the downpour came , blotting out sea and land in one driving sheet of white rain .

" young Si is coming off for us , " said Agnes .

" we 'll be all right if he gets here in time .

this boat is going to sink , sure . "

Little Ev was completely demoralized by fear .

the girls bailed unceasingly , but the water gained every minute .

Young Si was none too soon .

" jump , Ev ! " he shouted as his boat shot alongside .

" jump for your life ! "

he dragged Ethel Lennox in as he spoke .

the danger was past , for the squall had few difficulties for Si and Snuffy .

" I can't get any wetter than I am , " she said cheerfully .

" I 'll send Pa down in the buggy for Miss Lennox .

light the fire in your shanty , Si , and let her get dry .

I 'll be as quick as I can . "

Si picked Ethel up in his strong arms and carried her into the fish-house .

he placed her on one of the low benches and hurriedly began to kindle a fire .

Ethel sat up dazedly and pushed back the dripping masses of her bright hair .

young Si turned and looked down at her with a passionate light in his eyes .

she put out her cold , wet hands wistfully .

" oh , Miles ! " she whispered .

outside , the wind shook the frail building and tore the shuddering sea to pieces .

the rain poured down .

it was already settling in for a night of storm .

there were happy tears in her eyes and her voice quivered as she said , " Miles , can you forgive me ?

if you knew how bitterly I have repented "

" never speak of the past again , my sweet .

in my lonely days and nights down here by the sea , I have forgotten all but my love . "

" Miles , how did you come here ?

I thought you were in Europe . "

" I did travel at first .

I was not very successful . "

he smiled down into her eyes .

" and you were going away tomorrow .

how perilously near we have been to not meeting !

but how are we going to explain all this to our friends along shore ? "

" I think we had better not explain it at all .

I will go away tomorrow , as I intended , and you can quietly follow soon .

let ' Young Si ' remain the mystery he has always been . "

" that will be best decidedly so .

they would never understand if we did tell them .

and I daresay they would be very much disappointed to find I was not a murderer or a forger or something of that sort .

they have always credited me with an evil past .

and you and I will go back to our own world , Ethel .

Agnes drove Ethel Lennox to the station next day .

Ethel bubbled over with joyousness .

Agnes wondered at the change in her .

" good-bye , Miss Lennox , " she said wistfully .

" you 'll come back to see us some time again , won't you ? "

" perhaps , " smiled Ethel , " and if not , Agnes , you must come and see me .

some day I may tell you a secret . "

about a week later Young Si suddenly vanished , and his disappearance was a nine-day 's talk along shore .

his departure was as mysterious as his advent .

Little Ev was the last of the Pointers to see him tramping along the road to the station in the dusk of the autumn twilight .

on it was written : " will Agnes please befriend Witch in memory of Young Si ? "

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories , @number@ to @number@ by Lucy Maud Montgomery

produced by Alicia Williams , Jeannie Howse and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at @url@

Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories , @number@ to @number@

Lucy Maud Montgomery was born at Clifton ( now New London ) , Prince Edward Island , Canada , on @date@ .

she achieved international fame in her lifetime , putting Prince Edward Island and Canada on the world literary map .

best known for her " Anne of Green Gables " books , she was also a prolific writer of short stories and poetry .

she published some @number@ short stories and poems and twenty novels before her death in @number@

the Project Gutenberg collection of her short stories was gathered from numerous sources and is presented in chronological publishing order :

short Stories @number@ to @number@

a Patent Medicine Testimonial

Murray is like dear old Dad ; he gets discouraged rather easily .

now , I 'm not like that ; I 'm more like Mother 's folks .

as Uncle Abimelech has never failed to tell me when I have annoyed him , I 'm " all Foster . "

uncle Abimelech doesn't like the Fosters .

but I 'm glad I take after them .

only I wouldn't have minded that very much .

I just wanted to go to college because Murray did .

I couldn't be separated from him .

we were twins and had always been together .

as for Uncle Abimelech 's mind , I knew that he never had been known to change it .

I knew I would have to depend on my own thinkers .

" I 'm going up to the garret to think this out , Murray , " I said solemnly .

" don't let anybody disturb me , and if Uncle Abimelech comes over don't tell him where I am .

if I don't come down in time to get tea , get it yourself .

I shall not leave the garret until I have thought of some way to change Uncle Abimelech 's mind . "

" then you 'll be a prisoner there for the term of your natural life , dear sis , " said Murray sceptically .

" you 're a clever girl , Prue and you 've got enough decision for two but you 'll never get the better of Uncle Abimelech . "

" we 'll see , " I said resolutely , and up to the garret I went .

I shut the door and bolted it good and fast to make sure .

one roly-poly little sparrow blew or flew to the sill and sat there for a minute , looking at me with knowing eyes .

down below I could see Murray in a corner of the yard , pottering over a sick duck .

he had set its broken leg and was nursing it back to health .

from the garret windows I could see all over the farm , for the house is on the hill end of it .

I could see all the dear old fields and the spring meadow and the beech woods in the southwest corner .

and it wasn't our own , anyhow .

it all belonged to Uncle Abimelech .

father and Murray and I had always lived here together .

father 's health broke down during his college course .

anybody with Foster in him would be that .

to go back to Father .

mother died before we could remember , so Murray and Dad and I were everything to each other .

we were very happy too , although we were bossed by Uncle Abimelech more or less .

but he meant it well and Father didn't mind .

then Father died oh , that was a dreadful time !

I hurried over it in my thinking-out .

we were literally as poor as church mice and even poorer , for at least they get churches rent-free .

Murray 's heart was set on going to college and studying medicine .

uncle Abimelech is rich , and Murray and I are his nearest relatives .

but he simply wouldn't listen to Murray 's plan .

" I put my foot firmly down on such nonsense , " he said .

" and you know that when I put my foot down something squashes . "

it was not that Uncle Abimelech was miserly or that he grudged us assistance .

not at all .

he was ready to deal generously by us , but it must be in his own way .

his way was this .

" it 's a good farm , Murray , " he said .

but you are strong enough and ambitious enough to do well . "

but Murray couldn't be a farmer , that was all there was to it .

I told Uncle Abimelech so , firmly , and I talked to him for days about it , but Uncle Abimelech never wavered .

and in the end he said ,

" you ought to be the one to go to college if either of you did , Prue .

you would make a capital lawyer , if I believed in the higher education of women , but I don't .

Murray can take or leave the farm as he chooses .

if he prefers the latter alternative , well and good .

but he gets no help from me .

you 're a foolish little girl , Prue , to back him up in this nonsense of his . "

it makes me angry to be called a little girl when I put up my hair a year ago , and Uncle Abimelech knows it .

I gave up arguing with him .

I knew it was no use anyway .

I thought it all over in the garret .

but no way out of the dilemma could I see .

I had eaten up all the apples I had brought with me and I felt flabby and disconsolate .

the sight of Uncle Abimelech stalking up the lane , as erect and lordly as usual , served to deepen my gloom .

I picked up the paper my apples had been wrapped in and looked it over gloomily .

then I saw something , and Uncle Abimelech was delivered into my hand .

when Uncle Abimelech had gone I went down to Murray .

" Buddy , " I said , " I 've thought of a plan .

I 'm not going to tell you what it is , but you are to consent to it without knowing .

I think it will quench Uncle Abimelech , but you must have perfect confidence in me .

you must back me up no matter what I do and let me have my own way in it all . "

" all right , sis , " said Murray .

" that isn't solemn enough , " I protested .

" I 'm serious .

promise solemnly . "

" I promise solemnly , ' cross my heart , ' " said Murray , looking like an owl .

" very well .

remember that your role is to lie low and say nothing , like Brer Rabbit .

Alloway 's Anodyne Liniment is pretty good stuff , isn't it , Murray ?

it cured your sprain after you had tried everything else , didn't it ? "

" yes .

but I don't see the connection . "

" it isn't necessary that you should .

well , what with your sprain and my rheumatics I think I can manage it . "

" look here , Prue .

are you sure that long brooding over our troubles up in the garret hasn't turned your brain ? "

" my brain is all right .

now leave me , minion .

there is that which I would do . "

Murray grinned and went .

I wrote a letter , took it down to the office , and mailed it .

for a week there was nothing more to do .

the Melvilles are a very old family .

I don't think the Melvilles ever did anything worth recording in history since .

to be sure , as far back as we can trace , none of them has ever done anything bad either .

they have been honest , respectable folks and I think that is something worth being proud of .

but Uncle Abimelech pinned his family pride to Roger de Melville .

at the end of a week I got an answer to my letter .

it was what I wanted .

I wrote again and sent a parcel .

in three weeks ' time the storm burst .

one day I saw Uncle Abimelech striding up the lane .

he had a big newspaper clutched in his hand .

I turned to Murray , who was poring over a book of anatomy in the corner .

" Murray , Uncle Abimelech is coming .

there is going to be a battle royal between us .

allow me to remind you of your promise . "

" to lie low and say nothing ?

that 's the cue , isn't it , sis ? "

" unless Uncle Abimelech appeals to you .

in that case you are to back me up . "

then Uncle Abimelech stalked in .

he was purple with rage .

old Roger de Melville himself never could have looked fiercer .

I did feel a quake or two , but I faced Uncle Abimelech undauntedly .

no use in having your name on the roll of Battle Abbey if you can't stand your ground .

" Prudence , what does this mean ? " thundered Uncle Abimelech , as he flung the newspaper down on the table .

Murray got up and peered over .

then he whistled .

he started to say something but remembered just in time and stopped .

but he did give me a black look .

Murray has a sneaking pride of name too , although he won't own up to it and laughs at Uncle Abimelech .

I looked at the paper and began to laugh .

we did look so funny , Murray and I , in that advertisement .

it took up the whole page .

at the top were our photos , half life-size , and underneath our names and addresses printed out in full .

below was the letter I had written to the Alloway Anodyne Liniment folks .

it was a florid testimonial to the virtues of their liniment .

it was all true enough , although I dare say old Aunt Sarah-from-the-Hollow 's rubbing had as much to do with the cures as the liniment .

but that is neither here nor there .

" what does this mean , Prudence ? " said Uncle Abimelech again .

he was quivering with wrath , but I was as cool as a cucumber , and Murray stood like a graven image .

that liniment company pays for those testimonials and photos , you know .

they gave me fifty dollars for the privilege of publishing them .

I rattled all this off glibly before Uncle Abimelech could get in a word .

" it 's disgraceful ! " he stormed .

" disgraceful !

think of Sir Roger de Melville and a patent medicine advertisement !

I quaked a bit .

if Murray should fail me !

but Murray was true-blue .

" I gave Prue a free hand , sir .

it 's an honest business transaction enough and the family name alone won't send us to college , you know , sir . "

uncle Abimelech glared at us .

" this must be put an end to , " he said .

" this advertisement must not appear again .

I won't have it ! "

" but I 've signed a contract that it is to run for six months , " I said sturdily .

" and I 've others in view .

you remember the Herb Cure you recommended one spring and that it did me so much good !

I 'm negotiating with the makers of that and "

" the girl 's mad ! " said Uncle Abimelech .

" Stark , staring mad ! "

" oh , no , I 'm not , Uncle Abimelech .

I 'm merely a pretty good businesswoman .

you won't help Murray to go to college , so I must .

this is the only way I have , and I 'm going to see it through . "

after Uncle Abimelech had gone , still in a towering rage , Murray remonstrated .

but I reminded him of his promise and he had to succumb .

next day Uncle Abimelech returned a subdued and chastened Uncle Abimelech .

" see here , Prue , " he said sternly .

" this thing must be stopped .

I say it must .

I am not going to have the name of Melville dragged all over the country in a patent medicine advertisement .

something will have to be done with you , that 's certain .

is this satisfactory ? "

" perfectly , " I said promptly .

" if you will add thereto your promise that you will forget and forgive , Uncle Abimelech .

there are to be no hard feelings . "

uncle Abimelech shrugged his shoulders .

" In for a penny , in for a pound , " he said .

" very well , Prue .

we wipe off all scores and begin afresh .

but there must be no more such doings .

you 've worked your little scheme through trust a Foster for that !

but in future you 've got to remember that in law you 're a Melville whatever you are in fact . "

I nodded dutifully .

" I 'll remember , Uncle Abimelech , " I promised .

after everything had been arranged and Uncle Abimelech had gone I looked at Murray .

" well ? "

I said .

Murray twinkled .

" you 've accomplished the impossible , sis .

but , as Uncle Abimelech intimated don't you try it again . "

a Sandshore Wooing

Fir Cottage , Plover Sands .

July Sixth .

we arrived here late last night , and all day Aunt Martha has kept her room to rest .

so I had to keep mine also , although I felt as fresh as a morning lark , and just in the mood for enjoyment .

my name is Marguerite Forrester an absurdly long name for so small a girl .

aunt Martha always calls me Marguer ite , with an accent of strong disapproval .

she does not like my name , but she gives me the full benefit of it .

Connie Shelmardine used to call me Rita .

Connie was my roommate last year at the Seminary .

we correspond occasionally , but Aunt Martha frowns on it .

I have always lived with Aunt Martha my parents died when I was a baby .

aunt is a determined and inveterate man-hater .

she has no particular love for women , indeed , and trusts nobody but Mrs Saxby , her maid .

I rather like Mrs Saxby .

she is not quite so far gone in petrifaction as Aunt , although she gets a little stonier every year .

I expect the process will soon begin on me , but it hasn't yet .

my flesh and blood are still unreasonably warm and pulsing and rebellious .

aunt Martha would be in danger of taking a fit if she ever saw me talking to a man .

we have come down to spend a few weeks at Fir Cottage .

our good landlady is a capacious , kindly-souled creature , and I think she has rather a liking for me .

I have been chattering to her all day , for there are times when I absolutely must talk to someone or go mad .

July Tenth .

this sort of life is decidedly dull .

the program of every day is the same .

Mrs Blake has lent me , for shore use , a very fine spyglass which she owns .

she says her " man " brought it home from " furrin ' parts " before he died .

we see few people , although there is a large summer hotel about a mile up the beach .

our shore haunts do not seem to be popular with its guests .

they prefer the rocks .

this suits Aunt Martha admirably .

I may also add that it doesn't suit her niece but that is a matter of small importance .

the first morning I noticed a white object on the rocks , about half a mile away , and turned my glass on it .

there apparently within a stone 's throw of me was a young man .

he was lounging on a rock , looking dreamily out to sea .

there was something about his face that reminded me of someone I know , but I cannot remember whom .

every morning he has reappeared on the same spot .

he seems to be a solitary individual , given to prowling by himself .

I wonder what Aunt would say if she knew what I am so earnestly watching through my glass at times .

July Eleventh .

I shall have to cease looking at the Unknown , I am afraid .

this morning I turned my glass , as usual , on his pet haunt .

I nearly fell over in my astonishment , for he was also looking through a spyglass straight at me , too , it seemed .

how foolish I felt !

and yet my curiosity was so strong that a few minutes afterward I peeped back again , just to see what he was doing .

I dropped my glass and smiled in a mixture of dismay and amusement .

then I remembered that he was probably watching me again , and might imagine my smile was meant for him .

I banished it immediately , shut my glass up and did not touch it again .

soon after we came home .

July Twelfth .

something has happened at last .

today I went to the shore as usual , fully resolved not even to glance in the forbidden direction .

but in the end I had to take a peep , and saw him on the rocks with his glass levelled at me .

now , I know that same alphabet .

Connie taught it to me last year , so that we might hold communication across the schoolroom .

I gave one frantic glance at Aunt Martha 's rigid back , and then watched him while he deftly spelled : " I am Francis Shelmardine .

are you not Miss Forrester , my sister 's friend ? "

Francis Shelmardine !

now I knew whom he resembled .

it was too wonderful .

I could only stare dazedly back through my glass .

" may we know each other ? " he went on .

" may I come over and introduce myself ?

right hand , yes ; left , no . "

I gasped !

suppose he were to come ?

what would happen ?

I waved my left hand sorrowfully .

he looked quite crestfallen and disappointed as he spelled out : " why not ?

would your friends disapprove ? "

I signalled : " yes . "

" are you displeased at my boldness ? " was his next question .

where had all Aunt Martha 's precepts flown to then ?

so I picked myself meekly up , shook the sand from my dress , and followed my good aunt dutifully home .

July Thirteenth .

then I reached for my glass .

Mr Shelmardine and I had quite a conversation .

under the circumstances there could be no useless circumlocution in our exchange of ideas .

it was religiously " boiled down , " and ran something like this :

" you are not displeased with me ? "

" no but I should be . "

" why ? "

" it is wrong to deceive Aunt . "

" I am quite respectable . "

" that is not the question . "

" cannot her prejudices be overcome ? "

" absolutely no . "

" Mrs Allardyce , who is staying at the hotel , knows her well .

shall I bring her over to vouch for my character ? "

" it would not do a bit of good . "

" then it is hopeless . "

" yes . "

" would you object to knowing me on your own account ? "

" no . "

" do you ever come to the shore alone ? "

" no .

aunt would not permit me . "

" must she know ? "

" yes .

I would not come without her permission . "

" you will not refuse to chat with me thus now and then ? "

" I don't know .

perhaps not . "

I had to go home then .

as we went Mrs Saxby complimented me on my good colour .

aunt Martha looked her disapproval .

July Seventeenth .

I have " talked " a good deal with Mr Shelmardine these past four days .

he is to be at the beach for some weeks longer .

this morning he signalled across from the rocks : " I mean to see you at last .

tomorrow I will walk over and pass you . "

" you must not .

aunt will suspect . "

" no danger .

don't be alarmed .

I will do nothing rash . "

I suppose he will .

he seems to be very determined .

of course , I cannot prevent him from promenading on our beach all day if he chooses .

but then if he did , Aunt would speedily leave him in sole possession of it .

I wonder what I had better wear tomorrow .

July Nineteenth .

yesterday morning Aunt Martha was serene and unsuspicious .

it is dreadful of me to be deceiving her and I do feel guilty .

presently Aunt said , majestically : " Marguer ite , there is a man coming this way .

we will move further down . "

and we moved .

poor Aunt !

Mr Shelmardine came bravely on .

I felt my heart beating to my very finger tips .

he halted by the fragment of an old stranded boat .

aunt had turned her back on him .

I ventured on a look .

he lifted his hat with a twinkle in his eye .

just then Aunt said , icily : " we will go home , Marguer ite .

that creature evidently intends to persist in his intrusion . "

Home we came accordingly .

this morning he signalled across : " Letter from Connie .

message for you .

I mean to deliver it personally .

do you ever go to church ? "

now , I do go regularly to church at home .

Needless to say , I am not allowed to go either .

but it was impossible to make this long explanation , so I merely replied : " not here . "

" will you not go tomorrow morning ? "

" aunt will not let me . "

" coax her . "

" coaxing never has any effect on her . "

" would she relent if Mrs Allardyce were to call for you ? "

now , I have been cautiously sounding Aunt about Mrs Allardyce , and I have discovered that she disapproves of her .

so I said : " it would be useless .

I will ask Aunt if I may go , but I feel almost sure that she will not consent . "

this evening , when Aunt was in an unusually genial mood , I plucked up heart of grace and asked her .

" Marguer ite , " she said impressively , " you know that I do not attend church here . "

" but , Aunt , " I persisted , quakingly , " couldn't I go alone ?

it is not very far and I will be very careful . "

now , everything depends on the sort of humour Aunt is in in the morning .

July Twentieth .

remember that I expect you to conduct yourself with becoming prudence and modesty . "

I flew upstairs and pulled my prettiest dress out of my trunk .

it is a delicate , shimmering grey stuff with pearly tints about it .

every time I get anything new , Aunt Martha and I have a battle royal over it .

I verily believe that Aunt would like me to dress in the fashions in vogue in her youth .

there is always a certain flavour of old-fashionedness about my gowns and hats .

Connie used to say that it was delicious and gave me a piquant uniqueness a certain unlikeness to other people that possessed a positive charm .

that is only Connie 's view of it , however .

but I had had my own way about this dress and it is really very becoming .

then I borrowed a hymn book from Mrs Blake and ran down to undergo Aunt Martha 's scrutiny .

" dear me , child , " she said discontentedly , " you have gotten yourself up very frivolously , it seems to me . "

" why , Aunty , " I protested , " I 'm all in grey every bit . "

aunt Martha sniffed .

you don't know how much Aunt can express in a sniff .

but I tripped to church like a bird .

the first person I saw there was Mr Shelmardine .

he was sitting right across from me and a smile glimmered in his eyes .

I did not look at him again .

through the service I was subdued enough to have satisfied even Aunt Martha .

when church came out , he waited for me at the entrance to his pew .

when we went down the steps he took my hymnal , and we walked up the long , bowery country road .

" thank you so much for coming today , " he said as if I went to oblige him .

" I had a hard time to get Aunt Martha 's consent , " I declared frankly .

" I wouldn't have succeeded if Mrs Saxby hadn't taken my part . "

" Heaven bless Mrs Saxby , " he remarked fervently .

" but is there any known way of overcoming your aunt 's scruples ?

if so , I am ready to risk it . "

" there is none .

aunt Martha is very good and kind to me , but she will never stop trying to bring me up .

the process will be going on when I am fifty .

and she hates men !

I don't know what she would do if she saw me now . "

Mr Shelmardine frowned and switched the unoffending daisies viciously with his cane .

" then there is no hope of my seeing you openly and above-board ? "

" not at present , " I said faintly .

after a brief silence we began to talk of other things .

he told me how he happened to see me first .

I could see you plainly .

you were reading and had your hat off .

when I went back to the hotel I asked Mrs Allardyce if she knew who the boarders at Fir Cottage were and she told me .

I had heard Connie speak of you , and I determined to make your acquaintance . "

when we reached the lane I held out my hand for the hymnal .

" you mustn't come any further , Mr Shelmardine , " I said hurriedly .

" aunt Aunt might see you . "

he took my hand and held it , looking at me seriously .

" suppose I were to walk up to the cottage tomorrow and ask for you ? "

I gasped .

he looked so capable of doing anything he took it into his head to do .

" oh , you wouldn't , " I said piteously .

" aunt Martha would you are not in earnest . "

" I suppose not , " he said regretfully .

" of course I would not do anything that would cause you unpleasantness .

but this must not shall not be our last meeting . "

" aunt will not let me come to church again , " I said .

" does she ever take a nap in the afternoon ? " he queried .

I wriggled my parasol about in the dust uneasily .

" sometimes . "

" I shall be at the old boat tomorrow afternoon at two-thirty , " he said .

I pulled my hand away .

" I couldn't you know I couldn't , " I cried and then I blushed to my ears .

" are you sure you couldn't ? " bending a little nearer .

" quite sure , " I murmured .

he surrendered my hymnal at last .

" will you give me a rose ? "

I unpinned the whole cluster and handed it to him .

he lifted it until it touched his lips .

as for me , I scuttled up the lane in the most undignified fashion .

at the turn I looked back .

he was still standing there with his hat off .

July Twenty-fourth .

Mr Shelmardine was leaning against the old boat , but he came swiftly across the sand to meet me .

" this is very kind of you , " he said .

" I ought not to have come , " I said repentantly .

" but it is so lonely there and one can't be interested in sermons and memoirs all the time . "

Mr Shelmardine laughed .

" Mr. and Mrs. Allardyce are on the other side of the boat .

will you come and meet them ? "

how nice of him to bring them !

I knew I should like Mrs Allardyce , just because Aunt Martha didn't .

we had a delightful stroll .

I never thought of the time until Mr Shelmardine said it was four o'clock .

" oh , is it so late as that ? "

I cried .

" I must go at once . "

" I 'm sorry we have kept you so long , " remarked Mr Shelmardine in a tone of concern .

" if she should be awake , what will the consequences be ? "

" too terrible to think of , " I answered seriously .

" I 'm sorry , Mr Shelmardine , but you mustn't come any further . "

" we will be here tomorrow afternoon , " he said .

" Mr Shelmardine ! "

I protested .

" I wish you wouldn't put such ideas into my head .

they won't come out no , not if I read a whole volume of sermons right through . "

we looked at each other for a second .

then he began to smile , and we both went off into a peal of laughter .

" at least let me know if Miss Fiske rampages , " he called after me as I fled .

but Aunt Martha was not awake and I have been to the shore three afternoons since then .

I was there today , and I 'm going tomorrow for a boat sail with Mr Shelmardine and the Allardyces .

but I am afraid the former will do something rash soon .

this afternoon he said : " I don't think I can stand this much longer . "

" stand what ? "

I asked .

" you know very well , " he answered recklessly .

" meeting you in this clandestine manner , and thereby causing that poor little conscience of yours such misery .

if your aunt were not so unreasonable , I should never have stooped to it . "

" it is all my fault , " I said contritely .

" well , I hardly meant that , " he said grimly .

" but hadn't I better go frankly to your aunt and lay the whole case before her ? "

" you would never see me again if you did that , " I said hastily and then wished I hadn't .

" that is the worst threat you could make , " he said .

July Twenty-fifth .

it is all over , and I am the most miserable girl in the world .

of course this means that Aunt Martha has discovered everything and the deserved punishment of my sins has overtaken me .

I slipped away again this afternoon and went for that boat sail .

we had a lovely time but were rather late getting in , and I hurried home with many misgivings .

aunt Martha met me at the door .

my dress was draggled , my hat had slipped back , and the kinks and curls of my obstreperous hair were something awful .

I know I looked very disreputable and also , no doubt , very guilty and conscience-stricken .

aunt gave me an unutterable look and then followed me up to my room in grim silence .

" Marguer ite , what does this mean ? "

I have lots of faults , but untruthfulness isn't one of them .

I confessed everything at least , almost everything .

she listened in stony silence .

I had expected a terrible scolding , but I suppose my crimes simply seemed to her too enormous for words .

when I had sobbed out my last word she rose , swept me one glance of withering contempt , and left the room .

presently Mrs Saxby came up , looking concerned .

" my dear child , what have you been doing ?

your aunt says that we are to go home on the afternoon train tomorrow .

she is terribly upset . "

I just curled up on the bed and cried , while Mrs Saxby packed my trunk .

I will have no chance to explain matters to Mr Shelmardine .

and I will never see him again , for Aunt is quite capable of whisking me off to Africa .

he will just think me a feather-brained flirt .

oh , I am so unhappy !

July Twenty-sixth .

I am the happiest girl in the world !

that is quite a different strain from yesterday .

we leave Fir Cottage in an hour , but that doesn't matter now .

I did not sleep a wink last night and crawled miserably down to breakfast .

I knew I would be taken , too , to be kept out of mischief , and my heart gave a great bound of hope .

I meekly followed my grim guardians to the shore and sat dejectedly on my rug while they paced the sand .

Francis was on the rocks .

as soon as Aunt Martha and Mrs Saxby were at a safe distance , I began my message : " all discovered .

aunt is very angry .

we go home today . "

then I snatched my glass .

his face expressed the direst consternation and dismay .

he signalled : " I must see you before you go . "

" impossible .

aunt will never forgive me .

good-bye . "

I saw a look of desperate determination cross his face .

if forty Aunt Marthas had swooped down upon me , I could not have torn my eyes from that glass .

" I love you .

you know it .

do you care for me ?

I must have my answer now . "

what a situation !

no time or chance for any maidenly hesitation or softening aureole of words .

aunt and Mrs Saxby had almost reached the point where they invariably turned .

I had barely time to spell out a plain , blunt " yes " and read his answer .

" I shall go home at once , get Mother and Connie , follow you , and demand possession of my property .

I shall win the day .

have no fear .

till then , good-bye , my darling . "

" Marguerite , " said Mrs Saxby at my elbow , " it is time to go . "

I got up obediently .

I dropped behind them just once before we left the shore .

I knew he was watching me and I waved my hand .

I suppose I am really engaged to Francis Shelmardine .

but was there ever such a funny wooing ?

and what will Aunt Martha say ?

after Many Days

Gabe knew all those present except one man a stranger who had landed at Baxter Station from the afternoon freight .

Foley 's hotel did not boast of a register , and the stranger did not volunteer any information regarding his name or business .

he had put in the afternoon and early evening strolling about the village and talking to the men on the branch line .

now he had come in and ensconced himself in the corner behind the stove , where he preserved a complete silence .

he had a rather rough face and was flashily dressed .

the stranger appeared to be listening to them intently , although he took no part in their conversation .

presently he brought his tilted chair down with a sharp thud .

Gabe Foley had paused in his manipulation of a king to hurl a question at the Greenvale men .

" is it true that old man Strong is to be turned out next week ? "

" true enough , " answered William Jeffers .

" Joe Moore is going to foreclose .

Stephen Strong has got three years behind with the interest and Moore is out of patience .

it seems hard on old Stephen , but Moore ain't the man to hesitate for that .

he 'll have his own out of it . "

" what will the Strongs do ? " asked Gabe .

" that 's the question everyone in Greenvale is asking .

Lizzie Strong has always been a delicate little girl , but maybe she 'll manage to scare up a living .

old Stephen is to be the most pitied .

I don't see anything for him but the poorhouse . "

" how did Stephen Strong come to get into such a tight place ? " the stranger asked suddenly .

" when I was in these parts a good many years ago he was considered a well-to-do man . "

" well , so he was , " replied William Jeffers .

" but he began to get in debt when his wife took sick .

he spent no end of money on doctors and medicines for her .

and then he seemed to have a streak of bad luck besides crops failed and cows died and all that sort of thing .

he 's been going behind ever since .

he kind of lost heart when his wife died .

and now Moore is going to foreclose .

it 's my opinion poor old Stephen won't live any time if he 's turned out of his home . "

" do you know what the mortgage comes to ? "

" near three thousand , counting overdue interest . "

" well , I 'm sorry for old Stephen , " said Gabe , returning to his game .

" if anybody deserves a peaceful old age he does .

he 's helped more people than you could count , and he was the best Christian in Greenvale , or out of it . "

" he was too good , " said a Greenvale man crustily .

" he just let himself be imposed upon all his life .

there 's dozens of people owes him and he's never asked for a cent from them .

and he 's always had some shiftless critter or other hanging round and devouring his substance . "

" D'ye mind that Ben Butler who used to be in Greenvale twenty years ago ? " asked a third man .

" if ever there was an imp of Satan ' twas him old Ezra Butler 's son from the valley .

old Stephen kept him for three or four years and was as good to him as if he 'd been his own son . "

he wasn't the kind you could forget in a hurry .

Where'd he go ?

Out to the Kootenay , wasn't it ? "

" somewhere there .

he was a reg'lar young villain up to every kind of mischief .

I was thankful when he did finally clear out without doing some penitentiary work . "

the whistle of the mail train cut short the discussion of Stephen Strong 's case .

in a minute the room was vacant , except for the stranger .

when left to himself he also rose and walked out .

turning away from the station , he struck briskly into the Greenvale road .

about three miles from the station he halted before a house built close to the road .

it was old-fashioned , but large and comfortable-looking , with big barns in the rear and an orchard on the left slope .

there was a light in the kitchen .

the window-blind was not down and he had a fairly good view of the room .

the only visible occupant was a grey-haired old man sitting by the table , reading from a large open volume before him .

the stranger whistled softly .

" that 's old Stephen reading the Bible same as ever , by all that 's holy !

he hasn't changed much except that he 's got mighty grey .

he must be close on to seventy .

it 's a shame to turn an old man like him out of house and home .

but Joe Moore always was a genuine skinflint . "

he drew himself softly up and sat on the fence .

he saw old Stephen Strong close his book , place his spectacles on it , and kneel down by his chair .

the old man remained on his knees for some time and then , taking up his candle , left the kitchen .

the man on the fence still sat there .

he could not help remembering at the same time how patient old Stephen Strong had always been with him .

he recalled the time he had been caught stealing the oats .

how frightened and sullen he had been !

and how gently the old man had talked to him and pointed out the sin of which he had been guilty !

he had never stolen again , but in other respects he had not mended his ways much .

behind old Stephen 's back he laughed at him and his " preaching . "

but Stephen Strong had never lost faith in him .

he had always asserted mildly that " Ben would come out all right by and by . "

Ben Butler remembered this too , as he sat on the fence .

he had " always liked old Stephen , " he told himself .

he was sorry he had fallen on such evil times .

" preaching and praying don't seem to have brought him out clear after all , " he said with a chuckle that quickly died away .

somehow , even in his worst days , Ben Butler had never felt easy when he mocked old Stephen .

" three thousand dollars !

I could do it but I reckon I 'd be a blamed fool .

I ain't a-going to do it .

three thousand ain't picked up every day , even in the Kootenay ' specially by chaps like me . "

he patted his pocket knowingly .

fifteen years previously he had gone to the Kootenay district with visions of making a fortune that were quickly dispelled by reality .

but he had already given up the idea .

this country was too blamed quiet for him , he said .

he would go back to the Kootenay , and he knew what he would do with his money .

Jake Perkins and Wade Brown , two " pals " of his , were running a flourishing grocery and saloon combined .

they would be glad of another partner with some cash .

it would suit him to a T .

" I 'll clear out tomorrow , " he mused as he walked back .

" as long as I stay here old Stephen will haunt me , sure as fate .

wonder what he was praying for tonight .

he always used to say the Lord would provide , but He don't appear to have done it .

well , I ain't His deputy . "

the next afternoon Ben Butler went over to Greenvale and called at Stephen Strong 's .

he found only the old man at home .

old Stephen did not recognize him at first , but made him heartily welcome when he did .

" Ben , I do declare !

Ben Butler !

how are you ?

how are you ?

sit down , Ben here , take this chair .

where on earth did you come from ? "

" Baxter just now Kootenay on the large scale , " answered Ben .

" thought I 'd come over and see you again .

didn't expect you 'd remember me at all . "

" remember you !

why , of course I do .

I haven't ever forgot you , Ben .

Many 's the time I 've wondered where you was and how you was getting on .

and you tell me you 've been in the Kootenay !

well , well , you have seen a good bit more of the world than I ever have .

you 've changed a lot , Ben .

you ain't a boy no longer .

D'ye mind all the pranks you used to play ? "

Ben laughed sheepishly .

" I reckon I do .

but it ain't myself I come here to talk about not much to say if I did .

it 's just been up and down with me .

how are you yourself , sir ?

they were telling me over at Baxter that you were kind of in trouble . "

the old man 's face clouded over ; all the sparkle went out of his kind blue eyes .

" yes , Ben , yes , " he said , with a heavy sigh .

" I 've kind of gone downhill , that 's a fact .

I don't want to complain .

the Lord does all things well .

Ben was always skittish of " pious talk . "

he veered around adroitly .

" I dunno as the Lord has had much to do with this , sir .

seems to me as if ' twas the other one as was running it , with Joe Moore for deputy .

the main thing , as I look at it , is to get a cinch on him .

how much does the mortgage amount to , sir ? "

" about three thousand dollars , interest and all . "

old Stephen 's voice trembled .

the future looked very dark to him in his old age .

Ben put his hand inside his coat and brought out a brand-new , plump pocketbook .

he opened it , laid it on his knee , and counted out a number of crisp notes .

" here , sir , " he said , pushing them along the table .

" I reckon that 'll keep you out of Joe Moore 's clutches .

there 's three thousand there if I ain't made a mistake .

that 'll set you clear , won't it ? "

" Ben ! "

old Stephen 's voice trembled with amazement .

" Ben , I can't take it .

it wouldn't be fair or right .

I could never pay you back . "

Ben slipped the rubber band around his wallet and replaced it airily .

" I don't want it paid back , sir .

it 's a little gift , so to speak , just to let you know I ain't ungrateful for all you did for me .

if it hadn't been for you I might have been in the penitentiary by now .

we do things on a big scale out there . "

" but , Ben , are you sure you can afford it that you won't miss it ? "

" pop sure .

don't you worry , I 'm all right . "

" bless you bless you ! "

the tears were running down old Stephen 's face as he gathered up the money with a shaking hand .

" I always knew you would do well , Ben always said it .

I knew you'd a good heart .

I just can't realize this yet it seems too good to be true .

the old place saved I can die in peace .

of course , I 'll pay you back some of it anyhow if I 'm spared a while longer .

bless you , Ben . "

Ben would not stay long after that .


he was relieved when he got away from the old man 's thanks and questions .

Ben did not find it easy to answer some of the latter .

when he was out of sight of the house he sat on a fence and counted up his remaining funds .

" just enough to take me back to the Kootenay and then begin over again , I s'pose .

but ' twas worth the money to see the old fellow 's face .

he 'd thank the Lord and me , he said .

how Jake and Wade 'd roar to hear them two names in partnership !

but I 'm going to pull up a bit after this , see if I don't , just to justify the old man 's faith in me .

' Twould be too bad to disappoint him if he 's believed for so long that I was going to turn out all right yet . "


Gabe Foley watched him abstractedly as he receded .

" blamed if I know who that fellow was , " he remarked to a crony .

" he never told his name , but seems to me I 've seen him before .

he has a kind of hang-dog look , I think .

but he paid up square and it is none of my business . "

an Unconventional Confidence

the Girl in Black-and-Yellow ran frantically down the grey road under the pines .

there was nobody to see her , but she would have run if all Halifax had been looking on .

and was there not a shower coming straight from the hills across the harbour ?

" oh , I shall be too late , " moaned the Girl .

but she held her hat steady with one hand and ran on .

if she could only reach the pavilion in time !

it was a neck-and-neck race between the rain and the Girl , but the Girl won .

into this the Girl moved .

she was flushed and triumphant .

the Young Man thought that in all his life he had never seen anyone so pretty .

" it would have been a pity , " admitted the Young Man .

" it is a very pretty hat . "

" Pretty ! "

the Girl looked the scorn her voice expressed .

" anyone can have a pretty hat .

our cook has one .

this is a creation . "

" of course , " said the Young Man humbly .

" I ought to have known .

but I am very stupid . "

" well , I suppose a mere man couldn't be expected to understand exactly , " said the Girl graciously .

she smiled at him in a friendly fashion , and he smiled back .

the Girl thought that she had never seen such lovely brown eyes before .

he could not be a Haligonian .

she was sure she knew all the nice young men with brown eyes in Halifax .

" please sit down , " she said plaintively .

" I 'm tired . "

the Young Man smiled again at the idea of his sitting down because the Girl was tired .

but he sat down , and so did she , on the only dry seat to be found .

I will not have my hat spoiled .

I suppose I shouldn't have put it on .

Beatrix said it was going to rain .

Beatrix is such a horribly good prophet .

I detest people who are good prophets , don't you ? "

" I think that they are responsible for all the evils that they predict , " said the Young Man solemnly .

" that is just what I told Beatrix .

and I was determined to put on this hat and come out to the park today .

I simply had to be alone , and I knew I 'd be alone out here .

everybody else would be at the football game .

by the way , why aren't you there ? "

" dear me , " said the Girl pityingly .

" where can you have been not to have heard of it ?

it 's between the Dalhousie team and the Wanderers .

almost everybody here is on the Wanderers ' side , because they are Haligonians , but I am not .

I like the college boys best .

Beatrix says that it is just because of my innate contrariness .

last year I simply screamed myself hoarse with enthusiasm .

the Dalhousie team won the trophy . "

" well , I just couldn't , " said the Girl with a sigh .

Even Beatrix would never have dared to prophesy that .

but you see it has happened .

I was too crumpled up in my mind to care about football today .

I had to come here and have it out with myself .

that is why I put on my hat .

I thought , perhaps , I might get through with my mental gymnastics in time to go to the game afterwards .

but I didn't .

it is just maddening , too .

I got this hat and dress on purpose to wear to it .

they 're black and yellow , you see the Dalhousie colours .

it was my own idea .

I was sure it would make a sensation .

but I couldn't go to the game and take any interest in it , feeling as I do , could I , now ? "

the Young Man said , of course , she couldn't .

it was utterly out of the question .

the Girl smiled .

without a smile , she was charming .

with a smile , she was adorable .

" I like to have my opinions bolstered up .

do you know , I want to tell you something ?

May I ? "

" you may .

I 'll never tell anyone as long as I live , " said the Young Man solemnly .

" I don't know you and you don't know me .

that is why I want to tell you about it .

I must tell somebody , and if I told anybody I knew , they 'd tell it all over Halifax .

it is dreadful to be talking to you like this .

Beatrix would have three fits , one after the other , if she saw me .

but Beatrix is a slave to conventionality .

I glory in discarding it at times .

you don't mind , do you ? "

" not at all , " said the Young Man sincerely .

the Girl sighed .

" I have reached that point where I must have a confidant , or go crazy .

once I could tell things to Beatrix .

that was before she got engaged .

now she tells everything to him .

there is no earthly way of preventing her .

I 've tried them all .

so , nowadays , when I get into trouble , I tell it out loud to myself in the glass .

it 's a relief , you know .

but that is no good now .

I want to tell it to somebody who can say things back .

will you promise to say things back ? "

the Young Man assured her that he would when the proper time came .

" very well .

but please don't look at me while I 'm telling you .

I 'll be sure to blush in places .

when Beatrix wants to be particularly aggravating she says I have lost the art of blushing .

but that is only her way of putting it , you know .

sometimes I blush dreadfully . "

" well , " began the Girl , " the root of the whole trouble is simply this .

there is a young man in England .

I always think of him as the Creature .

he is the son of a man who was Father 's especial crony in boyhood , before Father emigrated to Canada .

worse than that , he comes of a family which has contracted a vile habit of marrying into our family .

it has come down through the ages so long that it has become chronic .

father left most of his musty traditions in England , but he brought this pet one with him .

he and this friend agreed that the latter 's son should marry one of Father 's daughters .

it ought to have been Beatrix she is the oldest .

but Beatrix had a pug nose .

so Father settled on me .

I was doomed to it from my cradle .

the Young Man shook his head , but did not look at her .

" it 's pretty bad , " he admitted .

" you see , " said the Girl pathetically , " the shadow of it has been over my whole life .

of course , when I was a very little girl I didn't mind it so much .

it was such a long way off and lots of things might happen .

the Creature might run away with some other girl or I might have the smallpox or Beatrix 's nose might be straight when she grew up .

and if Beatrix 's nose were straight she 'd be a great deal prettier than I am .

but nothing did happen and her nose is puggier than ever .

then when I grew up things were horrid .

I never could have a single little bit of fun .

and Beatrix had such a good time !

she had scores of lovers in spite of her nose .

to be sure , she 's engaged now and he 's a horrid , faddy little creature .

but he is her own choice .

oh , it makes me furious ! "

" is is there anyone else ? " asked the Young Man hesitatingly .

" oh , dear , no .

how could there be ?

why , you know , I couldn't have the tiniest flirtation with another man when I was as good as engaged to the Creature .

that is one of my grievances .

just think how much fun I 've missed !

as if I cared how clever or rich he is !

Beatrix made me so cross that I gave up saying anything and sulked by myself .

so they think I 'm quite reconciled to it , but I'm not . "

" he might be very nice after all , " suggested the Young Man .

" Nice !

that isn't the point .

oh , don't you see ?

but no , you 're a man you can't understand .

you must just take my word for it .

the whole thing makes me furious .

but I haven't told you the worst .

the Creature is on his way out to Canada now .

he may arrive here at any minute .

and they are all so aggravatingly delighted over it . "

" what do you suppose he feels like ? " asked the Young Man reflectively .

" well , " said the Girl frankly , " I 've been too much taken up with my own feelings to worry about his .

but I daresay they are pretty much like mine .

he must loathe and detest the very thought of me . "

" oh , I don't think he does , " said the Young Man gravely .

" don't you ?

well , what do you suppose he does think of it all ?

you ought to understand the man 's part of it better than I can . "

" there 's as much difference in men as in women , " said the Young Man in an impersonal tone .

she becomes his boyish ideal of all that is good and true .

he pictures her as beautiful and winsome and sweet .

she is his heart 's lady , and the thought of her abides with him as a safeguard and an inspiration .

for her sake he resolves to make the most of himself , and live a clean , loyal life .

when she comes to him she must find his heart fit to receive her .

the Young Man stopped abruptly , and looked at the Girl .

she bent forward with shining eyes , and touched his hand .

" you are splendid , " she said softly .

" if he thought so but no I am sure he doesn't .

he 's just coming out here like a martyr going to the stake .

he knows he will be expected to propose to me when he gets here .

and he knows that I know it too .

and he knows and I know that I will be expected to say my very prettiest ' yes . ' "

" but are you going to say it ? " asked the Young Man anxiously .

the Girl leaned forward .

" no .

that is my secret .

I am going to say a most emphatic ' no . ' "

" but won't your family make an awful row ? "

" of course .

but I rather enjoy a row now and then .

it stirs up one 's grey matter so nicely .

I came out here this afternoon and thought the whole affair over from beginning to end .

and I have determined to say ' no . ' "

" oh , I wouldn't make it so irreconcilable as that , " said the Young Man lightly .

" I 'd leave a loophole of escape .

" I suppose it would , " said the Girl thoughtfully , " but then , you know , I won't change my mind . "

" it 's just as well to be on the safe side , " said the Young Man .

the Girl got up .

the rain was over and the sun was coming out through the mists .

" perhaps you are right , " she said .

" so I 'll just resolve that I will say ' no ' if I don't want to say ' yes . '

that really amounts to the same thing , you know .

thank you so much for letting me tell you all about it .

it must have bored you terribly , but it has done me so much good .

I feel quite calm and rational now , and can go home and behave myself .

goodbye . "

" goodbye , " said the Young Man gravely .

he stood on the pavilion and watched the Girl out of sight beyond the pines .

when the Girl got home she was told that the Dalhousie team had won the game , eight to four .

the Girl dragged her hat off and waved it joyously .

" what a shame I wasn't there !

they 'd have gone mad over my dress . "

but the next item of information crushed her .

the Creature had arrived .

he had called that afternoon , and was coming to dinner that night .

what lovely brown eyes he had !

I do dote on brown eyes .

the Creature will be sure to have fishy blue ones . "

when the Girl went down to meet the Creature she found herself confronted by the Young Man .

for the first , last , and only time in her life , the Girl had not a word to say .

but her family thought her confusion very natural and pretty .

they really had not expected her to behave so well .

as for the Young Man , his manner was flawless .

toward the end of the dinner , when the Girl was beginning to recover herself , he turned to her .

" you know I promised never to tell , " he said .

" be sure you don't , then , " said the Girl meekly .

" but aren't you glad you left the loophole ? " he persisted .

the Girl smiled down into her lap .

" perhaps , " she said .

aunt Cyrilla 's Christmas Basket

that troublesome worry over what Geraldine would think nerved her to make a protest in this instance .

as for it 's being Christmas , all the more reason .

Edward is always real glad to get some of the old farmhouse goodies .

he says they beat city cooking all hollow , and so they do . "

" but it 's so countrified , " moaned Lucy Rose .

" well , I am countrified , " said Aunt Cyrilla firmly , " and so are you .

and what 's more , I don't see that it 's anything to be ashamed of .

you 've got some real silly pride about you , Lucy Rose .

you 'll grow out of it in time , but just now it is giving you a lot of trouble . "

" the basket is a lot of trouble , " said Lucy Rose crossly .

" you 're always mislaying it or afraid you will .

and it does look so funny to be walking through the streets with that big , bulgy basket hanging on your arm . "

" I 'm not a mite worried about its looks , " returned Aunt Cyrilla calmly .

Edward and Geraldine don't need it I know that but there may be those that will .

aunt Cyrilla nodded and smiled good-humouredly , and Lucy Rose , though she privately held to her own opinion , had to smile too .

that big fruit cake for one thing Edward does like my fruit cake ; and that cold boiled tongue for another .

and apples , of course three or four dozen of those good eaters and a little pot of my greengage preserves Edward 'll like that .

and some sandwiches and pound cake for a snack for ourselves .

now , I guess that will do for eatables .

the presents for the children can go in on top .

now , is that all ? "

couldn't you put them in too ? "

aunt Cyrilla smiled broadly .

I can make room . "

" some day I 'm going to burn this basket when I get courage enough .

then there 'll be an end of lugging it everywhere we go like a like an old market-woman . "

uncle Leopold came in just then , shaking his head dubiously .

" I mistrust you folks won't get to Pembroke tomorrow , " he said sagely .

" it 's going to storm . "

aunt Cyrilla did not worry over this .

she believed matters of this kind were fore-ordained , and she slept calmly .

when they reached there the air was thick with flying flakes .

the stationmaster sold them their tickets with a grim face .

" if there 's any more snow comes , the trains might as well keep Christmas too , " he said .

" that 's the beginning , " groaned Lucy Rose to herself .

Lucy Rose merely wondered uncomfortably what the others thought of Aunt Cyrilla 's basket .

they expected to reach Pembroke that night , but as the day wore on the storm grew worse .

twice the train had to stop while the train hands dug it out .

the third time it could not go on .

it was dusk when the conductor came through the train , replying brusquely to the questions of the anxious passengers .

we 're here for the night .

these storms of late have played the mischief with everything . "

" oh , dear , " groaned Lucy Rose .

aunt Cyrilla looked at her basket complacently .

" at any rate , we won't starve , " she said .

the pale , pretty girl seemed indifferent .

the sealskin lady looked crosser than ever .

the khaki boy said , " just my luck , " and two of the children began to cry .

aunt Cyrilla took some apples and striped candy sticks from her basket and carried them to them .

she lifted the oldest into her ample lap and soon had them all around her , laughing and contented .

the rest of the travellers straggled over to the corner and drifted into conversation .

the khaki boy said it was hard lines not to get home for Christmas , after all .

" I was invalided from South Africa three months ago , and I 've been in the hospital at Netley ever since .

they 'll be badly disappointed . "

he looked disappointed too .

one khaki sleeve hung empty by his side .

aunt Cyrilla passed him an apple .

" we were all going down to Grandpa 's for Christmas , " said the little mother 's oldest boy dolefully .

" we 've never been there before , and it 's just too bad . "

he looked as if he wanted to cry but thought better of it and bit off a mouthful of candy .

" will there be any Santa Claus on the train ? " demanded his small sister tearfully .

" Jack says there won't . "

" I guess he 'll find you out , " said Aunt Cyrilla reassuringly .

the pale , pretty girl came up and took the baby from the tired mother .

" what a dear little fellow , " she said softly .

" are you going home for Christmas too ? " asked Aunt Cyrilla .

the girl shook her head .

" I haven't any home .

I 'm just a shop girl out of work at present , and I 'm going to Pembroke to look for some . "

aunt Cyrilla went to her basket and took out her box of cream candy .

" I guess we might as well enjoy ourselves .

let's eat it all up and have a good time .

maybe we 'll get down to Pembroke in the morning . "

the little group grew cheerful as they nibbled , and even the pale girl brightened up .

the little mother told Aunt Cyrilla her story aside .

she had been long estranged from her family , who had disapproved of her marriage .

her husband had died the previous summer , leaving her in poor circumstances .

" father wrote to me last week and asked me to let bygones be bygones and come home for Christmas .

I was so glad .

and the children 's hearts were set on it .

it seems too bad that we are not to get there .

I have to be back at work the morning after Christmas . "

the khaki boy came up again and shared the candy .

he told amusing stories of campaigning in South Africa .

the minister came too , and listened , and even the sealskin lady turned her head over her shoulder .

by and by the children fell asleep , one on Aunt Cyrilla 's lap and one on Lucy Rose 's , and two on the seat .

Aunt Cyrilla and the pale girl helped the mother make up beds for them .

the minister gave his overcoat and the sealskin lady came forward with a shawl .

" this will do for the baby , " she said .

" we must get up some Santa Claus for these youngsters , " said the khaki boy .

" let's hang their stockings on the wall and fill ' em up as best we can .

I 've nothing about me but some hard cash and a jack-knife .

I 'll give each of ' em a quarter and the boy can have the knife . "

" I 've nothing but money either , " said the sealskin lady regretfully .

aunt Cyrilla glanced at the little mother .

she had fallen asleep with her head against the seat-back .

I 'm going to give ' em to these .

as for the money , I think the mother is the one for it to go to .

she 's been telling me her story , and a pitiful one it is .

let's make up a little purse among us for a Christmas present . "

the idea met with favour .

the khaki boy passed his cap and everybody contributed .

the sealskin lady put in a crumpled note .

when Aunt Cyrilla straightened it out she saw that it was for twenty dollars .

meanwhile , Lucy Rose had brought the basket .

she smiled at Aunt Cyrilla as she lugged it down the aisle and Aunt Cyrilla smiled back .

Lucy Rose had never touched that basket of her own accord before .

" that baby is such a dear little fellow , " said the sealskin lady gently .

" he looks something like my little son .

he died eighteen Christmases ago . "

aunt Cyrilla put her hand over the lady 's kid glove .

" so did mine , " she said .

then the two women smiled tenderly at each other .

afterwards they rested from their labours and all had what Aunt Cyrilla called a " snack " of sandwiches and pound cake .

the khaki boy said he hadn't tasted anything half so good since he left home .

" they didn't give us pound cake in South Africa , " he said .

when morning came the storm was still raging .

the children wakened and went wild with delight over their stockings .

" this is serious , " said the khaki boy , " when you consider that we 've no provisions .

don't mind for myself , used to half rations or no rations at all .

but these kiddies will have tremendous appetites . "

then Aunt Cyrilla rose to the occasion .

" I 've got some emergency rations here , " she announced .

" there 's plenty for all and we 'll have our Christmas dinner , although a cold one .

breakfast first thing .

the only thing is , I haven't any bread . "

" I 've a box of soda crackers , " said the little mother eagerly .

nobody in that car will ever forget that Christmas .

to begin with , after breakfast they had a concert .

the khaki boy gave two recitations , sang three songs , and gave a whistling solo .

Lucy Rose gave three recitations and the minister a comic reading .

the pale shop girl sang two songs .

" if we can get to the next station we 'll be all right , " he said .

" the branch joins the main line there and the tracks will be clear . "

at noon they had dinner .

the train hands were invited in to share it .

bits of paper served as plates .

everybody declared they had never enjoyed a meal more in their lives .

they could not eat the preserves because they had no spoons , so Aunt Cyrilla gave them to the little mother .

when all was over , a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Aunt Cyrilla and her basket .

the sealskin lady wanted to know how she made her pound cake , and the khaki boy asked for her receipt for jelly cookies .

" I feel as if I 'd been campaigning with you all my life , " said the khaki boy .

at the next station they all parted .

the little mother and the children had to take the next train back home .

the minister stayed there , and the khaki boy and the sealskin lady changed trains .

the sealskin lady shook Aunt Cyrilla 's hand .

she no longer looked discontented or cross .

" this has been the pleasantest Christmas I have ever spent , " she said heartily .

" I shall never forget that wonderful basket of yours .

the little shop girl is going home with me .

I 've promised her a place in my husband 's store . "

when Aunt Cyrilla and Lucy Rose reached Pembroke there was nobody to meet them because everyone had given up expecting them .

it was not far from the station to Edward 's house and Aunt Cyrilla elected to walk .

" I 'll carry the basket , " said Lucy Rose .

aunt Cyrilla relinquished it with a smile .

Lucy Rose smiled too .

" it 's a blessed old basket , " said the latter , " and I love it .

please forget all the silly things I ever said about it , Aunt C'rilla . "

Davenport 's Story

it was a rainy afternoon , and we had been passing the time by telling ghost stories .

that is a very good sort of thing for a rainy afternoon , and it is a much better time than after night .

but Jack , as usual , was dissatisfied .

he said our stories were all second-hand stuff .

" one doesn't get any information from that , " said Jack .

some persons appear to have the knack of getting their wishes granted .

Jack is one of that ilk .

it was a very good ghost story as ghost stories go , and Davenport told it well .

Even Jack admitted that , but he said :

" it 's only second-hand too .

did you ever have a ghostly experience yourself , old man ? "

Davenport put his finger tips critically together .

" would you believe me if I said I had ? " he asked .

" no , " said Jack unblushingly .

" then there would be no use in my saying it . "

" but you don't mean that you ever really had , of course ? "

" I don't know .

something queer happened once .

I 've never been able to explain it from a practical point of view , that is .

want to hear about it ? "

of course we did .

this was exciting .

nobody would ever have suspected Davenport of seeing ghosts .

" it 's conventional enough , " he began .

" ghosts don't seem to have much originality .

but it 's firsthand , Jack , if that 's what you want .

I don't suppose any of you have ever heard me speak of my brother , Charles .

" when he left college he became engaged to Dorothy Chester .

she was very beautiful , and my brother idolized her .

she died a short time before the date set for their marriage , and Charles never recovered from the blow .

" I married Dorothy 's sister , Virginia .

Virginia did not in the least resemble her sister , but our eldest daughter was strikingly like her dead aunt .

we called her Dorothy , and Charles was devoted to her .

Dolly , as we called her , was always ' Uncle Charley 's girl . '

" when Dolly was twelve years old Charles went to New Orleans on business , and while there took yellow fever and died .

he was buried there , and Dolly half broke her childish heart over his death .

" one day , five years later , when Dolly was seventeen , I was writing letters in my library .

that very morning my wife and Dolly had gone to New York en route for Europe .

Dolly was going to school in Paris for a year .

Business prevented my accompanying them even as far as New York , but Gilbert Chester , my wife 's brother , was going with them .

they were to sail on the Aragon the next morning .

" I had written steadily for about an hour .

I dropped my cigar and sprang to my feet in amazement .

there was only one door in the room and I had all along been facing it .

" there was no mistaking him ; I saw him as plainly as I see you .

he was a tall , rather stout man , with curly hair and a fair , close-clipped beard .

he wore the same light-grey suit which he had worn when bidding us good-bye on the morning of his departure for New Orleans .

he had no hat on , but wore spectacles , and was standing in his old favourite attitude , with his hands behind him .

I took a hasty step towards him .

" ' Good heavens , old fellow ! '

I exclaimed .

' Where on earth have you come from ?

why , we all thought you were dead ! '

" I was quite close to him when I stopped abruptly .

somehow I couldn't move another step .

he made no motion , but his eyes looked straight into mine .

" 'Do not let Dolly sail on the Aragon tomorrow , ' he said in slow , clear tones that I heard distinctly .

one moment he was there and the next moment he wasn't .

he did not pass me or go out of the door .

" for a few moments I felt dazed .

I was wide awake and in my right and proper senses so far as I could judge , and yet the whole thing seemed incredible .

scared ?

no , I wasn't conscious of being scared .

I was simply bewildered .

I took it with the comfortable consciousness that my friends would certainly think I had gone out of my mind .

I found them greatly mystified by my telegram .

I suppose my explanation was a very lame one .

I know I felt decidedly like a fool .

Gilbert laughed at me and said I had dreamed the whole thing .

Virginia was perplexed , but Dolly accepted the warning unhesitatingly .

" ' Of course it was Uncle Charley , ' she said confidently .

' We will not sail on the Aragon now . '

Gilbert didn't laugh when the news came , I assure you .

Virginia and Dolly sailed a month later on the Marseilles , and reached the other side in safety .

that 's all the story , boys the only experience of the kind I ever had , " concluded Davenport .

we had many questions to ask and several theories to advance .

Jack said Davenport had dreamed it and that the collision of the Aragon and the Astarte was simply a striking coincidence .

but Davenport merely smiled at all our suggestions and , as it cleared up just about three , we told no more ghost stories .

Emily 's Husband

Emily Fair got out of Hiram Jameson 's waggon at the gate .

she took her satchel and parasol and , in her clear , musical tones , thanked him for bringing her home .

Emily had a very distinctive voice .

nobody had ever heard Emily Fair 's voice tremble .

" you are more than welcome , Mrs Fair , " said Hiram Jameson , with a glance of bold admiration .

Emily met it with an unflinching indifference .

she disliked Hiram Jameson .

she had been furious under all her external composure because he had been at the station when she left the train .

Jameson perceived her scorn , but chose to disregard it .

" proud as Lucifer , " he thought as he drove away .

" well , she 's none the worse of that .

I don't like your weak women they 're always sly .

if Stephen Fair don't get better she 'll be free and then "

Emily stood at the gate for some time after Jameson 's waggon had disappeared .

when the brief burst of sunset splendour had faded out she turned and went into the garden where late asters and chrysanthemums still bloomed .

she gathered some of the more perfect ones here and there .

a sudden gust of wind came over the brown , sodden fields and the ragged maples around the garden writhed and wailed .

the air was raw and chill .

the rain that had threatened all day was very near .

Emily shivered and went into the house .

Amelia Phillips was bending over the fire .

she came forward and took Emily 's parcels and wraps with a certain gentleness that sat oddly on her grim personality .

" are you tired ?

I 'm glad you 're back .

did you walk from the station ? "

" no .

Hiram Jameson was there and offered to drive me home .

I 'd rather have walked .

it 's going to be a storm , I think .

where is John ? "

" he went to the village after supper , " answered Amelia , lighting a lamp .

" we needed some things from the store . "

the light flared up as she spoke and brought out her strong , almost harsh features and deep-set black eyes .

Amelia Phillips looked like an overdone sketch in charcoal .

" has anything happened in Woodford while I 've been away ? " asked Emily indifferently .

plainly she did not expect an affirmative answer .

Woodford life was not eventful .

Amelia glanced at her sharply .

so she had not heard !

Amelia had expected that Hiram Jameson would have told her .

she wished that he had , for she never felt sure of Emily .

from the time that Emily had come back to her girlhood 's home , five years before , Stephen Fair 's name had never crossed her lips .

" I suppose you haven't heard that Stephen is very ill , " said Amelia slowly .

not a feature of Emily 's face changed .

only in her voice when she spoke was a curious jarring , as if a false note had been struck in a silver melody .

" what is the matter with him ? "

" typhoid , " answered Amelia briefly .

she felt relieved that Emily had taken it so calmly .

that , in Amelia Phillips ' opinion , would have betrayed a weakness not to be tolerated .

Emily looked at the lamp unwinkingly .

" that wick needs trimming , " she said .

then , with a sudden recurrence of the untuneful note :

" is he dangerously ill ? "

" we haven't heard for three days .

the doctors were not anxious about him Monday , though they said it was a pretty severe case . "

a faint , wraith-like change of expression drifted over Emily 's beautiful face and was gone in a moment .

what was it relief ?

regret ?

it would have been impossible to say .

when she next spoke her vibrant voice was as perfectly melodious as usual .

" I think I will go to bed , Amelia .

John will not be back until late I suppose , and I am very tired .

there comes the rain .

I suppose it will spoil all the flowers .

they will be beaten to pieces . "

she peered out into the thickly gathering gloom .

beyond , in the garden , she saw the asters tossed about , phantom-like .

the wind around the many-cornered old farmhouse was full of wails and sobs .

the clock in the sitting-room struck eight .

Emily shivered and shut the door .

she remembered that she had been married at eight o'clock that very morning seven years ago .

she thought she could see herself coming down the stairs in her white dress with her bouquet of asters .

when she had put out her light and gone to bed she found that she could not sleep .

she pretended to believe that it was the noise of the storm that kept her awake .

not even to herself would Emily confess that she was waiting and listening nervously for John 's return home .

that would have been to admit a weakness , and Emily Fair , like Amelia , despised weakness .

she shuddered and drew the counterpane over her face .

" of all things I hate a fall storm most , " she muttered .

" it frightens me . "

it was so strange to think of Stephen being ill .

she had never known him to have a day 's sickness in his life before .

scene after scene , face after face , flashed out on the background of the darkness .

John Phillips , too , the grave , silent , elder brother , loved and petted the child .

Woodford people were fond of saying that John and Amelia spoiled Emily shamefully .

Emily Phillips had never been like the other Woodford girls and had no friends of her own age among them .

Amelia and John Phillips never liked him .

there was an ancient feud between the families that had died out among the younger generation , but was still potent with the older .

from the first Emily had loved Stephen .

John and Amelia Phillips put their own unjustifiable dislike of Stephen aside when they found that Emily 's heart was set on him .

the two were married after a brief courtship and Emily went out from her girlhood 's home to the Fair homestead , two miles away .

Stephen 's mother lived with them .

Janet Fair had never liked Emily .

she had not been willing for Stephen to marry her .

but , apart from this , the woman had a natural , ineradicable love of making mischief and took a keen pleasure in it .

now it became her pleasure to make what trouble she could between Stephen and his wife .

she had the advantage of Emily in that she was always sweet-spoken and , on the surface , sweet-tempered .

to a certain extent he was right .

Emily had been spoiled .

but this Emily refused to be , and the breach between husband and wife widened insidiously .

the final rupture came two years after their marriage .

Emily , in rebellious anger , told her husband that she would no longer live in the same house with his mother .

" if she stays I go . "

Stephen Fair , harassed and bewildered , was angry with the relentless anger of a patient man roused at last .

" go , then , " he said sternly , " I 'll never turn my mother from my door for any woman 's whim . "

the stormy red went out of Emily 's face , leaving it like a marble wash .

" you mean that ! " she said calmly .

" think well .

if I go I 'll never return . "

" I do mean it , " said Stephen .

" leave my house if you will if you hold your marriage vow so lightly .

when your senses return you are welcome to come back to me .

I will never ask you to . "

without another word Emily turned away .

that night she went back to John and Amelia .

they , on their part , welcomed her back gladly , believing her to be a wronged and ill-used woman .

they hated Stephen Fair with a new and personal rancour .

the one thing they could hardly have forgiven Emily would have been the fact of her relenting towards him .

but she did not relent .

two years after she had left Stephen Mrs Fair died , and his widowed sister-in-law went to keep house for him .

if he thought of Emily he made no sign .

Stephen Fair never broke a word once passed .

since their separation no greeting or look had ever passed between husband and wife .

when they met , as they occasionally did , neither impassive face changed .

Emily Fair had buried her love deeply .

in her pride and anger she would not let herself remember even where she had dug its grave .

and now Stephen was ill .

the strange woman felt a certain pride in her own inflexibility because the fact did not affect her .

she told herself that she could not have felt more unconcerned had he been the merest stranger .

nevertheless she waited and watched for John Phillips ' homecoming .

at ten o'clock she heard his voice in the kitchen .

she leaned out of the bed and pulled open her door .

the door of the kitchen was open below her and a narrow shaft of light struck on her white , intent face .

she looked like a woman waiting for the decree of doom .

at first John and Amelia talked of trivial matters .

then the latter said abruptly :

" did you hear how Stephen Fair was ? "

" he 's dying , " was the brief response .

Emily heard Amelia 's startled exclamation .

she gripped the square rails with her hands until the sharp edges dinted deep into her fingers .

John 's voice came up to her again , harsh and expressionless :

" he took a bad turn the day before yesterday and has been getting worse ever since .

the doctors don't expect him to live till morning . "

Amelia began to talk rapidly in low tones .

Emily heard nothing further .

Stephen her husband dying !

in the burning anguish of that moment her own soul was as an open book before her .

the love she had buried rose from the deeps of her being in an awful , accusing resurrection .

out of her stupor and pain a purpose formed itself clearly .

she must go to Stephen she must beg and win his forgiveness before it was too late .

she dared not go down to John and ask him to take her to her husband .

he might refuse .

the Phillipses had been known to do even harder things than that .

it would drive her mad .

she lit a lamp and dressed herself noiselessly , but with feverish haste .

then she listened .

the house was very still .

Amelia and John had gone to bed .

she wrapped herself in a heavy woollen shawl hanging in the hall and crept downstairs .

with numbed fingers she fumbled at the key of the hall door , turned it and slipped out into the night .

the storm seemed to reach out and clutch her and swallow her up .

In after years that frenzied walk through the storm and blackness seemed as an unbroken nightmare to Emily Fair 's recollection .

often she fell .

as she struggled to her feet and found her way again the blood trickled down over her face .

then , realizing this , she cried out in horror .

surely some fearsome punishment would come upon her for her wickedness she would find her husband lying dead .

the next moment she recognized Emily and her face hardened .

this woman , Stephen 's sister-in-law , had always hated Emily Fair .

" what do you want here ? " she said harshly .

" where is my husband ? " asked Emily .

" you can't see him , " said Mrs Sentner defiantly .

" the doctors won't allow anyone in the room but those he 's used to .

strangers excite him . "

the insolence and cruelty of her speech fell on unheeding ears .

Emily , understanding only that her husband yet lived , turned to the hall door .

sullenly she stood aside and Emily went unhindered up the stairs to the room where the sick man lay .

the two doctors in attendance were there , together with the trained nurse from the city .

Emily pushed them aside and fell on her knees by the bed .

one of the doctors made a hasty motion as if to draw her back , but the other checked him .

" it doesn't matter now , " he said significantly .

Stephen Fair turned his languid , unshorn head on the pillow .

his dull , fevered eyes met Emily 's .

he had not recognized anyone all day , but he knew his wife .

" Emily ! " he whispered .

Emily drew his head close to her face and kissed his lips passionately .

" Stephen , I 've come back to you .

forgive me forgive me say that you forgive me . "

" it 's all right , my girl , " he said feebly .

she buried her face in the pillow beside his with a sob .

in the wan , grey light of the autumn dawn the old doctor came to the bedside and lifted Emily to her feet .

she had not stirred the whole night .

now she raised her white face with dumb pleading in her eyes .

the doctor glanced at the sleeping form on the bed .

" your husband will live , Mrs Fair , " he said gently .

" I think your coming saved him .

his joy turned the ebbing tide in favour of life . "

" thank God ! " said Emily .

and for the first time in her life her beautiful voice trembled .

Min

the morning sun hung , a red , lustreless ball , in the dull grey sky .

it was not a handsome face , but there was a strangely subtle charm about it .

the chill breathlessness of the air seemed prophetic of more snow .

he felt utterly discouraged .

he had been two years among them and he counted it two years of failure .

he had been too outspoken for them ; they resented sullenly his direct and incisive tirades against their pet sins .

he had meant well and worked hard and he felt his failure keenly .

two years before , Allan Telford , fresh from college and full of vigorous enthusiasm and high ideas , would have said :

" no , that is not for me .

my work must lie among the poor and lowly of earth as did my Master 's .

shall I shrink from it because , to worldly eyes , the way looks dreary and uninviting ? "

now , looking back on his two years ' ministry , he said wearily :

" I can remain here no longer .

if I do , I fear I shall sink down into something almost as pitiful as one of these canting , gossiping people myself .

I can do them no good they do not like or trust me .

I will accept this call and go back to my own world . "

perhaps the keynote of his failure was sounded in his last words , " my own world . "

he had never felt , or tried to feel , that this narrow sphere was his own world .

they expressed it by saying he was " stuck-up . "

Rykman 's Corner came into view as he drove over the brow of a long hill .

the newest scandal , the worst-flavoured joke , the latest details of the most recent quarrel , were always to be had at Rykman 's store .

as the minister drove down the hill , a man came out of a small house at the foot and waited on the road .

" good mornin ' , Mr Telford .

ye won't mind giving me a lift down to the Corner , I dessay ? "

Telford checked his horse reluctantly and Galletly crawled into the cutter .

he had been nicknamed " the Morning Chronicle " by a sarcastic schoolteacher who had sojourned a winter at the Corner .

the name was an apt one and clung .

Telford had heard it .

I suppose he is starting out on his rounds now , he thought .

Galletly plunged undauntedly into the conversational gap .

" quite a fall of snow last night .

reckon we 'll have more ' fore long .

that was a grand sermon ye gave us last Sunday , Mr Telford .

reckon it went home to some folks , judgin ' from all I 've heard .

it was needed and that 's a fact .

' Live peaceably with all men ' that 's what I lay out to do .

there ain't a house in the district but what I can drop into and welcome .

' Tain't everybody in Rykman 's Corner can say the same . "

Galletly squinted out of the corner of his eye to see if the minister would open on the trail of this hint .

Telford 's passive face was discouraging but Galletly was not to be baffled .

" I s'pose ye haven't heard about the row down at Palmers ' last night ? "

" no . "

the monosyllable was curt .

Telford was vainly seeking to nip Galletly 's gossip in the bud .

the name of Palmer conveyed no especial meaning to his ear .

his knowledge went no further .

he had called three times and found nobody at home at least , to all appearances .

now he was fated to have the whole budget of some vulgar quarrel forced on him by Galletly .

" no ?

everyone 's talkin ' of it .

I believe the two women had an awful time .

Min 's a Tartar when her temper 's up and that 's pretty often .

nobody knows how Rose managed to put up with her so long .

but she has had to go at last .

goodness knows what the poor critter'll do .

she hasn't a cent nor a relation she was just an orphan girl that Palmer brought up .

she is at Rawlingses now .

maybe when Min cools off , she 'll let her go back but it 's doubtful .

Min hates her like p'isen . "

to Telford this was all very unintelligible .

" who is this woman you call Min Palmer ? " he said coldly .

" what are the family circumstances ?

I ought to know , perhaps , if I am to be of any service but I have no wish to hear idle gossip . "

his concluding sentence was quite unheeded by Galletly .

" Min Palmer 's the worst woman in Rykman 's Corner or out of it .

she always was an odd one .

I mind her when she was a girl a saucy , black-eyed baggage she was !

Handsome , some folks called her .

I never c 'd see it .

her people were a queer crowd and Min was never brung up right jest let run wild all her life .

well , Rod Palmer took to dancin ' attendance on her .

Rod was a worthless scamp .

she was a quiet , well-behaved little creetur .

folks said the old man wanted Rod to marry her dunno if ' twas so or not .

in the end , howsomever , he had to marry Min .

her brother got after him with a horse-whip , ye understand .

old Palmer was furious but he had to give in and Rod brought her home .

she was a bit sobered down by her trouble and lived quiet and sullen-like at first .

her and Rod fought like cat and dog .

Rose married Osh Fuller , a worthless , drunken fellow .

he died in a year or so and left Rose and her baby without a roof over their heads .

then old Palmer went and brought her home .

he set great store by Rose and he c'dn't bear Min .

Min had to be civil to Rose as long as old Palmer lived .

Fin'lly Rod up and died and ' twasn't long before his father went too .

then the queer part came in .

everyone expected that he 'd purvide well for Rose and Min 'd come in second best .

but no will was to be found .

I don't say but what it was all right , mind you .

I may have my own secret opinion , of course .

old Palmer had a regular mania , as ye might say , for makin ' wills .

he 'd have a lawyer out from town every year and have a new will made and the old one burnt .

Lawyer Bell was there and made one ' bout eight months ' fore he died .

it was s'posed he'd destroyed it and then died ' fore he 'd time to make another .

he went off awful sudden .

anyway , everything went to Min 's child to Min as ye might say .

she 's been boss .

Rose still stayed on there and Min let her , which was more than folks expected of her .

but she 's turned her out at last .

Min 's in one of her tantrums now and ' tain't safe to cross her path . "

" what is Mrs Fuller to do ? " asked Telford anxiously .

" that 's the question .

she 's sickly can't work much and then she has her leetle gal .

Min was always jealous of that child .

it 's a real purty , smart leetle creetur and old Palmer made a lot of it .

Min 's own is an awful-looking thing a cripple from the time ' twas born .

there 's no doubt ' twas a jedgement on her .

as for Rose , no doubt the god of the widow and fatherless will purvide for her . "

in spite of his disgust , Telford could not repress a smile at the tone , half-whine , half-snuffle , with which Galletly ended up .

" I think I had better call and see this Mrs Palmer , " he said slowly .

" ' Twould be no airthly use , Mr Telford .

Min 'd slam the door in your face if she did nothing worse .

she hates ministers and everything that 's good .

she hasn't darkened a church door for years .

Min , she flew at him .

she vowed then she 'd never go to church again , and she never has .

People hereabouts has talked to her and tried to do her good , but it ain't no use .

why , I 've heard that woman say there was no God .

it 's a fact , Mr Telford I have .

some of our ministers has tried to visit her .

they didn't try it more than once .

the last one he was about your heft he got a scare , I tell you .

Min just caught him by the shoulder and shook him like a rat !

didn't see it myself but Mrs Rawlings did .

ye ought to hear her describin ' of it . "

Galletly chuckled over the recollection , his wicked little eyes glistening with delight .

Telford was thankful when they reached the store .

he felt that he could not endure this man 's society any longer .

nevertheless , he felt strangely interested .

this Min Palmer must at least be different from the rest of the Cornerites , if only in the greater force of her wickedness .

he almost felt as if her sins on the grand scale were less blameworthy than the petty vices of her censorious neighbours .

Galletly eagerly joined the group of loungers on the dirty wet platform , and Telford passed into the store .

a couple of slatternly women were talking to Mrs Rykman about " the Palmer row . "

Telford made his small purchases hastily .

by some subtle intuition Telford knew that this was Min Palmer .

she was tall , and not even the man 's ragged overcoat which she wore could conceal the grace of her figure .

Telford had a curious experience at that moment .

he knew , as if by revelation , that this woman had nothing in common with the narrow , self-righteous souls of Rykman 's Corner .

warped and perverted though her nature might be , she was yet far nobler than those who sat in judgement upon her .

Min made some scanty purchases and left the store quickly , brushing unheedingly past the minister as she did so .

he saw her step on a rough wood-sleigh and drive down the river road .

the platform loungers had been silent during her call , but now the talk bubbled forth anew .

Telford was sick at heart as he drove swiftly away .

he felt for Min Palmer a pity he could not understand or analyze .

the attempt to measure the gulf between what she was and what she might have been hurt him like the stab of a knife .

he made several calls at various houses along the river during the forenoon .

after dinner he suddenly turned his horse towards the Palmer place .

Isaac Galletly , comfortably curled up in a neighbour 's chimney corner , saw him drive past .

" Ef the minister ain't goin ' to Palmers ' after all ! " he chuckled .

" he 's a set one when he does take a notion .

well , I warned him what to expect .

if Min claws his eyes out , he 'll only have himself to blame . "

Telford was not without his own misgivings as he drove into the Palmer yard .

he tied his horse to the fence and looked doubtfully about him .

there was no sign of life about the place .

it was beginning to snow again , softly and thickly , and the hills and river were hidden behind a misty white veil .

her splendid hair was braided about her head in a glossy coronet , and her dark eyes were ablaze with ill-suppressed anger .

again Telford was overcome by a sense of her wonderful loveliness .

not all the years of bondage to ill-temper and misguided will had been able to blot out the beauty of that proud , dark face .

she lifted one large but shapely brown hand and pointed to the gate .

" go ! " she said threateningly .

" Mrs Palmer , " began Telford , but she silenced him with an imperious gesture .

" I don't want any of your kind here .

I hate all you ministers .

did you come here to lecture me ?

I suppose some of the Corner saints set you on me .

you 'll never cross my threshold . "

Telford returned her defiant gaze unflinchingly .

his dark-blue eyes , magnetic in their power and sweetness , looked gravely , questioningly , into Min 's stormy orbs .

slowly the fire and anger faded out of her face and her head drooped .

" I ain't fit for you to talk to anyway , " she said with a sort of sullen humility .

" maybe you mean well but you can't do me any good .

I 'm past that now .

the Corner saints say I 'm possessed of the devil .

perhaps I am if there is one . "

" I do mean well , " said Telford slowly .

" I did not come here to reprove you .

I came to help you if I could if you needed help , Mrs Palmer "

" don't call me that , " she interrupted passionately .

she flung out her hands as if pushing some loathly , invisible thing from her .

" I hate the name as I hated all who ever bore it .

I never had anything but wrong and dog-usage from them all .

call me Min that 's the only name that belongs to me now .

go why don't you go ?

don't stand there looking at me like that .

I 'm not going to change my mind .

I don't want any praying and whining round me .

I 've been well sickened of that .

go ! "

Telford threw back his head and looked once more into her eyes .

a long look passed between them .

then he silently lifted his cap and , with no word of farewell , he turned and went down to the gate .

a bitter sense of defeat and disappointment filled his heart as he drove away .

Min stood in the doorway and watched the sleigh out of sight down the river road .

then she gave a long , shivering sigh that was almost a moan .

he doesn't despise me he wouldn't sneer at me , bad as I am , like those creatures up there .

he could have helped me if we had met in time , but it 's too late now . "

she locked her hands over her eyes and groaned , swaying her body to and fro as one in mortal agony .

presently she looked out again with hard , dry eyes .

" what a fool I am ! " she said bitterly .

" how the Corner saints would stare if they saw me !

I suppose some of them do " with a glance at the windows of a neighbouring house .

" yes , there 's Mrs Rawlings staring out and Rose peeking over her shoulder . "

her face hardened .

the old sway of evil passion reasserted itself .

" she shall never come back here never .

oh , she was a sweet-spoken cat of a thing but she had claws .

I 've been blamed for all the trouble .

more fool I to care what he thinks either !

I wish I were dead .

it was a dull grey afternoon a week afterwards when Allan Telford again walked up the river road to the Palmer place .

the wind was bitter and he walked with bent head to avoid its fury .

his face was pale and worn and he looked years older .

he paused at the rough gate and leaned over it while he scanned the house and its surroundings eagerly .

as he looked , the kitchen door opened and Min , clad in the old overcoat , came out and walked swiftly across the yard .

Telford 's eyes followed her with pitiful absorption .

he saw her lead a horse from the stable and harness it into a wood-sleigh loaded with bags of grain .

once she paused to fling her arms about the animal 's neck , laying her face against it with a caressing motion .

the pale minister groaned aloud .

as she caught the horse by the bridle , the kitchen door swung heavily to with a sharp , sudden bang .

the horse , a great , powerful , nervous brute , started wildly and then reared in terror .

the ice underfoot was glib and treacherous .

Min lost her foothold and fell directly under the horse 's hoofs as they came heavily down .

the animal , freed from her detaining hand , sprang forward , dragging the laden sleigh over the prostrate woman .

it had all passed in a moment .

the moveless figure lay where it had fallen , one outstretched hand still grasping the whip .

Telford sprang over the gate and rushed up the slope like a madman .

he flung himself on his knees beside her .

" Min !

Min ! " he called wildly .

there was no answer .

the room was a large one and everything was neat and clean .

the fire burned brightly , and a few green plants were in blossom by the south window .

beside them sat a child of about seven years who turned a startled face at Telford 's reckless entrance .

by his side nestled a tiny dog , with satin ears and paws fringed as with ravelled silk .

Telford paid heed to nothing , not even the frightened child .

he was as one distraught .

" Min , " he wailed again , striving tremblingly to feel her pulse while cold drops came out on his forehead .

she opened her eyes wonderingly at his call , looking up with a dazed , appealing expression of pain and dread .

a low moan broke from her white lips .

Telford sprang to his feet in a tumult of quivering joy .

" min , dear , " he said gently , " you have been hurt not seriously , I hope .

I must leave you for a minute while I run for help I will not be long . "

" come back , " said Min in a low but distinct tone .

he paused impatiently .

" it is of no use to get help , " Min went on calmly .

" I 'm dying I know it .

oh , my God ! "

she pressed her hand to her side and writhed .

Telford turned desperately to the door .

Min raised her arm .

" come here , " she said resolutely .

he obeyed mutely .

she looked up at him with bright , unquailing eyes .

" don't you go one step don't leave me here to die alone .

I 'm past help and I 've something to say to you .

I must say it and I haven't much time . "

Telford hardly heeded her in his misery .

" Min , let me go for help let me do something , " he implored .

" you must not die you must not ! "

Min had fallen back , gasping , on the blood-stained pillow .

he knelt beside her and put his arm about the poor , crushed body .

" I must hurry , " she said faintly .

" I can't die with it on my mind .

Rose it 's all hers all .

there was a will he made it old Gran'ther Palmer .

he always hated me .

I found it before he died and read it .

he left everything to her not a cent to me nor his son 's child we were to starve beg .

I was like a madwoman .

when he died I hid the will .

I meant to burn it but I never could .

it 's tortured me night and day I 've had no peace .

you 'll find it in a box in my room .

tell her tell Rose how wicked I 've been .

and my boy what will become of him ?

Rose hates him she 'll turn him out or ill-treat him "

Telford lifted his white , drawn face .

" I will take your child , Min .

he shall be to me as my own son . "

an expression of unspeakable relief came into the dying woman 's face .

" it is good of you .

I can die in peace now .

I 'm glad to die to get clear of it all .

I 'm tired of living so .

perhaps I 'll have a chance somewhere else .

I 've never had any here . "

the dark eyes drooped closed .

Telford moaned shudderingly .

once again Min opened her eyes and looked straight into his .

" if I had met you long ago you would have loved me and I would have been a good woman .

it is well for us for you that I am dying .

your path will be clear you will be good and successful but you will always remember me . "

Telford bent and pressed his lips to Min 's pain-blanched mouth .

" do you think we will ever meet again ? " she said faintly .

" Out there it 's so dark God can never forgive me I 've been so wicked . "

" Min , the all-loving Father is more merciful than man .

he will forgive you , if you ask Him , and you will wait for me till I come .

I will stay here and do my duty I will try hard "

his voice broke .

Min 's great black eyes beamed out on him with passionate tenderness .

the strong , deep , erring nature yielded at last .

an exceeding bitter cry rose to her lips .

" oh , God forgive me forgive me ! "

and with the cry , the soul of poor suffering , sinning , sinned-against Min Palmer fled who shall say whither ?

death had bridged the gulf between them .

the room was very silent .

to Min 's face had returned something of its girlhood 's innocence .

the hard , unlovely lines were all smoothed out .

the little cripple crept timidly up to Telford , with the silky head of the dog pressed against his cheek .

Telford gathered the distorted little body to his side and looked earnestly into the small face Min 's face , purified and spiritualized .

he would have it near him always .

he bent and reverently kissed the cold face , the closed eyelids and the blood-stained brow of the dead woman .

then he stood up .

" come with me , dear , " he said gently to the child .

the day after the funeral , Allan Telford sat in the study of his little manse among the encircling wintry hills .

Close to the window sat Min 's child , his small , beautiful face pressed against the panes , and the bright-eyed dog beside him .

Telford was writing in his journal .

" I shall stay here close to her grave .

I begin to see wherein I have failed .

I shall begin again patiently and humbly .

I wrote today to decline the C church call .

my heart and my work are here . "

he closed the book and bowed his head on it .

Miss Cordelia 's Accommodation

" poor little creatures ! " said Miss Cordelia compassionately .

she meant the factory children .

" tomorrow is Saturday , " she reflected , " and they 've no better place to play in than the back streets and yards .

it 's a shame .

there 's work for our philanthropists here , but they don't seem to see it .

well , I 'm so sorry for them it hurts me to look at them , but I can't do anything . "

Miss Cordelia lived alone in a tiny house at Point Pleasant .

it was so tiny that you would have wondered how anyone could live in it .

" but it 's plenty big for a little old maid like me , " Miss Cordelia would have told you .

" and it 's my own I 'm queen there .

there 's solid comfort in having one spot for your own self .

to be sure , if I had less land and more house it would be better . "

Miss Cordelia always laughed here .

it was one of her jokes .

there was a four-acre field behind the house .

both had been left to her by an uncle .

the field was of no use to Miss Cordelia ; she didn't keep a cow and she hadn't time to make a garden .

but she liked her field ; when people asked her why she didn't sell it she said :

" I 'm fond of it .

I like to walk around in it when the grass grows long .

and it may come in handy some time .

mother used to say if you kept anything seven years it would come to use .

I 've had my field a good bit longer than that , but maybe the time will come yet .

meanwhile I rejoice in the fact that I am a landed proprietor to the extent of four acres . "

miss Cordelia had thought of converting her field into a playground for the factory children and asking detachments of them over on Saturday afternoon .

but she knew that her Point Pleasant neighbours would object to this , so that project was dropped .

Cynthia Ann Flemming , who lived on the other side of the spruce hedge , now came hurrying over .

" good evening , Cordelia .

I have a letter that was left with me for you . "

" but that horse , " said Miss Cordelia , with a long breath between every word .

" where did he come from ?

tied at my front door and he 's eaten the tops off every one of my geraniums !

where 's his owner or rider or something ? "

Cynthia Ann came through the hedge with the letter .

" maybe this will explain , " she said .

" same boy brought it as brought the horse a little freckly chap mostly all grin and shirtsleeves .

said he was told to take the letter and horse to Miss Cordelia Herry , Elm Street , Point Pleasant , and he couldn't wait .

so he tied the creature in there and left the letter with me .

he came half an hour ago .

well , he has played havoc with your geraniums and no mistake . "

Miss Cordelia opened and read her letter .

when she finished it she looked at the curious Cynthia Ann solemnly .

" well , if that isn't John Drew all over !

I suspected he was at the bottom of it as soon as I laid my eyes on that animal .

John Drew is a cousin of mine .

I suppose that is the horse .

John and I were just like brother and sister when we were children .

if this isn't like him nothing ever was .

he was always doing odd things and thinking they were all right .

and now he 's off west and here is the horse .

if it were a cat or a dog but a horse ! "

" your four-acre field will come in handy now , " said Cynthia Ann jestingly .

" so it will . "

Miss Cordelia spoke absently .

" the very thing !

yes , I 'll put him in there . "

" but you don't really mean that you 're going to keep the horse , are you ? " protested Cynthia Ann .

" why , he is no good to you and think of the expense of feeding him ! "

" I 'll keep him for a while , " said Miss Cordelia briskly .

" as you say , there is the four-acre field .

it will keep him in eating for a while .

I always knew that field had a mission .

Poor John Drew !

I 'd like to oblige him for old times ' sake , as he says , although this is as crazy as anything he ever did .

but I have a plan .

meanwhile , I can't feed Nap on geraniums . "

Miss Cordelia always adapted herself quickly and calmly to new circumstances .

" it is never any use to get in a stew about things , " she was wont to say .

" I can keep him for the summer , " she said .

I 'm not so sure but that John Drew has done a good thing after all .

Poor John !

he always did take things so for granted . "

all the point pleasant people soon knew about Miss Cordelia 's questionable windfall , and she was overwhelmed with advice and suggestions .

she listened to all tranquilly and then placidly followed her own way .

Miss Cordelia drove straight out to the big pine-clad hills of Deepdale , six miles from Pottstown .

then she tied Nap in a convenient lane and turned the children loose to revel in the woods and fields .

how they did enjoy themselves !

and how Miss Cordelia enjoyed seeing them enjoy themselves !

when dinner time came she gathered them all around her and went to the wagon .

in it she had a basket of bread and butter .

" I can't afford anything more , " she told Cynthia Ann , " but they must have something to stay their little stomachs .

and I can get some water at a farmhouse . "

miss Cordelia had had her eye on a certain farmhouse all the morning .

she did not know anything about the people who lived there , but she liked the looks of the place .

it was a big , white , green-shuttered house , throned in wide-spreading orchards , with a green sweep of velvety lawn in front .

as he approached , Miss Cordelia thought she had never seen anybody so much like an incarnate smile before .

" well , well , well ! " he said , when he came near enough to be heard .

" is this a runaway school , ma'am ? "

" I 'm the runaway schoolma'am , " responded Miss Cordelia with a twinkle .

" and these are a lot of factory children I 've brought out for a Saturday treat .

I thought I might get some water from your well , and maybe you will lend us a tin dipper or two ? "

" water ?

Tut , tut ! " said the big man , with three distinct smiles on his face .

" milk 's the thing , ma'am milk .

I 'll tell my housekeeper to bring some out .

and all of you come over to the lawn and make yourselves at home .

bless you , ma'am , I 'm fond of children .

my name is Smiles , ma'am Abraham Smiles . "

" it suits you , " said Miss Cordelia emphatically , before she thought , and then blushed rosy-red over her bluntness .

Mr Smiles laughed .

" yes , I guess I always have an everlasting grin on .

we 'll have a sort of impromptu picnic here and now , I 'll tell my housekeeper to send out some jam too . "

while the children devoured their lunch Miss Cordelia found herself telling Mr Smiles all about old Nap and her little project .

" I 'm going to bring out a load every fine Saturday all summer , " she said .

" it 's all I can do .

they enjoy it so , the little creatures .

it 's terrible to think how cramped their lives are .

they just exist in soot .

some of them here never saw green fields before today . "

Mr Smiles listened and beamed and twinkled until Miss Cordelia felt almost as dazzled as if she were looking at the sun .

" look here , ma'am , I like this plan of yours and I want to have a hand in helping it along .

I 'll put up some swings for them and have some games , and I 'll provide the refreshments also .

trouble , ma'am ?

no , trouble and I ain't on speaking terms .

it 'll be a pleasure , ma'am .

I 'm fond of children even if I am a grumpy cross-grained old bachelor .

if you can give up your own holiday to give them a good time , surely I can do something too . "

even old Nap seemed to jog along eye-deep in satisfaction .

probably he was ruminating on the glorious afternoon he had spent in Mr Smiles 's clover pasture .

every fine Saturday that summer Miss Cordelia took some of the factory children to the country .

the Point Pleasant people nicknamed her equipage " Miss Cordelia 's accommodation , " and it became a mild standing joke .

as for Mr Smiles , he proved a valuable assistant .

like Miss Cordelia , he gave his Saturdays over to the children , and high weekly revel was held at Beechwood Farm .

" I feel so sorry , " she told Mr Smiles , " but it can't be helped .

it will soon be too cold for our jaunts and of course I can't keep Nap through the winter .

I hate to part with him , I 've grown so fond of him , but I must . "

she looked regretfully at Nap , who was nibbling Mr Smiles 's clover aftermath .

he was sleek and glossy .

it had been the golden summer of Nap 's life .

Mr Smiles coughed in an embarrassed fashion .

Miss Cordelia looked at him and was amazed to see that not a smile was on or about his face .

he looked absurdly serious .

" I want to buy Nap , " he said in a sepulchral tone , " but that is not the only thing I want .

I want you too , ma'am .

I 'm tired of being a cross old bachelor .

I think I 'd like to be a cross old husband , for a change .

do you think you could put up with me in that capacity , Miss Cordelia , my dear ? "

Miss Cordelia gave a half gasp and then she had to laugh .

" oh , Mr Smiles , I 'll agree to anything if you 'll only smile again .

it seems unnatural to see you look so solemn . "

the smiles at once broke loose and revelled over her wooer's face .

" then you will come ? " he said eagerly .

half an hour later they had their plans made .

at New Year 's Miss Cordelia was to leave her school and sooty Pottstown and come to be mistress of Beechwood Farm .

" and look here , " said Mr Smiles .

the house is large enough to hold them , goodness knows , and if it isn't there are the barns for the overflow .

this is going to be our particular pet charity all our lives , ma'am I mean Cordelia , my dear . "

" Blessings on old Nap , " said Miss Cordelia with a happy light in her eyes .

" he shall live in clover for the rest of his days , " added Mr Smiles smilingly .

Ned 's Stroke of Business

" jump in , Ned ; I can give you a lift if you 're going my way . "

Mr Rogers reined up his prancing grey horse , and Ned Allen sprang lightly into the comfortable cutter .

the next minute they were flying down the long , glistening road , rosy-white in the sunset splendour .

the first snow of the season had come , and the sleighing was , as Ned said , " dandy . "

" yes , sir ; all the Carleton boys are going over tonight .

the moon is out , and the ice is good .

we have to go in a body , or the Windsor fellows won't leave us alone .

there 's safety in numbers . "

" Pretty hard lines when boys have to go six miles for a skate , " commented Mr Rogers .

" well , it 's that or nothing , " laughed Ned .

" there isn't a saucerful of ice any nearer , except that small pond in Old Dutcher 's field , behind his barn .

and you know Old Dutcher won't allow a boy to set foot there .

he says they would knock down his fences climbing over them , and like as not set fire to his barn . "

" old Dutcher was always a crank , " said Mr Rogers , " and doubtless will be to the end .

I hope it 's true . "

Ned 's frank face clouded over .

" I 'm afraid not , sir .

the truth is , I guess Mother can't afford it .

I don't expect to go . "

" that 's a pity .

can't you earn the necessary money yourself ? "

Ned shook his head .

" not much chance for that in Carleton , Mr Rogers .

I 've cudgelled my brains for the past month trying to think of some way , but in vain .

well , here is the crossroad , so I must get off .

thank you for the drive , sir . "

" keep on thinking , Ned , " advised Mr Rogers , as the lad jumped out .

" I think it would , " laughed Ned to himself , as he trudged away .

" a quiet little farming village in winter isn't exactly a promising field for financial operations . "

at Winterby Corners Ned found a crowd of boys waiting for him , and soon paired off with his chum , Jim Slocum .

Jim , as usual , was grumbling because they had to go all the way to Windsor to skate .

the rivalry which existed between the Carleton and the Windsor boys was bitter and of long standing .

" we ought to be able to hold our own tonight , " said Ned .

" There'll be thirty of us there . "

" if we could only get Old Dutcher to let us skate on his pond ! " said Jim .

" it wouldn't hurt his old pond !

and the ice is always splendid on it .

I 'd give a lot if we could only go there . "

Ned was silent .

a sudden idea had come to him .

he wondered if it were feasible .

" anyhow , I 'll try it , " he said to himself .

" I 'll interview Old Dutcher tomorrow . "

the skating that night was not particularly successful .

the next day Ned Allen went down to see Mr Dutcher , or Old Dutcher , as he was universally called in Carleton .

Ned did not exactly look forward to the interview with pleasure .

old Dutcher was a crank there was no getting around that fact .

old Dutcher was unmarried , and his widowed sister kept house for him .

this poor lady had a decidedly lonely life of it , for Old Dutcher studiously discouraged visitors .

his passion for solitude was surpassed only by his eagerness to make and save money .

although he was well-to-do , he would wrangle over a cent , and was the terror of all who had ever had dealings with him .

fortunately for Ned and his project , this did turn out to be one of Old Dutcher 's good days .

" I 've come down to see you on a little matter of business , Mr Dutcher , " said Ned , boldly and promptly .

it never did to beat about the bush with Old Dutcher ; you had to come straight to the point .

" I want to know if you will rent your pond behind the barn to me for a skating-rink . "

old Dutcher 's aspect was certainly not encouraging .

" no , I won't .

you ought to know that .

I never allow anyone to skate there .

no , sir !

I ain't going to rent that pond for no skating-rink . "

Ned smothered a smile .

" just wait a moment , Mr Dutcher , " he said respectfully .

" I want you to hear my proposition before you refuse definitely .

my rink will be open only from two to six in the afternoon and from seven to ten in the evening .

during that time I shall always be at the pond to keep everything in order .

the skaters will come and go by the lane leading from the barn to the road .

I think that if you agree to my proposition , Mr Dutcher , you will not regret it . "

" what 's to prevent my running such a rink myself ? " asked Old Dutcher gruffly .

" it wouldn't pay you , Mr Dutcher , " answered Ned promptly .

" the Carleton boys wouldn't patronize a rink run by you . "

old Dutcher 's eyes twinkled .

it did not displease him to know that the Carleton boys hated him .

in fact , it seemed as if he rather liked it .

" besides , " went on Ned , " you couldn't afford the time .

you couldn't be on the pond for eight hours a day and until ten o'clock at night .

I can , as I 've nothing else to do just now .

if I had , I wouldn't have to be trying to make money by a skating-rink . "

old Dutcher scowled .

ten dollars was ten dollars and , as Ned had said , he knew very well that he could not run a rink by himself .

" well , " he said , half reluctantly , " I suppose I 'll let you go ahead .

only remember I 'll hold you responsible if anything happens . "

Ned went home in high spirits .

Ned was not long left in doubt as to the success of his enterprise .

it was popular from the start .

there were about fifty boys in Carleton and Winterby , and they all patronized the rink freely .

at first Ned had some trouble with two or three rowdies , who tried to evade his rules .

the rink flourished amain , and everybody , even Old Dutcher , was highly pleased .

" so you found a way after all , Ned , " he said genially .

" I had an idea you would .

my bookkeeper will be leaving me about the time you will be through at the college .

what do you say ? "

" thank you , sir , " stammered Ned , scarcely believing his ears .

a position in Mr Rogers 's store meant good salary and promotion .

he had never dared to hope for such good fortune .

" if you think I can give satisfaction "

I believe in helping those who have ' gumption ' enough to help themselves , so we 'll call it a bargain , Ned . "

our Runaway Kite

we just had to make the most of each other , and we did .

the Big Half Moon is miles from anywhere , except the Little Half Moon .

but nobody lives there , so that doesn't count .

we live on the Big Half Moon .

" we " are Father and Claude and I and Aunt Esther and Mimi and Dick .

it used to be only Father and Claude and I . it is all on account of the kite that there are more of us .

this is what I want to tell you about .

father is the keeper of the Big Half Moon lighthouse .

he has always been the keeper ever since I can remember , although that isn't very long .

I am only eleven years old .

Claude is twelve .

the funny part used to be that people always pitied us when the time came for us to return .

why , Claude and I were never lonesome .

there was always so much to do , and Claude is splendid at making believe .

he makes the very best pirate chief I ever saw .

dick is pretty good , but he can never roar out his orders in the bloodcurdling tones that Claude can .

Claude and I never quarrelled .

we used to argue sometimes and get excited , but that was as far as it ever went .

when I saw Claude getting too excited I gave in to him .

he is a boy , you know , and they have to be humoured ; they are not like girls .

as for having a woman to look after us , I thought that just too silly , and so did Claude .

what did we need with a woman when we had Father ?

he could cook all we wanted to eat and make molasses taffy that was just like a dream .

he kept our clothes all mended , and everything about the lighthouse was neat as wax .

of course I helped him lots .

I like pottering round .

he used to hear our lessons and tell us splendid stories and saw that we always said our prayers .

Claude and I wouldn't have done anything to make him feel bad for the world .

father is just lovely .

to be sure , he didn't seem to have any relations except us .

this used to puzzle Claude and me .

everybody on the mainland had relations ; why hadn't we ?

was it because we lived on an island ?

we thought it would be so jolly to have an uncle and aunt and some cousins .

once we asked Father about it , but he looked so sorrowful all of a sudden that we wished we hadn't .

he said it was all his fault .

I didn't see how that could be , but I never said anything more about it to Father .

still , I did wish we had some relations .

it is always lovely out here on the Big Half Moon in summer .

Claude says he is going to sail out there when he grows up .

I would like to too , but Claude says I can't because I 'm a girl .

it is dreadfully inconvenient to be a girl at times .

you can't see the Little Half Moon at all then ; it is hidden by the mist and spume .

we never saw any .

Dick says there is no such thing as a kelpy .

but then Dick has no imagination .

it is no argument against a thing that you 've never seen it .

I have never seen the pyramids , either , but I know that there are pyramids .

every summer we had some hobby .

the last summer before Dick and Mimi came we were crazy about kites .

even pirating wasn't such good fun .

Claude would go around to the other side of the Big Half Moon and we would play shipwrecked mariners signalling to each other with kites .

oh , it was very exciting .

we had one kite that was a dandy .

that kite had the most magnificent tail , too .

it used to scare the gulls nearly to death when we sent up our kites .

they didn't know what to make of them .

and the Big Half Moon is such a place for gulls there are hundreds of them here .

one day there was a grand wind for kite-flying , and Claude and I were having a splendid time .

we used our smaller kites for signalling , and when we got tired of that Claude sent me to the house for the big one .

you would never have believed that one small elbow could make such a big hole .

do you ?

it was one Father had taken from a drawer in the bookcase which he had cleaned out the night before .

we patched the kite up with the letter , a sheet on each side , and dried it by the fire .

then we started out , and up went the kite like a bird .

the wind was glorious , and it soared and strained like something alive .

all at once snap !

I might have said to Claude , So like a boy ! but I didn't .

by this time the kite was out of sight , and we never expected to see or hear of it again .

a month later a letter came to the Big Half Moon for Father .

Jake Wiggins brought it over in his sloop .

father went off by himself to read it , and such a queer-looking face as he had when he came back !

his eyes looked as if he had been crying , but that couldn't be , I suppose , because Claude says men never cry .

anyhow , his face was all glad and soft and smiley .

" do you two young pirates and freebooters want to know what has become of your kite ? " he said .

it was the most amazing thing .

it seems Father had had relations after all a brother and a sister in particular .

he never went back , and he never even let them know he was living .

So much for that ; and now about the kite .

the letter Father had just received was from his sister , our Aunt Esther and the mother of Dick and Mimi .

she was living at a place hundreds of miles inland .

one day when Dick and Mimi were out in the woods looking for botany specimens they saw something funny in the top of a tree .

dick climbed up and got it .

it was a big red kite with a patch on each side and names written on it .

they carried it home to their mother .

Dick has since told us that she turned as pale as the dead when she saw our names on it .

you see , Philippa was her mother 's name and Claude was her father 's .

so she sat right down and wrote again , and this was the letter Jake Wiggins brought to the Big Half Moon .

it was a beautiful letter .

I loved Aunt Esther before I ever saw her , just from that letter .

when he came back he brought Aunt Esther and Dick and Mimi with him , and they have been here ever since .

you don't know how splendid it is !

aunt Esther is such a dear , and Dick and Mimi are too jolly for words .

they love the Big Half Moon as well as Claude and I do , and Dick makes a perfectly elegant shipwrecked mariner .

but the best of it all is that we have relations now !

the Bride Roses

Miss Corona awoke that June morning with a sigh , the cause of which she was at first too sleepy to understand .

well might Miss Corona hate it .

it had shut her up into a lonely life for long years .

miss Corona turned over on her pillows , lifted one corner of the white window-blind and peeped out .

no bride could have wished anything fairer for her day of days , and Miss Corona dropped back on her pillows with another gentle sigh .

" I 'm so glad that the dear child has a fine day to be married , " she said .

Juliet Gordon was always " dear child " to Miss Corona , although the two had never spoken to each other in their lives .

to be sure , Charlotta 's intentions were always good .

Miss Corona felt just the least little bit tired of living , although she feared it was very wicked of her to feel so .

down in the little northern valley below the spruce grove lived her uncle , Alexis Gordon .

his son , Meredith , had seemed to Corona as her own brother .

the mothers of both were dead ; neither had any other brother or sister .

the two children had grown up together , playmates and devoted friends .

there had never been any sentiment or lovemaking between them to mar a perfect comradeship .

but , if Roderick and Alexis Gordon had any such plans , all went by the board when they quarreled .

Corona shivered yet over the bitterness of that time .

the Gordons never did anything half-heartedly .

the strife between the two brothers was determined and irreconcilable .

Corona 's father forbade her to speak to her uncle and cousin or to hold any communication with them .

Corona wept and obeyed him .

she had always obeyed her father ; it had never entered into her mind to do anything else .

ten years later Roderick Gordon died , and in five months Alexis Gordon followed him to the grave .

Corona , with a half-guilty sense of disloyalty to her father , hoped that she and Meredith might now be friends again .

he was married , and had one little daughter .

in her new and intolerable loneliness Corona 's heart yearned after her own people .

but she was too timid to make any advances , and Meredith never made any .

Corona believed that he hated her , and let slip her last fluttering hope that the old breach would ever be healed .

" oh , dear ! oh , dear ! " she sobbed softly into her pillows .

when Miss Corona went downstairs at last , she found Charlotta sobbing in the kitchen porch .

when Charlotta was in good spirits , they always hung perkily over each shoulder , tied up with enormous bows of sky-blue ribbon .

" what have you done this time ? " asked Miss Corona , without the slightest intention of being humorous or sarcastic .

" I 've I've bruk your green and yaller bowl , " sniffed Charlotta .

" didn't mean to , Miss C'rona .

it jest slipped out so fashion ' fore I c 'd grab holt on it .

and it 's bruk into forty millyun pieces .

ain't I the onluckiest girl ? "

" you certainly are , " sighed Miss Corona .

but just now her heart was so sore over the Quarrel that there was no room for other regrets .

" well , well , crying won't mend it .

I suppose it is a judgment on me for staying abed so late .

go and sweep up the pieces , and do try and be a little more careful , Charlotte . "

" yes 'm , " said Charlotta meekly .

she dared not resent being called Charlotte just then .

" and I 'll tell you what I 'll do , ma'am , to make up , I 'll go and weed the garden .

yes 'm , I 'll do it beautiful . "

" and pull up more flowers than weeds , " Miss Corona reflected mournfully .

but it did not matter ; nothing mattered .

this mood lasted until the afternoon .

after finding out , she wandered idly about the rambling , old-fashioned place , which was full of nooks and surprises .

nothing in the garden was planted quite where it should be , yet withal it was the most delightful spot imaginable .

Miss Corona pushed her way into the cherry-tree copse , and followed a tiny , overgrown path to a sunshiny corner beyond .

she had not been there since last summer ; the little path was getting almost impassable .

" dear life , " whispered Miss Corona tremulously , as she tiptoed towards it .

" the bride roses have bloomed again !

how very strange !

why , there has not been a rose on that tree for twenty years . "

the rosebush had been planted there by Corona 's great-grandmother , the lady of the green and yellow bowl .

Long years ago the tree had given up blooming , nor could all the pruning and care given it coax a single blossom from it .

she , the last of them on the old homestead , would never need the bride roses .

Wherefore , then , should the old tree bloom ?

and now , after all these years , it had flung all its long-hoarded sweetness into blossom again .

miss Corona thrilled at the thought .

she bent over its foam of loveliness almost reverently .

" they have bloomed for Juliet 's wedding , " she murmured .

" a Gordon bride must wear the bride roses , indeed she must .

and this why , it is almost a miracle . "

she ran , light-footedly as a girl , to the house for scissors and a basket .

she would send Juliet Gordon the bride roses .

her cheeks were pink from excitement as she snipped them off .

how lovely they were !

how very large and fragrant !

it was as if all the grace and perfume and beauty and glory of those twenty lost summers were found here at once in them .

when Miss Corona had them ready , she went to the door and called , " Charlotte !

Charlotte ! "

after a time Miss Corona remembered and sighed .

she did hate to call the child that foolish name with its foreign sound .

just as if plain " Charlotte " were not good enough for her , and much more suitable to " Smith " too !

ordinarily Miss Corona would not have given in .

but the case was urgent ; she could not stand upon her dignity just now .

" Charlotta ! " she called entreatingly .

instantly Charlotta flew to the garden gate and raced up to the door .

" yes 'm , " she said meekly .

" you want me , Miss C'rona ? "

don't stop to pick gum in the grove , or eat sours in the dike , or poke sticks through the bridge , or "

but Charlotta had gone .

down in the valley , the other Gordon house was in a hum of excitement .

upstairs Juliet had gone to her invalid mother 's room to show herself in her wedding dress to the pale little lady lying on the sofa .

" I 'm not going to put on my veil until the last moment , " she said laughingly .

" I would feel married right away if I did .

and oh , Mother dear , isn't it too bad ?

my roses haven't come .

father is back from the station , and they were not there .

I am so disappointed .

Romney ordered pure white roses because I said a Gordon bride must carry nothing else .

come in " as a knock sounded at the door .

Laura Burton , Juliet 's cousin and bridesmaid , entered with a box .

" Juliet dear , the funniest little red-headed girl with the most enormous freckles has just brought this for you .

I haven't an idea where she came from ; she looked like a messenger from pixy-land . "

Juliet opened the box and gave a cry .

" oh , Mother , look look !

what perfect roses !

who could have sent them ?

oh , here 's a note from from why , Mother , it 's from Cousin Corona . "

" my dear child , " ran the letter in Miss Corona 's fine , old-fashioned script .

" I am sending you the Gordon bride roses .

I hope you will wear them for , although I have never known you , I love you very much .

I was once a dear friend of your father 's .

tell him to let you wear the roses I send for old times ' sake .

I wish you every happiness , my dear .

" your affectionate cousin , " Corona Gordon . "

" oh , how sweet and lovely of her ! " said Juliet gently , as she laid the letter down .

" and to think she was not even invited !

" he must have been mistaken about her attitude , " said Mrs Gordon .

" it certainly is a great pity she was not invited , but it is too late now .

an invitation sent two hours before the ceremony would be an insult indeed . "

" not if the bride herself took it ! " exclaimed Juliet impulsively .

" I 'll go myself to Cousin Corona , and ask her to come to my wedding . "

" go yourself !

child , you can't do such a thing !

in that dress ....y . "

" go I must , Momsie .

why , it 's only a three minutes ' walk .

I 'll go up the hill by the old field-path , and no one will see me .

oh , don't say a word there , I 'm gone ! "

" that child ! " sighed the mother protestingly , as she heard Juliet 's flying feet on the stairs .

" what a thing for a bride to do ! "

Juliet pushed up the rusty hasp and ran through .

" dear child , " said Miss Corona out of her amazement , " there is nothing to forgive .

I 've loved you all and longed for you .

dear child , you have brought me great happiness . "

" and you must come to my wedding , " cried Juliet .

" oh , you must or I shall think you have not really forgiven us .

you would never refuse the request of a bride , Cousin Corona .

we are queens on our wedding day , you know . "

" oh , it 's not that , dear child but I'm not dressed I "

" I 'll help you dress .

and I won't go back without you .

the guests and the minister must wait if necessary yes , even Romney must wait .

oh , I want you to meet Romney .

come , dear . "

and Miss Corona went .

in the hollow Meredith Gordon met them .

" Cousin Meredith , " said Miss Corona tremulously .

" dear Corona . "

he took both her hands in his , and kissed her heartily .

" forgive me for misunderstanding you so long .

I thought you hated us all . "

turning to Juliet , he said with a fatherly smile ,

" what a terrible girl it is for having its own way !

who ever heard of a Gordon bride doing such an unconventional thing ?

there , scamper off to the house before your guests come .

" oh , I knew that something beautiful was going to happen when the old rose-tree bloomed , " murmured Miss Corona happily .

the Josephs ' Christmas

the month before Christmas was always the most exciting and mysterious time in the Joseph household .

there were a good many of them , and very few of the pennies ; hence the reason for so much contriving and consulting .

father and Mother were always discreetly blind and silent through December .

no questions were asked no matter what queer things were done .

the air was simply charged with secrets .

sister Mollie was the grand repository of these ; all the little Josephs came to her for advice and assistance .

or , how can seven sticks of candy be divided among eight people so that each shall have one ?

it was Mollie who advised regarding the purchase of ribbon and crepe paper .

it was Mollie who put the finishing touches to most of the little gifts .

in short , all through December Mollie was weighed down under an avalanche of responsibility .

" dead " secrecy was the keystone of all plans and confidences .

during this particular December the planning and contriving had been more difficult and the results less satisfactory than usual .

the Josephs were poor at any time , but this winter they were poorer than ever .

the crops had failed in the summer , and as a consequence the family were , as Jimmy said , " on short commons . "

Mr and Mrs. Joseph sat before the fire and listened to the wind howling about the house .

" I 'm glad I 'm not driving over the prairie tonight , " said Mr Joseph .

" it 's quite a storm .

I hope it will be fine tomorrow , for the children 's sake .

Mrs Joseph sighed over Jimmy 's worn jacket which she was mending .

then she smiled .

" never mind , John .

things will be better next Christmas , we 'll hope .

the children will not mind , bless their hearts .

look at all the little knick-knacks they 've made for each other .

they 've never had anything really nice for Christmas .

but there !

Mr Joseph nodded .

" that 's so .

she never has had anything but homemade dolls , and that small heart of hers is set on a real one .

there was one at Fisher 's store today a big beauty with real hair , and eyes that opened and shut .

just fancy Maggie 's face if she saw such a Christmas box as that tomorrow morning . "

" don't let's fancy it , " laughed Mrs . Joseph , " it is only aggravating .

talking of candy reminds me that I made a big plateful of taffy for the children today .

it 's all the ' Christmassy ' I could give them .

I 'll get it out and put it on the table along with the children 's presents .

that can't be someone at the door ! "

" it is , though , " said Mr Joseph as he strode to the door and flung it open .

two snowed-up figures were standing on the porch .

as they stepped in , the Josephs recognized one of them as Mr Ralston , a wealthy merchant in a small town fifteen miles away .

" Late hour for callers , isn't it ? " said Mr Ralston .

" the fact is , our horse has about given out , and the storm is so bad that we can't proceed .

this is my wife , and we are on our way to spend Christmas with my brother 's family at Lindsay .

can you take us in for the night , Mr Joseph ? "

my , Mrs Ralston , " as his wife helped her off with her things , " but you are snowed up !

I 'll see to putting your horse away , Mr Ralston .

this way , if you please . "

Mr Ralston put the big basket he was carrying down on a bench in the corner .

" thought I 'd better bring our Christmas flummery in , " he said .

" you see , Mrs Joseph , my brother has a big family , so we are taking them a lot of Santa Claus stuff .

Mrs Ralston packed this basket , and goodness knows what she put in it , but she half cleaned out my store .

the eyes of the Lindsay youngsters will dance tomorrow that is , if we ever get there . "

Mrs Joseph gave a little sigh in spite of herself , and looked wistfully at the heap of gifts on the corner table .

how meagre and small they did look , to be sure , beside that bulgy basket with its cover suggestively tied down .

Mrs Ralston looked too .

" Santa Claus seems to have visited you already , " she said with a smile .

the Josephs laughed .

" our Santa Claus is somewhat out of pocket this year , " said Mr Joseph frankly .

" those are the little things the small folks here have made for each other .

they 've been a month at it , and I 'm always kind of relieved when Christmas is over and there are no more mysterious doings .

we 're in such cramped quarters here that you can't move without stepping on somebody 's secret . "

a shakedown was spread in the kitchen for the unexpected guests , and presently the Ralstons found themselves alone .

Mrs Ralston went over to the Christmas table and looked at the little gifts half tenderly and half pityingly .

" Just what I was thinking , " returned her husband , " and I was thinking of something else , too .

I 've a notion that I 'd like to see some of the things in our basket right here on this table . "

" I 'd like to see them all , " said Mrs Ralston promptly .

" let's just leave them here , Edward .

Roger 's family will have plenty of presents without them , and for that matter we can send them ours when we go back home . "

" just as you say , " agreed Mr . Ralston .

" I like the idea of giving the small folk of this household a rousing good Christmas for once .

they 're poor I know , and I dare say pretty well pinched this year like most of the farmers hereabout after the crop failure . "

Mrs Ralston untied the cover of the big basket .

then the two of them , moving as stealthily as if engaged in a burglary , transferred the contents to the table .

when all was done Mrs Ralston said , " now , I 'm going to spread that tablecloth carelessly over the table .

it fell out as Mrs Ralston had planned .

the dawn broke fine and clear over a vast white world .

much obliged for your kindness , Mr Joseph .

when you and Mrs Joseph come to town we shall hope to have a chance to return it .

good-bye and a merry Christmas to you all . "

when Mrs Joseph went back to the kitchen her eyes fell on the heaped-up table in the corner .

" Why-y ! " she said , and snatched off the cover .

one look she gave , and then this funny little mother began to cry ; but they were happy tears .

Mr Joseph came too , and looked and whistled .

pinned to her dress was a leaf from Mr Ralston 's notebook with Maggie 's name written on it .

" well , this is Christmas with a vengeance , " said Mr Joseph .

" the children will go wild with delight , " said his wife happily .

they pretty nearly did when they all came scrambling down the stairs a little later .

such a Christmas had never been known in the Joseph household before .

and as for the big box of good things , why , everybody appreciated that .

that Christmas was one to date from in that family .

Mrs Joseph 's taffy was eaten too .

not a scrap of it was left .

the Magical Bond of the Sea

a late September wind from the northwest was sweeping over the waters of Racicot Harbour .

and Nora Shelley , standing at the door of her father 's bleached cottage on the grey sands , heard a new strain in it .

there 's a new life beyond , Nora , whistled the wind .

a good life and it 's yours for the taking .

you have but to put out your hand and all you 've wished for will be in your grasp .

Nora leaned out from the door to meet the wind .

she loved that northwest gale ; it was a staunch old friend of hers .

but her hair was as black as midnight , and her lips blossomed out with a ripe redness against the uncoloured purity of her face .

she was far and away the most beautiful of the harbour girls , but hardly the most popular .

men and women alike thought her proud .

even her friends felt themselves called upon to make excuses for her unlikeness to themselves .

Nora had dosed the door behind her to shut in the voices .

she wanted to be alone with the wind while she made her decision .

the mackerel boats curtsied and nodded outside ; beyond them the sharp tip of Sandy Point was curdled white with seagulls .

down at the curve of the cove a group of men were laughing and talking loudly in front of French Joe 's fish-house .

this was the life that she had always known .

across the harbour , on a fir-fringed headland , stood Dalveigh .

to the Racicot fishing folk the house and grounds were as a dream of enchantment made real .

few of them had ever seen anything like it .

Nora Shelley knew Dalveigh well .

it was as if it were hers by right of fitness .

and this was the life that might be hers , did she so choose .

in reality , her choice was already made , and she knew it .

John Cameron and his wife were given the seats of honour in the middle of the room .

Mrs Cameron was a handsome , well-dressed woman , with an expression that was discontented and , at times , petulant .

her husband was a small , white-haired man , with a fresh , young-looking face .

he was popular in Racicot , for he mingled freely with the sailors and fishermen .

moreover , Dalveigh was an excellent market for fresh mackerel .

Nathan Shelley , in his favourite corner behind the stove , sat lurching forward with his hands on his knees .

he had laid aside his pipe out of deference to Mrs Cameron , and it was hard for him to think without it .

he wished his wife would go to work ; it seemed uncanny to see her idle .

Mrs Shelley sat by the crooked , small-paned window and looked out down the harbour .

they wanted Nora these rich people who had so much in life wanted the blossom of girlhood that had never bloomed for them .

John Cameron pleaded his cause well .

" we will look on her as our own , " he said at last .

" we have grown to love her this summer .

she is beautiful and clever she has a right to more than Racicot can give her .

you have other children we are childless .

and we do not take her from you utterly .

you will see her every summer when we come to Dalveigh . "

" it won't be the same thing quite , " said Nathan Shelley drily .

" she 'll belong to your life then not ours .

and no matter how many young ones folks has , they don't want to lose none of ' em .

but I dunno as we ought to let our feelings stand in Nora 's light .

she 's clever , and she 's been hankering for more'n we can ever give her .

I was the same way once .

Lord , how I raged at Racicot !

I broke away finally went to a city and got work .

but it wasn't no use .

I 'd left it too long .

the sea had got into my blood .

I toughed it out for two years , and then I had to come back .

I didn't want to , mark you , but I had to come .

been here ever since .

but maybe ' twill be different with the girl .

but you don't know how the sea calls to one of its own . "

Cameron smiled .

he thought that this dry old salt was a bit of a poet in his own way .

very likely Nora got her ability and originality from him .

there did not seem to be a great deal in the phlegmatic , good-looking mother .

" what say , wife ? " asked Shelley at last .

his wife had said in her slow way , " leave it to Nora , " and to Nora it was left .

she looked at her mother appealingly .

" is it go or stay , girl , " demanded her father brusquely .

" I think I 'll go , " said Nora slowly .

then , catching sight of her mother 's face , she ran to her and flung her arms about her .

" but I 'll never forget you , Mother , " she cried .

" I 'll love you always you and Father . "

her mother loosened the clinging arms and pushed her gently towards the Camerons .

" go to them , " she said calmly .

" you belong to them now . "

the news spread quickly over Racicot .

before night everyone on the harbour shore knew that the Camerons were going to adopt Nora Shelley and take her away with them .

there was much surprise and more envy .

the shore women tossed their heads .

" reckon Nora is in great feather , " they said .

" she always did think herself better than anyone else .

Nate Shelley and his wife spoiled her ridiculous .

wonder what Rob Fletcher thinks of it ? "

Nora asked her brother to tell the news to Rob Fletcher himself , but Merran Andrews was before him .

she was at Rob before he had fairly landed , when the fishing boats came in at sunset .

" have you heard the news , Rob ?

Nora 's going away to be a fine lady .

the Camerons have been daft about her all summer , and now they are going to adopt her . "

Merran wanted Rob herself .

he was a big , handsome fellow , and well-off the pick of the harbour men in every way .

" it 's a great thing for her , " he answered calmly .

" she was meant for better things than can be found at Racicot . "

" she was always too good for common folks , if that is what you mean , " said Merran spitefully .

Nora and Rob did not meet until the next evening , when she rowed herself home from Dalveigh .

he was at the shore to tie up her boat and help her out .

Nora felt uncomfortable , and resented it .

Rob Fletcher was nothing to her ; he never had been anything but the good friend to whom she told her strange thoughts and longings .

why should her heart ache over him ?

she wished he would talk , but he strode along in silence , with his fine head drooping a little .

" I suppose you have heard that I am going away , Rob ? " she said at last .

he nodded .

" yes , I 've heard it from a hundred mouths , more or less , " he answered , not looking at her .

" it 's a splendid thing for me , isn't it ? " dared Nora .

" well , I don't know , " he said slowly .

" looking at it from the outside , it seems so .

but from the inside it mayn't look the same .

do you think you 'll be able to cut twenty years of a life out of your heart without any pain ? "

" oh , I 'll be homesick , if that is what you mean , " said Nora petulantly .

" of course I 'll be that at first .

I expect it but people get over that .

and it is not as if I were going away for good .

I 'll be back next summer every summer . "

" it 'll be different , " said Rob stubbornly , thinking as old Nathan Shelley had thought .

" you 'll be a fine lady oh , all the better for that perhaps but you 'll not be the same .

no , no , the new life will change you ; not all at once , maybe , but in the end .

you 'll be one of them , not one of us .

but will you be happy ?

that 's the question I 'm asking . "

in anyone else Nora would have resented this .

but she never felt angry with Rob .

" I think I shall be , " she said thoughtfully .

" and , anyway , I must go .

it doesn't seem as if I could help myself if I wanted to .

and it always seemed to me that I would find a way to it some day .

that was why I kept going to school long after the other girls stopped .

but Father let me go ; he understood ; he said I was like him when he was young .

I learned everything and read everything I could .

it seems to me as if I had been walking along a narrow pathway all my life .

and now it seems as if a gate were opened before me and I can pass through into a wider world .

but it is not .

" yes , if you feel like that you must go , " he answered , looking down at her troubled face gently .

" and it 's best for you to go , Nora .

I believe that , and I 'm not so selfish as not to be able to hope that you 'll find all you long for .

but it will change you all the more if it is so .

Nora !

Nora !

whatever am I going to do without you ! "

the sudden passion bursting out in his tone frightened her .

" don't , Rob , don't !

and you won't miss me long .

there 's many another . "

" no , there isn't .

don't fling me that dry bone of comfort .

there 's no other , and never has been any other none but you , Nora , and well you know it . "

" I 'm sorry , " she said faintly .

" you needn't be , " said Rob grimly .

" after all , I 'd rather love you than not , hurt as it will .

I never had much hope of getting you to listen to me , so there 's no great disappointment there .

You're too good for me I 've always known that .

a girl that is fit to mate with the Camerons is far above Rob Fletcher , fisherman . "

" I never had such a thought , " protested Nora .

" I know it , " he said , casing himself up in his quietness again .

" but it 's so and now I 've got to lose you .

but there'll never be any other for me , Nora . "

he left her at her father 's door .

for a moment she repented she would stay she could not go .

then over the harbour flashed out the lights of Dalveigh .

the life behind them glittered , allured , beckoned .

Nay , she must go on she had made her choice .

there was no turning back now .

Nora Shelley went away with the Camerons , and Dalveigh was deserted .

the Harbour laid itself out to be sociable in winter .

there was no time for that in summer .

people had to work eighteen hours out of the twenty-four then .

in a Racicot winter much was made of small things .

the arrival of Nora Shelley 's weekly letter to her father and mother was an event in the village .

the post-mistress in the Cove store spread the news that it had come , and that night the Shelley kitchen would be crowded .

the Camerons had spent the autumn in New York and had then gone south for the winter .

Nora wrote freely of her new life .

in the beginning she admitted great homesickness , but after the first few letters she made no further mention of that .

she sent affectionate messages to all her old friends and asked after all her old interests .

" she 's changing , " muttered old Nathan .

" it had to be so it 's well for her that it is so but it hurts .

she ain't ours any more .

we 've lost the girl , wife , lost her forever . "

Rob Fletcher always came and listened to the letters in silence while the others buzzed and commented .

Rob , so the Harbour folk said , was much changed .

he had grown unsociable and preferred to stay home and read books rather than go a-visiting as did others .

the Harbour folk shook their heads over this .

there was something wrong with a man who read books when there was a plenty of other amusements .

Jacob Radnor had read books all one winter and had drowned himself in the spring jumped overboard from his dory at the herring nets .

and that was what came of books , mark you .

the Camerons came later to Dalveigh the next summer , on account of John Cameron 's health , which was not good .

they brought a houseful of guests with them .

at sunset on the day of her arrival Nora Shelley looked out cross the harbour to the fishing village .

it brought to her the tang of the salt wastes and filled her heart with a great , bitter-sweet yearning .

she was more beautiful than ever .

in the year that had passed she had blossomed out to a gracious fulfilment of womanhood .

even the Camerons had wondered at her swift adaptation to her new surroundings .

she seemed to have put Racicot behind her as one puts by an old garment .

in everything she had held her own royally .

her adopted parents were proud of her beauty and her nameless , untamed charm .

they had lavished every indulgence upon her .

in those few short months she had lived more keenly and fully than in all her life before .

the Nora Shelley who went away was not , so it would seem , the Nora Shelley who came back .

she must go at once at once at once .

not a moment could she wait .

she was dressed for dinner , but with tingling fingers she threw off her costly gown and put on her dark travelling suit again .

she left her hair as it was and knotted a crimson scarf about her head .

she hoped not to be seen , but Mrs Cameron met her in the hall .

" Nora ! " she said in astonishment .

" oh , I must go , Aunty !

I must go ! " the girl cried feverishly .

she was afraid Mrs Cameron would try to prevent her going , and all at once she knew that she could not bear that .

" must go ?

where ?

dinner is almost ready , and "

" oh , I don't want any dinner .

I 'm going home I will sail over . "

" my dear child , don't be foolish .

it 's too late to go over the harbour tonight .

they won't be expecting you .

wait until the morning . "

" no oh , you don't understand .

I must go I must !

my mother is over there . "

something in the girl 's last sentence or the tone in which it was uttered brought a look of pain to Mrs Cameron 's face .

but she made no further attempt to dissuade her .

" well , if you must .

but you cannot go alone no , Nora , I cannot allow it .

the wind is too high and it is too late for you to go over by yourself .

Clark Bryant will take you . "

Nora would have protested but she knew it would be in vain .

she submitted somewhat sullenly and walked down to the shore in silence .

Clark Bryant strode beside her , humouring her mood .

he was a tall , stout man , with an ugly , clever , sarcastic face .

Bryant was in love with Nora .

this was why the Camerons had asked him to join their August house party at Dalveigh , and why he had accepted .

it had occurred to Nora that this was the case , but as yet she had never troubled to think the situation over seriously .

she liked Clark Bryant well enough , but just at the moment he was in the way .

she did not want to take him over to Racicot just why she could not have explained .

there was in her no snobbish shame of her humble home .

but he did not belong there ; he was an alien , and she wished to go back to it for the first time alone .

at the boathouse Davy launched the small sailboat and Nora took the tiller .

she knew every inch of the harbour .

as the sail filled before the wind and the boat sprang across the upcurling waves , her brief sullenness fell away from her .

she no longer resented Clark Bryant 's presence she forgot it .

he was no more to her than the mast by which he stood .

the spell of the sea and the wind surged into her heart and filled it with wild happiness and measureless content .

over yonder , where the lights gleamed on the darkening shore under the high-sprung arch of pale golden sky , was home .

how the wind whistled to welcome her back !

he was as one forgotten and left behind .

and how lovely , how desirable she was !

he had never seen her look so beautiful .

the shawl had slipped down to her shoulders and her head rose out of it like some magnificent flower out of a crimson calyx .

the masses of her black hair lifted from her face in the rush of the wind and swayed back again like rich shadows .

when they swung in by the wharf Nora sprang from the boat before Bryant had time to moor it .

pausing for an instant , she called down to him , carelessly , " don't wait for me .

I shall not go back tonight . "

then she caught her shawl around her head and almost ran up the wharf and along the shore .

no one was abroad , for it was supper hour in Racicot .

in the Shelley kitchen the family was gathered around the table , when the door was flung open and Nora stood on the threshold .

for a moment they gazed at her as at an apparition .

they had not known the precise day of her coming and were not aware of the Camerons ' arrival at Dalveigh .

" it 's the girl herself .

it 's Nora , " said old Nathan , rising from his bench .

" mother ! " cried Nora .

she ran across the room and buried her face in her mother 's breast , sobbing .

when the news spread , the Racicot people crowded in to see Nora until the house was full .

they spent a noisy , merry , whole-hearted evening of the old sort .

the men smoked and most of the women knitted while they talked .

they were pleased to find that Nora did not put on any airs .

old Jonas Myers bluntly told her that he didn't see as her year among rich folks had done her much good , after all .

" you 're just the same as when you went away , " he said .

" they haven't made a fine lady of you .

folks here thought you 'd be something wonderful . "

Nora laughed .

she was glad that they did not find her changed .

old Nathan chuckled in his dry way .

his daughter was not utterly taken from him yet .

Nora sat by her mother and was happy .

but as the evening wore away she grew very quiet , and watched the door with something piteous in her eyes .

old Nathan noticed it and thought she was tired .

he gave the curious neighbours a good-natured hint , and they presently withdrew .

when they had all gone Nora went out to the door alone .

the moon was rising and the harbour was a tossing expanse of silver waves .

the mellow light fell on a tall figure lurking at the angle of the road that led past the Shelley cottage .

Nora saw and recognized it .

she flew down the sandy slope with outstretched hands .

" rob Rob ! "

" Nora ! " he said huskily , holding out his hand .

but she flung herself on his breast and clung to him , half laughing , half crying .

" oh , Rob !

I 've been looking for you all the evening .

every time there was a step I said to myself , ' That is Rob , now . '

and when the door opened to let in another , my heart died within me .

I dared not even ask after you for fear of what they might tell me .

why didn't you come ? "

" I didn't know that I 'd be welcome , " he whispered , holding her closer to him .

" I 've been hanging about thinking to get a glimpse of you unbeknown .

I thought maybe you wouldn't want to see me tonight . "

" not want to see you !

she drew back and looked at him with her soul in her eyes .

" what a splendid fellow you are how handsome you are , Rob ! " she cried .

all the reserve of womanhood fell away from her in the inrush of emotions .

for the moment she was a child again , telling out her thoughts with all a child 's frankness .

" I 've been in a dream this past year a lovely dream a fair dream , but only a dream , after all .

and now I 've wakened .

and you are part of the wakening the best part !

oh , to think I never knew before ! "

" knew what , my girl ? "

he had her close against his heart now ; the breath of her lips mingled with his , but he would not kiss her yet .

" that I loved you , " she whispered back .

" oh , Rob , you are all the world to me .

I belong to you and the sea .

but I never knew it until I crossed the harbour tonight .

then I knew it came to me all at once , like a flood of understanding .

I knew I could never go away again that I must stay here forever where I could hear that call of wind and waves .

the new life was good good but it could not go deep enough .

and when you did not come I knew what was in my heart for you as well . "

that night Nora lay beside her sisters in the tiny room that looked out on the harbour .

there was no blot on her happiness save a sorry wonder what the Camerons would say when they knew .

" they will think me ungrateful and fickle , " she sighed .

" they don't know that I can't help it even if I would .

they will never understand . "

nor did they .

later , when they came to understand that she meant it , they were grieved and angry .

there were scenes of pleading and tears and reproaches .

Nora cried bitterly in Mrs Cameron 's arms , but stood rock-firm .

she could never go back to them never .

they appealed to Nathan Shelley finally , but he refused to say anything .

" it can't be altered , " he told them .

" the sea has called her and she 'll listen to naught else .

I 'm sorry enough for the girl 's own sake .

it would have been better for her if she could have cut loose from it all and lived your life , I dare say .

but you 've made a fair trial and it 's of no use .

I know what 's in her heart it was in mine once and I 'll say no word of rebuke to her .

she 's free to go or stay as she chooses just as free as she was last year . "

Mrs Cameron made one more appeal to Nora .

she told the girl bitterly that she was ungrateful .

" I 'm not that , " said Nora with quivering lips .

" I love you , and I 'm grateful to you .

but your life isn't for me , after all .

I thought it was I longed so for it .

and I loved it , too I love it yet .

but there 's something stronger in me that holds me here . "

" I don't think you realize what you are doing , Nora .

you have been a little homesick and you are glad to be back .

but after we have gone and you must settle into the old Racicot life again , you will not be contented .

you will find that your life with us will have unfitted you for this .

there will be no real place for you here nothing for you to do .

you will be as a stranger here . "

" oh , no .

I am going to marry Rob Fletcher , " said Nora proudly .

" marry Rob Fletcher !

and you might have married Clark Bryant , Nora ! "

Nora shook her head .

" that could never have been .

I thought it might once but I know better now .

you see , I love Rob . "

there did not seem to be anything more to say after that .

Mrs Cameron did not try to say anything .

she went away in sorrow .

Nora cried bitterly after she had gone .

but there were no tears in her eyes that night when she walked on the shore with Rob Fletcher .

the wind whistled around them , and the stars came out in the great ebony dome of the sky over the harbour .

laughter and song of the fishing folk were behind them , and the deep , solemn call of the sea before .

over the harbour gleamed the score of lights at Dalveigh .

Rob looked from them to Nora .

" do you think you 'll ever regret yon life , my girl ? "

" never , Rob .

it seems to me now like a beautiful garment put on for a holiday and worn easily and pleasantly for a time .

but I 've put it off now , and put on workaday clothes again .

it is only a week since I left Dalveigh , but it seems long ago .

listen to the wind , Rob !

it is singing of the good days to be for you and me . "

he bent over and kissed her .

" my own dear lass ! " he said softly .

the Martyrdom of Estella

Estella was waiting under the poplars at the gate for Spencer Morgan .

she was engaged to him , and he always came to see her on Saturday and Wednesday evenings .

it was after sunset , and the air was mellow and warm-hued .

the willow trees along the walk and the tall birches in the background stood out darkly distinct against the lemon-tinted sky .

the breath of mint floated out from the garden , and the dew was falling heavily .

the blind was up and she could see Miss LeMar writing at her table .

her profile was clear and distinct against the lamplight .

Estella reflected without the least envy that Miss LeMar was very beautiful .

Estella Bowes was not pretty .

she was an orphan and lived with her uncle and aunt .

in the summer they sometimes took a boarder for a month or two , and this summer Miss LeMar had come .

she had been with them about a week .

she was an actress from the city and had around her all the glamour of a strange , unknown life .

nothing was known about her .

the Boweses liked her well enough as a boarder .

Estella admired and held her in awe .

she wondered what Spencer would think of this beautiful woman .

he had not yet seen her .

it was quite dark when he came .

Miss LeMar 's light had removed to the parlour where she was singing , accompanying herself on the cottage organ .

Estella felt annoyed .

the parlour was considered her private domain on Wednesday and Saturday night , but Miss LeMar did not know that .

" who is singing ? " asked Spencer .

" what a voice she has ! "

" that 's our new boarder , Miss LeMar , " answered Estella .

" she 's an actress and sings and does everything .

she is awfully pretty , Spencer . "

" yes ? " said the young man indifferently .

he was not in the least interested in the Boweses ' new boarder .

indeed , he considered her advent a nuisance .

he pressed Estella closer to him , and when they reached the garden gate he kissed her .

Estella always remembered that moment afterwards .

she was so supremely happy .

she did not see how it could be possible , because there was only one Spencer .

when Spencer came back she took him into the parlour , half shyly , half proudly .

he was a handsome fellow , with a magnificent physique .

miss LeMar stopped singing and turned around on the organ stool as they entered .

she wore a dress of crepe , cut low in the neck .

Estella had never seen anyone dressed so before .

to her it seemed immodest .

she introduced Spencer .

he bowed awkwardly and sat stiffly down by the window with his eyes riveted on Miss LeMar 's face .

Estella , catching a glimpse of herself in the old-fashioned mirror above the mantel , suddenly felt a cold chill of dissatisfaction .

she wished Miss LeMar would go out of the room .

she looked straight in Spencer Morgan 's honest blue eyes and read there the young man 's dazzled admiration .

there was contempt in the look she turned on Estella .

" you were singing when we came in , " said Spencer .

" won't you go on , please ?

I am very fond of music . "

miss LeMar turned again to the organ .

the gleaming curves of her neck and shoulders rose out of their filmy sheathings of lace .

Estella saw his look .

she suddenly began to hate the black-eyed witch at the organ and to fear her as well .

why did Spencer look at her like that ?

she wished she had not brought him in at all .

she felt commonplace and angry , and wanted to cry .

Vivienne LeMar went on singing , drifting from one sweet love song into another .

once she looked up at Spencer Morgan .

he rose quickly and went to her side , looking down at her with a strange fire in his eyes .

Estella got up abruptly and left the room .

she was angry and jealous , but she thought Spencer would follow her .

when he did not , she could not believe it .

she waited on the porch for him , not knowing whether she were more angry or miserable .

she would not go back into the room .

Vivienne LeMar had stopped singing .

she could hear a low murmur of voices .

when she had waited there an hour , she went in and upstairs to her room with ostentatious footsteps .

it was ten o'clock when Spencer went away and Vivienne LeMar passed up the hall to her room .

Estella clenched her hands in an access of helpless rage .

she was very angry , but under her fury was a horrible ache of pain .

it could not be only three hours since she had been so happy !

it must be more than that !

what had happened ?

had she made a fool of herself ?

ought she to have behaved in any other way ?

this poor hope was a small comfort .

she wished she had not acted as she had .

it looked spiteful and jealous , and Spencer did not like people who were spiteful and jealous .

she would show him she was sorry when he came back , and it would be all right .

towards morning she fell asleep and awoke hardly remembering what had happened .

then it rolled back upon her crushingly .

but she rose and dressed in better spirits .

it had been hardest to lie there and do nothing .

now the day was before her and something pleasant might happen .

Spencer might come back in the evening .

she would be doubly nice to him to make up .

Mrs Bowes looked sharply at her niece 's dull eyes and pale cheeks at the breakfast table .

she had her own thoughts of things .

she was a large , handsome woman with a rather harsh face .

" did you go upstairs last night and leave Spencer Morgan with Miss LeMar ? " she asked bluntly .

" yes , " muttered Estella .

" did you have a quarrel with him ? "

" no . "

" what made you act so queer ? "

" I couldn't help it , " faltered the girl .

the food she was eating seemed to choke her .

she wished she were a hundred miles away from everyone she ever knew .

Mrs Bowes gave a grunt of dissatisfaction .

" well , I think it is a pretty queer piece of business .

but if you are satisfied , it isn't anyone else 's concern , I suppose .

he stayed with her till ten o'clock and when he left she did everything but kiss him and she asked him to come back too .

I heard . "

" aunt ! " protested the girl .

she felt as if her aunt were striking her blow after blow on a sensitive , quivering spot .

it seemed to make everything so horribly sure .

" I guess I had a right to listen , hadn't I , with such goings on in my own house ?

you 're a little fool , Estella Bowes !

I don't believe that LeMar girl is a bit better than she ought to be .

Estella 's suffering found vent in a burst of anger .

" you needn't do anything of the sort ! " she cried .

I wish to goodness , Aunt , you 'd leave me alone ! "

" oh , very well ! " returned Mrs Bowes in an offended tone .

" it was for your own good I spoke .

you know best , I suppose .

if you don't care , I don't know that anyone else need . "

Estella went about her work like one in a dream .

a great hatred had sprung up in her heart against Vivienne LeMar .

the simple-hearted country girl felt almost murderous .

the whole day seemed like a nightmare to her .

when night came she dressed herself with feverish care , for she could not quell the hope that Spencer would surely come again .

but he did not ; and when she went up to bed , it did not seem as if she could live through the night .

she lay staring wide-eyed through the darkness until dawn .

she wished that she might cry , but no tears came to her relief .

next day she went to work with furious energy .

when her usual tasks were done , she ransacked the house for other employment .

she was afraid if she stopped work for a moment she would go mad .

Mrs Bowes watched her with a grim pity .

at night she walked to prayer meeting in the schoolhouse a mile away .

she always went , and Spencer was generally on hand to see her home .

he was not there tonight .

she wished she had not come .

it was dreadful to have to sit still and think .

she did not hear a word the minister said .

she had to walk home with a crowd of girls and nerve herself to answer their merry sallies that no one might suspect .

she was tortured by the fear that everyone knew her shame and humiliation and was pitying her .

she got hysterically gay , but underneath all she was constantly trying to assign a satisfactory reason for Spencer 's nonappearance .

he was often kept away , and of course he was a little cross at her yet , as was natural .

if he had come before her then , she could have gone down in the very dust at his feet and implored his forgiveness .

when she reached home she went into the garden and sat down .

the calm of the night soothed her .

she felt happier and more hopeful .

she thought over all that had passed between her and Spencer and all his loving assurances , and the recollection comforted her .

she was almost happy when she went in .

tomorrow is Sunday , she thought when she wakened in the morning .

her step was lighter and her face brighter .

Mrs Bowes seemed to be in a bad humour .

presently she said bluntly :

" do you know that Spencer Morgan was here last night ? "

Estella felt the cold tighten round her heart .

yet underneath it sprang up a wild , sweet hope .

" Spencer here !

I suppose he forgot it was prayer meeting night .

what did he say ?

why didn't you tell him where I was ? "

" I don't know that he forgot it was prayer meeting night , " returned Mrs Bowes with measured emphasis .

" ' Tisn't likely his memory has failed so all at once .

he didn't ask where you was .

he took good care to go before you got home too .

Miss LeMar entertained him .

I guess she was quite capable of it . "

Estella bent over her dishes in silence .

her face was deadly white .

" I 'll send her away , " said Mrs Bowes pityingly .

" when she 's gone , Spencer will soon come back to you . "

" no , you won't ! " said Estella fiercely .

" if you do , she 'll only go over to Barstows ' , and it would be worse than ever .

I don't care I 'll show them both I don't care !

as for Spencer coming back to me , do you think I want her leavings ?

he 's welcome to go . "

" he 's only just fooled by her pretty face , " persisted Mrs Bowes in a clumsy effort at consolation .

" she 's just turning his head , the hussy , and he isn't really in his proper senses .

you 'll see , he 'll be ashamed of himself when he comes to them again .

he knows very well in his heart that you 're worth ten girls like her . "

Estella faced around .

" aunt , " she said desperately , " you mean well , I know , but you 're killing me !

I can't stand it .

for pity 's sake , don't say another word to me about this , no matter what happens .

and don't keep looking at me as if I were a martyr !

she watches us and it would please her to think I cared .

I don't and I mean she shall see I don't .

I guess I 'm well rid of a fellow as fickle as he is , and I 've sense enough to know it . "

she went upstairs then , tearing off her turquoise engagement ring as she climbed the steps .

all sorts of wild ideas flashed through her head .

why couldn't she die ?

was it possible people could suffer like this and yet go on living ?

when twilight came she went out to the front steps and leaned her aching head against the honeysuckle trellis .

the sun had just set and the whole world swam in dusky golden light .

the wonderful beauty frightened her .

she felt like a blot on it .

while she stood there , a buggy came driving up the lane and wheeled about at the steps .

in it was Spencer Morgan .

had Spencer come the night before , he would have found her loving and humble .

even now , had she but been sure that he had come to see her , she would have unbent .

but was it the other ?

the torturing doubt stung her to the quick .

she waited , stubbornly resolved that she would not speak first .

it was not in her place .

Spencer Morgan flicked his horse sharply with his whip .

he dared not look at Estella , but he felt her uncompromising attitude .

he was miserably ashamed of himself , and he felt angry at Estella for his shame .

" do you care to come for a drive ? " he asked awkwardly , with a covert glance at the parlour windows .

Estella caught the glance and her jealous perception instantly divined its true significance .

her heart died within her .

she did not care what she said .

she 's away at the shore .

you 'll find her there , I dare say . "

still , in spite of all , she perversely hoped .

when he drove away without another word , she could not believe it again .

surely he would not go surely he knew she did not mean it he would turn back before he got to the gate .

but he did not .

she saw him disappear around the turn of the road .

she could not see if he took the shore lane further on , but she was sure he would .

she was furious at herself for acting as she had done .

it was all her fault again !

oh , if he would only give her another chance !

she was in her room when she heard the buggy drive up again .

she knew it was Spencer and that he had brought Vivienne LeMar home .

acting on a sudden wild impulse , the girl stepped out on the landing and confronted her rival as she came up the stairs .

the latter paused at sight of the white face and anguished eyes .

there was a little mocking smile on her lovely face .

" miss LeMar , " said Estella in a quivering voice , " what do you mean by all this ?

you know I 'm engaged to Spencer Morgan ! "

Miss LeMar laughed softly .

" really ?

if you are engaged to the young man , my dear Miss Bowes , I would advise you to look after him more sharply .

he seems very willing to flirt , I should say . "

she passed on to her room with a malicious smile .

Estella shrank back against the wall , humiliated and baffled .

Spencer never sought her again ; he went everywhere with Miss LeMar .

his infatuation was the talk of the settlement .

Estella knew that her story was in everyone 's mouth , and her pride smarted ; but she carried a brave front outwardly .

no one should say she cared .

she believed that the actress was merely deluding Spencer for her own amusement and would never dream of marrying him .

but one day the idea occurred to her that she might .

one evening she was alone in the parlour .

she had lit the lamp and was listlessly arranging the little room .

she looked old and worn .

her colour was gone and her eyes were dull .

as she worked , the door opened and Vivienne LeMar walked or , rather , reeled into the room .

Estella dropped the book she held and gazed at her as one in a dream .

the actress 's face was flushed and her hair was wildly disordered .

her eyes glittered with an unearthly light .

she was talking incoherently .

the air was heavy with the fumes of brandy .

Estella laughed hysterically .

Vivienne LeMar was grossly intoxicated .

if he could but see her now !

Estella turned white with the passion of the wild idea that had come to her .

Spencer Morgan should see this woman in her true colours .

she lost no time .

swiftly she left the room and locked the door behind her on the maudlin , babbling creature inside .

then she flung a shawl over her head and ran from the house .

it was not far to the Morgan homestead .

she ran all the way , hardly knowing what she was doing .

Mrs Morgan answered her knock .

she gazed in bewilderment at Estella 's wild face .

" I want Spencer , " said the girl through her white lips .

the elder woman stepped back in dumb amazement .

she knew and rued her son 's folly .

what could Estella want with him ?

the young man appeared in the doorway .

Estella caught him by the arm and pulled him outside .

" Miss LeMar wants you at once , " she said hoarsely .

" at once you are to come at once ! "

" has anything happened to her ? " cried Spencer savagely .

" is she ill is she what is the matter ? "

" no , she is not ill .

but she wants you .

come at once . "

he started off bareheaded .

Estella followed him up the road breathlessly .

surely it was the strangest walk ever a girl had , she told herself with mirthless laughter .

she pushed the key into his hand at the porch .

" she 's in the parlour , " she said wildly .

" go in and look at her , Spencer . "

Spencer snatched the key and fitted it into the door .

he was full of fear .

had Estella gone out of her mind ?

had she done anything to Vivienne ?

had she

as he entered , the actress reeled to her feet and came to meet him .

he stood and gazed at her stupidly .

this could not be Vivienne , this creature reeking with brandy , uttering such foolish words !

what fiend was this in her likeness ?

he grew sick at heart and brain ; she had her arms about him .

he tried to push her away , but she clung closer , and her senseless laughter echoed through the room .

he flung her from him with an effort and rushed out through the hall and down the road like a madman .

Estella , watching him , felt that she was avenged .

she was glad with a joy more pitiful than grief .

Vivienne LeMar left the cottage the next day .

Mrs Bowes , suspecting some mystery , questioned Estella sharply , but could find out nothing .

the girl kept her own counsel stubbornly .

the interest and curiosity of the village centred around Spencer Morgan , and his case was well discussed .

gossip said that the actress had jilted him and that he was breaking his heart about it .

then came the rumour that he was going West .

Estella heard it apathetically .

life seemed ended for her .

there was nothing to look forward to .

she could not even look back .

all the past was embittered .

she had never met Spencer since the night she went after him .

she sometimes wondered what he must think of her for what she had done .

did he think her unwomanly and revengeful ?

she did not care .

it was rather a relief to hear that he was going away .

she would not be tortured by the fear of meeting him then .

she was sure he would never come back to her .

if he did , she would never forgive him .

one evening in early harvest Estella was lingering by the lane gate at twilight .

the dusk , sweet night seemed to soothe her as it always did .

she leaned her head against the poplar by the gate .

how long Spencer Morgan had been standing by her she did not know , but when she looked up he was there .

in the dim light she could see how haggard and hollow-eyed he had grown .

he had changed almost as much as herself .

the girl 's first proud impulse was to turn coldly away and leave him .

but some strange tumult in her heart kept her still .

what had he come to say ?

there was a moment 's fateful silence .

then Spencer spoke in a muffled voice .

" I couldn't go away without seeing you once more , Estella , to say good-bye .

perhaps you won't speak to me .

you must hate me .

I deserve it . "

he paused , but she said no word .

she could not .

after a space , he went wistfully on .

" I know you can never forgive me no girl could .

I 've behaved like a fool .

there isn't any excuse to be made for me .

I don't think I could have been in my right senses , Estella .

it all seems like some bad dream now .

when I saw her that night , I came to my right mind , and I 've been the most miserable man alive ever since .

not for her but because I 'd lost you .

I can't bear to live here any longer , so I am going away .

will you say good-bye , Estella ? "

still she did not speak .

there were a hundred things she wanted to say but she could not say them .

did he mean that he loved her still ?

if she were sure of that , she could forgive him anything , but her doubt rendered her mute .

the young man turned away despairingly from her rigid attitude .

so be it he had brought his fate on himself .

he had gone but a few steps when Estella suddenly found her voice with a gasp .

" Spencer ! "

he came swiftly back .

" oh , Spencer do you do you love me still ? "

he caught her hands in his .

" love you oh , Estella , yes , yes !

I always have .

that other wasn't love it was just madness .

when it passed I hated life because I 'd lost you .

I know you can't forgive me , but , oh "

he broke down .

Estella flung her arms around his neck and put her face up to his .

she felt as if her heart must break with its great happiness .

he understood her mute pardon .

in their kiss the past was put aside .

Estella 's martyrdom was ended .

the Old Chest at Wyther Grange

when I was a child I always thought a visit to Wyther Grange was a great treat .

it was a big , quiet , old-fashioned house where Grandmother Laurance and Mrs DeLisle , my Aunt Winnifred , lived .

I was a favourite with them , yet I could never overcome a certain awe of them both .

grandmother was a tall , dignified old lady with keen black eyes that seemed veritably to bore through one .

she always wore stiffly-rustling gowns of rich silk made in the fashion of her youth .

as Winnifred Laurance she had been the beauty of the family and was a handsome woman still , with brilliant dark eyes and cameo-like features .

she always looked very sad , spoke in a low sweet voice , and was my childish ideal of all that was high-bred and graceful .

I had many beloved haunts at the Grange , but I liked the garret best .

that old garret was a veritable fairyland to me .

there was one old chest which I could not explore and , like all forbidden things , it possessed a great attraction for me .

it stood away back in a dusty , cobwebbed corner , a strong , high wooden box , painted blue .

when they came to the old chest , Grandmother rapped the top smartly with her keys .

" I wonder what is in this old chest , " she said .

" I believe it really should be opened .

the moths may have got into it through that crack in the lid . "

" why don't you open it , Mother ? " said Mrs . DeLisle .

" I am sure that key of Robert 's would fit the lock . "

" no , " said Grandmother in the tone that nobody , not even Aunt Winnifred , ever dreamed of disputing .

" I will not open that chest without Eliza 's permission .

" Poor Eliza , " said Mrs DeLisle thoughtfully .

" I wonder what she is like now .

very much changed , like all the rest of us , I suppose .

it is almost thirty years since she was here .

how pretty she was ! "

" I never approved of her , " said Grandmother brusquely .

" she was a sentimental , fanciful creature .

Mrs DeLisle sighed softly and made no reply .

People said that she had had her own romance in her youth and that her mother had sternly repressed it .

I had heard that her marriage with Mr DeLisle was loveless on her part and proved very unhappy .

but he had been dead many years , and Aunt Winnifred never spoke of him .

" I have made up my mind what to do , " said Grandmother decidedly .

" I will write to Eliza and ask her if I may open the chest to see if the moths have got into it .

if she refuses , well and good .

I have no doubt that she will refuse .

she will cling to her old sentimental ideas as long as the breath is in her body . "

I rather avoided the old chest after this .

later on a letter came to Grandmother ; she passed it over the table to Mrs DeLisle .

" that is from Eliza , " she said .

read the letter , Winnifred ; I haven't my glasses and I dare say Eliza 's rhapsodies would tire me very much .

you need not read them aloud I can imagine them all .

let me know what she says about the chest . "

aunt Winnifred opened and read the letter and laid it down with a brief sigh .

" this is all she says about the chest .

but I cannot bear that anyone but myself should see or touch that one thing .

so please leave the chest as it is , dear Aunt .

it is no matter if the moths do get in . '

that is all , " continued Mrs DeLisle , " and I must confess that I am disappointed .

I have always had an almost childish curiosity about that old chest , but I seem fated not to have it gratified .

that ' one thing ' must be her wedding dress .

I have always thought that she locked it away there . "

" her answer is just what I expected of her , " said Grandmother impatiently .

" evidently the years have not made her more sensible .

well , I wash my hands of her belongings , moths or no moths . "

it was not until ten years afterwards that I heard anything more of the old chest .

grandmother Laurance had died , but Aunt Winnifred still lived at the Grange .

she was very lonely , and the winter after Grandmother 's death she sent me an invitation to make her a long visit .

" I am glad you have reminded me of it , " said Mrs DeLisle .

" I have intended to open the chest ever since Mother 's death but I kept putting it off .

you know , Amy , poor Eliza Laurance died five years ago , but even then Mother would not have the chest opened .

there is no reason why it should not be examined now .

if you like , we will go and open it at once and afterwards I will tell you the story . "

we went eagerly up the garret stairs .

aunt knelt down before the old chest and selected a key from the bunch at her belt .

" would it not be too provoking , Amy , if this key should not fit after all ?

well , I do not believe you would be any more disappointed than I . "

she turned the key and lifted the heavy lid .

I bent forward eagerly .

a layer of tissue paper revealed itself , with a fine tracing of sifted dust in its crinkles .

" lift it up , child , " said my aunt gently .

" there are no ghosts for you , at least , in this old chest . "

I lifted the paper up and saw that the chest was divided into two compartments .

lying on the top of one was a small , square , inlaid box .

this Mrs DeLisle took up and carried to the window .

lifting up the cover she laid it in my lap .

" there , Amy , look through it and let us see what old treasures have lain hidden there these forty years . "

the first thing I took out was a small square case covered with dark purple velvet .

the tiny clasp was almost rusted away and yielded easily .

I gave a little cry of admiration .

aunt Winnifred bent over my shoulder .

" that is Eliza 's portrait at the age of twenty , and that is Willis Starr 's .

was she not lovely , Amy ? "

Lovely indeed was the face looking out at me from its border of tarnished gilt .

it was the face of a young girl , in shape a perfect oval , with delicate features and large dark-blue eyes .

" the other picture is that of the man to whom she was betrothed .

tell me , Amy , do you think him handsome ? "

I looked at the other portrait critically .

Aunt Winnifred made no reply she was taking out the remaining contents of the box .

aunt laid the box aside and unpacked the chest in silence .

beneath it was a case containing a necklace of small but perfect pearls and a pair of tiny satin slippers .

in the second compartment lay a dress .

aunt Winnifred lifted it out reverently .

it was a gown of rich silk that had once been white , but now , like the linen , it was yellow with age .

it was simply made and trimmed with cobwebby old lace .

" well , Amy , this is all , " said Aunt Winnifred with a quiver in her voice .

" and now for the story .

where shall I begin ? "

" at the very beginning , Aunty .

you see I know nothing at all except her name .

tell me who she was and why she put her wedding dress away here . "

" Poor Eliza ! " said Aunt dreamily .

" it is a sorrowful story , Amy , and it seems so long ago now .

I must be an old woman .

forty years ago and I was only twenty then .

Eliza Laurance was my cousin , the only daughter of Uncle Henry Laurance .

my father your grandfather , Amy , you don't remember him had two brothers , each of whom had an only daughter .

both these girls were called Eliza after your great-grandmother .

I never saw Uncle George 's Eliza but once .

her home was in a distant city and she never came to Wyther Grange .

" the other Eliza Laurance was a poor man 's daughter .

she and I were of the same age and did not look unlike each other , although I was not so pretty by half .

she had her little faults , of course , and was rather over much given to romance and sentiment .

this did not seem much of a defect to me then , Amy , for I was young and romantic too .

mother never cared much for Eliza , I think , but everyone else liked her .

one winter Eliza came to Wyther Grange for a long visit .

the Grange was a very lively place then , Amy .

Eliza kept the old house ringing with merriment .

we went out a great deal and she was always the belle of any festivity we attended .

yet she wore her honours easily ; all the flattery and homage she received did not turn her head .

" that winter we first met Willis Starr .

he became what you would call the rage .

he was considered very handsome , his manners were polished and easy , and people said he was rich .

" I don't think , Amy , that I ever trusted Willis Starr .

but like all the rest , I was blinded by his charm .

" from the first he had paid Eliza marked attention and seemed utterly bewitched by her .

well , his was an easy winning .

Eliza loved him with her whole impulsive , girlish heart and made no attempt to hide it .

" I shall never forget the night they were first engaged .

it was Eliza 's birthday , and we were invited to a ball that evening .

this yellow gown is the very one she wore .

I suppose that is why she put it away here the gown she wore on the happiest night of her life .

" when we reached home after the dance , Eliza had her happy secret to tell us .

she was engaged to Willis Starr , and they were to be married in early spring .

" well , Amy , the wedding day was set .

Eliza was to be married from the Grange , as her own mother was dead , and I was to be bridesmaid .

" a week before the wedding , Willis Starr was spending the evening at the Grange .

it was some merry badinage about the cousin whose namesake she was but whom she so little resembled .

" we all laughed , but I shall never forget the look that came over Willis Starr 's face .

it passed quickly , but the chill fear that it gave me remained .

he laid his hand on my arm and bent his evil face for it was evil then , Amy close to mine .

" ' Certainly there is , ' I said sharply .

' She is our cousin and the daughter of our Uncle George .

our Eliza is not an heiress .

you surely did not suppose she was ! '

" Willis stepped aside with a mocking smile .

" ' I did what wonder ?

I had heard much about the great heiress , Eliza Laurance , and the great beauty , Eliza Laurance .

I supposed they were one and the same .

you have all been careful not to undeceive me . '

" ' You forget yourself , Mr Starr , when you speak so to me , ' I retorted coldly .

' You have deceived yourself .

we have never dreamed of allowing anyone to think that Eliza was an heiress .

she is sweet and lovely enough to be loved for her own sake . '

" I went back to the parlour full of dismay .

Willis Starr remained gloomy and taciturn all the rest of the evening , but nobody seemed to notice it but myself .

" the next day we were all so busy that I almost forgot the incident of the previous evening .

we girls were up in the sewing room putting the last touches to the wedding gown .

Eliza tried it and her veil on and was standing so , in all her silken splendour , when a letter was brought in .

I guessed by her blush who was the writer .

I laughed and ran downstairs , leaving her to read it .

all the soft happiness and sweetness had gone out of them .

they were the eyes of an old woman , Amy .

" ' Eliza , what is the matter ? '

I said .

' Has anything happened to Willis ? '

then she turned to me .

" ' Help me take off this gown , Winnie , ' she said dully .

' I shall never wear it again .

there will be no wedding .

Willis is gone . '

" ' Gone ! '

I echoed stupidly .

" ' Yes .

I am not the heiress , Winnie .

it was the fortune , not the girl , he loved .

he says he is too poor for us to dream of marrying when I have nothing .

oh , such a cruel , heartless letter !

why did he not kill me ?

it would have been so much more merciful !

I loved him so I trusted him so !

oh , Winnie , Winnie , what am I to do ! '

" there was something terrible in the contrast between her passionate words and her calm face and lifeless voice .

I wanted to call Mother , but she would not let me .

she went away to her own room , trailing along the dark hall in her dress and veil , and locked herself in .

" well , I told it all to the others in some fashion .

you can imagine their anger and dismay .

your father , Amy he was a hot-blooded , impetuous , young fellow then went at once to seek Willis Starr .

but he was gone , no one knew where , and the whole country rang with the gossip and scandal of the affair .

Eliza knew nothing of this , for she was ill and unconscious for many a day .

in a novel or story she would have died , I suppose , and that would have been the end of it .

but this was in real life , and Eliza did not die , although many times we thought she would .

" when she did recover , how frightfully changed she was !

it almost broke my heart to see her .

her very nature seemed to have changed too all her joyousness and light-heartedness were dead .

from that time she was a faded , dispirited creature , no more like the Eliza we had known than the merest stranger .

and then after a while came other news Willis Starr was married to the other Eliza Laurance , the true heiress .

he had made no second mistake .

we tried to keep it from Eliza but she found it out at last .

that was the day she came up here alone and packed this old chest .

nobody ever knew just what she put into it .

Eliza Laurance was really buried here .

" she went home soon after .

but she never came back , and I do not think she ever intended to , and I never saw her again .

" that is the story of the old chest .

it was all over so long ago the heartbreak and the misery but it all seems to come back to me now .

Poor Eliza ! "

presently Aunt Winnifred came back through the twilight shadows .

" let us put all these things back in their grave , Amy , " she said .

" they are of no use to anyone now .

the linen might be bleached and used , I dare say but it would seem like a sacrilege .

it was Mother 's wedding present to Eliza .

and the pearls would you care to have them , Amy ? "

" oh , no , no , " I said with a little shiver .

" I would never wear them , Aunt Winnifred .

I should feel like a ghost if I did .

put everything back just as we found it only her portrait .

I would like to keep that . "

reverently we put gowns and letters and trinkets back into the old blue chest .

aunt Winnifred closed the lid and turned the key softly .

she bowed her head over it for a minute and then we went together in silence down the shadowy garret stairs of Wyther Grange .

the Osbornes ' Christmas

Darby whose real name was Charles did it , because he was only eight , and at eight you have no dignity to keep up .

the others , being older , couldn't .

but the fact of Christmas itself awoke no great enthusiasm in the hearts of the junior Osbornes .

Frank voiced their opinion of it the day after Cousin Myra had arrived .

he was sitting on the table with his hands in his pockets and a cynical sneer on his face .

at least , Frank flattered himself that it was cynical .

but to you and me it would have looked just as it did to Cousin Myra a very discontented and unbecoming scowl .

but Christmas is just a bore a regular bore . "

that was what Uncle Edgar called things that didn't interest him , so that Frank felt pretty sure of his word .

nevertheless , he wondered uncomfortably what made Cousin Myra smile so queerly .

" why , how dreadful ! " she said brightly .

" I thought all boys and girls looked upon Christmas as the very best time in the year . "

" we don't , " said Frank gloomily .

" it 's just the same old thing year in and year out .

we know just exactly what is going to happen .

we even know pretty well what presents we are going to get .

and Christmas Day itself is always the same .

we 'll get up in the morning , and our stockings will be full of things , and half of them we don't want .

then there 's dinner .

it 's always so poky .

and all the uncles and aunts come to dinner just the same old crowd , every year , and they say just the same things .

aunt Desda always says , ' Why , Frankie , how you have grown ! '

she knows I hate to be called Frankie .

and after dinner they 'll sit round and talk the rest of the day , and that 's all .

yes , I call Christmas a nuisance . "

" there isn't a single bit of fun in it , " said Ida discontentedly .

" not a bit ! " said the twins , both together , as they always said things .

" there 's lots of candy , " said Darby stoutly .

he rather liked Christmas , although he was ashamed to say so before Frank .

Cousin Myra smothered another of those queer smiles .

" you 've had too much Christmas , you Osbornes , " she said seriously .

" it has palled on your taste , as all good things will if you overdo them .

did you ever try giving Christmas to somebody else ? "

the Osbornes looked at Cousin Myra doubtfully .

they didn't understand .

" we always send presents to all our cousins , " said Frank hesitatingly .

" that 's a bore , too .

they 've all got so many things already it 's no end of bother to think of something new . "

" that isn't what I mean , " said Cousin Myra .

" how much Christmas do you suppose those little Rolands down there in the hollow have ?

or Sammy Abbott with his lame back ?

or French Joe 's family over the hill ?

if you have too much Christmas , why don't you give some to them ? "

the Osbornes looked at each other .

this was a new idea .

" how could we do it ? " asked Ida .

whereupon they had a consultation .

Cousin Myra explained her plan , and the Osbornes grew enthusiastic over it .

Even Frank forgot that he was supposed to be wearing a cynical sneer .

" I move we do it , Osbornes , " said he .

" if Father and Mother are willing , " said Ida .

" won't it be jolly ! " exclaimed the twins .

" well , rather , " said Darby scornfully .

he did not mean to be scornful .

he had heard Frank saying the same words in the same tone , and thought it signified approval .

Cousin Myra had a talk with Father and Mother Osborne that night , and found them heartily in sympathy with her plans .

for the next week the Osbornes were agog with excitement and interest .

at first Cousin Myra made the suggestions , but their enthusiasm soon outstripped her , and they thought out things for themselves .

never did a week pass so quickly .

and the Osbornes had never had such fun , either .

the uncles and aunts arrived in due time , but not with them was the junior Osbornes ' concern .

they were the guests of Mr and Mrs. Osborne .

the junior Osbornes were having a Christmas dinner party of their own .

in the small dining room a table was spread and loaded with good things .

Ida and the twins cooked that dinner all by themselves .

then their guests came .

then came a troop from French Joe 's four black-eyed lads , who never knew what shyness meant .

everybody knew that Miss Rankin never kept Christmas .

she did not believe in it , she said , but she did not prevent Tillie from going to the Osbornes ' dinner party .

what a merry dinner it was !

what peals of laughter went up , reaching to the big dining room across the hall , where the grown-ups sat in rather solemn state .

and how those guests did eat and frankly enjoy the good things before them !

how nicely they all behaved , even to the French Joes !

Myra had secretly been a little dubious about those four mischievous-looking lads , but their manners were quite flawless .

after the merry dinner was over , the junior Osbornes brought in a Christmas tree , loaded with presents .

they had bought them with the money that Mr. and Mrs Osborne had meant for their own presents , and a splendid assortment they were .

every little Roland got just what his or her small heart had been longing for .

besides , there were nuts and candies galore .

it was just dusk when they got back , having driven the Rolands and the French Joes and Sammy and Tillie to their respective homes .

" this has been the jolliest Christmas I ever spent , " said Frank , emphatically .

" weren't the French Joes jolly ? " giggled the twins .

" such cute speeches as they would make ! "

" me and Teddy Roland are going to be chums after this , " announced Darby .

" he 's an inch taller than me , but I 'm wider . "

that night Frank and Ida and Cousin Myra had a little talk after the smaller Osbornes had been haled off to bed .

" we 're not going to stop with Christmas , Cousin Myra , " said Frank , at the end of it .

" we 're just going to keep on through the year .

we 've never had such a delightful old Christmas before . "

" you 've learned the secret of happiness , " said Cousin Myra gently .

and the Osbornes understood what she meant .

the Romance of Aunt Beatrice

Margaret always maintains that it was a direct inspiration of Providence that took her across the street to see Aunt Beatrice that night .

and Aunt Beatrice believes that it was too .

aunt Beatrice was alone .

or , to speak more correctly , she had been darning them .

Margaret did not notice at first .

she was too deeply absorbed in her own troubles to think that anyone else in the world could be miserable too .

" you were invited , weren't you ? "

aunt Beatrice nodded .

the hole she was darning in the knee of Willie Hayden 's stocking must be done very carefully .

Mrs George Hayden was particular about such matters .

perhaps this was why Aunt Beatrice did not speak .

could Gilbert be ill ?

or was he flirting with some other girl and forgetting her ?

" well , I'm I 'm not used to going to parties now , my dear .

and the truth is I have no dress fit to wear .

at least Bella said so , because the party was to be a very fashionable affair .

she said my old grey silk wouldn't do at all .

of course she knows .

she had to have a new dress for it , and , we couldn't both have that .

George couldn't afford it these hard times .

but it doesn't matter .

and , of course , somebody had to stay with the children . "

" of course , " assented Margaret dreamily .

Mrs Cunningham 's " at home " was of no particular interest .

" I saw Mr Reynolds in church Sunday afternoon , " she went on .

" he is very fine-looking , I think .

did you ever meet him ? "

" I used to know him very well long ago , " answered Aunt Beatrice , bowing still lower over her work .

" he used to live down in Wentworth , you know , and he visited his married sister here very often .

he was only a boy at that time .

then he went out to British Columbia and and we never heard much more about him . "

they say he 's one of the foremost men in the House and came very near getting a portfolio in the new cabinet .

I like men like that .

they are so interesting .

wouldn't it be awfully nice and complimentary to have one of them in love with you ?

is he married ? "

" I I don't know , " said Aunt Beatrice faintly .

" I have never heard that he was . "

" there , you 've run the needle into your finger , " said Margaret sympathetically .

" it 's of no consequence , " said Aunt Beatrice hastily .

she wiped away the drop of blood and went on with her work .

Margaret watched her dreamily .

what lovely hair Aunt Beatrice had !

it was so thick and glossy , with warm bronze tones where the lamp-light fell on it under that hideous weird old shade .

but Aunt Beatrice wore it in such an unbecoming way .

Margaret idly wondered if she would comb her hair straight back and prim when she was thirty-five .

she thought it very probable if that letter did not come tomorrow .

from Aunt Beatrice 's hair Margaret 's eyes fell to Aunt Beatrice 's face .

she gave a little jump .

had Aunt Beatrice been crying ?

Margaret sat bolt upright .

" aunt Beatrice , did you want to go to that party ? " she demanded explosively .

" now tell me the truth . "

" I did , " said Aunt Beatrice weakly .

Margaret 's sudden attack fairly startled the truth out of her .

" it is very silly of me , I know , but I did want to go .

I didn't care about a new dress .

I 'd have been quite willing to wear my grey silk , and I could have fixed the sleeves .

what difference would it have made ?

nobody would ever have noticed me , but Bella thought it wouldn't do . "

she paused long enough to give a little sob which she could not repress .

Margaret made use of the opportunity to exclaim violently , " it 's a shame ! "

" I suppose you don't understand why I wanted to go to this particular party so much , " went on Aunt Beatrice shyly .

" I 'll tell you why if you won't laugh at me .

I wanted to see John Reynolds not to talk to him oh , I dare say he wouldn't remember me but just to see him .

long ago fifteen years ago we were engaged .

and and I loved him so much then , Margaret . "

" you poor dear ! " said Margaret sympathetically .

she reached over and patted her aunt 's hand .

she thought that this little bit of romance , long hidden and unsuspected , blossoming out under her eyes , was charming .

in her interest she quite forgot her own pet grievance .

" yes and then we quarrelled .

it was a dreadful quarrel and it was about such a trifle .

we parted in anger and he went away .

he never came back .

it was all my fault .

well , it is all over long ago and everybody has forgotten .

I I don't mind it now .

but I just wanted to see him once more and then come quietly away . "

" aunt Beatrice , you are going to that party yet , " said Margaret decisively .

" oh , it is impossible , my dear . "

" no , it isn't .

nothing is impossible when I make up my mind .

you must go .

I 'll drag you there by main force if it comes to that .

oh , I have such a jolly plan , Auntie .

you know my black and yellow dinner dress no , you don't either , for I 've never worn it here .

the folks at home all said it was too severe for me and so it is .

nothing suits me but the fluffy , chuffy things with a tilt to them .

but it 's as lovely as a dream .

oh , when you see it your eyes will stick out .

you must wear it tonight .

it 's just your style , and I 'm sure it will fit you , for our figures are so much alike . "

" but it is too late . "

" ' Tisn't .

it 's not more than half an hour since Uncle George and Aunt Bella went .

I 'll have you ready in a twinkling . "

" but the fire and the children ! "

" I 'll stay here and look after both .

I won't burn the house down , and if the twins wake up I 'll give them what is it you give them soothing syrup ?

so go at once and get you ready , while I fly over for the dress .

I 'll fix your hair up when I get back . "

Margaret was gone before Aunt Beatrice could speak again .

her niece 's excitement seized hold of her too .

she flung the stockings into the basket and the basket into the closet .

" I will go and I won't do another bit of darning tonight .

I hate it I hate it I hate it !

oh , how much good it does me to say it ! "

when Margaret came flying up the stairs Aunt Beatrice was ready save for hair and dress .

aunt Beatrice gave a little cry of admiration .

" isn't it lovely ? " demanded Margaret .

oh , Aunt Beatrice !

what magnificent arms and shoulders you have !

they 're like marble .

mine are so scrawny I 'm just ashamed to have people know they belong to me . "

Margaret 's nimble fingers were keeping time with her tongue .

Margaret stepped back and clapped her hands admiringly .

" oh , Auntie , you 're beautiful !

now I 'll pop down for the cloak and fascinator .

I left them hanging by the fire . "

when Margaret had gone Aunt Beatrice caught up the lamp and tiptoed shamefacedly across the hall to the icy-cold spare room .

In the long mirror she saw herself reflected from top to toe or was it herself !

" I do look nice , " she said aloud , with a little curtsey to the radiant reflection .

" it is all the dress , I know .

I feel like a queen in it no , like a girl again and that 's better . "

Margaret went to Mrs Cunningham 's door with her .

" how I wish I could go in and see the sensation you 'll make , Aunt Beatrice , " she whispered .

" you dear , silly child !

it 's just the purple and fine linen , " laughed Aunt Beatrice .

but she did not altogether think so , and she rang the doorbell unquailingly .

in the hall Mrs Cunningham herself came beamingly to greet her .

" my dear Beatrice !

I 'm so glad .

Bella said you could not come because you had a headache . "

at the foot of the stairs they met .

he put out his hand .

" Beatrice !

it must be Beatrice !

how little you have changed ! "

Beatrice put her hand into the M.P. 's .

" I am glad to see you , " she said simply , looking up at him .

Beatrice felt her heart beating to her fingertips .

" I thought you were not coming , " he said .

" I expected to meet you here and I was horribly disappointed .

I thought the bitterness of that foolish old quarrel must be strong enough to sway you yet . "

" didn't Bella tell you I had a headache ? " faltered Beatrice .

" Bella ?

oh , your brother 's wife !

I wasn't talking to her .

I 've been sulking in corners ever since I concluded you were not coming .

how beautiful you are , Beatrice !

you 'll let an old friend say that much , won't you ? "

Beatrice laughed softly .

she had forgotten for years that she was beautiful , but the sweet old knowledge had come back to her again .

she could not help knowing that he spoke the simple truth , but she said mirthfully ,

" you 've learned to flatter since the old days , haven't you ?

don't you remember you used to tell me I was too thin to be pretty ?

but I suppose a bit of blarney is a necessary ingredient in the composition of an M.P . "

he was still holding her hand .

" come in here with me , " he said masterfully .

" I want to have a long talk with you before the other people get hold of you . "

" you dear girlie , were you asleep ? " asked Aunt Beatrice indulgently .

Margaret nodded .

" yes , and I 've let the fire go out .

I hope you 're not cold .

I must run before Aunt Bella gets here , or she 'll scold .

had a nice time ? "

" Delightful .

you were a dear to lend me this dress .

it was so funny to see Bella staring at it . "

when Margaret had put on her hat and jacket she went as far as the street door , and then tiptoed back to the sitting-room .

but it would weigh on my conscience all night if I didn't .

I was asleep , but I wakened up just before you came in and went to the window .

I didn't mean to spy upon anyone but that street was bright as day !

and if you will let an M.P. kiss you on the doorstep in glaring moonlight , you must expect to be seen . "

Margaret threw up her hands .

" well , my conscience is clear , at least .

and remember , Aunt Beatrice , I 'm to be bridesmaid I insist upon that .

and , oh , won't you ask me to visit you when you go down to Ottawa next winter ?

I 'm told it 's such a jolly place when the House is in session .

and you 'll need somebody to help you entertain , you know .

the wife of a cabinet minister has to do lots of that .

but I forgot he isn't a cabinet minister yet .

but he will be , of course .

promise that you 'll have me , Aunt Beatrice , promise quick .

I hear Uncle George and Aunt Bella coming . "

aunt Beatrice promised .

Margaret flew to the door .

" you 'd better keep that dress , " she called back softly , as she opened it .

the Running Away of Chester

Chester did the chores with unusual vim that night .

Mrs Elwell saw him flying around , and her grim features took on a still grimmer expression .

" Ches is mighty lively tonight , " she muttered .

" I s'pose he 's in a gog to be off on some foolishness with Henry Wilson .

well , he won't , and he needn't think it . "

" the little chap is going through things with a rush this evening , " he reflected .

" guess he 's laying out for a bit of fun with the Wilson boy . "

after the chores were done , he lingered a little while around the barns , getting his courage keyed up to the necessary pitch .

his parents had died in his babyhood , and Mrs Elwell had taken him to bring up .

she was a harsh woman , with a violent temper , and she had scolded and worried the boy all his short life .

Upton people said it was a shame , but nobody felt called upon to interfere .

Mrs Elwell was not a person one would care to make an enemy of .

" aunt Harriet , " said Chester suddenly , " can I go to school this year ?

it begins tomorrow . "

" no , " said Mrs Elwell , when she had recovered from her surprise at this unexpected question .

" you 've had schoolin ' in plenty more'n I ever had , and all you 're goin ' to get ! "

the other boys are ever so far ahead of me .

I don't know anything . "

" you know enough to be disrespectful ! " exclaimed Mrs Elwell .

Chester thought of the drudgery that had been his portion all his life .

he resented being called lazy when he was willing enough to work , but he made one more appeal .

do let me go , Aunt Harriet .

I haven't been to school a day for over a year . "

" here , run down to the Bridge and get me this bottle full of vinegar at Jacob 's store .

be smart , too , d'ye hear !

I ain't going to have you idling around the Bridge neither .

if you ain't back in twenty minutes , it won't be well for you . "

Chester did his errand at the Bridge with a heart full of bitter disappointment and anger .

" I won't stand it any longer ! " he muttered .

" I 'll run away I don't care where , so long as it 's away from her .

I wish I could get out West on the harvest excursions . "

on his return home , as he crossed the yard in the dusk , he stumbled over a stick of wood and fell .

the bottle of vinegar slipped from his hand and was broken on the doorstep .

Mrs Elwell saw the accident from the window .

she rushed out and jerked the unlucky lad to his feet .

" take that , you sulky little cub ! " she exclaimed , cuffing his ears soundly .

" I 'll teach you to break and spill things you 're sent for !

you did it on purpose .

get off to bed with you this instant . "

Chester crept off to his garret chamber with a very sullen face .

he was too used to being sent to bed without any supper to care much for that , although he was hungry .

but his whole being was in a tumult of rebellion over the injustice that was meted out to him .

" I won't stand it ! " he muttered over and over again .

" I 'll run away .

I won't stay here . "

to talk of running away was one thing .

to do it without a cent in your pocket or a place to run to was another .

he lay awake late that night , thinking out ways and means , but could arrive at no satisfactory conclusion .

you might as well put in the time ' fore harvest that way as any other .

so hustle off and mind you behave yourself . "

Chester heard the news gladly .

he had not yet devised any feasible plan for running away , and he always liked to work at the Stearns ' place .

the following fortnight was a comparatively happy one for the lad .

Chester found himself the possessor of four dollars an amount of riches that almost took away his breath .

he had never in his whole life owned more than ten cents at a time .

his mind was firmly made up .

he would run away once and for all .

this money was rightly his ; he had earned every cent of it .

it would surely last him until he found employment elsewhere .

at any rate , he would go ; and even if he starved , he would never come back to Aunt Harriet 's !

when he reached home , he found Mrs Elwell in an unusual state of worry .

Lige had given warning and this on the verge of harvest !

" did Stearns say anything about coming down tomorrow to pay me for your work ? " she asked .

" no , ma'am .

he didn't say a word about it , " said Chester boldly .

" well , I hope he will .

take yourself off to bed , Ches .

I 'm sick of seeing you standing there , on one foot or t'other , like a gander . "

Chester had been shifting about uneasily .

he realized that , if his project did not miscarry , he would not see his aunt again , and his heart softened to her .

such , however , was not forthcoming , and Chester obeyed her command and took himself off to the garret .

here he sat down and reflected on his plans .

he must go that very night .

when Mr Stearns failed to appear on the morrow , Mrs Elwell was quite likely to march up and demand the amount of Chester 's wages .

it would all come out then , and he would lose his money besides , no doubt , getting severely punished into the bargain .

his preparations did not take long .

he had nothing to carry with him .

the only decent suit of clothes he possessed was his well-worn Sunday one .

this he put on , carefully stowing away in his pocket the precious four dollars .

when he found himself alone in the clear moonlight of the August night , a sense of elation filled his cramped little heart .

he was free , and he would never come back here never !

Chester meant to walk to Roxbury Station ten miles away .

nobody knew him there , and he could catch the morning train .

late as it was , he kept to fields and wood-roads lest he might be seen and recognized .

it was three o'clock when he reached Roxbury , and he knew the train did not pass through until six .

Chester was awakened by the shriek of the express at the last crossing before the station .

he looked sharply enough at the freckled , square-jawed boy who asked for a second-class ticket to Belltown .

Chester 's heart quaked within him at the momentary thought that the ticket agent recognized him .

he had an agonized vision of being collared without ceremony and haled straightway back to Aunt Harriet .

when the ticket and his change were pushed out to him , he snatched them and fairly ran .

" I 've seen that youngster before , though I can't recollect where .

he 's got a most fearful determined look . "

Chester drew an audible sigh of relief when the train left the station .

he was fairly off now and felt that he could defy even curious railway officials .

meanwhile , it behooved him to keep his eyes open .

on the road from Roxbury to Belltown there was not much to be seen that morning that Chester did not see .

the train reached Belltown about noon .

he did not mean to stop long there it was too near Upton .

from the conductor on the train , he found that a boat left Belltown for Montrose at two in the afternoon .

Montrose was a hundred miles from Upton , and Chester thought he would be safe there .

to Montrose , accordingly , he decided to go , but the first thing was to get some dinner .

he went into a grocery store and bought some crackers and a bit of cheese .

he found his way to the only public square Belltown boasted , and munched his food hungrily on a bench under the trees .

he would go to Montrose and there find something to do .

later on he would gradually work his way out West , where there was more room for an ambitious small boy to expand and grow .

Chester dreamed some dazzling dreams as he sat there on the bench under the Belltown chestnuts .

but this same lad was mapping out a very brilliant future for himself as people passed him heedlessly by .

he would get out West , somehow or other , some time or other , and make a fortune .

then , perhaps , he would go back to Upton for a visit and shine in his splendour before all his old neighbours .

it all seemed very easy and alluring , sitting there in the quiet little Belltown square .

Chester , you see , possessed imagination .

that , together with the crackers and cheese , so cheered him up that he felt ready for anything .

Chester pocketed his remaining crackers and cheese and his visions also , and was once more his alert , wide-awake self .

he had inquired the way to the wharf from the grocer , so he found no difficulty in reaching it .

when the boat steamed down the muddy little river , Chester was on board of her .

they often went to Belltown on business , but never to Montrose .

" if I was looking for anyone to adopt me I 'd pick her , " said Chester to himself .

the more he looked at her , the better he liked her .

he labelled her in his mind as " the nice , rosy lady . "

the nice , rosy lady noticed Chester staring at her after awhile .

Chester did not exactly like being called a little boy .

but her voice and smile were irresistible and won his heart straightway .

he took the candy with a shy , " thank you , ma'am , " and sat holding it in his hand .

" eat it , " commanded the rosy lady authoritatively .

" that is what taffy is for , you know . "

so Chester ate it .

the rosy lady watched every mouthful he ate as if she enjoyed it more than he did .

" it 's the nicest taffy I ever ate , " answered Chester enthusiastically , as if he were a connoisseur in all kinds of taffies .

the rosy lady nodded , well pleased .

" that is just what everyone says about my sugar taffy .

nobody up our way can match it , though goodness knows they try hard enough .

my great-grandmother invented the recipe herself , and it has been in our family ever since .

I 'm real glad you liked it . "

she smiled at him again , as if his appreciation of her taffy was a bond of good fellowship between them .

if there were such kind folks as this in the world , why , he would get along all right .

it was almost dark when they reached Montrose .

here he was at his destination at dark , in a strange city a hundred miles from home .

Montrose was not really a very big place .

it was only a bustling little town of some twenty thousand inhabitants , but to Chester 's eyes it was a vast metropolis .

Chester , after paying his fare to Montrose and buying his cheese and crackers , had just sixty cents left .

Back to this he went and soon succeeded in finding a place to stow himself .

Montrose seemed less alarming by daylight , which was not so bewildering as the blinking electric lights .

Chester was up betimes , ate the last of his cheese and crackers and started out at once to look for work .

there was , however , one class of places Chester shunned determinedly .

he never went into a liquor saloon .

she herself had suffered bitterly through it , and she instilled into her pupils a thorough aversion to it .

Chester would have chosen death by starvation before he would have sought for employment in a liquor saloon .

but there certainly did not seem room for him anywhere else .

nobody wanted a boy .

the answer to his question was invariably " no . "

as the day wore on , Chester 's hopes and courage went down to zero , but he still tramped doggedly about .

he would be thorough , at least .

surely somewhere in this big place , where everyone seemed so busy , there must be something for him to do .

once there seemed a chance of success .

he had gone into a big provision store and asked the clerk behind the counter if they wanted a boy .

" well , we do , " said the clerk , looking him over critically , " but I hardly think you 'll fill the bill .

however , come in and see the boss . "

" hey ?

what ! " he said when the clerk explained .

" looking for the place ?

why , sonny , you 're not half big enough . "

" oh , I 'm a great deal bigger than I look , " cried Chester breathlessly .

" that is , sir I mean I 'm ever so much stronger than I look .

I 'll work hard , sir , ever so hard and I 'll grow . "

the fat , stubby man roared with laughter .

what was grim earnest to poor Chester was a joke to him .

boys aren't like pigweed , you know .

no , no , our boy must be a big , strapping fellow of eighteen or nineteen .

he 'll have a deal of heavy lifting to do . "

Chester went out of the store with a queer choking in his throat .

a nice ending that would be to his fine dreams !

he thrust his hands into his pockets and strode along the street , biting his lips fiercely .

he would not cry no , he would not !

and he would find work !

Chester did not cry , but neither , alas , did he find work .

he parted with ten cents of his precious hoard for more crackers , and he spend the night again in the lumber yard .

perhaps I 'll have better luck tomorrow , he thought hopefully .

but it really seemed as if there were to be no luck for Chester except bad luck .

in spite of his pluck , his heart began to fail him .

at the end of a week Chester woke up among his lumber to a realization that he was at the end of his resources .

he had just five cents left out of the four dollars that were to have been the key to his fortune .

he sat gloomily on the wall of his sleeping apartment and munched the one solitary cracker he had left .

it must carry him through the day unless he got work .

the five cents must be kept for some dire emergency .

he started uptown rather aimlessly .

in his week 's wanderings he had come to know the city very well and no longer felt confused with its size and bustle .

he envied every busy boy he saw .

back in Upton he had sometimes resented the fact that he was kept working continually and was seldom allowed an hour off .

now he was burdened with spare time .

it certainly did not seem as if things were fairly divided , he thought .

and then he thought no more just then , for one of the queer spells in his head came on .

he had experienced them at intervals during the last three days .

Chester vaguely wondered if this could be what Aunt Harriet had been wont to call a " judgement . "

but then , he had done nothing very bad nothing that would warrant a judgement , he thought .

Chester felt bitter whenever he thought of Aunt Harriet .

presently he found himself in the market square of Montrose .

it was market day , and the place was thronged with people from the surrounding country settlements .

two men were talking to each other near him .

at first Chester gave no heed to their conversation , but presently a sentence made him prick up his ears .

it 's terrible hard to get any help .

every spare man-jack far and wide has gone West on them everlasting harvest excursions .

Salome Whitney at the Mount Hope Farm is in a predicament .

she 's got a hired man , but he can't harvest grain all by himself .

the men moved out of earshot at this juncture , but Chester got down from the bales with a determined look .

if workers were wanted in Hopedale , that was the place for him .

he had done a man 's work at harvest time in Upton the year before .

Lige Barton had said so himself .

Hope and courage returned with a rush .

he accosted the first man he met and asked if he could tell him the way to Hopedale .

" reckon I can , sonny .

I live in the next district .

want to go there ?

if you wait till evening , I can give you a lift part of the way .

it 's five miles out . "

" thank you , sir , " said Chester firmly , " but I must go at once if you 'll kindly direct me .

it 's important . "

" well , it 's a straight road .

Turn to your right , and over the hill is Hopedale .

but you 'd better wait for me .

you don't look fit to walk five miles . "

but Chester was off .

walk five miles !

pooh !

he could walk twenty with hope to lure him on .

Albemarle Street finally frayed off into a real country road .

he had grown to hate the town with its cold , unheeding faces .

it was good to breathe clear air again and feel the soft , springy soil of the ferny roadside under his tired little feet .

long before the five miles were covered , Chester began to wonder if he would hold out to the end of them .

he had to stop and rest frequently , when those queer dizzy spells came on .

his feet seemed like lead .

but he kept doggedly on .

he would not give in now !

the white and yellow church was the most welcome sight that had ever met his eyes .

over the hill he met a man and inquired the way to Mount Hope Farm .

fortunately , it was nearby .

at the gate Chester had to stop again to recover from his dizziness .

there was an appearance of peace and prosperity about it .

if only Miss Salome Whitney will hire me ! thought Chester wistfully , as he crept up the slope .

I 'm afraid she 'll say I 'm too small .

Wisht I could stretch three inches all at once .

Wisht I wasn't so dizzy .

Wisht

trees , barns , well-sweep , all whirled around him with the speed of wind .

he reeled and fell , a limp , helpless little body , on Miss Salome Whitney 's broad , spotless sandstone doorstep .

Miss Salome wanted them boiled ; Clemantiny Bosworth , the help , insisted that they ought to be baked .

Clemantiny was always very positive .

" they 're so sour when they 're baked , " protested Miss Salome .

" well , you don't want damsons sweet , do you ? " retorted Clemantiny scornfully .

" that 's the beauty of damsons their tartness .

and they keep ever so much better baked , Salome you know they do .

my grandmother always baked hers , and they would keep for three years . "

Miss Salome knew that when Clemantiny dragged her grandmother into the question , it was time to surrender .

beyond that , dignity degenerated into stubbornness .

" well , well , bake them then , " she said placidly .

" I don't suppose it makes much difference one way or another .

only , I insist what was that noise , Clemantiny ?

it sounded like something falling against the porch door . "

" mussing up my clean doorstep with his dirty paws again .

I 'll fix him ! "

Clemantiny swept out through the porch and jerked open the door .

there was a moment 's silence .

then Miss Salome heard her say , " for the land 's sake !

Salome Whitney , come here . "

what Miss Salome saw when she hurried out was a white-faced boy stretched on the doorstep at Clemantiny 's feet .

" is he dead ? " she gasped .

" dead ?

no , " sniffed Clemantiny .

" he 's fainted , that 's what he is .

where on earth did he come from ?

he ain't a Hopedale boy . "

" he must be carried right in , " exclaimed Miss Salome in distress .

" why , he may die there .

he must be very ill . "

" why , he 's skin and bone .

he ain't hardly heavier than a baby .

well , this is a mysterious piece of work .

Where'll I put him ? "

a child starving to death on her doorstep !

" what do you do for people in a faint , Clemantiny ? "

" and hold ammonia to their nose .

run for the ammonia , Salome .

look , will you ?

skin and bone ! "

but Miss Salome had gone for the ammonia .

there was a look on the boy 's thin , pallid face that tugged painfully at her heart-strings .

when he opened his eyes , Miss Salome knew him .

" why , it 's the little boy I saw on the boat ! " she exclaimed .

" well , you 've come to ! " said Clemantiny , eyeing Chester severely .

" and now perhaps you 'll explain what you mean by fainting away on doorsteps and scaring people out of their senses . "

Chester thought that this must be the mistress of Mount Hope Farm , and hastened to propitiate her .

" I 'm sorry , " he faltered feebly .

" I didn't mean to I "

" you 're not to do any talking until you 've had something to eat , " snapped Clemantiny inconsistently .

" here , open your mouth and take this broth .

Pretty doings , I say ! "

Chester thought he had never in all his life tasted anything so good as that broth .

the boy was really almost starved .

he drank every drop of it .

Clemantiny gave a grunt of satisfaction as she handed the empty bowl and spoon to the silent , smiling Miss Salome .

" now , who are you and what do you want ? " she said .

Chester had been expecting this question , and while coming along the Hopedale road he had thought out an answer to it .

he began now , speaking the words slowly and gaspingly , as if reciting a hastily learned lesson .

" my name is Chester Benson .

I belong to Upton up the country .

my folks are dead and I came to Montrose to look for work , I 've been there a week and couldn't get anything to do .

in spite of his weakness , Chester 's face turned very red before he got to the end of his speech .

he was new to deception .

to be sure , there was not , strictly speaking , an untrue word in it .

as for his name , it was Chester Benson Stephens .

but for all that , Chester could not have felt or looked more guilty if he had been telling an out-and-out falsehood at every breath .

" Humph ! " said Clemantiny in a dissatisfied tone .

" what on earth do you suppose a midget like you can do in the harvest field ?

and we don't want any more help , anyway .

we 've got enough . "

Chester grew sick with disappointment .

but at this moment Miss Salome spoke up .

" no , we haven't , Clemantiny .

we want another hand , and I 'll hire you , Chester that 's your name , isn't it ?

I 'll give you good wages , too . "

" now , Salome ! " protested Clemantiny .

but Miss Salome only said , " I 've made up my mind , Clemantiny . "

" oh , very well , " she retorted .

" you 'll please yourself , Salome , of course .

I think it would be wiser to wait until you found out a little more about him . "

" and have him starving on people 's doorsteps in the meantime ? " questioned Miss Salome severely .

by this time Chester had grasped the wonderful fact that his troubles were ended for a while , at least .

he raised himself up on one arm and looked gratefully at Miss Salome .

" thank you , " he said .

" I 'll work hard .

I 'm used to doing a lot . "

" there , there ! " said Miss Salome , patting his shoulder gently .

" lie down and rest .

dinner will be ready soon , and I guess you 'll be ready for it . "

to Clemantiny she added in a low , gentle tone , " there 's a look on his face that reminded me of Johnny .

it came out so strong when he sat up just now that it made me feel like crying .

don't you notice it , Clemantiny ? "

" all I can see is freckles and bones but if you 're satisfied , I am .

for law 's sake , don't fluster me , Salome .

there 's a hundred and one things to be done out of hand .

this frolic has clean dundered the whole forenoon 's work . "

after dinner Chester decided that it was time to make himself useful .

" can't I go right to work now ? " he asked .

" we don't begin harvest till tomorrow , " said Miss Salome .

" you 'd better rest this afternoon . "

" oh , I 'm all right now , " insisted Chester .

" I feel fine .

please give me something to do . "

" you can go out and cut me some wood for my afternoon 's baking , " said Clemantiny .

" and see you cut it short enough .

any other boy that 's tried always gets it about two inches too long . "

" not very much , perhaps , " said Miss Salome mildly .

" but what could I do ?

you wouldn't have me turn the child adrift on the world again , would you , Clemantiny ? "

Clemantiny did not choose to answer this appeal .

she rattled her dishes noisily into the dishpan .

" well , where are you going to put him to sleep ? " she demanded .

" the hands you 've got will fill the kitchen chamber .

there 's only the spare room left .

you 'll hardly put him there , I suppose ?

your philanthropy will hardly lead you as far as that . "

when Clemantiny employed big words and sarcasm at the same time , the effect was tremendous .

but Miss Salome didn't wilt .

" what makes you so prejudiced against him ? " she asked curiously .

" I 'm not prejudiced against him .

but that story about himself didn't ring true .

I worked in Upton years ago , and there weren't any Bensons there then .

there 's more behind that he hasn't told .

I 'd find out what it was before I took him into my house , that 's all .

but I 'm not prejudiced . "

" well , well , " said Miss Salome soothingly , " we must do the best we can for him .

it 's a sort of duty .

and as for a room for him why , I 'll put him in Johnny 's . "

Clemantiny opened her mouth and shut it again .

she understood that it would be a waste of breath to say anything more .

" but I 'll not be surprised at anything after this , " she muttered as she carried her dishes into the pantry .

" first a skinny little urchin goes and faints on her doorstep .

then she hires him and puts him in Johnny 's room .

Johnny 's room !

Salome Whitney , what do you mean ? "

perhaps Miss Salome hardly knew what she meant .

but somehow her heart went out warmly to this boy .

in spite of Clemantiny 's sniffs , she held to the opinion that he looked like Johnny .

Johnny was a little nephew of hers .

she had taken him to bring up when his parents died , and she had loved him very dearly .

he had died four years ago , and since that time the little front room over the front porch had never been occupied .

it was just as Johnny had left it .

beyond keeping it scrupulously clean , Miss Salome never allowed it to be disturbed .

and now a somewhat ragged lad from nowhere was to be put into it !

no wonder Clemantiny shook her head when Miss Salome went up to air it .

Even Clemantiny had to admit that Chester was willing to work .

he split wood until she called him to stop .

then he carried in the wood-box full , and piled it so neatly that even the grim handmaiden was pleased .

after that , she sent him to the garden to pick the early beans .

" he 's been taught to work somewheres , " she admitted grudgingly , " and he 's real polite and respectful .

but he looks too cute by half .

and his name isn't Benson any more than mine .

" I hope you 'll sleep real well here , Chester , " she said .

" I had a little boy once who used to sleep here .

you you look like him .

good night . "

she bent over him and kissed his forehead .

Chester had never been kissed by anyone before , so far as he could remember .

something came up in his throat that felt about as big as a pumpkin .

at the same moment he wished he could have told Miss Salome the whole truth about himself .

I might tell her in the morning , he thought , as he watched her figure passing out of the little porch chamber .

but on second thought he decided that this would never do .

no , he could not tell her .

" Humph ! " said Clemantiny amiably .

" new brooms sweep clean . "

but she gave him cream with his porridge that morning .

generally , all Miss Salome 's hired hands got from Clemantiny was skim milk .

Miss Salome 's regular hired man lived in a little house down in the hollow .

he soon turned up , and the other two men she had hired for harvest also arrived .

Martin , the man , looked Chester over quizzically .

" what do you think you can do , sonny ? "

" anything , " said Chester sturdily .

" I 'm used to work . "

" he 's right , " whispered Clemantiny aside .

" he 's smart as a steel trap .

but just you keep an eye on him all the same , Martin . "

Chester soon proved his mettle in the harvest field .

in the brisk three weeks that followed , even Clemantiny had to admit that he earned every cent of his wages .

his active feet were untiring and his wiry arms could pitch and stock with the best .

" Freckles-and-Bones has been well trained somewhere , " said Clemantiny again .

it was hardly fair to put the bones in now , for Chester was growing plump and hearty .

he had never been so happy in his life .

Upton drudgery and that dreadful week in Montrose seemed like a bad dream .

here , in the golden meadows of Mount Hope Farm , he worked with a right good will .

the men liked him , and he soon became a favourite with them .

Even Clemantiny relented somewhat .

but Chester soon learned that Clemantiny 's bark was worse than her bite .

she was really very good to him and fed him lavishly .

but she declared that this was only to put some flesh on him .

" it offends me to see bones sticking through anybody 's skin like that .

we aren't used to such objects at Mount Hope Farm , thank goodness .

yes , you may smile , Salome .

he 's mighty close about his past life .

you can't get any more out of him than juice out of a post .

I 've tried , and I know . "

but it was Miss Salome who had won Chester 's whole heart .

he had never loved anybody in his hard little life before .

he loved her with an almost dog-like devotion .

he forgot that he was working to earn money and make his fortune .

he worked to please Miss Salome .

she was good and kind and gentle to him , and his starved heart thawed and expanded in the sunshine of her atmosphere .

she went to the little porch room every night to kiss him good night .

Chester would have been bitterly disappointed if she had failed to go .

she was greatly shocked to find out that he had never said his prayers before going to bed .

she insisted on teaching him the simple little one she had used herself when a child .

when Chester found that it would please her , he said it every night .

there was nothing he would not have done for Miss Salome .

she talked a good deal to him about Johnny and she gave him the jack-knife that Johnny had owned .

" I ain't very good , " said Chester repentantly , " but I 'll try to be , Miss Salome honest , I will . "

one day he heard Miss Salome speaking of someone who had run away from home .

" a wicked , ungrateful boy , " she called him .

Chester blushed until his freckles were drowned out in a sea of red , and Clemantiny saw it , of course .

when did anything ever escape those merciless black eyes of Clemantiny 's ?

" do you think it 's always wrong for a fellow to run away , Miss Salome ? " he faltered .

" it can't ever be right , " said Miss Salome decidedly .

" but if he wasn't treated well and was jawed at and not let go to school ? " pleaded Chester .

she was not really thinking of the subject at all , and did not guess that Chester meant anything more than generalities .

" not even then , " she said firmly .

his aunt thought he 'd fallen into the river . "

when the harvest season drew to a close , dismay crept into the soul of our hero .

where would he go now ?

he hated to think of leaving Mount Hope Farm and Miss Salome .

the making of a fortune seemed a small thing compared to the privilege of being near Miss Salome .

" but I suppose I must just up and go , " he muttered dolefully .

one day Miss Salome had a conference with Clemantiny .

" but if you 'd take my advice which you won't and never do you 'd write to somebody in Upton and make inquiries about him first .

what he says is all very well and he sticks to it marvellous , and there 's no tripping him up .

but there 's something behind , Salome Whitney mark my words , there 's something behind . "

" he looks so like Johnny , " said Miss Salome wistfully .

" and I suppose you think that covers a multitude of sins , " said Clemantiny contemptuously .

Chester 's heart sank as he obeyed the summons .

his time was up , and now he was to be paid his wages and sent away .

but that did not reconcile him to leaving Mount Hope Farm .

Miss Salome was sitting in her favourite sunny corner of the kitchen and Clemantiny was flying around with double briskness .

the latter 's thin lips were tightly set and disapproval was writ large in every flutter of her calico skirts .

" Chester , " said Miss Salome kindly , " your time is up today . "

Chester nodded .

for a moment he felt as he had felt when he left the provision store in Montrose .

but he would not let Clemantiny see him cry .

somehow , he would not have minded Miss Salome .

" what are you thinking of doing now ? "

Miss Salome went on .

" there 's a man at East Hopedale wants a boy , " said Chester , " and Martin says he thinks I 'll suit . "

" that is Jonas Smallman , " said Miss Salome thoughtfully .

" he has the name of being a hard master .

it isn't right of me to say so , perhaps .

I really don't know much about him .

but wouldn't you rather stay here with me for the winter , Chester ? "

" ma'am ?

miss Salome ? " stammered Chester .

" we really need a chore boy all the year round , " said Miss Salome .

" Martin has all he can do with the heavy work .

and there are the apples to be picked .

in the spring we will see what need be done then . "

if he would care to stay !

Chester could have laughed aloud .

his eyes were shining with joy as he replied , " oh , Miss Salome , I 'll be so glad to stay !

I I didn't want to go away .

I 'll try to do everything you want me to do .

I 'll work ever so hard . "

" Humph ! "

this , of course , was from Clemantiny , as she set a pan of apples on the stove with an emphatic thud .

" nobody ever doubted your willingness to work .

Pity everything else about you isn't as satisfactory . "

" Clemantiny ! " said Miss Salome rebukingly .

she put her arms about Chester and drew him to her .

" then it is all settled , Chester .

you are my boy now , and of course I shall expect you to be a good boy . "

if ever a boy was determined to be good , that boy was Chester .

that day was the beginning of a new life for him .

he began to go to the Hopedale school the next week .

Miss Salome gave him all Johnny 's old school books and took an eager interest in his studies .

he was not what he pretended to be .

and as for his running away , he felt sure that Miss Salome would view that with horror .

he began to wish that he had the courage to tell her the whole truth about himself .

moreover , he began to think that perhaps he had not done right , after all , in running away from Aunt Harriet .

but he could never be that as long as he kept the truth about himself from Miss Salome .

" nonsense !

what could he have on his mind ? " said Miss Salome .

but she said it a little anxiously .

she , too , had noticed Chester 's absent ways and abstracted face .

" goodness me , I don't know !

I don't suppose he has robbed a bank or murdered anybody .

but he is worrying over something , as plain as plain . "

" he is getting on very well at school , " said Miss Salome .

" his teacher says so , and he is very eager to learn .

I don't know what can be troubling him . "

she was fated not to know for a fortnight longer .

during that time Chester fought out his struggle with himself , and conquered .

he must tell Miss Salome , he decided , with a long sigh .

Chester went into the kitchen one afternoon when he came home from school , with his lips set and his jaws even squarer than usual .

Miss Salome was making some of her famous taffy , and Clemantiny was spinning yarn on the big wheel .

" Miss Salome , " said Chester desperately , " if you 're not too busy , there is something I 'd like to tell you . "

" what is it ? " asked Miss Salome good-humouredly , turning to him with her spoon poised in midair over her granite saucepan .

" it 's about myself .

I I oh , Miss Salome , I didn't tell you the truth about myself .

I 've got to tell it now .

my name isn't Benson exactly and I ran away from home . "

" dear me ! " said Miss Salome mildly .

she dropped her spoon , handle and all , into the taffy and never noticed it .

" dear me , Chester ! "

" I knew it , " said Clemantiny triumphantly .

" I knew it and I always said it .

run away , did you ? "

" yes 'm .

my name is Chester Benson Stephens , and I lived at Upton with Aunt Harriet Elwell .

but she ain't any relation to me , really .

she 's only father 's stepsister .

she she wasn't kind to me and she wouldn't let me go to school so I ran away . "

" but , dear me , Chester , didn't you know that was very wrong ? " said Miss Salome in bewilderment .

" no 'm I didn't know it then .

I 've been thinking lately that maybe it was .

I 'm I'm real sorry . "

" what did you say your real name was ? " demanded Clemantiny .

" Stephens , ma'am . "

" and your mother 's name before she was married ? "

" Mary Morrow , " said Chester , wondering what upon earth Clemantiny meant .

Clemantiny turned to Miss Salome with an air of surrendering a dearly cherished opinion .

" well , ma'am , I guess you must be right about his looking like Johnny .

their mothers were sisters ! "

" Clemantiny ! " exclaimed Miss Salome .

" you may well say ' Clemantiny . '

such a coincidence !

it doesn't make you and him any relation , of course the cousinship is on the mother 's side .

but it 's there .

Mary Morrow was born and brought up in Hopedale .

she went to Upton when I did , and married Oliver Stephens there .

why , I knew his father as well as I know you . "

" this is wonderful , " said Miss Salome .

then she added sorrowfully , " but it doesn't make your running away right , Chester . "

" tell us all about it , " demanded Clemantiny , sitting down on the wood-box .

" sit down , boy , sit down don't stand there looking as if you were on trial for your life .

tell us all about it . "

thus adjured , Chester sat down and told them all about it his moonlight flitting and his adventures in Montrose .

when Chester finished , she nodded .

" we 've got it all now .

there 's nothing more behind , Salome .

it would have been better for you to have told as straight a story at first , young man . "

Chester knew that , but , having no reply to make , made none .

Miss Salome looked at him wistfully .

" but , with it all , you didn't do right to run away , Chester , " she said firmly .

" I dare say your aunt was severe with you but two wrongs never make a right , you know . "

" no 'm , " said Chester .

" you must go back to your aunt , " continued Miss Salome sadly .

Chester nodded .

he knew this , but he could not trust himself to speak .

then did Clemantiny arise in her righteous indignation .

" well , I never heard of such nonsense , Salome Whitney !

what on earth do you want to send him back for ?

I knew Harriet Elwell years ago , and if she 's still what she was then , it ain't much wonder Chester ran away from her .

I 'd say ' run , ' too .

go back , indeed !

you keep him right here , as you should , and let Harriet Elwell look somewhere else for somebody to scold ! "

" Clemantiny ! " expostulated Miss Salome .

" oh , I must and will speak my mind , Salome .

there 's no one else to take Chester 's part , it seems .

you have as much claim on him as Harriet Elwell has .

she ain't any real relation to him any more than you are . "

Miss Salome looked troubled .

perhaps there was something in Clemantiny 's argument .

and she hated to think of seeing Chester go .

he looked more like Johnny than ever , as he stood there with his flushed face and wistful eyes .

" Chester , " she said gravely , " I leave it to you to decide .

if you think you ought to go back to your aunt , well and good .

if not , you shall stay here . "

this was the hardest yet .

Chester wished she had not left the decision to him .

it was like cutting off his own hand .

but he spoke up manfully .

" I I think I ought to go back , Miss Salome , and I want to pay back the money , too . "

" I think so , too , Chester , although I 'm sorry as sorry can be .

I 'll go back to Upton with you .

we 'll start tomorrow .

if , when we get there , your aunt is willing to let you stay with me , you can come back . "

" there 's a big chance of that ! " said Clemantiny sourly .

well , this taffy is all burnt to the saucepan and clean ruined but what 's the odds !

I don't like having my affections torn up by the roots . "

Clemantiny seized the saucepan and disappeared with it into the pantry amid a whirl of pungent smoke .

Mount Hope Farm was a strangely dismal place that night .

Miss Salome sighed heavily and often as she made her preparations for the morrow 's journey .

Clemantiny stalked about with her grim face grimmer than ever .

as for Chester , when he went to bed that night in the little porch chamber , he cried heartily into his pillows .

that talk comforted Chester .

he realized that , come what might , he would always have a good friend in Miss Salome aye , and in Clemantiny , too .

it was late and an aroma of boiling sugar hung about her .

she had sat up long after Miss Salome was abed , to boil another saucepan of taffy for Chester to eat on his journey .

" poor , dear child ! " she said , softly touching one of his crisp curls .

" it 's a shame in Salome to insist on his going back .

she doesn't know what she 's sending him to , or she wouldn't .

he didn't say much against his aunt , and Salome thinks she was only just a little bit cranky .

but I could guess . "

Early in the morning Miss Salome and Chester started .

they were to drive to Montrose , leave their team there and take the boat for Belltown .

Chester bade farewell to the porch chamber and the long , white kitchen and the friendly barns with a full heart .

when he climbed into the wagon , Clemantiny put a big bagful of taffy into his hands .

" Good-by , Chester , " she said .

" and remember , you 've always got a friend in me , anyhow . "

then Clemantiny went back into the kitchen and cried good , rough-spoken , tender-hearted Clemantiny sat down and cried .

it was an ideal day for travelling crisp , clear and sunny but neither Chester nor Miss Salome was in a mood for enjoyment .

back over Chester 's runaway route they went , and reached Belltown on the boat that evening .

they stayed in Belltown overnight and in the morning took the train to Roxbury Station .

here Miss Salome hired a team from the storekeeper and drove out to Upton .

Chester felt his heart sink as they drove into the Elwell yard .

how well he knew it !

Miss Salome tied her hired nag to the gatepost and took Chester by the hand .

they went to the door and knocked .

it was opened with a jerk and Mrs Elwell stood before them .

she had probably seen them from the window , for she uttered no word of surprise at seeing Chester again .

indeed , she said nothing at all , but only stood rigidly before them .

dear me , what a disagreeable-looking woman ! thought Miss Salome .

but she said courteously , " are you Mrs Elwell ? "

" I am , " said that lady forbiddingly .

" I 've brought your nephew home , " continued Miss Salome , laying her hand encouragingly on Chester 's shrinking shoulder .

when he told me about it , I thought he ought to come straight back and return your four dollars , and so did he .

so I have brought him . "

" you might have saved yourself the trouble then ! " cried Mrs Elwell shrilly .

her black eyes flashed with anger .

" I 'm done with him and don't want the money .

he shall never enter my house again . "

" that he shall not ! " cried Miss Salome , at last finding her tongue .

her gentle nature was grievously stirred by the heartlessness shown in the face and voice of Mrs Elwell .

" that he shall not ! " she cried again .

" but he shall not want for a home as long as I have one to give him .

come , Chester , we 'll go home . "

" I wish you well of him , " Mrs Elwell said sarcastically .

miss Salome already repented her angry retort .

she was afraid she had been undignified , but she wished for a moment that Clemantiny was there .

wicked as she feared it was , Miss Salome thought she could have enjoyed a tilt between her ancient handmaid and Mrs Elwell .

" I beg your pardon , Mrs Elwell , if I have used any intemperate expressions , " she said with great dignity .

" you provoked me more than was becoming by your remarks .

I wish you good morning . "

Mrs Elwell slammed the door shut .

not until they reached the main road did she trust herself to speak to the dazed lad beside her .

" what a disagreeable women ! " she ejaculated at last .

" I don't wonder you ran away , Chester I don't , indeed !

though , mind you , I don't think it was right , for all that .

but I 'm gladder than words can say that she wouldn't take you back .

you are mine now , and you will stay mine .

I want you to call me Aunt Salome after this .

get up , horse !

if we can catch that train at Roxbury , we 'll be home by night yet . "

Chester was too happy to speak .

he had never felt so glad and grateful in his life before .

they got home that night just as the sun was setting redly behind the great maples on the western hill .

as they drove into the yard , Clemantiny 's face appeared , gazing at them over the high board fence of the cow-yard .

Chester waved his hand at her gleefully .

" lawful heart ! " said Clemantiny .

she set down her pail and came out to the lane on a run .

she caught Chester as he sprang from the wagon and gave him a hearty hug .

" I 'm glad clean down to my boot soles to see you back again , " she said .

" he 's back for good , " said Miss Salome .

" Chester , you 'd better go in and study up your lessons for tomorrow . "

the Strike at Putney

the church at Putney was one that gladdened the hearts of all the ministers in the presbytery whenever they thought about it .

it was such a satisfactory church .

the Exeter church people were always quarrelling among themselves and carrying their quarrels to the courts of the church .

the very name of Exeter gave the members of presbytery the cold creeps .

but the Putney church people never quarrelled .

Danbridge church was in a chronic state of ministerlessness .

no minister ever stayed in Danbridge longer than he could help .

the people were too critical , and they were also noted heresy hunters .

good ministers fought shy of Danbridge , and poor ones met with a chill welcome .

at Putney they had had the same minister for fifteen years and hoped and expected to have him for fifteen more .

they looked with horror-stricken eyes on the Danbridge theological coquetries .

bloom Valley church was over head and heels in debt and had no visible prospect of ever getting out .

the moderator said under his breath that they did over-much praying and too little hoeing .

he did not believe in faith without works .

Tarrytown Road kept its head above water but never had a cent to spare for missions or the schemes of the church .

in bright and shining contradistinction to these the Putney church had always paid its way and gave liberally to all departments of church work .

naturally the " heft " of this work fell on the women , but they did not mind in very truth , they enjoyed it .

they were especially strong on societies .

there was the Church Aid Society , the Girls ' Flower Band , and the Sewing Circle .

there was a Mission Band and a Helping Hand among the children .

to this day ministers and elders tell the story of the Putney church strike with sparkling eyes and subdued chuckles .

it never grows old or stale .

but the Putney elders are an exception .

they never laugh at it .

they never refer to it .

it is not in the wicked , unregenerate heart of man to make a jest of his own bitter defeat .

so , although she could not come on the date requested , she would , if acceptable , come the following Sunday .

this suited the Putney Auxiliary very well .

on the Sunday referred to there was to be no evening service in the church owing to Mr Sinclair 's absence .

then the thunderbolt descended on the W.F.M.A. of Putney from a clear sky .

the elders of the church rose up to a man and declared that no woman should occupy the pulpit of the Putney church .

it was in direct contravention to the teachings of St Paul .

to make matters worse , Mr Sinclair declared himself on the elders ' side .

the members of the Auxiliary were aghast .

they called a meeting extraordinary in the classroom and , discarding all forms and ceremonies in their wrath , talked their indignation out .

out of doors the world basked in June sunshine and preened itself in blossom .

the birds sang and chirped in the lichened maples that cupped the little church in , and peace was over all the Putney valley .

inside the classroom disgusted women buzzed like angry bees .

" what on earth are we to do ? " sighed the secretary plaintively .

Mary Kilburn was always plaintive .

" all the arrangements are made and Mrs Cotterell is coming on the tenth .

how can we tell her that the men won't let her speak ? "

" there was never anything like this in Putney church before , " groaned Mrs Elder Knox .

" it was Andrew McKittrick put them up to it .

I always said that man would make trouble here yet , ever since he moved to Putney from Danbridge .

I 've talked and argued with Thomas until I 'm dumb , but he is as set as a rock . "

" we don't meddle with them , I 'm sure .

as if Mrs Cotterell would contaminate the pulpit ! "

" one would think we were still in the dark ages , " said Frances Spenslow sharply .

Frances was the Putney schoolteacher .

" I 'm more surprised at Mr Sinclair than at the elders , " said Mrs Abner Keech , fanning herself vigorously .

" elders are subject to queer spells periodically .

they think they assert their authority that way .

but Mr Sinclair has always seemed so liberal and broad-minded . "

" you never can tell what crotchet an old bachelor will take into his head , " said Alethea Craig bitingly .

the others nodded agreement .

Mr Sinclair 's inveterate celibacy was a standing grievance with the Putney women .

" but what are we going to do , ladies ? " said Mrs Robbins briskly .

Mrs Robbins was the president .

she was a big , bustling woman with clear blue eyes and crisp , incisive ways .

hitherto she had held her peace .

" they must talk themselves out before they can get down to business , " she had reflected sagely .

but she thought the time had now come to speak .

" you know , " she went on , " we can talk and rage against the men all day if we like .

they are not trying to prevent us .

but that will do no good .

here 's Mrs Cotterell invited , and all the neighbouring auxiliaries notified and the men won't let us have the church .

the point is , how are we going to get out of the scrape ? "

a helpless silence descended upon the classroom .

the eyes of every woman present turned to Myra Wilson .

everyone could talk , but when it came to action they had a fashion of turning to Myra .

she had a reputation for cleverness and originality .

she never talked much .

so far today she had not said a word .

she was sitting on the sill of the window across from Lucy Knox .

she swung her hat on her knee , and loose , moist rings of dark hair curled around her dark , alert face .

" have you any suggestion to make , Miss Wilson ? " said Mrs Robbins , with a return to her official voice and manner .

Myra put her long , slender index finger to her chin .

" I think , " she said decidedly , " that we must strike . "

when Elder Knox went in to tea that evening he glanced somewhat apprehensively at his wife .

they had had an altercation before she went to the meeting , and he supposed she had talked herself into another rage while there .

but Mrs Knox was placid and smiling .

she had made his favourite soda biscuits for him and inquired amiably after his progress in hoeing turnips in the southeast meadow .

" we poor men have been shaking in our shoes , " he said facetiously .

" were you ? "

Mrs Knox 's voice was calm and faintly amused .

" well , you didn't need to .

Lucy Knox turned her head away to hide a smile .

the elder beamed .

he was a peace-loving man and disliked " ructions " of any sort and domestic ones in particular .

since the decision of the session Mrs Knox had made his life a burden to him .

he did not understand her sudden change of base , but he accepted it very thankfully .

" that 's right that 's right , " he said heartily .

" I 'm glad to hear you coming out so sensible , Maria .

I was afraid you 'd work yourselves up at that meeting and let Myra Wilson or Alethea Craig put you up to some foolishness or other .

well , I guess I 'll jog down to the Corner this evening and order that barrel of pastry flour you want . "

" oh , you needn't , " said Mrs Knox indifferently .

" we won't be needing it now . "

" not needing it !

but I thought you said you had to have some to bake for the social week after next . "

" there isn't going to be any social . "

" not any social ? "

Elder Knox stared perplexedly at his wife .

a month previously the Putney church had been recarpeted , and they still owed fifty dollars for it .

this , the women declared , they would speedily pay off by a big cake and ice-cream social in the hall .

Mrs Knox had been one of the foremost promoters of the enterprise .

" not any social ? " repeated the elder again .

" then how is the money for the carpet to be got ?

and why isn't there going to be a social ? "

" the men can get the money somehow , I suppose , " said Mrs Knox .

Lucy , dear , will you pass me the cookies ? "

" Lucy dear " passed the cookies and then rose abruptly and left the table .

her father 's face was too much for her .

" what confounded nonsense is this ? " demanded the elder explosively .

Mrs Knox opened her mellow brown eyes widely , as if in amazement at her husband 's tone .

" I don't understand you , " she said .

" our position is perfectly logical . "

she had borrowed that phrase from Myra Wilson , and it floored the elder .

he got up , seized his hat , and strode from the room .

that night , at Jacob Wherrison 's store at the Corner , the Putney men talked over the new development .

the social was certainly off for a time , anyway .

" best let ' em alone , I say , " said Wherrison .

" they 're mad at us now and doing this to pay us out .

but they 'll cool down later on and we 'll have the social all right . "

" but if they don't , " said Andrew McKittrick gloomily , " who is going to pay for that carpet ? "

this was an unpleasant question .

the others shirked it .

" I was always opposed to this action of the session , " said Alec Craig .

" it wouldn't have hurt to have let the woman speak .

' Tisn't as if it was a regular sermon . "

" the session knew best , " said Andrew sharply .

" and the minister you 're not going to set your opinion up against his , are you , Craig ? "

" didn't know they taught such reverence for ministers in Danbridge , " retorted Craig with a laugh .

" best let ' em alone , as Wherrison says , " said Abner Keech .

" don't see what else we can do , " said John Wilson shortly .

on Sunday morning the men were conscious of a bare , deserted appearance in the church .

Mr Sinclair perceived it himself .

after some inward wondering he concluded that it was because there were no flowers anywhere .

the table before the pulpit was bare .

on the organ a vase held a sorry , faded bouquet left over from the previous week .

the floor was ' unswept .

dust lay thickly on the pulpit Bible , the choir chairs , and the pew backs .

" what in the name of common sense is the good of your Flower Banders if you can't keep the place looking decent ? "

" there is no Flower Band now , Father , " whispered Polly in turn .

" we 've disbanded .

women haven't any business to meddle in church matters .

you know the session said so . "

it was well for Polly that she was too big to have her ears boxed .

even so , it might not have saved her if they had been anywhere else than in church .

where were the sopranos and the altos ?

Myra Wilson and Alethea Craig and several other members of the choir were sitting down in their pews with perfectly unconscious faces .

Myra was looking out of the window into the tangled sunlight and shadow of the great maples .

Alethea Craig was reading her Bible .

presently Frances Spenslow came in .

Eben Craig , who was the Putney singing master and felt himself responsible for the choir , fidgeted uneasily .

aren't you going to take the organ ? "

Frances looked up calmly .

her clear , placid voice was audible not only to those in the nearby pews , but to the minister .

" no , Mr Craig .

you know if a woman isn't fit to speak in the church she can't be fit to sing in it either . "

Eben Craig looked exceedingly foolish .

he tiptoed gingerly back to his place .

the minister , with an unusual flush on his thin , ascetic face , rose suddenly and gave out the opening hymn .

nobody who heard the singing in Putney church that day ever forgot it .

untrained basses and tenors , unrelieved by a single female voice , are not inspiring .

there were no announcements of society meetings for the forthcoming week .

on the way home from church that day irate husbands and fathers scolded , argued , or pleaded , according to their several dispositions .

Sunday School that afternoon was a harrowing failure .

out of all the corps of teachers only one was a man , and he alone was at his post .

in the Christian Endeavour meeting on Tuesday night the feminine element sat dumb and unresponsive .

the Putney women never did things by halves .

the men held out for two weeks .

at the end of that time they " happened " to meet at the manse and talked the matter over with the harassed minister .

Elder Knox said gloomily , " it 's this way .

nothing can move them women .

I know , for I 've tried .

my authority has been set at naught in my own household .

and I 'm laughed at if I show my face in any of the other settlements . "

the Sunday School superintendent said the Sunday School was going to wrack and ruin , also the Christian Endeavour .

the condition of the church for dust was something scandalous , and strangers were making a mockery of the singing .

and the carpet had to be paid for .

he supposed they would have to let the women have their own way .

the next Sunday evening after service Mr Sinclair arose hesitatingly .

his face was flushed , and Alethea Craig always declared that he looked " just plain everyday cross . "

he announced briefly that the session after due deliberation had concluded that Mrs Cotterell might occupy the pulpit on the evening appointed for her address .

the women all over the church smiled broadly .

Frances Spenslow got up and went to the organ stool .

the singing in the last hymn was good and hearty .

going down the steps after dismissal Mrs Elder Knox caught the secretary of the Church Aid by the arm .

" I guess , " she whispered anxiously , " you 'd better call a special meeting of the Aids at my house tomorrow afternoon .

if we 're to get that social over before haying begins we 've got to do some smart scurrying . "

the strike in the Putney church was over .

the Unhappiness of Miss Farquhar

Frances Farquhar was a beauty and was sometimes called a society butterfly by people who didn't know very much about it .

her father was wealthy and her mother came of an extremely blue-blooded family .

Frances had been out for three years , and was a social favourite .

consequently , it may be wondered why she was unhappy .

in plain English , Frances Farquhar had been jilted just a commonplace , everyday jilting !

everybody in her set knew of her engagement , and all her girl friends envied her , for Holcomb was a matrimonial catch .

then the crash came .

the simple truth was that Holcomb was fickle and had fallen in love with another girl .

he got his freedom and he married Maud Carroll in six months ' time .

Mr Farquhar stormed , and Ned swore , and Della lamented her vanished role of bridemaid .

as for Mrs Farquhar , she cried and said it would ruin Frances 's future prospects .

the girl herself took no part in the family indignation meetings .

but she believed that her heart was broken .

her love and her pride had suffered equally , and the effect seemed disastrous .

after a while the Farquhars calmed down and devoted themselves to the task of cheering Frances up .

this they did not accomplish .

when the summer came Frances asserted herself .

the Farquhars went to Green Harbour every summer .

but this time Frances said she would not go , and stuck to it .

the whole family took turns coaxing her and had nothing to show for their pains .

" I 'm going up to Windy Meadows to stay with Aunt Eleanor while you are at the Harbour , " she declared .

" she has invited me often enough . "

Ned whistled .

" jolly time you 'll have of it , Sis .

Windy Meadows is about as festive as a funeral .

and Aunt Eleanor isn't lively , to put it in the mildest possible way . "

" I don't care if she isn't .

I want to get somewhere where people won't look at me and talk about that , " said Frances , looking ready to cry .

Ned went out and swore at Holcomb again , and then advised his mother to humour Frances .

accordingly , Frances went to Windy Meadows .

Windy Meadows was , as Ned had said , the reverse of lively .

she left Frances in peace .

she knew that her niece had had " some love trouble or other , " and hadn't gotten over it rightly .

" she 'll get over it in time though she doesn't think so now , bless you . "

for the first fortnight Frances revelled in a luxury of unhindered sorrow .

she could mope in her room all she liked .

and there were no men who demanded civility .

when the fortnight was over , Aunt Eleanor took crafty counsel with herself .

the letting-alone policy was all very well , but it would not do to have the girl die on her hands .

Frances was getting paler and thinner every day and she was spoiling her eyelashes by crying .

I promised her last week that I would , but I 've never had time yet .

and today is baking and churning day .

it 's a shame .

poor Corona ! "

" she is our minister 's sister .

she has been ill with rheumatic fever .

she is better now , but doesn't seem to get strong very fast .

she ought to go out more , but she isn't able to walk .

I really must try and get around tomorrow .

she keeps house for her brother at the manse .

he isn't married , you know . "

Frances didn't know , nor did she in the least degree care .

but even the luxury of unlimited grief palls , and Frances was beginning to feel this vaguely .

she offered to go and take Miss Sherwood out driving .

" I 've never seen her , " she said , " but I suppose that doesn't matter .

I can drive Grey Tom in the phaeton , if you like . "

it was just what Aunt Eleanor intended , and she saw Frances drive off that afternoon with a great deal of satisfaction .

the manse is the fourth house after you turn the third corner . "

Frances kept count of the corners and the houses and found the manse .

Corona Sherwood herself came to the door .

her eyes brightened with delight when Frances told her errand .

" how good of you and Miss Eleanor !

" where shall we go ? " asked Frances when they started .

" I don't know much about this locality . "

" can we drive to the Cove first ?

I want to see poor little Jacky Hart .

he has been so sick "

" aunt Eleanor positively forbade that , " said Frances dubiously .

" will it be safe to disobey her ? "

Corona laughed .

" miss Eleanor blames my poor shore people for making me sick at first , but it was really not that at all .

and I want to see Jacky Hart so much .

he has been ill for some time with some disease of the spine and he is worse lately .

I 'm sure Miss Eleanor won't mind my calling just to see him . "

Jacky Hart 's home proved to be a tiny little place overflowing with children .

she spoke of Jacky with the apathy of hopelessness .

the doctor said he would not last much longer .

she told all her troubles unreservedly to Corona in her monotonous voice .

her " man " was drinking again and the mackerel catch was poor .

when Mrs Hart asked Corona to go in and see Jacky , Frances went too .

the air was hot and heavy .

Mrs Hart stood at the foot of the bed with her tragic face .

" we have to set up nights with him now , " she said .

" it 's awful hard on me and my man .

the neighbours are kind enough and come sometimes , but most of them have enough to do .

his medicine has to be given every half hour .

I 've been up for three nights running now .

Jabez was off to the tavern for two .

I 'm just about played out . "

she suddenly broke down and began to cry , or rather whimper , in a heart-broken way .

Corona looked troubled .

" I wish I could come tonight , Mrs Hart , but I 'm afraid I 'm really not strong enough yet . "

I 'll come and sit up with Jacky tonight if you care to have me . "

afterwards , when she and Corona were driving away , she wondered a good deal at herself .

he was in his shirt sleeves and wore a big straw hat , and seemed in nowise disconcerted thereby .

Corona introduced him , and he took Grey Tom away and put him in the barn .

then he went back to his sweet peas .

he had had his tea , he said , so that Frances did not see him again until she went home .

she thought he was a very indifferent young man , and not half so nice as his sister .

Jacky greeted her with a wonderful smile , and later on she found herself watching alone by his bed .

afterwards a silence fell , through which the lap of the waves on the sands and the far-off moan of the Atlantic surges came sonorously .

Jacky was restless and wakeful , but did not suffer , and liked to talk .

Frances listened to him with a new-born power of sympathy , which she thought she must have caught from Corona .

the pitiful little sentences made Frances 's heart ache .

the maternal instinct of the true woman awoke in her .

she took a sudden liking to the child .

he was a spiritual little creature , and his sufferings had made him old and wise .

once in the night he told Frances that he thought the angels must look like her .

" you are so sweet pretty , " he said gravely .

" I never saw anyone so pretty , not even Miss C'rona .

it was a woman with a li'l baby in her arms and a kind of rim round her head .

I would like something most awful much . "

" what is it , dear ? " said Frances gently .

" if I can get or do it for you , I will . "

" you could , " he said wistfully , " but maybe you won't want to .

but I do wish you 'd come here just once every day and sit here five minutes and let me look at you just that .

will it be too much trouble ? "

Frances stooped and kissed him .

" I will come every day , Jacky , " she said ; and a look of ineffable content came over the thin little face .

he put up his hand and touched her cheek .

" I knew you were good as good as Miss C'rona , and she is an angel .

I love you . "

when morning came Frances went home .

it was raining , and the sea was hidden in mist .

as she walked along the wet road , Elliott Sherwood came splashing along in a little two-wheeled gig and picked her up .

not that she knew much about ministers .

he tucked the wet , slippery rubber apron of his conveyance about her and then proceeded to ask questions .

Jacky Hart 's case had to be reported on , and then Mr Sherwood took out a notebook and looked over its entries intently .

" do you want any more work of that sort to do ? " he asked her abruptly .

Frances felt faintly amused .

his indifference piqued Frances a little in spite of her murdered heart .

" Tracts are a mild dissipation of Aunt Clorinda 's , " he said .

" she fairly revels in them .

she is half blind and has missed Corona very much . "

Frances , in some dismay , found herself pledged to help in all directions , and then ways and means had to be discussed .

Frances went through the rain that afternoon and read tracts to Aunt Clorinda .

she was so dreadfully tired that night that she forgot to cry , and slept well and soundly .

in the morning she went to church for the first time since coming to Windy Meadows .

later on Aunt Eleanor told her it was for his health .

" he was not strong when he left college , so he came here .

but he is as well as ever now , and I expect he will soon be gobbled up by some of your city churches .

he preached in Castle Street church last winter , and I believe they were delighted with him . "

this was all of a month later .

during that time Frances thought that she must have been re-created , so far was her old self left behind .

she seldom had an idle moment ; when she had , she spent it with Corona .

the two girls had become close friends , loving each other with the intensity of exceptional and somewhat exclusive natures .

incidentally , Frances had come to know the young minister , with his lofty ideals and earnest efforts , very well .

he had got into a ridiculous habit of going to her her , Frances Farquhar ! for advice in many perplexities .

Just as long as that girl brooded over her own worries and didn't think of anyone but herself she was miserable .

one night Frances told Corona all about Holcomb .

Elliott Sherwood was away , and Frances had gone up to stay all night with Corona at the manse .

they were sitting in the moonlit gloom of Corona 's room , and Frances felt confidential .

she had expected to feel badly and cry a little while she told it .

but she did not , and before she was half through , it did not seem as if it were worth telling after all .

Corona was deeply sympathetic .

she did not say a great deal , but what she did say put Frances on better terms with herself .

" oh , I shall get over it , " the latter declared finally .

" once I thought I never would but the truth is , I 'm getting over it now .

I 'm very glad but I 'm horribly ashamed , too , to find myself so fickle . "

you only imagined you did .

and he was not worthy of you .

you are so good , dear ; those shore people just worship you .

Elliott says you can do anything you like with them . "

Frances laughed and said she was not at all good .

yet she was pleased .

" nonsense ! " said Frances by way of answer .

" it is not nonsense at all .

you must know you are very lovely , Frances .

Elliott says you are the most beautiful girl he has ever seen . "

the summer went very quickly .

one day Jacky Hart died drifted out with the ebb tide , holding Frances 's hand .

she had loved the patient , sweet-souled little creature and missed him greatly .

when the time to go home came Frances felt dull .

she hated to leave Windy Meadows and Corona and her dear shore people and Aunt Eleanor and and well , Margaret Ann Peabody .

Elliott Sherwood came up the night before she went away .

Elliott Sherwood had been absent from Windy Meadows for several days .

there was a subdued jubilance in his manner .

" you think I have come to say good-bye , but I haven't , " he told her .

" I shall see you again very soon , I hope .

I have just received a call to Castle Street church , and it is my intention to accept .

so Corona and I will be in town this winter . "

Frances tried to tell him how glad she was , but only stammered .

Elliott Sherwood came close up to her as she stood by the window in the fading light , and said

but on second thoughts I shall not record what he said or what she said either .

some things should be left to the imagination .

why Mr . Cropper Changed His Mind

she was a slight , dark girl , rather plain-looking , but with a smart , energetic way .

Mr Baxter approved of her ; he " liked her style , " as he would have said .

the summer term had just opened in the Maitland district .

she smiled brightly at Mr Baxter .

" very well for a beginning .

the children seem bright and teachable and not hard to control . "

Mr Baxter nodded .

" there are no bad children in the school except the Cropper boys and they can be good enough if they like .

reckon they weren't there today ? "

" no . "

forewarned is forearmed , you know .

Mr Cropper was opposed to our hiring you .

he says female teachers can't keep order .

he 's started in with a spite at you on general principles , and the boys know it .

they know he 'll back them up in secret , no matter what they do , just to prove his opinions .

Cropper is sly and slippery , and it is hard to corner him . "

" are the boys big ? " queried Esther anxiously .

" yes .

thirteen and fourteen and big for their age .

you can't whip ' em that is the trouble .

a man might , but they 'd twist you around their fingers .

you 'll have your hands full , I 'm afraid .

but maybe they 'll behave all right after all . "

Mr Baxter privately had no hope that they would , but Esther hoped for the best .

she could not believe that Mr Cropper would carry his prejudices into a personal application .

this conviction was strengthened when he overtook her walking from school the next day and drove her home .

he was a big , handsome man with a very suave , polite manner .

Esther felt relieved .

she thought that Mr Baxter had exaggerated matters a little .

" that plum tree of Mrs Charley 's is loaded with fruit again this year , " remarked Mr Baxter at the tea table that evening .

" I came past it today on my way ' cross lots home from the woods .

there will be bushels of plums on it . "

" I don't suppose poor Mrs Charley will get one of them any more than she ever has , " said Mrs Baxter indignantly .

" it 's a burning shame , that 's what it is !

I just wish she could catch the Croppers once . "

" I know very well it is them , " retorted Mrs Baxter , " and so do you , Adoniram .

and Mrs Charley knows it too , although she can't prove it more 's the pity !

I don't say Isaac Cropper steals those plums with his own hands .

but he knows who does and the plums go into Mehitable Cropper 's preserving kettle ; there 's nothing surer . "

" you see , Miss Maxwell , it 's this way , " explained Mr Baxter , turning to Esther .

" Mrs Charley Cropper 's husband was Isaac 's brother .

they never got on well together , and when Charley died there was a tremendous fuss about the property .

Isaac acted mean and scandalous clear through , and public opinion has been down on him ever since .

but Mrs Charley is a pretty smart woman , and he didn't get the better of her in everything .

there was a strip of disputed land between the two farms , and she secured it .

there 's a big plum tree growing on it close to the line fence .

it 's the finest one in Maitland .

but Mrs Charley never gets a plum from it . "

" but what becomes of them ? " asked Esther .

" they disappear , " said Mr Baxter , with a significant nod .

" when the plums are anything like ripe Mrs Charley discovers some day that there isn't one left on the tree .

she has never been able to get a scrap of proof as to who took them , or she 'd make it hot for them .

but nobody in Maitland has any doubt in his own mind that Isaac Cropper knows where those plums go . "

" I don't think Mr Cropper would steal , " protested Esther .

" well , he doesn't consider it stealing , you know .

he claims the land and says the plums are his .

I don't doubt that he is quite clear in his own mind that they are .

and he does hate Mrs Charley .

I 'd give considerable to see the old sinner fairly caught , but he is too deep . "

" I think Mr Baxter is too hard on Mr Cropper , " said Esther to herself later on .

" he has probably some private prejudice against him . "

but a month later she had changed her opinion .

during that time the Cropper boys had come to school .

at first Esther had been inclined to like them .

they were handsome lads , with the same smooth way that characterized their father , and seemed bright and intelligent .

for a few days all went well , and Esther felt decidedly relieved .

but before long a subtle spirit of insubordination began to make itself felt in the school .

Esther found herself powerless to cope with it .

the Croppers never openly defied her , but they did precisely as they pleased .

some complaints were heard among the ratepayers and even Mr Baxter looked dubious .

one day she resolved to go to Mr Cropper himself and appeal to his sense of justice , if he had any .

it had been an especially hard day in school .

when questioned every pupil denied having done or helped to do it .

but she did not .

instead she set her mouth firmly , helped the children restore the room to order , and after school went up to Isaac Cropper 's house .

that gentleman himself came in from the harvest field looking as courtly as usual , even in his rough working clothes .

he shook hands heartily , told her he was glad to see her , and began talking about the weather .

" I have come up to see you about Alfred and Robert , Mr Cropper , " she said .

" they are not behaving well in school . "

" indeed ! "

Mr Cropper 's voice expressed bland surprise .

" that is strange .

as a rule I do not think Alfred and Robert have been troublesome to their teachers .

what have they been doing now ? "

" they refuse to obey my orders , " said Esther faintly .

" ah , well , Miss Maxwell , perhaps you will pardon my saying that a teacher should be able to enforce her orders .

my boys are high-spirited fellows and need a strong , firm hand to restrain them .

I have always said I considered it advisable to employ a male teacher in Maitland school .

we should have better order .

not that I disapprove of you personally far from it .

I should be glad to see you succeed .

but I have heard many complaints regarding the order in school at present . "

" then you refuse to help me ? " said Esther in a trembling voice .

" why , my dear young lady , what can I do ?

boys soon know when they can disobey a teacher with impunity .

no doubt you will be able to secure a school easier to control and will do good work .

but here , as I have already said , we need a firm hand at the helm .

but you are not going yet , Miss Maxwell ?

you need some refreshment after your long walk .

Mrs Cropper will bring you in something . "

" no , thank you , " said poor Esther .

she felt that she must get away at once or she would burst into heartsick tears under those steely , bland blue eyes .

when she got home she shut herself up in her room and cried .

there was nothing for her to do but resign , she thought dismally .

on the following Saturday Esther went for an afternoon walk , carrying her kodak with her .

it was a brilliantly fine autumn day , and woods and fields were basking in a mellow haze .

Esther went across lots to Mrs Charley Cropper 's house , intending to make a call .

but the house was locked up and evidently deserted , so she rambled past it to the back fields .

passing through a grove of maples she came out among leafy young saplings on the other side .

Just beyond her , with its laden boughs hanging over the line fence , was the famous plum tree .

Esther looked at it for a moment .

then an odd smile gleamed over her face and she lifted her kodak .

Monday evening Esther called on Mr Cropper again .

after the preliminary remarks in which he indulged , she said , with seeming irrelevance , that Saturday had been a fine day .

" there was an excellent light for snapshots , " she went on coolly .

" I went out with my kodak and was lucky enough to get a good negative .

I have brought you up a proof .

I thought you would be interested in it . "

she rose and placed the proof on the table before Mr Cropper .

the plum tree came out clearly .

Bob and Alf Cropper were up among the boughs picking the plums .

on the ground beneath them stood their father with a basket of fruit in his hand .

Mr Cropper looked at the proof and from it to Esther .

his eyes had lost their unconcerned glitter , but his voice was defiant .

" the plums are mine by right , " he said .

" perhaps , " said Esther calmly , " but there are some who do not think so .

Mrs Charley , for instance she would like to see this proof , I think . "

" don't show it to her , " cried Mr Cropper hastily .

" I tell you , Miss Maxwell , the plums are mine .

but I am tired of fighting over them and I had decided before this that I 'd let her have them after this .

it 's only a trifle , anyhow .

and about that little matter we were discussing the other night , Miss Maxwell .

I have been thinking it over , and I admit I was somewhat unreasonable .

I 'll talk to Alfred and Robert and see what I can do . "

" very well , " said Esther quietly .

as for the school , we will hope that matters will improve . "

" you 'll leave the proof with me , won't you ? " said Mr Cropper eagerly .

" oh , certainly , " said Esther , smiling .

" I have the negative still , you know . "

complaint died away , and at the end of the term Esther was re-engaged .

" you seem to have won old Cropper over to your side entirely , " Mr Baxter told her that night .

" he said at the meeting today that you were the best teacher we had ever had and moved to raise your salary .

I never knew Isaac Cropper to change his opinions so handsomely . "

Esther smiled .

she knew it had taken a powerful lever to change Mr Cropper 's opinion , but she kept her own counsel .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories , @number@ to @number@ by Lucy Maud Montgomery

produced by Alicia Williams , Jeannie Howse and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at @url@

Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories , @number@

Lucy Maud Montgomery was born at Clifton ( now New London ) , Prince Edward Island , Canada , on @date@ .

she achieved international fame in her lifetime , putting Prince Edward Island and Canada on the world literary map .

best known for her " Anne of Green Gables " books , she was also a prolific writer of short stories and poetry .

she published some @number@ short stories and poems and twenty novels before her death in @number@

the Project Gutenberg collection of her short stories was gathered from numerous sources and is presented in chronological publishing order :

short Stories @number@

a Fortunate Mistake

" oh , dear ! oh , dear ! " fretted Nan Wallace , twisting herself about uneasily on the sofa in her pretty room .

" I never thought before that the days could be so long as they are now . "

" Poor you ! " said her sister Maude sympathetically .

Maude was moving briskly about the room , putting it into the beautiful order that Mother insisted on .

and very tired of it , too , was wide-awake , active Nan .

" and the picnic this afternoon , too ! " she sighed .

" I 've looked forward to it all summer .

and it 's a perfect day and I 've got to stay here and nurse this foot . "

Nan looked vindictively at the bandaged member , while Maude leaned out of the window to pull a pink climbing rose .

as she did so she nodded to someone in the village street below .

" who is passing ? " asked Nan .

" Florrie Hamilton . "

" is she going to the picnic ? " asked Nan indifferently .

" no .

she wasn't asked .

of course , I don't suppose she expected to be .

she knows she isn't in our set .

she must feel horribly out of place at school .

a lot of the girls say it is ridiculous of her father to send her to Miss Braxton 's private school a factory overseer 's daughter . "

" she ought to have been asked to the picnic all the same , " said Nan shortly .

" she is in our class if she isn't in our set .

of course I don't suppose she would have enjoyed herself or even gone at all , for that matter .

she certainly doesn't push herself in among us .

one would think she hadn't a tongue in her head . "

" but Patty Morrison and Wilhelmina Patterson had the most to say about the invitations , and they wouldn't have her .

there , Nannie dear , aren't those lovely ?

I 'll leave them here to be company for you . "

" I 'm going to have more company than that , " said Nan , thumping her pillow energetically .

" I 'm not going to mope here alone all the afternoon , with you off having a jolly time at the picnic .

write a little note for me to Florrie Hastings , will you ?

I 'll do as much for you when you sprain your foot . "

" what shall I put in it ? " said Maude , rummaging out her portfolio obligingly .

" oh , just ask her if she will come down and cheer a poor invalid up this afternoon .

she 'll come , I know .

and she is such good company .

get Dickie to run right out and mail it . "

Florrie Hamilton herself could best have answered that question as she walked along the street in the fresh morning sunshine .

she did feel hurt much more keenly than she would acknowledge even to herself .

but to be left out when every other girl in the school was invited !

Florrie 's lip quivered as she thought of it .

" I 'll get Father to let me to go to the public school after vacation , " she murmured .

" I hate going to Miss Braxton 's . "

Florrie was a newcomer in Winboro .

her father had recently come to take a position in the largest factory of the small town .

for this reason Florrie was slighted at school by some of the ruder girls and severely left alone by most of the others .

she retreated further and further into herself and was almost as solitary at Miss Braxton 's as if she had been on a desert island .

" they don't like me because I am plainly dressed and because my father is not a wealthy man , " thought Florrie bitterly .

and there was enough truth in this in regard to many of Miss Braxton 's girls to make a very uncomfortable state of affairs .

" here 's a letter for you , Flo , " said her brother Jack at noon .

" got it at the office on my way home .

who is your swell correspondent ? "

Florrie opened the dainty , perfumed note and read it with a face that , puzzled at first , suddenly grew radiant .

" listen , Jack , " she said excitedly .

" Dear Florrie :

" Nan is confined to house , room , and sofa with a sprained foot .

as she will be all alone this afternoon , won't you come down and spend it with her ?

she very much wants you to come she is so lonesome and thinks you will be just the one to cheer her up .

" yours cordially , " Maude Wallace . "

" are you going ? " asked Jack .

" yes I don't know I 'll think about it , " said Florrie absently .

then she hurried upstairs to her room .

" shall I go ? " she thought .

" yes , I will .

I dare say Nan has asked me just out of pity because I was not invited to the picnic .

but even so it was sweet of her .

I 've always thought I would like those Wallace girls if I could get really acquainted with them .

they 've always been nice to me , too I don't know why I am always so tongue-tied and stupid with them .

but I 'll go anyway . "

that afternoon Mrs Wallace came into Nan 's room .

" Nan , dear , Florrie Hamilton is downstairs asking for you . "

" Florrie Hamilton ? "

" yes .

she said something about a note you sent her this morning .

shall I ask her to come up ? "

" yes , of course , " said Nan lamely .

when her mother had gone out she fell back on her pillows and thought rapidly .

" Florrie Hamilton !

Maude must have addressed that note to her by mistake .

but she mustn't know it was a mistake mustn't suspect it .

oh , dear !

what shall I ever find to talk to her about ?

she is so quiet and shy . "

further reflections were cut short by Florrie 's entrance .

Nan held out her hand with a chummy smile .

" it 's good of you to give your afternoon up to visiting a cranky invalid , " she said heartily .

" you don't know how lonesome I 've been since Maude went away .

take off your hat and pick out the nicest chair you can find , and let's be comfy . "

somehow , Nan 's frank greeting did away with Florrie 's embarrassment and made her feel at home .

she sat down in Maude 's rocker , then , glancing over to a vase filled with roses , her eyes kindled with pleasure .

seeing this , Nan said , " aren't they lovely ?

we Wallaces are very fond of our climbing roses .

our great-grandmother brought the roots out from England with her sixty years ago , and they grow nowhere else in this country . "

" I know , " said Florrie , with a smile .

" I recognized them as soon as I came into the room .

they are the same kind of roses as those which grow about Grandmother Hamilton 's house in England .

I used to love them so . "

" In England !

were you ever in England ? "

" oh , yes , " laughed Florrie .

" and I 've been in pretty nearly every other country upon earth every one that a ship could get to , at least . "

" why , Florrie Hamilton !

are you in earnest ? "

" indeed , yes .

perhaps you don't know that our ' now-mother , ' as Jack says sometimes , is Father 's second wife .

her husband was a sea-captain , and she always went on his sea-voyages with him .

so I went too .

I almost grew up on shipboard .

we had delightful times .

I never went to school .

auntie had been a teacher before her marriage , and she taught me .

so I did , although at first I was very sorry to leave Auntie and the dear old ship and all our lovely wanderings . "

" oh , tell me all about them , " demanded Nan .

" why , Florrie Hamilton , to think you 've never said a word about your wonderful experiences !

I love to hear about foreign countries from people who have really been there .

please just talk and I 'll listen and ask questions . "

Florrie did talk .

" I 've enjoyed your visit so much , " said Nan sincerely .

" I 'm going down to see you as soon as I can walk .

but don't wait for that .

let us be good , chummy friends without any ceremony . "

when Florrie , with a light heart and a happy smile , had gone , came Maude , sunburned and glowing from her picnic .

" such a nice time as we had ! " she exclaimed .

" wasn't I sorry to think of you cooped up here !

did Florrie come ? "

" one Florrie did .

Maude , you addressed that note to Florrie Hamilton today instead of Florrie Hastings . "

" Nan , surely not !

I 'm sure "

" yes , you did .

and she came here .

was I not taken aback at first , Maude ! "

" I was thinking about her when I addressed it , and I must have put her name down by mistake .

I 'm so sorry "

" you needn't be .

I haven't been entertained so charmingly for a long while .

why , Maude , she has travelled almost everywhere and is so bright and witty when she thaws out .

she didn't seem like the same girl at all .

she is just perfectly lovely ! "

" well , I 'm glad you had such a nice time together .

do you know , some of the girls were very much vexed because she wasn't asked to the picnic .

" just wait until school opens , " said Nan vaguely enough , it would seem .

but Maude understood .

however , they did not have to wait until school opened .

long before that time Winboro girlhood discovered that the Wallace girls were taking Florrie Hamilton into their lives .

when Miss Braxton 's school reopened Florrie was the class favourite .

between her and Nan Wallace a beautiful and helpful friendship had been formed which was to grow and deepen through their whole lives .

but that is something Florrie Hamilton will never know .

an Unpremeditated Ceremony

her eyes were as bright , her form as erect , her nose the Carston nose as pronounced and aristocratic as of yore .

Selwyn saw little change in her .

and there was the little , thin , grey father in the corner , peering at his newspaper with nearsighted eyes .

Selwyn 's heart gave a bound at the sight of him which not even his mother had caused .

dear old Dad !

the years had been kind to him .

Mrs Grant held up a glistening spoon and surveyed it complacently .

" there , I think that is bright enough even to suit Margaret Graham .

I shall take over the whole two dozen teas and one dozen desserts .

I wish , Bertha , that you would tie a red cord around each of the handles for me .

I don't mean to take any more risks .

and , Father "

something made the mother look around , and she saw her first-born !

when the commotion was over Selwyn asked why the family spoons were being rubbed up .

" and there , they 're not half done and we 'll have to dress in another hour .

Bertha is no earthly use she is so taken up with her bridesmaid finery . "

" wedding ?

whose wedding ? " demanded Selwyn , in bewilderment .

" why , Leo 's , of course .

Leo is to be married tonight .

didn't you get your invitation ?

wasn't that what brought you home ? "

" hand me a chair , quick , " implored Selwyn .

" Leo , are you going to commit matrimony in this headlong fashion ?

are you sure you 're grown up ? "

" six feet is a pretty good imitation of it , isn't it ? " grinned Leo .

" brace up , old fellow .

it 's not so bad as it might be .

she 's quite a respectable girl .

we wrote you all about it three weeks ago and broke the news as gently as possible . "

" I left for the East a month ago and have been wandering around preying on old college chums ever since .

haven't seen a letter .

there , I 'm better now .

no , you needn't fan me , Sis .

well , no family can get through the world without its seasons of tribulations .

who is the party of the second part , little brother ? "

" Alice Graham !

that child ! " exclaimed Selwyn in astonishment .

Leo roared .

" come , come , Sel , perhaps we 're not very progressive here in Croyden , but we don't actually stand still .

girls are apt to stretch out some between ten and twenty , you know .

you old bachelors think nobody ever grows up .

why , Sel , you 're grey around your temples . "

" too well I know it , but a man 's own brother shouldn't be the first to cast such things up to him .

I 'll admit , since I come to think of it , that Alice has probably grown bigger .

is she any better-looking than she used to be ? "

" Alice is a charming girl , " said Mrs Grant impressively .

" she is a beauty and she is also sweet and sensible , which beauties are not always .

we are all very much pleased with Leo 's choice .

but we have really no more time to spare just now .

the wedding is at seven o'clock and it is four already . "

" is there anybody you can send to the station for my luggage ? " asked Selwyn .

" luckily I have a new suit , otherwise I shouldn't have the face to go . "

" well , I must be off , " said Mrs Grant .

" father , take Selwyn away so that I shan't be tempted to waste time talking to him . "

in the library father and son looked at each other affectionately .

" dad , it 's a blessing to see you just the same .

I 'm a little dizzy with all these changes .

Bertha grown up and Leo within an inch of being married !

to tell you the truth , Dad , I don't feel in a mood for going to a wedding at Wish-ton-wish tonight .

I 'm sure you don't either .

you 've always hated fusses .

can't we shirk it ? "

they smiled at each other with chummy remembrance of many a family festival they had " shirked " together in the old days .

but Mr Grant shook his head .

" not this time , sonny .

there are some things a decent man can't shirk and one of them is his own boy 's wedding .

it 's a nuisance , but I must go through with it .

you 'll understand how it is when you 're a family man yourself .

by the way , why aren't you a family man by this time ?

why haven't I been put to the bother and inconvenience of attending your wedding before now , son ? "

Selwyn laughed , with a little vibrant note of bitterness in the laughter , which the father 's quick ears detected .

" I 've been too busy with law books , Dad , to find me a wife . "

Mr Grant shook his bushy grey head .

" that 's not the real reason , son .

perhaps you 'll choose a Madam Selwyn some day yet .

in case you should I 'm going to give you a small bit of good advice .

your mother now , she 's a splendid woman , Selwyn , a splendid woman .

she can't be matched as a housekeeper and she has improved my finances until I don't know them when I meet them .

she 's been a good wife and a good mother .

if I were a young man I 'd court her and marry her over again , that I would .

but , son , when you pick a wife pick one with a nice little commonplace nose , not a family nose .

never marry a woman with a family nose , son . "

a woman with a family nose came into the library at this juncture and beamed maternally upon them both .

" there 's a bite for you in the dining room .

after you 've eaten it you must dress .

Mind you brush your hair well down , Father .

the green room is ready for you , Selwyn .

tomorrow I 'll have a good talk with you , but tonight I 'll be too busy to remember you 're around .

how are we all going to get over to Wish-ton-wish ?

Leo and Bertha are going in the pony carriage .

it won't hold a third passenger .

you 'll have to squeeze in with Father and me in the buggy , Selwyn . "

" by no means , " replied Selwyn briskly .

" I 'll walk over to Wish-ton-wish .

Ifs only half a mile across lots .

I suppose the old way is still open ? "

" it ought to be , " answered Mr Grant drily ; " Leo has kept it well trodden .

if you 've forgotten how it runs he can tell you . "

" I haven't forgotten , " said Selwyn , a little brusquely .

he had his own reasons for remembering the wood path .

Leo had not been the first Grant to go courting to Wish-ton-wish .

when he started , the moon was rising round and red and hazy in an eastern hill-gap .

the autumn air was mild and spicy .

long shadows stretched across the fields on his right and silvery mosaics patterned the floor of the old beechwood lane .

Selwyn walked slowly .

it was probable , and he did not want to see her .

the Grahams had come to Wish-ton-wish eleven years before .

there was a big family of girls of whom the tall , brown-haired Esme was the oldest .

Tom St Clair had always been there too , in his right as second cousin , Selwyn had supposed .

one day he found out that Tom and Esme had been engaged ever since she was sixteen ; one of her sisters told him .

that had been all .

he had gone away soon after , and some time later a letter from home made casual mention of Tom St Clair 's marriage .

he narrowly missed being late for the wedding ceremony .

the bridal party entered the parlour at Wish-ton-wish at the same moment as he slipped in by another door .

Selwyn almost whistled with amazement at sight of the bride .

could that be the scrawny little tomboy of ten years ago ?

she looked not unlike Esme , with that subtle family resemblance that is quite independent of feature and colouring .

where was Esme ?

Selwyn cast his eyes furtively over the assembled guests while the minister read the marriage ceremony .

" Esme ! " he said involuntarily .

she started , and he had an idea that she changed colour , although it was too dim to be sure .

" Selwyn ! " she exclaimed , putting out her hands .

" why , Selwyn Grant !

is it really you ?

or are you such stuff as dreams are made of ?

I did not know you were here .

I did not know you were home . "

" I reached home only four hours ago , and was haled straightway here to Leo 's wedding .

I 'm dizzy , Esme .

I can't adjust my old conceptions to this new state of affairs all at once .

it seems ridiculous to think that Leo and Alice are married .

I 'm sure they can't be really grown up . "

Esme laughed as she drew away her hands .

" we are all ten years older , " she said lightly .

" not you .

you are more beautiful than ever , Esme .

that sunflower compliment is permissible in an old friend , isn't it ? "

" this mellow glow is kinder to me than sunlight now .

I am thirty , you know , Selwyn . "

" and I have some grey hairs , " he confessed .

" I knew I had them but I had a sneaking hope that other folks didn't until Leo destroyed it today .

these young brothers and sisters who won't stay children are nuisances .

you 'll be telling me next thing that ' Baby ' is grown up . "

" ' Baby ' is eighteen and has a beau , " laughed Esme .

" and I give you fair warning that she insists on being called Laura now .

do you want to come for a walk with me down under the beeches to the old lane gate ?

I came out to see if the fresh air would do my bit of a headache good .

I shall have to help with the supper later on . "

they went slowly across the lawn and turned into a dim , moonlight lane beyond , their old favourite ramble .

Selwyn felt like a man in a dream , a pleasant dream from which he dreads to awaken .

for a little while neither of them spoke .

how virginal , how sacred , she looked !

the thought of Tom St Clair was a sacrilege .

" it 's nice to see you again , Selwyn , " said Esme frankly at last .

" there are so few of our old set left , and so many of the babies grown up .

sometimes I don't know my own world , it has changed so .

it 's an uncomfortable feeling .

you give me a pleasant sensation of really belonging here .

I 'd be lonesome tonight if I dared .

I 'm going to miss Alice so much .

there will be only Mother and Baby and I left now .

our family circle has dwindled woefully . "

" mother and Baby and you ! "

Selwyn felt his head whirling again .

" why , where is Tom ? "

he felt that it was an idiotic question , but it slipped from his tongue before he could catch it .

Esme turned her head and looked at him wonderingly .

he knew that in the sunlight her eyes were as mistily blue as early meadow violets , but here they looked dark and unfathomably tender .

" Tom ? " she said perplexedly .

" do you mean Tom St . Clair ?

he is here , of course , he and his wife .

didn't you see her ?

that pretty woman in pale pink , Lil Meredith .

why , you used to know Lil , didn't you ?

one of the Uxbridge Merediths ? "

all the surprises of that surprising evening were as nothing to this .

" you thought I was married to Tom ! " repeated Esme slowly .

" and have you thought that all these years , Selwyn Grant ? "

" yes , I have .

is it any wonder ?

you were engaged to Tom when I went away , Jenny told me you were .

and a year later Bertha wrote me a letter in which she made some reference to Tom 's marriage .

she didn't say to whom , but hadn't I the right to suppose it was to you ? "

" oh ! "

the word was partly a sigh and partly a little cry of long-concealed , long-denied pain .

" it 's been all a funny misunderstanding .

Tom and I were engaged once a boy-and-girl affair in the beginning .

then we both found out that we had made a mistake that what we had thought was love was merely the affection of good comrades .

we broke our engagement shortly before you went away .

all the older girls knew it was broken but I suppose nobody mentioned the matter to Jen .

she was such a child , we never thought about her .

and you 've thought I was Tom 's wife all this time ?

it 's funny . "

" funny .

you mean tragic !

look here , Esme , I 'm not going to risk any more misunderstanding .

there 's nothing for it but plain talk when matters get to such a state as this .

I love you and I 've loved you ever since I met you .

I went away because I could not stay here and see you married to another man .

I 've stayed away for the same reason .

Esme , is it too late ?

did you ever care anything for me ? "

" yes , I did , " she said slowly .

" do you care still ? " he asked .

she hid her face against his shoulder .

" yes , " she whispered .

" then we 'll go back to the house and be married , " he said joyfully .

Esme broke away and stared at him .

" married ! "

" yes , married .

we 've wasted ten years and we 're not going to waste another minute .

We're not , I say . "

" Selwyn !

it 's impossible . "

" I have expurgated that word from my dictionary .

it 's the very simplest thing when you look at it in an unprejudiced way .

here is a ready-made wedding and decorations and assembled guests , a minister on the spot and a state where no licence is required .

you have a very pretty new dress on and you love me .

I have a plain gold ring on my little finger that will fit you .

aren't all the conditions fulfilled ?

where is the sense of waiting and having another family upheaval in a few weeks ' time ? "

" I understand why you have made such a success of the law , " said Esme , " but "

" there are no buts .

come with me , Esme .

I 'm going to hunt up your mother and mine and talk to them . "

half an hour later an astonishing whisper went circulating among the guests .

the minister came in with his blue book , and then Selwyn Grant and Esme Graham walked in hand in hand .

when the second ceremony was over , Mr Grant shook his son 's hand vigorously .

" there 's no need to wish you happiness , son ; you 've got it .

and you 've made one fuss and bother do for both weddings , that 's what I call genius .

but your mother is a grand woman , son , a grand woman . "

at the Bay Shore Farm

the Newburys were agog with excitement over the Governor 's picnic .

each of the Newburys had a special reason for wishing to attend the Governor 's picnic .

Ralph and Elliott wanted to see the Governor himself .

he was a pet hero of theirs .

had he not once been a Claymont lad just like themselves ?

had he not risen to the highest office in the state by dint of sheer hard work and persistency ?

had he not won a national reputation by his prompt and decisive measures during the big strike at Campden ?

and was he not a man , personally and politically , whom any boy might be proud to imitate ?

yes , to all of these questions .

hence to the Newbury boys the interest of the picnic centred in the Governor .

" I shall feel two inches taller just to get a look at him , " said Ralph enthusiastically .

" he isn't much to look at , " said Frances , rather patronizingly .

" I saw him once at Campden he came to the school when his daughter was graduated .

he is bald and fat .

oh , of course , he is famous and all that !

but I want to go to the picnic to see Sara Beaumont .

I suppose it would be too much to expect to be introduced to her .

I shall probably have to content myself with just looking at her . "

Ralph resented hearing the Governor called bald and fat .

somehow it seemed as if his hero were being reduced to the level of common clay .

" I 'd rather see Sara Beaumont than forty governors , " retorted Frances .

" why , she 's famous and her books are perfect !

if I could ever hope to write anything like them !

it 's been the dream of my life just to see her ever since I read The Story of Idlewild .

and now to think that it is to be fulfilled !

it seems too good to be true that tomorrow tomorrow , Newburys , I shall see Sara Beaumont ! "

but I 'm going to the picnic more for the sake of seeing Nan Harris than anything else .

it 's three years since she went away , you know , and I 've never had another chum whom I love so dearly .

I 'm just looking forward to meeting her and talking over all our dear , good old times .

I do wonder if she has changed much .

but I am sure I shall know her . "

" by her red hair and her freckles ? " questioned Elliott teasingly .

" they 'll be the same as ever , I 'll be bound . "

Cecilia flushed and looked as angry as she could which isn't saying much , after all .

Nan 's family had once lived across the street from the Newburys .

Nan and Cecilia had been playmates all through childhood , but when both girls were fourteen the Harrises had moved out west .

Cecilia had never seen Nan since .

but now the latter had come east for a visit , and was with her relatives in Campden .

she was to be at the picnic , and Cecilia 's cup of delight brimmed over .

Mrs Newbury came briskly into the middle of their sunset plans .

she had been down to the post office , and she carried an open letter in her hand .

" mother , " said Frances , straightening up anxiously , " you have a pitying expression on your face .

which of us is it for speak out don't keep us in suspense .

has Mary Spearman told you that Sara Beaumont isn't going to be at the picnic ? "

" or that the Governor isn't going to be there ? "

" or that Nan Harris isn't coming ? "

" or that something 's happened to put off the affair altogether ? " cried Ralph and Cecilia and Elliott all at once .

Mrs Newbury laughed .

" no , it 's none of those things .

and I don't know just whom I do pity , but it is one of you girls .

this is a letter from Grandmother Newbury .

there was silence on the verandah of the Newburys for the space of ten seconds .

then Frances burst out with : " mother , you know neither of us can go tomorrow .

if it were any other day !

but the day of the picnic ! "

" I 'm sorry , but one of you must go , " said Mrs Newbury firmly .

" your father said so when I called at the store to show him the letter .

Grandmother Newbury would be very much hurt and displeased if her invitation were disregarded you know that .

but we leave it to yourselves to decide which one shall go . "

" don't do that , " implored Frances miserably .

" pick one of us yourself pull straws anything to shorten the agony . "

" no ; you must settle it for yourselves , " said Mrs Newbury .

but in spite of herself she looked at Cecilia .

Cecilia was apt to be looked at , someway , when things were to be given up .

mostly it was Cecilia who gave them up .

the family had come to expect it of her ; they all said that Cecilia was very unselfish .

Cecilia knew that her mother looked at her , but did not turn her face .

she couldn't , just then ; she looked away out over the hills and tried to swallow something that came up in her throat .

" Glad I 'm not a girl , " said Ralph , when Mrs Newbury had gone into the house .

" Whew !

nothing could induce me to give up that picnic not if a dozen Grandmother Newburys were offended .

where 's your sparkle gone now , Fran ? "

" it 's too bad of Grandmother Newbury , " declared Frances angrily .

" oh , Fran , she didn't know about the picnic , " said Cecilia but still without turning round .

" well , she needn't always be so annoyed if we don't go when we are invited .

another day would do just as well , " said Frances shortly .

something in her voice sounded choked too .

the verandah was very still for a little while .

the sun had quite set , and it was growing dark when Frances came back to the steps .

" well , what are you going to do about it ? " she said shortly .

" which of us is to go to the Bay Shore ? "

" I suppose I had better go , " said Cecilia slowly very slowly indeed .

Frances kicked her slippered toe against the fern jardinière .

" you may see Nan Harris somewhere else before she goes back , " she said consolingly .

" yes , I may , " said Cecilia .

she knew quite well that she would not .

Nan would return to Campden on the special train , and she was going back west in three days .

it was hard to give the picnic up , but Cecilia was used to giving things up .

nobody ever expected Frances to give things up ; she was so brilliant and popular that the good things of life came her way naturally .

it never seemed to matter so much about quiet Cecilia .

Cecilia cried herself to sleep that night .

she felt that it was horribly selfish of her to do so , but she couldn't help it .

she awoke in the morning with a confused idea that it was very late .

why hadn't Mary called her , as she had been told to do ?

through the open door between her room and Frances 's she could see that the latter 's bed was empty .

then she saw a little note , addressed to her , pinned on the pillow .

I didn't tell you this last night because I hadn't quite made up my mind .

but after you went upstairs , I fought it out to a finish and came to a decision .

Sara Beaumont would keep , but Nan Harris wouldn't , so you must go to the picnic .

I told Mary to call me instead of you this morning , and now I 'm off .

you needn't spoil your fun pitying me .

now that the wrench is over , I feel a most delightful glow of virtuous satisfaction !

Fran .

if by running after Frances Cecilia could have brought her back , Cecilia would have run .

but a glance at her watch told her that Frances must already be halfway to Ashland .

so she could only accept the situation .

I must remember to take notice of the colour of her eyes .

Fran has always been exercised about that . "

it was mid-forenoon when Frances arrived at Ashland station .

grandmother Newbury came to the door to meet her granddaughter .

she was a tall , handsome old lady with piercing black eyes and thick white hair .

there was no savour of the traditional grandmother of caps and knitting about her .

she was like a stately old princess and , much as her grandchildren admired her , they were decidedly in awe of her .

" so it is Frances , " she said , bending her head graciously that Frances might kiss her still rosy cheek .

" I expected it would be Cecilia .

why isn't it Cecilia ? "

Frances flushed a little .

there was a meaning tone in Grandmother Newbury 's voice .

" Cecilia was very anxious to go to the picnic today to see an old friend of hers , " she answered .

grandmother Newbury smiled .

she understood .

she was pleased to see that Frances had conquered it this time .

" I 'm glad it is you who have come principally because you are cleverer than Cecilia , " she said brusquely .

" or at least you are the better talker .

and I want a clever girl and a good talker to help me entertain a guest today .

she 's clever herself , and she likes young girls .

you 'll like her . "

here Grandmother Newbury led Frances into the sitting-room .

" Mrs Kennedy , this is my granddaughter , Frances Newbury .

I told you about her and her ambitions last night .

you see , Frances , we have talked you over . "

Mrs Kennedy was a much younger woman than Grandmother Newbury .

Frances , although not given to sudden likings , took one for Mrs Kennedy .

she thought she had never seen so charming a face .

she found herself enjoying the day immensely .

in fact , she forgot the Governor 's picnic and Sara Beaumont altogether .

Mrs Kennedy proved to be a delightful companion .

she had travelled extensively and was an excellent raconteur .

Frances listened and laughed and enjoyed .

once she found time to think that she would have missed a great deal if she had not come to Bay Shore Farm that day .

surely talking to a woman like Mrs Kennedy was better than looking at Sara Beaumont from a distance .

" I 've been ' rewarded ' in the most approved storybook style , " she thought with amusement .

in the afternoon , Grandmother Newbury packed Mrs Kennedy and Frances off for a walk .

" the old woman wants to have her regular nap , " she told them .

" Frances , take Mrs Kennedy to the fern walk and show her the famous ' Newbury Bubble ' among the rocks .

I want to be rid of you both until tea-time . "

it was a spot Frances had always loved .

she found herself talking freely to Mrs Kennedy of her hopes and plans .

but do you think if I try hard and work hard that I might do something in this line some day ? "

there will be a great deal of both and many disappointments .

Sara Beaumont herself had a hard time at first and for a very long first too .

the manuscripts came back , and Sara made more jelly and wrote more stories .

still they came back .

once she thought she had better give up writing stories and stick to the jelly alone .

there did seem some little demand for the one and none at all for the other .

but she determined to keep on until she either succeeded or proved to her own satisfaction that she could make better jelly than stories .

and you see she did succeed .

but it means perseverance and patience and much hard work .

prepare yourself for that , Frances , and one day you will win your place .

then you will look back to the ' Newbury Bubble , ' and you will tell me what a good prophetess I was . "

they talked longer an earnest , helpful talk that went far to inspire Frances 's hazy ambition with a definite purpose .

she understood that she must not write merely to win fame for herself or even for the higher motive of pure pleasure in her work .

she must aim , however humbly , to help her readers to higher planes of thought and endeavour .

then and only then would it be worth while .

" Mrs Kennedy is going to drive you to the station , " said Grandmother Newbury after tea .

but I shall not burden you with too much gratitude , for I think you have enjoyed yourself . "

" indeed , I have , " said Frances heartily .

then she added with a laugh , " I think I would feel much more meritorious if it had not been so pleasant .

it has robbed me of all the self-sacrificing complacency I felt this morning .

grandmother Newbury 's eyes twinkled .

" you would have been beautifully disappointed had you gone .

Sara Beaumont was not there .

Mrs Kennedy , I see you haven't told our secret .

Frances , my dear , let me introduce you two over again .

this lady is Mrs Sara Beaumont Kennedy , the writer of The Story of Idlewild and all those other books you so much admire . "

the Newburys were sitting on the verandah at dusk , too tired and too happy to talk .

and Cecilia had spent a whole day with Nan Harris , who had not changed at all except to grow taller .

but there was one little cloud on her content .

" I wanted to see Sara Beaumont to tell Frances about her , but I couldn't get a glimpse of her .

I don't even know if she was there . "

" there comes Fran up the station road now , " said Ralph .

" my eyes , hasn't she a step ! "

Frances came smiling over the lawn and up the steps .

" so you are all home safe , " she said gaily .

" I hope you feasted your eyes on your beloved Governor , boys .

I can tell that Cecilia forgathered with Nan by the beatific look on her face . "

" oh , Fran , it was lovely ! " cried Cecilia .

" but I felt so sorry why didn't you let me go to Ashland ?

it was too bad you missed it and Sara Beaumont . "

" Sara Beaumont was at the Bay Shore Farm , " said Frances .

" I 'll tell you all about it when I get my breath I 've been breathless ever since Grandmother Newbury told me of it .

there 's only one drawback to my supreme bliss the remembrance of how complacently self-sacrificing I felt this morning .

it humiliates me wholesomely to remember it ! "

Elizabeth 's Child

the Ingelows , of Ingelow Grange , were not a marrying family .

only one of them , Elizabeth , had married , and perhaps it was her " poor match " that discouraged the others .

at any rate , Ellen and Charlotte and George Ingelow at the Grange were single , and so was Paul down at Greenwood Farm .

it was seventeen years since Elizabeth had married James Sheldon in the face of the most decided opposition on the part of her family .

Elizabeth and her husband had gone west and settled on a prairie farm in Manitoba .

she had never been home since .

there was no active resentment on either side , and once in a long while letters were exchanged .

still , ever since her marriage , Elizabeth had been practically an outsider and an alien .

as the years came and went the Ingelows at home remembered only at long intervals that they had a sister on the western prairies .

a soft breeze was blowing loose petals from the August Sweeting through the open door of the wide hall when Charlotte came through it .

Ellen and George were standing on the steps outside .

" this kind of a day always makes me think of Elizabeth , " said Charlotte dreamily .

" it was in apple-blossom time she went away . "

the Ingelows always spoke of Elizabeth 's going away , never of her marrying .

" seventeen years ago , " said Ellen .

" why , Elizabeth 's oldest child must be quite a young woman now !

I I " a sudden idea swept over and left her a little breathless .

" I would really like to see her . "

Ellen and Charlotte looked at each other .

" I would like to see Elizabeth 's child , " repeated Ellen firmly .

" do you think she would come ? " asked Charlotte .

I 've never said so before , but I 've often thought it . "

" yes , she did , " said Ellen , who had often thought so too , but never said so .

" Elizabeth was always very independent , " remarked George .

" perhaps she thought your letter savoured of charity or pity .

no Ingelow would endure that . "

" at any rate , you know she refused to come , even for a visit .

she said she could not leave the farm .

she may refuse to let her child come . "

" it won't do any harm to ask her , " said George .

in the end , Charlotte wrote to Elizabeth and asked her to let her daughter visit the old homestead .

the letter was written and mailed in much perplexity and distrust when once the glow of momentary enthusiasm in the new idea had passed .

" what if Elizabeth 's child is like her father ? " queried Charlotte in a half-whisper .

" let us hope she won't be ! " cried Ellen fervently .

indeed , she felt that a feminine edition of James Sheldon would be more than she could endure .

" she may not like us , or our ways , " sighed Charlotte .

" we don't know how she has been brought up .

she will seem like a stranger after all .

I really long to see Elizabeth 's child , but I can't help fearing we have done a rash thing , Ellen . "

" perhaps she may not come , " suggested Ellen , wondering whether she hoped it or feared it .

but Worth Sheldon did come .

Elizabeth wrote back a prompt acceptance , with no trace of the proud bitterness that had permeated her answer to the former invitation .

the Ingelows at the Grange were thrown into a flutter when the letter came .

in another week Elizabeth 's child would be with them .

" I think everything is ready , " announced Charlotte .

it is pleasant to be expecting a guest , isn't it , Ellen ?

I have often thought , although I have never said so before , that our lives were too self-centred .

we seemed to have no interests outside of ourselves .

even Elizabeth has been really nothing to us , you know .

she seemed to have become a stranger .

I hope her child will be the means of bringing us nearer together again . "

when Worth Sheldon came , each of her aunts drew a long breath of relief .

worth was not in the least like her father in appearance .

neither did she resemble her mother , who had been a sprightly , black-haired and black-eyed girl .

" she is the very image of Mother 's sister , Aunt Alice , who died so long ago , " said Charlotte .

" you don't remember her , Ellen , but I do very well .

she was the sweetest woman that ever drew breath .

she was Paul 's favourite aunt , too , " Charlotte added with a sigh .

Paul 's antagonistic attitude was the only drawback to the joy of this meeting .

how delightful it would have been if he had not refused to be there too , to welcome Elizabeth 's child .

worth came to hearts prepared to love her , but they must have loved her in any case .

in a day Aunt Charlotte and Aunt Ellen and shy , quiet Uncle George had yielded wholly to her charm .

she was girlishly bright and merry , frankly delighted with the old homestead and the quaint , old-fashioned , daintily kept rooms .

" aunt Charlotte , when is Uncle Paul coming up to see me ?

I long to see him ; Mother has talked so much to me about him .

she was his favourite sister , wasn't she ? "

Charlotte and Ellen looked at each other .

Ellen nodded slyly .

it would be better to tell Worth the whole truth at once .

she would certainly find it out soon .

" why not ? " asked Worth , her serious grey eyes looking straight into Aunt Charlotte 's troubled dark ones .

Aunt Charlotte understood that Elizabeth had never told Worth anything about her family 's resentment of her marriage .

it was not a pleasant thing to have to explain it all to Elizabeth 's child , but it must be done .

perhaps you don't know that when your mother married we we did not exactly approve of her marriage .

perhaps we were mistaken ; at any rate it was wrong and foolish to let it come between us and her as we have done .

but that is how it was .

none of us approved , as I have said , but none of us was so bitter as your Uncle Paul .

your mother was his favourite sister , and he was very deeply attached to her .

she was only a year younger than he .

when he bought the Greenwood farm she went and kept house for him for three years before her marriage .

when she married , Paul was terribly angry .

he was always a strange man , very determined and unyielding .

he said he would never forgive her , and he never has .

one of us wanted to go and keep house for him , but he would not let us .

oh , you can't realize how bitter and obstinate he is .

we pleaded with him , but I think that only made him worse .

worth had listened gravely .

" then , if Uncle Paul will not come to see me , I must go to see him . "

" my dear ! " cried both her aunts together in dismay .

aunt Ellen got her breath first .

" oh , my dear child , you must not think of such a thing , " she cried nervously .

" it would never do .

he would I don't know what he would do order you off the premises , or say something dreadful .

no !

no !

wait .

perhaps he will come after all we will see .

you must have patience . "

worth shook her head and the smile in her eyes deepened .

" I don't think he will come , " she said .

" mother has told me something about the Ingelow stubbornness .

she says I have it in full measure , but I like to call it determination , it sounds so much better .

no , the mountain will not come to Mohammed , so Mohammed will go to the mountain .

I think I will walk down to Greenwood this afternoon .

there , dear aunties , don't look so troubled .

uncle Paul won't run at me with a pitchfork , will he ?

he can't do worse than order me off his premises , as you say . "

aunt Charlotte shook her head .

she understood that no argument would turn the girl from her purpose if she had the Ingelow will , so she said nothing more .

in the afternoon Worth set out for Greenwood , a mile away .

" oh , what will Paul say ? " exclaimed the aunts , with dismal forebodings .

worth met her Uncle Paul at the garden gate .

handsome and stubborn enough Paul Ingelow looked .

it was not without reason that his neighbours called him the oddest Ingelow of them all .

behind him was a fine old farmhouse in beautiful grounds .

worth felt almost as much interested in Greenwood as in the Grange .

it had been her mother 's home for three years , and Elizabeth Ingelow had loved it and talked much to her daughter of it .

Paul Ingelow did not move or speak , although he probably guessed who his visitor was .

worth held out her hand .

" how do you do , Uncle Paul ? " she said .

Paul ignored the outstretched hand .

" who are you ? " he asked gruffly .

" I am Worth Sheldon , your sister Elizabeth 's daughter , " she answered .

" won't you shake hands with me , Uncle Paul ? "

" I have no sister Elizabeth , " he answered unbendingly .

worth folded her hands on the gatepost and met his frowning gaze unshrinkingly .

" oh , yes , you have , " she said calmly .

" you can't do away with natural ties by simply ignoring them , Uncle Paul .

they go on existing .

I never knew until this morning that you were at enmity with my mother .

she never told me .

but she has talked a great deal of you to me .

she has told me often how much you and she loved each other and how good you always were to her .

she sent her love to you . "

" years ago I had a sister Elizabeth , " said Paul Ingelow harshly .

" I loved her very tenderly , but she married against my will a shiftless scamp who "

worth lifted her hand slightly .

" you shouldn't have come here , then , " he said , but he said it less harshly .

there was even a certain reluctant approval of this composed , independent niece in his eyes .

" didn't they tell you at the Grange that I didn't want to see you ? "

" yes , they told me this morning , but I wanted to see you , so I came .

let us leave my father and mother out of the question and start fair on our own account . "

for a moment Uncle Paul looked at her .

she met his gaze frankly and firmly , with a merry smile lurking in her eyes .

then he threw back his head and laughed a hearty laugh that was good to hear .

" very well , " he said .

" it is a bargain . "

he put his hand over the gate and shook hers .

then he opened the gate and invited her into the house .

worth stayed to tea , and Uncle Paul showed her all over Greenwood .

" you are to come here as often as you like , " he told her .

" when a young lady and I make a compact of friendship I am going to live up to it .

but you are not to talk to me about your mother .

remember , we are friends because I am I and you are you , and there is no question of anybody else . "

the Grange Ingelows were amazed to see Paul bringing Worth home in his buggy that evening .

when Worth had gone into the house Charlotte told him that she was glad to see that he had relented towards Elizabeth 's child .

" I have not , " he made stern answer .

" I don't know whom you mean by Elizabeth 's child .

that young woman and I have taken a liking for each other which we mean to cultivate on our own account .

don't call her Elizabeth 's child to me again . "

as the days and weeks went by Worth grew dearer and dearer to the Grange folk .

meanwhile , the odd friendship between her and Uncle Paul deepened and grew .

they read and drove and walked together .

worth spent half her time at Greenwood .

once Uncle Paul said to her , as if speaking half to himself ,

" to think that James Sheldon could have a daughter like you ! "

up went Worth 's head .

worth 's grey eyes flashed .

" I thought we were not to speak of my parents ? " she said .

" you ought not to have been the first to break the compact , Uncle Paul . "

" I accept the rebuke and beg your pardon , " he said .

he liked her all the better for those little flashes of spirit across her girlish composure .

one day in September they were together in the garden at Greenwood .

worth , looking lovingly and regretfully down the sun-flecked avenue of box , said with a sigh , " next month I must go home .

how sorry I shall be to leave the Grange and Greenwood .

" stay here ! " said Uncle Paul abruptly .

" stay here with me .

I want you , Worth .

let Greenwood be your home henceforth and adopt your crusty old bachelor uncle for a father . "

" oh , Uncle Paul , " cried Worth , " I don't know I don't think oh , you surprise me ! "

" I surprise myself , perhaps .

but I mean it , Worth .

I am a rich , lonely old man and I want to keep this new interest you have brought into my life .

stay with me .

I will try to give you a very happy life , my child , and all I have shall be yours . "

seeing her troubled face , he added , " there , I don't ask you to decide right here .

I suppose you have other claims to adjust .

take time to think it over . "

" thank you , " said Worth .

she went back to the Grange as one in a dream and shut herself up in the white southeast room to think .

she knew that she wanted to accept this unexpected offer of Uncle Paul 's .

worth 's loyal tongue had never betrayed , even to the loving aunts , any discontent in the prairie farm life that had always been hers .

but it had been a hard life for the girl , narrow and poverty-bounded .

she longed to put forth her hand and take this other life which opened so temptingly before her .

she knew , too , that her mother , ambitious for her child , would not be likely to interpose any objections .

she must decide for herself .

not even of Aunt Charlotte or Aunt Ellen could she ask advice .

she knew they would entreat her to accept , and she needed no such incentive to her own wishes .

next day Worth went down to Greenwood .

" well , what is it to be ? " said Uncle Paul without preface , as he met her in the garden .

" I cannot come , Uncle Paul , " said Worth steadily .

" I cannot give up my mother . "

" I don't ask you to give her up , " he said gruffly .

" you can write to her and visit her .

I don't want to come between parent and child . "

" that isn't the point exactly , Uncle Paul .

I hope you will not be angry with me for not accepting your offer .

I wanted to you don't know how much I wanted to but I cannot .

mother and I are so much to each other , Uncle Paul , more , I am sure , than even most mothers and daughters .

you have never let me speak of her , but I must tell you this .

then , in the ten years that followed , the three other babies that came to her all died before they were two years old .

and with each loss Mother said I grew dearer to her .

don't you see , Uncle Paul , I 'm not merely just one child to her but I 'm all those children ?

I love you , Uncle Paul , and I love Greenwood , and I want to stay so much , but I cannot .

I have thought it all over and I must go back to Mother . "

uncle Paul did not say one word .

he turned his back on Worth and walked the full length of the box alley twice .

worth watched him wistfully .

was he very angry ?

would he forgive her ?

" you are an Ingelow , Worth , " he said when he came back .

that was all , but Worth understood that her decision was not to cause any estrangement between them .

a month later Worth 's last day at the Grange came .

she was to leave for the West the next morning .

worth went to meet him with outstretched hands .

he took them both in his and looked at her very gravely .

" I have not come to say goodbye , Worth .

I will not say it .

you are coming back to me . "

worth shook her brown head sadly .

" oh , I cannot , Uncle Paul .

you know I told you "

" yes , I know , " he interrupted .

" I have been thinking it all over every day since .

you know yourself what the Ingelow determination is .

it 's a good thing in a good cause but a bad thing in a bad one .

and it is no easy thing to conquer when you 've let it rule you for years as I have done .

but I have conquered it , or you have conquered it for me .

child , here is a letter .

it is to your mother my sister Elizabeth .

in it I have asked her to forgive me , and to forget our long estrangement .

I have asked her to come back to me with you and her boys .

I want you all all at Greenwood and I will do the best I can for you all . "

" oh , Uncle Paul , " cried Worth , her face aglow and quivering with smiles and tears and sunshine .

" do you think she will forgive me and come ? "

" I know she will , " cried Worth .

" I know how she has longed for you and home .

oh , I am so happy , Uncle Paul ! "

he smiled at her and put his arm over her shoulder .

together they walked up the golden arcade to tell the others .

that night Charlotte and Ellen cried with happiness as they talked it over in the twilight .

" how beautiful ! " murmured Charlotte softly .

" we shall not lose Worth after all .

Ellen , I could not have borne it to see that girl go utterly out of our lives again . "

" I always hoped and believed that Elizabeth 's child would somehow bring us all together again , " said Ellen happily .

Freda 's Adopted Grave

North Point , where Freda lived , was the bleakest settlement in the world .

even its inhabitants , who loved it , had to admit that .

only the sturdy firs and spruces could hold their own against it .

so there were no orchards or groves or flower gardens in North Point .

the North Point folk loved flowers .

they could not have them about their homes , so they had them in their graveyard .

it was a matter of pride with each family to keep the separate plot neatly trimmed and weeded and adorned with beautiful blossoms .

it was not an unpleasant duty , even to those whose sorrow was fresh .

it seemed as if they were still doing something for the friends who had gone when they made their earthly resting places beautiful .

" tomorrow is Graveyard Day , " said Minnie Hutchinson at school recess , when all the little girls were sitting on the fence .

" ain't I glad !

I 've got the loveliest big white rosebush to plant by Grandma Hutchinson 's grave .

uncle Robert sent it out from town . "

" my mother has ten tuberoses to set out , " said Nan Gray proudly .

" we 're going to plant a row of lilies right around our plot , " said Katie Morris .

every little girl had some boast to make , that is , every little girl but Freda .

Freda sat in a corner all by herself and felt miserably outside of everything .

she had no part or lot in Graveyard Day .

" are you going to plant anything , Freda ? " asked Nan , with a wink at the others .

Freda shook her head mutely .

" Freda can't plant anything , " said Winnie Bell cruelly , although she did not mean to be cruel .

" she hasn't got a grave . "

it very nearly did in North Point .

Freda felt that her cup of wretchedness was full .

she sat miserably on the fence while the other girls ran off to play , and she walked home alone at night .

it seemed to her that she could not bear it any longer .

Freda was ten years old .

four years ago Mrs Wilson had taken her from the orphan asylum in town .

Mrs Wilson lived just this side of the hill from the graveyard , and everybody in North Point called her a " crank . "

they pitied any child she took , they said .

it would be worked to death and treated like a slave .

at first they tried to pump Freda concerning Mrs Wilson 's treatment of her , but Freda was not to be pumped .

she was a quiet little mite , with big , wistful dark eyes that had a disconcerting fashion of looking the gossips out of countenance .

" Mrs Wilson , " Freda said timidly that night , " why haven't we got a grave ? "

Mrs. Wilson averred that such a question gave her the " creeps . "

" you ought to be very thankful that we haven't , " she said severely .

" that Graveyard Day is a heathenish custom , anyhow .

if I had a grave there , I wouldn't make a flower garden of it ! "

Freda did not go to the graveyard the next day , although it was a holiday .

the plots were all very neat and prettily set out with plants and bulbs .

some perennials were already in bud .

the grave of Katie Morris ' great-uncle , who had been dead for forty years , was covered with blossoming purple pansies .

every grave , no matter how small or old , had its share of promise every grave except one .

Freda came across it with a feeling of surprise .

it was away down in the lower corner where there were no plots .

it was shut off from the others by a growth of young poplars and was sunken and overgrown with blueberry shrubs .

there was no headstone , and it looked dismally neglected .

Freda felt a sympathy for it .

she had no grave , and this grave had nobody to tend it or care for it .

when she went home she asked Mrs . Wilson whose it was .

" Humph ! " said Mrs Wilson .

" if you have so much spare time lying round loose , you 'd better put it into your sewing instead of prowling about graveyards .

do you expect me to work my fingers to the bone making clothes for you ?

I wish I 'd left you in the asylum .

that grave is Jordan Slade 's , I suppose .

he died twenty years ago , and a worthless , drunken scamp he was .

he hasn't any relations here .

there was a sister , a little girl of ten , who used to live with the Cogswells over at East Point .

after Jord died , some rich folks saw her and was so struck with her good looks that they took her away with them .

I don't know what become of her , and I don't care .

go and bring the cows up . "

when Freda went to bed that night her mind was made up .

she would adopt Jordan Slade 's grave .

thereafter , Freda spent her few precious spare-time moments in the graveyard .

she brought ferns from the woods to plant about it .

she planted , weeded and watered faithfully , and her efforts were rewarded .

" her " grave soon looked as nice as any in the graveyard .

nobody but Freda knew about it .

the poplar growth concealed the corner from sight , and everybody had quite forgotten poor , disreputable Jordan Slade 's grave .

at least , it seemed as if everybody had .

the lady gave a little start when she saw Freda with her can of water .

" can you tell me who has been looking after this grave ? " she said .

" it it was I , " faltered Freda , wondering if the lady would be angry with her .

" Pleas 'm , it was I , but I didn't mean any harm .

all the other little girls had a grave , and I hadn't any , so I just adopted this one . "

" did you know whose it was ? " asked the lady gently .

" yes 'm Jordan Slade 's .

Mrs Wilson told me . "

" Jordan Slade was my brother , " said the lady .

" he went sadly astray , but he was not all bad .

he was weak and too easily influenced .

but whatever his faults , he was good and kind oh ! so good and kind to me when I was a child .

I loved him with all my heart .

I expected to find it neglected .

I cannot tell you how pleased and touched I am to find it kept so beautifully .

thank you over and over again , my dear child ! "

" then you 're not cross , ma'am ? " said Freda eagerly .

" and I may go on looking after it , may I ?

oh , it just seems as if I couldn't bear not to ! "

" you may look after it as long as you want to , my dear .

I will help you , too .

I am to be at East Point all summer .

this will be our grave yours and mine . "

that summer was a wonderful one for Freda .

she had found a firm friend in Mrs Halliday .

the latter was a wealthy woman .

her husband had died a short time previously and she had no children .

when she went away in the fall , Freda went with her " to be her own little girl for always . "

Mrs Wilson consented grudgingly to give Freda up , although she grumbled a great deal about ingratitude .

before they went they paid a farewell visit to their grave .

Mrs Halliday had arranged with some of the North Point people to keep it well attended to , but Freda cried at leaving it .

" don't feel badly about it , dear , " comforted Mrs Halliday .

" we are coming back every summer to see it .

it will always be our grave . "

Freda slipped her hand into Mrs Halliday 's and smiled up at her .

" I 'd never have found you , Aunty , if it hadn't been for this grave , " she said happily .

" I 'm so glad I adopted it . "

how Don Was Saved

" you look as if you had a corner in time , Curt , " said Will .

" I call that luck , for I want you to go chestnutting up to Grier 's Hill with me .

I met old Tom Grier on the road yesterday , and he told me I might go any day .

nice old man , Tom Grier . "

" good ! " said Curtis heartily , as he sprang up .

" if I haven't exactly a corner in time , I have a day off , at least .

uncle doesn't need me today .

wait till I whistle for Don .

May as well take him with us . "

Curtis whistled accordingly , but Don , his handsome Newfoundland dog , did not appear .

after calling and whistling about the yard and barns for several minutes , Curtis turned away disappointedly .

" he can't be anywhere around .

it is very strange .

" Don hates to be shut up , howls all the time so mournfully that I can't stand it , " responded Curtis .

I saw Don myself one evening last week ambling down the Harbour road with that big brown dog of Sam Ventnor 's .

Ventnor 's dog is beginning to have a bad reputation , you know .

there have been several sheep worried lately , and "

" Don wouldn't touch a sheep ! " interrupted Curtis hotly .

" I daresay not , not yet .

but Ventnor 's dog is under suspicion , and if Don runs with him he 'll learn the trick sure as preaching .

better keep Don shut up awhile , let him howl as he likes . "

" I believe I will , " said Curtis soberly .

" I don't want Don to fall under suspicion of sheep-worrying , though I 'm sure he would never do it .

anyhow , I don't want him to run with Ventnor 's dog .

I 'll chain him up in the barn when I go home .

I couldn't stand it if anything happened to Don .

after you , he 's the only chum I 've got and he 's a good one . "

Will agreed .

he was almost as fond of Don as Curtis was .

but he did not feel so sure that the dog would not worry a sheep .

Will knew that Don was suspected already , but he did not like to tell Curtis so .

will felt decidedly relieved to find that Curtis took his advice in the spirit in which it was offered .

" nearly everybody on the Hollow farms , " answered Will .

" until last week nobody on the Hill farms had lost any .

but Tuesday night old Paul Stockton had six fine sheep killed in his upland pasture behind the fir woods .

he is furious about it , I believe , and vows he 'll find out what dog did it and have him shot . "

Curtis looked grave .

moreover , Curtis remembered with a sinking heart that Wednesday morning had been one of the mornings upon which Don was missing .

" but I don't care ! " he thought miserably .

" I know Don didn't kill those sheep . "

she was due three days ago and there 's no sign of her yet .

and there have been two bad gales since she left Morro .

Oscar Stockton is on board of her , you know , and his father is worried about him .

there are five other men on her , all from the Harbour , and their folks down there are pretty wild about the schooner . "

nothing more was said about the sheep , and soon , in the pleasures of chestnutting , Curtis forgot his anxiety .

old Tom Grier had called to the boys as they passed his house to come back and have dinner there when the time came .

his uncle was standing before the open barn doors , talking to an elderly , grizzled man with a thin , shrewd face .

Curtis 's heart sank as he recognized old Paul Stockton .

what could have brought him over ?

" Curtis , " called his uncle , " come here . "

as Curtis crossed the yard , Don came bounding down the slope from the house to meet him .

he put his hand on the dog 's big head and the two of them walked slowly to the barn .

old Paul included them both in a vindictive scowl .

" Curtis , " said his uncle gravely , " here 's a bad business .

Mr Stockton tells me that your dog has been worrying his sheep . "

" it 's a " began Curtis angrily .

then he checked himself and went on more calmly .

" that can't be so , Mr Stockton .

my dog would not harm anything . "

" he killed or helped to kill six of the finest sheep in my flock ! " retorted old Paul .

" what proof have you of it ? " demanded Curtis , trying to keep his anger within bounds .

" Abner Peck saw your dog and Ventnor 's running together through my sheep pasture at sundown on Tuesday evening , " answered old Paul .

" Wednesday morning I found this in the corner of the pasture where the sheep were worried .

your uncle admits that it was tied around your dog 's neck on Tuesday . "

and old Paul held out triumphantly a faded red ribbon .

Curtis recognized it at a glance .

it was the ribbon his little cousin , Lena , had tied around Don 's neck Tuesday afternoon .

he remembered how they had laughed at the effect of that frivolous red collar and bow on Don 's massive body .

" I 'm sure Don isn't guilty ! " he cried passionately .

Mr Locksley shook his head .

" I 'm afraid he is , Curtis .

the case looks very black against him , and sheep-stealing is a serious offence . "

" the dog must be shot , " said old Paul decidedly .

" I leave the matter in your hands , Mr Locksley .

as old Paul strode away , Curtis looked beseechingly at his uncle .

" Don mustn't be shot , Uncle ! " he said desperately .

" I 'll chain him up all the time . "

" and have him howling night and day as if we had a brood of banshees about the place ? " said Mr Locksley sarcastically .

he was a stern man with little sentiment in his nature and no understanding whatever of Curtis 's affection for Don .

the Bayside people said that Arnold Locksley had always been very severe with his nephew .

" no , no , Curtis , you must look at the matter sensibly .

the dog is a nuisance and must be shot .

you can't keep him shut up forever , and , if he has once learned the trick of sheep-worrying , he will never forget it .

you can get another dog if you must have one .

I 'll get Charles Pippey to come and shoot Don tomorrow .

no sulking now , Curtis .

you are too big a boy for that .

tie the dog up for the night and then go and put the calves in .

there is a storm coming .

the wind is blowing hard from the northeast now . "

his uncle walked away , leaving the boy white and miserable in the yard .

he looked at Don , who sat on his haunches and returned his gaze frankly and open-heartedly .

he did not look like a guilty dog .

could it be possible that he had really worried those sheep ?

" I 'll never believe it of you , old fellow ! "

Curtis said , as he led the dog into a corner of the carriage house and tied him up there .

then he flung himself down on a pile of sacks beside him and buried his face in Don 's curly black fur .

the boy felt sullen , rebellious and wretched .

he lay there until dark , thinking his own bitter thoughts and listening to the rapidly increasing gale .

finally he got up and flung off after the calves , with Don 's melancholy howls at finding himself deserted ringing in his ears .

he 'll be quiet enough tomorrow night , thought Curtis wretchedly , as he went upstairs to bed after housing the calves .

for a long while he lay awake , but finally dropped into a heavy slumber which lasted until his aunt called him for milking .

the wind was blowing more furiously than ever .

up over the fields came the roar and crash of the surges on the outside shore .

the Harbour to the east of Bayside was rough and stormy .

they were just rising from breakfast when Will Barrie burst into the kitchen .

" the Amy Reade is ashore on Gleeson 's rocks ! " he shouted .

" struck there at daylight this morning !

come on , Curt ! "

Curtis sprang for his cap , his uncle following suit more deliberately .

as the two boys ran through the yard , Curtis heard Don howling .

" I 'll take him with me ! " he muttered .

" wait a minute , Will . "

the Harbour road was thronged with people hurrying to the outside shore , for the news of the Amy Readers disaster had spread rapidly .

Sam had already been down to the shore and had gone back to tell his father .

as they jolted along , he screamed information at them over the shriek of the gale .

" bad business , this !

she 's pounding on a reef ' bout a quarter of a mile out .

they 're sure she 's going to break up old tub , you know leaky rotten .

the sea 's tremenjus high , and the surfs going dean over her .

there can't be no boat launched for hours yet they 'll all be drowned .

old Paul 's down there like a madman offering everything he 's got to the man who 'll save Oscar , but it can't be done . "

by this time they had reached the shore , which was black with excited people .

out on Gleeson 's Reef the ill-fated little schooner was visible amid the flying spray .

a grizzled old Harbour fisherman , to whom Sam shouted a question , shook his head .

" no , can't do nothin ' !

no boat c 'd live in that surf f'r a moment .

the schooner 'll go to pieces mighty soon , I 'm feared .

it 's turrible ! turrible ! to stan ' by an ' watch yer neighbours drown like this ! "

Curtis and Will elbowed their way down to the water 's edge .

the relatives of the crew were all there in various stages of despair , but old Paul Stockton seemed like a man demented .

he ran up and down the beach , crying and praying .

his only son was on the Amy Reade , and he could do nothing to save him !

" what are they doing ? " asked Will of Martin Clark .

" trying to get a line ashore by throwing out a small rope with a stick tied to it , " answered Martin .

" it 's young Stockton that 's trying now .

but it isn't any use .

the cross-currents on that reef are too powerful . "

" why , Don will bring that line ashore ! " exclaimed Curtis .

" here , Don !

Don , I say ! "

the dog bounded back along the shore with a quick bark .

Curtis grasped him by the collar and pointed to the stick which young Stockton had just hurled again into the water .

Don , with another bark of comprehension , dashed into the sea .

the onlookers , grasping the situation , gave a cheer and then relapsed into silence .

when Don finally reached the tossing stick , grasped it in his mouth and turned shoreward , another great shout went up from the beach .

a woman behind Curtis , whose husband was on the schooner , dropped on her knees on the pebbles , sobbing and thanking God .

Curtis himself felt the stinging tears start to his eyes .

when Don reached the shore he dropped the stick at Curtis 's feet and gave himself a tremendous shake .

old Paul Stockton was among them .

over his shoulder Don 's big black head looked up , his eyes asking as plainly as speech what all this fuss was about .

meanwhile some of the men had already pulled a big hawser ashore and made it fast .

in half an hour the crew of the Amy Reade were safe on shore , chilled and dripping .

before they were hurried away to warmth and shelter , old Paul Stockton caught Curtis 's hand .

the tears were running freely down his hard , old face .

" tell your uncle he is not to lay a finger on that dog ! " he said .

" he never killed a sheep of mine he couldn't !

and if he did I don't care !

he 's welcome to kill them all , if nothing but mutton 'll serve his turn . "

Curtis walked home with a glad heart .

Mr Locksley heard old Paul 's message with a smile .

he , too , had been touched by Don 's splendid feat .

" well , Curtis , I 'm very glad that it has turned old Paul in his favour .

but we must shut Don up for a week or so , no matter how hard he takes it .

you can see that for yourself .

after all , he might have worried the sheep .

and , anyway , he must be broken of his intimacy with Ventnor 's dog . "

Curtis acknowledged the justice of this and poor Don was tied up again .

his captivity was not long , however , for Ventnor 's dog was soon shot .

when Don was released , Curtis had an anxious time for a week or two .

but no more sheep were worried , and Don 's innocence was triumphantly established .

as for old Paul Stockton , it seemed as if he could not do enough for Curtis and Don .

his ancient grudge against the Locksleys was completely forgotten , and from that date he was a firm friend of Curtis .

in regard to Don , old Paul would say :

" why , there never was such a dog before , sir , never !

he just talks with his eyes , that dog does .

and if you 'd just ' a ' seen him swimming out to that schooner !

bones ?

yes , sir !

every time that dog comes here he 's to get the best bones we 've got for him and more'n bones , too .

that dog 's a hero , sir , that 's what he is ! "

Miss Madeline 's Proposal

Miss Madeline , sitting in the low rocker by the parlour window , seemed like the presiding genius of the place .

she was also very happy , and her happiness seemed to envelop her as in an atmosphere and lend her a new radiance and charm .

Miss Madeline loved her pretty niece very dearly and patted the curly head tenderly with her slender white hands .

" what is it , my dear ? "

" I 'm I'm engaged , " whispered Lina , hiding her face in Miss Madeline 's flowered muslin lap .

" engaged ! "

Miss Madeline 's tone was one of surprise and awe .

she blushed as she said the word as deeply as Lina had done .

then she went on , with a little quiver of excitement in her voice , " to whom , my dear ? "

" oh , you don't know him , Auntie , but I hope you will soon .

his name is Ralph Wylde .

isn't it pretty ?

I met him last winter , and we became very good friends .

but we had a quarrel before I came down here and , oh , I have been so unhappy over it .

three weeks ago he wrote me and begged my pardon so nice of him , because I was really all to blame , you know .

and he said he loved me and all that , you know . "

" no , I don't know , " said Miss Madeline gently .

" but but I can imagine . "

" oh , I was so happy .

I wrote back and I had this letter from him today .

he is coming down tomorrow .

you 'll be glad to see him , won't you , Auntie ? "

" oh , yes , my dear , and I am glad for your sake very glad .

you are sure you love him ? "

" yes , indeed , " said Lina , with a little laugh , as if wondering how anyone could doubt it .

Lina laughed roguishly .

" why , yes , Auntie , ever so many .

A dozen , at least . "

" oh , my dear ! " cried Miss Madeline in a slightly shocked tone .

" but I did , really .

sometimes it was horrid and sometimes it was funny .

it all depended on the man .

dear me , how red and uncomfortable most of them looked all but the fifth .

he was so cool and business like that he almost surprised me into accepting him . "

" and and what did you feel like , Lina ? "

" oh , frightened , mostly but I always wanted to laugh too .

you must know how it is yourself , Auntie .

what did you feel like when somebody proposed to you ? "

Miss Madeline flushed from chin to brow .

Lina opened her big brown eyes in amazement .

" why , Aunt Madeline !

and you so pretty !

what was the reason ? "

" I 've often wondered , " said Miss Madeline faintly .

" I was pretty , as you say it 's so long ago I can say that now .

and I had many gentlemen friends .

but nobody ever wanted to marry me .

I sometimes wish that that I could have had just one proposal .

but then , he would have forgotten and I would have remembered .

it would always have been something to be a little proud of . "

" yes , " said Lina absently ; her thoughts had gone back to Ralph .

that evening a letter was left at the front door of the old Churchill place .

it was addressed in a scholarly hand to Miss Madeline Churchill , and Amelia Kent took it in .

Amelia had been Miss Madeline 's " help " for years and had grown grey in her service .

in Amelia 's loyal eyes Miss Madeline was still young and beautiful ; she never doubted that the letter was for her mistress .

nobody else there was ever addressed as " Miss Madeline . "

she never liked to be disturbed when so employed but she read her letter after Amelia had gone out .

when she came to a certain paragraph , she turned very pale and Thomas à Kempis fell to the floor unheeded .

her cheeks were very pink and her eyes very bright .

she did not even pick up Thomas à Kempis but went to the door and called Lina .

" what is it , Auntie ? " asked Lina curiously , noticing the signs of unusual excitement about Miss Madeline .

Miss Madeline held out her letter with a trembling hand .

" Lina , dear , this is a letter from the Rev Cecil Thorne .

it it is a proposal of marriage .

I feel terribly upset .

how very strange that it should come so soon after our talk this morning !

I want you to read it !

perhaps I ought not to show it to anyone but I would like you to see it . "

Lina took the letter and read it through .

" how funny ! " said Lina when she came to the end .

" funny ! " exclaimed Miss Madeline , with a trace of indignation in her gentle voice .

but this was a little fib on Lina 's part .

she had thought that the letter or , rather , the fact that it had been written to Miss Madeline , funny .

the Rev Cecil Thorne was Miss Madeline 's pastor .

she had taught the infant class in Sunday School and sometimes she had thought that the minister was in love with her .

" what a goose I was to be afraid he was in love with me ! " she thought .

aloud she said , " he says he will call tomorrow evening to receive your answer . "

" and , oh , what can I say to him ? " murmured Miss Madeline in dismay .

she wished she had a little of Lina 's experience .

" you are going to you will accept him , won't you ? " asked Lina curiously .

" oh , my dear , no ! " cried Miss Madeline almost vehemently .

" I couldn't think of such a thing .

I am very sorry ; do you think he will feel badly ? "

" judging from his letter I feel sure he will , " said Lina decidedly .

Miss Madeline sighed .

" oh , dear me !

it is very unpleasant .

but of course I must refuse him .

what a beautiful letter he writes too .

I feel very much disturbed by this . "

Miss Madeline picked up Thomas à Kempis , smoothed him out repentantly , and placed the letter between his leaves .

Mr Thorne sat down by the window that looked out on the lawn .

his heart gave a bound as he caught a glimpse of an airy white muslin among the trees and a ripple of distant laughter .

the next minute Lina appeared , strolling down the secluded path that curved about the birches .

a young man was walking beside her with his arm around her .

they crossed the green square before the house and disappeared in the rose garden .

Mr Thorne leaned back in his chair and put his hand over his eyes .

he felt that he had received his answer , and it was a very bitter moment for him .

Miss Madeline sat down opposite to him .

at that moment she was devoutly thankful that she had never had any other proposal to refuse .

it was a dreadful ordeal .

if he would only help her out !

but he did not speak and every moment of silence made it worse .

" I received your letter , Mr Thorne , " she faltered at last , looking distressfully down at the floor .

" my letter ! "

Mr Thorne turned towards her .

in her agitation Miss Madeline did not notice the surprise in his face and tone .

" yes , " she said , gaining a little courage since the ice was broken .

" it it was a very great surprise to me .

I never thought you you cared for me as as you said .

and I am very sorry because because I cannot return your affection .

and so , of course , I cannot marry you . "

Mr Thorne put his hand over his eyes again .

he understood now that there had been some mistake and that Miss Madeline had received the letter he had written to her niece .

well , it did not matter the appearance of the young man in the garden had settled that .

would he tell Miss Madeline of her mistake ?

no , it would only humiliate her and it made no difference , since she had refused him .

" I suppose it is of no use to ask you to reconsider your decision ? " he said .

" oh , no , " cried Miss Madeline almost aghast .

she was afraid he might ask it after all .

" not in the least use .

I am sorry so very sorry but I could not answer differently .

we I hope this will make no difference in our friendly relations , Mr Thorne ? "

" not at all , " said Mr Thorne gravely .

" we will try to forget that it has happened . "

he bowed sadly and went out .

Miss Madeline watched him guiltily as he walked across the lawn .

he looked heart-broken .

how dreadful it had been !

and Lina had refused twelve men !

how could she have lived through it ?

" perhaps one gets accustomed to doing it , " reflected Miss Madeline .

" but I am sure I never could . "

" did Mr Thorne feel very badly ? " whispered Lina that night .

" I 'm afraid he did , " confessed Miss Madeline sorrowfully .

" he looked so pale and sad , Lina , that my heart ached for him .

I am very thankful that I have never had any other proposals to decline .

it is a very unpleasant experience .

but , " she added , with a little tinge of satisfaction in her sweet voice , " I am glad I had one .

it it has made me feel more like other people , you know , dear . "

Miss Sally 's Company

" how beautiful ! " said Mary Seymour delightedly , as they dismounted from their wheels on the crest of the hill .

don't you feel repaid ? "

yet she , too , felt a keen pleasure in the beauty of the scene before them .

almost at their feet lay the sea , creaming and shimmering in the mellow sunshine .

on either side of the cove a headland made out to sea , curving around to enclose the sparkling water as in a cup .

" what a picturesque spot ! " said Mary .

" but what a lonely one ! " protested Ida .

" why , there isn't another house in sight .

I wonder who lives in it .

anyway , I 'm going down to ask them for a drink of water . "

" I 'd like to ask for a square meal , too , " said Mary , laughing .

" I am discovering that I am hungry .

fine scenery is very satisfying to the soul , to be sure , but it doesn't still the cravings of the inner girl .

and we 've wheeled ten miles this afternoon .

I 'm getting hungrier every minute . "

they reached the little grey house by way of a sloping , grassy lane .

everything about it was very neat and trim .

" no children here , certainly , " whispered Ida .

" every one of those clam shells is placed just so .

and this walk is swept every day .

no , we shall never dare to ask for anything to eat here .

they would be afraid of our scattering crumbs . "

she was very small , with an eager , delicately featured face and dark eyes twinkling behind gold-rimmed glasses .

she looks as if she had just stepped out of a bandbox of last century , thought Mary .

" are you Cousin Abner 's girls ? " demanded the little lady eagerly .

" no , " said Mary reluctantly , " we're not .

we are only Martin Seymour 's girls . "

all the light went out of the little lady 's face , as if some illuminating lamp had suddenly been quenched behind it .

she seemed fairly to droop under her disappointment .

as for the rest , the name of Martin Seymour evidently conveyed no especial meaning to her ears .

" no , of course you are not Cousin Abner 's girls , " she said sorrowfully .

" I 'd have known you couldn't be if I had just stopped to think .

because you are dark and they would be fair , of course ; Cousin Abner and his wife were both fair .

and I can't help wishing you were ! "

" I wish we were , too , since you expected them , " said Mary , smiling .

" but "

" oh , I wasn't really expecting them , " broke in the little lady .

" only I am always hoping that they will come .

they never have yet , but Trenton isn't so very far away , and it is so lonely here .

I just long for company I and Juliana and I thought I was going to have it today .

but perhaps they will soon .

it is always something to look forward to , you know . "

she talked in a sweet , chirpy voice like a bird 's .

there were pathetic notes in it , too , as the girls instinctively felt .

how very quaint and sweet and unworldly she was !

Mary found herself feeling indignant at Cousin Abner 's girls , whoever they were , for their neglect .

" we are out for a spin on our wheels , " said Ida , " and we are very thirsty .

we thought perhaps you would be kind enough to give us a drink of water . "

" oh , my dear , anything anything I have is at your service , " said the little lady delightedly .

" if you will come in , I will get you some lemonade . "

" I am afraid it is too much trouble , " began Mary .

" oh , no , no , " cried the little lady .

" it is a pleasure .

I love doing things for people , I wish more of them would come to give me the chance .

I never have any company , and I do so long for it .

it 's very lonesome here at Golden Gate .

oh , if you would only stay to tea with me , it would make me so happy .

I am all prepared .

I prepare every Saturday morning , in particular , so that if Cousin Abner 's girls did come , I would be all ready .

and when nobody comes , Juliana and I have to eat everything up ourselves .

and that is bad for us it gives Juliana indigestion .

if you would only stay ! "

" we will , " agreed Ida promptly .

" and we 're glad of the chance .

we are both terribly hungry , and it is very good of you to ask us . "

" oh , indeed , it isn't !

it 's just selfishness in me , that 's what it is , pure selfishness !

I want company so much .

come in , my dears , and I suppose I must introduce myself because you don't know me , do you now ?

I 'm Miss Sally Temple , and this is Golden Gate Cottage .

dear me , this is something like living .

you are special providences , that you are , indeed ! "

" now , just excuse me a minute while I run out and tell Juliana that we are going to have company to tea .

she will be so glad , Juliana will .

make yourselves at home , my dears . "

" isn't she delicious ? " said Mary , when Miss Sally had tripped out .

" I 'd like to shake Cousin Abner 's girls .

this is what Dot Halliday would call an adventure , Ida . "

" isn't it !

Miss Sally and this quaint old spot both seem like a chapter out of the novels our grandmothers cried over .

look here , Mary , she is lonely and our visit seems like a treat to her .

let us try to make it one .

let's just chum with her and tell her all about ourselves and our amusements and our dresses .

that sounds frivolous , but you know what I mean .

she 'll like it .

let's be company in real earnest for her . "

when Miss Sally came back , she was attended by Juliana carrying a tray of lemonade glasses .

Juliana proved to be a diminutive lass of about fourteen whose cheerful , freckled face wore an expansive grin of pleasure .

evidently Juliana was as fond of " company " as her mistress was .

afterwards , the girls overheard a subdued colloquy between Miss Sally and Juliana out in the hall .

I want everything extra nice , Juliana . "

" yes 'm , Miss Sally , I 'll see to it .

isn't it great to have company , Miss Sally ? " whispered Juliana .

the Seymour girls long remembered that tea table and the delicacies with which it was heaped .

privately , they did not wonder that Juliana had indigestion when she had to eat many such unaided .

being hungry , they did full justice to Miss Sally 's good things , much to that little lady 's delight .

she told them all about herself .

she had lived at Golden Gate Cottage only a year .

" before that , I lived away down the country at Millbridge with a cousin .

my Uncle Ephraim owned Golden Gate Cottage , and when he died he left it to me and I came here to live .

it is a pretty place , isn't it ?

you see those two headlands out there ?

I love it here .

it is so nice to have a home of my own .

I would be quite content if I had more company .

but I have you today , and perhaps Beatrice and Helen will come next week .

so I 've really a great deal to be thankful for . "

" Reed Abner Abimelech Reed , " answered Miss Sally promptly .

" A.A. Reed , he signs himself now .

he is very well-to-do , I am told , and he carries on business in town .

he was a very fine young man , my Cousin Abner .

I don't know his wife . "

Mary and Ida exchanged glances .

Beatrice and Helen Reed !

they knew them slightly as the daughters of a new-rich family who were hangers-on of the fashionable society in Trenton .

the Seymour girls enjoyed that visit as much as Miss Sally did .

she was eager to hear all about their girlish lives and amusements .

" oh , you 've been such pleasant company , " said Miss Sally when the girls went away .

Mary took the little lady 's hands in hers and looked affectionately down into her face .

" would you like it you and Juliana if we came out to see you often ?

and perhaps brought some of our friends with us ? "

" oh , if you only would ! " breathed Miss Sally .

Mary laughed and , obeying a sudden impulse , bent and kissed Miss Sally 's cheek .

" we 'll come then , " she promised .

" please look upon us as your ' steady company ' henceforth . "

the girls kept their word .

thereafter , nearly every Saturday of the summer found them taking tea with Miss Sally at Golden Gate .

sometimes they came alone ; sometimes they brought other girls .

it soon became a decided " fad " in their set to go to see Miss Sally .

everybody who met her loved her at sight .

it was considered a special treat to be taken by the Seymours to Golden Gate .

as for Miss Sally , her cup of happiness was almost full .

there was just one little cloud on Miss Sally 's fair sky .

" if only Cousin Abner 's girls would come ! " she once said wistfully to Mary .

" nobody can quite take the place of one 's own , you know .

my heart yearns after them . "

Mary was very silent and thoughtful as she drove back to Trenton that night .

two days afterwards , she went to Mrs Gardiner 's lawn party .

the Reed girls were there .

they brightened and bridled , however , when Mrs Gardiner brought Mary Seymour up and introduced her .

I 'm sure I 've heard her speak of you . "

the Reed girls flushed .

" she is a distant cousin of ours , " said Beatrice carelessly , " but we 've never met her . "

" oh , how much you have missed ! " said Mary frankly .

" she is the sweetest and most charming little lady I have ever met , and I am proud to number her among my friends .

Golden Gate is such an idyllic little spot , too .

we go there so often that I fear Miss Sally will think we mean to outwear our welcome .

we hope to have her visit us in town this winter .

well , good-by for now .

I 'll tell Miss Sally I 've met you .

she will be pleased to hear about you . "

when Mary had gone , the Reed girls looked at each other .

" I suppose we ought to have gone to see Cousin Sally before , " said Beatrice .

" father said we ought to . "

" how on earth did the Seymours pick her up ? " said Helen .

" of course we must go and see her . "

go they did .

the very next day Miss Sally 's cup of happiness brimmed right over , for Cousin Abner 's girls came to Golden Gate at last .

they were very nice to her , too .

they succumbed to her charm , as the others had done , and thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Golden Gate .

this took time , of course .

the Reed girls could not discard their snobbishness all at once .

but in the end it was pretty well taken out of them .

Miss Sally never dreamed of this or the need for it .

she loved Cousin Abner 's girls from the first and always admired them exceedingly .

" and then it is so good to have your own folks coming as company , " she told the Seymour girls .

" oh , I 'm just in the seventh heaven of happiness .

but , dearies , I think you will always be my favourites mine and Juliana 's .

I 've plenty of company now and it 's all thanks to you . "

" oh , no , " said Mary quickly .

" miss Sally , your company comes to you for just your own sake .

you 've made Golden Gate a veritable Mecca for us all .

you don't know and you never will know how much good you have done us .

and we all love you , Miss Sally . "

" I 'm so glad , " breathed Miss Sally with shining eyes , " and so is Juliana . "

Mrs. March 's Revenge

" the wind would chill the marrow in your bones ; winter 'll be here before you know it . "

" that 's so , " assented Mrs . march , bustling about to stir up the fire .

" but I don't know as I mind it at all .

Winter is real pleasant when it does come , but I must say , I don't fancy these betwixt-and-between days much .

sit up to the fire , Theodosia .

you look real blue . "

" I feel so too .

lawful heart , but this is comfort .

this chimney-corner of yours , Anna , is the cosiest spot in the world . "

" when did you get home from Maitland ? " asked Mrs. March .

" did you have a pleasant time ?

and how did you leave Emily and the children ? "

Mrs Stapp took this trio of interrogations in calm detail .

" I came home Saturday , " she said , as she unrolled her knitting .

" Nice wet day it was too !

Emily is well , and the children ought to be , for such rampageous young ones I never saw !

Emily can't do no more with them than an old hen with a brood of ducks .

but , lawful heart , Anna , don't mind about my little affairs !

the news Peter had for me about you when I got home fairly took my breath .

he came down to the garden gate to shout it before I was out of the wagon .

I couldn't believe but what he was joking at first .

you should have seen Peter .

he had an old red shawl tied round his rheumatic shoulder , and he was waving his arms like a crazy man .

I declare , I thought the chimney was afire !

Theodosia , Theodosia ! ' he shouted .

that was his salute when I got home .

Peter 's real neat , as men go , but , lawful heart , such a mess as he makes of housekeeping !

I didn't know you had a brother living . "

" no more did I , Theodosia .

I thought , as everyone else did , that poor Charles was at the bottom of the sea forty years ago .

it 's that long since he ran away from home .

he had a quarrel with Father , and he was always dreadful high-spirited .

he went to sea , and we heard that he had sailed for England in the Helen Ray .

she was never heard of after , and we all supposed that my poor brother had perished with her .

" well , of all wonderful things ! " commented Mrs . Stapp .

" I was glad to hear that I was heir to so much money , " said Mrs. march firmly .

" at first I felt as if it were awful of me to be glad when it came to me by my brother 's death .

but I mourned for poor Charles forty years ago , and I can't sense that he has only just died .

" and you 've bought the Carroll place , " said Mrs Stapp , with the freedom of a privileged friend .

" whatever made you do it ?

I 'm sure you are as cosy here as need be , and nobody but yourself .

isn't this house big enough for you ? "

" no , it isn't .

the Carroll house is just what I want , for all it is a little old-fashioned .

I 've always had a notion of that house , although I never expected to own it any more than the moon . "

" it 's a real handsome place , " admitted Mrs Stapp , " but I expect it will need a lot of fixing up .

nobody has lived in it for six years .

when are you going to move in ? "

" in about three weeks , if all goes well .

I 'm having it all painted and done over inside .

the outside can wait until the spring . "

" it 's queer how things come about , " said Mrs Stapp meditatively .

" I guess old Mrs Carroll never imagined her home was going to pass into other folks ' hands as it has .

do you remember Lou ? "

" yes , I do , " said Mrs . march sharply .

a change came over her sonsy , smiling face .

it actually looked hard and revengeful , and a cruel light flickered in her dark brown eyes .

" I 'll not forget Lou Carroll as long as I live .

she is the only person in this world I ever hated .

I suppose it is sinful to say it , but I hate her still , and always will . "

" I never liked her myself , " admitted Mrs Stapp .

" she thought herself above us all .

well , for that matter I suppose she was but she needn't have rubbed it in so . "

she always had a spite at me from the time we were children together at school .

when we grew up it was worse .

I couldn't begin to tell you all the times that girl insulted me .

but there was once in particular I 'll never forgive her for it .

I was at a party , and she was there too , and so was that young Trenham Manning , who was visiting the Ashleys .

do you remember him , Dosia ?

he was a handsome young fellow , and Lou had a liking for him , so all the girls said .

but he never looked at her that night , and he kept by me the whole time .

oh , how badly I felt !

I just burst out crying then and there , and ran away and hid .

it was very silly of me , but I couldn't help it .

that stings me yet .

if I was ever to get a chance to pay Lou Carroll out for that , I 'd take it without any compunction . "

" oh , but that is unchristian ! " protested Mrs Stapp feebly .

" perhaps so , but it 's the way I feel .

I guess Lou Carroll is my wicked streak .

I haven't seen or heard of her for years ever since she married that worthless Dency Baxter and went away .

she may be dead for all I know .

I don't expect ever to have a chance to pay her out .

but mark what I say , Theodosia , if I ever have , I will . "

Mrs. March snipped off her thread , as if she challenged the world .

Mrs Stapp felt uncomfortable over the unusual display of feeling she had evoked , and hastened to change the subject .

Theodosia Stapp , who had dropped in to see it , was in a rapture of admiration .

" you have a lovely home now , Anna .

I used to think it fine enough in the Carrolls ' time , but it wasn't as grand as this .

you remember the last day I was to see you we were talking of Lou Carroll ?

well , next day I was downtown in a store , and who should sail in but Mrs Joel Kent , from Oriental .

you know Mrs Joel Sarah Chapple that was ?

she and her man keep a little hotel up at Oriental .

they 're not very well off .

she is a cousin of old Mrs Carroll , but , lawful heart , the Carrolls didn't used to make much of the relationship !

well , Mrs Joel and I had a chat .

she told me all her troubles she always has lots of them .

Sarah was always of a grumbling turn , and she had a brand-new stock of them this time .

what do you think , Anna March ?

" Lou Carroll dying at Oriental ! " cried Mrs . march .

" yes .

she appears to have the idea that it is hers , and all just the same as it used to be .

I guess she is a sight of trouble , and Mrs Joel ain't the woman to like that .

but there !

she has to work most awful hard , and I suppose a sick person doesn't come handy in a hotel .

I guess you 've got your revenge , Anna , without lifting a finger to get it .

think of Lou Carroll coming to that ! "

the next day was cold and raw .

the ragged , bare trees in the old Carroll grounds shook and writhed in the gusts of wind .

now and then a drifting scud of rain dashed across the windows .

Mrs. March looked out with a shiver , and turned thankfully to her own cosy fireside again .

presently she thought she heard a low knock at the front door , and went to see .

it was a woman who stood there , a woman whose emaciated face wore a piteous expression , as she lifted it to Mrs. March .

" you don't know me , of course , " she said , with a feeble attempt at dignity .

" I am Mrs Baxter .

I I used to live here long ago .

I thought I 'd walk over today and see my old home . "

a fit of coughing interrupted her words , and she trembled like a leaf .

" Gracious me ! " exclaimed Mrs. March blankly .

" you don't mean to tell me that you have walked over from Oriental today and you a sick woman !

for pity 's sake , come in , quick .

and if you 're not wet to the skin ! "

she fairly pulled her visitor into the hall , and led her to the sitting-room .

" sit down .

take this big easy-chair right up to the fire so .

let me take your bonnet and shawl .

I must run right out to tell Hannah to get you a hot drink . "

" you are very kind , " whispered the other .

" I don't know you , but you look like a woman I used to know when I was a girl .

she was a Mrs Bennett , and she had a daughter , Anna .

do you know what became of her ?

I forget .

I forget everything now . "

" my name is March , " said Mrs. March briefly , ignoring the question .

" I don't suppose you ever heard it before . "

she wrapped her own warm shawl about the other woman 's thin shoulders .

then she hastened to the kitchen and soon returned , carrying a tray of food and a steaming hot drink .

she wheeled a small table up to her visitor 's side and said , very kindly ,

" now , take a bite , my dear , and this raspberry vinegar will warm you right up .

it is a dreadful day for you to be out .

why on earth didn't Joel Kent drive you over ? "

" they didn't know I was coming , " whispered Mrs Baxter anxiously .

" I I ran away .

Sarah wouldn't have let me come if she had known .

but I wanted to come so much .

it is so nice to be home again . "

Mrs. March watched her guest as she ate and drank .

it was plain enough that her mind , or rather her memory , was affected .

she did not realize that this was no longer her home .

at moments she seemed to fancy herself back in the past again .

once or twice she called Mrs . march " mother . "

presently a sharp knock was heard at the hall door .

Mrs. March excused herself and went out .

" lawful heart ! " puffed Mrs Stapp , as she stepped in out of the biting wind .

" I 'm right out of breath .

Mrs. march , allow me to introduce Mrs Kent .

we 're looking for Mrs Baxter .

she has run away , and we thought perhaps she came here .

did she ? "

" she is in my sitting-room now , " said Mrs . march quietly .

" didn't I say so ? " demanded Mrs Kent , turning to Mrs Stapp .

she spoke in a sharp , high-pitched tone that grated on Mrs. March 's nerves .

" doesn't she beat all !

she slipped away this morning when I was busy in the kitchen .

and to think of her walking six miles over here in this wind !

I dunno how she did it .

I don't believe she 's half as sick as she pretends .

I s'pose we 'll have a fearful scene . "

" I don't see that there is any call for a scene , " said Mrs . march firmly .

" the poor woman has just got here , and she thinks she has got home .

she might as well think so if it is of any comfort to her .

you 'd better leave her here . "

Theodosia gave a stifled gasp of amazement , but Mrs. March went serenely on .

I 've plenty of time to look after her and make her comfortable . "

Mrs Joel Kent was voluble in her thanks .

it was evident that she was delighted to get the sick woman off her hands .

Mrs. March cut her short with an invitation to stay to tea , but Mrs Kent declined .

" I 've got to hurry home straight off and get the men 's suppers .

such a scamper to have over that woman !

I 'm sure I 'm thankful you 're willing to let her stay , for she 'd never be contented anywhere else .

I 'll send over what few things she has tomorrow . "

when Mrs Kent had gone , Mrs. March and Mrs Stapp looked at each other .

" and so this is your revenge , Anna March ? " said the latter solemnly .

" do you remember what you said to me about her ? "

" yes , I do , Theodosia , and I thought I meant every word of it .

but I guess my wicked streak ran out just when I needed it to depend on .

besides , you see , I 've thought of Lou Carroll all these years as she was when I knew her handsome and saucy and proud .

but that poor creature in there isn't any more like the Lou Carroll I knew than you are not a mite .

the old Lou Carroll is dead already , and my spite is dead with her .

will you come in and see her ? "

" well , no , not just now .

I must go and tell Peter about it , and I 'll send up some of my black currant jam for her . "

when Mrs Stapp had gone , Mrs. March went back to her guest .

Lou Baxter had fallen asleep with her head pillowed on the soft plush back of her chair .

Mrs. March looked at the hollow , hectic cheeks and the changed , wasted features , and her bright brown eyes softened with tears .

" Poor Lou , " she said softly , as she brushed a loose lock of grey hair back from the sleeping woman 's brow .

Nan

Nan was polishing the tumblers at the pantry window , outside of which John Osborne was leaning among the vines .

beyond them , old Abe Stewart was mowing the grass in the orchard with a scythe and casting uneasy glances at the pair .

old Abe did not approve of John Osborne as a suitor for Nan .

John was poor ; and old Abe , although he was the wealthiest farmer in Granville , was bent on Nan 's making a good match .

he had a good deal of confidence in Nan , she was a sensible , level-headed girl .

she was his own daughter in that .

however , old Abe need not have worried himself .

it could not be said that Nan was helping John Osborne on in his wooing at all .

instead , she was teasing and snubbing him by turns .

Nan was very pretty .

moreover , Nan was well aware of the fact .

John Osborne knew all this too , to his cost .

he had called to ask Nan to go with him to the Lone Lake picnic the next day .

there was no need of Nan 's making such a mystery about it .

and Nan , who was an amiable creature and tender-hearted where anybody 's lover except her own was concerned , had agreed to go .

" whom are you going with ? " he asked .

" that would be telling , " Nan said , with maddening indifference .

" is it Bryan Lee ? " demanded John .

" it might be , " said Nan reflectively , " and then again , you know , it mightn't . "

John was silent ; he was no match for Nan when it came to a war of words .

he scowled moodily at the shining tumblers .

" Nan , I 'm going out west , " he said finally .

" John Osborne , are you crazy ? "

" not quite .

and I 'm in earnest , I can tell you that . "

Nan set the glass down with a decided thud .

John 's curtness displeased her .

he needn't suppose that it made any difference to her if he took it into his stupid head to go to Afghanistan .

" oh ! " she remarked carelessly .

" well , I suppose if you 've got the Western fever your case is hopeless .

would it be impertinent to inquire why you are going ? "

he says he can't wait any longer .

I 've worked hard enough and done my best to keep the old place , but it 's been uphill work and I 'm beaten at last . "

Nan sat blankly down on the stool by the window .

her face was a study which John Osborne , watching old Abe 's movements , missed .

" well , I never ! " she gasped .

" John Osborne , do you mean to tell me that Bryan Lee is going to do that ?

how did he come to get your mortgage ? "

" bought it from old Townsend , " answered John briefly .

" oh , he 's within his rights , I 'll admit .

I 've even got behind with the interest this past year .

I 'll go out west and begin over again . "

" it 's a burning shame ! " said Nan violently .

John looked around in time to see two very red spots on her cheeks .

" you don't care though , Nan . "

" I don't like to see anyone unjustly treated , " declared Nan , " and that is what you 've been .

you 've never had half a chance .

and after the way you 've slaved , too ! "

" if Lee would wait a little I might do something yet , now that Aunt Alice is gone , " said John bitterly .

" I 'm not afraid of work .

but he won't ; he means to take his spite out at last . "

Nan hesitated .

" surely Bryan isn't so mean as that , " she stammered .

" perhaps he 'll change his mind if if "

Osborne wheeled about with face aflame .

" don't you say a word to him about it , Nan ! " he cried .

" don't you go interceding with him for me .

I 've got some pride left .

he can take the farm from me , and he can take you maybe , but he can't take my self-respect .

I won't beg him for mercy .

don't you dare to say a word to him about it . "

Nan 's eyes flashed .

she was offended to find her sympathy flung back in her face .

" don't be alarmed , " she said tartly .

" I shan't bother myself about your concerns .

I 've no doubt you 're able to look out for them yourself . "

Osborne turned away .

as he did so he saw Bryan Lee driving up the lane .

perhaps Nan saw it too .

at any rate , she leaned out of the window .

" John !

John ! "

Osborne half turned .

" you 'll be up again soon , won't you ? "

his face hardened .

" I 'll come to say goodbye before I go , of course , " he answered shortly .

he came face to face with Lee at the gate , where the latter was tying his sleek chestnut to a poplar .

he acknowledged his rival 's condescending nod with a scowl .

Lee looked after him with a satisfied smile .

" poor beggar ! " he muttered .

" he feels pretty cheap I reckon .

I 've spoiled his chances in this quarter .

he stopped for a chat with old Abe .

old Abe approved of Bryan Lee .

he was a son-in-law after old Abe 's heart .

meanwhile , Nan had seated herself at the pantry window and was ostentatiously hemming towels in apparent oblivion of suitor No . @number@

nevertheless , when Bryan came up she greeted him with an unusually sweet smile and at once plunged into an animated conversation .

Bryan had not come to ask her to go to the picnic business prevented him from going .

but he meant to find out if she were going with John Osborne .

as Nan was serenely impervious to all hints , he was finally forced to ask her bluntly if she was going to the picnic .

well , yes , she expected to .

oh !

might he ask with whom ?

Nan didn't know that it was a question of public interest at all .

" it isn't with that Osborne fellow , is it ? " demanded Bryan incautiously .

Nan tossed her head .

" well , why not ? " she asked .

" look here , Nan , " said Lee angrily , " if you 're going to the picnic with John Osborne I 'm surprised at you .

what do you mean by encouraging him so ?

he 's as poor as Job 's turkey .

I suppose you 've heard that I 've been compelled to foreclose the mortgage on his farm . "

Nan kept her temper sweetly a dangerous sign , had Bryan but known it .

" yes ; he was telling me so this morning , " she answered slowly .

" oh , was he ?

I suppose he gave me my character ? "

" no ; he didn't say very much about it at all .

he said of course you were within your rights .

but do you really mean to do it , Bryan ? "

" of course I do , " said Bryan promptly .

" I can't wait any longer for my money , and I 'd never get it if I did .

Osborne can't even pay the interest . "

" it isn't because he hasn't worked hard enough , then , " said Nan .

" he has just slaved on that place ever since he grew up . "

" well , yes , he has worked hard in a way .

but he 's kind of shiftless , for all that no manager , as you might say .

some folks would have been clear by now , but Osborne is one of those men that are bound to get behind .

he hasn't got any business faculty . "

" he isn't shiftless , " said Nan quickly , " and it isn't his fault if he has got behind .

it 's all because of his care for his aunt .

he has had to spend more on her doctor 's bills than would have raised the mortgage .

and now that she is dead and he might have a chance to pull up , you go and foreclose . "

" a man must look out for Number One , " said Bryan easily , admiring Nan 's downcast eyes and rosy cheeks .

" I haven't any spite against Osborne , but business is business , you know . "

Nan opened her lips to say something but , remembering Osborne 's parting injunction , she shut them again .

she shot a scornful glance at Lee as he stood with his arms folded on the sill beside her .

Bryan lingered , talking small talk , until Nan announced that she must see about getting tea .

" and you won't tell me who is going to take you to the picnic ? " he coaxed .

" oh , it 's Ned Bennett , " said Nan indifferently .

Bryan felt relieved .

he unpinned the huge cluster of violets on his coat and laid them down on the sill beside her before he went .

Nan flicked them off with her fingers as she watched him cross the lawn , his own self-satisfied smile upon his face .

he had never been to see Nan since that last afternoon , but Bryan Lee haunted the Stewart place .

old Abe marched straightway home to Nan in a fury and demanded if this were true .

Nan curtly admitted that it was .

old Abe was so much taken aback by her coolness that he asked almost meekly what was her reason for doing such a fool trick .

" because he turned John Osborne out of house and home , " returned Nan composedly .

" if he hadn't done that there is no telling what might have happened .

I might even have married him , because I liked him very well and it would have pleased you .

at any rate , I wouldn't have married John when you were against him .

now I mean to . "

old Abe stormed furiously at this , but Nan kept so provokingly cool that he was conscious of wasting breath .

he went off in a rage , but Nan did not feel particularly anxious now that the announcement was over .

he would cool down , she knew .

John Osborne worried her more .

she didn't see clearly how she was to marry him unless he asked her , and he had studiously avoided her since the foreclosure .

but Nan did not mean to be baffled or to let her lover slip through her fingers for want of a little courage .

she was not old Abe Stewart 's daughter for nothing .

one day Ned Bennett dropped in and said that John Osborne would start for the west in three days .

John Osborne , on his return from Thornhope half an hour later , found her there , leaning over the rail among the willows .

Nan started in well-assumed surprise and then asked him why he had not been to see her .

John blushed stammered didn't know had been busy .

Nan cut short his halting excuses by demanding to know if he were really going away , and what he intended to do .

" I 'll go out on the prairies and take up a claim , " said Osborne sturdily .

" begin life over again free of debt .

it 'll be hard work , but I 'm not afraid of that .

I will succeed if it takes me years . "

they walked on in silence .

Nan came to the conclusion that Osborne meant to hold his peace .

" John , " she said tremulously , " won't won't you find it very lonely out there ? "

" of course I expect that .

I shall have to get used to it . "

Nan grew nervous .

proposing to a man was really very dreadful .

John Osborne stopped squarely in the dusty road and looked at her .

" Nan ! " he exclaimed .

" oh , if you can't take a hint ! " said Nan in despair .

it was all of an hour later that a man drove past them as they loitered up the hill road in the twilight .

Natty of Blue Point

Natty Miller strolled down to the wharf where Bliss Ford was tying up the Cockawee .

a group of fishermen on the wharf were shaking their heads sagely as Natty drew near .

" might as well split her up for kindlings , Bliss , " said Jake McLaren .

" you 'll never get men to sail in her .

" what 's up ? " asked Natty .

" the Cockawee upset out in the bay again this morning , " answered Will Scott .

" that 's the second time .

the Grey Gull picked up the men and towed her in .

it 's no use trying to sail her .

lobstermen ain't going to risk their lives in a boat like that .

how 's things over at Blue Point , Natty ? "

" pretty well , " responded Natty laconically .

Natty never wasted words .

he had not talked a great deal in his fourteen years of life , but he was much given to thinking .

" has Everett heard anything from Ottawa about the lighthouse business yet ? " asked Will .

Natty shook his head .

" think he 's any chance of getting the app'intment ? " queried Adam Lewis .

" not the ghost of a chance , " said Cooper Creasy decidedly .

" he 's on the wrong side of politics , that 's what .

er rather his father was .

a Tory 's son ain't going to get an app'intment from a Lib'ral government , that 's what . "

" Mr Barr says that Everett is too young to be trusted in such a responsible position , " quoted Natty gravely .

Cooper shrugged his shoulders .

" Mebbe mebbe .

eighteen is kind of green , but everybody knows that Ev 's been the real lighthouse keeper for two years , since your father took sick .

Irving Elliott wants that light has wanted it for years and he 's a pretty strong pull at headquarters , that 's what .

Barr owes him something for years of hard work at elections .

I ain't saying anything against Elliott , either .

he 's a good man , but your father 's son ought to have that light as sure as he won't get it , that 's what . "

" I 'm going , for one , " said Adam .

" There's to be a yacht race atween the Summerside and Charlottetown boat clubs .

yes , I am going .

give you a chance down to the station , Natty , if you want one . "

Natty shook his head .

" not going , " he said briefly .

" you should celebrate Victoria Day , " said Adam , patriotically .

" Ev and I can't both go , and he 's going , " explained Natty .

" Prue and I 'll stay home to light up .

must be getting back now .

Looks squally . "

" I misdoubt if we 'll have Queen 's weather tomorrow , " said Cooper , squinting critically at the sky .

" looks like a northeast blow , that's what .

there goes Bliss , striding off and looking pretty mad .

the Cockawee 's a dead loss to him , that 's what .

Nat 's off he knows how to handle a boat middling well , too .

Pity he 's such a puny youngster .

not much to him , I reckon . "

Natty had cast loose in his boat , the Merry Maid , and hoisted his sail .

in a few minutes he was skimming gaily down the bay .

the wind was fair and piping and the Merry Maid went like a bird .

Natty , at the rudder , steered for Blue Point Island , a reflective frown on his face .

he was feeling in no mood for Victoria Day sports .

in a very short time he and Ev and Prue must leave Blue Point lighthouse , where they had lived all their lives .

to Natty it seemed as if the end of all things would come then .

where would life be worth living away from lonely , windy Blue Point Island ?

David Miller had died the preceding winter after a long illness .

he had been lighthouse keeper at Blue Point for thirty years .

his three children had been born and brought up there , and there , four years ago , the mother had died .

but womanly little Prue had taken her place well , and the boys were devoted to their sister .

when their father died , Everett had applied for the position of lighthouse keeper .

the matter was not yet publicly decided , but old Cooper Creasy had sized the situation up accurately .

the Millers had no real hope that Everett would be appointed .

Victoria Day , while not absolutely stormy , proved to be rather unpleasant .

a choppy northeast wind blew up the bay , and the water was rough enough .

the sky was overcast with clouds , and the May air was raw and chilly .

he was going alone .

Prue had small heart for Victoria Day that year .

she did not feel even a thrill of enthusiasm when Natty hoisted a flag and wreathed the Queen 's picture with creeping spruce .

Prue felt as badly about leaving Blue Point Island as the boys did .

the day passed slowly .

" I 'm glad Everett isn't coming back tonight , " said Prue .

" he could never find his way cross the harbour in that fog . "

" isn't it thick , though , " said Natty .

" the light won't show far tonight . "

at sunset they lighted the great lamps and then settled down to an evening of reading .

but it was not long before Natty looked up from his book to say , " Hello , Prue , what was that ?

thought I heard a noise . "

" so did I , " said Prue .

" I sounded like someone calling . "

they hurried to the door , which looked out on the harbour .

the night , owing to the fog , was dark with a darkness that seemed almost tangible .

from somewhere out of that darkness came a muffled shouting , like that of a person in distress .

" Prue , there 's somebody in trouble out there ! " exclaimed Natty .

" oh , it 's surely never Ev ! " cried Prue .

Natty shook his head .

" don't think so .

Ev had no intention of coming back tonight .

get that lantern , Prue .

I must go and see what and who it is . "

" oh , Natty , you mustn't , " cried Prue in distress .

" there 's a heavy swell on yet and the fog oh , if you get lost "

" I 'll not get lost , and I must go , Prue .

maybe somebody is drowning out there .

it 's not Ev , of course , but suppose it were !

that 's a good girl . "

Prue , with set face , had brought the lantern , resolutely choking back the words of fear and protest that rushed to her lips .

they hurried down to the shore and Natty sprang into the little skiff he used for rowing .

he hastily lashed the lantern in the stern , cast loose the painter , and lifted the oars .

" I 'll be back as soon as possible , " he called to Prue .

" wait here for me . "

they seemed to come from the direction of Little Bear , and thither Natty rowed .

it was a tough pull , and the water was rough enough for the little dory .

but Natty had been at home with the oars from babyhood , and his long training and tough sinews stood him in good stead now .

steadily and intrepidly he rowed along .

the water grew rougher as he passed out from the shelter of Blue Point into the channel between the latter and Little Bear .

the cries were becoming very faint .

what if he should be too late ?

he bent to the oars with all his energy .

presently , by the smoother water , he knew he must be in the lea of Little Bear .

the cries sounded nearer .

he must already have rowed nearly a mile .

" let go when I say , " he shouted , " and don't grab anything , do you hear ?

don't grab .

now , let go . "

the next minute the man lay in the dory , dragged over the stern by Netty 's grip on his collar .

" lie still , " ordered Natty , clutching the oars .

the other man was dragged in over the bow , and with a gasp of relief Natty pulled away from the sinking boat .

" this 'll never do , " he muttered .

" I 'm not going to be a baby now .

but will I ever be able to row back ? "

" to think that that child saved us ! " exclaimed one of the men .

" why , I didn't think a grown man had the strength to do what he did .

he is your brother , I suppose , Miss Miller .

you have another brother , I think ? "

" oh , yes Everett but he is away , " explained Prue .

" we heard your shouts and Natty insisted on going at once to your rescue . "

" well , he came just in time .

Natty returned at this moment and exclaimed , " why , it is Mr Barr .

I didn't recognize you before . "

" Barr it is , young man .

this gentleman is my friend , Mr Blackmore .

we have been celebrating Victoria Day by a shooting tramp over Little Bear .

we hired a boat from Ford at the Harbour Head this morning the Cockawee , he called her and sailed over .

I don't know much about running a boat , but Blackmore here thinks he does .

we were at the other side of the island when the fog came up .

we hurried across it , but it was almost dark when we reached our boat .

we sailed around the point and then the boat just simply upset don't know why "

" but I know why , " interrupted Natty indignantly .

" that Cockawee does nothing but upset .

she has turned turtle twice out in the harbour in fine weather .

Ford was a rascal to let her to you .

he might have known what would happen .

why why it was almost murder to let you go ! "

" I thought there must be something queer about her , " declared Mr Blackmore .

that Ford ought to be horsewhipped . "

when he parted with them , Mr Barr shook his hand heartily and said : " thank you , my boy .

you 're a plucky youngster and a skilful one , too .

two weeks later Everett received an official document formally appointing him keeper of Blue Point Island light .

Natty carried the news to the mainland , where it was joyfully received among the fishermen .

" only right and fair , " said Cooper Creasy .

" blue Point without a Miller to light up wouldn't seem the thing at all , that's what .

and it 's nothing but Ev 's doo . "

it keyed Will Scott up to rival Adam .

" you said that Irving had a pull and the Millers hadn't , " he said jocularly .

" but it looks as if ' twas Natty 's pull did the business after all his pull over to Bear Island and back . "

" it was about a miracle that a boy could do what he did on such a night , " said Charles Macey .

" where 's Ford ? " asked Natty uncomfortably .

he hated to have his exploit talked about .

" Ford has cleared out , " said Cooper , " gone down to Summerside to go into Tobe Meekins 's factory there .

best thing he could do , that's what .

folks here hadn't no use for him after letting that death trap to them two men even if they was Lib'rals .

the Cockawee druv ashore on Little Bear , and there she 's going to remain , I guess .

D'ye want a berth in my mackerel boat this summer , Natty ? "

" I do , " said Natty , " but I thought you said you were full . "

" I guess I can make room for you , " said Cooper .

" a boy with such grit and muscle ain't to be allowed to go to seed on Blue Point , that's what .

Yesser , we 'll make room for you . "

and Natty 's cup of happiness was full .

Penelope 's Party Waist

" it 's perfectly horrid to be so poor , " grumbled Penelope .

" if your black skirt were sponged and pressed and re-hung , it would do very well . "

Penelope saw the poverty pucker and immediately repented with all her impetuous heart having grumbled .

that pucker came often enough without being brought there by extra worries .

" well , there is no use sitting here sighing for the unattainable , " she said , jumping up briskly .

" I 'd better be putting my grey matter into that algebra instead of wasting it plotting for a party dress that I certainly can't get .

it 's a sad thing for a body to lack brains when she wants to be a teacher , isn't it ?

if I could only absorb algebra and history as I can music , what a blessing it would be !

come now , Dorrie dear , smooth that pucker out .

Penelope went off to her detested algebra with a laugh , but the pucker did not go out of Doris ' forehead .

she wanted Penelope to go to that party .

Penelope has studied so hard all winter and she hasn't gone anywhere , thought the older sister wistfully .

she is getting discouraged over those examinations and she needs just a good , jolly time to hearten her up .

if it could only be managed !

but Doris did not see how it could .

indeed , she could not have done even that much if they had not owned their little cottage .

next year it would be easier if Penelope got through her examinations successfully , but just now there was absolutely not a spare penny .

" it is hard to be poor .

Doris dreamed of pretty dresses all that night and thought about them all the next day .

so , it must be confessed , did Penelope , though she would not have admitted it for the world .

when Doris reached home the next evening , she found Penelope hovering over a bulky parcel on the sitting-room table .

" I 'm so glad you 've come , " she said with an exaggerated gasp of relief .

" I really don't think my curiosity could have borne the strain for another five minutes .

hurry up and find out .

Dorrie , darling , what if it should be a a present of some sort or other ! "

" I suppose it can't be anything else , " smiled Doris .

she knew that Penelope had started out to say " a new dress . "

she cut the strings and removed the wrappings .

both girls stared .

" is it it isn't yes , it is !

Doris Hunter , I believe it 's an old quilt ! "

Doris unfolded the odd present with a queer feeling of disappointment .

she did not know just what she had expected the package to contain , but certainly not this .

she laughed a little shakily .

" listen , Penelope . "

my Dear Doris :

I have decided to give up housekeeping and go out West to live with Robert .

so I am disposing of such of the family heirlooms as I do not wish to take with me .

I am sending you by express your Grandmother Hunter 's silk quilt .

it is a handsome article still and I hope you will prize it as you should .

it took your grandmother five years to make it .

there is a bit of the wedding dress of every member of the family in it .

love to Penelope and yourself .

your affectionate aunt , Adella Hunter .

" I don't see its beauty , " said Penelope with a grimace .

" it may have been pretty once , but it is all faded now .

it is a monument of patience , though .

the pattern is what they call ' Little Thousands , ' isn't it ?

" it was very kind of Aunt Adella to send it , " said Doris dutifully .

" oh , very , " agreed Penelope drolly .

" only don't ever ask me to sleep under it .

it would give me the nightmare .

O-o-h ! "

this last was a little squeal of admiration as Doris turned the quilt over and brought to view the shimmering lining .

" why , the wrong side is ever so much prettier than the right ! " exclaimed Penelope .

" what lovely , old-timey stuff !

and not a bit faded . "

the lining was certainly very pretty .

it was a soft , creamy yellow silk , with a design of brocaded pink rosebuds all over it .

" that was a dress Grandmother Hunter had when she was a girl , " said Doris absently .

" I remember hearing Aunt Adella speak of it .

when it became old-fashioned , Grandmother used it to line her quilt .

I declare , it is as good as new . "

" well , let us go and have tea , " said Penelope .

" I 'm decidedly hungry .

besides , I see the poverty pucker coming .

put the quilt in the spare room .

it is something to possess an heirloom , after all .

it gives one a nice , important-family feeling . "

" it would make the loveliest party waist , " she said under her breath .

I wonder if Grandmother Hunter 's reproachful spirit will forever haunt me if I do it . "

that night , after Penelope had gone to bed , Doris ripped the lining out of Grandmother Hunter 's silk quilt .

" if Aunt Adella saw me now ! " she laughed softly to herself as she worked .

in the three following evenings Doris made the waist .

" it will be such a nice surprise for her , " the sister mused jubilantly .

" Doris Hunter , you are a veritable little witch !

do you mean to tell me that you conjured that perfectly lovely thing for me out of the lining of Grandmother Hunter 's quilt ? "

so Penelope went to Blanche 's party and her dress was the admiration of every girl there .

Mrs Fairweather , who was visiting Mrs Anderson , looked closely at it also .

Penelope thought her altogether charming .

" she looks as if she had just stepped out of the frame of some lovely old picture , " she said to herself .

" I wish she belonged to me .

I 'd just love to have a grandmother like her .

and I do wonder who it is I 've seen who looks so much like her . "

will you tell me where you got the silk of which your waist is made ? "

Poor Penelope 's pretty young face turned crimson .

" my Aunt Adella gave me gave us the material , " she stammered .

" and my elder sister Doris made the waist for me .

I think the silk once belonged to my Grandmother Hunter . "

" what was your grandmother 's maiden name ? " asked Mrs Fairweather eagerly .

" Penelope Saverne .

I am named after her . "

Mrs Fairweather suddenly put her arm about Penelope and drew the young girl to her , her lovely old face aglow with delight and tenderness .

" then you are my grandniece , " she said .

" your grandmother was my half-sister .

when I saw your dress , I felt sure you were related to her .

I should recognize that rosebud silk if I came across it in Thibet .

Penelope Saverne was the daughter of my mother by her first husband .

Penelope was four years older than I was , but we were devoted to each other .

I have mine yet .

" soon after this our mother died and our household was broken up .

Penelope went to live with her aunt and I went West with Father .

this was long ago , you know , when travelling and correspondence were not the easy , matter-of-course things they are now .

after a few years I lost touch with my half-sister .

I married out West and have lived there all my life .

I never knew what had become of Penelope .

my dear , I am a very lonely old woman , with nobody belonging to me .

you don't know how delighted I am to find that I have two grandnieces . "

Penelope had listened silently , like a girl in a dream .

now she patted Mrs Fairweather 's soft old hand affectionately .

" it sounds like a storybook , " she said gaily .

" you must come and see Doris .

she is such a darling sister .

I wouldn't have had this waist if it hadn't been for her .

I will tell you the whole truth I don't mind it now .

Doris made my party waist for me out of the lining of an old silk quilt of Grandmother Hunter 's that Aunt Adella sent us . "

Mrs Fairweather did go to see Doris the very next day , and quite wonderful things came to pass from that interview .

Doris and Penelope found their lives and plans changed in the twinkling of an eye .

they were both to go and live with Aunt Esther as Mrs Fairweather had said they must call her .

Penelope was to have , at last , her longed-for musical education and Doris was to be the home girl .

" you must take the place of my own dear little granddaughter , " said Aunt Esther .

" she died six years ago , and I have been so lonely since . "

when Mrs Fairweather had gone , Doris and Penelope looked at each other .

" pinch me , please , " said Penelope .

" I 'm half afraid I 'll wake up and find I have been dreaming .

isn't it all wonderful , Doris Hunter ? "

Doris nodded radiantly .

" oh , Penelope , think of it !

music for you somebody to pet and fuss over for me and such a dear , sweet aunty for us both ! "

" and no more contriving party waists out of old silk linings , " laughed Penelope .

" but it was very fortunate that you did it for once , sister mine .

and no more poverty puckers , " she concluded .

the Girl and The Wild Race

" if Judith would only get married , " Mrs Theodora Whitney was wont to sigh dolorously .

now , there was no valid reason why Judith ought to get married unless she wanted to .

but Judith was twenty-seven and Mrs Theodora thought it was a terrible disgrace to be an old maid .

" there has never been an old maid in our family so far back as we know of , " she lamented .

" and to think that there should be one now !

it just drags us down to the level of the McGregors .

they have always been noted for their old maids . "

Judith took all her aunt 's lamentations good-naturedly .

sometimes she argued the subject placidly .

" why are you in such a hurry to be rid of me , Aunt Theo ?

I 'm sure we 're very comfortable here together and you know you would miss me terribly if I went away . "

" if you took the right one you wouldn't go so very far , " said Mrs Theodora , darkly significant .

" and , anyhow , I 'd put up with any amount of lonesomeness rather than have an old maid in the family .

it 's all very fine now , when you 're still young enough and good looking , with lots of beaus at your beck and call .

your mother used to be dreadful proud of your good looks when you was a baby .

I told her she needn't be .

nine times out of ten a beauty don't marry as well as an ordinary girl . "

" I 'm not much set on marrying at all , " declared Judith sharply .

any reference to the " right one " always disturbed her placidity .

the real root of the trouble was that Mrs Theodora 's " right one " and Judith 's " right one " were two different people .

the Ramble Valley young men were very fond of dancing attendance on Judith , even if she were verging on old maidenhood .

besides , she was " jolly , " and jollity went a long way in Ramble Valley popularity .

of all Judith 's admirers Eben King alone found favor in Mrs Theodora 's eyes .

he owned the adjoining farm , was well off and homely so homely that Judith declared it made her eyes ache to look at him .

Bruce Marshall , Judith 's " right one " was handsome , but Mrs Theodora looked upon him with sour disapproval .

he owned a stony little farm at the remote end of Ramble Valley and was reputed to be fonder of many things than of work .

to be sure , Judith had enough capability and energy for two ; but Mrs Theodora detested a lazy man .

she ordered Judith not to encourage him and Judith obeyed .

the afternoon that Mrs Tony Mack came in Mrs Theodora felt more aggrieved than ever .

Ellie McGregor had been married the previous week Ellie , who was the same age as Judith and not half so good looking .

Mrs Theodora had been nagging Judith ever since .

" but I might as well talk to the trees down there in that hollow , " she complained to Mrs Tony .

" that girl is so set and contrary minded .

she doesn't care a bit for my feelings . "

this was not said behind Judith 's back .

the girl herself was standing at the open door , drinking in all the delicate , evasive beauty of the spring afternoon .

the fields were bare and smoking , although the lanes and shadowy places were full of moist snow .

at her aunt 's words the glow went out of her face .

she listened with her eyes brooding on the hollow and a glowing flame of temper smouldering in them .

Judith 's long patience was giving way .

she had been flicked on the raw too often of late .

and now her aunt was confiding her grievances to Mrs Tony Mack the most notorious gossip in Ramble Valley or out of it !

" I can't sleep at nights for worrying over what will become of her when I 'm gone , " went on Mrs Theodora dismally .

" she 'll just have to live on alone here a lonesome , withered-up old maid .

and her that might have had her pick , Mrs Tony , though I do say it as shouldn't .

you must feel real thankful to have all your girls married off especially when none of them was extry good-looking .

some people have all the luck .

I 'm tired of talking to Judith .

folks 'll be saying soon that nobody ever really wanted her , for all her flirting .

but she just won't marry . "

" I will ! "

Judith whirled about on the sun warm door step and came in .

her black eyes were flashing and her round cheeks were crimson .

" such a temper you never saw ! " reported Mrs Tony afterwards .

" though ' tweren't to be wondered at .

Theodora was most awful aggravating . "

" I will , " repeated Judith stormily .

" I 'm tired of being nagged day in and day out .

how does that suit you , Aunt Theodora ? "

Mrs Theodora 's mental processes were never slow .

she dropped her knitting ball and stooped for it .

in that time she had decided what to do .

she knew that Judith would stick to her word , Stewart-like , and she must trim her sails to catch this new wind .

the color went out of Judith 's face , leaving it pale as ashes .

her hasty assertion had no sooner been uttered than it was repented of , but she must stand by it now .

Judith sat down in her little rocker and dropped her pointed chin in her hands .

she had not seen Bruce since before Christmas .

he had been angry at her then because she had refused to let him drive her home from prayer meeting .

since then she had heard a rumor that he was going to see Kitty Leigh at the Upper Valley .

Judith looked sombrely down at the Marshall homestead .

Judith thought contrastingly of Eben King 's staring , primrose-colored house in all its bare , intrusive grandeur .

she gave a little shrug of distaste .

" I wish Bruce knew of this , " she thought , flushing even in her solitude at the idea .

" although if it is true that he is going to see Kitty Leigh I don't suppose he 'd care .

and Aunt Theo will be sure to send word to Eben by hook or crook .

whatever possessed me to say such a mad thing ?

there goes Mrs Tony now , all agog to spread such a delectable bit of gossip . "

Mrs Tony had indeed gone , refusing Mrs Theodora 's invitation to stay to tea , so eager was she to tell her story .

tell him I want to see him about something of the greatest importance . "

Mrs Theodora thought that this was a master stroke .

" that match is as good as made , " she thought triumphantly as she picked up chips to start the tea fire .

" if Judith suspects that Eben is here she is quite likely to stay in her room and refuse to come down .

but if she does I 'll march him upstairs to her door and make him ask her through the keyhole .

you can't stump Theodora Whitney . "

alas !

ten minutes later Potter returned with the unwelcome news that Eben was away from home .

" he went to Wexbridge about half an hour ago , his ma said .

she said she 'd tell him to come right over as soon as he kem home . "

Mrs Theodora had to content herself with this , but she felt troubled .

she knew Mrs Tony Mack 's capabilities for spreading news .

what if Bruce Marshall should hear it before Eben ?

Eben King had a keg in the corner .

he was in no hurry to go home for he loved gossip dearly and the Wexbridge stores abounded with it .

he had exhausted the news of Peter Stanley 's store across the bridge and now he meant to hear what was saying at Plowden 's .

" what are the Valley roads like , Marshall ? " asked a Wexbridge man , between two squirts of tobacco juice .

" bad , " said Bruce briefly .

" another warm day will finish the sleighing . "

" are they crossing at Malley 's Creek yet ? " asked Plowden .

" no , Jack Carr got in there day before yesterday .

nearly lost his mare .

I came round by the main road , " responded Bruce .

the door opened at this point and Tony Mack came in .

as soon as he closed the door he doubled up in a fit of chuckles , which lasted until he was purple in the face .

" is the man crazy ? " demanded Plowden , who had never seen lean little Tony visited like this before .

" crazy nothin ' , " retorted Tony .

" you 'll laugh too , when you hear it .

such a joke !

Hee-tee-tee-hee-e .

Hee-tee-tee-hee-e-e-e !

my old woman was there and heard her .

she 'll keep her word , too .

she ain't old Joshua Stewart 's daughter for nothin ' .

if he said he 'd do a thing he did it if it tuck the hair off .

if I was a young feller now !

Hee-tee-tee-hee-e-e-e ! "

Bruce Marshall swung round on one foot .

his face was crimson and if looks could kill , Tony Mack would have fallen dead in the middle of his sniggers .

" you needn't mind doing up that parcel for me , " he said to Nora .

" I 'll not wait for it . "

on his way to the door Eben King brushed past him .

a shout of laughter from the assembled men followed them .

the others streamed out in their wake , realizing that a race was afoot .

Tony alone remained inside , helpless with chuckling .

Eben King 's horse was tied at the door .

he had nothing to do but step in and drive off .

Bruce had put his mare in at Billy Bender 's across the bridge , intending to spend the evening there .

he knew that this would handicap him seriously , but he strode down the road with a determined expression on his handsome face .

fifteen minutes later he drove past the store , his gray mare going at a sharp gait .

the crowd in front of Plowden 's cheered him , their sympathies were with him for King was not popular .

Tony had come out and shouted , " here 's luck to you , brother , " after which he doubled up with renewed laughter .

such a lark !

and he , Tony , had set it afoot !

it would be a story to tell for years .

from its top it was five miles to Ramble Valley by the main road .

as a rule Eben was exceedingly careful of his horses , but now he was sending Bay Billy along for all that was in him .

for a second Bruce hesitated .

then he turned his mare down the field cut to Malley 's Creek .

it was taking Lady Jane 's life and possibly his own in his hand , but it was his only chance .

he could never have overtaken Bay Billy on the main road .

beyond the field was a ravine full of firs , through which Malley 's Creek ran .

to cross it meant a four-mile cut to Ramble Valley .

the ice looked black and rotten .

to the left was the ragged hole where Jack Carr 's mare had struggled for her life .

Bruce headed Lady Jane higher up .

if a crossing could be made at all it was only between Malley 's spring-hole and the old ice road .

Lady Jane swerved at the bank and whickered .

" on , old girl , " said Bruce , in a tense voice .

unwillingly she advanced , picking her steps with cat-like sagacity .

once her foot went through , Bruce pulled her up with hands that did not tremble .

the next moment she was scrambling up the opposite bank .

glancing back , Bruce saw the ice parting in her footprints and the black water gurgling up .

but the race was not yet decided .

by crossing the creek he had won no more than an equal chance with Eben King .

and the field road before him was much worse than the main road .

there was little snow on it and some bad sloughs .

but Lady Jane was good for it .

for once she should not be spared .

for a moment Mrs Theodora stood at a gaze .

then she recognized both drivers .

she dropped her milking pail and ran to the house , thinking as she ran .

she knew that Judith was alone in the kitchen .

if Eben King got there first , well and good , but if Bruce Marshall won the race he must encounter her , Mrs Theodora .

" he won't propose to Judith as long as I 'm round , " she panted .

" I know him he 's too shy .

but Eben won't mind I 'll tip him the wink . "

Potter Vane was chopping wood before the door .

there was a woeful cut on Bay Billy 's slender foreleg and the reeking Lady Jane was trembling like a leaf .

the staunch little mare had brought her master over that stretch of sticky field road in time , but she was almost exhausted .

both men sprang from their sleighs and ran to the door .

Bruce Marshall won it by foot-room and burst into the kitchen with his rival hot on his heels .

Mrs Theodora stood defiantly in the middle of the room , still grasping the dazed and dismayed Potter .

in a corner Judith turned from the window whence she had been watching the finish of the race .

she was pale and tense from excitement .

" yes , " said Judith .

she burst into hysterical tears as she said it and sat limply down in a chair .

Mrs Theodora loosed her grip on Potter .

" you can go back to your work , " she said dully .

she followed him out and Eben King followed her .

on the step she reached behind him and closed the door .

" trust a King for being too late ! " she said bitterly and unjustly .

Eben went home with Bay Billy .

Potter gazed after him until Mrs Theodora ordered him to put Marshall 's mare in the stable and rub her down .

" anyway , Judith won't be an old maid , " she comforted herself .

the Promise of Lucy Ellen

Cecily Foster came down the sloping , fir-fringed road from the village at a leisurely pace .

without being actively conscious of it , she was satisfied with the existing circumstances of her life .

it was half over now .

on the crest of the little hill to her right was her home hers and Lucy Ellen 's .

on the fourth side a trim white paling shut in the flower garden before the front door .

Cecily could see the beds of purple and scarlet asters , making rich whorls of color under the parlor and sitting-room windows .

Lucy Ellen 's bed was gayer and larger than Cecily 's .

Lucy Ellen had always had better luck with flowers .

she could see old Boxer asleep on the front porch step and Lucy Ellen 's white cat stretched out on the parlor window-sill .

there was no other sign of life about the place .

Cecily drew a long , leisurely breath of satisfaction .

" after tea I 'll dig up those dahlia roots , " she said aloud .

" they 'd ought to be up .

my , how blue and soft that sea is !

I never saw such a lovely day .

I 've been gone longer than I expected .

I wonder if Lucy Ellen 's been lonesome ? "

she looked at him perplexedly .

he must be a stranger , for she was sure no man in Oriental walked like that .

" some agent has been pestering Lucy Ellen , I suppose , " she muttered vexedly .

the stranger came on with an airy briskness utterly foreign to Orientalites .

Cecily opened the gate and went through .

they met under the amber-tinted sugar maple in the heart of the hollow .

as he passed , the man lifted his hat and bowed with an ingratiating smile .

he was about forty-five , well , although somewhat loudly dressed , and with an air of self-satisfied prosperity pervading his whole personality .

he had a heavy gold watch chain and a large seal ring on the hand that lifted his hat .

he was bald , with a high , Shaksperian forehead and a halo of sandy curls .

Cecily did not recognize him , yet there was something vaguely familiar about him .

she walked rapidly up to the house .

in the sitting-room she found Lucy Ellen peering out between the muslin window curtains .

when the latter turned there was an air of repressed excitement about her .

" who was that man , Lucy Ellen ? "

Cecily asked .

" didn't you know him ?

that was Cromwell Biron , " she simpered .

although Lucy Ellen was forty and , in most respects , sensible , she could not help simpering upon occasion .

" Cromwell Biron , " repeated Cecily , in an emotionless voice .

she felt as if she had had a severe shock , and she dared not ask anything more just then .

Lucy Ellen 's blush had frightened her .

it seemed to open up dizzying possibilities of change .

" but she promised she promised , " said Cecily fiercely , under her breath .

while Cecily was changing her dress , Lucy Ellen was getting the tea ready in the little kitchen .

now and then she broke out into singing , but always checked herself guiltily .

Cecily heard her and set her firm mouth a little firmer .

Cecily , in spite of her serious expression and intense way of looking at life , had an irrepressible sense of humor .

tea that evening was not the pleasant meal it usually was .

the two women were wont to talk animatedly to each other , and Cecily had many things to tell Lucy Ellen .

she did not tell them .

neither did Lucy Ellen ask any questions , her ill-concealed excitement hanging around her like a festal garment .

Cecily 's heart was on fire with alarm and jealousy .

she smiled a little cruelly as she buttered and ate her toast .

" and so that was Cromwell Biron , " she said with studied carelessness .

" I thought there was something familiar about him .

when did he come home ? "

" he got to Oriental yesterday , " fluttered back Lucy Ellen .

" he 's going to be home for two months .

we we had such an interesting talk this afternoon .

he he 's as full of jokes as ever .

I wished you 'd been here . "

this was a fib .

Cecily knew it .

" I don't , then , " she said contemptuously .

" you know I never had much use for Cromwell Biron .

I think he had a face of his own to come down here to see you uninvited , after the way he treated you . "

Lucy Ellen blushed scorchingly and was miserably silent .

" he 's changed terrible in his looks , " went on Cecily relentlessly .

" how bald he 's got and fat !

to think of the spruce Cromwell Biron got to be bald and fat !

to be sure , he still has the same sheepish expression .

will you pass me the currant jell , Lucy Ellen ? "

" I don't think he 's so very fat , " she said resentfully , when Cecily had left the table .

" and I don't care if he is . "

twenty years before this , Biron had jilted Lucy Ellen Foster .

she never had another lover .

she told herself that she would always be faithful to the one love of her life .

this sounded romantic , and she found a certain comfort in it .

she had been brought up by her uncle and aunt .

when they died she and her cousin , Cecily Foster , found themselves , except for each other , alone in the world .

Cecily loved Lucy Ellen as a sister .

it was Lucy Ellen that had first proposed their mutual promise , but Cecily had grasped at it eagerly .

the two women , verging on decisive old maidenhood , solemnly promised each other that they would never marry , and would always live together .

from that time Cecily 's mind had been at ease .

in her eyes a promise was a sacred thing .

the next evening at prayer-meeting Cromwell Biron received quite an ovation from old friends and neighbors .

Cromwell had been a favorite in his boyhood .

he had now the additional glamour of novelty and reputed wealth .

he was beaming and expansive .

he went into the choir to help sing .

Lucy Ellen sat beside him , and they sang from the same book .

two red spots burned on her thin cheeks , and she had a cluster of lavender chrysanthemums pinned on her jacket .

she looked almost girlish , and Cromwell Biron gazed at her with sidelong admiration , while Cecily watched them both fiercely from her pew .

she knew that Cromwell Biron had come home , wooing his old love .

" but he sha'n't get her , " Cecily whispered into her hymnbook .

somehow it was a comfort to articulate the words , " she promised . "

on the church steps Cromwell offered his arm to Lucy Ellen with a flourish .

she took it shyly , and they started down the road in the crisp Autumn moonlight .

for the first time in ten years Cecily walked home from prayer-meeting alone .

she went up-stairs and flung herself on her bed , reckless for once , of her second best hat and gown .

Lucy Ellen did not venture to ask Cromwell in.

she was too much in awe of Cecily for that .

but she loitered with him at the gate until the grandfather 's clock in the hall struck eleven .

but Cecily did not cry .

she lay savagely awake until morning .

" Cromwell Biron is courting you again , " she said bluntly to Lucy Ellen at the breakfast table .

Lucy Ellen blushed nervously .

" oh , nonsense , Cecily , " she protested with a simper .

" it isn't nonsense , " said Cecily calmly .

" he is .

there is no fool like an old fool , and Cromwell Biron never had much sense .

the presumption of him ! "

Lucy Ellen 's hands trembled as she put her teacup down .

" he 's not so very old , " she said faintly , " and everybody but you likes him and he 's well-to-do .

I don't see that there 's any presumption . "

" maybe not if you look at it so .

you 're very forgiving , Lucy Ellen .

you 've forgotten how he treated you once . "

" no o o , I haven't , " faltered Lucy Ellen .

you promised . "

all the fitful color went out of Lucy Ellen 's face .

under Cecily 's pitiless eyes she wilted and drooped .

" I know , " she said deprecatingly , " I haven't forgotten .

you are talking nonsense , Cecily .

I like to see Cromwell , and he likes to see me because I 'm almost the only one of his old set that is left .

he feels lonesome in Oriental now . "

Lucy Ellen lifted her fawn-colored little head more erectly at the last of her protest .

she had saved her self-respect .

in the month that followed Cromwell Biron pressed his suit persistently , unintimidated by Cecily 's antagonism .

October drifted into November and the chill , drear days came .

to Cecily the whole outer world seemed the dismal reflex of her pain-bitten heart .

yet she constantly laughed at herself , too , and her laughter was real if bitter .

one evening she came home late from a neighbor 's .

Cromwell Biron passed her in the hollow under the bare boughs of the maple that were outlined against the silvery moonlit sky .

when Cecily went into the house , Lucy Ellen opened the parlor door .

she was very pale , but her eyes burned in her face and her hands were clasped before her .

" I wish you 'd come in here for a few minutes , Cecily , " she said feverishly .

Cecily followed silently into the room .

" Cecily , " she said faintly , " Cromwell was here to-night .

he asked me to marry him .

I told him to come to-morrow night for his answer . "

she paused and looked imploringly at Cecily .

Cecily did not speak .

she stood tall and unrelenting by the table .

the rigidity of her face and figure smote Lucy Ellen like a blow .

she threw out her bleached little hands and spoke with a sudden passion utterly foreign to her .

" Cecily , I want to marry him .

I I love him .

I always have .

I never thought of this when I promised .

oh , Cecily , you 'll let me off my promise , won't you ? "

" no , " said Cecily .

it was all she said .

Lucy Ellen 's hands fell to her sides , and the light went out of her face .

" you won't ? " she said hopelessly .

Cecily went out .

at the door she turned .

" when John Edwards asked me to marry him six years ago , I said no for your sake .

to my mind a promise is a promise .

but you were always weak and romantic , Lucy Ellen . "

Lucy Ellen made no response .

she stood limply on the hearth-rug like a faded blossom bitten by frost .

she stood for a moment in the narrow doorway , with the lamplight striking upward with a gruesome effect on her wan face .

" I 've sent him away , " she said lifelessly .

" I 've kept my promise , Cecily . "

there was silence for a moment .

Cecily did not know what to say .

suddenly Lucy Ellen burst out bitterly .

" I wish I was dead ! "

then she turned swiftly and ran across the hall to her own room .

Cecily gave a little moan of pain .

this was her reward for all the love she had lavished on Lucy Ellen .

when Cromwell is gone she 'll forget all about him .

I 'm not going to fret .

she promised , and she wanted the promise first . "

Lucy Ellen did her mornings ' work listlessly and drooped through the afternoons .

one evening Cecily made a neighborly call in the village .

Cromwell Biron happened to be there and gallantly insisted upon seeing her home .

she understood from Cromwell 's unaltered manner that Lucy Ellen had not told him why she had refused him .

she felt a sudden admiration for her cousin .

when they reached the house Cromwell halted suddenly in the banner of light that streamed from the sitting-room window .

they saw Lucy Ellen sitting alone before the fire , her arms folded on the table , and her head bowed on them .

her white cat sat unnoticed at the table beside her .

Cecily gave a gasp of surrender .

" you 'd better come in , " she said , harshly .

" Lucy Ellen looks lonesome . "

Cromwell muttered sheepishly , " I 'm afraid I wouldn't be company for her .

Lucy Ellen doesn't like me much "

" oh , doesn't she ! " said Cecily , bitterly .

" she likes you better than she likes me for all I've but it 's no matter .

it 's been all my fault she 'll explain .

tell her I said she could .

come in , I say . "

she caught the still reluctant Cromwell by the arm and fairly dragged him over the geranium beds and through the front door .

she opened the sitting-room door and pushed him in .

Lucy Ellen rose in amazement .

over Cromwell 's bald head loomed Cecily 's dark face , tragic and determined .

" here 's your beau , Lucy Ellen , " she said , " and I give you back your promise . "

she shut the door upon the sudden illumination of Lucy Ellen 's face and went up-stairs with the tears rolling down her cheeks .

" it 's my turn to wish I was dead , " she muttered .

then she laughed hysterically .

" that goose of a Cromwell !

how queer he did look standing there , frightened to death of Lucy Ellen .

Poor little Lucy Ellen !

well , I hope he 'll be good to her . "

the Pursuit of the Ideal

Roger St Clair stretched himself out luxuriously in an easy-chair with a sigh of pleasure .

" Freda , your armchairs are the most comfy in the world .

how do you get them to fit into a fellow 's kinks so splendidly ? "

" any armchair will fit a lazy fellow 's kinks , " she said .

" I 'm not lazy , " protested Roger .

" I like lazy people , " said Freda softly , tilting her spoon on a cup of chocolate with a slender brown hand .

Roger smiled at her chummily .

" you are such a comfortable girl , " he said .

" I like to talk to you and tell you things . "

" you have something to tell me today .

it has been fairly sticking out of your eyes ever since you came .

now , ' fess . "

she laid her head down on its curve and looked expectantly at Roger .

" I have seen my ideal , Freda , " said Roger gravely .

Freda lifted her head and then laid it down again .

she did not speak .

Roger was glad of it .

even at the moment he found himself thinking that Freda had a genius for silence .

any other girl he knew would have broken in at once with surprised exclamations and questions and spoiled his story .

" you have not forgotten what my ideal woman is like ? " he said .

Freda shook her head .

she was not likely to forget .

she remembered only too keenly the afternoon he had told her .

" ' What must my lady be that I must love her ? ' " he had quoted .

" well , I will paint my dream-love for you , Freda .

she must be tall and slender , with chestnut hair of wonderful gloss , with just the suggestion of a ripple in it .

Freda , looking at herself along her arm in the mirror , recalled this description and smiled faintly .

certainly , she was not his ideal .

" when and where did you meet your lady of the Madonna face and twilight eyes ? " she asked .

Roger frowned .

Freda 's face was solemn enough but her eyes looked as if she might be laughing at him .

" I haven't met her yet .

I have only seen her .

it was in the park yesterday .

she was in a carriage with the Mandersons .

so beautiful , Freda !

our eyes met as she drove past and I realized that I had found my long-sought ideal .

I rushed back to town and hunted up Pete Manderson at the club .

Pete is a donkey but he has his ways of being useful .

he told me who she was .

her name is Stephanie Gardiner ; she is his cousin from the south and is visiting his mother .

and , Freda , I am to dine at the Mandersons ' tonight .

I shall meet her . "

" do goddesses and ideals and Madonnas eat ? " said Freda in an awed whisper .

her eyes were certainly laughing now .

Roger got up stiffly .

" I must confess I did not expect that you would ridicule my confidence , Freda , " he said frigidly .

" it is very unlike you .

but if you are not interested I will not bore you with any further details .

and it is time I was getting back to town anyhow . "

when he had gone Freda ran to the west window and flung it open .

she leaned out and waved both hands at him over the spruce hedge .

" Roger , Roger , I was a horrid little beast .

forget it immediately , please .

and come out tomorrow and tell me all about her . "

Roger came .

he bored Freda terribly with his raptures but she never betrayed it .

Roger came out to Lowlands oftener than ever after that .

he had to talk to somebody about Stephanie Gardiner and Freda was the safest vent .

the " pursuit of the Ideal , " as she called it , went on with vim and fervour .

sometimes Roger would be on the heights of hope and elation ; the next visit he would be in the depths of despair and humility .

Freda had learned to tell which it was by the way he opened the snuggery door .

one day when Roger came he found six feet of young man reposing at ease in his particular chair .

she had on a new dark red gown and looked vivid and rose-hued .

she introduced the stranger as Mr Grayson and called him Tim .

they seemed to be excellent friends .

" you 'll be over tomorrow ? " said Freda .

" can't I come this evening ? " he pleaded .

Freda nodded .

" yes and we 'll make taffy .

you used to make such delicious stuff , Tim . "

" who is that fellow , Freda ? "

Roger inquired crossly , as soon as the door closed .

Freda began to make a fresh pot of chocolate .

she smiled dreamily as if thinking of something pleasant .

" why , that was Tim Grayson dear old Tim .

he used to live next door to us when we were children .

and we were such chums always together , making mud pies , and getting into scrapes .

he is just the same old Tim , and is home from the west for a long visit .

I was so glad to see him again . "

" so it would appear , " said Roger grumpily .

" well , now that ' dear old Tim ' is gone , I suppose I can have my own chair , can I ?

and do give me some chocolate .

I didn't know you made taffy . "

" oh , I don't .

it 's Tim .

he can do everything .

he used to make it long ago , and I washed up after him and helped him eat it .

how is the pursuit of the Ideal coming on , Roger-boy ? "

Roger did not feel as if he wanted to talk about the Ideal .

he noticed how vivid Freda 's smile was and how lovable were the curves of her neck where the dusky curls were caught up from it .

he had also an inner vision of Freda making taffy with Tim and he did not approve of it .

he refused to talk about the Ideal .

on his way back to town he found himself thinking that Freda had the most charming , glad little laugh of any girl he knew .

he suddenly remembered that he had never heard the Ideal laugh .

she smiled placidly he had raved to Freda about that smile but she did not laugh .

Roger began to wonder what an ideal without any sense of humour would be like when translated into the real .

he went to Lowlands the next afternoon and found Tim there in his chair again .

he detested the fellow but he could not deny that he was good-looking and had charming manners .

Freda was very nice to Tim .

on his way back to town Roger decided that Tim was in love with Freda .

he was furious at the idea .

the presumption of the man !

he also remembered that he had not said a word to Freda about the Ideal .

and he never did say much more perhaps because he could not get the chance .

Tim was always there before him and generally outstayed him .

one day when he went out he did not find Freda at home .

her aunt told him that she was out riding with Mr Grayson .

on his way back he met them .

as they cantered by , Freda waved her riding whip at him .

Roger turned and watched them out of sight behind the firs that cupped Lowlands .

that night at Mrs Crandall 's dinner table somebody began to talk about Freda .

Roger strained his ears to listen .

Mrs Kitty Carr was speaking Mrs Kitty knew everything and everybody .

" she is so vivid and unconventional and lovable ' spirit and fire and dew , ' you know .

Tim Grayson is a very lucky fellow . "

" are they engaged ? " someone asked .

" not yet , I fancy .

but of course it is only a question of time .

Tim simply adores her .

he is a good soul and has lots of money , so he 'll do .

but really , you know , I think a prince wouldn't be good enough for Freda . "

Roger suddenly became conscious that the Ideal was asking him a question of which he had not heard a word .

he apologized and was forgiven .

but he went home a very miserable man .

he did not go to Lowlands for two weeks .

they were the longest , most wretched two weeks he had ever lived through .

one afternoon he heard that Tim Grayson had gone back west .

Mrs Kitty told it mournfully .

" of course , this means that Freda has refused him , " she said .

" she is such an odd girl . "

Roger went straight out to Lowlands .

he found Freda in the snuggery and held out his hands to her .

" Freda , will you marry me ?

it will take a lifetime to tell you how much I love you . "

" but the Ideal ? " questioned Freda .

" I have just discovered what my ideal is , " said Roger .

" she is a dear , loyal , companionable little girl , with the jolliest laugh and the warmest , truest heart in the world .

she has starry grey eyes , two dimples , and a mouth I must and will kiss there there there !

Freda , tell me you love me a little bit , although I 've been such a besotted idiot . "

" I will not let you call my husband-that-is-to-be names , " said Freda , snuggling down into the curve of his shoulder .

" but indeed , Roger-boy , you will have to make me very , very happy to square matters up .

you have made me so unutterably unhappy for two months . "

" the pursuit of the Ideal is ended , " declared Roger .

the Softening of Miss Cynthia

" I wonder if I 'd better flavour this cake with lemon or vanilla .

it 's the most perplexing thing I ever heard of in my life . "

her daughter Kitty was with her ; they both sat close together on the kitchen sofa .

" it is too bad , " said Mrs John Joe sympathetically .

" I don't wonder you are mixed up .

so unexpected , too !

when did he come ? "

" Tuesday night , " said Miss Cynthia .

she had decided on the vanilla and was whipping it briskly in.

' Are you my Aunt Cynthia ? ' he said .

' Who in the world are you ? '

I asked .

and he says , ' I 'm Wilbur Merrivale , and my father was John Merrivale .

he died three weeks ago and he said I was to come to you , because you were his sister . '

well , you could just have knocked me down with a feather ! "

" I 'm sure , " said Mrs John Joe .

" but I didn't know you had a brother .

and his name Merrivale ? "

" well , he wasn't any relation really .

I was about six years old when my father married his mother , the Widow Merrivale .

John was just my age , and we were brought up together just like brother and sister .

he was a real nice fellow , I must say .

and the child came all the way from Californy , and here he is .

I 've been just distracted ever since .

I 've never been used to children , and to have the house kept in perpetual uproar is more than I can stand .

he 's about twelve and a born mischief .

I 've got him out on the verandah shelling peas now , to keep him quiet for a little spell . "

" I 'm really sorry for you , " said Mrs John Joe .

" but , poor child , I suppose he 's never had anyone to look after him .

and come all the way from Californy alone , too he must be real smart . "

" too smart , I guess .

he must take after his mother , whoever she was , for there ain't a bit of Merrivale in him .

and he 's been brought up pretty rough . "

" well , it 'll be a great responsibility for you , Cynthia , of course .

but he 'll be company , too , and he 'll be real handy to run errands and "

" I 'm not going to keep him , " said Miss Cynthia determinedly .

her thin lips set themselves firmly and her voice had a hard ring .

" not going to keep him ? " said Mrs John Joe blankly .

" you can't send him back to Californy ! "

" I don't intend to .

but as for having him here to worry my life out and keep me in a perpetual stew , I just won't do it .

D'ye think I 'm going to trouble myself about children at my age ?

and all he 'd cost for clothes and schooling , too !

I can't afford it .

I don't suppose his father expected it either .

I suppose he expected me to look after him a bit and of course I will .

a boy of his age ought to be able to earn his keep , anyway .

Miss Cynthia flung the last sentence at Mrs John Joe rather defiantly , not liking the expression on that lady 's face .

" I suppose nobody could expect more , Cynthy , " said Mrs John Joe deprecatingly .

boys are always getting into mischief my four just keep me on the dead jump .

still , it 's a pity for him , poor little fellow !

no mother or father it seems hard . "

miss Cynthia 's face grew grimmer than ever as she went to the door with her callers and watched them down the garden path .

as soon as Mrs John Joe saw that the door was shut , she unburdened her mind to her daughter .

" did you ever hear tell of the like ?

I thought I knew Cynthia Henderson well , if anybody in Wilmot did , but this beats me .

she must be a hard woman .

but it 's just meanness , pure and simple ; she grudges him what he 'd eat and wear .

the poor mite doesn't look as if he 'd need much .

Cynthia didn't used to be like that , but it 's growing on her every day .

she 's got hard as rocks . "

she returned in an hour 's time and drove into the yard , shutting the gate behind her with a vigorous snap .

she found him sitting by the well , his chin in his hands ; he was pale and his eyes were red .

Miss Cynthia hardened her heart and took him into the house .

it 's a real good chance better than you could expect .

he says he 'll board and clothe you and let you go to school in the winter . "

the boy seemed to shrink .

" daddy said that I would stay with you , " he said wistfully .

" he said you were so good and kind and would love me for his sake . "

for a moment Miss Cynthia softened .

she had been very fond of her stepbrother ; it seemed that his voice appealed to her across the grave in behalf of his child .

but the crust of years was not to be so easily broken .

you 'll have a good place at Mr Robins ' , if you behave yourself .

don't look so woebegone , for pity 's sake !

I 'm not taking you to prison . "

Wilbur turned and went silently to the kitchen .

Miss Cynthia thought she heard a sob .

she went with a firm step into the little bedroom off the hall and took a purse out of a drawer .

" I s'pose I ought , " she said doubtfully .

" I don't s'pose he has a cent .

I daresay he 'll lose or waste it . "

she counted out seventy-five cents carefully .

when she came out , Wilbur was at the door .

she put the money awkwardly into his hand .

" there , see that you don't spend it on any foolishness . "

miss Cynthia 's Action made a good deal of talk in Wilmot .

the women , headed by Mrs John Joe who said behind Cynthia 's back what she did not dare say to her face condemned her .

the men laughed and said that Cynthia was a shrewd one ; there was no getting round her .

Miss Cynthia herself was far from easy .

she could not forget Wilbur 's wistful eyes , and she had heard that Robins was a hard master .

a week after the boy had gone she saw him one day at the store .

he was lifting heavy bags from a cart .

the work was beyond his strength , and he was flushed and panting .

Miss Cynthia 's conscience gave her a hard stab .

she bought a roll of peppermints and took them over to him .

he thanked her timidly and drove quickly away .

" Robins hasn't any business putting such work on a child , " she said to herself indignantly .

" I 'll speak to him about it . "

and she did and got an answer that made her ears tingle .

Mr Robins bluntly told her he guessed he knew what was what about his hands .

he weren't no nigger driver .

if she wasn't satisfied , she might take the boy away as soon as she liked .

Miss Cynthia did not get much comfort out of life that summer .

almost everywhere she went she was sure to meet Wilbur , engaged in some hard task .

she could not help seeing how miserably pale and thin he had become .

the worry had its effect on her .

the neighbours said that Cynthy was sharper than ever .

even her church-going was embittered .

the boy 's eyes had grown too large for his thin face .

Miss Cynthia was preserving her plums .

" no , thank you , I'll not sit down I only run in I suppose you 've heard it .

that little Merrivale boy has took awful sick with fever , they say .

anyway , Robins took him over to the hospital at Stanford last night good gracious , Cynthy , are you sick ? "

miss Cynthia had staggered to a seat by the table ; her face was pallid .

" no , it's only your news gave me a turn it came so suddenly I didn't know . "

" I must hurry back and see to the men 's dinners .

I thought I 'd come and tell you , though I didn't know as you 'd care . "

this parting shot was unheeded by Miss Cynthia .

she laid her face in her hands .

" it 's a judgement on me , " she moaned .

" he 's going to die , and I 'm his murderess .

this is the account I 'll have to give John Merrivale of his boy .

I 've been a wicked , selfish woman , and I 'm justly punished . "

it was a humbled Miss Cynthia who met the doctor at the hospital that afternoon .

he shook his head at her eager questions .

" it 's a pretty bad case .

the boy seems run down every way .

no , it is impossible to think of moving him again .

bringing him here last night did him a great deal of harm .

Miss Cynthia followed the doctor down the long ward .

when he paused by a cot , she pushed past him .

Wilbur lay tossing restlessly on his pillow .

he was thin to emaciation , but his cheeks were crimson and his eyes burning bright .

Miss Cynthia stooped and took the hot , dry hands in hers .

" Wilbur , " she sobbed , " don't you know me Aunt Cynthia ? "

" you are not my Aunt Cynthia , " said Wilbur .

" daddy said Aunt Cynthia was good and kind you are a cross , bad woman .

I want Daddy .

why doesn't he come ?

why doesn't he come to little Wilbur ? "

Miss Cynthia got up and faced the doctor .

" he 's got to get better , " she said stubbornly .

" spare no expense or trouble .

if he dies , I will be a murderess .

he must live and give me a chance to make it up for him . "

Miss Cynthia got so thin and wan that even Mrs John Joe pitied her .

how tranquil the hills looked , with warm October sunshine sleeping on their sides and faint blue hazes on their brows !

how gallantly the maples flaunted their crimson flags !

how kind and friendly was every face she met !

afterwards , Miss Cynthia said she began to live that day .

Wilbur 's recovery was slow .

every day Miss Cynthia drove over with some dainty , and her loving gentleness sat none the less gracefully on her because of its newness .

Wilbur grew to look for and welcome her coming .

when it was thought safe to remove him , Miss Cynthia went to the hospital with a phaeton-load of shawls and pillows .

" I have come to take you away , " she said .

Wilbur shrank back .

" not to Mr Robins , " he said piteously .

" oh , not there , Aunt Cynthia ! "

" of course not , " Miss Cynthia said .

them Notorious Pigs

John Harrington was a woman-hater , or thought that he was , which amounts to the same thing .

he was forty-five and , having been handsome in his youth , was a fine-looking man still .

he had a remarkably good farm and was a remarkably good farmer .

Sarah King , Harrington 's aunt and housekeeper , was deaf and crabbed , and very few visitors ever came to the house .

this suited Harrington .

he was a good citizen and did his duty by the community , but his bump of sociability was undeveloped .

he was also a contented man , looking after his farm , improving his stock , and experimenting with new bulbs in undisturbed serenity .

this , however , was all too good to last .

her own children , Charles and Theodore , commonly known as Bobbles and Ted , were as yet little more than babies .

the real trouble began when Mary Hayden 's pigs , fourteen in number and of half-grown voracity , got into Harrington 's garden .

a railing , a fir grove , and an apple orchard separated the two establishments , but these failed to keep the pigs within bounds .

three days later the pigs got in again .

Harrington relieved his mind by some scathing reflections on women who tried to run farms .

Mrs Hayden sent back word that she was very sorry and would not let it occur again .

nobody , not even John Harrington , could doubt that she meant what she said .

but she had reckoned without the pigs .

they had not forgotten the flavour of Egyptian fleshpots as represented by the succulent young shoots in the Harrington domains .

a week later Mordecai came in and told Harrington that " them notorious pigs " were in his garden again .

there is a limit to everyone 's patience .

Harrington left Mordecai to drive them out , while he put on his hat and stalked over to the Haydens ' place .

Ted and Bobbles were playing at marbles in the lane and ran when they saw him coming .

Mrs Hayden was sitting on her doorstep , paring her dinner potatoes , and stood up hastily when she saw her visitor .

Harrington had never seen his neighbour at close quarters before .

now he could not help seeing that she was a very pretty little woman , with wistful , dark blue eyes and an appealing expression .

but John Harrington was an angry man and did not care whether the woman in question was pretty or not .

her pigs had rooted up his garden that fact filled his mind .

" Mrs Hayden , those pigs of yours have been in my garden again .

I simply can't put up with this any longer .

why in the name of reason don't you look after your animals better ?

if I find them in again I 'll set my dog on them , I give you fair warning . "

I suppose Bobbles forgot to shut the gate of their pen again this morning .

he is so forgetful . "

" I 'd lengthen his memory , then , if I were you , " returned Harrington grimly , supposing that Bobbles was the hired man .

" I 'm not going to have my garden ruined just because he happens to be forgetful .

I am speaking my mind plainly , madam .

if you can't keep your stock from being a nuisance to other people you ought not to try to run a farm at all . "

then did Mrs Hayden sit down upon the doorstep and burst into tears .

Harrington felt , as Sarah King would have expressed it , " every which way at once . "

here was a nice mess !

what a nuisance women were worse than the pigs !

" oh , don't cry , Mrs Hayden , " he said awkwardly .

" I didn't mean well , I suppose I spoke too strongly .

of course I know you didn't mean to let the pigs in .

there , do stop crying !

I beg your pardon if I 've hurt your feelings . "

" oh , it isn't that , " sobbed Mrs Hayden , wiping away her tears .

" it 's only I've tried so hard and everything seems to go wrong .

I make such mistakes .

as for your garden , sir .

I 'll pay for the damage my pigs have done if you 'll let me know what it comes to . "

she sobbed again and caught her breath like a grieved child .

Harrington felt like a brute .

but of course he couldn't do that .

" G'way , you bad man ! " said Bobbles vindictively .

" G'way !

you made my mommer cry I saw you .

Harrington smiled grimly .

" so you 're the lad who forgets to shut the pigpen gate , are you ?

come out here and let me see you .

who is in there with you ? "

" Ted is .

he 's littler than me .

but I won't come out .

I don't like you .

G'way home . "

Harrington obeyed .

he went home and to work in his garden .

but work as hard as he would , he could not forget Mary Hayden 's grieved face .

" I was a brute ! " he thought .

" why couldn't I have mentioned the matter gently ?

I daresay she has enough to trouble her .

confound those pigs ! "

after that there was a time of calm .

evidently something had been done to Bobbles ' memory or perhaps Mrs Hayden attended to the gate herself .

at all events the pigs were not seen and Harrington 's garden blossomed like the rose .

but Harrington himself was in a bad state .

the original he never saw , which only made matters worse .

he wondered what opinion she had of him and decided that she must think him a cross old bear .

this worried him .

he wished the pigs would break in again so that he might have a chance to show how forbearing he could be .

one day he gathered a nice mess of tender young greens and sent them over to Mrs Hayden by Mordecai .

at first he had thought of sending her some flowers , but that seemed silly , and besides , Mordecai and flowers were incongruous .

" Ef the little widder hain't caught him !

who 'd a-thought it ? "

the next day one adventurous pig found its way alone into the Harrington garden .

Harrington saw it get in and at the same moment he saw Mrs Hayden running through her orchard .

she was in his yard by the time he got out .

her sunbonnet had fallen back and some loose tendrils of her auburn hair were curling around her forehead .

her cheeks were so pink and her eyes so bright from running that she looked almost girlish .

" oh , Mr Harrington , " she said breathlessly , " that pet pig of Bobbles ' is in your garden again .

he only got in this minute .

I saw him coming and I ran right after him . "

" he 's there , all right , " said Harrington cheerfully , " but I 'll get him out in a jiffy .

don't tire yourself .

won't you go into the house and rest while I drive him around ? "

between them they spoiled things about as much as a whole drove of pigs would have done .

Mrs Hayden followed slowly and Harrington walked beside her .

" those pigs are all to be shut up tomorrow , " she said .

" Hiram has been fixing up a place for them in his spare moments and it is ready at last . "

" oh , I wouldn't , " said Harrington hastily .

" it isn't good for pigs to be shut up so young .

you 'd better let them run a while yet . "

" no , " said Mrs Hayden decidedly .

" they have almost worried me to death already .

In they go tomorrow . "

they were at the lane gate now , and Harrington had to open it and let her pass through .

bobbles and Ted came running to meet her and the three , hand in hand , disappeared from sight .

Harrington went back to the house , feeling that life was flat , stale , and unprofitable .

then he found out what was the matter with him .

he was in love , fathoms deep , with the blue-eyed widow !

presumably the pigs were shut up the next day , for Harrington 's garden was invaded no more .

he stood it for a week and then surrendered at discretion .

the front door stood hospitably open , flanked by rows of defiant red and yellow hollyhocks .

Harrington paused on the step , with his hand outstretched to knock .

somewhere inside he heard a low sobbing .

forgetting all about knocking , he stepped softly in and walked to the door of the little sitting-room .

bobbles was standing behind him in the middle of the kitchen but Harrington did not see him .

she was crying softly in a hopeless fashion .

Harrington put down his strawberries .

" Mary ! " he exclaimed .

Mrs Hayden straightened herself up with a start and looked at him , her lips quivering and her eyes full of tears .

" what is the matter ? " said Harrington anxiously .

" is anything wrong ? "

" oh , nothing much , " said Mrs Hayden , trying to recover herself .

" yes , there is too .

but it is very foolish of me to be going on like this .

I didn't know anyone was near .

and I was feeling so discouraged .

the colt broke his leg in the swamp pasture today and Hiram had to shoot him .

it was Ted 's colt .

but there , there is no use in crying over it . "

and by way of proving this , the poor , tired , overburdened little woman began to cry again .

she was past caring whether Harrington saw her or not .

the woman-hater was so distressed that he forgot to be nervous .

he sat down and put his arm around her and spoke out what was in his mind without further parley .

" don't cry , Mary .

listen to me .

you were never meant to run a farm and be killed with worry .

you ought to be looked after and petted .

I want you to marry me and then everything will be all right .

I 've loved you ever since that day I came over here and made you cry .

do you think you can like me a little , Mary ? "

the little brown house among the apple trees is shut up now and the boundary fence belongs to ancient history .

Sarah King has gone also and Mrs John Harrington reigns royally in her place .

it is Bobbles ' pig and one of the famous fourteen .

Mordecai still shambles around and worships Mrs Harrington .

the garden is the same as of yore , but the house is a different place and Harrington is a different man .

and Mordecai will tell you with a chuckle , " it was them notorious pigs as did it all . "

why Not Ask Miss Price ?

Frances Allen came in from the post office and laid an open letter on the table beside her mother , who was making mincemeat .

Alma Allen looked up from the cake she was frosting to ask , " what is the matter ?

you look as if your letter contained unwelcome news , Fan . "

" so it does .

it is from Aunt Clara , to say she cannot come .

she has received a telegram that her sister-in-law is very ill and she must go to her at once . "

Mrs Allen looked regretful , and Alma cast her spoon away with a tragic air .

" that is too bad .

I feel as if our celebration were spoiled .

but I suppose it can't be helped . "

" no , " agreed Frances , sitting down and beginning to peel apples .

" so there is no use in lamenting , or I would certainly sit down and cry , I feel so disappointed . "

" is Uncle Frank coming ? "

" yes , Aunt Clara says he will come down from Stellarton if Mrs King does not get worse .

so that will leave just one vacant place .

we must invite someone to fill it up .

who shall it be ? "

both girls looked rather puzzled .

Mrs Allen smiled a quiet little smile all to herself and went on chopping suet .

she had handed the Thanksgiving dinner over to Frances and Alma this year .

they were to attend to all the preparations and invite all the guests .

but although they had made or planned several innovations in the dinner itself , they had made no change in the usual list of guests .

" it must just be the time-honoured family affair , " Frances had declared .

" if we begin inviting other folks , there is no knowing when to draw the line .

we can't have more than fourteen , and some of our friends would be sure to feel slighted . "

so the same old list it was .

" we can't invite the new minister , because we would have to have his sister , too , " said Frances .

" and there is no reason for asking any one of our girl chums more than another . "

" mother , you will have to help us out , " said Alma .

" can't you suggest a substitute guest ? "

why not ask Miss Price ? "

miss Price !

they had never thought of her !

she was the pale , timid-looking little teacher in the primary department of the Hazelwood school .

" miss Price ? " repeated Frances slowly .

" why , Mother , we hardly know her .

she is dreadfully dull and quiet , I think . "

" and so shy , " said Alma .

" why , at the Wards ' party the other night she looked startled to death if anyone spoke to her .

I believe she would be frightened to come here for Thanksgiving . "

" she is a very lonely little creature , " said Mrs Allen gently , " and doesn't seem to have anyone belonging to her .

I think she would be very glad to get an invitation to spend Thanksgiving elsewhere than in that cheerless little boarding-house where she lives . "

" of course , if you would like to have her , Mother , we will ask her , " said Frances .

" no , girls , " said Mrs Allen seriously .

" you must not ask Miss Price on my account , if you do not feel prepared to make her welcome for her own sake .

but there , I shall not preach .

this is your dinner , and you must please yourselves as to your guests . "

Frances and Alma had both flushed , and they now remained silent for a few minutes .

then Frances sprang up and threw her arms around her mother .

" you 're right , Mother dear , as you always are , and we are very selfish girls .

we will ask Miss Price and try to give her a nice time .

I 'll go down this very evening and see her . "

only two days until Thanksgiving but there would be no real Thanksgiving for her .

why , she asked herself rebelliously , when there seemed so much love in the world , was she denied her share ?

her landlady met her in the hall .

" Miss Allen is in the parlour , Miss Price .

she wants to see you . "

Bertha went into the parlour somewhat reluctantly .

" I am sorry you have had to wait , Miss Allen , " she said shyly .

" I went to see a pupil of mine who is ill and I was kept later than I expected . "

" my errand won't take very long , " said Frances brightly .

" mother wants you to spend Thanksgiving Day with us , Miss Price , if you have no other engagement .

you 'll come , won't you ? "

" oh , thank you , yes , " said Bertha , in pleased surprise .

" I shall be very glad to go .

why , it is so nice to think of it .

I expected my Thanksgiving Day to be lonely and sad not a bit Thanksgivingy . "

" we shall expect you then , " said Frances , with a cordial little hand-squeeze .

" come early in the morning , and we will have a real friendly , pleasant day . "

she looked positively pretty such a lovely pink came out on her cheeks and her eyes shone like stars .

she reminded me so much of somebody I 've seen , but I can't think who it is .

I 'm so glad we 've asked her here for Thanksgiving ! "

Thanksgiving came , as bright and beautiful as a day could be , and the Allens ' guests came with it .

Bertha Price was among them , paler and shyer than ever .

Ernest Allen and his friend , Maxwell Seeley , came out from town on the morning train .

after all the necessary introductions had been made , Frances flew to the kitchen .

" I 've found out who it is Miss Price reminds me of , " she said , as she bustled about the range .

" it 's Max Seeley .

you needn't laugh , Al .

it 's a fact .

I noticed it the minute I introduced them .

he 's plump and prosperous and she 's pinched and pale , but there 's a resemblance nevertheless .

look for yourself and see if it isn't so . "

back in the big , cheery parlour the Thanksgiving guests were amusing themselves in various ways .

" you will excuse me , won't you , Miss Price , if I ask you something about yourself ? " he said eagerly .

" the truth is , you look so strikingly like someone I used to know that I feel sure you must be related to her .

I do not think I have any relatives of your name .

have you any of mine ? "

Bertha flushed , hesitated for an instant , then said frankly , " no , I do not think so .

the next year I was taken from there and adopted by Mrs Price .

she was very kind to me and treated me as her own daughter .

I had a happy home with her , although we were poor .

Mrs Price wished me to bear her name , and I did so .

she never told me my true surname , perhaps she did not know it .

she died when I was sixteen , and since then I have been quite alone in the world .

that is all I know about myself . "

Max Seeley was plainly excited .

" why do you think your real name begins with S ? " he asked .

" I have a watch which belonged to my mother , with the monogram ' B.S. ' on the case .

it was left with the matron of the asylum and she gave it to Mrs Price for me .

here it is . "

Max Seeley almost snatched the old-fashioned little silver watch , from her hand and opened the case .

an exclamation escaped him as he pointed to some scratches on the inner side .

they looked like the initials M.A.S.

" let me tell my story now , " he said .

" my name is Maxwell Seeley .

my father died when I was seven years old , and my mother a year later .

my little sister , Bertha , then three years old , and I were left quite alone and very poor .

we had no relatives .

I was adopted by a well-to-do old bachelor , who had known my father .

my sister was taken to an orphan asylum in a city some distance away .

I was very much attached to her and grieved bitterly over our parting .

my adopted father was very kind to me and gave me a good education .

I did not forget my sister , and as soon as I could I went to the asylum .

I never could find any clue to her whereabouts , and long since gave up all hope of finding her .

but I have found her at last .

you are Bertha Seeley , my little sister ! "

" oh can it be possible ! "

" more than possible it is certain .

you are the image of my mother , as I remember her , and as an old daguerreotype I have pictures her .

and this is her watch see , I scratched my own initials on the case one day .

there is no doubt in the world .

oh , Bertha , are you half as glad as I am ? "

" glad ! "

Bertha 's eyes were shining like stars .

she tried to smile , but burst into tears instead and her head went down on her brother 's shoulder .

" I haven't suddenly gone crazy , Ernest , old fellow , " smiled Max .

" Ladies and gentlemen all , this little school-ma'am was introduced to you as Miss Price , but that was a mistake .

let me introduce her again as Miss Bertha Seeley , my long-lost and newly-found sister . "

well they had an amazing time then , of course .

they laughed and questioned and explained until the dinner was in imminent danger of getting stone-cold on the dining-room table .

however , the rest of the guests made up for that , and did full justice to the girls ' cookery .

in the afternoon they all went to church , and at least two hearts were truly and devoutly thankful that day .

just as soon as her resignation could be effected , she was to join her brother .

" meanwhile , I 'll see about getting a house to put you in , " said Max .

" no more boarding out for me , Ernest .

you may consider me as a family man henceforth . "

Frances and Alma talked it all over before they went to sleep that night .

" just think , " said Frances , " if we hadn't asked her here today she might never have found her brother !

it 's all Mother 's doing , bless her !

things do happen like a storybook sometimes , don't they , Al ?

and didn't I tell you they looked alike ? "

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories , @number@ by Lucy Maud Montgomery

produced by Alicia Williams , Jeannie Howse and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at @url@

Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories , @number@ to @number@

Lucy Maud Montgomery was born at Clifton ( now New London ) , Prince Edward Island , Canada , on @date@ .

she achieved international fame in her lifetime , putting Prince Edward Island and Canada on the world literary map .

best known for her " Anne of Green Gables " books , she was also a prolific writer of short stories and poetry .

she published some @number@ short stories and poems and twenty novels before her death in @number@

the Project Gutenberg collection of her short stories was gathered from numerous sources and is presented in chronological publishing order :

short Stories @number@ to @number@

a Correspondence and A Climax

at sunset Sidney hurried to her room to take off the soiled and faded cotton dress she had worn while milking .

she had milked eight cows and pumped water for the milk-cans afterward in the fag-end of a hot summer day .

she had been thinking it out while she milked the cows in the stuffy little pen behind the barn .

this monthly letter was the only pleasure and stimulant in her life .

existence would have been , so Sidney thought , a dreary , unbearable blank without it .

she cast aside her milking-dress with a thrill of distaste that tingled to her rosy fingertips .

as she slipped into her blue-print afternoon dress her aunt called to her from below .

Sidney ran out to the dark little entry and leaned over the stair railing .

aunt Jane was standing at the foot of the stairs with a lamp in one hand and a year-old baby clinging to the other .

she was a big shapeless woman with a round good-natured face cheerful and vulgar as a sunflower was Aunt Jane at all times and occasions .

Sidney sighed and went downstairs for the baby .

it never would have occurred to her to protest or be petulant about it .

she had all her aunt 's sweetness of disposition , if she resembled her in nothing else .

all her days were alike as far as hard work and dullness went , but she accepted them cheerfully and uncomplainingly .

but she did resent having to look after the baby when she wanted to write her letter .

she got out her box of paper and sat down by the little table at the window with a small kerosene lamp at her elbow .

the room was small a mere box above the kitchen which Sidney shared with two small cousins .

her bed and the cot where the little girls slept filled up almost all the available space .

Sidney hated that mirror as virulently as she could hate anything .

it seemed to her to typify all that was unlovely in her life .

one of the books had Sidney Richmond 's name printed on the title-page instead of written on the flyleaf .

presently she began to write , with a flush of real excitement on her face .

it was certainly letter-writing under difficulties , but Sidney seemed to deal with them mechanically .

her soul and understanding were elsewhere .

it was a page given over to youthful Canadians and filled with their contributions in the way of letters , verses , and prize essays .

often a letter concluded with a request to the club members to correspond with the writer .

one such request went from Sidney under the pen-name of " Ellen Douglas . "

it was from John Lincoln of the Bar N Ranch , Alberta .

he never had done so , but " Ellen Douglas 's " letter was so interesting that he had decided to write to her .

would she be kind enough to correspond with him ?

life on the Bar N , ten miles from the outposts of civilization , was lonely .

he was two years out from the east , and had not yet forgotten to be homesick at times .

Sidney liked the letter and answered it .

since then they had written to each other regularly .

there was nothing sentimental , hinted at or implied , in the correspondence .

whatever the faults of Sidney 's romantic visions were , they did not tend to precocious flirtation .

the Plainfield boys , attracted by her beauty and repelled by her indifference and aloofness , could have told that .

she never expected to meet John Lincoln , nor did she wish to do so .

in the correspondence itself she found her pleasure .

" the Evergreens , " Plainfield .

dear Mr Lincoln :

and I am looking forward to the " dances and delight " of the evening with keen anticipation .

you asked me in your last letter if I did not sometimes grow weary of my endless round of dances and dinners and social functions .

no , no , never !

I enjoy every one of them , every minute of them .

every morning when I awaken the new day seems to me to be a good fairy who will bring me some beautiful gift of joy .

the gift she gave me today was my sunset gallop on my grey mare Lady .

the thrill of it is in my veins yet .

on my right was the harbour , silvered over with a rising moon .

I wanted to ride on so forever , straight into the heart of the sunset .

then home and to dinner .

I was terribly in awe of him at first , but when I got acquainted with him I found him charming .

he is not above talking delightful nonsense even to a girl .

I sat by him at dinner , and he talked to me not nonsense , either , this time .

he told me of his political contests and diplomatic battles ; he was wise and witty and whimsical .

I felt as if I were drinking some rare , stimulating mental wine .

what a privilege it is to meet such men and take a peep through their wise eyes at the fascinating game of empire-building !

I met another clever man a few evenings ago .

a lot of us went for a sail on the harbour .

Mrs Braddon 's house party came too .

we had three big white boats that skimmed down the moonlit channel like great white sea birds .

there was another boat far across the harbour , and the people in it were singing .

the music drifted over the water to us , so sad and sweet and beguiling that I could have cried for very pleasure .

one of Mrs Braddon 's guests said to me :

" that is the soul of music with all its sense and earthliness refined away . "

I hadn't thought about him before I hadn't even caught his name in the general introduction .

he was a tall , slight man , with a worn , sensitive face and iron-grey hair a quiet man who hadn't laughed or talked .

but he began to talk to me then , and I forgot all about the others .

I never had listened to anybody in the least like him .

he talked of books and music , of art and travel .

he had been all over the world , and had seen everything everybody else had seen and everything they hadn't too , I think .

on my way home after the Braddon people had left us somebody asked me how I liked Paul Moore !

the man I had been talking with was Paul Moore , the great novelist !

as it was , I had contradicted him twice , and he had laughed and liked it .

but his books will always have a new meaning to me henceforth , through the insight he himself has given me .

it is such meetings as these that give life its sparkle for me .

but much of its abiding sweetness comes from my friendship with Margaret Raleigh .

you will be weary of my rhapsodies over her .

she is to me mother and sister and wise , clear-sighted friend .

to her I go with all my perplexities and hopes and triumphs .

she has sympathy and understanding for my every mood .

I love life so much for giving me such a friendship !

this morning I wakened at dawn and stole away to the shore before anyone else was up .

I had a delightful run-away .

on the beach the water was purring in little blue ripples , and , oh , the sunrise out there beyond the harbour !

all the eastern Heaven was abloom with it .

and there was a wind that came dancing and whistling up the channel to replace the beautiful silence with a music more beautiful still .

the rest of the folks were just coming downstairs when I got back to breakfast .

oh , life is so good to live !

tomorrow Uncle James 's new vessel , the White Lady , is to be launched .

we are going to make a festive occasion of it , and I am to christen her with a bottle of cobwebby old wine .

but I hear the carriage , and Aunt Jane is calling me .

you wish me a lovely time at the dance and a full programme , don't you ?

yours sincerely , Sidney Richmond .

aunt Jane came home presently and carried away her sleeping baby .

Sidney said her prayers , went to bed , and slept soundly and serenely .

she mailed her letter the next day , and a month later an answer came .

John Lincoln 's letter was short , but the pertinent paragraph of it burned itself into Sidney 's brain .

he wrote :

I am going east for a visit .

it is six years since I was home , and it seems like three times six .

I shall go by the C.P.R. , which passes through Plainfield , and I mean to stop off for a day .

you will let me call and see you , won't you ?

Sidney did not sleep that night , but tossed restlessly about or cried in her pillow .

she was so pallid and hollow-eyed the next morning that Aunt Jane noticed it , and asked her what the matter was .

" nothing , " said Sidney sharply .

Sidney had never spoken sharply to her aunt before .

the good woman shook her head .

she was afraid the child was " taking something . "

" don't do much today , Siddy , " she said kindly .

" Just lie around and take it easy till you get rested up .

I 'll fix you a dose of quinine . "

Sidney refused to lie around and take it easy .

she swallowed the quinine meekly enough , but she worked fiercely all day , hunting out superfluous tasks to do .

that night she slept the sleep of exhaustion , but her dreams were unenviable and the awakening was terrible .

any day , any hour , might bring John Lincoln to Plainfield .

what should she do ?

hide from him ?

refuse to see him ?

but he would find out the truth just the same ; she would lose his friendships and respect just as surely .

Sidney trod the way of the transgressor , and found that its thorns pierced to bone and marrow .

everything had come to an end nothing was left to her !

in the untried recklessness of twenty untempered years she wished she could die before John Lincoln came to Plainfield .

the eyes of youth could not see how she could possibly live afterward .

after getting his supper he asked the proprietor if he could direct him to " the Evergreens . "

Caleb Williams looked at his guest in bewilderment .

" never heerd o ' such a place , " he said .

" it is the name of Mr Conway 's estate Mr James Conway , " explained John Lincoln .

" oh , Jim Conway 's place ! " said Caleb .

" didn't know that was what he called it .

Sartin I kin tell you whar ' to find it .

you see that road out thar ' ?

well , just follow it straight along for a mile and a half till you come to a blacksmith 's forge .

Jim Conway 's house is just this side of it on the right back from the road a smart piece and no other handy .

you can't mistake it . "

he strode along the road in the warm , ruddy sunshine of early evening .

and there was no harbour or glimpse of distant sea visible .

had the hotel-keeper made a mistake ?

perhaps he had meant some other James Conway .

presently he found himself before the blacksmith 's forge .

beside it was a rickety , unpainted gate opening into a snake-fenced lane feathered here and there with scrubby little spruces .

he passed down the lane and over the little rustic bridge that spanned the brook .

Just beyond was another home-made gate of poles .

" I beg your pardon , " said John Lincoln courteously , dropping the gate and lifting his hat .

" I am looking for the house of Mr James Conway ' The Evergreens . '

can you direct me to it ? "

" I don't think he can be the one I mean , " said Lincoln perplexedly .

" the man I am thinking of has a niece , Miss Richmond . "

" there is no other James Conway in Plainfield , " said the girl .

" this is his place nobody calls it ' The Evergreens ' but myself .

I am Sidney Richmond . "

for a moment they looked at each other across the gate , sheer amazement and bewilderment holding John Lincoln mute .

he felt that she was frightened and in trouble , and he wanted to comfort and reassure her .

but how could she be Sidney Richmond ?

" I don't understand , " he said perplexedly .

" oh ! "

Sidney threw out her hands in a burst of passionate protest .

" no , and you never will understand I can't make you understand . "

" I don't understand , " said John Lincoln again .

" can you be Sidney Richmond the Sidney Richmond who has written to me for four years ? "

" I am . "

" then , those letters "

" were all lies , " said Sidney bluntly and desperately .

" there was nothing true in them nothing at all .

this is my home .

we are poor .

everything I told you about it and my life was just imagination . "

" then why did you write them ? " he asked blankly .

" why did you deceive me ? "

" oh , I didn't mean to deceive you !

I never thought of such a thing .

when you asked me to write to you I wanted to , but I didn't know what to write about to a stranger .

I just couldn't write you about my life here , not because it was hard , but it was so ugly and empty .

so I wrote instead of the life I wanted to live the life I did live in imagination .

and when once I had begun , I had to keep it up .

I found it so fascinating , too !

those letters made that other life seem real to me .

I never expected to meet you .

these last four days since your letter came have been dreadful to me .

oh , please go away and forgive me if you can !

I know I can never make you understand how it came about . "

Sidney turned away and hid her burning face against the cool white bark of the birch tree behind her .

it was worse than she had even thought it would be .

he was so handsome , so manly , so earnest-eyed !

oh , what a friend to lose !

John Lincoln opened the gate and went up to her .

there was a great tenderness in his face , mingled with a little kindly , friendly amusement .

" please don't distress yourself so , Sidney , " he said , unconsciously using her Christian name .

" I think I do understand .

I 'm not such a dull fellow as you take me for .

after all , those letters were true or , rather , there was truth in them .

you revealed yourself more faithfully in them than if you had written truly about your narrow outward life . "

Sidney turned her flushed face and wet eyes slowly toward him , a little smile struggling out amid the clouds of woe .

this young man was certainly good at understanding .

" you you 'll forgive me then ? " she stammered .

" yes , if there is anything to forgive .

and for my own part , I am glad you are not what I have always thought you were .

and as a result I mean to stay a week at Plainfield and come to see you every day , if you will let me .

all this if I may .

May I , Sidney ? "

he bent forward and looked earnestly into her face .

Sidney felt a new , curious , inexplicable thrill at her heart .

" oh , yes .

I suppose so , " she said shyly .

" now , take me up to the house and introduce me to your Aunt Jane , " said John Lincoln in satisfied tone .

an Adventure on Island Rock

" who was the man I saw talking to you in the hayfield ? " asked Aunt Kate , as Uncle Richard came to dinner .

" bob Marks , " said Uncle Richard briefly .

" I 've sold Laddie to him . "

Ernest Hughes , the twelve-year-old orphan boy whom Uncle " boarded and kept " for the chores he did , suddenly stopped eating .

" oh , Mr Lawson , you 're not going to sell Laddie ? " he cried chokily .

uncle Richard stared at him .

" certainly I am , " answered the latter curtly .

" Bob offered me twenty dollars for the dog , and he 's coming after him next week . "

" oh , Mr Lawson , " said Ernest , rising to his feet , his small , freckled face crimson .

" oh , don't sell Laddie !

please , Mr Lawson , don't sell him ! "

" what nonsense is this ? " said Uncle Richard sharply .

he was a man who brooked no opposition from anybody , and who never changed his mind when it was once made up .

" don't sell Laddie ! " pleaded Ernest miserably .

" he is the only friend I 've got .

I can't live if Laddie goes away .

oh , don't sell him , Mr Lawson ! "

" sit down and hold your tongue , " said Uncle Richard sternly .

" the dog is mine , and I shall do with him as I think fit .

he is sold , and that is all there is about it .

go on with your dinner . "

but Ernest for the first time did not obey .

uncle Richard looked angry , but Aunt Kate hastened to soothe him .

" don't be vexed with the boy , Richard , " she said .

" you know he is very fond of Laddie .

he 's had to do with him ever since he was a pup , and no doubt he feels badly at the thought of losing him .

I 'm rather sorry myself that you have sold the dog . "

" well , he is sold and there 's an end of it .

I don't say but that the dog is a good dog .

but he is of no use to us , and twenty dollars will come in mighty handy just now .

he 's worth that to Bob , for he is a good watch dog , so we 've both made a fair bargain . "

nothing more was said about Ernest or Laddie .

I had taken no part in the discussion , for I felt no great interest in the matter .

I was spending my vacation at Uncle Richard 's farm on the Nova Scotian Bay of Fundy shore .

" I think I 'll row out to Island Rock , " I replied .

" I want to take some views of the shore from it . "

uncle Richard nodded .

he was much interested in my new camera .

" I 've often thought it would make a handsome picture . "

" after I 've finished taking the pictures , I think I 'll go down shore to Uncle Adam 's and stay all night , " I said .

" Jim 's dark room is more convenient than mine , and he has some pictures he is going to develop tonight , too . "

I started for the shore about two o'clock .

Laddie was a handsome and intelligent black-and-white Newfoundland , with a magnificent coat .

he and Ernest were great chums .

I felt sorry for the boy who was to lose his pet .

" don't take it so hard , Ern , " I said , trying to comfort him .

" uncle will likely get another pup . "

" I don't want any other pup ! "

Ernest blurted out .

" oh , Ned , won't you try and coax your uncle not to sell him ?

perhaps he 'd listen to you . "

I shook my head .

I knew Uncle Richard too well to hope that .

" not in this case , Ern , " I said .

" he would say it did not concern me , and you know nothing moves him when he determines on a thing .

you 'll have to reconcile yourself to losing Laddie , I 'm afraid . "

about three hundred yards from the shore was the peculiar formation known as Island Rock .

this was a large rock that stood abruptly up out of the water .

below , about the usual water-line , it was seamed and fissured , but its summit rose up in a narrow , flat-topped peak .

at low tide twenty feet of it was above water , but at high tide it was six feet and often more under water .

I pushed Uncle Richard 's small flat down the rough path and rowed out to Island Rock .

arriving there , I thrust the painter deep into a narrow cleft .

this was the usual way of mooring it , and no doubt of its safety occurred to me .

the sea about the rock was calm , but there was quite a swell on and an off-shore breeze was blowing .

there were no boats visible .

the tide was low , leaving bare the curious caves and headlands along shore , and I secured a number of excellent snapshots .

it was now three o'clock .

I went around to look at it , when I saw a sight that made me stop short in dismay .

this was nothing less than the flat , drifting outward around the point .

the swell and suction of the water around the rock must have pulled her loose and I was a prisoner !

at first my only feeling was one of annoyance .

then a thought flashed into my mind that made me dizzy with fear .

the tide would be high that night .

if I could not escape from Island Rock I would inevitably be drowned .

I sat down limply on a ledge and tried to look matters fairly in the face .

I looked at my watch .

it was a quarter past three .

the tide would begin to turn about five , but it would be at least ten before the rock would be covered .

I had , then , little more than six hours to live unless rescued .

the flat was by this time out of sight around the point .

I hoped that the sight of an empty flat drifting down shore might attract someone 's attention and lead to investigation .

that seemed to be my only hope .

no alarm would be felt at Uncle Richard 's because of my non-appearance .

they would suppose I had gone to Uncle Adam 's .

it afterwards turned out to be a great success , but I have never been able to look at it without a shudder .

at five the tide began to come in .

very , very slowly the water rose around Island Rock .

up , up , up it came , while I watched it with fascinated eyes , feeling like a rat in a trap .

with some difficulty I climbed to the top and sat there to await the end .

I had no longer any hope of rescue but , by a great effort , I preserved self-control .

if I had to die , I would at least face death staunchly .

but when I thought of my mother at home , it tasked all my energies to keep from breaking down utterly .

suddenly I heard a whistle .

never was sound so sweet .

I stood up and peered eagerly shoreward .

coming around the " hole in the Wall " headland , on top of the cliffs , I saw a boy and a dog .

I sent a wild halloo ringing shoreward .

the boy started , stopped and looked out towards Island Rock .

the next moment he hailed me .

it was Ernest 's voice , and it was Laddie who was barking beside him .

" Ernest , " I shouted wildly , " run for help quick ! quick !

the tide will be over the rock in half an hour !

hurry , or you will be too late ! "

" Ernest , " I shouted frantically , " what are you doing ?

why don't you go for help ? "

Ernest had by this time reached a narrow ledge of rock just above the water-line .

I noticed that he was carrying something over his arm .

" it would take too long , " he shouted .

" by the time I got to the Cove and a boat could row back here , you 'd be drowned .

Laddie and I will save you .

is there anything there you can tie a rope to ?

I 've a coil of rope here that I think will be long enough to reach you .

I 've been down to the Cove and Alec Martin sent it up to your uncle . "

I looked about me ; a smooth , round hole had been worn clean through a thin part of the apex of the rock .

" I could fasten the rope if I had it ! "

I called .

" but how can you get it to me ? "

for answer Ernest tied a bit of driftwood to the rope and put it into Laddie 's mouth .

the next minute the dog was swimming out to me .

as soon as he came close I caught the rope .

Ernest held on to the shoreward end of the rope like grim death , a task that was no light one for his small arms .

when I finally scrambled up beside him , his face was dripping with perspiration and he trembled like a leaf .

" Ern , you are a brick ! "

I exclaimed .

" you 've saved my life ! "

" no , it was Laddie , " said Ernest , refusing to take any credit at all .

we hurried home and arrived at Uncle Richard 's about ten , just as they were going to bed .

when Uncle Richard heard what had happened , he turned very pale , and murmured , " thank God ! "

I slept like a top and felt none the worse for my experience the next morning .

at the breakfast table Uncle Richard scarcely spoke .

but , just as we finished , he said abruptly to Ernest , " I 'm not going to sell Laddie .

you and the dog saved Ned 's life between you , and no dog who helped do that is ever going to be sold by me .

henceforth he belongs to you .

I give him to you for your very own . "

" oh , Mr Lawson ! " said Ernest , with shining eyes .

I never saw a boy look so happy .

as for Laddie , who was sitting beside him with his shaggy head on Ernest 's knee , I really believe the dog understood , too .

the look in his eyes was almost human .

uncle Richard leaned over and patted him .

" good dog ! " he said .

" good dog ! "

at Five O'Clock in the Morning

fate , in the guise of Mrs Emory dropping a milk-can on the platform under his open window , awakened Murray that morning .

and it ain't the convenientest thing , nuther and noways , to keep the breakfast table set till the farm folks are thinking of dinner .

but them artist men are not like other people , say what you will , and allowance has to be made for them .

and I must say that I likes him real well and approves of him every other way . "

if Murray had slept late that morning well , he shudders yet over that " if . "

it suddenly occurred to him that he had never seen a sunrise on the pond .

he scowled at a letter lying on his dressing table and thrust it into his pocket that it might be out of sight .

he had written it the night before and the writing of it was going to cost him several things a prospective million among others .

so it is hardly to be wondered at if the sight of it did not reconcile him to the joys of early rising .

" what on earth is the matter , Mr Murray ?

you ain't sick now , surely ?

I told you them pond fogs was p'isen after night !

if you 've gone and got "

but at what hour of the night do you get up , you wonderful woman ?

or rather do you ever go to bed at all ?

here is the sun only beginning to rise and positively yes , you have all your cows milked . "

Mrs Emory purred with delight .

" Folks as has fourteen cows to milk has to rise betimes , " she answered with proud humility .

" laws , I don't complain I 've lots of help with the milking .

how Mrs Palmer manages , I really cannot comperhend or rather , how she has managed .

I suppose she 'll be all right now since her niece came last night .

I saw her posting to the pond pasture not ten minutes ago .

she 'll have to milk all them seven cows herself .

but dear life and heart !

here I be palavering away and not a bite of breakfast ready for you ! "

" I don't want any breakfast until the regular time for it , " assured Murray .

" I 'm going down to the pond to see the sun rise . "

nobody ever had got caught in the marsh , but Mrs Emory lived in a chronic state of fear lest someone should .

he was very glad he had risen early .

a miracle was being worked before his very eyes .

overhead the sky was a vast high-sprung arch of unstained crystal .

beneath it the pond waters shimmered with a hundred fairy hues , but just before him they were clear as a flawless mirror .

just as the fiery disc of the sun peered over the sand dunes Murray heard music that was not of the birds .

" Mrs Palmer 's niece ! "

Murray sprang to his feet and tiptoed cautiously through the maples .

he had heard so much from Mrs Palmer about her niece that he felt reasonably well acquainted with her .

moreover , Mrs Palmer had assured him that Mollie was a very pretty girl .

now a pretty girl milking cows at sunrise in the meadows sounded well .

Mrs Palmer had not over-rated her niece 's beauty .

Murray 's artistic instinct responded to the whole scene with a thrill of satisfaction .

presently she began to sing again , and this time Murray joined in .

she half rose from her milking stool and cast a startled glance at the maples .

that , and the revelation of her full face , decided him .

he sprang over the fence and sauntered across the intervening space of lush clover blossoms .

" good morning , " he said coolly .

" isn't it rather a large contract for you to be milking seven cows all alone ?

may I help you ? "

Mollie looked up at him over her shoulder .

she had glorious grey eyes .

her face was serene and undisturbed .

" can you milk ? " she asked .

" unlikely as it may seem , I can , " said Murray .

" I have never confessed it to Mrs Emory , because I was afraid she would inveigle me into milking her fourteen cows .

but I don't mind helping you .

I learned to milk when I was a shaver on my vacations at a grandfatherly farm .

may I have that extra pail ? "

Murray captured a milking stool and rounded up another Jersey .

before sitting down he seemed struck with an idea .

" my name is Arnold Murray .

I board at Sweetbriar Cottage , next farm to Orchard Knob .

that makes us near neighbours . "

" I suppose it does , " said Mollie .

Murray mentally decided that her voice was the sweetest he had ever heard .

he was glad he had arranged his cow at such an angle that he could study her profile .

it was amazing that Mrs Palmer 's niece should have such a profile .

it looked as if centuries of fine breeding were responsible for it .

" what a morning ! " he said enthusiastically .

" it harks back to the days when earth was young .

they must have had just such mornings as this in Eden . "

" do you always get up so early ? " asked Mollie practically .

" always , " said Murray without a blush .

then " but no , that is a fib , and I cannot tell fibs to you .

the truth is your tribute .

I never get up early .

it was fate that roused me and brought me here this morning .

" what did she tell you about me ? " asked Mollie , changing cows .

Murray discovered that she was tall and that the big blue print apron shrouded a singularly graceful figure .

" she said you were the best-looking girl in Bruce county .

I have seen very few of the girls in Bruce county , but I know she is right . "

" that compliment is not nearly so pretty as the sunrise one , " said Mollie reflectively .

" Mrs Palmer has told me things about you , " she added .

" curiosity knows no gender , " hinted Murray .

" she said you were good-looking and lazy and different from other people . "

" all compliments , " said Murray in a gratified tone .

" Lazy ? "

" certainly .

I have time to enjoy life . "

" I think that I like you , " said Mollie .

" you have the merit of being able to enter into a situation , " he assured her .

when the last Jersey was milked they carried the pails down to the spring where the creamers were sunk and strained the milk into them .

Murray washed the pails and Mollie wiped them and set them in a gleaming row on the shelf under a big maple .

" thank you , " she said .

" you are not going yet , " said Murray resolutely .

" the time I saved you in milking three cows belongs to me .

we will spend it in a walk along the pond shore .

I will show you a path I have discovered under the beeches .

it is just wide enough for two .

come . "

he kept her hand in his as they went down the path , and she did not try to withdraw it .

the spirit of youth and love hovered over them and they spoke no word .

" it is a morning left over from Eden , isn't it ? " said Murray .

" yes , " said Mollie softly .

Murray bent toward her .

" you are Eve , " he said .

" you are the only woman in the world for me .

Adam must have told Eve just what he thought about her the first time he saw her .

there were no conventionalities in Eden and people could not have taken long to make up their minds .

we are in Eden just now .

one can say what he thinks in Eden without being ridiculous .

you are divinely fair , Eve .

your eyes are stars of the morning your cheek has the flush it stole from the sunrise-your lips are redder than the roses of paradise .

and I love you , Eve . "

Mollie lowered her eyes and the long fringe of her lashes lay in a burnished semi-circle on her cheek .

" I think , " she said slowly , " that it must have been very delightful in Eden .

but we are not really there , you know we are only playing that we are .

and it is time for me to go back .

I must get the breakfast that sounds too prosaic for paradise . "

Murray bent still closer .

" before we remember that we are only playing at paradise , will you kiss me , dear Eve ? "

" you are very audacious , " said Mollie coldly .

" we are in Eden yet , " he urged .

" that makes all the difference . "

" well , " said Mollie .

and Murray kissed her .

they had passed back over the fern path and were in the pasture before either spoke again .

then Murray said , " we have left Eden behind but we can always return there when we will .

and although we were only playing at paradise , I was not playing at love .

I meant all I said , Mollie . "

" have you meant it often ? " asked Mollie significantly .

" I never meant it or even played at it before , " he answered .

" I did at one time contemplate the possibility of playing at it .

but that was long ago as long ago as last night .

I am glad to the core of my soul that I decided against it before I met you , dear Eve .

I have the letter of decision in my coat pocket this moment .

I mean to mail it this afternoon . "

" ' Curiosity knows no gender , ' " quoted Mollie .

" then , to satisfy your curiosity , I must bore you with some personal history .

my parents died when I was a little chap , and my uncle brought me up .

he has been immensely good to me , but he is a bit of a tyrant .

recently he picked out a wife for me the daughter of an old sweetheart of his .

I have never even seen her .

but she has arrived in town on a visit to some relatives there .

Uncle Dick wrote to me to return home at once and pay my court to the lady ; I protested .

he wrote again a letter , short and the reverse of sweet .

uncle always means what he says that is one of our family traits , you understand .

I spent some miserable , undecided days .

but it was the thought of alienating Uncle Dick .

I love the dear , determined old chap like a father .

but last night my guardian angel was with me and I decided to remain my own man .

so I wrote to Uncle Dick , respectfully but firmly declining to become a candidate for Miss Mannering 's hand . "

" but you have never seen her , " said Mollie .

" she may be almost charming . "

" ' If she be not fair to me , what care I how fair she be ? ' " quoted Murray .

" as you say , she may be almost charming ; but she is not Eve .

she is merely one of a million other women , as far as I am concerned .

don't let's talk of her .

let us talk only of ourselves there is nothing else that is half so interesting . "

" and will your uncle really cast you off ? " asked Mollie .

" not a doubt of it . "

" what will you do ? "

" work , dear Eve .

my carefully acquired laziness must be thrown to the winds and I shall work .

that is the rule outside of Eden .

don't worry .

I 've painted pictures that have actually been sold .

I 'll make a living for us somehow . "

" us ? "

" of course .

you are engaged to me . "

" I am not , " said Mollie indignantly .

" Mollie !

Mollie !

after that kiss !

Fie , fie ! "

" you are very absurd , " said Mollie , " but your absurdity has been amusing .

I have yes , positively I have enjoyed your Eden comedy .

but now you must not come any further with me .

my aunt might not approve .

here is my path to Orchard Knob farmhouse .

there , I presume , is yours to Sweetbriar Cottage .

good morning . "

" I am coming over to see you this afternoon , " said Murray coolly .

" but you needn't be afraid .

I will not tell tales out of Eden .

I will be a hypocrite and pretend to Mrs Palmer that we have never met before .

but you and I will know and remember .

now , you may go .

I reserve to myself the privilege of standing here and watching you out of sight . "

that afternoon Murray strolled over to Orchard Knob , going into the kitchen without knocking as was the habit in that free and easy world .

" good afternoon , Mrs Palmer , " said Murray , wondering where Mollie was .

" I 'm sorry to see that you look something like an invalid . "

" I 've a raging , ramping headache , " said Mrs Palmer solemnly .

" I had it all night and I 'm good for nothing .

Mollie , you 'd better take them cherries off .

Mr Murray , this is my niece , Mollie Booth . "

" what ? " said Murray explosively .

" miss Mollie Booth , " repeated Mrs Palmer in a louder tone .

Murray regained outward self-control and bowed to the blushing Mollie .

" and what about Eve ? " he thought helplessly .

" who what was she ?

did I dream her ?

was she a phantom of delight ?

no , no , phantoms don't milk cows .

she was flesh and blood .

no chilly nymph exhaling from the mists of the marsh could have given a kiss like that . "

" Mollie has come to stay the rest of the summer with me , " said Mrs Palmer .

" I hope to goodness my tribulations with hired girls is over at last .

they have made a wreck of me . "

Murray rapidly reflected .

this development , he decided , released him from his promise to tell no tales .

" I met a young lady down in the pond pasture this morning , " he said deliberately .

" I talked with her for a few minutes .

I supposed her to be your niece .

who was she ? "

" oh , that was Miss Mannering , " said Mrs Palmer .

" what ? " said Murray again .

" Mannering Dora Mannering , " said Mrs Palmer loudly , wondering if Mr Murray were losing his hearing .

" she came here last night just to see me .

I haven't seen her since she was a child of twelve .

I used to be her nurse before I was married .

I was that proud to think she thought it worth her while to look me up .

couldn't prevent her .

she said she had learned to milk for fun one summer when she was in the country , and she did it .

and then she got breakfast for the men Mollie didn't come till the ten o'clock train .

Miss Mannering is as capable as if she had been riz on a farm . "

" where is she now ? " demanded Murray .

" oh , she 's gone . "

" what ? "

" gone , " shouted Mrs Palmer , " gone .

she left on the train Mollie come on .

Gracious me , has the man gone crazy ?

he hasn't seemed like himself at all this afternoon . "

Murray had bolted madly out of the house and was striding down the lane .

Blind fool unspeakable idiot that he had been !

he had been blind , besottedly blind .

and now he had lost her !

she would never forgive him ; she had gone without a word or sign .

" Mr Murray , Mr Murray , " Mollie Booth called breathlessly .

" will you please come here just a minute ? "

Murray crossed over to the paling rather grumpily .

he did not want to talk with Mollie Booth just then .

confound it , what did the girl want ?

why was she looking so mysterious ?

Mollie produced a little square grey envelope from some feminine hiding place and handed it over the paling .

you went so fast I near died trying to head you off . "

" you dear little soul , " said Murray , suddenly radiant .

" it is too bad you have had to put yourself so out of breath on my account .

but I am immensely obliged to you .

the next time your young man wants a trusty private messenger just refer him to me . "

" Git away with you , " giggled Mollie .

" I must hurry back ' fore Aunt Emily Jane gits wind I 'm gone .

I hope there 's good news in your girl 's letter .

my , but didn't you look flat when Aunt said she 'd went ! "

Murray beamed at her idiotically .

when she had vanished among the trees he opened his letter .

" dear Mr Murray , " it ran , " your unblushing audacity of the morning deserves some punishment .

I hereby punish you by prompt departure from Orchard Knob .

yet I do not dislike audacity , at some times , in some places , in some people .

it is only from a sense of duty that I punish it in this case .

and it was really pleasant in Eden .

until then I remain ,

" very sincerely yours , " Dora Lynne Mannering . "

Murray kissed the grey letter and put it tenderly away in his pocket .

then he took his letter to his uncle and tore it into tiny fragments .

finally he looked at his watch .

" if I hurry , I can catch the afternoon train to town , " he said .

aunt Susanna 's Birthday Celebration

good afternoon , Nora May .

I 'm real glad to see you .

I 've been watching you coming down the hill and I hoping you 'd turn in at our gate .

going to visit with me this afternoon ?

that 's good .

I 'm feeling so happy and delighted and I 've been hankering for someone to tell it all to .

tell you about it ?

well , I guess I might as well .

it ain't any breach of confidence .

you didn't know Anne Douglas ?

she taught school here three years ago , afore your folks moved over from Talcott .

she belonged up Montrose way and she was only eighteen when she came here to teach .

she boarded with us and her and me were the greatest chums .

she was just a sweet girl .

Anne had yards of brown wavy hair and big , dark blue eyes .

she was a well-spring of joy in the house , and we all loved her .

Gilbert Martin began to drive her the very first week she was here .

Gilbert is my sister Julia 's son , and a fine young fellow he is .

it ain't good manners to brag of your own relations , but I 'm always forgetting and doing it .

Gil was a great pet of mine .

he was so bright and nice-mannered everybody liked him .

him and Anne were a fine-looking couple , Nora May .

not but what they had their shortcomings .

Anne 's nose was a mite too long and Gil had a crooked mouth .

besides , they was both pretty proud and sperrited and high-strung .

but they thought an awful lot of each other .

it made me feel young again to see ' em .

I used to love her for it .

and I used to love to see the way Gil 's face would light up when she came into a room or place where he was .

Amanda Perkins , she says to me once , " Anne Douglas and Gil Martin are most terrible struck on each other . "

and she said it in a tone that indicated that it was a dreadful disgraceful and unbecoming state of affairs .

Amanda had a disappointment once and it soured her .

and so it was .

you 're rather too young to be thinking of such things , Nora May , but you 'll remember my words when the time comes .

well , he said their love was idyllic , I ain't very sure what that means .

James Ebenezer isn't married ; he was to have been , and she died a month afore the wedding day .

he was never the same man again .

well , to get back to Gilbert and Anne .

when Anne 's school year ended in June she resigned and went home to get ready to be married .

Anne thought that nobody could quilt like me .

I don't know rightly how the trouble began .

other folks jealous folks made mischief .

Anne was thirty miles away and Gilbert couldn't see her every day to keep matters clear and fair .

besides , as I 've said , they were both proud and high-sperrited .

the upshot of it was they had a terrible quarrel and the engagement was broken .

the more you love anybody , Nora May , the more he can hurt you .

to be sure , you 're too young to be thinking of such things .

it all came like a thunderclap on Gil 's friends here at Greendale , because we hadn't ever suspected things were going wrong .

it just about broke his parents ' hearts .

he was their only child and they just worshipped him .

ninety-nine times out of a hundred the last state of a meddler and them she meddles with is worse than the first .

so I just set tight and said nothing , while everybody else in the clan was talking Anne and Gil sixty words to the minute .

well , last birthday morning I was feeling terrible disperrited .

Emma Matilda and George and the children were all well and happy and wanted for nothing that I could give them .

I begun to be afraid I 'd lived long enough , Nora May .

when a woman gets to the point where she can't give a gift of joy to anyone , there ain't much use in her living .

I felt real old and worn out and useless .

and with that the gate banged and there was Nancy Jane Whitmore 's boy , Sam , with two letters for me .

one was from Anne up at St Mary 's and the other was from Gil out in Manitoba .

I read Anne 's first .

she just struck right into things in the first paragraph .

she said she was just broken-hearted about Gilbert , and would always love him to the day of her death .

new dresses !

by the most curious coincidence he had opened his heart to me too .

he wrote that he was going to Klondike and would start in a month 's time .

he was sick of living now that he 'd lost Anne .

I thought real hard .

so I did a mean , dishonourable thing , Nora May .

I sent Anne 's letter to Gilbert and Gilbert 's to Anne .

I asked Emma Matilda to address them , and Emma Matilda did it and asked no questions .

I brought her up that way .

then I settled down to wait .

in less than a month Gilbert 's mother had a letter from him saying that he was coming home to settle down and marry Anne .

he arrived home yesterday and last night Anne came to Springdale on her way home from St Mary 's .

they came to see me this morning and said things to me I ain't going to repeat because they would sound fearful vain .

they said their new joy was my birthday gift to them .

the wedding is to be in September and I 'm going to Montrose in August to help Anne with her quilts .

I don't think anything will happen to prevent this time no quarrelling , anyhow .

those two young creatures have learned their lesson .

you 'd better take it to heart too , Nora May .

it 's less trouble to learn it at second hand .

don't you ever quarrel with your real beau it don't matter about the sham ones , of course .

don't take offence at trifles or listen to what other people tell you about him outsiders , that is , that want to make mischief .

what you think about him is of more importance than what they do .

to be sure , you 're too young yet to be thinking of such things at all .

but just mind what old Aunt Susanna told you when your time comes .

Bertie 's New Year

he stood on the sagging doorstep and looked out on the snowy world .

his hands were clasped behind him , and his thin face wore a thoughtful , puzzled look .

the door behind him opened jerkingly , and a scowling woman came out with a pan of dishwater in her hand .

" ain't you gone yet , Bert ? " she said sharply .

" what in the world are you hanging round for ? "

" it 's early yet , " said Bertie cheerfully .

" I thought maybe George Fraser 'd be along and I 'd get a lift as far as the store . "

" well , I never saw such laziness !

no wonder old Sampson won't keep you longer than the holidays if you 're no smarter than that .

Goodness , if I don't settle that boy ! " as the sound of fretful crying came from the kitchen behind her .

" what is wrong with William John ? " asked Bertie .

" why , he wants to go out coasting with those Robinson boys , but he can't .

he hasn't got any mittens and he would catch his death of cold again . "

her voice seemed to imply that William John had died of cold several times already .

Bertie looked soberly down at his old , well-darned mittens .

it was very cold , and he would have a great many errands to run .

then he suddenly pulled off his mittens and held them out .

" here he can have mine .

I 'll get on without them well enough . "

" nonsense ! " said Mrs Ross , but less unkindly .

" the fingers would freeze off you .

don't be a goose . "

" it 's all right , " persisted Bertie .

" I don't need them much .

and William John doesn't hardly ever get out . "

he had to stop a great many times that day to breathe on his purple hands .

it was sunset when Bertie laid an armful of parcels down on the steps of Doctor Forbes 's handsome house .

" just look at that poor little boy , Amy , " said the taller of the two .

" he is almost frozen , I believe .

why doesn't Caroline hurry and open the door ? "

" there she goes now , " said Amy .

" Edie , couldn't we coax her to let him come in and get warm ?

he looks so cold . "

and she drew her sister out into the hall , where the housekeeper was taking Bertie 's parcels .

" he 's used to the cold , I warrant you , " said the housekeeper rather impatiently .

" it won't hurt him . "

it 's a cold day . "

Bertie shyly followed her to the kitchen .

" what 's your name ? " asked Caroline .

" Robert Ross , ma'am . "

" oh , you 're Mrs Ross 's nephew then , " said Caroline , breaking eggs into her cake-bowl , and whisking them deftly round .

" and you 're Sampson 's errand boy just now ?

my goodness , " as the boy spread his blue hands over the fire , " where are your mittens , child ?

you 're never out without mittens a day like this ! "

" I lent them to William John he hadn't any , " faltered Bertie .

he did not know but that the lady might consider it a grave crime to be mittenless .

" no mittens ! " exclaimed Amy in dismay .

" why , I have three pairs .

and who is William John ? "

" he is my cousin , " said Bertie .

" and he 's awful sickly .

he wanted to go out to play , and he hadn't any mittens , so I lent him mine .

I didn't miss them much . "

" what kind of a Christmas did you have ? "

" we didn't have any . "

" no Christmas ! " said Amy , quite overcome .

" oh , well , I suppose you are going to have a good time on New Year 's instead . "

Bertie shook his head .

" no 'm , I guess not .

we never have it different from other times . "

Amy was silent from sheer amazement .

Edith understood better , and she changed the subject .

" have you any brothers or sisters , Bertie ? "

" no 'm , " returned Bertie cheerfully .

" I guess there 's enough of us without that .

I must be going now .

I 'm very much obliged to you . "

Edith slipped from the room as he spoke , and met him again at the door .

she held out a pair of warm-looking mittens .

" these are for William John , " she said simply , " so that you can have your own .

they are a pair of mine which are too big for me .

I know Papa will say it is all right .

goodbye , Bertie . "

" Goodbye and thank you , " stammered Bertie , as the door closed .

then he hastened home to William John .

that evening Doctor Forbes noticed a peculiarly thoughtful look on Edith 's face as she sat gazing into the glowing coal fire after dinner .

he laid his hand on her dark curls inquiringly .

" what are you musing over ? "

" there was a little boy here today , " began Edith .

" oh , such a dear little boy , " broke in Amy eagerly from the corner , where she was playing with her kitten .

" his name was Bertie Ross .

he brought up the parcels , and we asked him in to get warm .

he had no mittens , and his hands were almost frozen .

and , oh , Papa , just think ! he said he never had any Christmas or New Year at all . "

" poor little fellow ! " said the doctor .

" I 've heard of him ; a pretty hard time he has of it , I think . "

" he was so pretty , Papa .

and Edie gave him her blue mittens for William John . "

" the plot deepens .

who is William John ? "

" oh , a cousin or something , didn't he say Edie ?

anyway , he is sick , and he wanted to go coasting , and Bertie gave him his mittens .

and I suppose he never had any Christmas either . "

" there are plenty who haven't , " said the doctor , taking up his paper with a sigh .

" oh , Papa ! " said Edith , her eyes shining like stars .

the doctor laughed .

and this was how it came to pass that Bertie received the next day his first invitation to dine out .

it was with the same expression that he opened the door at home in the evening .

his aunt was stirring some oatmeal mush on the stove .

" is that you , Bert ? "

she spoke sharply .

she always spoke sharply , even when not intending it ; it had grown to be a habit .

" yes 'm , " said Bertie meekly , as he hung up his cap .

" I s'pose you 've only got one day more at the store , " said Mrs Ross .

" Sampson didn't say anything about keeping you longer , did he ? "

" no .

he said he couldn't I asked him . "

" well , I didn't expect he would .

you 'll have a holiday on New Year 's anyhow ; whether you 'll have anything to eat or not is a different question . "

" I 've an invitation to dinner , " said Bertie timidly , " me and William John .

it 's from Doctor Forbes 's little girls the ones that gave me the mittens . "

he caught cold coasting yesterday .

I told him he would , but he was bound to go , and now he 's laid up for a week .

listen to him barking in the bedroom there . "

" I wouldn't go there all alone . "

" you 're a goose ! " said his aunt .

" they wouldn't eat you .

but as I said , please yourself .

anyhow , hold your tongue about it to William John , or you 'll have him crying and bawling to go too . "

the caution came too late .

" come , William John , I want to rub you . "

" I don't want to be rubbed g'way , " sobbed William John .

" I heard you out there you needn't think I didn't .

Bertie 's going to Doctor Forbes 's to dinner and I can't go . "

" well , you've only yourself to thank for it , " returned his mother .

little boys who won't do as they 're told always get into trouble .

stop crying , now .

I dare say if Bertie goes they 'll send you some candy , or something . "

but William John refused to be comforted .

" well , William John , how are you ? "

" I ain't any better , " replied William John mournfully .

" I s'pose you 'll have a great time tomorrow night , Bertie ? "

" oh , I 'm not going since you can't , " said Bertie cheerily .

he thought this would comfort William John , but it had exactly the opposite effect .

William John had cried until he could cry no more , but he turned around and sobbed .

" there now ! " he said in tearless despair .

" that 's just what I expected .

I did s'pose if I couldn't go you would , and tell me about it .

you 're mean as mean can be . "

" come now , William John , don't be so cross .

I thought you 'd rather have me home , but I 'll go , if you want me to . "

" Honest , now ? "

" yes , honest .

I 'll go anywhere to please you .

I must be off to the store now .

goodbye . "

thus committed , Bertie took his courage in both hands and went .

the next evening at dusk found him standing at Doctor Forbes 's door with a very violently beating heart .

he was carefully dressed in his well-worn best suit and a neat white collar .

the frosty air had crimsoned his cheeks and his hair was curling round his face .

Caroline opened the door and showed him into the parlour , where Edith and Amy were eagerly awaiting him .

" happy New Year , Bertie , " cried Amy .

" and but , why , where is William John ? "

" he couldn't come , " answered Bertie anxiously he was afraid he might not be welcome without William John .

" he 's real sick .

he caught cold and has to stay in bed ; but he wanted to come awful bad . "

" oh , dear me !

Poor William John ! " said Amy in a disappointed tone .

but all further remarks were cut short by the entrance of Doctor Forbes .

" how do you do ? " he said , giving Bertie 's hand a hearty shake .

" but where is the other little fellow my girls were expecting ? "

Bertie patiently reaccounted for William John 's non-appearance .

" it 's a bad time for colds , " said the doctor , sitting down and attacking the fire .

" I dare say , though , you have to run so fast these days that a cold couldn't catch you .

I suppose you 'll soon be leaving Sampson 's .

he told me he didn't need you after the holiday season was over .

what are you going at next ?

have you anything in view ? "

Bertie shook his head sorrowfully .

" no , sir ; but , " he added more cheerfully , " I guess I 'll find something if I hunt around lively .

I almost always do . "

he forgot his shyness ; his face flushed hopefully , and he looked straight at the doctor with his bright , earnest eyes .

the doctor poked the fire energetically and looked very wise .

but just then the girls came up and carried Bertie off to display their holiday gifts .

and there was a fur cap and a pair of mittens for him !

he wondered whether he was dreaming .

" and here 's a picture-book for William John , " said Amy , " and there is a sled out in the kitchen for him .

oh , there 's the dinner-bell .

I 'm awfully hungry .

papa says that is my ' normal condition , ' but I don't know what that means . "

as for that dinner Bertie might sometimes have seen such a repast in delightful dreams , but certainly never out of them .

it was a feast to be dated from .

" so Mr Sampson can't keep you ? "

Bertie 's face sobered at once .

he had almost forgotten his responsibilities .

" no , sir .

he says I 'm too small for the heavy work . "

" well , you are rather small but no doubt you will grow .

boys have a queer habit of doing that .

I think you know how to make yourself useful .

I need a boy here to run errands and look after my horse .

if you like , I 'll try you .

you can live here , and go to school .

I sometimes hear of places for boys in my rounds , and the first good one that will suit you , I 'll bespeak for you .

how will that do ? "

" oh , sir , you are too good , " said Bertie with a choke in his voice .

" well , that is settled , " said the doctor genially .

" come on Monday then .

and perhaps we can do something for that other little chap , William , or John , or whatever his name is .

will you have some more pudding , Bertie ? "

" no , thank you , " said Bertie .

pudding , indeed !

he could not have eaten another mouthful after such wonderful and unexpected good fortune .

" off , are you ? " said the doctor , looking up from his paper .

" well , I 'll expect you on Monday , remember . "

" yes , sir , " said Bertie happily .

he was not likely to forget .

as he went out Amy came through the hall with a red sled .

" here is William John 's present .

I 've tied all the other things on so that they can't fall off . "

Edith was at the door-with a parcel .

" here are some nuts and candies for William John , " she said .

" and tell him we all wish him a ' Happy New Year . ' "

" thank you , " said Bertie .

" I 've had a splendid time .

I 'll tell William John .

goodnight . "

he stepped out .

it was frostier than ever .

he was quite sure he could never forget this wonderful New Year .

between the Hill and the Valley

it was one of the moist , pleasantly odorous nights of early spring .

Jeffrey Miller was considered a handsome man , and Bayside people had periodical fits of wondering why he had never married .

one of Jeffrey 's dogs was with him now the oldest one , with white breast and paws and a tawny coat .

they came down the hill together .

a group of men were standing on the bridge in the hollow , discussing Colonel Stuart 's funeral of the day before .

Jeffrey caught Sara 's name and paused on the outskirts of the group to listen .

" yes , the old kunnel's gone at last , " Christopher Jackson was saying .

" he took his time dyin ' , that 's sartain .

must be a kind of relief for Sara she 's had to wait on him , hand and foot , for years .

but no doubt she 'll feel pretty lonesome .

wonder what she 'll do ? "

" is there any particular reason for her to do anything ? " asked Alec Churchill .

" well , she 'll have to leave Pinehurst .

the estate 's entailed and goes to her cousin , Charles Stuart . "

there were exclamations of surprise from the other men on hearing this .

Jeffrey drew nearer , absently patting his dog 's head .

he had not known it either .

" oh , yes , " said Christopher , enjoying all the importance of exclusive information .

" I thought everybody knew that .

Pinehurst goes to the oldest male heir .

the old kunnel felt it keen that he hadn't a son .

of course , there 's plenty of money and Sara 'll get that .

but I guess she 'll feel pretty bad at leaving her old home .

Sara ain't as young as she used to be , neither .

let me see she must be thirty-eight .

well , she 's left pretty lonesome . "

" maybe she 'll stay on at Pinehurst , " said Job Crowe .

" it 'd only be right for her cousin to give her a home there . "

Christopher shook his head .

" no , I understand they 're not on very good terms .

Sara don't like Charles Stuart or his wife and I don't blame her .

she won't stay there , not likely .

probably she 'll go and live in town .

Strange she never married .

she was reckoned handsome , and had plenty of beaus at one time . "

Jeffrey swung out of the group and started homeward with his dog .

to stand by and hear Sara Stuart discussed after this fashion was more than he could endure .

the men idly watched his tall , erect figure as he went along the valley .

" Queer chap , Jeff , " said Alec Churchill reflectively .

" Jeff 's all right , " said Christopher in a patronizing way .

" there ain't a better man or neighbour alive .

I 've lived next farm to him for thirty years , so I ought to know .

but he 's queer sartainly not like other people kind of unsociable .

he don't care for a thing ' cept dogs and reading and mooning round woods and fields .

that ain't natural , you know .

but I must say he 's a good farmer .

he 's got the best farm in Bayside , and that 's a real nice house he put up on it .

ain't it an odd thing he never married ?

never seemed to have no notion of it .

I can't recollect of Jeff Miller 's ever courting anybody .

that 's another unnatural thing about him . "

" I 've always thought that Jeff thought himself a cut or two above the rest of us , " said Tom Scovel with a sneer .

" maybe he thinks the Bayside girls ain't good enough for him . "

" there ain't no such dirty pride about Jeff , " pronounced Christopher conclusively .

" and the Millers are the best family hereabouts , leaving the kunnel's out .

and Jeff 's well off nobody knows how well , I reckon , but I can guess , being his land neighbour .

Jeff ain't no fool nor loafer , if he is a bit queer . "

meanwhile , the object of these remarks was striding homeward and thinking , not of the men behind him , but of Sara Stuart .

he must go to her at once .

he had not intruded on her since her father 's death , thinking her sorrow too great for him to meddle with .

but this was different .

perhaps she needed the advice or assistance only he could give .

to whom else in Bayside could she turn for it but to him , her old friend ?

was it possible that she must leave Pinehurst ?

the thought struck cold dismay to his soul .

how could he bear his life if she went away ?

he had loved Sara Stuart from childhood .

to the end of his life the boy was to carry in his heart the picture she made there under the pines .

" little boy , " she had said , with a friendly smile , " will you show me where the mayflowers grow ? "

the boy was thrilled with delight .

she was a fairy queen who thus graciously smiled on him and chattered blithely as they searched for mayflowers in the fresh spring sunshine .

he thought it a wonderful thing that it had so chanced .

a few days later a message came from Mrs Stuart on the hill to Mrs Miller in the valley .

would she let her little boy go up now and then to play with Sara ?

Sara was very lonely because she had no playmates .

So Jeff , overjoyed , had gone to his divinity 's very home , where the two children played together many a day .

all through their childhood they had been fast friends .

Sara 's parents placed no bar to their intimacy .

they had soon concluded that little Jeff Miller was a very good playmate for Sara .

he was gentle , well-behaved , and manly .

Sara never went to the district school which Jeff attended ; she had her governess at home .

with no other boy or girl in Bayside did she form any friendship , but her loyalty to Jeff never wavered .

as for Jeff , he worshipped her and would have done anything she commanded .

he belonged to her from the day they had hunted arbutus on the hill .

when Sara was fifteen she had gone away to school .

Jeff had missed her sorely .

for four years he saw her only in the summers , and each year she had seemed taller , statelier , further from him .

he looked these facts unflinchingly in the face until he had grown used to them , and then he laid down his course for himself .

he loved Sara and he did not wish to conquer his love , even if it had been possible .

it were better to love her , whom he could never win , than to love and be loved by any other woman .

Sara had not forgotten her old friend .

but their former comradeship was now impossible ; they could be friends , but never again companions .

the democracy of childhood past , there was no common ground on which they might meet .

only one thing Jeffrey had found it impossible to contemplate calmly .

some day Sara would marry a man who was her equal , who sat at her father 's table as a guest .

in spite of himself , Jeffrey 's heart filled with hot rebellion at the thought ; it was like a desecration and a robbery .

but , as the years went by , this thing he dreaded did not happen .

Sara did not marry , although gossip assigned her many suitors not unworthy of her .

she and Jeffrey were always friends , although they met but seldom .

Jeffrey 's calendar from year to year was red-lettered by these small happenings , of which nobody knew , or , knowing , would have cared .

so he and Sara drifted out of youth , together yet apart .

it hurt him , that shadow ; he would have given anything in his power to have banished it .

and now this long friendship was to be broken .

Sara was going away .

at first he had thought only of her pain , but now his own filled his heart .

how could he live without her ?

how could he dwell in the valley knowing that she had gone from the hill ?

never to see her light shine down on him through the northern gap in the pines at night !

never to feel that perhaps her eyes rested on him now and then as he went about his work in the valley fields !

never to stoop with a glad thrill over the first spring flowers because it was his privilege to take them to her !

Jeffrey groaned aloud .

no , he could not go up to see her that night ; he must wait he must strengthen himself .

then his heart rebuked him .

this was selfishness ; this was putting his own feelings before hers a thing he had sworn never to do .

perhaps she needed him perhaps she had wondered why he had not come to offer her such poor service as might be in his power .

it was dark now , and a few stars were shining in the silvery sky .

the wind sighed among the pines as he walked under them .

sometimes he felt that he must turn back that his pain was going to master him ; then he forced himself to go on .

the old grey house where Sara lived seemed bleak and stricken in the dull light , with its leafless vines clinging to it .

there were no lights in it .

it looked like a home left soulless .

Jeffrey went around to the garden door and knocked .

he had expected the maid to open it , put Sara herself came .

" why , Jeff , " she said , with pleasure in her tones .

" I am so glad to see you .

I have been wondering why you had not come before . "

" I did not think you would want to see me yet , " he said hurriedly .

" I have thought about you every hour but I feared to intrude . "

" you couldn't intrude , " she said gently .

" yes , I have wanted to see you , Jeff .

come into the library . "

he followed her into the room where they had always sat in his rare calls .

Sara lighted the lamp on the table .

as the light shot up she stood clearly revealed in it a tall , slender woman in a trailing gown of grey .

her face was quite unlined a little pale , perhaps , with more finely cut outlines than those of youth .

perhaps it was the fine patience and serenity in her face that told her tale of years .

youth can never acquire it .

her eyes brightened when she saw the mayflowers he carried .

she came and took them from him , and her hands touched his , sending a little thrill of joy through him .

" how lovely they are !

and the first I have seen this spring .

you always bring me the first , don't you , Jeff ?

do you remember the first day we spent picking mayflowers together ? "

Jeff smiled .

could he forget ?

but something held him back from speech .

Sara put the flowers in a vase on the table , but slipped one starry pink cluster into the lace on her breast .

some impulse that would not be denied made him lean over and take her hand .

she left it unresistingly in his clasp .

" I am very lonely now , Jeff , " she said sadly .

" father has gone .

I have no friends left . "

" you have me , " said Jeffrey quietly .

" yes .

I shouldn't have said that .

you are my friend , I know , Jeff .

but , but I must leave Pinehurst , you know . "

" I learned that tonight for the first time , " he answered .

" but , no , it couldn't seem so to a man .

only a woman could fully understand what I mean .

that is how I feel now .

while I had Father to live for it wasn't so hard .

but now there is nothing .

and I must go away . "

" is there anything I can do ? " muttered Jeffrey miserably .

he knew now that he had made a mistake in coming tonight ; he could not help her .

his own pain had unmanned him .

presently he would say something foolish or selfish in spite of himself .

Sara turned her eyes on him .

" there is nothing anybody can do , Jeff , " she said piteously .

her eyes , those clear child-eyes , filled with tears .

" I shall be braver stronger after a while .

but just now I have no strength left .

I feel like a lost , helpless child .

oh , Jeff ! "

she put her slender hands over her face and sobbed .

every sob cut Jeffrey to the heart .

" don't don't , Sara , " he said huskily .

" I can't bear to see you suffer so .

I 'd die for you if it would do you any good .

I love you I love you !

I never meant to tell you so , but it is the truth .

I oughtn't to tell you now .

don't think that I 'm trying to take any advantage of your loneliness and sorrow .

I know I have always known that you are far above me .

but that couldn't prevent my loving you just humbly loving you , asking nothing else .

you may be angry with my presumption , but I can't help telling you that I love you .

that 's all .

I just want you to know it . "

Sara had turned away her head .

Jeffrey was overcome with contrition .

ah , he had no business to speak so he had spoiled the devotion of years .

who was he that he should have dared to love her ?

silence alone had justified his love , and now he had lost that justification .

she would despise him .

he had forfeited her friendship for ever .

" are you angry , Sara ? " he questioned sadly , after a silence .

" I think I am , " said Sara .

she kept her stately head averted .

" if if you have loved me , Jeff , why did you never tell me so before ? "

" how could I dare ? " he said gravely .

" I knew I could never win you that I had no right to dream of you so .

oh , Sara , don't be angry !

my love has been reverent and humble .

I have asked nothing .

I ask nothing now but your friendship .

don't take that from me , Sara .

don't be angry with me . "

" I am angry , " repeated Sara , " and I think I have a right to be . "

" perhaps so , " he said simply , " but not because I have loved you .

such love as mine ought to anger no woman , Sara .

but you have a right to be angry with me for presuming to put it into words .

I should not have done so but I could not help it .

it rushed to my lips in spite of me .

forgive me . "

" I don't know whether I can forgive you for not telling me before , " said Sara steadily .

" that is what I have to forgive not your speaking at last , even if it was dragged from you against your will .

" Sara ! " he said , aghast .

" I I you were as far above me as a star in the sky I never dreamed I never hoped "

" that I could care for you ? " said Sara , looking round at last .

" then you were more modest than a man ought to be , Jeff .

I did not know that you loved me , or I should have found some way to make you speak out long ago .

I should not have let you waste all these years .

I 've loved you ever since we picked mayflowers on the hill , I think ever since I came home from school , I know .

I never cared for anyone else although I tried to , when I thought you didn't care for me .

it mattered nothing to me that the world may have thought there was some social difference between us .

there , Jeff , you cannot accuse me of not making my meaning plain . "

" Sara , " he whispered , wondering , bewildered , half-afraid to believe this unbelievable joy .

" Sara , will you be my wife ? "

" yes . "

she said the word clearly and truly .

" and I will think myself a proud and happy and honoured woman to be so , Jeff .

oh , I don't shrink from telling you the truth , you see .

you mean too much to me for me to dissemble it .

she lifted her delicate , high-bred face , fearless love shining in every lineament , to his , and they exchanged their first kiss .

Clorinda 's Gifts

" it is a dreadful thing to be poor a fortnight before Christmas , " said Clorinda , with the mournful sigh of seventeen years .

aunt Emmy smiled .

" I suppose it is worse then than at any other time , " she admitted .

that was one of the nice things about Aunt Emmy .

she always sympathized and understood .

" I 'm worse than poor this Christmas ....y

I 'm stony broke , " said Clorinda dolefully .

" my spell of fever in the summer and the consequent doctor 's bills have cleaned out my coffers completely .

not a single Christmas present can I give .

and I did so want to give some little thing to each of my dearest people .

but I simply can't afford it ... that 's the hateful , ugly truth . "

Clorinda sighed again .

that kind of gift is just as much out of the question for me as any other . "

" that was not what I meant , " said Aunt Emmy .

" what did you mean , then ? " asked Clorinda , looking puzzled .

aunt Emmy smiled .

" suppose you think out my meaning for yourself , " she said .

" that would be better than if I explained it .

besides , I don't think I could explain it .

take the beautiful line of a beautiful poem to help you in your thinking out : ' The gift without the giver is bare . ' "

" that is my predicament exactly .

well , I hope by next Christmas I 'll not be quite bankrupt .

I 'm going into Mr Callender 's store down at Murraybridge in February .

he has offered me the place , you know . "

" won't your aunt miss you terribly ? " said Aunt Emmy gravely .

Clorinda flushed .

there was a note in Aunt Emmy 's voice that disturbed her .

" oh , yes , I suppose she will , " she answered hurriedly .

" but she 'll get used to it very soon .

and I will be home every Saturday night , you know .

I can help Aunt Mary , too .

I 'm to get four dollars a week . "

" I think she would rather have your companionship than a part of your salary , Clorinda , " said Aunt Emmy .

" but of course you must decide for yourself , dear .

it is hard to be poor .

I know it .

I am poor . "

" you poor ! " said Clorinda , kissing her .

" why , you are the richest woman I know , Aunt Emmy rich in love and goodness and contentment . "

" and so are you , dearie ... rich in youth and health and happiness and ambition .

aren't they all worth while ? "

" of course they are , " laughed Clorinda .

" only , unfortunately , Christmas gifts can't be coined out of them . "

" did you ever try ? " asked Aunt Emmy .

" think out that question , too , in your thinking out , Clorinda . "

" well , I must say bye-bye and run home .

I feel cheered up you always cheer people up , Aunt Emmy .

how grey it is outdoors .

I do hope we 'll have snow soon .

wouldn't it be jolly to have a white Christmas ?

we always have such faded brown Decembers . "

Clorinda lived just across the road from Aunt Emmy in a tiny white house behind some huge willows .

but Aunt Mary lived there too the only relative Clorinda had , for Aunt Emmy wasn't really her aunt at all .

Clorinda had always lived with Aunt Mary ever since she could remember .

Clorinda went home and upstairs to her little room under the eaves , where the great bare willow boughs were branching athwart her windows .

she was thinking over what Aunt Emmy had said about Christmas gifts and giving .

" I 'm sure I don't know what she could have meant , " pondered Clorinda .

" I do wish I could find out if it would help me any .

I 'd love to remember a few of my friends at least .

there 's Miss Mitchell ....v she 's been so good to me all this year and helped me so much with my studies .

and there 's Mrs Martin out in Manitoba .

if I could only send her something !

she must be so lonely out there .

I shall never feel the same to her again .

but she gave me a present last Christmas , and so out of mere politeness I ought to give her something . "

Clorinda stopped short suddenly .

she had just remembered that she would not have liked to say that last sentence to Aunt Emmy .

therefore , there was something wrong about it .

Clorinda had long ago learned that there was sure to be something wrong in anything that could not be said to Aunt Emmy .

so she stopped to think it over .

Clorinda puzzled over Aunt Emmy 's meaning for four days and part of three nights .

then all at once it came to her .

" I 've solved the problem of my Christmas giving for this year , " she told Aunt Emmy .

" I have some things to give after all .

that is what Mr Grierson would call a paradox , isn't it ?

I 'll explain all about it to you on Christmas Day . "

on Christmas Day , Clorinda went over to Aunt Emmy 's .

it was a faded brown Christmas after all , for the snow had not come .

but Clorinda did not mind ; there was such joy in her heart that she thought it the most delightful Christmas Day that ever dawned .

she put the queer cornery armful she carried down on the kitchen floor before she went into the sitting room .

aunt Emmy was lying on the sofa before the fire , and Clorinda sat down beside her .

" I 've come to tell you all about it , " she said .

aunt Emmy patted the hand that was in her own .

" from your face , dear girl , it will be pleasant hearing and telling , " she said .

Clorinda nodded .

" aunt Emmy , I thought for days over your meaning ....y thought until I was dizzy .

I thought of something new every day for a week .

at first I didn't think I could give some of them , and then I thought how selfish I was .

I got over that , though , Aunt Emmy .

now I 'm going to tell you what I did give .

" first , there was my teacher , Miss Mitchell .

I gave her one of father 's books .

that is , I felt that on second thought .

I was afraid she would think it queer of me to give her such a present .

so I gave it to her , and she understood .

I think it pleased her so much , the real meaning in it .

she said it was like being given something out of another 's heart and life .

" then you know Mrs Martin ... last year she was Miss Hope , my dear Sunday School teacher .

she married a home missionary , and they are in a lonely part of the west .

well , I wrote her a letter .

not just an ordinary letter ; dear me , no .

I took a whole day to write it , and you should have seen the postmistress's eyes stick out when I mailed it .

I just told her everything that had happened in Greenvale since she went away .

I made it as newsy and cheerful and loving as I possibly could .

everything bright and funny I could think of went into it .

" the next was old Aunt Kitty .

you know she was my nurse when I was a baby , and she 's very fond of me .

she is always glad when I go to see her , but I 've never gone except when I couldn't help it .

she is very deaf , and rather dull and stupid , you know .

well , I gave her a whole day .

I took my knitting yesterday , and sat with her the whole time and just talked and talked .

I told her all the Greenvale news and gossip and everything else I thought she 'd like to hear .

she was so pleased and proud ; she told me when I came away that she hadn't had such a nice time for years .

" then there was ....y

Florence .

you know , Aunt Emmy , we were always intimate friends until last year .

then Florence once told Rose Watson something I had told her in confidence .

I found it out and I was so hurt .

I couldn't forgive Florence , and I told her plainly I could never be a real friend to her again .

well , Aunt Emmy , that was my Christmas gift to her ... my forgiveness .

" I gave Aunt Mary her gift this morning .

I told her I wasn't going to Murraybridge , that I just meant to stay home with her .

she was so glad and I 'm glad , too , now that I 've decided so . "

" your gifts have been real gifts , Clorinda , " said Aunt Emmy .

" something of you the best of you went into each of them . "

Clorinda went out and brought her cornery armful in .

" I didn't forget you , Aunt Emmy , " she said , as she unpinned the paper .

there was a rosebush Clorinda 's own pet rosebush all snowed over with fragrant blossoms .

aunt Emmy loved flowers .

she put her finger under one of the roses and kissed it .

" it 's as sweet as yourself , dear child , " she said tenderly .

" and it will be a joy to me all through the lonely winter days .

you 've found out the best meaning of Christmas giving , haven't you , dear ? "

" yes , thanks to you , Aunt Emmy , " said Clorinda softly .

Cyrilla 's Inspiration

they were sitting in that front room , scowling out at the weather .

at least , Carol and Mary were scowling .

" for pity 's sake , Cyrilla , put that grammar away , " moaned Mary .

" there is something positively uncanny about a girl who can study Greek on Saturday afternoons at least , this early in the term . "

" I 'm not really studying , " said Cyrilla , tossing the book away .

" I 'm only pretending to .

I 'm really just as bored and lonesome as you are .

but what else is there to do ?

have you any better employment to offer me ? "

" if it were only a mild drizzle we might go around and see the Patterson girls , " sighed Carol .

" but there is no venturing out in such a downpour .

Cyrilla , you are supposed to be the brainiest one of us .

prove your claim to such pre-eminence by thinking of some brand-new amusement , especially suited to rainy afternoons .

that will be putting your grey matter to better use than squandering it on Greek verbs out of study limits . "

" if only I 'd got a letter from home today , " said Mary , who seemed determined to persist in gloom .

" I wouldn't mind the weather .

letters are such cheery things : especially the letters my sister writes .

they 're so full of fun and nice little news .

the reading of one cheers me up for the day .

Cyrilla Blair , what is the matter ?

you nearly frightened me to death ! "

Cyrilla had bounded from her bed to the centre of the floor , waving her Greek grammar wildly in the air .

" Girls , I have an inspiration ! " she exclaimed .

" good !

let's hear it , " said Carol .

" let's write letters rainy-day letters to everyone in the house , " said Cyrilla .

let's write them the jolliest , nicest letters we can compose and get Nora Jane to take them to their rooms .

you knew she has been awfully nice to us in spite of the oil stove ukase .

that 's six two apiece .

let's do it , girls . "

Cyrilla 's sudden enthusiasm for her plan infected the others .

" it 's a nice idea , " said Mary , brightening up .

" but who 's to write to whom ?

I 'm willing to take anybody but Miss Marshall .

I couldn't write a line to her to save my life .

" better leave Miss Marshall out , " suggested Carol .

" you know she disapproves of us anyhow .

she 'd probably resent a letter of the sort , thinking we were trying to play some kind of joke on her . "

" it would never do to leave her out , " said Cyrilla decisively .

wouldn't that sour anybody ?

you know it would .

you 'd be cranky and grumbly and disagreeable too , I dare say .

I 'm really sorry for Miss Marshall .

she 's had a very hard life .

Mrs Plunkett told me all about her one day .

I don't think we should mind her biting little speeches and sharp looks .

so she needs a letter most of all .

I 'll write to her , since it 's my suggestion .

we 'll draw lots for the others . "

besides Miss Marshall , the new music teacher fell to Cyrilla 's share .

Mary drew Mrs Plunkett and the dressmaker , and Carol drew Mrs Johnson and old Mr Grant .

for the next two hours the girls wrote busily , forgetting all about the rainy day , and enjoying their epistolary labours to the full .

it was dusk when all the letters were finished .

" why , hasn't the afternoon gone quickly after all ! " exclaimed Carol .

" I just let my pen run on and jotted down any good working idea that came into my head .

Cyrilla Blair , that big fat letter is never for Miss Marshall !

what on earth did you find to write her ? "

" it wasn't so hard when I got fairly started , " said Cyrilla , smiling .

" now , let's hunt up Nora Jane and send the letters around so that everybody can read his or hers before tea-time .

we should have a choice assortment of smiles at the table instead of all those frowns and sighs we had at dinner . "

Miss Marshall was feeling as lonely and dreary as she looked and as she had often felt in her life of sixty years .

she thought her boarding-house acquaintances disliked her and she resented their dislike , without admitting to herself that her ungracious ways were responsible for it .

I 'm sick and tired of their giggling and whispering . "

in the midst of these amiable reflections Miss Marshall heard a knock at her door .

when she opened it there stood Nora Jane , her broad red face beaming with smiles .

" please , Miss , here 's a letter for you , " she said .

" A letter for me ! "

miss Marshall shut her door and stared at the fat envelope in amazement .

who could have written it ?

the postman came only in the morning .

was it some joke , perhaps ?

those giggling girls ?

miss Marshall 's face grew harder as she lighted her lamp and opened the letter suspiciously .

so I 'm going to write to you just a letter of friendly nonsense . "

Pages of " nonsense " followed , and very delightful nonsense it was , for Cyrilla possessed the happy gift of bright and easy letter-writing .

before Miss Marshall had finished reading that letter she had cried three times and laughed times past counting .

more tears came at the end happy , tender tears such as Miss Marshall had not shed for years .

something warm and sweet and gentle seemed to thrill to life within her heart .

so those girls were not such selfish , heedless young creatures as she had supposed !

how kind it had been in Cyrilla Blair to think of her and write so to her .

she no longer felt lonely and neglected .

her whole sombre world had been brightened to sunshine by that merry friendly letter .

Mrs Plunkett 's table was surrounded by a ring of smiling faces that night .

everybody seemed in good spirits in spite of the weather .

all the others declared that they were delighted with their letters all except Miss Marshall .

she said nothing but later on , when Cyrilla was going upstairs , she met Miss Marshall in the shadows of the second landing .

I was so so lonely and tired and discouraged .

it heartened me right up .

I I know you have thought me a cross and disagreeable person .

I 'm afraid I have been , too .

but but I shall try to be less so in future .

if I can't succeed all at once don't mind me because , under it all , I shall always be your friend .

and I mean to keep your letter and read it over every time I feel myself getting bitter and hard again . "

" dear Miss Marshall , I 'm so glad you liked it , " said Cyrilla frankly .

" we 're all your friends and would be glad to be chummy with you .

only we thought perhaps we bothered you with our nonsense . "

" come and see me sometimes , " said Miss Marshall with a smile .

" I 'll try to be ' chummy ' perhaps I 'm not yet too old to learn the secret of friendliness .

your letter has made me think that I have missed much in shutting all young life out from mine as I have done .

I want to reform in this respect if I can . "

when Cyrilla reached the front room she found Mrs Plunkett there .

only do be careful not to set the place on fire .

please be particularly careful not to set it on fire . "

" we 'll try , " promised Cyrilla with dancing eyes .

when the door closed behind Mrs Plunkett the three girls looked at each other .

" Cyrilla , that idea of yours was a really truly inspiration , " said Carol solemnly .

" I believe it was , " said Cyrilla , thinking of Miss Marshall .

Dorinda 's Desperate Deed

Dorinda had been home for a whole wonderful week and the little Pages were beginning to feel acquainted with her .

Mrs Page , albeit she was poor nobody but herself knew how poor and a widow with five children besides Dorinda , hesitated at first .

so , to comfort her , Mrs Page had let Dorinda go , stipulating that she must come home in the spring .

in the spring , when Dorinda 's bed of violets was growing purple under the lilac bush , Aunt Mary wrote again .

Dorinda was contented and happy , she said .

would not Emily let her stay for the summer ?

Mrs Page cried bitterly over that letter and took sad counsel with herself .

to let Dorinda stay with her aunt for the summer really meant , she knew , to let her stay altogether .

in the end she agreed to let Dorinda stay for the summer and Dorinda had never been home since .

aunt Mary had died very suddenly and her only son , Dorinda 's cousin , had gone to Japan .

Leicester had been nine and Jean seven when Dorinda went away ; now they were respectively fourteen and twelve .

at first they were a little shy with this big , practically brand-new sister , but this soon wore off .

nobody could be shy long with Dorinda ; nobody could help liking her .

in a week Dorinda felt herself one of the family again , with all the cares and responsibilities thereof resting on her strong young shoulders .

Mrs Page sighed and said she really did not know what to do .

Dorinda sewed hard and pursed up her red lips determinedly .

" don't you worry , Mother Page , " she said briskly .

" we 'll be like that glorious old Roman who found a way or made it .

I like overcoming difficulties .

I 've lots of old Admiral Page 's fighting blood in me , you know .

most important of all comes "

" Leicester , " said Mrs Page .

Dorinda winked her eyes as she always did when she was doubtful .

" well , I knew he was one of them , but I wasn't going to put him the very first .

however , we will .

Leicester 's case stands thus .

he is a pretty smart boy if he wasn't my brother , I 'd say he was a very smart boy .

" no , " mourned Mrs . Page , " and the poor boy feels so badly over it .

his heart is set on going to college and being a doctor like his father .

he believes he could work his way through , if he could only get a start .

but there isn't any chance .

and I can't afford to keep him at school any longer .

he is going into Mr Churchill 's store at Willow Centre in the fall .

Mr Churchill has very kindly offered him a place .

Leicester hates the thought of it I know he does , although he never says so . "

" next to Leicester 's college course we want "

" Music lessons for Jean . "

Dorinda winked again .

" are music lessons for Jean really a difficulty ? " she said .

" that is , one spelled with a capital ? "

" oh , yes , Dorinda dear .

at least , I 'm worried over it .

I 've had to keep her home so much to help me with the work .

she has been such a good , patient little girl too , and her heart is set on music lessons . "

" well , she must have them then after we get Leicester 's year at the academy for him .

that 's two .

the third is a new "

" the roof must be shingled this fall , " said Mrs Page anxiously .

" it really must , Dorinda .

it is no better than a sieve .

we are nearly drowned every time it rains .

but I don't know where the money to do it is going to come from . "

" shingles for the roof , three , " said Dorinda , as if she were carefully jotting down something in a mental memorandum .

yes , yes , you must have them , dearest .

it 's absolutely necessary .

but a new dress and coat for you we must , shall , and will have , however it is to be brought about . "

" if your Uncle Eugene would only help us a little , until Leicester got through !

he really ought to .

but of course he never will . "

" have you ever asked him ? " said Dorinda .

" I don't see why you shouldn't , " said Dorinda seriously .

" oh , Dorinda , Uncle Eugene hates us all .

he is terribly bitter against us .

he would never , never listen to any request for help , even if I could bring myself to make it . "

" mother , what was the trouble between us and Uncle Eugene ?

I have never known the rights of it .

I was too small to understand when I was home before .

what made him our enemy ?

and how did he come to get all of Grandfather Page 's property when Father got nothing ? "

" well , you know , Dorinda , that your Grandfather Page was married twice .

Eugene was his first wife 's son , and your father the second wife 's .

Eugene was a great deal older than your father he was twenty-five when your father was born .

he was always an odd man , even in his youth , and he had been much displeased at his father 's second marriage .

they then quarrelled ; the cause of the quarrel was insignificant ; with anyone else than Eugene a reconciliation would soon have been effected .

but Eugene never was friendly with your father from that time .

I think he was jealous of old Grandfather 's affection ; thought the old man loved your father best .

and then , as I have said , he was very eccentric and stubborn .

well , your father went away to college and graduated , and then we were married .

grandfather Page was very angry with him for marrying me .

he wanted him to marry somebody else .

he told him he would disinherit him if he married me .

I did not know this until we were married .

but Grandfather Page kept his word .

he sent for a lawyer and had a new will made , leaving everything to Eugene .

" and Uncle Eugene has been our enemy ever since ? "

" yes , ever since .

so you see , Dorinda dear , that I cannot ask any favours of Uncle Eugene . "

" yes , I see , " said Dorinda understandingly .

to herself she added , " but I don't see why I shouldn't . "

Dorinda thought hard and long for the next few days about the capital difficulties .

she could think of only one thing to do and , despite old Admiral Page 's fighting blood , she shrank from doing it .

" I wouldn't cry over it , Dorinda ; I hope I 'm more of a man than that .

but I do really feel rather cut up because I 've no chance of getting to college .

and I hate the thought of going into a store .

only only "

and then Leicester got up and whistled and went to the window and stood with his back to Dorinda .

" that settles it , " said Dorinda out loud , as she brushed her hair before the glass that night .

" I 'll do it . "

" Do what ? " asked Jean from the bed .

" a desperate deed , " said Dorinda solemnly , and that was all she would say .

next day Mrs Page and Leicester went to town on business .

in the afternoon Dorinda put on her best dress and hat and started out .

" I wonder if I am a little scared , ' way down deep , " said Dorinda .

" I believe I am .

but I 'm going to do it for all that , and the scareder I get the more I 'll do it . "

Oaklawn , where Uncle Eugene lived , was two miles away .

it was a fine old place in beautiful grounds .

Dorinda stood up , dusky and crimson , with brave , glowing eyes .

uncle Eugene looked at her sharply .

" who are you ? " he said bluntly .

" I am your niece , Dorinda Page , " said Dorinda steadily .

but Dorinda remained standing .

it is easier to fight on your feet .

and I want you to lend me the money to shingle our house and get Mother a new dress and fur coat for the winter .

I 'll pay you back sometime for that , because I am going to set up as a dressmaker pretty soon . "

" anything more ? " said Uncle Eugene , when Dorinda stopped .

" nothing more just now , I think , " said Dorinda reflectively .

" why don't you ask for something for yourself ? " said Uncle Eugene .

" I don't want anything for myself , " said Dorinda promptly .

" or yes , I do , too .

I want your friendship , Uncle Eugene . "

" be kind enough to sit down , " said Uncle Eugene .

Dorinda sat .

" you are a Page , " said Uncle Eugene .

" I saw that as soon as I came in .

I will send Leicester to college and I shall not ask or expect to be paid back .

jean shall have her music lessons , and a piano to practise them on as well .

the house shall be shingled , and the money for the new dress and coat shall be forthcoming .

you and I will be friends . "

" thank you , " gasped Dorinda , wondering if , after all , it wasn't a dream .

" I would have gladly assisted your mother before , " said Uncle Eugene , " if she had asked me .

I had determined that she must ask me first .

I knew that half the money should have been your father 's by rights .

I was prepared to hand it over to him or his family , if I were asked for it .

but I wished to humble his pride , and the Carter pride , to the point of asking for it .

not a very amiable temper , you will say ?

I admit it .

I am not amiable and I never have been amiable .

you must be prepared to find me very unamiable .

I shall hope and expect to have you visit me often .

if your mother and your brothers and sisters see fit to come with you , I shall welcome them also .

I think that this is all it is necessary to say just now .

will you stay to tea with me this evening ? "

Dorinda stayed to tea , since she knew that Jean was at home to attend to matters there .

she and Uncle Eugene got on famously .

when she left , Uncle Eugene , grim and hard-lipped as ever , saw her to the door .

" good evening , Niece Dorinda .

you are a Page and I am proud of you .

tell your mother that many things in this life are lost through not asking for them .

I don't think you are in need of the information for yourself . "

her Own People

the Taunton School had closed for the summer holidays .

Constance was the youngest teacher on the staff , and had charge of the Primary Department .

Miss Channing was the oldest teacher on the staff , and taught the fifth grade .

she was short and stout and jolly ; nothing , not even the iciest reserve , ever daunted Miss Channing .

" isn't it good to think of two whole blessed months of freedom ? " she said jubilantly .

to be sure , I love them every one , but I 'll love them all the more for a bit of a rest from them .

isn't it good ? "

" it 's very good , if you have anywhere to go , or anybody who cares where you go , " she said bitterly .

" for my own part , I 'm sorry school is closed .

I 'd rather go on teaching all summer . "

" heresy ! " said Miss Channing .

" rank heresy !

what are your vacation plans ? "

" I haven't any , " said Constance wearily .

" I 've put off thinking about vacation as long as I possibly could .

you 'll call that heresy , too , Miss Channing . "

" it 's worse than heresy , " said Miss Channing briskly .

" it 's a crying necessity for blue pills , that 's what it is .

your whole mental and moral and physical and spiritual system must be out of kilter , my child .

no vacation plans !

you must have vacation plans .

you must be going somewhere . "

" oh , I suppose I 'll hunt up a boarding place somewhere in the country , and go there and mope until September . "

" have you no friends , Constance ? "

" no no , I haven't anybody in the world .

that is why I hate vacation , that is why I 've hated to hear you and the others discussing your vacation plans .

you all have somebody to go to .

it has just filled me up with hatred of my life . "

Miss Channing swallowed her honest horror at such a state of feeling .

" Constance , tell me about yourself .

I 've often wanted to ask you , but I was always a little afraid to .

you seem so reserved and and , as if you didn't want to be asked about yourself . "

" I know it .

I know I 'm stiff and hateful , and that nobody likes me , and that it is all my own fault .

no , never mind trying to smooth it over , Miss Channing .

it 's the truth , and it hurts me , but I can't help it .

I 'm getting more bitter and pessimistic and unwholesome every day of my life .

sometimes it seems as if I hated all the world because I 'm so lonely in it .

I 'm nobody .

my mother died when I was born and Father oh , I don't know .

one can't say anything against one 's father , Miss Channing .

but I had a hard childhood or rather , I didn't have any childhood at all .

we were always moving about .

we didn't seem to have any friends at all .

my mother might have had relatives somewhere , but I never heard of any .

I don't even know where her home was .

father never would talk of her .

he died two years ago , and since then I 've been absolutely alone . "

" oh , you poor girl , " said Miss Channing softly .

" I want friends , " went on Constance , seeming to take a pleasure in open confession now that her tongue was loosed .

" I 've always just longed for somebody belonging to me to love .

I don't love anybody , Miss Channing , and when a girl is in that state , she is all wrong .

she gets hard and bitter and resentful I have , anyway .

I struggled against it at first , but it has been too much for me .

it poisons everything .

there is nobody to care anything about me , whether I live or die . "

" oh , yes , there is One , " said Miss Channing gently .

" God cares , Constance . "

Constance gave a disagreeable little laugh .

" that sounds like Miss Williams she is so religious .

God doesn't mean anything to me , Miss Channing .

I 've just the same resentful feeling toward him that I have for all the world , if he exists at all .

there , I 've shocked you in good earnest now .

you should have left me alone , Miss Channing . "

" God means nothing to you because you 've never had him translated to you through human love , Constance , " said Miss Channing seriously .

" no , you haven't shocked me at least , not in the way you mean .

I 'm only terribly sorry . "

" oh , never mind me , " said Constance , freezing up into her reserve again as if she regretted her confidences .

" I 'll get along all right .

this is one of my off days , when everything looks black . "

miss Channing walked on in silence .

she must help Constance , but Constance was not easily helped .

" you spoke of boarding , " she said , when Constance paused at the door of her boarding-house .

" have you any particular place in view ?

no ?

well , I know a place which I am sure you would like .

I was there two summers ago .

it is a country place about a hundred miles from here .

Pine Valley is its name .

it 's restful and homey , and the people are so nice .

if you like , I 'll give you the address of the family I boarded with . "

" thank you , " said Constance indifferently .

" I might as well go there as anywhere else . "

" yes , but listen to me , dear .

don't take your morbidness with you .

besides , there are other unhappy people in the world try to help them when you meet them , and you 'll forget about yourself .

Good-by for now , and I hope you 'll have a pleasant vacation in spite of yourself . "

Constance went to Pine Valley , but she took her evil spirit with her .

not even the beauty of the valley , with its great balmy pines , and the cheerful friendliness of its people could exorcise it .

nevertheless , she liked the place and found a wholesome pleasure in the long tramps she took along the piney roads .

" I saw such a pretty spot in my ramble this afternoon , " she told her landlady one evening .

" it is about three miles from here at the end of the valley .

such a picturesque , low-eaved little house , all covered over with honeysuckle .

it was set between a big orchard and an old-fashioned flower garden with great pines at the back . "

" Heartsease Farm , " said Mrs Hewitt promptly .

" bless you , there 's only one place around here of that description .

Mr and Mrs. Bruce , Uncle Charles and Aunt Flora , as we all call them , live there .

they are the dearest old couple alive .

you ought to go and see them , they 'd be delighted .

aunt Flora just loves company .

they 're real lonesome by times . "

" haven't they any children ? " asked Constance indifferently .

her interest was in the place , not in the people .

" no .

they had a niece once , though .

they brought her up and they just worshipped her .

she ran away with a worthless fellow I forget his name , if I ever knew it .

he was handsome and smooth-tongued , but he was a scamp .

she died soon after and it just broke their hearts .

they don't even know where she was buried , and they never heard anything more about her husband .

I 've heard that Aunt Flora 's hair turned snow-white in a month .

I 'll take you up to see her some day when I find time . "

Mrs Hewitt did not find time , but thereafter Constance ordered her rambles that she might frequently pass Heartsease Farm .

the quaint old spot had a strange attraction for her .

she had prolonged her ramble unseasonably , and it was now nearly night , and very certainly a rainy night at that .

she was three miles from home and without even an extra wrap .

she hurried down the lane , but by the time she reached the main road , the few drops had become a downpour .

she must seek shelter somewhere , and Heartsease Farm was the nearest .

she pushed open the gate and ran up the slope of the yard between the hedges of sweetbriar .

" I saw you coming from upstairs , " said Aunt Flora gleefully , " and I just ran down as fast as I could .

dear , dear , you are a little wet .

but we 'll soon dry you .

come right in I 've a bit of a fire in the grate , for the evening is chilly .

they laughed at me for loving a fire so , but there 's nothing like its snap and sparkle .

you 're rained in for the night , and I 'm as glad as I can be .

I know who you are you are Miss Foster .

I 'm Aunt Flora , and this is Uncle Charles . "

Constance let herself be put into a cushiony chair and fussed over with an unaccustomed sense of pleasure .

the rain was coming down in torrents , and she certainly was domiciled at Heartsease Farm for the night .

somehow , she felt glad of it .

she found herself strangely attracted to the old couple .

the name of their farm was in perfect keeping with their atmosphere .

constance 's frozen soul expanded in it .

she chatted merrily and girlishly , feeling as if she had known them all her life .

when bedtime came , Aunt Flora took her upstairs to a little gable room .

" my spare room is all in disorder just now , dearie , we have been painting its floor .

so I 'm going to put you here in Jeannie 's room .

Someway you remind me of her , and you are just about the age she was when she left us .

it is so sacred to me .

I keep it just as she left it , not a thing is changed .

good night dearie , and I hope you 'll have pleasant dreams . "

when Constance found herself alone in the room , she looked about her with curiosity .

it was a very dainty , old-fashioned little room .

the floor was covered with braided mats ; the two square , small-paned windows were draped with snowy muslin .

there was a little blue rocker and an ottoman with a work-basket on it .

in the work-basket was a bit of unfinished , yellowed lace with a needle sticking in it .

a small bookcase under the sloping ceiling was filled with books .

Constance picked up one and opened it at the yellowing title-page .

she gave a little cry of surprise .

the name written across the page in a fine , dainty script was " Jean Constance Irving , " her mother 's name !

for a moment Constance stood motionless .

then she turned impulsively and hurried downstairs again .

Mr and Mrs. Bruce were still in the sitting room talking to each other in the firelight .

" oh , " cried Constance excitedly .

" I must know , I must ask you .

this is my mother 's name , Jean Constance Irving , can it be possible she was your little Jeannie ? "

A fortnight later Miss Channing received a letter from Constance .

" I am so happy , " she wrote .

" it was such a strange coincidence , no , Aunt Flora says it was Providence , and I believe it was , too .

I came here one rainy night , and Aunty put me in my mother 's room , think of it !

my own dear mother 's room , and I found her name in a book .

and now the mystery is all cleared up , and we are so happy .

she no longer seems dead to me .

I feel that she lives and loves me , and I am learning to know her better every day .

I have her room and her books and all her little girlish possessions .

when I read her books , with their passages underlined by her hand , I feel as if she were speaking to me .

" I said that this was almost the dearest and most beautiful thing .

the very dearest and most beautiful is this God means something to me now .

he means so much !

but I have now , and it has led me to Him .

" I am not going back to Taunton .

I have sent in my resignation .

I am going to stay home with Aunty and Uncle .

it is so sweet to say home and know what it means .

" Aunty says you must come and spend all your next vacation with us .

you see , I have lots of vacation plans now , even for a year ahead .

after all , there is no need of the blue pills !

" I feel like a new creature , made over from the heart and soul out .

I look back with shame and contrition on the old Constance .

I want you to forget her and only remember your grateful friend , the new Constance . "

Ida 's New Year Cake

Mary and Josie had been home for Christmas , so they didn't really feel so badly off .

but Ida and Sara hadn't even that consolation .

Ida was a third-year student at the Clifton Academy ; she had holidays , and nowhere , so she mournfully affirmed , to spend them .

Mary and Josie were clerks in a Clifton bookstore , and Sara was stenographer in a Clifton lawyer 's office .

and they were all jolly and thoughtless and very fond of one another .

" this will be the first New Year 's I have ever spent away from home , " sighed Sara , nibbling chocolate fudge .

" it does make me so blue to think of it .

and not even a holiday I 'll have to go to work just the same .

now Ida here , she doesn't really need sympathy .

she has holidays a whole fortnight and nothing to do but enjoy them . "

" Holidays are dismal things when you 've nowhere to holiday , " said Ida mournfully .

" the time drags horribly .

but never mind , girls , I 've a plummy bit of news for you .

it will be along tomorrow and , girls , we 'll celebrate when it comes .

I 've asked everybody in the house up to my room for New Year 's Eve , and we 'll have a royal good time . "

" how splendid ! " said Mary .

you 'll give me a good big piece , won't you , Ida ? "

" as much as you can eat , " promised Ida .

" I can warrant Mother 's fruit cake .

yes , we 'll have a jamboree .

Miss Monroe has promised to come in too .

she says she has a weakness for fruit cake . "

" oh ! " breathed all the girls .

Miss Monroe was their idol , whom they had to be content to worship at a distance as a general thing .

she was a clever journalist , who worked on a paper , and was reputed to be writing a book .

if she ever had time to speak to one of them about the weather , that fortunate one put on airs for a week .

and now to think that she had actually promised to drop into Ida 's room on New Year 's Eve and eat fruit cake !

" there goes that funny little namesake of yours , Ida , " said Josie , who was sitting by the window .

" she seems to be staying in town over the holidays too .

wonder why .

perhaps she doesn't belong anywhere .

she really is a most forlorn-appearing little mortal . "

there were two Ida Mitchells attending the Clifton Academy .

the other Ida was a plain , quiet , pale-faced little girl of fifteen who was in the second year .

beyond that , none of the third-year Ida Mitchell 's set knew anything about her , or tried to find out .

" she must be very poor , " said Ida carelessly .

" she dresses so shabbily , and she always looks so pinched and subdued .

I was there once on the trail of a book I had lost .

going , girls ?

well , don't forget tomorrow night . "

Ida spent the next day decorating her room and watching for the arrival of her cake .

it hadn't come by tea-time , and she concluded to go down to the express office and investigate .

it would be dreadful if that cake didn't turn up in time , with all the girls and Miss Monroe coming in .

Ida felt that she would be mortified to death .

inquiry at the express office discovered two things .

a box had come in for Miss Ida Mitchell , Clifton ; and said box had been delivered to Miss Ida Mitchell , Clifton .

" there must be some mistake , " said Ida in perplexity .

" I don't know any of the clerks here .

oh why there 's another Ida Mitchell in town !

Can it be possible my cake has gone to her ? "

the manager thought it very possible , and offered to send around and see .

but Ida said it was on her way home and she would call herself .

at the dismal little house on Marlboro Road she was sent up three flights of stairs to the other Ida Mitchell 's small hall bedroom .

the other Ida Mitchell opened the door for her .

" why , how do you do , Miss Mitchell ! " exclaimed the other Ida with shy pleasure .

" come in .

I didn't know you were in town .

it 's real good of you to come and see me .

and just see what I 've had sent to me !

isn't it a beauty ?

I was so surprised when it came and , oh , so glad !

I was feeling so blue and lonesome as if I hadn't a friend in the world .

I I yes , I was crying when that cake came .

it has just made the world over for me .

do sit down and I 'll cut you a piece .

I 'm sure you 're as fond of fruit cake as I am . "

Ida sat down in a chair , feeling bewildered and awkward .

this was a nice predicament !

how could she tell that other Ida that the cake didn't belong to her ?

the poor thing was so delighted .

and , oh , what a bare , lonely little room !

the big , luxurious cake seemed to emphasize the bareness and loneliness .

" who who sent it to you ? " she asked lamely .

" it must have been Mrs Henderson , because there is nobody else who would , " answered the other Ida .

" two years ago I was going to school in Trenton and I boarded with her .

when I left her to come to Clifton she told me she would send me a cake for Christmas .

well , I expected that cake last year and it didn't come .

I can't tell you how disappointed I was .

you 'll think me very childish .

but I was so lonely , with no home to go to like the other girls .

but she sent it this year , you see .

it is so nice to think that somebody has remembered me at New Year 's .

it isn't the cake itself it 's the thought behind it .

it has just made all the difference in the world .

there just sample it , Miss Mitchell . "

the other Ida cut a generous slice from the cake and passed it to her guest .

her eyes were shining and her cheeks were flushed .

she was really a very sweet-looking little thing not a bit like her usual pale , timid self .

Ida ate the cake slowly .

what was she to do ?

she couldn't tell the other Ida the truth about the cake .

but the girls she had asked in to help eat it that very evening !

and Miss Monroe !

oh , dear , it was too bad .

but it couldn't be helped .

she wouldn't blot out that light on the other Ida 's face for anything !

" it 's delicious , " said Ida heartily , swallowing her own disappointment with the cake .

" I 'm I'm glad I happened to drop in as I was passing . "

Ida hoped that speech didn't come under the head of a fib .

" so am I , " said the other Ida brightly .

" oh , I 've been so lonesome and downhearted this week .

I 'm so alone , you see there isn't anybody to care .

father died three years ago , and I don't remember my mother at all .

there is nobody but myself , and it is dreadfully lonely at times .

when the Academy is open and I have my lessons to study , I don't mind so much .

but the holidays take all the courage out of me . "

" we should have fraternized more this week , " smiled Ida , regretting that she hadn't thought of it before .

" I couldn't go home because of the measles , and I 've moped a lot .

we might have spent the time together and had a real nice , jolly holiday . "

the other Ida blushed with delight .

" I 'd love to be friends with you , " she said slowly .

" I 've often thought I 'd like to know you .

isn't it odd that we have the same name ?

it was so nice of you to come and see me .

I I 'd love to have you come often . "

" I will , " said Ida heartily .

" perhaps you will stay the evening , " suggested the other Ida .

they are all clerks in stores and some of them are so tired and lonely .

it 's so nice to have a pleasure to share with them .

won't you stay ? "

" I 'd like to , " laughed Ida , " but I have some guests of my own invited in for tonight .

I must hurry home , for they will most surely be waiting for me . "

she laughed again as she thought what else the guests would be waiting for .

but her face was sober enough as she walked home .

" but I 'm glad I left the cake with her , " she said resolutely .

" poor little thing !

it means so much to her .

it meant only ' a good feed , ' as Josie says , to me .

I 'm simply going to make it my business next term to be good friends with the other Ida Mitchell .

I 'm afraid we third-year girls are very self-centred and selfish .

and I know what I 'll do !

I won't say that , just for a moment , Ida didn't regret that she had given up her cake .

" good evening , Miss Mitchell , " cried Mary Craig gaily .

" walk right in and make yourself at home in your own room , do !

we all met in the hall , and knocked and knocked .

finally Miss Monroe came , so we made bold to walk right in .

where is the only and original fruit cake , Ida ?

my mouth has been watering all day . "

then she told the whole story .

their " best " proved to be a very good thing .

they had a jolly New Year 's Eve , and Miss Monroe sparkled and entertained most brilliantly .

they kept their celebration up until twelve to welcome the new year in , and then they bade Ida good night .

but Miss Monroe lingered for a moment behind the others to say softly :

" I want to tell you how good and sweet I think it was of you to give up your cake to the other Ida .

that little bit of unselfishness was a good guerdon for your new year . "

and Ida , radiant-faced at this praise from her idol , answered heartily :

" I 'm afraid I 'm anything but unselfish , Miss Monroe .

the other Ida Mitchell isn't going to have to depend on that fruit cake alone for comfort and encouragement for the next twelve months . "

In the Old Valley

the man halted on the crest of the hill and looked sombrely down into the long valley below .

it was evening , and although the hills around him were still in the light the valley was already filled with kindly , placid shadows .

but high up their tops were green and caught the saffron light of the west .

he knew now that there had always been a longing in his heart to hear the wind-chant in the firs .

he had called that longing by other names , but he knew it now for what it was when , hearing , he was satisfied .

he was a tall man with iron-grey hair and the face of a conqueror strong , pitiless , unswerving .

it told of power and intellect , but the soul of the man was a hidden thing .

the old bond held .

should he go down to it ?

this was the question he asked himself .

he had come back to it , heartsick of his idols of the marketplace .

his gods mocked him and he wearied of their service .

were there not better things than these , things he had once known and loved and forgotten ?

where were the ideals of his youth , the lofty aspirations that had upborne him then ?

where might he find them again ?

were they yet to be had for the seeking in the old valley ?

with the thought came a great yearning for home .

he had had many habitations , but he realized now that he had never thought of any of these places as home .

that name had all unconsciously been kept sacred to the long , green , seaward-looking glen where he had been born .

so he had come back to it , drawn by a longing not to be resisted .

but at the last he felt afraid .

there had been many changes , of that he felt sure .

would it still be home ?

and if not , would not the loss be most irreparable and bitter ?

no , he would not go down .

he could not enter again into the heritage of boyhood and the heart of youth .

he could not find there the old dreams and hopes that had made life sweet .

he understood that he could not bring back to the old valley what he had taken from it .

his was a name that stood for millions , but he was beggared of hope and purpose .

no , he would not go down .

there was no one left there , unchanged and unchanging , to welcome him .

he would be a stranger there , even among his kin .

" what is over the hills ? " he had asked of his mother .

with a smile she had made answer ,

" many things , laddie .

wonderful things , beautiful things , heart-breaking things . "

" some day I shall go over the hills and find them all , Mother , " he had said stoutly .

she had laughed and sighed and caught him to her heart .

he had lived on the homestead until he was twenty .

he had tilled the broad fields and gone in and out among the people , and their life had been his life .

but his heart was not in his work .

he wanted to go beyond the hills and seek what he knew must be there .

the valley was too narrow , too placid .

he longed for conflict and accomplishment .

he felt power and desire and the lust of endeavour stirring in him .

oh , to go over the hills to a world where men lived !

such had been the goal of all his dreams .

when his mother died he sold the farm to his cousin , Stephen Marshall .

he supposed it still belonged to him .

perhaps so .

there had been Joyce .

he wondered where Joyce was now and whom she had married , for of course she had married .

did she too live somewhere down there in the valley , the matronly , contented mother of lads and lassies ?

how true and strong and womanly and gentle she had always been !

when he left home he had meant to go back to her some day .

they had parted without pledge or kiss , yet he knew she loved him and that he loved her .

at first they corresponded , then the letters began to grow fewer .

it was his fault ; he had gradually forgotten .

the new , fierce , burning interests that came into his life crowded the old ones out .

boyhood 's love was scorched up in that hot flame of ambition and contest .

he had not heard from or of Joyce for many years .

now , again , he remembered as he looked down on the homeland fields .

the old places had changed little , whatever he might fear of the people who lived in them .

there was the school he had attended , a small , low-eaved , white-washed building set back from the main road among green spruces .

beyond it , amid tall elms , was the old church with its square tower hung with ivy .

he recalled the many times he had walked to it on the peaceful Sunday afternoons , sometimes with his mother , sometimes with Joyce .

the sun set far out to sea and sucked down with it all the light out of the winnowed dome of sky .

the stars came out singly and crystal clear over the far purple curves of the hills .

he smiled a little , remembering that in boyhood it had been held a good omen to see the new moon over the right shoulder .

down in the valley the lights began to twinkle out here and there like earth-stars .

he would wait until he saw the kitchen light from the window of his old home .

then he would go .

he waited until the whole valley was zoned with a glittering girdle , but no light glimmered out through his native trees .

why was it lacking , that light he had so often hailed at dark , coming home from boyish rambles on the hills ?

he felt anxious and dissatisfied , as if he could not go away until he had seen it .

when it was quite dark he descended the hill resolutely .

he must know why the homelight had failed him .

when he found himself in the old garden his heart grew sick and sore with disappointment and a bitter homesickness .

Cuthbert Marshall sat down on the old red sandstone step of the door and bowed his head in his hands .

this was what he had come back to this ghost and wreck of his past !

oh , bitterness !

after a long time he went over to it and knocked at the door .

Stephen came to it , a stout grizzled farmer , with a chubby boy on his shoulder .

Cuthbert was obliged to tell who he was .

he was made instantly and warmly welcome .

the boys and girls , too , soon made friends with him .

yet he felt himself the stranger and the alien , whom the long , swift-passing years had shut forever from his old place .

he and Stephen talked late that night , and in the morning he yielded to their entreaties to stay another day with them .

he spent it wandering about the farm and the old haunts of wood and stream .

yet he could not find himself .

he asked Stephen fully about all his old friends and neighbours with one exception .

he could not ask him what had become of Joyce Cameron .

the question was on his lips a dozen times , but he shrank from uttering it .

he had a vague , secret dread that the answer , whatever it might be , would hurt him .

in the evening he yielded to a whim and went across to the Cameron homestead , by the old footpath which was still kept open .

he walked slowly and dreamily , with his eyes on the far hills scarfed in the splendour of sunset .

the stile he remembered was gone , replaced by a little rustic gate .

so she had stood , so she had looked many an evening of the long-ago .

she had not changed ; he realized that in the first amazed , incredulous glance .

" Joyce ! " he said , stupidly , unbelievingly .

she smiled and put out her hand .

" I am glad to see you , Cuthbert , " she said simply .

" Stephen 's Mary told me you had come .

and I thought you would be over to see us this evening . "

" is it possible you are here still , Joyce ? " he said slowly .

" and you have not changed at all . "

she coloured slightly and pulled away her hands , laughing .

" oh , indeed I have .

I have grown old .

the twilight is so kind it hides that , but it is true .

come into the house , Cuthbert .

father and Mother will be glad to see you . "

" after a little , " he said imploringly .

" let us stay here awhile first , Joyce .

I want to make sure that this is no dream .

if I had known you were here !

you have lived here in the old valley all these years ? "

" all these years , " she said gently , " I suppose you think it must have been a very meagre life ? "

" no .

I am much wiser now than I was once , Joyce .

I have learned wisdom beyond the hills .

one learns there in time but sometimes the lesson is learned too late .

shall I tell you what I have learned , Joyce ?

I did not miss these things for a long while ; I did not even know I had lost them .

but I have discovered my loss . "

" yet you have been a very successful man , " she said wonderingly .

" as the world calls success , " he answered bitterly .

" I have place and wealth and power .

but that is not success , Joyce .

I am tired of these things ; they are the toys of grown-up children ; they do not satisfy the man 's soul .

he was silent , remembering that he had forfeited all right to her help in the quest .

yet he realized clearly that only she could help him , only she could guide him back to the path he had missed .

hers was the master word , but how should he dare ask her to utter it ?

they walked among the firs until the stars came out , and they talked of many things .

she had kept her freshness of soul and her ideals untarnished .

in the peace of the old valley she had lived a life , narrow outwardly , wondrously deep and wide in thought and aspiration .

her native hills bounded the vision of her eyes , but the outlook of the soul was far and unhindered .

in the quiet places and the green ways she had found what he had failed to find the secret of happiness and content .

oh , fool and blind that he had been !

while he had sought and toiled afar , the best that God had meant for him had been here in the home of youth .

when darkness came down through the firs he told her all this , haltingly , blunderingly , yearningly .

" Joyce , is it too late ?

can you forgive my mistake , my long blindness ?

can you care for me again a little ? "

she turned her face upward to the sky between the swaying fir tops and he saw the reflection of a star in her eyes .

" I have never ceased to care , " she said in a low tone .

" I never really wanted to cease .

it would have left life too empty .

if my love means so much to you it is yours , Cuthbert it always has been yours . "

Jane Lavinia

" next thing you 'll be wanting to wear your best muslin to go for the cows , " said Aunt Rebecca sarcastically .

" you go right back upstairs and take off that chiffon hat .

your last summer 's sailor is plenty good enough to go to the Whittakers ' in , Jane Lavinia . "

" but Mr Stephens and his wife are from New York , " pleaded Jane Lavinia , " and she 's so stylish . "

" well , it 's likely they 're used to seeing chiffon hats , " Aunt Rebecca responded , more sarcastically than ever .

" it isn't probable that yours would make much of a sensation .

Mr Stephens didn't send for you to show him your chiffon hat , did he ?

if he did , I don't see what you 're lugging that big portfolio along with you for .

go and put on your sailor hat , Jane Lavinia . "

Jane Lavinia obeyed .

she always obeyed Aunt Rebecca .

but she took off the chiffon hat and pinned on the sailor with bitterness of heart .

she had always hated that sailor .

it jarred on Jane Lavinia 's artistic instincts .

besides , it was very unbecoming .

she forgot to fling the sailor hat into its box with her usual energy of dislike .

just then Jane Lavinia had a soul above hats .

she looked at herself in the glass and nodded with friendliness .

" you 'll do something yet , " she said .

" Mr Stephens said you would .

oh , I like you , Jane Lavinia , you dear thing !

sometimes I haven't liked you because you 're nothing to look at , and I didn't suppose you could really do anything worthwhile .

but I do like you now after what Mr Stephens said about your drawings . "

Jane Lavinia smiled radiantly into the little cracked glass .

just then she was pretty , with the glow on her cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes .

her uncertainly tinted hair and an all-too-certain little tilt of her nose no longer troubled her .

such things did not matter ; nobody would mind them in a successful artist .

and Mr Stephens had said that she had talent enough to win success .

Jane Lavinia sat down by her window , which looked west into a grove of firs .

they grew thickly , close up to the house , and she could touch their wide , fan-like branches with her hand .

the stained walls were covered with Jane Lavinia 's pictures most of them pen-and-ink sketches , with a few flights into water colour .

aunt Rebecca sniffed at them and deplored the driving of tacks into the plaster .

all the other girls in Chestercote made rugs and tidies and afghans .

why must Jane Lavinia keep messing with ink and crayons and water colours ?

Jane Lavinia only knew that she must she could not help it .

there was something in her that demanded expression thus .

she indulged in some harmless manoeuvring which , with the aid of good-natured Mrs Whittaker , was crowned with success .

one day , when Mr Whittaker was getting better , Mr Stephens had asked her to show him some of her work .

Jane Lavinia , wearing the despised sailor hat , had gone over to the Whittaker place with some of her best sketches .

she came home again feeling as if all the world and herself were transfigured .

Jane Lavinia sighed .

" but I 'm going , anyway , " said Jane Lavinia decidedly .

" if Aunt Rebecca won't give me the money , I 'll find some other way .

I 'm not afraid of any amount of work .

after what Mr Stephens said , I believe I could work twenty hours out of the twenty-four .

Jane Lavinia sighed in luxurious renunciation .

oh , it was good to be alive to be a girl of seventeen , with wonderful ambitions and all the world before her !

the years of the future sparkled and gleamed alluringly .

Jane Lavinia , with her head on the window sill , looked out into the sunset splendour and dreamed .

Jane Lavinia !

ain't you going for the cows tonight ? "

Jane Lavinia started up guiltily ; she had forgotten all about the cows .

" it 'll be dark before we get the cows milked .

I s'pose you 've been day-dreaming again up there .

I do wish , Jane Lavinia , that you had more sense . "

Jane Lavinia made no response .

the air was moist and sweet .

at the top of the lane a wild plum tree hung out its branches of feathery bloom against the crimson sky .

Jane Lavinia lingered , in spite of Aunt Rebecca 's hurry , to look at it .

it satisfied her artistic instinct and made her glad to be alive in the world where wild plums blossomed against springtime skies .

Jane Lavinia tried to speak and couldn't .

for a wonder , Aunt Rebecca spared her the trouble .

" well , what did Mr Stephens think of your pictures ? " she asked shortly .

" oh ! "

everything that Jane Lavinia wanted to say came rushing at once and together to her tongue 's end .

" oh , Aunt Rebecca , he was delighted with them !

and he said I had remarkable talent , and he wants me to go to New York and study in an art school there .

so it won't cost much .

and he said he would help me and , oh , Aunt Rebecca , can't I go ? "

Jane Lavinia 's breath gave out with a gasp of suspense .

it doesn't seem to me that I have anything to say in the matter , Jane Lavinia . "

" but , oh , Aunt Rebecca , " said Jane Lavinia tremulously .

" I can't go unless you 'll help me .

I 'll have to pay for my lessons at the art school , you know . "

" so that 's it , is it ?

and do you expect me to give you the money to pay for them , Jane Lavinia ? "

" not give exactly , " stammered Jane Lavinia .

" I 'll pay it back some time , Aunt Rebecca .

oh , indeed , I will when I 'm able to earn money by my pictures ! "

" the security is hardly satisfactory , " said Aunt Rebecca immovably .

" you know well enough I haven't much money , Jane Lavinia .

aunt Rebecca turned and went into the house .

Jane Lavinia , feeling sore and bruised in spirit ; fled to her own room and cried herself to sleep .

her eyes were swollen the next morning , but she was not sulky .

Jane Lavinia never sulked .

she did her morning 's work faithfully , although there was no spring in her step .

" you 'd better go down to the store and get ten yards of white cotton , Jane Lavinia , " she said .

" if you 're going to New York , you 'll have to get a supply of underclothing made . "

Jane Lavinia opened her eyes .

" oh , Aunt Rebecca , am I going ? "

" you can go if you want to .

I 'll give you all the money I can spare .

it ain't much , but perhaps it 'll be enough for a start . "

" oh , Aunt Rebecca , thank you ! " exclaimed Jane Lavinia , crimson with conflicting feelings .

" but perhaps I oughtn't to take it perhaps I oughtn't to leave you alone "

if Aunt Rebecca had shown any regret at the thought of Jane Lavinia 's departure , Jane Lavinia would have foregone New York on the spot .

but Aunt Rebecca only said coldly , " I guess you needn't worry over that .

I can get along well enough . "

and with that it was settled .

Jane Lavinia lived in a whirl of delight for the next week .

she felt few regrets at leaving Chestercote .

Jane Lavinia had never thought that Aunt Rebecca had any affection for her .

she had been a very little girl when her parents had died , and Aunt Rebecca had taken her to bring up .

accordingly she had been " brought up , " and she was grateful to Aunt Rebecca , but there was no closer bond between them .

Jane Lavinia would have given love for love unstintedly , but she never supposed that Aunt Rebecca loved her .

on the morning of departure Jane Lavinia was up and ready early .

she put on her chiffon hat to travel in , and Aunt Rebecca did not say a word of protest .

Jane Lavinia cried when she said good-by , but Aunt Rebecca did not cry .

she shook hands and said stiffly , " write when you get to New York .

you needn't let Mrs Stephens work you to death either . "

Jane Lavinia went slowly over the bridge and up the lane .

if only Aunt Rebecca had been a little sorry !

Jane Lavinia 's spirits rose and bubbled over in a little trill of song .

then she stopped in dismay .

she had forgotten her watch her mother 's little gold watch ; she had left it on her dressing table .

Jane Lavinia hurried down the lane and back to the house .

in the open kitchen doorway she paused , standing on a mosaic of gold and shadow where the sunshine fell through the morning-glory vines .

oh , what shall I do ?

and she didn't care she was glad to go glad to get away .

well , it ain't any wonder .

I 've always been too cranky with her .

but I loved her so much all the time , and I was so proud of her !

I liked her picture-making real well , even if I did complain of her wasting her time .

oh , I don't know how I 'm ever going to keep on living now she 's gone ! "

Jane Lavinia listened with a face from which all the sparkle and excitement had gone .

yet amid all the wreck and ruin of her tumbling castles in air , a glad little thrill made itself felt .

aunt Rebecca was sorry Aunt Rebecca did love her after all !

Jane Lavinia turned and walked noiselessly away .

after all , it was nicer to be loved than to be rich and admired and famous .

when she reached Mr Whittaker 's , everybody was out in the yard ready to start .

" hurry up , Jane Lavinia , " said Mr Whittaker .

" blest if we hadn't begun to think you weren't coming at all .

Lively now . "

" I am not going , " said Jane Lavinia calmly .

" not going ? " they all exclaimed .

" no .

I 'm very sorry , and very grateful to you , Mr Stephens , but I can't leave Aunt Rebecca .

she 'd miss me too much . "

" well , you little goose ! " said Mrs Whittaker .

Mrs Stephens said nothing , but frowned coldly .

perhaps her thoughts were less of the loss to the world of art than of the difficulty of hunting up another housemaid .

Mr Stephens looked honestly regretful .

" I 'm sorry , very sorry , Miss Slade , " he said .

" you have exceptional talent , and I think you ought to cultivate it . "

" I am going to cultivate Aunt Rebecca , " said Jane Lavinia .

nobody knew just what she meant , but they all understood the firmness of her tone .

her trunk was taken down out of the express wagon , and Mr and Mrs. Stephens drove away .

then Jane Lavinia went home .

she found Aunt Rebecca washing the breakfast dishes , with the big tears rolling down her face .

" goodness me ! " she cried , when Jane Lavinia walked in .

" what 's the matter ?

you ain't gone and been too late ! "

" no , I 've just changed my mind , Aunt Rebecca .

they 've gone without me .

I am not going to New York I don't want to go .

I 'd rather stay at home with you . "

for a moment Aunt Rebecca stared at her .

then she stepped forward and flung her arms about the girl .

" oh , Jane Lavinia , " she said with a sob , " I 'm so glad !

I couldn't see how I was going to get along without you , but I thought you didn't care .

you can wear that chiffon hat everywhere you want to , and I 'll get you a pink organdy dress for Sundays . "

Illustration : SHE EYED CHESTER SOURLY .

Mackereling Out in the Gulf

it was about the middle of the afternoon , and intensely warm and breathless .

the headlands and coves were blurred by a purple heat haze .

the little cluster of fishing houses nearby were bleached to a silvery grey by long exposure to wind and rain .

Far off were several " Yankee " fishing schooners , their sails dimly visible against the white horizon .

two boats were hauled upon the " skids " that ran from the rocks out into the water .

a couple of dories floated below them .

now and then a white gull , flashing silver where its plumage caught the sun , soared landward .

a young man was standing by the skids , watching the fishing boats through a spyglass .

he was tall , with a straight , muscular figure clad in a rough fishing suit .

presently three people came down the steep path from the fish-houses .

one of them , a girl , ran lightly forward and touched Benjamin Selby 's arm .

he lowered his glass with a start and looked around .

a flash of undisguised delight transfigured his face .

" why , Mary Stella !

I didn't expect you 'd be down this hot day .

you haven't been much at the shore lately , " he added reproachfully .

" not just now .

who is that stranger with your father , Mary Stella ? "

" that is a cousin of ours a Mr Braithwaite .

are you very busy , Benjamin ? "

" not busy at all idle as you see me .

why ? "

" will you take me out for a little row in the dory ?

I haven't been out for so long . "

" of course .

come here 's the dory your namesake , you know .

I had her fresh painted last week .

she 's as clean as an eggshell . "

the girl stepped daintily off the rocks into the little cream-coloured skiff , and Benjamin untied the rope and pushed off .

" where would you like to go , Mary Stella ? "

" oh , just upshore a little way not far .

and don't go out into very deep water , please , it makes me feel frightened and dizzy . "

Benjamin smiled and promised .

he was rowing along with the easy grace of one used to the oar .

he had been born and brought up in sound of the gulf 's waves ; its never-ceasing murmur had been his first lullaby .

he knew it and loved it in every mood , in every varying tint and smile , in every change of wind and tide .

there was no better skipper alongshore than Benjamin Selby .

Mary Stella waved her hand gaily to the two men on the rocks .

Benjamin looked back darkly .

" who is that young fellow ? " he asked again .

" where does he belong ? "

she made Frank come down here this summer and hunt us up .

he is splendid , I think .

he is a New York lawyer and very clever . "

Benjamin made no response .

he pulled in his oars and let the dory float amid the ripples .

the bottom of white sand , patterned over with coloured pebbles , was clear and distinct through the dark-green water .

Mary Stella leaned over to watch the distorted reflection of her face by the dory 's side .

" have you had pretty good luck this week , Benjamin ?

father couldn't go out much he has been so busy with his hay , and Leon is such a poor fisherman . "

" we 've had some of the best hauls of the summer this week .

some of the Rustler boats caught six hundred to a line yesterday .

we had four hundred to the line in our boat . "

Mary Stella began absently to dabble her slender brown hand in the water .

he could not recall the time when he had not loved Mary Stella .

it seemed to him that she had always been a part of his inmost life .

he loved her with the whole strength and fidelity of a naturally intense nature .

he hoped that she loved him , and he had no rival that he feared .

In secret he exalted and deified her as something almost too holy for him to aspire to .

the roughest labour was glorified if it lifted him a step nearer the altar of his worship .

but today he felt faintly disturbed .

in some strange , indefinable way it seemed to him that Mary Stella was different from her usual self .

the impression was vague and evanescent gone before he could decide wherein the difference lay .

he told himself that he was foolish , yet the vexing , transient feeling continued to come and go .

presently Mary Stella said it was time to go back .

Benjamin was in no hurry , but he never disputed her lightest inclination .

he turned the dory about and rowed shoreward .

Mr Murray and Braithwaite were standing by the skids , watching the dory .

" who is that young fellow ? " asked the latter .

" what a splendid physique he has !

it 's a pleasure to watch him rowing . "

he 's been high line all along the gulf shore for years .

I don't know a finer man every way you take him .

maybe you 'll think I 'm partial , " he continued with a smile .

" you see , he and Mary Stella think a good deal of each other .

I expect to have Benjamin for a son-in-law some day if all goes well . "

Braithwaite 's expression changed slightly .

he walked over to the dory and helped Mary Stella out of it while Benjamin made the painter fast .

when the latter turned , Mary Stella was walking across the rocks with her cousin .

Benjamin 's blue eyes darkened , and he strode moodily over to the boats .

" you weren't out this morning , Mr Murray ? "

" no , that hay had to be took in .

reckon I missed it pretty good catch , they tell me .

are they getting any now ? "

" no .

it 's not likely the fish will begin to bite again for another hour . "

" I see someone standing up in that off boat , don't I ? " said Mr Murray , reaching for the spyglass .

" no , that 's only Rob Leslie 's crew trying to fool us .

they 've tried it before this afternoon .

they think it would be a joke to coax us out there to broil like themselves . "

" Frank , " shouted Mr Murray , " come here , I want you . "

Aside to Benjamin he said , " he 's my nephew a fine young chap .

you 'll like him , I know . "

Braithwaite came over , and Mr Murray put one hand on his shoulder and one on Benjamin 's .

" boys , I want you to know each other .

Benjamin , this is Frank Braithwaite .

Frank , this is Benjamin Selby , the high line of the gulf shore , as I told you . "

while Mr Murray was speaking , the two men looked steadily at each other .

the few seconds seemed very long ; when they had passed , Benjamin knew that the other man was his rival .

Braithwaite was the first to speak .

he put out his hand with easy cordiality .

his frank courtesy compelled some return .

Benjamin took the proffered hand with restraint .

" I 'm sorry there 's no mackerel going this afternoon , " continued the American .

" I wanted to have a chance at them .

I never saw mackerel caught before .

I suppose I 'll be very awkward at first . "

" it 's not a very hard thing to do , " said Benjamin stiffly , speaking for the first time since their meeting .

" most anybody could catch mackerel for a while it 's the sticking to it that counts . "

he turned abruptly and went back to his boat .

he could not force himself to talk civilly to the stranger , with that newly born demon of distrust gnawing at his heart .

" I think I 'll go out , " he said .

" it 's freshening up .

I shouldn't wonder if the mackerel schooled soon . "

" I 'll go , too , then , " said Mr Murray .

" hi , up there !

Leon and Pete !

hi , I say ! "

two more French Canadians came running down from the Murray fish-house , where they had been enjoying a siesta .

they fished in the Murray boat .

" think you 'll try it , Frank ? " shouted Mr Murray .

" well , not this afternoon , " was the answer .

" it 's rather hot .

I 'll see what it is like tomorrow . "

the boats were quickly launched and glided out from the shadow of the cliffs .

Benjamin stood at his mast .

Mary Stella came down to the water 's edge and waved her hand gaily .

" good luck to you and the best catch of the season , " she called out .

Benjamin waved his hat in response .

his jealousy was forgotten for the moment and he felt that he had been churlish to Braithwaite .

" you 'll wish you 'd come , " he shouted to him .

" it 's going to be a great evening for fish . "

when the boats reached the fishing grounds , they came to and anchored , their masts coming out in slender silhouette against the sky .

Frank Braithwaite went out fishing the next day and caught @number@ mackerel .

he was boyishly proud of it .

he visited the shore daily after that and soon became very popular .

he never put on any " airs , " and he stoutly took Leon 's part against the aggressive Mosey Louis .

even the French Canadians , those merciless critics , admitted that the " Yankee " was a good fellow .

Benjamin Selby alone held stubbornly aloof .

one evening the loaded boats came in at sunset .

Benjamin sprang from his as it bumped against the skids , and ran up the path .

Braithwaite 's back was to Benjamin ; he held the girl 's hand in his and was talking earnestly .

Mary Stella was looking up at him , her delicate face thrown back a little .

there was a look in her eyes that Benjamin had never seen there before but he knew what it meant .

his face grew pale and rigid ; he clenched his hands and a whirlpool of agony and bitterness surged up in his heart .

all the great blossoms of the hope that had shed beauty and fragrance over his rough life seemed suddenly to shrivel up into black unsightliness .

he turned and went swiftly and noiselessly down the road to his boat .

the murmur of the sea sounded very far off .

mosey Louis was busy counting out the mackerel , Xavier was dipping up buckets of water and pouring it over the silvery fish .

it was all real and yet unreal .

Benjamin went to work mechanically .

presently Mary Stella came down to her father 's boat .

Braithwaite followed slowly , pausing a moment to exchange some banter with saucy Mosey Louis .

it was late when they finished .

the tired French Canadians went quickly off to their beds in the fish-house loft .

he leaned against a huge boulder and laid his head on his arm , looking up into the dark sky .

when Benjamin lifted his head he saw Frank Braithwaite standing between him and the luminous water .

he took a step forward , and they came face to face as Braithwaite turned with a start .

Benjamin clenched his hands and fought down a hideous temptation to thrust his rival off the rock .

" I saw you today , " he said in a low , intense tone .

" what do you think of yourself , coming down here to steal the girl I loved from me ?

weren't there enough girls where you came from to choose among ?

I hate you .

I 'd kill you "

" Selby , stop !

you don't know what you are saying .

if I have wronged you , I swear I did it unintentionally .

I loved Stella from the first who could help it ?

but I thought she was virtually bound to you , and I did not try to win her away .

you don't know what it cost me to remain passive .

I know that you have always distrusted me , but hitherto you have had no reason to .

but today I found that she was free that she did not care for you !

and I found or thought I found that there was a chance for me .

I took it .

I forgot everything else then . "

" so she loves you ? " said Benjamin dully .

" yes , " said Braithwaite softly .

Benjamin turned on him with sudden passion .

" I hate you and I am the most miserable wretch alive , but if she is happy , it is no matter about me .

you 've won easily what I 've slaved and toiled all my life for .

you won't value it as I 'd have done but if you make her happy , nothing else matters .

I 've only one favour to ask of you .

don't let her come to the shore after this .

I can't stand it . "

August throbbed and burned itself out .

affairs along shore continued as usual .

Benjamin shut his sorrow up in himself and gave no outward sign of suffering .

as if to mock him , the season was one of phenomenal prosperity ; it was a " mackerel year " to be dated from .

he worked hard and unceasingly , sparing himself in no way .

Braithwaite seldom came to the shore now .

Mary Stella never .

Mr Murray had tried to speak of the matter , but Benjamin would not let him .

" it 's best that nothing be said , " he told him with simple dignity .

he was so calm that Mr Murray thought he did not care greatly , and was glad of it .

the older man regretted the turn of affairs .

Braithwaite would take his daughter far away from him , as his sister had been taken , and he loved Benjamin as his own son .

one afternoon Benjamin stood by his boat and looked anxiously at sea and sky .

the French Canadians were eager to go out , for the other boats were catching .

" I don't know about it , " said Benjamin doubtfully .

" I don't half like the look of things .

I believe we 're in for a squall before long .

it was just such a day three years ago when that terrible squall came up that Joe Otway got drowned in . "

the sky was dun and smoky , the glassy water was copper-hued , the air was heavy and breathless .

the sea purred upon the shore , lapping it caressingly like some huge feline creature biding its time to seize and crunch its victim .

" I reckon I 'll try it , " said Benjamin after a final scrutiny .

" if a squall does come up , we 'll have to run for the shore mighty quick , that 's all . "

they launched the boat speedily ; as there was no wind , they had to row .

as they pulled out , Braithwaite and Leon came down the road and began to launch the Murray boat .

" if dem two gits caught in a squall dey'll hav a tam , " grinned Mosey Louis .

" Dat Leon , he don't know de fust ting ' bout a boat , no more dan a cat ! "

Benjamin came to anchor close in , but Braithwaite and Leon kept on until they were further out than any other boat .

" reckon dey's after cod , " suggested Xavier .

the mackerel bit well , but Benjamin kept a close watch on the sky .

suddenly he saw a dark streak advancing over the water from the northwest .

he wheeled around .

" boys , the squall 's coming !

up with the anchor quick ! "

" Dere 's plenty tam , " grumbled Mosey Louis , who hated to leave the fish .

" none of de oder boats is goin ' in yit . "

the squall struck the boat as he spoke .

she lurched and staggered .

the water was tossing choppily .

there was a sudden commotion all through the fleet and sails went rapidly up .

mosey Louis turned pale and scrambled about without delay .

Benjamin was halfway to the shore before the sail went up in the Murray boat .

" Don ' know what dey're tinkin ' of , " growled Mosey Louis .

" Dey 'll be drown fust ting ! "

Benjamin looked back anxiously .

every boat was making for the shore .

the gale was steadily increasing .

he had his doubts about making a landing himself , and Braithwaite would be twenty minutes later .

" but it isn't my lookout , " he muttered .

Benjamin had landed and was hauling up his boat when Mr Murray came running down the road .

" Frank ? " he gasped .

" him and Leon went out , the foolish boys !

they neither of them know anything about a time like this . "

" I guess they 'll be all right , " said Benjamin reassuringly .

" they were late starting .

they may find it rather hard to land . "

the other boats had all got in with more or less difficulty .

the Murray boat alone was out .

men came scurrying along the shore in frightened groups of two and three .

the boat came swiftly in before the wind .

Mr Murray was half beside himself .

" it 'll be all right , sir , " said one of the men .

" if they can't land here , they can beach her on the sandshore . "

" if they only knew enough to do that , " wailed the old man .

" but they don't they'll come right on to the rocks . "

" why don't they lower their sail ? " said another .

" they will upset if they don't . "

" they 're lowering it now , " said Benjamin .

the boat was now about @number@ yards from the shore .

the sail did not go all the way down it seemed to be stuck .

" good God , what 's wrong ? " exclaimed Mr Murray .

as he spoke , the boat capsized .

a yell of horror rose I from the beach .

Mr Murray sprang toward Benjamin 's boat , but one of the men held him back .

" you can't do it , sir .

I don't know that anybody can . "

Braithwaite and Leon were clinging to the boat .

Benjamin Selby , standing in the background , his lips set , his hands clenched , was fighting the hardest battle of his life .

there was a bare chance and a great risk .

this man whom he hated was drowning before his eyes .

let him drown , then !

why should he risk ay , and perchance lose his life for his enemy ?

no one could blame him for refusing and if Braithwaite were out of the way , Mary Stella might yet be his !

the temptation and victory passed in a few brief seconds .

he stepped forward , cool and self-possessed .

" I 'm going out .

I want one man with me .

no one with child or wife .

who 'll go ? "

" I will , " shouted Mosey Louis .

" I haf some spat wid dat Leon , but I not lak to see him drown for all dat ! "

Benjamin offered no objection .

the French Canadian 's arm was strong and he possessed skill and experience .

Mr Murray caught Benjamin 's arm .

" no , no , Benjamin not you I can't see both my boys drowned . "

Benjamin gently loosed the old man 's hold .

" it 's for Mary Stella 's sake , " he said hoarsely .

" if I don't come back , tell her that . "

they launched the large dory with difficulty and pulled out into the surf .

Benjamin did not lose his nerve .

his quick arm , his steady eye did not fail .

a dozen times the wild-eyed watchers thought the boat was doomed , but as often she righted triumphantly .

at last the drowning men were reached and somehow or other hauled on board Benjamin 's craft .

it was easier to come back , for they beached the boat on the sand .

Benjamin went home before anyone knew he had gone .

" Dat Leon , he not tink he know so much now ! " he said .

Braithwaite came to the shore next day somewhat pale and shaky .

he went straight to Benjamin and held out his hand .

" thank you , " he said simply .

Benjamin bent lower over his work .

" you needn't thank me , " he said gruffly .

" I wanted to let you drown .

but I went out for Mary Stella 's sake .

tell me one thing I couldn't bring myself to ask it of anyone else .

when are you to be married ? "


Benjamin did not wince .

he turned away and looked out across the sea for a few moments .

the last agony of his great renunciation was upon him .

then he turned and held out his hand .

" for her sake , " he said earnestly .

Frank Braithwaite put his slender white hand into the fisherman 's hard brown palm .

there were tears in both men 's eyes .

they parted in silence .


the catch was good , although the season was almost over .

in the afternoon the French Canadians went to sleep .

Benjamin intended to row down the shore for salt .

he stood by his dory , ready to start , but he seemed to be waiting for something .

at last it came : a faint train whistle blew , a puff of white smoke floated across a distant gap in the sandhills .

Mary Stella was gone at last gone forever from his life .

the honest blue eyes looking out over the sea did not falter ; bravely he faced his desolate future .

Millicent 's Double

Illustration : " ' NONSENSE , ' SAID MILLICENT , POINTING TO THEIR REFLECTED FACES "

they were total strangers , but when two girls look enough alike to be twins , it is not necessary to stand on ceremony .

after the first blank stare of amazement , both laughed outright .

Millicent held out her hand .

" we ought to know each other right away , " she said frankly .

" my name is Millicent Moore , and yours is ? "

" Worth Gordon , " responded Worth , taking the proffered hand with dancing eyes .

" you actually frightened me when you came around that corner .

for a moment I had an uncanny feeling that I was a disembodied spirit looking at my own outward shape .

I know now what it feels like to have a twin . "

" isn't it odd that we should look so much alike ? " said Millicent .

" do you suppose we can be any relation ?

I never heard of any relations named Gordon . "

worth shook her head .

" I 'm quite sure we're not , " she said .

" Well , you 'll really have to count me as a relative after this , " laughed Millicent .

" I 'm sure a girl who looks as much like you as I do must be at least as much relation as a stepaunt . "

seen apart it was impossible to tell which was which except by their clothes and style of hairdressing .

seen together there were , of course , many minor differences which served to distinguish them .

both girls were slight , with dark-brown hair , blue eyes and fair complexions .

but Millicent had more colour than Worth .

Even in repose , Millicent 's face expressed mirth and fun ; when Worth was not laughing or talking , her face was rather serious .

worth 's eyes were darker , and her nose in profile slightly more aquiline .

but still , the resemblance between them was very striking .

in disposition they were also very similar .

both were merry , fun-loving girls , fond of larks and jokes .

" it 's a perfect evening , Worth .

we had the jolliest tramp .

you should have come with us instead of staying in moping over your books . "

worth smiled ruefully .

" I simply had to prepare those problems for tomorrow , " she said .

" you see , Millie dear , there is a big difference between us in some things at least .

I 'm poor .

I simply have to pass my exams and get a teacher 's licence .

so I can't afford to take any chances .

you 're just attending high school for the sake of education alone , so you don't really have to grind as I do . "

" I 'd like to do pretty well in the exams , though , for Dad 's sake , " answered Millicent , throwing aside her wraps .

" but I don't mean to kill myself studying , just the same .

time enough for that when exams draw nigh .

they 're comfortably far off yet .

but I 'm in a bit of a predicament , Worth , and I don't know what to do .

here are two invitations for Saturday afternoon and I simply must accept them both .

now , how can I do it ?

you 're a marvel at mathematics so work out that problem for me .

" See , here 's a note from Mrs Kirby inviting me to tea at Beechwood .

she called on me soon after the term opened and invited me to tea the next week .

but I had another engagement for that afternoon , so couldn't go .

Mr Kirby is a business friend of Dad 's , and they are very nice people .

the other invitation is to the annual autumn picnic of the Alpha Gammas .

now , Worth Gordon , I simply must go to that .

I wouldn't miss it for anything .

but I don't want to offend Mrs Kirby , and I 'm afraid I shall if I plead another engagement a second time .

mother will be fearfully annoyed at me in that case .

" what 's the matter ? "

" there are two of me !

what 's the use of a double if not for a quandary like this !

worth , you must go to tea at Beechwood Saturday afternoon in my place .

they 'll think you are my very self .

they 'll never know the difference .

go and keep my place warm for me , there 's a dear . "

" impossible , " cried Worth .

" I 'd never dare !

they 'd know there was something wrong . "

" they wouldn't they couldn't .

none of the Kirbys have ever seen me except Mrs Kirby , and she only for a few minutes one evening at dusk .

they don't know I have a double and they can't possibly suspect .

do go , Worth .

why , it 'll be a regular lark , the best little joke ever !

and you 'll oblige me immensely besides .

Worthie , please . "

worth did not consent all at once ; but the idea rather appealed to her for its daring and excitement .

it would be a lark just at that time Worth did not see it in any other light .

besides , she wanted to oblige Millicent , who coaxed vehemently .

finally , Worth yielded and promised Millicent that she would go to Beechwood in her place .

" you darling ! " said Millicent emphatically , flying to her table to write acceptances of both invitations .

Saturday afternoon Worth got ready to keep Millicent 's engagement .

" nonsense , " said Millicent , pointing to their reflected faces .

" the Kirbys can never suspect .

why , if it weren't for the hair and the dresses , I 'd hardly know myself which of those reflections belonged to which . "

" what if they begin asking me about the welfare of the various members of your family ? "

" they won't ask any but the most superficial questions .

we 're not intimate enough for anything else .

I 've coached you pretty thoroughly , and I think you 'll get on all right . "

worth 's courage carried her successfully through the ordeal of arriving at Beechwood and meeting Mrs Kirby .

she was unsuspectingly accepted as Millicent Moore , and found her impersonation of that young lady not at all difficult .

no dangerous subject of conversation was introduced and nothing personal was said until Mr Kirby came in .

he looked so scrutinizingly at Worth as he shook hands with her that the latter felt her heart beating very fast .

did he suspect ?

" upon my word , Miss Moore , " he said genially , " you gave me quite a start at first .

you are very like what a half-sister of mine used to be when a girl long ago .

of course the resemblance must be quite accidental . "

" of course , " said Worth , without any very clear sense of what she was saying .

her face was uncomfortably flushed and she was glad when tea was announced .

as nothing more of an embarrassing nature was said , Worth soon recovered her self-possession and was able to enter into the conversation .

it was not fear she was not at all afraid of betraying herself now .

it had even been easier than she had expected .

then what was it ?

suddenly Worth flushed again .

she knew now it was shame .

she was a guest in that house as an impostor !

what she had done seemed no longer a mere joke .

what would her host and hostess say if they knew ?

that they would never know made no difference .

she herself could not forget it , and her realization of the baseness of the deception grew stronger under Mrs Kirby 's cordial kindness .

worth never forgot that evening .

she compelled herself to chat as brightly as possible , but under it all was that miserable consciousness of falsehood , deepening every instant .

she was thankful when the time came to leave .

" you must come up often , Miss Moore , " said Mrs Kirby kindly .

" look upon Beechwood as a second home while you are in Kinglake .

we have no daughter of our own , so we make a hobby of cultivating other people 's . "

when Millicent returned home from the Alpha Gamma outing , she found Worth in their room , looking soberly at the mirror .

something in her chum 's expression alarmed her .

" worth , what is it ?

did they suspect ? "

" no , " said Worth slowly .

" they never suspected .

they think I am what I pretended to be Millicent Moore .

but , but , I wish I 'd never gone to Beechwood , Millie .

it wasn't right .

it was mean and wrong .

it was acting a lie .

I can't tell you how ashamed I felt when I realized that . "

" nonsense , " said Millicent , looking rather sober , nevertheless .

" no harm was done .

it 's only a good joke , Worth . "

" yes , harm has been done .

I 've done harm to myself , for one thing .

I 've lost my self-respect .

I don't blame you , Millie .

it 's all my own fault .

I 've done a dishonourable thing , dishonourable . "

Millicent sighed .

" the Alpha Gamma picnic was horribly slow , " she said .

" I didn't enjoy myself a bit .

I wish I had gone to Beechwood .

I didn't think about it 's being a practical falsehood before .

I suppose it was .

and I 've always prided myself on my strict truthfulness !

it wasn't your fault , Worth !

it was mine .

but it can't be undone now . "

" no , it can't be undone , " said Worth slowly , " but it might be confessed .

we might tell Mrs Kirby the truth and ask her to forgive us . "

" I couldn't do such a thing , " cried Millicent .

" it isn't to be thought of ! "

nevertheless , Millicent did think of it several times that night and all through the following Sunday .

she couldn't help thinking of it .

a dishonourable trick !

that thought stung Millicent .

Monday evening Millicent flung down the book from which she was vainly trying to study .

" Worthie , it 's no use .

you were right .

there 's nothing to do but go and ' fess up to Mrs Kirby .

I can't respect Millicent Moore again until I do .

I 'm going right up now . "

" I 'll go with you , " said Worth quietly .

" I was equally to blame and I must take my share of the humiliation . "

when the girls reached Beechwood , they were shown into the library where the family were sitting .

Mrs Kirby came smilingly forward to greet Millicent when her eyes fell upon Worth .

" why ! why ! " she said .

" I didn't know you had a twin sister , Miss Moore . "

" neither I have , " said Millicent , laughing nervously .

" this is my chum , Worth Gordon , but she is no relation whatever . "

at the mention of Worth 's name , Mr Kirby started slightly , but nobody noticed it .

Millicent went on in a trembling voice .

" we 've come up to confess something , Mrs Kirby .

I 'm sure you 'll think it dreadful , but we didn't mean any harm .

we just didn't realize , until afterwards . "

then Millicent , with burning cheeks , told the whole story and asked to be forgiven .

" I , too , must apologize , " said Worth , when Millicent had finished .

" can you pardon me , Mrs Kirby ? "

Mrs Kirby had listened in amazed silence , but now she laughed .

" certainly , " she said kindly .

" I don't suppose it was altogether right for you girls to play such a trick on anybody .

but I can make allowances for schoolgirl pranks .

I was a school girl once myself , and far from a model one .

you have atoned for your mistake by coming so frankly and confessing , and now we 'll forget all about it .

I think you have learned your lesson .

both of you must just sit down and spend the evening with us .

dear me , but you are bewilderingly alike ! "

" I 've something I want to say , " interposed Mr Kirby suddenly .

" you say your name is Worth Gordon , " he added , turning to Worth .

" may I ask what your mother 's name was ? "

" Worth Mowbray , " answered Worth wonderingly .

" I was sure of it , " said Mr Kirby triumphantly , " when I heard Miss Moore mention your name .

your mother was my half-sister , and you are my niece . "

everybody exclaimed and for a few moments they all talked and questioned together .

then Mr Kirby explained fully .

" I was born on a farm up-country .

my mother was a widow when she married my father , and she had one daughter , Worth Mowbray , five years older than myself .

when I was three years old , my mother died .

worth went to live with our mother 's only living relative , an aunt .

my father and I removed to another section of the country .

he , too , died soon after , and I was brought up with an uncle 's family .

I never saw her again and eventually lost trace of her .

many years later I endeavoured to find out her whereabouts .

our aunt was dead , and the people in the village where she had lived informed me that my sister was also dead .

there is no doubt that you are her daughter .

well , well , this is a pleasant surprise , to find a little niece in this fashion ! "

it was a pleasant surprise to Worth , too , who had thought herself all alone in the world and had felt her loneliness keenly .

they had a wonderful evening , talking and questioning and explaining .

Mr Kirby declared that Worth must come and live with them .

" we have no daughter , " he said .

" you must come to us in the place of one , Worth . "

Mrs Kirby seconded this with a cordiality that won Worth 's affection at once .

the girl felt almost bewildered by her happiness .

" I feel as if I were in a dream , " she said to Millicent as they walked to their boarding-house .

" it 's really all too wonderful to grasp at once .

you don't know , Millie , how lonely I 've felt often under all my nonsense and fun .

but now I 'm so happy ! "

hasn't it all turned out strangely ?

if you had never gone to Beechwood in my place , this would never have happened . "

" say rather that if we hadn't gone to confess our fault , it would never have happened , " said Worth gently .

" I 'm very , very glad that I have found Uncle George and such a loving welcome to his home .

but I 'm gladder still that I 've got my self-respect back .

I feel that I can look Worth Gordon in the face again . "

" I 've learned a wholesome lesson , too , " admitted Millicent .

the Blue North Room

I have endured all the rest .

I did not grumble when Uncle Joel came here to live because he wanted to be ' near his dear nephew 's children . '

I felt it my Christian duty to look pleasant when we had to give Cousin Caroline a home to save her from the poorhouse .

but my endurance and philosophy , and worst of all , my furniture , has reached a limit .

I cannot have Aunt Josephina come here to spend the winter , because I have no room to put her in . "

" hello , Sally , what 's the matter ? " asked Ray , coming in with a book .

it would have been hard to catch Ray without a book ; he generally took one even to bed with him .

" you look all rumpled up in your conscience , beloved sis , " the boy went on , chaffingly .

" my conscience is all right , " said Sara severely .

" it 's worse than that .

if you please , here 's a letter from Aunt Josephina !

she writes that she is very lonesome .

" well , why not ? " asked Ray serenely .

nothing ever bothered Ray .

" the more the merrier . "

" ray Sheldon !

where are we to put her ?

we have no spare room , as you well know . "

" can't she room with Cousin Caroline ? "

" Cousin Caroline 's room is too small for two .

it 's full to overflowing with her belongings now , and Aunt Josephina will bring two trunks at least .

try again , bright boy . "

" what 's the matter with the blue north room ? "

" there is nothing the matter with it oh , nothing at all !

we could put Aunt Josephina there , but where will she sleep ?

where will she wash her face ?

will it not seem slightly inhospitable to invite her to sit on a bare floor ?

" I 'll give it up , " said Ray .

you must write the letter , Ray .

make it as polite as you can , but above all make it firm . "

Poor Aunt Josephina must really be rather lonely , and it 's only natural she should want to visit her relations . "

" we 're not her relations , " cried Sara .

" we 're not a speck of relation really .

she 's only the half-sister of Mother 's half-brother .

that sounds nice and relationy , doesn't it ?

and she 's fussy and interfering , and she will fight with Cousin Caroline , everybody fights with Cousin Caroline "

anyhow , where could we put her even if we wanted her to come ?

no , we can't have her ! "

" mother was always very fond of Aunt Josephina , " said Ray reflectively .

Sara had her lips open , all ready to answer whatever Ray might say , but she shut them suddenly and the boy went on .

" aunt Josephina thought a lot of Mother , too .

she used to say she knew there was always a welcome for her at Maple Hollow .

" I shall leave it to Willard , " said Sara abruptly .

" if he says to let her come , come she shall , even if Dorothy and I have to camp in the barn . "

" I 'm going to have a prowl around the garret , " said Ray , apropos of nothing .

" and I shall get the tea ready , " answered Sara briskly .

" Dorothy will be home from school very soon , and I hear Uncle Joel stirring .

Willard won't be back till dark , so there is no use waiting for him . "

at twilight Sara decided to walk up the lane and meet Willard .

she always liked to meet him thus when he had been away for a whole day .

Sara thought there was nobody in the world as good and dear as Willard .

the world looked very dull and dispirited , and Sara sighed .

she could not help thinking of the dark side of things just then .

" everything is wrong , " said poor Sara dolefully .

" Willard has to work like a slave , and yet with all his efforts he can barely pay the interest on the mortgage .

and Ray ought to go to college .

but I don't see how we can ever manage .

to be sure , he won't be ready until next fall , but we won't have the money then any more than now .

if he could just have a year there he could teach and earn his own way through college .

but we might as well hope for the moon as one hundred and fifty dollars . "

Sara sighed again .

she was only eighteen , but she felt very old .

Willard was nineteen , and Willard had never had a chance to be young .

the little mother had died two years ago , and the household cares had all fallen on Sara 's shoulders since .

sometimes , as now , they pressed very heavily , but a talk with Willard always heartened her up .

Willard had his blue spells too , but Sara thought it a special Providence that their blue turns never came together .

when one got downhearted the other was always ready to do the cheering up .

Sara was glad to hear Willard whistling when he drove into the lane ; it was a sign he was in good spirits .

he pulled up , and Sara climbed into the wagon .

" things go all right today , Sally ? " he asked cheerfully .

I thought at first we just couldn't have her , but I decided to leave it to you . "

" well , we 've got a pretty good houseful already , " said Willard thoughtfully .

" but I suppose if Aunt Josephina wants to come we 'd better have her .

I always liked Aunt Josephina , and so did Mother , you know . "

" I don't know where we can put her .

we haven't any spare room , Will . "

" Ray and I can sleep in the kitchen loft .

you and Dolly take our room , and let Aunt Josephina take yours . "

" the kitchen loft isn't really fit to sleep in , " said Sara pessimistically .

" it 's awfully cold , and there 're mice and rats ugh !

you and Ray will get nibbled in spots .

but it 's the only thing to do if we must have Aunt Josephina .

I 'll get Ray to write to her tomorrow .

I couldn't put enough cordiality into the letter if I wrote it myself . "

Ray came in while Willard was at supper .

there were cobwebs all over him from his head to his heels .

" I 've solved the Aunt J ..y problem , " he announced cheerfully .

" we will furnish the blue north room . "

" with what ? " asked Sara disbelievingly .

" I 've been poking about in the garret and in the carriage house loft , " said Ray , " and I 've found furniture galore .

it 's very old and cobwebby witness my appearance and very much in want of scrubbing and a few nails .

but it will do . "

" I 'd forgotten about those old things , " said Sara slowly .

" they 've never been used since I can remember , and long before .

they were discarded before Mother came here .

but I thought they were all broken and quite useless . "

" not at all .

I believe we can furbish them up sufficiently to make the room habitable .

it will be rather old-fashioned , but then it 's Hobson 's choice .

there are the pieces of an old bed out in the loft , and they can be put together .

I found it under a pile of old carpet .

one leg is broken off , but I hunted around and found it , and I guess we can fix it on .

and there are two more old chairs and a queer little oval table with a cracked swing mirror on it . "

it won't do to put anything modern with those old things .

one would kill the other .

oh , I believe it will be lots of fun . "

it was .

for a week the Sheldons hammered and glued and washed and consulted .

the north room was already papered with a blue paper of an old-fashioned stripe-and-diamond pattern .

the rag carpet was put down , and the braided rugs laid on it .

on the washstand Sara placed a quaint old basin and ewer which had been Grandma Sheldon 's .

the cupboard was set up in a corner , and beside it stood the spinning-wheel from the kitchen loft .

above them was hung the faded sampler that Grandma Sheldon had worked ninety years ago when she was a little girl .

the things all seem to suit each other , some way , and they look good , don't they ?

I mean they look real , clear through .

I believe that table and those drawers are solid mahogany .

and look at the carving on those bedposts .

cleaning them has made such a difference .

I do hope Aunt Josephina won't mind their being so old . "

aunt Josephina didn't .

" oh , it will be all right , " she said , plainly determined to make the best of things .

" those old things are thought a lot of now , anyhow .

I can't say I fancy them much myself I like something a little brighter .

but the rich folks have gone cracked over them .

she says it 's her hobby , and she spends a heap on it .

she 'd be in raptures if she saw this old room of yours , Sary . "

" do you mean , " said Sara slowly , " that there are people who would buy old things like these ? "

" yes , and pay more for them than would buy a real nice set with a marble-topped burey .

you may well say there 's lots of fools in the world , Sary . "

Sara was not saying or thinking any such thing .

but she did not forget what Aunt Josephina had said .

the winter passed away .

aunt Josephina plainly enjoyed her visit , whatever the Sheldons felt about it .

in March her son returned , and Aunt Josephina went home to him .

for a week she looked so mysterious that Willard and Ray could not guess what she was plotting .

at the end of that time Mrs Stanton came .

Mrs Stanton always declared afterwards that the mere sight of that blue north room gave her raptures .

such a find !

such a discovery !

a bedstead with carved posts , a claw-footed table , real old willow-ware plates with the birds ' bills meeting !

here was luck , if you like !

when Willard and Ray came home to tea Sara was sitting on the stairs counting her wealth .

" Sally , where did you discover all that long-lost treasure ? " demanded Ray .

" Mrs Stanton of Boston was here today , " said Sara , enjoying the moment of revelation hugely .

" she makes a hobby of collecting old furniture .

I sold her every blessed thing in the blue north room except Mother 's carpet and Grandma 's mats and sampler .

she wanted those too , but I couldn't part with them .

" it wouldn't be fair to take it for that , " said Ray , flushing .

" you and Will " " Will and I say you must take it , " said Sara .

" don't we , Will ?

there is nothing we want so much as to give you a college start .

it is an enormous burden off my mind to think it is so nicely provided for .

" you must take it , of course , Ray , " said Willard .

" nothing else would give Sara and me so much pleasure .

a blessing on Aunt Josephina . "

" amen , " said Sara and Ray .

the Christmas Surprise at Enderly Road

" Phil , I 'm getting fearfully hungry .

when are we going to strike civilization ? "

the speaker was my chum , Frank Ward .

it was getting late and we wished to go home .

" I have an idea that we ought to strike civilization somewhere up the Enderly Road pretty soon , " I answered .

" do you call that civilization ? " said Frank , with a laugh .

Enderly Road was a miserable little settlement straggling back from Blackburn Hill .

it was a forsaken looking place , and the people , as a rule , were poor and shiftless .

presently Frank and I came out on the Enderly Road .

we sat on the fence a few minutes to rest and discuss our route home .

" if we go by the road it 's three miles , " said Frank .

" isn't there a short cut ? "

" here is someone coming now ; we 'll inquire , " said Frank , looking up the curve of the hard-frozen road .

she was a pale , pinched little thing , and her jacket and red hood seemed very old and thin .

" has your teacher kept you in for being naughty ? "

the mite dashed her little red knuckles across her eyes and answered indignantly , " no , indeed .

I stayed after school with Minnie Lawler to sweep the floor . "

" and did you and Minnie quarrel , and is that why you are crying ? " asked Frank solemnly .

" Minnie and I never quarrel .

I am crying because we can't have the school decorated on Monday for the examination , after all .

" very bad behaviour on the part of the Dickeys , " commented Frank .

" but can't you decorate the school without them ? "

" why , of course not .

they are the only big boys in the school .

by dint of questioning Frank soon found out the whole story .

the semi-annual public examination was to be held on Monday afternoon , the day before Christmas .

Miss Davis had been drilling her little flock for the occasion ; and a program of recitations , speeches , and dialogues had been prepared .

for this it was necessary to ask the help of the boys .

boys were scarce at Enderly school , but the Dickeys , three in number , had promised to see that the thing was done .

" and now they won't , " sobbed Maggie .

Matt just makes all the boys do as he says .

I feel dreadful bad , and so does Minnie . "

" well , I wouldn't cry any more about it , " said Frank consolingly .

" crying won't do any good , you know .

can you tell us where to find the wood-lane that cuts across to Blackburn Hill ? "

Maggie could , and gave us minute directions .

so , having thanked her , we left her to pursue her disconsolate way and betook ourselves homeward .

" I would like to spoil Matt Dickey 's little game , " said Frank .

" he is evidently trying to run things at Enderly Road school and revenge himself on the teacher .

let us put a spoke in his wheel and do Maggie a good turn as well . "

" agreed .

but how ? "

it was dark when we reached the Enderly Road schoolhouse .

fortunately , it was quite out of sight of any inhabited spot , being surrounded by woods .

hence , mysterious lights in it at strange hours would not be likely to attract attention .

the door was locked , but we easily got in by a window , lighted our lantern , and went to work .

our basket was full of mottoes made from letters cut out of cardboard and covered with lissome sprays of fir .

they were , moreover , adorned with gorgeous pink and red tissue roses , which Carrie and Mabel had contributed .

" it looks nice , " said Frank in a tone of satisfaction .

" hope Maggie will like it . "

we swept up the litter we had made , and then scrambled out of the window .

" I 'd like to see Matt Dickey 's face when he comes Monday morning , " I laughed , as we struck into the back lands .

" I 'd like to see that midget of a Maggie 's , " said Frank .

" see here , Phil , let's attend the examination Monday afternoon .

I 'd like to see our decorations in daylight . "

we decided to do so , and also thought of something else .

snow fell all day Sunday , so that , on Monday morning , sleighs had to be brought out .

Frank and I drove down to the store and invested a considerable share of our spare cash in a varied assortment of knick-knacks .

after dinner we drove through to the Enderly Road schoolhouse , tied our horse in a quiet spot , and went in .

our arrival created quite a sensation for , as a rule , Blackburn Hillites did not patronize Enderly Road functions .

the side benches were lined with Enderly Road parents , and all the pupils were in their best attire .

our friend Maggie was there , of course , and she smiled and nodded towards the wreaths when she caught our eyes .

the examination was a decided success , and the program which followed was very creditable indeed .

Maggie and Minnie , in particular , covered themselves with glory , both in class and on the platform .

wonderful things came out of that basket .

in the confusion Santa Claus discreetly disappeared , and school was dismissed .

" you decorated the school , " cried Maggie excitedly .

" I know you did .

I told Minnie it was you the minute I saw it . "

" you 're dreaming , child , " said Frank .

" oh , no , I'm not , " retorted Maggie shrewdly , " and wasn't Matt Dickey mad this morning !

oh , it was such fun .

I think you are two real nice boys and so does Minnie don't you Minnie ? "

Minnie nodded gravely .

evidently Maggie did the talking in their partnership .

" this has been a splendid examination , " said Maggie , drawing a long breath .

" real Christmassy , you know .

we never had such a good time before . "

" well , it has paid , don't you think ? " asked Frank , as we drove home .

" rather , " I answered .

it did " pay " in other ways than the mere pleasure of it .

there was always a better feeling between the Roaders and the Hillites thereafter .

the Dissipation of Miss Ponsonby

we hadn't been very long in Glenboro before we managed to get acquainted with Miss Ponsonby .

her father wouldn't let her .

no , it simply happened because her window was right across the alleyway from ours .

patchwork seemed to be Miss Ponsonby 's sole and only dissipation of any kind .

we guessed her age to be forty-five at least , but we found out afterward that we were mistaken .

she was only thirty-five .

but then I doubt if Miss Ponsonby had any idea what her nose was really like .

I don't believe she ever looked at herself critically in a mirror in her life .

Jerry and I sat a great deal at ours , laughing and talking , but Miss Ponsonby never lifted her head or eyes .

then Jerry , whose name is Geraldine only in the family Bible , talked to her about the weather .

Jerry can talk interestingly about anything .

in five minutes she had performed a miracle she had made Miss Ponsonby laugh .

at the end of a quarter of an hour they were exchanging confidences about their favourite books .

Jerry was a confirmed Kiplingomaniac , but Miss Ponsonby adored Laura Jean Libbey .

she said sorrowfully she supposed she ought not to read novels at all since her father disapproved .

Poor Miss Ponsonby had to keep her Laura Jeans locked up in her trunk , and it wasn't often she got a new one .

from that day dated our friendship with Miss Ponsonby , a curious friendship , only carried on from window to window .

we never saw Miss Ponsonby anywhere else ; we asked her to come over but she said her father didn't allow her to visit anybody .

her meekness fairly infuriated Jerry .

but we liked Miss Ponsonby and we pitied her .

she confided to us that she was very lonely and that she wrote poetry .

we never asked to see the poetry , although I think she would have liked to show it .

but , as Jerry says , there are limits .

we thought we knew all about Miss Ponsonby 's past ; but even pale , drab , china-blue women can have their secrets and keep them .

it was a full half year before we discovered Miss Ponsonby 's .

in October , Stephen Shaw came home from the west to visit his father and mother after an absence of fifteen years .

Jerry and I met him at a party at his brother-in-law 's .

on the contrary , he was a tall , handsome man with clear-cut features , laughing black eyes like a boy 's , and iron-grey hair .

he was as gay as the youngest , danced splendidly , went everywhere , and took all the Glenboro girls about impartially .

it was a glorious moonlight night , with just a hint of October frost in the air enough to give sparkle and tang .

after a few moments I became aware that Miss Ponsonby was also " musing " at her window in the shadow of the acacia tree .

in that dim light she looked quite pretty .

it seemed odd , somehow , to think of Miss Ponsonby as young and pretty .

she seemed so essentially middle-aged and faded .

" lovely night , Miss Ponsonby , " I said brilliantly .

" I 'm mopy , " I said frankly .

" Jerry has concentrated herself on Stephen Shaw for the evening and I 'm left on the fringe of things . "

miss Ponsonby didn't say anything for a few moments .

" did I understand you to say that Geraldine was entertaining Stephen Shaw ? "

" yes .

he 's home from the west and he 's delightful , " I replied .

" all the Glenboro girls are quite crazy over him .

Jerry and I are as bad as the rest .

he isn't at all young but he 's very fascinating . "

" Stephen Shaw ! " repeated Miss Ponsonby faintly .

" So Stephen Shaw is home again ! "

" yes , I used to know him , " said Miss Ponsonby very slowly .

presently she got up and went away from her window .

deserted even by Miss Ponsonby , I went grumpily to bed .

then Mrs George Hubbard gave a big dance .

Jerry and I were pleasantly excited .

the Hubbards were the smartest of the Glenboro smart set and their entertainments were always quite brilliant affairs for a small country village like ours .

this party was professedly given in honour of Stephen Shaw , who was to leave for the west again in a week 's time .

on the evening of the party Jerry and I went to our room to dress .

and there , across at her window in the twilight , sat Miss Ponsonby , crying .

I had never seen Miss Ponsonby cry before .

" what is the matter ? "

I called out softly and anxiously .

" then why don't you ? " said Jerry briskly .

Jerry had to dodge behind the curtain to hide a smile .

" it 's too bad , " I said sympathetically , but wondering a little why Miss Ponsonby seemed so worked up about it .

I knew she had sometimes been invited out before and had not been allowed to go , but she had never cared apparently .

" well , what is to be done ? "

I whispered to Jerry .

" take Miss Ponsonby to the party with us , of course , " said Jerry , popping out from behind the curtain .

he was a delightful sort of person , that old Mr Ponsonby .

Jerry poked her head as far as she could out of the window .

" it is impossible , " said Miss Ponsonby resignedly .

" nothing is impossible when I make up my mind , " said Jerry firmly .

" you must get dressed , climb down that acacia tree , and join us in our yard .

it will be pitch dark in a few minutes and your father will never know . "

I had a frantic vision of Miss Ponsonby scrambling down that acacia tree like an eloping damsel .

but Jerry was in dead earnest , and really it was quite possible if Miss Ponsonby only thought so .

I did not believe she would think so , but I was mistaken .

her thorough course in Libbey heroines and their marvellous escapades had quite prepared her to contemplate such an adventure calmly in the abstract at least .

but another obstacle presented itself .

" it 's impossible , " she said again , after her first flash hope .

" I haven't a fit dress to wear I 've nothing at all but my black cashmere and it is three years old . "

but the more hindrances in Jerry 's way when she sets out to accomplish something the more determined and enthusiastic she becomes .

I listened to her with amazement .

" I have a dress I 'll lend you , " she said resolutely .

" and I 'll go over and fix you up as soon as it 's a little darker .

go now and bathe your eyes and just trust to me . "

miss Ponsonby 's long habit of obedience to whatever she was told stood her in good stead now .

she obeyed Jerry without another word .

Jerry seized me by the waist and waltzed me around the room in an ecstasy .

" Jerry Elliott , how are you going to carry this thing through ? "

I demanded sternly .

" easily enough , " responded Jerry .

" you know that black lace dress of mine the one with the apricot slip .

it 's a trifle old-fashioned , but that won't matter for Glenboro , and it will fit Miss Ponsonby all right .

she 's about my height and figure .

I 'm determined that poor soul shall have a dissipation for once in her life since she hankers for it .

come on now , Elizabeth .

it will be a lark . "

they wouldn't have stood daylight , but they looked all right after night .

as we left the room I caught up some pale pink roses on my table .

I wanted to shriek with laughter , the whole thing seemed so funny and unreal .

in a very short time I heard Miss Ponsonby and Jerry at the opposite window , and I rushed to mine to see the sight .

there were possibilities in Miss Ponsonby .

in two more minutes they were both safe in our room .

then Jerry threw off Miss Ponsonby 's wraps and stepped back .

I know I stared until my eyes stuck out of my head .

was that Miss Ponsonby that !

it was high-necked , just cut away slightly at the throat , and had great , loose , hanging frilly sleeves of lace .

it suited her tremendously and seemed to alter the whole character of her face , giving verve and piquancy to her delicate little features .

the excitement had flushed her cheeks into positive pinkness and her eyes were starry .

the roses were pinned on her shoulder .

miss Ponsonby , as she stood there , was a pretty woman , with fifteen apparent birthdays the less .

" oh , Alicia , you look just lovely ! "

I gasped .

the name slipped out quite naturally .

I never thought about it at all .

" my dear Elizabeth , " she said , " it 's like a dream of lost youth . "

Miss Ponsonby was breathless with terror .

she was sure every footstep she heard behind her was her father 's in pursuit .

she almost fainted on the spot when a belated man came tearing along the street .

Jerry and I breathed a sigh of devout thanksgiving when we found ourselves safely in the Hubbard parlour .

we were early , but Stephen Shaw was there before us .

he came up to us at once , and just then Miss Ponsonby turned around .

" Alicia ! " he said .

" how do you do , Stephen ? " she said tremulously .

Jerry and I just simply melted away .

we can see through grindstones when there are holes in them !

we went out and sat down on the stairs .

now that I come to think of it , the first night he called he asked me about her .

wanted to know if her father were the same old blustering tyrant he always was , and if we knew her at all .

I 'm afraid I made a little mild fun of her , and he didn't say anything more .

well , I 'm awfully glad now that I didn't fall in love with him .

I could have , but I wouldn't . "

Miss Ponsonby 's appearance at the Hubbards ' party was the biggest sensation Glenboro had had for years .

and in her way , she was a positive belle .

Jerry and I revelled in her triumph , for did we not feel that it was due to us ?

there were no explanations on the road home , for Miss Ponsonby walked behind us with Stephen Shaw in the pale , late-risen October moonshine .

Miss Ponsonby gave a little , shy , nervous laugh .

" Stephen Shaw and I were engaged to be married long ago , " she said simply .

" but Father disapproved .

Stephen was poor then .

and so and so I sent him away .

what else could I do ? " for Jerry had snorted " father had to be obeyed .

but it broke my heart .

Stephen went away he was very angry and I have never seen him since .

when Susan Hubbard invited me to the party I felt as if I must go I must see Stephen once more .

I never thought for a minute that he remembered me or cared still ....n . "

" but he does ? " said Jerry breathlessly .

Jerry never scruples to ask anything right out that she wants to know .

" yes , " said Miss Ponsonby softly .

" isn't it wonderful ?

I could hardly believe it I am so changed .

but he said tonight he had never thought of any other woman .

he he came home to see me .

but when I never went anywhere , even when I must know he was home , he thought I didn't want to see him .

if I hadn't gone tonight oh , I owe it all to you two dear girls ! "

" when are you to be married ? " demanded that terrible Jerry .

" as soon as possible , " said Miss Ponsonby .

" Stephen was going away next week , but he says he will wait until I can get ready . "

" do you think your father will object this time ? "

I queried .

" no , I don't think so .

Stephen is a rich man now , you know .

that wouldn't make any difference with me but Father is very practical .

Stephen is going to see him tomorrow . "

" but what if he does object ? "

I persisted anxiously .

" the acacia tree will still be there , " said Miss Ponsonby firmly .

the Falsoms ' Christmas Dinner

" well , so it 's all settled , " said Stephen Falsom .

" yes , " assented Alexina .

" yes , it is , " she repeated , as if somebody had questioned it .

then Alexina sighed .

Josephine Tracy and her brother Duncan were strolling about the yard in the pleasant December sunshine , arm in arm , laughing and talking .

they appeared to be a nice , harmless pair of people , but the sight of them did not seem to please Alexina .

" just as soon as we can sell the furniture and move away , " said Stephen moodily .

" Heigh-ho !

" I don't dare to complain , " said Alexina slowly .

" we ought to be so thankful to get the positions .

I am thankful .

and I don't mind so very much about my music .

but I do wish you could have gone to college , Stephen . "

" never mind me , " said Stephen , brightening up determinedly .

" I 'm going to go into the lumber business enthusiastically .

you don't know what unsuspected talents I may develop along that line .

the worst of it is that we can't be together .

but I 'll keep my eyes open , and perhaps I 'll find a place for you in Lessing . "

Alexina said nothing .

her separation from Stephen was the one point in their fortunes she could not bear to discuss .

there were times when Alexina did not see how she was going to exist without Stephen .

but she never said so to him .

she thought he had enough to worry him without her making matters worse .

" well , " said Stephen , getting up , " I 'll run down to the office .

and see here , Lexy .

day after tomorrow is Christmas .

are we going to celebrate it at all ?

if so I 'd better order the turkey . "

Alexina looked thoughtful .

" I don't know , Stephen .

we 're short of money , you know , and the fund is dwindling every day .

don't you think it 's a little extravagant to have a turkey for two people ?

and somehow I don't feel a bit Christmassy .

I think I 'd rather spend it just like any other day and try to forget that it is Christmas .

everything would be so different . "

" that 's true , Lexy .

and we must look after the bawbees closely , I 'll admit . "

but she had to cry a little .

as she had said , everything was so different from what it had been a year ago .

their father had been alive then and they had been very cosy and happy in the little house at the end of the street .

there had been no mother there since Alexina 's birth sixteen years ago .

Alexina had kept house for her father and Stephen since she was ten .

Stephen was a clever boy and intended to study medicine .

Alexina had a good voice , and something was to be done about training it .

the Tracys lived next door to them .

Duncan Tracy was Stephen 's particular chum , and Josephine Tracy was Alexina 's dearest friend .

Alexina was never lonely when Josie was near by to laugh and chat and plan with .

then , all at once , troubles came .

in June the firm of which Mr Falsom was a member failed .

there was some stigma attached to the failure , too , although the blame did not rest upon Mr Falsom , but with his partner .

worry and anxiety aggravated the heart trouble from which he had suffered for some time , and a month later he died .

Alexina and Stephen were left alone to face the knowledge that they were penniless , and must look about for some way of supporting themselves .

at first they hoped to be able to get something to do in Thorndale , so that they might keep their home .

this proved impossible .

to make matters worse , Duncan Tracy and Stephen had quarrelled in October .

it was only a boyish disagreement over some trifle , but bitter words had passed .

Duncan , who was a quick-tempered lad , had twitted Stephen with his father 's failure , and Stephen had resented it hotly .

Duncan was sorry for and ashamed of his words as soon as they were uttered , but he would not humble himself to say so .

Alexina had taken Stephen 's part and her manner to Josie assumed a tinge of coldness .

Josie quickly noticed and resented it , and the breach between the two girls widened almost insensibly , until they barely spoke when they met .

each blamed the other and cherished bitterness in her heart .

when Stephen came home from the post office he looked excited .

" were there any letters ? " asked Alexina .

" well , rather !

one from Uncle James ! "

" uncle James , " exclaimed Alexina , incredulously .

" yes , beloved sis .

oh , you needn't try to look as surprised as I did .

and I ordered the turkey after all .

uncle James has invited himself here to dinner on Christmas Day .

you 'll have a chance to show your culinary skill , for you know we 've always been told that Uncle James was a gourmand . "

Alexina read the letter in a maze .

that was all .

but Alexina instantly saw a future of rosy possibilities .

" oh , Stephen , if he likes you , and if he offers to educate you ! " breathed Alexina .

" perhaps he will if he is favourably impressed .

but we 'll have to be so careful , he is so whimsical and odd , at least everybody has always said so .

a little thing may turn the scale either way .

anyway , we must have a good dinner for him .

I 'll have plum pudding and mince pie . "

for the next thirty-six hours Alexina lived in a whirl .

there was so much to do .

Alexina was perfectly reckless ; no matter how big a hole it made in their finances Uncle James must have a proper Christmas dinner .

a favourable impression must be made .

Stephen 's whole future Alexina did not think about her own at all just then might depend on it .

Christmas morning came , fine and bright and warm .

Alexina was up at daybreak , cleaning and decorating at a furious rate .

by eleven o'clock everything was finished or going forward briskly .

the plum pudding was bubbling in the pot , the turkey Burton 's plumpest was sizzling in the oven .

the shelf in the pantry bore two mince pies upon which Alexina was willing to stake her culinary reputation .

and Stephen had gone to the train to meet Uncle James .

from her kitchen window Alexina could see brisk preparations going on in the Tracy kitchen .

she knew Josie and Duncan were all alone ; their parents had gone to spend Christmas with friends in Lessing .

in spite of her hurry and excitement Alexina found time to sigh .

last Christmas Josie and Duncan had come over and eaten their dinner with them .

but now last Christmas seemed very far away .

and Josie had behaved horridly .

Alexina was quite clear on that point .

then Stephen came with Uncle James .

Uncle James was a rather pompous , fussy old man with red cheeks and bushy eyebrows .

" H'm !

smells nice in here , " was his salutation to Alexina .

" I hope it will taste as good as it smells .

I 'm hungry . "

Alexina soon left Uncle James and Stephen talking in the parlour and betook herself anxiously to the kitchen .

she felt sure that Stephen was making a favourable impression .

Just at this moment Stephen stuck his head in at the hall door .

" Lexy , do you know where that letter of Governor Howland 's to Father is ?

uncle James wants to see it . "

Alexina , not waiting to shut the oven door for delay might impress Uncle James unfavourably rushed upstairs to get the letter .

she was ten minutes finding it .

then , remembering her pies , she flew back to the kitchen .

in the middle of the floor she stopped as if transfixed , staring at the table .

the turkey was gone .

and the plum pudding was gone !

and the mince pies were gone !

nothing was left but the platters !

for a moment Alexina refused to believe her eyes .

Alexina did not make a fuss .

even at that horrible moment she remembered the importance of making a favourable impression .

" is the turkey burned , Lexy ? " he cried .

" burned !

no , it 's ten times worse , " gasped Alexina .

" it 's gone gone , Stephen .

and the pudding and the mince pies , too .

oh , what shall we do ?

who can have taken them ? "

but the only reasonable explanation of the mystery was that a tramp had entered the kitchen and made off with the good things .

the Falsom house was right at the end of the street .

the narrow backyard opened on a lonely road .

across the road was a stretch of pine woods .

there was no house very near except the Tracy one .

Stephen reached this conclusion with a bound .

he ran out to the yard gate followed by the distracted Alexina .

the only person visible was a man some distance down the road .

Stephen leaped over the gate and tore down the road in pursuit of him .

Alexina went back to the doorstep , sat down upon it , and began to cry .

she couldn't help it .

her hopes were all in ruins around her .

there was no dinner for Uncle James .

Josephine Tracy saw her crying .

now , Josie honestly thought that she had a grievance against Alexina .

for a moment Josie hesitated .

then she slowly went out and across the yard to the fence .

" what is the trouble ? " she asked .

" our dinner is gone , " she sobbed .

" and there is nothing to give Uncle James to eat except vegetables and I do so want to make a favourable impression ! "

but before she could speak Stephen returned , looking rueful .

" no use , Lexy .

that man was only old Mr Byers , and he had seen no signs of a tramp .

there is a trail of grease right across the road .

the tramp must have taken directly to the woods .

we 'll simply have to do without our Christmas dinner . "

" by no means , " said Josie quickly , with a little red spot on either cheek .

" our dinner is all ready turkey , pudding and all .

let us lend it to you .

don't say a word to your uncle about the accident . "

Alexina flushed and hesitated .

" it 's very kind of you , " she stammered , " but I 'm afraid it would be too much "

" not a bit of it , " Josie interrupted warmly .

" didn't Duncan and I have Christmas dinner at your house last year ?

just come and help us carry it over . "

" if you lend us your dinner you and Duncan must come and help us eat it , " said Alexina , resolutely .

Stephen coloured too .

" Duncan must come , " he said quietly .

" I 'll go and ask him . "

two minutes later a peculiar procession marched out of the Tracy kitchen door , across the two yards , and into the Falsom house .

Josie headed it , carrying a turkey on a platter .

Alexina came next with a plum pudding .

Stephen and Duncan followed with a hot mince pie apiece .

and in a few more minutes Alexina gravely announced to Uncle James that dinner was ready .

the dinner was a pronounced success , marked by much suppressed hilarity among the younger members of the party .

uncle James ate very heartily and seemed to enjoy everything , especially the mince pie .

" this is the best mince pie I have ever sampled , " he told Alexina .

" I am glad to know that I have a niece who can make such a mince pie . "

Alexina cast an agonized look at Josie , and was on the point of explaining that she wasn't the maker of the pie .

but Josie frowned her into silence .

" nonsense , " said Josie .

" it wasn't as if you couldn't make mince pies .

your mince pies are better than mine , if it comes to that .

it might have spoiled everything if you 'd said a word .

I must go home now .

won't you and Stephen come over after your uncle goes , and spend the evening with us ?

we 'll have a candy pull . "

" I want to have a little talk with you two .

I 'm sorry I 've let so many years go by without making your acquaintance , because you seem worth getting acquainted with .

now , what are your plans for the future ? "

" I 'm going into a lumber mill at Lessing and Alexina is going into the T Morson store , " said Stephen quietly .

" Tut , tut , no , you 're not .

and she's not .

you 're coming to live with me , both of you .

as for you , Alexina , Stephen tells me you can sing .

well , there 's a good Conservatory of Music in town .

wouldn't you rather go there instead of behind a counter ? "

" oh , Uncle James ! " exclaimed Alexina with shining eyes .

she jumped up , put her arms about Uncle James ' neck and kissed him .

uncle James said , " Tut , tut , " again , but he liked it .

when Stephen had seen his uncle off on the six o'clock train he returned home and looked at the radiant Alexina .

" well , you made your favourable impression , all right , didn't you ? " he said gaily .

" but we owe it to Josie Tracy .

isn't she a brick ?

I suppose you 're going over this evening ? "

" yes , I am .

I 'm so tired that I feel as if I couldn't crawl across the yard , but if I can't you 'll have to carry me .

go I will .

I 'm glad that tramp stole the dinner and I hope he enjoyed it .

I don't grudge him one single bite ! "

the Fraser Scholarship

he was thumped on the back and shaken hands with amid a hurricane of shouts and congratulations .

" good for you , Campbell !

you 've won the Fraser .

see your little name tacked up there at the top of the list , bracketed off all by itself for the winner ?

' Elliott H Campbell , ninety-two per cent . '

A class yell for Campbell , boys ! "

yes , he had won the Fraser Scholarship .

his name headed the list of seven competitors .

Roger Brooks , who was at his side , read over the list aloud :

" ' Elliott H Campbell , ninety-two . '

I said you 'd do it , my boy .

' Edward Stone , ninety-one ' old Ned ran you close , didn't he ?

but of course with that name he 'd no show .

' Kay Milton , eighty-eight . '

who 'd have thought slow-going old Kay would have pulled up so well ?

' Seddon Brown , eighty-seven ; Oliver Field , eighty-four ; Arthur McIntyre , eighty-two ' a very respectable little trio .

and ' Carl McLean , seventy . '

Whew ! what a drop !

Just saved his distance .

it was only his name took him in , of course .

he knew you weren't supposed to be strong in mathematics . "

they seized the opportunity to escape .

" that has lifted a great weight off my mind , " he said frankly .

" a good deal depended on my winning the Fraser .

I couldn't have come back next year if I hadn't got it .

that four hundred will put me through the rest of my course . "

" that 's good , " said Roger Brooks heartily .

he liked Elliott Campbell , and so did all the Sophomores .

yet none of them was at all intimate with him .

he had no chums , as the other boys had .

he boarded alone , " dug " persistently , and took no part in the social life of the college .

Roger Brooks came nearest to being his friend of any , yet even Roger knew very little about him .

Elliott had never before said so much about his personal affairs as in the speech just recorded .

" I 'm poor woefully poor , " went on Elliott gaily .

his success seemed to have thawed his reserve for the time being .

" I had just enough money to bring me through the Fresh and Soph years by dint of careful management .

Whew !

I made faces over the prospect . "

" no wonder , " commented Roger .

" the class would have been sorry if you had had to drop out , Campbell .

we want to keep all our stars with us to make a shining coruscation at the finish .

besides , you know we all like you for yourself .

it would have been an everlasting shame if that little cad of a McLean had won out .

nobody likes him . "

" oh , I had no fear of him , " answered Elliott .

" I don't see what induced him to go in , anyhow .

he must have known he'd no chance .

" you must have known that .

McLean was the only competitor you had to fear . "

" I don't understand you , " said Elliott blankly .

" you must know the conditions of the Fraser ! " exclaimed Roger .

" certainly , " responded Elliott .

" ' The Fraser scholarship , amounting to four hundred dollars , will be offered annually in the Sophomore class .

isn't that correct ? "

" so far as it goes , old man .

you forget the most important part of all .

you don't mean to tell me that you didn't know that ! "

" are you joking ? " demanded Elliott with a pale face .

" not a joke .

why , man , it 's in the calendar . "

" I didn't know it , " said Elliott slowly .

" I read the calendar announcement only once , and I certainly didn't notice that condition . "

" well , that 's curious .

but how on earth did you escape hearing it talked about ?

it 's always discussed extensively among the boys , especially when there are two competitors of the favoured names , which doesn't often happen . "

" I 'm not a very sociable fellow , " said Elliott with a faint smile .

" you know they call me ' the hermit . '

as it happened , I never talked the matter over with anyone or heard it referred to .

I I wish I had known this before . "

" why , what difference does it make ?

it 's all right , anyway .

their only hope was that you would both fall below seventy .

it 's an absurd condition , but there it is in old Professor Fraser 's will .

he was rich and had no family .

so he left a number of bequests to the college on ordinary conditions .

I suppose he thought he might humour his whim in one .

his widow is a dear old soul , and always makes a special pet of the boy who wins the Fraser .

well , here 's my street .

so long , Campbell . "

Elliott responded almost curtly and walked onward to his boarding-house with a face from which all the light had gone .

the Fraser announcement , as far as he had read it , ended at the foot of the page .

Elliott flung himself into a chair by his table and bowed his head on his hands .

he had no right to the Fraser Scholarship .

they returned to their native province of Nova Scotia and settled in a small country village .

his mother had died when he was ten years old and his stepfather when he was fifteen .

on his deathbed he asked Elliott to retain his name .

" I 've cared for you and loved you since the time you were born , lad , " he said .

" you seem like my own son , and I 've a fancy to leave you my name .

see that you do likewise , and you 'll have your mother 's blessing and mine . "

Elliott fought a hard battle that spring evening .

" hold your tongue and keep the Fraser , " whispered the tempter .

" Campbell is your name .

you 've borne it all your life .

and the condition itself is a ridiculous one no fairness about it .

you made the highest marks and you ought to be the winner .

it isn't as if you were wronging Stone or any of the others who worked hard and made good marks .

if you throw away what you 've won by your own hard labour , the Fraser goes to McLean , who made only seventy .

besides , you need the money and he doesn't .

his father is a rich man . "

" but I 'll be a cheat and a cad if I keep it , " Elliott muttered miserably .

for it would be stained , even though nobody but myself knew it .

father said it was a clean name when he left it , and I cannot soil it . "

the tempter was not silenced so easily as that .

Elliott passed a sleepless night of indecision .

but next day he went to Marwood and asked for a private interview with the president .

Carl McLean was posted as winner .

it was good to have done the right thing and be able to look your conscience in the face .

he was young and strong and could work his own way through Marwood in time .

" no condolences , please , " he said to Roger Brooks with a smile .

" I 'm sorry I lost the Fraser , of course , but I 've my hands and brains left .

next winter I 'll be a flourishing pedagogue in some up-country district . "

he was not , however .

the next afternoon he received a summons to the president 's office .

the president was there , and with him was a plump , motherly-looking woman of about sixty .

" Mrs Fraser , this is Elliott Hanselpakker , or Campbell , as I understand he prefers to be called .

Elliott , I told your story to Mrs Fraser last evening , and she was greatly interested when she heard your rather peculiar name .

she will tell you why herself . "

" I had a young half-sister once , " said Mrs Fraser eagerly .

" she married a man named John Hanselpakker and went West , and somehow I lost all trace of her .

there was , I regret to say , a coolness between us over her marriage .

I disapproved of it because she married a very poor man .

when I heard your name , it struck me that you might be her son , or at least know something about her .

her name was Mary Helen Rodney , and I loved her very dearly in spite of our foolish quarrel . "

" then you are my nephew , " exclaimed Mrs Fraser .

" I am your Aunt Alice .

my boy , you don't know how much it means to a lonely old woman to have found you .

I 'm the happiest person in the world ! "

she slipped her arm through Elliott 's and turned to the sympathetic president with shining eyes .

" he is my boy forever , if he will be .

Blessings on the Fraser Scholarship ! "

" blessings rather on the manly boy who wouldn't keep it under false colours , " said the president with a smile .

" I think you are fortunate in your nephew , Mrs Fraser . "

so Elliott Hanselpakker Campbell came back to Marwood the next year after all .

the Girl at the Gate

something very strange happened the night old Mr Lawrence died .

I did not dream it ....v

I saw and heard , waking .

we had not expected Mr Lawrence to die then .

he did not seem very ill ... not nearly so ill as he had been during his previous attack .

when we heard of his illness I went over to Woodlands to see him , for I had always been a great favourite with him .

the big house was quiet , the servants going about their work as usual , without any appearance of excitement .

I was told that I could not see Mr Lawrence for a little while , as the doctor was with him .

it was an evening in June .

Woodlands was very lovely ; to my right was the garden , and before me was a little valley abrim with the sunset .

in places under the big trees it was quite dark even then .

there was something unusually still in the evening ... a stillness as of waiting .

it set me thinking of the last time Mr Lawrence had been ill ... nearly a year ago in August .

one night during his convalescence I had watched by him to relieve the nurse .

he had been sleepless and talkative , telling me many things about his life .

finally he told me of Margaret .

I knew a little about her ... that she had been his sweetheart and had died very young .

Mr Lawrence had remained true to her memory ever since , but I had never heard him speak of her before .

" she was very beautiful , " he said dreamily , " and she was only eighteen when she died , Jeanette .

she had wonderful pale-golden hair and dark-brown eyes .

I have a little ivory miniature of her .

when I die it is to be given to you , Jeanette .

I have waited a long while for her .

you know she promised she would come . "

I did not understand his meaning and kept silence , thinking that he might be wandering a little in his mind .

" she promised she would come and she will keep her word , " he went on .

" I was with her when she died .

I held her in my arms .

and when your time is at hand I will come to make your deathbed easy as you have made mine .

I will come , Herbert . '

she solemnly promised , Jeanette .

we made a death-tryst of it .

and I know she will come . "

he had fallen asleep then and after his recovery he had not alluded to the matter again .

I had forgotten it , but I recalled it now as I sat on the steps among the geraniums that June evening .

she had been a sister of my grandfather , and people told me that I resembled her slightly .

perhaps that was why old Mr Lawrence had always made such a pet of me .

presently the doctor came out and nodded to me cheerily .

I asked him how Mr Lawrence was .

" better ....y better , " he said briskly .

" he will be all right tomorrow .

the attack was very slight .

yes , of course you may go in .

don't stay longer than half an hour . "

Mrs Stewart , Mr Lawrence 's sister , was in the sickroom when I went in .

she took advantage of my presence to lie down on the sofa a little while , for she had been up all the preceding night .

Mr Lawrence turned his fine old silver head on the pillow and smiled a greeting .

he seemed quite well and talked naturally and easily of many commonplace things .

at the end of the doctor 's half-hour I rose to go .

Mrs Stewart had fallen asleep and he would not let me wake her , saying he needed nothing and felt like sleeping himself .

I promised to come up again on the morrow and went out .

it was dark in the hall , where no lamp had been lighted , but outside on the lawn the moonlight was bright as day .

it was the clearest , whitest night I ever saw .

I turned aside into the garden , meaning to cross it , and take the short way over the west meadow home .

I went along it , enjoying the night .

the bushes were white with roses , and the ground under my feet was all snowed over with their petals .

the air was still and breezeless ; again I felt that sensation of waiting ... of expectancy .

as I came up to the little gate I saw a young girl standing on the other side of it .

she stood in the full moonlight and I saw her distinctly .

she was tall and slight and her head was bare .

I saw that her hair was a pale gold , shining somewhat strangely about her head as if catching the moonbeams .

her face was very lovely and her eyes large and dark .

even at the time I found myself wondering where she could have picked it .

it was not a Woodlands rose .

all the Woodlands roses were smaller and less double .

she was a stranger to me , yet I felt that I had seen her or someone very like her before .

possibly she was one of Mr Lawrence 's many nieces who might have come up to Woodlands upon hearing of his illness .

as I opened the gate I felt an odd chill of positive fear .

then she smiled as if I had spoken my thought .

" do not be frightened , " she said .

" there is no reason you should be frightened .

I have only come to keep a tryst . "

the words reminded me of something , but I could not recall what it was .

the strange fear that was on me deepened .

I could not speak .

she came through the gateway and stood for a moment at my side .

we who have loved truly love always and this makes our heaven . "

she walked on after she had spoken , down the long rose path .

I watched her until she reached the house and went up the steps .

in truth I thought the girl was someone not quite in her right mind .

when I reached home I did not speak of the matter to anyone , not even to inquire who the girl might possibly be .

there seemed to be something in that strange meeting that demanded my silence .

the next morning word came that old Mr . Lawrence was dead .

I never saw such a look on a dead face before . "

" who is here besides Mrs Stewart ? "

I asked .

" nobody , " said Mrs Yeats .

" we have sent word to all his friends but they have not had time to arrive here yet . "

" I met a young girl in the garden last night , " I said slowly .

" she came into the house .

I did not know her but I thought she must be a relative of Mr Lawrence 's . "

Mrs Yeats shook her head .

" no .

it must have been somebody from the village , although I didn't know of anyone calling after you went away . "

I said nothing more to her about it .

after the funeral Mrs Stewart gave me Margaret 's miniature .

I had never seen it or any picture of Margaret before .

the face was very lovely also strangely like my own , although I am not beautiful .

it was the face of the young girl I had met at the gate !

the Light on the Big Dipper

" don't let Nellie run out of doors , Mary Margaret , and be careful of the fire , Mary Margaret .

I expect we 'll be back pretty soon after dark , so don't be lonesome , Mary Margaret . "

Mary Margaret laughed and switched her long , thick braid of black hair from one shoulder to the other .

" no fear of my being lonesome , Mother Campbell .

Nellie and I will have just the nicest kind of a time .

I won't get lonesome , but if I should feel just tempted to , I 'll think , Father is on his way home .

he will soon be here . '

and that would drive the lonesomeness away before it dared to show its face .

don't you worry , Mother Campbell . "

mother Campbell smiled .

she knew she could trust Mary Margaret careful , steady , prudent little Mary Margaret .

Little !

ah , that was just the trouble .

Mrs Campbell felt that she hardly dared to go away under such circumstances .

and yet she must dare it .

if five-year-old Nellie had been quite well Mrs Campbell would have taken both her and Mary Margaret and locked up the house .

but Nellie had a very bad cold and was quite unfit to go sailing across the harbour on a raw , chilly November day .

so there was nothing to do but leave Mary Margaret in charge , and Mary Margaret was quite pleased at the prospect .

" you know , Mother Campbell , I 'm not afraid of anything except tramps .

and no tramps ever come to the Dippers .

you see what an advantage it is to live on an island !

there , Uncle Martin is waving .

run along , little mother . "

it was rather nice to be left in sole charge like this it made you feel so important and grown-up .

she would do everything very nicely and Mother would see when she came back what a good housekeeper her daughter was .

Mary Margaret and Nellie and Mrs Campbell had been living on the Little Dipper ever since the preceding April .

before that they had always lived in their own cosy home at the Harbour Head .

after some discussion it was so arranged , and Mrs Campbell and her two girls moved to the Little Dipper .

Mary Margaret thought the lighthouse was a wonderful place .

uncle George taught her how to light the lamps and manage the light .

Mary Margaret found plenty to do that day and wasn't a bit lonesome .

but when evening came she didn't feel quite so cheerful .

Nellie had fallen asleep , and there wasn't another living creature except the cat on the Little Dipper .

besides , it looked like a storm .

the harbour was glassy calm , but the sky was very black and dour in the northeast like snow , thought weather-wise Mary Margaret .

she hoped her mother would get home before it began , and she wished the lighthouse star would gleam out on the Big Dipper .

it would seem like the bright eye of a steady old friend .

" I 'll sit down by the window and watch for it , " said Mary Margaret to herself .

" then , when it is lighted , I 'll get up a nice warm supper for Mother and Uncle Martin . "

Mary Margaret sat down by the kitchen window to watch .

Minute after minute passed , but no light flashed out on the Big Dipper .

what was the matter ?

Mary Margaret began to feel uneasy .

she lighted a lamp , got the almanac , and hunted out the exact time of sunsetting .

the sun had been down fifteen minutes !

and there was no light on the Big Dipper !

Mary Margaret felt alarmed and anxious .

what was wrong at the Big Dipper ?

was Uncle George away ?

or had something happened to him ?

Mary Margaret was sure he had never forgotten !

fifteen minutes longer did Mary Margaret watch restlessly at the window .

then she concluded that something was desperately wrong somewhere .

it was half an hour after sunset and the Big Dipper light , the most important one along the whole coast , was not lighted .

what would she do ?

what could she do ?

the answer came swift and dear into Mary Margaret 's steady , sensible little mind .

she must go to the Big Dipper and light the lamps !

but could she ?

difficulties came crowding thick and fast into her thoughts .

it was going to snow ; the soft broad flakes were falling already .

could she row the two miles to the Big Dipper in the darkness and the snow ?

if she could , dare she leave Nellie all alone in the house ?

oh , she couldn't !

somebody at the Harbour Head would surely notice that the Big Dipper light was unlighted and would go over to investigate the cause .

but suppose they shouldn't ?

if the snow came thicker they might never notice the absence of the light .

Mary Margaret hesitated no longer .

she must go .

bravely , briskly and thoughtfully she made her preparations .

finally she wakened Nellie .

I 'll be back as quickly as I can , and Mother and Uncle Martin will soon be here .

you won't be afraid to stay alone , will you , dearie ?

you mustn't be afraid , because I have to go .

then Mary Margaret tied the chair fast to the wall so that Nellie couldn't upset it .

that 's safe , she thought .

Nellie can't run out now or fall on the stove or set herself afire .

Mary Margaret put on her jacket , hood and mittens , and took Uncle Martin 's lantern .

as she went out and closed the door , a little wail from Nellie sounded on her ear .

for a moment she hesitated , then the blackness of the Big Dipper confirmed her resolution .

she must go .

Nellie was really quite safe and comfortable .

it would not hurt her to cry a little , and it might hurt somebody a great deal if the Big Dipper light failed .

setting her lips firmly , Mary Margaret ran down to the shore .

like all the Harbour girls , Mary Margaret could row a boat from the time she was nine years old .

nevertheless , her heart almost failed her as she got into the little dory and rowed out .

the snow was getting thick .

could she pull across those black two miles between the Dippers before it got so much thicker that she would lose her way ?

well , she must risk it .

with a murmured prayer for help and guidance she pulled staunchly away .

it was a long , hard row for the little twelve-year-old arms .

fortunately there was no wind .

but thicker and thicker came the snow ; finally the kitchen light was hidden in it .

by the aid of her lantern she rowed to the landing , sprang out and made her boat fast .

a minute later she was in the lighthouse kitchen .

the door leading to the tower stairs was open and at the foot of the stairs lay Uncle George , limp and white .

" oh , Uncle George , " gasped Mary Margaret , " what is the matter ?

what has happened ? "

" Mary Margaret !

thank God !

I was just praying to Him to send somebody to ' tend the light .

who 's with you ? "

" nobody ....y .

I got frightened because there was no light and I rowed over .

mother and Uncle Martin are away . "

" you don't mean to say you rowed yourself over here alone in the dark and snow !

well , you are the pluckiest little girl about this harbour !

it 's a mercy I 've showed you how to manage the light .

run up and start it at once .

don't mind about me .

I 've been lying here for three mortal hours and they 've seemed like three years .

hurry with the light , Mary Margaret . "

Mary Margaret hurried .

soon the Big Dipper light was once more gleaming cheerfully athwart the stormy harbour .

then she ran back to her uncle .

" he 'll have to hurry .

it 's blowing up now ... hear it ....n and snowing thick .

if your mother and Martin haven't left the Harbour Head before this , they won't leave it tonight .

but , anyhow , the light is lit .

I don't mind my getting smashed up compared to that .

I thought I 'd go crazy lying here picturing to myself a vessel out on the reefs . "

that night was a very long and anxious one .

the storm grew rapidly worse , and snow and wind howled around the lighthouse .

Mary Margaret ran to the shore and gazed eagerly across at the Little Dipper .

no smoke was visible from Uncle Martin 's house !

she could not leave Uncle George , who was raving wildly , and yet it was necessary to obtain assistance somehow .

suddenly she remembered the distress signal .

she must hoist it .

how fortunate that Uncle George had once shown her how !

that is Mother and Uncle Martin , but who can the other man be ? wondered Mary Margaret .

Mary Margaret just gave one look at the man .

then she flew across the room with a cry of delight .

" father ! "

for ten minutes not one intelligible word was said , what with laughing and crying and kissing .

Mary Margaret was the first to recover herself and say briskly , " now , do explain , somebody .

tell me how it all happened . "

" Martin and I got back to Harbour Head too late last night to cross over , " said her mother .

" it would have been madness to try to cross in the storm , although I was nearly wild thinking of you two children .

it 's well I didn't know the whole truth or I 'd have been simply frantic .

we stayed at the Head all night , and first thing this morning came your father . "

but , Mary Margaret , if that light hadn't appeared , we 'd never have got in past the reefs .

you 've saved your father 's ship and all the lives in her , my brave little girl . "

" oh ! "

Mary Margaret drew a long breath and her eyes were starry with tears of happiness .

" oh , I 'm so thankful I went over .

and I had to tie Nellie in her chair , Mother , there was no other way .

the Prodigal Brother

Miss Hannah was cutting asters in her garden .

beyond , to the north , was the great crescent of the gulf , whose murmur had been Miss Hannah 's lullaby all her life .

when Ralph came home , of course , he might like a livelier place and they might move to town or up-country as he wished .

he 'll be for building me a mansion , I expect , and I 'd like it fine .

but until he comes I must be contented with things as they are . "

people always smiled to each other when Miss Hannah talked like this .

but they took care not to let her see the smile .

the day was one of October 's rarest , and Miss Hannah loved fine days .

the air was clear as golden-hued crystal , and all the slopes around her were mellow and hazy in the autumn sunshine .

presently a wagon drove down her lane and pulled up outside of her white garden paling .

she had heard a great deal of the beauty of this strange girl .

prospect people had been talking of nothing else for a week , and Miss Hannah was filled with a harmless curiosity concerning her .

she always liked to look at pretty people , she said ; they did her as much good as her flowers .

" good afternoon , Miss Hannah , " said Jacob Delancey .

" busy with your flowers , as usual , I see . "

" oh , yes , " said Miss Hannah , managing to stare with unobtrusive delight at the girl while she talked .

" well , Miss Hannah , it 's flowers I 'm after myself just now .

" of course , " said Miss Hannah , " you can have these .

I meant them for Millie , but I can cut the west bed for her . "

she opened the gate and carried the asters over to the buggy .

Miss Delancey took them with a smile that made Miss Hannah remember the date forever .

" lovely day , " commented Jacob genially .

" yes , " said Miss Hannah dreamily .

" it reminds me of the day Ralph went away twenty years ago .

it doesn't seem so long .

don't you think he 'll be coming back soon , Jacob ? "

" oh , sure , " said Jacob , who thought the very opposite .

" I have a feeling that he 's coming very soon , " said Miss Hannah brightly .

" it will be a great day for me , won't it , Jacob ?

I 've been poor all my life , but when Ralph comes back everything will be so different .

he will be a rich man and he will give me everything I 've always wanted .

he said he would .

a fine house and a carriage and a silk dress .

oh , and we will travel and see the world .

you don't know how I look forward to it all .

I 've got it all planned out , all I 'm going to do and have .

and I believe he will be here very soon .

a man ought to be able to make a fortune in twenty years , don't you think , Jacob ? "

" oh , sure , " said Jacob .

but he said it a little uncomfortably .

he did not like the job of throwing cold water , but it seemed to him that he ought not to encourage Miss Hannah 's hopes .

" of course , you shouldn't think too much about it , Miss Hannah .

he mightn't ever come back , or he might be poor . "

" you know quite well he will come back .

I 'm as sure of it as that I 'm standing here .

and he will be rich , too .

people are always trying to hint just as you 've done to me , but I don't mind them .

I know . "

she turned and went back into her garden with her head held high .

" of course , Jacob doesn't know , and I shouldn't have snapped him up so quick .

it 'll be my turn to crow when Ralph does come .

my , but isn't that girl pretty .

I feel as if I 'd been looking at some lovely picture .

it just makes a good day of this .

something pleasant happens to me most every day and that girl is today 's pleasant thing .

I just feel real happy and thankful that there are such beautiful creatures in the world and that we can look at them . "

" well , of all the queer delusions ! "

Jacob Delancey was ejaculating as he and his niece drove down the lane .

" what is it all about ? " asked Miss Delancey curiously .

" well , it 's this way , Dorothy .

long ago Miss Hannah had a brother who ran away from home .

it was before their father and mother died .

Ralph Walworth was as wild a young scamp as ever was in Prospect and a spendthrift in the bargain .

nobody but Hannah had any use for him , and she just worshipped him .

I must admit he was real fond of her too , but he and his father couldn't get on at all .

so finally he ups and runs away ; it was generally supposed he went to the mining country .

there 's never been a word heard tell of him since , and in my opinion it 's doubtful if he 's still alive .

but Miss Hannah , as you saw , is sure and certain he 'll come back yet with gold dropping out of his pockets .

she 's as sane as anyone everyway else , but there is no doubt she 's a little cracked on that p'int .

if he never turns up she 'll go on hoping quite happy to her death .

if he came back poor , after all her boasting about him , I don't fancy he 'd get much of a welcome from her .

and she 'd never hold up her head again , that 's certain .

when October had passed and the grey November days came , the glory of Miss Hannah 's garden was over .

she was very lonely without her flowers .

she missed them more this year than ever .

on fine days she paced up and down the walks and looked sadly at the drooping , unsightly stalks and vines .

miss Hannah was mournfully patting a frosted chrysanthemum under its golden chin when she saw a man limping slowly down the lane .

" now , who can that be ? " she murmured .

" it isn't any Prospect man , for there 's nobody lame around here . "

she went to the garden gate to meet him .

he came haltingly up the slope and paused before her , gazing at her wistfully .

he looked old and bent and broken , and his clothes were poor and worn .

who was he ?

miss Hannah felt that she ought to know him , and her memory went groping back amongst all her recollections .

yet she could think of nobody but her father , who had died fifteen years before .

" don't ye know me , Hannah ? " said the man wistfully .

" have I changed so much as all that ? "

" Ralph ! "

it was between a cry and a laugh .

Miss Hannah flew through the gate and caught him in her arms .

" Ralph , my own dear brother !

oh , I always knew you 'd come back .

if you knew how I 've looked forward to this day ! "

she was both laughing and crying now .

her face shone with a soft gladness .

Ralph Walworth shook his head sadly .

" it 's a poor wreck of a man I am come back to you , Hannah , " he said .

" I 've never accomplished anything and my health 's broken and I 'm a cripple as ye see .

it 's naught but a wreck I am , Hannah . "

" you 're my own dear brother , " cried Miss Hannah .

" do you think I care how poor you are ?

come right in .

you 're shivering in this wind .

I 'll mix you a good hot currant drink .

I knew them black currants didn't bear so plentiful for nothing last summer .

oh , this is a good day and no mistake ! "

in twenty-four hours ' time everybody in Prospect knew that Ralph Walworth had come home , crippled and poor .

Jacob Delancey shook his head as he drove away from the station with Ralph 's shabby little trunk standing on end in his buggy .

the station master had asked him to take it down to Miss Hannah 's , and Jacob did not fancy the errand .

he was afraid Miss Hannah would be in a bad way and he did not know what to say to her .

" so you 've brought Ralph 's trunk , Mr Delancey .

now , that was real good of you .

he 's lying down asleep now .

he 's just real tired .

he brought this seaweed up from the shore for me this morning and it played him out .

he ain't strong .

but didn't I tell you he was coming back soon ?

you only laughed at me , but I knew . "

" he isn't very rich , though , " said Jacob jokingly .

he was relieved to find that Miss Hannah did not seem to be worrying over this .

" that doesn't matter , " cried Miss Hannah .

" why , he 's my brother !

isn't that enough ?

I 'm rich if he isn't , rich in love and happiness .

and I 'm better pleased in a way than if he had come back rich .

he might have wanted to take me away or build a fine house , and I 'm too old to be making changes .

and then he wouldn't have needed me .

I 'd have been of no use to him .

as it is , it 's just me he needs to look after him and coddle him .

oh , it 's fine to have somebody to do things for , somebody that belongs to you .

I was just dreading the loneliness of the winter , and now it 's going to be such a happy winter .

I declare last night Ralph and I sat up till morning talking over everything .

he 's had a hard life of it .

bad luck and illness right along .

and last winter in the lumber woods he got his leg broke .

but now he 's come home and we 're never going to be parted again as long as we live .

I could sing for joy , Jacob . "

" oh , sure , " assented Jacob cordially .

he felt a little dazed .

" only I kind of thought , we all thought , you had such plans . "

" well , they served their turn , " interrupted Miss Hannah briskly .

" they amused me and kept me interested till something real would come in their place .

if I 'd had to carry them out I dare say they 'd have bothered me a lot .

things are more comfortable as they are .

I 'm happy as a bird , Jacob . "

" oh , sure , " said Jacob .

he pondered the business deeply all the way back home , but could make nothing of it .

" but I ain't obliged to , " he concluded sensibly .

" Miss Hannah 's satisfied and happy and it 's nobody else 's concern .

however , I call it a curious thing . "

the Redemption of John Churchill

the day was well on to late afternoon in mid-spring , and the world was abloom .

before him and behind him wound a road that ran like a red ribbon through fields of lush clovery green .

the roadside was sprinkled over with the gold dust of dandelions and the pale stars of wild strawberry blossoms .

but John Churchill walked laggingly , with bent head .

some of them he knew for friends of the old time .

ten years had not changed them as he had been changed .

they had spent those ten years in freedom and good repute , under God 's blue sky , in His glad air and sunshine .

he , John Churchill , had spent them behind the walls of a prison .

he had never seen them since , but he knew what had happened in his absence .

his wife had died two months later , leaving behind her a baby boy ; his father had died within the year .

she had never forgiven her brother and she never wrote to him .

he knew that she would have brought the boy up either in ignorance of his father 's crime or in utter detestation of it .

the best his friends had been able to do for him was to forget him .

he was filled with bitterness and despair and a gnawing hatred of the world of brightness around him .

he had no place in it ; he was an ugly blot on it .

in his extremity he hated God and man , burning with futile resentment against both .

only one feeling of tenderness yet remained in his heart ; it centred around the thought of his little son .

when he left the prison he had made up his mind what to do .

he had a little money which his father had left him , enough to take him west .

he would go there , under a new name .

there would be novelty and adventure to blot out the memories of the old years .

he did not care what became of him , since there was no one else to care .

he knew in his heart that his future career would probably lead him still further and further downward , but that did not matter .

but there was nobody to care .

so he would go to his own place .

but first he must see little Joey , who must be quite a big boy now , nearly ten years old .

he would go home and see him just once , even although he dreaded meeting aversion in the child 's eyes .

" I 'll go straight to the devil then , " he said sullenly .

" that 's where I belong , a jail-bird at whom everybody except other jail-birds looks askance .

to think what I was once , and what I am now !

it 's enough to drive a man mad !

as for repenting , bah !

who 'd believe that I really repented , who 'd give me a second chance on the faith of it ?

not a soul .

repentance won't blot out the past .

it won't give me back my wife whom I loved above everything on earth and whose heart I broke .

it won't restore me my unstained name and my right to a place among honourable men .

there 's no chance for a man who has fallen as low as I have .

if Emily were living , I could struggle for her sake .

but who 'd be fool enough to attempt such a fight with no motive and not one chance of success in a hundred .

not I ..y I 'm down and I 'll stay down .

there 's no climbing up again . "

he celebrated his first day of freedom by getting drunk , although he had never before been an intemperate man .

nobody at the station where he alighted recognized him or paid any attention to him .

he was as a dead man who had come back to life to find himself effaced from recollection and his place knowing him no more .

it was three miles from the station to where his sister lived , and he resolved to walk the distance .

now that the critical moment drew near , he shrank from it and wished to put it off as long as he could .

when he reached his sister 's home he halted on the road and surveyed the place over its snug respectability of iron fence .

his courage failed him at the thought of walking over that trim lawn and knocking at that closed front door .

he walked furtively up the back way between high , screening hedges of spruce .

when he came to the gate of the yard , he paused .

was that Joey , could that be his little son ?

yes , it was ; he would have known him anywhere by his likeness to Emily .

the argument was long and warm and finally culminated in personalities .

just as John Churchill dropped on one knee behind the hedge , the better to see Joey 's face , Jimmy Morris said scornfully :

" I don't care what you say .

nobody believes you .

your father is in the penitentiary . "

the taunt struck home as it always did .

it was not the first time that Joey had been twitted with his father by his boyish companions .

but never before by Jimmy !

it always hurt him , and he had never before made any response to it .

but that Jimmy , his best beloved chum , should say such a thing to him ; oh , it hurt terribly .

there is nothing so merciless as a small boy .

Jimmy saw his advantage and vindictively pursued it .

" your father stole money , that 's what he did !

you know he did .

I 'm pretty glad my father isn't a thief .

your father is .

and when he gets out of prison , he 'll go on stealing again .

my father says he will .

nobody 'll have anything to do with him , my father says .

his own sister won't have anything to do with him .

so there , Joey Churchill ! "

" there will somebody have something to do with him ! " cried Joey hotly .

he slid off the bench and faced Jimmy proudly and confidently .

the grey eyes were alight with a steady , fearless glow .

" I 'll have something to do with him .

he is my father and I love him .

I don't care what he did , I love him just as well as if he was the best man in the world .

I love him better than if he was as good as your father , because he needs it more .

I 've always loved him ever since I found out about him .

I 'd write to him and tell him so , if Aunt Beatrice would tell me where to send the letter .

aunt Beatrice won't ever talk about him or let me talk about him , but I think about him all the time .

and he 's going to be a good man yet , yes , he is , just as good as your father , Jimmy Morris .

I 'm going to make him good .

I made up my mind years ago what I would do and I 'm going to do it , so there , Jimmy . "

" I 'll tell you what I can do ! "

Joey was confronting all the world now , with his head thrown back and his face flushed with his earnestness .

" I can love him and stand by him , and I will .

when he gets out of of prison , he 'll come to see me , I know he will .

and I 'm just going to hug him and kiss him and say , ' Never mind , Father .

I know you 're sorry for what you 've done , and you 're never going to do it any more .

you 're going to be a good man and I 'm going to stand by you . '

yes , sir , that 's just what I 'm going to say to him .

I 'm all the children he has and there 's nobody else to love him , because I know Aunt Beatrice doesn't .

and I 'm going with him wherever he goes . "

" you can't , " said Jimmy in a scared tone .

" your Aunt Beatrice won't let you . "

" yes , she will .

she 'll have to .

I belong to my father .

and I think he 'll be coming pretty soon some way .

I 'm pretty sure the time must be ' most up .

I wish he would come .

I want to see him as much as can be , ' cause I know he 'll need me .

and I 'll be proud of him yet , Jimmy Morris , yes , I 'll be just as proud as you are of your father .

when I get bigger , nobody will call my father names , I can tell you .

I 'll fight them if they do , yes , sir , I will .

my father and I are going to stand by each other like bricks .

aunt Beatrice has lots of children of her own and I don't believe she 'll be a bit sorry when I go away .

she 's ashamed of my father ' cause he did a bad thing .

but I 'm not , no , sir .

I 'm going to love him so much that I 'll make up to him for everything else .

and you can just go home , Jimmy Morris , so there ! "

on the other side of the spruce hedge knelt John Churchill with bowed head .

the tears were running freely down his face , but there was a new , tender light in his eyes .

the bitterness and despair had fallen out of his heart , leaving a great peace and a dawning hope in their place .

bless that loyal little soul !

there was something to live for after all there was a motive to make the struggle worthwhile .

Aye , and , God helping him , he would .

he would redeem the past .

he would go west , but under his own name .

for his boy 's sake he must cleanse his name from the dishonour he had brought on it .

under his breath he said , looking heavenward :

" God be merciful to me , a sinner . "

" Joey boy , " he said huskily .

" Joey boy . "

Joey sprang to his feet with tears still glistening in his eyes .

he saw before him a bent , grey-headed man looking at him lovingly and wistfully .

Joey knew who it was the father he had never seen .

with a glad cry of welcome he sprang into the outstretched arms of the man whom his love had already won back to God .

the Schoolmaster 's Letters

at sunset the schoolmaster went up to his room to write a letter to her .

every evening he wrote thus to her , and the hour so spent glorified the entire day .

and doubly sacred when , as tonight , it followed upon an hour spent with her ?

its mingled delight and pain were almost more than he could bear .

link Houseman , sprawled out on the platform before the kitchen door , saw him pass with that rapt face , and chuckled .

Link was ill enough to look at any time , with his sharp , freckled features and foxy eyes .

when he chuckled his face was that of an unholy imp .

but the schoolmaster took no heed of him .

neither did he heed the girl whom he met in the hall .

" sis , " whispered Link piercingly , " come out here !

I 've got a joke to tell you , something about the master and his girl .

you ain't to let on to him you know , though .

I found it out last night when he was off to the shore .

that old key of Uncle Jim 's was just the thing .

he 's a softy , and no mistake . "

upstairs in his little room , the schoolmaster was writing his letter .

and here , in the rose-radiance of the sunset , with the sea-music in the dim air , he wrote his letter to her .

my Lady : how beautiful it is to think that there is nothing to prevent my loving you !

there is much everything to prevent me from telling you that I love you .

for so much , dear , I thank life , even though the price of the permission must always be the secret and the silence .

I have just come from you , my lady .

your voice is still in my ears ; your eyes are still looking into mine , gravely yet half smilingly , sweetly yet half provokingly .

oh , how dear and human and girlish and queenly you are half saint and half very womanly woman !

you do not know it , my sweet , and you must never know it .

that is all I ask , dear lady , and I ask that only in my own heart .

I am content to love you and be forgotten .

I weave a chaplet of them , dear , and crown you with it .

they will never fade , for such love is eternal .

it is a whole summer since I first met you .

I had been waiting for you all my life before and did not know it .

but I knew it when you came and brought with you a sense of completion and fulfilment .

this has been the precious year of my life , the turning-point to which all things past tended and all things future must look back .

oh , my dear , I thank you for this year !

it has been your royal gift to me , and I shall be rich and great forever because of it .

nothing can ever take it from me , nothing can mar it .

it were well to have lived a lifetime of loneliness for such a boon the price would not be too high .

I would not give my one perfect summer for a generation of other men 's happiness .

there are those in the world who would laugh at me , who would pity me , Una .

oh , my dear , they do not know , they cannot understand .

the love I have given you has not left me poorer .

I could not have helped loving you .

there are those who strive to forget a hopeless love .

to me , the greatest misfortune that life could bring would be that I should forget you .

I want to remember you always and love you and long for you .

that would be unspeakably better than any happiness that could come to me through forgetting .

dear lady , good night .

a kiss on each of your white hands , dear .

tonight I am too humble to lift my thoughts to your lips .

then he took from his shabby trunk a little inlaid box and unlocked it with a twisted silver key .

it was full of letters his letters to Una .

the first had been written months ago , in the early promise of a northern spring .

they linked together the golden weeks of the summer .

now , in the purple autumn , the box was full , and the schoolmaster 's term was nearly ended .

he took out the letters reverently and looked over them , now and then murmuring below his breath some passages scattered through the written pages .

I will love you forever and ever .

and even though you know it not , surely such love will hover around you all your life .

sometimes I let myself dream .

and in those dreams you love me , and we go out to meet life together .

I have dreamed that you kissed me dreamed it so reverently that the dream did your womanhood no wrong .

I have dreamed that you put your hands in mine and said , " I love you . "

oh , the rapture of it !

we may give all we will if we do not ask for a return .

there should be no barter in love .

I have a memory of a blush of yours a rose of the years that will bloom forever in my garden of remembrance .

tonight you blushed when I came upon you suddenly among the flowers .

I shall see you forever as you looked at that time .

I shall be able to picture forevermore how you would look at one you loved .

tonight the moon was low in the west .

it hung over the sea like a shallop of ruddy gold moored to a star in the harbour of the night .

you told me once that you always watched the moon set .

it has been a bond between us ever since .

this morning I rose at dawn and walked on the shore to think of you , because it seemed the most fitting time .

it was before sunrise , and the world was virgin .

all the east was a shimmer of silver and the morning star floated in it like a dissolving pearl .

the sea was a great miracle .

I walked up and down by it and said your name over and over again .

the hour was sacred to you .

it was as pure and unspoiled as your own soul .

Una , who will bring into your life the sunrise splendour and colour of love ?

do you know how beautiful you are , Una ?

let me tell you , dear .

you are tall , yet you have to lift your eyes a little to meet mine .

such dear eyes , Una !

they are dark blue , and when you smile they are like wet violets in sunshine .

but when you are pensive they are more lovely still the spirit and enchantment of the sea at twilight passes into them then .

your hair has the gloss and brownness of ripe nuts , and your face is always pale .

your lips have a trick of falling apart in a half-smile when you listen .

they told me before I knew you that you were pretty .

Pretty !

the word is cheap and tawdry .

you are beautiful , with the beauty of a pearl or a star or a white flower .

do you remember our first meeting ?

it was one evening last spring .

you were in your garden .

the snow had not all gone , but your hands were full of pale , early flowers .

you wore a white shawl over your shoulders and head .

your face was turned upward a little , listening to a robin 's call in the leafless trees above you .

I thought God had never made anything so lovely and love-deserving .

I loved you from that moment , Una .

this is your birthday .

the world has been glad of you for twenty years .

it is fitting that there have been bird songs and sunshine and blossom today , a great light and fragrance over land and sea .

I sent them to you with a little book , an old book .

a new book , savouring of the shop and marketplace , however beautiful it might be , would not do for you .

so I sent the book that was my mother 's .

she read it and loved it the faded rose-leaves she placed in it are there still .

at first , dear , I almost feared to send it .

would you miss its meaning ?

would you laugh a little at the shabby volume with its pencil marks and its rose-leaves ?

but I knew you would not ; I knew you would understand .

today I saw you with the child of your sister in your arms .

I felt as the old painters must have felt when they painted their Madonnas .

the next moment you were laughing with him two children playing together .

but I had looked upon you in that brief space .

oh , the pain and joy of it !

Love wishes to do so much for the beloved !

I can do so little for you , but that little is sweet .

this evening I read to you the poem which you had asked me to read .

you sat before me with your brown head leaning on your hands and your eyes cast down .

I stole dear glances at you between the lines .

when I finished I put a red , red rose from your garden between the pages and crushed the book close on it .

that poem will always be dear to me , stained with the life-blood of a rose-like hour .

I do not know which is the sweeter , your laughter or your sadness .

when you laugh you make me glad , but when you are sad I want to share in your sadness and soothe it .

I think I am nearer to you in your sorrowful moods .

today I met you by accident at the turn of the lane .

nothing told me that you were coming not even the wind , that should have known .

I was sad , and then all at once I saw you , and wondered how I could have been sad .

you walked past me with a smile , as if you had tossed me a rose .

I stood and watched you out of sight .

that meeting was the purple gift the day gave me .

the old words other men have used in singing to their loves seemed too worn and common for you .

so I burned the verses that were so unworthy of you .

Una , some day you will love .

you will watch for him ; you will blush at his coming , be sad at his going .

oh , I cannot think of it !

today I saw you when you did not see me .

I was walking on the shore , and as I came around a rock you were sitting on the other side .

I drew back a little and looked at you .

your hands were clasped over your knees ; your hat had fallen back , and the sea wind was ruffling your hair .

your face was lifted to the sky , your lips were parted , your eyes were full of light .

you seemed to be listening to something that made you happy .

I crept gently away , that I might not mar your dream .

of what were you thinking , Una ?

I must leave you soon .

sometimes I think I cannot bear it .

oh , Una , how selfish it is of me to wish that you might love me !

if you loved me , I fear I should be weak enough to do you the wrong of wooing you .

I want you so much , dear !

the schoolmaster added the last letter to the others and locked the box .

when he unlocked it again , two days later , the letters were gone .

he gazed at the empty box with dilated eyes .

at first he could not realize what had happened .

the letters could not be gone !

he must have made a mistake , have put them in some other place !

with trembling fingers he ransacked his trunk .

there was no trace of the letters .

with a groan he dropped his face in his hands and tried to think .

the inmost secrets of his soul had been betrayed .

who had done this hideous thing ?

he rose and went downstairs .

in the farmyard he found Link tormenting his dog .

Link was happy only when he was tormenting something .

it cowed the boy , because it was something he could not understand .

he only realized that he was in the presence of a force that was not to be trifled with .

" Link , where are my letters ? " said the schoolmaster .

" I didn't take ' em , Master ! " cried Link , crumpling up visibly in his sheer terror .

" I didn't .

I never teched ' em !

it was Sis .

I told her not to I told her you 'd be awful mad , but she wouldn't tend to me .

it was Sis took ' em .

ask her , if you don't believe me . "

the schoolmaster believed him .

nothing was too horrible to believe just then .

" what has she done with them ? " he said hoarsely .

" she she sent ' em to Una Clifford , " whimpered Link .

" I told her not to .

she 's mad at you , cause you went to see Una and wouldn't go with her .

she thought Una would be mad at you for writing ' em , cause the Cliffords are so proud and think themselves above everybody else .

so she sent ' em .

I I told her not to . "

the schoolmaster said not another word .

he turned his back on the whining boy and went to his room .

he felt sick with shame .

the indecency of the whole thing revolted him .

he felt stunned as if by a physical blow .

after a time his fierce anger and shame died into a calm desperation .

the deed was done beyond recall .

it only remained for him to go to Una , tell her the truth , and implore her pardon .

then he must go from her sight and presence forever .

it was dusk when he went to her home .

have you thought from his letters that she was a wonderful woman of marvellous beauty ?

not so .

she was a sweet and slender slip of girlhood , with girlhood 's own charm and freshness .

there were thousands like her in the world thank God for it ! but only one like her in one man 's eyes .

he stood before her mute with shame , his boyish face white and haggard .

her eyes were downcast and her breath came shortly .

he thought her silence the silence of anger and scorn .

he wished that he might fling himself in the dust at her feet .

" Una Miss Clifford forgive me ! " he stammered miserably .

" I I did not send them .

I never meant that you should see them .

a shameful trick has been played upon me .

forgive me ! "

" for what am I to forgive you ? " she asked gravely .

she did not look up , but her lips parted in the little half-smile he loved .

the blush was still on her face .

" for my presumption , " he whispered .

" I I could not help loving you , Una .

if you have read the letters you know all the rest . "

" I have read the letters , every word , " she answered , pressing her hand a little more closely to her breast .

" perhaps I should not have done so , for I soon discovered that they were not meant for me to read .

I do not know who sent them , but I am very grateful to the sender . "

" grateful ? " he said wonderingly .

" yes .

I have something to forgive you , but not not your presumption .

it is your blindness , I think and and your cruel resolution to go away and never tell me of your your love for me .

if it had not been for the sending of these letters I might never have known .

how can I forgive you for that ? "

" Una ! " he said .

he had been very blind , but he was beginning to see .

he took a step nearer and took her hands .

she threw up her head and gazed , blushingly , steadfastly , into his eyes .

from the folds of her gown she drew forth the little packet of letters and kissed it .

" your dear letters ! " she said bravely .

" they have given me the right to speak out .

I will speak out !

I love you , dear !

I will be content to wait through long years until you can claim me .

I I have been so happy since your letters came ! "

he put his arms around her and drew her head close to his .

their lips met .

the Story of Uncle Dick

I had two schools offered me that summer , one at Rocky Valley and one at Bayside .

at first I inclined to Rocky Valley ; it possessed a railway station and was nearer the centres of business and educational activity .

I had reason to be glad of my choice , for in Bayside I met Uncle Dick .

thereafter I daily passed close by the fence that I might have the privilege of looking over it .

it would be hard to define the charm of that garden .

for the rest , I think the real charm must have been in its unexpectedness .

at every turn and in every nook you stumbled on some miracle of which you had never dreamed .

or perhaps the charm was simply that the whole garden was an expression of Uncle Dick 's personality .

in one corner a little green dory , filled with earth , overflowed in a wave of gay annuals .

in the centre of the garden an old birch-bark canoe seemed sailing through a sea of blossoms , with a many-coloured freight of geraniums .

paths twisted and turned among flowering shrubs , and clumps of old-fashioned perennials were mingled with the latest fads of the floral catalogues .

it was a power for good within me , making its influence felt in many ways .

finally I caught Uncle Dick in his garden .

later I discovered that his splendid beard was Uncle Dick 's only vanity .

" how do you do , Master ? " he said heartily .

( the Bayside pedagogue was invariably addressed as " Master " by young and old . )

" I 'm glad to see you .

here I am , trying to save my rosebushes .

there are green bugs on ' em , Master green bugs , and they 're worrying the life out of me . "

I smiled , for Uncle Dick looked very unlike a worrying man , even over such a serious accident as green bugs .

" your roses don't seem to mind , Mr Oliver , " I said .

" they are the finest I have ever seen . "

the compliment to his roses , well-deserved as it was , did not at first engage his attention .

he pretended to frown at me .

" don't get into any bad habit of mistering me , Master , " he said .

" you 'd better begin by calling me Uncle Dick from the start and then you won't have the trouble of changing .

because it would come to that it always does .

but come in , come in !

there 's a gate round here .

I want to get acquainted with you .

I have a taste for schoolmasters .

I didn't possess it when I was a boy " ( a glint of fun appeared in his blue eyes ) .

" it 's an acquired taste . "

I accepted his invitation and went , not only into his garden but , as was proved later , into his confidence and affection .

he linked his arm with mine and piloted me about to show me his pets .

" I potter about this garden considerable , " he said .

" it pleases the women folks to have lots of posies . "

I laughed , for Uncle Dick was a bachelor and considered to be a hopeless one .

" don't laugh , Master , " he said , pressing my arm .

" I 've no woman folk of my own about me now , ' tis true .

but all the girls in the district come to Uncle Dick when they want flowers for their little diversions .

besides perhaps sometimes "

Uncle Dick broke off and stood in a brown study , looking at an old stump aflame with nasturtiums for fully three minutes .

later on I was to learn the significance of that pause and reverie .

I spent the whole evening with Uncle Dick .

after we had explored the garden he took me into his house and into his " den . "

the house was a small white one and wonderfully neat inside , considering the fact that Uncle Dick was his own housekeeper .

we soon became close friends .

uncle Dick had always " chummed with the masters , " as he said , but our friendship went deeper .

for my own part , I preferred his company to that of any young man I knew .

there was a perennial spring of youth in Uncle Dick 's soul that yet had all the fascinating flavour of ripe experience .

I knew Uncle Dick 's outward history as the Bayside people knew it .

it was not a very eventful one .

he had lost his father in boyhood ; before that there had been some idea of Dick 's going to college .

" nobody knows what he had to put up with , for he never complained , " Mrs Lindsay , my landlady , told me .

" she was out of her mind once and she was liable to go out of it again if she was crossed in anything .

he was that good and patient with her .

she was dreadful fond of him too , for all she did almost worry his life out .

no doubt she was the reason he never married .

he couldn't leave her and he knew no woman would go in there .

uncle Dick never courted anyone , unless it was Rose Lawrence .

she was a cousin of my man 's .

I 've heard he had a kindness for her ; it was years ago , before I came to Bayside .

but anyway , nothing came of it .

her father 's health failed and he had to go out to California .

Rose had to go with him , her mother being dead , and that was the end of Uncle Dick 's love affair . "

but that was not the end of it , as I discovered when Uncle Dick gave me his confidence .

" those little girls are very sweet , " said Uncle Dick abruptly .

" little blossoms of life !

" yes , I have , " I answered frankly .

" it has not been a matter of choice , " said Uncle Dick gently .

" we can't always order our lives as we would , Master .

I loved a woman once and she loved me .

and we love each other still .

do you think I could bear life else ?

I 've an interest in it that the Bayside folk know nothing of .

it has kept youth in my heart and joy in my soul through long , lonely years .

and it 's not ended yet , Master it 's not ended yet !

some day I hope to bring a wife here to my old house my wife , my rose of joy ! "

he was silent for a space , gazing at the stars .

after a time he said gently ,

" shall I tell you about it , Master ?

I mean , do you care to know ? "

" yes , " I answered , " I do care to know .

and I shall respect your confidence , Uncle Dick . "

" I know that .

I couldn't tell you , otherwise , " he said .

" I don't want the Bayside folk to know it would be a kind of desecration .

they would laugh and joke me about it , as they tease other people , and I couldn't bear that .

nobody in Bayside knows or suspects , unless it 's old Joe Hammond at the post office .

and he has kept my secret , or what he knows of it , well .

but somehow I feel that I 'd like to tell you , Master .

" twenty-five years ago I loved Rose Lawrence .

the Lawrences lived where you are boarding now .

she was sweet and fair , like a white rose with just a hint of pink in its cup .

we loved each other , but we couldn't marry then .

Rose said I was right in doing it .

she said she was willing to wait for me , but she didn't know , poor girl , how long the waiting was to be .

then her father 's health failed completely , and the doctor ordered him to another climate .

they went to California .

that was a hard parting , Master .

but we promised each other that we would be true , and we have been .

I 've never seen my Rose of joy since then , but I 've had a letter from her every week .

when the mother died , five years ago , I wanted to move to California and marry Rose .

but she wrote that her father was so poorly she couldn't marry me yet .

so I had to take a new lease of patience , Master .

one learns how to wait in twenty years .

but I shall have her some day , God willing .

our love will be crowned yet .

so I wait , Master , and try to keep my life and soul clean and wholesome and young for her .

he did talk often to me of her , and I soon came to realize what this far-away woman meant in his life .

she was for him the centre of everything .

his love was strong , pure , and idyllic the ideal love of which the loftiest poets sing .

it glorified his whole inner life with a strange , unfailing radiance .

I found that everything he did was done with an eye single to what she would think of it when she came .

especially did he put his love into his garden .

" every flower in it stands for a thought of her , Master , " he said .

" it is a great joy to think that she will walk in this garden with me some day .

it will be complete then my Rose of joy will be here to crown it . "

his big voice trembled as he said ,

" Master , she 's coming home .

her father is dead and she has nobody in the world now but me .

in a month she will be here .

don't talk to me of it yet I want to taste the joy of it in silence for a while . "

later on , we sat on one of the old stone benches and Uncle Dick tried to talk practically .

bayside people soon found out that Rose Lawrence was coming home to marry Uncle Dick .

uncle Dick was much teased , and suffered under it ; it seemed , as he had said , desecration .

but the real goodwill and kindly feeling in the banter redeemed it .

he went to the station to meet Rose Lawrence the day she came .

when I went home from school Mrs Lindsay told me she was in the parlour and took me in to be introduced .

I was bitterly disappointed .

instead , I found in Rose Lawrence a small , faded woman of forty-five , gowned in shabby black .

she had evidently been very pretty once , but bloom and grace were gone .

her face had a sweet and gentle expression , but was tired and worn , and her fair hair was plentifully streaked with grey .

alas , I thought compassionately , for Uncle Dick 's dreams !

what a shock the change to her must have given him !

could this be the woman on whom he had lavished such a life-wealth of love and reverence ?

I tried to talk to her , but I found her shy and timid .

she seemed to me uninteresting and commonplace .

and this was Uncle Dick 's Rose of joy !

I was so sorry for Uncle Dick that I shrank from meeting him .

nevertheless , I went over after tea , fearing that he might misunderstand , nay , rather , understand , my absence .

he was in the garden , and he came down the path where the buds were just showing .

there was a smile on his face and the glory in his eyes was quite undimmed .

" Master , she 's come .

and she 's not a bit changed .

I feared she would be , but she is just the same my sweet little Rose of joy ! "

I looked at Uncle Dick in some amazement .

he was thoroughly sincere , there was no doubt of that , and I felt a great throb of relief .

he had found no disillusioning change .

I saw Rose Lawrence merely with the cold eyes of the stranger .

he saw her through the transfiguring medium of a love that made her truly his Rose of joy .

and all was well .

they were married the next morning and walked together over the clover meadow to their home .

in the evening I went over , as I had promised Uncle Dick to do .

they were in the garden , with a great saffron sky over them and a glory of sunset behind the poplars .

I paused unseen at the gate .

uncle Dick was big and splendid in his fine new wedding suit , and his faded little bride was hanging on his arm .

happiness clothed them as a garment ; they were crowned king and queen in the bridal realm of the springtime .

the Understanding of Sister Sara

June First .

I began this journal last New Year 's wrote two entries in it and then forgot all about it .

I feel the need of a confidant of some kind , even if it is only an inanimate journal .

I have no other .

and I cannot talk my thoughts over with Sara she is so unsympathetic .

Sara is a dear good soul and I love her as much as she will let me .

I am also very grateful to her .

she brought me up when our mother died .

but Sara did her duty unflinchingly and well , it 's not for me to say that the result does her credit .

but it really does , considering the material she had to work with .

I 'm a bundle of faults as it is , but I tremble to think what I would have been if there had been no Sara .

yes , I love Sara , and I 'm grateful to her .

but she doesn't understand me in the least .

she laughs at things I consider the most sacred and calls me a romantic girl , in a tone of humorous toleration .

I am chilled and thrown back on myself , and the dreams and confidences I am bubbling over with have no outlet .

Sara couldn't understand she is so practical .

better go and sew it on before you forget again .

' A stitch in time saves nine . ' "

better go and change your stockings , my dear .

' An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure . ' "

so I have given up trying to talk things over with Sara .

this old journal will be better .

last night Sara and I went to Mrs Trent 's musicale .

I had to sing and I had the loveliest new gown for the occasion .

at first Sara thought my old blue dress would do .

she said we must economize this summer and told me I was entirely too extravagant in the matter of clothes .

I cried about it after I went to bed .

Sara looked at me very sharply the next morning without saying anything .

in the afternoon she went uptown and bought some lovely pale yellow silk organdie .

she made it up herself Sara is a genius at dressmaking and it was the prettiest gown at the musicale .

Sara wore her old grey silk made over .

Sara doesn't care anything about dress , but then she is forty .

Walter Shirley was at the Trents ' .

the Shirleys are a new family here ; they moved to Atwater two months ago .

he is very handsome and distinguished-looking and everybody says he is so clever .

he plays the violin just beautifully and has such a melting , sympathetic voice and the loveliest deep , dark , inscrutable eyes .

I asked Sara when we came home if she didn't think he was splendid .

" he 'd be a nice boy if he wasn't rather conceited , " said Sara .

after that it was impossible to say anything more about Mr Shirley .

I am glad he is going to be in Atwater all summer .

I wonder if I shall see Mr Shirley soon again .

June Thirtieth .

it does not seem possible that it is only a month since my last entry .

it seems more like a year a delightful year .

I can't believe that I am the same Beatrice Mason who wrote then .

and I am not , either .

she was just a simple little girl , knowing nothing but romantic dreams .

I feel that I am very much changed .

life seems so grand and high and beautiful .

I want to be a true noble woman .

only such a woman could be worthy of of a fine , noble man .

but when I tried to say something like this to Sara she replied calmly :

" my dear child , the average woman is quite good enough for the average man .

and that reminds me , I saw holes in your black lace stockings yesterday .

better go and darn them at once .

' Procrastination is the thief of time . ' "

Sara cannot understand .

Blanche Lawrence was married yesterday to Ted Martin .

I thought it the most solemn and sacred thing I had ever listened to the marriage ceremony , I mean .

I had never thought much about it before .

I must say I do not like fair men .

" oh , Sara , " I cried , " she has married the man she loves and who loves her .

what better is there to do ?

I thought it beautiful . "

" they should have waited another year at least , " said Sara severely .

" Ted Martin has only been practising law for a year , and he had nothing to begin with .

he can't have made enough in one year in Atwater to justify him in setting up housekeeping .

I think a man ought to be ashamed of himself to take a girl from a good home to an uncertainty like that . "

" not if she loved him and was willing to share the uncertainty , " I said softly .

besides , Blanche is a mere child , far too young to be burdened with the responsibilities of life . "

Blanche is twenty two years older than I am .

but Sara talks as if I were a mere infant .

July Thirtieth .

oh , I am so happy !

I wonder if there is another girl in the world as happy as I am tonight .

no , of course there cannot be , because there is only one Walter !

Walter and I are engaged .

it happened last night when we were sitting out in the moonlight under the silver maple on the lawn .

and I don't remember just what I said .

but we understood each other perfectly at last .

of course Sara had to do her best to spoil things .

Beatrice !

have you your rubbers on ?

and don't you think it is too damp out there for you in that heavy dew ?

better come into the house , both of you .

Walter has a cold now . "

" oh , we 'll be in soon , Sara , " I said impatiently .

oh , I wish I had a mother !

she could understand .

but Sara cannot .

Walter and I have decided to keep our engagement a secret for a month just our own beautiful secret unshared by anyone .

then before he goes back to college he is going to tell Sara and ask her consent .

I don't think Sara will refuse it exactly .

she really likes Walter very well .

but I know she will be horrid and I just dread it .

oh , I know Sara !

but I want to dream my dreams first and Sara will wake me up so early to realities .

this is why we determined to keep one month sacred to ourselves .

Walter will graduate next spring he is to be a doctor and then he intends to settle down in Atwater and work up a practice .

I am sure he will succeed for everyone likes him so much .

I know Sara will talk about risk and waiting and all that just as she did in Ted Martin 's case .

but then Sara does not understand .

oh , I am so happy !

it almost frightens me I don't see how anything so wonderful can last .

oh , I want to be so good and noble for his sake .

I want to make life " one grand sweet song . "

I have gone about the house today feeling like a woman consecrated and set apart from other women by Walter 's love .

Sara said she really did not know what would happen to me some day if I was so careless and forgetful .

but then , Sara does not understand .

August Twentieth .

it is all over .

life is ended for me and I do not know how I can face the desolate future .

Walter and I have quarrelled and our engagement is broken .

he is gone and my heart is breaking .

I hardly know how it began .

I 'm sure I never meant to flirt with Jack Ray .

I never did flirt with him either , in spite of Walter 's unmanly accusations .

I danced with him three times and sat out another dance just to talk with him in a real sisterly fashion .

then he went away and slammed the front door .

I cried all night , but today I went about the house singing .

I would not for the world let other people know how Walter has treated me .

I will hide my broken heart under a smiling face bravely .

but , oh , I am so miserable !

just as soon as I am old enough I mean to go away and be a trained nurse .

there is nothing else left in life for me .

Sara does not suspect that anything is wrong and I am so thankful she does not .

she would not understand .

September Sixth .

today I read this journal over and thought I would burn it , it is so silly .

but on second thought I concluded to keep it as a reminder of how blind and selfish I was and how good Sara is .

for I am happy again and everything is all right , thanks to Sara .

the very day after our quarrel Walter left Atwater .

I smiled squarely at Mollie as if I didn't care a particle , but I can't describe how I felt .

I knew then that I had really been hoping that something would happen in three weeks to make our quarrel up .

in a small place like Atwater people in the same set can't help meeting .

I bore it in silence for three weeks , but I will shudder to the end of my life when I remember those three weeks .

night before last Sara came up to my room where I was lying on my bed with my face in the pillow .

I wasn't crying I couldn't cry .

there was just a dreadful dull ache in everything .

" Beatrice , " she said gently , " I want to know what the trouble is .

you can't hide it from me that something is wrong .

I 've noticed it for some time .

you don't eat anything and you cry all night oh , yes , I know you do .

what is it , dear ? "

" oh , Sara ! "

write to Walter and tell him you are sorry . "

" Sara , I never could !

he doesn't love me any longer he said he hoped he 'd never see me again . "

" didn't you say the same to him , child ?

he meant it as little as you did .

don't let your foolish pride keep you miserable . "

" if Walter won't come back to me without my asking him he 'll never come , Sara , " I said stubbornly .

Sara didn't scold or coax any more .

she patted my head and kissed me and made me bathe my face and go to bed .

then she tucked me in just as she used to do when I was a little girl .

" now , don't cry , dear , " she said , " it will come right yet . "

give the bread a good kneading in an hour 's time and be careful not to bake it too much . "

that was a dismal day .

it began to rain soon after Sara left and it just poured .

I never saw a soul all day except the milkman , and I was really frantic by night .

I never was so glad of anything as when I heard Sara 's step on the verandah .

I only guessed then what I knew later on .

Sara had heard from Mrs Shirley that Walter was going to Marlboro that day without coming back to Atwater .

Sara knew that he must change trains at Junction Falls and she went there to meet him .


but just at the moment of his coming I didn't care how he had come or who had brought him .

I just realized that he was there and that was enough .

Sara came in behind him .

but Sara never said a word about colds and dampness .

she just smiled , went on into the sitting-room , and shut the door .

Sara understood .

the Unforgotten One

it was Christmas Eve , but there was no frost , or snow , or sparkle .

it was a green Christmas , and the night was mild and dim , with hazy starlight .

a little wind was laughing freakishly among the firs around Ingleside and rustling among the sere grasses along the garden walks .

there were handshakings and greetings and laughter .

" we 're not all here , " she murmured under her breath .

" Miss Avis isn't here .

oh , how can they be so glad ?

how can they have forgotten ? "

but nobody heard or heeded Nanny she was only the little orphan " help " girl at Ingleside .

there was no bond of blood to unite her to them , and she was left on the fringe of things .

after supper they all gathered around the open fireplace of the hall , hung with its berries and evergreens in honour of the morrow .

the circle was smaller by one than it had been the year before , but none spoke of that .

there was a smile on every face and happiness in every voice .

the father and mother sat in the centre , grey-haired and placid , their fine old faces written over with the history of gracious lives .

Margaret 's husband and Fritz 's wife were playing games with the children in the parlour , whence shrieks of merriment drifted out into the hall .

oh , how could they have forgotten so soon ?

it was not yet a full year since Miss Avis had gone .

she had made it out of the bits left over from the decorations .

Miss Avis had loved holly ; Miss Avis had loved every green , growing thing .

" so you do remember her , Gyppy , " said Nanny , patting his head .

" come along then .

we 'll go together . "

they slipped out into the night .

the old church was there , with its square tower , and the white stones gleaming all around it .

Nanny went straight to a shadowy corner and knelt on the sere grasses while she placed her holly wreath on Miss Avis 's grave .

the tears in her eyes brimmed over .

" oh , Miss Avis !

miss Avis ! " she sobbed .

" I miss you so I miss you so !

it can't ever seem like Christmas to me without you .

you were always so sweet and kind to me .

but I hate them for forgetting you yes , I do !

I 'll never forget you , darling Miss Avis !

I 'd rather be here alone with you in the dark than back there with them . "

Nanny sat down by the grave .

the old dog lay down by her side with his forepaws on the turf and his eyes fixed on the tall white marble shaft .

and underneath the lines of her own choosing :

" say not good night , but in some brighter clime Bid me good morning . "

but they had forgotten her oh , they had forgotten her already !

when half an hour had passed , Nanny was startled by approaching footsteps .

Doctor Fritz , coming to the grave , thought himself alone with the dead .

he knelt down by the headstone and pressed his face against it .

and I want to talk to you , Avis , as I have always talked to you every Christmastide since we were children together .

I could not bear to speak your name , the aching sense of loss was so bitter .

amid all the Christmas mirth and good fellowship I felt the sorrow of your vacant chair .

Avis , I wanted to tell you what the year had brought to me .

my theory has been proved ; it has made me a famous man .

last Christmas , Avis , I told you of it , and you listened and understood and believed in it .

Dear Avis , once again I thank you for all you have been to me all you are yet .

I have brought you your roses ; they are as white and pure and fragrant as your life . "

other footsteps came so quickly on Doctor Fritz ' retreating ones that Nanny could not rise .

it was Laddie this time gay , careless , thoughtless Laddie .

" Roses ?

so Fritz has been here !

I have brought you lilies , Avis .

oh , Avis , I miss you so !

you were so jolly and good you understood a fellow so well .

I had to come here tonight to tell you how much I miss you .

it doesn't seem half home without you .

Avis , I 'm trying to be a better chap more the sort of man you 'd have me be .

I 've given the old set the go-by I 'm trying to live up to your standard .

it would be easier if you were here to help me .

when I was a kid it was always easier to be good for awhile after I 'd talked things over with you .

I 've got the best mother a fellow ever had , but you and I were such chums , weren't we , Avis ?

I thought I 'd just break down in there tonight and put a damper on everything by crying like a baby .

if anybody had spoken about you , I should have .

hello ! "

" Hello , boys , " said Laddie huskily .

" so you 've come to see her grave too ? "

" yes , " said Cecil solemnly .

" we we just had to .

we couldn't go to bed without coming .

oh , isn't it lonesome without Cousin Avis ? "

" she was always so good to us , " said Sid .

" she used to talk to us so nice , " said Cecil chokily .

" but she liked fun , too . "

" boys , " said Laddie gravely , " never forget what Cousin Avis used to say to you .

never forget that you have got to grow up into men she 'd be proud of . "

" oh , Avis , " she whispered .

" I want to see you so much !

I want to tell you all about it about him .

you would understand so well .

he is the best and dearest lover ever a girl had .

you would think so too .

oh , Avis , I miss you so much !

there 's a little shadow even on my happiness because I can't talk it over with you in the old way .

oh , Avis , it was dreadful to sit around the fire tonight and not see you .

perhaps you were there in spirit .

I love to think you were , but I wanted to see you .

you were always there to come home to before , Avis , dear . "

sobbing , she went away ; and then came Margaret , the grave , strong Margaret .

" dear cousin , dear to me as a sister , it seemed to me that I must come to you here tonight .

I cannot tell you how much I miss your wise , clear-sighted advice and judgment , your wholesome companionship .

a little son was born to me this past year , Avis .

how glad you would have been , for you knew , as none other did , the bitterness of my childless heart .

how we would have delighted to talk over my baby together , and teach him wisely between us !

Avis , Avis , your going made a blank that can never be filled for me ! "

Margaret was still standing there when the old people came .

" father !

mother !

isn't it too late and chilly for you to be here ? "

" no , Margaret , no , " said the mother .

" I couldn't go to my bed without coming to see Avis 's grave .

I brought her up from a baby her dying mother gave her to me .

she was as much my own child as any of you .

and oh !

I miss her so .

you only miss her when you come home , but I miss her all the time every day ! "

" we all miss her , Mother , " said the old father , tremulously .

" she was a good girl Avis was a good girl .

good night , Avis ! "

" ' Say not good night , but in some brighter clime bid her good morning , ' " quoted Margaret softly .

" that was her own wish , you know .

let us go back now .

it is getting late . "

when they had gone Nanny crept out from the shadows .

but her heart was full of joy .

" oh , Miss Avis , I 'm so glad , I 'm so glad !

they haven't forgotten you after all , Miss Avis , dear , not one of them .

I 'm sorry I was so cross at them ; and I 'm so glad they haven't forgotten you .

I love them for it . "

then the old dog and Nanny went home together .

the Wooing of Bessy

a two-hundred-acre farm and a substantial bank account were worth going in for .

trust an Eastman for knowing upon which side his bread was buttered .

Lawrence was only twenty , and looked even younger , owing to his smooth , boyish face , curly hair , and half-girlish bloom .

Bessy Houghton was in reality no more than twenty-five , but Lynnfield people had the impression that she was past thirty .

she had always been older than her years a quiet , reserved girl who dressed plainly and never went about with other young people .

her mother had died when Bessy was very young , and she had always kept house for her father .

the responsibility made her grave and mature .

when she was twenty her father died and Bessy was his sole heir .

she kept the farm and took the reins of government in her own capable hands .

she made a success of it too , which was more than many a man in Lynnfield had done .

Bessy had never had a lover .

Mrs Eastman , Lawrence 's mother , was a widow with two sons .

George , the older , was the mother 's favourite , and the property had been willed to him by his father .

to Lawrence had been left the few hundreds in the bank .

he stayed at home and hired himself to George , thereby adding slowly to his small hoard .

in reality nobody was more surprised over this than Lawrence himself .

Bessy assented and got into his buggy .

at first she was very silent , and Lawrence , who was a bashful lad at the best of times , felt tongue-tied and uncomfortable .

but presently Bessy , pitying his evident embarrassment , began to talk to him .

she could talk well , and Lawrence found himself entering easily into the spirit of her piquant speeches .

she was very different from the other girls he knew , but he decided that he liked the difference .

" I don't know , " she answered .

" I 'm invited but I 'm all alone and parties have never been very much in my line . "

and if you like , I 'll call around and take you . "

he wondered if she would think him very presumptuous .

he thought her voice sounded colder as she said : " I am afraid that it would be too much trouble for you . "

" it wouldn't be any trouble at all , " he stammered .

" I 'll be very pleased to take you . "

in the end Bessy had consented to go , and the next evening Lawrence called for her in the rose-red autumn dusk .

Bessy was ready and waiting .

she was dressed in what was for her unusual elegance , and Lawrence wondered why people called Bessy Houghton so plain .

her figure was strikingly symmetrical and softly curved .

her cheeks were delicately flushed , and her wood-brown eyes were sparkling under her long lashes .

she offered him a half-opened bud for his coat and pinned it on for him .

as he looked down at her he noticed what a sweet mouth she had full and red , with a half child-like curve .

the fact that Lawrence Eastman took Bessy Houghton to the Baileys ' party made quite a sensation at that festal scene .

people nodded and winked and wondered .

" an old maid and her money , " said Milly Fiske spitefully .

Milly , as was well known , had a liking for Lawrence herself .

Lawrence began to " go with " Bessy Houghton regularly after that .

in his single-mindedness he never feared that Bessy would misjudge his motives or imagine him to be prompted by mercenary designs .

he never thought of her riches himself , and it never occurred to him that she would suppose he did .

he soon realized that he loved her , and he ventured to hope timidly that she loved him in return .

she was always rather reserved , but the few favours that meant nothing from other girls meant a great deal from Bessy .

matters had gone thus far before Mrs Eastman got her eyes opened .

Mrs Eastman was a proud woman and a determined one .

" where is Lawrie ? " she asked abruptly ; as she entered the small kitchen where George Eastman was lounging by the fire .

" Out in the stable grooming up Lady Grey , " responded her older son sulkily .

" I suppose he 's gadding off to see Bessy Houghton again , the young fool that he is !

why don't you put a stop to it ? "

" I am going to put a stop to it , " said Mrs Eastman grimly .

" I 'd have done it before if I 'd known .

you should have told me of it if you knew .

I 'm going out to see Lawrence right now . "

George Eastman muttered something inaudible as the door closed behind her .

he was a short , thickset man , not in the least like Lawrence , who was ten years his junior .

he had hated her bitterly ever since .

Lawrence was brushing his pet mare 's coat until it shone like satin , and whistling " Annie Laurie " until the rafters rang .

Bessy had sung it for him the night before .

then he had stepped back , filled with dismay at his own audacity .

but Bessy had said no word of rebuke , and only blushed hotly crimson .

she must care for him , he thought happily , or else she would have been angry .

when his mother came in at the stable door her face was hard and uncompromising .

" Lawrie , " she said sharply , " where are you going again tonight ?

you were out last night . "

" well , Mother , I promise you I wasn't in any bad company .

come now , don't quiz a fellow too close . "

" you are going to dangle after Bessy Houghton again .

it 's time you were told what a fool you were making of yourself .

she 's old enough to be your mother .

the whole settlement is laughing at you . "

Lawrence looked as if his mother had struck him a blow in the face .

a dull , purplish flush crept over his brow .

" this is some of George 's work , " he broke out fiercely .

" he 's been setting you on me , has he ?

yes , he 's jealous he wanted Bessy himself , but she would not look at him .

he thinks nobody knows it , but I do .

Bessy marry him ?

it 's very likely ! "

" Lawrie Eastman , you are daft .

George hasn't said anything to me .

you surely don't imagine Bessy Houghton would marry you .

and if she would , she is too old for you .

now , don't you hang around her any longer . "

" I will , " said Lawrence flatly .

" I don't care what anybody says .

you needn't worry over me .

I can take care of myself . "

Mrs Eastman looked blankly at her son .

he had never defied or disobeyed her in his life before .

she had supposed her word would be law .

Rebellion was something she had not dreamed of .

her lips tightened ominously and her eyes narrowed .

" you 're a bigger fool than I took you for , " she said in a voice that trembled with anger .

" Bessy Houghton laughs at you everywhere .

she knows you 're just after her money , and she makes fun "

" prove it , " interrupted Lawrence undauntedly , " I 'm not going to put any faith in Lynnfield gossip .

prove it if you can . "

" I can prove it .

Maggie Hatfield told me what Bessy Houghton said to her about you .

moreover , she felt quite sure that Lawrence would never ask Maggie Hatfield anything about it .

Lawrence turned white to the lips , " is that true , Mother ? " he asked huskily .

" I 've warned you , " replied his mother , not choosing to repeat her statement .

" if you go after Bessy any more you can take the consequences . "

she drew her shawl about her pale , malicious face and left him with a parting glance of contempt .

" I guess that 'll settle him , " she thought grimly .

" Bessy Houghton turned up her nose at George , but she shan't make a fool of Lawrence too . "

alone in the stable Lawrence stood staring out at the dull red ball of the winter sun with unseeing eyes .

he had implicit faith in his mother , and the stab had gone straight to his heart .

Bessy Houghton listened in vain that night for his well-known footfall on the verandah .

Bessy walked home alone .

Annie Hillis , her " help , " was out .

she was alone in the big house with her misery and despair .

she went dizzily upstairs to her own room and flung herself on the bed in the chill moonlight .

" it is all over , " she said dully .

all night she lay there , fighting with her pain .

" what a fool I have been to imagine he could care for me ! " she said bitterly .

" he has only been amusing himself with my folly .

and to think that I let him kiss me the other night ! "

she thought of that kiss with a pitiful shame .

she hated herself for the weakness that could not check her tears .

her lonely life had been brightened by the companionship of her young lover .

Maggie Hatfield came that day to sew .

Bessy had intended to have a dark-blue silk made up and an evening waist of pale pink cashmere .

she would have neither it nor the silk made up now .

she put them both away and instead brought out an ugly pattern of snuff-brown stuff , bought years before and never used .

" but where is your lovely pink , Bessy ? " asked the dressmaker .

" aren't you going to have it for the party ? "

" no , I 'm not going to have it made up at all , " said Bessy listlessly .

" it 's too gay for me .

I was foolish to think it would ever suit me .

this brown will do for a spring suit .

it doesn't make much difference what I wear . "

Bessy was looking her oldest and plainest just then , with her hair combed severely back from her pale , dispirited face .

" it must be her money he is after , " thought the dressmaker .

" she looks over thirty , and she can't pretend to be pretty .

I believe she thinks a lot of him , though . "

for the most part , Lynnfield people believed that Bessy had thrown Lawrence over .

this opinion was borne out by his woebegone appearance .

he was thin and pale ; his face had lost its youthful curves and looked hard and mature .

he was moody and taciturn and his speech and manner were marked by a new cynicism .

in April a well-to-do storekeeper from an adjacent village began to court Bessy Houghton .

she couldn't expect to do any better , they said , and she was looking terribly old and dowdy all at once .

in June Maggie Hatfield went to the Eastmans ' to sew .

Mrs Eastman twitched her thread viciously .

" Bessy Houghton was born an old maid , " she said sharply .

" she thinks nobody is good enough for her , that is what 's the matter .

Lawrence got some silly boy-notion into his head last winter , but I soon put a stop to that . "

" I always had an idea that Bessy thought a good deal of Lawrence , " said Maggie .

" she has never been the same since he left off going with her .

" nonsense ! " said Mrs Eastman decisively .

" she would never think of taking a boy like him when she 'd turned up her nose at better men .

and I didn't want her for a daughter-in-law anyhow .

I can't bear her .

so I put my foot down in time .

Lawrence sulked for a spell , of course boy-fashion and he 's been as fractious as a spoiled baby ever since . "

" well , I dare say you 're right , " assented the dressmaker .

" but I must say I had always imagined that Bessy had a great notion of Lawrence .

of course , she 's so quiet it is hard to tell .

she never says a word about herself . "

there was an unsuspected listener to this conversation .

he shrank from believing his mother untrue , yet where else could the crookedness come in ?

" Mercy me , how you scared me ! " she exclaimed nervously .

" Maggie , " said Lawrence seriously , " I want to ask you a question .

did Bessy Houghton ever say anything to you about me or did you ever say that she did ?

give me a straight answer . "

the dressmaker peered at him curiously .

" no .

why ? "

" thank you .

that was all I wanted to know , " said Lawrence , ignoring her question , and disappearing as suddenly as he had come .

that evening at moonrise he passed through the kitchen dressed in his Sunday best .

his mother met him at the door .

" where are you going ? " she asked querulously .

Lawrence looked her squarely in the face with accusing eyes , before which her own quailed .

Mrs Eastman flushed crimson and opened her lips to speak .

but something in Lawrence 's grave , white face silenced her .

she turned away without a word , knowing in her secret soul that her youngest-born was lost to her forever .

Lawrence found Bessy in the orchard under apple trees that were pyramids of pearly bloom .

she looked at him through the twilight with reproach and aloofness in her eyes .

but he put out his hands and caught her reluctant ones in a masterful grasp .

" listen to me , Bessy .

don't condemn me before you 've heard me .

he told his story simply and straightforwardly .

in strict justice he could not keep his mother 's name out of it , but he merely said she had been mistaken .

perhaps Bessy understood none the less .

she knew what Mrs Eastman 's reputation in Lynnfield was .

" you might have had a little more faith in me , " she cried reproachfully .

" I know I know .

but I was beside myself with pain and wretchedness .

oh , Bessy , won't you forgive me ?

I love you so !

if you send me away I 'll go to the dogs .

forgive me , Bessy . "

and she , being a woman , did forgive him .

" I 've loved you from the first , Lawrence , " she said , yielding to his kiss .

their Girl Josie

they had been too proud of Paul ... their only son and such a clever fellow ... and this was their punishment !

he had married an actress !

they could not be brought to see it in any other light .

as their neighbours said , " Cy Morgan never hilt up his head again after Paul married the play-acting woman . "

he wrote one angry , unfilial letter back and then came silence .

between grief and shame Cyrus and Deborah Morgan grew old rapidly in the year that followed .

after the funeral Cyrus Morgan brought home to his wife their son 's little daughter , Joscelyn Morgan .

her aunt , Annice Ashton , had wanted the baby .

Cyrus Morgan had been almost rude in his refusal .

but in Spring Valley , if anywhere , it might be eradicated .

at first neither Cyrus nor Deborah cared much for Joscelyn .

all the Morgans had been fair .

if Joscelyn had had Paul 's blue eyes and golden curls her grandfather and grandmother would have loved her sooner .

but the love came ... it had to .

no living mortal could have resisted Joscelyn .

she was the most winsome and lovable little mite of babyhood that ever toddled .

her big dark eyes overflowed with laughter before she could speak , her puckered red mouth broke constantly into dimples and cooing sounds .

she had ways that no orthodox Spring Valley baby ever thought of having .

every smile was a caress , every gurgle of attempted speech a song .

her grandparents came to worship her and were stricter than ever with her by reason of their love .

because she was so dear to them she must be saved from her mother 's blood .

Joscelyn shot up through a roly-poly childhood into slim , bewitching girlhood in a chill repressive atmosphere .

Cyrus and Deborah were nothing if not thorough .

the girl was never allowed to visit her Aunt Annice , although frequently invited .

the path thus set for Joscelyn 's dancing feet to walk in was indeed sedate and narrow .

but Joscelyn 's vitality was such that all her bonds and bands served but little to check or retard the growth of her rich nature .

do what they might they could not make a Morgan of her .

she seemed to them charged with dangerous tendencies all the more potent from repression .

yet they loved her and were proud of her .

when Joscelyn was seventeen Deborah Morgan noticed a change in her .

Mrs Morgan thought the child needed a tonic and gave her sulphur and molasses .

one day the revelation came .

Cyrus and Deborah had driven across the valley to visit their married daughter .

not finding her at home they returned .

Mrs Morgan went into the house while her husband went to the stable .

Joscelyn was not in the kitchen , but the grandmother heard the sound of voices and laughter in the sitting room across the hall .

" Cyrus , Josie is play-acting in the room ....y laughing and reciting and going on .

I heard her .

oh , I 've always feared it would break out in her and it has !

come you and listen to her . "

the old couple crept through the kitchen and across the hall to the open parlour door as if they were stalking a thief .

Joscelyn 's laugh rang out as they did so ....x a mocking , triumphant peal .

Cyrus and Deborah shivered as if they had heard sacrilege .

it transformed her into a woman .

Joscelyn , rapt away from her surroundings , did not perceive her grandparents .

her face was turned from them and she was addressing an unseen auditor in passionate denunciation .

she spoke , moved , posed , gesticulated , with an inborn genius shining through every motion and tone like an illuminating lamp .

" Josie , what are you doing ? "

it was Cyrus who spoke , advancing into the room like a stern , hard impersonation of judgment .

Joscelyn 's outstretched arm fell to her side and she turned sharply around ; fear came into her face and the light went out of it .

Joscelyn 's face , that had grown pale , flamed scarlet again .

she lifted her head proudly .

" I was trying Aunt Annice 's part in her new play , " she answered .

" I have not been doing anything wrong , Grandfather . "

" wrong !

it 's your mother 's blood coming out in you , girl , in spite of all our care !

where did you get that play ? "

" aunt Annice sent it to me , " answered Joscelyn , casting a quick glance at the book on the table .

don't take it away . "

" I am going to burn it , " said Cyrus Morgan sternly .

" oh , don't , Grandfather , " cried Joscelyn , with a sob in her voice .

" don't burn it , please .

I ....v

I ... won't practise out of it any more .

I 'm sorry I 've displeased you .

please give me my book . "

" no , " was the stern reply .

" go to your room , girl , and take off that rig .

there is to be no more play-acting in my house , remember that . "

he flung the book into the fire that was burning in the grate .

for the first time in her life Joscelyn flamed out into passionate defiance .

" you are cruel and unjust , Grandfather .

I have done no wrong ... it is not doing wrong to develop the one gift I have .

it 's the only thing I can do ... and I am going to do it .

my mother was an actress and a good woman .

so is Aunt Annice .

so I mean to be . "

" oh , Josie , Josie , " said her grandmother in a scared voice .

her grandfather only repeated sternly , " go , take that rig off , girl , and let us hear no more of this . "

Joscelyn went but she left consternation behind her .

Cyrus and Deborah could not have been more shocked if they had discovered the girl robbing her grandfather 's desk .

they talked the matter over bitterly at the kitchen hearth that night .

" we haven't been strict enough with the girl , Mother , " said Cyrus angrily .

" we 'll have to be stricter if we don't want to have her disgracing us .

did you hear how she defied me ?

' So I mean to be , ' she says .

mother , we 'll have trouble with that girl yet . "

" don't be too harsh with her , Pa ....x it 'll maybe only drive her to worse , " sobbed Deborah .

" I ain't going to be harsh .

what I do is for her own good , you know that , Mother .

Josie is as dear to me as she is to you , but we 've got to be stricter with her . "

they were .

from that day Josie was watched and distrusted .

she was never permitted to be alone .

there were no more solitary walks .

she felt herself under the surveillance of cold , unsympathetic eyes every moment and her very soul writhed .

Joscelyn Morgan , the high-spirited daughter of high-spirited parents , could not long submit to such treatment .

Joscelyn rebelled , but she did nothing secretly ... that was not her nature .

she wrote to her Aunt Annice , and when she received her reply she went straight and fearlessly to her grandparents with it .

" grandfather , this letter is from my aunt .

she wishes me to go and live with her and prepare for the stage .

I told her I wished to do so .

I am going . "

Cyrus and Deborah looked at her in mute dismay .

" I know you despise the profession of an actress , " the girl went on with heightened colour .

" I am sorry you think so about it because it is the only one open to me .

I must go ....v

I must . "

" yes , you must , " said Cyrus cruelly .

" it 's in your blood ... your bad blood , girl . "

" my blood isn't bad , " cried Joscelyn proudly .

" my mother was a sweet , true , good woman .

you are unjust , Grandfather .

but I don't want you to be angry with me .

I love you both and I am very grateful indeed for all your kindness to me .

I wish that you could understand what ....v . "

" we understand enough , " interrupted Cyrus harshly .

" this is all I have to say .

go to your play-acting aunt if you want to .

your grandmother and me won't hinder you .

but you 'll come back here no more .

we 'll have nothing further to do with you .

you can choose your own way and walk in it . "

with this dictum Joscelyn went from Spring Valley .

she clung to Deborah and wept at parting , but Cyrus did not even say goodbye to her .

on the morning of her departure he went away on business and did not return until evening .

Joscelyn went on the stage .

her aunt 's influence and her mother 's fame helped her much .

she missed the hard experiences that come to the unassisted beginner .

but her own genius must have won in any case .

when Joscelyn Morgan was twenty-two she was famous over two continents .

Deborah obeyed .

she thought her husband was right , albeit she might in her own heart deplore the necessity of such a decree .

Joscelyn had disgraced them ; could that be forgiven ?

nevertheless both the old people missed her terribly .

the house seemed to have lost its soul with that vivid , ripely tinted young life .

they got their married daughter 's oldest girl , Pauline , to come and stay with them .

yet neither Cyrus nor Deborah took to her , and they let her go unregretfully when they found that she wished to return home .

" she hasn't any of Josie 's gimp , " was old Cyrus 's unspoken fault .

Deborah spoke , but all she said was , " polly 's a good girl , Father , only she hasn't any snap . "

Joscelyn wrote to Deborah occasionally , telling her freely of her plans and doings .

if it hurt the girl that no notice was ever taken of her letters she still wrote them .

Deborah read the letters grimly and then left them in Cyrus 's way .

Cyrus would not read them at first ; later on he read them stealthily when Deborah was out of the house .

when Joscelyn began to succeed she sent to the old farmhouse papers and magazines containing her photographs and criticisms of her plays and acting .

Deborah cut them out and kept them in her upper bureau drawer with Joscelyn 's letters .

once she overlooked one and Cyrus found it when he was kindling the fire .

he got the scissors and cut it out carefully .

a month later Deborah discovered it between the leaves of the family Bible .

but Joscelyn 's name was never mentioned between them , and when other people asked them concerning her their replies were cold and ungracious .

in a way they had relented towards her , but their shame of her remained .

they could never forget that she was an actress .

" that fool dunno what he 's talking about , " was all he would say .

Deborah had her share of curiosity .

the paper was the National Gazette and she knew that their next-door neighbour , James Pennan , took it .

with one exception she read all its columns carefully without finding anything to explain her husband 's anger .

then she doubtfully plunged into the exception ... a column of " Stage Notes . "

halfway down she came upon an adverse criticism of Joscelyn Morgan and her new play .

it was malicious and vituperative .

Deborah Morgan 's old eyes sparkled dangerously as she read it .

" I guess somebody is pretty jealous of Josie , " she muttered .

" I don't wonder Pa was riled up .

but I guess she can hold her own .

she 's a Morgan . "

no long time after this Cyrus took a notion he 'd like a trip to the city .

he 'd like to see the Horse Fair and look up Cousin Hiram Morgan 's folks .

" Hiram and me used to be great chums , Mother .

and we 're getting kind of mossy , I guess , never stirring out of Spring Valley .

let's go and dissipate for a week what say ? "

Cyrus was as pleased as a child over their trip .

he bought a ticket apologetically and sneaked in to his seat .

it was a matinee performance , and Joscelyn Morgan was starring in her famous new play .

if Deborah were ever to find out ....n but Deborah must never find out !

for the first time in their married life the old man deliberately plotted to deceive his old wife .

the curtain went up and Cyrus rubbed his eyes .

the building rang with applause ; one old man pulled out a red bandanna and wiped tears of joy and pride from his eyes .

she hadn't changed Josie hadn't changed .

play-acting hadn't spoiled her couldn't spoil her .

wasn't she Paul 's daughter !

and all this applause was for her for Josie .

Joscelyn 's new play was a homely , pleasant production with rollicking comedy and heart-moving pathos skilfully commingled .

Joscelyn pervaded it all with a convincing simplicity that was really the triumph of art .

Cyrus Morgan listened and exulted in her ; at every burst of applause his eyes gleamed with pride .

Cyrus Morgan went out into the daylight feeling as if he had awakened from a dream .

at the outer door he came upon Mrs Hiram and Deborah .

Deborah 's face was stained with tears , and she caught at his hand .

" oh , Pa , wasn't it splendid wasn't our girl Josie splendid !

I 'm so proud of her .

oh , I was bound to hear her .

oh , I 've just been crying the whole time .

wasn't it splendid !

wasn't our girl Josie splendid ? "

Cyrus Morgan cleared his throat and said , " it was great , Mother , great .

she took the shine off the other play-actors all right .

I knew that National Gazette man didn't know what he was talking about .

mother , let us go and see Josie right off .

she 's stopping with her aunt at the Maberly Hotel I saw it in the paper this morning .

I 'm going to tell her she was right and we were wrong .

Josie 's beat them all , and I 'm going to tell her so ! "

when Jack and Jill Took a Hand

Jack 's Side of It

that is so like Jill .

she is such a good hand at forgetting .

why , it was she who suggested the plot to me .

how could I tell Dick would act so like a mule ?

I thought grown-up folks had more sense .

aunt Tommy was down on me for weeks , while she thought Jill a regular heroine .

but there !

Jill says I will change my mind when I grow up , but I won't .

still , Jill is a pretty good sort of girl .

I have to scold her sometimes , but if any other chap tried to I would punch his head for him .

I suppose it is time I explained who Dick and Aunt Tommy are .

dick is our minister .

he hasn't been it very long .

he only came a year ago .

I shall never forget how surprised Jill and I were that first Sunday we went to church and saw him .

we had always thought that ministers had to be old .

all the ministers we knew were .

Mr Grinnell , the one before Dick came , must have been as old as Methuselah .

but Dick was young and good-looking .

Dick was tall and pale and looked as if he had heaps of brains .

she never saw an archangel .

I liked his nose .

it was so straight and finished-looking .

Mr Grinnell had the worst-looking nose you ever saw .

Jill and I used to make poetry about it in church to keep from falling asleep when he preached such awful long sermons .

Dick preached great sermons .

they were so nice and short .

Dick came to Owlwood that 's our place ; I hate these explanations quite a lot , even before Aunt Tommy came .

he and Father were chums ; they had been in college together and Father said Dick was the best football player he ever knew .

Jill and I soon got acquainted with him and this was another uncanny thing .

we had never thought it possible to get acquainted with a minister .

Jill said she didn't think it proper for a real live minister to be so chummy .

but then Jill was a little jealous because Dick and I , being both men ; were better friends than he and she could be .

he taught me to skate that winter and fence with canes and do long division .

I could never understand long division before Dick came , although I was away on in fractions .

Jill has just been in and says I ought to explain that Dick 's name wasn't Dick .

I do wish Jill would mind her own business .

of course it wasn't .

only we had to be careful not to let Father and Mother hear us .

mother wouldn't even let Father call Dick " Stephen " ; she said it would set a bad example of familiarity to the children .

mother is an old darling .

she won't believe we 're half as bad as we are .

well , early in May comes Aunt Tommy .

I must explain who Aunt Tommy is or Jill will be at me again .

she is Father 's youngest sister and her real name is Bertha Gordon , but Father has always called her Tommy and she likes it .

she called Jill Elizabeth , and Jill would adore a Hottentot who called her Elizabeth .

aunt Tommy is the prettiest girl I ever saw .

aunt Tommy is all white and dimpled .

she has curly red hair and big jolly brown eyes and scrumptious freckles .

I do like freckles in a girl , although Jill goes wild if she thinks she has one on her nose .

when we talked of writing this story Jill said I wasn't to say that Aunt Tommy had freckles because it wouldn't sound romantic .

but I don't care .

she has freckles and I think they are all right .

we went to church with Aunt Tommy the first Sunday after she came , one on each side of her .

aunt Tommy is the only girl in the world I 'd walk hand in hand with before people .

she looked fine that day .

she had on a gorgeous dress , all frills and ruffles , and a big white floppy hat .

I was proud of her for an aunt , I can tell you , and I was anxious for Dick to see her .

aunt Tommy and Dick shook hands and Dick got as red as anything .

it was funny to see him .

the very next evening he came down to Owlwood .

we hadn't expected him until Tuesday , for he never came Monday night before .

that is Father 's night for going to a lodge meeting .

mother was away this time too .

but in a minute Aunt Tommy came in and she and Dick began to talk , and I just couldn't get a word in edgewise .

I got so disgusted I started out , but I don't believe they ever noticed I was gone .

outside I came across Jill .

I sat down beside her , for I wanted sympathy .

" Dick 's in there talking to Aunt Tommy , " I said .

" I don't see what makes him want to talk to her . "

" what a goose you are ! " said Jill in that aggravatingly patronizing way of hers .

" why , Dick has fallen in love with Aunt Tommy ! "

Honest , I jumped .

I never was so surprised .

" how do you know ? "

I asked .

" because I do , " said Jill .

" I knew it yesterday at church and I think it is so romantic . "

" I don't see how you can tell , " I said and I didn't .

" you 'll understand better when you get older , " said Jill .

sometimes Jill talks as if she were a hundred years older than I am , instead of being a twin .

and really , sometimes I think she is older .

" I didn't think ministers ever fell in love , " I protested .

" some do , " said Jill sagely .

" Mr. Grinnell wouldn't ever , I suppose .

but Dick is different .

I 'd like him for a husband myself .

but he 'd be too old for me by the time I grew up , so I suppose I 'll have to let Aunt Tommy have him .

it will be all in the family anyhow that is one comfort .

" Jill , you take my breath away , " I said , and she did .

my imagination couldn't travel as fast as that .

but after I had thought the idea over a bit I liked it .

it was a good deal like a book ; and , besides , a minister is a respectable thing to have in a family .

" we must help them all we can , " said Jill .

" what can we do ? "

I asked .

" I don't want to give up being chums with Dick , " I grumbled .

" we must be self-sacrificing , " said Jill .

and that sounded so fine it reconciled me to the attempt .

we sat there and watched Dick and Aunt Tommy for an hour .

I thought they were awfully prim and stiff .

if I 'd been Dick I 'd have gone over and hugged her .

I said so to Jill and Jill was shocked .

she said it wouldn't be proper when they weren't even engaged .

when Dick went away Aunt Tommy came out to the verandah and discovered us .

she sat down between us and put her arms about us .

aunt Tommy has such cute ways .

" I like your minister very much , " she said .

" he 's bully , " I said .

" he 's as handsome as a prince , " Jill said .

" he preaches splendid sermons he makes people sit up in church , I can tell you , " I said .

" he has a heavenly tenor voice , " Jill said .

" he 's got a magnificent muscle , " I said .

" he has the most poetical eyes , " Jill said .

" he swims like a duck , " I said .

" he looks just like a Greek god , " Jill said .

I 'm sure Jill couldn't have known what a Greek god looked like , but I suppose she got the comparison out of some novel .

Jill is always reading novels .

she borrows them from the cook .

aunt Tommy laughed and said , " you darlings . "

for the next three months Jill and I were wild .

it was just like reading a serial story to watch Dick and Aunt Tommy .

we knew we hadn't much time , so we began right off .

" aunt Tommy is the jolliest girl I know , " I said .

" she is as beautiful as a dream , " Jill said .

" she can play games as good as a boy , " I said .

" she does the most elegant fancy work , " Jill said .

" she never gets mad , " I said .

" she plays and sings divinely , " Jill said .

" she can cook awfully good things , " I said , for I was beginning to run short of compliments .

Jill was horrified ; she said afterwards that it wasn't a bit romantic .

but I don't care I believe Dick liked it , for he smiled with his eyes I just as he always does when he 's pleased .

girls don't understand everything .

but at the end of three months we began to get anxious .

things were going so slow .

dick and Aunt Tommy didn't seem a bit further ahead than at first .

Jill said it was because Aunt Tommy didn't encourage Dick enough .

" I do wish we could hurry them up a little , " she said .

" at this rate they will never be married this year and by next I 'll be too big to be a flower girl .

I 'm stretching out horribly as it is .

mother has had to let down my frocks again . "

" I wish they would get engaged and have done with it , " I said .

" my mind would be at rest then .

it 's all Dick 's fault .

why doesn't he ask Aunt Tommy to marry him ?

what 's making him so slow about it ?

if I wanted a girl to marry me but I wouldn't ever I 'd tell her so right spang off . "

" I suppose ministers have to be more dignified , " said Jill , " but three months ought to be enough time for anyone .

and Aunt Tommy is only going to be here another month .

if Dick could be made a little jealous it would hurry him up .

and he could be made jealous if you had any spunk about you . "

" I guess I 've got more spunk than you have , " I said .

" the trouble with Dick is this , " said Jill .

" there is nobody else coming to see Aunt Tommy and he thinks he is sure of her .

if you could tell him something different it would stir him up . "

" are you sure it would ? "

I asked .

" it always does in novels , " said Jill .

and that settled it , of course .

I told her sarcastically that she 'd better say it herself and then it would be done properly .

Jill said she would if it were Aunt Tommy , but when it was Dick it was better for a man to do it .

so of course I agreed .

I didn't know when I would have a chance to stir Dick up , but Providence so Jill said favoured us .

aunt Tommy didn't expect Dick down the next night , so she and Father and Mother all went away somewhere .

dick came after all , and Jill sent me into the parlour to tell him .

he was standing before the mantel looking at Aunt Tommy 's picture .

there was such an adoring look in his eyes .

I could see it quite plain in the mirror before him .

" well , Jack , old man , " said Dick , sitting down on the sofa .

I sat down before him .

" aunt Tommy is out , " I said , to get the worst over .

" I guess you like Aunt Tommy pretty well , don't you , Mr Richmond ? "

" yes , " said Dick softly .

" so do other men , " I said mysterious , as Jill had ordered me .

Dick thumped one of the sofa pillows .

" yes , I suppose so , " he said .

" there 's a man in New York who just worships Aunt Tommy , " I said .

" he writes her most every day and sends her books and music and elegant presents .

I guess she 's pretty fond of him too .

she keeps his photograph on her bedroom table and I 've seen her kissing it . "

I stopped there , not because I had said all I had to say , but because Dick 's face scared me honest , it did .

it had all gone white , like it does in the pulpit sometimes when he is tremendously in earnest , only ten times worse .

but all he said was ,

" is your Aunt Bertha engaged to this this man ? "

Dick got up .

" I think I won't wait this evening , " he said .

" I wish you 'd stay and have a talk with me , " I said .

" I haven't had a talk with you for ages and I have a million things to tell you . "

dick smiled as if it hurt him to smile .

" I can't tonight , Jacky .

some other time we 'll have a good powwow , old chap . "

he took his hat and went out .

then Jill came flying in to hear all about it .

I told her as well as I could , but she wasn't satisfied .

if Dick took it so quietly , she declared , I couldn't have made it strong enough .

" if you had seen Dick 's face , " I said , " you would have thought I made it plenty strong .

and I 'd like to know what Aunt Tommy will say to all this when she finds out . "

" Well , you didn't tell a thing but what was true , " said Jill .

the night after that was prayer-meeting night .

Dick had always walked home with Aunt Tommy and us , but that night he didn't .

he only just bowed and smiled as he passed us in the porch .

aunt Tommy hardly spoke all the way home , only just held tight to Jill 's and my hands .

but after we got home she seemed in great spirits and laughed and chatted with Father and Mother .

" what does this mean ? " asked Jill , grabbing me in the hall on our way to bed .

" you 'd better get another novel from the cook and find out , " I said grouchily .

I was disgusted with things in general and Dick in particular .

the three weeks that followed were awful .

dick never came near Owlwood .

Jill and I fought every day , we were so cross and disappointed .

nothing had come out right , and Jill blamed it all on me .

she said I must have made it too strong .

there was no fun in anything , not even in going to church .

Dick hardly thumped the pulpit at all and when he did it was only a measly little thump .

but Aunt Tommy didn't seem to worry any .

she sang and laughed and joked from morning to night .

" she doesn't mind Dick 's making an ass of himself , anyway , that 's one consolation , " I said to Jill .

" she is breaking her heart about it , " said Jill , " and that 's your consolation ! "

" I don't believe it , " I said .

" what makes you think so ? "

" she cries every night , " said Jill .

" I can tell by the look of her eyes in the morning . "

" she doesn't look half as woebegone over it as you do , " I said .

" if I had her reason for looking woebegone I wouldn't look it either , " said Jill .

I asked her to explain her meaning , but she only said that little boys couldn't understand those things .

things went on like this for another week .

then they reached so Jill says a climax .

if Jill knows what that means I don't .

but Pinky Carewe was the climax .

Pinky 's name is James , but Jill and I always called him Pinky because we couldn't bear him .

he took to calling at Owlwood and one evening he took Aunt Tommy out driving .

then Jill came to me .

" something has got to be done , " she said resolutely .

" I am not going to have Pinky Carewe for an Uncle Tommy and that is all there is about it .

you must go straight to Dick and tell him the truth about the New York man . "

I looked at Jill to see if she were in earnest .

you can do it yourself , Jill Gordon . "

" you didn't tell him anything that wasn't true , " said Jill .

" I don't know how a minister might look upon it , " I said .

" anyway , I won't go . "

" then I suppose I 've got to , " said Jill very dolefully .

" yes , you 'll have to , " I said .

and this finishes my part of the story , and Jill is going to tell the rest .

but you needn't believe everything she says about me in it .

Jill 's Side of It

Jacky has made a fearful muddle of his part , but I suppose I shall just have to let it go .

you couldn't expect much better of a boy .

but I am determined to re-describe Aunt Tommy , for the way Jacky has done it is just disgraceful .

I know exactly how to do it , the way it is always done in stories .

aunt Tommy is divinely beautiful .

her magnificent wealth of burnished auburn hair flows back in amethystine waves from her sun-kissed brow .

her creamy skin is as fair and flawless as the inner petals of a white lily .

( she may have a weeny teeny freckle or two in summer , but you 'd never notice . )

her slender form is matchless in its symmetry and her voice is like the ripple of a woodland brook .

there , I 'm sure that 's ever so much better than Jacky 's description , and now I can proceed with a clear conscience .

so I went the next morning .

I put on my very prettiest pink organdie dress and did my hair the new way , which is very becoming to me .

when you are going to have an important interview with a man it is always well to look your very best .

" with your shield or upon it , Jill , " said Jacky when I started .

( this is another classical allusion . )

I went straight up the hill and down the road to the manse where Dick lived with his old housekeeper , Mrs Dodge .

Mrs Dodge went upstairs and came right back saying would I please go up to the study .

there was a Madonna on his desk that looked just like Aunt Tommy .

" good evening , Miss Elizabeth , " said Dick , just as if I were grown up , you know .

" won't you sit down ?

try that green velvet chair .

I am sure it was created for a pink dress and unfortunately neither Mrs Dodge nor I possess one .

how are all your people ? "

" we are all pretty well ; thank you , " I said , " except Aunt Tommy .

so I said instead " she has got a cold . "

" and Jack and I are terribly harrowed up in our minds , " I went on .

" that is what I 've come up to see you about . "

" well , tell me all about it , " said Dick .

" I 'm afraid to , " I said .

" I know you 'll be cross even if you are a minister .

it 's about what Jack told you about that man in New York and Aunt Tommy . "

dick turned as red as fire .

" I 'd rather not discuss your Aunt Bertha 's affairs , " he said stiffly .

" it 's all a mistake .

there is a man in New York and he just worships Aunt Tommy and she just adores him .

that 's all , cross my heart solemn and true . "

you never saw anything like Dick 's face when I stopped .

it looked just like a sunrise .

but he said slowly , " why did Jacky tell me such a tell me it in such a way ? "

" we wanted to make you jealous , " I said .

" I put Jacky up to it . "

" I didn't think it was in either of you to do such a thing , " said Dick reproachfully .

" oh , Dick , " I cried fancy my calling him Dick right to his face !

Jacky will never believe I really did it .

he says I would never have dared .

but it wasn't daring at all , it was just forgetting .

" oh , Dick , we didn't mean any harm .

we thought you weren't getting on fast enough and we wanted to stir you up like they do in books .

we thought if we made you jealous it would work all right .

we didn't mean any harm .

oh , please forgive us ! "

I was just ready to cry .

but that dear Dick leaned over the table and patted my hand .

" there , there , it 's all right .

I understand and of course I forgive you .

don't cry , sweetheart . "

the way Dick said " sweetheart " was perfectly lovely .

I envied Aunt Tommy , and I wanted to keep on crying so that he would go on comforting me .

" and you 'll come back to see Aunt Tommy again ? "

I said .

dick 's face clouded over ; he got up and walked around the room several times before he said a word .

then he came and sat down beside me and explained it all to me , just as if I were grown up .

" sweetheart , we 'll talk this all out .

you see , it is this way .

your Aunt Bertha is the sweetest woman in the world .

but I 'm only a poor minister and I have no right to ask her to share my life of hard work and self-denial .

and even if I dared I know she wouldn't do it .

she doesn't care anything for me except as a friend .

so now that I 'm out of the habit of going I think it would be wisest to stay out .

it hurts dreadfully , but it would hurt worse after a while .

don't you agree with me , Miss Elizabeth ? "

I thought hard and fast .

so I spoke right up .

" no , I don't , Mr Richmond ; Aunt Tommy does care you just ask her .

she cries every blessed night because you never come to Owlwood . "

" oh , Elizabeth ! " said Dick .

he got up and stalked about the room again .

" you 'll come back ? "

I said .

" yes , " he answered .

I drew a long breath .

it was such a responsibility off my mind .

even if he is rich he 's a perfect pig . "

Dick got his hat and came .

we walked up the road in lovely creamy yellow twilight and I was , oh , so happy .

" isn't it just like a novel ? "

I said .

you don't know how squelched I felt .

and I knew I would have to promise , too , for Dick can make me do anything he likes .

when we got to Owlwood I left Dick in the parlour and flew up to Aunt Tommy 's room .

I found her all scrunched up on her bed in the dark with her face in the pillows .

" aunt Tommy , Dick is down in the parlour and he wants to see you , " I said .

didn't Aunt Tommy fly up , though !

" oh , Jill but I 'm not fit to be seen tell him I 'll be down in a few minutes . "

I knew Aunt Tommy wanted to fix her hair and dab rose-water on her eyes , so I trotted meekly down and told Dick .

then I flew out to Jacky and dragged him around to the glass door .

it was all hung over with vines and a wee bit ajar so that we could see and hear everything that went on .

Jacky said it was only sneaks that listened but he didn't say it until next day .

at the time he listened just as hard as I did .

I didn't care if it was mean .

I just had to listen .

presently in sweeps Aunt Tommy , in an elegant dress , not a hair out of place .

she looked perfectly sweet , only her nose was a little red .

dick looked at her for just a moment , then he stepped forward and took her right into his arms .

" oh Bertha I love you I love you , " he said , just like that , all quick and jerky .

" you you have taken a queer way of showing it , " said Aunt Tommy , all muffled .

" I I was led to believe that there was another man whom you cared for and I thought you were only trifling with me .

so I sulked like a jealous fool .

Bertha , darling , you do love me a little , don't you ? "

aunt Tommy lifted her head and stuck up her mouth and he kissed her .

and there it was , all over , and they were engaged as quick as that , mind you .

he didn't even go down on his knees .

there was nothing romantic about it and I was never so disgusted in my life .

I left Jacky peeking still and I went to bed .

after a long time Aunt Tommy came up to my room and sat down on my bed in the moonlight .

" you dear blessed Elizabeth ! " she said .

" it 's all right then , is it ? "

I asked .

" yes , it is all right , thanks to you , dearie .

we are to be married in October and somebody must be my little flower girl . "

" I think Dick will make a splendid husband , " I said .

" but Aunt Tommy , you mustn't be too hard on Jacky .

he only wanted to help things along , and it was I who put him up it in the first place . "

I 'll forgive him , of course , but I 'll punish him by not letting him know that I will for a little while .

then I 'll ask him to be a page at my wedding . "

well , the wedding came off last week .

it was a perfectly gorgeous affair .

Aunt Tommy 's dress was a dream and so was mine , all pink silk and chiffon and carnations .

Jacky made a magnificent page too , in a suit of white velvet .

the wedding cake was four stories high , and Dick looked perfectly handsome .

he kissed me too , right after he kissed Aunt Tommy .

so everything turned out all right , and I believe Dick would never have dared to speak up if we hadn't helped things along .

but Jacky and I have decided that we will never meddle in an affair of the kind again .

it is too hard on the nerves .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories , @number@ to @number@ by Lucy Maud Montgomery

produced by Alicia Williams , Jeannie Howse and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at @url@

Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories , @number@ to @number@

Lucy Maud Montgomery was born at Clifton ( now New London ) , Prince Edward Island , Canada , on @date@ .

she achieved international fame in her lifetime , putting Prince Edward Island and Canada on the world literary map .

best known for her " Anne of Green Gables " books , she was also a prolific writer of short stories and poetry .

she published some @number@ short stories and poems and twenty novels before her death in @number@

the Project Gutenberg collection of her short stories was gathered from numerous sources and is presented in chronological publishing order :

short Stories @number@ to @number@

a Millionaire 's Proposal

Thrush Hill , @date@ , @number@ .

it is all settled at last , and in another week I shall have left Thrush Hill .

I am a little bit sorry and a great bit glad .

I am going to Montreal to spend the winter with Alicia .

she is eight years older than I am .

when Alicia was eighteen she married Roger Gresham , a man of forty .

the world said that she married him for his money .

I dare say she did .

Alicia was tired of poverty .

I don't blame her .

very likely I shall do the same thing one of these days , if I get the chance for I too am tired of poverty .

jack Willoughby Dr . John H Willoughby , it reads on his office door was the son of our nearest neighbour .

we were chums always , and when he went away to college I was heartbroken .

the vacations were the only joy of my life then .

Jack was grown up .

the dear old days of bird-nesting and nutting and coasting and fishing and general delightful goings-on were over forever .

I was sorry at first .

I wanted " Jack . "

" Dr Willoughby " seemed too distinguished and far away .

I suppose he found a change in me , too .

I had put on long skirts and wore my hair up .

I had also found out that I had a complexion , and that sunburn was not becoming .

I honestly thought I looked pretty , but Jack surveyed me with decided disapprobation .

" what have you done to yourself ?

you don't look like the same girl .

I 'd never know you in that rig-out , with all those flippery-trippery curls all over your head .

why don't you comb your hair straight back , and let it hang in a braided tail , like you used to ? "

this didn't suit me at all .

when I expect a compliment and get something quite different I always get snippy .

for my part , I thought them infinitely preferable to that horrid , conceited-looking moustache he had grown . "

" I 'll shave it off if it doesn't suit you , " said Jack amiably .

Jack is always so provokingly good-humoured .

but after a while Jack and I adjusted ourselves to the change in each other and became very good friends again .

it was quite a different friendship from the old , but it was very pleasant .

yes , it was ; I will admit that much .

I was provoked at Jack 's determination to settle down for life in Valleyfield , a horrible , humdrum , little country village .

" you 'll never make your fortune there , Jack , " I said spitefully .

" you 'll just be a poor , struggling country doctor all your life , and you 'll be grey at forty . "

" I don't expect to make a fortune , Kitty , " said Jack quietly .

" do you think that is the one desirable thing ?

I shall never be a rich man .

but riches are not the only thing that makes life pleasant . "

" Well , I think they have a good deal to do with it , anyhow , " I retorted .

" it 's all very well to pretend to despise wealth , but it 's generally a case of sour grapes .

I will own up honestly that I'd love to be rich . "

it always seems to make Jack blue and grumpy when I talk like that .

I suppose that is one reason why he never asked me to settle down in life as a country doctor 's wife .

another was , no doubt , that I always nipped his sentimental sproutings religiously in the bud .

three weeks ago Alicia wrote to me , asking me to spend the winter with her .

her letters always make me just gasp with longing for the life they describe .

" do you really mean it , Kitty ?

are you going away to leave me ? "

I suppose it is horribly ungrateful of me to say so , but it is the truth . "

" I shall miss you , " he said soberly .

somehow he had my hands in his .

how did he ever get them ?

I was sure I had them safely tucked out of harm 's way behind me .

" you know , Kitty , that I love you .

I am a poor man perhaps I may never be anything else and this may seem to you very presumptuous .

but I cannot let you go like this .

will you be my wife , dear ? "

wasn't it horribly straightforward and direct ?

so like Jack !

I tried to pull my hands away , but he held them fast .

there was nothing to do but answer him .

not to flatter you , Katherine , you are a beauty , my dear if your photo is to be trusted .

with your face and figure you will make a sensation .

there is to be a nephew of the Sinclairs here this winter .

he is an American , immensely wealthy , and will be the catch of the season .

A word to the wise , etc

don't get into any foolish entanglement down there .

I have heard some gossip of you and our old playfellow , Jack Willoughby .

I hope it is nothing but gossip .

you can do better than that , Katherine .

that settled Jack 's fate , if there ever had been any doubt .

" don't talk like that , Jack , " I said hurriedly .

" it is all nonsense .

I think a great deal of you as a friend and and all that , you know .

but I can never marry you . "

" are you sure , Kitty ? " said Jack earnestly .

" don't you care for me at all ? "

it was horrid of Jack to ask that question !

" no , " I said miserably , " not not in that way , Jack .

oh , don't ever say anything like this to me again . "

he let go of my hands then , white to the lips .

" oh , don't look like that , Jack , " I entreated .

" I can't help it , " he said in a low voice .

" but I won't bother you again , dear .

it was foolish of me to expect to hope for anything of the sort .

you are a thousand times too good for me , I know . "

" oh , indeed I 'm not , Jack , " I protested .

" if you knew how horrid I am , really , you 'd be glad and thankful for your escape .

oh , Jack , I wish people never grew up . "

Jack smiled sadly .

" don't feel badly over this , Kitty .

it isn't your fault .

good night , dear . "

he turned my face up and kissed me squarely on the mouth .

he had never kissed me since the summer before he went away to college .

somehow it didn't seem a bit the same as it used to ; it was nicer now .

after he went away I came upstairs and had a good , comfortable howl .

then I buried the whole affair decently .

I am not going to think of it any more .

I shall always have the highest esteem for Jack , and I hope he will soon find some nice girl who will make him happy .

Mary Carter would jump at him , I know .

to be sure , she is as homely as she can be and live .

as for myself well , I am ambitious .

I don't suppose my ambition is a very lofty one , but such as it is I mean to hunt it down .

come .

let me put it down in black and white , once for all , and see how it looks :

I mean to marry the rich nephew of the Sinclairs .

there !

it is out , and I feel better .

how mercenary and awful it looks written out in cold blood like that .

I wouldn't have Jack or Aunt Elizabeth dear , unworldly old soul see it for the world .

but I wouldn't mind Alicia .

Poor dear Jack !

Montreal , @date@ , @number@ .

this is a nice way to keep a journal .

but the days when I could write regularly are gone by .

that was when I was at Thrush Hill .

I am having a simply divine time .

how in the world did I ever contrive to live at Thrush Hill ?

to be sure , I felt badly enough that day in October when I left it .

when the train left Valleyfield I just cried like a baby .

Alicia has a magnificent home and everything heart could wish for jewels , carriages , servants , opera boxes , and social position .

Roger is a model husband apparently .

I must also admit that he is a model brother-in-law .

I could feel Alicia looking me over critically the moment we met .

I trembled with suspense , but I was soon relieved .

" do you know , Katherine , I am glad to see that your photograph didn't flatter you .

by the way , I hope there is nothing between you and Jack Willoughby ? "

" no , of course not , " I answered hurriedly .

I had intended to tell Alicia all about Jack , but when it came to the point I couldn't .

" I am glad of that , " said Alicia , with a relieved air .

" of course , I 've no doubt Jack is a good fellow enough .

he was a nice boy .

but he would not be a suitable husband for you , Katherine . "

I knew that very well .

that was just why I had refused him .

but it made me wince to hear Alicia say it .

I instantly froze up Alicia says dignity is becoming to me and Jack 's name has never been mentioned between us since .

I made my bow to society at an " at Home " which Alicia gave for that purpose .

she drilled me well beforehand , and I think I acquitted myself decently .

Charlie Vankleek , whose verdict makes or mars every debutante in his set , has approved of me .

he called me a beauty , and everybody now believes that I am one , and greets me accordingly .

I met Gus Sinclair at Mrs Brompton 's dinner .

Alicia declares it was a case of love at first sight .

if so , I must confess that it was all on one side .

but , as Alicia does not fail to remind me , Mr Sinclair 's homeliness is well gilded .

apart from his appearance , I really liked him very much .

he took me into dinner at Mrs Brompton 's , and was very attentive .

you may imagine how many angelic glances I received from the other candidates for his favour .

since then I have been having the gayest time imaginable .

Dances , dinners , luncheons , afternoon teas , " functions " to no end , and all delightful .

aunt Elizabeth writes to me , but I have never heard a word from Jack .

he seems to have forgotten my existence completely .

no doubt he has consoled himself with Mary Carter .

of course it does not make the least difference to me .

the Sinclairs and the Bromptons and the Curries are to dine here tonight .

I can see myself reflected in the long mirror before me , and I really think my appearance will satisfy even Gus Sinclair 's critical eye .

I am pale , as usual , I never have any colour .

that used to be one of Jack 's grievances .

he likes pink and white milkmaidish girls .

my " magnificent pallor " didn't suit him at all .

but , what is more to the purpose , it suits Gus Sinclair .

he admires the statuesque style .

Montreal , @date@ , @number@ .

here it is a whole month since my last entry .

I am sitting here decked out in " gloss of satin and glimmer of pearls " for Mrs Currie 's dance .

I am having a good time still .

somehow , though , it isn't as exciting as it used to be .

I 'm afraid I 'm very changeable .

I believe I must be homesick .

I 'd love to get a glimpse of dear old Thrush Hill and Aunt Elizabeth , and J but , no !

I will not write that .

Mr Sinclair has not spoken yet , but there is no doubt that he soon will .

" certainly , I shall marry him , " I said crossly , for the subject always irritates me .

" haven't I been laying myself out all winter to catch him ?

that is the bold , naked truth , and ugly enough it is .

my dearly beloved sister , I mean to accept Mr Sinclair , without any hesitation , whenever I get the chance . "

" I give you credit for more sense than to dream of doing anything else , " said Alicia in relieved tones .

" Katherine , you are a very lucky girl . "

" because I am going to marry a rich man for his money ? "

I said coldly .

sometimes I get snippy with Alicia these days .

" no , " said my half-sister in an exasperated way .

" why will you persist in speaking in that way ?

you are very provoking .

" oh , yes , I like him well enough , " I said listlessly .

I was absurd enough to imagine that love had something to do with it . "

" don't talk so nonsensically , " said Alicia sharply .

" Love !

well , of course , you ought to love your husband , and you will .

he loves you enough , at all events . "

are you happy ? "

for the first time that I remembered , Alicia blushed .

she was very angry .

" yes , I did marry for money , " she said sharply , " and I don't regret it .

thank heaven , I never was a fool . "

" don't be vexed , Alicia , " I entreated .

" I only asked because well , it is no matter . "

Montreal , @date@ , @number@ .

it is bedtime , but I am too excited and happy and miserable to sleep .

Jack has been here dear old Jack !

how glad I was to see him .

his coming was so unexpected .

I was sitting alone in my room this afternoon I believe I was moping when Bessie brought up his card .

" Jack ! "

I cried , holding out both hands to him in welcome .

there he was , just the same old Jack , with his splendid big shoulders and his lovely brown eyes .

how nice and old-timey that was !

" so you are glad to see me , Kitty ? " he said as he squeezed my hands in his big strong paws .

" ' Deed and ' deed I am , Jack .

I thought you had forgotten me altogether .

and I 've been so homesick and so so everything , " I said incoherently .

" and , oh , Jack , I 've so many questions to ask I don't know where to begin .

tell me all the Thrush Hill and Valleyfield news , tell me everything that has happened since I left .

how many people have you killed off ?

and , oh , why didn't you come to see me before ? "

" I didn't think I should be wanted , Kitty , " Jack answered quietly .

" you seemed to be so absorbed in your new life that old friends and interests were crowded out . "

" so I was at first , " I answered penitently .

" I was dazzled , you know .

the glare was too much for my Thrush Hill brown .

but it 's different now .

how did you happen to come , Jack ? "

" well , what do you think they have been doing ? "

I asked saucily .

I had on a particularly fetching gown and knew I was looking my best .

Jack , however , looked me over with his head on one side .

" well , I don't know , Kitty , " he said slowly .

but you look rather disdainful and , after all , I believe I prefer Thrush Hill Kitty . "

how like Jack that was .

he never thought me really pretty , and he is too honest to pretend he does .

but I didn't care .

I just laughed , and we sat down together and had a long , delightful , chummy talk .

Jack told me all the Valleyfield gossip , not forgetting to mention that Mary Carter was going to be married to a minister in June .

Jack didn't seem to mind it a bit , so I guess he couldn't have been particularly interested in Mary .

in due time Alicia sailed in .

I suppose she had found out from Bessie who my caller was , and felt rather worried over the length of our tête-à-tête .

she greeted Jack very graciously , but with a certain polite condescension of which she is past mistress .

I am sure Jack felt it , for , as soon as he decently could , he got up to go .

Alicia asked him to remain to dinner .

" we are having a few friends to dine with us , but it is quite an informal affair , " she said sweetly .

I felt that Jack glanced at me for the fraction of a second .

but I remembered that Gus Sinclair was coming too , and I did not look at him .

then he declined quietly .

he had a business engagement , he said .

I suppose Alicia had noticed that look at me , for she showed her claws .

" don't forget to call any time you are in Montreal , " she said more sweetly than ever .

don't blush , Katherine , I am sure Mr Willoughby won't tell any tales out of school to your old Valleyfield friends . "

I was not blushing , and I was furious .

it was really too bad of Alicia , although I don't see why I need have cared .

Alicia kept her eye on us both until Jack was fairly gone .

then she remarked in the patronizing tone which I detest :

" really , Katherine , Jack Willoughby has developed into quite a passable-looking fellow , although he is rather shabby .

but I suppose he is poor . "

" yes , " I answered curtly , " he is poor , in everything except youth and manhood and goodness and truth !

but I suppose those don't count for anything . "

whereupon Alicia lifted her eyebrows and looked me over .

Just at dusk a box arrived with Jack 's compliments .

it was full of lovely white carnations , and must have cost the extravagant fellow more than he has any business to waste on flowers .

I was beast enough to put them on when I went down to listen to another man 's love-making .

when Gus Sinclair was leaving he asked if he might see me alone tomorrow afternoon .

I knew what that meant , and a cold shiver went up and down my backbone .

but I looked down at him spick-and-span and glossy his neckties are never crooked and said , yes , he might come at three o'clock .

" he wants to see me alone tomorrow afternoon .

I suppose you know what that means , Alicia ? "

" ah , " purred Alicia , " I congratulate you , my dear . "

" aren't your congratulations a little premature ? "

I asked coldly .

" I haven't accepted him yet . "

" but you will ? "

" oh , certainly .

isn't it what we 've schemed and angled for ?

I 'm very well satisfied . "

and so I am .

but I wish it hadn't come so soon after Jack 's visit , because I feel rather upset yet .

of course I like Gus Sinclair very much , and I am sure I shall be very fond of him .

well , I must go to bed now and get my beauty sleep .

I don't want to be haggard and hollow-eyed at that important interview tomorrow an interview that will decide my destiny .

Thrush Hill , @date@ .

well , it did decide it , but not exactly in the way I anticipated .

I can look back on the whole affair quite calmly now , but I wouldn't live it over again for all the wealth of Ind

that day when Gus Sinclair came I was all ready for him .

" and so cool and composed .

will you be able to keep that up ?

don't you really feel a little nervous , Katherine ? "

" not in the least , " I said .

" I suppose I ought to be , according to traditions , but I never felt less flustered in my life . "

when Bessie brought up Gus Sinclair 's card Alicia dropped a pecky little kiss on my cheek , and pushed me toward the door .

I went down calmly , although I 'll admit that my heart was beating wildly .

Gus Sinclair was plainly nervous , but I was composed enough for both .

you would really have thought that I was in the habit of being proposed to by a millionaire every day .

and then he proceeded to say it in a rather jumbled-up fashion , but very sincerely .

when he ended with the self-same question that Jack had asked me three months before at Thrush Hill he stopped and took my hands .

I looked up at him .

his good , homely face was close to mine , and in his eyes was an unmistakable look of love and tenderness .

I opened my mouth to say yes .

and then there came over me in one rush the most awful realization of the sacrilege I was going to commit .

I forgot everything except that I loved Jack Willoughby , and that I could never , never marry anybody in the world except him .

then I pulled my hands away and burst into hysterical , undignified tears .

" I beg your pardon , " said Mr Sinclair .

" I did not mean to startle you .

have I been too abrupt ?

surely you must have known you must have expected "

" yes yes I knew , " I cried miserably , " and I intended right up to this very minute to marry you .

I 'm so sorry but I can't I can't . "

" I don't understand , " he said in a bewildered tone .

" if you expected it , then why why don't you care for me ? "

" no , that 's just it , " I sobbed .

" I don't love you at all and I do love somebody else .

but he is poor , and I hate poverty .

so I refused him , and I meant to marry you just because you are rich . "

such a pained look came over his face .

" I did not think this of you , " he said in a low tone .

" oh , I know I have acted shamefully , " I said .

" you can't think any worse of me than I do of myself .

how you must despise me ! "

" no , " he said , with a grim smile , " if I did it would be easier for me .

I might not love you then .

don't distress yourself , Katherine .

I do not deny that I feel greatly hurt and disappointed , but I am glad you have been true to yourself at last .

don't cry , dear . "

oh , Mr Sinclair , please , please , go away .

I feel so miserably ashamed of myself that I cannot look you in the face . "

" I am going , dear , " he said gently .

" I know all this must be very painful to you , but it is not easy for me , either . "

" can you forgive me ? "

I said wistfully .

" yes , my dear , completely .

do not let yourself be unhappy over this .

remember that I will always be your friend .

goodbye . "

he held out his hand and gave mine an earnest clasp .

then he went away .

finally she came in , her face wreathed with anticipatory smiles .

but when her eyes fell on my forlorn , crumpled self she fairly jumped .

" Katherine , what is the matter ? " she asked sharply .

" didn't Mr Sinclair "

" yes , he did , " I said desperately .

" and I 've refused him .

there now , Alicia ! "

then I waited for the storm to burst .

it didn't all at once .

the shock was too great , and at first quite paralyzed my half-sister .

" Katherine , " she gasped , " are you crazy ?

have you lost your senses ? "

" no , I 've just come to them .

it 's true enough , Alicia .

you can scold all you like .

I know I deserve it , and I won't flinch .

I did really intend to take him , but when it came to the point I couldn't .

I didn't love him . "

then , indeed , the storm burst .

I never saw Alicia so angry before , and I never got so roundly abused .

but even Alicia has her limits , and at last she grew calmer .

" you have behaved disgracefully , " she concluded .

" I am disgusted with you .

you have encouraged Gus Sinclair markedly right along , and now you throw him over like this .

I never dreamed that you were capable of such unwomanly behaviour . "

" that 's a hard word , Alicia , " I protested feebly .

she dealt me a withering glance .

" it does not begin to be as hard as your shameful conduct merits .

to think of losing a fortune like that for the sake of sentimental folly !

I didn't think you were such a consummate fool . "

" I suppose you absorbed all the sense of our family , " I said drearily .

" there now , Alicia , do leave me alone .

I 'm down in the very depths already . "

" what do you mean to do now ? " said Alicia scornfully .

" go back to Valleyfield and marry that starving country doctor of yours , I suppose ? "

I flared up then ; Alicia might abuse me all she liked , but I wasn't going to hear a word against Jack .

of course I decided to leave Montreal as soon as I could .

but I couldn't get away within a week , and it was a very unpleasant one .

Alicia treated me with icy indifference , and I knew I should never be reinstated in her good graces .

to my surprise , Roger took my part .

" let the girl alone , " he told Alicia .

" if she doesn't love Sinclair , she was right in refusing him .

I , for one , am glad that she has got enough truth and womanliness in her to keep her from selling herself . "

then he came to the library where I was moping , and laid his hand on my head .

this comforted me greatly , and I did not cry myself to sleep that night as usual .

at last I got away .

I had telegraphed to Jack : " am coming home Wednesday ; meet me at train , " and I knew he would be there .

how I longed to see him again dear , old , badly treated Jack .

I got to Valleyfield just at dusk .

it was a rainy evening , and everything was slush and fog and gloom .

but away up I saw the home light at Thrush Hill , and Jack was waiting for me on the platform .

" oh , Jack ! "

I said , clinging to him , regardless of appearances .

" oh , I 'm so glad to be back . "

" that 's right , Kitty .

I knew you wouldn't forget us .

how well you are looking ! "

" I suppose I ought to be looking wretched , " I said penitently .

" I 've been behaving very badly , Jack .

wait till we get away from the crowd and I 'll tell you all about it . "

and I did .

I didn't gloss over anything , but just confessed the whole truth .

Jack heard me through in silence , and then he kissed me .

" can you forgive me , Jack , and take me back ? "

I whispered , cuddling up to him .

and he said but , on second thought , I will not write down what he said .

we are to be married in June .

a Substitute Journalist

Clifford Baxter came into the sitting-room where Patty was darning stockings and reading a book at the same time .

Patty could do things like that .

the stockings were well darned too , and Patty understood and remembered what she read .

Clifford flung himself into a chair with a sigh of weariness .

" tired ? " queried Patty sympathetically .

" yes , rather .

I 've been tramping about the wharves all day gathering longshore items .

but , Patty , I 've got a chance at last .

I 'm to go and interview Mr Keefe on this new railroad bill that 's up before the legislature .

he 's in town , visiting his old college friend , Mr Reid , and he 's quite big game .

there 'll be a shuffle all round then , you know .

everybody on the staff will be pushed up a peg , and that will leave a vacant space at the foot . "

Patty threw down her darning needle and clapped her hands with delight .

" oh , Clifford , how splendid ! " she exclaimed .

" just as we 'd begun to give up hope too .

oh , you must get the position !

you must hand in a good write-up .

think what it means to us . "

" yes , I know . "

Clifford dropped his head on his hand and stared rather moodily at the lamp .

" but my joy is chastened , Patty .

the plain truth is I don't like it , although I do my best .

you know Father always said I was a born mechanic .

if I only could get a position somewhere among machinery that would be my choice .

there 's one vacant in the Steel and Iron Works at Bancroft but of course I 've no chance of getting it . "

" I know .

it 's too bad , " said Patty , returning to her stockings with a sigh .

" I wish I were a boy with a foothold on the Chronicle .

I firmly believe that I 'd make a good newspaper woman , if such a thing had ever been heard of in Aylmer . "

" that you would .

you 've twice as much knack in that line as I have .

you seem to know by instinct just what to leave out and put in .

I never do , and Harmer has to blue-pencil my copy mercilessly .

mother 's face has a new wrinkle of worry every day .

it hurts me to see it . "

" and me , " sighed Patty .

" I do wish I could find something to do too .

if only we both could get positions , everything would be all right .

mother wouldn't have to worry so .

don't say anything about this chance to her until you see what comes of it .

she 'd only be doubly disappointed if nothing did .

what is your other assignment ? "

" oh , I 've got to go out to Bancroft on the morning train and write up old Mr Moreland 's birthday celebration .

he is a hundred years old , and there 's going to be a presentation and speeches and that sort of thing .

nothing very exciting about it .

I 'll have to come back on the three o'clock train and hurry out to catch my politician before he leaves at five .

take a stroll down to meet my train , Patty .

we can go out as far as Mr Reid 's house together , and the walk will do you good . "

the Baxters lived in Aylmer , a lively little town with two newspapers , the Chronicle and the Ledger .

between these two was a sharp journalistic rivalry in the matter of " beats " and " scoops . "

in the preceding spring Clifford had been taken on the Chronicle on trial , as a sort of general handyman .

Patty was his senior by a year , and ready to do her part unflinchingly .

the next afternoon Patty went down to meet Clifford 's train .

when it came , no Clifford appeared .

Patty stared about her at the hurrying throngs in bewilderment .

where was Clifford ?

hadn't he come on the train ?

surely he must have , for there was no other until seven o'clock .

she must have missed him somehow .

Patty waited until everybody had left the station , then she walked slowly homeward .

as the Chronicle office was on her way , she dropped in to see if Clifford had reported there .

Patty gasped in dismay .

it was dreadful !

" where is Mr Harmer ? " she asked .

" he went home as soon as the afternoon edition came out .

he left before the telegram came .

" isn't there anyone else here to go ? " queried Patty desperately .

Larry shook his head .

" no , there isn't a soul in .

we 're mighty short-handed just now on account of the explosion and the strike . "

Patty went downstairs and stood for a moment in the hall , rapt in reflection .

if she had been at home , she verily believed she would have sat down and cried .

oh , it was too bad , too disappointing !

Clifford would certainly lose all chance of the permanency , even if the irate news editor did not discharge him at once .

what could she do ?

could she do anything ?

she must do something .

" if I only could go in his place , " moaned Patty softly to herself .

then she started .

why not ?

why not go and interview the big man herself ?

but if she did her best it might be better than nothing , and might at least save Clifford his present hold .

with Patty , to decide was to act .

she mounted the steps and rang the bell undauntedly .

" can I see Mr .

Mr.

Mr.

" Patty paused for a moment in dismay .

she had forgotten the name .

the maid who had come to the door looked her over so superciliously that Patty flushed with indignation .

" the gentleman who is visiting Mr Reid , " she said crisply .

" I can't remember his name , but I 've come to interview him on behalf of the Chronicle .

is he in ? "

" if you mean Mr Reefer , he is , " said the maid quite respectfully .

evidently the Chronicle ' s name carried weight in the Reid establishment .

" please come into the library .

I 'll go and tell him . "

Patty knew she would waste her breath if she did .

a man with a mouth like that would never tell anything he didn't want to tell .

" good afternoon .

Patty was almost overcome by the " madam . "

for a moment , she quailed .

she couldn't ask that masculine sphinx questions !

then the thought of her mother 's pale , careworn face flashed across her mind , and all her courage came back with an inspiriting rush .

she bent forward to look eagerly into Mr Reefer 's carved , granite face , and said with a frank smile :

" I have come to interview you on behalf of the Chronicle about the railroad bill .

so much depends on this assignment .

perhaps Mr Harmer will give Clifford a permanent place on the staff if he turns in a good article about you .

he is only handyman now .

I just couldn't let him miss the chance he might never have another .

and it means so much to us and Mother . "

" are you a member of the Chronicle staff yourself ? " inquired Mr Reefer with a shade more geniality in his tone .

" oh , no !

I 've nothing to do with it , so you won't mind my being inexperienced , will you ?

Mr Reefer looked at Patty for a few moments with a face about as expressive as a graven image .

" I 'm not used to being interviewed myself , " he said slowly , " so I don't know very much about it .

we 're both green hands together , I imagine .

Mr Reefer proceeded to tell her , and Patty 's pencil flew as she scribbled down his terse , pithy sentences .

she found herself asking questions too , and enjoying it .

" there now , I 'm talked out , " said Mr Reefer .

" you can tell your news editor that you know as much about the railroad bill as Andrew Reefer knows .

I hope you 'll succeed in pleasing him , and that your brother will get the position he wants .

but he shouldn't have missed that train .

you tell him that .

boys with important things to do mustn't miss trains .

perhaps it 's just as well he did in this case though , but tell him not to let it happen again . "

Patty went straight home , wrote up her interview in ship-shape form , and took it down to the Chronicle office .

there she found Mr Harmer , scowling blackly .

the little news editor looked to be in a rather bad temper , but he nodded not unkindly to Patty .

Mr Harmer knew the Baxters well and liked them , although he would have sacrificed them all without a qualm for a " scoop . "

" good evening , Patty .

take a chair .

that brother of yours hasn't turned up yet .

the next time I give him an assignment , he 'll manage to be on hand in time to do it . "

" oh , " cried Patty breathlessly , " please , Mr Harmer , I have the interview here .

I thought perhaps I could do it in Clifford 's place , and I went out to Mr Reid 's and saw Mr Reefer .

he was very kind and "

" Mr. who ? " fairly shouted Mr Harmer .

" Mr Reefer Mr . Andrew Reefer .

he told me to tell you that this article contained all he knew or thought about the railroad bill and "

but Mr Harmer was no longer listening .

he had snatched the neatly written sheets of Patty 's report and was skimming over them with a practised eye .

then Patty thought he must have gone crazy .

he danced around the office , waving the sheets in the air , and then he dashed frantically up the stairs to the composing room .

ten minutes later , he returned and shook the mystified Patty by the hand .

" Patty , it 's the biggest beat we 've ever had !

we 've scooped not only the Ledger , but every other newspaper in the country .

how did you do it ?

how did you ever beguile or bewitch Andrew Reefer into giving you an interview ? "

" it wasn't Andrew Reefer I told Clifford to interview , " laughed Mr . Harmer .

" it was John C Keefe .

he is notorious on that score .

why , Patty , it 's the biggest journalistic fish that has ever been landed in this office .

Andrew Reefer 's opinion on the bill will have a tremendous influence .

we 'll run the interview as a leader in a special edition that is under way already .

of course , he must have been ready to give the information to the public or nothing would have induced him to open his mouth .

but to think that we should be the first to get it !

Patty , you 're a brick ! "

Clifford came home on the seven o'clock train , and Patty was there to meet him , brimful of her story .

but Clifford also had a story to tell and got his word in first .

" now , Patty , don't scold until you hear why I missed the train .

I met Mr Peabody of the Steel and Iron Company at Mr Moreland 's and got into conversation with him .

and , Patty , I have the place .

goodbye to the grind of newspaper items and fillers .

I found that out and I got on , going to the next station with him and getting my interview after all .

it 's here in my notebook , and I must hurry up to the office and hand it in .

I suppose Mr Harmer will be very much vexed until he finds that I have it . "

" oh , no .

Mr Harmer is in a very good humour , " said Patty with dancing eyes .

then she told her story .

the interview with Mr Reefer came out with glaring headlines , and the Chronicle had its hour of fame and glory .

the next day Mr Harmer sent word to Patty that he wanted to see her .

" so Clifford is leaving , " he said abruptly when she entered the office .

" well , do you want his place ? "

" Mr. Harmer , are you joking ? " demanded Patty in amazement .

" not I . that stuff you handed in was splendidly written I didn't have to use the pencil more than once or twice .

you have the proper journalist instinct all right .

" I 'll take it , " said Patty promptly and joyfully .

" good .

go down to the Symphony Club rehearsal this afternoon and report it .

you 've just ten minutes to get there , " and Patty joyfully and promptly departed .

Anna 's Love Letters

she smiled wickedly at Alma before replying .

mischief was ripening in Anna 's brain when that twist was out .

" what do you mean ? " asked Alma anxiously .

" just what I say , dear , " responded Anna , with deceptive meekness .

" Poor Gilbert is gone , and I don't intend to bother my head about him any longer .

he was amusing while he lasted , but of what use is a beau two thousand miles away , Alma ? "

Alma was patient outwardly .

it was never of any avail to show impatience with Anna .

" Anna , you are talking foolishly .

of course you are going to answer his letter .

you are as good as engaged to him .

wasn't that practically understood when he left ? "

" no , no , dear , " and Anna shook her sleek black head with the air of explaining matters to an obtuse child .

" I was the only one who understood .

Gil mis understood .

he thought that I would really wait for him until he should have made enough money to come home and pay off the mortgage .

I let him think so , because I hated to hurt his little feelings .

but now it 's off with the old love and on with a new one for me . "

" Anna , you cannot be in earnest ! " exclaimed Alma .

but she was afraid that Anna was in earnest .

Anna had a wretched habit of being in earnest when she said flippant things .

" you don't mean that you are not going to write to Gilbert at all after all you promised ? "

" I do mean just that , " she said slowly .

" I never mean to marry Gilbert Murray .

this is final , Alma , and you need not scold or coax , because it would be a waste of breath .

Anna nodded decisively , flashed a smile at Alma , picked up her cat , and went out .

at the door she turned and looked back , with the big black cat snuggled under her chin .

" there it is " she took the letter from the pocket of her ruffled apron and threw it on a chair .

" you may read it if you want to ; it isn't really a love letter .

I told Gilbert he wasn't to write silly letters .

come , pussy , I 'm going to get ready for prayer meeting .

we 've got a nice , new , young , good-looking minister in Exeter , pussy , and that makes prayer meeting very interesting . "

Anna shut the door , her departing laugh rippling mockingly through the dusk .

Alma picked up Gilbert Murray 's letter and went to her room .

she wanted to cry , since she could not shake Anna .

even if she could have shook her , it would only have made her more perverse .

then she had suddenly repented and taken him back .

Alma thought that this whim would run its course likewise and leave a repentant Anna .

but meanwhile everything might be spoiled .

Gilbert might not prove forgiving a second time .

Alma and Anna had lived alone at the old Williams homestead ever since their mother 's death four years before .

Exeter matrons thought this hardly proper , since Alma , in spite of her grave ways , was only twenty-four .

the farm was rented , so that Alma 's only responsibilities were the post office which she kept , and that harum-scarum beauty of an Anna .

the Murray homestead adjoined theirs .

Gilbert Murray had grown up with Alma ; they had been friends ever since she could remember .

there was a small mortgage on the Murray place which Mr Murray senior had not been able to pay off .

Gilbert determined to get rid of it , and his thoughts turned to the west .

his father was an active , hale old man , quite capable of managing the farm in Gilbert 's absence .

Alexander MacNair had gone to the west two years previously and got work on a new railroad .

he wrote to Gilbert to come too , promising him plenty of work and good pay .

Gilbert went , but before going he had asked Anna to marry him .

it was the first proposal Anna had ever had , and she managed it quite cleverly , from her standpoint .

she kissed him goodbye , and Gilbert , honest fellow , was quite satisfied .

when an Exeter girl had allowed so much to be inferred , it was understood to be equivalent to an engagement .

Gilbert had never discerned that Anna was not like the other Exeter girls , but was a law unto herself .

Alma sat down by her window and looked out over the lane where the slim wild cherry trees were bronzing under the autumn frosts .

her lips were very firmly set .

something must be done .

but what ?

Alma 's heart was set on this marriage for two reasons .

firstly , if Anna married Gilbert she would be near her all her life .

she could not bear the thought that some day Anna might leave her and go far away to live .

in the second and largest place , she desired the marriage because Gilbert did .

she had always been desirous , even in the old , childish play-days , that Gilbert should get just exactly what he wanted .

she had always taken a keen , strange delight in furthering his wishes .

Anna 's falseness would surely break his heart , and Alma winced at the thought of his pain .

there was one thing she could do .

Anna 's tormenting suggestion had fallen on fertile soil .

Alma balanced pros and cons , admitting the risk .

her handwriting was much like Anna 's .

Alma never did a thing halfway when she did it at all .

Alma had the gift of expression and more brains than Exeter people had ever imagined she possessed .

when Gilbert read that letter a fortnight later he was surprised to find that Anna was so clever .

when a year had passed Alma was still writing to Gilbert the letters signed " A Williams . "

she had ceased to fear being found out , and she took a strange pleasure in the correspondence for its own sake .

at first she had been quakingly afraid of discovery .

but Anna had as yet given no sign of such repentance , although Alma looked for it anxiously .

Anna was having the time of her life .

one moonlight night she went for a sleigh-drive with Charlie Moore of East Exeter and returned to tell Alma that they were married !

it was so much more romantic , too .

I 'd always said I 'd never be married in any of your dull , commonplace ways .

you might as well forgive me and be nice right off , Alma , because you 'd have to do it anyway , in time .

well , you do look surprised ! "

Alma accepted the situation with an apathy that amazed Anna .

the truth was that Alma was stunned by a thought that had come to her even while Anna was speaking .

" Gilbert will find out about the letters now , and despise me . "

nothing else , not even the fact that Anna had married shiftless Charlie Moore , seemed worth while considering beside this .

Alma grew sick at heart thinking of the complications in front of her .

when Gilbert 's letter came she left it for a whole day before she could summon courage to open it .

but it was a harmless epistle after all ; he had not yet heard of Anna 's marriage .

Alma had at first no thought of answering it , yet her fingers ached to do so .

now that Anna was gone , her loneliness was unbearable .

she realized how much Gilbert 's letters had meant to her , even when written to another woman .

she could bear her life well enough , she thought , if she only had his letters to look forward to .

no more letters came from Gilbert for six weeks .

then came one , alarmed at Anna 's silence , anxiously asking the reason for it ; Gilbert had heard no word of the marriage .

he was working in a remote district where newspapers seldom penetrated .

Alma answered that letter .

she told herself recklessly that she would keep on writing to him until he found out .

she would lose his friendship anyhow , when that occurred , but meanwhile she would have the letters a little longer .

she could not learn to live without them until she had to .

the correspondence slipped back into its old groove .

the harassed look which Alma 's face had worn , and which Exeter people had attributed to worry over Anna , disappeared .

she did not even feel lonely , and reproached herself for lack of proper feeling in missing Anna so little .

she could not understand it .

had not that marriage been her dearest wish for years ?

why then should she feel this strange gladness at the impossibility of its fulfilment ?

altogether , Alma feared that her condition of mind and morals must be sadly askew .

perhaps , she thought mournfully , this perversion of proper feeling was her punishment for the deception she had practised .

she had deliberately done evil that good might come , and now the very imaginations of her heart were stained by that evil .

Alma cried herself to sleep many a night in her repentance , but she kept on writing to Gilbert , for all that .

Alma , so said Exeter people , was becoming unsociable and old maidish .

she lost her liking for company , and seldom went anywhere among her neighbours .

her once frequent visits across the yard to chat with old Mrs Murray became few and far between .

Gilbert 's home-coming was the nightmare dread that darkened poor Alma 's whole horizon .

she had had no warning of his coming .

his last letter , dated three weeks back , had not hinted at it .

yet there he was and with him Alma 's Nemesis .

she was very calm .

now that the worst had come , she felt quite strong to meet it .

she would tell Gilbert the truth , and he would go away in anger and never forgive her , but she deserved it .

it was left to her to tell him ; surely , she thought apathetically , that was punishment enough for what she had done .

well , she would tell him the truth that it was because she could not bear the thought of giving up writing to him .

it was a humiliating thing to confess , but that did not matter nothing mattered now .

she opened the door .

Gilbert was standing on the big round door-stone under the red maple a tall , handsome young fellow with a bronzed face and laughing eyes .

his exile had improved him .

Alma found time and ability to reflect that she had never known Gilbert was so fine-looking .

he put his arm around her and kissed her cheek in his frank delight at seeing her again .

Alma coldly asked him in.

Gilbert followed her into the sitting-room and looked about eagerly .

" when did you come home ? " she said slowly .

" I did not know you were expected . "

" got homesick , and just came !

I wanted to surprise you all , " he answered , laughing .

" I arrived only a few minutes ago .

Just took time to hug my mother , and here I am .

where 's Anna ? "

the pent-up retribution of two years descended on Alma 's head in the last question of Gilbert 's .

but she did not flinch .

Gilbert reflected that Alma Williams was really a very handsome girl .

these two years had improved her .

what splendid big grey eyes she had !

he had always wished that Anna 's eyes had not been quite so black .

" Anna is not here , " said Alma .

" she is married . "

" married ! "

Gilbert sat down suddenly on a chair and looked at Alma in bewilderment .

" she has been married for a year , " said Alma steadily .

" she married Charlie Moore of East Exeter , and has been living there ever since . "

" she never wrote to you at all .

it was I that wrote the letters . "

Gilbert looked at Alma doubtfully .

was she crazy ?

" I don't understand , " he said helplessly .

still standing there , Alma told the whole story , giving full explanations , but no excuses .

she told it clearly and simply , for she had often pictured this scene to herself and thought out what she must say .

her memory worked automatically , and her tongue obeyed it promptly .

to herself she seemed like a machine , talking mechanically , while her soul stood on one side and listened .

when she had finished there was a silence lasting perhaps ten seconds .

to Alma it seemed like hours .

would Gilbert overwhelm her with angry reproaches , or would he simply rise up and leave her in unutterable contempt ?

it was the most tragic moment of her life , and her whole personality was strung up to meet it and withstand it .

it was so anti-climactic that Alma broke into an hysterical giggle , cut short by a sob .

she dropped into a chair by the table and flung her hands over her face , laughing and sobbing softly to herself .

Gilbert rose and walked to the door , where he stood with his back to her until she regained her self-control .

then he turned and looked down at her quizzically .

Alma 's hands lay limply in her lap , and her eyes were cast down , with tears glistening on the long fair lashes .

she felt his gaze on her .

" can you ever forgive me , Gilbert ? " she said humbly .

" I don't know that there is much to forgive , " he answered .

two years ago I did honestly think I was in love with Anna at least when I was round where she was .

she had a taking way with her .

I used to wish she was more like you quieter , you know , and not so sparkling .

honestly , I wasn't thinking much about her at all .

then came the letter and it was a splendid one , too .

I had never thought that Anna could write a letter like that , and I was as pleased as Punch about it .

the letters kept coming , and I kept on looking for them more and more all the time .

I fell in love all over again with the writer of those letters .

I thought it was Anna , but since you wrote the letters , it must have been with you , Alma .

I thought it was because she was growing more womanly that she could write such letters .

that was why I came home .

I I didn't expect this .

but I don't care if Anna is married , so long as the girl who wrote those letters isn't .

it 's you I love , Alma . "

he bent down and put his arm about her , laying his cheek against hers .

the little red spot where his kiss had fallen was now quite drowned out in the colour that rushed over her face .

" if you 'll marry me , Alma , I 'll forgive you , " he said .

a little smile escaped from the duress of Alma 's lips and twitched her dimples .

" I 'm willing to do anything that will win your forgiveness , Gilbert , " she said meekly .

aunt Caroline 's Silk Dress

Patty came in from her walk to the post office with cheeks finely reddened by the crisp air .

Carry surveyed her with pleasure .

of late Patty 's cheeks had been entirely too pale to please Carry , and Patty had not had a very good appetite .

once or twice she had even complained of a headache .

Carry never sewed on pretty dresses for herself , for the simple reason that she never had any pretty dresses .

" did you get any mail , Patty ? " she asked unexpectantly .

there was never much mail for the Lea girls .

" yes 'm , " said Patty briskly .

" here 's the Weekly Advocate , and a patent medicine almanac with all your dreams expounded , and a letter for Miss Carry M Lea .

it 's postmarked Enfield , and has a suspiciously matrimonial look .

I 'm sure it 's an invitation to Chris Fairley 's wedding .

hurry up and see , Caddy . "

Carry , with a little flush of excitement on her face , opened her letter .

sure enough , it contained an invitation " to be present at the marriage of Christine Fairley . "

" how jolly ! " exclaimed Patty .

" of course you 'll go , Caddy .

you 'll have a chance to wear that lovely organdie of yours at last . "

" it was sweet of Chris to invite me , " said Carry .

" I really didn't expect it . "

" well , I did .

wasn't she your most intimate friend when she lived in Enderby ? "

" oh , yes , but it is four years since she left , and some people might forget in four years .

but I might have known Chris wouldn't .

of course I 'll go . "

" and you 'll make up your organdie ? "

" I haven't another thing that would do to wear to a wedding .

if I hadn't that blessed organdie I couldn't go , that 's all . "

" but you have it , and it will look lovely made up with a tucked skirt .

tucks are so fashionable now .

and there 's that lace of mine you can have for a bertha .

I want you to look just right , you see .

Enfield is a big place , and there will be lots of grandees at the wedding .

let's get the last fashion sheet and pick out a design right away .

here 's one on the very first page that would be nice .

you could wear it to perfection , Caddy you 're so tall and slender .

it wouldn't suit a plump and podgy person like myself at all . "

Carry liked the pattern , and they had an animated discussion over it .

but , in the end , Carry sighed , and pushed the sheet away from her , with all the brightness gone out of face .

" it 's no use , Patty .

I 'd forgotten for a few minutes , but it 's all come back now .

I can't think of weddings and new dresses , when the thought of that interest crowds everything else out .

it 's due next month fifty dollars and I 've only ten saved up .

I don't know what we shall do .

oh , I suppose we can rent a couple of rooms in the village and exist in them .

but it breaks my heart to think of leaving our old home . "

" perhaps Mr Kerr will let us have more time , " suggested Patty , not very hopefully .

the sparkle had gone out of her face too .

Patty loved their little home as much as Carry did .

" you know he won't .

he has been only too anxious for an excuse to foreclose , this long time .

he wants the land the house is on .

oh , if I only hadn't been sick so long in the summer just when everybody had sewing to do .

I 've tried so hard to catch up , but I couldn't . "

Carry 's voice broke in a sob .

Patty leaned over the table and patted her sister 's glossy dark hair gently .

" you 've worked too hard , dearie .

you 've just gone to skin and bone .

oh , I know how hard it is !

I can't bear to think of leaving this dear old spot either .

if we could only induce Mr Kerr to give us a year 's grace !

I 'd be teaching then , and we could easily pay the interest and some of the principal too .

perhaps he will if we both go to him and coax very hard .

anyway , don't worry over it till after the wedding .

I want you to go and have a good time .

you never have good times , Carry . "

" neither do you , " said Carry rebelliously .

" you never have anything that other girls have , Patty not even pretty clothes . "

" Deed , and I 've lots of things to be thankful for , " said Patty cheerily .

" don't you fret about me .

I 'm vain enough to think I 've got some brains anyway , and I 'm a-meaning to do something with them too .

now I think I 'll go upstairs and study this evening .

it will be warm enough there tonight , and the noise of the machine rather bothers me . "

Patty whisked out , and Carry knew she should go to her sewing .

but she sat a long while at the table in dismal thought .

she was so tired , and so hopeless .

it had been such a hard struggle , and it seemed now as if it would all come to naught .

for five years , ever since her mother 's death , Carry had supported herself and Patty by dressmaking .

then there was always the mortgage to devour everything .

Carry had kept it at bay till now , but at last she was conquered .

she had had typhoid fever in the spring and had not been able to work for a long time .

indeed , she had gone to work before she should .

the doctor 's bill was yet unpaid , but Dr Hamilton had told her to take her time .

Carry knew she would not be pressed for that , and next year Patty would be able to help her .

but next year would be too late .

the dear little home would be lost then .

when Carry roused herself from her sad reflections , she saw a crumpled note lying on the floor .

she picked it up and absently smoothed it out .

the note was an invitation to Clare Forbes 's party !

of course , Clare Forbes was in Patty 's class at school and was always very nice and friendly with her .

but then the Forbes set was not the Lea set .

Carry ran upstairs to Patty 's room .

" Patty , you dropped this on the floor .

I couldn't help seeing what it was .

why didn't you tell me Clare had invited you ? "

" because I knew I couldn't go , and I thought you would feel badly over that .

caddy , I wish you hadn't seen it . "

" oh , Patty , I do wish you could go to the party .

it was so sweet of Clare to invite you , and perhaps she will be offended if you don't go she won't understand .

Clare Forbes isn't a girl whose friendship is to be lightly thrown away when it is offered . "

" I know that .

but , Caddy dear , it is impossible .

putting my own feelings aside , it would be an insult to Clare .

there , don't think any more about it . "

but Carry did think about it .

she lay awake half the night wondering if there might not be some way for Patty to go to that party .

she knew it was impossible , unless Patty had a new dress , and how could a new dress be had ?

yet she did so want Patty to go .

Patty never had any good times , and she was studying so hard .

then , all at once , Carry thought of a way by which Patty might have a new dress .

yes , it was a way , but could she ?

could she ?

yes , she could , and she would .

Carry buried her face in her pillow with a sob and a gulp .

but she had decided what must be done , and how it must be done .

" are you going to begin on your organdie today ? " asked Patty in the morning , before she started for school .

" I must finish Mrs Pidgeon 's suit first , " Carry answered .

" next week will be time enough to think about my wedding garments . "

she tried to laugh and failed .

Patty thought with a pang that Carry looked horribly pale and tired probably she had worried most of the night over the interest .

" I 'm so glad she 's going to Chris 's wedding , " thought Patty , as she hurried down the street .

" it will take her out of herself and give her something nice to think of for ever so long . "

nothing more was said that week about the organdie , or the wedding , or the Forbes 's party .

Carry sewed fiercely , and sat at her machine for hours after Patty had gone to bed .

the night before the party she said to Patty , " braid your hair tonight , Patty .

you 'll want it nice and wavy to go to the Forbes 's tomorrow night . "

Patty thought that Carry was actually trying to perpetrate a weak joke , and endeavoured to laugh .

but it was a rather dreary laugh .

" In a faded plaid two inches too short ? "

Patty smiled as brightly as possible .

" oh , no .

I have a dress all ready for you . "

" this is for you , " said Carry .

Patty gazed at the dress with horror-stricken eyes .

" Caroline Lea , that is your organdie ! and you 've gone and made it up for me !

carry Lea , what are you going to wear to the wedding ? "

" nothing .

I 'm not going . "

" you are you must you shall .

I won't take the organdie . "

" you 'll have to now , because it 's made to fit you .

come , Patty dear , I 've set my heart on your going to that party .

you mustn't disappoint me you can't , for what good would it do ?

I can never wear the dress now . "

Patty realized that .

she knew she might as well go to the party , but she did not feel much pleasure in the prospect .

nevertheless , when she was ready for it the next evening , she couldn't help a little thrill of delight .

the dress was so pretty , and dainty , and becoming .

" you look sweet , " exclaimed Carry admiringly .

" there , I hear the Browns ' carriage .

I gave you the dress that you might have a good time , so don't make my gift of no effect . "

" I 'll try , " promised Patty , flying downstairs , where her next-door neighbours were waiting for her .

at two o'clock that night Carry was awakened to see Patty bending over her , flushed and radiant .

Carry sat sleepily up .

" I hope you had a good time , " she said .

Carry , I 've thought of a way for you to go to the wedding .

it just came to me at supper .

Mrs Forbes was sitting opposite to me , and her dress suggested it .

you must make over Aunt Caroline 's silk dress . "

" it 's good plain sense .

of course , you must make it over and "

" Patty Lea , you 're crazy .

I wouldn't dream of wearing that hideous thing .

bright green silk , with huge yellow brocade flowers as big as cabbages all over it !

I think I see myself in it . "

" caddy , listen to me .

make it over "

" a plain slip of the silk , " gasped Carry , her quick brain seizing on all the possibilities of the plan .

" why didn't I think of it before ?

it will be just the thing , the greens and yellow will be toned down to a nice shimmer under the black lace .

Patty Lea , it 's an inspiration . "

Carry held it up at arm 's length , and looked at it with amusement .

" it is certainly ugly , but with the lace over it it will look very different .

there 's enough of it , anyway , and that skirt is stiff enough to stand alone .

Poor Aunt Caroline , I 'm afraid I wasn't particularly grateful for her gift at the time , but I really am now . "

on one occasion , when Carry was there , Aunt Caroline had brought out this silk dress .

" I 'm going to give this to you , Carry , " she said timidly .

" it 's a good silk , and not so very old .

Mr Greenley gave it to me for a birthday present fifteen years ago .

maybe you can make it over for yourself . "

Mrs Edward , who was on duty at the time , sniffed disagreeably , but she said nothing .

had it been otherwise , Aunt Caroline would probably not have been allowed to give it away .

Carry had thanked Aunt Caroline sincerely .

if she did not care much for the silk , she at least prized the kindly motive behind the gift .

perhaps she and Patty laughed a little over it as they packed it away in the garret .

it was so very ugly , but Carry thought it was sweet of Aunt Caroline to have given her something .

poor old Aunt Caroline had died soon after , and Carry had not thought about the silk dress again .

she had too many other things to think of , this poor worried Carry .

after breakfast Carry began to rip the skirt breadths apart .

Patty , who was washing the dishes , knew just what her thoughts were by the light and shadow on her expressive face .

" why ! what ? " exclaimed Carry suddenly .

Patty wheeled about to see Carry staring at the silk dress like one bewitched .

" carry Lea ! " gasped Patty .

with trembling fingers Carry snipped away the stitches that held the letter , and read it aloud .

I have a hundred dollars which I always meant to give you because you were named for me .

but Edward and his wife do not know I have it , and I don't want them to find out .

they would not let me give it to you if they knew , so I have thought of this way of getting it to you .

I have sewed five twenty-dollar bills under the lining of this skirt , and they are all yours , with your Aunt Caroline 's best love .

you were always a good girl , Carry , and you 've worked hard , and I 've given Edward enough .

just take this money and use it as you like .

" aunt Caroline Greenley . "

" carry Lea , are we both dreaming ? " gasped Patty .

with crimson cheeks Carry ripped the other breadths apart , and there were the other four bills .

then she slipped down in a little heap on the sofa cushions and began to cry happy tears of relief and gladness .

" indeed I won't , " said Carry , sitting up and laughing through her tears .

" I 'll make over this dress and wear it out of gratitude to the memory of dear Aunt Caroline . "

aunt Susanna 's Thanksgiving Dinner .

BY L.M. MONTGOMERY

but it is difficult to cultivate four talents on our tiny income .

if Laura wasn't such a good manager we never could do it .

Laura 's words were a signal for Kate to hang up her violin and for me to push my pen and portfolio out of sight .

Laura had hidden her brushes and water colors as she spoke .

only Margaret continued to bend serenely over her Latin grammar .

aunt Susanna frowns on musical and literary and artistic ambitions but she accords a faint approval to Margaret 's desire for an education .

that is Aunt Susanna 's way .

of late we had been growing a little discouraged .

consequently , Margaret 's chances looked a little foggy ; but we hadn't quite given up hope .

when Aunt Susanna came in Laura was crocheting , Kate was sewing , and I was poring over a recipe book .

but Aunt Susanna would never believe it .

nor did she believe it now .

she threw back her lovely new sealskin cape , looked around the sitting-room and then smiled a truly Aunt Susannian smile .

Illustration

" what a pity you forgot to wipe that smudge of paint off your nose , Laura , " she said sarcastically .

" you don't seem to get on very fast with your lace .

how long is it since you began it ?

over three months , isn't it ? "

" this is the third piece of the same pattern I 've done in three months , Aunt Susanna , " said Laura presently .

Laura is an old duck .

she never gets cross and snaps back .

I do ; and it 's so hard not to with Aunt Susanna sometimes .

but I generally manage it for I 'd do anything for Margaret .

Laura did not tell Aunt Susanna that she sold her lace at the Women 's Exchange in town and made enough to buy her new hats .

she makes enough out of her water colors to dress herself .

aunt Susanna took a second breath and started in again .

" I notice your violin hasn't quite as much dust on it as the rest of the things in this room , Kate .

it 's a pity you stopped playing just as I came in .

I don't enjoy fiddling much but I 'd prefer it to seeing anyone using a needle who isn't accustomed to it . "

Kate is really a most dainty needlewoman and does all the fine sewing in our family .

she colored and said nothing that being the highest pitch of virtue to which our Katie , like myself , can attain .

" and there 's Margaret ruining her eyes over books , " went on Aunt Susanna severely .

" will you kindly tell me , Margaret Thorne , what good you ever expect Latin to do you ? "

all the girls except me had now got their accustomed rap , but I knew better than to hope I should escape .

" so you 're reading a recipe book , Agnes ?

well , that 's better than poring over a novel .

I 'm afraid you haven't been at it very long though .

people generally don't read recipes upside down and besides , you didn't quite cover up your portfolio .

I see a corner of it sticking out .

was genius burning before I came in ?

it 's too bad if I quenched the flame . "

" why I 'm a real good cook ' if I do say it as hadn't orter . ' "

I am , too .

I 'm in a peck of troubles .

firstly , Miranda Mary 's mother has had to go and get sick and Miranda Mary must go home to wait on her .

they 'll come on the same train .

I 'm dreadfully worried .

do you think you can manage it ? "

we all felt rather dismayed , and nobody volunteered with a rush .

" I 'll go , Aunt Susanna , " I said .

" and I 'll help you , " said Kate .

" here is the key of the kitchen door .

you 'll find everything in the pantry , turkey and all .

the mince pies are all ready made so you 'll only have to warm them up .

I want dinner sharp at twelve for the train is due at @time@ .

Mr and Mrs. Gilbert are very particular and I do hope you will have things right .

oh , if I could only be home myself !

why will people get sick at such inconvenient times ? "

" don't worry , Aunt Susanna , " I said comfortingly .

" Kate and I will have your Thanksgiving dinner ready for you in tiptop style . "

" well I 'm sure I hope so .

don't get to mooning over a story , Agnes .

I 'll lock the library up and fortunately there are no fiddles at the Pinery .

above all , don't let any of the McGinnises in .

they 'll be sure to be prowling around when I 'm not home .

don't give that dog of theirs any scraps either .

that is Miranda Mary 's one fault .

" Girls , this is the chance of your lives , " said Laura .

I consider the illness of Miranda Mary 's mother a Providential interposition that is , if she isn't too sick . "

" it 's all very well for you to be pleased , Lolla , " I said dolefully .

" but I don't feel jubilant over the prospect at all .

something will probably go wrong .

and then there 's our own nice little Thanksgiving celebration we 've planned , and pinched and economized for weeks to provide .

that is half spoiled now . "

" oh , what is that compared to Margaret 's chance of going to college ? " exclaimed Kate .

" cheer up , Aggie .

you know we can cook .

I feel that it is now or never with Aunt Susanna . "

I cheered up accordingly .

we are not given to pessimism which is fortunate .

we 've been very happy as a rule .

Aunt Susanna has a big house and lots of money but she isn't as happy as we are .

she nags us a good deal just as she used to nag father but we don't mind it very much after all .

indeed , I sometimes suspect that we really like Aunt Susanna tremendously if she 'd only leave us alone long enough to find it out .

Thursday morning was an ideal Thanksgiving morning bright , crisp and sparkling .

there had been a white frost in the night , and the orchard and the white birch wood behind it looked like fairyland .

we were all up early .

none of us had slept well , and both Kate and I had had the most fearful dreams of spoiling Aunt Susanna 's Thanksgiving dinner .

" never mind , dreams always go by contraries , you know , " said Laura cheerfully .

" you 'd better go up to the Pinery early and get the fires on , for the house will be cold .

remember the McGinnises and the dog .

weigh the turkey so that you 'll know exactly how long to cook it .

put the pies in the oven in time to get piping hot lukewarm mince pies are an abomination .

be sure "

" Laura , don't confuse us with any more cautions , " I groaned , " or we shall get hopelessly fuddled .

come on , Kate , before she has time to . "

Illustration

it wasn't very far up to the Pinery just ten minutes ' walk , and such a delightful walk on that delightful morning .

we went through the orchard and then through the white birch wood where the loveliness of the frosted boughs awed us .

beyond that there was a lane between ranks of young , balsamy , white-misted firs and then an open pasture field , sere and crispy .

the McGinnis dog was sitting on the back-door steps when we arrived .

he wagged his tail ingratiatingly , but we ruthlessly pushed him off , went in and shut the door in his face .

all the little McGinnises were sitting in a row on their fence , and they whooped derisively .

we kindled the fires , weighed the turkey , put it in the oven and prepared the vegetables .

then we set the dining-room table and decorated it with Aunt Susanna 's potted ferns and dishes of lovely red apples .

everything went so smoothly that we soon forgot to be nervous .

the potatoes , cabbage and turnips were bubbling away cheerfully , and everything was going as merrily as a marriage bell .

then , all at once , things happened .

in an evil hour we went to the yard window and looked out .

we saw a quiet scene .

the McGinnis dog was still sitting on his haunches by the steps , just as he had been sitting all the morning .

down in the McGinnis yard everything wore an unusually peaceful aspect .

all at once , just as we were looking at him , Tony went over backward and apparently tumbled head foremost down his father 's well .

Kate and I screamed simultaneously .

just as we reached it , Tony 's red head appeared as he climbed serenely out over the box .

I don't know whether I felt more relieved or furious .

at least he didn't seem at all frightened , and grinned most impishly at us .

Kate and I turned on our heels and marched back in as dignified a manner as was possible under the circumstances .

half way up Aunt Susanna 's yard we forgot dignity and broke into a run .

we had left the door open and the McGinnis dog had disappeared .

never shall I forget the sight we saw or the smell we smelled when we burst into that kitchen .

there on the floor was the McGinnis dog and what was left of Aunt Susanna 's Thanksgiving turkey .

as for the smell , imagine a commingled odor of scorching turnips and burning mince pies , and you have it .

the dog fled out with a guilty yelp .

I groaned and snatched the turnips off .

Kate threw open the oven door and dragged out the pies .

Pies and turnips were ruined as irretrievably as the turkey .

" oh , what shall we do ? "

I cried miserably .

I knew Margaret 's chance of college was gone forever .

" do ! "

Kate was superb .

she didn't lose her wits for a second .

" we 'll go home and borrow the girls ' dinner .

Quick there 's just ten minutes before train time .

throw those pies and turnips into this basket the turkey too we 'll carry them with us to hide them . "

without a moment 's delay we shut the door and ran .

as we went I saw the McGinnis dog licking his chops over in their yard .

I have been ashamed ever since of my feelings toward that dog .

they were murderous .

fortunately I had no time to indulge them .

it is ten minutes walk from the Pinery to our house , but you can run it in five .

Kate and I burst into the kitchen just as Laura and Margaret were sitting down to dinner .

we had neither time nor breath for explanations .

without a word I grasped the turkey platter and the turnip tureen .

Kate caught one hot mince pie from the oven and whisked a cold one out of the pantry .

" we 've got to have them , " was all she said .

I 've always said that Laura and Magsie would rise to any occasion .

they saw us carry their Thanksgiving dinner off under their very eyes and they never interfered by word or motion .

they didn't even worry us with questions .

they realized that something desperate had happened and that the emergency called for deed not words .

" she won't know the difference , " I panted .

" Miranda Mary crimps them . "

we got back to the Pinery just as the train whistle blew .

we accomplished it .

it was ready by the time it was needed .

still , all things considered , Kate and I didn't enjoy that dinner much .

we kept thinking of poor Laura and Magsie at home , dining off potatoes on Thanksgiving !

but at least Aunt Susanna was satisfied .

when Kate and I were washing the dishes she came out quite beamingly .

" well , my dears , I must admit that you made a very good job of the dinner , indeed .

the turkey was done to perfection .

you didn't give anything to the McGinnis dog , I hope ? "

" no , we didn't give him anything , " said Kate .

aunt Susanna did not notice the emphasis .

when we had finished the dishes we smuggled our platter and tureen out of the house and went home .

Laura and Margaret were busy painting and studying and were just as sweet-tempered as if we hadn't robbed them of their dinner .

but we had to tell them the whole story before we even took off our hats .

" there is a special Providence for children and idiots , " said Laura gently .

we didn't ask her whether she meant us or Tony McGinnis or both .

there are some things better left in obscurity .

I 'd have probably said something much sharper than that if anybody had made off with my Thanksgiving turkey so unceremoniously .

aunt Susanna came down the next day and told Margaret that she would send her to college .

also she commissioned Laura to paint her a water-color for her dining-room and said she 'd pay her five dollars for it .

anyway , Aunt Susanna has never since insinuated that we can't cook , and that is as much as we deserve .

by Grace of Julius Caesar

Melissa sent word on Monday evening that she thought we had better go round with the subscription list for cushioning the church pews on Tuesday .

I sent back word that I thought we had better go on Thursday .

we finally compromised on Wednesday .

I was waiting at my gate for Melissa when she came , and she looked me over with wonder and disapproval .

I never could understand how Melissa always got it arranged so beautifully .

nothing particular happened the first part of the day .

some few growled and wouldn't subscribe anything , but on the whole we did pretty well .

we reached Daniel Wilson 's by noon , and had to have dinner there .

we didn't eat much , although we were hungry enough Mary Wilson 's cooking is a by-word in Jersey Cove .

Daniel is always very complimentary , and they say Mary is jealous .

when we left the Wilson 's Melissa said , with an air of a woman nerving herself to a disagreeable duty :

" I suppose we might as well go to Isaac Appleby 's now and get it over . "

I agreed with her .

I had been dreading that call all day .

Isaac was a well-to-do old bachelor who had never had any notion of getting married until his sister died in the winter .

and then , as soon as the spring planting was over , he began to look round for a wife .

he came to me first and I said " no " good and hard .

I can't get along without a little romance ; it 's my nature .

Isaac was disappointed and said so , but intimated that it wasn't crushing and that the next best would do very well .

the next best was Melissa , and he proposed to her after the decent interval of a fortnight .

Melissa also refused him .

finally , I imagine Melissa did not fancy being second choice .

I was the only widow , and the other old maids besides Melissa were all hopelessly old-maiden .

this was all three months ago , and Isaac had been keeping house for himself ever since .

" Jarvis said it was an imported breed .

I do hope it isn't cross . "

I have a mortal horror of dogs , and I followed Melissa into the big farmyard with fear and trembling .

we were halfway across the yard when Melissa shrieked :

" Anne , there 's the dog ! "

Melissa and I both lost our heads .

I am forty-five and something more than plump , so that climbing ladders is not my favorite form of exercise .

but I went up that one with the agility and grace of sixteen .

I crept cautiously to the edge and peered over .

the beast was sitting on his haunches at the foot of the ladder , and it was quite evident he was not short on time .

the gleam in his eye seemed to say :

" I 've got you two unprincipled subscription hunters beautifully treed and it 's treed you 're going to stay .

that is what I call satisfying . "

I reported the state of the case to Melissa .

" what shall we do ? "

I asked .

" do ? " said Melissa , snappishly .

" why , stay here till Isaac Appleby comes out and takes that brute away ?

what else can we do ? "

" what if he isn't at home ? "

I suggested .

" we 'll stay here till he comes home .

oh , this is a nice predicament .

this is what comes of cushioning churches ! "

" it might be worse , " I said comfortingly .

" suppose the roof hadn't been flat ? "

" call Isaac , " said Melissa shortly .

" it 's no use , " said Melissa sulkily at last .

" Isaac Appleby is dead or away . "

half an hour passed ; it seemed as long as a day .

the sun just boiled down on that roof and we were nearly melted .

we were dreadfully thirsty , and the heat made our heads ache , and I could see my muslin dress fading before my very eyes .

as for the roses on my best hat but that was too harrowing to think about .

then we saw a welcome sight Isaac Appleby coming through the yard with a hoe over his shoulder .

he had probably been working in his field at the back of the house .

I never thought I should have been so glad to see him .

" Isaac , oh , Isaac ! "

I called joyfully , leaning over as far as I dared .

Isaac looked up in amazement at me and Melissa craning our necks over the edge of the roof .

then he saw the dog and took in the situation .

the creature actually grinned .

" won't you call off your dog and let us get down , Isaac ? "

I said pleadingly .

Isaac stood and reflected for a moment or two .

" Isaac Appleby , what do you mean ? " demanded Melissa wrathfully .

Isaac folded his arms and looked up .

it would be hard to say which face was the more determined , his or the dog 's .

but Isaac had the advantage in point of looks , I will say that for him .

I gasped .

" Isaac Appleby , you can't be in earnest ? "

I cried incredulously .

" you couldn't be so mean ? "

" I am in earnest .

I want a wife , and I am going to have one .

you two will stay up there , and Julius Caesar here will watch you until one of you makes up her mind to take me .

you can settle it between yourselves , and let me know when you have come to a decision . "

and with that Isaac walked jauntily into his new house .

" the man can't mean it ! " said Melissa .

" he is trying to play a joke on us . "

" he does mean it , " I said gloomily .

" An Appleby never says anything he doesn't mean .

he will keep us here until one of us consents to marry him . "

" it won't be me , then , " said Melissa in a calm sort of rage .

" I won't marry him if I have to sit on this roof for the rest of my life .

you can take him .

it 's really you he wants , anyway ; he asked you first . "

I always knew that rankled with Melissa .

I thought the situation over before I said anything more .

we certainly couldn't get off that roof , and if we could , there was Julius Caesar .

the place was out of sight of every other house in Jersey Cove , and nobody might come near it for a week .

Melissa had turned her back on me and was sitting with her elbows propped up on her knees , looking gloomily out to sea .

I was afraid I couldn't coax her into marrying Isaac .

" you 'd better take him , Melissa , " I said entreatingly .

" I 've had one husband and that is enough . "

" more than enough for me , thank you , " said Melissa sarcastically .

it didn't seem worth while to say anything more after that .

we sat there in stony silence and the time dragged by .

we could see Isaac sitting in the shade of one of his apple trees in the front orchard comfortably reading a newspaper .

I think if he hadn't aggravated me by doing that I 'd have given in sooner .

but as it was , I was determined to be as stubborn as everybody else .

we were four obstinate creatures Isaac and Melissa and Julius Caesar and I .

I caught the ball , for Melissa never turned her head .

besides , I thought it might enable us to hold out until some loophole of escape presented itself .

Isaac went back into the house and I unpacked the basket .

there was a bottle of milk , some bread and butter , and a pie .

Melissa wouldn't take a morsel of the food , but she was so thirsty she had to take a drink of milk .

you never saw such a sight .

I 'd always suspected Melissa wore a false front , but I 'd never had any proof before .

Melissa pinned on her hair again and put on her hat and drank the milk , all without a word ; but she was purple .

I felt sorry for her .

and I felt sorry for Isaac when I tried to eat that bread .

it was sour and dreadful .

as for the pie , it was hopeless .

I tasted it , and then threw it down to Julius Caesar .

Julius Caesar , not being over particular , ate it up .

I thought perhaps it would kill him , for anything might come of eating such a concoction .

that pie was a strong argument for Isaac .

I was dreadfully tired of broiling on the roof anyhow .

but it was the thunderstorm that decided me .

when I saw it coming up , black and quick , from the northwest , I gave in at once .

I called to Isaac and out he came .

" I 'll take the risk of that , Anne , " he said ; " and , of course , I 'll sell the dog .

I won't need him when I have you . "

Isaac meant to be complimentary , though you mightn't have thought so if you had seen the face of that dog .

Isaac ordered Julius Caesar away and put up the ladder , and turned his back , real considerately , while we climbed down .

we had to go in his house and stay till the shower was over .

I didn't forget the object of our call and I produced our subscription list at once .

" how much have you got ? " asked Isaac .

" seventy dollars and we want a hundred and fifty , " I said .

" you may put me down for the remaining eighty , then , " said Isaac calmly .

the Applebys are never mean where money is concerned , I must say .

Isaac offered to drive us home when it cleared up , but I said " no . "

I wanted to settle Melissa before she got a chance to talk .

on the way home I said to her :

" I hope you won't mention this to anyone , Melissa .

I don't mind marrying Isaac , but I don't want people to know how it came about . "

" oh , I won't say anything about it , " said Melissa , laughing a little disagreeably .

Melissa will hold her tongue .

by the Rule of Contrary

if it is well , I 've something to say about the matter !

have you been courting that niece of Susan Oliver 's all summer on the sly ? "

Burton Ellis 's handsome , boyish face flushed darkly crimson to the roots of his curly black hair .

something in the father 's tone roused anger and rebellion in the son .

he straightened himself up from the turnip row he was hoeing , looked his father squarely in the face , and said quietly ,

" not on the sly , sir , I never do things that way .

but I have been going to see Madge Oliver for some time , and we are engaged .

we are thinking of being married this fall , and we hope you will not object . "

Burton 's frankness nearly took away his father 's breath .

old John fairly choked with rage .

no , sir , I 'll never consent to your marrying an Oliver , and you needn't have any idea that I will . "

" then I 'll marry her without your consent , " retorted Burton angrily , losing the temper he had been trying to keep .

" oh , will you indeed !

" she 's an Oliver , " said old John crustily , " and that 's enough . "

and considering that he had settled the matter , John Ellis threw down his hoe and left the field in a towering rage .

Burton hoed away savagely until his anger had spent itself on the weeds .

give up Madge dear , sweet little Madge ?

not he !

yet if his father remained of the same mind , their marriage was out of the question at present .

and Burton knew quite well that his father would remain of the same mind .

old John Ellis had the reputation of being the most contrary man in Greenwood .

when Burton had finished his row he left the turnip field and went straight across lots to see Madge and tell her his dismal story .

but never were appearances more deceptive than in this case .

behind her unprepossessing exterior Miss Susan had a warm , sympathetic heart filled to the brim with kindly affection for her pretty niece .

she had seen Burton Ellis going moodily across the fields homeward and guessed that something had gone wrong .

" now , dearie , what is the matter ? " she said , tenderly patting the brown head .

Madge sobbed out the whole story disconsolately .

Burton 's father would not let him marry her because she was an Oliver .

and , oh , what would she do ?

" don't worry , Madge , " said Miss Susan comfortingly .

" I 'll soon settle old John Ellis . "

" why , what can you do ? " asked Madge forlornly .

Miss Susan squared her shoulders and looked amused .

" you 'll see .

I know old John Ellis better than he knows himself .

he is the most contrary man the Lord ever made .

I went to school with him .

I learned how to manage him then , and I haven't forgotten how .

I 'm going straight up to interview him . "

" are you sure that will do any good ? " said Madge doubtfully .

" if you go to him and take Burton 's and my part , won't it only make him worse ? "

you keep your eyes open and see if you can learn something .

you 'll need it if you go up to live with old John Ellis . "

" old Susan Oliver , as sure as a gun , " said old John with another chuckle .

" she looks mad clean through .

I suppose she 's coming here to blow me up for refusing to let Burton take that girl of hers .

she 's been angling and scheming for it for years , but she will find who she has to deal with .

come on , Miss Susan . "

John Ellis laid down his paper and stood up with a sarcastic smile .

Miss Susan reached the steps and skimmed undauntedly up them .

she did indeed look angry and disturbed .

without any preliminary greeting she burst out into a tirade that simply took away her complacent foe 's breath .

" look here , John Ellis , I want to know what this means .

he has had the impudence to tell me that he wants to marry her .

I won't have it , I tell you , and you can tell your son so .

marry my niece indeed !

a pretty pass the world is coming to !

I 'll never consent to it . "

the wind was completely taken out of his sails and every bit of the Ellis contrariness was roused .

" what have you got to say against my son ? " he fairly shouted in his rage .

" isn't he good enough for your girl , Susan Oliver , I 'd like to know ? "

" no , he isn't , " retorted Miss Susan deliberately and unflinchingly .

old John was furious .

" beneath them indeed !

why , woman , it is condescension in my son to so much as look at your niece condescension , that is what it is .

you are as poor as church mice . "

" we come of good family , though , " retorted Miss Susan .

" you Ellises are nobodies .

your grandfather was a hired man !

and yet you have the presumption to think you 're fit to marry into an old , respectable family like the Olivers .

but talking doesn't signify .

I simply won't allow this nonsense to go on .

I came here today to tell you so plump and plain .

it 's your duty to stop it ; if you don't I will , that 's all . "

" oh , will you ? "

John Ellis was at a white heat of rage and stubbornness now .

" we 'll see , Miss Susan , we 'll see .

my son shall marry whatever girl he pleases , and I 'll back him up in it do you hear that ?

come here and tell me my son isn't good enough for your niece indeed !

I 'll show you he can get her anyway . "

" you 've heard what I 've said , " was the answer , " and you 'd better go by it , that 's all .

I shan't stay to bandy words with you , John Ellis .

Miss Susan was halfway down the steps , but John Ellis ran to the railing of the verandah to get the last word .

Miss Susan deigned no reply .

old John strode out to the turnip field .

Burton saw him coming and looked for another outburst of wrath , but his father 's first words almost took away his breath .

" see here , Burt , I take back all I said this afternoon .

I want you to marry Madge Oliver now , and the sooner , the better .

that old cat of a Susan had the face to come up and tell me you weren't good enough for her niece .

I told her a few plain truths .

don't you mind the old crosspatch .

I 'll back you up . "

by this time Burton had begun hoeing vigorously , to hide the amused twinkle of comprehension in his eyes .

he admired Miss Susan 's tactics , but he did not say so .

" all right , Father , " he answered dutifully .

" oh , Auntie , how did you manage it ? " cried Madge .

" Madge , " said Miss Susan solemnly , but with dancing eyes , " do you know how to drive a pig ?

just try to make it go in the opposite direction and it will bolt the way you want it .

remember that , my dear . "

Fair Exchange and No Robbery

Katherine Rangely was packing up .

the powers that be might have waited until vacation was over .

Ned won't know a soul here and he 'll be horribly lonesome . "

" I 'll do my best to befriend him , with your permission , " said Edith consolingly .

" oh , I know .

you 're a special Providence , Ede .

Ned will be up tonight first thing , of course , and I 'll introduce him .

try to keep the poor fellow amused until I get back .

two months !

just fancy !

and Aunt Elizabeth won't abate one jot or tittle of the time I promised to stay with her .

Harbour Hill is so frightfully dull , too . "

then the talk drifted around to Edith 's affairs .

she was engaged to a certain Sidney Keith , who was a professor in some college .

" I don't expect to see much of Sidney this summer , " said Edith .

" he 's writing another book .

he is so terribly addicted to literature . "

" how lovely , " sighed Katherine , who had aspirations in that line herself .

" if only Ned were like him I should be perfectly happy .

but Ned is so prosaic .

he doesn't care a rap for poetry , and he laughs when I enthuse .

it makes him quite furious when I talk of taking up writing seriously .

he says women writers are an abomination on the face of the earth .

did you ever hear anything so ridiculous ? "

" he is very handsome , though , " said Edith , with a glance at his photograph on Katherine 's dressing table .

" and that is what Sid is not .

he is rather distinguished looking , but as plain as he can possibly be . "

Edith sighed .

she had a weakness for handsome men and thought it rather hard that fate should have allotted her so plain a lover .

" he has lovely eyes , " said Katherine comfortingly , " and handsome men are always vain .

Even Ned is .

I have to snub him regularly .

but I think you 'll like him . "

Edith thought so too when Ned Ellison appeared that night .

he was a handsome off-handed young fellow , who seemed to admire Katherine immensely , and be a little afraid of her into the bargain .

" Edith will try to make Riverton pleasant for you while I am away , " she told him in their good-bye chat .

" she is a dear girl you 'll like her , I know .

it 's really too bad I have to go away now , but it can't be helped . "

" I shall be awfully lonesome , " grumbled Ned .

" don't you forget to write regularly , Kitty . "

" of course I 'll write , but for pity 's sake , Ned , don't call me Kitty .

it sounds so childish .

well , bye-bye , dear boy .

I 'll be back in two months and then we 'll have a lovely time . "

when Katherine had been at Harbour Hill for a week she wondered how upon earth she was going to put in the remaining seven .

Harbour Hill was noted for its beauty , but not every woman can live by scenery alone .

" aunt Elizabeth , " said Katherine one day , " does anybody ever die in Harbour Hill ?

because it doesn't seem to me it would be any change for them if they did . "

aunt Elizabeth 's only reply to this was a shocked look .

to pass the time Katherine took to collecting seaweeds , and this involved long tramps along the shore .

on one of these occasions she met with an adventure .

the place was a remote spot far up the shore .

she looked anything but dignified while so employed , but under the circumstances dignity did not matter .

presently she heard a shout from the shore and , turning around in dismay , she beheld a man on the rocks behind her .

he was evidently shouting at her .

what on earth could the creature want ?

" come in , " he called , gesticulating wildly .

" you 'll be in the bottomless pit in another moment if you don't look out . "

" he certainly must be a lunatic , " said Katherine to herself , " or else he 's drunk .

what am I to do ? "

" come in , I tell you , " insisted the stranger .

" what in the world do you mean by wading out to such a place ?

why , it 's madness . "

Katherine 's indignation got the better of her fear .

" I do not think I am trespassing , " she called back as icily as possible .

the stranger did not seem to be snubbed at all .

he came down to the very edge of the rocks where Katherine could see him plainly .

he was dressed in a somewhat well-worn grey suit and wore spectacles .

he did not look like a lunatic , and he did not seem to be drunk .

" I implore you to come in , " he said earnestly .

" you must be standing on the very brink of the bottomless pit . "

he is certainly off his balance , thought Katherine .

he must be some revivalist who has gone insane on one point .

I suppose I 'd better go in .

he looks quite capable of wading out here after me if I don't .

she picked her steps carefully back with her precious specimens .

the stranger eyed her severely as she stepped on the rocks .

" I haven't the faintest idea what you mean , " said Miss Rangely .

" you don't look crazy , but you talk as if you were . "

" no , I didn't , " said Katherine , horrified .

" I am a stranger here . "

" Well , I hardly thought you 'd be foolish enough to be out there if you knew , " said the other in mollified accents .

" the place ought not to be left without warning , anyhow .

it is the most careless thing I ever heard of .

there is a big hole right off that point and nobody has ever been able to find the bottom of it .

a person who got into it would never be heard of again .

the rocks there form an eddy that sucks everything right down . "

" I am very grateful to you for calling me in , " said Katherine humbly .

" I had no idea I was in such danger . "

" you have a very fine bunch of seaweeds , I see , " said the unknown .

but Katherine was in no mood to converse on seaweeds .

she suddenly realized what she must look like bare feet , draggled skirts , dripping arms .

and this creature whom she had taken for a lunatic was undoubtedly a gentleman .

oh , if he would only go and give her a chance to put on her shoes and stockings !

nothing seemed further from his intentions .

in spite of herself , Katherine couldn't help listening to him , for he managed to invest seaweeds with an absorbing interest .

she finally decided that as he didn't seem to mind her bare feet , she wouldn't either .

he knew so much about seaweeds that Katherine felt decidedly amateurish beside him .

he looked over her specimens and pointed out the valuable ones .

when they came in sight of Harbour Hill , Katherine began to wonder what on earth she would do with him .

the unknown cut the Gordian knot himself .

he said that he must really go back or he would be late for dinner , lifted his hat politely , and departed .

Katherine waited until he was out of sight , then sat down on the sand and put on her shoes and stockings .

" who on earth can he be ? " she said to herself .

" and where have I seen him before ?

there was certainly something familiar about his appearance .

he is very nice , but he must have thought me crazy .

I wonder if he belongs to Harbour Hill . "

the mystery was solved when she got home and found a letter from Edith awaiting her .

" I see Ned quite often , " wrote the latter , " and I think he is perfectly splendid .

you are a lucky girl , Kate .

but oh , do you know that Sidney is actually at Harbour Hill , too , or at least quite near it ?

I had a letter from him yesterday .

he 's boarding at some little farmhouse up the shore .

I 've written to him today to hunt you up and consider himself introduced to you .

I think you 'll like him , for he 's just your style . "

Katherine smiled when Sidney Keith 's card was brought up to her that evening and went down to meet him .

her companion of the morning rose to meet her .

" you ! " he said .

" yes , me , " said Miss Rangely cheerfully and ungrammatically .

" you didn't expect it , did you ?

I was sure I had seen you before only it wasn't you but your photograph . "

when Professor Keith went away it was with a cordial invitation to call again .

he did not fail to avail himself of it in fact , he became a constant visitor at Sycamore Villa .

Katherine wrote all about it to Edith and cultivated Professor Keith with a dear conscience .

they got on capitally together .

this involved more long , companionable expeditions .

once in a while , when she had time to think of them , she wondered how Ned and Edith were getting on .

at first Edith 's letters had been full of Ned , but in her last two or three she had said little about him .

Katherine wrote and jokingly asked Edith if she and Ned had quarreled .

Edith wrote back and said , " what nonsense . "

Katherine sighed and went on a fern hunt with Professor Keith .

it was getting near the end of her vacation and she had only two weeks more .

they were sitting down to rest on the side of the road when she mentioned this fact inconsequently .

the professor prodded the harmless dust with his cane .

well , he supposed she would find a return to work pleasant and would doubtless be glad to see her Riverton friends again .

" I 'm dying to see Edith , " said Katherine .

" and Ned ? " suggested Professor Keith .

" oh yes .

Ned , of course , " assented Katherine without enthusiasm .

there didn't seem to be anything more to say .

one cannot talk everlastingly about ferns , so they got up and went home .

Katherine wrote a particularly affectionate letter to Ned that night .

then she went to bed and cried .

but he kept himself well in hand and talked calmly on impersonal subjects .

after all , it was Katherine who made the first break when she got up to say good-bye .

she was in the middle of some conventional sentence when she suddenly stopped short , and her voice trailed off in a babyish quiver .

the professor put out his arm and drew her close to him .

when she became cognizant of this fact , she drew herself away .

" oh , Sidney , don't ! think of Edith !

I feel like a traitor . "

" do you think she would care very much if I if you if we " hesitated the professor .

" oh , it would break her heart , " cried Katherine with convincing earnestness .

" I know it would and Ned 's too .

they must never know . "

the professor stooped and began hunting for his maltreated hat .

he was a long time finding it , and when he did he went softly to the door .

with his hand on the knob , he paused and looked back .

" good-bye , Miss Rangely , " he said softly .

Katharine felt that life was stale , flat and unprofitable when she alighted at Riverton station in the dusk of the next evening .

she was not expected until a later train and there was no one to meet her .

she walked drearily through the streets to her boarding house and entered her room unannounced .

Edith , who was lying on the bed , sprang up with a surprised greeting .

could Edith have suspected anything ?

" I am tired to death and I have such a headache .

I can't see anyone tonight , not even Ned . "

" you poor dear , " said Edith sympathetically , beginning a search for the cologne .

" Lie down on the bed and I 'll bathe your poor head .

did you have a good time at Harbour Hill ?

and how did you leave Sid ?

did he say anything about coming up ? "

" oh , he was quite well , " said Katherine wearily .

" I didn't hear him say if he intended to come up or not .

there , thanks that will do nicely . "

after Edith had gone down , Katherine tossed about restlessly .

she knew Ned had come and she did not want to see him .

but , after all , it was only putting off the evil day , and it was treating him rather shabbily .

she would go down for a minute .

there were two doors to the parlour , and Katherine went by way of the library one , over which a portiere was hanging .

her hand was lifted to draw it back when she heard something that arrested the movement .

a woman was crying in the room beyond .

it was Edith and what was she saying ?

" oh , Ned , it is all perfectly dreadful !

I couldn't look Catherine in the face when she came home .

I 'm so ashamed of myself and I never meant to be so false .

we must never let her suspect for a minute . "

" it 's pretty rough on a fellow , " said another voice Ned 's voice in a choked sort of a way .

" upon my word , Edith , I don't see how I 'm going to keep it up . "

" you must , " sobbed Edith .

" it would break her heart and Sidney 's too .

we must just make up our minds to forget each other , Ned , and you must marry Katherine . "

Just at this point Katherine became aware that she was eavesdropping and she went away noiselessly .

she did not look in the least like a person who has received a mortal blow , and she had forgotten her headache altogether .

when Edith came up half an hour later , she found the worn-out invalid sitting up and reading a novel .

" how is your headache , dear ? " she asked , carefully keeping her face turned away from Katherine .

" oh , it 's all gone , " said Miss Rangely cheerfully .

" why didn't you come down then ?

Ned was here . "

" Well , Ede , I did go down , but I thought I wasn't particularly wanted , so I came back . "

Edith faced her friend in dismay , forgetful of swollen lids and tear-stained cheeks .

" Katherine ! "

" don't look so conscience stricken , my dear child .

there is no harm done . "

" you heard "

" some surprising speeches .

so you and Ned have gone and fallen in love with one another ? "

" oh , Katherine , " sobbed Edith , " we we couldn't help it but it 's all over .

oh , don't be angry with me ! "

" Angry ?

my dear , I 'm delighted . "

" delighted ? "

" yes , you dear goose .

can't you guess , or must I tell you ?

" Katherine ! "

" yes , it 's quite true .

and of course we made up our minds to sacrifice ourselves on the altar of duty and all that .

but now , thank goodness , there is no need of such wholesale immolation .

so just let's forgive each other . "

" oh , " sighed Edith happily , " it is almost too good to be true . "

" it is really providentially ordered , isn't it ? " said Katherine .

" Ned and I would never have got on together in the world , and you and Sidney would have bored each other to death .

as it is , there will be four perfectly happy people instead of four miserable ones .

I 'll tell Ned so tomorrow . "

four Winds

Alan Douglas threw down his pen with an impatient exclamation .

it was high time his next Sunday 's sermon was written , but he could not concentrate his thoughts on his chosen text .

" it 's no use , " he said wearily .

if a northeast rainstorm doesn't set in before next Sunday , Mr Trewin will not have his sermon .

all things considered , Elder Trewin decided to overlook the dimple .

there was sure to be some drawback in every minister .

beyond it stretched the wide expanse of the lake , flashing in the molten gold and crimson of evening .

its lure was irresistible .

Down there by the lake was a primitive wilderness where man was as naught and man-made doctrines had no place .

there one might walk hand in hand with nature and so come very close to God .

with a half guilty glance at the futile sermon , he took his hat and went out .

he had sometimes wondered where it led but he had never explored it .

now he had a sudden whim to do so and turned into it .

before him was a small peninsula running out into the lake and terminating in a long sandy point .

beyond it was a glorious sweep of sunset water .

it was the house which puzzled Alan .

it could not be a fisherman 's dwelling , for it was large and built after a quaint tasteful design .

the longer Alan looked at it the more his wonder grew .

the people living here were in the bounds of his congregation .

how then was it that he had never seen or heard of them ?

he sauntered slowly down the road until he saw that it led directly to the house and ended in the yard .

then he turned off in a narrow path to the shore .

he was not far from the house now and he scanned it observantly as he went past .

the beach was of sand and the scrub barrens dwindled down to it almost insensibly .

to right and left fir-fringed points ran out into the lake , shaping a little cove with the house in its curve .

Alan walked slowly towards the left headland , intending to follow the shore around to the other road .

as he passed the point he stopped short in astonishment .

the second surprise and mystery of the evening confronted him .

a little distance away a girl was standing a girl who turned a startled face at his unexpected appearance .

Alan Douglas had thought he knew all the girls in Rexton , but this lithe , glorious creature was a stranger to him .

she stood with her hand on the head of a huge , tawny collie dog ; another dog was sitting on his haunches beside her .

the plain dark dress she wore emphasized the grace and strength of her supple form .

none of the Rexton girls looked like that .

who , in the name of all that was amazing , could she be ?

then he went homeward in a maze , all thought of sermons , doctrinal or otherwise , for the moment knocked out of his head .

she is the most beautiful woman I ever saw , he thought .

how is it possible that I have lived in Rexton for six months and never heard of her or of that house ?

well , I daresay there 's some simple explanation of it all .

the place may have been unoccupied until lately probably it is the summer residence of people who have only recently come to it .

I 'll ask Mrs Danby .

she 'll know if anybody will .

that good woman knows everything about everybody in Rexton for three generations back .

Alan found Isabel King with his housekeeper when he got home .

his greeting was tinged with a slight constraint .

Isabel herself showed it with sufficient distinctness .

" not tiring myself resting and refreshing myself rather , " smiled Alan .

" I was tired when I went out but now I feel like a strong man rejoicing to run a race .

by the way , Mrs Danby , who lives in that quaint old house away down at the very shore ?

I never knew of its existence before . "

Alan 's " by the way " was not quite so indifferent as he tried to make it .

Isabel King , leaning back posingly among the cushions of the lounge , sat quickly up as he asked his question .

" dear me , you don't mean to say you 've never heard of Captain Anthony Captain Anthony Oliver ? " said Mrs Danby .

" he lives down there at Four Winds , as they call it he and his daughter and an old cousin . "

Isabel King bent forward , her brown eyes on Alan 's face .

" did you see Lynde Oliver ? " she asked with suppressed eagerness .

Alan ignored the question perhaps he did not hear it .

" have they lived there long ? " he asked .

" for eighteen years , " said Mrs Danby placidly .

" it 's funny you haven't heard them mentioned .

but people don't talk much about the Captain now he 's an old story and of course they never go anywhere , not even to church .

the Captain is a rank infidel and they say his daughter is just as bad .

it 's not really her fault , I suppose her wicked old scalawag of a father is to blame for it .

nobody ever goes there the Captain doesn't want visitors .

did you see any of them ? "

" I saw Miss Oliver , I suppose , " said Alan briefly .

" at least I met a young lady on the shore .

but where did these people come from ?

surely more is known of them than this . "

" Precious little .

the truth is , Mr Douglas , folks don't think the Olivers respectable and don't want to have anything to do with them .

eighteen years ago Captain Anthony came from goodness knows where , bought the Four Winds point , and built that house .

he said he 'd been a sailor all his life and couldn't live away from the water .

he brought his wife and child and an old cousin of his with him .

this Lynde wasn't more than two years old then .

people went to call but they never saw any of the women and the Captain let them see they weren't wanted .

there was a story that the Captain had been a smuggler and that if he was caught he 'd be sent to prison .

well , four years ago his wife disappeared it wasn't known how or when .

she just wasn't ever seen again , that 's all .

whether she died or was murdered or went away nobody ever knew .

there was some talk of an investigation but nothing came of it .

as for the girl , she 's always lived there with her father .

she must be a perfect heathen .

I haven't heard any reports of such these past few years , though not since his wife disappeared .

he keeps a yacht and goes sailing in it sometimes he cruises about for weeks that 's about all he ever does .

and now you know as much about the Olivers as I do , Mr Douglas . "

Alan had listened to this gossipy narrative with an interest that did not escape Isabel King 's observant eyes .

much of it he mentally dismissed as improbable surmise , but the basic facts were probably as Mrs Danby had reported them .

he had known that the girl of the shore could be no commonplace , primly nurtured young woman .

" has no effort ever been made to bring these people into touch with the church ? " he asked absently .

" bless you , yes .

every minister that 's ever been in Rexton has had a try at it .

the old cousin met every one of them at the door and told him nobody was at home .

Mr Strong was the most persistent he didn't like being beaten .

perhaps the story isn't true .

or if it was maybe he provoked her into saying it .

Mr Strong wasn't overly tactful .

I believe in judging the poor girl as charitably as possible and making allowances for her , seeing how she 's been brought up .

you couldn't expect her to know how to behave . "

somehow , Alan resented Mrs Danby 's charity .

a plump barnyard fowl might as well have talked of making allowances for a seagull !

the question gave Alan an annoyance out of all proportion to its significance .

he felt an instinctive reluctance to discuss Lynde Oliver with Isabel King .

" I saw her only for a moment , " he said coldly , " but she impressed me as being a beautiful woman . "

at that moment Alan 's secret contempt for her crystallized into pronounced aversion .

he made no reply and they went the rest of the way in silence .

at her gate Isabel said , " you haven't been over to see us very lately , Mr Douglas . "

" a minister 's time is not his own , you know . "

" shall you be going to see the Olivers ? " asked Isabel bluntly .

" I have not considered that question .

good-night , Miss King . "

on his way back to the manse Alan did consider the question .

should he make any attempt to establish friendly relations with the residents of Four Winds ?

it surprised him to find how much he wanted to , but he finally concluded that he would not .

even with the new one he did not get on very well .

at last in exasperation he leaned back in his chair .

why can't I stop thinking of those Four Winds people ?

here , let me put these haunting thoughts into words and see if that will lay them .

that girl had a beautiful face but a cold one .

would I like to see it lighted up with the warmth of her soul set free ?

yes , frankly , I would .

she looked upon me with indifference .

would I like to see her welcome me as a friend ?

do I believe that she is wild , unwomanly , heathenish , as Mrs Danby says ?

no , I do not , most emphatically .

I believe she is a lady in the truest sense of that much abused word , though she is doubtless unconventional .

having said all this , I do not see what more there is to be said .

and I am going to write this sermon .

Alan wrote it , putting all thought of Lynde Oliver sternly out of his mind for the time being .

he had no notion of falling in love with her .

he knew nothing of love and imagined that it counted for nothing in his life .

Lynde Oliver had the fascination of the lake shore wild , remote , untamed the lure of the wilderness and the primitive .

there was nothing more personal in his thought of her , and yet when he recalled Isabel King 's sneer he felt an almost personal resentment .

during the following fortnight Alan made many trips to the shore and he always went by the branch road to the Four Winds point .

he did not attempt to conceal from himself that he hoped to meet Lynde Oliver again .

in this he was unsuccessful .

sometimes he saw her at a distance along the shore but she always disappeared as soon as seen .

he soon became convinced that she avoided him purposely and the conviction piqued him .

he felt an odd masterful desire to meet her face to face and make her look at him .

sometimes he called himself a fool and vowed he would go no more to the Four Winds shore .

yet he inevitably went .

he did not find in the shore the comfort and inspiration he had formerly found .

finally one day he met her , coming up a path which led to a spring down in a firry hollow .

she was carrying two heavy pails of water and Alan asked permission to help her .

Alan took the pails and followed her , the path not being wide enough for two .

she strode on before him at a rapid , vigorous pace until they came out into the yard by the house .

Alan felt his heart beating foolishly .

would he see Lynde Oliver ?

would

" you may carry the water there , " the old woman said , pointing to a little outhouse near the pines .

" I 'm washing the spring water is softer than the well water .

Lynde always brings it for me when she 's home . "

she stood before him in the narrow doorway , blocking his exit , and looked at him with keen , deep-set dark eyes .

it did not occur to him to wonder why it should please him .

he preferred her unsmiling dourness to vulgar garrulity .

" are you the young minister up at Rexton ? " she asked bluntly .

" yes . "

" I thought so .

Lynde said she had seen you on the shore once .

well " she cast an uncertain glance over her shoulder at the house " I 'm much obliged to you . "

" wait a moment . "

she faced him again , and if Alan had been a vain man he might have thought that admiration looked from her piercing eyes .

" what do you think of us ?

I suppose they 've told you tales of us up there ? " with a scornful gesture of her hand in the direction of Rexton .

" do you believe them ? "

of course you are gossipped about you know that . "

" yes , I know it " grimly " and I don't care what they say about the Captain and me .

we are a queer pair just as queer as they make us out .

you can believe what you like about us , but don't you believe a word they say against Lynde .

she 's sweet and good and beautiful .

it 's not her fault that she never went to church it 's her father 's .

don't you hold that against her . "

the fierce yet repressed energy of her tone prevented Alan from feeling any amusement over her simple defence of Lynde .

moreover , it sounded unreasonably sweet in his ears .

" I won't , " he promised , " but I don't suppose it would matter much to Miss Oliver if I did .

she did not strike me as a young lady who would worry very much about other people 's opinions . "

but when he had gone she peered stealthily after him from the door until he was lost to sight among the pines .

" a well-looking man , " she muttered .

" I wish Lynde had been home .

I didn't dare ask him to the house for I knew Anthony was in one of his moods .

but it 's time something was done .

she 's woman grown and this is no life for her .

and there 's nobody to do anything but me and I 'm not able , even if I knew what to do .

I wonder why she hates men so .

perhaps it 's because she never knew any that were real gentlemen .

this man is but then he 's a minister and that makes a wide gulf between them in another way .

I 've seen the love of man and woman bridge some wider gulfs though .

but it can't with Lynde , I 'm fearing .

she 's so bitter at the mere speaking of love and marriage .

I can't think why .

I 'm sure her mother and Anthony were happy together , and that was all she 's ever seen of marriage .

but she 'll never make friends with him and I can't .

if the Captain wasn't so queer "

she stopped abruptly , for a tall lithe figure was coming up from the shore .

Lynde waved her hand as she drew near .

" oh , Emily , I 've had such a splendid sail .

it was glorious .

Bad Emily , you 've been carrying water .

didn't I tell you never to do that when I was away ? "

" I didn't have to do it .

that young minister up at Rexton met me and brought it up .

he 's nice , Lynde . "

Lynde 's brow darkened .

she turned and walked away to the house without a word .

on his way home that night Alan met Isabel King on the main shore road .

she carried an armful of pine boughs and said she wanted the needles for a cushion .

for a week he avoided the shore , but there came a day when its inexplicable lure drew him to it again irresistibly .

it was a warm , windy evening and the air was sweet and resinous , the lake misty and blue .

there was no sign of life about Four Winds and the shore seemed as lonely and virgin as if human foot had never trodden it .

Alan looked for Lynde to follow , but she did not , and he speedily saw that there was something unusual about the dog 's behaviour .

Alan followed him across the peninsula and then along the further shore , which rapidly grew steep and high .

half a mile down the cliffs were rocky and precipitous , while the beach beneath them was heaped with huge boulders .

Alan followed the dog along one of the narrow paths with which the barrens abounded until nearly a mile from Four Winds .

then the animal halted , ran to the edge of the cliff and barked .

he could not repress an exclamation of dismay and alarm .

Lynde lay movelessly ; her face was white , and both fear and appeal were visible in her large dilated eyes .

yet she was quite calm and a faint smile crossed her pale lips as she saw the man and the dog .

" good faithful Pat , so you did bring help , " she said .

" but how can I help you , Miss Oliver ? " said Alan hoarsely .

" I cannot reach you and it looks as if the slightest touch or jar would send that broken earth over the brink . "

" I fear it would .

you must go back to Four Winds and get a rope . "

" and leave you here alone in such danger ? "

" Pat will stay with me .

besides , there is nothing else to do .

you will find a rope in that little house where you put the water for Emily .

father and Emily are away .

I think I am quite safe here if I don't move at all . "

" I 'll be back as quickly as possible , " he said hurriedly .

Alan had been a noted runner at college and his muscles had not forgotten their old training .

yet it seemed to him an age ere he reached Four Winds , secured the rope , and returned .

" yes , " she answered fearlessly .

the next moment the full weight of her body swung from it , for at her first movement the soil beneath her slipped away .

Alan 's heart sickened ; what if she went with it ?

could she cling to the rope while he drew her up ?

then he saw she was still safe on the sloping shelf .

carefully and painfully she drew herself to her knees and , dinging to the rope , crept up the rock hand over hand .

when she came within his reach he grasped her arms and lifted her up into safety beside him .

" thank God , " he said , with whiter lips than her own .

finally she looked up into Alan 's anxious face and their eyes met .

it was something more than the physical reaction that suddenly flushed the girl 's cheeks .

she sprang lithely to her feet .

" can you walk back home ? "

Alan asked .

" oh , yes , I am all right now .

it was very foolish of me to get into such a predicament .

father and Emily went down the lake in the yacht this afternoon and I started out for a ramble .

when I came here I saw some junebells growing right out on the ledge and I crept out to gather them .

I should have known better .

it broke away under me and the more I tried to scramble back the faster it slid down , carrying me with it .

I thought it would go right over the brink " she gave a little involuntary shudder " but just at the very edge it stopped .

I knew I must lie very still or it would go right over .

it seemed like days .

" I never was afraid in my life before at least not with that kind of fear . "

" you have had a terrible experience and a narrow escape , " said Alan lamely .

he could think of nothing more to say ; his usual readiness of utterance seemed to have failed him .

" you saved my life , " she said , " you and Pat for doggie must have his share of credit . "

" a much larger share than mine , " said Alan , smiling .

" if Pat had not come for me , I would not have known of your danger .

what a magnificent fellow he is ! "

" isn't he ? " she agreed proudly .

" and so is Laddie , my other dog .

he went with Father today .

I love my dogs more than people . "

she looked at him with a little defiance in her eyes .

" I suppose you think that terrible . "

" I think many dogs are much more lovable and worthy of love than many people , " said Alan , laughing .

how childlike she was in some ways !

that trace of defiance it was so like a child who expected to be scolded for some wrong attitude of mind .

and yet there were moments when she looked the tall proud queen .

sometimes , when the path grew narrow , she walked before him , her hand on the dog 's head .

once she looked around and caught his glance ; again she flushed , and something strange and exultant stirred in Alan 's heart .

the cold indifference he had seen in her face at their first meeting was gone , and something told him it was gone forever .

the Captain 's appearance was a fresh surprise to Alan .

he had expected to meet a rough , burly sailor , loud of voice and forbidding of manner .

instead , Captain Anthony was a tall , well-built man of perhaps fifty .

he had no time to analyze this impression , for Lynde said hurriedly , " father , this is Mr Douglas .

he has just done me a great service . "

" I am much obliged to you , Mr Douglas , " he said cordially .

" you must come up to the house and let me thank you at leisure .

as a rule I 'm not very partial to the cloth , as you may have heard .

in this case it is the man , not the minister , I invite . "

the front door of Four Winds opened directly into a wide , low-ceilinged living room , furnished with simplicity and good taste .

at least , this was what he honestly thought .

He did not suspect that it was because this man was Lynde's father that he wished to think as well as possible of him .

presently Lynde came in .

Emily came in and lighted the lamp on the table .

she was as grim and unsmiling as ever , yet she cast a look of satisfaction on Alan as she passed out .

one dog lay down at Lynde 's feet , the other sat on his haunches by her side and laid his head on her lap .

when he went away the Captain invited him back .

I don't want you by and by to be slyly slipping in the thin end of any professional wedges .

you 'll waste your time if you do .

come as man to man and you 'll be welcome , for I like you and it 's few men I like .

but don't try to talk religion to me . "

" I never talk religion , " said Alan emphatically .

" I try to live it .

if I respect your beliefs , whatever they may be , I shall expect you to respect mine , Captain Oliver . "

" oh , I won't insult your God , " said the Captain with a faint sneer .

Alan went home in a tumult of contending feelings .

he did not altogether like Captain Anthony that was very clear to him , and yet there was something about the man that attracted him .

intellectually he was a worthy foeman , and Alan had often longed for such since coming to Rexton .

and Lynde how beautiful she was !

what though she shared as was not unlikely in her father 's lack of belief ?

she could not be essentially irreligious that were impossible in a true woman .

might not this be his opportunity to help her to lead her into dearer light ?

she must have a lonely , unsatisfying life , he thought .

it is my duty to help her if I can .

it furnished an excuse for an earlier call .

after that he went often .

he always found the Captain courteous and affable , old Emily grimly cordial , Lynde sometimes remote and demure , sometimes frankly friendly .

she liked history and travels best .

with novels she had no patience , she said disdainfully .

she seldom spoke of herself or her past life and Alan fancied she avoided any personal reference .

but once she said abruptly , " why do you never ask me to go to church ?

I 've always been afraid you would . "

" because I do not think it would do you any good to go if you didn't want to , " said Alan gravely .

" souls should not be rudely handled any more than bodies . "

she looked at him reflectively , her finger denting her chin in a meditative fashion she had .

" you are not at all like Mr Strong .

he always scolded me , when he got a chance , for not going to church .

I would have hated him if it had been worthwhile .

I told him one day that I was nearer to God under these pines than I could be in any building fashioned by human hands .

he was very much shocked .

but I don't want you to misunderstand me .

father does not go to church because he does not believe there is a God .

but I know there is .

mother taught me so .

oh , I know they do you know it , too but I do not care for them .

I know I 'm not like other girls .

I would like to be but I can't be I never can be now . "

" is not some other life possible for you if your present life does not content you ? " he said gently .

" but it does content me , " said Lynde imperiously .

" I want no other I wish this life to go on forever forever , do you understand ?

if I were sure that it would if I were sure that no change would ever come to me , I would be perfectly content .

it is the fear that a change will come that makes me wretched .

oh ! "

she shuddered and put her hands over her eyes .

Alan thought she must mean that when her father died she would be alone in the world .

he wanted to comfort her reassure her but he did not know how .

" what do you want here ? " he said , following up the demand with a string of vile oaths .

before Alan could summon his scattered wits , Lynde glided in with a white , appealing face .

Wordlessly she grasped Alan 's arm , drew him out , and shut the door .

" oh , I 've been watching for you , " she said breathlessly .

" I was afraid you might come tonight but I missed you . "

" but your father ? " said Alan in amazement .

" how have I angered him ? "

" hush .

come into the garden .

I will explain there . "

he followed her into the little enclosure where the red and white roses were now in full blow .

" father isn't angry with you , " said Lynde in a low shamed voice .

" it 's just he takes strange moods sometimes .

then he seems to hate us all even me and he is like that for days .

he seems to suspect and dread everybody as if they were plotting against him .

you perhaps you think he has been drinking ?

no , that is not the trouble .

these terrible moods come on without any cause that we know of .

Even Mother could not do anything with him when he was like that .

you must go away now and do not come back until his dark mood has passed .

he will be just as glad to see you as ever then , and this will not make any difference with him .

don't come back for a week at least . "

" I do not like to leave you in such trouble , Miss Oliver . "

" oh , it doesn't matter about me I have Emily .

and there is nothing you could do .

please go at once .

father knows I am talking to you and that will vex him still more . "

Alan , realizing that he could not help her and that his presence only made matters worse , went away perplexedly .

the following week was a miserable one for him .

his duties were distasteful to him and meeting his people a positive torture .

sometimes Mrs Danby looked dubiously at him and seemed on the point of saying something but never said it .

Isabel King watched him when they met , with bold probing eyes .

once Alan would have been keenly and instantly conscious of this slight chill ; now he was not even aware of it .

when he ventured to go back to Four Winds he found the Captain on the point of starting off for a cruise in his yacht .

he was urbane and friendly , utterly ignoring the incident of Alan 's last visit and regretting that business compelled him to go down the lake .

Alan saw him off with small regret and turned joyfully to Lynde , who was walking under the pines with her dogs .

she looked pale and tired and her eyes were still troubled , but she smiled proudly and made no reference to what had happened .

" I'm going to put these flowers on Mother 's grave , " she said , lifting her slender hands filled with late white roses .

" mother loved flowers and I always keep them near her when I can .

you may come with me if you like . "

Alan had known Lynde 's mother was buried under the pines but he had never visited the spot before .

" mother wished to be buried here , " Lynde said , kneeling to arrange her flowers .

" father would have taken her anywhere but she said she wanted to be near us and near the lake she had loved so well .

father buried her himself .

he wouldn't have anyone else do anything for her .

I am so glad she is here .

it would have been terrible to have seen her taken far away my sweet little mother . "

" a mother is the best thing in the world I realized that when I lost mine , " said Alan gently .

" how long is it since your mother died ? "

" three years .

oh , I thought I should die too when she did .

she was very ill she was never strong , you know but I never thought she could die .

there was a year then part of the time I didn't believe in God at all and the rest I hated Him .

I was very wicked but I was so unhappy .

father had so many dreadful moods and there was something else .

I used to wish to die . "

she bowed her head on her hands and gazed moodily on the ground .

Alan , leaning against a pine tree , looked down at her .

all the defiance and wildness had gone from her for the time and she seemed like a helpless , weary child .

he wanted to take her in his arms and comfort her .

" you must resemble your mother , " he said absently , as if thinking aloud .

" you don't look at all like your father . "

Lynde shook her head .

" no , I don't look like Mother either .

she was tiny and dark she had a sweet little face and velvet-brown eyes and soft curly dark hair .

oh , I remember her look so well .

I wish I did resemble her .

I loved her so I would have done anything to save her suffering and trouble .

at least , she died in peace . "

there was a curious note of fierce self-gratulation in the girl 's voice as she spoke the last sentence .

it must be something connected with her father , Alan thought .

doubtless , Captain Anthony 's past would not bear inspection , and his daughter knew it and dwelt in the shadow of her knowledge .

his heart filled with aching pity for her ; he raged secretly because he was so powerless to help her .

her girlhood had been blighted , robbed of its meed of happiness and joy .

was she likewise to miss her womanhood ?

Alan 's hands clenched involuntarily at the unuttered question .

on his way home that evening he again met Isabel King .

she turned and walked back with him but she made no reference to Four Winds or its inhabitants .

if Alan had troubled himself to look , he would have seen a malicious glow in her baleful brown eyes .

but the only eyes which had any meaning for him just then were the grey ones of Lynde Oliver .

during Alan 's next three visits to Four Winds he saw nothing of Lynde , either in the house or out of it .

this surprised and worried him .

there was no apparent difference in Captain Anthony , who continued to be suave and friendly .

if he had been compelled to define his impression , he would have said the Captain was a charming scoundrel .

but it occurred to him that Emily was disturbed about something .

sometimes he caught her glance , full of perplexity and it almost seemed distrust .

she looked as if she felt hostile towards him .

but Alan dismissed the idea as absurd .

she had been friendly from the first and he had done nothing to excite her disapproval .

Lynde 's mysterious absence was a far more perplexing problem .

she had not gone away , for when Alan asked the Captain concerning her , he responded indifferently that she was out walking .

Alan caught a glint of amusement in the older man 's eyes as he spoke .

he could have sworn it was malicious amusement .

one evening he went to Four Winds around the shore .

as he turned the headland of the cove , he saw Lynde and her dogs not a hundred feet away .

the moment she saw him she darted up the bank and disappeared among the firs .

Alan was thunderstruck .

there was no room for doubt that she meant to avoid him .

he walked up to the house in a tumult of mingled feelings which he did not even then understand .

he only realized that he felt bitterly hurt and grieved puzzled as well .

what did it all mean ?

he met Emily in the yard of Four Winds on her way to the spring and stopped her resolutely .

" miss Oliver , " he said bluntly , " is Miss Lynde angry with me ?

and why ? "

Emily looked at him piercingly .

" have you no idea why ? " she asked shortly .

" none in the world . "

she looked at him through and through a moment longer .

then , seeming satisfied with her scrutiny , she picked up her pail .

" come down to the spring with me , " she said .

as soon as they were out of sight of the house , Emily began abruptly .

" if you don't know why Lynde is acting so , I can't tell you , for I don't know either .

I don't even know if she is angry .

I only thought perhaps she was that you had done or said something to vex her plaguing her to go to church maybe .

but if you didn't , it may not be anger at all .

I don't understand that girl .

she 's been different ever since her mother died .

she used to tell me everything before that .

you must go and ask her right out yourself what is wrong .

but maybe I can tell you something .

did you write her a letter a fortnight ago ? "

" a letter ?

no . "

" well , she got one then .

I thought it came from you I didn't know who else would be writing to her .

a boy brought it and gave it to her at the door .

she 's been acting strange ever since .

she cries at night something Lynde never did before except when her mother died .

and in daytime she roams the shore and woods like one possessed .

you must find out what was in that letter , Mr Douglas . "

" have you any idea who the boy was ? "

Alan asked , feeling somewhat relieved .

the mystery was clearing up , he thought .

no doubt it was the old story of some cowardly anonymous letter .

his thoughts flew involuntarily to Isabel King .

Emily shook her head .

" no .

he was just a half-grown fellow with reddish hair and he limped a little . "

" oh , that is the postmaster 's son , " said Alan disappointedly .

" that puts us further off the scent than ever .

the letter was probably dropped in the box at the office and there will consequently be no way of tracing the writer . "

" well , I can't tell you anything more , " said Emily .

" you 'll have to ask Lynde for the truth . "

this Alan was determined to do whenever he should meet her .

he did not go to the house with Emily but wandered about the shore , watching for Lynde and not seeing her .

at length he went home , a prey to stormy emotions .

he realized at last that he loved Lynde Oliver .

he wondered how he could have been so long blind to it .

he knew that he must have loved her ever since he had first seen her .

the discovery amazed but did not shock him .

there was no reason why he should not love her should not woo and win her for his wife if she cared for him .

she was good and sweet and true .

anything of doubt in her antecedents could not touch her .

as for the trouble of the letter , he felt sure he would easily be able to clear it away .

probably some malicious busybody had become aware of his frequent calls at Four Winds and chose to interfere in his private affairs thus .

for the first time it occurred to him that there had been a certain lack of cordiality among his people of late .

if it were really so , doubtless this was the reason .

at any other time this would have been of moment to him .

but now his thoughts were too wholly taken up with Lynde and the estrangement on her part to attach much importance to anything else .

what she thought mattered incalculably more to Alan than what all the people in Rexton put together thought .

after a sleepless night he went back to Four Winds in the morning .

Lynde would not expect him at that time and he would have more chance of finding her .

the result justified his idea , for he met her by the spring .

Alan felt shocked at the change in her appearance .

she looked as if years of suffering had passed over her .

her lips were pallid , and hollow circles under her eyes made them appear unnaturally large .

a burning flood of colour swept over her face as they met , then receded as quickly , leaving her whiter than before .

without any waste of words , Alan plunged abruptly into the subject .

" miss Oliver , why have you avoided me so of late ?

have I done anything to offend you ? "

" no . "

she spoke as if the word hurt her , her eyes persistently cast down .

" then what is the trouble ? "

there was no answer .

she gave an unvoluntary glance around as if seeking some way of escape .

there was none , for the spring was set about with thick young firs and Alan blocked the only path .

he leaned forward and took her hands in his .

" miss Oliver , you must tell me what the trouble is , " he said firmly .

she pulled her hands away and flung them up to her face , her form shaken by stormy sobs .

in distress he put his arm about her and drew her closer .

" tell me , Lynde , " he whispered tenderly .

she broke away from him , saying passionately , " you must not come to Four Winds any more .

you must not have anything more to do with us any of us .

we have done you enough harm already .

but I never thought it could hurt you oh , I am sorry , sorry ! "

" miss Oliver , I want to see that letter you received the other evening .

oh " as she started with surprise " I know about it Emily told me .

who wrote it ? "

" there was no name signed to it , " she faltered .

" just as I thought .

well , you must let me see it . "

" I cannot I burned it . "

" then tell me what was in it .

you must .

this matter must be cleared up I am not going to have our beautiful friendship spoiled by the malice of some coward .

what did that letter say ? "

" that would be a catastrophe indeed , " said Alan drily .

" well , what else ? "

" nothing more at least , nothing about you .

the rest was about myself I did not mind it much .

but I was so sorry to think that I had done you harm .

it is not too late to undo it .

you must not come here any more .

then they will forget . "

" perhaps but I should not forget .

it 's a little too late for me .

Lynde , you must not let this venomous letter come between us .

I love you , dear I 've loved you ever since I met you and I want you for my wife . "

Alan had not intended to say that just then , but the words came to his lips in spite of himself .

she looked so sad and appealing and weary that he wanted to have the right to comfort and protect her .

she turned her eyes full upon him with no hint of maidenly shyness or shrinking in them .

instead , they were full of a blank , incredulous horror that swallowed up every other feeling .

there was no mistaking their expression and it struck an icy chill to Alan 's heart .

she put up her hand as if warding a blow .

" don't don't , " she gasped .

" you must not say that you must never say it .

oh , I never dreamed of this .

if I had thought it possible you could love me , I would never have been friends with you .

oh , I 've made a terrible mistake . "

she wrung her hands piteously together , looking like a soul in torment .

Alan could not bear to see her pain .

" don't feel such distress , " he implored .

" I suppose I 've spoken too abruptly but I 'll be so patient , dear , if you 'll only try to care for me a little .

can't you , dear ? "

" I can't marry you , " said Lynde desperately .

she leaned against a slim white bole of a young birch behind her and looked at him wretchedly .

" won't you please go away and forget me ? "

" I can't forget you , " Alan said , smiling a little in spite of his suffering .

" you are the only woman I can ever love and I can't give you up unless I have to .

won't you be frank with me , dear ?

do you honestly think you can never learn to love me ? "

" it is not that , " said Lynde in a hard , unnatural voice .

" I am married already . "

Alan stared at her , not in the least comprehending the meaning of her words .

he could not have heard aright .

" married ? " he said dully .

" Lynde , you cannot mean it ? "

" yes , I do .

I was married three years ago . "

" why was I not told this ? "

Alan 's voice was stern , although he did not mean it to be so , and she shrank and shivered .

then she began in a low monotonous tone from which all feeling of any sort seemed to have utterly faded .

a man a young sea captain came here to see Father .

his name was Frank Harmon and he had known Father well in the past .

they had sailed together .

father seemed to be afraid of him I had never seen him afraid of anybody before .

one day Father came to me and told me I must marry Captain Harmon .

I laughed at the idea at first but when I looked at Father 's face I did not laugh .

it was all white and drawn .

he implored me to marry Captain Harmon .

I don't know what it was but it must have been something dreadful .

and he said it would kill Mother .

I knew it would , and that was what drove me to consent at last .

oh , I can't tell you what I suffered .

I was only seventeen and there was nobody to advise me .

one day Father and Captain Harmon and I went down the lake to Crosse Harbour and we were married there .

as soon as the ceremony was over , Captain Harmon had to sail in his vessel .

he was going to China .

father and I came back home .

nobody knew not even Emily .

he said we must not tell Mother until she was better .

but she was never better .

she only lived three months more she lived them happily and at rest .

when I think of that , I am not sorry for what I did .

captain Harmon said he would be back in the fall to claim me .

I waited , sick at heart .

but he did not come he has never come .

we have never heard a word of or about him since .

sometimes I feel sure he cannot be still living .

but never a day dawns that I don't say to myself , ' Perhaps he will come today ' and , oh "

she broke down again , sobbing bitterly .

he tried to speak calmly , wisely , as a disinterested friend .

" could it not be discovered whether your this man is or is not living ?

surely your father could find out . "

Lynde shook her head .

" no , he says he has no way of doing so .

father would be glad to think that Frank Harmon was dead , but he does not think he is .

he says he was always a fickle-minded fellow , one fancy driving another out of his mind .

oh , I can bear my own misery but to think what I have brought on you !

I never dreamed that you could care for me .

I was so lonely and your friendship was so pleasant can you ever forgive me ? "

" there is nothing to forgive , as far as you are concerned , Lynde , " said Alan steadily .

" you have done me no wrong .

I have loved you sincerely and such love can be nothing but a blessing to me .

I only wish that I could help you .

it wrings my heart to think of your position .

but I can do nothing nothing .

I must not even come here any more .

you understand that ? "

" yes . "

there was an unconscious revelation in the girl 's mournful eyes as she turned them on Alan .

it thrilled him to the core of his being .

she loved him .

if it were not for that empty marriage form , he could win her , but the knowledge was only an added mocking torment .

Alan had not known a man could endure such misery and live .

a score of wild questions rushed to his lips but he crushed them back for Lynde 's sake and held out his hand .

" good-bye , dear , " he said almost steadily , daring to say no more lest he should say too much .

" good-bye , " Lynde answered faintly .

when he had gone she flung herself down on the moss by the spring and lay there in an utter abandonment of misery and desolation .

pain and indignation struggled for mastery in Alan 's stormy soul as he walked homeward .

so this was Captain Anthony 's doings !

he had sacrificed his daughter to some crime of his dubious past .

Alan never dreamed of blaming Lynde for having kept her marriage a secret ; he put the blame where it belonged on the Captain 's shoulders .

Captain Anthony had never warned him by so much as a hint that Lynde was not free to be won .

it had all probably seemed a good joke to him .

Alan thought the furtive amusement he had so often detected in the Captain 's eyes was explained now .

he found Elder Trewin in his study when he got home .

Alan listened absently , with none of the resentment he would have felt at the interference a day previously .

a man does not mind a pin-prick when a limb is being wrenched away .

" I can promise you that my objectionable calls at Four Winds will cease , " he said sarcastically , when the Elder had finished .

Elder Trewin got himself away , feeling snubbed but relieved .

" took it purty quiet , " he reflected .

" don't believe there was much in the yarns after all .

Isabel King started them and probably she exaggerated a lot .

I suppose he 's had some notion like as not of bringing the Captain over to the church .

but that 's foolish , for he 'd never manage it , and meanwhile was giving occasion for gossip .

it 's just as well to stop it .

he 's a good pastor and he works hard too hard , mebbe .

he looked real careworn and worried today . "

the Rexton gossip soon ceased with the cessation of the young minister 's visits to Four Winds .

Alan flinched .

" you must ask Lynde that , Miss Oliver , " he said quietly .

" I have asked her and she says nothing . "

" then I cannot tell you . "

anger glowed in Emily 's eyes .

" I thought you were a gentleman , " she said bitterly .

" you are not .

you are breaking Lynde 's heart .

she 's gone to a shadow of herself and she 's fretting night and day .

you went there and made her like you oh , I 've eyes and then you left her . "

Alan bent over his desk and looked the old woman in the face unflinchingly .

" you are mistaken , Miss Oliver , " he said earnestly .

" I love Lynde and would be only too happy if it were possible that I could marry her .

I am not to blame for what has come about she will tell you that herself if you ask her . "

his look and tone convinced Emily .

" who is to blame then ?

Lynde herself ? "

" no , no . "

" the Captain then ? "

" not in the sense you mean .

I can tell you nothing more . "

a baffled expression crossed the old woman 's face .

" there 's a mystery here there always has been and I 'm shut out of it .

Lynde won't confide in me in me who 'd give my life 's blood to help her .

perhaps I can help her I could tell you something .

have you stopped coming to Four Winds has she made you stop coming because she 's got such a wicked old scamp for a father ?

is that the reason ? "

Alan shook his head .

" no , that has nothing to do with it . "

" and you won't come back ? "

" it is not a question of will .

I cannot must not go . "

" Lynde will break her heart then , " said Emily in a tone of despair .

" I think not .

she is too strong and fine for that .

help her all you can with sympathy but don't torment her with any questions .

be very gentle with her . "

" you don't need to tell me that .

I 'd rather die than hurt her .

I came here full of anger against you but I see now you are not to blame .

you are suffering too your face tells that .

all the same , I wish you 'd never set foot in Four Winds .

she wasn't happy before but she wasn't so miserable as she is now .

but are you sure that nothing can be done to clear up the trouble ? "

" too sure , " said Alan 's white lips .

the autumn dragged away .

Alan found out how much a man may suffer and yet go on living and working .

a vacation which would take him away from Lynde 's neighbourhood the thought was not to be entertained .

when he pictured her eating her heart out in the solitude of Four Winds , he clenched his hands in despair .

as for the possibility of Harmon 's return , Alan could never face it for a moment .

when it thrust its ugly presence into his thoughts , he put it away desperately .

the man was dead or his fickle fancy had veered elsewhere .

nothing else could explain his absence .

but they could never know , and the uncertainty would forever stand between him and Lynde like a spectre .

but he thought more of Lynde 's pain than his own .

that dread had always hung over her and now it must be intensified to agony by her love for another man .

and he could do nothing nothing .

he groaned aloud in his helplessness .

one evening in late November Alan flung aside his pen and yielded to the impulse that urged him to the lake shore .

he did not mean to seek Lynde he would go to a part of the shore where there would be no likelihood of meeting her .

but get away by himself he must .

a November storm was raging and there would be a certain satisfaction in breasting its buffets and fighting his way through it .

besides , he knew that Isabel King was in the house and he dreaded meeting her .

perhaps Isabel felt it beneath all his outward courtesy .

at least she did not seek his society as she had formerly done .

it was the second day of the storm ; a wild northeast gale was blowing and cold rain and freezing sleet fell in frequent showers .

Alan shivered as he came out into its full fury on the lake shore .

at first he could not see the water through the driving mist .

then it cleared away for a moment and he stopped short , aghast at the sight which met his eyes .

Opposite him was a long low island known as Philip 's Point , dwindling down at its northeastern side to two long narrow bars of quicksand .

so much he saw before the Point was blotted out in a renewed downpour of sleet .

without a moment 's hesitation Alan turned and ran for Four Winds , which was only about a quarter of a mile away around a headland .

with the Captain 's assistance , something might be done .

other help could not be obtained before darkness would fall and then it would be impossible to do anything .

he dashed up the steps of Four Winds and met Emily , who had flung the door open .

behind her was Lynde 's pale face with its alarmed questioning eyes .

" where is the Captain ? " gasped Alan .

" there 's a vessel on Philip 's Point and one man at least on her . "

" the Captain 's away on a cruise , " said Emily blankly .

" he went three days ago . "

" then nothing can be done , " said Alan despairingly .

" it will be dark long before I can get to the village . "

Lynde stepped out , tying a shawl around her head .

" let us go around to the Point , " she said .

" have you matches ?

no ?

Emily , get some .

we must light a bonfire at least .

and bring Father 's glass . "

" it is not a fit night for you to be out , " said Alan anxiously .

" you are sheltered here you don't feel it but it 's a fearful storm down there . "

" I am not afraid of the storm .

it will not hurt me .

let us hurry .

it is growing dark already . "

in silence they breasted their way to the shore and around the headland .

arriving opposite Philip 's Point , a lull in the sleet permitted them to see the sunken schooner and the clinging figure .

Lynde waved her hand to him and they saw him wave back .

" it won't be necessary to light a fire now that he has seen us , " said Lynde .

" nothing can be done with village help till morning and that man can never cling there so long .

he will freeze to death , for it is growing colder every minute .

his only chance is to swim ashore if he can swim .

" he knows that , doubtless , and that is why he hasn't attempted to swim ashore before this , " said Alan .

" but I 'll meet him in the backwater and drag him in . "

" you you 'll risk your own life , " cried Lynde .

" there is a little risk certainly , but I don't think there is a great one .

anyhow , the attempt must be made , " said Alan quietly .

suddenly Lynde 's composure forsook her .

she wrung her hands .

" I can't let you do it , " she cried wildly .

" you might be drowned there's every risk .

you don't know the force of that backwater .

Alan , Alan , don't think of it . "

she caught his arm in her white wet hands and looked into his face with passionate pleading .

Emily , who had said nothing , now spoke harshly .

" Lynde is right , Mr Douglas .

you have no right to risk your life for a stranger .

my advice is to go to the village for help , and Lynde and I will make a fire and watch here .

that is all that can be expected of you or us . "

Alan paid no heed to Emily .

very tenderly he loosened Lynde 's hold on his arm and looked into her quivering face .

" you know it is my duty , Lynde , " he said gently .

" if anything can be done for that poor man , I am the only one who can do it .

I will come back safe , please God .

be brave , dear . "

Lynde , with a little moan of resignation , turned away .

the shower of sleet had again slackened , and the wreck half a mile away , with its solitary figure , was dearly visible .

for a few moments it seemed as if the seaman did not understand or lacked the courage or power to obey .

the next minute he had dropped from the rigging on the crest of a mighty wave and was being borne onward to the shore .

speedily the backwater was reached and the man , sucked down by the swirl of the wave , threw up his arms and disappeared .

Alan dashed in , groping , swimming ; it seemed an eternity before his hand clutched the drowning man and wrenched him from the undertow .

and , with the seaman in his arms , he staggered back through the foam and dropped his burden on the sand at Lynde 's feet .

Alan was reeling from exhaustion and chilled to the marrow , but he thought only of the man he had rescued .

the latter was unconscious and , as Alan bent over him , he heard Lynde give a choking little cry .

" he is living still , " said Alan .

" we must get him up to the house as soon as possible .

how shall we manage it ? "

" Lynde and I can go and bring the Captain 's mattress down , " said Emily .

now that Alan was safe she was eager to do all she could .

" then you and I can carry him up to the house . "

" that will be best , " said Alan .

" go quickly . "

he did not look at Lynde or he would have been shocked by the agony on her face .

she cast one glance at the prostrate man and followed Emily .

in a short time they returned with the mattress , and Alan and Emily carried the sailor on it to Four Winds .

Lynde walked behind them , seemingly unconscious of both .

she watched the stranger 's face as one fascinated .

" is he conscious ? " asked Lynde , as if she forced herself to ask the question .

" yes , he has come back to life .

but he is delirious and doesn't realize his surroundings at all .

he thinks he is still on board the vessel .

he 'll probably come round all right .

Emily is going to watch him and I 'll go up to Rexton and send Dr Ames down . "

" do you know who that man you have saved is ? " asked Lynde .

" no .

I asked him his name but could not get any sensible answer . "

" I can tell you who he is he is Frank Harmon . "

Alan stared at her .

" Frank Harmon .

your your the man you married ?

impossible ! "

" it is he .

do you think I could be mistaken ? "

Dr Ames came to Four Winds that night and again the next day .

he found Harmon delirious in a high fever .

" it will be several days before he comes to his senses , " he said .

" shall I send you help to nurse him ? "

" it isn't necessary , " said Emily stiffly .

" I can look after him and the Captain ought to be back tomorrow . "

" you 've no idea who he is , I suppose ? " asked the doctor .

" no . "

Emily was quite sincere .

Lynde had not told her , and Emily did not recognize him .

" well , Mr Douglas did a brave thing in rescuing him , " said Dr Ames .

" I 'll be back tomorrow . "

Harmon remained delirious for a week .

Alan went every day to Four Winds , his interest in a man he had rescued explaining his visits to the Rexton people .

the Captain had returned and , though not absolutely uncivil , was taciturn and moody .

Alan reflected grimly that Captain Anthony probably owed him a grudge for saving Harmon 's life .

he never saw Lynde alone , but her strained , tortured face made his heart ache .

old Emily only seemed her natural self .

she waited on Harmon and Dr Ames considered her a paragon of a nurse .

Alan thought it was well that Emily knew nothing more of Harmon than that he was an old friend of Captain Anthony 's .

one afternoon when Alan went to Four Winds Emily met him at the door .

" he 's better , " she announced .

" he had a good sleep this afternoon and when he woke he was quite himself .

you 'd better go up and see him .

I told him all I could but he wants to see you .

Anthony and Lynde are away to Crosse Harbour .

go up and talk to him . "

Harmon turned his head as the minister approached and held out his hand with a smile .

" you 're the preacher , I reckon .

they tell me you were the man who pulled me out of that hurly-burly .

I wasn't hardly worth saving but I 'm as grateful to you as if I was . "

" I only did what any man would have done , " said Alan , taking the offered hand .

" I don't know about that .

anyhow , it's not every man could have done it .

I 'd been hanging in that rigging all day and most of the night before .

there were five more of us but they dropped off .

I knew it was no use to try to swim ashore alone the backwater would be too much for me .

I must have been a lot of trouble .

that old woman says I 've been raving for a week .

and , by the way I feel , I fancy I 'll be stretched out here another week before I 'll be able to use my pins .

who are these Olivers anyhow ?

the old woman wouldn't talk about the family . "

" don't you know them ? " asked Alan in astonishment .

" isn't your name Harmon ? "

" that 's right Harmon Alfred Harmon , first mate of the schooner , Annie M . "

" Alfred !

I thought your name was Frank ! "

" Frank was my twin brother .

we were so much alike our own mammy couldn't tell us apart .

did you know Frank ? "

" no .

this family did .

Miss Oliver thought you were Frank when she saw you . "

" I don't feel much like myself but I 'm not Frank anyway .

he 's dead , poor chap got shot in a spat with Chinese pirates three years ago . "

" dead !

Man , are you speaking the truth ?

are you certain ? "

" pop sure .

his mate told me the whole story .

say , preacher , what 's the matter ?

you look as if you were going to keel over . "

Alan hastily drank a glass of water .

" I I am all right now .

I haven't been feeling well of late . "

" guess you didn't do yourself any good going out into that freezing water and dragging me in . "

" miss Oliver , when will the Captain and Lynde be back ? "

" they said they would be home by four . "

she looked at Alan curiously .

" I will go and meet her , " he said quickly .

he came upon Lynde , sitting on a grey boulder under the shadow of an overhanging fir coppice , with her dogs beside her .

she turned her head indifferently as Alan 's footsteps sounded on the pebbles , and then stood slowly up .

" are you looking for me ? " she asked .

" I have some news for you , Lynde , " Alan said .

" has he has he come to himself ? " she whispered .

" yes , he has come to himself .

Lynde , he is not Frank Harmon he is his twin brother .

he says Frank Harmon was killed three years ago in the China seas . "

for a moment Lynde 's great grey eyes stared into Alan 's , questioning .

Alan walked down to the water 's edge to give her time to recover herself .

you are free free to love me to be my wife . "

Lynde shook her head .

" oh , that can't be .

I am not fit to be your wife . "

" don't talk nonsense , dear , " he smiled .

" it isn't nonsense .

you are a minister and it would ruin you to marry a girl like me .

think what the Rexton people would say of it . "

" Rexton isn't the world , dearest .

last week I had a letter from home asking me to go to a church there .

" that isn't possible .

no , Alan , listen I love you too well to do you the wrong of marrying you .

it would injure you .

there is Father .

I love him and he has always been very kind to me .

but but there 's something wrong you know it some crime in his past "

" the only man who knew that is dead . "

" we do not know that he was the only man .

I am the daughter of a criminal and I am no fit wife for Alan Douglas .

no , Alan , don't plead , please .

I won't think differently I never can . "

there was a ring of finality in her tone that struck dismay to Alan 's heart .

" I 've been listening , " he announced coolly , " and I think it high time I took a share in the conversation .

you seem to have run up against a snag , Mr Douglas .

you say Frank Harmon is dead .

that 's good riddance if it 's true .

is it true ? "

" his brother declares it is . "

" well , then , I 'll help you all I can .

I like you , Mr Douglas , and I happen to be fond of Lynde , too though you mayn't believe it .

I 'm fond of her for her mother 's sake and I 'd like to see her happy .

I didn't want to give her to Harmon that time three years ago but I couldn't help myself .

he had the upper hand , curse him .

it wasn't for my own sake , though it was for my wife 's .

however , that 's all over and done with and I 'll do the best I can to atone for it .

so you won't marry your minister because your father was not a good man , Lynde ?

but that 's the worst that could be said of him and it doesn't entail any indelible disgrace on his family , I suppose .

I am not your father , Lynde . "

" not my father ? "

Lynde echoed the words blankly .

" no .

your father was your mother 's first husband .

she never told you of him .

when I said he made her life a hell , I said the truth , no more , no less .

I had loved your mother ever since I was a boy , Lynde .

but she was far above me in station and I never dreamed it was possible to win her love .

she married James Ashley .

he was a gentleman , so called and he didn't kick or beat her .

oh no , he just tormented her refined womanhood to the verge of frenzy , that was all .

he died when you were a baby .

and a year later I found out your mother could love me , rough sailor and all as I was .

I married her and brought her here .

we had fifteen years of happiness together .

I 'm not a good man but I made your mother happy in spite of her wrecked health and her dark memories .

marry your man , Lynde , and go away with him .

Emily will go with you if you like .

I 'm going back to the sea .

I 've been hankering for it ever since your mother died .

I 'll go out of your life .

there , don't cry I hate to see a woman cry .

Mr Douglas , I 'll leave you to dry her tears and I 'll go up to the house and have a talk with Harmon . "

when Captain Anthony had disappeared behind the Point , Alan turned to Lynde .

she was sobbing softly and her face was wet with tears .

Alan drew her head down on his shoulder .

" sweetheart , the dark past is all put by .

our future begins with promise .

all is well with us , dear Lynde . "

like a child , she put her arms about his neck and their lips met .

Marcella 's Reward

Dr Clark shook his head gravely .

" she is not improving as fast as I should like to see , " he said .

" in fact er she seems to have gone backward the past week .

you must send her to the country , Miss Langley .

the heat here is too trying for her . "

Dr Clark might as well have said , " you must send her to the moon " or so Marcella thought bitterly .

despair filled her heart as she looked at Patty 's white face and transparent hands and listened to the doctor 's coolly professional advice .

Patty 's illness had already swept away the scant savings of three years .

Marcella had nothing left with which to do anything more for her .

she did not make any answer to the doctor she could not .

she dared not say it was impossible .

but Aunt Emma had no such scruples .

" goodness me , doctor , do you think you 're talking to millionaires ?

where do you suppose the money is to come from to send Patty to the country ?

I can't afford it , that is certain .

it 's all nonsense about Patty , anyhow .

what she ought to do is to make an effort to get better .

she doesn't she just mopes and pines .

she won't eat a thing I cook for her .

how can anyone expect to get better if she doesn't eat ? "

aunt Emma glared at the doctor as if she were triumphantly sure that she had propounded an unanswerable question .

a dull red flush rose to Marcella 's face .

" oh , Aunt Emma , I can't eat ! " said Patty wearily .

" it isn't because I won't indeed , I can't . "

" Humph !

I suppose my cooking isn't fancy enough for you that 's the trouble .

well , I haven't the time to put any frills on it .

I think I do pretty well to wait on you at all with all that work piling up before me .

but some people imagine that they were born to be waited on . "

aunt Emma whirled the last dish from the table and left the room , slamming the door behind her .

the doctor shrugged his shoulders .

he had become used to Miss Gibson 's tirades during Patty 's illness .

but Marcella had never got used to them never , in all the three years she had lived with her aunt .

they flicked on the raw as keenly as ever .

this morning it seemed unbearable .

it took every atom of Marcella 's self-control to keep her from voicing her resentful thoughts .

it was only for Patty 's sake that she was able to restrain herself .

instead , she smiled bravely into the little sister 's eyes .

" let me brush your hair now , dear , and bathe your face . "

" have you time ? " said Patty anxiously .

" yes , I think so . "

Patty gave a sigh of content .

" I 'm so glad !

aunt Emma always hurts me when she brushes my hair she is in such a hurry .

you 're so gentle , Marcella , you don't make my head ache at all .

but oh !

I 'm so tired of being sick .

I wish I could get well faster .

Marcy , do you think I can be sent to the country ? "

" I I don't know , dear .

I 'll see if I can think of any way to manage it , " said Marcella , striving to speak hopefully .

Patty drew a long breath .

I wish we could live in the country always .

I 'm sure I would soon get better if I could go if it was only for a little while .

it 's so hot here and the factory makes such a noise my head seems to go round and round all the time .

and Aunt Emma scolds so . "

" you mustn't mind Aunt Emma , dear , " said Marcella .

" you know she doesn't really mean it it is just a habit she has got into .

she was really very good to you when you were so sick .

she sat up night after night with you , and made me go to bed .

there now , dearie , you 're fresh and sweet , and I must hurry to the store , or I 'll be late .

try and have a little nap , and I 'll bring you home some oranges tonight . "

Marcella dropped a kiss on Patty 's cheek , put on her hat and went out .

as soon as she left the house , she quickened her steps almost to a run .

she feared she would be late , and that meant a ten-cent fine .

ten cents loomed as large as ten dollars now to Marcella 's eyes when every dime meant so much .

but fast as she went , her distracted thoughts went faster .

she could not send Patty to the country .

there was no way , think , plan , worry as she might .

and if she could not !

Marcella remembered Patty 's face and the doctor 's look , and her heart sank like lead .

Patty was growing weaker every day instead of stronger , and the weather was getting hotter .

oh , if Patty were to to but Marcella could not complete the sentence even in thought .

if they were not so desperately poor !

Marcella 's bitterness overflowed her soul at the thought .

she almost felt that she hated all those smiling , well-dressed people who thronged the streets .

by the time she reached the store , poor Marcella 's heart was seething with misery and resentment .

she had grudgingly offered the girls a home , which Marcella had accepted because she must .

but now Marcella 's courage and hopefulness had gone out like a spent candle .

the heat and noise and chatter got on Marcella 's tortured nerves .

she felt that she wanted to scream , but instead she turned calmly to a waiting customer a big , handsome , richly dressed woman .

she was Mrs Liddell Marcella knew her by sight and she was in a very bad temper because she had been kept waiting .

for the next half hour she badgered and worried Marcella to the point of distraction .

nothing suited her .

then she mislaid her purse , and was disagreeable about that until it turned up .

Marcella shut her lips so tightly that they turned white to keep back the impatient retort that rose momentarily to her lips .

the insolence of some customers was always trying to the sensitive , high-spirited girl , but today it seemed unbearable .

her head throbbed fiercely with the pain of the ever-increasing ache , and what was the lady on her right saying to a friend ?

" yes , she had typhoid , you know a very bad form .

she rallied from it , but she was so exhausted that she couldn't really recover , and the doctor said "

" really , " interrupted Mrs Liddell 's sharp voice , " may I ask you to attend to me , if you please ?

no doubt gossip may be very interesting to you , but I am accustomed to having a clerk pay some small attention to my requirements .

if you cannot attend to your business , I shall go to the floor walker and ask him to direct me to somebody who can .

the laziness and disobligingness of the girls in this store is really getting beyond endurance . "

a passionate answer was on the point of Marcella 's tongue .

all her bitterness and suffering and resentment flashed into her face and eyes .

for one moment she was determined to speak out , to repay Mrs Liddell 's insolence in kind .

a retort was ready to her hand .

everyone knew that Mrs Liddell , before her marriage to a wealthy man , had been a working girl .

what could be easier than to say contemptuously : " you should be a judge of a clerk 's courtesy and ability , madam .

you were a shop girl yourself once ? "

but if she said it , what would follow ?

prompt and instant dismissal .

and Patty ?

the thought of the little sister quelled the storm in Marcella 's soul .

for Patty 's sake she must control her temper and she did .

I did not mean to be inattentive .

let me show you some of our new lingerie waists , I think you will like them . "

but Mrs Liddell did not like the new lingerie waists which Marcella brought to her in her trembling hands .

for another half hour she examined and found fault and sneered .

when she had gone , Marcella leaned against the counter , pale and exhausted .

she must have a breathing spell .

oh , how her head ached !

how hot and stifling and horrible everything was !

she longed for the country herself .

during all this time a middle-aged woman had been sitting on a stool beside the bargain counter .

she was tall and gaunt and grey haired .

she watched Marcella and Mrs Liddell closely and lost nothing of all that was said and done on both sides .

now and then she smiled grimly and nodded .

when Mrs Liddell had gone , she rose and leaned over the counter .

Marcella opened her burning eyes and pulled herself wearily together .

" what can I do for you ? " she said .

" nothing .

I ain't looking for to have anything done for me .

you need to have something done for you , I guess , by the looks of you .

you seem dead beat out .

aren't you awful tired ?

I 've been listening to that woman jawing you till I felt like rising up and giving her a large and wholesome piece of my mind .

the kindness and sympathy in her tone broke Marcella down .

tears rushed to her eyes .

she bowed her head on her hands and said sobbingly , " oh , I am tired !

but it 's not that .

I 'm I'm in such trouble . "

" I knew you were , " said the other , with a nod of her head .

" I could tell that right off by your face .

do you know what I said to myself ?

I said , ' That girl has got somebody at home awful sick . '

that 's what I said .

was I right ? "

" yes , indeed you were , " said Marcella .

" I knew it " another triumphant nod .

" now , you just tell me all about it .

it 'll do you good to talk it over with somebody .

who 's sick and what 's the matter ? "

" dear , dear , but that 's too bad !

something must be done .

let me see let me put on my thinking cap .

what is your name ? "

" Marcella Langley . "

the older woman dropped the lingerie waist she was pretending to examine and stared at Marcella .

" you don't say !

look here , what was your mother 's name before she was married ? "

" Mary Carvell . "

" well , I have heard of coincidences , but this beats all !

Mary Carvell !

well , did you ever hear your mother speak of a girl friend of hers called Josephine Draper ? "

" I should think I did !

you don't mean "

" I do mean it .

I 'm Josephine Draper .

your mother and I went to school together , and we were as much as sisters to each other until she got married .

then she went away , and after a few years I lost trace of her .

I didn't even know she was dead .

Poor Mary !

well , my duty is plain that 's one comfort my duty and my pleasure , too .

your sister is coming out to Dalesboro to stay with me .

yes , and you are too , for the whole summer .

you needn't say you 're not , because you are .

I 've said so .

there 's room at Fir Cottage for you both .

yes , Fir Cottage I guess you 've heard your mother speak of that .

there 's her old room out there that we always slept in when she came to stay all night with me .

it 's all ready for you .

what 's that ?

you can't afford to lose your place here ?

bless your heart , child , you won't lose it !

to think that Mary Carvell 's daughter has been in his store for three years , and me never suspecting it !

and I might never have found you out at all if you hadn't been so patient with that woman .

well , well well !

poor child , don't cry .

you just pick up and go home .

I 'll make it all right with Tom .

you 're pretty near played out yourself , I can see that .

but a summer in Fir Cottage , with plenty of cream and eggs and my cookery , will soon make another girl of you .

don't you dare to thank me .

it 's a privilege to be able to do something for Mary Carvell 's girls .

I just loved Mary . "

never were such delightful weeks as those that followed .

Patty came rapidly back to health and strength .

as for Marcella , Miss Draper 's prophecy was also fulfilled ; she soon looked and felt like another girl .

" I love housework , " she exclaimed one September day .

" I don't like the thought of going back to the store a bit . "

" you 're going to stay here with me you and Patty .

I don't propose to die of lonesomeness losing you , and I need somebody to help me about the house .

I 've thought it all out .

you are to call me Aunt Josephine , and Patty is to go to school .

no , you needn't thank me this time either .

I 'm doing this every bit as much for my sake as yours .

well , that 's all settled .

Patty won't object , bless her rosy cheeks ! "

" oh ! " said Marcella , with eyes shining through her tears .

" I 'm so happy , dear Miss Draper I mean Aunt Josephine .

I 'll love to stay here and I will thank you . "

" fudge ! " remarked Miss Draper , who felt uncomfortably near crying herself .

" you might go out and pick a basket of Golden Gems .

I want to make some jelly for Patty . "

Margaret 's Patient

Illustration : " DID DR . FORBES THINK SHE OUGHT TO GIVE UP HER TRIP ? "

Margaret paused a moment at the gate and looked back at the quaint old house under its snowy firs with a thrill of proprietary affection .

for I shall go , of course , thought Margaret , as she walked briskly down the snowy road .

I 've always wanted to see the Rockies , and to go there with Mrs Boyd will double the pleasure .

she is such a delightful companion .

Margaret Campbell had been an orphan ever since she could remember .

the death of this cousin flung Margaret on her own resources .

a friend had procured her employment as the " companion " of a rich , eccentric old lady , infirm of health and temper .

Margaret lived with her for five years , and to the young girl they seemed treble the time .

her employer was fault-finding , peevish , unreasonable , and many a time Margaret 's patience almost failed her almost , but not quite .

in the end it brought her a more tangible reward than sometimes falls to the lot of the toiler .

Margaret took immediate possession of her little house and , with the aid of a capable old servant , soon found herself very comfortable .

she realized that her days of drudgery were over , and that henceforth life would be a very different thing from what it had been .

Margaret meant to have " a good time . "

she had never had any pleasure and now she was resolved to garner in all she could of the joys of existence .

" I 'm not going to do a single useful thing for a year , " she had told Mrs Boyd gaily .

and the first thing in it is our trip to Vancouver .

I 'm so glad I have the chance to go with you .

it 's a wee bit short notice , but I 'll be ready when you want to start . "

there was only one drawback , but it was a pretty serious one .

it 's so lonely by spells , Margaret sometimes thought wistfully .

all the joys my good fortune has brought me can't quite fill my heart .

there 's always one little empty , aching spot .

oh , if I had somebody of my very own to love and care for , a mother , a sister , even a cousin .

but there 's nobody .

I haven't a relative in the world , and there are times when I 'd give almost anything to have one .

well , I must try to be satisfied with friendship , instead .

Margaret 's meditations were interrupted by a brisk footstep behind her , and presently Dr Forbes came up .

" good afternoon , Miss Campbell .

taking a constitutional ? "

" yes .

isn't it a lovely day ?

I suppose you are on your professional rounds .

how are all your patients ? "

" most of them are doing well .

but I 'm sorry to say I have a new one and am very much worried about her .

do you know Freda Martin ? "

" the little teacher in the Primary Department who boards with the Wayes ?

yes , I 've met her once or twice .

is she ill ? "

" yes , seriously .

it 's typhoid , and she has been going about longer than she should .

I don't know what is to be done with her .

it seems she is like yourself in one respect , Miss Campbell ; she is utterly alone in the world .

Mrs Waye is crippled with rheumatism and can't nurse her , and I fear it will be impossible to get a nurse in Blythefield .

she ought to be taken from the Wayes ' .

" it is too bad , I am very sorry , " said Margaret sympathetically .

Dr Forbes shot a keen look at her from his deep-set eyes .

" are you willing to show your sympathy in a practical form , Miss Campbell ? " he said bluntly .

" you told me the other day you meant to begin work for others next year .

why not begin now ?

here 's a splendid chance to befriend a friendless girl .

will you take Freda Martin into your home during her illness ? "

" oh , I couldn't , " cried Margaret blankly .

" why , I 'm going away next week .

I 'm going with Mrs Boyd to Vancouver , and my house will be shut up . "

" oh , I did not know .

that settles it , I suppose , " said the doctor with a sigh of regret .

" well , I must see what else I can do for poor Freda .

I 'm very much afraid she will have a hard time to pull through , but I 'll do the best I can for her .

well , I must run in here and have a look at Tommy Griggs ' eyes .

good morning , Miss Campbell . "

Margaret responded rather absently and walked on with her eyes fixed on the road .

somehow all the joy had gone out of the day for her , and out of her prospective trip .

she stopped on the little bridge and gazed unseeingly at the ice-bound creek .

no , of course , Dr Forbes did not mean anything of the sort .

he had not known she intended to go away .

Margaret tried to put the thought out of her mind , but it came insistently back .

she knew none better what it was to be alone and friendless .

once she had been ill , too , and left to the ministration of careless servants .

Margaret shuddered whenever she thought of that time .

she was very , very sorry for Freda Martin , but she certainly couldn't give up her plans for her .

" why , I 'd never have the chance to go with Mrs Boyd again , " she argued with her troublesome inward promptings .

altogether , Margaret 's walk was spoiled .

but when she went to bed that night , she was firmly resolved to dismiss all thought of Freda Martin .

in the middle of the night she woke up .

it was calm and moonlight and frosty .

she listened , and knew that in the morning she must send for Dr Forbes and tell him to bring his patient to Fir Cottage .

Margaret had a natural gift for nursing , and she had had a good deal of experience in sick rooms .

she was skilful , gentle and composed , and Dr Forbes nodded his head with satisfaction as he watched her .

but she thought little about it .

" oh , I am so glad I stayed , " she whispered to herself .

during Freda 's convalescence Margaret learned to love her dearly .

she was such a sweet , brave little creature , full of a fine courage to face the loneliness and trials of her lot .

" I can never repay you for your kindness , Miss Campbell , " she said wistfully .

" I am more than repaid already , " said Margaret sincerely .

" haven't I found a dear little friend ? "

one day Freda asked Margaret to write a note for her to a certain school chum .

" she will like to know I am getting better .

you will find her address in my writing desk . "

Freda 's modest trunk had been brought to Fir Cottage , and Margaret went to it for the desk .

her mother 's name !

Margaret gave a little exclamation of astonishment .

could her mother have written that letter ?

it was not likely another woman would have that uncommon name .

Margaret caught up the letter and ran to Freda 's room .

" Freda , I couldn't help seeing the name signed to this letter , it is my mother 's .

to whom was it written ? "

" that is one of my mother 's old letters , " said Freda .

" she had a sister , my Aunt Worth .

she was a great deal older than Mother .

their parents died when Mother was a baby .

aunt Worth went to her father 's people , while Mother 's grandmother took her .

there was not very good feeling between the two families , I think .

" can you tell me where your mother and her sister lived before they were separated ? " asked Margaret excitedly .

" Ridgetown . "

" then my mother must have been your mother 's sister , and , oh , Freda , Freda , you are my cousin . "

eventually this was proved to be the fact .

Margaret investigated the matter and discovered beyond a doubt that she and Freda were cousins .

it would be hard to say which of the two girls was the more delighted .

" anyhow , we 'll never be parted again , " said Margaret happily .

" Fir Cottage is your home henceforth , Freda .

oh , how rich I am .

I have got somebody who really belongs to me .

and I owe it all to Dr Forbes .

if he hadn't suggested you coming here , I should never have found out that we were cousins . "

" and I don't think I should ever have got better at all , " whispered Freda , slipping her hand into Margaret 's .

" I think we are going to be the two happiest girls in the world , " said Margaret .

" and Freda , do you know what we are going to do when your summer vacation comes ?

we are going to have a trip through the Rockies , yes , indeedy .

it would have been nice going with Mrs Boyd , but it will be ten times nicer to go with you . "

Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves

Matthew was having a bad ten minutes of it .

presently they came trooping through the hall and out into the kitchen , laughing and chattering gaily .

and what worried Matthew was that the difference impressed him as being something that should not exist .

then in what did it consist ?

this , Matthew felt , would be no great help .

he had recourse to his pipe that evening to help him study it out , much to Marilla 's disgust .

after two hours of smoking and hard reflection Matthew arrived at a solution of his problem .

Anne was not dressed like the other girls !

Marilla kept her clothed in plain , dark dresses , all made after the same unvarying pattern .

of course , it must be all right .

Marilla knew best and Marilla was bringing her up .

probably some wise , inscrutable motive was to be served thereby .

but surely it would do no harm to let the child have one pretty dress something like Diana Barry always wore .

Matthew decided that he would give her one ; that surely could not be objected to as an unwarranted putting in of his oar .

Christmas was only a fortnight off .

a nice new dress would be the very thing for a present .

the very next evening Matthew betook himself to Carmody to buy the dress , determined to get the worst over and have done with it .

it would be , he felt assured , no trifling ordeal .

after much cogitation Matthew resolved to go to Samuel Lawson 's store instead of William Blair 's .

but William Blair 's two daughters frequently waited on customers there and Matthew held them in absolute dread .

so he would go to Lawson 's , where Samuel or his son would wait on him .

alas !

she was dressed with exceeding smartness and wore several bangle bracelets that glittered and rattled and tinkled with every movement of her hands .

Matthew was covered with confusion at finding her there at all ; and those bangles completely wrecked his wits at one fell swoop .

" what can I do for you this evening .

Mr Cuthbert ? "

Miss Lucilla Harris inquired , briskly and ingratiatingly , tapping the counter with both hands .

" have you any any any well now , say any garden rakes ? " stammered Matthew .

Miss Harris looked somewhat surprised , as well she might , to hear a man inquiring for garden rakes in the middle of December .

" I believe we have one or two left over , " she said , " but they 're upstairs in the lumber-room .

I 'll go and see . "

during her absence Matthew collected his scattered senses for another effort .

when Miss Harris returned with the rake and cheerfully inquired : " anything else tonight , Mr Cuthbert ? "

Miss Harris had heard Matthew Cuthbert called odd .

she now concluded that he was entirely crazy .

" we only keep hayseed in the spring , " she explained loftily .

" we 've none on hand just now . "

" oh , certainly certainly just as you say , " stammered unhappy Matthew , seizing the rake and making for the door .

at the threshold he recollected that he had not paid for it and he turned miserably back .

while Miss Harris was counting out his change he rallied his powers for a final desperate attempt .

" well now if it isn't too much trouble I might as well that is I 'd like to look at at some sugar . "

" white or brown ? " queried Miss Harris patiently .

" oh well now brown , " said Matthew feebly .

" there 's a barrel of it over there , " said Miss Harris , shaking her bangles at it .

" it 's the only kind we have . "

" I'll I 'll take twenty pounds of it , " said Matthew , with beads of perspiration standing on his forehead .

Matthew had driven halfway home before he was his own man again .

when he reached home he hid the rake in the tool-house , but the sugar he carried in to Marilla .

" brown sugar ! " exclaimed Marilla .

" whatever possessed you to get so much ?

you know I never use it except for the hired man 's porridge or black fruit-cake .

Jerry 's gone and I 've made my cake long ago .

it 's not good sugar , either it 's coarse and dark William Blair doesn't usually keep sugar like that . "

" I I thought it might come in handy sometime , " said Matthew , making good his escape .

when Matthew came to think the matter over he decided that a woman was required to cope with the situation .

Marilla was out of the question .

Matthew felt sure she would throw cold water on his project at once .

remained only Mrs Lynde ; for of no other woman in Avonlea would Matthew have dared to ask advice .

to Mrs Lynde he went accordingly , and that good lady promptly took the matter out of the harassed man 's hands .

" pick out a dress for you to give Anne ?

to be sure I will .

I 'm going to Carmody tomorrow and I 'll attend to it .

have you something particular in mind ?

no ?

well , I 'll just go by my own judgment then .

I believe a nice rich brown would just suit Anne , and William Blair has some new gloria in that 's real pretty .

well , I 'll do it .

no , it isn't a mite of trouble .

I like sewing .

if it wouldn't be asking too much I I 'd like them made in the new way . "

" Puffs ?

of course .

you needn't worry a speck more about it , Matthew .

I 'll make it up in the very latest fashion , " said Mrs Lynde .

to herself she added when Matthew had gone :

" it 'll be a real satisfaction to see that poor child wearing something decent for once .

the way Marilla dresses her is positively ridiculous , that 's what , and I 've ached to tell her so plainly a dozen times .

but that 's always the way .

Folks that has brought up children know that there 's no hard and fast method in the world that 'll suit every child .

but flesh and blood don't come under the head of arithmetic and that 's where Marilla Cuthbert makes her mistake .

I 'm sure the child must feel the difference between her clothes and the other girls ' .

but to think of Matthew taking notice of it !

that man is waking up after being asleep for over sixty years . "

" I knew he was up to some foolishness .

well , I must say I don't think Anne needed any more dresses .

I made her three good , warm , serviceable ones this fall , and anything more is sheer extravagance .

there 's enough material in those sleeves alone to make a waist , I declare there is .

you 'll just pamper Anne 's vanity , Matthew , and she 's as vain as a peacock now .

the puffs have been getting bigger and more ridiculous right along ; they 're as big as balloons now .

next year anybody who wears them will have to go through a door sideways . "

Christmas morning broke on a beautiful white world .

Anne peeped out from her frosted gable window with delighted eyes .

Anne ran downstairs singing until her voice re-echoed through Green Gables .

" merry Christmas , Marilla !

merry Christmas , Matthew !

isn't it a lovely Christmas ?

I 'm so glad it 's white .

any other kind of Christmas doesn't seem real , does it ?

I don't like green Christmases .

They're not green they 're just nasty faded browns and greys .

what makes people call them green ?

why why Matthew , is that for me ?

oh , Matthew ! "

Anne took the dress and looked at it in reverent silence .

but the sleeves they were the crowning glory !

long elbow cuffs , and above them two beautiful puffs divided by rows of shirring and bows of brown silk ribbon .

" that 's a Christmas present for you , Anne , " said Matthew shyly .

" why why Anne , don't you like it ?

well now well now . "

for Anne 's eyes had suddenly filled with tears .

" like it !

oh , Matthew ! "

Anne laid the dress over a chair and clasped her hands .

" Matthew , it 's perfectly exquisite .

oh , I can never thank you enough .

look at those sleeves !

oh , it seems to me this must be a happy dream . "

" well , well , let us have breakfast , " interrupted Marilla .

there 's a hair ribbon Mrs Lynde left for you .

it 's brown , to match the dress .

come now , sit in . "

" I don't see how I 'm going to eat breakfast , " said Anne rapturously .

" breakfast seems so commonplace at such an exciting moment .

I 'd rather feast my eyes on that dress .

I 'm so glad that puffed sleeves are still fashionable .

it did seem to me that I 'd never get over it if they went out before I had a dress with them .

I 'd never have felt quite satisfied , you see .

it was lovely of Mrs Lynde to give me the ribbon , too .

I feel that I ought to be a very good girl indeed .

It's at times like this I 'm sorry I 'm not a model little girl ; and I always resolve that I will be in future .

but somehow it 's hard to carry out your resolutions when irresistible temptations come .

still , I really will make an extra effort after this . "

Anne flew down the slope to meet her .

" merry Christmas , Diana !

and oh , it 's a wonderful Christmas .

I 've something splendid to show you .

Matthew has given me the loveliest dress , with such sleeves .

I couldn't even imagine any nicer . "

" I 've got something more for you , " said Diana breathlessly .

" here this box .

aunt Josephine sent us out a big box with ever so many things in it and this is for you .

Anne opened the box and peeped in .

" oh , " said Anne , " Diana , this is too much , I must be dreaming . "

" I call it providential , " said Diana .

Josie Pye would be delighted .

mind you , Rob Wright went home with Gertie Pye from the practice night before last .

did you ever hear anything equal to that ? "

the concert came off in the evening and was a pronounced success .

" everything went off very well , " said Diana practically .

" I guess we must have made as much as ten dollars .

mind you , Mr Allan is going to send an account of it to the Charlottetown papers . "

" oh , Diana , will we really see our names in print ?

it makes me thrill to think of it .

your solo was perfectly elegant , Diana .

I felt prouder than you did when it was encored .

I just said to myself , ' It is my dear bosom friend who is so honoured . ' "

" well , your recitations just brought down the house , Anne .

that sad one was simply splendid . "

" oh , I was so nervous , Diana .

when Mr Allan called out my name I really cannot tell how I ever got up on that platform .

then I thought of my lovely puffed sleeves and took courage .

I knew that I must live up to those sleeves , Diana .

so I started in , and my voice seemed to be coming from ever so far away .

I just felt like a parrot .

it 's providential that I practised those recitations so often up in the garret , or I 'd never have been able to get through .

did I groan all right ? "

" yes , indeed , you groaned lovely , " assured Diana .

" I saw old Mrs Sloane wiping away tears when I sat down .

it was splendid to think I had touched somebody 's heart .

it 's so romantic to take part in a concert isn't it ?

oh , it 's been a very memorable occasion indeed . "

" wasn't the boys ' dialogue fine ? " said Diana .

" Gilbert Blythe was just splendid .

Anne , I do think it 's awful mean the way you treat Gil .

wait till I tell you .

when you ran off the platform after the fairy dialogue one of your roses fell out of your hair .

I saw Gil pick it up and put it in his breast pocket .

there now .

you 're so romantic that I 'm sure you ought to be pleased at that . "

" it 's nothing to me what that person does , " said Anne loftily .

" I simply never waste a thought on him , Diana . "

" well now , I guess our Anne did as well as any of them , " said Matthew proudly .

" yes , she did , " admitted Marilla .

" she 's a bright child , Matthew .

and she looked real nice , too .

I 've been kind of opposed to this concert scheme , but I suppose there 's no real harm in it after all .

anyhow , I was proud of Anne tonight , although I 'm not going to tell her so . "

" well now , I was proud of her and I did tell her so ' fore she went upstairs , " said Matthew .

" we must see what we can do for her some of these days , Marilla .

I guess she 'll need something more than Avonlea school by and by . "

" there 's time enough to think of that , " said Marilla .

" she 's only thirteen in March .

though tonight it struck me she was growing quite a big girl .

Mrs Lynde made that dress a mite too long , and it makes Anne look so tall .

she 's quick to learn and I guess the best thing we can do for her will be to send her to Queen 's after a spell .

but nothing need be said about that for a year or two yet . "

" well now , it 'll do no harm to be thinking it over off and on , " said Matthew .

" things like that are all the better for lots of thinking over . "

Missy 's Room

Mrs Falconer and Miss Bailey walked home together through the fine blue summer afternoon from the Ladies ' Aid meeting at Mrs Robinson 's .

they were talking earnestly ; that is to say , Miss Bailey was talking earnestly and volubly , and Mrs Falconer was listening .

Mrs Falconer had reduced the practice of listening to a fine art .

nobody in Lindsay ever felt very well acquainted with Mrs Falconer , in spite of the fact that she had lived among them forty years .

she kept between her and her world a fine , baffling reserve which no one had ever been able to penetrate .

some foolish ones even supposed that Mrs Falconer had forgotten it .

" I suppose that we will simply have to trust the whole matter to Providence . "

Miss Bailey 's tone and sigh really seemed to intimate to the world at large that Providence was a last resort and a very dubious one .

the case of Camilla Clark was agitating the Ladies ' Aid of one of the Lindsay churches .

in the preceding spring James Clark , one of the hands in the lumber mill at Lindsay , had been killed in an accident .

the shock had proved nearly fatal to his young wife .

the next day Camilla Clark 's baby was born dead , and the poor mother hovered for weeks between life and death .

slowly , very slowly , life won the battle , and Camilla came back from the valley of the shadow .

but she was still an invalid , and would be so for a long time .

the Clarks had come to Lindsay only a short time before the accident .

they were boarding at Mrs Barry 's when it happened , and Mrs Barry had shown every kindness and consideration to the unhappy young widow .

the obvious solution was for some of them to offer her a home until such time as she would be able to go to work .

but there did not seem to be anyone who could offer to do this unless it was Mrs Falconer .

the church was small , and the Ladies ' Aid smaller .

however , it was probable they would eventually manage it in some way if Mrs Falconer did not rise to the occasion .

nobody liked to ask Mrs Falconer outright to take Camilla Clark in , yet everyone thought she might offer .

she was comfortably off , and though her house was small , there was nobody to live in it except herself and her husband .

Miss Bailey made one more effort as aforesaid .

there were not many things that could daunt Miss Bailey , but Mrs Falconer 's reserve and gentle aloofness always could .

she was perfectly well aware of all the hints that had been thrown out for her benefit that afternoon .

she knew that the Aids , one and all , thought that she ought to take Camilla Clark .

but she had no room to give her for it was out of the question to think of putting her in Missy 's room .

" I couldn't do such a thing , " she said to herself piteously .

" they don't understand they can't understand but I couldn't give her Missy 's room .

I 'm sorry for poor Camilla , and I wish I could help her .

but I can't give her Missy 's room , and I have no other . "

there were just two rooms downstairs and two upstairs .

" have you been lonely , Father ? " said Mrs Falconer tenderly .

he shook his head , still smiling .

" no , not lonely .

these " pointing to the blocks " are so pretty .

see my house , Mother . "

this man was Mrs Falconer 's husband .

then there had been a train collision .

Malcolm Falconer was taken out of the wreck fearfully injured .

Mrs Falconer tried to dismiss the thought of Camilla Clark from her mind , but it would not be dismissed .

her conscience reproached her continually .

it was so good for delicate people .

why , she seemed little more than a child !

her great dark eyes were far too big for her wasted face , and her hands were almost transparent .

" I 'm not much better yet , " said Camilla tremulously , in response to Mrs Falconer 's inquiries .

" oh , I 'm so slow getting well !

and I know I feel that I 'm a burden to everybody . "

" but you mustn't think that , dear , " said Mrs Falconer , feeling more uncomfortable than ever .

" we are all glad to do all we can for you . "

Mrs Falconer paused suddenly .

she was a very truthful woman and she instantly realized that that last sentence was not true .

she was not doing all she could for Camilla she would not be glad , she feared , to do all she could .

" if I were only well enough to go to work , " sighed Camilla .

" Mr. marks says I can have a place in the shoe factory whenever I 'm able to .

but it will be so long yet .

oh , I 'm so tired and discouraged ! "

she put her hands over her face and sobbed .

Mrs Falconer caught her breath .

it was so very , very probable .

before she could check herself Mrs Falconer spoke .

" my dear , don't cry !

I want you to come and stay with me until you get perfectly well .

you won't be a speck of trouble , and I 'll be glad to have you for company . "

Mrs Falconer 's Rubicon was crossed .

she could not draw back now if she wanted to .

but she was not at all sure that she did want to .

by the time she reached home she was sure she didn't want to .

and yet to give Missy 's room to Camilla !

it seemed a great sacrifice to Mrs Falconer .

she went up to it the next morning with firmly set lips to air and dust it .

it was just the same as when Missy had left it long ago .

nothing had ever been moved or changed , but everything had always been kept beautifully neat and clean .

Snow-white muslin curtains hung before the small square window .

in one corner was a little white bed .

on a small bureau before the gilt-framed mirror were several little girlish knick-knacks and boxes whose contents had never been disturbed since Missy went away .

one of Missy 's gay pink ribbons Missy had been so fond of pink ribbons hung over the top of the mirror .

Mrs Falconer 's lips quivered as she looked about the room , and tears came to her eyes .

" I suppose it 's dreadful foolishness , " said Mrs Falconer , wiping her eyes .

" I know it is , but I can't help it .

it just goes to my heart to think of putting these things away .

but I must do it .

Camilla is coming here today , and this room must be got ready for her .

she opened the window and put fresh linen on the bed .

one by one Missy 's little belongings were removed and packed carefully away .

on the gay , foolish little hat with its faded wreath of roses the mother 's tears fell as she put it in a box .

she remembered so plainly the first time Missy had worn it .

oh , where was Missy now ?

what roof sheltered her ?

Camilla Clark came that afternoon .

" oh , it is lovely here , " she said gratefully , looking out into the rustling shade of the maples .

" I 'm sure I shall soon get well here .

I 'm so weak that sounds like that worry me .

but it is so still and green and peaceful here .

it just rests me . "

when bedtime came , Mrs Falconer took Camilla up to Missy 's room .

it was not as hard as she had expected it to be after all .

" what a dear little room ! " said Camilla , glancing around .

" it is so white and sweet .

oh , I know I am going to sleep well here , and dream sweet dreams . "

" it was my daughter 's room , " said Mrs Falconer , sitting down on the chintz-covered seat by the open window .

Camilla looked surprised .

" I did not know you had a daughter , " she said .

" yes I had just the one child , " said Mrs Falconer dreamily .

for fifteen years she had never spoken of Missy to a living soul except her husband .

but now she felt a sudden impulse to tell Camilla about her , and about the room .

" her name was Isabella , after her father 's mother , but we never called her anything but Missy .

that was the little name she gave herself when she began to talk .

oh , I 've missed her so ! "

" when did she die ? " asked Camilla softly , sympathy shining , starlike , in her dark eyes .

" she she didn't die , " said Mrs Falconer .

" she went away .

she was a pretty girl and gay and fond of fun but such a good girl .

oh , Missy was always a good girl !

her father and I were so proud of her too proud , I suppose .

she had her little faults she was too fond of dress and gaiety , but then she was so young , and we indulged her .

then Bert Williams came to Lindsay to work in the factory .

he fascinated Missy .

he kept coming to see her until her father forbade him the house .

then our poor , foolish child used to meet him elsewhere .

we found this out afterwards .

we we were too hard on Missy .

but her father was so dreadful hurt about it .

he 'd been so fond and proud of her , and he felt that she had disgraced him .

he disowned her , and sent her word never to show her face here again , for he 'd never forgive her .

and I was angry too .

I didn't send her any word at all .

oh , how I 've wept over that !

if I had just sent her one little word of forgiveness , everything might have been different .

but Father forbade me to .

" then in a little while there was a dreadful trouble .

a woman came to Peterboro and claimed to be Bert Williams 's wife and she was she proved it .

Bert cleared out and was never seen again in these parts .

as soon as we heard about it Father relented , and I went right down to Peterboro to see Missy and bring her home .

but she wasn't there she had gone , nobody knew where .

I got a letter from her the next week .

we did everything we could to trace her , but we never could .

we 've never heard from her since , and it is fifteen years ago .

sometimes I am afraid she is dead , but then again I feel sure she isn't .

oh , Camilla , if I could only find my poor child and bring her home !

" this was her room .

nobody has ever been inside the door but myself .

I 'm afraid she never will . "

Mrs Falconer dropped her face in her hands and sobbed softly .

Camilla came over to her and put her arms about her .

" I think she will , " she said .

" I think I am sure your love and prayers will bring Missy home yet .

and I understand how good you have been in giving me her room oh , I know what it must have cost you !

I will pray tonight that God will bring Missy back to you . "

wondering who it could be so late , she opened it .

Mrs Falconer gave a cry .

" Missy !

Missy !

Missy ! "

she caught the poor wanderer to her heart and drew her in .

" oh , Missy , Missy , have you come back at last ?

thank God !

oh , thank God ! "

" I had to come back .

I was starving for a glimpse of your face and of the old home , Mother , " sobbed Missy .

" but I didn't mean you should know I never meant to show myself to you .

I 've been sick , and just as soon as I got better I came here .

I didn't know if you were .

and then I meant to go right away on the night train .

I was under the window and I heard you telling my story to someone .

the mother had got her child into a rocking-chair and removed the shabby hat and cloak .

how ill and worn and faded Missy looked !

yet her face was pure and fine , and there was in it something sweeter than had ever been there in her beautiful girlhood .

" I 'm terribly changed , am I not , Mother ? " said Missy , with a faint smile .

" I 've had a hard life but an honest one , Mother .

when I went away I was almost mad with the disgrace my wilfulness had brought on you and Father and myself .

I went as far as I could get away from you , and I got work in a factory .

I 've worked there ever since , just making enough to keep body and soul together .

oh , I 've starved for a word from you the sight of your face !

but I thought Father would spurn me from his door if I should ever dare to come back . "

" oh , Missy ! " sobbed the mother .

" your poor father is just like a child .

he got a terrible hurt ten years ago , and never got over it .

I don't suppose he 'll even know you he's clean forgot everything .

but he forgave you before it happened .

you poor child , you 're done right out .

you 're too weak to be travelling .

but never mind , you 're home now , and I 'll soon nurse you up .

I 'll put on the kettle and get you a good cup of tea first thing .

and you 're not to do any more talking till the morning .

but , oh , Missy , I can't take you to your own room after all .

Camilla Clark has it , and she 'll be asleep by now ; we mustn't disturb her , for she 's been real sick .

I 'll fix up a bed for you on the sofa , though .

Missy , Missy , let us kneel down here and thank God for His mercy ! "

late that night , when Missy had fallen asleep in her improvised bed , the wakeful mother crept in to gloat over her .

oh , I don't deserve such a blessing when I was so unwilling to take Camilla !

but I know one thing : this is going to be Camilla 's home .

There'll be no leaving it even when she does get well .

she shall be my daughter , and I 'll love her next to Missy . "

Ted 's Afternoon Off

Ted was up at five that morning , as usual .

thrilling with excitement , he saw that it was going to be a glorious day .

the sky was all rosy and golden and clear beyond the sharp-pointed , dark firs on Lee 's Hill .

oh , it would be a splendid day !

it almost seemed too good to be true !

the Jacksons , with whom he had lived ever since his mother had died , did not think holidays were necessities for boys .

he had an inner life of dreams , but nobody knew or suspected anything about that .

it was as yet too early to light the fire or go for the cows .

Ted crept softly to a corner in the garret and took from the wall an old brown fiddle .

it had been his father 's .

he played very softly , since Mrs Jackson had a pronounced dislike to being wakened by " fiddling at all unearthly hours . "

the music he made was beautiful and would have astonished anybody who knew enough to know how wonderful it really was .

but he did it all cheerily and whistled for joy as he worked .

after dinner Mrs Ross came in .

she was not a very cheerful person and generally spoke as if on the point of bursting into tears .

she looked more doleful than ever today , and lost no time in explaining why .

there 's no one else I can get , and Amelia is away .

I 'll be back this evening .

I don't like leaving Jimmy alone . "

" Ted 's been promised that he could go to the picnic this afternoon , " said Mrs Jackson shortly .

" Mr Jackson said he could go , so he 'll have to please himself .

if he 's willing to stay with Jimmy instead , he can .

I don't care . "

" oh , I 've got to go to the picnic , " cried Ted impulsively .

" I 'm awful sorry for Jimmy but I must go to the picnic . "

" I s'pose you feel so , " said Mrs Ross , sighing heavily .

" I dunno's I blame you .

Picnics is more cheerful than staying with a poor little lame boy , I don't doubt .

he was counting on having you to fiddle for him , though .

Jimmy 's crazy about music , and he don't never hear much of it .

speaking of fiddling , there 's a great fiddler stopping at the hotel now .

his name is Blair Milford , and he makes his living fiddling at concerts .

I knew him well when he was a child I was nurse in his father 's family .

he was a taking little chap , and I was real fond of him .

well , I must be getting .

Jimmy 'll feel bad at staying alone , but I 'll tell him he 'll just have to put up with it . "

Mrs Ross sighed herself away , and Ted flew up to his garret corner with a choking in his throat .

he couldn't go to stay with Jimmy he couldn't give up the picnic !

he had been looking forward to it , waking and dreaming , for a fortnight .

he must go .

but poor little Jimmy !

it was too bad for him to be left all alone .

" I wouldn't like it myself , " said Ted miserably , trying to swallow a lump that persisted in coming up in his throat .

and Jimmy doesn't like reading much .

he 'll be dreadful lonesome .

I 'll be thinking of him all the time at the picnic I know I will .

I suppose I could go and stay with him , if I just made up my mind to it . "

making up his mind to it was a slow and difficult process .

Ted reached Mrs Ross 's little house just as that good lady was locking the door on Jimmy and the cat .

" well , I 'm real glad , " she said , when Ted told her he had come to stay .

" I 'd have worried most awful if I 'd had to leave Jimmy all alone .

he 's crying in there this minute .

come now , Jimmy , dry up .

here 's Ted come to stop with you after all , and he 's brought his fiddle , too . "

Jimmy 's tears were soon dried , and he welcomed Ted joyfully .

" I 've been thinking awful long to hear you fiddling , " said Jimmy , with a sigh of content .

Ted took his violin and began to play .

after all , it was almost as good as a picnic to have a whole afternoon for his music .

the stuffy little room , with its dingy plaster and shabby furniture , was filled with wonderful harmonies .

once he began , Ted could play for hours at a stretch and never be conscious of fatigue .

Jimmy lay and listened in rapturous content while Ted 's violin sang and laughed and dreamed and rippled .

there was another listener besides Jimmy .

Motionless , he sat there and listened to the music until at last it stopped .

then he rose and knocked at the door .

Ted , violin in hand , opened it .

an expression of amazement flashed into the stranger 's face , but he only said , " is Mrs Ross at home ? "

" no , sir , " said Ted shyly .

" she went over to White Sands and she won't be back till night .

but Jimmy is here Jimmy is her little boy .

will you come in ? "

" I 'm sorry Mrs . Ross is away , " said the stranger , entering .

" she was an old nurse of mine .

I must confess I 've been sitting on the step out there for some time , listening to your music .

who taught you to play , my boy ? "

" nobody , " said Ted simply .

" I 've always been able to play . "

" he makes it up himself out of his own head , sir , " said Jimmy eagerly .

the caller looked at him closely .

" I know a little about music myself , " he said .

" my name is Blair Milford and I am a professional violinist .

your playing is wonderful .

what is your name ? "

" Ted Melvin . "

" well , Ted , I think that you have a great talent , and it ought to be cultivated .

you should have competent instruction .

come , you must tell me all about yourself . "

Ted told what little he thought there was to tell .

Blair Milford listened and nodded , guessing much that Ted didn't tell and , indeed , didn't know himself .

then he made Ted play for him again .

" amazing ! " he said softly , under his breath .

finally he took the violin and played himself .

Ted and Jimmy listened breathlessly .

" oh , if I could only play like that ! " said Ted wistfully .

Blair Milford smiled .

" you will play much better some day if you get the proper training , " he said .

" you have a wonderful talent , my boy , and you should have it cultivated .

it will never in the world do to waste such genius .

yes , that is the right word , " he went on musingly , as if talking to himself , " ' genius . '

nature is always taking us by surprise .

this child has what I have never had and would make any sacrifice for .

and yet in him it may come to naught for lack of opportunity .

but it must not , Ted .

you must have a musical training . "

" I can't take lessons , if that is what you mean , sir , " said Ted wonderingly .

" Mr Jackson wouldn't pay for them . "

" I think we needn't worry about the question of payment if you can find time to practise , " said Blair Milford .

" I am to be at the beach for two months yet .

for once I 'll take a music pupil .

but will you have time to practise ? "

" I 'll get up at four in the morning and have an hour 's practising before the time for the cows .

but I 'm afraid it 'll be too much trouble for you , sir , I 'm afraid "

Blair Milford laughed and put his slim white hand on Ted 's curly head .

" it isn't much trouble to train an artist .

it is a privilege .

ah , Ted , you have what I once hoped I had , what I know now I never can have .

you don't understand me .

you will some day . "

" ain't he an awful nice man ? " said Jimmy , when Blair Milford had gone .

" but what did he mean by all that talk ? "

" I don't know exactly , " said Ted dreamily .

" that is , I seem to feel what he meant but I can't quite put it into words .

but , oh , Jimmy , I 'm so happy .

I 'm to have lessons I have always longed to have them . "

" I guess you 're glad you didn't go to the picnic ? " said Jimmy .

" yes , but I was glad before , Jimmy , honest I was . "

Blair Milford kept his promise .

" what do you mean , sir ? " said Ted tremblingly .

" I mean that I want you that I must have you , Ted .

I 've talked to Mr Jackson , and he has consented to let you come .

will you come , Ted ? "

Ted drew a long breath .

" yes , sir , " he said .

the Doctor 's Sweetheart

Just because I am an old woman outwardly it doesn't follow that I am one inwardly .

hearts don't grow old or shouldn't .

mine hasn't , I am thankful to say .

it bounded like a girl 's with delight when I saw Doctor John and Marcella Barry drive past this afternoon .

if the doctor had been my own son I couldn't have felt more real pleasure in his happiness .

" Old enough to be her father , " sniffed Mrs Riddell to me the other day .

I didn't say anything to Mrs Riddell .

I just looked at her .

I presume my face expressed what I felt pretty clearly .

nobody in Bridgeport believed that Marcella would ever come back , except Doctor John and me not even her Aunt Sara .

I hadn't lived beside her for eight years to know so little about her as to doubt her .

neither had Doctor John .

Marcella was only eight years old when she came to live in Bridgeport .

her father , Chester Barry , had just died .

her mother , who was a sister of Miss Sara Bryant , my next door neighbor , had been dead for four years .

for , of course , it is a fact that Miss Sara Bryant 's world was and is a very different one from Chester Barry 's world .

as to which side the difference favors , that isn't for me to say .

it all depends on your standard of what is really worth while , you know .

so Marcella came to live with us in Bridgeport .

I say " us " advisedly .

besides , Marcella was one of those children whom everybody loves at sight , and keeps on loving .

one long , steady gaze from those big grayish-blue black-lashed eyes of hers went right into your heart and stayed there .

she was a pretty child and as good as she was pretty .

she and I were right good friends from the beginning .

if she never came Doctor John would never marry ; but he wouldn't be an old bachelor for all that .

he walked with a little stoop , his hands clasped behind him ; and he had the sweetest , deepest voice .

spoken music , if ever a voice was .

he was kind and brave and gentle , but a little distant and reserved with most people .

I am proud to say I was one ; I think it is something for an old woman to boast of .

Doctor John was always fond of children , and they of him .

it was natural that he and little Marcella should take to each other .

he had the most to do with bringing her up , for Miss Sara consulted him in everything .

Marcella was one of those girls who develop early .

I suppose her constant association with us elderly folks had something to do with it , too .

but , at fifteen , she was a woman , loving , beautiful , and spirited .

and Doctor John loved her loved the woman , not the child .

those Barrys were the nightmare dread of poor Miss Sara 's life .

the time came when Doctor John 's eyes were opened .

he looked into his own heart and read there what life had written for him .

as he told me long afterwards , it came to him with a shock that left him white-lipped .

but he was a brave , sensible fellow and he looked the matter squarely in the face .

that disposed of , he asked himself soberly if he had a right to try to win Marcella 's love .

he decided that he had not ; it would be taking an unfair advantage of her youth and inexperience .

he knew that she must soon go to her father 's people she must not go bound by any ties of his making .

doctor John , for Marcella 's sake , gave the decision against his own heart .

so much did Doctor John tell me , his old friend and confidant .

I said nothing and gave no advice , not having lived seventy-five years for nothing .

so much I knew ; the rest I was left to suppose .

the Doctor and Marcella told me much , but there were some things too sacred to be told , even to me .

so that to this day I don't know how the doctor found out that Marcella loved him .

Miss Sara laughed and cried and kissed and forboded what the Barrys would do .

her forebodings proved only too true .

he descended on Bridgeport and completely overwhelmed poor Miss Sara in his wrath .

he laughed at the idea of countenancing an engagement between a child like Marcella and an obscure country doctor .

and he carried Marcella off with him !

she had to go , of course .

he was her legal guardian and he would listen to no pleadings .

after the first outburst of tears and prayers Marcella took it very calmly , as far as outward eye could see .

she was as cool and dignified and stately as a young queen .

on the night before she went away she came over to say good-bye to me .

she did not even shed any tears , but the look in her eyes told of bitter hurt .

" it is goodbye for five years , Miss Tranquil , " she said steadily .

" when I am twenty-one I will come back .

that is the only promise I can make .

they will not let me write to John or Aunt Sara and I will do nothing underhanded .

but I will not forget and I will come back . "

Richard Barry would not even let her see Doctor John alone again .

she had to bid him good-bye beneath the cold , contemptuous eyes of the man of the world .

so there was just a hand-clasp and one long deep look between them that was tenderer than any kiss and more eloquent than any words .

" I will come back when I am twenty-one , " said Marcella .

and I saw Richard Barry smile .

so Marcella went away and in all Bridgeport there were only two people who believed she would ever return .

everybody sympathized with the doctor because everybody believed he had lost his sweetheart .

" for of course she 'll never come back , " said Mrs Riddell to me .

" she 's only a child and she 'll soon forget him .

I 'm sorry for the doctor , though .

a man of his age doesn't get over a thing like that in a hurry and he was perfectly silly over Marcella .

but it really serves him right for falling in love with a child . "

there are times when Martha Riddell gets on my nerves .

she 's a good-hearted woman , and she means well ; but she rasps rasps terribly .

Even Miss Sara exasperated me .

but then she had her excuse .

the child she loved as her own had been torn from her and it almost broke her heart .

but even so , I thought she ought to have had a little more faith in Marcella .

" oh , no , she 'll never come back , " sobbed Miss Sara .

" yes , I know she promised .

but they 'll wean her away from me .

she 'll have such a gay , splendid life she 'll not want to come back .

five years is a lifetime at her age .

no , don't try to comfort me , Miss Tranquil , because I won't be comforted ! "

when a person has made up her mind to be miserable you just have to let her be miserable .

I almost dreaded to see Doctor John for fear he would be in despair , too , without any confidence in Marcella .

but when he came I saw I needn't have worried .

the light had all gone out of his eyes , but there was a calm , steady patience in them .

" she will come back to me , Miss Tranquil , " he said .

" I know what people are saying , but that does not trouble me .

they do not know Marcella as I do .

she promised and she will keep her word keep it joyously and gladly , too .

if I did not know that I would not wish its fulfilment .

when she is free she will turn her back on that brilliant world and all it offers her and come back to me .

my part is to wait and believe . "

so Doctor John waited and believed .

after a little while the excitement died away and people forgot Marcella .

we never heard from or about her , except a paragraph now and then in the society columns of the city paper the doctor took .

we knew she was sent to school for three years ; then the Barrys took her abroad .

she was presented at court .

I wondered if at last some momentary doubt had crept into his mind if he did not fear that Marcella must have forgotten him .

the paper told of her triumph and her beauty and hinted at a titled match .

was it probable or even possible that she would be faithful to him after all this ?

the doctor must have guessed my thoughts , for at last he looked up with a smile .

" she will come back , " was all he said .

but I saw that the doubt , if doubt it were , had gone .

five years seems a long time in looking forward .

but they pass quickly .

one day I remembered that it was Marcella 's twenty-first birthday .

only one other person thought of it .

Even Miss Sara did not .

Miss Sara remembered Marcella only as a child that had been loved and lost .

nobody else in Bridgeport thought about her at all .

the doctor came in that evening .

he had a rose in his buttonhole and he walked with a step as light as a boy 's .

" she is free to-day , " he said .

" we shall soon have her again , Miss Tranquil . "

" do you think she will be the same ? "

I said .

I don't know what made me say it .

I hate to be one of those people who throw cold water on other peoples ' hopes .

but it slipped out before I thought .

but the doctor only laughed .

" how could she be changed ? " he said .

" some women might be most women would be but not Marcella .

dear Miss Tranquil , don't spoil your beautiful record of confidence by doubting her now .

we said nothing more neither of us .

but every day the light in the doctor 's eyes grew brighter and deeper and tenderer .

he never spoke of Marcella , but I knew she was in his thoughts every moment .

he was much calmer than I was .

one evening , a fortnight later , I went over to see Miss Sara .

she was out somewhere , so I sat down in her little sitting room to wait for her .

it was such a beautiful evening .

we heard somebody come through the door and down the hall .

I turned , expecting to see Miss Sara and I saw Marcella !

" Marcella ! " said the doctor .

I went out by the dining-room door and shut it behind me , leaving them alone together .

the wedding is to be next month .

Miss Sara is beside herself with delight .

the excitement has been really terrible , and the way people have talked and wondered and exclaimed has almost worn my patience clean out .

I 've snubbed more persons in the last ten days than I ever did in all my life before .

nothing of this worries Doctor John or Marcella .

they are too happy to care for gossip or outside curiosity .

the Barrys are not coming to the wedding , I understand .

they refuse to forgive Marcella or countenance her folly , as they call it , in any way .

folly !

the End of the Young Family Feud

a week before Christmas , Aunt Jean wrote to Elizabeth , inviting her and Alberta and me to eat our Christmas dinner at Monkshead .

we accepted with delight .

aunt Jean and Uncle Norman were delightful people , and we knew we should have a jolly time at their house .

we answer promptly : the family feud .

father and Uncle William were on bad terms , or rather on no terms at all , and had been ever since we could remember .

after Grandfather Young 's death there had been a wretched quarrel over the property .

Great-aunt Emily is our aunt on Mother 's side , and she does not like any of the Youngs except Father and Uncle Norman .

this was why we had never visited Monkshead .

we had never seen Uncle William , and we always thought of him as a sort of ogre when we thought of him at all .

my private opinion in those days was that he would boil us in oil and pick our bones .

uncle Norman and Aunt Jean had been living out west for years .

three months before this Christmas they had come east , bought a house in Monkshead , and settled there .

Christmas morning was fine , white as a pearl and clear as a diamond .

we had to go by the seven o'clock train , since there was no other before eleven , and we reached Monkshead at eight-thirty .

when we stepped from the train the stationmaster asked us if we were the three Miss Youngs .

Alberta pleaded guilty , and he said , " well , here 's a letter for you then . "

we took the letter and went into the waiting room with sundry misgivings .

what had happened ?

were Uncle Norman and Aunt Jean quarantined for scarlet fever , or had burglars raided the pantry and carried off the Christmas supplies ?

Elizabeth opened and read the letter aloud .

it was from Aunt Jean to the following effect :

DEAR GIRLS : I am so sorry to disappoint you , but I cannot help it .

Word has come from Streatham that my sister has met with a serious accident and is in a very critical condition .

your uncle and I must go to Streatham immediately and are leaving on the eight o'clock express .

I know you have started before this , so there is no use in telegraphing .

we want you to go right to the house and make yourself at home .

you will find the key under the kitchen doorstep , and the dinner in the pantry all ready to cook .

there are two mince pies on the third shelf , and the plum pudding only needs to be warmed up .

you will find a little Christmas remembrance for each of you on the dining-room table .

I hope you will make as merry as you possibly can and we will have you down again as soon as we come back .

your hurried and affectionate , AUNT JEAN

we looked at each other somewhat dolefully .

so we trailed out to the stationmaster , and asked him limply if he could direct us to Mr Norman Young 's house .

see that red house on the hill ?

That's it . "

the red house was about a quarter of a mile from the station , and we saw it plainly .

accordingly , to the red house we betook ourselves .

on nearer view it proved to be a trim , handsome place , with nice grounds and very fine old trees .

we found the key under the kitchen doorstep and went in .

the fire was black out , and somehow things wore a more cheerless look than I had expected to find .

I may as well admit that we marched into the dining room first of all , to find our presents .

" evidently Aunt Jean , in her hurry and excitement , forgot to label them , " said Elizabeth .

" let us open them .

we may be able to guess from the contents which belongs to whom . "

I must say we were surprised when we opened those parcels .

" we had known that Aunt Jean 's gifts would be nice , but we had not expected anything like this .

there was a magnificent stone marten collar , a dear little gold watch and pearl chatelaine , and a gold chain bracelet set with turquoises .

well , they are all perfectly sweet . "

Elizabeth put on her collar and paraded in front of the sideboard mirror .

it was so dusty she had to take her handkerchief and wipe it before she could see herself properly .

everything in the room was equally dusty .

I couldn't help feeling secretly surprised , for Aunt Jean had the reputation of being a perfect housekeeper .

however , I didn't say anything , and neither did the other girls .

" well , let's see about dinner , " said Alberta , practically , snapping her bracelet on her wrist and admiring the effect .

we found the dinner supplies laid out as Aunt Jean had explained .

there was a nice fat turkey all stuffed , and vegetables galore .

" I never in all my life saw " began Alberta , and then stopped short , evidently remembering Mother 's teaching .

" where is the plum pudding ? " said I , to turn the conversation into safer channels .

it was nowhere to be seen , so we concluded it must be in the cellar .

but we found the cellar door padlocked good and fast .

" never mind , " said Elizabeth .

" you know none of us really likes plum pudding .

we only eat it because it is the proper traditional dessert .

the mince pies will suit us better . "

we hurried the turkey into the oven , and soon everything was going merrily .

we had lots of fun getting up that dinner , and we made ourselves perfectly at home , as Aunt Jean had commanded .

we kindled a fire in the dining room and dusted everything in sight .

we couldn't find anything remotely resembling a duster , so we used our handkerchiefs .

when we got through , the room looked like something , for the furnishings were really very handsome , but our handkerchiefs well !

then we set the table with all the nice dishes we could find .

at one o'clock dinner was ready for us and we for it .

very nice that table looked , too , as we sat down to it .

before we could move , a big , handsome , bewhiskered man in a fur coat appeared in the dining-room doorway .

I wasn't frightened .

he seemed quite respectable , I thought , and I supposed he was some intimate friend of Uncle Norman 's .

I rose politely and said , " good day . "

you never saw such an expression of amazement as was on that poor man 's face .

" Mr and Mrs. Norman Young are not at home , " I explained , pitying him .

" they went to Streatham this morning because Mrs Young 's sister is very ill . "

" what does all this mean ? " said the big man gruffly .

" this isn't Norman Young 's house ... it is mine .

I 'm William Young .

who are you ?

and what are you doing here ? "

I fell back into my chair , speechless .

my very first impulse was to put up my hand and cover the gold watch .

Alberta had dropped the carving knife and was trying desperately to get the gold bracelet off under the table .

in a flash we had realized our mistake and its awfulness .

as for me , I felt positively frightened ; Margaret Hannah 's warnings of old had left an ineffaceable impression .

Elizabeth rose to the occasion .

rising to the occasion is another of Elizabeth 's specialties .

besides , she was not hampered by the tingling consciousness that she was wearing a gift that had not been intended for her .

we were invited to spend Christmas with Mr and Mrs. Norman Young .

the stationmaster told us that this was the house , so we came here .

we have never been in Monkshead , so we did not know the difference .

please pardon us . "

I had got off the watch by this time and laid it on the table , unobserved , as I thought .

as for Uncle William , there was positively a twinkle in his eye .

he did not look in the least ogreish .

" well , it has been quite a fortunate mistake for me , " he said .

" I came home expecting to find a cold house and a raw dinner , and I find this instead .

I 'm very much obliged to you . "

Alberta rose , went to the mantel piece , took the key of the bracelet therefrom , and unlocked it .

then she faced Uncle William .

" and now , if you will kindly tell us where Mr Norman Young does live , we won't intrude on you any longer .

come , girls . "

Elizabeth and I rose with a sigh .

" wait a bit , " said Uncle William .

accidents seem to be rather fashionable just now .

my housekeeper 's son broke his leg down at Weston , and I had to take her there early this morning .

come , introduce yourselves .

to whom am I indebted for this pleasant surprise ? "

but Uncle William merely looked amazed for the first moment , foolish for the second , and the third he was himself again .

" so you are my nieces ?

well , I 'm very glad to make your acquaintance .

sit down and we 'll have dinner as soon as I can get my coat off .

I want to see if you are as good cooks as your mother used to be long ago . "

we sat down , and so did Uncle William .

soon , to our surprise , we found that we were enjoying ourselves .

uncle William seemed to be , too .

when we had finished he leaned back and looked at us .

" I suppose you 've been brought up to abhor me and all my works ? " he said abruptly .

" not by Father and Mother , " I said frankly .

" they never said anything against you .

Margaret Hannah did , though .

she brought us up in the way we should go through fear of you . "

uncle William laughed .

" Margaret Hannah was a faithful old enemy of mine , " he said .

" well , I acted like a fool and worse .

I 've been sorry for it ever since .

I was in the wrong .

" he 'll be delighted to hear that you are no longer angry with him , " said Alberta .

" he has always longed to be friends with you again , Uncle William .

but he thought you were still bitter against him . "

" no no nothing but stubborn pride , " said Uncle William .

" now , girls , since you are my guests I must try to give you a good time .

we 'll take the double sleigh and have a jolly drive this afternoon .

and about those trinkets there they are yours .

I did get them for some young friends of mine here , but I 'll give them something else .

I want you to have these .

that watch looked very nice on your blouse , Mary , and the bracelet became Alberta 's pretty wrist very well .

come and give your cranky old uncle a hug for them . "

uncle William got his hugs heartily ; then we washed up the dishes and went for our drive .

we got back just in time to catch the evening train home .

uncle William saw us off at the station , under promise to come back and stay a week with him when his housekeeper came home .

" one of you will have to come and stay with me altogether , pretty soon , " he said .

" tell your father he must be prepared to hand over one of his girls to me as a token of his forgiveness .

I 'll be down to talk it over with him shortly . "

when we got home and told our story , Father said , " thank God ! " very softly .

there were tears in his eyes .

he did not wait for Uncle William to come down , but went to Monkshead himself the next day .

in the spring Alberta is to go and live with Uncle William .

she is making a supply of dusters now .

and next Christmas we are going to have a grand family reunion at the old homestead .

mistakes are not always bad .

the Genesis of the Doughnut Club

when John Henry died there seemed to be nothing for me to do but pack up and go back east .

I wanted to stay in Carleton .

there 's not much comfort , or help either , praying one way and believing another .

I 'd lived down east in Northfield all my life until five years ago lived with my brother William and his wife .

I was simply vegetating on , and wouldn't be missed by a single soul if I died .

then all at once the letter came from John Henry , my brother out west .

he wrote that his wife had died and he wanted me to go out and keep house for him .

I sat right down and wrote him I 'd go and in a week 's time I started .

it made quite a commotion ; I had that much satisfaction out of it to begin with .

Susanna wasn't any too well pleased .

I was only the old maid sister , but I was a good cook , and help was scarce in Northfield .

all the neighbours shook their heads , and warned me I wouldn't like it .

I was too old to change my ways , and I 'd be dreadfully homesick , and I 'd find the west too rough and boisterous .

I just smiled and said nothing .

well , I came out here to Carleton , and from the time I got here I was perfectly happy .

he 'd nearly died of lonesomeness since his wife 's death , and he was so glad to see me .

there wasn't much work to do , just for me and him , and I got a squaw in to wash and scrub .

then after awhile my activities began to sprout and branch out , and the direction they took was boys .

well , I did what I could .

and before long it got to be that there never was an evening there wasn't some of them there , " Aunt-Pattying " me .

I told them from the start I would not be called Miss .

when a woman has been Miss for forty-five years she gets tired of it .

so Aunt Patty it was , and Aunt Patty it remained , and I loved all those dear boys as if they 'd been my own .

fill that up with tasty victuals , and then you can do something with his spiritual nature .

probably his grandfather had dyspepsia .

and a dyspeptic ancestor is worse for a boy than predestination , in my opinion .

the young minister thought it was all his doings , and I let him think so to keep him cheered up .

his views always seemed so much mellower then , and didn't puzzle the other boys more than was wholesome for them .

John Henry took typhoid and died .

no , there was nothing for it but Northfield and stagnation again , with not a stray boy anywhere to mother .

I looked the dismal prospect square in the face and made up my mind to it .

but I was determined to give my boys one good celebration before I went , anyway .

I knew it would cost more than I could really afford , but I shut my eyes to that aspect of the question .

I counted up the boys I must have , and there were fifteen , including the minister .

I just threw myself heart and soul into the preparations for that dinner .

the night before Thanksgiving everything was ready , and I was so tired I could hardly talk to Jimmy Nelson when he dropped in .

Jimmy had something on his mind , I saw that .

so I said , " ' Fess up , Jimmy , and then you 'll be able to enjoy your call . "

" I want to ask a favour of you , Aunt Patty , " said Jimmy .

at the same time he was one of the wildest young scamps in Carleton , or had been until a year ago .

I 'd got him well set on the road to reformation , and I felt worse about leaving him than any of the rest of them .

I knew he was just at the critical point .

" I want you to let me bring my Uncle Joe to dinner tomorrow , " said Jimmy .

" the poor old fellow is stranded here for Thanksgiving , and he hates hotels .

May I ? "

" of course , " I said heartily , wondering why Jimmy seemed to think I mightn't want his Uncle Joe .

" bring him right along . "

" thanks , " said Jimmy .

" he 'll be more than pleased .

your sublime cookery will delight him .

he adores the west , but he can't endure its cooking .

he 's always harping on his mother 's pantry and the good old down-east dinners .

he 's dyspeptic and pessimistic most of the time , and he 's got half a dozen cronies just like himself .

all they think of is railroads and bills of fare . "

" railroads ! "

I cried .

and then an awful thought assailed me .

" Jimmy Nelson , your uncle isn't isn't he can't be Joseph P Nelson , the rich Joseph P Nelson ! "

" oh , he 's rich enough , " said Jimmy ; getting up and reaching for his hat .

" in dollars , that is .

some ways he 's poor enough .

well , I must be going .

Thanks ever so much for letting me bring Uncle Joe . "

and that rascal was gone , leaving me crushed .

I was afraid I should never be able to forgive Jimmy .

I couldn't sleep a wink that night , and I cooked that dinner next day in a terrible state of mind .

the minute I saw Joseph P . I knew I needn't be scared of him ; he just looked real common .

he was little and thin and kind of bored-looking , with grey hair and whiskers , and his clothes were next door to downright shabbiness .

if it hadn't been for the thought of that chef , I wouldn't have felt a bit ashamed of my old-fashioned Thanksgiving spread .

when Joseph P. sat down to that table he stopped looking bored .

I wished I was sure it was etiquette to tell him not to worry because there were plenty more in the pantry .

by the time he 'd been helped three times to mince pie I gave up feeling bad about the chef .

he finished off with the doughnuts , and I shan't tell how many of them he devoured , because I would not be believed .

most of the boys had to go away soon after dinner .

Joseph P . shook hands with me absently and merely said , " good afternoon , Miss Porter . "

and my boys had appreciated it , there wasn't any doubt about that .

Peter Crockett and Tommy Gray stayed to help me wash the dishes , and we had the jolliest time ever .

afterward we picked the turkey bones .

but that night I realized that I was once more a useless , lonely old woman .

I cried myself to sleep , and next morning I hadn't spunk enough to cook myself a dinner .

I dined off some crackers and the remnants of the apple pies , and I was sitting staring at the crumbs when the bell rang .

I wiped away my tears and went to the door .

he said he had never eaten such a Thanksgiving dinner as mine , and that I was the woman he 'd been looking for for years .

" that is something we can't get here , with all our money , " he said .

I have a proposition to make to you .

these aforesaid friends of mine and I expect to spend most of our time in Carleton for the next few years .

in fact we shall probably make it our home eventually .

it 's going to be the city of the west after awhile , and the centre of a dozen railroads .

well , we mean to equip a small private restaurant for ourselves and we want you to take charge of it .

you won't have to do much except oversee the business and arrange the bills of fare .

we want plain , substantial old-time meals and cookery .

we 're all horribly tired of hotel fare and fancy fol-de-rols with French names .

a place where we could get a dinner such as you served yesterday would be a boon to us .

we 'd have started the restaurant long ago if we could have got a suitable person to take charge of it . "

he named the salary the club would pay and the very sound of it made me feel rich .

you may be sure I didn't take long to decide .

Joseph P. took a Scotch peer there to dinner one day last week .

Jimmy Nelson told me afterward that the man said it was the only satisfying meal he 'd had since he left the old country .

the Girl Who Drove the Cows

Mrs Wallace had wanted to go to some fashionable watering place , but her husband had bluntly told her he couldn't afford it .

Stay in the city when all her set were out she would not , and the aforesaid farmhouse had been the compromise .

" I shouldn't suppose it could make any difference to you who she is , " said Mrs Wallace impatiently .

" I do wish , Pauline , that you were more careful in your choice of associates .

you hobnob with everyone , even that old man who comes around buying eggs .

it is very bad form . "

Pauline hid a rather undutiful smile behind her napkin .

aunt Olivia 's snobbish opinions always amused her .

" you 've no idea what an interesting old man he is , " she said .

" he can talk more entertainingly than any other man I know .

what is the use of being so exclusive , Aunt Olivia ?

you miss so much fun .

you wouldn't be so horribly bored as you are if you fraternized a little with the ' natives , ' as you call them . "

" no , thank you , " said Mrs Wallace disdainfully .

" well , I am going to try to get acquainted with that girl , " said Pauline resolutely .

" she looks nice and jolly . "

" I don't know where you get your low tastes from , " groaned Mrs Wallace .

" I 'm sure it wasn't from your poor mother .

what do you suppose the Morgan Knowles would think if they saw you taking up with some tomboy girl on a farm ? "

Mrs Wallace could never understand why the Morgan Knowles shut her from their charmed circle .

just before she had left Colchester , Mrs Wallace had seen Mrs Knowles and Mrs Markham together in the former 's automobile .

as for Pauline , she was hopelessly devoid of social ambitions and she did not in the least mind the Morgan Knowles ' remote attitude .

" besides , " continued Pauline , " she isn't a tomboy at all .

she looks like a very womanly , well-bred sort of girl .

why should you think her a tomboy because she drives cows ?

cows are placid , useful animals witness this delicious cream which I am pouring over my blueberries .

and they have to be driven .

it 's an honest occupation . "

" I daresay she is someone 's servant , " said Mrs Wallace contemptuously .

" but I suppose even that wouldn't matter to you , Pauline ? "

" not a mite , " said Pauline cheerfully .

" one of the very nicest girls I ever knew was a maid Mother had the last year of her dear life .

I loved that girl , Aunt Olivia , and I correspond with her .

" you are incorrigible , Pauline , " said Mrs Wallace hopelessly .

" Ada Cameron , I guess , " was Mrs Boyd 's response .

" she lives with the Embrees down on the old Embree place just below here .

they 're pasturing their cows on the upper farm this summer .

Mrs Embree is her father 's half-sister . "

" is she as nice as she looks ? "

" yes , Ada 's a real nice sensible girl , " said Mrs Boyd .

" there is no nonsense about her . "

" that doesn't sound very encouraging , " murmured Pauline , as Mrs Boyd went out .

" I like people with a little nonsense about them .

but I hope better things of Ada , Mrs Boyd to the contrary notwithstanding .

she has a pair of grey eyes that can't possibly always look sensible .

I think they must mellow occasionally into fun and jollity and wholesome nonsense .

well , I 'm off to the shore .

I want to get that photograph of the Cove this evening , if possible .

Pauline , on her return from the shore , reached the beech lane just as the Embree cows were swinging down it .

behind them came a tall , brown-haired , brown-faced girl in a neat print dress .

her hat was hung over her arm , and the low evening sunlight shone redly over her smooth glossy head .

Pauline promptly gave her the provocation .

" good evening , Miss Cameron , " she called blithely .

" won't you please stop a few moments and look me over ?

I want to see if you think me a likely person for a summer chum . "

Ada Cameron did more than smile .

she laughed outright and went over to the fence where Pauline was sitting on a stump .

but it takes two to make a friendship like a bargain .

if I 'm one , you 'll have to be the other . "

" I 'm the other .

shake , " said Pauline , holding out her hand .

that was the beginning of a friendship that made poor Mrs Wallace groan outwardly as well as inwardly .

Pauline and Ada found that they liked each other even more than they had expected to .

they walked , rowed , berried and picnicked together .

she had never met any girl she thought so nice as Ada .

" she is nice every way , " she told the unconvinced Aunt Olivia .

" she 's clever and well read .

she is sensible and frank .

she has a sense of humour and a great deal of insight into character witness her liking for your niece !

she can talk interestingly and she can also be silent when silence is becoming .

and she has the finest profile I ever saw .

aunt Olivia , may I ask her to visit me next winter ? "

" no , indeed , " said Mrs Wallace , with crushing emphasis .

" you surely don't expect to continue this absurd intimacy past the summer , Pauline ? "

she is really far more distinguished looking than any girl in the Knowles ' set . "

" Pauline ! " said Aunt Olivia , looking as shocked as if Pauline had committed blasphemy .

Pauline laughed again , but she sighed as she went to her room .

aunt Olivia has the kindest heart in the world , she thought .

what a pity she isn't able to see things as they really are !

my friendship with Ada can't be perfect if I can't invite her to my home .

and she is such a dear girl the first real friend after my own heart that I 've ever had .

the summer waned , and August burned itself out .

" I suppose you will be going back to town next week ?

I shall miss you dreadfully , " said Ada .

Pauline wished she could have said : but you must come and visit me in the winter .

since she could not , she had to content herself with saying : " you won't miss me any more than I shall miss you .

but we 'll correspond , and I hope Aunt Olivia will come to Marwood again next summer . "

" I don't think I shall be here then , " said Ada with a sigh .

" you see , it is time I was doing something for myself , Pauline .

aunt Jane and Uncle Robert have always been very kind to me , but they have a large family and are not very well off .

so I think I 'll try for a situation in one of the Remington stores this fall . "

" I should have liked that better , of course , " said Ada quietly .

" but it is not possible , so I must do my best at the next best thing .

don't let's talk of it .

it might make me feel blueish and I want to look especially pleasant if I 'm going to have my photo taken . "

" you couldn't look anything else , " laughed Pauline .

there , that 's the very expression .

when you look like that , you remind me of somebody I have seen , but I can't remember who it is .

all ready now don't move there , dearie , it is all over . "

the very day after the exhibition was opened the Morgan Knowles ' automobile stopped at the Wallace door .

Mrs Wallace was out , but it was Pauline whom stately Mrs Morgan Knowles asked for .

but Mrs Morgan Knowles did not seem to mind at all .

she liked Pauline 's simplicity of manner .

it was more than she had expected from the aunt 's rather vulgar affectations .

" the resemblance to a very dear childhood friend of mine is so startling that I am sure it cannot be accidental . "

" that is a photograph of Ada Cameron , a friend whom I met this summer up in Marwood , " said Pauline .

" Ada Cameron !

she must be Ada Frame 's daughter , then , " exclaimed Mrs Knowles in excitement .

that part of the report cannot have been true if this girl is her daughter . "

" I believe she is , " said Pauline quickly .

and Ada looks like you she always reminded me of somebody I had seen , but I never could decide who it was before .

oh , I hope it is true , for Ada is such a sweet girl , Mrs Knowles . "

" she couldn't be anything else if she is Ada Frame 's daughter , " said Mrs Knowles .

" what will Aunt Olivia say ! " said Pauline with wickedly dancing eyes when Mrs Knowles had gone .

aunt Olivia was too much overcome to say anything .

but to hear Aunt Olivia talk now , you would suppose that she and not Pauline had discovered Ada .

" so everybody concerned is happy , " said Pauline .

what about my ' low tastes ' now , Aunt Olivia ? "

the Growing Up of Cornelia

January First .

aunt Jemima gave me this diary for a Christmas present .

it 's just the sort of gift a person named Jemima would be likely to make .

I can't imagine why Aunt Jemima thought I should like a diary .

probably she didn't think about it at all .

I 'm sure I 'm the last girl in the world to keep a diary .

I 'm not a bit sentimental and I never have time for soul outpourings .

it 's jollier to be out skating or snowshoeing or just tramping around .

and besides , nothing ever happens to me worth writing in a diary .

still , since Aunt Jemima gave it to me , I 'm going to get the good out of it .

I don't believe in wasting even a diary .

so I 'm going to write in this book whenever I have anything that might , by any stretch of imagination , be supposed worth while .

Jen and Alice and Sue would have plenty to write about , I dare say .

they certainly seem to have jolly times ....n and as for the men ....v but there !

people say men are interesting .

they may be .

but I shall never get well enough acquainted with any of them to find out .

mother says it is high time I gave up my tomboy ways and came " out " too , because I am eighteen .

I coaxed off this winter .

it wasn't very hard , because no mother with three older unmarried girls on her hands would be very anxious to bring out a fourth .

the girls took my part and advised Mother to let me be a child as long as possible .

mother yielded for this time , but said I must be brought out next winter or people would talk .

oh , I hate the thought of it !

people might talk about my not being brought out , but they will talk far more about the blunders I shall make .

the doleful fact is , I 'm too wretchedly shy and awkward to live .

it fills my soul with terror to think of donning long dresses and putting my hair up and going into society .

I can't talk and men frighten me to death .

I fall over things as it is , and what will it be with long dresses ?

as far back as I can remember it has been my one aim and object in life to escape company .

oh , if only one need never grow up !

if I could only go back four years and stay there !

mother laments over it muchly .

she says she doesn't know what she has done to have such a shy , unpresentable daughter .

I know .

she married Grandmother Marshall 's son , and Grandmother Marshall was as shy as she was economical .

mother triumphed over heredity with Jen and Sue and Alice , but it came off best with me .

the other girls are noted for their grace and tact .

but I 'm the black sheep and always will be .

it wouldn't worry me so much if they 'd leave me alone and stop nagging me .

I need never put on long dresses then , but just be a jolly little girl forever .

however , I 've got one beautiful year before me yet , and I mean to make the most of it .

January Tenth .

I 've been used to shutting them all up in my soul and then they sometimes fermented and made trouble .

we had a lot of people here to dinner tonight , and that made me miserable to begin with .

it made Mother furious , because it is so old-fashioned to say " ma'am . "

but when we were crossing the hall I stepped on Mrs Burnett 's train and something tore .

Mrs Burnett gave me a furious look and glowered all through dinner .

the meal was completely spoiled for me and I could find no comfort , even in the Nesselrode pudding , which is my favourite dessert .

it was just when the pudding came on that I got the most unkindest cut of all .

Mrs Allardyce remarked that Sidney Elliot was coming home to Stillwater .

everybody exclaimed and questioned and seemed delighted .

I saw Mother give one quick , involuntary look at Jen , and then gaze steadfastly at Mr Grant to atone for it .

Jen is twenty-six , and Stillwater is next door to our place !

if Sidney Elliot were coming home everything would be spoiled .

there would be no more ramblings in the Stillwater woods , no more delightful skating on the Stillwater lake .

we had no woods , no lake .

I hated Sidney Elliot .

it is ten years since Sidney Elliot closed Stillwater and went abroad .

he has stayed abroad ever since and nobody has missed him , I 'm sure .

I remember him dimly as a tall dark man who used to lounge about alone in his garden and was always reading books .

sometimes he came into our garden and teased us children .

he is said to be a cynic and to detest society .

if this latter item be a fact I almost feel a grim pity for him .

he may detest it , but he will be dragged into it .

rich bachelors are few and far between in Riverton , and the mammas will hunt him down .

I feel like crying .

if Sidney Elliot comes home I shall be debarred from Stillwater .

I have roamed its demesnes for ten beautiful years , and I 'm sure I love them a hundredfold better than he does , or can .

it is flagrantly unfair .

oh , I hate him !

January Twentieth .

no , I don't .

I believe I like him .

yet it 's almost unbelievable .

I 've always thought men so detestable .

I 'm tingling all over with the surprise and pleasure of a little unexpected adventure .

for the first time I have something really worth writing in a diary ....v and I 'm glad I have a diary to write it in .

Blessings on Aunt Jemima !

may her shadow never grow less .

this evening I started out for a last long lingering ramble in my beloved Stillwater woods .

I dressed myself comfortably for climbing fences and skimming over snowy wastes .

thus accoutred , I sallied forth .

it was such a lovely evening that I couldn't help enjoying myself in spite of my sorrows .

the sun was low and creamy , and the snow was so white and the shadows so slender and blue .

all through the lovely Stillwater woods was a fine frosty stillness .

at last I turned into a long aisle that seemed to lead right out into the very heart of a deep-red overflowing winter sunset .

then I saw him !

I knew it was Sidney Elliot in a moment .

after my first mad impulse to rush away and bury myself in the wilderness that smile put me at ease .

if he had looked grave or polite I would have been as miserably shy as I 've always been in a man 's presence .

but it was the smile of a grandfather for a child , and I just grinned cheerfully back at him .

he ploughed along through the thick drift that was soft and spongy by the fence and came close up to me .

" you must be little Cornelia , " he said with another aged smile .

" or rather , you were little Cornelia .

I suppose you are big Cornelia now and want to be treated like a young lady ? "

" indeed , I don't , " I protested .

" I 'm not grown up and I don't want to be .

you are Mr Elliot , I suppose .

nobody expected you till next week .

what made you come so soon ? "

" a whim of mine , " he said .

" I 'm full of whims and crotchets .

old bachelors always are .

" oh , don't tack the Miss on , " I implored .

" call me Cornelia ....n or better still , Nic , as Dad does .

I do resent your coming so soon .

I resent your coming at all .

and , oh , it is such a satisfaction to tell you so . "

he smiled with his eyes ... a deep , black , velvety smile .

but he shook his head sorrowfully .

" I must be getting very old , " he said .

" it 's a sign of age when a person finds himself unwelcome and superfluous . "

" your age has nothing to do with it , " I retorted .

" it is because Stillwater is the only place I have to run wild in ....y and running wild is all I 'm fit for .

it 's so lovely and roomy I can lose myself in it .

I shall die or go mad if I 'm cooped up on our little pocket handkerchief of a lawn . "

" but why should you be ? " he inquired gravely .

I reflected ....y and was surprised .

" after all , I don't know ....y now ....v why I should be , " I admitted .

" I thought you wouldn't want me prowling about your domains .

besides , I was afraid I 'd meet you ....y and I don't like meeting men .

I hate to have them around ....y

I 'm so shy and awkward . "

" do you find me very dreadful ? " he asked .

I reflected again ....y and was again surprised .

" no , I don't .

I don't mind you a bit ... any more than if you were Dad . "

" then you mustn't consider yourself an exile from Stillwater .

let's be good friends , little lass .

shake hands on it . "

I slipped down from the fence and shook hands with him .

I did like him very much ....y he was so nice and unaffected and brotherly ....n just as if I 'd known him all my life .

he was so sympathetic and agreed with me that it was a pity people had to grow up .

he promised to come over tomorrow and look at Don 's leg .

Don is one of my dogs , and he has got a bad leg .

I 've been doctoring it myself , but it doesn't get any better .

Sidney thinks he can cure it .

he says I must call him Sidney if I want him to call me Nic .

when we got to the lake , there it lay all gleaming and smooth as glass ....v the most tempting thing .

" what a glorious possible slide , " he said .

" let us have it , little lass . "

he took my hand and we ran down the slope and went skimming over the ice .

it was glorious .

the house came in sight as we reached the other side .

it was big and dark and silent .

" so the old place is still standing , " said Sidney , looking up at it .

in the dusk I thought his face had a tender , reverent look instead of the rather mocking expression it had worn all along .

" haven't you been there yet ? "

I asked quickly .

" no .

I 'm stopping at the hotel over in Croyden .

the house will need some fixing up before it 's fit to live in .

I just came down tonight to look at it and took a short cut through the woods .

I 'm glad I did .

it was worth while to see you come tramping down that long white avenue when you thought yourself alone with the silence .

I thought I had never seen a child so full of the pure joy of existence .

hold fast to that , little lass , as long as you can .

you 'll never find anything to take its place after it goes .

you jolly little child ! "

" I 'm eighteen , " I said suddenly .

I don't know what made me say it .

he laughed and pulled his coat collar up around his ears .

" never , " he mocked .

" you 're about twelve ... stay twelve , and always wear red caps and jackets , you vivid thing : good night . "

he was off across the lake , and I came home .

yes , I do like him , even if he is a man .

February Twentieth .

you scribble away for a while ....y and then it 's all gone ....v and your soul feels clear as crystal once more .

I always go to Sidney now in a blue mood that has a real cause .

he can cheer me up in five minutes .

but in such a one as this , which is quite unaccountable , there 's nothing for it but a diary .

Sidney has been living at Stillwater for a month .

it seems as if he must have lived there always .

he came to our place the next day after I met him in the woods .

everybody made a fuss over him , but he shook them off with an ease I envied and whisked me out to see Don 's leg .

we have had splendid times since then .

we are just the jolliest chums and we tramp about everywhere together and go skating and snowshoeing and riding .

we read a lot of books together too , and Sidney always explains everything I don't understand .

I 'm not a bit shy and I can always find plenty to say to him .

he isn't at all like any other man I know .

everybody likes him , but the women seem to be a little afraid of him .

they say he is so terribly cynical and satirical .

he goes into society a good bit , although he says it bores him .

he says he only goes because it would bore him worse to stay home alone .

there 's only one thing about Sidney that I hardly like .

I think he rather overdoes it in the matter of treating me as if I were a little girl .

of course , I don't want him to look upon me as grown up .

these are the best things ....y

I suppose ....v but I understand lots of other things too , only I can't convince Sidney that I do .

I know he is laughing at me when I try to show him I 'm not so childish as he thinks me .

he 's indulgent and whimsical , just as he would be with a little girl who was making believe to be grown up .

perhaps next winter , when I put on long dresses and come out , he 'll stop regarding me as a child .

but next winter is so horribly far off .

he said he would , because it was a shame to worry children about society .

but somehow I 've concluded not to bother making a fuss .

I have to come out some time , and I might as well take the plunge and get it over .

they fight every time they meet , so I don't see why Mrs Burnett should think things .

" I wonder what he 'll do when Mrs Rennie comes to the Glasgows ' next month , " said Mrs Burnett .

" why should he do anything ? " asked Jen .

" oh , well , you know there was something between them ... an understanding if not an engagement ....v before she married Rennie .

they met abroad ....y my sister told me all about it ... and Mr Elliot was quite infatuated with her .

she was a very handsome and fascinating girl .

Amy says Mr Elliot was never the same man again .

but Jacob died obligingly two years ago and Mrs Rennie is free now ; so I dare say they 'll make it up .

no doubt that is why she is coming to Riverton .

well , it would be a very suitable match . "

I 'm so glad I never liked Mrs Burnett .

I wonder if it is true that Sidney did care for that horrid woman ....v of course she is horrid !

didn't she marry an old man for his money ? ....n and cares for her still .

it is no business of mine , of course , and it doesn't matter to me at all .

but I rather hope he doesn't ....v because it would spoil everything if he got married .

he wouldn't have time to be chums with me then .

I don't know why I feel so dull tonight .

writing in this diary doesn't seem to have helped me as much as I thought it would , either .

I dare say it 's the weather .

it must be the weather .

it is a wet , windy night and the rain is thudding against the window .

I hate rainy nights .

I wonder if Mrs Rennie is really as handsome as Mrs Burnett says .

I wonder how old she is .

I wonder if she ever cared for Sidney ... no , she didn't .

no woman who cared for Sidney could ever have thrown him over for an old moneybag .

I wonder if I shall like her .

no , I won't .

I 'm sure I shan't like her .

my head is aching and I 'm going to bed .

march Tenth .

Mrs Rennie was here to dinner tonight .

I wanted to see Mrs Rennie .

nothing has been talked of in Riverton for the last fortnight but Mrs Rennie .

I 've heard of her beauty and charm and costumes until I 'm sick of the subject .

today I spoke to Sidney about her .

before I thought I said right out , " Mrs Rennie is to dine with us tonight . "

" yes ? " he said in a quiet voice .

" I 'm dying to see her , " I went on recklessly .

" I 've heard so much about her .

they say she 's so beautiful and fascinating .

is she ?

you ought to know . "

Sidney swung the sled around and put it in position for another coast .

" yes , I know her , " he admitted tranquilly .

" she is a very handsome woman , and I suppose most people would consider her fascinating .

come , Nic , get on the sled .

we have just time for one more coast , and then you must go in . "

" you were once a good friend ....v a very good friend ... of Mrs Rennie 's , weren't you , Sid ? "

I said .

a little mocking gleam crept into his eyes , and I instantly realized that he was looking upon me as a rather impertinent child .

" you 've been listening to gossip , Nic , " he said .

" it 's a bad habit , child .

don't let it grow on you .

come . "

I went , feeling crushed and furious and ashamed .

I knew her at once when I went down to the drawing-room .

there were three other strange women there , but I knew she was the only one who could be Mrs Rennie .

I felt such a horrible queer sinking feeling at my heart when I saw her .

oh , she was beautiful ....y

I had never seen anyone so beautiful .

and Sidney was standing beside her , talking to her , with a smile on his face , but none in his eyes ....v

I noticed that at a glance .

she was so tall and slender and willowy .

her dress was wonderful , and her bare throat and shoulders were like pearls .

I watched her all the evening and the queer feeling in me somewhere grew worse and worse .

I couldn't eat anything .

Sidney took Mrs Rennie in ; they sat opposite to me and talked all the time .

I was so glad when the dinner was over and everybody gone .

that was all .

April Fifth .

aunt Jemima would not think I was getting the good out of my diary .

a whole month and not a word !

but there was nothing to write , and I 've felt too miserable to write if there had been .

I don't know what is the matter with me .

I 'm just cross and horrid to everyone , even to poor Sidney .

Mrs Rennie has been queening it in Riverton society for the past month .

people rave over her and I admire her horribly , although I don't like her .

Mrs Burnett says that a match between her and Sidney Elliot is a foregone conclusion .

it 's plain to be seen that Mrs Rennie loves Sidney .

even I can see that , and I don't know much about such things .

but it puzzles me to know how Sidney regards her .

I have never thought he showed any sign of really caring for her .

but then , he isn't the kind that would .

" I 'm grown up now , " I said crossly .

" why , I 'm eighteen and a half and I 'm two inches taller than any of the other girls . "

Sidney laughed , as if he were heartily amused at something .

" you 're a blessed baby , " he said , " and the dearest , truest , jolliest little chum ever a fellow had .

I don't know what I 'd do without you , Nic .

you keep me sane and wholesome .

I 'm a tenfold better man for knowing you , little girl . "

I was rather pleased .

it was nice to think I was some good to Sidney .

" are you going to the Trents ' dinner tonight ? "

I asked .

" yes , " he said briefly .

" Mrs Rennie will be there , " I said .

Sidney nodded .

" do you think her so very handsome , Sidney ? "

I said .

I had never mentioned Mrs Rennie to him since the day we were coasting , and I didn't mean to now .

the question just asked itself .

" yes , very ; but not as handsome as you will be ten years from now , Nic , " said Sidney lightly .

" do you think I 'm handsome , Sidney ? "

I cried .

" you will be when you 're grown up , " he answered , looking at me critically .

" will you be going to Mrs Greaves ' reception after the dinner ? "

I asked .

" yes , I suppose so , " said Sidney absently .

I could see he wasn't thinking of me at all .

I wondered if he were thinking of Mrs Rennie .

April Sixth .

oh , something so wonderful has happened .

I can hardly believe it .

there are moments when I quake with the fear that it is all a dream .

I wonder if I can really be the same Cornelia Marshall I was yesterday .

no , I 'm not the same ....y and the difference is so blessed .

oh , I 'm so happy !

my heart bubbles over with happiness and song .

it 's so wonderful and lovely to be a woman and know it and know that other people know it .

you dear diary , you were made for this moment ....y

I shall write all about it in you and so fulfil your destiny .

and then I shall put you away and never write anything more in you , because I shall not need you ....v

I shall have Sidney .

last night I was all alone in the house ....v and I was so lonely and miserable .

I put my chin on my hands and I thought ....y and thought ....y and thought .

I imagined Sidney at the Greaves ' , talking to Mrs Rennie with that velvety smile in his eyes .

I suddenly wondered what I would look like in evening dress with my hair up .

I wondered if Sidney would like me in it .

all at once I got up and rushed to Sue 's room .

I lighted the gas , rummaged , and went to work .

then I put on her last winter 's party dress .

finally I stepped back and looked at myself .

at that very moment the maid knocked at the door to tell me that Mr Elliot was downstairs asking for me .

I did not hesitate a second .

with my heart beating wildly I trailed downstairs to Sidney .

he was standing by the fireplace when I went in , and looked very tired .

when he heard me he turned his head and our eyes met .

all at once a terrible thing happened ... at least , I thought it a terrible thing then .

I knew why I had wanted Sidney to realize that I was no longer a child . it was because I loved him !

I knew it the moment I saw that strange , new expression leap into his eyes .

" Cornelia , " he said in a stunned sort of voice .

" why ....y

Nic ....v why , little girl ... you 're a woman !

how blind I 've been !

and now I 've lost my little chum . "

" oh , no , no , " I said wildly .

I was so miserable and confused I didn't know what I said .

" never , Sidney .

I 'd rather be a little girl and have you for a friend ....y

I 'll always be a little girl !

it 's all this hateful dress .

I 'll go and take it off ....y

I 'll ....v . "

and then I just put my hands up to my burning face and the tears that would never come before came in a flood .

all at once I felt Sidney 's arms about me and felt my head drawn to his shoulder .

" don't cry , dearest , " I heard him say softly .

" you can never be a little girl to me again ... my eyes are opened ....y but I didn't want you to be .

I want you to be my big girl ... mine , all mine , forever . "

what happened after that isn't to be written in a diary .

the Old Fellow 's Letter

Ruggles and I were down on the Old Fellow .

I 'll have to confess that we had deserved all we got and that the Old Fellow did no more than his duty by us .

of course , the Old Fellow had another name , just as Ruggles has another name .

he is principal of the Frampton Academy the Old Fellow , not Ruggles and his name is George Osborne .

we have to call him Mr Osborne to his face , but he is the Old Fellow everywhere else .

he is quite old thirty-six if he 's a day , and whatever possessed Sylvia Grant but there , I 'm getting ahead of my story .

most of the Cads like the Old Fellow .

Even Ruggles and I like him on the average .

I heard Emma White say once that he was " so handsome " ; I nearly whooped .

Ruggles was mad because he 's gone on Em .

Em probably said it to provoke Ruggles ; she couldn't really have thought it .

" Micky , " the English professor , now if she had called him handsome there would have been some sense in it .

he is splendid : big six-footer with magnificent muscles , red cheeks , and curly yellow hair .

I can't see how he can be contented to sit down and teach mushy English literature and poetry and that sort of thing .

it would have been more in keeping with the Old Fellow .

Ruggles and I meant to get square with the Old Fellow , if it took all the term ; at least , we said so .

Sylvia Grant did go down the street , however .

Ruggles , hanging halfway out of the window as usual , saw her , and called me to go and look .

of course I went .

Sylvia Grant was always worth looking at .

there was no girl in Frampton who could hold a candle to her when it came to beauty .

as for brains , that is another thing altogether .

my private opinion is that Sylvia hadn't any , or she would never have preferred but there , I 'm getting on too fast again .

Ruggles should have written this story ; he can concentrate better .

Sylvia was the Latin professor 's daughter ; she wasn't a Cad girl , of course .

Micky had it the worst , and we had all made up our minds that Sylvia would marry Micky .

he was so handsome , we didn't see how she could help it .

I tell you , they made a dandy-looking couple when they were together .

well , as I said before , I toddled to the window to have a look at the fair Sylvia .

she was all togged out in some new fall duds , and I guess she 'd come out to show them off .

they were brownish , kind of , and she'd a spanking hat on with feathers and things in it .

her hair was shining under it , all purply-black , and she looked sweet enough to eat .

I 'd thought she looked kind of glum , and I wondered if she and Micky had had a falling out .

he didn't do much talking ; he was too shy , and he looked mighty uncomfortable .

Just across the square Sylvia met the Old Fellow and bowed .

as he passed beneath our window Ruggles chuckled fiendishly .

" I 've thought of something , Polly , " he said my name is Paul .

" bet you it will make the Old Fellow squirm .

let's write a letter to Sylvia Grant a love letter and sign the Old Fellow 's name to it .

she 'll give him a fearful snubbing , and we 'll be revenged . "

" but who 'll write it ? "

I said doubtfully .

" I can't .

you 'll have to , Ruggles .

you 've had more practice . "

Ruggles turned red .

I know he writes to Em White in vacations .

" I 'll do my best , " he said , quite meekly .

" that is , I 'll compose it .

but you 'll have to copy it .

you can imitate the Old Fellow 's handwriting so well . "

" but look here , " I said , an uncomfortable idea striking me , " what about Sylvia ?

won't she feel kind of flattish when she finds out he didn't write it ?

for of course he 'll tell her .

we haven't anything against her , you know . "

" oh , Sylvia won't care , " said Ruggles serenely .

" she 's the sort of girl who can take a joke .

I 've seen her eyes shine over tricks we 've played on the professors before now .

she 'll just laugh .

besides , she doesn't like the Old Fellow a bit .

I know from the way she acts with him .

she 's always so cool and stiff when he 's about , not a bit like she is with the other professors . "

well , Ruggles wrote the letter .

at first he tried to pass it off on me as his own composition .

I told him so , and made him own up .

he had a copy of an old letter that had been written to his sister by her young man .

I suppose Ruggles had stolen it , but there is no use inquiring too closely into these things .

anyhow , that letter just filled the bill .

it was beautifully expressed .

Ruggles 's sister 's young man must have possessed lots of ability .

he was an English professor , something like Micky , so I suppose he was extra good at it .

then we mailed it that very evening .

the next evening the Cad girls gave a big reception in the Assembly Hall to an Academy alumna who was visiting the Greek professor 's wife .

it was the smartest event of the term and everybody was there students and faculty and , of course , Sylvia Grant .

Sylvia looked stunning .

" she 's thinking of the letter , " he said .

Ruggles and I never meant to listen , upon my word we didn't .

it was pure accident .

the room was quite empty , or they thought it was , and they sat down just on the other side of the flags .

they couldn't see us , but we could see them quite plainly .

Sylvia still looked smiling and happy , not a bit mad as we had expected , but just kind of shy and radiant .

as for the Old Fellow , he looked , as Em White would say , as Sphinx-like as ever .

I 'd defy any man alive to tell from the Old Fellow 's expression what he was thinking about or what he felt like at any time .

then all at once Sylvia said softly , with her eyes cast down , " I received your letter , Mr Osborne . "

but the Old Fellow has a nerve .

he looked sideways at Sylvia for a moment and then he said kind of drily , " ah , did you ? "

" yes , " said Sylvia , not much above a whisper .

" it it surprised me very much .

I never supposed that you you cared for me in that way . "

" can you tell me how I could help caring ? " said the Old Fellow in the strangest way .

his voice actually trembled .

" I I don't think I would tell you if I knew , " said Sylvia , turning her head away .

" you see I don't want you to help caring . "

" Sylvia ! "

you never saw such a transformation as came over the Old Fellow .

his eyes just blazed , but his face went white .

he bent forward and took her hand .

" Sylvia , do you mean that you you actually care a little for me , dearest ?

oh , Sylvia , do you mean that ? "

" of course I do , " said Sylvia right out .

why why I 've treasured up old geometry exercises you wrote out for me just because you wrote them .

but I thought I could never make you care for me .

I was the happiest girl in the world when your letter came today . "

" Sylvia , " said the Old Fellow , " I 've loved you for years .

but I never dreamed that you could care for me .

I thought it quite useless to tell you of my love before .

will you can you be my wife , darling ? "

at this point Ruggles and I differ as to what came next .

he asserts that Sylvia turned square around and kissed the Old Fellow .

but I 'm sure she just turned her face and gave him a look and then he kissed her .

it was awful .

I never thought the Old Fellow or Sylvia either could be so spooney .

Ruggles and I would have given anything on earth to be out of that .

we knew we'd no business to be there and we felt as foolish as flatfish .

it was a tremendous relief when the Old Fellow and Sylvia got up at last and trailed away , both of them looking idiotically happy .

" well , did you ever ? " said Ruggles .

it was a girl 's exclamation , but nothing else would have expressed his feelings .

" no , I never , " I said .

" to think that Sylvia Grant should be sweet on the Old Fellow when she could have Micky !

it passes comprehension .

did she did she really promise to marry him , Ruggles ? "

" she did , " said Ruggles gloomily .

" but , I say , isn't that Old Fellow game ?

tumbled to the trick in a jiff ; never let on but what he wrote the letter , never will let on , I bet .

where does the joke come in , Polly , my boy ? "

" it 's on us , " I said , " but nobody will know of it if we hold our tongues .

she 'd go wild if she ever found out the letter was a hoax .

we have made that match , Ruggles .

he 'd never have got up enough spunk to tell her he wanted her , and she 'd probably have married Micky out of spite . "

so it 's all right .

let's go and find the girls . "

the Parting of The Ways

her eyes were very bright , and an unusual flush stained the pallor of her cheek .

two men who were lounging in one corner of the hotel piazza looked admiringly after her .

" she is a beautiful woman , " said one .

" wasn't there some talk about Mrs Longworth and Cunningham last winter ? " asked the other .

" yes .

they were much together .

still , there may have been nothing wrong .

she was old Judge Carmody 's daughter , you know .

Longworth got Carmody under his thumb in money matters and put the screws on .

they say he made Carmody 's daughter the price of the old man 's redemption .

the girl herself was a mere child , I shall never forget her face on her wedding day .

but she 's been plucky since then , I must say .

if she has suffered , she hasn't shown it .

I don't suppose Longworth ever ill-treats her .

he isn't that sort .

he 's simply a grovelling cad that's all .

nobody would sympathise much with the poor devil if his wife did run off with Cunningham . "

meanwhile , Beatrice Longworth walked quickly down the shore road , her white skirt brushing over the crisp golden grasses by the way .

in a sunny hollow among the sandhills she came upon Stephen Gordon , sprawled out luxuriously in the warm , sea-smelling grasses .

the youth sprang to his feet at sight of her , and his big brown eyes kindled to a glow .

Mrs Longworth smiled to him .

they had been great friends all summer .

but he and Mrs Longworth had been congenial from their first meeting .

" you are the very person I was just going in search of .

I 've news to tell .

sit down . "

he spoke eagerly , patting the big gray boulder beside him with his slim , brown hand .

for a moment Beatrice hesitated .

she wanted to be alone just then .

but his clever , homely face was so appealing that she yielded and sat down .

" you are so beautiful , dear lady .

I love to look at you .

will you tilt that hat a little more over the left eye-brow ?

yes so some day I shall paint you . "

his tone and manner were all simplicity .

" when you are a great artist , " said Beatrice , indulgently .

he nodded .

" yes , I mean to be that .

I 've told you all my dreams , you know .

now for my news .

I 'm going away to-morrow .

I had a telegram from father to-day . "

he drew the message from his pocket and flourished it up at her .

" I 'm to join him in Europe at once .

he is in Rome .

think of it in Rome !

I 'm to go on with my art studies there .

and I leave to-morrow . "

" I 'm glad and I 'm sorry and you know which is which , " said Beatrice , patting the shaggy brown head .

" I shall miss you dreadfully , Stephen . "

" we have been splendid chums , haven't we ? " he said , eagerly .

suddenly his face changed .

he crept nearer to her , and bowed his head until his lips almost touched the hem of her dress .

" I 'm glad you came down to-day , " he went on in a low , diffident voice .

" I want to tell you something , and I can tell it better here .

I couldn't go away without thanking you .

I 'll make a mess of it I can never explain things .

but you 've been so much to me you mean so much to me .

you 've made me believe in things I never believed in before .

he paused for a moment ; then went on in a still lower tone :

" it 's hard when a fellow can't speak of his mother because he can't say anything good of her , isn't it ?

my mother wasn't a good woman .

when I was eight years old she went away with a scoundrel .

it broke father 's heart .

nobody thought I understood , I was such a little fellow .

but I did .

I heard them talking .

I knew she had brought shame and disgrace on herself and us .

and I had loved her so !

they were hirelings , and I hated and feared them .

there was an aunt of mine she tried to be good to me in her way .

but she told me a lie , and I never cared for her after I found it out .

and then , father we loved each other and were good chums .

but he didn't believe in much either .

he was bitter , you know .

he said all women were alike .

I grew up with that notion .

I didn't care much for anything nothing seemed worth while .

then I came here and met you . "

he paused again .

Beatrice had listened with a gray look on her face .

" you have changed everything for me .

I was nothing but a clod before .

you are not the mother of my body , but you are of my soul .

it was born of you .

I shall always love and reverence you for it .

you will always be my ideal .

if I ever do anything worth while it will be because of you .

in everything I shall ever attempt I shall try to do it as if you were to pass judgment upon it .

you will be a lifelong inspiration to me .

oh , I am bungling this !

I can't tell you what I feel you are so pure , so good , so noble !

I shall reverence all women for your sake henceforth . "

" but if I could ? " she persisted , gently , " and if I did what then ? "

" I should hate you , " he said , passionately .

" you would be worse than a murderess .

you would kill every good impulse and belief in me .

" thank you , " said Beatrice , almost in a whisper .

" thank you , " she repeated , after a moment .

she stood up and held out her hand .

" I think I must go now .

good-bye , dear laddie .

write to me from Rome .

I shall always be glad to hear from you wherever you are .

and and I shall always try to live up to your ideal of me , Stephen . "

he sprang to his feet and took her hand , lifting it to his lips with boyish reverence .

" I know that , " he said , slowly .

" good-bye , my sweet lady . "

when Mrs Longworth found herself in her room again , she unlocked her desk and took out a letter .

it was addressed to Mr Maurice Cunningham .

she slowly tore it twice across , laid the fragments on a tray , and touched them with a lighted match .

then it crumbled into gray ashes .

she drew a long breath and hid her face in her hands .

the Promissory Note

Ernest Duncan swung himself off the platform of David White 's store and walked whistling up the street .

life seemed good to Ernest just then .

Mr White had given him a rise in salary that day , and had told him that he was satisfied with him .

he had thought himself fortunate to secure such a chance .

his father had died the preceding year , leaving nothing in the way of worldly goods except the house he had lived in .

for several years before his death he had been unable to do much work , and the finances of the little family had dwindled steadily .

" I don't know anything about you , Ernest , " he said bluntly .

" you 're only sixteen , and you may not have an ounce of real grit or worth in you .

but it will be a queer thing if your father 's son hasn't .

I knew him all his life .

a better man never lived nor , before his accident , a smarter one .

I 'll give his son a chance , anyhow .

if you take after your dad you 'll get on all right . "

he was hard-working , conscientious , and obliging .

Mr White was satisfied .

he was beginning to grow old .

this lad had the makings of a good partner in him by and by .

that would all come in due time .

David White was a shrewd man .

hence , he went home to tea on this particular afternoon with buoyant step and smiling eyes .

most of the folks who met him smiled in friendly fashion at the bright-eyed , frank-faced lad .

only old Jacob Patterson scowled grimly as he passed him , emitting merely a surly grunt in response to Ernest 's greeting .

but then , old Jacob Patterson was noted as much for his surliness as for his miserliness .

nobody had ever heard him speak pleasantly to anyone ; therefore his unfriendliness did not at all dash Ernest 's high spirits .

" I 'm sorry for him , " the lad thought .

" he has no interest in life save accumulating money .

he has no other pleasure or affection or ambition .

when he dies I don't suppose a single regret will follow him .

father died a poor man , but what love and respect went with him to his grave aye , and beyond it .

Jacob Patterson , I 'm sorry for you .

you have chosen the poorer part , and you are a poor man in spite of your thousands . "

Ernest and his mother lived up on the hill , at the end of the straggling village street .

the house was a small , old-fashioned one , painted white , set in the middle of a small but beautiful lawn .

he ran gaily into the sitting-room .

" tea ready , lady mother ?

I 'm hungry as a wolf .

good news gives one an appetite .

Mr White has raised my salary a couple of dollars per week .

we must celebrate the event somehow this evening .

what do you say to a sail on the river and an ice cream at Taylor 's afterwards ?

when a little woman can't outlive her schoolgirl hankering for ice cream why , Mother , what 's the matter ?

mother , dear ! "

Mrs Duncan had been standing before the window with her back to the room when Ernest entered .

when she turned he saw that she had been crying .

" oh , Ernest , " she said brokenly , " Jacob Patterson has just been here and he says he says "

" what has that old miser been saying to trouble you ? " demanded Ernest angrily , taking her hands in his .

" he says he holds your father 's promissory note for nine hundred dollars , overdue for several years , " answered Mrs Duncan .

" yes and he showed me the note , Ernest . "

" father 's promissory note for nine hundred ! " exclaimed Ernest in bewilderment .

" but Father paid that note to James Patterson five years ago , Mother just before his accident .

didn't you tell me he did ? "

" yes , he did , " said Mrs Duncan , " but "

" then where is it ? " interrupted Ernest .

" father would keep the receipted note , of course .

we must look among his papers . "

" you won't find it there , Ernest .

we we don't know where the note is .

it it was lost . "

" lost !

that is unfortunate .

but you say that Jacob Patterson showed you a promissory note of Father 's still in existence ?

how can that be ?

it can't possibly be the note he paid .

and there couldn't have been another note we knew nothing of ? "

I must tell you the whole story , Ernest .

but sit down and get your tea first . "

" I haven't any appetite for tea now , Mother , " said Ernest soberly .

" let me hear the whole truth about the matter . "

" seven years ago your father gave his note to old James Patterson , Jacob 's brother , " said Mrs Duncan .

" it was for nine hundred dollars .

two years afterwards the note fell due and he paid James Patterson the full amount with interest .

I remember the day well .

I have only too good reason to .

he went up to the Patterson place in the afternoon with the money .

it was a very hot day .

James Patterson receipted the note and gave it to your father .

your father always remembered that much ; he was also sure that he had the note with him when he left the house .

he then went over to see Paul Sinclair .

a thunderstorm came up while he was on the road .

then , as you know , Ernest , just as he turned in at Paul Sinclair 's gate the lightning flash struck and stunned him .

it was weeks before he came to himself at all .

he never did come completely to himself again .

your father could never remember what he did with it when he left James Patterson 's .

neither Mr Sinclair nor his wife could recollect seeing anything of it at the time of the accident .

James Patterson had left for California the very morning after , and he never came back .

" but , Mother , this note that Jacob Patterson holds I don't understand about this . "

" I 'm coming to that .

old James Patterson was the fussiest man who ever lived , and a stickler for neatness .

' Tut , tut , ' he said , ' this won't do .

here , I 'll draw up another note and tear this blotted one up . '

he did so and your father signed it .

he always supposed James Patterson destroyed the first one , and certainly he must have intended to , for there never was an honester man .

but he must have neglected to do so for , Ernest , it was that blotted note Jacob Patterson showed me today .

he said he found it among his brother 's papers .

I suppose it has been in the desk up at the Patterson place ever since James went to California .

he died last winter and Jacob is his sole heir .

Ernest , that note with the compound interest on it for seven years amounts to over eleven hundred dollars .

how can we pay it ? "

" I 'm afraid that this is a very serious business , Mother , " said Ernest , rising and pacing the floor with agitated strides .

" we shall have to pay the note if we cannot find the other and even if we could , perhaps .

no doubt he believes that he really holds Father 's unpaid note .

he is not a dishonest man ; in fact , he rather prides himself on having made all his money honestly .

he will exact every penny of the debt .

a forlorn hope it proved to be .

the note did not turn up .

old Jacob Patterson proved obdurate .

" there 's nothing for it but to sell our house and pay the debt , Mother , " he said at last .

Ernest had grown old in the days that had followed Jacob Patterson 's demand .

his boyish face was pale and haggard .

" Jacob Patterson will take the case into the law courts if we don't settle at once .

I would only get further and further behind .

I 'm not afraid of hard work , but I dare not borrow money with so little prospect of ever being able to repay it .

we must sell the place and rent that little four-roomed cottage of Mr Percy 's down by the river to live in .

oh , Mother , it half kills me to think of your being turned out of your home like this ! "

it was a bitter thing for Mrs Duncan also , but for Ernest 's sake she concealed her feelings and affected cheerfulness .

it would be necessary to cut their modest expenses down severely .

he saw too , in spite of her efforts to hide it , that leaving her old home was a terrible blow to her .

altogether , Ernest felt bitter and disheartened ; his step lacked spring and his face its smile .

he did his work with dogged faithfulness , but he no longer found pleasure in it .

Paul Sinclair , his father 's friend and cousin , died that winter , leaving two small children .

his wife had died the previous year .

when his business affairs came to be settled they were found to be sadly involved .

there were debts on all sides , and it was soon only too evident that nothing was left for the little boys .

they were homeless and penniless .

" what will become of them , poor little fellows ? " said Mrs Duncan pityingly .

" we are their only relatives , Ernest .

we must give them a home at least . "

" mother , how can we ! " exclaimed Ernest .

" we are so poor .

it 's as much as we can do to get along now , and there is that two hundred to pay Mr White .

I 'm sorry for Danny and Frank , but I don't see how we can possibly do anything for them . "

Mrs Duncan sighed .

" I know it isn't right to ask you to add to your burden , " she said wistfully .

" it is of you I am thinking , Mother , " said Ernest tenderly .

" I can't have your burden added to .

you deny yourself too much and work too hard now .

what would it be if you took the care of those children upon yourself ? "

" don't think of me , Ernest , " said Mrs Duncan eagerly .

" I wouldn't mind .

I 'd be glad to do anything I could for them , poor little souls .

their father was your father 's best friend , and I feel as if it were our duty to do all we can for them .

they 're such little fellows .

who knows how they would be treated if they were taken by strangers ?

and they 'd most likely be separated , and that would be a shame .

but I leave it for you to decide , Ernest .

it is your right , for the heaviest part will fall on you . "

Ernest did not decide at once .

for a week he thought the matter over , weighing pros and cons carefully .

to take the two Sinclair boys meant a double portion of toil and self-denial .

had he not enough to bear now ?

in the end he said to his mother :

" we 'll take the little fellows , Mother .

I 'll do the best I can for them .

we 'll manage a corner and a crust for them . "

so Danny and Frank Sinclair came to the little cottage .

Frank was eight and Danny six , and they were small and lively and mischievous .

they worshipped Mrs Duncan , and thought Ernest the finest fellow in the world .

" you know he gave us presents on our birthdays , " said Frank .

" so we must give him something . "

" I 'll give him one of Papa 's books , " said Frank .

" that pretty one with the red covers and the gold letters . "

a few of Mr Sinclair 's books had been saved for the boys , and were stored in a little box in their room .

on Ernest 's birthday both boys gave him their offerings after breakfast .

" here 's a pottet-knife for you , " said Danny graciously .

" it 's a bully pottet-knife .

it 'll cut real well if you hold it dust the wight way .

I 'll show you . "

" and here 's a book for you , " said Frank .

" it 's a real pretty book , and I guess it 's pretty interesting reading too .

it 's all about the Turks . "

Ernest accepted both gifts gravely , and after the children had gone out he and his mother had a hearty laugh .

" the dear , kind-hearted little lads ! " said Mrs Duncan .

" it must have been a real sacrifice on Danny 's part to give you his beloved ' pottet-knife . '

I was afraid you were going to refuse it at first , and that would have hurt his little feelings terribly .

I don't think the History of the Turks will keep you up burning the midnight oil .

I remember that book of old I could never forget that gorgeous cover .

Mr Sinclair lent it to your father once , and he said it was absolute trash .

why , Ernest , what 's the matter ? "

Ernest had been turning the book 's leaves over carelessly .

suddenly he sprang to his feet with an exclamation , his face turning white as marble .

" mother ! " he gasped , holding out a yellowed slip of paper .

" look !

it 's the lost promissory note . "

mother and son looked at each other for a moment .

then Mrs Duncan began to laugh and cry together .

" your father took that book with him when he went to pay the note , " she said .

" he intended to return it to Mr Sinclair .

I remember seeing the gleam of the red binding in his hand as he went out of the gate .

he must have slipped the note into it and I suppose the book has never been opened since .

oh , Ernest do you think will Jacob Patterson "

" I don't know , Mother .

I must see Mr White about this .

don't be too sanguine .

we 'll have to leave it to his sense of justice .

if he refuses to refund the money I 'm afraid we can't compel him to do so . "

but Jacob Patterson did not any longer refuse belief to Mrs Patterson 's story of the blotted note .

" I 'll pay your money back .

nobody can ever say Jacob Patterson cheated .

I took what I believed to be my due .

since I 'm convinced it wasn't I 'll hand every penny over .

though , mind you , you couldn't make me do it by law .

it 's my honesty , ma'am , it 's my honesty . "

since Jacob Patterson was so well satisfied with the fibre of his honesty , neither Mrs Duncan nor Ernest was disposed to quarrel with it .

Danny and Frank were with them , of course .

" we can't be too good to them , Mother , " said Ernest .

" we really owe all our happiness to them . "

I 'm ashamed to think that I was unwilling to do it at first .

if it hadn't been for what you said , I wouldn't have .

so it is your unselfishness we have to thank for it all , Mother dear . "

the Revolt of Mary Isabel

Louisa had said something similar in spirit to Mary Isabel almost every day of her life .

Mary Isabel had never resented it , even when it hurt her bitterly .

everybody in Latimer knew that Louisa Irving ruled her meek little sister with a rod of iron and wondered why Mary Isabel never rebelled .

Mary Isabel had only one secret from Louisa and she lived in daily dread that Louisa would discover it .

it was a very harmless little secret , but Mary Isabel felt rightly sure that Louisa would not tolerate it for a moment .

they were sitting together in the dim living room of their quaint old cottage down by the shore .

Louisa had never had any trouble with her own hair ; it was straight and sleek and mouse-coloured what there was of it .

Mary Isabel 's face was flushed and her wood-brown eyes looked grieved and pleading .

Mary Isabel was still pretty , and vanity is the last thing to desert a properly constructed woman .

" I can't wear a bonnet yet , Louisa , " she protested .

" bonnets have gone out for everybody except really old ladies .

I want a hat : one of those pretty , floppy ones with pale blue forget-me-nots . "

then it was that Louisa made the remark quoted above .

" I wore a bonnet before I was forty , " she went on ruthlessly , " and so should every decent woman .

it is absurd to be thinking so much of dress at your age , Mary Isabel .

I don't know what sort of a way you 'd bedizen yourself out if I 'd let you , I 'm sure .

it 's fortunate you have somebody to keep you from making a fool of yourself .

I 'm going to town tomorrow and I 'll pick you out a suitable black bonnet .

you 'd look nice starring round in leghorn and forget-me-nots , now , wouldn't you ? "

Mary Isabel privately thought she would , but she gave in , of course , although she did hate bitterly that unbought , unescapable bonnet .

" well , do as you think best , Louisa , " she said with a sigh .

" I suppose it doesn't matter much .

nobody cares how I look anyhow .

but can't I go to town with you ?

I want to pick out my new silk . "

" I 'm as good a judge of black silk as you , " said Louisa shortly .

" it isn't safe to leave the house alone . "

" but I don't want a black silk , " cried Mary Isabel .

" I 've worn black so long ; both my silk dresses have been black .

I want a pretty silver-grey , something like Mrs Chester Ford 's . "

" did anyone ever hear such nonsense ? "

Louisa wanted to know , in genuine amazement .

" Silver-grey silk is the most unserviceable thing in the world .

there 's nothing like black for wear and real elegance .

no , no , Mary Isabel , don't be foolish .

you must let me choose for you ; you know you never had any judgment .

mother told you so often enough .

now , get your sunbonnet and take a walk to the shore .

you look tired .

I 'll get the tea . "

Louisa 's tone was kind though firm .

she Was really good to Mary Isabel as long as Mary Isabel gave her her own way peaceably .

but if she had known Mary Isabel 's secret she would never have permitted those walks to the shore .

Mary Isabel sighed again , yielded , and went out .

there was no shelter at the cottage , so the Irving " girls " never tried to have a garden .

soon after Dr Hamilton had come there to live he had sent a bouquet of early daffodils over by his housekeeper .

then Louisa had come back to the porch door and ostentatiously washed her hands .

Dr Hamilton was an excellent physician and an equally excellent man .

Louisa Irving could not have picked a flaw in his history or character .

Mary Isabel did not look at the Hamilton house .

she kept her head resolutely turned away as she went down the shore lane with its wild sweet loneliness of salt-withered grasses and piping sea-winds .

men did things like that instinctively in Mary Isabel 's company .

Dr Hamilton smiled at the little troubled face under the big sunbonnet .

Mary Isabel had to wear a sunbonnet .

she would never have done it from choice .

" what is the matter ? " asked the doctor , in his big , breezy , old-bachelor voice .

he had another voice for sick-beds and rooms of bereavement , but this one suited best with the purring of the waves and winds .

" how do you know that anything is the matter ? "

Mary Isabel parried demurely .

" by your face .

come now , tell me what it is . "

" it is really nothing .

I have just been foolish , that is all .

I wanted a hat with forget-me-nots and a grey silk , and Louisa says I must have black and a bonnet . "

the doctor looked indignant but held his peace .

he and Mary Isabel had tacitly agreed never to discuss Louisa , because such discussion would not make for harmony .

Mary Isabel 's conscience would not let the doctor say anything uncomplimentary of Louisa , and the doctor 's conscience would not let him say anything complimentary .

so they left her out of the question and talked about the sea and the boats and poetry and flowers and similar non-combustible subjects .

these clandestine meetings had been going on for two months , ever since the day they had just happened to meet below the firs .

Mary Isabel was too hopelessly under Louisa 's thumb .

she might keep tryst below the firs occasionally so long as Louisa didn't know but to no farther lengths would she dare go .

besides , the doctor wasn't quite sure that he really wanted anything more .

so he never tried to make love to Mary Isabel , though he probably would have if he had thought it of any use .

" no .

Louisa will not permit it .

and I think she would if if "

" if Jim hadn't come in Mr Moody 's place , " finished the doctor with his jolly laugh .

Mary Isabel coloured prettily .

" it is not because he is your nephew , doctor .

it is because because "

" because he is the nephew of my brother who was on the other side in that ancient church fracas ?

bless you , I understand .

what a good hater your sister is !

such a tenacity in holding bitterness from one generation to another commands admiration of a certain sort .

as for Jim , he 's a nice little chap , and he is coming to live with me until the manse is repaired . "

" I am sure you will find that pleasant , " said Mary Isabel primly .

" he will be company , " admitted the doctor , who liked company and found the shore road rather lonesome .

" I had a letter from him today saying that he 'd come home with me from the induction .

by the way , they 're tearing down the old post office today .

and that reminds me by Jove , I 'd all but forgotten .

I promised to go up and see Mollie Marr this evening ; Mollie 's nerves are on the rampage again .

I must rush . "

with a wave of his hand the doctor hurried off .

Mary Isabel lingered for some time longer , leaning against the fence , looking dreamily out to sea .

the doctor was a very pleasant companion .

if only Louisa would allow neighbourliness !

Mary Isabel felt a faint , impotent resentment .

the more Mary Isabel thought of that bonnet the more she hated it .

when Mary Isabel saw the handwriting on the envelope she trembled and turned as deadly pale as if she had seen a ghost :

" here 's a letter for you , " said Warren , grinning .

" it 's been a long time on the way nigh fifteen years .

guess the news 'll be rather stale .

we found it behind the old partition when we tore it down today . "

" it is my brother Tom 's writing , " said Mary Isabel faintly .

she went into the room trembling , holding the letter tightly in her clasped hands .

Tom had been dead for ten years and this letter gave her an uncanny sensation ; as of a message from the spirit-land .

fifteen years , ago Thomas Irving had gone to California and five years later he had died there .

Mary Isabel , who had idolized her brother , almost grieved herself to death at the time .

finally she opened the letter with ice-cold fingers .

it had been written soon after Tom reached California .

the first two pages were filled with descriptions of the country and his " job . "

on the third Tom began abruptly :

look here , Mary Isabel , you are not to let Louisa boss you about as she was doing when I was at home .

I was going to speak to you about it before I came away , but I forgot .

Lou is a fine girl , but she is too domineering , and the more you give in to her the worse it makes her .

you 're far too easy-going for your own welfare , Mary Isabel , and for your own sake I Wish you had more spunk .

don't let Louisa live your life for you ; just you live it yourself .

giving in the way you do is bad for both you and Louisa .

it will make her a tyrant and you a poor-spirited creature of no account in the world .

just brace up and stand firm .

when she had read the letter through Mary Isabel took it to her own room and locked it in her bureau drawer .

then she sat by her window , looking out into a sea-sunset , and thought it over .

she had always had a great respect for Tom 's opinion .

he was right oh , she felt that he was right .

what a pity she had not received the letter long ago , before the shackles of habit had become so firmly riveted .

but it was not too late yet .

she would rebel at last and how had Tom phrased it oh , yes , assert her independence .

she owed it to Tom ; It had been his wish and he was dead and she would do her best to fulfil it .

" I shan't get a bonnet , " thought Mary Isabel determinedly .

" Tom wouldn't have liked me in a bonnet .

and , oh , I am horribly afraid of her . "

she had put Tom 's letter in the bosom of her dress and she pressed her fingertips on it that the crackle might give her courage .

" Louisa , " she said firmly , " I am going to town with you . "

" nonsense , " said Louisa shortly .

" you may call it nonsense if you like , but I am going , " said Mary Isabel unquailingly .

" I have made up my mind on that point , Louisa , and nothing you can say will alter it . "

Louisa looked amazed .

never before had Mary Isabel set her decrees at naught .

" are you crazy , Mary Isabel ? " she demanded .

" no , I am not crazy .

but I am going to town and I am going to get a silver-grey silk for myself and a new hat .

I will not wear a bonnet and you need never mention it to me again , Louisa . "

if it had not been for that reassuring crackle of Tom 's letter I fear Mary Isabel would have given in .

" this house can't be left alone .

if you go , I 'll stay . "

Louisa honestly thought that would bring the rebel to terms .

Mary Isabel had never gone to town alone in her life .

Louisa did not believe she would dare to go .

but Mary Isabel did not quail .

defiance was not so hard after all , once you had begun .

Mary Isabel went to town and she went alone .

she spent the whole delightful day in the shops , unhampered by Louisa 's scorn and criticism in her examination of all the pretty things displayed .

she selected a hat she felt sure Tom would like a pretty crumpled grey straw with forget-me-nots and ribbons .

then she bought a grey silk of a lovely silvery shade .

when she got back home she unwrapped her packages and showed her purchases to Louisa .

but Louisa neither looked at them nor spoke to Mary Isabel .

Mary Isabel tossed her head and went to her own room .

her draught of freedom had stimulated her , and she did not mind Louisa 's attitude half as much as she would have expected .

the next day she took the silver-grey silk to the Latimer dressmaker and picked out a fashionable design for it .

" I am going to wear it to the induction tomorrow , " Mary Isabel said , boldly to all appearances , quakingly in reality .

she knew that she was throwing down the gauntlet for good and all .

if she could assert and maintain her independence in this matter Louisa 's power would be broken forever .

twelve years before this , the previously mentioned schism had broken out in the Latimer church .

the minister had sided with the faction which Louisa Irving opposed .

she had promptly ceased going to his church and withdrew all financial support .

she paid to the Marwood church , fifteen miles away , and occasionally she hired a team and drove over there to service .

but she never entered the Latimer church again nor allowed Mary Isabel to do so .

for that matter , Mary Isabel did not wish to go .

she had resented the minister 's attitude almost as bitterly as Louisa .

but when Mr Moody accepted a call elsewhere Mary Isabel hoped that she and Louisa might return to their old church home .

possibly they might have done so had not the congregation called the young , newly fledged James Anderson .

Louisa stared at her sister incredulously .

" have you taken complete leave of your senses , Mary Isabel ? "

" no .

" it is all foolishness to keep away from church just because of an old grudge .

I 'm tired of staying home Sundays or driving fifteen miles to Marwood to hear poor old Mr Grattan .

everybody says Mr Anderson is a splendid young man and an excellent preacher , and I 'm going to attend his services regularly . "

Louisa had taken Mary Isabel 's first defiance in icy disdain .

now she lost her temper and raged .

the storm of angry words beat on Mary Isabel like hail , but she fronted it staunchly .

" if you go to that man 's induction I 'll never forgive you , " Louisa concluded .

Mary Isabel said nothing .

she just primmed up her lips very determinedly , picked up the silk dress , and carried it to her room .

the next day was fine and warm .

Louisa said no word all the morning .

she worked fiercely and slammed things around noisily .

Louisa was blacking the kitchen stove .

Mary Isabel flushed and walked with an unfaltering step out of the house and up the lane .

she resented Louisa 's laughter .

she was sure there was nothing so very ridiculous about her appearance .

women far older than she , even in Latimer , wore light dresses and fashionable hats .

really , Louisa was very disagreeable .

" I have put up with her ways too long , " thought Mary Isabel , with a quick , unwonted rush of anger .

" but I never shall again no , never , let her be as vexed and scornful as she pleases . "

the induction services were interesting , and Mary Isabel enjoyed them .

doctor Hamilton was sitting across from her and once or twice she caught him looking at her admiringly .

the doctor noticed the hat and the grey silk and wondered how Mary Isabel had managed to get her own way concerning them .

what a pretty woman she was !

really , he had never realized before how very pretty she was .

but then , he had never seen her except in a sunbonnet or with her hair combed primly back .

but when the service was over Mary Isabel was dismayed to see that the sky had clouded over and looked very much like rain .

everybody hurried home , and Mary Isabel tripped along the shore road filled with anxious thoughts about her dress .

that kind of silk always spotted , and her hat would be ruined if it got wet .

how foolish she had been not to bring an umbrella !

she reached her own doorstep panting just as the first drop of rain fell .

" thank goodness , " she breathed .

then she tried to open the door .

it would not open .

she could see Louisa sitting by the kitchen window , calmly reading .

" Louisa , open the door quick , " she called impatiently .

Louisa never moved a muscle , although Mary Isabel knew she must have heard .

" Louisa , do you hear what I say ? " she cried , reaching over and tapping on the pane imperiously .

" open the door at once .

it is going to rain it is raining now .

be quick . "

Louisa might as well have been a graven image for all the response she gave .

then did Mary Isabel realize her position .

Louisa had locked her out purposely , knowing the rain was coming .

Louisa had no intention of letting her in ; she meant to keep her out until the dress and hat of her rebellion were spoiled .

this was Louisa 's revenge .

Mary Isabel turned with a gasp .

what should she do ?

the padlocked doors of hen-house and well-house and wood-house : revealed the thoroughness of Louisa 's vindictive design .

where should she go ?

she would go somewhere .

she would not have her lovely new dress and hat spoiled !

she caught her ruffled skirts up in her hand and ran across the yard .

she climbed the fence into the field and ran across that .

another drop of rain struck her cheek .

she never glanced back or she would have seen a horrified face peering from the cottage kitchen window .

Louisa had never dreamed that Mary Isabel would seek refuge over at Dr Hamilton 's .

Dr Hamilton , who had driven home from church with the young minister , saw her coming and ran to open the door for her .

Mary Isabel dashed up the verandah steps , breathless , crimson-cheeked , trembling with pent-up indignation and sense of outrage .

" Louisa locked me out , Dr Hamilton , " she cried almost hysterically .

" she locked me out on purpose to spoil my dress .

I 'll never forgive her , I 'll never go back to her , never , never , unless she asks me to .

I had to come here .

I was not going to have my dress ruined to please Louisa . "

" of course not of course not , " said Dr Hamilton soothingly , drawing her into his big cosy living room .

" you did perfectly right to come here , and you are just in time .

there is the rain now in good earnest . "

Mary Isabel sank into a chair and looked at Dr Hamilton with tears in her eyes .

" wasn't it an unkind , unsisterly thing to do ? " she asked piteously .

" oh , I shall never feel the same towards Louisa again .

Tom was right I didn't tell you about Tom 's letter but I will by and by .

I shall not go back to Louisa after her locking me out .

when it stops raining I 'll go straight up to my cousin Ella 's and stay with her until I arrange my plans .

but one thing is certain , I shall not go back to Louisa . "

" I wouldn't , " said the doctor recklessly .

" now , don't cry and don't worry .

take off your hat you can go to the spare room across the hall , if you like .

Jim has gone upstairs to lie down ; he has a bad headache and says he doesn't want any tea .

so I was going to get up a bachelor 's snack for myself .

my housekeeper is away .

she heard , at church that her mother was ill and went over to Marwood . "

but later on , when tea was over and she and the doctor were left alone , she did not feel embarrassed after all .

instead , she felt delightfully happy and at home .

Dr Hamilton put one so at ease .

she told him all about Tom 's letter and her subsequent revolt .

Dr Hamilton never once made the mistake of smiling .

he listened and approved and sympathized .

Ella will be glad enough to have me for a while ; she has five children and can't get any help . "

the doctor shrugged his shoulders .

he thought of Mary Isabel as unofficial drudge to Ella Kemble and her family .

then he looked at the little silvery figure by the window .

" I think I can suggest a better plan , " he said gently and tenderly .

" suppose you stay here as my wife .

Mary Isabel flushed crimson and her heart beat wildly .

she knew now that she loved Dr Hamilton and Tom would have liked it yes , Tom would .

she remembered how Tom hated the thought of his sisters being old maids .

" I think so too , " she faltered shyly .

" then , " said the doctor briskly , " what is the matter with our being married right here and now ? "

" married ! "

" yes , of course .

I 'll give you fifteen minutes to get used to the idea and then I 'll call Jim down . "

Mary Isabel put her hands to her face .

" you you 're like a whirlwind , " she gasped .

" you take away my breath . "

" think it over , " said the doctor in a businesslike voice .

Mary Isabel thought thought very hard for a few moments .

what would Tom have said ?

was it probable that Tom would have approved of such marrying in haste ?

Mary Isabel came to the decision that he would have preferred it to having family jars bruited abroad .

moreover , Mary Isabel had never liked Ella Kemble very much .

going to her was only one degree better than going back to Louisa .

at last Mary Isabel took her hands down from her face .

" well ? " said the doctor persuasively as she did so .

" I will consent on one condition , " said Mary Isabel firmly .

" Tommy can take the word over , " said the doctor .

Mary Isabel went to the doctor 's desk and wrote a very brief note .

Dear Louisa :

I am going to be married to Dr Hamilton right away .

I 've seen him often at the shore this summer .

I would like you to be present at the ceremony if you choose .

Mary Isabel .

Tommy ran across the field with the note .

it had now ceased raining and the clouds were breaking .

Mary Isabel thought that a good omen .

she and the doctor watched Tommy from the window .

they saw Louisa come to the door , take the note , and shut the door in Tommy 's face .

ten minutes later she reappeared , habited in her mackintosh , with her second-best bonnet on .

" she 's coming , " said Mary Isabel , trembling .

the doctor put his arm protectingly about the little lady .

Mary Isabel tossed her head .

" oh , I 'm not I'm only excited .

I shall never be afraid of Louisa again . "

Louisa came grimly over the field , up the verandah steps , and into the room without knocking .

" yes , I did , " said Mary Isabel firmly .

" you are going to be married to that man in this shameless , indecent haste ? "

" yes . "

" and nothing I can say will have the least effect on you ? "

" not the slightest . "

do have that much respect for your parents ' memory , at least . "

" of course I will , " cried Mary Isabel impulsively , softening at once .

" of course we will won't we ? " she asked , turning prettily to the doctor .

" just as you say , " he answered gallantly .

Louisa snorted .

" I 'll go home and air the parlour , " she said .

" it 's lucky I baked that fruitcake Monday .

you can come when you 're ready . "

she stalked home across the field .

the Twins and a Wedding

sometimes Johnny and I wonder what would really have happened if we had never started for Cousin Pamelia 's wedding .

anyhow , he couldn't have come back for four years .

Johnny and I fully expected to go to Cousin Pamelia 's wedding because we had always been such chums with her .

and she did write to Mother to be sure and bring us , but Father and Mother didn't want to be bothered with us .

that is the plain truth of the matter .

but I think we are pretty good , considering all the temptations we have to be otherwise .

and , of course , twins have just twice as many as ordinary children .

anyway , Father and Mother said we would have to stay home with Hannah Jane .

this decision came upon us , as Johnny says , like a bolt from the blue .

at first we couldn't believe they were not joking .

why , we felt that we simply had to go to Pamelia 's wedding .

we had never been to a wedding in our lives and we were just aching to see what it would be like .

besides , we had written a marriage ode to Pamelia and we wanted to present it to her .

Johnny was to recite it , and he had been practising it out behind the carriage house for a week .

I wrote the most of it .

I can write poetry as slick as anything .

Johnny helped me hunt out the rhymes .

that is the hardest thing about writing poetry , it is so difficult to find rhymes .

Johnny would find me a rhyme and then I would write a line to suit it , and we got on swimmingly .

when we realized that Father and Mother meant what they said we were just too miserable to live .

when I went to bed that night I simply pulled the clothes over my face and howled quietly .

I couldn't help it when I thought of Pamelia 's white silk dress and tulle veil and flower girls and all the rest .

Johnny said it was the wedding dinner he thought about .

boys are like that , you know .

father and Mother went away on the early morning train , telling us to be good twins and not bother Hannah Jane .

it would have been more to the point if they had told Hannah Jane not to bother us .

she worries more about our bringing up than Mother does .

" Sue , " said Johnny impressively , " if you have any real sporting blood in you now is the time to show it .

if you 've enough grit we 'll get to Pamelia 's wedding after all . "

" how ? "

I said as soon as I was able to say anything .

" we 'll just go .

we 'll take the ten o'clock train .

it will get to Marsden by eleven-thirty and that 'll be in plenty of time .

the wedding isn't until twelve . "

" but we 've never been on the train alone , and we 've never been to Marsden at all ! "

I gasped .

" oh , of course , if you 're going to hatch up all sorts of difficulties ! " said Johnny scornfully .

" I thought you had more spunk ! "

" oh , I have , Johnny , " I said eagerly .

" I 'm all spunk .

and I 'll do anything you 'll do .

but won't Father and Mother be perfectly savage ? "

" of course .

but we 'll be there and they can't send us home again , so we 'll see the wedding .

we 'll be punished afterwards all right , but we 'll have had the fun , don't you see ? "

I saw .

I went right upstairs to dress , trusting everything blindly to Johnny .

I put on my best pale blue shirred silk hat and my blue organdie dress and my high-heeled slippers .

Johnny whistled when he saw me , but he never said a word ; there are times when Johnny is a duck .

we slipped away when Hannah Jane was feeding the hens .

" I 'll buy the tickets , " explained Johnny .

" I 've got enough money left out of my last month 's allowance because I didn't waste it all on candy as you did .

you 'll have to pay me back when you get your next month 's jink , remember .

I 'll ask the conductor to tell us when we get to Marsden .

Uncle Fred 's house isn't far from the station , and we 'll be sure to know it by all the cherry trees round it . "

it sounded easy , and it was easy .

we had a jolly ride , and finally the conductor came along and said , " here 's your jumping-off place , kiddies . "

Johnny didn't like being called a kiddy , but I saw the conductor 's eye resting admiringly on my blue silk hat and I forgave him .

we started for it as fast as we could go , for we knew we had no time to lose .

we finally reached the house and turned in at the open gate of the lawn .

" nonsense ! " said Johnny , cross as a bear , because he was really afraid of it too .

" I suppose everybody is inside the house .

no , there are two people over there by that bench .

let us go and ask them if this is the right place , because if it isn't we have no time to lose . "

we ran across the lawn to the two people .

one of them was a young lady , the very prettiest young lady I had ever seen .

but she looked very cross and disdainful and I knew the minute I saw her that she had been quarrelling with the young man .

he was standing in front of her and he was as handsome as a prince .

but he looked angry too .

altogether , you never saw a crosser-looking couple .

just as we came up we heard the young lady say , " what you ask is ridiculous and impossible , Ted .

I can't get married at two days ' notice and I don't mean to be . "

and he said , " very well , Una , I am sorry you think so .

you would not think so if you really cared anything for me .

it is just as well I have found out you don't .

I am going away in two days ' time and I shall not return in a hurry , Una . "

" I do not care if you never return , " she said .

that was a fib and well I knew it .

but the young man didn't men are so stupid at times .

" please , sir , " said Johnny respectfully , but hurriedly .

" we 're looking for Mr Frederick Murray 's place .

is this it ? "

" no , " said the young man a little gruffly .

" this is Mrs Franklin 's place .

Frederick Murray lives at Marsden , ten miles away . "

my heart gave a jump and then stopped beating .

I know it did , although Johnny says it is impossible .

" isn't this Marsden ? " cried Johnny chokily .

" no , this is Harrowsdeane , " said the young man , a little more mildly .

I couldn't help it .

I was tired and warm and so disappointed .

I sat right down on the rustic seat behind me and burst into tears , as the story-books say .

" oh , don't cry , dearie , " said the young lady in a very different voice from the one she had used before .

she sat down beside me and put her arms around me .

" we 'll take you over to Marsden if you 've got off at the wrong station . "

" but it will be too late , " I sobbed wildly .

for Johnny had stuck his hands in his pockets and turned his back squarely on me .

I thought it so unkind of him .

" tell me all about it , " said the young lady .

" and now it 's all no use , " I wailed .

" and we 'll be punished when they find out just the same .

I wouldn't mind being punished if we hadn't missed the wedding .

I shall never get over this never if I live to be as old as Methuselah . "

" what can we do for them ? " said the young lady , looking up at the young man and smiling a little .

she seemed to have forgotten that they had just quarrelled .

" I can't bear to see children disappointed .

I remember my own childhood too well . "

if it is a wedding they want to see and nothing else will do them , that is the only idea I can suggest . "

" nonsense ! " said the young lady .

but she said it as if she would rather like to be persuaded it wasn't nonsense .

I looked up at her .

" oh , if you have any notion of being married I wish you would right off , " I said eagerly .

" any wedding would do just as well as Pamelia 's .

please do . "

the young lady laughed .

" one might just as well be married at two hours ' notice as two days ' , " she said .

" Una , " said the young man , bending towards her , " will you marry me here and now ?

don't send me away alone to the other side of the world , Una . "

" what on earth would Auntie say ? " said Una helplessly .

" Mrs Franklin wouldn't object if you told her you were going to be married in a balloon . "

" I don't see how we could arrange oh , Ted , it 's absurd . "

" ' Tisn't .

it 's highly sensible .

I 'll go straight to town on my wheel for the licence and ring and I 'll be back in an hour .

you can be ready by that time . "

for a moment Una hesitated .

then she said suddenly to me , " what is your name , dearie ? "

" sue Murray , " I said , " and this is my brother , Johnny .

we 're twins .

we 've been twins for ten years . "

" well , Sue , I 'm going to let you decide for me .

he received his orders only yesterday .

he wants me to marry him and go with him .

now , I shall leave it to you to consent or refuse for me .

shall I marry him or shall I not ? "

" marry him , of course , " said I promptly .

Johnny says she knew I would say that when she left it to me .

" very well , " said Una calmly .

" Ted , you may go for the necessaries .

Sue , you must be my bridesmaid and Johnny shall be best man .

come , we 'll go into the house and break the news to Auntie . "

I never felt so interested and excited in my life .

it seemed too good to be true .

Una and I went into the house and there we found the sweetest , pinkest , plumpest old lady asleep in an easy-chair .

Una wakened her and said , " auntie , I 'm going to be married to Mr Prentice in an hour 's time . "

that was a most wonderful old lady !

all she said was , " dear me ! "

you 'd have thought Una had simply told her she was going out for a walk .

" Ted has gone for licence and ring and minister , " Una went on .

" we shall be married out under the cherry trees and I 'll wear my new white organdie .

we shall leave for Japan in two days .

these children are Sue and Johnny Murray who have come out to see a wedding any wedding .

Ted and I are getting married just to please them . "

" dear me ! " said the old lady again .

" this is rather sudden .

still if you must .

well , I 'll go and see what there is in the house to eat . "

she toddled away , smiling , and Una turned to me .

she was laughing , but there were tears in her eyes .

" you blessed accidents ! " she said , with a little tremble in her voice .

" if you hadn't happened just then Ted would have gone away in a rage and I might never have seen him again .

come now , Sue , and help me dress . "

Johnny stayed in the hall and I went upstairs with Una .

we had such an exciting time getting her dressed .

she had the sweetest white organdie you ever saw , all frills and laces .

I 'm sure Pamelia 's silk couldn't have been half so pretty .

but she had no veil , and I felt rather disappointed about that .

" I 've brought you my wedding veil , dearie , " she said .

" I wore it forty years ago .

and God bless you , dearie .

I can't stop a minute .

the boy is killing the chickens and Bridget is getting ready to broil them .

Mrs Jenner 's son across the road has just gone down to the bakery for a wedding cake . "

with that she toddled off again .

she was certainly a wonderful old lady .

I just thought of Mother in her place .

well , Mother would simply have gone wild entirely .

when Una was dressed she looked as beautiful as a dream .

I was too happy to speak .

I had never thought of being a bridesmaid in my wildest dreams and here I was one .

how thankful I was that I had put on my blue organdie and my shirred hat !

I wasn't a bit nervous and I don't believe Una was either .

Mrs Franklin stood at one side with a smudge of flour on her nose , and she had forgotten to take off her apron .

Bridget and the boy watched us from the kitchen garden .

it was all like a beautiful , bewildering dream .

but the ceremony was horribly solemn .

when it was all over I nudged Johnny and said " Ode " in a fierce whisper .

Johnny immediately stepped out before Una and recited it .

Pamelia 's name was mentioned three times and of course he should have put Una in place of it , but he forgot .

you can't remember everything .

" you dear funny darlings ! " said Una , kissing us both .

Johnny didn't like that , but he said he didn't mind it in a bride .

then we had dinner , and I thought Mrs Franklin more wonderful than ever .

I couldn't have believed any woman could have got up such a spread at two hours ' notice .

of course , some credit must be given to Bridget and the boy .

Johnny and I were hungry enough by this time and we enjoyed that repast to the full .

we went home on the evening train .

when we got home we found Hannah Jane and Father and Mother who had arrived there an hour before us simply distracted .

" some are born to luck , some achieve luck , and some have luck thrust upon them , " he said .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories , @number@ to @number@ by Lucy Maud Montgomery

produced by Alicia Williams , Jeannie Howse and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at @url@

Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories , @number@ to @number@

Lucy Maud Montgomery was born at Clifton ( now New London ) , Prince Edward Island , Canada , on @date@ .

she achieved international fame in her lifetime , putting Prince Edward Island and Canada on the world literary map .

best known for her " Anne of Green Gables " books , she was also a prolific writer of short stories and poetry .

she published some @number@ short stories and poems and twenty novels before her death in @number@

the Project Gutenberg collection of her short stories was gathered from numerous sources and is presented in chronological publishing order :

short Stories @number@ to @number@

a Golden Wedding

" what can have happened ? " he said to himself .

" uncle Tom and Aunt Sally can't be dead I 'd have seen their deaths in the paper if they was .

and I'd a-thought if they 'd moved away it 'd been printed too .

they can't have been gone long that flower-bed must have been made up last spring .

well , this is a kind of setback for a fellow .

S'pose I might as well toddle over to Stetsons ' and inquire if they haven't disappeared , too . "

he went through the old firs back of the lot and across the field to a rather shabby house beyond .

a cheery-faced woman answered his knock and looked at him in a puzzled fashion .

" have you forgot me , Mrs Stetson ?

don't you remember Lovell Stevens and how you used to give him plum tarts when he 'd bring your turkeys home ? "

Mrs Stetson caught both his hands in a hearty clasp .

" I guess I haven't forgotten ! " she declared .

" well , well , and you 're Lovell !

I think I ought to know your face , though you 've changed a lot .

fifteen years have made a big difference in you .

come right in .

Pa , this is Lovell you mind Lovell , the boy Aunt Sally and Uncle Tom had for years ? "

" reckon I do , " drawled Jonah Stetson with a friendly grin .

" ain't likely to forget some of the capers you used to be cutting up .

you 've filled out considerable .

where have you been for the last ten years ?

aunt Sally fretted a lot over you , thinking you was dead or gone to the bad . "

Lovell 's face clouded .

but where 's Uncle Tom and Aunt Sally gone ?

surely they ain't dead ? "

" no , " said Jonah Stetson slowly , " no but I guess they 'd rather be .

they 're in the poorhouse . "

" the poorhouse !

aunt Sally in the poorhouse ! " exclaimed Lovell .

" yes , and it 's a burning shame , " declared Mrs Stetson .

" aunt Sally 's just breaking her heart from the disgrace of it .

but it didn't seem as if it could be helped .

uncle Tom got so crippled with rheumatism he couldn't work and Aunt Sally was too frail to do anything .

they hadn't any relations and there was a mortgage on the house . "

" there wasn't any when I went away . "

" no ; they had to borrow money six years ago when Uncle Tom had his first spell of rheumatic fever .

this spring it was clear that there was nothing for them but the poorhouse .

they went three months ago and terrible hard they took it , especially Aunt Sally , I felt awful about it myself .

Lovell weighed his hat in his hands and frowned over it reflectively .

" who owns the house now ? "

" Peter Townley .

he held the mortgage .

and all the old furniture was sold too , and that most killed Aunt Sally .

but do you know what she 's fretting over most of all ?

she talks about it all the time .

you 're not going , Lovell " for Lovell had risen " you must stop with us , since your old home is closed up .

we 'll scare you up a shakedown to sleep on and you 're welcome as welcome .

I haven't forgot the time you caught Mary Ellen just as she was tumbling into the well . "

it 's kind of more central . "

" got on pretty well out west , hey ? " queried Jonah .

" pretty well for a fellow who had nothing but his two hands to depend on when he went out , " said Lovell cautiously .

" I 've only been a labouring man , of course , but I 've saved up enough to start a little store when I go back .

that 's why I came east for a trip now before I 'd be tied down to business .

I was hankering to see Aunt Sally and Uncle Tom once more .

I 'll never forget how kind and good they was to me .

there I was , when Dad died , a little sinner of eleven , just heading for destruction .

they give me a home and all the schooling I ever had and all the love I ever got .

it was Aunt Sally 's teachings made as much a man of me as I am .

I never forgot ' em and I 've tried to live up to ' em . "

after tea Lovell said he thought he 'd stroll up the road and pay Peter Townley a call .

Jonah Stetson and his wife looked at each other when he had gone .

" got something in his eye , " nodded Jonah .

" him and Peter weren't never much of friends . "

" maybe Aunt Sally 's bread is coming back to her after all , " said his wife .

" people used to be hard on Lovell .

but I always liked him and I 'm real glad he 's turned out so well . "

Lovell came back to the Stetsons ' the next evening .

in the interval he had seen Aunt Sally and Uncle Tom .

the meeting had been both glad and sad .

Lovell had also seen other people .

uncle Tom and Aunt Sally ain't going to spend their golden wedding in the poorhouse no , sir .

they 'll spend it in their own home with their old friends about them .

but they 're not to know anything about it till the very night .

do you s'pose any of the old furniture could be got back ? "

" I believe every stick of it could , " said Mrs Stetson excitedly .

" most of it was bought by folks living handy and I don't believe one of them would refuse to sell it back .

Uncle Tom 's old chair is here to begin with Aunt Sally give me that herself .

she said she couldn't bear to have it sold .

they visited every house where a bit of Aunt Sally 's belongings could be found .

meanwhile , Mrs Stetson had been revolving a design in her mind , and one afternoon she did some canvassing on her own account .

the next time she saw Lovell she said :

" we ain't going to let you do it all .

the evening of the wedding anniversary came .

everybody in Blair was in the plot , including the matron of the poorhouse .

that night Aunt Sally watched the sunset over the hills through bitter tears .

" I never thought I 'd be celebrating my golden wedding in the poorhouse , " she sobbed .

" just get your bonnet on , Aunt Sally , " he cried jovially , " and both of you come along with me .

" Lovell , oh , what do you mean ? " said Aunt Sally tremulously .

" I 'll explain what I mean as we drive along .

Hurry up the folks are waiting . "

when they reached the little old house , it was all aglow with light .

aunt Sally gave a cry as she entered it .

all her old household goods were back in their places .

there were some new ones too , for Lovell had supplied all that was lacking .

the house was full of their old friends and neighbours .

Mrs Stetson welcomed them home again .

they had a right royal celebration , and a supper such as the Blair housewives could produce .

there were speeches and songs and tales .

Lovell kept himself in the background and helped Mrs Stetson cut cake in the pantry all the evening .

but when the guests had gone , he went to Aunt Sally and Uncle Tom , who were sitting by the fire .

" here 's a little golden wedding present for you , " he said awkwardly , putting a purse into Aunt Sally 's hand .

there were twenty-five bright twenty-dollar gold pieces in the purse .

" we can't take it , Lovell , " protested Aunt Sally .

" you can't afford it . "

" don't you worry about that , " laughed Lovell .

" out west men don't think much of a little wad like that .

I owe you far more than can be paid in cash , Aunt Sally .

" God bless you , Lovell , " said Uncle Tom huskily .

" you don't know what you 've done for Sally and me . "

but Aunt Sally 's face was worth it all yes , sir .

and you 've got your two hands still and an old couple 's prayers and blessings .

not such a bad capital , Lovell , not such a bad capital . "

a Redeeming Sacrifice

the dance at Byron Lyall 's was in full swing .

Mattie Lyall came out with a dipper of water and sprinkled the floor , from which a fine dust was rising .

Toff 's violin purred under his hands as he waited for the next set to form .

the dancers were slow about it .

" fill up dere , boys , " shouted the fiddler impatiently .

" bring out your gals for de nex ' set . "

after a moment Paul King led out Joan Shelley from the shadowy corner where they had been sitting .

they had already danced several sets together ; Joan had not danced with anybody else that evening .

as they stood together under the light from the lamp on the shelf above them , many curious and disapproving eyes watched them .

he was a handsome fellow , with the easy , winning ways that women love .

a bad egg was Paul King , with a bad past and a bad future .

he was shiftless and drunken ; ugly tales were told of him .

not a man in Lyall 's house that night but grudged him the privilege of standing up with Joan Shelley .

Joan was a slight , blossom-like girl in white , looking much like the pale , sweet-scented house rose she wore in her dark hair .

her face was colourless and young , very pure and softly curved .

she had wonderfully sweet , dark blue eyes , generally dropped down , with notably long black lashes .

there were many showier girls in the groups around her , but none half so lovely .

she made all the rosy-cheeked beauties seem coarse and over-blown .

she left in Paul 's clasp the hand by which he had led her out on the floor .

now and then he shifted his gaze from the faces before him to hers .

when he did , she always looked up and they exchanged glances as if they had been utterly alone .

three other couples gradually took the floor and the reel began .

Joan drifted through the figures with the grace of a wind-blown leaf .

Paul danced with rollicking abandon , seldom taking his eyes from Joan 's face .

Joan looked at Paul .

that look meant that she would do as he , and none other , told her .

Paul nodded easily he did not want any fuss just then and the girl went obediently into the room .

Paul , with a whistle , sauntered down the sandy lane , thinking of Joan .

how mightily he loved her he , Paul King , who had made a mock of so many women and had never loved before !

ah , and she loved him .

he had won her ; she was his and his only , for the asking .

Paul lay softly and listened to what they were saying .

he was not troubled by any sense of dishonour .

honour was something Paul King could not lose since it was something he had never possessed .

they were talking of him and Joan .

" what a shame that a girl like Joan Shelley should throw herself away on a man like that , " Holmes said .

Byron Lyall removed the pipe he was smoking and spat reflectively at his shadow .

" darned shame , " he agreed .

" that girl 's life will be ruined if she marries him , plum ' ruined , and marry him she will .

he 's bewitched her darned if I can understand it .

a dozen better men have wanted her Connor Mitchell for one .

and he 's a honest , steady fellow with a good home to offer her .

if King had left her alone , she 'd have taken Connor .

she used to like him well enough .

but that 's all over .

she 's infatuated with King , the worthless scamp .

she 'll marry him and be sorry for it to her last day .

he 's bad clear through and always will be .

Paul hasn't .

it hasn't made any difference .

he was dead drunk night afore last at the Harbour head , and he hasn't done a stroke of work for a month .

and yet Joan Shelley 'll take him . "

" what are her people thinking of to let her go with him ? " asked Holmes .

" she hasn't any but her brother .

he 's against Paul , of course , but it won't matter .

the girl 's fancy 's caught and she 'll go her own gait to ruin .

ruin , I tell ye .

if she marries that handsome ne'er-do-well , she 'll be a wretched woman all her days and none to pity her . "

he felt no anger over Byron Lyall 's unsparing condemnation .

he knew it was true , every word of it .

he was a worthless scamp and always would be .

he knew that perfectly well .

it was in his blood .

none of his race had ever been respectable and he was worse than them all .

he had no intention of trying to reform because he could not and because he did not even want to .

he was not fit to touch Joan 's hand .

yet he had meant to marry her !

but to spoil her life !

would it do that ?

yes , it surely would .

the man suddenly felt his eyes wet with tears .

he had never shed a tear in his daredevil life before , but they came hot and stinging now .

something he had never known or thought of before entered into his passion and purified it .

he loved Joan .

did he love her well enough to stand aside and let another take the sweetness and grace that was now his own ?

did he love her well enough to save her from the poverty-stricken , shamed life she must lead with him ?

did he love her better than himself ?

" I ain't fit to think of her , " he groaned .

" I never did a decent thing in my life , as they say .

but how can I give her up God , how can I ? "

he lay still a long time after that , until the moonlight crept around the boat and drove away the shadow .

slowly and reverently he plucked off the petals and scattered them on the ripples , where they drifted lightly off like fairy shallops on moonshine .

the two men talked together for some time .

when the dance broke up and the guests straggled homeward , Paul sought Joan .

Rob Shelley had his own girl to see home and relinquished the guardianship of his sister with a scowl .

Paul strode out of the kitchen and down the steps at the side of Joan , smiling with his usual daredeviltry .

he whistled noisily all the way up the lane .

" great little dance , " he said .

" my last in Prospect for a spell , I guess . "

" why ? " asked Joan wonderingly .

" oh , I 'm going to take a run down to South America in Matheson 's schooner .

Lord knows when I 'll come back .

this old place has got too deadly dull to suit me .

I 'm going to look for something livelier . "

Joan 's lips turned ashen under the fringes of her white fascinator .

she trembled violently and put one of her small brown hands up to her throat .

" you you are not coming back ? " she said faintly .

" not likely .

I 'm pretty well tired of Prospect and I haven't got anything to hold me here .

things 'll be livelier down south . "

Joan said nothing more .

they walked along the spruce-fringed roads where the moonbeams laughed down through the thick , softly swaying boughs .

Paul whistled one rollicking tune after another .

the girl bit her lips and clenched her hands .

he cared nothing for her he had been making a mock of her as of others .

hurt pride and wounded love fought each other in her soul .

pride conquered .

she would not let him , or anyone , see that she cared .

she would not care !

at her gate Paul held out his hand .

" well , good-bye , Joan .

I 'm sailing tomorrow so I won't see you again not for years likely .

you will be some sober old married woman when I come back to Prospect , if I ever do . "

" good-bye , " said Joan steadily .

she gave him her cold hand and looked calmly into his face without quailing .

she had loved him with all her heart , but now a fatal scorn of him was already mingling with her love .

he was what they said he was , a scamp without principle or honour .

Paul whistled himself out of the Shelley lane and over the hill .

then he flung himself down under the spruces , crushed his face into the spicy frosted ferns , and had his black hour alone .

prospect people nodded their satisfaction .

" good riddance , " they said .

" Paul King is black to the core .

he never did a decent thing in his life . "

a Soul That Was Not at Home

miss Trevor sighed with sheer happiness in all the wonderful , fleeting , elusive loveliness of sky and sea .

then she turned to look back at Noel 's Cove , dim and shadowy in the gloom of the tall headlands , and she saw Paul .

it did not occur to her that he could be a shore boy she knew the shore type too well .

he had a lithe , supple body , with sloping shoulders and a brown , satin throat .

presently he smiled dreamily , and the smile completed her subjugation .

the boy turned his head and looked at her , first with surprise , then with inquiry , then with admiration .

Miss Trevor , in a white dress with a lace scarf on her dark , stately head , was well worth admiring .

she smiled at him and Paul smiled back .

Miss Trevor had enough discrimination to realize this and know that she need not waste time in becoming acquainted .

" I want to know your name and where you live and what you were looking at beyond the sunset , " she said .

" my name is Paul Hubert .

I live over there .

in her surprise over the second clause of his answer , Miss Trevor forgot , at first , to appreciate the last .

could this boy , who looked as young princes should and seldom do live there ?

then he was a shore boy after all .

" who lives there with you ? " she asked .

" you see " plaintively " I must ask questions about you .

I know we like each other , and that is all that really matters .

but there are some tiresome items which it would be convenient to know .

for example , have you a father a mother ?

are there any more of you ?

how long have you been yourself ? "

Paul did not reply immediately .

he clasped his hands behind him and looked at her affectionately .

" I like the way you talk , " he said .

" I never knew anybody did talk like that except folks in books and my rock people . "

" your rock people ? "

" I 'm eleven years old .

I haven't any father or mother , they 're dead .

I live over there with Stephen Kane .

Stephen is splendid .

he plays the violin and takes me fishing in his boat .

when I get bigger he 's going shares with me .

I love him , and I love my rock people too . "

" what do you mean by your rock people ? " asked Miss Trevor , enjoying herself hugely .

" Nora is one of them , " said Paul , " the best one of them .

I love her better than all the others because she came first .

she lives around that point and she has black eyes and black hair and she knows all about the mermaids and water kelpies .

you ought to hear the stories she can tell .

then there are the Twin Sailors .

they don't live anywhere they sail all the time , but they often come ashore to talk to me .

do you know what happened to the Youngest Twin Sailor once ?

he was sailing and he sailed right into a moonglade .

a moonglade is the track the full moon makes on the water when it is rising from the sea , you know .

he had some wonderful adventures inside the moon I 've got them all written down in my foolscap book .

then there is the Golden Lady of the Cave .

she has golden hair right down to her feet , and her dress is all glittering and glistening like gold that is alive .

I 've never told Nora about the Golden Lady , because I think it would hurt her feelings .

it even hurts her feelings when I talk too long with the Twin Sailors .

and I hate to hurt Nora 's feelings , because I do love her best of all my rock people . "

" Paul !

how much of this is true ? " gasped Miss Trevor .

" why , none of it ! " said Paul , opening his eyes widely and reproachfully .

" I thought you would know that .

if I 'd s'posed you wouldn't I 'd have warned you there wasn't any of it true .

I thought you were one of the kind that would know . "

" I am .

oh , I am ! " said Miss Trevor eagerly .

" I really would have known if I had stopped to think .

well , it 's getting late now .

I must go back , although I don't want to .

but I 'm coming to see you again .

will you be here tomorrow afternoon ? "

Paul nodded .

" yes .

I promised to meet the Youngest Twin Sailor down at the striped rocks tomorrow afternoon , but the day after will do just as well .

that is the beauty of the rock people , you know .

you can always depend on them to be there just when you want them .

the Youngest Twin Sailor won't mind he 's very good-tempered .

if it was the Oldest Twin I dare say he 'd be cross .

I have my suspicions about that Oldest Twin sometimes .

I b'lieve he 'd be a pirate if he dared .

you don't know how fierce he can look at times .

there 's really something very mysterious about him . "

on her way back to the hotel Miss Trevor remembered the foolscap book .

" I must get him to show it to me , " she mused , smiling .

" why , the boy is a born genius and to think he should be a shore boy !

I can't understand it .

and here I am loving him already .

well , a woman has to love something and you don't have to know people for years before you can love them . "

Paul was waiting on the Noel 's Cove rocks for Miss Trevor the next afternoon .

he was not alone ; a tall man , with a lined , strong-featured face and a grey beard , was with him .

the man was clad in a rough suit and looked what he was , a ' longshore fisherman .

but he had deep-set , kindly eyes , and Miss Trevor liked his face .

then he walked away up the cove and disappeared in his little grey house .

" Stephen came down to see if you were a suitable person for me to talk to , " said Paul gravely .

" I hope he thinks I am , " said Miss Trevor , amused .

" oh , he does !

he wouldn't have gone away and left us alone if he didn't .

Stephen is very particular who he lets me ' sociate with .

I 'd do anything for Stephen .

he 's awful good to me .

Stephen 's bringing me up , you know , and he 's bound to do it well .

we 're just perfectly happy here , only I wish I'd more books to read .

we sit there for hours sometimes .

we never talk much Stephen isn't much of a hand for talking but we just sit and think .

there 's not many men like Stephen , I can tell you . "

Miss Trevor did not get a glimpse of the foolscap book that day , nor for many days after .

Paul blushed all over his beautiful face whenever she mentioned it .

" oh , I couldn't show you that , " he said uncomfortably .

" why , I 've never even showed it to Stephen or Nora .

let me tell you something else instead , something that happened to me once long ago .

you 'll find it more interesting than the foolscap book , only you must remember it isn't true !

you won't forget that , will you ? "

" I 'll try to remember , " Miss Trevor agreed .

" well , I was sitting here one evening just like I was last night , and the sun was setting .

and an enchanted boat came sailing over the sea and I got into her .

the boat was all pearly like the inside of the mussel shells , and her sail was like moonshine .

well , I sailed right across to the sunset .

think of that I 've been in the sunset !

and what do you suppose it is ?

the sunset is a land all flowers , like a great garden , and the clouds are beds of flowers .

I stayed there for ever so long .

it seemed almost a year , but the Youngest Twin Sailor says I was only away a few hours or so .

you see , in Sunset Land the time is ever so much longer than it is here .

but I was glad to come back too .

I 'm always glad to come back to the cove and Stephen .

now , you know this never really happened . "

Miss Trevor would not give up the foolscap book so easily , but for a long time Paul refused to show it to her .

she came to the cove every day , and every day Paul seemed more delightful to her .

he was so quaint , so clever , so spontaneous .

yet there was nothing premature or unnatural about him .

" I get real mad with the Twin Sailors sometimes , and even with Stephen , for all he 's so good to me .

but I couldn't be mad with you or Nora or the Golden Lady .

it would never do . "

the boy 's fancy was like a prism , separating every ray that fell upon it into rainbows .

he was passionately fond of the shore and water .

the only world for him beyond Noel 's Cove was the world of his imagination .

he had no companions except Stephen and the " rock people . "

" and now you , " he told Miss Trevor .

" but you could , couldn't you ? " pleaded Miss Trevor .

Paul considered in a charming way he had .

" of course I could love you better than the Twin Sailors and the Golden Lady , " he announced finally .

" and I think perhaps I could love you as much as I love Stephen .

but not as much as Nora oh , no , I wouldn't love you quite as much as Nora .

she was first , you see ; she 's always been there .

I feel sure I couldn't ever love anybody as much as Nora . "

one day when Stephen was out to the mackerel grounds , Paul took Miss Trevor into the little grey house and showed her his treasures .

they climbed the ladder in one corner to the loft where Paul slept .

Paul had many rare shells and seaweeds , curious flotsam and jetsam of shore storms , and he had a small shelf full of books .

" they 're splendid , " he said enthusiastically .

" Stephen brought me them all .

every time Stephen goes to town to ship his mackerel he brings me home a new book . "

" were you ever in town yourself ? " asked Miss Trevor .

" oh , yes , twice .

Stephen took me .

it was a wonderful place .

I tell you , when I next met the Twin Sailors it was me did the talking then .

I had to tell them about all I saw and all that had happened .

and Nora was ever so interested too .

the Golden Lady wasn't , though she didn't hardly listen .

golden people are like that . "

Paul looked startled .

" I don't know , " he said doubtfully .

" I don't think I 'd like it very well if Stephen and Nora weren't there too . "

but the new thought remained in his mind .

it came back to him at intervals , seeming less new and startling every time .

" and why not ? "

Miss Trevor asked herself .

" the boy should have a chance .

I shall never have a son of my own he shall be to me in the place of one . "

the day came when Paul at last showed her the foolscap book .

he brought it to her as she sat on the rocks of the headland .

" I 'm going to run around and talk to Nora while you read it , " he said .

" I 'm afraid I 've been neglecting her lately and I think she feels it . "

Miss Trevor took the foolscap book .

it was made of several sheets of paper sewed together and encased in an oilcloth cover .

Miss Trevor read it through in no very long time .

it was a curious medley of quaint thoughts and fancies .

conversations with the Twin Sailors filled many of the pages ; accounts of Paul 's " adventures " occupied others .

when she finished the book and closed it she found Stephen Kane at her elbow .

he removed his pipe and nodded at the foolscap book .

" what do you think of it ? " he said .

" I think it is wonderful .

Paul is a very clever child . "

" I 've often thought so , " said Stephen laconically .

he thrust his hands into his pockets and gazed moodily out to sea .

Miss Trevor had never before had an opportunity to talk to him in Paul 's absence and she determined to make the most of it .

" I want to know something about Paul , " she said , " all about him .

is he any relation to you ? "

" no .

I expected to marry his mother once , though , " said Stephen unemotionally .

his hand in his pocket was clutching his pipe fiercely , but Miss Trevor could not know that .

" she was a shore girl and very pretty .

well , she fell in love with a young fellow that came teaching up t ' the harbour school and he with her .

they got married and she went away with him .

he was a good enough sort of chap .

I know that now , though once I wasn't disposed to think much good of him .

but ' twas a mistake all the same ; Rachel couldn't live away from the shore .

she fretted and pined and broke her heart for it away there in his world .

finally her husband died and she came back but it was too late for her .

she only lived a month and there was Paul , a baby of two .

I took him .

there was nobody else .

Rachel had no relatives nor her husband either .

I 've done what I could for him not that it 's been much , perhaps . "

" I am sure you have done a great deal for him , " said Miss Trevor rather patronizingly .

" but I think he should have more than you can give him now .

he should be sent to school . "

Stephen nodded .

" maybe .

he never went to school .

the harbour school was too far away .

I taught him to read and write and bought him all the books I could afford .

but I can't do any more for him . "

" but I can , " said Miss Trevor , " and I want to .

will you give Paul to me , Mr Kane ?

I love him dearly and he shall have every advantage .

I 'm rich I can do a great deal for him . "

Stephen continued to gaze out to sea with an expressionless face .

finally he said : " I 've been expecting to hear you say something of the sort .

I don't know .

he 's his mother 's son he loves the sea and its ways .

there 's nothing of his father in him except his hankering after books .

but I won't choose for him he can go if he likes he can go if he likes . "

in the end Paul " liked , " since Stephen refused to influence him by so much as a word .

" I 'll go , I guess , " he said , with a long sigh .

Miss Trevor clasped him close to her and kissed him maternally .

Paul kissed her cheek shyly in return .

he thought it very wonderful that he was to live with her always .

he felt happy and excited so happy and excited that the parting when it came slipped over him lightly .

Miss Trevor even thought he took it too easily and had a vague wish that he had shown more sorrow .

Stephen said farewell to the boy he loved better than life with no visible emotion .

" good-bye , Paul .

be a good boy and learn all you can . "

he hesitated a moment and then said slowly , " if you don't like it , come back . "

" did you bid good-bye to your rock people ? "

Miss Trevor asked him with a smile as they drove away .

" no .

I couldn't I I didn't even tell them I was going away .

Nora would break her heart .

I 'd rather not talk of them anymore , if you please .

maybe I won't want them when I 've plenty of books and lots of other boys and girls real ones to play with . "

they drove the ten miles to the town where they were to take the train the next day .

Paul enjoyed the drive and the sights of the busy streets at its end .

he was all excitement and animation .

Paul was tired and very quiet when they came back .

he was put away to sleep in a bedroom whose splendours frightened him , and left alone .

at first Paul lay very still on his luxurious perfumed pillows .

it was the first night he had ever spent away from the little seaward-looking loft where he could touch the rafters with his hands .

he thought of it now and a lump came into his throat and a strange , new , bitter longing came into his heart .

he missed the sea plashing on the rocks below him he could not sleep without that old lullaby .

he turned his face into the pillow , and the longing and loneliness grew worse and hurt him until he moaned .

oh , he wanted to be back home !

surely he had not left it he could never have meant to leave it .

Out there the stars would be shining over the harbour .

Stephen would be sitting at the door , all alone , with his violin .

but he would not be playing it all at once Paul knew he would not be playing it .

oh , he could never have really meant to leave Stephen .

and Nora ?

Nora would be down on the rocks waiting for him for him , Paul , who would never come to her more .

he could see her elfin little face peering around the point , watching for him wistfully .

Paul sat up in bed , choking with tears .

he could not stay away from them never never .

he slipped out of bed very softly and dressed in the dark .

then he lighted the lamp timidly and opened the little brown chest Stephen had given him .

it held his books and his treasures , but he took out only a pencil , a bit of paper and the foolscap book .

with a hand shaking in his eagerness , he wrote :

dear miss Trever

Im going back home , dont be fritened about me because I know the way .

Ive got to go . something is calling me . dont be cross .

I love you , but I cant stay .

Im leaving my foolscap book for you , you can keep it always but I must go back to Stephen and nora

Paul

he put the note on the foolscap book and laid them on the table .

then he blew out the light , took his cap and went softly out .

the house was very still .

holding his breath , he tiptoed downstairs and opened the front door .

before it ran the street which went , he knew , straight out to the country road that led home .

it was late and no one was out on that quiet street .

he ran until his breath gave out , then walked miserably until he recovered it , and then ran again .

at last the houses grew few and scattered , and finally he left them behind .

he was not at all frightened now .

he knew the way home and the kind night was before him .

every step was bringing him nearer to Stephen and Nora and the Twin Sailors .

he whistled as he walked sturdily along .

the dawn was just breaking when he reached Noel 's Cove .

the eastern sky was all pale rose and silver , and the sea was mottled over with dear grey ripples .

in the west over the harbour the sky was a very fine ethereal blue and the wind blew from there , salt and bracing .

Paul was tired , but he ran lightly down the shelving rocks to the cove .

Stephen was getting ready to launch his boat .

when he saw Paul he started and a strange , vivid , exultant expression flashed across his face .

Paul felt a sudden chill the upspringing fountain of his gladness was checked in mid-leap .

he had known no doubt on the way home all that long , weary walk he had known no doubt but now ?

" Stephen , " he cried .

" I 've come back !

I had to !

Stephen , are you glad are you glad ? "

Stephen 's face was as emotionless as ever .

the burst of feeling which had frightened Paul by its unaccustomedness had passed like a fleeting outbreak of sunshine between dull clouds .

" I reckon I am , " he said .

" yes , I reckon I am .

I kind of hoped you would come back .

you 'd better go in and get some breakfast . "

Paul 's eyes were as radiant as the deepening dawn .

he knew Stephen was glad and he knew there was nothing more to be said about it .

they were back just where they were before Miss Trevor came back in their perfect , unmarred , sufficient comradeship .

" I must just run around and see Nora first , " said Paul .

Abel and His Great Adventure

" come out of doors , master come out of doors .

I can't talk or think right with walls around me never could .

let's go out to the garden . "

these were almost the first words I ever heard Abel Armstrong say .

for I was " the new schoolmaster " in Stillwater , having taken the school for the summer term .

Stillwater offered time and opportunity for healing and counsel .

yet , looking back , I doubt if I should have found either had it not been for Abel and his beloved garden .

I heard a good deal about him before I saw him .

he was called " queer " , but Stillwater folks seemed to be very fond of him .

Abel had gone to college for a year when he was young , but had given it up when Tamzine " went crazy " .

there was no one else to look after her .

Abel had settled down to it with apparent content : at least he had never complained .

" always took things easy , Abel did , " said Mrs Campbell .

" never seemed to worry over disappointments and trials as most folks do .

he never had much git-up-and-git .

his father was a hustler , but the family didn't take after him .

they all favoured the mother 's people sorter shiftless and dreamy .

' Taint the way to git on in this world . "

no , good and worthy Mrs Campbell .

this sketch is my grateful tribute to one of the rarest and finest souls God ever clothed with clay .

he was a tall man , somewhat ungainly of figure and homely of face .

but his large , deep eyes of velvety nut-brown were very beautiful and marvellously bright and clear for a man of his age .

looking at him , I doubted Mrs Campbell 's conclusion that he had not " minded " giving up college .

his voice was very melodious and beautiful , and the brown hand he held out to me was peculiarly long and shapely and flexible .

we went out to the garden in the scented moist air of a maritime spring evening .

" always liked Lombardies , " said Abel , waving a long arm at them .

" they are the trees of princesses .

when I was a boy they were fashionable .

they 're out of fashion now .

folks complain they die at the top and get ragged-looking .

my mother was especially fond of them .

she liked their dignity and their stand-offishness .

they don't hobnob with every Tom , Dick and Harry .

if it 's pines for company , master , it 's Lombardies for society . "

we stepped from the front doorstone into the garden .

there was another entrance a sagging gate flanked by two branching white lilacs .

he led me to it and pointed proudly to the fine view of the harbour visible from it .

a bell was ringing in a small Catholic chapel across the harbour .

Mellowly and dreamily sweet the chime floated through the dusk , blent with the moan of the sea .

" there , isn't that view worth looking at ? " said old Abel , with a loving , proprietary pride .

" you don't have to pay anything for it , either .

all that sea and sky free ' without money and without price ' .

let's sit down here in the hop-vine arbour , master .

There'll be a moonrise presently .

I 'm never tired of finding out what a moonrise sheen can be like over that sea .

there 's a surprise in it every time .

now , master , you 're getting your mouth in the proper shape to talk business but don't you do it .

nobody should talk business when he 's expecting a moonrise .

not that I like talking business at any time . "

" unfortunately it has to be talked of sometimes , Mr Armstrong , " I said .

" yes , it seems to be a necessary evil , master , " he acknowledged .

" but I know what business you 've come upon , and we can settle it in five minutes after the moon 's well up .

I 'll just agree to everything you and the other two trustees want .

Lord knows why they ever put me on the school board .

maybe it 's because I 'm so ornamental .

they wanted one good-looking man , I reckon . "

his low chuckle , so full of mirth and so free from malice , was infectious .

I laughed also , as I sat down in the hop-vine arbour .

" now , you needn't talk if you don't want to , " he said .

" and I won't .

we 'll just sit here , sociable like , and if we think of anything worth while to say we 'll say it .

otherwise , not .

if you can sit in silence with a person for half an hour and feel comfortable , you and that person can be friends .

if you can't , friends you 'll never be , and you needn't waste time in trying . "

Abel and I passed successfully the test of silence that evening in the hop-vine arbour .

I was strangely content to sit and think something I had not cared to do lately .

a peace , long unknown to my stormy soul , seemed hovering near it .

the garden was steeped in it ; old Abel 's personality radiated it .

I looked about me and wondered whence came the charm of that tangled , unworldly spot .

" nice and far from the market-place isn't it ? " asked Abel suddenly , as if he had heard my unasked question .

" no buying and selling and getting gain here .

nothing was ever sold out of this garden .

Tamzine has her vegetable plot over yonder , but what we don't eat we give away .

Geordie Marr down the harbour has a big garden like this and he sells heaps of flowers and fruit and vegetables to the hotel folks .

he thinks I 'm an awful fool because I won't do the same .

well , he gets money out of his garden and I get happiness out of mine .

that 's the difference .

S'posing I could make more money what then ?

I 'd only be taking it from people that needed it more .

there 's enough for Tamzine and me .

as for Geordie Marr , there isn't a more unhappy creature on God 's earth he 's always stewing in a broth of trouble , poor man .

O ' course , he brews up most of it for himself , but I reckon that doesn't make it any easier to bear .

ever sit in a hop-vine arbour before , master ? "

I was to grow used to Abel 's abrupt change of subject .

I answered that I never had .

" Great place for dreaming , " said Abel complacently .

" being young , no doubt , you dream a-plenty . "

I answered hotly and bitterly that I had done with dreams .

" no , you haven't , " said Abel meditatively .

" you may think you have .

what then ?

first thing you know you 'll be dreaming again thank the Lord for it .

I ain't going to ask you what 's soured you on dreaming just now .

after awhile you 'll begin again , especially if you come to this garden as much as I hope you will .

it 's chockful of dreams any kind of dreams .

you take your choice .

now , I favour dreams of adventures , if you 'll believe it .

I 'm sixty-one and I never do anything rasher than go out cod-fishing on a fine day , but I still lust after adventures .

then I dream I 'm an awful fellow blood-thirsty . "

I burst out laughing .

perhaps laughter was somewhat rare in that old garden .

Tamzine , who was weeding at the far end , lifted her head in a startled fashion and walked past us into the house .

she did not look at us or speak to us .

she was reputed to be abnormally shy .

she was very stout and wore a dress of bright red-and-white striped material .

her face was round and blank , but her reddish hair was abundant and beautiful .

he was a gorgeous brute , with vivid green eyes , and immense white double paws .

" captain Kidd , Mr Woodley . "

he introduced us as seriously as if the cat had been a human being .

neither Captain Kidd nor I responded very enthusiastically .

" you don't like cats , I reckon , master , " said Abel , stroking the Captain 's velvet back .

" I don't blame you .

I was never fond of them myself until I found the Captain .

I saved his life and when you 've saved a creature 's life you 're bound to love it .

it 's next thing to giving it life .

there are some terrible thoughtless people in the world , master .

some of those city folks who have summer homes down the harbour are so thoughtless that they 're cruel .

it 's the worst kind of cruelty , I think the thoughtless kind .

you can't cope with it .

it makes my blood boil , master . "

she had died trying to shelter them .

she had her poor stiff claws around them .

Master , I cried .

then I swore .

then I carried those poor little kittens home and fed ' hem up and found good homes for them .

I know the woman who left the cat .

when she comes back this summer I 'm going to go down and tell her my opinion of her .

it 'll be rank meddling , but , lord , how I love meddling in a good cause . "

" was Captain Kidd one of the forsaken ? "

I asked .

" yes .

I found him one bitter cold day in winter caught in the branches of a tree by his darn-fool ribbon collar .

he was almost starving .

Lord , if you could have seen his eyes !

he was nothing but a kitten , and he 'd got his living somehow since he 'd been left till he got hung up .

when I loosed him he gave my hand a pitiful swipe with his little red tongue .

he wasn't the prosperous free-booter you behold now .

he was meek as Moses .

that was nine years ago .

his life has been long in the land for a cat .

he 's a good old pal , the Captain is . "

" I should have expected you to have a dog , " I said .

Abel shook his head .

" I had a dog once .

I cared so much for him that when he died I couldn't bear the thought of ever getting another in his place .

he was a friend you understand ?

the Captain 's only a pal .

I 'm fond of the Captain all the fonder because of the spice of deviltry there is in all cats .

but I loved my dog .

there isn't any devil in a good dog .

that 's why they 're more lovable than cats but I 'm darned if they 're as interesting . "

I laughed as I rose regretfully .

" must you go , master ?

and we haven't talked any business after all .

I reckon it 's that stove matter you 've come about .

it 's like those two fool trustees to start up a stove sputter in spring .

it 's a wonder they didn't leave it till dog-days and begin then . "

" they merely wished me to ask you if you approved of putting in a new stove . "

" tell them to put in a new stove any kind of a new stove and be hanged to them , " rejoined Abel .

" as for you , master , you 're welcome to this garden any time .

if you 're tired or lonely , or too ambitious or angry , come here and sit awhile , master .

do you think any man could keep mad if he sat and looked into the heart of a pansy for ten minutes ?

when you feel like talking , I 'll talk , and when you feel like thinking , I 'll let you .

I 'm a great hand to leave folks alone . "

" I think I 'll come often , " I said , " perhaps too often . "

" not likely , master not likely not after we 've watched a moonrise contentedly together .

it 's as good a test of compatibility as any I know .

are you going straight home from here ? "

" yes . "

" then I 'm going to bother you to stop for a moment at Mary Bascom 's and give her a bouquet of my white lilacs .

she loves ' em and I 'm not going to wait till she 's dead to send her flowers . "

" she 's very ill just now , isn't she ? "

" she 's got the Bascom consumption .

that means she may die in a month , like her brother , or linger on for twenty years , like her father .

but long or short , white lilac in spring is sweet , and I 'm sending her a fresh bunch every day while it lasts .

it 's a rare night , master .

I envy you your walk home in the moonlight along that shore . "

" better come part of the way with me , " I suggested .

" no . "

Abel glanced at the house .

" Tamzine never likes to be alone o ' nights .

so I take my moonlight walks in the garden .

the moon 's a great friend of mine , master .

I 've loved her ever since I can remember .

when I was a little lad of eight I fell asleep in the garden one evening and wasn't missed .

I woke up alone in the night and I was most scared to death , master .

Lord , what shadows and queer noises there were !

I darsn't move .

I just sat there quaking , poor small mite .

then all at once I saw the moon looking down at me through the pine boughs , just like an old friend .

I was comforted right off .

got up and walked to the house as brave as a lion , looking at her .

goodnight , master .

tell Mary the lilacs 'll last another week yet . "

from that night Abel and I were cronies .

we walked and talked and kept silence and fished cod together .

Stillwater people thought it very strange that I should prefer his society to that of the young fellows of my own age .

Mrs Campbell was quite worried over it , and opined that there had always been something queer about me .

" Birds of a feather . "

I loved that old garden by the harbour shore .

even Abel himself , I think , could hardly have felt a deeper affection for it .

when its gate closed behind me it shut out the world and my corroding memories and discontents .

he was the sanest soul I ever met .

he neither minimized ill nor exaggerated good , but he held that we should never be controlled by either .

pain should not depress us unduly , nor pleasure lure us into forgetfulness and sloth .

all unknowingly he made me realize that I had been a bit of a coward and a shirker .

I began to understand that my personal woes were not the most important things in the universe , even to myself .

in short , Abel taught me to laugh again ; and when a man can laugh wholesomely things are not going too badly with him .

that old garden was always such a cheery place .

perhaps this was because there were so many yellow flowers in it .

Tamzine liked yellow flowers .

Captain Kidd , too , always paraded it in panoply of gold .

he was so large and effulgent that one hardly missed the sun .

considering his presence I wondered that the garden was always so full of singing birds .

but the Captain never meddled with them .

probably he understood that his master would not have tolerated it for a moment .

so there was always a song or a chirp somewhere .

Overhead flew the gulls and the cranes .

the wind in the pines always made a glad salutation .

Abel and I paced the walks , in high converse on matters beyond the ken of cat or king .

" I liked to ponder on all problems , though I can never solve them , " Abel used to say .

" my father held that we should never talk of things we couldn't understand .

but , lord , master , if we didn't the subjects for conversation would be mighty few .

I reckon the gods laugh many a time to hear us , but what matter ?

so we 'll have another whack at the origin of evil this evening , master . "

Tamzine forgot to be shy with me at last , and gave me a broad smile of welcome every time I came .

but she rarely spoke to me .

she spent all her spare time weeding the garden , which she loved as well as Abel did .

she was addicted to bright colours and always wore wrappers of very gorgeous print .

she worshipped Abel and his word was a law unto her .

" I am very thankful Tamzine is so well , " said Abel one evening as we watched the sunset .

the day had begun sombrely in gray cloud and mist , but it ended in a pomp of scarlet and gold .

" there was a time when she wasn't , master you 've heard ?

but for years now she has been quite able to look after herself .

and so , if I fare forth on the last great adventure some of these days Tamzine will not be left helpless . "

" she is ten years older than you .

it is likely she will go before you , " I said .

Abel shook his head and stroked his smart beard .

I always suspected that beard of being Abel 's last surviving vanity .

it was always so carefully groomed , while I had no evidence that he ever combed his grizzled mop of hair .

" no , Tamzine will outlive me .

she 's got the Armstrong heart .

I have the Marwood heart my mother was a Marwood .

we don't live to be old , and we go quick and easy .

I 'm glad of it .

I don't think I 'm a coward , master , but the thought of a lingering death gives me a queer sick feeling of horror .

there , I 'm not going to say any more about it .

I just mentioned it so that some day when you hear that old Abel Armstrong has been found dead , you won't feel sorry .

you 'll remember I wanted it that way .

not that I 'm tired of life either .

it 's very pleasant , what with my garden and Captain Kidd and the harbour out there .

but it 's a trifle monotonous at times and death will be something of a change , master .

I 'm real curious about it . "

" I hate the thought of death , " I said gloomily .

" oh , you 're young .

the young always do .

death grows friendlier as we grow older .

not that one of us really wants to die , though , master .

Tennyson spoke truth when he said that .

there 's old Mrs Warner at the Channel Head .

she 's had heaps of trouble all her life , poor soul , and she 's lost almost everyone she cared about .

she 's always saying that she 'll be glad when her time comes , and she doesn't want to live any longer in this vale of tears .

but when she takes a sick spell , lord , what a fuss she makes , master !

Doctors from town and a trained nurse and enough medicine to kill a dog !

life may be a vale of tears , all right , master , but there are some folks who enjoy weeping , I reckon . "

summer passed through the garden with her procession of roses and lilies and hollyhocks and golden glow .

the golden glow was particularly fine that year .

there was a great bank of it at the lower end of the garden , like a huge billow of sunshine .

Tamzine revelled in it , but Abel liked more subtly-tinted flowers .

there was a certain dark wine-hued hollyhock which was a favourite with him .

he would sit for hours looking steadfastly into one of its shallow satin cups .

I found him so one afternoon in the hop-vine arbour .

" this colour always has a soothing effect on me , " he explained .

" Yellow excites me too much makes me restless makes me want to sail ' beyond the bourne of sunset ' .

I found a dead butterfly and had a little funeral buried it in the fern corner .

and I thought I hadn't been any more use in the world than that poor little butterfly .

oh , I was woeful , master .

then I got me this hollyhock and sat down here to look at it alone .

when a man 's alone , master , he 's most with God or with the devil .

the devil rampaged around me all the time I was looking at that golden glow ; but God spoke to me through the hollyhock .

" I hope I 'll be able to make as much of a success , " I said sincerely .

" I want you to make a different kind of success , though , master , " said Abel , shaking his head .

" I want you to do things the things I 'd have tried to do if I 'd had the chance .

it 's in you to do them if you set your teeth and go ahead . "

" I believe I can set my teeth and go ahead now , thanks to you , Mr Armstrong , " I said .

" I was heading straight for failure when I came here last spring ; but you 've changed my course . "

" given you a sort of compass to steer by , haven't I ? " queried Abel with a smile .

" I ain't too modest to take some credit for it .

I saw I could do you some good .

but my garden has done more than I did , if you 'll believe it .

it 's wonderful what a garden can do for a man when he lets it have its way .

come , sit down here and bask , master .

the sunshine may be gone to-morrow .

let's just sit and think . "

we sat and thought for a long while .

presently Abel said abruptly :

" you don't see the folks I see in this garden , master .

you don't see anybody but me and old Tamzine and Captain Kidd .

I see all who used to be here long ago .

it was a lively place then .

there were plenty of us and we were as gay a set of youngsters as you 'd find anywhere .

we tossed laughter backwards and forwards here like a ball .

and now old Tamzine and older Abel are all that are left . "

then he went on :

" of all the folks I see here there are two that are more vivid and real than all the rest , master .

one is my sister Alice .

she died thirty years ago .

she was very beautiful .

you 'd hardly believe that to look at Tamzine and me , would you ?

but it is true .

we always called her Queen Alice she was so stately and handsome .

she had brown eyes and red gold hair , just the colour of that nasturtium there .

she was father 's favourite .

the night she was born they didn't think my mother would live .

father walked this garden all night .

and just under that old apple-tree he knelt at sunrise and thanked God when they came to tell him that all was well .

" Alice was always a creature of joy .

this old garden rang with her laughter in those years .

she seldom walked she ran or danced .

she only lived twenty years , but nineteen of them were so happy I 've never pitied her over much .

she had everything that makes life worth living laughter and love , and at the last sorrow .

James Milburn was her lover .

it 's thirty-one years since his ship sailed out of that harbour and Alice waved him good-bye from this garden .

he never came back .

his ship was never heard of again .

" when Alice gave up hope that it would be , she died of a broken heart .

they say there 's no such thing ; but nothing else ailed Alice .

she stood at yonder gate day after day and watched the harbour ; and when at last she gave up hope life went with it .

I remember the day : she had watched until sunset .

then she turned away from the gate .

all the unrest and despair had gone out of her eyes .

there was a terrible peace in them the peace of the dead .

' He will never come back now , Abel , ' she said to me .

" in less than a week she was dead .

the others mourned her , but I didn't , master .

she had sounded the deeps of living and there was nothing else to linger through the years for .

my grief had spent itself earlier , when I walked this garden in agony because I could not help her .

he reverted to it suddenly as we sat again in the hop-vine arbour , looking at the glimmering radiance of the September sea .

" Master , how many of us are sitting here ? "

" two in the flesh .

how many in the spirit I know not , " I answered , humouring his mood .

" there is one the other of the two I spoke of the day I told you about Alice .

it 's harder for me to speak of this one . "

" don't speak of it if it hurts you , " I said .

" but I want to .

it 's a whim of mine .

do you know why I told you of Alice and why I 'm going to tell you of Mercedes ?

it 's because I want someone to remember them and think of them sometimes after I 'm gone .

I can't bear that their names should be utterly forgotten by all living souls .

my father and mother didn't like the match .

Mercedes was a foreigner and a Catholic , and differed from us in every way .

but I never blamed Alec after I saw her .

it wasn't that she was so very pretty .

she was slight and dark and ivory-coloured .

but she was very graceful , and there was a charm about her , master a mighty and potent charm .

the women couldn't understand it .

they wondered at Alec 's infatuation for her .

I never did .

I I loved her , too , master , before I had known her a day .

nobody ever knew it .

Mercedes never dreamed of it .

but it 's lasted me all my life .

I never wanted to think of any other woman .

she spoiled a man for any other kind of woman that little pale , dark-eyed Spanish girl .

to love her was like drinking some rare sparkling wine .

you 'd never again have any taste for a commoner draught .

" I think she was very happy the year she spent here .

our thrifty women-folk in Stillwater jeered at her because she wasn't what they called capable .

they said she couldn't do anything .

but she could do one thing well she could love .

she worshipped Alec .

I used to hate him for it .

oh , my heart has been very full of black thoughts in its time , master .

but neither Alec nor Mercedes ever knew .

and I 'm thankful now that they were so happy .

Alec made this arbour for Mercedes at least he made the trellis , and she planted the vines .

" she used to sit here most of the time in summer .

I suppose that 's why I like to sit here .

her eyes would be dreamy and far-away until Alec would flash his welcome .

how that used to torture me !

but now I like to remember it .

and her pretty soft foreign voice and little white hands .

she died after she had lived here a year .

they buried her and her baby in the graveyard of that little chapel over the harbour where the bell rings every evening .

she used to like sitting here and listening to it .

Alec lived a long while after , but he never married again .

he 's gone now , and nobody remembers Mercedes but me . "

Abel lapsed into a reverie a tryst with the past which I would not disturb .

I thought he did not notice my departure , but as I opened the gate he stood up and waved his hand .

three days later I went again to the old garden by the harbour shore .

there was a red light on a distant sail .

in the far west a sunset city was built around a great deep harbour of twilight .

palaces were there and bannered towers of crimson and gold .

the garden was full of ripe odours and warm colours .

the Lombardies around it were tall and sombre like the priestly forms of some mystic band .

Abel was sitting in the hop-vine arbour ; beside him Captain Kidd slept .

I thought Abel was asleep , too ; his head leaned against the trellis and his eyes were shut .

but when I reached the arbour I saw that he was not asleep .

Abel had gone on his Great Adventure .

akin To Love

David Hartley had dropped in to pay a neighbourly call on Josephine Elliott .

it was a frosty day , and all the windows of every room where there was no fire were covered with silver palms .

he had an uneasy feeling that he had stayed long enough and ought to go .

Josephine was knitting at a long gray sock with doubly aggressive energy , and that was a sign that she was talked out .

when conversation flagged she fell to her work as furiously as if a husband and half a dozen sons were waiting for its completion .

David often wondered in his secret soul what Josephine did with all the interminable gray socks she knitted .

sometimes he concluded that she put them in the home missionary barrels ; again , that she sold them to her hired man .

when David sighed Josephine took alarm .

she was afraid David was going to have one of his attacks of foolishness .

David got up .

" now , you 're not going before tea ? " said Josephine hospitably .

" I 'll have it all ready in no time . "

" Zillah 'll be waiting tea for me ; and there 's the stock to tend to . "

" I guess Zillah won't wait long , " said Josephine .

she did not intend it at all , but there was a certain scornful ring in her voice .

" you must stay .

I 've a fancy for company to tea . "

David sat down again .

but Josephine misjudged David just as much as he misjudged her .

but Josephine did not even notice that he was blushing .

but he allowed his thoughts no more vagaries .

Josephine set the table with her mother 's wedding china .

she used it because it was the anniversary of her mother 's wedding day , but David thought it was out of compliment to him .

Josephine , as everybody in Meadowby admitted , was past mistress in the noble art of cookery .

Josephine felt an artist 's pride in her table when she set the teapot on its stand and invited David to sit in .

it was eighteen years since he had asked it for the first time , and two years since the last .

he would try his luck again ; Josephine was certainly more gracious than he remembered her to ever have been before .

when the meal was over Josephine cleared the table and washed the dishes .

when she had taken a dry towel and sat down by the window to polish her china David understood that his opportunity had come .

he moved over and sat down beside her on the sofa by the window .

outside the sun was setting in a magnificent arch of light and colour over the snow-clad hills and deep blue St Lawrence gulf .

David grasped at the sunset as an introductory factor .

" isn't that fine , Josephine ? " he said admiringly .

" it makes me think of that piece of poetry that used to be in the old Fifth Reader when we went to school .

D'ye mind how the teacher used to drill us up in it on Friday afternoons ?

it begun

' Slow sinks more lovely ere his race is run Along Morea 's hills the setting sun . ' "

then David declaimed the whole passage in a sing-song tone , accompanied by a few crude gestures recalled from long-ago school-boy elocution .

Josephine knew what was coming .

every time David proposed to her he had begun by reciting poetry .

she twirled her towel around the last plate resignedly .

if it had to come , the sooner it was over the better .

" but it 's going to be for the last time , " she said determinedly .

" I 'm going to settle this question so decidedly to-night that there 'll never be a repetition . "

when David had finished his quotation he laid his hand on Josephine 's plump arm .

" Josephine , " he said huskily , " I s'pose you couldn't could you now ? make up your mind to have me .

I wish you would , Josephine I wish you would .

don't you think you could , Josephine ? "

Josephine folded up her towel , crossed her hands on it , and looked her wooer squarely in the eyes .

" because I can't help hoping that you 'll change your mind through time , " David replied meekly .

" well , you just listen to me .

I will not marry you .

that is in the first place .

and in the second , this is to be final .

it has to be .

you are never to ask me this again under any circumstances .

" oh , Josephine , ain't that rather hard ? " protested David feebly .

it seemed terrible to be cut off from all hope with such finality as this .

" I mean every word of it , " returned Josephine calmly .

" you 'd better go home now , David .

I always feel as if I 'd like to be alone for a spell after a disagreeable experience . "

David obeyed sadly and put on his cap and overcoat .

it was not a very romantic vision , perhaps , but to David it was more beautiful than anything else in the world .

when David was gone Josephine shut the door with a little shiver .

she blew out the candle , for it was not yet dark enough to justify artificial light to her thrifty mind .

she thought the big , empty house , in which she was the only living thing , was very lonely .

Josephine sat down by the window .

" I wish some of the Sentners would run down , " she said aloud .

" if David hadn't been so ridiculous I 'd have got him to stay the evening .

he can be good company when he likes he 's real well-read and intelligent .

and he must have dismal times at home there with nobody but Zillah . "

would she run over and see Mrs Leon Poirier and her little black-eyed , brown-skinned baby ?

no , they never knew what to say to each other .

" if ' twasn't so cold I 'd go up and see Ida , " she said .

how setback poor David did look , to be sure !

but I think I 've settled that marrying notion of his once for all and I 'm glad of it . "

she said the same thing next day to Mrs Tom Sentner , who had come down to help her pick her geese .

" what do you think , Ida ? " she said , with a hearty laugh at the recollection .

" David Hartley was here to tea last night , and asked me to marry him again .

there 's a persistent man for you .

I can't brag of ever having had many beaux , but I 've certainly had my fair share of proposals . "

Mrs Tom did not laugh .

her thin little face , with its faded prettiness , looked as if she never laughed .

" why won't you marry him ? " she said fretfully .

" why should I ? " retorted Josephine .

" tell me that , Ida Sentner . "

" because it is high time you were married , " said Mrs Tom decisively .

" I don't believe in women living single .

and I don't see what better you can do than take David Hartley . "

Ida 's evident wish to see her married always amused Josephine .

Ida had married very young and for fifteen years her life had been one of drudgery and ill-health .

Tom Sentner was a lazy , shiftless fellow .

he neglected his family and was drunk half his time .

Ida Sentner was not given to bearing her trials in silence .

had it not been for Josephine 's assistance , Tom Sentner 's family would have stood an excellent chance of starvation .

Josephine practically kept them , and her generosity never failed or stinted .

she fed and clothed her nephews and nieces , and all the gray socks whose destination puzzled David so much went to the Sentners .

Josephine shrugged her shoulders and gave up the conundrum , merely saying ironically , in reply to her sister 's remark :

" and go to live with Zillah Hartley ? "

" you know very well you wouldn't have to do that .

catch her staying there if you were mistress !

and David has such a beautiful house !

it 's ten times finer than yours , though I don't deny yours is comfortable .

and his farm is the best in Meadowby and joins yours .

think what a beautiful property they 'd make together .

you 're all right now , Josephine , but what will you do when you get old and have nobody to take care of you ?

I declare the thought worries me at night till I can't sleep . "

" as for old age , it 's a good ways off for me yet .

when your Jack gets old enough to have some sense he can come here and live with me .

but I 'm not going to marry David Hartley , you can depend on that , Ida , my dear .

I wish you could have heard him rhyming off that poetry last night .

it doesn't seem to matter much what piece he recites first thing that comes into his head , I reckon .

I never had such a time to keep from laughing , but I managed it , for I wouldn't hurt his feelings for the world .

no , I haven't any intention of marrying anybody , but if I had it wouldn't be dear old sentimental , easy-going David . "

Easy-going , indeed !

did Josephine consider that a drawback ?

Mrs Tom sighed .

the cold snap which had set in on the day of David 's call lasted and deepened for a week .

the gulf was no longer blue , but white with ice .

everything outdoors was crackling and snapping .

Inside Josephine had kept roaring fires all through the house but the only place really warm was the kitchen .

" wrap your head up well , Ida , " she said anxiously , when Mrs Tom rose to go .

" you 've got a bad cold . "

" there 's a cold going , " said Mrs Tom .

" everyone has it .

David Hartley was up at our place to-day barking terrible a real churchyard cough , as I told him .

he never takes any care of himself .

he said Zillah had a bad cold , too .

won't she be cranky while it lasts ? "

Josephine sat up late that night to keep fires on .

some one was pounding on the porch door .

Josephine sprang out of bed and hurried on her wrapper and felt shoes .

she had no doubt that some of the Sentners were sick .

they had a habit of getting sick about that time of night .

she hurried out and opened the door , expecting to see hulking Tom Sentner , or perhaps Ida herself , big-eyed and hysterical .

but David Hartley stood there , panting for breath .

the clear moonlight showed that he had no overcoat on , and he was coughing hard .

Josephine , before she spoke a word , clutched him by the arm and pulled him in out of the wind .

" for pity 's sake , David Hartley , what is the matter ? "

" Zillah 's awful sick , " he gasped .

" I came here because ' twas nearest .

oh , won't you come over , Josephine ?

I 've got to go for the doctor and I can't leave her alone .

she 's suffering dreadful .

I know you and her ain't on good terms , but you 'll come , won't you ? "

" of course I will , " said Josephine sharply .

I 'll go in and get ready and you go straight to the hall stove and warm yourself .

there 's a good fire in it yet .

" I never thought of them , I was so frightened , " said David apologetically .

" I just lit up a fire in the kitchen stove as quick's I could and run .

it rattled me to hear Zillah moaning so 's you could hear her all over the house . "

" you need someone to look after you as bad as Zillah does , " said Josephine severely .

then she locked the door and they started across the gleaming , crusted field .

it was so slippery that Josephine had to cling to David 's arm to keep her feet .

in the rapture of supporting her David almost forgot everything else .

all the Hartley girls liked her except Zillah .

she and Zillah never " got on " together .

when the other girls had married and gone , Josephine gave up visiting there .

she had never been inside the new house , and she and Zillah had not spoken to each other for years .

Zillah was a sick woman too sick to be anything but civil to Josephine .

David started at once for the doctor at the Creek , and Josephine saw that he was well wrapped up before she let him go .

then she mixed up a mustard plaster for Zillah and sat down by the bedside to wait .

" Zillah has got pneumonia bad , " she said , in reply to Mrs Tom 's inquiries .

" the Doctor is here and Mary Bell from the Creek .

she 'll wait on Zillah , but there 'll have to be another woman here to see to the work .

I reckon I 'll stay .

I suppose it 's my duty and I don't see who else could be got .

you can send Mamie and Jack down to stay at my house until I can go back .

I 'll run over every day and keep an eye on things . "

at the end of a week Zillah was out of danger .

Saturday afternoon Josephine went over home to see how Mamie and Jack were getting on .

" I suppose Zillah is pretty cranky to wait on , " said Mrs Tom sympathetically .

" oh , it isn't Zillah .

Mary Bell looks after her .

no , it 's the house .

I never lived in such a place of dust and disorder in my born days .

I 'm sorrier for David Hartley than I ever was for anyone before . "

" I suppose he 's used to it , " said Mrs Tom with a shrug .

" I don't see how anyone could ever get used to it , " groaned Josephine .

" and David used to be so particular when he was a boy .

the minute I went there the other night I took in that kitchen with a look .

I don't believe the paint has even been washed since the house was built .

I honestly don't .

and I wouldn't like to be called upon to swear when the floor was scrubbed either .

the corners were just full of rolls of dust you could have shovelled it out .

I swept it out next day and I thought I 'd be choked .

as for the pantry well , the less said about that the better .

and it 's the same all through the house .

you could write your name on everything .

I couldn't so much as clean up .

Zillah was so sick there couldn't be a bit of noise made .

I did manage to sweep and dust , and I cleaned out the pantry .

and , of course , I saw that the meals were nice and well cooked .

you should have seen David 's face .

he looked as if he couldn't get used to having things clean and tasty .

I darned his socks he hadn't a whole pair to his name and I 've done everything I could to give him a little comfort .

not that I could do much .

if Zillah heard me moving round she 'd send Mary Bell out to ask what the matter was .

and I 'll have to stay there another fortnight yet .

Zillah won't be able to sit up till then .

I don't really know if I can stand it without falling to and scrubbing the house from garret to cellar in spite of her . "

Mrs Tom Sentner did not say much to Josephine .

to herself she said complacently :

" she 's sorry for David .

well , I 've always heard that pity was akin to love .

we 'll see what comes of this . "

Josephine did manage to live through that fortnight .

one morning she remarked to David at the breakfast table :

" well , I think that Mary Bell will be able to attend to the work after today , David .

I guess I 'll go home tonight . "

David 's face clouded over .

" well , I s'pose we oughtn't to keep you any longer , Josephine .

I 'm sure it 's been awful good of you to stay this long .

I don't know what we 'd have done without you . "

" you 're welcome , " said Josephine shortly .

" don't go for to walk home , " said David ; " the snow is too deep .

I 'll drive you over when you want to go . "

" I 'll not go before the evening , " said Josephine slowly .

David went out to his work gloomily .

for three weeks he had been living in comfort .

his wants were carefully attended to ; his meals were well cooked and served , and everything was bright and clean .

and more than all , Josephine had been there , with her cheerful smile and companionable ways .

well , it was all ended now .

Josephine sat at the breakfast table long after David had gone out .

she scowled at the sugar-bowl and shook her head savagely at the tea-pot .

" I 'll have to do it , " she said at last .

" I 'm so sorry for him that I can't do anything else . "

" it 's awful snug and comfortable , " she said regretfully , " and I 've always felt set on being free and independent .

but it 's no use .

the worst of it is , I 'll have to tell him so myself .

he 'll never dare to mention the subject again , after what I said to him that night he proposed last .

I wish I hadn't been so dreadful emphatic .

now I 've got to say it myself if it is ever said .

but I 'll not begin by quoting poetry , that 's one thing sure ! "

Josephine threw back her head , crowned with its shining braids of jet-black hair , and laughed heartily .

she bustled back to the stove and poked up the fire .

after all , it 's kind of nice to have someone to plan and think for .

it always did seem like a waste of energy to fuss over cooking things when there was nobody but myself to eat them . "

she relieved her feelings by pounding the dresser with the potato masher , and then went primly out and took her place at the table .

the meal was not a success from a social point of view .

Josephine was nervous and David glum .

Mary Bell gobbled down her food with her usual haste , and then went away to carry Zillah hers .

then David said reluctantly :

" if you want to go home now , Josephine , I 'll hitch up Red Rob and drive you over . "

Josephine began to plait the tablecloth .

she wished again that she had not been so emphatic on the occasion of his last proposal .

without replying to David 's suggestion she said crossly ( Josephine always spoke crossly when she was especially in earnest ) :

" I want to tell you what I think about Zillah .

she 's getting better , but she 's had a terrible shaking up , and it 's my opinion that she won't be good for much all winter .

she won't be able to do any hard work , that 's certain .

she thinks so herself .

Clementine wants her to go and stay a spell with her in town .

' Twould be just the thing for her . "

" she can go if she wants to , of course , " said David dully .

" I can get along by myself for a spell . "

" there 's no need of your getting along by yourself , " said Josephine , more crossly than ever .

" I 'll I'll come here and keep house for you if you like . "

David looked at her uncomprehendingly .

" wouldn't people kind of gossip ? " he asked hesitatingly .

" not but what "

" I don't see what they 'd have to gossip about , " broke in Josephine , " if we were married . "

David sprang to his feet with such haste that he almost upset the table .

" Josephine , do you mean that ? " he exclaimed .

" of course I mean it , " she said , in a perfectly savage tone .

" now , for pity 's sake , don't say another word about it just now .

I can't discuss it for a spell .

go out to your work .

I want to be alone for awhile . "

for the first and last time David disobeyed her .

instead of going out , he strode around the table , caught Josephine masterfully in his arms , and kissed her .

and Josephine , after a second 's hesitation , kissed him in return .

aunt Philippa and the Men

I knew quite well why Father sent me to Prince Edward Island to visit Aunt Philippa that summer .

I was very miserable .

I did not want to go to Aunt Philippa 's .

but it was so horribly far away .

nevertheless , I went to Prince Edward Island .

in all my eighteen years I had never once disobeyed Father .

he is a very hard man to disobey .

I couldn't understand Father 's point of view .

of course , he hated old John Fenwick , who had once sued him for libel and won the case .

but then , he need not have hated Mark because of that ; Mark was not even born when it happened .

and now I had to set out for Prince Edward Island without even seeing him , for he was away in Toronto on business .

when my train reached Copely the next afternoon , Aunt Philippa was waiting for me .

there was nobody else in sight , but I would have known her had there been a thousand .

nobody but Aunt Philippa could have that determined mouth , those piercing grey eyes , and that pronounced , unmistakable Goodwin nose .

she welcomed me kindly but absent-mindedly , her thoughts evidently being concentrated on the problem of getting my trunk home .

you can get along without it till then , I s'pose ? "

there was a fine irony in her tone .

" oh , Jerry can come for it tonight as well as not , " said Aunt Philippa , as we climbed into her buggy .

but my head was aching me so bad I thought I wouldn't enjoy the funeral if I did go .

my head is better now , so I kind of wish I had gone .

she was a hundred and four years old and I 'd always promised myself that I 'd go to her funeral . "

aunt Philippa 's tone was melancholy .

then she suddenly turned around and looked me over scrutinizingly .

" you 're not as good-looking as I expected from your picture , but them photographs always flatter .

that 's the reason I never had any took .

you 're rather thin and brown .

but you 've good eyes and you look clever .

your father writ me you hadn't much sense , though .

he wants me to teach you some , but it 's a thankless business .

people would rather be fools . "

aunt Philippa struck her steed smartly with the whip and controlled his resultant friskiness with admirable skill .

" well , you know it 's pleasanter , " I said , wickedly .

" just think what a doleful world it would be if everybody were sensible . "

aunt Philippa looked at me out of the corner of her eye and disdained any skirmish of flippant epigram .

" so you want to get married ? " she said .

" you 'd better wait till you 're grown up . "

" how old must a person be before she is grown up ? "

I asked gravely .

" Humph !

that depends .

some are grown up when they 're born , and others ain't grown up when they 're eighty .

that same Mrs Roderick I was speaking of never grew up .

she was as foolish when she was a hundred as when she was ten . "

" perhaps that 's why she lived so long , " I suggested .

all thought of seeking sympathy in Aunt Philippa had vanished .

I resolved I would not even mention Mark 's name .

" Mebbe ' twas , " admitted Aunt Philippa with a grim smile .

" I 'd rather live fifty sensible years than a hundred foolish ones . "

much to my relief , she made no further reference to my affairs .

he had a pleasant boyish face , and he touched his hat courteously .

aunt Philippa nodded very frostily and gave her horse a quite undeserved cut .

" there 's a man you don't want to have much to do with , " she said portentously .

" he 's a Methodist minister . "

" why , Auntie , the Methodists are a very nice denomination , " I protested .

" my stepmother is a Methodist , you know . "

" no , I didn't know , but I 'd believe anything of a stepmother .

I 've no use for Methodists or their ministers .

this fellow just came last spring , and it 's my opinion he smokes .

and he thinks every girl who looks at him falls in love with him as if a Methodist minister was any prize !

don't you take much notice of him , Ursula . "

" I 'll not be likely to have the chance , " I said , with an amused smile .

" oh , you 'll see enough of him .

he boards at Mrs John Callman 's , just across the road from us , and he 's always out sunning himself on her verandah .

never studies , of course .

last Sunday they say he preached on the iron that floated .

I should think she would have had enough of his sex by this time .

she married John Callman against her father 's will , and he had delirious trembles for years .

that 's the men for you . "

" they 're not all like that , Aunt Philippa , " I protested .

" most of ' em are .

see that house over there ?

Mrs Jane Harrison lives there .

her husband took tantrums every few days or so and wouldn't get out of bed .

she had to do all the barn work till he 'd got over his spell .

that 's men for you .

when he died , people writ her letters of condolence but I just sot down and writ her one of congratulation .

there 's the Presbyterian manse in the hollow .

Mr Bentwell 's our minister .

he won't let his wife wear a fashionable hat , and his daughter can't fix her hair the way she wants to .

even being a minister can't prevent a man from being a crank .

here 's Ebenezer Milgrave coming .

you take a good look at him .

he used to be insane for years .

he believed he was dead and used to rage at his wife because she wouldn't bury him .

I'd a-done it . "

aunt Philippa looked so determinedly grim that I could almost see her with a spade in her hand .

I laughed aloud at the picture summoned up .

" yes , it 's funny , but I guess his poor wife didn't find it very humorsome .

he 's been pretty sane for some years now , but you never can tell when he 'll break out again .

he 's got a brother , Albert Milgrave , who 's been married twice .

they say he was courting his second wife while his first was dying .

let that be as it may , he used his first wife 's wedding ring to marry the second .

that 's the men for you . "

" don't you know any good husbands , Aunt Philippa ? "

I asked desperately .

" yes , but living walking about in the flesh ? "

" Precious few .

now and again you 'll come across a man whose wife won't put up with any nonsense and he has to be respectable .

but the most of ' em are poor bargains poor bargains . "

" and are all the wives saints ? "

I persisted .

her house was close to the road and was painted such a vivid green that the landscape looked faded by contrast .

across the gable end of it was the legend , " Philippa 's Farm , " emblazoned in huge black letters two feet long .

all its surroundings were very neat .

on the kitchen doorstep a patchwork cat was making a grave toilet .

the groundwork of the cat was white , and its spots were black , yellow , grey , and brown .

" there 's Joseph , " said Aunt Philippa .

" I call him that because his coat is of many colours .

but I ain't no lover of cats .

they 're too much like the men to suit me . "

" cats have always been supposed to be peculiarly feminine , " I said , descending .

" ' Twas a man that supposed it , then , " retorted Aunt Philippa , beckoning to her hired boy .

" here , Jerry , put Prince away .

Jerry 's a good sort of boy , " she confided to me as we went into the house .

" I had Jim Spencer last summer and the only good thing about him was his appetite .

I put up with him till harvest was in , and then one day my patience give out .

I told him I wasn't in the habit of fertilizing my back yard with cream .

but that 's the men for you .

come in .

I 'll have tea ready in no time .

I sot the table before I left .

there 's lemon pie .

Mrs John Cantwell sent it over .

I never make lemon pie myself .

the first month of my stay passed not unpleasantly .

the summer weather was delightful , and the sea air was certainly splendid .

aunt Philippa 's little farm ran right down to the shore , and I spent much of my time there .

I picked spruce gum and berries and ferns , and Aunt Philippa taught me to make butter .

it was all very idyllic or would have been if Mark had written .

but Mark did not write .

I supposed he must be very angry because I had run off to Prince Edward Island without so much as a note of goodbye .

but I had been so sure he would understand !

we always sat on the verandah in the afternoon , when we were not visiting or being visited .

I made a pretence of fancy work , and Aunt Philippa spun diligently on a little old-fashioned spinning-wheel that had been her grandmother 's .

she always wore her shapeless but clean print wrappers , and her iron-grey hair was always combed neatly down over her ears .

Joseph sat between us , sleeping or purring .

I had met him once or twice socially and had liked him .

I wanted to ask him to call but dared not Aunt Philippa had vowed he should never enter her house .

" if I was dead and he came to my funeral I 'd rise up and order him out , " she said .

" I thought he made a very nice prayer at Mrs Seaman 's funeral the other day , " I said .

" oh , I 've no doubt he can pray .

it ain't no matter how well a man prays if his preaching isn't right .

that Methodist man preaches a lot of things that ain't true , and what 's worse they ain't sound doctrine .

at least , that 's what I 've heard .

I never was in a Methodist church , thank goodness . "

" don't you think Methodists go to heaven as well as Presbyterians , Aunt Philippa ? "

I asked gravely .

" that ain't for us to decide , " said Aunt Philippa solemnly .

" it 's in higher hands than ours .

but I ain't going to associate with them on earth , whatever I may have to do in heaven .

the folks round here mostly don't make much difference and go to the Methodist church quite often .

but I say if you are a Presbyterian , be a Presbyterian .

of course , if you ain't , it don't matter much what you do .

as for that minister man , he has a grand-uncle who was sent to the penitentiary for embezzlement .

I found out that much . "

and evidently Aunt Philippa had taken an unholy joy in finding it out .

" I dare say some of our own ancestors deserved to go to the penitentiary , even if they never did , " I remarked .

" who is that woman driving past , Aunt Philippa ?

she must have been very pretty once . "

" she was and that was all the good it did her .

' Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain , ' Ursula .

she was Sarah Pyatt and she married Fred Proctor .

he was one of your wicked , fascinating men .

after she married him he give up being fascinating but he kept on being wicked .

that 's the men for you .

her sister Flora weren't much luckier .

her man was that domineering she couldn't call her soul her own .

finally he couldn't get his own way over something and he just suicided by jumping into the well .

a good riddance but of course the well was spoiled .

Flora could never abide the thought of using it again , poor thing .

that 's men for you .

" and there 's that old Enoch Allan on his way to the station .

he 's ninety if he 's a day .

you can't kill some folks with a meat axe .

his wife died twenty years ago .

he 'd been married when he was twenty so they 'd lived together for fifty years .

but he weren't grateful .

she had a kind of bitter tongue and they did use to fight scandalous .

O ' course it was all his fault .

well , she died , and old Enoch and my father drove together to the graveyard .

that 's men for you .

his brother , Scotty Allan , was the meanest man ever lived in these parts .

when his wife died she was buried with a little gold brooch in her collar unbeknownst to him .

when he found it out he went one night to the graveyard and opened up the grave and the casket to get that brooch . "

" oh , Aunt Philippa , that is a horrible story , " I cried , recoiling with a shiver over the gruesomeness of it .

" ' Course it is , but what would you expect of a man ? " retorted Aunt Philippa .

somehow , her stories began to affect me in spite of myself .

there were times when I felt very dreary .

perhaps Aunt Philippa was right .

perhaps men possessed neither truth nor constancy .

certainly Mark had forgotten me .

I was ashamed of myself because this hurt me so much , but I could not help it .

I grew pale and listless .

aunt Philippa sometimes peered at me sharply , but she held her peace .

I was grateful for this .

but one day a letter did come from Mark .

I dared not read it until I was safely in my own room .

then I opened it with trembling fingers .

the letter was a little stiff .

evidently Mark was feeling sore enough over things .

he made no reference to our quarrel or to my sojourn in Prince Edward Island .

he wrote that his firm was sending him to South Africa to take charge of their interests there .

he would leave in three weeks ' time and could not return for five years .

if I would not , he would understand that I had ceased to love him and that all was over between us .

that , boiled down , was the gist of Mark 's letter .

for I could not do what Mark asked I could not .

I couldn't run away to be married in that desolate , unbefriended fashion .

it would be a disgrace .

I would feel ashamed of it all my life and be unhappy over it .

I thought that Mark was rather unreasonable .

he knew what my feelings about run-away marriages were .

and was it absolutely necessary for him to go to South Africa ?

of course his father was behind it somewhere , but surely he could have got out of it if he had really tried .

well , if he went to South Africa he must go alone .

but my heart would break .

I cried the whole afternoon , cowering among my pillows .

I never wanted to go out of that room again .

I never wanted to see anybody again .

I could hear her scornful , " that 's the men for you , " if she heard what was in Mark 's letter .

" what is the matter , Ursula ? "

aunt Philippa was standing by my bed .

I was too abject to resent her coming in without knocking .

" nothing , " I said spiritlessly .

" get right up off that bed this minute and tell me what the trouble is .

I 'm bound to know , for I 'm in your father 's place at present . "

" there , then ! "

I flung her Mark 's letter .

there wasn't anything in it that it was sacrilege to let another person see .

that was one reason why I had been crying .

aunt Philippa read it over twice .

then she folded it up deliberately and put it back in the envelope .

" what are you going to do ? " she asked in a matter-of-fact tone .

" I 'm not going to run away to be married , " I answered sullenly .

" well , no , I wouldn't advise you to , " said Aunt Philippa reflectively .

" it 's a kind of low-down thing to do , though there 's been a terrible lot of romantic nonsense talked and writ about eloping .

it may be a painful necessity sometimes , but it ain't in this case .

I sat up and stared at Aunt Philippa .

I was so amazed that it is useless to try to express my amazement .

" aunt Philippa , " I gasped .

" I thought I thought "

" you thought I was a hard old customer , and so I am , " said Aunt Philippa .

" but I don't take my opinions from your father nor anybody else .

it didn't prejudice me any against your young man that your father didn't like him .

I knew your father of old .

I have some other friends in Montreal and I writ to them and asked them what he was like .

from what they said I judged he was decent enough as men go .

so tell him to come here and be married . "

" I don't see how I can , " I gasped .

" I can't get ready to be married in three weeks .

I can't "

" I should think you have enough clothes in that trunk to do you for a spell , " said Aunt Philippa sarcastically .

" you 've more than my mother ever had in all her life .

we 'll get you a wedding dress of some kind .

" what will Father say ? "

I questioned .

" Lots o ' things , " conceded Aunt Philippa grimly .

" but I don't see as it matters when neither you nor me 'll be there to have our feelings hurt .

I 'll write a few things to your father .

he hasn't got much sense .

but that 's the men for you . "

and that was Aunt Philippa for you .

for the next three weeks she was a blissfully excited , busy woman .

" I 'm bound to have one good wedding in this house , " she said .

" not likely I 'll ever have another chance . "

" I know a man who jilted a girl on her wedding day .

that 's the men for you .

it 's best to be prepared . "

but Mark did come , getting there the evening before our wedding day .

and then a severe blow fell on Aunt Philippa .

Word came from the manse that Mr Bentwell had been suddenly summoned to Nova Scotia to his mother 's deathbed ; he had started that night .

" that 's the men for you , " said Aunt Philippa bitterly .

" never can depend on one of them , not even on a minister .

what 's to be done now ? "

" get another minister , " said Mark easily .

" Where'll you get him ? " demanded Aunt Philippa .

" the minister at Cliftonville is away on his vacation , and Mercer is vacant , and that leaves none nearer than town .

it won't do to depend on a town minister being able to come .

no , there 's no help for it .

you 'll have to have that Methodist man . "

aunt Philippa 's tone was tragic .

plainly she thought the ceremony would scarcely be legal if that Methodist man married us .

but neither Mark nor I cared .

we were too happy to be disturbed by any such trifles .

the young Methodist minister married us the next day in the presence of many beaming guests .

but no sooner had the minister pronounced us man and wife than she spoke up .

" now that 's over I want someone to go right out and put out the fire on the kitchen roof .

it 's been on fire for the last ten minutes . "

minister and bridegroom headed the emergency brigade , and Aunt Philippa pumped the water for them .

in a short time the fire was out , all was safe , and we were receiving our deferred congratulations .

she insisted on driving us to the train and said goodbye to us as we stood on the car steps .

but she did not look ridiculous .

there was a certain dignity about Aunt Philippa in any costume and under any circumstance .

" aunt Philippa , " I said , " tell me this : why have you helped me to be married ? "

the train began to move .

" I refused once to run away myself , and I 've repented it ever since . "

Bessie 's Doll

Tommy Puffer , sauntering up the street , stopped to look at Miss Octavia 's geraniums .

Tommy never could help stopping to look at Miss Octavia 's flowers , much as he hated Miss Octavia .

today they were certainly worth looking at .

Miss Octavia 's geraniums were famous in Arundel , and she was very proud of them .

but it was her garden which was really the delight of her heart .

miss Octavia always had the prettiest garden in Arundel , especially as far as annuals were concerned .

Just now it was like faith the substance of things hoped for .

Tommy was still feasting his eyes on the geraniums when Miss Octavia herself came around the corner of the house .

her face darkened the minute she saw Tommy .

most people 's did .

nobody , she argued , not even a boy of twelve , need be poor and ragged if he is willing to work .

" here , you , get away out of this , " she said sharply .

" I 'm not going to have you hanging over my palings . "

" I ain't hurting your old palings , " retorted Tommy sullenly .

" I was jist a-looking at the flowers . "

" yes , and picking out the next one to throw a stone at , " said Miss Octavia sarcastically .

" it was you who threw that stone and broke my big scarlet geranium clear off the other day . "

" it wasn't I never chucked a stone at your flowers , " said Tommy .

" don't tell me any falsehoods , Tommy Puffer .

it was you .

didn't I catch you firing stones at my cat a dozen times ? "

" you clear out of this or I 'll make you , " she said warningly .

Tommy had had his ears boxed by Miss Octavia more than once .

" he 's the most impudent brat I ever saw in my life , " muttered Miss Octavia wrathfully .

there was a standing feud between her and all the Arundel small boys , but Tommy was her special object of dislike .

Tommy 's heart was full of wrath and bitterness as he marched away .

this was nothing more or less than a doll .

" Gee , ain't it a beauty ! " said Tommy admiringly .

" it looks ' sif it was alive , and it 's as big as a baby .

I must go an ' bring Bessie to see it . "

Tommy at once hurried away to the shabby little street where what he called " home " was .

Tommy 's home was a very homeless-looking sort of place .

it was the smallest , dingiest , most slatternly house on a street noted for its dingy and slatternly houses .

so it is hardly to be wondered at if Tommy was the sort of boy who was frowned upon by respectable citizens .

but one little white blossom of pure affection bloomed in the arid desert of Tommy 's existence for all that .

in the preceding fall a new family had come to Arundel and moved into the tiny house next to the Puffers ' .

it was a small , dingy house , just like the others , but before long a great change took place in it .

the new family were thrifty , industrious folks , although they were very poor .

the little house was white-washed , the paling neatly mended , the bit of a yard cleaned of all its rubbish .

Muslin curtains appeared in the windows , and rows of cans , with blossoming plants , adorned the sills .

the very first time she had seen Tommy she had smiled at him sweetly and said , " good morning . "

from that moment Tommy was her devoted slave .

nobody had ever spoken like that to him before ; nobody had ever smiled so at him .

it was Tommy 's delight to bring that smile to her pale little face and a look of pleasure into her big , patient blue eyes .

the other boys on the street tried to tease Bessie at first and shouted " Cripple ! " after her when she limped out .

but they soon stopped it .

Tommy thrashed them all one after another for it , and Bessie was left in peace .

she would have had a very lonely life if it had not been for Tommy , for she could not play with the other children .

but Tommy was as good as a dozen playmates , and Bessie thought him the best boy in the world .

Tommy , whatever he might be with others , was very careful to be good when he was with Bessie .

he never said a rude word in her hearing , and he treated her as if she were a little princess .

Tommy found Bessie sitting by the kitchen window , looking dreamily out of it .

for just a moment Tommy thought uneasily that Bessie was looking very pale and thin this spring .

" Bessie , come for a walk up to Mr Blacklock 's store , " he said eagerly .

" there is something there I want to show you . "

" what is it ? "

Bessie wanted to know .

but Tommy only winked mysteriously .

" ah , I ain't going to tell you .

but it 's something awful pretty .

Just you wait . "

Bessie reached for her crutch and the two went up to the store , Tommy carefully suiting his steps to Bessie 's slow ones .

Just before they reached the store he made her shut her eyes and led her to the window .

" now look ! " he commanded dramatically .

Bessie looked and Tommy was rewarded .

she flushed pinkly with delight and clasped her hands in ecstasy .

" oh , Tommy , isn't she perfectly beautiful ? " she breathed .

" oh , she 's the very loveliest dolly I ever saw .

oh , Tommy ! "

" I thought you 'd like her , " said Tommy exultantly .

" don't you wish you had a doll like that of your very own , Bessie ? "

Bessie looked almost rebuking , as if Tommy had asked her if she wouldn't like a golden crown or a queen 's palace .

" of course I could never have a dolly like that , " she said .

" she must cost an awful lot .

but it 's enough just to look at her .

Tommy , will you bring me up here every day just to look at her ? "

" ' Course , " said Tommy .

Bessie talked about the blue-silk doll all the way home and dreamed of her every night .

" I 'm going to call her Roselle Geraldine , " she said .

after that she went up to see Roselle Geraldine every day , gazing at her for long moments in silent rapture .

Tommy almost grew jealous of her ; he thought Bessie liked the doll better than she did him .

" but it don't matter a bit if she does , " he thought loyally , crushing down the jealousy .

" if she likes to like it better than me , it 's all right . "

sometimes , though , Tommy felt uneasy .

it was plain to be seen that Bessie had set her heart on that doll .

and what would she do when the doll was sold , as would probably happen soon ?

Tommy thought Bessie would feel awful sad , and he would be responsible for it .

what Tommy feared came to pass .

one afternoon , when they went up to Mr Blacklock 's store , the doll was not in the window .

" oh , " cried Bessie , bursting into tears , " she's gone Roselle Geraldine is gone . "

" perhaps she isn't sold , " said Tommy comfortingly .

" maybe they only took her out of the window ' cause the blue silk would fade .

I 'll go in and ask . "

a minute later Tommy came out looking sober .

" yes , she 's sold , Bessie , " he said .

" Mr Blacklock sold her to a lady yesterday .

don't cry , Bessie maybe they 'll put another in the window ' fore long . "

" it won't be mine , " sobbed Bessie .

" it won't be Roselle Geraldine .

it won't have a blue silk hat and such cunning brown eyes . "

Bessie cried quietly all the way home , and Tommy could not comfort her .

he wished he had never shown her the doll in the window .

from that day Bessie drooped , and Tommy watched her in agony .

she grew paler and thinner .

she was too tired to go out walking , and too tired to do the little household tasks she had delighted in .

she never spoke about Roselle Geraldine , but Tommy knew she was fretting about her .

Mrs Knox could not think what ailed the child .

" she don't take a bit of interest in nothing , " she complained to Mrs Puffer .

" she don't eat enough for a bird .

the doctor , he says there ain't nothing the matter with her as he can find out , but she 's just pining away . "

Tommy heard this , and a queer , big lump came up in his throat .

he had a horrible fear that he , Tommy Puffer , was going to cry .

to prevent it he began to whistle loudly .

but the whistle was a failure , very unlike the real Tommy-whistle .

Bessie was sick and it was all his fault , Tommy believed .

but I can't do nothing . "

all the geraniums were carried in , and the blinds were down .

Tommy knew Miss Octavia was away .

" dear me , how cold it is ! " shivered Mrs Reid .

" there 's going to be a hard frost tonight .

Octavia 's flowers will be nipped as sure as anything .

it 's a wonder she 'd stay away from them overnight when her heart 's so set on them . "

" her brother 's wife is sick , " said Mrs Jenkins .

" we haven't had any frost this spring , and I suppose Octavia never thought of such a thing .

she 'll feel awful bad if her flowers get frosted , especially them dahlias .

Octavia sets such store by her dahlias . "

Mrs Jenkins and Mrs Reid moved away , leaving Tommy by the paling .

it was cold there was going to be a hard frost and Miss Octavia 's plants and flowers would certainly be spoiled .

Tommy thought he ought to be glad , but he wasn't .

he was sorry not for Miss Octavia , but for her flowers .

Tommy had a queer , passionate love for flowers in his twisted little soul .

Tommy could never have put this thought into words , but it was there in his heart .

he wished he could save the flowers .

and couldn't he ?

newspapers spread over the beds and tied around the dahlias would save them , Tommy knew .

he had seen Miss Octavia doing it other springs .

and he knew there was a big box of newspapers in a little shed in her backyard .

Ned Williams had told him there was , and that the shed was never locked .

Tommy hurried home as quickly as he could and got a ball of twine out of his few treasures .

then he went back to Miss Octavia 's garden .

the next forenoon Miss Octavia got off the train at the Arundel station with a very grim face .

there had been an unusually severe frost for the time of year .

all along the road Miss Octavia had seen gardens frosted and spoiled .

but she didn't .

Miss Octavia flew into her garden with a radiant face .

everything was safe nothing was spoiled .

but who could have done it ?

Miss Octavia was puzzled .

on the other lived Miss Matheson , who was a " shut-in " and spent all her time on the sofa .

but to Miss Matheson Miss Octavia went .

" Rachel , do you know who covered my plants up last night ? "

miss Matheson nodded .

" yes , it was Tommy Puffer .

I saw him working away there with papers and twine .

I thought you 'd told him to do it . "

" for the land 's sake ! " ejaculated Miss Octavia .

" Tommy Puffer !

well , wonders will never cease . "

Miss Octavia went back to her house feeling rather ashamed of herself when she remembered how she had always treated Tommy Puffer .

" but there must be some good in the child , or he wouldn't have done this , " she said to herself .

" I 've been real mean , but I 'll make it up to him . "

Miss Octavia did not see Tommy that day , but when he passed the next morning she ran to the door and called him .

" Tommy , Tommy Puffer , come in here ! "

Tommy came reluctantly .

he didn't like Miss Octavia any better than he had , and he didn't know what she wanted of him .

but Miss Octavia soon informed him without loss of words .

" Tommy , Miss Matheson tells me that it was you who saved my flowers from the frost the other night .

I 'm very much obliged to you indeed .

whatever made you think of doing it ? "

" well , it was real thoughtful of you .

I 'm sorry I 've been so hard on you , Tommy , and I believe now you didn't break my scarlet geranium .

is there anything I can do for you anything you 'd like to have ?

if it 's in reason I 'll get it for you , just to pay my debt . "

Tommy stared at Miss Octavia with a sudden hopeful inspiration .

" oh , Miss Octavia , " he cried eagerly , " will you buy a doll and give it to me ? "

" well , for the land 's sake ! " ejaculated Miss Octavia , unable to believe her ears .

" a doll !

what on earth do you want of a doll ? "

" it 's for Bessie , " said Tommy eagerly .

" you see , it 's this way . "

then Tommy told Miss Octavia the whole story .

Miss Octavia listened silently , sometimes nodding her head .

" I guess this is the doll , " she said .

" I bought it to give to a small niece of mine , but I can get another for her .

you may take this to Bessie . "

when a week had passed , Miss Octavia again called Tommy in ; Tommy went more willingly this time .

he had begun to like Miss Octavia .

that lady looked him over sharply and somewhat dubiously .

he was certainly very ragged and unkempt .

" you 're fond of flowers , aren't you , Tommy ? " she asked .

" you bet , " was Tommy 's inelegant but heartfelt answer .

" well , " said Miss Octavia slowly , " I have a brother down at Chelton who is a florist .

he asked me to recommend him one , and I promised to look out for a suitable boy .

would you like the place , Tommy ?

" oh , Miss Octavia ! " gasped Tommy .

he wondered if he were simply having a beautiful dream .

but it was no dream .

and it was all arranged later on .

no one rejoiced more heartily in Tommy 's success than Bessie .

" but I 'll miss you dreadfully , Tommy , " she said wistfully .

" oh , I 'll be home every Saturday night , and we 'll have Sunday together , except when I 've got to go to Sunday school .

' Cause Miss Octavia says I must , " said Tommy comfortingly .

" and the rest of the time you 'll have Roselle Geraldine . "

" yes , I know , " said Bessie , giving the blue-silk doll a fond kiss , " and she 's just lovely .

but she ain't as nice as you , Tommy , for all . "

then was Tommy 's cup of happiness full .

Charlotte 's Ladies

just as soon as dinner was over at the asylum , Charlotte sped away to the gap in the fence the northwest corner gap .

Charlotte ran as fast as her legs could carry her , for she did not want any of the other orphans to see her .

as a rule , Charlotte liked the company of the other orphans and was a favourite with them .

but , somehow , she did not want them to know about the gaps .

she was sure they would not understand .

Charlotte had discovered the gaps only a week before .

Charlotte felt a wild impulse to slip out and run fast and far down that lovely , sunny , tempting , fenceless road .

then , as Charlotte watched , the Pretty Lady with the Blue Eyes came along the footpath .

at least Charlotte thought so and wished at once that she knew how to make them laugh .

when the Pretty Lady with the Blue Eyes had gone by , Charlotte drew a long breath .

" if I could pick out a mother I 'd pick out one that looked just like her , " she said .

it was such a garden as Charlotte had pictured in happy dreams and never expected to see in real life .

and yet here it had been all the time , divided from her only by a high board fence .

" I wouldn't have s'posed there could be such a lovely place so near an orphan asylum , " mused Charlotte .

" it 's the very loveliest place I ever saw .

oh , I do wish I could go and walk in it .

well , I do declare !

if there isn't a lady in it , too ! "

sure enough , there was a lady , helping an unruly young vine to run in the way it should go over a little arbour .

Charlotte instantly named her the Tall Lady with the Black Eyes .

she was not nearly so young or so pretty as the Lady with the Blue Eyes , but she looked very kind and jolly .

I 'd like her for an aunt , reflected Charlotte .

not for a mother oh , no , not for a mother , but for an aunt .

I know she 'd make a splendid aunt .

and , oh , just look at her cat !

Charlotte looked at the cat with all her might and main .

the Tall Lady 's cat was so big and furry , with a splendid tail and elegant stripes .

a Very Handsome Cat , Charlotte called him mentally , seeing the capitals as plainly as if they had been printed out .

Charlotte 's fingers tingled to stroke his glossy coat , but she folded them sternly together .

you ought to be thankful just to see the garden and the Very Handsome Cat . "

but , somehow , games had lost their flavour compared with those fascinating gaps .

Charlotte took the dose meekly , as she took everything else .

it was all part and parcel with being an orphan in an asylum .

a lady is going to adopt her . "

" oh ! " cried Charlotte breathlessly .

an adoption was always a wonderful event in the asylum , as well as a somewhat rare one .

" oh , how splendid ! "

" yes , isn't it ? " said Maggie enviously .

" she picked out Lizzie because she was pretty and had curls .

I don't think it is fair . "

Charlotte sighed .

" nobody will ever want to adopt me , because I 've mousy hair and freckles , " she said .

" but somebody may want you some day , Maggie .

you have such lovely black hair . "

" but it isn't curly , " said Maggie forlornly .

" and the matron won't let me put it up in curl papers at night .

I just wish I was Lizzie . "

Charlotte shook her head .

" I don't .

I 'd love to be adopted , but I wouldn't really like to be anybody but myself , even if I am homely .

it 's better to be yourself with mousy hair and freckles than somebody else who is ever so beautiful .

but I do envy Lizzie , though the matron says it is wicked to envy anyone . "

the Pretty Lady smiled right down at Charlotte and for just a moment her eyes looked as Charlotte had always known they ought to look .

Charlotte was feeling rather frightened down in her heart but she smiled bravely back .

" no , " said Charlotte , shaking her head gravely .

" I should like to run away but it would be of no use , because there is no place to run to . "

" why would you like to run away ? " asked the Pretty Lady , still smiling .

" don't you like living here ? "

Charlotte opened her big eyes very widely .

" why , it 's an orphan asylum ! " she exclaimed .

" nobody could like living in an orphan asylum .

but , of course , orphans should be very thankful to have any place to live in and I am thankful .

I 'd be thankfuller still if the matron wouldn't make me take sulphur and molasses .

if you had a little girl , would you make her take sulphur and molasses ? "

" I didn't when I had a little girl , " said the Pretty Lady wistfully , and her eyes were sad again .

" oh , did you really have a little girl once ? " asked Charlotte softly .

" yes , and she died , " said the Pretty Lady in a trembling voice .

" oh , I am sorry , " said Charlotte , more softly still .

" did she did she have lovely golden hair and pink cheeks like yours ? "

" no , " the Pretty Lady smiled again , though it was a very sad smile .

" no , she had mouse-coloured hair and freckles . "

" oh !

and weren't you sorry ? "

" no , I was glad of it , because it made her look like her father .

I 've always loved little girls with mouse-coloured hair and freckles ever since .

well , I must hurry along .

I 'm late now , and schools have a dreadful habit of going in sharp on time .

if you should happen to be here tomorrow , I 'm going to stop and ask your name . "

of course Charlotte was at the gap the next day and they had a lovely talk .

in a week they were the best of friends .

then another wonderful thing happened .

but the Very Handsome Cat was , sitting gravely under a syringa bush and looking quite proud of himself for being a cat .

" you Very Handsome Cat , " said Charlotte , " won't you come here and let me stroke you ? "

I just wanted to pat him .

I I am very fond of cats and they are not allowed in orphan asylums . "

" I 've always thought asylums weren't run on proper principles , " said the Tall Lady briskly .

" bless your heart , child , don't look so scared .

you 're welcome to pat the cat all you like .

come in and I 'll give you some flowers . "

I live in mortal dread for fear it will be closed anyhow .

it 's very uncomfortable living in mortal dread . "

the Tall Lady laughed a very jolly laugh .

" yes , I should think it would be , " she agreed .

" I haven't had that experience . "

" do you live all alone in that big house ? " she asked wonderingly one day .

" all alone , " said the Tall Lady .

" did you always live alone ? "

" no .

I had a sister living with me once .

but I don't want to talk about her .

you 'll oblige me , Charlotte , by not talking about her . "

" I won't then , " agreed Charlotte .

" I can understand why people don't like to have their sisters talked about sometimes .

Lily Mitchell has a big sister who was sent to jail for stealing .

of course Lily doesn't like to talk about her . "

the Tall Lady laughed a little bitterly .

" my sister didn't steal .

she married a man I detested , that 's all . "

" did he drink ? " asked Charlotte gravely .

" the matron 's husband drank and that was why she left him and took to running an orphan asylum .

I think I 'd rather put up with a drunken husband than live in an orphan asylum . "

" my sister 's husband didn't drink , " said the Tall Lady grimly .

" he was beneath her , that was all .

I told her I 'd never forgive her and I never shall .

he 's dead now he died a year after she married him and she 's working for her living .

I dare say she doesn't find it very pleasant .

she wasn't brought up to that .

here , Charlotte , is a turnover for you .

I made it on purpose for you .

eat it and tell me if you don't think I 'm a good cook .

I 'm dying for a compliment .

I never get any now that I 've got old .

it 's a dismal thing to get old and have nobody to love you except a cat , Charlotte . "

I have more fun with the Tall Lady and the Very Handsome Cat , but I always feel nicer with the Pretty Lady .

oh , I 'm so glad her little girl had mouse-coloured hair .

then the most wonderful thing of all happened .

one day a week later the Pretty Lady said , " would you like to come and live with me , Charlotte ? "

Charlotte looked at her .

" are you in earnest ? " she asked in a whisper .

" indeed I am .

I want you for my little girl , and if you 'd like to come , you shall .

will you come ? "

" well , I should just think I will ! " said Charlotte emphatically .

" oh , I wish I was sure I 'm not dreaming .

I do love you so much , and it will be so delightful to be your little girl . "

" very well , sweetheart .

I 'll come tomorrow afternoon it is Saturday , so I 'll have the whole blessed day off and see the matron about it .

oh , we 'll have lovely times together , dearest .

I only wish I 'd discovered you long ago . "

but she never did , because a lady came that afternoon and told her she wanted to adopt Charlotte .

Charlotte obeyed the summons to the matron 's room in a tingle of excitement .

but when she went in , she saw only the matron and the Tall Lady with the Black Eyes .

it is a splendid thing for you , and you ought to be a very thankful little girl . "

Charlotte 's head fairly whirled .

she clasped her hands and the tears brimmed up in her eyes .

I can't break my promise . "

" what on earth is the child talking about ? " said the mystified matron .

and just then the maid showed in the Pretty Lady .

Charlotte flew to her and flung her arms about her .

" oh , tell them I am your little girl ! " she begged .

" tell them I promised you first .

I don't want to hurt the Tall Lady 's feelings because I truly do like her so very much .

but I want to be your little girl . "

the Pretty Lady had given one glance at the Tall Lady and flushed red .

the Tall Lady , on the contrary , had grown very pale .

the matron felt uncomfortable .

Mrs Bond turned to the matron .

" I have come to ask permission to adopt this little girl , " she said .

" don't take her from me , Alma , " she pleaded humbly .

" she she is so like my own baby and I 'm so lonely .

any other child will suit you as well . "

" not at all , " said the Tall Lady brusquely .

" not at all , Anna .

no other child will suit me at all .

and may I ask what you intend to keep her on ?

I know your salary is barely enough for yourself . "

" that is my concern , " said the Pretty Lady a little proudly .

" Humph ! "

the Tall Lady shrugged her shoulders .

" just as independent as ever , Anna , I see .

well , child , what do you say ?

which of us will you come with ?

remember , I have the cat on my side , and Anna can't make half as good turnovers as I can .

remember all this , Charlotte . "

" oh , I I like you so much , " stammered Charlotte , " and I wish I could live with you both .

but since I can't , I must go with the Pretty Lady , because I promised , and because I loved her first . "

" and best ? " queried the Tall Lady .

" and best , " admitted Charlotte , bound to be truthful , even at the risk of hurting the Tall Lady 's feelings .

" but I do like you , too next best .

and you really don't need me as much as she does , for you have your Very Handsome Cat and she hasn't anything . "

" a cat no longer satisfies the aching void in my soul , " said the Tall Lady stubbornly .

" nothing will satisfy it but a little girl with mouse-coloured hair and freckles .

no , Anna , I 've got to have Charlotte .

why can't she ?

you just come back home and we 'll let bygones be bygones .

the Pretty Lady softened , trembled , smiled .

she went right up to the Tall Lady and put her arms about her neck .

" oh , I 've wanted so much to be friends with you again , " she sobbed .

" but I thought you would never relent and and I 've been so lonely "

" there , there , " whispered the Tall Lady , " don't cry under the matron 's eye .

wait till we get home .

I may have some crying to do myself then .

Charlotte , go and get your hat and come right over with us .

we can sign the necessary papers later on , but we must have you right off .

" I am so happy , " remarked Charlotte , " that I feel like crying myself . "

Christmas at Red Butte

" of course Santa Claus will come , " said Jimmy Martin confidently .

Jimmy was ten , and at ten it is easy to be confident .

" why , he 's got to come because it is Christmas Eve , and he always has come .

you know that , twins . "

yes , the twins knew it and , cheered by Jimmy 's superior wisdom , their doubts passed away .

" that doesn't make any difference to Santa Claus , " scoffed Jimmy .

" you know as well as I do , Theodora Prentice , that Santa Claus is rich whether the crops fail or not .

they failed three years ago , before Father died , but Santa Claus came all the same .

Prob'bly you don't remember it , twins , ' cause you were too little , but I do .

of course he 'll come , so don't you worry a mite .

and he 'll bring my skates and your dolls .

he knows we 're expecting them , Theodora , ' cause we wrote him a letter last week , and threw it up the chimney .

and there 'll be candy and nuts , of course , and Mother 's gone to town to buy a turkey .

I tell you we 're going to have a ripping Christmas . "

" well , don't use such slangy words about it , Jimmy-boy , " sighed Theodora .

she couldn't bear to dampen their hopes any further , and perhaps Aunt Elizabeth might manage it if the colt sold well .

" do people always sigh like that when they get to be sixteen ? " asked Jimmy curiously .

" you didn't sigh like that when you were only fifteen , Theodora .

I wish you wouldn't .

it makes me feel funny and it 's not a nice kind of funniness either . "

" it 's a bad habit I 've got into lately , " said Theodora , trying to laugh .

" old folks are dull sometimes , you know , Jimmy-boy . "

" sixteen is awful old , isn't it ? " said Jimmy reflectively .

" I 'll tell you what I 'm going to do when I 'm sixteen , Theodora .

I 'm going to pay off the mortgage , and buy mother a silk dress , and a piano for the twins .

won't that be elegant ?

I 'll be able to do that ' cause I 'm a man .

of course if I was only a girl I couldn't . "

" I believe in being good to your mother when you 've only got the one .

now tell us a story , Theodora a real jolly story , you know , with lots of fighting in it .

only please don't kill anybody .

I like to hear about fighting , but I like to have all the people come out alive . "

it was quite dark when she finished , and the twins were nodding , but Jimmy 's eyes were wide open and sparkling .

" that was great , " he said , drawing a long breath .

" tell us another . "

" no , it 's bedtime for you all , " said Theodora firmly .

" one story at a time is my rule , you know . "

" but I want to sit up till Mother comes home , " objected Jimmy .

" you can't .

she may be very late , for she would have to wait to see Mr Porter .

besides , you don't know what time Santa Claus might come if he comes at all .

this argument was too much for Jimmy .

" all right , we 'll go .

but we have to hang up our stockings first .

twins , get yours . "

this done , they all trooped obediently off to bed .

I am afraid that you will think from all the sighing Theodora was doing that she was a very melancholy and despondent young lady .

you couldn't think anything more unlike the real Theodora .

five years before this , Theodora had come to live with Uncle George and Aunt Elizabeth in the little log house at Red Butte .

her own mother had just died , and Theodora had only her big brother Donald left , and Donald had Klondike fever .

at seven Mrs Martins bells jingled at the door and Theodora flew out .

" go right in and get warm , Auntie , " she said briskly .

" I 'll take Ned away and unharness him . "

" it 's a bitterly cold night , " said Mrs Martin wearily .

there was a note of discouragement in her voice that struck dismay to Theodora 's heart .

" I 'm afraid it means no Christmas for the children tomorrow , " she thought sadly , as she led Ned away to the stable .

when she returned to the kitchen Mrs Martin was sitting by the fire , her face in her chilled hand , sobbing convulsively .

" auntie oh , Auntie , don't ! " exclaimed Theodora impulsively .

it was such a rare thing to see her plucky , resolute little aunt in tears .

" you 're cold and tired I 'll have a nice cup of tea for you in a trice . "

" no , it isn't that , " said Mrs Martin brokenly " it was seeing those stockings hanging there .

Theodora , I couldn't get a thing for the children not a single thing .

I suppose I ought to feel thankful I could get those .

but the thought of the children 's disappointment tomorrow is more than I can bear .

it would have been better to have told them long ago , but I kept building on getting more for the colt .

well , it 's weak and foolish to give way like this .

we 'd better both take a cup of tea and go to bed .

it will save fuel . "

when Theodora went up to her little room her face was very thoughtful .

she took a small box from her table and carried it to the window .

in it was a very pretty little gold locket hung on a narrow blue ribbon .

Theodora held it tenderly in her fingers , and looked out over the moonlit prairie with a very sober face .

could she give up her dear locket the locket Donald had given her just before he started for the Klondike ?

she had never thought she could do such a thing .

a lump came into Theodora 's throat as she remembered it .

" I couldn't afford a chain too , but when I come back I 'll bring you a rope of Klondike nuggets for it . "

then he had gone away .

for two years letters had come from him regularly .

then he wrote that he had joined a prospecting party to a remote wilderness .

after that was silence , deepening into anguish of suspense that finally ended in hopelessness .

a rumour came that Donald Prentice was dead .

none had returned from the expedition he had joined .

Theodora had long ago given up all hope of ever seeing Donald again .

hence her locket was doubly dear to her .

but Aunt Elizabeth had always been so good and loving and kind to her .

could she not make the sacrifice for her sake ?

yes , she could and would .

Theodora flung up her head with a gesture that meant decision .

she muse walk , for Ned could not be taken out again , and the mare 's foot was sore .

besides , Aunt Elizabeth must not know until it was done .

as stealthily as if she were bound on some nefarious errand , Theodora slipped downstairs and out of the house .

the next minute she was hurrying along the trail in the moonlight .

the great dazzling prairie was around her , the mystery and splendour of the northern night all about her .

it was very calm and cold , but Theodora walked so briskly that she kept warm .

the trail from Red Butte to Spencer was a lonely one .

Mr Lurgan 's house , halfway to town , was the only dwelling on it .

when Theodora reached Spencer she made her way at once to the only jewellery store the little town contained .

Mr Benson , its owner , had been a friend of her uncle 's , and Theodora felt sure that he would buy her locket .

nevertheless her heart beat quickly , and her breath came and went uncomfortably fast as she went in .

suppose he wouldn't buy it .

then there would be no Christmas for the children at Red Butte .

" good evening , Miss Theodora , " said Mr Benson briskly .

" what can I do for you ? "

" I 'm afraid I 'm not a very welcome sort of customer , Mr Benson , " said Theodora , with an uncertain smile .

" I want to sell , not buy .

could you will you buy this locket ? "

Mr Benson pursed up his lips , took up the locket , and examined it .

I 'll give you four dollars for this trinket . "

Theodora beguiled her lonely tramp by picturing the children 's joy in the morning .

about a quarter of a mile past Mr Lurgan 's house the trail curved suddenly about a bluff of poplars .

as Theodora rounded the turn she halted in amazement .

almost at her feet the body of a man was lying across the road .

he was clad in a big fur coat , and had a fur cap pulled well down over his forehead and ears .

almost all of him that could be seen was a full bushy beard .

Theodora had no idea who he was , or where he had come from .

but she realized that he was unconscious , and that he would speedily freeze to death if help were not brought .

the footprints of a horse galloping across the prairie suggested a fall and a runaway , but Theodora did not waste time in speculation .

she ran back at full speed to Mr Lurgan 's , and roused the household .

the joy that reigned in the little log house the next day more than repaid Theodora for her sacrifice .

" whoopee , didn't I tell you that Santa Claus would come all right ! " shouted the delighted Jimmy .

" oh , what splendid skates ! "

the twins hugged their dolls in silent rapture , but Aunt Elizabeth 's face was the best of all .

then the dinner had to be prepared , and everybody had a hand in that .

but was he a stranger ?

there was something oddly familiar in those merry brown eyes .

Theodora felt herself growing dizzy .

" Donald ! " she gasped .

" oh , Donald ! "

and then she was in the big fellow 's arms , laughing and crying at the same time .

Donald it was indeed .

" to think that it was you last night , and that I never dreamed it , " exclaimed Theodora .

" oh , Donald , if I hadn't gone to town ! "

" I 'd have frozen to death , I 'm afraid , " said Donald soberly .

" I got into Spencer on the last train last night .

I felt that I must come right out I couldn't wait till morning .

but there wasn't a team to be got for love or money it was Christmas Eve and all the livery rigs were out .

so I came on horseback .

Just by that bluff something frightened my horse , and he shied violently .

I was half asleep and thinking of my little sister , and I went off like a shot .

I suppose I struck my head against a tree .

anyway , I knew nothing more until I came to in Mr Lurgan 's kitchen .

I wasn't much hurt feel none the worse of it except for a sore head and shoulder .

but , oh , Gift o ' God , how you have grown !

I can't realize that you are the little sister I left four years ago .

I suppose you have been thinking I was dead ? "

" yes , and , oh , Donald , where have you been ? "

" well , I went way up north with a prospecting party .

we had a tough time the first year , I can tell you , and some of us never came back .

we weren't in a country where post offices were lying round loose either , you see .

then at last , just as we were about giving up in despair , we struck it rich .

There'll be no more worrying for you dear people over mortgages . "

" I 'm so glad for Auntie 's sake , " said Theodora , with shining eyes .

" but , oh , Donald , it 's best of all just to have you back .

I 'm so perfectly happy that I don't know what to do or say . "

" well , I think you might have dinner , " said Jimmy in an injured tone .

" the turkey 's getting stone cold , and I 'm most starving .

I just can't stand it another minute . "

how We Went to the Wedding

" if it were to clear up I wouldn't know how to behave , it would seem so unnatural , " said Kate .

" do you , by any chance , remember what the sun looks like , Phil ? "

" does the sun ever shine in Saskatchewan anyhow ? "

I asked with assumed sarcasm , just to make Kate 's big , bonny black eyes flash .

" but I can't blame you for feeling sceptical about it , Phil .

so , little cousin , I forgive you .

remember that ' into each life some rain must fall , some days must be dark and dreary . '

oh , if you 'd only come to visit me last fall .

we had such a bee-yew-tiful September last year .

we were drowned in sunshine .

this fall we 're drowned in water .

old settlers tell of a similar visitation in ' @number@ though they claim even that wasn't quite as bad as this . "

I was sitting rather disconsolately by an upper window of Uncle Kenneth Morrison 's log house at Arrow Creek .

beyond was a cheerless prospect of sodden prairie and dripping " bluff . "

" it would be a golden , mellow land , with purple hazes over the bluffs , in a normal fall , " assured Kate .

I feel like chanting continually that old rhyme I learned in the first primer ,

Philippa , dear girl , don't look so dismal .

it 's bound to clear up sometime . "

" I wish the ' sometime ' would come soon , then , " I said , rather grumpily .

" you know it hasn't really rained for three days , " protested Kate .

" it 's been damp and horrid and threatening , but it hasn't rained .

I defy you to say that it has actually rained . "

" I believe you 're homesick , girl , " said Kate anxiously .

" no , I'm not , " I answered , laughing , and feeling ashamed of my ungraciousness .

" nobody could be homesick with such a jolly good fellow as you around , Kate .

it 's only that this weather is getting on my nerves a bit .

I 'm fit for treasons , stratagems , and spoils .

if your chinook doesn't come soon , Kitty , I 'll do something quite desperate . "

" I feel that way myself , " admitted Kate .

" Real reckless , Phil .

anyhow , let's put on our despised rubber boots and sally out for a wade . "

" here 's Jim Nash coming on horseback down the trail , " I said .

" let's wait and see if he 's got the mail . "

I had come from Ontario , the first of September , to visit Uncle Kenneth Morrison 's family .

I had been looking forward to the trip for several years .

a wet September in Saskatchewan is no joke , however .

the country was almost " flooded out . "

the trails soon became nearly impassable .

yet I was not lonesome , and I enjoyed my visit in spite of everything .

Kate was a host in herself .

she was twenty-eight years old eight years my senior but the difference in our ages had never been any barrier to our friendship .

she was a jolly , companionable , philosophical soul , with a jest for every situation , and a merry solution for every perplexity .

the only fault I had to find with her was her tendency to make parodies .

Kate 's parodies were perfectly awful and always got on my nerves .

she was dreadfully ashamed of the way the Saskatchewan weather was behaving after all her boasting .

she was thin at the best of times , but now she grew positively scraggy with the worry of it .

I am afraid I took an unholy delight in teasing her , and abused the western weather even more than was necessary .

Kate 's share was a letter , postmarked Bothwell , a rising little town about one hundred and twenty miles from Arrow Creek .

Kate had several friends there , and one of our plans had been to visit Bothwell and spend a week with them .

" mother , " exclaimed Kate , " Mary Taylor is going to be married in a fortnight 's time !

she wants Phil and me to go up to Bothwell for the wedding . "

" what a pity you can't go , " remarked Aunt Jennie placidly .

aunt Jennie was always a placid little soul , with a most enviable knack of taking everything easy .

nothing ever worried her greatly , and when she had decided that a thing was inevitable it did not worry her at all .

" but I am going , " cried Kate .

" I will go I must go .

I positively cannot let Mary Taylor my own beloved Molly go and perpetrate matrimony without my being on hand to see it .

yes , I 'm going and if Phil has a spark of the old Blair pioneer spirit in her , she 'll go too . "

" of course I 'll go if you go , " I said .

Fly or swim ? "

" we 'll drive , as usual , " said Kate calmly .

" I 'd feel more at home in that way of locomotion .

we 'll borrow Jim Nash 's father 's democrat , and take the ponies .

we 'll put on old clothes , raincoats , rubber caps and boots , and we 'll start tomorrow .

in an ordinary time we could easily do it in six days or less , but this fall we 'll probably need ten or twelve . "

" you don't really mean to go , Kate ! " said Aunt Jennie , beginning to perceive that Kate did mean it .

" I do , " said Kate , in a convincing tone .

it was rather funny to listen to the ensuing dialogue .

" Kate , you can't do it .

it 's a crazy idea !

the road is one hundred and twenty miles long . "

" I 've driven it twice , Mother . "

" yes , but not in such a wet year .

the trail is impassable in places . "

" oh , there are always plenty of dry spots to be found if you only look hard for them . "

" but you don't know where to look for them , and goodness knows what you 'll get into while you are looking . "

" we 'll call at the M.P . barracks and get an Indian to guide us .

Indians always know the dry spots . "

" the stage driver has decided not to make another trip till the October frosts set in . "

" but he always has such a heavy load .

it will be quite different with us , you must remember .

we 'll travel light just our provisions and a valise containing our wedding garments . "

" what will you do if you get mired twenty miles from a human being ? "

" but we won't .

I 'm a good driver and I haven't nerves but I have nerve .

besides , you forget that we 'll have an Indian guide with us . "

" fifty years ago !

their ghosts must have ceased to haunt it by this time , " said Kate flippantly .

" well , you 'll get wet through and catch your deaths of cold , " protested Aunt Jennie .

" no fear of it .

we 'll be cased in rubber .

and we 'll borrow a good tight tent from the M.P.s .

besides , I 'm sure it 's not going to rain much more .

I know the signs . "

" at least wait for a day or two until you 're sure that it has cleared up , " implored Aunt Jennie .

" no , no , my mother , your wiles are in vain .

we 'll hit the trail tomorrow at sunrise .

so just be good , darling , and help us pack up some provisions .

I 'll send Jim for his father 's democrat . "

I flew upstairs to pack some finery .

I was wild with delight over the proposed outing .

I would not miss the laughter-provoking memories of that trip out of my life for anything .

I have always been glad I went .

we left at sunrise the next morning ; there was a sunrise that morning , for a wonder .

the sun came up in a pinky-saffron sky and promised us a fine day .

aunt Jennie bade us goodbye and , estimable woman that she was , did not trouble us with advice or forebodings .

Kate and I were properly accoutred for our trip and looked but I try to forget how we looked !

the memory is not flattering .

we drove off in the gayest of spirits .

our difficulties began at the start , for we had to drive a mile before we could find a place to ford the creek .

" Sergeant Baker is a friend of mine , " said Kate .

" he 'll be only too glad to lend me all we require . "

" you 'd better take a canoe instead of a team , " he said sarcastically .

" I 've a good notion to arrest you both as horse thieves and prevent you from going on such a mad expedition . "

so please be nice , even if it comes hard , and lend us some things .

I 've come a-borrying . "

" I won't lend you a thing , " declared the sergeant .

" I won't aid and abet you in any such freak as this .

go home now , like a good girl . "

" I 'm not going home , " said Kate .

" I 'm not a ' good girl ' I 'm a wicked old maid , and I 'm going to Bothwell .

if you won't lend us a tent we 'll go without and sleep in the open and our deaths will lie forever at your door .

I 'll come back and haunt you , if you don't lend me a tent .

I 'll camp on your very threshold and you won't be able to go out of your door without falling over my spook . "

" I 've more fear of being accountable for your death if I do let you go , " said Sergeant Baker dubiously .

" however , I see that nothing but physical force will prevent you .

what do you want ? "

he 's such a respectable-looking old fellow , and his wife often works for us . "

the sergeant gave us the tent and stove , and sent a man down to the Reserve for Peter Crow .

moreover , he vindicated his title of friend by making us take a dozen prairie chickens and a large ham besides any quantity of advice .

we didn't want the advice but we hugely welcomed the ham .

presently our guide appeared quite a spruce old Indian , as Indians go .

it was ten when we finally got away from the M.P . outpost .

Sergeant Baker bade us goodbye in a tone which seemed to intimate that he never expected to see either of us again .

what with his dismal predictions and my secret horror of Indians , I was beginning to feel anything but jubilant over our expedition .

Kate , however , was as blithe and buoyant as usual .

she knew no fear , being one of those enviable folk who can because they think they can .

for the next three hours , however , we got on beautifully .

that snore reassured me greatly .

I had never thought of Indians as snoring .

surely one who did couldn't be dreaded greatly .

we stopped at one o'clock and had a cold lunch , sitting in our wagon , while Peter Crow wakened up and watered the ponies .

we did not get on so well in the afternoon .

the trail descended into low-lying ground where travelling was very difficult .

I had to admit old Peter Crow was quite invaluable .

he knew , as Kate had foretold , " all the dry spots " that is to say , spots less wet than others .

" we 'd better set camp now , before it gets any darker , " said Kate .

" there 's a capital spot over there , by that bluff of dead poplar .

the ground seems pretty dry too .

peter , cut us a set of tent poles and kindle a fire . "

" want my dollar first , " said old Peter stolidly .

Kate told him this .

but all the reply she got was a stolid , " want dollar .

no make fire without dollar . "

we were getting cold and it was getting dark , so finally Kate , under the law of necessity , paid him his dollar .

then he carried out our orders at his own sweet leisure .

Kate and I had a hilarious time cooking that supper .

old Peter coiled up on his blanket outside by the fire , and the great silence of a windless prairie enwrapped us .

in a few minutes we were sound asleep and never wakened until seven o'clock .

when we arose and lifted the flap of the tent we saw a peculiar sight .

on every hand to the far horizon stretched that strange , phantasmal ocean , and a hazy sun looked over the shifting billows .

" I 'm ravenous , " she said , as she bustled about among our stores .

" camping out always does give one such an appetite .

aren't you hungry , Phil ? "

" comfortably so , " I admitted .

" but where are our ponies ?

and where is Peter Crow ? "

" probably the ponies have strayed away looking for pea vines .

they love and adore pea vines , " said Kate , stirring up the fire from under its blanket of grey ashes .

" and Peter Crow has gone to look for them , good old fellow .

when you do get a conscientious Indian there is no better guide in the world , but they are rare .

now , Philippa-girl , just pry out the sergeant 's ham and shave a few slices off it for our breakfast .

some savoury fried ham always goes well on the prairie . "

I went for the ham but could not find it .

a thorough search among our effects revealed it not .

" Kate , I can't find the ham , " I called out .

" it must have fallen out somewhere on the trail . "

Kate ceased wrestling with the fire and came to help in the search for the missing delicacy .

" it couldn't have fallen out , " she said incredulously .

" that is impossible .

the tent was fastened securely over everything .

nothing could have jolted out . "

" well , then , where is the ham ? "

I said .

that question was unanswerable , as Kate discovered after another thorough search .

the ham was gone that much was certain .

" I believe Peter Crow has levanted with the ham , " I said decidedly .

" I don't believe Peter Crow could be so dishonest , " said Kate rather shortly .

" his wife has worked for us for years , and she 's as honest as the sunlight . "

" honesty isn't catching , " I remarked , but I said nothing more just then , for Kate 's black eyes were snapping .

" anyway , we can't have ham for breakfast , " she said , twitching out the frying pan rather viciously .

" we 'll have to put up with canned chicken if the cans haven't disappeared too . "

they hadn't , and we soon produced a very tolerable breakfast .

but neither of us had much appetite .

" do you suppose Peter Crow has taken the horses as well as the ham ? "

I asked .

they 've probably strayed away on their own account when Peter decamped .

as soon as this mist lifts I 'll have a look for them .

they can't have gone far . "

we were spared this trouble , however , for when we were washing up the dishes the ponies returned of their own accord .

Kate caught them and harnessed them .

" are we going on ? "

I asked mildly .

" of course we 're going on , " said Kate , her good humour entirely restored .

" do you suppose I 'm going to be turned from my purpose by the defection of a miserable old Indian ?

oh , wait till he comes round in the winter , begging . "

" will he come ? "

I asked .

" Will he ?

I shall know how to deal with him then , the old scamp . "

Kate laughed .

" don't rub it in , Phil .

come , help me to break camp .

we 'll have to work harder and hustle for ourselves , that 's all . "

" but is it safe to go on without a guide ? "

I inquired dubiously .

I hadn't felt very safe with Peter Crow , but I felt still more unsafe without him .

" safe !

of course , it 's safe perfectly safe .

I know the trail , and we 'll just have to drive around the wet places .

it would have been easier with Peter , and we 'd have had less work to do , but we 'll get along well enough without him .

I don't think I 'd have bothered with him at all , only I wanted to set Mother 's mind at rest .

she 'll never know he isn't with us till the trip is over , so that is all right .

we 're going to have a glorious day .

but , oh , for our lost ham !

' The Ham That Was Never Eaten . '

there 's a subject for a poem , Phil .

you write one when we get back to civilization .

Methinks I can sniff the savoury odour of that lost ham on all the prairie breezes . "

" of all sad words of tongue or pen , The saddest are these it might have been , "

I quoted , beginning to wash the dishes .

" Saw ye my wee ham , saw ye my ain ham , Saw ye my pork ham down on yon lea ?

crossed it the prairie last night in the darkness Borne by an old and unprincipled Cree ? "

sang Kate , loosening the tent ropes .

altogether , we got a great deal more fun out of that ham than if we had eaten it .

as Kate had predicted , the day was glorious .

the mists rolled away and the sun shone brightly .

we drove all day without stopping , save for dinner when the lost ham figured largely in our conversation of course .

but with all our driving we were not getting on very fast .

the country was exceedingly swampy and we had to make innumerable detours .

" we 'll have to camp soon , " sighed Kate .

" I believe around this bluff will be a good place .

oh , Phil , I 'm tired dead tired !

my very thoughts are tired .

I can't even think anything funny about the ham .

" we can leave that till the morning , " I suggested .

" no , it will be too hard and dry then .

here we are and here are two tepees of Indians also ! "

there they were , right around the bluff .

the inmates were standing in a group before them , looking at us as composedly as if we were not at all an unusual sight .

" I 'm going to stay here anyhow , " said Kate doggedly .

" oh , don't , " I said in alarm .

" they 're such a villainous-looking lot so dirty and they 've got so little clothing on .

I wouldn't sleep a wink near them .

look at that awful old squaw with only one eye .

they 'd steal everything we 've got left , Kate .

remember the ham oh , pray remember the fate of our beautiful ham . "

but I don't believe they will .

I believe they have plenty of food Indians in tepees mostly have .

the men hunt , you know .

their looks are probably the worst of them .

anyhow , you can't judge Indians by appearances .

Peter Crow looked respectable and he was a whited sepulchre .

now , these Indians look as bad as Indians can look so they may turn out to be angels in disguise . "

" very much disguised , certainly , " I acquiesced satirically .

" they seem to me to belong to the class of a neighbour of ours down east .

but I 'll not sleep a wink with such neighbours . "

I cheerfully ate my words later on .

never were appearances more deceptive than in the case of those Stoneys .

there is an old saying that many a kind heart beats behind a ragged coat .

the Indians had no coats for their hearts to beat behind nothing but shirts some of them hadn't even shirts !

but the shirts were certainly ragged enough , and their hearts were kind .

those Indians were gentlemen .

Kate and I had simply nothing to do except sit on our rugs and tell them what we wanted done .

they would have cooked our supper for us if we had allowed it .

but , tired as we were , we drew the line at that .

their hearts were pure gold , but their hands !

no , Kate and I dragged ourselves up and cooked our own suppers .

and while we ate it , those Indians fell to and cleaned all the mud off our democrat for us .

I 'd forgive Peter Crow for deserting us for the sake of those Indians , if he hadn't stolen our lovely ham into the bargain .

that was altogether unpardonable . "

in the morning the Indians broke camp for us and harnessed our shaganappies .

we drove off , waving our hands to them , the delightful creatures .

we never saw any of them again .

I fear their kind is scarce , but as long as I live I shall remember those Stoneys with gratitude .

we got on fairly well that third day , and made about fifteen miles before dinner time .

we ate three of the sergeant 's prairie chickens for dinner , and enjoyed them .

" but only think how delicious the ham would have been , " said Kate .

our real troubles began that afternoon .

we pulled through six of them but in the seventh we stuck , hard and fast .

pull as our ponies could and did , they could not pull us out .

" what are we to do ? "

I said , becoming horribly frightened all at once .

it seemed to me that our predicament was a dreadful one .

" keep cool , " said Kate .

she calmly took off her shoes and stockings , tucked up her skirt , and waded to the horses ' heads .

" can't I do anything ? "

I implored .

" yes , take the whip and spare it not , " said Kate .

" I 'll encourage them here with sundry tugs and inspiriting words .

you urge them behind with a good lambasting . "

accordingly we encouraged and urged , tugged and lambasted , with a right good will , but all to no effect .

our ponies did their best , but they could not pull the democrat out of that slough .

" oh , what " I began , and then I stopped .

I resolved that I would not ask that question again in that tone in that scrape .

I would be cheerful and courageous like Kate splendid Kate !

" where to ? "

I asked .

" Till I find it , " grinned Kate , who seemed to think the whole disaster a capital joke .

" I may have to go clean back to the tepees and further .

for that matter , I don't believe there were any tepees .

those Indians were too good to be true they were phantoms of delight such stuff as dreams are made of .

but even if they were real they won't be there now they 'll have folded their tents like the Arabs and as silently stolen away .

but I 'll find help somewhere . "

" I can't stay here alone .

you may be gone for hours , " I cried , forgetting all my resolutions of courage and cheerfulness in an access of panic .

" then ride the other pony and come with me , " suggested Kate .

" I can't ride bareback , " I moaned .

" then you 'll have to stay here , " said Kate decidedly .

" there 's nothing to hurt you , Phil .

sit in the wagon and keep dry .

eat something if you get hungry .

I may not be very long . "

then I waited .

I was tired and frightened horribly frightened .

I sat there and imagined scores of gruesome possibilities .

it was no use telling myself to be brave .

I couldn't be brave .

I never was in such a blue funk before or since .

it did begin to rain , the only one of my suppositions which came true .

I hoisted an umbrella and sat there grimly , in that horseless wagon in the mud-hole .

the worst feature of it all was the uncertainty .

but everything was doubtful .

I was not composed of the stuff out of which heroines are fashioned and I devoutly wished we had never left Arrow Creek .

Shouts calls laughter Kate 's dear voice in an encouraging cry from the hill behind me !

" halloo , honey !

hold the fort a few minutes longer .

here we are .

bless her , hasn't she been a brick to stay here all alone like this and a tenderfoot at that ? "

I could have cried with joy .

but I saw that there were men with Kate two men white men and I laughed instead .

later on Kate told me how she had fared in her search for assistance .

" when I left you , Phil , I felt much more anxious than I wanted to let you see .

I had no idea where to go .

I knew there were no houses along our trail and I might have to go clean back to the tepees fifteen miles bareback .

I didn't dare try any other trail , for I knew nothing of them and wasn't sure that there were even tepees on them .

I decided to turn off and investigate .

I rode two miles and finally I came to a little log shack .

there was a bee-yew-tiful big horse in a corral close by .

my heart jumped with joy .

but suppose the inmates of the shack were half-breeds !

you can't realize how relieved I felt when the door opened and two white men came out .

in a few minutes everything was explained .

they were ' shacking out ' to put up some hay and Mrs Hopkins was keeping house for them .

she wanted me to stop and have a cup of tea right off , but I thought of you , Phil , and declined .

as soon as they heard of our predicament those lovely men got their two biggest horses and came right with me . "

accordingly we drove back to the shack , attended by our two gallant deliverers on white horses .

I was so tired that my vanity was completely crushed out for the time being and I simply pinned my bangs back .

he didn't look in the least like a scion of aristocracy .

he wore a cowboy rig and had a scrubby beard of a week 's growth .

but he was very jolly and played the violin beautifully .

Mrs Hopkins , Kate , and I slept in the one bed the shack boasted , screened off from public view by a calico curtain .

Mr Lonsdale reposed in his accustomed bunk by the stove , but poor Mr Hopkins had to sleep on the floor .

he must have been glad Kate and I stayed only one night .

the fourth morning found us blithely hitting the trail in renewed confidence and spirits .

we parted from our kind friends in the shack with mutual regret .

Mr Hopkins gave us a haunch of jumping deer and Mrs Hopkins gave us a box of home-made cookies .

the fourth day we got on so nicely that it was quite monotonous .

the sun shone , the chinook blew , our ponies trotted over the trail gallantly .

Kate and I sang , told stories , and laughed immoderately over everything .

even a poor joke seems to have a subtle flavour on the prairie .

the only thing approaching an adventure that day happened in the afternoon when we reached a creek which had to be crossed .

" we must investigate , " said Kate decidedly .

Kate again removed her shoes and stockings and puddled about that creek until she found a safe fording place .

I am afraid I must admit that I laughed most heartlessly at the spectacle she presented while so employed .

" oh , for a camera , Kate ! "

I said , between spasms .

Kate grinned .

" I don't care what I look like , " she said , " but I feel wretchedly unpleasant .

this water is simply swarming with wigglers . "

" Goodness , what are they ? "

I exclaimed .

" oh , they 're tiny little things like leeches , " responded Kate .

" I believe they develop into mosquitoes later on , bad ' cess to them .

what Mr Nash would call my pedal extremities are simply being devoured by the brutes .

Ugh !

I believe the bottom of this creek is all soft mud .

we may have to drive no , as I 'm a living , wiggler-haunted human being , here 's firm bottom .

hurrah , Phil , we 're all right ! "

in a few minutes we were past the creek and bowling merrily on our way .

we had a beautiful camping ground that night a fairylike little slope of white poplars with a blue lake at its foot .

when the sun went down a milk-white mist hung over the prairie , with a young moon kissing it .

we boiled some slices of our jumping deer and ate them in the open around a cheery camp-fire .

then we sought our humble couches , where we slept the sleep of just people who had been driving over the prairie all day .

once in the night I wakened .

it was very dark .

the unearthly stillness of a great prairie was all around me .

in that vast silence Kate 's soft breathing at my side seemed an intrusion of sound where no sound should be .

" Philippa Blair , can you believe it 's yourself ? "

I said mentally .

yet you 're not even frightened .

you are very comfy and composed , and you 're going right to sleep again . "

and right to sleep again I went .

our fifth day began ominously .

we had made an early start and had driven about six miles when the calamity occurred .

Kate turned a corner too sharply , to avoid a big boulder ; there was a heart-breaking sound .

" the tongue of the wagon is broken , " cried Kate in dismay .

all too surely it was .

we looked at each other blankly .

" what can we do ? "

I said .

" I 'm sure I don't know , " said Kate helplessly .

when Kate felt helpless I thought things must be desperate indeed .

we got out and investigated the damage .

" it 's not a clean break , " said Kate .

" it 's a long , slanting break .

if we had a piece of rope I believe I could fix it . "

" Mr Lonsdale 's piece of rope ! "

I cried .

" the very thing , " said Kate , brightening up .

the rope was found and we set to work .

with the aid of some willow withes and that providential rope we contrived to splice the tongue together in some shape .

although the trail was good we made only twelve miles the rest of the day , so slowly did we have to drive .

besides , we were continually expecting that tongue to give way again , and the strain was bad for our nerves .

when we came at sunset to the junction of the Black River trail with ours , Kate resolutely turned the shaganappies down it .

" we 'll go and spend the night with the Brewsters , " she said .

" they live only ten miles down this trail .

she 's a lovely person , and her husband is a very nice man .

I visited them once after they were married . "

we soon arrived at the Brewster place .

it was a trim , white-washed little log house in a grove of poplars .

but all the blinds were down and we discovered the door was locked .

evidently the Brewsters were not at home .

a bed of prairie hay will be just the thing . "

but the barn was locked too .

it was now dark and our plight was rather desperate .

" I 'm going to get into the house if I have to break a window , " said Kate resolutely .

" Hannah would want us to do that .

she 'd never get over it , if she heard we came to her house and couldn't get in . "

fortunately we did not have to go to the length of breaking into Hannah 's house .

the kitchen window went up quite easily .

we turned the shaganappies loose to forage for themselves , grass and water being abundant .

then we climbed in at the window , lighted our lantern , and found ourselves in a very snug little kitchen .

opening off it on one side was a trim , nicely furnished parlour and on the other a well-stocked pantry .

" we 'll light the fire in the stove in a jiffy and have a real good supper , " said Kate exultantly .

" here 's cold roast beef and preserves and cookies and cheese and butter . "

before long we had supper ready and we did full justice to the absent Hannah 's excellent cheer .

after all , it was quite nice to sit down once more to a well-appointed table and eat in civilized fashion .

then we washed up all the dishes and made everything snug and tidy .

I shall never be sufficiently thankful that we did so .

Kate piloted me upstairs to the spare room .

" this is fixed up much nicer than it was when I was here before , " she said , looking around .

" of course , Hannah and Ted were just starting out then and they had to be economical .

they must have prospered , to be able to afford such furniture as this .

well , turn in , Phil .

won't it be rather jolly to sleep between sheets once more ? "

we slept long and soundly until half-past eight the next morning ; and dear knows if we would have wakened then of our own accord .

but I heard somebody saying in a very harsh , gruff voice , " here , you two , wake up !

I want to know what this means . "

we two did wake up , promptly and effectually .

I never wakened up so thoroughly in my life before .

standing in our room were three people , one of them a man .

he was a big , grey-haired man with a bushy black beard and an angry scowl .

beside him was a woman a tall , thin , angular personage with red hair and an indescribable bonnet .

she looked even crosser and more amazed than the man , if that were possible .

in the background was another woman a tiny old lady who must have been at least eighty .

she looked as amazed as the other two , but she didn't look cross .

I knew something must be wrong fearfully wrong but I didn't know what .

then the man said , more gruffly than ever , " come now .

who are you and what business have you here ? "

Kate raised herself on one elbow .

she looked very wild .

I heard the old black-and-white lady in the background chuckle to herself .

" isn't this Theodore Brewster 's place ? " gasped Kate .

" no , " said the big woman , speaking for the first time .

" this place belongs to us .

we bought it from the Brewsters in the spring .

they moved over to Black River Forks .

our name is Chapman . "

Poor Kate fell back on the pillow , quite overcome .

" I I beg your pardon , " she said .

" I I thought the Brewsters lived here .

Mrs Brewster is a friend of mine .

my cousin and I are on our way to Bothwell and we called here to spend the night with Hannah .

when we found everyone away we just came in and made ourselves at home . "

" a likely story , " said the red woman .

" we weren't born yesterday , " said the man .

if they had been nice to us , Kate would probably have gone on feeling confused and ashamed .

but when they were so disagreeable she quickly regained her self-possession .

and we shall pay you amply for the food we have eaten and the night 's lodging we have taken . "

the black-and-white apparition went through the motion of clapping her hands , but not a sound did she make .

" well , that 's fair .

if you pay up it 's all right . "

" they shall do no such thing as pay you , " said Madam Black-and-White in a surprisingly clear , resolute , authoritative voice .

" if you haven't any shame for yourself , Robert Chapman , you 've got a mother-in-law who can be ashamed for you .

no strangers shall be charged for food or lodging in any house where Mrs Matilda Pitman lives .

remember that I 've come down in the world , but I haven't forgot all decency for all that .

I knew you was a skinflint when Amelia married you and you 've made her as bad as yourself .

but I 'm boss here yet .

here , you , Robert Chapman , take yourself out of here and let those girls get dressed .

and you , Amelia , go downstairs and cook a breakfast for them . "

I never , in all my life , saw anything like the abject meekness with which those two big people obeyed that mite .

they went , and stood not upon the order of their going .

as the door closed behind them , Mrs Matilda Pitman laughed silently , and rocked from side to side in her merriment .

" ain't it funny ? " she said .

when we descended the stairs we found a smoking-hot breakfast on the table .

Mr Chapman was nowhere to be seen , and Mrs Chapman was cutting bread with a sulky air .

Mrs Matilda Pitman was sitting in an armchair , knitting .

she still wore her bonnet and her triumphant expression .

" set right in , dears , and make a good breakfast , " she said .

" we are not hungry , " said Kate , almost pleadingly .

" I don't think we can eat anything .

and it 's time we were on the trail .

please excuse us and let us go on . "

Mrs Matilda Pitman shook a knitting needle playfully at Kate .

" sit down and take your breakfast , " she commanded .

" Mrs Matilda Pitman commands you .

everybody obeys Mrs Matilda Pitman even Robert and Amelia .

you must obey her too . "

we did obey her .

we sat down and , such was the influence of her mesmeric eyes , we ate a tolerable breakfast .

the obedient Amelia never spoke ; Mrs Matilda Pitman did not speak either , but she knitted furiously and chuckled .

when we had finished Mrs Matilda Pitman rolled up her knitting .

" now , you can go if you want to , " she said , " but you don't have to go .

you can stay here as long as you like , and I 'll make them cook your meals for you . "

I never saw Kate so thoroughly cowed .

" thank you , " she said faintly .

" you are very kind , but we must go . "

" well , then , " said Mrs Matilda Pitman , throwing open the door , " your team is ready for you .

I made Robert catch your ponies and harness them .

and I made him fix that broken tongue properly .

I enjoy making Robert do things .

it 's almost the only sport I have left .

I 'm eighty and most things have lost their flavour , except bossing Robert . "

our democrat and ponies were outside the door , but Robert was nowhere to be seen ; in fact , we never saw him again .

we got away .

the sulky Amelia had vanished , and there was nobody to see us off except Mrs Matilda Pitman .

" don't forget to call the next time you come this way , " she said cheerfully , waving her knitting at us .

" I hope you 'll get safe to Bothwell .

if I was ten years younger I vow I 'd pack a grip and go along with you .

I like your spunk .

most of the girls nowadays is such timid , skeery critters .

when I was a girl I wasn't afraid of nothing or nobody . "

we said and did nothing until we had driven out of sight and earshot .

then Kate laid down the reins and laughed until the tears came .

" oh , Phil , Phil , will you ever forget this adventure ? " she gasped .

" I shall never forget Mrs Matilda Pitman , " I said emphatically .

we had no further adventures that day .

but when we pitched camp that night Kate scanned the sky with an anxious expression .

" I don't like the look of it , " she said .

" I 'm afraid we 're going to have a bad day tomorrow . "

we had .

when we awakened in the morning rain was pouring down .

this in itself might not have prevented us from travelling , but the state of the trail did .

if we could have stayed in the tent the whole time it would not have been quite so bad .

the day was very cold too , but fortunately there was plenty of dead poplar right by our camp .

we kept a good fire on in the camp stove and were quite dry and comfortable as long as we stayed inside .

even when we had to go out we did not get very wet , as we were well protected .

but it was a long dreary day .

finally when the dark came down and supper was over Kate grew quite desperate .

" let's have a game of checkers , " she suggested .

" where is your checkerboard ? "

I asked .

" oh , I 'll soon furnish that , " said Kate .

then she produced some red and white high-bush cranberries for men .

a cranberry split in two was a king .

we played nine games of checkers by the light of our smoky lantern .

our enjoyment of the game was heightened by the fact that it had ceased raining .

nevertheless , when morning came the trail was so drenched that it was impossible to travel on it .

" we must wait till noon , " said Kate .

" that trail won't be dry enough to travel on for a week , " I said disconsolately .

" my dear ; the chinook is blowing up , " said Kate .

" you don't know how quickly a trail dries in a chinook .

it 's like magic . "

I did not believe a chinook or anything else could dry up that trail by noon sufficiently for us to travel on .

but it did .

as Kate said , it seemed like magic .

by one o'clock we were on our way again , the chinook blowing merrily against our faces .

it was a wind that blew straight from the heart of the wilderness and had in it all the potent lure of the wild .

the yellow prairie laughed and glistened in the sun .

we were in jubilant spirits .

if the next day were fine and nothing dreadful happened to us , we would reach Bothwell before night .

but our ill luck was not yet at an end .

the next morning was beautiful .

the sun shone warm and bright ; the chinook blew balmily and alluringly ; the trail stretched before us dry and level .

but we sat moodily before our tent , not even having sufficient heart to play checkers .

Tom had gone lame so lame that there was no use in thinking of trying to travel with him .

Kate could not tell what was the matter .

" there is no injury that I can see , " she said .

" he must have sprained his foot somehow . "

Wait we did , with all the patience we could command .

but the day was long and wearisome , and at night Tom 's foot did not seem a bit better .

we went to bed gloomily , but joy came with the morning .

tom 's foot was so much improved that Kate decided we could go on , though we would have to drive slowly .

" I don't believe there is such a place as Bothwell , or any other town , " I said pessimistically .

" there 's nothing in the world but prairie , and we 'll go on driving over it forever , like a couple of female Wandering Jews .

it seems years since we left Arrow Creek . "

" well , we 've had lots of fun out of it all , you know , " said Kate .

" Mrs Matilda Pitman alone was worth it .

she will be an amusing memory all our lives .

are you sorry you came ? "

" no , I'm not , " I concluded , after honest , soul-searching reflection .

" no , I 'm glad , Kate .

but I think we were crazy to attempt it , as Sergeant Baker said .

think of all the might-have-beens . "

" nothing else will happen , " said Kate .

" I feel in my bones that our troubles are over . "

Kate 's bones proved true prophets .

nevertheless , that day was a weary one .

there was no scenery .

we had got into a barren , lakeless , treeless district where the world was one monotonous expanse of grey-brown prairie .

we just crawled along .

Kate had her hands full driving those ponies .

Jerry was in capital fettle and couldn't understand why he mightn't tear ahead at full speed .

he was so much disgusted over being compelled to walk that he was very fractious .

Poor Tom limped patiently along .

" ' Tis a sight for sore eyes , isn't it ? " said Kate , as we pitched camp .

there is little more to be told .

next day at noon we rattled through the main and only street of Bothwell .

curious sights are frequent in prairie towns , so we did not attract much attention .

when we drew up before Mr Taylor 's house Mary Taylor flew out and embraced Kate publicly .

" you darling !

I knew you 'd get here if anyone could .

they telegraphed us you were on the way .

you 're a brick two bricks . "

" no , I 'm not a brick at all , Miss Taylor , " I confessed frankly .

" I 've been an arrant coward and a doubting Thomas and a wet blanket all through the expedition .

but Kate is a brick and a genius and an all-round , jolly good fellow . "

" Mary , " said Kate in a tragic whisper , " have you any ham in the house ? "

Jessamine

when the vegetable-man knocked , Jessamine went to the door wearily .

she felt quite well acquainted with him .

he had been coming all the spring , and his cheery greeting always left a pleasant afterglow behind him .

but it was not the vegetable-man after all at least , not the right one .

this one was considerably younger .

" want any garden stuff this morning ? "

Jessamine shook her head .

" we always get ours from Mr Bell .

this is his day to come . "

" well , I guess you won't see Mr Bell for a spell .

he fell off a loft out at his place yesterday and broke his leg .

I 'm his nephew , and I 'm going to fill his place till he gets ' round again . "

" oh , I 'm so sorry for Mr Bell , I mean .

have you any green peas ? "

" yes , heaps of them .

I 'll bring them in .

anything else ? "

" not today , " said Jessamine , with a wistful glance at the honeysuckle .

Mr Bell , junior , saw it .

in an instant the honeysuckle was unpinned and handed to her .

" if you like posies , you 're welcome to this .

I guess you 're fond of flowers , " he added , as he noted the flash of delight that passed over her pale face .

" yes , indeed ; they put me so in mind of home of the country .

oh , how sweet this is ! "

" you 're country-bred , then ?

been in the city long ? "

" since last fall .

I was born and brought up in the country .

I wish I was back .

I can't get over being homesick .

this honeysuckle seems to bring it right back .

we had honeysuckles around our porch at home . "

" you don't like the city , then ? "

" oh , no .

I sometimes feel as if I should smother here .

I shall never feel at home , I am afraid . "

" where did you live before you came here ? "

" up at Middleton .

but I don't know what makes me tell you this .

I forgot I was talking to a stranger . "

" pretty little woman , " soliloquized Andrew Bell , as he drove away .

" she doesn't look happy , though .

I suppose she 's married some city chap and has to live in town .

I guess it don't agree with her .

her eyes had a real hungry look in them over that honeysuckle .

she seemed near about crying when she talked of the country . "

Jessamine felt more like crying than ever when she went back to her work .

her head ached and she was very tired .

the tiny kitchen was hot and stifling .

Jessamine Stacy had always lived in the country .

of her stylish sister-in-law Jessamine was absolutely in awe .

at first Mrs John was by no means pleased at the necessity of taking a country sister into her family circle .

indeed , she found it so convenient that Eliza never had a successor .

Jessamine found herself in the position of maid-of-all-work and kitchen drudge for board and clothes .

she never complained , but she grew thinner and paler as the winter went by .

she had worked as hard on the farm , but it was the close confinement and weary routine that told on her .

Mrs John was exacting and querulous .

John was absorbed in his business worries and had no time to waste on his sister .

now , when the summer had come , her homesickness was almost unbearable .

the next day Mr Bell came he handed her a big bunch of sweet-brier roses .

" here you are , " he said heartily .

" I took the liberty to bring you these today , seeing you 're so fond of posies .

the country roads are pink with them now .

why don't you get your husband to bring you out for a drive some day ?

you 'd be as welcome as a lark at my farm . "

" I will when he comes along , but I haven't seen him yet . "

Mr Bell gave a prolonged whistle .

" excuse me .

I thought you were Mrs Something-or-other for sure .

aren't you mistress here ? "

" oh , no .

my brother 's wife is the mistress here .

I 'm only Jessamine . "

she laughed again .

she was holding the roses against her face , and her eyes sparkled over them roguishly .

the vegetable-man looked at her admiringly .

" I wish I was .

thank you so much for the roses , Mr. Mr . "

" bell Andrew Bell , that 's my name .

I live out at Pine Pastures .

we 're all Bells out there can't throw a stone without hitting one .

Glad you like the roses . "

after that the vegetable-man brought Jessamine a bouquet every trip .

" they keep life in me , " Jessamine told him .

they were great friends by this time .

true , she knew little about him but she felt instinctively that he was manly and kind-hearted .

one day when he came Jessamine met him almost gleefully .

" no , nothing today .

there is no dinner to cook . "

" you don't say .

where are the folks ? "

" Gone on an excursion .

they won't be back until tonight . "

" they won't ?

well , I 'll tell you what to do .

you get ready , and when I 'm through my rounds we 'll go for a drive up the country . "

" oh , Mr Bell !

but won't it be too much bother for you ? "

" well , I reckon not !

you want an excursion as well as other folks , and you shall have it . "

" oh , thank you so much .

yes , I 'll be ready .

you don't know how much it means to me . "

" poor little creature , " said Mr Bell , as he drove away .

" it 's downright cruelty , that 's what it is , to keep her penned up like that .

you might as well coop up a lark in a hen-house and expect it to thrive and sing .

I 'd like to give that brother of hers a piece of my mind . "

just shut your eyes and don't open them again until I tell you to . "

Jessamine laughed and obeyed .

finally she heard him say , " look . "

Jessamine opened her eyes with a little cry .

they were on a remote country road , cool and dim and quiet , in the very heart of the beech woods .

long banners of light fell athwart the grey boles .

along the roadsides grew sheets of feathery ferns .

above the sky was gloriously blue .

the air was sweet with the wild woodsy smell of the forest .

Jessamine lifted and clasped her hands in rapture .

" oh , how lovely ! "

" do you know where we 're going ? " said Mr Bell delightedly .

" Out to my farm at Pine Pastures .

my aunt keeps house for me , and she 'll be real glad to see you .

you 're just going to have a real good time this afternoon . "

they had a delightful drive to begin with , and presently Mr Bell turned into a wide lane .

" this is Cloverside Farm .

I 'm proud of it , I 'll admit .

there isn't a finer place in the county .

what do you think of it ? "

" oh , it is lovely it is like home .

look at those great fields .

I 'd like to go and lie down in that clover . "

Mr Bell lifted her from the wagon and marched her up a flowery garden path .

" you shall do it , and everything else you want to .

here , Aunt , this is the young lady I spoke of .

make her at home while I tend to the horses . "

Miss Bell was a pleasant-faced woman with silver hair and kind blue eyes .

she took Jessamine 's hand in a friendly fashion .

" come in , dear .

you 're welcome as a June rose . "

when Mr Bell returned , he found Jessamine standing on the porch with her hands full of honeysuckle and her cheeks pink with excitement .

" I declare , you 've got roses already , " he exclaimed .

" if they 'd only stay now , and not bleach out again .

what 's first now ? "

" oh , I don't know .

there are so many things I want to do .

Mr Bell laughed .

" come with me to the pasture and see my Jersey calves .

they 're something worth seeing .

come , Aunt .

this way , Miss Stacy . "

he led the way down the lane , the two women following together .

Jessamine thought she must be in a pleasant dream .

the whole afternoon was a feast of delight to her starved heart .

when sunset came she sat down , tired out , but radiant , on the porch steps .

her hat had slipped back and her hair was curling around her face .

her dark eyes were aglow ; the roses still bloomed in her cheeks .

Mr Bell looked at her admiringly .

" if a man could see that pretty sight every night ! " he thought .

" and , Great Scott , why can't he ?

what 's to prevent , I 'd like to know ? "

the farmer looked sideways at his companion .

" the little thing wants to be petted and looked after , " he thought .

" she 's just pining away for home and love .

and why can't she have it ?

she 's dying by inches in that hole back in town . "

how could she go back to her cage again ?

Jessamine missed him greatly .

Mr Bell , senior , never brought her clover or honeysuckle .

but one day his nephew suddenly reappeared .

Jessamine opened the door for him , and her face lighted up , but Mr Bell saw that she had been crying .

" did you think I had forgotten you ? " he asked .

" not a bit of it .

Harvest was on and I couldn't get clear before .

I 've come to ask you when you intend to take another drive to Cloverside Farm .

what have you been up to ?

you look as if you 'd been working too hard . "

" I I haven't felt very well .

I 'm glad you came today , Mr Bell .

perhaps I shall not see you again , and I wanted to say goodbye and thank you for all your kindness . "

" goodbye ?

why , where are you going ? "

" my brother went west a week ago , " faltered Jessamine .

" his wife and I are going too next week . "

" oh , Jessamine , " exclaimed Mr Bell in despair , " don't go you mustn't .

I want you at Cloverside Farm .

I came today on purpose to ask you .

I love you and I 'll make you happy if you 'll marry me .

what do you say , Jessamine ? "

Jessamine , by way of answer , sat down on the nearest chair and began to cry .

" oh , don't , " said the wooer in distress .

" I didn't want to make you feel bad .

if you don't like the idea , I won't mention it again . "

" oh , it isn't that but I I thought nobody cared what became of me .

you are so kind I 'm afraid I 'd only be a bother to you ....y . "

" I 'll risk that .

you shall have a happy home , little girl .

will you come to it ? "

" Ye-e-e-s . "

it was very indistinct and faltering , but Mr Bell heard it and considered it a most eloquent answer .

Mrs John fumed and sulked and chose to consider herself hoodwinked and injured .

and she never was .

Miss Sally 's Letter

Miss Sally peered sharply at Willard Stanley , first through her gold-rimmed glasses and then over them .

Willard continued to look very innocent .

Joyce got up abruptly and went out of the room .

" so you have bought that queer little house with the absurd name ? " said Miss Sally .

" you surely don't call Eden an absurd name , " protested Willard .

" I do for a house .

particularly such a house as that .

Eden !

there are no Edens on earth .

and what are you going to do with it ? "

" live in it . "

" alone ? "

Miss Sally looked at him suspiciously .

" no .

" oh ! "

" and , " went on Willard calmly , " I want you to help me fix it up , Miss Sally .

I don't know much about such things and you know everything .

you will be able to tell me just what to do to make Eden habitable . "

Miss Sally looked as pleased as she ever allowed herself to look over anything a man suggested .

it was the delight of her heart to plan and decorate and contrive .

her own house was a model of comfort and good taste , and Miss Sally was quite ready for new worlds to conquer .

instantly Eden assumed importance in her eyes .

" I 'll be pleased to help you all I can , " she said graciously .

Miss Sally could speak very graciously when she chose , even to men .

you would not have thought she hated them , but she did .

In all sincerity , too .

also , she had brought her niece up to hate and distrust them .

or , she had tried to do so .

but at times Miss Sally was troubled with an uncomfortable suspicion that Joyce did not hate and distrust men quite as thoroughly as she ought .

the suspicion had recurred several times this summer since Willard Stanley had come to take charge of the biological station at the harbour .

Miss Sally did not distrust Willard on his own account .

she merely distrusted him on principle and on Joyce 's account .

nevertheless , she was rather nice to him .

Willard had come a great deal to Miss Sally 's .

if it were Joyce he were after Miss Sally blocked his schemes with much enjoyment .

he never saw Joyce alone that Miss Sally knew of , at least and he did not make much apparent headway .

but now all danger was removed , Miss Sally thought .

he was going to be married to somebody else , and Joyce was safe .

" thank you , " said Willard .

" I 'll come up tomorrow afternoon , and you and I will take a prowl about Eden and see what must be done .

I 'm ever so much obliged , Miss Sally . "

" I wonder who he is going to marry , " said Miss Sally , careless of grammar , after he had gone .

" poor , poor girl ! "

" I don't see why you should pity her , " said Joyce , not looking up from her embroidery .

there was just the merest tremor in her voice .

Miss Sally looked at her sharply .

" I pity any woman who is foolish enough to marry , " she said solemnly .

" no man is to be trusted , Joyce no man .

they are all ready to break a trusting woman 's heart for the sport of it .

never you allow any man the chance to break yours , Joyce .

I shall never consent to your marrying anybody , so mind you don't take any such notion into your head .

there oughtn't to be any danger , for I have instilled correct ideas on this subject into you from childhood .

but girls are such fools .

I know , because I was one myself once . "

Joyce loved Miss Sally with her whole heart .

everybody did who knew her .

there never was a more lovable creature than this pretty little old maid who hated the men so bitterly .

" that 's a good girl , " said Miss Sally approvingly .

" I own that I have been a little afraid that this Willard Stanley was coming here to see you .

Eden , indeed ! "

Miss Sally sniffed and tripped out of the room to hunt up a furniture catalogue .

Joyce sighed and let her embroidery slip to the floor .

" oh , I 'm afraid Willard 's plan won't succeed , " she murmured .

" I 'm afraid Aunt Sally will never consent to our marriage .

and I can't and won't marry him unless she does , for she would never forgive me and I couldn't bear that .

I wonder what makes her so bitter against men .

she is so sweet and loving , it seems simply unnatural that she should have such a feeling so deeply rooted in her .

oh , what will she say when she finds out dear little Aunt Sally ?

I couldn't bear to have her angry with me . "

the next day Willard came up from the harbour and took Miss Sally down to see Eden .

nobody had lived in it for four years , and it had a neglected , out-at-elbow appearance .

" it 's rather a box of a place , isn't it ? " said Willard slowly .

" I 'm afraid she will think so .

but it is all I can afford just now .

I dream of giving her a palace some day , of course .

but we 'll have to begin humbly .

do you think anything can be made of it ? "

Miss Sally was busily engaged in sizing up the possibilities of the place .

" it is pretty small , " she said meditatively .

" and the yard is small too and there are far too many trees and shrubs all messed up together .

they must be thinned out and that paling taken down .

I think a good deal can be done with it .

as for the house well , let us see the inside . "

Willard unlocked the door and showed Miss Sally over the place .

Miss Sally poked and pried and sniffed and wrinkled her forehead , and finally stood on the stairs and delivered her ultimatum .

" this house can be done up very nicely .

paint and paper will work wonders .

but I wouldn't paint it outside .

leave it that pretty silver weather-grey and plant vines to run over it .

oh , we 'll see what we can do .

of course it is small a kitchen , a dining room , a living room , and two bedrooms .

you won't want anything stuffy .

you can do the painting yourself , and I 'll help you hang the paper .

how much money can you spend on it ? "

Willard named the sum .

it was not a large one .

" but I think it will do , " mused Miss Sally .

" we 'll make it do .

there 's such satisfaction getting as much as you possibly can out of a dollar , and twice as much as anybody else would get .

I enjoy that sort of thing .

this will be a game , and we 'll play it with a right good will .

but I do wish you would give the place a sensible name . "

" I think Eden is the most appropriate name in the world , " laughed Willard .

" it will be Eden for me when she comes . "

" I suppose you tell her all that and she believes it , " said Miss Sally sarcastically .

" you 'll both find out that there is a good deal more prose than poetry in life . "

" but we 'll find it out together , " said Willard tenderly .

" won't that be worth something , Miss Sally ?

prose , rightly written and read , is sometimes as beautiful as poetry . "

Miss Sally deigned no reply .

she carefully gathered up her grey silken skirts from the dusty floor and walked out .

" get Christina Bowes to come up tomorrow and scrub this place out , " she said practically .

" we can go to town and select paint and paper .

I should like the dining room done in pale green and the living room in creamy tones , ranging from white to almost golden brown .

but perhaps my taste won't be hers . "

" oh , yes , it will , " said Willard with assurance .

" I am quite certain she will like everything you like .

I can never thank you enough for helping me .

if you hadn't consented I should have had to put it into the hands of some outsider whom I couldn't have helped at all .

and I wanted to help .

I wanted to have a finger in everything , because it is for her , you see , Miss Sally .

it will be such a delight to fix up this little house , knowing that she is coming to live in it . "

" I wonder if you really mean it , " said Miss Sally bitterly .

" oh , I dare say you think you do .

but do you ?

perhaps you do .

perhaps you are the exception that proves the rule . "

this was a great admission for Miss Sally to make .

for the next two months Miss Sally was happy .

Even Willard himself was not more keenly interested in Eden and its development .

Miss Sally did wonders with his money .

she was an expert at bargain hunting , and her taste was excellent .

a score of times she mercilessly nipped Willard 's suggestions in the bud .

" lace curtains for the living room never !

they would be horribly out of place in such a house .

oh , I know how to manage them . "

" you certainly do , " laughed Willard .

" it amazes me to see how far you can stretch a dollar . "

Willard did the painting under Miss Sally 's watchful eye , and they hung the paper together .

together they made trips to town or junketed over the country in search of furniture and dishes of which Miss Sally had heard .

day by day the little house blossomed into a home , and day by day Miss Sally 's interest in it grew .

she began to have a personal affection for its quaint rooms and their adornments .

moreover , in spite of herself , she felt a growing interest in Willard 's bride .

he never told her the name of the girl he hoped to bring to Eden , and Miss Sally never asked it .

but he talked of her a great deal , in a shy , reverent , tender way .

" he certainly seems to be very much in love with her , " Miss Sally told Joyce one evening when she returned from Eden .

" I would believe in him if it were possible for me to believe in a man .

anyway , she will have a dear little home .

I 've almost come to love that Eden house .

why don't you come down and see it , Joyce ? "

" oh , I 'll come some day I hope , " said Joyce lightly .

" I think I 'd rather not see it until it is finished . "

" Willard is a nice boy , " said Miss Sally suddenly .

" I don't think I ever did him justice before .

the finer qualities of his character come out in these simple , homely little doings and tasks .

he is certainly very thoughtful and kind .

oh , I suppose he 'll make a good husband , as husbands go .

but he doesn't know the first thing about managing .

if his wife isn't a good manager , I don't know what they 'll do .

and perhaps she won't like the way we 've done up Eden .

Willard says she will , of course , because he thinks her perfection .

it will break my heart if she sets to work altering Eden .

it 's simply perfect as it is though I suppose I shouldn't say it . "

in another week Eden was finished .

Miss Sally stood in the tiny hall and looked about her .

" well , it is done , " she said with a sigh .

" I 'm sorry .

I have enjoyed fixing it up tremendously , and now I feel that my occupation is gone .

I hope you are satisfied , Willard . "

" satisfied is too mild a word , Miss Sally .

I am delighted .

I knew you could accomplish wonders , but I never hoped for this .

Eden is a dream the dearest , quaintest , sweetest little home that ever waited for a bride .

when I bring her here oh , Miss Sally , do you know what that thought means to me ? "

Miss Sally looked curiously at the young man .

his face was flushed and his voice trembled a little .

there was a far-away shining look in his eyes as if he saw a vision .

" I hope you and she will be happy , " said Miss Sally slowly .

" when will she be coming , Willard ? "

the flush went out of Willard 's face , leaving it pale and determined .

" that is for her and you to say , " he answered steadily .

" me ! " exclaimed Miss Sally .

" what have I to do with it ? "

" a great deal for unless you consent she will never come here at all . "

" Willard Stanley , " said Miss Sally , with ominous calm , " who is the girl you mean to marry ? "

" the girl I hope to marry is Joyce , Miss Sally .

Wait don't say anything till you hear me out . "

he came close to her and caught her hands in a boyish grip .

" Joyce and I have loved each other ever since we met .

but we despaired of winning your consent , and Joyce will not marry me without it .

please do , Miss Sally .

I love her so truly and I know I can make her happy .

if you don't , Eden shall never have a mistress .

" oh , you wouldn't , " protested Miss Sally .

" it would be a shame such a dear little house and after all the trouble I 've taken .

but you have tricked me oh , you men couldn't be straightforward in anything "

" wasn't it a fair device for a desperate lover , Miss Sally ? " interrupted Willard .

" oh , you mustn't hold spite because of it , dear ; And you will give me Joyce , won't you ?

because if you don't , I really will shut up Eden forever . "

Miss Sally looked wistfully around her .

through the open door on her left she saw the little living room with its quaint , comfortable furniture , its dainty pictures and adornments .

through the front door she saw the trim , velvet-swarded little lawn .

Upstairs were two white rooms that only wanted a woman 's living presence to make them jewels .

it gave Miss Sally a pang to think of that altar fire never being lighted .

it was really the thought of the kitchen that finished Miss Sally .

" you 've tricked me , " she said again reproachfully .

" you 've tricked me into loving this house so much that I cannot bear the thought of it never living .

you 'll have to have Joyce , I suppose .

and I believe I 'm glad that it isn't a stranger who is to be the mistress of Eden .

Joyce won't hanker after pink rugs and lace curtains .

and her taste in china is the same as mine .

in one way it 's a great relief to my mind .

but it 's a fearful risk a fearful risk .

to think that you may make my dear child miserable ! "

" you know you don't think that I will , Miss Sally .

I 'm not really such a bad fellow , now , am I ? "

" miss Sally , why have you such a rooted distrust of men ? " demanded Willard curiously .

" somehow , it seems so foreign to your character . "

" I suppose you think I am a perfect crank , " said Miss Sally , sighing .

" well , I 'll tell you why I don't trust men .

I have a very good reason for it .

a man broke my heart and embittered my life .

I 've never spoken about it to a living soul , but if you want to hear about it , you shall . "

Miss Sally sat down on the second step of the stairs and tucked her wet handkerchief away .

she clasped her slender white hands over her knee .

in spite of her silvery hair and the little lines on her face she looked girlish and youthful .

there was a pink flush on her cheeks , and her big black eyes sparkled with the anger her memories aroused in her .

he was very handsome and I thought him but there , I won't go into that .

it vexes me to recall my folly .

but I loved him yes , I did , with all my heart with all there was of me to love .

he made me love him .

he deliberately set himself to win my love .

for a whole summer he flirted with me .

I didn't know he was flirting I thought him in earnest .

oh , I was such a little fool and so happy .

then he went away .

went away suddenly without even a word of goodbye .

but he had been summoned home by his father 's serious illness , and I thought he would write I waited I hoped .

I never heard from him never saw him again .

he had tired of his plaything and flung it aside .

that is all , " concluded Miss Sally passionately .

" I never trusted any man again .

well , I 've failed .

but perhaps it will be all right perhaps there are some men who are true , though Stephen Merritt was false . "

" Stephen who ? " demanded Willard abruptly .

Miss Sally coloured .

" I didn't mean to tell you his name , " she said , getting up .

" it was a slip of the tongue .

never mind forget it and him .

he was not worthy of remembrance and yet I do remember him .

it is humiliating .

there let us lock up Eden and go home .

I suppose you are dying to see Joyce and tell her your precious plot has succeeded . "

Willard did not appear to be at all impatient .

he had relapsed into a brown study , during which he let Miss Sally lock up the house .

then he walked silently home with her .

Miss Sally was silent too .

perhaps she was repenting her confidence or perhaps she was thinking of her false lover .

there was a pathetic droop to her lips , and her black eyes were sad and dreamy .

" miss Sally , " said Willard at last , as they neared her house , " had Stephen Merritt any sisters ? "

Miss Sally threw him a puzzled glance .

" he had one Jean Merritt whom I disliked and who disliked me , " she said crisply .

" I don't want to talk of her she was the only woman I ever hated .

I never met any of the other members of his family his home was in a distant part of the state . "

Willard stayed with Joyce so brief a time that Miss Sally viewed his departure with suspicion .

this was not very lover-like conduct .

" I dare say he 's like all the rest when his aim is attained the prize loses its value , " reflected Miss Sally pessimistically .

" Poor Joyce poor child !

but there there isn't a single inharmonious thing in his house that is one comfort .

I'm so thankful I didn't let Willard buy those brocade chairs he wanted .

they would have given Joyce the nightmare . "

meanwhile , Willard rushed down to the biological station and from there drove furiously to the station to catch the evening express .

he did not return until three days later , when he appeared at Miss Sally 's , dusty and triumphant .

" Joyce is out , " said Miss Sally .

" I 'm glad of it , " said Willard recklessly .

" it 's you I want to see , Miss Sally .

I have something to show you .

I 've been all the way home to get it . "

from his pocketbook Willard drew something folded and creased and yellow that looked like a letter .

he opened it carefully and , holding it in his fingers , looked over it at Miss Sally .

" my grandmother 's maiden name was Jean Merritt , " he said deliberately , " and Stephen Merritt was my great-uncle .

I never saw him he died when I was a child but I 've heard my father speak of him often . "

Miss Sally turned very pale .

she passed her cobwebby handkerchief across her lips and her hand trembled .

Willard went on .

" my uncle never married .

he and his sister Jean lived together until her late marriage .

I was not very fond of my grandmother .

she was a selfish , domineering woman very unlike the grandmother of tradition .

when she died everything she possessed came to me , as my father , her only child , was then dead .

in looking over a box of old papers I found a letter an old love letter .

I read it with some interest , wondering whose it could be and how it came among Grandmother 's private letters .

then I knew it was you and I went home to bring you your letter the letter you should have received long ago .

why you did not receive it I cannot explain .

In so far as I can I wish to repair the wrong she has done you .

he dropped the letter in Miss Sally 's lap and went away .

pale , Miss Sally picked it up and read it .

it was from Stephen Merritt to " dearest Sally , " and contained a frank , manly avowal of love .

would she be his wife ?

if she would , let her write and tell him so .

she had been crying the cobwebby handkerchief lay beside her , wrecked and ruined forever but she looked very happy .

" I wonder if you know what you have done for me , " she said to Willard .

" but no you can't know you can't realize it fully .

it means everything to me .

you have taken away my humiliation and restored to me my pride of womanhood .

he really loved me he was not false he was what I believed him to be .

nothing else matters to me at all now .

oh , I am very happy but it would never have been if I had not consented to give you Joyce . "

she rose and took their hands in hers , joining them .

" God bless you , dears , " she said softly .

" I believe you will be happy and that your love for each other will always be true and faithful and tender .

Willard , I give you my dear child in perfect trust and confidence . "

with her yellowed love letter clasped to her heart , and a raptured shining in her eyes , Miss Sally went out of the room .

my Lady Jane

the boat got into Broughton half an hour after the train had gone .

I am ashamed of the things I thought and said .

out of gratitude I have never sworn over missing connections since .

at the time , however , I felt thoroughly exasperated .

I was in a hurry to get on .

important business engagements would be unhinged by the delay .

I was a stranger in Broughton .

it looked like a stupid , stuffy little town .

I went to a hotel in an atrocious humor .

I had never been overly fond of Clark Oliver , although he was my cousin .

he was a bit of a cad , and stupider than anyone belonging to our family had a right to be .

moreover , he was in politics , and I detest politics .

but I rather wanted to see if he looked as much like me as he used to .

I hadn't seen him for three years and I hoped that the time might have differentiated us to a saving degree .

I thought that was a good omen .

I went to Clark 's office , found he had left , and followed him to his rooms .

the minute I saw him I experienced the same nasty feeling of lost or bewildered individuality which always overcame me in his presence .

he was so absurdly like me .

Clark pretended he was glad to see me .

he really couldn't have been , because his Great Idea hadn't struck him then , and we had always disliked each other .

" Glad to see you , old fellow .

gad , you 're as like me as ever .

where did you drop from ? "

I explained my predicament and we talked amiably and harmlessly for awhile about family gossip .

I described Mary Alice 's wedding , and Florence 's new young man , and Tom-and-Kate 's twins .

Clark tried to be interested but I saw he had something on what serves him for a mind .

after awhile it came out .

he looked at his watch with a frown .

" I 'm in a bit of a puzzle , " he said .

" the Mark Kennedys are giving a dinner to-night .

you don't know them , of course .

they 're the big people of Broughton .

Kennedy runs the politics of the place , and Mrs. K . makes or mars people socially .

it 's my first invitation there and it 's necessary I should accept it necessary every way .

Mrs. K . would never forgive me if I disappointed her at the last moment .

not that I , personally , am of much account yet to her .

but it would leave a vacant place .

Mrs. K . would never notice me again and , as she bosses Kennedy , I can't afford to offend her .

besides , there 's a girl who 'll be there .

I 've met her once .

I want to meet her again .

she 's a beauty and no mistake .

Toplofty as they make ' em , though .

however , I think I 've made an impression on her .

it was at the Harvey 's dance last week .

she was the handsomest woman there , and she never took her eyes off me .

I 've given Mrs Kennedy a pretty broad hint that I want to take her in to dinner .

if I don't go I 'll miss all round . "

" well , what is there to prevent you from going ? "

I asked , squiffily .

I never could endure the way Clark talked about girls and hinted at his conquests .

" just this .

Herbert Bronson came to town this afternoon and is leaving on the @time@ to-night .

he 's sent me word to meet him at his hotel this evening and talk over a mining deal I 've been trying to pull off .

I simply must go .

it 's my one chance to corral Bronson .

if I lose him it 'll be all up , and I 'll be thousands out of pocket . "

" well , you are in rather a predicament , " I agreed , with the philosophical acceptance of the situation that marks the outsider .

I wasn't hampered by the multiplicity of my business and social engagements that evening , so I could afford to pity Clark .

it is always rather nice to be able to pity a person you dislike .

" I should say so .

I can't make up my mind what to do .

hang it .

I 'll have to see Bronson .

there 's no question about that .

a man ought to keep an understood substitute on hand to send to dinners when he can't go .

by Jove !

Elliott ! "

Clark 's Great Idea had arrived .

he bounced up eagerly .

" Elliott , will you go to the Kennedys ' in my place ?

they 'll never know the difference .

do , now there 's a good fellow ! "

" nonsense ! "

I said .

" it isn't nonsense .

the resemblance between us was foreordained for this hour .

I 'll lend you my dress suit it 'll fit you your figure is as much like mine as your face .

you 've nothing to do with yourself this evening .

I offer you a good dinner and an agreeable partner .

come now , to oblige me .

you know you owe me a good turn for that Mulhenen business . "

the Mulhenen business clinched the matter .

until he mentioned it I had no notion whatever of masquerading as Clark Oliver at the Kennedys ' dinner .

it is beastly to be indebted for a favor to a man you detest .

now was my chance to pay it off and I took it without more ado .

it will probably do your prospects more harm than your absence would . "

" not at all .

keep your mouth shut when you can and talk generalities when you can't , and you 'll pass .

if you take that girl in she 's a stranger in Broughton and won't suspect your ignorance of what 's going on .

nobody will suspect you .

nobody here knows I have a cousin so like me .

our own mothers haven't always been able to tell us apart .

our very voices are alike .

come now , get into my dinner togs .

you haven't much time and Mrs. K . doesn't like late comers . "

there seemed to be a number of things that Mrs Kennedy did not like .

I thought my chance of pleasing that critical lady extremely small , especially when I had to live up to Clark Oliver 's personality .

however , I dressed as expeditiously as possible .

the novelty of the adventure rather pleased me .

I always liked doing unusual things .

anything was better than lounging away the evening at my hotel .

it couldn't do any harm .

I owed Clark Oliver a good turn and I would save Mrs Kennedy the annoyance of a vacant chair .

there was no disputing the fact that I looked most disgustingly like Clark when I got into his clothes .

I actually felt a grudge against them for their excellent fit .

" you 'll do , " said Clark .

he doesn't talk politics at his dinners , though , so you 're not likely to have trouble on that score .

Mrs Kennedy has a weakness for beer mugs .

her collection is considered very fine .

scandal whispers that Miss Harvey has a budding interest in settlement work "

" Miss who ? "

I said sharply .

" Harvey .

Christian name unknown .

that 's the girl I mentioned .

you 'll probably take her in .

be nice to her even if you have to make an effort .

the name had given me a jump .

once , in another world , I had known a Jane Harvey .

but Clark 's Miss Harvey couldn't be Jane .

a month before I had read a newspaper item to the effect that Jane was on the Pacific coast .

moreover , Jane , when I knew her , had certainly no manifest vocation for settlement work .

I didn't think two years could have worked such a transformation .

two years !

was it only two years ?

it seemed more like two centuries .

I went to the Kennedys ' in a pleasantly excited frame of mind and a cab .

I just missed being late by a hairbreadth .

the house was a big one , and everybody pertaining to it was big , except the host .

Mark Kennedy was a little , thin man with a bald head .

Mrs Kennedy greeted me cordially and told me significantly that she had granted my request .

this meant , as my card had already informed me , that I was to take Miss Harvey out .

of course there would be no introduction since Clark Oliver was already acquainted with the lady .

I was wondering how I was to locate her when I got a shock that made me dizzy .

Jane was over in a corner looking at me .

there was no time to collect my wits .

the guests were moving out to the dining-room .

the hall was a good long one ; I blessed the architect who had planned it .

it gave me time to sort out my ideas .

Jane here !

Jane going out to dinner with me , believing me to be Clark Oliver !

Jane but it was incredible !

the whole thing was a dream or I had gone crazy !

I looked at her sideways when we had got into our places at the table .

she was more beautiful than ever , that tall , brown-haired , disdainful Jane .

the settlement work story I was inclined to dismiss as a myth .

settlement work in a beautiful woman generally means crowsfeet or a broken heart .

Jane , according to my sight and belief , possessed neither .

once upon a time I had been engaged to Jane .

I had been idiotically in love with her in those days and still more idiotically believed that she loved me .

the trouble was that , although I had been cured of the latter phase of my idiocy , the former had become chronic .

I had never been able to get over loving Jane .

but the deity I had invoked was the god of chance and this was how he had answered my prayers .

I was eating my dinner beside Jane , who supposed me to be Clark Oliver !

what should I do ?

confess the truth and plead my cause while she had to sit beside me ?

that would never do .

someone might overhear us .

and , in any case , it would be no passport to Jane 's favor that I was a guest in the house under false pretences .

she would be certain to disapprove strongly .

it was a maddening situation .

Jane !

on him !

when I first saw you the other night I took you for him . "

a person you used to know !

oh , Jane , that was the most unkindest cut of all .

" my cousin , Elliott Cameron , I suppose ? "

I answered as indifferently as I could .

" we resemble each other very closely .

you were acquainted with Cameron , Miss Harvey ? "

" slightly , " said Jane .

" a fine fellow , " I said unblushingly .

" A-h , " said Jane .

" my favorite relative , " I went on brazenly .

" he 's a thoroughly good sort rather dull now to what he used to be , though .

he had an unfortunate love affair two years ago and has never got over it . "

" indeed ? " said Jane coldly , crumbling a bit of bread between her fingers .

her face was expressionless and her voice ditto ; but I had heard her criticize nervous people who did things like that at table .

" I fear poor Elliott 's life has been completely spoiled , " I said , with a sigh .

" it 's a shame . "

" did he confide the affair to you ? " asked Jane , a little scornfully .

" well , after a fashion .

he said enough for me to guess the rest .

he never told me the lady 's name .

she was very beautiful , I understand , and very heartless .

oh , she used him very badly . "

" did he tell you that , too ? " asked Jane .

" not he .

he won't listen to a word against her .

but a chap can draw his own conclusions , you know . "

" what went wrong between them ? " asked Jane .

" simply a very stiff quarrel , I believe .

Elliott never went into details .

the lady was flirting with somebody else , I fancy . "

" people have such different ideas about flirting , " said Jane , languidly .

" what one would call mere simple friendliness another construes into flirting .

a woman of spirit would hardly fail to resent that . "

" of course Elliott was jealous , " I admitted .

" but then , you know , Miss Harvey , that jealousy is said to be the measure of a man 's love .

if he went beyond his rights I am sure he is bitterly sorry for it . "

as for me , I didn't pretend to eat .

I simply pecked .

" he loves her with all his heart , " I answered fervently .

" there never has been and never will be any other woman for Elliott Cameron . "

" why doesn't he go and tell her so ? " inquired Jane , as if she felt rather bored over the whole subject .

" he doesn't dare to .

she forbade him ever to cross her path again .

told him she hated him and always would hate him as long as she lived . "

" she must have been an unpleasantly emphatic young woman , " commented Jane .

" I 'd like to hear anyone say so to Elliott , " I responded .

" he considers her perfection .

I 'm sorry for Elliott .

his life is wrecked . "

" do you know , " said Jane slowly , as if poking about in the recesses of her memory for something half forgotten .

" I believe I know the the girl in question . "

" really ? "

I said .

" yes , she is a friend of mine .

she she never told me his name , but putting two and two together , I believe it must have been your cousin .

but she she thinks she was the one to blame . "

" does she ? "

it was my turn to ask questions now , but my heart thumped so that I could hardly speak .

" yes , she says she was too hasty and unreasonable .

she didn't mean to flirt at all and she never cared for anyone but him .

but his jealousy irritated her .

I suppose she said things to him she didn't really mean .

she she never supposed he was going to take her at her word . "

" do you think she cares for him still ? "

considering what was at stake , I think I asked the question very well .

" I think she must , " said Jane languidly .

" she has never looked at any other man .

she devotes most of her time to charitable work , but I feel sure she isn't really happy . "

so the settlement story was true .

oh , Jane !

" what would you advise my cousin to do ? "

I asked .

" do you think he should go boldly to her ?

would she listen to him forgive him ? "

" she might , " said Jane .

" have I your permission to tell Elliott Cameron this ? "

I demanded .

Jane selected and ate an olive with maddening deliberation .

" I 'll tell him as soon as I go home , " I said .

I had the satisfaction of startling Jane at last .

she turned her head and looked at me .

I got a good , square , satisfying gaze into her big , blackish-blue eyes .

" yes , " I said , compelling myself to look away .

" he came in on the boat this afternoon too late for his train .

has to stay over till to-morrow night .

I left him in my rooms when I came away .

doubtless to-morrow will see him speeding recklessly to his dear divinity .

I wonder if he knows where she is at present . "

you may tell him I 'm staying with the Duncan Moores , and shall be leaving day after to-morrow .

by the way , have you seen Mrs Kennedy 's collection of steins ?

it is a remarkably fine one . "

Clark Oliver couldn't come to our wedding or wouldn't .

she says she thought him charming , and one of the most interesting conversationalists she ever went out to dinner with .

Robert Turner 's Revenge

he would just about have time to make the round before the early country supper hour .

he swung with a businesslike stride into the Cove road .

as he went on , however , the stride insensibly slackened into an unaccustomed saunter .

the years had made surprisingly little difference in it or in the surrounding scenery .

but that was all .

he had no difficulty in picking out the old familiar spots .

there was the big cherry orchard on the Milligan place which had been so famous in his boyhood .

well , time had not stood still with him as it had with Luke Milligan 's cherry orchard , he reflected grimly .

his springtime had long gone by .

the few people he met on the road looked at him curiously , for strangers were not commonplace in Chiswick .

he recognized some of the older among them but none of them knew him .

he had been an awkward , long-limbed lad with fresh boyish colour and crisp black curls when he had left Chiswick .

presently the homesteads and orchard lands grew fewer and then ceased altogether .

the fields were long and low-lying , sloping down to the misty blue rim of sea .

they were grey and faded , lacking the prosperous appearance that had characterized them once .

there was an air of failure about the whole place as if the very land had become disheartened and discouraged .

Long ago , Neil Jameson , senior , had been a well-to-do man .

the big Cove farm had been one of the best in Chiswick then .

Robert had made a compact with himself that some day he would pay Neil Jameson back .

he had not forgotten it he never forgot such things but he had never seen or heard of Neil Jameson after leaving Chiswick .

he might have been dead for anything Robert Turner knew .

Inquiry revealed the fact that Neil Jameson was dead and that the farm was run by his widow .

Turner felt a pang of disappointment .

what satisfaction was there in wreaking revenge on a dead man ?

but at least his wife and children should suffer .

his lawyers reported that Mrs Jameson was two years behind with her interest .

Turner instructed them to foreclose the mortgage promptly .

he had a notion that it might be a decent place to spend a summer month or two in

his wife went to seaside and mountain resorts , but he liked something quieter .

there was good fishing at the Cove and in Chiswick pond , as he remembered .

if he liked the farm as well as his memory promised him he would do , he would bid it in himself .

there was a flavour in such a revenge that pleased Robert Turner .

he smiled one of his occasional grim smiles over it .

when Robert Turner smiled , weather prophets of the business sky foretold squalls .

presently he opened the gate and went through .

halfway down the lane forked , one branch going over to the house , the other slanting across the field to the cove .

he thought himself alone and was annoyed to find a boy sitting on the opposite ledge with a book on his knee .

the lad lifted his eyes and looked Turner over with a clear , direct gaze .

what girl's ?

the more he looked at the boy the stronger the impression of a resemblance grew in every feature but the mouth .

the boy nodded a quick little nod .

somehow , Turner had expected that nod and the glimmer of a smile that accompanied it .

" what book are you reading ? " he asked .

the boy held it out ; it was an old Robinson Crusoe , that classic of boyhood .

" it 's splendid , " he said .

" it 's a good while since I read Robinson Crusoe , " said Turner reflectively .

" but when I did it was on this very shore a little further along below the Miller place .

there was a Martin and a Josephs in the partnership then too the fathers , I dare say , of Billy and Ned .

what is your name , my boy ? "

" Paul Jameson , sir . "

the name was a shock to Turner .

this boy a Jameson Neil Jameson 's son ?

why , yes , he had Neil 's mouth .

Strange he had nothing else in common with the black-browed , black-haired Jamesons .

what business had a Jameson with those blue eyes and silvery-golden curls ?

it was flagrant forgery on Nature 's part to fashion such things and label them Jameson by a mouth .

hated Neil Jameson 's son !

Robert Turner 's face grew so grey and hard that the boy involuntarily glanced upward to see if a cloud had crossed the sun .

" your father was Neil Jameson , I suppose ? "

Turner said abruptly .

Paul nodded .

" yes , but he is dead .

he has been dead for eight years .

I don't remember him . "

" have you any brothers or sisters ? "

" I have a little sister a year younger than I am .

the other four are dead .

they died long ago .

I 'm the only boy Mother had .

oh , I do so wish I was bigger and older !

if I was I could do something to save the place I 'm sure I could .

it is breaking Mother 's heart to have to leave it . "

" so she has to leave it , has she ? " said Turner grimly , with the old hatred stirring in his heart .

" yes .

there is a mortgage on it and we 're to be sold out very soon so the lawyers told us .

mother has tried so hard to make the farm pay but she couldn't .

I could if I was bigger I know I could .

if they would only wait a few years !

but there is no use hoping for that .

mother cries all the time about it .

she has lived at the Cove farm for over thirty years and she says she can't live away from it now .

Elsie that 's my sister and I do all we can to cheer her up , but we can't do much .

oh , if I was only a man ! "

the lad shut his lips together how much his mouth was like his father 's and looked out seaward with troubled blue eyes .

Turner smiled another grim smile .

oh , Neil Jameson , your old score was being paid now !

yet something embittered the sweetness of revenge .

that boy 's face he could not hate it as he had accustomed himself to hate the memory of Neil Jameson and all connected with him .

" what was your mother 's name before she married your father ? " he demanded abruptly .

" Lisbeth Miller , " answered the boy , still frowning seaward over his secret thoughts .

Turner started again .

Lisbeth Miller !

he might have known it .

what woman in all the world save Lisbeth Miller could have given her son those eyes and curls ?

so Lisbeth had married Neil Jameson little Lisbeth Miller , his schoolboy sweetheart .

he had forgotten her or thought he had ; certainly he had not thought of her for years .

but the memory of her came back now with a rush .

Little Lisbeth pretty little Lisbeth merry little Lisbeth !

how clearly he remembered her !

the old Miller place had adjoined his uncle 's farm .

Lisbeth and he had played together from babyhood .

how he had worshipped her !

yet she would always blush furiously and deny it ever afterwards ; it made her angry to be reminded of it .

he saw himself going to school , carrying her books for her , the envied of all the boys .

he had seldom attained to it because he would never " go up past " Lisbeth .

if she missed a word , he , Robert , missed it too , no matter how well he knew it .

it was sweet to be thought a dunce for her dear sake .

nothing of success that he had won since had ever thrilled him as that admission of little Lisbeth 's !

she had been such a sympathetic little sweetheart too , never weary of listening to his dreams and ambitions , his plans for the future .

she had always assured him that she knew he would succeed .

Lisbeth had been away from home on a long visit to an aunt when he had left Chiswick .

she was growing up and the childish intimacy was fading .

and she was Neil Jameson 's widow !

finally Robert Turner roused himself from his reverie .

" I used to know your mother long ago when she was a little girl , " he said .

" I wonder if she remembers me .

ask her when you go home if she remembers Bobby Turner . "

" won't you come up to the house and see her , sir ? " asked Paul politely .

" mother is always glad to see her old friends . "

" no , I haven't time today . "

the name spoiled her for him , just as the Jameson mouth spoiled her son for him .

" but you may tell her something else .

the mortgage will not be foreclosed .

you and she shall have all the time you want .

tell her Bobby Turner does this in return for what she gave him under the big sweeting apple tree on her sixth birthday .

I think she will remember and understand .

as for you , Paul , be a good boy and good to your mother .

I hope you 'll succeed in your ambition of making the farm pay when you are old enough to take it in hand .

at any rate , you 'll not be disturbed in your possession of it . "

" oh , sir ! oh , sir ! " stammered Paul in an agony of embarrassed gratitude and delight .

" oh , it seems too good to be true .

do you really mean that we 're not to be sold out ?

oh , won't you come and tell Mother yourself ?

she 'll be so happy so grateful .

do come and let her thank you . "

" not today .

I haven't time .

give her my message , that 's all .

there , run ; the sooner she gets the news the better . "

Turner watched the boy as he bounded away , until the headland hid him from sight .

" I didn't suppose I was capable of such a mood .

but then little Lisbeth .

there never was a sweeter girl .

I 'm glad I didn't go with the boy to see her .

she 's an old woman now and Neil Jameson 's widow .

I prefer to keep my old memories of her undisturbed little Lisbeth of the silvery-golden curls and the roguish blue eyes .

Little Lisbeth of the old time !

I 'm glad to be able to have done you the small service of securing your home to you .

he walked away with a smile , whose amusement presently softened to an expression that would have amazed his business cronies .

later on he hummed the air of an old love song as he climbed the steep spruce road to Tom 's .

the Fillmore Elderberries

" I expected as much , " said Timothy Robinson .

his tone brought the blood into Ellis Duncan 's face .

" but you 're mistaken if you think I 'll give it .

you 've no claim on me , even if your father was my half-brother no claim at all .

and I 'm not noted for charity . "

Timothy Robinson smiled grimly .

it was very true that he was far from being noted for charity .

his neighbours called him " close " and " near . "

some even went so far as to call him " a miserly skinflint . "

but this was not true .

" I am not asking for charity , Uncle Timothy , " said Ellis quietly .

" I expect to support my mother by hard and honest work .

and I am not asking you for work on the ground of our relationship .

" yes , I do want a man , " said Uncle Timothy drily .

" A man not a half-grown boy of fourteen , not worth his salt .

I want somebody able and willing to work . "

again Ellis flushed deeply and again he controlled himself .

" I am willing to work , Uncle Timothy , and I think you would find me able also if you would try me .

I 'd work for less than a man 's wages at first , of course . "

" you won't work for any sort of wages from me , " interrupted Timothy Robinson decidedly .

" I tell you plainly that I won't hire you .

you 're the wrong man 's son for that .

your father was lazy and incompetent and , worst of all , untrustworthy .

I did try to help him once , and all I got was loss and ingratitude .

I want none of his kind around my place .

I don't believe in you , so you may as well take yourself off , Ellis .

I 've no more time to waste . "

Ellis took himself off , his ears tingling .

as he walked homeward his thoughts were very bitter .

nobody wanted to be bothered with " old Sam Duncan 's son , " though nobody had been so brutally outspoken as his Uncle Timothy .

Sam Duncan and Timothy Robinson had been half-brothers .

Sam , the older , had been the son of Mrs Robinson 's former marriage .

never were two lads more dissimilar .

Sam was a lazy , shiftless fellow , deserving all the hard things that came to be said of him .

their mother had died in their childhood , but Mr Robinson had been fond of Sam and the boy had a good home .

when he was twenty-two and Timothy eighteen , Mr Robinson had died very suddenly , leaving no will .

everything he possessed went to Timothy .

Sam immediately left .

he said he would not stay there to be " bossed " by Timothy .

he had lounged , borrowed , and shirked through life .

Sam idled through a month of it , then got offended and left in the middle of haying .

Timothy Robinson washed his hands of him after that .

when Ellis was fourteen Sam Duncan died , after a lingering illness of a year .

Mrs Duncan was a fragile little woman , worn out with her hard life , and not strong enough to wait on her husband alone .

when Sam Duncan was dead and buried , Ellis straightened his shoulders and took counsel with himself .

he must earn a livelihood for his mother and himself , and he must begin at once .

he had always been a quiet fellow , and nobody in Dalrymple knew much about him .

Ellis had not gone to his Uncle Timothy until he had lost all hope of getting a place elsewhere .

now this hope too had gone .

it was nearly the end of June and everybody who wanted help had secured it .

look where he would , Ellis could see no prospect of employment .

" if I could only get a chance ! " he thought miserably .

" I know I am not idle or lazy I know I can work if I could get a chance to prove it . "

he was sitting on the fence of the Fillmore elderberry pasture as he said it , having taken a short cut across the fields .

this pasture was rather noted in Dalrymple .

originally a mellow and fertile field , it had been almost ruined by a persistent , luxuriant growth of elderberry bushes .

old Thomas Fillmore had at first tried to conquer them by mowing them down " in the dark of the moon . "

but the elderberries did not seem to mind either moon or mowing , and flourished alike in all the quarters .

for the past two years Old Thomas had given up the contest , and the elderberries had it all their own sweet way .

Thomas Fillmore , a bent old man with a shrewd , nutcracker face , came through the bushes while Ellis was sitting on the fence .

" howdy , Ellis .

seen anything of my spotted calves ?

I 've been looking for ' em for over an hour . "

old Thomas shook his head ruefully .

" them elders have been too many for me , " he said .

" did you ever see a worse-looking place ?

you 'd hardly believe that twenty years ago there wasn't a better piece of land in Dalrymple than this lot , would ye ?

such grass as grew here ! "

" the soil must be as good as ever if anything had a chance to grow on it , " said Ellis .

" couldn't those elders be rooted out ? "

I haven't the first at my age , and my hired man hasn't the last .

and nobody would do it for what I could afford to pay . "

old Thomas looked at him with a surprised face , which gradually reverted to its original shrewdness when he saw that Ellis was in earnest .

" you must be hard up for a job , " he said .

" I am , " was Ellis 's laconic answer .

" well , lemme see . "

old Thomas calculated carefully .

he never paid a cent more for anything than he could help , and was noted for hard bargaining .

" I 'll give ye sixteen dollars if you clean out the whole field , " he said at length .

Ellis looked at the pasture .

he knew something about cleaning out elderberry brush , and he also knew that sixteen dollars would be very poor pay for it .

most of the elders were higher than a man 's head , with big roots , thicker than his wrist , running deep into the ground .

" it 's worth more , Mr Fillmore , " he said .

" not to me , " responded Old Thomas drily .

" I 've plenty more land and I 'm an old fellow without any sons .

I ain't going to pay out money for the benefit of some stranger who 'll come after me .

you can take it or leave it at sixteen dollars . "

Ellis shrugged his shoulders .

he had no prospect of anything else , and sixteen dollars were better than nothing .

" very well , I 'll take it , " he said .

them roots ain't to be cut off , remember ; they 'll have to be dug out .

" I 'll finish with your elderberries before I leave them , " promised Ellis .

Ellis went to work the next day .

his first move was to chop down all the brush and cart it into heaps for burning .

this took two days and was comparatively easy work .

the third day Ellis tackled the roots .

the boy did not see his uncle , but worked away with a vim and vigour that were not lost on the latter .

" he never got that muscle from Sam , " reflected Timothy .

" Sam would have fainted at the mere thought of stumping elders .

perhaps I 've been mistaken in the boy .

well , well , we 'll see if he holds out . "

Ellis did hold out .

the elderberries tried to hold out too , but they were no match for the lad 's perseverance .

it was a hard piece of work , however , and Ellis never forgot it .

week after week he toiled in the hot summer sun , digging , cutting , and dragging out roots .

the job seemed endless , and his progress each day was discouragingly slow .

he had expected to get through in a month , but he soon found it would take two .

frequently Timothy Robinson wandered by and looked at the increasing pile of roots and the slowly extending stretch of cleared land .

but he never spoke to Ellis and made no comment on the matter to anybody .

one evening , when the field was about half done , Ellis went home more than usually tired .

it had been a very hot day .

every bone and muscle in him ached .

he wondered dismally if he would ever get to the end of that wretched elderberry field .

when he reached home Jacob Green from Westdale was there .

Jacob lost no time in announcing his errand .

" my hired boy 's broke his leg , and I must fill his place right off .

somebody referred me to you .

guess I 'll try you .

twelve dollars a month , board , and lodging .

what say ? "

for a moment Ellis 's face flushed with delight .

twelve dollars a month and permanent employment !

then he remembered his promise to Mr Fillmore .

for a moment he struggled with the temptation .

then he mastered it .

perhaps the discipline of his many encounters with those elderberry roots helped him to do so .

" I 'm sorry , Mr Green , " he said reluctantly .

" I 'd like to go , but I can't .

" Well , I 'd see myself turning down a good offer for Old Tom Fillmore , " said Jacob Green .

" it isn't for Mr Fillmore it 's for myself , " said Ellis steadily .

" I promised and I must keep my word . "

Jacob drove away grumblingly .

on the road he met Timothy Robinson and stopped to relate his grievances .

it must be admitted that there were times during the next month when Ellis was tempted to repent having refused Jacob Green 's offer .

but at the end of the month the work was done and the Fillmore elderberry pasture was an elderberry pasture no longer .

all that remained of the elders , root and branch , was piled into a huge heap ready for burning .

" and I 'll come up and set fire to it when it 's dry enough , " Ellis told Mr Fillmore .

" I claim the satisfaction of that . "

" you 've done the job thoroughly , " said Old Thomas .

" there 's your sixteen dollars , and every cent of it was earned , if ever money was , I 'll say that much for you .

there ain't a lazy bone in your body .

if you ever want a recommendation just you come to me . "

as Ellis passed Timothy Robinson 's place on the way home that worthy himself appeared , strolling down his lane .

" yes , sir . "

" got your sixteen dollars , I suppose ?

it was worth four times that .

old Tom cheated you .

you were foolish not to have gone to Green when you had the chance . "

" I 'd promised Mr Fillmore to finish with his pasture , sir ! "

" Humph !

well , what are you going to do now ? "

" I don't know .

Harvest will be on next week .

I may get in somewhere as an extra hand for a spell . "

" Ellis , " said his uncle abruptly , after a moment 's silence , " I 'm going to discharge my man .

he 's no earthly good .

will you take his place ?

I 'll give you fifteen dollars a month and found . "

Ellis stared at Timothy Robinson .

" I thought you told me that you had no place for my father 's son , " he said slowly .

" I 've changed my mind .

I 've seen how you went at that elderberry job .

great snakes , there couldn't be a better test for anybody than rooting out them things .

I know you can work .

when Jacob Green told me why you 'd refused his offer I knew you could be depended on .

you come to me and I 'll do well by you .

I 've no kith or kin of my own except you .

and look here , Ellis .

I 'm tired of hired housekeepers .

will your mother come up and live with us and look after things a bit ?

I 've a good girl , and she won't have to work hard , but there must be somebody at the head of a household .

she must have a good headpiece for you have inherited good qualities from someone , and goodness knows it wasn't from your father . "

" uncle Timothy , " said Ellis respectfully but firmly , " I 'll accept your offer gratefully , and I am sure Mother will too .

but there is one thing I must say .

Timothy Robinson smiled a queer , twisted smile that yet had a hint of affection and comprehension in it .

" very well , " he said .

" I 'll never cast his shortcomings up to you again .

the Finished Story

shawls and scarfs and hoods the things were , I believe .

when she finished one she gave it to some girl and began another .

every girl at Harbour Light that summer wore some distracting thing that had been fashioned by Miss Sylvia 's slim , tireless , white fingers .

she was old , with that beautiful , serene old age which is as beautiful in its way as youth .

her girlhood and womanhood must have been very lovely to have ripened into such a beauty of sixty years .

it was a surprise to everyone who heard her called Miss Sylvia .

she looked so like a woman who ought to have stalwart , grown sons and dimpled little grandchildren .

for the first two days after the arrival at the hotel she sat in her corner alone .

she sat among the boys and girls , young men and maidens , like a fine white queen .

she knitted continually and talked a good deal , but listened more .

we sat around her at all hours of the day and told her everything .

when you were first introduced to her you called her Miss Stanleymain .

her endurance of that was limited to twenty-four hours .

then she begged you to call her Miss Sylvia , and as Miss Sylvia you spoke and thought of her forevermore .

Miss Sylvia liked us all , but I was her favourite .

although Miss Sylvia had an unlimited capacity for receiving confidences , she never gave any .

we were all sure that there must be some romance in her life , but our efforts to discover it were unsuccessful .

Miss Sylvia parried tentative questions so skilfully that we knew she had something to defend .

the last chapter was missing .

we were sitting together on the veranda at sunset .

I was reading one of my stories to Miss Sylvia .

in my own excuse I must allege that she tempted me to do it .

I did not go around with manuscripts under my arm , inflicting them on defenceless females .

nothing would do but that I read it to her .

it was a rather sad little story .

the hero loved the heroine , and she loved him .

there was no reason why he should not love her , but there was a reason why he could not marry her .

when he found that he loved her he knew that he must go away .

but might he not , at least , tell her his love ?

might he not , at least , find out for his consolation if she cared for him ?

there was a struggle ; he won , and went away without a word , believing it to be the more manly course .

but after a little her knitting slipped unheeded to her lap and her hands folded idly above it .

it was the most subtle compliment I had ever received .

when I turned the last page of the manuscript and looked up , Miss Sylvia 's soft brown eyes were full of tears .

she lifted her hands , clasped them together and said in an agitated voice :

" oh , no , no ; don't let him go away without telling her just telling her .

don't let him do it ! "

it would have no reason for existence then .

its motif is simply his mastery over self .

he believes it to be the nobler course . "

" no , no , it wasn't if he loved her he should have told her .

think of her shame and humiliation she loved him , and he went without a word and she could never know he cared for her .

oh , you must change it you must , indeed !

I cannot bear to think of her suffering what I have suffered . "

Miss Sylvia broke down and sobbed .

to appease her , I promised that I would remodel the story , although I knew that the doing so would leave it absolutely pointless .

" oh , I 'm so glad , " said Miss Sylvia , her eyes shining through her tears .

" you see , I know it would make her happier I know it .

I 'm going to tell you my poor little story to convince you .

but you you must not tell it to any of the others . "

" I am sorry you think the admonition necessary , " I said reproachfully .

" oh , I do not , indeed I do not , " she hastened to assure me .

" I know I can trust you .

but it 's such a poor little story .

you mustn't laugh at it it is all the romance I had .

years ago forty years ago when I was a young girl of twenty , I learned to care very much for somebody .

I met him at a summer resort like this .

I was there with my aunt and he was there with his mother , who was delicate .

we saw a great deal of each other for a little while .

he was oh , he was like no other man I had ever seen .

you remind me of him somehow .

that is partly why I like you so much .

I noticed the resemblance the first time I saw you .

I don't know in just what it consists in your expression and the way you carry your head , I think .

he was not strong he coughed a good deal .

then one day he went away suddenly .

I had thought he cared for me , but he never said so just went away .

oh , the shame of it !

after a time I heard that he had been ordered to California for his health .

and he died out there the next spring .

my heart broke then , I never cared for anybody again I couldn't .

I have always loved him .

and the sting of it has been there all these years .

I can't even permit myself the joy of dwelling on his memory because of the thought that perhaps he did not care . "

" he must have cared , " I said warmly .

" he couldn't have helped it , Miss Sylvia . "

Miss Sylvia shook her head with a sad smile .

" I cannot be sure .

sometimes I think he did .

but then the doubt creeps back again .

and I never can know , never I can hope and almost believe , but I can never know .

oh , you don't understand a man couldn't fully understand what my pain has been over it .

you see now why I want you to change the story .

Miss Sylvia picked up her knitting and went away .

as for me , I thought savagely of the dead man she loved and called him a cad , or at best , a fool .

a fortnight later she returned home and I went my way back to the world .

during the following winter I wrote several letters to Miss Sylvia and received replies from her .

her letters were very like herself .

when I arrived at Sweetwater I found it moist and chill with the sunny moisture and teasing chill of our Canadian springs .

they are long and fickle and reluctant , these springs of ours , but , oh , the unnamable charm of them !

" the things there have never been meddled with since he died , " she said .

" in particular , there 's an old trunk full of his letters and his papers .

it was brought home from California after his death .

I 've never examined them .

I don't suppose there is anything of any importance among them .

but I 'm not going to carry all that old rubbish to town .

so I wish you would look over them and see if there is anything that should be kept .

the rest may be burned . "

I felt no particular interest in the task .

my Uncle Alan Blair was a mere name to me .

he was my mother 's eldest brother and had died years before I was born .

I had heard that he had been very clever and that great things had been expected of him .

but I anticipated no pleasure from exploring musty old letters and papers of forty neglected years .

I went up to Uncle Alan 's room at dusk that night .

the room looked to the north and was always dim by reason of the close-growing Sweetwater pines .

most of these were bundles of yellowed letters , of no present interest , from his family and college friends .

there were several college theses and essays , and a lot of loose miscellania pertaining to boyish school days .

I went through the collection rapidly , until at the bottom of the trunk , I came to a small book bound in dark-green leather .

it proved to be a sort of journal , and I began to glance over it with a languid interest .

it had been begun in the spring after he had graduated from college .

although suspected only by himself , the disease which was to end his life had already fastened upon him .

there was nothing morbid , nothing unmanly in the record .

as I read , I found myself liking Uncle Alan , wishing that he might have lived and been my friend .

his mother had not been well that summer and the doctor ordered her to the seashore .

Alan accompanied her .

here occurred a hiatus in the journal .

I found them later on in the trunk , but at the time I passed to the next page .

it began abruptly :

this girl is the sweetest thing that God ever made .

I had not known a woman could be so fair and sweet .

her beauty awes me , the purity of her soul shines so clearly through it like an illuminating lamp .

I love her with all my power of loving and I am thankful that it is so .

it would have been hard to die without having known love .

I am glad that it has come to me , even if its price is unspeakable bitterness .

a man has not lived for nothing who has known and loved Sylvia Stanleymain .

I must not seek her love that is denied me .

yet I cannot resist the delight of being with her , of talking to her , of watching her wonderful face .

she is in my thoughts day and night , she dwells in my dreams .

O , Sylvia , I love you , my sweet !

a week later there was another entry :

July Seventeenth .

I am afraid .

To-day I met Sylvia 's eyes .

in them was a look which at first stirred my heart to its deeps with tumultuous delight , and then I remembered .

I must spare her that suffering , at whatever cost to myself .

I must not let myself dwell on the dangerous sweetness of the thought that her heart is turning to me .

what would be the crowning joy to another man could be only added sorrow to me .

then :

July Eighteenth .

this morning I took the train to the city .

I was determined to know the worst once for all .

the time had come when I must .

my doctor at home had put me off with vague hopes and perhapses .

so I went to a noted physician in the city .

I told him I wanted the whole truth I made him tell it .

stripped of all softening verbiage it is this : I have perhaps eight months or a year to live no more !

I had expected it , although not quite so soon .

yet the certainty was none the less bitter .

but this is no time for self-pity .

it is of Sylvia I must think now .

July Nineteenth .

it is over .

I said good-bye to her to-day before others , for I dared not trust myself to see her alone .

she looked hurt and startled , as if someone had struck her .

but she will soon forget , even if I have not been mistaken in the reading of her eyes .

as for me , the bitterness of death is already over in that parting .

all that now remains is to play the man to the end .

from further entries in the journal I learned that Alan Blair had returned to Sweetwater and later on had been ordered to California .

the entries during his sojourn there were few and far between .

in all of them he spoke of Sylvia .

finally , after a long silence , he had written :

I think the end is not far off now .

I am not sorry for my suffering has been great of late .

last night I was easier .

I slept and dreamed that I saw Sylvia .

once or twice I thought that I would arrange to have this book sent to her after my death .

but I have decided that it would be unwise .

it would only pain her , so I shall destroy it when I feel the time has come .

it is sunset in this wonderful summer land .

at home in Sweetwater it is only early spring as yet , with snow lingering along the edges of the woods .

the sunsets there will be creamy-yellow and pale red now .

if I could but see them once more !

and Sylvia

there was a little blot where the pen had fallen .

evidently the end had been nearer than Alan Blair had thought .

at least , there were no more entries , and the little green book had not been destroyed .

as soon as I could leave Sweetwater I went to the city , three hundred miles away , where Miss Sylvia lived .

" my dear boy ! " she said .

" do you know why I have come ? "

I asked .

" I am vain enough to think it was because you wanted to see me , " she smiled .

" I I don't understand , " said Miss Sylvia , starting slightly .

" I had an uncle , Alan Blair , who died forty years ago in California , " I said quietly .

" recently I have had occasion to examine some of his papers .

I found a journal among them and I have brought it to you because I think that you have the best right to it . "

I dropped the parcel in her lap .

she was silent with surprise and bewilderment .

" and now , " I added , " I am going away .

you won't want to see me or anyone for a while after you have read this book .

but I will come up to see you to-morrow . "

when I went the next day Miss Sylvia herself met me at the door .

she caught my hand and drew me into the hall .

her eyes were softly radiant .

" oh , you have made me so happy ! " she said tremulously .

" oh , you can never know how happy !

nothing hurts now nothing ever can hurt , because I know he did care . "

the Garden of Spices

Jims tried the door of the blue room .

yes , it was locked .

he had hoped Aunt Augusta might have forgotten to lock it ; but when did Aunt Augusta forget anything ?

except , perhaps , that little boys were not born grown-ups and that was something she never remembered .

to be sure , she was only a half-aunt .

whole aunts probably had more convenient memories .

Jims turned and stood with his back against the door .

it was better that way ; he could not imagine things behind him then .

and the blue room was so big and dim that a dreadful number of things could be imagined in it .

Jims hated being shut up alone especially in the blue room .

its bigness and dimness and silence filled his sensitive little soul with vague horror .

sometimes he became almost sick with fear in it .

to do Aunt Augusta justice , she never suspected this .

that was why she shut him up instead of whipping him .

but how was she to know it ?

aunt Augusta was one of those people who never know anything unless it is told them in plain language and then hammered into their heads .

at first , this time , Jims did not feel quite so frightened as usual because he was very angry .

as he put it , he was very mad at Aunt Augusta .

but he had made a terrible mess and Aunt Augusta had been very angry and had said he must be cured of such carelessness .

she said he must spend the afternoon in the blue room instead of going for a ride with Mrs Loring in her new car .

Jims was bitterly disappointed .

but it was so hard to waken him up that Jims seldom attempted it .

there were no sobs just now , though Jims was still too angry .

it wasn't fair .

it was so seldom he got a car ride .

uncle Walter was always too busy , attending to sick children all over the town , to take him .

it was only once in a blue moon Mrs Loring asked him to go out with her .

but she always ended up with ice cream or a movie , and to-day Jims had had strong hopes that both were on the programme .

" I won't have any fun and she won't feed my gobbler , either . "

Jims had shrieked " Feed my gobbler , " to the old servant as he had been hauled upstairs .

but he didn't think Nancy Jane had heard him , and nobody , not even Jims , could imagine Aunt Augusta feeding the gobbler .

it was always a wonder to him that she ate , herself .

it seemed really too human a thing for her to do .

how that window at the far end of the room rattled !

it sounded terribly as if somebody or something were trying to get in .

Jims looked desperately at the unshuttered window .

but to get to the window Jims must cross the room and pass by the bed .

Jims held that bed in special dread .

it was the oldest fashioned thing in the old-fashioned , old-furnitured house .

it was high and rigid , and hung with gloomy blue curtains .

anything might jump out of such a bed .

Jims gave a gasp and ran madly across the room .

he reached the window and flung himself upon the seat .

with a sigh of relief he curled down in the corner .

Jims had loved that garden from his first sight of it .

he called it the Garden of Spices and wove all sorts of yarns in fancy yarns gay and tragic about it .

he had only known it for a few weeks .

before that , they had lived in a much smaller house away at the other side of the town .

somehow , Jims had an idea that Uncle Walter wasn't very glad to come back there .

but he had to , according to great-uncle 's will .

Jims himself didn't mind much .

he liked the smaller rooms in their former home better , but the Garden of Spices made up for all .

it was such a beautiful spot .

Just inside the wall was a row of aspen poplars that always talked in silvery whispers and shook their dainty , heart-shaped leaves at him .

beyond them , under scattered pines , was a rockery where ferns and wild things grew .

it was almost as good as a bit of woods and Jims loved the woods , though he scarcely ever saw them .

it seemed to be a garden where no frost could blight or rough wind blow .

when rain fell it must fall very gently .

past the roses one saw a green lawn , sprinkled over now with the white ghosts of dandelions , and dotted with ornamental trees .

the trees grew so thickly that they almost hid the house to which the garden pertained .

it was a large one of grey-black stone , with stacks of huge chimneys .

Jims had no idea who lived there .

Jims would never have thought of mentioning them to Uncle Walter .

but the prohibition filled him with an unholy and unsubduable curiosity .

he was devoured by the desire to find out who the folks in that tabooed house were .

and he longed to have the freedom of that garden .

Jims loved gardens .

Jims had heard Uncle Walter say that he was going to have it attended to but nothing had been done yet .

and meanwhile here was a beautiful garden over the wall which looked as if it should be full of children .

but no children were ever in it or anybody else apparently .

and so , in spite of its beauty , it had a lonely look that hurt Jims .

he wanted his Garden of Spices to be full of laughter .

" I 'm afraid the Very Handsome Cat isn't coming to-day , " sighed Jims .

then he brightened up ; the Very Handsome Cat was coming across the lawn .

he was the only living thing , barring birds and butterflies , that Jims ever saw in the garden .

Jims worshipped that cat .

he was jet black , with white paws and dickey , and he had as much dignity as ten cats .

Jims ' fingers tingled to stroke him .

Jims had never been allowed to have even a kitten because Aunt Augusta had a horror of cats .

and you cannot stroke gobblers !

he looked straight up at Jims and winked .

at least , Jims always believed and declared he did .

and that wink said , or seemed to say , plainly :

" be a sport .

come down here and play with me .

a fig for your Aunt Augusta ! "

a wild , daring , absurd idea flashed into Jims ' brain .

could he ?

he could !

he would !

he knew it would be easy .

he had thought it all out many times , although until now he had never dreamed of really doing it .

with a careful , repressed whoop Jims ran towards the Very Handsome Cat .

the cat rose and retreated in deliberate haste ; Jims ran after him .

the cat dodged through the rose paths and eluded Jims ' eager hands , just keeping tantalizingly out of reach .

Jims had forgotten everything except that he must catch the cat .

he was full of a fearful joy , with an elfin delight running through it .

but he must catch the cat .

the cat ran over the lawn and Jims pursued it through the green gloom of the thickly clustering trees .

beyond them came a pool of sunshine in which the old stone house basked like a huge grey cat itself .

more garden was before it and beyond it , wonderful with blossom .

the cat , having lured Jims to where he wanted him , sat down and began to lick his paws .

he was quite willing to be caught now ; but Jims had no longer any idea of catching him .

he stood very still , looking at the lady .

she did not see him then and Jims could only see her profile , which he thought very beautiful .

she had wonderful ropes of blue-black hair wound around her head .

she looked so sweet that Jims ' heart beat .

then she lifted her head and turned her face and saw him .

Jims felt something of a shock .

she was not pretty after all .

one side of her face was marked by a dreadful red scar .

after the first moment Jims did not mind the scar at all .

then she pulled it away again and sat looking at Jims half defiantly , half piteously .

Jims thought she must be angry because he had chased her cat .

" I beg your pardon , " he said gravely , " I didn't mean to hurt your cat .

I just wanted to play with him .

he is such a very handsome cat . "

" but where did you come from ? " said the lady .

" it is so long since I saw a child in this garden , " she added , as if to herself .

her voice was as sweet as her face .

Jims thought he was mistaken in thinking her angry and plucked up heart of grace .

shyness was no fault of Jims .

" I came from the house over the wall , " he said .

" my name is James Brander Churchill .

aunt Augusta shut me up in the blue room because I spilled my pudding at dinner .

I hate to be shut up .

and I was to have had a ride this afternoon and ice cream and maybe a movie .

so I was mad .

and when your Very Handsome Cat came and looked at me I just got out and climbed down . "

he looked straight at her and smiled .

Jims had a very dear little smile .

it seemed a pity there was no mother alive to revel in it .

the lady smiled back .

" I think you did right , " she said .

" you wouldn't shut a little boy up if you had one , would you ? " said Jims .

" no no , dear heart , I wouldn't , " said the lady .

she said it as if something hurt her horribly .

she smiled again gallantly .

" will you come here and sit down ? " she added , pulling a chair out from the table .

" thank you .

I 'd rather sit here , " said Jims , plumping down on the grass at her feet .

" then maybe your cat will come to me . "

the cat came over promptly and rubbed his head against Jims ' knee .

Jims stroked him delightedly ; how lovely his soft fur felt and his round velvety head .

" I like cats , " explained Jims , " and I have nothing but a gobbler .

this is such a Very Handsome Cat .

what is his name , please ? "

" black Prince .

he loves me , " said the lady .

" he always comes to my bed in the morning and wakes me by patting my face with his paw .

he doesn't mind my being ugly . "

she spoke with a bitterness Jims couldn't understand .

" but you are not ugly , " he said .

" oh , I am ugly I am ugly , " she cried .

" just look at me right at me .

doesn't it hurt you to look at me ? "

Jims looked at her gravely and dispassionately .

" no , it doesn't , " he said .

" not a bit , " he added , after some further exploration of his consciousness .

suddenly the lady laughed beautifully .

a faint rosy flush came into her unscarred cheek .

" James , I believe you mean it . "

" of course I mean it .

and , if you don't mind , please call me Jims .

nobody calls me James but Aunt Augusta .

she isn't my whole aunt .

she is just Uncle Walter 's half-sister .

he is my whole uncle . "

" what does he call you ? " asked the lady .

she looked away as she asked it .

" oh , Jims , when he thinks about me .

he doesn't often think about me .

he has too many sick children to think about .

sick children are all Uncle Walter cares about .

he 's the greatest children 's doctor in the Dominion , Mr Burroughs says .

but he is a woman-hater . "

" how do you know that ? "

" oh , I heard Mr Burroughs say it .

Mr Burroughs is my tutor , you know .

I study with him from nine till one .

I 'm not allowed to go to the public school .

I 'd like to , but Uncle Walter thinks I 'm not strong enough yet .

I 'm going next year , though , when I 'm ten .

I have holidays now .

Mr Burroughs always goes away the first of June . "

" how came he to tell you your uncle was a woman-hater ? " persisted the lady .

" oh , he didn't tell me .

he was talking to a friend of his .

he thought I was reading my book .

so I was but I heard it all .

it was more interesting than my book .

uncle Walter was engaged to a lady , long , long ago , when he was a young man .

she was devilishly pretty . "

" oh , Jims ! "

" Mr Burroughs said so .

I 'm only quoting , " said Jims easily .

" and Uncle Walter just worshipped her .

and all at once she just jilted him without a word of explanation , Mr Burroughs said .

so that is why he hates women .

it isn't any wonder , is it ? "

" I suppose not , " said the lady with a sigh .

" Jims , are you hungry ? "

" yes , I am .

you see , the pudding was spilled .

but how did you know ? "

" oh , boys always used to be hungry when I knew them long ago .

I thought they hadn't changed .

I shall tell Martha to bring out something to eat and we 'll have it here under this tree .

you sit here I 'll sit there .

Jims , it 's so long since I talked to a little boy that I 'm not sure that I know how . "

" you know how , all right , " Jims assured her .

" but what am I to call you , please ? "

" my name is Miss Garland , " said the lady a little hesitatingly .

but she saw the name meant nothing to Jims .

" I would like you to call me Miss Avery .

Avery is my first name and I never hear it nowadays .

now for a jamboree !

I can't offer you a movie and I 'm afraid there isn't any ice cream either .

I could have had some if I 'd known you were coming .

but I think Martha will be able to find something good . "

a very old woman , who looked at Jims with great amazement , came out to set the table .

Jims thought she must be as old as Methusaleh .

but he did not mind her .

he ran races with Black Prince while tea was being prepared , and rolled the delighted cat over and over in the grass .

and he discovered a fragrant herb-garden in a far corner and was delighted .

now it was truly a garden of spices .

" I wish I could come often . "

" why can't you ? " said Miss Avery .

the two looked at each other with sly intelligence .

" I could come whenever Aunt Augusta shuts me up in the blue room , " said Jims .

" yes , " said Miss Avery .

then she laughed and held out her arms .

Jims flew into them .

he put his arms about her neck and kissed her scarred face .

" oh , I wish you were my aunt , " he said .

Miss Avery suddenly pushed him away .

Jims was horribly afraid he had offended her .

but she took his hand .

" we 'll just be chums , Jims , " she said .

" that 's really better than being relations , after all .

come and have tea . "

over that glorious tea-table they became life-long friends .

they had always known each other and always would .

the Black Prince sat between them and was fed tit-bits .

there was such a lot of good things on the table and nobody to say " you have had enough , James . "

James ate until he thought he had enough .

aunt Augusta would have thought he was doomed , could she have seen him .

" I suppose I must go back , " said Jims with a sigh .

" it will be our supper time in half an hour and Aunt Augusta will come to take me out . "

" but you 'll come again ? "

" yes , the first time she shuts me up .

and if she doesn't shut me up pretty soon I 'll be so bad she 'll have to shut me up . "

" I 'll always set a place for you at the tea-table after this , Jims .

and when you're not here I 'll pretend you are .

and when you can't come here write me a letter and bring it when you do come . "

" good-bye , " said Jims .

he took her hand and kissed it .

he had read of a young knight doing that and had always thought he would like to try it if he ever got a chance .

but who could dream of kissing Aunt Augusta 's hands ?

" you dear , funny thing , " said Miss Avery .

" have you thought of how you are to get back ?

can you reach that pine bough from the ground ? "

" maybe I can jump , " said Jims dubiously .

" I 'm afraid not .

I 'll give you a stool and you can stand on it .

just leave it there for future use .

good-bye , Jims .

Jims ' heart filled with a great warm gush of gladness .

he had always wanted to be loved .

he was blissfully happy as he carried his stool across the lawn .

he climbed his pine and went in at the window and curled up on the seat in a maze of delight .

the blue room was more shadowy than ever but that did not matter .

over in the Garden of Spices was friendship and laughter and romance galore .

the whole world was transformed for Jims .

from that time Jims lived a shamelessly double life .

besides , it is a sad truth that Jims didn't try very hard to be good now .

he thought it paid better to be bad and be shut up .

to be sure there was always a fly in the ointment .

he was haunted by a vague fear that Aunt Augusta might relent and come to the blue room before supper time to let him out .

" and then the fat would be in the fire , " said Jims .

" Augusta , that boy seems to be growing much stronger .

he has a good color and his eyes are getting to look more like a boy 's eyes should .

we 'll make a man of you yet , Jims . "

" he may be getting stronger but he 's getting naughtier , too , " said Aunt Augusta , grimly .

" I am sorry to say , Walter , that he behaves very badly . "

" we were all young once , " said Uncle Walter indulgently .

" were you ? " asked Jims in blank amazement .

uncle Walter laughed .

" do you think me an antediluvian , Jims ? "

" I don't know what that is .

but your hair is gray and your eyes are tired , " said Jims uncompromisingly .

uncle Walter laughed again , tossed Jims a quarter , and went out .

" your uncle is only forty-five and in his prime , " said Aunt Augusta dourly .

Jims deliberately ran across the room to the window and , under pretence of looking out , knocked down a flower pot .

Miss Avery never went anywhere and no one ever went there .

she lived all alone with two old servants , man and maid .

except these two and Jims nobody had ever seen her for twenty years .

Jims didn't know why , but he thought it must be because of the scar on her face .

he never referred to it , but one day Miss Avery told him what caused it .

" I dropped a lamp and my dress caught fire and burned my face , Jims .

it made me hideous .

I was beautiful before that very beautiful .

everybody said so .

come in and I will show you my picture . "

she took him into her big parlor and showed him the picture hanging on the wall between the two high windows .

it was of a young girl in white .

she certainly was very lovely , with her rose-leaf skin and laughing eyes .

Jims looked at the pictured face gravely , with his hands in his pockets and his head on one side .

then he looked at Miss Avery .

" you were prettier then yes , " he said , judicially , " but I like your face ever so much better now . "

" oh , Jims , you can't , " she protested .

" yes , I do , " persisted Jims .

" you look kinder and nicer now . "

it was the nearest Jims could get to expressing what he felt as he looked at the picture .

the young girl was beautiful , but her face was a little hard .

there was pride and vanity and something of the insolence of great beauty in it .

how they loved each other , those two !

and how they understood each other !

to love is easy , and therefore common ; but to understand how rare that is !

and oh ! such good times as they had !

they made taffy .

Jims had always longed to make taffy , but Aunt Augusta 's immaculate kitchen and saucepans might not be so desecrated .

they read fairy tales together .

Mr Burroughs had disapproved of fairy tales .

they blew soap-bubbles out on the lawn and let them float away over the garden and the orchard like fairy balloons .

they had glorious afternoon teas under the beech tree .

they made ice cream themselves .

Jims even slid down the bannisters when he wanted to .

and he could try out a slang word or two occasionally without anybody dying of horror .

Miss Avery did not seem to mind it a bit .

at first Miss Avery always wore dark sombre dresses .

but one day Jims found her in a pretty gown of pale primrose silk .

it was very old and old-fashioned , but Jims did not know that .

he capered round her in delight .

" you like me better in this ? " she asked , wistfully .

" would you like me to wear bright colors , Jims ? "

" you bet I would , " said Jims emphatically .

after that she always wore them pink and primrose and blue and white ; and she let Jims wreathe flowers in her splendid hair .

he had quite a knack of it .

she never wore any jewelry except , always , a little gold ring with a design of two clasped hands .

" a friend gave that to me long ago when we were boy and girl together at school , " she told Jims once .

" I never take it off , night or day .

when I die it is to be buried with me . "

" you mustn't die till I do , " said Jims in dismay .

" oh , Jims , if we could only live together nothing else would matter , " she said hungrily .

" Jims Jims I see so little of you really and some day soon you 'll be going to school and I 'll lose you . "

" I 've got to think of some way to prevent it , " cried Jims .

" I won't have it .

I won't I won't . "

but his heart sank notwithstanding .

one day Jims slipped from the blue room , down the pine and across the lawn with a tear-stained face .

" aunt Augusta is going to kill my gobbler , " he sobbed in Miss Avery 's arms .

" she says she isn't going to bother with him any longer and he 's getting old and he 's to be killed .

and that gobbler is the only friend I have in the world except you .

oh , I can't stand it , Miss Avery . "

next day Aunt Augusta told him the gobbler had been sold and taken away .

and Jims flew into a passion of tears and protest about it and was promptly incarcerated in the blue room .

a few minutes later a sobbing boy plunged through the trees and stopped abruptly .

" my gobbler ! " cried Jims .

" yes .

Martha went to your uncle 's house and bought him .

oh , she didn't betray you .

she told Nancy Jane she wanted a gobbler and , having seen one over there , thought perhaps she could get him .

See , here 's your pet , Jims , and here he shall live till he dies of old age .

and I have something else for you Edward and Martha went across the river yesterday to the Murray Kennels and got it for you . "

" not a dog ? " exclaimed Jims .

" yes a dear little bull pup .

he shall be your very own , Jims , and I only stipulate that you reconcile the Black Prince to him . "

it was something of a task but Jims succeeded .

then followed a month of perfect happiness .

at least three afternoons a week they contrived to be together .

it was all too good to be true , Jims felt .

something would happen soon to spoil it .

just suppose Aunt Augusta grew tender-hearted and ceased to punish !

or suppose she suddenly discovered that he was growing too big to be shut up !

Jims began to stint himself in eating lest he grew too fast .

Jims didn't want to go to the country now because his heart was elsewhere .

he must eat again , if he grew like a weed .

it was all very harassing .

uncle Walter looked at him keenly .

" it seems to me you 're looking pretty fit , Jims .

do you want to go to the country ? "

" no , please . "

" are you happy , Jims ? "

" sometimes . "

" a boy should be happy all the time , Jims . "

" if I had a mother and someone to play with I would be . "

" I have tried to be a mother to you , Jims , " said Aunt Augusta , in an offended tone .

then she addressed Uncle Walter .

" a younger woman would probably understand him better .

and I feel that the care of this big place is too much for me .

I would prefer to go to my own old home .

if you had married long ago , as you should , Walter , James would have had a mother and some cousins to play with .

I have always been of this opinion . "

uncle Walter frowned and got up .

" Just because one woman played you false is no good reason for spoiling your life , " went on Aunt Augusta severely .

" I have kept silence all these years but now I am going to speak and speak plainly .

you should marry , Walter .

you are young enough yet and you owe it to your name . "

" listen , Augusta , " said Uncle Walter sternly .

" I loved a woman once .

I believed she loved me .

well , I have obeyed her , that is all . "

" there was something strange about all that , Walter .

the life she has since led proves that .

so you should not let it embitter you against all women . "

" I haven't .

it 's nonsense to say I 'm a woman-hater , Augusta .

but that experience has robbed me of the power to care for another woman . "

" well , this isn't a proper conversation for a child to hear , " said Aunt Augusta , recollecting herself .

" Jims , go out . "

Jims would have given one of his ears to stay and listen with the other .

but he went obediently .

and then , the very next day , the dreaded something happened .

it was the first of August and very , very hot .

he had never been saucy to Aunt Augusta before .

but it was three days since he had seen Miss Avery and the Black Prince and Nip and he was desperate .

aunt Augusta crimsoned with anger and doomed Jims to an afternoon in the blue room for impertinence .

" and I shall tell your uncle when he comes home , " she added .

that rankled , for Jims didn't want Uncle Walter to think him impertinent .

but he forgot all his worries as he scampered through the Garden of Spices to the beech tree .

and there Jims stopped as if he had been shot .

prone on the grass under the beech tree , white and cold and still , lay his Miss Avery dead , stone dead !

at least Jims drought she was dead .

he flew into the house like a mad thing , shrieking for Martha .

nobody answered .

he rushed blindly across the lawn again , through the little side gate he had never passed before and down the street home .

uncle Walter was just opening the door of his car .

" uncle Walter come come , " sobbed Jims , clutching frantically at his hand .

" miss Avery 's dead dead oh , come quick . "

" who is dead ? "

" miss Avery Miss Avery Garland .

she 's lying on the grass over there in her garden .

and I love her so and I 'll die , too oh , Uncle Walter , come . "

uncle Walter looked as if he wanted to ask some questions , but he said nothing .

with a strange face he hurried after Jims .

Miss Avery was still lying there .

as Uncle Walter bent over her he saw the broad red scar and started back with an exclamation .

" she is dead ? " gasped Jims .

I want help .

go and call somebody . "

" then go home and telephone over to Mr Loring 's .

tell them I want the nurse who is there to come here for a few minutes . "

Jims did his errand .

uncle Walter and the nurse carried Miss Avery into the house and then Jims went back to the blue room .

he was so unhappy he didn't care where he went .

he wished something would jump at him out of the bed and put an end to him .

everything was discovered now and he would never see Miss Avery again .

Jims lay very still on the window seat .

he did not even cry .

he had come to one of the griefs that lie too deep for tears .

" I think I must have been put under a curse at birth , " thought poor Jims .

over at the stone house Miss Avery was lying on the couch in her room .

the nurse had gone away and Dr Walter was sitting looking at her .

he leaned forward and pulled away the hand with which she was hiding the scar on her face .

he looked first at the little gold ring on the hand and then at the scar .

" don't , " she said piteously .

" Avery why did you do it ? why did you do it ? "

" oh , you know you must know now , Walter . "

" Avery , did you break my heart and spoil my life and your own simply because your face was scarred ? "

" I couldn't bear to have you see me hideous , " she moaned .

" you had been so proud of my beauty .

I I thought you couldn't love me any more I couldn't bear the thought of looking in your eyes and seeing aversion there . "

Walter Grant leaned forward .

" look in my eyes , Avery .

do you see any aversion ? "

Avery forced herself to look .

what she saw covered her face with a hot blush .

do you think that would change me ?

was your own love for me so slight ? "

" no no , " she sobbed .

" I have loved you every moment of my life , Walter .

oh , don't look at me so sternly . "

" if you had even told me , " he said .

" you said I was never to try to look on your face again and they told me you had gone away .

you sent me back my ring . "

when we were boy and girl . "

" you robbed me of all that made life worth while , Avery .

do you wonder that I 've been a bitter man ? "

" I was wrong I was wrong , " she sobbed .

" I should have believed in you .

but don't you think I 've paid , too ?

forgive me , Walter it 's too late to atone but forgive me . "

" is it too late ? " he asked gravely .

she pointed to the scar .

" could you endure seeing this opposite to you every day at your table ? " she asked bitterly .

" yes if I could see your sweet eyes and your beloved smile with it , Avery , " he answered passionately .

" oh , Avery , it was you I loved not your outward favor .

oh , how foolish you were foolish and morbid !

you always put too high a value on beauty , Avery .

she gave a little laugh at his lame conclusion .

that was so like the old Walter .

then her eyes filled with tears as he took her in his arms .

the door of the blue room opened .

Jims did not look up .

it was Aunt Augusta , of course and she had heard the whole story .

" Jims , boy . "

Jims lifted his miserable eyes .

it was Uncle Walter but a different Uncle Walter an Uncle Walter with laughing eyes and a strange radiance of youth about him .

" poor , lonely little fellow , " said Uncle Walter unexpectedly .

" Jims , would you like Miss Avery to come here and live with us always and be your real aunt ? "

" great snakes ! " said Jims , transformed in a second .

" is there any chance of that ? "

" there is a certainty , thanks to you , " said Uncle Walter .

" you can go over to see her for a little while .

but Jims had swung down through the pine and was tearing across the Garden of Spices .

the Girl and the Photograph

when I heard that Peter Austin was in Vancouver I hunted him up .

Peter was a jolly little round freckled chap .

this was the one point upon which we always disagreed .

Peter couldn't endure girls ; I was devoted to them by the wholesale .

the Croyden girls were pretty and vivacious .

I had a score of flirtations during my brief sojourn among them .

it was ten years ago , but I had never been quite able to forget that girl 's face .

yet I had seen it but once and then only for a moment .

she was very young no more than sixteen ; yet the face and eyes were already those of a woman .

such a face !

Beautiful ?

yes , but I thought of that afterward , when I was alone .

there was something in the face of that child-woman I had never seen before and was destined never to see again in any other face .

careless boy though I was , it stirred me to the deeps .

when I returned home I questioned my cousins diplomatically as to who she might be .

I felt strangely reluctant to do so it seemed in some way sacrilege ; yet only by so doing could I hope to discover her .

my disappointment was so bitter that I laughed at myself .

but when I remembered her eyes , my wisdom forgave me .

well , that was ten years ago ; in those ten years the memory had , I must confess , grown dimmer .

in our busy western life a man had not much time for sentimental recollections .

yet I had never been able to care for another woman .

I wanted to ; I wanted to marry and settle down .

but , somehow , I shirked the matter .

it seemed rather easier to let things slide .

at this stage Peter came west .

they were stuck around everywhere and they were all pretty .

either Peter had excellent taste , or the Croyden photographers knew how to flatter .

but there was one on the mantel which attracted my attention especially .

if the photo were to be trusted the girl was quite the prettiest I had ever seen .

" Peter , what pretty girl 's picture is this on your mantel ? "

I called out to Peter , who was in his bedroom , donning evening dress for some function .

" that 's my cousin , Marian Lindsay , " he answered .

" she is rather nice-looking , isn't she .

lives in Croyden now used to live up the river at Chiselhurst .

didn't you ever chance across her when you were in Croyden ? "

" no , " I said .

" if I had I wouldn't have forgotten her face . "

" well , she 'd be only a kid then , of course .

she 's twenty-six now .

Marian is a mighty nice girl , but she 's bound to be an old maid .

she 's got notions ideals , she calls ' em .

Marian really hasn't a spark of feeling or sentiment in her .

her looks are the best part of her , although she 's confoundedly clever . "

Peter spoke rather squiffily .

I suspected that he had been one of the smitten swains himself .

Peter escaped with the most important of his goods and chattels , but all the counterfeit presentments of his dear divinities went up in smoke .

if he ever thought particularly of Marian Lindsay 's photograph he must have supposed that it shared the fate of the others .

as for me , I propped my ill-gotten treasure up on my mantel and worshipped it for a fortnight .

but I rated myself for this nonsense .

it was in the highest degree unlikely that I should ever meet the girl of the pines again .

if she were still living she was probably some other man 's wife .

I would think no more about it .

Peter whistled when he heard what I had to say .

" of course I 'll do it , old man , " he said obligingly .

" but I warn you I don't think it will be much use .

Marian isn't the sort of girl to open up a correspondence in such a fashion .

however , I 'll do the best I can for you . "

" do .

tell her I 'm a respectable fellow with no violent bad habits and all that .

I 'm in earnest , Peter .

I want to make that girl 's acquaintance , and this seems the only way at present .

I can't get off just now for a trip east .

explain all this , and use your cousinly influence in my behalf if you possess any . "

Peter grinned .

" it 's not the most graceful job in the world you are putting on me , Curtis , " he said .

" I don't mind owning up now that I was pretty far gone on Marian myself two years ago .

it 's all over now , but it was bad while it lasted .

perhaps Marian will consider your request more favourably if I put it in the light of a favour to myself .

she must feel that she owes me something for wrecking my life . "

Peter grinned again and looked at the one photo he had contrived to rescue from the fire .

it was a pretty , snub-nosed little girl .

she would never have consoled me for the loss of Marian Lindsay , but every man to his taste .

in due time Peter sought me out to give me his cousin 's answer .

" Congratulations , Curtis .

you 've out-Caesared Caesar .

you 've conquered without even going and seeing .

Marian agrees to a friendly correspondence with you .

I am amazed , I admit even though I did paint you up as a sort of Sir Galahad and Lancelot combined .

I 'm not used to seeing proud Marian do stunts like that , and it rather takes my breath . "

I wrote to Marian Lindsay after one farewell dream of the girl under the pines .

when Marian 's letters began to come regularly I forgot the other one altogether .

such letters such witty , sparkling , clever , womanly , delightful letters !

they completed the conquest her picture had begun .

before we had corresponded six months I was besottedly in love with this woman whom I had never seen .

finally , I wrote and told her so , and I asked her to be my wife .

a fortnight later her answer came .

could I not arrange to visit Croyden in the summer ?

until then we would better continue on our present footing .

Peter had at first tormented me mercilessly about the affair , but when he saw I did not like his chaff he stopped it .

Peter was always a good fellow .

" good luck to you , " he said .

" if you win Marian Lindsay you 'll win a pearl among women .

I haven't been able to grasp her taking to you in this fashion , though .

it 's so unlike Marian .

but , since she undoubtedly has , you are a lucky man . "

I arrived in Croyden at dusk and went to Uncle Tom 's .

I was secretly annoyed , for I wanted to hasten at once to Marian .

but I couldn't decently get away , and on second thoughts I was consoled by the reflection that she would probably come to the party .

I knew she belonged to the same social set as Uncle Tom 's girls .

I should , however , have preferred our meeting to have been under different circumstances .

from my stand behind the palms in a corner I eagerly scanned the guests as they arrived .

suddenly my heart gave a bound .

Marian Lindsay had just come in .

I recognized her at once from her photograph .

she was , moreover , gowned with a taste and smartness eminently admirable in the future Mrs Eric Curtis .

I felt a thrill of proprietary pride as I stepped out from behind the palms .

she was talking to Aunt Grace ; but her eyes fell on me .

Edna laughed .

" so you have succumbed at first sight to our Croyden beauty ?

of course I 'll introduce you , but I warn you beforehand that she is the most incorrigible flirt in Croyden or out of it .

so take care . "

it jarred on me to hear Marian called a flirt .

it seemed so out of keeping with her letters and the womanly delicacy and fineness revealed in them .

we had crossed the room during this reflection .

Marian turned and stood before us , smiling at Edna , but evincing no recognition whatever of myself .

it is a piquant experience to find yourself awaiting an introduction to a girl to whom you are virtually engaged .

" Dorothy dear , " said Edna , " this is my cousin , Mr Curtis , from Vancouver .

Eric , this is Miss Armstrong . "

I suppose I bowed .

habit carries us mechanically through many impossible situations .

I don't know what I looked like or what I said , if I said anything .

I don't suppose I betrayed my dire confusion , for Edna went off unconcernedly without another glance at me .

Dorothy Armstrong !

gracious powers who where why ?

if this girl was Dorothy Armstrong who was Marian Lindsay ?

to whom was I engaged ?

I stammered like a schoolboy .

" I oh I your face seems familiar to me , Miss Armstrong .

I I think I must have seen your photograph somewhere . "

" probably in Peter Austin 's collection , " smiled Miss Armstrong .

" he had one of mine before he was burned out .

how is he ? "

" Peter ?

oh , he 's well , " I replied vaguely .

I was thinking a hundred words to the second , but my thoughts arrived nowhere .

I was staring at Miss Armstrong like a man bewitched .

she must have thought me a veritable booby .

" oh , by the way can you tell me do you know a Miss Lindsay in Croyden ? "

Miss Armstrong looked surprised and a little bored .

evidently she was not used to having newly introduced young men inquiring about another girl .

" Marian Lindsay ?

oh , yes . "

" is she here tonight ? "

I said .

" does she oh does she look like you at all ? "

I inquired idiotically .

amusement glimmered but over Miss Armstrong 's boredom .

she probably concluded that I was some harmless lunatic .

" like me ?

not at all .

there couldn't be two people more dissimilar .

Marian is quite dark .

I am fair .

and our features are altogether unlike .

why , good evening , Jack .

yes , I believe I did promise you this dance . "

she bowed to me and skimmed away with Jack .

I saw Aunt Grace bearing down upon me and fled incontinently .

in my own room I flung myself on a chair and tried to think the matter out .

where did the mistake come in ?

how had it happened ?

I shut my eyes and conjured up the vision of Peter 's room that day .

that must have been Marian Lindsay 's , and Peter had thought I meant it .

and now what a position I was in !

I was conscious of bitter disappointment .

I had fallen in love with Dorothy Armstrong 's photograph .

as far as external semblance goes it was she whom I loved .

it was useless to remember that Peter had said she was pretty .

was ever unlucky wretch in such a predicament before ?

well , there was only one thing to do .

I must stand by my word .

Marian Lindsay was the woman I had asked to marry me , whose answer I must shortly go to receive .

if that answer were " yes " I must accept the situation and banish all thought of Dorothy Armstrong 's pretty face .

next evening at sunset I went to " Glenwood , " the Lindsay place .

doubtless , an eager lover might have gone earlier , but an eager lover I certainly was not .

in its books and pictures and flowers it spoke eloquently of dainty femininity .

somehow , it suited the letters .

I did not feel quite so much the stranger as I had felt .

nevertheless , when I heard a light footfall on the stairs my heart beat painfully .

I stood up and turned to the door , but I could not look up .

with an effort I raised my eyes and looked at her .

she stood , tall and gracious , in a ruby splendour of sunset falling through the window beside her .

yet it was not of her beauty I thought as I stood spellbound before her .

I took an unsteady step forward .

" Marian ? "

I said .

when I got home that night I burned Dorothy Armstrong 's photograph .

it is the only secret I have ever kept from my wife .

before we were married Marian told me something .

" I always remembered you as you looked that day under the pines , " she said .

" I was only a child , but I think I loved you then and ever afterwards .

when I dreamed my girl 's dream of love your face rose up before me .

I had the advantage of you that I knew your name I had heard of you .

when Peter wrote about you I knew who you were .

that was why I agreed to correspond with you .

I was afraid it was a forward an unwomanly thing to do .

but it seemed my chance for happiness and I took it .

I am glad I did . "

I did not answer in words , but lovers will know how I did answer .

the Gossip of Valley View

he had not succeeded in " fooling " a single person , although he had tried repeatedly .

one and all , old and young , of his intended victims had been too wary for Julius .

hence , Julius was disgusted and ready for anything in the way of a stratagem or a spoil .

the Barrett gatepost topped the highest hill in Valley View .

Dan was a young man who took life and himself very seriously .

he seldom smiled , never joked , and had a Washingtonian reputation for veracity .

Dan had never told a conscious falsehood in his life ; he never even exaggerated .

Julius , beholding Dan 's solemn face , was seized with a perfectly irresistible desire to " fool " him .

" have you heard the news , Dan ? " he asked .

" no , what is it ? " asked Dan .

" I dunno's I ought to tell it , " said Julius reflectively .

" it 's kind of a family affair , but then Adelia didn't say not to , and anyway it 'll be all over the place soon .

so I 'll tell you , Dan , if you 'll promise never to tell who told you .

Adelia Williams and Young Thomas Everett are going to be married . "

Julius delivered himself of this tremendous lie with a transparently earnest countenance .

yet Dan , credulous as he was , could not believe it all at once .

" Git out , " he said .

" it 's true , ' pon my word , " protested Julius .

" Adelia was up last night and told Ma all about it .

Ma 's her cousin , you know .

the wedding is to be in June , and Adelia asked Ma to help her get her quilts and things ready . "

nevertheless , in view of Julius 's circumstantial statements , the amazing news must be true , and Dan was instantly agog to carry it further .

Julius watched Dan and the grey mare out of sight , fairly writhing with ecstasy .

oh , but Dan had been easy !

the story would be all over Valley View in twenty-four hours .

Julius laughed until he came near to falling off the gatepost .

at this point Julius and Danny drop out of our story , and Young Thomas enters .

it was two days later when Young Thomas heard that he was to be married to Adelia Williams in June .

Eben Clark , the blacksmith , told him when he went to the forge to get his horse shod .

Young Thomas laughed his big jolly laugh .

valley View gossip had been marrying him off for the last thirty years , although never before to Adelia Williams .

" it 's news to me , " he said tolerantly .

Eben grinned broadly .

" ah , you can't bluff it off like that , Tom , " he said .

" the news came too straight this time .

well , I was glad to hear it , although I was mighty surprised .

I never thought of you and Adelia .

but she 's a fine little woman and will make you a capital wife . "

Young Thomas grunted and drove away .

in the end it rather annoyed Young Thomas .

he drove home at last in what was for him something of a temper .

how on earth had that fool story started ?

with such detailed circumstantiality of rugs and quilts , too ?

Adelia Williams must be going to marry somebody , and the Valley View gossips , unable to locate the man , had guessed Young Thomas .

they were to go in a month 's time .

next day , three people who came to see Young Thomas on business congratulated him on his approaching marriage .

young Thomas , who had recovered his usual good humour , merely laughed .

there was no use in being too earnest in denial , he thought .

he knew that his unusual fit of petulance with his housekeeper had only convinced her that the story was true .

it would die away in time , as other similar stories had died , he thought .

valley View gossip was imaginative .

Young Thomas looked rather serious , however , when the minister and his wife called that evening and referred to the report .

young Thomas gravely said that it was unfounded .

the minister looked graver still and said he was sorry he had hoped it was true .

" dang it all , " said Young Thomas , as they drove away , " they 'll marry me yet in spite of myself . "

the gossip made him think about Adelia Williams .

he had never thought about her before ; he was barely acquainted with her .

now he remembered that she was a plump , jolly-looking little woman , noted for being a good housekeeper .

next Sunday in church Young Thomas looked at Adelia Williams .

he caught Adelia looking at him .

Adelia blushed and looked guiltily away .

" dang it all , " reflected Young Thomas , forgetting that he was in church .

" I suppose she has heard that fool story too .

I 'd like to know the person who started it ; man or woman , I 'd punch their head . "

nevertheless , Young Thomas went on looking at Adelia by fits and starts , although he did not again catch Adelia looking at him .

he noticed that she had round rosy cheeks and twinkling brown eyes .

she did not look like an old maid , and Young Thomas wondered that she had been allowed to become one .

Sarah Barnett , now , to whom report had married him a year ago , looked like a dried sour apple .

for the next four weeks the story haunted Young Thomas like a spectre .

down it would not .

everywhere he went he was joked about it .

it gathered fresh detail every week .

Young Thomas kept wondering who the man could be , for he was convinced that Adelia was going to marry somebody .

more than that , once he caught himself wondering enviously .

Adelia was a nice-looking woman , and he had not so far heard of any probable housekeeper .

" dang it all , " said Young Thomas to himself in desperation .

" I wouldn't care if it was true . "

his married sister from Carlisle heard the story and came over to investigate .

Young Thomas denied it shortly , and his sister scolded .

she had devoutly hoped it was true , she said , and it would have been a great weight off her mind .

" this house is in a disgraceful condition , Thomas , " she said severely .

" it would break Mother 's heart if she could rise out of her grave to see it .

and Adelia Williams is a perfect housekeeper . "

" you didn't use to think so much of the Williams crowd , " said Young Thomas drily .

" oh , some of them don't amount to much , " admitted Maria , " but Adelia is all right . "

catching sight of an odd look on Young Thomas 's face , she added hastily , " Thomas Everett , I believe it 's true after all .

now , is it ?

for mercy 's sake don't be so sly .

you might tell me , your own and only sister , if it is . "

" oh , shut up , " was Young Thomas 's unfeeling reply to his own and only sister .

Young Thomas told himself that night that Valley View gossip would drive him into an asylum yet if it didn't let up .

he also wondered if Adelia was as much persecuted as himself .

no doubt she was .

he never could catch her eye in church now , but he would have been surprised had he realized how many times he tried to .

Charles and he had been chums in their boyhood .

they corresponded occasionally still , although it was twenty years since Charles had gone west .

the letter was to congratulate Young Thomas on his approaching marriage .

Charles had heard of it through some Valley View correspondents of his wife .

he was much pleased ; he had always liked Adelia , he said had been an old beau of hers , in fact .

Thomas might give her a kiss for him if he liked .

he forwarded a wedding present by express and hoped they would be very happy , etc .

the present was an elaborate hatrack of polished buffalo horns , mounted on red plush , with an inset mirror .

Young Thomas set it up on the kitchen table and scowled moodily at his reflection in the mirror .

if wedding presents were beginning to come , it was high time something was done .

the matter was past being a joke .

" I 'll marry , " said Young Thomas decisively .

" if Adelia Williams won't have me , I 'll marry the first woman who will , if it 's Sarah Barnett herself . "

Young Thomas shaved and put on his Sunday suit .

as soon as it was safely dark , he hied him away to Adelia Williams .

he felt very doubtful about his reception , but the remembrance of the twinkle in Adelia 's brown eyes comforted him .

" dang it all , though , I hope she will take me , " said Young Thomas .

" I 'm in for getting married now and no mistake .

and I can't get Adelia out of my head .

I 've been thinking of her steady ever since that confounded gossip began . "

when he knocked at Adelia 's door he discovered that his face was wet with perspiration .

Adelia opened the door and started when she saw him ; then she turned very red and stiffly asked him in .

young Thomas went in and sat down , wondering if all men felt so horribly uncomfortable when they went courting .

Adelia stooped low over the woodbox to put a stick of wood in the stove , for the May evening was chilly .

her shoulders were shaking ; the shaking grew worse ; suddenly Adelia laughed hysterically and , sitting down on the woodbox , continued to laugh .

Young Thomas eyed her with a friendly grin .

" oh , do excuse me , " gasped poor Adelia , wiping tears from her eyes .

" this is dreadful I didn't mean to laugh I don't know why I 'm laughing but I can't help it . "

she laughed helplessly again .

Young Thomas laughed too .

his embarrassment vanished in the mellowness of that laughter .

Adelia nodded .

" I 've been persecuted to the verge of insanity with it , " she said .

" every soul I 've seen has tormented me about it , and people have written me about it .

I 've denied it till I was black in the face , but nobody believed me .

I can't find out how it started .

I hope you believe , Mr Everett , that it couldn't possibly have arisen from anything I said .

I 've felt dreadfully worried for fear you might think it did .

I 've felt dreadful bad over the whole affair .

" no , I 'm not going to be married to anybody , " said Adelia with a laugh , taking up her knitting .

" I 'm glad of that , " said Young Thomas gravely .

Adelia laid down her knitting and blushed crimson .

but she looked at Young Thomas squarely and reproachfully .

" you needn't think you are bound to say that because of the gossip , Mr Everett , " she said quietly .

" oh , I don't , " said Young Thomas earnestly .

it just seemed to me that you were the very woman for me if you 'd only take me .

Will you , Adelia ?

I 've got a good farm and house , and I 'll try to make you happy . "

it was not a very romantic wooing , perhaps .

but Adelia was forty and had never been a romantic little body even in the heyday of youth .

she was a practical woman , and Young Thomas was a fine looking man of his age with abundance of worldly goods .

besides , she liked him , and the gossip had made her think a good deal about him of late .

" I 'll I'll think of it , " she said .

this was practically an acceptance , and Young Thomas so understood it .

without loss of time he crossed the kitchen , sat down beside Adelia , and put his arms about her plump waist .

" here 's a kiss Charlie sent me to give you , " he said , giving it .

the Letters

Just before the letter was brought to me that evening I was watching the red November sunset from the library window .

the poor dead leaves yet not quite dead !

there was still enough unquiet life left in them to make them restless and forlorn .

why should they and I be vexed with these transient breaths of desire for a life that had passed us by ?

but now they fell away from me at sight of the emptiness of life .

the emptiness !

ah , it was from that I shrank .

I could have faced pain and anxiety and heartbreak undauntedly , but I could not face that terrible , yawning , barren emptiness .

she is a brave woman indeed who can look upon such a prospect unquailingly , and I was not brave .

I was weak and timid .

had not Father often laughed mockingly at me because of it ?

I had always accepted this fact unresentfully and unquestioningly , but it had steeped my whole life in its tincture of bitterness .

father had never forgiven me for two things .

I was a very lonely child , with no playmates or companions of any sort , and my girlhood was lonelier still .

the only passion in my life was my love for my father .

I would have done and suffered anything to win his affection in return .

but all I ever did win was an amused tolerance and I was grateful for that almost content .

it was much to have something to love and be permitted to love it .

if I had been a beautiful and spirited girl I think Father might have loved me , but I was neither .

a young man came around the curve of the path and , seeing my predicament , bent with murmured apology to help me .

before I thought I put out my hand and touched it softly , then I blushed crimson with shame over what I had done .

but he did not know he never knew .

when he had released my dress he rose and our eyes met for a moment as I timidly thanked him .

I saw that he was good to look upon tall and straight , with broad , stalwart shoulders and a dark , clean-cut face .

he had a firm , sensitive mouth and kindly , pleasant , dark blue eyes .

I never quite forgot the look in those eyes .

as I went homeward I wondered who he might be .

he must be a stranger , I thought probably a visitor in some of our few neighbouring families .

I wondered too if I should meet him again , and found the thought very pleasant .

I knew few men and they were all old , like Father , or at least elderly .

they were the only people who ever came to our house , and they either teased me or overlooked me .

seeing me , he laughed .

" don't waste your time gazing into mirrors , Isobel , " he said carelessly .

the needle and the cookbook are all that you need concern yourself with . "

I was accustomed to such speeches from him , but they had never hurt me so cruelly before .

at that moment I would have given all the world only to be beautiful .

the next Sunday I looked across the church , and in the Fraser pew I saw the young man I had met in the wood .

I felt a miserable sense of disappointment .

if he were the Frasers ' guest I could not expect to meet him again .

the only thing Father had ever taken pains to teach me was detestation of the Frasers and all their works .

I accepted this as I accepted all the other traditions of my race .

I thought it did not matter much .

the Frasers were not likely to come my way , and hatred was a good satisfying passion in the lack of all else .

I think I rather took a pride in hating them as became my blood .

he looked very handsome and a little sad .

" So Alan Fraser has come home , " said my father .

" Alan Fraser ? "

I repeated , with a strange , horrible feeling of coldness and chill coming over me like a shadow on a bright day .

Alan Fraser , the son of old Malcolm Fraser of Glenellyn !

the son of our enemy !

he had been living since childhood with his dead mother 's people , so much I knew .

and this was he !

something stung and smarted in my eyes .

I think the sting and smart might have turned to tears if Father had not been looking down at me .

" yes .

didn't you see him in his father 's pew ?

but I forgot .

you are too demure to be looking at the young men in preaching or out of it , Isobel .

you are a model young woman .

Odd that the men never like the model young women !

curse old Malcolm Fraser !

what right has he to have a son like that when I have nothing but a puling girl ?

he is your enemy and the enemy of your race .

you will show him that you realize this . "

of course that ended it all though just what there had been to end would have been hard to say .

not long afterwards I met Alan Fraser again , when I was out for a canter on my mare .

he was strolling through the beech wood with a couple of big collies , and he stopped short as I drew near .

I had to do it Father had decreed my Shirley pride demanded that I should do it .

I looked him unseeingly in the face , struck my mare a blow with my whip , and dashed past him .

I even felt angry , I think , that a Fraser should have the power to make me feel so badly in doing my duty .

after that I had forgotten .

there was nothing to make me remember , for I never met Alan Fraser again .

the years slipped by , one by one , so like each other in their colourlessness that I forgot to take account of them .

I only knew that I grew older and that it did not matter since there was nobody to care .

one day they brought Father in , white-lipped and groaning .

his mare had thrown him , and he was never to walk again , although he lived for five years .

those five years had been the happiest of my life .

for the first time I was necessary to someone there was something for me to do which nobody else could do so well .

people said I " did my duty " toward him .

I had never liked that word " duty , " since the day I had ridden past Alan Fraser in the beech wood .

I could not connect it with what I did for Father .

it was my delight because I loved him .

I did not mind the moods and the irritable outbursts that drove others from him .

but now he was dead , and I sat in the sullen dusk , wishing that I need not go on with life either .

the loneliness of the big echoing house weighed on my spirit .

I was solitary , without companionship .

by that light I knew Alan Fraser must have returned from his long sojourn abroad , for it only shone when he was at Glenellyn .

he still lived there , something of a hermit , people said ; he had never married , and he cared nothing for society .

so much I knew in a vague way .

people said that he had inherited and cherished the old hatred of the Shirleys that he was very bitter against us .

I believed it .

I looked at it curiously before I opened it , wondering from whom it was .

it was postmarked from a city several miles away , and the firm , decided , rather peculiar handwriting was strange to me .

I had no correspondents .

after Father 's death I had received a few perfunctory notes of condolence from distant relatives and family friends .

I hated those letters for their implied injustice .

I was not thankful for my " release . "

I missed Father miserably and longed passionately for the very tasks and vigils that had evoked their pity .

this letter did not seem like one of those .

I opened it and took out some stiff , blackly written sheets .

they were undated and , turning to the last , I saw that they were unsigned .

with a not unpleasant tingling of interest I sat down by my desk to read .

the letter began abruptly :

you will not know by whom this is written .

do not seek to know now or ever .

dear lady , let me say to you thus what is in my heart .

to such a nature bereavement must bring a depth and an agony of grief unknown to shallower souls .

I know what your father 's helplessness and need of you meant to you .

believe me , dear lady , it will be neither .

courage will come to you with the kind days .

you will find noble tasks to do , beautiful and gracious duties waiting along your path .

I believe in you .

I believe you will make of your life a beautiful and worthy thing .

I give you Godspeed for the years to come .

out of my own loneliness I , an unknown friend , who has never clasped your hand , send this message to you .

I understand I have always understood and I say to you : " be of good cheer . "

to say that this strange letter was a mystery to me seems an inadequate way of stating the matter .

I was completely bewildered , nor could I even guess who the writer might be , think and ponder as I might .

the letter itself implied that the writer was a stranger .

the handwriting was evidently that of a man , and I knew no man who could or would have sent such a letter to me .

the very mystery stung me to interest .

an hour before , this would not have seemed to me possible ; now it seemed the right and natural thing to do .

a week later another letter came .

I welcomed it with an eagerness which I feared was almost childish .

it was a much longer letter than the first and was written in quite a different strain .

there was no apology for or explanation of the motive for writing .

it was as if the letter were merely one of a permitted and established correspondence between old friends .

the whole letter was pungent , interesting , delightful an impersonal essay on a dozen vital topics of life and thought .

only at the end was a personal note struck .

" are you interested in these things ? " ran the last paragraph .

" in what is being done and suffered and attained in the great busy world ?

I think you must be for I have seen you and read what is written in your face .

shall you have read this as a friend , I wonder a candid , uncritical , understanding friend ?

let me hope it , dear lady . "

after that every week brought me a letter ; soon those letters were the greatest interest in my life .

I had given up all attempts to solve the mystery of their coming and was content to enjoy them for themselves alone .

from week to week I looked forward to them with an eagerness that I would hardly confess , even to myself .

I had begun to look abroad in my small world for worthy work and found plenty to do .

my unknown friend evidently kept track of my expanding efforts , for he commented and criticized , encouraged and advised freely .

I found myself striving to live up to the writer 's ideal of philosophy and ambition , as pictured , often unconsciously , in his letters .

they were an intellectual stimulant as well .

they had been coming for a year before I began to reply to them .

one day a letter came that kindled my imagination and stirred my heart and soul so deeply that they insistently demanded answering expression .

I sat down at my desk and wrote a full reply to it .

the writing of that letter gave me a pleasure second only to that which the reading of his brought .

for the first time I discovered the delight of revealing my thought unhindered by the conventions .

also , I understood better why the writer of those letters had written them .

doubtless he had enjoyed doing so and was not impelled thereto simply by a purely philanthropic wish to help me .

when my letter was finished I sealed it up and locked it away in my desk with a smile at my middle-aged folly .

what , I wondered , would all my sedate , serious friends , my associates of mission and hospital committees think if they knew .

well , everybody has , or should have , a pet nonsense in her life .

I did not think mine was any sillier than some others I knew , and to myself I admitted that it was very sweet .

I knew if those letters ceased to come all savour would go out of my life .

after that I wrote a reply to every letter I received and kept them all locked up together .

it was delightful .

I wrote out all my doings and perplexities and hopes and plans and wishes yes , and my dreams .

the secret romance of it all made me look on existence with joyous , contented eyes .

gradually a change crept over the letters I received .

without ever affording the slightest clue to the identity of their writer they grew more intimate and personal .

a subtle , caressing note of tenderness breathed from them and thrilled my heart curiously .

I felt as if I were being drawn into the writer 's life , admitted into the most sacred recesses of his thoughts and feelings .

finally a letter came my first love letter , and surely never was a love letter received under stranger circumstances .

it began abruptly as all the letters had begun , plunging into the middle of the writer 's strain of thought without any preface .

the first words drove the blood to my heart and then sent it flying hotly all over my face .

I love you .

I must say it at last .

have you not guessed it before ?

it has trembled on my pen in every line I have written to you yet I have never dared to shape it into words before .

I know not how I dare now .

I only know that I must .

what a delight to write it out and know that you will read it .

tonight the mood is on me to tell it to you recklessly and lavishly , never pausing to stint or weigh words .

ever since I first saw you I have loved you .

it matters not to you , but it matters more than all else in life to me .

I am glad that I love you , dear glad , glad , glad .

there was much more , for it was a long letter .

when I had read it I buried my burning face in my hands , trembling with happiness .

this strange confession of love meant so much to me ; my heart leaped forth to meet it with answering love .

what mattered it that we could never meet that I could not even guess who my lover was ?

somewhere in the world was a love that was mine alone and mine wholly and mine forever .

what mattered his name or his station , or the mysterious barrier between us ?

spirit leaped to spirit unhindered over the fettering bounds of matter and time .

I loved and was beloved .

nothing else mattered .

I wrote my answer to his letter .

I wrote it fearlessly and unstintedly .

I kept nothing back , and across the gulf between us I vowed a faithful and enduring love in response to his .

the next day I went to town on business with my lawyers .

as I sat down my eyes fell on a folded letter lying on the table beside me .

with a shock of surprise I recognized the writing .

I could not be mistaken I should have recognized it anywhere .

the letter was lying by its envelope , so folded that only the middle third of the page was visible .

an irresistible impulse swept over me .

I laid it down again and stood up , dizzy , breathless , unseeing .

like a woman in a dream I walked through the outer office and into the street .

I must have walked on for blocks before I became conscious of my surroundings .

the name I had seen signed to that letter was Alan Fraser !

no doubt the reader has long ago guessed it has wondered why I had not .

the fact remains that I had not .

and yet I now wondered at my long blindness .

no one else could have written those letters no one but him .

and he loved me !

I thought of the old feud and hatred ; I thought of my pride and traditions .

they seemed like the dust and ashes of outworn things things to be smiled at and cast aside .

then , summoning my groom , I bade him ride to Glenellyn with it .

his look of amazement almost made me laugh , but after he was gone I felt dizzy and frightened at my own daring .

I hardly knew what I hoped or expected , but I was all athrill with a nameless , inexplicable happiness .

I admit I looked very eagerly into the mirror when I was done , and I thought that the result was not unpleasing .

beauty had never been mine , but a faint reflection of it came over me in the tremulous flush and excitement of the moment .

then the maid came up to tell me that Alan Fraser was in the library .

I went down with my cold hands tightly clasped behind me .

when he saw me he came quickly forward .

" so you know and you are not angry your letters told me so much .

I have loved you since that day in the beech wood , Isobel Isobel . "

his eyes were kindling into mine .

he held my hands in a close , impetuous clasp .

his voice was infinitely caressing as he pronounced my name .

I had never heard it since Father died I had never heard it at all so musically and tenderly uttered .

my ancestors might have turned in their graves just then but it mattered not .

living love had driven out dead hatred .

" Isobel , " he went on , " there was one letter unanswered the last . "

I went to my desk , took out the last letter I had written and gave it to him in silence .

while he read it I stood in a shadowy corner and watched him , wondering if life could always be as sweet as this .

when he had finished he turned to me and held out his arms .

I went to them as a bird to her nest , and with his lips against mine the old feud was blotted out forever .

the Life-Book of Uncle Jesse

uncle Jesse !

I was to learn one day what it was for which Uncle Jesse looked .

it cannot be denied that Uncle Jesse was a homely man .

he told Mother once that he 'd rather like to be made over again and made handsome .

but I reckon He knew what He was about , as a good Captain should .

some of us have to be homely or the purty ones like Miss Mary there wouldn't show up so well . "

I was not in the least pretty but Uncle Jesse was always telling me I was and I loved him for it .

all women were lovely and of good report in his eyes , because of one he had loved .

the wretched man who did it fairly cringed when Uncle Jesse turned on him with lightning of eye and thundercloud of brow .

we went to Golden Gate in the spring .

mother 's health had not been good and her doctor recommended sea air and quiet .

the key is in the possession of an old sailor living nearby Jesse Boyd is the name , I think .

I imagine you can be very comfortable in it .

uncle James 's offer fitted in very opportunely with our limp family purse , and we straightway betook ourselves to Golden Gate .

the view from our door was magnificent , taking in the big harbour and sweeps of purple hills beyond .

truly , it was a golden gate through which one might sail to " faerie lands forlorn . "

" welcome , ladies , " he said , holding out a big , hard , but scrupulously clean hand .

I just delight in being neighbourly and ' tain't often I have the chance . "

we found that Uncle Jesse 's " cup of tea " meant a veritable spread .

we were cronies , her and me .

I miss her terrible " and adorned it with mayflowers which , as we afterwards discovered , he had tramped several miles to gather .

" thought they 'd be tasty after travelling , " said Uncle Jesse .

" they 're fresh as trout can be , ma'am .

two hours ago they was swimming in Johnson 's pond yander .

I caught ' em yes , ma'am .

it 's about all I 'm good for now , catching trout and cod occasional .

but ' tweren't always so not by no manner of means .

I used to do other things , as you 'd admit if you saw my life-book . "

I was so hungry and tired that I did not then " rise to the bait " of Uncle Jesse 's " life-book . "

I simply wanted to begin on those trout .

mother insisted that Uncle Jesse sit down and help us eat the repast he had prepared , and he assented without undue coaxing .

" thank ye kindly .

' Twill be a real treat .

I mostly has to eat my meals alone , with the reflection of my ugly old phiz in a looking glass opposite for company .

' Tisn't often I have the chance to sit down with two such sweet purty ladies . "

he broke bread with us and from that moment we were all friends together and forever .

" if I talk too much you must jest check me , " he said seriously , but with a twinkle in his eyes .

" when I do get a chance to talk to anyone I 'm apt to run on terrible . "

but in this , as I found later , I did him injustice .

mother and I laughed and shivered over Uncle Jesse 's tales , and once we found ourselves crying .

Uncle Jesse surveyed our tears with pleasure shining out through his face like an illuminating lamp .

" I like to make folks cry that way , " he remarked .

" it 's a compliment .

but I can't do justice to the things I 've seen and helped do .

I 've got ' em all jotted down in my life-book but I haven't got the knack of writing them out properly .

but I can't .

it 's in this poor human critter , " uncle Jesse patted his breast sorrowfully , " but he can't get it out . "

when Uncle Jesse went home that evening Mother asked him to come often to see us .

" I wonder if you 'd give that invitation if you knew how likely I 'd be to accept it , " he remarked whimsically .

" which is another way of saying you wonder if I meant it , " smiled Mother .

" I do , most heartily and sincerely . "

" then I 'll come .

you 'll likely be pestered with me at any hour .

and I 'd be proud to have you drop over to visit me now and then too .

I live on that point yander .

neither me nor my house is worth coming to see .

it 's only got one room and a loft and a stovepipe sticking out of the roof for a chimney .

but I 've got a few little things lying around that I picked up in the queer corners I used to be poking my nose into .

Mebbe they 'd interest you . "

uncle Jesse 's " few little things " turned out to be the most interesting collection of curios I had ever seen .

mother and I had a beautiful summer at Golden Gate .

we lived the life of two children with Uncle Jesse as a playmate .

every day we loved the simple-souled , true , manly old sailor more and more .

he was as refreshing as a sea breeze , as interesting as some ancient chronicle .

we never tired of listening to his stories , and his quaint remarks and comments were a continual delight to us .

the milk of human kindness and the wisdom of the serpent were mingled in Uncle Jesse 's composition in delightful proportions .

one day he was absent all day and returned at nightfall .

" took a tramp back yander . "

he likes one occasional and it 's all I can do for a kindness he did me once .

I stayed all day to talk to him .

the folks fight shy of him because they think he 's an infidel .

he ain't that far gone exactly few men is , I reckon but he 's what you might call a heretic .

heretics are wicked but they 're mighty interesting .

it 's just that they 've got sorter lost looking for God , being under the impression that He 's hard to find which He ain't , never .

most of ' em blunder to Him after a while I guess .

I don't think listening to Mr Kimball 's arguments is likely to do me much harm .

mind you , I believe what I was brought up to believe .

it saves a vast of trouble and back of it all , God is good .

the trouble with Mr Kimball is , he 's a leetle too clever .

but he 'll get there sometime all right and then he 'll laugh at himself . "

nothing ever seemed to put Uncle Jesse out or depress him in any way .

" I 've kind of contracted a habit of enjoying things , " he remarked once , when Mother had commented on his invariable cheerfulness .

" it 's got so chronic that I believe I even enjoy the disagreeable things .

it 's great fun thinking they can't last .

' Old rheumatiz , ' I says , when it grips me hard , ' you 've got to stop aching sometime .

the worse you are the sooner you'll stop , perhaps .

I 'm bound to get the better of you in the long run , whether in the body or out of the body . ' "

uncle Jesse seldom came to our house without bringing us something , even if it were only a bunch of sweet grass .

" I favour the smell of sweet grass , " he said .

" it always makes me think of my mother . "

" she was fond of it ? "

" not that I knows on .

Dunno 's she ever saw any sweet grass .

uncle Jesse was a very early riser .

he seldom missed a sunrise .

a man can't pick his time for dying , Mary jest got to go when the Captain gives his sailing orders .

but if I could I 'd go out when the morning comes in there at the Gate .

I think , Mary , I 'd find lost Margaret there . "

he had already told me the story of " lost Margaret , " as he always called her .

but to Uncle Jesse those fifty years were but as yesterday when it is past .

but I 'll find her sometime .

I wisht I could tell you just how she looked but I can't .

and when there 's a storm and the waves are sobbing and moaning I hear her lamenting among them .

and when they laugh on a gay day it 's her laugh lost Margaret 's sweet little laugh .

the sea took her from me but some day I 'll find her , Mary .

it can't keep us apart forever . "

I had not been long at Golden Gate before I saw Uncle Jesse 's " life-book , " as he quaintly called it .

he needed no coaxing to show it and he proudly gave it to me to read .

it was an old leather-bound book filled with the record of his voyages and adventures .

I thought what a veritable treasure trove it would be to a writer .

every sentence was a nugget .

here were both ready to his hand , but Robert was in Japan in the interests of his paper .

we wanted him to visit us in town during the winter but he shook his head .

" it 's too far away , Mary .

if lost Margaret called me I mightn't hear her there .

I must be here when my time comes .

it can't be very far off now . "

I wrote often to Uncle Jesse through the winter and sent him books and magazines .

he enjoyed them but he thought and truly enough that none of them came up to his life-book for real interest .

in the spring we returned joyfully to Golden Gate .

all was unchanged save Uncle Jesse .

he had aged greatly and seemed frail and bent .

after he had gone home from his first call on us , Mother cried .

" uncle Jesse will soon be going to seek lost Margaret , " she said .

in June Robert came .

" Robert wants to hear some of your stories , Uncle Jesse , " I said .

" tell him the one about the captain who went crazy and imagined he was the Flying Dutchman . "

this was Uncle Jesse 's best story .

he sat there in his poor little room and made those things live again for us .

finally , he lent Robert his life-book .

Robert sat up all night reading it and came to the breakfast table in great excitement .

" Mary , this is a wonderful book .

do you suppose he would let me do it ? "

" let you !

I think he would be delighted , " I answered .

and he was .

he was as excited as a schoolboy over it .

at last his cherished dream was to be realized and his life-book given to the world .

" we 'll collaborate , " said Robert .

" you will give the soul and I the body .

oh , we 'll write a famous book between us , Uncle Jesse .

and we 'll get right to work . "

uncle Jesse was a happy man that summer .

he looked upon the little back room we gave up to Robert for a study as a sacred shrine .

Robert talked everything over with Uncle Jesse but would not let him see the manuscript .

" you must wait till it is published , " he said .

" then you 'll get it all at once in its best shape . "

Robert delved into the treasures of the life-book and used them freely .

he dreamed and brooded over lost Margaret until she became a vivid reality to him and lived in his pages .

as the book progressed it took possession of him and he worked at it with feverish eagerness .

it was autumn when the book was finished .

Robert went back to town , but Mother and I decided to stay at Golden Gate all winter .

we loved the spot and , besides , I wished to remain for Uncle Jesse 's sake .

he was failing all the time , and after Robert went and the excitement of the book-making was past , he failed still more rapidly .

his tramping expeditions were over and he seldom went out in his boat .

neither did he talk a great deal .

the only keen interest he still had was in Robert 's book .

he waited and watched impatiently for its publication .

" I want to live till I see it , " he said , " just that long then I 'll be ready to go .

he said it would be out in the spring I must hang on till it comes , Mary . "

there were times when I doubted sadly if he would " hang on . "

as the winter wore away he grew frailer and frailer .

but ever he looked forward to the coming of spring and " the book , " his book , transformed and glorified .

one day in young April the book came at last .

the book was there .

I shall never forget Uncle Jesse 's face as I handed it to him .

I came away and left him reading it , oblivious to all else .

I wondered how he would like the ending the ending I had suggested .

I was never to know .

after breakfast I went over to Uncle Jesse 's house , taking some little delicacy Mother had cooked for him .

it was an exquisite morning , full of delicate spring tints and sounds .

beyond the Gate was a shining , wonderful sea .

when I reached the little house on the point I saw the lamp still burning wanly in the window .

a quick alarm struck at my heart .

without waiting to knock , I lifted the latch , and entered .

uncle Jesse was lying on the old sofa by the window , with the book clasped to his heart .

the Little Black Doll

Mrs Roderick Marshall thought it very good of herself to do so much for Denise .

to be sure , Denise was not much bother , and Little Joyce did most of the waiting on her .

it was the opportunity of a lifetime the Marshalls would not have missed it for anything .

but when you are shy and homely and thin and awkward , your grandmother never takes you anywhere .

at least , such was Little Joyce 's belief .

Little Joyce knew quite well that Grandmother Marshall did not like her .

she thought it was because she was so plain and awkward and in part it was .

grandmother Marshall cared very little for granddaughters who did not do her credit .

grandmother Marshall fed and clothed the child , but who could make anything of such a shy creature with no gifts or graces whatever ?

grandmother Marshall had no intention of trying .

Chrissie , the golden-haired and pink-cheeked , was Grandmother Marshall 's pet .

Little Joyce knew this .

she did not envy Chrissie but , oh , how she wished Grandmother Marshall would love her a little , too !

nobody loved her but Denise and the little black doll .

Little Joyce had no doubt at all on this point .

Little Joyce sighed so deeply over this thought that Uncle Roderick smiled at her .

uncle Roderick did smile at her sometimes .

" what is the matter , Little Joyce ? " he asked .

" I was thinking about my black doll , " said Little Joyce timidly .

" ah , your black doll .

if Madame Laurin were to see it , she 'd likely want it .

" I think Joyce 's black doll is very ugly , " said Chrissie .

" my wax doll with the yellow hair is ever so much prettier . "

" my black doll isn't ugly , " cried Little Joyce indignantly .

she could endure to be called ugly herself , but she could not bear to have her darling black doll called ugly .

in her excitement she upset her cup of tea over the tablecloth .

aunt Isabella looked angry , and Grandmother Marshall said sharply : " Joyce , leave the table .

you grow more awkward and careless every day . "

Little Joyce , on the verge of tears , crept away and went up the kitchen stairs to Denise to be comforted .

but Denise herself had been crying .

" oh !

I want so much to hear Madame Laurin sing , " she sobbed .

" I feel lak I could die easier if I hear her sing just one leetle song .

she is Frenchwoman , too , and she sing all de ole French songs de ole songs my mudder sing long ' go .

oh !

I so want to hear Madame Laurin sing . "

" but you can't , dear Denise , " said Little Joyce very softly , stroking Denise 's hot forehead with her cool , slender hand .

Little Joyce had very pretty hands , only nobody had ever noticed them .

" you are not strong enough to go to the concert .

I 'll sing for you , if you like .

of course , I can't sing very well , but I 'll do my best . "

" you sing lak a sweet bird , but you are not Madame Laurin , " said Denise restlessly .

" it is de great Madame I want to hear .

I haf not long to live .

I know it is impossible but I long for it so just one leetle song . "

Denise put her thin hands over her face and sobbed again .

Little Joyce went and sat down by the window , looking out into the white birches .

her heart ached bitterly .

Dear Denise was going to die soon oh , very soon !

Little Joyce , wise and knowing beyond her years , saw that .

and Denise wanted to hear Madame Laurin sing .

at the breakfast table next morning the Marshalls talked about the concert and the wonderful Madame Laurin .

Little Joyce listened in her usual silence ; her crying the night before had not improved her looks any .

never , thought handsome Grandmother Marshall , had she appeared so sallow and homely .

really , Grandmother Marshall could not have the patience to look at her .

she decided that she would not take Joyce driving with her and Chrissie that afternoon , as she had thought of , after all .

in the forenoon it was discovered that Denise was much worse , and the doctor was sent for .

he came , and shook his head , that being really all he could do under the circumstances .

" is Denise going to die ? "

Little Joyce asked in the blunt , straightforward fashion Grandmother Marshall found so trying .

" yes , " he said .

" Soon ? "

" very soon , I 'm afraid .

In a few days at most . "

" thank you , " said Little Joyce gravely .

she went to her room and did something with the black doll .

she did not cry , but if you could have seen her face you would have wished she would cry .

after dinner Grandmother Marshall and Chrissie drove away , and Uncle Roderick and Aunt Isabella went away , too .

Little Joyce crept up to the kitchen chamber .

Denise was lying in an uneasy sleep , with tear stains on her face .

then Little Joyce tiptoed down and sped away to the hotel .

Little Joyce stopped before her and looked at her meditatively .

perhaps it would be well to ask advice of this lady .

will you tell me the best way to go about seeing her ?

I shall be much obliged to you . "

" what is the favour you want to ask of Madame Laurin ? " inquired the lady , smiling .

" I want to ask her if she will come and sing for Denise before she dies before Denise dies , I mean .

it is very bitter , you know , to be dying and want something very much and not be able to get it . "

" do you think Madame Laurin will go ? " asked the lady .

" I don't know .

I am going to offer her my little black doll .

if she will not come for that , there is nothing else I can do . "

a flash of interest lighted up the lady 's brown eyes .

she bent forward .

" is it your doll you have in that box ?

will you let me see it ? "

Little Joyce nodded .

mutely she opened the box and took out the black doll .

the lady gave an exclamation of amazed delight and almost snatched it from Little Joyce .

it was a very peculiar little doll indeed , carved out of some black polished wood .

" child , where in the world did you get this ? " she cried .

" father got it out of a grave in Egypt , " said Little Joyce .

" it was buried with the mummy of a little girl who lived four thousand years ago , Uncle Roderick says .

she must have loved her doll very much to have had it buried with her , mustn't she ?

but she could not have loved it any more than I do . "

" and yet you are going to give it away ? " said the lady , looking at her keenly .

" for Denise 's sake , " explained Little Joyce .

" I would do anything for Denise because I love her and she loves me .

Denise was so good to me before she took sick .

she used to kiss me and play with me and make little cakes for me and tell me beautiful stories . "

the lady put the little black doll back in the box .

then she stood up and held out her hand .

" come , " she said .

" I am Madame Laurin , and I shall go and sing for Denise . "

but Madame Laurin did not seem to mind , and Little Joyce never thought about it at all .

Madame Laurin stood in the bare little room and looked pityingly at the wasted , wistful face on the pillow .

" this is Madame Laurin , and she is going to sing for you , Denise , " whispered Little Joyce .

Denise 's face lighted up , and she clasped her hands .

" if you please , " she said faintly .

" a French song , Madame de ole French song dey sing long ' go . "

then did Madame Laurin sing .

never had that kitchen chamber been so filled with glorious melody .

Song after song she sang the old folklore songs of the habitant , the songs perhaps that Evangeline listened to in her childhood .

Little Joyce knelt by the bed , her eyes on the singer like one entranced .

Denise lay with her face full of joy and rapture such joy and rapture !

Little Joyce did not regret the sacrifice of her black doll never could regret it , as long as she remembered Denise 's look .

" T'ank you , Madame , " said Denise brokenly , when Madame ceased .

" Dat was so beautiful de angel , dey cannot sing more sweet .

I love music so much , Madame .

Leetle Joyce , she sing to me often and often she sing sweet , but not lak you oh , not lak you . "

" Little Joyce must sing for me , " said Madame , smiling , as she sat down by the window .

" I always like to hear fresh , childish voices .

Will you , Little Joyce ? "

" oh , yes . "

Little Joyce was quite unembarrassed and perfectly willing to do anything she could for this wonderful woman who had brought that look to Denise 's face .

" I will sing as well as I can for you .

of course , I can't sing very well and I don't know anything but hymns .

I always sing hymns for Denise , although she is a Catholic and the hymns are Protestant .

but her priest told her it was all right , because all music was of God .

Denise 's priest is a very nice man , and I like him .

he thought my little black doll your little black doll was splendid .

I 'll sing ' Lead , Kindly Light . '

that is Denise 's favourite hymn . "

then Little Joyce , slipping her hand into Denise 's , began to sing .

" child , do you know what a wonderful voice you have what a marvellous voice ?

it is it is I never heard such a voice in a child of your age .

Mine was nothing to it nothing at all .

you will be a great singer some day far greater than I yes .

but you must have the training .

where are your parents ?

I must see them . "

" I have no parents , " said the bewildered Little Joyce .

" I belong to Grandmother Marshall , and she is out driving . "

" then I shall wait until your Grandmother Marshall comes home from her drive , " said Madame Laurin decidedly .

half an hour later a very much surprised old lady was listening to Madame Laurin 's enthusiastic statements .

but Little Joyce hung her head .

it had never occurred to her to sing in Grandmother Marshall 's presence .

" this child must be trained by-and-by , " said Madame Laurin .

" if you cannot afford it , Mrs Marshall , I will see to it .

such a voice must not be wasted . "

and I thank you very much for telling me of it . "

Madame Laurin bent and kissed Little Joyce 's brown cheek .

" little gypsy , good-by .

but come every day to this hotel to see me .

and next summer I shall be back .

I like you because some day you will be a great singer and because today you are a loving , unselfish baby . "

" you have forgotten the little black doll , Madame , " said Little Joyce gravely .

Madame threw up her hands , laughing .

" no , no , I shall not take your little black doll of the four thousand years .

keep it for a mascot .

a great singer always needs a mascot .

some day I shall show you my dolls , but there is not such a gem among them . "

when Madame Laurin had gone , Grandmother Marshall looked at Little Joyce .

" come to my room , Joyce .

I want to see if we cannot find a more becoming way of arranging your hair .

it has grown so thick and long .

I had no idea how thick and long .

yes , we must certainly find a better way than that stiff braid .

come ! "

Little Joyce , taking Grandmother Marshall 's extended hand , felt very happy .

the Man on the Train

when the telegram came from William George , Grandma Sheldon was all alone with Cyrus and Louise .

Grandma was " all in a flutter , dear , oh dear , " as she said .

Delia had always thought there was nobody like Grandma when it came to nursing sick folks .

but Samuel and his wife were both away had been away for two days and intended to be away for five more .

they had driven to Sinclair , twenty miles away , to visit with Mrs Samuel 's folks for a week .

" dear , oh dear , what shall I do ? " said Grandma .

" go right to Green Village on the evening train , " said Cyrus briskly .

" dear , oh dear , and leave you two alone ! " cried Grandma .

" Louise and I will do very well until tomorrow , " said Cyrus sturdily .

" we will send word to Sinclair by today 's mail , and Father and Mother will be home by tomorrow night . "

" but I never was on the cars in my life , " protested Grandma nervously .

" I 'm I'm so frightened to start alone .

and you never know what kind of people you may meet on the train . "

" you 'll be all right , Grandma .

I 'll drive you to the station , get you your ticket , and put you on the train .

then you 'll have nothing to do until the train gets to Green Village .

I 'll send a telegram to Uncle William George to meet you . "

" I shall fall and break my neck getting off the train , " said Grandma pessimistically .

" dear , oh dear , " said Grandma , " what if William George 's folks ain't there to meet me ?

it 's all very well , Cyrus , to say that they will be there , but you don't know .

and it 's all very well to say not to be nervous because everything will be all right .

you never know what sort of people you 'll meet on the train .

I may get on the wrong train or lose my ticket or get carried past Green Village or get my pocket picked .

well , no , I won't do that , for not one cent will I carry with me .

you shall take back home all the money you don't need to get my ticket .

then I shall be easier in my mind .

dear , oh dear , if it wasn't that Delia is so seriously ill I wouldn't go one step . "

" oh , you 'll be all right , Grandma , " assured Cyrus .

he got Grandma 's ticket for her and Grandma tied it up in the corner of her handkerchief .

then the train came in and Grandma , clinging closely to Cyrus , was put on it .

Cyrus found a comfortable seat for her and shook hands cheerily .

" good-bye , Grandma .

don't be frightened .

here 's the Weekly Argus .

I got it at the store .

you may like to look over it . "

then Cyrus was gone , and in a minute the station house and platform began to glide away .

dear , oh dear , what has happened to it ? thought Grandma in dismay .

the next moment she exclaimed aloud , " why , it 's us that 's moving , not it ! "

some of the passengers smiled pleasantly at Grandma .

after a while Grandma , to her amazement , discovered that she liked riding on the cars .

it was not at all the disagreeable experience she had expected it to be .

why , she was just as comfortable as if she were in her own rocking chair at home !

and there was such a lot of people to look at , and many of the ladies had such beautiful dresses and hats .

after all , the people you met on a train , thought Grandma , are surprisingly like the people you meet off it .

if it had not been for wondering how she would get off at Green Village , Grandma would have enjoyed herself thoroughly .

one passenger got on and , finding only one vacant seat in the crowded car , sat right down beside Grandma Sheldon .

Grandma Sheldon held her breath while she looked him over .

was he a pickpocket ?

he didn't appear like one , but you can never be sure of the people you meet on the train .

Grandma remembered with a sigh of thankfulness that she had no money .

besides , he seemed really very respectable and harmless .

he was quietly dressed in a suit of dark-blue serge with a black overcoat .

he wore his hat well down on his forehead and was clean shaven .

his hair was very black , but his eyes were blue nice eyes , Grandma thought .

she always felt great confidence in a man who had bright , open , blue eyes .

grandpa Sheldon , who had died so long ago , four years after their marriage , had had bright blue eyes .

to be sure , he had fair hair , reflected Grandma .

it 's real odd to see such black hair with such light blue eyes .

well , he 's real nice looking , and I don't believe there 's a mite of harm in him .

the early autumn night had now fallen and Grandma could not amuse herself by watching the scenery .

she bethought herself of the paper Cyrus had given her and took it out of her basket .

it was an old weekly a fortnight back .

on the first page was a long account of a murder case with scare heads , and into this Grandma plunged eagerly .

and the more shocking and cold-blooded they were , the more eagerly did Grandma read of them .

this murder story was particularly good from Grandma 's point of view ; it was full of " thrills . "

" what a shocking thing ! " said Grandma aloud .

her companion looked at her with a kindly , amused smile .

" what is it ? " he asked .

" it just makes my blood run cold to read about it .

and to think that the man who did it is still around the country somewhere plotting other murders , I haven't a doubt .

what is the good of the police ? "

" they 're dull fellows , " agreed the dark man .

" what must a man feel like who has the blood of a fellow creature on his hands ?

depend upon it , his punishment has begun already , caught or not . "

" that is true , " said the dark man quietly .

" such a good-looking man too , " said Grandma , looking wistfully at the murderer 's picture .

" it doesn't seem possible that he can have killed anybody .

but the paper says there isn't a doubt . "

" he is probably guilty , " said the dark man , " but nothing is known of his provocation .

the affair may not have been so cold-blooded as the accounts state .

those newspaper fellows never err on the side of undercolouring . "

" I really think , " said Grandma slowly , " that I would like to see a murderer just one .

whenever I say anything like that , Adelaide Adelaide is Samuel 's wife looks at me as if she thought there was something wrong about me .

and perhaps there is , but I do , all the same .

when I was a little girl , there was a man in our settlement who was suspected of poisoning his wife .

she died very suddenly .

I used to look at him with such interest .

but it wasn't satisfactory , because you could never be sure whether he was really guilty or not .

I never could believe that he was , because he was such a nice man in some ways and so good and kind to children .

I don't believe a man who was bad enough to poison his wife could have any good in him . "

" perhaps not , " agreed the dark man .

he had absent-mindedly folded up Grandma 's old copy of the Argus and put it in his pocket .

besides , just at that moment the conductor came around for tickets .

Grandma looked in the basket for her handkerchief .

it was not there .

she looked on the floor and on the seat and under the seat .

it was not there .

she stood up and shook herself still no handkerchief .

oh , where can it be ? "

the conductor scowled unsympathetically .

the dark man got up and helped Grandma search , but no ticket was to be found .

" you 'll have to pay the money then , and something extra , " said the conductor gruffly .

" I can't I haven't a cent of money , " wailed Grandma .

" I gave it all to Cyrus because I was afraid my pocket would be picked .

oh , what shall I do ? "

" don't worry .

I 'll make it all right , " said the dark man .

he took out his pocketbook and handed the conductor a bill .

that functionary grumblingly made the change and marched onward , while Grandma , pale with excitement and relief , sank back into her seat .

" I can't tell you how much I am obliged to you , sir , " she said tremulously .

" I don't know what I should have done .

would he have put me off right here in the snow ? "

" I hardly think he would have gone to such lengths , " said the dark man with a smile .

" but he 's a cranky , disobliging fellow enough I know him of old .

and you must not feel overly grateful to me .

I am glad of the opportunity to help you .

I had an old grandmother myself once , " he added with a sigh .

well , this is a lesson to me !

I 'll never trust myself on a train again , and all I wish is that I was safely off this one .

this fuss has worked my nerves all up again . "

" don't worry , Grandma .

I 'll see you safely off the train when we get to Green Village . "

" Will you , though ?

Will you , now ? " said Grandma eagerly .

" I 'll be real easy in my mind , then , " she added with a returning smile .

" I feel as if I could trust you for anything and I 'm a real suspicious person too . "

they had a long talk after that or , rather , Grandma talked and the dark man listened and smiled .

he seemed to enjoy her accounts of them too .

when they reached Green Village station he gathered up Grandma 's parcels and helped her tenderly off the train .

" anybody here to meet Mrs Sheldon ? " he asked of the station master .

the latter shook his head .

" don't think so .

haven't seen anybody here to meet anybody tonight . "

" dear , oh dear , " said poor Grandma .

" this is just what I expected .

they 've never got Cyrus 's telegram .

well , I might have known it .

what shall I do ? "

" how far is it to your son 's ? " asked the dark man .

" only half a mile just over the hill there .

but I 'll never get there alone this dark night . "

" of course not .

but I 'll go with you .

the road is good we'll do finely . "

" but that train won't wait for you , " gasped Grandma , half in protest .

" it doesn't matter .

the Starmont freight passes here in half an hour and I 'll go on her .

come along , Grandma . "

" oh , but you 're good , " said Grandma .

" some woman is proud to have you for a son . "

the man did not answer .

he had not answered any of the personal remarks Grandma had made to him in her conversation .

they were not long in reaching William George Sheldon 's house , for the village road was good and Grandma was smart on her feet .

she was welcomed with eagerness and surprise .

" to think that there was no one to meet you ! " exclaimed William George .

" but I never dreamed of your coming by train , knowing how you were set against it .

telegram ?

no , I got no telegram .

S'pose Cyrus forgot to send it .

I 'm most heartily obliged to you , sir , for looking after my mother so kindly . "

" it was a pleasure , " said the dark man courteously .

" I am delighted to have been of any assistance to her . "

he would not wait for supper the next train would be in and he must not miss it .

" there are people looking for me , " he said with his curious smile .

" they will be much disappointed if they do not find me . "

" dear , oh dear , how are we ever going to send that money to him ? " she exclaimed .

" and he so nice and goodhearted ! "

Grandma worried over this for a week in the intervals of looking after Delia .

one day William George came in with a large city daily in his hands .

" did you ever see that man , Mother ? " he asked .

" of course I did , " said Grandma excitedly .

" why , it 's the man I met on the train .

who is he ?

what is his name ?

now , we 'll know where to send "

" that is Mark Hartwell , who shot Amos Gray at Charlotteville three weeks ago , " said William George quietly .

Grandma looked at him blankly for a moment .

" it couldn't be , " she gasped at last .

" that man a murderer !

I 'll never believe it ! "

" it 's true enough , Mother .

the whole story is here .

he had shaved his beard and dyed his hair and came near getting clear out of the country .

his disguise was so perfect that there was little fear of his being recognized so long as he hid that scar .

but it was seen in Montreal and he was run to earth there .

he has made a full confession . "

" I don't care , " cried Grandma valiantly .

no , no , there was good in him even if he did kill that man .

and I 'm sure he must feel terrible over it . "

in this view Grandma persisted .

she never would say or listen to a word against Mark Hartwell , and she had only pity for him whom everyone else condemned .

with her own trembling hands she wrote him a letter to accompany the money Samuel sent before Hartwell was taken to the penitentiary for life .

Mark Hartwell had been hard and defiant enough , but the prison officials told that he cried like a child over Grandma Sheldon 's little letter .

" there 's nobody all bad , " says Grandma when she relates the story .

" I used to believe a murderer must be , but I know better now .

I think of that poor man often and often .

he was so kind and gentle to me he must have been a good boy once .

I write him a letter every Christmas and I send him tracts and papers .

he 's my own little charity .

but I 've never been on the cars since and I never will be again .

you never can tell what will happen to you or what sort of people you 'll meet if you trust yourself on a train . "

the Romance of Jedediah

Jedediah was not a name that savoured of romance .

his last name was Crane , which is little better .

and it would be no use to call this story " Mattie Adams 's Romance " because Mattie Adams is not a romantic name either .

but names have really nothing to do with romance .

Jedediah , to all outward seeming , did not appear to be any more romantic than his name .

he looked distinctly commonplace as he rode comfortably along the winding country road that was dreaming in the haze and sunshine of a midsummer afternoon .

a new broom sticking up aggressively at each of the four corners gave the wagon a resemblance to a triumphal chariot .

in fact , this was his maiden venture in this line ; hence he still looked plump and self-respecting .

Jedediah 's pudgy body was clothed in a suit of large , light checks , and he wore a bright pink necktie and an amethyst pin .

romance cares not for appearances and apparently delights in contradictions .

as Jedediah rode through Amberley he looked about him with interest .

he knew it well , although it was fifteen years since he had seen it .

he had been born and brought up in Amberley ; he had left it at the age of twenty-five to make his fortune .

but Amberley was Amberley still .

Jedediah found it hard to believe that it or himself was fifteen years older .

" there 's the Stanton place , " he said .

" Charlie has painted the house yellow it used to be white ; and Bob Hollman has cut the trees down behind the blacksmith forge .

Bob never had any poetry in his soul no romance , as you might say .

he was what you might call a plodder you might call him that .

get up , my nag , get up .

there 's the old Harkness place seems to be spruced up considerable .

the pond and the old hills ain't changed any .

get up , my nag , get up .

there 's the Adams homestead .

do I really behold it again ? "

Jedediah thought the moment deliciously romantic .

he had not intended to offer his wares in Amberley that day .

he meant to break the ice in Occidental , the village beyond .

but he could not pass the Adams place .

Jedediah 's heart was beating furiously under his checks .

" what a fool you are , Jed Crane , " he told himself .

" you used to be a young fool , and now you 're an old one .

sad , that !

get up , my nag , get up .

it 's a poor lookout for a man of your years , Jed .

don't get excited .

it ain't the least likely that Mattie Adams is here yet .

she 's married and gone years ago , no doubt .

it 's probable there 's no Adamses here at all now .

but it 's romantic , yes , it 's romantic .

it 's splendid .

get up , my nag , get up . "

the Adams place itself was not unromantic .

the house was a large , old-fashioned white one , with green shutters and a front porch with Grecian columns .

these were thought very elegant in Amberley .

Mrs Carmody said they gave a house such a classical air .

as he drew near he saw a woman sitting behind the screen a woman who rose as he approached and opened the door .

Jedediah 's heart had been beating a wild tattoo as he crossed the yard .

it now stopped altogether at least he declared in later years it did .

Jedediah felt that the situation was delicious .

" Mattie , " he said , holding out his hand .

" why , Jed , how are you ? " said Mattie , as if they had parted the week before .

it had always taken a great deal to disturb Mattie .

whatever happened she was calm .

" I didn't suppose you 'd know me , Mattie , " said Jedediah , still holding her hand foolishly .

" I knew you the minute I set eyes on you , " returned Mattie .

" you 're some fatter and older like myself but you 're Jed still .

where have you been all these years ? "

" Pretty near everywhere , Mattie pretty near everywhere .

and ye see what it 's come to here I be driving a tin-wagon for Boone Brothers .

Business is business don't you want to buy some new tinware ? "

you must stay and have tea with me , Jed .

I 'm all alone now Mother and Father have gone .

unhitch your horse and put him in the third stall in the stable . "

Jed hesitated .

" I ought to be getting on , I s'pose , " he said wistfully .

" I hain't done much today "

" you must stay to tea , " interrupted Mattie .

" why , Jed , there 's ever so much to tell and ask .

and we can't stand here in the yard and talk .

look at Selena .

there she is , watching us from the kitchen window .

she 'll watch as long as we stand here . "

Jed swung himself around .

at one of them a long , pale face was visible .

it was characteristic of Mattie to laugh first at the question , and then blush over the memory it revived .

" most of the time , I guess , " she said shortly .

" but come come in .

I never could talk under Selena 's eyes , even if they were four hundred yards away . "

Jed went in and stayed to tea .

the old Adams pantry had not failed , nor apparently the Adams skill in cooking .

as he went , Selena 's face appeared at the window of the house over the valley .

Mattie preferred to meet Selena out of doors .

it was easier to thrust and parry there .

meanwhile , she wanted to think over things .

fifteen years before Jedediah Crane had been Mattie Adams 's beau .

at least the then young and pretty Mattie had found it so .

the Adamses looked with no favour on the match .

they were a thrifty , well-to-do folk .

as for the Cranes well , they were lazy and shiftless , for the most part .

it would be a mésalliance for an Adams to marry a Crane .

this may or may not have been sheer malice .

certainly nothing that went on in the Adams yard escaped Selena .

she watched Mattie and Jed in the moonlight one night .

she saw Jed kiss Mattie .

it was the first time he had ever done so and the last , poor fellow .

for Selena swooped down on her parents the next day .

such a storm did she brew up that Mattie was forbidden to speak to Jed again .

Selena herself gave Jed a piece of her mind .

Jed usually was not afflicted with undue sensitiveness .

but he had some slumbering pride at the basis of his character and it was very stubborn when roused .

Selena roused it .

and now he had come home , driving a tin-wagon .

Mattie smiled to think of it .

she bore Jed no ill will for his failure .

she felt sorry for him and inclined to think that fate had used him hardly fate and Selena together .

Mattie had never had another beau .

People thought she was engaged to Jed Crane until her time for beaus went by .

Mattie did not mind ; she had never liked anybody so well as Jed .

to be sure , she had not thought of him for years .

it was strange he should come back like this " romantic , " as he said himself .

Mattie 's reverie was interrupted by Selena .

angular , pale-eyed Mrs Ford was as unlike the plump , rosy Mattie as a sister could be .

perhaps her chronic curiosity , which would not let her rest , was accountable for her excessive leanness .

" who was that pedlar that was here this afternoon , Mattie ? " she demanded as soon as she arrived .

Mattie smiled .

" Jed Crane , " she said .

" he 's home from the West and driving a tin-wagon for the Boones . "

Selena gave a little gasp .

she sat down on the lowest step and untied her bonnet strings .

" Mattie Adams !

and you kept him hanging about the whole afternoon . "

" why not ? " said Mattie wickedly .

she liked to alarm Selena .

" Jed and I were always beaus , you know . "

" Mattie Adams !

you don't mean to say you 're going to make a fool of yourself over Jed Crane again ?

a woman of your age ! "

" don't get excited , Selena , " implored Mattie .

in the old days Selena could cow her , but that time was past .

" I never saw the like of you for getting stirred up over nothing . "

" I 'm not excited .

I 'm perfectly calm .

but I might well be excited over your folly , Mattie Adams .

the idea of your taking up again with old Jed Crane ! "

" he 's fifteen years younger than Jim , " said Mattie , giving thrust for thrust .

when Selena had come over Mattie had not the slightest idea of resuming her former relationship with the romantic Jedediah .

she had merely shown him kindness for old friendship 's sake .

she wasn't going to put up with Selena 's everlasting interference .

she would show her that she was independent .

when a week had passed Jed came again .

their conversation was most innocent and harmless , being mainly gossip about what had come and gone during Jed 's exile .

but Mattie knew that Selena thought that she and Jed were making love to each other in this shameless , public fashion .

when Jed went , Mattie , more for Selena 's benefit than his , broke off some sprays of honeysuckle and pinned them on his coat .

the fragrance went with Jedediah as he drove through Amberley , and pleasant thoughts were born of it .

" it 's romantic , " he told the pony .

" blessed if it ain't romantic !

not that Mattie cares anything about me now .

I know she don't .

but it 's just her kind way .

she wants to cheer me up and let me know I 've a friend still .

get up , my nag , get up .

I ain't one to persoom on her kindness neither ; I know my place .

but still , say what you will , it 's romantic this sitooation .

this is it .

and she 's a-showing kindness to me for old times ' sake , and piercing my heart all the time , not knowing .

why , it 's romance with a vengeance , that 's what it is .

get up , my nag , get up . "

thereafter Jed called at the Adams place every week .

generally he stayed to tea .

Mattie always bought something of him to colour an excuse .

her kitchen fairly glittered with new tinware .

she gave Selena the overflow by way of heaping coals of fire .

he turned in under the willows and clinked musically into Mattie 's yard .

at least , the rattle of the tin-wagon sounded musically to Mattie .

meanwhile , Selena watched from her window and raged .

Amberley people shrugged their shoulders when gossip noised the matter abroad .

the Adams farm was one of the best in Amberley , and it had not grown any poorer under Mattie 's management .

" if Jed walks in there and hangs up his hat he 'll have done well for himself after all . "

this was Selena 's view of it also , barring the good nature .

she was furious at the whole affair , and she did her best to make Mattie 's life a burden to her with slurs and thrusts .

but they all misjudged Jed .

he had no intention of " walking in and hanging up his hat " or trying to .

romantic as he was , it never occurred to him that Mattie might be as romantic as himself .

Jed was determined not to " persoom . "

and , oh , how deliciously romantic it all was !

he hugged himself with sorrowful delight over it .

Tin-peddling was not possible in winter , and he didn't think he would try it another summer .

Mattie listened with dismay in her heart .

all summer she had made much of Jed , by way of tormenting Selena .

but now she realized what he really meant to her .

if Jed went away everything would be flat , stale , and unprofitable .

he was Jed that was sufficient for her , and she had business capability enough for both , when it came to that .

Mattie began to drop hints .

but Jed would not take them .

true , once or twice he thought that perhaps Mattie did care a little for him yet .

but it would not do for him to take advantage of that .

" no , I just couldn't do that , " he told the pony .

" I worship the ground that woman treads on , but it ain't for the likes of me to tell her so , not now .

get up , my nag , get up .

this has been a mighty pleasant summer with that visit to look forward to every week .

but it 's about over now and you must tramp , Jed . "

Jed sighed .

he remembered that it was more romantic than ever , but all at once this failed to comfort him .

Romance up to a certain point was food ; beyond that it palled , so to speak .

Jed 's romance failed him just when he needed it most .

Mattie , meanwhile , was forced to the dismal conclusion that her hints were thrown away .

Jed was plainly determined not to speak .

Mattie felt half angry with him .

" I 'm sure and certain he 's as fond of me as ever he was , " she mused .

" I suppose he 's got some ridiculous notion about being too poor to aspire to me .

Jed always had more pride than a Crane could carry .

well , I 've done all I can all I 'm going to do .

if Jed 's determined to go , he must go , I s'pose . "

Mattie would not let herself cry , although she felt like it .

she went out and picked apples instead .

fate had evidently destined her as Jed 's best helper .

all summer she had been fairly goading Mattie into love with Jedediah and now she was moved to add the last spur .

" Jed Crane 's going away , I hear , " she said maliciously .

" seems to me you 're bound to be jilted again , Mattie . "

Mattie had no answer ready .

Selena went on undauntedly .

" you 've made a nice fool of yourself all summer , I vow .

throwing yourself at Jed 's head and he doesn't want you , even with all your property . "

" he does want me , " said Mattie calmly .

her lips were very firm and her cheeks scarlet .

" he is not going away .

we are to be married about Christmas , and Jed will take charge of the farm for me . "

" Matilda Adams ! " said Selena .

it was all she was capable of saying .

after Selena had gone home , sulking , Mattie picked on with a very determined face .

the die was cast ; she could not bear Selena 's slurs and she would not .

and she had not told a lie either .

her words were true ; she would make them true .

all the Adams determination and that was not a little was roused in her .

" if Jed jilts me , he 'll do it to my face , clean and clever , " she said viciously .

when Jed came again he was very solemn .

he thought it would be his last visit , but Mattie felt differently .

she had dressed herself with unusual care and crimped her hair .

her cheeks were scarlet and her eyes bright .

Jed thought she looked younger and prettier than ever .

Mattie had been so kind to him .

it was only honourable of him in return not to let her throw herself away on a poor failure like himself .

" I suppose this is your last round with the wagon , " she said .

she had taken him out into the garden to say it .

the garden was out of view from the Ford place .

propose she must , but she drew the line at proposing under Selena 's eyes .

Jed nodded dully .

" yes , and then I must toddle off and look for something else to do .

it 's been a mighty happy summer for me , though I can't say I 've done much in the selling line except to you , Mattie .

" there is something for you to do right here if you will do it , " said Mattie faintly .

she held by the sweet-pea trellis to steady herself .

" I I said a terrible thing to Selena the other day .

I I don't know what I 'll do about it if if you don't help me out , Jed . "

" I 'll do anything I can , " said Jed , with hearty sympathy .

" you know that , Mattie .

what is the trouble ? "

" I I said she goaded me into saying it , Jed slighting and slurring jeering at me because you were going away .

I just got mad , Jed and I told her you weren't going that you and I that we were to be married . "

" Mattie , did you mean that ? " he cried .

" if you did , I 'm the happiest man alive .

I didn't dare persoom I didn't s'pose you thought anything of me .

Thinking over this speech afterwards Jed was dissatisfied with it .

he thought he might have made it much more eloquent and romantic than it was .

but it served the purpose very well .

it was convincing it came straight from his honest , stupid heart , and Mattie knew it .

she held out her hands and Jed gathered her into his arms .

that evening Jed drove slowly away through the twilight , mounted for the last time on the tin-wagon .

he was so happy that he bore no grudge against even Selena Ford .

what he said too was but a poor expression of what he thought , but to the trees and fields and pony he chanted ,

" well , this is romance .

what else would you call it now ?

me , poor , scared to speak and Mattie ups and does it for me , bless her .

yes , I 've been longing for romance all my life , and I 've got it at last .

none of your commonplace courtships for me , I always said .

them was my very words .

and I guess this has been a little uncommon I guess it has .

anyhow , I 'm uncommon happy .

I never felt so romantic before .

get up , my nag , get up . "

the Tryst of the White Lady

" I wisht ye 'd git married , Roger , " said Catherine Ames .

" I 'm gitting too old to work seventy last April and who 's going to look after ye when I 'm gone .

Git married , b'y git married . "

Roger Temple winced .

his aunt 's harsh , disagreeable voice always jarred horribly on his sensitive nerves .

he was fond of her after a fashion , but always that voice made him wonder if there could be anything harder to endure .

then he gave a bitter little laugh .

" who 'd have me , Aunt Catherine ? " he asked .

Catherine Ames looked at him critically across the supper table .

she loved him in her way , with all her heart , but she was not in the least blind to his defects .

she did not mince matters with herself or with other people .

Roger was a sallow , plain-featured fellow , small and insignificant looking .

but Steve was rich .

Roger was poor and always would be .

he hadn't the strength for it and his heart wasn't in it .

he 'd rather be hanging over a book .

Catherine secretly thought Roger 's matrimonial chances very poor , but it would not do to discourage the b'y .

what he needed was spurring on .

" ye 'll git someone if ye don't fly too high , " she announced loudly and cheerfully .

" Thar 's always a gal or two here and thar that 's glad to marry for a home .

' Tain't no use for you to be settin ' your thoughts on anyone young and pretty .

ye wouldn't git her and ye 'd be worse off if ye did .

your grandfather married for looks , and a nice useless wife he got sick half her time .

and the sooner the better .

I 'm done last winter 's rheumatiz has about finished me .

An ' we can't afford hired help . "

Roger felt as if his raw , quivering soul were being seared .

she was so extremely ugly and he had seen her across the table all his life .

for twenty-five years he had looked at her so .

" did my mother look like you , Aunt Catherine ? " he asked abruptly .

his aunt stared and snorted .

her snort was meant to express kindly amusement , but it sounded like derision and contempt .

" Yer ma wasn't so humly as me , " she said cheerfully , " but she wan't no beauty either .

none of the Temples was ever better lookin ' than was necessary .

we was workers .

Yer pa wa'n't bad looking .

you 're humlier than either of ' em .

some ways ye take after yer grandma though she was counted pretty at one time .

she was yaller and spindlin ' like you , and you 've got her eyes .

what yer so int'rested in yer ma 's looks all at once fer ? "

Catherine giggled .

" Dessay he did dessay he did .

Men al'ays has a hankerin ' for good looks .

but ye 've got to cut yer coat ' cording to yer cloth .

as for yer poor ma , she didn't live long enough to git as ugly as me .

when I come here to keep house for yer pa , folks said as it wouldn't be long ' fore he married me .

I wouldn't a-minded .

but yer pa never hinted it .

S'pose he 'd had enough of ugly women likely . "

Catherine snorted amiably again .

Roger got up he couldn't endure any more just then .

he must escape .

" now you think over what I 've said , " his aunt called after him .

" ye 've gotter git a wife soon , however ye manage it .

' Twon't be so hard if ye 're reasonable .

don't stay out as late as ye did last night .

ye coughed all night .

where was ye down at the shore ? "

" no , " said Roger , who always answered her questions even when he hated to .

" I was down at Aunt Isabel 's grave . "

" till eleven o'clock !

ye ain't wise !

I dunno what hankering ye have after that unchancy place .

I ain't been near it for twenty year .

I wonder ye ain't scairt .

what 'd ye think ye 'd do if ye saw her ghost ? "

Catherine looked curiously at Roger .

she was very superstitious and she believed firmly in ghosts , and saw no absurdity in her question .

" I wish I could see it , " said Roger , his great eyes flashing .

he believed in ghosts too , at least in Isabel Temple 's ghost .

" don't wish such stuff , " said Catherine .

" nobody ain't never the same after they 've seen her . "

" was Uncle different ? "

Roger had come back into the kitchen and was looking curiously at his aunt .

" Diff'rent ?

he was another man .

he didn't even look the same .

Sich eyes !

Al'ays looking past ye at something behind ye .

they 'd give anyone creeps .

he never had any notion of flesh-and-blood women after that said a man wouldn't , after seeing Isabel .

his life was plumb ruined .

Lucky he died young .

I hated to be in the same room with him he wa'n't canny , that was all there was to it .

you keep away from that grave you don't want to look odder than ye are by nature .

and when ye git married , ye 'll have to give up roamin ' about half the night in graveyards .

a wife wouldn't put up with it , as I 've done . "

" Dessay you won't .

but someone ye have to have .

Why'n't ye try ' Liza Adams .

she might have ye she's gittin ' on . "

" ' Liza ....y

Adams ! "

" that 's what I said .

ye needn't repeat it ' Liza ....y

Adams ' s if I 'd mentioned a hippopotamus .

I git out of patience with ye .

I b'lieve in my heart ye think ye ought to git a wife that'd look like a picter . "

" I do , Aunt Catherine .

that 's just the kind of wife I want grace and beauty and charm .

nothing less than that will ever content me . "

Roger laughed bitterly again and went out .

it was sunset .

there was no work to do that night except to milk the cows , and his little home boy could do that .

he felt a glad freedom .

Roger 's mother had died when he was three and his father when he was eight .

his little , old , bedridden grandmother had lived until he was twelve .

he had loved her passionately .

he was very critical as regards women 's voices and very sensitive to them .

nothing hurt him quite so much as an unlovely voice not even unloveliness of face .

her death had left him desolate .

she was the only human being who had ever understood him .

he could never , he thought , have got through his tortured school days without her .

after she died he would not go to school .

he was not in any sense educated .

his father and grandfather had been illiterate men and he had inherited their underdeveloped brain cells .

but he loved poetry and read all he could get of it .

it overlaid his primitive nature with a curious iridescence of fancy and furnished him with ideals and hungers his environment could never satisfy .

he loved beauty in everything .

Moonrises hurt him with their loveliness and he could sit for hours gazing at a white narcissus much to his aunt 's exasperation .

he was solitary by nature .

he felt horribly alone in a crowded building but never in the woods or in the wild places along the shore .

it was because of this that his aunt could not get him to go to church which was a horror to her orthodox soul .

most people , he thought , were ugly though not so ugly as he was and ugliness made him sick with repulsion .

now and then he saw a pretty girl at whom he liked to look but he never saw one that wholly pleased him .

he knew that this probably saved him from much suffering , but for all that he regretted it .

he wanted to love , even vainly ; he wanted to experience this passion of which the poets sang so much .

without it he felt he lacked the key to a world of wonder .

he even tried to fall in love ; he went to church for several Sundays and sat where he could see beautiful Elsa Carey .

but he looked at her as at a picture .

when he tried to think and dream of her , it bored him .

besides , he knew she had a rather nasal voice .

he gave up trying at last , but he still longed to love .

he went straight to Isabel Temple 's grave in the remote shore field of his farm .

Isabel Temple had lived and died eighty years ago .

she had been very lovely , very wilful , very fond of playing with the hearts of men .

a winding path led through it to its heart where Isabel Temple 's grave was , thickly overgrown with long , silken , pale green grass .

how lovely and witching and unearthly it was here .

little ferns were growing in the hollows and cracks of the big boulder where clay had lodged .

over Isabel Temple 's crooked , lichened gravestone hung a young wild cherry in its delicate bloom .

above it , in a little space of sky left by the slender tree tops , was a young moon .

it was too dark here after all to read Wordsworth , but that did not matter .

there was a soft murmur of wind in the boughs over him , and the faraway moan of the sea on the bar crept in .

Roger surrendered himself utterly to the charm of the place .

anything might happen anything might be true .

it was in his blood to believe it .

the Temples were a superstitious family , and there was nothing in Roger 's upbringing to correct the tendency .

his was not a sceptical or scientific mind .

he was ignorant and poetical and credulous .

his grandmother , who had told him Isabel 's story , had told him this too , and believed it .

it was only to men the lovely , restless ghost appeared , and her appearance boded no good to him who saw .

Roger knew this , but he had a curious longing to see her .

he had never avoided her grave as others of his tribe did .

he loved the spot , and he believed that some time he would see Isabel Temple there .

she came , so the story went , to one in each generation of the family .

then , when he lifted his eyes again , he saw her !

it was just between dusk and dark now , but he saw her very plainly .

her face was small and ivory-white , and her eyes were very large and dark .

he did not know .

he only knew that lovely Isabel Temple had now come to him and that he was hers forever .

as he slowly stood up , the low-hanging bough of a fir tree pushed his cap down over his face and blinded him .

when he snatched it off , she was gone .

Roger Temple did not go home that night till the spring dawn was in the sky .

Catherine was sleepless with anxiety about him .

when she heard him come up the stairs , she opened her door and peeped out .

Roger went along the hall without seeing her .

he looked like his uncle .

she did not ask him , when they met at breakfast , where or how he had spent the night .

he had been dreading the question and was relieved beyond measure when it was not asked .

but , apart from that , he was hardly conscious of her presence .

he ate and drank mechanically and voicelessly .

when he had gone out , Catherine wagged her uncomely grey head ominously .

" he 's bewitched , " she muttered .

" I know the signs .

he 's seen her drat her !

it 's time she gave up that kind of work .

well , I dunno what to do thar ain't anything I can do , I reckon .

he 'll never marry now I'm as sure of that as of any mortal thing .

he 's in love with a ghost . "

it had not yet occurred to Roger that he was in love .

he saw them wherever he looked they drew him he would have followed them to the end of the world , heedless of all else .

he longed for night , that he might again steal to the grave in the haunted grove .

she might come again who knew ?

he felt no fear , nothing but a terrible hunger to see her again .

but she did not come that night nor the next nor the next .

two weeks went by and he had not seen her .

perhaps he would never see her again the thought filled him with anguish not to be borne .

he knew now that he loved her Isabel Temple , dead for eighty years .

this was love this searing , torturing , intolerably sweet thing this possession of body and soul and spirit .

the poets had sung but weakly of it .

he could tell them better if he could find words .

could other men have loved at all could any man love those blowzy , common girls of earth ?

it seemed impossible absurd .

there was only one thing that could be loved that white spirit .

no wonder his uncle had died .

he , Roger Temple , would soon die too .

that would be well .

only the dead could woo Isabel .

meanwhile he revelled in his torment and his happiness so madly commingled that he never knew whether he was in heaven or hell .

it was beautiful and dreadful and wonderful and exquisite oh , so exquisite .

mortal love could never be so exquisite .

he had never lived before now he lived in every fibre of his being .

he was glad Aunt Catherine did not worry him with questions .

he had feared she would .

but she never asked any questions now and she was afraid of Roger , as she had been afraid of his uncle .

she dared not ask questions .

it was a thing that must not be tampered with .

who knew what she might hear if she asked him questions ?

she was very unhappy .

something dreadful had happened to her poor boy he had been bewitched by that hussy he would die as his uncle had died .

" Mebbe it's best , " she muttered .

" he 's the last of the Temples , so mebbe she 'll rest in her grave when she 's killed ' em all .

well , I 'm mighty old and tired and worn out .

I might as well have let him die when he was a sickly baby . "

he would not have missed it for a score of other men 's lives .

he had drunk of some immortal wine and was as a god .

she was his his in spite of his ugliness and his crooked shoulder .

no man could ever take her from him .

but she did come again .

Roger resented the intrusion of such a sound in such a place it was a sacrilege .

he never read Wordsworth now or any other book .

he only sat there and thought of her , his great eyes alight , his pale face flushed with the wonder of his love .

she slipped through the dark boughs like a moonbeam and stood by the stone .

again he saw her quite plainly saw and drank her in with his eyes .

he did not feel surprise something in him had known she would come again .

he would not move a muscle lest he lose her as he had lost her before .

they looked at each other for how long ?

he did not know ; and then a horrible thing happened .

" oh , you 're here , my dear I thought I 'd catch you yet , " he said .

he caught hold of her .

she screamed .

Roger sprang forward and struck him in the face .

in his fury of sudden rage the strength of ten seemed to animate his slender body and pass into his blow .

the sailor reeled back and put up his hands .

he was a coward and even a brave man might have been daunted by that terrible white face and those blazing eyes .

he backed down the path .

" Shorry shorry , " he muttered .

" didn't know she was your girl shorry I butted in .

Shentlemans never butt in shorry shir shorry . "

he kept repeating his ridiculous " shorry " until he was out of the grove .

then he turned and ran stumblingly across the field .

Roger did not follow ; he went back to Isabel Temple 's grave .

the girl was lying across it ; he thought she was unconscious .

he did not speak he was too sick at heart .

she did not speak either .

he did not think this strange until afterwards .

he was incapable of thinking just then ; he was dazed , wretched , lost .

presently he became aware that she was timidly pulling his arm .

it seemed that she wanted him to go with her she was evidently frightened of that brute he must take her to safety .

and then

she moved on down the little path and he followed .

Out in the moonlit field he saw her clearly .

but she was mortal maid , and he what a fool he had been !

presently he would laugh at himself , when this dazed agony should clear away from his brain .

he followed her down the long field to the bay shore .

now and then she paused and looked back to see if he were coming , but she never spoke .

when she reached the shore road she turned and went along it until they came to an old grey house fronting the calm grey harbour .

at its gate she paused .

Roger knew now who she was .

Catherine had told him about her a month ago .

she was Lilith Barr , a girl of eighteen , who had come to live with her uncle and aunt .

her father had died some months before .

he left her at her gate , disregarding the little hand she put timidly out but he did not laugh at himself .

he went back to Isabel Temple 's grave and flung himself down on it and cried like a boy .

he wept his stormy , anguished soul out on it ; and when he rose and went away , he believed it was forever .

he thought he could never , never go there again .

Catherine looked at him curiously the next morning .

he looked wretched haggard and hollow-eyed .

she knew he had not come in till the summer dawn .

but he had lost the rapt , uncanny look she hated ; suddenly she no longer felt afraid of him .

with this , she began to ask questions again .

" what kept ye out so late again last night , b'y ? " she said reproachfully .

Roger looked at her in her morning ugliness .

he had not really seen her for weeks .

now she smote on his tortured senses , so long drugged with beauty , like a physical blow .

he suddenly burst into a laughter that frightened her .

" Preserve 's , b'y , have ye gone mad ?

or , " she added , " have ye seen Isabel Temple 's ghost ? "

" no , " said Roger loudly and explosively .

" don't talk any more about that damned ghost .

nobody ever saw it .

the whole story is balderdash . "

he got up and went violently out , leaving Catherine aghast .

was it possible Roger had sworn ?

what on earth had come over the b'y ?

but come what had or come what would , he no longer looked fey there was that much to be thankful for .

even an occasional oath was better than that .

Catherine went stiffly about her dish-washing , resolving to have ' Liza Adams to supper some night .

for a week Roger lived in agony an agony of shame and humiliation and self-contempt .

then , when the edge of his bitter disappointment wore away , he made another dreadful discovery .

he still loved her and longed for her just as keenly as before .

he wanted madly to see her her flower-like face , her great , asking eyes , the sleek , braided flow of her hair .

Ghost or woman spirit or flesh it mattered not .

he could not live without her .

at last his hunger for her drew him to the old grey house on the bay shore .

he knew he was a fool she would never look at him ; he was only feeding the flame that must consume him .

but go he must and did , seeking for his lost paradise .

Lilith , her aunt told him , had been made deaf by the accidental explosion of a gun when she was eight years old .

she could not hear a sound but she could talk .

" a little , that is not much , but enough to get along with .

but she don't like talking somehow dunno why .

she 's shy and we think maybe she don't like to talk much because she can't hear her own voice .

she don't ever speak except just when she has to .

but she 's been trained to lip-reading something wonderful she can understand anything that 's said when she can see the person that 's talking .

still , it 's a terrible drawback for the poor child she 's never had any real girl-life and she 's dreadful sensitive and retiring .

we can't get her to go out anywhere , only for lonely walks along shore by herself .

we 're much obliged for what you did the other night .

it ain't safe for her to wander about alone as she does , but it ain't often anybody from the harbour gets up this far .

she was dreadful upset about it hasn't got over her scare yet . "

when Lilith came in , her ivory-white face went scarlet all over at the sight of Roger .

she sat down in a shadowy corner .

Mrs Barr got up and went out .

Roger was mute ; he could find nothing to say .

he felt very foolish and absurd , and very conscious of his twisted shoulder .

what a fool he had been to come !

then Lilith looked up at him and smiled .

a little shy , friendly smile .

he got up , forgetting his ugliness , and went across the room to her .

" will you come for a walk , " he said eagerly .

Roger was again incredibly happy .

a certain secret well-spring of fancy that had seemed dry welled up in him sparklingly again .

through the summer weeks the odd courtship went on .

Roger talked to her as he had never talked to anyone .

he felt that her intent gaze was reading his soul as well as his lips .

and he was afraid that if he did , she would never consent .

in spite of her shy , eager welcomes he could not believe she could care for him for him .

he was a fool to dream of it .

to the existence of romance and glamour in which he lived , no gossip of the countryside penetrated .

yet much gossip there was , and at last it came blundering in on Roger to destroy his fairy world a second time .

he came downstairs one night in the twilight , ready to go to Lilith .

" yes , I 'm guessing it 'll be a match as ye say .

oh the b'y's doing well .

he ain't for every market , as I 'm bound to admit .

Ef she wan't deaf she wouldn't look at him , no doubt .

I 'm that proud when I think of the match . "

Roger fled out of the house , white of face and sick of heart .

he went , not to the bay shore , but to Isabel Temple 's grave .

he had never been there since the night when he had rescued Lilith , but now he rushed to it in his new agony .

his aunt 's horrible practicalities had filled him with disgust they dragged his love in the dust of sordid things .

and Lilith was rich ; he had never known that never suspected it .

he could never ask her to marry him now ; he must never see her again .

for the second time he had lost her , and this second losing could not be borne .

he sat down on the big boulder by the grave and dropped his poor grey face in his hands , moaning in anguish .

nothing was left him , not even dreams .

he hoped he could soon die .

he did not know how long he sat there he did not know when she came .

he forgot Aunt Catherine 's sacrilege he forgot that he was a presumptuous fool .

he bent forward and kissed her lips for the first time .

the wonder of it loosed his bound tongue .

" Lilith , " he gasped , " I love you . "

she put her hand into his and nestled closer to him .

" I thought you would have told me that long ago , " she said .

uncle Richard 's New Year 's Dinner

he did not look at Prissy , nor did she wish him a happy New Year ; she would not have dared .

Uncle Richard had not been on speaking terms with her or her father , his only brother , for eight years .

Richard Baker , so he informed Mr Miller , was on his way to Navarre with a load of pork .

so I have to tote my hogs over at once .

I don't care about doing business New Year 's morning . "

" well , I always like a good dinner on New Year 's , " said Richard Baker .

" it 's about the only way I can celebrate .

Mrs Janeway wanted to spend the day with her son 's family over at Oriental , so I was laying out to cook my own dinner .

I got everything ready in the pantry last night , ' fore I got word about the pork .

I won't get back from Navarre before one o'clock , so I reckon I 'll have to put up with a cold bite . "

after her Uncle Richard had driven away , Prissy walked thoughtfully home .

there was nobody else to cook dinner for .

Prissy 's mother had died when Prissy was a baby .

she was her father 's housekeeper , and they had jolly times together .

but as she walked home , she could not help thinking about Uncle Richard .

he would certainly have cold New Year cheer , enough to chill the whole coming year .

suddenly an idea popped into Prissy 's head .

dared she ?

oh , she never could !

but he would never know there would be plenty of time she would !

she meant to go and cook Uncle Richard 's dinner for him , get it all beautifully ready , then slip away before he came home .

he would never suspect her of it .

the fault had been mainly on Richard 's side , and that very fact made him all the more unrelenting and stubborn .

he had never spoken to his brother since , and he declared he never would .

Prissy and her father felt very badly over it , but Uncle Richard did not seem to feel badly at all .

to all appearance he had completely forgotten that there were such people in the world as his brother Irving and his niece Prissy .

Prissy had no trouble in breaking into Uncle Richard 's house , for the woodshed door was unfastened .

she tripped into the hostile kitchen with rosy cheeks and mischief sparkling in her eyes .

this was an adventure this was fun !

she would tell her father all about it when he came home at night and what a laugh they would have !

in a short time the kitchen was full of bubbling and hissings and appetizing odours .

Prissy enjoyed herself hugely , and the raisin pudding , which she rather doubtfully mixed up , behaved itself beautifully .

then I 'll slip away home .

I 'd like to see his face when he steps in .

I suppose he 'll think one of the Jenner girls across the street has cooked his dinner . "

Prissy soon had the table set , and she was just peppering the turnips when a gruff voice behind her said :

" well , well , what does this mean ? "

Prissy whirled around as if she had been shot , and there stood Uncle Richard in the woodshed door !

poor Prissy !

she could not have looked or felt more guilty if Uncle Richard had caught her robbing his desk .

" I I came up to cook your dinner for you , Uncle Richard , " she stammered .

so I thought I 'd come and do it , but I meant to slip away before you came home . "

Poor Prissy felt that she would never get to the end of her explanation .

would Uncle Richard be angry ?

would he order her from the house ?

" it was very kind of you , " said Uncle Richard drily .

" it 's a wonder your father let you come . "

" father was not home , but I am sure he would not have prevented me if he had been .

father has no hard feelings against you , Uncle Richard . "

" Humph ! " said Uncle Richard .

" well , since you 've cooked the dinner you must stop and help me eat it .

it smells good , I must say .

Mrs Janeway always burns pork when she roasts it .

sit down , Prissy .

I 'm hungry . "

they sat down .

he talked to Prissy too , quite kindly and politely , and when the meal was over he said slowly :

you can tell him so for me , if you like .

" oh , he will come , I know ! " cried Prissy joyfully .

" he has felt so badly about not being friendly with you , Uncle Richard .

I 'm as glad as can be . "

Prissy ran impulsively around the table and kissed Uncle Richard .

he looked up at his tall , girlish niece with a smile of pleasure .

it made me cross today when folks wished me a happy New Year .

it seemed like mockery when I hadn't a soul belonging to me to make it happy .

but it has brought me happiness already , and I believe it will be a happy year all the way through . "

" indeed it will ! " laughed Prissy .

" I 'm so happy now I could sing .

I believe it was an inspiration my idea of coming up here to cook your dinner for you . "

and Prissy promised .

white Magic

one September afternoon in the year of grace @number@ Avery and Janet Sparhallow were picking apples in their Uncle Daniel Sparhallow 's big orchard .

Avery Sparhallow did not seem so happy .

she worked rather abstractedly and frowned oftener than she smiled .

Avery Sparhallow was conceded to be a beauty , and had no rival in Burnley Beach .

nobody ever called Janet a beauty , or even thought her pretty .

Avery Sparhallow 's wedding dress was making far more of a sensation in Burnley Beach than her wedding itself was making .

" only one silk dress and I want a dozen , " Avery had said scornfully .

" what would you do with a dozen silk dresses on a farm ? "

Janet asked wonderingly .

" oh what indeed ? " agreed Avery , with an impatient laugh .

" Randall will think just as much of you in drugget as in silk , " said Janet , meaning to comfort .

again Avery laughed .

" that is true .

Randall never notices what a woman has on .

I like a man who does notice and tells me about it .

I like a man who likes me better in silk than in drugget .

I want a new silk dress every month . "

Janet paid little attention to this kind of raving .

Avery had always been more or less discontented .

she would be contented enough after she was married .

nobody could be discontented who was Randall Burnley 's wife .

Janet was sure of that .

so they worked and talked as they worked of Avery 's wedding , which was to be as soon as Bruce Gordon should arrive from Scotland .

" I wonder what Bruce will be like , " said Avery .

" it is eight years since he went home to Scotland .

he was sixteen then he will be twenty-four now .

he went away a boy he will come back a man . "

" I don't remember much about him , " said Janet .

" I was only nine when he went away .

he used to tease me I do remember that . "

there was a little resentment in her voice .

Janet had never liked being teased .

Avery laughed .

" you were so touchy , Janet .

touchy people always get teased .

Bruce was very handsome and as nice as he was handsome .

those two years he was here were the nicest , gayest time I ever had .

I wish he had stayed in Canada .

but of course he wouldn't do that .

his father was a rich man and Bruce was ambitious .

oh , Janet , I wish I could live in the old land .

that would be life . "

Janet had heard all this before and could not understand it .

she had no hankering for either Scotland or England .

she loved the new land and its wild , virgin beauty .

she yearned to the future , never to the past .

" I 'm tired of Burnley Beach , " Avery went on passionately , shaking apples wildly off a laden bough by way of emphasis .

" I know all the people what they are what they can be .

it 's like reading a book for the twentieth time .

I know where I was born and who I 'll marry and where I 'll be buried .

that 's knowing too much .

all my days will be alike when I marry Randall .

there will never be anything unexpected or surprising about them .

" the thought of what ? " said Janet in bewilderment .

" of marrying Randall Burnley or marrying anybody down here and settling down on a farm for life . "

then Avery sat down on the rung of her ladder and laughed at Janet 's face .

" you look stunned , Janet .

did you really think I wanted to marry Randall ? "

Janet was stunned , and she did think that .

how could any girl not want to marry Randall Burnley if she had the chance ?

" don't you love him ? " she asked stupidly .

Avery bit into a nut-sweet apple .

" no , " she said frankly .

" oh , I don't hate him , of course .

I like him well enough .

I like him very well .

but we 'll quarrel all our lives . "

" then what are you marrying him for ? " asked Janet .

" why , I 'm getting on twenty-two all the girls of my age are married already .

I won't be an old maid , and there 's nobody but Randall .

nobody good enough for a Sparhallow , that is .

you wouldn't want me to marry Ned Adams or John Buchanan , would you ? "

" no , " said Janet , who had her full share of the Sparhallow pride .

" well , then , of course I must marry Randall .

that 's settled and there 's no use making faces over the notion .

" does Randall know you feel like this ? " asked Janet in a low tone .

" no .

Randall is like all men vain and self-satisfied and believes I 'm crazy about him .

it 's just as well to let him think so , until we 're safely married anyhow .

and I have no intention of being jilted three weeks before my wedding day . "

Avery laughed again , and tossed away the core of her apple .

Janet , who had been very pale , went crimson and lovely .

she could not endure hearing Randall criticized .

" Vain and self-satisfied " when there was never a man less so !

she was horrified to feel that she almost hated Avery Avery who did not love Randall .

" what a pity Randall didn't take a fancy to you instead of me , Janet , " said Avery teasingly .

" wouldn't you like to marry him , Janet ?

wouldn't you now ? "

" no , " cried Janet angrily .

he wouldn't let her shut me up !

he is like that he understands !

I want you to marry him because he wants you , and it isn't fair that you that you "

" nothing is fair in this world , child .

or else be an old maid because a Sparhallow mustn't marry beneath her ?

come , Janet , don't look so woebegone .

I wouldn't have told you if I 'd thought you 'd take it so much to heart .

" at any rate , you don't care for anyone else , " said Janet hopefully .

" not I ..y I like Randall as well as I like anybody . "

" Randall won't be satisfied with that , " muttered Janet .

but Avery did not hear her , having picked up her basket of apples and gone .

Janet sat down on the lower rung of the ladder and gave herself up to an unpleasant reverie .

oh , how the world had changed in half an hour !

she had never been so worried in her life .

she was so fond of Randall she had always been fond of him why , he was just like a brother to her !

she couldn't possibly love a brother more .

and Avery was going to hurt him ; it would hurt him horribly when he found out she did not love him .

Janet could not bear the thought of Randall being hurt ; it made her fairly savage .

he must not be hurt Avery must love him .

Janet could not understand why she did not .

surely everyone must love Randall .

it had never occurred to Janet to ask herself , as Avery had asked , if she would like to marry Randall .

Randall could never fancy her a little plain , brown thing , only half grown .

nobody could think of her beside beautiful , rose-faced Avery .

Janet accepted this fact unquestioningly .

she had never been jealous .

she only felt that she wanted Randall to have everything he wanted to be perfectly happy .

why , it would be dreadful if he did not marry Avery if he went and married some other girl .

there would be nothing in life ; it would just be one great , unbearable emptiness ; for she , herself , would never marry .

there was nobody for her to marry and she didn't care .

if she could have Randall for a real brother , she would not mind a bit being an old maid .

Janet and Randall had had such fun over the cupboards .

no stranger must ever come to be mistress of that house .

Randall must marry Avery , and she must love him .

could anything be done to make her love him ?

" I believe I 'll go and see Granny Thomas , " said Janet desperately .

she thought this was a silly idea , but it still haunted her and would not be shaken off .

granny Thomas was a very old woman who lived at Burnley Cove and was reputed to be something of a witch .

that is , people who were not Sparhallows or Burnleys gave her that name .

Sparhallows or Burnleys , of course , were above believing in such nonsense .

Janet knew that people said Peggy Buchanan would never have got Jack McLeod if Granny had not given her a love potion .

and Peggy , the homeliest of all the Buchanan girls !

there must be something in it .

Janet made a sudden desperate resolve .

she would go to Granny and ask her for a love potion to make Avery love Randall .

if Granny couldn't do any good , she couldn't do any harm .

Janet was a little afraid of her , and had never been near her house , but what wouldn't she do for Randall ?

Janet never lost much time in carrying out any resolution she made .

the next afternoon she slipped away to visit Granny Thomas .

she put on her longest dress and did her hair up for the first time .

granny must not think her a child .

she rowed herself down the long pond to the row of golden-brown sand dunes that parted it from the gulf .

it was a wonderful autumn day .

there were wild growths and colours and scents in sweet procession all around the pond .

every curve in it revealed some little whim of loveliness .

Janet loved to be alone thus with the delightful day .

but only a little ; there was good stuff in Janet ; she lifted the latch boldly and walked in when Granny bade .

granny was curled up on a stool by her fireplace , and if ever anybody did look like a witch , she did .

will I look like that when I am very old ? she thought , beholding Granny 's wizened , marvellously wrinkled face .

I wonder if anybody will be sorry when you die .

" staring wasn't thought good manners in my time , " said Granny .

Janet felt a little cold thrill .

how did Granny know what she had come for ?

was she a real witch after all ?

for a moment she wished she hadn't come .

perhaps it was not right to tamper with the powers of darkness .

Peggy Buchanan was notoriously unhappy .

if Janet had known how to get herself away , she would have gone without asking for anything .

then a sound came from the lean-to behind the house .

" S-s-h .

I hear the devil grunting like a pig , " muttered Granny , looking very impish .

but Janet smiled a little contemptuously .

she knew it was a pig and no devil .

granny Thomas was only an old fraud .

her awe passed away and left her cool Sparhallow .

granny removed her pipe and chuckled .

" what you want is toad ointment , " she said .

toad ointment !

Janet shuddered .

that did not sound very nice .

granny noticed the shudder .

" nothing like it , " she said , nodding her crone-like old grey head .

" there 's other things , but noan so sure .

put a li'l bit oh , such a li'l bit on his eyelids , and he 's yourn for life .

you need something powerful you 're noan so pretty only when you 're blushing . "

Janet was blushing again .

so Granny thought she wanted the charm for herself !

well , what did it matter ?

Randall was the only one to be considered .

" is it very expensive ? " she faltered .

she had not much money .

money was no plentiful thing on a P.E.I. farm in @number@

" oh , noa oh , noa , " granny leered .

" I don't sell it .

I gives it .

I like to see young folks happy .

Doan't forget that , dearie . "

Janet was cold again with anger .

she hated old Granny Thomas .

she would never come near her again .

" I 'd rather pay you its worth , " she said coldly .

" you couldn't , dearie .

what money could be eno ' for such a treasure ?

but that 's the Sparhallow pride .

well , go , see if the Sparhallow pride and the Sparhallow money will buy you your lad 's love . "

granny looked so angry that Janet hastened to appease her .

" oh , please forgive me I meant no offence .

only it must have cost you much trouble to make it . "

granny chuckled again .

she was vastly pleased to see a Sparhallow suing to her a Sparhallow !

" Toads am cheap , " she said .

" it 's all in the knowing how and the time o ' the moon .

mind you , though , that he looks at no other first it 's the first one he sees that he 'll love .

that 's the way it works . "

" thank you . "

Janet took the little box .

she wished she dared to go at once .

but perhaps this would anger Granny .

granny looked at her with a twinkle in her little , incredibly old eyes .

" be off , " she said .

" you 're in a hurry to go you're as proud as any of the proud Sparhallows .

but I bear you no grudge .

I likes proud people when they have to come to me to get help . "

Janet found herself outside with a relieved heart in her bosom and her little box in her hand .

for a moment she was tempted to throw it away .

but no Randall would be so unhappy if he found out Avery didn't love him !

Janet hurried home along the shore , where a silvery wave broke in a little lovely silvery curve on the sand .

Janet dropped her box into her pocket stealthily when she saw him .

" I saw you go down an hour ago and I 've been waiting ever since , " he said .

" where have you been ? "

" oh I just wanted a walk this lovely day , " said Janet miserably .

she felt that she was telling an untruth and this hurt her horribly especially when it was to Randall .

this was what came of truck with witches you were led into falsehood and deception straightaway .

but she thought she was happy because she had in her pocket what might make Avery love him .

she talked too quite freely ; she was never in the least shy or tongue-tied or awkward in Randall 's company .

there she was always at her best , with a delightful feeling of being understood .

she wondered if he noticed she had her hair done up .

her eyes shone and her brown face was full of rosy , kissable hues .

when he finally turned away homeward , life went flat .

Janet decided she was very tired after her long walk and her trying interview .

but it did not matter , since she had her love potion .

that was so much nicer a name than toad ointment .

that night Janet rubbed mutton tallow on her hands .

she had never done that before she had thought it vain and foolish though Avery did it every night .

but that afternoon on the pond Randall had said something about the beautiful shape of her pretty slender hands .

he had never paid her a compliment before .

her hands were brown and a little hard not soft and white like Avery 's .

so Janet resorted to the mutton tallow .

if one had a scrap of beauty , if only in one 's hands , one might as well take care of it .

having got her ointment , the next thing was to make use of it .

the two problems combined were almost too much for Janet .

she bided her chance like a watchful cat but it did not come .

two weeks went by and it had not come .

Janet was getting very desperate .

the wedding day was only a week away .

the bride 's cake was made and the turkeys fattened .

the invitations were sent out .

Janet 's own bridesmaid dress was ready .

and still the little pill box in the till of Janet 's blue chest was unopened .

she had never even opened it , lest virtue escape .

then her chance came at last , unexpectedly .

one evening at dusk , when Janet was crossing the little dark upstairs hall , Aunt Matilda called up to her .

" Janet , send Avery down .

there is a young man wanting to see her . "

aunt Matilda was laughing a little as she always did when Randall came .

it was a habit with her , hanging over from the early days of Randall 's courtship .

Janet went on into their room to tell Avery .

and lo , Avery was lying asleep on her bed , tired out from her busy day .

Janet , after one glance , flew to her chest .

she took out her pill box and opened it , a little fearfully .

the toad ointment was there , dark and unpleasant enough to view .

Janet tiptoed breathlessly to the bed and gingerly scraped the tip of her finger in the ointment .

she said so little would be enough oh , I hope I 'm not doing wrong .

trembling with excitement , she brushed lightly the white lids of Avery 's eyes .

Avery stirred and opened them .

Janet guiltily thrust her pill box behind her .

" Randall is downstairs asking for you , Avery . "

Avery sat up , looking annoyed .

she had not expected Randall that evening and would greatly have preferred a continuance of her nap .

she went down crossly enough , but looking very lovely , flushed from sleep .

Janet stood in their room , clasping her cold hands nervously over her breast .

would the charm work ?

oh , she must know she must know .

she could not wait .

after a few moments that seemed like years she crept down the stairs and out into the dusk of the June-warm September night .

like a shadow she slipped up to the open parlour window and looked cautiously in between the white muslin curtains .

the next minute she had fallen on her knees in the mint bed .

she wished she could die then and there .

the young man in the parlour was not Randall Burnley .

and he was Bruce Gordon no doubt of that .

Bruce Gordon , the expected cousin from Scotland !

" oh , what have I done ?

what have I done ? " moaned poor Janet , wringing her hands .

she had seen Avery 's face quite plainly had seen the look in her eyes .

Avery had never looked at Randall Burnley like that .

Granny Thomas ' abominable ointment had worked all right and Avery had fallen in love with the wrong man .

Janet , cold with horror and remorse , dragged herself up to the window again and listened .

she must know she must be sure .

she could hear only a word here and there , but that word was enough .

" I thought you promised to wait for me , Avery , " Bruce said reproachfully .

" you were so long in coming back I thought you had forgotten me , " cried Avery .

" I think I did forget a little , Avery .

I was such a boy .

but now well , thank Heaven , I haven't come too late . "

there was a silence , and shameless Janet , peering above the window sill , saw what she saw .

it was enough .

she crept away upstairs to her room .

she was lying there across the bed when Avery swept in a splendid , transfigured Avery , flushed triumphant .

Janet sat up , pallid , tear-stained , and looked at her .

" Janet , " said Avery , " I am going to marry Bruce Gordon next Wednesday night instead of Randall Burnley . "

Janet sprang forward and caught Avery 's hand .

" you must not , " she cried wildly .

I meant it to be Randall I thought it was Randall oh , Avery ! "

Avery had been listening , between amazement and anger .

now anger mastered amazement .

" Janet Sparhallow , " she cried , " are you crazy ?

" I didn't tell her it was for you she thought I wanted it for myself , " moaned Janet .

" oh , we must undo it I 'll go to her again no doubt she knows of some way to undo the spell "

Avery , whose rages never lasted long , threw back her dark head and laughed ringingly .

" Janet Sparhallow , you talk as if you lived in the dark ages !

the idea of supposing that horrid old woman could give you love philtres !

why , girl , I 've always loved Bruce always .

but I thought he 'd forgotten me .

and tonight when he came I found he hadn't .

there 's the whole thing in a nutshell .

I 'm going to marry him and go home with him to Scotland . "

" and what about Randall ? " said Janet , corpse-white .

" oh , Randall pooh !

do you suppose I 'm worrying about Randall ?

but you must go to him tomorrow and tell him for me , Janet . "

" I will not I will not . "

" then I 'll tell him myself and I 'll tell him about you going to Granny , " said Avery cruelly .

" Janet , don't stand there looking like that .

I 've no patience with you .

I shall be perfectly happy with Bruce I would have been miserable with Randall .

I know I shan't sleep a wink tonight I 'm so excited .

what has lanky Randall Burnley with his little six-roomed house to set against that ? "

if Avery did not sleep , neither did Janet .

she lay awake till dawn , suffering such misery as she had never endured in her life before .

she knew she must go to Randall Burnley tomorrow and break his heart .

if she did not , Avery would tell him tell him what Janet had done .

and he must not know that he must not .

Janet could not bear that thought .

he came over to open the gate for Janet , smiling his dear smile .

it was a dear smile Janet caught her breath over the dearness of it and she was going to blot it off his face .

she spoke out , with plainness and directness .

when you had to deal a mortal blow , why try to lighten it ?

" Avery sent me to tell you that she is going to marry Bruce Gordon instead of you .

he came last night and she says that she has always liked him best . "

a very curious change came over Randall 's face but not the change Janet had expected to see .

Janet wondered if she were dreaming .

granny Thomas ' love potion seemed to have turned the world upside down .

for Randall 's arms were about her and Randall was pressing his lean bronzed cheek to hers and Randall was saying :

" now I can tell you , Janet , how much I love you . "

" me ?

me ! " choked Janet .

" you .

why , you 're in the very core of my heart , girl .

then Janet , feeling somehow as if she had died and then come back to life , found her tongue .

" three years ago you came courting Avery , " she said reproachfully .

" three years ago you were a child .

I did not think about you .

I wanted a wife and Avery was pretty .

I thought I was in love with her .

but I was honour-bound to Avery I didn't dream you cared .

you must marry me next Wednesday , Janet we 'll have a double wedding .

you won't mind being married so soon ? "

" oh , no I won't mind , " said Janet dazedly .

do you think Granny 's ointment could have made her care for Bruce ? "

Randall laughed the little , low laugh of the triumphant lover .

" if it did , I 'm glad of it .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories , @number@ to @number@ by Lucy Maud Montgomery

aunt Jo 's Scrap Bag

Louisa M Alcott

AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG .

PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO . , NEW-STREET SQUARE LONDON

AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG

BY

LOUISA M ALCOTT ,

AUTHOR OF

' LITTLE WOMEN , ' ' AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL , ' ' LITTLE MEN , ' ' HOSPITAL SKETCHES . '

NEW AND CHEAPER EDITION

LONDON SAMPSON LOW , MARSTON & COMPANY ( LIMITED ) St Dunstan 's House FETTER LANE , FLEET STREET , E.C . @number@

all rights reserved

PREFACE .


CONTENTS .

PAGE

MY BOYS .

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TESSA'S SURPRISES .

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BUZZ .

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THE CHILDREN'S JOKE .

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DANDELION .

@number@

MADAM CLUCK AND HER FAMILY .

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a CURIOUS CALL .

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TILLY'S CHRISTMAS .

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MY LITTLE GENTLEMAN .

@number@

BACK WINDOWS .

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LITTLE MARIE OF LEHON .

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MY MAY-DAY AMONG CURIOUS BIRDS AND BEASTS .

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OUR LITTLE NEWSBOY .

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PATTY'S PATCHWORK .

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MY BOYS .

I have often wondered what they thought of the peculiar treatment they receive , even at the hands of their nearest friends .

yet that very time of neglect is the period when they most need all manner of helps , and ought to have them .

my chief joy was in romping with him in the long galleries of a piano manufactory behind our house .

Frank betrayed me .

he climbed in at the window , unlocked the door , and delivered me up to the foe .

Nay , he even defended the base act , and helped bear the struggling culprit to imprisonment .

that nearly broke my heart , for I believed he would stand by me as staunchly as I always stood by him .

it was a sad blow , and I couldn't love or trust him any more .

the second attachment was of quite a different sort , and had a happier ending .

providence .

in a week I had exhausted every amusement and was desperately homesick .

he kept me , and in the hour of my disgrace stood by me like a man and a brother .

I felt myself an outcast , and bewailed the disgrace I had brought upon my family .

this took a load off my heart , and I remember fervently thanking him , and telling him I never would forget it .

I never have , though he died long ago , and others have probably forgotten all about the naughty prank .

I think I never knew a boy so full of mischief , and my opportunities of judging have been manifold .

it was he who dared me to rub my eyes with red peppers , and then sympathisingly led me home blind and roaring with pain .

those thirteen innocent pink tails haunt me yet , and the memory of that deed has given me a truly Jewish aversion to pork .

I did not know him long , but he was a kindred soul , and must have a place in my list of boys .

he is a big , brown man now , and , having done his part in the war , is at work on his farm .

my Augustus ! oh , my Augustus ! my first little lover , and the most romantic of my boys .

at fifteen I met this charming youth , and thought I had found my fate .

I had observed that he was one of the best spellers .

I hardly expected to see him again , but soon after the year was out , to my great surprise , he called .

' Now you will come , and we 'll go boating and berrying , and all the rest of it again , won't we ? '

he writes just the same affectionate letters as he used to do , though I , less faithful , am too busy to answer them .

six years ago , as I went down to my early breakfast at our Pension in Vevey , I saw that a stranger had arrived .

my place was there , and the heat often oppressed me , so I was glad of an opportunity to move .

' I drink the good health to Mademoiselle . '

' That boy is sick and needs care .

that evening he came to me in the salon , and expressed his thanks in the prettiest broken English I ever heard .

' If I recover myself of this affair in the chest , I teach the music to acquire my bread in this so hospitable country .

at Paris , my friends , all two , find a refuge , and I go to them in spring if I die not here .

he rose willingly , then glanced about the room and gave a little shrug which made me ask what he wanted .

' I look to see if the Baron is here .

he is Russian , and to him my national air will not be pleasing . '

' Then play it .

he begged me to call him ' Varjo , ' as his mother did .

we had much fun over our lessons , for I helped him about his English .

' I am imbecile !

I never can will shall to have learn this beast of English ! '

but he did , and in a month had added a new language to the five he already possessed .

both were enthusiasts , and the longer they played the more inspired they got .

December roses blossomed in the gardens then , and Laddie never failed to have a posy ready for me at dinner .

it was very pleasant , but like all pleasant things in this world of change it soon came to an end .

as he kissed my hand there were tears in my boy 's eyes , and a choke in the voice that tried to say cheerfully

' Bon voyage , dear and good little mamma .

I do not say adieu , but au revoir . '

' Ah , ha ! behold the little mamma , who did not think to see again her bad son !

yes , I am greatly glad that I make the fine surprise for you as you come all weary to this place of noise .

give to me the billets , for I am still mademoiselle's servant and go to find the coffers . '

he enjoyed the joke like a true boy , and I was glad to see how well he looked , and how gay he seemed .

' You are better ? '

I said .

' I truly hope so .

the winter was good to me and I cough less .

it is a small hope , but I do not enlarge my fear by a sad face .

I would not hear of that , and told him he looked as well and happy as if he had found a fortune .

he laughed , and answered with his fine bow , ' I have .

behold , you come to make the fête for me .

I find also here my friends Joseph and Napoleon .

poor as mouses of the church , as you say , but brave boys , and we work together with much gaiety . '

then , having settled me at Madame 's , he went blithely away to what I afterwards discovered were very poor lodgings , across the river .

next day began the pleasantest fortnight in all my year of travel .

I believe the first thing a woman does in Paris is to buy a new bonnet .

' Ah ! we must make our economies , must we ?

see , then , this modest , pearl-colored one , with the crape rose .

yes , we will have that , and be most elegant for the Sunday promenade . '

then we set off on our day of sight-seeing , and Laddie proved himself an excellent guide .

we had a charming trip about the enchanted city , a gay lunch at a café , and a first brief glimpse of the Louvre .

I found that he was translating ' Vanity Fair ' into Polish , and intended to sell it at home .

Hay-stack and bean-pot were among them , I remember ; and when he had mastered the meanings he fell upon the sofa exhausted .

thanks to them , I discovered a joke played upon me by my ' polisson ' .

he told me to call him ' ma drogha , ' saying it meant ' my friend , ' in Polish .

I innocently did so , and he seemed to find great pleasure in it , for his eyes always laughed when I said it .

I revenged myself by giving him some bad English for his translation , and telling him of it just as I left Paris .

walking in the quaint garden of the Luxembourg one day , he confided to me the little romance of his life .

a very touching little romance as he told it , with eloquent eyes and voice and frequent pauses for breath .

I cannot give his words , but the simple facts were these :

he had grown up with a pretty cousin , and at eighteen was desperately in love with her .

she returned his affection , but they could not be happy , for her father wished her to marry a richer man .

in Poland , to marry without the consent of parents is to incur lasting disgrace ; so Leonore obeyed , and the young pair parted .

this had been a heavy sorrow to Laddie , and he rushed into the war , hoping to end his trouble .

' Do you ever hear from your cousin ? '

I asked , as he walked beside me , looking sadly down the green aisles where kings and queens had loved and parted years ago .

' I only know that she suffers still , for she remembers .

but he was all right in a minute , and bravely put away his sorrow with the little picture .

he never spoke of it again , and I saw no more shadows on his face till we came to say good-bye .

' This time it is for always ; so , as a parting souvenir , give to me the sweet English good-bye . '

then I ran away and buried myself in an empty railway carriage , hugging the little cologne bottle he had given me .

here is one as a specimen .

' MY DEAR AND GOOD FRIEND , What do you think of me that I do not write so long time ?

excuse me , my good mamma , for I was so busy in these days I could not do this pleasant thing .

never mind , I do it .

' You cannot imagine yourself how stupide is Paris when you are gone .

I fly to my work , and make no more fêtes , it is too sad alone .

I tie myself to my table and my Vanity ( not of mine , for I am not vain , am I ? ) .

I wish some chapters to finish themselfs vite , that I send them to Pologne and know the end .

I have a little question to ask you ( of Vanity as always ) .

behold :

Mopy , is that your snum ?

Nubble your dad and gully the dog , & c .

you may one day see your Varjo in Amerique , if I study commerce as I wish .

so then the last time of seeing ourselves is not the last .

is that to please you ?

I suppose the grand histoire is finished , n'est ce pas ?

it is now time I work at my life in some useful way , and I do it .

I wish for you so many as they may fulfil long human life .

' VARJO . '

a year ago he sent me his photograph and a few lines .

others have appeared to take his place , but they don't suit , and I keep his corner always ready for him if he lives .

TESSA'S SURPRISES .

I.

Little Tessa sat alone by the fire , waiting for her father to come home from work .

Tessa 's father was an Italian plaster-worker , very poor , but kind and honest .

the mother had died not long ago , and left twelve-year old Tessa to take care of the little children .

she was not thinking of her old shoes , nor the empty closet , nor the boys ' ragged clothes just then .

no ; she had a fine plan in her good little head , and was trying to discover how she could carry it out .

' I must earn the money ; there is no one to give it to me , and I cannot beg .

but what can I do , so small and stupid and shy as I am ?

I must find some way to give the little ones a nice Christmas .

I must !

I must ! ' and Tessa pulled her long hair , as if that would help her think .

just as Tessa 's tears began to tumble off her eyelashes on to her brown cheeks , the cricket began to chirp .

' I 'll do it !

I 'll do it ! if father will let me , ' she said to herself , smiling and nodding at the fire .

' Tommo will like to have me go with him and sing , while he plays his harp in the streets .

yes , I will try ; and then , if I do well , the little ones shall have a Merry Christmas . '

her friend was delighted , for he thought Tessa 's songs very sweet , and was sure she would get money if she tried .

' But see , then , it is cold in the streets ; the wind bites , and the snow freezes one 's fingers .

the day is very long , people are cross , and at night one is ready to die with weariness .

she thanked Tommo , and ran away to get ready , for she felt sure her father would not refuse her anything .

then she washed out little Ranza 's frock and put it to dry , because she would not be able to do it the next day .

she set the table and got things ready for breakfast , for Tommo went out early , and must not be kept waiting for her .

next morning the sun shone , but the cold wind blew , and the snow lay thick in the streets .

Poor Tessa 's heart beat fast as she trudged away with Tommo , who slung his harp over his shoulder , and gave her his hand .

' We go first to the café , where many French and Italians eat the breakfast .

they like my music , and often give me sips of hot coffee , which I like much .

the people laughed , for the song was merry ; and the fat man smiled and nodded again .

they will give the money and the blessed coffee . '

I like this very much ; and now it is not hard . '

the people there are busy or hard or idle , and care nothing for harps and songs .

do not skip and laugh too soon ; for the day is long , and we have but twelve pennies yet . '

till noon they did not earn much , for every one seemed in a hurry , and the noise of many sleigh-bells drowned the music .

slowly they made their way up to the great squares where the big houses were , with fine ladies and pretty children at the windows .

all the afternoon the two friends wandered about , singing and playing , and gathering up their small harvest .

at dusk they went home , Tessa so hoarse she could hardly speak , and so tired she fell asleep over her supper .

but she had made half a dollar , for Tommo divided the money fairly , and she felt rich with her share .

on the day before Christmas she made herself as tidy as she could , for she hoped to earn a good deal .

' If I could have a tree for the children , I 'd never want anything again .

' We 'll try one more street , and then go home , thou art so tired , little one .

II .

at the fourth , some people let them sing all their songs and gave nothing .

the next three houses were empty ; and the last of all showed not a single face as they looked up anxiously .

' Sing , Tessa ; sing !

bless us !

how Tessa did tune up at that !

the children laughed , and clapped their hands , and cried ' More ! more !

sing another , little girl !

please do ! '

and away they went again , piping and playing , till Tessa 's breath was gone , and Tommo 's stout fingers tingled well .

Tessa felt so grateful that , without waiting for Tommo , she sang her sweetest little song all alone .

' You have a charming voice , child .

who taught you to sing ? ' asked the young lady kindly .

' My mother .

she is dead now ; but I do not forget , ' answered Tessa , in her pretty broken English .

' I wish she could sing at our tree , since Bella is ill , ' cried one of the children peeping through the banisters .

' She is not fair enough for the angel , and too large to go up in the tree .

but she sings sweetly , and looks as if she would like to see a tree , ' said the young lady .

' Oh , so much ! ' exclaimed Tessa ; adding eagerly , ' my sister Ranza is small and pretty as a baby-angel .

she could sit up in the fine tree , and I could sing for her from under the table . '

' I 'll ask mamma , ' said Rose ; and away she went into the dining-room close by .

' Are you hungry ? ' asked the boy , in a grand tone .

' Yes , sir , ' meekly answered Tessa .

' I say , mamma ; she wants something to eat .

Tessa clapped her hands for joy , she didn't mind the chilblains now , and Tommo played a lively march , he was so pleased .

' Will you come , too , and bring your harp ?

' Give these to your brothers , ' said the fairy prince , stuffing nuts and oranges into Tessa 's hands .

Freddy , bring me your mittens ; these poor hands must be covered .

Alice , get your play-hood ; this handkerchief is all wet ; and , Maud , bring the old chinchilla tippet . '

' Ah ! so kind , so very kind !

then they went away , and the pretty children called after them , ' Come again , Tessa ! come again , Tommo ! '

all the goodies were divided evenly into three parts and stowed away in father 's three big socks , which hung against the curtain .

' I wish I had a gold gown and a silver hat for thee , my Tessa , thou art so good .

she dreamed wonderful dreams that night , and woke in the morning to find real wonders before her eyes .

she got up early , to see if the socks were all right , and there she found the most astonishing sight .

dear me !

Little Ranza was accepted with delight by the kind lady and her children , and Tessa learned the song quite easily .

it was a happy night : and all their lives they remembered it as something too beautiful and bright to be quite true .

BUZZ .

I live high up in a city house all alone .

he sat quietly staring at me , with a mild little hum , as if to say ,

' How are you ?

you wanted a friend , and here I am .

will you have me ? '

all his mates were dead and gone , and he was alone , like myself .

he seemed to understand me , and buzzed again , evidently saying ,

' Thank you , ma'am .

I should like to stay in your warm room , and amuse you for my board .

I won't disturb you , but do my best to be a good little friend . '

so the bargain was struck , and he stopped to tea .

on account of his fine voice , I named him Buzz , and we soon got on excellently together .

on sunny days , he amused himself by bumping his head against the window , and watching what went on outside .

it would have given me a headache , but he seemed to enjoy it immensely .

the pictures , also , seemed to attract his attention , for he spent much time skating over the glasses and studying the designs .

Carlyle didn't suit him , and Richter evidently made his head ache .

but Jean Ingelow 's Poems delighted him , and so did her ' Stories told to a Child . '

but his favorite nook was among the ferns in the vase which a Parian dancing-girl carried .

then he was so interested in all I did , it was delightful to have him round .

but , alas !

I had no wings , and could only sit stupidly still , and laugh at his pranks .

well , little Buzz and I lived together many weeks , and never got tired of one another , which is saying a good deal .

at Christmas I went home for a week and left my room to take care of itself .

' Aunt Jo , tell me a story . '

so I began to tell him about Buzz , and all of a sudden I cried out ,

' Mercy on me !

I 'm afraid he 'll die of cold while I 'm gone . '

alas , no ! my little friend was gone .

there he lay on his back on the mantel-piece , his legs meekly folded , and his wings stiff and still .

he had evidently gone to the warm place , and been surprised when the heat died out and left him to freeze .

my poor little Buzz had sung his last song , danced his last dance , and gone where the good flies go .

THE CHILDREN'S JOKE .

' " you can't do this " and " you mustn't do that , " from morning to night .

' Of course I should like to mind my parents .

good children always do , ' began Mr Fairbairn , entirely forgetting the pranks of his boyhood , as people are apt to .

' Glad I didn't know you then .

must have been a regular prig , ' growled Harry under his breath .

' Silence , sir ! go to your room , and don't let me see you till tea-time .

on the stairs he met his sister Kitty looking as cross as himself .

' What 's the matter with you ? ' he asked , pausing a minute , for misery loves company .

I want to play in the garden , and I can't all fussed up this way .

I do hate company and clothes and manners , don't you ? ' answered Kitty , with a spiteful pull at her sash .

' I hate being ordered round everlastingly , and badgered from morning till night .

' So would I , mamma is so fussy .

I never have any peace of my life , ' sighed Kitty , feeling that her lot was a hard one .

yet a stranger seeing them and their home would have thought they had everything heart could desire .

all the comforts that money could buy , and all the beauty that taste could give seemed gathered round them .

but Mr. and Mrs. F ..y always silenced her by saying ,

' My dear Betsey , you never had a family , so how can you know anything about the proper management of children ? '

she kept them from this foolish prank by all sorts of unsuspected means , and was their refuge in troublous times .

' It 's the warm weather .

they need something bracing .

I 'll give them a dose of iron mixture to-morrow , ' said mamma .

' I 've taken enough now to make a cooking-stove , ' groaned Kitty , who hated being dosed .

' If you 'd let me go swimming every night I 'd be all right , ' added Harry .

' Not another word on that point .

' Aunt Betsey let her boys go , and they never came to grief , ' began Harry .

' Aunt Betsey 's ideas and mine differ .

children are not brought up now as they were in her day , ' answered mamma with a superior air .

' I just wish they were .

jolly good times her boys had . '

the children could not explain very well , but Harry said slowly ,

' If you were to be in our places for a day you 'd see what we mean . '

' Wouldn't it be worth your while to try the experiment ? ' said Aunt Betsey , with a smile .

papa and mamma laughed at the idea , but looked sober when aunty added ,

' Why not put yourselves in their places for a day and see how you like it ?

' Upon my word , that 's a droll idea !

what do you say to it , mamma ? ' and papa looked much amused .

' Merely let the children do as they like for one day and have full power over you .

let them plan your duties and pleasures , order your food , fix your hours , and punish or reward you as they think proper .

you must promise entire obedience , and keep the agreement till night . '

' Good ! good !

' To-morrow is a holiday for us all , and we might celebrate it by this funny experiment .

it will amuse us and do no harm , at any rate , ' added aunty , quite in love with her new scheme .

' Very well , we will .

come , mamma , let us promise , and see what these rogues will do for us .

Mamma agreed , and the supper ended merrily , for every one was full of curiosity as to the success of the new play .

Harry and Kitty went to bed early , that they might be ready for the exciting labors of the next day .

' Careless , untidy girl !

put on a clean dress , do up your hair properly , and go and practise half an hour before breakfast . '

' Can't I have my early cup of tea and my roll ? ' she asked .

Harry found papa enjoying the last delightful doze that makes bed so fascinating of a morning .

' Come , come , come , lazy-bones !

get up , get up ! '

' Come , you let me alone .

it isn't time yet , and I am so tired . '

Harry took the joke , and assuming the stern air of his father on such occasions , said impressively ,

' You have been called , and now if you are not down in fifteen minutes you won't have any breakfast .

when the breakfast bell rang , mamma hurried into the dining-room , longing for her tea .

but Kitty sat behind the urn , and said gravely ,

' Go back , and enter the room properly .

will you never learn to behave like a lady ? '

' No fish or hot bread for you , my dear .

eat your good oatmeal porridge and milk ; that is the proper food for children . '

' Can't I have some tea ? ' cried mamma , in despair , for without it she felt quite lost .

' Certainly not .

aunt Betsey looked on much amused , and now and then nodded to the children as if she thought things were going nicely .

' What did I tell you , sir ?

you are late again , sir .

no breakfast , sir .

I 'm sorry , but this habit must be broken up .

not a word ; it 's your own fault , and you must bear the penalty . '

' Come , now , that 's hard on a fellow !

I 'm awful hungry .

can't I have just a bite of something ? ' asked papa , quite taken aback at this stern decree .

' I said not a morsel , and I shall keep my word .

go to your morning duties and let this be a lesson to you . '

' My dear , do try and please your father .

he is right about late rising , but I can't bear to see you starve . '

' I trust so ; it isn't a bit overdone .

hope you like it ! ' and Aunt Betsey walked away , looking as if she enjoyed it extremely .

' Now put on your hat and draw baby up and down the avenue for half an hour .

' Must I really ?

Kitty you are a hard-hearted mamma to make me do it , ' and Mrs Fairbairn hoped her play-parent would relent .

but she did not , and only answered with a meaning look .

' I have to do it every day , and you don't let me off . '

' Here is your iron mixture , dear .

now take it like a good girl . '

' I won't ! ' and mamma looked quite stubborn .

' Then aunty will hold your hands and I shall make you . '

' But I don't like it ; I don't need it , ' cried mamma .

' Neither do I , but you give it to me all the same .

' You 'd better mind , Carrie ; it can't hurt you , and you know you promised entire obedience .

set a good example , ' said aunty .

' But I never thought these little chits would do so well .

Ugh , how disagreeable it is ! '

and mamma took her dose with a wry face , feeling that Aunt Betsey was siding with the wrong party .

' Now sit down and hem these towels till dinner-time .

I have so much to do I don't know which way to turn , ' continued Kitty , much elated with her success .

rest of any sort was welcome , so mamma sewed busily till callers came .

while she was away Kitty told the girls the joke they were having , and begged them to help her carry it out .

they agreed , being ready for fun and not at all afraid of Mrs Fairbairn .

the dinner-bell released the exhausted student , and he gladly took his son 's place , looking as if he had been hard at work .

Mamma was very meek , and only looked wistfully at the pie when told in her own words that pastry was bad for children .

' Now you may play for two hours , ' was the gracious order issued as they rose from table .

Mamma fell upon a sofa exhausted , and papa hurried to read his paper in the shady garden .

' Going to drive , sir ? ' asked papa , respectfully .

' Don't ask questions , ' was all the answer he got .

old Bill was put into the best buggy and driven to the hall door .

papa followed , and mamma sprang up from her nap , ready for her afternoon drive .

' Can't I go ? ' she asked , as Kitty came down in her new hat and gloves .

' No ; there isn't room . '

Kitty was about to consent , for she loved mamma , and found it hard to cross her so .

but Harry was made of sterner stuff ; his wrongs still burned within him , and he said impatiently

' We can't be troubled with you .

the buggy is nicest and lightest , and we want to talk over our affairs .

little girls should be domestic . '

' Oh , thunder ! ' growled papa .

bread and milk was all they allowed their victims , while they revelled in marmalade and cake , fruit and tea .

Kitty delivered this dread command with effect , for she had heard and cried over it too often not to have it quite by heart .

' But I can't go to bed at half-past seven o'clock of a summer night !

' Have you had a happy day , love ? ' she asked , bending over the pillow , as her mother used to do .

' No , ma'am . '

' Then it was your own fault , my child .

obey your parents in all things , and you will be both good and happy . '

but Kitty understood , and her heart melted as she hugged her mother and said in her own caressing way

Mamma laughed also , and held Kitty close , but all she said was

' Good-night , dear ; don't be troubled : it will be all right to-morrow . '

but Harry was down upon him at once .

' A very bad habit can't allow it .

throw that dirty thing away , and go and get your Latin lesson for to-morrow .

the study is quiet , and we want this room . '

' But I am tired .

I can't study at night .

let me off till to-morrow , please , sir ! ' begged papa , who had not looked at Latin since he left school .

' Not a word , sir !

Mr Fairbairn went away into the dull study and made believe do his lesson , but he really smoked and meditated .

' Idle boy , is this the way you study ? ' said Harry , audaciously tweaking him by the ear .

setting them down at the nursery door , he said , shaking his finger at them in an awful manner ,

' Wait a bit , you rascals , and see what you will get to-morrow . '

with this dark threat he vanished into his own room , and a minute after a great burst of laughter set their fears at rest .

' It was a fair bargain , so I 'm not afraid , ' said Harry stoutly .

' He kissed us good-night though he did glower at us , so I guess it was only fun , ' added Kitty .

' Hasn't it been a funny day ? ' asked Harry .

' Don't think I quite like it , everything is so turned round , ' said Kitty .

' Guess they didn't like it very well .

' I wonder if our joke will do any good ? ' said Kitty thoughtfully .

DANDELION .

but one day a great trouble came to them .

all night the gale raged , and in the morning , Ben 's boat lay empty and broken on the shore .

they looked for him far and wide , but could hear nothing of him , and felt sure that he had perished in the storm .

they tried to comfort poor Hetty , but she would not be comforted .

the sunshiny little face was Hetty 's only comfort .

one of these household spirits is called Love , and it took the shape of Dandelion to comfort poor Hetty .

' Yes , I shall see my good Ben again , if I wait patiently .

but Dandelion didn't get tired .

he firmly believed what he said , and nothing could change his mind .

all the boats were launched at last , all sailed bravely away ; but none came back , and little Dandy was much disappointed .

Hetty used to humour the child , though it made her heart ache to know that the light shone in vain .

when tired of play , he lay still and asked her to sing to him .

one bright spring day something happened .

' My boaty fetched him , ' said Dandelion , feeling that every thing had turned out just as he expected .

MADAM CLUCK AND HER FAMILY .

there never was a prouder mamma than Madam Cluck when she led forth her family of eight downy little chicks .

old Aunt Cockletop told her that she didn't , and predicted that ' those poor dears would come to bad ends . '

aunt Cockletop was right , as you will see , when I have told the sad history of this unfortunate family .

the tragedy began with Chanty , who was the boldest little cockadoodle who ever tried to crow .

one day , a pair of bantams arrived , pretty little white birds , with red crests and nice yellow feet .

Chanty thought he could beat Mr Bantam easily , he was so small , and invited him to fight .

Mr. B ..y declined .

Downy and Snowball soon followed ; for the two sweet little things would swing on the burdock-leaves that grew over the brook .

Speckle had hopped away from a toad with a startled chirp , which caused aunt to utter that remark .

' Aunty told me not to run .

oh , dear ! oh , dear !

what shall I do ? '

' You 'll fall and get hurt , ' said his sister Blot .

' Hold your tongue , you ugly little thing , and don't talk to me .

I 'm going to crow , and can't be interrupted by any silly bit of a hen .

be quiet , down there , and hear if I can't do it as well as daddy . '

the chicks stopped scratching and peeping , and sat in a row to hear Strut crow .

that made Strut mad , and he resolved to crow , even if he killed himself doing it .

he gave an angry cluck , flapped his wings , and tried again .

Peep and Peck were always together , being very fond of one another .

' Don't go out of the barn , children .

I 'm going to lay an egg , and can't look after you just now , ' said their mother one day .

Sam never saw her , but shut down the cover of the bin as he passed , and left poor Peep to die .

' Cut-cut-cut-ca-dar-cut ! '

' Where is Peep ? ' asked Mrs Cluck .

' Don't know , ma .

she ' there Peck stopped suddenly , rolled up her eyes , and began to stagger about as if she was tipsy .

' Mercy on us !

what 's the matter with the chick ? ' cried Mrs Cluck , in great alarm .

' Fits , ma'am , ' answered Doctor Drake , who just then waddled by .

' Oh ! what can I do ? ' screamed the distracted hen .

' Nothing , ma'am ; it 's fatal . '

and the doctor waddled on to visit Dame Partlet 's son , who was ill of the pip .

' My child , my child ! don't flap and stagger so !

let me hold you !

taste this mint-leaf !

have a drop of water !

what shall I do ? '

Blot , ' the last of that bright band , ' needed no mourning for she was as black as a crow .

' What is the matter , dear ? ' asked kind Blot .

' I 'm lost , and I can't find my way home , ' answered the kitten , shivering with cold .

' I live at the red farm-house over the hill , only I don't know which road to take . '

' I 'll show you .

come at once , for night is coming on , and the snow will soon be too deep for us , ' said Blot .

' Now I 'm safe ; thank you very much .

won't you come in , and stay all night ?

my mother will be glad to see you , ' said the kit rubbing her soft white face against Blot 's little black breast .

' It 's against the rule to stay out all night , and I promised to be in early ; so , good-by , dear . '

and off trotted Blot along the snowy road , hoping to get home before the hen-house door was shut .

a CURIOUS CALL .

as I look out , the first thing I see is the great gilt eagle on the City-Hall dome .

I like the big , lonely bird , call him my particular fowl , and often wish he 'd turn his head and speak to me .

I hope this northeaster won't blow him off his perch . '

then I sat down by my fire , took my knitting , and began to meditate .

I 'm sure I didn't fall asleep ; but I can't prove it , so we 'll say no more about it .

no one came , so I went to see who it was .

not a sign of a human soul in the long hall , only little Jessie , the poodle , asleep on her mat .

up went the sash , and in bounced something so big and so bright that it dazzled and scared me .

' Don't be frightened , ma'am ; it 's only me , ' said a hoarse voice .

so I collected my wits , rubbed my eyes , and looked at my visitor .

it was the gold eagle off the City Hall !

I really didn't know what to do .

I stepped over to bring you old Ben 's respects , and to see how you were getting on . '

' I 'm very much obliged , sir .

may I inquire who Mr Old-Ben is ?

I 'm afraid I haven't the honour of his acquaintance . '

' Yes , you have ; it 's Ben Franklin , of City-Hall yard .

you know him ; and he wished me to thank you for your interest in him . '

' Dear me ! how very odd !

will you sit down , sir ? '

' Never sit !

' Ah ! you often do that .

never mind ; I rather like it , ' said the eagle , graciously , as he turned his brilliant eye upon me .

I was rather abashed ; but being very curious , I ventured to ask a few questions , as he seemed in a friendly mood .

bless you , ma'am !

I leave my roost every night , and enjoy myself in all sorts of larks .

excuse the expression ; but , being ornithological , it is more proper for me than for some people who use it . '

' What a gay old bird ! ' thought I , feeling quite at home after that .

' Please tell me what you do , when the shades of evening prevail , and you go out for a frolic ? '

' I am a gentleman ; therefore I behave myself , ' returned the eagle ; with a stately air .

' I must confess , I smoke a great deal : but that 's not my fault , it 's the fault of the chimneys .

my amusements are of a wholesome kind .

my friends , the gulls , bring their reports to me ; for they are the harbour-police , and I take notes of their doings .

people often talk about " a little bird " who spreads news ; but they don't know how that figure of speech originated .

that 's the way rumours rise and news spread . '

' If you 'll allow , I 'll make a note of that interesting fact , ' said I , wondering if I might believe him .

now , I really could not swallow that ; and so plainly betrayed my incredulity , that the eagle explained .

' Will you allow me to ask if the other statues in the city fly by night ? '

ah ! we have grand times when you are all asleep .

it quite repays me for being obliged to make an owl of myself . '

' Do the statues come from the shops to these parties ? '

I asked , resolving to take a late walk the next moonlight night .

' Sometimes ; but they get lazy and delicate , living in close , warm places .

nice , robust young women are Pomona and Flora .

' Many sad sights ! '

' Ahem !

I do a little in that line , ' I answered , with a modest cough .

' I should be glad to do my best ; and , if I 'd known before ' I began .

' You might have known , if you 'd looked about you .

people are so wrapt up in their own affairs they don't do half they might .

' It must be very interesting .

I suppose you don't allow mortals at your meetings ? ' said I , burning to go , in spite of the storm .

' No , ma'am .

we meet on the Common ; and , in the present state of the weather , I don't think flesh and blood would stand it .

bronze , marble , and wood are sterner stuff , and can defy the elements . '

' Good evening ; pray , call again , ' I said , hospitably .

' I will ; your eyrie suits me : but don't expect me to call in the daytime .

I 'm on duty then , and can't take my eye off my charge .

the city needs a deal of watching , my dear .

bless me ! it 's striking eight .

your watch is seven minutes slow by the Old South .

good-night , good-night ! '

TILLY'S CHRISTMAS .

' I 'm so glad to-morrow is Christmas , because I 'm going to have lots of presents . '

' So am I glad , though I don't expect any presents but a pair of mittens . '

' And so am I ; but I shan't have any presents at all . '

' Oh , don't I , if I could keep it honestly ! ' and Tilly 's eyes shone at the very thought .

' What would you buy ? ' asked Bessy , rubbing her cold hands , and longing for her mittens .

' Let 's look , and maybe we can find a purse .

people are always going about with money at Christmas time , and some one may lose it here , ' said Kate .

so , as they went along the snowy road , they looked about them , half in earnest , half in fun .

suddenly Tilly sprang forward , exclaiming ,

' I see it !

I 've found it ! '

the others followed , but all stopped disappointed ; for it wasn't a purse , it was only a little bird .

it lay upon the snow with its wings spread and feebly fluttering , as if too weak to fly .

' Nothing but a stupid old robin ; how provoking ! ' cried Kate , sitting down to rest .

' I shan't touch it .

' Poor little birdie !

how pitiful he looks , and how glad he must be to see some one coming to help him !

I 'll take him up gently , and carry him home to mother .

Kate and Bessy laughed .

' You wouldn't leave it to die ! ' cried Tilly .

' I 'd rather have the bird than the money , so I shan't look any more .

' Now I 've got a Christmas present after all , ' she said , smiling , as they walked on .

' I always wanted a bird , and this one will be such a pretty pet for me . '

" love your neighbour as yourself , " is another of her sayings .

' I believe it , though ; and shall do my part , any way .

good-night .

I hope you 'll have a merry Christmas , and lots of pretty things , ' answered Tilly , as they parted .

her eyes were full , and she felt so poor as she went on alone toward the little old house where she lived .

and pleasanter still to have been able to give her mother something nice .

so many comforts were needed , and there was no hope of getting them ; for they could barely get food and fire .

' Never mind , birdie , we 'll make the best of what we have , and be merry in spite of every thing .

you shall have a happy Christmas , any way ; and I know God won't forget us if every one else does . '

' I 'm glad of that , dearie ; for I haven't been able to get my little girl anything but a rosy apple .

poor bird !

give it some of your warm bread and milk . '

' Why , mother , what a big bowlful !

I 'm afraid you gave me all the milk , ' said Tilly , smiling over the nice , steaming supper that stood ready for her .

' I 've had plenty , dear .

sit down and dry your wet feet , and put the bird in my basket on this warm flannel . '

Tilly peeped into the closet and saw nothing there but dry bread .

' Mother 's given me all the milk , and is going without her tea , ' cause she knows I 'm hungry .

now I 'll surprise her , and she shall have a good supper too .

she is going to split wood , and I 'll fix it while she 's gone . '

a slice of the dry bread was nicely toasted , and the bit of butter set by for her put on it .

' We must go to bed early , for we 've only wood enough to last over to-morrow .

' If my bird was only a fairy bird , and would give us three wishes , how nice it would be !

' He can give you one thing , Tilly , the pleasure of doing good .

that is one of the sweetest things in life ; and the poor can enjoy it as well as the rich . '

' I saw a face , a man 's face , looking in !

it 's gone now ; but I truly saw it . '

' Some traveller attracted by the light perhaps .

I 'll go and see . '

and Tilly 's mother went to the door .

no one was there .

' What sort of a face was it ? ' asked Tilly 's mother , coming back .

' A pleasant sort of face , I think ; but I was so startled I don't quite know what it was like .

I wish we had a curtain there , ' said Tilly .

we can do so little for our neighbours , I am glad to cheer the way for them .

now put these poor old shoes to dry , and go to bed , dearie ; I 'll come soon . '

Tilly went , taking her bird with her to sleep in his basket near by , lest he should be lonely in the night .

soon the little house was dark and still , and no one saw the Christmas spirits at their work that night .

' Yes , dear , the best and dearest fairy in the world , called " charity . "

the basket was full of good things to eat , and on the flowers lay a paper , saying ,

' For the little girl who loves her neighbour as herself . '

MY LITTLE GENTLEMAN .

he had no home but Mrs Quinn 's garret ; and for this he paid by carrying the bundles and getting the cinders for her fire .

food and clothes he picked up as he could ; and his only friend was little Nanny .

' How much money ? ' asked Jack .

' A hundred dollars , I dare say .

Dr Wilkinson 's cook told me once that he done something to a lady 's eyes , and asked a thousand dollars for it . '

yes ; a roll of bills with two figures on all of them , three tens and one twenty .

O Nanny ! now I can do it ! '

I 've got it !

I 've got it ! '

Nanny looked very sober , and Jack grabbed up the money as if it were too precious to lose .

how hard it was to wait ! how Jack thought and dreamed of his money , day and night !

it ain't likely you 'll ever find another wallet .

it 's all luck about Nanny 's eyes ; and maybe you are only throwing away a chance you 'll never have again . '

I can pay ; so you 'd better let me in . '

tell me where you live , and I 'll attend to it at once , for it 's high time something was done . '

' Quite enough , ' said the doctor , with a droll smile .

' If it isn't , I 'll work for the rest , if you 'll trust me .

please save Nanny 's eyes , and I 'll do any thing to pay you ! ' cried Jack , getting red and choky in his earnestness .

we 'll cure Nanny first ; and you and I will settle the bill afterward . '

next day the kind man came to give Nanny her chance .

' Let Jack hold my hands ; then I 'll be still , and not mind if it hurts me , ' she said .

I see it ! oh , I see it ! '

well might it seem so ; for his fifty dollars bought him many things that money seldom buys .

I wish to pay my debts ; and I shan't feel happy if Nanny don't have it all for her eyes .

please do !

BACK WINDOWS .

first , the babies , for there are three : the aristocratic baby , the happy-go-lucky baby , and the forlorn baby .

Baby is a plump , rosy , sweet-faced little creature , always smiling and kissing its hand to the world in general .

I depend on seeing him , and feel as if the world was not right until this golden little sun rises to shine upon me .

he don't seem to have any one to take care of him , but trots about all day , and takes care of himself .

I hope the big spoon and his own red shoe will sprout and appear before any trouble is made about their mysterious disappearance .

then the boys , bless their buttons ! how amusing they are .

one young man , aged about ten , keeps hens ; and the trials of that boy are really pathetic .

the biddies get out every day or two , and fly away all over the neighbourhood , like feathers when you shake a pillow .

I respect that virtuous boy .

the naughty boy is very funny ; and the running fight he keeps up with the cross cook is as good as a farce .

he is a torment , but I think she could tame him , if she took the right way .

the other day she wouldn't let him in because she had washed up her kitchen and his boots were muddy .

one little girl plays about at home with a dirty face , tumbled hair , and an old pinafore on .

she won't be made tidy , and I see her kick and cry when they try to make her neat .

I don't know as it would be proper for me to mention the grown-up people over the way .

the women , too , keep house , make calls , and play mother ; and some don't do it well either .

then the naughty boy 's mother .

if they love , pity , or condemn us ?

LITTLE MARIE OF LEHON .

yes , there she was , trotting toward us in her round cap , blue woollen gown , white apron , and wooden shoes .

' Stay please .

I want to speak to you . '

she stopped at once and stood looking at us under her long eyelashes in a timid yet confiding way , very pretty to see .

' We want to drink goat 's milk every morning : can you let us have it , little one ? '

' Oh , yes , mademoiselle !

Nannette gives fine milk , and no one has yet engaged her , ' answered the child , her whole face brightening at the prospect .

' What name have you ? '

' Marie Rosier , mademoiselle . '

' And you live at Lehon ? '

' Yes , mademoiselle . '

' Have you parents ? '

' Truly , yes , of the best .

' What school ? '

' At the convent , mademoiselle .

the good sisters teach us the catechism , also to write and read and sew .

' What age have you ? '

' Ten years , mademoiselle . '

do you love work as well as school ? '

' Ah , no ; but mademoiselle knows it is necessary to work : every one does , and I 'm glad to do my part .

Yvon works much harder than I , and the father sits all day at his loom , yet he is sick and suffers much .

I asked , thinking that a sight of that blooming face would brighten our days for us .

' Oh , yes !

all along this side of the road sat women and children , stripping the bark from willow twigs to be used in basket-making .

we found Marie 's home a very poor one .

I wondered what the children at home would have said to such a supper .

Early next morning we were wakened by Françoise , the maid , who came up to announce that the goat 's milk had arrived .

the warm draught was delicious , and we drank each our portion with much merriment .

' It is our custom , ' said Françoise ; who stood by with her arms folded , and looked on in a lofty manner .

' What had you for your own breakfast ? '

' Will you eat the rolls and put the chocolate in your pocket to nibble at school ?

you must be tired with this long walk so early . '

' Would mademoiselle be angry if I took it to Bebe ?

she has never tasted the beautiful white bread , and it would please her much . '

E ! houp la ! ' to make him go .

the romance of ' Gilles de Bretagne ' was one of her favourites .

not once , but every night for six months , though she robbed her children to do it .

' So good , ah , so good , this poor woman !

it is beautiful to hear of that , mademoiselle ! ' little Marie would say , with her black eyes full and her lips trembling .

but the story she liked best of all was about the peasant girl and her grandmother .

' See then , dear ladies , it was in this way .

in the time of the great war many poor people were shot because it was feared they would burn the chateaus .

in one of these so sad parties being driven to St Malo to be shot , was this young girl .

only fifteen , dear ladies , behold how young is this ! and see the brave thing she did !

with her went the old grandmother whom she loved next the good God .

I will save you ; it is a pity so fine a little girl should be shot . "

' Then she was glad and thanked him much , saying , " and the grandmother also ?

you will save her with me ? "

" it is impossible , " says the officer .

" she is too old to run .

I can save but one , and her life is nearly over ; let her go , and do you fly into the next wood .

I will not betray you , and when we come up with the gang it will be too late to find you . "

' Then the great temptation of Satan came to this girl .

she had no wish to suffer , but she could not leave the good old grandmere to die alone .

she wept , she prayed , and the saints gave her courage .

' Could you do that for your grandmere ? '

I once asked , as she stopped for breath , because this tale always excited her .

she crossed herself devoutly , and answered with fire in her eyes , and a resolute gesture of her little brown hands ,

' I should try , mademoiselle . '

I think she would , and succeed , too , for she was a brave and tender-hearted child , as she soon after proved .

we felt great pity for them , but liked little Marie 's way of praying best .

it seems that in the village there was an old woman frightfully disfigured by fire , and not quite sane as the people thought .

many of the ignorant peasants feared her , however ; for the country abounds in fairy legends , and strange tales of ghosts and goblins .

but the more charitable left bread at her door , and took in return the hose she knit or the thread she spun .

just as the story ended , she woke up , and at first seemed inclined to hide under the bedclothes .

I liked it much , and Yvon slept so like the dormouse that he never heard me creep in and out .

we took care that little Saint Marie was not forgotten , but quite well , and all ready for her confirmation when the day came .

this is a pretty sight , and for her sake we went to the old church of St Sauveur to see it .

Rosy and smiling and breathless with haste she came racing up to us , crying ,

' Behold my souvenir for the dear ladies .

I do not cry now .

no ; I am glad the day is so fine .

Bon voyage ! bon voyage ! '

MY MAY-DAY AMONG CURIOUS BIRDS AND BEASTS .

being alone in London , yet wishing to celebrate the day , I decided to pay my respects to the lions at the Zoological Gardens .

so I threw him some fresh clover , and went on to the pelicans .

being in a hurry to see the lions , I went on to the long row of cages , and there found a splendid sight .

I liked this lion very much , for , though the biggest , he was very gentle , and had a noble face .

all looked and acted so like cats that I wasn't at all surprised to hear one of them purr when the keeper scratched her head .

there were pretty spotted leopards , panthers , and smaller varieties of the same species .

this was their dinner , and as they were fed but once a day they were ravenous .

the shawl came off , and the poor lady ran away screaming , as if a whole family of wild beasts were after her .

when the lumps of meat were thrown in , it was curious to see how differently the animals behaved .

the tigers snarled and fought and tore and got so savage I was very grateful that they were safely shut up .

in a few minutes , nothing but white bones remained , and then they howled for more .

she was too ill , however , and turned away with a plaintive moan which seemed to grieve him sadly .

Douglas , Douglas , Tender and true .

as a contrast to the wild beasts , I went to see the monkeys , who lived in a fine large house all to themselves .

he was a cross old party , and sat huddled up in the straw , scowling at every one , like an ill-tempered old bachelor .

the snake-house came next , and I went in , on my way to visit the rhinoceros family .

an ugly cobra laid and blinked at me through the glass , looking quite as dangerous as he was .

' Where is he , I wonder ?

he had politely tried to tell me to clear the way , which I certainly had done with all speed .

picking myself out of the hedge I walked beside him , examining his clumsy feet and peering up at his small , intelligent eye .

it was very like a seal , only much larger , and had four fins instead of two .

he looked very unhappy , and I thought it a pity that they didn't invent a big refrigerator for him .

OUR LITTLE NEWSBOY .

' Bless my heart , it 's a child !

O John !

I 'm afraid he 's frozen ! '

I exclaimed to my brother , as we both bent over the bundle .

' He is asleep ; but he 'll freeze , if left so long .

' Paper , sir ?

" herald ! "

" Transkip ! "

last ' a great gape swallowed up the ' last edition , ' and he stood blinking at us like a very chilly young owl .

' All of ' em ? why there 's six ! ' croaked the boy , for he was as hoarse as a raven .

' Never mind , I can kindle the fire with ' em .

put that in your pocket ; and trot home , my man , as fast as possible . '

' Where do you live ? '

I asked , picking up the fifty cents that fell from the little fingers , too benumbed to hold it .

' Mills Court , out of Hanover .

' He can't go all that way in this storm such a mite , and so used up with cold and sleep , John . '

' Of course he can't ; we 'll put him in a car , ' began John ; when the boy wheezed out ,

' No ; I 've got ter wait for Sam .

he 'll be along as soon 's the theatre 's done .

he said he would ; and so I 'm waitin ' . '

' Who is Sam ? '

I asked .

' He 's the feller I lives with .

I ain't got any folks , and he takes care o ' me . '

' Oh , he 's good to me Sam is , though he does knock me round sometimes , when I ain't spry .

' Hear the child talk !

one would think he was sixteen , instead of six , ' I said , half laughing .

' I 'm most ten .

' Hullo ! the lights is out !

why , the play 's done , and the folks gone , and Sam 's forgot me . '

it was very evident that Sam had forgotten his little protégé ; and a strong desire to shake Sam possessed me .

' My name 's Jack Hill , not Cassy Banks , please , sir , ' said the little party , with dignity .

' Have you had your supper , Mr Hill ? ' asked John , laughing .

' I had some peanuts , and two sucks of Joe 's orange ; but it warn't very fillin ' , ' he said , gravely .

' I should think not .

nodding towards the ragged , grimy , forlorn , little creature , dropping asleep over his supper like a tired baby , I said ,

' There goes our car ; and it 's the last , ' said John , looking at me .

' Let it go , but don't leave the boy ; ' and I frowned at John for hinting at such a thing .

' Here is his car .

now , my lad , bolt your last oyster , and come on . '

and , believing that others also would be kind to little Jack , and such as he , I tell the story .

PATTY'S PATCHWORK .

this cool performance made Patty laugh , and say more pleasantly

' Well , it is tiresome , isn't it , Aunt Pen ? '

' Do we ? ' and Patty opened her eyes in great astonishment at this new idea .

' Can you truly ? just try and see , ' and Patty looked interested at once .

pointing with the yard-measure , Aunt Pen said , tapping a certain dingy , puckered , brown and purple square

' That is a bad day ; don't it look so ? '

' Why , Aunt Pen , you are a fairy !

how did you know ? they truly are just as you say , as near as I can remember .

' I see what is going on , and I have queer plays in my mind just as you little folks do .

suppose you make this a moral bed-quilt , as some people make album quilts .

see how much patience , perseverance , good nature , and industry you can put into it .

Patty laughed also , and looked pleased as she stroked Mother Bunch , while she said thoughtfully

' I see what you mean now .

don't you see , deary ? '

aunt Pen did not say much , but made her mend and finish her patch and add it to the pile .

after she went to bed that night Patty thought of it , and wished she could do it over , it looked so badly .

one day she said to herself as she took up her work , ' Now I 'll puzzle Aunt Pen .

now you must know that Tweedle-dee , the canary , was let out every day to fly about the room and enjoy himself .

mother Bunch never tried to catch him , though he often hopped temptingly near her .

he was a droll little bird , and Patty liked to watch his promenades , for he did funny things .

she put her thimble on his head , laughing to see how funny he looked , and just then he slipped out of her hand .

she clutched at him , missed him , but alas , alas ! he left his little tail behind him .

if she asks of course I shall tell her . '

Patty settled it in that way , forgetting that the slide was open and Aunt Pen in the kitchen .

so she made a neat blue and buff patch , and put it away , meaning to puzzle aunty when the reading-time came .

but Patty got the worst of it , as you will see by-and-bye .

another day she strolled into the store-room and saw a large tray of fresh buns standing there .

now , it was against the rule to eat between meals , and new hot bread or cake was especially forbidden .

Patty remembered both these things , but could not resist temptation .

' Why do you keep sighing ? ' asked Aunt Pen , as Patty sat down to her work .

' I don't feel very well . '

' You have eaten something that disagrees with you .

did you eat hot biscuits for breakfast ? '

' A drop or two of ammonia will set you right , ' and Aunt Pen gave her some .

' Why ? ' asked the little girl , for aunty seldom interfered in her arrangement of the quilt .

' It will look pretty , and match the other three squares that are going at the corners of that middle piece . '

' Is that girl over there poor ? ' she asked suddenly as she watched her one day .

' Her doll is nothing but an old shawl tied round with a string , and she don't seem to have but one book .

' You can go and see her some day if you like , ' said Aunt Pen , scribbling away .

' How do you do ?

' How do you do ?

my name is Lizzie , and I 'm very glad to see you .

she stayed an hour , making sunshine in a shady place , and then ran home , wondering if Aunt Pen would find that out .

' What 's the matter , aunty ?

are you sick ? '

' No dear ; but I have sorrowful news for you .

come , sit in my lap and let me tell you as gently as I can . '

' Mamma is dead ! '

cried Patty with a look of terror in her rosy face .

I 'm so disappointed I don't think I can bear it , ' sobbed Patty .

' Mamma will love to see it , so I wouldn't give it up .

Work is the best cure for sorrow ; and I think you never will be sorry you tried it .

Patty put up her trembling lips , and kissed Aunt Pen , grateful for the tender sympathy and the helpful words .

how shall we finish it off ?

' I must try and find something .

' I know !

I 've got something ! ' and away hurried Lizzie , who was there , and much interested in the work .

she came hopping back again , presently , with a roll in her hand , which she proudly spread out , saying

you can't buy such chintz now-a-days , and I 'm so glad I had it for you . '

it did not come home till the morning Patty left , and Aunt Pen packed it up without ever unrolling it .

' While sister dear lies asleep , Baby careful watch will keep . '

in one was seen a remarkably fine bun , with the lines

' Who stole the hot bun And got burnt well ?

go ask the lilac bush , Guess it can tell . '

in the next was a plump , tailless bird , who seemed to be saying mournfully

' My little tail , my little tail !

this bitter loss I still bewail ; But rather ne'er have tail again Than Patty should deceive Aunt Pen . '

' Every flower to others given , Blossoms fair and sweet in heaven . '

the bun and the lost tail , the posy you took to poor Lizzie , and the trouble you bore so sweetly .

it is just so with our lives , though we don't see it quite as clearly as this .

( FOR SECOND SERIES , SEE ' SHAWL-STRAPS . ' )

PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO . , NEW-STREET SQUARE LONDON

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Aunt Jo 's Scrap-Bag , by Louisa M Alcott

PETER AND WENDY

Illustration : THE NEVER NEVER LAND

Illustration : PETER AND WENDY

BY J M BARRIE

ILLUSTRATED BY F D BEDFORD

NEW YORK

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

CONTENTS

PAGE CHAPTER I

PETER BREAKS THROUGH @number@

CHAPTER II

THE SHADOW @number@

CHAPTER III

COME AWAY , COME AWAY ! @number@

CHAPTER IV

THE FLIGHT @number@

CHAPTER V

THE ISLAND COME TRUE @number@

CHAPTER VI

THE LITTLE HOUSE @number@

CHAPTER VII

THE HOME UNDER THE GROUND @number@

CHAPTER VIII

THE MERMAIDS ' LAGOON @number@

CHAPTER IX

THE NEVER BIRD @number@

CHAPTER X

THE HAPPY HOME @number@

CHAPTER XI

WENDY'S STORY @number@

CHAPTER XII

THE CHILDREN ARE CARRIED OFF @number@

CHAPTER XIII

DO YOU BELIEVE IN FAIRIES ? @number@

CHAPTER XIV

THE PIRATE SHIP @number@

CHAPTER XV

' HOOK OR ME THIS TIME ' @number@

CHAPTER XVI

THE RETURN HOME @number@

CHAPTER XVII

WHEN WENDY GREW UP @number@

CHAPTER I

PETER BREAKS THROUGH

all children , except one , grow up .

they soon know that they will grow up , and the way Wendy knew was this .

this was all that passed between them on the subject , but henceforth Wendy knew that she must grow up .

you always know after you are two .

two is the beginning of the end .

of course they lived at @number@ and until Wendy came her mother was the chief one .

she was a lovely lady , with a romantic mind and such a sweet mocking mouth .

he got all of her , except the innermost box and the kiss .

he never knew about the box , and in time he gave up trying for the kiss .

Mr Darling used to boast to Wendy that her mother not only loved him but respected him .

he was one of those deep ones who know about stocks and shares .

she drew them when she should have been totting up .

they were Mrs Darling 's guesses .

Wendy came first , then John , then Michael .

' Now don't interrupt , ' he would beg of her .

' Of course we can , George , ' she cried .

but she was prejudiced in Wendy 's favour , and he was really the grander character of the two .

' Remember mumps , ' he warned her almost threateningly , and off he went again .

she proved to be quite a treasure of a nurse .

how thorough she was at bath-time ; and up at any moment of the night if one of her charges made the slightest cry .

of course her kennel was in the nursery .

she had a genius for knowing when a cough is a thing to have no patience with and when it needs stocking round your throat .

on John 's footer days she never once forgot his sweater , and she usually carried an umbrella in her mouth in case of rain .

there is a room in the basement of Miss Fulsom 's school where the nurses wait .

they sat on forms , while Nana lay on the floor , but that was the only difference .

they affected to ignore her as of an inferior social status to themselves , and she despised their light talk .

no nursery could possibly have been conducted more correctly , and Mr Darling knew it , yet he sometimes wondered uneasily whether the neighbours talked .

he had his position in the city to consider .

Nana also troubled him in another way .

he had sometimes a feeling that she did not admire him .

lovely dances followed , in which the only other servant , Liza , was sometimes allowed to join .

the gaiety of those romps !

there never was a simpler happier family until the coming of Peter Pan .

Mrs Darling first heard of Peter when she was tidying up her children 's minds .

it is quite like tidying up drawers .

I don't know whether you have ever seen a map of a person 's mind .

of course the Neverlands vary a good deal .

on these magic shores children at play are for ever beaching their coracles .

we too have been there ; we can still hear the sound of the surf , though we shall land no more .

that is why there are night-lights .

' Yes , he is rather cocky , ' Wendy admitted with regret .

her mother had been questioning her .

' But who is he , my pet ? '

' He is Peter Pan , you know , mother . '

' Besides , ' she said to Wendy , ' he would be grown up by this time . '

' Oh no , he isn't grown up , ' Wendy assured her confidently , ' and he is just my size . '

she meant that he was her size in both mind and body ; she didn't know how she knew it , she just knew it .

Mrs Darling consulted Mr Darling , but he smiled pooh-pooh .

leave it alone , and it will blow over . '

but it would not blow over ; and soon the troublesome boy gave Mrs Darling quite a shock .

children have the strangest adventures without being troubled by them .

it was in this casual way that Wendy one morning made a disquieting revelation .

' I do believe it is that Peter again ! '

' Whatever do you mean , Wendy ? '

' It is so naughty of him not to wipe , ' Wendy said , sighing .

she was a tidy child .

unfortunately she never woke , so she didn't know how she knew , she just knew .

' What nonsense you talk , precious .

no one can get into the house without knocking . '

' I think he comes in by the window , ' she said .

' My love , it is three floors up . '

' Were not the leaves at the foot of the window , mother ? '

it was quite true ; the leaves had been found very near the window .

' My child , ' the mother cried , ' why did you not tell me of this before ? '

' I forgot , ' said Wendy lightly .

she was in a hurry to get her breakfast .

oh , surely she must have been dreaming .

but , on the other hand , there were the leaves .

she crawled about the floor , peering at it with a candle for marks of a strange foot .

she rattled the poker up the chimney and tapped the walls .

certainly Wendy had been dreaming .

on the night we speak of all the children were once more in bed .

all were looking so safe and cosy that she smiled at her fears now and sat down tranquilly by the fire to sew .

it was something for Michael , who on his birthday was getting into shirts .

the fire was warm , however , and the nursery dimly lit by three night-lights , and presently the sewing lay on Mrs Darling 's lap .

then her head nodded , oh , so gracefully .

she was asleep .

look at the four of them , Wendy and Michael over there , John here , and Mrs Darling by the fire .

there should have been a fourth night-light .

while she slept she had a dream .

she dreamt that the Neverland had come too near and that a strange boy had broken through from it .

he did not alarm her , for she thought she had seen him before in the faces of many women who have no children .

perhaps he is to be found in the faces of some mothers also .

she started up with a cry , and saw the boy , and somehow she knew at once that he was Peter Pan .

if you or I or Wendy had been there we should have seen that he was very like Mrs Darling 's kiss .

when he saw she was a grown-up , he gnashed the little pearls at her .

CHAPTER II

THE SHADOW

she growled and sprang at the boy , who leapt lightly through the window .

she returned to the nursery , and found Nana with something in her mouth , which proved to be the boy 's shadow .

you may be sure Mrs Darling examined the shadow carefully , but it was quite the ordinary kind .

Nana had no doubt of what was the best thing to do with this shadow .

she decided to roll the shadow up and put it away carefully in a drawer , until a fitting opportunity came for telling her husband .

ah me !

the opportunity came a week later , on that never-to-be-forgotten Friday .

of course it was a Friday .

' No , no , ' Mr Darling always said , ' I am responsible for it all .

I , George Darling , did it .

Mea culpa , mea culpa . ' He had had a classical education .

' If only I had not accepted that invitation to dine at @number@ ' Mrs Darling said .

' If only I had not poured my medicine into Nana 's bowl , ' said Mr Darling .

' If only I had pretended to like the medicine , ' was what Nana 's wet eyes said .

' My liking for parties , George . '

' My fatal gift of humour , dearest . '

' My touchiness about trifles , dear master and mistress . '

Many a time it was Mr Darling who put the handkerchief to Nana 's eyes .

' That fiend ! '

they would sit there in the empty nursery , recalling fondly every smallest detail of that dreadful evening .

Nana , it isn't six o'clock yet .

oh dear , oh dear , I shan't love you any more , Nana .

I tell you I won't be bathed , I won't , I won't ! '

then Mrs Darling had come in , wearing her white evening-gown .

she had dressed early because Wendy so loved to see her in her evening-gown , with the necklace George had given her .

she was wearing Wendy 's bracelet on her arm ; she had asked for the loan of it .

Wendy so loved to lend her bracelet to her mother .

she had found her two older children playing at being herself and father on the occasion of Wendy 's birth , and John was saying :

Wendy had danced with joy , just as the real Mrs Darling must have done .

Michael had nearly cried .

' Nobody wants me , ' he said , and of course the lady in evening-dress could not stand that .

' I do , ' she said , ' I so want a third child . '

' Boy or girl ? ' asked Michael , not too hopefully .

' Boy . '

then he had leapt into her arms .

they go on with their recollections .

' It was then that I rushed in like a tornado , wasn't it ? '

Mr Darling would say , scorning himself ; and indeed he had been like a tornado .

perhaps there was some excuse for him .

he , too , had been dressing for the party , and all had gone well with him until he came to his tie .

this was such an occasion .

he came rushing into the nursery with the crumpled little brute of a tie in his hand .

' Why , what is the matter , father dear ? '

' Matter ! ' he yelled ; he really yelled .

' This tie , it will not tie . '

he became dangerously sarcastic .

' Not round my neck !

round the bed-post !

oh yes , twenty times have I made it up round the bed-post , but round my neck , no !

oh dear no ! begs to be excused ! '

even then Mrs Darling was placid .

' How wildly we romped ! ' says Mrs Darling now , recalling it .

' Our last romp ! '

Mr Darling groaned .

' I remember ! '

' They were rather sweet , don't you think , George ? '

' And they were ours , ours , and now they are gone . '

the romp had ended with the appearance of Nana , and most unluckily Mr . Darling collided against her , covering his trousers with hairs .

of course Mrs Darling brushed him , but he began to talk again about its being a mistake to have a dog for a nurse .

' George , Nana is a treasure . '

' No doubt , but I have an uneasy feeling at times that she looks upon the children as puppies . '

' Oh no , dear one , I feel sure she knows they have souls . '

' I wonder , ' Mr Darling said thoughtfully , ' I wonder . '

it was an opportunity , his wife felt , for telling him about the boy .

at first he pooh-poohed the story , but he became thoughtful when she showed him the shadow .

' It is nobody I know , ' he said , examining it carefully , ' but he does look a scoundrel . '

' We were still discussing it , you remember , ' says Mr Darling , ' when Nana came in with Michael 's medicine .

you will never carry the bottle in your mouth again , Nana , and it is all my fault .

strong man though he was , there is no doubt that he had behaved rather foolishly over the medicine .

' Won't ; won't , ' Michael cried naughtily .

Mrs Darling left the room to get a chocolate for him , and Mr Darling thought this showed want of firmness .

' Mother , don't pamper him , ' he called after her .

' Michael , when I was your age I took medicine without a murmur .

I said " thank you , kind parents , for giving me bottles to make me well . " '

he had not exactly lost it ; he had climbed in the dead of night to the top of the wardrobe and hidden it there .

what he did not know was that the faithful Liza had found it , and put it back on his wash-stand .

' I know where it is , father , ' Wendy cried , always glad to be of service .

' I 'll bring it , ' and she was off before he could stop her .

immediately his spirits sank in the strangest way .

' John , ' he said , shuddering , ' it 's most beastly stuff .

it 's that nasty , sticky , sweet kind . '

' It will soon be over , father , ' John said cheerily , and then in rushed Wendy with the medicine in a glass .

' I have been as quick as I could , ' she panted .

' You have been wonderfully quick , ' her father retorted , with a vindictive politeness that was quite thrown away upon her .

' Michael first , ' he said doggedly .

' Father first , ' said Michael , who was of a suspicious nature .

' I shall be sick , you know , ' Mr Darling said threateningly .

' Come on , father , ' said John .

' Hold your tongue , John , ' his father rapped out .

Wendy was quite puzzled .

' I thought you took it quite easily , father . '

' That is not the point , ' he retorted .

' The point is , that there is more in my glass than in Michael 's spoon . '

his proud heart was nearly bursting .

' And it isn't fair ; I would say it though it were with my last breath ; it isn't fair . '

' Father , I am waiting , ' said Michael coldly .

' It 's all very well to say you are waiting ; so am I waiting . '

' Father's a cowardy custard . '

' So are you a cowardy custard . '

' I 'm not frightened . '

' Neither am I frightened . '

' Well , then , take it . '

' Well , then , you take it . '

Wendy had a splendid idea .

' Why not both take it at the same time ? '

' Certainly , ' said Mr Darling .

' Are you ready , Michael ? '

Wendy gave the words , one , two , three , and Michael took his medicine , but Mr Darling slipped his behind his back .

there was a yell of rage from Michael , and ' O father ! '

Wendy exclaimed .

' What do you mean by " O father " ? '

Mr Darling demanded .

' Stop that row , Michael .

I meant to take mine , but I I missed it . '

it was dreadful the way all the three were looking at him , just as if they did not admire him .

I shall pour my medicine into Nana 's bowl , and she will drink it , thinking it is milk ! '

' What fun , ' he said doubtfully , and they did not dare expose him when Mrs Darling and Nana returned .

Nana wagged her tail , ran to the medicine , and began lapping it .

Mr Darling was frightfully ashamed of himself , but he would not give in .

in a horrid silence Mrs. darling smelt the bowl .

' O George , ' she said , ' it 's your medicine ! '

' It was only a joke , ' he roared , while she comforted her boys , and Wendy hugged Nana .

' Much good , ' he said bitterly , ' my wearing myself to the bone trying to be funny in this house . '

and still Wendy hugged Nana .

' That 's right , ' he shouted .

' Coddle her !

nobody coddles me .

oh dear no !

I am only the breadwinner , why should I be coddled , why , why , why ! '

' George , ' Mrs Darling entreated him , ' not so loud ; the servants will hear you . '

somehow they had got into the way of calling Liza the servants .

' Let them , ' he answered recklessly .

' Bring in the whole world .

but I refuse to allow that dog to lord it in my nursery for an hour longer . '

the children wept , and Nana ran to him beseechingly , but he waved her back .

he felt he was a strong man again .

' George , George , ' Mrs Darling whispered , ' remember what I told you about that boy . '

alas , he would not listen .

he was ashamed of himself , and yet he did it .

it was all owing to his too affectionate nature , which craved for admiration .

in the meantime Mrs Darling had put the children to bed in unwonted silence and lit their night-lights .

danger !

' Are you sure , Wendy ? '

' Oh yes . '

Mrs Darling quivered and went to the window .

it was securely fastened .

she looked out , and the night was peppered with stars .

' Nothing , precious , ' she said ; ' they are the eyes a mother leaves behind her to guard her children . '

she went from bed to bed singing enchantments over them , and little Michael flung his arms round her .

' Mother , ' he cried , ' I 'm glad of you . '

they were the last words she was to hear from him for a long time .

Illustration : PETER FLEW IN

they were already the only persons in the street , and all the stars were watching them .

stars are beautiful , but they may not take an active part in anything , they must just look on for ever .

it is a punishment put on them for something they did so long ago that no star now knows what it was .

so the older ones have become glassy-eyed and seldom speak ( winking is the star language ) , but the little ones still wonder .

' Now , Peter ! '

CHAPTER III

COME AWAY , COME AWAY !

for a moment after Mr and Mrs. Darling left the house the night-lights by the beds of the three children continued to burn clearly .

she was slightly inclined to embonpoint .

a moment after the fairy 's entrance the window was blown open by the breathing of the little stars , and Peter dropped in .

he had carried Tinker Bell part of the way , and his hand was still messy with the fairy dust .

she was in a jug for the moment , and liking it extremely ; she had never been in a jug before .

' Oh , do come out of that jug , and tell me , do you know where they put my shadow ? '

the loveliest tinkle as of golden bells answered him .

it is the fairy language .

you ordinary children can never hear it , but if you were to hear it you would know that you had heard it once before .

Tink said that the shadow was in the big box .

in a moment he had recovered his shadow , and in his delight he forgot that he had shut Tinker Bell up in the drawer .

he tried to stick it on with soap from the bathroom , but that also failed .

a shudder passed through Peter , and he sat on the floor and cried .

his sobs woke Wendy , and she sat up in bed .

she was not alarmed to see a stranger crying on the nursery floor ; she was only pleasantly interested .

' Boy , ' she said courteously , ' why are you crying ? '

Peter could be exceedingly polite also , having learned the grand manner at fairy ceremonies , and he rose and bowed to her beautifully .

she was much pleased , and bowed beautifully to him from the bed .

' What 's your name ? ' he asked .

' Wendy Moira Angela Darling , ' she replied with some satisfaction .

' What is your name ? '

' Peter Pan . '

she was already sure that he must be Peter , but it did seem a comparatively short name .

' Is that all ? '

' Yes , ' he said rather sharply .

he felt for the first time that it was a shortish name .

' I 'm so sorry , ' said Wendy Moira Angela .

' It doesn't matter , ' Peter gulped .

she asked where he lived .

' Second to the right , ' said Peter , ' and then straight on till morning . '

' What a funny address ! '

Peter had a sinking .

for the first time he felt that perhaps it was a funny address .

' No , it isn't , ' he said .

he wished she had not mentioned letters .

' Don't get any letters , ' he said contemptuously .

' But your mother gets letters ? '

' Don't have a mother , ' he said .

not only had he no mother , but he had not the slightest desire to have one .

he thought them very overrated persons .

Wendy , however , felt at once that she was in the presence of a tragedy .

' O Peter , no wonder you were crying , ' she said , and got out of bed and ran to him .

' I wasn't crying about mothers , ' he said rather indignantly .

' I was crying because I can't get my shadow to stick on .

besides , I wasn't crying . '

' It has come off ? '

' Yes . '

then Wendy saw the shadow on the floor , looking so draggled , and she was frightfully sorry for Peter .

how exactly like a boy !

fortunately she knew at once what to do ' It must be sewn on , ' she said , just a little patronisingly .

' What 's sewn ? ' he asked .

' You 're dreadfully ignorant . '

' No , I'm not . '

but she was exulting in his ignorance .

' I daresay it will hurt a little , ' she warned him .

' Oh , I shan't cry , ' said Peter , who was already of opinion that he had never cried in his life .

and he clenched his teeth and did not cry ; and soon his shadow was behaving properly , though still a little creased .

alas , he had already forgotten that he owed his bliss to Wendy .

he thought he had attached the shadow himself .

' How clever I am , ' he crowed rapturously , ' oh , the cleverness of me ! '

it is humiliating to have to confess that this conceit of Peter was one of his most fascinating qualities .

to put it with brutal frankness , there never was a cockier boy .

but for the moment Wendy was shocked .

' You conceit , ' she exclaimed , with frightful sarcasm ; ' of course I did nothing ! '

' You did a little , ' Peter said carelessly , and continued to dance .

' Wendy , ' he said , ' don't withdraw .

I can't help crowing , Wendy , when I 'm pleased with myself . '

still she would not look up , though she was listening eagerly .

now Wendy was every inch a woman , though there were not very many inches , and she peeped out of the bedclothes .

' Do you really think so , Peter ? '

' Yes , I do . '

' Surely you know what a kiss is ? ' she asked , aghast .

it was lucky that she did put it on that chain , for it was afterwards to save her life .

' I don't know , ' he replied uneasily , ' but I am quite young . '

he was extraordinarily agitated now .

' I don't want ever to be a man , ' he said with passion .

' I want always to be a little boy and to have fun .

so I ran away to Kensington Gardens and lived a long long time among the fairies . '

Wendy had lived such a home life that to know fairies struck her as quite delightful .

still , he liked them on the whole , and he told her about the beginning of fairies .

Tedious talk this , but being a stay-at-home she liked it .

' And so , ' he went on good-naturedly , ' there ought to be one fairy for every boy and girl . '

' Ought to be ?

isn't there ? '

' No.

really , he thought they had now talked enough about fairies , and it struck him that Tinker Bell was keeping very quiet .

' I can't think where she has gone to , ' he said , rising , and he called Tink by name .

Wendy 's heart went flutter with a sudden thrill .

' She was here just now , ' he said a little impatiently .

' You don't hear her , do you ? ' and they both listened .

' The only sound I hear , ' said Wendy , ' is like a tinkle of bells . '

' Well , that 's Tink , that 's the fairy language .

I think I hear her too . '

the sound came from the chest of drawers , and Peter made a merry face .

no one could ever look quite so merry as Peter , and the loveliest of gurgles was his laugh .

he had his first laugh still .

' Wendy , ' he whispered gleefully , ' I do believe I shut her up in the drawer ! '

he let poor Tink out of the drawer , and she flew about the nursery screaming with fury .

' You shouldn't say such things , ' Peter retorted .

' Of course I 'm very sorry , but how could I know you were in the drawer ? '

Wendy was not listening to him .

' O Peter , ' she cried , ' if she would only stand still and let me see her ! '

' O the lovely ! ' she cried , though Tink 's face was still distorted with passion .

' Tink , ' said Peter amiably , ' this lady says she wishes you were her fairy . '

Tinker Bell answered insolently .

' What does she say , Peter ? '

he had to translate .

' She is not very polite .

she says you are a great ugly girl , and that she is my fairy . '

he tried to argue with Tink .

' You know you can't be my fairy , Tink , because I am a gentleman and you are a lady . '

to this Tink replied in these words , ' You silly ass , ' and disappeared into the bathroom .

they were together in the armchair by this time , and Wendy plied him with more questions .

' If you don't live in Kensington Gardens now '

' Sometimes I do still . '

' But where do you live mostly now ? '

' With the lost boys . '

' Who are they ? '

' They are the children who fall out of their perambulators when the nurse is looking the other way .

if they are not claimed in seven days they are sent far away to the Neverland to defray expenses .

I 'm captain . '

' What fun it must be ! '

' Yes , ' said cunning Peter , ' but we are rather lonely .

you see we have no female companionship . '

' Are none of the others girls ? '

' Oh no ; girls , you know , are much too clever to fall out of their prams . '

this flattered Wendy immensely .

for reply Peter rose and kicked John out of bed , blankets and all ; one kick .

this seemed to Wendy rather forward for a first meeting , and she told him with spirit that he was not captain in her house .

however , John continued to sleep so placidly on the floor that she allowed him to remain there .

' And I know you meant to be kind , ' she said , relenting , ' so you may give me a kiss . '

for the moment she had forgotten his ignorance about kisses .

' I thought you would want it back , ' he said a little bitterly , and offered to return her the thimble .

' Oh dear , ' said the nice Wendy , ' I don't mean a kiss , I mean a thimble . '

' What 's that ? '

' It 's like this . '

she kissed him .

' Funny ! ' said Peter gravely .

' Now shall I give you a thimble ? '

' If you wish to , ' said Wendy , keeping her head erect this time .

Peter thimbled her , and almost immediately she screeched .

' What is it , Wendy ? '

' It was exactly as if some one were pulling my hair . '

' That must have been Tink .

I never knew her so naughty before . '

and indeed Tink was darting about again , using offensive language .

' She says she will do that to you , Wendy , every time I give you a thimble . '

' But why ? '

' Why , Tink ? '

again Tink replied , ' You silly ass . '

' You see I don't know any stories .

none of the lost boys know any stories . '

' How perfectly awful , ' Wendy said .

' Do you know , ' Peter asked , ' why swallows build in the eaves of houses ?

it is to listen to the stories .

O Wendy , your mother was telling you such a lovely story . '

' Which story was it ? '

' About the prince who couldn't find the lady who wore the glass slipper . '

' Peter , ' said Wendy excitedly , ' that was Cinderella , and he found her , and they lived happy ever after . '

Peter was so glad that he rose from the floor , where they had been sitting , and hurried to the window .

' Where are you going ? ' she cried with misgiving .

' To tell the other boys . '

' Don't go , Peter , ' she entreated , ' I know such lots of stories . '

those were her precise words , so there can be no denying that it was she who first tempted him .

he came back , and there was a greedy look in his eyes now which ought to have alarmed her , but did not .

' Let me go ! ' she ordered him .

' Wendy , do come with me and tell the other boys . '

of course she was very pleased to be asked , but she said , ' Oh dear , I can't .

think of mummy !

besides , I can't fly . '

' I 'll teach you . '

' Oh , how lovely to fly . '

' I 'll teach you how to jump on the wind 's back , and then away we go . '

' Oo ! ' she exclaimed rapturously .

' Oo ! '

' And , Wendy , there are mermaids . '

' Mermaids !

with tails ? '

' Such long tails . '

' Oh , ' cried Wendy , ' to see a mermaid ! '

he had become frightfully cunning .

' Wendy , ' he said , ' how we should all respect you . '

she was wriggling her body in distress .

it was quite as if she were trying to remain on the nursery floor .

but he had no pity for her .

' Wendy , ' he said , the sly one , ' you could tuck us in at night . '

' Oo ! '

' None of us has ever been tucked in at night . '

' Oo , ' and her arms went out to him .

' And you could darn our clothes , and make pockets for us .

none of us has any pockets . '

how could she resist .

' Of course it 's awfully fascinating ! ' she cried .

' Peter , would you teach John and Michael to fly too ? '

' If you like , ' he said indifferently ; and she ran to John and Michael and shook them .

' Wake up , ' she cried , ' Peter Pan has come and he is to teach us to fly . '

John rubbed his eyes .

' Then I shall get up , ' he said .

of course he was on the floor already .

' Hallo , ' he said , ' I am up ! '

their faces assumed the awful craftiness of children listening for sounds from the grown-up world .

all was as still as salt .

then everything was right .

no , stop !

everything was wrong .

Nana , who had been barking distressfully all the evening , was quiet now .

it was her silence they had heard .

' Out with the light !

hide !

quick ! ' cried John , taking command for the only time throughout the whole adventure .

they were really doing it artfully from behind the window curtains .

every one of the little angels sound asleep in bed .

listen to their gentle breathing . '

here Michael , encouraged by his success , breathed so loudly that they were nearly detected .

Nana knew that kind of breathing , and she tried to drag herself out of Liza 's clutches .

but Liza was dense .

' No more of it , Nana , ' she said sternly , pulling her out of the room .

she tied the unhappy dog up again , but do you think Nana ceased to bark ?

bring master and missus home from the party !

why , that was just what she wanted .

do you think she cared whether she was whipped so long as her charges were safe ?

we now return to the nursery .

' It 's all right , ' John announced , emerging from his hiding-place .

' I say , Peter , can you really fly ? '

instead of troubling to answer him Peter flew round the room , taking the mantelpiece on the way .

' How topping ! ' said John and Michael .

' How sweet ! ' cried Wendy .

' Yes , I 'm sweet , oh , I am sweet ! ' said Peter , forgetting his manners again .

' I say , how do you do it ? ' asked John , rubbing his knee .

he was quite a practical boy .

' You just think lovely wonderful thoughts , ' Peter explained , ' and they lift you up in the air . '

he showed them again .

' You 're so nippy at it , ' John said ; ' couldn't you do it very slowly once ? '

Peter did it both slowly and quickly .

' I 've got it now , Wendy ! ' cried John , but soon he found he had not .

of course Peter had been trifling with them , for no one can fly unless the fairy dust has been blown on him .

' Now just wriggle your shoulders this way , ' he said , ' and let go . '

they were all on their beds , and gallant Michael let go first .

he did not quite mean to let go , but he did it , and immediately he was borne across the room .

' I flewed ! ' he screamed while still in mid-air .

John let go and met Wendy near the bathroom .

' Oh , lovely ! '

' Oh , ripping ! '

' Look at me ! '

' Look at me ! '

' Look at me ! '

Peter gave Wendy a hand at first , but had to desist , Tink was so indignant .

up and down they went , and round and round .

Heavenly was Wendy 's word .

' I say , ' cried John , ' why shouldn't we all go out ! '

of course it was to this that Peter had been luring them .

Michael was ready : he wanted to see how long it took him to do a billion miles .

but Wendy hesitated .

' Mermaids ! ' said Peter again .

' Oo ! '

' And there are pirates . '

' Pirates , ' cried John , seizing his Sunday hat , ' let us go at once . '

it was just at this moment that Mr and Mrs. Darling hurried with Nana out of @number@

not three figures , four !

in a tremble they opened the street door .

Mr Darling would have rushed upstairs , but Mrs Darling signed to him to go softly .

she even tried to make her heart go softly .

will they reach the nursery in time ?

if so , how delightful for them , and we shall all breathe a sigh of relief , but there will be no story .

on the other hand , if they are not in time , I solemnly promise that it will all come right in the end .

they would have reached the nursery in time had it not been that the little stars were watching them .

once again the stars blew the window open , and that smallest star of all called out :

' Cave , Peter ! '

then Peter knew that there was not a moment to lose .

' Come , ' he cried imperiously , and soared out at once into the night , followed by John and Michael and Wendy .

Mr and Mrs. Darling and Nana rushed into the nursery too late .

the birds were flown .

Illustration : THE BIRDS WERE FLOWN

CHAPTER IV

THE FLIGHT

' Second to the right , and straight on till morning . '

Peter , you see , just said anything that came into his head .

John and Michael raced , Michael getting a start .

they recalled with contempt that not so long ago they had thought themselves fine fellows for being able to fly round a room .

not so long ago .

but how long ago ?

they were flying over the sea before this thought began to disturb Wendy seriously .

John thought it was their second sea and their third night .

sometimes it was dark and sometimes light , and now they were very cold and again too warm .

the awful thing was that Peter thought this funny .

' There he goes again ! ' he would cry gleefully , as Michael suddenly dropped like a stone .

' Save him , save him ! ' cried Wendy , looking with horror at the cruel sea far below .

' Do be more polite to him , ' Wendy whispered to John , when they were playing ' Follow my Leader . '

' Then tell him to stop showing off , ' said John .

' You must be nice to him , ' Wendy impressed on her brothers .

' What could we do if he were to leave us ? '

' We could go back , ' Michael said .

' How could we ever find our way back without him ? '

' Well , then , we could go on , ' said John .

' That is the awful thing , John .

we should have to go on , for we don't know how to stop . '

this was true ; Peter had forgotten to show them how to stop .

' And who is to get food for us , John ? '

' I nipped a bit out of that eagle 's mouth pretty neatly , Wendy . '

' After the twentieth try , ' Wendy reminded him .

indeed they were constantly bumping .

if Nana had been with them , she would have had a bandage round Michael 's forehead by this time .

Peter was not with them for the moment , and they felt rather lonely up there by themselves .

it was really rather irritating to children who had never seen a mermaid .

indeed , sometimes when he returned he did not remember them , at least not well .

Wendy was sure of it .

' I 'm Wendy , ' she said agitatedly .

he was very sorry .

of course this was rather unsatisfactory .

it is only thus that any one may sight those magic shores .

' There it is , ' said Peter calmly .

' Where , where ? '

' Where all the arrows are pointing . '

Illustration : " LET HIM KEEP WHO CAN "

Wendy and John and Michael stood on tiptoe in the air to get their first sight of the island .

' John , there 's the lagoon . '

' Wendy , look at the turtles burying their eggs in the sand . '

' I say , John , I see your flamingo with the broken leg . '

' Look , Michael , there 's your cave . '

' John , what 's that in the brushwood ? '

' It 's a wolf with her whelps .

Wendy , I do believe that 's your little whelp . '

' There 's my boat , John , with her sides stove in. '

' No , it isn't .

why , we burned your boat . '

' That 's her , at any rate .

I say , John , I see the smoke of the redskin camp . '

' Where ?

show me , and I 'll tell you by the way the smoke curls whether they are on the war-path . '

' There , just across the Mysterious River . '

' I see now .

yes , they are on the war-path right enough . '

it came as the arrows went , leaving the island in gloom .

in the old days at home the Neverland had always begun to look a little dark and threatening by bedtime .

you were quite glad that the night-lights were in .

you even liked Nana to say that this was just the mantelpiece over here , and that the Neverland was all make-believe .

they had been flying apart , but they huddled close to Peter now .

his careless manner had gone at last , his eyes were sparkling , and a tingle went through them every time they touched his body .

they were now over the fearsome island , flying so low that sometimes a tree grazed their feet .

sometimes they hung in the air until Peter had beaten on it with his fists .

' They don't want us to land , ' he explained .

' Who are they ? '

Wendy whispered , shuddering .

but he could not or would not say .

Tinker Bell had been asleep on his shoulder , but now he wakened her and sent her on in front .

having done these things , he went on again .

his courage was almost appalling .

Wendy said ' tea first ' quickly , and Michael pressed her hand in gratitude , but the braver John hesitated .

' What kind of adventure ? ' he asked cautiously .

' There 's a pirate asleep in the pampas just beneath us , ' Peter told him .

' If you like , we 'll go down and kill him . '

' I don't see him , ' John said after a long pause .

' I do . '

' Suppose , ' John said a little huskily , ' he were to wake up . '

Peter spoke indignantly .

' You don't think I would kill him while he was sleeping !

I would wake him first , and then kill him .

that 's the way I always do . '

' I say !

do you kill many ? '

' Tons . '

John said ' how ripping , ' but decided to have tea first .

he asked if there were many pirates on the island just now , and Peter said he had never known so many .

' Who is captain now ? '

' Hook , ' answered Peter ; and his face became very stern as he said that hated word .

' Jas . hook ? '

' Ay . '

then indeed Michael began to cry , and even John could speak in gulps only , for they knew Hook 's reputation .

' He was Blackbeard 's bo'sun , ' John whispered huskily .

' He is the worst of them all .

he is the only man of whom Barbecue was afraid . '

' That 's him , ' said Peter .

' What is he like ?

is he big ? '

' He is not so big as he was . '

' How do you mean ? '

' I cut off a bit of him . '

' You ! '

' Yes , me , ' said Peter sharply .

' I wasn't meaning to be disrespectful . '

' Oh , all right '

' But , I say , what bit ? '

' His right hand . '

' Then he can't fight now ? '

' Oh , can't he just ! '

' Left-hander ? '

' He has an iron hook instead of a right hand , and he claws with it . '

' Claws ! '

' I say , John , ' said Peter .

' Yes . '

' Say , " ay , ay , sir . " '

' Ay , ay , sir . '

John paled .

' It is this , if we meet Hook in open fight , you must leave him to me . '

' I promise , ' John said loyally .

for the moment they were feeling less eerie , because Tink was flying with them , and in her light they could distinguish each other .

Wendy quite liked it , until Peter pointed out the drawback .

' The big gun ? '

' Yes .

and of course they must see her light , and if they guess we are near it they are sure to let fly . '

' Wendy ! '

' John ! '

' Michael ! '

' Tell her to go away at once , Peter , ' the three cried simultaneously , but he refused .

' She thinks we have lost the way , ' he replied stiffly , ' and she is rather frightened .

you don't think I would send her away all by herself when she is frightened ! '

for a moment the circle of light was broken , and something gave Peter a loving little pinch .

' Then tell her , ' Wendy begged , ' to put out her light . '

' She can't put it out .

that is about the only thing fairies can't do .

it just goes out of itself when she falls asleep , same as the stars . '

' Then tell her to sleep at once , ' John almost ordered .

' She can't sleep except when she 's sleepy .

it is the only other thing fairies can't do . '

' Seems to me , ' growled John , ' these are the only two things worth doing . '

here he got a pinch , but not a loving one .

' If only one of us had a pocket , ' Peter said , ' we could carry her in it . '

however , they had set off in such a hurry that there was not a pocket between the four of them .

he had a happy idea .

John 's hat !

Tink agreed to travel by hat if it was carried in the hand .

John carried it , though she had hoped to be carried by Peter .

in the black topper the light was completely hidden , and they flew on in silence .

even these noises ceased .

to Michael the loneliness was dreadful .

' If only something would make a sound ! ' he cried .

as if in answer to his request , the air was rent by the most tremendous crash he had ever heard .

the pirates had fired Long Tom at them .

thus sharply did the terrified three learn the difference between an island of make-believe and the same island come true .

when at last the heavens were steady again , John and Michael found themselves alone in the darkness .

John was treading the air mechanically , and Michael without knowing how to float was floating .

' Are you shot ? '

John whispered tremulously .

' I haven't tried yet , ' Michael whispered back .

we know now that no one had been hit .

it would have been well for Wendy if at that moment she had dropped the hat .

fairies have to be one thing or the other , because being so small they unfortunately have room for one feeling only at a time .

they are , however , allowed to change , only it must be a complete change .

at present she was full of jealousy of Wendy .

what else could poor Wendy do ?

she called to Peter and John and Michael , and got only mocking echoes in reply .

she did not yet know that Tink hated her with the fierce hatred of a very woman .

and so , bewildered , and now staggering in her flight , she followed Tink to her doom .

CHAPTER V

THE ISLAND COME TRUE

feeling that Peter was on his way back , the Neverland had again woke into life .

we ought to use the pluperfect and say wakened , but woke is better and was always used by Peter .

in his absence things are usually quiet on the island .

on this evening the chief forces of the island were disposed as follows .

they were going round and round the island , but they did not meet because all were going at the same rate .

all wanted blood except the boys , who liked it as a rule , but to-night were out to greet their captain .

they have therefore become very sure-footed .

the first to pass is Tootles , not the least brave but the most unfortunate of all that gallant band .

poor kind Tootles , there is danger in the air for you to-night .

take care lest an adventure is now offered you , which , if accepted , will plunge you in deepest woe .

' Ware Tinker Bell .

would that he could hear us , but we are not really on the island , and he passes by , biting his knuckles .

slightly is the most conceited of the boys .

last come the Twins , who cannot be described because we should be sure to be describing the wrong one .

we hear them before they are seen , and it is always the same dreadful song :

a more villainous-looking lot never hung in a row on Execution dock .

Mullins and Alf Mason and many another ruffian long known and feared on the Spanish Main .

as dogs this terrible man treated and addressed them , and as dogs they obeyed him .

but undoubtedly the grimmest part of him was his iron claw .

let us now kill a pirate , to show Hook 's method .

skylights will do .

he has not even taken the cigars from his mouth .

such is the terrible man against whom Peter Pan is pitted .

which will win ?

they carry tomahawks and knives , and their naked bodies gleam with paint and oil .

bringing up the rear , the place of greatest danger , comes Tiger Lily , proudly erect , a princess in her own right .

observe how they pass over fallen twigs without making the slightest noise .

the only sound to be heard is their somewhat heavy breathing .

the fact is that they are all a little fat just now after the heavy gorging , but in time they will work this off .

for the moment , however , it constitutes their chief danger .

their tongues are hanging out , they are hungry to-night .

when they have passed , comes the last figure of all , a gigantic crocodile .

we shall see for whom she is looking presently .

then quickly they will be on top of each other .

all are keeping a sharp look-out in front , but none suspects that the danger may be creeping up from behind .

this shows how real the island was .

the first to fall out of the moving circle was the boys .

they flung themselves down on the sward , close to their underground home .

they talked of Cinderella , and Tootles was confident that his mother must have been very like her .

it was only in Peter 's absence that they could speak of mothers , the subject being forbidden by him as silly .

I don't know what a cheque-book is , but I should just love to give my mother one . '

while they talked they heard a distant sound .

at once the lost boys but where are they ?

they are no longer there .

rabbits could not have disappeared more quickly .

I will tell you where they are .

these are the seven entrances to the home under the ground , for which Hook has been searching in vain these many moons .

will he find it to-night ?

as the pirates advanced , the quick eye of Starkey sighted Nibs disappearing through the wood , and at once his pistol flashed out .

but an iron claw gripped his shoulder .

' Captain , let go , ' he cried , writhing .

now for the first time we hear the voice of Hook .

it was a black voice .

' Put back that pistol first , ' it said threateningly .

' It was one of those boys you hate .

I could have shot him dead . '

' Ay , and the sound would have brought Tiger Lily 's redskins upon us .

do you want to lose your scalp ? '

' Shall I after him , captain , ' asked pathetic Smee , ' and tickle him with Johnny Corkscrew ? '

Smee had pleasant names for everything , and his cutlass was Johnny Corkscrew , because he wriggled it in the wound .

one could mention many lovable traits in Smee .

for instance , after killing , it was his spectacles he wiped instead of his weapon .

' Johnny 's a silent fellow , ' he reminded Hook .

' Not now , Smee , ' Hook said darkly .

' He is only one , and I want to mischief all the seven .

Scatter and look for them . '

the pirates disappeared among the trees , and in a moment their captain and Smee were alone .

he spoke long and earnestly , but what it was all about Smee , who was rather stupid , did not know in the least .

anon he caught the word Peter .

' Most of all , ' Hook was saying passionately , ' I want their captain , Peter Pan .

' Twas he cut off my arm . '

he brandished the hook threateningly .

' I 've waited long to shake his hand with this .

oh , I 'll tear him . '

then again he frowned .

' Peter flung my arm , ' he said , wincing , ' to a crocodile that happened to be passing by . '

' I have often , ' said Smee , ' noticed your strange dread of crocodiles . '

' Not of crocodiles , ' Hook corrected him , ' but of that one crocodile . '

he lowered his voice .

' In a way , ' said Smee , ' it 's a sort of compliment . '

' I want no such compliments , ' Hook barked petulantly .

' I want Peter Pan , who first gave the brute its taste for me . '

he sat down on a large mushroom , and now there was a quiver in his voice .

he laughed , but in a hollow way .

' Some day , ' said Smee , ' the clock will run down , and then he 'll get you . '

Hook wetted his dry lips .

' Ay , ' he said , ' that 's the fear that haunts me . '

since sitting down he had felt curiously warm .

' Smee , ' he said , ' this seat is hot . '

he jumped up .

' Odds bobs , hammer and tongs I 'm burning . '

stranger still , smoke began at once to ascend .

the pirates looked at each other .

' A chimney ! ' they both exclaimed .

they had indeed discovered the chimney of the home under the ground .

it was the custom of the boys to stop it with a mushroom when enemies were in the neighbourhood .

not only smoke came out of it .

there came also children 's voices , for so safe did the boys feel in their hiding-place that they were gaily chattering .

the pirates listened grimly , and then replaced the mushroom .

they looked around them and noted the holes in the seven trees .

' Did you hear them say Peter Pan 's from home ? '

Smee whispered , fidgeting with Johnny Corkscrew .

Hook nodded .

he stood for a long time lost in thought , and at last a curdling smile lit up his swarthy face .

Smee had been waiting for it .

' Unrip your plan , captain , ' he cried eagerly .

there can be but one room below , for there is but one chimney .

the silly moles had not the sense to see that they did not need a door apiece .

that shows they have no mother .

we will leave the cake on the shore of the mermaids ' lagoon .

these boys are always swimming about there , playing with the mermaids .

he burst into laughter , not hollow laughter now , but honest laughter .

' Aha , they will die . '

Smee had listened with growing admiration .

' It 's the wickedest , prettiest policy ever I heard of , ' he cried , and in their exultation they danced and sang :

they began the verse , but they never finished it , for another sound broke in and stilled them .

tick tick tick tick .

Hook stood shuddering , one foot in the air .

' The crocodile , ' he gasped , and bounded away , followed by his bo'sun .

it was indeed the crocodile .

it had passed the redskins , who were now on the trail of the other pirates .

it oozed on after Hook .

the tongues of the pursuers were hanging out ; the baying of them was horrible .

' Save me , save me ! ' cried Nibs , falling on the ground .

' But what can we do , what can we do ? '

it was a high compliment to Peter that at that dire moment their thoughts turned to him .

' What would Peter do ? ' they cried simultaneously .

almost in the same breath they added , ' Peter would look at them through his legs . '

and then , ' Let us do what Peter would do . '

it is quite the most successful way of defying wolves , and as one boy they bent and looked through their legs .

now Nibs rose from the ground , and the others thought that his staring eyes still saw the wolves .

but it was not wolves he saw .

' I have seen a wonderfuller thing , ' he cried , as they gathered round him eagerly .

' A great white bird .

it is flying this way . '

' What kind of a bird , do you think ? '

' Poor Wendy ? '

' I remember , ' said Slightly instantly , ' there are birds called Wendies . '

' See , it comes , ' cried Curly , pointing to Wendy in the heavens .

Wendy was now almost overhead , and they could hear her plaintive cry .

but more distinct came the shrill voice of Tinker Bell .

' Hullo , Tink , ' cried the wondering boys .

Tink 's reply rang out : ' Peter wants you to shoot the Wendy . '

it was not in their nature to question when Peter ordered .

' Let us do what Peter wishes , ' cried the simple boys .

' Quick , bows and arrows . '

all but Tootles popped down their trees .

he had a bow and arrow with him , and Tink noted it , and rubbed her little hands .

' Quick , Tootles , quick , ' she screamed .

' Peter will be so pleased . '

tootles excitedly fitted the arrow to his bow .

CHAPTER VI

THE LITTLE HOUSE

Foolish Tootles was standing like a conqueror over Wendy 's body when the other boys sprang , armed , from their trees .

' You are too late , ' he cried proudly , ' I have shot the Wendy .

Peter will be so pleased with me . '

Overhead Tinker Bell shouted ' Silly ass ! ' and darted into hiding .

the others did not hear her .

they had crowded round Wendy , and as they looked a terrible silence fell upon the wood .

if Wendy 's heart had been beating they would all have heard it .

slightly was the first to speak .

' This is no bird , ' he said in a scared voice .

' I think it must be a lady . '

' A lady ? ' said Tootles , and fell a-trembling .

' And we have killed her , ' Nibs said hoarsely .

they all whipped off their caps .

' Now I see , ' Curly said ; ' Peter was bringing her to us . '

he threw himself sorrowfully on the ground .

' A lady to take care of us at last , ' said one of the twins , ' and you have killed her . '

they were sorry for him , but sorrier for themselves , and when he took a step nearer them they turned from him .

tootles ' face was very white , but there was a dignity about him now that had never been there before .

' I did it , ' he said , reflecting .

' When ladies used to come to me in dreams , I said , " pretty mother , pretty mother . "

but when at last she really came , I shot her . '

he moved slowly away .

' Don't go , ' they called in pity .

' I must , ' he answered , shaking ; ' I am so afraid of Peter . '

it was at this tragic moment that they heard a sound which made the heart of every one of them rise to his mouth .

they heard Peter crow .

' Peter ! ' they cried , for it was always thus that he signalled his return .

' Hide her , ' they whispered , and gathered hastily around Wendy .

but Tootles stood aloof .

again came that ringing crow , and Peter dropped in front of them .

' Greeting , boys , ' he cried , and mechanically they saluted , and then again was silence .

he frowned .

' I am back , ' he said hotly , ' why do you not cheer ? '

they opened their mouths , but the cheers would not come .

he overlooked it in his haste to tell the glorious tidings .

' Great news , boys , ' he cried , ' I have brought at last a mother for you all . '

still no sound , except a little thud from Tootles as he dropped on his knees .

' Have you not seen her ? ' asked Peter , becoming troubled .

' She flew this way . '

' Ah me , ' one voice said , and another said , ' Oh , mournful day . '

tootles rose .

' She is dead , ' he said uncomfortably .

' Perhaps she is frightened at being dead . '

they would all have been glad to follow if he had done this .

but there was the arrow .

he took it from her heart and faced his band .

' Whose arrow ? ' he demanded sternly .

' Mine , Peter , ' said Tootles on his knees .

' Oh , dastard hand , ' Peter said , and he raised the arrow to use it as a dagger .

tootles did not flinch .

he bared his breast .

' Strike , Peter , ' he said firmly , ' strike true . '

twice did Peter raise the arrow , and twice did his hand fall .

' I cannot strike , ' he said with awe , ' there is something stays my hand . '

all looked at him in wonder , save Nibs , who fortunately looked at Wendy .

' It is she , ' he cried , ' the Wendy lady ; see , her arm . '

wonderful to relate , Wendy had raised her arm .

Nibs bent over her and listened reverently .

' I think she said " poor Tootles , " ' he whispered .

' She lives , ' Peter said briefly .

slightly cried instantly , ' The Wendy lady lives . '

then Peter knelt beside her and found his button .

you remember she had put it on a chain that she wore round her neck .

' See , ' he said , ' the arrow struck against this .

it is the kiss I gave her .

it has saved her life . '

' I remember kisses , ' Slightly interposed quickly , ' let me see it .

ay , that 's a kiss . '

Peter did not hear him .

he was begging Wendy to get better quickly , so that he could show her the mermaids .

of course she could not answer yet , being still in a frightful faint ; but from overhead came a wailing note .

' Listen to Tink , ' said Curly , ' she is crying because the Wendy lives . '

then they had to tell Peter of Tink 's crime , and almost never had they seen him look so stern .

' Listen , Tinker Bell , ' he cried ; ' I am your friend no more .

Begone from me for ever . '

she flew on to his shoulder and pleaded , but he brushed her off .

do you think Tinker Bell was grateful to Wendy for raising her arm ?

oh dear no , never wanted to pinch her so much .

fairies indeed are strange , and Peter , who understood them best , often cuffed them .

but what to do with Wendy in her present delicate state of health ?

' Let us carry her down into the house , ' Curly suggested .

' Ay , ' said Slightly , ' that is what one does with ladies . '

' No , no , ' Peter said , ' you must not touch her .

it would not be sufficiently respectful . '

' That , ' said Slightly , ' is what I was thinking . '

' But if she lies there , ' Tootles said , ' she will die . '

' Ay , she will die , ' Slightly admitted , ' but there is no way out . '

' Yes , there is , ' cried Peter .

' Let us build a little house round her . '

they were all delighted .

' Quick , ' he ordered them , ' bring me each of you the best of what we have .

gut our house .

be sharp . '

in a moment they were as busy as tailors the night before a wedding .

as they dragged along the ground they fell asleep standing , stopped , woke up , moved another step and slept again .

' John , John , ' Michael would cry , ' wake up .

where is Nana , John , and mother ? '

and then John would rub his eyes and mutter , ' It is true , we did fly . '

you may be sure they were very relieved to find Peter .

' Hullo , Peter , ' they said .

' Hullo , ' replied Peter amicably , though he had quite forgotten them .

he was very busy at the moment measuring Wendy with his feet to see how large a house she would need .

of course he meant to leave room for chairs and a table .

John and Michael watched him .

' Is Wendy asleep ? ' they asked .

' Yes . '

' Look at them ! ' he cried .

' Curly , ' said Peter in his most captainy voice , ' see that these boys help in the building of the house . '

' Ay , ay , sir . '

' Build a house ? ' exclaimed John .

' For the Wendy , ' said Curly .

' For Wendy ? '

John said , aghast .

' Why , she is only a girl . '

' That , ' explained Curly , ' is why we are her servants . '

' You ?

Wendy 's servants ! '

' Yes , ' said Peter , ' and you also .

away with them . '

the astounded brothers were dragged away to hack and hew and carry .

' Chairs and a fender first , ' Peter ordered .

' Then we shall build the house round them . '

' Ay , ' said Slightly , ' that is how a house is built ; it all comes back to me . '

Peter thought of everything .

' Slightly , ' he ordered , ' fetch a doctor . '

' Ay , ay , ' said Slightly at once , and disappeared , scratching his head .

but he knew Peter must be obeyed , and he returned in a moment , wearing John 's hat and looking solemn .

' Please , sir , ' said Peter , going to him , ' are you a doctor ? '

this sometimes troubled them , as when they had to make-believe that they had had their dinners .

if they broke down in their make-believe he rapped them on the knuckles .

' Yes , my little man , ' anxiously replied Slightly , who had chapped knuckles .

' Please , sir , ' Peter explained , ' a lady lies very ill . '

she was lying at their feet , but Slightly had the sense not to see her .

' Tut , tut , tut , ' he said , ' where does she lie ? '

' In yonder glade . '

' I will put a glass thing in her mouth , ' said Slightly ; and he made-believe to do it , while Peter waited .

it was an anxious moment when the glass thing was withdrawn .

' How is she ? ' inquired Peter .

' Tut , tut , tut , ' said Slightly , ' this has cured her . '

' I am glad , ' Peter cried .

' If only we knew , ' said one , ' the kind of house she likes best . '

' Peter , ' shouted another , ' she is moving in her sleep . '

' Her mouth opens , ' cried a third , looking respectfully into it .

' Oh , lovely ! '

' Perhaps she is going to sing in her sleep , ' said Peter .

' Wendy , sing the kind of house you would like to have . '

immediately , without opening her eyes , Wendy began to sing :

' I wish I had a pretty house , The littlest ever seen , With funny little red walls And roof of mossy green . '

as they rattled up the little house they broke into song themselves :

to this she answered rather greedily :

with a blow of their fists they made windows , and large yellow leaves were the blinds .

but roses ?

' Roses , ' cried Peter sternly .

quickly they made-believe to grow the loveliest roses up the walls .

babies ?

to prevent Peter ordering babies they hurried into song again :

Peter , seeing this to be a good idea , at once pretended that it was his own .

Peter strode up and down , ordering finishing touches .

nothing escaped his eagle eye .

Just when it seemed absolutely finished ,

' There 's no knocker on the door , ' he said .

they were very ashamed , but Tootles gave the sole of his shoe , and it made an excellent knocker .

absolutely finished now , they thought .

not a bit of it .

' There 's no chimney , ' Peter said ; ' we must have a chimney . '

' It certainly does need a chimney , ' said John importantly .

this gave Peter an idea .

he snatched the hat off John 's head , knocked out the bottom , and put the hat on the roof .

now really and truly it was finished .

nothing remained to do but to knock .

' All look your best , ' Peter warned them ; ' first impressions are awfully important . '

he was glad no one asked him what first impressions are ; they were all too busy looking their best .

what the boys were wondering was , would any one answer the knock ?

if a lady , what would she be like ?

the door opened and a lady came out .

it was Wendy .

they all whipped off their hats .

she looked properly surprised , and this was just how they had hoped she would look .

' Where am I ? ' she said .

of course Slightly was the first to get his word in .

' Wendy lady , ' he said rapidly , ' for you we built this house . '

' Oh , say you 're pleased , ' cried Nibs .

' Lovely , darling house , ' Wendy said , and they were the very words they had hoped she would say .

' And we are your children , ' cried the twins .

then all went on their knees , and holding out their arms cried , ' O Wendy lady , be our mother . '

' Ought I ? '

Wendy said , all shining .

' Of course it 's frightfully fascinating , but you see I am only a little girl .

I have no real experience . '

' What we need is just a nice motherly person . '

' Oh dear ! '

Wendy said , ' you see I feel that is exactly what I am . '

' It is , it is , ' they all cried ; ' we saw it at once . '

' Very well , ' she said , ' I will do my best .

come inside at once , you naughty children ; I am sure your feet are damp .

and before I put you to bed I have just time to finish the story of Cinderella . '

In they went ; I don't know how there was room for them , but you can squeeze very tight in the Neverland .

and that was the first of the many joyous evenings they had with Wendy .

after a time he fell asleep , and some unsteady fairies had to climb over him on their way home from an orgy .

any of the other boys obstructing the fairy path at night they would have mischiefed , but they just tweaked Peter 's nose and passed on .

Illustration : PETER ON GUARD

CHAPTER VII

THE HOME UNDER THE GROUND

one of the first things Peter did next day was to measure Wendy and John and Michael for hollow trees .

Wendy and Michael fitted their trees at the first try , but John had to be altered a little .

after a few days ' practice they could go up and down as gaily as buckets in a well .

and how ardently they grew to love their home under the ground ; especially Wendy .

there was a strict rule against turning round until one gave the signal , when all turned at once .

it was rough and simple , and not unlike what baby bears would have made of an underground house in the same circumstances .

but there was one recess in the wall , no larger than a bird-cage , which was the private apartment of Tinker Bell .

no woman , however large , could have had a more exquisite boudoir and bedchamber combined .

there was a chandelier from Tiddly winks for the look of the thing , but of course she lit the residence herself .

I suppose it was all especially entrancing to Wendy , because those rampagious boys of hers gave her so much to do .

really there were whole weeks when , except perhaps with a stocking in the evening , she was never above ground .

the cooking , I can tell you , kept her nose to the pot .

Make-believe was so real to him that during a meal of it you could see him getting rounder .

Wendy 's favourite time for sewing and darning was after they had all gone to bed .

her face beamed when she exclaimed this .

you remember about her pet wolf .

after that it followed her about everywhere .

as time wore on did she think much about the beloved parents she had left behind her ?

they were the most ordinary questions ' What was the colour of Mother 's eyes ?

which was taller , Father or Mother ?

was Mother blonde or brunette ?

answer all three questions if possible . '

only one of these to be attempted . '

Peter did not compete .

he was above all that sort of thing .

by the way , the questions were all written in the past tense .

what was the colour of Mother 's eyes , and so on .

Wendy , you see , had been forgetting too .

he boasted that he had gone a walk for the good of his health .

he often went out alone , and when he came back you were never absolutely certain whether he had had an adventure or not .

but she was never quite sure , you know .

the difficulty is which one to choose .

should we take the brush with the redskins at Slightly Gulch ?

the extraordinary upshot of this adventure was but we have not decided yet that this is the adventure we are to narrate .

or we might tell how Peter saved Tiger Lily 's life in the Mermaids ' Lagoon , and so made her his ally .

fortunately the leaf gave way and Wendy woke , thinking it was bath-time , and swam back .

which of these adventures shall we choose ?

the best way will be to toss for it .

I have tossed , and the lagoon has won .

this almost makes one wish that the gulch or the cake or Tink 's leaf had won .

of course I could do it again , and make it best out of three ; however , perhaps fairest to stick to the lagoon .

CHAPTER VIII

THE MERMAIDS ' LAGOON

but just before they go on fire you see the lagoon .

Illustration : SUMMER DAYS ON THE LAGOON

he gave Wendy one of their combs .

the goals are at each end of the rainbow , and the keepers only are allowed to use their hands .

sometimes hundreds of mermaids will be playing in the lagoon at a time , and it is quite a pretty sight .

but the moment the children tried to join in they had to play by themselves , for the mermaids immediately disappeared .

this is the one mark that John has left on the Neverland .

it must also have been rather pretty to see the children resting on a rock for half an hour after their midday meal .

Wendy insisted on their doing this , and it had to be a real rest even though the meal was make-believe .

so they lay there in the sun , and their bodies glistened in it , while she sat beside them and looked important .

it was one such day , and they were all on Marooners ' Rock .

she was very busy , stitching .

while she stitched a change came to the lagoon .

little shivers ran over it , and the sun went away and shadows stole across the water , turning it cold .

it was not , she knew , that night had come , but something as dark as night had come .

no , worse than that .

it had not come , but it had sent that shiver through the sea to say that it was coming .

what was it ?

they drown when the tide rises , for then it is submerged .

so , though fear was upon her , and she longed to hear male voices , she would not waken them .

even when she heard the sound of muffled oars , though her heart was in her mouth , she did not waken them .

she stood over them to let them have their sleep out .

was it not brave of Wendy ?

it was well for those boys then that there was one among them who could sniff danger even in his sleep .

Peter sprang erect , as wide awake at once as a dog , and with one warning cry he roused the others .

he stood motionless , one hand to his ear .

' Pirates ! ' he cried .

the others came closer to him .

a strange smile was playing about his face , and Wendy saw it and shuddered .

while that smile was on his face no one dared address him ; all they could do was to stand ready to obey .

the order came sharp and incisive .

' Dive ! '

there was a gleam of legs , and instantly the lagoon seemed deserted .

Marooners ' Rock stood alone in the forbidding waters , as if it were itself marooned .

the boat drew nearer .

her hands and ankles were tied , and she knew what was to be her fate .

yet her face was impassive ; she was the daughter of a chief , she must die as a chief 's daughter , it is enough .

they had caught her boarding the pirate ship with a knife in her mouth .

no watch was kept on the ship , it being Hook 's boast that the wind of his name guarded the ship for a mile around .

now her fate would help to guard it also .

one more wail would go the round in that wind by night .

in the gloom that they brought with them the two pirates did not see the rock till they crashed into it .

' Luff , you lubber , ' cried an Irish voice that was Smee 's ; ' here 's the rock .

now , then , what we have to do is to hoist the redskin on to it and leave her there to drown . '

quite near the rock , but out of sight , two heads were bobbing up and down , Peter 's and Wendy 's .

Wendy was crying , for it was the first tragedy she had seen .

Peter had seen many tragedies , but he had forgotten them all .

he was less sorry than Wendy for Tiger Lily : it was two against one that angered him , and he meant to save her .

an easy way would have been to wait until the pirates had gone , but he was never one to choose the easy way .

there was almost nothing he could not do , and he now imitated the voice of Hook .

' Ahoy there , you lubbers , ' he called .

it was a marvellous imitation .

' The captain , ' said the pirates , staring at each other in surprise .

' He must be swimming out to us , ' Starkey said , when they had looked for him in vain .

' We are putting the redskin on the rock , ' Smee called out .

' Set her free , ' came the astonishing answer .

' Free ! '

' Yes , cut her bonds and let her go . '

' But , captain '

' At once , d'ye hear , ' cried Peter , ' or I 'll plunge my hook in you . '

' This is queer , ' Smee gasped .

' Better do what the captain orders , ' said Starkey nervously .

' Ay , ay , ' Smee said , and he cut Tiger Lily 's cords .

at once like an eel she slid between Starkey 's legs into the water .

Peter may have been about to crow , but his face puckered in a whistle of surprise instead .

' Boat ahoy ! ' again came the cry .

now Wendy understood .

the real Hook was also in the water .

he was swimming to the boat , and as his men showed a light to guide him he had soon reached them .

he was tingling with life and also top-heavy with conceit .

he signed to her to listen .

' Captain , is all well ? ' they asked timidly , but he answered with a hollow moan .

' He sighs , ' said Smee .

' He sighs again , ' said Starkey .

' And yet a third time he sighs , ' said Smee .

' What 's up , captain ? '

then at last he spoke passionately .

' The game 's up , ' he cried , ' those boys have found a mother . '

Affrighted though she was , Wendy swelled with pride .

' O evil day , ' cried Starkey .

' What 's a mother ? ' asked the ignorant Smee .

Peter pulled her beneath the water , for Hook had started up , crying , ' What was that ? '

it was the nest I have told you of , floating on the lagoon , and the Never bird was sitting on it .

' See , ' said Hook in answer to Smee 's question , ' that is a mother .

what a lesson .

the nest must have fallen into the water , but would the mother desert her eggs ?

no . '

Hook winced .

' Ay , ' he said , ' that is the fear that haunts me . '

he was roused from this dejection by Smee 's eager voice .

' Captain , ' said Smee , ' could we not kidnap these boys ' mother and make her our mother ? '

' It is a princely scheme , ' cried Hook , and at once it took practical shape in his great brain .

again Wendy forgot herself .

' Never ! ' she cried , and bobbed .

' What was that ? '

but they could see nothing .

they thought it must have been but a leaf in the wind .

' Do you agree , my bullies ? ' asked Hook .

' There is my hand on it , ' they both said .

' And there is my hook .

swear . '

' They all swore .

by this time they were on the rock , and suddenly Hook remembered Tiger Lily .

' Where is the redskin ? ' he demanded abruptly .

he had a playful humour at moments , and they thought this was one of the moments .

' That is all right , captain , ' Smee answered complacently ; ' we let her go . '

' Let her go ! ' cried Hook .

" Twas your own orders , ' the bo'sun faltered .

' You called over the water to us to let her go , ' said Starkey .

' Brimstone and gall , ' thundered Hook , ' what cozening is here ? '

his face had gone black with rage , but he saw that they believed their words , and he was startled .

' Lads , ' he said , shaking a little , ' I gave no such order . '

' It is passing queer , ' Smee said , and they all fidgeted uncomfortably .

Hook raised his voice , but there was a quiver in it .

' Spirit that haunts this dark lagoon to-night , ' he cried , ' dost hear me ? '

of course Peter should have kept quiet , but of course he did not .

he immediately answered in Hook 's voice :

' Odds , bobs , hammer and tongs , I hear you . '

in that supreme moment Hook did not blanch , even at the gills , but Smee and Starkey clung to each other in terror .

' Who are you , stranger , speak ? '

Hook demanded .

' I am James Hook , ' replied the voice , ' captain of the Jolly Roger . '

' You are not ; you are not , ' Hook cried hoarsely .

' Brimstone and gall , ' the voice retorted , ' say that again , and I 'll cast anchor in you . '

Hook tried a more ingratiating manner .

' If you are Hook , ' he said almost humbly , ' come tell me , who am I ? '

' A codfish , ' replied the voice , ' only a codfish . '

' A codfish ! '

Hook echoed blankly ; and it was then , but not till then , that his proud spirit broke .

he saw his men draw back from him .

' Have we been captained all this time by a codfish ! ' they muttered .

' It is lowering to our pride . '

they were his dogs snapping at him , but , tragic figure though he had become , he scarcely heeded them .

against such fearful evidence it was not their belief in him that he needed , it was his own .

he felt his ego slipping from him .

' Don't desert me , bully , ' he whispered hoarsely to it .

in his dark nature there was a touch of the feminine , as in all the great pirates , and it sometimes gave him intuitions .

suddenly he tried the guessing game .

' Hook , ' he called , ' have you another voice ? '

now Peter could never resist a game , and he answered blithely in his own voice , ' I have . '

' And another name ? '

' Ay , ay . '

' Vegetable ? ' asked Hook .

' No. '

' Mineral ? '

' No. '

' Animal ? '

' Yes . '

' Man ? '

' No ! '

this answer rang out scornfully .

' Boy ? '

' Yes . '

' Ordinary boy ? '

' No ! '

' Wonderful boy ? '

to Wendy 's pain the answer that rang out this time was ' Yes . '

' Are you in England ? '

' No. '

' Are you here ? '

' Yes . '

Hook was completely puzzled .

' You ask him some questions , ' he said to the others , wiping his damp brow .

Smee reflected .

' I can't think of a thing , ' he said regretfully .

' Can't guess , can't guess , ' crowed Peter .

' Do you give it up ? '

of course in his pride he was carrying the game too far , and the miscreants saw their chance .

' Yes , yes , ' they answered eagerly .

' Well , then , ' he cried , ' I am Peter Pan . '

Pan !

in a moment Hook was himself again , and Smee and Starkey were his faithful henchmen .

' Now we have him , ' Hook shouted .

' Into the water , Smee .

Starkey , mind the boat .

take him dead or alive . '

he leaped as he spoke , and simultaneously came the gay voice of Peter .

' Are you ready , boys ? '

' Ay , ay , ' from various parts of the lagoon .

' Then lam into the pirates . '

the fight was short and sharp .

first to draw blood was John , who gallantly climbed into the boat and held Starkey .

there was a fierce struggle , in which the cutlass was torn from the pirate 's grasp .

he wriggled overboard and John leapt after him .

the dinghy drifted away .

here and there a head bobbed up in the water , and there was a flash of steel followed by a cry or a whoop .

in the confusion some struck at their own side .

the corkscrew of Smee got Tootles in the fourth rib , but he was himself pinked in turn by Curly .

farther from the rock Starkey was pressing Slightly and the twins hard .

where all this time was Peter ?

he was seeking bigger game .

the others were all brave boys , and they must not be blamed for backing from the pirate captain .

his iron claw made a circle of dead water round him , from which they fled like affrighted fishes .

but there was one who did not fear him : there was one prepared to enter that circle .

strangely , it was not in the water that they met .

Hook rose to the rock to breathe , and at the same moment Peter scaled it on the opposite side .

the rock was slippery as a ball , and they had to crawl rather than climb .

neither knew that the other was coming .

some of the greatest heroes have confessed that just before they fell to they had a sinking .

had it been so with Peter at that moment I would admit it .

after all , this was the only man that the Sea-Cook had feared .

but Peter had no sinking , he had one feeling only , gladness ; and he gnashed his pretty teeth with joy .

it would not have been fighting fair .

he gave the pirate a hand to help him up .

it was then that Hook bit him .

not the pain of this but its unfairness was what dazed Peter .

it made him quite helpless .

he could only stare , horrified .

every child is affected thus the first time he is treated unfairly .

all he thinks he has a right to when he comes to you to be yours is fairness .

after you have been unfair to him he will love you again , but he will never afterwards be quite the same boy .

no one ever gets over the first unfairness ; no one except Peter .

he often met it , but he always forgot it .

I suppose that was the real difference between him and all the rest .

so when he met it now it was like the first time ; and he could just stare , helpless .

twice the iron hand clawed him .

' They must be swimming back or flying , ' the boys concluded .

they were not very anxious , they had such faith in Peter .

they chuckled , boylike , because they would be late for bed ; and it was all mother Wendy 's fault !

when their voices died away there came cold silence over the lagoon , and then a feeble cry .

' Help , help ! '

two small figures were beating against the rock ; the girl had fainted and lay on the boy 's arm .

with a last effort Peter pulled her up the rock and then lay down beside her .

even as he also fainted he saw that the water was rising .

he knew that they would soon be drowned , but he could do no more .

as they lay side by side a mermaid caught Wendy by the feet , and began pulling her softly into the water .

Peter , feeling her slip from him , woke with a start , and was just in time to draw her back .

but he had to tell her the truth .

' We are on the rock , Wendy , ' he said , ' but it is growing smaller .

soon the water will be over it . '

she did not understand even now .

' We must go , ' she said , almost brightly .

' Yes , ' he answered faintly .

' Shall we swim or fly , Peter ? '

he had to tell her .

' Do you think you could swim or fly as far as the island , Wendy , without my help ? '

she had to admit that she was too tired .

he moaned .

' What is it ? ' she asked , anxious about him at once .

' I can't help you , Wendy .

Hook wounded me .

I can neither fly nor swim . '

' Do you mean we shall both be drowned ? '

' Look how the water is rising . '

they put their hands over their eyes to shut out the sight .

they thought they would soon be no more .

it was the tail of a kite , which Michael had made some days before .

it had torn itself out of his hand and floated away .

' It lifted Michael off the ground , ' he cried ; ' why should it not carry you ? '

' Both of us ! '

' It can't lift two ; Michael and Curly tried . '

' Let us draw lots , ' Wendy said bravely .

' And you a lady ; never . '

already he had tied the tail round her .

Peter was alone on the lagoon .

the rock was very small now ; soon it would be submerged .

Peter was not quite like other boys ; but he was afraid at last .

next moment he was standing erect on the rock again , with that smile on his face and a drum beating within him .

it was saying , ' To die will be an awfully big adventure . '

Illustration : " TO DIE WILL BE AN AWFULLY BIG ADVENTURE "

CHAPTER IX

THE NEVER BIRD

the last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea .

it was not really a piece of paper ; it was the Never bird , making desperate efforts to reach Peter on her nest .

she had come to save him , to give him her nest , though there were eggs in it .

I rather wonder at the bird , for though he had been nice to her , he had also sometimes tormented her .

I can suppose only that , like Mrs Darling and the rest of them , she was melted because he had all his first teeth .

well , not only could they not understand each other , but they forgot their manners .

' What are you quacking about ? '

Peter answered .

' Why don't you let the nest drift as usual ? '

' I want you ' the bird said , and repeated it all over .

then Peter tried slow and distinct .

' What are you quacking about ? ' and so on .

the Never bird became irritated ; they have very short tempers .

' You dunderheaded little jay , ' she screamed , ' why don't you do as I tell you ? '

Peter felt that she was calling him names , and at a venture he retorted hotly :

' So are you ! '

then rather curiously they both snapped out the same remark :

' Shut up ! '

' Shut up ! '

nevertheless the bird was determined to save him if she could , and by one last mighty effort she propelled the nest against the rock .

then up she flew ; deserting her eggs , so as to make her meaning clear .

then at last he understood , and clutched the nest and waved his thanks to the bird as she fluttered overhead .

there were two large white eggs , and Peter lifted them up and reflected .

the stave was still there , and on it Starkey had hung his hat , a deep tarpaulin , watertight , with a broad brim .

Peter put the eggs into this hat and set it on the lagoon .

it floated beautifully .

then he got into the nest , reared the stave in it as a mast , and hung up his shirt for a sail .

at the same moment the bird fluttered down upon the hat and once more sat snugly on her eggs .

she drifted in one direction , and he was borne off in another , both cheering .

every boy had adventures to tell ; but perhaps the biggest adventure of all was that they were several hours late for bed .

CHAPTER X

THE HAPPY HOME

one important result of the brush on the lagoon was that it made the redskins their friends .

Peter had saved Tiger Lily from a dreadful fate , and now there was nothing she and her braves would not do for him .

even by day they hung about , smoking the pipe of peace , and looking almost as if they wanted tit-bits to eat .

' Me Tiger Lily , ' that lovely creature would reply .

' Peter Pan save me , me his velly nice friend .

me no let pirates hurt him . '

Peter Pan has spoken . '

secretly Wendy sympathised with them a little , but she was far too loyal a housewife to listen to any complaints against father .

' Father knows best , ' she always said , whatever her private opinion must be .

her private opinion was that the redskins should not call her a squaw .

the way you got the time on the island was to find the crocodile , and then stay near him till the clock struck .

' Silence , ' cried Wendy when for the twentieth time she had told them that they were not all to speak at once .

' Is your calabash empty , Slightly darling ? '

' Not quite empty , mummy , ' Slightly said , after looking into an imaginary mug .

' He hasn't even begun to drink his milk , ' Nibs interposed .

this was telling , and Slightly seized his chance .

' I complain of Nibs , ' he cried promptly .

John , however , had held up his hand first .

' Well , John ? '

' May I sit in Peter 's chair , as he is not here ? '

' Sit in father 's chair , John ! '

Wendy was scandalised .

' Certainly not . '

' He is not really our father , ' John answered .

' He didn't even know how a father does till I showed him . '

this was grumbling .

' We complain of John , ' cried the twins .

tootles held up his hand .

he was so much the humblest of them , indeed he was the only humble one , that Wendy was specially gentle with him .

' I don't suppose , ' Tootles said diffidently , ' that I could be father . '

' No , Tootles . '

once Tootles began , which was not very often , he had a silly way of going on .

' No , I won't , ' Michael rapped out .

he was already in his basket .

' No , indeed , ' replied the twins ; ' it 's awfully difficult to be a twin . '

' No , ' they all replied .

then at last he stopped .

' I hadn't really any hope , ' he said .

the hateful telling broke out again .

' Slightly is coughing on the table . '

' The twins began with mammee-apples . '

' Curly is taking both tappa rolls and yams . '

' Nibs is speaking with his mouth full . '

' I complain of the twins . '

' I complain of Curly . '

' I complain of Nibs . '

' Wendy , ' remonstrated Michael , ' I 'm too big for a cradle . '

' I must have somebody in a cradle , ' she said almost tartly , ' and you are the littlest .

a cradle is such a nice homely thing to have about a house . '

while she sewed they played around her ; such a group of happy faces and dancing limbs lit up by that romantic fire .

it had become a very familiar scene this in the home under the ground , but we are looking on it for the last time .

there was a step above , and Wendy , you may be sure , was the first to recognise it .

' Children , I hear your father 's step .

he likes you to meet him at the door . '

above , the redskins crouched before Peter .

' Watch well , braves .

I have spoken . '

and then , as so often before , the gay children dragged him from his tree .

as so often before , but never again .

he had brought nuts for the boys as well as the correct time for Wendy .

' Peter , you just spoil them , you know , ' Wendy simpered .

' Ah , old lady , ' said Peter , hanging up his gun .

' It was me told him mothers are called old lady , ' Michael whispered to Curly .

' I complain of Michael , ' said Curly instantly .

the first twin came to Peter .

' Father , we want to dance . '

' Dance away , my little man , ' said Peter , who was in high good humour .

' But we want you to dance . '

Peter was really the best dancer among them , but he pretended to be scandalised .

' Me !

my old bones would rattle . '

' And mummy too . '

' What , ' cried Wendy , ' the mother of such an armful , dance ! '

' But on a Saturday night , ' Slightly insinuated .

' Of course it is Saturday night , Peter , ' Wendy said , relenting .

' People of our figure , Wendy . '

' But it is only among our own progeny . '

' True , true . '

so they were told they could dance , but they must put on their nighties first .

' It is sweet , Peter , isn't it ? '

Wendy said , frightfully gratified .

' Peter , I think Curly has your nose . '

' Michael takes after you . '

she went to him and put her hand on his shoulder .

' No , Wendy . '

' Peter , what is it ? '

' I was just thinking , ' he said , a little scared .

' It is only make-believe , isn't it , that I am their father ? '

' Oh yes , ' Wendy said primly .

' You see , ' he continued apologetically , ' it would make me seem so old to be their real father . '

' But they are ours , Peter , yours and mine . '

' But not really , Wendy ? ' he asked anxiously .

' Not if you don't wish it , ' she replied ; and she distinctly heard his sigh of relief .

' Peter , ' she asked , trying to speak firmly , ' what are your exact feelings for me ? '

' Those of a devoted son , Wendy . '

' I thought so , ' she said , and went and sat by herself at the extreme end of the room .

' You are so queer , ' he said , frankly puzzled , ' and Tiger Lily is just the same .

there is something she wants to be to me , but she says it is not my mother . '

' No , indeed , it is not , ' Wendy replied with frightful emphasis .

now we know why she was prejudiced against the redskins .

' Then what is it ? '

' It isn't for a lady to tell . '

' Oh , very well , ' Peter said , a little nettled .

' Perhaps Tinker Bell will tell me . '

' Oh yes , Tinker Bell will tell you , ' Wendy retorted scornfully .

' She is an abandoned little creature . '

here Tink , who was in her boudoir , eavesdropping , squeaked out something impudent .

' She says she glories in being abandoned , ' Peter interpreted .

he had a sudden idea .

' Perhaps Tink wants to be my mother ? '

' You silly ass ! ' cried Tinker Bell in a passion .

she had said it so often that Wendy needed no translation .

' I almost agree with her , ' Wendy snapped .

fancy Wendy snapping .

but she had been much tried , and she little knew what was to happen before the night was out .

if she had known she would not have snapped .

none of them knew .

perhaps it was best not to know .

they sang and danced in their night-gowns .

so uproariously gay was the dance , and how they buffeted each other on the bed and out of it !

the stories they told , before it was time for Wendy 's good-night story !

' Yes , it is a dull beginning .

I say , let us pretend that it is the end . '

and then at last they all got into bed for Wendy 's story , the story they loved best , the story Peter hated .

but to-night he remained on his stool ; and we shall see what happened .

CHAPTER XI

WENDY'S STORY

' There was once a gentleman '

' I had rather he had been a lady , ' Curly said .

' I wish he had been a white rat , ' said Nibs .

' Quiet , ' their mother admonished them .

' There was a lady also , and '

' O mummy , ' cried the first twin , ' you mean that there is a lady also , don't you ?

she is not dead , is she ? '

' Oh no . '

' I am awfully glad she isn't dead , ' said Tootles .

' Are you glad , John ? '

' Of course I am . '

' Are you glad , Nibs ? '

' Rather . '

' Are you glad , Twins ? '

' We are just glad . '

' Oh dear , ' sighed Wendy .

' The gentleman 's name , ' Wendy continued , ' was Mr Darling , and her name was Mrs Darling . '

' I knew them , ' John said , to annoy the others .

' I think I knew them , ' said Michael rather doubtfully .

' They were married , you know , ' explained Wendy , ' and what do you think they had ? '

' White rats , ' cried Nibs , inspired .

' No. '

' It 's awfully puzzling , ' said Tootles , who knew the story by heart .

' Quiet , Tootles .

they had three descendants . '

' What is descendants ? '

' Well , you are one , Twin .

' Do you hear that , John ?

I am a descendant . '

' Descendants are only children , ' said John .

' Oh dear , oh dear , ' sighed Wendy .

' It 's an awfully good story , ' said Nibs .

' They flew away , ' Wendy continued , ' to the Neverland , where the lost children are . '

' I just thought they did , ' Curly broke in excitedly .

' I don't know how it is , but I just thought they did . '

' O Wendy , ' cried Tootles , ' was one of the lost children called Tootles ? '

' Yes , he was . '

' I am in a story .

hurrah , I am in a story , Nibs . '

' Hush .

now I want you to consider the feelings of the unhappy parents with all their children flown away . '

' Oo ! ' they all moaned , though they were not really considering the feelings of the unhappy parents one jot .

' Think of the empty beds ! '

' Oo ! '

' It 's awfully sad , ' the first twin said cheerfully .

' I don't see how it can have a happy ending , ' said the second twin .

' Do you , Nibs ? '

' I 'm frightfully anxious . '

' If you knew how great is a mother 's love , ' Wendy told them triumphantly , ' you would have no fear . '

she had now come to the part that Peter hated .

' I do like a mother 's love , ' said Tootles , hitting Nibs with a pillow .

' Do you like a mother 's love , Nibs ? '

' I do just , ' said Nibs , hitting back .

' Did they ever go back ? '

' Years have rolled by ; and who is this elegant lady of uncertain age alighting at London Station ? '

' O Wendy , who is she ? ' cried Nibs , every bit as excited as if he didn't know .

' Can it be yes no it is the fair Wendy ! '

' Oh ! '

' And who are the two noble portly figures accompanying her , now grown to man 's estate ?

can they be John and Michael ?

they are ! '

' Oh ! '

' " See , dear brothers , " says Wendy , pointing upwards , ' " there is the window still standing open .

ah , now we are rewarded for our sublime faith in a mother 's love . "

so up they flew to their mummy and daddy ; and pen cannot describe the happy scene , over which we draw a veil . '

that was the story , and they were as pleased with it as the fair narrator herself .

everything just as it should be , you see .

so great indeed was their faith in a mother 's love that they felt they could afford to be callous for a bit longer .

but there was one there who knew better ; and when Wendy finished he uttered a hollow groan .

' What is it , Peter ? ' she cried , running to him , thinking he was ill .

she felt him solicitously , lower down than his chest .

' Where is it , Peter ? '

' It isn't that kind of pain , ' Peter replied darkly .

' Then what kind is it ? '

' Wendy , you are wrong about mothers . '

I am not sure that this was true , but Peter thought it was true ; and it scared them .

' Are you sure mothers are like that ? '

' Yes . '

so this was the truth about mothers .

the toads !

still it is best to be careful ; and no one knows so quickly as a child when he should give in .

' Wendy , let us go home , ' cried John and Michael together .

' Yes , ' she said , clutching them .

' Not to-night ? ' asked the lost boys bewildered .

' If you wish it , ' , he replied , as coolly as if she had asked him to pass the nuts .

Illustration : WENDY'S STORY

not so much as a sorry-to-lose-you between them !

if she did not mind the parting , he was going to show her , was Peter , that neither did he .

then having given the necessary instructions to the redskins he returned to the home , where an unworthy scene had been enacted in his absence .

Panic-stricken at the thought of losing Wendy the lost boys had advanced upon her threateningly .

' It will be worse than before she came , ' they cried .

' We shan't let her go . '

' Let 's keep her prisoner . '

' Ay , chain her up . '

in her extremity an instinct told her to which of them to turn .

' Tootles , ' she cried , ' I appeal to you . '

was it not strange ? she appealed to Tootles , quite the silliest one .

grandly , however , did Tootles respond .

for that one moment he dropped his silliness and spoke with dignity .

' I am just Tootles , ' he said , ' and nobody minds me .

but the first who does not behave to Wendy like an English gentleman I will blood him severely . '

he drew his hanger ; and for that instant his sun was at noon .

the others held back uneasily .

then Peter returned , and they saw at once that they would get no support from him .

he would keep no girl in the Neverland against her will .

' Thank you , Peter . '

wake her , Nibs . '

Nibs had to knock twice before he got an answer , though Tink had really been sitting up in bed listening for some time .

' Who are you ?

how dare you ?

go away , ' she cried .

' You are to get up , Tink , ' Nibs called , ' and take Wendy on a journey . '

then she pretended to be asleep again .

' She says she won't , ' Nibs exclaimed , aghast at such insubordination , whereupon Peter went sternly toward the young lady 's chamber .

this made her leap to the floor .

' Who said I wasn't getting up ? ' she cried .

in the meantime the boys were gazing very forlornly at Wendy , now equipped with John and Michael for the journey .

novelty was beckoning to them as usual .

crediting them with a nobler feeling Wendy melted .

' But won't they think us rather a handful ? '

Nibs asked in the middle of his jump .

' Peter , can we go ? ' they all cried imploringly .

they took it for granted that if they went he would go also , but really they scarcely cared .

thus children are ever ready , when novelty knocks , to desert their dearest ones .

' All right , ' Peter replied with a bitter smile ; and immediately they rushed to get their things .

she loved to give them medicine , and undoubtedly gave them too much .

' Get your things , Peter , ' she cried , shaking .

' No , ' he answered , pretending indifference , ' I am not going with you , Wendy . '

' Yes , Peter . '

' No. '

to show that her departure would leave him unmoved , he skipped up and down the room , playing gaily on his heartless pipes .

she had to run about after him , though it was rather undignified .

' To find your mother , ' she coaxed .

now , if Peter had ever quite had a mother , he no longer missed her .

he could do very well without one .

he had thought them out , and remembered only their bad points .

' But , Peter '

' No. '

and so the others had to be told .

' Peter isn't coming . '

Peter not coming !

they gazed blankly at him , their sticks over their backs , and on each stick a bundle .

their first thought was that if Peter was not going he had probably changed his mind about letting them go .

but he was far too proud for that .

' If you find your mothers , ' he said darkly , ' I hope you will like them . '

the awful cynicism of this made an uncomfortable impression , and most of them began to look rather doubtful .

after all , their faces said , were they not noodles to want to go ?

she had to take his hand , as there was no indication that he would prefer a thimble .

' You will remember about changing your flannels , Peter ? ' she said , lingering over him .

she was always so particular about their flannels .

' Yes . '

' And you will take your medicine ? '

' Yes . '

that seemed to be everything ; and an awkward pause followed .

Peter , however , was not the kind that breaks down before people .

' Are you ready , Tinker Bell ? ' he called out .

' Ay , ay . '

' Then lead the way . '

above , where all had been so still , the air was rent with shrieks and the clash of steel .

below , there was dead silence .

mouths opened and remained open .

Wendy fell on her knees , but her arms were extended toward Peter .

all arms were extended to him , as if suddenly blown in his direction ; they were beseeching him mutely not to desert them .

CHAPTER XII

THE CHILDREN ARE CARRIED OFF

through the long black night the savage scouts wriggle , snake-like , among the grass without stirring a blade .

the brushwood closes behind them as silently as sand into which a mole has dived .

not a sound is to be heard , save when they give vent to a wonderful imitation of the lonely call of the coyote .

that this was the usual procedure was so well known to Hook that in disregarding it he cannot be excused on the plea of ignorance .

they left nothing undone that was consistent with the reputation of their tribe .

around the brave Tiger Lily were a dozen of her stoutest warriors , and they suddenly saw the perfidious pirates bearing down upon them .

fell from their eyes then the film through which they had looked at victory .

no more would they torture at the stake .

for them the happy hunting-grounds now .

they knew it ; but as their fathers ' sons they acquitted themselves .

it is written that the noble savage must never express surprise in the presence of the white .

it is no part of ours to describe what was a massacre rather than a fight .

thus perished many of the flower of the Piccaninny tribe .

Scourie , Chas .

Turley , and the Alsatian Foggerty .

to what extent Hook is to blame for his tactics on this occasion is for the historian to decide .

what he should perhaps have done was to acquaint his opponents that he proposed to follow a new method .

what were his own feelings about himself at that triumphant moment ?

it was Pan he wanted , Pan and Wendy and their band , but chiefly Pan .

Peter was such a small boy that one tends to wonder at the man 's hatred of him .

the truth is that there was a something about Peter which goaded the pirate captain to frenzy .

it was not his courage , it was not his engaging appearance , it was not .

there is no beating about the bush , for we know quite well what it was , and have got to tell .

it was Peter 's cockiness .

this had got on Hook 's nerves ; it made his iron claw twitch , and at night it disturbed him like an insect .

while Peter lived , the tortured man felt that he was a lion in a cage into which a sparrow had come .

the question now was how to get down the trees , or how to get his dogs down ?

he ran his greedy eyes over them , searching for the thinnest ones .

they wriggled uncomfortably , for they knew he would not scruple to ram them down with poles .

In the meantime , what of the boys ?

which side had won ?

now Smee had found the tom-tom , and was at that moment sitting on it .

' You will never hear the tom-tom again , ' he muttered , but inaudibly of course , for strict silence had been enjoined .

never , probably , had this simple man admired Hook so much .

twice Smee beat upon the instrument , and then stopped to listen gleefully .

' The tom-tom , ' the miscreants heard Peter cry ; ' an Indian victory ! '

the doomed children answered with a cheer that was music to the black hearts above , and almost immediately they repeated their goodbyes to Peter .

they smirked at each other and rubbed their hands .

CHAPTER XIII

DO YOU BELIEVE IN FAIRIES ?

the more quickly this horror is disposed of the better .

the first to emerge from his tree was Curly .

Illustration : FLUNG LIKE BALES

a different treatment was accorded to Wendy , who came last .

he did it with such an air , he was so frightfully distingué , that she was too fascinated to cry out .

she was only a little girl .

his lip was curled with malicious triumph .

how to convey them ?

hunched up in their ropes they might indeed be rolled down hill like barrels , but most of the way lay through a morass .

again Hook 's genius surmounted difficulties .

he indicated that the little house must be used as a conveyance .

Hook saw it , and it did Peter a bad service .

it dried up any trickle of pity for him that may have remained in the pirate 's infuriated breast .

dark as were his thoughts his blue eyes were as soft as the periwinkle .

was that boy asleep , or did he stand waiting at the foot of Slightly 's tree , with his dagger in his hand ?

there was no way of knowing , save by going down .

then silently he let himself go into the unknown .

he arrived unmolested at the foot of the shaft , and stood still again , biting at his breath , which had almost left him .

on the bed lay Peter fast asleep .

then he decided not to take his medicine , so as to grieve Wendy .

sometimes , though not often , he had dreams , and they were more painful than the dreams of other boys .

for hours he could not be separated from these dreams , though he wailed piteously in them .

they had to do , I think , with the riddle of his existence .

but on this occasion he had fallen at once into a dreamless sleep .

thus defenceless Hook found him .

he stood silent at the foot of the tree looking across the chamber at his enemy .

did no feeling of compassion disturb his sombre breast ?

mastered by his better self he would have returned reluctantly up the tree , but for one thing .

what stayed him was Peter 's impertinent appearance as he slept .

they steeled Hook 's heart .

if his rage had broken him into a hundred pieces every one of them would have disregarded the incident , and leapt at the sleeper .

it did not entirely fill the aperture , and he had been looking over it .

feeling for the catch , he found to his fury that it was low down , beyond his reach .

was his enemy to escape him after all .

but what was that ?

the red in his eye had caught sight of Peter 's medicine standing on a ledge within easy reach .

he fathomed what it was straightway , and immediately he knew that the sleeper was in his power .

these he had boiled down into a yellow liquid quite unknown to science , which was probably the most virulent poison in existence .

five drops of this he now added to Peter 's cup .

his hand shook , but it was in exultation rather than in shame .

as he did it he avoided glancing at the sleeper , but not lest pity should unnerve him ; merely to avoid spilling .

then one long gloating look he cast upon his victim , and turning , wormed his way with difficulty up the tree .

as he emerged at the top he looked the very spirit of evil breaking from its hole .

Peter slept on .

the light guttered and went out , leaving the tenement in darkness ; but still he slept .

it was a soft cautious tapping on the door of his tree .

Soft and cautious , but in that stillness it was sinister .

Peter felt for his dagger till his hand gripped it .

then he spoke .

' Who is that ? '

for long there was no answer : then again the knock .

' Who are you ? '

no answer .

he was thrilled , and he loved being thrilled .

in two strides he reached his door .

unlike Slightly 's door it filled the aperture , so that he could not see beyond it , nor could the one knocking see him .

' I won't open unless you speak , ' Peter cried .

then at last the visitor spoke , in a lovely bell-like voice .

' Let me in , Peter . '

it was Tink , and quickly he unbarred to her .

she flew in excitedly , her face flushed and her dress stained with mud .

' What is it ? '

' Oh , you could never guess , ' she cried , and offered him three guesses .

Peter 's heart bobbed up and down as he listened .

Wendy bound , and on the pirate ship ; she who loved everything to be just so !

' I 'll rescue her , ' he cried , leaping at his weapons .

as he leapt he thought of something he could do to please her .

he could take his medicine .

his hand closed on the fatal draught .

' No ! ' shrieked Tinker Bell , who had heard Hook muttering about his deed as he sped through the forest .

' Why not ? '

' It is poisoned . '

' Poisoned ?

who could have poisoned it ? '

' Hook . '

' Don't be silly .

how could Hook have got down here ? '

alas , Tinker Bell could not explain this , for even she did not know the dark secret of Slightly 's tree .

nevertheless Hook 's words had left no room for doubt .

the cup was poisoned .

' Besides , ' said Peter , quite believing himself , ' I never fell asleep . '

he raised the cup .

' Why , Tink , how dare you drink my medicine ? '

but she did not answer .

already she was reeling in the air .

' What is the matter with you ? ' cried Peter , suddenly afraid .

' It was poisoned , Peter , ' she told him softly ; ' and now I am going to be dead . '

' O Tink , did you drink it to save me ? '

' Yes . '

' But why , Tink ? '

her wings would scarcely carry her now , but in reply she alighted on his shoulder and gave his chin a loving bite .

she whispered in his ear ' You silly ass ' ; and then , tottering to her chamber , lay down on the bed .

his head almost filled the fourth wall of her little room as he knelt near her in distress .

every moment her light was growing fainter ; and he knew that if it went out she would be no more .

she liked his tears so much that she put out her beautiful finger and let them run over it .

her voice was so low that at first he could not make out what she said .

then he made it out .

she was saying that she thought she could get well again if children believed in fairies .

Peter flung out his arms .

' Do you believe ? ' he cried .

Tink sat up in bed almost briskly to listen to her fate .

she fancied she heard answers in the affirmative , and then again she wasn't sure .

' What do you think ? ' she asked Peter .

' If you believe , ' he shouted to them , ' clap your hands ; don't let Tink die . '

Many clapped .

some didn't .

a few little beasts hissed .

she never thought of thanking those who believed , but she would have liked to get at the ones who had hissed .

' And now to rescue Wendy . '

it was not such a night as he would have chosen .

he regretted now that he had given the birds of the island such strange names that they are very wild and difficult of approach .

there was no other course but to press forward in redskin fashion , at which happily he was an adept .

but in what direction , for he could not be sure that the children had been taken to the ship ?

but morning was needed to search for such guidance , and he could not wait .

the upper world had called him , but would give no help .

he swore this terrible oath : ' Hook or me this time . '

he was frightfully happy .

CHAPTER XIV

THE PIRATE SHIP

she was the cannibal of the seas , and scarce needed that watchful eye , for she floated immune in the horror of her name .

she was wrapped in the blanket of night , through which no sound from her could have reached the shore .

of this , as of almost everything else , Smee was quite unconscious .

Hook trod the deck in thought .

O man unfathomable .

it was his hour of triumph .

Peter had been removed for ever from his path , and all the other boys were on the brig , about to walk the plank .

but there was no elation in his gait , which kept pace with the action of his sombre mind .

Hook was profoundly dejected .

he was often thus when communing with himself on board ship in the quietude of the night .

it was because he was so terribly alone .

this inscrutable man never felt more alone than when surrounded by his dogs .

they were socially so inferior to him .

Hook was not his true name .

but above all he retained the passion for good form .

good form !

however much he may have degenerated , he still knew that this is all that really matters .

' Have you been good form to-day ? ' was their eternal question .

' Fame , fame , that glittering bauble , it is mine , ' he cried .

' Is it quite good form to be distinguished at anything ? ' the tap-tap from his school replied .

' I am the only man whom Barbecue feared , ' he urged ; ' and Flint himself feared Barbecue . '

' Barbecue , Flint what house ? ' came the cutting retort .

most disquieting reflection of all , was it not bad form to think about good form ?

his vitals were tortured by this problem .

Ofttimes he drew his sleeve across his face , but there was no damming that trickle .

ah , envy not Hook .

there came to him a presentiment of his early dissolution .

it was as if Peter 's terrible oath had boarded the ship .

Hook felt a gloomy desire to make his dying speech , lest presently there should be no time for it .

' Better for Hook , ' he cried , ' if he had had less ambition . '

it was in his darkest hours only that he referred to himself in the third person .

' No little children love me . '

Strange that he should think of this , which had never troubled him before ; perhaps the sewing machine brought it to his mind .

for long he muttered to himself , staring at Smee , who was hemming placidly , under the conviction that all children feared him .

feared him !

feared Smee !

there was not a child on board the brig that night who did not already love him .

Michael had tried on his spectacles .

to tell poor Smee that they thought him lovable !

Hook itched to do it , but it seemed too brutal .

instead , he revolved this mystery in his mind : why do they find Smee lovable ?

he pursued the problem like the sleuth-hound that he was .

if Smee was lovable , what was it that made him so ?

a terrible answer suddenly presented itself : ' Good form ? '

had the bo'sun good form without knowing it , which is the best form of all ?

he remembered that you have to prove you don't know you have it before you are eligible for Pop .

with a cry of rage he raised his iron hand over Smee 's head ; but he did not tear .

what arrested him was this reflection :

' To claw a man because he is good form , what would that be ? '

' Bad form ! '

the unhappy Hook was as impotent as he was damp , and he fell forward like a cut flower .

' Quiet , you scugs , ' he cried , ' or I 'll cast anchor in you ' ; and at once the din was hushed .

' Are all the children chained , so that they cannot fly away ? '

' Ay , ay . '

' Then hoist them up . '

the wretched prisoners were dragged from the hold , all except Wendy , and ranged in line in front of him .

for a time he seemed unconscious of their presence .

he lolled at his ease , humming , not unmelodiously , snatches of a rude song , and fingering a pack of cards .

ever and anon the light from his cigar gave a touch of colour to his face .

which of you is it to be ? '

' Don't irritate him unnecessarily , ' had been Wendy 's instructions in the hold ; so Tootles stepped forward politely .

all children know this about mothers , and despise them for it , but make constant use of it .

so Tootles explained prudently , ' You see , sir , I don't think my mother would like me to be a pirate .

would your mother like you to be a pirate , Slightly ? '

he winked at Slightly , who said mournfully , ' I don't think so , ' as if he wished things had been otherwise .

' Would your mother like you to be a pirate , Twin ? '

' I don't think so , ' said the first twin , as clever as the others .

' Nibs , would '

' Stow this gab , ' roared Hook , and the spokesmen were dragged back .

' You , boy , ' he said , addressing John , ' you look as if you had a little pluck in you .

Didst never want to be a pirate , my hearty ? '

now John had sometimes experienced this hankering at maths . prep . ; and he was struck by Hook 's picking him out .

' I once thought of calling myself Red-handed Jack , ' he said diffidently .

' And a good name too .

we 'll call you that here , bully , if you join . '

' What do you think , Michael ? ' asked John .

' What would you call me if I join ? '

Michael demanded .

' Blackbeard Joe . '

Michael was naturally impressed .

' What do you think , John ? '

he wanted John to decide , and John wanted him to decide .

' Shall we still be respectful subjects of the King ? '

John inquired .

through Hook 's teeth came the answer : ' You would have to swear , " down with the King . " '

perhaps John had not behaved very well so far , but he shone out now .

' Then I refuse , ' he cried , banging the barrel in front of Hook .

' And I refuse , ' cried Michael .

' Rule Britannia ! ' squeaked Curly .

the infuriated pirates buffeted them in the mouth ; and Hook roared out , ' That seals your doom .

bring up their mother .

get the plank ready . '

they were only boys , and they went white as they saw Jukes and Cecco preparing the fatal plank .

but they tried to look brave when Wendy was brought up .

no words of mine can tell you how Wendy despised those pirates .

but as the boys gathered round her she had no thought , of course , save for them .

with a hasty gesture he tried to hide it , but he was too late .

' Are they to die ? ' asked Wendy , with a look of such frightful contempt that he nearly fainted .

' They are , ' he snarled .

' Silence all , ' he called gloatingly , ' for a mother 's last words to her children . '

at this moment Wendy was grand .

' These are my last words , dear boys , ' she said firmly .

even the pirates were awed ; and Tootles cried out hysterically , ' I am going to do what my mother hopes .

what are you to do , Nibs ? '

' What my mother hopes .

what are you to do , Twin ? '

' What my mother hopes .

John , what are '

but Hook had found his voice again .

' Tie her up , ' he shouted .

it was Smee who tied her to the mast .

' See here , honey , ' he whispered , ' I 'll save you if you promise to be my mother . '

but not even for Smee would she make such a promise .

' I would almost rather have no children at all , ' she said disdainfully .

Hook smiled on them with his teeth closed , and took a step toward Wendy .

his intention was to turn her face so that she should see the boys walking the plank one by one .

but he never reached her , he never heard the cry of anguish he hoped to wring from her .

he heard something else instead .

it was the terrible tick-tick of the crocodile .

all knew that what was about to happen concerned him alone , and that from being actors they were suddenly become spectators .

very frightful was it to see the change that came over him .

it was as if he had been clipped at every joint .

he fell in a little heap .

even the iron claw hung inactive ; as if knowing that it was no intrinsic part of what the attacking force wanted .

the pirates respectfully cleared a passage for him , and it was only when he brought up against the bulwarks that he spoke .

' Hide me , ' he cried hoarsely .

they gathered round him ; all eyes averted from the thing that was coming aboard .

they had no thought of fighting it .

it was Fate .

then they got the strangest surprise of this Night of Nights ; for it was no crocodile that was coming to their aid .

it was Peter .

he signed to them not to give vent to any cry of admiration that might rouse suspicion .

then he went on ticking .

CHAPTER XV

' HOOK OR ME THIS TIME '

odd things happen to all of us on our way through life without our noticing for a time that they have happened .

now such an experience had come that night to Peter .

when last we saw him he was stealing across the island with one finger to his lips and his dagger at the ready .

at first he thought this eerie , but soon he concluded rightly that the clock had run down .

he ticked superbly , but with one unforeseen result .

thus many animals pass from land to water , but no other human of whom I know .

as he swam he had but one thought : ' Hook or me this time . '

he had ticked so long that he now went on ticking without knowing that he was doing it .

Illustration : HOOK OR ME THIS TIME

the crocodile !

no sooner did Peter remember it than he heard the ticking .

at first he thought the sound did come from the crocodile , and he looked behind him swiftly .

then he realised that he was doing it himself , and in a flash he understood the situation .

' How clever of me , ' he thought at once , and signed to the boys not to burst into applause .

it was at this moment that Ed Teynte the quartermaster emerged from the forecastle and came along the deck .

now , reader , time what happened by your watch .

Peter struck true and deep .

John clapped his hands on the ill-fated pirate 's mouth to stifle the dying groan .

he fell forward .

four boys caught him to prevent the thud .

Peter gave the signal , and the carrion was cast overboard .

there was a splash , and then silence .

how long has it taken ?

' One ! '

( slightly had begun to count . )

they could hear each other 's distressed breathing now , which showed them that the more terrible sound had passed .

' It 's gone , captain , ' Smee said , wiping his spectacles .

' All 's still again . '

slowly Hook let his head emerge from his ruff , and listened so intently that he could have caught the echo of the tick .

there was not a sound , and he drew himself up firmly to his full height .

' Then here 's to Johnny Plank , ' he cried brazenly , hating the boys more than ever because they had seen him unbend .

he broke into the villainous ditty :

at that they fell on their knees .

' No , no , ' they cried so piteously that every pirate smiled .

' Fetch the cat , Jukes , ' said Hook ; ' it 's in the cabin . '

the cabin !

Peter was in the cabin !

the children gazed at each other .

' Ay , ay , ' said Jukes blithely , and he strode into the cabin .

they followed him with their eyes ; they scarce knew that Hook had resumed his song , his dogs joining in with him :

what was the last line will never be known , for of a sudden the song was stayed by a dreadful screech from the cabin .

it wailed through the ship , and died away .

then was heard a crowing sound which was well understood by the boys , but to the pirates was almost more eerie than the screech .

' What was that ? ' cried Hook .

' Two , ' said Slightly solemnly .

the Italian Cecco hesitated for a moment and then swung into the cabin .

he tottered out , haggard .

' What 's the matter with Bill Jukes , you dog ? ' hissed Hook , towering over him .

' The matter wi ' him is he 's dead , stabbed , ' replied Cecco in a hollow Voice .

' Bill Jukes dead ! ' cried the startled pirates .

the exultation of the boys , the lowering looks of the pirates , both were seen by Hook .

' Cecco , ' he said in his most steely voice , ' go back and fetch me out that doodle-doo . '

Cecco , bravest of the brave , cowered before his captain , crying ' No , no ' ; but Hook was purring to his claw .

' Did you say you would go , Cecco ? ' he said musingly .

Cecco went , first flinging up his arms despairingly .

there was no more singing , all listened now ; and again came a death-screech and again a crow .

no one spoke except Slightly .

' Three , ' he said .

Hook rallied his dogs with a gesture .

" Sdeath and odds fish , ' he thundered , ' who is to bring me that doodle-doo ? '

' Wait till Cecco comes out , ' growled Starkey , and the others took up the cry .

' I think I heard you volunteer , Starkey , ' said Hook , purring again .

' No , by thunder ! '

Starkey cried .

' My hook thinks you did , ' said Hook , crossing to him .

' I wonder if it would not be advisable , Starkey , to humour the hook ? '

' I 'll swing before I go in there , ' replied Starkey doggedly , and again he had the support of the crew .

' Is it mutiny ? ' asked Hook more pleasantly than ever .

' Starkey 's ringleader . '

' Captain , mercy , ' Starkey whimpered , all of a tremble now .

' Shake hands , Starkey , ' said Hook , proffering his claw .

Starkey looked round for help , but all deserted him .

as he backed Hook advanced , and now the red spark was in his eye .

with a despairing scream the pirate leapt upon Long Tom and precipitated himself into the sea .

' Four , ' said Slightly .

' And now , ' Hook asked courteously , ' did any other gentleman say mutiny ? '

' Five . '

how Slightly longed to say it .

he wetted his lips to be ready , but Hook came staggering out , without his lantern .

' Something blew out the light , ' he said a little unsteadily .

' Something ! ' echoed Mullins .

' What of Cecco ? ' demanded Noodler .

' He 's as dead as Jukes , ' said Hook shortly .

his reluctance to return to the cabin impressed them all unfavourably , and the mutinous sounds again broke forth .

' I 've heard , ' muttered Mullins , ' he always boards the pirate craft at last .

had he a tail , captain ? '

at this the children could not resist raising a cheer .

Hook had well-nigh forgotten his prisoners , but as he swung round on them now his face lit up again .

' Lads , ' he cried to his crew , ' here 's a notion .

open the cabin door and drive them in .

let them fight the doodle-doo for their lives .

if they kill him , we 're so much the better ; if he kills them , we 're none the worse . '

for the last time his dogs admired Hook , and devotedly they did his bidding .

the boys , pretending to struggle , were pushed into the cabin and the door was closed on them .

' Now , listen , ' cried Hook , and all listened .

but not one dared to face the door .

yes , one , Wendy , who all this time had been bound to the mast .

it was for neither a scream nor a crow that she was watching ; it was for the reappearance of Peter .

she had not long to wait .

then he took a great breath and crowed .

to the pirates it was a voice crying that all the boys lay slain in the cabin ; and they were panic-stricken .

there 's a Jonah abroad . '

' Ay , ' they snarled , ' a man wi ' a hook . '

' No , lads , no , it 's the girl .

never was luck on a pirate ship wi ' a woman on board .

we 'll right the ship when she 's gone . '

some of them remembered that this had been a saying of Flint 's .

' It 's worth trying , ' they said doubtfully .

' Fling the girl overboard , ' cried Hook ; and they made a rush at the figure in the cloak .

' There 's none can save you now , missy , ' Mullins hissed jeeringly .

' There 's one , ' replied the figure .

' Who 's that ? '

' Peter Pan the avenger ! ' came the terrible answer ; and as he spoke Peter flung off his cloak .

in that frightful moment I think his fierce heart broke .

at last he cried , ' Cleave him to the brisket , ' but without conviction .

they had done for his dogs , but this man alone seemed to be a match for them all .

again and again they closed upon him , and again and again he hewed a clear space .

' Put up your swords , boys , ' cried the newcomer , ' this man is mine . '

Illustration : " THIS MAN IS MINE ! "

thus suddenly Hook found himself face to face with Peter .

the others drew back and formed a ring round them .

for long the two enemies looked at one another ; Hook shuddering slightly , and Peter with the strange smile upon his face .

' So , Pan , ' said Hook at last , ' this is all your doing . '

' Ay , James Hook , ' came the stern answer , ' it is all my doing . '

' Proud and insolent youth , ' said Hook , ' prepare to meet thy doom . '

' Dark and sinister man , ' Peter answered , ' have at thee . '

without more words they fell to , and for a space there was no advantage to either blade .

' Now ! ' cried all the boys ; but with a magnificent gesture Peter invited his opponent to pick up his sword .

Hook did so instantly , but with a tragic feeling that Peter was showing good form .

hitherto he had thought it was some fiend fighting him , but darker suspicions assailed him now .

' Pan , who and what art thou ? ' he cried huskily .

' To ' t again , ' he cried despairingly .

and again and again he darted in and pricked .

Hook was fighting now without hope .

abandoning the fight he rushed into the powder magazine and fired it .

' In two minutes , ' he cried , ' the ship will be blown to pieces . '

now , now , he thought , true form will show .

but Peter issued from the powder magazine with the shell in his hands , and calmly flung it overboard .

what sort of form was Hook himself showing ?

and his shoes were right , and his waistcoat was right , and his tie was right , and his socks were right .

James Hook , thou not wholly unheroic figure , farewell .

for we have come to his last moment .

seeing Peter slowly advancing upon him through the air with dagger poised , he sprang upon the bulwarks to cast himself into the sea .

he had one last triumph , which I think we need not grudge him .

it made Peter kick instead of stab .

at last Hook had got the boon for which he craved .

' Bad form , ' he cried jeeringly , and went content to the crocodile .

thus perished James Hook .

' Seventeen , ' Slightly sang out ; but he was not quite correct in his figures .

it said ' half-past one ' !

the lateness of the hour was almost the biggest thing of all .

he had one of his dreams that night , and cried in his sleep for a long time , and Wendy held him tight .

CHAPTER XVI

THE RETURN HOME

it need not be said who was the captain .

Nibs and John were first and second mate .

there was a woman aboard .

the rest were tars before the mast , and lived in the fo'c'sle .

his bluff strident words struck the note sailors understand , and they cheered him lustily .

then a few sharp orders were given , and they turned the ship round , and nosed her for the mainland .

instant obedience was the only safe thing .

slightly got a dozen for looking perplexed when told to take soundings .

do go back and keep an eye on the children . '

so long as mothers are like this their children will take advantage of them ; and they may lay to that .

we are no more than servants .

why on earth should their beds be properly aired , seeing that they left them in such a thankless hurry ?

would it not serve them jolly well right if they came back and found that their parents were spending the week-end in the country ?

this would spoil so completely the surprise to which Wendy and John and Michael are looking forward .

however , we should get no thanks even for this .

' Yes , but at what a cost !

by depriving the children of ten minutes of delight . '

' Oh , if you look at it in that way . '

' What other way is there in which to look at it ? '

you see , the woman had no proper spirit .

I had meant to say extraordinarily nice things about her ; but I despise her , and not one of them will I say now .

she does not really need to be told to have things ready , for they are ready .

all the beds are aired , and she never leaves the house , and observe , the window is open .

for all the use we are to her , we might go back to the ship .

however , as we are here we may as well stay and look on .

that is all we are , lookers-on .

nobody really wants us .

so let us watch and say jaggy things , in the hope that some of them will hurt .

the only change to be seen in the night-nursery is that between nine and six the kennel is no longer there .

to all Mrs Darling 's dear invitations to him to come out he replied sadly but firmly :

' No , my own one , this is the place for me . '

in the bitterness of his remorse he swore that he would never leave the kennel until his children came back .

very touching was his deference to Nana .

he would not let her come into the kennel , but on all other matters he followed her wishes implicitly .

it may have been quixotic , but it was magnificent .

soon the inward meaning of it leaked out , and the great heart of the public was touched .

on that eventful Thursday week Mrs Darling was in the night-nursery awaiting George 's return home : a very sad-eyed woman .

if she was too fond of her rubbishy children she couldn't help it .

look at her in her chair , where she has fallen asleep .

the corner of her mouth , where one looks first , is almost withered up .

her hand moves restlessly on her breast as if she had a pain there .

some like Peter best and some like Wendy best , but I like her best .

suppose , to make her happy , we whisper to her in her sleep that the brats are coming back .

let 's .

' O Nana , I dreamt my dear ones had come back . '

outside , the crowd who had accompanied the cab home were still cheering , and he was naturally not unmoved .

' Listen to them , ' he said ; ' it is very gratifying . '

' Lot of little boys , ' sneered Liza .

social success had not spoilt him ; it had made him sweeter .

' But if I had been a weak man , ' he said .

' Good heavens , if I had been a weak man ! '

' And , George , ' she said timidly , ' you are as full of remorse as ever , aren't you ? '

' Full of remorse as ever , dearest !

see my punishment : living in a kennel . '

' But it is punishment , isn't it , George ?

you are sure you are not enjoying it ? '

' My love ! '

you may be sure she begged his pardon ; and then , feeling drowsy , he curled round in the kennel .

I feel a draught . '

' O George , never ask me to do that .

the window must always be left open for them , always , always . '

oh no .

Peter 's first words tell all .

' Quick , Tink , ' he whispered , ' close the window ; bar it .

that 's right .

this trick had been in his head all the time .

instead of feeling that he was behaving badly he danced with glee ; then he peeped into the day-nursery to see who was playing .

he whispered to Tink , ' It 's Wendy 's mother .

she is a pretty lady , but not so pretty as my mother .

her mouth is full of thimbles , but not so full as my mother 's was . '

of course he knew nothing whatever about his mother ; but he sometimes bragged about her .

' She wants me to unbar the window , ' thought Peter , ' but I won't , not I . '

he peeped again , and the tears were still there , or another two had taken their place .

' She 's awfully fond of Wendy , ' he said to himself .

he was angry with her now for not seeing why she could not have Wendy .

the reason was so simple : ' I 'm fond of her too .

we can't both have her , lady . '

but the lady would not make the best of it , and he was unhappy .

he ceased to look at her , but even then she would not let go of him .

he skipped about and made funny faces , but when he stopped it was just as if she were inside him , knocking .

' Oh , all right , ' he said at last , and gulped .

then he unbarred the window .

thus Wendy and John and Michael found the window open for them after all , which of course was more than they deserved .

they alighted on the floor , quite unashamed of themselves ; and the youngest one had already forgotten his home .

' John , ' he said , looking around him doubtfully , ' I think I have been here before . '

' Of course you have , you silly .

there is your old bed . '

' So it is , ' Michael said , but not with much conviction .

' I say , ' cried John , ' the kennel ! ' and he dashed across to look into it .

' Perhaps Nana is inside it , ' Wendy said .

but John whistled .

' Hullo , ' he said , ' there 's a man inside it . '

' It 's father ! ' exclaimed Wendy .

' Let me see father , ' Michael begged eagerly , and he took a good look .

Wendy and John had been taken aback somewhat at finding their father in the kennel .

' John , ' Wendy said falteringly , ' perhaps we don't remember the old life as well as we thought we did . '

a chill fell upon them ; and serve them right .

' It is very careless of mother , ' said that young scoundrel John , ' not to be here when we come back . '

it was then that Mrs Darling began playing again .

' It 's mother ! ' cried Wendy , peeping .

' So it is ! ' said John .

' Then are you not really our mother , Wendy ? ' asked Michael , who was surely sleepy .

' Oh dear ! ' exclaimed Wendy , with her first real twinge of remorse , ' it was quite time we came back . '

' Let us creep in , ' John suggested , ' and put our hands over her eyes . '

but Wendy , who saw that they must break the joyous news more gently , had a better plan .

and so when Mrs Darling went back to the night-nursery to see if her husband was asleep , all the beds were occupied .

the children waited for her cry of joy , but it did not come .

she saw them , but she did not believe they were there .

she sat down in the chair by the fire , where in the old days she had nursed them .

they could not understand this , and a cold fear fell upon all the three of them .

' Mother ! '

Wendy cried .

' That 's Wendy , ' she said , but still she was sure it was the dream .

' Mother ! '

' That 's John , ' she said .

' Mother ! ' cried Michael .

he knew her now .

' That 's Michael , ' she said , and she stretched out her arms for the three little selfish children they would never envelop again .

yes , they did , they went round Wendy and John and Michael , who had slipped out of bed and run to her .

CHAPTER XVII

WHEN WENDY GREW UP

I hope you want to know what became of the other boys .

they were waiting below to give Wendy time to explain about them ; and when they had counted five hundred they went up .

they went up by the stair , because they thought this would make a better impression .

they stood in a row in front of Mrs Darling , with their hats off , and wishing they were not wearing their pirate clothes .

they said nothing , but their eyes asked her to have them .

they ought to have looked at Mr Darling also , but they forgot about him .

because if so we can go away . '

' Father ! '

Wendy cried , shocked ; but still the cloud was on him .

he knew he was behaving unworthily , but he could not help it .

' We could lie doubled up , ' said Nibs .

' I always cut their hair myself , ' said Wendy .

' George ! '

Mrs Darling exclaimed , pained to see her dear one showing himself in such an unfavourable light .

then he burst into tears , and the truth came out .

' I don't think he is a cypher , ' Tootles cried instantly .

' Do you think he is a cypher , Curly ? '

' No , I don't .

do you think he is a cypher , Slightly ? '

' Rather not .

Twin , what do you think ? '

' We 'll fit in , sir , ' they assured him .

' Then follow the leader , ' he cried gaily .

' Mind you , I am not sure that we have a drawing-room , but we pretend we have , and it 's all the same .

hoop la ! '

as for Peter , he saw Wendy once again before he flew away .

that was what she did .

' Hullo , Wendy , good-bye , ' he said .

' Oh dear , are you going away ? '

' Yes . '

' No. '

' About me , Peter ? '

' No. '

Mrs Darling came to the window , for at present she was keeping a sharp eye on Wendy .

she told Peter that she had adopted all the other boys , and would like to adopt him also .

' Would you send me to school ? ' he inquired craftily .

' Yes . '

' And then to an office ? '

' I suppose so . '

' Soon I should be a man ? '

' Very soon . '

' I don't want to go to school and learn solemn things , ' he told her passionately .

' I don't want to be a man .

O Wendy 's mother , if I was to wake up and feel there was a beard ! '

' Keep back , lady , no one is going to catch me and make me a man . '

' But where are you going to live ? '

' With Tink in the house we built for Wendy .

the fairies are to put it high up among the tree tops where they sleep at nights . '

' How lovely , ' cried Wendy so longingly that Mrs Darling tightened her grip .

' I thought all the fairies were dead , ' Mrs Darling said .

' I shall have such fun , ' said Peter , with one eye on Wendy .

' It will be rather lonely in the evening , ' she said , ' sitting by the fire . '

' I shall have Tink . '

' Tink can't go a twentieth part of the way round , ' she reminded him a little tartly .

' Sneaky tell-tale ! '

Tink called out from somewhere round the corner .

' It doesn't matter , ' Peter said .

' O Peter , you know it matters . '

' Well , then , come with me to the little house . '

' May I , mummy ? '

' Certainly not .

I have got you home again , and I mean to keep you . '

' But he does so need a mother . '

' So do you , my love . '

I suppose it was because Wendy knew this that her last words to him were these rather plaintive ones :

' You won't forget me , Peter , will you , before spring-cleaning time comes ? '

of course Peter promised ; and then he flew away .

he took Mrs Darling 's kiss with him .

the kiss that had been for no one else Peter took quite easily .

funny .

but she seemed satisfied .

it is sad to have to say that the power to fly gradually left them .

in time they could not even fly after their hats .

want of practice , they called it ; but what it really meant was that they no longer believed .

she had looked forward to thrilling talks with him about old times , but new adventures had crowded the old ones from his mind .

' Who is Captain Hook ? ' he asked with interest when she spoke of the arch enemy .

' Don't you remember , ' she asked , amazed , ' how you killed him and saved all our lives ? '

' I forget them after I kill them , ' he replied carelessly .

when she expressed a doubtful hope that Tinker Bell would be glad to see her he said , ' Who is Tinker Bell ? '

' O Peter , ' she said , shocked ; but even when she explained he could not remember .

' There are such a lot of them , ' he said .

' I expect she is no more . '

but he was exactly as fascinating as ever , and they had a lovely spring cleaning in the little house on the tree tops .

next year he did not come for her .

she waited in a new frock because the old one simply would not meet ; but he never came .

' Perhaps he is ill , ' Michael said .

' You know he is never ill . '

Peter came next spring cleaning ; and the strange thing was that he never knew he had missed a year .

that was the last time the girl Wendy ever saw him .

Wendy was grown up .

you need not be sorry for her .

she was one of the kind that likes to grow up .

in the end she grew up of her own free will a day quicker than other girls .

all the boys were grown up and done for by this time ; so it is scarcely worth while saying anything more about them .

you may see the twins and Nibs and Curly any day going to an office , each carrying a little bag and an umbrella .

Michael is an engine-driver .

slightly married a lady of title , and so he became a lord .

you see that judge in a wig coming out at the iron door ?

that used to be Tootles .

the bearded man who doesn't know any story to tell his children was once John .

Wendy was married in white with a pink sash .

it is strange to think that Peter did not alight in the church and forbid the banns .

years rolled on again , and Wendy had a daughter .

this ought not to be written in ink but in a golden splash .

when she was old enough to ask them they were mostly about Peter Pan .

Mrs Darling was now dead and forgotten .

once a week Jane 's nurse had her evening off ; and then it was Wendy 's part to put Jane to bed .

that was the time for stories .

' What do we see now ? '

' Yes , you do , ' says Jane , ' you see when you were a little girl . '

' That is a long time ago , sweetheart , ' says Wendy .

' Ah me , how time flies ! '

' Does it fly , ' asks the artful child , ' the way you flew when you were a little girl ? '

' The way I flew !

do you know , Jane , I sometimes wonder whether I ever did really fly . '

' Yes , you did . '

' The dear old days when I could fly ! '

' Why can't you fly now , mother ? '

' Because I am grown up , dearest .

when people grow up they forget the way . '

' Why do they forget the way ? '

' Because they are no longer gay and innocent and heartless .

it is only the gay and innocent and heartless who can fly . '

' What is gay and innocent and heartless ?

I do wish I was gay and innocent and heartless . '

or perhaps Wendy admits that she does see something .

' I do believe , ' she says , ' that it is this nursery . '

' I do believe it is , ' says Jane .

' Go on . '

they are now embarked on the great adventure of the night when Peter flew in looking for his shadow .

' You have missed a bit , ' interrupts Jane , who now knows the story better than her mother .

' When you saw him sitting on the floor crying what did you say ? '

' I sat up in bed and I said , " Boy , why are you crying ? " '

' Yes , that was it , ' says Jane , with a big breath .

' Yes ! which did you like best of all ? '

' I think I liked the home under the ground best of all . '

' Yes , so do I . what was the last thing Peter ever said to you ? '

' Yes . '

' But , alas , he forgot all about me . '

Wendy said it with a smile .

she was as grown up as that .

' What did his crow sound like ? '

Jane asked one evening .

' It was like this , ' Wendy said , trying to imitate Peter 's crow .

Wendy was a little startled .

' My darling , how can you know ? '

' I often hear it when I am sleeping , ' Jane said .

' Ah yes , many girls hear it when they are sleeping , but I was the only one who heard it awake . '

' Lucky you , ' said Jane .

and then one night came the tragedy .

then the window blew open as of old , and Peter dropped on the floor .

he was exactly the same as ever , and Wendy saw at once that he still had all his first teeth .

he was a little boy , and she was grown up .

she huddled by the fire not daring to move , helpless and guilty , a big woman .

' Hullo , Peter , ' she replied faintly , squeezing herself as small as possible .

something inside her was crying ' Woman , woman , let go of me . '

' Hullo , where is John ? ' he asked , suddenly missing the third bed .

' John is not here now , ' she gasped .

' Is Michael asleep ? ' he asked , with a careless glance at Jane .

' Yes , ' she answered ; and now she felt that she was untrue to Jane as well as to Peter .

' That is not Michael , ' she said quickly , lest a judgment should fall on her .

Peter looked .

' Hullo , is it a new one ? '

' Yes . '

' Boy or girl ? '

' Girl . '

now surely he would understand ; but not a bit of it .

' Peter , ' she said , faltering , ' are you expecting me to fly away with you ? '

' Of course that is why I have come . '

he added a little sternly , ' Have you forgotten that this is spring-cleaning time ? '

she knew it was useless to say that he had let many spring-cleaning times pass .

' I can't come , ' she said apologetically , ' I have forgotten how to fly . '

' I 'll soon teach you again . '

' O Peter , don't waste the fairy dust on me . '

she had risen ; and now at last a fear assailed him .

' What is it ? ' he cried , shrinking .

' I will turn up the light , ' she said , ' and then you can see for yourself . '

for almost the only time in his life that I know of , Peter was afraid .

' Don't turn up the light , ' he cried .

she let her hands play in the hair of the tragic boy .

she was not a little girl heart-broken about him ; she was a grown woman smiling at it all , but they were wet smiles .

then she turned up the light , and Peter saw .

he gave a cry of pain ; and when the tall beautiful creature stooped to lift him in her arms he drew back sharply .

' What is it ? ' he cried again .

she had to tell him .

' I am old , Peter .

I am ever so much more than twenty .

I grew up long ago . '

' You promised not to ! '

' I couldn't help it .

I am a married woman , Peter . '

' No , you 're not . '

' Yes , and the little girl in the bed is my baby . '

' No , she's not . '

but he supposed she was ; and he took a step towards the sleeping child with his dagger upraised .

of course he did not strike .

she was only a woman now , and she ran out of the room to try to think .

Peter continued to cry , and soon his sobs woke Jane .

she sat up in bed , and was interested at once .

Illustration : PETER AND JANE

' Boy , ' she said , ' why are you crying ? '

Peter rose and bowed to her , and she bowed to him from the bed .

' Hullo , ' he said .

' Hullo , ' said Jane .

' My name is Peter Pan , ' he told her .

' Yes , I know . '

' I came back for my mother , ' he explained ; ' to take her to the Neverland . '

' Yes , I know , ' Jane said , ' I been waiting for you . '

' He does so need a mother , ' Jane said .

' Yes , I know , ' Wendy admitted rather forlornly ; ' no one knows it so well as I . '

Wendy rushed to the window .

' No , no , ' she cried .

' It is just for spring-cleaning time , ' Jane said ; ' he wants me always to do his spring cleaning . '

' If only I could go with you , ' Wendy sighed .

' You see you can't fly , ' said Jane .

of course in the end Wendy let them fly away together .

our last glimpse of her shows her at the window , watching them receding into the sky until they were as small as stars .

as you look at Wendy you may see her hair becoming white , and her figure little again , for all this happened long ago .

THE END

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Peter and Wendy , by James Matthew Barrie

produced by Al Haines ( this file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive )

Frontispiece : he was quite angry when these two ran away the moment they saw him .

Illustration : title page

PETER PAN

IN

KENSINGTON

GARDENS

FROM

THE LITTLE WHITE BIRD

BY

J M BARRIE

a NEW EDITION

ILLUSTRATED BY

ARTHUR RACKHAM

LONDON

HODDER & STOUGHTON

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TO SYLVIA AND ARTHUR LLEWELYN DAVIES

AND THEIR BOYS ( MY BOYS )

Illustration : Headpiece to Table of Contents

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

THE GRAND TOUR OF THE GARDENS

CHAPTER II

PETER PAN

CHAPTER III

THE THRUSH'S NEST

CHAPTER IV

LOCK-OUT TIME

CHAPTER V

THE LITTLE HOUSE

CHAPTER VI

PETER'S GOAT

Illustration : the Kensington Gardens are in London , where the King lives

Illustration : DAVID

COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS

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he was quite angry when these two ran away the moment they saw him ....y

frontispiece

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the Kensington Gardens are in London , where the King lives ( missing from book )

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the lady with the balloons , who sits just outside

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in the Broad Walk you meet all the people who are worth knowing

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the Hump , which is the part of the Broad Walk where all the big races are run

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there is almost nothing that has such a keen sense of fun as a fallen leaf ( missing from book )

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the Serpentine is a lovely lake , and there is a drowned forest at the bottom of it .

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the island on which all the birds are born that become baby boys and girls ( missing from book )

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old Mr Salford was a crab-apple of an old gentleman who wandered all day in the Gardens

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away he flew , right over the houses to the Gardens

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the fairies have their tiffs with the birds

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when he heard Peter 's voice he popped in alarm behind a tulip

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a band of workmen , who were sawing down a toadstool , rushed away , leaving their tools behind them

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put his strange case before old Solomon Caw ( missing from book )

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Peter screamed out , ' Do it again ! ' and with great good-nature they did it several times

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a hundred flew off with the string , and Peter clung to the tail

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after this the birds said that they would help him no more in his mad enterprise

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' Preposterous ! ' cried Solomon in a rage

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for years he had been quietly filling his stocking

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when you meet grown-up people in the Gardens who puff and blow as if they thought themselves bigger than they are

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he passed under the bridge and came within full sight of the delectable Gardens

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there now arose a mighty storm , and he was tossed this way and that ( missing from book )

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fairies are all more or less in hiding until dusk

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when they think you are not looking they skip along pretty lively ( missing from book )

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the fairies are exquisite dancers

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these tricky fairies sometimes slyly change the board on a ball night

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Linkmen running in front carrying winter cherries

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when her Majesty wants to know the time

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the fairies sit round on mushrooms , and at first they are well behaved

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butter is got from the roots of old trees ( missing from book )

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wallflower juice is good for reviving dancers who fall to the ground in a fit

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Peter Pan is the fairies ' orchestra

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they all tickled him on the shoulder ( missing from book )

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one day they were overheard by a fairy

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the little people weave their summer curtains from skeleton leaves

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An afternoon when the Gardens were white with snow

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she ran to St Govor 's Well and hid

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an elderberry hobbled across the walk , and stood chatting with some young quinces

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a chrysanthemum heard her , and said pointedly , ' Hoity-toity , what is this ? '

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they warned her

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Queen Mab , who rules in the Gardens

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shook his bald head and murmured , ' Cold , quite cold '

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fairies never say , ' We feel happy ' : what they say is , ' We feel dancey '

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looking very undancey indeed

Illustration : the lady with the balloons , who sits just outside

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Building the house for Maimie

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if the bad ones among the fairies happen to be out ( missing from book )

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they will certainly mischief you ( missing from book )

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I think that quite the most touching sight in the Gardens is the two tombstones of Walter Stephen Matthews and Phoebe Phelps

ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT

David

Kensington Gardens

Headpiece to ' The Grand Tour of the Gardens '

Porthos

one of the Paths that have Made Themselves

Tailpiece to ' The Grand Tour of the Gardens '

Headpiece to ' Peter Pan '

the birds on the island never got used to him .

his oddities tickled them every day

Tailpiece to ' Peter Pan '

Headpiece to ' The Thrush 's Nest '

Tailpiece to ' The Thrush 's Nest '

Headpiece to ' Lock-out Time '

they are so cunning

a fairy ring

Tailpiece to ' Lock-out Time '

Headpiece to ' The Little House '

there was a good deal going on in the Baby Walk

she escorted them up the Baby Walk and back again

Tailpiece to ' The Little House '

Headpiece to ' Peter 's Goat '

Tailpiece to ' Peter 's Goat '

Illustration : Kensington Gardens

Illustration : in the Broad Walk you meet all the people who are worth knowing

Illustration : Headpiece to ' The Grand Tour of the Gardens '

I

THE GRAND TOUR OF THE GARDENS

you must see for yourselves that it will be difficult to follow Peter Pan 's adventures unless you are familiar with the Kensington Gardens .

no child has ever been in the whole of the Gardens , because it is so soon time to turn back .

if your mother was not so sure that you sleep from twelve to one , you could most likely see the whole of them .

she then crosses with you in safety to the other side .

she sits very squat , for the balloons are always tugging at her , and the strain has given her quite a red face .

Illustration : the Hump , which is the part of the Broad Walk where all the big races are run

she was the only really celebrated Fig .

we are now in the Broad Walk , and it is as much bigger than the other walks as your father is bigger than you .

there has been a good deal of excavation going on there ever since .

farther up the walk is the little wooden house in which Marmaduke Perry hid .

he hid in the little wooden house , and refused to emerge until they brought him knickerbockers with pockets .

what puzzled David most was how she knew where the matches were kept .

the Big Penny is a statue about her .

there is almost nothing that has such a keen sense of fun as a fallen leaf .

from the Hump we can see the gate that is called after Miss Mabel Grey , the Fig I promised to tell you about .

it all happened , I should say , long ago , and this is not the Mabel Grey whom David knows .

Illustration : there is almost nothing that has such a keen sense of fun as a fallen leaf ( missing from book )

quite common children picnic here also , and the blossom falls into their mugs just the same .

next comes St . Govor 's Well , which was full of water when Malcolm the Bold fell into it .

so Malcolm would not let his mother put her arm round his neck any more .

girls can't really play cricket , and when you are watching their futile efforts you make funny sounds at them .

Illustration : the Serpentine is a lovely lake , and there is a drowned forest at the bottom of it .

you can't be good all the time at the Round Pond , however much you try .

the bow-legged children in the Gardens are those who had to walk too soon because their father needed the perambulator .

but those yachts have nothing in their hold .

does any one return to this haunt of his youth because of the yachts that used to sail it ?

oh no .

it is the stick-boat that is freighted with memories .

the yachts are toys , their owner a fresh-water mariner ; they can cross and recross a pond only while the stick-boat goes to sea .

Illustration : the island on which all the birds are born that become baby boys and girls ( missing from book )

paths from everywhere crowd like children to the pond .

they are called Paths that have Made Themselves , and David did wish he could see them doing it .

we have also decided that the paths make themselves because it is their only chance of getting to the Round Pond .

one of these gypsy paths comes from the place where the sheep get their hair cut .

but when the man grips them between his legs David shakes a fist at him for using such big scissors .

David wonders whether they know each other , now that they are so different , and if it makes them fight with the wrong ones .

they are great fighters , and thus so unlike country sheep that every year they give my St Bernard dog , Porthos , a shock .

Illustration : Porthos

the Serpentine begins near here .

it is a lovely lake , and there is a drowned forest at the bottom of it .

if so , Peter Pan sees them when he is sailing across the lake in the Thrush 's Nest .

Illustration : one of the Paths that have Made Themselves

I should have had to be carrying David long ago , and resting on every seat like old Mr Salford .

that was what we called him , because he always talked to us of a lovely place called Salford where he had been born .

Illustration : old Mr Salford was a crab-apple of an old gentleman who wandered all day in the Gardens

Illustration : away he flew , right over the houses to the Gardens

the nest is very sad .

it is quite white , and the way we found it was wonderful .

but one day when we went there were only two eggs in the nest , and the next time there were none .

he and I left the Gardens that day with our knuckles in our eyes .

Illustration : Tailpiece to ' The Grand Tour of the Gardens '

Illustration : Headpiece to ' Peter Pan '

II

PETER PAN

perhaps she has forgotten , just as she sometimes forgets your name and calls you Mildred , which is your mother 's name .

still , she could hardly forget such an important thing as the goat .

therefore there was no goat when your grandmother was a little girl .

if you think he was the only baby who ever wanted to escape , it shows how completely you have forgotten your own young days .

so David tells me .

Illustration : the fairies have their tiffs with the birds

well , Peter Pan got out by the window , which had no bars .

at first he found some difficulty in balancing himself on a branch , but presently he remembered the way , and fell asleep .

there was something he wanted very much , but , though he knew he wanted it , he could not think what it was .

they are reputed to know a good deal .

Illustration : when he heard Peter 's voice he popped in alarm behind a tulip

to Peter 's bewilderment he discovered that every fairy he met fled from him .

a band of workmen , who were sawing down a toadstool , rushed away , leaving their tools behind them .

a milkmaid turned her pail upside down and hid in it .

soon the Gardens were in an uproar .

a regiment of Lancers came charging down the Broad Walk , armed with holly-leaves , with which they jag the enemy horribly in passing .

Illustration : a band of workmen , who were sawing down a toadstool , rushed away , leaving their tools behind them

every living thing was shunning him .

the reason birds can fly and we can't is simply that they have perfect faith , for to have faith is to have wings .

not one of them wore anything .

the shock was so great that it drove away his cold .

Illustration : put his strange case before old Solomon Caw ( missing from book )

' I think I shall go back to mother , ' he said , timidly .

' Good-bye , ' replied Solomon Caw with a queer look .

but Peter hesitated .

' Why don't you go ? ' the old one asked politely .

' I suppose , ' said Peter huskily , ' I suppose I can still fly ? '

you see he had lost faith .

you must live here on the island always . '

' And never even go to the Kensington Gardens ? '

Peter asked tragically .

' How could you get across ? ' said Solomon .

' Then I shan't be exactly a human ? '

Peter asked .

' No. '

' Nor exactly a bird ? '

' No. '

' What shall I be ? '

the birds on the island never got used to him .

his oddities tickled them every day , as if they were quite new , though it was really the birds that were new .

all his food was brought to him from the Gardens at Solomon 's orders by the birds .

he would not eat worms or insects ( which they thought very silly of him ) , so they brought him bread in their beaks .

thus , when you cry out , ' Greedy !

Illustration : the birds on the island never got used to him .

his oddities tickled them every day

Peter wore no nightgown now .

but , though he was now quite naked , you must not think that he was cold or unhappy .

but the best thing Solomon had done was to teach him to have a glad heart .

Illustration : Peter screamed out , ' Do it again ! ' and with great good-nature they did it several times

Illustration : a hundred flew off with the string , and Peter clung to the tail

the birds brought him news of how boys and girls play , and wistful tears started in Peter 's eyes .

perhaps you wonder why he did not swim across .

the reason was that he could not swim .

Peter tried it often , but always before he could kick out he sank .

once he really thought he had discovered a way of reaching the Gardens .

Illustration : after this the birds said that they would help him no more in his mad enterprise

after this the birds said that they would help him no more in his mad enterprise .

nevertheless , Peter did reach the Gardens at last by the help of Shelley 's boat , as I am now to tell you .

Illustration : Tailpiece to ' Peter Pan '

Illustration : Headpiece to ' The Thrush 's Nest '

III

THE THRUSH'S NEST

Shelley was a young gentleman and as grown-up as he need ever expect to be .

he was a poet ; and they are never exactly grown-up .

they are people who despise money except what you need for to-day , and he had all that and five pounds over .

and whether you are a lady or only a little boy who wants a baby-sister , always take pains to write your address clearly .

you can't think what a lot of babies Solomon has sent to the wrong house .

they thought this because there was a large five printed on it .

Illustration : ' Preposterous ! ' cried Solomon in a rage

nor was this all that Peter did to gain the powerful old fellow 's good-will .

you must know that Solomon had no intention of remaining in office all his life .

when his stocking was full , Solomon calculated that he would be able to retire on a competency .

Peter now gave him a pound .

he cut it off his bank-note with a sharp stick .

this made Solomon his friend for ever , and after the two had consulted together they called a meeting of the thrushes .

you will see presently why thrushes only were invited .

other birds , said Solomon , omitted to line their nests with mud , and as a result they did not hold water .

' Consider , ' he said at last , ' how warm the mud makes the nest . '

the thrushes begged Solomon with a look to say something crushing in reply to this , but again he was perplexed .

' Try another drink , ' suggested Mrs Finch pertly .

Kate was her name , and all Kates are saucy .

Illustration : for years he had been quietly filling his stocking

Solomon did try another drink , and it inspired him .

how the thrushes applauded !

after this it was most orderly .

at this the thrushes began to fidget , which made Peter tremble for his scheme .

but still , to Peter 's agony , the thrushes were sulky .

' We are very busy people , ' they grumbled , ' and this would be a big job . '

' Quite so , ' said Solomon , ' and , of course , Peter would not allow you to work for nothing .

you must remember that he is now in comfortable circumstances , and he will pay you such wages as you have never been paid before .

Peter Pan authorises me to say that you shall all be paid sixpence a day . '

then all the thrushes hopped for joy , and that very day was begun the celebrated Building of the Boat .

all their ordinary business fell into arrears .

what do you think Solomon did ?

you ask them .

Illustration : when you meet grown-up people in the Gardens who puff and blow as if they thought themselves bigger than they are

Peter was a just master , and paid his work-people every evening .

it must have been a fine sight .

and at last , after months of labour , the boat was finished .

O the glory of Peter as he saw it growing more and more like a great thrush 's nest !

there are also a few feathers here and there , which came off the thrushes while they were building .

his face was flushed , but he never looked back ; there was an exultation in his little breast that drove out fear .

was Peter the least gallant of the English mariners who have sailed westward to meet the Unknown ?

which , having avoided , he passed under the bridge and came , to his great rejoicing , within full sight of the delectable Gardens .

having escaped the danger of which , he was mercifully carried into a small bay , where his boat rode at peace .

Illustration : he passed under the bridge and came within full sight of the delectable Gardens

when he sails , he sits down , but he stands up to paddle .

I shall tell you presently how he got his paddle .

at least he thinks so , and it is one of the pathetic things about him that he often plays quite wrongly .

every night the ducks have forgotten all the events of the day , except the number of pieces of cake thrown to them .

they are gloomy creatures , and say that cake is not what it was in their young days .

so Peter had to find out many things for himself .

he often played ships at the Round Pond , but his ship was only a hoop which he had found on the grass .

Illustration : there now arose a mighty storm , and he was tossed this way and that ( missing from book )

also he found a balloon .

perhaps the most surprising thing he found was a perambulator .

I have promised to tell you also about his paddle .

it was a child 's spade which he had found near St Govor 's Well , and he thought it was a paddle .

do you pity Peter Pan for making these mistakes ?

if so , I think it rather silly of you .

he played without ceasing , while you often waste time by being mad-dog or Mary-Annish .

oh , he was merry !

he was as much merrier than you , for instance , as you are merrier than your father .

sometimes he fell , like a spinning-top , from sheer merriment .

have you seen a greyhound leaping the fences of the Gardens ?

that is how Peter leaps them .

Illustration : fairies are all more or less in hiding until dusk

and think of the music of his pipe .

of course , he had no mother at least , what use was she to him ?

it was the fairies who gave him the chance .

Illustration : Tailpiece to ' The Thrush 's Nest '

Illustration : Headpiece to ' Lock-out Time '

IV

LOCK-OUT TIME

they are not a bit cunning after Lock-out , but until Lock-out , my word !

Illustration : they are so cunning

Illustration : when they think you are not looking they skip along pretty lively ( missing from book )

very likely if they said this in the Kensington Gardens , they were standing looking at a fairy all the time .

the reason they were cheated was that she pretended to be something else .

this is one of their best tricks .

most of them really are flowers , but some of them are fairies .

another good plan , which David and I sometimes follow , is to stare them down .

after a long time they can't help winking , and then you know for certain that they are fairies .

there are also numbers of them along the Baby Walk , which is a famous gentle place , as spots frequented by fairies are called .

once twenty-four of them had an extraordinary adventure .

unfortunately what the governess had heard was two gardeners coming to plant new flowers in that very bed .

they were wheeling a hand-cart with the flowers in it , and were quite surprised to find the bed occupied .

' Pity to lift them hyacinths , ' said the one man .

as for their houses , it is no use looking for them , because they are the exact opposite of our houses .

you can see our houses by day but you can't see them by dark .

this does not mean that they are black , for night has its colours just as day has , but ever so much brighter .

their blues and reds and greens are like ours with a light behind them .

they are very inquisitive folk , and press quite hard against the glass , and that is why their noses are mostly snubby .

the streets are miles long and very twisty , and have paths on each side made of bright worsted .

the birds used to steal the worsted for their nests , but a policeman has been appointed to hold on at the other end .

Illustration : the fairies are exquisite dancers

one of the great differences between the fairies and us is that they never do anything useful .

when the first baby laughed for the first time , his laugh broke into a million pieces , and they all went skipping about .

that was the beginning of fairies .

they are frightfully ignorant , and everything they do is make-believe .

she is talking fairy .

Illustration : a fairy ring

Illustration : these tricky fairies sometimes slyly change the board on a ball night

they hold their great balls in the open air , in what is called a fairy ring .

for weeks afterwards you can see the ring on the grass .

it is not there when they begin , but they make it by waltzing round and round .

sometimes you will find mushrooms inside the ring , and these are fairy chairs that the servants have forgotten to clear away .

David and I once found a fairy ring quite warm .

but there is also a way of finding out about the ball before it takes place .

you know the boards which tell at what time the Gardens are to close to-day .

this enables them to get begun half an hour earlier .

Illustration : Linkmen running in front carrying winter cherries

the table-cloth varies according to the seasons , and in May it is made of chestnut blossom .

Wallflower juice is good for reviving dancers who fall to the ground in a fit , and Solomon 's Seal juice is for bruises .

they bruise very easily , and when Peter plays faster and faster they foot it till they fall down in fits .

for , as you know without my telling you , Peter Pan is the fairies ' orchestra .

he sits in the middle of the ring , and they would never dream of having a smart dance nowadays without him .

' P ..y P . ' is written on the corner of the invitation-cards sent out by all really good families .

Illustration : when her Majesty wants to know the time

the way it was done was this .

the Queen ordered him to kneel , and then said that for playing so beautifully she would give him the wish of his heart .

' If I chose to go back to mother , ' he asked at last , ' could you give me that wish ? '

' Is that quite a little wish ? ' he inquired .

' As little as this , ' the Queen answered , putting her hands near each other .

' What size is a big wish ? ' he asked .

she measured it off on her skirt and it was a very handsome length .

then Peter reflected and said , ' Well , then , I think I shall have two little wishes instead of one big one . '

his second wish he would hold in reserve .

they tried to dissuade him , and even put obstacles in the way .

' The window I flew out at will be open , ' Peter said confidently .

' Mother always keeps it open in the hope that I may fly back . '

' How do you know ? ' they asked , quite surprised , and , really , Peter could not explain how he knew .

' I just do know , ' he said .

so as he persisted in his wish , they had to grant it .

Peter alighted softly on the wooden rail at the foot of the bed and had a good look at her .

she lay with her head on her hand , and the hollow in the pillow was like a nest lined with her brown wavy hair .

he remembered , though he had long forgotten it , that she always gave her hair a holiday at night .

how sweet the frills of her nightgown were !

he was very glad she was such a pretty mother .

but she looked sad , and he knew why she looked sad .

one of her arms moved as if it wanted to go round something , and he knew what it wanted to go round .

very gently he patted the little mound that her feet made , and he could see by her face that she liked it .

he knew he had but to say ' Mother ' ever so softly , and she would wake up .

they always wake up at once if it is you that says their name .

then she would give such a joyous cry and squeeze him tight .

how nice that would be to him , but oh ! how exquisitely delicious it would be to her .

that , I am afraid , is how Peter regarded it .

in returning to his mother he never doubted that he was giving her the greatest treat a woman can have .

nothing can be more splendid , he thought , than to have a little boy of your own .

how proud of him they are ! and very right and proper , too .

Illustration : the fairies sit round on mushrooms , and at first they are well behaved

but why does Peter sit so long on the rail ; why does he not tell his mother that he has come back ?

I quite shrink from the truth , which is that he sat there in two minds .

sometimes he looked longingly at his mother , and sometimes he looked longingly at the window .

was he so sure that he should enjoy wearing clothes again ?

he popped off the bed and opened some drawers to have a look at his old garments .

they were still there , but he could not remember how you put them on .

the socks , for instance , were they worn on the hands or on the feet ?

he was about to try one of them on his hand , when he had a great adventure .

he remained sitting on the floor and held his breath , wondering how she knew that he had come back .

if she said ' Peter ' again , he meant to cry ' Mother ' and run to her .

it made Peter very miserable , and what do you think was the first thing he did ?

sitting on the rail at the foot of the bed , he played a beautiful lullaby to his mother on his pipe .

he had made it up himself out of the way she said ' Peter , ' and he never stopped playing until she looked happy .

however , as she now seemed comfortable , he again cast looks at the window .

you must not think that he meditated flying away and never coming back .

he had quite decided to be his mother 's boy , but hesitated about beginning to-night .

it was the second wish which troubled him .

also , if he put off asking for his wish too long it might go bad .

he asked himself if he had not been hard-hearted to fly away without saying good-bye to Solomon .

' I should like awfully to sail in my boat just once more , ' he said wistfully to his sleeping mother .

he quite argued with her as if she could hear him .

' It would be so splendid to tell the birds of this adventure , ' he said coaxingly .

' I promise to come back , ' he said solemnly , and meant it , too .

Illustration : butter is got from the roots of old trees ( missing from book )

and in the end , you know , he flew away .

one reason was that he had so many good-byes to say , not only to his particular friends , but to a hundred favourite spots .

then he had his last sail , and his very last sail , and his last sail of all , and so on .

this last reason displeased old Solomon , for it was an encouragement to the birds to procrastinate .

the birds pointed this out to each other , and fell into lazy habits .

but , mind you , though Peter was so slow in going back to his mother , he was quite decided to go back .

the best proof of this was his caution with the fairies .

then they would have said that this was his second wish .

but he smoked their design , and though on occasions he began , ' I wish ' he always stopped in time .

Illustration : wallflower juice is good for reviving dancers who fall to the ground in a fit

he had to fly back , sobbing , to the Gardens , and he never saw his dear again .

what a glorious boy he had meant to be to her !

ah , Peter ! we who have made the great mistake , how differently we should all act at the second chance .

but Solomon was right there is no second chance , not for most of us .

when we reach the window it is Lock-out Time .

the iron bars are up for life .

Illustration : Tailpiece to ' Lock-out Time '

Illustration : Headpiece to ' The Little House '

V

THE LITTLE HOUSE

this is because it is not there when you lie down , but it is there when you wake up and step outside .

you see the light after Lock-out Time .

but if it was the same one , it was Peter Pan 's light .

heaps of children have seen the light , so that is nothing .

but Maimie Mannering was the famous one for whom the house was first built .

Maimie was always rather a strange girl , and it was at night that she was strange .

she was four years of age , and in the daytime she was the ordinary kind .

she was quite the ordinary kind in the daytime .

Illustration : Peter Pan is the fairies ' orchestra

it was also a serene look that contrasted grandly with Tony 's uneasy glances .

it was then that Maimie was terrible .

Tony beseeches her , ' It was nothing don't , Maimie , don't ! ' and pulls the sheet over his head .

' It is coming nearer ! ' she cries .

' Oh , look at it , Tony !

but of course it was daytime when they were in the Gardens , and then Tony did most of the talking .

you could gather from his talk that he was a very brave boy , and no one was so proud of it as Maimie .

she would have loved to have a ticket on her saying that she was his sister .

' O Tony , ' she would say with awful respect , ' but the fairies will be so angry ! '

' I dare say , ' replied Tony carelessly .

' Perhaps , ' she said , thrilling , ' Peter Pan will give you a sail in his boat ! '

' I shall make him , ' replied Tony ; no wonder she was proud of him .

Illustration : they all tickled him on the shoulder ( missing from book )

so she saw that he was waiting for a real good chance .

it read half-past five .

you see the chance had come of seeing a fairy ball .

never , Tony felt , could he hope for a better chance .

Illustration : one day they were overheard by a fairy

he had to feel this , for Maimie so plainly felt it for him .

her eager eyes asked the question , ' Is it to-day ? ' and he gasped and then nodded .

Maimie slipped her hand into Tony 's , and hers was hot , but his was cold .

she did a very kind thing ; she took off her scarf and gave it to him .

' In case you should feel cold , ' she whispered .

her face was aglow , but Tony 's was very gloomy .

when the ayah reached the gate and saw Tony far in front she thought her other charge was with him and passed out .

she had shut her eyes tight and glued them with passionate tears .

when she opened them something very cold ran up her legs and up her arms and dropped into her heart .

it was the stillness of the Gardens .

then she heard clang , then from another part clang , then clang , clang far away .

it was the Closing of the Gates .

immediately the last clang had died away Maimie distinctly heard a voice say , ' So that 's all right . '

Illustration : the little people weave their summer curtains from skeleton leaves

she was not in the least cold .

the rest of her real self was hidden far away inside so many warm garments that in shape she seemed rather like a ball .

she was about forty round the waist .

they moved in a jerky sort of way certainly , but that was because they used crutches .

an elderberry hobbled across the walk , and stood chatting with some young quinces , and they all had crutches .

the crutches were the sticks that are tied to young trees and shrubs .

they were quite familiar objects to Maimie , but she had never known what they were for until to-night .

Illustration : there was a good deal going on in the Baby Walk

she peeped up the walk and saw her first fairy .

he was a street boy fairy who was running up the walk closing the weeping trees .

' O you naughty , naughty child ! '

Maimie cried indignantly , for she knew what it was to have a dripping umbrella about your ears .

then the whole vegetable kingdom was rather puzzled what to do .

Illustration : an afternoon when the Gardens were white with snow

' I think you should not , ' Maimie replied , which so perplexed them that they said petulantly there was no arguing with her .

so much walking tired her , and she was anxious to be off to the ball , but she no longer felt afraid .

as they said this they looked with affected pity at an evergreen oak , for in winter they are very envious of the evergreens .

Illustration : she ran to St Govor 's Well and hid

' How I should love to see the Cupids in their dear little fools ' caps ! '

Maimie cried , and away she ran to look for them very recklessly , for the Cupids hate to be laughed at .

this night the ribbons were red , and looked very pretty on the snow .

Illustration : she escorted them up the Baby Walk and back again

Maimie walked alongside one of them for some distance without meeting anybody , but at last she saw a fairy cavalcade approaching .

Illustration : an elderberry hobbled across the walk , and stood chatting with some young quinces

it was difficult to know what to reply .

' I see you think I have no chance , ' Brownie said falteringly .

fortunately she remembered about her father and the bazaar .

Maimie repeated this story , and it fortified Brownie tremendously , indeed she had no longer the slightest doubt that the Duke would choose her .

so she scudded away up the ribbon , calling out to Maimie not to follow lest the Queen should mischief her .

but Maimie 's curiosity tugged her forward , and presently at the seven Spanish chestnuts she saw a wonderful light .

she crept forward until she was quite near it , and then she peeped from behind a tree .

Illustration : a chrysanthemum heard her , and said pointedly , ' Hoity-toity , what is this ? '

she was disappointed not to see Peter Pan , and I may as well tell you now why he was so late that night .

the fairies had as yet scarcely missed him , for they could not dance , so heavy were their hearts .

they forget all the steps when they are sad , and remember them again when they are merry .

David tells me that fairies never say , ' We feel happy ' : what they say is , ' We feel dancey . '

Illustration : they warned her

everybody stared breathlessly at the Duke , who was very much startled , and looked as if he would like to run away .

the suspense was awful .

you can't conceive the effect of it .

thus in a single moment about fifty marriages took place , for if you leap into each other 's arms it is a fairy wedding .

of course a clergyman has to be present .

how the crowd cheered and leapt !

most gladsome sight of all , the Cupids plucked the hated fools ' caps from their heads and cast them high in the air .

and then Maimie went and spoiled everything .

she couldn't help it .

how she ran ! and all the time her eyes were starting out of her head .

many times she lay down , and then quickly jumped up and ran on again .

her little mind was so entangled in terrors that she no longer knew she was in the Gardens .

she thought the snowflakes falling on her face were her mother kissing her good-night .

she thought her coverlet of snow was a warm blanket , and tried to pull it over her head .

but it was the fairies .

I am very glad to be able to say that they no longer desired to mischief her .

when she rushed away they had rent the air with such cries as ' Slay her ! '

every bride has a right to a boon , and what she asked for was Maimie 's life .

' Anything except that , ' replied Queen Mab sternly , and all the fairies echoed , ' Anything except that . '

they traced Maimie easily by her footprints in the snow .

but though they found her deep in snow in the Figs , it seemed impossible to thank Maimie , for they could not waken her .

' And it might melt , ' the Queen pointed out , so that idea had to be given up .

a magnificent attempt was made to carry her to a sheltered spot , but though there were so many of them she was too heavy .

by this time all the ladies were crying in their handkerchiefs , but presently the Cupids had a lovely idea .

Illustration : Queen Mab , who rules in the Gardens

the house was exactly the size of Maimie , and perfectly lovely .

so they gave it ever so many little extra touches , and even then they added more extra touches .

for instance , two of them ran up a ladder and put on a chimney .

' Now we fear it is quite finished , ' they sighed .

but no , for another two ran up the ladder , and tied some smoke to the chimney .

' That certainly finishes it , ' they said reluctantly .

' Wait one moment , ' said a china merchant , ' and I shall make you a saucer . '

now , alas ! it was absolutely finished .

oh , dear no !

' Gracious me ! ' cried a brass manufacturer , ' there 's no handle on the door , ' and he put one on .

an ironmonger added a scraper , and an old lady ran up with a door-mat .

carpenters arrived with a water-butt , and the painters insisted on painting it .

finished at last !

Illustration : shook his bald head and murmured , ' Cold , quite cold '

oh , how beautiful the little house was now !

but it was at last finished true as true , and they had to leave it and return to the dance .

they all kissed their hands to it as they went away , and the last to go was Brownie .

she stayed a moment behind the others to drop a pleasant dream down the chimney .

all through the night the exquisite little house stood there in the Figs taking care of Maimie , and she never knew .

it so entranced her that she could think of nothing else .

' O you darling !

O you sweet !

O you love ! ' she cried .

the glow-worm light was waning too , but it was still there .

' Darling , loveliest , don't go ! '

Illustration : fairies never say , ' We feel happy ' : what they say is , ' We feel dancey '

she knew at once that he must be Peter Pan .

Illustration : Tailpiece to ' The Little House '

Illustration : Headpiece to ' Peter 's Goat '

VI

PETER'S GOAT

Maimie felt quite shy , but Peter knew not what shy was .

' I hope you have had a good night , ' he said earnestly .

' Thank you , ' she replied , ' I was so cosy and warm .

but you ' and she looked at his nakedness awkwardly ' don't you feel the least bit cold ? '

I am not exactly a boy ; Solomon says I am a Betwixt-and-Between . '

' So that is what it is called , ' said Maimie thoughtfully .

' That 's not my name , ' he explained , ' my name is Peter Pan . '

' Yes , of course , ' she said , ' I know , everybody knows . '

you can't think how pleased Peter was to learn that all the people outside the gates knew about him .

he begged Maimie to tell him what they knew and what they said , and she did so .

' Squeeze closer , ' Maimie said .

' What is that ? ' he asked , and she showed him , and then he did it .

' Do they know that I play games exactly like real boys ? ' he asked very proudly .

' O Maimie , please tell them ! '

but when he revealed how he played , by sailing his hoop on the Round Pond , and so on , she was simply horrified .

Poor Peter uttered a little moan at this , and he cried for the first time for I know not how long .

Illustration : looking very undancey indeed

' How romantic ! '

Maimie exclaimed , but this was another unknown word , and he hung his head thinking she was despising him .

' I suppose Tony would not have done that ? ' he said very humbly .

' Never , never ! ' she answered with conviction , ' he would have been afraid . '

' What is afraid ? ' asked Peter longingly .

he thought it must be some splendid thing .

' I do wish you would teach me how to be afraid , Maimie , ' he said .

' I believe no one could teach that to you , ' she answered adoringly , but Peter thought she meant that he was stupid .

it quite irritated her .

he could scarcely believe she meant it , but when he did believe he screamed with joy .

' And if you want very much to give me a kiss , ' Maimie said , ' you can do it . '

very reluctantly Peter began to take the thimble off his finger .

he thought she wanted it back .

' I don't mean a kiss , ' she said hurriedly , ' I mean a thimble . '

' What 's that ? '

Peter asked .

' It 's like this , ' she said , and kissed him .

' I should love to give you a thimble , ' Peter said gravely , so he gave her one .

he gave her quite a number of thimbles , and then a delightful idea came into his head .

' Maimie , ' he said , ' will you marry me ? '

now , strange to tell , the same idea had come at exactly the same time into Maimie 's head .

' I should like to , ' she answered , ' but will there be room in your boat for two ? '

' If you squeeze close , ' he said eagerly .

' Perhaps the birds would be angry ? '

he assured her that the birds would love to have her , though I am not so certain of it myself .

also that there were very few birds in winter .

' Of course they might want your clothes , ' he had to admit rather falteringly .

she was somewhat indignant at this .

' They shan't have my fur , ' she said sharply .

' No , ' he said , still fondling it , however , ' no .

O Maimie , ' he said rapturously , ' do you know why I love you ?

it is because you are like a beautiful nest . '

somehow this made her uneasy .

' After all , ' she said , ' you are only a Betwixt-and-Between . '

but it hurt him so much that she immediately added , ' It must be a delicious thing to be . '

' And you are not a bit like a nest , ' he whispered to please her .

' But I think it is rather nice to be like one , ' she said in a woman 's contradictory way .

' And , Peter , dear , though I can't give them my fur , I wouldn't mind their building in it .

fancy a nest in my neck with little spotty eggs in it !

O Peter , how perfectly lovely ! '

Illustration : building the house for Maimie

it is not as if I was saying good-bye for ever to mother , it is not in the least like that . '

he was so fond of her , he felt he could not live without her .

but even when she had seen the boat and exclaimed ecstatically over its loveliness , she still talked tremblingly about her mother .

peter , say it . '

he said it , but he could no longer look her in the face .

' If you are sure your mother will always want you , ' he added rather sourly .

' The idea of mother 's not always wanting me ! '

Maimie cried , and her face glistened .

' If she doesn't bar you out , ' said Peter huskily .

' But why don't you look at me ? ' she asked , taking him by the arm .

she went to him .

' What is it , dear , dear Peter ? ' she said , wondering .

' O Maimie , ' he cried , ' it isn't fair to take you with me if you think you can go back !

your mother ' he gulped again ' you don't know them as well as I do . '

and then he told her the woeful story of how he had been barred out , and she gasped all the time .

' But my mother , ' she said , ' my mother '

' Yes , she would , ' said Peter , ' they are all the same .

I dare say she is looking for another one already . '

Maimie said aghast , ' I can't believe it .

Peter replied bitterly , ' You should see the letters Solomon gets from ladies who have six . '

just then they heard a grating creak , followed by creak , creak , all round the Gardens .

it was the Opening of the Gates , and Peter jumped nervously into his boat .

he knew Maimie would not come with him now , and he was trying bravely not to cry .

but Maimie was sobbing painfully .

again he sprang ashore as if she had called him back .

' Dear Peter ! ' she cried .

' Dear Maimie ! ' cried the tragic boy .

she leapt into his arms , so that it was a sort of fairy wedding , and then she hurried away .

oh , how she hastened to the gates !

Illustration : if the bad ones among the fairies happen to be out ( missing from book )

' Nothing , ' she said thoughtfully , ' would be so useful to him as a goat . '

' He could ride on it , ' cried Maimie , ' and play on his pipe at the same time . '

' But it isn't a real goat , ' Maimie said .

' It seems very real to Tony , ' replied her mother .

' It seems frightfully real to me too , ' Maimie admitted , ' but how could I give it to Peter ? '

' My daughter , tell me , if you can , What have you got for Peter Pan ? '

to which Maimie replied

' I have a goat for him to ride , Observe me cast it far and wide . '

she then flung her arms about as if she were sowing seed , and turned round three times .

next Tony said

' If P . doth find it waiting here , Wilt ne'er again make me to fear ? '

and Maimie answered

' By dark or light I fondly swear Never to see goats anywhere . '

and Maimie kept her promise , and never frightened Tony with a goat again , though I have heard that she created another animal .

Illustration : they will certainly mischief you ( missing from book )

oh , he has a joyful time !

and the little house ?

he puts them in twos because they seem less lonely .

I think that quite the most touching sight in the Gardens is the two tombstones of Walter Stephen Matthews and Phoebe Phelps .

they stand together at the spot where the parish of Westminster St Mary 's is said to meet the parish of Paddington .

they lie side by side , and the simple inscriptions read

David sometimes places white flowers on these two innocent graves .

I do hope that Peter is not too ready with his spade .

it is all rather sad .

Illustration : Tailpiece to ' Peter 's Goat '

printed by T . and A CONSTABLE , Printers to His Majesty at the Edinburgh University Press

End of Project Gutenberg 's Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens , by J M Barrie

Transcriber 's note :

Hyphenation and spelling standardized .

otherwise , archaic and variable spelling was preserved .

missing quotation marks were added to standardize usage .

otherwise , the editor 's punctuation style was preserved .

Table of Contents ' page numbers were updated .

special notation :

text in italics is enclosed by underscores ( italics ) .

text in bold face is enclosed by equal signs ( = bold = ) .

AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG

is now full , and contains

= I MY BOYS = , and other stories . = II .

SHAWL-STRAPS = .

Sketches of a European Trip . = III .

CUPID AND CHOW-CHOW = , and other stories . = IV .

MY GIRLS = , and other stories . = V ..y JIMMY'S CRUISE IN THE PINAFORE = , and other stories . = VI .

AN OLD-FASHIONED THANKSGIVING = , and other stories .

six volumes neatly bound in cloth .


ROBERTS BROTHERS , PUBLISHERS , BOSTON .

Illustration : AN OLD-FASHIONED THANKSGIVING .

Illustration : HOW IT ALL HAPPENED .

Dolly opened the door , and started back with a cry of astonishment at the lovely spectacle before her .

PAGE @number@

AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG .

AN OLD-FASHIONED THANKSGIVING , Etc .

Illustration : SCRAP-BAG , VOL .

VI .

BY LOUISA M ALCOTT ,

AUTHOR OF " LITTLE WOMEN , " " AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL , " " LITTLE MEN , " " HOSPITAL SKETCHES . "

BOSTON : ROBERTS BROTHERS .

@number@

copyright , @number@ BY LOUISA M ALCOTT .

UNIVERSITY PRESS : JOHN WILSON AND SON , CAMBRIDGE .

CONTENTS .

PAGE .

I AN OLD-FASHIONED THANKSGIVING @date@ .

HOW IT ALL HAPPENED @number@ III .

THE DOLLS ' JOURNEY FROM MINNESOTA TO MAINE @number@ IV .

MORNING-GLORIES @number@ V SHADOW-CHILDREN @number@ VI .

POPPY'S PRANKS @number@ VII .

WHAT THE SWALLOWS DID @number@ VIII .

LITTLE GULLIVER @number@ IX .

THE WHALE'S STORY @number@ X . a STRANGE ISLAND @number@ XI .

FANCY'S FRIEND @number@

I.

AN OLD-FASHIONED THANKSGIVING .

" I do like to begin seasonable and have things to my mind .

" only one more day and then it will be time to eat .

" no need of my starvin ' beforehand .

" sakes alive , I don't , boys !

it 's a marcy it don't come but once a year .

" I think it 's real fun to have Thanksgiving at home .

" it will be kind of lonesome with only our own folks . "

" I don't care a mite for all that .

" here 's a man comin ' up the hill , lively ! "

" guess it 's Gad Hopkins .

but all were doomed to disappointment , for it was not Gad , with the much-desired fruit .

" we must go right off , Eldad .

" I 'm dreadful sorry , dears , but it can't be helped .

" Tilly , put extry comfortables on the beds to-night , the wind is so searchin ' up chamber .

I shall come back the minute I can leave Mother .

Pa will come to-morrer , anyway , so keep snug and be good .

I depend on you , my darter ; use your jedgment , and don't let nothin ' happen while Mother 's away . "

but the children were busy , gay , and warm in-doors , and never minded the rising gale nor the whirling white storm outside .

the girls got the simple supper of brown bread and milk , baked apples , and a doughnut all ' round as a treat .

" yes , read that .

I always like to hear about the Lady Matildy I was named for , and Lord Bassett , Pa 's

" don't read the queer words , ' cause we don't understand ' em .

tell it , " commanded Roxy , from the cradle , where she was drowsily cuddled with Rhody .

no one knows this but you , and you must guard them till I come or send you a safe messenger to take them away .

promise me to be brave and silent , and I can go without fear . '

you see , he wasn't afraid to die , but he was to seem a traitor .

" I reckon she was scared , though , when the men came swearin ' in and asked her if she knew anything about it .

" why didn't the boy take his father 's sword and lay about him ?

I would , if any one was ha'sh to Tilly . "

" you bantam !

he was only a bit of a boy , and couldn't do anything .

at last , word came that the king was dead and his friends banished out of England .

" but the father did come ? " cried Roxy , eagerly .

" you 'll see , " continued Eph , half telling , half reading .

off came the disguise , and Matilda found it was my lord himself , come to take them with him out of England .

" well , I think you 'd do the settin ' part best , Prue , you are so patient .

" now about dinner , " said the young housekeeper , as the pewter spoons stopped clattering , and the earthen bowls stood empty .

" I can roast a turkey and make a pudding as well as anybody , I guess .

" did you ever roast a turkey ? " asked Roxy , with an air of deep interest .

" should you darst to try ? " said Rhody , in an awe-stricken tone .

" you will see what I can do .

Ma said I was to use my jedgment about things , and I 'm going to .

all you children have got to do is to keep out of the way , and let Prue and me work .

Eph , I wish you 'd put a fire in the best room , so the little ones can play in there .

" I don't know about that .

Ma didn't tell us to , " began cautious Eph , who felt that this invasion of the sacred best parlor was a daring step .

" don't we always do it Sundays and Thanksgivings ?

wouldn't Ma wish the children kept safe and warm anyhow ?

can I get up a nice dinner with four rascals under my feet all the time ?

" this sampler neat was worked by me , In my twelfth year , Prudence B . "

" it 's all ready but the stuffing , and roasting is as easy as can be .

I can baste first rate .

" I ain't !

I fed him all summer , and he never gobbled at me .

" well , I 'll get the puddin ' off my mind fust , for it ought to bile all day .

put the big kettle on , and see that the spit is clean , while I get ready . "

meantime Tilly attacked the plum-pudding .

" Sage and onions and apple-sauce go with goose , but I can't feel sure of anything but pepper and salt for a turkey . "

" seems to me it 's sweet marjoram or summer savory .

I guess we 'll put both in , and then we are sure to be right .

eager to be of use , she pounded up the herbs and scattered the mixture with a liberal hand into the bowl .

she forgot to tie down his legs and wings , but she set him by till his hour came , well satisfied with her work .

" shall we roast the little pig , too ?

" I couldn't do it .

I loved that little pig , and cried when he was killed .

they had no napkins and little silver ; but the best tankard and Ma 's few wedding spoons were set forth in state .

" don't it look beautiful ? " said Prue , when they paused to admire the general effect .

" pretty nice , I think .

Eph , get the gun !

he 's coming , he 's coming ! "

" down in the holler , coastin ' , we heard a growl , " began Sol , with his eyes as big as saucers .

" I see him fust lookin ' over the wall , " roared Seth , eager to get his share of honor .

" we ran away as fast as we could go , and he come growling after us .

" no danger of that , you little geese .

I 'll shoot him as soon as he comes .

get out of the way , boys , " and Eph raised the window to get good aim .

" there he is !

but Tilly boldly stood at the open window , ready to lend a hand if the enemy proved too much for Eph .

he was growling horribly , and stopped now and then as if to rest and shake himself .

Tilly flew for the ax , and was at her brother 's side by the time the bear was near enough to be dangerous .

he stood on his hind legs , and seemed to sniff with relish the savory odors that poured out of the window .

" fire , Eph ! " cried Tilly , firmly .

" wait till he rears again .

" you 'd have had a warm welcome if we hadn't found you out .

" come in and set up to dinner with us .

" couldn't , no ways .

my folks will think I 'm dead ef I don't get along home , sence the horse and sleigh have gone ahead empty .

" I should have known you in a minute if I hadn't been asleep when the girls squalled .

" well , I can't help it .

they were just struggling to get the pudding out of the cloth when Roxy called out , " here 's Pa ! "

" there 's folks with him , " added Rhody .

" Lots of ' em !

I see two big sleighs chock full , " shouted Seth , peering through the dusk .

" it looks like a semintary .

guess Gramma 's dead and come up to be buried here , " said Sol in a solemn tone .

this startling suggestion made Tilly , Prue , and Eph hasten to look out , full of dismay at such an ending of their festival .

" I see Aunt Cinthy , and Cousin Hetty and there 's Mose and Amos .

" oh , my patience !

" hooray for Pa !

hooray for Thanksgivin ' ! "

" ain't Gran'ma dead at all ? " asked Sol , in the midst of the kissing and hand-shaking .

" bless your heart , no !

it was all a mistake of old Mr Chadwick 's .

mother was sittin ' up as chirk as you please , and dreadful sorry you didn't all come . "

" I never see onions cooked better .

it was speedily whisked out of sight , and all fell upon the pies , which were perfect .

but Tilly and Prue were much depressed , and didn't recover their spirits till the dinner was over and the evening fun well under way .

" I was mad about the mistakes , but don't care enough to cry .

I 'm laughing to think how Gad fooled Eph and I found him out .

it was real mean to frighten the little ones so , " laughed Prue , as Tilly gave a growl .

II .

HOW IT ALL HAPPENED .

it was a small room , with nothing in it but a bed , two chairs , and a big chest .

but the moon , pausing to peep , saw something pretty and heard something pleasant .

" I 'm so glad we got our shirts done in time !

" no ; but then we each made four , and fifty cents is a good deal of money .

are you sorry we didn't keep our quarters for ourselves ? " asked the other voice , with an under-tone of regret in it .

I wish we had more toys to put on it , for it looks so small and mean with only three or four things . "

" it won't hold any more , so I wouldn't worry about it .

" are you crying , Dolly ? "

" not much , Polly . "

" what makes you , dear ? "

" it 's dreadful !

you know we said we wouldn't seem to mind not having any Christmas , she felt so sorry about it . "

" I must cry , but I 'll be quiet . "

when the shower was over , the faces came out shining like roses after rain , and the voices went on again as before .

" yes , indeed ; but we didn't hang up any stockings , you know , because mother had nothing to put in them .

it does seem as if rich people might think of poor people now and then .

" I shall when I 'm rich , like Mr Chrome and Miss Kent .

I shall go round every Christmas with a big basket of goodies , and give all the poor children some . "

" P'r'aps if we sew ever so many flannel shirts we may be rich by-and-by .

I should give mother a new bonnet first of all , for I heard Miss Kent say no lady would wear such a shabby one .

Mrs Smith said fine bonnets didn't make real ladies .

I like her best , but I do want a locket like Miss Kent 's . "

" it will take us a long while to get rich , I 'm afraid .

it makes me tired to think of it .

I guess we 'd better go to sleep now , dear . "

" good-night , Dolly . "

" good-night , Polly . "

" poor little things ! they think I 'm rich , and envy me , when I 'm only a milliner earning my living .

I ought to have taken more notice of them , for their mother has a hard time , I fancy , but never complains .

I can give the children some of the things they want anyhow , and I will .

the idea of those mites making a fortune out of shirts at six cents apiece ! "

Miss Kent laughed at the innocent delusion , but sympathized with her little neighbors , for she knew all about hard times .

she had good wages now , but spent them on herself , and liked to be fine rather than neat .

" if I hadn't spent all my money on my dress for the party to-morrow night , I 'd give each of them a half-dollar .

he soon saw , and watched her with pleasure , thinking that she never looked prettier than now .

then she said good-night , and both went into their rooms , she to sleep happily , and he to smoke as usual .

the house was very quiet when Mrs Smith , the landlady , came up to turn off the gas .

I meant to give those children each a cake to-morrow , they are such good little things .

I 'll run down and get them now , as my contribution to this fine set out . "

away trotted Mrs Smith to her pantry , and picked out a couple of tempting cakes , shaped like hearts and full of plums .

her heart was very heavy that night , because it was the first Christmas she had ever known without gifts and festivity of some sort .

her windows were full of flowers , for the delicate tastes of the poor lady found great comfort in their beauty .

they slept now , dreaming of a sunny morrow as they sat safely sheltered from the bitter cold .

Dolly opened the door , and started back with a cry of astonishment at the lovely spectacle before her .

the other people had taken in their gifts , so nothing destroyed the magnificent effect of the treasures so curiously collected in the night .

" Mrs Smith was one fairy , I guess , and Miss Kent was another , for that is her apron .

" oh , I 'm so glad !

now we shall have a Christmas like other people , and I 'll never say again that rich folks don't remember poor folks .

they were very jolly at dinner , and talked a good deal about the Blakes , who ate in their own rooms .

" put it in the back parlor .

and Miss Kent looked so gay and pretty as she spoke that Mr Chrome made up his mind that millinery must be a delightful occupation .

" come on then , ladies , and we 'll have a little frolic .

I 'm a lonely old bachelor , with nowhere to go to-day , and I 'd like some fun . "

" look in the Browns ' back parlor ! "

Mrs Blake put on her neat bonnet , and was so gratified that Miss Kent thought it the most successful one she ever trimmed .

but as they tied their round caps Dolly said , thoughtfully :

" on the whole , I think it 's rather nice to be poor when people are kind to you . "

III .

THE DOLLS ' JOURNEY FROM MINNESOTA TO MAINE .

Mr Plum lived in St Paul , Minnesota , U.S.A.

Kate lay on the sofa reading " the Daisy Chain " for the fourth time .

" if it had only waited till to-morrow we should have had time for our journey ; now we can't go till next Saturday .

" so is Dora .

just see how sweet she looks with her hat and cape on and her travelling-bag all ready .

couldn't we play travel in the house ?

it is a long journey from Minnesota to Maine , and we couldn't get it all into one room I 'm sure . "

" what is it , little ones ?

" really ? " cried Maggie .

" how could we ? " asked Marjory .

" they could go and come by mail , and tell you all about their adventures when they got back , " said papa .

" we will ! we will !

let's do it at once . "

they were told , and in their turn exclaimed so loudly that Kate came to join in the fun .

after a great deal of talking and laughing , the dolls were prepared for the long journey .

Dora was a blonde and Flora a brunette , otherwise they were just alike and nearly new .

" it is possible that they may never come back .

Accidents will happen you know .

are you prepared for that ? " asked Mr Plum , pausing with the brown paper spread out before him .

Marjory hesitated a moment , clasping Dora to her bosom with a face full of maternal anxiety .

" Good-by , my darling dear .

Being carefully fastened up with several turns of cord , Mr Plum directed the precious parcel to " Miss Maria Plum , Portland , Maine .

with care . "

then it was weighed , stamped , and pronounced ready for the post .

" for the last time , shall they go ? "

" going , going , gone ! " answered papa as he whisked on his coat and hat , and slammed the door behind him .

" now let us take out poor old Lucinda and Rose Augusta to play with .

parcels go more slowly than letters , and this is Aunty 's busy season , so wait patiently and see what will happen . "

we , however , can follow them and learn much that their anxious mothers never knew .

as it was perfectly dark they could not see their companions , so listened to the whispering and rustling that went on about them .

" so should I , if a heavy book was not pinching my toes .

" not yet , but I shall when I can look about me .

a long box lay beside the dolls who stood nearly erect leaning against a pile of papers .

" dear me ! what can be in it ? " said Flora , who was nearest .

" Mercy on us !

I hope we shall not have to travel with the monster , " whispered Dora , trying to see over her shoulder .

" I 'm not afraid .

he can't be very dreadful , for the box is not any longer than we are .

" thank goodness he didn't go with us !

I shall dream about that black nose and winking eye , I 'm sure .

" I think one foot is hurt , and my clothes are dripping , " sighed Dora , faintly .

people will wear odd fashions if they follow me this time . "

" be calm , my friends , and wait with fortitude for death or deliverance , as I do . "

" I don't care a bit how I look .

it 's great fun now we are safe .

pop up your head and see the wide prairie flying past .

I do hope that poor baby got away and swam home to his mother .

" this is the end of us !

here we shall lie and mould forgotten by everybody , " said Dora , who always took a tragical view of things .

" not a bit of it !

I see cows eating toward us and they may give us a lift .

I 've heard of their tossing people up , though I don't know just how it 's done .

she was right .

seeing the red cow sniffing at a brown paper parcel she drove her away , picked it up and peeped in at the open end .

the sight of two dolls in such a place made her feel as if fairies had dropped them there for her .

she could not read the direction and hurried home to show her treasure to her brothers and sisters of whom there were eight .

" don't worry , we shall get on nicely , I 'm sure , and learn German of these young persons .

" yes , dear , I love you but I am tired of being tied to you all day .

the wrapper was laid aside till a neighbor who read English came in to translate it .

so again the dolls were put in their brown paper cover and sent away with farewell kisses .

" dolls , I declare !

what can a bachelor do with the poor things ?

wonder who Maria Plum is ?

" I do hope Midge will be a nicer girl than Clara .

all the eyes that were open brightened when Jip and his master came in , and several thin hands were outstretched to meet them .

" I 've been good , Doctor , let me pat him first , " cried one childish voice .

" did you bring me a flower , please ? " asked another feeble one .

" two dollies for Midge to play with .

Jip found them , but I think the little girl they are going to will lend them for a few days .

" dear no , the poor child is very low to-day .

are you comfy , darlings ? " till she fell asleep still smiling .

" sister , do you think this can be the Heaven we hear people talk about ?

when Saturday night came they were laid in their usual place on Midge 's arm .

then she turned her cheek to the pillow with a little sigh and lay so still the dolls thought she had gone to sleep .

" I think that is what they call dying , sister .

it is a much lovelier way to end than as we do in the dust bin or rag-bag .

in the evening they were folded up in a fresh paper and re-directed carefully .

" anything to take along , Fred ? " asked the newcomer .

" this parcel , if you will .

I have a feeling that I 'd rather not have it knock about in a mail-bag , " and the Doctor told him why .

on the way they overheard a long chat between some New York and Boston ladies which impressed them very much .

" you have got your head full of dressy ideas and high life , sister .

I don't care for such things , but mean to cultivate my mind as fast as I can .

that girl says she is in college , and named over more studies than I can count .

I do wish we were to stop and see a little of the refined society of Boston , " answered Dora , primly .

" pooh ! " said Flo , " don't you try to be intellectual , for you are only a wooden-headed doll .

I mean to be a real Westerner , and just enjoy myself as I please , without caring what other folks do or think .

Boston is no better than the rest of the world , I guess . "

Groans from every article in the bag greeted this disrespectful speech , and an avalanche of Boston papers fell upon the audacious doll .

but Flo was undaunted , and shouted from underneath the pile : " I don't care !

Minnesota forever ! " till her breath gave out .

Dora was so mortified that she never said a word till they were let out in a room at the Parker House .

" I 'll write the story of their travels , and send the dear old things back to the children as soon as possible . "

and so she did with Mr Beacon 's help , for he decided to try the air of Portland , and spent his vacation there .

the dolls were re-painted and re-dressed till they were more beautiful than ever , and their clothes fine enough to suit even Flo .

a small volume neatly written and adorned with a few pictures of the most exciting incidents of the trip also appeared .

it was read with intense interest , and was as true as most stories are nowadays .

but something much more delightful did happen ; for at Thanksgiving time there was a wedding at the Plums ' .

not a doll 's wedding , as Flo had planned , but a real one , for the gentleman from Boston actually married Aunt Maria .

VI .

MORNING-GLORIES .

it was very early , and the house was still .

the sun was just rising , and the morning-glories at the window were turning their blue and purple cups to catch the welcome light .

but softer , sweeter than any bird-voice was the delicate music which Daisy heard .

so airy and gay was the sound , it seemed impossible to lie still with that fairy dancing-tune echoing through the room .

out of bed scrambled Daisy , her sleepy eyes opening wider and wider with surprise and pleasure as she listened and wondered .

" where is it ? " she said , popping her head out of the window .

" it 's a new kind of bird , perhaps ; or maybe it 's a fairy hidden somewhere .

there was neither fairy nor bird to be seen ; and Daisy stood wondering , when a voice cried out from below :

" why , little nightcap , what brings you out of your bed so early ? "

" O Aunt Wee ! do you hear it that pretty music playing somewhere near !

aunt Wee listened , smiled , and shook her head .

well , perhaps there are fairies , and they are going to show themselves to you , if you watch well . "

" Mamma says I 'm quick at finding things ; and you know all about fairies , so I guess we 'll catch one .

can't we begin now ?

it 's very early , and this music has waked me up ; so I don't want to sleep any more .

will you begin to hunt now ? "

can you do this , lazy Daisy ? "

and Aunt Wee smiled to herself as if something pleased her very much .

" oh !

I will , truly , get up , and not fret a bit , if you 'll only help me look .

please come now to dress me , and see if you can find what makes the music . "

but nothing pleased her long ; and she lounged about , pale and fretful , till Aunt Laura came .

" I don't see anything , and the music has stopped .

" do you think it will come again to-morrow ? " asked Daisy anxiously .

" I dare say you 'll hear it , if you wake in time .

now get your hat , and we will see what we can find down by the brook .

" how pink the clouds are , and how the dew twinkles in the grass !

I never saw it so before , " she said .

" I think we 'd better look under that cobweb spread like a tent over the white clovers .

a fairy would be very likely to creep in there and sleep . "

" I don't like spiders , " said Daisy , much disappointed .

" there are things about spiders as interesting to hear as fairy tales , " said Wee .

" this is Mrs Epeira Diadema ; and she is a respectable , industrious little neighbor .

she spreads her tent , but sits under a leaf near by , waiting for her breakfast .

she wraps her eggs in a soft silken bag , and hides them in some safe chink , where they lie till spring .

the mother dies as soon as her eggs are safely placed , and the spiderlings have to take care of themselves . "

" how do you know about it , Aunt Wee ?

you talk as if Mrs Eppyra or whatever her name is had told you herself .

did she ? " asked Daisy , feeling more interested in the brown spider .

" no ; I read it in a book , and saw pictures of the eggs , web , and family .

she ate worms and bugs , and was very amiable and interesting till she fell ill and died . "

Good-by , ma'am .

Daisy walked on a few steps , and then stopped to say :

" what does that bird mean by calling ' Hurry up , hurry up ? '

he keeps flying before us , and looking back as if he wanted to show me something . "

" let me hear what he says .

I may be able to understand him , or the bob-o-link that swings on the alder by the brook . "

wee listened a moment , while the birds twittered and chirped with all their hearts .

presently Wee sang in a tone very like the bob-o-link 's :

but I really think there are berries over there , and we will see if what he says is true , " said Wee .

over the wall they went , and there , on a sunny bank , found a bed of the reddest , ripest berries ever seen .

" these are so much sweeter than those we buy .

I 'd carry some home to mamma , if I only had a basket . "

" you can pick this great leaf full , while I make you a basket , " said Wee .

Daisy soon filled the leaf , and then sat watching her aunt plait a pretty basket of rushes .

while she waited she looked about , and kept finding something curious or pleasant to interest and amuse her .

close by grew a pitcher-plant ; and a yellow butterfly sat on the edge , bathing its feet , Daisy said .

" I won't hurt you , little mother .

" I love birds .

tell me something about them , Aunt Wee .

you must know many things ; for they like you , and come when you call . "

it froze a little , so one could walk over it , and I went out for a run .

oh , so cold it was , with a sharp wind , and no sun or any thing green to make it pleasant !

I went far away over the fields , and sat down to rest .

while I sat there , a little bird came by , and stopped to rest also .

" ' How do you do ? ' said I .

" 'Chick-a-dee-dee , ' said he .

" ' A cold day , ' said I .

" 'Chick-a-dee-dee , ' said he .

" ' Aren't you afraid of starving , now the ground is covered and the trees are bare ? '

" 'Chick-a-dee-dee , ma'am , chick-a-dee-dee ! ' " answered the bird in the same cheerful tone .

and it sounded as if he said , ' I shall be cared for .

I 'm not afraid . '

" ' What will you eat ?

there 's nothing here or for miles round .

I really think you 'll starve , birdie , ' said I .

" then he laughed , and gave me a merry look as he lit on a tall , dry weed near by .

" ' Cold winds may blow , And snows may fall , But well we know God cares for all . ' "

" I like that little story , and shall always think of it when I hear the chick-a-dee-dee . "

Daisy sat a moment with a thoughtful look in her eyes ; then she said slowly , as if sorry for the words :

" it isn't a stupid , grown-up world .

it 's a very pleasant , young world ; and I like it a great deal better this morning than I did last night . "

now put in the berries , and we 'll go on . "

how they hunted !

and Daisy thought the world got younger and happier every minute .

" oh , yes ! and we are going again to-morrow .

aunt Wee says we must try seven days at least .

I like it , and mean to keep on till I really find my fairy . "

" there it is again ! " cried Daisy , flying out of bed the next morning still earlier than the day before .

" where shall we go to-day ? " she asked , as they went out into the garden .

" do hens know about fairies ?

" oh , dear , no ! they are very sensible creatures , and see a deal of the world in their daily walks .

hunting for insects gives them an excellent chance to see fairies , if there are any .

such a clatter as there was when they came to the barnyard ; for every thing was just awake , and in the best spirits .

Ducks were paddling off to the pond ; geese to the meadow ; and meek gray guinea-hens tripping away to hunt bugs in the garden .

a splendid cock stood on the wall , and crowed so loud and clear that all the neighboring chanticleers replied .

doves cooed on the sunny roof , and smoothed their gleaming feathers .

Daisy 's donkey nibbled a thistle by the wall , and a stately peacock marched before the door with all his plumage spread .

it made Daisy laugh to see the airs the fowls put on as she scattered corn , and threw meal and water to the chicks .

and the polite cock waited upon them in the most gentlemanly manner , making queer little clucks and gurgles as if he said :

" allow me , madam , to offer you this kernel ; " or , " here , my dear , try that bit . "

" how nice ! let's go and find them .

but do you learn anything about the fairies from the hen 's chat ? "

" no : they have been so busy setting , they have had no time for picnics yet .

but they will let us know , if they discover any . "

" are they better than fairies ? "

these dears are not afraid , and I shall have such fun with them as they grow up .

what shall we name them , auntie ? "

" yes : I like those names for my pets .

she thinks they may be fairies , and advises us to go and look . "

" so we will to-morrow , " said Daisy .

Pussy got in also ; and , when they were settled on a soft cushion , Daisy rocked them gently to and fro .

when the sun rose next morning , he saw Daisy and Wee floating down the river in their boat .

" bless me ! here 's company , " said the sun , and began at once to make them welcome in his most charming manner .

" look , look , Aunt Wee ! how they open , one by one , as the light shines on them !

we shan't have to wait any longer ; for they get up with the sun , as you do . "

as she spoke , Daisy caught a half-open lily , and drew it up , fragrant and dripping , fresh from its sleep .

" they look like a fleet of fairy ships , anchored in this quiet harbor , with sails half furled , and crews asleep .

" it is time we saw the fairies in blue , unless old Madam Purr deceived us .

I hope we shall find one ; for , though I enjoy every thing we see , I do want my elf too . "

" what is that ? " cried Wee ; and Daisy flew up so quickly that the boat rocked like a cradle .

" go nearer , softly ! softly ! and maybe it will fly out again .

I really think it was a fairy ; for I never saw any thing like it before , " whispered Daisy , much excited .

Wee rowed in among the green rushes and purple water-weeds , and out flew half-a-dozen of the blue-bodied creatures .

presently one of the lovely things lit on the lily in her hand , and she held her breath to watch it .

what name does it have ? "

" we call it a dragon-fly ; and it could tell you a pretty little story about itself , could you understand it .

they feed on water-insects , and for a long time swim about in this state .

they grow in an hour to be perfect dragon-flies , and float away to lead happy lives in the sunshine by the river . "

" yes , we can , dear ; jump up , and see what a funny place I 'll take you to . "

but she was curious to know where the curious place was ; so she got up and followed .

" isn't there ?

we 'll soon see . "

aunt Wee got an old fiddle , and had a dancing-school , where Daisy capered till she was tired .

" how cunning they are !

I wish they would let me put them with the kits , and have a nursery full of babies .

wouldn't it be nice to see them all grow up ? " said Daisy .

Daisy screamed ; the mother-mouse gave a doleful squeak , and ran into a hole ; and Aunt Wee tried to save the little ones .

there is the bell : don't cry , but come and tell papa what a fine romp we 've had . "

Dolly was churning , and Polly was making up butter in nice little pats .

both were very kind , and let Daisy peep everywhere .

the window was open , and hop-vines shook their green bells before it .

the birds sang outside , and maids sang inside , as the churn and the wooden spatters kept time :

" Brindle and Bess , White-star and Jess Come , butter , come !

eat cowslips fine , Red columbine Come , butter , come !

grasses green and tall , Clover , best of all , Come , butter , come !

and give every night Milk sweet and white Come , butter , come !

make the churn go , See the lumps grow !

come , butter , come ! "

Dolly promised , and gave her a small shell and a low shelf all to herself .

it was a lovely morning when Daisy was next roused by the fairy music , and the ponies were standing at the door .

" are we going far ? " she asked , as Wee put on her riding-skirt , and tied back her hair .

" Up to the mountain-top : it 's only a mile ; and we shall have time , if we ride fast , " answered Wee .

when they reached the top , they sat on a tall stone , and looked down into the valley on either side .

" there are giants here ; and I brought you up to see them , " answered Wee .

" Mercy , me ! where are they ? " cried Daisy , looking very curious and rather frightened .

" there is one of them . "

and Wee pointed to the waterfall that went dashing and foaming down into the valley .

" that giant turns the wheels of all the mills you see .

that is a beautiful and busy giant , Daisy . "

" so it is , and some day we 'll go and see it work .

show me the others : I like your giants ' most as well as those in the fairy-books . "

" on this side you 'll see another , called Steam .

he works in the other mills , and takes heavy loads of stone , cloth , paper , and wood all over the country .

then , on the right of us is a third giant , called Electricity .

he runs along those wires , and carries messages from one end of the world to the other .

" I like him best , I think ; for he is more like a real , wonderful giant .

is there any on that side of us ? " asked Daisy , turning round to look behind her .

" why , that 's only the schoolhouse . "

" this is the last day of the seven , and no fairies have been found .

do you think I ever shall see one ? " said Daisy , on the Sunday morning that ended her week 's hunt .

" have I ?

where are they ?

what are their names ? "

aunt Wee drew her to the glass , and said , as she pointed to Daisy 's face :

" here they are , and their names are Health and Happiness .

there are many ways of losing them , and they are hard to catch when once lost .

I wanted you to keep both , and tried to show you how .

" then all these mornings we were hunting after health and happiness , instead of fairies , were we ? "

" yes : haven't you enjoyed it , and don't you think you have caught my fairies ? "

Daisy looked from a little picture of herself , which Wee had drawn some time ago , to her image in the glass .

she understood the kind joke ; and , turning , kissed Aunt Wee , as she said , gratefully :

" I think I have caught your elves , and I 'll try to keep them all my life .

but tell me one thing : was the music that woke me all a joke too ? "

she set it on the table , touched a spring , and the airy music sounded more beautiful than ever .

" is it mine , all mine ? " cried Daisy .

" yes : I hid it while I tried my little plan , and now you shall have it for your own .

see , here is the best elf I can give you , and she will dance whenever you call her . "

v.

SHADOW-CHILDREN .

Ned , Polly , and Will sat on the steps one sun-shiny morning , doing nothing , except wish they had something pleasant to do .

" something new , something never heard of before , wouldn't that be jolly ? " said Ned , with a great yawn .

" it must be an amusing play , and one that we don't get tired of very soon , " added Polly gravely .

as no one could suggest any thing to suit , they all sat silent a few minutes .

suddenly Ned said , rather crossly , " I wish my shadow wouldn't mock me .

every time I stretch or gape it does the same , and I don't like it . "

" poor thing , it can't help that : it has to do just what you do , and be your slave all day .

I 'm glad I ain't a shadow , " said Polly .

" I try to run away from mine sometimes , but I can't ever .

" wouldn't it be fun to see shadows going about alone , and doing things like people ? " asked Polly .

" I just wish they would .

I 'd like to see ours cut capers ; that would be a jolly new game , wouldn't it ? " said Ned .

" Mercy , me ! " cried Polly , staring at them .

" by Jove , that 's odd ! " said Ned , looking queer .

" are they alive ? " asked Will , a little frightened .

" don't be alarmed : they won't hurt you , " said a soft voice .

" To-day is midsummer-day , and whoever wishes a wish can have it till midnight .

they will not get you into harm ; so you may safely try it , if you like .

do you agree for the day to do as they do , and so have your wish ? "

" yes , we promise , " answered the children .

" tell no one till night , and be faithful shadows to the shadows . "

the voice was silent , but with more funny little bows the shadows began to move off in different directions .

each child went after its shadow , laughing , and enjoying the fun .

" oh , bother the old peas !

I 'm busy , and I can't . "

" who told you about this ? " he asked , beginning to work .

when the basket was full , the shadow took one handle , and Ned the other ; and they carried it in .

" thank you , dear .

Ned couldn't stop to talk ; for the shadow ran away to the woodpile , and began to chop with all its might .

" well , I suppose I must ; but I never saw such a fellow for work as this shadow is .

Polly 's new mistress went to the dining-room , and fell to washing up the breakfast cups .

Polly hated that work , and sulkily began to rattle the spoons and knock the things about .

but the shadow wouldn't allow that ; and Polly had to do just what it did , though she grumbled all the while .

" she doesn't splash a bit , or make any clatter ; so I guess she 's a tidy creature , " said Polly .

" how long she does rub each spoon and glass .

we never shall get done .

what a fuss she makes with the napkins , laying them all even in the drawer .

and now she 's at the salt-cellars , doing them just as mamma likes .

I wish she 'd live here , and do my work for me .

why , what 's that ? "

" do you hear any one singing , mamma ? " she asked .

" no : I wish I did . "

the little girl didn't say any more , but worked quietly and watched the shadow , feeling sure the faint song came from it .

Baby stopped crying , and mamma said , smiling :

" now I hear somebody singing , and it 's the music I like best in the world . "

now , baby was heavy , and cross with its teeth ; and Polly didn't feel like tending it one bit .

" do stop , you naughty , fretty baby .

I 'm tired of your screaming , and it 's high time you went to sleep .

bless me ! what 's Miss Shadow doing with her baby ? " said Polly .

Polly laughed , and did the same , feeling sorry she had been so pettish .

presently both babies grew quiet , went to sleep , and were laid in the cradle .

" now , I hope we shall rest a little , " said Polly , stretching her arms .

but , no : down sat the shadow , and began to sew , making her needle fly like a real little seamstress .

" oh , dear ! " groaned Polly .

I dare say you think you can sew faster than I can .

just wait a bit , and see what I can do , miss , " she said to the shadow .

Little Will 's shadow went up to the nursery , and stopped before a basin of water .

now , Will was a good child ; but this one thing was his great trouble , and sometimes he couldn't bear it .

Jane was so rough .

" there , now !

all his anger was gone in a minute , and he just put his arm round Sammy 's neck and kissed him .

every one was merry and hungry and good-natured .

the children said nothing about the new play , and no one observed the queer actions of their shadows but themselves .

it was Saturday afternoon : the day was fine , and mamma told them they could go for a holiday frolic in the woods .

" don't go to the pond , and be home early , " she said .

" yes , mamma ; we 'll remember , " they answered , as they scampered away to get ready .

" we shall go through the village , and Mary King will be looking out ; so I shall wear my best hat .

" you tiresome thing ! do you mean that I mustn't wear my hat , but that old bonnet ? " asked Polly .

the shadow nodded and beckoned , and patted its head , as if it was all right .

" I 'm going to cut a fishing-pole , and will be back in a minute . "

and Ned went crashing into the thickest part of the wood .

Polly sat behind the ferns , and the child did not see her till Polly called out .

the sudden sound startled her ; and she dropped her pail , spilling the berries all over the path .

the little girl began to cry , and Polly to laugh , saying , in a scornful tone :

" how silly to cry for a few berries ! "

oh , dear ! dear me ! "

and she cried so hard that great tears fell on the moss .

" take this , " she said gently .

" I 'm sorry I frightened you .

here are the berries all picked up , and none the worse for falling in the grass .

" oh , thank you , miss !

it 's ever so good .

meanwhile Ned had poked about in the bushes , looking for a good pole .

presently he saw a willow down by the pond , and thought that would give him a nice , smooth pole .

it was untied , and oars lay in it , as if waiting for some one to come and row out .

" I 'll just take a little pull across , and get those cardinal-flowers for Polly , " he said ; and went to the boat .

he got in , and was about to push off , when he saw his shadow standing on the shore .

" I ain't afraid : mamma won't mind , if I tell her I 'm sorry ; and it will be such fun to row alone .

be a good fellow , and let me go , " said Ned , beckoning .

but the shadow would not stir , and Ned was obliged to mind .

Will trotted after the rabbit , but didn't find it ; he found a bird's-nest instead with four little birds in it .

he chose the biggest bird , and , holding him carefully , walked away to find Polly .

" no , no , I want him , " said Will .

" I won't hurt him , and his mother has three left : she won't mind if I take one . "

" yes , it is naughty , and I won't do it .

I 'll ask mamma to get me a canary , and will let this birdie stay with his brothers . "

a bush of purple berries grew by the path , and Will stopped to pick some .

he didn't know what they were , and mamma had often told him never to eat strange things .

" oh , dear ! you don't let me do any thing I want to , " sighed Will .

" I shall ask Polly if I tarn't eat these ; and , if she says I may , I shall , so now . "

he ran off to ask Polly ; but she said they were poisonous , and begged him to throw them away .

" good little shadow , to keep me safe ! " cried Will .

" I like you ; and I 'll mind better next time , ' cause you are always right . "

the shadow seemed to like this , and bobbed about so comically it made Will laugh till his eyes were full of tears .

Ned came back , and they went on , having grand times in the wood .

Ned and Polly had reached the wall , and , looking back , saw that their shadows had not followed .

Ned 's stood before Will , brandishing his pole ; and Polly 's was flapping a shadowy sun-bonnet with all its might .

" the calf doesn't know its own mother with that thing on , " laughed Ned .

" how brave and kind you were to come back and save me !

they turned towards home after this flurry , feeling quite like heroes .

" we shan't be home at supper-time , " said Polly .

" never mind : it 's a holiday , so let's enjoy it , and not bother , " answered Ned .

" we promised mamma we 'd come home early , " said Will .

they all chose the pleasant path , and walked on till Ned cried out , " why , where are our shadows ? "

they looked behind , before , and on either side ; but nowhere could they see them .

" they were with us at the corner , " said Will .

" let's run back , and try to find them , " said Polly .

we promised to follow them , and we must , " said Polly .

" I wish , " began Ned in a pet ; but Polly clapped her hand over his mouth , saying :

this made Ned laugh , and they all turned back to the corner .

looking up the hilly road , they saw the three shadows trudging along , as if bent on getting home in good time .

without saying a word , the children followed ; and , when they got to the garden gate , they all said at once :

" aren't you glad you came ? "

a pleasant supper-time ; then the small duties for each one ; and then the go-to-bed frolic .

the nursery was a big room , and in the evening a bright wood fire always burned there for baby .

as they sat resting on the big sofa , they heard a soft , sweet voice singing .

it wasn't mamma ; for she was only talking to baby , and this voice sang a real song .

presently they saw mamma's shadow on the wall , and found it was the shadow-mother singing to the shadow-children .

they listened intently , and this is what they heard :

" now what happens , now what happens ?

one small shadow 's tumbled down : I can see it on the carpet , Softly rubbing its hurt crown .

" I say , Polly , are you asleep ? "

" no : I 'm thinking what a queer day we 've had , " answered Polly .

I shan't forget it , shall you ? " said Ned .

" no : I 'm much obliged for the lesson . "

" So is I , " called out Will , in a very earnest , but rather a sleepy , little voice .

" I wonder what mamma will say , when we tell her about it , " said Ned .

the others agreed with him , and resolved that their shadows should not be ashamed of them .

VI .

POPPY'S PRANKS .

she wasn't a wilfully naughty child , this harum-scarum Poppy , but very thoughtless and very curious .

Poppy thought there never was any thing so splendid , and immediately wanted to go to walk .

but mamma was busy , and Poppy couldn't go alone any farther than the garden .

Kitty saw her coming ; and , being an ill-natured little girl , took no notice , but called out to her brother Jack :

" ain't some folks grand ?

if I couldn't have red shoes for my best , I wouldn't have any , would you ? "

they both laughed , and this hurt Poppy 's feelings dreadfully .

she said nothing , but walked gravely by , as if she was going on an errand , and hadn't heard a word .

by three o'clock , she began to think it was time to go home , and boldly started off to find it .

but poor little Poppy didn't know the way , and went all wrong .

on and on she went , up streets and down , amusing herself with looking in the shop-windows , and sitting to rest on doorsteps .

poppy sat up , and wondered if anybody 's supper was ready .

the man had a paper ; and , when people stopped at the sound of the bell , he read in a loud voice :

he got no farther ; for a little voice cried out of the dark , in a tone of surprise :

" why , dats me ! "

" is it far away ? " asked Poppy , with a little sob .

" yes , my dear ; but I am going to give you some supper fust , along of my little girl .

I live close by ; and , when we 've had a bite , we 'll go find your ma . "

poppy was so tired and hungry , she was glad to find herself taken care of , and let the man do as he liked .

but the next day , dear me ! what a sad time it was , to be sure !

then he went away without his morning kiss , and Poppy was so very unhappy she could hardly eat her breakfast .

she felt better by and by , and tried to play ; but the cord kept pulling her back .

Cousin Fanny came up , but Poppy was so ashamed to be tied that she crept under the sofa and hid .

" O mamma !

I drefful sorry I runned away .

Fordive me one time more , and I never will adain ; " and she never did .

two or three years after this , Poppy went to live in the country , and tried some new pranks .

one day she went with her sister Nelly to see a man plough , for that sort of thing was new to her .

while the man worked , she saw him take out a piece of something brown , and bite off a bit .

" what 's that ? " asked Poppy .

" Tobaccer , " said the man .

" is it nice ? " asked Poppy .

" prime , " said the man .

" could you let me taste it ? " asked curious Poppy .

" it will make you sick , " said the man , laughing .

" it doesn't make you sick .

I 'd like to try , " said Poppy , nothing daunted .

he gave her a piece ; and Poppy ate it , though it didn't taste good at all .

she did it because Cy , her favorite playfellow , told her she 'd die if she did , and tried to frighten her .

" you darsn't eat any more , " he said .

" yes , I dare .

see if I don't . "

and Poppy took another piece , just to show how brave she was .

silly little Poppy !

" I ain't sick , and I shan't die , so now . "

and Poppy pranced about as briskly as ever .

but the man shook his head , Nelly watched her anxiously , and Cy kept saying :

" ain't you sick yet , say ? "

for a little while Poppy felt all right ; but presently she grew rather pale , and began to look rather pensive .

she stopped running , and walked slower and slower , while her eyes got dizzy , and her hands and feet very cold .

" better lay down a spell , " said the man , looking a little troubled .

poppy lay a minute , then turned to Cy , and said very solemnly :

" Cy , run home , and tell my mother I 'm dying . "

away rushed Cy in a great fright , and burst upon Poppy 's mamma , exclaiming breathlessly :

" O ma'am !

" Mercy on us ! what will happen to that child next ? " cried poor mamma , who was used to Poppy 's mishaps .

" Twarn't my fault .

the child was a reg'lar fool to swaller it . "

poppy was dreadfully sick all night , but next day was ready for more adventures and experiments .

she swung on the garret stairs , and tumbled down , nearly breaking her neck .

she got into the pigsty to catch a young piggy , and was taken out in a sad state of dirt .

these are only a few of her pranks , but one was nearly her last .

she wanted to go bare-footed , as the little country boys and girls did ; but mamma wasn't willing , and Poppy was much afflicted .

" it doesn't hurt Cy , and it won't hurt me , just for a little while , " she said .

" say no more , Poppy .

I never wish to see you barefooted , " replied mamma .

" well , you needn't : I 'll go and do it in the barn , " muttered Poppy , as she walked away .

into the barn she went , and played country girl to her heart 's content , in spite of Nelly 's warnings .

presently , with a loud roar , the bear leaped ; but Nelly wasn't eaten that time , for Poppy cried out with pain :

" oh !

I jumped on a pitchfork , and it 's in my foot !

take it out ! take it out ! "

poor little foot !

poppy was soon herself again , and lay on the sofa , with Nelly and Cy to amuse her .

Nelly sniffed , but said nothing ; Cy , however , spoke up briskly :

" he says you might have lockjaw . "

" is that bad ? " asked Poppy gravely .

" oh , ain't it , though !

your mouth shuts up , and you can't open it ; and you have fits and die . "

" always ? " said Poppy , looking scared , and feeling of her mouth .

" ' Most always , I guess .

that 's why your ma cried , and Nelly keeps kissin ' you . "

she looked very solemn for a few minutes , and kept opening and shutting her mouth to see if it wasn't stiff .

presently she said , in a serious tone and with a pensive air :

" Nelly , I 'll give you my bead-ring : I shan't want it any more .

I wish to give away my things ' fore I die ; and , Nelly , won't you bring me the scissors ? "

" what for ? " said Nelly , sniffing more than ever .

" to cut off my hair for mamma .

she 'll want it , and I like to cut things . "

Nelly got the scissors ; and Poppy cut away all she could reach , giving directions about her property while she snipped .

" I wish papa to have my pictures and my piece of poetry I made .

give baby my dolly and the quacking duck .

" I don't think I shall lose my little girl yet , so we won't talk of it .

but Poppy must keep quiet , and let Nelly wait on her for a few days . "

" are fits bad , mamma ? and does it hurt much to die ? " asked Poppy thoughtfully .

" then I 'll be very good ; so I won't mind , if the jawlock does come . "

and Poppy was good , oh , dreadfully good ! for a week .

quite an angel was Poppy ; so meek and gentle , so generous and obedient , you really wouldn't have known her .

" Burney 's making jelly : let's go and get our scrapings , " said Poppy to Nellie once , when mamma was away .

" yes ; and makes us our little potful too , " added Nelly , persuasively .

" I don't want your help ; so be off .

your ma can fuss with your pot , if she chooses .

I 've no time . "

" I think Burney 's the crossest woman in the world .

" should we dare to eat any ? " asked Nelly , timid , but longing for the forbidden fruit .

" I should ; just as much as ever I like .

it 's mamma 's jelly , and she won't mind .

I don't care for old cross Burney , " said Poppy , sliding down the banisters by way of soothing her ruffled spirit .

but Burney wasn't asleep , and , hearing a noise below , crept down to see what mischief was going on .

Short-sighted Poppy ! she forgot Cy ; but Burney didn't , and sent him to climb in at the window , and undo the door .

" poppy proposed it , she broke the jar , and I didn't eat much .

Mamma never whipped , and Poppy was in a great rage at such an indignity .

the minute she was left alone , she looked about to see how she could be revenged .

but Burney was gone , and no one came near her .

poppy was very fond of that story , and often played it with Nelly and the dolls .

having relieved her feelings in this way , Poppy rested , and then set about amusing herself .

if she had been a young whale , it couldn't have been worse .

poppy wasn't particular about smells ; but she got some in her mouth , and didn't like the taste .

there was no water to wash in ; and her hands , face , and pinafore were in a high state of grease .

there was pen , ink , and paper in the room ; so , after various trials , Poppy wrote her note :

" dear Mamma .

" i am sorry i Took bernys gelli . i have braked The lamP .

popy . "

" what in the world is that hanging out of the colonel 's upper window ? " said he , putting on his spectacles .

" bless my soul ! that child will kill herself .

" what for ? " answered Poppy , staring at him without moving an inch .

" you 'll fall , and break your neck ! " screamed the old gentleman .

" oh , no , I shan't ! " returned Poppy , much flattered by his interest , and hanging out still further .

" stop that , instantly , or I 'll go in and inform the colonel ! " roared the old gentleman , getting angry .

" I don't care , " shouted Poppy ; and she didn't , for she knew grandpa wasn't at home .

" little gipsy !

but Poppy was already settled , demurely playing with her doll , and looking quite innocent .

Emily scolded ; and Poppy promised never to do it again , if she might stay and play in the big room .

" ain't they crosspatches ? " said Poppy to her doll .

" never mind , dear : you shall hang out , if I can't .

I guess the old man won't order you in , any way . "

now this dolly had been through a great deal .

poppy whisked dolly in before grandpa saw her , and dodged down as he went by .

this made the people laugh again , and grandpa wondered what the joke was .

the street was empty ; yet there stood the people , staring out and laughing .

he didn't like it ; and , clapping on his hat , he went out to learn what the matter was .

he went in and sat down to watch , feeling rather disturbed .

this made him angry ; and out he rushed a second time , saying , as he marched across the street :

" if those saucy young fellows are making game of me , I 'll soon stop it . "

one of the young men came and told him , and asked him to come in and see the fun .

her next performance was to fall into the pond on the Common .

how dreadful it was to feel the cold waves go over her head , shutting out the sun and air !

that would have been the end of Poppy , if a little black boy hadn't jumped in and pulled her out .

she was sick and dizzy , and looked like a drowned kitten ; but a kind lady took her home in a carriage .

after that mishap grandpa thought he wouldn't keep her any longer , for fear she should come to some worse harm .

VII .

WHAT THE SWALLOWS DID .

all summer you live gayly together ; and , when winter comes , you fly away to the lovely South , unseparated still . "

" we work harder than he does any day .

did he build his own house , I should like to know ?

does he get his daily bread for himself ?

how many of his neighbors does he help ?

how much of the world does he see , and who is the happier for his being alive ? "

" cares indeed ! " cried another ; " I wish he 'd undertake to feed and teach my brood .

much he knows about the anxieties of a parent . "

and the little mother bustled away to get supper for the young ones , whose bills were always gaping wide .

" sorrows we have , too , " softly said the fourth swallow .

" I , for my part , don't envy him , " said Gossip Wing , who was fond of speaking her mind .

" men and women call themselves superior beings ; but , upon my word , I think they are vastly inferior to us .

now , look at that man , and see how he wastes his life .

it 's my opinion he 'd be much happier than he now is , wandering about with a dismal face and a sour temper . "

" I quite agree with you ; and I dare say he 'd thank any one for telling him how he may find comfort .

poor soul !

I wish he could understand me ; for I sympathize with him , and would gladly help him if I could . "

we sing , but we work also ; and are wise enough to see the necessity of both , thank goodness ! "

" now , what I say is this , " continued Mrs Wing impressively .

" if I were that man , I 'd make myself useful at once .

there is poor little Will getting more and more lame every day , because his mother can't send him where he can be cured .

a trifle of that man 's money would do it , and he ought to give it .

old Father Winter is half starved , alone there in his miserable hovel ; and no one thinks of the good old man .

why don't that lazy creature take him home , and care for him , the little while he has to live ?

the man might make hers the gayest heart alive , by a little help .

there in a lonely garret lives a young man studying his life away , longing for books and a teacher .

the man has a library full , and might keep the poor boy from despair by a little help and a friendly word .

Opposite me were two great tablets with golden letters on them .

I can read a little , thanks to my friend , the learned raven ; and so I spelt out some of the words .

and Mrs Wing bridled up , as if she resented the phrase immensely .

" you have , madam , you have ; and I shall not forget it .

" Mercy on us !

I do believe the creature heard every thing we said , " cried Mrs Wing , nearly tumbling off the beam , in her surprise .

" he certainly did ; so I 'm glad I was guarded in my remarks , " replied Mrs Skim , laughing at her neighbor 's dismay .

" dear me ! dear me ! what did I say ? " cried Mrs Wing , in a great twitter .

we are of too little consequence for our criticisms or opinions to annoy him , " said Mrs Dart consolingly .

" I don't know that , ma'am , " returned Mrs Wing , sharply : for she was much ruffled and out of temper .

" a cat may look at a king ; and a bird may teach a man , if the bird is the wisest .

Mrs Wing was in a dreadful state of mind , expecting an assault , and the destruction of her entire family .

every one blamed her .

all this made her very meek for a time ; and she scarcely opened her bill , except to eat .

my landlord sat there , looking a trifle more cheerful than usual , and I heard him say , in a very decided tone :

those swallows little know what they have done ; but I 'll show them I don't forget . ' "

on hearing this a general wail arose , and Mrs Wing fainted entirely away .

Madam Sooty-back was quite satisfied with the effect she had produced , and departed , saying loftily :

" I 'm sorry for you , Mrs Wing , and forgive your rude speech about my being related to chimney-sweeps .

one can't expect good manners from persons brought up in mud houses , and entirely shut out from good society .

if I hear any thing more , I 'll let you know . "

" what shall we do ? " she cried .

" nothing , but wait .

let us wait , and see what happens .

if the worst comes , we shall have done our duty , and will all die together . "

as no one could suggest any thing better , Mrs Dart 's advice was taken , and they waited .

" the man was down at the poor-house to-day , and took away little Nan , the orphan baby .

I saw him carry her to Will 's mother , and heard him ask her to take care of it for a time .

he paid her well , and she seemed glad to do it ; for Will needs help , and now he can have it .

an excellent arrangement , I think .

bless me , ma'am ! what 's the matter ?

your pulse is altogether too fast , and you look feverish . "

" now , who was right ?

who has done good , not harm , by what you call ' gossip ' ?

who has been a martyr , and patiently borne all kinds of blame , injustice , and disrespect ?

after this the swallows gave in ; and , as no harm came to them , they had a jubilee in honor of the occasion .

a good spirit seemed to haunt the town , leaving help and happiness wherever it passed .

some unseen hand scattered crumbs over the barn floor , and left food at many doors .

no dog or boy or gun marred the tranquillity of the birds , insects , and flowers who lived on the great estate .

every one was his friend , but his favorites were the swallows .

when autumn leaves were red , and autumn winds blew cold , the inhabitants of Twittertown prepared for their journey to the South .

they lingered longer than usual this year , feeling sorry to leave their friend .

the day they started , the whole flock flew to the great house , to say good-by .

Chirp , Dart , and Wing peeped everywhere , and everywhere found something to rejoice over .

" ah , how sweet it is ! " cried Mrs Dart , glad to see that he had found comfort for his grief .

and Mrs Wing plumed herself with an air of immense importance , as she nodded and bridled from her perch on the window-sill .

the man saw the three , and hastened to feed them for the last time , knowing that they were about to go .

" swallow , swallow , neighbor swallow , Are you ready for your flight ?

are all the feather cloaks completed ?

are the little caps all right ?

are the young wings strong and steady For the journey through the sky ?

come again in early spring-time ; And till then , good-by , good-by ! "

VIII .

LITTLE GULLIVER .

up in the light-house tower lived Davy , with Old Dan the keeper .

most little boys would have found it very lonely ; but Davy had three friends , and was as happy as the day was long .

to Dan it was only a lamp ; but to the boy it seemed a living thing , and he loved and tended it faithfully .

every day he helped Dan clear the big wick , polish the brass work , and wash the glass lantern which protected the flame .

Davy 's second friend was Nep , the Newfoundland , who was washed ashore from a wreck , and had never left the island since .

but the dearest friend of all was a sea-gull .

that was his world ; and he led a quiet life among his playfellows , the winds and waves .

he seldom went to the main land , three miles away ; for he was happier at home .

he watched the sea-anemones open below the water , looking like fairy-plants , brilliant and strange .

he found curious and pretty shells , and sometimes more valuable treasures , washed up from some wreck .

he saw little yellow crabs , ugly lobsters , and queer horse-shoes with their stiff tails .

sometimes a whale or a shark swam by , and often sleek black seals came up to bask on the warm rocks .

he gathered lovely sea-weeds of all kinds , from tiny red cobwebs to great scalloped leaves of kelp , longer than himself .

close by the tower hung the fog-bell , which , being wound up , would ring all night , warningly .

" a heavy fog is blowing up : we shall want the bell to-night , and I must be off at once .

I shall be back before dark , of course ; so take care of yourself , boy , " said Dan .

away went the little boat ; and the fog shut down over it , as if a misty wall had parted Davy from his uncle .

it was nearly dark ; and , hoping to find Dan had come , he ran down to the landing-place .

but no boat was there , and the fog was thicker than ever .

Dan never had been gone so long before , and Davy was afraid something had happened to him .

for a few minutes he was in great trouble ; then he cheered up , and took courage .

Davy had his supper , but no Dan came .

he waited hour after hour , and waited all in vain .

the fog thickened , till the lamp was hardly seen ; and no bell rung to warn the ships of the dangerous rocks .

in the afternoon Gulliver appeared : to him Davy told his trouble , and the three friends took counsel together .

" I 'd gladly swim to town , if I could ; but it 's impossible to do it , with wind and tide against me .

" I can do something for you ; and I will , with all my heart .

I 'll fly to town , if I don't see him in the bay , and try to learn what has become of Dan .

then I 'll come and tell you , and we will see what is to be done next .

cheer up , Davy dear : I 'll bring you tidings , if any can be had . "

with these cheerful words , away sailed Gulliver , leaving Nep and his master to watch and wait again .

" oh , what a lovely bird !

see his black cap , his white breast , dove-colored wings , red legs and bill , and soft , bright eyes .

I wanted a gull ; and I 'll keep this one , for I don't think he is much hurt . "

for three long days and nights he was a prisoner , and suffered much .

the house was full of happy people , but no one took pity upon him .

but for three days no one spoke a friendly word to him , and he pined away with a broken heart .

" poor bird , you 'll die , if yer stays here ; so I'se gwine to let yer go .

specs little missy 'll scold dreffle ; but Moppet 'll take de scoldin for yer .

" but , dear , kind Moppet , won't you be hurt for doing this ?

why do you care so much for me ?

I can only thank you , and fly away . "

I got away , and I means you shall .

" do you live here ?

I never see you playing with the other children , " said the gull , as Moppet 's nimble fingers picked away at the knots .

" yes : I lives here , and helps de cook .

you didn't see me , kase I never plays ; de chilen don't like me . "

" why not ? " asked Gulliver , wondering .

" I'se black , " said Moppet , with a sob .

" but that 's silly in them , " cried the bird , who had never heard of such a thing .

it is very unkind to treat you so .

haven't you any friends to love you , dear ? "

" nobody in de world keres fer me .

Dey sold me way from my mammy when I was a baby , and I'se knocked roun eber since .

" I 'm your friend , dear ; I love you , and I never shall forget what you have done for me to-night .

how can I thank you before I go ? "

" O my deary !

I'se paid by dem words , and I don't want no tanks .

Jes lub me , and come sometimes to see me ef you can , it 's so hard livin ' in dis yere place .

I don't tink I 'll bar it long .

can't you get away , Moppet ? " whispered Gulliver , longing to help this poor , friendless little soul .

when this was done , Davy and Dan were to take Moppet , if they could , and make her happy on the island .

" hush , birdie , I 'll take kere ob you till you 's fit to fly .

I knows a nice , quiet little cove down yonder , where no one goes ; and dare you kin stay till you 's better .

I 'll come and feed you , and you kin paddle , and rest , and try your wings , safe and free , honey . "

next day , a great storm came : the wind blew a hurricane , the rain poured , and the sea thundered on the coast .

" what has happened to Davy alone on the island all this while ?

O Dan , Dan , if we could only find you , how happy we should be ! "

as Gulliver spoke , a voice cried through the darkness :

" poor birdie , is you starvin ' ?

here , jes go at dis , and joy yourself .

Dere 's fish and tings I tink you 'd like .

how is you now , dear ? "

" hi ! what 's dat ? " said Moppet , listening .

" Davy , Davy ! " called the voice .

" it 's Dan .

hurrah , we 've found him ! " and Gulliver dived off the rock so reckless that he went splash into the water .

but that didn't matter to him ; and he paddled away , like a little steamer with all the engines in full blast .

how glad they all were then !

" what will he do ?

he may get killed or scared , or try to come ashore .

is the lamp alight ? " he cried , trying to move , and falling back with a moan of pain .

Gulliver flew up to the highest rock , and looked out across the dark sea .

yes , there it was , the steady star shining through the storm , and saying plainly , " all is well . "

" thank heaven ! if the lamp is burning , Davy is alive .

now , how shall I get to him ? " said Dan .

" never you fret , massa : Moppet 'll see to dat .

you jes lay still till I comes .

Dere 's folks in de house as 'll tend to you , ef I tells em who and where you is . "

off she ran , and soon came back with help .

next morning , the cage was found blown over , and every one fancied the bird had flown away .

Dora was already tired of him ; so he was soon forgotten by all but Moppet .

nobody ever knew the best part of the story but Moppet , Davy , and Gulliver .

the sun was setting ; and they floated through waves as rosy as the rosy sky .

a fresh wind filled the sail , and ruffled Gulliver 's white breast as he sat on the mast-head crooning a cheery song to himself .

as the sun sunk , out shone the lamp with sudden brightness , as if the island bade them welcome .

IX .

THE WHALE'S STORY .

Freddy sat thinking on the seat under the trees .

it gave a great creak ; and a sudden gust of air stirred the trees , as if some monster groaned and sighed .

" Freddy ahoy ! " called the big voice .

" why , can you talk ? " asked Freddy , very much astonished and a little frightened .

" of course I can , for this is a part of my jaw-bone .

I don't think any one but you would understand me , any way .

" were you a naughty whale ? " asked Freddy .

" I was proud , very proud , and foolish ; and so I suffered for it .

I dare say you know a good deal about us .

I see you reading often , and you seem a sensible child . "

we can't live without air ; we have warm , red blood ; and we don't lay eggs , so we are not fishes .

we certainly are the biggest creatures in the sea and out of it .

" ah ! you may well say so ; we are a very wonderful and interesting family .

all our branches are famous in one way or another .

" yes : but tell me about the big ones , please .

which were you ? " cried Freddy .

" I was a Right whale , from Greenland .

the Sperms live in warm places ; but to us the torrid zone is like a sea of fire , and we don't pass it .

yes , you may stare ; but it 's true , my dear .

the tongue , which makes about five barrels of oil , lies below , like a cushion of white satin .

then we collect the food with our tongue , and swallow it ; for , though we are so big , our throats are small .

" have you got any enemies ?

I shouldn't think you could have , you are so large , " said Freddy .

" but we have , and many too , three who attack us in the water , and several more that men use against us .

the killer , the sword-fish , and the thrasher trouble us at home .

Freddy laughed at the idea , and asked , " how about candles ?

I know about oil and seats and umbrellas ; but I thought candles were made of wax . "

they cut a hole in the skull , and dip it out ; and sometimes get sixteen or twenty barrels .

this is made into what you call spermaceti candles .

we don't have any such nonsense about us ; but the Sperms always were a light-headed set . "

" I beg your pardon , child .

" tell me about your troubles ; I pity you very much , and like to hear you talk , " said Freddy , kindly .

" unfortunately we are very easily killed , in spite of our size ; and have various afflictions besides death .

" it 's no laughing matter , I assure you , " said the whale 's bone .

" we suffer a great deal , and get thin and weak and miserable .

I 've sometimes thought that 's the reason we are blue . "

" that 's not the reason ; my cousins , the Sperms , have teeth , and dyspepsia also . "

" are they blue ? "

" no , black and white .

but I was going to tell you my troubles .

my father was harpooned when I was very young , and I remember how bravely he died .

the Rights usually run away when they see a whaler coming ; not from cowardice , oh , dear , no ! but discretion .

the Sperms stay and fight , and are killed off very fast ; for they are a very headstrong family .

we fight when we can't help it ; and my father died like a hero .

then they got out another line , and he towed the ship itself for more than an hour .

ah ! he was a father to be proud of . "

Freddy sat respectfully silent for a few minutes , as the old bone seemed to feel a great deal on the subject .

presently he went on again :

" the Sperms live in herds ; but the Rights go in pairs , and are very fond of one another .

his mamma , instead of flying , wrapped her fins round him , and dived as far as the line allowed .

then she came up , and dashed at the boats in great rage and anguish , entirely regardless of the danger she was in .

alas ! alas ! "

here the poor bone creaked so dismally , Freddy feared it would tumble to pieces , and bring the story to an end too soon .

" don't think of those sorrowful things , " he said ; " tell me how you came to be here .

were you harpooned ? "

" well , if I must , I must ; but I 'm sorry to confess what a fool I 've been .

you know what coral is , don't you ? "

" no , " said Freddy , wondering why it asked .

" then I must tell you , I suppose .

there is a bit in the house there , that rough , white , stony stuff on the table in the parlor .

it 's full of little holes , you know .

but if they are taken up or touched , the coral people go in doors , and the beautiful hues disappear .

I knew such a community of coral builders , and used to watch them long ago , when they began to work .

' You may roar ; but you 'll see that we are right , if you live long enough , ' said they .

' Our family have built thousands of islands and long reefs , that the sea can't get over , strong as it is . '

that amused me immensely ; but I wouldn't believe it , and laughed more than ever . "

" it does seem very strange , " said Freddy , looking at the branch of coral which he had brought out to examine .

" doesn't it ? and isn't it hard to believe ?

I used to go , now and then , to see how the little fellows got on , and always found them hard at it .

they were very good-natured , and only answered me , ' Wait a little longer , Friend Right . '

" what did you say then ? " asked Freddy .

' Wait a little longer , ' answered the polypes ; and went on , building broader and broader foundations .

I flounced away in a rage , and didn't go back for a great while .

I heard two learned men talking about diatoms , as they sailed to Labrador ; and I listened .

they said these people lived in both salt and fresh water , and were found in all parts of the world .

they were the food of many little sea-animals , who , in turn , fed us big creatures , and were very interesting and wonderful .

I wasn't content with being the biggest creature there : I wanted to be the most skilful also .

I fretted over the matter a long while , and at last decided to make an island myself . "

" how could you ? " asked Freddy .

" I had my plans ; and thought them very wise ones .

I couldn't pile up stones , or build millions of cells ; so I just made an island of myself .

I swam up into the harbor yonder one night ; covered my back with sea-weed ; and lay still on the top of the water .

after staring and chattering a long while , boats came off to examine the mystery .

they couldn't make up their minds ; and meanwhile news of the strange thing spread , and every sort of person came to see me .

the gulls kept telling them the joke ; but they didn't understand , and I got on capitally .

every night I dined and fed and frolicked till dawn ; then put on my sea-weeds , and lay still to be stared at .

I wanted some one to come and live on me ; then I should be equal to the island of the polypes .

but no one came , and I was beginning to be tired of fooling people , when I was fooled myself .

an old sailor came to visit me : he had been a whaler , and he soon guessed the secret .

I forgot every thing but the pain , and dived for my life .

Big and strong as we are , once out of water , and we are perfectly helpless .

I was soon despatched ; and my bones left to whiten on the sand .

this was long ago ; and , one by one , all my relics have been carried off or washed away .

remember , child , pride goeth before a fall . "

then , with a great creak , the bone tumbled to pieces ; and found a peaceful grave in the long green grass .

x .

a STRANGE ISLAND .

but the water was calm , the sky clear , and the wind blew balmily ; so I waited for what should happen .

when it came closer , I was much amazed ; for , of all the queer boats I ever saw , this was the queerest .

now , right in their way was a rock ; and I called out , " sir , sir , take care . "

when the flurry was over , and they had got their breath , I asked who they were , and where they were going .

" we are from Gotham , ma'am , " said the fattest one , wiping a very wet face on a very wet handkerchief .

" we were going to that island yonder .

we have often tried , but never got there : it 's always so , and I begin to think the thing can't be done . "

I looked where he pointed ; and , sure enough , there was an island where I had never seen one before .

I rubbed my eyes , and looked again .

" what is the name of it ? "

I asked .

the little old gentleman put his finger on his lips , and said , with a mysterious nod :

" I couldn't tell you , ma'am .

it 's a secret ; but , if you manage to land there , you will soon know . "

the odd house , I found , was built like a high-heeled shoe ; and at every window I saw children 's heads .

some were eating broth ; some were crying ; and some had nightcaps on .

a little dog stood by , listening and laughing ; while a dish and a spoon ran away over the beach with all their might .

as soon as we landed , three other gentlemen came to welcome the ones I had saved , and seemed very glad to see them .

they appeared to have just landed from a tub in which was a drum , rub-a-dub-dubbing all by itself .

the six shook hands , and walked away together , talking about a fair ; and left me to take care of myself .

" Polly Flinders , ma'am . "

" what 's the matter with her ? "

I asked of a gay young frog who came tripping along with his hat under his arm .

" Miss Muffit is a fashionable lady , and afraid of spiders , madam ; also of frogs . "

and he puffed himself angrily up , till his eyes quite goggled in his head .

" and , pray , who are you , sir ? "

I asked , staring at his white vest , green coat , and fine cravat .

" excuse me , if I don't give my name , ma'am .

with that , the frog skipped away ; and I turned into a narrow lane , which seemed to lead toward some music .

I had not gone far , when I heard the rumbling of a wheelbarrow , and saw a little man wheeling a little woman along .

turning a corner , I came upon a very charming scene , and slipped into a quiet nook to see what was going on .

it was evidently a wedding ; and I was just in time to see it , for the procession was passing at that moment .

then came a rook , in black , like a minister , with spectacles and white cravat .

a lark and bullfinch followed , friends , I suppose ; and then the bride and bridegroom .

the bridegroom was a military man , in his scarlet uniform , a plump , bold-looking bird , very happy and proud just then .

a goldfinch gave away the bride , and a linnet was bridesmaid .

a splendid dinner followed , at which was nearly every bird that flies ; so you may imagine the music there was .

but , alas !

A little farther on , I was shocked to see a goose dragging an old man down some steps that led to a little house .

" dear me ! what 's the matter here ? "

I cried .

" he won't say his prayers , " screamed the goose .

" but perhaps he was never taught , " said I .

" it 's never too late to learn : he 's had his chance ; he won't be pious and good , so away with him .

" my dear soul , what 's the trouble ? " said I , quite touched by her tears .

" Lud a mercy , ma'am !

I thought I never should get home ; for I was such a fright , I actually didn't know myself .

but , oh , ma'am ! doggy don't know me ; and I ain't myself , and I don't know what to do . "

" he 's a foolish little beast ; so don't mind him , but have a cup of tea , and go to bed .

you can make your gown decent to-morrow ; and , if I see the tricksy peddler , I 'll give him a scolding . "

this seemed to comfort the old woman ; though doggy still barked .

" he 's a remarkable beast ; and you 'd better stop to see him as you pass , ma'am .

he 's always up to some funny prank or other . "

I said I would ; and , as I went by the next house , I took a look in at the window .

the closet was empty , I observed ; but the dog sat smoking a pipe , looking as grave as a judge .

" where is your mistress ? " asked I .

" I don't approve of smoking , " said I .

" Sorry to hear it , " said the dog , coolly .

I had heard of this interesting family , and took a look as I passed by .

I was very glad to see these young orphans doing so well , and I knew my friends at home would enjoy hearing from them .

as I passed this party , I saw behind the lady 's chair a maid , with a clothes-pin in her hand , and no nose .

another couple were dividing their meat in a queer way ; for one took all the fat , and the other all the lean .

feeling refreshed , I strolled on , passing a jolly old gentleman smoking and drinking , while three fiddlers played before him .

I scrambled over the wall to get out of the way , and there I saw more curious sights .

" what very odd people they have here ! "

I thought .

close by was a tidy little house under the hill , and in it a tidy little woman who sold things to eat .

I 'll soon hush it up , " said the old woman ; and , trotting it on her knee , she began to sing :

" hey ! my kitten , my kitten , Hey ! my kitten , my deary . "

feeling that the child was in good hands , I hurried away , for I saw something was going on upon the hill-top .

when I got to the hill-top , I was shocked to find some people tossing an old woman in a blanket .

" but why does she like it ? "

I asked in great surprise .

" tom , the piper 's son , will tell you : it 's my turn to toss now , " said the man .

now and then we get so tired out with her that we propose to her to clean the sky itself .

" well , that is the oddest thing I ever heard .

I know just such an old lady , and when I go home I 'll try your plan .

" well , we do have rather a nice collection ; but you haven't seen the best of all .

" lights ? " said I , " you speak as if she flew . "

" she rides on a bird .

hurrah ! the old sweeper has lit .

now the cobwebs will fly .

" she 's come ! she 's come ! "

every one looked up ; and I saw a large white bird slowly flying over the island .

on its back sat the nicest old woman that ever was seen : all the others were nothing compared to her .

she had a pointed hat on over her cap , a red cloak , high-heeled shoes , and a crutch in her hand .

" who are they ? "

I asked of a bonny lass , who was sitting on a cushion , eating strawberries and cream .

" they are the phantoms of all the little people who ever read and loved our mother 's songs , " said the maid .

" what did she write ? "

I asked , feeling very queer , and as if I was going to remember something .

" songs that are immortal ; and you have them in your hand , " replied the bonny maid , smiling at my stupidity .

XI .

FANCY'S FRIEND .

it was a wagon , shaped like a great square basket , on low wheels , and drawn by a stout donkey .

away they went , over the common , through the stony lane , out upon the wide , smooth sands .

all the children but one immediately fell to digging holes , and making ponds , castles , or forts .

as she looked across the waves that came tumbling one over the other , she saw something that was neither boat nor buoy nor seal .

" I 'll make a mermaid myself , since none will come to me . "

away she ran , higher up the beach , and , after thinking a minute , began her work .

" people say that mermaids always have tails ; and I might make one out of this great leaf of kelp .

my poor mermaid !

I shall lose her ; but perhaps she will be happier in the sea : so I will let her go . "

mounting her rock , Fancy waited to see her work destroyed .

but the sea seemed to pity her ; and wave after wave came up , without doing any harm .

at last one broke quite over the mermaid , and Fancy thought that would be the end of her .

" fancy !

fancy ! " called a breezy voice , sweeter than any she had ever heard .

but she did not raise her head , nor care to know who called .

the steps came quite close ; and the touch of a cold , wet hand fell on her own .

" you wanted me to play with you , so I came . "

" who are you ? " asked Fancy , wondering where she had seen the child before .

" I 'm your mermaid , " said the child .

" but the water carried her away , " cried Fancy .

" but are you really a mermaid ? " asked Fancy , beginning to smile and believe .

she certainly was very like the figure that once lay on the sand , only she was not now made of stones and shells .

there was the long brown hair blowing about her face , with a wreath of starry shells in it .

she had pearls in her ears , coral bracelets , a golden belt , and a glass and comb in her hands .

" oh , I 'm glad , I 'm glad !

" call me by my German cousin 's pretty name , Lorelei , " answered the mermaid , kissing back as warmly as she could .

" will you come home and live with me , dear Lorelei ? " asked Fancy , still holding her fast .

" tell them you found me on the shore ; and leave the rest to me .

but you must not expect other people to like and believe in me as you do .

they will say hard things of me ; will blame you for loving me ; and try to part us .

can you bear this , and keep your promise faithfully ? "

" I think I can .

but why won't they like you ? " said Fancy , looking troubled .

" because they are not like you , dear , " answered the mermaid , with salt tears in her soft eyes .

your Aunt Fiction will like me ; but your Uncle Fact won't .

I shall keep out of his way as much as I can ; for I 'm afraid of him . "

" I 'll take care of you , Lorelei dear ; and no one shall trouble you .

I hear Miss Fairbairn calling ; so I must go .

give me your hand , and don't be afraid . "

Hand in hand the two went toward the other children , who stopped digging , and stared at the new child .

miss Fairbairn , who was very wise and good , but rather prim , stared too , and said , with surprise :

" why , my dear , where did you find that queer child ? "

" down on the beach .

isn't she pretty ? " answered Fancy , feeling very proud of her new friend .

" what pretty earrings and bracelets she 's got ! " said a little girl , who thought a great deal of her dress .

" what 's your name ? and who are your parents ? " asked Miss Fairbairn .

" I 've got no parents ; and my name is Lorelei , " answered the mermaiden .

" where do you live ? "

" I haven't got any home now , " said Lorelei , smiling at the lady 's tone .

" your uncle won't like it , my dear . "

and Miss Fairbairn shook her head gravely .

" aunt will ; and Uncle won't mind , if I learn my lessons well , and remember the multiplication table all right .

" oh , how silly ! " cried the boy who didn't like bare feet .

" keeping accounts is a very useful and important thing .

I keep mine ; and mamma says I have great arth-met-i-cal talent , " added the pale child , who studied too much .

" come , children ; it 's time for dinner .

she was satisfied with the little she could discover , and promised to keep her , for a time , at least .

I can make her useful in many ways ; and she shall stay . "

now , though they were married , these two persons were very unlike .

uncle Fact was a grim , grave , decided man ; whom it was impossible to bend or change .

he didn't like romance , loved the truth , and wanted to get to the bottom of every thing .

aunt Fiction told him all the children had said ; but he answered impatiently :

" Tut , tut ! my dear : I want the facts of the case .

you are apt to exaggerate ; and Fancy is not to be relied on .

if the child isn't a fool , she must know more about herself than she pretends .

now , answer truly , Luly , where did you come from ? "

I 'll do her no harm : please , let me stay . "

" she has evidently been washed ashore from some wreck , and has forgotten all about herself .

" she may stay , and be my little playmate , mayn't she ?

I 'll take care of her ; and we shall be very happy together , " cried Fancy eagerly .

" one can't be sure of that till one has tried .

" no ; but I thought you 'd help me , " answered Fancy wistfully .

" I 've no objection to your keeping the girl , if , after making inquiries about her , she proves to be a clever child .

can you read , Luly ? "

" no , " said the mermaid , opening her eyes .

" can you write and cipher ? "

" what is that ? " asked Lorelei innocently .

" dear me ! what ignorance ! " cried Uncle Fact .

" can you sew , or tend babies ? " asked Aunt Fiction gently .

" I can do nothing but play and sing , and comb my hair . "

" I see !

I see ! some hand-organ man 's girl .

well , I 'm glad you keep your hair smooth , that 's more than Fancy does , " said Uncle Fact .

" very well , very well , indeed : you have a good voice .

Lorelei laughed at the idea ; and Fancy thought singing for gold , not love , a hard way to get one 's living .

she would eat nothing but fruit and shell-fish , and drink nothing but salt water .

people offered money for these things ; but she gave them all to Fancy and Aunt Fiction , of whom she was very fond .

" this will do for a time ; as Fancy is getting strong , and not entirely wasting her days , thanks to me !

he was walking over the beach as he said this , after a hard day 's work on his encyclopædia .

fancy and her friend were playing there , and the old gentleman waited to see what they were about .

" I must look into this .

" never mind the pearls : I 'd rather have you , dear , " said Fancy lovingly .

" tell me a story while we work , or sing me a song ; and I 'll give you my crown . "

" I 'll sing you a little song that has got what your uncle calls a moral to it , " said Lorelei , laughing mischievously .

then , in her breezy little voice , she sang the story of

THE ROCK AND THE BUBBLE .

oh ! a bare , brown rock Stood up in the sea , The waves at its feet Dancing merrily .

A little bubble Came sailing by , And thus to the rock Did it gayly cry ,

" Ho ! clumsy brown stone , Quick , make way for me : I 'm the fairest thing That floats on the sea .

" see my rainbow-robe , See my crown of light , My glittering form , So airy and bright .

" O'er the waters blue , I 'm floating away , To dance by the shore With the foam and spray .

" now , make way , make way ; For the waves are strong , And their rippling feet Bear me fast along . "

but the great rock stood Straight up in the sea : it looked gravely down , And said pleasantly ,

" Little friend , you must Go some other way ; For I have not stirred This many a long day .

" great billows have dashed , And angry winds blown ; But my sturdy form Is not overthrown .

" nothing can stir me In the air or sea ; Then , how can I move , Little friend , for thee ? "

then the waves all laughed , In their voices sweet ; And the sea-birds looked , From their rocky seat ,

at the bubble gay , Who angrily cried , While its round cheek glowed With a foolish pride ,

" you shall move for me ; And you shall not mock At the words I say , You ugly , rough rock !

" be silent , wild birds !

why stare you so ?

stop laughing , rude waves , And help me to go !

" for I am the queen Of the ocean here , And this cruel stone Cannot make me fear . "

dashing fiercely up , With a scornful word , Foolish bubble broke ; But rock never stirred .

then said the sea-birds , Sitting in their nests , To the little ones Leaning on their breasts ,

" be not like Bubble , Headstrong , rude , and vain , Seeking by violence Your object to gain ;

" but be like the rock , Steadfast , true , and strong , Yet cheerful and kind , And firm against wrong .

" heed , little birdlings , And wiser you 'll be For the lesson learned To-day by the sea . "

" I thank you : that 's a good little song for me .

" how happy I was the day my play-mermaid changed to a real one ! " said Fancy .

" few would believe our story ; and those that did would wonder at me , not love me as you do .

they would put me in a cage , and make a show of me ; and I should be so miserable I should die .

so don't tell who I am , will you ? " said Lorelei earnestly .

" never , " cried Fancy , clinging to her .

" no , no !

" a mermaid indeed ! " he muttered .

" I always thought that child was a fool , and now I 'm sure of it .

she thinks she is a mermaid , and has made Fancy believe it .

I 've told my wife a dozen times that she let Fancy read too many fairy tales and wonder-books .

her head is full of nonsense , and she is just ready to believe any ridiculous story that is told her .

now , what on earth shall I do ?

if I put Luly in an asylum , Fancy will break her heart , and very likely they will both run away .

bless my soul ! how absurd it all is ! "

when the children came in , he sent Fancy to wait for him in the library , while he talked alone with Lorelei .

he told her all he knew , and insisted that Lorelei was foolish or naughty to persist in such a ridiculous story .

" but it is impossible that any coming alive took place , and I won't hear any such nonsense .

you didn't see this girl come out of the water ; for she says you never looked up , till she touched you .

it is my belief that she is a sly , bad child ; and the sooner she is sent away the better for you . "

" that 's my sensible girl !

" oh ! no : we love one another ; and she is good , and I can't give her up , " cried Fancy .

" didn't Luly want you to deceive us , and every one else , about who she was ? "

" yes , sir . "

" don't you like to be with her better than with your aunt or myself ? "

" yes , sir . "

" hadn't you rather hear her songs and stories than learn your lessons ? "

" yes , sir . "

" yes , sir . "

" very well .

fancy didn't answer ; for she couldn't feel that it was so , though he made it seem so .

when Uncle Fact talked in that way , she always got confused and gave up ; for she didn't know how to argue .

" yes , uncle ; and I like it , " answered Fancy , looking up .

" well , my dear , your Lorelei will lead you into trouble , if you follow her .

I 've got no little daughter of my own , and I want to keep you as safe and happy as if you were mine .

I don't like this girl , and I want you to give her up for my sake .

Will you , Fancy ? "

" I 'll give her up ; but you 'll be kind to her , because I was fond of her once . "

the old gentleman looked well about him ; then shook his head , and answered decidedly :

" no , my dear , I don't .

it 's an odd affair ; but , I 've no doubt , it will be cleared up in a natural way sometime or other . "

but there he was mistaken ; for this mystery never was cleared up .

" O my little friend ! come back to me ! "

but Lorelei never came again .

THE END .

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End of Project Gutenberg 's Aunt Jo 's Scrap-Bag VI , by Louisa M Alcott

E-text prepared by Louise Hope from page images generously made available by Internet Archive ( @url@

note : Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations including twelve full-color plates .


images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive .

see @url@

Transcriber 's note :

in addition to the twelve full-color Plates , most pages have a line drawing either in the margin or surrounding the text .

these have not been individually noted .

the cover reads " ....n and Other Stories " ; all interior pages read " ....n and Other Tales " .

THE HAPPY PRINCE

and Other Tales

Illustration : THE KING OF THE MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON

THE HAPPY PRINCE

and Other Tales

by

OSCAR WILDE

illustrated by Charles Robinson

NEW YORK : BRENTANO'S

first published by David Nutt , @date@

reprinted @date@ ; @date@ ; @date@ ; @date@ ; @date@ ; @date@

reset and published by arrangement with David Nutt by Duckworth & Co , @number@

special Edition , reset .

with illustrations by Charles Robinson , published by arrangement with David Nutt by Duckworth & Co , @number@

reprinted @number@

printed in Great Britain By Hazell , Watson and Viney , Ld . , London and Aylesbury .

to

CARLOS BLACKER

CONTENTS

page The Happy Prince @number@

the Nightingale and the Rose @number@

the Selfish Giant @number@

the Devoted Friend @number@

the Remarkable Rocket @number@

LIST OF COLOUR PLATES

the King of the Mountains of the Moon Frontis .

facing page The Palace of Sans-Souci @number@

the Loveliest of the Queen 's Maids of Honour @number@

the Rich Making Merry in Their Beautiful Houses while the Beggars were Sitting at the Gates @number@

she will Pass me by @number@

his Lips are Sweet as Honey @number@

in every Tree he could see there was a Little Child @number@

the Little Boy he had Loved @number@

the Green Linnet @number@

Hans in his Garden @number@

the Russian Princess @number@

" let the Fireworks Begin , " said the King @number@

THE HAPPY PRINCE

High above the city , on a tall column , stood the statue of the Happy Prince .

he was very much admired indeed .

" why can't you be like the Happy Prince ? " asked a sensible mother of her little boy who was crying for the moon .

" the Happy Prince never dreams of crying for anything . "

" how do you know ? " said the Mathematical Master , " you have never seen one . "

one night there flew over the city a little Swallow .

so he flew round and round her , touching the water with his wings , and making silver ripples .

this was his courtship , and it lasted all through the summer .

then , when the autumn came they all flew away .

after they had gone he felt lonely , and began to tire of his lady-love .

and certainly , whenever the wind blew , the Reed made the most graceful curtseys .

" you have been trifling with me , " he cried .

" I am off to the Pyramids .

good-bye ! " and he flew away .

all day long he flew , and at night-time he arrived at the city .

" where shall I put up ? " he said ; " I hope the town has made preparations . "

then he saw the statue on the tall column .

" I will put up there , " he cried ; " it is a fine position , with plenty of fresh air . "

so he alighted just between the feet of the Happy Prince .

the climate in the north of Europe is really dreadful .

the Reed used to like the rain , but that was merely her selfishness . "

then another drop fell .

the eyes of the Happy Prince were filled with tears , and tears were running down his golden cheeks .

his face was so beautiful in the moonlight that the little Swallow was filled with pity .

" who are you ? " he said .

" I am the Happy Prince . "

" why are you weeping then ? " asked the Swallow ; " you have quite drenched me . "

Illustration : THE PALACE OF SANS-SOUCI

in the daytime I played with my companions in the garden , and in the evening I led the dance in the Great Hall .

my courtiers called me the Happy Prince , and happy indeed I was , if pleasure be happiness .

so I lived , and so I died .

" what ! is he not solid gold ? " said the Swallow to himself .

he was too polite to make any personal remarks out loud .

one of the windows is open , and through it I can see a woman seated at a table .

she is embroidering passion-flowers on a satin gown for the loveliest of the Queen 's maids-of-honour to wear at the next Court-ball .

in a bed in the corner of the room her little boy is lying ill .

he has a fever , and is asking for oranges .

his mother has nothing to give him but river water , so he is crying .

Swallow , Swallow , little Swallow , will you not bring her the ruby out of my sword-hilt ?

my feet are fastened to this pedestal and I cannot move . "

" I am waited for in Egypt , " said the Swallow .

" my friends are flying up and down the Nile , and talking to the large lotus-flowers .

soon they will go to sleep in the tomb of the great King .

the King is there himself in his painted coffin .

he is wrapped in yellow linen , and embalmed with spices .

Round his neck is a chain of pale green jade , and his hands are like withered leaves . "

the boy is so thirsty , and the mother so sad . "

" I don't think I like boys , " answered the Swallow .

but the Happy Prince looked so sad that the little Swallow was sorry .

" thank you , little Swallow , " said the Prince .

he passed by the cathedral tower , where the white marble angels were sculptured .

he passed by the palace and heard the sound of dancing .

a beautiful girl came out on the balcony with her lover .

" how wonderful the stars are , " he said to her , " and how wonderful is the power of love ! "

he passed over the river , and saw the lanterns hanging to the masts of the ships .

he passed over the Ghetto , and saw the old Jews bargaining with each other , and weighing out money in copper scales .

at last he came to the poor house and looked in .

the boy was tossing feverishly on his bed , and the mother had fallen asleep , she was so tired .

In he hopped , and laid the great ruby on the table beside the woman 's thimble .

then he flew gently round the bed , fanning the boy 's forehead with his wings .

then the Swallow flew back to the Happy Prince , and told him what he had done .

" it is curious , " he remarked , " but I feel quite warm now , although it is so cold . "

" that is because you have done a good action , " said the Prince .

and the little Swallow began to think , and then he fell asleep .

thinking always made him sleepy .

when day broke he flew down to the river and had a bath .

" what a remarkable phenomenon , " said the Professor of Ornithology as he was passing over the bridge .

" A swallow in winter ! "

and he wrote a long letter about it to the local newspaper .

every one quoted it , it was full of so many words that they could not understand .

" To-night I go to Egypt , " said the Swallow , and he was in high spirits at the prospect .

he visited all the public monuments , and sat a long time on top of the church steeple .

when the moon rose he flew back to the Happy Prince .

" have you any commissions for Egypt ? " he cried ; " I am just starting . "

" swallow , Swallow , little Swallow , " said the Prince , " will you not stay with me one night longer ? "

Illustration : THE LOVELIEST OF THE QUEEN'S MAIDS OF HONOUR

" I am waited for in Egypt , " answered the Swallow .

" To-morrow my friends will fly up to the Second Cataract .

the river-horse couches there among the bulrushes , and on a great granite throne sits the God Memnon .

at noon the yellow lions come down to the water 's edge to drink .

they have eyes like green beryls , and their roar is louder than the roar of the cataract . "

he is leaning over a desk covered with papers , and in a tumbler by his side there is a bunch of withered violets .

his hair is brown and crisp , and his lips are red as a pomegranate , and he has large and dreamy eyes .

he is trying to finish a play for the Director of the Theatre , but he is too cold to write any more .

there is no fire in the grate , and hunger has made him faint . "

" I will wait with you one night longer , " said the Swallow , who really had a good heart .

" shall I take him another ruby ? "

" alas !

I have no ruby now , " said the Prince ; " my eyes are all that I have left .

they are made of rare sapphires , which were brought out of India a thousand years ago .

pluck out one of them and take it to him .

he will sell it to the jeweller , and buy food and firewood , and finish his play . "

" dear Prince , " said the Swallow , " I cannot do that " ; and he began to weep .

" swallow , Swallow , little Swallow , " said the Prince , " do as I command you . "

so the Swallow plucked out the Prince 's eye , and flew away to the student 's garret .

it was easy enough to get in , as there was a hole in the roof .

through this he darted , and came into the room .

" I am beginning to be appreciated , " he cried ; " this is from some great admirer .

now I can finish my play , " and he looked quite happy .

the next day the Swallow flew down to the harbour .

he sat on the mast of a large vessel and watched the sailors hauling big chests out of the hold with ropes .

" heave a-hoy ! " they shouted as each chest came up .

" I am come to bid you good-bye , " he cried .

" swallow , Swallow , little Swallow , " said the Prince , " will you not stay with me one night longer ? "

" it is winter , " answered the Swallow , " and the chill snow will soon be here .

in Egypt the sun is warm on the green palm-trees , and the crocodiles lie in the mud and look lazily about them .

the ruby shall be redder than a red rose , and the sapphire shall be as blue as the great sea . "

" in the square below , " said the Happy Prince , " there stands a little match-girl .

she has let her matches fall in the gutter , and they are all spoiled .

her father will beat her if she does not bring home some money , and she is crying .

she has no shoes or stockings , and her little head is bare .

pluck out my other eye and give it to her , and her father will not beat her . "

" I will stay with you one night longer , " said the Swallow , " but I cannot pluck out your eye .

you would be quite blind then . "

" swallow , Swallow , little Swallow , " said the Prince , " do as I command you . "

so he plucked out the Prince 's other eye , and darted down with it .

he swooped past the match-girl , and slipped the jewel into the palm of her hand .

" what a lovely bit of glass ! " cried the little girl ; and she ran home , laughing .

then the Swallow came back to the Prince .

" you are blind now , " he said , " so I will stay with you always . "

" no , little Swallow , " said the poor Prince , " you must go away to Egypt . "

" I will stay with you always , " said the Swallow , and he slept at the Prince 's feet .

all the next day he sat on the Prince 's shoulder , and told him stories of what he had seen in strange lands .

there is no Mystery so great as Misery .

fly over my city , little Swallow , and tell me what you see there . "

Illustration : THE RICH MAKING MERRY IN THEIR BEAUTIFUL HOUSES , WHILE THE BEGGARS WERE SITTING AT THE GATES

he flew into dark lanes , and saw the white faces of starving children looking out listlessly at the black streets .

under the archway of a bridge two little boys were lying in one another 's arms to try and keep themselves warm .

" how hungry we are ! " they said .

" you must not lie here , " shouted the Watchman , and they wandered out into the rain .

then he flew back and told the Prince what he had seen .

leaf after leaf of the fine gold the Swallow picked off , till the Happy Prince looked quite dull and grey .

" we have bread now ! " they cried .

then the snow came , and after the snow came the frost .

the poor little Swallow grew colder and colder , but he would not leave the Prince , he loved him too well .

he picked up crumbs outside the baker 's door when the baker was not looking , and tried to keep himself warm by flapping his wings .

but at last he knew that he was going to die .

he had just strength to fly up to the Prince 's shoulder once more .

" good-bye , dear Prince ! " he murmured , " will you let me kiss your hand ? "

" it is not to Egypt that I am going , " said the Swallow .

" I am going to the House of Death .

death is the brother of Sleep , is he not ? "

and he kissed the Happy Prince on the lips , and fell down dead at his feet .

at that moment a curious crack sounded inside the statue , as if something had broken .

the fact is that the leaden heart had snapped right in two .

it certainly was a dreadfully hard frost .

Early the next morning the Mayor was walking in the square below in company with the Town Councillors .

" Little better than a beggar , " said the Town Councillors .

" and here is actually a dead bird at his feet ! " continued the Mayor .

" we must really issue a proclamation that birds are not to be allowed to die here . "

and the Town Clerk made a note of the suggestion .

so they pulled down the statue of the Happy Prince .

" as he is no longer beautiful he is no longer useful , " said the Art Professor at the University .

" we must have another statue , of course , " he said , " and it shall be a statue of myself . "

" of myself , " said each of the Town Councillors , and they quarrelled .

when I last heard of them they were quarrelling still .

" what a strange thing ! " said the overseer of the workmen at the foundry .

" this broken lead heart will not melt in the furnace .

we must throw it away . "

so they threw it on a dust-heap where the dead Swallow was also lying .

THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE ROSE

from her nest in the holm-oak tree the Nightingale heard him , and she looked out through the leaves , and wondered .

" no red rose in all my garden ! " he cried , and his beautiful eyes filled with tears .

" ah , on what little things does happiness depend !

" here at last is a true lover , " said the Nightingale .

" the Prince gives a ball to-morrow night , " murmured the young Student , " and my love will be of the company .

if I bring her a red rose she will dance with me till dawn .

but there is no red rose in my garden , so I shall sit lonely , and she will pass me by .

she will have no heed of me , and my heart will break . "

Illustration : SHE WILL PASS ME BY

" here indeed is the true lover , " said the Nightingale .

" what I sing of , he suffers : what is joy to me , to him is pain .

surely Love is a wonderful thing .

it is more precious than emeralds , and dearer than fine opals .

Pearls and pomegranates cannot buy it , nor is it set forth in the market-place .

it may not be purchased of the merchants , nor can it be weighed out in the balance for gold . "

she will dance so lightly that her feet will not touch the floor , and the courtiers in their gay dresses will throng round her .

" why is he weeping ? " asked a little Green Lizard , as he ran past him with his tail in the air .

" why , indeed ? " said a Butterfly , who was fluttering about after a sunbeam .

" why , indeed ? " whispered a Daisy to his neighbour , in a soft , low voice .

" he is weeping for a red rose , " said the Nightingale .

suddenly she spread her brown wings for flight , and soared into the air .

she passed through the grove like a shadow , and like a shadow she sailed across the garden .

" give me a red rose , " she cried , " and I will sing you my sweetest song . "

but the Tree shook its head .

but go to my brother who grows round the old sun-dial , and perhaps he will give you what you want . "

so the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growing round the old sun-dial .

" give me a red rose , " she cried , " and I will sing you my sweetest song . "

but the Tree shook its head .

but go to my brother who grows beneath the Student 's window , and perhaps he will give you what you want . "

so the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growing beneath the Student 's window .

" give me a red rose , " she cried , " and I will sing you my sweetest song . "

but the Tree shook its head .

" one red rose is all I want , " cried the Nightingale , " only one red rose !

is there no way by which I can get it ? "

" tell it to me , " said the Nightingale , " I am not afraid . "

you must sing to me with your breast against a thorn .

yet Love is better than Life , and what is the heart of a bird compared to the heart of a man ? "

so she spread her brown wings for flight , and soared into the air .

she swept over the garden like a shadow , and like a shadow she sailed through the grove .

" be happy , " cried the Nightingale , " be happy ; you shall have your red rose .

I will build it out of music by moonlight , and stain it with my own heart's-blood .

Flame-coloured are his wings , and coloured like flame is his body .

his lips are sweet as honey , and his breath is like frankincense . "

Illustration : HIS LIPS ARE SWEET AS HONEY

" sing me one last song , " he whispered ; " I shall feel very lonely when you are gone . "

so the Nightingale sang to the Oak-tree , and her voice was like water bubbling from a silver jar .

when she had finished her song , the Student got up , and pulled a note-book and a lead-pencil out of his pocket .

I am afraid not .

in fact , she is like most artists ; she is all style without any sincerity .

she would not sacrifice herself for others .

she thinks merely of music , and everybody knows that the arts are selfish .

still , it must be admitted that she has some beautiful notes in her voice .

what a pity it is that they do not mean anything , or do any practical good ! "

and when the Moon shone in the heavens the Nightingale flew to the Rose-tree , and set her breast against the thorn .

all night long she sang with her breast against the thorn , and the cold crystal Moon leaned down and listened .

all night long she sang and the thorn went deeper and deeper into her breast , and her life-blood ebbed away from her .

she sang first of the birth of love in the heart of a boy and a girl .

and on the top-most spray of the Rose-tree there blossomed a marvellous rose , petal following petal , as song followed song .

but the Tree cried to the Nightingale to press closer against the thorn .

" press closer , little Nightingale , " cried the Tree , " or the Day will come before the rose is finished . "

and the Tree cried to the Nightingale to press closer against the thorn .

" press closer , little Nightingale , " cried the Tree , " or the Day will come before the rose is finished . "

so the Nightingale pressed closer against the thorn , and the thorn touched her heart , and a fierce pang of pain shot through her .

and the marvellous rose became crimson , like the rose of the eastern sky .

crimson was the girdle of petals , and crimson as a ruby was the heart .

but the Nightingale 's voice grew fainter , and her little wings began to beat , and a film came over her eyes .

fainter and fainter grew her song , and she felt something choking her in her throat .

then she gave one last burst of music .

the white Moon heard it , and she forgot the dawn , and lingered on in the sky .

the red rose heard it , and it trembled all over with ecstasy , and opened its petals to the cold morning air .

Echo bore it to her purple cavern in the hills , and woke the sleeping shepherds from their dreams .

it floated through the reeds of the river , and they carried its message to the sea .

and at noon the Student opened his window and looked out .

" why , what a wonderful piece of luck ! " he cried ; " here is a red rose !

I have never seen any rose like it in all my life .

it is so beautiful that I am sure it has a long Latin name ; " and he leaned down and plucked it .

then he put on his hat , and ran up to the Professor 's house with the rose in his hand .

" you said that you would dance with me if I brought you a red rose , " cried the Student .

" here is the reddest rose in all the world .

you will wear it to-night next your heart , and as we dance together it will tell you how I love you . "

but the girl frowned .

" Ungrateful ! " said the girl .

" I tell you what , you are very rude ; and , after all , who are you ?

only a Student .

" what a silly thing Love is ! " said the Student as he walked away .

so he returned to his room and pulled out a great dusty book , and began to read .

THE SELFISH GIANT

every afternoon , as they were coming from school , the children used to go and play in the Giant 's garden .

it was a large lovely garden , with soft green grass .

the birds sat on the trees and sang so sweetly that the children used to stop their games in order to listen to them .

" how happy we are here ! " they cried to each other .

one day the Giant came back .

he had been to visit his friend the Cornish ogre , and had stayed with him for seven years .

when he arrived he saw the children playing in the garden .

" what are you doing here ? " he cried in a very gruff voice , and the children ran away .

so he built a high wall all round it , and put up a notice-board .

TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED

he was a very selfish Giant .

the poor children had now nowhere to play .

they used to wander round the high wall when their lessons were over , and talk about the beautiful garden inside .

" how happy we were there ! " they said to each other .

then the Spring came , and all over the country there were little blossoms and little birds .

only in the garden of the Selfish Giant it was still winter .

the birds did not care to sing in it as there were no children , and the trees forgot to blossom .

the only people who were pleased were the Snow and the Frost .

" spring has forgotten this garden , " they cried , " so we will live here all the year round . "

the Snow covered up the grass with her great white cloak , and the Frost painted all the trees silver .

then they invited the North Wind to stay with them , and he came .

he was wrapped in furs , and he roared all day about the garden , and blew the chimney-pots down .

" this is a delightful spot , " he said , " we must ask the Hail on a visit . "

so the Hail came .

he was dressed in grey , and his breath was like ice .

but the Spring never came , nor the Summer .

the Autumn gave golden fruit to every garden , but to the Giant 's garden she gave none .

" he is too selfish , " she said .

one morning the Giant was lying awake in bed when he heard some lovely music .

it sounded so sweet to his ears that he thought it must be the King 's musicians passing by .

" I believe the Spring has come at last , " said the Giant ; and he jumped out of bed and looked out .

what did he see ?

he saw a most wonderful sight .

through a little hole in the wall the children had crept in , and they were sitting in the branches of the trees .

in every tree that he could see there was a little child .

the birds were flying about and twittering with delight , and the flowers were looking up through the green grass and laughing .

it was a lovely scene , only in one corner it was still winter .

it was the farthest corner of the garden , and in it was standing a little boy .

Illustration : IN EVERY TREE HE COULD SEE THERE WAS A LITTLE CHILD

the poor tree was still quite covered with frost and snow , and the North Wind was blowing and roaring above it .

and the Giant 's heart melted as he looked out .

" how selfish I have been ! " he said ; " now I know why the Spring would not come here .

he was really very sorry for what he had done .

so he crept downstairs and opened the front door quite softly , and went out into the garden .

but when the children saw him they were so frightened that they all ran away , and the garden became winter again .

only the little boy did not run , for his eyes were so full of tears that he did not see the Giant coming .

and the Giant stole up behind him and took him gently in his hand , and put him up into the tree .

all day long they played , and in the evening they came to the Giant to bid him good-bye .

" but where is your little companion ? " he said : " the boy I put into the tree . "

the Giant loved him the best because he had kissed him .

" we don't know , " answered the children ; " he has gone away . "

" you must tell him to be sure and come here to-morrow , " said the Giant .

every afternoon , when school was over , the children came and played with the Giant .

but the little boy whom the Giant loved was never seen again .

the Giant was very kind to all the children , yet he longed for his first little friend , and often spoke of him .

" how I would like to see him ! " he used to say .

years went over , and the Giant grew very old and feeble .

" I have many beautiful flowers , " he said ; " but the children are the most beautiful flowers of all . "

one winter morning he looked out of his window as he was dressing .

he did not hate the winter now , for he knew that it was merely the Spring asleep , and that the flowers were resting .

suddenly he rubbed his eyes in wonder and looked and looked .

it certainly was a marvellous sight .

in the farthest corner of the garden was a tree quite covered with lovely white blossoms .

its branches were all golden , and silver fruit hung down from them , and underneath it stood the little boy he had loved .

Illustration : THE LITTLE BOY HE HAD LOVED

Downstairs ran the Giant in great joy , and out into the garden .

he hastened across the grass , and came near to the child .

" Nay ! " answered the child ; " but these are the wounds of Love . "

" who art thou ? " said the Giant , and a strange awe fell on him , and he knelt before the little child .

and when the children ran in that afternoon , they found the Giant lying dead under the tree , all covered with white blossoms .

THE DEVOTED FRIEND

one morning the old Water-rat put his head out of his hole .

he had bright beady eyes and stiff grey whiskers and his tail was like a long bit of black india-rubber .

but the little ducks paid no attention to her .

they were so young that they did not know what an advantage it is to be in society at all .

" what disobedient children ! " cried the old Water-rat ; " they really deserve to be drowned . "

" ah !

I know nothing about the feelings of parents , " said the Water-rat ; " I am not a family man .

in fact , I have never been married , and I never intend to be .

Love is all very well in its way , but friendship is much higher .

indeed , I know of nothing in the world that is either nobler or rarer than a devoted friendship . "

" what a silly question ! " cried the Water-rat .

" I should expect my devoted friend to be devoted to me , of course . "

" I don't understand you , " answered the Water-rat .

" let me tell you a story on the subject , " said the Linnet .

" is the story about me ? " asked the Water-rat .

" if so , I will listen to it , for I am extremely fond of fiction . "

" once upon a time , " said the Linnet , " there was an honest little fellow named Hans . "

" was he very distinguished ? " asked the Water-rat .

he lived in a tiny cottage all by himself , and every day he worked in his garden .

in all the country-side there was no garden so lovely as his .

Sweet-william grew there , and Gilly-flowers , and Shepherds'-purses , and Fair-maids of France .

there were damask Roses , and yellow Roses , lilac Crocuses and gold , purple Violets and white .

Illustration : THE GREEN LINNET

" Little Hans had a great many friends , but the most devoted friend of all was big Hugh the Miller .

" so little Hans worked away in his garden .

in the winter , also , he was extremely lonely , as the Miller never came to see him then .

that at least is my idea about friendship , and I am sure I am right .

it is quite a treat to hear you talk about friendship .

" ' But could we not ask little Hans up here ? ' said the Miller 's youngest son .

' If poor Hans is in trouble I will give him half my porridge , and show him my white rabbits . '

you seem not to learn anything .

I certainly will not allow Hans ' nature to be spoiled .

I am his best friend , and I will always watch over him , and see that he is not led into any temptations .

flour is one thing and friendship is another , and they should not be confused .

why , the words are spelt differently , and mean quite different things .

everybody can see that . '

it is just like being in church . '

however , he was so young that you must excuse him . "

" is that the end of the story ? " asked the Water-rat .

" certainly not , " answered the Linnet , " that is the beginning . "

" then you are quite behind the age , " said the Water-rat .

" every good story-teller nowadays starts with the end , and then goes on to the beginning , and concludes with the middle .

that is the new method .

I heard all about it the other day from a critic who was walking round the pond with a young man .

but pray go on with your story .

I like the Miller immensely .

I have all kinds of beautiful sentiments myself , so there is a great sympathy between us . "

" ' Why , what a good heart you have ! ' cried his Wife ; ' you are always thinking of others .

and mind you take the big basket with you for the flowers . '

" ' Good morning , little Hans , ' said the Miller .

" ' Good morning , ' said Hans , leaning on his spade , and smiling from ear to ear .

" ' And how have you been all the winter ? ' said the Miller .

" ' Well , really , ' cried Hans , ' it is very good of you to ask , very good indeed .

" ' That was kind of you , ' said Hans ; ' I was half afraid you had forgotten me . '

" ' Hans , I am surprised at you , ' said the Miller ; ' friendship never forgets .

that is the wonderful thing about it , but I am afraid you don't understand the poetry of life .

how lovely your primroses are looking , by-the-bye ! '

" ' Buy back your wheelbarrow ?

you don't mean to say you have sold it ?

what a very stupid thing to do ! '

" ' Well , the fact is , ' said Hans , ' that I was obliged to .

you see the winter was a very bad time for me , and I really had no money at all to buy bread with .

but I am going to buy them all back again now . '

" ' Hans , ' said the Miller , ' I will give you my wheelbarrow .

I think that generosity is the essence of friendship , and , besides , I have got a new wheelbarrow for myself .

yes , you may set your mind at ease , I will give you my wheelbarrow . '

' I can easily put it in repair , as I have a plank of wood in the house . '

there is a very large hole in it , and the corn will all get damp if I don't stop it up .

how lucky you mentioned it !

it is quite remarkable how one good action always breeds another .

I have given you my wheelbarrow , and now you are going to give me your plank .

of course , the wheelbarrow is worth far more than the plank , but true friendship never notices things like that .

pray get it at once , and I will set to work at my barn this very day . '

" ' Certainly , ' cried little Hans , and he ran into the shed and dragged the plank out .

and now , as I have given you my wheelbarrow , I am sure you would like to give me some flowers in return .

here is the basket , and mind you fill it quite full . '

I may be wrong , but I should have thought that friendship , true friendship , was quite free from selfishness of any kind . '

" ' My dear friend , my best friend , ' cried little Hans , ' you are welcome to all the flowers in my garden .

" 'Good-bye , ' said little Hans , and he began to dig away quite merrily , he was so pleased about the wheelbarrow .

so he jumped off the ladder , and ran down the garden , and looked over the wall .

" there was the Miller with a large sack of flour on his back .

" ' Dear little Hans , ' said the Miller , ' would you mind carrying this sack of flour for me to market ? '

" ' Oh , I am so sorry , ' said Hans , ' but I am really very busy to-day .

I have got all my creepers to nail up , and all my flowers to water , and all my grass to roll . '

however , he went on bravely , and at last he reached the market .

" ' Upon my word , ' said the Miller , ' you are very lazy .

really , considering that I am going to give you my wheelbarrow , I think you might work harder .

idleness is a great sin , and I certainly don't like any of my friends to be idle or sluggish .

you must not mind my speaking quite plainly to you .

of course I should not dream of doing so if I were not your friend .

but what is the good of friendship if one cannot say exactly what one means ?

indeed , if he is a really true friend he prefers it , for he knows that then he is doing good . '

do you know that I always work better after hearing the birds sing ? '

" he worked there all day long , till sunset , and at sunset the Miller came to see how he was getting on .

Illustration : HANS IN HIS GARDEN

" ' Have you mended the hole in the roof yet , little Hans ? ' cried the Miller in a cheery voice .

" ' It is quite mended , ' answered little Hans , coming down the ladder .

" ' Ah ! ' said the Miller , ' there is no work so delightful as the work one does for others . '

but I am afraid I shall never have such beautiful ideas as you have . '

" ' Oh ! they will come to you , ' said the Miller , ' but you must take more pains .

at present you have only the practice of friendship ; some day you will have the theory also . '

" 'Do you really think I shall ? ' asked little Hans .

" ' What a delightful time I shall have in my garden ! ' he said , and he went to work at once .

" now it happened that one evening little Hans was sitting by his fireside when a loud rap came at the door .

but a second rap came , and then a third , louder than any of the others .

" ' It is some poor traveller , ' said little Hans to himself , and he ran to the door .

" there stood the Miller with a lantern in one hand and a big stick in the other .

" ' Dear little Hans , ' cried the Miller , ' I am in great trouble .

my little boy has fallen off a ladder and hurt himself , and I am going for the Doctor .

but you must lend me your lantern , as the night is so dark that I am afraid I might fall into the ditch . '

" what a dreadful storm it was !

the night was so black that little Hans could hardly see , and the wind was so strong that he could scarcely stand .

" ' Who is there ? ' cried the Doctor , putting his head out of his bedroom window .

" ' Little Hans , Doctor . '

" ' What do you want , little Hans ? '

" ' The Miller 's son has fallen from a ladder , and has hurt himself , and the Miller wants you to come at once . '

" everybody went to little Hans ' funeral , as he was so popular , and the Miller was the chief mourner .

I will certainly take care not to give away anything again .

one always suffers for being generous . ' "

" well ? " said the Water-rat , after a long pause .

" well , that is the end , " said the Linnet .

" but what became of the Miller ? " asked the Water-rat .

" oh !

I really don't know , " replied the Linnet ; " and I am sure that I don't care . "

" it is quite evident then that you have no sympathy in your nature , " said the Water-rat .

" I am afraid you don't quite see the moral of the story , " remarked the Linnet .

" the what ? " screamed the Water-rat .

" the moral . "

" do you mean to say that the story has a moral ? "

" certainly , " said the Linnet .

" and how do you like the Water-rat ? " asked the Duck , who came paddling up some minutes afterwards .

" I am rather afraid that I have annoyed him , " answered the Linnet .

" the fact is , that I told him a story with a moral . "

" ah ! that is always a very dangerous thing to do , " said the Duck .

and I quite agree with her .

THE REMARKABLE ROCKET

the King 's son was going to be married , so there were general rejoicings .

he had waited a whole year for his bride , and at last she had arrived .

she was a Russian Princess , and had driven all the way from Finland in a sledge drawn by six reindeer .

the sledge was shaped like a great golden swan , and between the swan 's wings lay the little Princess herself .

so pale was she that as she drove through the streets all the people wondered .

" she is like a white rose ! " they cried , and they threw down flowers on her from the balconies .

at the gate of the Castle the Prince was waiting to receive her .

he had dreamy violet eyes , and his hair was like fine gold .

when he saw her he sank upon one knee , and kissed her hand .

Illustration : THE RUSSIAN PRINCESS

when the three days were over the marriage was celebrated .

it was a magnificent ceremony , and the bride and bridegroom walked hand in hand under a canopy of purple velvet embroidered with little pearls .

then there was a State Banquet , which lasted for five hours .

the Prince and Princess sat at the top of the Great Hall and drank out of a cup of clear crystal .

only true lovers could drink out of this cup , for if false lips touched it , it grew grey and dull and cloudy .

" what an honour ! " cried all the courtiers .

after the banquet there was to be a Ball .

the bride and bridegroom were to dance the Rose-dance together , and the King had promised to play the flute .

he played very badly , but no one had ever dared to tell him so , because he was the King .

the last item on the programme was a grand display of fireworks , to be let off exactly at midnight .

" what are fireworks like ? " she had asked the Prince , one morning , as she was walking on the terrace .

you must certainly see them . "

" the world is certainly very beautiful , " cried a little Squib .

" just look at those yellow tulips .

why ! if they were real Crackers they could not be lovelier .

I am very glad I have travelled .

travel improves the mind wonderfully , and does away with all one 's prejudices . "

they wrote so much about it that nobody believed them , and I am not surprised .

true love suffers , and is silent .

I remember myself once But it is no matter now .

Romance is a thing of the past . "

" nonsense ! " said the Roman Candle , " romance never dies .

it is like the moon , and lives for ever .

the bride and bridegroom , for instance , love each other very dearly .

but the Catherine Wheel shook her head .

" Romance is dead , Romance is dead , Romance is dead , " she murmured .

suddenly , a sharp , dry cough was heard , and they all looked round .

it came from a tall , supercilious-looking Rocket , who was tied to the end of a long stick .

he always coughed before he made any observation , so as to attract attention .

" order ! order ! " cried out a Cracker .

" quite dead , " whispered the Catherine Wheel , and she went off to sleep .

as soon as there was perfect silence , the Rocket coughed a third time and began .

in fact , he had a most distinguished manner .

really , if it had been arranged beforehand , it could not have turned out better for him ; but Princes are always lucky . "

I am a very remarkable Rocket , and come of remarkable parents .

my mother was the most celebrated Catherine Wheel of her day , and was renowned for her graceful dancing .

she was three feet and a half in diameter , and made of the very best gunpowder .

my father was a Rocket like myself , and of French extraction .

he flew so high that the people were afraid that he would never come down again .

the newspapers wrote about his performance in very flattering terms .

indeed , the Court Gazette called him a triumph of Pylotechnic art . "

" I was saying , " continued the Rocket , " I was saying What was I saying ? "

" you were talking about yourself , " replied the Roman Candle .

" of course ; I knew I was discussing some interesting subject when I was so rudely interrupted .

I hate rudeness and bad manners of every kind , for I am extremely sensitive .

no one in the whole world is so sensitive as I am , I am quite sure of that . "

" what is a sensitive person ? " said the Cracker to the Roman Candle .

" pray , what are you laughing at ? " inquired the Rocket ; " I am not laughing . "

" I am laughing because I am happy , " replied the Cracker .

" that is a very selfish reason , " said the Rocket angrily .

" what right have you to be happy ?

you should be thinking about others .

in fact , you should be thinking about me .

I am always thinking about myself , and I expect everybody else to do the same .

that is what is called sympathy .

it is a beautiful virtue , and I possess it in a high degree .

suppose , for instance , anything happened to me to-night , what a misfortune that would be for every one !

really , when I begin to reflect on the importance of my position , I am almost moved to tears . "

" if you want to give pleasure to others , " cried the Roman Candle , " you had better keep yourself dry . "

" certainly , " exclaimed the Bengal Light , who was now in better spirits ; " that is only common sense . "

" Common sense , indeed ! " said the Rocket indignantly ; " you forget that I am very uncommon , and very remarkable .

why , anybody can have common sense , provided that they have no imagination .

but I have imagination , for I never think of things as they really are ; I always think of them as being quite different .

as for keeping myself dry , there is evidently no one here who can at all appreciate an emotional nature .

fortunately for myself , I don't care .

but none of you have any hearts .

here you are laughing and making merry just as if the Prince and Princess had not just been married . "

" well , really , " exclaimed a small Fire-balloon , " why not ?

it is a most joyful occasion , and when I soar up into the air I intend to tell the stars all about it .

you will see them twinkle when I talk to them about the pretty bride . "

" ah ! what a trivial view of life ! " said the Rocket ; " but it is only what I expected .

there is nothing in you ; you are hollow and empty .

what a terrible misfortune !

poor people , to lose their only son !

it is really too dreadful !

I shall never get over it . "

" I never said that they had , " replied the Rocket ; " I said that they might .

if they had lost their only son there would be no use in saying anything more about the matter .

I hate people who cry over spilt milk .

but when I think that they might lose their only son , I certainly am much affected . "

" you certainly are ! " cried the Bengal Light .

" in fact , you are the most affected person I ever met . "

" why , you don't even know him , " growled the Roman Candle .

" I never said I knew him , " answered the Rocket .

" I dare say that if I knew him I should not be his friend at all .

it is a very dangerous thing to know one 's friends . "

" you had really better keep yourself dry , " said the Fire-balloon .

" that is the important thing . "

they were extremely practical , and whenever they objected to anything they called it humbug .

the Prince and Princess were leading the dance .

he had six attendants with him , each of whom carried a lighted torch at the end of a long pole .

it was certainly a magnificent display .

whizz !

whizz ! went the Catherine Wheel , as she spun round and round .

boom !

boom ! went the Roman Candle .

then the Squibs danced all over the place , and the Bengal Lights made everything look scarlet .

" good-bye , " cried the Fire-balloon as he soared away , dropping tiny blue sparks .

bang !

bang ! answered the Crackers , who were enjoying themselves immensely .

every one was a great success except the Remarkable Rocket .

he was so damp with crying that he could not go off at all .

the best thing in him was the gunpowder , and that was so wet with tears that it was of no use .

Huzza !

Huzza ! cried the Court ; and the little Princess laughed with pleasure .

Illustration : " LET THE FIREWORKS BEGIN , " SAID THE KING

the next day the workmen came to put everything tidy .

but they took no notice of him at all till they were just going away .

then one of them caught sight of him .

" hallo ! " he cried , " what a bad rocket ! " and he threw him over the wall into the ditch .

" BAD Rocket ?

BAD Rocket ? " he said , as he whirled through the air ; " impossible !

GRAND Rocket , that is what the man said .

BAD and GRAND sound very much the same , indeed they often are the same ; " and he fell into the mud .

my nerves are certainly very much shattered , and I require rest . "

then a little Frog , with bright jewelled eyes , and a green mottled coat , swam up to him .

" a new arrival , I see ! " said the Frog .

" well , after all there is nothing like mud .

give me rainy weather and a ditch , and I am quite happy .

do you think it will be a wet afternoon ?

I am sure I hope so , but the sky is quite blue and cloudless .

what a pity ! "

" ahem ! ahem ! " said the Rocket , and he began to cough .

" what a delightful voice you have ! " cried the Frog .

" really it is quite like a croak , and croaking is of course the most musical sound in the world .

you will hear our glee-club this evening .

we sit in the old duck pond close by the farmer 's house , and as soon as the moon rises we begin .

it is so entrancing that everybody lies awake to listen to us .

it is most gratifying to find oneself so popular . "

" ahem ! ahem ! " said the Rocket angrily .

he was very much annoyed that he could not get a word in .

" a delightful voice , certainly , " continued the Frog ; " I hope you will come over to the duck-pond .

I am off to look for my daughters .

I have six beautiful daughters , and I am so afraid the Pike may meet them .

he is a perfect monster , and would have no hesitation in breakfasting off them .

well , good-bye : I have enjoyed our conversation very much , I assure you . "

" conversation , indeed ! " said the Rocket .

" you have talked the whole time yourself .

that is not conversation . "

" somebody must listen , " answered the Frog , " and I like to do all the talking myself .

it saves time , and prevents arguments . "

" but I like arguments , " said the Rocket .

" I hope not , " said the Frog complacently .

" arguments are extremely vulgar , for everybody in good society holds exactly the same opinions .

good-bye a second time ; I see my daughters in the distance ; " and the little Frog swam away .

" you are a very irritating person , " said the Rocket , " and very ill-bred .

I hate people who talk about themselves , as you do , when one wants to talk about oneself , as I do .

in fact , you should take example by me ; you could not possibly have a better model .

now that you have the chance you had better avail yourself of it , for I am going back to Court almost immediately .

I am a great favourite at Court ; in fact , the Prince and Princess were married yesterday in my honour .

of course you know nothing of these matters , for you are a provincial . "

" well , that is his loss , not mine , " answered the Rocket .

" I am not going to stop talking to him merely because he pays no attention .

I like hearing myself talk .

it is one of my greatest pleasures .

" how very silly of him not to stay here ! " said the Rocket .

" I am sure that he has not often got such a chance of improving his mind .

however , I don't care a bit .

genius like mine is sure to be appreciated some day ; " and he sank down a little deeper into the mud .

after some time a large White Duck swam up to him .

she had yellow legs , and webbed feet , and was considered a great beauty on account of her waddle .

" quack , quack , quack , " she said .

" what a curious shape you are !

may I ask were you born like that , or is it the result of an accident ? "

however , I excuse your ignorance .

it would be unfair to expect other people to be as remarkable as oneself .

" I don't think much of that , " said the Duck , " as I cannot see what use it is to any one .

a person of my position is never useful .

we have certain accomplishments , and that is more than sufficient .

I have no sympathy myself with industry of any kind , least of all with such industries as you seem to recommend .

indeed , I have always been of opinion that hard work is simply the refuge of people who have nothing whatever to do . "

I hope , at any rate , that you are going to take up your residence here . "

" oh ! dear no , " cried the Rocket .

" I am merely a visitor , a distinguished visitor .

the fact is that I find this place rather tedious .

there is neither society here , nor solitude .

in fact , it is essentially suburban .

I shall probably go back to Court , for I know that I am destined to make a sensation in the world . "

" I had thoughts of entering public life once myself , " remarked the Duck ; " there are so many things that need reforming .

indeed , I took the chair at a meeting some time ago , and we passed resolutions condemning everything that we did not like .

however , they did not seem to have much effect .

now I go in for domesticity , and look after my family . "

whenever we appear we excite great attention .

I have not actually appeared myself , but when I do so it will be a magnificent sight .

as for domesticity , it ages one rapidly , and distracts one 's mind from higher things . "

" this must be the deputation , " said the Rocket , and he tried to look very dignified .

" hallo ! " cried one of the boys , " look at this old stick !

I wonder how it came here ; " and he picked the Rocket out of the ditch .

" OLD Stick ! " said the Rocket , " impossible !

GOLD Stick , that is what he said .

Gold Stick is very complimentary .

in fact , he mistakes me for one of the Court dignitaries ! "

" let us put it into the fire ! " said the other boy , " it will help to boil the kettle . "

so they piled the faggots together , and put the Rocket on top , and lit the fire .

the Rocket was very damp , so he took a long time to burn .

at last , however , the fire caught him .

" now I am going off ! " he cried , and he made himself very stiff and straight .

" I know I shall go much higher than the stars , much higher than the moon , much higher than the sun .

in fact , I shall go so high that "

fizz !

fizz !

fizz ! and he went straight up into the air .

" Delightful , " he cried , " I shall go on like this for ever .

what a success I am ! "

but nobody saw him .

then he began to feel a curious tingling sensation all over him .

" now I am going to explode , " he cried .

and he certainly did explode .

bang !

bang !

bang ! went the gunpowder .

there was no doubt about it .

but nobody heard him , not even the two little boys , for they were sound asleep .

" good heavens ! " cried the Goose .

" it is going to rain sticks ; " and she rushed into the water .

" I knew I should create a great sensation , " gasped the Rocket , and he went out .

PRINTED BY HAZELL , WATSON AND VINEY , LD .

LONDON AND AYLESBURY .

Errors Noted by Transcriber :

" what a remarkable phenomenon , " said the Professor of Ornithology comma invisible

all my flowers are doing well . " " for ' in nested quote

Transcriber 's Note

illustration captions in { brackets } have been added by the transcriber from the list of illustrations , for the convenience of the reader .

THE ORANGE FAIRY BOOK

edited by ANDREW LANG

with Numerous Illustrations by H J FORD

crown Edition

LONGMANS , GREEN AND CO .

LONDON · NEW YORK · TORONTO

LONGMANS , GREEN AND CO .


LONGMANS , GREEN AND CO .

LTD .

LANG THE ORANGE FAIRY BOOK

COPYRIGHT · @number@ BY LONGMANS , GREEN AND CO .

all Rights Reserved

first Edition @date@ Reprinted @date@ , @date@ @date@ , @date@ , @date@ @date@ , @date@ , @date@ @date@

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

THE LANG FAIRY BOOKS Crown Edition

THE ARABIAN NIGHTS ENTERTAINMENTS .

with @number@ Coloured Plates and @number@ Illustrations .

THE BLUE FAIRY BOOK .

with @number@ Coloured Plates and @number@ Illustrations .

THE BOOK OF ROMANCE .

with @number@ Coloured Plates and @number@ Illustrations .

THE BROWN FAIRY BOOK .

with @number@ Coloured Plates and @number@ Illustrations .

THE CRIMSON FAIRY BOOK .

with @number@ Coloured Plates and @number@ Illustrations .

THE GREEN FAIRY BOOK .

with @number@ Coloured Plates and @number@ Illustrations .

THE GREY FAIRY BOOK .

with @number@ Coloured Plates and @number@ Illustrations .

THE LILAC FAIRY BOOK .

with @number@ Coloured Plates and @number@ Illustrations .

THE OLIVE FAIRY BOOK .

with @number@ Coloured Plates and @number@ Illustrations .

THE ORANGE FAIRY BOOK .

with @number@ Coloured Plates and @number@ Illustrations .

THE PINK FAIRY BOOK .

with @number@ Coloured Plates and @number@ Illustrations .

THE RED BOOK OF HEROES .

by Mrs Lang .

with @number@ Coloured Plates and @number@ Illustrations .

THE RED FAIRY BOOK .

with @number@ Coloured Plates and @number@ Illustrations .

THE VIOLET FAIRY BOOK .

with @number@ Coloured Plates and @number@ Illustrations .

THE YELLOW FAIRY BOOK .

with @number@ Coloured Plates and @number@ Illustrations .

Illustration : IAN AND THE BLUE FALCON

PREFACE

for whom , then , are prefaces written ?

when an author publishes a book ' out of his own head , ' he writes the preface for his own pleasure .

if he has not , the less he says in his preface the better .

the stories are not literal , or word by word translations , but have been altered in many ways to make them suitable for children .

it is not difficult to get rid of this element when it does occur in popular tales .

the old puzzle remains a puzzle why do the stories of the remotest people so closely resemble each other ?

of course , in the immeasurable past , they have been carried about by conquering races , and learned by conquering races from vanquished peoples .

slaves carried far from home brought their stories with them into captivity .

from the remotest days men have been wanderers , and wherever they went their stories accompanied them .

the stories wandered wherever the Buddhist missionaries went , and the earliest French voyageurs told them to the Red Indians .

three tales from the Punjaub were collected and translated by Major Campbell .

CONTENTS

PAGE The Story of the Hero Makóma @number@

the Magic Mirror @number@

Story of the King who Would See Paradise @number@

how Isuro the Rabbit Tricked Gudu @number@

Ian , the Soldier 's Son @number@

the Fox and the Wolf @number@

how Ian Direach Got the Blue Falcon @number@

the Ugly Duckling @number@

the Two Caskets @number@

the Goldsmith 's Fortune @number@

the Enchanted Wreath @number@

the Foolish Weaver @number@

the Clever Cat @number@

the Story of Manus @number@

Pinkel the Thief @number@

the Adventures of a Jackal @number@

the Adventures of the Jackal 's Eldest Son @number@

the Adventures of the Younger Son of the Jackal @number@

the Three Treasures of the Giants @number@

the Rover of the Plain @number@

the White Doe @number@

the Girl-Fish @number@

the Owl and the Eagle @number@

the Frog and the Lion Fairy @number@

the Adventures of Covan the Brown-haired @number@

the Princess Bella-Flor @number@

the Bird of Truth @number@

the Mink and the Wolf @number@

adventures of an Indian Brave @number@

how the Stalos Were Tricked @number@

Andras Baive @number@

the White Slipper @number@

the Magic Book @number@

ILLUSTRATIONS

COLOURED PLATES

Ian and the Blue Falcon Frontispiece

the Three Maidens Sitting on the Rocks Facing page @number@

' Ashes , Ashes ! '

twittered the Sparrows @number@

Standing in the Shelter of a Tree , He Watched Her a Long While @number@

the Queen and the Crab @number@

the Crown Returns to the Queen of the Fishes @number@

how José Found the Princess Bella-Flor @number@

the Princess Imprisoned in the Summer-house @number@

FULL-PAGE PLATES

Makóma Leaps into the Pool of Crocodiles Facing page @number@

Makóma Gets Entangled by a Hair of Chin-débou Máu-giri @number@

Makóma in the Hands of Sákatirína @number@

the Knight and the Raven @number@

Ian Breaks the Giant 's Chain @number@

the Princess Finds Herself a Prisoner on the Ship @number@

how Ian Direach Returned Home , and How His Stepmother Fell as a Bundle of Sticks @number@

' That is an End of You , ' She Said .

but She Was Wrong , for it Was only the Beginning @number@

the Princess Returns from the Sea @number@

the Giants Find Jack in the Treasure Room @number@

the Uninvited Fairy @number@

how the Queen Met the Lion-Fairy @number@

the King on his Dragon Fights his Way through the Monsters to the Queen and Muffette @number@

Doran-Donn Brings the Salmon to Covan the Brown-Haired @number@

' We Never Waste Time When We Are Helping Others ' @number@

' Who Are You who Dare to Knock at my Door ? ' @number@

the Little Boy Sees the Stalo in the Wood @number@

IN TEXT

PAGE Makóma Throws his Hammer at the Fire-eater @number@

Gopáni-Kúfa Sees a Strange Sight @number@

Shasása Hides the Mirror @number@

no One Knows What Was there Shown to the King @number@

the Old King Sees Himself Reflected in the Shields of the Bodyguard @number@

Gudu Drops a Stone into the Water @number@

' Where Did You Get that from ? '

asked Isuro @number@

how Gudu Danced and the Bones Rattled @number@

Ian Finds the Youngest Sister @number@

the Seven Big Women Fall over the Crag @number@

she Found Sitting Round Her a Whole Circle of Cats @number@

' Take the Black !

take the Black ! '

cried the Cats @number@

three Little Doves Were Seated on the Handle of the Axe @number@

the Stepmother Tries to Drown the Princess @number@

the Jew Brings the Jewels to the Princess @number@

I Go to Seek my Fortune Alone @number@

the Cat Lets Fall the Stone @number@

how Manus Got the Lion 's Cub @number@

Pinkel Brings the Witch 's Lantern to the King @number@

Pinkel Steals the Witch 's Goat @number@

the Brothers Ill-treat Poor Jack @number@

the Rover of the Plain Does the Girl 's Work @number@

last of All She Sang in a Low Voice a Dirge over the Rover of the Plain @number@

for a Minute They Looked at Each Other @number@

' A Small Dragon Crept in and Terrified Her ' @number@

Ardan Pursues the Golden Cock and the Silver Hen @number@

the King Jumps into the Cauldron @number@

how the Boy Found the Bird of Truth @number@

the Mink is Very Rude to the Grandmother Wolf @number@

Andras Baive Shoots the Stalo @number@

Balancin 's Delight at the White Slipper @number@

Gilguerillo Falls in Love with Princess Diamantina @number@

' Just as He Was Going to Strike ' @number@

THE ORANGE FAIRY BOOK

THE STORY OF THE HERO MAKÓMA

from the Senna ( Oral Tradition )

once upon a time , at the town of Senna on the banks of the Zambesi , was born a child .

he could also speak like a grown man , but usually he was very silent .

one day his mother said to him : ' My child , by what name shall we know you ? '

and he answered : ' Call all the head men of Senna here to the river 's bank . '

but no one would come forward .

so he turned and sprang into the water and disappeared .

but he was no longer just a boy !

he was stronger than any man and very tall and handsome , so that the people shouted with gladness when they saw him .

then , entering his hut , he took Nu-éndo , his iron hammer , and throwing the sack over his shoulder , he went away .

' Greeting , ' shouted Makóma , ' who are you ? '

' I am Chi-éswa-mapíri , who makes the mountains , ' answered the giant , ' and who are you ? '

' I am Makóma , which signifies " greater , " ' answered he .

' Greater than who ? ' asked the giant .

' Greater than you ! ' answered Makóma .

the giant gave a roar and rushed upon him .

Makóma said nothing , but swinging his great hammer , Nu-éndo , he struck the giant upon the head .

so Makóma picked him up and dropped him into the sack that he carried upon his back .

before long he came to a country broken up with huge stones and immense clods of earth .

Illustration : MAKÓMA LEAPS INTO THE POOL OF CROCODILES

' Who are you , ' cried Makóma , ' that pulls up the earth in this way ? '

' I am Chi-dúbula-táka , ' said he , ' and I am making the river-beds . '

' Do you know who I am ? ' said Makóma .

' I am he that is called " greater " ! '

' Greater than who ? ' thundered the giant .

' Greater than you ! ' answered Makóma .

with a shout , Chi-dúbula-táka seized a great clod of earth and launched it at Makóma .

' For , ' said he , ' it is honourable to serve a man so great as thou . '

and in the midst of this dead region he found a man eating fire .

' What are you doing ? ' demanded Makóma .

the fire-eater laughed again , and blew a flame at Makóma .

' My friends , ' said he , ' I have travelled far and am weary .

is not this such a place as would suit a hero for his home ?

let us then go , to-morrow , to bring in timber to make a kraal . '

Illustration : MAKÓMA THROWS HIS HAMMER AT THE FIRE-EATER

in the evening , when they returned , they found the giant helpless and tied to a tree by one enormous hair !

' How is it , ' said Makóma , astonished , ' that we find you thus bound and helpless ? '

he demanded of me " who is thy master ? "

and I answered : " Makóma , the greatest of heroes . "

then the man seized me , and pulling a hair from his moustache , tied me to this tree even as you see me . '

so when the giants had gone he swept and tidied the camp and put some venison on the fire to roast .

' Who are you ? ' bellowed the giant , as soon as he was out of the water .

' My name is Chin-débou Máu-giri , ' said the giant .

' You cannot bind me ! ' shouted Makóma , rushing upon him and striking with his hammer .

Illustration : MAKÓMA GETS ENTANGLED BY A HAIR OF CHIN-DÉBOU MÁU-GIRI

then bidding them ' Farewell , ' he went on his way .

' Greeting ! ' said the hero .

' Is this the country of Sákatirína of five heads , whom I am seeking ? '

' We greet you , O Great One ! ' answered the women .

' We are the wives of Sákatirína ; your search is at an end , for there stands he whom you seek ! '

and they pointed to what Makóma had thought were two tall mountain peaks .

' Those are his legs , ' they said ; ' his body you cannot see , for it is hidden in the clouds . '

and Makóma shouted as loud as he could , answering : ' It is I , Makóma , who is called " greater " ! '

and he listened , but there was no answer .

this time the giant spoke ; his voice was very terrible , for it was the rumble of thunder in the clouds .

' Who is it , ' he said , ' making that fire smoulder around my feet ? '

' It is I , Makóma ! ' shouted the hero .

there was silence for a while , and then the giant spoke softly : ' It is good , O Makóma ! ' he said .

' For I too have grown weary .

there is no man so great as I , therefore I am all alone .

guard thyself ! '

and bending suddenly he seized the hero in his hands and dashed him upon the ground .

Illustration : MAKÓMA IN THE HANDS OF SÁKATIRÍNA

ye are heroes so great that no man may come against you .

therefore ye will leave the world and take up your home with me in the clouds . '

and as he spake the heroes became invisible to the people of the Earth , and were no more seen among them .

( Native Rhodesian Tale . )

THE MAGIC MIRROR

from the Senna

A long , long while ago , before ever the White Men were seen in Senna , there lived a man called Gopáni-Kúfa .

one day , as he was out hunting , he came upon a strange sight .

Gopáni-Kúfa considered for a moment , then stabbing the antelope with his assegai , he set the python free .

Gopáni-Kúfa went back to his kraal , and with the new moon he returned again to the spot where he had saved the python .

Gopáni-Kúfa at first was afraid , thinking of what the antelope had said , but finally he consented and followed Insáto into the forest .

for several days they travelled , and at last they came to a hole leading deep into the earth .

it was not very wide , but large enough to admit a man .

' Hold on to my tail , ' said Insáto , ' and I will go down first , drawing you after me . '

the man did so , and Insáto entered .

Illustration : GOPÁNI-KÚFA SEES A STRANGE SIGHT

the man smiled .

he then took Gopáni-Kúfa by the hand and led him towards the town .

' These are my children ! ' said Insáto , waving his hand towards the people .

Gopáni-Kúfa was much astonished at all that he saw , but he said nothing .

presently they came to the town ; everything here , too , was beautiful , and everything that a man might desire he could obtain .

even the grains of dust in the streets were of gold and silver .

then he went away .

now Gopáni-Kúfa had a wasp called Zéngi-mízi .

Zéngi-mízi was not an ordinary wasp , for the spirit of the father of Gopáni-Kúfa had entered it , so that it was exceedingly wise .

' Biz-z-z , ' hummed Zéngi-mízi , ' ask him for Sipáo the Mirror . '

and it flew back into its basket .

Gopáni-Kúfa was astonished at this answer ; but knowing that the words of Zéngi-mízi were true words , he determined to make the request .

so that night they feasted , and on the morrow Insáto came to Gopáni-Kúfa and , giving him greeting joyfully , he said :

' Now , O my friend , name your choice amongst my possessions and you shall have it ! '

' O king ! ' answered Gopáni-Kúfa , ' out of all your possessions I will have the Mirror , Sipáo . '

the king started .

' O friend , Gopáni-Kúfa , ' he said , ' ask anything but that !

I did not think that you would request that which is most precious to me . '

as soon as the king left him , Gopáni-Kúfa again took Zéngi-mízi out of his basket .

and it was even so .

go back now to thine own country ; Sipáo will show you the way . '

Gopáni-Kúfa was greatly rejoiced , and , taking farewell of the king , said to the Mirror :

' Sipáo , Sipáo , I wish to be back upon the Earth again ! '

instantly he found himself standing upon the upper earth ; but , not knowing the spot , he said again to the Mirror :

' Sipáo , Sipáo , I want the path to my own kraal ! '

and behold ! right before him lay the path !

that night he asked Zéngi-mízi , in whom sat the spirit of his father , what he had better ask Sipáo for next ?

' Biz-z-z , ' said the wasp , ' would you not like to be as great a chief as Insáto ? '

and Gopáni-Kúfa smiled , and took the Mirror and said to it :

and when the people of the new town beheld Gopáni-Kúfa they rejoiced greatly and hailed him as chief .

Illustration : SHASÁSA HIDES THE MIRROR

Chief among them was one Rei , a man of much cunning , who sought to discover whence sprang Gopáni-Kúfa 's power .

and Gopáni-Kúfa believed the white man 's story , and he took him in and feasted him , and gave him a house .

in this way the end came .

' Woe is me , my father ! ' she sobbed .

' The Mirror is gone !

for I loved Butou the traitor , and he has stolen Sipáo from me ! '

then Gopáni-Kúfa calmed himself , and drew out Zéngi-mízi from its rush basket .

' O spirit of my father ! ' he said , ' what now shall I do ? '

' Alas !

I am an old man I had forgotten ! ' cried the chief .

' The words of the antelope were true words my reward shall be my own undoing they are being fulfilled ! '

STORY OF THE KING WHO WOULD SEE PARADISE

the fakeer was seated on a little old bedstead reading the Koran , with his patched cloak thrown over his shoulders .

to this the fakeer agreed , and so they parted .

Illustration : NO ONE KNOWS WHAT WAS THERE SHOWN TO THE KING

instantly he hurried off himself , and found that it was really true , and that the fakeer was even then breathing his last .

there and then the king besought him to remember his promise , and to show him a glimpse of Paradise .

still the king 's curiosity was so aroused that he would not give way .

the fakeer rose , and , making a sign to the king to follow , walked a few paces along a dark passage .

the dawn was breaking .

it seemed odd to the king that he had been so long in the grave .

and what was it he had seen ?

he racked his brains to remember , but he could not call to mind a single thing !

how curious everything looked too !

why , his own city , which by now he was entering , seemed changed and strange to him !

the sun was already up when he turned into the palace gate and entered the public durbar hall .

it was full ; and there upon the throne sat another king !

the poor king , all bewildered , sat down and stared about him .

presently a chamberlain came across and asked him why he sat unbidden in the king 's presence .

' But I am the king ! ' he cried .

' What king ? ' said the chamberlain .

' The true king of this country , ' said he indignantly .

he was old , decrepit , dirty , and ragged !

his long white beard and locks were unkempt , and straggled all over his chest and shoulders .

only one sign of royalty remained to him , and that was the signet ring upon his right hand .

he dragged it off with shaking fingers and held it up to the king .

the king looked at him compassionately , and examined the signet with curiosity .

( a Pathan story told to Major Campbell . )

Illustration : THE OLD KING SEES HIMSELF REFLECTED IN THE SHIELDS OF THE BODYGUARD

HOW ISURO THE RABBIT TRICKED GUDU

' Get up , ' said Gudu ; ' I am going courting , and you must come with me .

' It is your turn now , ' he cried to Isuro .

and with a heavy sigh , the rabbit unfastened his bag of food , which fell into the river .

' Where did you get that from ? ' asked Isuro enviously .

Illustration : GUDU DROPS A STONE INTO THE WATER

' Well , as you tricked me into throwing away mine , you ought to let me share with you , ' said Isuro .

but Gudu pretended not to hear him , and strode along the path .

By-and-bye they entered a wood , and right in front of them was a tree so laden with fruit that its branches swept the ground .

and some of the fruit was still green , and some yellow .

I will leave it all for you , as you have had no dinner , and take the yellow for myself . '

Illustration : { ' WHERE DID YOU GET THAT FROM ? '

ASKED ISURO }

' No ! no !

I really could not allow that , ' answered Gudu .

' They would only make you ill .

be content with the green fruit . '

and as they were all he could get , Isuro was forced to put up with them .

' I have dropped my needle ; wait here a moment while I go and fetch it . '

' Be quick then , ' answered Gudu , climbing into a tree .

when he had plucked as many as he wanted he returned to Gudu , and they went on together .

the sun was almost setting by the time they reached their journey 's end , and being very tired they gladly sat down by a well .

but once again the rabbit 's hopes were dashed to the ground , for Gudu said hastily :

' The custom of the village forbids you to eat till I have finished . '

and Isuro did not know that Gudu was lying , and that he only wanted more food .

so he sat hungrily looking on , waiting till his friend had had enough .

in a little while Gudu screamed loudly : ' I am burnt !

I am burnt ! ' though he was not burnt at all .

so he just went round a corner for a short time , and then came hopping back in a great hurry .

but , quick though he was , Gudu had been quicker still , and nothing remained but some drops of water .

Early next morning they started for another village , and passed on the way a large garden where people were very busy gathering monkey-nuts .

but what was his surprise when Isuro answered :

' Thank you ; I think I should prefer these . '

and , turning to the kernels , never stopped as long as there was one left .

and the worst of it was that , with so many people about , Gudu could not take the nuts from him .

it was night when they reached the village where dwelt the mother of Gudu 's betrothed , who laid meat and millet porridge before them .

and again Gudu was forced to be content with the porridge , which he hated .

' Now , ' said the cunning creature to himself , ' I shall be able in the dark to steal his meat ! '

' O Gudu ! ' he cried , laughing aloud , ' it is you who have taught me how to be clever . '

' I am hungry and want something to eat better than that nasty porridge that I had for supper .

the rabbit nodded , and Gudu disappeared behind a rock , but soon returned dragging the dead goat with him .

after that he went back to the wood-pile and slept again .

Illustration : HOW GUDU DANCED & THE BONES RATTLED

but they must have looked guilty after all , for suddenly an old man pointed to them , and cried :

' Those are the thieves . '

and at the sound of his voice the big Gudu trembled all over .

' How dare you say such things ?

I defy you to prove it , ' answered Isuro boldly .

and he danced forward , and turned head over heels , and shook himself before them all .

' I spoke hastily ; you are innocent , ' said the old man ; ' but now let the baboon do likewise . '

but Gudu answered :

so it is he who should die ! '

and the people looked at each other , for they knew not what to believe .

at length one man said :

' Let them both die , but they may choose their own deaths . '

then Isuro answered :

and the people did as Isuro had said .

' Lo ! did I not speak well ?

he who killed your goat is among those ashes . '

( Mashona Story . )

IAN , THE SOLDIER'S SON

and none knew whither they had gone , or how to seek them .

but the others answered :

and so it was done , and Ian won three games from his brothers .

but the knight looked out of his window , and was wroth ; and bade his men bring the youths before him .

when he stood in his hall and beheld them , his heart was softened somewhat ; but his face was angry as he asked :

the pain which you have made me suffer you shall suffer also . '

In seven days the ship was built , and great store of food and wine placed in her .

they had none of them ever seen that land before , and looked about them .

' What place is this ? ' asked the eldest brother .

and the man who was standing by made answer :

' How can we find them ? ' asked the young man again .

and the overlooker answered :

Illustration : THE THREE MAIDENS SITTING ON THE ROCKS

Illustration : THE KNIGHT AND THE RAVEN

' Now it is my turn , ' said Ian .

but when he was half-way up the raven set upon him also .

' Quick ! quick ! ' cried Ian to the men who held the rope .

' Quick ! quick ! or I shall be blinded ! '

and the men pulled with all their might , and in another moment Ian was on top , and the raven behind him .

' Will you give me a piece of tobacco ? ' asked the raven , who was now quite quiet .

' You rascal !

am I to give you tobacco for trying to peck my eyes out ? ' answered Ian .

so Ian broke off a piece of tobacco and gave it to him .

and the raven hopped before him till they reached a large house , the door of which stood open .

they entered and passed through one hall after the other , until they found the knight 's daughter , as the bird had said .

' What brought you here ? ' asked she .

and Ian made answer :

' Why may I not go where you can go ? '

' I was brought hither by a giant , ' replied she .

' I know that , ' said Ian ; ' but tell me where the giant is , that I may find him . '

' In the land whence I have come there are many men with the strength of Ian , ' answered he .

and he went outside and pulled at the chain , but he could not move it , and fell on to his knees .

and the giant heard it on the hunting hill , and lifted his head , thinking

still , I had better look to it . '

and home he came .

' Are you Ian , the soldier 's son ? ' he asked , as he entered the castle .

' No , of a surety , ' answered the youth , who had no wish that they should know him .

' That will be plain to you after wrestling with me as I wrestle with my mother .

and one time she got the better of me , and two times she did not . '

so they wrestled , and twisted and strove with each other till the giant forced Ian to his knee .

' You are the stronger , ' said Ian ; and the giant answered :

' All men know that ! '

no sooner had he wished his wish than the raven came .

and the knife was so sharp that it cut off the giant 's head with a blow .

instead , seek the middle daughter , and when you have found her , you shall give me a piece of tobacco for reward . '

' Well have you earned the half of all I have , ' answered Ian .

but the raven shook his head .

Illustration : IAN FINDS THE YOUNGEST SISTER

' You know only what has passed , and nothing of what lies before .

Ian did as the raven bade him , and in spite of the eldest daughter 's entreaties , he set out to seek her next sister .

he found her where she was seated sewing , her very thimble wet from the tears which she had shed .

' What brought you here ? ' asked the second sister .

' Why may I not go where you can go ? ' answered he ; ' and why are you weeping ? '

' Because in one day I shall be married to the giant who is on the hunting hill . '

' How can I get him home ? ' asked Ian .

' Nought will bring him but a shake of that iron chain which hangs outside the gate .

' In the land whence I have come there are many men with the strength of Ian , ' said he .

and he went outside and pulled at the chain , but he could not move it , and fell on his knees .

and the second giant heard it on the hunting hill , and lifted his head , thinking

still , I had better look to it . '

and home he came .

' Are you Ian , the soldier 's son ? ' he asked , as he entered the castle .

Illustration : IAN BREAKS THE GIANT'S CHAIN

then they seized each other by the shoulder , and the giant threw him on his two knees .

' You are the stronger , ' cried Ian ; ' but I am not beaten yet . '

and rising to his feet , he threw his arms round the giant .

and sharp indeed it was , for with a single blow , the giant 's head rolled from his body .

but beware of the words of the knight 's daughter , for she is cunning , and will try to keep you at her side .

So farewell ; but first give me a piece of tobacco . '

' That I will gladly , ' answered Ian , breaking off a large bit .

' Abide here with me , ' she said , ' and be my husband .

there is silver and gold in plenty in the castle . '

and tears dropped from her eyes on to her thimble .

' What brought you here ? ' asked she .

and Ian made answer :

' Why may I not go where you can go ? '

' I was brought hither by a giant . '

' I know that full well , ' said he .

' Are you Ian , the soldier 's son ? ' asked she again .

and again he answered :

' Yes , I am ; but tell me , why you are weeping ? '

' To-morrow the giant will return from the hunting hill , and I must marry him , ' she sobbed .

and Ian took no heed , and only said : ' How can I bring him home ? '

' Shake the iron chain that hangs outside the gate . '

and the giant heard him in the hunting hill , as he was putting the game he had killed into a bag .

and if he has reached me , then he has left my two brothers dead behind him . '

with that he strode back to the castle , the earth trembling under him as he went .

' Are you Ian , the soldier 's son ? ' asked he .

and the youth answered :

' No , of a surety . '

there is only Ian , the soldier 's son , who can do this , and he is but now sixteen years old . '

' I will show you who I am when you have wrestled with me , ' said Ian .

and so sharp was that knife that , with one blow , the giant 's head rolled on the ground .

but take heed to go down first yourself , and let them follow after you .

and before I go you shall give me a piece of tobacco . '

' Take it all , ' answered Ian , ' for well have you earned it . '

' No ; give me but a piece .

you know what is behind you , but you have no knowledge of what is before you . '

and picking up the tobacco in his beak , the raven flew away .

' You did not heed my words , ' he said gravely .

' No , I did not , and therefore am I here , ' answered Ian , bowing his head .

' The past cannot be undone , ' went on the raven .

' He that will not take counsel will take combat .

this night , you will sleep in the giant 's castle .

and now you shall give me a piece of tobacco . '

' I will .

but , I pray you , stay in the castle with me . '

' That I may not do , but on the morrow I will come . '

I will go first and show you the way . '

' Go , ' said Ian .

and , first , give me a piece of tobacco . '

many strange things did Ian behold in that island , more than he had thought for .

in a glen lay three heroes stretched on their backs , done to death by three spears that still stuck in their breasts .

but he kept his counsel and spake nothing , only he pulled out the spears , and the men sat up and said :

so together they went till they reached the cave , and one of the men entered , to see what should be found there .

at the last Ian entered .

see that you do not tarry . '

and Ian turned away with a sinking heart , for he would fain have followed the youngest daughter of the knight of Grianaig .

' You did not obey my counsel , ' said the raven , hopping towards him , ' and so trouble has come upon you .

but sleep now , and to-morrow you shall mount the horse which is in the giant 's stable , that can gallop over sea and land .

and be sure that for every turn of the lock given by the sixteen stable lads you give one .

and now you shall break me off a piece of tobacco . '

but Ian only answered :

' I myself will put her in and will see to her . '

and thus he did .

and while he was rubbing her sides the horse said to him :

' Every kind of drink will they offer you , but see you take none , save whey and water only . '

when this came to pass the steed broke through the stable door , and kicked him and woke him roughly .

but first take that sword which hangs on the wall , and cut off the heads of the sixteen grooms . '

filled with shame at being once more proved heedless , Ian arose and did as the horse bade him .

and have a care not to be so foolish to-morrow as you were to-day . '

' Stay with me for company , ' begged Ian ; but the raven shook his head , and flew away .

and one more warning I give you .

' Now , ' the horse said to him , ' draw your sword and cut off my head . '

but Ian answered :

' Poor thanks would that be for all the help I have had from you . '

So have no fears , but do as I have said . '

then Ian drew his sword as she bade him , and cut off her head , and went on his way without looking backwards .

as he walked he saw a woman standing at her house door .

she asked him whence he had come , and he answered as the raven had told him , that he came from behind .

' You are an impudent fellow , ' said the woman ; ' but you shall have a drink . '

and she gave him some milk , which was all she had till her husband came home .

' Where is your husband ? ' asked Ian , and the woman answered him :

but , see , he is returning ; and now we shall hear how he has sped . '

' I am a smith , ' replied Ian .

and the man answered :

' Good luck has befallen me , then , for you can help me to make a cap for the knight 's daughter . '

' You cannot make that cap , and you know it , ' said Ian .

so the man , wondering to himself , locked him in .

' Now take my head off , ' said the raven .

but Ian answered :

' Poor thanks were that for all the help you have given me . '

then Ian drew his sword and cut off the head of the raven , and shut his eyes so that he might see nothing .

after that he lay down and slept till morning dawned , and the man came and unlocked the door and shook the sleeper .

' Here is the cap , ' said Ian drowsily , drawing it from under his pillow .

and he fell asleep again directly .

the sun was high in the heavens when he woke again , and this time he beheld a tall , brown-haired youth standing by him .

' I am the raven , ' said the youth , ' and the spells are broken .

but now get up and come with me . '

' I am the horse , ' she said , ' and the spells are broken ' ; and she and the youth went away together .

but when the girl 's eyes fell on it , she cried out :

( from Tales of the West Highlands . )

THE FOX AND THE WOLF

in the summer mornings they led out their flocks to pasture , and were happy and contented from sunrise to sunset .

one summer night , when a round full moon shone down upon the white road , a great wolf came trotting round the corner .

however , let us see what this village can produce .

I am as hungry as a schoolmaster . '

' When you are fond of fowls and eggs it is the sweetest of all music .

at this moment the wolf came up .

' Is that you , neighbour ?

what a strange place to meet in !

I hope you are quite well ? '

but what is the matter with you ?

a fortnight ago you were as plump as heart could wish ! '

' I have been ill very ill , ' replied the fox , ' and what you say is quite true .

a worm is fat in comparison with me . '

' He is .

still , you are good enough for me ; for " to the hungry no bread is hard . " '

' Oh , you are always joking !

I 'm sure you are not half as hungry as I ! '

' That we shall soon see , ' cried the wolf , opening his huge mouth and crouching for a spring .

' What are you doing ? ' exclaimed the fox , stepping backwards .

' What am I doing ?

what I am going to do is to make my supper off you , in less time than a cock takes to crow . '

' I don't want to joke , but to eat ! '

' In this world the cleverest people are always the hungriest , ' replied the wolf .

' Ah ! how true that is ; but '

but if the fox resigns herself to the sacrifice , the mother offers you one last request . '

' Then be quick and don't waste time , for I can't wait much longer .

what is it you want ? '

by the well hang two buckets on a pole that were used , in former days , to draw up water .

' But the cheeses may be all finished by now ? '

' If you were only to see the quantities of them ! ' laughed the fox .

' And even if they were finished , there would always be me to eat . '

' Well , I will come .

' Is it safe to go on , think you ? ' asked the wolf in a whisper .

and the fox shook her head .

' Not while the dogs are barking , ' said she ; ' someone might come out to see if anything was the matter . '

and she signed to the wolf to curl himself up in the shadow beside her .

then the wolf and the fox jumped up , and hastened to the foot of the wall .

and she quickened her pace .

but if the wolf could not run he could jump , and with one bound he was beside his companion .

' What were you going to do , comrade ? '

' Oh , nothing , ' replied the fox , much vexed at the failure of her plan .

the fox drew back uneasily .

' Be careful , or I shall scream , ' she snarled .

once on the top they crouched down and looked about them .

' How lucky ! ' cried she to the wolf .

' There is a huge cheese about the size of a mill wheel .

look ! look ! did you ever see anything so beautiful ! '

' And now , unbeliever , what have you to say ? '

and the fox laughed gently .

' That you are a woman I mean a fox of your word , ' replied the wolf .

' Well , then , go down in that bucket and eat your fill , ' said the fox .

' Oh , is that your game ? ' asked the wolf , with a grin .

' No ! no !

the person who goes down in the bucket will be you !

and if you don't go down your head will go without you ! '

' Of course I will go down , with the greatest pleasure , ' answered the fox , who had expected the wolf 's reply .

' And be sure you don't eat all the cheese , or it will be the worse for you , ' continued the wolf .

but the fox looked up at him with tears in her eyes .

' Farewell , suspicious one ! ' she said sadly .

and climbed into the bucket .

in an instant she had reached the bottom of the well , and found that the water was not deep enough to cover her legs .

' Then be quick and bring it up , ' commanded the wolf .

' How can I , when it weighs more than I do ? ' asked the fox .

' If it is so heavy bring it in two bits , of course , ' said he .

' But I have no knife , ' answered the fox .

' You will have to come down yourself , and we will carry it up between us . '

' And how am I to come down ? ' inquired the wolf .

' Oh , you are really very stupid !

get into the other bucket that is nearly over your head . '

the wolf looked up , and saw the bucket hanging there , and with some difficulty he climbed into it .

' Ah , traitor ! ' cried the wolf , howling with rage .

' Perhaps I did treat him rather badly , ' she said to herself .

( from Cuentos Populares , por Antonio de Trueba . )

HOW IAN DIREACH GOT THE BLUE FALCON

long ago a king and queen ruled over the islands of the west , and they had one son , whom they loved dearly .

only Ian remembered .

his eye was straight and his hand steady , but the falcon 's flight was swift , and he only shot a feather from her wing .

as the sun was now low over the sea he put the feather in his game bag , and set out homewards .

' Have you brought me much game to-day ? ' asked his stepmother as he entered the hall .

then she turned to Ian and said :

' I am setting it on you as crosses and as spells , and as the fall of the year !

with that Ian Direach awoke , and beheld Gille Mairtean the fox .

between them they kindled a fire , and ate their supper .

then Gille Mairtean the fox bade Ian Direach lie down as before , and sleep till morning .

and in the morning , when he awoke , Gille Mairtean said :

only see that not one of her feathers touches anything within the house , or evil will befall you . '

' I thank you for your counsel , ' spake Ian Direach , ' and I will be careful to follow it . '

then he took the path to the giant 's house .

' Who is there ? ' cried the giant , as someone knocked loudly on the door of his house .

' One who seeks work as a servant , ' answered Ian Direach .

' And what can you do ? ' asked the giant again .

' Then enter , for I have great need of such a one , ' said the giant .

now I think I can leave her with you for one day , and before nightfall I shall be back again . '

Ian Direach trembled as he saw him ; but the giant only said :

' And where do they live ? ' asked Ian .

but the giant answered :

' Ah , that is for you to discover . '

and Ian dared say no more , and hastened down to the waste .

and when he had wakened next morning the fox said to him :

' Let us go down to the shore of the sea . '

and to the shore of the sea they went .

' Do not be cast down , ' answered the fox , ' it is quite easy !

but when you seek to steal it , take heed that its sheath touches nothing inside the house , or ill will befall you . '

let us give him the White Sword of Light to polish like the rest . '

but just as he was passing through the door the tip of the sheath touched it , and the door gave a loud shriek .

and the Big Women heard it , and came running back , and took the sword from him , and said :

' If it is our sword you want , you must first bring us the bay colt of the King of Erin . '

' Plainly I see that you have taken no heed to my words , Ian Direach , ' spoke the fox .

' But eat first , and yet once more will I help you . '

at dawn next morning Gille Mairtean said to Ian Direach :

after he had thus counselled Ian Direach , the fox changed himself into a ship , and set sail for Erin .

and the king was well pleased , and at the end of a month he sent for Ian and said to him :

' You have given me faithful service , and now I will entrust you with the most precious thing that my kingdom holds . '

and when he had spoken , he led Ian Direach to the stable where stood the bay colt .

' The deer have come down from the hill , and it is time for me to give them chase . '

in a moment the king came running up , and he seized the colt 's bridle .

' If you want my bay colt , you must first bring me the daughter of the king of the Franks . '

with slow steps went Ian Direach down to the shore where Gille Mairtean the fox awaited him .

for a third time I will change myself into a ship , and we will sail to France . '

Illustration : THE PRINCESS FINDS HERSELF A PRISONER ON THE SHIP

torn and battered was she , as if she had passed through many dangers , yet music of a wondrous sweetness poured forth from within .

when at last they reached the deck and looked around them , nought of land could they see , or anything save the rushing waters .

the princess stood silent , and her face grew grim .

at last she said :

' An ill trick have you played me !

what is this that you have done , and whither are we going ? '

Illustration : THE SEVEN BIG WOMEN FALL OVER THE CRAG

' I would rather be wife to you , ' answered the princess .

By-and-by the ship sailed into a harbour on the coast of Erin , and cast anchor there .

' I have brought you the king of France 's daughter , ' said Ian Direach .

and the king of Erin looked at the maiden , and was well pleased , not knowing that it was Gille Mairtean the fox .

in the great hall the king paused and pointed to an iron chest which stood in a corner .

and he stooped down to unlock the box .

in an instant Gille Mairtean the fox had sprung on his back , and gave him such a bite that he fell down unconscious .

' I will become a ship , ' cried Gille Mairtean , ' and you shall go on board me . '

the wind was behind them , and very soon they saw the rocks of Dhiurradh in front .

then spoke Gille Mairtean the fox :

joy filled the hearts of the Big Women when they beheld the bay colt led up to their door by Ian Direach .

and when they were all seated , the eldest struck her side with a whip and the colt bounded forward .

over the moors she flew , and round and round the mountains , and still the Big Women clung to her and snorted with pleasure .

at last she leapt high in the air , and came down on top of Monadh the high hill , where the crag is .

and Ian Direach did as the fox bade him , and set out for the giant 's castle .

Illustration : HOW IAN DIREACH RETURNED HOME AND HOW HIS STEPMOTHER FELL AS A BUNDLE OF STICKS

afterwards he went back to Ian Direach and said to him :

then mount the colt , and let the princess mount behind you , and ride thus to your father 's palace .

if , however , you do as I bid you , she will become herself a bundle of sticks . '

after that he married the princess , who was the best wife in all the islands of the West .

but Gille Mairtean the fox would take no reward for the help he had given to Ian Direach , only his friendship .

thus all things prospered with Ian Direach till he died .

( from Tales of the West Highlands . )

THE UGLY DUCKLING

it was under these burdocks that a duck had built herself a warm nest , and was now sitting all day on six pretty eggs .

five of them were white , but the sixth , which was larger than the others , was of an ugly grey colour .

the duck was always puzzled about that egg , and how it came to be so different from the rest .

but at length she grew tired of sitting there all day .

' Surely eggs take longer hatching than they did , ' she said to herself ; and she pined for a little amusement also .

' Why I could have hatched two broods in the time that this one has taken ! '

' Let me look at it , ' said the old neighbour .

' Ah , I thought so ; it is a turkey 's egg .

I have no patience when I think of it . '

I really can't be expected to do two things at once . '

and with a fluff of her feathers she pushed the egg into the middle of the nest .

in the evening , when she ventured to peep , she thought she saw a tiny crack in the upper part of the shell .

filled with hope , she went back to her duties , though she could hardly sleep all night for excitement .

when she woke with the first streaks of light she felt something stirring under her .

yes , there it was at last ; and as she moved , a big awkward bird tumbled head foremost on the ground .

and indeed he did not , though he was not half so pretty to look at as the little yellow balls that followed her .

when they returned they found the old neighbour on the bank waiting for them to take them into the duckyard .

' Of course , when you see it by itself it is all right , though it is different , somehow , from the others .

but one cannot expect all one 's children to be beautiful ! '

no well-bred duckling turns in its toes .

it is a sign of common parents . '

' Oh , dear me , here are ever so many more !

the yard is full already ; and did you ever see anything quite as ugly as that great tall creature ?

he is a disgrace to any brood .

I shall go and chase him out ! '

so saying she put up her feathers , and running to the big duckling bit his neck .

' Leave him alone , ' she said fiercely , ' or I will send for his father .

he was not troubling you . '

' No ; but he is so ugly and awkward no one can put up with him , ' answered the stranger .

' It certainly is a great pity he is so different from these beautiful darlings .

if he could only be hatched over again ! '

the poor little fellow drooped his head , and did not know where to look , but was comforted when his mother answered :

' Well , you must feel quite at home here , ' said the old duck waddling off .

and so they did , all except the duckling , who was snapped at by everyone when they thought his mother was not looking .

but as he could not run away again he stood up and bowed politely .

and the duckling answered that he had no idea of marrying anybody , and wanted nothing but to be left alone after his long journey .

will you come with us ? '

' Is it nicer than this ? ' asked the duckling doubtfully .

at the sound of the gun the wild ducks in the rushes flew into the air , and for a few minutes the firing continued .

' I am too ugly even for a dog to eat , ' said he to himself .

' Well , that is a great mercy . '

and he curled himself up in the soft grass till the shots died away in the distance .

but no one seemed to see him or smell him ; so he spent the rest of the night in peace .

they did not , however , appear very fierce , and the duckling became less afraid as they approached him .

' Can you lay eggs ? ' asked the hen .

and the duckling answered meekly :

' No ; I don't know how . '

upon which the hen turned her back , and the cat came forward .

' Can you ruffle your fur when you are angry , or purr when you are pleased ? ' said she .

and again the duckling had to admit that he could do nothing but swim , which did not seem of much use to anybody .

so the cat and the hen went straight off to the old woman , who was still in bed .

' Such a useless creature has taken refuge here , ' they said .

' It calls itself a duckling ; but it can neither lay eggs nor purr !

what had we better do with it ? '

' Keep it , to be sure ! ' replied the old woman briskly .

' It is all nonsense about it not laying eggs .

anyway , we will let it stay here for a bit , and see what happens . '

and one morning he got so restless that even his friends noticed it .

' What is the matter ? ' asked the hen ; and the duckling told her .

' I am so longing for the water again .

you can't think how delicious it is to put your head under the water and dive straight to the bottom . '

' I don't think I should enjoy it , ' replied the hen doubtfully .

' And I don't think the cat would like it either . '

and the cat , when asked , agreed there was nothing she would hate so much .

' I can't stay here any longer , I must get to the water , ' repeated the duck .

and the cat and the hen , who felt hurt and offended , answered shortly :

' Very well then , go . '

oh , if he only could have gone with them !

but , all the same , he knew it wasn't !

and every morning it grew colder and colder , and the duckling had hard work to keep himself warm .

a few hours more and the poor duckling 's life had been ended .

he never could tell afterwards exactly how he had spent the rest of the winter .

he only knew that he was very miserable and that he never had enough to eat .

but by-and-by things grew better .

the earth became softer , the sun hotter , the birds sang , and the flowers once more appeared in the grass .

his body seemed larger , and his wings stronger .

something pink looked at him from the side of a hill .

he thought he would fly towards it and see what it was .

oh , how glorious it felt to be rushing through the air , wheeling first one way and then the other !

he had never thought that flying could be like that !

and flying quickly down to the water , he swam after them as fast as he could .

' If I am to die , I would rather you should kill me .

I don't know why I was ever hatched , for I am too ugly to live . '

and as he spoke , he bowed his head and looked down into the water .

but no such thing was there .

instead , he beheld beneath him a beautiful white swan !

' His feathers are whiter and his beak more golden than the rest . '

( Hans Andersen . )

THE TWO CASKETS

Far , far away , in the midst of a pine forest , there lived a woman who had both a daughter and a stepdaughter .

Illustration : ' THAT IS AN END OF YOU , ' SHE SAID .

BUT SHE WAS WRONG , FOR IT WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING

' That is an end of you ! ' she said .

but she was wrong , for it was only the beginning .

trees waved in the soft breeze , and flowers of the brightest colours danced in the grass .

and though she was quite alone , the girl 's heart danced too , for she felt happier than she had done since her father died .

the girl paused for a moment as she came up , and gazed about for a place where she might safely cross .

but before she could move a voice cried from the fence :

' Do not hurt me , little maiden ; I am so old , so old , I have not much longer to live . '

and the maiden answered :

' No , I will not hurt you ; fear nothing . '

and then , seeing a spot where the clematis grew less thickly than in other places , she jumped lightly over .

' May all go well with thee , ' said the fence , as the girl walked on .

she soon left the meadow and turned into a path which ran between two flowery hedges .

right in front of her stood an oven , and through its open door she could see a pile of white loaves .

' Eat as many loaves as you like , but do me no harm , little maiden , ' cried the oven .

when she had finished it , down to the last crumb , she shut the oven door and said : ' Good-morning . '

' May all go well with thee , ' said the oven , as the girl walked on .

By-and-by she became very thirsty , and seeing a cow with a milk-pail hanging on her horn , turned towards her .

' Nor I , ' answered the girl ; ' fear nothing . '

so she sat down and milked till the pail was nearly full .

then she drank it all up except a little drop at the bottom .

' Now throw any that is left over my hoofs , and hang the pail on my horns again , ' said the cow .

and the girl did as she was bid , and kissed the cow on her forehead and went her way .

many hours had now passed since the girl had fallen down the well , and the sun was setting .

' Where shall I spend the night ? ' thought she .

and suddenly she saw before her a gate which she had not noticed before , and a very old woman leaning against it .

' Good evening , ' said the girl politely ; and the old woman answered :

' Good evening , my child .

would that everyone was as polite as you .

are you in search of anything ? '

' I am in search of a place , ' replied the girl ; and the woman smiled and said :

' Then stop a little while and comb my hair , and you shall tell me all the things you can do . '

' Willingly , mother , ' answered the girl .

and she began combing out the old woman 's hair , which was long and white .

half an hour passed in this way , and then the old woman said :

' As you did not think yourself too good to comb me , I will show you where you may take service .

be prudent and patient and all will go well . '

Illustration : SHE FOUND SITTING ROUND HER A WHOLE CIRCLE OF CATS

as soon as it was light next morning the girl got up and went into the cow-house .

' I 'm sure you must be hungry , ' said she , patting each in turn .

' We are very thirsty , please give us some milk ! '

' My poor little pussies , ' said she , ' of course you shall have some . '

and she went into the dairy , followed by all the cats , and gave each one a little red saucerful .

but before they drank they all rubbed themselves against her knees and purred by way of thanks .

the next thing the girl had to do was to go to the storehouse , and to sift the corn through a sieve .

while she was busy rubbing the corn she heard a whirr of wings , and a flock of sparrows flew in at the window .

' We are hungry ; give us some corn ! give us some corn ! ' cried they ; and the girl answered :

' You poor little birds , of course you shall have some ! ' and scattered a fine handful over the floor .

when they had finished they flew on her shoulders and flapped their wings by way of thanks .

the farmer 's wife was so well satisfied that she gave her higher wages , and treated her like her own daughter .

the girl 's heart sank at this order ; for how was it possible for her to do her mistress 's bidding ?

however , she was silent , and taking the sieve went down to the well with it .

' Ashes ! ashes ! ' they twittered ; and the girl looked at them and said :

' Well , I can't be in a worse plight than I am already , so I will take your advice . '

and she ran back to the kitchen and filled her sieve with ashes .

then once more she dipped the sieve into the well , and , behold , this time not a drop of water disappeared !

' Here is the sieve , mistress , ' cried the girl , going to the room where the old woman was sitting .

' You are cleverer than I expected , ' answered she ; ' or else someone helped you who is skilled in magic . '

but the girl kept silence , and the old woman asked her no more questions .

' I have something more for you to do .

there are here two yarns , the one white , the other black .

what you must do is to wash them in the river till the black one becomes white and the white black . '

and the girl took them to the river and washed hard for several hours , but wash as she would they never changed one whit .

she looked back at the sparrows and smiled and nodded to them , and flapping their wings in reply they flew swiftly away .

but she got no answer , for the maiden was afraid of bringing trouble on her little friends .

for many weeks the mistress shut herself up in her room , and the girl went about her work as usual .

here are the yarns which you washed .

' This is the easiest thing I have been set to do , ' thought the girl , who was a good spinner .

but when she began she found that the skein tangled and broke every moment .

' What is the matter , fair maiden ? ' asked they .

and the girl answered :

Illustration : ' ASHES , ASHES ! '

TWITTERED THE SPARROWS

' If that is all , dry your eyes , ' said the cats ; ' we will manage it for you . '

but the girl only smiled and did not answer .

she had learned early the value of silence .

but at these words the maid shook her head , and answered gently :

the old woman looked at her for a moment , and then she said :

' Well , that must be as you like ; but as you have worked faithfully for me I will give you a reward .

go now into the loft above the storehouse and there you will find many caskets .

she lifted up one and looked at it , and then put it down to examine another yet more beautiful .

which should she choose , the yellow or the blue , the red or the green , the gold or the silver ?

Illustration : ' TAKE THE BLACK !

TAKE THE BLACK ! '

CRIED THE CATS

' This is the casket that pleases me best , mistress , ' said the girl , carrying it into the house .

and the old woman smiled and nodded , and bade her go her way .

then she got up and entered the house .

the woman and her daughter stared as if they had been turned into stone ; but at length the stepmother gasped out :

' So you are alive after all !

well , luck was ever against me !

and where have you been this year past ? '

no one would ever have guessed that that little black box could have held such a quantity of beautiful things !

towards evening she reached the spot where the old woman was leaning against the gate-post , but she passed her by without a word .

' Have you no manners in your country ? ' asked the crone .

' I can't stop and talk ; I am in a hurry , ' answered the girl .

' It is getting late , and I have to find a place . '

' Comb your hair , indeed !

I have something better to do than that ! '

and slamming the gate in the crone 's face she went her way .

and she never heard the words that followed her : ' You shall not have done this to me for nothing ! '

months passed in this manner , when , one day , the mistress called the girl to her .

for though you cannot tend cows , or divide the grain from the chaff , there may be other things that you can do better .

' There seems nothing in the world you can do , ' said the old woman , and left her to herself .

soon after this the year was up , and the girl went to her mistress to tell her that she wished to go home .

but see that you do not open it till you place it where you wish it to stay . '

' Ah ! you have got something very different from that little black box , ' answered the old woman with delight .

but the girl was so busy finding a place for it to stand that she took little notice of her mother .

' No , after all it is too fine to live in a kitchen , let us place it in the guest chamber . '

( from Thorpe 's Yule-Tide Stories . )

THE GOLDSMITH'S FORTUNE

every evening the goldsmith would walk across to the cowherd 's house and say : ' Come , let's go out for a walk ! '

presently a rich stranger came along the lane , and seeing someone there , as he supposed , he said :

' Good-evening , friend ! a fine night to-night ! '

but the goldsmith 's wife said nothing .

the man then repeated his words louder ; but still there was no reply .

a third time he shouted :

' Good-evening , friend ! are you deaf ? ' but the figure never replied .

' Let that teach you manners ! '

' Wretch ! you have killed my wife !

oh , miserable one ; we will have justice done to thee ! '

' Oh , ' said he , ' my wife died , and I sold her . '

' You sold your dead wife ? ' cried the people .

' Yes , ' said the goldsmith .

' For how much ? '

' A thousand gold pieces , ' replied the goldsmith .

at last they perceived that they had been cheated somehow by that goldsmith .

' That will teach him not to play tricks on us , ' said they .

' For as he can't swim he 'll drown , and we sha'n't have any more trouble with him ! '

at the place where he landed he came across a fine fat cow buffalo , and immediately he jumped on her back and rode home .

when the village people saw him , they ran out in surprise , and said :

' Where on earth do you come from , and where did you get that buffalo ? '

' Ah ! ' said the goldsmith , ' you little know what delightful adventures I have had !

in fact , I could hardly tear myself away ; but I thought that I must really let you all know about it . '

and whenever any one of them waved his hands about and struggled the goldsmith would cry out :

' Look ! he 's beckoning the rest of you to come ; he 's got a fine buffalo ! '

and others who were doubtful would jump in , until not one was left .

then the cunning goldsmith went back and took all the village for himself , and became very rich indeed .

but do you think he was happy ?

not a bit .

lies never made a man happy yet .

( told by a Pathan to Major Campbell . )

THE ENCHANTED WREATH

however , her mother did not know that , but thought her the most bewitching maiden that ever was seen .

one day the man called to his daughter and bade her come with him into the forest to cut wood .

so he said to his wife :

but the wife answered :

' If your daughter is wet already , it is all the more reason that she should go and get the axe .

Illustration : THREE LITTLE DOVES WERE SEATED ON THE HANDLE OF THE AXE

to her surprise , three little doves were sitting on the handle , all of them looking very sad .

' You poor little things , ' said the girl , stroking them .

' Why do you sit there and get wet ?

she then crumbled the bread on the ground , and was pleased to see the doves flutter quite cheerfully towards it .

' Good-bye , ' she said , picking up the axe , and went her way homewards .

' That is a good girl , ' said one ; ' I really was too weak to stretch out a wing before she came .

I should like to do something to show how grateful I am . '

' Well , let us give her a wreath of flowers that will never fade as long as she wears it , ' cried another .

' And let the tiniest singing birds in the world sit amongst the flowers , ' rejoined the third .

' Yes , that will do beautifully , ' said the first .

as she did so the roses became withered and brown , and the birds flew out of the window .

but though she pretended to despise the wreath , she longed none the less for her daughter to have one like it .

the stepmother 's heart was glad when she saw this , and she said quite mildly :

' Why , you have forgotten your axe again , you careless man !

' You dirty creatures , ' cried she , ' get away at once , or I will throw stones at you . '

and the doves spread their wings in a fright and flew up to the very top of a tree , their bodies shaking with anger .

' Never , ' said the biggest dove .

' We must find some way of paying her back in her own coin ! '

' Oh , how clever of you !

that will do beautifully , ' exclaimed the other two .

' What in the world is the matter ? ' asked the birds sleepily .

' That is our secret , ' said the doves .

' Well , did you get the wreath ? ' cried she .

' Dirty creatures ! ' answered her daughter .

' Don't speak to me like that !

what do you mean ? ' asked the mother again .

' Dirty creatures ! ' repeated the daughter , and nothing else could she say .

then the woman saw that something evil had befallen her , and turned in her rage to her stepdaughter .

Illustration : STANDING IN THE SHELTER OF A TREE , HE WATCHED HER A LONG WHILE

her plan was this .

everything fell out exactly as the woman had hoped .

the woman thanked her and paid her well , and returned to her hut , carrying the mask with her under her cloak .

Illustration : THE STEPMOTHER TRIES TO DROWN THE PRINCESS

I will go back to the witch and see if she cannot take off the spell laid on you by those horrible birds .

ah ! why did I not think of it before ! '

' What is it ? tell me !

is the pain bad ?

when did it begin ?

and as he spoke he sprang to his feet to go in search of them .

however , he guessed somehow that she wished to be left alone , so he only said :

' That maiden is strangely like my wife , ' thought he ; ' I must see her closer . '

and he hastened down to the water .

one thing was clear , if she did not change her conduct very shortly he would have to send her away from court .

' Wait for me !

wait for me !

wait for me ! ' he cried ; not even knowing he was speaking .

but when he reached the shore there was nothing to be seen but the shadows cast by the moonlight .

then he put the matter from his mind , and kept his thoughts on the duty that lay before him .

he had scarcely done so when the girl came out of the sea , and stretched out her arms towards his window .

' You are my own wife , and I shall never let you go , ' he said .

but the words were hardly out of his mouth when he found that it was a hare that he was holding by the paw .

then the hare changed into a fish , and the fish into a bird , and the bird into a slimy wriggling snake .

' I have got it !

I have got it ! ' she cried triumphantly , and laid the ointment on her daughter 's tongue .

Illustration : THE PRINCESS RETURNS FROM THE SEA

' Now what do you say ? ' she asked proudly .

at this moment the prince entered with his real wife .

' You both deserve death , ' he said , ' and if it were left to me , you should have it .

but the prince and his wife lived together long and happily , and ruled their people well .

( adapted from Thorpe 's Yule-Tide Stories . )

THE FOOLISH WEAVER

once a weaver , who was in want of work , took service with a certain farmer as a shepherd .

the farmer , knowing that the man was very slow-witted , gave him the most careful instructions as to everything that he was to do .

the weaver said that he understood , and started with the flocks to the hillsides where they grazed all day .

when he came back all the flock were scattered or killed , and when the farmer heard the tale he beat him soundly .

so , the next day , the weaver was left at home to take care of the farmer 's old sick mother .

' You are welcome , ' said they .

' Willingly , ' answered the weaver .

so the next morning the seven weavers set out to go to the village where they could buy what they wanted .

on the way they had to cross a ravine which lately had been full of water , but now was quite dry .

he counted all except himself , and then cried out that somebody was missing !

they ran up and down the bank of the ravine wringing their hands in great distress and looking for signs of their lost comrade .

there a farmer found them and asked what was the matter .

( from the Pushto . )

THE CLEVER CAT

once upon a time there lived an old man who dwelt with his son in a small hut on the edge of the plain .

be good to your mother , as you have been to me .

and now farewell ! '

then he turned his face to the wall and died .

wandering over the plain , he noticed a troop of gazelles , and pointed to his greyhound to give chase .

the dog soon brought down a fine fat beast , and slinging it over his shoulders , the young man turned homewards .

on the way , however , he passed a pond , and as he approached a cloud of birds flew into the air .

the young man picked it up , and put it in his pouch and then went towards home again .

when all the rats were killed , the young man left the barn .

he took the path leading to the door of the hut , but stopped on feeling a hand laid on his shoulder .

come with me to that shining lake yonder , and fear nothing . '

' Step into the water and shut your eyes !

you will find yourself sinking slowly to the bottom ; but take courage , all will go well .

only bring up as much silver as you can carry , and we will divide it between us . '

so the young man stepped bravely into the lake , and felt himself sinking , sinking , till he reached firm ground at last .

he picked it up in order to examine it more closely , and as he held it the stone spoke .

' As long as you hold me , all your wishes will come true , ' it said .

' But hide me in your turban , and then call to the Jew that you are ready to come up . '

in a few minutes the young man stood again by the shores of the lake .

' Well , where is the silver ? ' asked the Jew , who was awaiting him .

' Ah , my father , how can I tell you !

then hearing steps approaching I got frightened , and called to you , as you know . '

' You are no better than the rest , ' cried the Jew , and turned away in a rage .

when he was out of sight the young man took the stone from his turban and looked at it .

' I want the finest camel that can be found , and the most splendid garments , ' said he .

' Shut your eyes then , ' replied the stone .

mounting the camel , he whistled the falcon to his wrist , and , followed by his greyhound and his cat , he started homewards .

his mother was sewing at her door when this magnificent stranger rode up , and , filled with surprise , she bowed low before him .

' Don't you know me , mother ? ' he said with a laugh .

and on hearing his voice the good woman nearly fell to the ground with astonishment .

' How have you got that camel and those clothes ? ' asked she .

' Can a son of mine have committed murder in order to possess them ? '

' Do not be afraid ; they are quite honestly come by , ' answered the youth .

at these words the mother thought her son had certainly gone mad , and stared blankly at him .

the young man guessed what was in her heart , and replied with a smile :

' Fear nothing .

promise all that he asks ; it will be fulfilled somehow . '

so she went to the palace , where she found the king sitting in the Hall of Justice listening to the petitions of his people .

the woman waited until all had been heard and the hall was empty , and then went up and knelt before the throne .

' My son has sent me to ask for the hand of the princess , ' said she .

' It shall be done , your Majesty , ' said she , and got up and left the hall .

her son was anxiously awaiting her outside the palace gates , dressed in the clothes that he wore every day .

' Oh , something quite impossible ; and I hope you will put the princess out of your head , ' she replied .

' Well , but what is it ? ' persisted he .

' I thought it would be something much harder than that , ' exclaimed the young man .

' I will see about it at once . '

and leaving his mother , he went into the country and took the stone from his turban .

' I want a palace of ice that can be warmed with fires and filled with the rarest singing-birds ! '

' It is fit even for the princess , ' thought he to himself .

as soon as the king awoke next morning he ran to the window , and there across the plain he beheld the palace .

Illustration : THE JEW BRINGS THE JEWELS TO THE PRINCESS

' That young man must be a great wizard ; he may be useful to me . '

' You will not mind ? ' he asked .

and she answered as became a good wife :

the princess is known to love beautiful things , perhaps she might like to buy some ? '

oh ! what beautiful stones he laid before her ; what lovely rubies , and what rare pearls !

' I have no particular wish to sell them myself , ' answered the Jew , with equal indifference .

To-morrow I will return with some jewels yet finer than those I have with me to-day .

so , madam , farewell ! '

no , it would be mean ; she could not do it !

but then , those diamonds , and those strings of pearls !

and she was sure it would be !

for some time she did not speak , but listened attentively to all the adventures that had befallen him that day .

but , alas ! what is there that you do not possess already ? '

' How good of you not to forget me when you are in the midst of such dangers and hardships , ' answered she .

' And what is that ?

of course you shall have it directly ! ' he asked eagerly .

I never saw any stone like it before . '

the young man did not answer at first ; then he said , slowly :

' I have promised , and therefore I must perform .

but will you swear never to part from it , and to keep it safely about you always ?

more I cannot tell you , but I beg you earnestly to take heed to this . '

the princess was a little startled by his manner , and began to be sorry that she had ever listened to the Jew .

' After all I needn't give it to the Jew , ' thought she as she dropped to sleep .

in another moment she was bending with rapture over the glittering gems .

' Yes , here , ' she answered , slipping the stone from her sash and placing it among the rest .

' As you please , madam , ' said he , bowing himself out of the palace .

soon after he had gone a curious thing happened .

she turned round , and was it her fancy ? or did the fire burn more dimly than before ?

at that instant her frightened ladies came running down the stairs , crying :

' Madam ! madam ! what has happened ?

the palace is disappearing under our eyes ! '

' Wait till then , and he will tell us what to do . '

through this they vanished , and were seen no more .

' Come quickly , ' he said , ' or you will be frozen to death ! '

and a dreary little procession set out for the king 's palace , the greyhound and the cat bringing up the rear .

at the gates he left them , though his wife besought him to allow her to enter .

' You have betrayed me and ruined me , ' he said sternly ; ' I go to seek my fortune alone . '

and without another word he turned and left her .

but nobody had .

this was delightful news to the young man , who instantly bought some meat for the falcon , bidding him make a good meal .

in three days I shall expect you back here . '

' Well , I must take the cat with me , ' answered the bird .

Illustration : I GO TO SEEK MY FORTUNE ALONE

all that day and all that night they flew , and in the morning they saw the Jew 's palace lying beneath them .

so they alighted in some bushes in the heart of the rat city .

the falcon remained where he was , but the cat lay down outside the principal gate , causing terrible excitement among the rats .

' Why have you come here ?

what do you want ?

if it is anything in our power , tell us , and we will do it . '

' Oh , we shall be delighted , ' answered the rat , much relieved .

' I thank you , ' said the cat .

somewhere about him he has hidden a stone , on which are engraved strange signs .

when they have found it they must take it from him without his waking , and bring it to me . '

' Your orders shall be obeyed , ' replied the rat .

and he went out to give his instructions .

and so he did .

when night arrived he declared he could go no further , but would spend it on the banks of a river .

half drowned , and more than half choked , the two faithful servants scrambled back to land again .

' What are you doing that for ? ' asked a little fish .

' Do you know that you are making the water quite muddy ? '

' That doesn't matter at all to me , ' answered the cat .

' I am going to fill up all the river , so that the fishes may die . '

' That is very unkind , as we have never done you any harm , ' replied the fish .

' Why are you so angry with us ? '

' Because one of you has got a stone of mine a stone with strange signs upon it which dropped into the water .

if you will promise to get it back for me , why , perhaps I will leave your river alone . '

and in an instant his scales might be seen flashing quickly along .

Illustration : { THE CAT LETS FALL THE STONE }

he will be able to tell you about it , if anyone can . '

so the little fish swam off to the tunny , and again related his story .

perhaps it may be what you want . '

and stretching up his tail he whisked out the stone .

' Yes , I think that must be it , ' said the fish with joy .

and taking the stone in his mouth he carried it to the place where the cat was waiting for him .

and she mounted the falcon 's back , and they flew to their master .

ah , how glad he was to see them again with the magic stone in their possession .

and there they lived for many years , and when the old king died the princess 's husband reigned in his stead .

( adapted from Contes Berbères . )

THE STORY OF MANUS

so the youths were bidden to appear before the council , and Oireal the elder was smaller and weaker than his brother .

and the chief waxed angry , and answered quickly :

' Yes , I will do that , ' answered Oireal .

after this , one half of the men of the land of Lochlann did homage to Oireal , and the other half to Iarlaid .

' Manus has driven a ball at my son , and fain would have slain him , ' said she .

' Let an end be put to him and his ill deeds . '

but Iarlaid answered :

' Nay , I will not slay the son of my brother . '

' And he shall not slay my son , ' said the queen .

for a few years he stayed there in peace , and then the wife of Iarlaid his uncle sent for him .

' Tall and strong you are , and comely of face .

I myself will go with a great following to his house , and you shall go with me . '

this she did , not from love to Manus , but because she wished to destroy him .

so they were married , and rode back with the wife of Iarlaid to her own palace .

it was no worldly wife she found for him , but the swift March wind , and never can you prevail against her . '

' Is it thus ? ' answered Manus .

and at the first streak of dawn he went to the chamber where the queen lay in the midst of her maidens .

but the wife of Iarlaid laughed as she heard him .

' Not a clod shall you have here , ' spake she .

' You must go to the Old Bergen for that .

Mayhap under its stones and rough mountains you may find a treasure ! '

' Then give me your son 's six foster brothers as well as my own , ' answered he .

and the queen gave them to him , and they set out for Old Bergen .

the queen looked from her window and beheld him mounting the hill , with the twelve foster brothers behind him .

then she said to her husband : ' Manus has returned with his twelve foster brothers .

would that I could put an end to him and his murdering and his slaying . '

' That were a great pity , ' answered Iarlaid .

' And it is not I that will do it . '

' If you will not do it I will , ' said she .

and she called the twelve foster brothers and made them vow fealty to herself .

so Manus was left with no man , and sorrowful was he when he returned alone to Old Bergen .

it was late when his foot touched the shore , and took the path towards the forest .

on his way there he met him a man in a red tunic .

' Is it you , Manus , come back again ? ' asked he .

' It is I , ' answered Manus ; ' alone have I returned from the land of Lochlann . '

the man eyed him silently for a moment , and then he said :

' I dreamed that you were girt with a sword and became king of Lochlann . '

but Manus answered :

' I have no sword and my bow is broken . '

' I will give you a new sword if you will make me a promise , ' said the man once more .

' To be sure I will make it , if ever I am king , ' answered Manus .

' But speak , and tell me what promise I am to make ! '

' I was your grandfather 's armourer , ' replied the man , ' and I wish to be your armourer also . '

Illustration : HOW MANUS GOT THE LION'S CUB

' That I will promise readily , ' said Manus ; and followed the man into his house , which was at a little distance .

perhaps you may find them of stouter steel . '

and Manus bent the sword thrice across his knee but he could not break it .

so he girded it to his side , and put on the old helmet .

as he fastened the strap his eye fell on a cloth flapping outside the window .

' What cloth is that ? ' asked he .

take it , and use it well . '

' What chain is that ? ' asked he .

' The creature who has that chain round his neck , need not fear a hundred enemies , ' answered the armourer .

and Manus wound it round him and passed on into the forest .

suddenly there sprang out from the bushes two lions , and a lion cub with them .

at that the lions stopped , and bowing their great heads , kissed the back of his wrist and went their ways .

but the cub rolled itself up in the cloth ; so Manus picked them both up , and carried them with him to Old Bergen .

another year went by , and then he took the lion cub and set forth to the land of Lochlann .

and the wife of Iarlaid came to meet him , and a brown dog , small but full of courage , came with her .

and at last they two went back to Old Bergen , and the twelve foster brothers went also .

' Let them go , ' said the wife of Iarlaid , when she heard of it .

' My brother the Red Gruagach will take the head off Manus as well in Old Bergen as elsewhere . '

and in the ship was a pilot .

so Manus slept , and by-and-by a voice sounded in his ears , saying : ' Arise ! '

and he saw a ship in the water beneath him , and in the ship sat the lion cub in the shape of the pilot .

( shortened from West Highland Tales . )

PINKEL THE THIEF

long , long ago there lived a widow who had three sons .

but at the time this story begins they had both been so careless and idle that their masters declared they would keep them no longer .

' Pinkel , ' they called him in scorn , and by-and-by ' Pinkel ' became his name throughout the village .

but a very few days of wandering opened their eyes .

and they all got in and rowed across in the direction of the light .

' We are tired and hungry , and would fain have shelter for the night , ' answered the eldest brother .

' What harm can a poor boy like me do a great Troll like you , ' answered Pinkel .

' Let me go , I pray you , with my brothers .

I will promise never to hurt you . '

and at last the witch let him go , and he followed his brothers to the boat .

the way was further than they thought , and it was morning before they reached the palace .

things went on in this way for some time , and Pinkel every day rose in the royal favour .

Illustration : PINKEL BRINGS THE WITCH'S LANTERN TO THE KING

their opportunity soon came .

' Send Pinkel for it , Sire , ' said they .

' It belongs to an old witch , who no doubt came by it in some evil way .

but Pinkel has a smooth tongue , and he can get the better of any woman , old or young . '

' But , mother , ' answered the girl , ' how can I find the well in this darkness ?

for you know that the lantern 's rays shed no light down there . '

Close around the hut was thick darkness , but what was that bobbing light that streamed across the water ?

the witch 's heart sank as all at once it flashed upon her what had happened .

' Is that you , Pinkel ? ' cried she ; and the youth answered :

' Yes , dear mother , it is I ! '

' And are you not a knave for robbing me ? ' said she .

but she had no power on the water , and turned angrily into the hut , muttering to herself all the while :

' Take care ! take care !

A second time you will not escape so easily ! '

' O cunning one , ' cried he , ' what treasure hast thou brought me ! '

and besides this , he was to have a seat on the council .

from this moment the king never closed his eyes at night for longing after this wonderful creature .

that goat I must have !

but , tell me , how am I to get it ?

I would give the third part of my kingdom to anyone that would bring it to me . '

' I will fetch it myself , ' answered Pinkel .

how was he to do it ?

and this was what happened when the girl went as usual to bolt the door and make all fast for the night .

' What are you doing ? ' asked the witch , as her daughter kept tugging at the handle .

' There is something the matter with the door ; it won't shut , ' answered she .

very soon they both might have been heard snoring , and Pinkel knew that his time was come .

but the snoring still continued , and he went on with his work as quickly as he could .

their sound awoke the witch , who cried out as before :

' Is that you , Pinkel ? '

' Yes , dear mother , it is I , ' said Pinkel .

' Have you stolen my golden goat ? ' asked she .

' Yes , dear mother , I have , ' answered Pinkel .

' Are you not a knave , Pinkel ? '

' Yes , dear mother , I am , ' he replied .

and the old witch shouted in a rage :

Illustration : PINKEL STEALS THE WITCH'S GOAT

' Ah ! beware how you come hither again , for next time you shall not escape me ! '

but Pinkel only laughed and rowed on .

as may be supposed , the brothers were more furious than ever , and grew quite thin with rage .

' How can we get rid of him ? ' said one to the other .

and at length they remembered the golden cloak .

' He will need to be clever if he is to steal that ! ' they cried , with a chuckle .

' But as he was there , it is a pity he could not have brought away the golden cloak , ' added they .

' The golden cloak ! what is that ? ' asked the king .

so Pinkel was sent for , and with a glad heart he set out .

he passed many hours inventing first one plan and then another , till he had a scheme ready which he thought might prove successful .

thrusting a large bag inside his coat , he pushed off from the shore , taking care this time to reach the island in daylight .

' Is that you , Pinkel ? ' asked the witch when she saw him , her eyes gleaming savagely .

' Yes , dear mother , it is I , ' answered Pinkel .

' So you have dared , after all you have done , to put yourself in my power ! ' cried she .

' Well , you sha'n't escape me this time ! '

and she took down a large knife and began to sharpen it .

' Oh ! dear mother , spare me ! ' shrieked Pinkel , falling on his knees , and looking wildly about him .

' Spare you , indeed , you thief !

where are my lantern and my goat ?

no ! no ! there is only one fate for robbers ! '

and she brandished the knife in the air so that it glittered in the firelight .

I am very hungry , for I have had nothing to eat all day .

put some poison , if you like , into the porridge , but at least let me have a good meal before I die . '

' Poisoned or not , the porridge is excellent .

I have eaten it , every scrap ; do give me some more , ' said Pinkel , turning towards her .

suddenly he grew silent and lay still .

' Ah !

I thought a second dose of that poison would be too much for you , ' said the witch looking at him .

' I warned you what would happen if you came back .

I wish that all thieves were as dead as you !

I suppose I must go and search for her .

what a trouble girls are ! '

and she went to the door to watch if there were any signs of her daughter .

but nothing could be seen of her , and heavy rain was falling .

so she took it off her shoulders and hung it carefully up in a cupboard in the room .

after that she put on her clogs and started to seek her daughter .

he had not gone far when a puff of wind unfolded the cloak , and its brightness shed gleams across the water .

the witch , who was just entering the forest , turned round at that moment and saw the golden rays .

she forgot all about her daughter , and ran down to the shore , screaming with rage at being outwitted a third time .

' Is that you , Pinkel ? ' cried she .

' Yes , dear mother , it is I . '

' Have you taken my gold cloak ? '

' Yes , dear mother , I have . '

' Are you not a great knave ? '

' Yes , truly dear mother , I am . '

and so indeed he was !

as for his brothers , he did not punish them , but left them in the stables , where they grumbled all day long .

( Thorpe 's Yule-Tide Stories . )

THE ADVENTURES OF A JACKAL

one afternoon they were walking along a road together , when the jackal , who was the taller of the two , exclaimed :

' Oh ! there is a barn full of corn ; let us go and eat some . '

' Yes , do let us ! ' answered the hedgehog .

so they went to the barn , and ate till they could eat no more .

after they had gone some way they met a panther , who stopped , and bowing politely , said :

' Excuse my speaking to you , but I cannot help admiring those shoes of yours .

do you mind telling me who made them ? '

' Yes , I think they are rather nice , ' answered the jackal ; ' I made them myself , though . '

' Could you make me a pair like them ? ' asked the panther eagerly .

so the panther prowled about until he saw a fine cow grazing apart from the rest of the herd .

he killed it instantly , and then gave a cry to the jackal and hedgehog to come to the place where he was .

next morning the jackal got up early and set to work upon the shoes , while the panther sat by and looked on with delight .

at last they were finished , and the jackal arose and stretched himself .

but I see the sun is high in the heavens , and we must be continuing our journey . '

they certainly set off his paws wonderfully , and he stretched out his fore-paws and looked at them with pride .

but when he tried to walk ah ! that was another story !

after some time some little partridges who were hopping about heard the poor panther 's groans , and went up to see what was the matter .

he had never tried to make his dinner off them , and they had always been quite friendly .

' You seem in pain , ' said one of them , fluttering close to him , ' can we help you ? '

' Oh , it is the jackal !

' Lie still , and we will soften them , ' answered the kind little partridge .

this they did till the hard leather grew soft , and the panther was able to slip his feet out of them .

' Oh , thank you , thank you , ' he cried , skipping round with joy .

' I feel a different creature .

now I will go after the jackal and pay him my debts . '

and he bounded away into the forest .

at length , however , he caught sight of his enemy , at the same moment that the jackal had caught sight of him .

' Oh ! father , tell me how I can repay the jackal for the way he has served me ! '

and without more ado he told his story .

watch them carefully while they are eating , and you will see that most of them keep their eyes on their food .

but if one of them glances at you , you will know that is the traitor . '

the panther , whose manners were always good , thanked the old man , and followed his counsel .

the cow was killed , and the partridges flew about with invitations to the jackals , who gathered in large numbers to the feast .

the wicked jackal came amongst them ; but as the panther had only seen him once he could not distinguish him from the rest .

only one of them seemed uneasy , and every now and then glanced in the direction of his host .

and before the panther had recovered from his surprise he found himself alone .

' It is very unfortunate , certainly , ' answered he ; ' but I think I know where you can find him .

if you see a tailless jackal you will know that he is the one you want . '

so the panther thanked him and went his way .

and the jackals sprang up and ran away in all directions , leaving their tails behind them .

and how was the panther to know which was his enemy ?

I shall leave them alone and go and catch something for supper . '

' Ah , there you are , ' he said gaily .

' I have lost my tail since I saw you last .

and other people have lost theirs too ; but that is no matter !

' Yes , that is a good plan , ' answered the hedgehog .

and he walked as fast as his little legs would go to keep up with the jackal .

when they reached the shepherd the jackal pulled out his purse from under his foreleg , and made his bargain .

' Only wait till to-morrow , ' said the shepherd , ' and I will give you the biggest sheep you ever saw .

' Well , it is very tiresome , but I suppose I must wait , ' replied the jackal .

and he and the hedgehog looked about for a nice dry cave in which to make themselves comfortable for the night .

then he lay down and went to sleep .

very , very early , before the sun was properly up , the jackal and the hedgehog were pulling at the shepherd 's cloak .

' Wake up , ' they said , ' and give us that sheep .

we have had nothing to eat all night , and are very hungry . '

the shepherd yawned , and rubbed his eyes .

' He is tied up to that tree ; go and take him . '

when they reached the cave the jackal said to the hedgehog :

' Before I kill him let me see whether he is fat or thin . '

and he stood a little way back , so that he might the better examine the animal .

after looking at him , with his head on one side , for a minute or two , he nodded gravely .

' He is quite fat enough ; he is a good sheep . '

but the hedgehog , who sometimes showed more cunning than anyone would have guessed , answered :

' My friend , you are talking nonsense .

the wool is indeed a sheep 's wool , but the paws of my uncle the greyhound peep out from underneath . '

' He is a sheep , ' repeated the jackal , who did not like to think anyone cleverer than himself .

' Hold the cord while I look at him , ' answered the hedgehog .

very unwillingly the jackal held the rope , while the hedgehog walked slowly round the greyhound till he reached the jackal again .

' Don't be long , then , ' called the jackal , as the hedgehog hurried off at his best pace .

and he lay down under a rock to wait for him .

and this was very natural , as he had hidden himself in some long grass under a tree !

at length the jackal guessed that for some reason his friend had run away , and determined to wait for his breakfast no longer .

so he went up to the place where the greyhound had been tethered and untied the rope .

( Nouveaux Contes Berbères par René Basset . )

THE ADVENTURES OF THE JACKAL'S ELDEST SON

now , though the jackal was dead , he had left two sons behind him , every whit as cunning and tricky as their father .

the elder of the two was a fine handsome creature , who had a pleasant manner and made many friends .

the jackal agreed to this , and the hyena wrapped the cloak about him , and they both trotted off to the lion 's den .

' Quite true , your majesty , ' answered the hyena .

' Then lay the cloak on the ground at my feet , ' said the lion , ' and I will give my judgment . '

so the mantle was spread upon the red earth , the hyena and the jackal standing on each side of it .

there was silence for a few moments , and then the lion sat up , looking very great and wise .

' My judgment is that the garment shall belong wholly to whoever first rings the bell of the nearest mosque at dawn to-morrow .

now go ; for much business awaits me ! '

' Good luck to you , ' cried the jackal .

and throwing the cloak over his back he darted away across the plain , and was seen no more by his friend the hyena .

' Good morning , ' he said ; ' may I ask what is the matter ?

you seem very serious about something . '

' Pray sit down , ' answered the lion .

' We were wondering in which direction we should go to find the best dinner .

the hyena wishes to go to the forest , and I to the mountains .

what do you say ? '

if you keep among the rocks you will never be observed .

but perhaps you will allow me to go with you and show you the way ? '

' You are really very kind , ' answered the lion .

' How shall we divide them ? ' asked the lion in a whisper to the hyena .

' Oh , it is easily done , ' replied the hyena .

' The lamb for me , the sheep for the jackal , and the ram for the lion . '

' I will teach you to divide things in that manner ! '

and he gave the hyena two great blows , which stretched him dead in a moment .

then he turned to the jackal and said : ' How would you divide them ? '

' Quite differently from the hyena , ' replied the jackal .

' You will breakfast off the lamb , you will dine off the sheep , and you will sup off the ram . '

' Dear me , how clever you are !

who taught you such wisdom ? ' exclaimed the lion , looking at him admiringly .

the jackal continued to run till at last he could run no longer .

' I have just had a narrow escape of my life , ' gasped the jackal , ' and I need some sleep .

after that we must think of something to do to amuse ourselves . '

and he lay down again and slept soundly for a couple of hours .

' Now I am ready , ' said he ; ' have you anything to propose ? '

then you shall watch , and I will eat . '

' That sounds a good plan , ' replied the jackal ; and they set off together .

' Oh no , ' cried the hedgehog , ' I really couldn't .

they would find out directly !

and , besides , it is so different just eating a little now and then . '

when they were all in a row before him he gave a sudden start .

' Run for your life , ' he whispered to his companion ; ' I see the woman coming over the hill ! '

and the hedgehog , his heart beating , set off as fast as he could .

but every day he stole out to their hiding-place and had a delicious feast .

at length , one morning , the hedgehog suddenly said :

' You never told me what you did with those jars ? '

' Oh , I hid them safely till the farm people should have forgotten all about them , ' replied the jackal .

after a while the hedgehog became suspicious , and said :

' I should like to know where you have hidden them .

To-night , when it is quite dark , you shall show me the place . '

' I really can't tell you , ' answered the jackal .

I can see that he is getting disheartened , and very soon he will give up the search .

have patience just a little longer . '

will you come ? '

' Certainly , ' answered the jackal , ' with pleasure .

but as I have to go out in the morning you can meet me on the road . '

' That will do very well , ' replied the hedgehog .

and the jackal went to sleep again , for he was obliged to be up early .

' Ah , there you are ! ' he cried , when the dusky yellow form at last turned the corner .

' I had nearly given you up !

indeed , I almost wish you had not come , for I hardly know where I shall hide you . '

' Why should you hide me anywhere ? ' asked the jackal .

' What is the matter with you ? '

no ; don't run off that way , ' he added quickly , ' because there is another troop that are coming over the hill .

Lie down here , and I will throw these sacks over you ; and keep still for your life , whatever happens . '

( Contes Berbères . )

THE ADVENTURES OF THE YOUNGER SON OF THE JACKAL

' Good morning , ' said the jackal , ' I am so glad to see you .

I have been looking for you everywhere . '

' For me ? ' answered the sheep , in an astonished voice ; ' but we have never met before ! '

' No ; but I have heard of you .

oh ! you don't know what fine things I have heard !

ah , well , some people have all the luck ! '

' You are very kind , I am sure , ' answered the sheep , not knowing which way to look .

' Is there any way in which I can help you ? '

I have several fields belonging to me , and if they are kept well watered they bear wonderful crops . '

' Oh , thank you , thank you , ' cried the jackal ; ' do not let us lose a moment . '

and he held out his paw in such an inviting manner that the sheep got up and trotted beside him till they reached home .

and as he did so he sang lustily .

after that the hot sun ripened them quickly , and soon harvest time was come .

then the grain was cut and ground and ready for sale .

when everything was complete , the jackal said to the sheep :

' Now let us divide it , so that we can each do what we like with his share . '

' You do it , ' answered the sheep ; ' here are the scales .

you must weigh it carefully . '

so the jackal began to weigh it , and when he had finished , he counted out loud :

' One , two , three , four , five , six , seven parts for the jackal , and one part for the sheep .

if she likes it she can take it , if not , she can leave it . '

the sheep looked at the two heaps in silence one so large , the other so small ; and then she answered :

' Wait for a minute , while I fetch some sacks to carry away my share . '

' Oh , good uncle , help me , I pray you ! ' she cried , as soon as she could speak .

' Why , what is the matter ? ' asked the greyhound , looking up in astonishment .

' I beg you to return with me , and frighten the jackal into paying me what he owes me , ' answered the sheep .

then he said :

' Bring me a sack . '

and the sheep hastened away to fetch one .

very soon she returned , and laid the sack down before him .

she found him waiting for her , and pretending to be asleep , though she clearly saw him wink one of his eyes .

however , she took no notice , but throwing the sack roughly on the ground , she exclaimed :

' Now measure ! '

' What are you doing that for ? ' asked she indignantly .

' You know quite well that it was I who drew the water , and you who only poured it into the trenches . '

' You are mistaken , ' answered the jackal .

' It was I who drew the water , and you who poured it into the trenches .

anybody will tell you that !

if you like , I will ask those people who are digging there . '

' Very well , ' replied the sheep .

and the jackal called out :

' Ho ! you diggers , tell me : who was it you heard singing over the work ? '

' Why , it was you , of course , jackal !

you sang so loud that the whole world might have heard you ! '

' And who is it that sings he who draws the water , or he who empties it ? '

' Why , certainly he who draws the water ! '

' You hear ? ' said the jackal , turning to the sheep .

' Now come and carry away your own portion , or else I shall take it for myself . '

' You have got the better of me , ' answered the sheep ; ' and I suppose I must confess myself beaten !

but as I bear no malice , go and eat some of the dates that I have brought in that sack . '

and the jackal , who loved dates , ran instantly back , and tore open the mouth of the sack .

but just as he was about to plunge his nose in he saw two brown eyes calmly looking at him .

in an instant he had let fall the flap of the sack and bounded back to where the sheep was standing .

' I was only in fun ; and you have brought my uncle the greyhound .

take away the sack , we will make the division over again . '

and he began re-arranging the heaps .

' Now you can take your share and go , ' said the sheep .

and the jackal did not need twice telling !

( Contes Berbères , par René Basset . )

THE THREE TREASURES OF THE GIANTS

one evening they were all seated round the table , eating their supper of bread and milk .

' Martin , ' said the old man suddenly , ' I feel that I cannot live much longer .

a little while after , the father fell ill , and sent for his sons , who were out hunting , to bid him farewell .

after giving good advice to the two eldest , he turned to Jack .

so saying the old man sank back on his pillows and died .

' You are a nice pair !

this reply was so unexpected that for some moments neither of the brothers made any answer .

then they offered their brother some of their food , and when he had finished eating they went their way once more .

towards evening they reached a small hut , and knocking at the door , asked if they might spend the night there .

the man , who was a wood-cutter , invited them in , and begged them to sit down to supper .

Jack shouted with delight , but Martin , who was in a bad temper , said sharply :

' We must have taken the wrong turning !

let us go back . '

' Idiot ! ' replied Michael , who was hungry too , and , like many people when they are hungry , very cross also .

and , without another word , took the path to the castle , closely followed by Jack , and after a moment by Martin likewise .

the door of the castle stood open , and they entered a great hall , and looked about them .

not a creature was to be seen , and suddenly Martin he did not know why felt a little frightened .

he would have left the castle at once , but stopped when Jack boldly walked up to a door in the wall and opened it .

Illustration : THE BROTHERS ILL-TREAT POOR JACK

scarcely had they done this when Jack threw open another door , and this time it led to a hall filled with silver .

however , they soon recovered from their surprise , and quickly emptied their bags of silver , and filled them with gold instead .

when they would hold no more , Martin said :

then he went after them , and found them lying down to rest in the midst of a forest .

' It is hardly worth doing that , ' answered Jack ; ' for I picked up the pieces and ate them myself . '

' Go where you like , ' cried Martin with a final kick ; ' but never come near us again . '

and poor Jack ran weeping into the woods .

the next morning his brothers went home , and bought a beautiful house , where they lived with their mother like great lords .

this being decided , he sprang up , and set out along the path which led to the castle .

he then began to pour in the gold by handfuls , when , all at once , a noise like thunder shook the castle .

this was followed by a voice , hoarse as that of a bull , which cried :

' I smell the smell of a man . '

and two giants entered .

' So , little worm ! it is you who steal our treasures ! ' exclaimed the biggest .

' Well , we have got you now , and we will cook you for supper ! '

but here the other giant drew him aside , and for a moment or two they whispered together .

at length the first giant spoke :

' To please my friend I will spare your life on condition that , for the future , you shall guard our treasures .

with a light heart Jack promised all that was asked of him , and for some days enjoyed himself mightily .

' Let the giants guard their treasures themselves , ' he said to himself at last ; ' I am going away .

but I will leave all the gold and silver behind me , and will take nought but you , my good little table . '

there he saw an old man , who begged Jack to give him something to eat .

' You could not have asked a better person , ' answered Jack cheerfully .

' The dinner of an emperor ! '

he had hardly uttered the words when fish and meat of all kinds appeared on it !

Illustration : THE GIANTS FIND JACK IN THE TREASURE ROOM

' That is a clever trick of yours , ' said the old man , when he had eaten as much as he wanted .

' Give it to me in exchange for a treasure I have which is still better .

do you see this cornet ?

all at once he remembered his cornet , and a wicked thought entered his mind .

' Two hundred hussars , forward ! ' cried he .

and the neighing of horses and the clanking of swords was heard close at hand .

the officer who rode at their head approached Jack , and politely inquired what he wished them to do .

' A mile or two along that road , ' answered Jack , ' you will find an old man carrying a table .

take the table from him and bring it to me . '

the officer saluted and went back to his men , who started at a gallop to do Jack 's bidding .

in ten minutes they had returned , bearing the table with them .

' That is all , thank you , ' said Jack ; and the soldiers disappeared inside the cornet .

oh , what a good supper Jack had that night , quite forgetting that he owed it to a mean trick .

the next day he breakfasted early , and then walked on towards the nearest town .

on the way thither he met another old man , who begged for something to eat .

' Certainly you shall have something to eat , ' replied Jack .

and placing the table on the ground , he cried :

' The dinner of an emperor ! ' when all sorts of good dishes appeared .

' That is a very clever trick of yours .

give the table to me , and you shall have something still better . '

' I don't believe there is anything better , ' answered Jack .

' Yes , there is .

here is my bag ; it will give you as many castles as you can possibly want . '

Jack thought for a moment ; then he replied : ' Very well , I will exchange with you . '

and passing the table to the old man , he hung the bag over his arm .

five minutes later he summoned five hundred lancers out of the cornet and bade them go after the old man and fetch back the table .

now that by his cunning he had obtained possession of the three magic objects , he resolved to return to his native place .

in this manner he learned that his brothers had become great men , much respected in all the country round .

at length , however , at their mother 's entreaty , he was told that he might pass the night in the stable .

in the morning , he caused it all to vanish , and when his brothers entered the stable they found him lying on the straw .

Jack remained here for many days , doing nothing , and as far as anybody knew eating nothing .

that very evening his chamberlain arrived at Jack 's dwelling , with a request from the king that he might borrow the table for three days .

' Very well , ' answered Jack , ' you can take it back with you .

but tell his majesty that if he does not return it at the end of the three days I will make war upon him . '

' The dinner of an emperor ! ' cried Jack .

but not even a morsel of cheese made its appearance .

' The dinner of an emperor ! ' shouted Jack in a voice of thunder .

' Tell your false king that to-morrow I will destroy his castle as easily as I have broken this table . '

' I committed a crime , ' said he ; ' but I will do my best to make up for it .

at this proof of his power the king 's heart died within him .

so at last Jack 's ambition was satisfied .

he reigned long and well , and died a very old man , beloved by his people .

but his good example was not followed by his sons and his grandsons .

for some time the kingdom remained , though it became weaker and weaker every year that passed .

then , one day , a rumour reached the king that a large army was marching against him .

thither he hastened that he might renew his power once more , and in that black and slimy spot he found the treasures indeed .

( from Contes Populaires Slaves , par Louis Leger . )

THE ROVER OF THE PLAIN

everyone in the house and in the village rejoiced , and the maiden was despatched to her new home .

when all was quiet again the father said to his son :

therefore tell us which you like best , and we will buy her for you . '

but the son answered :

' Not so ; the maidens I have seen do not please me .

if , indeed , I must marry , let me travel and find a wife for myself . '

the youth , however , would not listen ; and bidding his father and mother farewell , set out on his search .

' We will give you our daughter , ' said they , ' if you can pay a good price for her .

never was there so hard-working a girl ; and how we shall do without her we cannot tell !

still no doubt your father and mother will come themselves and bring the dowry ? '

' No ; I have the dowry with me , ' replied the young man ; laying down a handful of gold pieces .

' Here it is take it . '

the old couple 's eyes glittered greedily ; but custom forbade them to touch the dowry before all was arranged .

' No ; they are not used to travelling , ' answered the bridegroom .

' Let the ceremony be performed without delay , and we will set forth at once .

it is a long journey . '

' Be good to your husband 's parents , ' added he , ' and always do the will of your husband . '

and the girl nodded her head obediently .

next it was the mother 's turn ; and , as was the custom of the tribe , she spoke to her daughter :

' Will you choose which of your sisters shall go with you to cut your wood and carry your water ? '

' I do not want any of them , ' answered she ; ' they are no use .

they will drop the wood and spill the water . '

' Then will you have any of the other children ?

there are enough and to spare , ' asked the mother again .

but the bride said quickly :

' I will have none of them !

you must give me our buffalo , the Rover of the Plain ; he alone shall serve me . '

' What folly you talk ! ' cried the parents .

' Give you our buffalo , the Rover of the Plain ?

why , you know that our life depends on him .

here he is well fed and lies on soft grass ; but how can you tell what will befall him in another country ?

the food may be bad , he will die of hunger ; and , if he dies we die also . '

' No , no , ' said the bride ; ' I can look after him as well as you .

get him ready , for the sun is sinking and it is time we set forth . '

but the young man did not see the buffalo that followed them , which had left his home to be the servant of his wife .

well , well , you have chosen your own path ; and if ill comes of it beware lest you grumble . '

next day the husband took his wife to the fields and showed her which were his , and which belonged to his mother .

' I have dropped my necklace of beads in the field , and I must go back and look for it . '

but in truth she had done nothing of the sort , and it was only an excuse to go and seek the buffalo .

Illustration : THE ROVER OF THE PLAIN DOES THE GIRL'S WORK

the beast was crouching under a tree when she came up , and snorted with pleasure at the sight of her .

but the other fields are his mother 's , so beware lest you touch them . '

' I will beware , ' answered the buffalo ; and , patting his head , the girl left him .

oh , how much better a servant he was than any of the little girls the bride had refused to bring with her !

then she would sit at her ease while he went to the lake and brought the bucket back brimming over .

if she wanted wood , he would break the branches off the trees and lay them at her feet .

and the villagers watched her return laden , and said to each other :

but then , nobody knew that she had a buffalo for a servant .

he kept silence , however , till the evening , when he said to his mistress :

' I am nearly starved ; I have not touched food since I came here .

I can work no more . '

' Alas ! ' answered she , ' what can I do ?

I have only one dish in the house .

you will have to steal some beans from the fields .

now the buffalo had always lived an honest life , but if his mistress did not feed him , he must get it for himself .

and when at last his hunger was satisfied , he crept back to his lair .

' Just look at this ; a savage beast has been destroying our crops , and we can see traces of his feet ! '

and they hurried to their homes to tell their tale .

in the evening the girl crept out to the buffalo 's hiding-place , and said to him :

' They perceived what happened , of course ; so to-night you had better seek your supper further off . '

the young man saw him coming with amazement .

' Why , it is a buffalo ! ' cried he ; ' I never have beheld one in this country before ! '

and raising his gun , he aimed just behind the ear .

the buffalo gave a leap into the air , and then fell dead .

' It was a good shot , ' said the young man .

and he ran to the village to tell them that the thief was punished .

when he entered his hut he found his wife , who had somehow heard the news , twisting herself to and fro and shedding tears .

' Are you ill ? ' asked he .

and she answered : ' Yes ; I have pains all over my body . '

but she was not ill at all , only very unhappy at the death of the buffalo which had served her so well .

' What are you doing here ? ' asked her husband when he saw her .

' If you are ill you are better at home . '

' Oh !

I could not stay alone in the village , ' said she .

but the girl would not listen and sat down and looked on .

' Let me have the head . '

' You could never carry anything so heavy , ' answered the men , ' and now you are ill besides . '

' You do not know how strong I am , ' answered she .

and at last they gave it her .

then she laid down the buffalo 's head and sat beside it .

' I wish you would leave me alone ! ' she answered crossly .

' It is impossible to sleep if somebody is always coming in . '

and she turned her back on them , and would not even eat the food they had brought .

Illustration : LAST OF ALL SHE SANG IN A LOW VOICE A DIRGE OVER THE ROVER OF THE PLAIN

when all was still the girl made a fire and boiled some water in a pot .

next she applied the horn to the spot and blew with all her force till , at length , the blood began to move .

last of all , she sang in a low voice a dirge over the Rover of the Plain .

as she chanted the final words the head moved , and the limbs came back .

the buffalo began to feel alive again and shook his horns , and stood up and stretched himself .

unluckily it was just at this moment that the husband said to himself :

' I wonder if she is crying still , and what is the matter with her !

perhaps I had better go and see . '

and he got up and , calling her by name , went out to the shed .

' Go away !

I don't want you ! ' she cried angrily .

but it was too late .

the buffalo had fallen to the ground , dead , and with the wound in his head as before .

after waiting a few minutes , she began her task over again , and at the end the buffalo stood on his feet as before .

the girl entered the hut , where her husband and his mother were getting ready to go out .

' I want to go down to the lake , and bathe , ' said she .

' But you could never walk so far , ' answered they .

' You are so tired , as it is , that you can hardly stand ! '

however , in spite of their warnings , the girl left the hut in the direction of the lake .

very soon she came back weeping , and sobbed out :

I will return as soon as I can , and now farewell . '

and she set forth in the direction of the mountains .

her friends all ran to meet her , and , weeping , she told them that the buffalo was dead .

' If you only had listened to us , ' they cried , ' he would be alive now .

but you refused all the little girls we offered you , and would have nothing but the buffalo .

and remember what the medicine-man said : " if the buffalo dies you die also ! " '

then one man , turning , beheld him , and bowed mockingly .

' Hail , murderer ! hail ! you have slain us all ! '

the young man stared , not knowing what he meant , and answered , wonderingly :

' I shot a buffalo ; is that why you call me a murderer ? '

' A buffalo yes ; but the servant of your wife !

it was he who carried the wood and drew the water .

did you not know it ? '

' No ; I did not know it , ' replied the husband in surprise .

' Why did no one tell me ?

of course I should not have shot him ! '

' Well , he is dead , ' answered they , ' and we must die too . '

then drinking a deep draught from it , fell back dead .

when he had finished they shook their heads and said :

' Now you see that we spoke no idle words when we told you that ill would come of your marriage !

we offered you a good and hard-working wife , and you would have none of her .

and it is not only your wife you have lost , but your fortune also .

for who will give you back your dowry if they are all dead ? '

' It is true , O my father , ' answered the young man .

but in his heart he thought more of the loss of his wife than of the money he had given for her .

( from L'Etude Ethnographique sur Les Baronga , par Henri Junod . )

THE WHITE DOE

one day the queen was sitting alone by the side of a waterfall which sprung from some rocks in the large park adjoining the castle .

she was feeling more than usually miserable , and had sent away her ladies so that no one might witness her grief .

when there you will know more ; that is , if you will trust , yourself to me . '

the queen had never before heard an animal speak and was struck dumb with surprise .

and , wonderful to say , not a drop of water fell from her clothes .

' What can it be ? ' she asked , turning to her guide ; who answered :

' Oh , that is the fairies ' palace , and here are some of them coming to meet us . '

in a little while it happened just as the fairies had foretold , and a baby girl was born in the palace .

Illustration : THE QUEEN & THE CRAB

at first the queen could think of nothing but her new plaything , but then she remembered the fairies who had sent it to her .

the fairies entered the queen 's chamber followed by little dwarfs who carried their presents and looked much prouder than their mistresses .

one by one their burdens were spread upon the ground , and no one had ever seen such lovely things .

everybody looked up , and there was the crab-fairy , who had grown as tall as the ceiling in her anger .

' So I am forgotten ! ' cried she , in a voice so loud that the queen trembled as she heard it .

' Who was it soothed you in your trouble ?

who was it led you to the fairies ?

who was it brought you back in safety to your home again ?

yet I I am overlooked , while these who have done nothing in comparison , are petted and thanked . '

for some time the enraged fairy would listen to nothing ; but at length the flatteries began to take effect .

the crab 's shell fell from her , she shrank into her usual size , and lost some of her fierce expression .

Illustration : THE UNINVITED FAIRY

however , once within , daylight was hardly missed , so brilliant were the multitudes of tapers that were burning on the walls .

' How would you like to have a husband like that ? ' asked the queen , laughing .

' As if I knew anything about husbands ! ' replied Désirée , who had long ago guessed the business of the ambassador .

' Well , he will be your husband in three months , ' answered the queen , ordering the prince 's presents to be brought in .

the queen hastened to the marble tower , and told her daughter of the sad state of the prince .

' I see ! ' she exclaimed joyfully at last .

' Let a carriage be built through which no light can come , and let it be brought into my room .

I will then get into it , and we can travel swiftly during the night and arrive before dawn at the palace of the prince .

once there , I can remain in some underground chamber , where no light can come . '

' Ah , how clever you are , ' cried the queen , clasping her in her arms .

and she hurried away to tell the king .

and so he took his leave .

in a few days the carriage commanded by the princess was ready .

it was of green velvet , scattered over with large golden thistles , and lined inside with silver brocade embroidered with pink roses .

she was very angry at the slight put upon her godchild , and from that moment kept careful watch on the princess .

this went on for several days , till only twelve hours journey lay between them and the palace .

Cérisette and her mother looked at each other in surprise and joy .

they could hardly believe in their good fortune , for everything had happened exactly as they wished .

she found this heavier than she expected ; but then , she had never been accustomed to wear crowns , which makes all the difference .

the carriage stopped at length in the vast hall which Becasigue had prepared for the reception of the princess .

' So she has come ! ' cried he , throwing down the bow he had been pretending to mend .

' Well , was I not right ?

is she not a miracle of beauty and grace ?

and has she her equal in the whole world ? '

' My lord , as to her beauty , you can judge of that for yourself .

this was certainly not what the prince expected to hear .

could the portrait have flattered her ?

' Has the king been told that the princess is in the palace ? '

' Yes , your highness ; and he has probably already joined her . '

' Then I will go too , ' said the prince .

' There has been treachery at work , ' he exclaimed , while the prince leant , dumb with horror , against the doorpost .

besides that her nose was hooked , and her teeth black and ugly .

in his turn , the prince stood rooted to the spot .

' We have been deceived , ' he said , ' and it will cost me my life . '

and he leaned so heavily on the envoy that Becasigue feared he was going to faint , and hastily laid him on the floor .

' Oh , my lovely princess , why did we ever leave home ? ' cried she .

I am not surprised that he has kept her for fifteen years hidden from the eyes of the world .

take them both away , ' he continued , turning to his guards , ' and lodge them in the state prison .

there is something more I have to learn of this matter . '

and while these things were happening , what had become of the white doe ?

' Is it really , I , Désirée ? ' she said to herself , weeping .

' What wicked fairy can have treated me so ; and shall I never , never take my own shape again ?

my only comfort that , in this great forest , full of lions and serpents , my life will be a short one . '

suddenly the beautiful creature lifted her head , and looked up into Eglantine 's face , with tears streaming from her eyes .

' My princess !

' Is there no hut or cave we could go into ? ' asked she .

but the doe only shook her head ; and the two sat down and wept with fright .

and with these words she vanished , leaving her hearers happier than they ever thought they could be again .

an old woman was standing at the door of the hut when Eglantine drew near , with the white doe trotting by her side .

' Good evening ! ' she said ; ' could you give me a night 's lodging for myself and my doe ? '

' Certainly I can , ' replied the old woman .

the door had hardly closed behind the old woman when the sun sank below the horizon , and Désirée became a girl again .

' Oh , Eglantine ! what should I have done if you had not followed me , ' she cried .

and she flung herself into her friend 's arms in a transport of delight .

' Could you give me some milk and fruit ? ' asked he .

' I am very hungry myself , and , besides , I have left a friend behind me who is still weak from illness . '

' Certainly I can , ' answered the old woman .

' But come and sit down in my kitchen while I catch the goat and milk it . '

' If your friend has been ill he should not pass the night in the forest , ' said she .

Becasigue thanked her warmly , and by this time it was almost sunset , he set out to fetch the prince .

panting for breath , she entered their room , and flung herself down on the floor .

when it was dark again , and she was once more the princess Désirée , she told Eglantine what had befallen her .

I do not know now what saved me . '

' You must stay quietly here till the time of your punishment is over , ' answered Eglantine .

Illustration : FOR A MINUTE THEY LOOKED AT EACH OTHER

yet , instead of turning to fly , something bade her go and look at him unseen .

gently stooping over him she kissed his forehead , and at her touch he awoke .

for a minute they looked at each other , and to his amazement he recognised the white doe which had escaped him the previous day .

' Pretty doe ! pretty doe ! stop !

I won't hurt you , ' cried he , but his words were carried away by the wind .

when he returned , the white doe was gone .

but Eglantine comforted her , and reminded her that in a short time all would be well .

' She shall not escape me again , ' cried the prince .

' If I hunt her every day for a year , I will have her at last . '

and in this frame of mind he went to bed .

this done he went away to get help .

meanwhile Eglantine had grown very uneasy at the long absence of her mistress , and had come out to look for her .

with all her might she worked at the knots , but not a single one could she undo , though all appeared so easy .

she was still busy with them when a voice behind her said :

' Pardon me , fair lady , but it is my doe you are trying to steal ! '

and if you wish for a proof of it , you can see if she knows me or not .

touch my heart , my little one , ' she continued , dropping on her knees .

and the doe lifted up its fore-foot and laid it on her side .

' Now put your arms round my neck , and sigh . '

and again the doe did as she was bid .

to this Eglantine answered nothing ; but carefully raising up the doe , she led her slowly to the hut .

then she went back to her kitchen .

so , taking a knife out of his pocket , he began to saw away the woodwork .

at length the hole was large enough for him to peep through , and the sight was one to strike him dumb with amazement .

he had guessed truly : the tall lady was Eglantine herself ; but the other where had he seen her ?

ah ! now he knew it was the lady of the portrait !

' Oh ! let me die ! ' cried she , ' rather than go on leading this life .

yet , even so , I cannot bring myself to hate him . '

these words , low though they were spoken , reached Becasigue , who could hardly believe his ears .

she started back at the sight of the prince , whom this time she also recognised .

but he thrust her aside , and flung himself at the feet of Désirée , to whom he poured out all his heart !

dawn found them still conversing ; and the sun was high in the heavens before the princess perceived that she retained her human form .

( Contes des Fées , par Madame d'Aulnoy . )

THE GIRL-FISH

once upon a time there lived , on the bank of a stream , a man and a woman who had a daughter .

the girl took the net and worked so hard that soon there was not a hole to be found .

' Well , you are a beauty ! ' she cried to herself ; but the fish looked up to her and said :

' You had better not kill me , for , if you do , I will turn you into a fish yourself ! '

the girl laughed contemptuously , and ran straight in to her mother .

' Oh , put it back , put it back ! ' implored the mother .

' Perhaps it is skilled in magic .

and I should die , and so would your father , if anything should happen to you . '

' Oh , nonsense , mother ; what power could a creature like that have over me ?

besides , I am hungry , and if I don't have my dinner very soon , I shall be cross . '

and off she went to gather some flowers to stick in her hair .

about an hour later the blowing of a horn told her that dinner was ready .

but the instant it touched her mouth a cold shiver ran through her .

' Only you did not believe that the fish you caught had power to carry out its threat , ' said an old tunny .

' Well , never mind , that has happened to all of us , and it really is not a bad life .

the people on the rocks and in the ships that saw them pass said to each other :

certainly the little new fish had none .

she had watched jelly-fish and nautilus swimming a little way below the surface , and beautiful coloured sea-weeds floating about ; but that was all .

now , when she plunged deeper her eyes fell upon strange things .

wedges of gold , great anchors , heaps of pearl , inestimable stones , unvalued jewels all scattered in the bottom of the sea !

and in a low , trembling voice , the visitor told her story .

for many months I was as happy as a girl could be , especially when I had a little son to play with .

but , one morning , when I was walking in my gardens , there came a giant and snatched the crown from my head .

since then she has filled my place and been queen in my stead .

and fishes we must remain till someone brings me back my crown again ! '

and the queen answered :

' Yes , I will tell you what to do . '

she sat silent for a moment , and then went on :

you will find him sitting on the steps weeping for his daughter , who has just died while the prince was away hunting .

at the last she sent her father my crown by a faithful servant .

but I warn you to be careful , for if he sees you he may kill you .

therefore I will give you the power to change yourself into any creature that may help you best .

you have only to strike your forehead , and call out its name . '

' Deer , come to me . '

' That can't really be a deer , ' thought the prince to himself , reining in his horse and not attempting to follow her .

' No deer ever had eyes like that .

it must be an enchanted maiden , and I will marry her and no other . '

so , turning his horse 's head , he rode slowly back to his palace .

then she plucked up courage and cried :

' Ant , come to me ! '

it was wonderful how fast she went , that little creature !

' I had better become something else . '

and she called softly : ' Parrot , come to me ! '

' That is true , ' answered the giant ; ' but I am not so foolish as to give you that crown for nothing .

let me think what I will have in exchange ! '

and he scratched his huge head for several minutes , for giants ' minds always move slowly .

' Ah , yes , that will do ! ' exclaimed the giant at last , his face brightening .

so she bowed to the giant , and made her way back to the window where the giant could not see her .

then she called quickly :

' Eagle , come to me ! '

it was even harder work than she had expected ; but at last it was done , and hope arose in her heart .

when the necklace was finished she hung it round her neck , and called : ' Parrot , come to me ! '

and a little later the pink and grey parrot stood before the giant .

' Here is the necklace you asked for , ' said the parrot .

and the eyes of the giant glistened as he took the heap of blue stones in his hand .

but for all that he was not minded to give up the crown .

if you fail it will cost you not only the crown but your life also . '

' What is it you want now ? ' asked the parrot ; and the giant answered :

the parrot turned away , and as soon as she was outside she murmured :

' Toad , come to me ! '

and sure enough a toad she was , and off she set in search of the starry crown .

then she cried as before :

' Parrot , come to me ! '

and in the shape of a parrot she entered the presence of the giant .

' Here is the crown you asked for , ' she said ; and this time the giant could not help crying out with admiration .

he knew he was beaten , and still holding the chaplet of stars , he turned to the girl .

' Your power is greater than mine : take the crown ; you have won it fairly ! '

the parrot did not need to be told twice .

seizing the crown , she sprang on to the window , crying : ' Monkey , come to me ! '

and to a monkey , the climb down the tree into the courtyard did not take half a minute .

when she had reached the ground she said again : ' Ant , come to me ! '

and a little ant at once began to crawl over the high wall .

' Deer , come to me ! '

surely no deer ever ran so swiftly as that one !

on and on she went , bounding over rivers and crashing through tangles till she reached the sea .

here she cried : for the last time :

' Fish , come to me ! '

it must be months since that fish went away . '

it is really too bad ! '

and the queen started up , and stood on her tail , so excited was she .

a silence fell on all the crowd , and even the grumblers held their peace and gazed like the rest .

on and on came the fish , holding the crown tightly in her mouth , and the others moved back to let her pass .

on she went right up to the queen , who bent , and taking the crown , placed it on her own head .

then a wonderful thing happened .

so they all went back to earth and the queen 's palace , and quite forgot the one that lay under the sea .

but they had been so long away that they found many changes .

' For , ' said she , ' if I can give you happiness you shall have it . '

Illustration : THE CROWN RETURNS TO THE QUEEN OF THE FISHES

' It is no use , ' answered the prince ; ' nobody can help me .

I must bear it alone . '

' But at least let me share your grief , ' urged the queen .

' No one can do that , ' said he .

' I have fallen in love with what I can never marry , and I must get on as best I can . '

' It may not be so impossible as you think , ' answered the queen .

' At any rate , tell me . '

there was silence between them for a moment , then , turning away his head , the prince answered gently :

' I have fallen in love with a beautiful deer ! '

' Ah , if that is all , ' exclaimed the queen joyfully .

' She is here , in my palace , ' added the queen .

' I will take you to her . '

she whispered softly :

' By your favour let me go , and do not kill me . '

and the prince remembered her words , and his heart was filled with happiness .

and the queen , his mother , watched them and smiled .

( from Cuentos Populars Catalans por lo Dr D Francisco de S Maspons y Labros . )

THE OWL AND THE EAGLE

' I really am too tired when I come home in the evening to clean up the house , ' said the eagle .

' And I am much too sleepy at dawn after a long night 's hunting to begin to sweep and dust , ' answered the owl .

and they both made up their minds that wives they must have .

the eagle looked at the owl and the owl looked at the eagle .

' They will make capital wives if they will only stay with us , ' said they .

and they flew off to give themselves a wash , and to make themselves smart before the girls awoke .

but by-and-by they opened their eyes and saw the two birds watching them .

' I hope you are rested ? ' asked the owl politely .

' Oh , yes , thank you , ' answered the girls .

' Only we are so very hungry .

do you think we could have something to eat ? '

' Certainly ! ' replied the eagle .

the children both grew quickly , and were never tired of playing together , or wanted any other companions .

suddenly the young sister , who was a little in front , gave a cry of surprise .

' Oh ! look at that lake ! ' she said , ' we shall never get across it . '

' Yes we shall , ' answered the elder ; ' I know what to do . '

and taking a long piece of string from her pocket , fastened it into the frog 's mouth , like a bit .

and so they did , till they got to about the middle of the lake , when the frog boy stopped .

' I don't like it , and I won't go any further , ' cried he sulkily .

and his mother had to promise him all sorts of nice things before he would go on again .

then she and her sister and the boy walked on , with the great forest looming before them .

' Let us go in and ask for some water , ' said the eagle 's wife ; and in they went .

' What are you doing in my house ? ' cried she .

and the wives answered boldly that now they had found their husbands they meant to save them from such a wicked witch .

if you can reach the bottom of the cavern , you shall have your husbands back again . '

she had scarcely done so when the witch turned round .

' You don't seem to like your bargain , ' said she ; but the girl answered :

' Oh , yes , I am quite ready .

I was only waiting for you ! '

and sitting down she began her slide .

at that instant , however , the head of the elder appeared , above the rock , brought upwards by the magic line .

' You can't expect such luck twice , ' she said ; and the girl sat down and slid over the edge .

trembling with rage though she was , she dared not show it , and only laughed hideously .

' I sha'n't let my prisoners go as easily as all that ! ' she said .

' Make my hair grow as thick and as black as yours , or else your husbands shall never see daylight again . '

' If you can bear it , of course I can , ' answered the witch .

and so the girls told her they had first smeared their heads with pitch and then laid hot stones upon them .

' It is very painful , ' said they , ' but there is no other way that we know of .

then the other brought a huge stone and clove in her skull , and she died , groaning terribly .

so when the sisters saw that she was dead they went to the hut and nursed their husbands till they grew strong .

then they picked up the frog , and all went to make another home on the other side of the great lake .

( from the Journal of the Anthropological Institute . )

THE FROG AND THE LION FAIRY

then came a dreadful period , when news from the king ceased entirely .

' He must surely be ill or dead , ' thought the poor girl , who even now was only sixteen .

oh !

I do wish I had never come away ! '

quite close by , of course , ' she added , seeing the anxious look on their faces .

' And there is no reason that you should not hunt too . '

Illustration : HOW THE QUEEN MET THE LION-FAIRY

in one hand she held a club on which she leaned , and in the other a quiver full of arrows .

at the sight of this strange figure the queen thought she must be dead , and gazing on an inhabitant of another world .

so she murmured softly to herself :

' I am not surprised that people are so loth to die when they know that they will see such horrible creatures . '

but , low as she spoke , the giantess caught the words , and began to laugh .

' Oh , don't be afraid ; you are still alive , and perhaps , after all , you may be sorry for it .

so come along . '

but the queen shrank back in horror .

but the giantess shook her head .

if the castle had been gloomy , what did the queen feel about this ?

' Is there no way in which I can touch your heart ? ' asked the poor girl in despair .

' But I don't see any bees , ' answered the queen , looking round .

and , so saying , she went away .

and not caring what she did , she left the palace and seating herself under a yew tree , poured out all her grief .

rather a thousand times that you should fancy me dead than imagine that I had forgotten you !

and if another should take my place in your heart Well , at least I shall never know it . '

she might have continued for long in this fashion had not the voice of a crow directly overhead attracted her attention .

the crow , furious at his disappointment , flew angrily away .

as soon as the frog had recovered her senses she hopped up to the queen , who was still sitting under the yew .

standing on her hind legs , and bowing low before her , she said gently :

' Beautiful lady , by what mischance do you come here ?

you are the only creature that I have seen do a kind deed since a fatal curiosity lured me to this place . '

' What sort of a frog can you be that knows the language of mortals ? ' asked the queen in her turn .

therefore fate has sent them here for a while to bear the punishment of their misdoings . '

' But you , friend frog , you are not one of these wicked people , I am sure ? ' asked the queen .

and if the Lion Fairy were to know of my presence in her kingdom she would hasten to kill me . '

once it is on my head I fear nothing .

and , even if there were , how could I catch them ? '

' Leave it to me , ' said the frog , ' I will manage it for you . '

and , uttering a strange noise , she struck the ground thrice with her foot .

in an instant six thousand frogs appeared before her , one of them bearing a little cap .

and turning to the queen , he added :

not that she wants them for herself , but they are sometimes useful to her in punishing her victims .

however , this time we will get the better of her . '

the bees were all so stupefied with what they had eaten that it was possible to draw their stings without hunting them .

so , with the help of her friend , the queen soon made ready her pasty and carried it to the Lion Fairy .

' It is not bad , ' said the giantess , gulping down large morsels , in order to hide the surprise she felt .

now , you had better go and build yourself a house . '

Illustration : ' A SMALL DRAGON CREPT IN AND TERRIFIED HER '

' I hear we shall have to build you another palace , ' said she .

' Well , this time we won't go so near the lake . '

the tiny palace was soon ready , and a fresh bed made of wild thyme , which smelt delicious .

' What gods or men are protecting you ? ' she asked , with a frown .

if not !

now you can go . '

the poor queen returned to her house looking so sad that the frog , who was waiting for her , noticed it directly .

' What is the matter ? ' said she , smiling .

' Oh , how can you laugh ! ' replied the queen .

if I fail I know she will kill me . '

' Well , I must see if I can't help you , ' answered the frog .

' The only person I have made friends with here is a bat .

I would go myself , only she will be quicker . '

in a few moments a voice was heard speaking from the box .

but , instead , a gift shall be given you , which will comfort you in all your troubles . '

' So the cap has kept its word , ' cried the frog with delight .

' How soft its cheeks are , and what tiny feet it has got !

what shall we call it ? '

this was a very important point , and needed much discussion .

a thousand names were proposed and rejected for a thousand silly reasons .

one was too long , and one was too short .

' I know !

we will call her Muffette . '

' That is the very thing , ' shouted the frog , jumping high into the air ; and so it was settled .

the princess Muffette was about six months old when the frog noticed that the queen had begun to grow sad again .

what is it ? '

' Oh ! if her father could only see her ! ' broke forth the queen , clasping her hands .

' Or if I could only tell him all that has happened since we parted .

but they will have brought him tidings of the broken carriage , and he will have thought me dead , or devoured by wild beasts .

the frog answered nothing at the time , but stopped her game and hopped away among the cypress trees .

here she sat and thought and thought , and the next morning she went back to the queen and said :

' I have come , madam , to make you an offer .

the way is long , and I travel slowly ; but , sooner or later , I shall be sure to arrive .

only , are you not afraid to be left without my protection ?

ponder the matter carefully ; it is for you to decide . '

' But in order that he may know that you have come from me I will send him a letter . '

and pricking her arm , she wrote a few words with her blood on the corner of her handkerchief .

then tearing it off , she gave it to the frog , and they bade each other farewell .

the journey lasted seven years , and all this time the queen suffered tortures of hope , though Muffette did her best to comfort her .

as for little Muffette , by the time she was seven her arrows seldom missed their mark .

so , after all , the years of waiting passed more quickly than the queen had dared to hope .

and surely no ambassador had ever created such a sensation !

Doors and windows , even the roofs of houses , were filled with people , whose cheers reached the ears of the king .

' I wish to see his Majesty , ' said he .

' His Majesty is engaged , and can see no one , ' answered the soldier .

the king turned pale when he heard these words , and his hand trembled so that he could hardly read what the queen had written .

then he kissed the handkerchief twice or thrice , and burst into tears , and it was some minutes before he could speak .

' I am not a " mere frog , " and I will give you proof of it , ' retorted the angry little creature .

and putting on her cap , she cried : ' Fairies that are my friends , come hither ! '

and in a moment a crowd of beautiful creatures , each one with a crown on her head , stood before her .

certainly none could have guessed that they were the snails , water-rats , and grasshoppers , from which she had chosen her retinue .

instead , the snails and grasshoppers and water-rats stood round the frog in their natural shapes .

' Perhaps , ' said she , ' your Majesty may now be convinced that I am a fairy and speak the truth .

therefore lose no time in setting in order the affairs of your kingdom and go in search of your wife .

here he dismounted , and bidding his horse go home , he pushed forward on foot .

' Why do you give yourself so much trouble for nought , when you might know what you want to know for the asking ?

alone you will never discover the path that leads to your wife . '

much startled , the king looked about him .

he could see nothing , and somehow , when he thought about it , the voice seemed as if it were part of himself .

suddenly his eyes fell on the ring , and he understood .

' Fool that I was ! ' cried he ; ' and how much precious time have I wasted ?

dear ring , I beseech you , grant me a vision of my wife and my daughter ! '

almost fainting with joy he gazed after them , and then sank back trembling on the ground .

' Oh , lead me to them , lead me to them ! ' he exclaimed .

and the ring , bidding him take courage , conducted him safely to the dismal place where his wife had lived for ten years .

they were horribly jealous , and ready to eat each other up for her sake , so they readily accepted the charge .

some stationed themselves round the floating palace , some sat by the door , while the smallest and lightest perched themselves on the roof .

she fell back , and with his helmet still down and his shield up , he set his foot on her throat .

but the fairy answered :

' Look through the window at that lake and see if it is in my power to give them to you . '

and the king looked , and through the crystal walls he beheld his wife and daughter floating on the quicksilver .

at that sight the Lion Fairy and all her wickedness was forgotten .

flinging off his helmet , he shouted to them with all his might .

the queen knew his voice , and she and Muffette ran to the window and held out their hands .

Illustration : THE KING ON HIS DRAGON FIGHTS HIS WAY THROUGH THE MONSTERS TO THE QUEEN AND MUFFETTE

three years passed by , and the king was no nearer to obtaining his heart 's desire .

he had not advanced one single step , nor gained one solitary advantage .

now he was almost in despair , and ready to defy everything and throw himself into the lake .

' You thought that love would conquer all obstacles , ' said he ; ' well , you have found it hasn't !

ah , how glad the king was to hear that !

what oath would he not have taken so as to clasp his wife and child in his arms ?

the fight was long and hard , and when the king at last beat back his foes another struggle awaited him .

the dragon had disappeared with all the rest , and for some years no more was heard or thought of him .

the days passed slowly to Muffette , in spite of her brave efforts to occupy herself and not to sadden other people by her complaints .

' Is the prince dead ? ' faltered Muffette , growing white and cold .

' No , no ; but oh , how can I tell you ! '

and he sank down on a pile of cushions while his wife and daughter knelt beside him .

at length he was able to tell his tale , and a terrible one it was !

so he had ordered the giant who was his servant to fetch her at once .

no words would paint the horror of both the queen and the princess as they listened to this dreadful doom .

' Oh , thank you , thank you ! ' cried the parents , clasping his great hands to their breasts .

' You have indeed lifted a load from us .

she shall have half the kingdom for her dowry . '

but Muffette stood up and thrust them aside .

and all her father 's and mother 's tears and prayers availed nothing to move her .

entering a room where the prince was sitting gazing at the portrait of his betrothed , she cried to him :

' What are you doing lingering here , when the life of the princess is nearing its last moment ?

in the courtyard you will find a green horse with three heads and twelve feet , and by its side a sword eighteen yards long .

hasten , lest you should be too late ! '

the prince saw his chance , and before his foe could shut his mouth again had plunged his sword far down his adversary 's throat .

Muffette was delivered .

after this they all went back to the palace .

the marriage took place the following day , and Muffette and her husband lived happy for ever after .

( from Les Contes des Fées , par Madame d'Aulnoy . )

THE ADVENTURES OF COVAN THE BROWN-HAIRED

Loud were the wails in the hut by the sea when the hours passed on and the maiden came not .

one by one the kids came home , and at every bleat someone hurried to open the door , but no sound broke the stillness .

their sons too were sadder than before , for they loved their sister well , and had never ceased to mourn for her .

at length Ardan the eldest spoke and said :

' If you have vowed , then must you keep your vow , ' answered Gorla .

' But better had it been if you had first asked your father 's leave before you made it .

yet , since it is so , your mother will bake you a cake for you to carry with you on your journey .

who can tell how long it may be ? '

so the mother arose and baked not one cake but two , a big one and a little one .

' Choose , my son , ' said she .

and taking the big cake he went his way .

straight on he strode , letting neither hill nor river hinder him .

swiftly he walked swiftly as the wind that blew down the mountain .

trembling with fatigue he sat himself on a rock and broke a piece off his cake .

' Spare me a morsel , Ardan son of Gorla , ' asked a raven , fluttering down towards him .

and he stretched himself out for a few moments , then rose to his feet again .

on and on , and on , till at last he saw a beam of light streaming from a house and hastened towards it .

' Welcome , fair youth , ' said the old man , turning his head .

' Sit down and warm yourself , and tell me how fares the outer world .

it is long since I have seen it . '

' I need someone to herd my three dun cows , which are hornless , ' said the old man .

but here the girl looked up and answered quickly :

' Ill will come of it if he listens to your offer . '

' Counsel unsought is worth nothing , ' replied , rudely , Ardan son of Gorla .

therefore , good father , I will take service with you at daybreak , and ask no payment till the new year dawns . '

now go , and may wisdom go with you . '

in a moment the words that the old man had uttered vanished from his mind and he gave chase .

at length he could run no more , and stopped to breathe , while the cock and hen went on as before .

then he remembered the cows , and , somewhat frightened , turned back to seek them .

luckily they had not strayed far , and were quietly feeding on the thick green grass .

though he followed them till he was tired he could not catch them , though they seemed ever within his reach .

Illustration : ARDAN PURSUES THE GOLDEN COCK AND THE SILVER HEN

' Faithless one , you have betrayed your trust ! ' he said to Ardan son of Gorla .

' Not even for one day could you keep true !

well , you shall have your reward at once that others may take warning from you . '

and waving his wand he touched with it the chest of the youth , who became a pillar of stone .

' Time is long without my sister and Ardan my brother .

so I have vowed to seek them wherever they may be . '

and his father answered :

' It is more than three years since my sister left us .

and his father answered :

' Go , then , and take our blessing with you . '

in the wood he felt hungry , for he had walked far , and he sat down to eat .

suddenly a voice behind him cried :

' A bit for me ! a bit for me ! '

and looking round he beheld the black raven of the wilderness .

the door stood open and he entered , and the old man gave him welcome , and the golden-haired maiden likewise .

next day he set forth at dawn with the dun cows in front of him , and followed patiently wherever they might lead him .

on the way he saw the gold cock and silver hen , which ran even closer to him than they had done to his brothers .

the fire was fierce , but the cows took no heed , and walked steadily through it , Covan the Brown-haired following them .

next they plunged into a foaming river , and Covan plunged in after them , though the water came high above his waist .

on the other side of the river lay a wide plain , and here the cows lay down , while Covan looked about him .

' Hasten , hasten , Covan the Brown-haired , for your cows are in the corn , and you must drive them out ! '

and he went on listening to the music .

very soon the same youth returned , and cried with panting breath :

' Out upon you , Covan son of Gorla , that you stand there agape .

for our dogs are chasing your cows , and you must drive them off ! '

and he stayed where he was till the music ceased .

' What can these things mean ? ' said Covan to himself , as he followed his cows .

Darkness now fell , the wind howled , and torrents of rain poured upon them .

Covan knew not how far they might yet have to go , or indeed if they were on the right road .

what was he to do ?

he waited thus , for he could go neither forwards nor backwards , till he felt a great friendly paw laid on his shoulder .

' My cave is just here , ' said the Dog of Maol-mór , of whom Covan son of Gorla had heard much .

and Covan entered , and supped , and slept , and in the morning rose up a new man .

' Farewell , Covan , ' said the Dog of Maol-mór .

' May success go with you , for you took what I had to give and did not mock me .

so , when danger is your companion , wish for me , and I will not fail you . '

all that day they walked , and when night fell they were in a barren plain , with only rocks for shelter .

' We must rest here as best we can , ' spoke Covan to the cows .

and they bowed their heads and lay down in the place where they stood .

and Covan listened thankfully to his words , and at dawn he rose up to seek his cows .

' Farewell ! ' cried the black raven .

' You trusted me , and took all I had to offer in return for the food you once gave me .

so if in time to come you need a friend , wish for me , and I will not fail you . '

as before , the cows were standing in the spot where he had left them , ready to set out .

' We can go no further , ' spake Covan to the cows .

then there was a swish of water at his feet , and out peeped the head of the famous otter Doran-donn of the stream .

' Trust to me and I will find you warmth and shelter , ' said Doran-donn ; ' and for food fish in plenty . '

and Covan went with him thankfully , and ate and rested , and laid aside three-thirds of his weariness .

' Because you trusted me and took what I had to offer , you have made me your friend , Covan , ' said Doran-donn .

then he plunged into the stream , and was seen no more .

' You have done well indeed , ' he said to Covan son of Gorla .

' And now , what would you have as a reward ? '

the old man looked grave at the words of Covan .

but the perils are great too great for you to overcome . '

' Tell me what they are , ' said Covan again , ' and I shall know better if I may overcome them . '

' Listen , then , and judge .

in the mountain yonder there dwells a roe , white of foot , with horns that branch like the antlers of a deer .

on the lake that leads to the land of the Sun floats a duck whose body is green and whose neck is of gold .

' To-morrow at cock-crow I will begone ! ' answered Covan .

' Oh , that he was here ! ' he cried .

and looking up he saw him .

' Why did you summon me ? ' asked the Dog of Maol-mór .

' Fear nothing ; I will soon catch her for you . '

and in a short while he laid the roe unhurt at Covan 's feet .

' What will you wish me to do with her ? ' said the Dog .

and Covan answered :

but carry you the roe to the back of the cottage , and tether her so that she cannot escape . '

' It shall be done , ' said the Dog of Maol-mór .

' Surely I can catch him , good swimmer as I am , ' to himself .

' Oh that the black raven were here to help me ! ' he thought to himself .

and in a moment the black raven was perched on his shoulder .

' How can I help you ? ' asked the raven .

and Covan answered :

' Catch me the green duck that floats on the water . '

in the deep dark pool of which the old man had spoken the silver-sided salmon was lying under a rock .

Illustration : DORAN-DONN BRINGS THE SALMON TO COVAN THE BROWN-HAIRED

' Surely I , good fisher as I am , can catch him , ' said Covan son of Gorla .

and cutting a slender pole from a bush , he fastened a line to the end of it .

but cast with what skill he might , it availed nothing , for the salmon would not even look at the bait .

' I am beaten at last , unless the Doran-donn can deliver me , ' he cried .

and as he spoke there was a swish of the water , and the face of the Doran-donn looked up at him .

' O catch me , I pray you , that salmon under the rock ! ' said Covan son of Gorla .

and the Doran-donn dived , and laying hold of the salmon by his tail , bore it back to the place where Covan was standing .

and this was what the old man said : ' You began well , my son , so things have gone well with you .

you set store by your mother 's blessing , therefore you have been blest .

last of all , difficulties gave you courage , instead of lending you despair .

and so farewell , and may wisdom be with you . '

' First tell me your name ? ' asked Covan softly .

' I am the Spirit of Age , ' said the old man .

( taken from a Celtic Story . translated by Norman Macleod . )

THE PRINCESS BELLA-FLOR

once upon a time there lived a man who had two sons .

for some time the son who stayed at home spent his father 's wealth freely , believing that he alone remained to enjoy it .

' Have you forgotten me ? ' asked the man .

' I can't forget a person I have never known , ' was the rude answer .

' I am your brother , ' replied the stranger , ' and I have returned home without the money I hoped to have made .

and , what is worse , they tell me in the village that my father is dead .

I would have counted my lost gold as nothing if I could have seen him once more . '

you had better go there and look for it ; I have no more time to waste . '

and he went his way .

' What use is this old thing to me ? ' he said to himself .

in doing so he discovered a secret drawer , and in it lay a paper .

the debtor proved to be an old miser , who lived at the other end of the village .

a few weeks after this he was walking through the streets of the nearest town , when he met a poor woman crying bitterly .

' Comfort yourself , ' said the stranger kindly ; ' they shall neither send your husband to prison nor sell your goods .

I will not only pay his debts but , if he dies , the cost of his burial also .

and now go home , and nurse him as well as you can . '

and so she did ; but , in spite of her care , the husband died , and was buried by the stranger .

but everything cost more than he had expected , and when all was paid he found that only three gold pieces were left .

' What am I to do now ? ' said he to himself .

' I think I had better go to court , and enter into the service of the king . '

unfortunately , the new-comer was by nature spiteful and envious , and could not bear anyone to have better luck than himself .

' That will do nicely , ' thought the scoundrel , rubbing his hands .

either way , he will be out of my path . '

' Oh , sire ! the Princess Bella-Flor ' answered the man , and then stopped as if afraid .

' What of the Princess Bella-Flor ? ' asked the king impatiently .

' I have heard it is whispered at court that your majesty desires to know where she lies in hiding . '

' I would give half my kingdom to the man who will bring her to me , ' cried the king , eagerly .

' Speak on , knave ; has a bird of the air revealed to you the secret ? '

and without another word he left the hall , leaving José staring with surprise and horror .

' How can I find the Princess Bella-Flor when I have never even seen her ? ' thought he .

' But it is no use staying here , for I shall only be put to death . '

and he walked slowly to the stables to choose himself a horse .

' Take me , ' it said in a gentle whisper , ' and all will go well . '

José still felt so bewildered with the mission that the king had given him that he forgot to be astonished at hearing a horse talk .

mechanically he laid his hand on the bridle and led the white horse out of the stable .

he was about to mount on his back , when the animal spoke again :

' Pick up those three loaves of bread which you see there , and put them in your pocket . '

they rode far without meeting any adventures , but at length they came to an ant-hill , and the horse stopped .

' Crumble those three loaves for the ants , ' he said .

but José hesitated .

' Why , we may want them ourselves ! ' answered he .

' Never mind that ; give them to the ants all the same .

do not lose any chance of helping others . '

and when the loaves lay in crumbs on the road , the horse galloped on .

By-and-by they entered a rocky pass between two mountains , and here they saw an eagle which had been caught in a hunter 's net .

' Get down and cut the meshes of that net , and set the poor bird free , ' said the horse .

' But it will take so long , ' objected José , ' and we may miss the princess . '

' Never mind that ; do not miss a chance of helping others , ' answered the horse .

and when the meshes were cut , and the eagle was free , the horse galloped on .

' Do you see that little fish ? it will die if you do not put it back in the water . '

' But , really , we shall never find the Princess Bella-Flor , if we waste our time like this ! ' cried José .

Illustration : DO NOT LOSE A CHANCE OF HELPING OTHERS WE NEVER WASTE TIME WHEN WE ARE HELPING OTHERS

' We never waste time when we are helping others , ' answered the horse .

and soon the little fish was swimming happily away .

' Now listen , ' said the horse .

' I am going to give all sorts of little hops and skips , which will amuse the Princess Bella-Flor .

then she will tell you that she would like to ride a little way , and you must help her to mount .

once on my back we will go like wind to the king 's palace . '

' Oh , I have let fall my bran ! ' cried she ; ' please get down and pick it up for me . '

but José only answered :

' We shall find plenty of bran where we are going . '

and the horse galloped on .

' Dear me ; how stupid !

I have let my handkerchief blow away , ' said she .

' Will you climb up and get it for me ? '

but José answered :

' We shall find plenty of handkerchiefs where we are going . '

and the horse galloped on .

after the wood they reached a river , and the princess slipped a ring off her finger and let it roll into the water .

' How careless of me , ' gasped she , beginning to sob .

' I have lost my favourite ring ; do stop for a moment and look if you can see it . '

but José answered :

' You will find plenty of rings where you are going . '

and the horse galloped on .

at last they entered the palace gates , and the king 's heart bounded with joy at beholding his beloved Bella-Flor .

and , in despair , the king was driven to take counsel of José .

and if you return without them I will have you drowned . '

Poor José was much troubled at these words .

he thought that he had done all that was required of him , and that his life was safe .

however , he bowed low , and went out to consult his friend the horse .

and José mounted at once .

they rode on till they came to the ant-hill , and then the horse asked :

' Would you like to have the bran ? '

' What is the use of liking ? ' answered José .

José listened in surprise .

Illustration : HOW JOSÉ FOUND THE PRINCESS BELLA-FLOR

then he sat under a tree and waited , while his horse cropped the green turf .

when they arrived at the tree , they saw the handkerchief fluttering like a flag from the topmost branch , and José 's spirits sank again .

' How am I to get that handkerchief ? ' cried he ; ' why I should need Jacob 's ladder ! '

but the horse answered :

' Do not be frightened ; call to the eagle you set free from the net , he will bring it to you . '

So José called to the eagle , and the eagle flew to the top of the tree and brought back the handkerchief in its beak .

José thanked him , and vaulting on his horse they rode on to the river .

Illustration : THE KING JUMPS INTO THE CAULDRON

' Do not be frightened , ' said the horse .

he was left there till Bella-Flor cried that he must be cooked enough .

then out came a youth so young and handsome , that everyone fell in love with him , and Bella-Flor most of all .

then José was proclaimed king , on condition that he married Bella-Flor , which he promised to do the next day .

why have you done all this for me ? '

and the horse answered : ' I am the soul of that unhappy man for whom you spent all your fortune .

and when I saw you in danger of death I begged that I might help you , as you had helped me .

for , as I told you , Good deeds bear their own fruit ! '

( from Cuentos , Oraciones , y Adivinas , por Fernan Caballero . )

THE BIRD OF TRUTH

slipping his net quickly beneath it he drew it out and lifted the silk coverlet .

the good woman flung up her hands in despair when she beheld the contents of the cradle .

' Are not eight children enough , ' she cried , ' without bringing us two more ?

how do you think we can feed them ? '

what is enough for eight is also enough for ten . '

the wife said no more ; and in truth her heart yearned over the little creatures .

here they would take out the bits of bread they had saved from their breakfast and crumble them for the birds .

but though the little orphans did their best to avoid quarrelling with their foster-brothers , it was very difficult always to keep the peace .

matters got worse and worse till , one morning , the eldest boy said to the twins :

the poor children did not answer the insult ; but it made them very unhappy .

so next day they arose as early as the birds and stole downstairs without anybody hearing them .

one window was open , and they crept softly out and ran to the side of the river .

however , the boy fought down his tears , and said cheerfully :

' Happy , indeed , are the eyes that behold you !

only think of your having returned to your long-forgotten country friends , after you have lived for years in a palace ! '

but , ' she added politely , ' I hope that you and all your family are well ? '

' Very well indeed , I am glad to say .

' And how is the nightingale singing ?

does the lark soar as high as ever ?

and does the linnet dress herself as smartly ? '

but here the country swallow drew herself up .

' I never talk gossip , ' she said severely .

' Our people , who were once so innocent and well-behaved , have been corrupted by the bad examples of men .

it is a thousand pities . '

' What ! innocence and good behaviour are not to be met with among birds , nor in the country !

my dear friend , what are you saying ? '

' The truth and nothing more .

out of pure compassion we tried to persuade them to give up this folly ; but they only replied with the utmost insolence . '

' How shocking ! ' exclaimed the city swallow .

' Yes , it was .

' I am astonished at what you say . '

" this is my nest , " I said .

" yours ? " he answered , with a rude laugh .

" yes , mine ; my ancestors were born here , and my sons will be born here also . "

and at that my husband set upon him and threw him out of the nest .

I am sure nothing of this sort ever happens in a town . '

' Not exactly , perhaps .

but I have seen a great deal if you only knew ! '

' Oh ! do tell us ! do tell us ! ' cried they all .

and when they had settled themselves comfortably , the city swallow began :

' And was this not true ? ' asked the swallows eagerly .

' Of course not , ' answered the city lady , with some contempt for their stupidity .

In the morning so I am told by my friend the kingfisher they were rescued by a fisherman who lived near the river bank . '

meanwhile the swallows had spoken again .

' That was indeed good fortune ! ' cried they .

' And when the children are grown up they can return to their father and set their mother free . '

in fact , it is so difficult that there is only one way of proving it to the king . '

' And what is that ? ' cried all the swallows at once .

' And how do you know it ? '

we began to talk about certain things which were happening in the palace , and of the events of past years .

' " and where can this bird be found ? "

I asked .

' That is just what I don't know , ' answered her friend .

so that even if the prince did succeed in getting there , he could never understand what the owl said .

but , look , the sun is sinking to his nest in the depths of the sea , and I must go to mine .

good-night , friends , good-night ! '

after two hours ' walking , they arrived at a large city , which they felt sure must be the capital of their father 's kingdom .

so he bade them farewell and set out .

for three days he wandered by the most out-of-the-way paths , but no signs of a tower were to be seen anywhere .

' Poor child , ' answered the dove , ' who has sent you on such a useless quest ? '

' My good or evil fortune , ' replied the boy , ' I know not which . '

' To get there , ' said the dove , ' you must follow the wind , which to-day is blowing towards the castle . '

the boy thanked her , and followed the wind , fearing all the time that it might change its direction and lead him astray .

but the wind seemed to feel pity for him and blew steadily on .

Illustration : ' WHO ARE YOU WHO DARE TO KNOCK AT MY DOOR ? '

' Who are you who dare to knock at my door and wake me ? ' cried she .

' Be quick and tell me what you want , or it will be the worse for you . '

' Very good , ' replied the witch , with something that she meant for a smile , ' but to-day it is late .

To-morrow you shall go .

now enter , and you shall sleep with my lizards . '

' I cannot stay , ' said he .

' I must go back at once , so as to reach the road from which I started before day dawns . '

' If you fail to keep your word I will change you into a lizard for ever . '

' I promise , ' answered the boy .

then the old woman called to a very thin dog , and said to him :

' Conduct this pig of a child to the castle of Come-and-never-go , and take care that you warn my friend of his arrival . '

and the dog arose and shook itself , and set out .

' Oh , heaven , help me ! ' cried he .

' Cross ! cross ! ' answered a voice .

and first I must fill this jar with the many-coloured water in the courtyard of the castle . '

the boy ran as fast as he could and entered the courtyard , where he saw the two springs close together .

he next hastened to the aviary , and was almost deafened by the clamour that rose as he shut the door behind him .

Voices of peacocks , voices of ravens , voices of magpies , each claiming to be the Bird of Truth .

Illustration : HOW THE BOY FOUND THE BIRD OF TRUTH

once outside , he ran without stopping to the witch 's tower , and handed to the old woman the jar she had given him .

' Become a parrot ! ' cried she , flinging the water over him .

then the creeping multitude around the witch hastened to roll themselves in the water , and stood up , human beings again .

when the witch saw what was happening , she took a broomstick and flew away .

who can guess the delight of the sister at the sight of her brother , bearing the Bird of Truth ?

as often happens in these cases , the courtiers brought about that which they feared .

they talked so much about the Bird of Truth that at last the king heard of it , and expressed a wish to see her .

as soon as he saw this proclamation the boy called his sister , and they hastened to the palace .

alighting on the pillow , close to the king 's head , she bowed respectfully , and said :

' They shall pay for their insolence , ' said the king .

' Who are you ? ' asked the king ; ' and what has the Bird of Truth to do with you ? '

' If it please your majesty , the Bird of Truth will explain that herself , ' answered the boy .

they all returned in state to the city , where great rejoicings were held .

the wicked courtiers had their heads cut off , and all their property was taken away .

as for the good old couple , they were given riches and honour , and were loved and cherished to the ends of their lives .

( from Cuentos , Oraciones , y Adivinas , por Fernan Caballero . )

THE MINK AND THE WOLF

in the big forest in the north of America lived a quantity of wild animals of all sorts .

but their manners were so good that no one would ever have guessed that .

there , just as he had hoped , he saw the chief mink fishing in a canoe .

' I want to fish too , ' cried the wolf .

but the mink said nothing , and pretended not to hear .

but be sure you eat only the white ones , for the red ones would kill you . '

' Well , then , stretch yourself out , and rest your head on that piece of wood , ' said the mink .

and the wolf did as he was bid , and was soon fast asleep .

then the mink crept up to him and stabbed him to the heart with his knife , and he died without moving .

' I knew he was dead I knew it !

' What are you crying for ? ' asked the old wolf and some friends who had been spending the afternoon with him .

' I shall never see my grandson any more ! ' answered she .

' Mink has killed him , oh ! oh ! '

and putting her head down , she began to weep as loudly as ever .

' There ! there ! ' said her husband , laying his paw on her shoulder .

' Be comforted ; if he is dead , we will avenge him . '

and calling to the others they proceeded to talk over the best plan .

so he went to a mouse who had often done him a good turn , and greeted her with his best bow .

Illustration : THE MINK IS VERY RUDE TO THE GRANDMOTHER WOLF

' The favour is mine , ' answered the mouse .

' Tell me what it is that I can have the honour of doing for you . '

' Oh , something quite easy , ' replied the mink .

but of course you must manage it so that they notice nothing . '

then the mink thanked her , and went his way ; but before he had gone far he came back again .

' Not large enough to draw attention , of course ; but it might come in handy . '

and with another nod he left her .

the next evening the mink washed and brushed himself carefully and set out for the feast .

he knew very well what that meant ; but he had taken his precautions and was not afraid .

the house door stood open , but through a crack the mink could see the wolves crowding in the corner behind it .

quick as they were they were too late , for the mink was already through the knot-hole and racing for his canoe .

and the mink 's heart smote him when he heard , for he had not known of this secret store .

' You are right , ' answered the grandfather ; ' your wisdom is greater than ours . '

and he bade his servants gather enough kelp from the rocks to make a line , as they had brought none with them .

' While the line is being made you might as well let me have one last dance , ' remarked the mink .

and the wolves replied : ' Very good , you may have your dance ; perhaps it may amuse us as well as you . '

so they brought two canoes and placed them one beside the other .

' Pull the canoes a little apart ; they are too close for this new dance , ' he said , pausing for a moment .

' Now nearer , now further apart , ' he would cry as the dance went on .

' No ! further still . '

and springing into the air , amidst howls of applause , he came down head foremost , and dived to the bottom .

( from the Journal of the Anthropological Institute . )

ADVENTURES OF AN INDIAN BRAVE

a long , long way off , right away in the west of America , there once lived an old man who had one son .

the old man and the wife , however , would not go out , but remained in the wigwam making bows and arrows .

' That is easily done , ' said the leader , giving a kick to a large tree .

flames broke out in the trunk , and before it had burnt up they were as hot as if it had been summer .

but the leader killed most , as he was the best shot .

' I am going home another way , ' he told his companions .

and taking another road he reached the village long before they did .

' Have you returned with empty hands ? ' asked the old man , as his son opened the door .

' Have I ever done that , that you put me such a question ? ' asked the youth .

give me the arrows , I will finish making them , and you can go to the river and bring home the pack ! '

he stooped to catch it , but it swirled past him .

but by this time it had lost all likeness to a man , and was changed into a piece of wood .

the wood floated on , and the river got bigger and bigger and entered a new country .

I will use it as a table to put my food upon . '

and gathering up her clothes she took the plank with her into her hut .

the woman had been working hard all day and was very hungry , so she took her biggest spoon and plunged it into the pot .

but what was her astonishment and disgust when both pot and food vanished instantly before her .

' Oh , you horrid plank , you have brought me ill-luck ! ' she cried .

and taking it up she flung it away from her .

' You have treated me well , ' he said , ' and meat shall never fail in your house .

but now I must go , for I have much work to do . '

then he set out for his home .

so he went out quickly into the forest and shed tears , and each tear became a bird .

' Stay there till I want you , ' said he ; and he returned to the hut .

' I saw some pretty new birds , high up in a tree yonder , ' he remarked .

and the son answered : ' Show me the way and I will get them for dinner . '

the two went out together , and after walking for about half an hour the old man stopped .

' That is the tree , ' he said .

and the son began to climb it .

now a strange thing happened .

' How slow you are kneading that cake , ' cried the other old woman at last .

' Why , I have given you your dinner , and what more do you want ? ' replied the second .

' You didn't ; at least I never got it , ' said the other .

' I certainly thought you took it from me ; but here is some more . '

and again the young man stretched out his hand ; and the two old women fell to quarrelling afresh .

but when it happened for the third time the old women suspected some trick , and one of them exclaimed :

' I am sure there is a man here ; tell me , are you not my grandson ? '

and with that he left them , and wandered about till he found the herb which he wanted .

then he hastened back to the old women , and begging them to boil him some water , he threw the herb in .

how their silver sides glistened in the light , and how he longed to catch some of the great fellows !

but how could he do it ?

he had beheld no one except the old women , and it was not very likely that they would be able to help him .

so with a sigh he turned away and went back to them , but , as he walked , a thought struck him .

' Weave me a net that I may catch some salmon , ' said he .

at last , one day , when he was eating his dinner , the old woman who always spoke first , said to him :

' We have been very glad to see you , grandson , but now it is time that you went home . '

and pushing aside a rock , he saw a deep hole , so deep that he could not see to the bottom .

then they dragged a basket out of the house , and tied a rope to it .

then they bade him farewell , and he curled himself up in the basket .

down , down , down he went ; would he ever stop going ?

' You will never see your wife and son if you will not do as you are bid , ' said they .

' Now get in , and do not stir till you hear a crow calling . '

then he flung off the blanket and sprang out , while the basket vanished in the sky .

' Oh ! there is father at last , ' cried the boy ; but the mother bade him cease from idle talking .

' But , mother , it is true ; father is coming ! ' repeated the child .

and , to satisfy him , the woman turned round and perceived her husband .

oh , how glad they all were to be together again !

( from the Journal of the Anthropological Institute . )

HOW THE STALOS WERE TRICKED

I thought perhaps it was a wolf , so I stood very still .

behind him followed a great dog , which looked stronger than any wolf , or even a bear .

but why are you so pale , mother ? '

' It was the Stalo , ' replied she , her voice trembling ; ' Stalo the man-eater !

you did well to hide , or you might never have come back .

she slipped and fell , and in another instant had rolled into the water within reach of the Stalo .

as soon as Patto heard this tale his heart was filled with rage , and he vowed to have his revenge .

so he straightway took an old fur coat from the hook where it hung , and putting it on went out into the forest .

at the first glimpse of Patto 's head in the well , he laughed loudly , crying :

' Ha ! ha !

this time it is the old ass !

I wonder how he will taste ? '

and drawing Patto out of the well , he flung him across his shoulders and carried him home .

Illustration : THE LITTLE BOY SEES THE STALO IN THE WOOD

' I must come myself , I suppose ! ' said Stalo , putting aside the box .

his sons were so frightened at the sight that they all ran away .

and in this manner Patto avenged his dead children .

but though Stalo was dead , his three sons were still living , and not very far off either .

the ogress said nothing .

when the brothers returned from their hunting they found both the hut and the sheds empty .

loudly they cried : ' Lyma !

Lyma ! '

at length their eyes dropped on the thread which lay on the snow , and they set out to follow it .

' Perhaps our sister may be sent to draw water here , ' they said to each other .

Lyma ! '

the girl started and looked up , but could see nothing , and in a moment the voice came again .

so Lyma bent over the well lower than before , and seemed busier than ever .

that is all you need do for the present . '

then Lyma took up her buckets and carried them into the house , and did as her brothers had told her .

' Listen carefully to what I have to tell you .

when that is done , come to us and we will give you further directions . '

' I will obey you in everything , dear brothers , ' answered Lyma ; and so she did .

raising himself in his bed , he called to his youngest brother to go out and separate the reindeer or they would certainly kill themselves .

then they went back to worry the reindeer , and the noise became as great as ever , and a second time the Stalo awoke .

so the brother went , and in an instant was struck dead as he left the house by the sword of the eldest Sodno .

rubbing his eyes , he stood up on the floor and stretched his great arms and gave a yawn which shook the walls .

the two Sodnos did not trouble about him , but quickly stripped the younger Stalos of their clothes , in which they dressed themselves .

then they sat still till the dawn should break and they could find out from the Stalos ' mother where the treasure was hidden .

with the first rays of the sun the young Sodno went upstairs and entered the old woman 's room .

for a while he kept silence , then he whispered gently :

' Tell me , dear mother , where did my eldest brother conceal his riches ? '

' What a strange question !

surely you must know , ' answered she .

' No , I have forgotten ; my memory is so bad . '

' He dug a hole under the doorstep and placed it there , ' said she .

and there was another pause .

By-and-by the Sodno asked again :

' And where may my second brother 's money be ? '

' Don't you know that either ? ' cried the mother in surprise .

' Oh , yes ; I did once .

but since I fell upon my head I can remember nothing . '

' It is behind the oven , ' answered she .

and again was silence .

where did I hide my own money ? '

' Dear mother , ' said Lyma , who had come in unseen , and was kneeling in front of the fire .

' Dear mother , do you know who it is you have been talking with ? '

the old woman started , but answered quietly :

' It is a Sodno , I suppose ? '

' You have guessed right , ' replied Lyma .

' Where is my iron cane ? ' asked the old woman .

' There ! ' answered Lyma , pointing to the flames .

the old woman sprang forward and seized it , but her clothes caught fire , and in a few minutes she was burned to ashes .

( from Lappländische Mährchen , J C Poestion . )

ANDRAS BAIVE

as he walked along his eyes fell upon a big eight-oared boat that lay upon the shore , and his face shone with pleasure .

' That is the very thing , ' laughed he , ' I will make him jump over that boat . '

Andras was quite ready to accept the challenge , and they soon settled the terms of the wager .

so , followed by many of the villagers , the two men walked down to the sea .

on he came , taller than Andras by several inches , but heavier of build .

he too sprang high and well , but as he came down his heel just grazed the edge of the boat .

dead silence reigned amidst the townsfolk , but Andras only laughed and said carelessly :

' Just a little too short , bailiff ; next time you must do better than that . '

and turning his back on his friends , he went sulkily home .

Andras , putting the money he had earned in his pocket , went home also .

in the following spring Andras happened to be driving his reindeer along a great fiord to the west of Vadsö .

a stumble over a stone recalled Andras to himself , and looking up he beheld the mass of wreckage .

' Dear me !

so it was no wreckage after all that he had seen , but the bailiff himself .

then he stopped to take breath and find out what his enemy was doing .

a cold shiver shook Andras , and this time he wished himself the feet of a reindeer calf .

a reindeer calf is the swiftest of all things living .

' No such luck , ' answered Andras , shaking his head sorrowfully .

by this time he had taken his own shape again .

' Well , but I don't see how I am to get to you ! ' said the Stalo , looking up and down .

' Jump over , as I did , ' answered Andras ; ' it is quite easy . '

' But I could not jump this river ; and I don't know how you did , ' replied the Stalo .

' I should be ashamed to say such things , ' exclaimed Andras .

the Stalo grew red and angry when he heard these words , just as Andras meant him to do .

he bounded into the air and fell straight into the river .

his aim was good , but the Stalo sprang so high into the air that the arrow flew between his feet .

Illustration : ANDRAS BAIVE SHOOTS THE STALO

mortally wounded as he was , the Stalo was not yet dead , and managed to swim to the shore .

stretching himself on the sand , he said slowly to Andras :

my dog you must kill , but spare my son , Andras . '

then he died ; and Andras sailed in his boat away across the fiord and found the dog and boy .

( from Lappländische Mährchen , J C Poestion . )

THE WHITE SLIPPER

once upon a time there lived a king who had a daughter just fifteen years old .

and what a daughter !

behind the palace a large garden stretched away to the foot of some hills , and more than one river flowed through .

but what has all this to do with the White Slipper ? my readers will ask .

have patience , and you will see .

the foot only grew worse and worse , and became daily more swollen and painful .

on his arrival the doctor was led at once into the king 's presence , and made a careful examination of his foot .

' Oh , if you can only do that , ' cried the king , ' I shall be grateful to you for life !

give your own orders ; they shall be obeyed . '

So saying , the doctor bowed himself out , leaving the king more cheerful and hopeful than he had been for long .

' While you wear this shoe you will not feel the slightest pain , ' said the doctor .

the king was so eager to put it on that he hardly gave the physician time to finish .

' What can I give you ? ' he cried , holding out both hands to the man who had worked this wonder .

' Stay with me , and I will heap on you riches greater than ever you dreamed of . '

Illustration : BALANCIN'S DELIGHT AT THE WHITE SLIPPER

Diamantina was very fond of being on the river , and she was delighted at this chance of indulging her tastes .

the great day appeared to Diamantina to be long in coming , but , like other days , it came at last .

here a splendid barge was waiting for them , and from it they watched all sorts of races and feats of swimming and diving .

then a dreadful thing happened .

' What is the matter , dear father ? ' asked she .

but the king could not tell her ; and only managed to gasp out : ' My shoe ! my shoe ! '

while the sailors stood round staring , thinking that his majesty had suddenly gone mad .

seeing her father 's eyes fixed on the stream , Diamantina looked hastily in that direction .

there , dancing on the current , was the point of something white , which became more and more distant the longer they watched it .

in his weakness this intelligence had such an effect on the king that the physicians feared he would become as ill as before .

what a sight the river banks presented in those days !

it seemed as if all the people in the country were gathered on them .

' And what have you done to the youth ? ' said the king .

' Then they did very ill , ' answered the king , with a frown .

' He came here from kindness , and there was no reason to maltreat him . '

and even if he could make shoes to perfection they would be no use without the healing balsam . '

the king remained silent for a few moments , then he said :

' Never mind .

go and fetch the youth and bring him to me .

I would gladly try any remedy that may relieve my pain . '

so , soon afterwards , the youth , who had not gone far from the palace , was caught and ushered into the king 's presence .

Balancin was pleased with the young man 's voice and appearance , and thought that he looked as if he knew what he was doing .

so he stretched out his bad foot which the youth examined with great attention , and then gently laid on the plaster .

' I have no parents ; they died when I was six , sire , ' replied the youth , modestly .

luckily for me I was born happy . '

@number@ Linnet .

' And you really think you can cure me ? ' asked the king .

' Completely , my lord , ' answered Gilguerillo .

' And how long do you think it will take ? '

' It is not an easy task ; but I will try to finish it in a fortnight , ' replied the youth .

a fortnight seemed to the king a long time to make one slipper .

but he only said :

' Do you need anything to help you ? '

' Only a good horse , if your majesty will be kind enough to give me one , ' answered Gilguerillo .

and the reply was so unexpected that the courtiers could hardly restrain their smiles , while the king stared silently .

' You shall have the horse , ' he said at last , ' and I shall expect you back in a fortnight .

if you fulfil your promise you know your reward ; if not , I will have you flogged for your impudence . '

Gilguerillo bowed , and turned to leave the palace , followed by the jeers and scoffs of everyone he met .

but he paid no heed , for he had got what he wanted .

and while he is on his way let us pause for a moment and tell who he is .

Illustration : GILGUERILLO FALLS IN LOVE WITH PRINCESS DIAMANTINA

but if they had only known what were Gilguerillo 's thoughts they would have thought him madder than ever .

of course he felt quite hopeless .

there is an old proverb which says : ' Everything comes to him who knows how to wait . '

so , one day , when he expected it least , his reward came to him .

he happened to be reading a book many hundreds of years old , which told of remedies for all kinds of diseases .

however , the dreaded signs were absent , and his heart bounded at the thought that the princess was within his reach .

he spared his horse only so much as was needful , yet it took him six days to reach the spot where the plant grew .

trembling with joy , he picked every scrap he could see , and placed it in his wallet .

then , mounting his horse , he galloped quickly back towards the city .

it was night when he entered the gates , and the fifteen days allotted were not up till the next day .

after that he lay down and slept soundly .

the sun was shining when he awoke , and he jumped up and ran to the pot .

the plant had disappeared and in its stead was a thick syrup , just as the book had said that there would be .

as he entered , the king raised himself eagerly on his pillows , but his face fell when he saw no signs of a slipper .

' You have failed , then ? ' he said , throwing up his hands in despair .

' I hope not , your majesty ; I think not , ' answered the youth .

and drawing the flask from his pocket , he poured two or three drops on the wound .

' Repeat this for three nights , and you will find yourself cured , ' said he .

and before the king had time to thank him he had bowed himself out .

on the fourth morning the king awoke and instantly stretched out his wounded foot that he might prove the truth or falsehood of Gilguerillo 's remedy .

the wound was certainly cured on that side , but how about the other ?

yes , that was cured also ; and not even a scar was left to show where it had been !

was ever any king so happy as Balancin when he satisfied himself of this ?

and when he was quite tired he sent for his daughter , and bade the courtiers bring the lucky young man to his room .

( from Capullos de Rosa , por D Enrique Ceballos Quintana . )

THE MAGIC BOOK

there was once an old couple named Peder and Kirsten who had an only son called Hans .

so , one fine summer morning , he started off to seek his fortune with nothing but the clothes he wore on his back .

the little wild creatures peeped at him from beneath the bushes , and he nodded and smiled , and wished them ' Good-morning . '

after he had been walking for some time he met an old white-bearded man who was coming along the foot-path .

' It seems to me , ' said the old fellow , ' that a boy should give way to an old man . '

' The path is for me as well as for you , ' answered young Hans saucily , for he had never been taught politeness .

' Well , that 's true enough , ' answered the other mildly .

' And where are you going ? '

' I am going into service , ' said Hans .

' Then you can come and serve me , ' replied the man .

well , Hans could do that ; but what would his wages be ?

' Two pounds a year , and nothing to do but keep some rooms clean , ' said the new-comer .

this seemed to Hans to be easy enough ; so he agreed to enter the old man 's service , and they set out together .

when they got to the bottom Hans saw a large number of rooms lit by many lamps and full of beautiful things .

while he was looking round the old man said to him :

' Now you know what you have to do .

you must keep these rooms clean , and strew sand on the floor every day .

here is a table where you will always find food and drink , and there is your bed .

if you do ill will befall you .

farewell , for I am going away again and cannot tell when I may return . '

I shall do nothing of the sort . '

and so he shut the doors quickly , and only cleaned and set in order his own room .

the key turned easily in the lock .

Hans entered , half frightened at what he was doing , and the first thing he beheld was a heap of bones .

that was not very cheerful ; and he was just going out again when his eye fell on a shelf of books .

it was all about magic , and told you how you could change yourself into anything in the world you liked .

could anything be more exciting or more useful ?

so he put it in his pocket , and ran quickly away out of the mountain by a little door which had been left open .

when he got home his parents asked him what he had been doing and where he had got the fine clothes he wore .

' Oh , I earned them myself , ' answered he .

' You never earned them in this short time , ' said his father .

' Be off with you ; I won't keep you here .

I will have no thieves in my house ! '

' Well I only came to help you , ' replied the boy sulkily .

' Now I 'll be off , as you wish ; but to-morrow morning when you rise you will see a great dog at the door .

sure enough the next day the dog was standing at the door waiting to be let in .

but he did not forget to take off the strap with which he had led the animal , and to carry it home .

when he got there old Kirsten met him at the door .

' Well , Peder , and have you sold the dog ? ' asked she .

' Yes , Kirsten ; and I have brought back ten dollars , as the boy told us , ' answered Peder .

' Ay ! but that 's fine ! ' said his wife .

after all , I always know what is best . '

' Nonsense ! ' said her husband ; ' women always think they know best .

I should have sold the dog just the same whatever you had told me .

put the money away in a safe place , and don't talk so much . '

' Be off with you ! ' said he , ' you 'll get us into trouble . '

' I haven't helped you enough yet , ' replied the boy .

' To-morrow there will come a great fat cow , as big as the house .

take it to the king 's palace and you 'll get as much as a thousand dollars for it .

Kirsten was wild with joy to think of the money the cow would bring them .

' But how are you going to put the rope over her head ? ' asked she .

' Wait and you 'll see , mother , ' answered her husband .

when he had made sure that the noose was fast they started for the palace , and met the king himself walking in his grounds .

will your majesty deign to buy it ? '

Illustration : ' JUST AS HE WAS GOING TO STRIKE '

after he was gone the king sent for the butcher and told him to kill the animal for the wedding feast .

but Peder was safe in the woods , and could not be found .

a few mornings later Hans came again .

' Be off before you get us into trouble , ' said his father .

' So far the money has come right enough , but I don't trust it . '

' Don't worry over that , father , ' said Hans .

' To-morrow you will find a horse outside by the gate .

ride it to market and you will get a thousand dollars for it .

only don't forget to loosen the bridle when you sell it . '

well , in the morning there was the horse ; Kirsten had never seen so fine an animal .

' Take care it doesn't hurt you , Peder , ' said she .

' Nonsense , wife , ' answered he crossly .

' When I was a lad I lived with horses , and could ride anything for twenty miles round . '

but that was not quite the truth , for he had never mounted a horse in his life .

still , the animal was quiet enough , so Peder got safely to market on its back .

there he met a man who offered nine hundred and ninety-nine dollars for it , but Peder would take nothing less than a thousand .

' I must take the bridle off , ' said Peder .

' It is not to be sold with the animal as is usually the case . '

' I 'll give you a hundred dollars for the bridle , ' said the old man , taking out his purse .

' No , I can't sell it , ' replied Hans 's father .

' Five hundred dollars ! '

' No. '

' A thousand ! '

at this splendid offer Peder 's prudence gave way ; it was a shame to let so much money go .

so he agreed to accept it .

but he could hardly hold the horse , it became so unmanageable .

so he gave the animal in charge to the old man , and went home with his two thousand dollars .

this time Peder consented , and soon they had quite a fine farm .

the smith proposed that they should first have a drink together , and the horse was tied up by the spring whilst they went indoors .

what was her surprise when the animal said to her : ' Take off my bridle and you will save my life . '

' I dare not , ' said she ; ' your master will be so angry . '

' He cannot hurt you , ' answered the horse , ' and you will save my life . '

directly he saw what had happened he changed himself into a hawk and flew after the dove .

over the woods and fields they went , and at length they reached a king 's palace surrounded by beautiful gardens .

the princess was walking with her attendants in the rose garden when the dove turned itself into a gold ring and fell at her feet .

' Why , here is a ring ! ' she cried , ' where could it have come from ? '

and picking it up she put it on her finger .

' Well , that is really strange , ' said the princess .

' It fits me as though it had been made for me ! '

just at that moment up came the king .

' Look what I have found ! ' cried his daughter .

' Well , that is not worth much , my dear , ' said he .

' Besides , you have rings enough , I should think . '

' Never mind , I like it , ' replied the princess .

but as soon as she was alone , to her amazement , the ring suddenly left her finger and became a man .

' You had better stay here then , ' said the princess .

the king was terribly angry .

' So this is why you have refused to marry all the kings and princes who have sought your hand ? ' he cried .

Illustration : THE PRINCESS IMPRISONED IN THE SUMMER-HOUSE

he could hardly believe his eyes when he found that the princess was not there , nor Hans either .

instead , there lay at his feet a large hole , big enough for two people to pass through .

now what had happened was this .

but of this , of course , the king knew nothing .

' Will any one go down and see where the passage leads to ? ' he asked , turning to his guards and courtiers .

' I will reward splendidly the man who is brave enough to explore it . '

for a long time nobody answered .

the hole was dark and deep , and if it had a bottom no one could see it .

but in a moment he , too , fell down , down , down .

was he going to fall for ever , he wondered !

he was given a hearty welcome by the king , who prided himself on his hospitality , and a banquet was commanded in his honour .

that evening , whilst they sat drinking their wine , Hans said to the king :

' I have heard the fame of your majesty 's wisdom , and I have travelled from far to ask your counsel .

a man in my country has buried his daughter alive because she loved a youth who was born a peasant .

how shall I punish this unnatural father , for it is left to me to give judgment ? '

the king , who was still truly grieved for his daughter 's loss , answered quickly :

' Burn him alive , and strew his ashes all over the kingdom . '

Hans looked at him steadily for a moment , and then threw off his disguise .

she is safe , and waiting not far from here ; but you have pronounced judgment on yourself . '

the wedding of Hans and the princess was celebrated with great festivities which lasted a month .

So Hans and the princess lived in peace and happiness all their days , and when the old king died they reigned instead of him .

( from Eventyr fra Jylland samlede og optegnede af Tang Kristensen .

translated from the Danish by Mrs Skavgaard-Pedersen . )

Transcriber 's Note

the book includes both by-and-by and by-and-bye .

both forms are preserved as printed .

one of the illustrations refers to a cauldron , while the story uses caldron .

these are preserved as printed .

punctuation errors have been repaired .

Hyphenation and use of accents has been made consistent within stories .

archaic spelling is preserved as printed .

the following typographic errors have been repaired :

page @number@ he amended to be " ....y it would be unreasonable of me to object to your satisfying your appetite ....y "

page @number@ undertsanding amended to understanding " and the wolf , understanding all that might happen ....y "

page @number@ windding amended to winding " he had ridden back along a winding road from which he did not see the palace ....y "

page @number@ principle amended to principal " ....v but the cat lay down outside the principal gate , ....n "

page @number@ kindgom amended to kingdom " ....v she would bestow on him the third part of her own kingdom , ....n "

page @number@ thoughout amended to throughout " ....n and by-and-by ' Pinkel ' became his name throughout the village . "

page @number@ Bassel amended to Basset " ( Nouveaux Contes Berbères par René Basset . ) "

page @number@ forforgetting amended to forgetting " ....y quite forgetting that he owed it to a mean trick . "

page @number@ summonned amended to summoned " five minutes later he summoned five hundred lancers ....y "

page @number@ belive amended to believe " ....y but it seemed so different she could hardly believe it was the same . "

Page @number@ apapproached amended to approached " as she spoke the gates swung back and six fairies approached , ....y "

Page @number@ bethrothed amended to betrothed " ....v of the princess Nera , to whom the prince had been betrothed ....v "

page @number@ Sodons amended to Sodnos " ....v so the two Sodnos climbed into a big bushy tree which overhung a well . "

Page @number@ Kristen amended to Kirsten " there was once an old couple named Peder and Kirsten ....y "

page @number@ Se amended to So " so he agreed to accept it . "

page @number@ himhimself amended to himself " ....y

Hans disguised himself as the sovereign of a neighbouring kingdom , ....n "

page @number@ Æventyr amended to Eventyr , and Zylland amended to Jylland " from Eventyr fra Jylland samlede og optegnede af Tang Kristensen . "

the frontispiece has been moved to follow the title page .

other illustrations have been moved where necessary so that they are not in the middle of a paragraph .

end of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Orange Fairy Book , by Various

THE ADVENTURES OF CHATTERER THE RED SQUIRREL

+ - + | | | BOOKS BY THORNTON W . BURGESS | | | | THE BEDTIME STORY-BOOKS | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF REDDY FOX | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF JOHNNY CHUCK | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF PETER COTTONTAIL | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF UNC ' BILLY POSSUM | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF MR . MOCKER | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF JERRY MUSKRAT | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF DANNY MEADOW MOUSE | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF GRANDFATHER FROG | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF CHATTERER , THE RED SQUIRREL | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF SAMMY JAY | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF BUSTER BEAR | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF OLD MR . TOAD | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF PRICKLY PORKY | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF OLD MAN COYOTE | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF PADDY THE BEAVER | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF POOR MRS . QUACK | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY COON | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF JIMMY SKUNK | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF BOB WHITE | | | | @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF OL ' MISTAH BUZZARD | | | | | | | | MOTHER WEST WIND SERIES | | | | @number@

OLD MOTHER WEST WIND | | | | @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S CHILDREN | | | | @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S ANIMAL FRIENDS | | | | @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S NEIGHBORS | | | | @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " WHY " STORIES | | | | @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " HOW " STORIES | | | | @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " WHEN " STORIES | | | | @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " WHERE " STORIES | | | | | | | | GREEN MEADOW SERIES | | | | @number@

HAPPY JACK | | | | @number@

MRS PETER RABBIT | | | | @number@

BOWSER THE HOUND | | | | | | | | THE BURGESS BIRD BOOK FOR CHILDREN | | | + - +

illustration : it seemed as if that little voice inside had fairly shouted in his ears : " I am afraid . "

frontispiece .

see Page @number@

BURGESS QUADDIES ( TRADE MARK )

the Bedtime Story-Books

THE ADVENTURES OF CHATTERER THE RED SQUIRREL

BY THORNTON W BURGESS

with Illustrations by HARRISON CADY

illustration

BOSTON LITTLE , BROWN , AND COMPANY @number@

copyright , @number@

BY LITTLE , BROWN , AND COMPANY .

all rights reserved

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I CHATTERER THE RED SQUIRREL RUNS FOR HIS LIFE @number@

II .

CHATTERER'S LAST CHANCE @number@

III .

CHATTERER TELLS SAMMY JAY ABOUT SHADOW THE WEASEL @number@

IV .

CHATTERER LEAVES THE GREEN FOREST @number@

V CHATTERER FINDS A HOME @number@

VI .

PETER RABBIT LISTENS TO THE WRONG VOICE @number@

VII .

HOW CHATTERER HAD FOOLED PETER RABBIT @number@

VIII .

CHATTERER GROWS CARELESS @number@

IX .

CHATTERER GROWS TOO CURIOUS @number@

X OLD MR . TROUBLE GETS CHATTERER AT LAST @number@

XI .

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT TO CHATTERER @number@

XII .

CHATTERER IS SURE THAT THIS IS HIS LAST DAY @number@

XIII .

CHATTERER IS PUT IN PRISON @number@

XIV .

CHATTERER DECIDES TO LIVE @number@

XV .

FARMER BROWN'S BOY TRIES TO MAKE FRIENDS @number@

XVI .

CHATTERER HAS A PLEASANT SURPRISE @number@

XVII .

SAMMY JAY'S SHARP EYES @number@

XVIII .

CHATTERER IS MADE FUN OF @number@

XIX .

PETER RABBIT TRIES TO HELP @number@

XX .

CHATTERER HAS ANOTHER GREAT SURPRISE @number@

XXI .

CHATTERER HEARS THE SMALL VOICE @number@

XXII .

TOMMY TIT MAKES GOOD HIS BOAST @number@

XXIII .

CHATTERER GROWS VERY , VERY BOLD @number@

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

IT SEEMED AS IF THAT LITTLE VOICE INSIDE HAD FAIRLY SHOUTED IN HIS EARS , " I AM AFRAID " Frontispiece

" WHAT'S THAT ? "

SAMMY JAY ASKED SHARPLY @number@

" HAVE YOU FOUND A NEW HOME YET ? "

ASKED PETER @number@

VERY CAUTIOUSLY CHATTERER PEEPED INSIDE THE HOLE @number@

" YOU TELL CHATTERER THAT I'LL GET HIM YET ! "

SNARLED SHADOW @number@

" I'D BE WILLING TO TRY IT IF IT WAS OF ANY USE .

BUT IT ISN'T , " SAID PRICKLY PORKY @number@

THE ADVENTURES OF CHATTERER THE RED SQUIRREL

I CHATTERER THE RED SQUIRREL RUNS FOR HIS LIFE

Chatterer the Red Squirrel had been scolding because there was no excitement .

he had even tried to make some excitement by waking Bobby Coon and making him so angry that Bobby had threatened to eat him alive .

it had been great fun to dance around and call Bobby names and make fun of him .

oh , yes , it had been great fun .

you see , he knew all the time that Bobby couldn't catch him if he should try .

but now things were different .

Chatterer had all the excitement that he wanted .

indeed , he had more than he wanted .

the truth is , Chatterer was running for his life , and he knew it .

it is a terrible thing , a very terrible thing to have to run for one 's life .

Peter Rabbit knows all about it .

he has run for his life often .

sometimes it has been Reddy Fox behind him , sometimes Bowser the Hound , and once or twice Old Man Coyote .

Peter has known that on his long legs his life has depended , and more than once a terrible fear has filled his heart .

so when he has been running with that terrible fear in his heart , there has always been hope there , too .

but Chatterer the Red Squirrel was running without hope .

yes , Sir , there was nothing but fear , terrible fear , in his heart , for he knew not where to go .

he didn't know where he was going .

" oh , dear !

I wish I had kept my tongue still .

Shadow the Weasel wouldn't have known where I was if he hadn't heard my voice .

oh , dear ! oh , dear me !

what can I do ?

what can I do ? "

now in his great fright Chatterer had run and jumped so hard that he was beginning to grow very tired .

presently he found that he must make a very long jump to reach the next tree .

he didn't dare stop to run down the tree and scamper across .

so he took a long breath , ran swiftly along the branch , and leaped .

his hands just touched the tip of the nearest branch of the other tree .

he tried his very best to hold on , but he couldn't .

then down , down , down he fell .

but it wasn't quite , and in another minute he was scrambling up the tree .

II CHATTERER'S LAST CHANCE

Chatterer , still running for his life and without the least hope , suddenly saw a last chance to escape from Shadow the Weasel .

that is , he saw something that might offer him a chance .

what was that big brown bunch ?

why it was Redtail the Hawk , who was dozing there with his head drawn down between his shoulders dreaming .

now old Redtail is one of Chatterer 's deadliest enemies .

you see , a very daring idea had come into his head .

he had seen at once that Redtail was dozing and hadn't seen him at all .

anyway , it is my very last chance . "

up the tree he scrambled , and after him went Shadow the Weasel .

Shadow had been so intent on catching Chatterer that he had not noticed old Redtail , which was just as Chatterer had hoped .

there just below him was Shadow the Weasel , who had just that minute discovered who was sitting there .

old Redtail hissed sharply , and the feathers on the top of his head stood up in a way they do when he is angry .

and he was angry very angry .

shadow the Weasel stopped short .

then , like a flash , he dodged around to the other side of the tree .

he had no thought of Chatterer now .

things were changed all in an instant , quite changed .

instead of the hunter , he was now the hunted .

Shadow dodged around the trunk of the tree .

Chatterer , watching from the spruce-tree , gave a great sigh of relief .

then he hurried .

he wanted to get just as far away from Shadow the Weasel as he could .

III CHATTERER TELLS SAMMY JAY ABOUT SHADOW THE WEASEL

Chatterer hurried through the Green Forest .

he didn't know just where he was going .

he had but one thought , and that was to get as far away from Shadow the Weasel as he could .

it made him have cold shivers all over every time he thought of Shadow .

" seems to me you are in a great hurry , " said a voice from a pine-tree he was passing .

Chatterer knew that voice without looking to see who was speaking .

everybody in the Green Forest knows that voice .

it was the voice of Sammy Jay .

" it looks to me as if you were running away from some one , " jeered Sammy .

" I I am , " he said in a very low voice .

Sammy looked as if he thought he hadn't heard right .

never before had he known Chatterer to admit that he was afraid , for you know Chatterer is a great boaster .

it must be something very serious to frighten Chatterer like that .

" what 's that ? "

Sammy asked sharply .

" I always knew you to be a coward , but this is the first time I have ever known you to admit it .

who are you running away from ? "

illustration : " what 's that ? "

Sammy asked sharply .

" shadow the Weasel , " replied Chatterer , still in a very low voice , as if he were afraid of being overheard .

" Shadow the Weasel is back in the Green Forest , and I have just had such a narrow escape ! "

" Ho ! " cried Sammy , " this is important .

I thought Shadow was up in the Old Pasture .

if he has come back to the Green Forest , folks ought to know it .

where is he now ? "

Sammy 's eyes sparkled when Chatterer told how he had pulled the tail of old Redtail .

" and he doesn't know now who did it ; he thinks it was Shadow , " concluded Chatterer , with a weak little grin .

" Ho , ho , ho !

Ha , ha , ha ! " laughed Sammy Jay .

" I wish I had been there to see it . "

then he suddenly grew grave .

then if they get caught , it is their own fault .

I think I 'll go spread the news . "

Sammy Jay leaned over and looked at Chatterer sharply .

" I thought you and Happy Jack were not friends , " said he .

" you always seem to be quarreling . "

Chatterer looked a little confused , but he is very quick with his tongue , is Chatterer .

" that 's just it , " he replied quickly .

" that 's just it !

he thought now that if he could do something for Happy Jack , he would feel better about it .

Chatterer listened a few minutes and then started on .

" where shall I go ? " he muttered .

" where shall I go ?

I don't dare stay in the Green Forest , for now Shadow will never rest until he catches me . "

IV CHATTERER LEAVES THE GREEN FOREST

Chatterer was in a peck of trouble .

yes , Sir , he was in a peck of trouble .

there was no doubt about it .

" oh , dear !

oh , dear !

if only I had kept my tongue still !

you see , Chatterer was just beginning to realize what a lot of trouble an unruly tongue can get one into .

if he hadn't called Bobby Coon names that morning at the top of his voice , Shadow the Weasel might not have found him .

was ever any one else in such a dreadful fix ?

presently he came to the edge of the Green Forest .

he sat down to rest in the top of a tree where he could look off over the Green Meadows .

Far , far away he could see the Purple Hills , behind which jolly , round , red Mr Sun goes to bed every night .

he could see the old stone wall that separates Farmer Brown 's cornfield from the Green Meadows .

he knew every nook and corner in the old stone wall and many times he had been to the Old Orchard .

it was there that he had stolen the eggs of Drummer the Woodpecker .

but all that was in the past , and thinking about it wasn't going to help him now .

he had got to do something right away .

anyway , he would have a look .

so he hurried down from the tree and out along the old stone wall .

his spirits began to rise as he whisked along , peering into every hole and jumping from stone to stone .

it really seemed as though he might find a snug home somewhere here .

then he remembered something that made his heart sink again .

he remembered having seen Shadow the Weasel more than once exploring that very wall .

just as likely as not he would do it again , for it was so very near the Green Forest .

no , the old stone wall wouldn't do .

just then along came Peter Rabbit .

Peter saw right away that something was wrong with Chatterer , and he wanted to know what it was .

Chatterer told him .

he felt that he had just got to tell some one .

Peter looked thoughtful .

he scratched his long left ear with his long right hind foot .

" you know there is another old stone wall up there by the Old Orchard , " said he .

" I should hope so ! " exclaimed Chatterer scornfully .

" I 'll go with you , " said Peter , and off they started together .

V CHATTERER FINDS A HOME

when your plans are upset and all scattered about Just make up your mind that you 'll find a way out .

it seemed to him that he never would get there .

but of course he did .

when he did get there , he found Peter Rabbit sitting on Johnny Chuck 's doorstep , staring down Johnny Chuck 's long hall .

" they 're asleep , " said he , as Chatterer came up all out of breath .

" I 've thumped and thumped and thumped , but it isn't the least bit of use .

they are asleep , and they 'll stay asleep until Mistress Spring arrives .

I can't understand it at all .

no , Sir , I can't understand how anybody can be willing to miss this splendid cold weather . "

Peter shook his head in a puzzled way and continued to stare down the long empty hall .

of course he was talking about Johnny and Polly Chuck , who had gone to sleep for the winter .

that sleeping business always puzzles Peter .

it seems to him like a terrible waste of time .

but Chatterer had too much on his mind to waste time wondering how other people could sleep all winter .

up and down the length of the stone wall he scampered , looking for a place to make a home , but nothing suited him .

you know he likes best to make his home in a tree .

he isn't like Striped Chipmunk , who lives in the ground .

poor Chatterer !

he just couldn't see how he was going to live in the old stone wall .

he sat on top of a big stone to rest and think it over .

he was discouraged .

life didn't seem worth the living just then .

he felt as if his heart had gone way down to his toes .

" have you found a new home yet ? " asked Peter .

" yes , " replied Chatterer , " I think I have .

" that 's good , " replied Peter .

" I was sure you would find one over here .

where is it ? "

illustration : " have you found a new home yet ? " asked Peter .

Chatterer opened his mouth to tell Peter and then closed it with a snap .

he remembered just in time how hard it is for Peter to keep a secret .

" I 'm not going to tell you now , Peter Rabbit , " said he .

" you see , I don't want anybody to know where it is until I am sure that it will do .

Peter brightened up right away .

" that 's good , " he said again .

" I 'll come see you often .

but watch out for Black Pussy ; her claws are very sharp .

now I think I 'll be going back to the Old Briar-patch . "

" don't tell where I am , " called Chatterer .

VI PETER RABBIT LISTENS TO THE WRONG VOICE

Peter Rabbit didn't play fair .

no , Sir , Peter didn't play fair .

people who have too much curiosity about other people 's affairs seldom do play fair .

he didn't mean to be unfair .

oh , my , no !

Peter didn't mean to be unfair .

he was a little disappointed , was Peter , that Chatterer hadn't told him just where his new house was .

not that it really mattered ; he just wanted to know , that was all .

with every jump away from the old stone wall , that desire to know just where Chatterer 's new house was seemed to grow .

Peter stopped and looked back .

he couldn't see Chatterer now , because the bushes hid him .

and if he couldn't see Chatterer , why of course Chatterer couldn't see him .

Peter sat down and began to pull his whiskers in a way he has when he is trying to decide something .

it seemed as if two little voices were quarreling inside him .

" go along home like the good fellow you are and mind your own business , " said one .

it was louder than the first voice , and Peter liked the sound of it .

right near it was a thick little bush .

it seemed to Peter that it must have grown there just to give him a hiding place .

he crawled under it and lay very flat .

he could see along the old stone wall in both directions .

Chatterer was sitting just where he had left him .

he was looking in the direction that Peter had gone when he had said good-by .

Peter chuckled to himself .

" he 's waiting to make sure I have gone before he goes to that new house of his , " thought Peter .

" this is the time I 'll fool him . "

" you ought to be ashamed of yourself , Peter Rabbit ; this is none of your business , " said that little small voice .

" you 're not doing a bit of harm .

Chatterer has no business to try to keep his new house a secret , anyway , " said the other little voice inside .

Chatterer sat where he was for what seemed to Peter a very long time .

but by and by he gave a sudden funny little flirt of his tail and ran along the old wall a little way .

then with a hasty look around , he disappeared in a hole .

a minute later he popped his head out for another look around and then disappeared again .

he did this two or three times as if anxious .

Peter chuckled to himself .

he was just getting ready to start when Chatterer popped out of his hole and sat up on a big stone .

he was talking out loud , and Peter listened .

then his long ears began to burn , for this is what he heard :

Chatterer whisked out of sight , and Peter hurried to get away .

and over in the hole in the old stone wall Chatterer the Red Squirrel was laughing as if there was some great joke .

there was , and the joke was on Peter Rabbit .

you see he hadn't discovered Chatterer 's new house at all .

VII HOW CHATTERER HAD FOOLED PETER RABBIT

Chatterer the Red Squirrel is a scamp himself and not to be trusted .

nobody in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows trusts him .

and people who cannot be trusted themselves never trust any one else .

Chatterer never does .

he is always suspicious .

you see , he knew all about Peter 's dreadful curiosity .

he watched Peter out of sight , then he slipped down out of sight himself between the stones of the old wall .

" I know what Peter will do , " said he to himself .

" Peter will come sneaking back , and hide where he can watch me , and so find out where my new house is .

I 'll just stay here long enough to give him a chance to hide , and then I 'll fool him . "

you see , Chatterer knew that if he had been in Peter 's place , he would have done just that thing .

so he waited a little while and then went back to the place where Peter had left him .

but all the time Chatterer was watching out of the corners of his eyes to see if Peter was hiding anywhere near .

he didn't see Peter , but he didn't have the least doubt that Peter was somewhere about .

he kept popping in and out and looking around as if afraid that some one was watching him .

he even got some dry leaves and took them inside , as if to make a bed .

when he grew tired , a new idea popped into his shrewd little head .

he popped out of the hole and sat up on the wall .

then he said aloud that verse which had made Peter 's ears burn so .

he had meant to make Peter 's ears burn .

he said that verse just as if he really did believe that Peter was not spying on him and was glad of it .

when he had finished , he whisked out of sight again to give Peter a chance to get away .

but this time Chatterer did some peeking himself .

and he knew that this time Peter had gone for good .

" one has to have one 's wits very sharp these days to keep a secret , " chuckled Chatterer .

but over in the old Briar-patch that afternoon Peter Rabbit sat very thoughtful and very much ashamed .

the thought that he had found out where Chatterer 's new house was didn't give him the pleasure that he had thought it would .

his ears still burned , for he thought that Chatterer supposed him honest when he wasn't .

" I believe I 'll go over to-morrow and tell Chatterer all about it and how mean I have been , " said he at last .

and when he had made up his mind to do this , he felt better .

and all the time he hadn't found Chatterer 's new house at all .

you see , it was the old home of Drummer the Woodpecker in an old apple-tree which Chatterer had decided to live in .

VIII CHATTERER GROWS CARELESS

when you grow careless even though It be in matters small , Old Mr Trouble you will find Is bound to make a call .

some people never seem to learn that .

you would suppose that after all the trouble and worry Chatterer the Red Squirrel had had , he would have learned a lesson .

for a while it seemed as if he had .

and in the corn-crib he took the greatest care to steal only where what he took would not be missed .

oh , he was very sly and crafty , was Chatterer the Red Squirrel at first .

but after a while , when nothing happened , Chatterer grew careless .

once inside , he would just give himself up to having a good time .

he raced about over the great pile of beautiful yellow corn and found the loveliest hiding places in it .

down in a dark corner he made a splendid bed from pieces of husk which hadn't been stripped from some of the ears .

it was quite the nicest place he had ever dreamed of , was Farmer Brown 's corn-crib .

he got to feeling that it was his own and not Farmer Brown 's at all .

the more that feeling grew , the more careless Chatterer became .

then one morning Chatterer dropped a cob from which he had eaten all the corn .

he meant to get it and hide it , as he had hidden other cobs , but he didn't want to do it just then .

and later well , then he forgot all about it .

yes , Sir , he forgot all about it until he had reached his home in the Old Orchard .

" oh , well , " thought Chatterer , " it doesn't matter .

I can get it and hide it to-morrow morning . "

now a corn-cob is a very simple thing .

Farmer Brown 's boy knew where there was a whole pile of them .

he added to that pile every day , after shelling enough corn for the biddies .

" Ha , ha ! " he exclaimed , " a thief has been here , after all !

but some one with sharp teeth certainly has been in here .

it must be that I have left the door open some time , and a rat has slipped in .

I 'll just have to get after you , Mr Rat or Mr Mouse .

we can't have you in our corn-crib . "

with that he went into the house .

presently he came back , and in one hand was a rat-trap and in the other a mouse-trap .

IX CHATTERER GROWS TOO CURIOUS

everybody knows how curious Peter Rabbit is .

yes , Sir , they would have been surprised .

Chatterer had come over to the corn-crib as usual to get his daily supply of corn .

as usual , he had raced about over the great pile of yellow corn .

quite suddenly his sharp eyes spied something that they hadn't seen before .

it was down on the floor of the corn-crib quite near the door .

Chatterer was sure that it hadn't been there the day before .

it was a very queer looking thing , very queer indeed .

and then he spied another queer looking thing near it , only this was very much smaller .

what could they be ?

he looked at them suspiciously .

they looked harmless enough .

they didn't move .

he ran a few steps towards them and scolded , just as he scolds at anything new he finds out of doors .

still they didn't move .

he ran around on a little ledge where he could look right down on the queer things .

he was sure now that they were not alive .

the biggest one he could see all through .

Inside was something to eat .

the littlest thing was round and flat with funny bits of wire on top .

" leave them alone , " said a small voice inside of Chatterer .

" but I want to see what they are and find out all about them , " said Chatterer .

" No good ever comes of meddling with things you don't know about , " said the small voice .

" but they are such queer looking things , and they 're not alive .

they can't hurt me , " said Chatterer .

nevertheless he ran back to the pile of corn and tried to eat .

somehow he had lost his appetite .

he couldn't take his eyes off those two queer things down on the floor .

" better keep away , " warned the small voice inside .

" it won't do any harm to have a closer look at them , " said Chatterer .

so once more he scrambled down from the pile of corn and little by little drew nearer to the two queer things .

the nearer he got , the more harmless they looked .

finally he reached out and smelled of the smallest .

then he turned up his nose .

" Smells of mice , " muttered Chatterer , " just common barn mice . "

then he reached out a paw and touched it .

" pooh ! " said he , " it 's nothing to be afraid of . "

Just then he touched one of the little wires , and there was a sudden snap .

it frightened Chatterer so that he scurried away .

but he couldn't stay away .

that snap was such a funny thing , and it hadn't done any harm .

you see , he hadn't put his paw in at one of the little holes , or it might have done some harm .

pretty soon he was back again , meddling with those little wires on top .

every once in a while there would be a snap , and he would scamper away .

it was very scary and great fun .

no harm had come from the first one , and so he was sure no harm could come from the other .

x OLD MR TROUBLE GETS CHATTERER AT LAST

of course you have guessed what it was that Chatterer had been meddling with .

it was a mouse-trap , and he had sprung it without getting hurt .

Chatterer didn't know that it was a trap .

he ought to have known , but he didn't .

you see , it was not at all like the traps Farmer Brown 's boy had sometimes set for him in the Green Forest .

he knew all about those traps and never , never went near them .

now that there was nothing more exciting about the mouse-trap , Chatterer turned his attention to the other queer thing .

he walked all around it and looked at it from every side .

it certainly was queer .

yes , Sir , it certainly was queer !

it looked something like a little house only he could see all through it .

he put one paw out and touched it .

nothing happened .

he tried it again .

then he jumped right on top of it .

still nothing happened .

he tried his sharp teeth on it , but he couldn't bite it .

you see , it was made of stout wire .

Inside was something that looked good to eat .

it smelled good , too .

Chatterer began to wonder what it would taste like .

the more he wondered , the more he wanted to know .

there must be some way of getting in , and if he could get in , of course he could get out again .

he jumped down to the floor and ran all around the queer little wire house .

at each end was a sort of little wire hallway .

Chatterer stuck his head in one .

it seemed perfectly safe .

he crept a little way in and then backed out in a hurry .

nothing happened .

he tried it again .

still nothing happened .

" better keep away , " said a small voice down inside of him .

" pooh !

who 's afraid ! " said Chatterer .

" this thing can't hurt me . "

then he crept a little farther in .

right in front of him was a little round doorway with a little wire door .

Chatterer pushed the little door with his nose , and it opened a teeny , weeny bit .

he drew back suspiciously .

then he tried it again , and this time pushed the little door a little farther open .

" I can hop right down and get it and then hop right up again , " thought Chatterer .

" don't do it , " said the small voice inside .

" corn is plenty good enough .

besides , it is time you were getting back to the Old Orchard . "

" it won't take but a minute , " said Chatterer , " and I really must know what that tastes like . "

with that he jumped down .

snap !

Chatterer looked up .

the little wire door had closed .

old Mr Trouble had got Chatterer at last .

yes , Sir , he certainly had got Chatterer this time .

you see , he couldn't open that little wire door from the inside .

he was in a trap the wire rat-trap set by Farmer Brown 's boy .

XI WHAT HAPPENED NEXT TO CHATTERER

were you ever terribly , terribly frightened ?

that was the way Chatterer felt .

he was caught ; there was no doubt about it !

his sharp teeth were of no use at all on those hard wires .

he could look out between them , but he couldn't get out .

he was too frightened to think .

his heart pounded against his sides until it hurt .

he forgot all about that queer food he had so wanted to taste , and which was right before him now .

indeed , he felt as if he never , never would want to eat again .

what was going to happen to him now ?

what would Farmer Brown 's boy do to him when he found him there ?

hark !

what was that ?

it was a step just outside the door of the corn-crib .

Farmer Brown 's boy was coming !

Chatterer raced around his little wire prison and bit savagely at the hard wires .

but it was of no use , no use at all .

it only hurt his mouth cruelly .

then the door of the corn-crib swung open , a flood of light poured in , and with it came Farmer Brown 's boy .

" hello ! " exclaimed Farmer Brown 's boy , as he caught sight of Chatterer .

" so you are the thief who has been stealing our corn , and I thought it was a rat or a mouse .

well , well , you little red rascal , didn't you know that thieves come to no good end ?

you 're pretty smart , for I never once thought of you , but you were not so smart as you thought .

now I wonder what we had better do with you . "

he picked up the trap with Chatterer in it and stepped out into the beautiful great out-of-doors .

Chatterer could see across the dooryard to the Old Orchard and the familiar old stone wall along which he had scampered so often .

Farmer Brown 's boy put the trap down on the ground and then began to call .

" Puss , Puss , Puss , " called Farmer Brown 's boy .

Chatterer 's heart , which had been thumping so , almost stopped beating with fright .

there was Black Pussy , whom he had so often teased and made fun of .

her yellow eyes had a hungry gleam as she walked around the trap and sniffed and sniffed .

never had Chatterer heard such a terrible sound as those hungry sniffs so close to him !

Black Pussy tried to put a paw between the wires , and Chatterer saw the great , cruel claws .

but Black Pussy couldn't get her paw between the wires .

" how would you like him for breakfast ? " asked Farmer Brown 's boy .

" meow , " said Black Pussy , arching her back and rubbing against his legs .

" I suppose that means that you would like him very much , " laughed Farmer Brown 's boy .

" do you think you can catch him if I let him out ? "

" meow , " replied Black Pussy again , and to poor Chatterer it seemed the awfullest sound he ever had heard .

" well , we 'll see about it by and by , " said Farmer Brown 's boy .

" there 's the breakfast bell , and I haven't fed the biddies yet . "

XII CHATTERER IS SURE THAT THIS IS HIS LAST DAY

then the door of the farmhouse closed and shut it all out .

if there had been any hope in Chatterer 's heart , the closing of that door would have shut the last bit out .

but there wasn't any hope .

Chatterer was sure that he was to be given to Black Pussy for her breakfast .

Farmer Brown 's boy put the trap on a table .

" what have you there ? " called a great voice .

it was the voice of Farmer Brown himself , who was eating his breakfast .

" one of those pesky rats , " replied Farmer Brown .

" I 'm afraid you 've been careless and left the door open some time , and that is how the rats have got in there . "

" but it isn't a rat , and I don't believe that there is a rat there , " replied Farmer Brown 's boy in triumph .

" it 's that little scamp of a red squirrel we 've seen racing along the wall at the edge of the Old Orchard lately .

I can't imagine how he got in there , but there he was , and now here he is . "

" what are you going to do with him ? " asked Farmer Brown , coming over to look at Chatterer .

" I don't know , " replied Farmer Brown 's boy , " unless I give him to Black Puss for her breakfast .

she has been teasing me for him ever since I found him . "

Farmer Brown 's boy looked over to the other side of the table as he said this , and his eyes twinkled with mischief .

" oh , you mustn't do that !

that would be cruel ! " cried a soft voice .

" you must take him down to the Green Forest and let him go . "

a gentle face with pitying eyes was bent above the trap .

" just see how frightened the poor little thing is !

you must take him straight down to the Green Forest right after breakfast . "

" isn't that just like Mother ? " cried Farmer Brown 's boy .

" I believe it would be just the same with the ugliest old rat that ever lived .

she would try to think of some excuse for letting it go . "

Farmer Brown laughed a big , hearty laugh .

" true enough , Mother ! " said he .

" the trouble is , they get out of place .

now this little rascal 's place is down in the Green Forest and not up in our corn-crib . "

" then put him back in his right place ! " was the prompt reply , and they all laughed .

now all this time poor Chatterer was thinking that this surely was his last day .

you see , he knew that he had been a thief , and he knew that Farmer Brown 's boy knew it .

he just crouched down in a little ball , too miserable to do anything but tremble every time any one came near .

XIII CHATTERER IS PUT IN PRISON

who ever does a deed that 's wrong Will surely find some day That for that naughty act of his He 'll surely have to pay .

that was the way with Chatterer .

of course he had had no business to steal corn from Farmer Brown 's corn-crib .

to be sure he had felt that he had just as much right to that corn as Farmer Brown had .

but it is just there that Chatterer went wrong .

right down deep in his heart Chatterer knew this .

if he hadn't known it , he wouldn't have been so sly in taking what he wanted .

he knew all the time that he was stealing , but he tried to make himself believe that it was all right .

Chatterer was very miserable , so miserable and frightened that he could do nothing but sit huddled up in a little shivery ball .

Farmer Brown 's boy had left him in the trap in the house and had gone out .

for a long time Chatterer could hear pounding out in the woodshed , and Farmer Brown 's boy was whistling as he pounded .

after what seemed a very long time , ages and ages , Farmer Brown 's boy came back .

he had with him a queer looking box .

" there , " said he , " is a new home for you , you little red imp !

I guess it will keep you out of trouble for a while . "

poor little Chatterer !

even in his terror , he noticed that that big hand tried to be gentle and squeezed him no tighter than was necessary .

nothing terrible had happened , after all .

at first , Chatterer just sulked in one corner .

he still felt sure that something terrible was going to happen .

Farmer Brown 's boy took the box out into the shed and put it where the sun shone into it .

for a little while he stayed watching , but Chatterer still sulked and sulked .

by and by he went away , taking Black Pussy with him , and Chatterer was alone .

very cautiously Chatterer peeped inside the hole .

Inside was a splendid hollow .

on the floor of the box was a little heap of shavings and bits of rag .

and there was a little pile of yellow corn .

how Chatterer did hate the sight of that corn !

you see , it was corn that had got him into all this trouble .

at least , that is the way Chatterer felt about it .

when he had examined everything , he knew that there was no way out .

Chatterer was in a prison , though that is not what Farmer Brown 's boy called it .

he said it was a cage .

illustration : very cautiously Chatterer peeped inside the hole .

XIV CHATTERER DECIDES TO LIVE

at first Chatterer decided that he had rather die than live in a prison , no matter how nice that prison might be .

it was a very foolish thing to do , but he made up his mind that he just wouldn't eat .

he wouldn't touch that nice , yellow corn Farmer Brown 's boy had put in his prison for him .

he would starve himself to death .

yes , Sir , he would starve himself to death .

Life wasn't worth living if he had got to spend all the rest of his days in a prison .

he wouldn't even make himself comfortable .

no , Sir , he just tried to make himself miserable .

not once that long day did he poke so much as the tip of his nose out of his little round doorway .

ever so many times Farmer Brown 's boy came to see him , and whistled and called softly to him .

but Chatterer didn't make a sound .

at last night came , and the woodshed where his prison was grew dark and darker and very still .

now it was about this time that Chatterer 's stomach began to make itself felt .

Chatterer tried not to notice it , but his stomach would be noticed , and Chatterer couldn't help himself .

his stomach was empty , and it kept telling him so .

" I 'm going to starve to death , " said Chatterer to himself over and over .

the more Chatterer tried not to think of how good something to eat would taste , the more he did think of it .

it made him restless and uneasy .

he twisted and squirmed and turned .

at last he decided that he would have one more look to see if he couldn't find some way to get out of his prison .

he poked his head out of the little round doorway .

all was still and dark .

he listened , but not a sound could he hear .

then he softly crept out and hurriedly examined all the inside of his prison once more .

it was of no use !

there wasn't a single place where he could use his sharp teeth .

" there 's that little pile of corn waiting for me , " whispered his stomach .

" I 'll never touch it ! " said Chatterer fiercely .

just then he hit something with his foot , and it rolled .

he picked it up and then put it down again .

it was a nut , a plump hickory nut .

two or three times he picked it up and put it down , and each time it was harder than before to put it down .

when that nut was finished , he found another ; and when that was gone , still another .

then he just had to taste a grain of corn .

the first thing Chatterer knew , the nuts and the corn were all gone , and his stomach was full .

somehow he felt ever so much better .

he didn't feel like starving to death now .

Chatterer had decided to live .

XV FARMER BROWN'S BOY TRIES TO MAKE FRIENDS

nobody lives who 's wholly bad ; Some good you 'll find in every heart .

your enemies will be your friends .

if only you will do your part .

they feared him , and because they feared him , they hated him .

so whenever he came near , they ran away .

of course , when he began to do that , they hated him and feared him all the more .

indeed , he hated him more than ever , if that were possible .

but Farmer Brown 's boy was very patient .

he came to Chatterer 's prison ever so many times a day and whistled and clucked and talked to Chatterer .

and he brought good things to eat .

it seemed as if he were all the time trying to think of some new treat for Chatterer .

he never came without bringing something .

then one day Farmer Brown 's boy didn't come at all .

Chatterer tried to make himself believe that he was glad .

he told himself that he hated Farmer Brown 's boy , and he hoped that he never , never would see him again .

but all the time he knew that it wasn't true .

it was the longest day since Chatterer had been a prisoner .

it was , and he had three great fat nuts which he dropped into Chatterer 's cage .

it seemed to Chatterer that he just couldn't wait for Farmer Brown 's boy to go away .

finally he darted forward and seized one .

then he scampered to the shelter of his hollow stump to eat it .

when it was finished , he just had to have another .

Farmer Brown 's boy was still watching , but somehow Chatterer didn't feel so much afraid .

this time he sat up on one of the little branches of the stump and ate it in plain sight .

Farmer Brown 's boy smiled , and it was a pleasant smile .

" I believe we shall be friends , after all , " said he .

XVI CHATTERER HAS A PLEASANT SURPRISE

Chatterer the Red Squirrel , the mischief maker of the Green Forest , had never been more comfortable in his life .

and always right at hand was plenty to eat corn and nuts and other good things such as Chatterer loves .

no , he never had been so comfortable in all his life .

but he wasn't happy , not truly happy .

you see , he was in prison , and no matter how nice a prison may be , no one can be truly happy there .

since he had been a prisoner , Chatterer had learned to think very differently of Farmer Brown 's boy from what he used to think .

I I 'd like to tell some of the other little Green Forest people about him .

if only "

Chatterer didn't finish .

instead a great lump filled his throat .

half the fun in life had been in running and jumping , and now there wasn't room in this little prison to stretch his legs .

he could hear Farmer Brown 's boy very busy about something in his cage .

after a long , long time , his little round doorway let in the light once more .

the door had been opened .

there on the floor of the cage were some of the nicest nuts .

Chatterer came out at once .

then his sharp eyes discovered something else .

it was a queer looking thing made of wire at one end of his cage .

Chatterer looked at it with great suspicion .

could it be a new kind of trap ?

but what would a trap be doing there , when he was already a prisoner ?

he ate all the nuts , all the time watching this new , queer looking thing .

it seemed harmless enough .

he went a little nearer .

finally he hopped into it .

it moved .

of course that frightened him , and he started to run up .

but he didn't go up .

no , Sir , he didn't go up .

you see , he was in a wire wheel ; and as he ran , the wheel went around .

Chatterer was terribly frightened , and the faster he tried to run , the faster the wheel went around .

finally he had to stop , because he was out of breath and too tired to run another step .

when he stopped , the wheel stopped .

Little by little , Chatterer began to understand .

Farmer Brown 's boy had made that wheel to give him a chance to run all he wanted to and whenever he wanted to .

when he understood this , Chatterer was as nearly happy as he could be in a prison .

it was such a pleasant surprise !

he would race and race in it until he just had to stop for breath .

Farmer Brown 's boy looked on and laughed to see how much happier he had made Chatterer .

XVII SAMMY JAY'S SHARP EYES

everybody knows that Sammy Jay has sharp eyes .

in fact , there are very few of the little forest people whose eyes are as sharp as Sammy 's .

that is because he uses them so much .

he is always looking .

that is the reason he always knows so much about what is going on in the Green Forest and on the Green Meadows .

now of course Chatterer the Red Squirrel couldn't disappear without being missed , particularly by Sammy Jay .

and of course Sammy couldn't miss Chatterer and not wonder what had become of him .

sure enough , Shadow was there .

now of course it wouldn't do to ask right out if Shadow had caught Chatterer , and Sammy was smart enough to know it .

illustration : " you tell Chatterer that I 'll get him yet ! " snarled Shadow .

" Chatterer the Red Squirrel sends his respects and hopes you are enjoying your hunt for him , " called Sammy .

Shadow looked up at Sammy , and anger blazed in his little , red eyes .

" you tell Chatterer that I 'll get him yet ! " snarled Shadow .

Sammy 's eyes sparkled with mischief .

he had made Shadow angry , and he had found out what he wanted to know .

he was sure that Shadow had not caught Chatterer .

" but what can have become of him ? " thought Sammy .

" I 've got no love for him , but just the same I miss him .

I really must find out .

yes , Sir , I really must . "

so every minute that he could spare , Sammy Jay spent trying to find Chatterer .

he asked every one he met if they had seen Chatterer .

he peeked and peered into every hollow and hiding place he could think of .

but look as he would and ask as he would , he could find no trace of Chatterer .

at last he happened to think of Farmer Brown 's corn-crib .

could it be that Chatterer had moved over there or had come to some dreadful end there ?

very early the next morning , Sammy flew over to the corn-crib .

he looked it all over with his sharp eyes and listened for sounds of Chatterer inside .

but not a sound could he hear .

then he remembered the hole under the edge of the roof through which Chatterer used to go in and out .

Sammy hurried to look at it .

it was closed by a stout board nailed across it .

then Sammy knew that Farmer Brown 's boy had found it .

" he 's killed Chatterer , that 's what he 's done ! " cried Sammy , and flew over to the Old Orchard filled with sad thoughts .

he meant to wait until Farmer Brown 's boy came out and then tell him what he thought of him .

after that , he would fly through the Green Forest and over the Green Meadows to spread the sad news .

after a while , the door of the farmhouse opened , and Farmer Brown 's boy stepped out .

Sammy had his mouth open to scream , when his sharp eyes saw something queer .

Farmer Brown 's boy had a queer looking box in his arms which he put on a shelf where the sun would shine on it .

it looked to Sammy as if something moved inside that box .

he forgot to scream and say the bad things he had planned to say .

he waited until Farmer Brown 's boy had gone to the barn .

then Sammy flew where he could look right into the queer box .

there was Chatterer the Red Squirrel !

XVIII CHATTERER IS MADE FUN OF

" Ha , ha , ha !

Ho , ho , ho !

Smarty caught at last ! "

but he couldn't stop very long to make fun of poor Chatterer .

in the first place Farmer Brown 's boy had put his head out the barn door to see what all the fuss was about .

in the second place , Sammy fairly ached all over to spread the news through the Green Forest and over the Green Meadows .

you know he is a great gossip .

and this was such unusual news .

Sammy knew very well that no one would believe him .

he knew that they just couldn't believe that smart Mr Chatterer had really been caught .

and no one did believe it .

" all right , " Sammy would reply .

" it doesn't make the least bit of difference in the world to me whether you believe it or not .

you can go up to Farmer Brown 's house and see him in prison yourself , just as I did . "

it bobbed up and then dropped out of sight again .

then it bobbed up again , only to drop out of sight just as quickly .

right away Peter 's head bobbed up for all the world like a jack-in-the-box , and this time it stayed up .

Peter 's eyes were round with surprise , as he stared across at Chatterer 's prison .

" I must go right away and see what can be done to get Chatterer out of trouble . "

a little later who should appear peeping over the stone wall but Reddy Fox .

it seemed very bold of Reddy , but really it wasn't nearly as bold as it seemed .

he grinned at Chatterer in the most provoking way .

it made Chatterer angry just to see him .

" Smarty , Smarty , Mr Smarty , Glad to see you looking hearty !

weather 's fine , as you can see ; Won't you take a walk with me ? "

so said Reddy Fox , knowing all the time that Chatterer couldn't take a walk with any one .

in fact , he didn't half hear the mean things Reddy Fox said to him .

you see , it was coming over him more and more that nothing could take the place of freedom .

something very like tears filled his eyes , and he crept into his hollow stump where he couldn't see or be seen .

XIX PETER RABBIT TRIES TO HELP

Peter Rabbit is one of the kindest hearted little people of the Green Forest or the Green Meadows .

he is happy-go-lucky , and his dreadful curiosity is forever getting him into all kinds of trouble .

perhaps it is because he has been in so many scrapes himself that he always feels sorry for others who get into trouble .

anyway , no sooner does Peter hear of some one in trouble , than he begins to wonder how he can help them .

now of course Peter didn't know what kind of a prison Chatterer was in .

why shouldn't Prickly Porky do as much for Chatterer ?

he would go see him at once .

the trouble with Peter is that he doesn't think of all sides of a question .

he is impulsive .

so now he scampered down into the Green Forest as fast as his long legs would carry him , to hunt for Prickly Porky .

" good afternoon , Prickly Porky .

have you heard the news about Chatterer ? " said Peter , talking very fast , for he was quite out of breath .

" yes , " replied Prickly Porky .

" Serves him right .

I hope it will teach him a lesson . "

Peter 's heart sank .

" don't you think it is dreadful ? " he asked .

" so much the better , " grunted Prickly Porky .

" so much the better .

he always was a nuisance .

never did see such a fellow for making trouble for other people .

no , Sir , I never did .

the rest of us can have some peace now .

Serves him right . "

Prickly Porky went on chewing bark as if Chatterer 's trouble was no concern of his .

Peter 's heart sank lower still .

he scratched one long ear slowly with a long hind foot , which is a way he has when he is thinking very hard .

after a long time , during which Peter thought and thought , and Prickly Porky ate and ate , the latter spoke again .

" what have you got on your mind , Peter ? " he asked .

" huh ! " grunted Prickly Porky .

" huh !

some folks think my wits are pretty slow , but even I know better than that .

put on your thinking cap again , Peter Rabbit . "

" why can't you ?

you are not afraid of Bowser the Hound or Farmer Brown 's boy , and everybody else is , excepting Jimmy Skunk , " persisted Peter .

" for the very good reason that if I could gnaw into his prison , Chatterer could gnaw out .

if he can't gnaw his way out with those sharp teeth of his , I certainly can't gnaw in.

where 's your common sense , Peter Rabbit ? "

" that 's so .

I hadn't thought of that , " replied Peter slowly and sorrowfully .

" I must try to think of some other way to help Chatterer . "

" I 'd be willing to try if it was of any use .

illustration : " I 'd be willing to try it if it was of any use .

but it isn't , " said Prickly Porky .

so Peter bade Prickly Porky good-by and started for the dear old Briar-patch to try to think of some other way to help Chatterer .

on the way he waked up Unc ' Billy Possum and Bobby Coon , but they couldn't give him any help .

" there really doesn't seem to be any way I can help , " sighed Peter .

and there really wasn't .

XX CHATTERER HAS ANOTHER GREAT SURPRISE

then had come the even greater surprise of finding that Farmer Brown 's boy was ever and ever so much nicer than he had thought .

a later surprise had been the wire wheel in his cage , so that he could run to his heart 's content .

it was such a pleasant and wholly unexpected surprise that it had quite changed Chatterer 's feelings towards Farmer Brown 's boy .

the fact is , Chatterer could have been truly happy but for one thing he was a prisoner .

yes , Sir , he was a prisoner , and he couldn't forget it for one minute while he was awake .

but Farmer Brown 's boy couldn't understand what Chatterer said , no matter how hard Chatterer tried to make him .

he seemed to think that Chatterer was happy .

he just sat in a corner of his cage and looked as miserable as he felt .

he lost his appetite .

in vain Farmer Brown 's boy brought him the fattest nuts and other dainties .

he couldn't eat for the great longing for freedom that filled his heart until it seemed ready to burst .

he no longer cared to run in the new wire wheel which had given him so much pleasure at first .

he was homesick , terribly homesick , and he just couldn't help it .

Farmer Brown 's boy noticed it , and his face grew sober and thoughtful .

he knew that he was unhappy and guessed why .

he just didn't feel like it .

he stayed curled up in his bed for a long , long time , too sad and miserable to move .

at last he crawled up and peeped out of his little round doorway .

Chatterer gave a little gasp and rubbed his eyes .

was he dreaming ?

he scrambled out in a hurry and peeped through the wires of his cage .

then he rubbed his eyes again and rushed over to the other side of the cage for another look .

his cage wasn't on the usual shelf at all !

it was on the snow-covered stone wall at the edge of the Old Orchard .

Chatterer was so excited he didn't know what to do .

he raced around the cage .

then he jumped into the wire wheel and made it spin round and round as never before .

when he was too tired to run any more , he jumped out .

and right then he discovered something he hadn't noticed before .

the little door in the top of his cage was open !

it must be that Farmer Brown 's boy had forgotten to close it when he put in Chatterer 's breakfast .

Chatterer forgot that he was tired .

like a little red flash he was outside and whisking along the snow-covered stone wall straight for his home in the Old Orchard .

" Chickaree !

Chickaree !

Chickaree ! " he shouted as he ran .

XXI CHATTERER HEARS THE SMALL VOICE

yes , Sir , Tommy was very busy , indeed .

it wasn't until he heard Chatterer 's claws on the trunk of the apple-tree that Tommy saw him at all .

then he was so surprised that he lost his balance and almost turned a somersault in the air before he caught another twig .

you see , he knew all about Chatterer and how he had been kept a prisoner by Farmer Brown 's boy .

" why !

Whye-e !

is this really you , Chatterer ? " he exclaimed .

" however did you get out of your prison ?

I 'm glad , ever and ever so glad , that you got away . "

Chatterer flirted his tail in the saucy way he has , and his eyes twinkled .

here was just the best chance ever to boast and brag .

he could tell Tommy Tit how smart he had been smart enough to get away from Farmer Brown 's boy .

was there ever such a chance to make his friends and neighbors say : " what a smart fellow he is ! "

" I I " Chatterer stopped .

then he began again .

" you see , it was this way : I I " somehow , Chatterer couldn't say what he had meant to say .

it seemed as if Tommy Tit 's bright , merry eyes were looking right into his head and heart and could see his very thoughts .

of course they couldn't .

it was saying : " for shame , Chatterer !

for shame !

tell the truth .

tell the truth . "

it was that little small voice that made Chatterer hesitate and stop .

" no , " replied Chatterer , almost before he thought .

" no , I didn't .

the fact is , Tommy Tit , he left the door open purposely .

he let me go .

Farmer Brown 's boy isn't half so bad as some people think . "

" Dee , dee , dee , " laughed Tommy Tit .

" I 've been telling a lot of you fellows that for a long time , but none of you would believe me .

now I guess you know it .

why , I 'm not the least bit afraid of Farmer Brown 's boy not the least little bit in the world .

" perhaps so , " replied Chatterer doubtfully .

" he was very good to me while I was in his prison , and and I 'm not so very much afraid of him now .

just the same , I don't mean to let him get hands on me again . "

" pooh ! " said Tommy Tit .

" pooh !

I 'd just as soon eat out of his hand . "

" can't now , " replied Tommy .

" I 've got too much to do for him right now , but some day I 'll show you .

Dee , dee , dee , chickadee !

I 'm wasting my time talking when there is such a lot to be done .

I am clearing his apple-trees of insect eggs . "

" Ha , ha , ha !

go it , you little red scamp ! " shouted a voice behind him .

XXII TOMMY TIT MAKES GOOD HIS BOAST

" Dee , dee , dee , chickadee !

see me !

see me ! "

in fact , his voice was the merriest , cheeriest sound to be heard that bright , snapping , cold morning .

to be sure there were other voices , but they were not merry , nor were they cheery .

there was the voice of Sammy Jay , but it sounded peevish and discontented .

and there was the voice of Blacky the Crow , but it sounded harsh and unpleasant .

so every one who heard Tommy Tit 's cheery voice that cold winter morning just had to smile .

yes , Sir , they just had to smile , even Sammy Jay and Blacky the Crow .

they just couldn't help themselves .

it was Sammy Jay .

over in the very top of a tall maple-tree , a long way off , was a spot of black .

Tommy didn't need to be told that it was Blacky the Crow , who didn't dare come any nearer .

Tommy fairly bubbled over with joy .

he knew what it all meant .

he tickled all over and cut up all sorts of capers , just for pure joy .

finally he flew over to the maple-tree that grows close by Farmer Brown 's house .

" Dee , dee , dee , chickadee !

see me !

see me ! " called Tommy Tit , and his voice sounded cheerier than ever and merrier than ever .

he pursed up his lips , and from them came the softest , sweetest whistle , and it sounded like " Phoe-be . "

" Phoe-be , " whistled Farmer Brown 's boy again .

" Phoe-be , " replied Tommy Tit , and it was hard to say which whistle was the softest and sweetest .

" Phoe-be , " whistled Farmer Brown 's boy once more and held out his hand .

in it was a cracked hickory nut .

" Dee , dee , dee !

see me !

then they looked back at Farmer Brown 's boy , and there on his head sat Tommy Tit .

" Dee , dee , dee , chickadee !

see me !

see me ! " called Tommy Tit , and his voice was merrier than ever , for he had made good his boast .

XXIII CHATTERER GROWS VERY , VERY BOLD

" I 'm not afraid .

I am afraid .

I 'm not afraid .

I am afraid .

I 'm not afraid . "

Chatterer kept saying these two things over and over and over again to himself .

you see , he really was afraid , and he was trying to make himself believe that he wasn't afraid .

he thought that perhaps if he said ever and ever so many times that he wasn't afraid , he might actually make himself believe it .

poor Chatterer !

it hurt his pride to have to own to himself that he wasn't as brave as little Tommy Tit the Chickadee .

his common sense told him that there was no reason in the world why he shouldn't be .

Tommy Tit went every day and took food from the hand of Farmer Brown 's boy .

but Tommy Tit himself didn't think it brave at all .

no , Sir , Tommy knew better .

you see , he has a great deal of common sense under the little black cap he wears .

Chatterer was beginning to have some such thoughts himself , as he tried to make himself think that he wasn't afraid .

he heard the door of Farmer Brown 's house slam and peeped out from the old stone wall .

almost before he thought , he had left the old stone wall and was half way over to Farmer Brown 's boy .

then he stopped short .

it seemed as if that little voice inside had fairly shouted in his ears : " I am afraid . "

it was true ; he was afraid .

he was right on the very point of turning to scurry back to the old stone wall , when he heard another voice .

this time it wasn't a voice inside .

no , indeed !

it was a voice from the top of one of the apple-trees in the Old Orchard , and this is what it said :

" coward !

coward !

coward ! "

it was Sammy Jay speaking .

" no such thing !

no such thing !

it was hard to tell which was the most surprised Chatterer himself , Farmer Brown 's boy , or Sammy Jay .

" I did it !

I did it !

I did it ! " boasted Chatterer .

" you don't dare do it again , though ! " said Sammy Jay , in the most provoking and unpleasant way .

" I do too ! " snapped Chatterer , and he did it .

" why , " thought Chatterer , " if I would have let him , he would have been my friend long ago ! "

and so he would have .

and this is all about Chatterer the Red Squirrel for now .

Sammy Jay insists that it is his turn now , and so the next book will be about his adventures .

THE END

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Chatterer the Red Squirrel , by Thornton W Burgess

produced by Joanne Hogan .

HTML version by Al Haines .

under the Lilacs

by

Louisa May Alcott

Contents

I ..y a MYSTERIOUS DOG II .

WHERE THEY FOUND HIS MASTER III .

BEN IV .

HIS STORY V BEN GETS A PLACE VI .

a CIRCULATING LIBRARY VII .

NEW FRIENDS TROT IN VIII .

MISS CELIA'S MAN IX .

a HAPPY TEA X . a HEAVY TROUBLE XI .

SUNDAY XII .

GOOD TIMES XIII .

SOMEBODY RUNS AWAY XIV .

SOMEBODY GETS LOST XV .

BEN'S RIDE XVI .

DETECTIVE THORNTON XVII .

BETTY'S BRAVERY XVIII .

BOWS AND ARROWS XIX .

SPEAKING PIECES XX .

BEN'S BIRTHDAY XXI .

CUPID'S LAST APPEARANCE XXII .

a BOY'S BARGAIN XXIII .

SOMEBODY COMES XXIV .

THE GREAT GATE IS OPENED

UNDER THE LILACS

CHAPTER I

a MYSTERIOUS DOG

the elm-tree avenue was all overgrown , the great gate was never unlocked , and the old house had been shut up for several years .

all sorts of neglected flowers and wild weeds grew between their stems , covering the walls of this summer parlor with the prettiest tapestry .

there was another interesting feature of the scene which would have puzzled any but those well acquainted with the manners and customs of dolls .

a fourteenth rag baby , with a china head , hung by her neck from the rusty knocker in the middle of the door .

was she a criminal , the sight of whose execution threw them flat upon their backs in speechless horror ?

or was she an idol , to be adored in that humble posture ?

neither , my friends .

they looked like twins , but were not , for Bab was a year older than Betty , though only an inch taller .

" very nice ; but my Belinda beats them all .

I do think she is the splendidest child that ever was ! "

and Betty set down the basket to run and embrace the suspended darling , just then kicking up her heels with joyful abandon .

" the cake can be cooling while we fix the children .

" leave some smell for me ! " commanded Betty , running back to get her fair share of the spicy fragrance .

" Ma let me put it on the very last minute , and it baked so hard I couldn't pick it off .

this arduous task accomplished , the fond mammas stepped back to enjoy the spectacle , which , I assure you , was an impressive one .

Belinda sat with great dignity at the head , her hands genteelly holding a pink cambric pocket-handkerchief in her lap .

" they will like to see us get tea .

did you forget the buns ? " inquired Betty , anxiously .

" no ; got them in my pocket . "

and Bab produced from that chaotic cupboard two rather stale and crumbly ones , saved from lunch for the fete .

these were cut up and arranged in plates , forming a graceful circle around the cake , still in its basket .

" Ma couldn't spare much milk , so we must mix water with it .

strong tea isn't good for children , she says . "

and Bab contentedly surveyed the gill of skim-milk which was to satisfy the thirst of the company .

Bab went and sat beside her , looking idly down the walk toward the gate , where a fine cobweb shone in the afternoon sun .

you know she wouldn't take us in the fall , cause we had whooping-cough , and it was damp there .

now we shall see all the nice things ; won't it be fun ? " observed Bab , after a pause .

" yes , indeed !

Ma says there 's lots of books in one room , and I can look at ' em while she goes round .

" I 'd rather see the old spinning-wheel up garret , and the big pictures , and the queer clothes in the blue chest .

it makes me mad to have them all shut up there , when we might have such fun with them .

I 'd just like to bang that old door down ! "

and Bab twisted round to give it a thump with her boots .

" I didn't laugh . "

" you did !

don't you suppose I know what laughing is ? "

" I guess I know I didn't . "

" you did laugh !

how darst you tell such a fib ? "

" if you say that again I 'll take Belinda and go right home ; then what will you do ? "

" I 'll eat up the cake . "

" no , you won't !

this awful threat calmed Bab 's anger at once , and she hastened to introduce a safer subject .

" never mind ; don't let's fight before the children .

" I suppose the coach will be all dust and rats and spiders , but I don't care .

you and the dolls can be the passengers , and I shall sit up in front drive . "

" you always do .

alas , for the faith of these too confiding mammas !

they were gone about five minutes , and when they returned a sight met their astonished eyes which produced a simultaneous shriek of horror .

flat upon their faces lay the fourteen dolls , and the cake , the cherished cake , was gone .

for an instant the little girls could only stand motionless , gazing at the dreadful scene .

then Bab cast her water-pail wildly away , and , doubling up her fist , cried out fiercely ,

" it was that Sally !

she said she 'd pay me for slapping her when she pinched little Mary Ann , and now she has .

I 'll give it to her !

you run that way .

I 'll run this .

Quick ! quick ! "

round the house they went , and met with a crash at the back door , but no sign of the thief appeared .

" In the lane ! " shouted Bab .

" Whish , go away ! " commanded Bab .

" Scat ! " meekly quavered Betty .

to their great relief , the poodle gave several more inquiring barks , and then vanished as suddenly as he appeared .

" where do you s'pose he came from ? " asked Betty , stopping to rest on a big stone .

" oh , dear , yes !

" the party 's all spoilt , so we may as well go home ; and Bab mournfully led the way back .

Betty puckered up her face to cry , but burst out laughing in spite of her woe .

" it was so funny to see him spin round and walk on his head !

I wish he 'd do it all over again ; don't you ? "

" yes : but I hate him just the same .

" what is it ? oh , what is it ? " cried Betty , all ready to run away if any new terror appeared .

" look ! there ! it 's come back ! " said Bab in an awe-stricken whisper , pointing to the table .

CHAPTER II

WHERE THEY FOUND HIS MASTER

" the dog didn't eat it ! "

" Sally didn't take it ! "

" how do you know ? "

" she never would have put it back . "

" who did ? "

" can't tell , but I forgive ' em . "

" or mine either , " coughed Betty , choking over a raisin that wouldn't go down in a hurry .

" that will be splendid .

my poor Linda was knocked right over on her nose .

" she 'll have croup to-night as sure as the world .

" P'r'aps she will , but you needn't begin to sneeze yet awhile .

" I didn't sneeze !

" then who did ?

a yellow-bird sat swinging and chirping on the tall lilac-bush , but no other living thing was in sight .

" birds don't sneeze , do they ? " asked Betty , eying little Goldy suspiciously .

" you goose ! of course they don't . "

" well .

I should just like to know who is laughing and sneezing round here .

may be it is the dog , " suggested Betty looking relieved .

" I never heard of a dog 's laughing , except Mother Hubbard 's .

this is such a queer one , may be he can , though .

" I know where I ' m going to , " said Betty , piling the dolls into her apron with more haste than care .

" I 'm going right straight home to tell Ma all about it .

I don't like such actions , and I ' m afraid to stay . "

" oh , Bab , just see !

here 's the very ones we wanted .

" we 'll have a grand rummage Monday , and find out what is going on over there , " was all she said .

the cake transaction remained a riddle , for Sally Folsom solemnly declared that she was playing tag in Mamie Snow 's barn at that identical time .

no one had been near the old house but the two children , and no one could throw any light upon that singular affair .

at afternoon recess , which the girls had first , Bab nearly dislocated every joint of her little body trying to imitate the poodle 's antics .

" my gracious , there he is this very minute ! " cried Betty , who sat on a little wood-pile near the door .

" the poor thing is starved ; let him eat all he wants , and we won't touch him . "

" never mind , dears , I 'll get you another pail , if he doesn't bring it back as he did before .

as it is too wet for you to play out , you shall go and see the old coach-house as I promised .

keep on your rubbers and come along . "

CHAPTER III

BEN

" please , ' m , my name is Ben Brown , and I 'm travellin ' . "

" where are you going ? "

" Anywheres to get work . "

" what sort of work can you do ? "

" all kinds .

I 'm used to horses . "

" bless me ! such a little chap as you ?

I 'm ready for ' em . "

the last words seemed to bolt out against his will as if the woman 's sympathy irresistibly won the child 's confidence .

" then I don't blame you .

but how did you get here ? "

but the gate was locked , and I was so discouraged , I jest laid down outside and give up . "

" poor little soul , I don't wonder , " said Mrs Moss , while the children looked deeply interested at mention of their gate .

" while I was restin ' I heard some one come along inside , and I peeked , and saw them little girls playin ' .

" and you made him put it back ? " cried Bab .

" no ; I did it myself .

" and you laughed ? " asked Bab .

" yes . "

" and sneezed ? " added Betty .

" yes . "

" and threw down the roses ? " cried both .

" yes ; and you liked ' em , didn't you ? "

" Course we did !

what made you hide ? " said Bab .

" how came you here ? " demanded Mrs Moss , suddenly remembering her responsibility .

" I heard ' em talk about a little winder and a shed , and when they 'd gone I found it and come in .

the glass was broke , and I only pulled the nail out .

I haven't done a mite of harm sleepin ' here two nights .

I was so tuckered out I couldn't go on nohow , though I tried a Sunday . "

" and came back again ?

" no , ma'am , and I dunno as I care .

" you 're very kind , ma'am , I 'll be glad to work for you .

ain't you got a horse I can see to ? " asked the boy , eagerly .

" nothing but hens and a cat . "

" come right along , child .

run on , girls , and put the rest of the broth to warming , and fill the kettle .

" I 'm awful shabby , but I ain't dirty .

" put out your tongue . "

he did so , but took it in again to say quickly ,

Mrs Moss took the hint , and bade the boy follow her at once and bring his " things " with him .

" I ain't got any .

some big fellers took away my bundle , else I wouldn't look so bad .

there 's only this .

" that 's soon done ; it 's mine , and you 're welcome to the bits your queer dog ran off with .

come along , I must lock up , " and Mrs Moss clanked her keys suggestively .

while the new-comers were thus happily employed , Mrs Moss beckoned the little girls out of the room , and gave them both an errand .

any shoes , or a hat , or socks , would come handy , for the poor dear hasn't a whole thread on him . "

" Gracious ! how could you do it ? " asked Bab , looking as if she thought there was magic about .

" yes , ' m .

" if they abused you , of course I wouldn't .

tell the truth , and I 'll stand by you .

Girls , you go for the milk . "

" oh , Ma , do let us stay !

" I don't mind ' em , " said Ben handsomely .

" very well , only hold your tongues .

CHAPTER IV

HIS STORY

" we 've been to one !

it was splendid ! "

" how came you there ? " asked Mrs Moss , rather disturbed at the news .

" why , my father was the ' Wild Hunter of the Plains . '

didn't you ever see or hear of him ? " said Ben , as if surprised at her ignorance .

" didn't you see him ? " demanded Ben , turning to the little girls .

was he any of them ? " answered Betty , innocently .

" pooh ! he didn't belong to that lot .

" is he dead ? " asked Mrs Moss .

" I don't know .

wish I did , " and poor Ben gave a gulp as if something rose in his throat and choked him .

" yes , ma'am .

I will , thank y' , " and with an effort the boy steadied his voice and plunged into the middle of his story .

" father was always good to me , and I liked bein ' with him after granny died .

I lived with her till I was seven ; then father took me , and I was trained for rider .

" oh , weren't you scared to pieces ? " asked Betty , quaking at the mere thought .

" not a bit .

I liked it . "

" so should I ! " cried Bab enthusiastically .

" what 's hanny bells and neroes ? " demanded Betty .

" big elephants .

" didn't any one take your part ? " asked Mrs Moss .

" yes , ' m , ' most all the ladies did ; they were very good to me , ' specially ' Melia .

" Buck had five of ' em , cross old fellers , and he showed ' em off .

" who was Miss St John ? " asked Mrs Moss , rather confused by the sudden introduction of new names and people .

" why she was ' Melia , Mrs Smithers , the ringmaster 's wife .

his name wasn't Montgomery any more'n hers was St . John .

they all change ' em to something fine on the bills , you know .

he told me he was goin ' to a great ridin ' school in New York and when he was fixed he 'd send for me .

I was to stay in the museum and help Pedro with the trick business .

but father didn't send for me , and I began to have horrid times .

if it hadn't been for ' Melia and Sancho I would have cut away long before I did . "

" what did you have to do ? "

" Lots of things , for times was dull and I was smart .

Smithers said so , any way , and I had to tumble up lively when he gave the word .

I didn't mind doin ' tricks or showin ' off Sancho , for father trained him , and he always did well with me .

but they wanted me to drink gin to keep me small , and I wouldn't , ' cause father didn't like that kind of thing .

" what a brute that man must have been !

why didn't ' Melia put a stop to it ? " asked Mrs Moss , indignantly .

" she died , ma'am , and then there was no one left but Sanch ; so I run away . "

" what did you mean to do ? "

but I 'd have starved if it hadn't been for Sanch .

I left him tied up when I ran off , for fear they 'd say I stole him .

he belongs to father , and I hated to leave him ; but I did .

I hooked it one dark night , and never thought I 'd see him ag'in .

" cheer up , little master ; fathers may vanish and friends die , but I never will desert you . "

" if I can find something for you to do , would you like to stay here awhile ? "

" well , I 'll step over to the Squire 's to-morrow to see what he says .

shouldn't wonder if he 'd take you for a chore-boy , if you are as smart as you say .

he always has one in the summer , and I haven't seen any round yet .

can you drive cows ? "

" I guess I will , ma'am , " answered Ben , with sudden meekness , remembering the trials from which he had escaped .

very soon after this , he was sent off for a good night 's sleep in the back bedroom , with Sancho to watch over him .

CHAPTER V

BEN GETS A PLACE

" did you rest well ? " asked Mrs Moss , nodding at him , fork in hand .

" guess I did !

never saw such a bed .

" fat ain't allowed in our profession , ma'am .

the thinner the better for tight-ropes and tumblin ' ; likewise bareback ridin ' and spry jugglin ' .

muscle 's the thing , and there you are . "

glad to see him in such good spirits , she pointed to the well outside , saying pleasantly ,

" well , then , just try your muscle by bringing in some fresh water . "

" just the nicest place that ever was .

" Mike lets me ride the white one to water when the judge isn't round .

it 's such fun to go jouncing down the lane and back .

I do love horses ! " cried Bab , bobbing up and down on the blue bench to imitate the motion of white Jenny .

" don't you be scared , child .

" Good-morning , ma'am .

what 's the matter now ?

young tramp been stealing your chickens ? "

" oh , dear no , sir ! " exclaimed Mrs Moss , as if shocked at the idea .

" ' Most any thing , sir , to get my livin ' . "

" can you weed ? "

" never did , but I can learn , sir . "

" pull up all the beets and leave the pigweed , hey ?

can you pick strawberries ? "

" never tried any thing but eatin ' ' em , sir , "

" not likely to forget that part of the job .

can you ride a horse to plow ? "

" no antics allowed .

my horse is a fine fellow , and I 'm very particular about him . "

" I 'm too fond of horses to hurt ' em , Sir .

as for ridin ' , I ain't afraid of any thing on four legs .

the King of Morocco used to kick and bite like fun , but I could manage him first-rate . "

" then you 'd be able to drive cows to pasture , perhaps ? "

" I 've drove elephants and camels , ostriches and grizzly bears , and mules , and six yellow ponies all to oncet .

" don't raise elephants and camels much round here .

bears used to be plenty , but folks got tired of them .

mules are numerous , but we have the two-legged kind ; and as a general thing prefer Shanghae fowls to ostriches . "

as they stopped , the Squire tapped on the window behind him , saying , with an attempt at the former gruffness ,

" we 'll try you on cows awhile .

my man will show you where to drive them , and give you some odd jobs through the day .

I 'll see what you are good for , and send you word to-night , Mrs Moss .

the boy can sleep at your house , can't he ? "

" yes , indeed , sir .

he can go on doing it , and come up to his work just as well as not .

I can see to him then , and he won't be a care to any one , " said Mrs Moss , heartily .

" Thanky ' , sir .

I will , sir .

here a red-headed Irishman came to the door , and stood eying the boy with small favor while the Squire gave his orders .

" Pat , this lad wants work .

he 's to take the cows and go for them .

give him any light jobs you have , and let me know if he 's good for any thing . "

" yis , your honor .

" he 'll nip ye , if ye go botherin ' that way .

" I ain't afraid !

you won't hurt me , will you , old feller ?

the Squire saw it all from the open window , and suspecting from Pat 's face that trouble was brewing , called out ,

" let the lad harness Duke , if he can .

I 'm going out directly , and he may as well try that as any thing . "

CHAPTER VI

a CIRCULATING LIBRARY

" I wish they 'd come .

he 's the dearest dog I ever saw ! " answered Bab , who was fonder of animals than her sister .

" please to locate , gentlemen ; please to locate .

pronounced by all beholders the most remarkable youthful progidy agoin ' .

hooray ! here we are ! "

" come down and tell what you did up at the Squire 's .

was he cross ?

did you have to work hard ?

do you like it ? " asked Bab , when the noise had subsided .

" I did all sorts of jobs .

the old gentleman wasn't cross ; he gave me a dime , and I like him first-rate .

but I just hate ' Carrots ; ' he swears at a feller , and fired a stick of wood at me .

guess I 'll pay him off when I get a chance . "

" look here , tell me about this , will you ?

what are these chaps up to ?

the ink has spoilt all but the picture and this bit of reading .

I want to know what it means .

take it to ' em , Sanch . "

Bab and Betty picked it up and read it aloud in unison , while Ben leaned from his perch to listen and learn .

" ' When day dawned , land was visible .

a pleasant land it was .

there were gay flowers , and tall trees with leaves and fruit , such as they had never seen before .

on the shore were unclad copper-colored men , gazing with wonder at the Spanish ships .

" why , that 's Columbus finding San Salvador .

" no , I don't .

who was he any way ?

" I don't care a bit for your quackin ' boss , whoever he is .

tell about this fine feller with the ships ; I like him , " persisted Ben .

" I 'd like to read some more .

would my ten cents buy a book ? " asked Ben , anxious to learn a little since Bab laughed at him .

" no , indeed !

" I do get my history in the evening , but you could have it mornings before school . "

" I shall have to go off early , so there won't be any chance .

yes , there will , I'LL tell you how to do it .

let me read while I drive up the cows .

Squire likes ' em to eat slow along the road , so 's to keep the grass short and save mowin ' .

Pat said so , and I could do history instead of loafin ' round ! " cried Ben full of this bright idea .

" how will I get my book back in time to recite ? " asked Bab , prudently .

" oh , I 'll leave it on the window-sill , or put it inside the door as I go back .

I 'll be real careful , and just as soon as I earn enough , I 'll buy you a new one and take the old one .

Will you ? "

" yes ; but I 'll tell you a nicer way to do .

you put it in my cubby-house , right at the corner of the wall nearest the big maple .

you 'll find a cunning place between the roots that stick up under the flat stone .

that 's my closet , and I keep things there .

it 's the best cubby of all , and we take turns to have it . "

" I 'll find it , and that 'll be a first-rate place , " said Ben , much gratified .

" I could put my reading-book in sometimes , if you 'd like it .

" I'd like a ' rithmetic better .

" I 'll teach you that .

Betty doesn't know much about sums .

but she spells splendidly , and is always at the head of her class .

" I never went to school , so that 's the reason I ain't smart .

I can write , though , better ' n some of the boys up at school .

I saw lots of names on the shed door .

" those are beautiful !

I can't make such curly ones .

who taught you to do it ? " asked Bab , as she and Betty walked up and down admiring them .

" horse blankets , " answered Ben , soberly .

" what ! " cried both girls , stopping to stare .

" our horses all had their names on their blankets , and I used to copy ' em .

the wagons had signs , and I learned to read that way after father taught me my letters off the red and yellow posters .

First word I knew was lion , ' cause I was always goin ' to see old Jubal in his cage .

father was real proud when I read it right off .

I can draw one , too . "

CHAPTER VII

NEW FRIENDS TROT IN

at " the First Settlements " he had to stop , for the schoolhouse was reached , and the book must be returned .

they told their mother , however , and she gave them leave to lend their books and encourage Ben to love learning all they could .

she also proposed that they should drop patch-work , and help her make some blue shirts for Ben .

but the little girls tried him with all they Possessed , and he was mortified to find how ignorant he was .

now he saw nothing before him but days of patient and very uninteresting labor .

on the other hand , he was not obliged to stay a minute longer unless he liked .

while he paused to think of this , something happened which kept him from doing what he would have been sure to regret afterward .

" now , Chevalita , if you have got a stone in your foot , I shall have to get off and take it out .

why don't you look where you step , and save me all this trouble ? "

" I wish you would .

" that was nicely done , and I 'm much obliged .

" no , ma'am ; I 'm new in these parts , and I only know where Squire Morris and Mrs Moss live . "

" I want to see both of them , so suppose you show me the way .

it 's a real pretty place ; Bab and Betty play there , and so do I . "

" tell me all about it .

are Bab and Betty your sisters ? "

at the school-house corner he stopped and said , spreading his arms like a sign-post ,

" that 's the way to the Laylocks , and this is the way to the Squire 's . "

I won't say good-by , because I shall see you again . "

when dinner was over , Ben 's industrious fit left him , and he leisurely trundled his barrow to and fro till the guest departed .

leaning down , Miss Celia slipped a new quarter into his hand , saying ,

" Lita wants me to give you this for taking the stone out of her foot . "

" the Squire says you know a good deal about horses , so I suppose you understand the Houyhnhnm language ?

" no , miss , I never went to school . "

" that is not taught there .

I 'll bring you a book all about it when I come back .

Mr Gulliver went to the horse-country and heard the dear things speak their own tongue . "

" my father has been on the prairies , where there 's lots of wild ones , but he didn't hear ' em speak .

I know what they want without talkin ' , " answered Ben , suspecting a joke , but not exactly seeing what it was .

" I don't doubt it , but I won't forget the book .

" if she only had a red habit and a streamin ' white feather , she 'd look as fine as ' Melia used to .

she is ' most as kind and rides ' most as well .

wonder where she 's goin ' to .

in the afternoon the lady was gone , the old house all open , and their mother sweeping , airing , in great spirits .

here Ben found them , and was at once overwhelmed with a burst of news which excited him as much as it did them .

Miss Celia owned the house , was coming to liver there , and things were to be made ready as soon as possible .

" I 'm in such a hurry to see the peacocks and hear them scream .

" is a faytun a kind of a bird ?

I heard her say she could keep it in the coach-house , " asked Betty , inquiringly .

" it 's a little carriage , " and Ben rolled in the grass , much tickled at poor Betty 's ignorance .

" of course it is .

" you can't tell me much about carriages .

but what I want to know is where Lita will stay ? " said Ben .

" oh , she 's to be up at the Squire 's till things are fixed , and you are to bring her down .

Squire came and told Ma all about it , and said you were a boy to be trusted , for he had tried you . "

" won't it be fine to have the house open all the time ?

we can run over and see the pictures and books whenever we like .

" not unless you are invited , " answered their mother , locking the front door behind her .

" you 'd better begin to pick up your duds right away , for she won't want them cluttering round her front yard .

if you are not too tired , Ben , you might rake round a little while I shut the blinds .

I want things to look nice and tidy . "

" whatever shall we do !

our attic is so hot and the shed so small , and the yard always full of hens or clothes .

we shall have to pack all our things away , and never play any more , " said Bab , tragically .

" he won't have any time .

boys don't care for baby-houses , " returned Bab , collecting her homeless goods and chattels with a dismal face .

CHAPTER VIII

MISS CELIA'S MAN

Ben was not too tired , and the clearing-up began that very night .

the children were much disappointed , but were appeased by a promise that they should all go to pay their respects in the morning .

" she 's all right , miss , Lita is ; and I can bring her over any minute you say . "

" I shall want her at four o'clock .

" I want to thank you for helping put things in such nice order .

I see signs of busy hands and feet both inside the house and all about the grounds , and I am very much obliged . "

" I raked the beds , " said Ben , proudly eying the neat ovals and circles .

Miss Celia guessed the meaning of that sigh , and made haste to turn it into a smile by asking anxiously ,

" what has become of the playthings ?

I don't see them anywhere . "

" Ma said you wouldn't want our duds round , so we took them all home , " answered Betty , with a wistful face .

" but I do want them round .

I like dolls and toys almost as much as ever , and quite miss the little ' duds ' from porch and path .

suppose you come to tea with me to-night and bring some of them back ?

I should be very sorry to rob you of your pleasant play-place . "

" oh , yes , ' m , we 'd love to come ! and we 'll bring our best things . "

" bring what you like , and I 'll hunt up my toys , too .

" thank you , miss .

I told them you 'd be willing they should come sometimes .

" so do I , " echoed Miss Celia , heartily .

grandpa lived here then , and we had fine times ; but now they are all gone except us two . "

" so I will ! and you shall be my little sisters .

Bab gave a satisfied nod , and fell to examining the rings upon the white hand that held her own .

can't we wear our Sunday frocks ?

a splendid new net for Lita .

and she likes dolls .

goody , goody , won't it be fun ! "

" no , Ben , the great gate is not to be opened till next October .

but she did not start , even when Ben had shaken out the new duster and laid it neatly over her knees .

" isn't it all right now ? " asked the boy , anxiously .

" not quite ; I need one thing more .

" no , miss , I don't see " he began , much mortified to think he had forgotten any thing .

he grew red with pleasure , but stammered , as he hesitated , looking down at his bare feet and blue shirt ,

" I ain't fit , miss ; and I haven't got any other clothes . "

up with you , Ben , my man , and let us be off , or we shall be late for our party . "

" my brother has been ill , and I have brought him here to get well .

I want to do all sorts of things to amuse him , and I think you can help me in many ways .

would you like to work for me instead of the Squire ?

that will be one thing you can do .

another is to take care of his pets till he is able to do it himself .

then you can tell him your adventures , and talk to him as only a boy can talk to a boy .

how does that sort of work look to you ? "

" First-rate !

Miss Celia laughed , and rather damped his ardor by her next words .

" I don't know what Thorny would say to hear you call him ' little . '

he is fourteen , and appears to get taller and taller every day .

" I 'm used to that .

you shall be well fed and clothed , kindly treated and honestly paid , if you like to stay with me . "

" I know I shall like it till father comes , anyway .

Squire wrote to Smithers right off , but hasn't got any answer yet .

he was also allowed to drive home , while his new mistress read her letters .

one particularly long one , with a queer stamp on the envelope , she read twice , never speaking a word till they got back .

then Ben was sent off with Lita and the Squire 's letters , promising to get his chores done in time for tea .

CHAPTER IX

a HAPPY TEA

" isn't it perfectly lovely ? " whispered Betty , who had never seen any thing like it before .

" I just wish Sally could see us now , " answered Bab , who had not yet forgiven her enemy .

" if they make a noise , I 'll go in .

don't see what you asked them for . "

" to amuse you , dear .

I am all ready , however , and we will sit down at once .

this is my brother Thornton , and we are all going to be very good friends by-and-by .

here ' s the droll dog , Thorny ; isn't he nice and curly ? "

" what a wise old fellow he is !

it seems as if he could almost speak , doesn't it ? "

" he can .

say ' How do you do , ' Sanch , " commanded Ben , relenting at once , for he saw admiration in Thorny 's face .

at last , a moment came when temptation proved too strong for him .

Thorny forgot both sulks and shyness after that , and suddenly began to talk .

a small boy was suddenly discovered standing in the path behind them , regarding the company with an air of solemn interest .

before Miss Celia could speak , the stranger calmly announced his mission .

" I have come to see the peacocks . "

" you shall presently " began Miss Celia , but got no further , for the child added , coming a step nearer ,

" and the wabbits . "

" yes , but first won't you "

" and the curly dog , " continued the small voice , as another step brought the resolute young personage nearer .

" there he is . "

a pause , a long look ; then a new demand with the same solemn tone , the same advance .

" I wish to hear the donkey bray . "

" certainly , if he will . "

" and the peacocks scream . "

" any thing more , sir ? "

" I will have some of that . "

" I am papa 's boy .

he makes a paper .

I help him a great deal . "

" what is his name ? "

" Mr Barlow .

we live in Springfield , " volunteered the new guest , unbending a trifle , thanks to the charms of the cake .

" have you a mamma , dear ? "

" she takes naps .

I go to walk then . "

" without leave , I suspect .

have you no brothers or sisters to go with you ? " asked Miss Celia , wondering where the little runaway belonged .

" I have two brothers , Thomas Merton Barlow and Harry Sanford Barlow .

I am Alfred Tennyson Barlow .

we don't have any girls in our house , only Bridget . "

" don't you go to school ? "

" the boys do .

I don't learn any Greeks and Latins yet .

I dig , and read to mamma , and make poetrys for her . "

" couldn't you make some for me ?

I 'm very fond of poetrys , " proposed Miss Celia , seeing that this prattle amused the children .

" I guess I couldn't make any now ; I made some coming along .

I will say it to you . "

and , crossing his short legs , the inspired babe half said , half sung the following poem : ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) these lines were actually composed by a six-year old child .

" that 's all of that one .

I made another one when I digged after the turtle .

I will say that .

sweet , sweet days are passing O'er my happy home .

passing on swift wings through the valley of life .

cold are the days when winter comes again .

" it comes out of my head .

I make lots of them , " began the imperturbable one , yielding more and more to the social influences of the hour .

" is that the way peacocks scream ? "

the children were in fits of laughter , and Miss Celia could hardly make herself heard as she answered merrily ,

" no , dear ; that is the donkey asking you to come and see him : will you go ?

" I guess I couldn't stop now .

Mamma might want me . "

and , without another word , the discomfited poet precipitately retired , leaving his cherished sticks behind him .

at sight of that , Betty stretched out her arms to receive it with a cry of delight .

Thorny poked about to find a certain curious puzzle which he could put together without a mistake after long study .

" he looks as if he knew them , " said Thorny , amused at the dog 's eager whine and scratch .

" he does .

" isn't that clever ?

can he do any more ? " cried Thorny , delighted .

" he has been carefully trained .

do you know how it was done ? " she asked , when Sancho lay down to rest and be caressed by the children .

" no , ' m , father did it when I was a little chap , and never told me how .

I used to help teach him to dance , and that was easy enough , he is so smart .

I can't do half the tricks , but I 'm goin ' to learn when father comes back .

he 'd rather have me show off Sanch than ride , till I 'm older . "

" I invited the two dogs to dine and spend the evening ; and they came with their master , who was a Frenchman .

he had been a teacher in a deaf and dumb school , and thought he would try the same plan with dogs .

he had also been a conjurer , and now was supported by Blanche and her daughter Lyda .

so a table was arranged with a lamp on it , and round the table were laid the letters of the alphabet painted on cards .

some one wrote pferd , the German for horse , on a slate .

Blanche looked at it and pretended to read it , putting by the slate with her paw when she had done .

' Now give us the French for that word , ' said the man ; and she instantly brought CHEVAL .

' Now , as you are at an Englishman 's house , give it to us in English ; ' and she brought me HORSE .

then we spelt some words wrong , and she corrected them with wonderful accuracy .

" then Lyda took her place on the table , and did sums on the slate with a set of figures .

also mental arithmetic , which was very pretty .

' Now , Lyda , ' said her master , ' I want to see if you understand division .

Lyda very decidedly replied to this with a cipher .

' But , suppose you divided your sugar with me , how many lumps would you give me ? '

Lyda took up the figure five and politely presented it to her master . "

" wasn't she smart ?

Sanch can't do that , " exclaimed Ben , forced to own that the French doggie beat his cherished pet .

" he is not too old to learn .

" oh , yes !

what else did they do ? "

Lyda was beaten , and hid under the sofa , evidently feeling very badly about it .

" wouldn't I have liked to see ' em and find out how they were taught !

CHAPTER X

a HEAVY TROUBLE

" thank you , ma'am , that 's a tip-top book , ' specially the pictures .

" ain't that black one a beauty ?

" you may take a turn round my field on Lita any day .

" needn't wait for that .

I 'd rather ride bareback .

" no ; I brought the book , but in the hurry of my tea-party forgot to unpack it .

I 'll hunt it up to-night .

remind me , Thorny . "

" there , now , I 've forgotten something , too !

Squire sent you a letter ; and I 'm having such a jolly time , I never thought of it . "

" what heaps she knows !

more than Teacher , I do believe ; and she doesn't mind how many questions we ask .

I like folks that will tell me things , " added Bab , whose inquisitive mind was always hungry .

" I like that boy first-rate , and I guess he likes me , though I didn't know where Nantucket ought to go .

he wants me to teach him to ride when he 's on his pins again , and Miss Celia says I may .

" won't we have splendid times ?

she Says we may come over every night and play with her and Thorny . "

" and I 'm going to be her boy , and stay here all the time .

I guess the letter I brought was a recommend from the Squire . "

she is so nicely asleep , it is a pity to wake her .

Good by till to-morrow , little neighbors , " continued Miss Celia , and dismissed the girls with a kiss .

" not yet ; I 've several things to settle with my new man .

tell mother he will come by-and-by . "

" the Squire has heard about your father , and this is the letter Mr Smithers sends . "

" he went after the mustangs , and sent some home , but could not come himself . "

" went further on , I s'pose .

yes , he said he might go as far as California , and if he did he 'd send for me .

I 'd like to go there ; it 's a real splendid place , they say . "

" he has gone further away than that , to a lovelier country than California , I hope . "

and Miss Celia 's eyes turned to the deep sky , where early stars were shining .

" didn't he send for me ?

where 's he gone ?

" I guess I could , but you don't mean it ?

" my poor little boy , I wish I could say no . "

there was no need of any more words , no need of tears or kind arms around him .

he knew he was an orphan now , and turned instinctively to the old friend who loved him best .

throwing himself down beside his dog , Ben clung about the curly neck , sobbing bitterly ,

" oh , Sanch , he 's never coming back again ; never , never any more ! "

presently the sobbing ceased , and Ben whispered , without looking up ,

" tell me all about it ; I 'll be good . "

" will you go , Ben ? " asked Miss Celia , hoping to distract his mind from his grief by speaking of other things .

" no , no ; I 'd rather tramp and starve .

he 's awful hard to me and Sanch ; and he 'd be worse , now father 's gone .

don't send me back !

let me stay here ; folks are good to me ; there 's nowhere else to go . "

" you shall stay here , and no one shall take you away against your will .

but Ben put his arm over his face , and sobbed out with a fresh burst of grief ,

" you can't , you didn't know him !

oh , daddy ! daddy ! if I 'd only seen you jest once more ! "

CHAPTER XI

SUNDAY

" we must put on mourning , old feller .

he could find nothing in his limited wardrobe with which to decorate Sanch except a black cambric pocket .

" one pocket is enough ; I sha'n't want anything but a han'k'chi'f to-day . "

" I want you to drive me to church by-and-by .

" you will do very well when I have given you a touch .

God doesn't mind our clothes , Ben , and the poor are as welcome as the rich to him .

" that was a pleasant way to rest .

I often do so , and we will go to the grove this afternoon and try it .

will you come and try it , Ben , dear ? "

" it 's mighty pretty , but it will fly off , just as the others did .

I never saw such a chap as that spider is .

By-and-by you will see that pretty trap full of insects , and Mr Spider will lay up his provisions for the day .

after that he doesn't care how soon his fine web blows away . "

he dives down the minute I touch the gate , but comes up after I 've kept still a minute .

I like to watch him .

but he must hate me , for I took away a nice green fly and some little millers one day . "

" did you ever hear the story of Bruce and his spider ?

most children know and like that , " said Miss Celia , seeing that he seemed interested .

" ah , but you also know many things which they do not .

" I know he would ; so we will try , Benny .

but it was not good for you , and we will do our best to find something safer .

I 've got two boys now , and I want to do my duty by both . "

" Celia !

I can't find a bit of a shoe-string , and I wish you 'd come and do my neck-tie . "

" lazy boy , come down here , and bring one of your black ties with you .

you mustn't mind his fidgets and dawdling ways .

he 'll get over them soon , and then I know you two will be good friends . "

" oh , don't they ?

" I should like to know what this is for ? " demanded Thorny , in a dignified tone , presenting a black tie .

" for my other boy .

" well , I like that " began Thorny , in a tone that contradicted his words .

" is Ben going to black my boots before he goes ? with a glance at the new shoes which caused them to creak uneasily .

" no ; he is going to black mine , if he will be so kind .

you won't need boots for a week yet , so we won't waste any time over them .

you will find every thing in the shed , Ben ; and at ten you may go for Lita . "

" I was only thinking , you looked as if "

" as if what ?

don't be afraid , " she said , for Ben paused and fumbled at the reins , feeling half ashamed to tell his fancy .

" you were saying prayers , " he added , wishing she had not caught him .

" so I was .

don't you , when you are happy ?

" no , 'm .

I 'm glad , but I don't say any thing . "

" words are not needed ; but they help , sometimes , if they are sincere and sweet .

did you never learn any prayers , Ben ? "

" only ' Now I lay me . '

Grandma taught me that when I was a little mite of a boy . "

" I will teach you another , the best that was ever made , because it says all we need ask . "

" our folks wasn't very pious ; they didn't have time , I s'pose . "

" I wonder if you know just what it means to be pious ? "

" Goin ' to church , and readin ' the Bible , and sayin ' prayers and hymns , ain't it ? "

" then you are ! " and Ben looked as if her acts had been a better definition than her words .

that is a great help , as you will find when you begin to try it . "

it 's dreadful hard , though , when I get mad .

' Hang it ! ' don't seem half so good if I want to let off steam . "

" this is a holy place ; remember that , and uncover at the door . "

much abashed , Ben followed to the pew , where the Squire and his wife soon joined them .

" hope he won't nestle round in meeting-time , " whispered Mrs Allen , composing herself in the corner with much rustling of black silk .

so he folded his arms and sat like a statue , with nothing moving but his eyes .

the good old minister read the sixteenth chapter of Samuel , and then proceeded to preach a long and somewhat dull sermon .

Mrs Allen gave him a peppermint , and he dutifully ate it , though it was so hot it made his eyes water .

Ben clutched the book and gladly obeyed , though the title , " Scripture Narratives , " did not look very inviting .

then his eye fell on the picture of a slender youth cutting a large man 's head off , while many people stood looking on .

" how do you like church ? " asked the young lady , as they drove away .

" First-rate ! " answered Ben , heartily .

" especially the sermon ? "

Ben laughed , and said , with an affectionate glance at the little book in her lap ,

" I couldn't understand it ; but that story was just elegant .

there 's more ; and I 'd admire to read ' em , if I could . "

" I 'm glad you like them ; and we will keep the rest for another sermon-time .

Thorny used to do so , and always called this his ' pew book . '

" yes , ' m .

wasn't David a fine feller ?

" now , you have tried my way this morning , and we will try yours this afternoon .

come over about four and help me roll Thorny down to the grove .

" can I take Sanch along ?

" yes , indeed ; let the clever Bow-wow have a good time and enjoy Sunday as much as I want my boys to . "

but he had time to get dismal again , and long for four o'clock ; because he had nothing to do except whittle .

" Thorny , I want you to be good to Ben , and amuse him in some quiet way this afternoon .

" not much fun in talking to that horsey fellow .

" you can be very agreeable when you like ; and Ben has had enough of me for this time .

" here goes , then !

" waiting with the chair .

Randa has gone on with the hammock .

be a dear boy , and I 'll do as much for you some day . "

" don't see how you can be a dear boy .

you 're the best sister that ever was ; so I 'll love all the scallywags you ask me to . "

" drive on , Benjamin .

I don't know the way , so I can't direct .

don't spill me out , that 's all I 've got to say . "

" a regular summer house ! " said Thorny , surveying it with approval .

" what 's the matter , Randa ?

" my patience , what a spry boy ! " exclaimed Randa , admiringly .

" you can go , Randa .

" I 'll be whew if I do ! " whistled Ben , stopping an oath just in time .

" it is not polite to whistle in company , " said Thorny , with great dignity .

" Miss Celia told me to .

I 'll say ' confound it , ' if you like that better , " answered Ben , as a sly smile twinkled in his eyes .

" oh , I see !

she ' s told you about it ?

well , then , if you want to please her , you 'll learn a hymn right off .

Thorny spoke in a hearty , blunt way , which suited Ben much better than the other , and he responded pleasantly ,

" if you won't be grand I won't be peppery .

nobody is going to boss me but Miss Celia ; so I 'll learn hymns if she wants me to . "

" ' In the soft season of thy youth ' is a good one to begin with .

I learned it when I was six .

nice thing ; better have it . "

and Thorny offered the book like a patriarch addressing an infant .

" the earth affords no lovelier fight Than a religious youth . "

" I don't believe I could ever get that into my head straight .

haven't you got a plain one any where round ? " he asked , turning over the leaves with some anxiety .

" look at the end , and see if there isn't a piece of poetry pasted in.

you learn that , and see how funny Celia will look when you say it to her .

she wrote it when she was a girl , and somebody had it printed for other children .

I like it best , myself . "

" MY KINGDOM

a little kingdom I possess , Where thoughts and feelings dwell ; And very hard I find the task Of governing it well .

for passion tempts and troubles me , A wayward will misleads , And selfishness its shadow casts On all my words and deeds .

how can I keep a sunny soul To shine along life 's way ?

how can I tune my little heart To sweetly sing all day ?

" dear Father , help me with the love That casteth out my fear !

" I do not ask for any crown , But that which all may will Nor seek to conquer any world Except the one within .

" I like that ! " said Ben , emphatically , when he had read the little hymn .

" I understand it , and I 'll learn it right away .

don't see how she could make it all come out so nice and pretty . "

" I made some poetry once .

" very good !

you must say them to Celia , too .

she likes to hear Lita praised .

you and she and that little Barlow boy ought to try for a prize , as the poets did in Athens .

I 'll tell you all about it some time .

now , you peg away at your hymn . "

both boys were talking busily , and Thorny laughed from time to time , as if his comrade 's chat was very amusing .

" see what a jolly cane Ben cut for me !

he 's great fun if you don't stroke him the wrong way , " said the elder lad , flourishing his staff as they came up .

" what have you been doing down there ?

you look so merry , I suspect mischief , " asked Miss Celia , surveying them front the steps .

" we 've been as good as gold .

I talked , and Ben learned a hymn to please you .

come , young man , say your piece , " said Thorny , with an expression of virtuous content .

" I feel very proud to think you chose that , and to hear you say it as if it meant something to you .

I was only fourteen when I wrote it ; but it came right out of my heart , and did me good .

I hope it may help you a little . "

CHAPTER XII

GOOD TIMES

every one was very kind to Ben when his loss was known .

the Squire wrote to Mr Smithers that the boy had found friends and would stay where he was .

Mrs Moss consoled him in her motherly way , and the little girls did their very best to " be good to poor Benny . "

no more grubbing now , but daily tasks which never grew tiresome , they were so varied and so light .

he had a little room in the old house , newly papered with hunting scenes , which he was never tired of admiring .

wonderful discoveries were made , pretty places were named , plans were drawn , and all sorts of merry adventures befell the pilgrims .

" A what ? " asked Ben , pushing back his hat with such an air of amazement that Thorny rather loftily inquired :

" don't you know what an amanuensis is ? "

" well , no ; not unless it 's some relation to an anaconda .

shouldn't think you 'd want one of them , anyway . "

" well , you needn't laugh at a feller .

" the idea of wanting an anaconda tickled me so , I couldn't help it .

I dare say you 'd have got me one if I had asked for it , you are such an obliging chap . "

" of course I would if I could .

shouldn't be surprised if you did some day , you want such funny things , " answered Ben , appeased by the compliment .

" I 'll try the amanuensis first .

it 's only some one to write for me ; I get so tired doing it without a table .

you write well enough , and it will be good for you to know something about botany .

I intend to teach you , Ben , " said Thorny , as if conferring a great favor .

" no , it isn't ; it 's regularly jolly ; and you 'd be no end of a help if you only knew a little .

" shouldn't . "

" there are quantities of them all round us ; and I want to analyze one .

see if you can't guess . "

" S'pose you mean this ?

I don't call ' em rhinocerus bulburses , so I wasn't sure . "

and , taking the hint as quickly as it was given , Ben presented the buttercup as if he knew all about it .

" you guessed that remarkably well .

" here you are , sir , " he answered with a chuckle and Thorny took his turn at being astonished now .

" how the dickens did you know that ? "

" try it again , and may be you 'll find out , " laughed Ben .

diving hap-hazard into his book , Thorny demanded a " trifolium pratense . "

" ah , I 've caught you !

not fair to tell , Celia .

now , Ben , you 've got to learn all about this buttercup , to pay for cheating . "

" sit there and write what I tell you , " ordered Thorny , with all the severity of a strict schoolmaster .

" Phaenogamous .

Exogenous .

Angiosperm .

Polypetalous .

Stamens , more than ten .

Stamens on the receptacle .

Pistils , more than one and separate .

Leaves without stipules .

Crowfoot family .

genus ranunculus .

botanical name , Ranunculus bulbosus . "

" Jerusalem ! what a flower !

Pistols and crows ' feet , and Polly put the kettles on , and Angy sperms and all the rest of ' em !

" yes , you Will ; you 'll learn that all by heart , and then I shall give you a dandelion to do .

you 'll like that , because it means dent de lion , or lion 's tooth ; and I 'll show them to you through my glass .

" it tells all about it in my book here , ' Gray 's Botany for Young People . '

come , now , do you know the difference between a toadstool and a mushroom ? "

" no , I don't . "

" then I 'll teach you some day .

come along , and learn right away , and never get into scrapes like most fellows . "

CHAPTER XIII

SOMEBODY RUNS AWAY

" ' School is done , Now we 'll have fun , "

a grand match was planned for the Fourth of July ; but when the club met , things were found to be unpropitious .

so they lay about on the grass in the shade of the big elm , languidly discussing their various wrongs and disappointments .

" it 's the meanest Fourth I ever saw .

" last year Jimmy got his arm blown off when they fired the old cannon .

" ain't going to be fireworks either , unless somebody 's barn burns up .

" I wouldn't give two cents for such a slow old place as this .

" much you know about it , old chap .

it 's hard work , I can tell you , and that wouldn't suit such a lazy-bones .

" May as well ; don't see much else to do , " sighed Sam , rising like a young elephant .

" look here , read it !

" look out for the big show , " read Sam .

" Van Amburgh & Co 's New Great Golden Menagerie , Circus and Colosseum , will exhibit at Berryville , @date@ at @number@ and @number@ precisely .

admission @number@ cents , children half-price .

don't forget day and date .

H Frost , Manager . "

while Sam read , the other boys had been gloating over the enticing pictures which covered the bill .

" you never would , it 's only a picture !

" foot it with Billy .

it 's only four miles , and we 've got lots of time , so we can take it easy .

Ben calmly produced a dollar bill and waved it defiantly before this doubter , observing with dignity :

" I 've got money enough to treat the whole crowd , if I choose to , which I don't . "

" then come along and have a jolly time with Sam and me .

" what are you stopping for ? " demanded Sam , ready to be off , that they might " take it easy . "

" don't know what to do with Sancho .

" let Cy take him back .

" no , I won't ; I don't like him .

" there ' s Bab ; she 'll do it .

come here , sissy ; Ben wants you , " called Sam , beckoning to a small figure just perching on the fence .

down it jumped and Came fluttering up , much elated at being summoned by the captain of the sacred nine .

Miss Celia said I Might do what I pleased , all day .

you remember , now . "

" where are you going ?

Ma will want to know , " she said , as curious as a magpie all at once .

" never you mind ; girls can't know every thing .

you just catch hold of this and run along home .

" he 's going to the circus , " whispered Fay , hoping to make mischief .

" circus !

" you couldn't walk four miles , " began Ben .

" yes , I could , as easy as not . "

" you haven't got any money . "

" you have ; I saw you showing your dollar , and you could pay for me , and Ma would pay it back . "

" can't wait for you to get ready . "

" I 'll go as I am .

I don't care if it is my old hat , " and Bab jerked it on to her head .

" your mother wouldn't like it . "

" she won't like your going , either . "

" she isn't my missis now .

Miss Celia wouldn't care , and I 'm going , any way . "

" Do , do take me , Ben !

" don't you bother ; we don't want any girls tagging after us , " said Sam , walking off to escape the annoyance .

" of Course it wouldn't .

I 'd like to see her walking eight miles .

I don't mind paying for her ; it 's getting her there and back .

girls are such a bother when you want to knock round .

no , Bab , you can't go .

travel right home and don't make a fuss .

come along , boys ; it ' s most eleven , and we don't want to walk fast . "

no use now .

I 'll take the girls a lot of candy and make it all right . "

as they stood refreshing themselves , a baker 's cart came jingling by ; and Sam proposed a hasty lunch while they rested .

I want to have a good go at every thing , especially the lions , " said Sam , beginning on his last cookie .

" that was a cow mooing .

don't you be a donkey , Bill .

" I wish you 'd hurry up , Sam .

folks are going in now .

" hold on a minute , while I get one more drink .

such a shabby , tired-looking couple as they were !

" oh , Sanch , what shall I do if they don't come along ?

" now you expect to go to the circus , I suppose . "

" course I do .

Ben said he didn't mind paying , if I could get there without bothering him , and I have ; and I 'll go home alone .

I ain't afraid .

Sanch will take care of me , if you won't , " answered Bab , stoutly .

" what do you suppose your mother will say to you ? " asked Ben , feeling much reproached by her last words .

" but you haven't any money . "

" oh , I 'd ask somebody to pay for me .

I ' m so little , it wouldn't be much . "

" nobody would do it ; so you 'd have to stay outside , you see . "

" no , I wouldn't .

I thought of that , and planned how I 'd fix it if I didn't find Ben .

I 'd make Sanch do his tricks , and get a quarter that way ; so , now ! answered Bab , undaunted by any obstacle .

" I do believe she would !

" I 'll take care of her .

it was very naughty to come , Bab ; but , so long as you did , you needn't worry about any thing .

" I thought you would ; " and Bab folded her arms , as if she had nothing further to do but enjoy herself .

" are you hungry ? " asked Billy , fishing out several fragments of gingerbread .

" where did you get that ? " he asked , poking it with his foot .

" In a swampy place , coming along .

" was it ? " asked the boys all at once , and with intense interest .

" no ; only a snake , and I don't care for snakes .

I picked some of that , it was so green and pretty .

Thorny likes queer leaves and berries , you know , " answered Bab , " spatting , " down her rough locks .

" well , he won't like that , nor you either ; it 's poisonous , and I shouldn't wonder if you 'd got poisoned , Bab .

don't touch it !

" will it break out on me ' fore I get to the circus ? "

" not for a day or so , I guess ; but it 's bad when it does come . "

" I don't care , if I see the animals first .

CHAPTER XIV

SOMEBODY GETS LOST

but people were beginning to go in , and it was impossible to delay when they came round to the entrance .

" you 'd better not go to patting them , or you 'll get your hands clawed up .

" we 'd better hurry along and get good seats before folks begin to crowd .

I want to sit near the curtain and see if any of Smitthers 's lot are ' round . "

" I know , old boy , I know ; but it can't be done .

we 've quit the business and must just look on .

" he wants to go and cut up , don't he ? " said Billy , " and so do you , I guess .

wish you were going to .

wouldn't it be fun to see Ben showing off in there ? "

" done it a hundred times , and I 'd just like to show you what I can do .

" don't believe a word of it , and Sanch and I could go this minute and get taken on , I 'll bet .

we are a valuable couple , and I could prove it if I chose to , " began Ben , getting excited and boastful .

" how splendid ! " sighed Bab , as they went dashing out , to tumble off almost before the horses stopped .

" that 's nothing !

" what are ' crowbackic exercises ' ? " asked Billy , thirsting for information .

" we 'll rig up a spring-board and try it , " said Billy , fired with emulation .

" where 'll you get your elephants ? " asked Sam , scornfully , for gymnastics were not in his line .

" I 'm so glad ; now Sancho will like it .

if ever a dog expressed by look and attitude , " pooh !

" it 's too bad , when he knows more than all those chaps put together .

I 'd give any thing if I could show him off as I used to .

folks always like it , and I was ever so proud of him .

" I really don't know what this child is fit for , except mischief , like a monkey . "

" I 'll fix the clothes-line when I get home , and show Ma how nice it is .

men on the highest seats popped their heads through the openings in the tent-cover and reported that a heavy shower was coming up .

Many left in haste , and the performers hurried to finish as soon as possible .

" I 'm going now before the crowd comes , so I can get a lift home .

I see two or three folks I know , so I 'm off ; " and , climbing hastily down , Sam vanished without further ceremony .

" better wait till the shower is over .

" I wouldn't miss the tigers for any thing .

See , they are pulling in the cart now , and the shiny man is all ready with his gun .

" bless you , no , child ; it ' s only powder to make a noise and scare ' em .

" it makes me sick ; always did .

" oh , I 'm so tired , " groaned Bab , getting up with a long stretch of arms and legs .

" you 'll be tireder before you get home , I guess .

" I said I wouldn't be a bother , and I won't .

I 'll walk right home this minute .

I ain't afraid of thunder , and the rain won't hurt these old clothes .

" my head aches like fury .

" oh , Uncle Eben , I 'm so glad you found Me !

I walked over , and it 's raining , and I don't feel well .

" don't see what your mother was about to let you come so far alone , and you just over scarlet fever .

" I didn't come alone .

Sam got a ride , and can't you tuck Ben and Bab in too ?

they ain't very big , either of them , " whispered Billy , anxious to serve his friends now that he was provided for himself .

" can't do it , any way .

got to pick up mother at the corner , and that will be all I can carry .

" Ben , I 'm real sorry there isn't room for you .

" cut away , and don't mind us .

" no use for us to get knocked about in that scrimmage .

we 'll wait a minute and then go out easy .

it 's a regular rouser , and you 'll be as wet as a sop before we get home .

hope you 'll like that ? " added Ben , looking out at the heavy rain poring down as if it never meant to stop .

" I like circuses so much !

" I see a fellow I used to know .

May be he can tell me something about father .

don't you stir till I come back . "

then he was off like a shot , and Bab saw him run after a man with a bucket who bad been watering the zebra .

Sancho tried to follow , but was checked with an impatient ,

" no , you can't go !

what a plague you are , tagging around when people don't want you . "

" oh , luckless Bab ! why did you turn your back ?

" it was Bascum , but he didn't know any thing .

why , where 's Sanch ? " said Ben , returning .

Ben whistled , called and searched in vain , till one of the lounging men said , lazily ,

" if you are looking after the big poodle you 'd better go outside ; I saw him trotting off with another dog . "

away rushed Ben , with Bab following , regardless of the rain , for both felt that a great misfortune had befallen them .

" I 'm dreadful sorry .

" if he doesn't come back , don't you speak to me for a year .

now , I 'm going home . "

and , feeling that words were powerless to express his emotions , Ben walked away , looking as grim as a small boy could .

wagons passed , but all were full , and no one offered a ride .

men and boys went by with rough jokes on the forlorn pair , for rain soon made them look like young tramps .

" she is a naughty girl , but I guess she is about sorry enough now .

when we get to that sign-post I 'll speak to her , only I won't forgive her till Sanch comes back . "

" oh dear , oh dear !

" don't cry so , Babby ; I was real cross , and I 'm sorry .

" shake me again , if you want to ; I know I was very bad to tag and lose Sanch .

" I don't believe I ever shall .

I'm so tired my legs won't go , and the water in my boots makes them feel dreadfully .

I wish that boy would wheel me a piece .

" hullo , Brown ! " responded the other , arresting his squeaking progress with signs of surprise at the moist tableau before him .

" where goin ' ? " asked Ben with masculine brevity .

" got to carry this home , hang the old thing . "

" where to ? "

" Batchelor 's , down yonder , " and the boy pointed to a farm-house at the foot of the next hill .

" Goin ' that way , take it right along . "

" what for ? " questioned the prudent youth , distrusting such unusual neighborliness .

" I 'm stronger than most fellers of my size .

try , if I ain't , " and Ben squared off in such scientific style that Joslyn responded with sudden amiability ,

" all right , let's see you do it . "

but presently the road grew sandy , began to ascend , and the load seemed to grow heavier with every step .

" I 'll get out now .

" sit still .

he said I couldn't .

" did ever ye see the like of that now ?

ah , ha !

" the streets were so wide , and the lanes were so narry , He brought his wife home on a little wheelbarry , "

to have his enemy behold him then and there was the last bitter drop in poor Ben 's cup of humiliation .

" go along home , and don't mind him . "

" did Billy tell you about us ? " asked Bab , gladly following toward this welcome refuge .

" Faith he did , and the Squire sent me to fetch ye home quiet and aisy .

when ye found me , I 'd jist stopped here to borry a light for me pipe .

" don't you wish you could ?

" Bedad , and I won't then .

it 's lively ye are ; but four legs is better than two , as ye 'll find this night , me young man . "

CHAPTER XV

BEN'S RIDE

Great was the mourning for Sancho , because his talents and virtues made him universally admired and beloved .

Ben was inconsolable , and sternly said it served Bab right when the dogwood poison affected both face and hands .

" I don't think it 's fair that I should have so much trouble , first losing father and then Sanch .

" oh , come now , don't give up so , old fellow .

" try some other sort of pet , then .

you may have any of mine you like .

have the peacocks ; do now , " urged Thorny , full of boyish sympathy and good-will .

" they are dreadful pretty , but I don't seem to care about em , thank you , " replied the mourner .

" they don't love a fellow as a dog does ; all they care for is stuff to eat and dirt to burrow in .

I 'm sick of rabbits . "

" so am I !

guess we 'll have an auction and sell out .

would Jack be a comfort to you ?

if he will , you may have him .

I 'm so well now , I can walk , or ride anything , " added Thorny , in a burst of generosity .

" Jack couldn't be with me always , as Sanch was , and I couldn't keep him if I had him . "

I do wish I had something you wanted , I 'd so love to give it to you . "

" by Jove !

I 'll find that dog , if he is out of the ground .

keep your spirits up , my lad , and we 'll have the dear old fellow back yet . "

with which cheering prophecy Thorny went off to rack his brains as to what could be done about the matter .

" it is warm , and you look tired .

meantime , Miss Celia had come out , and was talking Italian to Giacomo in a way that delighted his homesick heart .

" I 'd rather like to tramp round with him for a week or so .

" I tink I see droll dog like he , way off in New York .

" who had him ? " asked Thorny , full of interest at once .

" A man I not know .

cross fellow what beat him when he do letters bad . "

" did he spell his name ? " cried Ben , breathlessly .

" no ; that for why man beat him .

he name Generale , and he go spell Sancho all times , and cry when whip fall on him .

" it 's Sanch ! let's go and get him now , right off ! cried Ben , in a fever to be gone .

" a hundred miles away , and no clue but this man 's story ?

" what sort of a dog was it ?

a large , curly , white poodle , with a queer tail ? " she asked of Giacomo .

" there , you see how mistaken we were .

dogs are often named Sancho , especially Spanish poodles ; for the original Sancho was a Spaniard , you know .

this dog is not ours , and I 'm so sorry . "

the boys ' faces had fallen dismally as their hope was destroyed ; but Ben would not give up .

" it may be my dog , they color ' em as we used to paint over trick horses .

" but the black dog had no tail , " began Thorny , longing to be convinced , but still doubtful .

Ben shivered as if the mere thought hurt him , as he said , in a grim tone ,

" they might have cut Sanch 's off . "

" oh , no ! no ! they mustn't , they wouldn't !

how Could any one be so wicked ? " cried Bab and Betty , horrified at the suggestion .

" he no your dog ?

Sorry I not find him for you .

Addio , signorina !

Grazia , signor !

Buon giorno , buon giorno ! " and , kissing his hand , the Italian shouldered organ and monkey , ready to go .

much relieved by this performance , the boys waited anxiously for a reply , and when it came found little comfort in it .

Cousin Horace had done his duty like a man , but regretted that he could only report a failure .

knew nothing of his history , and was very sorry to lose him , for he was a remarkably clever beast .

" good for Horace !

" May be the end of that dog , but not of mine .

I 'll bet he ran away ; and if it was Sanch , he 'll come home .

you see if he doesn't ! " cried Ben , refusing to believe that all was over .

" A hundred wiles off ?

oh , he couldn't find you without help , smart as he is , " answered Thorny , incredulously .

Ben looked discouraged , but Miss Celia cheered him up again by saying ,

" yes , he could .

that was very wonderful , but true ; and I 've no doubt that if Sanch is alive he will come home .

let us hope so , and be happy , while we wait . "

but weeks passed , and still no Sanch .

" Lita , where 's Miss Celia ? " he asked , looking straight into the intelligent eyes , which were troubled but not wild .

" hi , there !

Mrs Moss !

something has happened to Miss Celia , and I 'm going to find her .

Thorny is asleep ; tell him easy , and I 'll come back as soon as I can ! "

" go for the Squire !

oh , what shall we do ? "

Ben called , but there was no answer ; and he rode slowly along the brook-side , looking far and wide with anxious eyes .

" oh , where ?

what shall I do ?

" I feel bruised all over , and my arm is broken , I 'm afraid .

Lita tried not to hurt me .

she slipped , and we went down .

I came here into the shade , and the pain made me faint , I suppose .

call somebody , and get me home . "

" ain't a man nowheres around .

" who 's your folks ?

what 's broke ?

How'd she fall ?

where is she ?

why didn't she come right here ?

is it a sunstroke ? "

" sakes alive ! poor dear !

fetch her right in .

Liddy , get out the camphire ; and , Melissy , you haul down a bed to lay her on .

falls is dretful uncert'in things ; shouldn't wonder if her back was broke .

father 's down yender , and he and Bijah will see to her .

you go call ' em , and I 'll blow the horn to start ' em up .

tell her we 'd be pleased to see her , and it won't make a mite of trouble . "

Ben heard no more , fur as Mrs Paine turned to take down the tin horn he was up and away .

" guess likely grandpa 's had ' nother stroke .

told ' em to send over soon ' s ever it come , " said the farmer , calmly .

" shouldn't wonder ef suthing was afire some'r's , " conjectured the hired man , surveying the horizon for a cloud of smoke .

" Sho , that 's bad , " said the farmer , anxiously .

" now then , boy , you go for the doctor .

" hold on , " he added , as Ben made one leap to Lita 's back .

" you 'll have to go to Berryville .

Dr Mills is a master hand for broken bones and old Dr Babcock ain't .

' Tisn't but about three miles from here to his house , and you 'll fetch him ' fore there 's any harm done waitin ' . "

" don't kill Lita , " called Miss Celia from the cart , as it began to move .

but Ben did not hear her , for he was off across the fields , riding as if life and death depended upon his speed .

" I should hope so ; regular jockey , that boy .

people jogging along in wagons and country carry-alls stared amazed as the reckless pair went by .

Mrs Moss had been wise enough to say nothing , but quietly made what preparations she could , and waited for tidings .

" George !

I felt as if I had six legs when we were going the pace .

" like the fellow that brought the good news from Ghent to Aix , " said Thorny , surveying the recumbent pair with great admiration .

" what follow ? " asked Ben , wondering if he didn't mean Sheridan , of whose ride he had heard .

" don't you know that piece ?

I spoke it at school .

give it to you now ; see if it isn't a rouser . "

CHAPTER XVI

DETECTIVE THORNTON

but Ben did not seem to flourish as he had done at first .

" fretting about Sanch , I suppose .

I declare I wish that dog had never been born !

losing him has just spoilt Ben .

not a bit of fun left in him , and he won't have any thing I offer to cheer him up . "

Thorny spoke impatiently , and knit his brows over the pressed flowers he was neatly gumming into his herbal .

" I wonder if he has any thing on his mind ?

he acts as if he was hiding a trouble he didn't dare to tell .

" oh , yes , I poke him up now and then , but he gets peppery , so I let him alone .

May be he is longing for his old circus again .

shouldn't blame him much if he was ; it isn't very lively here , and he 's used to excitement , you know . "

" I hope it isn't that .

do you think he would slip away without telling us , and go back to the old life again ?

don't believe he would .

Ben isn't a bit of a sneak ; that 's why I like him . "

" have you ever found him sly or untrue in any way ? " asked Miss Celia , lowering her voice .

" no ; he 's as fair and square a fellow as I ever saw .

I 'll get him polished up after a while . "

" come here and let me tell you something which worries me .

" but it 's always locked up and you keep the keys of the drawer and the little room ? "

" it is gone , nevertheless , and I 've had my keys safe all the time . "

" but why think it is he any more than Randa , or Katy , or me ? "

" because I trust you three as I do myself .

I 've known the girls for years , and you have no object in taking it since all I have is yours , dear . "

" and all mine is yours , of course .

but , Celia , how could he do it ?

he can't pick locks , I know , for we fussed over my desk together , and had to break it after all . "

" so he did ; but there is no spout near the little room window . "

" there is a tree , and such an agile boy as Ben could swing in and out easily .

if he is planning to run away , money is a good thing to have .

he may not like to come to me for that , because he can give no good reason for wanting it .

I'm so troubled I really don't know what to do . "

she looked troubled , and Thorny put his arms about her as if to keep all worries but his own away from her .

" don't you fret , Cely , dear ; you leave it to me .

I 'll fix him ungrateful little scamp ! "

" that is not the way to begin .

I am afraid you will make him angry and hurt his feelings , and then we can do nothing . "

" bother his feelings !

I wish I knew how to manage . "

" he wouldn't be likely to put stolen money there .

Ben is too wise for that . "

" he wouldn't keep it there , but he might be looking at it and pitch it in when I called .

he 's hardly spoken to me since , and when I asked him what his flag was at half-mast for , he wouldn't answer .

I tell you , Celia , it looks bad very bad , " and Thorny shook his head with a wise air .

" it does , and yet we may be all wrong .

let us wait a little and give the poor boy a chance to clear himself before we speak .

I 'd rather lose my money than suspect him falsely . "

" how much was it ? "

" look here , sister , you just put the case into my hands and let me work it up .

you give me the keys and leave a bill or two in the drawer , and may be I can find him out somehow . "

so the keys were given , and the little dressing-room where the old secretary stood was closely watched for a day or two .

" not yet , and you need do nothing more .

" why not ? " and Thorny looked annoyed .

" I 've watched also , and he doesn't act like a deceitful boy .

" now , Celia , don't you be soft-hearted .

he 's a sly little dog , and knows my eye is on him .

" Do set the trap there , I heard the mouse nibbling last night , and it kept me awake .

we must have a cat or we shall be overrun . "

" I 'll let you know what I have decided in the morning .

be kind to Ben , meantime , or I shall feel as if I had done you harm by letting you watch him . "

so it was left for that day , and by the next , Miss Celia had made up her mind to speak to Ben .

she was just going down to breakfast when the sound of loud voices made her pause and listen .

it came from Ben 's room , where the two boys seemed to be disputing about something .

" I hope Thorny has kept his promise , " she thought , and hurried through the back entry , fearing a general explosion .

Ben 's chamber was at the end , and she could see and hear what was going on before she was near enough to interfere .

" I don't . "

" better not ; I insist on seeing it . "

" well , you won't . "

" what have you been stealing now ? "

" didn't steal it , used to be mine , I only took it when I wanted it . "

" I know what that means .

you 'd better give it back or I 'll make you . "

" yes ' m , there is . "

" does it belong to you ? "

" yes ' m , it does . "

" where did you get it ? "

" up to Squire 's . "

" that 's a lie ! " muttered Thorny to himself .

" no ' m , it isn't . "

" then what can it be ? "

" well , it would , if you 'd let a feller alone .

she said she wanted a cat , so I went and got the one they gave me when I was at the Squire 's .

" it was very kind of you , and I 'm glad to have this nice kitty .

" cats don't catch thieves , and they are what I'm after ! "

" what do you mean by that ? " fiercely demanded Ben .

" did you think I 'd steal anything of yours ? "

" I tried not to , Ben , but what could I do ?

it was gone , and you the only stranger about the place . "

" nobody , for I know my girls well .

" what a lot !

but how could I get it if it was locked up ? " and Ben looked as if that question was unanswerable .

" I can't say any thing , only that I didn't take the money .

you won't believe it , so I 'd better go back where I come from .

they weren't so kind , but they trusted me , and knew I wouldn't steal a cent .

" come , now , don't be mad .

" it would break my heart to have you go in that way , Ben .

stay at least till your innocence is proved , then no one can doubt what you say now . "

" don't see how it can be proved , " answered Ben , appeased by her evident desire to trust him .

I 've done it once , but it is just possible that the bills may have slipped out of sight .

come , now , I can't rest till I 've done all I can to comfort you and convince Thorny . "

miss Celia rose as she spoke , and led the way to the dressing-room , which had no outlet except through her chamber .

the lower ones have seldom been opened since we came , and hold only some of papa 's old books .

" confound the old thing !

it always stuck so I had to give a jerk .

now , there it is , topsy-turvy , " and Thorny looked Much disgusted at his own awkwardness .

" no harm done ; I left nothing of value in it .

look back there , Ben , and see if there is room for a paper to get worked over the top of the drawer .

Ben looked into the dusty recess , and then put in his hand , saying carelessly ,

" there 's nothing but a bit of red stuff . "

" my old pen-wiper Why , what 's the matter ? " asked Miss Celia , as Ben dropped the handful of what looked like rubbish .

" something warm and wiggly inside of it , " answered Ben , stooping to examine the contents of the little scarlet bundle .

" baby mice !

ain't they funny ?

look just like mites of young pigs .

suddenly she cried out : " boys , boys , I 've found the thief !

look here ; pull out these bits and see if they won't make up my lost bills . "

" all right , old fellow , forgive and forget .

I 'll never think hard of you again , on my honor I won't . "

as they spoke , Miss Celia and her brother held out their hands frankly and heartily .

" come , Ben , don't you bear malice ; for you 've got the laugh on your side , and we feel pretty small .

I do , any way ; for , after my fidgets , all I 've caught is a mouse ! "

" and her family .

" I call that summary justice , the whole family executed on the spot !

give Kit the mouse also , and let us go to breakfast .

" well , I said I 'd catch the thief , and I have , though it is rather a small one ! "

CHAPTER XVII

BETTY'S BRAVERY

" Celia , I 've a notion that we ought to give Ben something .

" I see he does , though he tries to seem as bright and pleasant as ever .

I do not wonder , and I 've been thinking what I could do to soothe his feelings .

can you suggest any thing ? "

" Cuff-buttons .

those , now , would just suit him for his go-to-meeting white shirts , neat , appropriate , and in memoriam . "

but won't you give him something ?

Just some little trifle , to show that we are both eating humble pie , feeling sorry about the mouse money . "

" I shall give him a set of school-books , and try to get him ready to begin when vacation is over .

" that 's so like you Celia !

always thinking of the best thing and doing it handsomely .

" he will in time , and if you are kind and patient , he will be glad to have you help him .

I shall make it a sort of favor to me on his part , to let you see to his lessons , now and then .

" I 'll tool him along at a great pace , if he will only go .

shall I get the books when I buy the other things ?

can I go this afternoon ? "

" yes , here is the list ; Bab gave it to me .

you can go if you will come home early and have your tooth filled . "

" it won't hurt a bit , now , and the longer you leave it the worse it will be .

Dr Mann is ready at any time ; and , once over , you will be at peace for months .

come , my hero , give your orders , and take one of the girls to support you in the trying hour .

have Bab ; she will enjoy it , and amuse you with her chatter . "

" I wouldn't take Bab at any price ; she 'd only get into some scrape , and upset the whole plan .

Betty is the chicken for me , a real little lady , and as nice and purry as a kitten . "

" very well ; ask her mother , and take good care of her .

let her tuck her dolly in , and she will be contented anywhere .

there 's a fine air , and the awning is on the phaeton , so you won't feel the sun .

start about three , and drive carefully . "

" lemons will do if oranges are gone .

" don't she look sweet , the dear ! " murmured Mrs Moss , proudly surveying her youngest .

Thorny added some candy to Bab 's lemon , and Belinda had a cake , which her mamma obligingly ate for her .

" very good ; there you are , then .

" nonsense , child , never mind me !

" thank goodness !

pack up , Bettykin . "

" Boys chasing a great black cat , I believe , " answered one child .

" want to come and see ? " added the other , politely extending the invitation to the stranger .

" hold tight , Jimmy , and let ' em peek , if they want to .

" ain't , neither ! " howled another lad from his perch .

" mad dogs won't drink ; and this one is lapping out of a tub of water . "

" he looks as if he knew me , but it isn't our Sancho ; he was a lovely dog . "

" why , that 's just the way Sanch used to do ! " cried Betty , bewildered by the familiar ways of this unfamiliar-looking dog .

" he acts just like our dog , but I don't see how it can be him .

Sancho , Sancho , is it really you ? " called Betty , at her wits ' end what to do .

all of a sudden , the thought rushed into her mind , how glad Ben would be ! and Bab would feel all happy again .

" I must carry him home . "

let me go in ; I ain't afraid . "

" did they make you black and beat you , dear ?

oh , Sanch , where is your tail your pretty tail ? "

" Betty Moss , what on earth are you doing in there with that dirty beast ? "

" it 's Sanch , it 's Sanch !

oh , come and see ! " shrieked Betty , flying up to lead forth her prize .

" don't stay there another minute .

" no , I 'm not coming out till he does .

" you 're crazy , child .

that is no more Ben 's dog than I am . "

" now , let's carry him right home , and surprise Ben .

" you are a little trump to find him out in spite of all the horrid things that have been done to him .

we must have a rope to lead him , for he 's got no collar and no muzzle .

he has got friends though , and I 'd like to see any one touch him now .

Out of the way , there , boy ! "

" I kept him safe till she came , " added the jailer Jimmy , speaking for himself .

" I said he wasn't mad , " cried a third , feeling that his discrimination deserved approval .

" Jud ain't my brother , " said the fourth , eager to clear his skirts from all offence .

" but all of you chased and stoned him , I suppose ?

you 'd better look out or you 'll get reported to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals . "

" we 'll keep Sanch hidden , and smuggle him into Ben 's old room at your house .

then I 'll drive on to the barn , and not say a word , but send Ben to get something out of that room .

you just let him in , to see what he 'll do .

I 'll bet you a dollar he won't know his own dog . "

" I don't believe I can keep from screaming right out when I see him , but I 'll try .

oh , won't it be fun ! " and Betty clapped her hands in joyful anticipation of that exciting moment .

" who is hurt ? " asked Mrs Moss , running out with floury hands uplifted in alarm .

" Sancho 's found !

Sancho 's found ! " shouted Thorny , throwing up his hat like a lunatic .

" found , found , found ! " echoed Betty , dancing wildly about as if she too had lost her little wits .

" where ? how ? when ? who did it ? " asked Mrs Moss , clapping her dusty hands delightedly .

" I 'd have dared , and slapped those horrid boys , too .

I wish I 'd gone ! " and Bab felt that she had for ever lost the chance of distinguishing herself .

" the wretch who stole him , I suppose ; and he deserves to be hung , " answered Thorny , hotly .

" come and show him to Celia , " begged Thorny , eager to fight his battles over again .

" it will take a lot of washings to get that brown stuff off .

see , his pretty , pink skin is all stained with it .

we 'll bleach him out , and his curls will grow , and he 'll be as good as ever all but "

Ben could not finish , and a general wail went up for the departed tassel that would never wave proudly in the breeze again .

" I 'll buy him a new one .

CHAPTER XVIII

BOWS AND ARROWS

for several days he held regular levees , that curious boys and sympathizing girls might see and pity the changed and curtailed dog .

if the interesting sufferer could only have spoken , what thrilling adventures and hair-breadth escapes he might have related .

but , alas ! he was dumb ; and the secrets of that memorable month never were revealed .

Miss Celia called them little Una and her lion , and read the pretty story to the children when they wondered what she meant .

Miss Celia 's arm had been doing very well , but would , of course , be useless for some time longer .

out of one of these stories came much amusement for all , and satisfaction for one of the party .

" yes , I brought all the playthings we left stored away in uncle 's garret when we went abroad .

the bows are in the long box where you found the mallets , fishing-rods , and bats .

the old quivers and a few arrows are there also , I believe .

what is the idea now ? asked Miss Celia in her turn , as Thorny bounced up in a great hurry .

" I 'm going to teach Ben to shoot .

grand fun this hot weather ; and by-and-by we 'll have an archery meeting , and you can give us a prize .

come on , Ben .

I 've got plenty of whip-cord to rig up the bows , and then we 'll show the ladies some first-class shooting . "

" I can't ; never had a decent bow in my life .

" practice is all you want .

" we used to make bows of whalebone when we were little girls , but we are too old to play so now . "

" grown people enjoy archery , as bow and arrow shooting is called , especially in England .

Matty lived alone with her father , but felt quite safe in the log house , for he was never far away .

but before he could reach it he heard a yell , and saw the red men coming up from the river .

" ' Come soon , ' whispered Matty , and tried to smile bravely , as a stout settler 's girl should .

people missed Matty , but supposed she was with her father , and never expected to see her again .

A great while afterward the poor man came back , having escaped and made his way through the wilderness to his old home .

" is it true ? " asked Betty , hoping to find relief in being told that it was not .

" we 'll play that in the old apple-tree .

" no , it won't !

" so he took up his bow , And he feathered his arrow , And said , ' I will shoot This little cock-sparrow . ' "

" but he didn't , " chirped the robin , flying away , with a contemptuous flirt of his rusty-black tail .

" that is exactly what you must promise not to do , boys .

" not bad for a beginning .

now , Ben , fire away . "

" if you endanger other people 's life and liberty in your pursuit of happiness , I shall have to confiscate your arms , boys .

take the orchard for your archery ground ; that is safe , and we can see you as we sit here .

" thank you .

" P'r'aps it would be too much trouble , " began Betty , in her winning little voice .

" I can make my own , " declared Bab , with an independent toss of the head .

Thorny easily recovered much of his former skill , but his strength had not fully returned , and he soon grew tired .

she said little to any one but the friend over the sea , yet various plans were made then that blossomed beautifully by-and-by .

CHAPTER XIX

SPEAKING PIECES

the first of September came all too soon , and school began .

he did not tell her one of his greatest trials , however , because he thought she could not help him there .

" Sam didn't like it because Ben jumped farther than he did "

" and he said Ben ought to be in the poor-house . "

" and Ben said he ought to be in it pigpen . "

" so he had ! such a greedy thing , bringing lovely big apples , and not giving any one a single bite ! "

" then he was mad , and we all laughed ; and he said , ' Want to fight ? '

" and Ben said , ' No , thanky , not much fun in pounding a feather-bed . ' "

" oh , he was awfully mad then , and chased Ben up the big maple . "

" he 's there now , for Sam won't let him come down till he takes it all back . "

" Ben won't ; and I do believe he 'll have to stay up all night , " said Betty , distressfully .

" he won't care , and we 'll have fun firing up his supper .

" if he does not come by tea-time , we will go and look after him .

" yes , 'm , Sam and Mose are always plaguing Ben .

they are big boys , and we can't make them stop .

I won't let the girls do it , and the little boys don't dare to , since Teacher spoke to them . " answered Bab .

" why does not Teacher speak to the big ones ?

" Ben won't tell of them , or let us .

he says he 'll fight his own battles , and hates tell-tales .

" he got himself down in the neatest way you can imagine ; " and Thorny laughed at the recollection .

" where is Sam ? " asked Bab .

" staring up at the sky to see where Ben has flown to . "

" oh , tell about it ! " begged Betty .

" Well , I came along and found Ben treed , and Sam stoning him .

I stopped that at once , and told the ' fat boy ' to be off .

he said he wouldn't till Ben begged his pardon ; and Ben said he wouldn't do it , if he stayed up for a week .

" where has Ben gone now ? "

" oh , he 'll take a little ride , and then slip down and race home full of the fun of it .

but I 've got to settle Sam .

I won't have our Ben hectored by any one "

" but yourself , " put in his sister , with a sly smile , for Thorny was rather domineering at times .

Sam is a bully , and so is Mose ; and I 'll thrash them both if they don't stop . "

" I have been thinking that we should have some sort of merry-making for Ben on his birthday .

" so it will !

" we 'll startle the natives .

I don't believe they ever saw a play in all their lives , hey , Bab ? "

" I 've seen a circus . "

" we dress up and do ' Babes in the Wood , ' " added Betty , with dignity .

" Pho ! that 's nothing .

I 'll show you acting that will make your hair stand on end , and you shall act too .

" hush !

Ben is coming , and he must not know any thing about this yet . "

other pieces followed , all more or less patriotic and warlike , among the boys ; sentimental among the girls .

Sam broke down in his attempt to give one of Webster 's great speeches , Little Cy Fay boldly attacked

" again to the battle , Achaians ! "

when

" the woods against a stormy sky Their giant branches tossed ; "

" where the purple mullet and gold-fish rove . "

" but she is in her grave , and O , the difference to me ! "

" that is all , I believe .

" please , ' m .

but , to their great surprise , the pretty lady stood up again and said , in her friendly way ,

" I just want to thank you for this pleasant little exhibition , and ask leave to come again .

I also wish to invite you all to my boy 's birthday party on Saturday week .

the archery meeting is to be in the afternoon , and both clubs will be there , I believe .

the effect of the invitation was seen with comical rapidity , for the boys became overpowering in their friendly attentions to Ben .

but Thorny made the noblest sacrifice of all , for he said to his sister , as they walked home together ,

" I 'm not going to try for the prize at all .

I shoot so much better than the rest , having had more practice , you know , that it is hardly fair .

if I am out of the way Ben stands a good chance , for the other fellows don't amount to much . "

" Bab does ; she shoots nearly as well as Ben , and wants to win even more than he or Billy .

she must have her chance at any rate . "

" if I had full use of both my arms I 'd show you that girls can do a great deal when they like .

don't be too lofty , young man , for you may have to come down , " laughed Miss Celia , amused by his airs .

" no fear , " and Thorny calmly departed to set his targets for Ben 's practice .

CHAPTER XX

BEN'S BIRTHDAY

a superb display of flags flapped gayly in the breeze on the September morning when Ben proudly entered his teens .

Ben , however , assured them that he rather preferred odd ones , as then he could always tell which was right and which left .

" I have come to shoot .

I heard about it .

my papa told me what arching meant .

will there be any little cakes ?

I like them . "

with these opening remarks the poet took a seat and calmly awaited a response .

" she asked me to come that day .

I have been very busy .

I had measles .

do you have them here ? " asked the guest , as if anxious to compare notes on the sad subject .

" we had ours ever so long ago .

what have you been doing besides having measles ? " said Betty , showing a polite interest .

" I had a fight with a bumble-bee . "

" who beat ? " demanded Bab .

" I did .

I ran away and he couldn't catch me . "

" can you shoot nicely ? "

" I hit a cow .

she did not mind at all .

I guess she thought it was a fly . "

" did your mother know you were coming ? " asked Bab , feeling an interest in runaways .

" no ; she is gone to drive , so I could not ask her . "

" it is very wrong to disobey .

my Sunday-school book says that children who are naughty that way never go to heaven , " observed virtuous Betty , in a warning tone .

" I do not wish to go , " was the startling reply .

" why not ? " asked Betty , severely .

" they don't have any dirt there .

my mamma says so .

I am fond of dirt .

" I am afraid you 're a very bad child . "

" oh yes , I am .

my papa often says so and he knows all about it , " replied Alfred with an involuntary wriggle suggestive of painful memories .

" it is striking two now .

come along , girls ; " and over scrambled Sally Folsom , followed by three or four kindred spirits , just as their hostess appeared .

" how do you do , sir ?

here a rush of boys took place , and further remarks were cut short , for every one was in a hurry to begin .

various rules and regulations were discussed , and then the fun began .

Thorny was umpire , and kept account of each shot , for the arrow which went nearest the middle would win .

Billy did very well , but got nervous when his last shot came , and just missed the bull's-eye by being in a hurry .

Bab and Ben each had one turn more ; and , as they were about even , that last arrow would decide the victory .

" now , Bab ! "

" hit her up , Ben ! "

" I want to beat , but Ben will feel so bad , I ' most hope I sha'n't . "

" losing a prize sometimes makes one happier than gaining it .

" steady , old Man , steady ; you must beat that , or we shall never hear the last of it . "

" a tie ! a tie ! " cried the girls , as a general rush took place toward the target .

" no , Ben 's is nearest .

Ben 's beat ! "

hooray shouted the boys , throwing up their hats .

hurrah ! " it sounded so pleasant .

I wanted the fun of beating , but I don't care a bit for this girl 's thing and I 'd rather see it on you . "

" oh no ; you must wear it to show who won .

Miss Celia wouldn't like it .

" you must wear it ; I shall feel real mean if you don't .

you worked harder than I did , and it was only luck my getting this .

" then I will .

now do you forgive me for losing Sancho ? " asked Bab , with a wistful look which made Ben say , heartily ,

" I did that when he came home . "

" and you don't think I 'm horrid ? "

" he learned that at the circus ' tunnyments , ' as he calls them .

I saw a very sweet look on her face just now , and am sure that Ben will never know why he beat . "

I ought to give her mine and be hungry , it was so mean to make fun of her poorness . "

" did you stop the sacrifice ? "

" come and tell me about Abby .

CHAPTER XXI

CUPID'S LAST APPEARANCE

one big door was open , and seats , arranged lengthwise , faced the red table-cloths which formed the curtain .

across an empty stall a green cloth was fastened , so high that the heads of the operators were not seen .

" in China there lived a little man , His name was Chingery Wangery Chan . "

while he saluted , the song went on ,

" his legs were short , his feet were small , And this little man could not walk at all . "

" Chingery changery ri co day , Ekel tekel happy man ; Uron odesko canty oh , oh , Gallopy wallopy China go . "

while she did this , the song went on to explain ,

" Whang fun li , Tang hua ki , Hong Kong do ra me !

ah sin lo , Pan to fo , Tsing up chin leute ! "

but , alas !

the boys enjoyed this part intensely , and cries of " go it , Ben ! "

" hit him again , Billy ! "

" two against one isn't fair ! "

" Thorny 's a match for ' em . "

" I hope Bab will do something else , she is so funny .

wasn't her dress elegant ? " said Sally Folsum , burning to wear a long silk gown and a feather in her hair .

up went the curtain at last , and a voice announced " a Tragedy in Three Tableaux . "

" I know what that is ! " cried Sally ; " it 's ' Mabel on Midsummer Day . '

the piece Miss Celia spoke ; don't you know ? "

" there isn't any sick baby , and Mabel had a ' kerchief pinned about her head . '

the question was settled by the appearance of the wolf in the second scene , and such a wolf !

what a comfort that tail was to Sancho , none but a bereaved bow-wow could ever tell .

it 's perfectly splendid ! so don't you spoil it by making a row . "

but what they heard only whetted their curiosity and mystified them more and more .

Bab 's voice cried in a loud whisper , " isn't Ben beautiful ? "

" you just wait till you see what 's coming .

" ready !

no wonder Ben was not recognized in this brilliant disguise , which was more natural to him than Billy 's blue flannel or Thorny 's respectable garments .

" yes , ' m , thank you , it was tip-top . "

" but you look rather sober .

" no , I wouldn't unless he was there and wanted me . "

now go and dress ; but , tell me first , has it been a happy birthday ? "

" oh , Miss Celia !

" if I can bring one lost lamb into the fold , I shall be the fitter for a shepherd 's wife , by-and-by . "

CHAPTER XXII

a BOY'S BARGAIN

roosting here , Sam began to shout for aid in every key possible to the human voice .

" come on !

I 'm in the ma'sh .

" is it you , Sam ?

" stop that , or I 'll knock your head off ! " roared Sam , in a rage .

" Dare say not , but ' it is good for you , ' as you say when you rap me over the head .

now then ! " and Ben 's face grew stern with his remembered wrongs as he grimly eyed his discomfited foe .

" I 'll promise fast enough if you won't tell anyone about this , " answered Sam , surveying himself and his surroundings with great disgust .

" I shall do as I like about that . "

" then I won't promise a thing !

" all right ! " and back came Ben , ready for further negotiations .

" I 'll promise not to plague you , if you 'll promise not to tell on me .

is that what you want ? "

" now I come to think of it , there is one thing more .

I like to make a good bargain when I begin , " said Ben , with a shrewd air .

" you must promise to keep Mose quiet , too .

he follows your lead , and if you tell him to stop it he will .

if I was big enough , I 'd make you hold your tongues .

I ain't , so we 'll try this way . "

" yes , Yes , I 'll see to Mose .

now , bring on a rail , there 's a good fellow .

promise you won't plague the girls either , ' specially Bab and Betty .

you pull their hair , and they don't like it . "

" don't neither !

wouldn't touch that Bab for a dollar ; she scratches and bites like a mad cat , " was Sam 's sulky reply .

" Glad of it ; she can take care of herself .

" stop !

I will !

I will ! "

" true as you live and breathe ! " demanded Ben , sternly binding him by the most solemn oath he knew .

" I never thought of that way , " said Sam , watching him with much inward chagrin at his own failure .

come , crook , " commanded Ben , leaning forward with extended little finger .

" now what 's going to become of you , old Look-before-you-leap ? "

" better wash your face ; it 's as speckled as a tiger-lily .

" don't want it , " muttered Sam , gruffly , as he poured the water out of his muddy shoes .

" I was taught to say ' Thanky ' when folks got me out of scrapes .

Sam forgot his manners , but he remembered his promise , and kept it so well that all the school wondered .

a week after the secret alliance was formed , Ben ran in one evening with a letter for Miss Celia .

" he has come ! he has come !

now you may tell them , Thorny . "

" tell its what ? asked Bab , pricking up her cars at once .

Ben will take care of you while I 'm gone . "

" when shall you go ? " asked Bab , beginning to long for her share of cake .

" To-morrow , I guess .

Celia has been packed and ready for a week .

we agreed to meet George in New York , and be married as soon as he got his best clothes unpacked .

we are men of our word , and off we go .

won't it be fun ? "

" but when will you come back again ? " questioned Betty , looking anxious .

" don't know .

" do you like him ? " asked Ben , very naturally wondering if the new master would approve of the young man-of-all-work .

" don't I ?

George is regularly jolly ; though now he 's a minister , perhaps he 'll stiffen up and turn sober .

won't it be a shame if he does ? " and Thorny looked alarmed at the thought of losing his congenial friend .

" tell about him ; Miss Celia said you might " , put in Bab , whose experience of " jolly " ministers had been small .

" oh , there isn't much about it .

we met in Switzerland going up Mount St Bernard in a storm , and "

" where the good dogs live ? " inquired Betty , hoping they would come into the story .

then we kept meeting , and the first thing I knew she went and was engaged to him .

I didn't care , only she would come home so he might go on studying hard and get through quick .

" shall you live here always when you come back ? asked Bab , as Thorny paused for breath .

" Celia wants to .

I shall go to college , so I don't mind .

George is going to help the old minister here and see how he likes it .

" I wonder if he will want me round , " said Ben , feeling no desire to be a tramp again .

" I 'd like to see a live wedding , then we could play it with our dolls .

I 've got a nice piece of mosquito netting for a veil , and Belinda 's white dress is clean .

" oh , goody ! " cried Bab , while Betty whispered with both arms round Miss Celia ,

" I don't think we could bear to have anybody else come here to live . "

" it is very pleasant to hear you say that , and I mean to make others feel so , if I can .

" we will , " promised both children , ready for any thing except preaching in the high pulpit .

then Miss Celia turned to Ben , saying , in the respectful way that always made him feel at least twenty-five ,

" we shall be off to-morrow , and I leave you in charge .

CHAPTER XXIII

SOMEBODY COMES

" don't you hope Ben will get his bag full ?

" yes , and Ma says we may boil some in our little kettles .

Ben promised we should have half , " answered Betty , still intent on her cookery .

" I shall save some of mine for Thorny . "

" I shall keep lots of mine for Miss Celia . "

" doesn't it seem more than two weeks since she went away ? "

" I wonder what she 'll bring us . "

" it 's a tramp , let's run away , " whispered Betty , after a hasty look .

" pretty well , thank you , sir , " responded Bab , politely nodding back at him .

" Folks at home ? " asked the man , looking over their heads toward the house .

" only Ma ; all the rest have gone to be married . "

" that sounds lively .

" why , do you know the Squire ? " exclaimed Bab , much surprised and re-assured .

" come on purpose to see him .

just strolling round till he gets back , " with an impatient sort of sigh .

" Betty thought you was a tramp , but I wasn't afraid .

I like tramps ever since Ben came , " explained Bab , with her usual candor .

" who ' s Ben ! " and the man came nearer so quickly that Betty nearly fell backward .

" don't you be scared , Sissy .

" Ben is Miss Celia 's boy .

we found him most starved in the coach-house , and he 's been here ever since , " answered Bab , comprehensively .

" tell me about it .

" ' Course we were !

he 's a nice boy and we are fond of him , and he likes us , " said Bab , heartily .

" don't wonder a mite .

" haven't you ever been here before ?

it seems as if I 'd seen you . "

" never in my life .

" I 'm looking round for a likely boy ; don't you think this Ben would suite me ?

I want just such a lively sort of chap . "

" are you a circus man ? " asked Bab , quickly .

" well , no , not now .

I 'm in better business . "

" I 'm glad of it we don't approve of ' em ; but I do think they 're splendid ! "

Bab began by gravely quoting Miss Celia , and ended with an irrepressible burst of admiration which contrasted drolly with her first remark .

Betty added , anxiously : " we can't let Ben go any way .

I know he wouldn't want to , and Miss Celia would feel bad .

please don't ask him . "

" he can do as he likes , I suppose .

he hasn't got any folks of his own , has he ? "

" bless your heart for that !

I won't take him away , child , or do a thing to trouble anybody that 's been good to him . "

" he ' s coming now .

I hear Sanch barking at the squirrels ! " cried Bab , standing up to get a good look down the road .

Sancho trotted before and saw the stranger first , for the sun in Ben 's eyes dazzled him .

" good old Sanch !

I knew he wouldn't forget master , and he doesn't . "

" what 's the matter ? " called Ben , coming up briskly , with a strong grip of his stout stick .

down dropped the nuts , and crying , " oh , Daddy , Daddy ! "

" where is he ?

go bring him here .

I declare it fairly takes my breath away ! "

" they are coming ! they are coming !

" my patience , don't they look alike !

I should know he was Ben 's Pa anywhere ! " said Mrs Moss , running to the door in a hurry .

" I 'm real glad to see you safe and well , Mr Brown !

come right in and make yourself to home .

I guess there isn't a happier boy living than Ben is to-night . "

" now don't say a word about it , but sit down and rest , and we 'll have tea in less'n no time .

" that 's so ! " adding , more quietly , " what are you going to do now ?

go back to Smithers and the old business ? "

" not likely , after the way he treated you , Sonny .

" that sounds likely .

Thanky , ma'am .

I 'll look up the concern and try my chance .

I love to go and see ' em .

Mr Towne asked me to come and be stable-boy when I rode the kicking gray the rest were afraid of .

now I 'm glad I didn't , for I get on first rate and like it . "

" you done right , boy , and I 'm pleased with you .

don't you ever be ungrateful to them that befriended you , if you want to prosper .

I 'll tackle the stable business a Monday and see what 's to be done .

now I ought to be walking , but I 'll be round in the morning ma'am , if you can spare Ben for a spell to-morrow .

Mrs Moss saw the longing in his face , and forgetting that he was an utter stranger , spoke right out of her hospitable heart .

" it 's a long piece to the tavern , and my little back bedroom is always ready .

it won't make a mite of trouble if you don't mind a plain place , and you are heartily welcome . "

" do stay , father ; it will be so nice to have you .

" of course he does , and it 's all fair , " answered Bab , decidedly .

" isn't he a nice man , Ma ?

but , on the whole , it is best not to say a word about it .

CHAPTER XXIV

THE GREAT GATE IS OPENED

the Browns were up and out so early next morning that Bab and Betty were sure they had run away in the night .

" come , boy , we must drop the old slang since we 've given up the old business .

these good folks are making a gentleman of you , and I won't be the one to spoil their work .

" breakfast is ready , sir , " said Betty , looking much relieved to find them .

" we thought you 'd run away from us , " explained Bab , as both put out their hands to shake those extended to them .

" that would be a mean trick .

" here 's a smart young chap !

" I 'm too shabby , Sonny , else I 'd go in a minute to please you . "

" Miss Celia said God didn't mind poor clothes , and she took me when I looked worse than you do .

" do you want to go ? " asked his father in a tone of surprise .

" I want to please her , if you don't mind .

we could have our tramp this afternoon . "

" Miss Celia said church was a good place to take our troubles , and to be thankful in .

I went when I thought you were dead , and now I 'd love to go when I 've got my Daddy safe again . "

" I 'll go , and thank the Lord hearty for giving me back my boy better'n I left him ! "

then , as steps were heard on the stairs , Mr Brown caught up his hat , saying hastily ,

" I ain't fit to go with them , you tell ' m , and I 'll slip into a back seat after folks are in.

I know the way . "

and , before Ben could reply , he was gone .

" I wasn't going to let you be alone , and have folks think I was ashamed of my father .

come , Daddy , we 'll sit together . "

but the crowning glory of the day came after church , when the Squire said to Ben , and Sam heard him ,

" I 've got a letter for you from Miss Celia .

come home with me , and bring your father .

I want to talk to him . "

" I 'll give you a line to Towne .

Miss Celia had been gone a fortnight , and every one was longing to have her back .

one passage particularly pleased him ,

" I want the great gate opened , so that the new master may go in that way .

will you see that it is done , and all made neat afterward ?

he had his wish , and did his part handsomely when he least expected to have a chance .

" hullo !

I do believe they 've got up a bonfire , without asking my leave .

Miss Celia never would let us , because the sheds and roofs are so old and dry ; I must see about it .

Mrs Moss had her wits about her in a minute , and ran to put in the fireboard , and stop the draught .

but where was Bab , who revelled in flurries ?

no one missed her till the fire was out , and the tired , sooty people met to talk over the danger just escaped .

" it would have burnt lively , but I guess it 's all right now .

keep an eye on the roof , Ben , and I 'll step up garret and see if all 's safe there .

didn't you know that chimney was foul , ma'am ? " asked the man , as he wiped the perspiration off his grimy face .

" bless you , ma'am , I never thought of such a thing , nor Katy neither .

" oh , Bab , how could you do it ?

Ma was frightened dreadfully , " said Betty , gently tugging at the striped leg , as Sancho poked his head in for another shoe .

" is it all burnt up ? " demanded a smothered voice from the recesses of the kennel .

" only pieces of the roof .

" what do they do to folks who set houses afire ? " asked the voice again .

" I 'll ask him ; he is always good to me .

they will be here pretty soon , so you 'd better come out and be made tidy , " suggested the comforter .

" Ma won't , she 's too busy cleaning up ; so it 's a good time to come .

let's run home , wash our hands , and be all nice when they see us .

" every one is so kind !

" Sanch , introduce your master , that I may thank him for coming back in time to save my old house . "

" I loved to do it , so please remember that this is still his home till you make one for him .

" come on , sister .

" oh , don't ! " cried Bab , hiding her face .

" she didn't mean to , " added Betty , pleadingly .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Under the Lilacs , by Louisa May Alcott

produced by Sheila Perkins .

HTML version by Al Haines

Rilla of Ingleside

by

Lucy Maud Montgomery

CONTENTS

XXXIV MR . HYDE GOES TO HIS OWN PLACE AND SUSAN TAKES A HONEYMOON XXXV " RILLA-MY-RILLA ! "

CHAPTER I

GLEN " NOTES " AND OTHER MATTERS

it was a warm , golden-cloudy , lovable afternoon .

Susan just then was perfectly happy ; everything had gone almost uncannily well in the kitchen that day .

oh , here it was " Jottings from Glen St . Mary . "

Susan settled down keenly , reading each one over aloud to extract all possible gratification from it .

wherever Rilla Blythe was , there was laughter .

all cats are mysterious but Dr Jekyll-and-Mr .

Hyde " Doc " for short was trebly so .

he was a cat of double personality or else , as Susan vowed , he was possessed by the devil .

to begin with , there had been something uncanny about the very dawn of his existence .

Susan disliked Jack Frost , though she could not or would not give any valid reason therefor .

" but why do you think so ? "

Mrs Blythe would ask .

" I do not think I know , " was all the answer Susan would vouchsafe .

and then a domestic tragedy took place at Ingleside .

Jack Frost had kittens !

it would be vain to try to picture Susan 's triumph .

had she not always insisted that that cat would turn out to be a delusion and a snare ?

now they could see for themselves !

so they continually used the masculine pronoun , although the result was ludicrous .

" it is not decent , Mrs Dr dear , " poor Susan would say bitterly .

Hyde .

especially did he love to lie on his back and have his sleek , cream-coloured throat stroked gently while he purred in somnolent satisfaction .

he was a notable purrer ; never had there been an Ingleside cat who purred so constantly and so ecstatically .

" the only thing I envy a cat is its purr , " remarked Dr Blythe once , listening to Doc 's resonant melody .

" it is the most contented sound in the world . "

Doc was very handsome ; his every movement was grace ; his poses magnificent .

when the Mr Hyde mood came upon him which it invariably did before rain , or wind he was a wild thing with changed eyes .

the transformation always came suddenly .

he would spring fiercely from a reverie with a savage snarl and bite at any restraining or caressing hand .

his fur seemed to grow darker and his eyes gleamed with a diabolical light .

there was really an unearthly beauty about him .

if the change happened in the twilight all the Ingleside folk felt a certain terror of him .

at such times he was a fearsome beast and only Rilla defended him , asserting that he was " such a nice prowly cat . "

certainly he prowled .

Dr Jekyll loved new milk ; Mr Hyde would not touch milk and growled over his meat .

Dr Jekyll came down the stairs so silently that no one could hear him .

Mr Hyde made his tread as heavy as a man 's .

several evenings , when Susan was alone in the house , he " scared her stiff , " as she declared , by doing this .

he would sit in the middle of the kitchen floor , with his terrible eyes fixed unwinkingly upon hers for an hour at a time .

this played havoc with her nerves , but poor Susan really held him in too much awe to try to drive him out .

once she had dared to throw a stick at him and he had promptly made a savage leap towards her .

James Blythe , who was graduated in Arts in @number@ had just completed his first year in medicine . ' "

" Faith Meredith has really got to be the most handsomest creature I ever saw , " commented Miss Cornelia above her filet crochet .

" it 's amazing how those children came on after Rosemary West went to the manse .

people have almost forgotten what imps of mischief they were once .

Anne , dearie , will you ever forget the way they used to carry on ?

it 's really surprising how well Rosemary got on with them .

she 's more like a chum than a step-mother .

they all love her and Una adores her .

as for that little Bruce , Una just makes a perfect slave of herself to him .

of course , he is a darling .

but did you ever see any child look as much like an aunt as he looks like his Aunt Ellen ?

he 's just as dark and just as emphatic .

I can't see a feature of Rosemary in him .

" Bruce adores Jem , " said Mrs Blythe .

he would do anything for Jem , I verily believe . "

" are Jem and Faith going to make a match of it ? "

Mrs Blythe smiled .

" they are only good friends yet , Miss Cornelia . "

" very good friends , believe me , " said Miss Cornelia emphatically .

" I hear all about the doings of the young fry . "

" children !

Jem is twenty-one and Faith is nineteen , " retorted Miss Cornelia .

" you must not forget , Susan , that we old folks are not the only grown-up people in the world . "

" ' Carl Meredith and Shirley Blythe came home last Friday evening from Queen 's Academy .

" he will teach the children all there is to know about bugs , anyhow , " said Miss Cornelia .

he 'll be all the better for it . "

" ' Walter Blythe , who has been teaching for the past two years at Lowbridge , has resigned , ' " read Susan .

" ' He intends going to Redmond this fall . ' "

" is Walter quite strong enough for Redmond yet ? " queried Miss Cornelia anxiously .

" we hope that he will be by the fall , " said Mrs Blythe .

" an idle summer in the open air and sunshine will do a great deal for him . "

I think he 'd do well to stay out of college another year .

but then he 's so ambitious .

are Di and Nan going too ? "

" yes .

they both wanted to teach another year but Gilbert thinks they had better go to Redmond this fall . "

" I 'm glad of that .

they 'll keep an eye on Walter and see that he doesn't study too hard .

Susan ignored this and Mrs Blythe laughed again .

" Dear Miss Cornelia , I have my hands full , haven't I ? with all these boys and girls sweethearting around me ?

if I took it seriously it would quite crush me .

but I don't it is too hard yet to realize that they 're grown up .

wasn't Jem the dearest baby in the old House of Dreams ? and now he 's a B.A . and accused of courting . "

" we 're all growing older , " sighed Miss Cornelia .

I have an ache in it when the wind is east .

I won't admit that it is rheumatism , but it does ache .

as for the children , they and the Merediths are planning a gay summer before they have to go back to studies in the fall .

they are such a fun-loving little crowd .

they keep this house in a perpetual whirl of merriment . "

" is Rilla going to Queen 's when Shirley goes back ? "

" it isn't decided yet .

I rather fancy not .

her father thinks she is not quite strong enough she has rather outgrown her strength she 's really absurdly tall for a girl not yet fifteen .

Susan and I would fall to fighting with each other to break the monotony . "

Susan smiled at this pleasantry .

the idea of her fighting with " Mrs Dr dear ! "

" does Rilla herself want to go ? " asked Miss Cornelia .

" no .

the truth is , Rilla is the only one of my flock who isn't ambitious .

I really wish she had a little more ambition .

she has no serious ideals at all her sole aspiration seems to be to have a good time . "

" a young girl should have a good time , and that I will maintain .

there will be time enough for her to think of Latin and Greek . "

" I should like to see a little sense of responsibility in her , Susan .

and you know yourself that she is abominably vain . "

" she has something to be vain about , " retorted Susan .

" she is the prettiest girl in Glen St . Mary .

do you think that all those over-harbour MacAllisters and Crawfords and Elliotts could scare up a skin like Rilla 's in four generations ?

they could not .

no , Mrs Dr dear , I know my place but I cannot allow you to run down Rilla .

listen to this , Mrs Marshall Elliott . "

Susan had found a chance to get square with Miss Cornelia for her digs at the children 's love affairs .

she read the item with gusto .

" ' Miller Douglas has decided not to go West .

he says old P.E.I. is good enough for him and he will continue to farm for his aunt , Mrs Alec Davis . ' "

Susan looked keenly at Miss Cornelia .

" I have heard , Mrs Marshall Elliott , that Miller is courting Mary Vance . "

this shot pierced Miss Cornelia 's armour .

her sonsy face flushed .

" I won't have Miller Douglas hanging round Mary , " she said crisply .

" he comes of a low family .

" I think I have heard , Mrs Marshall Elliott , that Mary Vance 's own parents were not what you could call aristocratic . "

" Mary Vance has had a good bringing up and she is a smart , clever , capable girl , " retorted Miss Cornelia .

" she is not going to throw herself away on Miller Douglas , believe me !

she knows my opinion on the matter and Mary has never disobeyed me yet . "

" ' We are pleased to hear that Miss Oliver has been engaged as teacher for another year .

miss Oliver will spend her well-earned vacation at her home in Lowbridge . ' "

" I 'm so glad Gertrude is going to stay , " said Mrs Blythe .

" we would miss her horribly .

and she has an excellent influence over Rilla who worships her .

they are chums , in spite of the difference in their ages . "

" I thought I heard she was going to be married ? "

" I believe it was talked of but I understand it is postponed for a year . "

" who is the young man ? "

" Robert Grant .

he is a young lawyer in Charlottetown .

I hope Gertrude will be happy .

she has had a sad life , with much bitterness in it , and she feels things with a terrible keenness .

her first youth is gone and she is practically alone in the world .

when her marriage had to be put off she was quite in despair though it certainly wasn't Mr Grant 's fault .

there were complications in the settlement of his father 's estate his father died last winter and he could not marry till the tangles were unravelled .

but I think Gertrude felt it was a bad omen and that her happiness would somehow elude her yet . "

" it does not do , Mrs Dr dear , to set your affections too much on a man , " remarked Susan solemnly .

" Mr Grant is quite as much in love with Gertrude as she is with him , Susan .

it is not he whom she distrusts it is fate .

she has a little mystic streak in her I suppose some people would call her superstitious .

she has an odd belief in dreams and we have not been able to laugh it out of her .

what have you found of much interest , Susan ? "

Susan had given an exclamation .

" listen to this , Mrs Dr . dear .

why that is my own cousin Sophia , Mrs Dr dear .

and now she is coming to live right across the road from us . "

" you will have to make up the old quarrel , Susan .

it will never do to be at outs with your neighbours . "

" cousin Sophia began the quarrel , so she can begin the making up also , Mrs Dr dear , " said Susan loftily .

" if she does I hope I am a good enough Christian to meet her half-way .

she is not a cheerful person and has been a wet blanket all her life .

the last time I saw her , her face had a thousand wrinkles maybe more , maybe less from worrying and foreboding .

she howled dreadful at her first husband 's funeral but she married again in less than a year .

the next note , I see , describes the special service in our church last Sunday night and says the decorations were very beautiful . "

" speaking of that reminds me that Mr Pryor strongly disapproves of flowers in church , " said Miss Cornelia .

" I always said there would be trouble when that man moved here from Lowbridge .

he should never have been put in as elder it was a mistake and we shall live to rue it , believe me !

" who in the world ever gave him that ridiculous nickname ? " asked Mrs Blythe .

it does not do for anyone to call him that in his hearing , though , and that you may tie to .

but worse than his whiskers , Mrs Dr dear , he is a very unreasonable man and has a great many queer ideas .

yes , indeed , I have not forgotten that , and I always think of it when he is praying in meeting .

well , that is all the notes and there is not much else in the paper of any importance .

I never take much interest in foreign parts .

who is this Archduke man who has been murdered ? "

" somebody is always murdering or being murdered in those Balkan States .

it 's their normal condition and I don't really think that our papers ought to print such shocking things .

the Enterprise is getting far too sensational with its big headlines .

well , I must be getting home .

no , Anne dearie , it 's no use asking me to stay to supper .

Marshall has got to thinking that if I 'm not home for a meal it 's not worth eating just like a man .

so off I go .

merciful goodness , Anne dearie , what is the matter with that cat ?

" oh , no .

he 's merely turning into Mr Hyde which means that we shall have rain or high wind before morning .

Doc is as good as a barometer . "

" well , I am thankful he has gone on the rampage outside this time and not into my kitchen , " said Susan .

" and I am going out to see about supper .

with such a crowd as we have at Ingleside now it behooves us to think about our meals betimes . "

CHAPTER II

DEW OF MORNING

outside , the Ingleside lawn was full of golden pools of sunshine and plots of alluring shadows .

she , who had been so plump and roly-poly in the old Rainbow Valley days , was incredibly slim now , in the arms-and-legs period .

Jem and Shirley harrowed her soul by calling her " spider . "

yet she somehow escaped awkwardness .

there was something in her movements that made you think she never walked but always danced .

miss Oliver , who was going home that night for vacation , had boarded for a year at Ingleside .

Gertrude Oliver was twenty-eight and life had been a struggle for her .

she was not pretty but there was a certain charm of interest and mystery in her face , and Rilla found her fascinating .

even her occasional moods of gloom and cynicism had allurement for Rilla .

these moods came only when Miss Oliver was tired .

Walter and Rilla were her favourites and she was the confidante of the secret wishes and aspirations of both .

In the plural , at that !

she knew his passionate love of beauty and his equally passionate hatred of ugliness ; she knew his strength and his weakness .

Walter was , as ever , the handsomest of the Ingleside boys .

glossy black hair , brilliant dark grey eyes , faultless features .

and a poet to his fingertips !

that sonnet sequence was really a remarkable thing for a lad of twenty to write .

Miss Oliver was no partial critic and she knew that Walter Blythe had a wonderful gift .

Rilla loved Walter with all her heart .

he never teased her as Jem and Shirley did .

he never called her " spider . "

his pet name for her was " Rilla-my-Rilla " a little pun on her real name , Marilla .

she did not mind Walter 's version , but nobody else was allowed to call her that , except Miss Oliver now and then .

" Rilla-my-Rilla " in Walter 's musical voice sounded very beautiful to her like the lilt and ripple of some silvery brook .

she would have died for Walter if it would have done him any good , so she told Miss Oliver .

and I would never tell them to a single soul not even to you , Miss Oliver .

I tell him everything I even show him my diary .

and it hurts me dreadfully when he doesn't tell me things .

he shows me all his poems , though they are marvellous , Miss Oliver .

oh , I just live in the hope that some day I shall be to Walter what Wordsworth 's sister Dorothy was to him .

Wordsworth never wrote anything like Walter 's poems nor Tennyson , either . "

" I wouldn't say just that .

both of them wrote a great deal of trash , " said Miss Oliver dryly .

then , repenting , as she saw a hurt look in Rilla 's eye , she added hastily ,

" when Walter was in the hospital with typhoid last year I was almost crazy , " sighed Rilla , a little importantly .

" they never told me how ill he really was until it was all over father wouldn't let them .

I 'm glad I didn't know I couldn't have borne it .

I cried myself to sleep every night as it was .

he really belonged to Jem but was much attached to Walter also .

he was lying beside Walter now with nose snuggled against his arm , thumping his tail rapturously whenever Walter gave him an absent pat .

Monday was not a collie or a setter or a hound or a Newfoundland .

he was just , as Jem said , " plain dog " very plain dog , uncharitable people added .

certainly , Monday 's looks were not his strong point .

black spots were scattered at random over his yellow carcass , one of them , apparently , blotting out an eye .

his ears were in tatters , for Monday was never successful in affairs of honour .

but he possessed one talisman .

he knew that not all dogs could be handsome or eloquent or victorious , but that every dog could love .

on this particular afternoon Rilla had no quarrel on hand with existing conditions .

" we 've had such lovely times and such lovely weather .

it has just been perfect every way . "

" I don't half like that , " said Miss Oliver , with a sigh .

" it 's ominous somehow .

a perfect thing is a gift of the gods a sort of compensation for what is coming afterwards .

I 've seen that so often that I don't care to hear people say they 've had a perfect time .

June has been delightful , though . "

" of course , it hasn't been very exciting , " said Rilla .

" the only exciting thing that has happened in the Glen for a year was old Miss Mead fainting in Church .

sometimes I wish something dramatic would happen once in a while . "

" don't wish it .

dramatic things always have a bitterness for some one .

what a nice summer all you gay creatures will have !

and me moping at Lowbridge ! "

" you 'll be over often , won't you ?

isn't it horrid when people think you 're a little girl when you're not ? "

" there 's plenty of time for you to be grown up , Rilla .

don't wish your youth away .

it goes too quickly .

you 'll begin to taste life soon enough . "

" taste life !

I want to eat it , " cried Rilla , laughing .

" I want everything everything a girl can have .

I 'll be fifteen in another month , and then nobody can say I 'm a child any longer .

I heard someone say once that the years from fifteen to nineteen are the best years in a girl 's life .

I 'm going to make them perfectly splendid just fill them with fun . "

" there 's no use thinking about what you 're going to do you are tolerably sure not to do it . "

" oh , but you do get a lot of fun out of the thinking , " cried Rilla .

" well , what else is fifteen for ?

but have you any notion of going to college this fall ? "

" no nor any other fall .

I don't want to .

I never cared for all those ologies and isms Nan and Di are so crazy about .

and there 's five of us going to college already .

surely that 's enough .

there 's bound to be one dunce in every family .

I 'm quite willing to be a dunce if I can be a pretty , popular , delightful one .

I can't be clever .

I have no talent at all , and you can't imagine how comfortable it is .

nobody expects me to do anything so I 'm never pestered to do it .

and I can't be a housewifely , cookly creature , either .

I hate sewing and dusting , and when Susan couldn't teach me to make biscuits nobody could .

father says I toil not neither do I spin .

therefore , I must be a lily of the field , " concluded Rilla , with another laugh .

" you are too young to give up your studies altogether , Rilla . "

" oh , mother will put me through a course of reading next winter .

it will polish up her B.A . degree .

luckily I like reading .

don't look at me so sorrowfully and so disapprovingly , dearest .

I can't be sober and serious everything looks so rosy and rainbowy to me .

next month I 'll be fifteen and next year sixteen and the year after that seventeen .

could anything be more enchanting ? "

" rap wood , " said Gertrude Oliver , half laughingly , half seriously .

" rap wood , Rilla-my-Rilla . "

CHAPTER III

MOONLIT MIRTH

" the new day is knocking at the window .

what will it bring us , I wonder . "

Miss Oliver shivered a little .

she never greeted the days with Rilla 's enthusiasm .

she had lived long enough to know that a day may bring a terrible thing .

" I think the nicest thing about days is their unexpectedness , " went on Rilla .

" it 's jolly to wake up like this on a golden-fine morning and wonder what surprise packet the day will hand you .

I always day-dream for ten minutes before I get up , imagining the heaps of splendid things that may happen before night . "

" I hope something very unexpected will happen today , " said Gertrude .

" I hope the mail will bring us news that war has been averted between Germany and France . "

" oh yes , " said Rilla vaguely .

" it will be dreadful if it isn't , I suppose .

but it won't really matter much to us , will it ?

I think a war would be so exciting .

the Boer war was , they say , but I don't remember anything about it , of course .

miss Oliver , shall I wear my white dress tonight or my new green one ?

and will you do my hair the new way ?

none of the other girls in the Glen wear it yet and it will make such a sensation . "

" how did you induce your mother to let you go to the dance ? "

" oh , Walter coaxed her over .

he knew I would be heart-broken if I didn't go .

it 's my first really-truly grown-up party , Miss Oliver , and I 've just lain awake at nights for a week thinking it over .

when I saw the sun shining this morning I wanted to whoop for joy .

it would be simply terrible if it rained tonight .

I think I 'll wear the green dress and risk it .

I want to look my nicest at my first party .

besides , it 's an inch longer than my white one .

and I 'll wear my silver slippers too .

Mrs Ford sent them to me last Christmas and I 've never had a chance to wear them yet .

they 're the dearest things .

oh , Miss Oliver , I do hope some of the boys will ask me to dance .

I shall die of mortification truly I will , if nobody does and I have to sit stuck up against the wall all the evening .

" you 'll have plenty of partners all the over-harbour boys are coming there 'll be far more boys than girls . "

" I 'm glad I 'm not a minister 's daughter , " laughed Rilla .

" Poor Faith is so furious because she won't dare to dance tonight .

Una doesn't care , of course .

she has never hankered after dancing .

somebody told Faith there would be a taffy-pull in the kitchen for those who didn't dance and you should have seen the face she made .

she and Jem will sit out on the rocks most of the evening , I suppose .

won't it just be absolutely divine ? "

" when I was fifteen I talked in italics and superlatives too , " said Miss Oliver sarcastically .

" I think the party promises to be pleasant for young fry .

I expect to be bored .

none of those boys will bother dancing with an old maid like me .

Jem and Walter will take me out once out of charity .

so you can't expect me to look forward to it with your touching young rapture . "

" didn't you have a good time at your first party , though , Miss Oliver ? "

" no .

I had a hateful time .

I was shabby and homely and nobody asked me to dance except one boy , homelier and shabbier than myself .

he was so awkward I hated him and even he didn't ask me again .

I had no real girlhood , Rilla .

it 's a sad loss .

that 's why I want you to have a splendid , happy girlhood .

and I hope your first party will be one you 'll remember all your life with pleasure . "

" I woke up with a gasp of horror . "

" speaking of dreams I had an odd one , " said Miss Oliver absently .

" what was your dream ? "

" I was standing on the veranda steps , here at Ingleside , looking down over the fields of the Glen .

all at once , far in the distance , I saw a long , silvery , glistening wave breaking over them .

it came nearer and nearer just a succession of little white waves like those that break on the sandshore sometimes .

the Glen was being swallowed up .

I tried to draw back and I saw that the edge of my dress was wet with blood and I woke shivering .

I don't like the dream .

there was some sinister significance in it .

that kind of vivid dream always ' comes true ' with me . "

" I hope it doesn't mean there 's a storm coming up from the east to spoil the party , " murmured Rilla .

" Incorrigible fifteen ! " said Miss Oliver dryly .

" no , Rilla-my-Rilla , I don't think there is any danger that it foretells anything so awful as that . "

there had been an undercurrent of tension in the Ingleside existence for several days .

only Rilla , absorbed in her own budding life , was unaware of it .

Dr Blythe had taken to looking grave and saying little over the daily paper .

Jem and Walter were keenly interested in the news it brought .

Jem sought Walter out in excitement that evening .

" oh , boy , Germany has declared war on France .

" it wasn't a fancy , " said Walter slowly .

" it was a presentiment a vision Jem , I really saw him for a moment that evening long ago .

suppose England does fight ? "

" why , we 'll all have to turn in and help her , " cried Jem gaily .

" we couldn't let the ' old grey mother of the northern sea ' fight it out alone , could we ?

but you can't go the typhoid has done you out of that .

sort of a shame , eh ? "

Walter did not say whether it was a shame or not .

he looked silently over the Glen to the dimpling blue harbour beyond .

" what an adventure it would be !

but I suppose Grey or some of those wary old chaps will patch matters up at the eleventh hour .

it 'll be a rotten shame if they leave France in the lurch , though .

if they don't , we 'll see some fun .

well , I suppose it 's time to get ready for the spree at the light . "

there was a little frown on his forehead .

this had all come up with the blackness and suddenness of a thundercloud .

a few days ago nobody had even thought of such a thing .

it was absurd to think of it now .

some way out would be found .

War was a hellish , horrible , hideous thing too horrible and hideous to happen in the twentieth century between civilized nations .

the mere thought of it was hideous , and made Walter unhappy in its threat to the beauty of life .

he would not think of it he would resolutely put it out of his mind .

how beautiful the old Glen was , in its August ripeness , with its chain of bowery old homesteads , tilled meadows and quiet gardens .

the western sky was like a great golden pearl .

Far down the harbour was frosted with a dawning moonlight .

the world was steeped in maddening loveliness of sound and colour .

he would think only of these things and of the deep , subtle joy they gave him .

" anyhow , no one will expect me to go , " he thought .

" as Jem says , typhoid has seen to that . "

Rilla was leaning out of her room window , dressed for the dance .

a yellow pansy slipped from her hair and fell out over the sill like a falling star of gold .

she caught at it vainly but there were enough left .

miss Oliver had woven a little wreath of them for her pet 's hair .

" It's so beautifully calm isn't that splendid ?

we 'll have a perfect night .

listen , Miss Oliver I can hear those old bells in Rainbow Valley quite clearly .

they 've been hanging there for over ten years . "

" we used to have such fun in Rainbow Valley when we were children , " said Rilla dreamily .

nobody ever played in Rainbow Valley now .

it was very silent on summer evenings .

Walter liked to go there to read .

and Rilla had a beloved little sylvan dell of her own there where she liked to sit and dream .

" I must run down to the kitchen before I go and show myself off to Susan .

she would never forgive me if I didn't . "

Rilla whirled into the shadowy kitchen at Ingleside , where Susan was prosaically darning socks , and lighted it up with her beauty .

she wore her green dress with its little pink daisy garlands , her silk stockings and silver slippers .

she had golden pansies in her hair and at her creamy throat .

Susan did not always welcome her rapturously for Cousin Sophia was not what could be called an exhilarating companion .

everything about her seemed long and thin and pale .

she looked mournfully upon Rilla Blythe and said sadly ,

" is your hair all your own ? "

" of course it is , " cried Rilla indignantly .

" ah , well ! "

Cousin Sophia sighed .

" it might be better for you if it wasn't !

such a lot of hair takes from a person 's strength .

it 's a sign of consumption , I 've heard , but I hope it won't turn out like that in your case .

I s'pose you 'll all be dancing tonight even the minister 's boys most likely .

I s'pose his girls won't go that far .

ah , well , I never held with dancing .

I knew a girl once who dropped dead while she was dancing .

how any one could ever dance aga ' after a judgment like that I cannot comprehend . "

" did she ever dance again ? " asked Rilla pertly .

" I told you she dropped dead .

of course she never danced again , poor creature .

she was a Kirke from Lowbridge .

you ain't a-going off like that with nothing on your bare neck , are you ? "

" it 's a hot evening , " protested Rilla .

" but I 'll put on a scarf when we go on the water . "

I hope nothing like that 'll happen to you tonight .

do you ever try anything for the freckles ?

I used to find plantain juice real good . "

" you certainly should be a judge of freckles , Cousin Sophia , " said Susan , rushing to Rilla 's defence .

" you were more speckled than any toad when you was a girl .

you look real nice , Rilla , and that way of fixing your hair is becoming .

but you are not going to walk to the harbour in those slippers , are you ? "

" oh , no .

we 'll all wear our old shoes to the harbour and carry our slippers .

do you like my dress , Susan ? "

" it minds me of a dress I wore when I was a girl , " sighed Cousin Sophia before Susan could reply .

" it was green with pink posies on it , too , and it was flounced from the waist to the hem .

we didn't wear the skimpy things girls wear nowadays .

ah me , times has changed and not for the better I 'm afraid .

I tore a big hole in it that night and someone spilled a cup of tea all over it .

ruined it completely .

but I hope nothing will happen to your dress .

it orter to be a bit longer I 'm thinking your legs are so terrible long and thin . "

but Rilla felt insulted .

a little girl indeed !

she whisked out of the kitchen in high dudgeon .

another time she wouldn't go down to show herself off to Susan Susan , who thought nobody was grown up until she was sixty !

and that horrid Cousin Sophia with her digs about freckles and legs !

what business had an old an old beanpole like that to talk of anybody else being long and thin ?

Rilla felt all her pleasure in herself and her evening clouded and spoiled .

the very teeth of her soul were set on edge and she could have sat down and cried .

but later on her spirits rose again when she found herself one of the gay crowd bound for the Four Winds light .

they picked up the Merediths in the village , and others joined them as they walked down the old harbour road .

Rilla was not very fond of Mary Vance .

she had never forgotten the humiliating day when Mary had chased her through the village with a dried codfish .

Mary Vance , to tell the truth , was not exactly popular with any of her set .

still , they enjoyed her society she had such a biting tongue that it was stimulating .

most of the little crowd were paired off after a fashion .

Jem walked with Faith Meredith , of course , and Jerry Meredith with Nan Blythe .

Di and Walter were together , deep in confidential conversation which Rilla envied .

Carl Meredith was walking with Miranda Pryor , more to torment Joe Milgrave than for any other reason .

Joe was known to have a strong hankering for the said Miranda , which shyness prevented him from indulging on all occasions .

so he trailed along after the procession and thought things not lawful to be uttered of Carl Meredith .

she would much rather have walked with Joe than with Carl , with whom she did not feel in the least at home .

Shirley Blythe was with Una Meredith and both were rather silent because such was their nature .

Shirley was a lad of sixteen , sedate , sensible , thoughtful , full of a quiet humour .

he was Susan 's " little brown boy " yet , with his brown hair , brown eyes , and clear brown skin .

he liked to walk with Una Meredith because she never tried to make him talk or badgered him with chatter .

she had a secret , carefully-hidden fancy for Walter Blythe that nobody but Rilla ever suspected .

Rilla sympathized with it and wished Walter would return it .

she liked Una better than Faith , whose beauty and aplomb rather overshadowed other girls and Rilla did not enjoy being overshadowed .

but just now she was very happy .

meadows of sunset afterlight were behind the westerning hills .

before them was the shining harbour .

a bell was ringing in the little church over-harbour and the lingering dream-notes died around the dim , amethystine points .

the gulf beyond was still silvery blue in the afterlight .

oh , it was all glorious the clear air with its salt tang , the balsam of the firs , the laughter of her friends .

it was her first party and she was going to have a splendid time .

it was beautiful and satisfying just to be alive to be fifteen to be pretty .

Rilla drew a long breath of rapture and caught it midway rather sharply .

Jem was telling some story to Faith something that had happened in the Balkan War .

" the doctor lost both his legs they were smashed to pulp and he was left on the field to die .

some hero , wasn't he , Faith ?

I tell you when I read that "

Jem and Faith moved on out of hearing .

Gertrude Oliver suddenly shivered .

Rilla pressed her arm sympathetically .

" wasn't it dreadful , Miss Oliver ?

I don't know why Jem tells such gruesome things at a time like this when we 're all out for fun . "

" do you think it dreadful , Rilla ?

I thought it wonderful beautiful .

such a story makes one ashamed of ever doubting human nature .

that man 's action was godlike .

and how humanity responds to the ideal of self-sacrifice .

as for my shiver , I don't know what caused it .

the evening is certainly warm enough .

perhaps someone is walking over the dark , starshiny spot that is to be my grave .

that is the explanation the old superstition would give .

well , I won't think of that on this lovely night .

do you know , Rilla , that when night-time comes I 'm always glad I live in the country .

we know the real charm of night here as town dwellers never do .

every night is beautiful in the country even the stormy ones .

I love a wild night storm on this old gulf shore .

as for a night like this , it is almost too beautiful it belongs to youth and dreamland and I 'm half afraid of it . "

" I feel as if I were part of it , " said Rilla .

" ah yes , you 're young enough not to be afraid of perfect things .

well , here we are at the House of Dreams .

it seems lonely this summer .

the Fords didn't come ? "

" Mr and Mrs. Ford and Persis didn't .

Kenneth did but he stayed with his mother 's people over-harbour .

we haven't seen a great deal of him this summer .

he 's a little lame , so didn't go about very much . "

" Lame ?

what happened to him ? "

" he broke his ankle in a football game last fall and was laid up most of the winter .

he has limped a little ever since but it is getting better all the time and he expects it will be all right before long .

he has been up to Ingleside only twice . "

" Ethel Reese is simply crazy about him , " said Mary Vance .

" she hasn't got the sense she was born with where he is concerned .

as if a Toronto boy like Ken Ford would ever really think of a country girl like Ethel ! "

Rilla flushed .

it did not matter to her if Kenneth Ford walked home with Ethel Reese a dozen times it did not !

nothing that he did mattered to her .

he was ages older than she was .

as for Mary Vance , she was getting to be an out-and-out gossip and thought of nothing but who walked home with people !

there was a little pier on the harbour shore below the House of Dreams , and two boats were moored there .

they raced down the harbour and Joe 's boat won .

more boats were coming down from the Harbour Head and across the harbour from the western side .

everywhere there was laughter .

the big white tower on Four Winds Point was overflowing with light , while its revolving beacon flashed overhead .

as Jem 's boat swung in below the lighthouse Rilla desperately snatched off her shoes and donned her silver slippers behind Miss Oliver 's screening back .

it was a delightful spot , roofed over with fir-boughs and hung with lanterns .

how cool and fresh the gulf breeze blew ; how white and wonderful the moonlight was over everything !

this was life enchanting life .

Rilla felt as if her feet and her soul both had wings .

CHAPTER IV

THE PIPER PIPES

Rilla 's first party was a triumph or so it seemed at first .

she had so many partners that she had to split her dances .

Irene Howard fastened it up for her and gave her some over-sweet , condescending compliments .

Rilla felt flattered by Irene 's condescension .

but Rilla thought Irene quite wonderful and loved her for her patronage .

Irene was pretty and stylish ; she sang divinely and spent every winter in Charlottetown taking music lessons .

Rilla felt that Irene 's compliments crowned her evening .

she ran gaily back to the pavilion and lingered for a moment in the glow of the lanterns at the entrance looking at the dancers .

a momentary break in the whirling throng gave her a glimpse of Kenneth Ford standing at the other side .

Rilla 's heart skipped a beat or , if that be a physiological impossibility , she thought it did .

so he was here , after all .

she had concluded he was not coming not that it mattered in the least .

would he see her ?

would he take any notice of her ?

of course , he wouldn't ask her to dance that couldn't be hoped for .

he thought her just a mere child .

he had called her " spider " not three weeks ago when he had been at Ingleside one evening .

she had cried about it upstairs afterwards and hated him .

but her heart skipped a beat when she saw that he was edging his way round the side of the pavilion towards her .

was he coming to her was he ? was he ? yes , he was !

he was reported to be awesomely clever , with the glamour of a far-away city and a big university hanging around him .

he had also the reputation of being a bit of a lady-killer .

" is this Rilla-my-Rilla ? " he asked in a low tone .

Rilla had lisped in early childhood ; but she had grown out of it .

only on occasions of stress and strain did the tendency re-assert itself .

the party was spoiled .

everything had turned to dust and ashes .

it would have been so nice if she had not made a fool of herself .

she dared not look up lest she should see laughter in his eyes .

he wanted to make her look up to catch again that little , demure , questioning glance .

she was the prettiest thing at the party , there was no doubt of that .

what was he saying ?

Rilla could hardly believe her ears .

" can we have a dance ? "

" yes , " said Rilla .

she said it with such a fierce determination not to lisp that she fairly blurted the word out .

then she writhed in spirit again .

it sounded so bold so eager as if she were fairly jumping at him !

what would he think of her ?

oh , why did dreadful things like this happen , just when a girl wanted to appear at her best ?

Kenneth drew her in among the dancers .

" I think this game ankle of mine is good for one hop around , at least , " he said .

" how is your ankle ? " said Rilla .

oh , why couldn't she think of something else to say ?

she knew he was sick of inquiries about his ankle .

and now she must go and ask this stale question again .

Kenneth was tired of inquiries about his ankle .

but then he had not often been asked about it by lips with such an adorable kissable dent just above them .

" they tell me it will be as strong as ever in time , but I 'll have to cut football out this fall . "

they danced together and Rilla knew every girl in sight envied her .

Kenneth talked to her as he had talked to Nan and Di .

" ' A merry lilt o ' moonlight for mermaiden revelry , ' " quoted Kenneth softly from one of Walter 's poems .

and just he and she alone together in the glamour of sound and sight !

but words would not come , she could only listen and murmur little commonplace sentences now and again .

but perhaps her dreamy eyes and her dented lip and her slender throat talked eloquently for her .

at any rate Kenneth seemed in no hurry to suggest going back and when they did go back supper was in progress .

Rilla looked about her and thought how lovely her first party had been .

she would never forget it .

the room re-echoed to laughter and jest .

beautiful young eyes sparkled and shone .

from the pavilion outside came the lilt of the fiddle and the rhythmic steps of the dancers .

it was Jack Elliott from over-harbour a McGill medical student , a quiet chap not much addicted to social doings .

yet here he was and he carried a folded paper in his hand .

Gertrude Oliver looked at him from her corner and shivered again .

in the pleasure of his society she had forgotten some of her misgivings of the day .

now they suddenly returned to her .

what news did Jack Elliott bring ?

lines from an old poem flashed unbidden into her mind " there was a sound of revelry by night " " hush !

hark !

a deep sound strikes like a rising knell " why should she think of that now ?

why didn't Jack Elliott speak if he had anything to tell ?

why did he just stand there , glowering importantly ?

" ask him ask him , " she said feverishly to Allan Daly .

but somebody else had already asked him .

the room grew very silent all at once .

Outside the fiddler had stopped for a rest and there was silence there too .

Afar off they heard the low moan of the gulf the presage of a storm already on its way up the Atlantic .

a girl 's laugh drifted up from the rocks and died away as if frightened out of existence by the sudden stillness .

" England declared war on Germany today , " said Jack Elliott slowly .

" the news came by wire just as I left town . "

" God help us , " whispered Gertrude Oliver under her breath .

" my dream my dream !

the first wave has broken . "

she looked at Allan Daly and tried to smile .

" is this Armageddon ? " she asked .

" I am afraid so , " he said gravely .

a chorus of exclamations had arisen round them light surprise and idle interest for the most part .

few there realized the import of the message fewer still realized that it meant anything to them .

before long the dancing was on again and the hum of pleasure was as loud as ever .

Gertrude and Allan Daly talked the news over in low , troubled tones .

Walter Blythe had turned pale and left the room .

outside he met Jem , hurrying up the rock steps .

" have you heard the news , Jem ? "

" yes .

the Piper has come .

hurrah !

I knew England wouldn't leave France in the lurch .

I 've been trying to get Captain Josiah to hoist the flag but he says it isn't the proper caper till sunrise .

Jack says they 'll be calling for volunteers tomorrow . "

" what a fuss to make over nothing , " said Mary Vance disdainfully as Jem dashed off .

she was sitting out with Miller Douglas on a lobster trap which was not only an unromantic but an uncomfortable seat .

but Mary and Miller were both supremely happy on it .

" what does it matter if there 's going to be a war over there in Europe ?

I 'm sure it doesn't concern us . "

Walter looked at her and had one of his odd visitations of prophecy .

you will weep tears of blood over it .

the Piper has come and he will pipe until every corner of the world has heard his awful and irresistible music .

it will be years before the dance of death is over years , Mary .

and in those years millions of hearts will break . "

" fancy now ! " said Mary who always said that when she couldn't think of anything else to say .

she didn't know what Walter meant but she felt uncomfortable .

Walter Blythe was always saying odd things .

that old Piper of his she hadn't heard anything about him since their playdays in Rainbow Valley and now here he was bobbing up again .

she didn't like it , and that was the long and short of it .

" aren't you painting it rather strong , Walter ? " asked Harvey Crawford , coming up just then .

" this war won't last for years it 'll be over in a month or two .

England will just wipe Germany off the map in no time . "

" this isn't a paltry struggle in a Balkan corner , Harvey .

it is a death grapple .

Germany comes to conquer or to die .

and do you know what will happen if she conquers ?

Canada will be a German colony . "

" well , I guess a few things will happen before that , " said Harvey shrugging his shoulders .

no Germans need apply for this old country , eh ? "

Harvey ran down the steps laughing .

" I declare , I think all you boys talk the craziest stuff , " said Mary Vance in disgust .

she got up and dragged Miller off to the rock-shore .

they left Walter standing alone on the rock steps , looking out over the beauty of Four Winds with brooding eyes that saw it not .

the best of the evening was over for Rilla , too .

ever since Jack Elliott 's announcement , she had sensed that Kenneth was no longer thinking about her .

she felt suddenly lonely and unhappy .

it was worse than if he had never noticed her at all .

was life like this something delightful happening and then , just as you were revelling in it , slipping away from you ?

Rilla told herself pathetically that she felt years older than when she had left home that evening .

perhaps she did perhaps she was .

who knows ?

it does not do to laugh at the pangs of youth .

they are very terrible because youth has not yet learned that " this , too , will pass away . "

Rilla sighed and wished she were home , in bed , crying into her pillow .

" tired ? " said Kenneth , gently but absently oh , so absently .

he really didn't care a bit whether she were tired or not , she thought .

" matter ?

of course it will matter to the lucky fellows who will be able to take a hand .

I won't thanks to this confounded ankle .

rotten luck , I call it . "

" I don't see why we should fight England 's battles , " cried Rilla .

" she 's quite able to fight them herself . "

" that isn't the point .

we are part of the British Empire .

it 's a family affair .

we 've got to stand by each other .

the worst of it is , it will be over before I can be of any use . "

" do you mean that you would really volunteer to go if it wasn't for your ankle ? asked Rilla incredulously .

" sure I would .

you see they 'll go by thousands .

Jem 'll be off , I 'll bet a cent Walter won't be strong enough yet , I suppose .

and Jerry Meredith he 'll go !

and I was worrying about being out of football this year ! "

Rilla was too startled to say anything .

Jem and Jerry !

nonsense !

why father and Mr Meredith wouldn't allow it .

they weren't through college .

oh , why hadn't Jack Elliott kept his horrid news to himself ?

Mark Warren came up and asked her to dance .

Rilla went , knowing Kenneth didn't care whether she went or stayed .

an hour ago on the sand-shore he had been looking at her as if she were the only being of any importance in the world .

and now she was nobody .

women , thought Rilla miserably , just had to sit and cry at home .

but all this was foolishness .

Kenneth couldn't go he admitted that himself and Walter couldn't thank goodness for that and Jem and Jerry would have more sense .

she wouldn't worry she would enjoy herself .

but how awkward Mark Warren was !

how he bungled his steps !

there , he had bumped her into somebody !

she would never dance with him again !

Kenneth seemed to have gone at least nothing was to be seen of him .

her first party was spoiled , though it had seemed so beautiful at one time .

her head ached her toes burned .

and worse was yet to come .

she had gone down with some over-harbour friends to the rock-shore where they all lingered as dance after dance went on above them .

it was cool and pleasant and they were tired .

Rilla sat silent , taking no part in the gay conversation .

she was glad when someone called down that the over-harbour boats were leaving .

a laughing scramble up the lighthouse rock followed .

a few couples still whirled about in the pavilion but the crowd had thinned out .

Rilla looked about her for the Glen group .

she could not see one of them .

she ran into the lighthouse .

still , no sign of anybody .

in dismay she ran to the rock steps , down which the over-harbour guests were hurrying .

she could see the boats below where was Jem 's where was Joe 's ?

" where are the rest ? " gasped Rilla .

" why , they 're gone Jem went an hour ago Una had a headache .

and the rest went with Joe about fifteen minutes ago .

see they 're just going around Birch Point .

I didn't go because it 's getting rough and I knew I 'd be seasick .

I don't mind walking home from here .

it 's only a mile and a half .

I s'posed you 'd gone .

where were you ? "

" Down on the rocks with Jem and Mollie Crawford .

oh , why didn't they look for me ? "

" they did but you couldn't be found .

then they concluded you must have gone in the other boat .

don't worry .

you can stay all night with me and we 'll ' phone up to Ingleside where you are . "

Rilla realized that there was nothing else to do .

her lips trembled and tears came into her eyes .

she blinked savagely she would not let Mary Vance see her crying .

but to be forgotten like this !

to think nobody had thought it worth while to make sure where she was not even Walter .

then she had a sudden dismayed recollection .

" my shoes , " she exclaimed .

" I left them in the boat . "

" well , I never , " said Mary .

" you 're the most thoughtless kid I ever saw .

you 'll have to ask Hazel Lewison to lend you a pair of shoes . "

" I won't . " cried Rilla , who didn't like the said Hazel .

" I 'll go barefoot first . "

Mary shrugged her shoulders .

" just as you like .

pride must suffer pain .

it 'll teach you to be more careful .

well , let's hike . "

accordingly they hiked .

Rilla managed to limp and totter along until they reached the harbour road ; but she could go no farther in those detestable slippers .

she took them and her dear silk stockings off and started barefoot .

that was not pleasant either ; her feet were very tender and the pebbles and ruts of the road hurt them .

her blistered heels smarted .

but physical pain was almost forgotten in the sting of humiliation .

this was a nice predicament !

if Kenneth Ford could see her now , limping along like a little girl with a stone bruise !

oh , what a horrid way for her lovely party to end !

she just had to cry it was too terrible .

nobody cared for her nobody bothered about her at all .

well , if she caught cold from walking home barefoot on a dew-wet road and went into a decline perhaps they would be sorry .

she furtively wiped her tears away with her scarf handkerchiefs seemed to have vanished like shoes ! but she could not help sniffling .

worse and worse !

" you 've got a cold , I see , " said Mary .

" you ought to have known you would , sitting down in the wind on those rocks .

your mother won't let you go out again in a hurry I can tell you .

it 's certainly been something of a party .

the Lewisons know how to do things , I 'll say that for them , though Hazel Lewison is no choice of mine .

my , how black she looked when she saw you dancing with Ken Ford .

and so did that little hussy of an Ethel Reese .

what a flirt he is ! "

" I don't think he 's a flirt , " said Rilla as defiantly as two desperate sniffs would let her .

" you 'll know more about men when you 're as old as I am , " said Mary patronizingly .

" mind you , it doesn't do to believe all they tell you .

don't let Ken Ford think that all he has to do to get you on a string is to drop his handkerchief .

have more spirit than that , child . "

to be thus hectored and patronized by Mary Vance was unendurable !

and it was unendurable to walk on stony roads with blistered heels and bare feet !

and it was unendurable to be crying and have no handkerchief and not to be able to stop crying !

" I 'm not thinking " sniff " about Kenneth " sniff " Ford " two sniffs " at all , " cried tortured Rilla .

" there 's no need to fly off the handle , child .

you ought to be willing to take advice from older people .

I saw how you slipped over to the sands with Ken and stayed there ever so long with him .

your mother wouldn't like it if she knew . "

" I 'll tell my mother all about it and Miss Oliver and Walter , " Rilla gasped between sniffs .

" you sat for hours with Miller Douglas on that lobster trap , Mary Vance !

what would Mrs Elliott say to that if she knew ? "

" oh , I 'm not going to quarrel with you , " said Mary , suddenly retreating to high and lofty ground .

" all I say is , you should wait until you 're grown-up before you do things like that . "

Rilla gave up trying to hide the fact that she was crying .

everything was spoiled even that beautiful , dreamy , romantic , moonlit hour with Kenneth on the sands was vulgarized and cheapened .

she loathed Mary Vance .

" why , whatever 's wrong ? " cried mystified Mary .

" what are you crying for ? "

" my feet hurt so " sobbed Rilla clinging to the last shred of her pride .

" I daresay they do , " said Mary , not unkindly .

" never mind .

I know where there 's a pot of goose-grease in Cornelia 's tidy pantry and it beats all the fancy cold creams in the world .

I 'll put some on your heels before you go to bed . "

Goose-grease on your heels !

so this was what your first party and your first beau and your first moonlit romance ended in !

Rilla gave over crying in sheer disgust at the futility of tears and went to sleep in Mary Vance 's bed in the calm of despair .

CHAPTER V

" THE SOUND OF A GOING "

Rilla ran down through the sunlit glory of the maple grove behind Ingleside , to her favourite nook in Rainbow Valley .

was she could she be the same Rilla Blythe who had danced at Four Winds Light six days ago only six days ago ?

that evening , with its hopes and fears and triumphs and humiliations , seemed like ancient history now .

could she really ever have cried just because she had been forgotten and had to walk home with Mary Vance ?

ah , thought Rilla sadly , how trivial and absurd such a cause of tears now appeared to her .

she could cry now with a right good will but she would not she must not .

" when our women fail in courage , Shall our men be fearless still ? "

yes , that was it .

how sweet and woodsey the ferns smelled !

how softly the great feathery boughs of the firs waved and murmured over her !

how elfinly rang the bells of the " Tree Lovers " just a tinkle now and then as the breeze swept by !

how purple and elusive the haze where incense was being offered on many an altar of the hills !

how the maple leaves whitened in the wind until the grove seemed covered with pale silvery blossoms !

everything was just the same as she had seen it hundreds of times ; and yet the whole face of the world seemed changed .

" how wicked I was to wish that something dramatic would happen ! " she thought .

" oh , if we could only have those dear , monotonous , pleasant days back again !

I would never , never grumble about them again . "

Rilla 's world had tumbled to pieces the very day after the party .

as they lingered around the dinner table at Ingleside , talking of the war , the telephone had rung .

it was a long-distance call from Charlottetown for Jem .

when he had finished talking he hung up the receiver and turned around , with a flushed face and glowing eyes .

before he had said a word his mother and Nan and Di had turned pale .

" they are calling for volunteers in town , father , " said Jem .

" scores have joined up already .

I 'm going in tonight to enlist . "

" oh Little Jem , " cried Mrs Blythe brokenly .

she had not called him that for many years not since the day he had rebelled against it .

" oh no no Little Jem . "

" I must , mother .

I 'm right am I not , father ? " said Jem .

Dr Blythe had risen .

he was very pale , too , and his voice was husky .

but he did not hesitate .

" yes , Jem , yes if you feel that way , yes "

Mrs Blythe covered her face .

Walter stared moodily at his plate .

Nan and Di clasped each others ' hands .

Shirley tried to look unconcerned .

Susan sat as if paralysed , her piece of pie half-eaten on her plate .

that was wilful waste , hens to the contrary notwithstanding .

Jem turned to the phone again .

" I must ring the manse .

Jerry will want to go , too . "

at this Nan had cried out " oh ! " as if a knife had been thrust into her , and rushed from the room .

Di followed her .

Rilla turned to Walter for comfort but Walter was lost to her in some reverie she could not share .

" all right , " Jem was saying , as coolly as if he were arranging the details of a picnic .

" I thought you would yes , tonight the seven o'clock meet me at the station .

so long . "

" Mrs Dr dear , " said Susan .

" I wish you would wake me up .

am I dreaming or am I awake ?

does that blessed boy realize what he is saying ?

does he mean that he is going to enlist as a soldier ?

you do not mean to tell me that they want children like him !

it is an outrage .

surely you and the doctor will not permit it . "

" we can't stop him , " said Mrs Blythe , chokingly .

" oh , Gilbert ! "

they both thought of that other time the day years ago in the House of Dreams when little Joyce had died .

" no no !

but oh our first-born son he 's only a lad Gilbert I 'll try to be brave after a while just now I can't .

it 's all come so suddenly .

give me time . "

the doctor and his wife went out of the room .

Jem had gone Walter had gone Shirley got up to go .

Rilla and Susan remained staring at each other across the deserted table .

Rilla had not yet cried she was too stunned for tears .

then she saw that Susan was crying Susan , whom she had never seen shed a tear before .

" oh , Susan , will he really go ? " she asked .

" it it it is just ridiculous , that is what it is , " said Susan .

she wiped away her tears , gulped resolutely and got up .

" I am going to wash the dishes .

that has to be done , even if everybody has gone crazy .

there now , dearie , do not you cry .

Jem will go , most likely but the war will be over long before he gets anywhere near it .

let us take a brace and not worry your poor mother . "

" in the Enterprise today it was reported that Lord Kitchener says the war will last three years , " said Rilla dubiously .

so just let us be calm and trust in the Almighty and get this place tidied up .

I am done with crying which is a waste of time and discourages everybody . "

Jem and Jerry went to Charlottetown that night and two days later they came back in khaki .

the Glen hummed with excitement over it .

life at Ingleside had suddenly become a tense , strained , thrilling thing .

Mrs Blythe and Nan were brave and smiling and wonderful .

already Mrs Blythe and Miss Cornelia were organizing a Red Cross .

the doctor and Mr Meredith were rounding up the men for a Patriotic Society .

Rilla , after the first shock , reacted to the romance of it all , in spite of her heartache .

Jem certainly looked magnificent in his uniform .

it was splendid to think of the lads of Canada answering so speedily and fearlessly and uncalculatingly to the call of their country .

Rilla carried her head high among the girls whose brothers had not so responded .

in her diary she wrote :

" he goes to do what I had done Had Douglas 's daughter been his son , "

and was sure she meant it .

if she were a boy of course she would go , too !

she hadn't the least doubt of that .

" I couldn't bear to have Walter go , " she wrote .

he seems so changed these days .

he hardly ever talks to me .

I suppose he wants to go , too , and feels badly because he can't .

he doesn't go about with Jem and Jerry at all .

I shall never forget Susan 's face when Jem came home in his khaki .

Jem laughed .

he never minds because Susan thinks him just a child still .

everybody seems busy but me .

I wish there was something I could do but there doesn't seem to be anything .

mother and Nan and Di are busy all the time and I just wander about like a lonely ghost .

what hurts me terribly , though , is that mother 's smiles , and Nan 's , just seem put on from the outside .

mother 's eyes never laugh now .

it makes me feel that I shouldn't laugh either that it 's wicked to feel laughy .

and it 's so hard for me to keep from laughing , even if Jem is going to be a soldier .

but when I laugh I don't enjoy it either , as I used to do .

there 's something behind it all that keeps hurting me especially when I wake up in the night .

it would make me feel as if it were really going to happen .

the other day Nan said , ' Nothing can ever be quite the same for any of us again . '

it made me feel rebellious .

why shouldn't things be the same again when everything is over and Jem and Jerry are back ?

we 'll all be happy and jolly again and these days will seem just like a bad dream .

" the coming of the mail is the most exciting event of every day now .

but she never relents towards Doc .

Susan is funny , but she is an old dear .

Shirley says she is one half angel and the other half good cook .

but then Shirley is the only one of us she never scolds .

" Faith Meredith is wonderful .

I think she and Jem are really engaged now .

she goes about with a shining light in her eyes , but her smiles are a little stiff and starched , just like mother 's .

I wonder if I could be as brave as she is if I had a lover and he was going to the war .

it is bad enough when it is your brother .

Bruce Meredith cried all night , Mrs Meredith says , when he heard Jem and Jerry were going .

and he wanted to know if the ' K of K . ' his father talked about was the King of Kings .

he is the dearest kiddy .

I just love him though I don't really care much for children .

I don't like babies one bit though when I say so people look at me as if I had said something perfectly shocking .

well , I don't , and I 've got to be honest about it .

Gertrude Oliver says she just feels the same .

( she is the most honest person I know .

she never pretends anything . )

she says babies bore her until they are old enough to talk and then she likes them but still a good ways off .

mother and Nan and Di all adore babies and seem to think I 'm unnatural because I don't .

" I haven't seen Kenneth since the night of the party .

he was here one evening after Jem came back but I happened to be away .

all that matters absolutely nothing to me now .

oh , I 'm so proud of him !

" I suppose Kenneth would enlist too if it weren't for his ankle .

I think that is quite providential .

he is his mother 's only son and how dreadful she would feel if he went .

only sons should never think of going ! "

Walter came wandering through the valley as Rilla sat there , with his head bent and his hands clasped behind him .

when he saw Rilla he turned abruptly away ; then as abruptly he turned and came back to her .

" Rilla-my-Rilla , what are you thinking of ? "

" everything is so changed , Walter , " said Rilla wistfully .

" even you you 're changed .

a week ago we were all so happy and and now I just can't find myself at all .

I 'm lost . "

Walter sat down on a neighbouring stone and took Rilla 's little appealing hand .

" I 'm afraid our old world has come to an end , Rilla .

we 've got to face that fact . "

" it 's so terrible to think of Jem , " pleaded Rilla .

" I envy Jem ! " said Walter moodily .

" envy Jem !

oh , Walter you you don't want to go too . "

that 's just the trouble .

Rilla , I 'm afraid to go .

I 'm a coward . "

" you 're not ! "

Rilla burst out angrily .

" why , anybody would be afraid to go .

you might be why , you might be killed . "

" I wouldn't mind that if it didn't hurt , " muttered Walter .

Rilla , I 've always been afraid of pain you know that .

I can't help it I shudder when I think of the possibility of being mangled or or blinded .

Rilla , I cannot face that thought .

I ought to go I ought to want to go but I don't I hate the thought of it I 'm ashamed ashamed . "

" but , Walter , you couldn't go anyhow , " said Rilla piteously .

she was sick with a new terror that Walter would go after all .

" you 're not strong enough . "

" I am .

I 've felt as fit as ever I did this last month .

I 'd pass any examination I know it .

everybody thinks I 'm not strong yet and I 'm skulking behind that belief .

I I should have been a girl , " Walter concluded in a burst of passionate bitterness .

" even if you were strong enough , you oughtn't to go , " sobbed Rilla .

" what would mother do ?

she 's breaking her heart over Jem .

it would kill her to see you both go . "

" oh , I 'm not going don't worry .

I tell you I 'm afraid to go afraid .

I don't mince the matter to myself .

it 's a relief to own up even to you , Rilla .

I wouldn't confess it to anybody else Nan and Di would despise me .

but I hate the whole thing the horror , the pain , the ugliness .

war isn't a khaki uniform or a drill parade everything I 've read in old histories haunts me .

I lie awake at night and see things that have happened see the blood and filth and misery of it all .

and a bayonet charge !

if I could face the other things I could never face that .

Walter writhed and shuddered .

" I think of these things all the time and it doesn't seem to me that Jem and Jerry ever think of them .

they laugh and talk about ' potting Huns ' !

but it maddens me to see them in the khaki .

and they think I 'm grumpy because I 'm not fit to go . "

Walter laughed bitterly .

" it is not a nice thing to feel yourself a coward . "

but Rilla got her arms about him and cuddled her head on his shoulder .

she was so glad he didn't want to go for just one minute she had been horribly frightened .

and it was so nice to have Walter confiding his troubles to her to her , not Di .

she didn't feel so lonely and superfluous any longer .

" don't you despise me , Rilla-my-Rilla ? " asked Walter wistfully .

somehow , it hurt him to think Rilla might despise him hurt him as much as if it had been Di .

he realized suddenly how very fond he was of this adoring kid sister with her appealing eyes and troubled , girlish face .

" no , I don't .

why , Walter , hundreds of people feel just as you do .

you know what that verse of Shakespeare in the old Fifth Reader says ' the brave man is not he who feels no fear . ' "

" no but it is ' he whose noble soul its fear subdues . '

I don't do that .

we can't gloss it over , Rilla .

I 'm a coward . "

" you 're not .

think of how you fought Dan Reese long ago . "

" one spurt of courage isn't enough for a lifetime . "

" Walter , one time I heard father say that the trouble with you was a sensitive nature and a vivid imagination .

you feel things before they really come feel them all alone when there isn't anything to help you bear them to take away from them .

it isn't anything to be ashamed of .

as for this horrid old war , there 'll be plenty to go without you .

it won't last long . "

" I wish I could believe it .

well , it 's supper-time , Rilla .

you 'd better run .

I don't want anything . "

" neither do I . I couldn't eat a mouthful .

let me stay here with you , Walter .

it 's such a comfort to talk things over with someone .

the rest all think that I 'm too much of a baby to understand . "

they comforted and strengthened each other .

she was of importance to somebody .

when they went back to Ingleside they found callers sitting on the veranda .

Mr and Mrs. Meredith had come over from the manse , and Mr and Mrs. Norman Douglas had come up from the farm .

Cousin Sophia was there also , sitting with Susan in the shadowy background .

it was a very calm evening with a dim , golden afterlight irradiating the glen .

she felt happier than at any time in the dreadful week that had passed .

she was no longer haunted by the fear that Walter would go .

" I 'd go myself if I was twenty years younger , " Norman Douglas was shouting .

Norman always shouted when he was excited .

" I 'd show the Kaiser a thing or two !

did I ever say there wasn't a hell ?

of course there 's a hell dozens of hells hundreds of hells where the Kaiser and all his brood are bound for . "

" I knew this war was coming , " said Mrs Norman triumphantly .

" I saw it coming right along .

I could have told all those stupid Englishmen what was ahead of them .

I told you , John Meredith , years ago what the Kaiser was up to but you wouldn't believe it .

you said he would never plunge the world in war .

who was right about the Kaiser , John ?

you or I ?

tell me that . "

" you were , I admit , " said Mr Meredith .

" thank God , England 's navy is ready , " said the doctor .

" amen to that , " nodded Mrs Norman .

" Bat-blind as most of them were somebody had foresight enough to see to that . "

" maybe England 'll manage not to get into trouble over it , " said Cousin Sophia plaintively .

" I dunno .

but I 'm much afraid . "

" one would suppose that England was in trouble over it already , up to her neck , Sophia Crawford , " said Susan .

" but your ways of thinking are beyond me and always were .

it is my opinion that the British Navy will settle Germany in a jiffy and that we are all getting worked up over nothing . "

Susan spat out the words as if she wanted to convince herself more than anybody else .

what had an honest , hard-working , Presbyterian old maid of Glen St Mary to do with a war thousands of miles away ?

Susan felt that it was indecent that she should have to be disturbed by it .

" the British army will settle Germany , " shouted Norman .

" Britain hasn't got an army , " said Mrs Norman emphatically .

" you needn't glare at me , Norman .

glaring won't make soldiers out of timothy stalks .

a hundred thousand men will just be a mouthful for Germany 's millions . "

" there 'll be some tough chewing in the mouthful , I reckon , " persisted Norman valiantly .

" Germany 'll break her teeth on it .

don't you tell me one Britisher isn't a match for ten foreigners .

I could polish off a dozen of ' em myself with both hands tied behind my back ! "

" I am told , " said Susan , " that old Mr Pryor does not believe in this war .

" I believe he 's been talking some such rot , " said Norman .

" I haven't heard him .

when I do , Whiskers-on-the-moon won't know what happened to him .

that precious relative of mine , Kitty Alec , holds forth to the same effect , I understand .

not before me , though somehow , folks don't indulge in that kind of conversation in my presence .

Lord love you , they 've a kind of presentiment , so to speak , that it wouldn't be healthy for their complaint . "

" ' The world is very evil the times are waxing late . ' "

" Parson here 's got something of the same idea , " chuckled Norman .

" haven't you , Parson ?

that 's why you preached t'other night on the text ' Without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins . '

I never have any fun sassing parsons since I got married . "

" everything , it seems to me , has to be purchased by self-sacrifice .

our race has marked every step of its painful ascent with blood .

and now torrents of it must flow again .

no , Mrs Crawford , I don't think the war has been sent as a punishment for sin .

" now , never mind kicking me in the shins , Ellen .

I want to see if Parson meant what he said or if it was just a pulpit frill . "

Mr Meredith 's face quivered .

he had had a terrible hour alone in his study on the night Jem and Jerry had gone to town .

but he answered quietly .

" you do mean it , Parson .

I can always tell when people mean what they say .

it 's a gift that was born in me .

makes me a terror to most parsons , that !

but I 've never caught you yet saying anything you didn't mean .

I 'm always hoping I will that 's what reconciles me to going to church .

it 'd be such a comfort to me such a weapon to batter Ellen here with when she tries to civilize me .

well , I 'm off over the road to see Ab .

Crawford a minute .

the gods be good to you all . "

" the old pagan ! " muttered Susan , as Norman strode away .

she did not care if Ellen Douglas did hear her .

Susan could never understand why fire did not descend from heaven upon Norman Douglas when he insulted ministers the way he did .

but the astonishing thing was Mr Meredith seemed really to like his brother-in-law .

Rilla wished they would talk of something besides war .

she had heard nothing else for a week and she was really a little tired of it .

now that she was relieved from her haunting fear that Walter would want to go it made her quite impatient .

but she supposed with a sigh that there would be three or four months of it yet .

CHAPTER VI

SUSAN , RILLA , AND DOG MONDAY MAKE A RESOLUTION

the big living-room at Ingleside was snowed over with drifts of white cotton .

Word had come from Red Cross headquarters that sheets and bandages would be required .

Nan and Di and Rilla were hard at work .

Mrs Blythe and Susan were upstairs in the boys ' room , engaged in a more personal task .

with dry , anguished eyes they were packing up Jem 's belongings .

he must leave for Valcartier the next morning .

they had been expecting the word but it was none the less dreadful when it came .

Rilla was basting the hem of a sheet for the first time in her life .

" mother , I want to do something .

I 'm only a girl I can't do anything to win the war but I must do something to help at home . "

" the cotton has come up for the sheets , " said Mrs Blythe .

" you can help Nan and Di make them up .

and Rilla , don't you think you could organize a Junior Red Cross among the young girls ?

I think they would like it better and do better work by themselves than if mixed up with the older people . "

" but , mother I 've never done anything like that . "

" Well " Rilla took the plunge " I 'll try , mother if you 'll tell me how to begin .

Mrs Blythe did not smile at Rilla 's italics .

perhaps she did not feel like smiling or perhaps she detected a real grain of serious purpose behind Rilla 's romantic pose .

it was interesting and Rilla discovered a certain aptitude in herself for it that surprised her .

who would be president ?

not she .

the older girls would not like that .

Irene Howard ?

no , somehow Irene was not quite as popular as she deserved to be .

Marjorie Drew ?

no , Marjorie hadn't enough backbone .

she was too prone to agree with the last speaker .

Betty Mead calm , capable , tactful Betty the very one !

and Una Meredith for treasurer ; and , if they were very insistent , they might make her , Rilla , secretary .

" you have basted the top hem of that sheet on one side and the bottom hem on the other , " said Di .

Rilla picked out her stitches and reflected that she hated sewing .

running the Junior Reds would be much more interesting .

" Susan , I keep thinking today of once when he cried for me in the night .

he was just a few months old .

but I went and took him up I can feel that tight clinging of his little arms round my neck yet .

" I do not know how we are going to face it anyhow , Mrs Dr dear .

but do not tell me that it will be the final farewell .

he will be back on leave before he goes overseas , will he not ? "

" we hope so but we are not very sure .

I am making up my mind that he will not , so that there will be no disappointment to bear .

Susan , I am determined that I will send my boy off tomorrow with a smile .

I hope none of us will cry . "

have you room there for this fruit-cake ?

and the shortbread ?

and the mince-pie ?

that blessed boy shall not starve , whether they have anything to eat in that Quebec place or not .

everything seems to be changing all at once , does it not ?

even the old cat at the manse has passed away .

he breathed his last at a quarter to ten last night and Bruce is quite heart-broken , they tell me . "

" it 's time that pussy went where good cats go .

he must be at least fifteen years old .

he has seemed so lonely since Aunt Martha died . "

" I should not have lamented , Mrs Dr dear , if that Hyde-beast had died also .

he has been Mr Hyde most of the time since Jem came home in khaki , and that has a meaning I will maintain .

I do not know what Monday will do when Jem is gone .

the creature just goes about with a human look in his eyes that takes all the good out of me when I see it .

this tray is packed , Mrs Dr dear , and I will go down and put in my best licks preparing supper .

I wish I knew when I would cook another supper for Jem but such things are hidden from our eyes . "

Jem Blythe and Jerry Meredith left next morning .

the Blythe family and the Meredith family were all smiling .

even Susan , as Providence did ordain , wore a smile , though the effect was somewhat more painful than tears would have been .

faith and Nan were very pale and very gallant .

Dog Monday was there , too .

Jem had tried to say good-bye to him at Ingleside but Monday implored so eloquently that Jem relented and let him go to the station .

he kept close to Jem 's legs and watched every movement of his beloved master .

" I can't bear that dog 's eyes , " said Mrs Meredith .

" the beast has more sense than most humans , " said Mary Vance .

" well , did we any of us ever think we 'd live to see this day ?

I bawled all night to think of Jem and Jerry going like this .

I think they 're plumb deranged .

Miller got a maggot in his head about going but I soon talked him out of it likewise his aunt said a few touching things .

for once in our lives Kitty Alec and I agree .

it 's a miracle that isn't likely to happen again .

there 's Ken , Rilla . "

Rilla knew Kenneth was there .

she had been acutely conscious of it from the moment he had sprung from Leo West 's buggy .

now he came up to her smiling .

" doing the , I see .

what a crowd for the Glen to muster !

well , I 'm off home in a few days myself . "

a queer little wind of desolation that even Jem 's going had not caused blew over Rilla 's spirit .

" why ?

you have another month of vacation . "

" yes but I can't hang around Four Winds and enjoy myself when the world 's on fire like this .

it 's me for little old Toronto where I 'll find some way of helping in spite of this bally ankle .

I 'm not looking at Jem and Jerry makes me too sick with envy .

you girls are great no crying , no grim endurance .

the boys 'll go off with a good taste in their mouths .

I hope Persis and mother will be as game when my turn comes . "

" oh , Kenneth the war will be over before your turn cometh . "

there !

she had lisped again .

another great moment of life spoiled !

well , it was her fate .

and anyhow , nothing mattered .

what on earth had Ethel to cry about ?

none of the Reeses were in khaki .

Rilla wanted to cry , too but she would not .

what was that horrid old Mrs Drew saying to mother , in that melancholy whine of hers ?

" I don't know how you can stand this , Mrs Blythe .

I couldn't if it was my pore boy . "

and mother oh , mother could always be depended on !

how her grey eyes flashed in her pale face .

" it might have been worse , Mrs Drew .

I might have had to urge him to go . "

Mrs Drew did not understand but Rilla did .

she flung up her head .

her brother did not have to be urged to go .

Rilla found herself standing alone and listening to disconnected scraps of talk as people walked up and down past her .

" I told Mark to wait and see if they asked for a second lot of men .

if they did I 'd let him go but they won't , " said Mrs Palmer Burr .

" I think I 'll have it made with a crush girdle of velvet , " said Bessie Clow .

" I 'm scared stiff , " said whimsical Mrs Jim Howard .

" I 'm scared Jim will enlist and I 'm scared he won't . "

" the war will be over by Christmas , " said Joe Vickers .

" let them European nations fight it out between them , " said Abner Reese .

" yes , sir , I walloped him well , big gun as he is now . "

" the existence of the British Empire is at stake , " said the Methodist minister .

" there 's certainly something about uniforms , " sighed Irene Howard .

" the Blythe family are taking it easy , " said Kate Drew .

" them young fools are just going for adventure , " growled Nathan Crawford .

" I have absolute confidence in Kitchener , " said the over-harbour doctor .

in these ten minutes Rilla passed through a dizzying succession of anger , laughter , contempt , depression and inspiration .

oh , people were funny !

how little they understood .

" taking it easy , " indeed when even Susan hadn't slept a wink all night !

Kate Drew always was a minx .

Rilla felt as if she were in some fantastic nightmare .

were these the people who , three weeks ago , were talking of crops and prices and local gossip ?

There the train was coming mother was holding Jem's hand Dog Monday was licking it everybody was saying good-bye the train was in !

they had gone .

Rilla came to herself with a gasp .

there was a sudden quiet .

nothing to do now but to go home and wait .

the doctor and Mrs Blythe walked off together so did Nan and Faith so did John Meredith and Rosemary .

Walter and Una and Shirley and Di and Carl and Rilla went in a group .

Susan had put her bonnet back on her head , hindside foremost , and stalked grimly off alone .

nobody missed Dog Monday at first .

when they did Shirley went back for him .

he found Dog Monday curled up in one of the shipping-sheds near the station and tried to coax him home .

Dog Monday would not move .

he wagged his tail to show he had no hard feelings but no blandishments availed to budge him .

this was exactly what Dog Monday had done .

ay , wait there , little faithful dog with the soft , wistful , puzzled eyes .

but it will be many a long bitter day before your boyish comrade comes back to you .

she paused solemnly at the foot of the bed and solemnly declared ,

" Mrs Dr dear , I have made up my mind to be a heroine . "

but that should not make any vital difference .

was it not the spirit that counted ?

yet Mrs Blythe was hard put to it not to laugh .

whining and shirking and blaming Providence do not get us anywhere .

we have just got to grapple with whatever we have to do whether it is weeding the onion patch , or running the Government .

I shall grapple .

CHAPTER VII

a WAR-BABY AND A SOUP TUREEN

" Liege and Namur and now Brussels ! "

the doctor shook his head .

" I don't like it I don't like it . "

" do not you lose heart , Dr . dear ; they were just defended by foreigners , " said Susan superbly .

" it it can't be true , " gasped Nan , taking a brief refuge in temporary incredulity .

" ' A broken , a beaten , but not a demoralized , army , ' " muttered the doctor , from a London dispatch .

" can it be England 's army of which such a thing is said ? "

" it will be a long time now before the war is ended , " said Mrs Blythe despairingly .

Susan 's faith , which had for a moment been temporarily submerged , now reappeared triumphantly .

" remember , Mrs Dr dear , that the British army is not the British navy .

never forget that .

" the Russians will not be in time to save Paris , " said Walter gloomily .

" Paris is the heart of France and the road to it is open .

oh , I wish " he stopped abruptly and went out .

after a paralysed day the Ingleside folk found it was possible to " carry on " even in the face of ever-darkening bad news .

Rilla felt that this , coupled with the fact that the Germans were only fifty miles from Paris , was hardly to be endured .

but she started off gallantly on an errand fraught with amazing results .

the Andersons were desperately poor and it was not likely Mrs Anderson had anything to give .

so possibly Mrs Anderson might feel hurt if she were overlooked .

Rilla decided to call .

there were times afterwards when she wished she hadn't , but in the long run she was very thankful that she did .

Rilla tied her grey nag to the rickety fence and went to the door .

it was open ; and the sight she saw bereft her temporarily of the power of speech or motion .

Rilla knew the woman by sight and reputation .

Rilla 's first impulse was to turn and flee .

but that would never do .

" come in , " said Mrs Conover , removing her pipe and staring at Rilla with her little , rat-like eyes .

" is is Mrs Anderson really dead ? " asked Rilla timidly , as she stepped over the sill .

" Dead as a door nail , " responded Mrs Conover cheerfully .

" kicked the bucket half an hour ago .

I 've sent Jen Conover to ' phone for the undertaker and get some help up from the shore .

you 're the doctor 's miss , ain't ye ?

have a cheer ? "

Rilla did not see any chair which was not cluttered with something .

she remained standing .

" wasn't it very sudden ? "

" well , she 's been a-pining ever since that worthless Jim lit out for England which I say it 's a pity as he ever left .

it 's my belief she was took for death when she heard the news .

" is there anything I can do to to help ? " hesitated Rilla .

" bless yez , no unless ye 've a knack with kids .

I haven't .

that young un there never lets up squalling , day or night .

I 've just got that I take no notice of it . "

Rilla tiptoed gingerly over to the cradle and more gingerly still pulled down the dirty blanket .

she had no intention of touching the baby she had no " knack with kids " either .

she saw an ugly midget with a red , distorted little face , rolled up in a piece of dingy old flannel .

she had never seen an uglier baby .

" what is going to become of the baby ? " she asked .

" Lord knows , " said Mrs Conover candidly .

" Min worried awful over that before she died .

she kept on a-saying ' Oh , what will become of my pore baby ' till it really got on my nerves .

I ain't a-going to trouble myself with it , I can tell yez .

I told Min it 'd have to be sent to an orphan asylum till we 'd see if Jim ever came back to look after it .

would yez believe it , she didn't relish the idee .

but that 's the long and short of it . "

" but who will look after it until it can be taken to the asylum ? " persisted Rilla .

somehow the baby 's fate worried her .

" S'pose I 'll have to , " grunted Mrs . Conover .

she put away her pipe and took an unblushing swig from a black bottle she produced from a shelf near her .

" it 's my opinion the kid won't live long .

it 's sickly .

Min never had no gimp and I guess it hain't either .

Likely it won't trouble any one long and good riddance , sez I . "

Rilla drew the blanket down a little farther .

" why , the baby isn't dressed ! " she exclaimed , in a shocked tone .

" who was to dress him I 'd like to know , " demanded Mrs Conover truculently .

" I hadn't time took me all the time there was looking after Min .

' Sides , as I told yez , I don't know nithing about kids .

the critter is warm enough .

this weather would melt a brass monkey . "

Rilla was silent , looking down at the crying baby .

she had never encountered any of the tragedies of life before and this one smote her to the core of her heart .

if she had only come a little sooner !

yet what could she have done what could she do now ?

she didn't know , but she must do something .

" I can't stay , " thought Rilla .

" Mr Crawford said I must be home by supper-time because he wanted the pony this evening himself .

oh , what can I do ? "

she made a sudden , desperate , impulsive resolution .

" I 'll take the baby home with me , " she said .

" can I ? "

" sure , if yez wants to , " said Mrs Conover amiably .

" I hain't any objection .

take it and welcome . "

" I I can't carry it , " said Rilla .

" I have to drive the horse and I 'd be afraid I 'd drop it .

is there a a basket anywhere that I could put it in ? "

" not as I knows on .

there ain't much here of anything , I kin tell yez .

Min was pore and as shiftless as Jim .

Ef ye opens that drawer over there yez'll find a few baby clo'es .

best take them along . "

Rilla got the clothes the cheap , sleazy garments the poor mother had made ready as best she could .

but this did not solve the pressing problem of the baby 's transportation .

Rilla looked helplessly round .

oh , for mother or Susan !

her eyes fell on an enormous blue soup tureen at the back of the dresser .

" may I have this to to lay him in ? " she asked .

" well , ' tain't mine but I guess yez kin take it .

he brung that old tureen out from England with him said it 'd always been in the family .

him and Min never used it never had enough soup to put in it but Jim thought the world of it .

then she put it in the soup tureen .

" is there any fear of it smothering ? " she asked anxiously .

" not much odds if it do , " said Mrs Conover .

horrified Rilla loosened the blanket round the baby 's face a little .

the mite had stopped crying and was blinking up at her .

it had big dark eyes in its ugly little face .

" better not let the wind blow on it , " admonished Mrs Conover .

" take its breath if it do . "

Rilla wrapped the tattered little quilt around the soup tureen .

" will you hand this to me after I get into the buggy , please ? "

" sure I will , " said Mrs Conover , getting up with a grunt .

Rilla thought she would never get to Ingleside .

in the soup tureen there was an uncanny silence .

suppose it were smothered !

she was a thankful girl when at last she reached harbour at Ingleside .

Rilla carried the soup tureen to the kitchen , and set it on the table under Susan 's eyes .

Susan looked into the tureen and for once in her life was so completely floored that she had not a word to say .

" what in the world is this ? " asked the doctor , coming in .

Rilla poured out her story .

" I just had to bring it , father , " she concluded .

" I couldn't leave it there . "

" what are you going to do with it ? " asked the doctor coolly .

Rilla hadn't exactly expected this kind of question .

" we we can keep it here for awhile can't we until something can be arranged ? " she stammered confusedly .

presently the doctor confronted Rilla .

" a young baby means a great deal of additional work and trouble in a household , Rilla .

if you want to keep that baby here you must attend to it yourself . "

" me ! "

Rilla was dismayed into being ungrammatical .

" why father I I couldn't ! "

" younger girls than you have had to look after babies .

my advice and Susan 's is at your disposal .

if you cannot , then the baby must go back to Meg Conover .

its lease of life will be short if it does for it is evident that it is a delicate child and requires particular care .

I doubt if it would survive even if sent to an orphans ' home .

but I cannot have your mother and Susan over-taxed . "

the doctor walked out of the kitchen , looking very stern and immovable .

Rilla sat looking blankly at the baby .

it was absurd to think she could take care of it .

but that poor little , frail , dead mother who had worried about it that dreadful old Meg Conover .

" Susan , what must be done for a baby ? " she asked dolefully .

if it has colic , you put hot things on its stomach , " said Susan , rather feebly and flatly for her .

the baby began to cry again .

" it must be hungry it has to be fed anyhow , " said Rilla desperately .

" tell me what to get for it , Susan , and I 'll get it . "

under Susan 's directions a ration of milk and water was prepared , and a bottle obtained from the doctor 's office .

then Rilla lifted the baby out of the soup tureen and fed it .

she brought down the old basket of her own infancy from the attic and laid the now sleeping baby in it .

she put the soup tureen away in the pantry .

then she sat down to think things over .

the result of her thinking things over was that she went to Susan when the baby woke .

" I 'm going to see what I can do , Susan .

I can't let that poor little thing go back to Mrs Conover .

tell me how to wash and dress it . "

under Susan 's supervision Rilla bathed the baby .

Susan dared not help , other than by suggestion , for the doctor was in the living-room and might pop in at any moment .

Susan had learned by experience that when Dr Blythe put his foot down and said a thing must be , that thing was .

Rilla set her teeth and went ahead .

in the name of goodness , how many wrinkles and kinks did a baby have ?

why , there wasn't enough of it to take hold of .

oh , suppose she let it slip into the water it was so wobbly !

if it would only stop howling like that !

how could such a tiny morsel make such an enormous noise .

its shrieks could be heard over Ingleside from cellar to attic .

" am I really hurting it much , Susan , do you suppose ? " she asked piteously .

" no , dearie .

most new babies hate like poison to be washed .

you are real knacky for a beginner .

keep your hand under its back , whatever you do , and keep cool . "

keep cool !

Rilla was oozing perspiration at every pore .

when the baby was dried and dressed and temporarily quieted with another bottle she was as limp as a rag .

" what must I do with it tonight , Susan ? "

a baby by day was dreadful enough ; a baby by night was unthinkable .

" set the basket on a chair by your bed and keep it covered .

you will have to feed it once or twice in the night , so you would better take the oil heater upstairs .

if you cannot manage it call me and I will go , doctor or no doctor . "

" but , Susan , if it cries ? "

the baby , however , did not cry .

it was surprisingly good perhaps because its poor little stomach was filled with proper food .

it slept most of the night but Rilla did not .

she was afraid to go to sleep for fear something would happen to the baby .

she prepared its three o'clock ration with a grim determination that she would not call Susan .

oh , was she dreaming ?

was it really she , Rilla Blythe , who had got into this absurd predicament ?

babies did have convulsions , didn't they ?

oh , why had she forgotten to ask Susan what she must do if the baby had convulsions ?

she reflected rather bitterly that father was very considerate of mother 's and Susan 's health , but what about hers ?

did he think she could continue to exist if she never got any sleep ?

but she was not going to back down now not she .

she would look after this detestable little animal if it killed her .

she would get a book on baby hygiene and be beholden to nobody .

she would never go to father for advice she wouldn't bother mother and she would only condescend to Susan in dire extremity .

they would all see !

" she 's upstairs , Mrs Dr dear , putting her baby to bed . "

CHAPTER VIII

RILLA DECIDES

families and individuals alike soon become used to new conditions and accept them unquestioningly .

by the time a week had elapsed it seemed as it the Anderson baby had always been at Ingleside .

after the first three distracted nights Rilla began to sleep again , waking automatically to attend to her charge on schedule time .

she bathed and fed and dressed it as skilfully as if she had been doing it all her life .

Shirley , Nan , and Di did not tease her as much as she had expected .

they all seemed rather stunned by the mere fact of Rilla adopting a war-baby ; perhaps , too , the doctor had issued instructions .

Walter , of course , never had teased her over anything ; one day he told her she was a brick .

I wish I had half your pluck , " he said ruefully .

Rilla was very proud of Walter 's approval ; nevertheless , she wrote gloomily in her diary that night :

" I wish I could like the baby a little bit .

it would make things easier .

but I don't .

I 've heard people say that when you took care of a baby you got fond of it but you don't I don't , anyway .

and it 's a nuisance it interferes with everything .

it just ties me down and now of all times when I 'm trying to get the Junior Reds started .

and I couldn't go to Alice Clow 's party last night and I was just dying to .

I suppose it was just as well , because the thing did take colic or something about one o'clock .

I was afraid I had burnt it but I don't believe I did .

then I walked the floor with it although ' Morgan on Infants ' says that should never be done .

I walked miles , and oh , I was so tired and discouraged and mad yes , I was .

I could have shaken the creature if it had been big enough to shake , but it wasn't .

" finally , Miss Oliver came in .

she has rooms with Nan now , not me , all because of the baby , and I am broken-hearted about it .

I miss our long talks after we went to bed , so much .

it was the only time I ever had her to myself .

I hated to think the baby 's yells had wakened her up , for she has so much to bear now .

Mr Grant is at Valcartier , too , and Miss Oliver feels it dreadfully , though she is splendid about it .

she thinks he will never come back and her eyes just break my heart they are so tragic .

I didn't I was too worn out .

" I 'm having a perfectly dreadful time getting the Junior Reds started .

and she is sly and two-faced .

Una doesn't mind , of course .

she is willing to do anything that comes to hand and never minds whether she has an office or not .

she is just a perfect angel , while I am only angelic in spots and demonic in other spots .

she is too .

" just as I expected , Olive was determined we should have lunch served at our meetings .

we had a battle royal over it .

the majority was against eats and now the minority is sulking .

Irene Howard was on the eats side and she has been very cool to me ever since and it makes me feel miserable .

I wonder if mother and Mrs Elliott have problems in the Senior Society too .

I suppose they have , but they just go on calmly in spite of everything .

I never sulk .

I detest people who sulk .

anyhow , we 've got the society started and we 're to meet once a week , and we 're all going to learn to knit .

" Shirley and I went down to the station again to try to induce Dog Monday to come home but we failed .

all the family have tried and failed .

then Monday went on a hunger strike and howled like a Banshee night and day .

we had to let him out or he would have starved to death .

besides , one of us goes down nearly every day to take him something .

Mr Gray , the station master , says there are times when he can hardly help crying from sheer sympathy .

nobody has molested Monday since .

" Kenneth Ford has gone back to Toronto .

he came up two evenings ago to say good-bye .

" Fred Arnold was at the manse and walked home with me .

he is the new Methodist minister 's son and very nice and clever , and would be quite handsome if it were not for his nose .

it is a really dreadful nose .

he wants to enlist , too , but can't because he is only seventeen .

Mrs Elliott detests the Methodists and all their works .

father says it is an obsession with her . "

about @date@ there was an exodus from Ingleside and the manse .

faith , Nan , Di and Walter left for Redmond ; Carl betook himself to his Harbour Head school and Shirley was off to Queen 's .

Rilla was left alone at Ingleside and would have been very lonely if she had had time to be .

for a moment Rilla was tempted to say " yes . "

the baby could be sent to Hopetown it would be decently looked after she could have her free days and untrammelled nights back again .

but but that poor young mother who hadn't wanted it to go to the asylum !

Rilla couldn't get that out of her thoughts .

and that very morning she discovered that the baby had gained eight ounces since its coming to Ingleside .

Rilla had felt such a thrill of pride over this .

" you you said it mightn't live if it went to Hopetown , " she said .

" it mightn't .

somehow , institutional care , no matter how good it may be , doesn't always succeed with delicate babies .

but you know what it means if you want it kept here , Rilla . "

" I 've taken care of it for a fortnight and it has gained half a pound , " cried Rilla .

" I think we 'd better wait until we hear from its father anyhow .

he mightn't want to have it sent to an orphan asylum , when he is fighting the battles of his country . "

the doctor and Mrs Blythe exchanged amused , satisfied smiles behind Rilla 's back ; and nothing more was said about Hopetown .

then the smile faded from the doctor 's face ; the Germans were twenty miles from Paris .

horrible tales were beginning to appear in the papers of deeds done in martyred Belgium .

life was very tense at Ingleside for the older people .

" we eat up the war news , " Gertrude Oliver told Mrs Meredith , trying to laugh and failing .

" we study the maps and nip the whole Hun army in a few well-directed strategic moves .

but Papa Joffre hasn't the benefit of our advice and so Paris must fall . "

" will they reach it will not some mighty hand yet intervene ? " murmured John Meredith .

I am wearing a path right across Nan 's carpet .

we are so horribly near this war . "

" them German men are at Senlis .

nothing nor nobody can save Paris now , " wailed Cousin Sophia .

" I have not such a poor opinion of the Almighty , or of Kitchener , " said Susan stubbornly .

" why ain't the British navy doing more ? " persisted Cousin Sophia .

" even the British navy cannot sail on dry land , Sophia Crawford .

I have not given up hope , and I shall not , Tomascow and Mobbage and all such barbarous names to the contrary notwithstanding .

Mrs Dr dear , can you tell me if R-h-e-i-m-s is Rimes or Reems or Rames or Rems ? "

" I believe it 's really more like ' Rhangs , ' Susan . "

" oh , those French names , " groaned Susan .

" they tell me the Germans has about ruined the church there , " sighed Cousin Sophia .

" I always thought the Germans was Christians . "

" a church is bad enough but their doings in Belgium are far worse , " said Susan grimly .

" tomorrow tomorrow will bring the news that the Germans are in Paris , " said Gertrude Oliver , through her tense lips .

she had one of those souls that are always tied to the stake , burning in the suffering of the world around them .

but on the morrow and the next morrow came the news of the miracle of the Marne .

Rilla rushed madly home from the office waving the Enterprise with its big red headlines .

Susan ran out with trembling hands to hoist the flag .

the doctor stalked about muttering " thank God . "

Mrs Blythe cried and laughed and cried again .

" God just put out His hand and touched them ' thus far no farther ' , " said Mr Meredith that evening .

Rilla was singing upstairs as she put the baby to bed .

Paris was saved the war was over Germany had lost there would soon be an end now Jem and Jerry would be back .

the black clouds had rolled by .

" don't you dare have colic this joyful night , " she told the baby .

" if you do I 'll clap you back into your soup tureen and ship you off to Hopetown by freight on the early train .

why will you be so slippery ?

no , I don't like you and I never will but for all that I 'm going to make a decent , upstanding infant of you .

you are going to get as fat as a self-respecting child should be , for one thing .

if I can't love you I mean to be proud of you at least . "

CHAPTER IX

DOC HAS A MISADVENTURE

Rilla was murmuring " knit four , purl one " under her breath , and rocking the baby 's cradle with one foot .

the Rilla of two months before would have rushed off to Rainbow Valley and cried .

Miss Oliver sighed and Mrs Blythe clasped her hands for a moment .

then Susan said briskly , " well , we must just gird up our loins and pitch in .

I shall make the same kind of pudding today I always make on Saturday .

it is a good deal of trouble to make , and that is well , for it will employ my thoughts .

I will remember that Kitchener is at the helm and Joffer is doing very well for a Frenchman .

I shall get that box of cake off to little Jem and finish that pair of socks today likewise .

a sock a day is my allowance .

old Mrs Albert Mead of Harbour Head manages a pair and a half a day but she has nothing to do but knit .

do you know that Rick MacAllister has enlisted , Mrs Dr dear ?

and they say Joe Milgrave would too , only he is afraid that if he does that Whiskers-on-the-moon will not let him have Miranda .

" Even Billy Andrews ' boy is going and Jane 's only son and Diana 's little Jack , " said Mrs Blythe .

" Priscilla 's son has gone from Japan and Stella 's from Vancouver and both the Rev Jo 's boys .

Philippa writes that her boys ' went right away , not being afflicted with her indecision . ' "

" that is not fair , " said Susan indignantly .

" has Sir Sam Hughes no regard for our feelings ?

the idea of whisking that blessed boy away to Europe without letting us even have a last glimpse of him !

if I were you , doctor dear , I would write to the papers about it . "

" perhaps it is as well , " said the disappointed mother .

oh , if only but no , I won't say it !

like Susan and Rilla , " concluded Mrs Blythe , achieving a laugh , " I am determined to be a heroine . "

" you 're all good stuff , " said the doctor , " I 'm proud of my women folk .

that 's a good piece of work .

Rilla , daughter of Anne , what are you going to call your war-baby ? "

" I 'm waiting to hear from Jim Anderson , " said Rilla .

" he may want to name his own child . "

eventually Rilla decided to call the baby James , and Susan opined that Kitchener should be added thereto .

so James Kitchener Anderson became the possessor of a name somewhat more imposing than himself .

the Ingleside family promptly shortened it to Jims , but Susan obstinately called him " Little Kitchener " and nothing else .

" Jims is no name for a Christian child , Mrs Dr dear , " she said disapprovingly .

it is not often that Susan Baker is flabbergasted , but flabbergasted I was then , and that you may tie to .

for one awful moment I thought my mind had given way and that I was seeing visions .

but you see what has happened and it is making a woman of her .

when we have to do a thing , Mrs Dr dear , we can do it . "

Susan added another proof to this concluding dictum of hers one day in October .

the doctor and his wife were away .

Rilla was presiding over Jims ' afternoon siesta upstairs , purling four and knitting one with ceaseless vim .

Susan was seated on the back veranda , shelling beans , and Cousin Sophia was helping her .

peace and tranquility brooded over the Glen ; the sky was fleeced over with silvery , shining clouds .

Rainbow Valley lay in a soft , autumnal haze of fairy purple .

" Things is too calm to last , " she said .

as if in confirmation of her assertion , a most unearthly din suddenly arose behind them .

Susan and Cousin Sophia stared at each other in dismay .

" what upon airth has bruk loose in there ? " gasped Cousin Sophia .

" it must be that Hyde-cat gone clean mad at last , " muttered Susan .

" I have always expected it . "

Rilla came flying out of the side door of the living-room .

" what has happened ? " she demanded .

" it is beyond me to say , but that possessed beast of yours is evidently at the bottom of it , " said Susan .

" do not go near him , at least .

I will open the door and peep in .

there goes some more of the crockery .

I have always said that the devil was in him and that I will tie to . "

" it is my opinion that the cat has hydrophobia , " said Cousin Sophia solemnly .

Undismayed by this , Susan opened the door and looked in .

around the kitchen tore a frantic cat , with his head wedged tightly in an old salmon can .

the sight was so funny that Rilla doubled up with laughter .

Susan looked at her reproachfully .

" I see nothing to laugh at .

that beast has broken your ma's big blue mixing-bowl that she brought from Green Gables when she was married .

that is no small calamity , in my opinion .

but the thing to consider now is how to get that can off Hyde 's head . "

" don't you dast go touching it , " exclaimed Cousin Sophia , galvanized into animation .

" it might be your death .

shut the kitchen up and send for Albert . "

" I am not in the habit of sending for Albert during family difficulties , " said Susan loftily .

" that beast is in torment , and whatever my opinion of him may be , I cannot endure to see him suffering pain .

you keep away , Rilla , for little Kitchener 's sake , and I will see what I can do . "

then she proceeded to saw the can loose with a can-opener , while Rilla held the squirming animal , rolled in the coat .

anything like Doc 's shrieks while the process was going on was never heard at Ingleside .

Susan was in mortal dread that the Albert Crawfords would hear it and conclude she was torturing the creature to death .

Doc was a wrathful and indignant cat when he was freed .

evidently he thought the whole thing was a put-up job to bring him low .

Susan swept up her broken dishes grimly .

" the Huns themselves couldn't have worked more havoc here , " she said bitterly .

CHAPTER X

THE TROUBLES OF RILLA

October passed out and the dreary days of November and December dragged by .

" a few months ago , " said Miss Oliver , " we thought and talked in terms of Glen St . Mary .

now , we think and talk in terms of military tactics and diplomatic intrigue . "

there was just one great event every day the coming of the mail .

" I must take up my knitting then and knit hard till the papers come , Mrs Dr dear .

the idea of him doing that when we are at war with Turkey ?

well , I must bestir myself this afternoon and get little Jem 's Christmas cake packed up for him .

he will enjoy it , if the blessed boy is not drowned in mud before that time . "

Jem was in camp on Salisbury Plain and was writing gay , cheery letters home in spite of the mud .

Walter was at Redmond and his letters to Rilla were anything but cheerful .

she never opened one without a dread tugging at her heart that it would tell her he had enlisted .

his unhappiness made her unhappy .

she wanted to put her arm round him and comfort him , as she had done that day in Rainbow Valley .

she hated everybody who was responsible for Walter 's unhappiness .

Walter wrote that some one had sent him an envelope containing a white feather .

" I deserved it , Rilla .

I felt that I ought to put it on and wear it proclaiming myself to all Redmond the coward I know I am .

the boys of my year are going going .

every day two or three of them join up .

I can't face even the thought of it .

how could I face the reality ?

there are times when I wish I had never been born .

Life has always seemed such a beautiful thing to me and now it is a hideous thing .

and Una 's !

Una is really a little brick , isn't she ?

there 's a wonderful fineness and firmness under all that shy , wistful girlishness of her .

not that she ever says a word about my going or hints that I ought to go she isn't that kind .

it 's just the spirit of them the personality that is in them .

well , I can't go .

you have a brother and Una has a friend who is a coward . "

" oh , I wish Walter wouldn't write such things , " sighed Rilla .

" it hurts me .

he isn't a coward he isn't he isn't ! "

she looked wistfully about her at the little woodland valley and the grey , lonely fallows beyond .

how everything reminded her of Walter !

Walter had once written a poem describing them .

the wind was sighing and rustling among the frosted brown bracken ferns , then lessening sorrowfully away down the brook .

Walter had said once that he loved the melancholy of the autumn wind on a November day .

oh , how happy they had been then !

Well Rilla scrambled to her feet time was up .

she was busy these days from morning till night .

that little monkey of a Jims took so much time .

but he was growing he was certainly growing .

sometimes she felt quite proud of him ; and sometimes she yearned to spank him .

but she never kissed him or wanted to kiss him .

" this war is at least extending my knowledge of geography .

Schoolma'am though I am , three months ago I didn't know there was such a place in the world such as Lodz .

had I heard it mentioned I would have known nothing about it and cared as little .

I know all about it now its size , its standing , its military significance .

yesterday the news that the Germans have captured it in their second rush to Warsaw made my heart sink into my boots .

I woke up in the night and worried over it .

I don't wonder babies always cry when they wake up in the night .

everything presses on my soul then and no cloud has a silver lining . "

last night I fried him in boiling oil and a great comfort it was to me , remembering those Belgian babies . "

" would I ? " cried outraged Susan .

" would I , Miss Oliver ?

I would rub him down with coal oil , Miss Oliver and leave it to blister .

that is what I would do and that you may tie to .

A pain in his shoulder , indeed !

he will have pains all over him before he is through with what he has started . "

" we are told to love our enemies , Susan , " said the doctor solemnly .

" yes , our enemies , but not King George 's enemies , doctor dear , " retorted Susan crushingly .

she was so well pleased with herself over this flattening out of the doctor completely that she even smiled as she polished her glasses .

" can you tell me , Miss Oliver , how to pronounce M-l-a-w-a and B-z-u-r-a and P-r-z-e-m-y-s-l ? "

" that last is a conundrum which nobody seems to have solved yet , Susan .

and I can make only a guess at the others . "

" these foreign names are far from being decent , in my opinion , " said disgusted Susan .

" I dare say the Austrians and Russians would think Saskatchewan and Musquodoboit about as bad , Susan , " said Miss Oliver .

" the Serbians have done wonderfully of late .

they have captured Belgrade . "

it says here that the slaughter was terrible .

Rilla was upstairs relieving her over-charged feelings by writing in her diary .

" things have all ' gone catawampus , ' as Susan says , with me this week .

part of it was my own fault and part of it wasn't , and I seem to be equally unhappy over both parts .

" I went to town the other day to buy a new winter hat .

and I found the dearest hat it was simply bewitching .

it was a velvet hat , of the very shade of rich green that was made for me .

only once before in my life have I come across that precise shade of green .

when I was twelve I had a little beaver hat of it , and all the girls in school were wild over it .

Well , as soon as I saw this hat I felt that I simply must have it and have it I did .

the price was dreadful .

" when I got home and tried on the hat again in my room I was assailed by qualms .

it hadn't seemed so at the milliner 's but here in my little white room it did .

and that dreadful price tag !

and the starving Belgians !

when mother saw the hat and the tag she just looked at me .

mother is some expert at looking .

but let me return to my mutton that is to say , my new green velvet hat .

" ' I paid for it out of my own allowance , mother , ' I exclaimed .

" ' That is not the point .

your allowance is based on the principle of a reasonable amount for each thing you need .

if you pay too much for one thing you must cut off somewhere else and that is not satisfactory .

but if you think you did right , Rilla , I have no more to say .

I leave it to your conscience . '

" I wish mother would not leave things to my conscience !

and anyway , what was I to do ?

I couldn't take that hat back I had worn it to a concert in town I had to keep it !

I was so uncomfortable that I flew into a temper a cold , calm , deadly temper .

" ' Mother , ' I said haughtily , ' I am sorry you disapprove of my hat '

" ' but I have to keep it now .

" I hate that hat already .

but three years or the duration of the war , I said , and three years or the duration of the war it shall be .

I vowed and I shall keep my vow , cost what it will .

" that is one of the ' catawampus ' things .

the other is that I have quarrelled with Irene Howard or she quarrelled with me or , no , we both quarrelled .

" the Junior Red Cross met here yesterday .

Irene hasn't been a bit nice to me since the fuss about the eats ; and besides I feel sure she resents not being president .

" but as soon as we sat down Irene began to rub me the wrong way .

I saw her cast a look at my new knitting-bag .

all the girls have always said Irene was jealous-minded and I would never believe them before .

but now I feel that perhaps she is .

now , Irene knows perfectly well that I don't like to have Jims kissed like that .

it is not hygienic .

" ' Why , Rilla , darling , you look as if you thought I was poisoning the baby . '

" ' Dear me , am I so full of germs ? ' said Irene plaintively .

I knew she was making fun of me and I began to boil inside but outside no sign of a simmer .

I was determined I would not scrap with Irene .

" then she began to bounce Jims .

now , Morgan says bouncing is almost the worst thing that can be done to a baby .

I never allow Jims to be bounced .

but Irene bounced him and that exasperating child liked it .

he smiled for the very first time .

he is four months old and he has never smiled once before .

not even mother or Susan have been able to coax that thing to smile , try as they would .

and here he was smiling because Irene Howard bounced him !

talk of gratitude !

" I admit that smile made a big difference in him .

two of the dearest dimples came out in his cheeks and his big brown eyes seemed full of laughter .

the way Irene raved over those dimples was silly , I consider .

you would have supposed she thought she had really brought them into existence .

but I sewed steadily and did not enthuse , and soon Irene got tired of bouncing Jims and put him back in his cradle .

" I explained patiently that children have to cry so many minutes per day in order to expand their lungs .

Morgan says so .

" ' If Jims didn't cry at all I 'd have to make him cry for at least twenty minutes , ' I said .

" ' Oh , indeed ! ' said Irene , laughing as if she didn't believe me .

' Morgan on the Care of Infants ' was upstairs or I would soon have convinced her .

then she said Jims didn't have much hair she had never seen a four months ' old baby so bald .

" it went on like that the rest of the hour Irene kept giving me little digs all the time .

but I corked up my feelings and sewed away for dear life on a Belgian child 's nightgown .

" then Irene told me the meanest , most contemptible thing that someone had said about Walter .

I won't write it down I can't .

she simply did it to hurt me .

" I just exploded .

' How dare you come here and repeat such a thing about my brother , Irene Howard ? '

I exclaimed .

' I shall never forgive you never .

your brother hasn't enlisted hasn't any idea of enlisting . '

" ' Why Rilla , dear , I didn't say it , ' said Irene .

' I told you it was Mrs George Burr .

and I told her '

" ' I don't want to hear what you told her .

don't you ever speak to me again , Irene Howard . '

" oh course , I shouldn't have said that .

but it just seemed to say itself .

Irene paired off with Olive Kirk all the rest of the afternoon and went away without so much as a look .

but I feel unhappy over it for all that .

" father got old Joe Mead to build a kennel for Dog Monday in the corner of the shipping-shed today .

we thought perhaps Monday would come home when the cold weather came but he wouldn't .

no earthly influence can coax Monday away from that shed even for a few minutes .

there he stays and meets every train .

so we had to do something to make him comfortable .

Joe built the kennel so that Monday could lie in it and still see the platform , so we hope he will occupy it .

" Monday has become quite famous .

a reporter of the Enterprise came out from town and photographed him and wrote up the whole story of his faithful vigil .

it was published in the Enterprise and copied all over Canada .

" Jims is snoring beside me in his cradle .

it is just a cold that makes him snore not adenoids .

Irene had a cold yesterday and I know she gave it to him , kissing him .

oh , shall I ever forget those first two months !

I don't know how I lived through them .

but here I am and here is Jims and we both are going to ' carry on . '

and he did and out popped the dimples .

what a pity his mother couldn't have seen them !

" I finished my sixth pair of socks today .

with the first three I got Susan to set the heel for me .

then I thought that was a bit of shirking , so I learned to do it myself .


I just think of Jem joking about the mud on Salisbury Plain and I go at them . "

CHAPTER XI

DARK AND BRIGHT

at Christmas the college boys and girls came home and for a little while Ingleside was gay again .

but all were not there for the first time one was missing from the circle round the Christmas table .

wait you till the Big Push comes in the spring and the war will be over in a jiffy . "

they tried to think so , but a shadow stalked in the background of their determined merrymaking .

Walter , too , was quiet and dull , all through the holidays .

he showed Rilla a cruel , anonymous letter he had received at Redmond a letter far more conspicuous for malice than for patriotic indignation .

" nevertheless , all it says is true , Rilla . "

Rilla had caught it from him and thrown it into the fire .

" there isn't one word of truth in it , " she declared hotly .

" Walter , you 've got morbid as Miss Oliver says she gets when she broods too long over one thing . "

" I can't get away from it at Redmond , Rilla .

the whole college is aflame over the war .

a perfectly fit fellow , of military age , who doesn't join up is looked upon as a shirker and treated accordingly .

" it 's not fair you're not fit . "

" physically I am .

sound as a bell .

the unfitness is in the soul and it 's a taint and a disgrace .

there , don't cry , Rilla .

I 'm not going if that 's what you 're afraid of .

the Piper 's music rings in my ears day and night but I cannot follow . "

" you would break mother 's heart and mine if you did , " sobbed Rilla .

" oh , Walter , one is enough for any family . "

the holidays were an unhappy time for her .

still , having Nan and Di and Walter and Shirley home helped in the enduring of things .

" my ankle is about as good as new .

I 'll be fit to join up in a couple of months more , Rilla-my-Rilla .

it will be some feeling to get into khaki all right .

Little Ken will be able to look the whole world in the face then and owe not any man .

it 's been rotten lately , since I 've been able to walk without limping .

people who don't know look at me as much as to say ' Slacker ! '

well , they won't have the chance to look it much longer . "

" Nineteen-fourteen has gone , " said Dr Blythe on New Year 's Day .

" its sun , which rose fairly , has set in blood .

what will nineteen-fifteen bring ? "

" victory ! " said Susan , for once laconic .

" do you really believe we 'll win the war , Susan ? " said Miss Oliver drearily .

she had come over from Lowbridge to spend the day and see Walter and the girls before they went back to Redmond .

she was in a rather blue and cynical mood and inclined to look on the dark side .

" ' Believe ' we 'll win the war ! " exclaimed Susan .

" no , Miss Oliver , dear , I do not believe I know .

that does not worry me .

what does worry me is the trouble and expense of it all .

but then you cannot make omelets without breaking eggs , so we must just trust in God and make big guns . "

" sometimes I think the big guns are better to trust in than God , " said Miss Oliver defiantly .

" no , no , dear , you do not .

the Germans had the big guns at the Marne , had they not ?

but Providence settled them .

do not ever forget that .

just hold on to that when you feel inclined to doubt .

my cousin Sophia is , like you , somewhat inclined to despond .

' Oh , dear me , what will we do if the Germans ever get here , ' she wailed to me yesterday .

' Bury them , ' said I , just as off-hand as that .

' There is plenty of room for the graves . '

I am like old Mr William Pollock of the Harbour Head .

now , that , Miss Oliver , dear , " concluded Susan , " is the kind of spirit I admire . "

" I admire it but I can't emulate it , " sighed Gertrude .

but I can't escape from this . "

" nor I , " said Mrs Blythe .

" I hate going to bed now .

all my life I 've liked going to bed , to have a gay , mad , splendid half-hour of imagining things before sleeping .

now I imagine them still .

but such different things . "

" I am rather glad when the time comes to go to bed , " said Miss Oliver .

" I like the darkness because I can be myself in it I needn't smile or talk bravely .

but sometimes my imagination gets out of hand , too , and I see what you do terrible things terrible years to come . "

" I am very thankful that I never had any imagination to speak of , " said Susan .

" I have been spared that .

I see by this paper that the Crown Prince is killed again .

do you suppose there is any hope of his staying dead this time ?

and I also see that Woodrow Wilson is going to write another note .

in January Jims was five months old and Rilla celebrated the anniversary by shortening him .

" he weighs fourteen pounds , " she announced jubilantly .

" just exactly what he should weigh at five months , according to Morgan . "

there was no longer any doubt in anybody 's mind that Jims was getting positively pretty .

he had even begun to grow hair , much to Rilla 's unspoken relief .

there was a pale golden fuzz all over his head that was distinctly visible in some lights .

he was a good infant , generally sleeping and digesting as Morgan decreed .

occasionally he smiled but he had never laughed , in spite of all efforts to make him .

this worried Rilla also , because Morgan said that babies usually laughed aloud from the third to the fifth month .

Jims was five months and had no notion of laughing .

why hadn't he ?

wasn't he normal ?

one night Rilla came home late from a recruiting meeting at the Glen where she had been giving patriotic recitations .

Rilla had never been willing to recite in public before .

she was afraid of her tendency to lisp , which had a habit of reviving if she were doing anything that made her nervous .

when she had first been asked to recite at the Upper Glen meeting she had refused .

then she began to worry over her refusal .

was it cowardly ?

what would Jem think if he knew ?

after two days of worry Rilla phoned to the president of the Patriotic Society that she would recite .

she did , and lisped several times , and lay awake most of the night in an agony of wounded vanity .

then two nights after she recited again at Harbour Head .

she had been at Lowbridge and over-harbour since then and had become resigned to an occasional lisp .

nobody except herself seemed to mind it .

and she was so earnest and appealing and shining-eyed !

even stolid Miller Douglas was so fired one night that it took Mary Vance a good hour to talk him back to sense .

she was just getting warm and drowsy when Jims suddenly began to cry and kept on crying .

Rilla curled herself up in her bed and determined she would let him cry .

she had Morgan behind her for justification .

Jims was warm , physically comfortable his cry wasn't the cry of pain and had his little tummy as full as was good for him .

under such circumstances it would be simply spoiling him to fuss over him , and she wasn't going to do it .

he could cry until he got good and tired and ready to go to sleep again .

then Rilla 's imagination began to torment her .

wouldn't I cry , too ?

wouldn't I feel just so lonely and forsaken and frightened that I 'd have to cry ?

Rilla hopped out .

she picked Jims out of his basket and took him into her own bed .

his hands were cold , poor mite .

but he had promptly ceased to cry .

" oh , you dear little thing ! " exclaimed Rilla .

" are you so pleased at finding you 're not all alone , lost in a huge , big , black room ? "

then she knew she wanted to kiss him and she did .

she kissed his silky , scented little head , she kissed his chubby little cheek , she kissed his little cold hands .

she wanted to squeeze him to cuddle him , just as she used to squeeze and cuddle her kittens .

something delightful and yearning and brooding seemed to have taken possession of her .

she had never felt like this before .

" he has got to be such a darling , " she thought drowsily , as she drifted off to slumberland herself .

in February Jem and Jerry and Robert Grant were in the trenches and a little more tension and dread was added to the Ingleside life .

in March " Yiprez , " as Susan called it , had come to have a bitter significance .

no one at Ingleside ever got up in the morning without a sudden piercing wonder over what the day might bring .

" and I used to welcome the mornings so , " thought Rilla .

" I wonder if the boys in the trenches are warm . "

" how everything comes back to this war , " cried Gertrude Oliver .

" we can't get away from it not even when we talk of the weather .

I never go out these dark cold nights myself without thinking of the men in the trenches not only our men but everybody 's men .

I would feel the same if there were nobody I knew at the front .

when I snuggle down in my comfortable bed I am ashamed of being comfortable .

it seems as if it were wicked of me to be so when many are not . "

he has cried himself to sleep for a week , over the starving Belgians .

just say the babies are not hungry , mother . '

and she cannot say it because it would not be true , and she is at her wits ' end .

they try to keep such things from him but he finds them out and then they cannot comfort him .

but we must carry on .

Jack Crawford says he is going to the war because he is tired of farming .

I hope he will find it a pleasant change .

and Mrs Richard Elliott over-harbour is worrying herself sick because she used to be always scolding her husband about smoking up the parlour curtains .

now that he has enlisted she wishes she had never said a word to him .

you know Josiah Cooper and William Daley , Mrs Dr dear .

they used to be fast friends but they quarrelled twenty years ago and have never spoken since .

well , the other day Josiah went to William and said right out , ' Let us be friends .

' Tain't any time to be holding grudges . '

William was real glad and held out his hand , and they sat down for a good talk .

and now they are madder at each other than ever and William says Josiah is as bad a pro-German as Whiskers-on-the-Moon .

Whiskers-on-the-moon vows he is no pro-German but calls himself a pacifist , whatever that may be .

it is nothing proper or Whiskers would not be it and that you may tie to .

Joe Vickers told me in the store that he saw a very queer looking thing in the sky tonight over Lowbridge way .

do you suppose it could have been a Zeppelin , Mrs Dr dear ? "

" I do not think it very likely , Susan . "

" well , I would feel easier about it if Whiskers-on-the-moon were not living in the Glen .

they say he was seen going through strange manoeuvres with a lantern in his back yard one night lately .

some people think he was signalling . "

" to whom or what ? "

" ah , that is the mystery , Mrs Dr dear .

now I shall just look over the papers a minute before going to write a letter to little Jem .

two things I never did , Mrs Dr dear , were write letters and read politics .

yet here I am doing both regular and I find there is something in politics after all .

whatever Woodrow Wilson means I cannot fathom but I am hoping I will puzzle it out yet . "

" that devilish Kaiser has only a boil after all . "

" don't swear , Susan , " said Dr Blythe , pulling a long face .

" ' Devilish ' is not swearing , doctor , dear .

I have always understood that swearing was taking the name of the Almighty in vain ? "

" well , it isn't ahem refined , " said the doctor , winking at Miss Oliver .

" no , doctor , dear , the devil and the Kaiser if so be that they are really two different people are not refined .

and you cannot refer to them in a refined way .

A boil , indeed !

I wish he was covered with them . "

" we 're in an old wine cellar tonight , dad , " he wrote , " in water to our knees .

rats everywhere no fire a drizzling rain coming down rather dismal .

but it might be worse .

I got Susan 's box today and everything was in tip-top order and we had a feast .

Jerry is up the line somewhere and he says the rations are rather worse than Aunt Martha 's ditto used to be .

but here they 're not bad only monotonous .

" we have been under fire since the last week in February .

one boy he was a Nova Scotian was killed right beside me yesterday .

a shell burst near us and when the mess cleared away he was lying dead not mangled at all he just looked a little startled .

we 're in an absolutely different world .

the only things that are the same are the stars and they are never in their right places , somehow .

" tell mother not to worry I 'm all right fit as a fiddle and glad I came .

they don't realize yet what it is has broken loose I didn't when I first joined up .

I thought it was fun .

well , it isn't !

but I 'm in the right place all right make no mistake about that .

there were gardens over here beautiful gardens with the beauty of centuries and what are they now ?

mangled , desecrated things !

" whenever any of you go to the station be sure to give Dog Monday a double pat for me .

fancy the faithful little beggar waiting there for me like that !

" Mrs Dr dear , " whispered Susan solemnly , " what are cooties ? "

Mrs Blythe whispered back and then said in reply to Susan 's horrified ejaculations , " it 's always like that in the trenches , Susan . "

CHAPTER XII

IN THE DAYS OF LANGEMARCK

" how can spring come and be beautiful in such a horror , " wrote Rilla in her diary .

but they are !

our Canadian boys have done splendidly General French says they ' saved the situation , ' when the Germans had all but broken through .

but I can't feel pride or exultation or anything but a gnawing anxiety over Jem and Jerry and Mr Grant .

the casualty lists are coming out in the papers every day oh , there are so many of them .

that moment seemed a hundred years long , for I was always dreading to hear ' There is a telegram for Dr Blythe . '

but it never gets any easier .

her eyes haunt me .

" and Kenneth is in khaki now , too .

he has got a lieutenant 's commission and expects to go overseas in midsummer , so he wrote me .

there wasn't much else in the letter he seemed to be thinking of nothing but going overseas .

I shall not see him again before he goes perhaps I will never see him again .

sometimes I ask myself if that evening at Four Winds was all a dream .

it might as well be it seems as if it happened in another life lived years ago and everybody has forgotten it but me .

" Walter and Nan and Di came home last night from Redmond .

when Walter stepped off the train Dog Monday rushed to meet him , frantic with joy .

I suppose he thought Jem would be there , too .

and Monday said he did !

' I am very sorry but I can't .

I 've got a date to meet Jem here , you know , and there 's a train goes through at eight . '

" it 's lovely to have Walter back again though he seems quiet and sad , just as he was at Christmas .

but I 'm going to love him hard and cheer him up and make him laugh as he used to .

it seems to me that every day of my life Walter means more to me .

" the other evening Susan happened to say that the mayflowers were out in Rainbow Valley .

I chanced to be looking at mother when Susan spoke .

her face changed and she gave a queer little choked cry .

' Mayflowers ! ' she said .

' Jem brought me mayflowers last year ! ' and she got up and went out of the room .

I would have rushed off to Rainbow Valley and brought her an armful of mayflowers , but I knew that wasn't what she wanted .

and after Walter got home last night he slipped away to the valley and brought mother home all the mayflowers he could find .

it shows how tender and thoughtful he is .

and yet there are people who send him cruel letters !

but we can and do .

we have been practising for a month and having no end of trouble and bother with cranky people .

I am not blaming Miranda exactly , but I do think she might have a little more spunk sometimes .

if I were in Miranda 's shoes I 'd find some way of managing Whiskers-on-the-moon .

I would horse-whip him , or bite him , if nothing else would serve .

but Miranda is a meek and obedient daughter whose days should be long in the land .

" I couldn't get anyone else to take the part , because nobody liked it , so finally I had to take it myself .

Olive Kirk is on the concert committee and goes against me in every single thing .

but I got my way in asking Mrs Channing to come out from town and sing for us , anyhow .

she is a beautiful singer and will draw such a crowd that we will make more than we will have to pay her .

and Minnie is the only good alto we have !

Just at present I am racked with worry for fear the Isaac Reeses are taking whooping-cough .

I 've been toiling for weeks to train them in it , and now it seems likely that all my trouble will go for nothing .

" Jims cut his first tooth today .

he has begun to creep but doesn't crawl as most babies do .

he trots about on all fours and carries things in his mouth like a little dog .

he is so cute , it will be a shame if his dad never sees him .

his hair is coming on nicely too , and I am not without hope that it will be curly .

now it all rushes back , worse than ever .

oh , if we could just know that Jem is all right !

I used to be so furious with Jem when he called me Spider .

Rilla put away her diary and went out to the garden .

the spring evening was very lovely .

the long , green , seaward-looking glen was filled with dusk , and beyond it were meadows of sunset .

the harbour was radiant , purple here , azure there , opal elsewhere .

the maple grove was beginning to be misty green .

Rilla looked about her with wistful eyes .

who said that spring was the joy of the year ?

it was the heart-break of the year .

and the pale-purply mornings and the daffodil stars and the wind in the old pine were so many separate pangs of the heart-break .

would life ever be free from dread again ?

" it 's good to see P.E.I. twilight once more , " said Walter , joining her .

" I didn't really remember that the sea was so blue and the roads so red and the wood nooks so wild and fairy haunted .

yes , the fairies still abide here .

I vow I could find scores of them under the violets in Rainbow Valley . "

Rilla was momentarily happy .

this sounded like the Walter of yore .

she hoped he was forgetting certain things that had troubled him .

" and isn't the sky blue over Rainbow Valley ? " she said , responding to his mood .

" blue blue you 'd have to say ' blue ' a hundred times before you could express how blue it is . "

Susan wandered by , her head tied up with a shawl , her hands full of garden implements .

Doc , stealthy and wild-eyed , was shadowing her steps among the spirea bushes .

" it may rain but don't think rheumatism , Susan think violets , " said Walter gaily rather too gaily , Rilla thought .

Susan considered him unsympathetic .

" oh , my God , no ! " exclaimed Walter passionately .

he turned and went back to the house .

Susan shook her head .

she disapproved entirely of such ejaculations .

Rilla was standing among the budding daffodils with tear-filled eyes .

her evening was spoiled ; she detested Susan , who had somehow hurt Walter ; and Jem had Jem been gassed ?

had he died in torture ?

" I can't endure this suspense any longer , " said Rilla desperately .

but she endured it as the others did for another week .

then a letter came from Jem .

he was all right .

" I 've come through without a scratch , dad .

don't know how I or any of us did it .

you 'll have seen all about it in the papers I can't write of it .

but the Huns haven't got through they won't get through .

Jerry was knocked stiff by a shell one time , but it was only the shock .

he was all right in a few days .

Grant is safe , too . "

Nan had a letter from Jerry Meredith .

" I came back to consciousness at dawn , " he wrote .

" couldn't tell what had happened to me but thought that I was done for .

I was all alone and afraid terribly afraid .

dead men were all around me , lying on the horrible grey , slimy fields .

I was woefully thirsty and I thought of David and the Bethlehem water and of the old spring in Rainbow Valley under the maples .

and I didn't care .

honestly , I didn't care .

then they found me and carted me off and before long I discovered that there wasn't really anything wrong with me .

I 'm going back to the trenches tomorrow .

every man is needed there that can be got . "

" laughter is gone out of the world , " said Faith Meredith , who had come over to report on her letters .

" I remember telling old Mrs Taylor long ago that the world was a world of laughter .

but it isn't so any longer . "

" it 's a shriek of anguish , " said Gertrude Oliver .

" we must keep a little laughter , girls , " said Mrs Blythe .

" a good laugh is as good as a prayer sometimes only sometimes , " she added under her breath .

and what hurt most was that Rilla 's laughter had grown so rare Rilla whom she used to think laughed over-much .

was all the child 's girlhood to be so clouded ?

yet how strong and clever and womanly she was growing !

how patiently she knitted and sewed and manipulated those uncertain Junior Reds !

and how wonderful she was with Jims .

" Little did I ever expect it of her on the day she landed here with that soup tureen . "

CHAPTER XIII

a SLICE OF HUMBLE PIE

Whiskers-on-the-moon came off the train from Charlottetown and he was looking pleased .

I do not remember that I ever saw him with a smile on in public before .

" but I will say that I wouldn't have minded throwing a few stones myself .

Norman Douglas is fairly foaming at the mouth over it all .

Bruce Meredith is worrying over the babies who were drowned .

and it seems he prayed for something very special last Friday night and didn't get it , and was feeling quite disgruntled over it .

that child 's brain is a hundred years older than his body , Mrs Dr . dear .

as for the Lusitania , it is an awful occurrence , whatever way you look at it .

but Woodrow Wilson is going to write a note about it , so why worry ?

a pretty president ! " and Susan banged her pots about wrathfully .

President Wilson was rapidly becoming anathema in Susan 's kitchen .

Mary Vance dropped in one evening to tell the Ingleside folks that she had withdrawn all opposition to Miller Douglas 's enlisting .

" this Lusitania business was too much for me , " said Mary brusquely .

" when the Kaiser takes to drowning innocent babies it 's high time somebody told him where he gets off at .

this thing must be fought to a finish .

it 's been soaking into my mind slow but I 'm on now .

so I up and told Miller he could go as far as I was concerned .

old Kitty Alec won't be converted though .

if every ship in the world was submarined and every baby drowned , Kitty wouldn't turn a hair .

but I flatter myself that it was me kept Miller back all along and not the fair Kitty .

I may have deceived myself but we shall see . "

they did see .

the next Sunday Miller Douglas walked into the Glen Church beside Mary Vance in khaki .

and Mary was so proud of him that her white eyes fairly blazed .

Walter Blythe did not sigh .

but Rilla , scanning his face anxiously , saw a look that cut into her heart .

the Reese cold had not developed into whooping-cough , so that tangle was straightened out .

her son , who was in Kingsport with his regiment , was seriously ill with pneumonia , and she must go to him at once .

the members of the concert committee looked at each other in blank dismay .

what was to be done ?

" this comes of depending on outside help , " said Olive Kirk , disagreeably .

" we must do something , " said Rilla , too desperate to care for Olive 's manner .

we must get some one to sing in Mrs Channing 's place . "

" I don't know who you can get at this late date , " said Olive .

" Irene Howard could do it ; but it is not likely she will after the way she was insulted by our society . "

" how did our society insult her ? " asked Rilla , in what she called her ' cold-pale tone . '

its coldness and pallor did not daunt Olive .

" you insulted her , " she answered sharply .

" Irene told me all about it she was literally heart-broken .

that was why she never came to our meetings again but joined in with the Lowbridge Red Cross .

" you don't expect me to ask her ? " giggled Amy MacAllister , the other member of the committee .

" Irene and I haven't spoken for a hundred years .

Irene is always getting ' insulted ' by somebody .

but she is a lovely singer , I 'll admit that , and people would just as soon hear her as Mrs Channing . "

" it wouldn't do any good if you did ask her , " said Olive significantly .

so there it is and here we are , and a nice failure our concert will be . "

Rilla went home and shut herself up in her room , her soul in a turmoil .

she would not humiliate herself by apologizing to Irene Howard !

Rilla could never bring herself to tell her side of it .

the fact that a slur at Walter was mixed up in it tied her tongue .

so most people believed that Irene had been badly used , except a few girls who had never liked her and sided with Rilla .

and yet the concert over which she had worked so hard was going to be a failure .

Mrs Channing 's four solos were the feature of the whole programme .

" miss Oliver , what do you think about it ? " she asked in desperation .

" I think Irene is the one who should apologize , " said Miss Oliver .

" but unfortunately my opinion will not fill the blanks in your programme . "

" if I went and apologized meekly to Irene she would sing , I am sure , " sighed Rilla .

" she really loves to sing in public .

but I know she 'll be nasty about it I feel I 'd rather do anything than go .

Rilla 's presentiment proved correct .

Rilla did her hair very becomingly and donned a long raincoat for fear of a shower .

but all the while her thoughts were concerned with the coming distasteful interview , and she kept rehearsing mentally her part in it .

after all , disdainful silence would have been much more effective in meeting the slur upon Walter .

Mrs Howard , a plump , voluble dame , met Rilla gushingly and left her in the parlour while she went to call Irene .

Rilla threw off her rain-coat and looked at herself critically in the mirror over the mantel .

hair , hat , and dress were satisfactory nothing there for Miss Irene to make fun of .

Rilla remembered how clever and amusing she used to think Irene 's biting little comments about other girls .

well , it had come home to her now .

" why how do you do , Miss Blythe ? " she said sweetly .

" this is a very unexpected pleasure . "

Rilla had risen to take Irene 's chilly finger-tips and now , as she sat down again , she saw something that temporarily stunned her .

on one of Rilla 's feet was a smart little steel-buckled shoe and a filmy blue silk stocking .

the other was clad in a stout and rather shabby boot and black lisle !

Poor Rilla !

she had changed , or begun to change her boots and stockings after she had put on her dress .

this was the result of doing one thing with your hands and another with your brain .

and once she had thought Irene 's manner perfection !

everything that Rilla had prepared to say vanished from her memory .

vainly trying to tuck her unlucky foot under her chair , she blurted out a blunt statement .

" I have come to athk a favour of you , Irene . "

there lisping !

oh , she had been prepared for humiliation but not to this extent !

really , there were limits !

Rilla gathered herself together .

she would not lisp she would be calm and composed .

Rilla enunciated every word so precisely and carefully that she seemed to be reciting a lesson .

" it 's something of a fiddler 's invitation , isn't it ? " said Irene , with one of her disagreeable smiles .

" Olive Kirk asked you to help when we first thought of the concert and you refused , " said Rilla .

" why , I could hardly help then could I ? " asked Irene plaintively .

" after you ordered me never to speak to you again ?

it would have been very awkward for us both , don't you think ? "

now for the humble pie .

" I want to apologize to you for saying that , Irene . " said Rilla steadily .

" I should not have said it and I have been very sorry ever since .

will you forgive me ? "

" and sing at your concert ? " said Irene sweetly and insultingly .

that is all I can say .

if you feel you can't forgive me I suppose there is nothing more to be said . "

" oh , Rilla dear , don't snap me up like that , " pleaded Irene .

" of course I 'll forgive you though I did feel awfully about it how awfully I hope you 'll never know .

I cried for weeks over it .

and I hadn't said or done a thing ! "

Rilla choked back a retort .

after all , there was no use in arguing with Irene , and the Belgians were starving .

" don't you think you can help us with the concert , " she forced herself to say .

oh , if only Irene would stop looking at that boot !

Rilla could just hear her giving Olive Kirk an account of it .

" I don't see how I really can at the last moment like this , " protested Irene .

" there isn't time to learn anything new . "

" they will all be new down there . "

" but I have no accompanist , " protested Irene .

" Una Meredith can accompany you , " said Rilla .

" oh , I couldn't ask her , " sighed Irene .

" we haven't spoken since last fall .

she was so hateful to me the time of our Sunday-school concert that I simply had to give her up . "

dear , dear , was Irene at feud with everybody ?

" Miss Oliver is a beautiful pianist and can play any accompaniment at sight , " said Rilla desperately .

" she will play for you and you could run over your songs easily tomorrow evening at Ingleside before the concert . "

" but I haven't anything to wear .

my new evening-dress isn't home from Charlottetown yet , and I simply cannot wear my old one at such a big affair .

it is too shabby and old-fashioned . "

" our concert , " said Rilla slowly , " is in aid of Belgian children who are starving to death .

don't you think you could wear a shabby dress once for their sake , Irene ? "

" oh , don't you think those accounts we get of the conditions of the Belgians are very much exaggerated ? " said Irene .

" I 'm sure they can't be actually starving you know , in the twentieth century .

the newspapers always colour things so highly . "

Rilla concluded that she had humiliated herself enough .

there was such a thing as self-respect .

no more coaxing , concert or no concert .

she got up , boot and all .

" I am sorry you can't help us , Irene , but since you cannot we must do the best we can . "

now this did not suit Irene at all .

she desired exceedingly to sing at that concert , and all her hesitations were merely by way of enhancing the boon of her final consent .

besides , she really wanted to be friends with Rilla again .

Rilla 's whole-hearted , ungrudging adoration had been very sweet incense to her .

and Ingleside was a very charming house to visit , especially when a handsome college student like Walter was home .

she stopped looking at Rilla 's feet .

" Rilla , darling , don't be so abrupt .

I really want to help you , if I can manage it .

just sit down and let's talk it over . "

" I 'm sorry , but I can't .

I have to be home soon Jims has to be settled for the night , you know . "

" oh , yes the baby you are bringing up by the book .

it 's perfectly sweet of you to do it when you hate children so .

how cross you were just because I kissed him !

but we 'll forget all that and be chums again , won't we ?

I couldn't she 's so dreadfully haughty and supercilious that she simply paralyses poor little me . "

Rilla did not waste time or breath defending Miss Oliver .

she coolly thanked Irene , who had suddenly become very amiable and gushing , and got away .

she was very thankful the interview was over .

but she knew now that she and Irene could never be the friends they had been .

Friendly , yes but friends , no .

nor did she wish it .

all winter she had felt under her other and more serious worries , a little feeling of regret for her lost chum .

now it was suddenly gone .

Irene was not as Mrs Elliott would say , of the race that knew Joseph .

Rilla did not say or think that she had outgrown Irene .

had the thought occurred to her she would have considered it absurd when she was not yet seventeen and Irene was twenty .

but it was the truth .

Irene was just what she had been a year ago just what she would always be .

Rilla Blythe 's nature in that year had changed and matured and deepened .

Irene had lost for ever her faithful worshipper .

then she stopped under a tall wild plum that was ghostly white and fair in its misty spring bloom and laughed .

" there is only one thing of importance just now and that is that the Allies win the war , " she said aloud .

CHAPTER XIV

THE VALLEY OF DECISION

Susan kept the flag flying at Ingleside all the next day , in honour of Italy 's declaration of war .

" and not before it was time , Mrs Dr dear , considering the way things have begun to go on the Russian front .

say what you will , those Russians are kittle cattle , the grand duke Nicholas to the contrary notwithstanding .

however , she will give that old reprobate of a Francis Joseph something to think about .

Walter had gone to town on the early train , and Nan offered to look after Jims for the day and so set Rilla free .

Rilla was wildly busy all day , helping to decorate the Glen hall and seeing to a hundred last things .

Rilla , rushing home from the hall , dressed hurriedly .

it gave her a sense of achievement and victory to have brought her efforts of weeks to such a successful conclusion .

she had shown them !

little snatches of song bubbled up from her lips as she dressed .

she thought she was looking very well .

should she wear crab-apple blossoms in it , or her little fillet of pearls ?

after some agonised wavering she decided on the crab-apple blossoms and tucked the white waxen cluster behind her left ear .

now for a final look at her feet .

yes , both slippers were on .

already it was filling soon it was crowded .

her concert was going to be a brilliant success .

the first three numbers were successfully over .

Rilla was in the little dressing-room behind the platform , looking out on the moonlit harbour and rehearsing her own recitations .

she was alone , the rest of the performers being in the larger room on the other side .

suddenly she felt two soft bare arms slipping round her waist , then Irene Howard dropped a light kiss on her cheek .

" Rilla , you sweet thing , you 're looking simply angelic to-night .

I wish I had half your nerve . "

Rilla stood perfectly still .

she felt no emotion whatever she felt nothing .

the world of feeling had just gone blank .

" Walter enlisting " she heard herself saying then she heard Irene 's affected little laugh .

" why , didn't you know ?

I thought you did of course , or I wouldn't have mentioned it .

I am always putting my foot in it , aren't I ?

he isn't in khaki yet they were out of uniforms but he will be in a day or two .

I always said Walter had as much pluck as anybody .

I assure you I felt proud of him , Rilla , when he told me what he 'd done .

oh , there 's an end of Rick MacAllister 's reading .

I must fly .

I promised I 'd play for the next chorus Alice Clow has such a headache . "

she was gone oh , thank God , she was gone !

Rilla was alone again , staring out at the unchanged , dream-like beauty of moonlit Four Winds .

feeling was coming back to her a pang of agony so acute as to be almost physical seemed to rend her apart .

" I cannot bear it , " she said .

and then came the awful thought that perhaps she could bear it and that there might be years of this hideous suffering before her .

she must get away she must rush home she must be alone .

she could not go out there and play for drills and give readings and take part in dialogues now .

it would spoil half the concert ; but that did not matter nothing mattered .

was this she , Rilla Blythe this tortured thing , who had been quite happy a few minutes ago ?

outside , a quartette was singing " we 'll never let the old flag fall " the music seemed to be coming from some remote distance .

why couldn't she cry , as she had cried when Jem told them he must go ?

if she could cry perhaps this horrible something that seemed to have seized on her very life might let go .

but no tears came !

where were her scarf and coat ?

she must get away and hide herself like an animal hurt to the death .

was it a coward 's part to run away like this ?

the question came to her suddenly as if someone else had asked it .

she thought of the shambles of the Flanders front she thought of her brother and her playmate helping to hold those fire-swept trenches .

but this this was unbearable .

still , she stopped half-way to the door and went back to the window .

Irene was singing now ; her beautiful voice the only real thing about her soared clear and sweet through the building .

Rilla knew that the girls ' Fairy Drill came next .

could she go out there and play for it ?

her head was aching now her throat was burning .

oh , why had Irene told her just then , when telling could do no good ?

Irene had been very cruel .

Rilla remembered now that more than once that day she had caught her mother looking at her with an odd expression .

she had been too busy to wonder what it meant .

she understood now .

mother had known why Walter went to town but wouldn't tell her until the concert was over .

what spirit and endurance mother had !

" I must stay here and see things through , " said Rilla , clasping her cold hands together .

the rest of the evening always seemed like a fevered dream to her .

her body was crowded by people but her soul was alone in a torture-chamber of its own .

yet she played steadily for the drills and gave her readings without faltering .

she even put on a grotesque old Irish woman 's costume and acted the part in the dialogue which Miranda Pryor had not taken .

between her numbers she walked restlessly up and down the little dressing-room .

would the concert never end !

it ended at last .

Olive Kirk rushed up and told her exultantly that they had made a hundred dollars .

" that 's good , " Rilla said mechanically .

he put his arm through hers silently and they went together down the moonlit road .

the frogs were singing in the marshes , the dim , ensilvered fields of home lay all around them .

the spring night was lovely and appealing .

Rilla felt that its beauty was an insult to her pain .

she would hate moonlight for ever .

" you know ? " said Walter .

" yes .

Irene told me , " answered Rilla chokingly .

" we didn't want you to know till the evening was over .

I knew when you came out for the drill that you had heard .

little sister , I had to do it .

I couldn't live any longer on such terms with myself as I have been since the Lusitania was sunk .

I wanted to get out of the world where such a thing could happen shake its accursed dust from my feet for ever .

then I knew I had to go . "

" there are plenty without you . "

" that isn't the point , Rilla-my-Rilla .

I 'm going for my own sake to save my soul alive .

it will shrink to something small and mean and lifeless if I don't go .

that would be worse than blindness or mutilation or any of the things I 've feared . "

" ' Comes he slow or comes he fast It is but death who comes at last . ' "

quoted Walter .

" it 's not death I fear I told you that long ago .

one can pay too high a price for mere life , little sister .

there 's so much hideousness in this war I 've got to go and help wipe it out of the world .

I 'm going to fight for the beauty of life , Rilla-my-Rilla that is my duty .

there may be a higher duty , perhaps but that is mine .

I owe life and Canada that , and I 've got to pay it .

Rilla , tonight for the first time since Jem left I 've got back my self-respect .

I could write poetry , " Walter laughed .

" I 've never been able to write a line since last August .

tonight I 'm full of it .

little sister , be brave you were so plucky when Jem went . "

" this is different , " Rilla had to stop after every word to fight down a wild outburst of sobs .

" you must be brave to help me , Rilla-my-Rilla .

" when do you go ? "

she must know the worst at once .

" not for a week then we go to Kingsport for training .

I suppose we 'll go overseas about the middle of July we don't know . "

one week only one week more with Walter !

the eyes of youth did not see how she was to go on living .

when they turned in at the Ingleside gate Walter stopped in the shadows of the old pines and drew Rilla close to him .

" Rilla-my-Rilla , there were girls as sweet and pure as you in Belgium and Flanders .

you even you know what their fate was .

we must make it impossible for such things to happen again while the world lasts .

you 'll help me , won't you ? "

" I 'll try , Walter , " she said .

" oh , I will try . "

as she clung to him with her face pressed against his shoulder she knew that it had to be .

she accepted the fact then and there .

he must go her beautiful Walter with his beautiful soul and dreams and ideals .

and she had known all along that it would come sooner or later .

no one no one could ever call Walter a slacker now .

Rilla did not sleep that night .

perhaps no one at Ingleside did except Jims .

the body grows slowly and steadily , but the soul grows by leaps and bounds .

it may come to its full stature in an hour .

from that night Rilla Blythe 's soul was the soul of a woman in its capacity for suffering , for strength , for endurance .

when the bitter dawn came she rose and went to her window .

below her was a big apple-tree , a great swelling cone of rosy blossom .

Walter had planted it years ago when he was a little boy .

beyond Rainbow Valley there was a cloudy shore of morning with little ripples of sunrise breaking over it .

the far , cold beauty of a lingering star shone above it .

why , in this world of springtime loveliness , must hearts break ?

Rilla felt arms go about her lovingly , protectingly .

it was mother pale , large-eyed mother .

" oh , mother , how can you bear it ? " she cried wildly .

" Rilla , dear , I 've known for several days that Walter meant to go .

I 've had time to to rebel and grow reconciled .

we must give him up .

there is a Call greater and more insistent than the call of our love he has listened to it .

we must not add to the bitterness of his sacrifice . "

" our sacrifice is greater than his , " cried Rilla passionately .

" our boys give only themselves .

we give them . "

before Mrs Blythe could reply Susan stuck her head in at the door , never troubling over such frills of etiquette as knocking .

her eyes were suspiciously red but all she said was ,

" will I bring up your breakfast , Mrs Dr . dear . "

" no , no , Susan .

we will all be down presently .

do you know that Walter has joined up . "

" yes , Mrs Dr dear .

the doctor told me last night .

I suppose the Almighty has His own reasons for allowing such things .

we must submit and endeavour to look on the bright side .

but thank God , " she muttered in a lower tone , " that Shirley is not old enough to go . "

" do not you put words in my mouth that I would never dream of uttering .

I am a plain woman and cannot argue with you , but I do not thank God that anybody has to go .

the Huns , Dr dear , will never be brought to book by notes .

CHAPTER XV

UNTIL THE DAY BREAK

Cousin Sophia sighed again and said , ' The Grand Duke Nicholas is not the man I took him to be . '

' Do not let him know that , ' said I .

' It might hurt his feelings and he has likely enough to worry him as it is .

but you cannot cheer Cousin Sophia up , no matter how sarcastic you are , Mrs Dr dear .

they have plenty of room for retreating , have they not ? '

nobody else liked it either ; but all summer the Russian retreat went on a long-drawn-out agony .

" they will not , Miss Oliver dear , " said Susan , assuming the role of prophetess .

Norman Douglas declares he is just luring them on and killing ten of them to one he loses .

Walter had gone to Kingsport the first of June .

Nan , Di and Faith had gone also to do Red Cross work in their vacation .

In mid-July Walter came home for a week 's leave before going overseas .

he was all her own and she knew that he found strength and comfort in her sympathy and understanding .

when Walter had gone she might indulge in the comfort of tears , but not while he was here .

she would not even let herself cry at night , lest her eyes should betray her to him in the morning .

Rilla !

how calm and strong they are how patient and changeless like the heart of a good woman .

Rilla-my-Rilla , do you know what you have been to me the past year ?

I want to tell you before I go .

I could not have lived through it if it had not been for you , little loving , believing heart . "

Rilla dared not try to speak .

she slipped her hand into Walter 's and pressed it hard .

I know you 'll be as plucky and patient as you have shown yourself to be this past year I 'm not afraid for you .

I know that no matter what happens , you 'll be Rilla-my-Rilla no matter what happens . "

Rilla repressed tear and sigh , but she could not repress a little shiver , and Walter knew that he had said enough .

" we won't be happy in the same way , " said Rilla .

" no , not in the same way .

nobody whom this war has touched will ever be happy again in quite the same way .

but it will be a better happiness , I think , little sister a happiness we 've earned .

we were very happy before the war , weren't we ?

with a home like Ingleside , and a father and mother like ours we couldn't help being happy .

but that happiness was a gift from life and love ; it wasn't really ours life could take it back at any time .

it can never take away the happiness we win for ourselves in the way of duty .

I 've realised that since I went into khaki .

in spite of my occasional funks , when I fall to living over things beforehand , I 've been happy since that night in May .

Rilla , be awfully good to mother while I 'm away .

it must be a horrible thing to be a mother in this war the mothers and sisters and wives and sweethearts have the hardest times .

Rilla , you beautiful little thing , are you anybody 's sweetheart ?

if you are , tell me before I go . "

" no , " said Rilla .

" I see , " said Walter .

" and Ken 's in khaki , too .

poor little girlie , it 's a bit hard for you all round .

well , I 'm not leaving any girl to break her heart about me thank God for that . "

Rilla glanced up at the Manse on the hill .

she could see a light in Una Meredith 's window .

she felt tempted to say something then she knew she must not .

it was not her secret : and , anyway , she did not know she only suspected .

Walter looked about him lingeringly and lovingly .

this spot had always been so dear to him .

what fun they all had had here lang syne .

" where are you , Walter , " cried Rilla , laughing a little .

" come back come back . "

Walter came back with a long breath .

" I shall see it so in my dreams , " he said , as he turned away .

they went back to Ingleside .

Mr and Mrs. Meredith were there , with Gertrude Oliver , who had come from Lowbridge to say good-bye .

they did not talk about the war at all and they thought of nothing else .

at last they gathered around the piano and sang the grand old hymn :

" oh God , our help in ages past Our hope for years to come .

our shelter from the stormy blast And our eternal home . "

" we all come back to God in these days of soul-sifting , " said Gertrude to John Meredith .

I believe in Him now I have to there 's nothing else to fall back on but God humbly , starkly , unconditionally . "

" ' Our help in ages past ' ' the same yesterday , to-day and for ever , ' " said the minister gently .

" when we forget God He remembers us . "

there was no crowd at the Glen Station the next morning to see Walter off .

it was becoming a commonplace for a khaki clad boy to board that early morning train after his last leave .

besides his own , only the Manse folk were there , and Mary Vance .

" the main thing is to smile and act as if nothing was happening , " she informed the Ingleside group .

" the boys all hate the sob act like poison .

Miller told me I wasn't to come near the station if I couldn't keep from bawling .

Miller swore he wouldn't , but you never can tell about those fascinating foreign hussies .

anyhow , the last sight he had of me I was smiling to my limit .

gee , all the rest of the day my face felt as if it had been starched and ironed into a smile . "

but at least no one cried .

" so long , old fellow , " said Carl Meredith cheerfully , when the good-byes had to be said .

" tell them over there to keep their spirits up I am coming along presently . "

" me too , " said Shirley laconically , proffering a brown paw .

Susan heard him and her face turned very grey .

Una shook hands quietly , looking at him with wistful , sorrowful , dark-blue eyes .

but then Una 's eyes had always been wistful .

Walter bent his handsome black head in its khaki cap and kissed her with the warm , comradely kiss of a brother .

he had never kissed her before , and for a fleeting moment Una 's face betrayed her , if anyone had noticed .

but nobody did ; the conductor was shouting " all aboard " ; everybody was trying to look very cheerful .

Walter turned to Rilla ; she held his hands and looked up at him .

" good-bye , " she said .

but at the last moment he took her face between his hands and looked deep into her gallant eyes .

" God bless you , Rilla-my-Rilla , " he said softly and tenderly .

after all it was not a hard thing to fight for a land that bore daughters like this .

he stood on the rear platform and waved to them as the train pulled out .

in the evening she went to a Junior Red Cross committee meeting and was severely businesslike .

but some people really have no depth of feeling .

I often wish I could take things as lightly as Rilla Blythe . "

CHAPTER XVI

REALISM AND ROMANCE

" Warsaw has fallen , " said Dr Blythe with a resigned air , as he brought the mail in one warm August day .

they had thought they were quite resigned to Warsaw 's fall but now they knew they had , as always , hoped against hope .

" now , let us take a brace , " said Susan .

" it is not the terrible thing we have been thinking .

so let us take the military point of view , doctor dear . "

" I read that dispatch , too , and it has encouraged me immensely , " said Gertrude .

" I knew then and I know now that it was a lie from beginning to end .

but I am in that state of mind where even a lie is a comfort , providing it is a cheerful lie . "

" in that case , Miss Oliver dear , the German official reports ought to be all you need , " said Susan sarcastically .

even this news about Warsaw has taken the edge off my afternoon 's plans .

misfortunes never come singly .

I spoiled my baking of bread today and now Warsaw has fallen and here is little Kitchener bent on choking himself to death . "

Jims was evidently trying to swallow his spoon , germs and all .

" Kenneth Ford is down at Martin West 's over-harbour , " the doctor was saying .

" I hope he will come up to see us , " exclaimed Mrs Blythe .

" he only has a day or two off , I believe , " said the doctor absently .

nobody noticed Rilla 's flushed face and trembling hands .

even the most thoughtful and watchful of parents do not see everything that goes on under their very noses .

she had not heard from him for a long while .

had he forgotten her completely ?

if he did not come she would know that he had .

perhaps there was even some other girl back there in Toronto .

of course there was .

she was a little fool to be thinking about him at all .

she would not think about him .

if he came , well and good .

it would only be courteous of him to make a farewell call at Ingleside where he had often been a guest .

if he did not come well and good , too .

it did not matter very much .

nobody was going to fret .

Jims himself didn't like it , being a methodical baby , accustomed to swallowing spoonfuls with a decent interval for breath between each .

he protested , but his protests availed him nothing .

Rilla , as far as the care and feeding of infants was concerned , was utterly demoralized .

then the telephone-bell rang .

there was nothing unusual about the telephone ringing .

it rang on an average every ten minutes at Ingleside .

Jims , his patience exhausted , lifted up his voice and wept .

" Hello , is this Ingleside ? "

" yes . "

" that you , Rilla ? "

" Yeth yeth . "

oh , why couldn't Jims stop howling for just one little minute ?

why didn't somebody come in and choke him ?

" know who 's speaking ? "

oh , didn't she know !

wouldn't she know that voice anywhere at any time ?

" it 's Ken isn't it ? "

" sure thing .

I 'm here for a look-in .

can I come up to Ingleside tonight and see you ? "

" of courthe . "

had he used " you " in the singular or plural sense ?

presently she would wring Jims ' neck oh , what was Ken saying ?

" see here , Rilla , can you arrange that there won't be more than a few dozen people round ?

understand ?

I can't make my meaning clearer over this bally rural line .

there are a dozen receivers down . "

did she understand !

yes , she understood .

" I 'll try , " she said .

" I 'll be up about eight then .

By-by . "

Rilla hung up the ' phone and flew to Jims .

but she did not wring that injured infant 's neck .

she sewed at Red Cross shirts for the rest of the afternoon and built a crystal castle of dreams , all a-quiver with rainbows .

Ken wanted to see her to see her alone .

that could be easily managed .

mother couldn't object to that , surely .

oh , how wonderful and romantic it would be !

would Ken say anything he must mean to say something or why should he be so particular about seeing her alone ?

what if it rained Susan had been complaining about Mr Hyde that morning !

what if some officious Junior Red called to discuss Belgians and shirts ?

or , worst of all , what if Fred Arnold dropped in ?

he did occasionally .

the evening came at last and was all that could be desired in an evening .

Rilla put on her georgette gown , knotted up her hair and bound a little double string of pearls around it .

then she tucked a cluster of pale pink baby roses at her belt .

would Ken ask her for a rose for a keepsake ?

Rilla looked very sweet when she met Ken in the mingled moonlight and vine shadows of the big veranda .

the hand she gave him was cold and she was so desperately anxious not to lisp that her greeting was prim and precise .

how handsome and tall Kenneth looked in his lieutenant 's uniform !

it made him seem older , too so much so that Rilla felt rather foolish .

and he would think she had manoeuvred everybody away so that they could be alone together , and he would laugh to himself at her .

" I was sure someone would be hanging about and it was just you I wanted to see , Rilla-my-Rilla . "

Rilla 's dream castle flashed into the landscape again .

this was unmistakable enough certainly not much doubt as to his meaning here .

" there aren't so many of us to poke around as there used to be , " she said softly .

" no , that 's so , " said Ken gently .

" Jem and Walter and the girls away it makes a big blank , doesn't it ?

but " he leaned forward until his dark curls almost brushed her hair " doesn't Fred Arnold try to fill the blank occasionally .

I 've been told so . "

when Jims started in crying like that he made a thorough job of it .

Rilla knew that there was no use to sit still and pretend to ignore him .

he wouldn't stop ; and conversation of any kind was out of the question when such shrieks and howls were floating over your head .

besides , she was afraid Kenneth would think she was utterly unfeeling if she sat still and let a baby cry like that .

he was not likely acquainted with Morgan 's invaluable volume .

she got up .

" Jims has had a nightmare , I think .

he sometimes has one and he is always badly frightened by it .

excuse me for a moment . "

Rilla flew upstairs , wishing quite frankly that soup tureens had never been invented .

after all , the poor darling was frightened .

she picked him up gently and rocked him soothingly until his sobs ceased and his eyes closed .

then she essayed to lay him down in his crib .

Jims opened his eyes and shrieked a protest .

this performance was repeated twice .

Rilla grew desperate .

she couldn't leave Ken down there alone any longer she had been away nearly half an hour already .

with a resigned air she marched downstairs , carrying Jims , and sat down on the veranda .

Jims was supremely happy .

he kicked his little pink-soled feet rapturously out under his white nighty and gave one of his rare laughs .

" he 's a decorative kiddy all right , isn't he ? " said Ken .

" his looks are very well , " said Rilla , bitterly , as if to imply that they were much the best of him .

Jims , being an astute infant , sensed trouble in the atmosphere and realized that it was up to him to clear it away .

he turned his face up to Rilla , smiled adorably and said , clearly and beguilingly , " Will Will . "

it was the very first time he had spoken a word or tried to speak .

Rilla was so delighted that she forgot her grudge against him .

she forgave him with a hug and kiss .

he carried that picture of her in his heart to the horror of the battlefields of France .

she felt too absurd to try to talk .

evidently Ken was completely disgusted , too , since he was sitting there in such stony silence .

" have you got your baby to sleep ? " she asked kindly .

your baby !

really , Susan might have more tact .

" yes , " said Rilla shortly .

Susan laid her parcels on the reed table , as one determined to do her duty .

she was very tired but she must help Rilla out .

but Susan had come to her rescue Susan would do her part no matter how tired she was .

Susan had grown used to khaki now , and at sixty-four even a lieutenant 's uniform is just clothes and nothing else .

" it is an amazing thing how fast children do grow up .

Rilla here , now , is almost fifteen . "

" I 'm going on seventeen , Susan , " cried Rilla almost passionately .

she was a whole month past sixteen .

it was intolerable of Susan .

" it seems just the other day that you were all babies , " said Susan , ignoring Rilla 's protest .

do you remember the day I spanked you ? "

" no , " said Ken .

I had tried several ways of stopping you but none availed , and I saw that a spanking was the only thing that would serve .

so I picked you up and laid you across my knee and lambasted you well .

you howled at the top of your voice but you left Nan alone after that . "

Rilla was writhing .

hadn't Susan any realization that she was addressing an officer of the Canadian Army ?

apparently she had not .

oh , what would Ken think ?

" I shall never , no never , forget it .

I had a big puncheon of rainwater by the spout which I was reserving for making soap .

and you and Walter began quarrelling over the kitten .

you leaned across that puncheon and grabbed the kitten and pulled .

you were always a great hand for taking what you wanted without too much ceremony .

if I had not been on the spot you would both have been drowned .

ah , " said Susan with a sigh , " those were happy old days at Ingleside . "

" must have been , " said Ken .

his voice sounded queer and stiff .

Rilla supposed he was hopelessly enraged .

the truth was he dared not trust his voice lest it betray his frantic desire to laugh .

" Rilla here , now , " said Susan , looking affectionately at that unhappy damsel , " never was much spanked .

she was a real well-behaved child for the most part .

but her father did spank her once .

as it was , they were both sick enough shortly after .

Rilla wondered viciously whether Susan meant to relate all the family spankings .

but Susan had finished with the subject and branched off to another cheerful one .

it was a very sad affair .

he was , " said Susan earnestly , " the very cutest little corpse I ever laid my eyes on .

let me see would not Tod be some relation of yours ?

your great grandmother West was a MacAllister .

her brother Amos was a MacDonaldite in religion .

I am told he used to take the jerks something fearful .

but you look more like your great grandfather West than the MacAllisters .

he died of a paralytic stroke quite early in life . "

" nobody except Mary Vance , " said Susan , " and she was stepping round as brisk as the Irishman 's flea . "

what terrible similes Susan used !

would Kenneth think she acquired them from the family !

" to hear Mary talk about Miller Douglas you would think he was the only Glen boy who had enlisted , " Susan went on .

Rilla went cold all over with wrath and shame .

were there any more disgraceful scenes in her past that Susan could rake up ?

" I paid eleven cents for a bottle of ink tonight , " complained Susan .

" ink is twice as high as it was last year .

perhaps it is because Woodrow Wilson has been writing so many notes .

it must cost him considerable .

my cousin Sophia says Woodrow Wilson is not the man she expected him to be but then no man ever was .

and Mrs Albert Crawford says that of the two things she would have preferred the Zeppelin raid . "

Rilla sat limply in her chair like one hypnotized .

she knew Susan would stop talking when she was ready to stop and that no earthly power could make her stop any sooner .

as a rule , she was very fond of Susan but just now she hated her with a deadly hatred .

it was ten o'clock .

her rainbow castle lay in ruins round her .

Kenneth got up at last .

he realized that Susan was there to stay as long as he did , and it was a three mile walk to Martin West 's over-harbour .

Rilla got up , too , and walked silently the length of the veranda with him .

they stood there for a moment , Ken on the lower step .

the step was half sunk into the earth and mint grew thickly about and over its edge .

Ken looked up at Rilla , whose hair was shining in the moonlight and whose eyes were pools of allurement .

all at once he felt sure there was nothing in that gossip about Fred Arnold .

" Rilla , " he said in a sudden , intense whisper , " you are the sweetest thing . "

Rilla flushed and looked at Susan .

Ken looked , too , and saw that Susan 's back was turned .

he put his arm about Rilla and kissed her .

it was the first time Rilla had ever been kissed .

she thought perhaps she ought to resent it but she didn't .

instead , she glanced timidly into Kenneth 's seeking eyes and her glance was a kiss .

" Rilla-my-Rilla , " said Ken , " will you promise that you won't let anyone else kiss you until I come back ? "

" yes , " said Rilla , trembling and thrilling .

Susan was turning round .

ken loosened his hold and stepped to the walk .

" good-bye , " he said casually .

Rilla heard herself saying it just as casually .

she stood and watched him down the walk , out of the gate , and down the road .

as he reached the turn he stopped and looked back and saw her standing amid the tall white lilies by the gate .

he waved his hand she waved hers he was gone around the turn .

Rilla stood there for a little while , gazing across the fields of mist and silver .

she had heard her mother say that she loved turns in roads they were so provocative and alluring .

Rilla thought she hated them .

she had seen Jem and Jerry vanish from her around a bend in the road then Walter and now Ken .

Brothers and playmate and sweetheart they were all gone , never , it might be , to return .

yet still the Piper piped and the dance of death went on .

when Rilla walked slowly back to the house Susan was still sitting by the veranda table and Susan was sniffing suspiciously .

it was a very romantic affair and she and your mother were such chums .

to think I should have lived to see her son going to the front .

as if she had not had enough trouble in her early life without this coming upon her !

but we must take a brace and see it through . "

all Rilla 's anger against Susan had evaporated .

she put her slim white hand into Susan 's brown , work-hardened one and gave it a squeeze .

Susan was a faithful old dear and would lay down her life for any one of them .

" you are tired , Rilla dear , and had better go to bed , " Susan said , patting her hand .

" I noticed you were too tired to talk tonight .

I am glad I came home in time to help you out .

it is very tiresome trying to entertain young men when you are not accustomed to it . "

" I wonder , " she said to herself , " if I am , or am not , engaged to Kenneth Ford . "

CHAPTER XVII

THE WEEKS WEAR BY

after Kenneth 's regiment had left Kingsport there came a fortnight of dully-aching anxiety and when the congregation sang in Church on Sunday evenings ,

" oh , hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea , "

then word came that Kenneth 's regiment had arrived safely in England ; and now , at last , here was his letter .

Kenneth was not the son of a famous novelist for nothing .

Rilla went home from Rainbow Valley as if she flew rather than walked .

but such moments of uplift were rare that autumn .

our boys will be home by Christmas now .

hurrah ! "

Susan was ashamed of herself for hurrahing the minute she had done it , and apologized meekly for such an outburst of juvenility .

" good news ! " said Miss Oliver bitterly .

" I wonder if the women whose men have been killed for it will call it good news .

just because our own men are not on that part of the front we are rejoicing as if the victory had cost no lives . "

" now , Miss Oliver dear , do not take that view of it , " deprecated Susan .

" we have not had much to rejoice over of late and yet men were being killed just the same .

do not let yourself slump like poor Cousin Sophia .

she said , when the word came , ' Ah , it is nothing but a rift in the clouds .

we are up this week but we will be down the next . '

but Cousin Sophia moaned on .

' They are instruments in the hands of the Almighty , to purge the garner , ' said Sophia .

she was not , I told her , a minister or even an elder .

and for the time being I squelched her , Mrs Dr dear .

Cousin Sophia has no spirit .

she is very different from her niece , Mrs Dean Crawford over-harbour .

you know the Dean Crawfords had five boys and now the new baby is another boy .

do you think I could go and have a girl under such circumstances ? '

there is spirit for you , Mrs Dr . dear .

but Cousin Sophia would say the child was just so much more cannon fodder . "

" Constantine of Greece has a German wife , Mrs Dr dear , and that fact squelches hope .

to think that I should have lived to care what kind of a wife Constantine of Greece had !

the miserable creature is under his wife 's thumb and that is a bad place for any man to be .

I am an old maid and an old maid has to be independent or she will be squashed out .

but if I had been a married woman , Mrs Dr dear , I would have been meek and humble .

it is my opinion that this Sophia of Greece is a minx . "

Susan was furious when the news came that Venizelos had met with defeat .

" I could spank Constantine and skin him alive afterwards , that I could , " she exclaimed bitterly .

" oh , Susan , I 'm surprised at you , " said the doctor , pulling a long face .

" have you no regard for the proprieties ?

skin him alive by all means but omit the spanking . "

" if he had been well spanked in his younger days he might have more sense now , " retorted Susan .

" but I suppose princes are never spanked , more is the pity .

I see the Allies have sent him an ultimatum .

I could tell them that it will take more than ultimatums to skin a snake like Constantine .

they saw what became of Serbia , and during the process Susan was hardly to be lived with .

in her exasperation she abused everything and everybody except Kitchener , and she fell upon poor President Wilson tooth and claw .

" maybe , doctor dear maybe !

but that makes me think of the old story of the girl who told her grandmother she was going to be married .

' It is a solemn thing to be married , ' said the old lady .

' Yes , but it is a solemner thing not to be , ' said the girl .

and I can testify to that out of my own experience , doctor dear .

on a pale-yellow , windy evening in October Carl Meredith went away .

he had enlisted on his eighteenth birthday .

John Meredith saw him off with a set face .

his two boys were gone there was only little Bruce left now .

that was the first time he had realised how much Carl 's eyes were like Cecilia 's .

now he realised it again once more .

would he ever again see his dead wife 's eyes looking at him from his son 's face ?

what a bonny , clean , handsome lad he was !

it was hard to see him go .

it seemed hardly right somehow that he should be an " able-bodied man " in khaki .

yet John Meredith had said no word to dissuade him when Carl had told him he must go .

Rilla felt Carl 's going keenly .

they had always been cronies and playmates .

he was only a little older than she was and they had been children in Rainbow Valley together .

she recalled all their old pranks and escapades as she walked slowly home alone .

on such a night as this , long ago , Carl would come over to Ingleside and whistle her out to the gate .

" let's go on a moon-spree , Rilla , " he would say , and the two of them would scamper off to Rainbow Valley .

Rilla had never been afraid of his beetles and bugs , though she drew a hard and fast line at snakes .

they did not like the idea at all , hence the mutual vow in Rainbow Valley .

there was nothing like an ounce of prevention .

Rilla laughed over the old memory and then sighed .

if she were only a boy , speeding in khaki by Carl 's side to the Western front !

she had wished that in a burst of romance when Jem had gone , without , perhaps , really meaning it .

she meant it now .

there were moments when waiting at home , in safety and comfort , seemed an unendurable thing .

the moon burst triumphantly through an especially dark cloud and shadow and silver chased each other in waves over the Glen .

she thought it looked like that still an agonised , care-worn face , as though it looked down on dreadful sights .

what did it see on the Western front ?

In broken Serbia ?

on shell-swept Gallipoli ?

no , don't look reproachfully at me , Mrs Blythe .

there 's nothing heroic about me today .

I 've slumped .

oh I shall be ashamed of myself in half an hour but at this very minute I mean every word of it .

will the Allies never strike ? "

" patience is a tired mare but she jogs on , " said Susan .

" while the steeds of Armageddon thunder , trampling over our hearts , " retorted Miss Oliver .

" don't you think that is a kind of swearing , Susan ?

what is the difference between slamming a door viciously and saying d "

" Susan , you 're a good soul a very pearl of Susans !

but , Susan , it would be such a relief to say just one soft , low , little tiny d - "

Susan shook her head ominously as she filled the hot-water bottle .

the war was certainly relaxing the standards of behaviour woefully .

here was Miss Oliver admittedly on the point of profanity .

Gertrude rallied and carried on .

Lord Kitchener went to Greece , whereat Susan foretold that Constantine would soon experience a change of heart .

Lloyd George began to heckle the Allies regarding equipment and guns and Susan said you would hear more of Lloyd George yet .

the gallant Anzacs withdrew from Gallipoli and Susan approved the step , with reservations .

the siege of Kut-El-Amara began and Susan pored over maps of Mesopotamia and abused the Turks .

Henry Ford started for Europe and Susan flayed him with sarcasm .

not a move on the great chess-board of king or bishop or pawn escaped Susan , who had once read only Glen St Mary notes .

it may be broadening to the mind , as the doctor said , but it is very painful to the feelings . "

when Christmas came again Susan did not set any vacant places at the festive board .

two empty chairs were too much even for Susan who had thought in September that there would not be one .

" this is the first Christmas that Walter was not home , " Rilla wrote in her diary that night .

" Jem used to be away for Christmases up in Avonlea , but Walter never was .

I had letters from Ken and him today .

they are still in England but expect to be in the trenches very soon .

and then but I suppose we 'll be able to endure it somehow .

the raindrops streaming over the panes look like tears running down a face , and the wind is shrieking through the maple grove .

" this hasn't been a nice Christmas Day in any way .

he has had croup twice since October .

but Susan was cool as a fish and knew just what to do , and by morning Jims was all right .

that child is a cross between a duck and an imp .

he 's a year and four months old , trots about everywhere , and says quite a few words .

he has the cutest little way of calling me " Willa-will . "

it always brings back that dreadful , ridiculous , delightful night when Ken came to say good-bye , and I was so furious and happy .

Jims is pink and white and big-eyed and curly-haired and every now and then I discover a new dimple in him .

nobody has ever heard a word from Jim Anderson .

if he never comes back I shall keep Jims always .

everybody here worships and spoils him or would spoil him if Morgan and I didn't stand remorselessly in the way .

Doc turned into Mr Hyde on his way down and landed in a currant bush , spitting and swearing .

her new silk dress was ruined and nobody could blame her for being vexed .

but I kept the lid on till she had waddled away and then I exploded .

" ' The fat , clumsy , horrid old thing , ' I said and oh , what a satisfaction it was to say it .

" ' She has three sons at the front , ' mother said rebukingly .

" ' I suppose that covers all her shortcomings in manners , ' I retorted .

it 's a little hard to remember all the heroines .

" I had to bring out my green velvet hat again lately and begin wearing it .

I hung on to my blue straw sailor as long as I could .

how I hate the green velvet hat !

it is so elaborate and conspicuous .

I don't see how I could ever have liked it .

but I vowed to wear it and wear it I will .

" Shirley and I went down to the station this morning to take Little Dog Monday a bang-up Christmas dinner .

Dog Monday waits and watches there still , with just as much hope and confidence as ever .

we never try to coax him home now : we know it is of no use .

" Fred Arnold was here last night .

he was eighteen in November and is going to enlist just as soon as his mother is over an operation she has to have .

I can't tell him about Ken because , after all , what is there to tell ?

and yet I don't like to behave coldly and distantly when he will be going away so soon .

it is very perplexing .

" I am learning to cook .

Susan is teaching me .

I tried to learn long ago but no , let me be honest Susan tried to teach me , which is a very different thing .

I never seemed to succeed with anything and I got discouraged .

anyhow , I can make dandy short-bread and fruitcake .

I got ambitious last week and attempted cream puffs , but made an awful failure of them .

they came out of the oven flat as flukes .

I thought maybe the cream would fill them up again and make them plump but it didn't .

I think Susan was secretly pleased .

I wonder if Susan tampered but no , I won't suspect her of such a thing .

Susan positively turned pea-green .

I do not want to be narrow-minded , Mrs Dr dear , but I still think it is better not to mention such things . '

" Miranda grew confidential over our vermin shirts and told me all her troubles .

she is desperately unhappy .

she is engaged to Joe Milgrave and Joe joined up in October and has been training in Charlottetown ever since .

her father was furious when he joined and forbade Miranda ever to have any dealing or communication with him again .

Miranda wants to marry him but cannot , and she declares it will break her heart .

" ' Why don't you run away and marry him ? '

I said .

it didn't go against my conscience in the least to give her such advice .

but Miranda shook her silvery head dolefully .

" ' Joe wants me to but I can't .

to picture Whiskers-on-the-moon as the hero of an elopement is beyond my power .

but such was the case and Mrs Pryor at least lived to repent it .

she had a hard life of it with Mr Pryor , and she thought it was a punishment on her for running away .

so she made Miranda promise she would never , for any reason whatever , do it .

but Miranda said that couldn't be managed .

" I am not writing like this for lack of any real sympathy with poor Miranda .

I wonder if I have .

" I wish I could help Miranda .

it would be very romantic to contrive a war-wedding and I should dearly love to get the better of Whiskers-on-the-moon .

but at present the oracle has not spoken . "

CHAPTER XVIII

a WAR-WEDDING

they were all in the big Ingleside kitchen .

Susan was mixing biscuits for supper .

Cousin Sophia was also there , knitting .

into this peaceful scene erupted the doctor , wrathful and excited over the burning of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa .

and Susan became automatically quite as wrathful and excited .

" what will those Huns do next ? " she demanded .

" coming over here and burning our Parliament building !

did anyone ever hear of such an outrage ? "

" we don't know that the Germans are responsible for this , " said the doctor much as if he felt quite sure they were .

" fires do start without their agency sometimes .

and Uncle Mark MacAllister 's barn was burnt last week .

you can hardly accuse the Germans of that , Susan . "

" indeed , Dr. dear , I do not know . "

Susan nodded slowly and portentously .

" Whiskers-on-the-moon was there that very day .

the fire broke out half an hour after he was gone .

so much is a fact but I shall not accuse a Presbyterian elder of burning anybody 's barn until I have proof .

so no doubt Germany is anxious to get square with him . "

" I could never speak at a recruiting meeting , " said Cousin Sophia solemnly .

" I could never reconcile it to my conscience to ask another woman 's son to go , to murder and be murdered . "

" could you not ? " said Susan .

think of that , Sophia Crawford " Susan shook a floury finger at Sophia " not one child under eight years of age ! "

" I suppose the Germans has et ' em all , " sighed Cousin Sophia .

" the Germans have not turned cannibal yet as far as I know .

they have died of starvation and exposure , the poor little creatures .

there is murdering for you , Cousin Sophia Crawford .

the thought of it poisons every bite and sup I take . "

" I see that Fred Carson of Lowbridge has been awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal , " remarked the doctor , over his local paper .

" I heard that last week , " said Susan .

" he is a battalion runner and he did something extra brave and daring .

his letter , telling his folks about it , came when his old Grandmother Carson was on her dying-bed .

I want to think over this splendid news and I have not much time left to do it . '

that was Almira Carson all over .

Fred was the apple of her eye .

she was seventy-five years of age and had not a grey hair in her head , they tell me . "

" by the way , that reminds me I found a grey hair this morning my very first , " said Mrs Blythe .

" I have noticed that grey hair for some time , Mrs Dr dear , but I did not speak of it .

thought I to myself , ' She has enough to bear . '

but now that you have discovered it let me remind you that grey hairs are honourable . "

" I must be getting old , Gilbert . "

Mrs Blythe laughed a trifle ruefully .

" people are beginning to tell me I look so young .

they never tell you that when you are young .

but I shall not worry over my silver thread .

I never liked red hair .

Gilbert , did I ever tell you of that time , years ago at Green Gables , when I dyed my hair ?

nobody but Marilla and I knew about it . "

" was that the reason you came out once with your hair shingled to the bone ? "

" yes .

I bought a bottle of dye from a German Jew pedlar .

I fondly expected it would turn my hair black and it turned it green .

so it had to be cut off . "

" you had a narrow escape , Mrs Dr dear , " exclaimed Susan .

" of course you were too young then to know what a German was .

it was a special mercy of Providence that it was only green dye and not poison . "

" it seems hundreds of years since those Green Gables days , " sighed Mrs . Blythe .

" they belonged to another world altogether .

life has been cut in two by the chasm of war .

what is ahead I don't know but it can't be a bit like the past .

one feels as if one was reading something as ancient as the Iliad .

this poem of Wordsworth 's the Senior class have it in their entrance work I 've been glancing over it .

" there are so many passages in it that seem to me exactly descriptive of the Huns .

it would , in my humble opinion , Mrs Dr dear , be too great an honour for him . "

Sir Wilfrid grew and flourished and waxed fat ; but Miranda spoiled him absurdly and nobody else liked him .

" oh , can't he come , too ? " said Miranda wistfully .

" Poor Wilfy won't be any bother and I wiped his paws so carefully before I brought him in .

" oh , Rilla , " sobbed Miranda , when they had reached sanctuary .

" I 'm so unhappy .

I can't begin to tell you how unhappy I am .

truly , my heart is breaking . "

Rilla sat down on the lounge beside her .

Sir Wilfrid squatted on his haunches before them , with his impertinent pink tongue stuck out , and listened .

" what is the trouble , Miranda ? "

" Joe is coming home tonight on his last leave .

" does he still want you to marry him ? " asked Rilla .

" oh , yes .

he implored me in his letter to run away and be married .

but I cannot do that , Rilla , not even for Joe .

my only comfort is that I will be able to see him for a little while tomorrow afternoon .

father has to go to Charlottetown on business .

at least we will have one good farewell talk .

but oh afterwards why , Rilla , I know father won't even let me go to the station Friday morning to see Joe off . "

" why in the world don't you and Joe get married tomorrow afternoon at home ? " demanded Rilla .

Miranda swallowed a sob in such amazement that she almost choked .

" why why that is impossible , Rilla . "

" why ? " briefly demanded the organizer of the Junior Red Cross and the transporter of babies in soup tureens .

Rilla Blythe thought hard and rapidly for a few minutes .

" oh , you couldn't . "

" I can and I will .

but you 'll have to do exactly as I tell you . "

" oh I don't think oh , father will kill me "

" nonsense .

he 'll be very angry I suppose .

but are you more afraid of your father 's anger than you are of Joe 's never coming back to you ? "

" no , " said Miranda , with sudden firmness , " I'm not . "

" will you do as I tell you then ? "

" yes , I will . "

" then get Joe on the long-distance at once and tell him to bring out a license and ring tonight . "

" oh , I couldn't , " wailed the aghast Miranda , " it it would be so so indelicate . "

Rilla shut her little white teeth together with a snap .

" Heaven grant me patience , " she said under her breath .

" I 'll do it then , " she said aloud , " and meanwhile , you go home and make what preparations you can .

when I ' phone down to you to come up and help me sew come at once . "

" is that you , Joe ?

Rilla Blythe is speaking Rilla Rilla oh , never mind .

listen to this .

before you come home tonight get a marriage license a marriage license yes , a marriage license and a wedding-ring .

did you get that ?

and will you do it ?

very well , be sure you do it it is your only chance . "

flushed with triumph for her only fear was that she might not be able to locate Joe in time Rilla rang the Pryor ring .

this time she had not such good luck for she drew Whiskers-on-the-moon .

" is that Miranda ?

oh Mr . Pryor !

well , Mr Pryor , will you kindly ask Miranda if she can come up this afternoon and help me with some sewing .

it is very important , or I would not trouble her .

oh thank you . "

" a wedding-cake ! "

Susan stared .

Rilla had , without any warning , brought her a war-baby once upon a time .

was she now , with equal suddenness , going to produce a husband ?

" yes , a wedding-cake a scrumptious wedding-cake , Susan a beautiful , plummy , eggy , citron-peely wedding-cake .

and we must make other things too .

I 'll help you in the morning .

Susan felt that she was really too old to be subjected to such shocks .

" who are you going to marry , Rilla ? " she asked feebly .

" Susan , darling , I am not the happy bride .

Miranda Pryor is going to marry Joe Milgrave tomorrow afternoon while her father is away in town .

A war-wedding , Susan isn't that thrilling and romantic ?

I never was so excited in my life . "

the excitement soon spread over Ingleside , infecting even Mrs Blythe and Susan .

" I 'll go to work on that cake at once , " vowed Susan , with a glance at the clock .

" Mrs Dr dear , will you pick over the fruit and beat up the eggs ?

if you will I can have that cake ready for the oven by the evening .

tomorrow morning we can make salads and other things .

I will work all night if necessary to get the better of Whiskers-on-the-moon . "

Miranda arrived , tearful and breathless .

" we must fix over my white dress for you to wear , " said Rilla .

" it will fit you very nicely with a little alteration . "

to work went the two girls , ripping , fitting , basting , sewing for dear life .

by dint of unceasing effort they got the dress done by seven o'clock and Miranda tried it on in Rilla 's room .

" it 's very pretty but oh , if I could just have a veil , " sighed Miranda .

" I 've always dreamed of being married in a lovely white veil . "

some good fairy evidently waits on the wishes of war-brides .

the door opened and Mrs Blythe came in , her arms full of a filmy burden .

" Miranda dear , " she said , " I want you to wear my wedding-veil tomorrow .

" oh , how sweet of you , Mrs Blythe , " said Miranda , the ready tears starting to her eyes .

the veil was tried on and draped .

Susan dropped in to approve but dared not linger .

" I 've got that cake in the oven , " she said , " and I am pursuing a policy of watchful waiting .

the evening news is that the Grand Duke has captured Erzerum .

that is a pill for the Turks .

I wish I had a chance to tell the Czar just what a mistake he made when he turned Nicholas down . "

Susan disappeared downstairs to the kitchen , whence a dreadful thud and a piercing shriek presently sounded .

everybody rushed to the kitchen the doctor and Miss Oliver , Mrs Blythe , Rilla , Miranda in her wedding-veil .

" Susan , what has happened ? " cried Mrs Blythe in alarm .

" did you fall ?

are you hurt ? "

Susan picked herself up .

" no , " she said grimly , " I am not hurt , though I am jarred all over .

do not be alarmed .

as for what has happened I tried to kick that darned cat with both feet , that is what happened . "

everybody shrieked with laughter .

the doctor was quite helpless .

" oh , Susan , Susan , " he gasped .

" that I should live to hear you swear . "

" I am sorry , " said Susan in real distress , " that I used such an expression before two young girls .

but I said that beast was darned , and darned it is .

it belongs to Old Nick . "

" do you expect it will vanish some of these days with a bang and the odour of brimstone , Susan ? "

" I suppose my plunking down like that has shaken my cake so that it will be as heavy as lead . "

but the cake was not heavy .

it was all a bride 's cake should be , and Susan iced it beautifully .

Joe soon arrived in his uniform and a state of violent excitement , accompanied by his best man , Sergeant Malcolm Crawford .

Mrs Dead Angus wore a rather disapproving expression , not caring over-much for this alliance with the house of Whiskers-on-the-moon .

so Miranda Pryor was married to Private Joseph Milgrave on his last leave .

it should have been a romantic wedding but it was not .

there were too many factors working against romance , as even Rilla had to admit .

in the first place , Miranda , in spite of her dress and veil , was such a flat-faced , commonplace , uninteresting little bride .

in the second place , Joe cried bitterly all through the ceremony , and this vexed Miranda unreasonably .

but it was just because he was thinking all the time of how soon he would have to leave me . "

in the fourth place , Sir Wilfrid Laurier took a fit .

Sir Wilfrid was entrenched in a corner of the room behind Miranda 's piano .

during his seizure he made the weirdest , most unearthly noises .

he would begin with a series of choking , spasmodic sounds , continuing into a gruesome gurgle , and ending up with a strangled howl .

nobody could hear a word Mr Meredith was saying , except now and then , when Sir Wilfrid stopped for breath .

nobody looked at the bride except Susan , who never dragged her fascinated eyes from Miranda 's face all the others were gazing at the dog .

Miranda had been trembling with nervousness but as soon as Sir Wilfrid began his performance she forgot it .

all that she could think of was that her dear dog was dying and she could not go to him .

she never remembered a word of the ceremony .

everybody had brought something .

Mrs Dead Angus had brought a large apple-pie , which she placed on a chair in the dining-room and then absently sat down on it .

neither her temper nor her black silk wedding garment was improved thereby , but the pie was never missed at the gay bridal feast .

Mrs Dead Angus eventually took it home with her again .

Whiskers-on-the-moon 's pacifist pig should not get it , anyhow .

" I would really not have minded being a war-bride myself , " remarked Susan sentimentally .

but Rilla felt rather flat perhaps as a reaction to all the excitement and rush of the past thirty-six hours .

she was disappointed somehow the whole affair had been so ludicrous , and Miranda and Joe so lachrymose and commonplace .

" if Miranda hadn't given that wretched dog such an enormous dinner he wouldn't have had that fit , " she said crossly .

" I warned her but she said she couldn't starve the poor dog he would soon be all she had left , etc .

I could have shaken her . "

" the best man was more excited than Joe was , " said Susan .

" he wished Miranda many happy returns of the day .

she did not look very happy , but perhaps you could not expect that under the circumstances . "

" anyhow , " thought Rilla , " I can write a perfectly killing account of it all to the boys .

how Jem will howl over Sir Wilfrid 's part in it ! "

the dawn was white as a pearl , clear as a diamond .

behind the station the balsamy copse of young firs was frost-misted .

the cold moon of dawn hung over the westering snow fields but the golden fleeces of sunrise shone above the maples up at Ingleside .

Joe took his pale little bride in his arms and she lifted her face to his .

Rilla choked suddenly .

it did not matter that Miranda was insignificant and commonplace and flat-featured .

it did not matter that she was the daughter of Whiskers-on-the-moon .

Rilla walked away , realising that she must not spy on such a moment .

she went down to the end of the platform where Sir Wilfrid and Dog Monday were sitting , looking at each other .

is it a pose ?

or a fixed idea ? "

Whereat Dog Monday , laconically : " I have a tryst to keep . "

when the train had gone Rilla rejoined the little trembling Miranda .

I 'm going home . "

" don't you think you had better come with me now ? " asked Rilla doubtfully .

nobody knew yet how Mr Pryor had taken the matter .

" no .

if Joe can face the Huns I guess I can face father , " said Miranda daringly .

" a soldier 's wife can't be a coward .

come on , Wilfy .

I 'll go straight home and meet the worst . "

there was nothing very dreadful to face , however .

CHAPTER XIX

" THEY SHALL NOT PASS "

one cold grey morning in February Gertrude Oliver wakened with a shiver , slipped into Rilla 's room , and crept in beside her .

" Rilla I 'm frightened frightened as a baby I 've had another of my strange dreams .

something terrible is before us I know . "

" what was it ? " asked Rilla .

I could see its shadow racing before it and when it enveloped me I shivered with icy cold .

then the storm broke and it was a dreadful storm blinding flash after flash and deafening peal after peal , driving torrents of rain .

then I awakened .

I am sure of it .

the Germans will try to smash through somewhere . "

" but he told you that they would not pass , " said Rilla , seriously .

she never laughed at Gertrude 's dreams as the doctor did .

we shall need all our courage before long . "

Susan 's deeds were in her spotless kitchen at Ingleside , but her thoughts were on the hills around Verdun .

Susan could have drawn a map of the country around Verdun that would have satisfied a chief of staff .

" if the Germans capture Verdun the spirit of France will be broken , " Miss Oliver said bitterly .

it seemed to me like Biblical times when people dreamed things like that quite frequently .

" I know I know , " said Gertrude , walking restlessly about .

" I cling to a persistent faith in my dream , too but every time bad news comes it fails me .

then I tell myself ' mere coincidence ' ' subconscious memory ' and so forth . "

I would rather not be , if it makes anything as simple as that so hard to believe .

but in any case we need not worry over Verdun , even if the Huns get it .

Joffre says it has no military significance . "

" that old sop of comfort has been served up too often already when reverses came , " retorted Gertrude .

" it has lost its power to charm . "

" was there ever a battle like this in the world before ? " said Mr Meredith , one evening in mid-April .

" it 's such a titanic thing we can't grasp it , " said the doctor .

" what were the scraps of a few Homeric handfuls compared to this ?

the whole Trojan war might be fought around a Verdun fort and a newspaper correspondent would give it no more than a sentence .

as Susan and Joffre say , it has no real military significance ; but it has the tremendous significance of an Idea .

if Germany wins there she will win the war .

if she loses , the tide will set against her . "

" lose she will , " said Mr Meredith : emphatically .

" the Idea cannot be conquered .

France is certainly very wonderful .

it seems to me that in her I see the white form of civilization making a determined stand against the black powers of barbarism .

I think our whole world realizes this and that is why we all await the issue so breathlessly .

it isn't merely the question of a few forts changing hands or a few miles of blood-soaked ground lost and won . "

is the agony in which the world is shuddering the birth-pang of some wondrous new era ?

or is it merely a futile

struggle of ants In the gleam of a million million of suns ?

we think very lightly , Mr Meredith , of a calamity which destroys an ant-hill and half its inhabitants .

does the Power that runs the universe think us of more importance than we think ants ? "

we are neither , therefore there are things too little as well as too great for us to apprehend .

to the infinitely little an ant is of as much importance as a mastodon .

we are witnessing the birth-pangs of a new era but it will be born a feeble , wailing life like everything else .

I am not one of those who expect a new heaven and a new earth as the immediate result of this war .

that is not the way God works .

but work He does , Miss Oliver , and in the end His purpose will be fulfilled . "

" sound and orthodox sound and orthodox , " muttered Susan approvingly in the kitchen .

Susan liked to see Miss Oliver sat upon by the minister now and then .

in May Walter wrote home that he had been awarded a D.C. medal .

he did not say what for , but the other boys took care that the Glen should know the brave thing Walter had done .

" he should have had the V.C. , " said Susan , and was very indignant over it .

Rilla was beside herself with delight .

oh , she could see his white beautiful face and wonderful eyes as he did it !

what a thing to be the sister of such a hero !

and he hadn't thought it worth while writing about .

" I 've been thinking of the daffodils in the garden at Ingleside , " he wrote .

" by the time you get this they will be out , blowing there under that lovely rosy sky .

are they really as bright and golden as ever , Rilla ?

it seems to me that they must be dyed red with blood like our poppies here .

and every whisper of spring will be falling as a violet in Rainbow Valley .

" there is a young moon tonight a slender , silver , lovely thing hanging over these pits of torment .

will you see it tonight over the maple grove ?

" I 'm enclosing a little scrap of verse , Rilla .

I 've had that feeling once or twice before , but very rarely and never so strongly as this time .

that was why I sent it over to the London Spectator .

it printed it and the copy came today .

I hope you 'll like it .

it 's the only poem I 've written since I came overseas . "

the poem was a short , poignant little thing .

in a month it had carried Walter 's name to every corner of the globe .

a Canadian lad in the Flanders trenches had written the one great poem of the war .

" the Piper , " by Pte .

Walter Blythe , was a classic from its first printing .

I am sure I could never be as splendid as Miss Oliver was .

" just a week ago today she had a letter from Mr Grant 's mother in Charlottetown .

and it told her that a cable had just come saying that Major Robert Grant had been killed in action a few days before .

" oh , poor Gertrude !

at first she was crushed .

then after just a day she pulled herself together and went back to her school .

she did not cry I never saw her shed a tear but oh , her face and her eyes !

" ' I must go on with my work , ' she said .

' That is my duty just now . '

" I could never have risen to such a height .

" she never spoke bitterly except once , when Susan said something about spring being here at last , and Gertrude said ,

" ' Can the spring really come this year ? '

" ' Observe my egotism .

because I , Gertrude Oliver , have lost a friend , it is incredible that the spring can come as usual .

the spring does not fail because of the million agonies of others but for mine oh , can the universe go on ? '

" ' Don't feel bitter with yourself , dear , ' mother said gently .

we all feel like that . '

" then that horrid old Cousin Sophia of Susan 's piped up .

she was sitting there , knitting and croaking like an old ' raven of bode and woe ' as Walter used to call her .

" ' You ain't as bad off as some , Miss Oliver , ' she said , ' and you shouldn't take it so hard .

there 's some as has lost their husbands ; that 's a hard blow ; and there 's some as has lost their sons .

you haven't lost either husband or son . '

" ' No , ' said Gertrude , more bitterly still .

' It 's true I haven't lost a husband I have only lost the man who would have been my husband .

" ' I suffered the loss of two good kind partners , ' she said , ' but it did not affect me like that . '

" I should think it wouldn't !

those poor men must have been thankful to die .

" I heard Gertrude walking up and down her room most of the night .

she walked like that every night .

but never so long as that night .

and once I heard her give a dreadful sudden little cry as if she had been stabbed .

I couldn't sleep for suffering with her ; and I couldn't help her .

I thought the night would never end .

but it did ; and then ' joy came in the morning ' as the Bible says .

only it didn't come exactly in the morning but well along in the afternoon .

the telephone rang and I answered it .

they hadn't learned yet how the mistake had happened but supposed there must have been another Robert Grant .

" I hung up the telephone and flew to Rainbow Valley .

I 'm sure I did fly I can't remember my feet ever touching the ground .

I ought to have had more sense , of course .

but I was so crazy with joy and excitement that I never stopped to think .

Gertrude just dropped there among the golden young ferns as if she had been shot .

the fright it gave me ought to make me sensible in this respect at least for the rest of my life .

I thought I had killed her I remembered that her mother had died very suddenly from heart failure when quite a young woman .

it seemed years to me before I discovered that her heart was still beating .

a pretty time I had !

but I knew theoretically how people in a faint should be treated , and now I know it practically .

luckily the brook was handy , and after I had worked frantically over her for a while Gertrude came back to life .

she never said one word about my news and I didn't dare to refer to it again .

I never saw anyone cry so before .

all the tears that she hadn't shed all that week came then .

" Di and Nan are home for a couple of weeks .

then they go back to Red Cross work in the training camp at Kingsport .

I envy them .

father says I 'm doing just as good work here , with Jims and my Junior Reds .

but it lacks the romance theirs must have .

" Kut has fallen .

it was almost a relief when it did fall , we had been dreading it so long .

it crushed us flat for a day and then we picked up and put it behind us .

Cousin Sophia was as gloomy as usual and came over and groaned that the British were losing everywhere .

" ' They 're good losers , ' said Susan grimly .

' When they lose a thing they keep on looking till they find it again !

it will divert your thoughts and keep you from worrying over a campaign that you are not called upon to run . '

" Susan is an old brick , and the way she flattens out poor Cousin Sophia is beautiful to behold .

" as for Verdun , the battle goes on and on , and we see-saw between hope and fear .

but I know that strange dream of Miss Oliver 's foretold the victory of France .

' They shall not pass . ' "

CHAPTER XX

NORMAN DOUGLAS SPEAKS OUT IN MEETING

Anne came back with a little sigh .

it is always so silent now but I was imagining I heard clear voices and gay , childish sounds coming up as I used to .

the doctor did not answer .

sometimes his work tricked him into forgetting for a few moments the Western front , but not often .

there was a good deal of grey now in his still thick curls that had not been there two years ago .

Susan wandered by with a hoe in her hand and her second best bonnet on her head .

" I have just finished reading a piece in the Enterprise which told of a couple being married in an aeroplane .

do you think it would be legal , doctor dear ? " she inquired anxiously .

" I think so , " said the doctor gravely .

but nothing is the same as it used to be .

but all the time I am strafing them I will be thinking about this new worry in the Trentino .

I do not like this Austrian caper , Mrs Dr dear . "

" nor I , " said Mrs Blythe ruefully .

" all the forenoon I preserved rhubarb with my hands and waited for the war news with my soul .

when it came I shrivelled .

well , I suppose I must go and get ready for the prayer-meeting , too . "

they are told at weddings and festivals , and rehearsed around winter firesides .

the union prayer-meeting was Mr Arnold 's idea .

the county battalion , which had been training all winter in Charlottetown , was to leave shortly for overseas .

Mr Meredith having agreed , the meeting was announced to be held in the Methodist Church .

glen prayer-meetings were not apt to be too well attended , but on this particular evening the Methodist Church was crowded .

everybody who could go was there .

even Miss Cornelia came and it was the first time in her life that Miss Cornelia had ever set foot inside a Methodist Church .

it took no less than a world conflict to bring that about .

there is no sense in hating Methodists when there is a Kaiser or a Hindenburg in the world . "

so Miss Cornelia went .

Norman Douglas and his wife went too .

and Whiskers-on-the-moon strutted up the aisle to a front pew , as if he fully realized what a distinction he conferred upon the building .

people were somewhat surprised that he should be there , since he usually avoided all assemblages connected in any way with the war .

but Mr Meredith had said that he hoped his session would be well represented , and Mr Pryor had evidently taken the request to heart .

the prayer-meeting opened conventionally and continued quietly .

Mr Meredith spoke first with his usual eloquence and feeling .

Mr Arnold followed with an address which even Miss Cornelia had to confess was irreproachable in taste and subject-matter .

and then Mr Arnold asked Mr Pryor to lead in prayer .

Miss Cornelia had always averred that Mr . Arnold had no gumption .

some people expected Mr Pryor to refuse grumpily and that would have made enough scandal .

but Mr Pryor bounded briskly to his feet , unctuously said , " let us pray , " and forthwith prayed .

but one man at least in that audience was not hampered by inherited or acquired reverence for the sacred edifice .

Norman Douglas was , as Susan had often vowed crisply , nothing more or less than a " pagan . "

with a positive roar he bounded to his feet in his side pew , facing the audience , and shouted in tones of thunder :

" stop stop STOP that abominable prayer !

what an abominable prayer ! "

every head in the church flew up .

a boy in khaki at the back gave a faint cheer .

Mr Meredith raised a deprecating hand , but Norman was past caring for anything like that .

Mr Pryor 's once ruddy face was ashen .

but he turned at bay .

" I 'll have the law on you for this , " he gasped .

" do do , " roared Norman , making another rush .

but Mr Pryor was gone .

he had no desire to fall a second time into the hands of an avenging militarist .

Norman turned to the platform for one graceless , triumphant moment .

" don't look so flabbergasted , parsons , " he boomed .

" you couldn't do it nobody would expect it of the cloth but somebody had to do it .

you know you're glad I threw him out he couldn't be let go on yammering and yodelling and yawping sedition and treason .

sedition and treason somebody had to deal with it .

I was born for this hour I 've had my innings in church at last .

I can sit quiet for another sixty years now !

go ahead with your meeting , parsons .

I reckon you won't be troubled with any more pacifist prayers . "

but the spirit of devotion and reverence had fled .

both ministers realized it and realized that the only thing to do was to close the meeting quietly and let the excited people go .

and he knew that the same picture was in everybody 's mind .

altogether the union prayer-meeting could hardly be called an unqualified success .

but it was remembered in Glen St Mary when scores of orthodox and undisturbed assemblies were totally forgotten .

" if Ellen Douglas is not a proud woman this night she should be . "

" Norman Douglas did a wholly indefensible thing , " said the doctor .

" Pryor should have been let severely alone until the meeting was over .

then later on , his own minister and session should deal with him .

that would have been the proper procedure .

CHAPTER XXI

" LOVE AFFAIRS ARE HORRIBLE "

Ingleside @date@

I feel that I shall be a far greater stickler for propriety in regard to them than I am for myself !

" the first week in June was another dreadful one .

Susan was the only one who carried on .

' You need never tell me that the Kaiser has defeated the British Navy , ' she said , with a contemptuous sniff .

' It is all a German lie and that you may tie to . '

" it took Kitchener 's death to finish Susan .

for the first time I saw her down and out .

we all felt the shock of it but Susan plumbed the depths of despair .

the news came at night by ' phone but Susan wouldn't believe it until she saw the Enterprise headline the next day .

so the world is not left wholly desolate .

why cry , Mrs Dr dear ? '

Susan continued in this stony , hopeless condition for twenty-four hours , and then Cousin Sophia appeared and began to condole with her .

" ' This is terrible news , ain't it , Susan ?

we might as well prepare for the worst for it is bound to come .

you said once and well do I remember the words , Susan Baker that you had complete confidence in God and Kitchener .

ah well , Susan Baker , there is only God left now . '

" Whereat Cousin Sophia put her handkerchief to her eyes pathetically as if the world were indeed in terrible straits .

as for Susan , Cousin Sophia was the salvation of her .

she came to life with a jerk .

" ' Sophia Crawford , hold your peace ! ' she said sternly .

' You may be an idiot but you need not be an irreverent idiot .

it is no more than decent to be weeping and wailing because the Almighty is the sole stay of the Allies now .

as for Kitchener , his death is a great loss and I do not dispute it .

" Susan said this so energetically that she convinced herself and cheered up immediately .

but Cousin Sophia shook her head .

them Russians has such a habit of petering out . '

" the Russians are doing splendidly , however , and they have saved Italy .

but even when the daily news of their sweeping advance comes we don't feel like running up the flag as we used to do .

as Gertrude says , Verdun has slain all exultation .

we would all feel more like rejoicing if the victories were on the western front .

' When will the British strike ? '

Gertrude sighed this morning .

' We have waited so long so long . '

" our greatest local event in recent weeks was the route march the county battalion made through the county before it left for overseas .

they marched from Charlottetown to Lowbridge , then round the Harbour Head and through the Upper Glen and so down to the St Mary station .

" it was wonderful and heartbreaking to see that battalion marching past .

there were young men and middle-aged men in it .

there were two South African veterans from Lowbridge , and the three eighteen-year-old Baxter triplets from Harbour Head .

at the station Dog Monday nearly went out of his head .

he tore about and sent messages to Jem by them all .

Mr Meredith read an address and Reta Crawford recited ' The Piper . '

something seems to have touched them and set them apart .

they have heard the Piper 's call .

I couldn't help it but I felt as badly as if I could .

he was desperately in earnest and I felt more wretched than I ever did in my life .

there , that is one of the entries I wouldn't want my descendants to read in this journal .

if Fred 's nose were as handsome as his eyes and mouth some such thing might have happened .

and then what an unthinkable predicament I should have been in !

" when poor Fred became convinced that I couldn't promise him , he behaved beautifully though that rather made things worse .

yet feel remorseful I did and do .

if Fred Arnold never comes back from overseas , this will haunt me all my life .

" I don't know how I could ever had imagined that love affairs were delightful , interesting things .

they are horrible .

I couldn't even give poor heartbroken Fred one little kiss , because of my promise to Ken .

it seemed so brutal .

" he said , ' It is is it Ken Ford ? '

" I nodded .

it seemed dreadful to have to tell it it was such a sacred little secret just between me and Ken .

I told her .

but she was so nice and understanding and sympathetic , oh , just so race-of-Josephy that I felt indescribably comforted .

mothers are the dearest things .

" ' Well , why didn't you kiss him ? ' asked mother coolly .

' Considering the circumstances , I think you might have . '

" ' But I couldn't , mother I promised Ken when he went away that I wouldn't kiss anybody else until he came back . '

" this was another high explosive for poor mother .

she exclaimed , with the queerest little catch in her voice , ' Rilla , are you engaged to Kenneth Ford ? '

" ' I don't know , ' I sobbed .

" ' You don't know ? ' repeated mother .

I felt idiotic and ashamed by the time I got through .

" mother sat a little while in silence .

then she came over , sat down beside me , and took me in her arms .

" ' Don't cry , dear little Rilla-my-Rilla .

but oh , my baby my last little baby I have lost you the war has made a woman of you too soon . '

" I shall never be too much of a woman to find comfort in mother 's hugs .

nevertheless , when I saw Fred marching by two days later in the parade , my heart ached unbearably .

" but I 'm glad mother thinks I 'm really engaged to Ken ! "

CHAPTER XXII

LITTLE DOG MONDAY KNOWS

" it is two years tonight since the dance at the light , when Jack Elliott brought us news of the war .

do you remember , Miss Oliver ? "

Cousin Sophia answered for Miss Oliver .

didn't I warn you that we could not tell what was before us ?

Little did you think that night what was before you . "

" Little did any of us think that , " said Susan sharply , " not being gifted with the power of prophecy .

I could do as much myself . "

" we all thought the war would be over in a few months then , " said Rilla wistfully .

" when I look back it seems so ridiculous that we ever could have supposed it . "

" and now , two years later , it is no nearer the end than it was then , " said Miss Oliver gloomily .

Susan clicked her knitting-needles briskly .

" now , Miss Oliver , dear , you know that is not a reasonable remark .

you know we are just two years nearer the end , whenever the end is appointed to be . "

but five more years of this ! "

" I 've no faith in furriners , " sighed Cousin Sophia .

" the French are foreigners , " retorted Susan , " and look at Verdun .

and think of all the Somme victories this blessed summer .

the Big Push is on and the Russians are still going well .

why , General Haig says that the German officers he has captured admit that they have lost the war . "

" you can't believe a word the Germans say , " protested Cousin Sophia .

" there is no sense in believing a thing just because you 'd like to believe it , Susan Baker .

the British have lost millions of men at the Somme and how far have they got ?

look facts in the face , Susan Baker , look facts in the face . "

the Huns have not got all the cleverness in the world .

have you not heard the story of Alistair MacCallum 's son Roderick , from the Upper Glen ?

he is a prisoner in Germany and his mother got a letter from him last week .

so he let it pass , never dreaming how he was diddled .

well , I am going to leave the war to Haig for the rest of the day and make a frosting for my chocolate cake .

and when it is made I shall put it on the top shelf .

we had company for tea that night and when I went to get my cake what a sight did I behold ! "

" has that pore orphan 's father never been heerd from yet ? " asked Cousin Sophia .

" yes , I had a letter from him in July , " said Rilla .

" it took him two years to begin to think it , " said Susan scornfully .

" some people think very slow .

Jim Anderson has not got a scratch , for all he has been two years in the trenches .

a fool for luck , as the old proverb says . "

" he wrote very nicely about Jims and said he 'd like to see him , " said Rilla .

" so I wrote and told him all about the wee man , and sent him snapshots .

Jims will be two years old next week and he is a perfect duck . "

" you didn't used to be very fond of babies , " said Cousin Sophia .

" I 'm not a bit fonder of babies in the abstract than ever I was , " said Rilla , frankly .

" you wasn't hoping the man would be killed ! " cried Cousin Sophia in horrified accents .

" no no no !

I just hoped he would go on forgetting about Jims , Mrs Crawford . "

" and then your pa would have the expense of raising him , " said Cousin Sophia reprovingly .

" you young creeturs are terrible thoughtless . "

Jims himself ran in at this juncture , so rosy and curly and kissable , that he extorted a qualified compliment even from Cousin Sophia .

" he 's a reel healthy-looking child now , though mebbee his colour is a mite too high sorter consumptive looking , as you might say .

I never thought you 'd raise him when I saw him the day after you brung him home .

I reely did not think it was in you and I told Albert 's wife so when I got home .

Albert 's wife says , says she , ' There 's more in Rilla Blythe than you 'd think for , Aunt Sophia . '

them was her very words .

' More in Rilla Blythe than you 'd think for . '

Albert 's wife always had a good opinion of you . "

Cousin Sophia sighed , as if to imply that Albert 's wife stood alone in this against the world .

but Cousin Sophia really did not mean that .

she was quite fond of Rilla in her own melancholy way ; but young creeturs had to be kept down .

if they were not kept down society would be demoralized .

" do you remember your walk home from the light two years ago tonight ? " whispered Gertrude Oliver to Rilla , teasingly .

where would Ken be tonight ?

two of them were sleeping under the Flanders poppies Alec Burr from the Upper Glen , and Clark Manley of Lowbridge .

others were wounded in the hospitals .

but so far nothing had touched the manse and the Ingleside boys .

they seemed to bear charmed lives .

yet the suspense never grew any easier to bear as the weeks and months of war went by .

" the danger is just as great and just as real as it was the first day they went into the trenches .

I know this , and it tortures me every day .

and yet I can't help hoping that since they 've come this far unhurt they 'll come through .

I can't picture such a state of things somehow .

and two years ago this morning I woke wondering what delightful gift the new day would give me .

these are the two years I thought would be filled with fun . "

" would you exchange them now for two years filled with fun ? "

" no , " said Rilla slowly .

" I wouldn't .

it 's strange isn't it ?

I wouldn't want to go back and be the girl I was two years ago , not even if I could .

not that I think I 've made any wonderful progress but I 'm not quite the selfish , frivolous little doll I was then .

I suppose I had a soul then , Miss Oliver but I didn't know it .

I know it now and that is worth a great deal worth all the suffering of the past two years .

" we never do , " said Miss Oliver .

" that is why we are not left to choose our own means and measure of development , I suppose .

No matter how much we value what our lessons have brought us we don't want to go on with the bitter schooling .

Rumania did come in and Susan remarked approvingly that its king and queen were the finest looking royal couple she had seen pictures of .

so the summer passed away .

Early in September word came that the Canadians had been shifted to the Somme front and anxiety grew tenser and deeper .

" oh , let me work let me work , Gilbert , " she entreated feverishly .

" while I 'm working I don't think so much .

if I 'm idle I imagine everything rest is only torture for me .

my two boys are on the frightful Somme front and Shirley pores day and night over aviation literature and says nothing .

but I see the purpose growing in his eyes .

no , I cannot rest don't ask it of me , Gilbert . "

but the doctor was inexorable .

" I can't let you kill yourself , Anne-girl , " he said .

" when the boys come back I want a mother here to welcome them .

why , you 're getting transparent .

it won't do ask Susan there if it will do . "

" oh , if Susan and you are both banded together against me ! " said Anne helplessly .

one day the glorious news came that the Canadians had taken Courcelette and Martenpuich , with many prisoners and guns .

Susan ran up the flag and said it was plain to be seen that Haig knew what soldiers to pick for a hard job .

the others dared not feel exultant .

who knew what price had been paid ?

Just at dawn the world looks as it never looks at any other time .

the air was cold with dew and the orchard and grove and Rainbow Valley were full of mystery and wonder .

over the eastern hill were golden deeps and silvery-pink shallows .

there was no wind , and Rilla heard distinctly a dog howling in a melancholy way down in the direction of the station .

was it Dog Monday ?

and if it were , why was he howling like that ?

Rilla shivered ; the sound had something boding and grievous in it .

Rilla listened with a curdling fear at her heart .

it was Dog Monday she felt sure of it .

whose dirge was he howling to whose spirit was he sending that anguished greeting and farewell ?

Rilla went back to bed but she could not sleep .

all day she watched and waited in a dread of which she did not speak to anyone .

she went down to see Dog Monday and the station-master said , " that dog of yours howled from midnight to sunrise something weird .

I dunno what got into him .

I got up once and went out and hollered at him but he paid no ' tention to me .

he never did it afore always slept in his kennel real quiet and canny from train to train .

but he sure had something on his mind last night . "

Dog Monday was lying in his kennel .

he wagged his tail and licked Rilla 's hand .

but he would not touch the food she brought for him .

" I 'm afraid he 's sick , " she said anxiously .

she hated to go away and leave him .

but no bad news came that day nor the next nor the next .

Rilla 's fear lifted .

Dog Monday howled no more and resumed his routine of train meeting and watching .

when five days had passed the Ingleside people began to feel that they might be cheerful again .

" ' Sing before eating , cry before sleeping , ' I 've always heard . "

but Rilla Blythe shed no tears before the nightfall .

nor did she waken to her pain for many hours .

CHAPTER XXIII

" AND SO , GOODNIGHT "

the fierce flame of agony had burned itself out and the grey dust of its ashes was over all the world .

Rilla 's younger life recovered physically sooner than her mother .

for weeks Mrs Blythe lay ill from grief and shock .

Rilla found it was possible to go on with existence , since existence had still to be reckoned with .

there was work to be done , for Susan could not do all .

she clung to Miss Oliver , who knew what to say and what not to say .

so few people did .

kind , well-meaning callers and comforters gave Rilla some terrible moments .

" you 'll get over it in time , " Mrs William Reese said , cheerfully .

Mrs Reese had three stalwart sons , not one of whom had gone to the front .

" it 's such a blessing it was Walter who was taken and not Jem , " said Miss Sarah Clow .

" Walter was a member of the church , and Jem wasn't .

I 've told Mr Meredith many a time that he should have spoken seriously to Jem about it before he went away . "

" pore , pore Walter , " sighed Mrs Reese .

" he was not poor .

he was richer than any of you .

then she went to work and ironed Jims 's little rompers .

Rilla scolded her gently for it when she herself came in to do it .

" I am not going to have you kill yourself working for any war-baby , " Susan said obstinately .

" oh , I wish I could just keep on working all the time , Susan , " cried poor Rilla .

" and I wish I didn't have to go to sleep .

do people ever get used to things like this , Susan ?

and oh , Susan , I can't get away from what Mrs Reese said .

did Walter suffer much he was always so sensitive to pain .

oh , Susan , if I knew that he didn't I think I could gather up a little courage and strength . "

this merciful knowledge was given to Rilla .

a letter came from Walter 's commanding officer , telling them that he had been killed instantly by a bullet during a charge at Courcelette .

the same day there was a letter for Rilla from Walter himself .

Rilla carried it unopened to Rainbow Valley and read it there , in the spot where she had had her last talk with him .

that could not be destroyed these could suffer no eclipse .

it must carry on , though the earthly link with things of earth were broken .

" we 're going over the top tomorrow , Rilla-my-Rilla , " wrote Walter .

" I wrote mother and Di yesterday , but somehow I feel as if I must write you tonight .

I hadn't intended to do any writing tonight but I 've got to .

well , that is just how I feel .

it 's ' laid on me ' to write you tonight you , sister and chum of mine .

there are some things I want to say before well , before tomorrow .

" you and Ingleside seem strangely near me tonight .

it 's the first time I 've felt this since I came .

always home has seemed so far away so hopelessly far away from this hideous welter of filth and blood .

but tonight it is quite close to me it seems to me I can almost see you hear you speak .

and I can see the moonlight shining white and still on the old hills of home .

I always liked that name better than ' aster ' it was a poem in itself .

" Rilla , you know I 've always had premonitions .

you remember the Pied Piper but no , of course you wouldn't you were too young .

Rilla , I saw the Piper coming down the Valley with a shadowy host behind him .

the others thought I was only pretending but I saw him for just one moment .

and Rilla , last night I saw him again .

Rilla , I tell you I saw him it was no fancy no illusion .

I heard his music , and then he was gone .

but I had seen him and I knew what it meant I knew that I was among those who followed him .

" Rilla , the Piper will pipe me ' west ' tomorrow .

I feel sure of this .

and Rilla , I 'm not afraid .

when you hear the news , remember that .

I 've won my own freedom here freedom from all fear .

I shall never be afraid of anything again not of death nor of life , if after all , I am to go on living .

and life , I think , would be the harder of the two to face for it could never be beautiful for me again .

there would always be such horrible things to remember things that would make life ugly and painful always for me .

I could never forget them .

but whether it 's life or death , I 'm not afraid , Rilla-my-Rilla , and I am not sorry that I came .

I 'm satisfied .

yes , I 'm glad I came , Rilla .

it isn't only the fate of the little sea-born island I love that is in the balance nor of Canada nor of England .

it 's the fate of mankind .

that is what we 're fighting for .

and we shall win never for a moment doubt that , Rilla .

for it isn't only the living who are fighting the dead are fighting too .

such an army cannot be defeated .

" is there laughter in your face yet , Rilla ?

I hope so .

the world will need laughter and courage more than ever in the years that will come next .

I don't want to preach this isn't any time for it .

but I just want to say something that may help you over the worst when you hear that I 've gone ' west . '

I 've a premonition about you , Rilla , as well as about myself .

I think Ken will go back to you and that there are long years of happiness for you by-and-by .

this will be part of your work , Rilla .

" I meant to write to Una tonight , too , but I won't have time now .

read this letter to her and tell her it 's really meant for you both you two dear , fine loyal girls .

yes , you 'll both keep faith I 'm sure of that you and Una .

and so goodnight .

we go over the top at dawn . "

Rilla read her letter over many times .

for the moment at least , she was lifted above pain and loneliness .

" I will keep faith , Walter , " she said steadily .

Rilla meant to keep Walter 's letter as a a sacred treasure .

but , seeing the look on Una Meredith 's face when Una had read it and held it back to her , she thought of something .

could she do it ?

oh , no , she could not give up Walter 's letter his last letter .

surely it was not selfishness to keep it .

a copy would be such a soulless thing .

" Una , would you like to have this letter to keep ? " she asked slowly .

" yes if you can give it to me , " Una said dully .

" then you may have it , " said Rilla hurriedly .

" thank you , " said Una .

it was all she said , but there was something in her voice which repaid Rilla for her bit of sacrifice .

Una took the letter and when Rilla had gone she pressed it against her lonely lips .

Una knew that love would never come into her life now it was buried for ever under the blood-stained soil " somewhere in France . "

no one but herself and perhaps Rilla knew it would ever know it .

she had no right in the eyes of her world to grieve .

she must hide and bear her long pain as best she could alone .

but she , too , would keep faith .

CHAPTER XXIV

MARY IS JUST IN TIME

the autumn of @number@ was a bitter season for Ingleside .

Mrs Blythe 's return to health was slow , and sorrow and loneliness were in all hearts .

every one tried to hide it from the others and " carry on " cheerfully .

Rilla laughed a good deal .

nobody at Ingleside was deceived by her laughter ; it came from her lips only , never from her heart .

" why , after all her pose of being so devoted to Walter , she doesn't seem to mind his death at all .

nobody has ever seen her shed a tear or heard her mention his name .

she has evidently quite forgotten him .

Poor fellow you 'd really think his family would feel it more .

well , I wish I could take things as calmly but I 'm not made like that .

I 'm so sensitive things hurt me terribly I really never get over them .

I asked Rilla right out why she didn't put on mourning for Walter .

she said her mother didn't wish it .

but every one is talking about it . "

" Rilla doesn't wear colours nothing but white , " protested Betty Mead .

" white becomes her better than anything else , " said Irene significantly .

" and we all know black doesn't suit her complexion at all .

but of course I 'm not saying that is the reason she doesn't wear it .

only , it 's funny .

if my brother had died I 'd have gone into deep mourning .

I wouldn't have had the heart for anything else .

I confess I 'm disappointed in Rilla Blythe . "

" I am not , then , " cried Betty Meade , loyally , " I think Rilla is just a wonderful girl .

a few years ago I admit I did think she was rather too vain and gigglesome ; but now she is nothing of the sort .

" why , I am not running Rilla down , " said Irene , opening her eyes widely .

" it was only her lack of feeling I was criticizing .

I suppose she can't help it .

of course , she 's a born manager everyone knows that .

she 's very fond of managing , too and people like that are very necessary I admit .

so don't look at me as if I 'd said something perfectly dreadful , Betty , please .

I 'm quite willing to agree that Rilla Blythe is the embodiment of all the virtues , if that will please you .

and no doubt it is a virtue to be quite unmoved by things that would crush most people . "

some of Irene 's remarks were reported to Rilla ; but they did not hurt her as they would once have done .

they didn't matter , that was all .

life was too big to leave room for pettiness .

the war news was consistently bad , for Germany marched from victory to victory over poor Rumania .

" Foreigners foreigners , " Susan muttered dubiously .

" Russians or Rumanians or whatever they may be , they are foreigners and you cannot tie to them .

but after Verdun I shall not give up hope .

the Presidential election in the United States came off in November , and Susan was red-hot over that and quite apologetic for her excitement .

" I never thought I would live to see the day when I would be interested in a Yankee election , Mrs Dr . dear .

Susan stayed up late on the evening of the eleventh , ostensibly to finish a pair of socks .

" I thought if you were not asleep you would be interested in knowing it .

I believe it is for the best .

perhaps he will just fall to writing notes , too , Mrs Dr dear , but I hope for better things .

I never was very partial to whiskers , but one cannot have everything . "

when news came in the morning that after all Wilson was re-elected , Susan tacked to catch another breeze of optimism .

but he is a good letter writer at least , and we do not know if the Hughes man is even that .

all things being considered I commend the Yankees .

they have shown good sense and I do not mind admitting it .

Cousin Sophia wanted them to elect Roosevelt , and is much disgruntled because they would not give him a chance .

Susan fathomed it or thought she did when the Asquith ministry went down and Lloyd George became Premier .

" Mrs Dr dear , Lloyd George is at the helm at last .

I have been praying for this for many a day .

now we shall soon see a blessed change .

there will be no more shilly-shallying .

I consider that the war is as good as won , and that I shall tie to , whether Bucharest falls or not . "

Bucharest did fall and Germany proposed peace negotiations .

Whereat Susan scornfully turned a deaf ear and absolutely refused to listen to such proposals .

when President Wilson sent his famous December peace note Susan waxed violently sarcastic .

" Woodrow Wilson is going to make peace , I understand .

first Henry Ford had a try at it and now comes Wilson .

" Lloyd George 's speech will tell the Kaiser what is what , and you may keep your peace screeds at home and save postage . "

" what a pity President Wilson can't hear you , Susan , " said Rilla slyly .

" I am thankful Christmas is over , " Rilla wrote in her diary during the last week of a stormy December .

" we had dreaded it so the first Christmas since Courcelette .

but we had all the Merediths down for dinner and nobody tried to be gay or cheerful .

we were all just quiet and friendly , and that helped .

then , too , I was so thankful that Jims had got better so thankful that I almost felt glad almost but not quite .

I wonder if I shall ever feel really glad over anything again .

it seems as if gladness were killed in me shot down by the same bullet that pierced Walter 's heart .

perhaps some day a new kind of gladness will be born in my soul but the old kind will never live again .

" Winter set in awfully early this year .

ten days before Christmas we had a big snowstorm at least we thought it big at the time .

as it happened , it was only a prelude to the real performance .

father and mother went up to Avonlea .

they left Susan and me to keep house , and father expected to be back the next day .

but he never got back for a week .

that night it began to storm again , and it stormed unbrokenly for four days .

it was the worst and longest storm that Prince Edward Island has known for years .

everything was disorganized the roads were completely choked up , the trains blockaded , and the telephone wires put entirely out of commission .

" and then Jims took ill .

I never even took his temperature , and I can't forgive myself , because it was sheer carelessness .

the truth is I had slumped just then .

mother was away , so I let myself go .

" then , the third night after father and mother went away , Jims suddenly got worse oh , so much worse all at once .

Susan and I were all alone .

Gertrude had been at Lowbridge when the storm began and had never got back .

at first we were not much alarmed .

Jims has had several bouts of croup and Susan and Morgan and I have always brought him through without much trouble .

but it wasn't very long before we were dreadfully alarmed .

" ' I never saw croup like this before , ' said Susan .

" as for me , I knew , when it was too late , what kind of croup it was .

it was heart-rending to see and hear him .

and all the time the fatal membrane in his wee throat grew and thickened and he couldn't get it up .

" oh , I was just wild !

I never realized how dear Jims was to me until that moment .

and I felt so utterly helpless . "

" and then Susan gave up .

' We cannot save him !

oh , if your father was here look at him , the poor little fellow !

I know not what to do . '

" I looked at Jims and I thought he was dying .

I threw down the hot poultice I had ready in despair .

of what use was it ?

Jims was dying , and it was my fault I hadn't been careful enough !

" just then at eleven o'clock at night the door bell rang .

such a ring it pealed all over the house above the roar of the storm .

Susan couldn't go she dared not lay Jims down so I rushed downstairs .

in the hall I paused just a minute I was suddenly overcome by an absurd dread .

I thought of a weird story Gertrude had told me once .

an aunt of hers was alone in a house one night with her sick husband .

she heard a knock at the door .

and when she went and opened it there was nothing there nothing that could be seen , at least .

immediately she heard a cry .

she ran upstairs and her husband was dead .

and she always believed , so Gertrude said , that when she opened that door she let Death in .

" it was so ridiculous of me to feel so frightened .

then I remembered that I had no time to waste must not be so foolish I sprang forward and opened the door .

" certainly a cold wind did blow in and filled the hall with a whirl of snow .

I just stared at her .

" ' I haven't been turned out , ' grinned Mary , as she stepped in and shut the door .

' I came up to Carter Flagg 's two days ago and I 've been stormed-stayed there ever since .

but old Abbie Flagg got on my nerves at last , and tonight I just made up my mind to come up here .

I thought I could wade this far , but I can tell you it was as much as a bargain .

once I thought I was stuck for keeps .

ain't it an awful night ? '

" I came to myself and knew I must hurry upstairs .

I explained as quickly as I could to Mary , and left her trying to brush the snow off .

" I whirled around .

didn't I know he was dying my little Jims !

I could have thrown Mary Vance out of the door or the window anywhere at that moment .

I had always disliked Mary Vance and just then I hated her .

" ' We have tried everything , ' said poor Susan dully .

' It is not ordinary croup . '

" ' No , it 's the dipthery croup , ' said Mary briskly , snatching up an apron .

' And there 's mighty little time to lose but I know what to do .

when I lived over-harbour with Mrs Wiley , years ago , Will Crawford 's kid died of dipthery croup , in spite of two doctors .

she told Mrs Wiley what it was and I 've never forgot it .

I 've the greatest memory ever a thing just lies in the back of my head till the time comes to use it .

got any sulphur in the house , Susan ? '

" yes , we had sulphur .

Susan went down with Mary to get it , and I held Jims .

I hadn't any hope not the least .

Mary Vance might brag as she liked she was always bragging but I didn't believe any grandmother 's remedy could save Jims now .

presently Mary came back .

" ' You watch me , ' she said boastfully .

' I 've never done this , but it 's kill or cure that child is dying anyway . '

I don't know why I didn't spring forward and snatch him away .

Susan herself seemed transfixed , watching Mary from the doorway .

Mary turned him over and laid him back on his bed .

" ' Wasn't that some trick ? ' said Mary gaily .

' I hadn't any idea how it would work , but I just took a chance .

" Jims went right to sleep real sleep , not coma , as I feared at first .

when I made sure of that I turned and looked at Mary Vance .

but I didn't mind how much law she laid down or how much she bragged .

I went over to her and kissed her .

" ' What 's up now ? ' she said .

" ' Nothing only I 'm so grateful to you , Mary . '

" ' Well , I think you ought to be , that 's a fact .

you two would have let that baby die on your hands if I hadn't happened along , ' said Mary , just beaming with complacency .

Jims was almost well by that time , and father turned up .

he heard our tale without saying much .

father is rather scornful generally about what he calls ' old wives ' remedies . '

oh , nineteen-seventeen , what will you bring ? "

CHAPTER XXV

SHIRLEY GOES

" we Canadians mean to have peace and victory , too .

but a few days later she rushed to Mrs Blythe in red-hot excitement .

" Mrs Dr dear , what do you think ?

a ' phone message has just come through from Charlottetown that Woodrow Wilson has sent that German ambassador man to the right about at last .

they tell me that means war .

I thought that submarine business would bring things to a crisis .

I told Cousin Sophia so when she said it was the beginning of the end for the Allies . "

" don't let the doctor hear of the fudge , Susan , " said Anne , with a smile .

" you know he has laid down very strict rules for us along the lines of economy the government has asked for . "

I consider this news quite equal to a victory , and what the doctor does not know will never grieve him .

I take the whole responsibility , Mrs Dr dear , so do not you vex your conscience . "

Susan spoiled Shirley shamelessly that winter .

surely the end was in sight would come now before anyone else could go .

" things are coming our way at last .

we have got the Germans on the run , " she boasted .

and we have got the Germans on the run , too . "

the Germans are just luring them on .

that man Simonds says their retreat has put the Allies in a hole . "

" that man Simonds has said more than he will ever live to make good , " retorted Susan .

" I do not worry myself about his opinion as long as Lloyd George is Premier of England .

he will not be bamboozled and that you may tie to .

things look good to me .

that , in my opinion was a good piece of work . "

don't you think it 's about time I joined up ? "

the pale mother looked at him .

" two of my sons have gone and one will never return .

must I give you too , Shirley ? "

the age-old cry " Joseph is not and Simeon is not ; and ye will take Benjamin away . "

how the mothers of the Great War echoed the old Patriarch 's moan of so many centuries agone !

" you wouldn't have me a slacker , mother ?

I can get into the flying-corps .

what say , dad ? "

the doctor 's hands were not quite steady as he folded up the powders he was concocting for Abbie Flagg 's rheumatism .

he had known this moment was coming , yet he was not altogether prepared for it .

he answered slowly , " I won't try to hold you back from what you believe to be your duty .

but you must not go unless your mother says you may . "

Shirley said nothing more .

he was not a lad of many words .

Anne did not say anything more just then , either .

she thought not ; surely she had given enough .

yet that night she told Shirley that he might go .

they did not tell Susan right away .

she did not know it until , a few days later , Shirley presented himself in her kitchen in his aviation uniform .

Susan didn't make half the fuss she had made when Jem and Walter had gone .

she said stonily , " so they 're going to take you , too . "

" take me ?

no .

I 'm going , Susan got to . "

" yes , you must go .

I did not see once why such things must be , but I can see now . "

" you 're a brick , Susan , " said Shirley .

he was relieved that she took it so coolly he had been a little afraid , with a boy 's horror of " a scene . "

he went out whistling gaily ; but half an hour later , when pale Anne Blythe came in , Susan was still sitting there .

Jem and Walter were yours but Shirley is mine .

" Susan don't , " cried Anne .

" oh , Mrs Dr dear , I beg your pardon .

I ought not to have said anything like that out loud .

I sometimes forget that I resolved to be a heroine .

this this has shaken me a little .

but I will not forget myself again .

only if things do not go as smoothly in the kitchen for a few days I hope you will make due allowance for me .

he kissed Susan for the first time since he was five years old , and said , " good-bye , Susan mother Susan . "

" my little brown boy my little brown boy , " said Susan .

I am thankful I have nothing like that on my conscience now . "

the doctor did not remember the old discipline .

" our last son our last son , " he said aloud .

" a good , sturdy , sensible lad , too .

always reminded me of my father .

Highland Sandy 's quaint phrase struck the doctor as perfectly expressive .

Ingleside did seem very big and empty that night .

yet Shirley had been away all winter except for week-ends , and had always been a quiet fellow even when home .

Susan worked very hard all day and late into the night .

but Susan did not see the familiar hills and harbour .

she was looking at the aviation camp in Kingsport where Shirley was that night .

" he called me ' Mother Susan , ' " she was thinking .

" well , all our men folk have gone now Jem and Walter and Shirley and Jerry and Carl .

and none of them had to be driven to it .

so we have a right to be proud .

but pride " Susan sighed bitterly " pride is cold company and that there is no gainsaying . "

Vimy Ridge is a name written in crimson and gold on the Canadian annals of the Great War .

so the " fools " took it and paid the price .

Jerry Meredith was seriously wounded at Vimy Ridge shot in the back , the telegram said .

" Poor Nan , " said Mrs Blythe , when the news came .

she thought of her own happy girlhood at old Green Gables .

there had been no tragedy like this in it .

how the girls of to-day had to suffer !

when Nan came home from Redmond two weeks later her face showed what those weeks had meant to her .

John Meredith , too , seemed to have grown old suddenly in them .

so Di , after a flying visit home , went back to her Red Cross work in Kingsport .

the mayflowers bloomed in the secret nooks of Rainbow Valley .

Rilla was watching for them .

but before she had discovered any , Bruce Meredith came to Ingleside one twilight with his hands full of delicate pink sprays .

he stalked up the steps of the veranda and laid them on Mrs Blythe 's lap .

" because Shirley isn't here to bring them , " he said in his funny , shy , blunt way .

I wrote Jerry , too .

Jerry 's getting better , you know . "

" is he ?

have you had any good news about him ? "

" yes .

mother had a letter to-day , and it said he was out of danger . "

" oh , thank God , " murmured Mrs Blythe , in a half-whisper .

Bruce looked at her curiously .

" that is what father said when mother told him .

but I couldn't understand why , Mrs Blythe .

and so why couldn't I thank Him ?

I ' most shouted it , Mrs Blythe .

maybe if I 'd said it sort of whispery like you and father it would have been all right .

" what would you like to do , laddie ? "

" and Emily Flagg said she would like to put him in a cage and poke sharp things into him .

and they all said things like that .

that is what I would do .

don't you think , Mrs Blythe , that would be the very worstest punishment of all ? "

he would feel just awful and he would go on feeling like that forever .

CHAPTER XXVI

SUSAN HAS A PROPOSAL OF MARRIAGE

Susan was always intensely excited .

who knew but that it might be Shirley away up there in the clouds , flying over to the Island from Kingsport ?

but Shirley had gone overseas now , so Susan was not so keenly interested in this particular aeroplane and its pilot .

nevertheless , she looked at it with awe .

I am sure my father would disapprove of it , for he was a man who did not believe in new-fangled ideas of any sort .

he always cut his grain with a reaping hook to the day of his death .

a mower he would not have .

what was good enough for his father was good enough for him , he used to say .

if the Almighty had meant us to fly he would have provided us with wings .

since He did not it is plain He meant us to stick to the solid earth .

at any rate , you will never see me , Mrs Dr dear , cavorting through the sky in an aeroplane . "

" but you won't refuse to cavort a bit in father 's new automobile when it comes , will you , Susan ? " teased Rilla .

" I do not expect to trust my old bones in automobiles , either , " retorted Susan .

" but I do not look upon them as some narrow-minded people do .

Whiskers-on-the-moon says the Government should be turned out of office for permitting them to run on the Island at all .

he foams at the mouth , they tell me , when he sees one .

the man in the machine was an agent of some kind , and Whiskers hates agents as much as he hates automobiles .

the aeroplane soared and dipped and circled , and soared again , until it became a mere speck far over the sunset hills .

" ' With the majesty of pinion Which the Theban eagles bear Sailing with supreme dominion Through the azure fields of air . ' "

quoted Anne Blythe dreamily .

" I wonder , " said Miss Oliver , " if humanity will be any happier because of aeroplanes .

" it does not depend on material achievements and triumphs . "

" nevertheless , an aeroplane is a fascinating thing , " said the doctor .

" it has always been one of humanity 's favourite dreams the dream of flying .

Dream after dream comes true or rather is made true by persevering effort .

I should like to have a flight in an aeroplane myself . "

" Shirley wrote me that he was dreadfully disappointed in his first flight , " said Rilla .

and the first time he went up alone he suddenly felt terribly homesick .

the aeroplane disappeared .

the doctor threw back his head with a sigh .

I suppose our grandson will be taking his sweetheart out quite casually for an evening ' fly ' in his aeroplane . "

" an aeroplane won't be as nice as little Silverspot was , " said Anne .

" a machine is simply a machine but Silverspot , why she was a personality , Gilbert .

a drive behind her had something in it that not even a flight among sunset clouds could have .

no , I don't envy my grandson 's sweetheart , after all .

Mr Meredith is right .

' The kingdom of Heaven ' and of love and of happiness doesn't depend on externals . "

and I have an awful suspicion that you can't run an aeroplane with one arm .

no " the doctor shook his head " I believe I 'd still prefer Silverspot after all . "

the Russian line broke again that summer and Susan said bitterly that she had expected it ever since Kerensky had gone and got married .

the Russians are done for this time and there would be no sense in shutting our eyes to the fact .

but have you seen Woodrow Wilson 's reply to the Pope 's peace proposals ?

it is magnificent .

I really could not have expressed the rights of the matter better myself .

I feel that I can forgive Wilson everything for it .

he knows the meaning of words and that you may tie to .

speaking of meanings , have you heard the latest story about Whiskers-on-the-moon , Mrs Dr . dear ?

it seems he was over at the Lowbridge Road school the other day and took a notion to examine the fourth class in spelling .

they have the summer term there yet , you know , with the spring and fall vacations , being rather backward people on that road .

my niece , Ella Baker , goes to that school and she it was who told me the story .

Ella and the other big scholars felt terrible over it .

but little Sandy Logan saved the situation .

he is a Home boy , but he is as smart as a steel trap , and he sized up Whiskers-on-the-moon right off .

' What does " anatomy " mean ? '

whiskers demanded .

' A pain in your stomach , ' Sandy replied , quick as a flash and never batting an eyelid .

the class caught right on at least three or four of the brighter ones did and they kept up the fun .

he went off beaming .

it would likely be the ruin of her chances of keeping the school if Whiskers should ever find out how he had been bamboozled . "

" some folks have been twitting me about having a husband with only one leg .

well , I must be going .

it 's up to us girls to see that the harvest is got in , since the boys are so scarce .

I 've got overalls and I can tell you they 're real becoming .

Mrs Alec Douglas says they 're indecent and shouldn't be allowed , and even Mrs Elliott kinder looks askance at them .

but bless you , the world moves , and anyhow there 's no fun for me like shocking Kitty Alec . "

I promised him today that I would , if you didn't object .

then he can help the farmers get the harvest in .

Jims isn't much bother in the daytime now , and I 'll always be home at night . "

" do you think you 'll like weighing out sugar and beans , and trafficking in butter and eggs ? " said the doctor , twinkling .

" probably not .

that isn't the question .

it 's just one way of doing my bit . "

so Rilla went behind Mr Flagg 's counter for a month ; and Susan went into Albert Crawford 's oat-fields .

" I am as good as any of them yet , " she said proudly .

" not a man of them can beat me when it comes to building a stack .

when I offered to help Albert looked doubtful .

' I am afraid the work will be too hard for you , ' he said .

' Try me for a day and see , ' said I .

' I will do my darnedest . ' "

none of the Ingleside folks spoke for just a moment .

their silence meant that they thought Susan 's pluck in " working out " quite wonderful .

but Susan mistook their meaning and her sun-burned face grew red .

" this habit of swearing seems to be growing on me , Mrs Dr . dear , " she said apologetically .

" to think that I should be acquiring it at my age !

it is such a dreadful example to the young girls .

I am of the opinion it comes of reading the newspapers so much .

they are so full of profanity and they do not spell it with stars either , as used to be done in my young days .

this war is demoralizing everybody . "

" smart woman that , " he reflected .

" Worth two of many a younger one yet .

I might do worse I might do worse .

I 'll think it over . "

an extraordinary sight met her eyes .

Pursuer and pursued tore across the lawn .

" Susan , " gasped Anne .

" Susan , what does this mean ? " demanded Anne , a little severely .

" you may well ask that , Mrs Dr dear , " Susan replied wrathfully .

" I have not been so upset in years .

HIM ! "

Anne choked back a laugh .

" but Susan !

couldn't you have found a well , a less spectacular method of refusing him ?

think what a gossip this would have made if anyone had been going past and had seen such a performance . "

" indeed , Mrs. Dr. dear , you are quite right .

I did not think of it because I was quite past thinking rationally .

I was just clean mad .

come in the house and I will tell you all about it . "

Susan picked up her pot and marched into the kitchen , still trembling with wrathful excitement .

she set her pot on the stove with a vicious thud .

" wait a moment until I open all the windows to air this kitchen well , Mrs Dr dear .

there , that is better .

I shook hands with him , as aforesaid , Mrs Dr dear , and told him you and the doctor were both away .

but he said ,

" I have come to see you , Miss Baker . '

something told me , Mrs Dr dear , that I was about to receive my first proposal .

I consider it an insult and if I could have thought of any way of preventing it I would .

but just then , Mrs Dr dear , you will see I was at a disadvantage , being taken so completely by surprise .

well , he is undeceived yes , he is undeceived , Mrs Dr dear .

I wonder if he has stopped running yet . "

" I understand that you don't feel flattered , Susan .

but couldn't you have refused him a little more delicately than by chasing him off the premises in such a fashion ? "

if it had not been for that I would not have chased him with my dye-pot .

I will tell you the whole interview .

whiskers sat down , as I have said , and right beside him on another chair Doc was lying .

by the way , Mrs Dr dear , have you noticed that that cat is far oftener Hyde than Jekyll now ?

the more victories Germany wins the Hyder he becomes .

I leave you to draw your own conclusions from that .

' What a nice cat , ' he said .

the nice cat flew at him and bit him .

then it gave a fearful yowl , and bounded out of the door .

whiskers looked after it quite amazed .

' That is a queer kind of a varmint , ' he said .

I agreed with him on that point , but I was not going to let him see it .

besides , what business had he to call our cat a varmint ?

you would have thought , would you not , Mrs Dr dear , that a hint like that would have been enough for him !

but it went no deeper than his skin .

there is no use in wasting time beating around the bush .

I came up here today to ask you to marry me . '

so there it was , Mrs Dr dear .

I had a proposal at last , after waiting sixty-four years for one .

so there you have my answer and you can take it away forthwith . '

you never saw a man so taken aback as he was , Mrs Dr dear .

he was so flabbergasted that he just blurted out the truth .

' Why , I thought you 'd be only too glad to get a chance to be married , ' he said .

that was when I lost my head , Mrs Dr dear .

do you think I had a good excuse , when a Hun and a pacifist made such an insulting remark to me ?

' Go , ' I thundered , and I just caught up that iron pot .

at any rate he went , and stood not upon the order of his going , as you saw for yourself .

and I do not think we will see him back here proposing to us again in a hurry .

CHAPTER XXVII

WAITING

Ingleside , @date@

it has been very hard to keep our courage alight of late .

the Caporetto disaster is a dreadful thing and not even Susan can extract much consolation out of the present state of affairs .

the rest of us don't try .

but what is to prevent them from getting Venice I cannot see .

oh , how I hope and pray they will not Venice the beautiful Queen of the Adriatic .

perhaps I caught my love of it from Walter , who worshipped it .

it was always one of his dreams to see Venice .

no it cannot .

we will win in the end .

I will not doubt it for one moment .

to let myself doubt would be to ' break faith . '

" we have all been campaigning furiously of late for the new Victory Loan .

we Junior Reds canvassed diligently and landed several tough old customers who had at first flatly refused to invest .

I even I tackled Whiskers-on-the-moon .

I expected a bad time and a refusal .

but to my amazement he was quite agreeable and promised on the spot to take a thousand dollar bond .

he may be a pacifist , but he knows a good investment when it is handed out to him .

five and a half per cent is five and a half per cent , even when a militaristic government pays it .

" father , to tease Susan , says it was her speech at the Victory Loan Campaign meeting that converted Mr Pryor .

but Susan did make a speech and the best one made at the meeting , too .

it was the first time she ever did such a thing and she vows it will be the last .

at least , that is how she describes it herself .

and we are asking charity , of course we are asking you to lend us your money for nothing !

no doubt the Kaiser will feel quite downcast when he hears of this meeting ! "

" Susan has an unshaken belief that the Kaiser 's spies presumably represented by Mr Pryor promptly inform him of every happening in our Glen .

" Norman Douglas shouted out ' Hear !

hear ! ' and some boy at the back said , ' What about Lloyd George ? ' in a tone Susan didn't like .

Lloyd George is her pet hero , now that Kitchener is gone .

" ' I stand behind Lloyd George every time , ' retorted Susan .

" ' I suppose that will hearten him up greatly , ' said Warren Mead , with one of his disagreeable ' haw-haws . '

" Warren 's remark was spark to powder .

Susan just ' sailed in ' as she puts it , and ' said her say . '

she said it remarkably well , too .

there was no lack of ' ginger ' in her speech , anyhow .

she said it was the likes of her , millions of her , that did stand behind Lloyd George , and did hearten him up .

that was the key-note of her speech .

dear old Susan !

Susan always vows she is no suffragette , but she gave womanhood its due that night , and she literally made those men cringe .

when she finished with them they were ready to eat out of her hand .

she wound up by ordering them yes , ordering them to march up to the platform forthwith and subscribe for Victory Bonds .

and after wild applause most of them did it , even Warren Mead .

" we were all except Susan out for a trial ride in father 's new automobile tonight .

father was quite furious ; but in my heart I believe I sympathized with Miss Elizabeth .

I should just have sat up as dourly as she did and said ' Take the ditch if you are determined to pass . '

" Jem will have a laugh when I write him this .

he knows Miss Elizabeth of old .

" but will Venice be saved ? "

@date@

" it is not saved yet it is still in great danger .

but the Italians are making a stand at last on the Piave line .

to be sure military critics say they cannot possibly hold it and must retreat to the Adige .

" oh , if I could only believe that they can hold it !

" our Canadian troops have won another great victory they have stormed the Passchendaele Ridge and held it in the face of all counter attacks .

none of our boys were in the battle but oh , the casualty list of other people 's boys !

Joe Milgrave was in it but came through safe .

Miranda had some bad days until she got word from him .

but it is wonderful how Miranda has bloomed out since her marriage .

she isn't the same girl at all .

but she is the only war-bride in the Glen and surely nobody need grudge her the satisfaction she gets out of it .

" the Russian news is bad , too Kerensky 's government has fallen and Lenin is dictator of Russia .

somehow , it is very hard to keep up courage in the dull hopelessness of these grey autumn days of suspense and boding news .

but we are beginning to ' get in a low , ' as old Highland Sandy says , over the approaching election .

conscription is the real issue at stake and it will be the most exciting election we ever had .

oh , if I were only twenty-one !

Gertrude and Susan are both furious because they can't vote .

" ' It is not fair , ' Gertrude says passionately .

' There is Agnes Carr who can vote because her husband went .

she did everything she could to prevent him from going , and now she is going to vote against the Union Government .

yet I have no vote , because my man at the front is only my sweetheart and not my husband ! "

" I really feel sorry for the Elliotts and Crawfords and MacAllisters over-harbour .

and some poor Conservatives who are against conscription must vote for Laurier , who always has been anathema to them .

some of them are taking it terribly hard .

others seem to be in much the same attitude as Mrs Marshall Elliott has come to be regarding Church Union .

" she was up here last night .

she doesn't come as often as she used to .

she is growing too old to walk this far dear old ' Miss Cornelia . '

" she used to be so bitterly opposed to Church Union .

anyhow , compared with Germans even Methodists seem attractive to me . '

she gave me a sweet little jab last meeting about knowing me across the square in Charlottetown ' by my green velvet hat . '

everybody knows me by that detestable and detested hat .

this will be my fourth season for it .

Even mother wanted me to get a new one this fall ; but I said , ' No. '

as long as the war lasts so long do I wear that velvet hat in winter . "

@date@

" the Piave line still holds and General Byng has won a splendid victory at Cambrai .

I did run up the flag for that but Susan only said ' I shall set a kettle of water on the kitchen range tonight .

I notice little Kitchener always has an attack of croup after any British victory .

I do hope he has no pro-German blood in his veins .

nobody knows much about his father 's people . '

" Jims has had a few attacks of croup this fall just the ordinary croup not that terrible thing he had last year .

but whatever blood runs in his little veins it is good , healthy blood .

he is rosy and plump and curly and cute ; and he says such funny things and asks such comical questions .

Susan thought it quite dreadful , and I think that was when she began to feel anxiety about his possible ancestry .

the other night I took Jims with me for a walk down to the store .

and last Wednesday morning , when he woke up , my little alarm clock had stopped because I had forgotten to wind it up .

Jims bounded out of his crib and ran across to me , his face quite aghast above his little blue flannel pyjamas .

' The clock is dead , ' he gasped , ' oh Willa , the clock is dead . '

" one night he was quite angry with both Susan and me because we would not give him something he wanted very much .

" I don't go about quoting Jims 's speeches to all I meet .

that always bores me when other people do it !

I just enshrine them in this old hotch-potch of a journal !

" oh , why can't it , Jims ?

if it could just come back !

but yesterdays never come back , little Jims and the todays are dark with clouds and we dare not think about the tomorrows . "

@date@

" wonderful news came today .

the British troops captured Jerusalem yesterday .

we ran up the flag and some of Gertrude 's old sparkle came back to her for a moment .

the ghosts of all the Crusaders must have crowded the walls of Jerusalem last night , with Coeur-de-lion at their head . '

" Susan had cause for satisfaction also .

" ' I am so thankful I can pronounce Jerusalem and Hebron , ' she said .

' They give me a real comfortable feeling after Przemysl and Brest-Litovsk !

" Jerusalem !

the ' meteor flag of England ! ' floats over you the Crescent is gone .

how Walter would have thrilled over that ! "

@date@

" yesterday the election came off .

" about ten o'clock Gertrude went to the ' phone and happened to catch someone from over-harbour talking to Carter Flagg .

" we looked at each other in dismay .

if the Government had failed to carry the West , it was defeated .

" ' Canada is disgraced in the eyes of the world , ' said Gertrude bitterly .

" ' If everybody was like the Mark Crawfords over-harbour this would not have happened , ' groaned Susan .

' They locked their Uncle up in the barn this morning and would not let him out until he promised to vote Union .

that is what I call effective argument , Mrs Dr dear . '

" Gertrude and I couldn't rest after all that .

we walked the floor until our legs gave out and we had to sit down perforce .

she had knit that far past where the heel should have begun !

" it was twelve before father came home .

he stood in the doorway and looked at us and we looked at him .

we did not dare ask him what the news was .

Gertrude clapped her hands .

" this will not comfort the Kaiser much , ' she said .

" then we went to bed , but were too excited to sleep .

really , as Susan said solemnly this morning , ' Mrs Dr dear , I think politics are too strenuous for women . ' "

@date@

" our fourth War Christmas is over .

we are trying to gather up some courage wherewith to face another year of it .

Germany has , for the most part , been victorious all summer .

and now they say she has all her troops from the Russian front ready for a ' big push ' in the spring .

sometimes it seems to me that we just cannot live through the winter waiting for that .

" I had a great batch of letters from overseas this week .

Carl 's letters are always full of jokes and bits of fun .

they had a great rat-hunt the night before he wrote spearing rats with their bayonets and he got the best bag and won the prize .

he has a tame rat that knows him and sleeps in his pocket at night .

rats don't worry Carl as they do some people he was always chummy with all little beasts .

" Ken wrote a short letter .

his letters are all rather short now and he doesn't often slip in those dear little sudden sentences I love so much .

now , did he leave that ' s ' off intentionally or was it only carelessness ?

I shall lie awake half the night wondering .

he is a captain now .

I am glad and proud and yet Captain Ford sounds so horribly far away and high up .

ken and Captain Ford seem like two different persons .

I may be practically engaged to Ken mother 's opinion on that point is my stay and bulwark but I can't be to Captain Ford !

" and Jem is a lieutenant now won his promotion on the field .

he sent me a snap-shot , taken in his new uniform .

he looked thin and old old my boy-brother Jem .

I can't forget mother 's face when I showed it to her .

' That my little Jem the baby of the old House of Dreams ? ' was all she said .

" there was a letter from Faith , too .

she is doing V.A.D . work in England and writes hopefully and brightly .

that means so much to her .

oh , if I were only with her !

but my work is here at home .

Walter died for Canada I must live for her .

that is what he asked me to do . "

@date@

but Susan is a somewhat disgruntled woman at present , owing to the regulations regarding cookery .

her loyalty to the Union Government is being sorely tried .

it surmounted the first strain gallantly .

" but the later suggestions went against Susan 's grain .

had it not been for father 's decree I think she would have snapped her fingers at Sir Robert Borden .

" ' Talk about trying to make bricks without straw , Mrs Dr dear !

how am I to make a cake without butter or sugar ?

it cannot be done not cake that is cake .

of course one can make a slab , Mrs Dr dear .

and we cannot even camooflash it with a little icing !

" I had letters from Nan and Di too or rather notes .

they are too busy to write letters , for exams are looming up .

they will graduate in Arts this spring .

I am evidently to be the dunce of the family .

but somehow I never had any hankering for a college course , and even now it doesn't appeal to me .

I 'm afraid I 'm rather devoid of ambition .

there is only one thing I really want to be and I don't know if I 'll be it or not .

if not I don't want to be anything .

but I shan't write it down .

it is all right to think it ; but , as Cousin Sophia would say , it might be brazen to write it down .

" I will write it down .

I won't be cowed by the conventions and Cousin Sophia !

I want to be Kenneth Ford 's wife !

there now !

" I 've just looked in the glass , and I hadn't the sign of a blush on my face .

I suppose I 'm not a properly constructed damsel at all .

" I was down to see little Dog Monday today .

he has grown quite stiff and rheumatic but there he sat , waiting for the train .

he thumped his tail and looked pleadingly into my eyes .

' When will Jem come ? ' he seemed to say .

@date@

" ' What will spring bring ? '

Gertrude said today .

' I dread it as I never dreaded spring before .

Do you suppose there will ever again come a time when life will be free from fear ?

for almost four years we have lain down with fear and risen up with it .

it has been the unbidden guest at every meal , the unwelcome companion at every gathering . '

" ' Hindenburg says he will be in Paris on @date@ , ' sighed Cousin Sophia .

" ' Hindenburg ! '

there is no power in pen and ink to express the contempt which Susan infused into that name .

' Has he forgotten what day the first of April is ? '

" ' Hindenburg has kept his word hitherto , ' said Gertrude , as gloomily as Cousin Sophia herself could have said it .

" ' Yes , fighting against the Russians and Rumanians , ' retorted Susan .

" ' You said just the same thing before Mons , Susan , ' I reminded her .

" ' Hindenburg says he will spend a million lives to break the Allied front , ' said Gertrude .

I work all day feverishly and waken at three o'clock at night to wonder if the iron legions have struck at last .

it is then I see Hindenburg in Paris and Germany triumphant .

I never see her so at any other time than that accursed hour . '

" Susan looked dubious over Gertrude 's adjective , but evidently concluded that the ' a ' saved the situation .

" it is not often that mother slumps into a wish like that or at least the verbal expression of it .

now it seemed as if even she had reached the limit of her endurance .

" Susan went over to mother and touched her shoulder .

" 'Do not you be frightened or downhearted , Mrs Dr . dear , ' she said gently .

" I say that verse Susan read over and over again to myself .

@date@

" Armageddon has begun ! ' the last great fight of all ! '

is it , I wonder ?

yesterday I went down to the post office for the mail .

it was a dull , bitter day .

the snow was gone but the grey , lifeless ground was frozen hard and a biting wind was blowing .

the whole Glen landscape was ugly and hopeless .

" then I got the paper with its big black headlines .

Germany struck on the twenty-first .

she makes big claims of guns and prisoners taken .

general Haig reports that ' severe fighting continues . '

I don't like the sound of that last expression .

" we all find we cannot do any work that requires concentration of thought .

so we all knit furiously , because we can do that mechanically .

at least the dreadful waiting is over the horrible wondering where and when the blow will fall .

it has fallen but they shall not prevail against us !

everything about me is calm and peaceful and ' homey . '

" over there in France tonight does the line hold ? "

CHAPTER XXVIII

BLACK SUNDAY

it dawned calmly and coldly and greyly at Ingleside .

Mrs Blythe and Rilla and Miss Oliver made ready for church in a suspense tempered by hope and confidence .

Susan announced that she meant to stay home that morning a rare decision for Susan .

" but I would rather not go to church this morning , Mrs Dr . dear , " she explained .

no , Mrs Dr dear , I shall stay home from church till the tide turns and pray hard here . "

" I can think of nothing but the question , ' Does the line still hold ? ' "

" next Sunday will be Easter , " said Rilla .

" will it herald death or life to our cause ? "

Walter could not have laid down his life for naught .

his had been the gift of prophetic vision and he had foreseen victory .

she would cling to that belief the line would hold .

in this renewed mood she walked home from church almost gaily .

the others , too , were hopeful , and all went smiling into Ingleside .

no one was in the dining-room either and , stranger still , no dinner was on the table , which was not even set .

where was Susan ?

" can she have taken ill ? " exclaimed Mrs Blythe anxiously .

" I thought it strange that she did not want to go to church this morning . "

the kitchen door opened and Susan appeared on the threshold with such a ghastly face that Mrs Blythe cried out in sudden panic .

" Susan , what is it ? "

" the British line is broken and the German shells are falling on Paris , " said Susan dully .

the three women stared at each other , stricken .

" it 's not true it 's not , " gasped Rilla .

" the thing would be ridiculous , " said Gertrude Oliver and then she laughed horribly .

" Susan , who told you this when did the news come ? " asked Mrs Blythe .

" I got it over the long-distance phone from Charlottetown half an hour ago , " said Susan .

" the news came to town late last night .

it was Dr Holland phoned it out and he said it was only too true .

since then I have done nothing , Mrs Dr dear .

I am very sorry dinner is not ready .

it is the first time I have been so remiss .

if you will be patient I will soon have something for you to eat .

but I am afraid I let the potatoes burn . "

" dinner !

nobody wants any dinner , Susan , " said Mrs Blythe wildly .

" oh , this thing is unbelievable it must be a nightmare . "

" oh God Oh God , " moaned Gertrude Oliver , walking about the room and wringing her hands , " oh God ! "

" is God dead ? " asked a startled little voice from the doorway of the living-room .

miss Oliver stopped walking and exclaiming , and stared at Jims , in whose eyes tears of fright were beginning to gather .

Rilla ran to his comforting , while Susan bounded up from the chair upon which she had dropped .

" no , " she said briskly , with a sudden return of her real self .

" no , God isn't dead nor Lloyd George either .

we were forgetting that , Mrs Dr dear .

don't cry , little Kitchener .

bad as things are , they might be worse .

the British line may be broken but the British navy is not .

let us tie to that .

I will take a brace and get up a bite to eat , for strength we must have . "

they made a pretence of eating Susan 's " bite , " but it was only a pretence .

nobody at Ingleside ever forgot that black afternoon .

Gertrude Oliver walked the floor they all walked the floor ; except Susan , who got out her grey war sock .

" Mrs Dr dear , I must knit on Sunday at last .

but whether it is or whether it is not I must knit today or I shall go mad . "

" knit if you can , Susan , " said Mrs Blythe restlessly .

" I would knit if I could but I cannot I cannot . "

" if we could only get fuller information , " moaned Rilla .

" there might be something to encourage us if we knew all . "

" we know that the Germans are shelling Paris , " said Miss Oliver bitterly .

" in that case they must have smashed through everywhere and be at the very gates .

no , we have lost let us face the fact as other peoples in the past have had to face it .

other nations , with right on their side , have given their best and bravest and gone down to defeat in spite of it .

ours is ' but one more To baffled millions who have gone before . ' "

" I won't give up like that , " cried Rilla , her pale face suddenly flushing .

" I won't despair .

we are not conquered no , if Germany overruns all France we are not conquered .

I am ashamed of myself for this hour of despair .

you won't see me slump again like that , I 'm going to ring up town at once and ask for particulars . "

but town could not be got .

the long-distance operator there was submerged by similar calls from every part of the distracted country .

Rilla finally gave up and slipped away to Rainbow Valley .

the sun had broken through the black clouds and drenched the valley with a pale golden splendour .

the bells on the Tree Lovers twinkled elfinly and fitfully in the gusty March wind .

" oh God , give me strength , " Rilla whispered .

" just strength and courage . "

she knelt there a long time , and when she went back to Ingleside she was calm and resolute .

the doctor had arrived home , tired but triumphant , little Douglas Haig Marwood having made a safe landing on the shores of time .

" as long as we can hold them , " she declared , " the situation is saved .

Paris has really no military significance . "

" don't , " said Gertrude sharply , as if Susan had run something into her .

depend upon it , girls , that part of the message can't be true .

I 'm going to try to try a long-distance call to town myself . "

and at nine o'clock a long-distance message came through at last , that helped them through the night .

that 's not so bad .

that is all the news to date , and Dr Holland says it is reliable . "

but still , " she added , trying to smile , " I am afraid I will not sleep much tonight . "

I really could not have endured her on top of all the rest . "

CHAPTER XXIX

" WOUNDED AND MISSING "

on Wednesday the headline was " British and French Check Germans " ; but still the retreat went on .

Back and back and back !

where would it end ?

would the line break again this time disastrously ?

" well , we have got one week over now for the next , " said Susan staunchly .

" but I am not off the rack .

the torture may begin again at any time . "

" I doubted God last Sunday , " said Rilla , " but I don't doubt him today .

evil cannot win .

spirit is on our side and it is bound to outlast flesh . "

nevertheless her faith was often tried in the dark spring that followed .

Armageddon was not , as they had hoped , a matter of a few days .

it stretched out into weeks and months .

again and again Hindenburg struck his savage , sudden blows , with alarming , though futile success .

again and again the military critics declared the situation extremely perilous .

again and again Cousin Sophia agreed with the military critics .

" if the Allies go back three miles more the war is lost , " she wailed .

" is the British navy anchored in those three miles ? " demanded Susan scornfully .

" it is the opinion of a man who knows all about it , " said Cousin Sophia solemnly .

" there is no such person , " retorted Susan .

why do you always look on the dark side , Sophia Crawford ? "

" because there ain't any bright side , Susan Baker . "

" oh , is there not ?

it is the twentieth of April , and Hindy is not in Paris yet , although he said he would be there by April first .

is that not a bright spot at least ? "

" not in this part of it .

" no , Sophia Crawford , to tell you the plain truth I am sick and tired of your gloomy predictions .

I do not deny that some mistakes have been made .

but that is no reason why you or anyone should go about proclaiming the war is lost .

Cousin Sophia marched home in high dudgeon to digest her affront , and did not reappear in Susan 's kitchen for many weeks .

" no no ' missing ' leaves a little hope , Rilla , " urged Gertrude Oliver .

" yes torturing , agonized hope that keeps you from ever becoming quite resigned to the worst , " said Rilla .

" oh , Miss Oliver must we go for weeks and months not knowing whether Jem is alive or dead ?

perhaps we will never know .

I I cannot bear it I cannot .

Walter and now Jem .

this will kill mother look at her face , Miss Oliver , and you will see that .

and Faith poor Faith how can she bear it ? "

Gertrude shivered with pain .

she looked up at the pictures hanging over Rilla 's desk and felt a sudden hatred of Mona Lisa 's endless smile .

" Will not even this blot it off your face ? " she thought savagely .

but she said gently , " no , it won't kill your mother .

she 's made of finer mettle than that .

besides , she refuses to believe Jem is dead ; she will cling to hope and we must all do that .

Faith , you may be sure , will do it . "

" I cannot , " moaned Rilla , " Jem was wounded what chance would he have ?

even if the Germans found him we know how they have treated wounded prisoners .

I wish I could hope , Miss Oliver it would help , I suppose .

but hope seems dead in me .

I can't hope without some reason for it and there is no reason . "

" Rilla , dear , do not you worry .

Little Jem is not dead . "

" oh , how can you believe that , Susan ? "

" because I know .

listen you to me .

when that word came this morning the first thing I thought of was Dog Monday .

and tonight , as soon as I got the supper dishes washed and the bread set , I went down to the station .

there was Dog Monday , waiting for the train , just as patient as usual .

he thought it over a bit , and then he said , ' No , he did not . '

' Are you sure ? '

I said .

' There 's more depends on it than you think ! '

' Dead sure , ' he said .

' I was up all night last Monday night because my mare was sick , and there was never a sound out of him .

now Rilla dear , those were the man 's very words .

and you know how that poor little dog howled all night after the battle of Courcelette .

yet he did not love Walter as much as he loved Jem .

no , Rilla dear , little Jem is not dead , and that you may tie to .

it was absurd and irrational and impossible .

CHAPTER XXX

THE TURNING OF THE TIDE

Susan was very sorrowful when she saw the beautiful old lawn of Ingleside ploughed up that spring and planted with potatoes .

yet she made no protest , even when her beloved peony bed was sacrificed .

but when the Government passed the Daylight Saving law Susan balked .

there was a Higher Power than the Union Government , to which Susan owed allegiance .

" do you think it right to meddle with the arrangements of the Almighty ? " she demanded indignantly of the doctor .

the doctor , quite unmoved , responded that the law must be observed , and the Ingleside clocks were moved on accordingly .

but the doctor had no power over Susan 's little alarm .

Susan got up and went to bed by " God 's time , " and regulated her own goings and comings by it .

she had got the better of him by so much at least .

" Whiskers-on-the-moon is very much delighted with this daylight saving business , " she told him one evening .

" of course he naturally would be , since I understand that the Germans invented it .

I hear he came near losing his entire wheat-crop lately .

at first she had no intention of letting Mr Pryor know .

she told me she had just gloated over the sight of those cows pasturing on his wheat .

she felt it served him exactly right .

so she went down and phoned over to Whiskers about the matter .

all the thanks she got was that he said something queer right out to her .

" yes we have found it see , it is just above the tip of the tallest old pine . "

" it 's wonderful to be looking at something that happened three thousand years ago , isn't it ? " said Rilla .

" that is when astronomers think the collision took place which produced this new star .

it makes me feel horribly insignificant , " she added under her breath .

" I think I would like to have been an astronomer , " said Mr Meredith dreamily , gazing at the star .

" there must be a strange pleasure in it , " agreed Miss Oliver , " an unearthly pleasure , in more senses than one .

I would like to have a few astronomers for my friends . "

" fancy talking the gossip of the hosts of heaven , " laughed Rilla .

" I wonder if astronomers feel a very deep interest in earthly affairs ? " said the doctor .

I suppose one would call him a philosopher . "

" I wonder where Jem is tonight , " thought Rilla , in a sudden bitter inrush of remembrance .

it was over a month since the news had come about Jem .

nothing had been discovered concerning him , in spite of all efforts .

two or three letters had come from him , written before the trench raid , and since then there had been only unbroken silence .

Rilla turned away from the new star , sick at heart .

it was one of the moments when hope and courage failed her utterly when it seemed impossible to go on even one more day .

if only they knew what had happened to Jem you can face anything you know .

but a beleaguerment of fear and doubt and suspense is a hard thing for the morale .

surely , if Jem were alive , some word would have come through .

he must be dead .

Monday was only a poor , faithful , rheumatic little dog , who knew nothing more of his master 's fate than they did .

Rilla had a " white night " and did not fall asleep until late .

when she wakened Gertrude Oliver was sitting at her window leaning out to meet the silver mystery of the dawn .

Rilla remembered Jem 's admiration of the curve of Miss Oliver 's brow and chin , and she shuddered .

everything that reminded her of Jem was beginning to give intolerable pain .

Walter 's death had inflicted on her heart a terrible wound .

but it had been a clean wound and had healed slowly , as such wounds do , though the scar must remain for ever .

but the torture of Jem 's disappearance was another thing : there was a poison in it that kept it from healing .

Gertrude Oliver turned her head .

there was an odd brilliancy in her eyes .

" Rilla , I 've had another dream . "

" oh , no no , " cried Rilla , shrinking .

Miss Oliver 's dreams had always foretold coming disaster .

" Rilla , it was a good dream .

listen I dreamed just as I did four years ago , that I stood on the veranda steps and looked down the Glen .

and it was still covered by waves that lapped about my feet .

Rilla Rilla Blythe the tide has turned . "

" I wish I could believe it , " sighed Rilla .

" Sooth was my prophecy of fear Believe it when it augurs cheer , "

quoted Gertrude , almost gaily .

" I tell you I have no doubt . "

it was idle , they all felt , to hope that the miracle of the Marne would be repeated .

but it was : again , as in @number@ the tide turned at the Marne .

" the Allies have won two tremendous victories , " said the doctor on @date@ .

" it is the beginning of the end I feel it I feel it , " said Mrs Blythe .

nevertheless she went out and ran up the flag , for the first time since the fall of Jerusalem .

" we 've all given something to keep you flying , " she said .

" four hundred thousand of our boys gone overseas fifty thousand of them killed .

but you are worth it ! "

she was one of the women courageous , unquailing , patient , heroic who had made victory possible .

in her , they all saluted the symbol for which their dearest had fought .

something of this was in the doctor 's mind as he watched her from the door .

CHAPTER XXXI

MRS MATILDA PITTMAN

Rilla and Jims were standing on the rear platform of their car when the train stopped at the little Millward siding .

the August evening was so hot and close that the crowded cars were stifling .

nobody ever knew just why trains stopped at Millward siding .

nobody was ever known to get off there or get on .

there was only one house nearer to it than four miles , and it was surrounded by acres of blueberry barrens and scrub spruce-trees .

Rilla was heavy-hearted over this , and worried also .

she might never see her dear , sunshiny , carefully brought-up little Jims again .

with such a father what might his fate be ?

" but I feel sure he won't and Jims will never have any chance .

and he is such a bright little chap he has ambition , wherever he got it and he isn't lazy .

but his father will never have a cent to give him any education or start in life .

Jims , my little war-baby , whatever is going to become of you ? "

Jims was not in the least concerned over what was to become of him .

he was gleefully watching the antics of a striped chipmunk that was frisking over the roof of the little siding .

as the train pulled out Jims leaned eagerly forward for a last look at Chippy , pulling his hand from Rilla 's .

Rilla shrieked and lost her head .

she sprang down the steps and jumped off the train .

nobody had seen what had happened and the train whisked briskly away round a curve in the barrens .

but Jims , except for a few bruises , and a big fright , was quite uninjured .

" nasty old twain , " remarked Jims in disgust .

" and nasty old God , " he added , with a scowl at the heavens .

a laugh broke into Rilla 's sobbing , producing something very like what her father would have called hysterics .

but she caught herself up before the hysteria could conquer her .

" Rilla Blythe , I 'm ashamed of you .

pull yourself together immediately .

Jims , you shouldn't have said anything like that . "

" god frew me off the twain , " declared Jims defiantly .

" somebody frew me ; you didn't frow me ; so it was God . "

" no , it wasn't .

you fell because you let go of my hand and bent too far forward .

I told you not to do that .

so that it was your own fault . "

Jims looked to see if she meant it ; then glanced up at the sky again .

" excuse me , then , God , " he remarked airily .

Rilla scanned the sky also ; she did not like its appearance ; a heavy thundercloud was appearing in the northwest .

what in the world was to be done ?

there was no other train that night , since the nine o'clock special ran only on Saturdays .

would it be possible for them to reach Hannah Brewster 's house , two miles away , before the storm broke ?

Rilla thought she could do it alone easily enough , but with Jims it was another matter .

were his little legs good for it ?

" we 've got to try it , " said Rilla desperately .

if we can get to Hannah 's she will keep us all night . "

Hannah Brewster , when she had been Hannah Crawford , had lived in the Glen and gone to school with Rilla .

they had been good friends then , though Hannah had been three years the older .

she had married very young and had gone to live in Millward .

for the first mile they got on very well but the second one was harder .

the road , seldom used , was rough and deep-rutted .

Jims grew so tired that Rilla had to carry him for the last quarter .

she reached the Brewster house , almost exhausted , and dropped Jims on the walk with a sigh of thankfulness .

the sky was black with clouds ; the first heavy drops were beginning to fall ; and the rumble of thunder was growing very loud .

then she made an unpleasant discovery .

the blinds were all down and the doors locked .

evidently the Brewsters were not at home .

Rilla ran to the little barn .

it , too , was locked .

no other refuge presented itself .

the bare whitewashed little house had not even a veranda or porch .

it was almost dark now and her plight seemed desperate .

" I 'm going to get in if I have to break a window , " said Rilla resolutely .

" Hannah would want me to do that .

she 'd never get over it if she heard I came to her house for refuge in a thunderstorm and couldn't get in . "

luckily she did not have to go to the length of actual housebreaking .

the kitchen window went up quite easily .

Rilla lifted Jims in and scrambled through herself , just as the storm broke in good earnest .

" oh , see all the little pieces of thunder , " cried Jims in delight , as the hail danced in after them .

Rilla shut the window and with some difficulty found and lighted a lamp .

they were in a very snug little kitchen .

" I 'm going to make myself at home , " said Rilla .

" I know that is just what Hannah would want me to do .

there is nothing like acting sensibly in an emergency .

then I wouldn't have been in this scrape .

since I am in it I 'll make the best of it .

" this house , " she added , looking around , " is fixed up much nicer than when I was here before .

of course Hannah and Ted were just beginning housekeeping then .

but somehow I 've had the idea that Ted hasn't been very prosperous .

he must have done better than I 've been led to believe , when they can afford furniture like this .

I 'm awfully glad for Hannah 's sake . "

the thunderstorm passed , but the rain continued to fall heavily .

at eleven o'clock Rilla decided that nobody was coming home .

Jims had fallen asleep on the sofa ; she carried him up to the spare room and put him to bed .

then she undressed , put on a nightgown she found in the washstand drawer , and scrambled sleepily in between very nice lavender-scented sheets .

Rilla slept until eight o'clock the next morning and then wakened with startling suddenness .

somebody was saying in a harsh , gruff voice , " here , you two , wake up .

I want to know what this means . "

Rilla did wake up , promptly and effectually .

she had never in all her life wakened up so thoroughly before .

Standing in the room were three people , one of them a man , who were absolute strangers to her .

the man was a big fellow with a bushy black beard and an angry scowl .

beside him was a woman a tall , thin , angular person , with violently red hair and an indescribable hat .

she looked even crosser and more amazed than the man , if that were possible .

in the background was another woman a tiny old lady who must have been at least eighty .

she looked as amazed as the other two , but Rilla realized that she didn't look cross .

Rilla also was realizing that something was wrong fearfully wrong .

then the man said , more gruffly than ever , " come now .

who are you and what business have you here ? "

Rilla raised herself on one elbow , looking and feeling hopelessly bewildered and foolish .

she heard the old black-and-white lady in the background chuckle to herself .

" she must be real , " Rilla thought .

" I can't be dreaming her . "

aloud she gasped ,

" isn't this Theodore Brewster 's place ? "

" no , " said the big woman , speaking for the first time , " this place belongs to us .

we bought it from the Brewsters last fall .

they moved to Greenvale .

our name is Chapley . "

Poor Rilla fell back on her pillow , quite overcome .

" I beg your pardon , " she said .

" I I thought the Brewsters lived here .

Mrs Brewster is a friend of mine .

I am Rilla Blythe Dr Blythe 's daughter from Glen St Mary .

" so it seems , " said the woman sarcastically .

" a likely story , " said the man .

" we weren't born yesterday , " added the woman .

Rilla , stung by the disagreeable attitude of the Chapleys , regained her self-possession and lost her temper .

and I shall pay you amply for the food we have eaten and the night 's lodging I have taken . "

the black-and-white apparition went through the motion of clapping her hands , but not a sound did she make .

" well , that 's fair .

if you pay up it 's all right . "

" if you haven't got any shame for yourself , Robert Chapley , you 've got a mother-in-law who can be ashamed for you .

no strangers shall be charged for room and lodging in any house where Mrs Matilda Pitman lives .

remember that , though I may have come down in the world , I haven't quite forgot all decency for all that .

I knew you was a skinflint when Amelia married you , and you 've made her as bad as yourself .

but Mrs Matilda Pitman has been boss for a long time , and Mrs Matilda Pitman will remain boss .

here you , Robert Chapley , take yourself out of here and let that girl get dressed .

and you , Amelia , go downstairs and cook a breakfast for her . "

never , in all her life , had Rilla seen anything like the abject meekness with which those two big people obeyed that mite .

they went without word or look of protest .

as the door closed behind them Mrs Matilda Pitman laughed silently , and rocked from side to side in her merriment .

" ain't it funny ? " she said .

they don't dast aggravate me , because I 've got considerable hard cash , and they 're afraid I won't leave it all to them .

neither I will .

I 'll leave ' em some , but some I won't , just to vex ' em .

now , you can take your time about dressing , my dear , and I 'll go down and keep them mean scallawags in order .

that 's a handsome child you have there .

is he your brother ? "

" War-baby !

Humph !

well , I 'd better skin out before he wakes up or he 'll likely start crying .

children don't like me never did .

I can't recollect any youngster ever coming near me of its own accord .

never had any of my own .

Amelia was my step-daughter .

well , it 's saved me a world of bother .

if kids don't like me I don't like them , so that 's an even score .

but that certainly is a handsome child . "

Jims chose this moment for waking up .

he opened his big brown eyes and looked at Mrs Matilda Pitman unblinkingly .

Mrs Matilda Pitman smiled .

even eighty-odd is sometimes vulnerable in vanity .

" I 've heard that children and fools tell the truth , " she said .

" I was used to compliments when I was young but they 're scarcer when you get as far along as I am .

I haven't had one for years .

it tastes good .

I s'pose now , you monkey , you wouldn't give me a kiss . "

then Jims did a quite surprising thing .

he was not a demonstrative youngster and was chary with kisses even to the Ingleside people .

" Jims , " protested Rilla , aghast at this liberty .

" you leave him be , " ordered Mrs Matilda Pitman , setting her bonnet straight .

" laws I like to see some one that isn't skeered of me .

everybody is you are , though you 're trying to hide it .

and why ?

of course Robert and Amelia are because I make ' em skeered on purpose .

but folks always are no matter how civil I be to them .

are you going to keep this child ? "

" I 'm afraid not .

his father is coming home before long . "

" is he any good the father , I mean ? "

" Well he 's kind and nice but he 's poor and I 'm afraid he always will be , " faltered Rilla .

" I see shiftless can't make or keep .

well , I 'll see I 'll see .

I have an idea .

it 's a good idea , and besides it will make Robert and Amelia squirm .

that 's its main merit in my eyes , though I like that child , mind you , because he ain't skeered of me .

he 's worth some bother .

now , you get dressed , as I said before , and come down when you 're good and ready . "

Rilla was stiff and sore after her tumble and walk of the night before but she was not long in dressing herself and Jims .

when she went down to the kitchen she found a smoking hot breakfast on the table .

Mr Chapley was nowhere in sight and Mrs Chapley was cutting bread with a sulky air .

Mrs Matilda Pitman was sitting in an armchair , knitting a grey army sock .

she still wore her bonnet and her triumphant expression .

" set right in , dears , and make a good breakfast , " she said .

" I am not hungry , " said Rilla almost pleadingly .

" I don't think I can eat anything .

and it is time I was starting for the station .

the morning train will soon be along .

please excuse me and let us go I 'll take a piece of bread and butter for Jims . "

Mrs Matilda Pitman shook a knitting-needle playfully at Rilla .

" sit down and take your breakfast , " she said .

" Mrs Matilda Pitman commands you .

everybody obeys Mrs Matilda Pitman even Robert and Amelia .

you must obey her too . "

Rilla did obey her .

she sat down and , such was the influence of Mrs Matilda Pitman 's mesmeric eye , she ate a tolerable breakfast .

the obedient Amelia never spoke ; Mrs Matilda Pitman did not speak either ; but she knitted furiously and chuckled .

when Rilla had finished , Mrs Matilda Pitman rolled up her sock .

" now you can go if you want to , " she said , " but you don't have to go .

you can stay here as long as you want to and I 'll make Amelia cook your meals for you . "

" thank you , " she said meekly , " but we must really go . "

" well , then , " said Mrs Matilda Pitman , throwing open the door , " your conveyance is ready for you .

I told Robert he must hitch up and drive you to the station .

I enjoy making Robert do things .

it 's almost the only sport I have left .

I 'm over eighty and most things have lost their flavour except bossing Robert . "

Robert sat before the door on the front seat of a trim , double-seated , rubber-tired buggy .

he must have heard every word his mother-in-law said but he gave no sign .

you go along to town and don't forget to call the next time you come this way .

don't be scared .

not that you are scared of much , I reckon , considering the way you sassed Robert back this morning .

I like your spunk .

most girls nowadays are such timid , skeery creeturs .

when I was a girl I wasn't afraid of nothing nor nobody .

Mind you take good care of that boy .

he ain't any common child .

and make Robert drive round all the puddles in the road .

I won't have that new buggy splashed . "

Robert spoke no word , either good or bad , all the way to the station , but he remembered the puddles .

when Rilla got out at the siding she thanked him courteously .

the only response she got was a grunt as Robert turned his horse and started for home .

" Well " Rilla drew a long breath " I must try to get back into Rilla Blythe again .

I 've been somebody else these past few hours I don't know just who some creation of that extraordinary old person 's .

I believe she hypnotized me .

what an adventure this will be to write the boys . "

and then she sighed .

bitter remembrance came that there were only Jerry , Ken , Carl and Shirley to write it to now .

Jem who would have appreciated Mrs Matilda Pitman keenly where was Jem ?

CHAPTER XXXII

WORD FROM JEM

@date@

" it is four years tonight since the dance at the lighthouse four years of war .

it seems like three times four .

I was fifteen then .

I am nineteen now .

" today I was going through the hall and I heard mother saying something to father about me .

" ' Rilla has developed in a wonderful fashion these past four years .

she used to be such an irresponsible young creature .

she has changed into a capable , womanly girl and she is such a comfort to me .

we are chums .

I don't see how I could have got through these terrible years without her , Gilbert . '

" there , that is just what mother said and I feel glad and sorry and proud and humble !

it 's beautiful to have my mother think that about me but I don't deserve it quite .

I 'm not as good and strong as all that .

there are heaps of times when I have felt cross and impatient and woeful and despairing .

it is mother and Susan who have been this family 's backbone .

but I have helped a little , I believe , and I am so glad and thankful .

" the war news has been good right along .

the French and Americans are pushing the Germans back and back and back .

we don't rejoice noisily over it .

Susan keeps the flag up but we go softly .

the price paid has been too high for jubilation .

we are just thankful that it has not been paid in vain .

" no word has come from Jem .

we hope because we dare not do anything else .

but there are hours when we all feel though we never say so that such hoping is foolishness .

these hours come more and more frequently as the weeks go by .

and we may never know .

that is the most terrible thought of all .

I wonder how Faith is bearing it .

@date@

it did not say where the wound was , which is unusual , and we all feel worried .

there is news of a fresh victory every day now . "

@date@

" the Merediths had a letter from Carl today .

his wound was " only a slight one " but it was in his right eye and the sight is gone for ever !

" ' One eye is enough to watch bugs with , ' Carl writes cheerfully .

and we know it might have been oh so much worse !

if it had been both eyes !

but I cried all the afternoon after I saw Carl 's letter .

those beautiful , fearless blue eyes of his !

" there is one comfort he will not have to go back to the front .

he is coming home as soon as he is out of the hospital the first of our boys to return .

when will the others come ?

" and there is one who will never come .

at least we will not see him if he does .

we will not see them but they will be there ! "

@date@

" mother and I went into Charlottetown yesterday to see the moving picture , " hearts of the World . "

I made an awful goose of myself father will never stop teasing me about it for the rest of my life .

and then , quite near the last came a terribly exciting one .

the heroine was struggling with a horrible German soldier who was trying to drag her away .

I thought she must have forgotten it , and just at the tensest moment of the scene I lost my head altogether .

" I created a sensation !

" everybody in the house laughed .

I came to my senses and fell back in my seat , overcome with mortification .

mother was shaking with laughter .

I could have shaken her .

why hadn't she pulled me down and choked me before I had made such an idiot of myself .

she protests that there wasn't time .

" fortunately the house was dark , and I don't believe there was anybody there who knew me .

and I thought I was becoming sensible and self-controlled and womanly !

it is plain I have some distance to go yet before I attain that devoutly desired consummation . "

@date@

" Bruce always loved Jem very devotedly , and the child has never forgotten him in all these years .

he has been as faithful in his way as Dog Monday was in his .

we have always told him that Jem would come back .

Bruce went home and cried himself to sleep .

this morning his mother saw him going out of the yard , with a very sorrowful and determined look , carrying his pet kitten .

" ' Why did you do that ? '

Mrs Meredith exclaimed .

" 'To bring Jem back , ' sobbed Bruce .

' I thought if I sacrificed Stripey God would send Jem back .

I just told God I would give Him Stripey if He would send Jem back .

and He will , won't He , mother ? '

" Mrs Meredith didn't know what to say to the poor child .

she just could not tell him that perhaps his sacrifice wouldn't bring Jem back that God didn't work that way .

she told him that he mustn't expect it right away that perhaps it would be quite a long time yet before Jem came back .

" but Bruce said , ' It oughtn't to take longer'n a week , mother .

oh , mother , Stripey was such a nice little cat .

he purred so pretty .

don't you think God ought to like him enough to let us have Jem ? "

and I feel as if I must cry every time I think of it .

it was so splendid and sad and beautiful .

the dear devoted little fellow !

he worshipped that kitten .

@date@

" I have been kneeling at my window in the moonshine for a long time , just thanking God over and over again .

" last night I was sitting here in my room at eleven o'clock writing a letter to Shirley .

every one else was in bed , except father , who was out .

I heard the telephone ring and I ran out to the hall to answer it , before it should waken mother .

it was long-distance calling , and when I answered it said ' This is the telegraph Company 's office in Charlottetown .

there is an overseas cable for Dr Blythe . '

" I thought of Shirley my heart stood still and then I heard him saying , ' It 's from Holland . '

" the message was ,

' Just arrived .

escaped from Germany .

quite well .

writing .

James Blythe . '

" I didn't faint or fall or scream .

I didn't feel glad or surprised .

I didn't feel anything .

I felt numb , just as I did when I heard Walter had enlisted .

I hung up the receiver and turned round .

mother was standing in her doorway .

she looked just like a young girl .

" ' There is word from Jem ? ' she said .

" how did she know ?

I hadn't said a word at the phone except ' Yes yes yes . '

she says she doesn't know how she knew , but she did know .

she was awake and she heard the ring and she knew that there was word from Jem .

" ' He 's alive he 's well he's in Holland , ' I said .

" mother came out into the hall and said , ' I must get your father on the ' phone and tell him .

he is in the Upper Glen . '

" she was very calm and quiet not a bit like I would have expected her to be .

but then I wasn't either .

I went and woke up Gertrude and Susan and told them .

" I think I know at last exactly what I shall feel like on the resurrection morning . "

@date@

" today Jem 's letter came .

it has been in the house only six hours and it is almost read to pieces .

the post-mistress told everybody in the Glen it had come , and everybody came up to hear the news .

it was weeks before he came to his senses and was able to write .

then he did write but it never came .

he wasn't treated at all badly at his camp only the food was poor .

he had nothing to eat but a little black bread and boiled turnips and now and then a little soup with black peas in it .

and we sat down every one of those days to three good square luxurious meals !

he wrote us as often as he could but he was afraid we were not getting his letters because no reply came .

" Jem can't come home right away .

" I had a letter from Jim Anderson today , too .

he has married an English girl , got his discharge , and is coming right home to Canada with his bride .

I don't know whether to be glad or sorry .

it will depend on what kind of a woman she is .

I had a second letter also of a somewhat mysterious tenor .

" I read a notice of Mrs Pitman 's death from heart failure in the Enterprise a few weeks ago .

I wonder if this summons has anything to do with Jims . "

@date@

he drew up a new will for her a short time before her death .

she was worth thirty thousand dollars , the bulk of which was left to Amelia Chapley .

but she left five thousand to me in trust for Jims .

certainly Jims was born lucky .

and he tumbled not only into a clump of bracken , but right into this nice little legacy .

" at all events he is provided for , and in such a fashion that Jim Anderson can't squander his inheritance if he wanted to .

now , if the new English stepmother is only a good sort I shall feel quite easy about the future of my war-baby .

" I wonder what Robert and Amelia think of it .

I fancy they will nail down their windows when they leave home after this ! "

CHAPTER XXXIII

VICTORY !

" a day ' of chilling winds and gloomy skies , ' " Rilla quoted one Sunday afternoon the sixth of October to be exact .

" it 's more like November than October November is such an ugly month . "

" I 'm afeared we 're going to have an airly winter , " foreboded Cousin Sophia .

" the muskrats are building awful big houses round the pond , and that 's a sign that never fails .

dear me , how that child has grown ! "

Cousin Sophia sighed again , as if it were an unhappy circumstance that a child should grow .

" when do you expect his father ? "

" next week , " said Rilla .

anyhow , he 'll be sure to feel the difference between his usage here and what he 'll get anywhere else .

you 've spoiled him so , Rilla , waiting on him hand and foot the way you 've always done . "

Rilla smiled and pressed her cheek to Jims ' curls .

she knew sweet-tempered , sunny , little Jims was not spoiled .

nevertheless her heart was anxious behind her smile .

she , too , thought much about the new Mrs Anderson and wondered uneasily what she would be like .

" I can't give Jims up to a woman who won't love him , " she thought rebelliously .

" I b'lieve it 's going to rain , " said Cousin Sophia .

" we have had an awful lot of rain this fall already .

it 's going to make it awful hard for people to get their roots in .

it wasn't so in my young days .

we gin'rally had beautiful Octobers then .

but the seasons is altogether different now from what they used to be . "

Clear across Cousin Sophia 's doleful voice cut the telephone bell .

Gertrude Oliver answered it .

" yes what ?

what ?

is it true is it official ?

thank you thank you . "

Gertrude turned and faced the room dramatically , her dark eyes flashing , her dark face flushed with feeling .

all at once the sun broke through the thick clouds and poured through the big crimson maple outside the window .

its reflected glow enveloped her in a weird immaterial flame .

she looked like a priestess performing some mystic , splendid rite .

" Germany and Austria are suing for peace , " she said .

Rilla went crazy for a few minutes .

she sprang up and danced around the room , clapping her hands , laughing , crying .

" oh , " cried Rilla , " I have walked the floor for hours in despair and anxiety in these past four years .

now let me walk in joy .

it was worth living long dreary years for this minute , and it would be worth living them again just to look back to it .

Susan , let's run up the flag and we must phone the news to every one in the Glen . "

" can we have as much sugar as we want to now ? " asked Jims eagerly .

it was a never-to-be-forgotten afternoon .

as the news spread excited people ran about the village and dashed up to Ingleside .

the Merediths came over and stayed to supper and everybody talked and nobody listened .

" this Sunday makes up for that one in March , " said Susan .

after being fed for four years on horrors and fears , terrible reverses , amazing victories , won't anything less be tame and uninteresting ?

how strange and blessed and dull it will be not to dread the coming of the mail every day . "

" we must dread it for a little while yet , I suppose , " said Rilla .

" peace won't come can't come for some weeks yet .

and in those weeks dreadful things may happen .

my excitement is over .

we have won the victory but oh , what a price we have paid ! "

" not too high a price for freedom , " said Gertrude softly .

" do you think it was , Rilla ? "

" no , " said Rilla , under her breath .

she was seeing a little white cross on a battlefield of France .

" no not if those of us who live will show ourselves worthy of it if we ' keep faith . ' "

" we will keep faith , " said Gertrude .

she rose suddenly .

a silence fell around the table , and in the silence Gertrude repeated Walter 's famous poem " the Piper . "

when she finished Mr Meredith stood up and held up his glass .

" let us drink , " he said , " to the silent army to the boys who followed when the Piper summoned .

' For our tomorrow they gave their today ' theirs is the victory ! "

CHAPTER XXXIV

MR . HYDE GOES TO HIS OWN PLACE AND SUSAN TAKES A HONEYMOON

Early in November Jims left Ingleside .

Rilla saw him go with many tears but a heart free from boding .

she was rosy-faced and blue-eyed and wholesome , with the roundness and trigness of a geranium leaf .

Rilla saw at first glance that she was to be trusted with Jims .

" I 'm fond of children , miss , " she said heartily .

" I 'm used to them I 've left six little brothers and sisters behind me .

Jims is a dear child and I must say you 've done wonders in bringing him up so healthy and handsome .

I 'll be as good to him as if he was my own , miss .

and I 'll make Jim toe the line all right .

he 's a good worker all he needs is some one to keep him at it , and to take charge of his money .

we 've rented a little farm just out of the village , and we 're going to settle down there .

Jim wanted to stay in England but I says ' No. '

I hankered to try a new country and I 've always thought Canada would suit me . "

" I 'm so glad you are going to live near us .

you 'll let Jims come here often , won't you ?

I love him dearly . "

" no doubt you do , miss , for a lovabler child I never did see .

we understand , Jim and me , what you 've done for him , and you won't find us ungrateful .

he can come here whenever you want him and I 'll always be glad of any advice from you about his bringing up .

so Jims went away with the soup tureen , though not in it .

then the news of the Armistice came , and even Glen St Mary went mad .

that night the village had a bonfire , and burned the Kaiser in effigy .

the fishing village boys turned out and burned all the sandhills off in one grand glorious conflagration that extended for seven miles .

Up at Ingleside Rilla ran laughing to her room .

" you 've certainly kept your vow pluckily , " laughed Miss Oliver .

" it wasn't pluck it was sheer obstinacy I 'm rather ashamed of it , " said Rilla , kicking joyously .

" I wanted to show mother .

it 's mean to want to show your own mother most unfilial conduct !

but I have shown her .

and I 've shown myself a few things !

oh , Miss Oliver , just for one moment I 'm really feeling quite young again young and frivolous and silly .

did I ever say November was an ugly month ?

why it 's the most beautiful month in the whole year .

listen to the bells ringing in Rainbow Valley !

I never heard them so clearly .

not that I am sane just now I don't pretend to be .

the whole world is having a little crazy spell today .

soon we 'll sober down and ' keep faith ' and begin to build up our new world .

but just for today let 's be mad and glad . "

Susan came in from the outdoor sunlight looking supremely satisfied .

" Mr Hyde is gone , " she announced .

" gone !

do you mean he is dead , Susan ? "

" no , Mrs Dr dear , that beast is not dead .

but you will never see him again .

I feel sure of that . "

" don't be so mysterious , Susan .

what has happened to him ? "

" well , Mrs Dr dear , he was sitting out on the back steps this afternoon .

it was just after the news came that the Armistice had been signed and he was looking his Hydest .

I can assure you he was an awesome looking beast .

all at once , Mrs Dr dear , Bruce Meredith came around the corner of the kitchen walking on his stilts .

he has been learning to walk on them lately and came over to show me how well he could do it .

Mr Hyde just took a look and one bound carried him over the yard fence .

then he went tearing through the maple grove in great leaps with his ears laid back .

you never saw a creature so terrified , Mrs Dr dear .

he has never returned . "

" oh , he 'll come back , Susan , probably chastened in spirit by his fright . "

" we will see , Mrs Dr . dear we will see .

remember , the Armistice has been signed .

and that reminds me that Whiskers-on-the-moon had a paralytic stroke last night .

Mr Hyde certainly was heard of no more .

" a honeymoon , Susan ? "

" yes , Mrs Dr dear , a honeymoon , " repeated Susan firmly .

I am going to Charlottetown to visit my married brother and his family .

his wife has been ailing all the fall , but nobody knows whether she is going to die not .

she never did tell anyone what she was going to do until she did it .

that is the main reason why she was never liked in our family .

but to be on the safe side I feel that I should visit her .

but have no fear that I shall be carried away with them , Mrs Dr . dear .

I shall be away a fortnight if you can spare me so long . "

" you certainly deserve a good holiday , Susan .

better take a month that is the proper length for a honeymoon . "

" no , Mrs Dr dear , a fortnight is all I require .

besides , I must be home for at least three weeks before Christmas to make the proper preparations .

we will have a Christmas that is a Christmas this year , Mrs Dr dear .

do you think there is any chance of our boys being home for it ? "

" no , I think not , Susan .

both Jem and Shirley write that they don't expect to be home before spring it may be even midsummer before Shirley comes .

but Carl Meredith will be home , and Nan and Di , and we will have a grand celebration once more .

CHAPTER XXXV

" RILLA-MY-RILLA ! "

the latter put on a few airs especially when Carter Flagg took Miller into his store as head clerk but nobody grudged them to her .

we 're going to be married in the fall and live in the old Mead house with the bay windows and the mansard roof .

I 've always thought that the handsomest house in the Glen , but never did I dream I 'd ever live there .

say , I 've got on some in society , haven't I , considering what I come from ?

I never aspired to being a storekeeper's wife .

but Miller 's real ambitious and he 'll have a wife that 'll back him up .

none of them came back just as they went away , not even those who had been so fortunate as to escape injury .

thousands of trains had Dog Monday met and never had the boy he waited and watched for returned .

yet still Dog Monday watched on with eyes that never quite lost hope .

one passenger stepped off the train a tall fellow in a faded lieutenant 's uniform , who walked with a barely perceptible limp .

he had a bronzed face and there were some grey hairs in the ruddy curls that clustered around his forehead .

the new station agent looked at him anxiously .

a black-and-yellow streak shot past the station agent .

dog Monday stiff ?

dog Monday rheumatic ?

dog Monday old ?

never believe it .

Dog Monday was a young pup , gone clean mad with rejuvenating joy .

he flung himself against the tall soldier , with a bark that choked in his throat from sheer rapture .

he flung himself on the ground and writhed in a frenzy of welcome .

the station agent had heard the story of Dog Monday .

he knew now who the returned soldier was .

Dog Monday 's long vigil was ended .

Jem Blythe had come home .

I shall never forget the sight of her , tearing madly about from pantry to cellar , hunting out stored away goodies .

just as if anybody cared what was on the table none of us could eat , anyway .

it was meat and drink just to look at Jem .

mother seemed afraid to take her eyes off him lest he vanish out of her sight .

it is wonderful to have Jem back and little Dog Monday .

Monday refuses to be separated from Jem for a moment .

he sleeps on the foot of his bed and squats beside him at meal-times .

that little dog 's love is a treasure , Jem . '

" Jem laughed .

" ' Afraid !

I was afraid scores of times sick with fear I who used to laugh at Walter when he was frightened .

do you know , Walter was never frightened after he got to the front .

Realities never scared him only his imagination could do that .

his colonel told me that Walter was the bravest man in the regiment .

Rilla , I never realized that Walter was dead till I came back home .

you don't know how I miss him now you folks here have got used to it in a sense but it 's all fresh to me .

" Jem is going back to college in the fall and so are Jerry and Carl .

I suppose Shirley will , too .

he expects to be home in July .

Nan and Di will go on teaching .

faith doesn't expect to be home before September .

I suppose she will teach then too , for she and Jem can't be married until he gets through his course in medicine .

" ' We 're in a new world , ' Jem says , ' and we 've got to make it a better one than the old .

that isn't done yet , though some folks seem to think it ought to be .

the job isn't finished it isn't really begun .

the old world is destroyed and we must build up the new one .

it will be the task of years .

I 've seen enough of war to realize that we 've got to make a world where wars can't happen .

we 've given Prussianism its mortal wound but it isn't dead yet and it isn't confined to Germany either .

it isn't enough to drive out the old spirit we 've got to bring in the new . '

Rilla closed her journal with a little sigh .

just then she was not finding it easy to keep faith .

all the rest seemed to have some special aim or ambition about which to build up their lives she had none .

and she was very lonely , horribly lonely .

Jem had come back but he was not the laughing boy-brother who had gone away in @number@ and he belonged to Faith .

Walter would never come back .

she had not even Jims left .

so Ken was home and he had not even written her that he was coming .

he had been in Canada two weeks and she had not had a line from him .

it was all absurd she had been a silly , romantic , inexperienced goose .

well , she would be wiser in the future very wise and very discreet and very contemptuous of men and their ways .

the door bell rang , Rilla turned reluctantly stairwards .

she must answer it there was no one else in the house ; but she hated the idea of callers just then .

she went downstairs slowly , and opened the front door .

Rilla stared at him foolishly for a moment .

who was it ?

she ought to know him there was certainly something very familiar about him " Rilla-my-Rilla , " he said .

" ken , " gasped Rilla .

ken took the uncertain hand she held out , and looked at her .

the slim Rilla of four years ago had rounded out into symmetry .

" is it Rilla-my-Rilla ? " he asked , meaningly .

emotion shook Rilla from head to foot .

she had tried to speak ; at first voice would not come .

then " Yeth , " said Rilla .

End of Project Gutenberg 's Rilla of Ingleside , by Lucy Maud Montgomery

BURGESS TRADE QUADDIES MARK

MOTHER WEST WIND'S ANIMAL FRIENDS

BY THORNTON W BURGESS

Author of " old Mother West Wind , " and " mother West Wind 's Children "

illustrated by George Kerr

BOSTON LITTLE , BROWN , AND COMPANY @number@

Copyright , @number@ , BY LITTLE , BROWN , AND COMPANY

all rights reserved

Illustration : suddenly he met Mr Panther .

FRONTISPIECE .

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I THE MERRY LITTLE BREEZES SAVE THE GREEN MEADOWS @number@

II .

THE STRANGER IN THE GREEN FOREST @number@

III .

HOW PRICKLY PORKY GOT HIS QUILLS @number@

IV .

PETER RABBIT'S EGG ROLLING @number@

V HOW JOHNNY CHUCK RAN AWAY @number@

VI .

PETER RABBIT'S RUN FOR LIFE @number@

VII .

a JOKER FOOLED @number@

VIII .

THE FUSS IN THE BIG PINE @number@

IX .

JOHNNY CHUCK FINDS A USE FOR HIS BACK DOOR @number@

x . BILLY MINK GOES DINNERLESS @number@

XI .

GRANDFATHER FROG'S JOURNEY @number@

XII .

WHY BLACKY THE CROW WEARS MOURNING @number@

XIII .

STRIPED CHIPMUNK FOOLS PETER RABBIT @number@

XIV .

JERRY MUSKRAT'S NEW HOUSE @number@

XV .

PETER RABBIT'S BIG COUSIN @number@

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

SUDDENLY HE MET MR . PANTHER FRONTISPIECE

REDDY STRUTTED OUT IN FRONT OF HIM .

" WHO ARE YOU ? "

HE DEMANDED PAGE @number@

" PLEASE , PLEASE WAIT FOR ME , PETER RABBIT , " PANTED JOHNNY CHUCK " @number@

" COME ON WITH US TO THE BIG RIVER , FISHING , " CALLED BILLY MINK " @number@

PETER WAS SO SURPRISED THAT HE NEARLY FELL BACKWARD " @number@

" I'M GOING TO BUILD A HOUSE , " REPLIED JERRY MUSKRAT " @number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S ANIMAL FRIENDS

I

THE MERRY LITTLE BREEZES SAVE THE GREEN MEADOWS

old Mother West Wind 's family is very big , very big indeed .

there are dozens and dozens of Merry Little Breezes , all children of Old Mother West Wind .

every morning she comes down from the Purple Hills and tumbles them out of a great bag on to the Green Meadows .

one morning , just as usual , Old Mother West Wind turned the Merry Little Breezes out to play on the Green Meadows .

then she hurried away to fill the sails of the ships and blow them across the great ocean .

the Merry Little Breezes hopped and skipped over the Green Meadows looking for some one to play with .

it was then that one of them discovered something something very dreadful .

it was a fire !

yes , Sir , it was a fire in the meadow grass !

some one had dropped a lighted match , and now little red flames were running through the grass in all directions .

the Merry Little Breeze hastened to tell all the other Little Breezes and all rushed over as fast as they could to see for themselves .

it was dreadful !

then one of them noticed that the little red flames were running in the direction of Johnny Chuck 's new house .

would the little red flames burn up Johnny Chuck , as they burned up the grass and the flowers ?

" hi ! " cried the Merry Little Breeze , " we must warn Johnny Chuck and all the other little meadow people ! "

so he caught up a capful of smoke and raced off as fast as he could go to Johnny Chuck 's house .

there they would be quite safe from the little red flames .

the Merry Little Breeze who had brought him the warning in a capful of smoke thought for a minute .

then he called all the other Little Breezes to him .

" we must get Farmer Brown 's help or we will have no beautiful Green Meadows to play on , " said the Merry Little Breeze .

then one of them blew a little of the smoke in at an open window , near which Farmer Brown was eating breakfast .

Farmer Brown coughed and strangled and sprang from his chair .

" phew ! " cried Farmer Brown , " I smell smoke !

there must be a fire on the meadows . "

the Merry Little Breezes sighed with relief and followed to the fire .

choking with smoke , they hurried over to tell the dreadful news to the little meadow people and forest folks gathered at the Smiling Pool .

" Chug-a-rum !

why don't you help put the fire out ? " asked Grandfather Frog .

" go find and drive up a rain cloud , " replied Grandfather Frog .

" Splendid ! " cried all the little meadow people and forest folks .

" hurry ! hurry !

oh , do hurry ! "

so the Merry Little Breezes scattered in all directions to hunt for a rain cloud .

then all the little meadow people and forest folks sat down around the Smiling Pool to wait .

splash !

something struck in the Smiling Pool right beside Grandfather Frog 's big , green , lily-pad .

spat !

something hit Johnny Chuck right on the end of his funny little , black nose .

they were drops of water .

" hurrah ! " cried Johnny Chuck , whirling about .

sure enough , they were drops of water rain drops .

" phew ! " said Farmer Brown , mopping his face with his handkerchief , " that was warm work !

that shower came up just in time and it is lucky it did . "

II

THE STRANGER IN THE GREEN FOREST

as they hurried along the Crooked Little Path up the hill , they met Reddy Fox .

Reddy Fox sat down and grinned at the Merry Little Breezes .

the grin of Reddy Fox is not pleasant .

it irritates and exasperates .

it made the Merry Little Breezes feel very uncomfortable .

" you don't say so , " drawled Reddy Fox .

" do you mean to say that you 've just discovered him ?

why , your news is so old that it is stale ; it is no news at all .

I thought you had something really new to tell me . "

the Merry Little Breezes were disappointed .

their faces fell .

" who is he , Reddy Fox ? " asked one of the Merry Little Breezes .

Reddy Fox pretended not to hear .

" I must be going , " said he , rising and stretching .

" I have an engagement with Billy Mink down at the Smiling Pool . "

now Reddy Fox had not told the truth .

he had known nothing whatever of the stranger in the Green Forest .

in fact he had been as surprised as the Merry Little Breezes could have wished , but he would not show it .

and he had told another untruth , for he had no intention of going down to the Smiling Pool .

no , indeed !

now Reddy Fox does nothing openly .

all around through the Green Forest sneaked Reddy Fox , but nothing of the stranger could he see .

it didn't occur to him to look anywhere but on the ground .

" I don't believe there is a stranger here , " said Reddy to himself .

just then he noticed some scraps of bark around the foot of a tall maple .

looking up to see where it came from he saw what do you think ?

why , the stranger who had come to the Green Forest .

Reddy Fox dodged back out of sight , for he wanted to find out all he could about the stranger before the stranger saw him .

Reddy sat down behind a big stump and rubbed his eyes .

he could hardly believe what he saw .

there at the top of the tall maple , stripping the branches of their bark and eating it , was the stranger , sure enough .

he was big , much bigger than Reddy .

could he be a relative of Happy Jack Squirrel ?

he didn't look a bit , not the least little bit like Happy Jack .

and he moved slowly , very slowly , indeed , while Happy Jack and his cousins move quickly .

Reddy decided that the stranger could not be related to Happy Jack .

the longer Reddy looked the more he was puzzled .

also , Reddy began to feel just a little bit jealous .

even Grandfather Frog left his beloved big , green lily-pad and started for the Green Forest .

the stranger was anything but handsome , but his size filled them with respect .

the nearer he got to the ground the bigger he looked .

if the stranger was slow and clumsy in the tree , he was clumsier still on the ground .

his eyes were small and dull .

his coat was rough , long and almost black .

his legs were short and stout .

his tail was rather short and broad .

altogether he was anything but handsome .

Reddy strutted out in front of him .

" who are you ? " he demanded .

Illustration : Reddy strutted out in front of him .

" who are you ? " he demanded .

the stranger paid no attention to Reddy Fox .

" what business have you in our Green Forest ? " demanded Reddy , showing all his teeth .

the stranger just grunted and appeared not to see Reddy Fox .

Reddy swelled himself out until every hair stood on end and he looked twice as big as he really is .

he strutted back and forth in front of the stranger .

" don't you know that I 'm afraid of nothing and nobody ? " snarled Reddy Fox .

the stranger refused to give him so much as a glance .

he just grunted and kept right on about his business .

all the little meadow people and forest folks began to giggle and then to laugh .

" you 're a pig ! " taunted Reddy .

" you 're afraid to fight .

I bet you 're afraid of Danny Meadow Mouse ! "

still the stranger just grunted and paid no further attention to Reddy Fox .

now , with all his boasting Reddy Fox had kept at a safe distance from the stranger .

happy Jack Squirrel had noticed this .

" if you 're so brave , why don't you drive him out , Reddy Fox ? " asked Happy Jack , skipping behind a tree .

" you don't dare to ! "

Reddy turned and glared at Happy Jack .

" I 'm not afraid ! " he shouted .

" I 'm not afraid of anything nor anybody ! "

but though he spoke so bravely it was noticed that he went no nearer the stranger .

now it happened that that morning Bowser the Hound took it into his head to take a walk in the Green Forest .

Blacky the Crow , sitting on the tip-top of a big pine , was the first to see him coming .

from pure love of mischief Blacky waited until Bowser was close to the circle around the stranger .

then he gave the alarm .

" here 's Bowser the Hound !

run ! " screamed Blacky the Crow .

then he laughed so that he had to hold his sides to see the fright down below .

Reddy Fox forgot that he was afraid of nothing and nobody .

he was the first one out of sight , running so fast that his feet seemed hardly to touch the ground .

Peter Rabbit turned a back somersault and suddenly remembered that he had important business down on the Green Meadows .

Johnny Chuck dodged into a convenient hole .

Billy Mink ran into a hollow tree .

Striped Chipmunk hid in an old stump .

happy Jack Squirrel climbed the nearest tree .

in a twinkling the stranger was alone , facing Bowser the Hound .

Bowser stopped and looked at the stranger in sheer surprise .

then the hair on the back of his neck stood on end and he growled a deep , ugly growl .

still the stranger did not run .

Bowser didn't know just what to make of it .

never before had he had such an experience .

could it be that the stranger was not afraid of him ?

Bowser walked around the stranger , growling fiercely .

as he walked the stranger turned , so as always to face him .

it was perplexing and very provoking .

it really seemed as if the stranger had no fear of him .

" bow , wow , wow ! " cried Bowser the Hound in his deepest voice , and sprang at the stranger .

then something happened , so surprising that Blacky the Crow lost his balance on the top of the pine where he was watching .

the stranger looked for all the world like a huge black and yellow chestnut burr .

Bowser the Hound was as surprised as Blacky the Crow .

he stopped short and his eyes looked as if they would pop out of his head .

he looked so puzzled and so funny that Happy Jack Squirrel laughed aloud .

the stranger did not move .

Bowser backed away and began to circle around again , sniffing and snuffing .

once in a while he barked .

still the stranger did not move .

for all the sign of life he made he might in truth have been a giant chestnut burr .

Bowser sat down and looked at him .

then he walked around to the other side and sat down .

" what a queer thing , " thought Bowser .

" what a very queer thing . "

Bowser took a step nearer .

then he took another step .

nothing happened .

finally Bowser reached out , and with his nose gingerly touched the prickly ball .

slap !

the stranger 's tail had struck Bowser full in the face .

Bowser yelled with pain and rolled over and over on the ground .

every time he touched them he yelped with pain .

since that day no one has tried to meddle with Prickly Porky or his business .

III

HOW PRICKLY PORKY GOT HIS QUILLS

the newcomer in the Green Forest was a source of great interest to the Merry Little Breezes .

he was not very social .

never had the Merry Little Breezes seen such an appetite !

you see a tree cannot live without bark , and Prickly Porky had stripped them clean to fill his stomach .

but if Prickly Porky was not social he was not unfriendly .

some of these were so loose that they dropped out .

Peter Rabbit 's curiosity led him to examine some of these among bits of bark at the foot of a tree .

Peter wished that he had left them alone .

one of the sharp little barbs pierced his tender skin and Peter could not get it out .

he had to ask Johnny Chuck to do it for him , and it had hurt dreadfully .

one morning the Merry Little Breezes failed to find Prickly Porky in the Green Forest .

could he have left as mysteriously as he had come ?

they hurried down to the Smiling Pool to tell Grandfather Frog .

it was Prickly Porky .

he was swimming easily and you may be sure no one tried to bother him .

Little Joe Otter and Billy Mink sat on the Big Rock and for once they had forgotten to play tricks .

Prickly Porky had the Smiling Pool quite to himself .

the Merry Little Breezes watched him out of sight .

then they danced over to the big green lily-pad on which sat Grandfather Frog .

the Merry Little Breezes are great favorites with Grandfather Frog .

as usual they brought him some foolish green flies .

grandfather Frog 's eyes twinkled as he snapped up the last foolish green fly .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog , " and now I suppose you want a story . "

and he folded his hands across his white and yellow waistcoat .

" if you please ! " shouted the Merry Little Breezes .

" if you please , do tell us how it is that Prickly Porky has spears on his back ! "

grandfather settled himself comfortably .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said he .

Mr Porcupine was a slow clumsy fellow , just as his grandson a thousand times removed is to-day .

always some one reached the berry patch before he did .

the beetles and the bugs were so spry that seldom could he catch them .

hunger was in his stomach , and little else most of the time .

Mr Porcupine grew thin and thinner and still more thin .

his long , shaggy coat looked twice too big for him .

so he learned to see by night as well as by day .

" one day he could not find a single berry and not a beetle or a bug could he catch .

softly she stole up behind him .

" ' Try the bark of the black birch ; it 's sweet and good , ' whispered Sister South Wind .

then she hurried on her way .

' Bark , bark , try bark , ' said Mr Porcupine over and over to himself .

he rolled his dull little eyes up at the big black birch .

' I believe I will try it , ' said Mr Porcupine at last .

" slowly he turned and began to gnaw the bark of the big black birch .

it was tough , but it tasted good .

clumsily he began to climb , tearing off a mouthful of bark here and there as he climbed .

the higher he got the tenderer and sweeter the bark became .

from that time on Mr Porcupine ceased to hunt for berries or beetles or bugs .

he grew stout and stouter .

he filled his shaggy coat until it was so tight it threatened to burst .

Mr Porcupine began to grow afraid .

" one day he had made his breakfast on the bark of a honey-locust .

when he reached the ground whom should he find waiting for him but Mr Panther .

Mr Panther was very lean and very hungry , for hunting had been poor and the times were hard .

" ' Good morning , Mr Porcupine , ' said Mr Panther , with a wicked grin .

' How fat you are ! '

" ' I say , how fat you are , ' said Mr Panther , licking his chops and showing all his long teeth .

' What do you find to eat these hard times ? '

" ' Bark , Mr Panther , just bark , ' said Mr Porcupine , while his teeth chattered with fear .

' It really is very nice and sweet .

won't you try a piece , Mr Panther ? '

Mr Porcupine held out the strip of locust bark which he had brought down the tree for his lunch .

he would try the piece of bark first and eat Mr Porcupine afterward .

so he reached out and snapped up the strip of bark .

" now the locust thorns were long and they were sharp .

they pierced Mr Panther 's tender lips and his tongue .

they stuck in the roof of his mouth .

Mr Panther spat and yelled with pain and rage and clawed frantically at his mouth .

he rolled over and over trying to get rid of the thorns .

Mr Porcupine didn't stay to watch him .

for once in his life he hurried .

by the time Mr Panther was rid of the last thorn , Mr Porcupine was nowhere to be seen .

he was safely hidden inside a hollow log .

" Mr Porcupine didn't sleep that night .

he just lay and thought and thought and thought .

the next morning , very early , before any one else was astir , he started out to call on old Mother Nature .

" ' Good morning , Mr Porcupine , what brings you out so early ? ' asked old Mother Nature .

" Mr Porcupine bowed very low .

' If you please , Mother Nature , I want you to help me , ' said he .

" old Mother Nature thought a few minutes .

' Mr Porcupine , ' said she , ' you have always minded your own business .

you do not know how to fight .

if I should give you a big mouth full of long teeth you would not know how to use them .

you move too slowly .

instead , I will give you a thousand little spurs .

they shall be hidden in the long hair of your coat and only when you are in danger shall you use them .

now go ! '

" Mr Porcupine thanked old Mother Nature and started back for the Green Forest .

once he stopped to smooth down his long , rough coat .

sure enough , there , under the long hair , he felt a thousand little spears .

he went along happily until suddenly he met Mr Panther .

yes , Sir , he met Mr Panther .

" Mr Panther was feeling very ugly , for his mouth was sore .

he grinned wickedly when he saw Mr Porcupine and stepped right out in front of him , all the time licking his lips .

Mr Porcupine trembled all over , but he remembered what old Mother Nature had told him .

in a flash he had rolled up into a tight ball .

sure enough , the thousand little spears sprang out of his long coat , and he looked like a huge chestnut burr .

" Mr Panther was so surprised he didn't know just what to do .

he reached out a paw and touched Mr Porcupine .

Mr Porcupine was nervous .

he switched his tail around and it struck Mr Panther 's paw .

Mr Panther yelled , for there were spears on Mr Porcupine 's tail and they were worse than the locust thorns .

he backed away hurriedly and limped off up the Lone Little Path , growling horribly .

" and since that long-ago day when the world was young , the Porcupines have feared nothing and have attended strictly to their own business .

and that is how they happen to have a thousand little barbed spears , which are called quills , " concluded Grandfather Frog .

the Merry Little Breezes drew a long breath .

" thank you , Grandfather Frog , thank you ever so much ! " they cried all together .

but first they blew a dozen fat , foolish , green flies over to Grandfather Frog .

IV

PETER RABBIT'S EGG ROLLING

it was spring .

Drummer the Woodpecker was beating the long roll on the hollow limb of the old hickory , that all the world might know .

no , Sir , Peter Rabbit , happy-go-lucky Peter , who usually carries the lightest heart on the Green Meadows , was not happy .

indeed , he was very unhappy .

splash !

a big tear fell at his feet in the Crooked Little Path .

splash !

that was another tear .

splash ! splash !

" my gracious !

my gracious !

what is the matter , Peter Rabbit ? " asked a gruff voice close to one of Peter 's long ears .

Peter jumped .

then he winked the tears back and looked around .

there sat old Mr Toad .

he looked very solemn , very solemn indeed .

he was wearing a shabby old suit , the very one he had slept in all winter .

Peter forgot his troubles long enough to wonder if old Mr Toad would swallow his old clothes when he got a new suit .

" what 's the matter , Peter Rabbit , what 's the matter ? " repeated old Mr Toad .

Peter looked a little foolish .

" you see , " said Peter Rabbit , " it 's almost Easter and I haven't found a single egg . "

" an egg ! " exclaimed old Mr Toad .

" bless my stars !

what do you want of an egg , Peter Rabbit ?

you don't eat eggs . "

" I don't want just one egg , oh , no , no indeed !

I want a lot of eggs , " said Peter .

Peter 's eyes filled with tears again .

old Mr Toad rolled one eye up at jolly , round , red Mr Sun and winked .

" have you seen Mrs Grouse and Mrs Pheasant ? " asked old Mr Toad .

" yes , " said Peter Rabbit , " and they won't have any eggs until after Easter . "

" have you been to see Mrs Quack ? " asked old Mr Toad .

" yes , " said Peter Rabbit , " and she says she can't spare a single one . "

old Mr Toad looked very thoughtful .

he scratched the tip of his nose with his left hind foot .

then he winked once more at jolly , round , red Mr Sun .

" have you been to see Jimmy Skunk ? " he inquired .

Peter Rabbit 's big eyes opened very wide .

" Jimmy Skunk ! " he exclaimed .

" Jimmy Skunk !

what does Jimmy Skunk have to do with eggs ? "

old Mr Toad chuckled deep down in his throat .

he chuckled and chuckled until he shook all over .

" Jimmy Skunk knows more about eggs than all the other little meadow people put together , " said old Mr Toad .

" you take my advice , Peter Rabbit , and ask Jimmy Skunk to help you get the eggs for your Easter egg rolling . "

then old Mr Toad picked up his cane and started down the Crooked Little Path to the Green Meadows .

there he found the Merry Little Breezes stealing kisses from the bashful little wind flowers .

" haven't you anything better to do than make bashful little flowers hang their heads ? " asked old Mr Toad gruffly .

the Merry Little Breezes stopped their dancing and gathered about old Mr Toad .

" what 's the matter with you this morning , Mr Toad ? " asked one of them .

" do you want us to go find a breakfast for you ? "

" no , " replied old Mr Toad sourly .

" I am quite able to get breakfast for myself .

but Peter Rabbit is up on the hill crying because he cannot find any eggs . "

" crying because he cannot find any eggs !

now what does Peter Rabbit want of eggs ? " cried the Merry Little Breezes all together .

he wasn't at the top of the Crooked Little Path .

they looked everywhere , but not so much as the tip of one of his long ears could they see .

finally they met him just coming away from Jimmy Skunk 's house .

Peter was hopping , skipping , jumping up in the air and kicking his long heels as only Peter can .

there was no trace of tears in his big , soft eyes .

plainly Peter Rabbit was in good spirits , in the very best of spirits .

when he saw the Merry Little Breezes he jumped twice as high as he had jumped before , then sat up very straight .

" hello ! " said Peter Rabbit .

" hello yourself , " replied the Merry Little Breezes .

" tell us what under the sun you want of eggs , Peter Rabbit , and we 'll try to find some for you . "

Peter 's eyes sparkled .

" what is an Easter egg rolling ? " asked the Merry Little Breezes .

Peter looked very mysterious .

" wait and see , " he replied .

then a sudden thought popped into his head .

" will you do something for me ? " he asked .

of course the Merry Little Breezes were delighted to do anything they could for Peter Rabbit , and told him so .

Jolly , round , red Mr Sun climbed up in the sky , smiling his broadest .

all the little song birds sang their sweetest , and some who really cannot sing at all tried to just because they were so happy .

across the beautiful Green Meadows came all the little meadow people and forest folks to the smooth , grassy bank where the big hickory grows .

Peter Rabbit was there waiting for them .

he had brushed his clothes until you would hardly have known him .

where they came from Jimmy wouldn't tell .

but Jimmy Skunk held his tongue and just smiled to see how happy Peter Rabbit was .

First came Peter 's cousin , Jumper the Hare .

then up from the Smiling Pool came Jerry Muskrat , Little Joe Otter , Billy Mink , Grandfather Frog and Spotty the Turtle .

Johnny Chuck , Danny Meadow Mouse , and old Mr Toad came together .

of course Reddy Fox was on hand promptly .

Striped Chipmunk came dancing out from the home no one has been able to find .

Out from the Green Forest trotted Bobby Coon , Happy Jack Squirrel and Chatterer the Red Squirrel .

Behind them shuffled Prickly Porky .

last of all came Jimmy Skunk , who never hurries , and Jimmy wore his very best suit of black and white .

up in the old hickory sat Blacky the Crow , Sammy Jay and Drummer the Woodpecker , to watch the fun .

when all had arrived , Peter Rabbit started them to hunting for the eggs .

everybody got in the way of everybody else .

even old Mr Toad caught the excitement and hopped this way and hopped that way hunting for eggs .

Danny Meadow Mouse found a goose egg bigger than himself and had to get help to bring it in .

Bobby Coon stubbed his toes and fell down with an egg under each arm .

such a looking sight as he was !

he had to go down to the Smiling Pool to wash .

in a few minutes the green grassy bank was covered with eggs big eggs , little eggs , all kinds of eggs .

some were nearly round and rolled swiftly to the bottom .

some were sharp pointed at one end and rolled crookedly and sometimes turned end over end .

and it was such fun that he scrambled up and did it all over again .

then Bobby Coon tried it .

pretty soon every one was trying it , even Reddy Fox , who seldom forgets his dignity .

for once Blacky the Crow and Sammy Jay almost wished that they hadn't got wings , so that they might join in the fun .

but the greatest fun of all was when Prickly Porky decided that he , too , would join in the rolling .

he tucked his head down in his vest and made himself into a perfectly round ball .

over and over , faster and faster , he rolled down the green , grassy bank until he landed where do you think ?

why right in the midst of a lot of eggs that had been left when the other little people had scampered out of his way .

and what do you think ?

V

HOW JOHNNY CHUCK RAN AWAY

but not even the thought of these could chase away the frown that darkened Johnny Chuck 's face .

he had never been to Farmer Brown 's garden and he had begged very hard to go that morning with old Mrs Chuck .

but she had said " no .

it isn't safe for such a little chap as you . "

pretty soon along came Peter Rabbit .

Peter was trying to jump over his own shadow .

when he saw Johnny Chuck he stopped abruptly .

then he looked up at the blue sky and winked at jolly , round , red Mr Sun .

" Looks mighty showery ' round here , " he remarked to no one in particular .

Johnny Chuck smiled in spite of himself .

then he told Peter Rabbit how he had got to stay at home and mind the house and couldn't put his foot outside the yard .

so Peter has been allowed to bring himself up and do just about as he pleases .

" how long will your mother be gone ? " asked Peter .

" most all the morning , " said Johnny Chuck mournfully .

Peter hopped a couple of steps nearer .

I know where there 's the dandiest sweet-clover patch .

we can go over there and back easy before old Mrs Chuck gets home , and she won't know anything about it .

come on ! "

Johnny Chuck 's mouth watered at the thought of the sweet-clover , but still he hesitated , for Johnny Chuck had been taught to mind .

" ' Fraid cat !

' Fraid cat !

tied to your mother 's apron strings ! " jeered Peter Rabbit .

" I ain't either ! " cried Johnny Chuck .

and then , just to prove it , he thrust his hands into his pockets and swaggered out into the Lone Little Path .

" where 's your old clover patch ? " asked he .

and all the time Johnny 's conscience was pricking him .

peter Rabbit left the Lone Little Path across the Green Meadows for some secret little paths of his own .

his long legs took him over the ground very fast .

Johnny Chuck , running behind him , grew tired and hot , for Johnny 's legs are short and he is fat and roly-poly .

at times all he could see was the white patch on the seat of Peter Rabbit 's pants .

he began to wish that he had minded old Mrs Chuck and stayed at home .

it was too late to go back now , for he didn't know the way .

" wait up , Peter Rabbit ! " he called .

Peter Rabbit just flirted his tail and ran faster .

" please , please wait for me , Peter Rabbit , " panted Johnny Chuck , and began to cry .

yes , Sir , he began to cry .

you see he was so hot and tired , and then he was so afraid that he would lose sight of Peter Rabbit .

if he did he would surely be lost , and then what should he do ?

the very thought made him run just a little faster .

Illustration : " please , please wait for me , Peter Rabbit , " panted Johnny Chuck .

now Peter Rabbit is really one of the best-hearted little fellows in the world , just happy-go-lucky and careless .

pretty soon Johnny Chuck came up , puffing and blowing , and threw himself flat on the ground .

" no , " replied Peter Rabbit , " just a little way more .

we 'll rest here a few minutes and then I won't run so fast . "

so Peter Rabbit and Johnny Chuck lay down in the grass to rest while Johnny Chuck recovered his breath .

it made Johnny Chuck nervous .

" what do you keep doing that for , Peter Rabbit ? " he asked .

" oh , nothin ' , " replied Peter Rabbit .

but he kept right on doing it just the same .

then suddenly , after one of these looks abroad , he crouched down very flat and whispered in Johnny Chuck 's ear in great excitement .

" old Whitetail is down here and he 's headed this way .

we 'd better be moving , " he said .

Johnny Chuck felt a chill of fear .

" who is Old Whitetail ? " he asked , as he prepared to follow Peter Rabbit .

" don't you know ? " asked Peter in surprise .

" say , you are green !

why , he 's Mr Marsh Hawk , and if he once gets the chance he 'll gobble you up , skin , bones and all .

there 's an old stone wall just a little way from here , and the sooner we get there the better ! "

Peter Rabbit led the way , and if he had run fast before it was nothing to the way he ran now .

but he wriggled in beside Peter Rabbit and was safe , while Mr Marsh Hawk flew off with a scream of rage and disappointment .

Johnny Chuck had never been so frightened in all his short life .

he made himself as small as possible and crept as far as he could underneath a friendly stone in the old wall .

his pants were torn and his leg smarted dreadfully where one of Mr Marsh Hawk 's cruel , sharp claws had scratched him .

how he did wish that he had minded old Mrs Chuck and stayed in his own yard , as she had told him to .

Peter Rabbit looked at the tear in Johnny Chuck 's pants .

" pooh ! " said Peter Rabbit , " don't mind a little thing like that . "

" but I 'm afraid to go home with my pants torn , " said Johnny Chuck .

" don't go home , " replied Peter Rabbit .

" I don't unless I feel like it .

Johnny Chuck looked doubtful , but before he could say anything Peter Rabbit stuck his head out to see if the way was clear .

it was , and Peter 's long legs followed his head .

" come on , Johnny Chuck , " he shouted .

" I 'm going over to the sweet-clover patch . "

but Johnny Chuck was afraid .

he was almost sure that Old Whitetail was waiting just outside to gobble him up .

it was a long time before he would put so much as the tip of his wee black nose out .

but without Peter Rabbit it grew lonesomer and lonesomer in under the old stone wall .

finally Johnny Chuck ventured to peep out .

there was jolly , round , red Mr Sun smiling down just as if he was used to seeing little runaway chucks every day .

my , how good that sweet-clover did taste !

Johnny Chuck forgot all about Old Whitetail .

he forgot all about his torn pants .

he forgot that he had run away and didn't know the way home .

he just ate and ate and ate until his stomach was so full he couldn't stuff another piece of sweet-clover into it .

suddenly Peter Rabbit grabbed him by a sleeve and pulled him down flat .

" Sh-h-h , " said Peter Rabbit , " don't move . "

Johnny Chuck 's heart almost stopped beating .

what new danger could there be now ?

in a minute he heard a queer noise .

peeping between the stems of sweet-clover he saw what do you think ?

why , old Mrs Chuck cutting sweet-clover to put in the basket of vegetables she was taking home from Farmer Brown 's garden .

" you wait here , " whispered Peter Rabbit , and crept off through the clover .

pretty soon Johnny Chuck saw Peter Rabbit steal up behind old Mrs Chuck and pull four big lettuce leaves out of her basket .

VI

PETER RABBIT'S RUN FOR LIFE

" you ought to think yourself lucky that your mother didn't find you here in the sweet-clover patch .

if it hadn't been for me she would have , " said Peter Rabbit .

Johnny Chuck 's face grew longer and longer .

now he didn't know the way home .

" Peter Rabbit , I want to go home , " said Johnny Chuck suddenly .

" isn't there a short cut so that I can get home before my mother does ? "

" no , there isn't , " said Peter Rabbit .

" and if there was what good would it do you ?

old Mrs Chuck would see that tear in your pants and then you 'd catch it ! "

" I don't care .

please won't you show me the way home , Peter Rabbit ? " begged Johnny Chuck .

Peter Rabbit yawned lazily as he replied : " what 's the use of going now ?

you 'll catch it anyway , so you might as well stay and have all fun you can .

say , I know a dandy old house up on the hill .

Jimmy Skunk used to live there , but no one lives in it now .

let's go up and see it .

it 's a dandy place . "

perhaps Peter Rabbit was right ( in his heart he knew that he wasn't ) and he had better have all the fun he could .

so Johnny Chuck followed Peter Rabbit up the hill to the old house of Jimmy Skunk .

cobwebs covered the doorway .

Johnny Chuck was going to brush them away , but Peter Rabbit stopped him .

" let's see if there isn't a back door , " said he .

Inside was a long dark hall and at the end of that a nice big room .

suddenly they heard a voice outside the front door .

guess I 'll have a look inside . "

" it 's old Granny Fox , " whispered Peter Rabbit , trembling with fright .

then Peter Rabbit did a very brave thing .

" you stay right here , " whispered Peter Rabbit .

then he slipped out the back door .

half-way down the hill he stopped and shouted :

" old Granny Fox Is slower than an ox ! "

then he started for the old brier patch as fast as his long legs could take him , and after him ran Granny Fox .

Peter Rabbit was running for his life .

there was no doubt about it .

right behind him , grinding her long white teeth , her eyes snapping , ran old Granny Fox .

Peter Rabbit did not like to think what would happen to him if she should catch him .

Peter Rabbit was used to running for his life .

he had to do it at least once every day .

but usually he was near a safe hiding place and he rather enjoyed the excitement .

back at the old house on the hill , where Granny Fox had discovered Peter Rabbit , was little Johnny Chuck , trembling with fright .

he crept to the back door of the old house to watch .

he saw Granny Fox getting nearer and nearer to Peter Rabbit .

" oh , dear !

oh , dear !

she 'll catch Peter Rabbit !

she 'll catch Peter Rabbit ! " wailed Johnny Chuck , wringing his hands in despair .

it certainly looked as if Granny Fox would .

she was right at Peter Rabbit 's heels .

poor , happy-go-lucky , little Peter Rabbit !

two more jumps and Granny Fox would have him !

Johnny Chuck shut his eyes tight , for he didn't want to see .

but Peter Rabbit had no intention of being caught so easily .

while he had seemed to be running his very hardest , really he was not .

so he knew when Granny Fox was near enough to catch him in one more jump .

then Peter Rabbit dodged .

she did not see where she was going .

all she saw was the white patch on the seat of Peter Rabbit 's trousers bobbing up and down right in front of her nose .

when Peter Rabbit dodged , something surprising happened .

it scratched her face and tore her bright red cloak .

it threw her back flat on the ground , with all the wind knocked out of her body .

when finally she had gotten her breath and scrambled to her feet , Peter Rabbit was almost over to the friendly old brier patch .

he stopped and sat up very straight .

then he put his hands on his hips and shouted :

" run , Granny , run !

here comes a man who 's got a gun ! "

granny Fox started nervously and looked this way and looked that way .

there was no one in sight .

then she shook a fist at Peter Rabbit and started to limp off home .

Johnny Chuck gave a great sigh of relief .

" my , " said he , " I wish I was as smart as Peter Rabbit ! "

" you will be if you live long enough , " said a voice right behind him .

it was old Mr Toad .

Mr Toad and Johnny Chuck sat in the doorway of the old house on the hill and watched old Granny Fox limp off home .

" I wonder what it would seem like not to be afraid of anything in the whole world , " said Johnny Chuck .

" people who mind their own business and don't get into mischief don't need to be afraid of anything , " said Mr Toad .

" I guess perhaps you are right , Mr Toad , " said Johnny Chuck doubtfully .

" of course I 'm right , " replied Mr Toad .

" of course I 'm right .

look at me ; I attend strictly to my own affairs and no one ever bothers me . "

" better be homely than to need eyes in the back of my head to keep my skin whole , " retorted Mr Toad .

" now I don't know what it is to be afraid . "

" not of old Granny Fox ? " asked Johnny Chuck .

" no , " said Mr Toad .

" nor Bowser the Hound ? "

" no , " said Mr Toad .

" he 's a friend of mine . "

then Mr Toad swelled himself up very big .

" I 'm not afraid of anything under the sun , " boasted Mr Toad .

Peter Rabbit looked at Johnny Chuck and slowly winked one eye .

" I guess I 'll go up the hill and have a look around , " said Peter Rabbit , hitching up his trousers .

by and by there was a queer rustling in the grass back of them .

Mr Toad hopped around awkwardly .

" what was that ? " he whispered .

" just the wind in the grass , I guess , " said Johnny Chuck .

for a while all was still and Mr Toad settled himself comfortably and began to talk once more .

" no , Sir , " said Mr Toad , " I 'm not afraid of anything . "

just then there was another rustle in the grass , a little nearer than before .

Mr Toad certainly was nervous .

he stretched up on the tips of his toes and looked in the direction of the sound .

then Mr Toad turned pale .

yes , Sir , Mr Toad actually turned pale !

his big , bulging eyes looked as if they would pop out of his head .

" I I must be going , " said Mr Toad hastily .

" I quite forgot an important engagement down on the Green Meadows .

if Mr Blacksnake should happen to call , don't mention that you have seen me , will you , Johnny Chuck ? "

Johnny Chuck looked over in the grass .

something long and slim and black was wriggling through it .

" I wonder what it seems like not to be afraid of anything in the world ? " said a voice right behind Johnny Chuck .

VII

a JOKER FOOLED

Peter Rabbit and Johnny Chuck sat in the doorway of Jimmy Skunk 's deserted old house on the hill and looked down across the Green Meadows .

" is Mr Blacksnake so very dangerous ? " asked Johnny Chuck , who had seen very little of the world .

" not for you or me , " replied Peter Rabbit , " because we 've grown too big for him to swallow .

but he would like nothing better than to catch Mr Toad for his dinner .

but if you ever meet Mr Blacksnake , be polite to him .

he is very quick tempered , is Mr Blacksnake , but if you don't bother him he 'll not bother you .

my goodness , I wonder what 's going on down there in the alders ! "

Johnny Chuck looked over to the alder thicket .

he saw Sammy Jay , Blacky the Crow and Mrs Redwing sitting in the alders .

they were calling back and forth , apparently very much excited .

Peter Rabbit looked this way and that way to see if the coast was clear .

so down to the alder thicket skipped Peter Rabbit and Johnny Chuck as fast as they could go .

half-way there they were joined by Danny Meadow Mouse , for he too had heard the fuss and wanted to know what it all meant .

so the three of them , one behind the other , very softly crept in among the alders .

a great commotion was going on among the dead leaves .

" this is no place for me ! " exclaimed Danny Meadow Mouse , and started for home as fast as he could run .

partly under an old log lay Mr Blacksnake .

there seemed to be something the matter with him .

he looked sick , and threshed and struggled till he made the leaves fly .

Sammy Jay and Blacky the Crow and Mrs Redwing called all sorts of insulting things to him , but he paid no attention to them .

once Mrs Redwing darted down and pecked him sharply .

but Mr Blacksnake seemed quite helpless .

" what 's the matter with him ? " asked Johnny Chuck in a whisper .

" nothing .

wait and you 'll see .

Sammy Jay and Mrs Redwing better watch out or they 'll be sorry , " replied Peter Rabbit .

just then Mr Blacksnake wedged his head in under the old log and began to push and wriggle harder than ever .

then Johnny Chuck gasped .

Mr Blacksnake was crawling out of his clothes !

" it 's time for us to be moving , " whispered Peter Rabbit .

" after Mr Blacksnake has changed his clothes he is pretty short tempered .

just hear him hiss at Mrs Redwing and Sammy Jay ! "

they tiptoed out of the alder thicket and started back for the old house on the hill .

Peter Rabbit suddenly giggled out loud .

the next morning Danny Meadow Mouse sat on his doorstep nodding .

he was dreaming that his tail was long like the tails of all his cousins .

one of Old Mother West Wind 's Merry Little Breezes stole up and whispered in his ear .

Danny Meadow Mouse was awake , wide awake in an instant .

" So Peter Rabbit is going to play a joke on me and scare me into fits ! " said Danny Meadow Mouse .

" yes , " said the Merry Little Breeze , " for I overheard him telling Johnny Chuck all about it . "

Danny Meadow Mouse began to laugh softly to himself .

" will you do something for me ? " he asked the Merry Little Breeze .

" sure , " replied the Merry Little Breeze .

" then go find Cresty the Fly-catcher and tell him that I want to see him , " said Danny Meadow Mouse .

the Merry Little Breeze hurried away , and pretty soon back he came with Cresty the Fly-catcher .

now all this time Peter Rabbit had been very busy planning his joke on Danny Meadow Mouse .

then we 'll see some fun . "

" good morning , Peter Rabbit , " said Danny Meadow Mouse politely .

" good morning , Danny Meadow Mouse , " replied Peter Rabbit .

" don't you want to take a walk with me this fine morning ? "

" I 'll be delighted to go , " said Danny Meadow Mouse , reaching for his hat .

so they started out to walk and presently they came to the big tussock of grass .

Peter Rabbit stopped .

" excuse me , while I tie up my shoe .

you go ahead and I 'll join you in a minute , " said Peter Rabbit .

so Danny Meadow Mouse went ahead .

Peter Rabbit waited and waited , but no Danny Meadow Mouse .

what did it mean ?

Peter stopped laughing and peeped around the big tussock .

then he had remembered Cresty the Fly-catcher and had sent for him .

now Cresty the Fly-catcher is a handsome fellow .

but he is .

so when Danny Meadow Mouse sent for him and whispered in his ear Cresty the Fly-catcher smiled broadly and winked knowingly .

" I certainly will be there , Danny Meadow Mouse , I certainly will be there , " said he .

and he was there .

his eyes had sparkled when he saw what a fine big suit it was .

" my , but this will save me a lot of trouble , " said he to himself .

" it 's the finest old suit I 've ever seen . "

presently back came Peter Rabbit with Danny Meadow Mouse .

you know what had happened then .

pretty soon Peter Rabbit had stopped laughing and peeped around the big tussock .

Peter couldn't believe his own eyes , for he had left it there not three minutes before .

" what are you laughing at , Danny Meadow Mouse ? " asked Peter Rabbit .

" what are you looking for , Peter Rabbit ?

have you lost something ? "

" no , " said Peter Rabbit .

" I thought I heard footsteps , and I was looking to see if it could be Reddy Fox creeping through the grass . "

Danny Meadow Mouse had stopped laughing .

" excuse me , Peter Rabbit , " said he hurriedly , " I 've just remembered an important engagement . "

and off he started for home as fast as he could go .

and to this day Peter Rabbit doesn't know what became of Mr Blacksnake 's old clothes .

VIII

THE FUSS IN THE BIG PINE

peter Rabbit hopped down the Crooked Little Path to the Lone Little Path and down the Lone Little Path to the home of Johnny Chuck .

Johnny Chuck sat on his doorstep dreaming .

they were very pleasant dreams , very pleasant dreams indeed .

they were such pleasant dreams that for once Johnny Chuck forgot to put his funny little ears on guard .

so Johnny Chuck sat on his doorstep dreaming and heard nothing .

Lipperty-lipperty-lip down the Lone Little Path came Peter Rabbit .

he saw Johnny Chuck and he stopped long enough to pluck a long stem of grass .

then very , very softly he stole up behind Johnny Chuck .

reaching out with the long stem of grass , he tickled one of Johnny Chuck 's ears .

Peter tickled the other ear .

Johnny Chuck shook his head and slapped at this with the other little black hand .

Peter almost giggled .

he sat still a few minutes , then tickled Johnny Chuck again .

Johnny slapped three or four times at the imaginary fly .

this time Peter clapped both hands over his mouth to keep from laughing .

once more he tickled Johnny Chuck .

this time Johnny jumped clear off his doorstep .

Peter laughed before he could clap his hands over his mouth .

of course Johnny Chuck heard him and whirled about .

when he saw Peter Rabbit and the long stem of grass he laughed , too .

" hello , Peter Rabbit !

you fooled me that time .

Where'd you come from ? " asked Johnny Chuck .

then they sat down side by side on Johnny Chuck 's doorstep to watch Reddy Fox hunting for his dinner on the Green Meadows .

pretty soon they heard Blacky the Crow cawing very loudly .

they could see him on the tip-top of a big pine in the Green Forest on the edge of the Green Meadows .

" caw , caw , caw , " shouted Blacky the Crow , at the top of his lungs .

soon there was a big crowd of crows around the big pine , all talking at once .

such a racket !

such a dreadful racket !

every few minutes one of them would fly into the big pine and yell at the top of his lungs .

then all would caw together .

another would fly into the big pine and they would do it all over again .

Peter Rabbit began to get interested , for you know Peter has a very great deal of curiosity .

" I 'm sure I don't know , " replied Johnny Chuck .

" they seem to be having a good time , anyway .

my gracious , how noisy they are ! "

just then along came Sammy Jay , who is , as you know , first cousin to Blacky the Crow .

he was coming from the direction of the big pine .

" Sammy !

oh , Sammy Jay !

what is all that fuss about over in the big pine ? " shouted Peter Rabbit .

Sammy Jay stopped and carefully brushed his handsome blue coat , for Sammy Jay is something of a dandy .

he appeared not to have heard Peter Rabbit .

" Sammy Jay , are you deaf ? " inquired Peter Rabbit .

" oh , hello , Peter Rabbit ! " said Sammy Jay .

" did you speak to me ? "

" no , oh , no , " replied Peter Rabbit in disgust .

" I was talking to myself , just thinking out loud .

I was wondering how many nuts a Jay could steal if he had the chance . "

Johnny Chuck chuckled and Sammy Jay looked foolish .

" I asked what all that fuss over in the big pine is about , " continued Peter Rabbit .

you know Hooty the Owl cannot see in the daytime very well , and they can do almost anything to him that they want to .

it 's great sport . "

" I don't see any sport in making other people uncomfortable , " said Johnny Chuck .

" nor I , " said Peter Rabbit .

" I 'd be ashamed to own a cousin like Blacky the Crow .

I like people who mind their own affairs and leave other people alone . "

Sammy Jay ran out his tongue at Peter Rabbit .

" you are a nice one to talk about minding other folk 's affairs ! " jeered Sammy Jay .

" Peter Rabbit 's ears are long ; I wonder why !

I wonder why !

because to hear what others say He 's bound to try ! he 's bound to try . "

it was Peter Rabbit 's turn to look discomfited .

" anyway , I don't try to bully and torment others and I don't steal , " he retorted .

" Sammy Jay 's a handsome chap And wears a coat of blue .

I wonder if it 's really his Or if he stole that , too . "

" there 's Farmer Brown 's boy with a gun , " cried Johnny Chuck .

" there 's going to be trouble at the big pine if Blacky the Crow doesn't watch out .

that 's what comes of being so noisy . "

Peter Rabbit and Sammy Jay stopped quarreling to look .

sure enough , there was Farmer Brown 's boy with his gun .

but Blacky the Crow has sharp eyes , too .

indeed , there are none sharper .

then , too , he is a mischief-maker .

Mischief-makers are always on the watch lest they get caught in their mischief .

he had seen Farmer Brown 's boy even before Johnny Chuck had .

but he couldn't bear to spoil the fun of tormenting Hooty the Owl , so he waited just as long as he dared .

then he gave the signal .

" caw , caw , caw , caw ! " shouted Blacky at the top of his lungs .

then , with Blacky in the lead , they flew over on to the Green Meadows , laughing and talking noisily as they went .

Farmer Brown 's boy did not try to follow them , for he knew that it was of not the least bit of use .

but he was curious to learn what the crows had been making such a fuss about , so he kept on towards the big pine .

Johnny Chuck watched him go .

suddenly he remembered Hooty the Owl , and that Hooty cannot see well in the daytime .

very likely Hooty would think that the crows had become tired of tormenting him and had gone off of their own accord .

Farmer Brown 's boy would find him there and then Johnny Chuck shuddered as he thought of what might happen to Hooty the Owl .

hurry , Peter , hurry ! " cried Johnny Chuck .

Peter did not need to be told twice .

in a few minutes Johnny Chuck saw one of the Merry Little Breezes start for the big pine as fast as he could go .

Johnny gave a great sigh of relief .

Farmer Brown 's boy kept on to the big pine .

and this is all I am going to tell you about the fuss in the big pine .

IX

JOHNNY CHUCK FINDS A USE FOR HIS BACK DOOR

Johnny Chuck sat in his doorway looking over the Green Meadows .

he felt very fine .

he had had a good breakfast in the sweet-clover patch .

he had had a good nap on his own doorstep .

by and by he saw the Merry Little Breezes of old Mother West Wind hurrying in his direction .

they seemed in a very great hurry .

they didn't stop to kiss the buttercups or tease the daisies .

Johnny pricked up his small ears and watched them hurry up the hill .

" what news ? " asked Johnny Chuck .

" the news about old Mother Chuck , " replied the Merry Little Breezes .

Johnny shook his head .

" no , " said he .

" what is it ? "

the Merry Little Breezes grew very , very sober .

" it is bad news , " they replied .

" what is it ?

tell me quick ! " begged Johnny .

just then Reddy Fox came hopping and skipping down the Lone Little Path .

" hi , Johnny Chuck , have you heard the news ? "

" no , " said Johnny Chuck , " do tell me quick ! "

Reddy Fox grinned maliciously , for Reddy likes to torment others .

" it 's about old Mrs Chuck , " said Reddy .

" I know that already , " replied Johnny , " but , please , what is it ? "

Johnny Chuck grew pale .

he had not seen Mother Chuck to speak to since he ran away from home .

now he was glad that he had run away , and yet sorry , oh , so sorry that anything had happened to Mrs Chuck .

two big tears came into his eyes and ran down his funny little black nose .

the Merry Little Breezes saw this , and one of them hurried over and whispered in Johnny Chuck 's ear .

" don't cry , Johnny Chuck , " whispered the Merry Little Breeze .

" old Mother Chuck got away , and Farmer Brown 's boy is still wondering how she did it . "

Johnny 's heart gave a great throb of relief .

Johnny Chuck awoke very early the next morning .

he stretched and yawned and then just lay quietly enjoying himself for a few minutes .

his bedchamber , way down underground , was snug and warm and very , very comfortable .

by and by , Johnny Chuck heard a noise up by his front door .

then he heard a voice which he had heard before , and it made little shivers run all over him .

it was the voice of Granny Fox .

" so this is where that fat little Chuck has made his home , " said Granny Fox .

" yes , " replied another voice , " this is where Johnny Chuck lives , for I saw him here yesterday . "

Johnny pricked up his ears , for that was the voice of Reddy Fox .

" do you think he is in here now ? " inquired Granny Fox .

" good , " said Granny Fox , " I think fat Chuck will taste good for breakfast . "

Johnny felt the cold shivers run over him again as he heard Granny Fox and Reddy Fox smack their lips .

then Granny Fox spoke again :

" you lie down behind that bunch of grass over there , Reddy , and I will lie down behind the old apple-tree .

when he comes out , you just jump into his doorway and I will catch him before he can say Jack Robinson . "

Johnny waited and listened and listened , but all was as still as still could be .

then Johnny Chuck tiptoed back along the hall to his bedroom and sat down to think .

he felt sure that Granny Fox and Reddy were waiting for him , just as he had heard them plan .

" however am I going to know when they leave ? " said Johnny Chuck to himself .

very softly Johnny Chuck crept along the back passageway .

very , very cautiously he stuck his little black nose out the doorway and sniffed .

yes , he could smell foxes , but he knew that they were not at his back door .

Little by little he crept out until he could peep through the grass .

Johnny Chuck almost giggled out loud as he saw how eagerly Reddy Fox was watching for him .

then Johnny Chuck had an idea that made him giggle harder .

his black eyes snapped and he chuckled to himself .

pretty soon along came Bumble the Bee , looking for honey .

he came bustling and humming through the tall grass and settled on a dandelion right on the doorstep of Johnny Chuck 's back door .

" good morning , " grumbled Bumble the Bee .

Johnny put a hand on his lips and beckoned Bumble to come inside .

now Bumble the Bee is a gruff and rough fellow , but he is a good fellow , too , when you know him .

" will you do something for me , Bumble ? " whispered Johnny Chuck .

" of course , I will , " replied Bumble , in his gruff voice .

" what is it ? "

Bumble the Bee grew very indignant .

" what do you want me to do , Johnny Chuck ? " he asked .

" if I can help you , just tell me how . "

Johnny whispered something to Bumble the Bee , and Bumble laughed right out loud .

then he buzzed up out of the doorway , and Johnny crept up to watch .

suddenly Reddy gave a yelp and sprang into the air .

granny Fox looked up and scowled .

" keep still , " she whispered .

just then Reddy yelped louder than before , for Bumble had stung him in the other ear .

" what 's the matter ? " snapped Granny Fox .

" I don't know , " cried Reddy Fox , hanging on to both ears .

granny Fox didn't wait for any more .

x

BILLY MINK GOES DINNERLESS

down the Laughing Brook came Billy Mink .

he was feeling very good that morning , was Billy Mink , pleased with the world in general and with himself in particular .

when he reached the Smiling Pool he swam out to the Big Rock .

" Hello , Billy Mink , " cried Little Joe Otter .

" hello yourself , " replied Billy Mink , with a grin .

" where are you going ? " asked Little Joe Otter .

" nowhere in particular , " replied Billy Mink .

" let's go fishing down to the Big River , " said Little Joe Otter .

" let 's ! " cried Billy , diving from the highest point on the Big Rock .

so off they started across the Green Meadows towards the Big River .

half way there they met Reddy Fox .

" hello , Reddy !

come on with us to the Big River , fishing , " called Billy Mink .

Illustration : " come on with us to the Big River , fishing , " called Billy Mink .

now Reddy Fox is no fisherman , though he likes fish to eat well enough .

he remembered the last time he went fishing and how Billy Mink had laughed at him when he fell into the Smiling Pool .

he was just about to say " no " when he changed his mind .

" all right , I 'll go , " said Reddy Fox .

so the three of them raced merrily across the Green Meadows until they came to the Big River .

now Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter are famous fishermen and can swim even faster than the fish themselves .

but Reddy Fox is a poor swimmer and must depend upon his wits .

when they reached the bank of the Big River they very carefully crawled down to a sandy beach .

there , just a little way out from shore , a school of little striped perch were at play .

" wait a minute , " whispered Reddy .

" Billy Mink , you go up the river a little way and swim out beyond where the fish are at play .

little Joe Otter , you go down the river a little way and swim out to join Billy Mink .

then both together rush in as fast as you can swim .

the fish will be so frightened they will rush in where the water is shallow .

Billy Mink and little Joe Otter agreed , and did just as Reddy Fox had told them to .

when they were between the playing fish and deep water they started in with a rush .

the little striped perch were young and foolish .

when they saw Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter they rushed madly away from them without looking to see where they were going to .

Reddy was waiting for them and in a twinkling his little black paw had scooped half a dozen fish high and dry on the beach .

Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter were too busy watching the fish to see what Reddy was doing .

he had caught six fish and these he hid under a log .

" never mind , " said Little Joe Otter , " I 'll give you the next one I catch . "

but Billy Mink jeered at Reddy Fox .

" pooh ! you 're no fisherman , Reddy Fox !

if I couldn't catch fish when they are chased right into my hands I 'd never go fishing . "

Reddy Fox pretended to be indignant .

do you agree ? "

by and by they came to another sandy beach like the first one .

they could see another school of foolish young fish at play .

as before , Reddy Fox remained on shore while the others swam out and drove the fish in .

as before Reddy caught half a dozen , while Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter each caught one this time .

two or three times more Reddy Fox repeated this .

then he discovered a big pickerel sunning himself beside an old log floating in deep water .

Reddy couldn't catch Mr Pickerel , for the water was deep .

what should he do ?

Reddy sat down to think .

finally he thought of a plan .

very cautiously he backed away so as not to scare the big fish .

then he called Billy Mink .

when Billy saw the big pickerel , his mouth watered , too , and his little black eyes sparkled .

very quietly Billy slipped into the water back of the old log .

there was not so much as a ripple to warn the big pickerel .

drawing a long breath , Billy dived under the log , and coming up under the big pickerel , seized it by the middle .

there was a tremendous thrashing and splashing , and then Billy Mink swam ashore and proudly laid the big fish on the bank .

" don't you wish it was yours ? " asked Billy Mink .

" it ought to be mine , for I saw it first , " said Reddy Fox .

" but you didn't catch it and I did , " retorted Billy Mink .

" I 'm going to have it for my dinner .

my , but I do like fat pickerel ! "

Billy smacked his lips .

Reddy Fox said nothing , but tried his best to look disappointed and dejected .

all the time he was chuckling inwardly .

for the rest of the day the fishing was poor .

then Reddy brought out all the fish that he had hidden .

very foolish they looked , very foolish indeed , for Reddy had four times as many as either of them .

Reddy walked over to the big pickerel and picking it up , carried it over to his pile .

" what are you doing with my fish ? " shouted Billy Mink angrily .

" it isn't yours , it 's mine ! " retorted Reddy Fox .

Billy Mink fairly danced up and down he was so angry .

" it 's not yours ! " he shrieked .

" it 's mine , for I caught it ! "

" and you agreed that your biggest fish should be mine if I caught more fish than you did .

I 've caught four times as many , so the pickerel is mine , " retorted Reddy , winking at Little Joe Otter .

then Billy Mink did a very foolish thing ; he lost his temper completely .

he called Reddy Fox bad names .

but he did not dare try to take the big pickerel away from Reddy , for Reddy is much bigger than he .

finally he worked himself into such a rage that he ran off home leaving his pile of fish behind .

Reddy Fox and Little Joe Otter took care not to touch Billy Mink 's fish , but Reddy divided his big pile with Little Joe Otter .

then they , too , started for home , Reddy carrying the big pickerel .

late that night , when he had recovered his temper , Billy Mink began to grow hungry .

the more he thought of his fish the hungrier he grew .

finally he could stand it no longer and started for the Big River to see what had become of his fish .

and this is how it happened that Billy Mink went dinnerless to bed .

XI

GRANDFATHER FROG'S JOURNEY

grandfather Frog sat on his big green lily-pad in the Smiling Pool and Grandfather Frog was asleep !

there was no doubt about it , Grandfather Frog was really and truly asleep .

his hands were folded across his white and yellow waistcoat and his eyes were closed .

three times the Merry Little Breezes blew a foolish green fly right past his nose ; Grandfather Frog didn't so much as blink .

presently Billy Mink discovered that Grandfather Frog was asleep .

Billy 's little black eyes twinkled with mischief as he hurried over to the slippery slide in search of Little Joe Otter .

then the two scamps hunted up Jerry Muskrat .

they found him very busy storing away a supply of food in his new house .

at first Jerry refused to listen to what they had to say , but the more they talked the more Jerry became interested .

" we won't hurt Grandfather Frog , not the least little bit , " protested Billy Mink .

" it will be just the best joke and the greatest fun ever , and no harm done . "

the more Jerry thought over Billy Mink 's plan , the funnier the joke seemed .

finally Jerry agreed to join Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter .

then the three put their heads together and with a lot of giggling and chuckling they planned their joke on Grandfather Frog .

So Jerry swam out to the big green lily-pad on which sat Grandfather Frog fast asleep .

when Billy had to come up for air , Little Joe Otter took his place .

then Jerry Muskrat took his turn .

it floated along of itself now , and all they had to do was to steer it clear of rocks and old logs .

at last , in a dear little pool with a mossy green bank , they anchored the big green lily-pad .

then Billy Mink hurried back to the Smiling Pool to tell the little meadow people where to find Grandfather Frog .

Little Joe Otter climbed out on the mossy green bank and Jerry Muskrat joined him there to rest and dry off .

one by one the little meadow people came hurrying up .

Reddy Fox was the first .

then came Johnny Chuck and Striped Chipmunk .

of course Peter Rabbit was on hand .

you can always count Peter in , when there is anything going on among the little meadow people .

Danny Meadow Mouse and Happy Jack Squirrel arrived quite out of breath .

Sammy Jay and Blacky the Crow were not far behind .

last of all came Jimmy Skunk , who never hurries .

then all hid where they could see him when he awoke , but where he could not see them .

presently Billy Mink reached out with a long straw and tickled Grandfather Frog on the end of his nose .

grandfather Frog opened his eyes and yawned sleepily .

he yawned again and then looked to see if Billy Mink was sitting on the Big Rock .

where was the Big Rock ?

grandfather Frog sat up very suddenly and rubbed his eyes .

there wasn't any Big Rock !

grandfather Frog pinched himself to make sure that he was awake .

then he rubbed his eyes again and looked down at the big green lily-pad .

yes , that was his , the very same lily-pad on which he sat every day .

grandfather Frog was more perplexed than ever .

slowly he looked around .

where were the slippery slide and Jerry Muskrat 's new house ?

where were the bulrushes and where where was the Smiling Pool ?

grandfather Frog 's jaw dropped as he looked about him .

his own big green lily-pad was the only lily-pad in sight .

had the world turned topsy-turvy while he slept ?

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog .

" this is very strange , very strange , indeed ! "

then he turned around three times and pinched himself again .

" very strange , very strange , indeed , " muttered Grandfather Frog over and over again .

he scratched his head first with one hand and then with the other , and the more he scratched the stranger it all seemed .

just then he heard a giggle up on the mossy green bank .

grandfather Frog whirled around .

" Chug-a-rum ! " he exclaimed .

" Billy Mink , come out from behind that tall grass and tell me where I am and what this means !

I might have known that you were at the bottom of it . "

grandfather Frog looked at one and then at another and gradually he began to smile .

" and now , Grandfather Frog , we 'll take you home again , " concluded Billy Mink .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog .

" I think I 'd like to go again . "

XII

WHY BLACKY THE CROW WEARS MOURNING

grandfather Frog sat on his big green lily-pad in the Smiling Pool .

it is doubtful , very , very doubtful if Grandfather Frog could have swallowed another foolish green fly to save his life .

grandfather Frog was dreaming of the days when the world was young and the frogs ruled the world .

but when they saw Grandfather Frog they forgot all about Mrs Redwing and her babies .

" good morning , Grandfather Frog ! " they shouted .

grandfather Frog awoke from his dream with a funny little jump .

" goodness , how you startled me ! " said Grandfather Frog , smoothing down his white and yellow waistcoat .

the Merry Little Breezes giggled .

" we didn't mean to , truly we didn't , " said the merriest one of all .

" we just wanted to know how you do this fine morning , and and "

" Chug-a-rum , " said Grandfather Frog , " you want me to tell you a story . "

the Merry Little Breezes giggled again .

" how did you ever guess it ? " they cried .

" it must be because you are so very , very wise .

will you tell us a story , Grandfather Frog ?

Will you please ? "

they fidgeted about among the bulrushes and danced back and forth across the lily-pads .

they had even begun to think again of Mrs Redwing 's babies .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog suddenly .

" what shall I tell you about ? "

just then a black shadow swept across the Smiling Pool .

" caw , caw , caw , caw ! " shouted Blacky the Crow noisily , as he flew over toward Farmer Brown 's cornfield .

grandfather Frog watched Blacky disappear behind the Lone Pine .

then , when the Merry Little Breezes had settled down , each in the golden heart of a white water-lily , he began :

" now Mr Crow was very smart .

indeed , he was the smartest of all the birds .

there wasn't anything that old Mr Crow couldn't do or didn't know .

at least he thought there wasn't .

old Mr Toad was ugly to look upon .

besides , he worked for his living in a garden .

so when they happened to meet him on the road they always turned their backs .

" for a long time old Mr Crow himself continued to be a very fine gentleman and to hold the respect of all his neighbors .

of course it wasn't long before he knew all about his neighbors and their private affairs .

now it isn't safe to know too much about your neighbors and what they are doing .

it is dangerous knowledge , very dangerous knowledge indeed , " said Grandfather Frog solemnly .

" to be sure it would have been safe enough , " he continued , " if Mr Crow had kept it to himself .

but after a while Mr Crow became vain .

yes , Sir , that is just what happened to old Mr Crow he became vain .

after a while he began to brag among his relatives of how much he knew about his neighbors .

oh , dear me , Mr Crow began to gossip .

" now , gossiping is one of the worst habits in all the world , one of the very worst .

No good ever comes of it .

it just makes trouble , trouble , trouble .

it was so now .

Mr Crow 's relatives repeated the stories that they heard .

but they took great care that no one should know where they came from .

my , my , my , how trouble did spread on the Green Meadows and in the Green Forest !

no one suspected old Mr Crow , so he was more in demand than ever to straighten matters out .

instead , he lived on the fat of the land without working , and grew fat and lazy .

" as I have told you , Mr Crow was smart .

yes , indeed , he certainly was smart .

he grew very crafty .

the fact is , old Mr Crow became a mischief-maker , the very worst kind of a mischief-maker .

and all the time he appeared to be the fine gentleman that he used to be .

he wore his fine white coat as proudly as ever .

" matters grew worse and worse .

never had there been so much trouble on the Green Meadows or so many quarrels in the Green Forest .

old Mr Mink never met old Mr Otter without picking a fight .

old Mrs Skunk wouldn't speak to old Mrs Coon .

old Mr Chipmunk turned his back on his cousin , old Mr Red Squirrel , whenever their paths crossed .

even my grandfather a thousand times removed , old Mr Frog , refused to see his nearest relative , old Mr Toad .

" then one day came Old Mother Nature to visit the Green Meadows .

it didn't take her long to find that something was wrong , very wrong indeed .

old Mr Crow and all his relatives hastened to pay their respects and to tell her how much they appreciated their beautiful white suits .

he looked very innocent , oh , very , very innocent , but not once did he look her straight in the face .

" now the eyes of Old Mother Nature are wonderfully sharp and they seemed to bore right through old Mr Crow .

you can't fool Old Mother Nature .

no , Sir , you can't fool Old Mother Nature , and it 's of no use to try .

she listened to all that Mr Crow had to say .

" when they had all come together she told them all that had happened .

" ' Look ! ' said Old Mother Nature , pointing at old Mr Crow .

' He has been punished already . '

" every one turned to look at Mr Crow .

at first they hardly knew him .

instead of his suit of spotless white his clothes were black , as black as the blackest night .

so were the clothes of his uncles and aunts , his brothers and sisters , his cousins and all his poor relations .

" thank you !

thank you , Grandfather Frog , " shouted the Merry Little Breezes , jumping up to go rock the Redwing babies .

XIII

STRIPED CHIPMUNK FOOLS PETER RABBIT

Peter Rabbit sat at the top of the Crooked Little Path where it starts down the hill .

he saw Old Mother West Wind hurry down from the Purple Hills and turn her Merry Little Breezes out to play on the Green Meadows .

Peter yawned .

the fact is , Peter had been out nearly all night , and now he didn't know just what to do with himself .

presently he saw Striped Chipmunk whisk up on top of an old log .

he stopped just long enough to wink one of his saucy black eyes and shout : " good morning , Peter Rabbit ! "

then he disappeared as suddenly as he had come .

a few minutes later he was back on the old log , but this time his cheeks were empty .

" fine day , Peter Rabbit , " said Striped Chipmunk , and whisked out of sight .

Peter Rabbit yawned again .

then he closed his eyes for just a minute .

" nice morning to work , Peter Rabbit , " said Striped Chipmunk , in spite of his full cheeks .

then he was gone .

once more Peter Rabbit closed his eyes , but hardly were they shut when Striped Chipmunk shouted :

" oh , you Peter Rabbit , been out all night ? "

Peter snapped his eyes open just in time to see the funny little tail of Striped Chipmunk vanish over the side of the old log .

Peter scratched one of his long ears and yawned again , for Peter was growing more and more sleepy .

now Peter Rabbit is as curious as he is lazy , and you know he is very , very lazy .

the fact is , Peter Rabbit 's curiosity is his greatest fault , and it gets him into a great deal of trouble .

for a while Peter watched busy Striped Chipmunk .

then he began to wonder what Striped Chipmunk could be doing .

the more he wondered the more he felt that he really must know .

the next time Striped Chipmunk appeared on the old log , Peter shouted to him .

" hi , Striped Chipmunk , what are you so busy about ?

why don't you play a little ? "

Striped Chipmunk stopped a minute .

" I 'm building a new house , " said he .

" where ? " asked Peter Rabbit .

" that 's telling , " replied Striped Chipmunk , and whisked out of sight .

now Peter Rabbit knew where Reddy Fox and Jimmy Skunk and Bobby Coon and Happy Jack Squirrel and Johnny Chuck and Danny Meadow Mouse lived .

he knew all the little paths leading to their homes .

but he did not know where Striped Chipmunk lived .

he never had known .

he thought of this as he watched Striped Chipmunk hurrying back and forth .

the more he thought of it the more curious he grew .

he really must know .

pretty soon along came Jimmy Skunk , looking for some beetles .

" Hello , Jimmy Skunk , " said Peter Rabbit .

" Hello , Peter Rabbit , " said Jimmy Skunk .

" do you know where Striped Chipmunk lives ? " asked Peter Rabbit .

" have you seen any beetles this morning ? "

Peter Rabbit hadn't seen any beetles , so Jimmy Skunk went on down the Crooked Little Path , still looking for his breakfast .

by and by along came Johnny Chuck .

" Hello , Johnny Chuck ! " said Peter Rabbit .

" hello , yourself ! " said Johnny Chuck .

" do you know where Striped Chipmunk lives ? " asked Peter Rabbit .

then along came Bobby Coon .

" Hello , Bobby Coon ! " said Peter Rabbit .

" hello ! " replied Bobby Coon shortly , for he too had been out all night and was very sleepy .

" do you know where Striped Chipmunk lives ? " asked Peter Rabbit .

Peter Rabbit could stand it no longer .

curiosity had driven away all desire to sleep .

he simply had to know where Striped Chipmunk lived .

" I 'll just follow Striped Chipmunk and see for myself where he lives , " said Peter to himself .

So Peter Rabbit hid behind a tuft of grass close by the old log and sat very , very still .

it was a very good place to hide , a very good place .

probably if Peter Rabbit had not been so brimming over with curiosity he would have succeeded in escaping the sharp eyes of Striped Chipmunk .

but people full of curiosity are forever pricking up their ears to hear things which do not in the least concern them .

it was so with Peter Rabbit .

of course Striped Chipmunk saw them the very instant he jumped up on the old log with both pockets in his cheeks stuffed full .

you see Peter runs with big jumps , lipperty-lipperty-lip , and people who jump must make a noise .

the more noise Peter made , the more Striped Chipmunk chuckled to himself .

presently Striped Chipmunk stopped .

then he emptied two pocketfuls of shining yellow gravel on to a nice new mound which he was building .

once more he sat up and looked this way and looked that way .

then he scuttled back towards the old log .

no sooner was Striped Chipmunk out of sight than up jumped Peter Rabbit .

he smiled to himself as he hurried over to the shining mound of yellow gravel .

you see Peter 's curiosity was so great that not once did he think how mean he was to spy on Striped Chipmunk .

" now , " thought Peter , " I know where Striped Chipmunk lives .

Jimmy Skunk doesn't know .

Johnny Chuck doesn't know .

Bobby Coon doesn't know .

but I know .

Striped Chipmunk may fool all the others , but he can't fool me . "

by this time Peter Rabbit had reached the shining mound of yellow gravel .

at once he began to hunt for the doorway to Striped Chipmunk 's home .

but there wasn't any doorway .

no , Sir , there wasn't any doorway !

look as he would , Peter Rabbit could not find the least sign of a doorway .

Peter Rabbit sat down on Striped Chipmunk 's shining mound of yellow gravel and scratched his left ear with his left hindfoot .

then he scratched his right ear with his right hindfoot .

it was very perplexing .

indeed , it was so perplexing that Peter quite forgot that Striped Chipmunk would soon be coming back .

suddenly right behind Peter 's back Striped Chipmunk spoke .

" how do you like my sand pile , Peter Rabbit ?

don't you think it is a pretty nice sand pile ? " asked Striped Chipmunk politely .

and all the time he was chuckling away to himself .

Peter was so surprised that he very nearly fell backward off the shining mound of yellow gravel .

for a minute he didn't know what to say .

then he found his tongue .

Illustration : Peter was so surprised that he nearly fell backward .

" oh , " said Peter Rabbit , apparently in the greatest surprise , " is this your sand pile , Striped Chipmunk ?

it 's a very nice sand pile indeed .

is this where you live ? "

Striped Chipmunk shook his head .

" no , oh , my , no ! " said he .

" I wouldn't think of living in such an exposed place !

my goodness , no indeed !

everybody knows where this is .

I 'm building a new home , you know , and of course I don't want the gravel to clutter up my dooryard .

so I 've brought it all here .

makes a nice sand pile , doesn't it ?

you are very welcome to sit on my sand pile whenever you feel like it , Peter Rabbit .

it 's a good place to take a sun bath ; I hope you 'll come often . "

all the time Striped Chipmunk was saying this his sharp little eyes twinkled with mischief and he chuckled softly to himself .

Peter Rabbit was more curious than ever .

" where is your new home , Striped Chipmunk ? " he asked .

" not far from here ; come call on me , " said Striped Chipmunk .

then with a jerk of his funny little tail he was gone .

it seemed as if the earth must have swallowed him up .

at last Peter pushed his inquisitive nose right into the doorway of Bumble the Bee .

and though he didn't know it and doesn't know it to this day , he went right across the doorstep of Striped Chipmunk 's home .

so Peter still wonders and wonders where Striped Chipmunk lives , and no one can tell him , not even the Merry Little Breezes .

not so much as a grain is dropped on his doorstep to let his secret out .

but no one really cares excepting Peter Rabbit , who is still curious .

XIV

JERRY MUSKRAT'S NEW HOUSE

Jerry Muskrat wouldn't play .

Billy Mink had tried to get him to .

Little Joe Otter had tried to get him to .

the Merry Little Breezes had tried to get him to .

it was of no use , no use at all .

Jerry Muskrat wouldn't play .

" come on , Jerry , come on play with us , " they begged all together .

but Jerry shook his head .

" can't , " said he .

" why not ?

won't your mother let you ? " demanded Billy Mink , making a long dive into the Smiling Pool .

he was up again in time to hear Jerry reply :

" yes , my mother will let me .

it isn't that .

it 's because we are going to have a long winter and a cold winter and I must prepare for it . "

every one laughed , every one except Grandfather Frog , who sat on his big green lily-pad watching for foolish green flies .

" pooh ! " exclaimed Little Joe Otter .

" A lot you know about it , Jerry Muskrat !

Ho , ho , ho !

A lot you know about it !

are you clerk of the weather ?

it is only fall now what can you know about what the winter will be ?

oh come , Jerry Muskrat , don't pretend to be so wise .

I can swim twice across the Smiling Pool while you are swimming across once come on ! "

Jerry Muskrat shook his head .

" haven't time , " said he .

" I tell you we are going to have a long winter and a hard winter , and I 've got to prepare for it .

when it comes you 'll remember what I have told you . "

Jerry shook the water from his coat , which is water-proof , you know .

everybody laughed , that is , everybody but Grandfather Frog .

he did not even smile .

" Chug-a-rum ! " said Grandfather Frog , who is very wise .

" Jerry Muskrat knows .

" pooh , " said Billy Mink , " how can Jerry Muskrat know anything more about it than we do ? "

grandfather Frog looked at Billy Mink severely .

" old Mother Nature was here and told him , " said Grandfather Frog gruffly .

" oh ! " exclaimed Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter together .

" that 's different , " and they looked at Jerry Muskrat with greater respect .

" how are you going to prepare for the long cold winter , Jerry Muskrat ? " asked one of the Merry Little Breezes .

Illustration : " I 'm going , to build a house , " replied Jerry Muskrat .

splash !

Jerry had disappeared into the Smiling Pool .

Jerry Muskrat had begun work .

when finally Jerry Muskrat swam out to rest on the end of a log they shouted to him angrily .

" hi , Jerry Muskrat , you 're spoiling our swimming water !

what are you doing anyway ? "

the water grew muddier and muddier , until even Grandfather Frog began to look annoyed .

Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter started off up the Laughing Brook , where the water was clear .

but Jerry Muskrat worked steadily , digging and piling sods in a circle for the foundation of his house .

showing just above the water on the edge of the Smiling Pool was the foundation of Jerry Muskrat 's new house .

of course every one was interested to see how the new house was coming along and to offer advice .

" are you going to build it all of mud ? " asked one of the Merry Little Breezes .

" no , " said Jerry Muskrat , " I 'm going to use green alder twigs and willow shoots and bulrush stalks .

" that will be splendid ! " cried the Merry Little Breezes .

then one of them had an idea .

he whispered to the other Little Breezes .

they all giggled and clapped their hands .

then they hurried off to find Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter .

they even hunted up Johnny Chuck and Peter Rabbit and Danny Meadow Mouse .

Jerry Muskrat was so busy that he paid no attention to any one or anything else .

pretty soon he was ready for some green twigs to use in the walls of the new house .

he swam across the Smiling Pool to the Laughing Brook , where the alders grow , to cut the green twigs which he needed .

what do you think he found when he got there ?

why , the nicest little pile of green twigs , all cut ready to use , and Johnny Chuck cutting more .

" Hello , Jerry Muskrat , " said Johnny Chuck .

" I 've cut all these green twigs for your new house .

I hope you can use them . "

Jerry was so surprised that he hardly knew what to say .

he thanked Johnny Chuck , and with the bundle of green twigs swam back to his new house .

when he had used the last one he swam across to the bulrushes on the edge of the Smiling Pool .

" good morning , Jerry Muskrat , " said some one almost hidden by a big pile of bulrushes , all nicely cut .

" I want to help build the new house . "

it was Danny Meadow Mouse .

Jerry Muskrat was more surprised than ever .

when he had used the rushes , Jerry wanted some young willow shoots , so he started for the place where the willows grow .

before he reached them he heard some one shouting :

" hi , Jerry Muskrat !

see the pile of willow shoots I 've cut for your new house . "

it was Peter Rabbit , who is never known to work .

back to the new house he swam with the pile of young willow shoots .

when he had placed them to suit him he sat up on the walls of his house to rest .

he looked across the Smiling Pool .

then he rubbed his eyes and looked again .

could it be yes , it certainly was a bundle of green alder twigs floating straight across the Smiling Pool towards the new house !

" what are you doing with those alder twigs , Billy Mink ? " cried Jerry .

" bringing them for your new house , " shouted Billy Mink , popping out from behind the bundle of alder twigs .

and that was the beginning of the busiest day that the Smiling Pool had ever known .

Little Joe Otter brought sods and mud to hold them in place .

Thick and high grew the walls of the new house .

over all he built a strong , thick roof beautifully rounded .

an hour before it was time for Old Mother West Wind to come for the Merry Little Breezes , Jerry Muskrat 's new house was finished .

then such a frolic as there was in and around the Smiling Pool !

Little Joe Otter made a new slippery slide down one side of the roof .

Billy Mink said that the new house was better to dive off of than the Big Rock .

best of all his heart was full of love love for his little playmates of the Smiling Pool and the Green Meadows .

XV

PETER RABBIT'S BIG COUSIN

Jumper the Hare had come down out of the Great Woods to the Green Meadows .

he is first cousin to Peter Rabbit , you know , and he looks just like Peter , only he is twice as big .

his legs are twice as long and he can jump twice as far .

Peter Rabbit was very proud of his big cousin , very proud indeed .

he showed Jumper the Hare all the secret paths in the Green Forest and across the Green Meadows .

he took him to the Smiling Pool and the Laughing Brook , and everywhere Jumper the Hare was met with the greatest politeness .

but Jumper the Hare was timid , oh , very timid indeed .

every few jumps he sat up very straight to look this way and look that way , and to listen with his long ears .

he jumped nervously at the least little noise .

yes , Sir , Jumper the Hare certainly was very timid .

" he 's a coward ! " sneered Reddy Fox .

still , they were polite to him for the sake of Peter Rabbit and because Jumper really was such a big , handsome fellow .

but behind his back they laughed at him .

even little Danny Meadow Mouse laughed .

indeed , his whole life had been a game of hide and seek , and always he had been the one sought .

so on the Green Meadows , where hiding places were few and far between , Jumper the Hare was nervous .

peter Rabbit , however , could see no fault in his big cousin .

he showed him where Farmer Brown 's tender young carrots grow , and the shortest way to the cabbage patch .

he made him acquainted with all his own secret hiding places in the old brier patch .

then one bright sunny morning something happened .

Johnny Chuck saw it .

Jimmy Skunk saw it .

happy Jack Squirrel saw it .

Sammy Jay saw it .

and they told all the others .

very early that morning Reddy Fox had started out to hunt for his breakfast .

he was tiptoeing softly along the edge of the Green Forest looking for wood mice when whom should he see but Peter Rabbit .

Peter was getting his breakfast in the sweet-clover bed , just beyond the old brier patch .

Reddy Fox squatted down behind a bush to watch .

Peter Rabbit looked plump and fat .

Reddy Fox licked his chops .

" Peter Rabbit would make a better breakfast than wood mice , a very much better breakfast , " said Reddy Fox to himself .

beside , he owed Peter Rabbit a grudge .

he had not forgotten how Peter had tried to save his little brother from Reddy by bringing up Bowser the Hound .

Reddy Fox licked his chops again .

he looked this way and he looked that way , but he could see no one watching .

old Mother West Wind had gone about her business .

the Merry Little Breezes were over at the Smiling Pool to pay their respects to Grandfather Frog .

even jolly , round , red Mr Sun was behind a cloud .

from his hiding place Reddy could not see Johnny Chuck or Jimmy Skunk or Happy Jack Squirrel or Sammy Jay .

" no one will know what becomes of Peter Rabbit , " thought Reddy Fox .

very cautiously Reddy Fox crept out from behind the bush into the tall meadow grass .

Flat on his stomach he crawled inch by inch .

every few minutes he stopped to listen and to peep over at the sweet-clover bed .

nearer and nearer crawled Reddy Fox .

now he was almost near enough to spring .

" thump , thump , thump ! "

the sound came from the brier patch .

" thump , thump ! "

this was Peter Rabbit hitting the ground with one of his hind feet .

he had stopped eating and was sitting up very straight .

" thump , thump , thump ! " came the signal from the brier patch .

" thump , thump ! " responded Peter Rabbit , and started to run .

with a snarl Reddy Fox sprang after him .

then the thing happened .

in an instant he was on his feet and had whirled about , his eyes yellow with anger .

there right in front of him sat Jumper the Hare .

Reddy Fox could hardly believe his own eyes !

could it be that Jumper the Hare , the coward , had dared to strike him such a blow ?

Reddy forgot all about Peter Rabbit .

with a snarl he rushed at Jumper the Hare .

then it happened again .

Reddy Fox was furious .

twice more he sprang , and twice more he was sent sprawling , with the breath knocked out of his body .

that was enough .

tucking his tail between his legs , Reddy Fox sneaked away towards the Green Forest .

as he ran he heard Peter Rabbit thumping in the old brier patch .

" I 'm safe , " signaled Peter Rabbit .

" thump , thump , thump , thump !

the coast is clear , " replied Jumper the Hare .

Reddy Fox looked back from the edge of the Green Forest and gnashed his teeth .

Peter Rabbit and Jumper the Hare were rubbing noses and contentedly eating tender young clover leaves .

" now who 's the coward ? " jeered Sammy Jay from the top of the Lone Pine .

Reddy Fox said nothing , but slunk out of sight .

Late that afternoon he sat on the hill at the top of the Crooked Little Path , and looked down on the Green Meadows .

over near the Smiling Pool were gathered all the little meadow people having the jolliest time in the world .

and in the middle , sitting very straight , was Jumper the Hare .

THE END

BOOKS BY THORNTON W BURGESS

BEDTIME STORY-BOOKS

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THE ADVENTURES OF REDDY FOX

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THE ADVENTURES OF JOHNNY CHUCK

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THE ADVENTURES OF PETER COTTONTAIL

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THE ADVENTURES OF UNC ' BILLY POSSUM

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THE ADVENTURES OF MR . MOCKER

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THE ADVENTURES OF JERRY MUSKRAT

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THE ADVENTURES OF DANNY MEADOW MOUSE

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THE ADVENTURES OF GRANDFATHER FROG

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THE ADVENTURES OF CHATTERER , THE RED SQUIRREL

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THE ADVENTURES OF SAMMY JAY

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THE ADVENTURES OF BUSTER BEAR

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THE ADVENTURES OF OLD MR . TOAD

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF PRICKLY PORKY

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF OLD MAN COYOTE

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THE ADVENTURES OF PADDY THE BEAVER

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF POOR MRS . QUACK

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY COON

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF JIMMY SKUNK

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF BOB WHITE

@number@

THE ADVENTURES OF OL ' MISTAH BUZZARD

MOTHER WEST WIND SERIES

@number@

OLD MOTHER WEST WIND

@number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S CHILDREN

@number@

MOTHER WEST WIND'S ANIMAL FRIENDS

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MOTHER WEST WIND'S NEIGHBORS

@number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " WHY " STORIES

@number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " HOW " STORIES

@number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " WHEN " STORIES

@number@

MOTHER WEST WIND " WHERE " STORIES

GREEN MEADOW SERIES

@number@

HAPPY JACK

@number@

MRS PETER RABBIT

@number@

BOWSER THE HOUND

@number@

OLD GRANNY FOX

THE BURGESS BIRD BOOK FOR CHILDREN

THE BURGESS ANIMAL BOOK FOR CHILDREN

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mother West Wind 's Animal Friends , by Thornton W Burgess

produced by Kent Fielden .

HTML version by Al Haines .

LIGHTFOOT THE DEER

BY

THORNTON W BURGESS

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I : Peter Rabbit Meets Lightfoot

Peter Rabbit was on his way back from the pond of Paddy the Beaver deep in the Green Forest .

farewells are always rather sad , and this particular farewell had left Peter with a lump in his throat , a queer , choky feeling .

" if I were sure that they would return next spring , it wouldn't be so bad , " he muttered .

" it 's those terrible guns .

I know what it is to have to watch out for them .

Farmer Brown 's boy used to hunt me with one of them , but he doesn't any more .

but even when he did hunt me it wasn't anything like what the Ducks have to go through .

I never had to worry about my meals .

but with the Ducks it is a thousand times worse .

they 've got to eat while making that long journey , and they can eat only where there is the right kind of food .

that isn't hunting .

It's it's "

" well , what is it ?

what are you talking to yourself about , Peter Rabbit ? "

" it 's awful , " declared Peter .

" it 's worse than unfair .

it doesn't give them any chance at all . "

Peter grinned .

Lightfoot listened and his great soft eyes were filled with pity for the Quack family .

" I hope they will get through all right , " said he , " and I hope they will get back in the spring .

men are strange creatures .

I do not understand them at all .

none of the people of the Green Forest would think of doing such terrible things .

and yet that is what men seem to do it for .

I guess the trouble is they never have been hunted themselves and don't know how it feels .

sometimes I think I 'll hunt one some day just to teach him a lesson .

what are you laughing at , Peter ? "

" at the idea of you hunting a man , " replied Peter .

" your heart is all right , Lightfoot , but you are too timid and gentle to frighten any one .

Big as you are I wouldn't fear you . "

with a single swift bound Lightfoot sprang out in front of Peter .

his eyes , which Peter had always thought so soft and gentle , seemed to flash fire .

Lightfoot chuckled .

" did you say I couldn't frighten any one ? " he demanded .

" I I didn't know you could look so terribly fierce , " stammered Peter .

" those antlers look really dangerous when you point them that way .

why why what is that hanging to them ?

it looks like bits of old fur .

have you been tearing somebody 's coat , Lightfoot ? "

Peter 's eyes were wide with wonder and suspicion .

CHAPTER II : Lightfoot 's New Antlers

Peter Rabbit was puzzled .

he stared at Lightfoot the Deer a wee bit suspiciously .

" have you been tearing somebody 's coat ? " he asked again .

he didn't like to think it of Lightfoot , whom he always had believed quite as gentle , harmless , and timid as himself .

but what else could he think ?

Lightfoot slowly shook his head .

" no , " said he , " I haven't torn anybody 's coat . "

" then what are those rags hanging on your antlers ? " demanded Peter .

Lightfoot chuckled .

" they are what is left of the coverings of my new antlers , " he explained .

" what 's that ?

what do you mean by new antlers ? "

Peter was sitting up very straight , with his eyes fixed on Lightfoot 's antlers as though he never had seen them before .

" just what I said , " retorted Lightfoot .

" what do you think of them ?

I think they are the finest antlers I 've ever had .

Lightfoot rubbed his antlers against the trunk of a tree till some of the rags hanging to them dropped off .

Peter blinked very hard .

he was trying to understand and he couldn't .

finally he said so .

" what kind of a story are you trying to fill me up with ? " he demanded indignantly .

" do you mean to tell me that those are not the antlers that you have had as long as I 've known you ?

how can anything hard like those antlers grow ?

and if those are new ones , where are the old ones ?

show me the old ones , and perhaps I 'll believe that these are new ones .

the idea of trying to make me believe that antlers grow just like plants !

I 've seen Bossy the Cow all summer and I know she has got the same horns she had last summer .

new antlers indeed ! "

" you are quite right , Peter , quite right about Bossy the Cow .

she never has new horns , but that isn't any reason why I shouldn't have new antlers , is it ? " replied Lightfoot patiently .

" her horns are quite different from my antlers .

I have a new pair every year .

you haven't seen me all summer , have you , Peter ? "

" no , I don't remember that I have , " replied Peter , trying very hard to remember when he had last seen Lightfoot .

" I KNOW you haven't , " retorted Lightfoot .

" I know it because I have been hiding in a place you never visit . "

" what have you been hiding for ? " demanded Peter .

" for my new antlers to grow , " replied Lightfoot .

" when my new antlers are growing , I want to be away by myself .

I don't like to be seen without them or with halfgrown ones .

besides , I am very uncomfortable while the new antlers are growing and I want to be alone . "

" they dropped off last spring , but I don't remember just where , " replied Lightfoot .

" I was too glad to be rid of them to notice where they dropped .

I 've got one more point on each than I had last year . "

Lightfoot began once more to rub his antlers against the tree to get off the queer rags hanging to them and to polish the points .

Peter watched in silence for a few minutes .

then , all his suspicions returning , he said :

" but you haven't told me anything about those rags hanging to your antlers . "

" and you haven't believed what I have already told you , " retorted Lightfoot .

" I don't like telling things to people who won't believe me . "

CHAPTER III : Lightfoot Tells How His Antlers Grew

it is hard to believe what seems impossible .

and yet what seems impossible to you may be a very commonplace matter to some one else .

so it does not do to say that a thing cannot be possible just because you cannot understand how it can be .

Peter Rabbit wanted to believe what Lightfoot the Deer had just told him , but somehow he couldn't .

if he had seen those antlers growing , it would have been another matter .

but he hadn't seen Lightfoot since the very last of winter , and then Lightfoot had worn just such handsome antlers as he now had .

" I 'm trying to believe it , " he said , quite humbly .

" it 's all true , " broke in another voice .

Peter jumped and turned to find his big cousin , Jumper the Hare .

Unseen and unheard , he had stolen up and had overheard what Peter and Lightfoot had said .

" how do you know it is true ? " snapped Peter a little crossly , for Jumper had startled him .

" all right !

I 'll believe anything that Lightfoot tells me if you say it is true , " declared Peter , who greatly admires his cousin , Jumper .

" now tell me about those rags , Lightfoot .

please do . "

Lightfoot couldn't resist that " please . "

" very soon after my old ones dropped off the new ones began to grow .

they were not hard , not at all like they are now .

they were soft and very tender , and the blood ran through them just as it does through our bodies .

they were covered with a sort of skin with hairs on it like thin fur .

the ends were not sharply pointed they now are , but were big and rounded , like knobs .

they were not like antlers at all , and they made my head hot and were very uncomfortable .

that is why I hid away .

it seemed to me sometimes as if all my strength went into those new antlers .

and I had to be very careful not to hit them against anything .

in the first place it would have hurt , and in the second place it might have spoiled the shape of them .

" when they had grown to the length you now see , they began to shrink and grow hard .

the knobs on the ends shrank until they became pointed .

as soon as they stopped growing the blood stopped flowing up in them , and as they became hard they were no longer tender .

the skin which had covered them grew dry and split , and I rubbed it off on trees and bushes .

the little rags you see are what is left , but I will soon be rid of those .

Lightfoot tossed his head proudly and rattled his wonderful antlers against the nearest tree .

it is hard to believe , but I suppose it must be true . "

you 've always thought of Lightfoot as timid and afraid , but you should see him when he is angry .

few people care to face him then . "

CHAPTER IV : the Spirit Of Fear

when the days grow cold and the nights are clear , There stalks abroad the spirit of fear .

Lightfoot the Deer .

it is sad but true .

autumn is often called the sad time of the year , and it is the sad time .

but it shouldn't be .

old Mother Nature never intended that it should be .

she meant it to be the GLAD time .

it is the season when food is plentiful , and every one is fat and is , or ought to be , care free .

all night as well as all day the Spirit of Fear searches out the little people of the Green Meadows and the Green Forest .

it will not let them sleep .

it will not let them eat in peace .

it drives them to seek new hiding-places and then drives them out of those .

it keeps them ever ready to fly or run at the slightest sound .

Peter Rabbit was thinking of this as he sat at the edge of the dear Old Briar-patch , looking over to the Green Forest .

very , very lovely were the reds and yellows and browns against the dark green of the pines and the spruces and the hemlocks .

the Purple Hills were more softly purple than at any other season of the year .

it was all very , very beautiful .

it wasn't fear of Reddy Fox , or Redtail the Hawk , or Hooty the Owl , or Old Man Coyote .

but the fear that chilled his heart now never left him even for a moment .

it was even clutching at the hearts of Granny and Reddy Fox and of great , big Buster Bear .

it seemed to Peter that no one was so big or so small that this terrible Spirit of Fear had not searched him out .

Far in the distance sounded a sudden bang .

Peter jumped and shivered .

he knew that every one else who had heard that bang had jumped and shivered just as he had .

it was the season of hunters with terrible guns .

" they seem to find pleasure , actually find pleasure , in trying to kill us .

I don't understand them at all .

they haven't any hearts .

that must be the reason ; they haven't any hearts . "

CHAPTER V : Sammy Jay Brings Lightfoot Word

Sammy Jay is one of those who believe in the wisdom of the old saying , " early to bed and early to rise . "

Sammy needs no alarm clock to get up early in the morning .

he is awake as soon as it is light enough to see and wastes no time wishing he could sleep a little longer .

his stomach wouldn't let him if he wanted to .

Sammy always wakes up hungry .

in this he is no different from all his feathered neighbors .

on this particular morning he had planned to fly over to Farmer Brown 's dooryard , but at the last minute he changed his mind .

instead , he flew over to the dooryard of another farm .

Sammy stopped on the top of the nearest tree .

" now what is that man doing up as early as this ? " muttered Sammy .

then he caught sight of something under the man 's arm .

he didn't have to look twice to know what it was .

it was a gun !

yes , sir , it was a gun , a terrible gun .

" Ha ! " exclaimed Sammy , and quite forgot that his stomach was empty .

" now who can that fellow be after so early in the morning ?

I think I 'll sit right here and watch . "

so Sammy sat in the top of the tree and watched the hunter with the terrible gun .

he saw him head straight for the Green Forest .

" it 's Mr and Mrs. Grouse after all , I guess , " thought Sammy .

" if I knew just where they were I 'd go over and warn them . "

he thought of Lightfoot the Deer .

Sammy watched the hunter enter the Green Forest , then he silently followed him .

from the way the hunter moved , Sammy decided that he wasn't thinking of Mr and Mrs. Grouse .

" it 's Lightfoot the Deer , sure as I live , " muttered Sammy .

" he ought to be warned .

he certainly ought to be warned .

I know right where he is .

I believe I 'll warn him myself . "

Sammy found Lightfoot right where he had expected to .

" he 's coming ! " cried Sammy .

" a hunter with a terrible gun is coming ! "

CHAPTER VI : a Game Of Hide And Seek

there was a game of hide and seek that Danny Meadow Mouse once played with Buster Bear .

it was a very dreadful game for Danny .

in the case of Buster Bear and Danny , the latter had simply to keep out of reach of Buster .

as long as Buster didn't get his great paws on Danny , the latter was safe .

then , too , Danny is a very small person .

he is so small that he can hide under two or three leaves .

wherever he is , he is pretty sure to find a hiding-place of some sort .

his small size gives him advantages in a game of hide and seek .

it certainly does .

but Lightfoot the Deer is big .

he is one of the largest of the people who live in the Green Forest .

being so big , it is not easy to hide .

moreover , a hunter with a terrible gun does not have to get close in order to kill .

Lightfoot knew all this as he waited for the coming of the hunter of whom Sammy Jay had warned him .

he had learned many lessons in the hunting season of the year before and he remembered every one of them .

he knew that to forget even one of them might cost him his life .

so , standing motionless behind a tangle of fallen trees , Lightfoot listened and watched .

presently over in the distance he heard Sammy Jay screaming , " Thief , thief , thief ! "

a little sigh of relief escaped Lightfoot .

he knew that that screaming of Sammy Jay 's was a warning to tell him where the hunter was .

knowing just where the hunter was made it easier for Lightfoot to know what to do .

a Merry Little Breeze came stealing through the Green Forest .

it came from behind Lightfoot and danced on towards the hunter with the terrible gun .

instantly Lightfoot began to steal softly away through the Green Forest .

he took the greatest care to make no sound .

he went in a half-circle , stopping every few steps to listen and test the air with his wonderful nose .

can you guess what Lightfoot was trying to do ?

he was trying to get behind the hunter so that the Merry Little Breezes would bring to him the dreaded man-scent .

so long as Lightfoot could get that scent , he would know where the hunter was , though he could neither see nor hear him .

if he had remained where Sammy Jay had found him , the hunter might have come within shooting distance before Lightfoot could have located him .

CHAPTER VII : the Merry Little Breezes Help Lightfoot

you see , Lightfoot was behind the hunter instead of in front of him .

he was following the hunter , so as to keep track of him .

as long as he knew just where the hunter was , he felt reasonably safe .

the Merry Little Breezes are Lightfoot 's best friends .

they always bring to him all the different scents they find as they wander through the Green Forest .

he knows that they will bring to him warning of any danger which may lie in that direction .

then he had begun to hunt in that direction , knowing that thus his scent would be carried behind him .

presently he found Lightfoot 's footprints in the soft ground and studying them he knew that Lightfoot had known of his coming .

" it was that confounded Jay , " muttered the hunter .

" Lightfoot heard him and knew what it meant .

I know what he has done ; he has circled round so as to get behind me and get my scent .

it is a clever trick , a very clever trick , but two can play at that game .

I 'll just try that little trick myself . "

Lightfoot had lost track of the hunter .

CHAPTER VIII : Wit Against Wit

it was a dreadful game the hunter with the terrible gun and Lightfoot the Deer were playing in the Green Forest .

it was a matching of wit against wit , the hunter seeking to take Lightfoot 's life , and Lightfoot seeking to save it .

but the hunter in his turn knew much of the ways of Deer .

so it was that each was trying his best to outguess the other .

when the hunter found the hiding-place Lightfoot had left at the warning of Sammy Jay he followed Lightfoot 's tracks for a short distance .

it was slow work , and only one whose eyes had been trained to notice little things could have done it .

these things told the hunter which way Lightfoot had gone .

slowly , patiently , watchfully , the hunter followed .

after a while he stopped with a satisfied grin .

" I thought as much , " he muttered .

" he heard that pesky Jay and circled around so as to get my scent .

I 'll just cut across to my old trail and unless I am greatly mistaken , I 'll find his tracks there . "

once more he grinned .

" well , old fellow , I 've outguessed you this time , " said he to himself .

" I am behind you and the wind is from you to me , so that you cannot get my scent .

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if you 're back right where you started from , behind that old windfall . "

he at once began to move forward silently and cautiously , with eyes and ears alert and his terrible gun ready for instant use .

Lightfoot stood still and listened with all his might for some little sound to tell him where the hunter was .

but there was no sound and after a little Lightfoot began to move on .

he didn't dare remain still , lest the hunter should creep up within shooting distance .

so long as they brought him none of the dreaded man-smell , he knew that he was safe .

CHAPTER IX : Lightfoot Becomes Uncertain

Lightfoot the Deer traveled on through the Green Forest , straight ahead in the direction from which the Merry Little Breezes were blowing .

every few steps he would raise his delicate nose and test all the scents that the Merry Little Breezes were bringing .

Lightfoot uses his nose very much as you and I use our eyes .

it tells him the things he wants to know .

he knew that Reddy Fox had been along ahead of him , although he didn't get so much as a glimpse of Reddy 's red coat .

once he caught just the faintest of scents which caused him to stop abruptly and test the air more carefully than ever .

it was the scent of Buster Bear .

you know the Merry Little Breezes are Lightfoot 's best friends .

but Lightfoot didn't want to keep going in that direction all day .

it would take him far away from that part of the Green Forest with which he was familiar and which he called home .

it might in time take him out of the Green Forest and that wouldn't do at all .

so after a while Lightfoot became uncertain .

he didn't know just what to do .

you see , he couldn't tell whether or not that hunter with the terrible gun was still following him .

every once in a while he would stop in a thicket of young trees or behind a tangle of fallen trees uprooted by the wind .

" if only I could know if that hunter is still following , I would know better what to do , " thought Lightfoot .

" I 've got to find out . "

CHAPTER X : Lightfoot 's Clever Trick

Lightfoot the Deer is smart .

yes , Sir , Lightfoot the Deer is smart .

he has to be , especially in the hunting season , to save his life .

if he were not smart he would have been killed long ago .

he never makes the foolish mistake of thinking that other people are not smart .

he had a very great respect for the smartness of that hunter .

he knew that he couldn't afford to be careless for one little minute .

the certainty of danger is sometimes easier to bear than the uncertainty of not knowing whether or not there really is any danger .

Lightfoot felt that if he could know just where the hunter was , he himself would know better what to do .

the hunter might have become discouraged and given up following him .

in that case he could rest and stop worrying .

it would be better to know that he was being followed than not to know .

but how was he to find out ?

Lightfoot kept turning this over and over in his mind as he traveled through the Green Forest .

then an idea came to him .

" I know what I 'll do .

I know just what I 'll do , " said Lightfoot to himself .

" I 'll find out whether or not that hunter is still following me and I 'll get a little rest .

goodness knows , I need a rest . "

this was near the top of a little hill .

Lightfoot went up the hill and stopped behind the pile of brush .

for a few moments he stood there perfectly still , looking and listening .

if the hunter were still following him , he would pass through that hollow in plain sight .

for a long tune Lightfoot rested comfortably behind the pile of brush .

there was not a suspicious movement or a suspicious sound to show that danger was abroad in the Green Forest .

he saw Mr and Mrs. Grouse fly down across the hollow and disappear among the trees on the other side .

he saw Unc ' Billy Possum looking over a hollow tree and guessed that Unc ' Billy was getting ready to go into winter quarters .

he saw Jumper the Hare squat down under a low-hanging branch of a hemlock-tree and prepare to take a nap .

he heard Drummer the Woodpecker at work drilling after worms in a tree not far away .

Little by little Lightfoot grew easy in his mind .

it must be that that hunter had become discouraged and was no longer following him .

CHAPTER XI : the Hunted Watches The Hunter

it didn't seem possible that there could be any need for watchfulness .

but Lightfoot long ago had learned that often danger is nearest when it seems least to be expected .

so , though he would have liked very much to have taken a nap , Lightfoot was too wise to do anything so foolish .

he kept his great ears gently moving to catch every little sound .

it was better to be overwatchful than the least bit careless .

by and by , Lightfoot 's keen ears caught the sound of the snapping of a little stick in the distance .

it was so faint a sound that you or I would have missed it altogether .

but Lightfoot heard it and instantly he was doubly alert , watching in the direction from which that faint sound had come .

after what seemed a long , long time he saw something moving , and a moment later a man came into view .

it was the hunter and across one arm he carried the terrible gun .

Lightfoot knew now that this hunter had patience and perseverance and had not yet given up hope of getting near enough to shoot Lightfoot .

he moved forward slowly , setting each foot down with the greatest care , so as not to snap a stick or rustle the leaves .

he was watching sharply ahead , ready to shoot should he catch a glimpse of Lightfoot within range .

right along through the hollow at the foot of the little hill below Lightfoot the hunter passed .

he was doing what is called " hunting up-wind . "

Lightfoot kept perfectly still and watched the hunter disappear among the trees .

he felt sure that that hunter would not find him again that day .

CHAPTER XII : Lightfoot Visits Paddy The Beaver

Deep in the Green Forest is the pond where lives Paddy the Beaver .

it is Paddy 's own pond , for he made it himself .

he made it by building a dam across the Laughing Brook .

when Lightfoot bounded away through the Green Forest , after watching the hunter pass through the hollow below him , he remembered Paddy 's pond .

" that 's where I 'll go , " thought Lightfoot .

" it is such a lonesome part of the Green Forest that I do not believe that hunter will come there .

I 'll just run over and make Paddy a friendly call . "

so Lightfoot bounded along deeper and deeper into the Green Forest .

presently through the trees he caught the gleam of water .

it was Paddy 's pond .

Lightfoot approached it cautiously .

he knew that he couldn't afford to be careless for even one little minute .

no one who is hunted , be he big or little , can afford ever to be careless .

now Lightfoot had known of hunters hiding near water , hoping to shoot him when he came to drink .

that always seemed to Lightfoot a dreadful thing , an unfair thing .

but hunters had done it before and they might do it again .

so Lightfoot was careful to approach Paddy 's pond upwind .

he knew that if any hunters were hidden there , the Merry Little Breezes would bring him their scent and thus warn him .

he had almost reached the edge of Paddy 's pond when from the farther shore there came a sudden crash .

it startled Lightfoot terribly for just an instant .

then he guessed what it meant .

that crash was the falling of a tree .

there wasn't enough wind to blow over even the most shaky dead tree .

there had been no sound of axes , so he knew it could not have been chopped down by men .

so Lightfoot hurried forward eagerly , cautiously .

it was Paddy the Beaver taking the branch to his food pile .

CHAPTER XIII : Lightfoot And Paddy Become Partners

the instant Lightfoot saw Paddy the Beaver he knew that for the time being , at least , there was no danger .

Paddy saw Lightfoot almost as soon as he stepped out on the bank .

there he forced the branch down until it was held by other branches already sunken in the pond .

this done , he swam over to where Lightfoot was watching .

" hello , Lightfoot ! " he exclaimed .

" you are looking handsomer than ever .

how are you feeling these fine autumn days ? "

" anxious , " replied Lightfoot .

" I am feeling terribly anxious .

do you know what day this is ? "

" no , " replied Paddy , " I don't know what day it is , and I don't particularly care .

it is enough for me that it is one of the finest days we 've had for a long time . "

" I wish I could feel that way , " said Lightfoot wistfully .

" I wish I could feel that way , Paddy , but I can't .

no , Sir , I can't .

you see , this is the first of the most dreadful days in all the year for me .

the hunters started looking for me before Mr Sun was really out of bed .

at least one hunter did , and I don't doubt there are others .

Paddy crept out on the bank and chewed a little twig of poplar thoughtfully .

Paddy says he can always think better if he is chewing something .

" that 's bad news , Lightfoot .

I 'm sorry to hear it .

I certainly am sorry to hear it , " said Paddy.

" why anybody wants to hunt such a handsome fellow as you are , I cannot understand .

my , but that 's a beautiful set of antlers you have ! "

" good looks are not always to be desired .

have you seen any hunters around here lately ? "

Paddy shook his Lead .

" not a single hunter , " he replied .

" I tell you what it is , Lightfoot , let's be partners for a while .

you stay right around my pond .

if I see or hear or smell anything suspicious , I 'll warn you .

you do the same for me .

two sets of eyes , ears and noses are better than one .

what do you say , Lightfoot ? "

" I 'll do it , " replied Lightfoot .

CHAPTER XIV : how Paddy Warned Lightfoot

it was a queer partnership , that partnership between Lightfoot and Paddy , but it was a good partnership .

they had been the best of friends for a long time .

Paddy had always been glad to have Lightfoot visit his pond .

to tell the truth , he was rather fond of handsome Lightfoot .

you know Paddy is himself not at all handsome .

on land he is a rather clumsy-looking fellow and really homely .

so he admired Lightfoot greatly .

that is one reason why he proposed that they be partners .

Lightfoot himself thought the idea a splendid one .

he spent that night browsing not far from Paddy 's pond .

with the coming of daylight he lay down in a thicket of young hemlock-trees near the upper end of the pond .

it was a quiet , peaceful day .

but they were , and Lightfoot knew that sooner or later one of them would be sure to visit Paddy 's pond .

so , though he rested and took short naps all through that beautiful day , he was anxious .

he couldn't help but be .

the next morning found Lightfoot back in the same place .

but this morning he took no naps .

he rested , but all the time he was watchful and alert .

a feeling of uneasiness possessed him .

he felt in his bones that danger in the shape of a hunter with a terrible gun was not far distant .

but the hours slipped away , and little by little he grew less uneasy .

he began to hope that that day would prove as peaceful as the previous day had been .

then suddenly there was a sharp report from the farther end of Paddy 's pond .

it was almost like a pistol shot .

however , it wasn't a pistol shot .

it wasn't a shot at all .

it was the slap of Paddy 's broad tail on the surface of the water .

instantly Lightfoot was on his feet .

he knew just what that meant .

he knew that Paddy had seen or heard or smelled a hunter .

it was even so .

Paddy had heard a dry stick snap .

it was a very tiny snap , but it was enough to warn Paddy.

with only his head above water he had watched in the direction from which that sound had come .

presently , stealing quietly along towards the pond , a hunter had come in view .

instantly Paddy had brought his broad tail down on the water with all his force .

he knew that Lightfoot would know that that meant danger .

then Paddy had dived , and swimming under water , had sought the safety of his house .

he had done his part , and there was nothing more he could do .

CHAPTER XV : the Three Watchers

he was on his feet instantly , with eyes , ears and nose seeking the cause of Paddy 's warning .

there he hid among some close-growing young hemlock-trees .

it wasn't long before he saw a hunter with a terrible gun come down to the shore of the pond .

now the hunter had heard Paddy slap the water with his broad tail .

of course .

there would have been something very wrong with his ears had he failed to hear it .

" confound that Beaver ! " muttered the hunter crossly .

" if there was a Deer anywhere around this pond , he probably is on his way now .

I 'll have a look around and see if there are any signs . "

so the hunter went on to the edge of Paddy 's pond and then began to walk around it , studying the ground as he walked .

presently he found the footprints of Lightfoot in the mud where Lightfoot had gone down to the pond to drink .

" I thought as much , " muttered the hunter .

" those tracks were made last night .

that Deer probably was lying down somewhere near here , and I might have had a shot but for that pesky Beaver .

I 'll just look the land over , and then I think I 'll wait here awhile .

if that Deer isn't too badly scared , he may come back . "

so the hunter went quite around the pond , looking into all likely hiding-places .

he found where Lightfoot had been lying , and he knew that in all probability Lightfoot had been there when Paddy gave the danger signal .

" it 's of no use for me to try to follow him , " thought the hunter .

" it is too dry for me to track him .

he may not be so badly scared , after all .

I 'll just find a good place and wait . "

so the hunter found an old log behind some small trees and there sat down .

he could see all around Paddy 's pond .

he sat perfectly still .

what he didn't know was that Lightfoot had been watching him all the time and was even then standing where he could see him .

so the hunter watched for Lightfoot , and Lightfoot and Paddy watched the hunter .

CHAPTER XVI : Visitors To Paddy 's Pond

that hunter was a man of patience .

also he was a man who understood the little people of the Green Forest and the Green Meadows .

he knew that if he would not be seen he must not move .

so he didn't move .

he kept as motionless as if he were a part of the very log on which he was sitting .

for some time there was no sign of any living thing .

for a few moments they sat on the water , a picture of watchful suspicion .

they were looking and listening to make sure that no danger was near .

satisfied at last , they began to clean their feathers .

it was plain that they felt safe .

so Mr. and Mrs Quack swam about within easy range of that terrible gun without once suspecting that danger was anywhere near .

by and by the hunter 's keen eyes caught a movement at one end of Paddy 's dam .

an instant later Bobby Coon appeared .

it was clear that Bobby was quite unsuspicious .

he carried something , but just what the hunter could not make out .

he took it down to the edge of the water and there carefully washed it .

then he climbed up on Paddy 's dam and began to eat .

you know Bobby Coon is very particular about his food .

whenever there is water near , Bobby washes his food before eating .

once more the hunter was tempted , but did not yield to the temptation , which was a very good thing for Bobby Coon .

all this Lightfoot saw as he stood among the little hemlock-trees at the top of the ridge behind the hunter .

he saw and he understood .

" what have I ever done that he should be so anxious to kill me ? "

still the hunter sat without moving .

Mr and Mrs. Quack contentedly hunted for food in the mud at the bottom of Paddy 's pond .

Bobby Coon finished his meal , crossed the dam and disappeared in the Green Forest .

he had gone off to take a nap somewhere .

time slipped away .

the hunter continued to watch patiently for Lightfoot , and Lightfoot and Paddy the Beaver watched the hunter .

finally , another visitor appeared at the upper end of the pond a visitor in a wonderful coat of red .

it was Reddy Fox .

CHAPTER XVII : Sammy Jay Arrives

when Reddy Fox arrived at the pond of Paddy the Beaver , the hunter who was hiding there saw him instantly .

so did Lightfoot .

but no one else did .

he approached in that cautious , careful way that he always uses when he is hunting .

he stopped with one foot lifted in the act of taking a step .

he had seen Mr and Mrs. Quack .

now you know there is nothing Reddy Fox likes better for a dinner than a Duck .

the instant he saw Mr. and Mrs Quack , a gleam of longing crept into his eyes and his mouth began to water .

then like a red flash he bounded out of sight behind the dam of Paddy the Beaver .

presently the hunter saw Reddy 's black nose at the end of the dam as Reddy peeped around it to watch Mr and Mrs. Quack .

the latter were slowly moving along in that direction as they fed .

Reddy was quick to see this .

all he need do was to be patient and wait .

so , with his eyes fixed fast on Mr and Mrs. Quack , Reddy Fox crouched behind Paddy 's dam and waited .

watching Reddy and the Ducks , the hunter almost forgot Lightfoot the Deer .

Mr and Mrs. Quack were getting very near to where Reddy was waiting for them .

the hunter was tempted to get up and frighten those Ducks .

he didn't want Reddy Fox to have them , because he hoped some day to get them himself .

" I suppose , " thought he , " I was foolish not to shoot them when I had the chance .

they are too far away now , and it looks very much as if that red rascal will get one of them .

I believe I 'll spoil that red scamp 's plans by frightening them away .

I don't believe that Deer will be back here to-day anyway , so I may as well save those Ducks . "

but the hunter did nothing of the kind .

you see , just as he was getting ready to step out from his hiding-place , Sammy Jay arrived .

he perched in a tree close to the end of Paddy 's dam and at once he spied Reddy Fox .

it didn't take him a second to discover what Reddy was hiding there for .

" Thief , thief , thief ! " screamed Sammy , and then looked down at Reddy with a mischievous look in his sharp eyes .

there is nothing Sammy Jay delights in more than in upsetting the plans of Reddy Fox .

at the sound of Sammy 's voice , Mr and Mrs. Quack swam hurriedly towards the middle of the pond .

they knew exactly what that warning meant .

Reddy Fox looked up at Sammy Jay and snarled angrily .

then , knowing it was useless to hide longer , he bounded away through the Green Forest to hunt elsewhere .

CHAPTER XVIII : the Hunter Loses His Temper

the hunter , hidden near the pond of Paddy the Beaver , chuckled silently .

that is to say , he laughed without making any sound .

the hunter thought the warning of Mr and Mrs. Quack by Sammy Jay was a great joke on Reddy .

to tell the truth , he was very much pleased .

as you know , he wanted those Ducks himself .

" Sammy Jay did me a good turn , " thought the hunter , " although he doesn't know it .

Reddy Fox certainly would have caught one of those Ducks had Sammy not come along just when he did .

it would have been a shame to have had one of them caught by that Fox .

I mean to get one , and I hope both of them , myself . "

Reddy was hunting them because he was hungry .

the hunter would have shot them for sport .

he didn't need them .

he had plenty of other food .

Reddy Fox doesn't kill just for the pleasure of killing .

so the hunter continued to sit in his hiding-place with very friendly feelings for Sammy Jay .

Sammy watched Reddy Fox disappear and then flew over to that side of the pond where the hunter was .

for some time Sammy sat quietly in the top of the tree , but all the time his sharp eyes were very busy .

by and by he spied the hunter sitting on the log .

at first he couldn't make out just what it was he was looking at .

it didn't move , but nevertheless Sammy was suspicious .

presently he flew over to a tree where he could see better .

right away he spied the terrible gun , and he knew just what that was .

once more he began to yell , " thief ! thief ! thief ! " at the top of his lungs .

it was then that the hunter lost his temper .

he knew that now he had been discovered by Sammy Jay , and it was useless to remain there longer .

he was angry clear through .

CHAPTER XIX : Sammy Jay Is Modest

every one within hearing could tell just where that hunter was by Sammy 's voice .

it kept growing fainter and fainter , and by that Lightfoot knew that the hunter was getting farther and farther away .

Paddy the Beaver swam out from his hiding-place and climbed out on the bank near Lightfoot .

there was a twinkle in his eyes .

" that blue-coated mischief-maker isn't such a bad fellow at heart , after all , is he ? " said he .

Lightfoot lifted his beautiful head and set his ears forward to catch the sound of Sammy 's voice in the distance .

he brought me warning of the coming of the hunter the other morning .

you saw him save Mr and Mrs. Quack a little while ago , and then he actually drove that hunter away .

I suppose Sammy Jay has saved more lives than any one I know of .

I wish he would come back here and let me thank him . "

some time later Sammy Jay did come back .

I 'm glad to see he hasn't got you yet , Lightfoot .

I 've been a bit worried about you . "

" Sammy , " said Lightfoot , " you are one of the best friends I have .

I don't know how I can ever thank you for what you have done for me . "

" don't try , " replied Sammy shortly .

" I haven't done anything but what anybody else would have done .

old Mother Nature gave me a pair of good eyes and a strong voice .

I simply make the best use of them I can .

just to see a hunter with a terrible gun makes me angry clear through .

I 'd rather spoil his hunting than eat . "

" you want to watch out , Sammy .

" don't worry about me , " replied Sammy .

" I know just how far those terrible guns can shoot , and I don't take any chances .

by the way , Lightfoot , the Green Forest is full of hunters looking for you .

CHAPTER XX : Lightfoot Hears A Dreadful Sound

day after day , Lightfoot the Deer played hide and seek for his life with the hunters who were seeking to kill him .

he saw them many times , though not one of them saw him .

more than once a hunter passed close to Lightfoot 's hiding-place without once suspecting it .

but poor Lightfoot was feeling the strain .

he was growing thin , and he was so nervous that the falling of a dead leaf from a tree would startle him .

there is nothing quite so terrible as being continually hunted .

it was getting so that Lightfoot half expected a hunter to step out from behind every tree .

only when the Black Shadows wrapped the Green Forest in darkness did he know a moment of peace .

and those hours of safety were filled with dread of what the next day might bring .

Early one morning a terrible sound rang through the Green Forest and brought Lightfoot to his feet with a startled jump .

it was the baying of hounds following a trail .

at first it did not sound so terrible .

Lightfoot had often heard it before .

many times he had listened to the baying of Bowser the Hound , as he followed Reddy Fox .

it had not sounded so terrible then because it meant no danger to Lightfoot .

but suddenly a dreadful suspicion came to him and he grew more and more anxious as he listened .

in a few minutes there was no longer any doubt in his mind .

those hounds were following his trail .

it was then that the sound of that baying became terrible .

he must run for his life !

those hounds would give him no rest .

and he knew that in running from them , he would no longer be able to watch so closely for the hunters with terrible guns .

he would no longer be able to hide in thickets .

at any time he might be driven right past one of those hunters .

Lightfoot bounded away with such leaps as only Lightfoot can make .

in a little while the voices of the hounds grew fainter .

Lightfoot stopped to get his breath and stood trembling as he listened .

the baying of the hounds again grew louder and louder .

those wonderful noses of theirs were following his trail without the least difficulty .

in a panic of fear , Lightfoot bounded away again .

as he crossed an old road , the Green Forest rang with the roar of a terrible gun .

something tore a strip of bark from the trunk of a tree just above Lightfoot 's back .

it was a bullet and it had just missed Lightfoot .

it added to his terror and this in turn added to his speed .

so Lightfoot ran and ran , and behind him the voices of the hounds continued to ring through the Green Forest .

CHAPTER XXI : how Lightfoot Got Rid Of The Hounds

poor Lightfoot !

it seemed to him that there were no such things as justice and fair play .

had it been just one hunter at a time against whom he had to match his wits it would not have been so bad .

but there were many hunters with terrible guns looking for him , and in dodging one he was likely at any time to meet another .

this in itself seemed terribly unfair and unjust .

but now , added to this was the greater unfairness of being trailed by hounds .

do you wonder that Lightfoot thought of men as utterly heartless ?

he could not know that it was against the law to hunt him with dogs .

the ground was damp and scent always lies best on damp ground .

this made it easy for the hounds to follow him with their wonderful noses .

Lightfoot tried every trick he could think of to make those hounds lose the scent .

but he couldn't .

they allowed him no rest .

he was becoming very , very tired .

he could no longer bound lightly over fallen logs or brush , as he had done at first .

his lungs ached as he panted for breath .

there would come a time when he would have to stop .

then those hounds would catch up with him and tear him to pieces .

it was then that he remembered the Big River .

he turned towards it .

it was his only chance and he knew it .

straight through the Green Forest , out across the Green Meadows to the bank of the Big River , Lightfoot ran .

for just a second he paused to look behind .

the hounds were almost at his heels .

Lightfoot hesitated no longer but plunged into the Big River and began to swim .

on the banks the hounds stopped and bayed their disappointment , for they did not dare follow Lightfoot out into the Big River .

CHAPTER XXII : Lightfoot 's Long Swim

the Big River was very wide .

it would have been a long swim for Lightfoot had he been fresh and at his best .

strange as it may seem , Lightfoot is a splendid swimmer , despite his small , delicate feet .

he enjoys swimming .

but now Lightfoot was terribly tired from his long run ahead of the hounds .

then he turned and headed for a point down the Big River .

this made the swimming easier , for the current helped him instead of hindering him .

even then he could feel his strength leaving him .

had he escaped those hounds and the terrible hunters only to be drowned in the Big River ?

this new fear gave him more strength for a little while .

but it did not last long .

he was three fourths of the way across the Big River but still that other shore seemed a long distance away .

Little by little hope died in the heart of Lightfoot the Deer .

just as Lightfoot felt that he could not take another stroke and that the end was at hand , one foot touched something .

then , all four feet touched .

a second later he had found solid footing and was standing with the water only up to his knees .

he had found a little sand bar out in the Big River .

with a little gasp of returning hope , Lightfoot waded along until the water began to grow deeper again .

he had hoped that he would be able to wade ashore , but he saw now that he would have to swim again .

so for a long time he remained right where he was .

he was so tired that he trembled all over , and he was as frightened as he was tired .

he knew that standing out there in the water he could be seen for a long distance , and that made him nervous and fearful .

supposing a hunter on the shore he was trying to reach should see him .

but rest he must , and so he stood for a long time on the little sand bar in the Big River .

and little by little he felt his strength returning .

CHAPTER XXIII : Lightfoot Finds A Friend

on the bank he had left , he could see two black-and-white specks moving about , and across the water came the barking of dogs .

those two specks were the hounds who had driven him into the Big River .

they were barking now , instead of baying .

presently a brown form joined the black-and-white specks .

it was a hunter drawn there by the barking of the dogs .

he was too far away to be dangerous , but the mere sight of him filled Lightfoot with terror again .

he watched the hunter walk along the bank and disappear in the bushes .

presently out of the bushes came a boat , and in it was the hunter .

he headed straight towards Lightfoot , and then Lightfoot knew that his brief rest was at an end .

he must once more swim or be shot by the hunter in the boat .

so Lightfoot again struck out for the shore .

his rest had given him new strength , but still he was very , very tired and swimming was hard work .

slowly , oh so slowly , he drew nearer to the bank .

what new dangers might be waiting there , he did not know .

he had never been on that side of the Big River .

he knew nothing of the country on that side .

but the uncertainty was better than the certainty behind him .

on Lightfoot struggled .

at last he felt bottom beneath his feet .

he staggered up through some bushes along the bank and then for an instant it seemed to him his heart stopped beating .

right in front of him stood a man .

he had come out into the back yard of the home of that man .

it is doubtful which was the more surprised , Lightfoot or the man .

right then and there Lightfoot gave up in despair .

he couldn't run .

it was all he could do to walk .

not a spark of hope remained to Lightfoot .

he simply stood still and trembled , partly with fear and partly with weariness .

then a surprising thing happened .

the man spoke softly .

he advanced , not threateningly but slowly , and in a friendly way .

he walked around back of Lightfoot and then straight towards him .

Lightfoot walked on a few steps , and the man followed , still talking softly .

Little by little he urged Lightfoot on , driving him towards an open shed in which was a pile of hay .

without understanding just how , Lightfoot knew that he had found a friend .

so he entered the open shed and with a long sigh lay down in the soft hay .

CHAPTER XXIV : the Hunter Is Disappointed

how he knew he was safe , Lightfoot the Deer Couldn't have told you .

he just knew it , that was all .

but he didn't have to understand words to know that he had found a friend .

Lightfoot 's friend was waiting just at the top of the bank .

of course the hunter saw him at once .

" Hello , Friend ! " cried the hunter .

" did you see a Deer pass this way a few minutes ago ?

he swam across the river , and if I know anything about it he 's too tired to travel far now .

I 've been hunting that fellow for several days , and if I have any luck at all I ought to get him this time . "

" I 'm afraid you won't have any luck at all , " said Lightfoot 's friend .

" you see , I don't allow any hunting on my land . "

the hunter looked surprised , and then his surprise gave way to anger .

" you mean , " said he , " that you intend to get that Deer yourself . "

Lightfoot 's friend shook his head .

" no , " said he , " I don't mean anything of the kind .

the best thing for you to do , my friend , is to get into your boat and row back where you came from .

are those your hounds barking over there ? "

" no , " replied the hunter promptly .

" I know the law just as well as you do , and it is against the law to hunt Deer with dogs .

I don't even know who owns those two hounds over there . "

" that may be true , " replied Lightfoot 's friend .

" I don't doubt it is true .

but you are willing to take advantage of the fact that the dogs of some one else have broken the law .

you are not hunting for the pleasure of hunting but just to kill .

you don't know the meaning of justice or fairness .

now get off my land .

get back into your boat and off my land as quick as you can .

that Deer is not very far from here and so tired that he cannot move .

now go . "

muttering angrily , the hunter got back into his boat and pushed off , but he didn't row back across the river .

CHAPTER XXV : the Hunter Lies In Wait

if ever there was an angry hunter , it was the one who had followed Lightfoot the Deer across the Big River .

instead , he rowed down the river , finally landing on the same side but on land which Lightfoot 's friend did not own .

" when that Deer has become rested he 'll become uneasy , " thought the hunter .

" he won't stay on that man 's land .

he 'll start for the nearest woods .

I 'll go up there and wait for him .

I 'll get that Deer if only to spite that fellow back there who drove me off .

had it not been for him , I 'd have that Deer right now .

he was too tired to have gone far .

he 's got the handsomest pair of antlers I 've seen for years .

I can sell that head of his for a good price . "

so the hunter tied his boat to a tree and once more climbed out .

he climbed up the bank and studied the land .

across a wide meadow he could see a brushy old pasture and back of that some thick woods .

he grinned .

" that 's where that Deer will head for , " he decided .

" there isn't any other place for him to go .

all I 've got to do is be patient and wait . "

so the hunter took his terrible gun and tramped across the meadow to the brush-grown pasture .

there he hid among the bushes where he could peep out and watch the land of Lightfoot 's friend .

he was still angry because he had been prevented from shooting Lightfoot .

at the same time he chuckled , because he thought himself very smart .

so he made himself comfortable and prepared to wait the rest of the day , if necessary .

" we 'll fool him , " said he , chuckling to himself , as he walked back towards the shed where poor Lightfoot was resting .

he did not go too near Lightfoot , for he did not want to alarm him .

he just kept within sight of Lightfoot , paying no attention to him but going about his work .

Lightfoot , watching him , understood .

he knew that this man was a friend and would do him no harm .

Little by little , the wonderful , blessed feeling of safety crept over Lightfoot .

no hunter could harm him here .

CHAPTER XXVI : Lightfoot Does The Wise Thing

it required a lot of patience on the part of the hunter , but the hunter had plenty of patience .

it sometimes seems as if hunters have more patience than any other people .

but this hunter waited in vain .

jolly , round , red Mr Sun sank down in the west to his bed behind the Purple Hills .

the Black Shadows crept out and grew blacker .

one by one the stars began to twinkle .

still the hunter waited , and still there was no sign of Lightfoot .

at last it became so dark that it was useless for the hunter to remain longer .

then he tramped home and his thoughts were very bitter .

he knew that he could have shot Lightfoot had it not been for the man who had protected the Deer .

in fact , the hunter had not had so much as another glimpse of Lightfoot .

the reason that the hunter had been so disappointed was that Lightfoot was smart .

he was smart enough to understand that the man who was saving him from the hunter had done it because he was a true friend .

" he not only will let no one else harm me , but he himself will not harm me , " thought Lightfoot .

" as long as he is near , I am safe .

so all afternoon Lightfoot rested and did not so much as put his nose outside that open shed .

that is why the hunter got no glimpse of him .

when it became dark , so dark that he knew there was no longer danger , Lightfoot got up and stepped out under the stars .

he was feeling quite himself again .

his splendid strength had returned .

he bounded lightly across the meadow and up into the brushy pasture where the hunter had been hidden .

the farmer smiled .

" you are as wise as you are handsome , old fellow , " said he .

CHAPTER XXVII : Sammy Jay Worries

it isn't often Sammy Jay worries about anybody but himself .

Truth to tell , he doesn't worry about himself very often .

you see , Sammy is smart , and he knows he is smart .

under that pointed cap of his are some of the cleverest wits in all the Green Forest .

Sammy seldom worries about himself because he feels quite able to take care of himself .

but Sammy Jay was worrying now .

he was worrying about Lightfoot the Deer .

yes , Sir , Sammy Jay was worrying about Lightfoot the Deer .

for two days he had been unable to find Lightfoot or any trace of Lightfoot .

but he did find plenty of hunters with terrible guns .

it seemed to him that they were everywhere in the Green Forest .

Sammy began to suspect that one of them must have succeeded in killing Lightfoot the Deer .

Sammy knew all of Lightfoot 's hiding-places .

he visited every one of them .

Lightfoot wasn't to be found , and no one whom Sammy met had seen Lightfoot for two days .

Sammy felt badly .

you see , he was very fond of Lightfoot .

you remember it was Sammy who warned Lightfoot of the coming of the hunter on the morning when the dreadful hunting season began .

ever since the hunting season had opened , Sammy had done his best to make trouble for the hunters .

Sammy had known all about the chasing of Lightfoot by the hounds .

everybody in the Green Forest had known about it .

you see , everybody had heard the voices of those hounds .

that was the last Sammy had seen of Lightfoot .

he had been able to save Lightfoot from the hunters , but he couldn't save him from the hounds .

the more Sammy thought things over , the more he worried .

" if he were alive , somebody certainly would have seen him and nobody has , since the day those hounds chased him .

I declare , I have quite lost my appetite worrying about him .

if Lightfoot is dead , and I am almost sure he is , the Green Forest will never seem the same . "

CHAPTER XXVIII : the Hunting Season Ends

the very worst things come to an end at last .

no matter how bad a thing is , it cannot last forever .

so it was with the hunting season for Lightfoot the Deer .

there came a day when the law protected all Deer , a day when the hunters could no longer go searching for Lightfoot .

but this year there was no rejoicing .

you see , no one could find Lightfoot .

Sammy Jay had hunted everywhere through the Green Forest .

Blacky the Crow , whose eyes are quite as sharp as those of Sammy Jay , had joined in the search .

they had found no trace of Lightfoot .

Paddy the Beaver said that for three days Lightfoot had not visited his pond for a drink .

Jumper the Hare had visited Lightfoot 's favorite eating places at night , but Lightfoot had not been in any of them .

" I tell you what it is , " said Sammy Jay to Bobby Coon , " something has happened to Lightfoot .

either those hounds caught him and killed him , or he was shot by one of those hunters .

the Green Forest will never be the same without him .

I don't think I shall want to come over here very much .

there isn't one of all the other people who live in the Green Forest who would be missed as Lightfoot will be . "

Bobby Coon nodded .

" that 's true , Sammy , " said he .

" without Lightfoot , the Green Forest will never be the same .

he never harmed anybody .

why those hunters should have been so anxious to kill one so beautiful is something I can't understand .

for that matter , I don't understand why they want to kill any of us .

if they really needed us for food , it would be a different matter , but they don't .

have you been up in the Old Pasture and asked Old Man Coyote if he has seen anything of Lightfoot ? "

Sammy nodded .

" I 've been up there twice , " said he .

" old Man Coyote has been lying very low during the days , but nights he has done a lot of traveling .

I thought he might have found the place where Lightfoot was killed , but he hasn't , although he has looked for it .

well , the hunting season for Lightfoot is over , but I am afraid it has ended too late . "

CHAPTER XXIX : Mr and Mrs. Quack Are Startled

it was the evening of the day after the closing of the hunting season for Lightfoot the Deer .

Mr. and Mrs Quack were getting their evening meal among the brown stalks of the wild rice along the edge of the Big River .

they took turns in searching for the rice grains in the mud .

then Mrs Quack took her turn at keeping watch , while Mr Quack stood on his head and hunted for rice .

it was wonderfully quiet and peaceful .

there was not even a ripple on the Big River .

it was so quiet that they could hear the barking of a dog at a farmhouse a mile away .

they were far enough out from the bank to have nothing to fear from Reddy Fox or Old Man Coyote .

so they had nothing to fear from any one save Hooty the Owl .

it was for Hooty that they took turns in watching .

it was just the hour when Hooty likes best to hunt .

by and by they heard Booty 's hunting call .

it was far away in the Green Forest , Then Mr . and Mrs Quack felt easier , and they talked in low , contented voices .

they felt that for a while at least there was nothing to fear .

suddenly a little splash out in the Big River caught Mr Quack 's quick ear .

as Mrs Quack brought her head up out of the water , Mr Quack warned her to keep quiet .

Noiselessly they swam among the brown stalks until they could see out across the Big River .

there was another little splash out there in the middle .

it wasn't the splash made by a fish ; it was a splash made by something much bigger than any fish .

presently they made out a silver line moving towards them from the Black Shadows .

they knew exactly what it meant .

it meant that some one was out there in the Big River moving towards them .

could it be a boat containing a hunter ?

with their necks stretched high , Mr and Mrs. Quack watched .

they were ready to take to their strong wings the instant they discovered danger .

but they did not want to fly until they were sure that it WAS danger approaching .

they were startled , very much startled .

presently they made out what looked like the branch of a tree moving over the water towards them .

that was queer , very queer .

Mr Quack said so .

Mrs Quack said so .

both were growing more and more suspicious .

they couldn't understand it at all , and it is always best to be suspicious of things you cannot understand .

Mr and Mrs. Quack half lifted their wings to fly .

CHAPTER XXX : the Mystery Is Solved

it was very mysterious .

yes , Sir , it was very mysterious .

Mr Quack thought so .

Mrs Quack thought so .

but how could the branch of a tree swim ?

that was too much for Mr Quack .

it was too much for Mrs Quack .

they were ready to spring into the air and trust to their swift wings the instant they should detect danger .

but they did not want to fly unless they had to .

besides , they were curious .

they were very curious indeed .

they wanted to find out what that mysterious thing moving through the water towards them was .

but Paddy the Beaver was way back in his own pond , deep in the Green Forest , and they knew it .

so this thing became more and more of a mystery .

the nearer it came , the more nervous and anxious they grew , and at the same time the greater became their curiosity .

at last Mr Quack felt that not even to gratify his curiosity would it be safe to wait longer .

he prepared to spring into the air , knowing that Mrs Quack would follow him .

it was just then that a funny little sound reached him .

it was half snort , half cough , as if some one had sniffed some water up his nose .

there was something familiar about that sound .

Mr Quack decided to wait a few minutes longer .

somehow I have a feeling that we are in no danger . "

so Mr. and Mrs Quack waited and watched .

it was a mystery no longer .

they saw that they had mistaken the antlers of Lightfoot the Deer for the branch of a tree .

Lightfoot was swimming across the Big River on his way back to his home in the Green Forest .

at once Mr and Mrs. Quack swam out to meet him and to tell him how glad they were that he was alive and safe .

CHAPTER XXXI : a Surprising Discovery

so Lightfoot roamed about without fear and was happy .

it seemed to him that he could not be happier .

there was plenty to eat and that blessed feeling of nothing to fear .

what more could any one ask ?

he began to grow sleek and fat and handsomer than ever .

the days were growing colder and the frosty air made him feel good .

Just at dusk one evening he went down to his favorite drinking place at the Laughing Brook .

as he put down his head to drink he saw something which so surprised him that he quite forgot he was thirsty .

what do you think it was he saw ?

it was a footprint in the soft mud .

yes , Sir , it was a footprint .

for a long time Lightfoot stood staring at that footprint .

in his great , soft eyes was a look of wonder and surprise .

you see , that footprint was exactly like one of his own , only smaller .

to Lightfoot it was a very wonderful footprint .

he was quite sure that never had he seen such a dainty footprint .

he forgot to drink .

instead , he began to search for other footprints , and presently he found them .

each was as dainty as that first one .

who could have made them ?

that is what Lightfoot wanted to know and what he meant to find out .

it was clear to him that there was a stranger in the Green Forest , and somehow he didn't resent it in the least .

in fact , he was glad .

he couldn't have told why , but it was true .

Lightfoot put his nose to the footprints and sniffed of them .

a great longing to find the maker of those footprints took possession of him .

he lifted his handsome head and listened for some slight sound which might show that the stranger was near .

with his delicate nostrils he tested the wandering little Night Breezes for a stray whiff of scent to tell him which way to go .

but there was no sound and the wandering little Night Breezes told him nothing .

Lightfoot followed the dainty footprints up the bank .

there they disappeared , for the ground was hard .

Lightfoot paused , undecided which way to go .

CHAPTER XXXII : Lightfoot Sees The Stranger

Lightfoot the Deer was unhappy .

it was a strange unhappiness , an unhappiness such as he had never known before .

you see , he had discovered that there was a stranger in the Green Forest , a stranger of his own kind , another Deer .

he knew it by dainty footprints in the mud along the Laughing Brook and on the edge of the pond of Paddy the Beaver .

he knew it by other signs which he ran across every now and then .

but search as he would , he was unable to find that newcomer .

he had searched everywhere but always he was just too late .

the stranger had been and gone .

now there was no anger in Lightfoot 's desire to find that stranger .

instead , there was a great longing .

for the first time in his life Lightfoot felt lonely .

so he hunted and hunted and was unhappy .

he lost his appetite .

he slept little .

he roamed about uneasily , looking , listening , testing every Merry Little Breeze , but all in vain .

then , one never-to-be-forgotten night , as he drank at the Laughing Brook , a strange feeling swept over him .

it was the feeling of being watched .

Lightfoot lifted his beautiful head and a slight movement caught his quick eye and drew it to a thicket not far away .

for a long minute Lightfoot stood gazing .

a pair of wonderful , great , soft eyes gazed back at him .

then that beautiful head disappeared .

with a mighty bound , Lightfoot cleared the Laughing Brook and rushed over to the thicket in which that beautiful head had disappeared .

he plunged in , but there was no one there .

frantically he searched , but that thicket was empty .

then he stood still and listened .

not a sound reached him .

it was as still as if there were no other living things in all the Green Forest .

the beautiful stranger had slipped away as silently as a shadow .

all the rest of that night Lightfoot searched through the Green Forest but his search was in vain .

the longing to find that beautiful stranger had become so great that he fairly ached with it .

it seemed to him that until he found her he could know no happiness .

CHAPTER XXXIII : a Different Game Of Hide And Seek

once more Lightfoot the Deer was playing hide and seek in the Green Forest .

but it was a very different game from the one he had played just a short time before .

now , he was " it " , and some one else was doing the hiding .

at times Lightfoot would lose his temper .

yes , Sir , Lightfoot would lose his temper .

that was a foolish thing to do , but it seemed to him that he just couldn't help it .

more than once when he did this a pair of great , soft , gentle eyes were watching him , though he didn't know it .

at other times Lightfoot would steal about through the Green Forest as noiselessly as a shadow .

he would peer into thickets and behind tangles of fallen trees and brush piles , hoping to surprise the one he sought .

he would be very , very patient .

perhaps he would come to the thicket which he knew from the signs the stranger had left only a few moments before .

then his patience would vanish in impatience , and he would dash ahead , eager to catch up with the shy stranger .

but always it was in vain .

he had thought himself very clever but this stranger was proving herself more clever .

of course it wasn't long before all the little people in the Green Forest knew what was going on .

but now , instead of trying to help Lightfoot as they did then , they gave him no help at all .

the fact is , they were enjoying that game .

Mischievous Sammy Jay even went so far as to warn the stranger several times when Lightfoot was approaching .

of course Lightfoot knew when Sammy did this , and each time he lost his temper .

for the time being , he quite forgot all that Sammy had done for him when he was the one that was being hunted .

but when Buster grinned good-naturedly at him , Lightfoot thought better of it and bounded away to continue his search .

then there were times when Lightfoot would sulk and would declare over and over to himself , " I don't care anything about that stranger .

I won't spend another minute looking for her . "

and then within five minutes he would be watching , listening and seeking some sign that she was still in the Green Forest .

CHAPTER XXXIV : a Startling New Footprint

he had stolen very softly clown to the Laughing Brook , hoping to surprise the beautiful stranger drinking there .

she wasn't to be seen .

almost at once he discovered fresh footprints .

they were not the prints he was looking for .

no , Sir , they were not the dainty prints he had learned to know so well .

they were prints very near the size of his own big ones , and they had been made only a short time before .

the finding of those prints was a dreadful shock to Lightfoot .

he understood instantly what they meant .

they meant that a second stranger had come into the Green Forest , one who had antlers like his own .

jealousy took possession of Lightfoot the Deer ; jealousy that filled his heart with rage .

" he has come here to seek that beautiful stranger I have been hunting for , " thought Lightfoot .

" he has come here to try to steal her away from me .

he has no right here in my Green Forest .

that is where that beautiful stranger must have come from , too .

I want her to stay , but I must drive this fellow out .

I 'll make him fight .

that 's what I 'll do ; I 'll make him fight !

I 'm not afraid of him , but I 'll make him fear me . "

Lightfoot stamped his feet and with his great antlers thrashed the bushes as if he felt that they were the enemy he sought .

could you have looked into his great eyes then , you would have found nothing soft and beautiful about them .

they became almost red with anger .

Lightfoot quivered all over with rage .

the hair on the back of his neck stood up .

Lightfoot the Deer looked anything but gentle .

then he leaped over the Laughing Brook and once more began to search through the Green Forest .

but this time it was not for the beautiful stranger with the dainty feet .

he had no time to think of her now .

he must first find this newcomer and he meant to waste no time in doing it .

CHAPTER XXXV : Lightfoot Is Reckless

in his search for the new stranger who had come to the Green Forest , Lightfoot the Deer was wholly reckless .

he bounded along , careless of how much noise he made .

after such exhibitions of anger he would pause to listen , hoping to hear some sound which would tell him where the stranger was .

each time he found these signs Lightfoot 's rage increased .

of course it didn't take Sammy Jay long to discover what was going on .

there is little that escapes those sharp eyes of Sammy Jay .

then , by chance , Sammy had visited the Laughing Brook just as the big stranger had come down there to drink .

for once Sammy had kept his tongue still .

" there is going to be excitement here when Lightfoot discovers this fellow , " thought Sammy .

" if they ever meet , and I have a feeling that they will , there is going to be a fight worth seeing .

I must pass the word around . "

so Sammy Jay hunted up his cousin , Blacky the Crow , and told him what he had discovered .

then he hunted up Bobby Coon and told him .

he saw Unc ' Billy Possum sitting in the doorway of his hollow tree and told him .

he discovered Jumper the Hare sitting under a little hemlock-tree and told him .

then he flew over to the dear Old Briar-patch to tell Peter Rabbit .

Sammy didn't forget to tell Paddy the Beaver , but it was no news to Paddy.

Paddy had seen the big stranger on the edge of his pond early the night before .

of course , Lightfoot knew nothing about all this .

his one thought was to find that big stranger and drive him from the Green Forest , and so he continued his search tirelessly .

CHAPTER XXXVI : Sammy Jay Takes A Hand

Sammy Jay was bubbling over with excitement as he flew about through the Green Forest , following Lightfoot the Deer .

he was so excited he wanted to scream .

but he didn't .

he kept his tongue still .

you see , he didn't want Lightfoot to know that he was being followed .

under that pointed cap of Sammy Jay 's are quick wits .

Lightfoot made so much noise that it was quite easy to know just where he was and so keep out of his sight .

" that stranger is nearly as big as Lightfoot , but it is very plain that he doesn't want to fight , " thought Sammy .

" he must be a coward . "

now the truth is , the stranger was not a coward .

he was ready and willing to fight if he had to , but if he could avoid fighting he meant to .

you see , big as he was , he wasn't quite so big as Lightfoot , and he knew it .

he had seen Lightfoot 's big footprints , and from their size he knew that Lightfoot must be bigger and heavier than he .

then , too , he knew that he really had no right to be there in the Green Forest .

that was Lightfoot 's home and so he was an intruder .

he knew that Lightfoot would feel this way about it and that this would make him fight all the harder .

so the big stranger wanted to avoid a fight if possible .

but he wanted still more to find that beautiful young visitor with the dainty feet for whom Lightfoot had been looking .

if he had to , he would fight for her , but until he had to he would keep out of the fight .

so he dodged Lightfoot and at the same time looked for the beautiful stranger .

all this Sammy Jay guessed , and after a while he grew tired of following Lightfoot for nothing .

" I 'll have to take a hand in this thing myself , " muttered Sammy .

" at this rate , Lightfoot never will find that big stranger ! "

so Sammy stopped following Lightfoot and began to search through the Green Forest for the big stranger .

it didn't take very long to find him .

he was over near the pond of Paddy the Beaver .

as soon as he saw him , Sammy began to scream at the top of his lungs .

CHAPTER XXXVII : the Great Fight

down from the top of the ridge back of the pond of Paddy the Beaver plunged Lightfoot the Deer , his eyes blazing with rage .

he had understood the screaming of Sammy Jay .

he knew that somewhere down there was the big stranger he had been looking for .

the big stranger had understood Sammy 's screaming quite as well as Lightfoot .

he MUST fight .

there was no way out of it , he MUST fight .

the hair on the back of his neck stood up with anger just as did the hair on the neck of Lightfoot .

his eyes also blazed .

he bounded out into a little open place by the pond of Paddy the Beaver and there he waited .

meanwhile Sammy Jay was flying about in the greatest excitement , screaming at the top of his lungs , " a fight !

a fight !

a fight ! "

everybody who was near enough hurried there .

Bobby Coon and Unc ' Billy Possum climbed trees from which they could see and at the same time be safe .

Billy Mink hurried to a safe place on the dam of Paddy the Beaver .

Paddy himself climbed up on the roof of his house out in the pond .

Buster Bear shuffled down the hill and watched from the other side of the pond .

Reddy and Granny Fox were both there .

then , snorting with rage , they lowered their heads and plunged together .

their antlers clashed with a noise that rang through the Green Forest , and both fell to their knees .

there they pushed and struggled .

then they separated and backed away , to repeat the movement over again .

it was a terrible fight .

everybody said so .

if they had not known before , everybody knew now what those great antlers were for .

it only made Lightfoot fight harder .

sometimes they would rear up and strike with their sharp hoofs .

Back and forth they plunged , and the ground was torn up by their feet .

both were getting out of breath , and from time to time they had to stop for a moment 's rest .

then they would come together again more fiercely than ever .

never had such a fight been seen in the Green Forest .

CHAPTER XXXVIII : An Unseen Watcher

each was filled fully with rage and determined to drive the other from the Green Forest .

each was fighting for the right to win the love of Miss Daintyfoot .

neither of them knew that Miss Daintyfoot herself was watching them .

but she was .

timidly she had stolen forward to a thicket where , safely hidden , she could watch that terrible fight .

she knew that they were fighting for her .

of course .

she knew it just as she had known how both had been hunting for her .

what she didn't know for some time was which one she wanted to win that fight .

both Lightfoot and the big stranger were handsome .

yes , indeed , they were very handsome .

Lightfoot was just a little bit the bigger and it seemed to her just a little bit the handsomer .

she almost wanted him to win .

that great fight lasted a long time .

to pretty Miss Daintyfoot it seemed that it never would end .

but after a while Lightfoot 's greater size and strength began to tell .

Little by little the big stranger was forced back towards the edge of the open place .

now he would be thrown to his knees when Lightfoot wasn't .

as Lightfoot saw this , he seemed to gain new strength .

at last he caught the stranger in such a way that he threw him over .

while the stranger struggled to get to his feet again , Lightfoot 's sharp antlers made long tears in his gray coat .

the stranger was beaten and he knew it .

the instant he succeeded in getting to his feet he turned tail and plunged for the shelter of the Green Forest .

with a snort of triumph , Lightfoot plunged after him .

but now that he was beaten , fear took possession of the stranger .

all desire to fight left him .

his one thought was to get away , and fear gave him speed .

straight back towards the Great Mountain from which he had come the stranger headed .

Lightfoot followed only a short distance .

he knew that that stranger was going for good and would not come back .

then Lightfoot turned back to the open place where they had fought .

there he threw up his beautiful head , crowned by its great antlers , and whistled a challenge to all the Green Forest .

as she looked at him , Miss Daintyfoot knew that she had wanted him to win .

she knew that there simply couldn't be anybody else so handsome and strong and brave in all the Great World .

CHAPTER XXXIX : Lightfoot Discovers Love

she adored him , which means that she loved him just as much as it was possible for her to love .

but Lightfoot didn't know this .

in fact , he didn't know that Miss Daintyfoot was there .

his one thought had been to drive out of the Green Forest the big stranger who had come down from the Great Mountain .

he had been jealous of that big stranger , though he hadn't known that he was jealous .

of course this was nothing but jealousy .

in its place was a great longing to find Miss Daintyfoot .

his great eyes became once more soft and beautiful .

in them was a look of wistfulness .

Lightfoot walked down to the edge of the water and drank , for he was very , very thirsty .

then he turned , intending to take up once more his search for beautiful Miss Daintyfoot .

when he turned he faced the thicket in which Miss Daintyfoot was hiding .

his keen eyes caught a little movement of the branches .

he wondered if she would disappear and run away as she had the last time he saw her .

he took a step or two forward .

the beautiful head was withdrawn .

Lightfoot 's heart sank .

then he bounded forward into that thicket .

there stood Miss Daintyfoot , timid , bashful , but with a look in her eyes which Lightfoot could not mistake .

it was love .

Lightfoot knew that he loved Miss Daintyfoot and , looking into her soft , gentle eyes , he knew that Miss Daintyfoot loved him .

CHAPTER XL : Happy Days In The Green Forest

these were happy days in the Green Forest .

at least , they were happy for Lightfoot the Deer .

they were the happiest days he had ever known .

you see , he had won beautiful , slender , young Miss Daintyfoot , and now she was no longer Miss Daintyfoot but Mrs Lightfoot .

wherever Lightfoot went , Mrs Lightfoot went .

he showed her all his favorite hiding-places .

he led her to his favorite eating-places .

but he didn't stop to think and proudly led her from place to place .

and Mrs Lightfoot wisely expressed delight with all she saw quite as if it were all new .

and they really did feel glad .

the Green Forest would not be the same at all without Lightfoot the Deer .

" I know , " replied Mrs Lightfoot softly .

" I know all about it .

you see , there were hunters on the Great Mountain .

in fact , that is how I happened to come down to the Green Forest .

they hunted me so up there that I did not dare stay , and I came down here thinking that there might be fewer hunters .

I wouldn't have believed that I could ever be thankful to hunters for anything , but I am , truly I am . "

there was a puzzled look on Lightfoot 's face .

" what for ? " he demanded .

" I can't imagine anybody being thankful to hunters for anything . "

" oh , you stupid , " cried Mrs Lightfoot .

" don't you see that if I hadn't been driven down from the Great Mountain , I never would have found YOU ? "

" you mean , I never would have found YOU , " retorted Lightfoot .

" I guess I owe these hunters more than you do .

I owe them the greatest happiness I have ever known , but I never would have thought of it myself .

isn't it queer how things which seem the very worst possible sometimes turn out to be the very best possible ? "

Blacky the Crow is one of Lightfoot 's friends , but sometimes even friends are envious .

it is so with Blacky .

he insists that he is quite as important in the Green Forest as is Lightfoot and that his doings are quite as interesting .

therefore just to please him the next book is to be Blacky the Crow .

End of Project Gutenberg 's Lightfoot the Deer , by Thornton W Burgess

LITTLE WOMEN

by

Louisa May Alcott

CONTENTS

PART @number@

PART @number@

CHAPTER ONE

PLAYING PILGRIMS

" Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents , " grumbled Jo , lying on the rug .

" it 's so dreadful to be poor ! " sighed Meg , looking down at her old dress .

" we 've got Father and Mother , and each other , " said Beth contentedly from her corner .

she didn't say " perhaps never , " but each silently added it , thinking of Father far away , where the fighting was .

we can't do much , but we can make our little sacrifices , and ought to do it gladly .

but I am afraid I don't , " and Meg shook her head , as she thought regretfully of all the pretty things she wanted .

" but I don't think the little we should spend would do any good .

we 've each got a dollar , and the army wouldn't be much helped by our giving that .

I agree not to expect anything from Mother or you , but I do want to buy Undine and Sintran for myself .

I 've wanted it so long , " said Jo , who was a bookworm .

" I shall get a nice box of Faber 's drawing pencils ; I really need them , " said Amy decidedly .

" mother didn't say anything about our money , and she won't wish us to give up everything .

" you don't have half such a hard time as I do , " said Jo .

" it 's naughty to fret , but I do think washing dishes and keeping things tidy is the worst work in the world .

it makes me cross , and my hands get so stiff , I can't practice well at all . "

and Beth looked at her rough hands with a sigh that any one could hear that time .

" I know what I mean , and you needn't be statirical about it .

it 's proper to use good words , and improve your vocabilary , " returned Amy , with dignity .

" don't peck at one another , children .

don't you wish we had the money Papa lost when we were little , Jo ?

dear me !

how happy and good we 'd be , if we had no worries ! " said Meg , who could remember better times .

" so I did , Beth .

well , I think we are .

" Jo does use such slang words ! " observed Amy , with a reproving look at the long figure stretched on the rug .

Jo immediately sat up , put her hands in her pockets , and began to whistle .

" don't , Jo .

it 's so boyish ! "

" that 's why I do it . "

" I detest rude , unladylike girls ! "

" I hate affected , niminy-piminy chits ! "

" really , girls , you are both to be blamed , " said Meg , beginning to lecture in her elder-sisterly fashion .

" you are old enough to leave off boyish tricks , and to behave better , Josephine .

" I'm not !

it 's bad enough to be a girl , anyway , when I like boy 's games and work and manners !

I can't get over my disappointment in not being a boy .

and it 's worse than ever now , for I 'm dying to go and fight with Papa .

and I can only stay home and knit , like a poky old woman ! "

and Jo shook the blue army sock till the needles rattled like castanets , and her ball bounded across the room .

" Poor Jo !

it 's too bad , but it can't be helped .

" as for you , Amy , " continued Meg , " you are altogether too particular and prim .

your airs are funny now , but you 'll grow up an affected little goose , if you don't take care .

I like your nice manners and refined ways of speaking , when you don't try to be elegant .

but your absurd words are as bad as Jo 's slang . "

her long , thick hair was her one beauty , but it was usually bundled into a net , to be out of her way .

Amy , though the youngest , was a most important person , in her own opinion at least .

what the characters of the four sisters were we will leave to be found out .

the clock struck six and , having swept up the hearth , Beth put a pair of slippers down to warm .

" they are quite worn out .

Marmee must have a new pair . "

" I thought I 'd get her some with my dollar , " said Beth .

" no , I shall ! " cried Amy .

" that 's like you , dear !

what will we get ? " exclaimed Jo .

" army shoes , best to be had , " cried Jo .

" some handkerchiefs , all hemmed , " said Beth .

" I 'll get a little bottle of cologne .

she likes it , and it won't cost much , so I 'll have some left to buy my pencils , " added Amy .

" how will we give the things ? " asked Meg .

" put them on the table , and bring her in and see her open the bundles .

don't you remember how we used to do on our birthdays ? " answered Jo .

" let Marmee think we are getting things for ourselves , and then surprise her .

we must go shopping tomorrow afternoon , Meg .

" I don't mean to act any more after this time .

I 'm getting too old for such things , " observed Meg , who was as much a child as ever about ' dressing-up ' frolics .

you are the best actress we 've got , and there 'll be an end of everything if you quit the boards , " said Jo .

" we ought to rehearse tonight .

come here , Amy , and do the fainting scene , for you are as stiff as a poker in that . "

" I can't help it .

I never saw anyone faint , and I don't choose to make myself all black and blue , tumbling flat as you do .

if I can go down easily , I 'll drop .

if I can't , I shall fall into a chair and be graceful .

" do it this way .

clasp your hands so , and stagger across the room , crying frantically , ' Roderigo !

save me !

save me ! ' " and away went Jo , with a melodramatic scream which was truly thrilling .

Jo gave a despairing groan , and Meg laughed outright , while Beth let her bread burn as she watched the fun with interest .

" it 's no use !

do the best you can when the time comes , and if the audience laughs , don't blame me .

come on , Meg . "

then things went smoothly , for Don Pedro defied the world in a speech of two pages without a single break .

Hagar , the witch , chanted an awful incantation over her kettleful of simmering toads , with weird effect .

Roderigo rent his chains asunder manfully , and Hugo died in agonies of remorse and arsenic , with a wild , " Ha !

Ha ! "

" it 's the best we 've had yet , " said Meg , as the dead villain sat up and rubbed his elbows .

" I don't see how you can write and act such splendid things , Jo .

you 're a regular Shakespeare ! " exclaimed Beth , who firmly believed that her sisters were gifted with wonderful genius in all things .

" not quite , " replied Jo modestly .

I always wanted to do the killing part .

" no , it 's the toasting fork , with Mother 's shoe on it instead of the bread .

Beth 's stage-struck ! " cried Meg , and the rehearsal ended in a general burst of laughter .

" well , dearies , how have you got on today ?

there was so much to do , getting the boxes ready to go tomorrow , that I didn't come home to dinner .

has anyone called , Beth ?

how is your cold , Meg ?

Jo , you look tired to death .

come and kiss me , baby . "

the girls flew about , trying to make things comfortable , each in her own way .

Meg arranged the tea table , Jo brought wood and set chairs , dropping , over-turning , and clattering everything she touched .

a quick , bright smile went round like a streak of sunshine .

Beth clapped her hands , regardless of the biscuit she held , and Jo tossed up her napkin , crying , " a letter !

a letter !

three cheers for Father ! "

" yes , a nice long letter .

he is well , and thinks he shall get through the cold season better than we feared .

" hurry and get done !

" don't I wish I could go as a drummer , a vivan what 's its name ?

or a nurse , so I could be near him and help him , " exclaimed Jo , with a groan .

" when will he come home , Marmee ? " asked Beth , with a little quiver in her voice .

" not for many months , dear , unless he is sick .

now come and hear the letter . "

very few letters were written in those hard times that were not touching , especially those which fathers sent home .

In this one little was said of the hardships endured , the dangers faced , or the homesickness conquered .

" give them all of my dear love and a kiss .

everybody sniffed when they came to that part .

but I 'll truly try to be better , so he mayn't be disappointed in me by-and-by . "

" we all will , " cried Meg .

" I think too much of my looks and hate to work , but won't any more , if I can help it . "

" I liked the place where the bundles fell off and tumbled downstairs , " said Meg .

" really , Mother ?

where are our bundles ? " asked Amy , who was a very literal young lady .

" each of you told what your burden was just now , except Beth .

I rather think she hasn't got any , " said her mother .

" yes , I have .

mine is dishes and dusters , and envying girls with nice pianos , and being afraid of people . "

" let us do it , " said Meg thoughtfully .

" we were in the Slough of Despond tonight , and Mother came and pulled us out as Help did in the book .

we ought to have our roll of directions , like Christian .

" look under your pillows Christmas morning , and you will find your guidebook , " replied Mrs . march .

it was uninteresting sewing , but tonight no one grumbled .

at nine they stopped work , and sang , as usual , before they went to bed .

Meg had a voice like a flute , and she and her mother led the little choir .

they had always done this from the time they could lisp ....y

crinkle , crinkle , ' ittle ' tar ,

and it had become a household custom , for the mother was a born singer .

CHAPTER TWO

a MERRY CHRISTMAS

Jo was the first to wake in the gray dawn of Christmas morning .

then she remembered her mother 's promise and , slipping her hand under her pillow , drew out a little crimson-covered book .

she woke Meg with a " merry Christmas , " and bade her see what was under her pillow .

then she opened her new book and began to read .

" how good Meg is !

come , Amy , let's do as they do .

" goodness only knows .

some poor creeter came a-beggin ' , and your ma went straight off to see what was needed .

" why , where is Amy 's bottle of cologne ? " she added , as the little flask did not appear .

" how nice my handkerchiefs look , don't they ?

" bless the child !

she 's gone and put ' Mother ' on them instead of ' M . March ' .

how funny ! " cried Jo , taking one up .

" isn't that right ?

" it 's all right , dear , and a very pretty idea , quite sensible too , for no one can ever mistake now .

it will please her very much , I know , " said Meg , with a frown for Jo and a smile for Beth .

" there 's Mother .

hide the basket , quick ! " cried Jo , as a door slammed and steps sounded in the hall .

Amy came in hastily , and looked rather abashed when she saw her sisters all waiting for her .

" don't laugh at me , Jo !

I didn't mean anyone should know till the time came .

another bang of the street door sent the basket under the sofa , and the girls to the table , eager for breakfast .

" merry Christmas , Marmee !

Many of them !

thank you for our books .

we read some , and mean to every day , " they all cried in chorus .

" Merry Christmas , little daughters !

I 'm glad you began at once , and hope you will keep on .

but I want to say one word before we sit down .

not far away from here lies a poor woman with a little newborn baby .

six children are huddled into one bed to keep from freezing , for they have no fire .

there is nothing to eat over there , and the oldest boy came to tell me they were suffering hunger and cold .

my girls , will you give them your breakfast as a Christmas present ? "

" may I go and help carry the things to the poor little children ? " asked Beth eagerly .

" I shall take the cream and the muffings , " added Amy , heroically giving up the article she most liked .

Meg was already covering the buckwheats , and piling the bread into one big plate .

" I thought you 'd do it , " said Mrs. March , smiling as if satisfied .

they were soon ready , and the procession set out .

how the big eyes stared and the blue lips smiled as the girls went in .

" Ach , mein Gott !

it is good angels come to us ! " said the poor woman , crying for joy .

" funny angels in hoods and mittens , " said Jo , and set them to laughing .

in a few minutes it really did seem as if kind spirits had been at work there .

Hannah , who had carried wood , made a fire , and stopped up the broken panes with old hats and her own cloak .

" das ist gut ! "

" Die Engel-kinder ! " cried the poor things as they ate and warmed their purple hands at the comfortable blaze .

that was a very happy breakfast , though they didn't get any of it .

" she 's coming !

strike up , Beth !

open the door , Amy !

three cheers for Marmee ! " cried Jo , prancing about while Meg went to conduct Mother to the seat of honor .

Beth played her gayest march , Amy threw open the door , and Meg enacted escort with great dignity .

the morning charities and ceremonies took so much time that the rest of the day was devoted to preparations for the evening festivities .

the big chamber was the scene of many innocent revels .

presently a bell sounded , the curtains flew apart , and the operatic tragedy began .

I need thee ! "

Hugo demanded a potion to make Zara adore him , and one to destroy Roderigo .

Hagar , in a fine dramatic melody , promised both , and proceeded to call up the spirit who would bring the love philter .

hither , hither , from thy home , Airy sprite , I bid thee come !

Born of roses , fed on dew , Charms and potions canst thou brew ?

bring me here , with elfin speed , The fragrant philter which I need .

make it sweet and swift and strong , Spirit , answer now my song !

waving a wand , it sang ....y

hither I come , From my airy home , Afar in the silver moon .

take the magic spell , And use it well , Or its power will vanish soon !

and dropping a small , gilded bottle at the witch 's feet , the spirit vanished .

then the curtain fell , and the audience reposed and ate candy while discussing the merits of the play .

it was truly superb .

he came in gorgeous array , with plumed cap , red cloak , chestnut lovelocks , a guitar , and the boots , of course .

kneeling at the foot of the tower , he sang a serenade in melting tones .

Zara replied and , after a musical dialogue , consented to fly .

then came the grand effect of the play .

Roderigo produced a rope ladder , with five steps to it , threw up one end , and invited Zara to descend .

timidly she crept from her lattice , put her hand on Roderigo 's shoulder , and was about to leap gracefully down when " alas !

alas for Zara ! " she forgot her train .

I told you so ! "

with wonderful presence of mind , Don Pedro , the cruel sire , rushed in , dragged out his daughter , with a hasty aside ....y

" don't laugh !

act as if it was all right ! " and , ordering Roderigo up , banished him from the kingdom with wrath and scorn .

though decidedly shaken by the fall from the tower upon him , Roderigo defied the old gentleman and refused to stir .

this dauntless example fired Zara .

she also defied her sire , and he ordered them both to the deepest dungeons of the castle .

Act third was the castle hall , and here Hagar appeared , having come to free the lovers and finish Hugo .

the servant takes Hugo aside to tell him something , and Hagar changes the cups for two others which are harmless .

Ferdinando , the ' minion ' , carries them away , and Hagar puts back the cup which holds the poison meant for Roderigo .

Act fourth displayed the despairing Roderigo on the point of stabbing himself because he has been told that Zara has deserted him .

Act fifth opened with a stormy scene between Zara and Don Pedro .

Don Pedro refuses , because he is not rich .

the bag is opened , and several quarts of tin money shower down upon the stage till it is quite glorified with the glitter .

this entirely softens the stern sire .

Roderigo and Don Pedro flew to the rescue , and all were taken out unhurt , though many were speechless with laughter .

the excitement had hardly subsided when Hannah appeared , with " Mrs. March 's compliments , and would the ladies walk down to supper . "

this was a surprise even to the actors , and when they saw the table , they looked at one another in rapturous amazement .

" is it fairies ? " asked Amy .

" Santa Claus , " said Beth .

" mother did it . "

and Meg smiled her sweetest , in spite of her gray beard and white eyebrows .

" aunt March had a good fit and sent the supper , " cried Jo , with a sudden inspiration .

" all wrong .

old Mr Laurence sent it , " replied Mrs . March .

" the Laurence boy 's grandfather !

what in the world put such a thing into his head ?

we don't know him ! " exclaimed Meg .

" Hannah told one of his servants about your breakfast party .

he is an odd old gentleman , but that pleased him .

I could not refuse , and so you have a little feast at night to make up for the bread-and-milk breakfast . "

" that boy put it into his head , I know he did !

he 's a capital fellow , and I wish we could get acquainted .

" you mean the people who live in the big house next door , don't you ? " asked one of the girls .

" my mother knows old Mr Laurence , but says he 's very proud and doesn't like to mix with his neighbors .

he keeps his grandson shut up , when he isn't riding or walking with his tutor , and makes him study very hard .

we invited him to our party , but he didn't come .

mother says he 's very nice , though he never speaks to us girls . "

I mean to know him some day , for he needs fun , I 'm sure he does , " said Jo decidedly .

he brought the flowers himself , and I should have asked him in , if I had been sure what was going on upstairs .

he looked so wistful as he went away , hearing the frolic and evidently having none of his own . "

" it 's a mercy you didn't , Mother ! " laughed Jo , looking at her boots .

" but we 'll have another play sometime that he can see .

perhaps he 'll help act .

wouldn't that be jolly ? "

" I never had such a fine bouquet before !

how pretty it is ! "

and Meg examined her flowers with great interest .

" they are lovely .

but Beth 's roses are sweeter to me , " said Mrs. march , smelling the half-dead posy in her belt .

Beth nestled up to her , and whispered softly , " I wish I could send my bunch to Father .

I 'm afraid he isn't having such a merry Christmas as we are . "

CHAPTER THREE

THE LAURENCE BOY

" Jo !

Jo !

where are you ? " cried Meg at the foot of the garret stairs .

as Meg appeared , Scrabble whisked into his hole .

Jo shook the tears off her cheeks and waited to hear the news .

" such fun !

only see !

" ' Mrs Gardiner would be happy to see Miss March and Miss Josephine at a little dance on New Year 's Eve . '

Marmee is willing we should go , now what shall we wear ? "

" if I only had a silk ! " sighed Meg .

" mother says I may when I 'm eighteen perhaps , but two years is an everlasting time to wait . "

" I 'm sure our pops look like silk , and they are nice enough for us .

yours is as good as new , but I forgot the burn and the tear in mine .

whatever shall I do ?

the burn shows badly , and I can't take any out . "

" you must sit still all you can and keep your back out of sight .

the front is all right .

" you must have gloves , or I won't go , " cried Meg decidedly .

" gloves are more important than anything else .

you can't dance without them , and if you don't I should be so mortified . "

" then I 'll stay still .

I don't care much for company dancing .

it 's no fun to go sailing round .

I like to fly about and cut capers . "

" you can't ask Mother for new ones , they are so expensive , and you are so careless .

she said when you spoiled the others that she shouldn't get you any more this winter .

can't you make them do ? "

" I can hold them crumpled up in my hand , so no one will know how stained they are .

that 's all I can do .

no !

I 'll tell you how we can manage , each wear one good one and carry a bad one .

don't you see ? "

" then I 'll go without .

I don't care what people say ! " cried Jo , taking up her book .

" you may have it , you may !

only don't stain it , and do behave nicely .

don't put your hands behind you , or stare , or say ' Christopher Columbus ! ' will you ? "

" don't worry about me .

I 'll be as prim as I can and not get into any scrapes , if I can help it .

now go and answer your note , and let me finish this splendid story . "

Meg wanted a few curls about her face , and Jo undertook to pinch the papered locks with a pair of hot tongs .

" ought they to smoke like that ? " asked Beth from her perch on the bed .

" it 's the dampness drying , " replied Jo .

" what a queer smell !

it 's like burned feathers , " observed Amy , smoothing her own pretty curls with a superior air .

" oh , oh , oh !

what have you done ?

I 'm spoiled !

I can't go !

my hair , oh , my hair ! " wailed Meg , looking with despair at the uneven frizzle on her forehead .

" Just my luck !

you shouldn't have asked me to do it .

I always spoil everything .

" it isn't spoiled .

I 've seen many girls do it so , " said Amy consolingly .

" Serves me right for trying to be fine .

I wish I 'd let my hair alone , " cried Meg petulantly .

" so do I , it was so smooth and pretty .

but it will soon grow out again , " said Beth , coming to kiss and comfort the shorn sheep .

Jo in maroon , with a stiff , gentlemanly linen collar , and a white chrysanthemum or two for her only ornament .

each put on one nice light glove , and carried one soiled one , and all pronounced the effect " quite easy and fine " .

" have a good time , dearies ! " said Mrs. March , as the sisters went daintily down the walk .

" don't eat much supper , and come away at eleven when I send Hannah for you . "

as the gate clashed behind them , a voice cried from a window ....y

" Girls , girls !

have you you both got nice pocket handkerchiefs ? "

" now don't forget to keep the bad breadth out of sight , Jo .

is my sash right ?

" I know I shall forget .

" no , winking isn't ladylike .

I 'll lift my eyebrows if any thing is wrong , and nod if you are all right .

now hold your shoulder straight , and take short steps , and don't shake hands if you are introduced to anyone .

it isn't the thing . "

" how do you learn all the proper ways ?

I never can .

isn't that music gay ? "

Mrs Gardiner , a stately old lady , greeted them kindly and handed them over to the eldest of her six daughters .

she telegraphed her wish to Meg , but the eyebrows went up so alarmingly that she dared not stir .

no one came to talk to her , and one by one the group dwindled away till she was left alone .

Meg was asked at once , and the tight slippers tripped about so briskly that none would have guessed the pain their wearer suffered smilingly .

but the boy laughed and said pleasantly , though he looked a little startled , " don't mind me , stay if you like . "

" shan't I disturb you ? "

" not a bit .

I only came here because I don't know many people and felt rather strange at first , you know . "

" so did I . don't go away , please , unless you 'd rather . "

you live near us , don't you ? "

" next door . "

" grandpa sent it . "

" but you put it into his head , didn't you , now ? "

" how is your cat , Miss March ? " asked the boy , trying to look sober while his black eyes shone with fun .

" nicely , thank you , Mr Laurence .

but I am not Miss March , I 'm only Jo , " returned the young lady .

" I 'm not Mr Laurence , I 'm only Laurie . "

" Laurie Laurence , what an odd name . "

" I hate my name , too , so sentimental !

I wish every one would say Jo instead of Josephine .

how did you make the boys stop calling you Dora ? "

" I thrashed ' em . "

" I can't thrash Aunt March , so I suppose I shall have to bear it . "

and Jo resigned herself with a sigh .

" don't you like to dance , Miss Jo ? " asked Laurie , looking as if he thought the name suited her .

" I like it well enough if there is plenty of room , and everyone is lively .

don't you dance ? "

" sometimes .

you see I 've been abroad a good many years , and haven't been into company enough yet to know how you do things here . "

" abroad ! " cried Jo .

" oh , tell me about it !

I love dearly to hear people describe their travels . "

" don't I wish I 'd been there ! " cried Jo .

" did you go to Paris ? "

" we spent last winter there . "

" can you talk French ? "

" we were not allowed to speak anything else at Vevay . "

" do say some !

I can read it , but can't pronounce . "

" Quel nom a cette jeune demoiselle en les pantoufles jolis ? "

" how nicely you do it !

let me see ....y you said , ' Who is the young lady in the pretty slippers ' , didn't you ? "

" Oui , mademoiselle . "

" it 's my sister Margaret , and you knew it was !

do you think she is pretty ? "

" yes , she makes me think of the German girls , she looks so fresh and quiet , and dances like a lady . "

Jo quite glowed with pleasure at this boyish praise of her sister , and stored it up to repeat to Meg .

both peeped and criticized and chatted till they felt like old acquaintances .

wonder how old he is ? "

" I suppose you are going to college soon ?

I see you pegging away at your books , no , I mean studying hard . "

and Jo blushed at the dreadful ' pegging ' which had escaped her .

Laurie smiled but didn't seem shocked , and answered with a shrug .

" not for a year or two .

I won't go before seventeen , anyway . "

" aren't you but fifteen ? " asked Jo , looking at the tall lad , whom she had imagined seventeen already .

" sixteen , next month . "

" how I wish I was going to college !

you don't look as if you liked it . "

" I hate it !

nothing but grinding or skylarking .

and I don't like the way fellows do either , in this country . "

" what do you like ? "

" to live in Italy , and to enjoy myself in my own way . "

why don't you go and try it ? "

" if you will come too , " he answered , with a gallant little bow .

" I can't , for I told Meg I wouldn't , because ....v "

there Jo stopped , and looked undecided whether to tell or to laugh .

" because , what ? "

" you won't tell ? "

" never ! "

you may laugh , if you want to .

it is funny , I know . "

but Laurie didn't laugh .

he only looked down a minute , and the expression of his face puzzled Jo when he said very gently , " never mind that .

I 'll tell you how we can manage .

there 's a long hall out there , and we can dance grandly , and no one will see us .

please come . "

Jo thanked him and gladly went , wishing she had two neat gloves when she saw the nice , pearl-colored ones her partner wore .

" I 've sprained my ankle .

that stupid high heel turned and gave me a sad wrench .

" I knew you 'd hurt your feet with those silly shoes .

I 'm sorry .

" I can't have a carriage without its costing ever so much .

" I 'll go . "

" no , indeed !

it 's past nine , and dark as Egypt .

I can't stop here , for the house is full .

Sallie has some girls staying with her .

I 'll rest till Hannah comes , and then do the best I can . "

" I 'll ask Laurie .

he will go , " said Jo , looking relieved as the idea occurred to her .

" Mercy , no !

don't ask or tell anyone .

get me my rubbers , and put these slippers with our things .

I can't dance anymore , but as soon as supper is over , watch for Hannah and tell me the minute she comes . "

" they are going out to supper now .

I 'll stay with you .

I'd rather . "

" no , dear , run along , and bring me some coffee .

I 'm so tired I can't stir . "

" oh , dear , what a blunderbuss I am ! " exclaimed Jo , finishing Meg 's glove by scrubbing her gown with it .

" can I help you ? " said a friendly voice .

and there was Laurie , with a full cup in one hand and a plate of ice in the other .

" too bad !

I was looking for someone to give this to .

may I take it to your sister ? "

" oh , thank you !

I 'll show you where she is .

I don't offer to take it myself , for I should only get into another scrape if I did . "

Meg forgot her foot and rose so quickly that she was forced to catch hold of Jo , with an exclamation of pain .

" hush !

don't say anything , " she whispered , adding aloud , " it 's nothing .

I turned my foot a little , that 's all , " and limped upstairs to put her things on .

Hannah scolded , Meg cried , and Jo was at her wits ' end , till she decided to take things into her own hands .

slipping out , she ran down and , finding a servant , asked if he could get her a carriage .

" it 's so early !

you can't mean to go yet ? " began Jo , looking relieved but hesitating to accept the offer .

" I always go early , I do , truly !

please let me take you home .

it 's all on my way , you know , and it rains , they say . "

that settled it , and telling him of Meg 's mishap , Jo gratefully accepted and rushed up to bring down the rest of the party .

Laurie went on the box so Meg could keep her foot up , and the girls talked over their party in freedom .

" I had a capital time .

did you ? " asked Jo , rumpling up her hair , and making herself comfortable .

" yes , till I hurt myself .

" I saw you dancing with the red headed man I ran away from .

was he nice ? "

" oh , very !

his hair is auburn , not red , and he was very polite , and I had a delicious redowa with him . "

" he looked like a grasshopper in a fit when he did the new step .

Laurie and I couldn't help laughing .

did you hear us ? "

" no , but it was very rude .

what were you about all that time , hidden away there ? "

Jo told her adventures , and by the time she had finished they were at home .

" tell about the party !

tell about the party ! "

and I think Jo was quite right .

CHAPTER FOUR

BURDENS

" I wish it was Christmas or New Year 's all the time .

wouldn't it be fun ? " answered Jo , yawning dismally .

" we shouldn't enjoy ourselves half so much as we do now .

" well , we can't have it , so don't let us grumble but shoulder our bundles and trudge along as cheerfully as Marmee does .

it 's a shame ! "

so Meg went down , wearing an injured look , and wasn't at all agreeable at breakfast time .

everyone seemed rather out of sorts and inclined to croak .

Beth had a headache and lay on the sofa , trying to comfort herself with the cat and three kittens .

Amy was fretting because her lessons were not learned , and she couldn't find her rubbers .

Jo would whistle and make a great racket getting ready .

Jo laughed , Meg scolded , Beth implored , and Amy wailed because she couldn't remember how much nine times twelve was .

" girls , girls , do be quiet one minute !

Hannah never forgot to make them , no matter how busy or grumpy she might be , for the walk was long and bleak .

the poor things got no other lunch and were seldom home before two .

" cuddle your cats and get over your headache , Bethy .

goodbye , Marmee .

we are a set of rascals this morning , but we 'll come home regular angels .

now then , Meg ! "

and Jo tramped away , feeling that the pilgrims were not setting out as they ought to do .

" you 're a blighted being , and decidedly cross today because you can't sit in the lap of luxury all the time .

" how ridiculous you are , Jo ! "

but Meg laughed at the nonsense and felt better in spite of herself .

thank goodness , I can always find something funny to keep me up .

don't croak any more , but come home jolly , there 's a dear . "

Margaret found a place as nursery governess and felt rich with her small salary .

as she said , she was ' fond of luxury ' , and her chief trouble was poverty .

Jo happened to suit Aunt March , who was lame and needed an active person to wait upon her .

" we can't give up our girls for a dozen fortunes .

Rich or poor , we will keep together and be happy in one another . "

I suspect that the real attraction was a large library of fine books , which was left to dust and spiders since Uncle March died .

Jo 's ambition was to do something very splendid .

Beth was too bashful to go to school .

Beth cherished them all the more tenderly for that very reason , and set up a hospital for infirm dolls .

if anyone had known the care lavished on that dolly , I think it would have touched their hearts , even while they laughed .

if anybody had asked Amy what the greatest trial of her life was , she would have answered at once , " my nose . "

she got through her lessons as well as she could , and managed to escape reprimands by being a model of deportment .

she was a great favorite with her mates , being good-tempered and possessing the happy art of pleasing without effort .

Amy was in a fair way to be spoiled , for everyone petted her , and her small vanities and selfishnesses were growing nicely .

one thing , however , rather quenched the vanities .

she had to wear her cousin 's clothes .

Meg was Amy 's confidant and monitor , and by some strange attraction of opposites Jo was gentle Beth 's .

" has anybody got anything to tell ?

it 's been such a dismal day I 'm really dying for some amusement , " said Meg , as they sat sewing together that evening .

" I wish I could , and be done with it , " said I , trying not to be saucy .

I 'd just got to where they all tumbled into the water when I forgot and laughed out loud .

I did my very best , and she liked it , though she only said ....y

" ' I don't understand what it 's all about .

go back and begin it , child . ' "

" back I went , and made the Primroses as interesting as ever I could .

once I was wicked enough to stop in a thrilling place , and say meekly , ' I 'm afraid it tires you , ma'am .

shan't I stop now ? ' "

" did she own she liked it ? " asked Meg .

" oh , bless you , no !

what a pleasant life she might have if only she chose !

" that reminds me , " said Meg , " that I 've got something to tell .

it isn't funny , like Jo 's story , but I thought about it a good deal as I came home .

" Susie Perkins came to school today with a lovely red carnelian ring .

I wanted it dreadfully , and wished I was her with all my might .

we were laughing over it when all of a sudden his eye was on us , and he ordered Susie to bring up her slate .

she was parry lized with fright , but she went , and oh , what do you think he did ?

he took her by the ear the ear !

" didn't the girls laugh at the picture ? " asked Jo , who relished the scrape .

" laugh ?

not one !

they sat still as mice , and Susie cried quarts , I know she did .

I didn't envy her then , for I felt that millions of carnelian rings wouldn't have made me happy after that .

I never , never should have got over such a agonizing mortification . "

and Amy went on with her work , in the proud consciousness of virtue and the successful utterance of two long words in a breath .

she was so glad and surprised she took it right into her arms , and thanked him over and over .

he told her to ' go along and cook it ' , and she hurried off , so happy !

wasn't it good of him ?

he sat down near me , and I began to talk to him , for he looked poor and tired and anxious .

" ' Have you sons in the army ? '

I asked , for the note he brought was not to me . "

" yes , ma'am .

" ' You have done a great deal for your country , sir , ' I said , feeling respect now , instead of pity . "

" ' Not a mite more than I ought , ma'am .

I 'd go myself , if I was any use .

as I ain't , I give my boys , and give ' em free . ' "

" he spoke so cheerfully , looked so sincere , and seemed so glad to give his all , that I was ashamed of myself .

I 'd given one man and thought it too much , while he gave four without grudging them .

" tell another story , Mother , one with a moral to it , like this .

I like to think about them afterward , if they are real and not too preachy , " said Jo , after a minute 's silence .

( here the listeners stole sly looks at one another , and began to sew diligently . )

" being sensible girls , they decided to try her advice , and soon were surprised to see how well off they were .

" I like that kind of sermon .

it 's the sort Father used to tell us , " said Beth thoughtfully , putting the needles straight on Jo 's cushion .

" we needed that lesson , and we won't forget it .

CHAPTER FIVE

BEING NEIGHBORLY

" going out for exercise , " answered Jo with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes .

" I should think two long walks this morning would have been enough !

" never take advice !

can't keep still all day , and not being a pussycat , I don't like to doze by the fire .

I like adventures , and I 'm going to find some . "

Meg went back to toast her feet and read Ivanhoe , and Jo began to dig paths with great energy .

now , the garden separated the Marches ' house from that of Mr Laurence .

both stood in a suburb of the city , which was still country-like , with groves and lawns , large gardens , and quiet streets .

a low hedge parted the two estates .

to Jo 's lively fancy , this fine house seemed a kind of enchanted palace , full of splendors and delights which no one enjoyed .

" that boy is suffering for society and fun , " she said to herself .

" his grandpa does not know what 's good for him , and keeps him shut up all alone .

he needs a party of jolly boys to play with , or somebody young and lively .

I 've a great mind to go over and tell the old gentleman so ! "

the idea amused Jo , who liked to do daring things and was always scandalizing Meg by her queer performances .

the plan of ' going over ' was not forgotten .

and when the snowy afternoon came , Jo resolved to try what could be done .

" there he is , " thought Jo , " poor boy !

all alone and sick this dismal day .

it 's a shame !

I 'll toss up a snowball and make him look out , and then say a kind word to him . "

Jo nodded and laughed , and flourished her broom as she called out ....y

" how do you do ?

are you sick ? "

Laurie opened the window , and croaked out as hoarsely as a raven ....v

" better , thank you .

I 've had a bad cold , and been shut up a week . "

" I 'm sorry .

what do you amuse yourself with ? "

" nothing .

it 's dull as tombs up here . "

" don't you read ? "

" not much .

they won't let me . "

" can't somebody read to you ? "

" grandpa does sometimes , but my books don't interest him , and I hate to ask Brooke all the time . "

" have someone come and see you then . "

" there isn't anyone I 'd like to see .

boys make such a row , and my head is weak . "

" isn't there some nice girl who 'd read and amuse you ?

girls are quiet and like to play nurse . "

" don't know any . "

" you know us , " began Jo , then laughed and stopped .

" so I do !

will you come , please ? " cried Laurie .

" I 'm not quiet and nice , but I 'll come , if Mother will let me .

I 'll go ask her .

shut the window , like a good boy , and wait till I come . "

with that , Jo shouldered her broom and marched into the house , wondering what they would all say to her .

" here I am , bag and baggage , " she said briskly .

" mother sent her love , and was glad if I could do anything for you .

Meg wanted me to bring some of her blanc mange , she makes it very nicely , and Beth thought her cats would be comforting .

I knew you 'd laugh at them , but I couldn't refuse , she was so anxious to do something . "

" it isn't anything , only they all felt kindly and wanted to show it .

tell the girl to put it away for your tea .

it 's so simple you can eat it , and being soft , it will slip down without hurting your sore throat .

what a cozy room this is ! "

" it might be if it was kept nice , but the maids are lazy , and I don't know how to make them mind .

it worries me though . "

now then , you 're fixed . "

" how kind you are !

yes , that 's what it wanted .

now please take the big chair and let me do something to amuse my company . "

" no , I came to amuse you .

shall I read aloud ? " and Jo looked affectionately toward some inviting books near by .

" thank you !

I 've read all those , and if you don't mind , I 'd rather talk , " answered Laurie .

" not a bit .

I 'll talk all day if you 'll only set me going .

Beth says I never know when to stop . "

" yes , that 's Beth .

she 's my girl , and a regular good one she is , too . "

" the pretty one is Meg , and the curly-haired one is Amy , I believe ? "

" how did you find that out ? "

I beg your pardon for being so rude , but sometimes you forget to put down the curtain at the window where the flowers are .

her face is right opposite , and it looks so sweet behind the flowers , I can't help watching it .

I haven't got any mother , you know . "

and Laurie poked the fire to hide a little twitching of the lips that he could not control .

the solitary , hungry look in his eyes went straight to Jo 's warm heart .

Laurie was sick and lonely , and feeling how rich she was in home and happiness , she gladly tried to share it with him .

her face was very friendly and her sharp voice unusually gentle as she said ....v

" we 'll never draw that curtain any more , and I give you leave to look as much as you like .

I just wish , though , instead of peeping , you 'd come over and see us .

Meg and I would make you laugh over our funny stage properties , and we 'd have jolly times .

wouldn't your grandpa let you ? "

" I think he would , if your mother asked him .

" we are not strangers , we are neighbors , and you needn't think you 'd be a bother .

we want to know you , and I 've been trying to do it this ever so long .

we haven't been here a great while , you know , but we have got acquainted with all our neighbors but you . "

" you see , Grandpa lives among his books , and doesn't mind much what happens outside .

" that 's bad .

never mind being bashful .

it won't last long if you keep going . "

" don't go to school , I 'm a businessman girl , I mean .

I go to wait on my great-aunt , and a dear , cross old soul she is , too , " answered Jo .

" oh !

that does me no end of good .

tell on , please , " he said , taking his face out of the sofa cushion , red and shining with merriment .

" if you like them so much , come down and see ours .

grandfather is out , so you needn't be afraid , " said Laurie , getting up .

" I 'm not afraid of anything , " returned Jo , with a toss of the head .

" Theodore Laurence , you ought to be the happiest boy in the world , " she added impressively .

" a fellow can't live on books , " said Laurie , shaking his head as he perched on a table opposite .

before he could more , a bell rang , and Jo flew up , exclaiming with alarm , " Mercy me !

it 's your grandpa ! "

" well , what if it is ?

you are not afraid of anything , you know , " returned the boy , looking wicked .

" I think I am a little bit afraid of him , but I don't know why I should be .

" I 'm a great deal better for it , and ever so much obliged .

I 'm only afraid you are very tired of talking to me .

it was so pleasant , I couldn't bear to stop , " said Laurie gratefully .

" the doctor to see you , sir , " and the maid beckoned as she spoke .

" would you mind if I left you for a minute ?

I suppose I must see him , " said Laurie .

" don't mind me .

I 'm happy as a cricket here , " answered Jo .

Laurie went away , and his guest amused herself in her own way .

he isn't as handsome as my grandfather , but I like him . "

Poor Jo blushed till she couldn't blush any redder , and her heart began to beat uncomfortably fast as she thought what she had said .

" not much , sir . "

" and you don't think me as handsome as your grandfather ? "

" not quite , sir . "

" and I 've got a tremendous will , have I ? "

" I only said I thought so . "

" but you like me in spite of it ? "

" yes , I do , sir . "

that answer pleased the old gentleman .

" thank you , sir , " and Jo was quite comfortable after that , for it suited her exactly .

" what have you been doing to this boy of mine , hey ? " was the next question , sharply put .

" only trying to be neighborly , sir . "

and Jo told how her visit came about .

" you think he needs cheering up a bit , do you ? "

" yes , sir , he seems a little lonely , and young folks would do him good perhaps .

" Tut , tut , tut !

that was the boy 's affair .

how is the poor woman ? "

" doing nicely , sir . "

" Just her father 's way of doing good .

I shall come and see your mother some fine day .

tell her so .

there 's the tea bell , we have it early on the boy 's account .

come down and go on being neighborly . "

" if you 'd like to have me , sir . "

" shouldn't ask you , if I didn't . "

and Mr Laurence offered her his arm with old-fashioned courtesy .

" hey !

" I didn't know you 'd come , sir , " he began , as Jo gave him a triumphant little glance .

" that 's evident , by the way you racket downstairs .

come to your tea , sir , and behave like a gentleman . "

there was color , light , and life in the boy 's face now , vivacity in his manner , and genuine merriment in his laugh .

" she 's right , the lad is lonely .

I 'll see what these little girls can do for him , " thought Mr Laurence , as he looked and listened .

but finding them free and easy , she was so herself , and made a good impression .

" do you play ? " she asked , turning to Laurie with a respectful expression .

" sometimes , " he answered modestly .

" please do now .

I want to hear it , so I can tell Beth . "

" won't you first ? "

" don't know how .

too stupid to learn , but I love music dearly . "

so Laurie played and Jo listened , with her nose luxuriously buried in heliotrope and tea roses .

her respect and regard for the ' Laurence ' boy increased very much , for he played remarkably well and didn't put on any airs .

" that will do , that will do , young lady .

too many sugarplums are not good for him .

his music isn't bad , but I hope he will do as well in more important things .

going ? well , I 'm much obliged to you , and I hope you 'll come again .

my respects to your mother .

good night , Doctor Jo . "

he shook hands kindly , but looked as if something did not please him .

when they got into the hall , Jo asked Laurie if she had said something amiss .

he shook his head .

" no , it was me .

he doesn't like to hear me play . "

" why not ? "

" I 'll tell you some day .

John is going home with you , as I can't . "

" no need of that .

I am not a young lady , and it 's only a step .

take care of yourself , won't you ? "

" yes , but you will come again , I hope ? "

" if you promise to come and see us after you are well . "

" I will . "

" good night , Laurie ! "

" good night , Jo , good night ! "

" mother , why didn't Mr Laurence like to have Laurie play ? " asked Jo , who was of an inquiring disposition .

the lady was good and lovely and accomplished , but he did not like her , and never saw his son after he married .

they both died when Laurie was a little child , and then his grandfather took him home .

" dear me , how romantic ! " exclaimed Meg .

" how silly ! " said Jo .

" that 's why he has such handsome black eyes and pretty manners , I suppose .

Italians are always nice , " said Meg , who was a little sentimental .

" what do you know about his eyes and his manners ?

you never spoke to him , hardly , " cried Jo , who was not sentimental .

" I saw him at the party , and what you tell shows that he knows how to behave .

that was a nice little speech about the medicine Mother sent him . "

" he meant the blanc mange , I suppose . "

" how stupid you are , child !

he meant you , of course . "

" did he ? "

and Jo opened her eyes as if it had never occurred to her before .

" I never saw such a girl !

" I think they are great nonsense , and I 'll thank you not to be silly and spoil my fun .

Laurie 's a nice boy and I like him , and I won't have any sentimental stuff about compliments and such rubbish .

" I don't call myself a child , and I 'm not in my teens yet , " observed Amy .

" what do you say , Beth ? "

" I was thinking about our ' Pilgrim 's Progress ' , " answered Beth , who had not heard a word .

" we have got to get by the lions first , " said Jo , as if she rather liked the prospect .

CHAPTER SIX

BETH FINDS THE PALACE BEAUTIFUL

so they soon forgot their pride and interchanged kindnesses without stopping to think which was the greater .

all sorts of pleasant things happened about that time , for the new friendship flourished like grass in spring .

every one liked Laurie , and he privately informed his tutor that " the Marches were regularly splendid girls . "

" never mind , let him take a holiday , and make it up afterward , " said the old gentleman .

" the good lady next door says he is studying too hard and needs young society , amusement , and exercise .

I suspect she is right , and that I 've been coddling the fellow as if I 'd been his grandmother .

let him do what he likes , as long as he is happy .

he can't get into mischief in that little nunnery over there , and Mrs. March is doing more for him than we can . "

what good times they had , to be sure .

taking no more notice of her than if she had been a fly , Mr Laurence talked on about Laurie 's lessons and teachers .

and presently , as if the idea had just occurred to him , he said to Mrs. march ....y

" the boy neglects his music now , and I 'm glad of it , for he was getting too fond of it .

but the piano suffers for want of use .

before Mrs. March could reply , Mr Laurence went on with an odd little nod and smile ....y

" they needn't see or speak to anyone , but run in at any time .

" please , tell the young ladies what I say , and if they don't care to come , why , never mind . "

" oh sir , they do care , very very much ! "

" I 'm Beth .

" not a soul , my dear .

" how kind you are , sir ! "

" I had a little girl once , with eyes like these .

God bless you , my dear !

good day , madam . "

and away he went , in a great hurry .

she never knew that Mr Laurence opened his study door to hear the old-fashioned airs he liked .

she never saw Laurie mount guard in the hall to warn the servants away .

so she enjoyed herself heartily , and found , what isn't always the case , that her granted wish was all she had hoped .

perhaps it was because she was so grateful for this blessing that a greater was given her .

at any rate she deserved both .

" mother , I 'm going to work Mr Laurence a pair of slippers .

he is so kind to me , I must thank him , and I don't know any other way .

can I do it ? " asked Beth , a few weeks after that eventful call of his .

" yes , dear .

it will please him very much , and be a nice way of thanking him .

after many serious discussions with Meg and Jo , the pattern was chosen , the materials bought , and the slippers begun .

she was a nimble little needlewoman , and they were finished before anyone got tired of them .

when this excitement was over , Beth waited to see what would happen .

" here 's a letter from the old gentleman !

come quick , and read it ! "

Beth hurried on in a flutter of suspense .

look there ! "

" yes , all for you , my precious !

isn't it splendid of him ?

don't you think he 's the dearest old man in the world ?

here 's the key in the letter .

" you read it !

I can't , I feel so queer !

oh , it is too lovely ! " and Beth hid her face in Jo 's apron , quite upset by her present .

Jo opened the paper and began to laugh , for the first words she saw were ....y

" miss March : " dear Madam "

" how nice it sounds !

I wish someone would write to me so ! " said Amy , who thought the old-fashioned address very elegant .

" 'Heart's-ease is my favorite flower , and these will always remind me of the gentle giver .

with hearty thanks and best wishes , I remain " ' Your grateful friend and humble servant , ' JAMES LAURENCE ' . "

" there , Beth , that 's an honor to be proud of , I 'm sure !

Laurie told me how fond Mr Laurence used to be of the child who died , and how he kept all her little things carefully .

just think , he 's given you her piano .

" ' Your humble servant , James Laurence ' .

only think of his writing that to you .

I 'll tell the girls .

they 'll think it 's splendid , " said Amy , much impressed by the note .

" try it , honey .

let's hear the sound of the baby pianny , " said Hannah , who always took a share in the family joys and sorrows .

so Beth tried it , and everyone pronounced it the most remarkable piano ever heard .

" yes , I mean to .

I guess I 'll go now , before I get frightened thinking about it . "

" well , I wish I may die if it ain't the queerest thing I ever see !

the pianny has turned her head !

they would have been still more amazed if they had seen what Beth did afterward .

if the roof of the house had suddenly flown off , the old gentleman wouldn't have been more astonished .

but he liked it .

oh , dear , yes , he liked it amazingly !

CHAPTER SEVEN

AMY'S VALLEY OF HUMILIATION

" how dare you say so , when he 's got both his eyes ?

and very handsome ones they are , too , " cried Jo , who resented any slighting remarks about her friend .

" I didn't say anything about his eyes , and I don't see why you need fire up when I admire his riding . "

" oh , my goodness !

that little goose means a centaur , and she called him a Cyclops , " exclaimed Jo , with a burst of laughter .

" why ? " asked Meg kindly , for Jo had gone off in another laugh at Amy 's second blunder .

" I need it so much .

I 'm dreadfully in debt , and it won't be my turn to have the rag money for a month . "

" In debt , Amy ?

what do you mean ? "

and Meg looked sober .

" tell me all about it .

are limes the fashion now ?

it used to be pricking bits of rubber to make balls . "

and Meg tried to keep her countenance , Amy looked so grave and important .

if one girl likes another , she gives her a lime .

if she 's mad with her , she eats one before her face , and doesn't offer even a suck .

" how much will pay them off and restore your credit ? " asked Meg , taking out her purse .

" a quarter would more than do it , and leave a few cents over for a treat for you .

don't you like limes ? "

" not much .

you may have my share .

Here's the money .

make it last as long as you can , for it isn't very plenty , you know . "

" oh , thank you !

it must be so nice to have pocket money !

I 'll have a grand feast , for I haven't tasted a lime this week .

I felt delicate about taking any , as I couldn't return them , and I 'm actually suffering for one . "

Katy Brown invited her to her next party on the spot .

but , alas , alas !

pride goes before a fall , and the revengeful Snow turned the tables with disastrous success .

now Mr Davis had declared limes a contraband article , and solemnly vowed to publicly ferrule the first person who was found breaking the law .

it was a most unfortunate moment for denouncing Amy , and Jenny knew it .

" young ladies , attention , if you please ! "

" miss March , come to the desk . "

Amy rose to comply with outward composure , but a secret fear oppressed her , for the limes weighed upon her conscience .

" don't take all . " whispered her neighbor , a young lady of great presence of mind .

unfortunately , Mr Davis particularly detested the odor of the fashionable pickle , and disgust added to his wrath .

" is that all ? "

" not quite , " stammered Amy .

" bring the rest immediately . "

with a despairing glance at her set , she obeyed .

" you are sure there are no more ? "

" I never lie , sir . "

" so I see .

now take these disgusting things two by two , and throw them out of the window . "

this this was too much .

all flashed indignant or appealing glances at the inexorable Davis , and one passionate lime lover burst into tears .

as Amy returned from her last trip , Mr Davis gave a portentous " hem ! " and said , in his most impressive manner ....v

" young ladies , you remember what I said to you a week ago .

I am sorry this has happened , but I never allow my rules to be infringed , and I never break my word .

miss March , hold out your hand . "

that hiss , faint as it was , irritated the irascible gentleman , and sealed the culprit 's fate .

they were neither many nor heavy , but that made no difference to her .

that was dreadful .

during the fifteen minutes that followed , the proud and sensitive little girl suffered a shame and pain which she never forgot .

" you can go , Miss March , " said Mr Davis , looking , as he felt , uncomfortable .

Mrs. March did not say much but looked disturbed , and comforted her afflicted little daughter in her tenderest manner .

" I don't approve of corporal punishment , especially for girls .

" that 's good !

I wish all the girls would leave , and spoil his old school .

it 's perfectly maddening to think of those lovely limes , " sighed Amy , with the air of a martyr .

" do you mean you are glad I was disgraced before the whole school ? " cried Amy .

you are getting to be rather conceited , my dear , and it is quite time you set about correcting it .

you have a good many little gifts and virtues , but there is no need of parading them , for conceit spoils the finest genius .

" so it is ! " cried Laurie , who was playing chess in a corner with Jo .

" I wish I 'd known that nice girl .

maybe she would have helped me , I 'm so stupid , " said Beth , who stood beside him , listening eagerly .

" yes , he has had an excellent education , and has much talent .

he will make a fine man , if not spoiled by petting , " replied her mother .

" and he isn't conceited , is he ? " asked Amy .

" not in the least .

that is why he is so charming and we all like him so much . "

" I see .

it 's nice to have accomplishments and be elegant , but not to show off or get perked up , " said Amy thoughtfully .

CHAPTER EIGHT

JO MEETS APOLLYON

" never mind .

little girls shouldn't ask questions , " returned Jo sharply .

Amy bridled up at this insult , and determined to find out the secret , if she teased for an hour .

turning to Meg , who never refused her anything very long , she said coaxingly , " do tell me !

you can't go , Amy , so don't be a baby and whine about it . "

" you are going somewhere with Laurie , I know you are .

you were whispering and laughing together on the sofa last night , and you stopped when I came in .

aren't you going with him ? "

" yes , we are .

now do be still , and stop bothering . "

Amy held her tongue , but used her eyes , and saw Meg slip a fan into her pocket .

" I know !

I know !

" just listen to me a minute , and be a good child , " said Meg soothingly .

next week you can go with Beth and Hannah , and have a nice time . "

" I don't like that half as well as going with you and Laurie .

please let me .

I 've been sick with this cold so long , and shut up , I 'm dying for some fun .

do , Meg !

I 'll be ever so good , " pleaded Amy , looking as pathetic as she could .

" suppose we take her .

I don't believe Mother would mind , if we bundle her up well , " began Meg .

Meg says I may , and if I pay for myself , Laurie hasn't anything to do with it . "

or he 'll get another seat for you , and that isn't proper when you weren't asked .

for now and then she forgot her grown-up ways and acted like a spoiled child .

" fiddlesticks ! " returned Jo , slamming the door .

they had a charming time , for The Seven Castles Of The Diamond Lake was as brilliant and wonderful as heart could wish .

Amy teased Jo , and Jo irritated Amy , and semioccasional explosions occurred , of which both were much ashamed afterward .

her anger never lasted long , and having humbly confessed her fault , she sincerely repented and tried to do better .

her sisters used to say that they rather liked to get Jo into a fury because she was such an angel afterward .

when they got home , they found Amy reading in the parlor .

she assumed an injured air as they came in , never lifted her eyes from her book , or asked a single question .

perhaps curiosity might have conquered resentment , if Beth had not been there to inquire and receive a glowing description of the play .

there Jo was mistaken , for next day she made a discovery which produced a tempest .

Meg and Beth said , " no . " at once , and looked surprised .

Amy poked the fire and said nothing .

Jo saw her color rise and was down upon her in a minute .

" Amy , you 've got it ! "

" no , I haven't . "

" you know where it is , then ! "

" no , I don't . "

" it isn't .

I haven't got it , don't know where it is now , and don't care . "

" you know something about it , and you 'd better tell at once , or I 'll make you . "

and Jo gave her a slight shake .

" why not ? "

" I burned it up . "

" what !

my little book I was so fond of , and worked over , and meant to finish before Father got home ?

have you really burned it ? " said Jo , turning very pale , while her eyes kindled and her hands clutched Amy nervously .

" yes , I did !

I told you I 'd make you pay for being so cross yesterday , and I have , so ....v "

" you wicked , wicked girl !

I never can write it again , and I 'll never forgive you as long as I live . "

Jo 's book was the pride of her heart , and was regarded by her family as a literary sprout of great promise .

Beth mourned as for a departed kitten , and Meg refused to defend her pet .

when the tea bell rang , Jo appeared , looking so grim and unapproachable that it took all Amy 's courage to say meekly ....v

" please forgive me , Jo .

I 'm very , very sorry . "

" I never shall forgive you , " was Jo 's stern answer , and from that moment she ignored Amy entirely .

as Jo received her good-night kiss , Mrs. March whispered gently , " my dear , don't let the sun go down upon your anger .

forgive each other , help each other , and begin again tomorrow . "

with that she marched off to bed , and there was no merry or confidential gossip that night .

Jo still looked like a thunder cloud , and nothing went well all day .

" everybody is so hateful , I 'll ask Laurie to go skating .

Amy heard the clash of skates , and looked out with an impatient exclamation .

" there !

she promised I should go next time , for this is the last ice we shall have .

but it 's no use to ask such a crosspatch to take me . "

" don't say that .

" go after them .

it was not far to the river , but both were ready before Amy reached them .

Jo saw her coming , and turned her back .

as Laurie turned the bend , he shouted back ....y

" keep near the shore .

it isn't safe in the middle . "

Jo heard , but Amy was struggling to her feet and did not catch a word .

Jo glanced over her shoulder , and the little demon she was harboring said in her ear ....y

" no matter whether she heard or not , let her take care of herself . "

she tried to call Laurie , but her voice was gone .

something rushed swiftly by her , and Laurie 's voice cried out ....y

" bring a rail .

Quick , quick ! "

" now then , we must walk her home as fast as we can .

" quite safe , dear .

" Laurie did it all .

I only let her go .

mother , if she should die , it would be my fault . "

" it 's my dreadful temper !

I try to cure it , I think I have , and then it breaks out worse than ever .

oh , Mother , what shall I do ?

what shall I do ? " cried poor Jo , in despair .

" you don't know , you can't guess how bad it is !

it seems as if I could do anything when I 'm in a passion .

I get so savage , I could hurt anyone and enjoy it .

I 'm afraid I shall do something dreadful some day , and spoil my life , and make everybody hate me .

oh , Mother , help me , do help me ! "

" I will , my child , I will .

don't cry so bitterly , but remember this day , and resolve with all your soul that you will never know another like it .

you think your temper is the worst in the world , but mine used to be just like it . "

" yours , Mother ?

why , you are never angry ! "

and for the moment Jo forgot remorse in surprise .

" I 've been trying to cure it for forty years , and have only succeeded in controlling it .

she felt comforted at once by the sympathy and confidence given her .

" how did you learn to keep still ?

tell me how you do it , Marmee dear . "

" my good mother used to help me ....v "

" as you do us ....y " interrupted Jo , with a grateful kiss .

then your father came , and I was so happy that I found it easy to be good .

" poor Mother !

what helped you then ? "

" your father , Jo .

it was easier to try for your sakes than for my own .

" oh , Mother , if I 'm ever half as good as you , I shall be satisfied , " cried Jo , much touched .

you have had a warning .

" I will try , Mother , I truly will .

but you must help me , remind me , and keep me from flying out .

was he reminding you then ? " asked Jo softly .

" yes .

" I thought I 'd grieved you . "

" I gave my best to the country I love , and kept my tears till he was gone .

why should I complain , when we both have merely done our duty and will surely be the happier for it in the end ?

" I let the sun go down on my anger .

I wouldn't forgive her , and today , if it hadn't been for Laurie , it might have been too late !

as if she heard , Amy opened her eyes , and held out her arms , with a smile that went straight to Jo 's heart .

CHAPTER NINE

MEG GOES TO VANITY FAIR

" and so nice of Annie Moffat not to forget her promise .

" I wish you were all going , but as you can't , I shall keep my adventures to tell you when I come back .

" a pair of silk stockings , that pretty carved fan , and a lovely blue sash .

I wanted the violet silk , but there isn't time to make it over , so I must be contented with my old tarlaton . "

" it will look nice over my new muslin skirt , and the sash will set it off beautifully .

the violet silk would be so nice .

oh , dear ! "

" it isn't low-necked , and it doesn't sweep enough , but it will have to do .

my blue housedress looks so well , turned and freshly trimmed , that I feel as if I 'd got a new one .

my silk sacque isn't a bit the fashion , and my bonnet doesn't look like Sallie 's .

I didn't like to say anything , but I was sadly disappointed in my umbrella .

I told Mother black with a white handle , but she forgot and bought a green one with a yellowish handle .

" change it , " advised Jo .

" I won't be so silly , or hurt Marmee 's feelings , when she took so much pains to get my things .

it 's a nonsensical notion of mine , and I 'm not going to give up to it .

my silk stockings and two pairs of new gloves are my comfort .

you are a dear to lend me yours , Jo .

I feel so rich and sort of elegant , with two new pairs , and the old ones cleaned up for common . "

and Meg took a refreshing peep at her glove box .

" Annie Moffat has blue and pink bows on her nightcaps .

would you put some on mine ? " she asked , as Beth brought up a pile of snowy muslins , fresh from Hannah 's hands .

" no , I wouldn't , for the smart caps won't match the plain gowns without any trimming on them .

poor folks shouldn't rig , " said Jo decidedly .

" so I did !

the next day was fine , and Meg departed in style for a fortnight of novelty and pleasure .

Mrs. March had consented to the visit rather reluctantly , fearing that Margaret would come back more discontented than she went .

but they were kindly people , in spite of the frivolous life they led , and soon put their guest at her ease .

the more she saw of Annie Moffat 's pretty things , the more she envied her and sighed to be rich .

she had not much time for repining , however , for the three young girls were busily employed in ' having a good time ' .

her older sisters were very fine young ladies , and one was engaged , which was extremely interesting and romantic , Meg thought .

everyone petted her , and ' Daisey ' , as they called her , was in a fair way to have her head turned .

so out came the tarlatan , looking older , limper , and shabbier than ever beside Sallie 's crisp new one .

the hard , bitter feeling was getting pretty bad , when the maid brought in a box of flowers .

before she could speak , Annie had the cover off , and all were exclaiming at the lovely roses , heath , and fern within .

" they are for Miss March , the man said .

and here 's a note , " put in the maid , holding it to Meg .

" what fun !

who are they from ?

didn't know you had a lover , " cried the girls , fluttering about Meg in a high state of curiosity and surprise .

she enjoyed herself very much that evening , for she danced to her heart 's content .

everyone was very kind , and she had three compliments .

Annie made her sing , and some one said she had a remarkably fine voice .

so altogether she had a very nice time , till she overheard a bit of conversation , which disturbed her extremely .

" how old is he ? "

" sixteen or seventeen , I should say , " replied another voice .

" it would be a grand thing for one of those girls , wouldn't it ?

Sallie says they are very intimate now , and the old man quite dotes on them . "

" Mrs. M . has made her plans , I dare say , and will play her cards well , early as it is .

the girl evidently doesn't think of it yet , " said Mrs Moffat .

" she told that fib about her momma , as if she did know , and colored up when the flowers came quite prettily .

poor thing !

she 'd be so nice if she was only got up in style .

do you think she 'd be offended if we offered to lend her a dress for Thursday ? " asked another voice .

" she 's proud , but I don't believe she 'd mind , for that dowdy tarlaton is all she has got .

she may tear it tonight , and that will be a good excuse for offering a decent one . "

here Meg 's partner appeared , to find her looking much flushed and rather agitated .

for , innocent and unsuspicious as she was , she could not help understanding the gossip of her friends .

her innocent friendship with Laurie was spoiled by the silly speeches she had overheard .

everybody dawdled that morning , and it was noon before the girls found energy enough even to take up their worsted work .

something in the manner of her friends struck Meg at once .

" Daisy , dear , I 've sent an invitation to your friend , Mr Laurence , for Thursday .

we should like to know him , and it 's only a proper compliment to you . "

" why not , Cherie ? " asked Miss Belle .

" he 's too old . "

" my child , what do you mean ?

what is his age , I beg to know ! " cried Miss Clara .

" nearly seventy , I believe , " answered Meg , counting stitches to hide the merriment in her eyes .

" you sly creature !

of course we meant the young man , " exclaimed Miss Belle , laughing .

" there isn't any , Laurie is only a little boy . "

and Meg laughed also at the queer look which the sisters exchanged as she thus described her supposed lover .

" about your age , " Nan said .

" nearer my sister Jo 's ; I am seventeen in August , " returned Meg , tossing her head .

" it 's very nice of him to send you flowers , isn't it ? " said Annie , looking wise about nothing .

" yes , he often does , to all of us , for their house is full , and we are so fond of them .

" it 's evident Daisy isn't out yet , " said Miss Clara to Belle with a nod .

" quite a pastoral state of innocence all round , " returned Miss Belle with a shrug .

" I 'm going out to get some little matters for my girls .

can I do anything for you , young ladies ? " asked Mrs Moffat , lumbering in like an elephant in silk and lace .

" no , thank you , ma'am , " replied Sallie .

" I 've got my new pink silk for Thursday and don't want a thing . "

" nor I ....x " began Meg , but stopped because it occurred to her that she did want several things and could not have them .

" what shall you wear ? " asked Sallie .

" why don't you send home for another ? " said Sallie , who was not an observing young lady .

" I haven't got any other . "

it cost Meg an effort to say that , but Sallie did not see it and exclaimed in amiable surprise , " only that ?

how funny ....y "

she did not finish her speech , for Belle shook her head at her and broke in , saying kindly ....y

" not at all .

where is the use of having a lot of dresses when she isn't out yet ?

" now do let me please myself by dressing you up in style .

I admire to do it , and you 'd be a regular little beauty with a touch here and there .

on the Thursday evening , Belle shut herself up with her maid , and between them they turned Meg into a fine lady .

" Mademoiselle is charmante , tres jolie , is she not ? " cried Hortense , clasping her hands in an affected rapture .

" come and show yourself , " said Miss Belle , leading the way to the room where the others were waiting .

" you don't look a bit like yourself , but you are very nice .

I 'm nowhere beside you , for Belle has heaps of taste , and you 're quite French , I assure you .

she very soon discovered that there is a charm about fine clothes which attracts a certain class of people and secures their respect .

several young ladies , who had taken no notice of her before , were very affectionate all of a sudden .

she heard Mrs Moffat reply to one of them ....y

" silly creatures , to put such thoughts into my head .

" I 'm glad you came , I was afraid you wouldn't . " she said , with her most grown-up air .

" how absurd of you !

the girls dressed me up for fun , and I rather like it .

wouldn't Jo stare if she saw me ? " said Meg , bent on making him say whether he thought her improved or not .

" yes , I think she would , " returned Laurie gravely .

" don't you like me so ? " asked Meg .

" no , I don't , " was the blunt reply .

" why not ? " in an anxious tone .

" I don't like fuss and feathers . "

as she stood there , Major Lincoln passed by , and a minute after she heard him saying to his mother ....v

" they are making a fool of that little girl .

I wanted you to see her , but they have spoiled her entirely .

she 's nothing but a doll tonight . "

" oh , dear ! " sighed Meg .

" please forgive my rudeness , and come and dance with me . "

" I 'm afraid it will be too disagreeable to you , " said Meg , trying to look offended and failing entirely .

" not a bit of it , I 'm dying to do it .

come , I 'll be good .

I don't like your gown , but I do think you are just splendid . "

and he waved his hands , as if words failed to express his admiration .

Meg smiled and relented , and whispered as they stood waiting to catch the time , " take care my skirt doesn't trip you up .

it 's the plague of my life and I was a goose to wear it . "

" won't I ! " said Laurie , with alacrity .

" please don't tell them at home about my dress tonight .

they won't understand the joke , and it will worry Mother . "

" then why did you do it ? " said Laurie 's eyes , so plainly that Meg hastily added ....y

" I shall tell them myself all about it , and ' fess ' to Mother how silly I 've been .

but I 'd rather do it myself .

so you 'll not tell , will you ? "

" I give you my word I won't , only what shall I say when they ask me ? "

" just say I looked pretty well and was having a good time . "

" I 'll say the first with all my heart , but how about the other ?

you don't look as if you were having a good time .

are you ? "

and Laurie looked at her with an expression which made her answer in a whisper ....y

" no , not just now .

don't think I 'm horrid .

I only wanted a little fun , but this sort doesn't pay , I find , and I 'm getting tired of it . "

" here comes Ned Moffat .

" he put his name down for three dances , and I suppose he 's coming for them .

what a bore ! " said Meg , assuming a languid air which amused Laurie immensely .

" you 'll have a splitting headache tomorrow , if you drink much of that .

" I 'm not Meg tonight , I 'm ' a doll ' who does all sorts of crazy things .

tomorrow I shall put away my ' fuss and feathers ' and be desperately good again , " she answered with an affected little laugh .

" Wish tomorrow was here , then , " muttered Laurie , walking off , ill-pleased at the change he saw in her .

Meg danced and flirted , chattered and giggled , as the other girls did .

but he got no chance to deliver it , for Meg kept away from him till he came to say good night .

" remember ! " she said , trying to smile , for the splitting headache had already begun .

" silence a la mort , " replied Laurie , with a melodramatic flourish , as he went away .

" it does seem pleasant to be quiet , and not have company manners on all the time .

for motherly eyes are quick to see any change in children 's faces .

" Marmee , I want to ' fess ' . "

" I thought so .

what is it , dear ? "

" shall I go away ? " asked Jo discreetly .

" of course not .

don't I always tell you everything ?

" we are prepared , " said Mrs. March , smiling but looking a little anxious .

Laurie thought I wasn't proper .

I know he did , though he didn't say so , and one man called me ' a doll ' .

" no , I drank champagne and romped and tried to flirt , and was altogether abominable , " said Meg self-reproachfully .

" there is something more , I think . "

and Mrs. March smoothed the soft cheek , which suddenly grew rosy as Meg answered slowly ....y

" yes .

" well , if that isn't the greatest rubbish I ever heard , " cried Jo indignantly .

" why didn't you pop out and tell them so on the spot ? "

" I couldn't , it was so embarrassing for me .

" just wait till I see Annie Moffat , and I 'll show you how to settle such ridiculous stuff .

the idea of having ' plans ' and being kind to Laurie because he 's rich and may marry us by-and-by !

won't he shout when I tell him what those silly things say about us poor children ? "

and Jo laughed , as if on second thoughts the thing struck her as a good joke .

" if you tell Laurie , I 'll never forgive you !

she mustn't , must she , Mother ? " said Meg , looking distressed .

" no , never repeat that foolish gossip , and forget it as soon as you can , " said Mrs . march gravely .

I am more sorry than I can express for the mischief this visit may have done you , Meg . "

" don't be sorry , I won't let it hurt me .

I 'll not be sentimental or dissatisfied , Mother .

I know I 'm a silly little girl , and I 'll stay with you till I 'm fit to take care of myself .

" mother , do you have ' plans ' , as Mrs Moffat said ? " asked Meg bashfully .

holding a hand of each , and watching the two young faces wistfully , Mrs. march said , in her serious yet cheery way ....v

" I want my daughters to be beautiful , accomplished , and good .

to be admired , loved , and respected .

" poor girls don't stand any chance , Belle says , unless they put themselves forward , " sighed Meg .

" then we 'll be old maids , " said Jo stoutly .

" right , Jo .

better be happy old maids than unhappy wives , or unmaidenly girls , running about to find husbands , " said Mrs. March decidedly .

" don't be troubled , Meg , poverty seldom daunts a sincere lover .

leave these things to time .

one thing remember , my girls .

" we will , Marmee , we will ! " cried both , with all their hearts , as she bade them good night .

CHAPTER TEN

THE P.C. AND P.O .

the garden had to be put in order , and each sister had a quarter of the little plot to do what she liked with .

Meg 's had roses and heliotrope , myrtle , and a little orange tree in it .

Jo 's bed was never alike two seasons , for she was always trying experiments .

" THE PICKWICK PORTFOLIO "

@date@

POET'S CORNER

ANNIVERSARY ODE

again we meet to celebrate With badge and solemn rite , Our fifty-second anniversary , In Pickwick Hall , tonight .

our Pickwick , always at his post , With reverence we greet , As , spectacles on nose , he reads Our well-filled weekly sheet .

old six-foot Snodgrass looms on high , With elephantine grace , And beams upon the company , With brown and jovial face .

poetic fire lights up his eye , He struggles ' gainst his lot .

behold ambition on his brow , And on his nose , a blot .

prim little Winkle too is here , With every hair in place , A model of propriety , Though he hates to wash his face .

A SNODGRASS

THE MASKED MARRIAGE ( A Tale Of Venice )

Knights and ladies , elves and pages , monks and flower girls , all mingled gaily in the dance .

sweet voices and rich melody filled the air , and so with mirth and music the masquerade went on .

" yes , is she not lovely , though so sad !

her dress is well chosen , too , for in a week she weds Count Antonio , whom she passionately hates . "

" by my faith , I envy him .

Yonder he comes , arrayed like a bridegroom , except the black mask .

" my lords and ladies , pardon the ruse by which I have gathered you here to witness the marriage of my daughter .

father , we wait your services . "

curiosity and wonder possessed all hearts , but respect restrained all tongues till the holy rite was over .

then the eager spectators gathered round the count , demanding an explanation .

now , my children , let the play end .

unmask and receive my blessing . "

S PICKWICK

why is the P . C ..y like the Tower of Babel ?

it is full of unruly members .

THE HISTORY OF A SQUASH

one day in October , when they were ripe , he picked one and took it to market .

a grocerman bought and put it in his shop .

T TUPMAN

yours respectably , N WINKLE

The above is a manly and handsome acknowledgment of past misdemeanors .

if our young friend studied punctuation , it would be well .

a SAD ACCIDENT

on Friday last , we were startled by a violent shock in our basement , followed by cries of distress .

ED .

THE PUBLIC BEREAVEMENT

it is our painful duty to record the sudden and mysterious disappearance of our cherished friend , Mrs Snowball Pat Paw .

a sympathizing friend sends the following gem :

a LAMENT ( FOR S B PAT PAW )

the little grave where her infant sleeps Is ' neath the chestnut tree .

but o'er her grave we may not weep , We know not where it may be .

A.S.

ADVERTISEMENTS

a WEEKLY MEETING will be held at Kitchen Place , to teach young ladies how to cook .

Hannah Brown will preside , and all are invited to attend .

the DUSTPAN SOCIETY will meet on Wednesday next , and parade in the upper story of the Club House .

all members to appear in uniform and shoulder their brooms at nine precisely .

Mrs BETH BOUNCER will open her new assortment of Doll 's Millinery next week .

the latest Paris fashions have arrived , and orders are respectfully solicited .

" the Greek Slave , or Constantine the Avenger , " is the name of this thrilling drama ! ! !

HINTS

if S.P. didn't use so much soap on his hands , he wouldn't always be late at breakfast .

A.S. is requested not to whistle in the street .

T.T . please don't forget Amy 's napkin .

N.W. must not fret because his dress has not nine tucks .

WEEKLY REPORT

Meg Good .

Jo Bad .

Beth Very Good .

Amy Middling .

I propose Mr Theodore Laurence as an honorary member of the P . C ..y come now , do have him . "

" we 'll put it to a vote , " said the President .

" all in favor of this motion please to manifest it by saying , ' Aye ' . "

a loud response from Snodgrass , followed , to everybody 's surprise , by a timid one from Beth .

" Contrary-minded say , ' No ' . "

this is a ladies ' club , and we wish to be private and proper . "

up rose Snodgrass , very much in earnest .

" sir , I give you my word as a gentleman , Laurie won't do anything of the sort .

he likes to write , and he 'll give a tone to our contributions and keep us from being sentimental , don't you see ?

this artful allusion to benefits conferred brought Tupman to his feet , looking as if he had quite made up his mind .

" yes ; we ought to do it , even if we are afraid .

I say he may come , and his grandpa , too , if he likes . "

this spirited burst from Beth electrified the club , and Jo left her seat to shake hands approvingly .

" now then , vote again .

everybody remember it 's our Laurie , and say , ' Aye ! ' " cried Snodgrass excitedly .

" Aye !

Aye !

Aye ! " replied three voices at once .

" good !

bless you !

" you rogue !

you traitor !

" good !

good ! " cried Jo , pounding with the handle of the old warming pan on which she leaned .

I planned it , and she only gave in after lots of teasing . "

" come now , don't lay it all on yourself .

you know I proposed the cupboard , " broke in Snodgrass , who was enjoying the joke amazingly .

" never mind what she says .

I 'm the wretch that did it , sir , " said the new member , with a Welleresque nod to Mr Pickwick .

" but on my honor , I never will do so again , and henceforth devote myself to the interest of this immortal club . "

" hear !

hear ! " cried Jo , clashing the lid of the warming pan like a cymbal .

" go on , go on ! " added Winkle and Tupman , while the President bowed benignly .

allow me to present the club key , and with many thanks for your favor , take my seat . "

a long discussion followed , and everyone came out surprising , for everyone did her best .

no one ever regretted the admittance of Sam Weller , for a more devoted , well-behaved , and jovial member no club could have .

Jo regarded them as worthy of Bacon , Milton , or Shakespeare , and remodeled her own works with good effect , she thought .

CHAPTER ELEVEN

EXPERIMENTS

" the first of June !

the Kings are off to the seashore tomorrow , and I 'm free .

" aunt March went today , for which , oh , be joyful ! " said Jo .

" I was mortally afraid she 'd ask me to go with her .

I didn't hear any more , for I basely turned and fled .

I did actually run , and whisked round the corner where I felt safe . "

" poor old Jo !

she came in looking as if bears were after her , " said Beth , as she cuddled her sister 's feet with a motherly air .

" aunt March is a regular samphire , is she not ? " observed Amy , tasting her mixture critically .

" she means vampire , not seaweed , but it doesn't matter .

it 's too warm to be particular about one 's parts of speech , " murmured Jo .

" what shall you do all your vacation ? " asked Amy , changing the subject with tact .

" I shall lie abed late , and do nothing , " replied Meg , from the depths of the rocking chair .

" no , " said Jo , " that dozy way wouldn't suit me .

" don't say ' larks ! ' " implored Amy , as a return snub for the ' samphire ' correction .

" I 'll say ' nightingales ' then , with Laurie .

that 's proper and appropriate , since he 's a warbler . "

" well , I will , if Mother doesn't mind .

I want to learn some new songs , and my children need fitting up for the summer .

they are dreadfully out of order and really suffering for clothes . "

" May we , Mother ? " asked Meg , turning to Mrs. March , who sat sewing in what they called ' Marmee 's corner ' .

" you may try your experiment for a week and see how you like it .

I think by Saturday night you will find that all play and no work is as bad as all work and no play . "

" oh , dear , no !

it will be delicious , I 'm sure , " said Meg complacently .

" I now propose a toast , as my ' friend and pardner , Sairy Gamp ' , says .

fun forever , and no grubbing ! " cried Jo , rising , glass in hand , as the lemonade went round .

they all drank it merrily , and began the experiment by lounging for the rest of the day .

next morning , Meg did not appear till ten o'clock .

nothing was neat and pleasant but ' Marmee 's corner ' , which looked as usual .

at teatime they compared notes , and all agreed that it had been a delightful , though unusually long day .

Jo had burned the skin off her nose boating , and got a raging headache by reading too long .

but these were mere trifles , and they assured their mother that the experiment was working finely .

she smiled , said nothing , and with Hannah 's help did their neglected work , keeping home pleasant and the domestic machinery running smoothly .

it was astonishing what a peculiar and uncomfortable state of things was produced by the ' resting and reveling ' process .

she didn't like dolls , fairy tales were childish , and one couldn't draw all the time .

tea parties didn't amount to much , neither did picnics , unless very well conducted .

" Mercy on us !

what has happened ? " cried Jo , staring about her in dismay .

Meg ran upstairs and soon came back again , looking relieved but rather bewildered , and a little ashamed .

it 's a very queer thing for her to do , she doesn't act a bit like herself .

but she says it has been a hard week for her , so we mustn't grumble but take care of ourselves . "

so a tray was fitted out before anyone began , and taken up with the cook 's compliments .

Many were the complaints below , and great the chagrin of the head cook at her failures .

we 'll have lettuce and make a salad .

I don't know how , but the book tells .

I 'll have blanc mange and strawberries for dessert , and coffee too , if you want to be elegant . "

" don't try too many messes , Jo , for you can't make anything but gingerbread and molasses candy fit to eat .

" I don't want you to do anything but be civil to him and help to the pudding .

you 'll give me your advice if I get in a muddle , won't you ? " asked Jo , rather hurt .

" yes , but I don't know much , except about bread and a few trifles .

you had better ask Mother 's leave before you order anything , " returned Meg prudently .

" of course I shall .

I 'm not a fool . "

and Jo went off in a huff at the doubts expressed of her powers .

" get what you like , and don't disturb me .

I 'm going out to dinner and can't worry about things at home , " said Mrs. march , when Jo spoke to her .

" everything is out of sorts , somehow , " she said to herself , going downstairs .

" there 's Beth crying , that 's a sure sign that something is wrong in this family .

if Amy is bothering , I 'll shake her . "

" it 's all my fault , I forgot him , there isn't a seed or a drop left .

oh , Pip !

oh , Pip !

how could I be so cruel to you ? " cried Beth , taking the poor thing in her hands and trying to restore him .

" put him in the oven , and maybe he will get warm and revive , " said Amy hopefully .

" he 's been starved , and he shan't be baked now he 's dead .

" the funeral shall be this afternoon , and we will all go .

now , don't cry , Bethy .

it 's a pity , but nothing goes right this week , and Pip has had the worst of the experiment .

leaving the others to console Beth , she departed to the kitchen , which was in a most discouraging state of confusion .

" here 's a sweet prospect ! " muttered Jo , slamming the stove door open , and poking vigorously among the cinders .

having rekindled the fire , she thought she would go to market while the water heated .

by the time she got cleared up , the dinner arrived and the stove was red-hot .

" I say , isn't bread ' riz ' enough when it runs over the pans ? "

they disliked her , but had been taught to be kind to her , simply because she was old and poor and had few friends .

she boiled the asparagus for an hour and was grieved to find the heads cooked off and the stalks harder than ever .

the bread burned black ; for the salad dressing so aggravated her that she could not make it fit to eat .

the potatoes had to be hurried , not to keep the asparagus waiting , and were not done at the last .

the blanc mange was lumpy , and the strawberries not as ripe as they looked , having been skilfully ' deaconed ' .

Miss Crocker tasted first , made a wry face , and drank some water hastily .

" oh , what is it ? " exclaimed Jo , trembling .

" salt instead of sugar , and the cream is sour , " replied Meg with a tragic gesture .

the comical side of the affair suddenly struck her , and she laughed till the tears ran down her cheeks .

they did sober themselves for Beth 's sake .


before the housewives could rest , several people called , and there was a scramble to get ready to see them .

then tea must be got , errands done , and one or two necessary bits of sewing neglected until the last minute .

" what a dreadful day this has been ! " began Jo , usually the first to speak .

" it has seemed shorter than usual , but so uncomfortable , " said Meg .

" not a bit like home , " added Amy .

" Here's Mother , dear , and you shall have another bird tomorrow , if you want it . "

" I don't ! " cried Jo decidedly .

" nor I , " echoed the others .

" you think then , that it is better to have a few duties and live a little for others , do you ? "

" lounging and larking doesn't pay , " observed Jo , shaking her head .

" I 'm tired of it and mean to go to work at something right off . "

" suppose you learn plain cooking .

" yes , I wanted you to see how the comfort of all depends on each doing her share faithfully .

while Hannah and I did your work , you got on pretty well , though I don't think you were very happy or amiable .

so I thought , as a little lesson , I would show you what happens when everyone thinks only of herself .

" we do , Mother , we do ! " cried the girls .

work is wholesome , and there is plenty for everyone .

" we 'll work like bees , and love it too , see if we don't , " said Jo .

" I 'll learn plain cooking for my holiday task , and the next dinner party I have shall be a success . "

" I 'll make the set of shirts for father , instead of letting you do it , Marmee .

I can and I will , though I 'm not fond of sewing .

that will be better than fussing over my own things , which are plenty nice enough as they are . " said Meg .

" I 'll do my lessons every day , and not spend so much time with my music and dolls .

" very good !

then youth will be delightful , old age will bring few regrets , and life become a beautiful success , in spite of poverty . "

" we 'll remember , Mother ! " and they did .

CHAPTER TWELVE

CAMP LAURENCE

one July day she came in with her hands full , and went about the house leaving letters and parcels like the penny post .

" here 's your posy , Mother !

" didn't you drop the other in the garden ? "

" no , I 'm sure I didn't , for there was only one in the office . "

" I hate to have odd gloves !

never mind , the other may be found .

my letter is only a translation of the German song I wanted .

I think Mr Brooke did it , for this isn't Laurie 's writing . "

" what a sly fellow Laurie is !

I said I wished bigger hats were the fashion , because I burn my face every hot day .

he said , ' Why mind the fashion ?

wear a big hat , and be comfortable ! '

I said I would if I had one , and he has sent me this , to try me .

I 'll wear it for fun , and show him I don't care for the fashion . "

and hanging the antique broad-brim on a bust of Plato , Jo read her letters .

one from her mother made her cheeks glow and her eyes fill , for it said to her ....y

my Dear :

I write a little word to tell you with how much satisfaction I watch your efforts to control your temper .

I , too , have seen them all , and heartily believe in the sincerity of your resolution , since it begins to bear fruit .

go on , dear , patiently and bravely , and always believe that no one sympathizes more tenderly with you than your loving ....v

mother

" that does me good !

that 's worth millions of money and pecks of praise .

oh , Marmee , I do try !

I will keep on trying , and not get tired , since I have you to help me . "

in a big , dashing hand , Laurie wrote ....y

dear Jo , What ho !

some English girls and boys are coming to see me tomorrow and I want to have a jolly time .

they are nice people , and like such things .

Brooke will go to keep us boys steady , and Kate Vaughn will play propriety for the girls .

I want you all to come , can't let Beth off at any price , and nobody shall worry her .

don't bother about rations , I 'll see to that and everything else , only do come , there 's a good fellow !

in a tearing hurry , Yours ever , Laurie .

" Here's richness ! " cried Jo , flying in to tell the news to Meg .

" of course we can go , Mother ?

" I hope the Vaughns are not fine grown-up people .

do you know anything about them , Jo ? " asked Meg .

" only that there are four of them .

Laurie knew them abroad , and liked the boys .

I fancied , from the way he primmed up his mouth in speaking of her , that he didn't admire Kate much . "

" I 'm so glad my French print is clean , it 's just the thing and so becoming ! " observed Meg complacently .

" have you anything decent , Jo ? "

" scarlet and gray boating suit , good enough for me .

I shall row and tramp about , so I don't want any starch to think of .

you 'll come , Betty ? "

" if you won't let any boys talk to me . "

" not a boy ! "

" I like to please Laurie , and I 'm not afraid of Mr Brooke , he is so kind .

but I don't want to play , or sing , or say anything .

I 'll work hard and not trouble anyone , and you 'll take care of me , Jo , so I 'll go . "

" that 's my good girl .

you do try to fight off your shyness , and I love you for it .

fighting faults isn't easy , as I know , and a cheery word kind of gives a lift .

" I had a box of chocolate drops , and the picture I wanted to copy , " said Amy , showing her mail .

when the sun peeped into the girls ' room early next morning to promise them a fine day , he saw a comical sight .

each had made such preparation for the fete as seemed necessary and proper .

sunshine and laughter were good omens for a pleasure party , and soon a lively bustle began in both houses .

" there goes the man with the tent !

I see Mrs Barker doing up the lunch in a hamper and a great basket .

now Mr Laurence is looking up at the sky and the weathercock .

I wish he would go too .

there 's Laurie , looking like a sailor , nice boy !

oh , mercy me !

here 's a carriage full of people , a tall lady , a little girl , and two dreadful boys .

one is lame , poor thing , he 's got a crutch .

Laurie didn't tell us that .

be quick , girls !

it 's getting late .

why , there is Ned Moffat , I do declare .

Meg , isn't that the man who bowed to you one day when we were shopping ? "

" so it is .

how queer that he should come .

I thought he was at the mountains .

there is Sallie .

I 'm glad she got back in time .

am I all right , Jo ? " cried Meg in a flutter .

" a regular daisy .

hold up your dress and put your hat on straight , it looks sentimental tipped that way and will fly off at the first puff .

now then , come on ! "

" oh , Jo , you are not going to wear that awful hat ?

it 's too absurd !

" I just will , though , for it 's capital , so shady , light , and big .

it will make fun , and I don't mind being a guy if I 'm comfortable . "

Laurie ran to meet and present them to his friends in the most cordial manner .

the lawn was the reception room , and for several minutes a lively scene was enacted there .

Jo 's funny hat deserved a vote of thanks , for it was of general utility .

Miss Kate decided that she was ' odd ' , but rather clever , and smiled upon her from afar .

Mr Brooke was a grave , silent young man , with handsome brown eyes and a pleasant voice .

Meg liked his quiet manners and considered him a walking encyclopedia of useful knowledge .

Ned , being in college , of course put on all the airs which freshmen think it their bounden duty to assume .

he was not very wise , but very good-natured , and altogether an excellent person to carry on a picnic .

it was not far to Longmeadow , but the tent was pitched and the wickets down by the time they arrived .

a pleasant green field , with three wide-spreading oaks in the middle and a smooth strip of turf for croquet .

" welcome to Camp Laurence ! " said the young host , as they landed with exclamations of delight .

now , let's have a game before it gets hot , and then we 'll see about dinner . "

Frank , Beth , Amy , and Grace sat down to watch the game played by the other eight .

Mr Brooke chose Meg , Kate , and Fred .

Laurie took Sallie , Jo , and Ned .

Jo and Fred had several skirmishes and once narrowly escaped high words .

Jo was through the last wicket and had missed the stroke , which failure ruffled her a good deal .

Fred was close behind her and his turn came before hers .

he gave a stroke , his ball hit the wicket , and stopped an inch on the wrong side .

" I 'm through !

" you pushed it .

I saw you .

it 's my turn now , " said Jo sharply .

" upon my word , I didn't move it .

it rolled a bit , perhaps , but that is allowed .

so , stand off please , and let me have a go at the stake . "

" we don't cheat in America , but you can , if you choose , " said Jo angrily .

" Yankees are a deal the most tricky , everybody knows .

there you go ! " returned Fred , croqueting her ball far away .

" by George , it 's all up with us !

goodbye , Kate .

Miss Jo owes me one , so you are finished , " cried Fred excitedly , as they all drew near to see the finish .

he did cheat , I saw him .

we can't tell him so , but he won't do it again , take my word for it . "

" don't praise me , Meg , for I could box his ears this minute .

I should certainly have boiled over if I hadn't stayed among the nettles till I got my rage under control enough to hold my tongue .

" time for lunch , " said Mr Brooke , looking at his watch .

who can make good coffee ? "

" Jo can , " said Meg , glad to recommend her sister .

Miss Kate sketched and Frank talked to Beth , who was making little mats of braided rushes to serve as plates .

the commander in chief and his aides soon spread the tablecloth with an inviting array of eatables and drinkables , prettily decorated with green leaves .

" there 's salt here , " said Laurie , as he handed Jo a saucer of berries .

" thank you , I prefer spiders , " she replied , fishing up two unwary little ones who had gone to a creamy death .

" I had an uncommonly good time that day , and haven't got over it yet .

this is no credit to me , you know , I don't do anything .

it 's you and Meg and Brooke who make it all go , and I 'm no end obliged to you .

" have games till it 's cooler .

I brought Authors , and I dare say Miss Kate knows something new and nice .

go and ask her .

she 's company , and you ought to stay with her more . "

" aren't you company too ?

I thought she 'd suit Brooke , but he keeps talking to Meg , and Kate just stares at them through that ridiculous glass of hers .

I 'm going , so you needn't try to preach propriety , for you can't do it , Jo . "

it 's very funny when well done , and makes a perfect jumble of tragical comical stuff to laugh over .

one day , as he went prancing down a quiet street , he saw at the window of a ruinous castle the lovely face .

at last he resolved to get into the castle and ask how he could help them .

he went and knocked .

the great door flew open , and he beheld ....y "

" a ravishingly lovely lady , who exclaimed , with a cry of rapture , ' At last !

at last ! ' " continued Kate , who had read French novels , and admired the style .

" ' Tis she ! ' cried Count Gustave , and fell at her feet in an ecstasy of joy .

' Oh , rise ! ' she said , extending a hand of marble fairness .

' Never !

till you tell me how I may rescue you , ' swore the knight , still kneeling .

' Alas , my cruel fate condemns me to remain here till my tyrant is destroyed . '

' Where is the villain ? '

' In the mauve salon .

go , brave heart , and save me from despair . '

' I obey , and return victorious or dead ! '

" a stunning blow from the big Greek lexicon , which an old fellow in a black gown fired at him , " said Ned .

at the top of these steps he came plump upon a sight that took his breath away and chilled his blood ....y "

" it beckoned , gliding noiselessly before him down a corridor as dark and cold as any tomb .

they reached a curtained door , behind which sounded lovely music .

he sprang forward to enter , but the specter plucked him back , and waved threateningly before him a ....y "

" snuffbox , " said Jo , in a sepulchral tone , which convulsed the audience .

" ' Thankee , ' said the knight politely , as he took a pinch and sneezed seven times so violently that his head fell off .

' Ha !

' Go in and win , my hearties ! ' says the captain , and a tremendous fight began .

of course the British beat they always do . "

" no , they don't ! " cried Jo , aside .

the Portuguese held his tongue like a brick , and walked the plank , while the jolly tars cheered like mad .

" oh , gracious !

so the diver hoisted it up , and was much disappointed on opening it to find no pearls .

he left it in a great lonely field , where it was found by a ....y "

" little goose girl , who kept a hundred fat geese in the field , " said Amy , when Sallie 's invention gave out .

" the little girl was sorry for them , and asked an old woman what she should do to help them .

' Your geese will tell you , they know everything . ' said the old woman .

" ' Cabbages ! ' " continued Laurie promptly .

" ' Just the thing , ' said the girl , and ran to get twelve fine ones from her garden .

peeping over the hedge , he saw the queen of his affections picking flowers in her garden .

' Will you give me a rose ? ' said he .

' You must come and get it .

I can't come to you , it isn't proper , ' said she , as sweet as honey .

he tried to climb over the hedge , but it seemed to grow higher and higher .

then he tried to push through , but it grew thicker and thicker , and he was in despair .

let me in ! '

but the pretty princess did not seem to understand , for she picked her roses quietly , and left him to fight his way in .

whether he did or not , Frank will tell you . "

" I can't .

Beth had disappeared behind Jo , and Grace was asleep .

" what a piece of nonsense we have made !

with practice we might do something quite clever .

do you know Truth ? "

" I hope so , " said Meg soberly .

" the game , I mean ? "

" what is it ? " said Fred .

it 's great fun . "

" let's try it , " said Jo , who liked new experiments .

" who are your heroes ? " asked Jo .

" grandfather and Napoleon . "

" which lady here do you think prettiest ? " said Sallie .

" Margaret . "

" which do you like best ? " from Fred .

" Jo , of course . "

" what silly questions you ask ! "

and Jo gave a disdainful shrug as the rest laughed at Laurie 's matter-of-fact tone .

" try again .

truth isn't a bad game , " said Fred .

" it 's a very good one for you , " retorted Jo in a low voice .

her turn came next .

" what is your greatest fault ? " asked Fred , by way of testing in her the virtue he lacked himself .

" a quick temper . "

" what do you most wish for ? " said Laurie .

" a pair of boot lacings , " returned Jo , guessing and defeating his purpose .

" not a true answer .

you must say what you really do want most . "

" genius .

don't you wish you could give it to me , Laurie ? "

and she slyly smiled in his disappointed face .

" what virtues do you most admire in a man ? " asked Sallie .

" courage and honesty . "

" now my turn , " said Fred , as his hand came last .

" let's give it to him , " whispered Laurie to Jo , who nodded and asked at once ....y

" didn't you cheat at croquet ? "

" well , yes , a little bit . "

" good !

didn't you take your story out of The Sea Lion ? " said Laurie .

" rather . "

" don't you think the English nation perfect in every respect ? " asked Sallie .

" I should be ashamed of myself if I didn't . "

" he 's a true John Bull .

now , Miss Sallie , you shall have a chance without waiting to draw .

" you impertinent boy !

of course I'm not , " exclaimed Sallie , with an air that proved the contrary .

" what do you hate most ? " asked Fred .

" Spiders and rice pudding . "

" what do you like best ? " asked Jo .

" dancing and French gloves . "

" well , I think Truth is a very silly play .

let's have a sensible game of Authors to refresh our minds , " proposed Jo .

Ned , Frank , and the little girls joined in this , and while it went on , the three elders sat apart , talking .

" how beautifully you do it !

I wish I could draw , " said Meg , with mingled admiration and regret in her voice .

" why don't you learn ?

I should think you had taste and talent for it , " replied Miss Kate graciously .

" I haven't time . "

" your mamma prefers other accomplishments , I fancy .

can't you do the same with your governess ? "

" I have none . "

" I forgot young ladies in America go to school more than with us .

very fine schools they are , too , Papa says .

you go to a private one , I suppose ? "

" I don't go at all .

I am a governess myself . "

" oh , yes , of course it 's very nice and proper in them to do so .

" did the German song suit , Miss March ? " inquired Mr Brooke , breaking an awkward pause .

" oh , yes !

it was very sweet , and I 'm much obliged to whoever translated it for me . "

and Meg 's downcast face brightened as she spoke .

" don't you read German ? " asked Miss Kate with a look of surprise .

" not very well .

" try a little now .

here is Schiller 's Mary Stuart and a tutor who loves to teach . "

and Mr Brooke laid his book on her lap with an inviting smile .

" I 'll read a bit to encourage you . "

and Miss Kate read one of the most beautiful passages in a perfectly correct but perfectly expressionless manner .

Mr Brooke made no comment as she returned the book to Meg , who said innocently , " I thought it was poetry . "

" some of it is .

try this passage . "

there was a queer smile about Mr Brooke 's mouth as he opened at poor Mary 's lament .

I advise you to learn , for German is a valuable accomplishment to teachers .

I must look after Grace , she is romping . "

what odd people these Yankees are .

I 'm afraid Laurie will be quite spoiled among them . "

" tutors also have rather a hard time of it there , as I know to my sorrow .

there 's no place like America for us workers , Miss Margaret . "

and Mr Brooke looked so contented and cheerful that Meg was ashamed to lament her hard lot .

" I 'm glad I live in it then .

I don't like my work , but I get a good deal of satisfaction out of it after all , so I won't complain .

I only wished I liked teaching as you do . "

" I think you would if you had Laurie for a pupil .

I shall be very sorry to lose him next year , " said Mr Brooke , busily punching holes in the turf .

" going to college , I suppose ? "

Meg 's lips asked the question , but her eyes added , " and what becomes of you ? "

I am needed . "

" I am glad of that ! " exclaimed Meg .

" I dote upon it .

" tell me about Ellen Tree .

is it a donkey ? " asked Grace curiously .

" how funny ! " laughed Grace .

" I have a pony at home , and ride nearly every day in the park with Fred and Kate .

it 's very nice , for my friends go too , and the Row is full of ladies and gentlemen . "

" dear , how charming !

can I do anything for you ? "

" talk to me , please .

it 's dull , sitting by myself , " answered Frank , who had evidently been used to being made much of at home .

my heart !

what shall I do ?

" bless her heart !

she pities him , so she is good to him , " said Jo , beaming at her from the croquet ground .

" I always said she was a little saint , " added Meg , as if there could be no further doubt of it .

" my sister Beth is a very fastidious girl , when she likes to be , " said Amy , well pleased at Beth 's success .

she meant ' facinating ' , but as Grace didn't know the exact meaning of either word , fastidious sounded well and made a good impression .

an impromptu circus , fox and geese , and an amicable game of croquet finished the afternoon .

Ned , getting sentimental , warbled a serenade with the pensive refrain ....y

alone , alone , ah !

woe , alone ,

and at the lines ....y

we each are young , we each have a heart , Oh , why should we stand thus coldly apart ?

he looked at Meg with such a lackadiasical expression that she laughed outright and spoiled his song .

" how can you be so cruel to me ? " he whispered , under cover of a lively chorus .

" you 've kept close to that starched-up Englishwoman all day , and now you snub me . "

" not a particle , but she 's a dear , " returned Sallie , defending her friend even while confessing her shortcomings .

" I quite agree with you , " said Mr Brooke .

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CASTLES IN THE AIR

peeping through the meshes of the hammock , he saw the Marches coming out , as if bound on some expedition .

each wore a large , flapping hat , a brown linen pouch slung over one shoulder , and carried a long staff .

Meg had a cushion , Jo a book , Beth a basket , and Amy a portfolio .

" well , that 's cool , " said Laurie to himself , " to have a picnic and never ask me !

they can't be going in the boat , for they haven't got the key .

perhaps they forgot it .

I 'll take it to them , and see what 's going on . "

" here 's a landscape ! " thought Laurie , peeping through the bushes , and looking wide-awake and good-natured already .

Beth was sorting the cones that lay thick under the hemlock near by , for she made pretty things with them .

Amy was sketching a group of ferns , and Jo was knitting as she read aloud .

" may I come in , please ?

or shall I be a bother ? " he asked , advancing slowly .

Meg lifted her eyebrows , but Jo scowled at her defiantly and said at once , " of course you may .

we should have asked you before , only we thought you wouldn't care for such a girl 's game as this . "

" I always like your games , but if Meg doesn't want me , I 'll go away . "

" I 've no objection , if you do something .

it 's against the rules to be idle here , " replied Meg gravely but graciously .

" much obliged .

I 'll do anything if you 'll let me stop a bit , for it 's as dull as the Desert of Sahara down there .

shall I sew , read , cone , draw , or do all at once ?

bring on your bears .

I 'm ready . "

and Laurie sat down with a submissive expression delightful to behold .

" finish this story while I set my heel , " said Jo , handing him the book .

" please , ma'am , could I inquire if this highly instructive and charming institution is a new one ? "

" would you tell him ? " asked Meg of her sisters .

" he 'll laugh , " said Amy warningly .

" who cares ? " said Jo .

" I guess he 'll like it , " added Beth .

" of course I shall !

I give you my word I won't laugh .

tell away , Jo , and don't be afraid . "

" the idea of being afraid of you !

" yes , I know , " said Laurie , nodding wisely .

" who told you ? " demanded Jo .

" spirits . "

" no , I did .

I wanted to amuse him one night when you were all away , and he was rather dismal .

he did like it , so don't scold , Jo , " said Beth meekly .

" you can't keep a secret .

never mind , it saves trouble now . "

" go on , please , " said Laurie , as Jo became absorbed in her work , looking a trifle displeased .

" oh , didn't she tell you about this new plan of ours ?

well , we have tried not to waste our holiday , but each has had a task and worked at it with a will .

the vacation is nearly over , the stints are all done , and we are ever so glad that we didn't dawdle . "

" yes , I should think so , " and Laurie thought regretfully of his own idle days .

" mother likes to have us out-of-doors as much as possible , so we bring our work here and have nice times .

the sun was low , and the heavens glowed with the splendor of an autumn sunset .

" how beautiful that is ! " said Laurie softly , for he was quick to see and feel beauty of any kind .

" Jo talks about the country where we hope to live sometime the real country , she means , with pigs and chickens and haymaking .

" it seems so long to wait , so hard to do .

I want to fly away at once , as those swallows fly , and go in at that splendid gate . "

" you 'll get there , Beth , sooner or later , no fear of that , " said Jo .

" I 'm the one that will have to fight and work , and climb and wait , and maybe never get in after all . "

" you 'll have me for company , if that 's any comfort .

I shall have to do a deal of traveling before I come in sight of your Celestial City .

if I arrive late , you 'll say a good word for me , won't you , Beth ? "

" you 'd have to take your favorite one .

what is it ? " asked Meg .

" if I tell mine , will you tell yours ? "

" yes , if the girls will too . "

" we will .

now , Laurie . "

I 'm to be a famous musician myself , and all creation is to rush to hear me .

and I 'm never to be bothered about money or business , but just enjoy myself and live for what I like .

that 's my favorite castle .

what 's yours , Meg ? "

how I should enjoy it !

for I wouldn't be idle , but do good , and make everyone love me dearly . "

" wouldn't you have a master for your castle in the air ? " asked Laurie slyly .

" why don't you say you 'd have a splendid , wise , good husband and some angelic little children ?

" you 'd have nothing but horses , inkstands , and novels in yours , " answered Meg petulantly .

" wouldn't I though ?

I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle , something heroic or wonderful that won't be forgotten after I 'm dead .

I don't know what , but I 'm on the watch for it , and mean to astonish you all some day .

I think I shall write books , and get rich and famous , that would suit me , so that is my favorite dream . "

" mine is to stay at home safe with Father and Mother , and help take care of the family , " said Beth contentedly .

" don't you wish for anything else ? " asked Laurie .

" since I had my little piano , I am perfectly satisfied .

I only wish we may all keep well and be together , nothing else . "

" we 're an ambitious set , aren't we ?

every one of us , but Beth , wants to be rich and famous , and gorgeous in every respect .

I do wonder if any of us will ever get our wishes , " said Laurie , chewing grass like a meditative calf .

" I 've got the key to mine , but I 'm not allowed to try it .

hang college ! " muttered Laurie with an impatient sigh .

" here 's mine ! " and Amy waved her pencil .

" I haven't got any , " said Meg forlornly .

" yes , you have , " said Laurie at once .

" where ? "

" In your face . "

" nonsense , that 's of no use . "

" bless me !

how old I shall be , twenty-seven ! " exclaimed Meg , who felt grown up already , having just reached seventeen .

" you and I will be twenty-six , Teddy , Beth twenty-four , and Amy twenty-two .

what a venerable party ! " said Jo .

" you need a motive , Mother says , and when you get it , she is sure you 'll work splendidly . "

" is she ?

by Jupiter , I will , if I only get the chance ! " cried Laurie , sitting up with sudden energy .

he wants me to be an India merchant , as he was , and I 'd rather be shot .

going to college ought to satisfy him , for if I give him four years he ought to let me off from the business .

if there was anyone left to stay with the old gentleman , I 'd do it tomorrow . "

" that 's not right , Jo .

you mustn't talk in that way , and Laurie mustn't take your bad advice .

you should do just what your grandfather wishes , my dear boy , " said Meg in her most maternal tone .

" so he is , dear old fellow ! " said Laurie heartily , as Meg paused , looking flushed and earnest with her story .

Brooke couldn't understand why your mother was so kind to him , asking him over with me and treating him in her beautiful friendly way .

he thought she was just perfect , and talked about it for days and days , and went on about you all in flaming style .

if ever I do get my wish , you see what I 'll do for Brooke . "

" begin to do something now by not plaguing his life out , " said Meg sharply .

" how do you know I do , Miss ? "

" I can always tell by his face when he goes away .

if you have been good , he looks satisfied and walks briskly .

if you have plagued him , he 's sober and walks slowly , as if he wanted to go back and do his work better . "

" well , I like that ?

so you keep an account of my good and bad marks in Brooke 's face , do you ?

I see him bow and smile as he passes your window , but I didn't know you 'd got up a telegraph . "

" we haven't .

don't be angry , and oh , don't tell him I said anything !

" only if Brooke is going to be a thermometer , I must mind and have fair weather for him to report . "

" please don't be offended .

I didn't mean to preach or tell tales or be silly .

I only thought Jo was encouraging you in a feeling which you 'd be sorry for by-and-by .

you are so kind to us , we feel as if you were our brother and say just what we think .

forgive me , I meant it kindly . "

and Meg offered her hand with a gesture both affectionate and timid .

ashamed of his momentary pique , Laurie squeezed the kind little hand , and said frankly , " I 'm the one to be forgiven .

I 'm cross and have been out of sorts all day .

I like to have you tell me my faults and be sisterly , so don't mind if I am grumpy sometimes .

I thank you all the same . "

" may I come again ? " asked Laurie .

" I 'll try . "

" then you may come , and I 'll teach you to knit as the Scotchmen do .

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

SECRETS

Jo was very busy in the garret , for the October days began to grow chilly , and the afternoons were short .

" there , I 've done my best !

if this won't suit I shall have to wait till I can do better . "

Jo 's desk up here was an old tin kitchen which hung against the wall .

once there , she composed herself , hailed a passing omnibus , and rolled away to town , looking very merry and mysterious .

this maneuver she repeated several times , to the great amusement of a black-eyed young gentleman lounging in the window of a building opposite .

when she saw the young gentleman she looked anything but pleased , and passed him with a nod .

but he followed , asking with an air of sympathy , " did you have a bad time ? "

" not very . "

" you got through quickly . "

" yes , thank goodness ! "

" why did you go alone ? "

" didn't want anyone to know . "

" you 're the oddest fellow I ever saw .

how many did you have out ? "

Jo looked at her friend as if she did not understand him , then began to laugh as if mightily amused at something .

" there are two which I want to have come out , but I must wait a week . "

" what are you laughing at ?

you are up to some mischief , Jo , " said Laurie , looking mystified .

" so are you .

what were you doing , sir , up in that billiard saloon ? "

" I 'm glad of that . "

" why ? "

Laurie burst out with a hearty boy 's laugh , which made several passers-by smile in spite of themselves .

" I 'll teach you whether we play Hamlet or not .

it 's grand fun and will straighten you up capitally .

but I don't believe that was your only reason for saying ' I 'm glad ' in that decided way , was it now ? "

" no , I was glad that you were not in the saloon , because I hope you never go to such places .

do you ? "

" not often . "

" I wish you wouldn't . "

" it 's no harm , Jo .

I did hope you 'd stay respectable and be a satisfaction to your friends , " said Jo , shaking her head .

" can't a fellow take a little innocent amusement now and then without losing his respectability ? " asked Laurie , looking nettled .

" that depends upon how and where he takes it .

I don't like Ned and his set , and wish you 'd keep out of it .

mother won't let us have him at our house , though he wants to come .

and if you grow like him she won't be willing to have us frolic together as we do now . "

" won't she ? " asked Laurie anxiously .

" well , she needn't get out her bandboxes yet .

I 'm not a fashionable party and don't mean to be , but I do like harmless larks now and then , don't you ? "

" yes , nobody minds them , so lark away , but don't get wild , will you ?

or there will be an end of all our good times . "

" I 'll be a double distilled saint . "

" I can't bear saints .

Just be a simple , honest , respectable boy , and we 'll never desert you .

I don't know what I should do if you acted like Mr King 's son .

" you think I 'm likely to do the same ?

much obliged . "

I shouldn't worry then . "

" do you worry about me , Jo ? "

" are you going to deliver lectures all the way home ? " he asked presently .

" of course not .

why ? "

" because if you are , I 'll take a bus .

if you 're not , I 'd like to walk with you and tell you something very interesting . "

" I won't preach any more , and I 'd like to hear the news immensely . "

" very well , then , come on .

it 's a secret , and if I tell you , you must tell me yours . "

" I haven't got any , " began Jo , but stopped suddenly , remembering that she had .

" you know you have you can't hide anything , so up and ' fess , or I won't tell , " cried Laurie .

" is your secret a nice one ? "

" oh , isn't it !

all about people you know , and such fun !

you ought to hear it , and I 've been aching to tell it this long time .

come , you begin . "

" you 'll not say anything about it at home , will you ? "

" not a word . "

" and you won't tease me in private ? "

" I never tease . "

" yes , you do .

you get everything you want out of people .

I don't know how you do it , but you are a born wheedler . "

" thank you .

fire away . "

" hush !

" it won't fail .

why , Jo , your stories are works of Shakespeare compared to half the rubbish that is published every day .

won't it be fun to see them in print , and shan't we feel proud of our authoress ? "

" where 's your secret ?

I know where Meg 's glove is . "

" is that all ? " said Jo , looking disappointed , as Laurie nodded and twinkled with a face full of mysterious intelligence .

" it 's quite enough for the present , as you 'll agree when I tell you where it is . "

" tell , then . "

Laurie bent , and whispered three words in Jo 's ear , which produced a comical change .

" saw it . "

" where ? "

" pocket . "

" all this time ? "

" yes , isn't that romantic ? "

" no , it 's horrid . "

" don't you like it ? "

" of course I don't .

it 's ridiculous , it won't be allowed .

my patience !

what would Meg say ? "

" you are not to tell anyone .

mind that . "

" I didn't promise . "

" that was understood , and I trusted you . "

" well , I won't for the present , anyway , but I'm disgusted , and wish you hadn't told me . "

" I thought you 'd be pleased . "

" at the idea of anybody coming to take Meg away ?

no , thank you . "

" you 'll feel better about it when somebody comes to take you away . "

" I 'd like to see anyone try it , " cried Jo fiercely .

" so should I ! " and Laurie chuckled at the idea .

" race down this hill with me , and you 'll be all right , " suggested Laurie .

" I wish I was a horse , then I could run for miles in this splendid air , and not lose my breath .

it was capital , but see what a guy it 's made me .

" what in the world are you doing here ? " she asked , regarding her disheveled sister with well-bred surprise .

" getting leaves , " meekly answered Jo , sorting the rosy handful she had just swept up .

" and hairpins , " added Laurie , throwing half a dozen into Jo 's lap .

" they grow on this road , Meg , so do combs and brown straw hats . "

" you have been running , Jo .

how could you ?

" never till I 'm stiff and old and have to use a crutch .

don't try to make me grow up before my time , Meg .

it 's hard enough to have you change all of a sudden .

let me be a little girl as long as I can . "

" at the Gardiners ' , and Sallie has been telling me all about Belle Moffat 's wedding .

it was very splendid , and they have gone to spend the winter in Paris .

just think how delightful that must be ! "

" Do you envy her , Meg ? " said Laurie .

" I 'm afraid I do . "

" I 'm glad of it ! " muttered Jo , tying on her hat with a jerk .

" why ? " asked Meg , looking surprised .

for a week or two , Jo behaved so queerly that her sisters were quite bewildered .

" what shall we do with that girl ?

she never will behave like a young lady , " sighed Meg , as she watched the race with a disapproving face .

" I hope she won't .

in a few minutes Jo bounced in , laid herself on the sofa , and affected to read .

" have you anything interesting there ? " asked Meg , with condescension .

" you 'd better read it aloud .

that will amuse us and keep you out of mischief , " said Amy in her most grown-up tone .

" what 's the name ? " asked Beth , wondering why Jo kept her face behind the sheet .

" the Rival Painters . "

" that sounds well .

read it , " said Meg .

with a loud " hem ! " and a long breath , Jo began to read very fast .

the girls listened with interest , for the tale was romantic , and somewhat pathetic , as most of the characters died in the end .

" I like that about the splendid picture , " was Amy 's approving remark , as Jo paused .

" I prefer the lovering part .

" who wrote it ? " asked Beth , who had caught a glimpse of Jo 's face .

" you ? " cried Meg , dropping her work .

" it 's very good , " said Amy critically .

" I knew it !

I knew it !

oh , my Jo , I am so proud ! " and Beth ran to hug her sister and exult over this splendid success .

dear me , how delighted they all were , to be sure !

how Meg wouldn't believe it till she saw the words .

" miss Josephine March , " actually printed in the paper .

how Beth got excited , and skipped and sang with joy .

how Hannah came in to exclaim , " sakes alive , well I never ! " in great astonishment at ' that Jo 's doin 's ' .

how proud Mrs . March was when she knew it .

" tell us about it . "

" when did it come ? "

" how much did you get for it ? "

" what will Father say ? "

it was good practice , he said , and when the beginners improved , anyone would pay .

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

a TELEGRAM

" that 's the reason I was born in it , " observed Jo pensively , quite unconscious of the blot on her nose .

" I dare say , but nothing pleasant ever does happen in this family , " said Meg , who was out of sorts .

" we go grubbing along day after day , without a bit of change , and very little fun .

we might as well be in a treadmill . "

" my patience , how blue we are ! " cried Jo .

oh , don't I wish I could manage things for you as I do for my heroines !

you 're pretty enough and good enough already , so I 'd have some rich relation leave you a fortune unexpectedly .

" people don't have fortunes left them in that style nowadays , men have to work and women marry for money .

it 's a dreadfully unjust world , " said Meg bitterly .

" Jo and I are going to make fortunes for you all .

" can't wait , and I 'm afraid I haven't much faith in ink and dirt , though I 'm grateful for your good intentions . "

Meg sighed , and turned to the frostbitten garden again .

Marmee is coming down the street , and Laurie is tramping through the garden as if he had something nice to tell . "

I 've been working away at mathematics till my head is in a muddle , and I 'm going to freshen my wits by a brisk turn .

come , Jo , you and Beth will go , won't you ? "

" of course we will . "

" much obliged , but I 'm busy . "

" we three will be ready in a minute , " cried Amy , running away to wash her hands .

" no , thank you , except call at the office , if you 'll be so kind , dear .

it 's our day for a letter , and the postman hasn't been .

father is as regular as the sun , but there 's some delay on the way , perhaps . "

a sharp ring interrupted her , and a minute after Hannah came in with a letter .

Laurie dashed downstairs for water , while Meg and Hannah supported her , and Jo read aloud , in a frightened voice ....y

Mrs. march : your husband is very ill .

come at once .

S HALE Blank Hospital , Washington .

oh , children , children , help me to bear it ! "

" the Lord keep the dear man !

" she 's right , there 's no time for tears now .

be calm , girls , and let me think . "

" where 's Laurie ? " she asked presently , when she had collected her thoughts and decided on the first duties to be done .

" here , ma'am .

" send a telegram saying I will come at once .

the next train goes early in the morning .

I 'll take that . "

" what else ?

the horses are ready .

I can go anywhere , do anything , " he said , looking ready to fly to the ends of the earth .

" leave a note at Aunt March 's .

Jo , give me that pen and paper . "

" now go , dear , but don't kill yourself driving at a desperate pace .

there is no need of that . "

" Jo , run to the rooms , and tell Mrs King that I can't come .

on the way get these things .

I 'll put them down , they 'll be needed and I must go prepared for nursing .

hospital stores are not always good .

Beth , go and ask Mr Laurence for a couple of bottles of old wine .

I 'm not too proud to beg for Father .

he shall have the best of everything .

there was nothing he didn't offer , from his own dressing gown to himself as escort .

but the last was impossible .

he saw the look , knit his heavy eyebrows , rubbed his hands , and marched abruptly away , saying he 'd be back directly .

" I came to offer myself as escort to your mother .

Mr Laurence has commissions for me in Washington , and it will give me real satisfaction to be of service to her there . "

" how kind you all are !

mother will accept , I 'm sure , and it will be such a relief to know that she has someone to take care of her .

thank you very , very much ! "

the short afternoon wore away .

" my dear , where did you get it ?

twenty-five dollars !

Jo , I hope you haven't done anything rash ? "

" no , it 's mine honestly .

I didn't beg , borrow , or steal it .

I earned it , and I don't think you 'll blame me , for I only sold what was my own . "

as she spoke , Jo took off her bonnet , and a general outcry arose , for all her abundant hair was cut short .

" your hair !

your beautiful hair ! "

" oh , Jo , how could you ?

your one beauty . "

" my dear girl , there was no need of this . "

" she doesn't look like my Jo any more , but I love her dearly for it ! "

it will be good for my vanity , I was getting too proud of my wig .

it will do my brains good to have that mop taken off .

I 'm satisfied , so please take the money and let's have supper . "

" tell me all about it , Jo .

" no , I won't ! " returned Jo stoutly , feeling much relieved that her prank was not entirely condemned .

" you needn't feel wicked , my child !

" I don't see how you dared to do it , " said Beth in a tone of awe .

" oh , he was a little man who looked as if he merely lived to oil his hair .

he rather stared at first , as if he wasn't used to having girls bounce into his shop and ask him to buy their hair .

he said he didn't care about mine , it wasn't the fashionable color , and he never paid much for it in the first place .

the work put into it made it dear , and so on .

so I begged him to take it , and told him why I was in such a hurry .

I 'd do as much for our Jimmy any day if I had a spire of hair worth selling . "

" who was Jimmy ? " asked Amy , who liked to have things explained as they went along .

" her son , she said , who was in the army .

how friendly such things make strangers feel , don't they ?

she talked away all the time the man clipped , and diverted my mind nicely . "

" didn't you feel dreadfully when the first cut came ? " asked Meg , with a shiver .

" I took a last look at my hair while the man got his things , and that was the end of it .

I never snivel over trifles like that .

it almost seemed as if I 'd an arm or leg off .

the woman saw me look at it , and picked out a long lock for me to keep .

Mrs. March folded the wavy chestnut lock , and laid it away with a short gray one in her desk .

Beth went to the piano and played the father 's favorite hymn .

" go to bed and don't talk , for we must be up early and shall need all the sleep we can get .

good night , my darlings , " said Mrs. March , as the hymn ended , for no one cared to try another .

they kissed her quietly , and went to bed as silently as if the dear invalid lay in the next room .

" Jo , dear , what is it ?

are you crying about father ? "

" no , not now . "

" what then ? "

" my ....y

my hair ! " burst out poor Jo , trying vainly to smother her emotion in the pillow .

it did not seem at all comical to Meg , who kissed and caressed the afflicted heroine in the tenderest manner .

" I 'm not sorry , " protested Jo , with a choke .

" I 'd do it again tomorrow , if I could .

it 's only the vain part of me that goes and cries in this silly way .

don't tell anyone , it 's all over now .

I thought you were asleep , so I just made a little private moan for my one beauty .

how came you to be awake ? "

" I can't sleep , I 'm so anxious , " said Meg .

" think about something pleasant , and you 'll soon drop off . "

" I tried it , but felt wider awake than ever . "

" what did you think of ? "

" handsome faces eyes particularly , " answered Meg , smiling to herself in the dark .

" what color do you like best ? "

" brown , that is , sometimes .

blue are lovely . "

there is always light behind the clouds . "

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

LETTERS

in the cold gray dawn the sisters lit their lamp and read their chapter with an earnestness never felt before .

everything seemed very strange when they went down , so dim and still outside , so full of light and bustle within .

breakfast at that early hour seemed odd , and even Hannah 's familiar face looked unnatural as she flew about her kitchen with her nightcap on .

" children , I leave you to Hannah 's care and Mr Laurence 's protection .

Hannah is faithfulness itself , and our good neighbor will guard you as if you were his own .

I have no fears for you , yet I am anxious that you should take this trouble rightly .

go on with your work as usual , for work is a blessed solace .

hope and keep busy , and whatever happens , remember that you never can be fatherless . "

" yes , Mother . "

" Meg , dear , be prudent , watch over your sisters , consult Hannah , and in any perplexity , go to Mr Laurence .

" we will , Mother !

we will ! "

the rattle of an approaching carriage made them all start and listen .

that was the hard minute , but the girls stood it well .

they kissed their mother quietly , clung about her tenderly , and tried to wave their hands cheerfully when she drove away .

" Good-by , my darlings !

" I don't see how they can help it , " returned Mr Brooke , laughing so infectiously that Mrs. March could not help smiling .

and so the journey began with the good omens of sunshine , smiles , and cheerful words .

" it seems as if half the house was gone , " added Meg forlornly .

" now , my dear young ladies , remember what your ma said , and don't fret .

come and have a cup of coffee all round , and then let 's fall to work and be a credit to the family . "

coffee was a treat , and Hannah showed great tact in making it that morning .

no one could resist her persuasive nods , or the fragrant invitation issuing from the nose of the coffee pot .

they drew up to the table , exchanged their handkerchiefs for napkins , and in ten minutes were all right again .

" ' Hope and keep busy ' , that 's the motto for us , so let's see who will remember it best .

I shall go to Aunt March , as usual .

oh , won't she lecture though ! " said Jo , as she sipped with returning spirit .

" no need of that .

Beth and I can keep house perfectly well , " put in Amy , with an important air .

" I think anxiety is very interesting , " observed Amy , eating sugar pensively .

" that 's so like my Beth ! " said Jo , waving her hat , with a grateful face .

" goodbye , Meggy , I hope the Kings won't strain today .

don't fret about Father , dear , " she added , as they parted .

" and I hope Aunt March won't croak .

" that 's my only comfort . "

and , touching her hat a la Laurie , away went Jo , feeling like a shorn sheep on a wintry day .

as one of these packets contained characteristic notes from the party , we will rob an imaginary mail , and read them .

my dearest Mother :

the girls are all as good as gold .

Jo helps me with the sewing , and insists on doing all sorts of hard jobs .

I should be afraid she might overdo , if I didn't know her ' moral fit ' wouldn't last long .

Beth is as regular about her tasks as a clock , and never forgets what you told her .

she grieves about Father , and looks sober except when she is at her little piano .

Amy minds me nicely , and I take great care of her .

she does her own hair , and I am teaching her to make buttonholes and mend her stockings .

she tries very hard , and I know you will be pleased with her improvement when you come .

Mr Laurence watches over us like a motherly old hen , as Jo says , and Laurie is very kind and neighborly .

he and Jo keep us merry , for we get pretty blue sometimes , and feel like orphans , with you so far away .

Hannah is a perfect saint .

we are all well and busy , but we long , day and night , to have you back .

give my dearest love to Father , and believe me , ever your own ....y

MEG

my precious Marmee :

three cheers for dear Father !

Brooke was a trump to telegraph right off , and let us know the minute he was better .

I 'm glad ! "

didn't that do as well as a regular prayer ?

for I felt a great many in my heart .

you 'd laugh to see Meg head the table and try to be motherish .

she gets prettier every day , and I 'm in love with her sometimes .

the children are regular archangels , and I well , I 'm Jo , and never shall be anything else .

oh , I must tell you that I came near having a quarrel with Laurie .

I freed my mind about a silly little thing , and he was offended .

I was right , but didn't speak as I ought , and he marched home , saying he wouldn't come again till I begged pardon .

I declared I wouldn't and got mad .

it lasted all day .

I felt bad and wanted you very much .

Laurie and I are both so proud , it 's hard to beg pardon .

but I thought he 'd come to it , for I was in the right .

he didn't come , and just at night I remembered what you said when Amy fell into the river .

I met him at the gate , coming for the same thing .

we both laughed , begged each other 's pardon , and felt all good and comfortable again .

give him my lovingest hug that ever was , and kiss yourself a dozen times for your ....y

TOPSY-TURVY JO

a SONG FROM THE SUDS

then out in the free fresh air they swing , Under the sunny sky .

then on the earth there would be indeed , A glorious washing day !

along the path of a useful life , Will heart's-ease ever bloom .

the busy mind has no time to think Of sorrow or care or gloom .

and anxious thoughts may be swept away , As we bravely wield a broom .

dear Mother ,

I read every morning , try to be good all day , and sing myself to sleep with Father 's tune .

I can't sing ' LAND OF THE LEAL ' now , it makes me cry .

everyone is very kind , and we are as happy as we can be without you .

Amy wants the rest of the page , so I must stop .

I didn't forget to cover the holders , and I wind the clock and air the rooms every day .

kiss dear Father on the cheek he calls mine .

oh , do come soon to your loving ....y

LITTLE BETH

Ma Chere Mamma ,

can't she ?

didn't I make that interrigation point nice ?

adieu , I send heaps of love to Papa .

your affectionate daughter ....y

AMY CURTIS MARCH

dear Mis March ,

I jes drop a line to say we git on fust rate .

the girls is clever and fly round right smart .

Miss Meg is going to make a proper good housekeeper .

she hes the liking for it , and gits the hang of things surprisin quick .

Beth is the best of little creeters , and a sight of help to me , bein so forehanded and dependable .

she tries to learn everything , and really goes to market beyond her years , likewise keeps accounts , with my help , quite wonderful .

we have got on very economical so fur .

I don't let the girls hev coffee only once a week , accordin to your wish , and keep em on plain wholesome vittles .

Amy does well without frettin , wearin her best clothes and eatin sweet stuff .

the old gentleman sends heaps of things , and is rather wearin , but means wal , and it aint my place to say nothin .

my bread is riz , so no more at this time .

I send my duty to Mr. March , and hope he 's seen the last of his Pewmonia .

yours respectful ,

Hannah Mullet

head Nurse of Ward No . @number@

a salute of twenty-four guns was fired on receipt of good news from Washington , and a dress parade took place at headquarters .

Commander in chief sends best wishes , in which he is heartily joined by ....v

COLONEL TEDDY

Dear Madam :

the little girls are all well .

Beth and my boy report daily .

Hannah is a model servant , and guards pretty Meg like a dragon .

Glad the fine weather holds .

pray make Brooke useful , and draw on me for funds if expenses exceed your estimate .

don't let your husband want anything .

thank God he is mending .

your sincere friend and servant , JAMES LAURENCE

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

LITTLE FAITHFUL

for a week the amount of virtue in the old house would have supplied the neighborhood .

it was really amazing , for everyone seemed in a heavenly frame of mind , and self-denial was all the fashion .

Amy found that housework and art did not go well together , and returned to her mud pies .

Beth kept on , with only slight relapses into idleness or grieving .

so they did , but their mistake was in ceasing to do well , and they learned this lesson through much anxiety and regret .

" Meg , I wish you 'd go and see the Hummels .

you know Mother told us not to forget them . " said Beth , ten days after Mrs. March 's departure .

" I 'm too tired to go this afternoon , " replied Meg , rocking comfortably as she sewed .

" can't you , Jo ? " asked Beth .

" too stormy for me with my cold . "

" I thought it was almost well . "

" why don't you go yourself ? " asked Meg .

" I have been every day , but the baby is sick , and I don't know what to do for it .

Mrs Hummel goes away to work , and Lottchen takes care of it .

but it gets sicker and sicker , and I think you or Hannah ought to go . "

Beth spoke earnestly , and Meg promised she would go tomorrow .

" my head aches and I 'm tired , so I thought maybe some of you would go , " said Beth .

" Amy will be in presently , and she will run down for us , " suggested Meg .

So Beth lay down on the sofa , the others returned to their work , and the Hummels were forgotten .

an hour passed .

it was late when she came back , and no one saw her creep upstairs and shut herself into her mother 's room .

" Christopher Columbus !

" you 've had the scarlet fever , haven't you ? "

" years ago , when Meg did .

why ? "

" then I 'll tell you .

oh , Jo , the baby 's dead ! "

" what baby ? "

" Mrs Hummel 's .

it died in my lap before she got home , " cried Beth with a sob .

" my poor dear , how dreadful for you !

" it wasn't dreadful , Jo , only so sad !

it seemed asleep , but all of a sudden if gave a little cry and trembled , and then lay very still .

" don't cry , dear !

what did you do ? "

" I just sat and held it softly till Mrs Hummel came with the doctor .

he said it was dead , and looked at Heinrich and Minna , who have sore throats .

' Scarlet fever , ma'am .

ought to have called me before , ' he said crossly .

" no , you won't ! " cried Jo , hugging her close , with a frightened look .

" oh , Beth , if you should be sick I never could forgive myself !

what shall we do ? "

" don't be frightened , I guess I shan't have it badly .

" if Mother was only at home ! " exclaimed Jo , seizing the book , and feeling that Washington was an immense way off .

I 'll call Hannah , she knows all about sickness . "

" don't let Amy come .

she never had it , and I should hate to give it to her .

can't you and Meg have it over again ? " asked Beth , anxiously .

" I guess not .

don't care if I do .

" I shall stay , of course , I'm oldest , " began Meg , looking anxious and self-reproachful .

" I shall , because it 's my fault she is sick .

I told Mother I 'd do the errands , and I haven't , " said Jo decidedly .

" which will you have , Beth ?

there ain't no need of but one , " aid Hannah .

" Jo , please . "

and Beth leaned her head against her sister with a contented look , which effectually settled that point .

Amy rebelled outright , and passionately declared that she had rather have the fever than go to Aunt March .

Meg reasoned , pleaded , and commanded , all in vain .

Amy protested that she would not go , and Meg left her in despair to ask Hannah what should be done .

before she came back , Laurie walked into the parlor to find Amy sobbing , with her head in the sofa cushions .

no , don't cry , but hear what a jolly plan I 've got .

you go to Aunt March 's , and I 'll come and take you out every day , driving or walking , and we 'll have capital times .

won't that be better than moping here ? "

" I don't wish to be sent off as if I was in the way , " began Amy , in an injured voice .

" bless your heart , child , it 's to keep you well .

you don't want to be sick , do you ? "

" no , I 'm sure I don't , but I dare say I shall be , for I 've been with Beth all the time . "

" that 's the very reason you ought to go away at once , so that you may escape it .

I advise you to be off as soon as you can , for scarlet fever is no joke , miss . "

" but it 's dull at Aunt March 's , and she is so cross , " said Amy , looking rather frightened .

" it won't be dull with me popping in every day to tell you how Beth is , and take you out gallivanting .

" will you take me out in the trotting wagon with Puck ? "

" on my honor as a gentleman . "

" and come every single day ? "

" see if I don't ! "

" and bring me back the minute Beth is well ? "

" the identical minute . "

" and go to the theater , truly ? "

" a dozen theaters , if we may . "

" well I guess I will , " said Amy slowly .

" good girl !

" she is lying down on Mother's bed , and feels better .

the baby 's death troubled her , but I dare say she has only got cold .

Hannah says she thinks so , but she looks worried , and that makes me fidgety , " answered Meg .

" what a trying world it is ! " said Jo , rumpling up her hair in a fretful way .

" no sooner do we get out of one trouble than down comes another .

there doesn't seem to be anything to hold on to when Mother 's gone , so I 'm all at sea . "

" well , don't make a porcupine of yourself , it isn't becoming .

" that is what troubles me , " said Meg .

" hum , well , I can't say .

suppose you ask Grandfather after the doctor has been . "

" we will .

Jo , go and get Dr Bangs at once , " commanded Meg .

" we can't decide anything till he has been . "

" stay where you are , Jo .

I 'm errand boy to this establishment , " said Laurie , taking up his cap .

" I 'm afraid you are busy , " began Meg .

" no , I 've done my lessons for the day . "

" do you study in vacation time ? " asked Jo .

" I follow the good example my neighbors set me , " was Laurie 's answer , as he swung himself out of the room .

" I have great hopes for my boy , " observed Jo , watching him fly over the fence with an approving smile .

" he does very well , for a boy , " was Meg 's somewhat ungracious answer , for the subject did not interest her .

aunt March received them with her usual hospitality .

" go away .

no boys allowed here . "

Laurie retired to the window , and Jo told her story .

" no more than I expected , if you are allowed to go poking about among poor folks .

Amy can stay and make herself useful if she isn't sick , which I 've no doubt she will be , looks like it now .

don't cry , child , it worries me to hear people sniff . "

" what do you hear from your mother ? " asked the old lady gruffly .

" father is much better , " replied Jo , trying to keep sober .

" oh , is he ?

well , that won't last long , I fancy .

March never had any stamina , " was the cheerful reply .

" Ha , ha !

" hold your tongue , you disrespectful old bird !

and , Jo , you 'd better go at once .

it isn't proper to be gadding about so late with a rattlepated boy like ....y "

" I don't think I can bear it , but I 'll try , " thought Amy , as she was left alone with Aunt March .

" get along , you fright ! " screamed Polly , and at that rude speech Amy could not restrain a sniff .

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

DARK DAYS

Beth did have the fever , and was much sicker than anyone but Hannah and the doctor suspected .

everyone missed Beth .

meanwhile she lay on her bed with old Joanna at her side , for even in her wanderings she did not forget her forlorn protege .

is Beth worse ? "

" I 've sent for Mother , " said Jo , tugging at her rubber boots with a tragic expression .

" good for you , Jo !

" no .

the doctor told us to . "

" oh , Jo , it 's not so bad as that ? " cried Laurie , with a startled face .

" yes , it is .

she doesn't know us , she doesn't even talk about the flocks of green doves , as she calls the vine leaves on the wall .

she doesn't look like my Beth , and there 's nobody to help us bear it .

mother and father both gone , and God seems so far away I can't find Him . "

hold on to me , Jo , dear ! "

soon she dried the tears which had relieved her , and looked up with a grateful face .

" thank you , Teddy , I 'm better now .

I don't feel so forlorn , and will try to bear it if it comes . "

" keep hoping for the best , that will help you , Jo .

soon your mother will be here , and then everything will be all right . "

" I 'm so glad Father is better .

now she won't feel so bad about leaving him .

oh , me !

" doesn't Meg pull fair ? " asked Laurie , looking indignant .

Beth is my conscience , and I can't give her up .

I can't !

I can't ! "

it might be unmanly , but he couldn't help it , and I am glad of it .

presently , as Jo 's sobs quieted , he said hopefully , " I don't think she will die .

she 's so good , and we all love her so much , I don't believe God will take her away yet . "

" poor girl , you 're worn out .

it isn't like you to be forlorn .

stop a bit .

I 'll hearten you up in a jiffy . "

you are a good doctor , Teddy , and such a comfortable friend .

" what is it ? " cried Jo , forgetting her woes for a minute in her wonder .

aren't you glad I did it ? "

oh , Mother !

I am so glad ! "

Laurie , though decidedly amazed , behaved with great presence of mind .

holding on to the banisters , she put him gently away , saying breathlessly , " oh , don't !

tell me all about it , and don't give me wine again , it makes me act so . "

" I don't mind , " laughed Laurie , as he settled his tie .

" why , you see I got fidgety , and so did Grandpa .

we thought Hannah was overdoing the authority business , and your mother ought to know .

she 'd never forgive us if Beth ....v

well , if anything happened , you know .

I never can bear to be ' lorded over ' , so that settled my mind , and I did it .

" Laurie , you 're an angel !

how shall I ever thank you ? "

" fly at me again .

I rather liked it , " said Laurie , looking mischievous , a thing he had not done for a fortnight .

" no , thank you .

I 'll do it by proxy , when your grandpa comes .

don't tease , but go home and rest , for you 'll be up half the night .

bless you , Teddy , bless you ! "

a breath of fresh air seemed to blow through the house , and something better than sunshine brightened the quiet rooms .

everything appeared to feel the hopeful change .

Beth 's bird began to chirp again , and a half-blown rose was discovered on Amy 's bush in the window .

mother 's coming ! "

every one rejoiced but Beth .

she lay in that heavy stupor , alike unconscious of hope and joy , doubt and danger .

" if God spares Beth , I never will complain again , " whispered Meg earnestly .

" if god spares Beth , I 'll try to love and serve Him all my life , " answered Jo , with equal fervor .

" I wish I had no heart , it aches so , " sighed Meg , after a pause .

here the clock struck twelve , and both forgot themselves in watching Beth , for they fancied a change passed over her wan face .

the house was still as death , and nothing but the wailing of the wind broke the deep hush .

Weary Hannah slept on , and no one but the sisters saw the pale shadow which seemed to fall upon the little bed .

an hour went by , and nothing happened except Laurie 's quiet departure for the station .

a dreadful fear passed coldly over Jo , as she thought , " Beth is dead , and Meg is afraid to tell me . "

she was back at her post in an instant , and to her excited eyes a great change seemed to have taken place .

Good-by ! "

praise be given !

oh , my goodness me ! "

before the girls could believe the happy truth , the doctor came to confirm it .

keep the house quiet , let her sleep , and when she wakes , give her ....y "

" if Mother would only come now ! " said Jo , as the winter night began to wane .

" hark ! " cried Jo , starting to her feet .

she 's come ! "

CHAPTER NINETEEN

AMY'S WILL

while these things were happening at home , Amy was having hard times at Aunt March 's .

she felt her exile deeply , and for the first time in her life , realized how much she was beloved and petted at home .

she really did her best to make Amy happy , but , dear me , what mistakes she made .

then she must dust the room , and what a trying job that was .

not a speck escaped Aunt March 's eye , and all the furniture had claw legs and much carving , which was never dusted to suit .

after these tiresome labors , she must do her lessons , which was a daily trial of every virtue she possessed .

then she was allowed one hour for exercise or play , and didn't she enjoy it ?

the cook was bad-tempered , the old coachman was deaf , and Esther the only one who ever took any notice of the young lady .

" I like the diamonds best , but there is no necklace among them , and I 'm fond of necklaces , they are so becoming .

" I , too , covet that , but not as a necklace .

ah , no !

" is it meant to use as you use the string of good-smelling wooden beads hanging over your glass ? " asked Amy .

" truly , yes , to pray with .

" you seem to take a great deal of comfort in your prayers , Esther , and always come down looking quiet and satisfied .

I wish I could . "

she had a little chapel , and in it found solacement for much trouble . "

" it would be excellent and charming , and I shall gladly arrange the little dressing room for you if you like it .

Amy liked the idea , and gave her leave to arrange the light closet next her room , hoping it would do her good .

" to you and your sisters .

I know it , Madame confides in me .

I witnessed her will , and it is to be so , " whispered Esther smiling .

" how nice !

but I wish she 'd let us have them now .

procrastination is not agreeable , " observed Amy , taking a last look at the diamonds .

" it is too soon yet for the young ladies to wear these things .

" do you think so ?

oh , I 'll be a lamb , if I can only have that lovely ring !

it 's ever so much prettier than Kitty Bryant 's .

I do like Aunt March after all . "

and Amy tried on the blue ring with a delighted face and a firm resolve to earn it .

from that day she was a model of obedience , and the old lady complacently admired the success of her training .

but , Amy was a young pilgrim , and just now her burden seemed very heavy .

get along , you fright !

hold your tongue !

kiss me , dear !

Ha !

Ha ! "

having with difficulty restrained an explosion of merriment , lest it should offend her majesty , Laurie tapped and was graciously received .

I poked it out , and it ran under the bookcase .

I couldn't help laughing , which made Poll swear , and Aunt woke up and scolded us both . "

" did the spider accept the old fellow 's invitation ? " asked Laurie , yawning .

catch her !

catch her ! ' as I chased the spider . "

" that 's a lie !

oh , lor ! " cried the parrot , pecking at Laurie 's toes .

" now I 'm ready , " said Amy , shutting the wardrobe and taking a piece of paper out of her pocket .

" I want you to read that , please , and tell me if it is legal and right .

I felt I ought to do it , for life is uncertain and I don't want any ill feeling over my tomb . "

MY LAST WILL AND TESTIMENT

I , Amy Curtis March , being in my sane mind , go give and bequeethe all my earthly property viz to wit : namely

to my father , my best pictures , sketches , maps , and works of art , including frames .


to my mother , all my clothes , except the blue apron with pockets also my likeness , and my medal , with much love .

and I herewith also leave her my regret that I ever made fun of old Joanna .

I wish my favorite playmate Kitty Bryant to have the blue silk apron and my gold-bead ring with a kiss .

to Hannah I give the bandbox she wanted and all the patchwork I leave hoping she ' will remember me , when it you see ' .

and now having disposed of my most valuable property I hope all will be satisfied and not blame the dead .

I forgive everyone , and trust we may all meet when the trump shall sound .

amen .


Amy Curtis March

Witnesses :

Estelle Valnor , Theodore Laurence .

" what put it into your head ?

she explained and then asked anxiously , " what about Beth ? "

" I 'm sorry I spoke , but as I did , I 'll tell you .

she never thought of a will . "

Laurie was signing and sealing as he spoke , and did not look up till a great tear dropped on the paper .

" yes , ' codicils ' , they call them . "

" put one in mine then , that I wish all my curls cut off , and given round to my friends .

I forgot it , but I want it done though it will spoil my looks . "

Laurie added it , smiling at Amy 's last and greatest sacrifice .

then he amused her for an hour , and was much interested in all her trials .

" I 'm afraid there is , but we must hope for the best , so don't cry , dear . "

and Laurie put his arm about her with a brotherly gesture which was very comforting .

CHAPTER TWENTY

CONFIDENTIAL

I don't think I have any words in which to tell the meeting of the mother and daughters .

what a strange yet pleasant day that was .

so brilliant and gay without , for all the world seemed abroad to welcome the first snow .

Amy came out so strong on this occasion that I think the good thoughts in the little chapel really began to bear fruit .

they were alone together in the chapel , to which her mother did not object when its purpose was explained to her .

" it is an excellent plan to have some place where we can go to be quiet , when things vex or grieve us .

I think my little girl is learning this . "

I like to think He was a little child once , for then I don't seem so far away , and that helps me . "

as Amy pointed to the smiling Christ child on his Mother 's knee , Mrs. march saw something on the lifted hand that made her smile .

aunt gave me the ring today .

she gave that funny guard to keep the turquoise on , as it 's too big .

I 'd like to wear them Mother , can I ? "

" I 'll try not to be vain , " said Amy .

" do you mean Aunt March ? " asked her mother , laughing .

" no , to remind me not to be selfish . "

Amy looked so earnest and sincere about it that her mother stopped laughing , and listened respectfully to the little plan .

Beth isn't selfish , and that 's the reason everyone loves her and feels so bad at the thoughts of losing her .

I 'm apt to forget my resolutions , but if I had something always about me to remind me , I guess I should do better .

may we try this way ? "

" yes , but I have more faith in the corner of the big closet .

wear your ring , dear , and do your best .

I think you will prosper , for the sincere wish to be good is half the battle .

now I must go back to Beth .

keep up your heart , little daughter , and we will soon have you home again . "

" what is it , deary ? " asked Mrs. March , holding out her hand , with a face which invited confidence .

" I want to tell you something , Mother . "

" about Meg ? "

" how quickly you guessed !

yes , it 's about her , and though it 's a little thing , it fidgets me . "

" Beth is asleep .

speak low , and tell me all about it .

that Moffat hasn't been here , I hope ? " asked Mrs . march rather sharply .

" no .

" last summer Meg left a pair of gloves over at the Laurences ' and only one was returned .

now , isn't it a dreadful state of things ? "

" do you think Meg cares for him ? " asked Mrs. March , with an anxious look .

" Mercy me !

I don't know anything about love and such nonsense ! " cried Jo , with a funny mixture of interest and contempt .

" in novels , the girls show it by starting and blushing , fainting away , growing thin , and acting like fools .

now Meg does not do anything of the sort .

I forbid him to do it , but he doesn't mind me as he ought . "

" then you fancy that Meg is not interested in John ? "

" who ? " cried Jo , staring .

" Mr Brooke .

I call him ' John ' now .

we fell into the way of doing so at the hospital , and he likes it . "

" oh , dear !

I know you 'll take his part .

he 's been good to Father , and you won't send him away , but let Meg marry him , if she wants to .

mean thing !

to go petting Papa and helping you , just to wheedle you into liking him . "

and Jo pulled her hair again with a wrathful tweak .

" my dear , don't get angry about it , and I will tell you how it happened .

John went with me at Mr Laurence 's request , and was so devoted to poor Father that we couldn't help getting fond of him .

he only wanted our leave to love her and work for her , and the right to make her love him if he could .

" of course not .

it would be idiotic !

I knew there was mischief brewing .

I felt it , and now it 's worse than I imagined .

I just wish I could marry Meg myself , and keep her safe in the family . "

when John comes back , and I see them together , I can judge better of her feelings toward him . "

" she 'll see those handsome eyes that she talks about , and then it will be all up with her .

she 's got such a soft heart , it will melt like butter in the sun if anyone looks sentimentlly at her .

I see it all !

they 'll go lovering around the house , and we shall have to dodge .

Meg will be absorbed and no good to me any more .

oh , dear me !

why weren't we all boys , then there wouldn't be any bother . "

Jo leaned her chin on her knees in a disconsolate attitude and shook her fist at the reprehensible John .

Mrs. March sighed , and Jo looked up with an air of relief .

" you don't like it , Mother ?

I 'm glad of it .

" I did wrong to sigh , Jo .

your father and I have agreed that she shall not bind herself in any way , nor be married , before twenty .

if she and John love one another , they can wait , and test the love by doing so .

she is conscientious , and I have no fear of her treating him unkindly .

my pretty , tender hearted girl !

I hope things will go happily with her . "

I 'm not ambitious for a splendid fortune , a fashionable position , or a great name for my girls .

wouldn't it be nice ? " asked Jo , looking up with a brighter face .

" he is younger than she , you know , " began Mrs . March , but Jo broke in ....y

" only a little , he 's old for his age , and tall , and can be quite grown-up in his manners if he likes .

then he 's rich and generous and good , and loves us all , and I say it 's a pity my plan is spoiled . "

" I 'm afraid Laurie is hardly grown-up enough for Meg , and altogether too much of a weathercock just now for anyone to depend on .

don't make plans , Jo , but let time and their own hearts mate your friends .

I wish wearing flatirons on our heads would keep us from growing up .

but buds will be roses , and kittens cats , more 's the pity ! "

" what 's that about flatirons and cats ? " asked Meg , as she crept into the room with the finished letter in her hand .

" only one of my stupid speeches .

I 'm going to bed .

come , Peggy , " said Jo , unfolding herself like an animated puzzle .

" quite right , and beautifully written .

please add that I send my love to John , " said Mrs . March , as she glanced over the letter and gave it back .

" do you call him ' John ' ? " asked Meg , smiling , with her innocent eyes looking down into her mother 's .

" I 'm glad of that , he is so lonely .

good night , Mother , dear .

it is so inexpressibly comfortable to have you here , " was Meg 's answer .

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

LAURIE MAKES MISCHIEF , AND JO MAKES PEACE

to her mother 's inquiries she answered that she was quite well , and Jo 's she silenced by begging to be let alone .

" she feels it in the air love , I mean and she 's going very fast .

she 's got most of the symptoms is twittery and cross , doesn't eat , lies awake , and mopes in corners .

whatever shall we do ? " said Jo , looking ready for any measures , however violent .

" nothing but wait .

let her alone , be kind and patient , and Father 's coming will settle everything , " replied her mother .

" here 's a note to you , Meg , all sealed up .

how odd !

Teddy never seals mine , " said Jo next day , as she distributed the contents of the little post office .

" it 's all a mistake , he didn't send it .

" me !

I 've done nothing !

what 's she talking about ? " cried Jo , bewildered .

how could you be so rude , so mean , and cruel to us both ? "

Jo hardly heard her , for she and her mother were reading the note , which was written in a peculiar hand .

" my Dearest Margaret ,

" I can no longer restrain my passion , and must know my fate before I return .

I dare not tell your parents yet , but I think they would consent if they knew that we adored one another .

Mr Laurence will help me to some good place , and then , my sweet girl , you will make me happy .

I implore you to say nothing to your family yet , but to send one word of hope through Laurie to ,

" your devoted John . "

" oh , the little villain !

that 's the way he meant to pay me for keeping my word to Mother .

I 'll give him a hearty scolding and bring him over to beg pardon , " cried Jo , burning to execute immediate justice .

but her mother held her back , saying , with a look she seldom wore ....y

" stop , Jo , you must clear yourself first .

you have played so many pranks that I am afraid you have had a hand in this . "

" on my word , Mother , I haven't !

" if I had taken part in it I 'd have done it better than this , and have written a sensible note .

I should think you 'd have known Mr Brooke wouldn't write such stuff as that , " she added , scornfully tossing down the paper .

" it 's like his writing , " faltered Meg , comparing it with the note in her hand .

" oh , Meg , you didn't answer it ? " cried Mrs. March quickly .

" yes , I did ! " and Meg hid her face again , overcome with shame .

" here 's a scrape !

Do let me bring that wicked boy over to explain and be lectured .

I can't rest till I get hold of him . "

and Jo made for the door again .

" hush !

let me handle this , for it is worse than I thought .

forgive me , Mother , I 'm paid for my silliness now .

I never can look him in the face again . "

" what did you say to him ? " asked Mrs. March .

I was very grateful for his kindness , and would be his friend , but nothing more , for a long while . "

tell on , Meg .

what did he say to that ? "

it 's very kind and respectful , but think how dreadful for me ! "

Meg leaned against her mother , looking the image of despair , and Jo tramped about the room , calling Laurie names .

Teddy wrote both , and keeps yours to crow over me with because I wouldn't tell him my secret . "

" don't have any secrets , Jo .

tell it to Mother and keep out of trouble , as I should have done , " said Meg warningly .

" bless you , child !

mother told me . "

" that will do , Jo .

I 'll comfort Meg while you go and get Laurie .

I shall sift the matter to the bottom , and put a stop to such pranks at once . "

away ran Jo , and Mrs. march gently told Meg Mr Brooke 's real feelings .

" now , dear , what are your own ?

" if John doesn't know anything about this nonsense , don't tell him , and make Jo and Laurie hold their tongues .

I won't be deceived and plagued and made a fool of .

it 's a shame ! "

the instant Laurie 's step was heard in the hall , Meg fled into the study , and Mrs. march received the culprit alone .

Jo was dismissed , but chose to march up and down the hall like a sentinel , having some fear that the prisoner might bolt .

the sound of voices in the parlor rose and fell for half an hour , but what happened during that interview the girls never knew .

Meg received his humble apology , and was much comforted by the assurance that Brooke knew nothing of the joke .

" is Mr Laurence in ? " asked Jo , of a housemaid , who was coming downstairs .

" yes , Miss , but I don't believe he 's seeable just yet . "

" why not ?

is he ill ? "

" where is Laurie ? "

" shut up in his room , and he won't answer , though I 've been a-tapping .

I don't know what 's to become of the dinner , for it 's ready , and there 's no one to eat it . "

" I 'll go and see what the matter is .

I 'm not afraid of either of them . "

Up went Jo , and knocked smartly on the door of Laurie 's little study .

" stop that , or I 'll open the door and make you ! " called out the young gentleman in a threatening tone .

Jo immediately knocked again .

the door flew open , and in she bounced before Laurie could recover from his surprise .

I came to make it up , and can't go away till I have . "

" it 's all right .

get up , and don't be a goose , Jo , " was the cavalier reply to her petition .

" thank you , I will .

could I ask what 's the matter ?

you don't look exactly easy in your mind . "

" I 've been shaken , and I won't bear it ! " growled Laurie indignantly .

" who did it ? " demanded Jo .

" grandfather .

if it had been anyone else I 'd have ....y "

and the injured youth finished his sentence by an energetic gesture of the right arm .

" that 's nothing .

I often shake you , and you don't mind , " said Jo soothingly .

" pooh !

you 're a girl , and it 's fun , but I 'll allow no man to shake me ! "

" I don't think anyone would care to try it , if you looked as much like a thundercloud as you do now .

why were you treated so ? "

" Just because I wouldn't say what your mother wanted me for .

I 'd promised not to tell , and of course I wasn't going to break my word . "

" couldn't you satisfy your grandpa in any other way ? "

" no , he would have the truth , the whole truth , and nothing but the truth .

I 'd have told my part of the scrape , if I could without bringing Meg in .

as I couldn't , I held my tongue , and bore the scolding till the old gentleman collared me .

then I bolted , for fear I should forget myself . "

" it wasn't nice , but he 's sorry , I know , so go down and make up .

I 'll help you . "

" hanged if I do !

I 'm not going to be lectured and pummelled by everyone , just for a bit of a frolic .

" he didn't know that . "

" he ought to trust me , and not act as if I was a baby .

" what pepper pots you are ! " sighed Jo .

" how do you mean to settle this affair ? "

" well , he ought to beg pardon , and believe me when I say I can't tell him what the fuss 's about . "

" bless you !

he won't do that . "

" I won't go down till he does . "

" now , Teddy , be sensible .

let it pass , and I 'll explain what I can .

you can't stay here , so what 's the use of being melodramatic ? "

" I don't intend to stay here long , anyway .

I 'll slip off and take a journey somewhere , and when Grandpa misses me he 'll come round fast enough . "

" I dare say , but you ought not to go and worry him . "

" don't preach .

I 'll go to Washington and see Brooke .

it 's gay there , and I 'll enjoy myself after the troubles . "

" what fun you 'd have !

" come on , then !

why not ?

you go and surprise your father , and I 'll stir up old Brooke .

it would be a glorious joke .

let's do it , Jo .

we 'll leave a letter saying we are all right , and trot off at once .

I 've got money enough .

it will do you good , and no harm , as you go to your father . "

for a moment Jo looked as if she would agree , for wild as the plan was , it just suited her .

don't tempt me , Teddy , it 's a crazy plan . "

" hold your tongue ! " cried Jo , covering her ears .

" ' Prunes and prisms ' are my doom , and I may as well make up my mind to it .

I came here to moralize , not to hear things that make me skip to think of . "

" I know Meg would wet-blanket such a proposal , but I thought you had more spirit , " began Laurie insinuatingly .

" bad boy , be quiet !

sit down and think of your own sins , don't go making me add to mine .

if I get your grandpa to apologize for the shaking , will you give up running away ? " asked Jo seriously .

" come in ! " and Mr Laurence 's gruff voice sounded gruffer than ever , as Jo tapped at his door .

" it 's only me , Sir , come to return a book , " she said blandly , as she entered .

" want any more ? " asked the old gentleman , looking grim and vexed , but trying not to show it .

" yes , please .

the shaggy eyebrows unbent a little as he rolled the steps toward the shelf where the Johnsonian literature was placed .

" what has that boy been about ?

don't try to shield him .

I know he has been in mischief by the way he acted when he came home .

" he did wrong , but we forgave him , and all promised not to say a word to anyone , " began Jo reluctantly .

" that won't do .

he shall not shelter himself behind a promise from you softhearted girls .

if he 's done anything amiss , he shall confess , beg pardon , and be punished .

Out with it , Jo .

I won't be kept in the dark . "

" indeed , Sir , I cannot tell .

mother forbade it .

Laurie has confessed , asked pardon , and been punished quite enough .

we don't keep silence to shield him , but someone else , and it will make more trouble if you interfere .

please don't .

it was partly my fault , but it 's all right now .

so let's forget it , and talk about the Rambler or something pleasant . "

" hang the Rambler ! come down and give me your word that this harum-scarum boy of mine hasn't done anything ungrateful or impertinent .

if he has , after all your kindness to him , I 'll thrash him with my own hands . "

she obediently descended , and made as light of the prank as she could without betraying Meg or forgetting the truth .

" hum ....y ha ... well , if the boy held his tongue because he promised , and not from obstinacy , I 'll forgive him .

" you think I 'm not kind to him , hey ? " was the sharp answer .

" oh , dear no , Sir .

you are rather too kind sometimes , and then just a trifle hasty when he tries your patience .

don't you think you are ? "

Jo was determined to have it out now , and tried to look quite placid , though she quaked a little after her bold speech .

" I 'll tell you , he 'll run away . "

Jo was sorry for that speech the minute it was made .

she meant to warn him that Laurie would not bear much restraint , and hoped he would be more forebearing with the lad .

it was Laurie 's father , who had run away in his youth , and married against the imperious old man 's will .

Jo fancied he remembered and regretted the past , and she wished she had held her tongue .

" he won't do it unless he is very much worried , and only threatens it sometimes , when he gets tired of studying .

she laughed as she spoke , and Mr Laurence looked relieved , evidently taking the whole as a joke .

" you hussy , how dare you talk in that way ?

where 's your respect for me , and your proper bringing up ?

bless the boys and girls !

what torments they are , yet we can't do without them , " he said , pinching her cheeks good-humoredly .

I won't bear it . "

" he won't come , Sir .

he feels badly because you didn't believe him when he said he couldn't tell .

I think the shaking hurt his feelings very much . "

Jo tried to look pathetic but must have failed , for Mr Laurence began to laugh , and she knew the day was won .

" I 'm sorry for that , and ought to thank him for not shaking me , I suppose .

what the dickens does the fellow expect ? " and the old gentleman looked a trifle ashamed of his own testiness .

" if I were you , I 'd write him an apology , Sir .

he says he won't come down till he has one , and talks about Washington , and goes on in an absurd way .

a formal apology will make him see how foolish he is , and bring him down quite amiable .

try it .

he likes fun , and this way is better than talking .

I 'll carry it up , and teach him his duty . "

here , give me a bit of paper , and let us have done with this nonsense . "

the note was written in the terms which one gentleman would use to another after offering some deep insult .

did you get blown up ? " he added , laughing .

" no , he was pretty mild , on the whole . "

" ah !

I got it all round .

even you cast me off over there , and I felt just ready to go to the deuce , " he began apologetically .

" don't talk that way , turn over a new leaf and begin again , Teddy , my son . "

" go and eat your dinner , you 'll feel better after it .

men always croak when they are hungry , " and Jo whisked out at the front door after that .

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

PLEASANT MEADOWS

like sunshine after a storm were the peaceful weeks which followed .

the invalids improved rapidly , and Mr. march began to talk of returning early in the new year .

her once active limbs were so stiff and feeble that Jo took her for a daily airing about the house in her strong arms .

Laurie was equally impracticable , and would have had bonfires , skyrockets , and triumphal arches , if he had had his own way .

several days of unusually mild weather fitly ushered in a splendid Christmas Day .

THE JUNGFRAU TO BETH

God bless you , dear Queen Bess !

May nothing you dismay , But health and peace and happiness Be yours , this Christmas day .

here 's fruit to feed our busy bee , And flowers for her nose .

here 's music for her pianee , An afghan for her toes ,

a portrait of Joanna , see , By Raphael No . @number@ Who laboured with great industry To make it fair and true .

their dearest love my makers laid Within my breast of snow .

accept it , and the Alpine maid , From Laurie and from Jo .

" so am I , " added Jo , slapping the pocket wherein reposed the long-desired Undine and Sintram .

now and then , in this workaday world , things do happen in the delightful storybook fashion , and what a comfort it is .

half an hour after everyone had said they were so happy they could only hold one drop more , the drop came .

Laurie opened the parlor door and popped his head in very quietly .

Mr. March became invisible in the embrace of four pairs of loving arms .

Jo disgraced herself by nearly fainting away , and had to be doctored by Laurie in the china closet .

Mr Brooke kissed Meg entirely by mistake , as he somewhat incoherently explained .

Mrs. March was the first to recover herself , and held up her hand with a warning , " hush !

remember Beth . "

but it was too late .

then the two invalids were ordered to repose , which they did , by both sitting in one big chair and talking hard .

also why Mrs . March gently nodded her head and asked , rather abruptly , if he wouldn't like to have something to eat .

there never was such a Christmas dinner as they had that day .

the fat turkey was a sight to behold , when Hannah sent him up , stuffed , browned , and decorated .

Mr Laurence and his grandson dined with them , also Mr Brooke , at whom Jo glowered darkly , to Laurie 's infinite amusement .

they drank healths , told stories , sang songs , ' reminisced ' , as the old folks say , and had a thoroughly good time .

" just a year ago we were groaning over the dismal Christmas we expected to have .

do you remember ? " asked Jo , breaking a short pause which had followed a long conversation about many things .

" I think it 's been a pretty hard one , " observed Amy , watching the light shine on her ring with thoughtful eyes .

" I 'm glad it 's over , because we 've got you back , " whispered Beth , who sat on her father 's knee .

" rather a rough road for you to travel , my little pilgrims , especially the latter part of it .

" how do you know ?

did Mother tell you ? " asked Jo .

" not much .

straws show which way the wind blows , and I 've made several discoveries today . "

" oh , tell us what they are ! " cried Meg , who sat beside him .

" here is one . "

" I remember a time when this hand was white and smooth , and your first care was to keep it so .

it was very pretty then , but to me it is much prettier now , for in this seeming blemishes I read a little history .

Meg , my dear , I value the womanly skill which keeps home happy more than white hands or fashionable accomplishments .

I 'm proud to shake this good , industrious little hand , and hope I shall not soon be asked to give it away . "

" what about Jo ?

he laughed and looked across at the tall girl who sat opposite , with an unusually mild expression in her face .

she doesn't bounce , but moves quietly , and takes care of a certain little person in a motherly way which delights me .

" now , Beth , " said Amy , longing for her turn , but ready to wait .

" what are you thinking of , Beth ? " asked Jo , when Amy had thanked her father and told about her ring .

I 'll try to sing the song of the shepherd boy which the Pilgrims heard .

I made the music for Father , because he likes the verses . "

he that is down need fear no fall , He that is low no pride .

he that is humble ever shall Have God to be his guide .

I am content with what I have , Little be it , or much .

and , Lord !

Contentment still I crave , Because Thou savest such .

Fulness to them a burden is , That go on pilgrimage .

here little , and hereafter bliss , Is best from age to age !

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

AUNT MARCH SETTLES THE QUESTION

but something was needed , and the elder ones felt it , though none confessed the fact .

Mr. and Mrs. March looked at one another with an anxious expression , as their eyes followed Meg .

Meg was absent-minded , shy , and silent , started when the bell rang , and colored when John 's name was mentioned .

" what does the goose mean ? " said Meg , laughing and trying to look unconscious .

" he 's showing you how your John will go on by-and-by .

Touching , isn't it ? " answered Jo scornfully .

" we can't , for something has been said , and Laurie 's mischief has spoiled you for me .

I see it , and so does Mother .

you are not like your old self a bit , and seem ever so far away from me .

I don't mean to plague you and will bear it like a man , but I do wish it was all settled .

" I 'm not so silly and weak as you think .

I know just what I should say , for I 've planned it all , so I needn't be taken unawares .

there 's no knowing what may happen , and I wished to be prepared . "

" would you mind telling me what you 'd say ? " asked Jo more respectfully .

" not at all .

" don't mean to have any .

" I think not , if you liked anyone very much , and he liked you . "

Meg spoke as if to herself , and glanced out at the lane where she had often seen lovers walking together in the summer twilight .

" I thought you were going to tell your speech to that man , " said Jo , rudely shortening her sister 's little reverie .

" hum , that 's stiff and cool enough !

I don't believe you 'll ever say it , and I know he won't be satisfied if you do .

if he goes on like the rejected lovers in books , you 'll give in , rather than hurt his feelings . "

" no , I won't .

I shall tell him I 've made up my mind , and shall walk out of the room with dignity . "

" good afternoon .

" it 's very well , he 's in the rack .

I 'll get him , and tell it you are here . "

but the instant she vanished , Meg began to sidle toward the door , murmuring ....y

" mother will like to see you .

pray sit down , I 'll call her . "

" don't go .

are you afraid of me , Margaret ? " and Mr Brooke looked so hurt that Meg thought she must have done something very rude .

anxious to appear friendly and at her ease , she put out her hand with a confiding gesture , and said gratefully ....y

" how can I be afraid when you have been so kind to Father ?

I only wish I could thank you for it . "

" I won't trouble you .

I only want to know if you care for me a little , Meg .

I love you so much , dear , " added Mr Brooke tenderly .

this was the moment for the calm , proper speech , but Meg didn't make it .

" I 'm too young , " faltered Meg , wondering why she was so fluttered , yet rather enjoying it .

" I 'll wait , and in the meantime , you could be learning to like me .

would it be a very hard lesson , dear ? "

" not if I chose to learn it , but . . . "

" please choose to learn , Meg .

this nettled her .

please go away and let me be ! "

" do you really mean that ? " he asked anxiously , following her as she walked away .

" yes , I do .

I don't want to be worried about such things .

father says I needn't , it 's too soon and I'd rather not . "

" mayn't I hope you 'll change your mind by-and-by ?

I 'll wait and say nothing till you have had more time .

don't play with me , Meg .

I didn't think that of you . "

" don't think of me at all .

I'd rather you wouldn't , " said Meg , taking a naughty satisfaction in trying her lover 's patience and her own power .

he just stood looking at her so wistfully , so tenderly , that she found her heart relenting in spite of herself .

what would have happened next I cannot say , if Aunt March had not come hobbling in at this interesting minute .

" it 's Father 's friend .

I 'm so surprised to see you ! " stammered Meg , feeling that she was in for a lecture now .

" that 's evident , " returned Aunt March , sitting down .

" but what is Father 's friend saying to make you look like a peony ?

there 's mischief going on , and I insist upon knowing what it is , " with another rap .

" we were only talking .

Mr Brooke came for his umbrella , " began Meg , wishing that Mr Brooke and the umbrella were safely out of the house .

" Brooke ?

that boy 's tutor ?

ah !

I understand now .

I know all about it .

Jo blundered into a wrong message in one of your Father 's letters , and I made her tell me .

you haven't gone and accepted him , child ? " cried Aunt March , looking scandalized .

" hush !

he 'll hear .

shan't I call Mother ? " said Meg , much troubled .

" not yet .

I 've something to say to you , and I must free my mind at once .

tell me , do you mean to marry this Cook ?

if you do , not one penny of my money ever goes to you .

remember that , and be a sensible girl , " said the old lady impressively .

now Aunt March possessed in perfection the art of rousing the spirit of opposition in the gentlest people , and enjoyed doing it .

the best of us have a spice of perversity in us , especially when we are young and in love .

Inclination as well as perversity made the decision easy , and being already much excited , Meg opposed the old lady with unusual spirit .

" Highty-tighty !

is that the way you take my advice , Miss ?

you 'll be sorry for it by-and-by , when you 've tried love in a cottage and found it a failure . "

" it can't be a worse one than some people find in big houses , " retorted Meg .

aunt March put on her glasses and took a look at the girl , for she did not know her in this new mood .

I mean it kindly , and don't want you to spoil your whole life by making a mistake at the beginning .

you ought to marry well and help your family .

it 's your duty to make a rich match and it ought to be impressed upon you . "

" father and Mother don't think so .

they like John though he is poor . "

" your parents , my dear , have no more worldly wisdom than a pair of babies . "

" I 'm glad of it , " cried Meg stoutly .

aunt March took no notice , but went on with her lecture .

" this Rook is poor and hasn't got any rich relations , has he ? "

" no , but he has many warm friends . "

" you can't live on friends , try it and see how cool they 'll grow .

he hasn't any business , has he ? "

" not yet .

Mr Laurence is going to help him . "

" that won't last long .

James Laurence is a crotchety old fellow and not to be depended on .

I thought you had more sense , Meg . "

" I couldn't do better if I waited half my life !

" he knows you have got rich relations , child .

that 's the secret of his liking , I suspect . "

" aunt March , how dare you say such a thing ?

" my John wouldn't marry for money , any more than I would .

we are willing to work and we mean to wait .

" well , I wash my hands of the whole affair !

you are a willful child , and you 've lost more than you know by this piece of folly .

no , I won't stop .

I 'm disappointed in you , and haven't spirits to see your father now .

don't expect anything from me when you are married .

your Mr Brooke 's friends must take care of you .

I 'm done with you forever . "

and slamming the door in Meg 's face , Aunt March drove off in high dudgeon .

thank you for defending me , and Aunt March for proving that you do care for me a little bit . "

" I didn't know how much till she abused you , " began Meg .

" and I needn't go away , but may stay and be happy , may I , dear ? "

I 'll go and hear the fun , and have a good laugh over it . "

at the odd sound the lovers turned and saw her .

John Brooke is acting dreadfully , and Meg likes it ! "

" no , I 'm sure I can't .

how much has happened since I said that !

" the joys come close upon the sorrows this time , and I rather think the changes have begun , " said Mrs . March .

" In most families there comes , now and then , a year full of events .

this has been such a one , but it ends well , after all . "

" I hope the third year from this will end better .

" doesn't it seem very long to wait ? " asked Amy , who was in a hurry for the wedding .

now we shall have some sensible conversation . "

" much obliged for that recommendation .

" you can't know how hard it is for me to give up Meg , " she continued with a little quiver in her voice .

" you don't give her up .

you only go halves , " said Laurie consolingly .

" it can never be the same again .

I 've lost my dearest friend , " sighed Jo .

" you 've got me , anyhow .

I 'm not good for much , I know , but I 'll stand by you , Jo , all the days of my life .

upon my word I will ! " and Laurie meant what he said .

" I know you will , and I 'm ever so much obliged .

you are always a great comfort to me , Teddy , " returned Jo , gratefully shaking hands .

" well , now , don't be dismal , there 's a good fellow .

it 's all right you see .

wouldn't that console you ? "

" I rather think it would , but there 's no knowing what may happen in three years , " said Jo thoughtfully .

" that 's true .

don't you wish you could take a look forward and see where we shall all be then ?

I do , " returned Laurie .

and Jo 's eyes went slowly round the room , brightening as they looked , for the prospect was a pleasant one .

father and Mother sat together , quietly reliving the first chapter of the romance which for them began some twenty years ago .

so the curtain falls upon Meg , Jo , Beth , and Amy .

whether it ever rises again , depends upon the reception given the first act of the domestic drama called Little Women .

LITTLE WOMEN PART @number@

in order that we may start afresh and go to Meg 's wedding ....v

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

GOSSIP

the three years that have passed have brought but few changes to the quiet family .

sinners told their sins to the pure-hearted old man and were both rebuked and saved .

gifted men found a companion in him .

John Brooke did his duty manfully for a year , got wounded , was sent home , and not allowed to return .

perfectly resigned to his discharge , he devoted himself to getting well , preparing for business , and earning a home for Meg .

she had her girlish ambitions and hopes , and felt some disappointment at the humble way in which the new life must begin .

so she gave her mornings to duty , her afternoons to pleasure , and prospered finely .

Jo meantime devoted herself to literature and Beth , who remained delicate long after the fever was a thing of the past .

Laurie , having dutifully gone to college to please his grandfather , was now getting through it in the easiest possible manner to please himself .

and speaking of sentiment brings us very naturally to the ' Dovecote ' .

that was the name of the little brown house Mr Brooke had prepared for Meg 's first home .

it was a tiny house , with a little garden behind and a lawn about as big as a pocket handkerchief in the front .

but inside , it was altogether charming , and the happy bride saw no fault from garret to cellar .

Brooke came home ' .

in his love of jokes , this young gentleman , though nearly through college , was a much of a boy as ever .

his last whim had been to bring with him on his weekly visits some new , useful , and ingenious article for the young housekeeper .

In vain Meg begged him to stop .

John laughed at him , and Jo called him ' Mr Toodles ' .

he was possessed with a mania for patronizing Yankee ingenuity , and seeing his friends fitly furnished forth .

so each week beheld some fresh absurdity .

" are you satisfied ?

" mother and I have talked that over , and I have made up my mind to try her way first .

" Sallie Moffat has four , " began Amy .

" Sallie isn't a poor man 's wife , and many maids are in keeping with her fine establishment .

it 's a great mistake for young girls like Meg to leave themselves nothing to do but dress , give orders , and gossip .

Beth was there , laying the snowy piles smoothly on the shelves and exulting over the goodly array .

all three laughed as Meg spoke , for that linen closet was a joke .

" that 's a housewifely taste which I am glad to see .

" I haven't a single finger bowl , but this is a setout that will last me all my days , Hannah says . "

and Meg looked quite contented , as well she might .

" here I am , Mother !

yes , it 's all right . "

" for Mrs John Brooke , with the maker 's congratulations and compliments .

bless you , Beth !

what a refreshing spectacle you are , Jo .

Amy , you are getting altogether too handsome for a single lady . "

" where is John ? " asked Meg anxiously .

" stopped to get the license for tomorrow , ma'am . "

" ours , of course .

wish you 'd been there to see . "

" how is the lovely Miss Randal ? " asked Amy with a significant smile .

" more cruel than ever .

don't you see how I 'm pining away ? " and Laurie gave his broad chest a sounding slap and heaved a melodramatic sigh .

" what 's the last joke ?

undo the bundle and see , Meg , " said Beth , eying the knobby parcel with curiosity .

nice thing , isn't it ? " and Laurie gave them a sample of its powers that made them cover up their ears .

" there 's gratitude for you !

and speaking of gratitude reminds me to mention that you may thank Hannah for saving your wedding cake from destruction .

" I wonder if you will ever grow up , Laurie , " said Meg in a matronly tone .

" mother and I are going to wait for John .

there are some last things to settle , " said Meg , bustling away .

" come , Jo , don't desert a fellow .

I 'm in such a state of exhaustion I can't get home without help .

" now , Teddy , I want to talk seriously to you about tomorrow , " began Jo , as they strolled away together .

" you must promise to behave well , and not cut up any pranks , and spoil our plans . "

" not a prank . "

" and don't say funny things when we ought to be sober . "

" I never do .

you are the one for that . "

" and I implore you not to look at me during the ceremony .

I shall certainly laugh if you do . "

" you won't see me , you 'll be crying so hard that the thick fog round you will obscure the prospect . "

" I never cry unless for some great affliction . "

" such as fellows going to college , hey ? " cut in Laurie , with suggestive laugh .

" don't be a peacock .

I only moaned a trifle to keep the girls company . "

" exactly .

I say , Jo , how is Grandpa this week ?

Pretty amiable ? "

" very .

why , have you got into a scrape and want to know how he 'll take it ? " asked Jo rather sharply .

" no , I don't . "

" then don't go and be suspicious .

I only want some money , " said Laurie , walking on again , appeased by her hearty tone .

" you spend a great deal , Teddy . "

" bless you , I don't spend it , it spends itself somehow , and is gone before I know it . "

" you are so generous and kind-hearted that you let people borrow , and can't say ' No ' to anyone .

we heard about Henshaw and all you did for him .

if you always spent money in that way , no one would blame you , " said Jo warmly .

" oh , he made a mountain out of a molehill .

I thought you 'd got over the dandy period , but every now and then it breaks out in a new spot .

" don't lecture any more , there 's a good soul !

I have enough all through the week , and like to enjoy myself when I come home .

I 'll get myself up regardless of expense tomorrow and be a satisfaction to my friends . "

" I 'll leave you in peace if you 'll only let your hair grow .

" by the way , Jo , I think that little Parker is really getting desperate about Amy .

he talks of her constantly , writes poetry , and moons about in a most suspicious manner .

" of course he had .

we don't want any more marrying in this family for years to come .

" it 's a fast age , and I don't know what we are coming to , ma'am .

" don't be alarmed .

I 'm not one of the agreeable sort .

nobody will want me , and it 's a mercy , for there should always be one old maid in a family . "

" I don't like that sort of thing .

I 'm too busy to be worried with nonsense , and I think it 's dreadful to break up families so .

now don't say any more about it .

Meg 's wedding has turned all our heads , and we talk of nothing but lovers and such absurdities .

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

THE FIRST WEDDING

neither silk , lace , nor orange flowers would she have .

so she made her wedding gown herself , sewing into it the tender hopes and innocent romances of a girlish heart .

" then I am satisfied .

but please hug and kiss me , everyone , and don't mind my dress .

Jo 's angles are much softened , she has learned to carry herself with ease , if not grace .

the curly crop has lengthened into a thick coil , more becoming to the small head atop of the tall figure .

Beth has grown slender , pale , and more quiet than ever .

the beautiful , kind eyes are larger , and in them lies an expression that saddens one , although it is not sad itself .

" you oughtn't to be seen till the last minute , child . "

I 'm too happy to care what anyone says or thinks , and I 'm going to have my little wedding just as I like it .

John , dear , here 's your hammer . "

and away went Meg to help ' that man ' in his highly improper employment .

a crash , a cry , and a laugh from Laurie , accompanied by the indecorous exclamation , " Jupiter Ammon !

mother and sisters gathered close , as if loath to give Meg up .

the fatherly voice broke more than once , which only seemed to make the service more beautiful and solemn .

the bridegroom 's hand trembled visibly , and no one heard his replies .

the cake ain't hurt a mite , and everything looks lovely . "

for I 've seen enough harm done to wish other women would think as you do . "

" you are not made wise by experience , I hope ? " and there was an anxious accent in Meg 's voice .

" no .

I give you my word for it .

don't think too well of me , either , this is not one of my temptations .

" but you will , for the sake of others , if not for your own .

come , Laurie , promise , and give me one more reason to call this the happiest day of my life . "

A demand so sudden and so serious made the young man hesitate a moment , for ridicule is often harder to bear than self-denial .

" I thank you , very , very much . "

after lunch , people strolled about , by twos and threes , through the house and garden , enjoying the sunshine without and within .

want of breath brought the impromptu ball to a close , and then people began to go .

" I shall come every day , Father , and expect to keep my old place in all your hearts , though I am married .

thank you all for my happy wedding day .

Good-by , good-by ! "

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

ARTISTIC ATTEMPTS

it takes people a long time to learn the difference between talent and genius , especially ambitious young men and women .

Amy was learning this distinction through much tribulation , for mistaking enthusiasm for inspiration , she attempted every branch of art with youthful audacity .

but over-strained eyes caused pen and ink to be laid aside for a bold attempt at poker-sketching .

Raphael 's face was found boldly executed on the underside of the moulding board , and Bacchus on the head of a beer barrel .

a chanting cherub adorned the cover of the sugar bucket , and attempts to portray Romeo and Juliet supplied kindling for some time .

from fire to oil was a natural transition for burned fingers , and Amy fell to painting with undiminished ardor .

her efforts in this line , however , were brought to an abrupt close by an untoward accident , which quenched her ardor .

everybody liked her , for among her good gifts was tact .

one of her weaknesses was a desire to move in ' our best society ' , without being quite sure what the best really was .

" I want to ask a favor of you , Mamma , " Amy said , coming in with an important air one day .

they are wild to see the river , sketch the broken bridge , and copy some of the things they admire in my book .

" why should they ? " and Mrs. march put the question with what the girls called her ' Maria Theresa air ' .

" that looks feasible .

what do you want for lunch ?

cake , sandwiches , fruit , and coffee will be all that is necessary , I suppose ? "

" oh , dear , no !

we must have cold tongue and chicken , French chocolate and ice cream , besides .

" how many young ladies are there ? " asked her mother , beginning to look sober .

" twelve or fourteen in the class , but I dare say they won't all come . "

" bless me , child , you will have to charter an omnibus to carry them about . "

" why , Mother , how can you think of such a thing ?

not more than six or eight will probably come , so I shall hire a beach wagon and borrow Mr Laurence 's cherry-bounce . "

( Hannah 's pronunciation of char-a-banc . )

" all of this will be expensive , Amy . "

" not very .

I 've calculated the cost , and I 'll pay for it myself . "

" if I can't have it as I like , I don't care to have it at all .

talk it over with the girls , and whichever way you decide , I 'll do my best to help you . "

" thanks , Mother , you are always so kind . " and away went Amy to lay her plan before her sisters .

but Jo frowned upon the whole project and would have nothing to do with it at first .

you don't care to make people like you , to go into good society , and cultivate your manners and tastes .

I do , and I mean to make the most of every chance that comes .

you can go through the world with your elbows out and your nose in the air , and call it independence , if you like .

that 's not my way . "

the invitations were sent , nearly all accepted , and the following Monday was set apart for the grand event .

to begin with , Hannah 's cooking didn't turn out well .

the chicken was tough , the tongue too salty , and the chocolate wouldn't froth properly .

Beth got a cold and took to her bed .

on Monday morning the weather was in that undecided state which is more exasperating than a steady pour .

Amy was up at dawn , hustling people out of their beds and through their breakfasts , that the house might be got in order .

then came the hours of suspense , during which she vibrated from parlor to porch , while public opinion varied like the weathercock .

" use the chicken then , the toughness won't matter in a salad , " advised his wife .

" Hannah left it on the kitchen table a minute , and the kittens got at it .

I 'm very sorry , Amy , " added Beth , who was still a patroness of cats .

" then I must have a lobster , for tongue alone won't do , " said Amy decidedly .

" shall I rush into town and demand one ? " asked Jo , with the magnanimity of a martyr .

" you 'd come bringing it home under your arm without any paper , just to try me .

I 'll go myself , " answered Amy , whose temper was beginning to fail .

" please don't it 's it 's mine , " murmured Amy , with a face nearly as red as her fish .

" oh , really , I beg pardon .

now that was tact , for two of the ruling foibles of the masculine mind were touched .

" there 's the rumble , they 're coming !

I 'll go onto the porch and meet them .

" Run , Beth , and help Hannah clear half the things off the table .

In came Amy , quite calm and delightfully cordial to the one guest who had kept her promise .

" Miss Eliott is a very sweet girl , and seemed to enjoy herself , I thought , " observed Beth , with unusual warmth .

" could you spare me some of your cake ?

I really need some , I have so much company , and I can't make such delicious stuff as yours , " asked Meg soberly .

" take it all .

here a general explosion of laughter cut short the ' history of salads ' , to the great surprise of the learned gentleman .

" bundle everything into a basket and send it to the Hummels .

Germans like messes .

" I am satisfied .

I 've done what I undertook , and it 's not my fault that it failed .

I comfort myself with that , " said Amy with a little quiver in her voice .

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

LITERARY LESSONS

fortune suddenly smiled upon Jo , and dropped a good luck penny in her path .

they did not always venture even to ask this question , but took an observation of the cap , and judged accordingly .

on her left were two matrons , with massive foreheads and bonnets to match , discussing Women 's Rights and making tatting .

on her right , her only neighbor was a studious looking lad absorbed in a newspaper .

that 's a first-rate story . "

" prime , isn't it ? " asked the boy , as her eye went down the last paragraph of her portion .

" I should think I was a pretty lucky chap if I could .

" do you know her ? " asked Jo , with sudden interest .

" guess she does !

she knows just what folks like , and gets paid well for writing it . "

Jo had never tried this style before , contenting herself with very mild romances for The Spread Eagle .

for a minute she stared at it as if it had been a snake , then she read her letter and began to cry .

" you can do better than this , Jo .

aim at the highest , and never mind the money . "

" I think the money is the best part of it .

what will you do with such a fortune ? " asked Amy , regarding the magic slip of paper with a reverential eye .

" send Beth and Mother to the seaside for a month or two , " answered Jo promptly .

" it seems to me that Jo will profit more by taking the trial than by waiting , " said Mrs . march .

we are too partial , but the praise and blame of outsiders will prove useful , even if she gets but little money . "

" yes , " said Jo , knitting her brows , " that 's just it .

I 've been fussing over the thing so long , I really don't know whether it 's good , bad , or indifferent .

" I wouldn't leave a word out of it .

" do as he tells you .

he knows what will sell , and we don't .

make a good , popular book , and get as much money as you can .

if I 've got some of his wise ideas jumbled up with my romance , so much the better for me .

now , Beth , what do you say ? "

" I should so like to see it printed soon , " was all Beth said , and smiled in saying it .

so , with Spartan firmness , the young authoress laid her first-born on her table , and chopped it up as ruthlessly as any ogre .

in the hope of pleasing everyone , she took everyone 's advice , and like the old man and his donkey in the fable suited nobody .

her mother thought that there was a trifle too much description .

Out , therefore it came , and with it many necessary links in the story .

" you said , Mother , that criticism would help me .

" this man says , ' An exquisite book , full of truth , beauty , and earnestness . '

' All is sweet , pure , and healthy . ' " continued the perplexed authoress .

" the next , ' The theory of the book is bad , full of morbid fancies , spiritualistic ideas , and unnatural characters . '

another says , ' It 's one of the best American novels which has appeared for years . '

' Tisn't !

I wish I 'd printed the whole or not at all , for I do hate to be so misjudged . "

her family and friends administered comfort and commendation liberally .

yet it was a hard time for sensitive , high-spirited Jo , who meant so well and had apparently done so ill .

so I 'll comfort myself with that , and when I 'm ready , I 'll up again and take another . "

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

DOMESTIC EXPERIENCES

like most other young matrons , Meg began her married life with the determination to be a model housekeeper .

she brought so much love , energy , and cheerfulness to the work that she could not but succeed , in spite of some obstacles .

she was too tired , sometimes , even to smile , John grew dyspeptic after a course of dainty dishes and ungratefully demanded plain fare .

they were very happy , even after they discovered that they couldn't live on love alone .

John did not find Meg 's beauty diminished , though she beamed at him from behind the familiar coffee pot .

at first they played keep-house , and frolicked over it like children .

fired with a housewifely wish to see her storeroom stocked with homemade preserves , she undertook to put up her own currant jelly .

home came four dozen delightful little pots , half a barrel of sugar , and a small boy to pick the currants for her .

I shall always be prepared .

there shall be no flurry , no scolding , no discomfort , but a neat house , a cheerful wife , and a good dinner .

John , dear , never stop to ask my leave , invite whom you please , and be sure of a welcome from me . "

how charming that was , to be sure !

John quite glowed with pride to hear her say it , and felt what a blessed thing it was to have a superior wife .

it is a world of disappointments , as John discovered when he reached the Dovecote .

the front door usually stood hospitably open .

now it was not only shut , but locked , and yesterday 's mud still adorned the steps .

nothing of the sort , for not a soul appeared but a sanginary-looking boy asleep under the current bushes .

" I 'm afraid something has happened .

step into the garden , Scott , while I look up Mrs Brooke , " said John , alarmed at the silence and solitude .

in the kitchen reigned confusion and despair .

" oh , John , I am so tired and hot and cross and worried !

I 've been at it till I 'm all worn out .

" what worries you dear ?

has anything dreadful happened ? " asked the anxious John , tenderly kissing the crown of the little cap , which was all askew .

" yes , " sobbed Meg despairingly .

" tell me quick , then .

don't cry .

I can bear anything better than that .

out with it , love . "

" the ...

the jelly won't jell and I don't know what to do ! "

" is that all ?

fling it out of the window , and don't bother any more about it .

" a man to dinner , and everything in a mess !

John Brooke , how could you do such a thing ? "

" hush , he 's in the garden !

I forgot the confounded jelly , but it can't be helped now , " said John , surveying the prospect with an anxious eye .

" I didn't know it this morning , and there was no time to send word , for I met him on the way out .

I never thought of asking leave , when you have always told me to do as I liked .

I never tried it before , and hang me if I ever do again ! " added John , with an aggrieved air .

" I should hope not !

take him away at once .

I can't see him , and there isn't any dinner . "

" well , I like that !

where 's the beef and vegetables I sent home , and the pudding you promised ? " cried John , rushing to the larder .

" I hadn't time to cook anything .

I meant to dine at Mother 's .

I 'm sorry , but I was so busy , " and Meg 's tears began again .

he restrained himself however , and the little squall would have blown over , but for one unlucky word .

" it 's a scrape , I acknowledge , but if you will lend a hand , we 'll pull through and have a good time yet .

don't cry , dear , but just exert yourself a bit , and fix us up something to eat .

we 're both as hungry as hunters , so we shan't mind what it is .

give us the cold meat , and bread and cheese .

we won't ask for jelly . "

he meant it to be a good-natured joke , but that one word sealed his fate .

Meg thought it was too cruel to hint about her sad failure , and the last atom of patience vanished as he spoke .

" you must get yourself out of the scrape as you can .

I 'm too used up to ' exert ' myself for anyone .

it 's like a man to propose a bone and vulgar bread and cheese for company .

I won't have anything of the sort in my house .

take that Scott up to Mother 's , and tell him I 'm away , sick , dead , anything .

I won't see him , and you two can laugh at me and my jelly as much as you like .

unfortunately , John didn't come , not seeing the matter in that light .

no , by George , it wasn't !

and Meg must know it . "

" poor little thing !

it was hard upon her when she tried so heartily to please me .

she was wrong , of course , but then she was young .

I must be patient and teach her . "

he hoped she had not gone home he hated gossip and interference .

Meg likewise resolved to be ' calm and kind , but firm ' , and show him his duty .

" I 've no objection , " was Meg 's equally soothing remark .

a few other topics of general interest were introduced by Mr Brooke and wet-blanketed by Mrs Brooke , and conversation languished .

John went to one window , unfolded his paper , and wrapped himself in it , figuratively speaking .

Meg went to the other window , and sewed as if new rosettes for slippers were among the necessaries of life .

neither spoke .

both looked quite ' calm and firm ' , and both felt desperately uncomfortable .

the word ' Mother ' suggested other maternal counsels given long ago , and received with unbelieving protests .

he is very decided , but never will be obstinate , if you reason kindly , not oppose impatiently .

he is very accurate , and particular about the truth a good trait , though you call him ' fussy ' .

never deceive him by look or word , Meg , and he will give you the confidence you deserve , the support you need .

be careful , be very careful , not to wake his anger against yourself , for peace and happiness depend on keeping his respect .

these words came back to Meg , as she sat sewing in the sunset , especially the last .

she glanced at him with tears in her eyes , but he did not see them .

for a minute she felt as if she really couldn't do it , then came the thought , " this is the beginning .

of course that settled it .

the penitent kiss was better than a world of words , and John had her on his knee in a minute , saying tenderly ....y

" it was too bad to laugh at the poor little jelly pots .

forgive me , dear .

I never will again ! "

in the autumn , new trials and experiences came to Meg .

it was pleasant , for in dull weather Meg often felt lonely .

all were busy at home , John absent till night , and nothing to do but sew , or read , or potter about .

so it naturally fell out that Meg got into the way of gadding and gossiping with her friend .

seeing Sallie 's pretty things made her long for such , and pity herself because she had not got them .

Meg didn't like to be pitied and made to feel poor .

a few days before she had done a dreadful thing , and it weighed upon her conscience .

aunt March usually gave the sisters a present of twenty-five dollars apiece at New Year 's .

that was the question .

the house bills were all paid , the books all in order .

" you haven't seen my private expense book yet . "

the little book was brought slowly out and laid down before him .

" John , dear , I 'm ashamed to show you my book , for I 've really been dreadfully extravagant lately .

John laughed , and drew her round beside him , saying goodhumoredly , " don't go and hide .

I won't beat you if you have got a pair of killing boots .

that had been one of her last ' trifles ' , and John 's eye had fallen on it as he spoke .

" oh , what will he say when he comes to that awful fifty dollars ! " thought Meg , with a shiver .

" well , dear , what is the ' dem'd total ' , as Mr Mantalini says ? "

" I know you are angry , John , but I can't help it .

I don't mean to waste your money , and I didn't think those little things would count up so .

I can't resist them when I see Sallie buying all she wants , and pitying me because I don't .

I try to be contented , but it is hard , and I 'm tired of being poor . "

I do my best , Meg . "

if he had scolded her , or even shaken her , it would not have broken her heart like those few words .

I didn't mean it !

it was so wicked , so untrue and ungrateful , how could I say it !

oh , how could I say it ! "

he had simply said , in answer to her surprised inquiries as to the change , " I can't afford it , my dear . "

the good-natured Mrs Moffat willingly did so , and had the delicacy not to make her a present of it immediately afterward .

one can imagine what answer he made , how he received his present , and what a blissful state of things ensued .

so the year rolled round , and at midsummer there came to Meg a new experience , the deepest and tenderest of a woman 's life .

" how 's the little mamma ?

where is everybody ?

why didn't you tell me before I came home ? " began Laurie in a loud whisper .

" Happy as a queen , the dear !

every soul of ' em is upstairs a worshipin ' .

we didn't want no hurrycanes round .

presently Jo appeared , proudly bearing a flannel bundle laid forth upon a large pillow .

" shut your eyes and hold out your arms , " she said invitingly .

Laurie backed precipitately into a corner , and put his hands behind him with an imploring gesture .

" no , thank you .

I'd rather not .

I shall drop it or smash it , as sure as fate . "

" then you shan't see your nevvy , " said Jo decidedly , turning as if to go .

" I will , I will !

only you must be responsible for damages . " and obeying orders , Laurie heroically shut his eyes while something was put into his arms .

I 'm going to laugh , and I shall drop ' em . "

" it 's the best joke of the season , isn't it ?

" I never was more staggered in my life .

isn't it fun ?

are they boys ?

what are you going to name them ?

let's have another look .

" Boy and girl .

aren't they beauties ? " said the proud papa , beaming upon the little red squirmers as if they were unfledged angels .

" most remarkable children I ever saw .

which is which ? " and Laurie bent like a well-sweep to examine the prodigies .

" Amy put a blue ribbon on the boy and a pink on the girl , French fashion , so you can always tell .

besides , one has blue eyes and one brown .

kiss them , Uncle Teddy , " said wicked Jo .

" I 'm afraid they mightn't like it , " began Laurie , with unusual timidity in such matters .

" of course they will , they are used to it now .

do it this minute , sir ! " commanded Jo , fearing he might propose a proxy .

Laurie screwed up his face and obeyed with a gingerly peck at each little cheek that produced another laugh , and made the babies squeal .

" there , I knew they didn't like it !

that 's the boy , see him kick , he hits out with his fists like a good one .

" he 's to be named John Laurence , and the girl Margaret , after mother and grandmother .

" name him Demijohn , and call him Demi for short , " said Laurie .

" Daisy and Demi , just the thing !

I knew Teddy would do it , " cried Jo clapping her hands .

Teddy certainly had done it that time , for the babies were ' Daisy ' and ' Demi ' to the end of the chapter .

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

CALLS

" come , Jo , it 's time . "

" for what ? "

" you don't mean to say you have forgotten that you promised to make half a dozen calls with me today ? "

" yes , you did , it was a bargain between us .

" if it was fair , that was in the bond , and I stand to the letter of my bond , Shylock .

there is a pile of clouds in the east , it 's not fair , and I don't go . "

" now , that 's shirking .

she hated calls of the formal sort , and never made any till Amy compelled her with a bargain , bribe , or promise .

" Jo March , you are perverse enough to provoke a saint !

you don't intend to make calls in that state , I hope , " cried Amy , surveying her with amazement .

" why not ?

I 'm neat and cool and comfortable , quite proper for a dusty walk on a warm day .

if people care more for my clothes than they do for me , I don't wish to see them .

you can dress for both , and be as elegant as you please .

it pays for you to be fine .

it doesn't for me , and furbelows only worry me . "

I 'll do anything for you , Jo , if you 'll only dress yourself nicely , and come and help me do the civil .

I 'm afraid to go alone , do come and take care of me . "

" you 're an artful little puss to flatter and wheedle your cross old sister in that way .

the idea of my being aristocratic and well-bred , and your being afraid to go anywhere alone !

I don't know which is the most absurd .

well , I 'll go if I must , and do my best .

" you 're a perfect cherub !

I want people to like you , and they would if you 'd only try to be a little more agreeable .

do your hair the pretty way , and put the pink rose in your bonnet .

it 's becoming , and you look too sober in your plain suit .

take your light gloves and the embroidered handkerchief .

we 'll stop at Meg 's , and borrow her white sunshade , and then you can have my dove-colored one . "

" I 'm perfectly miserable , but if you consider me presentable , I die happy . "

" you 're highly satisfactory .

turn slowly round , and let me get a careful view . "

your head is all I could ask , for that white bonnet with the rose is quite ravishing .

hold back your shoulders , and carry your hands easily , no matter if your gloves do pinch .

there 's one thing you can do well , Jo , that is , wear a shawl .

I can't , but it 's very nice to see you , and I 'm so glad Aunt March gave you that lovely one .

it 's simple , but handsome , and those folds over the arm are really artistic .

is the point of my mantle in the middle , and have I looped my dress evenly ?

I like to show my boots , for my feet are pretty , though my nose isn't . "

" am I to drag my best dress through the dust , or loop it up , please , ma'am ? "

" hold it up when you walk , but drop it in the house .

the sweeping style suits you best , and you must learn to trail your skirts gracefully .

you haven't half buttoned one cuff , do it at once .

you 'll never look finished if you are not careful about the little details , for they make up the pleasing whole . "

" now , Jo dear , the Chesters consider themselves very elegant people , so I want you to put on your best deportment .

don't make any of your abrupt remarks , or do anything odd , will you ?

" let me see .

' Calm , cool , and quiet ' , yes , I think I can promise that .

I 've played the part of a prim young lady on the stage , and I 'll try it off .

my powers are great , as you shall see , so be easy in your mind , my child . "

in vain Amy telegraphed the word ' talk ' , tried to draw her out , and administered covert pokes with her foot .

Jo sat as if blandly unconscious of it all , with deportment like Maud 's face , ' icily regular , splendidly null ' .

" how could you mistake me so ?

I merely meant you to be properly dignified and composed , and you made yourself a perfect stock and stone .

try to be sociable at the Lambs ' .

gossip as other girls do , and be interested in dress and flirtations and whatever nonsense comes up .

" I 'll be agreeable .

I 'll gossip and giggle , and have horrors and raptures over any trifle you like .

I rather enjoy this , and now I 'll imitate what is called ' a charming girl ' .

I can do it , for I have May Chester as a model , and I 'll improve upon her .

see if the Lambs don't say , ' What a lively , nice creature that Jo March is ! "

Amy felt anxious , as well she might , for when Jo turned freakish there was no knowing where she would stop .

one may imagine her suffering on overhearing fragments of this sort of conversation .

" she rides splendidly .

who taught her ? "

" no one .

she used to practice mounting , holding the reins , and sitting straight on an old saddle in a tree .

but what could she do ?

nice animal for a pleasure party , wasn't it ? "

" which did she choose ? " asked one of the laughing gentlemen , who enjoyed the subject .

" none of them .

her struggles were really pathetic .

there was no one to bring the horse to the saddle , so she took the saddle to the horse .

" did she ride the horse ? "

" of course she did , and had a capital time .

I expected to see her brought home in fragments , but she managed him perfectly , and was the life of the party . "

she was still redder and more uncomfortable a moment after , when a sudden turn in the conversation introduced the subject of dress .

you can't buy those soft shades , so we paint ours any color we like .

it 's a great comfort to have an artistic sister . "

" isn't that an original idea ? " cried Miss Lamb , who found Jo great fun .

" that 's nothing compared to some of her brilliant performances .

there 's nothing the child can't do .

" sorry you could find nothing better to read .

I write that rubbish because it sells , and ordinary people like it .

are you going to New York this winter ? "

as Miss Lamb had ' enjoyed ' the story , this speech was not exactly grateful or complimentary .

" Amy , we must go .

Good-by , dear , do come and see us .

we are pining for a visit .

" didn't I do well ? " asked Jo , with a satisfied air as they walked away .

" nothing could have been worse , " was Amy 's crushing reply .

" why , it 's funny , and amuses people .

" you needn't go and tell them all our little shifts , and expose our poverty in that perfectly unnecessary way .

" how shall I behave here ? " she asked , as they approached the third mansion .

" just as you please .

I wash my hands of you , " was Amy 's short answer .

" then I 'll enjoy myself .

the boys are at home , and we 'll have a comfortable time .

leaving her sister to her own devices , Amy proceeded to enjoy herself to her heart 's content .

it might have been worse , but Amy considered it bad .

" capital boys , aren't they ?

" why do you always avoid Mr Tudor ? " asked Amy , wisely refraining from any comment upon Jo 's dilapidated appearance .

" don't like him , he puts on airs , snubs his sisters , worries his father , and doesn't speak respectfully of his mother .

Laurie says he is fast , and I don't consider him a desirable acquaintance , so I let him alone . "

" you might treat him civilly , at least .

if you had just reversed the nod and the bow , it would have been right , " said Amy reprovingly .

Tommy is poor and bashful and good and very clever .

" it 's no use trying to argue with you , " began Amy .

" now let us go home , and never mind Aunt March today .

" speak for yourself , if you please .

Aunt March likes to have us pay her the compliment of coming in style , and making a formal call .

stoop down , and let me take the crumbs off of your bonnet . "

" I wish it was as easy for me to do little things to please people as it is for you .

if you 'd remember that , and practice it , you 'd be better liked than I am , because there is more of you . "

it 's a great misfortune to have such strong likes and dislikes , isn't it ? "

" it 's a greater not to be able to hide them .

I don't mind saying that I don't approve of Tudor any more than you do , but I 'm not called upon to tell him so .

neither are you , and there is no use in making yourself disagreeable because he is . "

preaching does not do any good , as I know to my sorrow , since I 've had Teddie to manage .

" so we are to countenance things and people which we detest , merely because we are not belles and millionaires , are we ?

that 's a nice sort of morality . "

I don't like reformers , and I hope you never try to be one . "

we can't agree about that , for you belong to the old set , and I to the new .

you will get on the best , but I shall have the liveliest time of it .

I should rather enjoy the brickbats and hooting , I think . "

" well , compose yourself now , and don't worry Aunt with your new ideas . "

" I 'll try not to , but I 'm always possessed to burst out with some particularly blunt speech or revolutionary sentiment before her .

it 's my doom , and I can't help it . "

" yes , Aunt .

" I 'm not , " put in Jo decidedly .

" I hate to be patronized , and the Chesters think it 's a great favor to allow us to help with their highly connected fair .

I wonder you consented , Amy , they only want you to work . "

" I am willing to work .

patronage does not trouble me when it is well meant . "

" quite right and proper .

I like your grateful spirit , my dear .

it 's a pleasure to help people who appreciate our efforts .

" I don't like favors , they oppress and make me feel like a slave .

I 'd rather do everything for myself , and be perfectly independent . "

" ahem ! " coughed Aunt Carrol softly , with a look at Aunt March .

" I told you so , " said Aunt March , with a decided nod to Aunt Carrol .

" do you speak French , dear ? " asked Mrs Carrol , laying a hand on Amy 's .

" how are you about languages ? " asked Mrs Carrol of Jo .

" don't know a word .

eyes don't trouble you any more , do they ? "

" not at all , thank you , ma'am .

" good girl !

Crosspatch , draw the latch , Sit by the fire and spin ,

" most observing bird , " said the old lady .

" thank you , I will .

" you 'd better do it , Mary .

I 'll supply the money . " and Aunt Carrol to reply decidedly , " I certainly will , if her father and mother consent . "

CHAPTER THIRTY

CONSEQUENCES

Amy 's dainty pen-and-ink work entirely eclipsed May 's painted vases that was one thorn .

then the all conquering Tudor had danced four times with Amy at a late party and only once with May that was thorn number two .

" I find , dear , that there is some feeling among the young ladies about my giving this table to anyone but my girls .

" now , my dear , don't have any ill feeling , I beg .

wouldn't you like the flower table ?

the little girls undertook it , but they are discouraged .

you could make a charming thing of it , and the flower table is always attractive you know . "

" especially to gentlemen , " added May , with a look which enlightened Amy as to one cause of her sudden fall from favor .

she colored angrily , but took no other notice of that girlish sarcasm , and answered with unexpected amiability ....y

" it shall be as you please , Mrs Chester .

I 'll give up my place here at once , and attend to the flowers , if you like . "

she meant it kindly , but Amy mistook her meaning , and said quickly ....y

" now she 's mad .

but everything seemed against her .

it was late , and she was tired .

her best tile got a splash of water , which left a sepia tear on the Cupid 's cheek .

she bruised her hands with hammering , and got cold working in a draft , which last affliction filled her with apprehensions for the morrow .

any girl reader who has suffered like afflictions will sympathize with poor Amy and wish her well through her task .

there was great indignation at home when she told her story that evening .

her mother said it was a shame , but told her she had done right .

" because they are mean is no reason why I should be .

I hate such things , and though I think I 've a right to be hurt , I don't intend to show it .

they will feel that more than angry speeches or huffy actions , won't they , Marmee ? "

" that 's the right spirit , my dear .

she began well , thanks to a silent reminder that came to her unexpectedly , but most opportunely .

Amy stood a minute , turning the leaves in her hand , reading on each some sweet rebuke for all heartburnings and uncharitableness of spirit .

many wise and true sermons are preached us every day by unconscious ministers in street , school , office , or home .

even a fair table may become a pulpit , if it can offer the good and helpful words which are never out of season .

a group of girls were standing about May 's table , admiring the pretty things , and talking over the change of saleswomen .

they dropped their voices , but Amy knew they were speaking of her , hearing one side of the story and judging accordingly .

it was not pleasant , but a better spirit had come over her , and presently a chance offered for proving it .

she heard May say sorrowfully ....y

the table was just complete then .

now it 's spoiled . "

" I dare say she 'd put them back if you asked her , " suggested someone .

" you may have them , and welcome , without asking , if you want them .

I was just thinking I 'd offer to put them back , for they belong to your table rather than mine .

here they are , please take them , and forgive me if I was hasty in carrying them away last night . "

" now , I call that lovely of her , don't you ? " cried one girl .

now , that was hard .

few cared to buy flowers in summer , and her bouquets began to droop long before night .

the art table was the most attractive in the room .

her mother gave her an extra cordial cup of tea .

presently the familiar tramp was heard in the dusk , and she ran out to meet him .

" is that my boy ? "

" oh , Teddy , such doings ! " and Jo told Amy 's wrongs with sisterly zeal .

" the flowers are not at all nice , Amy says , and the fresh ones may not arrive in time .

I don't wish to be unjust or suspicious , but I shouldn't wonder if they never came at all .

when people do one mean thing they are very likely to do another , " observed Jo in a disgusted tone .

" didn't Hayes give you the best out of our gardens ?

I told him to . "

" now , Jo , how could you think there was any need of asking ?

they are just as much yours as mine .

don't we always go halves in everything ? " began Laurie , in the tone that always made Jo turn thorny .

" Gracious , I hope not !

half of some of your things wouldn't suit me at all .

but we mustn't stand philandering here .

she reproached herself for her share of the ill feeling and resolved to exonerate Amy as soon as possible .

she also discovered what Amy had done about the things in the morning , and considered her a model of magnanimity .

as she passed the art table , she glanced over it for her sister 's things , but saw no sign of them .

" good evening , Miss Jo .

how does Amy get on ? " asked May with a conciliatory air , for she wanted to show that she also could be generous .

" she has sold everything she had that was worth selling , and now she is enjoying herself .

the flower table is always attractive , you know , ' especially to gentlemen ' . "

" is Amy 's illumination anywhere about ?

I took a fancy to buy that for Father , " said Jo , very anxious to learn the fate of her sister 's work .

" everything of Amy 's sold long ago .

" very well , my son , for a small boy ! " and walked him off , with a paternal pat on the head .

" buy the vases , " whispered Amy to Laurie , as a final heaping of coals of fire on her enemy 's head .

to May 's great delight , Mr Laurence not only bought the vases , but pervaded the hall with one under each arm .

that satisfied Amy , and when she got home she found the vases paraded on the parlor chimney piece with a great bouquet in each .

" the reward of merit for a magnanimous March , " as Laurie announced with a flourish .

" you 've a deal more principle and generosity and nobleness of character than I ever gave you credit for , Amy .

" yes , we all do , and love her for being so ready to forgive .

it must have been dreadfully hard , after working so long and setting your heart on selling your own pretty things .

I don't believe I could have done it as kindly as you did , " added Beth from her pillow .

" why , girls , you needn't praise me so .

I only did as I 'd be done by .

I can't explain exactly , but I want to be above the little meannesses and follies and faults that spoil so many women .

I 'm far from it now , but I do my best , and hope in time to be what Mother is . "

try away , deary , you 'll get your reward some day , and no one will be more delighted than I shall . "

a week later Amy did get her reward , and poor Jo found it hard to be delighted .

" aunt Carrol is going abroad next month , and wants ....y "

" me to go with her ! " burst in Jo , flying out of her chair in an uncontrollable rapture .

" no , dear , not you .

it 's Amy . "

" oh , Mother !

she 's too young , it 's my turn first .

I 've wanted it so long .

it would do me so much good , and be so altogether splendid .

I must go ! "

" I 'm afraid it 's impossible , Jo .

aunt says Amy , decidedly , and it is not for us to dictate when she offers such a favor . "

" it 's always so .

Amy has all the fun and I have all the work .

it isn't fair , oh , it isn't fair ! " cried Jo passionately .

" I 'm afraid it 's partly your own fault , dear .

Amy is more docile , will make a good companion for Flo , and receive gratefully any help the trip may give her . "

" oh , my tongue , my abominable tongue !

why can't I learn to keep it quiet ? " groaned Jo , remembering words which had been her undoing .

when she had heard the explanation of the quoted phrases , Mrs. march said sorrowfully ....y

" I 'll try , " said Jo , winking hard as she knelt down to pick up the basket she had joyfully upset .

" it isn't a mere pleasure trip to me , girls , " she said impressively , as she scraped her best palette .

" then I shall come home and teach drawing for my living , " replied the aspirant for fame , with philosophic composure .

" no , you won't .

" your predictions sometimes come to pass , but I don't believe that one will .

" hum ! " said Jo , with a sigh .

" if you wish it you 'll have it , for your wishes are always granted mine never . "

" would you like to go ? " asked Amy , thoughtfully patting her nose with her knife .

" rather ! "

" thank you .

there was not much time for preparation , and the house was in a ferment till Amy was off .

Amy likewise bore up stoutly till the steamer sailed .

" oh , take care of them for me , and if anything should happen ....y "

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

OUR FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT

London

dearest People , Here I really sit at a front window of the Bath Hotel , Piccadilly .

it 's not a fashionable place , but Uncle stopped here years ago , and won't go anywhere else .

however , we don't mean to stay long , so it 's no great matter .

oh , I can't begin to tell you how I enjoy it all !

everyone was very kind to me , especially the officers .

such walks on deck , such sunsets , such splendid air and waves !

it was almost as exciting as riding a fast horse , when we went rushing on so grandly .

I wish Beth could have come , it would have done her so much good .

I never shall forget it .

" oh , have you e'er heard of Kate Kearney ?

wasn't that nonsensical ?

we only stopped at Liverpool a few hours .

it 's a dirty , noisy place , and I was glad to leave it .

I 've given ' em the latest Yankee shine . "

it amused Uncle immensely .

oh , I must tell you what that absurd Lennox did !

wasn't that fun , girls ?

I like traveling .

I never shall get to London if I don't hurry .

the trip was like riding through a long picture gallery , full of lovely landscapes .

aunt was tired and went to sleep , but Uncle read his guidebook , and wouldn't be astonished at anything .

this is the way we went on .

Amy , flying up " oh , that must be Kenilworth , that gray place among the trees ! "

Flo , darting to my window " how sweet !

we must go there sometime , won't we Papa ? "

uncle , calmly admiring his boots " No , my dear , not unless you want beer , that 's a brewery . "

a pause then Flo cried out , " bless me , there 's a gallows and a man going up . "

" where , where ? " shrieks Amy , staring out at two tall posts with a crossbeam and some dangling chains .

" a colliery , " remarks Uncle , with a twinkle of the eye .

" here 's a lovely flock of lambs all lying down , " says Amy .

" See , Papa , aren't they pretty ? " added Flo sentimentally .

of course it rained when we got to London , and there was nothing to be seen but fog and umbrellas .

we rested , unpacked , and shopped a little between the showers .

aunt Mary got me some new things , for I came off in such a hurry I wasn't half ready .

a white hat and blue feather , a muslin dress to match , and the loveliest mantle you ever saw .

shopping in Regent Street is perfectly splendid .

things seem so cheap , nice ribbons only sixpence a yard .

I laid in a stock , but shall get my gloves in Paris .

doesn't that sound sort of elegant and rich ?

it was so droll !

" now , then , mum ? "

today was fair , and we went to Hyde Park , close by , for we are more aristocratic than we look .

the Duke of Devonshire lives near .

I often see his footmen lounging at the back gate , and the Duke of Wellington 's house is not far off .

such sights as I saw , my dear !

Rotten Row means ' Route de Roi ' , or the king 's way , but now it 's more like a riding school than anything else .

this evening we are going to see Fechter , which will be an appropriate end to the happiest day of my life .

it 's very late , but I can't let my letter go in the morning without telling you what happened last evening .

who do you think came in , as we were at tea ?

Laurie 's English friends , Fred and Frank Vaughn !

I was so surprised , for I shouldn't have known them but for the cards .

tell Beth Frank asked for her , and was sorry to hear of her ill health .

Fred laughed when I spoke of Jo , and sent his ' respectful compliments to the big hat ' .

neither of them had forgotten Camp Laurence , or the fun we had there .

what ages ago it seems , doesn't it ?

Aunt is tapping on the wall for the third time , so I must stop .

I long to see you all , and in spite of my nonsense am , as ever , your loving ....v

AMY

PARIS

dear girls ,

in my last I told you about our London visit , how kind the Vaughns were , and what pleasant parties they made for us .

aunt looked sober at first , but he was so cool about it she couldn't say a word .

uncle doesn't know ten words , and insists on talking English very loud , as if it would make people understand him .

such delightful times as we are having !

Sight-seeing from morning till night , stopping for nice lunches in the gay cafes , and meeting with all sorts of droll adventures .

rainy days I spend in the Louvre , revelling in pictures .

I 'll talk for hours about them when I come , but haven't time to write .

the Palais Royale is a heavenly place , so full of bijouterie and lovely things that I 'm nearly distracted because I can't buy them .

Fred wanted to get me some , but of course I didn't allow it .

then the Bois and Champs Elysees are tres magnifique .

we often walk in the Tuileries Gardens , for they are lovely , though the antique Luxembourg Gardens suit me better .

that is so Frenchy .

our rooms are on the Rue de Rivoli , and sitting on the balcony , we look up and down the long , brilliant street .

it is so pleasant that we spend our evenings talking there when too tired with our day 's work to go out .

Fred is very entertaining , and is altogether the most agreeable young man I ever knew except Laurie , whose manners are more charming .

I keep my diary , and try to ' remember correctly and describe clearly all that I see and admire ' , as Father advised .

it is good practice for me , and with my sketchbook will give you a better idea of my tour than these scribbles .

adieu , I embrace you tenderly .

" Votre Amie . "

HEIDELBERG

my dear Mamma ,

the sail up the Rhine was perfect , and I just sat and enjoyed it with all my might .

get Father 's old guidebooks and read about it .

I haven't words beautiful enough to describe it .

it was a moonlight night , and about one o'clock Flo and I were waked by the most delicious music under our windows .

we flew up , and hid behind the curtains , but sly peeps showed us Fred and the students singing away down below .

next morning Fred showed me one of the crumpled flowers in his vest pocket , and looked very sentimental .

I 'm afraid I 'm going to have trouble with that boy , it begins to look like it .

the baths at Nassau were very gay , so was Baden-Baden , where Fred lost some money , and I scolded him .

he needs someone to look after him when Frank is not with him .

Kate said once she hoped he 'd marry soon , and I quite agree with her that it would be well for him .

Frankfurt was delightful .

I saw Goethe 's house , Schiller 's statue , and Dannecker 's famous ' Ariadne . '

it was very lovely , but I should have enjoyed it more if I had known the story better .

I didn't like to ask , as everyone knew it or pretended they did .

I wish Jo would tell me all about it .

I ought to have read more , for I find I don't know anything , and it mortifies me .

now comes the serious part , for it happened here , and Fred has just gone .

he has been so kind and jolly that we all got quite fond of him .

I never thought of anything but a traveling friendship till the serenade night .

since then I 've begun to feel that the moonlight walks , balcony talks , and daily adventures were something more to him than fun .

I haven't flirted , Mother , truly , but remembered what you said to me , and have done my very best .

I can't help it if people like me .

I like him , and we get on comfortably together .

he is handsome , young , clever enough , and very rich ever so much richer than the Laurences .

Fred , as the eldest twin , will have the estate , I suppose , and such a splendid one it is !

I like it , for it 's genuine .

oh , it would be all I should ask !

and I 'd rather have it than any title such as girls snap up so readily , and find nothing behind .

I may be mercenary , but I hate poverty , and don't mean to bear it a minute longer than I can help .

one of us must marry well .

Meg didn't , Jo won't , Beth can't yet , so I shall , and make everything okay all round .

I wouldn't marry a man I hated or despised .

so I 've been turning the matter over in my mind the last week , for it was impossible to help seeing that Fred liked me .

he said nothing , but little things showed it .

I had a feeling that something was going to happen and I was ready for it .

I didn't feel blushy or quakey , but quite cool and only a little excited .

By-and-by I heard Fred 's voice , and then he came hurrying through the great arch to find me .

he looked so troubled that I forgot all about myself , and asked what the matter was .

he said he 'd just got a letter begging him to come home , for Frank was very ill .

so he was going at once on the night train and only had time to say good-by .

of course this is all very private , but I wished you to know what was going on .

don't be anxious about me , remember I am your ' prudent Amy ' , and be sure I will do nothing rashly .

send me as much advice as you like .

I 'll use it if I can .

I wish I could see you for a good talk , Marmee .

love and trust me .

ever your AMY

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

TENDER TROUBLES

" Jo , I 'm anxious about Beth . "

" why , Mother , she has seemed unusually well since the babies came . "

" it 's not her health that troubles me now , it 's her spirits .

I 'm sure there is something on her mind , and I want you to discover what it is . "

" what makes you think so , Mother ? "

" she sits alone a good deal , and doesn't talk to her father as much as she used .

I found her crying over the babies the other day .

this isn't like Beth , and it worries me . "

" have you asked her about it ? "

" I have tried once or twice , but she either evaded my questions or looked so distressed that I stopped .

I never force my children 's confidence , and I seldom have to wait for long . "

why , Mother , Beth 's eighteen , but we don't realize it , and treat her like a child , forgetting she 's a woman . "

" so she is .

dear heart , how fast you do grow up , " returned her mother with a sigh and a smile .

I promise never to hop very far , if that is any comfort to you . "

" it 's a great comfort , Jo .

I always feel strong when you are at home , now Meg is gone .

Beth is too feeble and Amy too young to depend upon , but when the tug comes , you are always ready . "

" why , you know I don't mind hard jobs much , and there must always be one scrub in a family .

Amy is distinguishing herself abroad , but if anything is amiss at home , I 'm your man . "

be very kind , and don't let her think anyone watches or talks about her .

if she only would get quite strong and cheerful again , I shouldn't have a wish in the world . "

" happy woman !

I 've got heaps . "

" my dear , what are they ? "

" I 'll settle Bethy 's troubles , and then I 'll tell you mine .

a slight incident gave Jo the clue to the mystery , she thought , and lively fancy , loving heart did the rest .

she was affecting to write busily one Saturday afternoon , when she and Beth were alone together .

yet as she scribbled , she kept her eye on her sister , who seemed unusually quiet .

suddenly some one passed below , whistling like an operatic blackbird , and a voice called out , " all serene !

coming in tonight . "

Beth whisked it off , and in her half-averted face read a tender sorrow that made her own eyes fill .

fearing to betray herself , she slipped away , murmuring something about needing more paper .

" I never dreamed of such a thing .

what will Mother say ?

I wonder if her ... " there Jo stopped and turned scarlet with a sudden thought .

" if he shouldn't love back again , how dreadful it would be .

he must .

I 'll make him ! " and she shook her head threateningly at the picture of the mischievous-looking boy laughing at her from the wall .

" oh dear , we are growing up with a vengeance .

here 's Meg married and a mamma , Amy flourishing away at Paris , and Beth in love .

I 'm the only one that has sense enough to keep out of mischief . "

therefore , no one thought of imagining that he cared more for her than for the others .

things were in this state when the grand discovery was made , and Jo watched Laurie that night as she had never done before .

" who knows ?

stranger things have happened , " thought Jo , as she fussed about the room .

as everyone was out of the way but herself , Jo began to feel that she ought to dispose of herself with all speed .

but where should she go ?

and burning to lay herself upon the shrine of sisterly devotion , she sat down to settle that point .

they all loved it , for it was a family refuge , and one corner had always been Jo 's favorite lounging place .

" now , this is filling at the price . "

" no slang , " snapped Jo , slamming down the pillow .

" come , Jo , don't be thorny .

after studying himself to a skeleton all the week , a fellow deserves petting and ought to get it . "

" Beth will pet you .

I 'm busy . "

have you ?

do you hate your boy , and want to fire pillows at him ? "

" not one , upon my word .

she 's engaged .

now then . "

my feelings need a ' vent ' . "

" mother doesn't approve of flirting even in fun , and you do flirt desperately , Teddy . "

" I 'd give anything if I could answer , ' So do you ' .

" well , it does look pleasant , but I can't learn how it 's done .

" take lessons of Amy , she has a regular talent for it . "

" yes , she does it very prettily , and never seems to go too far .

" I 'm glad you can't flirt .

it 's really refreshing to see a sensible , straightforward girl , who can be jolly and kind without making a fool of herself .

between ourselves , Jo , some of the girls I know really do go on at such a rate I 'm ashamed of them .

" much you know about it , ma'am , " said Laurie in a superior tone .

" we don't like romps and flirts , though we may act as if we did sometimes .

the pretty , modest girls are never talked about , except respectfully , among gentleman .

bless your innocent soul !

if you could be in my place for a month you 'd see things that would astonish you a trifle .

upon my word , when I see one of those harum-scarum girls , I always want to say with our friend Cock Robin ....v

" out upon you , fie upon you , Bold-faced jig ! "

" you really advise it ? " and Laurie looked at her with an odd mixture of anxiety and merriment in his face .

" mercy on us , this will never do , " thought Jo , adding aloud , " go and sing to me .

I 'm dying for some music , and always like yours . "

" I 'd rather stay here , thank you . "

" well , you can't , there isn't room .

go and make yourself useful , since you are too big to be ornamental .

I thought you hated to be tied to a woman 's apron string ? " retorted Jo , quoting certain rebellious words of his own .

" ah , that depends on who wears the apron ! " and Laurie gave an audacious tweak at the tassel .

" are you going ? " demanded Jo , diving for the pillow .

" I thought you were asleep , " sobbed Beth .

" is it the old pain , my precious ? "

" no , it 's a new one , but I can bear it , " and Beth tried to check her tears .

" tell me all about it , and let me cure it as I often did the other . "

" you can't , there is no cure . "

there Beth 's voice gave way , and clinging to her sister , she cried so despairingly that Jo was frightened .

" where is it ?

shall I call Mother ? "

" no , no , don't call her , don't tell her .

I shall be better soon .

Lie down here and ' poor ' my head .

I 'll be quiet and go to sleep , indeed I will . "

" yes , Jo , " after a long pause .

" wouldn't it comfort you to tell me what it is ? "

" not now , not yet . "

" I know it .

I 'll tell you by-and-by . "

" is the pain better now ? "

" oh , yes , much better , you are so comfortable , Jo . "

" go to sleep , dear .

I 'll stay with you . "

but Jo had made up her mind , and after pondering over a project for some days , she confided it to her mother .

" you asked me the other day what my wishes were .

I 'll tell you one of them , Marmee , " she began , as they sat along together .

" I want to go away somewhere this winter for a change . "

" why , Jo ? " and her mother looked up quickly , as if the words suggested a double meaning .

with her eyes on her work Jo answered soberly , " I want something new .

I feel restless and anxious to be seeing , doing , and learning more than I am .

" where will you hop ? "

" to New York .

I had a bright idea yesterday , and this is it .

you know Mrs Kirke wrote to you for some respectable young person to teach her children and sew .

it 's rather hard to find just the thing , but I think I should suit if I tried . "

" my dear , go out to service in that great boarding house ! " and Mrs ..y March looked surprised , but not displeased .

her family is separate from the rest , and no one knows me there .

don't care if they do .

it 's honest work , and I 'm not ashamed of it . "

" nor I ..y but your writing ? "

" all the better for the change .

" I have no doubt of it , but are these your only reasons for this sudden fancy ? "

" no , Mother . "

" may I know the others ? "

Jo looked up and Jo looked down , then said slowly , with sudden color in her cheeks .

" it may be vain and wrong to say it , but I 'm afraid Laurie is getting too fond of me . "

" Mercy , no !

" I 'm glad of that , Jo . "

" why , please ? "

" because , dear , I don't think you suited to one another .

" that 's just the feeling I had , though I couldn't express it .

I 'm glad you think he is only beginning to care for me .

" you are sure of his feeling for you ? "

he hasn't said anything , but he looks a great deal .

I think I had better go away before it comes to anything . "

" I agree with you , and if it can be managed you shall go . "

Meg is so , and I am content with her success .

you I leave to enjoy your liberty till you tire of it , for only then will you find that there is something sweeter .

Amy is my chief care now , but her good sense will help her .

for Beth , I indulge no hopes except that she may be well .

by the way , she seems brighter this last day or two .

have you spoken to her ? '

" yes , she owned she had a trouble , and promised to tell me by-and-by .

I said no more , for I think I know it , " and Jo told her little story .

Beth must think I 'm going to please myself , as I am , for I can't talk about Laurie to her .

but she can pet and comfort him after I 'm gone , and so cure him of this romantic notion .

he 's been through so many little trials of the sort , he 's used to it , and will soon get over his lovelornity . "

when all was settled , with fear and trembling she told Laurie , but to her surprise he took it very quietly .

" one thing I leave in your especial care , " she said , the night before she left .

" you mean your papers ? " asked Beth .

" no , my boy .

be very good to him , won't you ? "

" of course I will , but I can't fill your place , and he 'll miss you sadly . "

" I 'll do my best , for your sake , " promised Beth , wondering why Jo looked at her so queerly .

when Laurie said good-by , he whispered significantly , " it won't do a bit of good , Jo .

my eye is on you , so mind what you do , or I 'll come and bring you home . "

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

JO'S JOURNAL

New York , November

dear Marmee and Beth ,

Mrs Kirke welcomed me so kindly I felt at home at once , even in that big house full of strangers .

a fine view and a church tower opposite atone for the many stairs , and I took a fancy to my den on the spot .

my rooms are always open to you , and your own shall be as comfortable as I can make it .

there are some pleasant people in the house if you feel sociable , and your evenings are always free .

come to me if anything goes wrong , and be as happy as you can .

there 's the tea bell , I must run and change my cap . "

and off she bustled , leaving me to settle myself in my new nest .

as I went downstairs soon after , I saw something I liked .

the little back is too young to haf such heaviness . "

wasn't it good of him ?

I like such things , for as Father says , trifles show character .

he 's almost forty , so it 's no harm , Marmee .

I shall keep a journal-letter , and send it once a week , so goodnight , and more tomorrow .

Tuesday Eve

some good angel inspired me to try gymnastics , and I kept it up till they were glad to sit down and keep still .

professor Bhaer was there , and while he arranged his books , I took a good look at him .

" me wants me Bhaer , " said the mite , slamming down her book and running to meet him .

" thou shalt haf thy Bhaer .

" now me mus tuddy my lessin , " went on the funny little thing .

it all goes bad this day . "

poor man , I pitied him , and when the girls were gone , took just one more peep to see if he survived it .

I fancy he has a hard life of it .

she gave me a seat by her , and after my face cooled off , I plucked up courage and looked about me .

" Governess , or something of that sort . "

" what the deuce is she at our table for ? "

" friend of the old lady 's . "

" Handsome head , but no style . "

" not a bit of it .

give us a light and come on . "

I hate ordinary people !

Thursday

I picked up a few bits of news and was introduced to the Professor .

it seems that Tina is the child of the Frenchwoman who does the fine ironing in the laundry here .

the maiden lady is a Miss Norton , rich , cultivated , and kind .

I was in our parlor last evening when Mr Bhaer came in with some newspapers for Mrs Kirke .

she wasn't there , but Minnie , who is a little old woman , introduced me very prettily .

" this is Mamma 's friend , Miss March . "

" yes , and she 's jolly and we like her lots , " added Kitty , who is an ' enfant terrible ' .

we both bowed , and then we laughed , for the prim introduction and the blunt addition were rather a comical contrast .

" ah , yes , I hear these naughty ones go to vex you , Mees Marsch .

if so again , call at me and I come , " he said , with a threatening frown that delighted the little wretches .

" you haf a fine day to make your walk .

Bon voyage , Mademoiselle . "

the German gentlemen embroider , I know , but darning hose is another thing and not so pretty .

Saturday

I 'm as proud as Lucifer , but such favors from such people don't burden me , and I accepted gratefully .

" we are playing nargerie , " explained Kitty .

" Dis is mine effalunt ! " added Tina , holding on by the Professor 's hair .

I wish Americans were as simple and natural as Germans , don't you ?

pray forward Amy 's as soon as you can spare them .

my small news will sound very flat after her splendors , but you will like them , I know .

is Teddy studying so hard that he can't find time to write to his friends ?

take good care of him for me , Beth , and tell me all about the babies , and give heaps of love to everyone .

from your faithful Jo .

bless you !

DECEMBER

my Precious Betsey ,

we are very good friends now , and I 've begun to take lessons .

I really couldn't help it , and it all came about in such a droll way that I must tell you .

to begin at the beginning , Mrs Kirke called to me one day as I passed Mr Bhaer 's room where she was rummaging .

" did you ever see such a den , my dear ?

I went in , and while we worked I looked about me , for it was ' a den ' to be sure .

Half-finished boats and bits of string lay among the manuscripts .

" such a man ! " laughed good-natured Mrs . K ..y , as she put the relics in the rag bag .

" I suppose the others are torn up to rig ships , bandage cut fingers , or make kite tails .

it 's dreadful , but I can't scold him .

he 's so absent-minded and goodnatured , he lets those boys ride over him roughshod .

" let me mend them , " said I .

" I don't mind it , and he needn't know .

I 'd like to , he 's so kind to me about bringing my letters and lending books . "

nothing was said , and I hoped he wouldn't find it out , but one day last week he caught me at it .

" yes , but you are too busy .

I am too stupid to learn , " I blundered out , as red as a peony .

" Prut !

we will make the time , and we fail not to find the sense .

" ah !

but I haf an eye , and I see much .

I haf a heart , and I feel thanks for this .

come , a little lesson then and now , or no more good fairy works for me and mine . "

I took four lessons , and then I stuck fast in a grammatical bog .

" now we shall try a new way .

now we go well !

my turn .

I do him in German , gif me your ear . "

and away he went , rumbling out the words with his strong voice and a relish which was good to see as well as hear .

I like it very much , and he doesn't seem tired of it yet , which is very good of him , isn't it ?

I mean to give him something on Christmas , for I dare not offer money .

tell me something nice , Marmee .

I 'm glad Laurie seems so happy and busy , that he has given up smoking and lets his hair grow .

you see Beth manages him better than I did .

I 'm not jealous , dear , do your best , only don't make a saint of him .

I 'm afraid I couldn't like him without a spice of human naughtiness .

read him bits of my letters .

I haven't time to write much , and that will do just as well .

thank Heaven Beth continues so comfortable .

JANUARY

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your Christmas bundle , for I didn't get it till night and had given up hoping .

the things were just what I wanted , and all the better for being made instead of bought .

Beth 's new ' ink bib ' was capital , and Hannah 's box of hard gingerbread will be a treasure .

I 'll be sure and wear the nice flannels you sent , Marmee , and read carefully the books Father has marked .

thank you all , heaps and heaps !

speaking of books reminds me that I 'm getting rich in that line , for on New Year 's Day Mr Bhaer gave me a fine Shakespeare .

" you say often you wish a library .

here I gif you one , for between these lids ( he meant covers ) is many books in one .

I thanked him as well as I could , and talk now about ' my library ' , as if I had a hundred books .

I never knew how much there was in Shakespeare before , but then I never had a Bhaer to explain it to me .

now don't laugh at his horrid name .

I 'm glad you both like what I tell you about him , and hope you will know him some day .

mother would admire his warm heart , Father his wise head .

I admire both , and feel rich in my new ' friend Friedrich Bhaer ' .

I was so glad of that .

they got up a masquerade , and had a gay time New Year 's Eve .

I didn't mean to go down , having no dress .

but at the last minute , Mrs Kirke remembered some old brocades , and Miss Norton lent me lace and feathers .

so I dressed up as Mrs Malaprop , and sailed in with a mask on .

I enjoyed it very much , and when we unmasked it was fun to see them stare at me .

Meg will relish that joke .

Mr Bhaer was Nick Bottom , and Tina was Titania , a perfect little fairy in his arms .

to see them dance was ' quite a landscape ' , to use a Teddyism .

bless you all !

ever your loving ....y

Jo

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

FRIEND

she took to writing sensation stories , for in those dark ages , even all-perfect America read rubbish .

somewhat daunted by this reception , Jo hesitated on the threshold , murmuring in much embarrassment ....y

" excuse me , I was looking for the Weekly Volcano office .

I wished to see Mr Dashwood . "

" no , sir .

she has had some experience , and got a prize for a tale in the Blarneystone Banner . "

" well , you can leave it , if you like .

when she went again , Mr Dashwood was alone , whereat she rejoiced .

" we 'll take this ( editors never say I ) , if you don't object to a few alterations .

Mr Dashwoods 's editorial gravity relaxed into a smile , for Jo had forgotten her ' friend ' , and spoken as only an author could .

" people want to be amused , not preached at , you know .

morals don't sell nowadays . "

which was not quite a correct statement , by the way .

" you think it would do with these alterations , then ? "

" what do you that is , what compensation " began Jo , not exactly knowing how to express herself .

" oh , yes , well , we give from twenty-five to thirty for things of this sort .

pay when it comes out , " returned Mr Dashwood , as if that point had escaped him .

such trifles do escape the editorial mind , it is said .

" well , we 'll look at it .

can't promise to take it .

tell her to make it short and spicy , and never mind the moral .

what name would your friend like to put on it ? " in a careless tone .

" just as she likes , of course .

the tale will be out next week .

" I 'll call .

good morning , Sir . "

one thing disturbed her satisfaction , and that was that she did not tell them at home .

she had a feeling that Father and Mother would not approve , and preferred to have her own way first , and beg pardon afterward .

it was easy to keep her secret , for no name appeared with her stories .

Mr Dashwood had of course found it out very soon , but promised to be dumb , and for a wonder kept his word .

she excited the suspicions of public librarians by asking for works on poisons .

she studied faces in the street , and characters , good , bad , and indifferent , all about her .

she thought she was prospering finely , but unconsciously she was beginning to desecrate some of the womanliest attributes of a woman 's character .

wrongdoing always brings its own punishment , and when Jo most needed hers , she got it .

why everybody liked him was what puzzled Jo , at first .

Jo often watched him , trying to discover the charm , and at last decided that it was benevolence which worked the miracle .

there were lines upon his forehead , but Time seemed to have touched him gently , remembering how kind he was to others .

his very clothes seemed to partake of the hospitable nature of the wearer .

they looked as if they were at ease , and liked to make him comfortable .

his capacious waistcoat was suggestive of a large heart underneath .

his rusty coat had a social air , and the baggy pockets plainly proved that little hands often went in empty and came out full .

his very boots were benevolent , and his collars never stiff and raspy like other people 's .

he never spoke of himself , and in a conversation with Miss Norton divulged the pleasing fact .

from her Jo learned it , and liked it all the better because Mr Bhaer had never told it .

another and a better gift than intellect was shown her in a most unexpected manner .

Miss Norton had the entree into most society , which Jo would have had no chance of seeing but for her .

the solitary woman felt an interest in the ambitious girl , and kindly conferred many favors of this sort both on Jo and the Professor .

she took them with her one night to a select symposium , held in honor of several celebrities .

Jo went prepared to bow down and adore the mighty ones whom she had worshiped with youthful enthusiasm afar off .

turning as from a fallen idol , she made other discoveries which rapidly dispelled her romantic illusions .

before the evening was half over , Jo felt so completely disillusioned , that she sat down in a corner to recover herself .

somehow , as he talked , the world got right again to Jo .

the old beliefs , that had lasted so long , seemed better than the new .

God was not a blind force , and immortality was not a pretty fable , but a blessed fact .

this belief strengthened daily .

" Mees Marsch , for what do you laugh in your master 's face ?

Haf you no respect for me , that you go on so bad ? "

" how can I be respectful , Sir , when you forget to take your hat off ? " said Jo .

" ah !

I see him now , it is that imp Tina who makes me a fool with my cap .

well , it is nothing , but see you , if this lesson goes not well , you too shall wear him . "

they are not for children to see , nor young people to read .

it is not well , and I haf no patience with those who make this harm . "

Jo glanced at the sheet and saw a pleasing illustration composed of a lunatic , a corpse , a villain , and a viper .

now it occurred to him that she was doing what she was ashamed to own , and it troubled him .

he did not say to himself , " it is none of my business .

I 've no right to say anything , " as many people would have done .

" yes , you are right to put it from you .

I do not think that good young girls should see such things .

they are made pleasant to some , but I would more rather give my boys gunpowder to play with than this bad trash . "

" there is a demand for whisky , but I think you and I do not care to sell it .

if the respectable people knew what harm they did , they would not feel that the living was honest .

they haf no right to put poison in the sugarplum , and let the small ones eat it .

no , they should think a little , and sweep mud in the street before they do this thing . "

Mr Bhaer spoke warmly , and walked to the fire , crumpling the paper in his hands .

" I should like much to send all the rest after him , " muttered the Professor , coming back with a relieved air .

I 'll be very good and proper now . "

as soon as she went to her room , she got out her papers , and carefully reread every one of her stories .

" they are trash , and will soon be worse trash if I go on , for each is more sensational than the last .

I 've gone blindly on , hurting myself and other people , for the sake of money .

Jo turned hot at the bare idea , and stuffed the whole bundle into her stove , nearly setting the chimney afire with the blaze .

" yes , that 's the best place for such inflammable nonsense .

if I didn't care about doing right , and didn't feel uncomfortable when doing wrong , I should get on capitally .

I can't help wishing sometimes , that Mother and Father hadn't been so particular about such things . "

so nothing came of these trials , and Jo corked up her inkstand , and said in a fit of very wholesome humility ....y

" I don't know anything .

which decision proved that her second tumble down the beanstalk had done her some good .

it was a pleasant winter and a long one , for she did not leave Mrs Kirke till June .

everyone seemed sorry when the time came .

" going home ?

I 'll never forgive you if you do , for I want them all to know my friend . "

" do you ?

shall I come ? " he asked , looking down at her with an eager expression which she did not see .

" yes , come next month .

Laurie graduates then , and you 'd enjoy commencement as something new . "

" that is your best friend , of whom you speak ? " he said in an altered tone .

" yes , my boy Teddy .

I 'm very proud of him and should like you to see him . "

Jo looked up then , quite unconscious of anything but her own pleasure in the prospect of showing them to one another .

if it had not been for Tina on her knee .

she didn't know what would have become of her .

but he did , and his own changed again from that momentary anxiety to its usual expression , as he said cordially ....v

" I fear I shall not make the time for that , but I wish the friend much success , and you all happiness .

Gott bless you ! "

and with that , he shook hands warmly , shouldered Tina , and went away .

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

HEARTACHE

" I 've got to stay for this confounded supper , but I shall be home early tomorrow .

you 'll come and meet me as usual , girls ? "

Laurie said , as he put the sisters into the carriage after the joys of the day were over .

he said ' girls ' , but he meant Jo , for she was the only one who kept up the old custom .

she had not the heart to refuse her splendid , successful boy anything , and answered warmly ....v

Laurie thanked her with a look that made her think in a sudden panic , " oh , deary me !

I know he 'll say something , and then what shall I do ? "

" where 's the jew's-harp , Jo ? " cried Laurie , as soon as he was within speaking distance .

" I forgot it . "

and Jo took heart again , for that salutation could not be called lover-like .

then he walked more slowly , suddenly lost his fine flow of language , and now and then a dreadful pause occurred .

" I intend to . "

please don't ! "

" I will , and you must hear me .

" say what you like then .

I 'll listen , " said Jo , with a desperate sort of patience .

" I 've loved you ever since I 've known you , Jo , couldn't help it , you 've been so good to me .

I 've tried to show it , but you wouldn't let me .

now I 'm going to make you hear , and give me an answer , for I can't go on so any longer . "

" I wanted to save you this .

I thought you 'd understand ....y " began Jo , finding it a great deal harder than she expected .

" I know you did , but the girls are so queer you never know what they mean .

" I don't .

I never wanted to make you care for me so , and I went away to keep you from it if I could . "

" I thought so .

it was like you , but it was no use .

here there was a choke that couldn't be controlled , so he decapitated buttercups while he cleared his ' confounded throat ' .

I 've tried , but I can't change the feeling , and it would be a lie to say I do when I don't . "

" really , truly , Jo ? "

he stopped short , and caught both her hands as he put his question with a look that she did not soon forget .

" really , truly , dear . "

so he just laid his head down on the mossy post , and stood so still that Jo was frightened .

" oh , Teddy , I 'm sorry , so desperately sorry , I could kill myself if it would do any good !

I wish you wouldn't take it so hard , I can't help it .

" they do sometimes , " said a muffled voice from the post .

" I don't believe it 's the right sort of love , and I 'd rather not try it , " was the decided answer .

" tell what ? " she asked , wondering at his violence .

" that you love that old man . "

" what old man ? " demanded Jo , thinking he must mean his grandfather .

" that devilish Professor you were always writing about .

he isn't old , nor anything bad , but good and kind , and the best friend I 've got , next to you .

pray , don't fly into a passion .

I want to be kind , but I know I shall get angry if you abuse my Professor .

I haven't the least idea of loving him or anybody else . "

" but you will after a while , and then what will become of me ? "

" you 'll love someone else too , like a sensible boy , and forget all this trouble . "

" I can't love anyone else , and I 'll never forget you , Jo , Never !

never ! " with a stamp to emphasize his passionate words .

" what shall I do with him ? " sighed Jo , finding that emotions were more unmanagable than she expected .

" you haven't heard what I wanted to tell you .

Jo paused a little over the last word , but Laurie uttered it with a rapturous expression .

" Marry no we shouldn't !

if you loved me , Jo , I should be a perfect saint , for you could make me anything you like . "

" no , I can't .

I 've tried and failed , and I won't risk our happiness by such a serious experiment .

" yes , we will if we get the chance , " muttered Laurie rebelliously .

" now do be reasonable , and take a sensible view of the case , " implored Jo , almost at her wit 's end .

" I won't be reasonable .

I don't want to take what you call ' a sensible view ' .

it won't help me , and it only makes it harder .

I don't believe you 've got any heart . "

" I wish I hadn't . "

everyone expects it .

grandpa has set his heart upon it , your people like it , and I can't get on without you .

say you will , and let's be happy .

do , do ! "

it was very hard to do , but she did it , knowing that delay was both useless and cruel .

" I can't say ' yes ' truly , so I won't say it at all .

you 'll see that I 'm right , by-and-by , and thank me for it ....y " she began solemnly .

" I 'll be hanged if I do ! " and Laurie bounced up off the grass , burning with indignation at the very idea .

" yes , you will ! " persisted Jo .

I shouldn't .

" anything more ? " asked Laurie , finding it hard to listen patiently to this prophetic burst .

" nothing more , except that I don't believe I shall ever marry .

" I know better ! " broke in Laurie .

" I 've done my best , but you won't be reasonable , and it 's selfish of you to keep teasing for what I can't give .

that speech was like gunpowder .

" oh , where are you going ? " she cried , for his face frightened her .

" to the devil ! " was the consoling answer .

" now I must go and prepare Mr Laurence to be very kind to my poor boy .

I wish he 'd love Beth , perhaps he may in time , but I begin to think I was mistaken about her .

oh dear !

how can girls like to have lovers and refuse them ?

I think it 's dreadful . "

he bore it as long as he could , then went to his piano and began to play .

" that 's very fine , I dare say , but it 's sad enough to make one cry .

I want you . "

just what Laurie longed to say , with a different meaning !

as he listened , he lost his place , the music ended with a broken chord , and the musician sat silent in the dark .

" I can't stand this , " muttered the old gentleman .

no answer for an instant , then Laurie asked sharply , " who told you ? "

" Jo herself . "

" then there 's an end of it ! "

" not quite .

I want to say one thing , and then there shall be an end of it , " returned Mr Laurence with unusual mildness .

" you won't care to stay at home now , perhaps ? "

" I don't intend to run away from a girl .

" not if you are the gentleman I think you .

where will you go ? "

" anywhere .

I don't care what becomes of me , " and Laurie got up with a reckless laugh that grated on his grandfather 's ear .

" take it like a man , and don't do anything rash , for God 's sake .

why not go abroad , as you planned , and forget it ? "

" I can't . "

" but you 've been wild to go , and I promised you should when you got through college . "

" I don't ask you to go alone .

there 's someone ready and glad to go with you , anywhere in the world . "

" who , Sir ? " stopping to listen .

" myself . "

now , my dear boy , just sit quietly down and hear my plan .

" well , sir , what is it ? " and Laurie sat down , without a sign of interest in face or voice .

" there is business in London that needs looking after .

my partners do almost everything , I 'm merely holding on until you take my place , and can be off at any time . "

" but you hate traveling , Sir .

I quite enjoy the idea .

I go because I think you 'd feel happier than if I was left behind .

I 've friends in London and Paris , and should like to visit them .

he sighed , and then said , in a spiritless tone , " just as you like , Sir .

it doesn't matter where I go or what I do . "

" it does to me , remember that , my lad .

I give you entire liberty , but I trust you to make an honest use of it .

promise me that , Laurie . "

" anything you like , Sir . "

" good , " thought the old gentleman .

during the time necessary for preparation , Laurie bore himself as young gentleman usually do in such cases .

when the parting came he affected high spirits , to conceal certain inconvenient emotions which seemed inclined to assert themselves .

Jo followed a minute after to wave her hand to him if he looked round .

" oh , Jo , can't you ? "

" Teddy , dear , I wish I could ! "

that was all , except a little pause .

then Laurie straightened himself up , said , " it 's all right , never mind , " and went away without another word .

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

BETH'S SECRET

when Jo came home that spring , she had been struck with the change in Beth .

but when Laurie was gone , and peace prevailed again , the vague anxiety returned and haunted her .

Beth was too shy to enjoy society , and Jo too wrapped up in her to care for anyone else .

one day Beth told her .

I 've tried to tell you , but I couldn't . "

try to see it so and don't be troubled about me , because it 's best , indeed it is . "

" is this what made you so unhappy in the autumn , Beth ?

" yes , I gave up hoping then , but I didn't like to own it .

I tried to think it was a sick fancy , and would not let it trouble anyone .

" oh , Beth , and you didn't tell me , didn't let me comfort and help you ?

how could you shut me out , bear it all alone ? "

" perhaps it was wrong , but I tried to do right .

I wasn't sure , no one said anything , and I hoped I was mistaken .

I was afraid it was so , and imagined your poor little heart full of lovelornity all that while . "

" I do love him dearly .

he is so good to me , how can I help It ?

but he could never be anything to me but my brother .

I hope he truly will be , sometime . "

" not through me , " said Jo decidedly .

" Amy is left for him , and they would suit excellently , but I have no heart for such things , now .

I don't care what becomes of anybody but you , Beth .

you must get well . "

" I want to , oh , so much !

I try , but every day I lose a little , and feel more sure that I shall never gain it back .

it 's like the tide , Jo , when it turns , it goes slowly , but it can't be stopped . "

" it shall be stopped , your tide must not turn so soon , nineteen is too young , Beth .

I can't let you go .

I 'll work and pray and fight against it .

I 'll keep you in spite of everything .

there must be ways , it can't be too late .

simple , sincere people seldom speak much of their piety .

it shows itself in acts rather than in words , and has more influence than homilies or protestations .

Beth could not reason upon or explain the faith that gave her courage and patience to give up life , and cheerfully wait for death .

she could not say , " I 'm glad to go , " for life was very sweet for her .

by and by Beth said , with recovered serenity , " you 'll tell them this when we go home ? "

" I think they will see it without words , " sighed Jo , for now it seemed to her that Beth changed every day .

" perhaps not .

I 've heard that the people who love best are often blindest to such things .

if they don't see it , you will tell them for me .

I don't want any secrets , and it 's kinder to prepare them .

Meg has John and the babies to comfort her , but you must stand by Father and Mother , won't you Jo ? "

" if I can .

but , Beth , I don't give up yet .

I only mean to say that I have a feeling that it never was intended I should live long .

I 'm not like the rest of you .

I never made any plans about what I 'd do when I grew up .

I never thought of being married , as you all did .

I couldn't seem to imagine myself anything but stupid little Beth , trotting about at home , of no use anywhere but there .

I never wanted to go away , and the hard part now is the leaving you all .

I 'm not afraid , but it seems as if I should be homesick for you even in heaven . "

Jo could not speak , and for several minutes there was no sound but the sigh of the wind and the lapping of the tide .

a white-winged gull flew by , with the flash of sunshine on its silvery breast .

Beth watched it till it vanished , and her eyes were full of sadness .

a little gray-coated sand bird came tripping over the beach ' peeping ' softly to itself , as if enjoying the sun and sea .

" dear little bird !

See , Jo , how tame it is .

I like peeps better than the gulls .

they are not so wild and handsome , but they seem happy , confiding little things .

dear little girl !

she 's so ambitious , but her heart is good and tender , and no matter how high she flies , she never will forget home .

I hope I shall see her again , but she seems so far away . "

" she is coming in the spring , and I mean that you shall be all ready to see and enjoy her .

" Jo , dear , don't hope any more .

it won't do any good .

I 'm sure of that .

we won't be miserable , but enjoy being together while we wait .

Jo leaned down to kiss the tranquil face , and with that silent kiss , she dedicated herself soul and body to Beth .

she was right .

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

NEW IMPRESSIONS

the lady was young , blonde , and dressed in blue .

" oh , Laurie , is it really you ?

" I was detained by the way , but I promised to spend Christmas with you , and here I am . "

" how is your grandfather ?

when did you come ?

where are you staying ? "

" very well last night at the Chauvain .

I called at your hotel , but you were out . "

" I have so much to say , I don't know where to begin !

get in and we can talk at our ease .

I was going for a drive and longing for company .

Flo 's saving up for tonight . "

" what happens then , a ball ? "

" A Christmas party at our hotel .

there are many Americans there , and they give it in honor of the day .

you 'll go with us , of course ?

aunt will be charmed . "

" thank you .

" I 'm going to the bankers first for letters , and then to Castle Hill .

the view is so lovely , and I like to feed the peacocks .

have you ever been there ? "

" often , years ago , but I don't mind having a look at it . "

" now tell me all about yourself .

the last I heard of you , your grandfather wrote that he expected you from Berlin . "

" yes , I spent a month there and then joined him in Paris , where he has settled for the winter .

he has friends there and finds plenty to amuse him , so I go and come , and we get on capitally . "

" that 's a sociable arrangement , " said Amy , missing something in Laurie 's manner , though she couldn't tell what .

" the dirt is picturesque , so I don't mind .

the river and the hills are delicious , and these glimpses of the narrow cross streets are my delight .

now we shall have to wait for that procession to pass .

it 's going to the Church of St John . "

she didn't like the new tone , for though not blase , it sounded indifferent in spite of the look .

" Beth is very poorly , Mother says .

I often think I ought to go home , but they all say ' stay ' .

so I do , for I shall never have another chance like this , " said Amy , looking sober over one page .

" I think you are right , there .

" I remember .

it 's not much changed , " he answered without enthusiasm .

it must be recorded of Amy that she deliberately prinked that night .

time and absence had done its work on both the young people .

in spite of this affliction , she looked unusually gay and graceful as she glided away .

" here are your flowers .

" how kind you are ! " she exclaimed gratefully .

" thank you .

" please don't . "

" I thought you liked that sort of thing . "

" not from you , it doesn't sound natural , and I like your old bluntness better . "

the company assembled in the long salle a manger , that evening , was such as one sees nowhere but on the Continent .

any young girl can imagine Amy 's state of mind when she ' took the stage ' that night , leaning on Laurie 's arm .

" one usually does at a ball . "

her amazed look and quick answer caused Laurie to repair his error as fast as possible .

" I meant the first dance .

may I have the honor ? "

" I can give you one if I put off the Count .

" nice little boy , but rather a short Pole to support ....v

a daughter of the gods , Devinely tall , and most divinely fair , "

was all the satisfaction she got , however .

her anger had a good effect , however , for she hid it under a smiling face , and seemed unusually blithe and brilliant .

the air was dark with Davises , and many Joneses gamboled like a flock of young giraffes .

the golden secretary darted through the room like a meteor with a dashing French-woman who carpeted the floor with her pink satin train .

the boyish abandon of that stout man was charming to behold , for though he ' carried weight ' , he danced like an India-rubber ball .

" what do you call this stuff ? " he asked , touching a fold of her dress that had blown over his knee .

" illusion . "

" good name for it .

it 's very pretty new thing , isn't it ? "

" it 's as old as the hills .

you have seen it on dozens of girls , and you never found out that it was pretty till now stupide ! "

" I never saw it on you before , which accounts for the mistake , you see . "

" none of that , it is forbidden .

I 'd rather take coffee than compliments just now .

no , don't lounge , it makes me nervous . "

" where did you learn all this sort of thing ? " he asked with a quizzical look .

Amy was gratified , but of course didn't show it , and demurely answered , " foreign life polishes one in spite of one 's self .

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

ON THE SHELF

but three months passed , and there was no return of repose .

they are just asleep after worrying all day . "

if he proposed a little amusement at home , " no , it would disturb the babies . "

his sleep was broken by infant wails and visions of a phantom figure pacing noiselessly to and fro in the watches of the night .

Mrs Scott was a lively , pretty girl , with nothing to do but be agreeable , and she performed her mission most successfully .

" yes , " she would say , looking in the glass , " I 'm getting old and ugly .

" goes on how , my dear ? " asked her mother anxiously .

" he 's away all day , and at night when I want to see him , he is continually going over to the Scotts ' .

it isn't fair that I should have the hardest work , and never any amusement .

men are very selfish , even the best of them . "

" so are women .

don't blame John till you see where you are wrong yourself . "

" but it can't be right for him to neglect me . "

" don't you neglect him ? "

" why , Mother , I thought you 'd take my part ! "

" so I do , as far as sympathizing goes , but I think the fault is yours , Meg . "

" I don't see how . "

" let me show you .

" no , but I can't do it now , with two babies to tend . "

" I think you could , dear , and I think you ought .

may I speak quite freely , and will you remember that it 's Mother who blames as well as Mother who sympathizes ? "

" indeed I will !

speak to me as if I were little Meg again .

I often feel as if I needed teaching more than ever since these babies look to me for everything . "

" you have only made the mistake that most young wives make forgotten your duty to your husband in your love for your children .

I 've seen it for some weeks , but have not spoken , feeling sure it would come right in time . "

" I 'm afraid it won't .

if I ask him to stay , he 'll think I 'm jealous , and I wouldn't insult him by such an idea .

he doesn't see that I want him , and I don't know how to tell him without words . "

" make it so pleasant he won't want to go away .

my dear , he 's longing for his little home , but it isn't home without you , and you are always in the nursery . "

" oughtn't I to be there ? "

" not all the time , too much confinement makes you nervous , and then you are unfitted for everything .

besides , you owe something to John as well as to the babies .

don't neglect husband for children , don't shut him out of the nursery , but teach him how to help in it .

his place is there as well as yours , and the children need him .

" you really think so , Mother ? "

" I know it , Meg , for I 've tried it , and I seldom give advice unless I 've proved its practicability .

Poor Father took to his books , after I had refused all offers of help , and left me to try my experiment alone .

I struggled along as well as I could , but Jo was too much for me .

I nearly spoiled her by indulgence .

you were poorly , and I worried about you till I fell sick myself .

that is the secret of our home happiness .

each do our part alone in many things , but at home we work together , always . "

" it is so , Mother , and my great wish is to be to my husband and children what you have been to yours .

show me how , I 'll do anything you say . "

" you always were my docile daughter .

then I 'd do what I have often proposed , let Hannah come and help you .

she is a capital nurse , and you may trust the precious babies to her while you do more housework .

you need the exercise , Hannah would enjoy the rest , and John would find his wife again .

" John is so sensible , I 'm afraid he will think I 'm stupid if I ask questions about politics and things . "

" I don't believe he would .

Love covers a multitude of sins , and of whom could you ask more freely than of him ?

try it , and see if he doesn't find your society far more agreeable than Mrs Scott 's suppers . "

" I will .

Poor John !

I 'm afraid I have neglected him sadly , but I thought I was right , and he never said anything . "

" he tried not to be selfish , but he has felt rather forlorn , I fancy .

and no time is so beautiful and precious to parents as the first years of the little lives given to them to train .

now , dear , good-by .

think over Mother 's preachment , act upon it if it seems good , and God bless you all . "

but unfortunately Demi 's most unconquerable prejudice was against going to bed , and that night he decided to go on a rampage .

" me has tea ! " said Demi , preparing to join in the revel .

" no , but I 'll save you some little cakies for breakfast , if you 'll go bye-bye like Daisy .

will you , lovey ? "

" Iss ! " and Demi shut his eyes tight , as if to catch sleep and hurry the desired day .

he saw it at once and said with pleased surprise , " why , little mother , how gay we are tonight .

do you expect company ? "

" only you , dear . "

" is it a birthday , anniversary , or anything ? "

" no , I 'm tired of being dowdy , so I dressed up as a change .

" I do it out of respect for you , my dear , " said old-fashioned John .

" well , it 's altogether delightful , and like old times .

this tastes right .

" Opy doy .

me 's tummin ! "

" it 's that naughty boy .

" no , it isn't morning yet .

you must go to bed , and not trouble poor Mamma .

then you can have the little cake with sugar on it . "

" me loves Parpar , " said the artful one , preparing to climb the paternal knee and revel in forbidden joys .

but John shook his head , and said to Meg ....y

" yes , of course .

" Iss ! " said Demi the perjured , blissfully sucking his sugar , and regarding his first attempt as eminently successful .

" now this won't do , " said John , hardening his heart against the engaging little sinner .

" we shall never know any peace till that child learns to go to bed properly .

you have made a slave of yourself long enough .

give him one lesson , and then there will be an end of it .

put him in his bed and leave him , Meg . "

" he won't stay there , he never does unless I sit by him . "

" I 'll manage him .

Demi , go upstairs , and get into your bed , as Mamma bids you . "

" you must never say that to Papa .

I shall carry you if you don't go yourself . "

" go ' way , me don't love Parpar . " and Demi retired to his mother 's skirts for protection .

this vocal exercise usually conquered Meg , but John sat as unmoved as the post which is popularly believed to be deaf .

the plaintive wail which succeeded the passionate roar went to Meg 's heart , and she ran up to say beseechingly ....wh

" let me stay with him , he 'll be good now , John . "

" no , my dear .

I 've told him he must go to sleep , as you bid him , and he must , if I stay here all night . "

" but he 'll cry himself sick , " pleaded Meg , reproaching herself for deserting her boy .

don't interfere , I 'll manage him . "

" he 's my child , and I can't have his spirit broken by harshness . "

" he 's my child , and I won't have his temper spoiled by indulgence .

go down , my dear , and leave the boy to me . "

when John spoke in that masterful tone , Meg always obeyed , and never regretted her docility .

" please let me kiss him once , John ? "

" certainly .

" poor little man , he 's worn out with sleep and crying .

he does know how to manage them , and will be a great help , for Demi is getting too much for me . "

is it what you call a breakfast cap ? "

" my dear man , it 's a bonnet !

my very best go-to-concert-and-theater bonnet . "

" I beg your pardon , it was so small , I naturally mistook it for one of the flyaway things you sometimes wear .

how do you keep it on ? "

" I 'm glad you like it , for I want you to take me to one of the new concerts some night .

I really need some music to put me in tune .

Will you , please ? "

" of course I will , with all my heart , or anywhere else you like .

what put it into your head , little mother ? "

you don't object , I hope ? "

never mind what John said , or what a very narrow escape the little bonnet had from utter ruin .

it was not all Paradise by any means , but everyone was better for the division of labor system .

home grew homelike again , and John had no wish to leave it , unless he took Meg with him .

Even Sallie Moffatt liked to go there .

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

LAZY LAURENCE

Laurie went to Nice intending to stay a week , and remained a month .

but , while apparently amusing themselves in the most careless fashion , they were half-consciously making discoveries and forming opinions about each other .

" all the rest have gone to Monaco for the day .

I preferred to stay at home and write letters .

" then I 'll go with pleasure . " and he put out his hand for her sketchbook .

but she tucked it under her arm with a sharp ....y

" don't trouble yourself .

it 's no exertion to me , but you don't look equal to it . "

the two never quarreled .

she answered him with a smile , and they went on together in the most amicable manner .

it was a lovely drive , along winding roads rich in the picturesque scenes that delight beauty-loving eyes .

here an ancient monastery , whence the solemn chanting of the monks came down to them .

Brown , soft-eyed children ran out from the quaint stone hovels to offer nosegays , or bunches of oranges still on the bough .

Valrosa well deserved its name , for in that climate of perpetual summer roses blossomed everywhere .

" this is a regular honeymoon paradise , isn't it ?

" it 's good advice , you 'd better take it and save your fingers , " she said , thinking her speech amused him .

" thank you , I will , " he answered in jest , and a few months later he did it in earnest .

" Laurie , when are you going to your grandfather ? " she asked presently , as she settled herself on a rustic seat .

" very soon . "

" you have said that a dozen times within the last three weeks . "

" I dare say , short answers save trouble . "

" he expects you , and you really ought to go . "

" hospitable creature !

I know it . "

" then why don't you do it ? "

" natural depravity , I suppose . "

" natural indolence , you mean .

it 's really dreadful ! " and Amy looked severe .

" what are you doing just now ? "

" watching lizards . "

" no , no .

I mean what do you intend and wish to do ? "

" smoke a cigarette , if you 'll allow me . "

" how provoking you are !

I don't approve of cigars and I will only allow it on condition that you let me put you into my sketch .

I need a figure . "

" with all the pleasure in life .

how will you have me , full length or three-quarters , on my head or my heels ?

I should respectfully suggest a recumbent posture , then put yourself in also and call it ' Dolce far niente ' . "

" stay as you are , and go to sleep if you like .

I intend to work hard , " said Amy in her most energetic tone .

" what delightful enthusiasm ! " and he leaned against a tall urn with an air of entire satisfaction .

" as usual , ' Go away , Teddy .

I 'm busy ! ' "

it was gone before she could study it and the listless expression back again .

" wish I was ! "

" that 's a foolish wish , unless you have spoiled your life .

that satisfied her and set at rest the doubts that had begun to worry her lately .

it also touched her , and she showed that it did , by the cordial tone in which she said ....y

" I 'm glad of that !

" I 'm all ready for the secrets . " and he glanced up with a decided expression of interest in his eyes .

" I 've none to tell .

you may begin . "

" haven't one to bless myself with .

I thought perhaps you 'd had some news from home . . "

" you have heard all that has come lately .

don't you hear often ?

I fancied Jo would send you volumes . "

" she 's very busy .

I 'm roving about so , it 's impossible to be regular , you know .

" never , " she answered , with a despondent but decided air .

" why should you , with so much energy and talent ? "

" that 's just why , because talent isn't genius , and no amount of energy can make it so .

I want to be great , or nothing .

I won't be a common-place dauber , so I don't intend to try any more . "

" and what are you going to do with yourself now , if I may ask ? "

" polish up my other talents , and be an ornament to society , if I get the chance . "

it was a characteristic speech , and sounded daring , but audacity becomes young people , and Amy 's ambition had a good foundation .

" good !

and here is where Fred Vaughn comes in , I fancy . "

May I ? "

" I don't promise to answer . "

" your face will , if your tongue won't .

you aren't woman of the world enough yet to hide your feelings , my dear .

" you are not engaged , I hope ? " and Laurie looked very elder-brotherly and grave all of a sudden .

" no . "

" but you will be , if he comes back and goes properly down on his knees , won't you ? "

" very likely . "

" then you are fond of old Fred ? "

" I could be , if I tried . "

" but you don't intend to try till the proper moment ?

bless my soul , what unearthly prudence !

he 's a good fellow , Amy , but not the man I fancied you 'd like . "

" I understand .

queens of society can't get on without money , so you mean to make a good match , and start in that way ?

quite right and proper , as the world goes , but it sounds odd from the lips of one of your mother 's girls . "

" true , nevertheless . "

a short speech , but the quiet decision with which it was uttered contrasted curiously with the young speaker .

Laurie felt this instinctively and laid himself down again , with a sense of disappointment which he could not explain .

" I wish you 'd do me the favor to rouse yourself a little , " she said sharply .

" do it for me , there 's a dear girl . "

" I could , if I tried . " and she looked as if she would like doing it in the most summary style .

" try , then .

I give you leave , " returned Laurie , who enjoyed having someone to tease , after his long abstinence from his favorite pastime .

" you 'd be angry in five minutes . "

" I 'm never angry with you .

it takes two flints to make a fire .

you are as cool and soft as snow . "

" you don't know what I can do .

snow produces a glow and a tingle , if applied rightly .

your indifference is half affectation , and a good stirring up would prove it . "

" Stir away , it won't hurt me and it may amuse you , as the big man said when his little wife beat him .

" Flo and I have got a new name for you .

it 's Lazy Laurence .

how do you like it ? "

she thought it would annoy him , but he only folded his arms under his head , with an imperturbable , " that 's not bad .

thank you , ladies . "

" do you want to know what I honestly think of you ? "

" pining to be told . "

" well , I despise you . "

" why , if you please ? "

" because , with every chance for being good , useful , and happy , you are faulty , lazy , and miserable . "

" strong language , mademoiselle . "

" if you like it , I 'll go on . "

" pray do , it 's quite interesting . "

" I thought you 'd find it so .

selfish people always like to talk about themselves . "

" I 'll show you how , for I 've studied you while we were frolicking , and I 'm not at all satisfied with you .

here you have been abroad nearly six months , and done nothing but waste time and money and disappoint your friends . "

" isn't a fellow to have any pleasure after a four-year grind ? "

" you don't look as if you 'd had much .

at any rate , you are none the better for it , as far as I can see .

I said when we first met that you had improved .

now I take it all back , for I don't think you half so nice as when I left you at home .

with money , talent , position , health , and beauty , ah you like that old Vanity !

" Saint Laurence on a gridiron , " added Laurie , blandly finishing the sentence .

" I supposed you 'd take it so .

Amy spoke bitterly , and turned her back on the exasperating martyr at her feet .

dear soul , I wish she was here to help me ! "

" so do I ! "

the hand vanished as suddenly as it came , and there was energy enough in the echo of her wish to suit even Amy .

girls are quick to read such signs and feel their eloquence .

Amy had fancied that perhaps a love trouble was at the bottom of the alteration , and now she was sure of it .

" I think they would , " came from under the hat , in a grim tone , quite as touching as a broken one .

" I beg pardon , I thought ....y " and there she paused diplomatically .

" I did think so , but as they never said anything about it , and you came away , I supposed I was mistaken .

and Jo wouldn't be kind to you ?

why , I was sure she loved you dearly . "

it 's her fault though , and you may tell her so . "

" I was wrong , I didn't know .

I 'm very sorry I was so cross , but I can't help wishing you 'd bear it better , Teddy , dear . "

" wait till you 've tried it yourself , " he added in a low voice , as he pulled up the grass by the handful .

he felt as if suddenly shaken out of a pensive dream and found it impossible to go to sleep again .

presently he sat up and asked slowly , " do you think Jo would despise me as you do ? "

" yes , if she saw you now .

she hates lazy people .

why don't you do something splendid , and make her love you ? "

" I did my best , but it was no use . "

" graduating well , you mean ?

that was no more than you ought to have done , for your grandfather 's sake .

it would have been shameful to fail after spending so much time and money , when everyone knew that you could do well . "

" that 's impossible . "

" try it and see .

you needn't shrug your shoulders , and think , ' Much she knows about such things ' .

I don't pretend to be wise , but I am observing , and I see a great deal more than you 'd imagine .

I 'm interested in other people 's experiences and inconsistencies , and though I can't explain , I remember and use them for my own benefit .

there , I won't lecture any more , for I know you 'll wake up and be a man in spite of that hardhearted girl . "

neither spoke for several minutes .

presently she put it on his knee , merely saying , " how do you like that ? "

" as you are .

this is as you were . " and Amy laid another sketch beside the one he held .

only a rough sketch of Laurie taming a horse .

that satisfied her , and without waiting for him to speak , she said , in her sprightly way ....v

" don't you remember the day you played Rarey with Puck , and we all looked on ?

Meg and Beth were frightened , but Jo clapped and pranced , and I sat on the fence and drew you .

I found that sketch in my portfolio the other day , touched it up , and kept it to show you . "

" much obliged .

you 've improved immensely since then , and I congratulate you .

may I venture to suggest in ' a honeymoon paradise ' that five o'clock is the dinner hour at your hotel ? "

Amy felt the shade of coldness in his manner , and said to herself ....y

" now , I 've offended him .

they laughed and chatted all the way home , and little Baptiste , up behind , thought that monsieur and madamoiselle were in charming spirits .

but both felt ill at ease .

" shall we see you this evening , mon frere ? " asked Amy , as they parted at her aunt 's door .

" unfortunately I have an engagement .

something in his face made Amy say quickly and warmly ....y

" no , be yourself with me , Laurie , and part in the good old way .

I 'd rather have a hearty English handshake than all the sentimental salutations in France . "

next morning , instead of the usual call , Amy received a note which made her smile at the beginning and sigh at the end .

a pleasant winter to you , and may the gods grant you a blissful honeymoon at Valrosa !

I think Fred would be benefited by a rouser .

tell him so , with my congratulations .

yours gratefully , Telemachus

" good boy !

I 'm glad he 's gone , " said Amy , with an approving smile .

CHAPTER FORTY

THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW

they put away their grief , and each did his or her part toward making that last year a happy one .

ah me !

Jo never left her for an hour since Beth had said " I feel stronger when you are here . "

Precious and helpful hours to Jo , for now her heart received the teaching that it needed .

seeing this did more for Jo than the wisest sermons , the saintliest hymns , the most fervent prayers that any voice could utter .

the name caught her eye and the blurred look of the lines made her sure that tears had fallen on it .

" Poor Jo !

she 's fast asleep , so I won't wake her to ask leave .

MY BETH

sitting patient in the shadow Till the blessed light shall come , A serene and saintly presence Sanctifies our troubled home .

earthly joys and hopes and sorrows Break like ripples on the strand Of the deep and solemn river Where her willing feet now stand .

Dear , bequeath me that great patience Which has power to sustain A cheerful , uncomplaining spirit In its prison-house of pain .

give me that unselfish nature , That with charity divine Can pardon wrong for love 's dear sake Meek heart , forgive me mine !

thus our parting daily loseth Something of its bitter pain , And while learning this hard lesson , My great loss becomes my gain .

for the touch of grief will render My wild nature more serene , Give to life new aspirations , A new trust in the unseen .

henceforth , safe across the river , I shall see forever more A beloved , household spirit Waiting for me on the shore .

as she sat with the paper folded between her hands , the charred log fell asunder .

Jo started up , revived the blaze , and crept to the bedside , hoping Beth slept .

" not asleep , but so happy , dear .

See , I found this and read it .

I knew you wouldn't care .

have I been all that to you , Jo ? " she asked , with wistful , humble earnestness .

" oh , Beth , so much , so much ! " and Jo 's head went down upon the pillow beside her sister 's .

" then I don't feel as if I 'd wasted my life .

I 'm not so good as you make me , but I have tried to do right .

" more than any one in the world , Beth .

you must take my place , Jo , and be everything to Father and Mother when I 'm gone .

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

LEARNING TO FORGET

Amy 's lecture did Laurie good , though , of course , he did not own it till long afterward .

then they act upon it , and , if it succeeds , they give the weaker vessel half the credit of it .

if it fails , they generously give her the whole .

there was nothing the young gentleman would have liked better , but elephants could not have dragged him back after the scolding he had received .

" go and do something splendid that will make her love you . "

he had always meant to do something , and Amy 's advice was quite unnecessary .

he had only been waiting till the aforesaid blighted affections were decently interred .

that being done , he felt that he was ready to ' hide his stricken heart , and still toil on ' .

then he tried an opera , for nothing seemed impossible in the beginning , but here again unforeseen difficulties beset him .

he wanted Jo for his heroine , and called upon his memory to supply him with tender recollections and romantic visions of his love .

when he looked about him for another and a less intractable damsel to immortalize in melody , memory produced one with the most obliging readiness .

" it 's genius simmering , perhaps .

" she is right !

talent isn't genius , and you can't make it so .

that music has taken the vanity out of me as Rome took it out of her , and I won't be a humbug any longer .

now what shall I do ? "

that seemed a hard question to answer , and Laurie began to wish he had to work for his daily bread .

I dare say you don't , Mrs Grundy , but it 's true nevertheless .

let the boys be boys , the longer the better , and let the young men sow their wild oats if they must .

Laurie 's heart wouldn't ache .

the wound persisted in healing with a rapidity that astonished him , and instead of trying to forget , he found himself trying to remember .

he had not foreseen this turn of affairs , and was not prepared for it .

he carefully stirred up the embers of his lost love , but they refused to burst into a blaze .

" well , he was a great man , and when he couldn't have one sister he took the other , and was happy . "

I haven't forgotten , I never can .

I 'll try again , and if that fails , why then ....y "

couldn't she , wouldn't she and let him come home and be happy ?

while waiting for an answer he did nothing , but he did it energetically , for he was in a fever of impatience .

it came at last , and settled his mind effectually on one point , for Jo decidedly couldn't and wouldn't .

she was wrapped up in Beth , and never wished to hear the word love again .

then she begged him to be happy with somebody else , but always keep a little corner of his heart for his loving sister Jo .

" so I will , at once .

the correspondence flourished famously , and letters flew to and fro with unfailing regularity all through the early spring .

Laurie sold his busts , made allumettes of his opera , and went back to Paris , hoping somebody would arrive before long .

it troubled her to remember that now , she wished she could take it back , it sounded so unwomanly .

she didn't want Laurie to think her a heartless , worldly creature .

she didn't care to be a queen of society now half so much as she did to be a lovable woman .

she was so glad he didn't hate her for the dreadful things she said , but took them so beautifully and was kinder than ever .

his letters were such a comfort , for the home letters were very irregular and not half so satisfactory as his when they did come .

she ought to have made an effort and tried to love him .

it couldn't be very hard , many people would be proud and glad to have such a dear boy care for them .

but Jo never would act like other girls , so there was nothing to do but be very kind and treat him like a brother .

Amy never lectured now .

that was all , but he understood it , and looked relieved , as he said to himself , with a venerable air ....y

" I was sure she would think better of it .

poor old fellow !

I 've been through it all , and I can sympathize . "

while these changes were going on abroad , trouble had come at home .

if monsieur would give himself the pain of sitting down , a flash of time should present her .

but monsieur could not wait even a ' flash of time ' , and in the middle of the speech departed to find mademoiselle himself .

" oh , Laurie , Laurie , I knew you 'd come to me ! "

as he sat down beside her , Amy felt shy again , and turned rosy red at the recollection of her impulsive greeting .

" I couldn't help it , I felt so lonely and sad , and was so very glad to see you .

" I came the minute I heard .

I wish I could say something to comfort you for the loss of dear little Beth , but I can only feel , and ....y "

he could not get any further , for he too turned bashful all of a sudden , and did not quite know what to say .

" you needn't say anything , this comforts me , " she said softly .

we won't talk about it now , for it makes me cry , and I want to enjoy you while you stay .

you needn't go right back , need you ? "

" not if you want me , dear . "

" I do , so much .

" poor little soul , you look as if you 'd grieved yourself half sick !

bless my heart , I never thought of such a thing ! "

at Nice , Laurie had lounged and Amy had scolded .

the invigorating air did them both good , and much exercise worked wholesome changes in minds as well as bodies .

they seemed to get clearer views of life and duty up there among the everlasting hills .

the fresh winds blew away desponding doubts , delusive fancies , and moody mists .

the warm spring sunshine brought out all sorts of aspiring ideas , tender hopes , and happy thoughts .

his second wooing , he resolved , should be as calm and simple as possible .

it all came about so naturally that no one could complain , and he knew that everybody would be pleased , even Jo .

" you must be tired .

rest a little , and let me row .

it will do me good , for since you came I have been altogether lazy and luxurious . "

" I 'm not tired , but you may take an oar , if you like .

" how well we pull together , don't we ? " said Amy , who objected to silence just then .

" so well that I wish we might always pull in the same boat .

Will you , Amy ? " very tenderly .

" yes , Laurie , " very low .

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

ALL ALONE

it was easy to promise self-abnegation when self was wrapped up in another , and heart and soul were purified by a sweet example .

some people seemed to get all sunshine , and some all shadow .

" I can't do it .

come back ! " she did not stretch out her yearning arms in vain .

I need it more than she did , for I 'm all wrong . "

she gave him entire confidence , he gave her the help she needed , and both found consolation in the act .

" you thoughtful creeter , you 're determined we shan't miss that dear lamb ef you can help it .

we don't say much , but we see it , and the Lord will bless you for't , see ef He don't . "

" marriage is an excellent thing , after all .

" it 's just what you need to bring out the tender womanly half of your nature , Jo .

Love will make you show your heart one day , and then the rough burr will fall off . "

" frost opens chestnut burrs , ma'am , and it takes a good shake to bring them down .

grief is the best opener of some hearts , and Jo 's was nearly ready for the bag .

providence had taken her at her word .

here was the task , not what she had expected , but better because self had no part in it .

now , could she do it ?

she decided that she would try , and in her first attempt she found the helps I have suggested .

" why don't you write ?

that always used to make you happy , " said her mother once , when the desponding fit over-shadowed Jo .

" I 've no heart to write , and if I had , nobody cares for my things . "

" we do .

write something for us , and never mind the rest of the world .

try it , dear .

I 'm sure it would do you good , and please us very much . "

" don't believe I can . "

but Jo got out her desk and began to overhaul her half-finished manuscripts .

" I don't understand it .

what can there be in a simple little story like that to make people praise it so ? " she said , quite bewildered .

" there is truth in it , Jo , that 's the secret .

humor and pathos make it alive , and you have found your style at last .

you wrote with no thoughts of fame and money , and put your heart into it , my daughter .

you have had the bitter , now comes the sweet .

do your best , and grow as happy as we are in your success . "

" if there is anything good or true in what I write , it isn't mine .

" you like it , Mother ? " said Jo , as they laid down the closely written sheets and looked at one another .

" yes , I hoped it would be so , ever since Amy wrote that she had refused Fred .

" how sharp you are , Marmee , and how silent !

you never said a word to me . "

" mothers have need of sharp eyes and discreet tongues when they have girls to manage .

I was half afraid to put the idea into your head , lest you should write and congratulate them before the thing was settled . "

" I 'm not the scatterbrain I was .

you may trust me .

I 'm sober and sensible enough for anyone 's confidante now . "

so I fancied that your boy might fill the empty place if he tried now . "

" no , Mother , it is better as it is , and I 'm glad Amy has learned to love him .

but you are right in one thing .

" I 'm glad of that , Jo , for it shows that you are getting on .

" mothers are the best lovers in the world , but I don't mind whispering to Marmee that I 'd like to try all kinds .

it 's very curious , but the more I try to satisfy myself with all sorts of natural affections , the more I seem to want .

I'd no idea hearts could take in so many .

mine is so elastic , it never seems full now , and I used to be quite contented with my family .

I don't understand it . "

" it is so beautiful to be loved as Laurie loves me .

" and that 's our cool , reserved , and worldly Amy !

truly , love does work miracles .

By-and-by Jo roamed away upstairs , for it was rainy , and she could not walk .

she drew them out , turned them over , and relived that pleasant winter at kind Mrs Kirke 's .

" wait for me , my friend .

I may be a little late , but I shall surely come . "

" oh , if he only would !

so kind , so good , so patient with me always , my dear old Fritz .

was it all self-pity , loneliness , or low spirits ?

or was it the waking up of a sentiment which had bided its time as patiently as its inspirer ?

who shall say ?

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

SURPRISES

Jo was alone in the twilight , lying on the old sofa , looking at the fire , and thinking .

it was her favorite way of spending the hour of dusk .

almost twenty-five , and nothing to show for it .

Jo was mistaken in that .

there was a good deal to show , and by-and-by she saw , and was grateful for it .

" an old maid , that 's what I'm to be .

it seldom is , at first , and thirty seems the end of all things to five-and-twenty .

at twenty-five , girls begin to talk about being old maids , but secretly resolve that they never will be .

and looking at them with compassion , not contempt , girls in their bloom should remember that they too may miss the blossom time .

but , like Jenny in the ballad ....v

" she could not think it he , "

and lay staring up at him in startled silence , till he stooped and kissed her .

then she knew him , and flew up , crying joyfully ....y

" oh my Teddy !

oh my Teddy ! "

" dear Jo , you are glad to see me , then ? "

" glad !

my blessed boy , words can't express my gladness .

where 's Amy ? "

" your mother has got her down at Meg 's .

we stopped there by the way , and there was no getting my wife out of their clutches . "

" your what ? " cried Jo , for Laurie uttered those two words with an unconscious pride and satisfaction which betrayed him .

" oh , the dickens !

now I 've done it , " and he looked so guilty that Jo was down on him like a flash .

" you 've gone and got married ! "

" actually married ? "

" very much so , thank you . "

" Mercy on us .

what dreadful thing will you do next ? " and Jo fell into her seat with a gasp .

" a characteristic , but not exactly complimentary , congratulation , " returned Laurie , still in an abject attitude , but beaming with satisfaction .

get up , you ridiculous boy , and tell me all about it . "

" not a word , unless you let me come in my old place , and promise not to barricade . "

so , come and ' fess , Teddy . "

" how good it sounds to hear you say ' Teddy ' !

no one ever calls me that but you , " and Laurie sat down with an air of great content .

" what does Amy call you ? "

" my lord . "

" that 's like her .

well , you look it , " and Jo 's eye plainly betrayed that she found her boy comelier than ever .

both felt it , and for a minute looked at one another as if that invisible barrier cast a little shadow over them .

it was gone directly however , for Laurie said , with a vain attempt at dignity ....y

" don't I look like a married man and the head of a family ? "

" not a bit , and you never will .

you 've grown bigger and bonnier , but you are the same scapegrace as ever . "

" now really , Jo , you ought to treat me with more respect , " began Laurie , who enjoyed it all immensely .

" it 's no use your going out in the cold to get Amy , for they are all coming up presently .

I couldn't wait .

" of course you did , and spoiled your story by beginning at the wrong end .

now , start right , and tell me how it all happened .

I 'm pining to know . "

" well , I did it to please Amy , " began Laurie , with a twinkle that made Jo exclaim ....wh

" fib number one .

Amy did it to please you .

go on , and tell the truth , if you can , sir . "

" now she 's beginning to marm it .

isn't it jolly to hear her ? " said Laurie to the fire , and the fire glowed and sparkled as if it quite agreed .

" it 's all the same , you know , she and I being one .

but Grandpa wanted to come home .

so I just settled the difficulty by saying , ' Let 's be married , and then we can do as we like ' . "

" of course you did .

you always have things to suit you . "

" not always , " and something in Laurie 's voice made Jo say hastily ....y

" how did you ever get Aunt to agree ? "

" it was hard work , but between us , we talked her over , for we had heaps of good reasons on our side .

" a trifle , perhaps , she 's such a captivating little woman I can't help being proud of her .

well , then Uncle and Aunt were there to play propriety .

Jo put her hand in his as he said that , and Laurie gently smoothed the little red pillow , which he remembered well .

" we wanted to surprise you .

my faith !

wasn't it love among the roses ! "

" Jo , dear , I want to say one thing , and then we 'll put it by forever .

Amy and you changed places in my heart , that 's all .

I was a boy then , headstrong and violent , and it took a hard lesson to show me my mistake .

for it was one , Jo , as you said , and I found it out , after making a fool of myself .

but I couldn't , and when I saw her in Switzerland , everything seemed to clear up all at once .

will you believe it , and go back to the happy old times when we first knew one another ? "

" I 'll believe it , with all my heart , but , Teddy , we never can be boy and girl again .

the happy old times can't come back , and we mustn't expect it .

we are man and woman now , with sober work to do , for playtime is over , and we must give up frolicking .

I 'm sure you feel this .

I see the change in you , and you 'll find it in me .

why , it seems only yesterday that I was buttoning Amy 's pinafore , and pulling your hair when you teased .

Mercy me , how time does fly ! "

" as one of the children is older than yourself , you needn't talk so like a grandma .

" you may be a little older in years , but I 'm ever so much older in feeling , Teddy .

women always are , and this last year has been such a hard one that I feel forty . "

" Poor Jo !

we left you to bear it alone , while we went pleasuring .

you are older .

here 's a line , and there 's another .

unless you smile , your eyes look sad , and when I touched the cushion , just now , I found a tear on it .

you 've had a great deal to bear , and had to bear it all alone .

what a selfish beast I 've been ! " and Laurie pulled his own hair , with a remorseful look .

I am lonely , sometimes , but I dare say it 's good for me , and ....n "

" if I shouldn't be in the way , it would be very pleasant .

I begin to feel quite young already , for somehow all my troubles seemed to fly away when you came .

" you are the same Jo still , dropping tears about one minute , and laughing the next .

you look a little wicked now .

what is it , Grandma ? "

" I was wondering how you and Amy get on together . "

" like angels ! "

" yes , of course , but which rules ? "

" I don't mind telling you that she does now , at least I let her think so , it pleases her , you know .

By-and-by we shall take turns , for marriage , they say , halves one 's rights and doubles one 's duties . "

" you 'll go on as you begin , and Amy will rule you all the days of your life . "

" well , she does it so imperceptibly that I don't think I shall mind much .

she is the sort of woman who knows how to rule well .

" that ever I should live to see you a henpecked husband and enjoying it ! " cried Jo , with uplifted hands .

my wife and I respect ourselves and one another too much ever to tyrannize or quarrel . "

" I am sure of that .

Amy and you never did quarrel as we used to .

she is the sun and I the wind , in the fable , and the sun managed the man best , you remember . "

" she can blow him up as well as shine on him , " laughed Laurie .

" such a lecture as I got at Nice !

I give you my word it was a deal worse than any of your scoldings , a regular rouser .

" what baseness !

well , if she abuses you , come to me , and I 'll defend you . "

where 's my dear old Jo ? "

it was good to see him beam at ' my children ' , as he called the young pair .

Jo thought , as she watched the pair , " how well they look together !

" Love has done much for our little girl , " said her mother softly .

a flank movement produced an unconditional surrender , however , for Laurie knew where to have him .

" young man , when I first had the honor of making your acquaintance you hit me in the face .

such a happy procession as filed away into the little dining room !

Mr. March proudly escorted Mrs Laurence .

Mrs ..y march as proudly leaned on the arm of ' my son ' .

Amy , who was handed about like refreshments , returned to the parlor on Father Laurence 's arm .

the others paired off as before , and this arrangement left Jo companionless .

she did not mind it at the minute , for she lingered to answer Hannah 's eager inquiry .

" shouldn't wonder if she drove six white horses , ate off gold plate , and wore diamonds and point lace every day .

Teddy thinks nothing too good for her , " returned Jo with infinite satisfaction .

" no more there is !

will you have hash or fishballs for breakfast ? " asked Hannah , who wisely mingled poetry and prose .

" I don't care , " and Jo shut the door , feeling that food was an uncongenial topic just then .

it won't do to be dismal now . "

" no , we haven't , only the family .

my sister and friends have just come home , and we are all very happy .

come in , and make one of us . "

" if I shall not be Monsieur de Trop , I will so gladly see them all .

you haf been ill , my friend ? "

" not ill , but tired and sorrowful .

we have had trouble since I saw you last . "

" ah , yes , I know .

if the stranger had any doubts about his reception , they were set at rest in a minute by the cordial welcome he received .

everyone greeted him kindly , for Jo 's sake at first , but very soon they liked him for his own .

for poverty enriches those who live above it , and is a sure passport to truly hospitable spirits .

but it did not last long .

he got interested in spite of himself , and before he knew it , was drawn into the circle .

for Mr Bhaer talked well in this genial atmosphere , and did himself justice .

then his eyes would turn to Jo so wistfully that she would have surely answered the mute inquiry if she had seen it .

lastly , Mr Bhaer was dressed in a new suit of black , which made him look more like a gentleman than ever .

" dear old fellow !

they were not all there .

the little chair stood in its old place .

I am here . "

" play something , Amy .

let them hear how much you have improved , " said Laurie , with pardonable pride in his promising pupil .

but Amy whispered , with full eyes , as she twirled the faded stool , " not tonight , dear .

I can't show off tonight . "

the room was very still , when the clear voice failed suddenly at the last line of Beth 's favorite hymn .

it was hard to say ....y

earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal ;

and Amy leaned against her husband , who stood behind her , feeling that her welcome home was not quite perfect without Beth 's kiss .

" now , we must finish with Mignon 's song , for Mr Bhaer sings that , " said Jo , before the pause grew painful .

and Mr Bhaer cleared his throat with a gratified " hem ! " as he stepped into the corner where Jo stood , saying ....v

" you will sing with me ?

we go excellently well together . "

A pleasing fiction , by the way , for Jo had no more idea of music than a grasshopper .

but she would have consented if he had proposed to sing a whole opera , and warbled away , blissfully regardless of time and tune .

Know'st thou the land where the citron blooms ,

there , oh there , might I with thee , O , my beloved , go

the song was considered a great success , and the singer retired covered with laurels .

he forgot himself still further when Laurie said , in his most gracious manner , at parting ....y

" my wife and I are very glad to meet you , sir .

please remember that there is always a welcome waiting for you over the way . "

" I know he is a good one , " added Mrs. March , with decided approval , as she wound up the clock .

" I thought you 'd like him , " was all Jo said , as she slipped away to her bed .

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

MY LORD AND LADY

" please , Madam Mother , could you lend me my wife for half an hour ?

" certainly .

" Weathercock can without the wind , " suggested Jo , as he paused for a simile .

Jo had grown quite her own saucy self again since Teddy came home .

don't know anything about the north , but am altogether salubrious and balmy , hey , my lady ? "

" Lovely weather so far .

I don't know how long it will last , but I 'm not afraid of storms , for I 'm learning how to sail my ship .

come home , dear , and I 'll find your bootjack .

I suppose that 's what you are rummaging after among my things .

men are so helpless , Mother , " said Amy , with a matronly air , which delighted her husband .

" we have our plans .

we don't mean to say much about them yet , because we are such very new brooms , but we don't intend to be idle .

I 'm going into business with a devotion that shall delight Grandfather , and prove to him that I 'm not spoiled .

I need something of the sort to keep me steady .

I 'm tired of dawdling , and mean to work like a man . "

that 's about it , isn't it , Madame Recamier ? " asked Laurie with a quizzical look at Amy .

" time will show .

" I know it will .

Happy Amy ! " and Jo sighed , then smiled brightly as Professor Bhaer opened the gate with an impatient push .

" my Lord ! "

" that man intends to marry our Jo ! "

" I hope so , don't you , dear ? "

" now , Laurie , don't be too fastidious and worldly-minded .

if they love one another it doesn't matter a particle how old they are nor how poor .

women never should marry for money ....y "

Amy caught herself up short as the words escaped her , and looked at her husband , who replied , with malicious gravity ....y

" certainly not , though you do hear charming girls say that they intend to do it sometimes .

if my memory serves me , you once thought it your duty to make a rich match .

that accounts , perhaps , for your marrying a good-for-nothing like me . "

" oh , my dearest boy , don't , don't say that !

I forgot you were rich when I said ' Yes ' .

and Amy , who was very dignified in public and very fond in private , gave convincing proofs of the truth of her words .

" you don't really think I am such a mercenary creature as I tried to be once , do you ?

" am I an idiot and a brute ?

" yes , I am , and admiring the mole in your chin at the same time .

I don't wish to make you vain , but I must confess that I 'm prouder of my handsome husband than of all his money .

don't laugh , but your nose is such a comfort to me , " and Amy softly caressed the well-cut feature with artistic satisfaction .

" of course , you may . "

" shall you care if Jo does marry Mr Bhaer ? "

" oh , that's the trouble is it ?

I thought there was something in the dimple that didn't quite suit you .

do you doubt it , my darling ? "

Amy looked up at him , and was satisfied .

her little jealous fear vanished forever , and she thanked him , with a face full of love and confidence .

" I wish we could do something for that capital old Professor .

" Jo would find us out , and spoil it all .

she is very proud of him , just as he is , and said yesterday that she thought poverty was a beautiful thing . "

" bless her dear heart !

she won't think so when she has a literary husband , and a dozen little professors and professorins to support .

we won't interfere now , but watch our chance , and do them a good turn in spite of themselves .

" how delightful it is to be able to help others , isn't it ?

" ah , we 'll do quantities of good , won't we ?

there 's one sort of poverty that I particularly like to help .

yet there are a thousand ways of helping them , if one only knows how to do it so delicately that it does not offend .

I must say , I like to serve a decayed gentleman better than a blarnerying beggar .

I suppose it 's wrong , but I do , though it is harder . "

" because it takes a gentleman to do it , " added the other member of the domestic admiration society .

" thank you , I 'm afraid I don't deserve that pretty compliment .

if they haven't , it 's a pleasure to comfort the poor souls , and keep them from despair when they find it out . "

" yes , indeed , and there 's another class who can't ask , and who suffer in silence .

" rich people have no right to sit down and enjoy themselves , or let their money accumulate for others to waste .

we 'll have a good time ourselves , and add an extra relish to our own pleasure by giving other people a generous taste .

Will you be a little Dorcas , going about emptying a big basket of comforts , and filling it up with good deeds ? "

" it 's a bargain , and we shall get the best of it ! "

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

DAISY AND DEMI

if there ever were a pair of twins in danger of being utterly spoiled by adoration , it was these prattling Brookes .

at three , Daisy demanded a ' needler ' , and actually made a bag with four stitches in it .

though utterly unlike in character , the twins got on remarkably well together , and seldom quarreled more than thrice a day .

a rosy , chubby , sunshiny little soul was Daisy , who found her way to everybody 's heart , and nestled there .

her small virtues were so sweet that she would have been quite angelic if a few small naughtinesses had not kept her delightfully human .

" it 's your little mind , Demi , " replied the sage , stroking the yellow head respectfully .

" what is a little mine ? "

" open me .

I want to see it go wound . "

" I can't do that any more than you could open the watch .

God winds you up , and you go till He stops you . "

" does I ? " and Demi 's brown eyes grew big and bright as he took in the new thought .

" is I wounded up like the watch ? "

" yes , but I can't show you how , for it is done when we don't see . "

he 's getting great bumps over his eyes , and learning to ask the most unanswerable questions . "

" if he is old enough to ask the question he is old enough to receive true answers .

I am not putting the thoughts into his head , but helping him unfold those already there .

these children are wiser than we are , and I have no doubt the boy understands every word I have said to him .

now , Demi , tell me where you keep your mind . "

" no more raisins , Demi .

they 'll make you sick , " says Mamma to the young person who offers his services in the kitchen with unfailing regularity on plum-pudding day .

" me likes to be sick . "

" I don't want to have you , so run away and help Daisy make patty cakes . "

" truly , Marmar ? " asks Demi , with a brilliant idea in his well-powdered head .

" yes , truly .

but Demi corners her by the cool reply ....y

" then we 'll go and eat up all the raisins . "

aunt Dodo was chief playmate and confidante of both children , and the trio turned the little house topsy-turvy .

but when Mr Bhaer came , Jo neglected her playfellows , and dismay and desolation fell upon their little souls .

Daisy , who was fond of going about peddling kisses , lost her best customer and became bankrupt .

Mr Bhaer 's devotion was sincere , however likewise effective for honesty is the best policy in love as in law .

Mr Bhaer came in one evening to pause on the threshold of the study , astonished by the spectacle that met his eye .

" father , Father , here 's the Professor ! "

excuse me for a moment .

we are just finishing our lesson .

now , Demi , make the letter and tell its name . "

" what have you been at today , bubchen ? " asked Mr Bhaer , picking up the gymnast .

" me went to see little Mary . "

" and what did you there ? "

" I kissed her , " began Demi , with artless frankness .

" Prut !

thou beginnest early .

" oh , she liked it , and she kissed me , and I liked it .

don't little boys like little girls ? " asked Demi , with his mouth full , and an air of bland satisfaction .

" you precocious chick !

who put that into your head ? " said Jo , enjoying the innocent revelation as much as the Professor .

" thou shouldst save some for the little friend .

Demi also saw the smile , was impressed by it , and artlessy inquired . ..

" do great boys like great girls , to , ' Fessor ? "

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

UNDER THE UMBRELLA

then , if she was going to Meg 's he always had something for the babies .

under the circumstances , what could Jo do but greet him civilly , and invite him in ?

she was mortally afraid of being laughed at for surrendering , after her many and vehement declarations of independence .

for a fortnight , the Professor came and went with lover-like regularity .

" disgusted , I dare say , and gone home as suddenly as he came .

" you 'd better take the little umbrella , dear .

it looks like rain , " said her mother , observing that she had on her new bonnet , but not alluding to the fact .

" yes , Marmee , do you want anything in town ?

" yes , I want some twilled silesia , a paper of number nine needles , and two yards of narrow lavender ribbon .

have you got your thick boots on , and something warm under your cloak ? "

" I believe so , " answered Jo absently .

" if you happen to meet Mr Bhaer , bring him home to tea .

I quite long to see the dear man , " added Mrs . March .

what do girls do who haven't any mothers to help them through their troubles ? "

a drop of rain on her cheek recalled her thoughts from baffled hopes to ruined ribbons .

Jo , I 'm ashamed of you !

no , you shall not go there to borrow an umbrella , or find out where he is , from his friends .

now then ! "

" I feel to know the strong-minded lady who goes so bravely under many horse noses , and so fast through much mud .

what do you down here , my friend ? "

" I 'm shopping . "

may I go also , and take for you the bundles ? "

" yes , thank you . "

" we thought you had gone , " said Jo hastily , for she knew he was looking at her .

her bonnet wasn't big enough to hide her face , and she feared he might think the joy it betrayed unmaidenly .

" no , I didn't .

I knew you were busy about your own affairs , but we rather missed you , Father and Mother especially . "

" and you ? "

" I 'm always glad to see you , sir . "

" I thank you , and come one more time before I go . "

" you are going , then ? "

" I haf no longer any business here , it is done . "

" successfully , I hope ? " said Jo , for the bitterness of disappointment was in that short reply of his .

" tell me , please !

I like to know all about the the boys , " said Jo eagerly .

" that is so kind , I gladly tell you .

for this I should be grateful , should I not ? "

" indeed you should .

" ah !

but we shall not meet often , I fear , this place is at the West . "

Mr Bhaer could read several languages , but he had not learned to read women yet .

when she met him she looked surprised , though it was impossible to help suspecting that she had come for that express purpose .

on learning his good fortune she almost clapped her hands .

was the joy all for the boys ?

" here 's the place for my errands .

will you come in ?

it won't take long . "

but owing to the flutter she was in , everything went amiss .

" may they haf oranges and figs ? " asked Mr Bhaer , with a paternal air .

" they eat them when they can get them . "

" do you care for nuts ? "

" like a squirrel . "

" Hamburg grapes .

yes , we shall drink to the Fatherland in those ? "

" yes , sir ? " and Jo 's heart began to beat so hard she was afraid he would hear it .

" I am bold to say it in spite of the rain , because so short a time remains to me . "

" yes , sir , " and Jo nearly crushed the small flowerpot with the sudden squeeze she gave it .

" I wish to get a little dress for my Tina , and I am too stupid to go alone .

will you kindly gif me a word of taste and help ? "

" yes , sir , " and Jo felt as calm and cool all of a sudden as if she had stepped into a refrigerator .

" perhaps also a shawl for Tina 's mother , she is so poor and sick , and the husband is such a care .

yes , yes , a thick , warm shawl would be a friendly thing to take the little mother . "

" I 'll do it with pleasure , Mr Bhaer . "

Mr Bhaer left it all to her , so she chose a pretty gown for Tina , and then ordered out the shawls .

the clerk , being a married man , condescended to take an interest in the couple , who appeared to be shopping for their family .

" your lady may prefer this .

" now shall we go home ? " he asked , as if the words were very pleasant to him .

" yes , it 's late , and I 'm so tired . "

Jo 's voice was more pathetic than she knew .

" I beg your pardon .

I didn't see the name distinctly .

never mind , I can walk .

Mr Bhaer saw the drops on her cheeks , though she turned her head away .

instead of which , that undignified creature answered , with an irrepressible sob , " because you are going away . "

I came to see if you could care for it , and I waited to be sure that I was something more than a friend .

am I ?

can you make a little place in your heart for old Fritz ? " he added , all in one breath .

neither could he offer Jo his hand , except figuratively , for both were full .

much less could he indulge in tender remonstrations in the open street , though he was near it .

the Professor looked as if he had conquered a kingdom , and the world had nothing more to offer him in the way of bliss .

" Friedrich , why didn't you ....v "

" I always call you so to myself I forgot , but I won't unless you like it . "

" like it ?

it is more sweet to me than I can tell .

say ' thou ' , also , and I shall say your language is almost as beautiful as mine . "

" isn't ' thou ' a little sentimental ? " asked Jo , privately thinking it a lovely monosyllable .

" Sentimental ?

yes .

thank Gott , we Germans believe in sentiment , and keep ourselves young mit it .

" well , then , why didn't thou tell me all this sooner ? " asked Jo bashfully .

Wouldst thou have said ' Yes ' , then , if I had spoken ? "

" I don't know .

I 'm afraid not , for I didn't have any heart just then . "

" Prut !

that I do not believe .

it was asleep till the fairy prince came through the wood , and waked it up .

ah , well , ' Die erste Liebe ist die beste ' , but that I should not expect . "

" yes , the first love is the best , but be so contented , for I never had another .

Teddy was only a boy , and soon got over his little fancy , " said Jo , anxious to correct the Professor 's mistake .

" good !

then I shall rest happy , and be sure that thou givest me all .

I haf waited so long , I am grown selfish , as thou wilt find , Professorin . "

" I like that , " cried Jo , delighted with her new name .

" now tell me what brought you , at last , just when I wanted you ? "

" this , " and Mr Bhaer took a little worn paper out of his waistcoat pocket .

" how could that bring you ? " she asked , wondering what he meant .

" I found it by chance .

I knew it by the names and the initials , and in it there was one little verse that seemed to call me .

read and find him .

I will see that you go not in the wet . "

IN THE GARRET

" Meg " on the first lid , smooth and fair .

ah , happy mother !

well I know You hear , like a sweet refrain , Lullabies ever soft and low In the falling summer rain .

the songs she sang , without lament , In her prison-house of pain , Forever are they sweetly blent With the falling summer rain .

I haf a heart full , full for her .

" and so you came to find that it was not too poor , but the one precious thing I needed , " whispered Jo .

" I had no courage to think that at first , heavenly kind as was your welcome to me .

" I 'm glad you are poor .

I couldn't bear a rich husband , " said Jo decidedly , adding in a softer tone , " don't fear poverty .

I couldn't help loving you if you were seventy ! "

the Professor found that so touching that he would have been glad of his handkerchief , if he could have got at it .

as he couldn't , Jo wiped his eyes for him , and said , laughing , as she took away a bundle or two ....v

I 'm to carry my share , Friedrich , and help to earn the home .

make up your mind to that , or I 'll never go , " she added resolutely , as he tried to reclaim his load .

" we shall see .

Haf you patience to wait a long time , Jo ?

I must go away and do my work alone .

I must help my boys first , because , even for you , I may not break my word to Minna .

can you forgif that , and be happy while we hope and wait ? "

" yes , I know I can , for we love one another , and that makes all the rest easy to bear .

I have my duty , also , and my work .

I couldn't enjoy myself if I neglected them even for you , so there 's no need of hurry or impatience .

" ah !

Jo led her lover in , and shut the door .

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

HARVEST TIME

the second year began rather soberly , for their prospects did not brighten , and Aunt March died suddenly .

" you don't mean to live there ? "

" yes , I do . "

" but , my dear girl , it 's an immense house , and will take a power of money to keep it in order .

the garden and orchard alone need two or three men , and farming isn't in Bhaer 's line , I take it . "

" he 'll try his hand at it there , if I propose it . "

" and you expect to live on the produce of the place ?

well , that sounds paradisiacal , but you 'll find it desperate hard work . "

" the crop we are going to raise is a profitable one , " and Jo laughed .

" of what is this fine crop to consist , ma'am ? "

" boys .

" that 's a truly Joian plan for you !

isn't that just like her ? " cried Laurie , appealing to the family , who looked as much surprised as he .

" I like it , " said Mrs . March decidedly .

" it will be an immense care for Jo , " said Meg , stroking the head of her one all-absorbing son .

" Jo can do it , and be happy in it .

it 's a splendid idea .

" I knew you 'd stand by me , sir .

Amy does too I see it in her eyes , though she prudently waits to turn it over in her mind before she speaks .

money doesn't stay in his pocket long enough to lay up any .

it 's just the place for boys , the house is big , and the furniture strong and plain .

there 's plenty of room for dozens inside , and splendid grounds outside .

they could help in the garden and orchard .

such work is healthy , isn't it , sir ?

then Fritz could train and teach in his own way , and Father will help him .

I can feed and nurse and pet and scold them , and Mother will be my stand-by .

think what luxury Plumfield my own , and a wilderness of boys to enjoy it with me . "

" I don't see anything funny , " she said gravely , when she could be heard .

" she is putting on airs already , " said Laurie , who regarded the idea in the light of a capital joke .

" but may I inquire how you intend to support the establishment ?

if all the pupils are little ragamuffins , I 'm afraid your crop won't be profitable in a worldly sense , Mrs Bhaer . "

" now don't be a wet-blanket , Teddy .

of course I shall have rich pupils , also perhaps begin with such altogether .

then , when I 've got a start , I can take in a ragamuffin or two , just for a relish .

rich people 's children often need care and comfort , as well as poor .

I 've seen unfortunate little creatures left to servants , or backward ones pushed forward , when it 's real cruelty .

some are naughty through mismanagment or neglect , and some lose their mothers .

besides , the best have to get through the hobbledehoy age , and that 's the very time they need most patience and kindness .

they don't complain much plucky little souls but they feel it .

I 've been through something of it , and I know all about it .

I 've had experience , too , for haven't I brought up one boy to be a pride and honor to his family ? "

" I 'll testify that you tried to do it , " said Laurie with a grateful look .

yes , and when I have my flock , I 'll just point to you , and say ' There 's your model , my lads ' . "

" I say , Jo , that 's rather too much , " he began , just in his old boyish way .

" you have all done more for me than I can ever thank you for , except by doing my best not to disappoint you .

you have rather cast me off lately , Jo , but I 've had the best of help , nevertheless .

" when I have one of my own , I hope it will be as happy as the three I know and love the best .

if John and my Fritz were only here , it would be quite a little heaven on earth , " she added more quietly .

it was a very astonishing year altogether , for things seemed to happen in an unusually rapid and delightful manner .

almost before she knew where she was , Jo found herself married and settled at Plumfield .

every room in the big house was soon full .

every little plot in the garden soon had its owner .

a regular menagerie appeared in barn and shed , for pet animals were allowed .

yes , Jo was a very happy woman there , in spite of hard work , much anxiety , and a perpetual racket .

there were a great many holidays at Plumfield , and one of the most delightful was the yearly apple-picking .

for then the Marches , Laurences , Brookes and Bhaers turned out in full force and made a day of it .

the old orchard wore its holiday attire .

goldenrod and asters fringed the mossy walls .

grasshoppers skipped briskly in the sere grass , and crickets chirped like fairy pipers at a feast .

squirrels were busy with their small harvesting .

everybody was there .

everybody laughed and sang , climbed up and tumbled down .

Mr. March strolled placidly about , quoting Tusser , Cowley , and Columella to Mr Laurence , while enjoying ....y

the gentle apple 's winey juice .

at four o'clock a lull took place , and baskets remained empty , while the apple pickers rested and compared rents and bruises .

the little girls had a private tea party , and Ted roved among the edibles at his own sweet will .

" now , Grandma 's sixtieth birthday !

long life to her , with three times three ! "

that was given with a will , as you may well believe , and the cheering once begun , it was hard to stop it .

every stitch Daisy 's patient little fingers had put into the handkerchiefs she hemmed was better than embroidery to Mrs. March .

after this , the boys dispersed for a final lark , leaving Mrs . March and her daughters under the festival tree .

" and yet your life is very different from the one you pictured so long ago .

do you remember our castles in the air ? " asked Amy , smiling as she watched Laurie and John playing cricket with the boys .

" dear fellows !

" yes , I remember , but the life I wanted then seems selfish , lonely , and cold to me now .

" my castle was the most nearly realized of all .

I 've begun to model a figure of baby , and Laurie says it is the best thing I 've ever done .

this cross was doing much for both father and mother , for one love and sorrow bound them closely together .

Amy 's nature was growing sweeter , deeper , and more tender .

into each life some rain must fall , Some days must be dark and sad and dreary .

" she is growing better , I am sure of it , my dear .

so , in spite of my one cross , I can say with Meg , ' Thank God , I 'm a happy woman . ' "

" Fritz is getting gray and stout .

I 'm growing as thin as a shadow , and am thirty .

but in spite of these unromantic facts , I have nothing to complain of , and never was so jolly in my life .

excuse the remark , but living among boys , I can't help using their expressions now and then . "

" not half so good as yours , Mother .

" I hope there will be more wheat and fewer tares every year , " said Amy softly .

" a large sheaf , but I know there 's room in your heart for it , Marmee dear , " added Meg 's tender voice .

" oh , my girls , however long you may live , I never can wish you a greater happiness than this ! "

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Little Women , by Louisa May Alcott

produced by Leslee Suttee , Mary Mark Ockerbloom , Ben Crowder

FURTHER CHRONICLES OF AVONLEA

all related by L . M MONTGOMERY

INTRODUCTION

it is no exaggeration to say that what Longfellow did for Acadia , Miss Montgomery has done for Prince Edward Island .

Anne is as lovable a child as lives in all fiction .

there is nothing in her to disappoint hope or imagination .

part of the power of Miss Montgomery and the largest part is due to her skill in compounding humor and pathos .

the humor is shown not only in the presentation of quaint and unique characters , but also in the words which fall from their mouths .

you would recognize her at sight .

Ismay Meade 's disposition is summed up when we are told that she is " good at having presentiments after things happen . "

the poetic touch , too , never fails in the right place and is never too frequently introduced in her descriptions .

they throw a glamor over that Northern land which otherwise you might imagine as rather cold and barren .

what charming Springs they must have there !

" the Eastern sky was a great arc of crystal , smitten through with auroral crimsonings . "

sentiment with a humorous touch to it prevails in the first two stories of the present book .

the one relates to the disappearance of a valuable white Persian cat with a blue spot in its tail .

of course both Sue and Ismay detest cats ; Ismay hates them , Sue loathes them ; but Aunt Cynthia 's favor is worth preserving .

rather than bear the stigma of never having had a love-affair , this sentimental lady invents one to tell her mocking young friends .

the dramatic and unexpected denouement is delightful fun .

the story is both poignant and dramatic .

self-sacrifice , as the real basis of happiness , is a favorite theme in Miss Montgomery 's fiction .

Miss Montgomery loves to introduce a little child or a baby as a solvent of old feuds or domestic quarrels .

happiness generally lights up the end of her stories , however tragic they may set out to be .

in " the Son of His Mother , " Thyra is a stern woman , as " immovable as a stone image . "

when Chester falls in love , she is relentless toward the beautiful young girl and forces Chester to give her up .

but a terrible sorrow brings the old woman and the young girl into sympathy , and unspeakable joy is born of the trial .

happiness also comes to " the Brother who Failed . "

the story of the revival at Avonlea has also a good moral .

you feel that you are made familiar with a real town and its real inhabitants ; you learn to love them and sympathize with them .

further Chronicles of Avonlea is a book to read ; and to know .

NATHAN HASKELL DOLE .

CONTENTS

I aunt Cynthia 's Persian Cat II .

the Materializing of Cecil III .

her Father 's Daughter IV .

Jane 's Baby V the Dream-Child VI .

the Brother Who Failed VII .

the Return of Hester VIII .

the Little Brown Book of Miss Emily IX .

Sara 's Way X the Son of His Mother XI .

the Education of Betty XII .

In Her Selfless Mood XIII .

the Conscience Case of David Bell XIV .

only a Common Fellow XV .

Tannis of the Flats

FURTHER CHRONICLES OF AVONLEA

I AUNT CYNTHIA'S PERSIAN CAT

Max always blesses the animal when it is referred to ; and I don't deny that things have worked together for good after all .

as for Ismay , she hates cats and always did .

but Aunt Cynthia , who adored them , never could bring herself to understand that any one could possibly dislike them .

of all cats I loathed that white Persian cat of Aunt Cynthia 's .

and , indeed , as we always suspected and finally proved , Aunt herself looked upon the creature with more pride than affection .

she would have taken ten times the comfort in a good , common puss that she did in that spoiled beauty .

it was snow-white , with a bluish-gray spot on the tip of its tail ; and it was blue-eyed and deaf and delicate .

aunt Cynthia was always worrying lest it should take cold and die .

Ismay and I used to wish that it would we were so tired of hearing about it and its whims .

but we did not say so to Aunt Cynthia .

she would probably never have spoken to us again and there was no wisdom in offending Aunt Cynthia .

besides , we really liked Aunt Cynthia very much at times .

one day , in November , Aunt Cynthia came sailing out to Spencervale .

that was a Jonah day for us all through .

everything had gone wrong .

and on top of this came Aunt Cynthia 's call and request .

" dear me , " said Aunt Cynthia , sniffing , " don't I smell smoke ?

you girls must manage your range very badly .

mine never smokes .

but it is no more than one might expect when two girls try to keep house without a man about the place . "

" we get along very well without a man about the place , " I said loftily .

Max hadn't been in for four whole days and , though nobody wanted to see him particularly , I couldn't help wondering why .

" men are nuisances . "

" I dare say you would like to pretend you think so , " said Aunt Cynthia , aggravatingly .

" but no woman ever does really think so , you know .

I imagine that pretty Anne Shirley , who is visiting Ella Kimball , doesn't .

I saw her and Dr Irving out walking this afternoon , looking very well satisfied with themselves .

if you dilly-dally much longer , Sue , you will let Max slip through your fingers yet . "

that was a tactful thing to say to ME , who had refused Max Irving so often that I had lost count .

I was furious , and so I smiled most sweetly on my maddening aunt .

" dear Aunt , how amusing of you , " I said , smoothly .

" you talk as if I wanted Max . "

" so you do , " said Aunt Cynthia .

" if so , why should I have refused him time and again ? "

I asked , smilingly .

right well Aunt Cynthia knew I had .

Max always told her .

there is something very fascinating about this Anne Shirley . "

" indeed there is , " I assented .

" she has the loveliest eyes I ever saw .

she would be just the wife for Max , and I hope he will marry her . "

" Humph , " said Aunt Cynthia .

" well , I won't entice you into telling any more fibs .

and I didn't drive out here to-day in all this wind to talk sense into you concerning Max .

I 'm going to Halifax for two months and I want you to take charge of Fatima for me , while I am away . "

" Fatima ! "

I exclaimed .

" yes .

I don't dare to trust her with the servants .

mind you always warm her milk before you give it to her , and don't on any account let her run out of doors . "

I looked at Ismay and Ismay looked at me .

we knew we were in for it .

to refuse would mortally offend Aunt Cynthia .

but I ventured to ask , " what if anything happens to her while you are away ? "

" it is to prevent that , I 'm leaving her with you , " said Aunt Cynthia .

" you simply must not let anything happen to her .

it will do you good to have a little responsibility .

and you will have a chance to find out what an adorable creature Fatima really is .

well , that is all settled .

I 'll send Fatima out to-morrow . "

" you can take care of that horrid Fatima beast yourself , " said Ismay , when the door closed behind Aunt Cynthia .

" I won't touch her with a yard-stick .

you had no business to say we 'd take her . "

" did I say we would take her ? "

I demanded , crossly .

" aunt Cynthia took our consent for granted .

and you know , as well as I do , we couldn't have refused .

so what is the use of being grouchy ? "

" if anything happens to her Aunt Cynthia will hold us responsible , " said Ismay darkly .

" do you think Anne Shirley is really engaged to Gilbert Blythe ? "

I asked curiously .

" I 've heard that she was , " said Ismay , absently .

" does she eat anything but milk ?

will it do to give her mice ? "

" oh , I guess so .

but do you think Max has really fallen in love with her ? "

" I dare say .

what a relief it will be for you if he has . "

" oh , of course , " I said , frostily .

" Anne Shirley or Anne Anybody Else , is perfectly welcome to Max if she wants him .

I certainly do not .

Ismay Meade , if that stove doesn't stop smoking I shall fly into bits .

this is a detestable day .

I hate that creature ! "

" oh , you shouldn't talk like that , when you don't even know her , " protested Ismay .

" every one says Anne Shirley is lovely "

" I was talking about Fatima , " I cried in a rage .

" oh ! " said Ismay .

Ismay is stupid at times .

I thought the way she said " oh " was inexcusably stupid .

Fatima arrived the next day .

Max brought her out in a covered basket , lined with padded crimson satin .

Max likes cats and Aunt Cynthia .

of course I said no , as usual , but I was rather pleased .

Max had been proposing to me about every two months for two years .

sometimes , as in this case , he went three months , and then I always wondered why .

I concluded that he could not be really interested in Anne Shirley , and I was relieved .

so I just beamed on him when I said no .

Max began counting on his fingers .

when he got as far as eight he shook his head and began over again .

" what is it ? "

I asked .

" I 'm trying to count up how many times I have proposed to you , " he said .

" but I can't remember whether I asked you to marry me that day we dug up the garden or not .

if I did it makes "

" no , you didn't , " I interrupted .

" well , that makes it eleven , " said Max reflectively .

" Pretty near the limit , isn't it ?

my manly pride will not allow me to propose to the same girl more than twelve times .

so the next time will be the last , Sue darling . "

" oh , " I said , a trifle flatly .

I forgot to resent his calling me darling .

I wondered if things wouldn't be rather dull when Max gave up proposing to me .

it was the only excitement I had .

" very sweet girl , " said Max .

" you know I always admired those gray-eyed girls with that splendid Titian hair . "

I am dark , with brown eyes .

just then I detested Max .

I got up and said I was going to get some milk for Fatima .

I found Ismay in a rage in the kitchen .

she had been up in the garret , and a mouse had run across her foot .

mice always get on Ismay 's nerves .

" we need a cat badly enough , " she fumed , " but not a useless , pampered thing , like Fatima .

that garret is literally swarming with mice .

you 'll not catch me going up there again . "

Fatima did not prove such a nuisance as we had feared .

she even used to get up in the middle of the night and go out to see if Fatima was warm .

Max came in every day and , being around , gave us good advice .

when we came home Fatima was gone .

Huldah Jane wept and was as one whom the gods had made mad .

when she came back the kitchen door had blown open and Fatima had vanished .

Ismay and I were frantic .

then Ismay sat down on the front doorsteps and cried .

" she has got out and she 'll catch her death of cold and Aunt Cynthia will never forgive us . "

" I 'm going for Max , " I declared .

Max came over and we had another search , but without result .

days passed , but we did not find Fatima .

I would certainly have gone crazy had it not been for Max .

he was worth his weight in gold during the awful week that followed .

" we shall never see Fatima again , " I said hopelessly to Max and Ismay one afternoon .

" I 'm afraid you won't , " said Max .

" she must have perished from exposure long ere this . "

" aunt Cynthia will never forgive us , " said Ismay , dismally .

" I had a presentiment of trouble the moment that cat came to this house . "

we had never heard of this presentiment before , but Ismay is good at having presentiments after things happen .

" what shall we do ? "

I demanded , helplessly .

" Max , can't you find some way out of this scrape for us ? "

" advertise in the Charlottetown papers for a white Persian cat , " suggested Max .

" some one may have one for sale .

if so , you must buy it , and palm it off on your good Aunt as Fatima .

she 's very short-sighted , so it will be quite possible . "

" but Fatima has a blue spot on her tail , " I said .

" you must advertise for a cat with a blue spot on its tail , " said Max .

" it will cost a pretty penny , " said Ismay dolefully .

" Fatima was valued at one hundred dollars . "

" we must take the money we have been saving for our new furs , " I said sorrowfully .

" there is no other way out of it .

it will cost us a good deal more if we lose Aunt Cynthia 's favor .

she is quite capable of believing that we have made away with Fatima deliberately and with malice aforethought . "

so we advertised .

Max went to town and had the notice inserted in the most important daily .

it was a type-written screed from Halifax stating that the writer had for sale a white Persian cat answering to our description .

" temper your joy , my friends , " said Ismay , gloomily .

" the cat may not suit .

the blue spot may be too big or too small or not in the right place .

I consistently refuse to believe that any good thing can come out of this deplorable affair . "

Just at this moment there was a knock at the door and I hurried out .

the postmaster 's boy was there with a telegram .

I tore it open , glanced at it , and dashed back into the room .

" what is it now ? " cried Ismay , beholding my face .

I held out the telegram .

it was from Aunt Cynthia .

she had wired us to send Fatima to Halifax by express immediately .

for the first time Max did not seem ready to rush into the breach with a suggestion .

it was I who spoke first .

" Max , " I said , imploringly , " you 'll see us through this , won't you ?

neither Ismay nor I can rush off to Halifax at once .

you must go to-morrow morning .

go right to @number@ Hollis Street and ask for ' Persian . '

if the cat looks enough like Fatima , buy it and take it to Aunt Cynthia .

if it doesn't but it must !

you 'll go , won't you ? "

" that depends , " said Max .

I stared at him .

this was so unlike Max .

" you are sending me on a nasty errand , " he said , coolly .

" how do I know that Aunt Cynthia will be deceived after all , even if she be short-sighted .

buying a cat in a joke is a huge risk .

and if she should see through the scheme I shall be in a pretty mess . "

" oh , Max , " I said , on the verge of tears .

it would be all in the day 's work then .

but as it is "

Ismay got up and went out of the room .

" oh , Max , please , " I said .

" will you marry me , Sue ? " demanded Max sternly .

" if you will agree , I 'll go to Halifax and beard the lion in his den unflinchingly .

if necessary , I will take a black street cat to Aunt Cynthia , and swear that it is Fatima .

I 'll do anything , say anything but it must be for my future wife . "

" will nothing else content you ? "

I said helplessly .

" nothing . "

I thought hard .

I knew in my secret soul that life would be a dreadfully dismal thing if Max were not around somewhere .

" very well , " I said crossly .

Max left for Halifax in the morning .

next day we got a wire saying it was all right .

the evening of the following day he was back in Spencervale .

Ismay and I put him in a chair and glared at him impatiently .

Max began to laugh and laughed until he turned blue .

" I am glad it is so amusing , " said Ismay severely .

" if Sue and I could see the joke it might be more so . "

" dear little girls , have patience with me , " implored Max .

" if you knew what it cost me to keep a straight face in Halifax you would forgive me for breaking out now . "

" we forgive you but for pity 's sake tell us all about it , " I cried .

" well , as soon as I arrived in Halifax I hurried to @number@ Hollis Street , but see here !

didn't you tell me your Aunt 's address was @number@ Pleasant Street ? "

" so it is . "

" 'T isn't .

you look at the address on a telegram next time you get one .

she went a week ago to visit another friend who lives at @number@ Hollis . "

" Max ! "

" it 's a fact .

" ' Max , ' she said , ' have you brought Fatima ? '

" ' No , ' I answered , trying to adjust my wits to this new development as she towed me into the library .

' No , I I just came to Halifax on a little matter of business . '

" ' Dear me , ' said Aunt Cynthia , crossly , ' I don't know what those girls mean .

I wired them to send Fatima at once .

and she has not come yet and I am expecting a call every minute from some one who wants to buy her . '

" ' Oh ! '

I murmured , mining deeper every minute .

" ' Well , of all the curious coincidences , ' I exclaimed .

' Why , Miss Ridley , it was I who advertised for a Persian cat on Sue 's behalf .

she and Ismay have decided that they want a cat like Fatima for themselves . '

" you should have seen how she beamed .

she said she knew you always really liked cats , only you would never own up to it .

we clinched the dicker then and there .

good luck to your bargain ! "

" mean old thing , " sniffed Ismay .

she meant Aunt Cynthia , and , remembering our shabby furs , I didn't disagree with her .

" but there is no Fatima , " I said , dubiously .

" how shall we account for her when Aunt Cynthia comes home ? "

" well , your aunt isn't coming home for a month yet .

when she comes you will have to tell her that the cat is lost but you needn't say WHEN it happened .

as for the rest , Fatima is your property now , so Aunt Cynthia can't grumble .

but she will have a poorer opinion than ever of your fitness to run a house alone . "

when Max left I went to the window to watch him down the path .

he was really a handsome fellow , and I was proud of him .

at the gate he turned to wave me good-by , and , as he did , he glanced upward .

even at that distance I saw the look of amazement on his face .

then he came bolting back .

" Ismay , the house is on fire ! "

I shrieked , as I flew to the door .

" Sue , " cried Max , " I saw Fatima , or her ghost , at the garret window a moment ago ! "

" nonsense ! "

I cried .

but Ismay was already half way up the stairs and we followed .

straight to the garret we rushed .

there sat Fatima , sleek and complacent , sunning herself in the window .

Max laughed until the rafters rang .

" she can't have been up here all this time , " I protested , half tearfully .

" we would have heard her meowing . "

" but you didn't , " said Max .

" she would have died of the cold , " declared Ismay .

" but she hasn't , " said Max .

" or starved , " I cried .

" the place is alive with mice , " said Max .

" no , girls , there is no doubt the cat has been here the whole fortnight .

she must have followed Huldah Jane up here , unobserved , that day .

it 's a wonder you didn't hear her crying if she did cry .

but perhaps she didn't , and , of course , you sleep downstairs .

to think you never thought of looking here for her ! "

" it has cost us over a hundred dollars , " said Ismay , with a malevolent glance at the sleek Fatima .

" it has cost me more than that , " I said , as I turned to the stairway .

Max held me back for an instant , while Ismay and Fatima pattered down .

" do you think it has cost too much , Sue ? " he whispered .

I looked at him sideways .

he was really a dear .

Niceness fairly exhaled from him .

" No-o-o , " I said , " but when we are married you will have to take care of Fatima , I won't . "

" dear Fatima , " said Max gratefully .

II .

THE MATERIALIZING OF CECIL

Even Nancy , my old nurse and servant , knew that , and pitied me for it .

Nancy is an old maid herself , but she has had two proposals .

I had really often wondered why nobody had ever fallen in love with me .

neither was it the fact that I wrote poetry myself although not of George Adoniram 's kind because nobody ever knew that .

it is nearly full now , because I have been writing poetry all my life .

it is the only thing I have ever been able to keep a secret from Nancy .

I am convinced she would send for the doctor post-haste and insist on mustard plasters while waiting for him .

Poor Charlotte indeed !

I must not be uncharitable .

the Sewing Circle met at Mary Gillespie 's on my fortieth birthday .

I enjoyed every bit of that breakfast , and then I got up and dressed , putting on my second best muslin gown .

I watered my flowers and fed my cats , and then I locked myself up and wrote a poem on June .

I had given up writing birthday odes after I was thirty .

in the afternoon I went to the Sewing Circle .

when I was ready for it I looked in my glass and wondered if I could really be forty .

I was quite sure I didn't look it .

I always have my mirror hung in the darkest corner of my room .

Nancy cannot imagine why .

I know the lines are there , of course ; but when they don't show very plain I forget that they are there .

we had a large Sewing Circle , young and old alike attending .

as for the other old maids , they talked gossip about every one , and I did not like that either .

there was a full attendance that day , for we were getting ready for a sale of fancy work in aid of parsonage repairs .

the young girls were merrier and noisier than usual .

Wilhelmina Mercer was there , and she kept them going .

the Mercers were quite new to Avonlea , having come here only two months previously .

I wasn't listening to their chatter at all , but presently Georgie exclaimed teasingly :

" Miss Charlotte is laughing at us .

I suppose she thinks we are awfully silly to be talking about beaux . "

I meant to inscribe them in the little blank book when I went home .

Georgie 's speech brought me back to harsh realities with a jolt .

it hurt me , as such speeches always did .

" didn't you ever have a beau , Miss Holmes ? " said Wilhelmina laughingly .

just as it happened , a silence had fallen over the room for a moment , and everybody in it heard Wilhelmina 's question .

I really do not know what got into me and possessed me .

I have never been able to account for what I said and did , because I am naturally a truthful person and hate all deceit .

it seemed to me that I simply could not say " no " to Wilhelmina before that whole roomful of women .

it was TOO humiliating .

" yes , I had one once , my dear , " I said calmly .

for once in my life I made a sensation .

every woman in that room stopped sewing and stared at me .

most of them , I saw , didn't believe me , but Wilhelmina did .

her pretty face lighted up with interest .

" that is right , Miss Mercer , " said Josephine Cameron , with a nasty little laugh .

" make her tell .

we 're all interested .

it 's news to us that Charlotte ever had a beau . "

if Josephine had not said that , I might not have gone on .

but she did say it , and , moreover , I caught Mary Gillespie and Adella Gilbert exchanging significant smiles .

that settled it , and made me quite reckless .

" In for a penny , in for a pound , " thought I , and I said with a pensive smile :

" nobody here knew anything about him , and it was all long , long ago . "

" what was his name ? " asked Wilhelmina .

" Cecil Fenwick , " I answered promptly .

Cecil had always been my favorite name for a man ; it figured quite frequently in the blank book .

" where did you meet him ? " asked Georgie .

I hastily reviewed my past .

there was only one place to locate Cecil Fenwick .

" I was just eighteen and he was twenty-three . "

" what did he look like ? "

Susette wanted to know .

" oh , he was very handsome . "

I proceeded glibly to sketch my ideal .

" he was tall and dark , with lovely , curly black hair and brilliant , piercing eyes .

he had a splendid chin , and a fine nose , and the most fascinating smile ! "

" what was he ? " asked Maggie .

he had been a lawyer .

" why didn't you marry him ? " demanded Susette .

" we quarreled , " I answered sadly .

" a terribly bitter quarrel .

oh , we were both so young and so foolish .

it was my fault .

I vexed Cecil by flirting with another man " wasn't I coming on ! " and he was jealous and angry .

he went out West and never came back .

I have never seen him since , and I do not even know if he is alive .

but but I could never care for any other man . "

" oh , how interesting ! " sighed Wilhelmina .

" I do so love sad love stories .

but perhaps he will come back some day yet , Miss Holmes . "

" oh , no , never now , " I said , shaking my head .

" he has forgotten all about me , I dare say .

or if he hasn't , he has never forgiven me . "

but I felt already a change in the mental atmosphere surrounding me , and all through supper I was thrilled with a secret exultation .

Repentant ?

ashamed ?

not a bit of it !

I 'd have done the same thing over again , and all I felt sorry for was that I hadn't done it long ago .

when I got home that night Nancy looked at me wonderingly , and said :

" you look like a girl to-night , Miss Charlotte . "

I had to have some outlet for my feelings .

for the next two months all went well and merrily .

it just warmed up the cockles of my heart , and I began to enjoy the Sewing Circle famously .

I got a lot of pretty new dresses and the dearest hat , and I went everywhere I was asked and had a good time .

but there is one thing you can be perfectly sure of .

if you do wrong you are going to be punished for it sometime , somehow and somewhere .

my punishment was delayed for two months , and then it descended on my head and I was crushed to the very dust .

another new family besides the Mercers had come to Avonlea in the spring the Maxwells .

there were just Mr. and Mrs Maxwell ; they were a middle-aged couple and very well off .

they lived quietly , and Mrs Maxwell hardly ever went anywhere because she was delicate .

she was out when I called and I was out when she returned my call , so that I had never met her .

it was the Sewing Circle day again at Sarah Gardiner 's this time .

everybody looked at me in the strangest way .

of course , Wilhelmina Mercer was the first to set her tongue going .

" oh , Miss Holmes , have you seen him yet ? " she exclaimed .

" seen whom ? "

I said non-excitedly , getting out my thimble and patterns .

" why , Cecil Fenwick .

he 's here in Avonlea visiting his sister , Mrs Maxwell . "

I suppose I did what they expected me to do .

I dropped everything I held , and Josephine Cameron said afterwards that Charlotte Holmes would never be paler when she was in her coffin .

if they had just known why I turned so pale !

" it 's impossible ! "

I said blankly .

" it 's really true , " said Wilhelmina , delighted at this development , as she supposed it , of my romance .

" I was up to see Mrs Maxwell last night , and I met him . "

" it can't be the same Cecil Fenwick , " I said faintly , because I had to say something .

" oh , yes , it is .

he belongs in Blakely , New Brunswick , and he 's a lawyer , and he 's been out West twenty-two years .

he 's oh ! so handsome , and just as you described him , except that his hair is quite gray .

he has never married I asked Mrs Maxwell so you see he has never forgotten you , Miss Holmes .

and , oh , I believe everything is going to come out all right . "

I couldn't exactly share her cheerful belief .

everything seemed to me to be coming out most horribly wrong .

I was so mixed up I didn't know what to do or say .

I felt as if I were in a bad dream it MUST be a dream there couldn't really be a Cecil Fenwick !

my feelings were simply indescribable .

fortunately every one put my agitation down to quite a different cause , and they very kindly left me alone to recover myself .

I shall never forget that awful afternoon .

right after tea I excused myself and went home as fast as I could go .

there I shut myself up in my room , but NOT to write poetry in my blank book .

no , indeed !

I felt in no poetical mood .

I tried to look the facts squarely in the face .

there was a Cecil Fenwick , extraordinary as the coincidence was , and he was here in Avonlea .

all my friends and foes believed that he was the estranged lover of my youth .

if he stayed long in Avonlea , one of two things was bound to happen .

but Providence had other views for me .

Cecil Fenwick didn't go away .

he stayed right on in Avonlea , and the Maxwells blossomed out socially in his honor and tried to give him a good time .

Mrs Maxwell gave a party for him .

I got a card but you may be very sure I didn't go , although Nancy thought I was crazy not to .

then every one else gave parties in honor of Mr Fenwick and I was invited and never went .

Wilhelmina means well , but she hasn't a great deal of sense .

Cecil Fenwick seemed to be a great favorite with everybody , young and old .

he was very rich , too , and Wilhelmina declared that half the girls were after him .

as for me , I gave up going out at all , even to church .

I fretted and pined and lost my appetite and never wrote a line in my blank book .

Nancy was half frantic and insisted on dosing me with her favorite patent pills .

my trouble was too deep-seated for pills to cure .

if ever a woman was punished for telling a lie I was that woman .

I stopped my subscription to the Weekly Advocate because it still carried that wretched porous plaster advertisement , and I couldn't bear to see it .

if it hadn't been for that I would never have thought of Fenwick for a name , and all this trouble would have been averted .

one evening , when I was moping in my room , Nancy came up .

" there 's a gentleman in the parlor asking for you , Miss Charlotte . "

my heart gave just one horrible bounce .

" what sort of a gentleman , Nancy ? "

I faltered .

" tell him I 'll be down directly , Nancy , " I said quite calmly .

then I hunted up an old Advocate for proof , and down I went to the parlor .

I know exactly how a criminal feels going to execution , and I 've been opposed to capital punishment ever since .

then my legs gave out completely , and I couldn't have walked another step to save my life .

I just stood there , my hand on the knob , trembling like a leaf .

he was very handsome , and his gray hair gave him such a distinguished look .

I recalled this afterward , but just at the moment you may be quite sure I wasn't thinking about it at all .

then all at once a strange thing happened .

the scowl went right off his face and the anger out of his eyes .

he looked astonished , and then foolish .

I saw the color creeping up into his cheeks .

as for me , I still stood there staring at him , not able to say a single word .

" miss Holmes , I presume , " he said at last , in a deep , thrilling voice .

" I I oh , confound it !

I have called I heard some foolish stories and I came here in a rage .

I 've been a fool I know now they weren't true .

just excuse me and I 'll go away and kick myself . "

" no , " I said , finding my voice with a gasp , " you mustn't go until you 've heard the truth .

it 's dreadful enough , but not as dreadful as you might otherwise think .

those those stories I have a confession to make .

I did tell them , but I didn't know there was such a person as Cecil Fenwick in existence . "

he looked puzzled , as well he might .

" let's sit down and talk it over ' comfy , ' " he said .

I just confessed the whole shameful business .

it was terribly humiliating , but it served me right .

he heard me right through without a word , and then he threw back his big , curly , gray head and laughed .

she declared you had told her about it yourself .

I confess I flamed up .

when you came into the room I knew that , whoever was to blame , you were not . "

" but I was , " I said ruefully .

" it wasn't right of me to tell such a story and it was very silly , too .

but who would ever have supposed that there could be a real Cecil Fenwick who had lived in Blakely ?

I never heard of such a coincidence . "

" it 's more than a coincidence , " said Mr Fenwick decidedly .

" it 's predestination ; that is what it is .

and now let's forget it and talk of something else . "

when he finally went away he asked if he might come again .

" it 's time we made up that old quarrel , you know , " he said , laughing .

and I , an old maid of forty , caught myself blushing like a girl .

but I felt like a girl , for it was such a relief to have that explanation all over .

I couldn't even feel angry with Adella Gilbert .

she was always a mischief maker , and when a woman is born that way she is more to be pitied than blamed .

Mr Fenwick did come again the very next evening , but one .

and he came so often after that that even Nancy got resigned to him .

one day I had to tell her something .

I shrank from doing it , for I feared it would make her feel badly .

" oh , I 've been expecting to hear it , " she said grimly .

" I felt the minute that man came into the house he brought trouble with him .

well , Miss Charlotte , I wish you happiness .

I don't know how the climate of California will agree with me , but I suppose I 'll have to put up with it . "

" but , Nancy , " I said , " I can't expect you to go away out there with me .

it 's too much to ask of you . "

" and where else would I be going ? " demanded Nancy in genuine astonishment .

" how under the canopy could you keep house without me ?

I 'm not going to trust you to the mercies of a yellow Chinee with a pig-tail .

where you go I go , Miss Charlotte , and there 's an end of it . "

I was very glad , for I hated to think of parting with Nancy even to go with Cecil .

as for the blank book , I haven't told my husband about it yet , but I mean to some day .

and I 've subscribed for the Weekly Advocate again .

III .

HER FATHER'S DAUGHTER

" we must invite your Aunt Jane , of course , " said Mrs Spencer .

the difference was not caused by hard work or the lack of it ; Rachel had worked hard all her life .

it was a difference inherent in temperament .

moreover , the contrast went deeper than externals , and twined itself with the innermost fibers of life , and thought , and action .

" aunt Jane doesn't like me , and I don't like Aunt Jane . "

" I 'm sure I don't see why you don't like her , " said Mrs Spencer .

" it 's ungrateful of you .

she has always been very kind to you . "

" she has always been very kind with one hand , " smiled Rachel .

" I remember the first time I ever saw Aunt Jane .

I was six years old .

she held out to me a small velvet pincushion with beads on it .

it hurt horribly I 've always had a tender head .

and that has been Aunt Jane 's way ever since .

when I grew too big for the thimble treatment she used her tongue instead and that hurt worse .

and you know , mother , how she used to talk about my engagement .

she is able to spoil the whole atmosphere if she happens to come in a bad humor .

I don't want her . "

" she must be invited .

people would talk so if she wasn't . "

" I don't see why they should .

she 's only my great-aunt by marriage .

I wouldn't mind in the least if people did talk .

they 'll talk anyway you know that , mother . "

people , who knew , rarely attempted it ; strangers occasionally did , misled by the deceit of appearances .

she had delicate aquiline features and a small , babyish red mouth .

she looked as if a breath would sway her .

the truth was that a tornado would hardly have caused her to swerve an inch from her chosen path .

for a moment Rachel looked rebellious ; then she yielded , as she generally did in all differences of opinion with her mother .

it was not worth while to quarrel over the comparatively unimportant matter of Aunt Jane 's invitation .

a quarrel might be inevitable later on ; Rachel wanted to save all her resources for that .

Rachel never could understand this irritation .

they were postmarked from seaports all over the world .

Mrs Spencer never read them or looked at them ; but she remembered every dash and curve of the handwriting .

Isabella Spencer had overcome many things in her life by the sheer force and persistency of her will .

but she could not get the better of heredity .

Rachel was to be married to Frank Bell in a fortnight 's time .

Mrs Spencer was pleased with the match .

she was very fond of Frank , and his farm was so near to her own that she would not lose Rachel altogether .

they were in the sitting-room , deciding on the wedding guests and other details .

the September sunshine was coming in through the waving boughs of the apple tree that grew close up to the low window .

the glints wavered over Rachel 's face , as white as a wood lily , with only a faint dream of rose in the cheeks .

she wore her sleek , golden hair in a quaint arch around it .

her forehead was very broad and white .

she was fresh and young and hopeful .

the mother 's heart contracted in a spasm of pain as she looked at her .

how like the girl was to to to the Spencers !

those easy , curving outlines , those large , mirthful blue eyes , that finely molded chin !

Isabella Spencer shut her lips firmly and crushed down some unbidden , unwelcome memories .

" there will be about sixty guests , all told , " she said , as if she were thinking of nothing else .

" we must move the furniture out of this room and set the supper-table here .

the dining-room is too small .

we must borrow Mrs . Bell 's forks and spoons .

she offered to lend them .

I 'd never have been willing to ask her .

the damask table cloths with the ribbon pattern must be bleached to-morrow .

nobody else in Avonlea has such tablecloths .

and we 'll put the little dining-room table on the hall landing , upstairs , for the presents . "

Rachel was not thinking about the presents , or the housewifely details of the wedding .

her breath was coming quicker , and the faint blush on her smooth cheeks had deepened to crimson .

she knew that a critical moment was approaching .

with a steady hand she wrote the last name on her list and drew a line under it .

" well , have you finished ? " asked her mother impatiently .

" hand it here and let me look over it to make sure that you haven't left anybody out that should be in . "

Rachel passed the paper across the table in silence .

the room seemed to her to have grown very still .

she felt frightened and nervous , but resolute .

Mrs Spencer glanced down the list , murmuring the names aloud and nodding approval at each .

but when she came to the last name , she did not utter it .

she cast a black glance at Rachel , and a spark leaped up in the depths of the pale eyes .

on her face were anger , amazement , incredulity , the last predominating .

the final name on the list of wedding guests was the name of David Spencer .

David Spencer lived alone in a little cottage down at the Cove .

he was a combination of sailor and fisherman .

he was also Isabella Spencer 's husband and Rachel 's father .

" Rachel Spencer , have you taken leave of your senses ?

what do you mean by such nonsense as this ? "

" I simply mean that I am going to invite my father to my wedding , " answered Rachel quietly .

" not in my house , " cried Mrs Spencer , her lips as white as if her fiery tone had scathed them .

Rachel leaned forward , folded her large , capable hands deliberately on the table , and gazed unflinchingly into her mother 's bitter face .

her fright and nervousness were gone .

now that the conflict was actually on she found herself rather enjoying it .

she wondered a little at herself , and thought that she must be wicked .

" then there will be no wedding , mother , " she said .

" Frank and I will simply go to the manse , be married , and go home .

if I cannot invite my father to see me married , no one else shall be invited . "

her lips narrowed tightly .

in spite of her anger her heart thrilled to it .

" HE has never remembered that he is your father .

he cares nothing about you never did care . "

Rachel took no notice of this taunt .

" it 'll be like chips in porridge anyhow neither good nor harm .

he won't come . "

Rachel made no response .

now that the battle was over , and the victory won , she found herself tremulously on the verge of tears .

she lay down on the blue and white patchwork quilt on her bed , and cried softly and bitterly .

her heart , at this crisis in her life , yearned for her father , who was almost a stranger to her .

she knew that her mother had probably spoken the truth when she said that he would not come .

Rachel felt that her marriage vows would be lacking in some indefinable sacredness if her father were not by to hear them spoken .

twenty-five years before this , David Spencer and Isabella Chiswick had been married .

David was a handsome fellow , with the blood of a seafaring race in his veins .

Isabella liked farming , and loved her fertile acres and opulent orchards .

in her eyes there was a taint of disgrace in such a calling .

David must be transformed into a respectable , home-abiding tiller of broad lands .

for five years all went well enough .

if , at times , David 's longing for the sea troubled him , he stifled it , and listened not to its luring voice .

he and Isabella were very happy ; the only drawback to their happiness lay in the regretted fact that they were childless .

then , in the sixth year , came a crisis and a change .

captain Barrett , an old crony of David 's , wanted him to go with him on a voyage as mate .

he must go on that voyage with James Barrett he MUST !

that over , he would be contented again ; but go he must .

his soul struggled within him like a fettered thing .

Isabella opposed the scheme vehemently and unwisely , with mordant sarcasm and unjust reproaches .

he was determined to go , and he told Isabella so .

" I 'm sick of plowing and milking cows , " he said hotly .

" you mean that you are sick of a respectable life , " sneered Isabella .

" perhaps , " said David , with a contemptuous shrug of his shoulders .

" anyway , I 'm going . "

" if you go on this voyage , David Spencer , you need never come back here , " said Isabella resolutely .

David had gone ; he did not believe that she meant it .

Isabella believed that he did not care whether she meant it or not .

David Spencer left behind him a woman , calm outwardly , inwardly a seething volcano of anger , wounded pride , and thwarted will .

Isabella met him at the door , smileless , cold-eyed , set-lipped .

" what do you want here ? " she said , in the tone she was accustomed to use to tramps and Syrian peddlers .

" want ! "

David 's surprise left him at a loss for words .

" want !

why , I I want my wife .

I 've come home . "

" this is not your home .

I 'm no wife of yours .

you made your choice when you went away , " Isabella had replied .

then she had gone in , shut the door , and locked it in his face .

David had stood there for a few minutes like a man stunned .

then he had turned and walked away up the lane under the birches .

he said nothing then or at any other time .

from that day no reference to his wife or her concerns ever crossed his lips .

he went directly to the harbor , and shipped with Captain Barrett for another voyage .

between his sea voyages he lived there the life of a recluse ; fishing and playing his violin were his only employments .

he went nowhere and encouraged no visitors .

Isabella Spencer also had adopted the tactics of silence .

she worsted them totally .

as Aunt Jane said in disgust , " what can you do with a woman who won't even TALK ? "

five months after David Spencer had been turned from his wife 's door , Rachel was born .

but David had not come ; he gave no sign of knowing or caring that his once longed-for child had been born .

a certain nervous expectancy , a fluttering restlessness was gone .

Isabella had ceased to hope secretly that her husband would yet come back .

Rachel , from her earliest recollection , had been vaguely conscious of a difference between her own life and the lives of her playmates .

for a long time it puzzled her childish brain .

why was this ?

" mother , why haven't I got a father like the other little girls ? "

she understood clearly and hopelessly that she could never have a father that , in this respect , she must always be unlike other people .

" your father cares nothing for you , " said Isabella Spencer in conclusion .

" he never did care .

you must never speak of him to anybody again . "

Rachel slipped silently from her mother 's knee and ran out to the Springtime garden with a full heart .

there she cried passionately over her mother 's last words .

oddly enough , Rachel 's sympathies were all with her father , in as far as she could understand the old quarrel .

she did not dream of disobeying her mother and she did not disobey her .

she was an imaginative child , and in fancy she made the acquaintance of her father .

she had never seen him , but he was more real to her than most of the people she had seen .

once her mother asked her impatiently why she talked so much to herself .

" I am not talking to myself .

I am talking to a very dear friend of mine , " Rachel answered gravely .

" silly child , " laughed her mother , half tolerantly , half disapprovingly .

two years later something wonderful had happened to Rachel .

one summer afternoon she had gone to the harbor with several of her little playmates .

such a jaunt was a rare treat to the child , for Isabella Spencer seldom allowed her to go from home with anybody but herself .

and Isabella was not an entertaining companion .

Rachel never particularly enjoyed an outing with her mother .

the children wandered far along the shore ; at last they came to a place that Rachel had never seen before .

it was a shallow cove where the waters purred on the yellow sands .

beyond it , the sea was laughing and flashing and preening and alluring , like a beautiful , coquettish woman .

outside , the wind was boisterous and rollicking ; here , it was reverent and gentle .

she wanted to linger awhile in this dear spot and revel in it .

" I 'm tired , girls , " she announced .

" I 'm going to stay here and rest for a spell .

I don't want to go to Gull Point .

you go on yourselves ; I 'll wait for you here . "

" all alone ? " asked Carrie Bell , wonderingly .

" I 'm not so afraid of being alone as some people are , " said Rachel , with dignity .

the other girls went on , leaving Rachel sitting on the skids , in the shadow of the big white boat .

suddenly she heard a step behind her .

when she turned her head a man was standing beside her , looking down at her with big , merry , blue eyes .

Rachel was quite sure that she had never seen him before ; yet those eyes seemed to her to have a strangely familiar look .

she liked him .

she felt no shyness nor timidity , such as usually afflicted her in the presence of strangers .

he was a tall , stout man , dressed in a rough fishing suit , and wearing an oilskin cap on his head .

Rachel thought he must be quite old , because there was a good deal of gray mixed with his fair hair .

" are you watching for the mermaids ? " he said .

Rachel nodded gravely .

from any one else she would have scrupulously hidden such a thought .

" yes , I am , " she said .

" mother says there is no such thing as a mermaid , but I like to think there is .

have you ever seen one ? "

the big man sat down on a bleached log of driftwood and smiled at her .

" no , I 'm sorry to say that I haven't .

but I have seen many other very wonderful things .

I might tell you about some of them , if you would come over here and sit by me . "

Rachel went unhesitatingly .

when she reached him he pulled her down on his knee , and she liked it .

" what a nice little craft you are , " he said .

" do you suppose , now , that you could give me a kiss ? "

as a rule , Rachel hated kissing .

but now she promptly put her arms about this strange man 's neck and gave him a hearty smack .

" I like you , " she said frankly .

she felt his arms tighten suddenly about her .

the blue eyes looking into hers grew misty and very tender .

then , all at once , Rachel knew who he was .

he was her father .

if David Spencer realized that she understood he said nothing .

instead , he began to tell her fascinating stories of far lands he had visited , and strange things he had seen .

Rachel listened entranced , as if she were hearkening to a fairy tale .

yes , he was just as she had dreamed him .

she had always been sure he could tell beautiful stories .

" come up to the house and I 'll show you some pretty things , " he said finally .

then followed a wonderful hour .

the things that pleased Rachel most were two huge shells on the chimney piece pale pink shells with big crimson and purple spots .

" oh , I didn't know there could be such pretty things in the world , " she exclaimed .

" if you would like , " began the big man ; then he paused for a moment .

" I 'll show you something prettier still . "

it was a teapot of some fine , glistening purple ware , coiled over by golden dragons with gilded claws and scales .

the lid looked like a beautiful golden flower and the handle was a coil of a dragon 's tail .

Rachel sat and looked at it rapt-eyed .

" that 's the only thing of any value I have in the world now , " he said .

Rachel knew there was something very sad in his eyes and voice .

she longed to kiss him again and comfort him .

while she nibbled them he took down an old violin and played music that made her want to dance and sing .

Rachel was perfectly happy .

she wished she might stay forever in that low , dim room with all its treasures .

" I see your little friends coming around the point , " he said , finally .

" I suppose you must go .

put the rest of the goodies in your pocket . "

he took her up in his arms and held her tightly against his breast for a single moment .

she felt him kissing her hair .

" there , run along , little girl .

Good-by , " he said gently .

" why don't you ask me to come and see you again ? " cried Rachel , half in tears .

" I 'm coming ANYHOW . "

" if you can come , COME , " he said .

" if you don't come , I shall know it is because you can't and that is much to know .

I 'm very , very , VERY glad , little woman , that you have come once . "

Rachel was sitting demurely on the skids when her companions came back .

they had not seen her leaving the house , and she said not a word to them of her experiences .

she only smiled mysteriously when they asked her if she had been lonesome .

that night , for the first time , she mentioned her father 's name in her prayers .

she never forgot to do so afterwards .

and the tone in which she said " father " was softer and more tender than the one which voiced " mother . "

Rachel never visited the Cove again .

Rachel shed many a bitter tear in secret over this command ; but she obeyed it .

Thenceforth there had been no communication between her and her father , save the unworded messages of soul to soul across whatever may divide them .

the ceremony was to be performed at eight o'clock in the evening .

at seven Rachel stood in her room , fully dressed and alone .

she had no bridesmaid , and she had asked her cousins to leave her to herself in this last solemn hour of girlhood .

she looked very fair and sweet in the sunset-light that showered through the birches .

her wedding gown was a fine , sheer organdie , simply and daintily made .

in the loose waves of her bright hair she wore her bridegroom 's flowers , roses as white as a virgin 's dream .

she was very happy ; but her happiness was faintly threaded with the sorrow inseparable from all change .

presently her mother came in , carrying a small basket .

" here is something for you , Rachel .

one of the boys from the harbor brought it up .

he was bound to give it into your own hands said that was his orders .

she spoke coldly .

she stood silently by while Rachel unpacked the basket .

Rachel 's hands trembled as she took off the cover .

two huge pink-spotted shells came first .

how well she remembered them !

beneath them , carefully wrapped up in a square of foreign-looking , strangely scented silk , was the dragon teapot .

she held it in her hands and gazed at it with tears gathering thickly in her eyes .

" your father sent that , " said Isabella Spencer with an odd sound in her voice .

" I remember it well .

it was among the things I packed up and sent after him .

his father had brought it home from China fifty years ago , and he prized it beyond anything .

they used to say it was worth a lot of money . "

" mother , please leave me alone for a little while , " said Rachel , imploringly .

it was very brief , and the writing was that of a man who holds a pen but seldom .

" my dear little girl , " it ran , " I 'm sorry I can't go to your wedding .

it was like you to ask me for I know it was your doing .

I wish I could see you married , but I can't go to the house I was turned out of .

I hope you will be very happy .

I am sending you the shells and teapot you liked so much .

do you remember that day we had such a good time ?

I would liked to have seen you again before you were married , but it can't be .

" your loving father , " DAVID SPENCER . "

Rachel resolutely blinked away the tears that filled her eyes .

a fierce desire for her father sprang up in her heart an insistent hunger that would not be denied .

she MUST see her father ; she MUST have his blessing on her new life .

a sudden determination took possession of her whole being a determination to sweep aside all conventionalities and objections as if they had not been .

it was now almost dark .

the guests would not be coming for half an hour yet .

it was only fifteen minutes ' walk over the hill to the Cove .

hastily Rachel shrouded herself in her new raincoat , and drew a dark , protecting hood over her gay head .

she opened the door and slipped noiselessly downstairs .

Mrs Spencer and her assistants were all busy in the back part of the house .

in a moment Rachel was out in the dewy garden .

she would go straight over the fields .

nobody would see her .

it was quite dark when she reached the Cove .

in the crystal cup of the sky over her the stars were blinking .

flying flakes of foam were scurrying over the sand like elfin things .

he had been trying to play , but could not .

his heart yearned after his daughter yes , and after a long-estranged bride of his youth .

" Father , " she cried , brokenly , and her father 's eager arms closed around her .

back in the house she had left , the guests were coming to the wedding .

there were jests and laughter and friendly greeting .

" I want to see Rachel before we go down , " he said , blushing .

there was no reply ; the room was dark and still .

in sudden alarm , Isabella Spencer snatched the lamp from the hall table and held it up .

the little white room was empty .

no blushing , white-clad bride tenanted it .

but David Spencer 's letter was lying on the stand .

she caught it up and read it .

" Rachel is gone , " she gasped .

a flash of intuition had revealed to her where and why the girl had gone .

" gone ! " echoed Frank , his face blanching .

his pallid dismay recalled Mrs Spencer to herself .

she gave a bitter , ugly little laugh .

" oh , you needn't look so scared , Frank .

she hasn't run away from you .

hush ; come in here shut the door .

nobody must know of this .

nice gossip it would make !

that little fool has gone to the Cove to see her her father .

I know she has .

it 's just like what she would do .

he sent her those presents look and this letter .

read it .

she has gone to coax him to come and see her married .

she was crazy about it .

and the minister is here and it is half-past seven .

she 'll ruin her dress and shoes in the dust and dew .

and what if some one has seen her !

was there ever such a little fool ? "

Frank 's presence of mind had returned to him .

he knew all about Rachel and her father .

she had told him everything .

" I 'll go after her , " he said gently .

" get me my hat and coat .

I 'll slip down the back stairs and over to the Cove . "

" the kitchen is full of women .

I won't have this known and talked about if it can possibly be helped . "

Mrs Spencer had stood quakingly on guard until he had disappeared .

so Rachel had gone to her father !

like had broken the fetters of years and fled to like .

" it isn't much use fighting against nature , I guess , " she thought grimly .

" I 'm beat .

he must have thought something of her , after all , when he sent her that teapot and letter .

and what does he mean about the ' day they had such a good time ' ?

Mrs Spencer shut down the pantry window with a vicious thud .

Rachel was sitting on her father 's knee , with both her white arms around his neck , when Frank came in .

she sprang up , her face flushed and appealing , her eyes bright and dewy with tears .

Frank thought he had never seen her look so lovely .

" oh , Frank , is it very late ?

oh , are you angry ? " she exclaimed timidly .

" no , no , dear .

of course I 'm not angry .

but don't you think you 'd better come back now ?

it 's nearly eight and everybody is waiting . "

" I 've been trying to coax father to come up and see me married , " said Rachel .

" help me , Frank . "

" you 'd better come , sir , " said Frank , heartily , " I 'd like it as much as Rachel would . "

David Spencer shook his head stubbornly .

" no , I can't go to that house .

I was locked out of it .

never mind me .

I 've had my happiness in this half hour with my little girl .

I 'd like to see her married , but it isn't to be . "

" yes , it is to be it shall be , " said Rachel resolutely .

" you SHALL see me married .

Frank , I 'm going to be married here in my father 's house !

that is the right place for a girl to be married .

go back and tell the guests so , and bring them all down . "

Frank looked rather dismayed .

David Spencer said deprecatingly : " little girl , don't you think it would be "

" I 'm going to have my own way in this , " said Rachel , with a sort of tender finality .

" go , Frank .

I 'll obey you all my life after , but you must do this for me .

try to understand , " she added beseechingly .

" oh , I understand , " Frank reassured her .

" besides , I think you are right .

but I was thinking of your mother .

she won't come . "

" then you tell her that if she doesn't come I shan't be married at all , " said Rachel .

she was betraying unsuspected ability to manage people .

she knew that ultimatum would urge Frank to his best endeavors .

Frank , much to Mrs Spencer 's dismay , marched boldly in at the front door upon his return .

she pounced on him and whisked him out of sight into the supper room .

" where 's Rachel ?

what made you come that way ?

everybody saw you ! "

" it makes no difference .

they will all have to know , anyway .

Rachel says she is going to be married from her father 's house , or not at all .

I 've come back to tell you so . "

Isabella 's face turned crimson .

" Rachel has gone crazy .

I wash my hands of this affair .

do as you please .

take the guests the supper , too , if you can carry it . "

" we 'll all come back here for supper , " said Frank , ignoring the sarcasm .

" come , Mrs Spencer , let's make the best of it . "

" do you suppose that I am going to David Spencer 's house ? " said Isabella Spencer violently .

" oh you MUST come , Mrs Spencer , " cried poor Frank desperately .

he began to fear that he would lose his bride past all finding in this maze of triple stubbornness .

" Rachel says she won't be married at all if you don't go , too .

think what a talk it will make .

you know she will keep her word . "

Isabella Spencer knew it .

the desire subdued and tamed her , as nothing else could have done .

" I will go , since I have to , " she said icily .

" what can't be cured must be endured .

go and tell them . "

they were too amazed even to talk about the strange happening .

Isabella Spencer walked behind , fiercely alone .

she clasped her and kissed her , with tears streaming down her pale face , all her nature melted in a mother 's tenderness .

" Rachel !

Rachel !

my child , I hope and pray that you may be happy , " she said brokenly .

looking up , she found herself crushed against David Spencer .

for the first time in twenty years the eyes of husband and wife met .

a strange thrill shot to Isabella 's heart ; she felt herself trembling .

" Isabella . "

it withered under his words , and lo , there was the old love , fair and strong and beautiful as ever .

" oh David I was all to blame , " she murmured brokenly .

further words were lost on her husband 's lips .

when the hubbub of handshaking and congratulating had subsided , Isabella Spencer stepped out before the company .

she looked almost girlish and bridal herself , with her flushed cheeks and bright eyes .

" let's go back now and have supper , and be sensible , " she said crisply .

" Rachel , your father is coming , too .

he is coming to STAY , " with a defiant glance around the circle .

" come , everybody . "

they went back with laughter and raillery over the quiet autumn fields , faintly silvered now by the moon that was rising over the hills .

Isabella 's hand was in her husband 's and sometimes she could not see the moonlit hills for a mist of glorified tears .

" David , " she whispered , as he helped her over the fence , " how can you ever forgive me ? "

" there 's nothing to forgive , " he said .

" we 're only just married .

who ever heard of a bridegroom talking of forgiveness ?

everything is beginning over new for us , my girl . "

IV .

JANE'S BABY

so she had not run .

everybody in Avonlea knew this , because everybody in Avonlea knew everything about everybody else .

usually Mr Patterson 's face was as broad and beaming as a harvest moon .

now his expression was very melancholy and his voice positively sepulchral .

" good morning , " returned Miss Rosetta , crisply and cheerfully .

she , at any rate , would not go into eclipse until she knew the reason therefor .

" it is a fine day . "

" a very fine day , " assented Mr Patterson , solemnly .

" I have just come from the Wheeler place , Miss Ellis , and I regret to say "

" Charlotte is sick ! " cried Miss Rosetta , rapidly .

" Charlotte has got another spell with her heart !

I knew it !

I 've been expecting to hear it !

any woman that drives about the country as much as she does is liable to heart disease at any moment .

I never go outside of my gate but I meet her gadding off somewhere .

goodness knows who looks after her place .

I shouldn't like to trust as much to a hired man as she does .

it doesn't matter to me whether Charlotte is sick or whether she isn't .

YOU know that perfectly well , Mr Patterson , if anybody does .

when Charlotte went and got married , on the sly , to that good-for-nothing Jacob Wheeler "

" Mrs Wheeler is quite well , " interrupted Mr Patterson desperately .

" quite well .

nothing at all the matter with her , in fact .

I only "

" my own heart isn't very strong it runs in our family and my doctor warned me to avoid all shocks and excitement .

I don't want to be excited , Mr Patterson .

I won't be excited , not even if Charlotte has another spell .

it 's perfectly useless for you to try to excite me , Mr Patterson . "

" bless the woman , I 'm not trying to excite anybody ! " declared Mr Patterson in exasperation .

" I merely called to tell you "

" to tell me WHAT ? " said Miss Rosetta .

" how much longer do you mean to keep me in suspense , Mr Patterson .

no doubt you have abundance of spare time , but I have NOT . "

" that your sister , Mrs Wheeler , has had a letter from a cousin of yours , and she 's in Charlottetown .

Mrs Roberts , I think her name is "

" Jane Roberts , " broke in Miss Rosetta .

" Jane Ellis she was , before she was married .

what was she writing to Charlotte about ?

not that I want to know , of course .

I 'm not interested in Charlotte 's correspondence , goodness knows .

but if Jane had anything in particular to write about she should have written to ME .

I am the oldest .

Charlotte had no business to get a letter from Jane Roberts without consulting me .

it 's just like her underhanded ways .

she got married the same way .

never said a word to me about it , but just sneaked off with that unprincipled Jacob Wheeler "

" Mrs Roberts is very ill .

" Jane ill !

Jane dying ! " exclaimed Miss Rosetta .

" why , she was the healthiest girl I ever knew !

but then I 've never seen her , nor heard from her , since she got married fifteen years ago .

I dare say her husband was a brute and neglected her , and she 's pined away by slow degrees .

I 've no faith in husbands .

look at Charlotte !

everybody knows how Jacob Wheeler used her .

to be sure , she deserved it , but "

" Mrs Roberts ' husband is dead , " said Mr Patterson .

" did Charlotte ask you to call and tell me this ? " demanded Miss Rosetta eagerly .

" no ; she just told me what was in the letter .

she didn't mention you ; but I thought , perhaps , you ought to be told "

" I knew it , " said Miss Rosetta in a tone of bitter assurance .

" I could have told you so .

Charlotte wouldn't even let me know that Jane was ill .

Charlotte would be afraid I would want to get the baby , seeing that Jane and I were such intimate friends long ago .

and who has a better right to it than me , I should like to know ?

ain't I the oldest ?

and haven't I had experience in bringing up babies ?

Charlotte needn't think she is going to run the affairs of our family just because she happened to get married .

Jacob Wheeler "

" I must be going , " said Mr Patterson , gathering up his reins thankfully .

if it hadn't been for you I suppose I should never have known it at all .

as it is , I shall start for town just as soon as I can get ready . "

" you 'll have to hurry if you want to get ahead of Mrs Wheeler , " advised Mr Patterson .

" she 's packing her trunk and going on the morning train . "

" I 'll pack a valise and go on the afternoon train , " retorted Miss Rosetta triumphantly .

" I 'll show Charlotte she isn't running the Ellis affairs .

she married out of them into the Wheelers .

she can attend to them .

Jacob Wheeler was the most "

but Mr Patterson had driven away .

Rosetta Ellis and Charlotte Wheeler had not exchanged a word for ten years .

Rosetta had been bitterly opposed to the match from the first .

she vowed she had no use for Jacob Wheeler .

be that as it might , Miss Rosetta certainly continued to render the course of Jacob Wheeler 's true love exceedingly rough and tumultuous .

the end of it was that Charlotte had gone quietly away one morning and married Jacob Wheeler without Miss Rosetta 's knowing anything about it .

even the death of Jacob Wheeler , five years after the marriage , had not healed the breach .

Miss Rosetta took out her curl-papers , packed her valise , and caught the late afternoon train for Charlottetown , as she had threatened .

" no , Charlotte Wheeler , you are not going to have Jane 's baby , and you 're very much mistaken if you think so .

oh , all right we 'll see !

you don't know anything about babies , even if you are married .

I do .

didn't I take William Ellis 's baby , when his wife died ?

tell me that , Charlotte Wheeler !

and didn't the little thing thrive with me , and grow strong and healthy ?

yes , even you have to admit that it did , Charlotte Wheeler .

and yet you have the presumption to think that you ought to have Jane 's baby !

yes , it is presumption , Charlotte Wheeler .

you know it did , Charlotte Wheeler .

she soon found her way to the house where her cousin lived .

there , to her dismay and real sorrow , she learned that Mrs Roberts had died at four o'clock that afternoon .

" she had written to them about her little girl .

she was my sister-in-law , and she lived with me ever since her husband died .

I 've done my best for her ; but I 've a big family of my own and I can't see how I 'm to keep the child .

Poor Jane looked and longed for some one to come from Avonlea , but she couldn't hold out .

a patient , suffering creature she was ! "

" I 'm her cousin , " said Miss Rosetta , wiping her eyes , " and I have come for the baby .

Poor Jane !

I wish I could have got here in time to see her , she and I were such friends long ago .

we were far more intimate and confidential than ever her and Charlotte was .

Charlotte knows that , too ! "

the vim with which Miss Rosetta snapped this out rather amazed Mrs Gordon , who couldn't understand it at all .

but she took Miss Rosetta upstairs to the room where the baby was sleeping .

" oh , the sweet , dear , pretty little thing ! "

the baby was a darling a six-months ' old beauty with little golden ringlets curling and glistening all over its tiny head .

as Miss Rosetta hung over it , it opened its eyes and then held out its tiny hands to her with a gurgle of confidence .

" oh , you sweetest ! " said Miss Rosetta rapturously , gathering it up in her arms .

" you belong to me , darling never , never , to that under-handed Charlotte !

what is its name , Mrs Gordon ? "

" it wasn't named , " said Mrs Gordon .

" guess you 'll have to name it yourself , Miss Ellis . "

" Camilla Jane , " said Miss Rosetta without a moment 's hesitation .

" Jane after its mother , of course ; and I have always thought Camilla the prettiest name in the world .

Charlotte would be sure to give it some perfectly heathenish name .

I wouldn't put it past her calling the poor innocent Mehitable . "

Miss Rosetta decided to stay in Charlottetown until after the funeral .

that night she lay with the baby on her arm , listening with joy to its soft little breathing .

she did not sleep or wish to sleep .

her waking fancies were more alluring than any visions of dreamland .

moreover , she gave a spice to them by occasionally snapping some vicious sentences out loud at Charlotte .

Miss Rosetta fully expected Charlotte along on the following morning and girded herself for the fray ; but no Charlotte appeared .

night came ; no Charlotte .

another morning and no Charlotte .

Miss Rosetta was hopelessly puzzled .

what had happened ?

it was quite likely .

you never knew what to expect of a woman who had married Jacob Wheeler !

Mrs Wheeler could not leave home until she had obtained another hired man .

the eyes of the two women met defiantly .

Miss Rosetta 's face wore an air of triumph , chastened by a remembrance of the funeral that afternoon .

Mrs Wheeler 's face , except for eyes , was as expressionless as it usually was .

unlike the tall , fair , fat Miss Rosetta , Mrs Wheeler was small and dark and thin , with an eager , careworn face .

" how is Jane ? " she said abruptly , breaking the silence of ten years in saying it .

" Jane is dead and buried , poor thing , " said Miss Rosetta calmly .

" I am taking her baby , little Camilla Jane , home with me . "

" the baby belongs to me , " cried Mrs Wheeler passionately .

" Jane wrote to me about her .

Jane meant that I should have her .

I 've come for her . "

" you 'll go back without her then , " said Miss Rosetta , serene in the possession that is nine points of the law .

" the child is mine , and she is going to stay mine .

you can make up your mind to that , Charlotte Wheeler .

a woman who eloped to get married isn't fit to be trusted with a baby , anyhow .

Jacob Wheeler "

but Mrs Wheeler had rushed past into the house .

Miss Rosetta composedly stepped into the cab and drove to the station .

Miss Rosetta would not look at this satisfaction , or give it a name , but it was there .

Mrs Wheeler arrived home twenty-four hours later , and silently betook herself to her farm .

when her Avonlea neighbors sympathized with her in her disappointment , she said nothing , but looked all the more darkly determined .

also , a week later , Mr William J Blair , the Carmody storekeeper , had an odd tale to tell .

Mrs Wheeler had come to the store and bought a lot of fine flannel and muslin and valenciennes .

now , what in the name of time , did Mrs Wheeler want with such stuff ?

Mr William J Blair couldn't make head or tail of it , and it worried him .

Mr Blair was so accustomed to know what everybody bought anything for that such a mystery quite upset him .

her conversations , instead of tending always to Jacob Wheeler , now ran Camilla Janeward ; and this , folks thought , was an improvement .

Miss Rosetta sang happily as she picked her currants .

in fancy she looked forward to the coming years , and saw Camilla Jane growing up into girlhood , fair and lovable .

" she 'll be a beauty , " reflected Miss Rosetta complacently .

" Jane was a handsome girl .

parties , too !

I 'll give her a real coming-out party when she 's eighteen and the very prettiest dress that 's to be had .

when Miss Rosetta returned to the kitchen , her eyes fell on an empty cradle .

Camilla Jane was gone !

Miss Rosetta promptly screamed .

she understood at a glance what had happened .

six months ' old babies do not get out of their cradles and disappear through closed doors without any assistance .

" Charlotte has been here , " gasped Miss Rosetta .

" Charlotte has stolen Camilla Jane !

I might have expected it .

I might have known when I heard that story about her buying muslin and flannel .

it 's just like Charlotte to do such an underhand trick .

but I 'll go after her !

I 'll show her !

she 'll find out she has got Rosetta Ellis to deal with and no Wheeler ! "

the little gray house , so close to the purring waves that in storms their spray splashed over its very doorstep , seemed deserted .

Miss Rosetta pounded lustily on the front door .

this producing no result , she marched around to the back door and knocked .

no answer .

Miss Rosetta tried the door .

it was locked .

" guilty conscience , " sniffed Miss Rosetta .

" well , I shall stay here until I see that perfidious Charlotte , if I have to camp in the yard all night . "

beside her was a befrilled and bemuslined cradle , and on a chair lay the garments in which Miss Rosetta had dressed the baby .

it was clad in an entirely new outfit , and seemed quite at home with its new possessor .

it was laughing and cooing , and making little dabs at her with its dimpled hands .

" Charlotte Wheeler , " cried Miss Rosetta , rapping sharply on the window-pane .

" I 've come for that child !

bring her out to me at once at once , I say !

how dare you come to my house and steal a baby ?

you 're no better than a common burglar .

give me Camilla Jane , I say ! "

Charlotte came over to the window with the baby in her arms and triumph glittering in her eyes .

" there is no such child as Camilla Jane here , " she said .

" this is Barbara Jane .

she belongs to me . "

with that Mrs Wheeler pulled down the shade .

Miss Rosetta had to go home .

there was nothing else for her to do .

on her way she met Mr Patterson and told him in full the story of her wrongs .

it was all over Avonlea by night , and created quite a sensation .

Avonlea had not had such a toothsome bit of gossip for a long time .

it was hopeless to think of stealing it back or she would have tried to .

the hired man at the Wheeler place reported that Mrs Wheeler never left it night or day for a single moment .

she even carried it with her when she went to milk the cows .

" but my turn will come , " said Miss Rosetta grimly .

" Camilla Jane is mine , and if she was called Barbara for a century it wouldn't alter that fact !

Barbara , indeed !

why not have called her Methusaleh and have done with it ? "

Miss Rosetta gave an exclamation of amazement and dropped her basket of apples .

of all incredible things !

Miss Rosetta flew to meet her .

" you 've scalded Camilla Jane to death ! " she exclaimed .

" I always knew you would always expected it ! "

" oh , for heaven 's sake , come quick , Rosetta ! " gasped Charlotte .

" Barbara Jane is in convulsions and I don't know what to do .

the hired man has gone for the doctor .

you were the nearest , so I came to you .

Jenny White was there when they came on , so I left her and ran .

oh , Rosetta , come , come , if you have a spark of humanity in you !

you know what to do for convulsions you saved the Ellis baby when it had them .

oh , come and save Barbara Jane ! "

" you mean Camilla Jane , I presume ? " said Miss Rosetta firmly , in spite of her agitation .

for a second Charlotte Wheeler hesitated .

then she said passionately : " yes , yes , Camilla Jane any name you like !

only come . "

miss Rosetta went , and not a moment too soon , either .

the doctor lived eight miles away and the baby was very bad .

the two women and Jenny White worked over her for hours .

" I I wanted the baby , " sobbed Charlotte , tremulously .

" I was so lonely here .

I didn't think it was any harm to take her , because Jane gave her to me in her letter .

but , oh , Rosetta , won't you let me come and see her sometimes ?

I love her so I can't bear to give her up entirely . "

you are worried to death trying to run this farm with the debt Jacob Wheeler left on it for you .

sell it , and come home with me .

and we 'll both have the baby then . "

" oh , Rosetta , I 'd love to , " faltered Charlotte .

" I 've I've wanted to be good friends with you again so much .

but I thought you were so hard and bitter you 'd never make up . "

it was your never saying anything , no matter what I said , that riled me up so bad .

let bygones be bygones , and come home , Charlotte . "

" I will , " said Charlotte resolutely , wiping away her tears .

" I 'm sick of living here and putting up with hired men .

I 'll be real glad to go home , Rosetta , and that 's the truth .

I 've had a hard enough time .

I s'pose you 'll say I deserved it ; but I was fond of Jacob , and "

" of course , of course .

why shouldn't you be ? " said Miss Rosetta briskly .

" I 'm sure Jacob Wheeler was a good enough soul , if he was a little slack-twisted .

I 'd like to hear anybody say a word against him in my presence .

look at that blessed child , Charlotte .

isn't she the sweetest thing ?

I 'm desperate glad you are coming back home , Charlotte .

we 'll be real snug and cozy again you and me and little Camilla Barbara Jane . "

V THE DREAM-CHILD

a man 's heart aye , and a woman 's , too should be light in the spring .

it stirs in human hearts , and makes them glad with the old primal gladness they felt in childhood .

it quickens human souls , and brings them , if so they will , so close to God that they may clasp hands with Him .

that year I hated the spring I , who had always loved it so .

as boy I had loved it , and as man .

all the happiness that had ever been mine , and it was much , had come to blossom in the springtime .

how beautiful it was !

and how beautiful she was !

I suppose every lover thinks that of his lass ; otherwise he is a poor sort of lover .

but it was not only my eyes of love that made my dear lovely .

at such times what was a man to do save kiss it ?

the next spring we were married , and I brought her home to my gray old homestead on the gray old harbor shore .

a lonely place for a young bride , said Avonlea people .

Nay , it was not so .

she was happy here , even in my absences .

she loved these things , even as I did .

no , she was never lonely here then .

the third spring came , and our boy was born .

" all my thoughts are poetry since baby came , " my wife said once , rapturously .

our boy lived for twenty months .

I think I grieved over my little son 's death as deeply and sincerely as ever man did , or could .

but the heart of the father is not as the heart of the mother .

I hoped that spring might work its miracle upon her .

one night I awakened from sleep , realizing in the moment of awakening that I was alone .

I listened to hear whether my wife were moving about the house .

I heard nothing but the little splash of waves on the shore below and the low moan of the distant ocean .

I rose and searched the house .

she was not in it .

I did not know where to seek her ; but , at a venture , I started along the shore .

it was pale , fainting moonlight .

the harbor looked like a phantom harbor , and the night was as still and cold and calm as the face of a dead man .

at last I saw my wife coming to me along the shore .

when I saw her , I knew what I had feared and how great my fear had been .

she seemed to be very tired , and at intervals she wrung her small hands together .

she showed no surprise when she met me , but only held out her hands to me as if glad to see me .

" I followed him but I could not overtake him , " she said with a sob .

" I did my best I hurried so ; but he was always a little way ahead .

and then I lost him and so I came back .

but I did my best indeed I did .

and oh , I am so tired ! "

" Josie , dearest , what do you mean , and where have you been ? "

I said , drawing her close to me .

" why did you go out so alone in the night ? "

she looked at me wonderingly .

" how could I help it , David ?

he called me .

I had to go . "

" WHO called you ? "

" the child , " she answered in a whisper .

" our child , David our pretty boy .

I awakened in the darkness and heard him calling to me down on the shore .

such a sad , little wailing cry , David , as if he were cold and lonely and wanted his mother .

I hurried out to him , but I could not find him .

I could only hear the call , and I followed it on and on , far down the shore .

oh , I tried so hard to overtake it , but I could not .

once I saw a little white hand beckoning to me far ahead in the moonlight .

but still I could not go fast enough .

and then the cry ceased , and I was there all alone on that terrible , cold , gray shore .

I was so tired and I came home .

but I wish I could have found him .

perhaps he does not know that I tried to .

perhaps he thinks his mother never listened to his call .

oh , I would not have him think that . "

" you have had a bad dream , dear , " I said .

" it was no dream , " she answered reproachfully .

" I tell you I heard him calling me me , his mother .

what could I do but go to him ?

you cannot understand you are only his father .

it was not you who gave him birth .

it was not you who paid the price of his dear life in pain .

he would not call to you he wanted his mother . "

but there was no more sleep for me that night .

I kept a grim vigil with dread .

I had smiled at the story then .

what had that grim old bygone to do with springtime and love and Josephine ?

but it came back to me now , hand in hand with my fear .

was this fate coming on my dear wife ?

it was too horrible for belief .

she was so young , so fair , so sweet , this girl-wife of mine .

it had been only a bad dream , with a frightened , bewildered waking .

so I tried to comfort myself .

when she awakened in the morning she did not speak of what had happened and I did not dare to .

she seemed more cheerful that day than she had been , and went about her household duties briskly and skillfully .

my fear lifted .

I was sure now that she had only dreamed .

and I was confirmed in my hopeful belief when two nights had passed away uneventfully .

then , on the third night , the dream-child called to her again .

I wakened from a troubled doze to find her dressing herself with feverish haste .

" he is calling me , " she cried .

" oh , don't you hear him ?

can't you hear him ?

listen listen the little , lonely cry !

yes , yes , my precious , mother is coming .

wait for me .

mother is coming to her pretty boy ! "

I caught her hand and let her lead me where she would .

hand in hand we followed the dream-child down the harbor shore in that ghostly , clouded moonlight .

ever , she said , the little cry sounded before her .

she entreated the dream-child to wait for her ; she cried and implored and uttered tender mother-talk .

what a horror brooded over that spring that so beautiful spring !

and almost every night of this wonderful time the dream-child called his mother , and we roved the gray shore in quest of him .

in the day she was herself ; but , when the night fell , she was restless and uneasy until she heard the call .

then follow it she would , even through storm and darkness .

it was then , she said , that the cry sounded loudest and nearest , as if her pretty boy were frightened by the tempest .

I thought , however , that I should have medical advice , and I took our old doctor into my confidence .

he looked grave when he heard my story .

I did not like his expression nor his few guarded remarks .

he needed not to tell me THAT .

the spring went out and summer came in and the horror deepened and darkened .

I knew that suspicions were being whispered from lip to lip .

we had been seen on our nightly quests .

men and women began to look at us pityingly when we went abroad .

one day , on a dull , drowsy afternoon , the dream-child called .

I could not watch by day and night .

unless I had assistance I would break down .

I did not think that I should .

Love is stronger than that .

and on one thing I was determined they should never take my wife from me .

no restraint sterner than a husband 's loving hand should ever be put upon her , my pretty , piteous darling .

I never spoke of the dream-child to her .

the doctor advised against it .

it would , he said , only serve to deepen the delusion .

when he hinted at an asylum I gave him a look that would have been a fierce word for another man .

he never spoke of it again .

one night in August there was a dull , murky sunset after a dead , breathless day of heat , with not a wind stirring .

the sea was not blue as a sea should be , but pink all pink a ghastly , staring , painted pink .

I lingered on the harbor shore below the house until dark .

the evening bells were ringing faintly and mournfully in a church across the harbor .

behind me , in the kitchen , I heard my wife singing .

sometimes now her spirits were fitfully high , and then she would sing the old songs of her girlhood .

but even in her singing was something strange , as if a wailing , unearthly cry rang through it .

nothing about her was sadder than that strange singing .

Josie was standing by the window , looking out and listening .

I tried to induce her to go to bed , but she only shook her head .

" I might fall asleep and not hear him when he called , " she said .

" I am always afraid to sleep now , for fear he should call and his mother fail to hear him . "

knowing it was of no use to entreat , I sat down by the table and tried to read .

three hours passed on .

when the clock struck midnight she started up , with the wild light in her sunken blue eyes .

" he is calling , " she cried , " calling out there in the storm .

yes , yes , sweet , I am coming ! "

she opened the door and fled down the path to the shore .

I snatched a lantern from the wall , lighted it , and followed .

it was the blackest night I was ever out in , dark with the very darkness of death .

the rain fell thickly and heavily .

we moved in the little flitting circle of light shed by the lantern .

all around us and above us was a horrible , voiceless darkness , held , as it were , at bay by the friendly light .

" if I could only overtake him once , " moaned Josie .

" if I could just kiss him once , and hold him close against my aching heart .

this pain , that never leaves me , would leave me than .

oh , my pretty boy , wait for mother !

I am coming to you .

listen , David ; he cries he cries so pitifully ; listen !

can't you hear it ? "

I DID hear it !

Clear and distinct , out of the deadly still darkness before us , came a faint , wailing cry .

what was it ?

I am not a superstitious man ; but my nerve had been shaken by my long trial , and I was weaker than I thought .

terror took possession of me terror unnameable .

but Josephine 's cold hand gripped mine firmly , and led me on .

that strange cry still rang in my ears .

then we came to it ; a little dory had been beached on the pebbles and left there by the receding tide .

he wailed again when he saw us , and held out his little hands .

my horror fell away from me like a discarded garment .

THIS child was living .

how he had come there , whence and why , I did not know and , in my state of mind , did not question .

it was no cry of parted spirit I had heard that was enough for me .

" oh , the poor darling ! " cried my wife .

she stooped over the dory and lifted the baby in her arms .

his long , fair curls fell on her shoulder ; she laid her face against his and wrapped her shawl around him .

" let me carry him , dear , " I said .

" he is very wet , and too heavy for you . "

" no , no , I must carry him .

my arms have been so empty they are full now .

oh , David , the pain at my heart has gone .

he has come to me to take the place of my own .

God has sent him to me out of the sea .

he is wet and cold and tired .

hush , sweet one , we will go home . "

silently I followed her home .

the wind was rising , coming in sudden , angry gusts ; the storm was at hand , but we reached shelter before it broke .

just as I shut our door behind us it smote the house with the roar of a baffled beast .

I thanked God that we were not out in it , following the dream-child .

" you are very wet , Josie , " I said .

" go and put on dry clothes at once . "

" the child must be looked to first , " she said firmly .

" See how chilled and exhausted he is , the pretty dear .

light a fire quickly , David , while I get dry things for him . "

I let her have her way .

she seemed like her old self .

for my own part , I was bewildered .

all the questions I had not asked before came crowding to my mind how .

whose child was this ?

whence had he come ?

what was the meaning of it all ?

he was a pretty baby , fair and plump and rosy .

when he was dried and fed , he fell asleep in Josie 's arms .

she hung over him in a passion of delight .

it was with difficulty I persuaded her to leave him long enough to change her wet clothes .

she never asked whose he might be or from where he might have come .

I expected that the morrow would bring some one seeking the baby .

but they did not come .

day after day passed , and still they did not come .

I was in a maze of perplexity .

what should I do ?

I shrank from the thought of the boy being taken away from us .

since we had found him the dream-child had never called .

day and night she was her old , bright self , happy and serene in the new motherhood that had come to her .

the only thing strange in her was her calm acceptance of the event .

at last , when a full week had passed , I went , in my bewilderment , to our old doctor .

" A most extraordinary thing , " he said thoughtfully .

" the child , as you say , must belong to the Spruce Cove people .

yet it is an almost unbelievable thing that there has been no search or inquiry after him .

probably there is some simple explanation of the mystery , however .

I advise you to go over to the Cove and inquire .

when you find the parents or guardians of the child , ask them to allow you to keep it for a time .

it may prove your wife 's salvation .

I have known such cases .

evidently on that night the crisis of her mental disorder was reached .

a little thing might have sufficed to turn her feet either way back to reason and sanity , or into deeper darkness .

I drove around the harbor that day with a lighter heart than I had hoped ever to possess again .

when I reached Spruce Cove the first person I met was old Abel Blair .

I asked him if any child were missing from the Cove or along shore .

he looked at me in surprise , shook his head , and said he had not heard of any .

" a green dory ! " he exclaimed .

but this child , sir it beats me .

what might he be like ? "

I described the child as closely as possible .

" that fits little Harry Martin to a hair , " said old Abel , perplexedly , " but , sir , it can't be .

or , if it is , there 's been foul work somewhere .

James Martin 's wife died last winter , sir , and he died the next month .

they left a baby and not much else .

there weren't nobody to take the child but Jim 's half-sister , Maggie Fleming .

she lived here at the Cove , and , I 'm sorry to say , sir , she hadn't too good a name .

she didn't want to be bothered with the baby , and folks say she neglected him scandalous .

well , last spring she begun talking of going away to the States .

she said a friend of hers had got her a good place in Boston , and she was going to go and take little Harry .

we supposed it was all right .

last Saturday she went , sir .

she was going to walk to the station , and the last seen of her she was trudging along the road , carrying the baby .

it hasn't been thought of since .

but , sir , d'ye suppose she set that innocent child adrift in that old leaky dory to send him to his death ?

I knew Maggie was no better than she should be , but I can't believe she was as bad as that . "

" you must come over with me and see if you can identify the child , " I said .

" if he is Harry Martin I shall keep him .

my wife has been very lonely since our baby died , and she has taken a fancy to this little chap . "

when we reached my home old Abel recognized the child as Harry Martin .

he is with us still .

his baby hands led my dear wife back to health and happiness .

therefore I look upon him and love him as my first-born .

VI .

THE BROTHER WHO FAILED

the Monroe family were holding a Christmas reunion at the old Prince Edward Island homestead at White Sands .

it was the first time they had all been together under one roof since the death of their mother , thirty years before .

Malcolm Monroe journeyed from the far western university of which he was president .

Edith came , flushed with the triumph of her latest and most successful concert tour .

James , prosperous and hearty , greeted them warmly at the old homestead whose fertile acres had well repaid his skillful management .

they were a merry party , casting aside their cares and years , and harking back to joyous boyhood and girlhood once more .

I have forgotten Robert .

Robert Monroe was apt to be forgotten .

Robert sat back in a corner and listened with a smile , but he never spoke .

afterwards he had slipped noiselessly away and gone home , and nobody noticed his going .

they were all gayly busy recalling what had happened in the old times and telling what had happened in the new .

he came again the next afternoon .

there was nobody in the house except Aunt Isabel and the teacher .

" you 'd better wait and stay the evening , " said James , indifferently .

" they 'll all be back soon . "

Robert went across the yard and sat down on the rustic bench in the angle of the front porch .

A weird , dreamy stillness had fallen upon the purple earth , the windless woods , the rain of the valleys , the sere meadows .

Nature seemed to have folded satisfied hands to rest , knowing that her long , wintry slumber was coming upon her .

he felt very happy .

he loved his family clannishly , and he was rejoiced that they were all again near to him .

he was proud of their success and fame .

he was glad that James had prospered so well of late years .

there was no canker of envy or discontent in his soul .

he heard absently indistinct voices at the open hall window above the porch , where Aunt Isabel was talking to Kathleen Bell .

presently Aunt Isabel moved nearer to the window , and her words came down to Robert with startling clearness .

" yes , I can assure you , Miss Bell , that I 'm real proud of my nephews and nieces .

they 're a smart family .

they 've almost all done well , and they hadn't any of them much to begin with .

Ralph had absolutely nothing and to-day he is a millionaire .

their father met with so many losses , what with his ill-health and the bank failing , that he couldn't help them any .

but they 've all succeeded , except poor Robert and I must admit that he 's a total failure . "

" oh , no , no , " said the little teacher deprecatingly .

" A total failure ! "

aunt Isabel repeated her words emphatically .

she was not going to be contradicted by anybody , least of all a Bell from Avonlea .

" he has been a failure since the time he was born .

he is the first Monroe to disgrace the old stock that way .

I 'm sure his brothers and sisters must be dreadfully ashamed of him .

he has lived sixty years and he hasn't done a thing worth while .

he can't even make his farm pay .

if he 's kept out of debt it 's as much as he 's ever managed to do . "

" some men can't even do that , " murmured the little school teacher .

" more is expected of a Monroe , " said Aunt Isabel majestically .

" Robert Monroe is a failure , and that is the only name for him . "

Robert Monroe stood up below the window in a dizzy , uncertain fashion .

aunt Isabel had been speaking of him !

he , Robert , was a failure , a disgrace to his blood , of whom his nearest and dearest were ashamed !

now , through Aunt Isabel 's scornful eyes , he saw himself as the world saw him as his brothers and sisters must see him .

THERE lay the sting .

what the world thought of him did not matter ; but that his own should think him a failure and disgrace was agony .

she took a quick step after Robert , but checked the impulse .

not then and not by her alone could that deadly hurt be healed .

Nay , more , Robert must never suspect that she knew of any hurt .

she yearned to hurry after him and comfort him , but she knew that comfort was not what Robert needed now .

justice , and justice only , could pluck out the sting , which otherwise must rankle to the death .

Ralph and Malcolm were driving into the yard .

Edith went over to them .

" Boys , " she said resolutely , " I want to have a talk with you . "

the Christmas dinner at the old homestead was a merry one .

Mrs James spread a feast that was fit for the halls of Lucullus .

laughter , jest , and repartee flew from lip to lip .

when the others spoke to him he answered deprecatingly , and shrank still further into himself .

finally all had eaten all they could , and the remainder of the plum pudding was carried out .

Robert gave a low sigh of relief .

it was almost over .

he he only was a failure .

he wondered impatiently why Mrs James did not rise .

Malcolm rose in his place .

silence fell on the company ; everybody looked suddenly alert and expectant , except Robert .

he still sat with bowed head , wrapped in his own bitterness .

but , if I do , I am not going to use it for any rhetorical effect to-day .

simple , earnest words must express the deepest feelings of the heart in doing justice to its own .

Brothers and sisters , we meet to-day under our own roof-tree , surrounded by the benedictions of the past years .

perhaps invisible guests are here the spirits of those who founded this home and whose work on earth has long been finished .

it is not amiss to hope that this is so and our family circle made indeed complete .

" I shall tell you my own story for the benefit of those who have not heard it .

when I was a lad of sixteen I started to work out my own education .

I went to work , eager and hopeful .

all summer I tried to do my faithful best for my employer .

in September the blow fell .

a sum of money was missing from Mr Blair 's till .

I was suspected and discharged in disgrace .

Ralph and James looked ashamed ; Edith and Margaret , who had not been born at the time referred to , lifted their faces innocently .

Robert did not move or glance up .

he hardly seemed to be listening .

" I was crushed in an agony of shame and despair , " continued Malcolm .

" I believed my career was ruined .

I was bent on casting all my ambitions behind me , and going west to some place where nobody knew me or my disgrace .

you are innocent , and in time your innocence will be proved .

meanwhile show yourself a man .

you have nearly enough to pay your way next winter at the Academy .

I have a little I can give to help you out .

don't give in never give in when you have done no wrong . '

" I listened and took his advice .

I went to the Academy .

my story was there as soon as I was , and I found myself sneered at and shunned .

Many a time I would have given up in despair , had it not been for the encouragement of my counselor .

he furnished the backbone for me .

I was determined that his belief in me should be justified .

I studied hard and came out at the head of my class .

then there seemed to be no chance of my earning any more money that summer .

the prospect was distasteful but , urged by the man who believed in me , I took the place and endured the hardships .

another winter of lonely work passed at the Academy .

I won the Farrell Scholarship the last year it was offered , and that meant an Arts course for me .

I went to Redmond College .

my story was not openly known there , but something of it got abroad , enough to taint my life there also with its suspicion .

since then my career has been what is called a brilliant one .

but " Malcolm turned and laid his hand on Robert 's thin shoulder " all of my success I owe to my brother Robert .

Robert had looked up at last , amazed , bewildered , incredulous .

his face crimsoned as Malcolm sat down .

but now Ralph was getting up .

forty years ago , when I started in life as a business man , money wasn't so plentiful with me as it may be to-day .

and I needed it badly .

a chance came my way to make a pile of it .

it wasn't a clean chance .

it was a dirty chance .

it looked square on the surface ; but , underneath , it meant trickery and roguery .

I hadn't enough perception to see that , though I was fool enough to think it was all right .

I told Robert what I meant to do .

and Robert saw clear through the outward sham to the real , hideous thing underneath .

he showed me what it meant and he gave me a preachment about a few Monroe Traditions of truth and honor .

I saw what I had been about to do as he saw it as all good men and true must see it .

and I vowed then and there that I 'd never go into anything that I wasn't sure was fair and square and clean through and through .

I 've kept that vow .

I am a rich man , and not a dollar of my money is ' tainted ' money .

but I didn't make it .

Robert really made every cent of my money .

I 've got a son here .

by this time Robert 's head was bent again , and his face buried in his hands .

" my turn next , " said James .

" I haven't much to say only this .

after mother died I took typhoid fever .

here I was with no one to wait on me .

Robert came and nursed me .

he was the most faithful , tender , gentle nurse ever a man had .

the doctor said Robert saved my life .

I don't suppose any of the rest of us here can say we have saved a life . "

Edith wiped away her tears and sprang up impulsively .

" years ago , " she said , " there was a poor , ambitious girl who had a voice .

she studied hard , but her brains , in mathematics at least , weren't as good as her voice , and the time was short .

she failed .

he made her take it .

she never knew till long afterwards that he had sold the beautiful horse which he loved like a human creature , to get the money .

she went to the Halifax conservatory .

she won a musical scholarship .

she has had a happy life and a successful career .

and she owes it all to her brother Robert "

but Edith could go no further .

her voice failed her and she sat down in tears .

Margaret did not try to stand up .

" I was only five when my mother died , " she sobbed .

" Robert was both father and mother to me .

never had child or girl so wise and loving a guardian as he was to me .

I have never forgotten the lessons he taught me .

whatever there is of good in my life or character I owe to him .

I was often headstrong and willful , but he never lost patience with me .

I owe everything to Robert . "

suddenly the little teacher rose with wet eyes and crimson cheeks .

" I have something to say , too , " she said resolutely .

" you have spoken for yourselves .

I speak for the people of White Sands .

there is a man in this settlement whom everybody loves .

I shall tell you some of the things he has done . "

" last fall , in an October storm , the harbor lighthouse flew a flag of distress .

only one man was brave enough to face the danger of sailing to the lighthouse to find out what the trouble was .

that was Robert Monroe .

" four years ago old Sarah Cooper was to be taken to the poorhouse .

she was broken-hearted .

Sarah Cooper died two years afterwards , and her latest breath was a benediction on Robert Monroe the best man God ever made .

" eight years ago Jack Blewitt wanted a place .

nobody would hire him , because his father was in the penitentiary , and some people thought Jack ought to be there , too .

there is hardly a man , woman , or child in White Sands who doesn't owe something to Robert Monroe ! "

as Kathleen Bell sat down , Malcolm sprang up and held out his hands .

" every one of us stand up and sing Auld Lang Syne , " he cried .

everybody stood up and joined hands , but one did not sing .

Robert Monroe stood erect , with a great radiance on his face and in his eyes .

his reproach had been taken away ; he was crowned among his kindred with the beauty and blessing of sacred yesterdays .

when the singing ceased Malcolm 's stern-faced son reached over and shook Robert 's hands .

" uncle Rob , " he said heartily , " I hope that when I 'm sixty I 'll be as successful a man as you . "

VII .

THE RETURN OF HESTER

Just at dusk , that evening , I had gone upstairs and put on my muslin gown .

Mary Sloane did not count .

but I did it because Hester would have cared if she had been here .

she always liked to see me neat and dainty .

so , although I was tired and sick at heart , I put on my pale blue muslin and dressed my hair .

the Newbridge people all wondered why I had not put on mourning for Hester .

I did not tell them it was because Hester had asked me not to .

" I know there will be a difference in your inward life , " she said wistfully .

and oh , there was !

when I had dressed I went downstairs to the front door , and sat on the sandstone steps under the arch of the Virginia creeper .

I was all alone , for Mary Sloane had gone to Avonlea .

through an open corner on the western side I saw the sky all silvery blue in the afterlight .

Hester had loved roses and could never have enough of them .

her favorite bush was growing by the steps , all gloried over with blossoms white , with pale pink hearts .

I gathered a cluster and pinned it loosely on my breast .

but my eyes filled as I did so I felt so very , very desolate .

I was all alone , and it was bitter .

the roses , much as I loved them , could not give me sufficient companionship .

I wanted the clasp of a human hand , and the love-light in human eyes .

and then I fell to thinking of Hugh , though I tried not to .

I had always lived alone with Hester .

I did not remember our parents , who had died in my babyhood .

Hester was fifteen years older than I , and she had always seemed more like a mother than a sister .

she had been very good to me and had never denied me anything I wanted , save the one thing that mattered .

I was twenty-five before I ever had a lover .

this was not , I think , because I was more unattractive than other women .

the Merediths had always been the " big " family of Newbridge .

the rest of the people looked up to us , because we were the granddaughters of old Squire Meredith .

the Newbridge young men would have thought it no use to try to woo a Meredith .

I had not a great deal of family pride , as perhaps I should be ashamed to confess .

I found our exalted position very lonely , and cared more for the simple joys of friendship and companionship which other girls had .

when I was twenty-five , Hugh Blair came to Newbridge , having bought a farm near the village .

he was a stranger , from Lower Carmody , and so was not imbued with any preconceptions of Meredith superiority .

I met him at a little Sunday-School picnic over at Avonlea , which I attended because of my class .

I thought him very handsome and manly .

he talked to me a great deal , and at last he drove me home .

the next Sunday evening he walked up from church with me .

Hester was away , or , of course , this would never have happened .

she had gone for a month 's visit to distant friends .

in that month I lived a lifetime .

Hugh Blair courted me as the other girls in Newbridge were courted .

he took me out driving and came to see me in the evenings , which we spent for the most part in the garden .

I did not like the stately gloom and formality of our old Meredith parlor , and Hugh never seemed to feel at ease there .

his broad shoulders and hearty laughter were oddly out of place among our faded , old-maidish furnishings .

Mary Sloane was very much pleased at Hugh 's visit .

she did all she could to encourage him .

but when Hester returned and found out about Hugh she was very angry and grieved , which hurt me far more .

she told me that I had forgotten myself and that Hugh 's visits must cease .

I had never been afraid of Hester before , but I was afraid of her then .

I yielded .

perhaps it was very weak of me , but then I was always weak .

I think that was why Hugh 's strength had appealed so to me .

I needed love and protection .

Hester , strong and self-sufficient , had never felt such a need .

she could not understand .

oh , how contemptuous she was .

I told Hugh timidly that Hester did not approve of our friendship and that it must end .

he took it quietly enough , and went away .

I thought he did not care much , and the thought selfishly made my own heartache worse .

I was very unhappy for a long time , but I tried not to let Hester see it , and I don't think she did .

she was not very discerning in some things .

after a time I got over it ; that is , the heartache ceased to ache all the time .

but things were never quite the same again .

Life always seemed rather dreary and empty , in spite of Hester and my roses and my Sunday-School .

I supposed that Hugh Blair would find him a wife elsewhere , but he did not .

the years went by and we never met , although I saw him often at church .

at such times Hester always watched me very closely , but there was no need of her to do so .

Hugh made no attempt to meet me , or speak with me , and I would not have permitted it if he had .

but my heart always yearned after him .

ten years slipped away thus .

and then Hester died .

her illness was sudden and short ; but , before she died , she asked me to promise that I would never marry Hugh Blair .

she had not mentioned his name for years .

I thought she had forgotten all about him .

" oh , dear sister , is there any need of such a promise ? "

I asked , weeping .

" Hugh Blair does not want to marry me now .

he never will again . "

" he has never married he has not forgotten you , " she said fiercely .

" I could not rest in my grave if I thought you would disgrace your family by marrying beneath you .

promise me , Margaret . "

I promised .

I would have promised anything in my power to make her dying pillow easier .

besides , what did it matter ?

I was sure that Hugh would never think of me again .

she smiled when she heard me , and pressed my hand .

" good little sister that is right .

you were always a good girl , Margaret good and obedient , though a little sentimental and foolish in some ways .

you are like our mother she was always weak and loving .

I took after the Merediths . "

she did , indeed .

even in her coffin her dark , handsome features preserved their expression of pride and determination .

this distressed me , but I could not help it .

yet I felt no anger or resentment towards her for what she had done .

I knew she had meant it for the best my best .

it was only that she was mistaken .

and then , a month after she had died , Hugh Blair came to me and asked me to be his wife .

he said he had always loved me , and could never love any other woman .

all my old love for him reawakened .

I wanted to say yes to feel his strong arms about me , and the warmth of his love enfolding and guarding me .

in my weakness I yearned for his strength .

but there was my promise to Hester that promise give by her deathbed .

I could not break it , and I told him so .

it was the hardest thing I had ever done .

he did not go away quietly this time .

he pleaded and reasoned and reproached .

every word of his hurt me like a knife-thrust .

but I could not break my promise to the dead .

if Hester had been living I would have braved her wrath and her estrangement and gone to him .

but she was dead and I could not do it .

finally he went away in grief and anger .

that was three weeks ago and now I sat alone in the moonlit rose-garden and wept for him .

but after a time my tears dried and a very strange feeling came over me .

I felt calm and happy , as if some wonderful love and tenderness were very near me .

and now comes the strange part of my story the part which will not , I suppose , be believed .

if it were not for one thing I think I should hardly believe it myself .

I should feel tempted to think I had dreamed it .

but because of that one thing I know it was real .

the night was very calm and still .

not a breath of wind stirred .

the moonshine was the brightest I had ever seen .

in the middle of the garden , where the shadow of the poplars did not fall , it was almost as bright as day .

one could have read fine print .

the air was sweet with a hush of dreams , and the world was so lovely that I held my breath over its beauty .

then , all at once , down at the far end of the garden , I saw a woman walking .

this woman was tall and erect .

although no suspicion of the truth came to me , something about her reminded me of Hester .

even so had Hester liked to wander about the garden in the twilight .

I had seen her thus a thousand times .

I wondered who the woman could be .

some neighbor , of course .

but what a strange way for her to come !

she walked up the garden slowly in the poplar shade .

now and then she stooped , as if to caress a flower , but she plucked none .

half way up she out in to the moonlight and walked across the plot of grass in the center of the garden .

my heart gave a great throb and I stood up .

she was quite near to me now and I saw that it was Hester .

I can hardly say just what my feelings were at this moment .

I know that I was not surprised .

I was frightened and yet I was not frightened .

something in me shrank back in a sickening terror ; but I , the real I , was not frightened .

further than this I was not conscious of any coherent thought , either of wonder or attempt at reasoning .

Hester paused when she came to within a few steps of me .

in the moonlight I saw her face quite plainly .

it wore an expression I had never before seen on it a humble , wistful , tender look .

this was gone now , and I felt nearer to her than ever before .

I knew suddenly that she understood me .

Hester beckoned to me and said ,

" come . "

I stood up and followed her out of the garden .

but I did not wish it ; I had only the feeling of a strange , boundless content .

we went down the road between the growths of young fir that bordered it .

I smelled their balsam as we passed , and noticed how clearly and darkly their pointed tops came out against the sky .

just as we passed out of the Avenue , James Trent overtook us , driving .

it seems to me that our feelings at a given moment are seldom what we would expect them to be .

I simply felt annoyed that James Trent , the most notorious gossip in Newbridge , should have seen me walking with Hester .

in a flash I anticipated all the annoyance of it ; he would talk of the matter far and wide .

but James Trent merely nodded and called out ,

" howdy , Miss Margaret .

taking a moonlight stroll by yourself ?

lovely night , ain't it ? "

just then his horse suddenly swerved , as if startled , and broke into a gallop .

they whirled around the curve of the road in an instant .

I felt relieved , but puzzled .

JAMES TRENT HAD NOT SEEN HESTER .

Down over the hill was Hugh Blair 's place .

when we came to it , Hester turned in at the gate .

then , for the first time , I understood why she had come back , and a blinding flash of joy broke over my soul .

I stopped and looked at her .

her deep eyes gazed into mine , but she did not speak .

we went on .

Hugh 's house lay before us in the moonlight , grown over by a tangle of vines .

his garden was on our right , a quaint spot , full of old-fashioned flowers growing in a sort of disorderly sweetness .

I felt unspeakably happy and blessed .

when we came to the door Hester said ,

" knock , Margaret . "

I rapped gently .

in a moment , Hugh opened it .

then that happened by which , in after days , I was to know that this strange thing was no dream or fancy of mine .

Hugh looked not at me , but past me .

" Hester ! " he exclaimed , with human fear and horror in his voice .

he leaned against the door-post , the big , strong fellow , trembling from head to foot .

" I have learned , " said Hester , " that nothing matters in all God 's universe , except love .

there is no pride where I have been , and no false ideals . "

Hugh and I looked into each other 's eyes , wondering , and then we knew that we were alone .

VIII .

THE LITTLE BROWN BOOK OF MISS EMILY

we often went up to the Leiths in the evening to play croquet .

Millie and Margaret Leith were very nice girls , and the boys were nice , too .

indeed , we liked every one in the family , except poor old Miss Emily Leith .

we often felt a good deal of impatience at these times , but I am very glad to think now that we never showed it .

in a way , we felt sorry for Miss Emily .

she was Mr Leith 's old-maid sister and she was not of much importance in the household .

but , though we felt sorry for her , we couldn't like her .

she really was fussy and meddlesome ; she liked to poke a finger into every one 's pie , and she was not at all tactful .

then , too , she had a sarcastic tongue , and seemed to feel bitter towards all the young folks and their love affairs .

Diana and I thought this was because she had never had a lover of her own .

somehow , it seemed impossible to think of lovers in connection with Miss Emily .

she walked with a waddle , just like Mrs Rachel Lynde , and she was always rather short of breath .

" THAT , at least , is impossible , " said Diana to me .

and then , one day , Miss Emily died .

I 'm afraid no one was very sorry .

Miss Emily was dead and buried before Diana and I heard of it at all .

" but what is in it ?

and what am I to do with it ? "

I asked in bewilderment .

" there was nothing said about what you were to do with it .

Jack said they didn't know what was in it , and hadn't looked into it , seeing that it was your property .

it seems a rather queer proceeding but you 're always getting mixed up in queer proceedings , Anne .

as for what is in it , the easiest way to find out , I reckon , is to open it and see .

the key is tied to it .

Jack said Miss Emily said she wanted you to have it because she loved you and saw her lost youth in you .

I guess she was a bit delirious at the last and wandered a good deal .

she said she wanted you ' to understand her . ' "

I ran over to Orchard Slope and asked Diana to come over and examine the trunk with me .

I hadn't received any instructions about keeping its contents secret and I knew Miss Emily wouldn't mind Diana knowing about them , whatever they were .

it was a cool , gray afternoon and we got back to Green Gables just as the rain was beginning to fall .

Diana was excited , and , I really believe , a little bit frightened .

we opened the old trunk .

it was very small , and there was nothing in it but a big cardboard box .

the box was tied up and the knots sealed with wax .

we lifted it out and untied it .

I touched Diana 's fingers as we did it , and both of us exclaimed at once , " how cold your hand is ! "

under it we found a sash , a yellowed feather fan , and an envelope full of withered flowers .

at the bottom of the box was a little brown book .

the rest were not written on at all .

@date@

I came to-day to spend a while with Aunt Margaret in Charlottetown .

it is so pretty here , where she lives and ever so much nicer than on the farm at home .

I have no cows to milk here or pigs to feed .

I never had a muslin dress before nothing but ugly prints and dark woolens .

I wish we were rich , like Aunt Margaret .

Aunt Margaret laughed when I said this , and declared she would give all her wealth for my youth and beauty and light-heartedness .

I am only eighteen and I know I am very merry but I wonder if I am really pretty .

it seems to me that I am when I look in Aunt Margaret 's beautiful mirrors .

they make me look very different from the old cracked one in my room at home which always twisted my face and turned me green .

but Aunt Margaret spoiled her compliment by telling me I look exactly as she did at my age .

if I thought I 'd ever look as Aunt Margaret does now , I don't know what I 'd do .

she is so fat and red .

@date@

last week I went to the garden party and I met a young man called Paul Osborne .

he is a young artist from Montreal who is boarding over at Heppoch .

he is the handsomest man I have ever seen very tall and slender , with dreamy , dark eyes and a pale , clever face .

I felt very much flattered and so pleased when Aunt Margaret gave him permission .

he says he wants to paint me as " spring , " standing under the poplars where a fine rain of sunshine falls through .

I am to wear my blue muslin gown and a wreath of flowers on my hair .

he says I have such beautiful hair .

he has never seen any of such a real pale gold .

somehow it seems even prettier than ever to me since he praised it .

I had a letter from home to-day .

Ma says the blue hen stole her nest and came off with fourteen chickens , and that pa has sold the little spotted calf .

somehow those things don't interest me like they once did .

@date@

the picture is coming on very well , Mr Osborne says .

I know he is making me look far too pretty in it , although he persists in saying he can't do me justice .

he is going to send it to some great exhibition when finished , but he says he will make a little water-color copy for me .

he comes every day to paint and we talk a great deal and he reads me lovely things out of his books .

I don't understand them all , but I try to , and he explains them so nicely and is so patient with my stupidity .

and he says any one with my eyes and hair and coloring does not need to be clever .

he says I have the sweetest , merriest laugh in the world .

but I will not write down all the compliments he has paid me .

I dare say he does not mean them at all .

in the evening we stroll among the spruces or sit on the bench under the acacia tree .

sometimes we don't talk at all , but I never find the time long .

@date@

I am so happy .

I am frightened at my happiness .

oh , I didn't think life could ever be so beautiful for me as it is !

Paul loves me !

he told me so to-night as we walked by the harbor and watched the sunset , and he asked me to be his wife .

because , of course , I 'm only an ignorant little country girl and have lived all my life on a farm .

why , my hands are quite rough yet from the work I 've done .

but Paul just laughed when I said so , and took my hands and kissed them .

then he looked into my eyes and laughed again , because I couldn't hide from him how much I loved him .

we are to be married next spring and Paul says he will take me to Europe .

that will be very nice , but nothing matters so long as I am with him .

Paul 's people are very wealthy and his mother and sisters are very fashionable .

there is nothing I wouldn't suffer if it would do him any good .

I never thought any one could feel so .

but that is not the way at all .

love makes you very humble and you want to do everything yourself for the one you love .

@date@

Paul went home to-day .

oh , it is so terrible !

I don't know how I can bear to live even for a little while without him .

but this is silly of me , because I know he has to go and he will write often and come to me often .

but , still , it is so lonesome .

we have had such a beautiful fortnight .

oh , I am very foolish but I love him so dearly and if I were to lose his love I know I would die .

@date@

I think my heart is dead .

but no , it can't be , for it aches too much .

Paul 's mother came here to see me to-day .

she was not angry or disagreeable .

I wouldn't have been so frightened of her if she had been .

as it was , I felt that I couldn't say a word .

she is very beautiful and stately and wonderful , with a low , cold voice and proud , dark eyes .

her face is like Paul 's but without the loveableness of his .

she talked to me for a long time and she said terrible things terrible , because I knew they were all true .

I seemed to see everything through her eyes .

she said Paul must marry a woman of his own class , who could do honor to his fame and position .

but she smiled and said I must tell him myself , because he would not believe any one else .

I could have begged her to spare me that , but I knew it would be of no use .

I do not think she has any pity or mercy for any one .

besides , what she said was quite true .

she smiled again and went away .

oh , how can I bear it ?

I did not know any one could suffer like this !

@date@

I have done it .

I wrote to Paul to-day .

I knew I must tell him by letter , because I could never make him believe it face to face .

I was afraid I could not even do it by letter .

I suppose a clever woman easily could , but I am so stupid .

I wrote a great many letters and tore them up , because I felt sure they wouldn't convince Paul .

at last I got one that I thought would do .

I knew I must make it seem as if I were very frivolous and heartless , or he would never believe .

I spelled some words wrong and put in some mistakes of grammar on purpose .

I told him I had just been flirting with him , and that I had another fellow at home I liked better .

I said FELLOW because I knew it would disgust him .

I said that it was only because he was rich that I was tempted to marry him .

I thought my heart would break while I was writing those dreadful falsehoods .

but it was for his sake , because I must not spoil his life .

his mother told me I would be a millstone around his neck .

I love Paul so much that I would do anything rather than be that .

it would be easy to die for him , but I don't see how I can go on living .

I think my letter will convince Paul .

I suppose it convinced Paul , because there was no further entry in the little brown book .

when we had finished it the tears were running down both our faces .

" oh , poor , dear Miss Emily , " sobbed Diana .

" I 'm so sorry I ever thought her funny and meddlesome . "

" she was good and strong and brave , " I said .

" I could never have been as unselfish as she was . "

I thought of Whittier 's lines ,

" the outward , wayward life we see The hidden springs we may not know . "

Paul Osborne 's name was written in faded ink across the corner .

we put everything back in the box .

IX .

SARA'S WAY

Mrs Jonas Andrews was spending the afternoon with her sister-in-law .

she was a big , sonsy woman , with full-blown peony cheeks and large , dreamy , brown eyes .

when she had been a slim , pink-and-white girl those eyes had been very romantic .

now they were so out of keeping with the rest of her appearance as to be ludicrous .

she looked like a woman whose opinions were always very decided and warranted to wear .

" well , I guess she likes it pretty well better than down at White Sands , anyway , " answered Mrs Eben .

" yes , I may say it suits her .

of course it 's a long walk there and back .

and I must say the walk seems to agree with her . "

she asked me if it was true .

I said I didn't know , but I hoped to mercy it was .

now , is it , Louisa ? "

" not a word of it , " said Mrs Eben sorrowfully .

" Sara hasn't any more notion of taking Lige than ever she had .

I 'm sure it 's not MY fault .

I 've talked and argued till I 'm tired .

I declare to you , Amelia , I am terribly disappointed .

I 'd set my heart on Sara 's marrying Lige and now to think she won't ! "

" she is a very foolish girl , " said Mrs Jonas , judicially .

" if Lige Baxter isn't good enough for her , who is ? "

and that lovely new house of his at Newbridge , with bay windows and hardwood floors !

I 've dreamed and dreamed of seeing Sara there as mistress . "

but she felt discouraged , too .

well , she had done her best .

if Lige Baxter 's broth was spoiled it was not for lack of cooks .

Mrs Eben 's despondent reply was cut short by the appearance of Sara herself .

the girl stood for a moment in the doorway and looked with a faintly amused air at her aunts .

Sara put away her books , kissed Mrs Jonas ' rosy cheek , and sat down at the table .

Sara Andrews was not , strictly speaking , pretty ; but there was that about her which made people look at her twice .

when tea was over she poured the remaining contents of the cream jug into a saucer .

" I must feed my pussy , " she said as she left the room .

" that girl beats me , " said Mrs Eben with a sigh of perplexity .

" you know that black cat we 've had for two years ?

Eben and I have always made a lot of him , but Sara seemed to have a dislike to him .

never a peaceful nap under the stove could he have when Sara was home out he must go .

well , a little spell ago he got his leg broke accidentally and we thought he 'd have to be killed .

but Sara wouldn't hear of it .

he 's just about well now , and he lives in clover , that cat does .

it 's just her way .

there 's them sick chickens she 's been doctoring for a week , giving them pills and things !

" and she thinks more of that wretched-looking calf that got poisoned with paris green than of all the other stock on the place . "

as the summer wore away , Mrs Eben tried to reconcile herself to the destruction of her air castles .

but she scolded Sara considerably .

" Sara , why don't you like Lige ?

I 'm sure he is a model young man . "

" I don't like model young men , " answered Sara impatiently .

" and I really think I hate Lige Baxter .

he has always been held up to me as such a paragon .

I 'm tired of hearing about all his perfections .

I know them all off by heart .

such a faultless creature as that would certainly get on my nerves .

no , no , you 'll have to pick out another mistress for your new house at the Bridge , Aunt Louisa . "

the quilt was of the " rising Star " pattern , which was considered in Avonlea to be very handsome .

those bright visions had faded with the apple blossoms , and Mrs Eben hardly had the heart to finish the quilt at all .

the quilting came off on Saturday afternoon , when Sara could be home from school .

all Mrs Eben 's particular friends were ranged around the quilt , and tongues and fingers flew .

Sara flitted about , helping her aunt with the supper preparations .

she was in the room , getting the custard dishes out of the cupboard , when Mrs George Pye arrived .

Mrs George had a genius for being late .

she was later than usual to-day , and she looked excited .

she was a tall , thin woman with a long pale face and liquid green eyes .

as she looked around the circle she had the air of a cat daintily licking its chops over some titbit .

" I suppose , " she said , " that you have heard the news ? "

she knew perfectly well that they had not .

every other woman at the frame stopped quilting .

Mrs Eben came to the door with a pan of puffy , smoking-hot soda biscuits in her hand .

Sara stopped counting the custard dishes , and turned her ripely-colored face over her shoulder .

even the black cat , at her feet , ceased preening his fur .

Mrs George felt that the undivided attention of her audience was hers .

" Baxter Brothers have failed , " she said , her green eyes shooting out flashes of light .

" failed DISGRACEFULLY ! "

she paused for a moment ; but , since her hearers were as yet speechless from surprise , she went on .

" George came home from Newbridge , just before I left , with the news .

you could have knocked me down with a feather .

I should have thought that firm was as steady as the Rock of Gibraltar !

but they 're ruined absolutely ruined .

Louisa , dear , can you find me a good needle ? "

" Louisa , dear , " had set her biscuits down with a sharp thud , reckless of results .

a sharp , metallic tinkle sounded at the closet where Sara had struck the edge of her tray against a shelf .

the sound seemed to loosen the paralyzed tongues , and everybody began talking and exclaiming at once .

clear and shrill above the confusion rose Mrs George Pye 's voice .

" yes , indeed , you may well say so .

it IS disgraceful .

and to think how everybody trusted them !

George will lose considerable by the crash , and so will a good many folks .

everything will have to go Peter Baxter 's farm and Lige 's grand new house .

Mrs Peter won't carry her head so high after this , I 'll be bound .

George saw Lige at the Bridge , and he said he looked dreadful cut up and ashamed . "

" who , or what 's to blame for the failure ? " asked Mrs Rachel Lynde sharply .

she did not like Mrs George Pye .

" there are a dozen different stories on the go , " was the reply .

" as far as George could make out , Peter Baxter has been speculating with other folks ' money , and this is the result .

everybody always suspected that Peter was crooked ; but you 'd have thought that Lige would have kept him straight .

HE had always such a reputation for saintliness . "

" I don't suppose Lige knew anything about it , " said Mrs Rachel indignantly .

" well , he 'd ought to , then .

if he isn't a knave he 's a fool , " said Mrs Harmon Andrews , who had formerly been among his warmest partisans .

" he should have kept watch on Peter and found out how the business was being run .

well , Sara , you were the level-headest of us all I 'll admit that now .

" most of the Newbridge folks think it 's all Peter 's fault , and that Lige isn't to blame .

but you can't tell .

I dare say Lige is as deep in the mire as Peter .

he was always a little too good to be wholesome , I thought . "

there was a clink of glass at the cupboard , as Sara set the tray down .

she came forward and stood behind Mrs Rachel Lynde 's chair , resting her shapely hands on that lady 's broad shoulders .

her face was very pale , but her flashing eyes sought and faced defiantly Mrs George Pye 's cat-like orbs .

her voice quivered with passion and contempt .

" you 'll all have a fling at Lige Baxter , now that he 's down .

you couldn't say enough in his praise , once .

I 'll not stand by and hear it hinted that Lige Baxter is a swindler .

you all know perfectly well that Lige is as honest as the day , if he IS so unfortunate as to have an unprincipled brother .

you , Mrs Pye , know it better than any one , yet you come here and run him down the minute he 's in trouble .

if there 's another word said here against Lige Baxter I 'll leave the room and the house till you 're gone , every one of you . "

she flashed a glance around the quilt that cowed the gossips .

even Mrs George Pye 's eyes flickered and waned and quailed .

nothing more was said until Sara had picked up her glasses and marched from the room .

even then they dared not speak above a whisper .

Mrs Pye , alone , smarting from the snub , ventured to ejaculate , " pity save us ! " as Sara slammed the door .

" they 're bound to talk about the Baxter failure and criticize Lige , " she deplored to Mrs Jonas .

" and it riles Sara up so terrible .

she used to declare that she hated Lige , and now she won't listen to a word against him .

not that I say any , myself .

I 'm sorry for him , and I believe he 's done his best .

but I can't stop other people from talking . "

one evening Harmon Andrews came in with a fresh budget of news .

" the Baxter business is pretty near wound up at last , " he said , as he lighted his pipe .

" Peter has got his lawsuits settled and has hushed up the talk about swindling , somehow .

trust him for slipping out of a scrape clean and clever .

he don't seem to worry any , but Lige looks like a walking skeleton .

some folks pity him , but I say he should have kept the run of things better and not have trusted everything to Peter .

I hear he 's going out West in the Spring , to take up land in Alberta and try his hand at farming .

best thing he can do , I guess .

folks hereabouts have had enough of the Baxter breed .

Newbridge will be well rid of them . "

Mrs Eben glanced at her apprehensively , for she was afraid the girl was going to break out in a tirade against the complacent Harmon .

but Sara only walked fiercely out of the kitchen , with a sound as if she were struggling for breath .

her heart was throbbing with the pity she always felt for bruised and baited creatures .

at last she came to a little rustic gate , leading into a shadowy wood-lane .

" oh , Lige ! " she said , with something like a sob .

he opened the gate and drew her through .

" it 's a long while since I 've seen you , Lige , " Sara said at last .

Lige looked wistfully down at her through the gloom .

" yes , it seems very long to me , Sara .

but I didn't think you 'd care to see me , after what you said last spring .

and you know things have been going against me .

people have said hard things .

I 've been unfortunate , Sara , and may be too easy-going , but I 've been honest .

don't believe folks if they tell you I wasn't . "

" indeed , I never did not for a minute ! " fired Sara .

" I 'm glad of that .

I 'm going away , later on .

I felt bad enough when you refused to marry me , Sara ; but it 's well that you didn't .

I 'm man enough to be thankful my troubles don't fall on you . "

Sara stopped and turned to him .

beyond them the lane opened into a field and a clear lake of crocus sky cast a dim light into the shadow where they stood .

above it was a new moon , like a gleaming silver scimitar .

Sara saw it was over her left shoulder , and she saw Lige 's face above her , tender and troubled .

" Lige , " she said softly , " do you love me still ? "

" you know I do , " said Lige sadly .

that was all Sara wanted .

with a quick movement she nestled into his arms , and laid her warm , tear-wet cheek against his cold one .

Mrs Jonas puffed and panted up the hill to learn if it were true .

Sara hated patchwork above everything else , but Mrs Eben was mistress up to a certain point .

" you 'll have to make that quilt , Sara Andrews .

but you 'll have to help make them . "

and Sara had to .

when Mrs Jonas came , Mrs Eben sent Sara off to the post-office to get her out of the way .

" I suppose it 's true , this time ? " said Mrs Jonas .

" yes , indeed , " said Mrs Eben briskly .

" Sara is set on it .

there is no use trying to move her you know that so I 've just concluded to make the best of it .

I 'm no turn-coat .

Lige Baxter is Lige Baxter still , neither more nor less .

I 've always said he 's a fine young man , and I say so still .

after all , he and Sara won't be any poorer than Eben and I were when we started out . "

Mrs Jonas heaved a sigh of relief .

" I 'm real glad you take that view of it , Louisa .

I 'm not displeased , either , although Mrs Harmon would take my head off if she heard me say so .

I always liked Lige .

but I must say I 'm amazed , too , after the way Sara used to rail at him . "

" well , we might have expected it , " said Mrs Eben sagely .

" it was always Sara 's way .

when any creature got sick or unfortunate she seemed to take it right into her heart .

so you may say Lige Baxter 's failure was a success after all . "

x . THE SON OF HIS MOTHER

Thyra Carewe was waiting for Chester to come home .

she sat by the west window of the kitchen , looking out into the gathering of the shadows with the expectant immovability that characterized her .

she never twitched or fidgeted .

into whatever she did she put the whole force of her nature .

if it was sitting still , she sat still .

" a stone image would be twitchedly beside Thyra , " said Mrs Cynthia White , her neighbor across the lane .

when I read the commandment , ' Thou shalt have no other gods before me , ' I declare I always think of Thyra .

she worships that son of hers far ahead of her Creator .

she 'll be punished for it yet . "

Mrs White was watching Thyra now , knitting furiously , as she watched , in order to lose no time .

Thyra 's hands were folded idly in her lap .

she had not moved a muscle since she sat down .

Mrs White complained it gave her the weeps .

" it doesn't seem natural to see a woman sit so still , " she said .

the evening was cold and autumnal .

the river , below the Carewe homestead , was livid .

beyond it , the sea was dark and brooding .

she would not light a lamp because it would blot out the savage grandeur of sea and sky .

it was better to wait in the darkness until Chester came home .

he was late to-night .

she thought he had been detained over-time at the harbor , but she was not anxious .

he would come straight home to her as soon as his business was completed of that she felt sure .

her thoughts went out along the bleak harbor road to meet him .

no other woman in Avonlea had a son like hers her only one .

in his brief absences she yearned after him with a maternal passion that had in it something of physical pain , so intense was it .

she thought of Cynthia White , knitting across the road , with contemptuous pity .

that woman had no son nothing but pale-faced girls .

Thyra had never wanted a daughter , but she pitied and despised all sonless women .

Chester 's dog whined suddenly and piercingly on the doorstep outside .

he was tired of the cold stone and wanted his warm corner behind the stove .

Thyra smiled grimly when she heard him .

she had no intention of letting him in .

she could not share his love with even a dumb brute .

she loved no living creature in the world but her son , and fiercely demanded a like concentrated affection from him .

hence it pleased her to hear his dog whine .

it was now quite dark ; the stars had begun to shine out over the shorn harvest fields , and Chester had not come .

across the lane Cynthia White had pulled down her blind , in despair of out-watching Thyra , and had lighted a lamp .

lively shadows of little girl-shapes passed and repassed on the pale oblong of light .

they made Thyra conscious of her exceeding loneliness .

she recognized August Vorst 's knock and lighted a lamp in no great haste , for she did not like him .

he was a gossip and Thyra hated gossip , in man or woman .

but August was privileged .

she carried the lamp in her hand , when she went to the door , and its upward-striking light gave her face a ghastly appearance .

she did not mean to ask August in , but he pushed past her cheerfully , not waiting to be invited .

he pulled a crumpled newspaper from his pocket and handed it to Thyra .

he was the unofficial mail-carrier of Avonlea .

most of the people gave him a trifle for bringing their letters and papers from the office .

he earned small sums in various other ways , and so contrived to keep the life in his stunted body .

there was always venom in August 's gossip .

to be sure , it was the tolerance they gave to inferior creatures , and August felt this .

perhaps it accounted for a good deal of his malignity .

he hated most those who were kindest to him , and , of these , Thyra Carewe above all .

he hated Chester , too , as he hated strong , shapely creatures .

Thyra perceived it and vaguely felt something antagonistic in it .

she pointed to the rocking-chair , as she might have pointed out a mat to a dog .

August crawled into it and smiled .

" did you see anything of Chester on the road ? " asked Thyra , giving August the very opening he desired .

I can't think what keeps the boy . "

" just what keeps most men leaving out creatures like me at some time or other in their lives .

a girl a pretty girl , Thyra .

it pleases me to look at her .

even a hunchback can use his eyes , eh ?

oh , she 's a rare one ! "

" what is the man talking about ? " said Thyra wonderingly .

" Damaris Garland , to be sure .

well , well , we were all young once , Thyra all young once , even crooked little August Vorst .

eh , now ? "

" what do you mean ? " said Thyra .

she had sat down in a chair before him , with her hands folded in her lap .

her face , always pale , had not changed ; but her lips were curiously white .

August Vorst saw this and it pleased him .

also , her eyes were worth looking at , if you liked to hurt people and that was the only pleasure August took in life .

Sip by sip he rubbed his long , thin , white hands together sip by sip , tasting each mouthful .

" eh , now ?

you know well enough , Thyra . "

" I know nothing of what you would be at , August Vorst .

you speak of my son and Damaris was that the name ?

Damaris Garland as if they were something to each other .

I ask you what you mean by it ? "

" Tut , tut , Thyra , nothing very terrible .

there 's no need to look like that about it .

or in talking to her either ?

the little baggage , with the red lips of her !

she and Chester will make a pretty pair .

he 's not so ill-looking for a man , Thyra . "

" I am not a very patient woman , August , " said Thyra coldly .

" I have asked you what you mean , and I want a straight answer .

is Chester down at Tom Blair 's while I have been sitting here , alone , waiting for him ? "

August nodded .

he saw that it would not be wise to trifle longer with Thyra .

" that he is .

I was there before I came here .

he and Damaris were sitting in a corner by themselves , and very well-satisfied they seemed to be with each other .

Tut , tut , Thyra , don't take the news so .

I thought you knew .

it 's no secret that Chester has been going after Damaris ever since she came here .

but what then ?

you can't tie him to your apron strings forever , woman .

he 'll be finding a mate for himself , as he should .

seeing that he 's straight and well-shaped , no doubt Damaris will look with favor on him .

old Martha Blair declares the girl loves him better than her eyes . "

Thyra made a sound like a strangled moan in the middle of August 's speech .

she heard the rest of it immovably .

when it came to an end she stood and looked down upon him in a way that silenced him .

" you 've told the news you came to tell , and gloated over it , and now get you gone , " she said slowly .

" now , Thyra , " he began , but she interrupted him threateningly .

" get you gone , I say !

and you need not bring my mail here any longer .

I want no more of your misshapen body and lying tongue ! "

August went , but at the door he turned for a parting stab .

" my tongue is not a lying one , Mrs Carewe .

I 've told you the truth , as all Avonlea knows it .

Chester is mad about Damaris Garland .

it 's no wonder I thought you knew what all the settlement can see .

but you 're such a jealous , odd body , I suppose the boy hid it from you for fear you 'd go into a tantrum .

Thyra did not answer him .

when the door closed behind him she locked it and blew out the light .

then she threw herself face downward on the sofa and burst into wild tears .

her very soul ached .

she wept as tempestuously and unreasoningly as youth weeps , although she was not young .

it seemed as if she was afraid to stop weeping lest she should go mad thinking .

that her son should ever cast eyes of love on any girl was something Thyra had never thought about .

she would not believe it possible that he should love any one but herself , who loved him so much .

and now the possibility invaded her mind as subtly and coldly and remorselessly as a sea-fog stealing landward .

Thyra 's late-come motherhood was all the more intense and passionate because of its very lateness .

she had never been able to forgive them for this .

her husband had died before Chester was a year old .

she had laid their son in his dying arms and received him back again with a last benediction .

to Thyra that moment had something of a sacrament in it .

marrying !

she had never thought of it in connection with him .

he did not come of a marrying race .

his father had been sixty when he had married her , Thyra Lincoln , likewise well on in life .

few of the Lincolns or Carewes had married young , many not at all .

and , to her , Chester was her baby still .

he belonged solely to her .

and now another woman had dared to look upon him with eyes of love .

Damaris Garland !

Thyra now remembered seeing her .

she was a new-comer in Avonlea , having come to live with her uncle and aunt after the death of her mother .

Thyra had met her on the bridge one day a month previously .

her eyes , too Thyra recalled them hazel in tint , deep , and laughter-brimmed .

the girl had gone past her with a smile that brought out many dimples .

there was a certain insolent quality in her beauty , as if it flaunted itself somewhat too defiantly in the beholder 's eye .

Thyra had turned and looked after the lithe , young creature , wondering who she might be .

he loved her ; and it was past doubt that she loved him .

the thought was more bitter than death to Thyra .

that she should dare !

her anger was all against the girl .

Thyra thought savagely of Damaris ' beauty .

" she shall not have him , " she said , with slow emphasis .

" I will never give him up to any other woman , and , least of all , to her .

she would leave me no place in his heart at all me , his mother , who almost died to give him life .

he belongs to me !

let her look for the son of some other woman some woman who has many sons .

she shall not have my only one ! "

she got up , wrapped a shawl about her head , and went out into the darkly golden evening .

the clouds had cleared away , and the moon was shining .

the air was chill , with a bell-like clearness .

the alders by the river rustled eerily as she walked by them and out upon the bridge .

late travelers passed her , and wondered at her presence and mien .

Carl White saw her , and told his wife about her when he got home .

" striding to and fro over the bridge like mad !

at first I thought it was old , crazy May Blair .

what do you suppose she was doing down there at this hour of the night ? "

" watching for Ches , no doubt , " said Cynthia .

" he ain't home yet .

Likely he 's snug at Blairs ' .

I do wonder if Thyra suspicions that he goes after Damaris .

I 've never dared to hint it to her .

she 'd be as liable to fly at me , tooth and claw , as not . "

" it 's bitter cold there 'll be a hard frost .

it 's a pity she can't get it grained into her that the boy is grown up and must have his fling like the other lads .

she 'll go out of her mind yet , like her old grandmother Lincoln , if she doesn't ease up .

I 've a notion to go down to the bridge and reason a bit with her . "

" indeed , and you 'll do no such thing ! " cried Cynthia .

" Thyra Carewe is best left alone , if she is in a tantrum .

she 's like no other woman in Avonlea or out of it .

I 'd as soon meddle with a tiger as her , if she 's rampaging about Chester .

I don't envy Damaris Garland her life if she goes in there .

Thyra 'd sooner strangle her than not , I guess . "

" you women are all terrible hard on Thyra , " said Carl , good-naturedly .

he had been in love with Thyra , himself , long ago , and he still liked her in a friendly fashion .

he always stood up for her when the Avonlea women ran her down .

he felt troubled about her all night , recalling her as she paced the bridge .

he wished he had gone back , in spite of Cynthia .

when Chester came home he met his mother on the bridge .

in the faint , yet penetrating , moonlight they looked curiously alike , but Chester had the milder face .

he was very handsome .

even in the seething of her pain and jealousy Thyra yearned over his beauty .

" I called in at Tom Blair 's on my way home from the harbor , " he answered , trying to walk on .

but she held him back by his arm .

" did you go there to see Damaris ? " she demanded fiercely .

Chester was uncomfortable .

he tried vainly to loosen her hold upon his arm , but he understood quite well that he must give her an answer .

" yes , " he said shortly .

Thyra released his arm , and struck her hands together with a sharp cry .

there was a savage note in it .

she could have slain Damaris Garland at that moment .

" don't go on so , mother , " said Chester , impatiently .

" come in out of the cold .

it isn't fit for you to be here .

who has been tampering with you ?

what if I did go to see Damaris ? "

" oh oh oh ! " cried Thyra .

" I was waiting for you alone and you were thinking only of her !

Chester , answer me do you love her ? "

the blood rolled rapidly over the boy 's face .

he muttered something and tried to pass on , but she caught him again .

he forced himself to speak gently .

" what if I do , mother ?

it wouldn't be such a dreadful thing , would it ? "

" and me ?

and me ? " cried Thyra .

" what am I to you , then ? "

" you are my mother .

I wouldn't love you any the less because I cared for another , too . "

" I won't have you love another , " she cried .

" I want all your love all !

what 's that baby-face to you , compared to your mother ?

I have the best right to you .

I won't give you up . "

Chester realized that there was no arguing with such a mood .

he walked on , resolved to set the matter aside until she might be more reasonable .

but Thyra would not have it so .

she followed on after him , under the alders that crowded over the lane .

" promise me that you 'll not go there again , " she entreated .

" promise me that you 'll give her up . "

" I can't promise such a thing , " he cried angrily .

his anger hurt her worse than a blow , but she did not flinch .

" you 're not engaged to her ? " she cried out .

" now , mother , be quiet .

all the settlement will hear you .

why do you object to Damaris ?

you don't know how sweet she is .

when you know her "

" I will never know her ! " cried Thyra furiously .

" and she shall not have you !

she shall not , Chester ! "

he made no answer .

she suddenly broke into tears and loud sobs .

touched with remorse , he stopped and put his arms about her .

" mother , mother , don't !

I can't bear to see you cry so .

but , indeed , you are unreasonable .

didn't you ever think the time would come when I would want to marry , like other men ? "

" no , no !

and I will not have it I cannot bear it , Chester .

you must promise not to go to see her again .

I won't go into the house this night until you do .

I 'll stay out here in the bitter cold until you promise to put her out of your thoughts . "

" that 's beyond my power , mother .

oh , mother , you 're making it hard for me .

come in , come in !

you 're shivering with cold now .

you 'll be sick . "

" not a step will I stir till you promise .

say you won't go to see that girl any more , and there 's nothing I won't do for you .

but if you put her before me , I 'll not go in I never will go in . "

with most women this would have been an empty threat ; but it was not so with Thyra , and Chester knew it .

he knew she would keep her word .

and he feared more than that .

in this frenzy of hers what might she not do ?

she came of a strange breed , as had been said disapprovingly when Luke Carewe married her .

there was a strain of insanity in the Lincolns .

a Lincoln woman had drowned herself once .

Chester thought of the river , and grew sick with fright .

for a moment even his passion for Damaris weakened before the older tie .

" mother , calm yourself .

oh , surely there 's no need of all this !

let us wait until to-morrow , and talk it over then .

I 'll hear all you have to say .

come in , dear . "

Thyra loosened her arms from about him , and stepped back into a moon-lit space .

looking at him tragically , she extended her arms and spoke slowly and solemnly .

" Chester , choose between us .

if you choose her , I shall go from you to-night , and you will never see me again ! "

" mother ! "

" choose ! " she reiterated , fiercely .

he felt her long ascendancy .

its influence was not to be shaken off in a moment .

in all his life he had never disobeyed her .

besides , with it all , he loved her more deeply and understandingly than most sons love their mothers .

he realized that , since she would have it so , his choice was already made or , rather that he had no choice .

" have your way , " he said sullenly .

she ran to him and caught him to her heart .

in the reaction of her feeling she was half laughing , half crying .

all was well again all would be well ; she never doubted this , for she knew he would keep his ungracious promise sacredly .

but now you are mine again ! "

she did not heed that he was sullen that he resented her unjustice with all her own intensity .

she did not heed his silence as they went into the house together .

strangely enough , she slept well and soundly that night .

she had taken him from Damaris Garland ; but she had not won him back to herself .

he could never be wholly her son again .

there was a barrier between them which not all her passionate love could break down .

but he avoided her , and she knew it .

the flame of her anger burned bitterly towards Damaris .

" he thinks of her all the time , " she moaned to herself .

" he 'll come to hate me yet , I fear , because it 's I who made him give her up .

but I 'd rather even that than share him with another woman .

oh , my son , my son ! "

she knew that Damaris was suffering , too .

the girl 's wan face told that when she met her .

but this pleased Thyra .

it eased the ache in her bitter heart to know that pain was gnawing at Damaris ' also .

Chester was absent from home very often now .

in late November he and Joe started for a trip down the coast in the latter 's boat .

Thyra protested against it , but Chester laughed at her alarm .

Thyra saw him go with a heart sick from fear .

Chester had been fond of the sea from boyhood .

but her power over him was gone now .

after Chester 's departure she was restless and miserable , wandering from window to window to scan the dour , unsmiling sky .

" 'T isn't safe this time of year , " he said .

" folks expect no better from that reckless , harum-scarum Joe Raymond .

he 'll drown himself some day , there 's nothing surer .

this mad freak of starting off down the shore in November is just of a piece with his usual performances .

but you shouldn't have let Chester go , Thyra . "

" I couldn't prevent him .

say what I could , he would go .

he laughed when I spoke of danger .

oh , he 's changed from what he was !

I know who has wrought the change , and I hate her for it ! "

Carl shrugged his fat shoulders .

he pitied Thyra , too .

she had aged rapidly the past month .

" you 're too hard on Chester , Thyra .

he 's out of leading-strings now , or should be .

you must just let me take an old friend 's privilege , and tell you that you 're taking the wrong way with him .

you 're too jealous and exacting , Thyra . "

" you don't know anything about it .

Carl could not cope with Thyra 's moods .

he had never understood her , even in his youth .

Cynthia was much easier to get along with .

more than Thyra looked anxiously to sea and sky that night in Avonlea .

Damaris Garland listened to the smothered roar of the Atlantic in the murky northeast with a prescience of coming disaster .

friendly longshoremen shook their heads and said that Ches and Joe would better have kept to good , dry land .

" it 's sorry work joking with a November gale , " said Abel Blair .

he was an old man and , in his life , had seen some sad things along the shore .

Thyra could not sleep that night .

when the gale came shrieking up the river , and struck the house , she got out of bed and dressed herself .

the wind screamed like a ravening beast at her window .

the wind raged all the next day ; but spent itself in the following night , and the second morning was calm and fair .

the eastern sky was a great arc of crystal , smitten through with auroral crimsonings .

Thyra , looking from her kitchen window , saw a group of men on the bridge .

they were talking to Carl White , with looks and gestures directed towards the Carewe house .

she went out and down to them .

none of these who saw her white , rigid face that day ever forgot the sight .

" you have news for me , " she said .

they looked at each other , each man mutely imploring his neighbor to speak .

" you need not fear to tell me , " said Thyra calmly .

" I know what you have come to say .

my son is drowned . "

" we don't know THAT , Mrs Carewe , " said Abel Blair quickly .

" we haven't got the worst to tell you there 's hope yet .

" don't look like that , Thyra , " said Carl White pityingly .

" they may have escaped they may have been picked up . "

Thyra looked at him with dull eyes .

" you know they have not .

not one of you has any hope .

I have no son .

the sea has taken him from me my bonny baby ! "

she turned and went back to her desolate home .

none dared to follow her .

Carl White went home and sent his wife over to her .

Cynthia found Thyra sitting in her accustomed chair .

her hands lay , palms upward , on her lap .

her eyes were dry and burning .

she met Cynthia 's compassionate look with a fearful smile .

do you remember ?

your word was a true one .

God saw that I loved Chester too much , and He meant to take him from me .

I thwarted one way when I made him give up Damaris .

but one can't fight against the Almighty .

it was decreed that I must lose him if not in one way , then in another .

he has been taken from me utterly .

I shall not even have his grave to tend , Cynthia . "

" as near to a mad woman as anything you ever saw , with her awful eyes , " Cynthia told Carl , afterwards .

but she did not say so there .

it taught her the right thing to do now .

she sat down by the stricken creature and put her arms about her , while she gathered the cold hands in her own warm clasp .

the tears filled her big , blue eyes and her voice trembled as she said :

" Thyra , I 'm sorry for you .

I I lost a child once my little first-born .

and Chester was a dear , good lad . "

for a moment Thyra strained her small , tense body away from Cynthia 's embrace .

then she shuddered and cried out .

the tears came , and she wept her agony out on the other woman 's breast .

as the ill news spread , other Avonlea women kept dropping in all through the day to condole with Thyra .

many of them came in real sympathy , but some out of mere curiosity to see how she took it .

Thyra knew this , but she did not resent it , as she would once have done .

when darkness came Cynthia said she must go home , but would send one of her girls over for the night .

" you won't feel like staying alone , " she said .

Thyra looked up steadily .

" no .

but I want you to send for Damaris Garland . "

" Damaris Garland ! "

Cynthia repeated the name as if disbelieving her own ears .

there was never any knowing what whim Thyra might take , but Cynthia had not expected this .

" yes .

tell her I want her tell her she must come .

she must hate me bitterly ; but I am punished enough to satisfy even her hate .

tell her to come to me for Chester 's sake . "

Cynthia did as she was bid , she sent her daughter , Jeanette , for Damaris .

then she waited .

no matter what duties were calling for her at home she must see the interview between Thyra and Damaris .

her curiosity would be the last thing to fail Cynthia White .

she half believed that Damaris would refuse to come .

but Damaris came .

Jeanette brought her in amid the fiery glow of a November sunset .

Thyra stood up , and for a moment they looked at each other .

the insolence of Damaris ' beauty was gone .

her eyes were dull and heavy with weeping , her lips were pale , and her face had lost its laughter and dimples .

Thyra looked upon her with a shock of remorse .

this was not the radiant creature she had met on the bridge that summer afternoon .

this this was HER work .

she held out her arms .

" oh , Damaris , forgive me .

we both loved him that must be a bond between us for life . "

Damaris came forward and threw her arms about the older woman , lifting her face .

as their lips met even Cynthia White realized that she had no business there .

she vented the irritation of her embarrassment on the innocent Jeanette .

" come away , " she whispered crossly .

" can't you see we 're not wanted here ? "

she drew Jeanette out , leaving Thyra rocking Damaris in her arms , and crooning over her like a mother over her child .

when December had grown old Damaris was still with Thyra .

it was understood that she was to remain there for the winter , at least .

Thyra could not bear her to be out of her sight .

they talked constantly about Chester ; Thyra confessed all her anger and hatred .

Damaris had forgiven her ; but Thyra could never forgive herself .

she was greatly changed , and had grown very gentle and tender .

she even sent for August Vorst and begged him to pardon her for the way she had spoken to him .

winter came late that year , and the season was a very open one .

a few minutes later Carl and Cynthia came hastily across their yard under the huge balm-of-gileads .

Carl 's face was flushed , and his big body quivered with excitement .

Cynthia ran behind him , with tears rolling down her face .

Thyra felt herself growing sick with fear .

had anything happened to Damaris ?

a glimpse of the girl , sewing by an upper window of the house , reassured her .

" oh , Thyra , Thyra ! " gasped Cynthia .

" can you stand some good news , Thyra ? " asked Carl , in a trembling voice .

" very , very good news ! "

Thyra looked wildly from one to the other .

" there 's but one thing you would dare to call good news to me , " she cried .

" is it about about "

" Chester !

yes , it 's about Chester !

Thyra , he is alive he 's safe he and Joe , both of them , thank God !

Cynthia , catch her ! "

" no , I am not going to faint , " said Thyra , steadying herself by Cynthia 's shoulder .

" my son alive !

how did you hear ?

how did it happen ?

where has he been ? "

" I heard it down at the harbor , Thyra .

Mike McCready 's vessel , the Nora Lee , was just in from the Magdalens .

but she was damaged by the storm and blown clear out of her course .

had to put into the Magdalens for repairs , and has been there ever since .

the cable to the islands was out of order , and no vessels call there this time of year for mails .

if it hadn't been an extra open season the Nora Lee wouldn't have got away , but would have had to stay there till spring .

" and Chester where is he ? " demanded Thyra .

Carl and Cynthia looked at each other .

" well , Thyra , " said the latter , " the fact is , he 's over there in our yard this blessed minute .

Carl brought him home from the harbor , but I wouldn't let him come over until we had prepared you for it .

he 's waiting for you there . "

Thyra made a quick step in the direction of the gate .

then she turned , with a little of the glow dying out of her face .

" no , there 's one has a better right to go to him first .

I can atone to him thank God , I can atone to him ! "

she went into the house and called Damaris .

as the girl came down the stairs Thyra held out her hands with a wonderful light of joy and renunciation on her face .

" Damaris , " she said , " Chester has come back to us the sea has given him back to us .

he is over at Carl White 's house .

go to him , my daughter , and bring him to me ! "

XI .

THE EDUCATION OF BETTY

Jack was always a thoroughbred .

I was best man .

I stayed away for ten years , during which The Maples was given over to moths and rust , while I enjoyed life elsewhere .

it jarred on my sense of fitness , and I tried to moderate my zest , and think more of the past than I did .

it was no use ; the present insisted on being intrusive and pleasant ; as for the future ... well , there was no future .

then Jack Churchill , poor fellow , died .

a year after his death , I went home and again asked Sara to marry me , as in duty bound .

Sara again declined , alleging that her heart was buried in Jack 's grave , or words to that effect .

I found that it did not much matter ....v of course , at thirty-two one does not take these things to heart as at twenty-two .

I had enough to occupy me in getting The Maples into working order , and beginning to educate Betty .

Betty was Sara 's ten year-old daughter , and she had been thoroughly spoiled .

she was a thorough tomboy , a thin , scrawny little thing with a trace of Sara 's beauty .

there were points about her , though , which I considered promising .

for Jack 's sake I decided to bring his daughter up properly .

Sara couldn't do it , and didn't try .

I saw that , if somebody didn't take Betty in hand , wisely and firmly , she would certainly be ruined .

I might have been her father ; as it was , her father had been my best friend .

who had a better right to watch over his daughter ?

I determined to be a father to Betty , and do all for her that the most devoted parent could do .

it was , self-evidently , my duty .

I told Sara I was going to take Betty in hand .

her poor father indulged her in everything , and she has a will of her own , I assure you .

I have really no control over her , whatever .

she does as she pleases , and is ruining her complexion by running and galloping out of doors the whole time .

not that she had much complexion to start with .

the Churchills never had , you know . " ....x Sara cast a complacent glance at her delicately tinted reflection in the mirror ....y .

" I tried to make Betty wear a sunbonnet this summer , but I might as well have talked to the wind . "

I rewarded her with a compliment .

she may have improved vastly by the time she has grown up .

but even the best material may be spoiled by unwise handling .

I think I can promise you that I will not spoil it .

Sara did not understand me in the least ; but , then , she did not pretend to .

" I confide Betty 's education entirely to you , Stephen , " she said , with another plaintive sigh .

" I feel sure I could not put it into better hands .

you have always been a person who could be thoroughly depended on . "

well , that was something by way of reward for a life-long devotion .

I felt that I was satisfied with my position as unofficial advisor-in-chief to Sara and self-appointed guardian of Betty .

I had a sixth sense which informed me that a staid old family friend might succeed with Betty where a stepfather would have signally failed .

fortunately for the success of my enterprise , Betty liked me .

" you are one of the very nicest old folks I know , Stephen .

yes , you are a ripping good fellow ! "

I should have stuck to it , because that is my way ; but Betty would have made my life a misery to me .

I thought it best to tell her plainly that I was going to look after her .

" mother says you are going to take charge of my education , Stephen , " said Betty , as soon as she could speak .

" I 'm glad , because I think that , for an old person , you have a good deal of sense .

" thank you , Betty , " I said gravely .

" I hope I shall deserve your good opinion of my sense .

I shall expect you to do as I tell you , and be guided by my advice in everything . "

you won't shut me up in a room and make me sew , will you ?

because I won't do it . "

I assured her I would not .

" nor send me to a boarding-school , " pursued Betty .

" mother 's always threatening to send me to one .

I suppose she would have done it before this , only she knew I 'd run away .

you won't send me to a boarding-school , will you , Stephen ?

because I won't go . "

" no , " I said obligingly .

" I won't .

I should never dream of cooping a wild little thing , like you , up in a boarding-school .

you 'd fret your heart out like a caged skylark . "

" you are so good at understanding .

very few people are .

Even dad darling didn't understand .

I hate dolls !

real live babies are jolly ; but dogs and horses are ever so much nicer than dolls . "

" but you must have lessons , Betty .

" I 'll try , honest and true , Stephen , " declared Betty .

and she kept her word .

as I had premised , Betty was good material , and responded to my training with gratifying plasticity .

day by day , week by week , month by month , her character and temperament unfolded naturally under my watchful eye .

it was like beholding the gradual development of some rare flower in one 's garden .

Betty was kind enough to say that I had taught her everything she knew .

but what had she not taught me ?

if there were a debt between us , it was on my side .

Sara was fairly well satisfied .

it was not my fault that Betty was not better looking , she said .

I had certainly done everything for her mind and character that could be done .

where are your eyes , my dear lady , that you can't see the promise of loveliness in Betty ? "

" Betty is seventeen , and she is as lanky and brown as ever she was , " sighed Sara .

" when I was seventeen I was the belle of the county and had had five proposals .

I don't believe the thought of a lover has ever entered Betty 's head . "

" I hope not , " I said shortly .

somehow , I did not like the suggestion .

" Betty is a child yet .

for pity 's sake , Sara , don't go putting nonsensical ideas into her head . "

" I 'm afraid I can't , " mourned Sara , as if it were something to be regretted .

" you have filled it too full of books and things like that .

I 've every confidence in your judgment , Stephen and really you 've done wonders with Betty .

but don't you think you 've made her rather too clever ?

men don't like women who are too clever .

her poor father , now he always said that a woman who liked books better than beaux was an unnatural creature . "

I didn't believe Jack had ever said anything so foolish .

Sara imagined things .

but I resented the aspersion of blue-stockingness cast on Betty .

Just at present her head is a great deal better filled with books than with silly premature fancies and sentimentalities .

I 'm a critical old fellow but I 'm satisfied with Betty , Sara perfectly satisfied . "

Sara sighed .

" oh , I dare say she is all right , Stephen .

and I 'm really grateful to you .

I 'm sure I could have done nothing at all with her .

it 's not your fault , of course , but I can't help wishing she were a little more like other girls . "

I galloped away from Glenby in a rage .

what a blessing Sara had not married me in my absurd youth !

she would have driven me wild with her sighs and her obtuseness and her everlasting pink-and-whiteness .

but there there there gently !

for that , much might be forgiven her .

was Betty really unlike other girls ?

that is to say , unlike them in any respect wherein she should resemble them ?

I wanted Betty to have her full complement of girlhood in all its best and highest manifestation .

was there anything lacking ?

eventually I concluded to do what I had never thought myself in the least likely to do .

I would send Betty to a boarding-school for a year .

it was necessary that she should learn how to live with other girls .

I went over to Glenby the next day and found Betty under the beeches on the lawn , just back from a canter .

more than all , the soul in her was still the soul of a child .

I found myself wishing that it could always remain so .

when I told Betty that she must go away to a school for a year , she shrugged , frowned and consented .

but Betty had acquired confidence in me to the beautiful extent of acquiescing in everything I commanded .

" I 'll go , of course , since you wish it , Stephen , " she said .

" but why do you want me to go ?

you must have a reason you always have a reason for anything you do .

what is it ? "

" that is for you to find out , Betty , " I said .

" by the time you come back you will have discovered it , I think .

if not , it will not have proved itself a good reason and shall be forgotten . "

when Betty went away I bade her good-by without burdening her with any useless words of advice .

" write to me every week , and remember that you are Betty Churchill , " I said .

Betty was standing on the steps above , among her dogs .

she came down a step and put her arms about my neck .

" I 'll remember that you are my friend and that I must live up to you , " she said .

" Good-by , Stephen . "

so I looked my last on the child Betty .

that was a lonely year .

my occupation was gone and I began to fear that I had outlived my usefulness .

life seemed flat , stale , and unprofitable .

betty 's weekly letters were all that lent it any savor .

they were spicy and piquant enough .

Betty was discovered to have unsuspected talents in the epistolary line .

at first she was dolefully homesick , and begged me to let her come home .

when I refused it was amazingly hard to refuse she sulked through three letters , then cheered up and began to enjoy herself .

but it was nearly the end of the year when she wrote :

" I 've found out why you sent me here , Stephen and I 'm glad you did . "

I had to be away from home on unavoidable business the day Betty returned to Glenby .

but the next afternoon I went over .

I found Betty out and Sara in .

the latter was beaming .

Betty was so much improved , she declared delightedly .

I would hardly know " the dear child . "

this alarmed me terribly .

what on earth had they done to Betty ?

I found that she had gone up to the pineland for a walk , and thither I betook myself speedily .

Betty was a woman !

she was a woman , looking , all unconscious of her quest , for love .

I was glad .

she was what I had wished her to become .

but I wanted the child Betty back ; this womanly Betty seemed far away from me .

I stepped out into the path and she saw me , with a brightening of her whole face .

I took her hand there were no kisses this time .

" welcome home , Betty , " I said .

" oh , Stephen , it is so good to be back , " she breathed , her eyes shining .

she did not say it was good to see me again , as I had hoped she would do .

indeed , after the first minute of greeting , she seemed a trifle cool and distant .

we walked for an hour in the pine wood and talked .

Betty was brilliant , witty , self-possessed , altogether charming .

I thought her perfect and yet my heart ached .

what a glorious young thing she was , in that splendid youth of hers !

what a prize for some lucky man confound the obtrusive thought !

no doubt we should soon be overrun at Glenby with lovers .

I should stumble over some forlorn youth at every step !

well , what of it ?

Betty would marry , of course .

it would be my duty to see that she got a good husband , worthy of her as men go .

I thought I preferred the old duty of superintending her studies .

but there , it was all the same thing merely a post-graduate course in applied knowledge .

then , and not until then , would Betty 's education be complete .

I rode home very soberly .

when I reached The Maples I did what I had not done for years...looked critically at myself in the mirror .

the realization that I had grown older came home to me with a new and unpleasant force .

there were marked lines on my lean face , and silver glints in the dark hair over my temples .

when Betty was ten she had thought me " an old person . "

now , at eighteen , she probably thought me a veritable ancient of days .

Pshaw , what did it matter ?

my premonitions as to lovers proved correct .

Glenby was soon infested with them .

heaven knows where they all came from .

I had not supposed there was a quarter as many young men in the whole county ; but there they were .

Sara was in the seventh heaven of delight .

was not Betty at last a belle ?

one could guess what that meant .

Betty apparently enjoyed all this .

I grieve to say that she was a bit of a coquette .

I tried to cure her of this serious defect , but for once I found that I had undertaken something I could not accomplish .

In vain I lectured , Betty only laughed ; in vain I gravely rebuked , Betty only flirted more vivaciously than before .

men might come and men might go , but Betty went on forever .

I endured this sort of thing for a year and then I decided that it was time to interfere seriously .

I must find a husband for Betty...my fatherly duty would not be fulfilled until I had ....y nor , indeed , my duty to society .

she was not a safe person to have running at large .

none of the men who haunted Glenby was good enough for her .

I decided that my nephew , Frank , would do very well .

he was a capital young fellow , handsome , clean-souled , and whole-hearted .

yes , he should have Betty , confound him !

they had never met .

I set the wheels going at once .

the sooner all the fuss was over the better .

I hated fuss and there was bound to be a good deal of it .

but I went about the business like an accomplished matchmaker .

women never like a paragon .

Betty heard me with more gravity than she usually accorded to my dissertations on young men .

she even condescended to ask several questions about him .

this I thought a good sign .

he would have been more than mortal if he had not fallen in love with her upon the spot .

it was not in the heart of man to resist her ....y that dainty , alluring bit of womanhood .

then I pulled myself together and left them alone .

I might have gone in and talked to Sara...two old folks gently reviewing their youth while the young folks courted outside ....v but I did not .

well , what of it ?

was not that what I had brought him there for ?

and was I not pleased at the success of my scheme ?

certainly I was !

delighted !

next day Frank went to Glenby without even making the poor pretense of asking me to accompany him .

I spent the time of his absence overseeing the construction of a new greenhouse I was having built .

I was conscientious in my supervision ; but I felt no interest in it .

I had it now in my pocket-book .

confound it , mightn't a future uncle cherish a family affection for his prospective niece ?

Frank 's wooing seemed to prosper .

the other young sparks , who had haunted Glenby , faded away after his advent .

at the end of a month something went wrong .

Frank came home from Glenby one day in the dumps , and moped for two whole days .

I rode down myself on the third .

as usual , I found Betty in the pineland .

I thought she looked rather pale and dull...fretting about Frank no doubt .

" I am glad you haven't forgotten us altogether , Stephen , " she said coolly .

" you haven't been down for a week . "

" I shouldn't have supposed you 'd want an old fogy like myself poking about and spoiling the idyllic moments of love 's young dream . "

" why do you always speak of yourself as old ? " said Betty , crossly , ignoring my reference to Frank .

" because I am old , my dear .

witness these gray hairs . "

I pushed up my hat to show them the more recklessly .

Betty barely glanced at them .

" you have just enough to give you a distinguished look , " she said , " and you are only forty .

a man is in his prime at forty .

he never has any sense until he is forty and sometimes he doesn't seem to have any even then , " she concluded impertinently .

my heart beat .

did Betty suspect ?

was that last sentence meant to inform me that she was aware of my secret folly , and laughed at it ?

" I came over to see what has gone wrong between you and Frank , " I said gravely .

Betty bit her lips .

" nothing , " she said .

don't tell me I have failed .

I 'll give you another chance .

have you quarreled with Frank ? "

" no , " said the maddening Betty , " HE quarreled with me .

he went away in a temper and I do not care if he never comes back ! "

I shook my head .

" this won't do , Betty .

as your old family friend I still claim the right to scold you until you have a husband to do the scolding .

you mustn't torment Frank .

he is too fine a fellow .

you must marry him , Betty . "

" must I ? " said Betty , a dusky red flaming out on her cheek .

she turned her eyes on me in a most disconcerting fashion .

" do YOU wish me to marry Frank , Stephen ? "

Betty had a wretched habit of emphasizing pronouns in a fashion calculated to rattle anybody .

" you must marry some time , Betty , and Frank is the only man I know to whom I could trust you .

as your guardian , I have an interest in seeing you well and wisely settled for life .

you won't prove rebellious now , I 'm sure .

you know quite well that I am advising you for your own good .

Frank is a splendid young fellow , who loves you with all his heart .

marry him , Betty .

mind , I don't COMMAND .

I have no right to do that , and you are too old to be ordered about , if I had .

but I wish and advise it .

isn't that enough , Betty ? "

I had been looking away from her all the time I was talking , gazing determinedly down a sunlit vista of pines .

every word I said seemed to tear my heart , and come from my lips stained with life-blood .

yes , Betty should marry Frank !

but , good God , what would become of me !

Betty left her station under the pine tree , and walked around me until she got right in front of my face .

I couldn't help looking at her , for if I moved my eyes she moved too .

there was nothing meek or submissive about her ; her head was held high , her eyes were blazing , and her cheeks were crimson .

but her words were meek enough .

" I will marry Frank if you wish it , Stephen , " she said .

" you are my friend .

I have never crossed your wishes , and , as you say , I have never regretted being guided by them .

I will do exactly as you wish in this case also , I promise you that .

but , in so solemn a question , I must be very certain what you DO wish .

there must be no doubt in my mind or heart .

DO you , Stephen ? "

that unfaltering , impelling gaze of hers drew the truth from my lips in spite of myself .

" no , I don't wish you to marry Frank Douglas , a thousand times no ! "

I said passionately .

" I don't wish you to marry any man on earth but myself .

I love you I love you , Betty .

you are dearer to me than life dearer to me than my own happiness .

it was your happiness I thought of and so I asked you to marry Frank because I believed he would make you a happy woman .

that is all ! "

betty 's defiance went from her like a flame blown out .

she turned away and drooped her proud head .

" it could not have made me a happy woman to marry one man , loving another , " she said , in a whisper .

I got up and went over to her .

" Betty , whom do you love ? "

I asked , also in a whisper .

" you , " she murmured meekly oh , so meekly , my proud little girl !

" Betty , " I said brokenly , " I 'm old too old for you I 'm more than twenty years your senior I 'm "

" oh ! "

Betty wheeled around on me and stamped her foot .

" don't mention your age to me again .

I don't care if you 're as old as Methuselah .

but I 'm not going to coax you to marry me , sir !

if you won't , I 'll never marry anybody I'll live and die an old maid .

you can please yourself , of course ! "

she turned away , half-laughing , half-crying ; but I caught her in my arms and crushed her sweet lips against mine .

" Betty , I 'm the happiest man in the world and I was the most miserable when I came here . "

" you deserved to be , " said Betty cruelly .

" I 'm glad you were .

any man as stupid as you deserves to be unhappy .

what do you think I felt like , loving you with all my heart , and seeing you simply throwing me at another man 's head .

why , I 've always loved you , Stephen ; but I didn't know it until I went to that detestable school .

then I found out and I thought that was why you had sent me .

but , when I came home , you almost broke my heart .

that was why I flirted so with all those poor , nice boys I wanted to hurt you but I never thought I succeeded .

you just went on being FATHERLY .

but I had to have one more try for happiness first .

I had just one little hope to inspire me with sufficient boldness .

I saw you , that night , when you came back here and picked up my rose !

I had come back , myself , to be alone and unhappy . "

" it is the most wonderful thing that ever happened that you should love me , " I said .

" It's not I couldn't help it , " said Betty , nestling her brown head on my shoulder .

" you taught me everything else , Stephen , so nobody but you could teach me how to love .

you 've made a thorough thing of educating me . "

" when will you marry me , Betty ? "

I asked .

" as soon as I can fully forgive you for trying to make me marry somebody else , " said Betty .

it was rather hard lines on Frank , when you come to think of it .

but , such is the selfishness of human nature that we didn't think much about Frank .

the young fellow behaved like the Douglas he was .

he has since married and is , I understand , very happy .

XII .

IN HER SELFLESS MOOD

the raw wind of an early May evening was puffing in and out the curtains of the room where Naomi Holland lay dying .

the air was moist and chill , but the sick woman would not have the window closed .

" I can't get my breath if you shut everything up so tight , " she said .

" whatever comes , I ain't going to be smothered to death , Car'line Holland . "

Outside of the window grew a cherry tree , powdered with moist buds with the promise of blossoms she would not live to see .

between its boughs she saw a crystal cup of sky over hills that were growing dim and purple .

the outside air was full of sweet , wholesome springtime sounds that drifted in fitfully .

there were voices and whistles in the barnyard , and now and then faint laughter .

a bird alighted for a moment on a cherry bough , and twittered restlessly .

the room was a small , plain one .

the floor was bare , save for a couple of braided rugs , the plaster discolored , the walls dingy and glaring .

there had never been much beauty in Naomi Holland 's environment , and , now that she was dying , there was even less .

at the open window a boy of about ten years was leaning out over the sill and whistling .

he had a weak chin , and a full , sullen mouth .

between the paroxysms she kept up her keen interest in the life that went on about her .

nothing escaped her sharp , alert eyes and ears .

in the dim light her extremely long face looked corpse-like already .

her black hair lay in a heavy braid over the pillow and down the counterpane .

it was all that was left of her beauty , and she took a fierce joy in it .

those long , glistening , sinuous tresses must be combed and braided every day , no matter what came .

a girl of fourteen was curled up on a chair at the head of the bed , with her head resting on the pillow .

the boy at the window was her half-brother ; but , between Christopher Holland and Eunice Carr , not the slightest resemblance existed .

presently the sibilant silence was broken by a low , half-strangled sob .

the sick woman , who had been watching a white evening star through the cherry boughs , turned impatiently at the sound .

" I wish you 'd get over that , Eunice , " she said sharply .

" I don't want any one crying over me until I 'm dead ; and then you 'll have plenty else to do , most likely .

if it wasn't for Christopher I wouldn't be anyways unwilling to die .

when one has had such a life as I 've had , there isn't much in death to be afraid of .

only , a body would like to go right off , and not die by inches , like this .

' Tain't fair ! "

the boy at the window stopped whistling , and the girl silently wiped her eyes on her faded gingham apron .

Naomi drew her own hair over her lips , and kissed it .

" you 'll never have hair like that , Eunice , " she said .

" it does seem most too pretty to bury , doesn't it ?

mind you see that it is fixed nice when I 'm laid out .

comb it right up on my head and braid it there . "

" Chris , " she said sharply , " you get right off for the cows , you lazy little scamp !

you knew right well you had to go for them , and here you 've been idling , and me looking high and low for you .

make haste now ; it 's ridiculous late . "

she went over to the bed , and straightened the clothes .

" Sarah and I are going out to milk , Naomi , Eunice will stay with you .

she can run for us if you feel another spell coming on . "

Naomi Holland looked up at her sister-in-law with something like malicious enjoyment .

" I ain't going to have any more spells , Car'line Anne .

I 'm going to die to-night .

but you needn't hurry milking for that , at all .

I 'll take my time . "

she liked to see the alarm that came over the other woman 's face .

it was richly worth while to scare Caroline Holland like that .

" are you feeling worse , Naomi ? " asked the latter shakily .

" if you are I 'll send for Charles to go for the doctor . "

" no , you won't .

what good can the doctor do me ?

I don't want either his or Charles ' permission to die .

you can go and milk at your ease .

I won't die till you 're done I won't deprive you of the pleasure of seeing me . "

Mrs Holland shut her lips and went out of the room with a martyr-like expression .

Even on her death-bed her hostility to her sister-in-law had to find vent .

outside , at the steps , Sarah Spencer was waiting , with the milk pails over her arm .

Sarah Spencer had no fixed abiding place , but was always to be found where there was illness .

her experience , and an utter lack of nerves , made her a good nurse .

she was a tall , homely woman with iron gray hair and a lined face .

beside her , the trim little Caroline Anne , with her light step and round , apple-red face , looked almost girlish .

the two women walked to the barnyard , discussing Naomi in undertones as they went .

the house they had left behind grew very still .

in Naomi Holland 's room the shadows were gathering .

Eunice timidly bent over her mother .

" Ma , do you want the light lit ? "

" no , I 'm watching that star just below the big cherry bough .

I 'll see it set behind the hill .

I 've seen it there , off and on , for twelve years , and now I 'm taking a good-by look at it .

I want you to keep still , too .

I 've got a few things to think over , and I don't want to be disturbed . "

the girl lifted herself about noiselessly and locked her hands over the bed-post .

then she laid her face down on them , biting at them silently until the marks of her teeth showed white against their red roughness .

Naomi Holland did not notice her .

she was looking steadfastly at the great , pearl-like sparkle in the faint-hued sky .

but , when she spoke , her voice was quite calm .

" you can light the candle now , Eunice .

put it up on the shelf here , where it won't shine in my eyes .

and then sit down on the foot of the bed where I can see you .

I 've got something to say to you . "

Eunice obeyed her noiselessly .

as the pallid light shot up , it revealed the child plainly .

she was thin and ill-formed one shoulder being slightly higher than the other .

her eyes were a dark brown , and over one was the slanting red scar of a birth mark .

Naomi Holland looked at her with the contempt she had never made any pretense of concealing .

" the door is shut , is it , Eunice ? "

Eunice nodded .

" because I don't want Car'line or any one else peeking and harking to what I 've got to say .

she 's out milking now , and I must make the most of the chance .

Eunice , I'm going to die , and ....n "

" Ma ! "

" there now , no taking on !

you knew it had to come sometime soon .

I haven't the strength to talk much , so I want you just to be quiet and listen .

I ain't feeling any pain now , so I can think and talk pretty clear .

are you listening , Eunice ? "

" yes , ma . "

" Mind you are .

it 's about Christopher .

it hasn't been out of my mind since I laid down here .

I 've fought for a year to live , on his account , and it ain't any use .

I must just die and leave him , and I don't know what he 'll do .

it 's dreadful to think of . "

she paused , and struck her shrunken hand sharply against the table .

" if he was bigger and could look out for himself it wouldn't be so bad .

but he is only a little fellow , and Car'line hates him .

you 'll both have to live with her until you 're grown up .

she 'll put on him and abuse him .

he 's like his father in some ways ; he 's got a temper and he is stubborn .

he 'll never get on with Car'line .

you 've got to ; it 's your duty .

but I want you to promise . "

" I will , ma , " whispered the girl solemnly .

" you haven't much force you never had .

if you was smart , you could do a lot for him .

but you 'll have to do your best .

Eunice , promise me this ! "

in her excitement the sick woman raised herself up in the bed , and clutched the girl 's thin arm .

her eyes were blazing and two scarlet spots glowed in her thin cheeks .

Eunice 's face was white and tense .

she clasped her hands as one in prayer .

" mother , I promise it ! "

Naomi relaxed her grip on the girl 's arm and sank back exhausted on the pillow .

a death-like look came over her face as the excitement faded .

" my mind is easier now .

but if I could only have lived another year or two !

and I hate Car'line hate her !

Eunice , don't you ever let her abuse my boy !

if she did , or if you neglected him , I 'd come back from my grave to you !

as for the property , things will be pretty straight .

I 've seen to that .

There'll be no squabbling and doing Christopher out of his rights .

he 's to have the farm as soon as he 's old enough to work it , and he 's to provide for you .

and , Eunice , remember what you 've promised ! "

" you 'd better go in and look at her , Sarah , " she said , as she rinsed out the pails .

" if you think I 'd better stay here to-night , I will .

when Sarah went in , the sick room was very quiet .

Naomi was as cool and defiant as customary .

she made them bring Christopher in to say good-night and had him lifted up on the bed to kiss her .

then she held him back and looked at him admiringly at the bright curls and rosy cheeks and round , firm limbs .

the boy was uncomfortable under her gaze and squirmed hastily down .

her eyes followed him greedily , as he went out .

when the door closed behind him , she groaned .

Sarah Spencer was startled .

she had never heard Naomi Holland groan since she had come to wait on her .

" are you feeling any worse , Naomi ?

is the pain coming back ? "

" no .

go and tell Car'line to give Christopher some of that grape jelly on his bread before he goes to bed .

she 'll find it in the cupboard under the stairs . "

presently the house grew very still .

Caroline had dropped asleep on the sitting-room lounge , across the hall .

Sarah Spencer nodded over her knitting by the table in the sick room .

she had told Eunice to go to bed , but the child refused .

she still sat huddled up on the foot of the bed , watching her mother 's face intently .

Naomi appeared to sleep .

the wavering light cast grotesque shadows of Sarah Spencer 's head on the wall .

the thin curtains at the window wavered to and fro , as if shaken by ghostly hands .

at midnight Naomi Holland opened her eyes .

the child she had never loved was the only one to go with her to the brink of the Unseen .

" Eunice remember ! "

it was the faintest whisper .

the soul , passing over the threshold of another life , strained back to its only earthly tie .

a quiver passed over the long , pallid face .

a horrible scream rang through the silent house .

Sarah Spencer sprang out of her doze in consternation , and gazed blankly at the shrieking child .

Caroline came hurrying in with distended eyes .

on the bed Naomi Holland lay dead .

in the room where she had died Naomi Holland lay in her coffin .

it was dim and hushed ; but , in the rest of the house , the preparations for the funeral were being hurried on .

through it all Eunice moved , calm and silent .

since her one wild spasm of screaming by her mother 's death-bed she had shed no tear , given no sign of grief .

perhaps , as her mother had said , she had no time .

there was Christopher to be looked after .

the boy 's grief was stormy and uncontrolled .

he had cried until he was utterly exhausted .

it was Eunice who soothed him , coaxed him to eat , kept him constantly by her .

at night she took him to her own room and watched over him while he slept .

when the funeral was over the household furniture was packed away or sold .

the house was locked up and the farm rented .

there was nowhere for the children to go , save to their uncle 's .

she had five children of her own and between them and Christopher a standing feud had existed from the time he could walk .

she had never liked Naomi .

few people did .

Benjamin Holland had not married until late in life , and his wife had declared war on his family at sight .

she was a stranger in Avonlea , a widow , with a three year-old child .

she made few friends , as some people always asserted that she was not in her right mind .

within a year of her second marriage Christopher was born , and from the hour of his birth his mother had worshiped him blindly .

he was her only solace .

for him she toiled and pinched and saved .

Naomi made no pretense of mourning for him .

it was an open secret that they had quarreled like the proverbial cat and dog .

Charles Holland and his wife had naturally sided with Benjamin , and Naomi fought her battles single-handed .

after her husband 's death , she managed to farm alone , and made it pay .

her will won for her an added year of life , and then she had to yield .

but Caroline Holland was not a bad or unkind woman .

Caroline thought she had done well by her sister-in-law .

when the red clay was heaped over Naomi 's grave in the Avonlea burying ground , Caroline took Eunice and Christopher home with her .

Christopher did not want to go ; it was Eunice who reconciled him .

he clung to her with an exacting affection born of loneliness and grief .

the boy was sullen and obstinate , but his sister had an unfailing influence over him .

in Charles Holland 's household no one was allowed to eat the bread of idleness .

his own children were all girls , and Christopher came in handy as a chore boy .

he was made to work perhaps too hard .

but Eunice helped him , and did half his work for him when nobody knew .

when he quarreled with his cousins , she took his part ; whenever possible she took on herself the blame and punishment of his misdeeds .

Electa Holland was Charles ' unmarried sister .

she had kept house for Benjamin until he married ; then Naomi had bundled her out .

Electa had never forgiven her for it .

her hatred passed on to Naomi 's children .

in a hundred petty ways she revenged herself on them .

for herself , Eunice bore it patiently ; but it was a different matter when it touched Christopher .

once Electa boxed Christopher 's ears .

Eunice , who was knitting by the table , stood up .

a resemblance to her mother , never before visible , came out in her face like a brand .

she lifted her hand and slapped Electa 's cheek deliberately twice , leaving a dull red mark where she struck .

you have no right to touch him . "

" my patience , what a fury ! " said Electa .

" Naomi Holland 'll never be dead as long as you 're alive ! "

she told Charles of the affair and Eunice was severely punished .

but Electa never interfered with Christopher again .

all the discordant elements in the Holland household could not prevent the children from growing up .

it was a consummation which the harrassed Caroline devoutly wished .

when Christopher Holland was seventeen he was a man grown a big , strapping fellow .

his childish beauty had coarsened , but he was thought handsome by many .

he took charge of his mother 's farm then , and the brother and sister began their new life together in the long-unoccupied house .

there were few regrets on either side when they left Charles Holland 's roof .

in her secret heart Eunice felt an unspeakable relief .

Christopher had been " hard to manage , " as his uncle said , in the last year .

he was getting into the habit of keeping late hours and doubtful company .

this always provoked an explosion of wrath from Charles Holland , and the conflicts between him and his nephew were frequent and bitter .

for four years after their return home Eunice had a hard and anxious life .

Christopher was idle and dissipated .

most people regarded him as a worthless fellow , and his uncle washed his hands of him utterly .

only Eunice never failed him ; she never reproached or railed ; she worked like a slave to keep things together .

eventually her patience prevailed .

Christopher , to a great extent , reformed and worked harder .

he was never unkind to Eunice , even in his rages .

it was not in him to appreciate or return her devotion ; but his tolerant acceptance of it was her solace .

when Eunice was twenty-eight , Edward Bell wanted to marry her .

she might have succeeded had it not been for Christopher .

if Eunice married and left him he would sell the farm and go to the Devil by way of the Klondike .

he could not , and would not , do without her .

no arrangement suggested by Caroline availed to pacify him , and , in the end , Eunice refused to marry Edward Bell .

she could not leave Christopher , she said simply , and in this she stood rock-firm .

Caroline could not budge her an inch .

" you 're a fool , Eunice , " she said , when she was obliged to give up in despair .

" it 's not likely you 'll ever have another chance .

as for Chris , in a year or two he 'll be marrying himself , and where will you be then ?

you 'll find your nose nicely out of joint when he brings a wife in here . "

the shaft went home .

Eunice 's lips turned white .

but she said , faintly , " the house is big enough for us both , if he does . "

Caroline sniffed .

" maybe so .

you 'll find out .

however , there 's no use talking .

you 're as set as your mother was , and nothing would ever budge her an inch .

I only hope you won't be sorry for it . "

when three more years had passed Christopher began to court Victoria Pye .

the affair went on for some time before either Eunice or the Hollands go wind of it .

when they did there was an explosion .

between the Hollands and the Pyes , root and branch , existed a feud that dated back for three generations .

when Christopher flew so openly in the face of this cherished hatred , there could be nothing less than consternation .

Charles Holland broke through his determination to have nothing to do with Christopher , to remonstrate .

Caroline went to Eunice in as much of a splutter as if Christopher had been her own brother .

Eunice did not care a row of pins for the Holland-Pye feud .

Victoria was to her what any other girl , upon whom Christopher cast eyes of love , would have been a supplanter .

for the first time in her life she was torn with passionate jealousy ; existence became a nightmare to her .

urged on by Caroline , and her own pain , she ventured to remonstrate with Christopher , also .

she had expected a burst of rage , but he was surprisingly good-natured .

he seemed even amused .

" what have you got against Victoria ? " he asked , tolerantly .

Eunice had no answer ready .

it was true that nothing could be said against the girl .

she felt helpless and baffled .

Christopher laughed at her silence .

" I guess you 're a little jealous , " he said .

" you must have expected I would get married some time .

this house is big enough for us all .

you 'd better look at the matter sensibly , Eunice .

don't let Charles and Caroline put nonsense into your head .

a man must marry to please himself . "

Christopher was out late that night .

Eunice waited up for him , as she always did .

it was a chilly spring evening , reminding her of the night her mother had died .

the kitchen was in spotless order , and she sat down on a stiff-backed chair by the window to wait for her brother .

she did not want a light .

the moonlight fell in with faint illumination .

outside , the wind was blowing over a bed of new-sprung mint in the garden , and was suggestively fragrant .

it was a very old-fashioned garden , full of perennials Naomi Holland had planted long ago .

Eunice always kept it primly neat .

she had been working in it that day , and felt tired .

she was all alone in the house and the loneliness filled her with a faint dread .

she had tried all that day to reconcile herself to Christopher 's marriage , and had partially succeeded .

she told herself that she could still watch over him and care for his comfort .

she would even try to love Victoria ; after all , it might be pleasant to have another woman in the house .

so , sitting there , she fed her hungry soul with these husks of comfort .

when she heard Christopher 's step she moved about quickly to get a light .

he frowned when he saw her ; he had always resented her sitting up for him .

he sat down by the stove and took off his boots , while Eunice got a lunch for him .

after he had eaten it in silence he made no move to go to bed .

a chill , premonitory fear crept over Eunice .

Eunice clasped her hands together under the table .

it was what she had been expecting .

she said so , in a monotonous voice .

you wouldn't find it comfortable , anyhow , having to step back to second place after being mistress here so long . "

Eunice tried to speak , but only an indistinct murmur came from her bloodless lips .

the sound made Christopher look up .

something in her face irritated him .

he pushed back his chair impatiently .

" now , Eunice , don't go taking on .

it won't be any use .

look at this business in a sensible way .

I 'm fond of you , and all that , but a man is bound to consider his wife first .

I 'll provide for you comfortably . "

" do you mean to say that your wife is going to turn me out ? "

Eunice gasped , rather than spoke , the words .

Christopher drew his reddish brows together .

" I just mean that Victoria says she won't marry me if she has to live with you .

she 's afraid of you .

I told her you wouldn't interfere with her , but she wasn't satisfied .

it 's your own fault , Eunice .

you 've always been so queer and close that people think you 're an awful crank .

Victoria 's young and lively , and you and she wouldn't get on at all .

there isn't any question of turning you out .

I 'll build a little house for you somewhere , and you 'll be a great deal better off there than you would be here .

so don't make a fuss . "

Eunice did not look as if she were going to make a fuss .

she sat as if turned to stone , her hands lying palm upward in her lap .

Christopher got up , hugely relieved that the dreaded explanation was over .

" guess I 'll go to bed .

you 'd better have gone long ago .

it 's all nonsense , this waiting up for me . "

when he had gone Eunice drew a long , sobbing breath and looked about her like a dazed soul .

all the sorrow of her life was as nothing to the desolation that assailed her now .

she rose and , with uncertain footsteps , passed out through the hall and into the room where her mother died .

she had always kept it locked and undisturbed ; it was arranged just as Naomi Holland had left it .

Eunice tottered to the bed and sat down on it .

she recalled the promise she had made to her mother in that very room .

was the power to keep it to be wrested from her ?

was she to be driven from her home and parted from the only creature she had on earth to love ?

and would Christopher allow it , after all her sacrifices for him ?

Aye , that he would !

he cared more for that black-eyed , waxen-faced girl at the old Pye place than for his own kin .

Eunice put her hands over her dry , burning eyes and groaned aloud .

Caroline Holland had her hour of triumph over Eunice when she heard it all .

to one of her nature there was no pleasure so sweet as that of saying , " I told you so . "

having said it , however , she offered Eunice a home .

Electa Holland was dead , and Eunice might fill her place very acceptably , if she would .

" you can't go off and live by yourself , " Caroline told her .

" it 's all nonsense to talk of such a thing .

we will give you a home , if Christopher is going to turn you out .

you were always a fool , Eunice , to pet and pamper him as you 've done .

this is the thanks you get for it turned out like a dog for his fine wife 's whim !

I only wish your mother was alive ! "

it was probably the first time Caroline had ever wished this .

she had flown at Christopher like a fury about the matter , and had been rudely insulted for her pains .

Christopher had told her to mind her own business .

when Caroline cooled down she made some arrangements with him , to all of which Eunice listlessly assented .

she did not care what became of her .

in Charles Holland 's household she took Electa 's place an unpaid upper servant .

Charles and Caroline were kind enough to her , and there was plenty to do .

the latter never betrayed any interest in them , save once .

then Eunice 's sallow face crimsoned , and her eyes flashed , over the desecration .

but no word of comment or complaint ever crossed her lips .

she knew , as every one else knew , that the glamor soon went from Christopher Holland 's married life .

the marriage proved an unhappy one .

not unnaturally , although unjustly , Eunice blamed Victoria for this , and hated her more than ever for it .

Christopher seldom came to Charles ' house .

possibly he felt ashamed .

he had grown into a morose , silent man , at home and abroad .

it was said he had gone back to his old drinking habits .

one fall Victoria Holland went to town to visit her married sister .

she took their only child with her .

in her absence Christopher kept house for himself .

it was a fall long remembered in Avonlea .

with the dropping of the leaves , and the shortening of the dreary days , the shadow of a fear fell over the land .

Charles Holland brought the fateful news home one night .

" there 's smallpox in Charlottetown five or six cases .

came in one of the vessels .

there was a concert , and a sailor from one of the ships was there , and took sick the next day . "

this was alarming enough .

Charlottetown was not so very far away and considerable traffic went on between it and the north shore districts .

when Caroline recounted the concert story to Christopher the next morning his ruddy face turned quite pale .

he opened his lips as if to speak , then closed them again .

her eyes had been busy while her tongue ran on , so she did not notice the man 's pallor and silence .

" ten to fourteen days , I calc'late , " was her answer .

" I must see about having the girls vaccinated right off .

it 'll likely spread .

when do you expect Victoria home ? "

" when she 's ready to come , whenever that will be , " was the gruff response .

a week later Caroline said to Eunice , " whatever 's got Christopher ?

he hasn't been out anywhere for ages just hangs round home the whole time .

it 's something new for him .

I s'pose the place is so quiet , now Madam Victoria 's away , that he can find some rest for his soul .

I believe I 'll run over after milking and see how he 's getting on .

you might as well come , too , Eunice . "

Eunice shook her head .

she had all her mother 's obstinacy , and darken Victoria 's door she would not .

after milking , Caroline threw a shawl over her head and ran across the field .

the house looked lonely and deserted .

as she fumbled at the latch of the gate the kitchen door opened , and Christopher Holland appeared on the threshold .

" don't come any farther , " he called .

Caroline fell back in blank astonishment .

was this some more of Victoria 's work ?

" I ain't an agent for the smallpox , " she called back viciously .

Christopher did not heed her .

" will you go home and ask uncle if he 'll go , or send for Doctor Spencer ?

he 's the smallpox doctor .

I 'm sick . "

Caroline felt a thrill of dismay and fear .

she faltered a few steps backward .

" sick ?

what 's the matter with you ? "

" I was in Charlottetown that night , and went to the concert .

that sailor sat right beside me .

I thought at the time he looked sick .

it was just twelve days ago .

I 've felt bad all day yesterday and to-day .

send for the doctor .

don't come near the house , or let any one else come near . "

he went in and shut the door .

Caroline stood for a few moments in an almost ludicrous panic .

then she turned and ran , as if for her life , across the field .

Eunice saw her coming and met her at the door .

" mercy on us ! " gasped Caroline .

" Christopher 's sick and he thinks he 's got the smallpox .

where 's Charles ? "

Eunice tottered back against the door .

her hand went up to her side in a way that had been getting very common with her of late .

even in the midst of her excitement Caroline noticed it .

" Eunice , what makes you do that every time anything startles you ? " she asked sharply .

" is it anything about your heart ? "

" I don't know .

a little pain it 's gone now .

did you say that Christopher has the smallpox ? "

" well , he says so himself , and it 's more than likely , considering the circumstances .

I declare , I never got such a turn in my life .

it 's a dreadful thing .

I must find Charles at once there 'll be a hundred things to do . "

Eunice hardly heard her .

her mind was centered upon one idea .

Christopher was ill alone she must go to him .

it did not matter what his disease was .

" Eunice !

where on earth are you going ? "

" over home , " said Eunice .

" if Christopher is going to be ill he must be nursed , and I 'm the one to do it .

he ought to be seen to right away . "

" Eunice Carr !

have you gone clean out of your senses ?

it 's the smallpox the smallpox !

if he 's got it he 'll have to be taken to the smallpox hospital in town .

you shan't stir a step to go to that house ! "

" I will . "

Eunice faced her excited aunt quietly .

the odd resemblance to her mother , which only came out in moments of great tension , was plainly visible .

" he shan't go to the hospital they never get proper attention there .

you needn't try to stop me .

it won't put you or your family in any danger . "

Caroline fell helplessly into a chair .

she felt that it would be of no use to argue with a woman so determined .

she wished Charles was there .

but Charles had already gone , post-haste , for the doctor .

with a firm step , Eunice went across the field foot-path she had not trodden for so long .

she felt no fear rather a sort of elation .

Christopher needed her once more ; the interloper who had come between them was not there .

as she walked through the frosty twilight she thought of the promise made to Naomi Holland , years ago .

Christopher saw her coming and waved her back .

" don't come any nearer , Eunice .

didn't Caroline tell you ?

I 'm taking smallpox . "

Eunice did not pause .

she went boldly through the yard and up the porch steps .

he retreated before her and held the door .

" Eunice , you 're crazy , girl !

go home , before it 's too late . "

Eunice pushed open the door resolutely and went in .

" it 's too late now .

I 'm here , and I mean to stay and nurse you , if it 's the smallpox you 've got .

maybe it's not .

just now , when a person has a finger-ache , he thinks it 's smallpox .

anyhow , whatever it is , you ought to be in bed and looked after .

you 'll catch cold .

let me get a light and have a look at you . "

Christopher had sunk into a chair .

his natural selfishness reasserted itself , and he made no further effort to dissuade Eunice .

she got a lamp and set it on the table by him , while she scrutinized his face closely .

" you look feverish .

what do you feel like ?

when did you take sick ? "

" yesterday afternoon .

I have chills and hot spells and pains in my back .

Eunice , do you think it 's really smallpox ?

and will I die ? "

he caught her hands , and looked imploringly up at her , as a child might have done .

Eunice felt a wave of love and tenderness sweep warmly over her starved heart .

" don't worry .

lots of people recover from smallpox if they 're properly nursed , and you 'll be that , for I 'll see to it .

Charles has gone for the doctor , and we 'll know when he comes .

you must go straight to bed . "

she took off her hat and shawl , and hung them up .

she felt as much at home as if she had never been away .

she had got back to her kingdom , and there was none to dispute it with her .

the house was in order and reeking of disinfectants .

Victoria 's fine furniture and fixings were being bundled out of the parlor .

there was no bedroom downstairs , and , if Christopher was going to be ill , he must be installed there .

the doctor looked grave .

" I don't like it , " he said , " but I 'm not quite sure yet .

if it is smallpox the eruption will probably be out by morning .

I must admit he has most of the symptoms .

will you have him taken to the hospital ? "

" no , " said Eunice , decisively .

" I 'll nurse him myself .

I 'm not afraid and I 'm well and strong . "

" very well .

you 've been vaccinated lately ? "

" yes . "

" well , nothing more can be done at present .

you may as well lie down for a while and save your strength . "

but Eunice could not do that .

there was too much to attend to .

she went out to the hall and threw up the window .

down below , at a safe distance , Charles Holland was waiting .

the cold wind blew up to Eunice the odor of the disinfectants with which he had steeped himself .

" what does the doctor say ? " he shouted .

" he thinks it 's the smallpox .

have you sent word to Victoria ? "

" yes , Jim Blewett drove into town and told her .

she 'll stay with her sister till it is over .

of course it 's the best thing for her to do .

she 's terribly frightened . "

Eunice 's lip curled contemptuously .

to her , a wife who could desert her husband , no matter what disease he had , was an incomprehensible creature .

but it was better so ; she would have Christopher all to herself .

the night was long and wearisome , but the morning came all too soon for the dread certainty it brought .

the doctor pronounced the case smallpox .

Eunice had hoped against hope , but now , knowing the worst , she was very calm and resolute .

by noon the fateful yellow flag was flying over the house , and all arrangements had been made .

Caroline was to do the necessary cooking , and Charles was to bring the food and leave it in the yard .

it was a hard fight , indeed .

but Eunice never faltered ; she never left her post .

sometimes she dozed in a chair by the bed , but she never lay down .

her endurance was something wonderful , her patience and tenderness almost superhuman .

for her there was no world outside the bare room where lay the repulsive object she loved .

one day the doctor looked very grave .

he had grown well-hardened to pitiful scenes in his life-time ; but he shrunk from telling Eunice that her brother could not live .

he had never seen such devotion as hers .

it seemed brutal to tell her that it had been in vain .

but Eunice had seen it for herself .

she took it very calmly , the doctor thought .

and she had her reward at last such as it was .

she thought it amply sufficient .

one night Christopher Holland opened his swollen eyes as she bent over him .

they were alone in the old house .

it was raining outside , and the drops rattled noisily on the panes .

Christopher smiled at his sister with parched lips , and put out a feeble hand toward her .

" Eunice , " he said faintly , " you 've been the best sister ever a man had .

I haven't treated you right ; but you 've stood by me to the last .

tell Victoria tell her to be good to you "

his voice died away into an inarticulate murmur .

Eunice Carr was alone with her dead .

they buried Christopher Holland in haste and privacy the next day .

the doctor disinfected the house , and Eunice was to stay there alone until it might be safe to make other arrangements .

she had not shed a tear ; the doctor thought she was a rather odd person , but he had a great admiration for her .

he told her she was the best nurse he had ever seen .

to Eunice , praise or blame mattered nothing .

something in her life had snapped some vital interest had departed .

she wondered how she could live through the dreary , coming years .

Late that night she went into the room where her mother and brother had died .

the window was open and the cold , pure air was grateful to her after the drug-laden atmosphere she had breathed so long .

she knelt down by the stripped bed .

" mother , " she said aloud , " I have kept my promise . "

when she tried to rise , long after , she staggered and fell across the bed , with her hand pressed on her heart .

old Giles Blewett found her there in the morning .

there was a smile on her face .

XIII .

THE CONSCIENCE CASE OF DAVID BELL

" there , sis , that 's the last chore on my list .

Bob 's milking .

nothing more for me to do but put on my white collar for meeting .

Avonlea is more than lively since the evangelist came , ain't it , though ! "

Mollie Bell nodded .

" wonder who 'll stand up to-night , " said Eben reflectively , sitting down on the edge of the wood-box .

" there ain't many sinners left in Avonlea only a few hardened chaps like myself . "

" you shouldn't talk like that , " said Mollie rebukingly .

" what if father heard you ? "

" father wouldn't hear me if I shouted it in his ear , " returned Eben .

" he goes around , these days , like a man in a dream and a mighty bad dream at that .

father has always been a good man .

what 's the matter with him ? "

" I don't know , " said Mollie , dropping her voice .

" mother is dreadfully worried over him .

and everybody is talking , Eb .

it just makes me squirm .

Flora Jane Fletcher asked me last night why father never testified , and him one of the elders .

she said the minister was perplexed about it .

I felt my face getting red . "

" why didn't you tell her it was no business of hers ? " said Eben angrily .

" old Flora Jane had better mind her own business . "

" but all the folks are talking about it , Eb .

and mother is fretting her heart out over it .

father has never acted like himself since these meetings began .

he just goes there night after night , and sits like a mummy , with his head down .

and almost everybody else in Avonlea has testified . "

" oh , no , there 's lots haven't , " said Eben .

" Matthew Cuthbert never has , nor Uncle Elisha , nor any of the Whites . "

" but everybody knows they don't believe in getting up and testifying , so nobody wonders when they don't .

besides , " Mollie laughed " Matthew could never get a word out in public , if he did believe in it .

he 'd be too shy .

but , " she added with a sigh , " it isn't that way with father .

he believes in testimony , so people wonder why he doesn't get up .

why , even old Josiah Sloane gets up every night . "

" with his whiskers sticking out every which way , and his hair ditto , " interjected the graceless Eben .

" if father would get up just once ! "

Miriam Bell entered the kitchen .

she was ready for the meeting , to which Major Spencer was to take her .

she was a tall , pale girl , with a serious face , and dark , thoughtful eyes , totally unlike Mollie .

she had " come under conviction " during the meetings , and had stood up for prayer and testimony several times .

the evangelist thought her very spiritual .

she heard Mollie 's concluding sentence and spoke reprovingly .

" you shouldn't criticize your father , Mollie .

it isn't for you to judge him . "

Eben had hastily slipped out .

he was afraid Miriam would begin talking religion to him if he stayed .

he had with difficulty escaped from an exhortation by Robert in the cow-stable .

there was no peace in Avonlea for the unregenerate , he reflected .

Robert and Miriam had both " come out , " and Mollie was hovering on the brink .

Eben had been brought up with a strict reverence for all religious matters .

on the surface he might sometimes laugh at them , but the deeps troubled him whenever he did so .

indoors , Miriam touched her younger sister 's shoulder and looked at her affectionately .

" won't you decide to-night , Mollie ? " she asked , in a voice tremulous with emotion .

Mollie crimsoned and turned her face away uncomfortably .

she did not know what answer to make , and was glad that a jingle of bells outside saved her the necessity of replying .

" there 's your beau , Miriam , " she said , as she darted into the sitting room .

soon after , Eben brought the family pung and his chubby red mare to the door for Mollie .

he had not as yet attained to the dignity of a cutter of his own .

" thinks he 's the people , " remarked Eben , with a fraternal grin .

the snow creaked and crisped under the runners .

a shrill wind was keening in the leafless dogwoods .

over the trees the sky was a dome of silver , with a lucent star or two on the slope of the west .

Earth-stars gleamed warmly out here and there , where homesteads were tucked snugly away in their orchards or groves of birch .

" the church will be jammed to-night , " said Eben .

" it 's so fine that folks will come from near and far .

guess it 'll be exciting . "

" Miriam can say what she likes , but I do feel as if we were all disgraced .

Eben flicked his mare with his whip , and she broke into a trot .

" look here , Mollie , " said Eben awkwardly at last , " are you going to stand up for prayers to-night ? "

" I I can't as long as father acts this way , " answered Mollie , in a choked voice .

" I I want to , Eb , and Mirry and Bob want me to , but I can't .

I do hope that the evangelist won't come and talk to me special to-night .

I always feels as if I was being pulled two different ways , when he does . "

back in the kitchen at home Mrs Bell was waiting for her husband to bring the horse to the door .

she was a slight , dark-eyed little woman , with thin , vivid-red cheeks .

from out of the swathings in which she had wrapped her bonnet , her face gleamed sad and troubled .

now and then she sighed heavily .

Mrs Bell saw it and then reproached herself for the sacrilege .

" but it 's no wonder I 've wicked thoughts , " she said , wearily .

" I 'm that worried I ain't rightly myself .

if he would only tell me what the trouble is , maybe I could help him .

at any rate , I'd KNOW .

and then the way he groans and mutters in his sleep !

he has always lived a just , upright life .

he hasn't no right to go on like this , disgracing his family . "

Mrs Bell 's angry sob was cut short by the sleigh at the door .

her husband poked in his busy , iron-gray head and said , " now , mother . "

he helped her into the sleigh , tucked the rugs warmly around her , and put a hot brick at her feet .

his solicitude hurt her .

it was all for her material comfort .

it did not matter to him what mental agony she might suffer over his strange attitude .

for the first time in their married life Mary Bell felt resentment against her husband .

they drove along in silence , past the snow-powdered hedges of spruce , and under the arches of the forest roadways .

they were late , and a great stillness was over all the land .

David Bell never spoke .

all his usual cheerful talkativeness had disappeared since the revival meetings had begun in Avonlea .

Mary Bell thought she would go out of her mind if her husband continued to act in this way .

her reflections were bitter and rebellious as they sped along through the glittering night of the winter 's prime .

" I don't get one bit of good out of the meetings , " she thought resentfully .

" there ain't any peace or joy for me , not even in testifying myself , when David sits there like a stick or stone .

I 'd understand .

but , as it is , I feel dreadful humiliated . "

revival meetings had never been held in Avonlea before .

he was a stern , deeply religious Scotchman , with a horror of the emotional form of religion .

Avonlea was a good field for an evangelist .

he knew its value and used it effectively perhaps even ostentatiously .

so the Rev Geoffrey Mountain came to Avonlea , conquering and to conquer .

into many young souls his appeals and warnings burned their way , and each night they rose for prayer in response to his invitation .

threading through it all , for old and young , converted and unconverted , was an unacknowledged feeling for religious dissipation .

Avonlea was a quiet place , and the revival meetings were lively .

David Bell left his wife at the platform and drove to the horse-shed .

Mrs Bell unwound the scarf from her bonnet and shook the frost crystals from it .

in the porch Flora Jane Fletcher and her sister , Mrs Harmon Andrews , were talking in low whispers .

presently Flora Jane put out her lank , cashmere-gloved hand and plucked Mrs Bell 's shawl .

" Mary , is the elder going to testify to-night ? " she asked , in a shrill whisper .

Mrs Bell winced .

she would have given much to be able to answer " yes , " but she had to say stiffly ,

" I don't know . "

Flora Jane lifted her chin .

" well , Mrs Bell , I only asked because every one thinks it is strange he doesn't and an elder , of all people .

it looks as if he didn't think himself a Christian , you know .

of course , we all know better , but it LOOKS that way .

if I was you , I 'd tell him folks was talking about it .

Mr Bentley says it is hindering the full success of the meetings . "

Mrs Bell turned on her tormentor in swift anger .

she might resent her husband 's strange behavior herself , but nobody else should dare to criticize him to her .

" I don't think you need to worry yourself about the elder , Flora Jane , " she said bitingly .

" maybe ' tisn't the best Christians that do the most talking about it always .

Levi Boulter was a middle-aged widower , with a large family , who was supposed to have cast a matrimonial eye Flora Janeward .

the use of his name was an effective thrust on Mrs Bell 's part , and silenced Flora Jane .

too angry for speech she seized her sister 's arm and hurried her into church .

but her victory could not remove from Mary Bell 's soul the sting implanted there by Flora Jane 's words .

when her husband came up to the platform she put her hand on his snowy arm appealingly .

" oh , David , won't you get up to-night ?

I do feel so dreadful bad folks are talking so I just feel humiliated . "

David Bell hung his head like a shamed schoolboy .

" I can't , Mary , " he said huskily .

" ' Tain't no use to pester me . "

" you don't care for my feelings , " said his wife bitterly .

" and Mollie won't come out because you 're acting so .

you 're keeping her back from salvation .

and you 're hindering the success of the revival Mr Bentley says so . "

David Bell groaned .

this sign of suffering wrung his wife 's heart .

with quick contrition she whispered ,

" there , never mind , David .

I oughtn't to have spoken to you so .

you know your duty best .

let's go in . "

" wait . "

his voice was imploring .

" Mary , is it true that Mollie won't come out because of me ?

am I standing in my child 's light ? "

" I don't know .

I guess not .

Mollie 's just a foolish young girl yet .

never mind come in . "

he followed her dejectedly in , and up the aisle to their pew in the center of the church .

the building was warm and crowded .

the pastor was reading the Bible lesson for the evening .

in the choir , behind him , David Bell saw Mollie 's girlish face , tinged with a troubled seriousness .

his own wind-ruddy face and bushy gray eyebrows worked convulsively with his inward throes .

A sigh that was almost a groan burst from him .

" I 'll have to do it , " he said to himself in agony .

when several more hymns had been sung , and late arrivals began to pack the aisles , the evangelist arose .

his style for the evening was the tender , the pleading , the solemn .

many of the women began to cry softly .

fervent amens broke from some of the members .

after a brief interval , a pale boy under the gallery rose , followed by an old man at the top of the church .

the evangelist 's " thank God " was hearty and insistent .

David Bell looked almost imploringly at Mollie ; but she kept her seat , with downcast eyes .

" I 'm a stumbling block to them both , " he thought bitterly .

a hymn was sung and prayer offered for those under conviction .

then testimonies were called for .

the evangelist asked for them in tones which made it seem a personal request to every one in that building .

many testimonies followed , each infused with the personality of the giver .

most of them were brief and stereotyped .

finally a pause ensued .

the evangelist swept the pews with his kindling eyes and exclaimed , appealingly ,

" has EVERY Christian in this church to-night spoken a word for his Master ? "

there were many who had not testified , but every eye in the building followed the pastor 's accusing glance to the Bell pew .

Mollie crimsoned with shame .

Mrs Bell cowered visibly .

although everybody looked thus at David Bell , nobody now expected him to testify .

to David Bell it seemed to possess the awe of final judgment .

twice he opened his lips , and tried vainly to speak .

the third time he succeeded ; but his voice sounded strangely in his own ears .

it 's been lying hard and heavy on my conscience ever since these meetings begun .

as long as I kept silence about it I couldn't get up and bear witness for Christ .

many of you have expected me to do it .

maybe I 've been a stumbling block to some of you .

this season of revival has brought no blessing to me because of my sin , which I repented of , but tried to conceal .

there has been a spiritual darkness over me .

" Friends and neighbors , I have always been held by you as an honest man .

it was the shame of having you know I was not which has kept me back from open confession and testimony .

just afore these meetings commenced I come home from town one night and found that somebody had passed a counterfeit ten-dollar bill on me .

then Satan entered into me and possessed me .

when Mrs . Rachel Lynde come next day , collecting for foreign missions , I give her that ten dollar bill .

she never knowed the difference , and sent it away with the rest .

but I knew I 'd done a mean and sinful thing .

I couldn't drive it out of my thoughts .

a few days afterwards I went down to Mrs Rachel 's and give her ten good dollars for the fund .

that was a lie .

Mrs Lynde thought I was a generous man , and I felt ashamed to look her in the face .

but I 'd done what I could to right the wrong , and I thought it would be all right .

but it wasn't .

I 've never known a minute 's peace of mind or conscience since .

I tried to cheat the Lord , and then tried to patch it up by doing something that redounded to my worldly credit .

when these meetings begun , and everybody expected me to testify , I couldn't do it .

it would have seemed like blasphemy .

and I couldn't endure the thought of telling what I 'd done , either .

I argued it all out a thousand times that I hadn't done any real harm after all , but it was no use .

the broken tones ceased , and David Bell sat down , wiping the great drops of perspiration from his brow .

but underneath the turmoil of his emotion he felt a great calm and peace , threaded with the exultation of a hard-won spiritual victory .

over the church was a solemn hush .

the evangelist 's " amen " was not spoken with his usual unctuous fervor , but very gently and reverently .

before the last prayer the pastor paused and looked around .

" is there yet one , " he asked gently , " who wishes to be especially remembered in our concluding prayer ? "

for a moment nobody moved .

" thank God , " whispered Mary Bell .

" amen , " said her husband huskily .

" let us pray , " said Mr Bentley .

XIV .

ONLY A COMMON FELLOW

on my dearie's wedding morning I wakened early and went to her room .

long and long ago she had made me promise that I would be the one to wake her on the morning of her wedding day .

but that was long ago , and now my heart foreboded that there would be no need of wakening her .

and there was not .

but she smiled brave-like , when I sat down on her bed and took her hand .

" you look as if you haven't slept all night , dearie , " I said .

" I didn't not a great deal , " she answered me .

" but the night didn't seem long ; no , it seemed too short .

I was thinking of a great many things .

what time is it , Aunt Rachel ? "

" five o'clock . "

" then in six hours more "

" we didn't think it would be like this once , did we , Aunt Rachel ? " she said , very softly .

" it shouldn't be like this , now , " I said .

I had to say it .

I never could hide the thought of that marriage , and I couldn't pretend to .

it was all her stepmother 's doings right well I knew that .

my dearie would never have taken Mark Foster else .

" let us talk about the old days and HIM . "

" I don't see much use in talking of HIM , when you 're going to marry Mark Foster to-day , " I said .

but she put her hand on my mouth .

" it 's for the last time , Aunt Rachel .

after to-day I can never talk of him , or even think of him .

it 's four years since he went away .

do you remember how he looked , Aunt Rachel ? "

" I mind well enough , I reckon , " I said , kind of curt-like .

and I did .

when I thought of Mark Foster 's sallow skin and lank jaws I felt sick-like .

not that Mark was ugly he was just a common-looking fellow .

" he was so handsome , wasn't he , Aunt Rachel ? " my dearie went on , in that patient voice of hers .

" so tall and strong and handsome .

I wish we hadn't parted in anger .

it was so foolish of us to quarrel .

but it would have been all right if he had lived to come back .

I know it would have been all right .

I know he didn't carry any bitterness against me to his death .

but it isn't to be . "

" Thanks to your stepma's wheedling and Mark Foster 's scheming , " said I .

" no , Mark didn't scheme , " she said patiently .

" don't be unjust to Mark , Aunt Rachel .

he has been very good and kind . "

" he 's as stupid as an owlet and as stubborn as Solomon 's mule , " I said , for I WOULD say it .

" he 's just a common fellow , and yet he thinks he 's good enough for my beauty . "

" don't talk about Mark , " she pleaded again .

" I mean to be a good , faithful wife to him .

but I 'm my own woman yet YET for just a few more sweet hours , and I want to give them to HIM .

the last hours of my maidenhood they must belong to HIM . "

she didn't feel as bad as I did , because she 'd made up her mind what to do and was resigned .

the only thing she didn't bring up was the time he thrashed Mark Foster for bringing her apples .

and there was me , holding her and listening to it all , and her stepma sleeping sound and triumphant in the next room .

when she had talked it all out she lay down on her pillow again .

I got up and went downstairs to light the fire .

I felt terrible old and tired .

before long Isabella Clark came down ; bright and pleased-looking enough , SHE was .

I 'd never liked Isabella , from the day Phillippa 's father brought her here ; and I liked her less than ever this morning .

she was one of your sly , deep women , always smiling smooth , and scheming underneath it .

" that is right , for we 'll have plenty to do to-day .

a wedding makes lots of work . "

" not this sort of a wedding , " I said , sour-like .

" it was Phillippa 's own wish that all should be very quiet , " said Isabella , as smooth as cream .

" you know I 'd have given her a big wedding , if she 'd wanted it . "

" oh , it 's better quiet , " I said .

" the fewer to see Phillippa marry a man like Mark Foster the better . "

" Mark Foster is a good man , Rachel . "

" he 's a common fellow , not fit for my dearie to wipe her feet on .

it 's well that her mother didn't live to see this day ; but this day would never have come , if she 'd lived . "

I liked her better when she was spiteful than when she was smooth .

I didn't feel so scared of her then .

the marriage was to be at eleven o'clock , and , at nine , I went up to help Phillippa dress .

she was no fussy bride , caring much what she looked like .

if Owen had been the bridegroom it would have been different .

still , nothing could prevent her from looking lovely when she was dressed .

my dearie would have been a beauty in a beggarmaid's rags .

in her white dress and veil she was as fair as a queen .

and she was as good as she was pretty .

then she sent me out .

" I want to be alone my last hour , " she said .

" kiss me , Aunt Rachel MOTHER Rachel . "

when I 'd gone down , crying like the old fool I was , I heard a rap at the door .

I fall trembling , even yet , when I think , " what if I had sent Isabella to that door ? "

but go I did , and opened it , defiant-like , kind of hoping it was Mark Foster to see the tears on my face .

I opened it and staggered back like I 'd got a blow .

" Owen !

lord ha ' mercy on us !

Owen ! "

but he sprang right in , and caught my wrinkled old hands in a grasp that was of flesh and blood .

" aunt Rachel , I 'm not too late ? " he said , savage-like .

" tell me I 'm in time . "

" no , you 're not too late , " I said .

" thank God , " said he , under his breath .

and then he pulled me into the parlor and shut the door .

" they told me at the station that Phillippa was to be married to Mark Foster to-day .

I couldn't believe it , but I came here as fast as horse-flesh could bring me .

aunt Rachel , it can't be true !

she can't care for Mark Foster , even if she had forgotten me ! "

every beat of her heart is for you .

it 's all her stepma's doings .

Phillippa is sacrificing herself to save her stepma for her dead father 's sake .

it 's all your fault , " I cried , getting over my bewilderment .

" we thought you were dead .

why didn't you come home when you were alive ?

why didn't you write ? "

what was I to think when Phillippa wouldn't answer my letters ? "

" she never got one , " I cried .

" she wept her sweet eyes out over you .

SOMEBODY must have got those letters . "

that woman would stick at nothing .

" well , we 'll sift that matter some other time , " said Owen impatiently .

" there are other things to think of now .

I must see Phillippa . "

never shall I forget the look on Isabella 's face .

I almost felt sorry for her .

she turned sickly yellow and her eyes went wild ; they were looking at the downfall of all her schemes and hopes .

I didn't look at Mark Foster , at first , and , when I did , there wasn't anything to see .

his face was just as sallow and wooden as ever ; he looked undersized and common beside Owen .

nobody 'd ever have picked him out for a bridegroom .

Owen spoke first .

" I want to see Phillippa , " he said , as if it were but yesterday that he had gone away .

" you can't see her , " she said desperate-like .

" she doesn't want to see you .

" I DID write and I think you know that better than most folks , " said Owen , trying hard to speak quiet .

" as for the rest , I 'm not going to discuss it with you .

when I hear from Phillippa 's own lips that she cares for another man I 'll believe it and not before . "

" you 'll never hear it from her lips , " said I .

Isabella gave me a venomous look .

" no ! "

it was Mark Foster who spoke .

he hadn't said a word ; but he came forward now , and stood before Owen .

such a difference as there was between them !

but he looked Owen right in the face , quiet-like , and Owen glared back in fury .

" will it satisfy you , Owen , if Phillippa comes down here and chooses between us ? "

" yes , it will , " said Owen .

Mark Foster turned to me .

" go and bring her down , " said he .

but I knew my dearie too well to be glad , and Mark Foster did , too , and I hated him for it .

I went up to my dearie's room , all pale and shaking .

when I went in she came to meet me , like a girl going to meet death .

" is it time ? " she said , with her hands locked tight together .

I said not a word , hoping that the unlooked-for sight of Owen would break down her resolution .

I just held out my hand to her , and led her downstairs .

she clung to me and her hands were as cold as snow .

when I opened the parlor door I stood back , and pushed her in before me .

she just cried , " Owen ! " and shook so that I put my arms about her to steady her .

Owen made a step towards her , his face and eyes all aflame with his love and longing , but Mark barred his way .

" wait till she has made her choice , " he said , and then he turned to Phillippa .

I couldn't see my dearie's face , but I could see Mark 's , and there wasn't a spark of feeling in it .

behind it was Isabella 's , all pinched and gray .

" Phillippa , " said Mark , " Owen Blair has come back .

he says he has never forgotten you , and that he wrote to you several times .

I have told him that you have promised me , but I leave you freedom of choice .

which of us will you marry , Phillippa ? "

my dearie stood straight up and the trembling left her .

she stepped back , and I could see her face , white as the dead , but calm and resolved .

" I have promised to marry you , Mark , and I will keep my word , " she said .

the color came back to Isabella Clark 's face ; but Mark 's did not change .

my dearie would have been more than human , if she could have resisted the pleading in his tone .

she said no word , but just looked at him for a moment .

we all saw the look ; her whole soul , full of love for Owen , showed out in it .

then she turned and stood by Mark .

Owen never said a word .

he went as white as death , and started for the door .

but again Mark Foster put himself in the way .

" wait , " he said .

" she has made her choice , as I knew she would ; but I have yet to make mine .

and I choose to marry no woman whose love belongs to another living man .

Phillippa , I thought Owen Blair was dead , and I believed that , when you were my wife , I could win your love .

but I love you too well to make you miserable .

go to the man you love you are free ! "

" and what is to become of me ? " wailed Isabella .

" oh , you !

I had forgotten about you , " said Mark , kind of weary-like .

he took a paper from his pocket , and dropped it in the grate .

" there is the mortgage .

that is all you care about , I think .

Good-morning . "

he went out .

he was only a common fellow , but , somehow , just then he looked every inch the gentleman .

Phillippa was crying , with her head on Owen 's shoulder .

Isabella Clark waited to see the mortgage burned up , and then she came to me in the hall , all smooth and smiling again .

" really , it 's all very romantic , isn't it ?

I suppose it 's better as it is , all things considered .

Mark behaved splendidly , didn't he ?

not many men would have done as he did . "

for once in my life I agreed with Isabella .

but I felt like having a good cry over it all and I had it .

XV .

TANNIS OF THE FLATS

few people in Avonlea could understand why Elinor Blair had never married .

Elinor had never talked much about her visit , except to describe the scenery and the life , which in that day was rough indeed .

not that Carey was a profane man , even as men go in the West .

he was an English gentleman , and he kept both his life and his vocabulary pretty clean .

but the Flats !

there are standpoints from which Indians are interesting , but they cannot be said to offer congenial social attractions .

if it had not been for teaching Paul Dumont the telegraphic code , Carey believed he would have been driven to suicide in self-defense .

not many messages came therefrom , but the few that did come generally amounted to something worth while .

days and even weeks would pass without a single one being clicked to the Flats .

Carey was debarred from talking over the wires to the Prince Albert man for the reason that they were on officially bad terms .

he blamed the latter for his transfer to the Flats .

Carey slept in a loft over the office , and got his meals at Joe Esquint 's , across the " street . "

Joe Esquint 's wife was a good cook , as cooks go among the breeds , and Carey soon became a great pet of hers .

Carey had a habit of becoming a pet with women .

he had the " way " that has to be born in a man and can never be acquired .

besides , he was as handsome as clean-cut features , deep-set , dark-blue eyes , fair curls and six feet of muscle could make him .

Mrs Joe Esquint thought that his mustache was the most wonderfully beautiful thing , in its line , that she had ever seen .

but it was a different matter with Tannis Dumont .

when he saw Tannis Dumont he thought he would hang on awhile longer , anyway .

old Auguste was black and ugly and notoriously bad-tempered .

but Tannis was a beauty .

Tannis ' great-grandmother had been a Cree squaw who married a French trapper .

the son of this union became in due time the father of Auguste Dumont .

Auguste married a woman whose mother was a French half-breed and whose father was a pure-bred Highland Scotchman .

but , after all , the dominant current in those same veins was from the race of plain and prairie .

France , too , was responsible for somewhat in Tannis .

as for her red-headed Scotch grandfather , he had bequeathed her a somewhat whiter skin and ruddier bloom than is usually found in the breeds .

old Auguste was mightily proud of Tannis .

he sent her to school for four years in Prince Albert , bound that his girl should have the best .

Carey saw only the beauty and the veneer .

it was a mistake a very big mistake .

Tannis understood something of piano playing , something less of grammar and Latin , and something less still of social prevarications .

but she understood absolutely nothing of flirtation .

you can never get an Indian to see the sense of Platonics .

Carey found the Flats quite tolerable after the homecoming of Tannis .

when music and conversation palled , they went for long gallops over the prairies together .

Tannis rode to perfection , and managed her bad-tempered brute of a pony with a skill and grace that made Carey applaud her .

she was glorious on horseback .

Tannis liked poetry ; she had studied it at school , and understood it fairly well .

Carey laughed .

he liked to evoke those little speeches of hers .

they sounded very clever , dropping from such arched , ripely-tinted lips .

if you had told Carey that he was playing with fire he would have laughed at you .

in the first place he was not in the slightest degree in love with Tannis he merely admired and liked her .

in the second place , it never occurred to him that Tannis might be in love with him .

why , he had never attempted any love-making with her !

he did not know enough of the racial characteristics to understand .

all the half-breeds and quarter-breeds and any-fractional breeds there believed that he meant to marry Tannis .

there would have been nothing surprising to them in that .

they thought that rich old Auguste 's heiress , who had been to school for four years in Prince Albert , was a catch for anybody .

old Auguste himself shrugged his shoulders over it and was well-pleased enough .

An Englishman was a prize by way of a husband for a half-breed girl , even if he were only a telegraph operator .

Young Paul Dumont worshipped Carey , and the half-Scotch mother , who might have understood , was dead .

in all the Flats there were but two people who disapproved of the match they thought an assured thing .

one of these was the little priest , Father Gabriel .

he liked Tannis , and he liked Carey ; but he shook his head dubiously when he heard the gossip of the shacks and teepees .

religions might mingle , but the different bloods ah , it was not the right thing !

Tannis was a good girl , and a beautiful one ; but she was no fit mate for the fair , thorough-bred Englishman .

father Gabriel wished fervently that Jerome Carey might soon be transferred elsewhere .

he even went to Prince Albert and did a little wire-pulling on his own account , but nothing came of it .

he was on the wrong side of politics .

the other malcontent was Lazarre Mérimée , a lazy , besotted French half-breed , who was , after his fashion , in love with Tannis .

there is no worse enemy in all the world than a half-breed .

your true Indian is bad enough , but his diluted descendant is ten times worse .

as for Tannis , she loved Carey with all her heart , and that was all there was about it .

if Elinor Blair had never gone to Prince Albert there is no knowing what might have happened , after all .

Carey , so powerful in propinquity , might even have ended by learning to love Tannis and marrying her , to his own worldly undoing .

but Elinor did go to Prince Albert , and her going ended all things for Tannis of the Flats .

during the next three weeks he went to town nine times and called at the Dumonts ' only once .

there were no more rides and walks with Tannis .

this was not intentional neglect on his part .

he had simply forgotten all about her .

the breeds surmised a lover 's quarrel , but Tannis understood .

there was another woman back there in town .

it would be quite impossible to put on paper any adequate idea of her emotions at this stage .

Lazarre , in a fit of jealousy , had followed Tannis , spying on her until she started back to the Flats .

after that he watched both Carey and Tannis incessantly , and months later had told Tom all he had learned through his low sneaking .

through one of them she could see Carey and Elinor .

the half-breed girl crouched down in the shadow and glared at her rival .

she , Tannis of the Flats , could never compete with that other .

it was well to know so much , at least .

a man turned and looked after her as she tore past a brightly lighted store on Water Street .

" that was Tannis of the Flats , " he said to a companion .

" she was in town last winter , going to school a beauty and a bit of the devil , like all those breed girls .

what in thunder is she riding like that for ? "

when he came back Tannis was standing at the canoe landing , under a pine tree , in a rain of finely sifted sunlight .

she was waiting for him and she said , without any preface :

" Mr Carey , why do you never come to see me , now ? "

Carey flushed like any girl .

her tone and look made him feel very uncomfortable .

he remembered , self-reproachfully , that he must have seemed very neglectful , and he stammered something about having been busy .

" not very busy , " said Tannis , with her terrible directness .

" it is not that .

it is because you are going to Prince Albert to see a white woman ! "

but he felt indescribably foolish .

" I suppose so , " he answered lamely .

" and what about me ? " asked Tannis .

" I don't understand you , Tannis , " he said hurriedly .

" you have made me love you , " said Tannis .

the words sound flat enough on paper .

Tannis had justified her criticism of poetry .

they made Carey feel like a scoundrel .

" I am very sorry , " he stammered , like a whipped schoolboy .

" it is no matter , " interrupted Tannis violently .

" what difference does it make about me a half-breed girl ?

we breed girls are only born to amuse the white men .

that is so is it not ?

then , when they are tired of us , they push us aside and go back to their own kind .

oh , it is very well .

but I will not forget my father and brother will not forget .

they will make you sorry to some purpose ! "

she turned , and stalked away to her canoe .

he waited under the pines until she crossed the river ; then he , too , went miserably home .

what a mess he had contrived to make of things !

poor Tannis !

how handsome she had looked in her fury and how much like a squaw !

the racial marks always come out plainly under the stress of emotion , as Tom noted later .

her threat did not disturb him .

if young Paul and old Auguste made things unpleasant for him , he thought himself more than a match for them .

it was the thought of the suffering he had brought upon Tannis that worried him .

the Dumonts , however , did not trouble him .

after all , Tannis ' four years in Prince Albert had not been altogether wasted .

after some reflection she concluded to hold her tongue .

she even laughed when old Auguste asked her what was up between her and her fellow , and said she had grown tired of him .

old Auguste shrugged his shoulders resignedly .

it was just as well , maybe .

those English sons-in-law sometimes gave themselves too many airs .

it was a bad night .

the wires were down between the Flats and Prince Albert and all communication with the outside world was cut off .

over at Joe Esquint 's the breeds were having a carouse in honor of Joe 's birthday .

Paul Dumont had gone over , and Carey was alone in the office , smoking lazily and dreaming of Elinor .

suddenly , above the plash of rain and whistle of wind , he heard outcries in the street .

running to the door he was met by Mrs Joe Esquint , who grasped him breathlessly .

" Meestair Carey come quick !

Lazarre , he kill Paul they fight ! "

Carey , with a smothered oath , rushed across the street .

Carey was relieved to find it was only an affair of fists .

" stop this , " said Carey sternly .

" let me get at him , " foamed Paul .

" he insulted my sister .

he said that you let me get at him ! "

he could not writhe free from Carey 's iron grip .

Lazarre , with a snarl like a wolf , sent Mrs Joe spinning , and rushed at Paul .

Carey struck out as best he could , and Lazarre went reeling back against the table .

it went over with a crash and the light went out !

Mrs Joe 's shrieks might have brought the roof down .

in the confusion that ensued , two pistol shots rang out sharply .

there was a cry , a groan , a fall then a rush for the door .

Marie Esquint was a woman of nerve .

she told Mrs Joe to shut up , and she turned Carey over .

he was conscious , but seemed dazed and could not help himself .

Marie soon returned with the doctor , old Auguste , and Tannis .

Carey was carried in and laid on Mrs Esquint 's bed .

the doctor made a brief examination , while Mrs Joe sat on the floor and howled at the top of her lungs .

then he shook his head .

" shot in the back , " he said briefly .

" how long ? " asked Carey , understanding .

" perhaps till morning , " answered the doctor .

Mrs Joe gave a louder howl than ever at this , and Tannis came and stood by the bed .

Carey looked stupidly at Tannis .

" send for her , " he said .

Tannis smiled cruelly .

" there is no way .

the wires are down , and there is no man at the Flats who will go to town to-night , " she answered .

" my God , I MUST see her before I die , " burst out Carey pleadingly .

" where is Father Gabriel ?

HE will go . "

" the priest went to town last night and has not come back , " said Tannis .

Carey groaned and shut his eyes .

if Father Gabriel was away , there was indeed no one to go .

he must die without seeing Elinor .

Tannis looked inscrutably down on the pale face on Mrs Joe Esquint 's dirty pillows .

her immobile features gave no sign of the conflict raging within her .

instead , she slipped out and hurried down the stormy street to old Auguste 's stable .

I hold that no woman ever did anything more unselfish than this deed of Tannis !

for the sake of love she put under her feet the jealousy and hatred that had clamored at her heart .

in a white woman the deed would have been merely commendable .

in Tannis of the Flats , with her ancestry and tradition , it was lofty self-sacrifice .

it was eight o'clock when Tannis left the Flats ; it was ten when she drew bridle before the house on the bluff .

Elinor was regaling Tom and his wife with Avonlea gossip when the maid came to the door .

" pleas 'm , there 's a breed girl out on the verandah and she 's asking for Miss Blair . "

Elinor went out wonderingly , followed by Tom .

she looked wild enough .

" Jerome Carey was shot in a quarrel at Joe Esquint 's to-night , " she said .

" he is dying he wants you I have come for you . "

Elinor gave a little cry , and steadied herself on Tom 's shoulder .

Tom said he knew he made some exclamation of horror .

he had never approved of Carey 's attentions to Elinor , but such news was enough to shock anybody .

" I came through the storm , " said Tannis , contemptuously .

" cannot she do as much for him as I can ? "

the good , old Island blood in Elinor 's veins showed to some purpose .

" yes , " she answered firmly .

" no , Tom , don't object I must go .

get my horse and your own . "

ten minutes later three riders galloped down the bluff road and took the river trail .

fortunately the wind was at their backs and the worst of the storm was over .

still , it was a wild , black ride enough .

Tom rode , cursing softly under his breath .

it all savored too much of melodrama , even for the Northland , where people still did things in a primitive way .

he heartily wished Elinor had never left Avonlea .

it was past twelve when they reached the Flats .

Tannis was the only one who seemed to be able to think coherently .

it was she who told Tom where to take the horses and then led Elinor to the room where Carey was dying .

the doctor was sitting by the bedside and Mrs Joe was curled up in a corner , sniffling to herself .

Tannis took her by the shoulder and turned her , none too gently , out of the room .

the doctor , understanding , left at once .

as Tannis shut the door she saw Elinor sink on her knees by the bed , and Carey 's trembling hand go out to her head .

Tannis sat down on the floor outside of the door and wrapped herself up in a shawl Marie Esquint had dropped .

she watched there until dawn came whitely up over the prairies and Jerome Carey died .

she knew when it happened by Elinor 's cry .

Tannis sprang up and rushed in .

she was too late for even a parting look .

the girl took Carey 's hand in hers , and turned to the weeping Elinor with a cold dignity .

" now go , " she said .

" you had him in life to the very last .

he is mine now . "

" there must be some arrangements made , " faltered Elinor .

" my father and brother will make all arrangements , as you call them , " said Tannis steadily .

" he had no near relatives in the world none at all in Canada he told me so .

go ! "

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Further Chronicles of Avonlea , by Lucy Maud Montgomery

produced by Charles Keller .

HTML version by Al Haines .

Anne 's House of Dreams

by

Lucy Maud Montgomery

" to Laura , in memory of the olden time . "

CONTENTS

chapter

CHAPTER @number@

IN THE GARRET OF GREEN GABLES

the garret was a shadowy , suggestive , delightful place , as all garrets should be .

and , over all , was a great mountain range of snowy clouds in the blue southern sky .

Diana Wright , three years older than when we last saw her , had grown somewhat matronly in the intervening time .

Avonlea folks knew why Diana had called her Anne , of course , but Avonlea folks were puzzled by the Cordelia .

there had never been a Cordelia in the Wright or Barry connections .

but Diana and Anne smiled at each other .

they knew how Small Anne Cordelia had come by her name .

" you always hated geometry , " said Diana with a retrospective smile .

" I should think you 'd be real glad to be through with teaching , anyhow . "

" oh , I 've always liked teaching , apart from geometry .

these past three years in Summerside have been very pleasant ones .

Mrs Harmon Andrews told me when I came home that I wouldn't likely find married life as much better than teaching as I expected .

Anne 's laugh , as blithe and irresistible as of yore , with an added note of sweetness and maturity , rang through the garret .

" you needn't let what Mrs Harmon says worry you , " said Diana , with the calm assurance of the four-years matron .

" married life has its ups and downs , of course .

you mustn't expect that everything will always go smoothly .

but I can assure you , Anne , that it 's a happy life , when you 're married to the right man . "

Anne smothered a smile .

Diana 's airs of vast experience always amused her a little .

" I daresay I 'll be putting them on too , when I 've been married four years , " she thought .

" surely my sense of humor will preserve me from it , though . "

" yes .

that was what I wanted to tell you when I ' phoned to you to come down today .

by the way , I can't realize that we really have telephones in Avonlea now .

it sounds so preposterously up-to-date and modernish for this darling , leisurely old place . "

" we can thank the A. V . I ..y S ..y for them , " said Diana .

" we should never have got the line if they hadn't taken the matter up and carried it through .

there was enough cold water thrown to discourage any society .

but they stuck to it , nevertheless .

you did a splendid thing for Avonlea when you founded that society , Anne .

what fun we did have at our meetings !

will you ever forget the blue hall and Judson Parker 's scheme for painting medicine advertisements on his fence ? "

" I don't know that I 'm wholly grateful to the A . V ..y I. S ..y in the matter of the telephone , " said Anne .

" oh , I know it 's most convenient even more so than our old device of signalling to each other by flashes of candlelight !

and , as Mrs Rachel says , ' Avonlea must keep up with the procession , that 's what . '

I should like to have it kept always just as it was in the dear old years .

that 's foolish and sentimental and impossible .

so I shall immediately become wise and practical and possible .

" that 's the worst of it , " sighed Diana .

" it 's so annoying to hear the receivers going down whenever you ring anyone up .

today , when you called me , I distinctly heard that queer clock of the Pyes ' striking .

so no doubt Josie or Gertie was listening . "

" oh , so that is why you said , ' You 've got a new clock at Green Gables , haven't you ? '

I couldn't imagine what you meant .

I heard a vicious click as soon as you had spoken .

I suppose it was the Pye receiver being hung up with profane energy .

well , never mind the Pyes .

as Mrs Rachel says , ' Pyes they always were and Pyes they always will be , world without end , amen . '

I want to talk of pleasanter things .

it 's all settled as to where my new home shall be . "

" oh , Anne , where ?

I do hope it 's near here . "

" No-o-o , that 's the drawback .

Gilbert is going to settle at Four Winds Harbor sixty miles from here . "

" sixty !

it might as well be six hundred , " sighed Diana .

" I never can get further from home now than Charlottetown . "

" you 'll have to come to Four Winds .

it 's the most beautiful harbor on the Island .

there 's a little village called Glen St Mary at its head , and Dr David Blythe has been practicing there for fifty years .

he is Gilbert 's great-uncle , you know .

he is going to retire , and Gilbert is to take over his practice .

Dr Blythe is going to keep his house , though , so we shall have to find a habitation for ourselves .

" where are you going for your wedding tour ? " asked Diana .

" nowhere .

don't look horrified , Diana dearest .

you suggest Mrs Harmon Andrews .

I want to spend MY honeymoon at Four Winds in my own dear house of dreams . "

" and you 've decided not to have any bridesmaid ? "

" there isn't any one to have .

you and Phil and Priscilla and Jane all stole a march on me in the matter of marriage ; and Stella is teaching in Vancouver .

I have no other ' kindred soul ' and I won't have a bridesmaid who isn't . "

" but you are going to wear a veil , aren't you ? " asked Diana , anxiously .

" yes , indeedy .

I shouldn't feel like a bride without one .

you should have seen the foreign missionary Priscilla married .

but of course there are no cannibals in Japan . "

" your wedding dress is a dream , anyhow , " sighed Diana rapturously .

" you 'll look like a perfect queen in it you 're so tall and slender .

how DO you keep so slim , Anne ?

I 'm fatter than ever I 'll soon have no waist at all . "

" Stoutness and slimness seem to be matters of predestination , " said Anne .

it sounds quite romantic to be ' slender , ' but ' skinny ' has a very different tang . "

" Mrs Harmon has been talking about your trousseau .

Anne laughed .

" my dresses ARE nice .

I love pretty things .

I remember the first pretty dress I ever had the brown gloria Matthew gave me for our school concert .

before that everything I had was so ugly .

it seemed to me that I stepped into a new world that night . "

and you were so furious because he put your pink tissue rose in his breast pocket !

you didn't much imagine then that you would ever marry him . "

" oh , well , that 's another instance of predestination , " laughed Anne , as they went down the garret stairs .

CHAPTER @number@

THE HOUSE OF DREAMS

there was more excitement in the air of Green Gables than there had ever been before in all its history .

even Marilla was so excited that she couldn't help showing it which was little short of being phenomenal .

" there 's never been a wedding in this house , " she said , half apologetically , to Mrs Rachel Lynde .

we 've had deaths here my father and mother died here as well as Matthew ; and we 've even had a birth here .

but there 's never been a wedding before .

it does seem so strange to think of Anne being married .

in a way she just seems to me the little girl Matthew brought home here fourteen years ago .

I can't realize that she 's grown up .

I shall never forget what I felt when I saw Matthew bringing in a GIRL .

I wonder what became of the boy we would have got if there hadn't been a mistake .

I wonder what HIS fate was . "

many things have changed since then , that's what . "

Mrs Rachel sighed , and then brisked up again .

when weddings were in order Mrs Rachel was ready to let the dead past bury its dead .

" I 'm going to give Anne two of my cotton warp spreads , " she resumed .

" a tobacco-stripe one and an apple-leaf one .

she tells me they 're getting to be real fashionable again .

well , fashion or no fashion , I don't believe there 's anything prettier for a spare-room bed than a nice apple-leaf spread , that 's what .

I must see about getting them bleached .

I 've had them sewed up in cotton bags ever since Thomas died , and no doubt they 're an awful color .

but there 's a month yet , and dew-bleaching will work wonders . "

only a month !

Marilla sighed and then said proudly :

" I 'm giving Anne that half dozen braided rugs I have in the garret .

I never supposed she 'd want them they're so old-fashioned , and nobody seems to want anything but hooked mats now .

but she asked me for them said she 'd rather have them than anything else for her floors .

they ARE pretty .

I made them of the nicest rags , and braided them in stripes .

it was such company these last few winters .

and I 'll make her enough blue plum preserve to stock her jam closet for a year .

it seems real strange .

those blue plum trees hadn't even a blossom for three years , and I thought they might as well be cut down .

and this last spring they were white , and such a crop of plums I never remember at Green Gables . "

" well , thank goodness that Anne and Gilbert really are going to be married after all .

" it was a great relief to find out that she really didn't mean to take the Kingsport man .

" he 's Gilbert Blythe , " said Marilla contentedly .

Marilla felt that , in some strange way , his marriage with Anne would put right that old mistake .

Good had come out of the evil of the ancient bitterness .

as for Anne herself , she was so happy that she almost felt frightened .

the gods , so says the old superstition , do not like to behold too happy mortals .

it is certain , at least , that some human beings do not .

human nature is not obliged to be consistent .

Mrs Inglis nee Jane Andrews , to quote from the Daily Enterprise came with her mother and Mrs Jasper Bell .

but in Jane the milk of human kindness had not been curdled by years of matrimonial bickerings .

her lines had fallen in pleasant places .

in spite of the fact as Mrs Rachel Lynde would say that she had married a millionaire , her marriage had been happy .

wealth had not spoiled her .

" well , the Blythes generally keep their word when they 've once passed it , no matter what happens .

let me see you 're twenty-five , aren't you , Anne ?

when I was a girl twenty-five was the first corner .

but you look quite young .

Red-headed people always do . "

" red hair is very fashionable now , " said Anne , trying to smile , but speaking rather coldly .

" so it is so it is , " conceded Mrs Harmon .

" there 's no telling what queer freaks fashion will take .

well , Anne , your things are very pretty , and very suitable to your position in life , aren't they , Jane ?

I hope you 'll be very happy .

you have my best wishes , I 'm sure .

a long engagement doesn't often turn out well .

but , of course , in your case it couldn't be helped . "

" Gilbert looks very young for a doctor .

I 'm afraid people won't have much confidence in him , " said Mrs Jasper Bell gloomily .

then she shut her mouth tightly , as if she had said what she considered it her duty to say and held her conscience clear .

she belonged to the type which always has a stringy black feather in its hat and straggling locks of hair on its neck .

in their shadows Anne and Gilbert talked in lover-fashion of their new home and their new life together .

" I 've found a nest for us , Anne . "

" oh , where ?

not right in the village , I hope .

I wouldn't like that altogether . "

" no .

there was no house to be had in the village .

this is a little white house on the harbor shore , half way between Glen St . Mary and Four Winds Point .

it 's a little out of the way , but when we get a ' phone in that won't matter so much .

the situation is beautiful .

it looks to the sunset and has the great blue harbor before it .

the sand-dunes aren't very far away the sea winds blow over them and the sea spray drenches them . "

" but the house itself , Gilbert , OUR first home ?

what is it like ? "

" not very large , but large enough for us .

it is about sixty years old the oldest house in Four Winds .

but it has been kept in pretty good repair , and was all done over about fifteen years ago shingled , plastered and re-floored .

it was well built to begin with .

I understand that there was some romantic story connected with its building , but the man I rented it from didn't know it . "

" he said Captain Jim was the only one who could spin that old yarn now . "

" who is Captain Jim ? "

" the keeper of the lighthouse on Four Winds Point .

you 'll love that Four Winds light , Anne .

it 's a revolving one , and it flashes like a magnificent star through the twilights .

we can see it from our living room windows and our front door . "

" who owns the house ? "

" well , it 's the property of the Glen St . Mary Presbyterian Church now , and I rented it from the trustees .

but it belonged until lately to a very old lady , Miss Elizabeth Russell .

she died last spring , and as she had no near relatives she left her property to the Glen St . Mary Church .

Glen St Mary folks prefer plush brocade and sideboards with mirrors and ornamentations , I fancy .

but Miss Russell 's furniture is very good and I feel sure you 'll like it , Anne . "

" so far , good , " said Anne , nodding cautious approval .

" but , Gilbert , people cannot live by furniture alone .

you haven't yet mentioned one very important thing .

are there TREES about this house ? "

" heaps of them , oh , dryad !

our front door opens right into the garden , but there is another entrance a little gate hung between two firs .

the hinges are on one trunk and the catch on the other .

their boughs form an arch overhead . "

" oh , I 'm so glad !

I couldn't live where there were no trees something vital in me would starve .

well , after that , there 's no use asking you if there 's a brook anywhere near .

THAT would be expecting too much . "

" but there IS a brook and it actually cuts across one corner of the garden . "

CHAPTER @number@

THE LAND OF DREAMS AMONG

" it 's time your invitations were sent , even if they are to be only informal ones . "

" I don't mean to have very many , " said Anne .

" we just want those we love best to see us married .

Gilbert 's people , and Mr and Mrs. Allan , and Mr and Mrs. Harrison . "

" there was a time when you 'd hardly have numbered Mr Harrison among your dearest friends , " said Marilla drily .

" well , I wasn't VERY strongly attracted to him at our first meeting , " acknowledged Anne , with a laugh over the recollection .

" but Mr Harrison has improved on acquaintance , and Mrs Harrison is really a dear .

then , of course , there are Miss Lavendar and Paul . "

" have they decided to come to the Island this summer ?

I thought they were going to Europe . "

" they changed their minds when I wrote them I was going to be married .

I had a letter from Paul today .

he says he MUST come to my wedding , no matter what happens to Europe . "

" that child always idolised you , " remarked Mrs Rachel .

" that ' child ' is a young man of nineteen now , Mrs Lynde . "

" how time does fly ! " was Mrs Lynde 's brilliant and original response .

" Charlotta the Fourth may come with them .

she sent word by Paul that she would come if her husband would let her .

I wonder if she still wears those enormous blue bows , and whether her husband calls her Charlotta or Leonora .

I should love to have Charlotta at my wedding .

Charlotta and I were at a wedding long syne .

they expect to be at Echo Lodge next week .

then there are Phil and the Reverend Jo "

" it sounds awful to hear you speaking of a minister like that , Anne , " said Mrs Rachel severely .

" his wife calls him that . "

" she should have more respect for his holy office , then , " retorted Mrs Rachel .

" I 've heard you criticise ministers pretty sharply yourself , " teased Anne .

" yes , but I do it reverently , " protested Mrs Lynde .

" you never heard me NICKNAME a minister . "

Anne smothered a smile .

" well , there are Diana and Fred and little Fred and Small Anne Cordelia and Jane Andrews .

I wish I could have Miss Stacey and Aunt Jamesina and Priscilla and Stella .

it 's really dreadful the way people get scattered over the globe . "

" the Lord never intended it , that 's what , " said Mrs Rachel authoritatively .

" in my young days people grew up and married and settled down where they were born , or pretty near it .

thank goodness you 've stuck to the Island , Anne .

" if everybody stayed where he was born places would soon be filled up , Mrs Lynde . "

" oh , I 'm not going to argue with you , Anne .

I am not a B.A . what time of the day is the ceremony to be ? "

" we have decided on noon high noon , as the society reporters say .

that will give us time to catch the evening train to Glen St . Mary . "

" and you 'll be married in the parlor ? "

" no not unless it rains .

we mean to be married in the orchard with the blue sky over us and the sunshine around us .

do you know when and where I 'd like to be married , if I could ?

Marilla sniffed scornfully and Mrs Lynde looked shocked .

" but that would be terrible queer , Anne .

why , it wouldn't really seem legal .

and what would Mrs Harmon Andrews say ? "

" ah , there 's the rub , " sighed Anne .

" there are so many things in life we cannot do because of the fear of what Mrs Harmon Andrews would say .

" Tis true , ' tis pity , and pity ' tis , ' tis true . '

what delightful things we might do were it not for Mrs Harmon Andrews ! "

" by times , Anne , I don't feel quite sure that I understand you altogether , " complained Mrs Lynde .

" Anne was always romantic , you know , " said Marilla apologetically .

" well , married life will most likely cure her of that , " Mrs Rachel responded comfortingly .

the Echo Lodge people came over the next week , and Green Gables buzzed with the delight of them .

could this splendid six feet of manhood be the little Paul of Avonlea schooldays ?

" you really make me feel old , Paul , " said Anne .

" why , I have to look up to you ! "

" you 'll never grow old , Teacher , " said Paul .

" you are one of the fortunate mortals who have found and drunk from the Fountain of Youth , you and Mother Lavendar .

see here !

when you 're married I WON'T call you Mrs Blythe .

to me you 'll always be ' Teacher ' the teacher of the best lessons I ever learned .

I want to show you something . "

the " something " was a pocketbook full of poems .

Anne read Paul 's poems with real delight .

they were full of charm and promise .

" you 'll be famous yet , Paul .

I always dreamed of having one famous pupil .

he was to be a college president but a great poet would be even better .

some day I 'll be able to boast that I whipped the distinguished Paul Irving .

but then I never did whip you , did I , Paul ?

what an opportunity lost !

I think I kept you in at recess , however . "

" you may be famous yourself , Teacher .

I 've seen a good deal of your work these last three years . "

" no .

I know what I can do .

I can write pretty , fanciful little sketches that children love and editors send welcome cheques for .

but I can do nothing big .

my only chance for earthly immortality is a corner in your Memoirs . "

Charlotta the Fourth had discarded the blue bows but her freckles were not noticeably less .

" I never did think I 'd come down to marrying a Yankee , Miss Shirley , ma'am , " she said .

" but you never know what 's before you , and it isn't his fault .

he was born that way . "

" you 're a Yankee yourself , Charlotta , since you 've married one . "

" miss Shirley , ma'am , I 'm NOT !

and I wouldn't be if I was to marry a dozen Yankees !

Tom 's kind of nice .

and besides , I thought I 'd better not be too hard to please , for I mightn't get another chance .

" does he call you Leonora ? " asked Anne .

" goodness , no , Miss Shirley , ma'am .

I wouldn't know who he meant if he did .

and so you 're going to be married yourself , Miss Shirley , ma'am ?

I always thought I 'd like to marry a doctor .

it would be so handy when the children had measles and croup .

Tom is only a bricklayer , but he 's real good-tempered .

when I said to him , says I , ' Tom , can I go to Miss Shirley 's wedding ?

that 's a real pleasant kind of husband to have , Miss Shirley , ma'am . "

Philippa and her Reverend Jo arrived at Green Gables the day before the wedding .

" Queen Anne , you're as queenly as ever .

I 've got fearfully thin since the babies came .

I 'm not half so good-looking ; but I think Jo likes it .

there 's not such a contrast between us , you see .

and oh , it 's perfectly magnificent that you 're going to marry Gilbert .

Roy Gardner wouldn't have done at all , at all .

I can see that now , though I was horribly disappointed at the time .

you know , Anne , you did treat Roy very badly . "

" he has recovered , I understand , " smiled Anne .

" oh , yes .

he is married and his wife is a sweet little thing and they 're perfectly happy .

everything works together for good .

Jo and the Bible say that , and they are pretty good authorities . "

" are Alec and Alonzo married yet ? "

" Alec is , but Alonzo isn't .

how those dear old days at Patty 's Place come back when I 'm talking to you , Anne !

what fun we had ! "

" have you been to Patty 's Place lately ? "

" oh , yes , I go often .

Miss Patty and Miss Maria still sit by the fireplace and knit .

and that reminds me we 've brought you a wedding gift from them , Anne .

guess what it is . "

" I never could .

how did they know I was going to be married ? "

" oh , I told them .

I was there last week .

and they were so interested .

what would you wish most from Patty 's Place , Anne ? "

" you can't mean that Miss Patty has sent me her china dogs ? "

" go up head .

they 're in my trunk this very moment .

and I 've a letter for you .

wait a moment and I 'll get it . "

" Dear Miss Shirley , " miss Patty had written , " Maria and I were very much interested in hearing of your approaching nuptials .

we send you our best wishes .

Maria and I have never married , but we have no objection to other people doing so .

we are sending you the china dogs .

I intended to leave them to you in my will , because you seemed to have sincere affection for them .

you will not have forgotten that Gog looks to the right and Magog to the left . "

" just fancy those lovely old dogs sitting by the fireplace in my house of dreams , " said Anne rapturously .

" I never expected anything so delightful . "

that evening Green Gables hummed with preparations for the following day ; but in the twilight Anne slipped away .

she had a little pilgrimage to make on this last day of her girlhood and she must make it alone .

she went to Matthew 's grave , in the little poplar-shaded Avonlea graveyard , and there kept a silent tryst with old memories and immortal loves .

" how glad Matthew would be tomorrow if he were here , " she whispered .

" but I believe he does know and is glad of it somewhere else .

I 've read somewhere that ' our dead are never dead until we have forgotten them . '

Matthew will never be dead to me , for I can never forget him . "

she left on his grave the flowers she had brought and walked slowly down the long hill .

it was a gracious evening , full of delectable lights and shadows .

in the west was a sky of mackerel clouds crimson and amber-tinted , with long strips of apple-green sky between .

beyond was the glimmering radiance of a sunset sea , and the ceaseless voice of many waters came up from the tawny shore .

" history repeats itself , " said Gilbert , joining her as she passed the Blythe gate .

" do you remember our first walk down this hill , Anne our first walk together anywhere , for that matter ? "

" and all heaven opened before me , " supplemented Gilbert .

" from that moment I looked forward to tomorrow .

when I left you at your gate that night and walked home I was the happiest boy in the world .

Anne had forgiven me . "

" I think you had the most to forgive .

I was an ungrateful little wretch and after you had really saved my life that day on the pond , too .

how I loathed that load of obligation at first !

I don't deserve the happiness that has come to me . "

Gilbert laughed and clasped tighter the girlish hand that wore his ring .

Anne 's engagement ring was a circlet of pearls .

she had refused to wear a diamond .

" I 've never really liked diamonds since I found out they weren't the lovely purple I had dreamed .

they will always suggest my old disappointment . "

" but pearls are for tears , the old legend says , " Gilbert had objected .

" I 'm not afraid of that .

and tears can be happy as well as sad .

so give me pearls for our troth ring , Gilbert , and I 'll willingly accept the sorrow of life with its joy . "

but tonight our lovers thought only of joy and never of sorrow .

for the morrow was their wedding day , and their house of dreams awaited them on the misty , purple shore of Four Winds Harbor .

CHAPTER @number@

THE FIRST BRIDE OF GREEN GABLES

" I 'm so glad the sun will shine on me , " she thought happily .

that had not been a happy wakening , for it brought with it the bitter disappointment of the preceding night .

but since then the little room had been endeared and consecrated by years of happy childhood dreams and maiden visions .

many vigils of joy and some of sorrow had been kept there ; and today she must leave it forever .

henceforth it would be hers no more ; fifteen-year-old Dora was to inherit it when she had gone .

Green Gables was a busy and joyous house that forenoon .

Diana arrived early , with little Fred and Small Anne Cordelia , to lend a hand .

Davy and Dora , the Green Gables twins , whisked the babies off to the garden .

" don't let Small Anne Cordelia spoil her clothes , " warned Diana anxiously .

" you needn't be afraid to trust her with Dora , " said Marilla .

" that child is more sensible and careful than most of the mothers I 've known .

she 's really a wonder in some ways .

not much like that other harum-scarum I brought up . "

Marilla smiled across her chicken salad at Anne .

it might even be suspected that she liked the harum-scarum best after all .

" those twins are real nice children , " said Mrs Rachel , when she was sure they were out of earshot .

" Dora is so womanly and helpful , and Davy is developing into a very smart boy .

he isn't the holy terror for mischief he used to be . "

" I never was so distracted in my life as I was the first six months he was here , " acknowledged Marilla .

" after that I suppose I got used to him .

he 's taken a great notion to farming lately , and wants me to let him try running the farm next year .

" you couldn't have had a finer one if you 'd ordered it from Eaton 's . "

" indeed , there 's too much money going out of this Island to that same Eaton 's , " said Mrs Lynde indignantly .

she had strong views on the subject of octopus-like department stores , and never lost an opportunity of airing them .

" and as for those catalogues of theirs , they 're the Avonlea girls ' Bible now , that's what .

they pore over them on Sundays instead of studying the Holy Scriptures . "

" well , they 're splendid to amuse children with , " said Diana .

" Fred and Small Anne look at the pictures by the hour . "

" I amused ten children without the aid of Eaton 's catalogue , " said Mrs Rachel severely .

" come , you two , don't quarrel over Eaton 's catalogue , " said Anne gaily .

" this is my day of days , you know .

I 'm so happy I want every one else to be happy , too . "

" I 'm sure I hope your happiness will last , child , " sighed Mrs Rachel .

Anne , for her own good , must be toned down a trifle .

Gilbert , waiting for her in the hall below , looked up at her with adoring eyes .

she was his at last , this evasive , long-sought Anne , won after years of patient waiting .

it was to him she was coming in the sweet surrender of the bride .

was he worthy of her ?

could he make her as happy as he hoped ?

they belonged to each other ; and , no matter what life might hold for them , it could never alter that .

their happiness was in each other 's keeping and both were unafraid .

they were married in the sunshine of the old orchard , circled by the loving and kindly faces of long-familiar friends .

birds do not often sing in September , but one sang sweetly from some hidden bough while Gilbert and Anne repeated their deathless vows .

the bird sang until the ceremony was ended and then it wound up with one mad little , glad little trill .

never had the old gray-green house among its enfolding orchards known a blither , merrier afternoon .

Marilla stood at the gate and watched the carriage out of sight down the long lane with its banks of goldenrod .

Anne turned at its end to wave her last good-bye .

while they were sitting there Anne and Gilbert were alighting from the train at Glen St Mary .

CHAPTER @number@

THE HOME COMING

Anne never forgot the loveliness of the view that broke upon them when they had driven over the hill behind the village .

beyond the bar the sea , calm and austere , dreamed in the afterlight .

the little fishing village , nestled in the cove where the sand-dunes met the harbor shore , looked like a great opal in the haze .

a few dim sails drifted along the darkening , fir-clad harbor shores .

Far out along the horizon was the crinkled gray ribbon of a passing steamer 's smoke .

" oh , beautiful , beautiful , " murmured Anne .

" I shall love Four Winds , Gilbert .

where is our house ? "

" we can't see it yet the belt of birch running up from that little cove hides it .

it 's about two miles from Glen St Mary , and there 's another mile between it and the light-house .

we won't have many neighbors , Anne .

there 's only one house near us and I don't know who lives in it .

shall you be lonely when I 'm away ? "

" not with that light and that loveliness for company .

who lives in that house , Gilbert ? "

" I don't know .

it doesn't look exactly as if the occupants would be kindred spirits , Anne , does it ? "

the house was a large , substantial affair , painted such a vivid green that the landscape seemed quite faded by contrast .

I feel certain there are no children there , at least .

it 's even neater than the old Copp place on the Tory road , and I never expected to see anything neater than that . "

they had not met anybody on the moist , red road that wound along the harbor shore .

great , scattered firs grew along it .

between their trunks one saw glimpses of yellow harvest fields , gleams of golden sand-hills , and bits of blue sea .

the girl was tall and wore a dress of pale blue print .

she walked with a certain springiness of step and erectness of bearing .

she and her geese came out of the gate at the foot of the hill as Anne and Gilbert passed .

it seemed to Anne , for a fleeting moment , that there was even a veiled hint of hostility in it .

but it was the girl 's beauty which made Anne give a little gasp a beauty so marked that it must have attracted attention anywhere .

" Gilbert , who is the girl we have just passed ? " asked Anne , in a low voice .

" I didn't notice any girl , " said Gilbert , who had eyes only for his bride .

" she was standing by that gate no , don't look back .

she is still watching us .

I never saw such a beautiful face . "

" I don't remember seeing any very handsome girls while I was here .

there are some pretty girls up at the Glen , but I hardly think they could be called beautiful . "

" this girl is .

you can't have seen her , or you would remember her .

nobody could forget her .

I never saw such a face except in pictures .

and her hair !

it made me think of Browning 's ' cord of gold ' and ' gorgeous snake ' ! "

" probably she 's some visitor in Four Winds likely some one from that big summer hotel over the harbor . "

" she wore a white apron and she was driving geese . "

" she might do that for amusement .

look , Anne there 's our house . "

Anne looked and forgot for a time the girl with the splendid , resentful eyes .

the rows of tall Lombardy poplars down its lane stood out in stately , purple silhouette against the sky .

outwardly , dark green arms keep them inviolate from curious or indifferent eyes .

the door of the little house opened , and a warm glow of firelight flickered out into the dusk .

" welcome home , " he whispered , and hand in hand they stepped over the threshold of their house of dreams .

CHAPTER @number@

CAPTAIN JIM

" old Doctor Dave " and " Mrs Doctor Dave " had come down to the little house to greet the bride and groom .

" I 'm so glad to see you , dear .

you must be real tired .

we 've got a bite of supper ready , and Captain Jim brought up some trout for you .

Captain Jim where are you ?

oh , he 's slipped out to see to the horse , I suppose .

come upstairs and take your things off . "

Anne looked about her with bright , appreciative eyes as she followed Mrs . doctor Dave upstairs .

she liked the appearance of her new home very much .

it seemed to have the atmosphere of Green Gables and the flavor of her old traditions .

there were two windows in it ; the dormer one looked out on the lower harbor and the sand-bar and the Four Winds light .

" a magic casement opening on the foam Of perilous seas in fairy lands forlorn , "

quoted Anne softly .

the gable window gave a view of a little harvest-hued valley through which a brook ran .

Anne wondered who lived there ; they would be her nearest neighbors and she hoped they would be nice .

she suddenly found herself thinking of the beautiful girl with the white geese .

" Gilbert thought she didn't belong here , " mused Anne , " but I feel sure she does .

there was something about her that made her part of the sea and the sky and the harbor .

four Winds is in her blood . "

when Anne went downstairs Gilbert was standing before the fireplace talking to a stranger .

both turned as Anne entered .

" Anne , this is Captain Boyd .

captain Boyd , my wife . "

the old captain held out a sinewy hand to Anne ; they smiled at each other and were friends from that moment .

kindred spirit flashed recognition to kindred spirit .

I can't wish you no better than THAT .

but your husband doesn't introduce me jest exactly right .

' Captain Jim ' is my week-a-day name and you might as well begin as you 're sartain to end up calling me that .

you sartainly are a nice little bride , Mistress Blythe .

looking at you sorter makes me feel that I 've jest been married myself . "

amid the laughter that followed Mrs Doctor Dave urged Captain Jim to stay and have supper with them .

" thank you kindly .

' Twill be a real treat , Mistress Doctor .

I mostly has to eat my meals alone , with the reflection of my ugly old phiz in a looking-glass opposite for company .

' Tisn't often I have a chance to sit down with two such sweet , purty ladies . "

Captain Jim was a high-souled , simple-minded old man , with eternal youth in his eyes and heart .

Anne was to learn one day what it was for which Captain Jim looked .

it could not be denied that Captain Jim was a homely man .

they gathered gaily around the supper table .

the view was magnificent , taking in the harbor and the sweep of low , purple hills beyond .

the table was heaped with Mrs. Doctor 's delicacies but the piece de resistance was undoubtedly the big platter of sea trout .

" thought they 'd be sorter tasty after travelling , " said Captain Jim .

" they 're fresh as trout can be , Mistress Blythe .

two hours ago they were swimming in the Glen Pond . "

" who is attending to the light tonight , Captain Jim ? " asked Doctor Dave .

" Nephew Alec .

he understands it as well as I do .

well , now , I 'm real glad you asked me to stay to supper .

I 'm proper hungry didn't have much of a dinner today . "

" I believe you half starve yourself most of the time down at that light , " said Mrs Doctor Dave severely .

" you won't take the trouble to get up a decent meal . "

" oh , I do , Mistress Doctor , I do , " protested Captain Jim .

" why , I live like a king gen'rally .

last night I was up to the Glen and took home two pounds of steak .

I meant to have a spanking good dinner today . "

" and what happened to the steak ? " asked Mrs Doctor Dave .

" did you lose it on the way home ? "

" no . "

captain Jim looked sheepish .

" Just at bedtime a poor , ornery sort of dog came along and asked for a night 's lodging .

guess he belonged to some of the fishermen ' long shore .

I couldn't turn the poor cur out he had a sore foot .

so I shut him in the porch , with an old bag to lie on , and went to bed .

but somehow I couldn't sleep .

come to think it over , I sorter remembered that the dog looked hungry . "

" well , there wasn't anything else TO give him , " said Captain Jim deprecatingly .

" nothing a dog 'd care for , that is .

I reckon he WAS hungry , for he made about two bites of it .

the dog , he lit out for home this morning .

I reckon HE weren't a vegetarian . "

" the idea of starving yourself for a worthless dog ! " sniffed Mrs. doctor .

" you don't know but he may be worth a lot to somebody , " protested Captain Jim .

" he didn't LOOK of much account , but you can't go by looks in jedging a dog .

like meself , he might be a real beauty inside .

the First Mate didn't approve of him , I 'll allow .

his language was right down forcible .

but the First Mate is prejudiced .

no use in taking a cat 's opinion of a dog .

' Tennyrate , I lost my dinner , so this nice spread in this dee-lightful company is real pleasant .

it 's a great thing to have good neighbors . "

" who lives in the house among the willows up the brook ? " asked Anne .

" Mrs Dick Moore , " said Captain Jim " and her husband , " he added , as if by way of an afterthought .

" you haven't many neighbors , Mistress Blythe , " Captain Jim went on .

" this side of the harbor is mighty thinly settled .

most of the land belongs to Mr Howard up yander past the Glen , and he rents it out for pasture .

the other side of the harbor , now , is thick with folks ' specially MacAllisters .

there 's a whole colony of MacAllisters you can't throw a stone but you hit one .

I was talking to old Leon Blacquiere the other day .

he 's been working on the harbor all summer .

' Dey 're nearly all MacAllisters over thar , ' he told me .

' Dare 's Neil MacAllister and Sandy MacAllister and William MacAllister and Alec MacAllister and Angus MacAllister and I believe dare 's de Devil MacAllister . ' "

" there are nearly as many Elliotts and Crawfords , " said Doctor Dave , after the laughter had subsided .

" there 's a plenty of fine people among them , though , " said Captain Jim .

" I sailed with William Crawford for many a year , and for courage and endurance and truth that man hadn't an equal .

they 've got brains over on that side of Four Winds .

Mebbe that 's why this side is sorter inclined to pick on ' em .

Strange , ain't it , how folks seem to resent anyone being born a mite cleverer than they be . "

doctor Dave , who had a forty years ' feud with the over-harbor people , laughed and subsided .

" who lives in that brilliant emerald house about half a mile up the road ? " asked Gilbert .

captain Jim smiled delightedly .

" miss Cornelia Bryant .

she 'll likely be over to see you soon , seeing you 're Presbyterians .

if you were Methodists she wouldn't come at all .

Cornelia has a holy horror of Methodists . "

" she 's quite a character , " chuckled Doctor Dave .

" a most inveterate man-hater ! "

" sour grapes ? " queried Gilbert , laughing .

" no , ' tisn't sour grapes , " answered Captain Jim seriously .

" Cornelia could have had her pick when she was young .

even yet she 's only to say the word to see the old widowers jump .

she jest seems to have been born with a sort of chronic spite agin men and Methodists .

she 's got the bitterest tongue and the kindest heart in Four Winds .

wherever there 's any trouble , that woman is there , doing everything to help in the tenderest way .

" she always speaks well of you , Captain Jim , " said Mrs. Doctor .

" yes , I 'm afraid so .

I don't half like it .

it makes me feel as if there must be something sorter unnateral about me . "

CHAPTER @number@

THE SCHOOLMASTER'S BRIDE

" who was the first bride who came to this house , Captain Jim ? "

Anne asked , as they sat around the fireplace after supper .

" was she a part of the story I 've heard was connected with this house ? " asked Gilbert .

" somebody told me you could tell it , Captain Jim . "

" well , yes , I know it .

she 's been dead this thirty year , but she was one of them women you never forget . "

" tell us the story , " pleaded Anne .

" I want to find out all about the women who have lived in this house before me . "

" well , there 's jest been three Elizabeth Russell , and Mrs Ned Russell , and the schoolmaster 's bride .

Elizabeth Russell was a nice , clever little critter , and Mrs Ned was a nice woman , too .

but they weren't ever like the schoolmaster 's bride .

" the schoolmaster 's name was John Selwyn .

he came out from the Old Country to teach school at the Glen when I was a boy of sixteen .

he wasn't much like the usual run of derelicts who used to come out to P.E.I . to teach school in them days .

but John Selwyn was a fine , handsome young fellow .

he boarded at my father 's , and he and me were cronies , though he was ten years older'n me .

we read and walked and talked a heap together .

well , nothing could do THAT mother come of a race of sea-going folk and it was born in me .

but I loved to hear John read and recite .

it 's almost sixty years ago , but I could repeat yards of poetry I learned from him .

nearly sixty years ! "

captain Jim was silent for a space , gazing into the glowing fire in a quest of the bygones .

then , with a sigh , he resumed his story .

" I remember one spring evening I met him on the sand-hills .

he looked sorter uplifted jest like you did , Dr Blythe , when you brought Mistress Blythe in tonight .

I thought of him the minute I seen you .

and he told me that he had a sweetheart back home and that she was coming out to him .

but I'd enough decency not to let him see it .

he told me all about her .

her name was Persis Leigh , and she would have come out with him if it hadn't been for her old uncle .

he was sick , and he 'd looked after her when her parents died and she wouldn't leave him .

and now he was dead and she was coming out to marry John Selwyn .

' Twasn't no easy journey for a woman in them days .

there weren't no steamers , you must ricollect .

" ' When do you expect her ? ' says I.

I must set Carpenter Johnson to building me a home for her .

her letter come today .

I know before I opened it that it had good news for me .

I saw her a few nights ago . '

" I didn't understand him , and then he explained though I didn't understand THAT much better .

he said he had a gift or a curse .

them was his words , Mistress Blythe a gift or a curse .

he didn't know which it was .

he said a great-great-grandmother of his had had it , and they burned her for a witch on account of it .

he said queer spells trances , I think was the name he give ' em come over him now and again .

are there such things , Doctor ? "

" there are people who are certainly subject to trances , " answered Gilbert .

" the matter is more in the line of psychical research than medical .

what were the trances of this John Selwyn like ? "

" like dreams , " said the old Doctor skeptically .

" he said he could see things in them , " said Captain Jim slowly .

" mind you , I 'm telling you jest what HE said things that were happening things that were GOING to happen .

he said they were sometimes a comfort to him and sometimes a horror .

four nights before this he 'd been in one went into it while he was sitting looking at the fire .

so he knew he was going to hear good news of her . "

" a dream a dream , " scoffed the old Doctor .

" likely likely , " conceded Captain Jim .

" that 's what I said to him at the time .

it was a vast more comfortable to think so .

I didn't like the idea of him seeing things like that it was real uncanny .

" ' No , ' says he , ' I didn't dream it .

but we won't talk of this again .

you won't be so much my friend if you think much about it . '

" I told him nothing could make me any less his friend .

but he jest shook his head and says , says he :

" ' Lad , I know .

I 've lost friends before because of this .

I don't blame them .

there are times when I feel hardly friendly to myself because of it .

such a power has a bit of divinity in it whether of a good or an evil divinity who shall say ?

and we mortals all shrink from too close contact with God or devil . '

" them was his words .

I remember them as if ' twas yesterday , though I didn't know jest what he meant .

what do you s'pose he DID mean , doctor ? "

" I doubt if he knew what he meant himself , " said Doctor Dave testily .

" I think I understand , " whispered Anne .

she was listening in her old attitude of clasped lips and shining eyes .

Captain Jim treated himself to an admiring smile before he went on with his story .

and everybody took an interest in his new house THIS house .

he picked this site for it , because you could see the harbor and hear the sea from it .

he made the garden out there for his bride , but he didn't plant the Lombardies .

Mrs Ned Russell planted THEM .

he said they were pink for her cheeks and white for her brow and red for her lips .

he 'd quoted poetry so much that he sorter got into the habit of talking it , too , I reckon .

" almost everybody sent him some little present to help out the furnishing of the house .

this little house was rich in love , though .

even blind old Aunt Margaret Boyd wove a little basket for her out of the sweet-scented sand-hill grass .

the schoolmaster 's wife used it for years to keep her handkerchiefs in .

" well , at last everything was ready even to the logs in the big fireplace ready for lighting .

' Twasn't exactly THIS fireplace , though ' twas in the same place .

Miss Elizabeth had this put in when she made the house over fifteen years ago .

it was a big , old-fashioned fireplace where you could have roasted an ox .

Many 's the time I 've sat here and spun yarns , same 's I 'm doing tonight . "

here on olden nights children had tossed laughter lightly to and fro .

here on winter evenings friends had gathered .

dance and music and jest had been here .

here youths and maidens had dreamed .

for Captain Jim the little house was tenanted with shapes entreating remembrance .

" it was the first of July when the house was finished .

the schoolmaster began to count the days then .

we used to see him walking along the shore , and we 'd say to each other , ' She 'll soon be with him now . '

" she was expected the middle of July , but she didn't come then .

nobody felt anxious .

vessels were often delayed for days and mebbe weeks .

the Royal William was a week overdue and then two and then three .

and at last we began to be frightened , and it got worse and worse .

Fin'lly I couldn't bear to look into John Selwyn 's eyes .

he never said much but he taught school like a man in a dream and then hurried to the shore .

many a night he walked there from dark to dawn .

people said he was losing his mind .

everybody had given up hope the Royal William was eight weeks overdue .

it was the middle of September and the schoolmaster 's bride hadn't come never would come , we thought .

" there was a big storm then that lasted three days , and on the evening after it died away I went to the shore .

I found the schoolmaster there , leaning with his arms folded against a big rock , gazing out to sea .

" I spoke to him but he didn't answer .

his eyes seemed to be looking at something I couldn't see .

his face was set , like a dead man 's .

" ' John John , ' I called out jest like that jest like a frightened child , ' wake up wake up . '

" that strange , awful look seemed to sorter fade out of his eyes .

" he turned his head and looked at me .

I 've never forgot his face never will forget it till I ships for my last voyage .

" ' All is well , lad , ' he says .

' I 've seen the Royal William coming around East Point .

she will be here by dawn .

tomorrow night I shall sit with my bride by my own hearth-fire . '

" do you think he did see it ? " demanded Captain Jim abruptly .

" God knows , " said Gilbert softly .

" great love and great pain might compass we know not what marvels . "

" I am sure he did see it , " said Anne earnestly .

" Fol-de-rol , " said Doctor Dave , but he spoke with less conviction than usual .

" every soul in the Glen and along the shore was at the old wharf to meet her .

the schoolmaster had been watching there all night .

how we cheered as she sailed up the channel . "

Captain Jim 's eyes were shining .

they were looking at the Four Winds Harbor of sixty years agone , with a battered old ship sailing through the sunrise splendor .

" and Persis Leigh was on board ? " asked Anne .

" yes her and the captain 's wife .

they 'd had an awful passage storm after storm and their provisions give out , too .

but there they were at last .

when Persis Leigh stepped onto the old wharf John Selwyn took her in his arms and folks stopped cheering and begun to cry .

I cried myself , though ' twas years , mind you , afore I 'd admit it .

ain't it funny how ashamed boys are of tears ? "

" was Persis Leigh beautiful ? " asked Anne .

" well , I don't know that you 'd call her beautiful exactly I don't know , " said Captain Jim slowly .

" somehow , you never got so far along as to wonder if she was handsome or not .

it jest didn't matter .

there was something so sweet and winsome about her that you had to love her , that was all .

but she was pleasant to look at big , clear , hazel eyes and heaps of glossy brown hair , and an English skin .

A strange thing a strange thing !

but I 've seen a turrible lot of strange things in my time . "

Captain Jim shook his head sagely .

" it 's a dear story , " said Anne , feeling that for once she had got enough romance to satisfy her .

" how long did they live here ? "

" fifteen years .

I ran off to sea soon after they were married , like the young scalawag I was .

fifteen happy years !

they had a sort of talent for happiness , them two .

some folks are like that , if you 've noticed .

they COULDN'T be unhappy for long , no matter what happened .

they quarrelled once or twice , for they was both high-sperrited .

then they moved to Charlottetown , and Ned Russell bought this house and brought his bride here .

they were a gay young pair , as I remember them .

Miss Elizabeth Russell was Alec 's sister .

she came to live with them a year or so later , and she was a creature of mirth , too .

the walls of this house must be sorter SOAKED with laughing and good times .

you 're the third bride I 've seen come here , Mistress Blythe and the handsomest . "

Captain Jim contrived to give his sunflower compliment the delicacy of a violet , and Anne wore it proudly .

" I must be getting back to the light , " announced Captain Jim .

" I 've enj'yed this evening something tremenjus . "

" you must come often to see us , " said Anne .

" I wonder if you 'd give that invitation if you knew how likely I 'll be to accept it , " captain Jim remarked whimsically .

" which is another way of saying you wonder if I mean it , " smiled Anne .

" I do , ' cross my heart , ' as we used to say at school . "

" then I 'll come .

you 're likely to be pestered with me at any hour .

and I 'll be proud to have you drop down and visit me now and then , too .

Gin'rally I haven't anyone to talk to but the First Mate , bless his sociable heart .

he 's a mighty good listener , and has forgot more'n any MacAllister of them all ever knew , but he isn't much of a conversationalist .

you 're young and I 'm old , but our souls are about the same age , I reckon .

we both belong to the race that knows Joseph , as Cornelia Bryant would say . "

" the race that knows Joseph ? " puzzled Anne .

" yes .

Cornelia divides all the folks in the world into two kinds the race that knows Joseph and the race that don't .

" oh , I understand , " exclaimed Anne , light breaking in upon her .

" it 's what I used to call and still call in quotation marks ' kindred spirits . ' "

" jest so jest so , " agreed Captain Jim .

" we 're it , whatever IT is .

and mighty glad I was , for if it wasn't so we couldn't have had any real satisfaction in each other 's company .

the race that knows Joseph is the salt of the airth , I reckon . "

the moon had just risen when Anne and Gilbert went to the door with their guests .

four Winds Harbor was beginning to be a thing of dream and glamour and enchantment a spellbound haven where no tempest might ever ravin .

the Lombardies down the lane , tall and sombre as the priestly forms of some mystic band , were tipped with silver .

" always liked Lombardies , " said Captain Jim , waving a long arm at them .

" they 're the trees of princesses .

they 're out of fashion now .

folks complain that they die at the top and get ragged-looking .

so they do so they do , if you don't risk your neck every spring climbing up a light ladder to trim them out .

I always did it for Miss Elizabeth , so her Lombardies never got out-at-elbows .

she was especially fond of them .

she liked their dignity and stand-offishness .

THEY don't hobnob with every Tom , Dick and Harry .

if it 's maples for company , Mistress Blythe , it 's Lombardies for society . "

" what a beautiful night , " said Mrs Doctor Dave , as she climbed into the Doctor 's buggy .

" most nights are beautiful , " said Captain Jim .

" but I ' low that moonlight over Four Winds makes me sorter wonder what 's left for heaven .

the moon 's a great friend of mine , Mistress Blythe .

I 've loved her ever since I can remember .

when I was a little chap of eight I fell asleep in the garden one evening and wasn't missed .

I woke up along in the night and I was most scared to death .

what shadows and queer noises there was !

I dursn't move .

Jest crouched there quaking , poor small mite .

seemed ' s if there weren't anyone in the world but meself and it was mighty big .

then all at once I saw the moon looking down at me through the apple boughs , jest like an old friend .

I was comforted right off .

got up and walked to the house as brave as a lion , looking at her .

Many 's the night I 've watched her from the deck of my vessel , on seas far away from here .

why don't you folks tell me to take in the slack of my jaw and go home ? "

the laughter of the goodnights died away .

Anne and Gilbert walked hand in hand around their garden .

the brook that ran across the corner dimpled pellucidly in the shadows of the birches .

the poppies along its banks were like shallow cups of moonlight .

Anne paused in the gloom to gather a spray .

" I love to smell flowers in the dark , " she said .

" you get hold of their soul then .

oh , Gilbert , this little house is all I 've dreamed it .

and I 'm so glad that we are not the first who have kept bridal tryst here ! "

CHAPTER @number@

MISS CORNELIA BRYANT COMES TO CALL

no storm marred it , no rough wind blew .

" I don't suppose we will ever have four such perfect weeks again but we 've HAD them .

everything wind , weather , folks , house of dreams has conspired to make our honeymoon delightful .

there hasn't even been a rainy day since we came here . "

" and we haven't quarrelled once , " teased Gilbert .

" well , ' that 's a pleasure all the greater for being deferred , ' " quoted Anne .

" I 'm so glad we decided to spend our honeymoon here .

our memories of it will always belong here , in our house of dreams , instead of being scattered about in strange places . "

there was a certain tang of romance and adventure in the atmosphere of their new home which Anne had never found in Avonlea .

there , although she had lived in sight of the sea , it had not entered intimately into her life .

in Four Winds it surrounded her and called to her constantly .

from every window of her new home she saw some varying aspect of it .

its haunting murmur was ever in her ears .

fishing boats went white-winged down the channel in the mornings , and returned laden in the evenings .

Sailors and fisher-folk travelled the red , winding harbor roads , light-hearted and content .

there was always a certain sense of things going to happen of adventures and farings-forth .

" I understand now why some men must go to sea , " said Anne .

I don't wonder Captain Jim ran away because of it .

" you 'll stay right here with me , Anne-girl , " said Gilbert lazily .

" I won't have you flying away from me into the hearts of storms . "

they were sitting on their red sand-stone doorstep in the late afternoon .

great tranquillities were all about them in land and sea and sky .

silvery gulls were soaring over them .

the horizons were laced with long trails of frail , pinkish clouds .

the hushed air was threaded with a murmurous refrain of minstrel winds and waves .

pale asters were blowing in the sere and misty meadows between them and the harbor .

" doctors who have to be up all night waiting on sick folk don't feel very adventurous , I suppose , " Anne said indulgently .

" I did good work last night , Anne , " said Gilbert quietly .

" under God , I saved a life .

this is the first time I could ever really claim that .

I tried an experiment that was certainly never tried in Four Winds before .

I doubt if it was ever tried anywhere before outside of a hospital .

it was a new thing in Kingsport hospital last winter .

I could never have dared try it here if I had not been absolutely certain that there was no other chance .

I risked it and it succeeded .

as a result , a good wife and mother is saved for long years of happiness and usefulness .

I had fought a good fight and won think of it , Anne , WON , against the Great Destroyer .

it 's what I dreamed of doing long ago when we talked together of what we wanted to do in life .

that dream of mine came true this morning . "

" YOU know , Anne-girl , " said Gilbert , smiling into her eyes .

at that moment there were certainly two perfectly happy people sitting on the doorstep of a little white house on the Four Winds Harbor shore .

Anne looked and sprang up .

" that must be either Miss Cornelia Bryant or Mrs Moore coming to call , " she said .

" I 'm going into the office , and if it is Miss Cornelia I warn you that I 'll eavesdrop , " said Gilbert .

" from all I 've heard regarding Miss Cornelia I conclude that her conversation will not be dull , to say the least . "

" it may be Mrs Moore . "

" I don't think Mrs Moore is built on those lines .

she doesn't seem very socially inclined when she has never called on you yet , although she 's your nearest neighbor . "

" she can't be like Mrs Lynde , after all , or curiosity would have brought her , " said Anne .

" this caller is , I think , Miss Cornelia . "

Miss Cornelia it was ; moreover , Miss Cornelia had not come to make any brief and fashionable wedding call .

no hat pins for Miss Cornelia , an it please ye !

elastic bands had been good enough for her mother and they were good enough for HER .

she had a fresh , round , pink-and-white face , and jolly brown eyes .

she did not look in the least like the traditional old maid , and there was something in her expression which won Anne instantly .

and nobody but Miss Cornelia could have looked dignified and suitably garbed in it .

" I 've brought my work , Mrs Blythe , dearie , " she remarked , unrolling some dainty material .

" I 'm in a hurry to get this done , and there isn't any time to lose . "

Anne looked in some surprise at the white garment spread over Miss Cornelia 's ample lap .

it was certainly a baby 's dress , and it was most beautifully made , with tiny frills and tucks .

Miss Cornelia adjusted her glasses and fell to embroidering with exquisite stitches .

" this is for Mrs Fred Proctor up at the Glen , " she announced .

" she 's expecting her eighth baby any day now , and not a stitch has she ready for it .

that woman is a martyr , Mrs Blythe , believe ME .

when she married Fred Proctor I knew how it would turn out .

he was one of your wicked , fascinating men .

after he got married he left off being fascinating and just kept on being wicked .

he drinks and he neglects his family .

isn't that like a man ?

I don't know how Mrs Proctor would ever keep her children decently clothed if her neighbors didn't help her out . "

as Anne was afterwards to learn , Miss Cornelia was the only neighbor who troubled herself much about the decency of the young Proctors .

" when I heard this eighth baby was coming I decided to make some things for it , " Miss Cornelia went on .

" this is the last and I want to finish it today . "

" it 's certainly very pretty , " said Anne .

" I 'll get my sewing and we 'll have a little thimble party of two .

you are a beautiful sewer , Miss Bryant . "

" yes , I 'm the best sewer in these parts , " said Miss Cornelia in a matter-of-fact tone .

" I ought to be !

Lord , I 've done more of it than if I 'd had a hundred children of my own , believe ME !

I s'pose I 'm a fool , to be putting hand embroidery on this dress for an eighth baby .

nobody 's wanting the poor mite so I put some extra fuss on its little things just on that account . "

" I s'pose you 've been thinking I was never coming to call on you , " resumed Miss Cornelia .

I 'd have come yesterday , but I went to Mrs Roderick MacAllister 's funeral .

at first I thought my head was aching so badly I couldn't enjoy myself if I did go .

but she was a hundred years old , and I 'd always promised myself that I 'd go to her funeral . "

" was it a successful function ? " asked Anne , noticing that the office door was ajar .

" what 's that ?

oh , yes , it was a tremendous funeral .

she had a very large connection .

there was over one hundred and twenty carriages in the procession .

there was one or two funny things happened .

he glories in singing that 's why he never misses a funeral .

Poor Mrs Bradshaw didn't look much like singing all wore out slaving .

old Joe starts out once in a while to buy her a present and brings home some new kind of farm machinery .

isn't that like a man ?

but what else would you expect of a man who never goes to church , even a Methodist one ?

I was real thankful to see you and the young Doctor in the Presbyterian church your first Sunday .

no doctor for me who isn't a Presbyterian . "

" we were in the Methodist church last Sunday evening , " said Anne wickedly .

" we liked the sermon very much , " declared Anne boldly .

" and I thought the Methodist minster 's prayer was one of the most beautiful I ever heard . "

" oh , I 've no doubt he can pray .

" the Methodist minister is very fine looking , " said Anne , for the benefit of the office door .

" yes , he 's quite ornamental , " agreed Miss Cornelia .

" oh , and VERY ladylike .

if you and the young doctor take MY advice , you won't have much to do with the Methodists .

my motto is if you ARE a Presbyterian , BE a Presbyterian . "

" don't you think that Methodists go to heaven as well as Presbyterians ? " asked Anne smilelessly .

" that isn't for US to decide .

it 's in higher hands than ours , " said Miss Cornelia solemnly .

" but I ain't going to associate with them on earth whatever I may have to do in heaven .

THIS Methodist minister isn't married .

the last one they had was , and his wife was the silliest , flightiest little thing I ever saw .

I told her husband once that he should have waited till she was grown up before he married her .

he said he wanted to have the training of her .

wasn't that like a man ? "

" it 's rather hard to decide just when people ARE grown up , " laughed Anne .

" that 's a true word , dearie .

some are grown up when they 're born , and others ain't grown up when they 're eighty , believe ME .

that same Mrs Roderick I was speaking of never grew up .

she was as foolish when she was a hundred as when she was ten . "

" perhaps that was why she lived so long , " suggested Anne .

" maybe ' twas .

I ' d rather live fifty sensible years than a hundred foolish ones . "

" but just think what a dull world it would be if everyone was sensible , " pleaded Anne .

Miss Cornelia disdained any skirmish of flippant epigram .

" Mrs Roderick was a Milgrave , and the Milgraves never had much sense .

her nephew , Ebenezer Milgrave , used to be insane for years .

he believed he was dead and used to rage at his wife because she wouldn't bury him .

I ' d a-done it . "

miss Cornelia looked so grimly determined that Anne could almost see her with a spade in her hand .

" don't you know ANY good husbands , Miss Bryant ? "

" but living going about in the flesh ? " persisted Anne .

" oh , there 's a few , just to show that with God all things are possible , " acknowledged Miss Cornelia reluctantly .

YOUR husband , now , isn't so bad , as men go , from all I hear .

I s'pose " Miss Cornelia looked sharply at Anne over her glasses " you think there 's nobody like him in the world . "

" there isn't , " said Anne promptly .

" ah , well , I heard another bride say that once , " sighed Miss Cornelia .

" Jennie Dean thought when she married that there wasn't anybody like HER husband in the world .

and she was right there wasn't !

and a good thing , too , believe ME !

he led her an awful life and he was courting his second wife while Jennie was dying .

" wasn't that like a man ?

however , I hope YOUR confidence will be better justified , dearie .

the young doctor is taking real well .

I was afraid at first he mightn't , for folks hereabouts have always thought old Doctor Dave the only doctor in the world .

doctor Dave hadn't much tact , to be sure he was always talking of ropes in houses where someone had hanged himself .

but folks forgot their hurt feelings when they had a pain in their stomachs .

if he 'd been a minister instead of a doctor they 'd never have forgiven him .

Soul-ache doesn't worry folks near as much as stomach-ache .

seeing as we 're both Presbyterians and no Methodists around , will you tell me your candid opinion of OUR minister ? "

" why really I well , " hesitated Anne .

Miss Cornelia nodded .

" exactly .

I agree with you , dearie .

we made a mistake when we called HIM .

his face just looks like one of those long , narrow stones in the graveyard , doesn't it ?

' Sacred to the memory ' ought to be written on his forehead .

I shall never forget the first sermon he preached after he came .

did you ever hear the like in your born days , dearie ?

I was so thankful there were no Methodists there that day they 'd never have been done hooting over it .

but what I dislike most in him is his habit of agreeing with everybody , no matter what is said .

a minister should have more backbone .

the long and the short of it is , I consider him a reverend jackass .

but , of course , this is just between you and me .

when there are Methodists in hearing I praise him to the skies .

you 'll never hear ME condemning a woman for her dress .

I 'm only too thankful when her husband isn't too mean and miserly to allow it .

not that I bother much with dress myself .

women just dress to please the men , and I 'd never stoop to THAT .

" why do you hate the men so , Miss Bryant ? "

" Lord , dearie , I don't hate them .

they aren't worth it .

I just sort of despise them .

I think I 'll like YOUR husband if he keeps on as he has begun .

but apart from him about the only men in the world I 've much use for are the old doctor and Captain Jim . "

" Captain Jim is certainly splendid , " agreed Anne cordially .

" captain Jim is a good man , but he 's kind of vexing in one way .

you CAN'T make him mad .

I 've tried for twenty years and he just keeps on being placid .

it does sort of rile me .

and I s'pose the woman he should have married got a man who went into tantrums twice a day . "

" who was she ? "

" oh , I don't know , dearie .

I never remember of Captain Jim making up to anybody .

he was edging on old as far as my memory goes .

he 's seventy-six , you know .

I never heard any reason for his staying a bachelor , but there must be one , believe ME .

he sailed all his life till five years ago , and there 's no corner of the earth he hasn't poked his nose into .

he and Elizabeth Russell were great cronies , all their lives , but they never had any notion of sweet-hearting .

Elizabeth never married , though she had plenty of chances .

she was a great beauty when she was young .

Elizabeth was always very proud of that dance .

mean folks said that was why she never married she couldn't put up with an ordinary man after dancing with a prince .

but that wasn't so .

she told me the reason once it was because she had such a temper that she was afraid she couldn't live peaceably with any man .

she HAD an awful temper she used to have to go upstairs and bite pieces out of her bureau to keep it down by times .

but I told her that wasn't any reason for not marrying if she wanted to .

there 's no reason why we should let the men have a monopoly of temper , is there , Mrs Blythe , dearie ? "

" I 've a bit of temper myself , " sighed Anne .

" it 's well you have , dearie .

you won't be half so likely to be trodden on , believe ME !

my , how that golden glow of yours is blooming !

your garden looks fine .

Poor Elizabeth always took such care of it . "

" I love it , " said Anne .

" I 'm glad it 's so full of old-fashioned flowers .

Gilbert is so busy he will never get time for it this fall .

do you know anyone we can get ? "

" well , Henry Hammond up at the Glen goes out doing jobs like that .

he 'll do , maybe .

his father threw a stump at him when he was small .

" nice gentle missile , wasn't it ?

so like a man !

course , the boy never got over it .

but he 's the only one I can recommend at all .

he painted my house for me last spring .

it looks real nice now , don't you think ? "

Anne was saved by the clock striking five .

" Lord , is it that late ? " exclaimed Miss Cornelia .

" how time does slip by when you 're enjoying yourself !

well , I must betake myself home . "

" no , indeed !

you are going to stay and have tea with us , " said Anne eagerly .

" are you asking me because you think you ought to , or because you really want to ? " demanded Miss Cornelia .

" because I really want to . "

" then I 'll stay .

YOU belong to the race that knows Joseph . "

" yes , we are , dearie .

thank goodness , we can choose our friends .

we have to take our relatives as they are , and be thankful if there are no penitentiary birds among them .

not that I 've many none nearer than second cousins .

I 'm a kind of lonely soul , Mrs Blythe . "

there was a wistful note in Miss Cornelia 's voice .

" I wish you would call me Anne , " exclaimed Anne impulsively .

" it would seem more HOMEY .

everyone in Four Winds , except my husband , calls me Mrs Blythe , and it makes me feel like a stranger .

Do you know that your name is very near being the one I yearned after when I was a child .

I hated ' Anne ' and I called myself ' Cordelia ' in imagination . "

" I like Anne .

it was my mother 's name .

old-fashioned names are the best and sweetest in my opinion .

if you 're going to get tea you might send the young doctor to talk to me .

he 's been lying on the sofa in that office ever since I came , laughing fit to kill over what I 've been saying . "

" how did you know ? " cried Anne , too aghast at this instance of Miss Cornelia 's uncanny prescience to make a polite denial .

" I saw him sitting beside you when I came up the lane , and I know men 's tricks , " retorted Miss Cornelia .

" there , I 've finished my little dress , dearie , and the eighth baby can come as soon as it pleases . "

CHAPTER @number@

AN EVENING AT FOUR WINDS POINT

it was late September when Anne and Gilbert were able to pay Four Winds light their promised visit .

they had often planned to go , but something always occurred to prevent them .

captain Jim had " dropped in " several times at the little house .

" I don't stand on ceremony , Mistress Blythe , " he told Anne .

there oughtn't to be no bargaining like that among the race that knows Joseph .

captain Jim was not going to offend household deities by any lack of reverence and ceremony .

" you 've made this little house just about perfect , " he told Anne .

" it never was so nice before .

as for Elizabeth , she lived in the past .

you 've kinder brought the future into it , so to speak .

it 's beautiful beautiful . "

Captain Jim was a passionate worshipper of beauty .

every lovely thing heard or seen gave him a deep , subtle , inner joy that irradiated his life .

he was quite keenly aware of his own lack of outward comeliness and lamented it .

but there , I reckon He knew what He was about , as a good Captain should .

some of us have to be homely , or the purty ones like Mistress Blythe here wouldn't show up so well . "

one evening Anne and Gilbert finally walked down to the Four Winds light .

the day had begun sombrely in gray cloud and mist , but it had ended in a pomp of scarlet and gold .

over the western hills beyond the harbor were amber deeps and crystalline shallows , with the fire of sunset below .

the north was a mackerel sky of little , fiery golden clouds .

beyond her , it smote upon and incarnadined the shining , white , grassless faces of the sand dunes .

they glowed out of its quiet and grayness like the throbbing , blood-red thoughts of a vivid soul imprisoned in a dull husk of environment .

" that old house up the brook always seems so lonely , " said Anne .

" I never see visitors there .

of course , its lane opens on the upper road but I don't think there 's much coming and going .

it seems odd we 've never met the Moores yet , when they live within fifteen minutes ' walk of us .

I may have seen them in church , of course , but if so I didn't know them .

I 'm sorry they are so unsociable , when they are our only near neighbors . "

" evidently they don't belong to the race that knows Joseph , " laughed Gilbert .

" have you ever found out who that girl was whom you thought so beautiful ? "

" no .

somehow I have never remembered to ask about her .

but I 've never seen her anywhere , so I suppose she must have been a stranger .

oh , the sun has just vanished and there 's the light . "

" no , I didn't , " said Anne , stifling her laughter , lest the retreating enigma should hear here .

" who in the world can he be ? "

he wasn't a sailor , or one might pardon his eccentricity of appearance ; he must belong to the over-harbor clans .

uncle Dave says they have several freaks over there . "

" uncle Dave is a little prejudiced , I think .

you know all the over-harbor people who come to the Glen Church seem very nice .

oh , Gilbert , isn't this beautiful ? "

the Four Winds light was built on a spur of red sand-stone cliff jutting out into the gulf .

it was a shore that knew the magic and mystery of storm and star .

there is a great solitude about such a shore .

the woods are never solitary they are full of whispering , beckoning , friendly life .

we can never pierce its infinite mystery we may only wander , awed and spellbound , on the outer fringe of it .

the woods are human , but the sea is of the company of the archangels .

he rose and welcomed them to his abode with the gentle , unconscious courtesy that became him so well .

would you like to sit down here outside a bit , while the light lasts ?

I 've just finished this bit of a plaything for my little grand nephew , Joe , up at the Glen .

after I promised to make it for him I was kinder sorry , for his mother was vexed .

she 's afraid he 'll be wanting to go to sea later on and she doesn't want the notion encouraged in him .

but what could I do , Mistress Blythe ?

I'd PROMISED him , and I think it 's sorter real dastardly to break a promise you make to a child .

come , sit down .

it won't take long to stay an hour . "

the dusk was hanging a curtain of violet gloom over the sand dunes and the headlands where gulls were huddling .

the sky was faintly filmed over with scarfs of silken vapor .

cloud fleets rode at anchor along the horizons .

an evening star was watching over the bar .

" isn't that a view worth looking at ? " said Captain Jim , with a loving , proprietary pride .

" Nice and far from the market-place , ain't it ?

no buying and selling and getting gain .

you don't have to pay anything all that sea and sky free ' without money and without price . '

there 's a surprise in it every time . "

they had their moonrise , and watched its marvel and magic in a silence that asked nothing of the world or each other .

then they went up into the tower , and Captain Jim showed and explained the mechanism of the great light .

" I put this fireplace in myself , " remarked Captain Jim .

" the Government don't give lighthouse keepers such luxuries .

look at the colors that wood makes .

if you 'd like some driftwood for your fire , Mistress Blythe , I 'll bring you up a load some day .

sit down .

I 'm going to make you a cup of tea . "

captain Jim placed a chair for Anne , having first removed therefrom a huge , orange-colored cat and a newspaper .

" get down , Matey .

the sofa is your place .

I must put this paper away safe till I can find time to finish the story in it .

it 's called A Mad Love .

' Tisn't my favorite brand of fiction , but I 'm reading it jest to see how long she can spin it out .

it 's at the sixty-second chapter now , and the wedding ain't any nearer than when it begun , far 's I can see .

when little Joe comes I have to read him pirate yarns .

ain't it strange how innocent little creatures like children like the blood-thirstiest stories ? "

" like my lad Davy at home , " said Anne .

" he wants tales that reek with gore . "

captain Jim 's tea proved to be nectar .

he was pleased as a child with Anne 's compliments , but he affected a fine indifference .

" the secret is I don't skimp the cream , " he remarked airily .

" we met an odd-looking personage coming out of your lane , " said Gilbert as they sipped .

" who was he ? "

captain Jim grinned .

" that 's Marshall Elliott a mighty fine man with jest one streak of foolishness in him .

I s'pose you wondered what his object was in turning himself into a sort of dime museum freak . "

" is he a modern Nazarite or a Hebrew prophet left over from olden times ? " asked Anne .

" neither of them .

it 's politics that 's at the bottom of his freak .

all those Elliotts and Crawfords and MacAllisters are dyed-in-the-wool politicians .

this Marshall Elliott was born a Grit .

I 'm a Grit myself in moderation , but there 's no moderation about Marshall .

fifteen years ago there was a specially bitter general election .

Marshall fought for his party tooth and nail .

well , they didn't go in and they 've never got in yet and you saw the result today for yourselves .

Marshall stuck to his word . "

" what does his wife think of it ? " asked Anne .

" he 's a bachelor .

but if he had a wife I reckon she couldn't make him break that vow .

that family of Elliotts has always been more stubborn than natteral .

course , he wasn't allowed to ; so he buried it just outside the graveyard fence , and never darkened the church door again .

but Sundays he 'd drive his family to church and sit by that dog 's grave and read his Bible all the time service was going on .

them was HIS parting words .

as for Marshall , we 're all used to him , but he must strike strangers as right down peculiar-looking .

I 've known him ever since he was ten he 's about fifty now and I like him .

him and me was out cod-fishing today .

that 's about all I 'm good for now catching trout and cod occasional .

but ' tweren't always so not by no manner of means .

I used to do other things , as you 'd admit if you saw my life-book . "

Anne was just going to ask what his life-book was when the First Mate created a diversion by springing upon Captain Jim 's knee .

Captain Jim stroked his velvet back gently .

" I never fancied cats much till I found the First Mate , " he remarked , to the accompaniment of the Mate 's tremendous purrs .

" I saved his life , and when you 've saved a creature 's life you 're bound to love it .

it 's next thing to giving life .

there 's some turrible thoughtless people in the world , Mistress Blythe .

some of them city folks who have summer homes over the harbor are so thoughtless that they 're cruel .

it 's the worst kind of cruelty the thoughtless kind .

you can't cope with it .

they keep cats there in the summer , and feed and pet ' em , and doll ' em up with ribbons and collars .

and then in the fall they go off and leave ' em to starve or freeze .

it makes my blood boil , Mistress Blythe .

she 'd died trying to shelter ' em .

she had her poor stiff paws around ' em .

Master , I cried .

then I swore .

then I carried them poor little kittens home and fed ' em up and found good homes for ' em .

it was rank meddling , but I do love meddling in a good cause . "

" how did she take it ? " asked Gilbert .

" cried and said she ' didn't think . '

the Lord 'll ask you what He give you your brains for if it wasn't to think , I reckon . '

I don't fancy she 'll leave cats to starve another time . "

" yes .

I found HIM one bitter cold day in winter , caught in the branches of a tree by his durn-fool ribbon collar .

he was almost starving .

if you could have seen his eyes , Mistress Blythe !

he was nothing but a kitten , and he 'd got his living somehow since he 'd been left until he got hung up .

when I loosed him he gave my hand a pitiful swipe with his little red tongue .

he wasn't the able seaman you see now .

he was meek as Moses .

that was nine years ago .

his life has been long in the land for a cat .

he 's a good old pal , the First Mate is . "

" I should have expected you to have a dog , " said Gilbert .

Captain Jim shook his head .

" I had a dog once .

I thought so much of him that when he died I couldn't bear the thought of getting another in his place .

he was a FRIEND you understand , Mistress Blythe ?

Matey 's only a pal .

I 'm fond of Matey all the fonder on account of the spice of devilment that 's in him like there is in all cats .

but I LOVED my dog .

I always had a sneaking sympathy for Alexander Elliott about HIS dog .

there isn't any devil in a good dog .

that 's why they 're more lovable than cats , I reckon .

but I 'm darned if they 're as interesting .

here I am , talking too much .

why don't you check me ?

when I do get a chance to talk to anyone I run on turrible .

captain Jim 's " few little things " turned out to be a most interesting collection of curios , hideous , quaint and beautiful .

and almost every one had some striking story attached to it .

he sat there in his little room and made those things live again for his hearers .

but in this , as they found later , they did him injustice .

his tales were all literally true .

Anne and Gilbert laughed and shivered over his tales , and once Anne found herself crying .

captain Jim surveyed her tears with pleasure shining from his face .

" I like to see folks cry that way , " he remarked .

" it 's a compliment .

but I can't do justice to the things I 've seen or helped to do .

I 've ' em all jotted down in my life-book , but I haven't got the knack of writing them out properly .

if I could hit on jest the right words and string ' em together proper on paper I could make a great book .

it would beat A Mad Love holler , and I believe Joe 'd like it as well as the pirate yarns .

yes , I 've had some adventures in my time ; and , do you know , Mistress Blythe , I still lust after ' em .

" like Ulysses , you would

' Sail beyond the sunset and the baths Of all the western stars until you die , ' "

said Anne dreamily .

" Ulysses ?

I 've read of him .

yes , that 's just how I feel jest how all us old sailors feel , I reckon .

I 'll die on land after all , I s'pose .

well , what is to be will be .

a fortune-teller had predicted he would be .

and one day he fainted and fell with his face in the barn trough and was drowned .

must you go ?

well , come soon and come often .

the doctor is to do the talking next time .

he knows a heap of things I want to find out .

I 'm sorter lonesome here by times .

it 's been worse since Elizabeth Russell died .

her and me was such cronies . "

Anne and Gilbert promised to come soon and often .

" he 's a rare old fellow , isn't he ? " said Gilbert , as they walked home .

" somehow , I can't reconcile his simple , kindly personality with the wild , adventurous life he has lived , " mused Anne .

" you wouldn't find it so hard if you had seen him the other day down at the fishing village .

one of the men of Peter Gautier 's boat made a nasty remark about some girl along the shore .

captain Jim fairly scorched the wretched fellow with the lightning of his eyes .

he seemed a man transformed .

he didn't say much but the way he said it !

you 'd have thought it would strip the flesh from the fellow 's bones .

I understand that Captain Jim will never allow a word against any woman to be said in his presence . "

" I wonder why he never married , " said Anne .

instead , he has nothing but a magnificent cat . "

but Anne was mistaken .

captain Jim had more than that .

he had a memory .

CHAPTER @number@

LESLIE MOORE

" I 'm going for a walk to the outside shore tonight , " Anne told Gog and Magog one October evening .

there was no one else to tell , for Gilbert had gone over the harbor .

there had been an autumn storm of wind and rain , lasting for three days .

presently she scrambled down the steep path to the little cove below , where she seemed shut in with rocks and sea and sky .

" I 'm going to dance and sing , " she said .

" there 's no one here to see me the seagulls won't carry tales of the matter .

I may be as crazy as I like . "

the girl of the golden hair and sea-blue eyes was sitting on a boulder of the headland , half-hidden by a jutting rock .

she was looking straight at Anne with a strange expression part wonder , part sympathy , part could it be ? envy .

a flying gleam of sunset broke through a low-lying western cloud and fell across her hair .

for a moment she seemed the spirit of the sea personified all its mystery , all its passion , all its elusive charm .

" you you must think me crazy , " stammered Anne , trying to recover her self-possession .

" no , " said the girl , " I don't . "

instead , she sat down on the boulder beside the girl .

" let's introduce ourselves , " she said , with the smile that had never yet failed to win confidence and friendliness .

" I am Mrs Blythe and I live in that little white house up the harbor shore . "

" yes , I know , " said the girl .

" I am Leslie Moore Mrs. Dick Moore , " she added stiffly .

Anne was silent for a moment from sheer amazement .

it had not occurred to her that this girl was married there seemed nothing of the wife about her .

and that she should be the neighbor whom Anne had pictured as a commonplace Four Winds housewife !

Anne could not quickly adjust her mental focus to this astonishing change .

" then then you live in that gray house up the brook , " she stammered .

" yes .

I should have gone over to call on you long ago , " said the other .

she did not offer any explanation or excuse for not having gone .

" I wish you WOULD come , " said Anne , recovering herself somewhat .

" we 're such near neighbors we ought to be friends .

that is the sole fault of Four Winds there aren't quite enough neighbors .

otherwise it is perfection . "

" you like it ? "

" LIKE it !

I love it .

it is the most beautiful place I ever saw . "

" I 've never seen many places , " said Leslie Moore , slowly , " but I 've always thought it was very lovely here .

I I love it , too . "

she spoke , as she looked , shyly , yet eagerly .

Anne had an odd impression that this strange girl the word " girl " would persist could say a good deal if she chose .

" I often come to the shore , " she added .

" so do I , " said Anne .

" it 's a wonder we haven't met here before . "

" probably you come earlier in the evening than I do .

it is generally late almost dark when I come .

and I love to come just after a storm like this .

I don't like the sea so well when it 's calm and quiet .

I like the struggle and the crash and the noise . "

" I love it in all its moods , " declared Anne .

" the sea at Four Winds is to me what Lover 's Lane was at home .

tonight it seemed so free so untamed something broke loose in me , too , out of sympathy .

that was why I danced along the shore in that wild way .

I didn't suppose anybody was looking , of course .

if Miss Cornelia Bryant had seen me she would have forboded a gloomy prospect for poor young Dr Blythe . "

" you know Miss Cornelia ? " said Leslie , laughing .

she had an exquisite laugh ; it bubbled up suddenly and unexpectedly with something of the delicious quality of a baby 's .

Anne laughed , too .

" oh , yes .

she has been down to my house of dreams several times . "

" your house of dreams ? "

" oh , that 's a dear , foolish little name Gilbert and I have for our home .

we just call it that between ourselves .

it slipped out before I thought . "

" So Miss Russell 's little white house is YOUR house of dreams , " said Leslie wonderingly .

" oh , I once dreamed of a palace , too , " said Anne .

" I suppose all girls do .

and then we settle down contentedly in eight-room houses that seem to fulfill all the desires of our hearts because our prince is there .

YOU should have had your palace really , though you are so beautiful .

you MUST let me say it it has to be said I 'm nearly bursting with admiration .

you are the loveliest thing I ever saw , Mrs Moore . "

" if we are to be friends you must call me Leslie , " said the other with an odd passion .

" of course I will .

and MY friends call me Anne . "

" I suppose I am beautiful , " Leslie went on , looking stormily out to sea .

" I hate my beauty .

I wish I had always been as brown and plain as the brownest and plainest girl at the fishing village over there .

well , what do you think of Miss Cornelia ? "

the abrupt change of subject shut the door on any further confidences .

" Miss Cornelia is a darling , isn't she ? " said Anne .

" Gilbert and I were invited to her house to a state tea last week .

you 've heard of groaning tables . "

" I seem to recall seeing the expression in the newspaper reports of weddings , " said Leslie , smiling .

" well , Miss Cornelia 's groaned at least , it creaked positively .

you couldn't have believed she would have cooked so much for two ordinary people .

she had every kind of pie you could name , I think except lemon pie .

" were you able to eat enough pie to please her ? "

" I wasn't .

Gilbert won her heart by eating I won't tell you how much .

she said she never knew a man who didn't like pie better than his Bible .

do you know , I love Miss Cornelia . "

" so do I , " said Leslie .

" she is the best friend I have in the world . "

Anne wondered secretly why , if this were so , Miss Cornelia had never mentioned Mrs Dick Moore to her .

Miss Cornelia had certainly talked freely about every other individual in or near Four Winds .

" if I had come here and seen nothing but just that I would go home satisfied . "

" the effects of light and shadow all along these shores are wonderful , " agreed Anne .

" my little sewing room looks out on the harbor , and I sit at its window and feast my eyes .

the colors and shadows are never the same two minutes together . "

" and you are never lonely ? " asked Leslie abruptly .

" never when you are alone ? "

" no .

I don't think I 've ever been really lonely in my life , " answered Anne .

" even when I 'm alone I have real good company dreams and imaginations and pretendings .

I LIKE to be alone now and then , just to think over things and TASTE them .

but I love friendship and nice , jolly little times with people .

oh , WON'T you come to see me often ?

please do .

I believe , " Anne added , laughing , " that you 'd like me if you knew me . "

" I wonder if YOU would like ME , " said Leslie seriously .

she was not fishing for a compliment .

she looked out across the waves that were beginning to be garlanded with blossoms of moonlit foam , and her eyes filled with shadows .

" I 'm sure I would , " said Anne .

" and please don't think I 'm utterly irresponsible because you saw me dancing on the shore at sunset .

no doubt I shall be dignified after a time .

you see , I haven't been married very long .

I feel like a girl , and sometimes like a child , yet . "

" I have been married twelve years , " said Leslie .

here was another unbelievable thing .

" why , you can't be as old as I am ! " exclaimed Anne .

" you must have been a child when you were married . "

" I was sixteen , " said Leslie , rising , and picking up the cap and jacket lying beside her .

" I am twenty-eight now .

well , I must go back . "

" so must I Gilbert will probably be home .

but I 'm so glad we both came to the shore tonight and met each other . "

Leslie said nothing , and Anne was a little chilled .

she had offered friendship frankly but it had not been accepted very graciously , if it had not been absolutely repelled .

when they reached the shore lane Leslie turned .

" I go this way , Mrs Blythe .

you will come over and see me some time , won't you ? "

Anne felt as if the invitation had been thrown at her .

she got the impression that Leslie Moore gave it reluctantly .

" I will come if you really want me to , " she said a little coldly .

" then I 'll come .

good-night Leslie . "

" good-night , Mrs Blythe . "

Anne walked home in a brown study and poured out her tale to Gilbert .

" so Mrs Dick Moore isn't one of the race that knows Joseph ? " said Gilbert teasingly .

" no o o , not exactly .

and yet I think she WAS one of them once , but has gone or got into exile , " said Anne musingly .

" she is certainly very different from the other women about here .

you can't talk about eggs and butter to HER .

to think I 've been imagining her a second Mrs . Rachel Lynde !

have you ever seen Dick Moore , Gilbert ? "

" no .

I 've seen several men working about the fields of the farm , but I don't know which was Moore . "

" she never mentioned him .

I KNOW she isn't happy . "

it 's a common tragedy enough , Anne .

" a fine woman would have made the best of it .

Mrs Moore has evidently let it make her bitter and resentful . "

" don't let us judge her till we know , " pleaded Anne .

" I don't believe her case is so ordinary .

you will understand her fascination when you meet her , Gilbert .

it is a thing quite apart from her beauty .

I 'm going to ask Miss Cornelia about her . "

CHAPTER @number@

THE STORY OF LESLIE MOORE

" it 's a girl .

Fred was ranting mad said he wanted a boy when the truth is he didn't want it at all .

if it had been a boy he 'd have ranted because it wasn't a girl .

the baby is real pretty , dressed up in its nice little clothes .

it has black eyes and the dearest , tiny hands . "

" I must go and see it .

I just love babies , " said Anne , smiling to herself over a thought too dear and sacred to be put into words .

" I don't say but what they 're nice , " admitted Miss Cornelia .

" but some folks seem to have more than they really need , believe ME .

my poor cousin Flora up at the Glen had eleven , and such a slave as she is !

her husband suicided three years ago .

just like a man ! "

" what made him do that ? " asked Anne , rather shocked .

" couldn't get his way over something , so he jumped into the well .

A good riddance !

he was a born tyrant .

but of course it spoiled the well .

Flora could never abide the thought of using it again , poor thing !

so she had another dug and a frightful expense it was , and the water as hard as nails .

if he HAD to drown himself there was plenty of water in the harbor , wasn't there ?

I 've no patience with a man like that .

we 've only had two suicides in Four Winds in my recollection .

the other was Frank West Leslie Moore 's father .

by the way , has Leslie ever been over to call on you yet ? "

Miss Cornelia nodded .

" I 'm glad , dearie .

I was hoping you 'd foregather with her .

what do you think of her ? "

" I thought her very beautiful . "

" oh , of course .

there was never anybody about Four Winds could touch her for looks .

did you ever see her hair ?

it reaches to her feet when she lets it down .

but I meant how did you like her ? "

" I think I could like her very much if she 'd let me , " said Anne slowly .

" but she wouldn't let you she pushed you off and kept you at arm 's length .

Poor Leslie !

you wouldn't be much surprised if you knew what her life has been .

it 's been a tragedy a tragedy ! " repeated Miss Cornelia emphatically .

" I wish you would tell me all about her that is , if you can do so without betraying any confidence . "

" Lord , dearie , everybody in Four Winds knows poor Leslie 's story .

it 's no secret the OUTSIDE , that is .

nobody knows the INSIDE but Leslie herself , and she doesn't take folks into her confidence .

I 'm about the best friend she has on earth , I reckon , and she 's never uttered a word of complaint to me .

have you ever seen Dick Moore ? "

" no . "

" well , I may as well begin at the beginning and tell you everything straight through , so you 'll understand it .

as I said , Leslie 's father was Frank West .

he was clever and shiftless just like a man .

oh , he had heaps of brains and much good they did him !

he started to go to college , and he went for two years , and then his health broke down .

the Wests were all inclined to be consumptive .

so Frank came home and started farming .

he married Rose Elliott from over harbor .

now you know , Anne , I always take the ground that us women ought to stand by each other .

but I never had much use for Rose Elliott .

she was spoiled to begin with , believe ME , and she was nothing but a lazy , selfish , whining creature .

Frank was no hand to work , so they were poor as Job 's turkey .

Poor !

they lived on potatoes and point , believe ME .

they had two children Leslie and Kenneth .

Leslie had her mother 's looks and her father 's brains , and something she didn't get from either of them .

she took after her Grandmother West a splendid old lady .

she was the brightest , friendliest , merriest thing when she was a child , Anne .

everybody liked her .

she was her father 's favorite and she was awful fond of him .

they were ' chums , ' as she used to say .

she couldn't see any of his faults and he WAS a taking sort of man in some ways .

" well , when Leslie was twelve years old , the first dreadful thing happened .

she worshipped little Kenneth he was four years younger than her , and he WAS a dear little chap .

and mind you , Anne , Leslie saw it .

she was looking down from the loft .

but she never screeched or cried again about it .

they sent for me I can't talk of it . "

Miss Cornelia wiped the tears from her kindly brown eyes and sewed in bitter silence for a few minutes .

she never mentioned Kenneth 's name I 've never heard it cross her lips from that day to this .

after a while she began to laugh again she had the prettiest laugh .

you don't often hear it now . "

" I heard it once the other night , " said Anne .

" it IS a beautiful laugh . "

" Frank West began to go down after Kenneth 's death .

he got mopy and melancholy , and couldn't or wouldn't work .

wasn't that like a man ?

it was the anniversary of his wedding day , too .

Nice , tasty time to pick for it , wasn't it ?

and , of course , that poor Leslie had to be the one to find him .

it was something awful , believe ME ! "

" oh , how horrible ! " said Anne , shuddering .

" the poor , poor child ! "

" Leslie didn't cry at her father 's funeral any more then she had cried at Kenneth 's .

Rose whooped and howled for two , however , and Leslie had all she could do trying to calm and comfort her mother .

I was disgusted with Rose and so was everyone else , but Leslie never got out of patience .

she loved her mother .

Leslie is clannish her own could never do wrong in her eyes .

well , they buried Frank West beside Kenneth , and Rose put up a great big monument to him .

it was bigger than his character , believe ME !

anyhow , it was bigger than Rose could afford , for the farm was mortgaged for more than its value .

but not long after Leslie 's old grandmother West died and she left Leslie a little money enough to give her a year at Queen 's Academy .

Leslie had made up her mind to pass for a teacher if she could , and then earn enough to put herself through Redmond College .

that had been her father 's pet scheme he wanted her to have what he had lost .

Leslie was full of ambition and her head was chock full of brains .

she was so happy and hopeful and full of life and eagerness .

when I think of what she was then and what she is now , I say drat the men ! "

Miss Cornelia snipped her thread off as viciously as if , Nero-like , she was severing the neck of mankind by the stroke .

" Dick Moore came into her life that summer .

he was a big , handsome fellow , with a little ugly soul .

he was always wanting something till he got it , and then he stopped wanting it just like a man .

oh , he didn't growl at the weather when it was fine , and he was mostly real pleasant and agreeable when everything went right .

but he drank a good deal , and there were some nasty stories told of him and a girl down at the fishing village .

he wasn't fit for Leslie to wipe her feet on , that 's the long and short of it .

and he was a Methodist !

he vowed he 'd have her and he got her ! "

" how did he bring it about ? "

" oh , it was an iniquitous thing !

I 'll never forgive Rose West .

Rose carried on terrible fainted and wept , and pleaded with Leslie not to let her be turned out of her home .

she said it would break her heart to leave the home she 'd come to as a bride .

well , she was .

" and Leslie gave in she loved her mother so much she would have done anything to save her pain .

she married Dick Moore .

none of us knew why at the time .

it wasn't till long afterward that I found out how her mother had worried her into it .

of course , there was no wedding , but Rose asked me to go and see them married .

I went , but I was sorry I did .

but Rose was smiling as a basket of chips , believe ME !

in the spring Rose took pneumonia and died a year too late !

Leslie was heart-broken enough over it .

as for Dick , he 'd had enough of quiet married life just like a man .

he was for up and off .

the name of the vessel was the Four Sisters and they were to be gone about nine weeks .

" it must have been a relief to Leslie .

but she never said anything .

from the day of her marriage she was just what she is now cold and proud , and keeping everyone but me at a distance .

I won't BE kept at a distance , believe ME !

I 've just stuck to Leslie as close as I knew how in spite of everything . "

" she told me you were the best friend she had , " said Anne .

" did she ? " exclaimed Miss Cornelia delightedly .

" well , I 'm real thankful to hear it .

sometimes I 've wondered if she really did want me around at all she never let me think so .

you must have thawed her out more than you think , or she wouldn't have said that much itself to you .

oh , that poor , heart-broken girl !

I never see Dick Moore but I want to run a knife clean through him . "

Miss Cornelia wiped her eyes again and having relieved her feelings by her blood-thirsty wish , took up her tale .

" well , Leslie was left over there alone .

dick had put in the crop before he went , and old Abner looked after it .

the summer went by and the Four Sisters didn't come back .

by degrees people began to talk of Dick Moore as one that was dead .

Leslie never thought he was dead and she was right .

a thousand pities too !

the next summer Captain Jim was in Havana that was before he gave up the sea , of course .

he 'd better have let sleeping dogs lie , in my opinion !

captain Jim got it shaved off and then there was no doubt Dick Moore it was his body at least .

his mind wasn't there as for his soul , in my opinion he never had one ! "

" what had happened to him ? "

" nobody knows the rights of it .

they supposed he 'd got hurt in some drunken row , and likely that 's the truth of it .

they took him in , never thinking he could live .

but he did and he was just like a child when he got well .

he hadn't memory or intellect or reason .

they tried to find out who he was but they never could .

he couldn't even tell them his name he could only say a few simple words .

they let him stay on he learned to do a few odd jobs about the place and there Captain Jim found him .

he brought him home I 've always said it was a bad day 's work , though I s'pose there was nothing else he could do .

he thought maybe when Dick got home and saw his old surroundings and familiar faces his memory would wake up .

but it hadn't any effect .

there he 's been at the house up the brook ever since .

he 's just like a child , no more nor less .

takes fractious spells occasionally , but mostly he 's just vacant and good humored and harmless .

he 's apt to run away if he isn't watched .

that 's the burden Leslie has had to carry for eleven years and all alone .

old Abner Moore died soon after Dick was brought home and it was found he was almost bankrupt .

when things were settled up there was nothing for Leslie and Dick but the old West farm .

Leslie rented it to John Ward , and the rent is all she has to live on .

sometimes in summer she takes a boarder to help out .

but most visitors prefer the other side of the harbor where the hotels and summer cottages are .

Leslie 's house is too far from the bathing shore .

she 's taken care of Dick and she 's never been away from him for eleven years she 's tied to that imbecile for life .

and after all the dreams and hopes she once had !

you can imagine what it has been like for her , Anne , dearie with her beauty and spirit and pride and cleverness .

it 's just been a living death . "

" poor , poor girl ! " said Anne again .

her own happiness seemed to reproach her .

what right had she to be so happy when another human soul must be so miserable ?

she listened intently and nodded her satisfaction .

" YOU thought she was stiff and cold , Anne , dearie , but I can tell you she thawed out wonderful for her .

she must have taken to you real strong .

I 'm so glad .

you may be able to help her a good deal .

you WILL be her friend , won't you , Anne , dearie ? "

" indeed I will , if she 'll let me , " said Anne , with all her own sweet , impulsive earnestness .

" no , you must be her friend , whether she 'll let you or not , " said Miss Cornelia resolutely .

" don't you mind if she 's stiff by times don't notice it .

you should see how fat he 's got since he came home .

he used to be lean enough .

Just MAKE her be friends you can do it you 're one of those who have the knack .

only you mustn't be sensitive .

and don't mind if she doesn't seem to want you to go over there much .

she knows that some women don't like to be where Dick is they complain he gives them the creeps .

just get her to come over here as often as she can .

at nights , after he 's in bed and asleep , is about the only time she 's free .

he always goes to bed early and sleeps like the dead till next morning .

that is how you came to meet her at the shore likely .

she wanders there considerable . "

" I will do everything I can for her , " said Anne .

the girl 's beauty and sorrow and loneliness drew her with an irresistible fascination .

Leslie Moore stood apart , a tragic , appealing figure of thwarted womanhood .

she can't take Dick to church , of course not that he ever troubled church much in his best days .

but you just remember that she 's a real strong Presbyterian at heart , Anne , dearie . "

CHAPTER @number@

LESLIE COMES OVER

" I 'm so glad you picked tonight for a call , " she said gaily .

perhaps Captain Jim will drop in , too .

this is his night . "

" no .

captain Jim is over home , " said Leslie .

" he he made me come here , " she added , half defiantly .

" I 'll say a thank-you to him for that when I see him , " said Anne , pulling easy chairs before the fire .

" oh , I don't mean that I didn't want to come , " protested Leslie , flushing a little .

" I I 've been thinking of coming but it isn't always easy for me to get away . "

" of course it must be hard for you to leave Mr Moore , " said Anne , in a matter-of-fact tone .

she was right , for Leslie 's air of constraint suddenly vanished .

evidently she had been wondering how much Anne knew of the conditions of her life and was relieved that no explanations were needed .

she allowed her cap and jacket to be taken , and sat down with a girlish snuggle in the big armchair by Magog .

she was dressed prettily and carefully , with the customary touch of color in the scarlet geranium at her white throat .

her beautiful hair gleamed like molten gold in the warm firelight .

her sea-blue eyes were full of soft laughter and allurement .

and how hungrily Leslie 's eyes looked at the bookcases between the windows !

" our library isn't very extensive , " said Anne , " but every book in it is a FRIEND .

Leslie laughed beautiful laughter that seemed akin to all the mirth that had echoed through the little house in the vanished years .

" I have a few books of father 's not many , " she said .

" I 've read them until I know them almost by heart .

I don't get many books .

it was so seldom I got one I really liked that I gave up getting any . "

" I hope you 'll look on our bookshelves as your own , " said Anne .

" you are entirely and wholeheartedly welcome to the loan of any book on them . "

" you are setting a feast of fat things before me , " said Leslie , joyously .

then , as the clock struck ten , she rose , half unwillingly .

" I must go .

I didn't realise it was so late .

Captain Jim is always saying it doesn't take long to stay an hour .

but I 've stayed two and oh , but I 've enjoyed them , " she added frankly .

" come often , " said Anne and Gilbert .

they had risen and stood together in the firelight 's glow .

Leslie looked at them youthful , hopeful , happy , typifying all she had missed and must forever miss .

Anne watched her until she was lost in the shadows of the chill and misty night .

then she turned slowly back to the glow of her own radiant hearthstone .

" isn't she lovely , Gilbert ?

her hair fascinates me .

Miss Cornelia says it reaches to her feet .

Ruby Gillis had beautiful hair but Leslie 's is ALIVE every thread of it is living gold . "

" she is very beautiful , " agreed Gilbert , so heartily that Anne almost wished he were a LITTLE less enthusiastic .

" Gilbert , would you like my hair better if it were like Leslie 's ? " she asked wistfully .

you wouldn't be ANNE if you had golden hair or hair of any color but "

" red , " said Anne , with gloomy satisfaction .

" yes , red to give warmth to that milk-white skin and those shining gray-green eyes of yours .

golden hair wouldn't suit you at all Queen Anne MY Queen Anne queen of my heart and life and home . "

" then you may admire Leslie 's all you like , " said Anne magnanimously .

CHAPTER @number@

a GHOSTLY EVENING

one evening , a week later , Anne decided to run over the fields to the house up the brook for an informal call .

through it the sea sobbed and shuddered .

Gilbert was away and would be away until the morrow , attending a medical pow-wow in Charlottetown .

Anne longed for an hour of fellowship with some girl friend .

Captain Jim and Miss Cornelia were " good fellows " each , in their own way ; but youth yearned to youth .

this is such a GHOSTLY night .

if ever the dear dead ladies of this little house came back to revisit it they would come on just such a night as this .

if I sit here any longer I 'll see one of them there opposite me in Gilbert 's chair .

this place isn't exactly canny tonight .

Even Gog and Magog have an air of pricking up their ears to hear the footsteps of unseen guests .

I 'll leave my house of dreams to welcome back its old inhabitants .

tonight I am sure it is keeping a tryst with the past . "

" Leslie 's wild for books and magazines , " Miss Cornelia had told her , " and she hardly ever sees one .

she can't afford to buy them or subscribe for them .

she 's really pitifully poor , Anne .

I don't see how she makes out to live at all on the little rent the farm brings in .

she never even hints a complaint on the score of poverty , but I know what it must be .

she 's been handicapped by it all her life .

she didn't mind it when she was free and ambitious , but it must gall now , believe ME .

I 'm glad she seemed so bright and merry the evening she spent with you .

Captain Jim told me he had fairly to put her cap and coat on and push her out of the door .

don't be too long going to see her either .

if you are she 'll think it 's because you don't like the sight of Dick , and she 'll crawl into her shell again .

Dick 's a great , big , harmless baby , but that silly grin and chuckle of his do get on some people 's nerves .

thank goodness , I 've no nerves myself .

I like Dick Moore better now than I ever did when he was in his right senses though the Lord knows that isn't saying much .

I was down there one day in housecleaning time helping Leslie a bit , and I was frying doughnuts .

then he laughed and laughed .

Anne laughed over Miss Cornelia 's wrath as she sped through the darkness .

but laughter accorded ill with that night .

she was sober enough when she reached the house among the willows .

everything was very silent .

there she halted noiselessly .

the door was open .

she was weeping horribly with low , fierce , choking sobs , as if some agony in her soul were trying to tear itself out .

Anne drew back in dismay .

she felt that she could not intermeddle with this bitterness .

her heart ached with a sympathy she might not utter .

to go in now would be to shut the door forever on any possible help or friendship .

some instinct warned Anne that the proud , bitter girl would never forgive the one who thus surprised her in her abandonment of despair .

Anne slipped noiselessly from the veranda and found her way across the yard .

beyond , she heard voices in the gloom and saw the dim glow of a light .

even in the dull light Anne got the impression that there was something unusual about his eyes .

" is this you , Mistress Blythe ? " said Captain Jim .

" now , now , you hadn't oughter be roaming about alone on a night like this .

you could get lost in this fog easier than not .

jest you wait till I see Dick safe inside the door and I 'll come back and light you over the fields .

I ain't going to have Dr Blythe coming home and finding that you walked clean over Cape Leforce in the fog .

a woman did that once , forty years ago .

" so you 've been over to see Leslie , " he said , when he rejoined her .

" I didn't go in , " said Anne , and told what she had seen .

captain Jim sighed .

" poor , poor , little girl !

she don't cry often , Mistress Blythe she 's too brave for that .

she must feel terrible when she does cry .

A night like this is hard on poor women who have sorrows .

there 's something about it that kinder brings up all we 've suffered or feared . "

" it 's full of ghosts , " said Anne , with a shiver .

" that was why I came over I wanted to clasp a human hand and hear a human voice .

" there seem to be so many INHUMAN presences about tonight .

even my own dear house was full of them .

they fairly elbowed me out .

so I fled over here for companionship of my kind . "

" you were right not to go in , though , Mistress Blythe .

Leslie wouldn't have liked it .

she wouldn't have liked me going in with Dick , as I 'd have done if I hadn't met you .

I had Dick down with me all day .

I keep him with me as much as I can to help Leslie a bit . "

" isn't there something odd about his eyes ? " asked Anne .

" you noticed that ?

yes , one is blue and t'other is hazel his father had the same .

it 's a Moore peculiarity .

that was what told me he was Dick Moore when I saw him first down in Cuby .

if it hadn't a-bin for his eyes I mightn't a-known him , with his beard and fat .

you know , I reckon , that it was me found him and brought him home .

Miss Cornelia always says I shouldn't have done it , but I can't agree with her .

it was the RIGHT thing to do and so ' twas the only thing .

there ain't no question in my mind about THAT .

but my old heart aches for Leslie .

she 's only twenty-eight and she 's eaten more bread with sorrow than most women do in eighty years . "

they walked on in silence for a little while .

presently Anne said , " do you know , Captain Jim , I never like walking with a lantern .

I 've had that feeling from childhood .

what is the reason ?

I never feel like that when I 'm really in the darkness when it is close all around me I 'm not the least frightened . "

" I 've something of that feeling myself , " admitted Captain Jim .

" I reckon when the darkness is close to us it is a friend .

but when we sorter push it away from us divorce ourselves from it , so to speak , with lantern light it becomes an enemy .

but the fog is lifting .

" there 's a smart west wind rising , if you notice .

the stars will be out when you get home . "

CHAPTER @number@

NOVEMBER DAYS

Anne and Gilbert spent many an autumn evening at the lighthouse .

it was always a cheery place .

perhaps this was because the First Mate always paraded it in panoply of gold .

captain Jim and Gilbert had many long discussions and high converse on matters beyond the ken of cat or king .

" I like to ponder on all kinds of problems , though I can't solve ' em , " said Captain Jim .

while they " whacked , " Anne listened or dreamed .

then Captain Jim would brew them tea and tell them

" tales of land and sea And whatsoever might betide The great forgotten world outside . "

there was a certain tang and savor in the conversation when Leslie was present which they missed when she was absent .

even when she did not talk she seemed to inspire others to brilliancy .

" she 's just wasted here wasted . "

" weren't you listening to Captain Jim and yours truly the other night when we discussed that subject generally ?

" Gilbert ! "

" Gilbert BLYTHE ! "

" you KNOW you were in love with him at one time , Anne . "

" Gilbert , that 's mean ' pisen mean , just like all the men , ' as Miss Cornelia says .

I NEVER was in love with him .

I only imagined I was .

YOU know that .

you KNOW I 'd rather be your wife in our house of dreams and fulfillment than a queen in a palace . "

the moon was rising over the sad , dark sea behind them and transfiguring it .

" how the home lights shine out tonight through the dark ! " said Anne .

" that string of them over the harbor looks like a necklace .

and what a coruscation there is up at the Glen !

oh , look , Gilbert ; there is ours .

I 'm so glad we left it burning .

I hate to come home to a dark house .

OUR homelight , Gilbert !

isn't it lovely to see ? "

" just one of earth 's many millions of homes , Anne girl but ours OURS our beacon in ' a naughty world . '

when a fellow has a home and a dear , little , red-haired wife in it what more need he ask of life ? "

" well , he might ask ONE thing more , " whispered Anne happily .

" oh , Gilbert , it seems as if I just COULDN'T wait for the spring . "

CHAPTER @number@

CHRISTMAS AT FOUR WINDS

at first Anne and Gilbert talked of going home to Avonlea for Christmas ; but eventually they decided to stay in Four Winds .

" I want to spend the first Christmas of our life together in our own home , " decreed Anne .

so it fell out that Marilla and Mrs Rachel Lynde and the twins came to Four Winds for Christmas .

Marilla had the face of a woman who had circumnavigated the globe .

she had never been sixty miles away from home before ; and she had never eaten a Christmas dinner anywhere save at Green Gables .

Mrs Rachel had made and brought with her an enormous plum pudding .

" Anne 's a good housekeeper , " she said to Marilla in the spare room the night of their arrival .

" I 've looked into her bread box and her scrap pail .

I always judge a housekeeper by those , that 's what .

there 's nothing in the pail that shouldn't have been thrown away , and no stale pieces in the bread box .

of course , she was trained up with you but , then , she went to college afterwards .

I notice she 's got my tobacco stripe quilt on the bed here , and that big round braided mat of yours before her living-room fire .

it makes me feel right at home . "

Anne 's first Christmas in her own house was as delightful as she could have wished .

captain Jim and Miss Cornelia came to dinner .

Leslie and Dick had been invited , but Leslie made excuse ; they always went to her Uncle Isaac West 's for Christmas , she said .

" she 'd rather have it so , " Miss Cornelia told Anne .

" she can't bear taking Dick where there are strangers .

Christmas is always a hard time for Leslie .

she and her father used to make a lot of it . "

Miss Cornelia and Mrs Rachel did not take a very violent fancy to each other .

" two suns hold not their courses in one sphere . "

" it 's many a year since there was a Christmas dinner here , Mistress Blythe , " said Captain Jim .

" Miss Russell always went to her friends in town for Christmas .

but I was here to the first Christmas dinner that was ever eaten in this house and the schoolmaster 's bride cooked it .

I was only a lad , and I 'd never been invited out to dinner before , and I was too shy to eat enough .

I 've got all over THAT . "

" most men do , " said Miss Cornelia , sewing furiously .

Miss Cornelia was not going to sit with idle hands , even on Christmas .

babies come without any consideration for holidays , and there was one expected in a poverty-stricken household at Glen St . Mary .

Miss Cornelia had sent that household a substantial dinner for its little swarm , and so meant to eat her own with a comfortable conscience .

" Well , you know , the way to a man 's heart is through his stomach , Cornelia , " explained Captain Jim .

" I believe you when he HAS a heart , " retorted Miss Cornelia .

" I suppose that 's why so many women kill themselves cooking just as poor Amelia Baxter did .

it must have been a real pleasant change for her .

well , she 's been dead a year , so you 'll soon hear of Horace Baxter taking notice . "

" I heard he was taking notice already , " said Captain Jim , winking at Gilbert .

" wasn't he up to your place one Sunday lately , with his funeral blacks on , and a boiled collar ? "

" no , he wasn't .

and he needn't come neither .

I could have had him long ago when he was fresh .

I don't want any second-hand goods , believe ME .

wasn't that like a man ? "

" have you really proof that he said that , Cornelia ? "

" I have the Methodist minister 's word for it if you call THAT proof .

Robert Baxter told me the same thing too , but I admit THAT isn't evidence .

Robert Baxter isn't often known to tell the truth . "

" it sounds like it mighty often , believe ME .

but trust one man to excuse another .

I have no use for Robert Baxter .

served him right for being late !

he always insisted the choir did it on purpose to insult him , as if he was of that much importance .

but that family always thought they were much bigger potatoes than they really were .

his brother Eliphalet imagined the devil was always at his elbow but I never believed the devil wasted that much time on him . "

" I don't know , " said Captain Jim thoughtfully .

" Eliphalet Baxter lived too much alone hadn't even a cat or dog to keep him human .

when a man is alone he 's mighty apt to be with the devil if he ain't with God .

he has to choose which company he 'll keep , I reckon .

if the devil always was at Life Baxter 's elbow it must have been because Life liked to have him there . "

" I was up to the Methodist church last Sunday morning . "

" you 'd better have been home reading your Bible , " was Miss Cornelia 's retort .

" come , now , Cornelia , I can't see any harm in going to the Methodist church when there 's no preaching in your own .

I 've been a Presbyterian for seventy-six years , and it isn't likely my theology will hoist anchor at this late day . "

" it 's setting a bad example , " said Miss Cornelia grimly .

" besides , " continued wicked Captain Jim , " I wanted to hear some good singing .

" what if the singing isn't good ?

they 're doing their best , and God sees no difference between the voice of a crow and the voice of a nightingale . "

" what caused the trouble in our choir ? " asked Gilbert , who was suffering from suppressed laughter .

" it dates back to the new church , three years ago , " answered Captain Jim .

" we had a fearful time over the building of that church fell out over the question of a new site .

the two sites wasn't more'n two hundred yards apart , but you 'd have thought they was a thousand by the bitterness of that fight .

we was split up into three factions one wanted the east site and one the south , and one held to the old .

it was fought out in bed and at board , and in church and at market .

all the old scandals of three generations were dragged out of their graves and aired .

three matches was broken up by it .

and the meetings we had to try to settle the question !

Cornelia , will you ever forget the one when old Luther Burns got up and made a speech ?

HE stated his opinions forcibly . "

" call a spade a spade , Captain .

you mean he got red-mad and raked them all , fore and aft .

they deserved it too a pack of incapables .

but what would you expect of a committee of men ?

" the Methodists offered us their church , Cornelia . "

we held ONE meeting and elected a committee and canvassed for subscriptions .

we got them , too .

we shut them up close , believe ME , and in six months we had our church .

oh , women can't preach or be elders ; but they can build churches and scare up the money for them . "

" the Methodists allow women to preach , " said Captain Jim .

Miss Cornelia glared at him .

" I never said the Methodists hadn't common sense , Captain .

what I say is , I doubt if they have much religion . "

" I suppose you are in favor of votes for women , Miss Cornelia , " said Gilbert .

" I 'm not hankering after the vote , believe ME , " said Miss Cornelia scornfully .

" I know what it is to clean up after the men .

that 's THEIR scheme .

oh , it 's well that women are patient , believe ME ! "

" what about Job ? " suggested Captain Jim .

" Job !

" anyhow , the virtue doesn't go with the name .

there never was such an impatient man born as old Job Taylor over harbor . "

" well , you know , he had a good deal to try him , Cornelia .

even you can't defend his wife .

" I suppose she WAS trying , " admitted Miss Cornelia reluctantly , " but that didn't justify what Job said when she died .

he rode home from the graveyard the day of the funeral with my father .

he never said a word till they got near home .

wasn't that like a man ? "

" I s'pose poor old Mrs Job did make life kinder uneasy for him , " reflected Captain Jim .

" well , there 's such a thing as decency , isn't there ?

even if a man is rejoicing in his heart over his wife being dead , he needn't proclaim it to the four winds of heaven .

and happy day or not , Job Taylor wasn't long in marrying again , you might notice .

his second wife could manage him .

she made him walk Spanish , believe me !

she said there 'd be nobody to make Job put up a monument to HER . "

" speaking of Taylors , how is Mrs Lewis Taylor up at the Glen , doctor ? " asked Captain Jim .

" she 's getting better slowly but she has to work too hard , " replied Gilbert .

" her husband works hard too raising prize pigs , " said Miss Cornelia .

" he 's noted for his beautiful pigs .

he 's a heap prouder of his pigs than of his children .

but then , to be sure , his pigs are the best pigs possible , while his children don't amount to much .

he picked a poor mother for them , and starved her while she was bearing and rearing them .

his pigs got the cream and his children got the skim milk .

" there are times , Cornelia , when I have to agree with you , though it hurts me , " said Captain Jim .

" that 's just exactly the truth about Lewis Taylor .

Gilbert went out to the kitchen in response to Anne 's beckoning .

Anne shut the door and gave him a connubial lecture .

" Gilbert , you and Captain Jim must stop baiting Miss Cornelia .

oh , I 've been listening to you and I just won't allow it . "

' Anne , Miss Cornelia is enjoying herself hugely .

you know she is . '

" well , never mind .

you two needn't egg her on like that .

dinner is ready now , and , Gilbert , DON'T let Mrs Rachel carve the geese .

I know she means to offer to do it because she doesn't think you can do it properly .

show her you can . "

" I ought to be able to .

I 've been studying A-B-C-D diagrams of carving for the past month , " said Gilbert .

Gilbert carved the geese beautifully .

even Mrs Rachel had to admit that .

and everybody ate of them and enjoyed them .

Anne 's first Christmas dinner was a great success and she beamed with housewifely pride .

" I must be getting back to the light , " he said finally .

" I 'll jest have time to walk home before sundown .

thank you for a beautiful Christmas , Mistress Blythe .

bring Master Davy down to the light some night before he goes home .

" I want to see those stone gods , " said Davy with a relish .

CHAPTER @number@

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT THE LIGHT

the Green Gables folk went home after Christmas , Marilla under solemn covenant to return for a month in the spring .

even the shadows were sharp and stiff and clear-cut , as no proper shadows should be .

there was no soft blending , or kind obscurity , or elusive mistiness in that searching glitter .

but finally the day began to realise that she was growing old .

the white harbor put on soft grays and pinks ; the far-away hills turned amethyst .

" the old year is going away beautifully , " said Anne .

" it 's like the spirit of a shadow , isn't it ? " whispered Anne .

but she spoke rather hardly ; perhaps she thought that even the shadow of Venus could bring her no gift of life .

Anne smiled in the soft twilight ; she felt quite sure what the mystic shadow promised her .

they found Marshall Elliott at the lighthouse .

at first Anne felt inclined to resent the intrusion of this long-haired , long-bearded eccentric into the familiar little circle .

but Marshall Elliott soon proved his legitimate claim to membership in the household of Joseph .

he was a witty , intelligent , well-read man , rivalling Captain Jim himself in the knack of telling a good story .

they were all glad when he agreed to watch the old year out with them .

" ain't he a dear little man ? " said Captain Jim gloatingly .

" I do love to watch a little child asleep , Mistress Blythe .

it 's the most beautiful sight in the world , I reckon .

Joe does love to get down here for a night , because I have him sleep with me .

at home he has to sleep with the other two boys , and he doesn't like it .

why can't I sleep with father , Uncle Jim ? " says he .

' Everybody in the Bible slept with their fathers . '

as for the questions he asks , the minister himself couldn't answer them .

they fair swamp me .

he fired them two off at me tonight , afore he went to sleep .

as for his imagination , it sails away from everything .

he makes up the most remarkable yarns and then his mother shuts him up in the closet for telling stories .

and he sits down and makes up another one , and has it ready to relate to her when she lets him out .

he had one for me when he come down tonight .

' Uncle Jim , ' says he , solemn as a tombstone , ' I had a ' venture in the Glen today . '

' Yes , what was it ? ' says I , expecting something quite startling , but nowise prepared for what I really got .

' I didn't know there was any wolves up at the Glen , ' says I .

' Were you scared ? ' says I .

well , I was fair staggered , Mistress Blythe . "

the hours bloomed into mirth around the driftwood fire .

" can't cultivate an ear for music in that cat nohow , " said Captain Jim .

" he won't stay long enough to learn to like it .

there was something so infectious in the rollicking tunes which Captain Jim played that very soon Marshall Elliott 's feet began to twitch .

he had been a noted dancer in his youth .

presently he started up and held out his hands to Leslie .

instantly she responded .

round and round the firelit room they circled with a rhythmic grace that was wonderful .

Leslie danced like one inspired ; the wild , sweet abandon of the music seemed to have entered into and possessed her .

Anne watched her in fascinated admiration .

she had never seen her like this .

even the aspect of Marshall Elliott , with his long beard and hair , could not spoil the picture .

on the contrary , it seemed to enhance it .

Marshall Elliott looked like a Viking of elder days , dancing with one of the blue-eyed , golden-haired daughters of the Northland .

Leslie dropped into her chair , laughing , breathless .

" I love dancing , " she said apart to Anne .

" I haven't danced since I was sixteen but I love it .

the music seems to run through my veins like quicksilver and I forget everything everything except the delight of keeping time to it .

there isn't any floor beneath me , or walls about me , or roof over me I 'm floating amid the stars . "

captain Jim hung his fiddle up in its place , beside a large frame enclosing several banknotes .

" is there anybody else of your acquaintance who can afford to hang his walls with banknotes for pictures ? " he asked .

" there 's twenty ten-dollar notes there , not worth the glass over them .

they 're old Bank of P E Island notes .

hullo , Matey , don't be scared .

you can come back now .

the music and revelry is over for tonight .

the old year has just another hour to stay with us .

I 've seen seventy-six New Years come in over that gulf yonder , Mistress Blythe . "

" you 'll see a hundred , " said Marshall Elliott .

Captain Jim shook his head .

" no ; and I don't want to at least , I think I don't .

death grows friendlier as we grow older .

not that one of us really wants to die though , Marshall .

Tennyson spoke truth when he said that .

there 's old Mrs Wallace up at the Glen .

she 's had heaps of trouble all her life , poor soul , and she 's lost almost everyone she cared about .

she 's always saying that she 'll be glad when her time comes , and she doesn't want to sojourn any longer in this vale of tears .

but when she takes a sick spell there 's a fuss !

Doctors from town , and a trained nurse , and enough medicine to kill a dog .

Life may be a vale of tears , all right , but there are some folks who enjoy weeping , I reckon . "

they spent the old year 's last hour quietly around the fire .

a few minutes before twelve Captain Jim rose and opened the door .

" we must let the New Year in , " he said .

Outside was a fine blue night .

a sparkling ribbon of moonlight garlanded the gulf .

inside the bar the harbor shone like a pavement of pearl .

the clock on the little shelf above the fireplace struck twelve .

" welcome , New Year , " said Captain Jim , bowing low as the last stroke died away .

" I wish you all the best year of your lives , mates .

CHAPTER @number@

a FOUR WINDS WINTER

Winter set in vigorously after New Year 's .

big , white drifts heaped themselves about the little house , and palms of frost covered its windows .

the harbor ice grew harder and thicker , until the Four Winds people began their usual winter travelling over it .

the safe ways were " bushed " by a benevolent Government , and night and day the gay tinkle of the sleigh-bells sounded on it .

on moonlit nights Anne heard them in her house of dreams like fairy chimes .

the gulf froze over , and the Four Winds light flashed no more .

during the months when navigation was closed Captain Jim 's office was a sinecure .

" the First Mate and I will have nothing to do till spring except keep warm and amuse ourselves .

the last lighthouse keeper used always to move up to the Glen in winter ; but I 'd rather stay at the Point .

the First Mate might get poisoned or chewed up by dogs at the Glen .

they were very good comrades in their rambles and their fireside communings .

" I don't know why I can't get closer to her , " Anne said one evening to Captain Jim .

" I like her so much I admire her so much I WANT to take her right into my heart and creep right into hers .

but I can never cross the barrier . "

" you 've been too happy all your life , Mistress Blythe , " said Captain Jim thoughtfully .

" I reckon that 's why you and Leslie can't get real close together in your souls .

the barrier between you is her experience of sorrow and trouble .

she ain't responsible for it and you ain't ; but it 's there and neither of you can cross it . "

" Mebbe not but it was just the usual unhappiness of a child who hasn't anyone to look after it properly .

there hasn't been any TRAGEDY in your life , Mistress Blythe .

and poor Leslie 's has been almost ALL tragedy .

you know if we 've got anything about us that hurts we shrink from anyone 's touch on or near it .

it holds good with our souls as well as our bodies , I reckon .

Leslie 's soul must be near raw it's no wonder she hides it away . "

" if that were really all , I wouldn't mind , Captain Jim .

I would understand .

but there are times not always , but now and again when I almost have to believe that Leslie doesn't doesn't like me .

and it hurts me , Captain Jim .

I 'm not used to being disliked and I 've tried so hard to win Leslie 's friendship . "

" you have won it , Mistress Blythe .

don't you go cherishing any foolish notion that Leslie don't like you .

if she didn't she wouldn't have anything to do with you , much less chumming with you as she does .

I know Leslie Moore too well not to be sure of that . "

" I felt it , even in the midst of my admiration of her beauty .

she looked at me resentfully she did , indeed , Captain Jim . "

Leslie DOES take sullen spells now and again , poor girl .

I can't blame her , when I know what she has to put up with .

I don't know why it 's permitted .

the doctor and I have talked a lot abut the origin of evil , but we haven't quite found out all about it yet .

there 's a vast of onunderstandable things in life , ain't there , Mistress Blythe ?

sometimes things seem to work out real proper-like , same as with you and the doctor .

and then again they all seem to go catawampus .

THAT'S something a clumsy old sailor 's tongue mustn't meddle with .

but you 've helped Leslie a lot she 's a different creature since you come to Four Winds .

us old friends see the difference in her , as you can't .

so jest you throw overboard any idea of her not liking you . "

Leslie looked at her with hard , bitter , unfriendly eyes .

" so you are to have THAT , too , " she said in a choked voice .

and without another word she had turned and gone across the fields homeward .

Anne was deeply hurt ; for the moment she felt as if she could never like Leslie again .

only , she never mentioned her darling hope to Leslie again ; nor did Leslie ever refer to it .

Anne found it after she was gone and opened it wonderingly .

in it was a tiny white dress of exquisite workmanship delicate embroidery , wonderful tucking , sheer loveliness .

every stitch in it was handwork ; and the little frills of lace at neck and sleeves were of real Valenciennes .

lying on it was a card " with Leslie 's love . "

" what hours of work she must have put on it , " said Anne .

" and the material must have cost more than she could really afford .

it is very sweet of her . "

but Leslie was brusque and curt when Anne thanked her , and again the latter felt thrown back upon herself .

Leslie 's gift was not alone in the little house .

Anne herself made many , desecrated by no touch of machinery , spending over them the happiest hours of the happy winter .

Captain Jim was the most frequent guest of the little house , and none was more welcome .

every day Anne loved the simple-souled , true-hearted old sailor more and more .

he was as refreshing as a sea breeze , as interesting as some ancient chronicle .

she was never tired of listening to his stories , and his quaint remarks and comments were a continual delight to her .

captain Jim was one of those rare and interesting people who " never speak but they say something . "

the milk of human kindness and the wisdom of the serpent were mingled in his composition in delightful proportions .

nothing ever seemed to put Captain Jim out or depress him in any way .

" I 've kind of contracted a habit of enj'ying things , " he remarked once , when Anne had commented on his invariable cheerfulness .

" it 's got so chronic that I believe I even enj'y the disagreeable things .

it 's great fun thinking they can't last .

' Old rheumatiz , ' says I , when it grips me hard , ' you 've GOT to stop aching sometime .

the worse you are the sooner you'll stop , mebbe .

I 'm bound to get the better of you in the long run , whether in the body or out of the body . ' "

one night , by the fireside at the light Anne saw Captain Jim 's " life-book . "

he needed no coaxing to show it and proudly gave it to her to read .

" I writ it to leave to little Joe , " he said .

" I don't like the idea of everything I 've done and seen being clean forgot after I 've shipped for my last v'yage .

Joe , he 'll remember it , and tell the yarns to his children . "

it was an old leather-bound book filled with the record of his voyages and adventures .

Anne thought what a treasure trove it would be to a writer .

every sentence was a nugget .

Anne said something of this to Gilbert as they walked home .

" why don't you try your hand at it yourself , Anne ? "

Anne shook her head .

" no .

I only wish I could .

but it 's not in the power of my gift .

you know what my forte is , Gilbert the fanciful , the fairylike , the pretty .

a rare combination of gifts is needed .

Paul might do it if he were older .

anyhow , I 'm going to ask him to come down next summer and meet Captain Jim . "

" come to this shore , " wrote Anne to Paul .

Paul , however wrote back , saying regretfully that he could not come that year .

he was going abroad for two year 's study .

" when I return I 'll come to Four Winds , dear Teacher , " he wrote .

CHAPTER @number@

SPRING DAYS

" I 'm so glad to see it once more , " said Anne , on the first evening of its reappearance .

" I 've missed it so all winter .

the northwestern sky has seemed blank and lonely without it . "

the land was tender with brand-new , golden-green , baby leaves .

there was an emerald mist on the woods beyond the Glen .

the seaward valleys were full of fairy mists at dawn .

vibrant winds came and went with salt foam in their breath .

the sea laughed and flashed and preened and allured , like a beautiful , coquettish woman .

the herring schooled and the fishing village woke to life .

the harbor was alive with white sails making for the channel .

the ships began to sail outward and inward again .

" I catch myself conning over old lines and verses I heard the schoolmaster reciting sixty years ago .

they don't trouble me at other times .

now I feel as if I had to get out on the rocks or the fields or the water and spout them . "

" it 's getting real scarce along this shore now , " he said .

" when I was a boy there was a-plenty of it .

but now it 's only once in a while you 'll find a plot and never when you 're looking for it .

I favor the smell of sweet-grass .

it always makes me think of my mother . "

" she was fond of it ? " asked Anne .

" not that I knows on .

Dunno 's she ever saw any sweet-grass .

the schoolmaster 's bride always kept it among her handkerchiefs .

you might put that little bunch among yours , Mistress Blythe .

I don't like these boughten scents but a whiff of sweet-grass belongs anywhere a lady does . "

" they DO look nice , " she said sincerely .

" the schoolmaster 's bride always had cowhawks round her beds , " said Captain Jim .

" she was a master hand with flowers .

she LOOKED at ' em and touched ' em SO and they grew like mad .

some folks have that knack I reckon you have it , too , Mistress Blythe . "

" oh , I don't know but I love my garden , and I love working in it .

Just now my garden is like faith the substance of things hoped for .

but bide a wee . "

" when I ponder on them seeds I don't find it nowise hard to believe that we 've got souls that 'll live in other worlds .

but Miss Cornelia and Captain Jim came very often to the little house .

Miss Cornelia was the joy of Anne 's and Gilbert 's existence .

they laughed side-splittingly over her speeches after every visit .

when Captain Jim and she happened to visit the little house at the same time there was much sport for the listening .

they waged wordy warfare , she attacking , he defending .

Anne once reproached the Captain for his baiting of Miss Cornelia .

" oh , I do love to set her going , Mistress Blythe , " chuckled the unrepentant sinner .

" it 's the greatest amusement I have in life .

that tongue of hers would blister a stone .

and you and that young dog of a doctor enj'y listening to her as much as I do . "

Captain Jim came along another evening to bring Anne some mayflowers .

the garden was full of the moist , scented air of a maritime spring evening .

the bell of the church across the harbor was ringing dreamily sweet .

the mellow chime drifted through the dusk to mingle with the soft spring-moan of the sea .

captain Jim 's mayflowers added the last completing touch to the charm of the night .

" I haven't seen any this spring , and I 've missed them , " said Anne , burying her face in them .

" they ain't to be found around Four Winds , only in the barrens away behind the Glen up yander .

I took a little trip today to the Land-of-nothing-to-do , and hunted these up for you .

I reckon they 're the last you 'll see this spring , for they 're nearly done . "

" how kind and thoughtful you are , Captain Jim .

nobody else not even Gilbert " with a shake of her head at him " remembered that I always long for mayflowers in spring . "

" well , I had another errand , too I wanted to take Mr Howard back yander a mess of trout .

he likes one occasional , and it 's all I can do for a kindness he did me once .

I stayed all the afternoon and talked to him .

the Glen folks fight shy of him because they think he 's an infidel .

he ain't that far gone exactly few men is , I reckon but he 's what you might call a heretic .

heretics are wicked , but they 're mighty int'resting .

it 's jest that they 've got sorter lost looking for God , being under the impression that He 's hard to find which He ain't never .

most of ' em blunder to Him after awhile , I guess .

I don't think listening to Mr Howard 's arguments is likely to do me much harm .

mind you , I believe what I was brought up to believe .

it saves a vast of bother and back of it all , God is good .

the trouble with Mr . Howard is that he 's a leetle TOO clever .

but he 'll get there sometime all right , and then he 'll laugh at himself . "

" oh , well , " conceded Miss Cornelia , " if you weren't a Presbyterian it wouldn't matter much what you were .

I can read sense , and I can read nonsense , but that book is neither the one nor the other . "

" oh , I wouldn't have minded its being heretical .

" speaking of books , A Mad Love come to an end at last two weeks ago , " remarked Captain Jim musingly .

" it run to one hundred and three chapters .

when they got married the book stopped right off , so I reckon their troubles were all over .

it 's real nice that that 's the way in books anyhow , isn't it , even if ' tistn't so anywhere else ? "

" I never read novels , " said Miss Cornelia .

" did you hear how Geordie Russell was today , Captain Jim ? "

" yes , I called in on my way home to see him .

he 's getting round all right but stewing in a broth of trouble , as usual , poor man .

" ' Course he brews up most of it for himself , but I reckon that don't make it any easier to bear . "

" he 's an awful pessimist , " said Miss Cornelia .

" well , no , he ain't a pessimist exactly , Cornelia .

he only jest never finds anything that suits him . "

" and isn't that a pessimist ? "

" no , no .

a pessimist is one who never expects to find anything to suit him .

Geordie hain't got THAT far yet . "

" you 'd find something good to say of the devil himself , Jim Boyd . "

" well , you 've heard the story of the old lady who said he was persevering .

but no , Cornelia , I 've nothing good to say of the devil . "

" do you believe in him at all ? " asked Miss Cornelia seriously .

" how can you ask that when you know what a good Presbyterian I am , Cornelia ?

how could a Presbyterian get along without a devil ? "

" DO you ? " persisted Miss Cornelia .

captain Jim suddenly became grave .

" I do THAT , Cornelia .

you can call it the devil , or the ' principle of evil , ' or the Old Scratch , or any name you like .

it 's THERE , and all the infidels and heretics in the world can't argue it away , any more'n they can argue God away .

it 's there , and it 's working .

but , mind you , Cornelia , I believe it 's going to get the worst of it in the long run . "

" I am sure I hope so , " said Miss Cornelia , none too hopefully .

" but speaking of the devil , I am positive that Billy Booth is possessed by him now .

have you heard of Billy 's latest performance ? "

" no , what was that ? "

wasn't that like a man ? "

" Mistress Booth IS mighty pretty , and brown 's her color , " said Captain Jim reflectively .

" is that any good reason why he should poke her new suit into the kitchen stove ?

Billy Booth is a jealous fool , and he makes his wife 's life miserable .

she 's cried all the week about her suit .

oh , Anne , I wish I could write like you , believe ME .

wouldn't I score some of the men round here ! "

" those Booths are all a mite queer , " said Captain Jim .

" Billy seemed the sanest of the lot till he got married and then this queer jealous streak cropped out in him .

his brother Daniel , now , was always odd . "

" took tantrums every few days or so and wouldn't get out of bed , " said Miss Cornelia with a relish .

" his wife would have to do all the barn work till he got over his spell .

when he died people wrote her letters of condolence ; if I 'd written anything it would have been one of congratulation .

their father , old Abram Booth , was a disgusting old sot .

Young Johnny Booth was to have been married yesterday , but he couldn't be because he 's gone and got the mumps .

wasn't that like a man ? "

" how could he help getting the mumps , poor fellow ? "

" I'd poor fellow him , believe ME , if I was Kate Sterns .

such a waste !

he should have had the mumps when he was a boy . "

" come , come , Cornelia , don't you think you 're a mite unreasonable ? "

Susan had been up to the Glen to make a sick call , and had just returned .

" how is poor old Aunt Mandy tonight ? " asked Miss Cornelia .

Susan sighed .

" very poorly very poorly , Cornelia .

I am afraid she will soon be in heaven , poor thing ! "

" oh , surely , it 's not so bad as that ! " exclaimed Miss Cornelia , sympathetically .

captain Jim and Gilbert looked at each other .

then they suddenly rose and went out .

" there are times , " said Captain Jim , between spasms , " when it would be a sin NOT to laugh .

them two excellent women ! "

CHAPTER @number@

DAWN AND DUSK

the June night was short ; but it seemed an eternity to those who waited and watched .

suppose Anne but Marilla could not suppose it .

" he has taken others as well beloved , " said Marilla hoarsely .

Anne was safe , and a wee , white lady , with her mother 's big eyes , was lying beside her .

Gilbert , his face gray and haggard from his night 's agony , came down to tell Marilla and Susan .

" thank God , " shuddered Marilla .

Susan got up and took the cotton wool out of her ears .

" now for breakfast , " she said briskly .

" I am of the opinion that we will all be glad of a bite and sup .

you tell young Mrs. Doctor not to worry about a single thing Susan is at the helm .

you tell her just to think of her baby . "

Gilbert smiled rather sadly as he went away .

she thought of nothing else .

for a few hours she tasted of happiness so rare and exquisite that she wondered if the angels in heaven did not envy her .

" Little Joyce , " she murmured , when Marilla came in to see the baby .

" we planned to call her that if she were a girlie .

oh , Marilla , I thought I was happy before .

now I know that I just dreamed a pleasant dream of happiness .

THIS is the reality . "

" you mustn't talk , Anne wait till you 're stronger , " said Marilla warningly .

" you know how hard it is for me NOT to talk , " smiled Anne .

at first she was too weak and too happy to notice that Gilbert and the nurse looked grave and Marilla sorrowful .

then , as subtly , and coldly , and remorselessly as a sea-fog stealing landward , fear crept into her heart .

why was not Gilbert gladder ?

why would he not talk about the baby ?

why would they not let her have it with her after that first heavenly happy hour ?

was was there anything wrong ?

" Gilbert , " whispered Anne imploringly , " the baby is all right isn't she ?

tell me tell me . "

Gilbert was a long while in turning round ; then he bent over Anne and looked in her eyes .

Marilla , listening fearfully outside the door , heard a pitiful , heartbroken moan , and fled to the kitchen where Susan was weeping .

" oh , the poor lamb the poor lamb !

how can she bear it , Miss Cuthbert ?

I am afraid it will kill her .

she has been that built up and happy , longing for that baby , and planning for it .

cannot anything be done nohow , Miss Cuthbert ? "

" I 'm afraid not , Susan .

Gilbert says there is no hope .

he knew from the first the little thing couldn't live . "

" and it is such a sweet baby , " sobbed Susan .

" I never saw one so white they are mostly red or yallow .

and it opened its big eyes as if it was months old .

the little , little thing !

oh , the poor , young Mrs. doctor ! "

at sunset the little soul that had come with the dawning went away , leaving heartbreak behind it .

Leslie had asked her to do that .

then she took it back and laid it beside the poor , broken , tear-blinded little mother .

" the Lord has given and the Lord has taken away , dearie , " she said through her own tears .

" Blessed be the name of the Lord . "

then she went away , leaving Anne and Gilbert alone together with their dead .

Little Joy was never to sleep there ; she had found a colder , narrower bed .

" this has been an awful disappointment to me , " sighed Miss Cornelia .

" I 've looked forward to this baby and I did want it to be a girl , too . "

" poor , poor lamb !

her heart is broken , " said Susan .

" I ENVY Anne , " said Leslie suddenly and fiercely , " and I 'd envy her even if she had died !

she was a mother for one beautiful day .

I 'd gladly give my life for THAT ! "

" I wouldn't talk like that , Leslie , dearie , " said Miss Cornelia deprecatingly .

she was afraid that the dignified Miss Cuthbert would think Leslie quite terrible .

Anne 's convalescence was long , and made bitter for her by many things .

kindly callers hurt her , too , with the well-meant platitudes with which they strove to cover the nakedness of bereavement .

a letter from Phil Blake was an added sting .

" I would have laughed over it so happily if I had my baby , " she sobbed to Marilla .

" but when I haven't it just seems like wanton cruelty though I know Phil wouldn't hurt me for the world .

oh , Marilla , I don't see how I can EVER be happy again EVERYTHING will hurt me all the rest of my life . "

" it doesn't seem FAIR , " said Anne rebelliously .

" babies are born and live where they are not wanted where they will be neglected where they will have no chance .

I would have loved my baby so and cared for it so tenderly and tried to give her every chance for good .

and yet I wasn't allowed to keep her . "

" it was God 's will , Anne , " said Marilla , helpless before the riddle of the universe the WHY of undeserved pain .

" and little Joy is better off . "

" I can't believe THAT , " cried Anne bitterly .

and how do you know it was God 's will ?

perhaps it was just a thwarting of His purpose by the Power of Evil .

we can't be expected to be resigned to THAT . "

" oh , Anne , don't talk so , " said Marilla , genuinely alarmed lest Anne were drifting into deep and dangerous waters .

" we can't understand but we must have faith we MUST believe that all is for the best .

I know you find it hard to think so , just now .

but try to be brave for Gilbert 's sake .

he 's so worried about you .

you aren't getting strong as fast as you should . "

" oh , I know I 've been very selfish , " sighed Anne .

" I love Gilbert more than ever and I want to live for his sake .

" it won't hurt so much always , Anne . "

" the thought that it may stop hurting sometimes hurts me worse than all else , Marilla . "

" yes , I know , I 've felt that too , about other things .

but we all love you , Anne .

Susan doesn't like it very well .

she thinks she can cook as well as Miss Bryant . "

" dear Susan !

oh , everybody has been so dear and good and lovely to me , Marilla .

I 'm not ungrateful and perhaps when this horrible ache grows a little less I 'll find that I can go on living . "

CHAPTER @number@

LOST MARGARET

Anne found that she could go on living ; the day came when she even smiled again over one of Miss Cornelia 's speeches .

but there was something in the smile that had never been in Anne 's smile before and would never be absent from it again .

" I 'm real proud to see you here again , Mistress Blythe , " said Captain Jim .

" sit down sit down .

" I don't mind the dust , " said Anne , " but Gilbert says I must keep in the open air .

I think I 'll go and sit on the rocks down there . "

" would you like company or would you rather be alone ? "

" if by company you mean yours I 'd much rather have it than be alone , " said Anne , smiling .

then she sighed .

she had never before minded being alone .

now she dreaded it .

when she was alone now she felt so dreadfully alone .

" here 's a nice little spot where the wind can't get at you , " said Captain Jim , when they reached the rocks .

" I often sit here .

it 's a great place jest to sit and dream . "

" oh dreams , " sighed Anne .

" I can't dream now , Captain Jim I 'm done with dreams . "

" oh , no , you 're not , Mistress Blythe oh , no , you 're not , " said Captain Jim meditatively .

if it wasn't for our dreams they might as well bury us .

How'd we stand living if it wasn't for our dream of immortality ?

and that 's a dream that 's BOUND to come true , Mistress Blythe .

you 'll see your little Joyce again some day . "

" but she won't be my baby , " said Anne , with trembling lips .

" God will manage better'n THAT , I believe , " said Captain Jim .

they were both silent for a little time .

then Captain Jim said very softly :

" Mistress Blythe , may I tell you about lost Margaret ? "

" of course , " said Anne gently .

" I 've often wanted to tell you about her , " Captain Jim went on .

" do you know why , Mistress Blythe ?

it 's because I want somebody to remember and think of her sometime after I 'm gone .

I can't bear that her name should be forgotten by all living souls .

and now nobody remembers lost Margaret but me . "

but to Captain Jim those fifty years were but as yesterday when it is past .

but I 'll find her sometime , Mistress Blythe I 'll find her sometime .

she 's waiting for me .

I wish I could tell you jest how she looked , but I can't .

and when there 's a storm and the waves are sobbing and moaning I hear her lamenting among them .

and when they laugh on a gay day it 's HER laugh lost Margaret 's sweet , roguish , little laugh .

the sea took her from me , but some day I 'll find her .

Mistress Blythe .

it can't keep us apart forever . "

" I am glad you have told me about her , " said Anne .

" I have often wondered why you had lived all your life alone . "

" I couldn't ever care for anyone else .

" you won't mind if I talk a good deal about her , will you , Mistress Blythe ?

it 's a pleasure to me for all the pain went out of her memory years ago and jest left its blessing .

I know you 'll never forget her , Mistress Blythe .

CHAPTER @number@

BARRIERS SWEPT AWAY

they were sitting among the blue-eyed grasses on the bank of the brook in Anne 's garden .

the water sparkled and crooned past them ; the birches threw dappled shadows over them ; roses bloomed along the walks .

the sun was beginning to be low , and the air was full of woven music .

Anne loved that bell , though it brought sorrowful thoughts now .

she looked curiously at Leslie , who had thrown down her sewing and spoken with a lack of restraint that was very unusual with her .

" Leslie !

Leslie !

I never allow anyone to call my friends names . "

" it 's true .

that 's exactly what I am a hateful little beast .

there 's something I 've GOT to tell you , Anne .

I suppose it will make you despise me , but I MUST confess it .

Anne , there have been times this past winter and spring when I have HATED you . "

" I KNEW it , " said Anne calmly .

" you KNEW it ? "

" yes , I saw it in your eyes . "

" and yet you went on liking me and being my friend . "

" well , it was only now and then you hated me , Leslie .

between times you loved me , I think . "

" I certainly did .

but that other horrid feeling was always there , spoiling it , back in my heart .

I kept it down sometimes I forgot it but sometimes it would surge up and take possession of me .

I hated you because I ENVIED you oh , I was sick with envy of you at times .

you had a dear little home and love and happiness and glad dreams everything I wanted and never had and never could have .

oh , never could have !

THAT was what stung .

I wouldn't have envied you , if I had had any HOPE that life would ever be different for me .

but I hadn't I hadn't and it didn't seem FAIR .

it made me rebellious and it hurt me and so I hated you at times .

oh , I was so ashamed of it I 'm dying of shame now but I couldn't conquer it .

Leslie was trembling and growing almost incoherent with the violence of her emotion .

" don't , Leslie , " implored Anne , " oh , don't .

I understand don't talk of it any more . "

" I must I must .

and I 've been so afraid it would turn you against me . "

" you needn't fear that , Leslie . "

" oh , I 'm so glad so glad , Anne . "

Leslie clasped her brown , work-hardened hands tightly together to still their shaking .

" but I want to tell you everything , now I 've begun .

you don't remember the first time I saw you , I suppose it wasn't that night on the shore "

" no , it was the night Gilbert and I came home .

you were driving your geese down the hill .

I should think I DO remember it !

I thought you were so beautiful I longed for weeks after to find out who you were . "

" I knew who YOU were , although I had never seen either of you before .

I had heard of the new doctor and his bride who were coming to live in Miss Russell 's little house .

I I hated you that very moment , Anne . "

" I felt the resentment in your eyes then I doubted I thought I must be mistaken because WHY should it be ? "

" it was because you looked so happy .

that was why I never went to see you .

I knew quite well I ought to go even our simple Four Winds customs demanded that .

but I couldn't .

and it hurt me .

and yet in another way I wanted to go over .

and then you remember that night at the shore ?

you were afraid I would think you crazy .

you must have thought I was . "

" no , but I couldn't understand you , Leslie .

one moment you drew me to you the next you pushed me back . "

" I was very unhappy that evening .

I had had a hard day .

dick had been very very hard to manage that day .

generally he is quite good-natured and easily controlled , you know , Anne .

but some days he is very different .

I was so heartsick I ran away to the shore as soon as he went to sleep .

it was my only refuge .

I sat there thinking of how my poor father had ended his life , and wondering if I wouldn't be driven to it some day .

oh , my heart was full of black thoughts !

and then you came dancing along the cove like a glad , light-hearted child .

I I hated you more then than I 've ever done since .

and yet I craved your friendship .

the one feeling swayed me one moment ; the other feeling the next .

when I got home that night I cried for shame of what you must think of me .

but it 's always been just the same when I came over here .

sometimes I 'd be happy and enjoy my visit .

and at other times that hideous feeling would mar it all .

there were times when everything about you and your house hurt me .

you had so many dear little things I couldn't have .

do you know it 's ridiculous but I had an especial spite at those china dogs of yours .

there were times when I wanted to catch up Gog and Magog and bang their pert black noses together !

oh , you smile , Anne but it was never funny to me .

oh , Anne , I don't believe I 'm jealous and envious by nature .

when I was a girl I lacked many things my schoolmates had , but I never cared I never disliked them for it .

but I seem to have grown so hateful "

" Leslie , dearest , stop blaming yourself .

you are NOT hateful or jealous or envious .

the life you have to live has warped you a little , perhaps-but it would have ruined a nature less fine and noble than yours .

I 'm letting you tell me all this because I believe it 's better for you to talk it out and rid your soul of it .

but don't blame yourself any more . "

" well , I won't .

I just wanted you to know me as I am .

that time you told me of your darling hope for the spring was the worst of all , Anne .

I shall never forgive myself for the way I behaved then .

I repented it with tears .

and I DID put many a tender and loving thought of you into the little dress I made .

but I might have known that anything I made could only be a shroud in the end . "

" now , Leslie , that IS bitter and morbid put such thoughts away .

" Anne , do you know , I believe I shall always love you after this .

I don't think I 'll ever feel that dreadful way about you again .

talking it all out seems to have done away with it , somehow .

it 's very strange and I thought it so real and bitter .

it will never come between us again . "

" no , we are real friends now , Leslie , and I am very glad . "

" I hope you won't misunderstand me if I say something else .

but your sorrow has brought us closer together .

your perfect happiness isn't a barrier any longer .

" I DO understand that , too , Leslie .

now , we 'll just shut up the past and forget what was unpleasant in it .

it 's all going to be different .

we 're both of the race of Joseph now .

I think you 've been wonderful wonderful .

and , Leslie , I can't help believing that life has something good and beautiful for you yet . "

Leslie shook her head .

" no , " she said dully .

" there isn't any hope .

this is something you can't understand , you happy bride .

Anne , did Miss Cornelia ever tell you how I came to marry Dick ? "

" yes . "

" I 'm glad I wanted you to know but I couldn't bring myself to talk of it if you hadn't known .

Anne , it seems to me that ever since I was twelve years old life has been bitter .

before that I had a happy childhood .

we were very poor but we didn't mind .

father was so splendid so clever and loving and sympathetic .

we were chums as far back as I can remember .

and mother was so sweet .

she was very , very beautiful .

I look like her , but I am not so beautiful as she was . "

" Miss Cornelia says you are far more beautiful . "

" she is mistaken or prejudiced .

I think my figure IS better mother was slight and bent by hard work but she had the face of an angel .

I used just to look up at her in worship .

we all worshipped her , father and Kenneth and I . "

Anne remembered that Miss Cornelia had given her a very different impression of Leslie 's mother .

but had not love the truer vision ?

Still , it WAS selfish of Rose West to make her daughter marry Dick Moore .

" Kenneth was my brother , " went on Leslie .

" oh , I can't tell you how I loved him .

and he was cruelly killed .

do you know how ? "

" yes . "

" Anne , I saw his little face as the wheel went over him .

he fell on his back .

Anne Anne I can see it now .

I shall always see it .

Anne , all I ask of heaven is that that recollection shall be blotted out of my memory .

O my God ! "

" Leslie , don't speak of it .

I know the story don't go into details that only harrow your soul up unavailingly .

it WILL be blotted out . "

after a moment 's struggle , Leslie regained a measure of self-control .

" then father 's health got worse and he grew despondent his mind became unbalanced you 've heard all that , too ? "

" yes . "

" after that I had just mother to live for .

but I was very ambitious .

I meant to teach and earn my way through college .

I meant to climb to the very top oh , I won't talk of that either .

it 's no use .

you know what happened .

I couldn't see my dear little heart-broken mother , who had been such a slave all her life , turned out of her home .

of course , I could have earned enough for us to live on .

but mother COULDN'T leave her home .

she had come there as a bride and she had loved father so and all her memories were there .

even yet , Anne , when I think that I made her last year happy I 'm not sorry for what I did .

I knew he drank some but I had never heard the story of the girl down at the fishing cove .

if I had , I COULDN'T have married him , even for mother 's sake .

afterwards I DID hate him but mother never knew .

she died and then I was alone .

I was only seventeen and I was alone .

dick had gone off in the Four Sisters .

I hoped he wouldn't be home very much more .

the sea had always been in his blood .

I had no other hope .

well , Captain Jim brought him home , as you know and that 's all there is to say .

you know me now , Anne the worst of me the barriers are all down .

and you still want to be my friend ? "

Anne looked up through the birches , at the white paper-lantern of a half moon drifting downwards to the gulf of sunset .

her face was very sweet .

" I am your friend and you are mine , for always , " she said .

" such a friend as I never had before .

I have had many dear and beloved friends but there is a something in you , Leslie , that I never found in anyone else .

we are both women and friends forever . "

they clasped hands and smiled at each other through the tears that filled the gray eyes and the blue .

CHAPTER @number@

MISS CORNELIA ARRANGES MATTERS

Gilbert insisted that Susan should be kept on at the little house for the summer .

Anne protested at first .

" life here with just the two of us is so sweet , Gilbert .

it spoils it a little to have anyone else .

Susan is a dear soul , but she is an outsider .

it won't hurt me to do the work here . "

" you must take your doctor 's advice , " said Gilbert .

" there 's an old proverb to the effect that shoemakers ' wives go barefoot and doctors ' wives die young .

I don't mean that it shall be true in my household .

you will keep Susan until the old spring comes back into your step , and those little hollows on your cheeks fill out . "

" you just take it easy , Mrs. doctor , dear , " said Susan , coming abruptly in .

" have a good time and do not worry about the pantry .

Susan is at the helm .

there is no use in keeping a dog and doing your own barking .

I am going to take your breakfast up to you every morning . "

" indeed you are not , " laughed Anne .

" oh , Cornelia ! " said Susan , with ineffable contempt .

" I think you have better sense , Mrs. Doctor , dear , than to heed what Cornelia Bryant says .

I cannot see why she must be always running down the men , even if she is an old maid .

I am an old maid , but you never hear ME abusing the men .

I like ' em .

I would have married one if I could .

is it not funny nobody ever asked me to marry him , Mrs . doctor , dear ?

I am no beauty , but I am as good-looking as most of the married women you see .

but I never had a beau .

what do you suppose is the reason ? "

" it may be predestination , " suggested Anne , with unearthly solemnity .

Susan nodded .

" that is what I have often thought , Mrs. Doctor , dear , and a great comfort it is .

I do not mind nobody wanting me if the Almighty decreed it so for His own wise purposes .

I cannot feel resigned THEN .

but maybe , " added Susan , brightening up , " I will have a chance to get married yet .

I often and often think of the old verse my aunt used to repeat :

there never was a goose so gray but sometime soon or late Some honest gander came her way and took her for his mate !

I notice the doctor favors ' em , and I DO like cooking for a man who appreciates his victuals . "

Miss Cornelia dropped in that afternoon , puffing a little .

" I don't mind the world or the devil much , but the flesh DOES rather bother me , " she admitted .

" you always look as cool as a cucumber , Anne , dearie .

do I smell cherry pie ?

if I do , ask me to stay to tea .

haven't tasted a cherry pie this summer .

my cherries have all been stolen by those scamps of Gilman boys from the Glen . "

jest because their father ain't none too honest isn't any reason for calling them thieves .

it 's more likely it 's been the robins took your cherries .

they 're turrible thick this year . "

" robins ! " said Miss Cornelia disdainfully .

" Humph !

Two-legged robins , believe ME ! "

" well , most of the Four Winds robins ARE constructed on that principle , " said Captain Jim gravely .

Miss Cornelia stared at him for a moment .

then she leaned back in her rocker and laughed long and ungrudgingly .

" well , you HAVE got one on me at last , Jim Boyd , I 'll admit .

just look how pleased he is , Anne , dearie , grinning like a Chessy-cat .

by the time I got down they were gone .

I couldn't understand how they had disappeared so quick , but Captain Jim has enlightened me .

they flew away , of course . "

captain Jim laughed and went away , regretfully declining an invitation to stay to supper and partake of cherry pie .

" I 'm on my way to see Leslie and ask her if she 'll take a boarder , " Miss Cornelia resumed .

" I 'd a letter yesterday from a Mrs Daly in Toronto , who boarded a spell with me two years ago .

she wanted me to take a friend of hers for the summer .

his name is Owen Ford , and he 's a newspaper man , and it seems he 's a grandson of the schoolmaster who built this house .

John Selwyn 's oldest daughter married an Ontario man named Ford , and this is her son .

he wants to see the old place his grandparents lived in .

he doesn't want to go to the hotel he just wants a quiet home place .

I can't take him , for I have to be away in August .

I 've been appointed a delegate to the W.F.M.S. convention in Kingsport and I 'm going .

I don't know whether Leslie 'll want to be bothered with him , either , but there 's no one else .

if she can't take him he 'll have to go over the harbor . "

" when you 've seen her come back and help us eat our cherry pies , " said Anne .

" bring Leslie and Dick , too , if they can come .

and so you 're going to Kingsport ?

what a nice time you will have .

I must give you a letter to a friend of mine there Mrs . Jonas Blake . "

" I 've prevailed on Mrs Thomas Holt to go with me , " said Miss Cornelia complacently .

" it 's time she had a little holiday , believe ME .

she has just about worked herself to death .

Tom Holt can crochet beautifully , but he can't make a living for his family .

isn't that like a man ? "

Anne smiled .

she had learned to discount largely Miss Cornelia 's opinions of the Four Winds men .

otherwise she must have believed them the most hopeless assortment of reprobates and ne'er-do-wells in the world , with veritable slaves and martyrs for wives .

this particular Tom Holt , for example , she knew to be a kind husband , a much loved father , and an excellent neighbor .

there was not a happier household in Glen St Mary than the Holts ' .

Miss Cornelia returned satisfied from the house up the brook .

" Leslie 's going to take him , " she announced .

" she jumped at the chance .

I expect Captain Jim 'll be more than interested when he hears that a grandson of the Selwyns ' is coming here .

they 've strayed away .

" there 's a great change come over her lately .

she laughs and jokes like a girl , and from her talk I gather she 's here real often . "

" every day or else I 'm over there , " said Anne .

" I don't know what I 'd do without Leslie , especially just now when Gilbert is so busy .

he 's hardly ever home except for a few hours in the wee sma's .

he 's really working himself to death .

so many of the over-harbor people send for him now . "

" they might better be content with their own doctor , " said Miss Cornelia .

" though to be sure I can't blame them , for he 's a Methodist .

ever since Dr Blythe brought Mrs Allonby round folks think he can raise the dead .

I believe Dr Dave is a mite jealous just like a man .

he thinks Dr Blythe has too many new-fangled notions !

' Well , ' I says to him , ' it was a new-fangled notion saved Rhoda Allonby .

if YOU'D been attending her she 'd have died , and had a tombstone saying it had pleased God to take her away . '

oh , I DO like to speak my mind to Dr Dave !

he 's bossed the Glen for years , and he thinks he 's forgotten more than other people ever knew .

speaking of doctors , I wish Dr Blythe 'd run over and see to that boil on Dick Moore 's neck .

it 's getting past Leslie 's skill .

I 'm sure I don't know what Dick Moore wants to start in having boils for as if he wasn't enough trouble without that ! "

" do you know , Dick has taken quite a fancy to me , " said Anne .

" he follows me round like a dog , and smiles like a pleased child when I notice him . "

" does it make you creepy ? "

" not at all .

I rather like poor Dick Moore .

he seems so pitiful and appealing , somehow . "

" you wouldn't think him very appealing if you 'd see him on his cantankerous days , believe ME .

but I 'm glad you don't mind him it 's all the nicer for Leslie .

she 'll have more to do when her boarder comes .

I hope he 'll be a decent creature .

You'll probably like him he 's a writer . "

" nobody would expect two blacksmiths to be violently attracted toward each other merely because they were both blacksmiths . "

nevertheless , she looked forward to the advent of Owen Ford with a pleasant sense of expectation .

if he were young and likeable he might prove a very pleasant addition to society in Four Winds .

the latch-string of the little house was always out for the race of Joseph .

CHAPTER @number@

OWEN FORD COMES

one evening Miss Cornelia telephoned down to Anne .

" the writer man has just arrived here .

I 'm going to drive him down to your place , and you can show him the way over to Leslie 's .

it 's shorter than driving round by the other road , and I 'm in a mortal hurry .

Mrs Reese is always so careless , and then expects other people to mend her mistakes .

you won't mind , will you , dearie ?

his trunk can go down tomorrow . "

" very well , " said Anne .

" what is he like , Miss Cornelia ? "

" you 'll see what he 's like outside when I take him down .

as for what he 's like inside only the Lord who made him knows THAT .

I 'm not going to say another word , for every receiver in the Glen is down . "

" I conclude therefore , Susan , that Mr Ford is rather handsome than otherwise . "

" Well , Mrs. Doctor , dear , I DO enjoy seeing a well-looking man , " said Susan candidly .

" had I not better get up a snack for him ?

there is a strawberry pie that would melt in your mouth . "

" no , Leslie is expecting him and has his supper ready .

besides , I want that strawberry pie for my own poor man .

he won't be home till late , so leave the pie and a glass of milk out for him , Susan . "

" that I will , Mrs. doctor , dear .

Susan is at the helm .

when Owen Ford came Anne secretly admitted , as Miss Cornelia towed him in , that he was very " well-looking " indeed .

he was tall and broad-shouldered , with thick , brown hair , finely-cut nose and chin , large and brilliant dark-gray eyes .

" and did you notice his ears and his teeth , Mrs. doctor , dear ? " queried Susan later on .

" he has got the nicest-shaped ears I ever saw on a man 's head .

I am choice about ears .

when I was young I was scared that I might have to marry a man with ears like flaps .

but I need not have worried , for never a chance did I have with any kind of ears . "

certainly , on the outside , as Miss Cornelia said , Owen Ford was a very presentable fellow .

" I have an odd feeling of coming home .

my mother was born and spent her childhood here , you know .

she used to talk a great deal to me of her old home .

I had thought that so old a house must have vanished years ago , or I should have come to see it before this . "

" old houses don't vanish easily on this enchanted coast , " smiled Anne .

" this is a ' land where all things always seem the same ' nearly always , at least .

John Selwyn 's house hasn't even been much changed , and outside the rose-bushes your grandfather planted for his bride are blooming this very minute . "

" how the thought links me with them !

with your leave I must explore the whole place soon . "

" our latch-string will always be out for you , " promised Anne .

he told me their story the night I came here the third bride of the old house . "

" can it be possible ?

this IS a discovery .

I must hunt him up . "

" it won't be difficult ; we are all cronies of Captain Jim .

he will be as eager to see you as you could be to see him .

your grandmother shines like a star in his memory .

but I think Mrs Moore is expecting you .

I 'll show you our ' cross-lots ' road . "

Anne walked with him to the house up the brook , over a field that was as white as snow with daisies .

a boat-load of people were singing far across the harbor .

the sound drifted over the water like faint , unearthly music wind-blown across a starlit sea .

the big light flashed and beaconed .

Owen Ford looked around him with satisfaction .

" and so this is Four Winds , " he said .

" I wasn't prepared to find it quite so beautiful , in spite of all mother 's praises .

what colors what scenery what charm !

I shall get as strong as a horse in no time .

and if inspiration comes from beauty , I should certainly be able to begin my great Canadian novel here . "

" you haven't begun it yet ? " asked Anne .

" Alack-a-day , no .

I 've never been able to get the right central idea for it .

it lurks beyond me it allures and beckons and recedes I almost grasp it and it is gone .

perhaps amid this peace and loveliness , I shall be able to capture it .

Miss Bryant tells me that you write . "

" oh , I do little things for children .

I haven't done much since I was married .

and I have no designs on a great Canadian novel , " laughed Anne .

" that is quite beyond me . "

Owen Ford laughed too .

" I dare say it is beyond me as well .

all the same I mean to have a try at it some day , if I can ever get time .

a newspaper man doesn't have much chance for that sort of thing .

an idea whisked through Anne 's brain with a suddenness that made her jump .

but she did not utter it , for they had reached the Moore house .

she stood just where the warm yellow light flooded her from the open door .

she wore a plain dress of cheap , cream-tinted cotton voile , with the usual girdle of crimson .

Leslie was never without her touch of crimson .

she had told Anne that she never felt satisfied without a gleam of red somewhere about her , if it were only a flower .

to Anne , it always seemed to symbolise Leslie 's glowing , pent-up personality , denied all expression save in that flaming glint .

Leslie 's dress was cut a little away at the neck and had short sleeves .

her arms gleamed like ivory-tinted marble .

every exquisite curve of her form was outlined in soft darkness against the light .

her hair shone in it like flame .

beyond her was a purple sky , flowering with stars over the harbor .

Anne heard her companion give a gasp .

even in the dusk she could see the amazement and admiration on his face .

" who is that beautiful creature ? " he asked .

" that is Mrs Moore , " said Anne .

" she is very lovely , isn't she ? "

" I I never saw anything like her , " he answered , rather dazedly .

" I wasn't prepared I didn't expect good heavens , one DOESN'T expect a goddess for a landlady !

and she takes in boarders ! "

" even goddesses must live , " said Anne .

" and Leslie isn't a goddess .

she 's just a very beautiful woman , as human as the rest of us .

did Miss Bryant tell you about Mr Moore ? "

" yes , he 's mentally deficient , or something of the sort , isn't he ?

" well , that 's just what Leslie is doing , " said Anne crisply .

" and it isn't altogether pleasant for her , either .

I hope you won't mind Dick .

if you do , please don't let Leslie see it .

it would hurt her horribly .

he 's just a big baby , and sometimes a rather annoying one . "

" oh , I won't mind him .

I don't suppose I 'll be much in the house anyhow , except for meals .

but what a shame it all is !

her life must be a hard one . "

" it is .

but she doesn't like to be pitied . "

Leslie had gone back into the house and now met them at the front door .

she greeted Owen Ford with cold civility , and told him in a business-like tone that his room and his supper were ready for him .

CHAPTER @number@

THE LIFE-BOOK OF CAPTAIN JIM

he had returned earlier than she had expected , and was enjoying Susan 's cherry pie .

" what is your idea ? " he asked .

" I sha'n't tell you just yet not till I see if I can bring the thing about . "

" what sort of a chap is Ford ? "

" oh , very nice , and quite good-looking . "

" such beautiful ears , doctor , dear , " interjected Susan with a relish .

" he is about thirty or thirty-five , I think , and he meditates writing a novel .

his voice is pleasant and his smile delightful , and he knows how to dress .

he looks as if life hadn't been altogether easy for him , somehow . "

they liked Owen immensely and had that feeling of having known him for many years which distinguishes the freemasonry of the house of Joseph .

" he is as nice as his ears , Mrs. Doctor , dear , " said Susan , when he had gone .

he had told Susan that he had never tasted anything like her strawberry shortcake and Susan 's susceptible heart was his forever .

" he has got a way with him , " she reflected , as she cleared up the relics of the supper .

" it is real queer he is not married , for a man like that could have anybody for the asking .

well , maybe he is like me , and has not met the right one yet . "

Susan really grew quite romantic in her musings as she washed the supper dishes .

two nights later Anne took Owen Ford down to Four Winds Point to introduce him to Captain Jim .

the clover fields along the harbor shore were whitening in the western wind , and Captain Jim had one of his finest sunsets on exhibition .

he himself had just returned from a trip over the harbor .

" I had to go over and tell Henry Pollack he was dying .

everybody else was afraid to tell him .

they expected he 'd take on turrible , for he 's been dreadful determined to live , and been making no end of plans for the fall .

his wife thought he oughter be told and that I 'd be the best one to break it to him that he couldn't get better .

Henry and me are old cronies we sailed in the Gray Gull for years together .

I 've known THAT for a week . '

I was too astonished to speak , and Henry , he chuckled .

it 'd make a cat laugh , Jim Boyd , ' says he .

' Who told you ? ' says I , stupid like .

' Nobody , ' says he .

' A week ago Tuesday night I was lying here awake and I jest knew .

I 'd suspicioned it before , but then I KNEW .

I 've been keeping up for the wife 's sake .

and I 'd LIKE to have got that barn built , for Eben 'll never get it right .

they 'd been so scared to tell him and he knew it all the time .

strange how nature looks out for us , ain't it , and lets us know what we should know when the time comes ?

did I never tell you the yarn about Henry getting the fish hook in his nose , Mistress Blythe ? "

" no . "

" well , him and me had a laugh over it today .

it happened nigh unto thirty years ago .

him and me and several more was out mackerel fishing one day .

Fin'lly the school passed and we come in with a load ; I got a file and begun to try to file through that hook .

I tried to be as easy as I could , but you should have heard Henry no , you shouldn't either .

it was well no ladies were around .

Fin'lly he declared he couldn't stand it and I had no bowels of compassion .

captain Jim 's visit to his old friend had revived many recollections and he was now in the full tide of reminiscences .

" Henry was asking me today if I remembered the time old Father Chiniquy blessed Alexander MacAllister 's boat .

another odd yarn and true as gospel .

I was in the boat myself .

we went out , him and me , in Alexander MacAllister 's boat one morning at sunrise .

besides , there was a French boy in the boat Catholic of course .

you know old Father Chiniquy had turned Protestant , so the Catholics hadn't much use for him .

well , we sat out in the gulf in the broiling sun till noon , and not a bite did we get .

you will catch a t'ousand dis afternoon .

Curious , wasn't it ?

Alexander MacAllister , he says to Andrew Peters , ' Well , and what do you think of Father Chiniquy now ? '

' Vell , ' growled Andrew , ' I t'ink de old devil has got a blessing left yet . '

Laws , how Henry did laugh over that today ! "

" I want you to guess . "

Captain Jim shook his head .

" think of a September morning many years ago , " said Anne , softly .

" think of a ship sailing up the harbor a ship long waited for and despaired of .

think of the day the Royal William came in and the first look you had at the schoolmaster 's bride . "

Captain Jim sprang up .

" they 're Persis Selwyn 's eyes , " he almost shouted .

" you can't be her son you must be her "

" grandson ; yes , I am Alice Selwyn 's son . "

captain Jim swooped down on Owen Ford and shook his hand over again .

" Alice Selwyn 's son !

Lord , but you 're welcome !

Many 's the time I 've wondered where the descendants of the schoolmaster were living .

I knew there was none on the Island .

Alice Alice the first baby ever born in that little house .

no baby ever brought more joy !

I 've dandled her a hundred times .

it was from my knee she took her first steps alone .

can't I see her mother 's face watching her and it was near sixty years ago .

is she living yet ? "

" no , she died when I was only a boy . "

" oh , it doesn't seem right that I should be living to hear that , " sighed Captain Jim .

" but I 'm heart-glad to see you .

it 's brought back my youth for a little while .

you don't know yet what a boon THAT is .

Mistress Blythe here has the trick she does it quite often for me . "

captain Jim was still more excited when he discovered that Owen Ford was what he called a " real writing man . "

he gazed at him as at a superior being .

Captain Jim knew that Anne wrote , but he had never taken that fact very seriously .

" Jest look at A Mad Love , " he would protest .

" a woman wrote that and jest look at it one hundred and three chapters when it could all have been told in ten .

a writing woman never knows when to stop ; that 's the trouble .

the p'int of good writing is to know when to stop . "

" Mr Ford wants to hear some of your stories , Captain Jim " said Anne .

" tell him the one about the captain who went crazy and imagined he was the Flying Dutchman . "

this was Captain Jim 's best story .

other tales followed , for Captain Jim had an audience after his own heart .

" oh , he don't want to be bothered with THAT , " protested Captain Jim , who was secretly dying to show it .

" I should like nothing better than to see it , Captain Boyd , " said Owen .

" if it is half as wonderful as your tales it will be worth seeing . "

with pretended reluctance Captain Jim dug his life-book out of his old chest and handed it to Owen .

" I reckon you won't care to wrastle long with my old hand o ' write .

I never had much schooling , " he observed carelessly .

" just wrote that there to amuse my nephew Joe .

he 's always wanting stories .

you 've got to be mighty careful what you tell them little critters .

THEY can see through you . "

" I must go down and pull my boat up a bit on the skids .

there 's a wind coming .

did you notice the sky tonight ?

mackerel skies and mares ' tails Make tall ships carry short sails . "

Owen Ford accepted the offer of the life-book gladly .

on their way home Anne told him the story of lost Margaret .

" that old captain is a wonderful old fellow , " he said .

" what a life he has led !

why , the man had more adventures in one week of his life than most of us have in a lifetime .

do you really think his tales are all true ? "

" I certainly do .

there used to be plenty of his old shipmates alive to corroborate him .

he 's one of the last of the old type of P.E . Island sea-captains .

they are almost extinct now . "

CHAPTER @number@

THE WRITING OF THE BOOK

Owen Ford came over to the little house the next morning in a state of great excitement .

" Mrs Blythe , this is a wonderful book absolutely wonderful .

do you suppose Captain Jim would let me do it ? "

" let you !

I 'm sure he would be delighted , " cried Anne .

" I admit that it was what was in my head when I took you down last night .

Captain Jim has always been wishing he could get somebody to write his life-book properly for him . "

" will you go down to the Point with me this evening , Mrs Blythe ?

captain Jim was more excited than ever when Owen Ford told him of his plan .

at last his cherished dream was to be realized and his " life-book " given to the world .

he was also pleased that the story of lost Margaret should be woven into it .

" it will keep her name from being forgotten , " he said wistfully .

" that 's why I want it put in . "

" we 'll collaborate , " cried Owen delightedly .

" you will give the soul and I the body .

oh , we 'll write a famous book between us , Captain Jim .

and we 'll get right to work . "

" and to think my book is to be writ by the schoolmaster 's grandson ! " exclaimed Captain Jim .

" lad , your grandfather was my dearest friend .

I thought there was nobody like him .

I see now why I had to wait so long .

it couldn't be writ till the right man come .

you BELONG here you 've got the soul of this old north shore in you you 're the only one who COULD write it . "

it was arranged that the tiny room off the living room at the lighthouse should be given over to Owen for a workshop .

he began work on the book the very next morning , and flung himself into it heart and soul .

as for Captain Jim , he was a happy man that summer .

he looked upon the little room where Owen worked as a sacred shrine .

Owen talked everything over with Captain Jim , but he would not let him see the manuscript .

" you must wait until it is published , " he said .

" then you 'll get it all at once in its best shape . "

he delved into the treasures of the life-book and used them freely .

he dreamed and brooded over lost Margaret until she became a vivid reality to him and lived in his pages .

as the book progressed it took possession of him and he worked at it with feverish eagerness .

Anne fairly hugged herself with delight over the success of her idea .

" I knew when I looked at Owen Ford that he was the very man for it , " she told Gilbert .

as Mrs Rachel would say , he was predestined for the part . "

Owen Ford wrote in the mornings .

the afternoons were generally spent in some merry outing with the Blythes .

Leslie often went , too , for Captain Jim took charge of Dick frequently , in order to set her free .

ever since the day on which she had made her confession to Anne Leslie had been a changed creature .

there was no trace of her old coldness and reserve , no shadow of her old bitterness .

when she could not be with them all felt that some exquisite savor was lacking in their intercourse .

her beauty was illumined by the awakened soul within , as some rosy lamp might shine through a flawless vase of alabaster .

there were hours when Anne 's eyes seemed to ache with the splendor of her .

that evening Owen Ford told them that he had finished his book and that his vacation must come to an end .

I wrote the last sentence this morning .

if I can find a publisher for it it will probably be out next summer or fall . "

Owen had not much doubt that he would find a publisher .

he knew that he had written a great book a book that would score a wonderful success a book that would LIVE .

and his thoughts were not of the good work he had done .

CHAPTER @number@

OWEN FORD'S CONFESSION

" I 'm so sorry Gilbert is away , " said Anne .

" he had to go Allan Lyons at the Glen has met with a serious accident .

he will not likely be home till very late .

but he told me to tell you he 'd be up and over early enough in the morning to see you before you left .

it 's too provoking .

Susan and I had planned such a nice little jamboree for your last night here . "

she was sitting beside the garden brook on the little rustic seat Gilbert had built .

Owen Ford stood before her , leaning against the bronze column of a yellow birch .

he was very pale and his face bore the marks of the preceding sleepless night .

Anne , glancing up at him , wondered if , after all , his summer had brought him the strength it should .

had he worked too hard over his book ?

she remembered that for a week he had not been looking well .

" I 'm rather glad the doctor is away , " said Owen slowly .

" I wanted to see you alone , Mrs Blythe .

there is something I must tell somebody , or I think it will drive me mad .

I 've been trying for a week to look it in the face and I can't .

I know I can trust you and , besides , you will understand .

a woman with eyes like yours always understands .

you are one of the folks people instinctively tell things to .

Mrs Blythe , I love Leslie .

LOVE her !

that seems too weak a word ! "

his voice suddenly broke with the suppressed passion of his utterance .

he turned his head away and hid his face on his arm .

his whole form shook .

Anne sat looking at him , pale and aghast .

she had never thought of this !

and yet how was it she had never thought of it ?

it now seemed a natural and inevitable thing .

she wondered at her own blindness .

but but things like this did not happen in Four Winds .

elsewhere in the world human passions might set at defiance human conventions and laws but not HERE , surely .

Leslie had kept summer boarders off and on for ten years , and nothing like this had happened .

oh , SOMEBODY should have thought of this !

why hadn't Miss Cornelia thought of it ?

Miss Cornelia was always ready enough to sound the alarm where men were concerned .

Anne felt an unreasonable resentment against Miss Cornelia .

then she gave a little inward groan .

no matter who was to blame the mischief was done .

and Leslie what of Leslie ?

it was for Leslie Anne felt most concerned .

" does Leslie know this , Mr Ford ? " she asked quietly .

" no no , unless she has guessed it .

you surely don't think I 'd be cad and scoundrel enough to tell her , Mrs Blythe .

I couldn't help loving her that's all and my misery is greater than I can bear . "

" does SHE care ? " asked Anne .

the moment the question crossed her lips she felt that she should not have asked it .

Owen Ford answered it with overeager protest .

" no no , of course not .

but I could make her care if she were free I know I could . "

" she does care and he knows it , " thought Anne .

aloud she said , sympathetically but decidedly :

" but she is not free , Mr Ford .

and the only thing you can do is to go away in silence and leave her to her own life . "

" I know I know , " groaned Owen .

he sat down on the grassy bank and stared moodily into the amber water beneath him .

" I know there 's nothing to do nothing but to say conventionally , ' Good-bye , Mrs Moore .

then I 'll pay my board money like any honest boarder and go !

oh , it 's very simple .

no doubt no perplexity a straight road to the end of the world !

" and I 'll walk it you needn't fear that I won't , Mrs Blythe .

but it would be easier to walk over red-hot ploughshares . "

Anne flinched with the pain of his voice .

and there was so little she could say that would be adequate to the situation .

blame was out of the question advice was not needed sympathy was mocked by the man 's stark agony .

she could only feel with him in a maze of compassion and regret .

her heart ached for Leslie !

had not that poor girl suffered enough without this ?

" it wouldn't be so hard to go and leave her if she were only happy , " resumed Owen passionately .

" but to think of her living death to realise what it is to which I do leave her !

THAT is the worst of all .

I would give my life to make her happy and I can do nothing even to help her nothing .

it drives me mad to think of it .

but I must go through my life , never seeing her , but always knowing what she is enduring .

it 's hideous hideous ! "

" it is very hard , " said Anne sorrowfully .

" we her friends here all know how hard it is for her . "

" and she is so richly fitted for life , " said Owen rebelliously .

" her beauty is the least of her dower and she is the most beautiful woman I 've ever known .

that laugh of hers !

I 've angled all summer to evoke that laugh , just for the delight of hearing it .

and her eyes they are as deep and blue as the gulf out there .

I never saw such blueness and gold !

did you ever see her hair down , Mrs Blythe ? "

" no . "

" I did once .

it fell all about her to her feet in a fountain of living gold .

when she saw me she hurried in , and the wind caught her hair and swirled it all around her Danae in her cloud .

I walked the shore last night , almost till dawn , and thrashed it all out over and over again .

and yet , in spite of everything , I can't find it in my heart to be sorry that I came to Four Winds .

it seems to me that , bad as everything is , it would be still worse never to have known Leslie .

it 's burning , searing pain to love her and leave her but not to have loved her is unthinkable .

I suppose all this sounds very crazy all these terrible emotions always do sound foolish when we put them into our inadequate words .

they are not meant to be spoken only felt and endured .

I shouldn't have spoken but it has helped some .

at least , it has given me strength to go away respectably tomorrow morning , without making a scene .

" yes , " said Anne .

" oh , I 'm so sorry you are going we 'll miss you so we 've all been such friends !

if it were not for this you could come back other summers .

perhaps , even yet by-and-by when you 've forgotten , perhaps "

" I shall never forget and I shall never come back to Four Winds , " said Owen briefly .

silence and twilight fell over the garden .

far away the sea was lapping gently and monotonously on the bar .

the wind of evening in the poplars sounded like some sad , weird , old rune some broken dream of old memories .

" isn't that beautiful ? " said Owen , pointing to it with the air of a man who puts a certain conversation behind him .

" it 's so beautiful that it hurts me , " said Anne softly .

" perfect things like that always did hurt me I remember I called it ' the queer ache ' when I was a child .

what is the reason that pain like this seems inseparable from perfection ?

is it the pain of finality when we realise that there can be nothing beyond but retrogression ? "

" you seem to have a cold in the head .

Miss Cornelia personated the comedy that ever peeps around the corner at the tragedy of life .

Anne , whose nerves had been rather strained , laughed hysterically , and even Owen smiled .

certainly , sentiment and passion had a way of shrinking out of sight in Miss Cornelia 's presence .

and yet to Anne nothing seemed quite as hopeless and dark and painful as it had seemed a few moments before .

but sleep was far from her eyes that night .

CHAPTER @number@

ON THE SAND BAR

Owen Ford left Four Winds the next morning .

in the evening Anne went over to see Leslie , but found nobody .

the house was locked and there was no light in any window .

it looked like a home left soulless .

Leslie did not run over on the following day which Anne thought a bad sign .

" what will you do ? " asked Gilbert .

" come with me ? "

the rock shore is too slippery and grim tonight . "

alone on the sands of the bar Anne gave herself up to the eerie charm of the night .

the calls of unseen gulls overhead were the cries of the souls of doomed seamen .

the little curls of foam that blew across the sand were elfin things stealing up from the sea-caves .

the big , round-shouldered sand-dunes were the sleeping giants of some old northern tale .

the lights that glimmered palely across the harbor were the delusive beacons on some coast of fairyland .

Anne pleased herself with a hundred fancies as she wandered through the mist .

it was delightful romantic mysterious to be roaming here alone on this enchanted shore .

but was she alone ?

something loomed in the mist before her took shape and form suddenly moved towards her across the wave-rippled sand .

" Leslie ! " exclaimed Anne in amazement .

" whatever are you doing HERE tonight ? "

" if it comes to that , whatever are YOU doing here ? " said Leslie , trying to laugh .

the effort was a failure .

" I 'm waiting for Gilbert he 's over at the Cove .

I intended to stay at the light , but Captain Jim is away . "

" well , I came here because I wanted to walk and walk and WALK , " said Leslie restlessly .

" I couldn't on the rock shore the tide was too high and the rocks prisoned me .

I had to come here or I should have gone mad , I think .

I rowed myself over the channel in Captain Jim 's flat .

I 've been here for an hour .

come come let us walk .

I can't stand still .

oh , Anne ! "

" Leslie , dearest , what is the trouble ? " asked Anne , though she knew too well already .

" I can't tell you don't ask me .

I wouldn't mind your knowing I wish you did know but I can't tell you I can't tell anyone .

I 've been such a fool , Anne and oh , it hurts so terribly to be a fool .

there 's nothing so painful in the world . "

she laughed bitterly .

Anne slipped her arm around her .

" Leslie , is it that you have learned to care for Mr Ford ? "

Leslie turned herself about passionately .

" how did you know ? " she cried .

" Anne , how did you know ?

oh , is it written in my face for everyone to see ?

is it as plain as that ? "

" no , no .

I I can't tell you how I knew .

it just came into my mind , somehow .

Leslie , don't look at me like that ! "

" do you despise me ? " demanded Leslie in a fierce , low tone .

" do you think I 'm wicked unwomanly ?

or do you think I 'm just plain fool ? "

" I don't think you any of those things .

come , dear , let's just talk it over sensibly , as we might talk over any other of the great crises of life .

you 've been brooding over it and let yourself drift into a morbid view of it .

" but oh , it 's so so shameful , " murmured Leslie .

" to love him unsought and when I 'm not free to love anybody . "

" there 's nothing shameful about it .

" I didn't LEARN to care , " said Leslie , walking on and speaking passionately .

" if it had been like that I could have prevented it .

then then I knew .

I felt as if someone had struck me a terrible blow .

I didn't say anything I couldn't speak but I don't know what I looked like .

I 'm so afraid my face betrayed me .

oh , I would die of shame if I thought he knew or suspected . "

Anne was miserably silent , hampered by her deductions from her conversation with Owen .

Leslie went on feverishly , as if she found relief in speech .

" I was so happy all this summer , Anne happier than I ever was in my life .

and it WAS , in part but not all oh , not nearly all .

I know now why everything was so different .

and now it 's all over and he has gone .

how can I live , Anne ?

when I turned back into the house this morning after he had gone the solitude struck me like a blow in the face . "

besides , she remembered how well-meant speeches had hurt her in her own sorrow and was afraid .

" oh , it seems to me it will grow harder all the time , " said Leslie miserably .

" I 've nothing to look forward to .

morning will come after morning and he will not come back he will never come back .

once , long ago , I dreamed of love and I thought it must be beautiful and NOW its like THIS .

when he went away yesterday morning he was so cold and indifferent .

I know I don't I didn't want him to care but he MIGHT have been a little kinder . "

" oh , I wish Gilbert would come , " thought Anne .

she was racked between her sympathy for Leslie and the necessity of avoiding anything that would betray Owen 's confidence .

" I couldn't help it , Anne I couldn't help it , " said poor Leslie .

" I know that . "

" do you blame me so very much ? "

" I don't blame you at all . "

" and you won't you won't tell Gilbert ? "

" Leslie !

do you think I would do such a thing ? "

" oh , I don't know you and Gilbert are such CHUMS .

I don't see how you could help telling him everything . "

" everything about my own concerns yes .

but not my friends ' secrets . "

" I couldn't have HIM know .

but I 'm glad YOU know .

I would feel guilty if there were anything I was ashamed to tell you .

I hope Miss Cornelia won't find out .

sometimes I feel as if those terrible , kind brown eyes of hers read my very soul .

oh , I wish this mist would never lift I wish I could just stay in it forever , hidden away from every living being .

I don't see how I can go on with life .

this summer has been so full .

I never was lonely for a moment .

before Owen came there used to be horrible moments when I had been with you and Gilbert and then had to leave you .

you two would walk away together and I would walk away ALONE .

and NOW !

oh , yes , I 've been a fool .

let's have done talking about my folly .

I 'll never bore you with it again . "

" there 's plenty of room in our boat for three , and we 'll tie the flat on behind . "

" oh , I suppose I must reconcile myself to being the odd one again , " said poor Leslie with another bitter laugh .

" forgive me , Anne that was hateful .

I ought to be thankful and I AM that I have two good friends who are glad to count me in as a third .

don't mind my hateful speeches .

I just seem to be one great pain all over and everything hurts me . "

" Leslie seemed very quiet tonight , didn't she ? " said Gilbert , when he and Anne reached home .

" what in the world was she doing over there on the bar alone ? "

" oh , she was tired and you know she likes to go to the shore after one of Dick 's bad days . "

" what a pity she hadn't met and married a fellow like Ford long ago , " ruminated Gilbert .

" they 'd have made an ideal couple , wouldn't they ? "

" for pity 's sake , Gilbert , don't develop into a match-maker .

" bless us , Anne-girl , I 'm not matchmaking , " protested Gilbert , rather surprised at her tone .

" I was only thinking of one of the might-have-beens . "

" well , don't .

it 's a waste of time , " said Anne .

then she added suddenly :

" oh , Gilbert , I wish everybody could be as happy as we are . "

CHAPTER @number@

ODDS AND ENDS

" I 've been reading obituary notices , " said Miss Cornelia , laying down the Daily Enterprise and taking up her sewing .

" the Enterprise seems to run to obituaries these days , " quoth Miss Cornelia .

" it always has a couple of columns of them , and I read every line .

it 's one of my forms of recreation , especially when there 's some original poetry attached to them .

here 's a choice sample for you :

she 's gone to be with her Maker , Never more to roam .

she used to play and sing with joy The song of Home , Sweet Home .

who says we haven't any poetical talent on the Island !

have you ever noticed what heaps of good people die , Anne , dearie ?

it 's kind of pitiful .

here 's ten obituaries , and every one of them saints and models , even the men .

here 's old Peter Stimson , who has ' left a large circle of friends to mourn his untimely loss . '

Lord , Anne , dearie , that man was eighty , and everybody who knew him had been wishing him dead these thirty years .

read obituaries when you 're blue , Anne , dearie especially the ones of folks you know .

if you 've any sense of humor at all they 'll cheer you up , believe ME .

I just wish I had the writing of the obituaries of some people .

isn't ' obituary ' an awful ugly word ?

this very Peter I 've been speaking of had a face exactly like one .

I never saw it but I thought of the word OBITUARY then and there .

there 's only one uglier word that I know of , and that 's RELICT .

" it IS an ugly word , " said Anne , laughing .

" Avonlea graveyard was full of old tombstones ' sacred to the memory of So-and-So , RELICT of the late So-and-So . '

it always made me think of something worn out and moth eaten .

why is it that so many of the words connected with death are so disagreeable ?

I do wish that the custom of calling a dead body ' the remains ' could be abolished .

it always gives me the horrible impression that I am about to view the scene of a cannibal feast . "

I took a scunner at this sister-and-brothering business five years ago when there was a travelling evangelist holding meetings at the Glen .

I hadn't any use for him from the start .

I felt in my bones that there was something wrong with him .

and there was .

mind you , he was pretending to be a Presbyterian PresbyTARian , HE called it and all the time he was a Methodist .

he brothered and sistered everybody .

he had a large circle of relations , that man had .

he clutched my hand fervently one night , and said imploringly , ' My DEAR sister Bryant , are you a Christian ? '

as for being a Christian , I was that , I hope and believe , when you were crawling about the floor in petticoats . '

THAT squelched him , believe ME .

mind you , Anne dearie , I 'm not down on all evangelists .

we 've had some real fine , earnest men , who did a lot of good and made the old sinners squirm .

but this Fiske-man wasn't one of them .

I had a good laugh all to myself one evening .

Fiske had asked all who were Christians to stand up .

I didn't , believe me !

I never had any use for that sort of thing .

but most of them did , and then he asked all who wanted to be Christians to stand up .

nobody stirred for a spell , so Fiske started up a hymn at the top of his voice .

Just in front of me poor little Ikey Baker was sitting in the Millison pew .

he was a home boy , ten years old , and Millison just about worked him to death .

he 'd been sleeping all through the meeting , and I was thankful to see the poor child getting a rest , believe ME .

well , when Fiske 's voice went soaring skyward and the rest joined in , poor Ikey wakened with a start .

Fiske saw him , stopped and shouted , ' Another soul saved !

Glory Hallelujah ! '

and there was poor , frightened Ikey , only half awake and yawning , never thinking about his soul at all .

poor child , he never had time to think of anything but his tired , overworked little body .

and then he prayed every night after that , right in public , that the Lord would soften her hard heart .

I 'd have done it too , believe ME .

Mrs Charley had been out in California all winter .

she 'd been real melancholy in the fall religious melancholy it ran in her family .

her father worried so much over believing that he had committed the unpardonable sin that he died in the asylum .

so when Rose Douglas got that way Charley packed her off to visit her sister in Los Angeles .

she got perfectly well and came home just when the Fiske revival was in full swing .

that had been one of Fiske 's ideas , and he had got Henry Hammond to paint it .

Rose just gave a shriek and fainted ; and when they got her home she was worse than ever .

Charley Douglas went to Mr Leavitt and told him that every Douglas would leave the church if Fiske was kept there any longer .

after he was gone Mr Leavitt found out he was just a masquerading Methodist , and he felt pretty sick , believe ME .

Mr Leavitt fell short in some ways , but he was a good , sound Presbyterian . "

" by the way , I had a letter from Mr Ford yesterday , " said Anne .

" he asked me to remember him kindly to you . "

" I don't want his remembrances , " said Miss Cornelia , curtly .

" why ? " said Anne , in astonishment .

" I thought you liked him . "

" well , so I did , in a kind of way .

but I 'll never forgive him for what he done to Leslie .

just like a man . "

" oh , Miss Cornelia , how did you find out ? "

" Lord , Anne , dearie , I 've got eyes , haven't I ?

and I 've known Leslie since she was a baby .

there 's been a new kind of heartbreak in her eyes all the fall , and I know that writer-man was behind it somehow .

I 'll never forgive myself for being the means of bringing him here .

but I never expected he 'd be like he was .

so I never thought of any danger . "

" don't let Leslie suspect you know her secret , " said Anne hurriedly .

" I think it would hurt her . "

" trust me , Anne , dearie .

I wasn't born yesterday .

oh , a plague on all the men !

one of them ruined Leslie 's life to begin with , and now another of the tribe comes and makes her still more wretched .

Anne , this world is an awful place , believe me . "

" there 's something in the world amiss Will be unriddled by and by , "

quoted Anne dreamily .

" if it is , it 'll be in a world where there aren't any men , " said Miss Cornelia gloomily .

" what have the men been doing now ? " asked Gilbert , entering .

" mischief mischief !

what else did they ever do ? "

" it was Eve ate the apple , Miss Cornelia . "

" ' Twas a he-creature tempted her , " retorted Miss Cornelia triumphantly .

it is even possible that she enjoyed moments of it , when she was one of the gay circle in the little house of dreams .

Pitiful to that hunger , Anne always contrived to tell Captain Jim or Gilbert bits of news from Owen 's letters when Leslie was with them .

the girl 's flush and pallor at such moments spoke all too eloquently of the emotion that filled her being .

but she never spoke of him to Anne , or mentioned that night on the sand-bar .

one day her old dog died and she grieved bitterly over him .

" he 's been my friend so long , " she said sorrowfully to Anne .

" he was Dick 's old dog , you know Dick had him for a year or so before we were married .

he left him with me when he sailed on the Four Sisters .

Carlo got very fond of me and his dog-love helped me through that first dreadful year after mother died , when I was alone .

when I heard that Dick was coming back I was afraid Carlo wouldn't be so much mine .

but he never seemed to care for Dick , though he had been so fond of him once .

he would snap and growl at him as if he were a stranger .

I was glad .

it was nice to have one thing whose love was all mine .

that old dog has been such a comfort to me , Anne .

he got so feeble in the fall that I was afraid he couldn't live long but I hoped I could nurse him through the winter .

he seemed pretty well this morning .

I shall miss him so . "

" let me give you another dog , Leslie , " said Anne .

" I 'm getting a lovely Gordon setter for a Christmas present for Gilbert .

let me give you one too . "

Leslie shook her head .

" not just now , thank you , Anne .

I don't feel like having another dog yet .

I don't seem to have any affection left for another .

perhaps in time I 'll let you give me one .

I really need one as a kind of protection .

but there was something almost human about Carlo it wouldn't be DECENT to fill his place too hurriedly , dear old fellow . "

Anne went to Avonlea a week before Christmas and stayed until after the holidays .

but Captain Jim had shovelled out doors and paths , and Miss Cornelia had come down and kindled the hearth-fire .

" it 's good to see you back , Anne , dearie !

but did you ever see such drifts ?

you can't see the Moore place at all unless you go upstairs .

Leslie 'll be so glad you 're back .

she 's almost buried alive over there .

fortunately Dick can shovel snow , and thinks it 's great fun .

Susan sent me word to tell you she would be on hand tomorrow .

where are you off to now , Captain ? "

" I reckon I 'll plough up to the Glen and sit a bit with old Martin Strong .

he 's not far from his end and he 's lonesome .

he hasn't many friends been too busy all his life to make any .

he 's made heaps of money , though . "

" well , he thought that since he couldn't serve God and Mammon he 'd better stick to Mammon , " said Miss Cornelia crisply .

" so he shouldn't complain if he doesn't find Mammon very good company now . "

captain Jim went out , but remembered something in the yard and turned back for a moment .

I felt fair uplifted when I got the news .

to think that I 'm to see it in print at last . "

" that man is clean crazy on the subject of his life-book , " said Miss Cornelia compassionately .

" for my part , I think there 's far too many books in the world now . "

CHAPTER @number@

GILBERT AND ANNE DISAGREE

Gilbert laid down the ponderous medical tome over which he had been poring until the increasing dusk of the March evening made him desist .

he leaned back in his chair and gazed meditatively out of the window .

it was early spring probably the ugliest time of the year .

not even the sunset could redeem the dead , sodden landscape and rotten black harbor ice upon which he looked .

no sign of life was visible , save a big black crow winging his solitary way across a leaden field .

Gilbert speculated idly concerning that crow .

was he a family crow , with a black but comely crow wife awaiting him in the woods beyond the Glen ?

or was he a glossy young buck of a crow on courting thoughts intent ?

or was he a cynical bachelor crow , believing that he travels the fastest who travels alone ?

whatever he was , he soon disappeared in congenial gloom and Gilbert turned to the cheerier view indoors .

Gilbert was accustomed to refer to himself as " an old married man . "

but he still looked upon Anne with the incredulous eyes of a lover .

he couldn't wholly believe yet that she was really his .

it MIGHT be only a dream after all , part and parcel of this magic house of dreams .

his soul still went on tip-toe before her , lest the charm be shattered and the dream dispelled .

" Anne , " he said slowly , " lend me your ears .

I want to talk with you about something . "

Anne looked across at him through the fire-lit gloom .

" what is it ? " she asked gaily .

" you look fearfully solemn , Gilbert .

I really haven't done anything naughty today .

ask Susan . "

" it 's not of you or ourselves I want to talk .

it 's about Dick Moore . "

" Dick Moore ? " echoed Anne , sitting up alertly .

" why , what in the world have you to say about Dick Moore ? "

" I 've been thinking a great deal about him lately .

do you remember that time last summer I treated him for those carbuncles on his neck ? "

" yes yes . "

" I took the opportunity to examine the scars on his head thoroughly .

I 've always thought Dick was a very interesting case from a medical point of view .

lately I 've been studying the history of trephining and the cases where it has been employed .

" Gilbert ! "

Anne 's voice was full of protest .

" surely you don't mean it ! "

" I do , indeed .

and I have decided that it is my duty to broach the subject to Leslie . "

" Gilbert Blythe , you shall NOT do any such thing , " cried Anne vehemently .

" oh , Gilbert , you won't you won't .

you couldn't be so cruel .

promise me you won't . "

" why , Anne-girl , I didn't suppose you would take it like this .

be reasonable "

" I won't be reasonable I can't be reasonable I AM reasonable .

it is you who are unreasonable .

Gilbert , have you ever once thought what it would mean for Leslie if Dick Moore were to be restored to his right senses ?

just stop and think !

she 's unhappy enough now ; but life as Dick 's nurse and attendant is a thousand times easier for her than life as Dick 's wife .

I know I KNOW !

it 's unthinkable .

don't you meddle with the matter .

leave well enough alone . "

" I HAVE thought over that aspect of the case thoroughly , Anne .

I believe it his duty to endeavor to restore health and sanity , if there is any hope whatever of it . "

" but Dick isn't your patient in that respect , " cried Anne , taking another tack .

but you 've no right to meddle . "

" I don't call it meddling .

uncle Dave told Leslie twelve years ago that nothing could be done for Dick .

she believes that , of course . "

" and why did Uncle Dave tell her that , if it wasn't true ? " cried Anne , triumphantly .

" doesn't he know as much about it as you ? "

" I think not though it may sound conceited and presumptuous to say it .

and you know as well as I that he is rather prejudiced against what he calls ' these new-fangled notions of cutting and carving . '

he 's even opposed to operating for appendicitis . "

" he 's right , " exclaimed Anne , with a complete change of front .

' I believe myself that you modern doctors are entirely too fond of making experiments with human flesh and blood . "

" Rhoda Allonby would not be a living woman today if I had been afraid of making a certain experiment , " argued Gilbert .

" I took the risk and saved her life . "

and he could not be blamed for other people 's discussion of it .

Gilbert felt rather hurt .

it was their first approach to a quarrel .

but Anne flew after him and dragged him back .

" now , Gilbert , you are not ' going off mad . '

sit down here and I 'll apologise bee-YEW-ti-fully , I shouldn't have said that .

but oh , if you knew "

Anne checked herself just in time .

she had been on the very verge of betraying Leslie 's secret .

" knew what a woman feels about it , " she concluded lamely .

" I think I do know .

it will be for her to decide what she will do . "

" I don't think you 've any right to put such a responsibility on her .

she has enough to bear .

she is poor how could she afford such an operation ? "

" that is for her to decide , " persisted Gilbert stubbornly .

" you say you think that Dick can be cured .

but are you SURE of it ? "

" certainly not .

nobody could be sure of such a thing .

there may have been lesions of the brain itself , the effect of which can never be removed .

" but it 's only a possibility ! " insisted Anne .

" now , suppose you tell Leslie and she decides to have the operation .

it will cost a great deal .

she will have to borrow the money , or sell her little property .

and suppose the operation is a failure and Dick remains the same .

" oh , I know I know .

but it is my duty to tell her .

I can't get away from that conviction . "

" oh , I know the Blythe stubbornness , " groaned Anne .

" but don't do this solely on your own responsibility .

consult Doctor Dave . "

" I HAVE done so , " said Gilbert reluctantly .

" and what did he say ? "

" In brief as you say leave well enough alone .

" there now , " cried Anne triumphantly .

" thank you . "

" don't laugh .

it 's too serious . "

" that 's just my point .

it IS serious .

here is a man who is a helpless burden .

he may be restored to reason and usefulness "

" he was so very useful before , " interjected Anne witheringly .

" he may be given a chance to make good and redeem the past .

his wife doesn't know this .

I do .

it is therefore my duty to tell her that there is such a possibility .

that , boiled down , is my decision . "

" don't say ' decision ' yet , Gilbert .

consult somebody else .

ask Captain Jim what he thinks about it . "

" very well .

but I 'll not promise to abide by his opinion , Anne .

" this is something a man must decide for himself .

my conscience would never be easy if I kept silent on the subject . "

" oh , your conscience ! " moaned Anne .

" I suppose that Uncle Dave has a conscience too , hasn't he ? "

" yes .

but I am not the keeper of his conscience .

" I wouldn't , " vowed Anne , trying to believe it herself .

" oh , you can argue all night , Gilbert , but you won't convince me .

Just you ask Miss Cornelia what she thinks of it . "

" you 're driven to the last ditch , Anne , when you bring up Miss Cornelia as a reinforcement .

she will say , ' Just like a man , ' and rage furiously .

no matter .

this is no affair for Miss Cornelia to settle .

Leslie alone must decide it . "

" you know very well how she will decide it , " said Anne , almost in tears .

" she has ideals of duty , too .

I don't see how you can take such a responsibility on your shoulders .

I couldn't . "

" ' Because right is right to follow right Were wisdom in the scorn of consequence , ' "

quoted Gilbert .

" oh , you think a couplet of poetry a convincing argument ! " scoffed Anne .

" that is so like a man . "

and then she laughed in spite of herself .

it sounded so like an echo of Miss Cornelia .

" ' Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free . '

I believe that , Anne , with all my heart .

it 's the greatest and grandest verse in the Bible or in any literature and the TRUEST , if there are comparative degrees of trueness .

and it 's the first duty of a man to tell the truth , as he sees it and believes it . "

" in this case the truth won't make poor Leslie free , " sighed Anne .

" it will probably end in still more bitter bondage for her .

oh , Gilbert , I CAN'T think you are right . "

CHAPTER @number@

LESLIE DECIDES

but she thought of it incessantly .

" I wonder if it would be right for me to tell him that Leslie cares for Owen , " she thought .

shall I shall I ?

no , after all , I cannot .

a promise is sacred , and I 've no right to betray Leslie 's secret .

but oh , I never felt so worried over anything in my life as I do over this .

it 's spoiling the spring it 's spoiling everything . "

one evening Gilbert abruptly proposed that they go down and see Captain Jim .

with a sinking heart Anne agreed , and they set forth .

two weeks of kind sunshine had wrought a miracle in the bleak landscape over which Gilbert 's crow had flown .

it was a picturesque scene which would at other times have delighted Anne 's eyes ; but she was not enjoying this walk .

neither was Gilbert .

their usual good-comradeship and Josephian community of taste and viewpoint were sadly lacking .

Anne 's disapproval of the whole project showed itself in the haughty uplift of her head and the studied politeness of her remarks .

Gilbert 's mouth was set in all the Blythe obstinacy , but his eyes were troubled .

he meant to do what he believed to be his duty ; but to be at outs with Anne was a high price to pay .

altogether , both were glad when they reached the light and remorseful that they should be glad .

Captain Jim put away the fishing net upon which he was working , and welcomed them joyfully .

in the searching light of the spring evening he looked older than Anne had ever seen him .

his hair had grown much grayer , and the strong old hand shook a little .

but his blue eyes were clear and steady , and the staunch soul looked out through them gallant and unafraid .

Captain Jim listened in amazed silence while Gilbert said what he had come to say .

" oh , Captain Jim , I didn't think you 'd say that , " she exclaimed reproachfully .

" I thought you wouldn't want to make more trouble for her . "

Captain Jim shook his head .

" I don't want to .

I know how you feel about it , Mistress Blythe just as I feel meself .

but it ain't our feelings we have to steer by through life no , no , we 'd make shipwreck mighty often if we did that .

there 's only the one safe compass and we 've got to set our course by that what it 's right to do .

I agree with the doctor .

if there 's a chance for Dick , Leslie should be told of it .

there 's no two sides to that , in my opinion . "

" well , " said Anne , giving up in despair , " wait until Miss Cornelia gets after you two men . "

" Cornelia 'll rake us fore and aft , no doubt , " assented Captain Jim .

" you women are lovely critters , Mistress Blythe , but you 're just a mite illogical .

you 're a highly eddicated lady and Cornelia isn't , but you 're like as two peas when it comes to that .

I dunno's you 're any the worse for it .

logic is a sort of hard , merciless thing , I reckon .

" Captain Jim seems very frail and bent this spring .

the winter has aged him , " said Anne sadly .

" I am afraid that he will soon be going to seek lost Margaret .

I can't bear to think of it . "

" four Winds won't be the same place when Captain Jim ' sets out to sea , ' " agreed Gilbert .

the following evening he went to the house up the brook .

Anne wandered dismally around until his return .

" well , what did Leslie say ? " she demanded when he came in .

" very little .

I think she felt rather dazed . "

" and is she going to have the operation ? "

" she is going to think it over and decide very soon . "

Gilbert flung himself wearily into the easy chair before the fire .

he looked tired .

it had not been an easy thing for him to tell Leslie .

now , when the die was cast , he was beset with doubts of his own wisdom .

Anne looked at him remorsefully ; then she slipped down on the rug beside him and laid her glossy red head on his arm .

" Gilbert , I 've been rather hateful over this .

I won't be any more .

please just call me red-headed and forgive me . "

by which Gilbert understood that , no matter what came of it , there would be no I-told-you-so 's .

but he was not wholly comforted .

some instinct made Anne keep away from Leslie for the next three days .

she was very pale and seemed to have wrapped herself in her old mantle of aloofness .

there were plans to be made and many things to be thought over .

when Leslie had got the information she wanted she went home .

Anne wanted to walk part of the way with her .

" better not , " said Leslie curtly .

" today 's rain has made the ground damp .

good-night . "

" have I lost my friend ? " said Anne with a sigh .

" perhaps she will leave him , " said Gilbert .

" Leslie would never do that , Gilbert .

her sense of duty is very strong .

that is one of her cardinal rules .

I suppose it 's very old-fashioned . "

" don't be bitter , Anne-girl .

you know you don't think it old-fashioned you know you have the very same idea of sacredness of assumed responsibilities yourself .

and you are right .

shirking responsibilities is the curse of our modern life the secret of all the unrest and discontent that is seething in the world . "

" thus saith the preacher , " mocked Anne .

but under the mockery she felt that he was right ; and she was very sick at heart for Leslie .

a week later Miss Cornelia descended like an avalanche upon the little house .

Gilbert was away and Anne was compelled to bear the shock of the impact alone .

Miss Cornelia hardly waited to get her hat off before she began .

" yes , it is quite true , Miss Cornelia , " said Anne bravely .

" well , it 's inhuman cruelty , that 's what it is , " said Miss Cornelia , violently agitated .

" I did think Dr Blythe was a decent man .

I didn't think he could have been guilty of this . "

" oh , no , you don't , dearie , " said Miss Cornelia .

" no person with any bowels of compassion could . "

" captain Jim does . "

" don't quote that old ninny to me , " cried Miss Cornelia .

" and I don't care who agrees with him .

think THINK what it means to that poor hunted , harried girl . "

" we DO think of it .

but Gilbert believes that a doctor should put the welfare of a patient 's mind and body before all other considerations . "

" that 's just like a man .

Long was the fray , but Miss Cornelia made an end at last .

" it 's an iniquitous shame , " she declared , almost in tears .

" that 's just what it is an iniquitous shame .

Poor , poor Leslie ! "

" don't you think Dick should be considered a little too ? " pleaded Anne .

" Dick !

Dick Moore !

HE'S happy enough .

he 's a better behaved and more reputable member of society now than he ever was before .

" why , he was a drunkard and perhaps worse .

are you going to set him loose again to roar and to devour ? "

" he may reform , " said poor Anne , beset by foe without and traitor within .

" reform your grandmother ! " retorted Miss Cornelia .

" Dick Moore got the injuries that left him as he is in a drunken brawl .

he DESERVES his fate .

it was sent on him for a punishment .

I don't believe the doctor has any business to tamper with the visitations of God . "

" nobody knows how Dick was hurt , Miss Cornelia .

it may not have been in a drunken brawl at all .

he may have been waylaid and robbed . "

" Pigs MAY whistle , but they 've poor mouths for it , " said Miss Cornelia .

" well , the gist of what you tell me is that the thing is settled and there 's no use in talking .

if that 's so I 'll hold my tongue .

I don't propose to wear MY teeth out gnawing files .

when a thing has to be I give in to it .

but I like to make mighty sure first that it HAS to be .

now , I 'll devote MY energies to comforting and sustaining Leslie .

and after all , " added Miss Cornelia , brightening up hopefully , " perhaps nothing can be done for Dick . "

CHAPTER @number@

THE TRUTH MAKES FREE

Leslie , having once made up her mind what to do , proceeded to do it with characteristic resolution and speed .

House-cleaning must be finished with first , whatever issues of life and death might await beyond .

the gray house up the brook was put into flawless order and cleanliness , with Miss Cornelia 's ready assistance .

she accepted the fact of Dick 's operation , referred to it when necessary in a business-like way , and ignored it when it was not .

Leslie never attempted to discuss it .

she was very cold and quiet during these beautiful spring days .

the old jokes and laughter and chumminess of common things could not reach her over it .

Anne refused to feel hurt .

when one great passion seizes possession of the soul all other feelings are crowded aside .

never in all her life had Leslie Moore shuddered away from the future with more intolerable terror .

the financial question was settled with greater ease than Anne had feared .

Leslie borrowed the necessary money from Captain Jim , and , at her insistence , he took a mortgage on the little farm .

" so that is one thing off the poor girl 's mind , " Miss Cornelia told Anne , " and off mine too .

he said as much to me .

' I 'm getting old , Cornelia , ' he said , ' and I 've no chick or child of my own .

Leslie won't take a gift from a living man , but mebbe she will from a dead one . '

so it will be all right as far as THAT goes .

I wish everything else might be settled as satisfactorily .

as for that wretch of a Dick , he 's been awful these last few days .

the devil was in him , believe ME !

Leslie and I couldn't get on with our work for the tricks he 'd play .

he chased all her ducks one day around the yard till most of them died .

and not one thing would he do for us .

sometimes , you know , he 'll make himself quite handy , bringing in pails of water and wood .

but this week if we sent him to the well he 'd try to climb down into it .

I thought once , ' If you 'd only shoot down there head-first everything would be nicely settled . ' "

" oh , Miss Cornelia ! "

" now , you needn't Miss Cornelia me , Anne , dearie .

ANYBODY would have thought the same .

if the Montreal doctors can make a rational creature out of Dick Moore they 're wonders . "

Leslie took Dick to Montreal early in May .

Gilbert went with her , to help her , and make the necessary arrangements for her .

" very comforting , " was Miss Cornelia 's sarcastic comment .

Anne only sighed .

Leslie had been very distant at their parting .

but she had promised to write .

ten days after Gilbert 's return the letter came .

Leslie wrote that the operation had been successfully performed and that Dick was making a good recovery .

" what does she mean by ' successfully ? ' " asked Anne .

" does she mean that Dick 's memory is really restored ? "

" not likely since she says nothing of it , " said Gilbert .

" she uses the word ' successfully ' from the surgeon 's point of view .

the operation has been performed and followed by normal results .

but it is too soon to know whether Dick 's faculties will be eventually restored , wholly or in part .

his memory would not be likely to return to him all at once .

the process will be gradual , if it occurs at all .

is that all she says ? "

" yes there 's her letter .

it 's very short .

poor girl , she must be under a terrible strain .

Gilbert Blythe , there are heaps of things I long to say to you , only it would be mean . "

" Miss Cornelia says them for you , " said Gilbert with a rueful smile .

" she combs me down every time I encounter her .

she even told me that the Methodist doctor over the harbor was to be preferred before me .

with Miss Cornelia the force of condemnation can no further go . "

" if Cornelia Bryant was sick , it would not be Doctor Dave or the Methodist doctor she would send for , " sniffed Susan .

and then she would likely say your bill was past all reason .

but do not mind her , doctor , dear .

it takes all kinds of people to make a world . "

no further word came from Leslie for some time .

the May days crept away in a sweet succession and the shores of Four Winds Harbor greened and bloomed and purpled .

one day in late May Gilbert came home to be met by Susan in the stable yard .

" I am afraid something has upset Mrs. Doctor , doctor , dear , " she said mysteriously .

" she got a letter this afternoon and since then she has just been walking round the garden and talking to herself .

you know it is not good for her to be on her feet so much , doctor , dear .

and it is not good for her to be upset . "

Gilbert hurried rather anxiously to the garden .

had anything happened at Green Gables ?

but Anne , sitting on the rustic seat by the brook , did not look troubled , though she was certainly much excited .

her eyes were their grayest , and scarlet spots burned on her cheeks .

" what has happened , Anne ? "

Anne gave a queer little laugh .

" I think you 'll hardly believe it when I tell you , Gilbert .

I can't believe it yet .

as Susan said the other day , ' I feel like a fly coming to live in the sun dazed-like . '

it 's all so incredible .

I 've read the letter a score of times and every time it 's just the same I can't believe my own eyes .

oh , Gilbert , you were right so right .

I can see that clearly enough now and I 'm so ashamed of myself and will you ever really forgive me ? "

" Anne , I 'll shake you if you don't grow coherent .

Redmond would be ashamed of you .

WHAT has happened ? "

" you won't believe it you won't believe it "

" I 'm going to phone for Uncle Dave , " said Gilbert , pretending to start for the house .

" sit down , Gilbert .

I 'll try to tell you .

whom is your letter from ? "

" Leslie and , oh , Gilbert "

" Leslie !

Whew !

what has she to say ?

what 's the news about Dick ? "

Anne lifted the letter and held it out , calmly dramatic in a moment .

" there is NO Dick !

Dick Moore died of yellow fever thirteen years ago in Cuba . "

CHAPTER @number@

MISS CORNELIA DISCUSSES THE AFFAIR

is THAT what you phoned up to me today ? "

" yes , Miss Cornelia .

it is very amazing , isn't it ? "

" it 's it 's just like a man , " said Miss Cornelia helplessly .

she took off her hat with trembling fingers .

for once in her life Miss Cornelia was undeniably staggered .

" I can't seem to sense it , Anne , " she said .

" I 've heard you say it and I believe you but I can't take it in .

dick Moore is dead has been dead all these years and Leslie is free ? "

" yes .

the truth has made her free .

Gilbert was right when he said that verse was the grandest in the Bible . "

" tell me everything , Anne , dearie .

since I got your phone I 've been in a regular muddle , believe ME .

Cornelia Bryant was never so kerflummuxed before . "

" there isn't a very great deal to tell .

Leslie 's letter was short .

she didn't go into particulars .

this man George Moore has recovered his memory and knows who he is .

he says Dick took yellow fever in Cuba , and the Four Sisters had to sail without him .

George stayed behind to nurse him .

but he died very shortly afterwards .

" George did not write Leslie because he intended to come right home and tell her himself . "

" and why didn't he ? "

" I suppose his accident must have intervened .

it probably happened very soon after Dick 's death .

we may find out more particulars when Leslie writes again . "

" does she say what she is going to do ?

when is she coming home ? "

" she says she will stay with George Moore until he can leave the hospital .

she has written to his people in Nova Scotia .

it seems that George 's only near relative is a married sister much older than himself .

she was living when George sailed on the Four Sisters , but of course we do not know what may have happened since .

did you ever see George Moore , Miss Cornelia ? "

" I did .

it is all coming back to me .

he was here visiting his Uncle Abner eighteen years ago , when he and Dick would be about seventeen .

they were double cousins , you see .

their fathers were brothers and their mothers were twin sisters , and they did look a terrible lot alike .

in those days you could tell easy enough which was George and which was Dick , if you saw them together and near at hand .

apart , or some distance away , it wasn't so easy .

they played lots of tricks on people and thought it great fun , the two scamps .

Dick had higher color than George , and his hair was a shade lighter .

but their features were just alike , and they both had that queer freak of eyes one blue and one hazel .

they weren't much alike in any other way , though .

but everybody liked him better than Dick .

he spent about a month here .

captain Jim was away , too that was the winter he was wrecked on the Magdalens .

I don't suppose either he or Leslie had ever heard about the Nova Scotia cousin looking so much like Dick .

nobody ever thought of him when Captain Jim brought Dick George , I should say home .

of course , we all thought Dick had changed considerable he 'd got so lumpish and fat .

and there was no other way we could have guessed , for the man 's senses were clean gone .

I can't see that it is any wonder we were all deceived .

but it 's a staggering thing .

and Leslie has sacrificed the best years of her life to nursing a man who hadn't any claim on her !

oh , drat the men !

no matter what they do , it 's the wrong thing .

and no matter who they are , it 's somebody they shouldn't be .

they do exasperate me . "

" Gilbert and Captain Jim are men , and it is through them that the truth has been discovered at last , " said Anne .

" well , I admit that , " conceded Miss Cornelia reluctantly .

" I 'm sorry I raked the doctor off so .

it 's the first time in my life I 've ever felt ashamed of anything I said to a man .

I don't know as I shall tell him so , though .

he 'll just have to take it for granted .

well , Anne , dearie , it 's a mercy the Lord doesn't answer all our prayers .

I 've been praying hard right along that the operation wouldn't cure Dick .

of course I didn't put it just quite so plain .

but that was what was in the back of my mind , and I have no doubt the Lord knew it . "

" well , He has answered the spirit of your prayer .

you really wished that things shouldn't be made any harder for Leslie .

I 'm afraid that in my secret heart I 've been hoping the operation wouldn't succeed , and I am wholesomely ashamed of it . "

" how does Leslie seem to take it ? "

" she writes like one dazed .

I think that , like ourselves , she hardly realises it yet .

she says , ' It all seems like a strange dream to me , Anne . '

that is the only reference she makes to herself . "

" poor child !

I suppose when the chains are struck off a prisoner he 'd feel queer and lost without them for a while .

Anne , dearie , here 's a thought keeps coming into my mind .

what about Owen Ford ?

we both know Leslie was fond of him .

did it ever occur to you that he was fond of her ? "

" it did once , " admitted Anne , feeling that she might say so much .

" well , I hadn't any reason to think he was , but it just appeared to me he MUST be .

now , Anne , dearie , the Lord knows I 'm not a match-maker , and I scorn all such doings .

but if I were you and writing to that Ford man I 'd just mention , casual-like , what has happened .

that is what I ' d do . "

" of course I will mention it when I write him , " said Anne , a trifle distantly .

somehow , this was a thing she could not discuss with Miss Cornelia .

and yet , she had to admit that the same thought had been lurking in her mind ever since she had heard of Leslie 's freedom .

but she would not desecrate it by free speech .

" of course there is no great rush , dearie .

but Dick Moore 's been dead for thirteen years and Leslie has wasted enough of her life for him .

we 'll just see what comes of it .

he won't seem to fit in anywhere . "

it must be very strange for him , poor fellow .

I suppose all these years since his accident will not exist for him . "

CHAPTER @number@

LESLIE RETURNS

a fortnight later Leslie Moore came home alone to the old house where she had spent so many bitter years .

in the June twilight she went over the fields to Anne 's , and appeared with ghost-like suddenness in the scented garden .

" Leslie ! " cried Anne in amazement .

" where have you sprung from ?

we never knew you were coming .

why didn't you write ?

we would have met you . "

" I couldn't write somehow , Anne .

it seemed so futile to try to say anything with pen and ink .

and I wanted to get back quietly and unobserved . "

Anne put her arms about Leslie and kissed her .

Leslie returned the kiss warmly .

" and you have come home alone , Leslie ? "

" yes .

George Moore 's sister came to Montreal and took him home with her .

poor fellow , he was sorry to part with me though I was a stranger to him when his memory first came back .

it was all very hard for him .

I helped him all I could .

when his sister came it was easier for him , because it seemed to him only the other day that he had seen her last .

fortunately she had not changed much , and that helped him , too . "

" it is all so strange and wonderful , Leslie .

I think we none of us realise it yet . "

" I cannot .

Anne , I seem stunned yet .

I 'm not glad or sorry or ANYTHING .

I feel as if something had been torn suddenly out of my life and left a terrible hole .

I feel as if I couldn't be I as if I must have changed into somebody else and couldn't get used to it .

it gives me a horrible lonely , dazed , helpless feeling .

it 's good to see you again it seems as if you were a sort of anchor for my drifting soul .

oh , Anne , I dread it all the gossip and wonderment and questioning .

when I think of that , I wish that I need not have come home at all .

Dr Dave was at the station when I came off the train he brought me home .

poor old man , he feels very badly because he told me years ago that nothing could be done for Dick .

' I honestly thought so , Leslie , ' he said to me today .

' But I should have told you not to depend on my opinion I should have told you to go to a specialist .

if I had , you would have been saved many bitter years , and poor George Moore many wasted ones .

I blame myself very much , Leslie . '

I told him not to do that he had done what he thought right .

he has always been so kind to me I couldn't bear to see him worrying over it . "

" and Dick George , I mean ?

is his memory fully restored ? "

" practically .

of course , there are a great many details he can't recall yet but he remembers more and more every day .

he went out for a walk on the evening after Dick was buried .

he had Dick 's money and watch on him ; he meant to bring them home to me , along with my letter .

he admits he went to a place where the sailors resorted and he remembers drinking and nothing else .

Anne , I shall never forget the moment he remembered his own name .

I saw him looking at me with an intelligent but puzzled expression .

I said , ' Do you know me , Dick ? '

he answered , ' I never saw you before .

who are you ?

and my name is not Dick .

I am George Moore , and Dick died of yellow fever yesterday !

where am I ?

what has happened to me ? '

I I fainted , Anne .

and ever since I have felt as if I were in a dream . "

" you will soon adjust yourself to this new state of things , Leslie .

and you are young life is before you you will have many beautiful years yet . "

" perhaps I shall be able to look at it in that way after a while , Anne .

Just now I feel too tired and indifferent to think about the future .

I 'm I'm Anne , I 'm lonely .

I miss Dick .

isn't it all very strange ?

when I heard that Captain Jim was bringing him home I expected I would just feel the same to him .

but I never did although I continued to loathe him as I remembered him before .

from the time he came home I felt only pity a pity that hurt and wrung me .

I supposed then that it was just because his accident had made him so helpless and changed .

but now I believe it was because there was really a different personality there .

Carlo knew it , Anne I know now that Carlo knew it .

I always thought it strange that Carlo shouldn't have known Dick .

dogs are usually so faithful .

but HE knew it was not his master who had come back , although none of the rest of us did .

I had never seen George Moore , you know .

you see , it never occurred to me to question Dick 's identity .

any change in him seemed to me just the result of the accident .

" oh , Anne , that night in April when Gilbert told me he thought Dick might be cured !

I can never forget it .

I was still chained to the cage but I was not in it .

I didn't blame Gilbert .

I felt he was right .

but I knew how I ought to decide and I couldn't face it .

all night I walked the floor like a mad woman , trying to compel myself to face it .

it was very wicked , I know .

it would have been just punishment for such wickedness if I had just been left to abide by that decision .

I kept to it all day .

that afternoon I had to go up to the Glen to do some shopping .

it was one of Dick 's quiet , drowsy days , so I left him alone .

I was gone a little longer than I had expected , and he missed me .

he felt lonely .

and when I got home , he ran to meet me just like a child , with such a pleased smile on his face .

somehow , Anne , I just gave way then .

that smile on his poor vacant face was more than I could endure .

I felt as if I were denying a child the chance to grow and develop .

I knew that I must give him his chance , no matter what the consequences might be .

so I came over and told Gilbert .

oh , Anne , you must have thought me hateful in those weeks before I went away .

" I know I understood , Leslie .

and now it is all over your chain is broken there is no cage . "

" there is no cage , " repeated Leslie absently , plucking at the fringing grasses with her slender , brown hands .

" but it doesn't seem as if there were anything else , Anne .

you you remember what I told you of my folly that night on the sand-bar ?

I find one doesn't get over being a fool very quickly .

sometimes I think there are people who are fools forever .

and to be a fool of that kind is almost as bad as being a a dog on a chain . "

Leslie laid her splendid golden head against Anne 's knee .

" anyhow , I have YOU , " she said .

" life can't be altogether empty with such a friend .

CHAPTER @number@

THE SHIP O'DREAMS COMES TO HARBOR

under his wing was tucked a sleepy , starry-eyed , little creature .

the stork was tired , and he looked wistfully about him .

he knew he was somewhere near his destination , but he could not yet see it .

the staring green abode further on was manifestly out of the question .

then the stork brightened up .

the stork gave a sigh of satisfaction , and softly alighted on the ridge-pole .

half an hour later Gilbert ran down the hall and tapped on the spare-room door .

a drowsy voice answered him and in a moment Marilla 's pale , scared face peeped out from behind the door .

" Marilla , Anne has sent me to tell you that a certain young gentleman has arrived here .

he hasn't brought much luggage with him , but he evidently means to stay . "

" for pity 's sake ! " said Marilla blankly .

" you don't mean to tell me , Gilbert , that it 's all over .

why wasn't I called ? "

" Anne wouldn't let us disturb you when there was no need .

nobody was called until about two hours ago .

there was no ' passage perilous ' this time . "

" and and Gilbert will this baby live ? "

" he certainly will .

he weighs ten pounds and why , listen to him .

nothing wrong with his lungs , is there ?

the nurse says his hair will be red .

Anne is furious with her , and I 'm tickled to death . "

that was a wonderful day in the little house of dreams .

" the best dream of all has come true , " said Anne , pale and rapturous .

" oh , Marilla , I hardly dare believe it , after that horrible day last summer .

I have had a heartache ever since then but it is gone now . "

" this baby will take Joy 's place , " said Marilla .

" oh , no , no , NO , Marilla .

he can't nothing can ever do that .

he has his own place , my dear , wee man-child .

but little Joy has hers , and always will have it .

if she had lived she would have been over a year old .

she would have been toddling around on her tiny feet and lisping a few words .

I can see her so plainly , Marilla .

I 've learned THAT this past year .

I 've followed her development day by day and week by week I always shall .

I shall know just how she grows from year to year and when I meet her again I 'll know her she won't be a stranger .

oh , Marilla , LOOK at his dear , darling toes !

isn't it strange they should be so perfect ? "

" it would be stranger if they weren't , " said Marilla crisply .

now that all was safely over , Marilla was herself again .

and his hands JUST look at his hands , Marilla . "

" they appear to be a good deal like hands , " Marilla conceded .

" see how he clings to my finger .

I 'm sure he knows me already .

he cries when the nurse takes him away .

oh , Marilla , do you think you don't think , do you that his hair is going to be red ? "

" I don't see much hair of any color , " said Marilla .

" I wouldn't worry about it , if I were you , until it becomes visible . "

" Marilla , he HAS hair look at that fine little down all over his head .

anyway , nurse says his eyes will be hazel and his forehead is exactly like Gilbert 's . "

" and he has the nicest little ears , Mrs. Doctor , dear , " said Susan .

" the first thing I did was to look at his ears .

just look at their shape and they are set right back against his precious head .

you will never need to be ashamed of his ears , Mrs. Doctor , dear . "

Anne 's convalescence was rapid and happy .

Leslie , slowly finding herself amid the new conditions of her life , hovered over it , like a beautiful , golden-crowned Madonna .

Miss Cornelia nursed it as knackily as could any mother in Israel .

" what are you going to call him ? " asked Miss Cornelia .

" Anne has settled his name , " answered Gilbert .

Gilbert smiled .

he is so delighted over the fact that we have given his name to our small lad .

it seems he has no other namesake . "

" Well , James Matthew is a name that will wear well and not fade in the washing , " said Miss Cornelia .

Mrs William Drew at the Glen has called her baby Bertie Shakespeare .

quite a combination , isn't it ?

and I 'm glad you haven't had much trouble picking on a name .

some folks have an awful time .

then a brother came along and there it was ' Big Baby ' and ' Little Baby . '

finally they called Big Baby Peter and Little Baby Isaac , after the two grandfathers , and had them both christened together .

and each tried to see if it couldn't howl the other down .

you know that Highland Scotch family of MacNabs back of the Glen ?

they 've got twelve boys and the oldest and the youngest are both called Neil Big Neil and Little Neil in the same family .

well , I s'pose they ran out of names . "

" I have read somewhere , " laughed Anne , " that the first child is a poem but the tenth is very prosy prose .

perhaps Mrs MacNab thought that the twelfth was merely an old tale re-told . "

" well , there 's something to be said for large families , " said Miss Cornelia , with a sigh .

" I was an only child for eight years and I did long for a brother and sister .

mother told me to pray for one and pray I did , believe ME .

you can go up and see him . '

I was so excited and delighted I just flew upstairs .

and old Mrs Flagg lifted up the baby for me to see .

Lord , Anne , dearie , I never was so disappointed in my life .

you see , I 'd been praying for A BROTHER TWO YEARS OLDER THAN MYSELF . "

" how long did it take you to get over your disappointment ? " asked Anne , amid her laughter .

" well , I had a spite at Providence for a good spell , and for weeks I wouldn't even look at the baby .

nobody knew why , for I never told .

then he began to get real cute , and held out his wee hands to me and I began to get fond of him .

and after that I just worshipped him .

mother died before he was three years old and I was sister and mother to him both .

poor little lad , he was never strong , and he died when he wasn't much over twenty .

seems to me I 'd have given anything on earth , Anne , dearie , if he 'd only lived . "

Miss Cornelia sighed .

as soon as she was safely out of earshot , Miss Cornelia bent forward and said in a conspirator 's whisper :

" Anne , dearie , I 'd a letter from Owen Ford yesterday .

he 's in Vancouver just now , but he wants to know if I can board him for a month later on .

YOU know what that means .

well , I hope we 're doing right . "

" we 've nothing to do with it we couldn't prevent him from coming to Four Winds if he wanted to , " said Anne quickly .

she did not like the feeling of match-making Miss Cornelia 's whispers gave her ; and then she weakly succumbed herself .

" don't let Leslie know he is coming until he is here , " she said .

" if she found out I feel sure she would go away at once .

she intends to go in the fall anyhow she told me so the other day .

she is going to Montreal to take up nursing and make what she can of her life . "

" oh , well , Anne , dearie , " said Miss Cornelia , nodding sagely " that is all as it may be .

you and I have done our part and we must leave the rest to Higher Hands . "

CHAPTER @number@

POLITICS AT FOUR WINDS

Miss Cornelia did not approve of his mixing up in politics and told Anne so .

" Dr Dave never did it .

Dr Blythe will find he is making a mistake , believe ME .

politics is something no decent man should meddle with . "

" is the government of the country to be left solely to the rogues then ? " asked Anne .

" yes so long as it 's Conservative rogues , " said Miss Cornelia , marching off with the honors of war .

" men and politicians are all tarred with the same brush .

the Grits have it laid on thicker than the Conservatives , that 's all CONSIDERABLY thicker .

but Grit or Tory , my advice to Dr Blythe is to steer clear of politics .

" ah , well , let's not borrow trouble , " said Anne .

" the rate of interest is too high .

instead , let's look at Little Jem .

it should be spelled with a G . isn't he perfectly beautiful ?

just see the dimples in his elbows .

we 'll bring him up to be a good Conservative , you and I , Miss Cornelia . "

" bring him up to be a good man , " said Miss Cornelia .

" they 're scarce and valuable ; though , mind you , I wouldn't like to see him a Grit .

as for the election , you and I may be thankful we don't live over harbor .

the air there is blue these days .

every Elliott and Crawford and MacAllister is on the warpath , loaded for bear .

this side is peaceful and calm , seeing there 's so few men .

captain Jim 's a Grit , but it 's my opinion he 's ashamed of it , for he never talks politics .

there isn't any earthly doubt that the Conservatives will be returned with a big majority again . "

Miss Cornelia was mistaken .

on the morning after the election Captain Jim dropped in at the little house to tell the news .

" Mistress Blythe , the Liberals are in with a sweeping majority .

after eighteen years of Tory mismanagement this down-trodden country is going to have a chance at last . "

" I never heard you make such a bitter partisan speech before , Captain Jim .

I didn't think you had so much political venom in you , " laughed Anne , who was not much excited over the tidings .

Little Jem had said " Wow-ga " that morning .

" it 's been accumulating for a long while , " said Captain Jim , with a deprecating smile .

" you know the doctor and I are Conservatives . "

" ah , well , it 's the only bad thing I know of either of you , Mistress Blythe .

Cornelia is a Tory , too .

I called in on my way from the Glen to tell her the news . "

" didn't you know you took your life in your hands ? "

" yes , but I couldn't resist the temptation . "

" how did she take it ? "

" comparatively calm , Mistress Blythe , comparatively calm .

she says , says she , ' Well , Providence sends seasons of humiliation to a country , same as to individuals .

you Grits have been cold and hungry for many a year .

make haste to get warmed and fed , for you won't be in long . '

' Well , now Cornelia , ' I says , ' mebbe Providence thinks Canada needs a real long spell of humiliation . '

ah , Susan , have YOU heard the news ?

the Liberals are in . "

Susan had just come in from the kitchen , attended by the odor of delectable dishes which always seemed to hover around her .

" now , are they ? " she said , with beautiful unconcern .

" well , I never could see but that my bread rose just as light when Grits were in as when they were not .

in the meantime , will you just step out and give me your opinion on the meat for dinner ?

I am fearing that it is very tough , and I think that we had better change our butcher as well as our government . "

it was quite a tragedy .

suppose he cried ?

suppose Susan did not know just exactly what to do for him ?

Susan was calm and serene .

" I have had as much experience with him as you , Mrs. doctor , dear , have I not ? "

" yes , with him but not with other babies .

why , I looked after three pairs of twins , when I was a child , Susan .

when they cried , I gave them peppermint or castor oil quite coolly .

it 's quite curious now to recall how lightly I took all those babies and their woes . "

" not too hot , you know , " said Anne anxiously .

oh , was it really wise to go ?

" do not you fret , Mrs. doctor , dear .

Susan is not the woman to burn a wee man .

bless him , he has no notion of crying . "

Anne tore herself away finally and enjoyed her walk to the Point after all , through the long shadows of the sun-setting .

nevertheless , when she sat down , he began to talk to her with all the assurance of an old acquaintance .

her replies were frosty , and as few as decency required .

nothing daunted , her companion talked on for several minutes , then excused himself and went away .

Anne could have sworn there was a twinkle in his eye and it annoyed her .

who was the creature ?

there was something vaguely familiar about him but she was certain she had never seen him before .

" captain Jim , who was that who just went out ? " she asked , as Captain Jim came in .

" Marshall Elliott , " answered the captain .

" Marshall Elliott ! " cried Anne .

WHY didn't he tell me ?

he must have seen I didn't know him . "

" he wouldn't say a word about it he 'd just enjoy the joke .

don't worry over snubbing him he 'll think it fun .

yes , Marshall 's shaved off his beard at last and cut his hair .

his party is in , you know .

I didn't know him myself first time I saw him .

about twelve the ' phone came through the Liberals were in .

of course , all the Tories were over in Raymond Russell 's store .

not much cheering THERE .

Marshall went straight down the street to the side door of Augustus Palmer 's barber shop .

" come into your shop and do the best job you ever did in your life , Gus , ' said Marshall .

' The Liberals are in and you 're going to barber a good Grit before the sun rises . '

" Gus was mad as hops partly because he 'd been dragged out of bed , but more because he 's a Tory .

he vowed he wouldn't shave any man after twelve at night .

so he gave in and towed Marshall in to the shop and went to work .

you wouldn't have thought mild little Gus could be so bloodthirsty , would you ?

Shows what party politics will do for a man .

Marshall kept quiet and got his hair and beard disposed of and went home .

when his old housekeeper heard him come upstairs she peeked out of her bedroom door to see whether ' twas him or the hired boy .

and when she saw a strange man striding down the hall with a candle in his hand she screamed blue murder and fainted dead away .

Captain Jim had no fish .

he seldom went out in his boat that summer , and his long tramping expeditions were over .

he sat there tonight for many silent minutes , keeping some tryst with the past which Anne would not disturb .

presently he pointed to the iris of the West :

" that 's beautiful , isn't , it , Mistress Blythe ?

but I wish you could have seen the sunrise this morning .

it was a wonderful thing wonderful .

I 've seen all kinds of sunrises come over that gulf .

a man can't pick his time for dying , Mistress Blythe jest got to go when the Great Captain gives His sailing orders .

but if I could I 'd go out when the morning comes across that water .

I think , Mistress Blythe , that I 'd find lost Margaret there . "

captain Jim had often talked to Anne of lost Margaret since he had told her the old story .

his love for her trembled in every tone that love that had never grown faint or forgetful .

" anyway , I hope when my time comes I 'll go quick and easy .

I don't think I 'm a coward , Mistress Blythe I 've looked an ugly death in the face more than once without blenching .

but the thought of a lingering death does give me a queer , sick feeling of horror . "

" what would we do without you ? "

captain Jim smiled beautifully .

the race of Joseph always remembers one another .

it won't be very long now before lost Margaret calls me , for the last time .

I 'll be all ready to answer .

I jest spoke of this because there 's a little favor I want to ask you .

" HE 'll miss me when I start on the V'yage .

I can't bear to think of leaving the poor critter to starve , like he was left before .

if anything happens to me will you give Matey a bite and a corner , Mistress Blythe ? "

" indeed I will . "

" then that is all I had on my mind .

your Little Jem is to have the few curious things I picked up I 've seen to that .

and now I don't like to see tears in those pretty eyes , Mistress Blythe .

I 'll mebbe hang on for quite a spell yet .

I heard you reading a piece of poetry one day last winter one of Tennyson 's pieces .

I 'd sorter like to hear it again , if you could recite it for me . "

the old captain kept time gently with his sinewy hand .

" yes , yes , Mistress Blythe , " he said , when she had finished , " that 's it , that 's it .

CHAPTER @number@

BEAUTY FOR ASHES

" any news from Green Gables , Anne ? "

" nothing very especial , " replied Anne , folding up Marilla 's letter .

" Jake Donnell has been there shingling the roof .

he is a full-fledged carpenter now , so it seems he has had his own way in regard to the choice of a life-work .

you remember his mother wanted him to be a college professor .

I shall never forget the day she came to the school and rated me for failing to call him St Clair . "

" does anyone ever call him that now ? "

" evidently not .

it seems that he has completely lived it down .

even his mother has succumbed .

I always thought that a boy with Jake 's chin and mouth would get his own way in the end .

Diana writes me that Dora has a beau .

just think of it that child ! "

" Dora is seventeen , " said Gilbert .

" Charlie Sloane and I were both mad about you when you were seventeen , Anne . "

Dora 's is Ralph Andrews Jane 's brother .

I remember him as a little , round , fat , white-headed fellow who was always at the foot of his class .

but I understand he is quite a fine-looking young man now . "

" Dora will probably marry young .

she 's of the same type as Charlotta the Fourth she 'll never miss her first chance for fear she might not get another . "

" well ; if she marries Ralph I hope he will be a little more up-and-coming than his brother Billy , " mused Anne .

" for instance , " said Gilbert , laughing , " let us hope he will be able to propose on his own account .

Anne , would you have married Billy if he had asked you himself , instead of getting Jane to do it for him ? "

" I might have . "

Anne went off into a shriek of laughter over the recollection of her first proposal .

" the shock of the whole thing might have hypnotized me into some such rash and foolish act .

let us be thankful he did it by proxy . "

" I had a letter from George Moore yesterday , " said Leslie , from the corner where she was reading .

" he is well , but he finds it very hard to adapt himself to all the changes in his old home and friends .

he is going to sea again in the spring .

it 's in his blood , he says , and he longs for it .

but he told me something that made me glad for him , poor fellow .

before he sailed on the Four Sisters he was engaged to a girl at home .

it was pretty hard on him , but when he got home he found she had never married and still cared for him .

they are to be married this fall .

" what a nice little romance , " said Anne , whose love for the romantic was immortal .

how I did fight against Gilbert 's suggestion !

well , I am punished : I shall never be able to have a different opinion from Gilbert 's again !

if I try to have , he will squelch me by casting George Moore 's case up to me ! "

" as if even that would squelch a woman ! " mocked Gilbert .

" at least do not become my echo , Anne .

A little opposition gives spice to life .

I do not want a wife like John MacAllister 's over the harbor .

Anne and Leslie laughed .

Anne 's laughter was silver and Leslie 's golden , and the combination of the two was as satisfactory as a perfect chord in music .

Susan , coming in on the heels of the laughter , echoed it with a resounding sigh .

" why , Susan , what is the matter ? " asked Gilbert .

" there 's nothing wrong with little Jem , is there , Susan ? " cried Anne , starting up in alarm .

" no , no , calm yourself , Mrs. doctor , dear .

something has happened , though .

dear me , everything has gone catawampus with me this week .

I spoiled the bread , as you know too well and I scorched the doctor 's best shirt bosom and I broke your big platter .

" oh , I 'm very sorry sorry that your sister has met with such an accident , I mean , " exclaimed Anne .

" ah , well , man was made to mourn , Mrs. doctor , dear .

that sounds as if it ought to be in the Bible , but they tell me a person named Burns wrote it .

and there is no doubt that we are born to trouble as the sparks fly upward .

as for Matilda , I do not know what to think of her .

none of our family ever broke their legs before .

" of course , Susan , of course .

I can get someone to help me while you are gone . "

" if you cannot I will not go , Mrs. doctor , dear , Matilda 's leg to the contrary notwithstanding .

I will not have you worried , and that blessed child upset in consequence , for any number of legs . "

" oh , you must go to your sister at once , Susan .

I can get a girl from the cove , who will do for a time . "

" Anne , will you let me come and stay with you while Susan is away ? " exclaimed Leslie .

" do !

I 'd love to and it would be an act of charity on your part .

I 'm so horribly lonely over there in that big barn of a house .

there 's so little to do and at night I 'm worse than lonely I 'm frightened and nervous in spite of locked doors .

there was a tramp around two days ago . "

Anne joyfully agreed , and next day Leslie was installed as an inmate of the little house of dreams .

Miss Cornelia warmly approved of the arrangement .

" it seems Providential , " she told Anne in confidence .

" I 'm sorry for Matilda Clow , but since she had to break her leg it couldn't have happened at a better time .

they are doing enough of it as it is , because she doesn't put on mourning .

Owen Ford came to the little house one August evening when Leslie and Anne were absorbed in worshipping the baby .

he paused at the open door of the living room , unseen by the two within , gazing with greedy eyes at the beautiful picture .

" oh , you dear , beautiful , beloved baby , " she mumbled , catching one wee hand and covering it with kisses .

" isn't him ze darlingest itty sing , " crooned Anne , hanging over the arm of her chair adoringly .

" Dem itty wee pads are ze very tweetest handies in ze whole big world , isn't dey , you darling itty man . "

sir Oracle implored parents by all they held sacred never to talk " baby talk " to their children .

infants should invariably be addressed in classical language from the moment of their birth .

so should they learn to speak English undefiled from their earliest utterance .

" oh , the darling itty wee sing ! " she had exclaimed .

and she had continued to violate it ever since .

when Gilbert teased her she laughed Sir Oracle to scorn .

" he never had any children of his own , Gilbert I am positive he hadn't or he would never have written such rubbish .

you just can't help talking baby talk to a baby .

it comes natural and it 's RIGHT .

it would be inhuman to talk to those tiny , soft , velvety little creatures as we do to great big boys and girls .

" I never heard anything like the way you talk to that child . "

" very likely you never did .

go away go away .

didn't I bring up three pairs of Hammond twins before I was eleven ?

you and Sir Oracle are nothing but cold-blooded theorists .

Gilbert , JUST look at him !

he 's smiling at me he knows what we 're talking about .

and oo dest agwees wif evy word muzzer says , don't oo , angel-lover ? "

Gilbert put his arm about them .

" oh you mothers ! " he said .

" you mothers !

God knew what He was about when He made you . "

so Little Jem was talked to and loved and cuddled ; and he throve as became a child of the house of dreams .

Leslie was quite as foolish over him as Anne was .

Leslie was the first to become aware of him .

even in the twilight Anne could see the sudden whiteness that swept over her beautiful face , blotting out the crimson of lip and cheeks .

Owen came forward , eagerly , blind for a moment to Anne .

" Leslie ! " he said , holding out his hand .

before his call ended she excused herself and went upstairs .

Owen 's gay spirits flagged and he went away soon after with a downcast air .

Gilbert looked at Anne .

" Anne , what are you up to ?

there 's something going on that I don't understand .

the whole air here tonight has been charged with electricity .

you seem all the time to be bursting with some suppressed excitement .

own up .

what secret have you been keeping from your deceived husband ? "

" don't be a goose , Gilbert , " was Anne 's conjugal reply .

" as for Leslie , she is absurd and I 'm going up to tell her so . "

Anne found Leslie at the dormer window of her room .

the little place was filled with the rhythmic thunder of the sea .

Leslie sat with locked hands in the misty moonshine a beautiful , accusing presence .

" I did , " said Anne brazenly .

" oh , you should have told me , Anne , " Leslie cried passionately .

" if I had known I would have gone away I wouldn't have stayed here to meet him .

you should have told me .

it wasn't fair of you , Anne oh , it wasn't fair ! "

Leslie 's lips were trembling and her whole form was tense with emotion .

but Anne laughed heartlessly .

she bent over and kissed Leslie 's upturned reproachful face .

" Leslie , you are an adorable goose .

Owen Ford didn't rush from the Pacific to the Atlantic from a burning desire to see ME .

neither do I believe that he was inspired by any wild and frenzied passion for Miss Cornelia .

take off your tragic airs , my dear friend , and fold them up and put them away in lavender .

you 'll never need them again .

there are some people who can see through a grindstone when there is a hole in it , even if you cannot .

I am not a prophetess , but I shall venture on a prediction .

the bitterness of life is over for you .

after this you are going to have the joys and hopes and I daresay the sorrows , too of a happy woman .

the omen of the shadow of Venus did come true for you , Leslie .

the year in which you saw it brought your life 's best gift for you your love for Owen Ford .

now , go right to bed and have a good sleep . "

Leslie obeyed orders in so far that she went to bed : but it may be questioned if she slept much .

nor , when Owen Ford came next day , to ask her to go with him to the shore , did she say him nay .

CHAPTER @number@

MISS CORNELIA MAKES A STARTLING ANNOUNCEMENT

not that Miss Cornelia concerned herself with painted oceans or sun-thirsty lilies .

she sat in her favorite rocker in unusual idleness .

she sewed not , neither did she spin .

nor did she say a single derogatory word concerning any portion of mankind .

what had come over Miss Cornelia ?

she did not look cast down or worried .

on the contrary , there was a certain air of nervous exultation about her .

" where is Leslie ? " she asked not as if it mattered much either .

" Owen and she went raspberrying in the woods back of her farm , " answered Anne .

" they won't be back before supper time if then . "

" they don't seem to have any idea that there is such a thing as a clock , " said Gilbert .

" I can't get to the bottom of that affair .

I 'm certain you women pulled strings .

but Anne , undutiful wife , won't tell me .

Will you , Miss Cornelia ? "

" no , I shall not .

I came today on purpose to tell it .

I am going to be married . "

Anne and Gilbert were silent .

if Miss Cornelia had announced her intention of going out to the channel and drowning herself the thing might have been believable .

this was not .

so they waited .

of course Miss Cornelia had made a mistake .

" well , you both look sort of kerflummexed , " said Miss Cornelia , with a twinkle in her eyes .

now that the awkward moment of revelation was over , Miss Cornelia was her own woman again .

" do you think I 'm too young and inexperienced for matrimony ? "

" you know it IS rather staggering , " said Gilbert , trying to gather his wits together .

" I 've heard you say a score of times that you wouldn't marry the best man in the world . "

" I 'm not going to marry the best man in the world , " retorted Miss Cornelia .

" Marshall Elliott is a long way from being the best . "

" are you going to marry Marshall Elliott ? " exclaimed Anne , recovering her power of speech under this second shock .

" yes .

I could have had him any time these twenty years if I 'd lifted my finger .

but do you suppose I was going to walk into church beside a perambulating haystack like that ? "

she was not prepared for such an occasion .

she had never imagined herself offering betrothal felicitations to Miss Cornelia .

" Thanks , I knew you would , " said Miss Cornelia .

" you are the first of my friends to know it . "

" oh , you won't lose me , " said Miss Cornelia unsentimentally .

" you don't suppose I would live over harbor with all those MacAllisters and Elliotts and Crawfords , do you ?

' From the conceit of the Elliotts , the pride of the MacAllisters and the vain-glory of the Crawfords , good Lord deliver us . '

Marshall is coming to live at my place .

I 'm sick and tired of hired men .

that Jim Hastings I 've got this summer is positively the worst of the species .

he would drive anyone to getting married .

what do you think ?

he upset the churn yesterday and spilled a big churning of cream over the yard .

and not one whit concerned about it was he !

Just gave a foolish laugh and said cream was good for the land .

wasn't that like a man ?

I told him I wasn't in the habit of fertilising my back yard with cream . "

as you know , Marshall Elliott is a very determined man . "

" I like a man who can stick to a thing , " retorted Miss Cornelia .

" Amos Grant , who used to be after me long ago , couldn't .

you never saw such a weather-vane .

he jumped into the pond to drown himself once and then changed his mind and swum out again .

wasn't that like a man ?

Marshall would have stuck to it and drowned . "

" and he has a bit of a temper , they tell me , " persisted Gilbert .

" he wouldn't be an Elliott if he hadn't .

I 'm thankful he has .

it will be real fun to make him mad .

and you can generally do something with a tempery man when it comes to repenting time .

but you can't do anything with a man who just keeps placid and aggravating . "

" you know he 's a Grit , Miss Cornelia . "

" yes , he IS , " admitted Miss Cornelia rather sadly .

" and of course there is no hope of making a Conservative of him .

but at least he is a Presbyterian .

so I suppose I shall have to be satisfied with that . "

" would you marry him if he were a Methodist , Miss Cornelia ? "

" no , I would not .

politics is for this world , but religion is for both . "

" and you may be a ' relict ' after all , Miss Cornelia . "

" not I Marshall will live me out .

the Elliotts are long-lived , and the Bryants are not . "

" when are you to be married ? " asked Anne .

" In about a month 's time .

my wedding dress is to be navy blue silk .

I 've always thought I 'd like to wear a veil if I ever got married .

Marshall says to have it if I want to .

isn't that like a man ? "

" why shouldn't you wear it if you want to ? " asked Anne .

" as I say , I do fancy a veil .

but maybe it shouldn't be worn with any dress but a white one .

please tell me , Anne , dearie , what you really think .

I 'll go by your advice . "

I don't see any good reason why you shouldn't have a veil if you want one . "

but Miss Cornelia , who made her calls in calico wrappers , shook her head .

" if it isn't the proper thing I won't wear it , " she said , with a sigh of regret for a lost dream .

" well , I reckon I can manage Marshall Elliott , " said Miss Cornelia placidly .

" but let us hear your rules . "

" the first one is , catch him . "

" he 's caught .

go on . "

" the second one is , feed him well . "

" with enough pie .

what next ? "

" the third and fourth are keep your eye on him . "

" I believe you , " said Miss Cornelia emphatically .

CHAPTER @number@

RED ROSES

the garden of the little house was a haunt beloved of bees and reddened by late roses that August .

one evening Owen Ford found Leslie alone in it .

Anne and Gilbert were away , and Susan , who was expected back that night , had not yet returned .

the northern sky was amber and pale green over the fir tops .

the air was cool , for August was nearing September , and Leslie wore a crimson scarf over her white dress .

together they wandered through the little , friendly , flower-crowded paths in silence .

Owen must go soon .

his holiday was nearly over .

Leslie found her heart beating wildly .

she knew that this beloved garden was to be the scene of the binding words that must seal their as yet unworded understanding .

" some evenings a strange odor blows down the air of this garden , like a phantom perfume , " said Owen .

" I have never been able to discover from just what flower it comes .

it is elusive and haunting and wonderfully sweet .

I like to fancy it is the soul of Grandmother Selwyn passing on a little visit to the old spot she loved so well .

there should be a lot of friendly ghosts about this little old house . "

" this house was builded and consecrated by love , " said Owen .

" such houses , MUST exert an influence over those who live in them .

and this garden it is over sixty years old and the history of a thousand hopes and joys is written in its blossoms .

some of those flowers were actually set out by the schoolmaster 's bride , and she has been dead for thirty years .

yet they bloom on every summer .

look at those red roses , Leslie how they queen it over everything else ! "

" I love the red roses , " said Leslie .

" Anne likes the pink ones best , and Gilbert likes the white .

but I want the crimson ones .

they satisfy some craving in me as no other flower does . "

" the rose is the flower of love the world has acclaimed it so for centuries .

" love triumphant , " said Leslie in a low voice .

" yes love triumphant and perfect .

Leslie , you know you understand .

I have loved you from the first .

and I KNOW you love me I don't need to ask you .

but I want to hear you say it my darling my darling ! "

Leslie said something in a very low and tremulous voice .

Anne and Gilbert returned presently , accompanied by Captain Jim .

" when I sit looking at a driftwood fire it 's easy to believe I 'm young again , " said Captain Jim .

" can you read futures in the fire , Captain Jim ? " asked Owen .

captain Jim looked at them all affectionately and then back again at Leslie 's vivid face and glowing eyes .

" I don't need the fire to read your futures , " he said .

Happiness for you all though , mind you , I reckon you 'll have your troubles and worries and sorrows , too .

they 're bound to come and no house , whether it 's a palace or a little house of dreams , can bar ' em out .

but they won't get the better of you if you face ' em TOGETHER with love and trust .

you can weather any storm with them two for compass and pilot . "

the old man rose suddenly and placed one hand on Leslie 's head and one on Anne 's .

" two good , sweet women , " he said .

" True and faithful and to be depended on .

there was a strange solemnity about the little scene .

Anne and Leslie bowed as those receiving a benediction .

Gilbert suddenly brushed his hand over his eyes ; Owen Ford was rapt as one who can see visions .

all were silent for a space .

the little house of dreams added another poignant and unforgettable moment to its store of memories .

" I must be going now , " said Captain Jim slowly at last .

he took up his hat and looked lingeringly about the room .

" good night , all of you , " he said , as he went out .

Anne , pierced by the unusual wistfulness of his farewell , ran to the door after him .

" come back soon , Captain Jim , " she called , as he passed through the little gate hung between the firs .

" ay , ay , " he called cheerily back to her .

but Captain Jim had sat by the old fireside of the house of dreams for the last time .

Anne went slowly back to the others .

" it 's so so pitiful to think of him going all alone down to that lonely Point , " she said .

" and there is no one to welcome him there . "

" captain Jim is such good company for others that one can't imagine him being anything but good company for himself , " said Owen .

" but he must often be lonely .

there was a touch of the seer about him tonight he spoke as one to whom it had been given to speak .

well , I must be going , too . "

Anne and Gilbert discreetly melted away ; but when Owen had gone Anne returned , to find Leslie standing by the hearth .

" oh , Leslie I know and I 'm so glad , dear , " she said , putting her arms about her .

" Anne , my happiness frightens me , " whispered Leslie .

" it seems too great to be real I 'm afraid to speak of it to think of it .

it seems to me that it must just be another dream of this house of dreams and it will vanish when I leave here . "

" well , you are not going to leave here until Owen takes you .

you are going to stay with me until that times comes .

do you think I 'd let you go over to that lonely , sad place again ? "

" thank you , dear .

I meant to ask you if I might stay with you .

I didn't want to go back there it would seem like going back into the chill and dreariness of the old life again .

" he said ' women , ' not ' woman , ' " smiled Anne .

" perhaps Captain Jim sees us both through the rose-colored spectacles of his love for us .

but we can try to live up to his belief in us , at least . "

I did then .

it always seemed to me that if I had been homely Dick would never have thought of me .

I hated my beauty because it had attracted him , but now oh , I 'm glad that I have it .

it 's all I have to offer Owen , his artist soul delights in it .

I feel as if I do not come to him quite empty-handed . "

" Owen loves your beauty , Leslie .

who would not ?

but it 's foolish of you to say or think that that is all you bring him .

HE will tell you that I needn't .

and now I must lock up .

I expected Susan back tonight , but she has not come . "

it 's quite a walk from the Glen down here . "

" I 'm glad to see you back , Susan .

how is your sister ? "

" she is able to sit up , but of course she cannot walk yet .

however , she is very well able to get on without me now , for her daughter has come home for her vacation .

and I am thankful to be back , Mrs. doctor , dear .

Matilda 's leg was broken and no mistake , but her tongue was not .

she was always a great talker and yet she was the first of our family to get married .

she really did not care much about marrying James Clow , but she could not bear to disoblige him .

it always frightens my appetite clear away .

" yes , quite true , Susan . "

" well , Mrs. Doctor , dear , it does NOT seem to me fair .

here is me , who never said a word against the men , and I cannot get married nohow .

it is a very strange world , Mrs. doctor , dear . "

" there 's another world , you know , Susan . "

CHAPTER @number@

CAPTAIN JIM CROSSES THE BAR

one day in late September Owen Ford 's book came at last .

Captain Jim had gone faithfully to the Glen post office every day for a month , expecting it .

this day he had not gone , and Leslie brought his copy home with hers and Anne 's .

" we 'll take it down to him this evening , " said Anne , excited as a schoolgirl .

the long walk to the Point on that clear , beguiling evening along the red harbor road was very pleasant .

" Captain Jim is never late by the fraction of a second , " said Leslie .

neither Anne nor Leslie ever forgot Captain Jim 's face when they gave him the book HIS book , transfigured and glorified .

the frontispiece was a photograph of Captain Jim himself , standing at the door of the lighthouse , looking across the gulf .

Owen Ford had " snapped " him one day while the book was being written .

Captain Jim had known this , but he had not known that the picture was to be in the book .

" just think of it , " he said , " the old sailor right there in a real printed book .

this is the proudest day of my life .

I 'm like to bust , girls .

There'll be no sleep for me tonight .

I 'll read my book clean through before sun-up . "

" we 'll go right away and leave you free to begin it , " said Anne .

Captain Jim had been handling the book in a kind of reverent rapture .

now he decidedly closed it and laid it aside .

" no , no , you 're not going away before you take a cup of tea with the old man , " he protested .

" I couldn't hear to that could you , Matey ?

the life-book will keep , I reckon .

I 've waited for it this many a year .

I can wait a little longer while I 'm enjoying my friends . "

captain Jim moved about getting his kettle on to boil , and setting out his bread and butter .

despite his excitement he did not move with his old briskness .

his movements were slow and halting .

but the girls did not offer to help him .

they knew it would hurt his feelings .

" you just picked the right evening to visit me , " he said , producing a cake from his cupboard .

" Leetle Joe 's mother sent me down a big basket full of cakes and pies today .

a blessing on all good cooks , says I Look at this purty cake , all frosting and nuts .

' Tain't often I can entertain in such style .

set in , girls , set in !

we 'll ' tak a cup o ' kindness yet for auld lang syne . ' "

the girls " set in " right merrily .

the tea was up to Captain Jim 's best brewing .

" I wonder how he will like the ending the ending I suggested , " said Leslie .

she was never to know .

Early the next morning Anne awakened to find Gilbert bending over her , fully dressed , and with an expression of anxiety on his face .

" are you called out ? " she asked drowsily .

" no .

Anne , I 'm afraid there 's something wrong at the Point .

it 's an hour after sunrise now , and the light is still burning .

Anne sat up in dismay .

through her window she saw the light blinking palely against the blue skies of dawn .

Gilbert shook his head .

" that wouldn't be like Captain Jim .

anyway , I 'm going down to see . "

" wait a minute and I 'll go with you , " exclaimed Anne .

" oh , yes , I must Little Jem will sleep for an hour yet , and I 'll call Susan .

you may need a woman 's help if Captain Jim is ill . "

it was an exquisite morning , full of tints and sounds at once ripe and delicate .

the long fields by the shore were dewy and fresh in that first fine , purely-tinted light .

the wind came dancing and whistling up the channel to replace the beautiful silence with a music more beautiful still .

had it not been for the baleful star on the white tower that early walk would have been a delight to Anne and Gilbert .

but they went softly with fear .

their knock was not responded to .

Gilbert opened the door and they went in .

the old room was very quiet .

on the table were the remnants of the little evening feast .

the lamp still burned on the corner stand .

the First Mate was asleep in a square of sunshine by the sofa .

Captain Jim lay on the sofa , with his hands clasped over the life-book , open at the last page , lying on his breast .

" he is asleep ? " whispered Anne tremulously .

Gilbert went to the sofa and bent over him for a few moments .

then he straightened up .

" yes , he sleeps well , " he added quietly .

" Anne , Captain Jim has crossed the bar . "

CHAPTER @number@

FAREWELL TO THE HOUSE OF DREAMS

captain Jim was buried in the little over-harbor graveyard , very near to the spot where the wee white lady slept .

but his real monument was in the hearts of those who knew him , and in the book that was to live for generations .

Leslie mourned that Captain Jim had not lived to see the amazing success of it .

" how he would have delighted in the reviews they are almost all so kindly .

but Anne , despite her grief , was wiser .

" it was the book itself he cared for , Leslie not what might be said of it and he had it .

he had read it all through .

I am glad for Owen 's sake and yours that the book is such a success but Captain Jim was satisfied I KNOW . "

" I can put up with him for the sake of Captain Jim , Mrs. doctor , dear , for I liked the old man .

and I will see that he gets bite and sup , and every mouse the traps account for .

but do not ask me to do more than that , Mrs. Doctor , dear .

Cats is cats , and take my word for it , they will never be anything else .

and at least , Mrs. Doctor , dear , do keep him away from the blessed wee man .

Picture to yourself how awful it would be if he was to suck the darling 's breath . "

" that might be fitly called a CAT-astrophe , " said Gilbert .

" oh , you may laugh , doctor , dear , but it would be no laughing matter . "

" cats never suck babies ' breaths , " said Gilbert .

" that is only an old superstition , Susan . "

" oh , well , it may be a superstition or it may not , doctor , dear .

all that I know is , it has happened .

my sister 's husband 's nephew 's wife 's cat sucked their baby 's breath , and the poor innocent was all but gone when they found it .

Mr and Mrs. Marshall Elliott were living comfortably and harmoniously in the green house .

Leslie was busy with sewing , for she and Owen were to be married at Christmas .

Anne wondered what she would do when Leslie was gone .

" changes come all the time .

just as soon as things get really nice they change , " she said with a sigh .

" the old Morgan place up at the Glen is for sale , " said Gilbert , apropos of nothing in especial .

" is it ? " asked Anne indifferently .

" yes .

now that Mr Morgan has gone , Mrs Morgan wants to go to live with her children in Vancouver .

he was to be shortened the next week , and Anne felt ready to cry at the thought of it .

" suppose we buy it , Anne ? " remarked Gilbert quietly .

Anne dropped her sewing and stared at him .

" you 're not in earnest , Gilbert ? "

" indeed I am , dear . "

" and leave this darling spot our house of dreams ? " said Anne incredulously .

" oh , Gilbert , it 's it's unthinkable ! "

" listen patiently to me , dear .

I know just how you feel about it .

I feel the same .

but we 've always known we would have to move some day . "

" oh , but not so soon , Gilbert not just yet . "

" we may never get such a chance again .

we have felt the inconvenience , though we 've made the best of it .

and it 's a tight fit for us now .

perhaps , in a few years , when Jem wants a room of his own , it will be entirely too small . "

" oh , I know I know , " said Anne , tears filling her eyes .

" I know all that can be said against it , but I love it so and it 's so beautiful here . "

" you would find it very lonely here after Leslie goes and Captain Jim has gone too .

the Morgan place is beautiful , and in time we would love it .

you know you have always admired it , Anne . "

" oh , yes , but but this has all seemed to come up so suddenly , Gilbert .

I 'm dizzy .

ten minutes ago I had no thought of leaving this dear spot .

I was planning what I meant to do for it in the spring what I meant to do in the garden .

and if we leave this place who will get it ?

it would hurt me horribly . "

" I know .

but we cannot sacrifice our own interests to such considerations , Anne-girl .

the Morgan place will suit us in every essential particular we really can't afford to miss such a chance .

think of that big lawn with those magnificent old trees ; and of that splendid hardwood grove behind it twelve acres of it .

what a play place for our children !

and there is almost as fine a view of the harbor and the dunes from the Morgan place as from here . "

" you can't see the lighthouse star from it . "

" yes , You can see it from the attic window .

THERE'S another advantage , Anne-girl you love big garrets . "

" there 's no brook in the garden . "

" Well , no , but there is one running through the maple grove into the Glen pond .

and the pond itself isn't far away .

you 'll be able to fancy you have your own Lake of Shining Waters again . "

" well , don't say anything more about it just now , Gilbert .

give me time to think to get used to the idea . "

" all right .

there is no great hurry , of course .

only if we decide to buy , it would be well to be moved in and settled before winter . "

Gilbert went out , and Anne put away Little Jem 's short dresses with trembling hands .

she could not sew any more that day .

with tear-wet eyes she wandered over the little domain where she had reigned so happy a queen .

the Morgan place was all that Gilbert claimed .

the grounds were beautiful , the house old enough to have dignity and repose and traditions , and new enough to be comfortable and up-to-date .

Anne had always admired it ; but admiring is not loving ; and she loved this house of dreams so much .

how could she leave them ?

and how this little house , consecrated aforetime by love and joy , had been re-consecrated for her by her happiness and sorrow !

joy and grief , birth and death , had made sacred forever this little house of dreams .

and now she must leave it .

she knew that , even while she had contended against the idea to Gilbert .

the little house was outgrown .

Gilbert 's interests made the change necessary ; his work , successful though it had been , was hampered by his location .

Anne realised that the end of their life in this dear place drew nigh , and that she must face the fact bravely .

but how her heart ached !

" it will be just like tearing something out of my life , " she sobbed .

she sat down on the stairs and had a long , bitter cry .

Susan found her there and enquired with much concern what the trouble was .

" you have not quarrelled with the doctor , have you now , Mrs. doctor , dear ?

but if you have , do not worry .

it is a thing quite likely to happen to married couples , I am told , although I have had no experience that way myself .

he will be sorry , and you can soon make it up . "

" no , no , Susan , we haven't quarrelled .

it 's only Gilbert is going to buy the Morgan place , and we 'll have to go and live at the Glen .

and it will break my heart . "

Susan did not enter into Anne 's feelings at all .

she was , indeed , quite rejoiced over the prospect of living at the Glen .

her one grievance against her place in the little house was its lonesome location .

" why , Mrs. doctor , dear , it will be splendid .

the Morgan house is such a fine , big one . "

" I hate big houses , " sobbed Anne .

" oh , well , you will not hate them by the time you have half a dozen children , " remarked Susan calmly .

" and this house is too small already for us .

there is a corner every way you turn .

besides , it is out-of-the-world down here .

there is really nothing at all but scenery . "

" out of your world perhaps , Susan but not out of mine , " said Anne with a faint smile .

" I do not quite understand you , Mrs. Doctor , dear , but of course I am not well educated .

but if Dr Blythe buys the Morgan place he will make no mistake , and that you may tie to .

why , the cellar here , Mrs. doctor , dear , has been a heart-break to me , as well you know . "

" oh , go away , Susan , go away , " said Anne forlornly .

" cellars and pantries and closets don't make a HOME .

why don't you weep with those who weep ? "

" well , I never was much hand for weeping , Mrs. Doctor , dear .

I would rather fall to and cheer people up than weep with them .

now , do not you cry and spoil your pretty eyes .

this house is very well and has served your turn , but it is high time you had a better . "

Susan 's point of view seemed to be that of most people .

Leslie was the only one who sympathised understandingly with Anne .

she had a good cry , too , when she heard the news .

then they both dried their tears and went to work at the preparations for moving .

" since we must go let us go as soon as we can and have it over , " said poor Anne with bitter resignation .

" friends will come there , as they have come here happiness will glorify it for you .

now , it 's just a house to you but the years will make it a home . "

Anne and Leslie had another cry the next week when they shortened Little Jem .

Anne felt the tragedy of it until evening when in his long nightie she found her own dear baby again .

" but it will be rompers next and then trousers and in no time he will be grown-up , " she sighed .

" Well , you would not want him to stay a baby always , Mrs. doctor , dear , would you ? " said Susan .

" bless his innocent heart , he looks too sweet for anything in his little short dresses , with his dear feet sticking out .

and think of the save in the ironing , Mrs. Doctor , dear . "

" Anne , I have just had a letter from Owen , " said Leslie , entering with a bright face .

" and , oh !

I have such good news .

he writes me that he is going to buy this place from the church trustees and keep it to spend our summer vacations in .

Anne , are you not glad ? "

" oh , Leslie , ' glad ' isn't the word for it !

it seems almost too good to be true .

why , it 's lovely !

it 's lovely ! "

one October morning Anne wakened to the realisation that she had slept for the last time under the roof of her little house .

the day was too busy to indulge regret and when evening came the house was stripped and bare .

Anne and Gilbert were alone in it to say farewell .

Leslie and Susan and Little Jem had gone to the Glen with the last load of furniture .

the sunset light streamed in through the curtainless windows .

" it has all such a heart-broken , reproachful look , hasn't it ? " said Anne .

" oh , I shall be so homesick at the Glen tonight ! "

" we have been very happy here , haven't we , Anne-girl ? " said Gilbert , his voice full of feeling .

Anne choked , unable to answer .

Gilbert waited for her at the fir-tree gate , while she went over the house and said farewell to every room .

she was going away ; but the old house would still be there , looking seaward through its quaint windows .

" but we will be gone , " said Anne through her tears .

she went out , closing and locking the door behind her .

Gilbert was waiting for her with a smile .

the lighthouse star was gleaming northward .

the little garden , where only marigolds still bloomed , was already hooding itself in shadows .

Anne knelt down and kissed the worn old step which she had crossed as a bride .

" good-bye , dear little house of dreams , " she said .

End of Project Gutenberg 's Anne 's House of Dreams , by Lucy Maud Montgomery

produced by Jo Churcher .

HTML version by Al Haines .

PUCK OF POOK'S HILL

by

RUDYARD KIPLING

CONTENTS

Weland 's Sword Puck 's Song A Tree Song

young Men at the Manor Sir Richard 's Song

the Knights of the Joyous Venture Harp Song of the Dane Women Thorkild 's Song

old Men at Pevensey The Runes on Weland 's Sword

a Centurion of the Thirtieth ' Cities and Thrones and Powers ' A British-Roman Song

on the Great Wall A Song to Mithras

the Winged Hats A Pict Song

Hal o ' the Draft ' Prophets have honour all over the Earth ' A Smugglers ' Song

' Dymchurch Flit ' The Bee Boy 's Song A Three-Part Song

the Treasure and the Law Song of the Fifth River The Children 's Song

WELAND'S SWORD

Puck 's Song

see you the dimpled track that runs , All hollow through the wheat ?

O that was where they hauled the guns That smote King Philip 's fleet !

see you our little mill that clacks , So busy by the brook ?

she has ground her corn and paid her tax Ever since Domesday Book .

see you our stilly woods of oak , And the dread ditch beside ?

O that was where the Saxons broke , On the day that Harold died !

see you the windy levels spread About the gates of Rye ?

O that was where the Northmen fled , When Alfred 's ships came by !

see you our pastures wide and lone , Where the red oxen browse ?

O there was a City thronged and known , Ere London boasted a house !

and see you , after rain , the trace Of mound and ditch and wall ?

O that was a Legion 's camping-place , When Caesar sailed from Gaul !

and see you marks that show and fade , Like shadows on the Downs ?

O they are the lines the Flint Men made , To guard their wondrous towns !

she is not any common Earth , Water or Wood or Air , But Merlin 's Isle of Gramarye , Where you and I will fare .

the children were at the Theatre , acting to Three Cows as much as they could remember of Midsummer Night 's Dream .

Dan was Puck and Nick Bottom , as well as all three Fairies .

Una was Titania , with a wreath of columbines and a foxglove wand .

the Theatre lay in a meadow called the Long Slip .

everything else was a sort of thick , sleepy stillness smelling of meadow-sweet and dry grass .

their play went beautifully .

this was when they heard a whistle among the alders on the bank , and they jumped .

the bushes parted .

' What hempen homespuns have we swaggering here , So near the cradle of the fairy Queen ? '

he stopped , hollowed one hand round his ear , and , with a wicked twinkle in his eye , went on :

' What , a play toward ?

I 'll be an auditor ; An actor , too , perhaps , if I see cause . '

the children looked and gasped .

the small thing he was no taller than Dan 's shoulder stepped quietly into the Ring .

' I 'm rather out of practice , ' said he ; ' but that 's the way my part ought to be played . '

still the children stared at him from his dark-blue cap , like a big columbine flower , to his bare , hairy feet .

at last he laughed .

' Please don't look like that .

it isn't my fault .

what else could you expect ? ' he said .

' We didn't expect any one , ' Dan answered slowly .

' This is our field . '

' Is it ? ' said their visitor , sitting down .

Pook 's Hill Puck 's Hill Puck 's Hill Pook 's Hill !

it 's as plain as the nose on my face . '

he pointed to the bare , fern-covered slope of Pook 's Hill that runs up from the far side of the mill-stream to a dark wood .

' By Oak , Ash , and Thorn ! ' he cried , still laughing .

' We didn't know it was wrong , ' said Dan .

' Wrong ! '

the little fellow shook with laughter .

' Indeed , it isn't wrong .

you 've done something that Kings and Knights and Scholars in old days would have given their crowns and spurs and books to find out .

if Merlin himself had helped you , you couldn't have managed better !

you 've broken the Hills you 've broken the Hills !

it hasn't happened in a thousand years . '

' We we didn't mean to , ' said Una .

' Of course you didn't !

that 's just why you did it .

unluckily the Hills are empty now , and all the People of the Hills are gone .

I 'm the only one left .

if you don't , of course you 've only to say so , and I 'll go . '

he looked at the children , and the children looked at him for quite half a minute .

his eyes did not twinkle any more .

they were very kind , and there was the beginning of a good smile on his lips .

Una put out her hand .

' Don't go , ' she said .

' We like you . '

' Have a Bath Oliver , ' said Dan , and he passed over the squashy envelope with the eggs .

' By Oak , Ash and Thorn , ' cried Puck , taking off his blue cap , ' I like you too .

sprinkle a plenty salt on the biscuit , Dan , and I 'll eat it with you .

that 'll show you the sort of person I am .

but I 'm Puck ! '

he brushed the crumbs carefully from his doublet and shook hands .

' She means meeting a fairy , ' said Dan .

' I never believed in ' em not after I was six , anyhow . '

' I did , ' said Una .

' At least , I sort of half believed till we learned " farewell , Rewards " .

do you know " farewell , Rewards and Fairies " ? '

' Do you mean this ? ' said Puck .

he threw his big head back and began at the second line :

( ' Join in , Una ! ' )

than maids were wont to do , Yet who of late for cleanliness Finds sixpence in her shoe ? '

the echoes flapped all along the flat meadow .

' Of course I know it , ' he said .

' And then there 's the verse about the rings , ' said Dan .

' When I was little it always made me feel unhappy in my inside . '

" ' Witness those rings and roundelays " , do you mean ? ' boomed Puck , with a voice like a great church organ .

' It 's some time since I heard that sung , but there 's no good beating about the bush : it 's true .

the People of the Hills have all left .

I saw them come into Old England and I saw them go .

I came into England with Oak , Ash and Thorn , and when Oak , Ash and Thorn are gone I shall go too . '

' It 's all right , ' he said ; and added , ' I 'm planting a lot of acorns this autumn too . '

' Then aren't you most awfully old ? ' said Una .

' Not old fairly long-lived , as folk say hereabouts .

let me see my friends used to set my dish of cream for me o ' nights when Stonehenge was new .

yes , before the Flint Men made the Dewpond under Chanctonbury Ring . '

Una clasped her hands , cried ' Oh ! ' and nodded her head .

' She 's thought a plan , ' Dan explained .

' She always does like that when she thinks a plan . '

' I was thinking suppose we saved some of our porridge and put it in the attic for you ?

they 'd notice if we left it in the nursery . '

' Bless your heart o ' gold ! ' said Puck .

' You 'll make a fine considering wench some market-day .

they felt they could not be afraid of him any more than of their particular friend old Hobden the hedger .

' Have you a knife on you ? ' he said at last .

Dan handed over his big one-bladed outdoor knife , and Puck began to carve out a piece of turf from the centre of the Ring .

' What 's that for Magic ? ' said Una , as he pressed up the square of chocolate loam that cut like so much cheese .

' One of my little magics , ' he answered , and cut another .

you certainly deserve it . '

' What 's taking seisin ? ' said Dan , cautiously .

' It 's an old custom the people had when they bought and sold land .

he held out the turves .

' But it 's our own meadow , ' said Dan , drawing back .

' Are you going to magic it away ? '

Puck laughed .

' I know it 's your meadow , but there 's a great deal more in it than you or your father ever guessed .

try ! '

he turned his eyes on Una .

' I 'll do it , ' she said .

Dan followed her example at once .

' Now are you two lawfully seised and possessed of all Old England , ' began Puck , in a sing-song voice .

fast !

hold fast all I give you . '

the children shut their eyes , but nothing happened .

' Well ? ' said Una , disappointedly opening them .

' I thought there would be dragons . '

" ' Though It shall have happened three thousand year , " ' said Puck , and counted on his fingers .

' No ; I 'm afraid there were no dragons three thousand years ago . '

' But there hasn't happened anything at all , ' said Dan .

' Wait awhile , ' said Puck .

' You don't grow an oak in a year and Old England 's older than twenty oaks .

let's sit down again and think .

I can do that for a century at a time . '

' Ah , but you 're a fairy , ' said Dan .

' Have you ever heard me say that word yet ? ' said Puck quickly .

' No.

you talk about " the People of the Hills " , but you never say " fairies " , ' said Una .

' I was wondering at that .

don't you like it ? '

' I shouldn't like it at all , ' said Dan .

' That 's how the Djinns and Afrits talk in the Arabian Nights . '

' And that 's how I feel about saying that word that I don't say .

I know ' em ! '

' We don't mean that sort , ' said Dan .

' We hate ' em too . '

' Exactly , ' said Puck .

butterfly wings , indeed !

Butterfly-wings !

and the Horses of the Hills picked their way from one wave to another by the lightning flashes !

that was how it was in the old days ! '

' Splendid , ' said Dan , but Una shuddered .

' I 'm glad they 're gone , then ; but what made the People of the Hills go away ? '

Una asked .

' Different things .

I 'll tell you one of them some day the thing that made the biggest flit of any , ' said Puck .

' But they didn't all flit at once .

they dropped off , one by one , through the centuries .

most of them were foreigners who couldn't stand our climate .

they flitted early . '

' How early ? ' said Dan .

' A couple of thousand years or more .

the fact is they began as Gods .

they were always landing in those days , or being driven back to their ships , and they always brought their Gods with them .

England is a bad country for Gods .

now , I began as I mean to go on .

I belong here , you see , and I have been mixed up with people all my days .

' People burned in wicker baskets ? ' said Dan .

' Like Miss Blake tells us about ? '

' All sorts of sacrifices , ' said Puck .

I never liked it .

they were a stiff-necked , extravagant set of idols , the Old Things .

but what was the result ?

men don't like being sacrificed at the best of times ; they don't even like sacrificing their farm-horses .

some of them took to hanging about trees , and hiding in graves and groaning o ' nights .

I remember one Goddess called Belisama .

she became a common wet water-spirit somewhere in Lancashire .

and there were hundreds of other friends of mine .

first they were Gods .

there was only one Old Thing , I remember , who honestly worked for his living after he came down in the world .

he was called Weland , and he was a smith to some Gods .

I 've forgotten their names , but he used to make them swords and spears .

I think he claimed kin with Thor of the Scandinavians . '

' Heroes of Asgard Thor ? ' said Una .

she had been reading the book .

' Perhaps , ' answered Puck .

' None the less , when bad times came , he didn't beg or steal .

he worked ; and I was lucky enough to be able to do him a good turn . '

' Tell us about it , ' said Dan .

' I think I like hearing of Old Things . '

they rearranged themselves comfortably , each chewing a grass stem .

Puck propped himself on one strong arm and went on :

' Let 's think !

I met Weland first on a November afternoon in a sleet storm , on Pevensey Level . '

' Pevensey ?

over the hill , you mean ? '

Dan pointed south .

' Yes ; but it was all marsh in those days , right up to Horsebridge and Hydeneye .

bitter cold it was !

there were icicles hanging from her deck and the oars were glazed over with ice , and there was ice on Weland 's lips .

I didn't care !

I 'd seen too many Gods charging into Old England to be upset about it .

' What did Weland say ? ' said Una .

' Was he angry ? '

' He called me names and rolled his eyes , and I went away to wake up the people inland .

but the pirates conquered the country , and for centuries Weland was a most important God .

he had temples everywhere from Lincolnshire to the Isle of Wight , as he said and his sacrifices were simply scandalous .

in the old days the congregation were unhappy until the priests had chosen their sacrifices ; and so would you have been .

then everybody shouted : " a sacrifice to Weland !

A sacrifice to Weland ! " '

' And the man wasn't really dead ? ' said Una .

' Not a bit .

all as much pretence as a dolls ' tea-party .

that counted the same as if a man and a horse had been killed .

I saw poor Weland 's face through the smoke , and I couldn't help laughing .

he looked so disgusted and so hungry , and all he had to satisfy himself was a horrid smell of burning hair .

Just a dolls ' tea-party !

none of the People of the Hills could tell me anything about him , and I supposed that he had left England . '

Puck turned , lay on his other elbow , and thought for a long time .

' Let 's see , ' he said at last .

' If you mean old Hobden the hedger , he 's only seventy-two .

he told me so himself , ' said Dan .

' He 's a intimate friend of ours . '

' You 're quite right , ' Puck replied .

' I meant old Hobden 's ninth great-grandfather .

he was a free man and burned charcoal hereabouts .

I 've known the family , father and son , so long that I get confused sometimes .

Hob of the Dene was my Hobden 's name , and he lived at the Forge cottage .

he jerked his head westward , where the valley narrows between wooded hills and steep hop-fields .

' Why , that 's Willingford Bridge , ' said Una .

' We go there for walks often .

there 's a kingfisher there . '

' It was Weland 's Ford then , dearie .

there was no trace of Weland , but presently I saw a fat old farmer riding down from the Beacon under the greenwood tree .

then he sat down and went to sleep .

it was Weland himself .

I was so astonished that I jumped out and said : " what on Human Earth are you doing here , Weland ? " '

' Poor Weland ! ' sighed Una .

' He pushed the long hair back from his forehead ( he didn't recognize me at first ) .

then he said : " you ought to know .

you foretold it , Old Thing .

I 'm shoeing horses for hire .

I 'm not even Weland now , " he said .

" they call me Wayland-Smith . " '

' Poor chap ! ' said Dan .

' What did you say ? '

' What could I say ?

" ' Isn't there any way for you to get back to Valhalla , or wherever you come from ? "

I said .

" ' I 'm afraid not , " he said , rasping away at the hoof .

he had a wonderful touch with horses .

the old beast was whinnying on his shoulder .

" you may remember that I was not a gentle God in my Day and my Time and my Power .

I shall never be released till some human being truly wishes me well . "

" ' Surely , " said I , " the farmer can't do less than that .

you 're shoeing the horse all round for him . "

" ' Yes , " said he , " and my nails will hold a shoe from one full moon to the next .

but farmers and Weald clay , " said he , " are both uncommon cold and sour . "

' Would you believe it , that when that farmer woke and found his horse shod he rode away without one word of thanks ?

' Were you invisible ? ' said Una .

Puck nodded , gravely .

the farmer thought he was bewitched well , he was , of course and began to pray and shout .

I didn't care !

' What 's a novice ? ' said Dan .

Hugh was his name , and he had got up to go fishing hereabouts .

his people owned all this valley .

Hugh heard the farmer shouting , and asked him what in the world he meant .

( the People of the Hills are like otters they don't show except when they choose . )

but the novice wasn't a fool .

he looked down at the horse 's feet , and saw the new shoes fastened as only Weland knew how to fasten ' em .

( Weland had a way of turning down the nails that folks called the Smith 's Clinch . )

" ' 'H'm ! " said the novice .

" where did you get your horse shod ? "

' The farmer wouldn't tell him at first , because the priests never liked their people to have any dealings with the Old Things .

at last he confessed that the Smith had done it .

" what did you pay him ? " said the novice .

" Penny , " said the farmer , very sulkily .

" that 's less than a Christian would have charged , " said the novice .

" I hope you threw a ' thank you ' into the bargain . "

" no , " said the farmer ; " Wayland-Smith 's a heathen . "

" then by your reasoning I ought to say ' Thank you ' to Satan if he helped me ? "

" don't roll about up there splitting reasons with me , " said the novice .

" come back to the Ford and thank the Smith , or you 'll be sorry . "

' Back the farmer had to go .

when we reached the Ford again it was five o'clock and misty still under the oaks the farmer simply wouldn't say " thank you . "

he said he 'd tell the Abbot that the novice wanted him to worship heathen Gods .

then Hugh the novice lost his temper .

' Did Weland see all this ? ' said Dan .

' Oh yes , and he shouted his old war-cry when the farmer thudded on to the ground .

he was delighted .

then the novice turned to the oak tree and said , " Ho , Smith of the Gods !

then he picked up his fishing-rod it looked more like a tall spear than ever and tramped off down your valley . '

' And what did poor Weland do ? ' said Una .

' He laughed and he cried with joy , because he had been released at last , and could go away .

but he was an honest Old Thing .

he had worked for his living and he paid his debts before he left .

" I shall give that novice a gift , " said Weland .

" a gift that shall do him good the wide world over and Old England after him .

blow up my fire , Old Thing , while I get the iron for my last task . "

then he made a sword a dark-grey , wavy-lined sword and I blew the fire while he hammered .

by Oak , Ash and Thorn , I tell you , Weland was a Smith of the Gods !

" old Thing , " he said to me , wiping his forehead , " this is the best blade that Weland ever made .

even the user will never know how good it is .

come to the monastery . "

the novice came first of all , waving his new sword and shouting Saxon battle-cries .

take your sword , and keep your sword , and go with your sword , and be as gentle as you are strong and courteous .

then they went to bed again , all except the novice , and he sat up in the garth playing with his sword .

then Weland said to me by the stables : " Farewell , Old Thing ; you had the right of it .

you saw me come to England , and you see me go .

farewell ! "

that was how it happened .

I saw it . '

both children drew a long breath .

' But what happened to Hugh the novice ? ' said Una .

' And the sword ? ' said Dan .

Puck looked down the meadow that lay all quiet and cool in the shadow of Pook 's Hill .

a corncrake jarred in a hay-field near by , and the small trouts of the brook began to jump .

' Do you really want to know ? '

Puck said .

' We do , ' cried the children .

' Awfully ! '

' Very good .

I 'll walk with you as far as the gate . '

' Will you be here when we come again ? ' they asked .

' Surely , sure-ly , ' said Puck .

' I 've been here some time already .

one minute first , please . '

he gave them each three leaves one of Oak , one of Ash and one of Thorn .

' Bite these , ' said he .

bite ! '

they bit hard , and found themselves walking side by side to the lower gate .

their father was leaning over it .

' And how did your play go ? ' he asked .

' Oh , splendidly , ' said Dan .

' Only afterwards , I think , we went to sleep .

it was very hot and quiet .

don't you remember , Una ? '

Una shook her head and said nothing .

' I see , ' said her father .

but why are you chewing leaves at your time of life , daughter ?

for fun ? '

' No.

it was for something , but I can't exactly remember , ' said Una .

and neither of them could till

a Tree Song

sing Oak and Ash and Thorn , good Sirs ( all of a Midsummer morn ) !

surely we sing no little thing , In Oak and Ash and Thorn !

sing Oak and Ash and Thorn , good Sirs ( all of a Midsummer morn ) !

England shall bide till Judgement Tide , By Oak and Ash and Thorn !

YOUNG MEN AT THE MANOR

the trees closing overhead made long tunnels through which the sunshine worked in blobs and patches .

' We 've got half a dozen , ' said Dan , after a warm , wet hour .

' I vote we go up to Stone Bay and try Long Pool . '

when they were in the open they nearly fell down with astonishment .

on his back sat an old , white-haired man dressed in a loose glimmery gown of chain-mail .

he was bare-headed , and a nut-shaped iron helmet hung at his saddle-bow .

' Look ! ' said Una , as though Dan were not staring his very eyes out .

' It 's like the picture in your room " Sir Isumbras at the Ford " . '

' They should be here now , Sir Richard , ' said Puck 's deep voice among the willow-herb .

' They are here , ' the knight said , and he smiled at Dan with the string of trouts in his hand .

' There seems no great change in boys since mine fished this water . '

the great horse turned and hoisted himself into the pasture with a kick and a scramble that tore the clods down rattling .

' Your pardon ! ' said Sir Richard to Dan .

' When these lands were mine , I never loved that mounted men should cross the brook except by the paved ford .

but my Swallow here was thirsty , and I wished to meet you . '

' We 're very glad you 've come , sir , ' said Dan.'It doesn't matter in the least about the banks . '

Una walked behind with Puck .

she remembered everything now .

' I s'pose not , ' Una answered .

' But you said that all the fair People of the Hills had left England . '

' So they have ; but I told you that you should come and go and look and know , didn't I ?

the knight isn't a fairy .

he 's Sir Richard Dalyngridge , a very old friend of mine .

he came over with William the Conqueror , and he wants to see you particularly . '

' What for ? ' said Una .

' On account of your great wisdom and learning , ' Puck replied , without a twinkle .

' Us ? ' said Una .

' Why , I don't know my Nine Times not to say it dodging , and Dan makes the most awful mess of fractions .

he can't mean us ! '

' Una ! '

Dan called back .

' Sir Richard says he is going to tell what happened to Weland 's sword .

he 's got it .

isn't it splendid ? '

' Nay nay , ' said Sir Richard , dismounting as they reached the Ring , in the bend of the mill-stream bank .

he slipped the bit out of Swallow 's mouth , dropped the ruby-red reins over his head , and the wise horse moved off to graze .

Sir Richard ( they noticed he limped a little ) unslung his great sword .

' That 's it , ' Dan whispered to Una .

' This is the sword that Brother Hugh had from Wayland-Smith , ' Sir Richard said .

See ! '

he half drew it from its sheath and turned it before them .

' Now , what Thing made those ? ' said he .

' I know not , but you , perhaps , can say . '

' Tell them all the tale , Sir Richard , ' said Puck .

' It concerns their land somewhat . '

' From the beginning , then , ' Sir Richard said , ' since it concerns your land , I will tell the tale .

I did not then know that England would conquer me .

we went up to Santlache with the rest a very great host of us . '

' Does that mean the Battle of Hastings Ten Sixty-Six ? '

Una whispered , and Puck nodded , so as not to interrupt .

' At Santlache , over the hill yonder ' he pointed south-eastward towards Fairlight ' we found Harold 's men .

we fought .

at the day 's end they ran .

there a single Saxon cried out to me in French , and we fought together .

I should have known his voice , but we fought together .

for a long time neither had any advantage , till by pure ill-fortune his foot slipped and his sword flew from his hand .

" A plague on my sword , " said he .

" it has lost me my first fight .

you have spared my life .

take my sword . "

( the children looked at the sword as though it might speak again . )

thus , see you , he saved my life .

he put me on my horse and led me through the woods ten long miles to this valley . '

' To here , d'you mean ? ' said Una .

' To this very valley .

we came in by the Lower Ford under the King 's Hill yonder ' he pointed eastward where the valley widens .

' And was that Saxon Hugh the novice ? '

Dan asked .

' Yes , and more than that .

' Why wouldn't he ? ' said Dan .

it was that very Saxon Hugh tempted me to do it , and we had not met since that day .

I remember I warned him to beware of sorcery and quick enchantments . '

Sir Richard smiled to himself .

' I was very young very young !

' When we came to his house here we had almost forgotten that we had been at blows .

it was near midnight , and the Great Hall was full of men and women waiting news .

there I first saw his sister , the Lady Aelueva , of whom he had spoken to us in France .

" ' This is thy fault , " said the Lady Aelueva to me , and she kneeled above him and called for wine and cloths .

" ' If I had known , " I answered , " he should have ridden and I walked .

but he set me on my horse ; he made no complaint ; he walked beside me and spoke merrily throughout .

I pray I have done him no harm . "

" ' Thou hast need to pray , " she said , catching up her underlip .

" if he dies , thou shalt hang . "

they cracked nuts with their knife-hilts the while . '

' And how did you feel ? ' said Dan .

' Very weary ; but I did heartily pray for my schoolmate Hugh his health .

Gilbert de Aquila came with them , for it was his boast that , like his father , he forgot no man that served him .

he was little , like his father , but terrible , with a nose like an eagle 's nose and yellow eyes like an eagle .

he rode tall warhorses roans , which he bred himself and he could never abide to be helped into the saddle .

he saw the rope hanging from the beam and laughed , and his men laughed , for I was too stiff to rise .

show me , boy , to whom thou owest most , and we will pay them out of hand . " '

' What did he mean ?

to kill ' em ? ' said Dan .

' Assuredly .

but I looked at the Lady Aelueva where she stood among her maids , and her brother beside her .

de Aquila 's men had driven them all into the Great Hall . '

' Was she pretty ? ' said Una .

' As I looked at her I thought I might save her and her house by a jest .

but my voice shook .

it is it was not good to jest with that little man .

' All were silent awhile , till De Aquila laughed .

" look , men a miracle , " said he .

by the Saints , " he said , rubbing his nose , " I never thought England would be so easy won !

surely I can do no less than give the lad what he has taken .

this Manor shall be thine , boy , " he said , " till I come again , or till thou art slain .

now , mount , men , and ride .

we follow our Duke into Kent to make him King of England . "

" ' Hark to me , " he said , fretting with his great war-gloves .

" ' Alas , I have no cunning , " said I .

" ' Not yet , " said he , hopping abroad , foot in stirrup , and poking his horse in the belly with his toe .

" not yet , but I think thou hast a good teacher .

farewell !

hold the Manor and live .

lose the Manor and hang , " he said , and spurred out , his shield-straps squeaking behind him .

' And that was here at home ? ' said Una .

' Yes , here .

See !

A hornets ' nest indeed !

" ' How could I know that De Aquila would give it me ? "

I said .

" if I had told him I had spent my night in your halter he would have burned the place twice over by now . "

" ' Lady , " said I , " there is no captive in this valley except one , and he is not a Saxon . "

into the fields !

she had never seen the face of war !

we heard De Aquila 's trumpets blow thin through the woods Kentward .

" ' Shall we hang these ? " said my men .

" ' None , " said they all .

" she bade us hang thee if our master died .

and we would have hanged thee .

there is no more to it . "

" ' Norman or Saxon , " said I , " we must beat them back , or they will rob us every day .

Out at them with any arms ye have ! "

we beat them off , and saved our pork .

one hundred and seventy pigs we saved in that great battle . '

Sir Richard laughed .

said he to me , riding home : " thou hast gone far to conquer England this evening . "

I answered : " England must be thine and mine , then .

help me , Hugh , to deal aright with these people .

" that may well be true , " said he , and gave me his hand .

" better the devil we know than the devil we know not , till we can pack you Normans home . "

and so , too , said his Saxons ; and they laughed as we drove the pigs downhill .

but I think some of them , even then , began not to hate me . '

' I like Brother Hugh , ' said Una , softly .

side by side we fought against all who came thrice a week sometimes we fought against thieves and landless knights looking for good manors .

I kept the roof on the hall and the thatch on the barn , but ... the English are a bold people .

wonderful ! '

' Aye , ' said Puck , breaking in for the first time .

' Not I , ' said Sir Richard .

ah , good days !

ah , wonderful people !

and I loved them all . '

I saw him first at the Lower Ford , with a swineherd 's brat on his saddle-bow .

" ' There is no need for thee to give any account of thy stewardship , " said he .

" I have it all from the child here . "

' He pinched the child 's cheek , and looked at our cattle in the flat by the river .

" ' Both fat , " said he , rubbing his nose .

" this is craft and cunning such as I love .

what did I tell thee when I rode away , boy ? "

" ' Hold the Manor or hang , " said I . I had never forgotten it .

" ' True .

and thou hast held . "

he clambered from his saddle and with his sword 's point cut out a turf from the bank and gave it me where I kneeled . '

Dan looked at Una , and Una looked at Dan .

' That 's seisin , ' said Puck , in a whisper .

this must serve till the King 's clerks write out thy title on a parchment .

England is all ours if we can hold it . "

" ' What service shall I pay ? "

I asked , and I remember I was proud beyond words .

" ' Knight 's fee , boy , knight 's fee ! " said he , hopping round his horse on one foot .

( have I said he was little , and could not endure to be helped to his saddle ? )

" I have never seen such bright straw .

" ' Alas ! " said I , " then my Manor is already forfeit .

I am under vow not to enter the Great Hall . "

and I told him what I had sworn to the Lady Aelueva . '

' And hadn't you ever been into the house since ? ' said Una .

' Never , ' Sir Richard answered , smiling .

' I had made me a little hut of wood up the hill , and there I did justice and slept ....y

de Aquila wheeled aside , and his shield shook on his back .

" no matter , boy , " said he .

" I will remit the homage for a year . " '

' He meant Sir Richard needn't give him dinner there the first year , ' Puck explained .

but never he named the Lady Aelueva 's name , nor went he near the Great Hall .

by night he drank with us in the hut .

" ' Look you , boys , " said he , " I am born out of my due time .

five hundred years ago I would have made all England such an England as neither Dane , Saxon , nor Norman should have conquered .

five hundred years hence I should have been such a counsellor to Kings as the world hath never dreamed of .

' Tis all here , " said he , tapping his big head , " but it hath no play in this black age .

now Hugh here is a better man than thou art , Richard . "

he had made his voice harsh and croaking , like a raven 's .

" ' Truth , " said I .

" but for Hugh , his help and patience and long-suffering , I could never have kept the Manor . "

" ' Nor thy life either , " said De Aquila .

" Hugh has saved thee not once , but a hundred times .

be still , Hugh ! " he said .

" Dost thou know , Richard , why Hugh slept , and why he still sleeps , among thy Norman men-at-arms ? "

" 'To be near me , " said I , for I thought this was truth .

" ' Fool ! " said De Aquila .

" it is because his Saxons have begged him to rise against thee , and to sweep every Norman out of the valley .

no matter how I know .

it is truth .

and this his Saxons know .

is it true , Hugh ? "

" ' In some sort , " said Hugh shamefacedly ; " at least , it was true half a year ago .

my Saxons would not harm Richard now .

I think they know him but I judged it best to make sure . "

' Look , children , what that man had done and I had never guessed it !

" ' Yes , " said De Aquila .

" and he is a swordless man . "

he carried only the short knife and the long-bow .

" Swordless and landless art thou , Hugh ; and they call thee kin to Earl Godwin . "

( Hugh was indeed of Godwin 's blood . )

" the Manor that was thine is given to this boy and to his children for ever .

sit up and beg , for he can turn thee out like a dog , Hugh . "

then De Aquila laughed till the tears ran down his face .

" ' I warned the King , " said he , " what would come of giving England to us Norman thieves .

here art thou , Richard , less than two days confirmed in thy Manor , and already thou hast risen against thy overlord .

what shall we do to him , Sir Hugh ? "

" ' I am a swordless man , " said Hugh .

" do not jest with me , " and he laid his head on his knees and groaned .

" 'To me ? " said Hugh .

" I am a Saxon , and , except that I love Richard here , I have not sworn fealty to any Norman . "

" if I know men , thou art more faithful unsworn than a score of Normans I could name .

take Dallington , and join Sir Richard to fight me tomorrow , if it please thee ! "

" ' Nay , " said Hugh .

" I am no child .

very often I myself lay up in the woods and watched on her also .

then she wept , but we were alone . '

the knight was silent for a long time , his face turned across the valley , smiling .

' Oh , well done ! ' said Una , and clapped her hands very softly .

' She was sorry , and she said so . '

' Aye , she was sorry , and she said so , ' said Sir Richard , coming back with a little start .

dust lay on the hilt , for I saw him blow it off .

de Aquila leaped up ; but there was only the moonlight fretty on the floor .

" ' Hearken ! " said Hugh .

" it is my sword , " and as he belted it on the music ceased .

" ' Over Gods , forbid that I should ever belt blade like that , " said De Aquila .

" what does it foretell ? "

" ' The Gods that made it may know .

last time it spoke was at Hastings , when I lost all my lands .

Belike it sings now that I have new lands and am a man again , " said Hugh .

' Now that was the second time in all my life I heard this Sword sing . ' ...

' Look ! ' said Una .

' There 's Mother coming down the Long Slip .

what will she say to Sir Richard ?

she can't help seeing him . '

' And Puck can't magic us this time , ' said Dan .

' But what befell the sword and my brother Hugh I will tell on another time , ' said he , rising .

' Ohe , Swallow ! '

the great horse cantered up from the far end of the meadow , close to Mother .

they heard Mother say : ' Children , Gleason 's old horse has broken into the meadow again .

where did he get through ? '

' Just below Stone Bay , ' said Dan .

' He tore down simple flobs of the bank !

we noticed it just now .

and we 've caught no end of fish .

we 've been at it all the afternoon . '

and they honestly believed that they had .

they never noticed the Oak , Ash and Thorn leaves that Puck had slyly thrown into their laps .

Sir Richard 's Song

THE KNIGHTS OF THE JOYOUS VENTURE

Harp Song of the Dane Women

what is a woman that you forsake her , And the hearth-fire and the home-acre , To go with the old grey Widow-maker ?

Dan hiked and howked with a boat-hook ( the brook was too narrow for sculls ) , and Una punted with a piece of hop-pole .

the kingfisher was asleep on his watching-branch , and the blackbirds scarcely took the trouble to dive into the next bush .

then the little voices of the slipping water began again .

' It 's like the shadows talking , isn't it ? ' said Una .

she had given up trying to read .

Dan lay over the bows , trailing his hands in the current .

they heard feet on the gravel-bar that runs half across the pool and saw Sir Richard Dalyngridge standing over them .

' Was yours a dangerous voyage ? ' he asked , smiling .

' She bumped a lot , sir , ' said Dan .

' There 's hardly any water this summer . '

' Ah , the brook was deeper and wider when my children played at Danish pirates .

are you pirate-folk ? '

' Oh no .

we gave up being pirates years ago , ' explained Una .

' We 're nearly always explorers now .

sailing round the world , you know . '

' Round ? ' said Sir Richard .

he sat him in the comfortable crotch of an old ash-root on the bank .

' How can it be round ? '

' Wasn't it in your books ? '

Dan suggested .

he had been doing geography at his last lesson .

' I can neither write nor read , ' he replied .

' Canst thou read , child ? '

' Yes , ' said Dan , ' barring the very long words . '

' Wonderful !

read to me , that I may hear for myself . '

Dan flushed , but opened the book and began gabbling a little at ' The Discoverer of the North Cape . '

' But but this I know !

this is an old song !

this I have heard sung !

this is a miracle , ' Sir Richard interrupted .

' Nay , do not stop ! '

he leaned forward , and the shadows of the leaves slipped and slid upon his chain-mail .

his hand fell on the hilt of the great sword .

' A nameless sea ! ' he repeated .

' So did I so did Hugh and I . '

' Where did you go ?

tell us , ' said Una .

' Wait .

let me hear all first . '

so Dan read to the poem 's very end .

' Good , ' said the knight .

' That is Othere 's tale even so I have heard the men in the Dane ships sing it .

not those same valiant words , but something like to them . '

' Have you ever explored North ? '

Dan shut the book .

' Nay .

my venture was South .

farther South than any man has fared , Hugh and I went down with Witta and his heathen . '

he jerked the tall sword forward , and leaned on it with both hands ; but his eyes looked long past them .

' I thought you always lived here , ' said Una , timidly .

' Yes ; while my Lady Aelueva lived .

but she died .

she died .

then Hugh came with me . '

' When did this happen ? ' said Dan .

on that same day Red William our King , the Conqueror 's son , died of a secret arrow while he hunted in a forest .

" this is a cross matter , " said De Aquila , " to meet on the threshold of a journey .

if Red William be dead I may have to fight for my lands .

wait a little . "

' My Lady being dead , I cared nothing for signs and omens , nor Hugh either .

their master was a knight of Artois .

he served the Duke of Burgundy against the Moors in Spain , and was returning to that war with his dogs .

he sang us strange Moorish songs that first night , and half persuaded us to go with him .

I was on pilgrimage to forget which is what no pilgrimage brings .

I think I would have gone , but ....v

' Look you how the life and fortune of man changes !

I leaped after him , and we two tumbled aboard the Dane , and were caught and bound ere we could rise .

our own ship was swallowed up in the mist .

he was stout , with bowed legs and long arms .

he was yellow not from sickness , but by nature yellow as honey , and his eyes stood endwise in his head . '

' How do you mean ? ' said Una , her chin on her hand .

' Thus , ' said Sir Richard .

he put a finger to the corner of each eye , and pushed it up till his eyes narrowed to slits .

' Why , you look just like a Chinaman ! ' cried Dan .

' Was the man a Chinaman ? '

' I know not what that may be .

Witta had found him half dead among ice on the shores of Muscovy .

we thought he was a devil .

he spoke a little in French , a little in South Saxon , and much in the Northman 's tongue .

" ' Not by my father Guthrum 's head , " said he .

" the Gods sent ye into my ship for a luck-offering . "

' At this I quaked , for I knew it was still the Danes ' custom to sacrifice captives to their Gods for fair weather .

" ' A plague on thy four long bones ! " said Hugh .

" what profit canst thou make of poor old pilgrims that can neither work nor fight ? "

" ' Gods forbid I should fight against thee , poor Pilgrim with the Singing Sword , " said he .

" come with us and be poor no more .

thy teeth are far apart , which is a sure sign thou wilt travel and grow rich . "

" ' What if we will not come ? " said Hugh .

" ' Swim to England or France , " said Witta .

" we are midway between the two .

unless ye choose to drown yourselves no hair of your head will be harmed here aboard .

we think ye bring us luck , and I myself know the runes on that Sword are good . "

he turned and bade them hoist sail .

' Hereafter all made way for us as we walked about the ship , and the ship was full of wonders . '

' What was she like ? ' said Dan .

here Hugh and I slept , with Witta and the Yellow Man , upon tapestries as soft as wool .

I remember ' he laughed to himself ' when first we entered there a loud voice cried , " out swords !

out swords !

kill , kill ! "

seeing us start Witta laughed , and showed us it was but a great-beaked grey bird with a red tail .

he sat her on his shoulder , and she called for bread and wine hoarsely , and prayed him to kiss her .

yet she was no more than a silly bird .

but ye knew this ? '

he looked at their smiling faces .

' We weren't laughing at you , ' said Una .

' That must have been a parrot .

it 's just what Pollies do . '

' So we learned later .

but here is another marvel .

the Yellow Man , whose name was Kitai , had with him a brown box .

' South ? ' said Dan suddenly , and put his hand into his pocket .

' With my own eyes I saw it .

Witta called it the Wise Iron , because it showed him his way across the unknowable seas . '

again Sir Richard looked keenly at the children .

' How think ye ?

was it sorcery ? '

' Was it anything like this ? '

Dan fished out his old brass pocket-compass , that generally lived with his knife and key-ring .

' The glass has got cracked , but the needle waggles all right , sir . '

the knight drew a long breath of wonder .

' Yes , yes !

the Wise Iron shook and swung in just this fashion .

now it is still .

now it points to the South . '

' North , ' said Dan .

' Nay , South !

there is the South , ' said Sir Richard .

' Te , ' said Sir Richard , clicking his tongue .

' There can be no sorcery if a child carries it .

Wherefore does it point South or North ? '

' Father says that nobody knows , ' said Una .

Sir Richard looked relieved .

' Then it may still be magic .

it was magic to us .

and so we voyaged .

when it failed , they rowed with long oars ; the Yellow Man sat by the Wise Iron , and Witta steered .

at first I feared the great white-flowering waves , but as I saw how wisely Witta led his ship among them I grew bolder .

Hugh liked it well from the first .

we sailed South across a stormy sea , where by moonlight , between clouds , we saw a Flanders ship roll clean over and sink .

there is a sickness of the sea which for three days is pure death !

when we next saw land Witta said it was Spain , and we stood out to sea .

so we put into a small harbour which Witta knew .

Wine , too , he bought for lumps of sweet-smelling grey amber a little morsel no bigger than a thumb-nail purchased a cask of wine .

but I speak like a merchant . '

' No , no !

tell us what you had to eat , ' cried Dan .

aha !

Dates is the name .

there had he bought much gold , and no few elephants ' teeth , and thither by help of the Wise Iron would Witta go .

Witta feared nothing except to be poor .

how think ye ? "

" ' Gold or no gold , " said Hugh , fingering his sword , " it is a joyous venture .

have at these Devils of thine , Witta ! "

" ' Venture ! " said Witta sourly .

" I am only a poor sea-thief .

I do not set my life adrift on a plank for joy , or the venture .

once I beach ship again at Stavanger , and feel the wife 's arms round my neck , I 'll seek no more ventures .

a ship is heavier care than a wife or cattle . "

' He leaped down among the rowers , chiding them for their little strength and their great stomachs .

yet Witta was a wolf in fight , and a very fox in cunning .

this craft his father Guthrum had shown him .

he knew all the care of a ship .

' After the storm we saw a mountain whose top was covered with snow and pierced the clouds .

the grasses under this mountain , boiled and eaten , are a good cure for soreness of the gums and swelled ankles .

we lay there eight days , till men in skins threw stones at us .

that shore is sandy , and we rowed along it within three bowshots .

here we saw whales , and fish in the shape of shields , but longer than our ship .

some slept , some opened their mouths at us , and some danced on the hot waters .

here , too , were fish that flew in the air like birds .

they would fall on the laps of the rowers , and when we went ashore we would roast and eat them . '

the knight paused to see if the children doubted him , but they only nodded and said , ' Go on . '

' The yellow land lay on our left , the grey sea on our right .

Knight though I was , I pulled my oar amongst the rowers .

I caught seaweed and dried it , and stuffed it between the pots of beads lest they should break .

knighthood is for the land .

at sea , look you , a man is but a spurless rider on a bridleless horse .

but Hugh had tenfold more sea-cunning than I Witta gave him charge of the rowers of the left side .

they saw that no man Was idle .

truly , as Hugh said , and Witta would laugh at him , a ship is all more care than a Manor .

' How ?

thus .

Witta vowed he would wring her neck . '

' Poor Polly !

did he ? ' said Una .

' Nay .

she was the ship 's bird .

she could call all the rowers by name ....y

those were good days for a wifeless man with Witta and his heathen beyond the world 's end ....y

after many weeks we came on the great Shoal which stretched , as Witta 's father had said , far out to sea .

Witta scratched his head at them in sign he would buy gold .

' What did it mean ? ' said Dan .

' Patience .

ye shall hear .

we followed the coast eastward sixteen days ( counting time by sword-cuts on the helm-rail ) till we came to the Forest in the Sea .

here we lost the sun .

the water was foul , and great glittering flies tormented us .

morning and evening a blue mist covered the mud , which bred fevers .

the Yellow Man lay sick beside the Wise Iron , rolling his head and talking in his own tongue .

only the Bird throve .

she sat on Witta 's shoulder and screamed in that noisome , silent darkness .

yes ; I think it was the silence we most feared . '

he paused to listen to the comfortable home noises of the brook .

we thanked God to see the sun again .

soon they fetched store of gold in bars and in dust from their huts , and some great blackened elephants ' teeth .

their captain or chief sorcerer then beat on his chest with his fists , and gnashed his teeth .

' Said Thorkild of Borkum : " do they mean we must fight for all this gear ? " and he half drew sword .

" ' Nay , " said Hugh .

" I think they ask us to league against some enemy . "

" ' I like this not , " said Witta , of a sudden .

" back into mid-stream . "

' So we did , and sat still all , watching the black folk and the gold they piled on the bank .

again we heard drums beat in the forest , and the people fled to their huts , leaving the gold unguarded .

' Then Hugh , at the bows , pointed without speech , and we saw a great Devil come out of the forest .

he shaded his brows with his hand , and moistened his pink tongue between his lips thus . '

' A Devil ! ' said Dan , delightfully horrified .

' Yea .

taller than a man ; covered with reddish hair .

Hugh loosed arrow , and pierced him through the throat .

he fell roaring , and three other Devils ran out of the forest and hauled him into a tall tree out of sight .

anon they cast down the blood-stained arrow , and lamented together among the leaves .

Witta saw the gold on the bank ; he was loath to leave it .

let us row in while these Devils bewail themselves , and at least bear off what we may . "

' Bold as a wolf , cunning as a fox was Witta !

he set four archers on the fore-deck to shoot the Devils if they should leap from the tree , which was close to the bank .

but none would set foot ashore , though the gold was within ten paces .

no man is hasty to his hanging !

they whimpered at their oars like beaten hounds , and Witta bit his fingers for rage .

' Said Hugh of a sudden , " hark ! "

' What ? ' said Dan and Una .

' It was the Sword . '

Sir Richard patted the smooth hilt .

' It sang as a Dane sings before battle .

" I go , " said Hugh , and he leaped from the bows and fell among the gold .

I was afraid to my four bones ' marrow , but for shame 's sake I followed , and Thorkild of Borkum leaped after me .

none other came .

" blame me not , " cried Witta behind us , " I must abide by my ship . "

we three had no time to blame or praise .

' I know not how the Devils leaped down , or how the fight began .

I do not know .

I went to it in my mail-shirt , which saved my skin .

I passed my sword twice through him , and he crutched himself away between his long arms , coughing and moaning .

that was twenty days after . '

' What had happened ?

did Hugh die ? ' the children asked .

' Never was such a fight fought by christened man , ' said Sir Richard .

judge what teeth they were ! '

sir Richard turned the sword again that the children might see the two great chiselled gouges on either side of the blade .

' Those same teeth met in Hugh 's right arm and side , ' Sir Richard went on .

' I ?

oh , I had no more than a broken foot and a fever .

Thorkild 's ear was bitten , but Hugh 's arm and side clean withered away .

I saw him where he lay along , sucking a fruit in his left hand .

his flesh was wasted off his bones , his hair was patched with white , and his hand was blue-veined like a woman 's .

he put his left arm round my neck and whispered , " take my sword .

it has been thine since Hastings , O my brother , but I can never hold hilt again . "

I was weak , and he little more than a shadow .

" ' Nay nay , " said Witta , at the helm-rail .

" gold is a good right arm to any man .

Look look at the gold ! "

he bade Thorkild show us the gold and the elephants ' teeth , as though we had been children .

they worshipped us as Gods , Thorkild told me : it was one of their old women healed up Hugh 's poor arm . '

' How much gold did you get ? ' asked Dan .

' How can I say ?

where we came out with wedges of iron under the rowers ' feet we returned with wedges of gold hidden beneath planks .

" ' I had sooner have my right arm , " said Hugh , when he had seen all .

" ' Ahai !

that was my fault , " said Witta .

" I should have taken ransom and landed you in France when first you came aboard , ten months ago . "

" ' It is over-late now , " said Hugh , laughing .

' Witta plucked at his long shoulder-lock .

" but think ! " said he .

think of this and do not blame me overmuch , Hugh .

See !

I will only take a half of the gold . "

" ' I blame thee not at all , Witta , " said Hugh .

" it was a joyous venture , and we thirty-five here have done what never men have done .

if I live till England , I will build me a stout keep over Dallington out of my share . "

Many will fight for me now .

but first we must turn North , and with this honest treasure aboard I pray we meet no pirate ships . "

' We did not laugh .

we were careful .

we were afraid lest we should lose one grain of our gold , for which we had fought Devils .

" ' He has gone to his own country , " said he .

he leaped out on the mud , and did not answer when we called ; so we called no more .

he left the Wise Iron , which is all that I care for and see , the Spirit still points to the South . "

' Why ? ' said Dan .

' Because of the gold because of our gold .

gold changes men altogether .

Thorkild of Borkum did not change .

he laughed at Witta for his fears , and at us for our counselling Witta to furl sail when the ship pitched at all .

" ' Better be drowned out of hand , " said Thorkild of Borkum , " than go tied to a deck-load of yellow dust . "

' He was a landless man , and had been slave to some King in the East .

he would have beaten out the gold into deep bands to put round the oars , and round the prow .

but for Hugh , he said and so did all his men they would never have won the gold .

I remember Witta made a little , thin gold ring for our Bird to swing in .

' Three months we rowed and sailed and went ashore for fruits or to clean the ship .

" ' Now find ye Pevensey yourselves , " said Witta .

" I love not these narrow ship-filled seas . "

yet , for our gold 's sake , we were more afraid than they .

we crept along the coast by night till we came to the chalk cliffs , and so east to Pevensey .

Witta would not come ashore with us , though Hugh promised him wine at Dallington enough to swim in .

I think when Thorkild of Borkum bade the rowers give way we were near weeping .

' Did he get home all right ? ' said Dan .

' I never knew .

we saw him hoist sail under the moon-track and stand away .

I have prayed that he found his wife and the children . '

' And what did you do ? '

' We waited on the Marsh till the day .

Sir Richard crossed hands on his sword-hilt , and stared down stream through the soft warm shadows .

' A whole shipload of gold ! ' said Una , looking at the little Golden Hind .

' But I 'm glad I didn't see the Devils . '

' I don't believe they were Devils , ' Dan whispered back .

' Eh ? ' said Sir Richard .

' Witta 's father warned him they were unquestionable Devils .

one must believe one 's father , and not one 's children .

what were my Devils , then ? '

Dan flushed all over .

' Not always , ' said Una .

' Only twice . '

they had been reading The Gorilla Hunters in the orchard .

' Well , anyhow , they always drummed on their chests , like Sir Richard 's did , before they went for people .

and they built houses in trees , too . '

' Ha ! '

Sir Richard opened his eyes .

' Houses like flat nests did our Devils make , where their imps lay and looked at us .

wonderful !

were our Devils only nest-building apes ?

is there no sorcery left in the world ? '

' I don't know , ' answered Dan , uncomfortably .

and we did . '

' But we didn't , ' said Una , sighing .

' Oh ! there 's Puck ! '

' No sorcery , Sir Richard ? ' he laughed , and blew on a full dandelion head he had picked .

' They tell me that Witta 's Wise Iron was a toy .

the boy carries such an iron with him .

they tell me our Devils were apes , called gorillas ! ' said Sir Richard , indignantly .

' That is the sorcery of books , ' said Puck .

' I warned thee they were wise children .

all people can be wise by reading of books . '

' But are the books true ? '

Sir Richard frowned .

' I like not all this reading and writing . '

' Ye-es , ' said Puck , holding the naked dandelion head at arm 's length .

' But if we hang all fellows who write falsely , why did De Aquila not begin with Gilbert the Clerk ?

he was false enough . '

' Poor false Gilbert .

yet , in his fashion , he was bold , ' said Sir Richard .

' What did he do ? ' said Dan .

' He wrote , ' said Sir Richard .

' Is the tale meet for children , think you ? '

he looked at Puck ; but ' Tell us !

tell us ! ' cried Dan and Una together .

Thorkild 's Song

there 's no wind along these seas , Out oars for Stavanger !

forward all for Stavanger !

so we must wake the white-ash breeze , Let fall for Stavanger !

A long pull for Stavanger !

oh , hear the benches creak and strain !

( A long pull for Stavanger ! )

she thinks she smells the Northland rain !

( A long pull for Stavanger ! )

she thinks she smells the Northland snow , And she 's as glad as we to go .

she thinks she smells the Northland rime , And the dear dark nights of winter-time .

her very bolts are sick for shore , And we we want it ten times more !

so all you Gods that love brave men , Send us a three-reef gale again !

send us a gale , and watch us come , With close-cropped canvas slashing home !

but there 's no wind in all these seas .

A long pull for Stavanger !

so we must wake the white-ash breeze , A long pull for Stavanger !

OLD MEN AT PEVENSEY

' It has naught to do with apes or Devils , ' Sir Richard went on , in an undertone .

' It concerns De Aquila , than whom there was never bolder nor craftier , nor more hardy knight born .

and remember he was an old , old man at that time . '

' When ? ' said Dan .

' When we came back from sailing with Witta . '

' What did you do with your gold ? ' said Dan .

' Have patience .

link by link is chain-mail made .

I will tell all in its place .

he sat on his bed like a little white falcon , turning his head swiftly from one to the other as we told our tale .

it was jehan whom De Aquila had sent to us with the horses , and only Jehan had loaded the gold .

when our story was told , De Aquila gave us the news of England , for we were as men waked from a year-long sleep .

this was the very thing that the Red King had done to Robert when our Great William died .

a little earlier , and Witta 's ship would have rowed through them .

( better ride a horse on the bit he knows , I say ! )

but that is only a cloak to their falsehood . "

he cracked his finger on the table , where the wine was spilt , and thus he spoke :

" ' William crammed us Norman barons full of good English acres after Santlache .

therefore Clare has risen , FitzOsborne has risen , Montgomery has risen whom our First William made an English Earl .

even D'Arcy is out with his men , whose father I remember a little hedge-sparrow knight near by Caen .

if Henry wins , the Barons can still flee to Normandy , where Robert will welcome them .

if Henry loses , Robert , he says , will give them more lands in England .

oh , a pest a pest on Normandy , for she will be our England 's curse this many a long year ! "

" ' Amen , " said Hugh .

" but will the war come our ways , think you ? "

" ' Not from the North , " said De Aquila .

" but the sea is always open .

ye have brought your pigs to a pretty market !

" ' What is to do ? " said Hugh .

" I have no keep at Dallington ; and if we buried it , whom could we trust ? "

" ' Me , " said De Aquila .

" Pevensey walls are strong .

no man but jehan , who is my dog , knows what is between them . "

he drew a curtain by the shot-window and showed us the shaft of a well in the thickness of the wall .

hark ! "

we heard the water whistle and blow at the bottom .

" will it serve ? " said he .

" ' Needs must , " said Hugh .

" our lives are in thy hands . "

not for love nor for sorrow , but to be with the gold .

have a care , " he said , laughing , " lest I use it to make myself Pope .

trust me not , but return ! " '

Sir Richard paused and smiled sadly .

' In seven days , then , we returned from our Manors from the Manors which had been ours . '

' And were the children quite well ? ' said Una .

' My sons were young .

Land and governance belong by right to young men . '

Sir Richard was talking to himself .

' It would have broken their hearts if we had taken back our Manors .

they made us great welcome , but we could see Hugh and I could see that our day was done .

I was a cripple and he a one-armed man .

no ! '

he shook his head .

' And therefore ' he raised his voice ' we rode back to Pevensey . '

' I 'm sorry , ' said Una , for the knight seemed very sorrowful .

' Little maid , it all passed long ago .

they were young ; we were old .

we let them rule the Manors .

" aha ! " cried De Aquila from his shot-window , when we dismounted .

welcome , poor ghosts ! "

thus it fell out that we were rich beyond belief , and lonely .

and lonely ! '

' What did you do ? ' said Dan .

' We watched for Robert of Normandy , ' said the knight .

' De Aquila was like Witta .

he suffered no idleness .

in foul weather he would walk on the top of his tower , frowning against the rain peering here and pointing there .

it always vexed him to think how Witta 's ship had come and gone without his knowledge .

his other eye he kept landward for word of Henry 's war against the Barons .

do not copy our blind King , but see with thine own eyes and feel with thine own hands . "

I do not think he knew any sort of fear .

and so we lived at Pevensey , in the little chamber above the Hall .

' One foul night came word that a messenger of the King waited below .

we were chilled after a long riding in the fog towards Bexlei , which is an easy place for ships to land .

de Aquila sent word the man might either eat with us or wait till we had fed .

anon jehan , at the stair-head , cried that he had called for horse , and was gone .

" Pest on him ! " said De Aquila .

" I have more to do than to shiver in the Great Hall for every gadling the King sends .

left he no word ? "

" ' Oho ! " said De Aquila , rubbing his nose , " to whom did he say that ? "

" 'To his beard , chiefly , but some to his horse 's flank as he was girthing up .

I followed him out , " said jehan the Crab .

" ' What was his shield-mark ? "

" ' Gold horseshoes on black , " said the Crab .

" ' That is one of Fulke 's men , " said De Aquila . '

Puck broke in very gently , ' Gold horseshoes on black is not the Fulkes ' shield .

the Fulkes ' arms are '

the knight waved one hand statelily .

I have changed all the names in my tale .

his children 's children may be still alive . '

' True true , ' said Puck , smiling softly .

' It is knightly to keep faith even after a thousand years . '

Sir Richard bowed a little and went on :

" ' Gold horseshoes on black ? " said De Aquila .

" I had heard Fulke had joined the Barons , but if this is true our King must be of the upper hand .

no matter , all Fulkes are faithless .

still , I would not have sent the man away empty . "

" ' He fed , " said jehan .

" Gilbert the Clerk fetched him meat and wine from the kitchens .

he ate at Gilbert 's table . "

' This Gilbert was a clerk from Battle Abbey , who kept the accounts of the Manor of Pevensey .

he was tall and pale-coloured , and carried those new-fashioned beads for counting of prayers .

they were large brown nuts or seeds , and hanging from his girdle with his pen and ink-horn they clashed when he walked .

his place was in the great fireplace .

there was his table of accounts , and there he lay o ' nights .

when De Aquila sat in Hall to do justice , take fines , or grant lands , Gilbert would so write it in the Manor-roll .

but it was none of his work to feed our guests , or to let them depart without his lord 's knowledge .

" ' No , " said Hugh .

" he is no friend to me , or to Odo my hound either . "

" ' No matter , " said De Aquila .

there be devils in Africa , as I have heard , but by the Saints , there be greater devils in Pevensey ! "

and that was all he would say .

first the wench 's father spoke ; then her mother ; then all together , till the Hall rang and the hounds bayed .

de Aquila held up his hands .

" write her free , " he called to Gilbert by the fireplace .

" a ' God 's name write her free , before she deafens me !

( the Great Hall is always bitter cold . )

I stood at his side ; Hugh was behind Gilbert in the fireplace making to play with wise rough Odo .

he signed to De Aquila , who bade Gilbert measure the new field for the new couple .

' Said Hugh , leaning down to the hearthstones , " I saw this stone move under Gilbert 's foot when Odo snuffed at it .

look ! "

ye see ? '

Dan and Una nodded .

' Yes , ' said Una gravely .

' It isn't what you say so much .

it 's what you mean when you say it .

like calling Dan a beast in fun .

only grown-ups don't always understand . '

" ' He hath done this day by day before our very face ? " said De Aquila .

" ' Nay , hour by hour , " said Hugh .

" ' Bones of the Saints ! " said De Aquila .

" what avail is honour or a sword against a pen ?

where did Gilbert hide that writing ?

he shall eat it . "

" ' In his breast when he ran out , " said Hugh .

" which made me look to see where he kept his finished stuff .

when Odo scratched at this stone here , I saw his face change .

so I was sure . "

" ' He is bold , " said De Aquila .

" do him justice .

in his own fashion , my Gilbert is bold . "

" ' Overbold , " said Hugh .

" ' Pest on him !

he is not my tire-woman ! " said De Aquila , and Hugh and I laughed .

" 'So did I . it was a black fog .

Robert could have landed ten thousand men , and we none the wiser .

" ' No , " said Hugh .

" but here is the prayer of Gilbert himself to his master Fulke . "

" ' Ah , " said De Aquila .

" well I knew it was Fulke .

what is the price of my blood ? "

" ' Fear and pains is a true word , " said De Aquila , and sucked in his cheeks .

" but how excellent a weapon is a pen !

I must learn it . "

" ' He prays that Fulke will advance him from his present service to that honour in the Church which Fulke promised him .

and lest Fulke should forget , he has written below , ' To be Sacristan of Battle ' . "

' At this De Aquila whistled .

" A man who can plot against one lord can plot against another .

when I am stripped of my lands Fulke will whip off my Gilbert 's foolish head .

none the less Battle needs a new Sacristan .

they tell me the Abbot Henry keeps no sort of rule there . "

" ' Let the Abbot wait , " said Hugh .

" it is our heads and our lands that are in danger .

this parchment is the second part of the tale .

the first has gone to Fulke , and so to the King , who will hold us traitors . "

" assuredly , " said De Aquila .

Fulke has his ear , and pours poison into it .

presently the King gives him my land and yours .

this is old , " and he leaned back and yawned .

" ' And thou wilt surrender Pevensey without word or blow ? " said Hugh .

" we Saxons will fight your King then .

I will go warn my nephew at Dallington .

give me a horse ! "

" ' Give thee a toy and a rattle , " said De Aquila .

" put back the parchment , and rake over the ashes .

if Fulke is given my Pevensey , which is England 's gate , what will he do with it ?

he is Norman at heart , and his heart is in Normandy , where he can kill peasants at his pleasure .

therefore I cannot give up Pevensey . "

" ' Good , " said we two .

" ' Ah , but wait !

who will be the first to come through thereby ?

even Robert of Normandy .

therefore I cannot fight my King . "

he nursed his sword thus .

" ' This is saying and unsaying like a Norman , " said Hugh .

" what of our Manors ? "

" ' I do not think for myself , " said De Aquila , " nor for our King , nor for your lands .

I think for England , for whom neither King nor Baron thinks .

I am not Norman , Sir Richard , nor Saxon , Sir Hugh .

English am I . "

" ' Saxon , Norman or English , " said Hugh , " our lives are thine , however the game goes .

when do we hang Gilbert ? "

" ' Never , " said De Aquila .

" who knows , he may yet be Sacristan of Battle , for , to do him justice , he is a good writer .

dead men make dumb witnesses .

wait . "

" ' But the King may give Pevensey to Fulke .

and our Manors go with it , " said I .

" shall we tell our sons ? "

" ' No.

the King will not wake up a hornets ' nest in the South till he has smoked out the bees in the North .

if he were wise he would wait till that war were over before he made new enemies .

but mere talk , such as Gilbert sends , is no proof nowadays .

we Barons follow the Church , and , like Anselm , we speak what we please .

let us go about our day 's dealings , and say naught to Gilbert . "

" ' Then we do nothing ? " said Hugh .

" ' We wait , " said De Aquila .

" I am old , but still I find that the most grievous work I know . "

' And so we found it , but in the end De Aquila was right .

' A little later in the year , armed men rode over the hill , the Golden Horseshoes flying behind the King 's banner .

said De Aquila , at the window of our chamber : " how did I tell you ?

here comes Fulke himself to spy out his new lands which our King hath promised him if he can bring proof of my treason . "

" ' How dost thou know ? " said Hugh .

" ' Because that is what I would do if I were Fulke , but I should have brought more men .

he sucked in his cheeks and drummed on the edge of the well-shaft , where the water sounded all hollow .

" ' Shall we go ? " said I .

" ' Go !

at this time of year ?

stark madness , " said he .

who would stop them Fulke ? "

" ' How did I tell you ? " said De Aquila .

see that Fulke 's men lie in the big south barn , " said he .

" give them drink , and when Fulke has eaten we will drink in my chamber .

the Great Hall is too cold for old bones . "

' Did you know it was going to happen ? ' said Dan .

' Assuredly , ' said Sir Richard , with a sweet smile .

he lay rolling his eyes and bubbling with his mouth , and jehan roped him like a calf .

he was cased all in that newfangled armour which we call lizard-mail .

not rings like my hauberk here ' Sir Richard tapped his chest but little pieces of dagger-proof steel overlapping on stout leather .

' At this Gilbert would have run out .

I laid my hand on his shoulder .

it sufficed .

he fell to trembling and praying on his beads .

take pen and ink-horn , Gilbert .

we cannot all be Sacristans of Battle . "

' Said Fulke from the floor , " ye have bound a King 's messenger .

Pevensey shall burn for this . "

" ' Maybe .

I have seen it besieged once , " said De Aquila , " but heart up , Fulke .

' Then Fulke sat up and looked long and cunningly at De Aquila .

" ' Am I ? " said De Aquila .

' Fulke laughed and said , " no man who serves King Henry dare do this much to his messenger .

when didst thou come over to the Duke ?

let me up and we can smooth it out together . "

and he smiled and becked and winked .

" ' Yes , we will smooth it out , " said De Aquila .

it was turn of ebb , and the water came to his knees .

he said nothing , but shivered somewhat .

' Then jehan of a sudden beat down Gilbert 's wrist with his sheathed dagger .

" stop ! " he said .

" he swallows his beads . "

" ' Poison , belike , " said De Aquila .

" it is good for men who know too much .

I have carried it these thirty years .

give me ! "

' Then Gilbert wept and howled .

de Aquila ran the beads through his fingers .

on it was written : " the Old Dog goes to Salisbury to be beaten .

I have his Kennel .

come quickly .

" ' This is worse than poison , " said De Aquila very softly , and sucked in his cheeks .

then Gilbert grovelled in the rushes , and told us all he knew .

" ' I will have no clerk of mine mishandled or miscalled , " said De Aquila .

" that seaman shall be whipped at his own mast .

write me first a letter , and thou shalt bear it , with the order for the whipping , tomorrow to the boat . "

" ' Write to any man that all is betrayed , " said De Aquila , " and even the Pope himself would sleep uneasily .

eh , Jehan ?

if one told thee all was betrayed , what wouldst thou do ? "

" ' I would run away , " said Jehan .

" it might be true . "

" ' Well said , " quoth De Aquila .

we will give Robert full measure to chew upon .

write also that Fulke himself is sick to death of a dropsy . "

" ' Nay ! " cried Fulke , hanging in the well-shaft .

" drown me out of hand , but do not make a jest of me . "

" ' Jest ?

I ? " said De Aquila .

" I am but fighting for life and lands with a pen , as thou hast shown me , Fulke . "

' Then Fulke groaned , for he was cold , and , " let me confess , " said he .

" ' Now , this is right neighbourly , " said De Aquila , leaning over the shaft .

take pen and inkhorn , Gilbert .

here is work that will not irk thee . "

" ' Let my men go without hurt , and I will confess my treason against the King , " said Fulke .

Plunder he gave them , but pity , none .

" ' Te !

te ! " said De Aquila .

" thy treason was all confessed long ago by Gilbert .

it would be enough to hang Montgomery himself . "

" ' All in good time , " said De Aquila .

" the night is young ; the wine is old ; and we need only the merry tale .

begin the story of thy life since when thou wast a lad at Tours .

tell it nimbly ! "

" ' Ye shame me to my soul , " said Fulke .

" ' Then I have done what neither King nor Duke could do , " said De Aquila .

" but begin , and forget nothing . "

" ' Send thy man away , " said Fulke .

" ' That much can I do , " said De Aquila .

' But , remember , I am like the Danes ' King .

I cannot turn the tide . '

" ' How long will it rise ? " said Fulke , and splashed anew .

" ' For three hours , " said De Aquila .

" time to tell all thy good deeds .

begin , and , Gilbert , I have heard thou art somewhat careless do not twist his words from his true meaning . "

' Was it bad ? ' said Dan , awestruck .

' Beyond belief , ' Sir Richard answered .

' None the less , there was that in it which forced even Gilbert to laugh .

we three laughed till we ached .

at one place his teeth so chattered that we could not well hear , and we reached him down a cup of wine .

yes , he waved the filthy rags of his life before us , as though they had been some proud banner .

he was shivering , but shameless .

" my father !

my father !

I dreamed of treachery , " he cried , and babbled thickly .

" ' There is no treachery here , " said Fulke .

" ' Thy only son ! " said De Aquila .

" why didst thou bring the child here ? "

" ' He is my heir .

I dared not trust him to my brother , " said Fulke , and now he was ashamed .

de Aquila said nothing , but sat weighing a wine-cup in his two hands thus .

anon , Fulke touched him on the knee .

" ' Let the boy escape to Normandy , " said he , " and do with me at thy pleasure .

yea , hang me tomorrow , with my letter to Robert round my neck , but let the boy go . "

" ' Be still , " said De Aquila .

" I think for England . "

' So we waited what our Lord of Pevensey should devise ; and the sweat ran down Fulke 's forehead .

' At last said De Aquila : " I am too old to judge , or to trust any man .

therefore , go back to thy King , Fulke . "

" ' And thou wilt say nothing of what has passed ? " said Fulke .

" ' Why should I ?

thy son will stay with me .

' But it hadn't anything to do with his son , ' cried Una , startled .

' How could we have hanged Fulke ? ' said Sir Richard .

' We needed him to make our peace with the King .

he would have betrayed half England for the boy 's sake .

of that we were sure . '

' I don't understand , ' said Una .

' But I think it was simply awful . '

' So did not Fulke .

he was well pleased . '

' What ?

because his son was going to be killed ? '

' Nay .

because De Aquila had shown him how he might save the boy 's life and his own lands and honours .

" I will do it , " he said .

" I swear I will do it .

I will tell the King thou art no traitor , but the most excellent , valiant , and perfect of us all .

yes , I will save thee . "

' De Aquila looked still into the bottom of the cup , rolling the wine-dregs to and fro .

" ' Ay , " he said .

" if I had a son , I would , I think , save him .

but do not by any means tell me how thou wilt go about it . "

" ' Nay , nay , " said Fulke , nodding his bald head wisely .

" that is my secret .

" ' And henceforward , " said De Aquila , " I counsel thee to serve one master not two . "

" ' What ? " said Fulke .

" can I work no more honest trading between the two sides these troublous times ? "

" ' Serve Robert or the King England or Normandy , " said De Aquila .

" I care not which it is , but make thy choice here and now . "

" ' The King , then , " said Fulke , " for I see he is better served than Robert .

shall I swear it ? "

" ' No need , " said De Aquila , and he laid his hand on the parchments which Gilbert had written .

how many cattle , think you , would the Bishop of Tours give for that tale ?

or thy brother ?

or the Monks of Blois ?

Minstrels will turn it into songs which thy own Saxon serfs shall sing behind their plough-stilts , and men-at-arms riding through thy Norman towns .

this shall be thy punishment , if ever I find thee double-dealing with thy King any more .

meantime , the parchments stay here with thy son .

him I will return to thee when thou hast made my peace with the King .

the parchments never . "

' Fulke hid his face and groaned .

" ' Bones of the Saints ! " said De Aquila , laughing .

" the pen cuts deep .

I could never have fetched that grunt out of thee with any sword . "

" ' But so long as I do not anger thee , my tale will be secret ? " said Fulke .

" ' Just so long .

does that comfort thee , Fulke ? " said De Aquila .

' Poor Fulke , ' said Una .

' I pitied him also , ' said Sir Richard .

" ' If I had known this , " said Fulke , catching his breath , " I would never have lifted hand against Pevensey .

only lack of this yellow stuff has made me so unlucky in my dealings . "

' It was dawn then , and they stirred in the Great Hall below .

he smoothed his long beard , and called his son to his stirrup and kissed him .

de Aquila rode with him as far as the New Mill landward .

we thought the night had been all a dream . '

' But did he make it right with the King ? '

Dan asked .

' About your not being traitors , I mean . '

Sir Richard smiled .

' The King sent no second summons to Pevensey , nor did he ask why De Aquila had not obeyed the first .

yes , that was Fulke 's work .

I know not how he did it , but it was well and swiftly done . '

' Then you didn't do anything to his son ? ' said Una .

' The boy ?

oh , he was an imp !

he turned the keep doors out of dortoirs while we had him .

I gave him a bittern's claw to bring him good luck at shooting .

an imp , if ever there was ! '

' And what happened to Gilbert ? ' said Dan .

' Not even a whipping .

moreover , after that night I think Gilbert loved as much as he feared De Aquila .

at least he would not leave us not even when Vivian , the King 's Clerk , would have made him Sacristan of Battle Abbey .

a false fellow , but , in his fashion , bold . '

' Did Robert ever land in Pevensey after all ? '

Dan went on .

many of Henry 's men sailed from Pevensey to that war .

Fulke came , I remember , and we all four lay in the little chamber once again , and drank together .

de Aquila was right .

one should not judge men .

Fulke was merry .

yes , always merry with a catch in his breath . '

' And what did you do afterwards ? ' said Una .

' We talked together of times past .

that is all men can do when they grow old , little maid . '

the bell for tea rang faintly across the meadows .

' Again , in the mist and shadow of sleep , He saw his native land . '

' I don't know when you began that , ' said Dan , sleepily .

the Runes on Weland 's Sword

a Smith makes me To betray my Man In my first fight .

to gather Gold At the world 's end I am sent .

the Gold I gather Comes into England Out of deep Water .

like a shining Fish Then it descends Into deep Water .

it is not given For goods or gear , But for The Thing .

the Gold I gather A King covets For an ill use .

the Gold I gather Is drawn up Out of deep Water .

like a shining Fish Then it descends Into deep Water .

it is not given For goods or gear , But for The Thing .

a CENTURION OF THE THIRTIETH

Cities and Thrones and Powers Stand in Time 's eye , Almost as long as flowers , Which daily die .

but , as new buds put forth To glad new men , Out of the spent and unconsidered Earth The Cities rise again .

Dan had come to grief over his Latin , and was kept in ; so Una went alone to Far Wood .

they had named the place out of the verse in Lays of Ancient Rome :

from lordly Volaterrae , Where scowls the far-famed hold Piled by the hands of giants For Godlike Kings of old .

the sou'-west wind ( there is always a wind by Volaterrae ) blew from the bare ridge where Cherry Clack Windmill stands .

Una took Dan 's catapult from its secret place , and made ready to meet Lars Porsena 's army stealing through the wind-whitened aspens by the brook .

a gust boomed up the valley , and Una chanted sorrowfully :

' Verbenna down to Ostia Hath wasted all the plain : Astur hath stormed Janiculum , And the stout guards are slain . '

but the wind , not charging fair to the wood , started aside and shook a single oak in Gleason 's pasture .

' Now welcome welcome , Sextus , ' sang Una , loading the catapult ' Now welcome to thy home !

why dost thou stay , and turn away ?

here lies the road to Rome . '

' Oh , my Winkie ! ' she said aloud , and that was something she had picked up from Dan .

' I b'lieve I 've tickled up a Gleason cow . '

' You little painted beast ! ' a voice cried .

' I 'll teach you to sling your masters ! '

she looked down most cautiously , and saw a young man covered with hoopy bronze armour all glowing among the late broom .

but what Una admired beyond all was his great bronze helmet with a red horse-tail that flicked in the wind .

she could hear the long hairs rasp on his shimmery shoulder-plates .

he caught sight of Una 's yellow head .

' Have you seen a painted lead-slinger ? ' he called .

' No-o , ' said Una .

' But if you 've seen a bullet '

' Seen ? ' cried the man .

' It passed within a hair 's breadth of my ear . '

' Well , that was me .

I 'm most awfully sorry . '

' Didn't the Faun tell you I was coming ? '

he smiled .

' Not if you mean Puck .

I thought you were a Gleason cow .

I I didn't know you were a a What are you ? '

he laughed outright , showing a set of splendid teeth .

his face and eyes were dark , and his eyebrows met above his big nose in one bushy black bar .

' They call me Parnesius .

I have been a Centurion of the Seventh Cohort of the Thirtieth Legion the Ulpia Victrix .

did you sling that bullet ? '

' I did .

I was using Dan 's catapult , ' said Una .

' Catapults ! ' said he .

' I ought to know something about them .

show me ! '

' A sling on a forked stick .

I understand ! ' he cried , and pulled at the elastic .

' But what wonderful beast yields this stretching leather ? '

' It 's laccy elastic .

you put the bullet into that loop , and then you pull hard . '

the man pulled , and hit himself square on his thumbnail .

' Each to his own weapon , ' he said gravely , handing it back .

' I am better with the bigger machine , little maiden .

but it 's a pretty toy .

a wolf would laugh at it .

aren't you afraid of wolves ? '

' There aren't any , ' said Una .

' Never believe it !

a wolf 's like a Winged Hat .

he comes when he isn't expected .

don't they hunt wolves here ? '

' We don't hunt , ' said Una , remembering what she had heard from grown-ups .

' We preserve pheasants .

do you know them ? '

' What a big painted clucking fool is a pheasant ! ' he said .

' Just like some Romans . '

' But you 're a Roman yourself , aren't you ? ' said Una .

' Ye-es and no.

I 'm one of a good few thousands who have never seen Rome except in a picture .

my people have lived at Vectis for generations .

Vectis that island West yonder that you can see from so far in clear weather . '

' Do you mean the Isle of Wight ?

it lifts up just before rain , and you see it from the Downs . '

' Very likely .

our villa 's on the south edge of the Island , by the Broken Cliffs .

most of it is three hundred years old , but the cow-stables , where our first ancestor lived , must be a hundred years older .

oh , quite that , because the founder of our family had his land given him by Agricola at the Settlement .

it 's not a bad little place for its size .

in springtime violets grow down to the very beach .

I 've gathered sea-weeds for myself and violets for my Mother many a time with our old nurse . '

' Was your nurse a a Romaness too ? '

' No , a Numidian .

gods be good to her !

a dear , fat , brown thing with a tongue like a cowbell .

she was a free woman .

by the way , are you free , maiden ? '

' Oh , quite , ' said Una .

' At least , till tea-time ; and in summer our governess doesn't say much if we 're late . '

the young man laughed again a proper understanding laugh .

' I see , ' said he .

' That accounts for your being in the wood .

we hid among the cliffs . '

' Did you have a governess , then ? '

' Did we not ?

a Greek , too .

she had a way of clutching her dress when she hunted us among the gorse-bushes that made us laugh .

then she 'd say she 'd get us whipped .

she never did , though , bless her !

Aglaia was a thorough sportswoman , for all her learning . '

' But what lessons did you do when when you were little ? '

' Ancient history , the Classics , arithmetic and so on , ' he answered .

and funny !

Roma Dea !

how Mother could make us laugh ! '

' What at ? '

' Little jokes and sayings that every family has .

don't you know ? '

' I know we have , but I didn't know other people had them too , ' said Una .

' Tell me about all your family , please . '

' Good families are very much alike .

mother would sit spinning of evenings while Aglaia read in her corner , and Father did accounts , and we four romped about the passages .

when our noise grew too loud the Pater would say , " less tumult !

less tumult !

have you never heard of a Father 's right over his children ?

he can slay them , my loves slay them dead , and the Gods highly approve of the action ! "

then Mother would prim up her dear mouth over the wheel and answer : " H 'm !

I 'm afraid there can't be much of the Roman Father about you ! "

' Fathers can if they like , ' said Una , her eyes dancing .

' Didn't I say all good families are very much the same ? '

' What did you do in summer ? ' said Una .

' Play about , like us ? '

' Yes , and we visited our friends .

there are no wolves in Vectis .

we had many friends , and as many ponies as we wished . '

' It must have been lovely , ' said Una .

' I hope it lasted for ever . '

' Not quite , little maid .

when I was about sixteen or seventeen , the Father felt gouty , and we all went to the Waters . '

' What waters ? '

' At Aquae Sulis .

every one goes there .

you ought to get your Father to take you some day . '

' But where ?

I don't know , ' said Una .

the young man looked astonished for a moment .

' Aquae Sulis , ' he repeated .

' The best baths in Britain .

just as good , I 'm told , as Rome .

all the old gluttons sit in hot water , and talk scandal and politics .

we young people , of course , took no interest in politics .

we had not the gout .

there were many of our age like us .

we did not find life sad .

I do not think it is a profession for a well-born man , but then I 'm not my brother .

you see , ' the young man 's eyes twinkled ' his philosopher was a long-haired one ! '

' I thought philosophers were bald , ' said Una .

' Not all .

she was very pretty .

I don't blame him .

nothing could have suited me better than my eldest brother 's doing this , for I was only too keen to join the Army .

I had always feared I should have to stay at home and look after the estate while my brother took this . '

he rapped on his great glistening shield that never seemed to be in his way .

' So we were well contented we young people and we rode back to Clausentum along the Wood Road very quietly .

but when we reached home , Aglaia , our governess , saw what had come to us .

I remember her at the door , the torch over her head , watching us climb the cliff-path from the boat .

" Aie !

Aie ! " she said .

" Children you went away .

men and a woman you return ! "

then she kissed Mother , and Mother wept .

thus our visit to the Waters settled our fates for each of us , maiden . '

he rose to his feet and listened , leaning on the shield-rim .

' I think that 's Dan my brother , ' said Una .

' Yes ; and the Faun is with him , ' he replied , as Dan with Puck stumbled through the copse .

Parnesius looked bewildered , even when Una explained .

Dan had climbed into Volaterrae , hot and panting .

' I 've run nearly all the way , ' he gasped , ' and then Puck met me .

how do you do , sir ? '

' I am in good health , ' Parnesius answered .

' See !

I have tried to bend the bow of Ulysses , but ' He held up his thumb .

' I 'm sorry .

you must have pulled off too soon , ' said Dan .

' But Puck said you were telling Una a story . '

' Continue , O Parnesius , ' said Puck , who had perched himself on a dead branch above them .

' I will be chorus .

has he puzzled you much , Una ? '

' Not a bit , except I didn't know where Ak Ak something was , ' she answered .

' Oh , Aquae Sulis .

that 's Bath , where the buns come from .

let the hero tell his own tale . '

' Thanks , jester , ' said Parnesius , shaking his curly dark head .

' That is cooler .

now hang it up for me .

' I was telling your sister how I joined the Army , ' he said to Dan .

' Did you have to pass an Exam ? '

Dan asked eagerly .

' No.

now , like many of our youngsters , I was not too fond of anything Roman .

the Roman-born officers and magistrates looked down on us British-born as though we were barbarians .

I told my Father so .

" 'To which Empire ? "

I asked .

" we split the Eagle before I was born . "

" ' What thieves ' talk is that ? " said my Father .

he hated slang .

which am I to follow ? "

" ' Gratian , " said he .

" at least he 's a sportsman . "

" ' He 's all that , " I said .

" hasn't he turned himself into a raw-beef-eating Scythian ? "

" ' Where did you hear of it ? " said the Pater .

" ' At Aquae Sulis , " I said .

it was perfectly true .

this precious Emperor Gratian of ours had a bodyguard of fur-cloaked Scythians , and he was so crazy about them that he dressed like them .

In Rome of all places in the world !

it was as bad as if my own Father had painted himself blue !

" ' No matter for the clothes , " said the Pater .

" they are only the fringe of the trouble .

it began before your time or mine .

Rome has forsaken her Gods , and must be punished .

the great war with the Painted People broke out in the very year the temples of our Gods were destroyed .

we beat the Painted People in the very year our temples were rebuilt .

go back further still . "

' I knew nothing about it .

Aglaia never taught us the history of our own country .

she was so full of her ancient Greeks .

" ' There is no hope for Rome , " said the Pater , at last .

" she has forsaken her Gods , but if the Gods forgive us here , we may save Britain .

to do that , we must keep the Painted People back .

' What Wall ? ' asked Dan and Una at once .

' Father meant the one we call Hadrian 's Wall .

I 'll tell you about it later .

it was built long ago , across North Britain , to keep out the Painted People Picts , you call them .

father had fought in the great Pict War that lasted more than twenty years , and he knew what fighting meant .

Theodosius , one of our great Generals , had chased the little beasts back far into the North before I was born .

down at Vectis , of course , we never troubled our heads about them .

but when my Father spoke as he did , I kissed his hand , and waited for orders .

we British-born Romans know what is due to our parents . '

' If I kissed my Father 's hand , he 'd laugh , ' said Dan .

' Customs change ; but if you do not obey your Father , the Gods remember it .

you may be quite sure of that .

it was your stick in their stomachs and your shield in their faces to push them into any sort of formation .

I noticed a quiet-looking man on the lawn , leaning on a stick .

he watched us passing buckets from the pond , and at last he said to me : " who are you ? "

" ' A probationer , waiting for a command , " I answered .

I didn't know who he was from Deucalion !

" ' Born in Britain ? " he said .

" ' Yes , if you were born in Spain , " I said , for he neighed his words like an Iberian mule .

" ' And what might you call yourself when you are at home ? " he said , laughing .

" ' That depends , " I answered ; " sometimes one thing and sometimes another .

but now I 'm busy . "

In future call yourself Centurion of the Seventh Cohort of the Thirtieth , the Ulpia Victrix .

that will help me to remember you .

your Father and a few other people call me Maximus . "

' He tossed me the polished stick he was leaning on , and went away .

you might have knocked me down with it ! '

' Who was he ? ' said Dan .

' Maximus himself , our great General !

the General of Britain who had been Theodosius 's right hand in the Pict War !

not only had he given me my Centurion 's stick direct , but three steps in a good Legion as well !

a new man generally begins in the Tenth Cohort of his Legion , and works up . '

' And were you pleased ? ' said Una .

' Very .

' A child you were ! ' said Puck , from above .

' I was , ' said Parnesius .

' Don't begrudge it me , Faun .

afterwards the Gods know I put aside the games ! '

and Puck nodded , brown chin on brown hand , his big eyes still .

' Regnum ?

Anderida ? '

the children turned their faces to Puck .

' Pevensey again ! ' said Dan .

' Where Weland landed ? '

' Weland and a few others , ' said Puck .

' Pevensey isn't young even compared to me ! '

I was only there ten days when I was ordered to go up with thirty men to my Cohort . '

he laughed merrily .

' A man never forgets his first march .

' How ?

how ? ' said Dan and Una .

Parnesius smiled , and stood up , flashing in his armour .

' Hai ! ' said Puck .

' That sets one thinking ! '

" no ! "

" ' But it 's hot , " said one of them , " and we haven't a doctor .

suppose we get sunstroke , or a fever ? "

" ' Then die , " I said , " and a good riddance to Rome !

up shield up spears , and tighten your foot-wear ! "

" ' Don't think yourself Emperor of Britain already , " a fellow shouted .

and , by the Light of the Sun , I meant it too !

my raw Gauls at Clausentum had never treated me so .

he wore the Purple , as though he were already Emperor ; his leggings were of white buckskin laced with gold .

' My men dropped like like partridges .

' He said nothing for some time , only looked , with his eyes puckered .

then he crooked his forefinger , and my men walked crawled , I mean to one side .

" ' Stand in the sun , children , " he said , and they formed up on the hard road .

" ' What would you have done , " he said to me , " if I had not been here ? "

" ' I should have killed that man , " I answered .

" ' Kill him now , " he said .

" he will not move a limb . "

" ' No , " I said .

" you 've taken my men out of my command .

I should only be your butcher if I killed him now . "

do you see what I meant ? '

Parnesius turned to Dan .

' Yes , ' said Dan .

' It wouldn't have been fair , somehow . '

' That was what I thought , ' said Parnesius .

' But Maximus frowned .

" you 'll never be an Emperor , " he said .

" not even a General will you be . "

' I was silent , but my Father seemed pleased .

" ' I came here to see the last of you , " he said .

" ' You have seen it , " said Maximus .

" I shall never need your son any more .

he will live and he will die an officer of a Legion and he might have been Prefect of one of my Provinces .

now eat and drink with us , " he said .

" your men will wait till you have finished . "

' My miserable thirty stood like wine-skins glistening in the hot sun , and Maximus led us to where his people had set a meal .

himself he mixed the wine .

" ' Yes , " said the Pater , " you can drive two mules Gaul and Britain . "

" ' No ; you can't drive three mules .

they will tear YOU in pieces , " said my Father .

' I sat quite still .

one does not answer a General who wears the Purple .

" ' I am not angry with you , " he went on ; " I owe too much to your Father "

" ' You owe me nothing but advice that you never took , " said the Pater .

" ' to be unjust to any of your family .

" ' Very like , " said my Father .

" but we shall have the Picts and their friends breaking through before long .

you cannot move all troops out of Britain to make you Emperor , and expect the North to sit quiet . "

" ' I follow my destiny , " said Maximus .

" ' Follow it , then , " said my Father , pulling up a fern root ; " and die as Theodosius died . "

" ' Ah ! " said Maximus .

" my old General was killed because he served the Empire too well .

" ' Then I had better follow my destiny , " I said , " and take my men to the Wall . "

' He looked at me a long time , and bowed his head slanting like a Spaniard .

" follow it , boy , " he said .

that was all .

I was only too glad to get away , though I had many messages for home .

I never halted them till sunset , and ' he turned about and looked at Pook 's Hill below him ' then I halted yonder . '

he pointed to the broken , bracken-covered shoulder of the Forge Hill behind old Hobden 's cottage .

' There ?

why , that 's only the old Forge where they made iron once , ' said Dan .

' Very good stuff it was too , ' said Parnesius calmly .

' We mended three shoulder-straps here and had a spear-head riveted .

the Forge was rented from the Government by a one-eyed smith from Carthage .

I remember we called him Cyclops .

he sold me a beaver-skin rug for my sister 's room . '

' But it couldn't have been here , ' Dan insisted .

' But it was !

from the Altar of Victory at Anderida to the First Forge in the Forest here is twelve miles seven hundred paces .

it is all in the Road Book .

a man doesn't forget his first march .

I think I could tell you every station between this and !

he leaned forward , but his eye was caught by the setting sun .

' Wait ! ' he said , lifting a hand , and the sunlight jinked on his glass bracelet .

' Wait !

I pray to Mithras ! '

he rose and stretched his arms westward , with deep , splendid-sounding words .

' Cur mundus militat sub vana gloria Cujus prosperitas est transitoria ?

Tam cito labitur ejus potentia Quam vasa figuli quae sunt fragilia . '

they found themselves at the little locked gates of the wood .

' Quo Caesar abiit celsus imperio ?

Vel Dives splendidus totus in prandio ?

Dic ubi Tullius '

still singing , he took Dan 's hand and wheeled him round to face Una as she came out of the gate .

it shut behind her , at the same time as Puck threw the memory-magicking Oak , Ash and Thorn leaves over their heads .

' Well , you are jolly late , ' said Una .

' Couldn't you get away before ? '

' I did , ' said Dan .

' I got away in lots of time , but but I didn't know it was so late .

Where've you been ? '

' In Volaterrae waiting for you . '

' Sorry , ' said Dan .

' It was all that beastly Latin . '

a British-Roman Song

( A.D . @number@ )

my father 's father saw it not , And I , belike , shall never come To look on that so-holy spot The very Rome

soon to send forth again a brood , Unshakeable , we pray , that clings To Rome 's thrice-hammered hardihood In arduous things .

ON THE GREAT WALL

and I 've lost Britain , and I 've lost Gaul , '

( the voice seemed very cheerful about it ) ,

' And I 've lost Rome , and , worst of all , I 've lost Lalage ! '

they were standing by the gate to Far Wood when they heard this song .

without a word they hurried to their private gap and wriggled through the hedge almost atop of a jay that was feeding from Puck 's hand .

' Gently ! ' said Puck .

' What are you looking for ? '

' Parnesius , of course , ' Dan answered .

' We 've only just remembered yesterday .

it isn't fair . '

Puck chuckled as he rose .

Ohe , Parnesius ! ' he called .

' Here , Faun ! ' came the answer from Volaterrae .

they could see the shimmer of bronze armour in the beech-crotch , and the friendly flash of the great shield uplifted .

' I have driven out the Britons . '

Parnesius laughed like a boy .

' I occupy their high forts .

but Rome is merciful !

you may come up.'And up they three all scrambled .

' What was the song you were singing just now ? ' said Una , as soon as she had settled herself .

' That ?

oh , Rimini .

it 's one of the tunes that are always being born somewhere in the Empire .

' Tell them about the marching , Parnesius .

few people nowadays walk from end to end of this country , ' said Puck .

' The greater their loss .

I know nothing better than the Long March when your feet are hardened .

you begin after the mists have risen , and you end , perhaps , an hour after sundown . '

' And what do you have to eat ? '

Dan asked promptly .

' Fat bacon , beans , and bread , and whatever wine happens to be in the rest-houses .

but soldiers are born grumblers .

their very first day out , my men complained of our water-ground British corn .

they said it wasn't so filling as the rough stuff that is ground in the Roman ox-mills .

however , they had to fetch and eat it . '

' Fetch it ?

where from ? ' said Una .

' From that newly invented water-mill below the Forge . '

' That 's Forge Mill our Mill ! '

Una looked at Puck .

' Yes ; yours , ' Puck put in .

' How old did you think it was ? '

' I don't know .

didn't Sir Richard Dalyngridge talk about it ? '

' He did , and it was old in his day , ' Puck answered .

' Hundreds of years old . '

' It was new in mine , ' said Parnesius .

' My men looked at the flour in their helmets as though it had been a nest of adders .

they did it to try my patience .

but I addressed them , and we became friends .

to tell the truth , they taught me the Roman Step .

you see , I 'd only served with quick-marching Auxiliaries .

a Legion 's pace is altogether different .

it is a long , slow stride , that never varies from sunrise to sunset .

" Rome 's Race Rome 's Pace , " as the proverb says .

twenty-four miles in eight hours , neither more nor less .

Head and spear up , shield on your back , cuirass-collar open one handsbreadth and that 's how you take the Eagles through Britain . '

' And did you meet any adventures ? ' said Dan .

' There are no adventures South the Wall , ' said Parnesius .

' What did you do ? ' said Dan .

' Went on .

why should I care for such things , my business being to reach my station ?

it took me twenty days .

' Of course , the farther North you go the emptier are the roads .

at last you fetch clear of the forests and climb bare hills , where wolves howl in the ruins of our cities that have been .

there 's where you meet hunters , and trappers for the Circuses , prodding along chained bears and muzzled wolves .

your pony shies at them , and your men laugh .

Red-hot in summer , freezing in winter , is that big , purple heather country of broken stone .

and that is the Wall ! '

' Ah ! ' said the children , taking breath .

' You may well , ' said Parnesius .

' Is it just a Wall ?

like the one round the kitchen-garden ? ' said Dan .

' No , no !

it is the Wall .

along the top are towers with guard-houses , small towers , between .

even on the narrowest part of it three men with shields can walk abreast , from guard-house to guard-house .

the Little People come there to steal iron for their arrow-heads .

' But the Wall itself is not more wonderful than the town behind it .

long ago there were great ramparts and ditches on the South side , and no one was allowed to build there .

think of it !

one roaring , rioting , cock-fighting , wolf-baiting , horse-racing town , from Ituna on the West to Segedunum on the cold eastern beach !

yes , a snake basking beside a warm wall !

' The Province of Valentia !

we followed the road , therefore , into Hunno town , and stood astonished .

the place was a fair a fair of peoples from every corner of the Empire .

" ' My station , " I said , and showed him my shield . '

Parnesius held up his broad shield with its three X 's like letters on a beer-cask .

" ' Lucky omen ! " said he .

" your Cohort 's the next tower to us , but they 're all at the cock-fight .

this is a happy place .

come and wet the Eagles . "

he meant to offer me a drink .

" ' When I 've handed over my men , " I said .

I felt angry and ashamed .

" ' Oh , you 'll soon outgrow that sort of nonsense , " he answered .

" but don't let me interfere with your hopes .

go on to the Statue of Roma Dea .

you can't miss it .

the main road into Valentia ! " and he laughed and rode off .

I could see the statue not a quarter of a mile away , and there I went .

it was like marching into a cave .

we grounded spears together , my little thirty , and it echoed in the barrel of the arch , but none came .

there was a door at one side painted with our number .

we prowled in , and I found a cook asleep , and ordered him to give us food .

then I climbed to the top of the Wall , and looked out over the Pict country , and I thought , ' said Parnesius .

' What a shame ! ' said Una .

' But did you feel happy after you 'd had a good ' Dan stopped her with a nudge .

' Happy ? ' said Parnesius .

no , I was not happy ; but I made my new Cohort unhappy too ....v

and the men were as the officers .

remember , also , that the Wall was manned by every breed and race in the Empire .

no two towers spoke the same tongue , or worshipped the same Gods .

in one thing only we were all equal .

no matter what arms we had used before we came to the Wall , on the Wall we were all archers , like the Scythians .

the Pict cannot run away from the arrow , or crawl under it .

he is a bowman himself .

he knows ! '

' I suppose you were fighting Picts all the time , ' said Dan .

' Picts seldom fight .

I never saw a fighting Pict for half a year .

the tame Picts told us they had all gone North . '

' What is a tame Pict ? ' said Dan .

without a horse and a dog , and a friend , man would perish .

the Gods gave me all three , and there is no gift like friendship .

remember this ' Parnesius turned to Dan ' when you become a young man .

for your fate will turn on the first true friend you make . '

if you 're a beast , you 'll have beastly friends .

listen to the Pious Parnesius on Friendship ! '

' Oh , Youth Eternal and All-believing , ' cried Puck , as he rocked on the branch above .

' Tell them about your Pertinax . '

' He was that friend the Gods sent me the boy who spoke to me when I first came .

Little older than myself , commanding the Augusta Victoria Cohort on the tower next to us and the Numidians .

in virtue he was far my superior . '

' Then why was he on the Wall ? '

Una asked , quickly .

' They 'd all done something bad .

you said so yourself . '

when Pertinax grew up , he discovered this , and so his uncle shipped him off , by trickery and force , to the Wall .

we came to know each other at a ceremony in our Temple in the dark .

it was the Bull-Killing , ' Parnesius explained to Puck .

' I see , said Puck , and turned to the children .

' That 's something you wouldn't quite understand .

Parnesius means he met Pertinax in church . '

' Yes in the Cave we first met , and we were both raised to the Degree of Gryphons together . '

Parnesius lifted his hand towards his neck for an instant .

' He had been on the Wall two years , and knew the Picts well .

he taught me first how to take Heather . '

' What 's that ? ' said Dan .

' Going out hunting in the Pict country with a tame Pict .

you are quite safe so long as you are his guest , and wear a sprig of heather where it can be seen .

if you went alone you would surely be killed , if you were not smothered first in the bogs .

only the Picts know their way about those black and hidden bogs .

old Allo , the one-eyed , withered little Pict from whom we bought our ponies , was our special friend .

at first we went only to escape from the terrible town , and to talk together about our homes .

then he showed us how to hunt wolves and those great red deer with horns like Jewish candlesticks .

the Roman-born officers rather looked down on us for doing this , but we preferred the heather to their amusements .

' Which ?

the stone one with the line from Xenophon ? ' said Puck , in quite a new voice .

' No !

what do I know of Xenophon ?

that was Pertinax after he had shot his first mountain-hare with an arrow by chance !

mine I made of round pebbles , in memory of my first bear .

it took me one happy day to build . '

Parnesius faced the children quickly .

he called us his children sometimes , and we were fond of him and his barbarians , though we never let them paint us Pict-fashion .

the marks endure till you die . '

' How 's it done ? ' said Dan .

' Anything like tattooing ? '

' They prick the skin till the blood runs , and rub in coloured juices .

Allo was painted blue , green , and red from his forehead to his ankles .

he said it was part of his religion .

many things took place behind us in those days .

we did not get the news on the Wall till fifteen days later .

wonderful !

and I tell another strange thing ! '

he joined his hands across his knees , and leaned his head on the curve of the shield behind him .

" ' No , don't wait , " said Allo .

" take my advice and go home both of you . "

" ' We have no homes , " said Pertinax .

" you know that as well as we do .

we 're finished men thumbs down against both of us .

only men without hope would risk their necks on your ponies . "

the old man laughed one of those short Pict laughs like a fox barking on a frosty night .

" I 'm fond of you two , " he said .

" besides , I 've taught you what little you know about hunting .

take my advice and go home . "

" ' We can't , " I said .

" I 'm out of favour with my General , for one thing ; and for another , Pertinax has an uncle . "

" ' Roma Dea ! " said Pertinax , sitting up .

" what can you guess what Maximus thinks , you old horse-coper ? "

he ran us far out of any country we 'd ever heard of , straight as an arrow till sunset , towards the sunset .

we came at last to long capes stretching into winding waters , and on a grey beach below us we saw ships drawn up .

forty-seven we counted not Roman galleys but the raven-winged ships from the North where Rome does not rule .

" ' Come away ! come away ! " said Allo .

" my Heather won't protect you here .

we shall all be killed ! "

his legs trembled like his voice .

back we went back across the heather under the moon , till it was nearly morning , and our poor beasts stumbled on some ruins .

' When we woke , very stiff and cold , Allo was mixing the meal and water .

one does not light fires in the Pict country except near a village .

the little men are always signalling to each other with smokes , and a strange smoke brings them out buzzing like bees .

they can sting , too !

" ' What we saw last night was a trading-station , " said Allo .

" nothing but a trading-station . "

" ' I do not like lies on an empty stomach , " said Pertinax .

" I suppose " ( he had eyes like an eagle 's ) " I suppose that is a trading-station also ? "

they make it by raising and dropping a wet hide on a fire .

" ' No , " said Allo , pushing the platter back into the bag .

" that is for you and me .

your fate is fixed .

come . "

' We came .

" ' Whatever happens , " said Allo , while our ponies grunted along , " I want you to remember me . "

" ' I shall not forget , " said Pertinax .

" you have cheated me out of my breakfast . "

" what is a handful of crushed oats to a Roman ? " he said .

then he laughed his laugh that was not a laugh .

" what would you do if you were a handful of oats being crushed between the upper and lower stones of a mill ? "

" ' I 'm Pertinax , not a riddle-guesser , " said Pertinax .

" ' 'You're a fool , " said Allo .

" your Gods and my Gods are threatened by strange Gods , and all you can do is to laugh . "

" ' Threatened men live long , " I said .

" ' I pray the Gods that may be true , " he said .

" but I ask you again not to forget me . "

' We climbed the last hot hill and looked out on the eastern sea , three or four miles off .

" ' 'You're madder than Allo ! " he said .

" it must be the sun ! "

' Maximus never stirred till we stood before him .

then he looked me up and down , and said : " Hungry again ?

it seems to be my destiny to feed you whenever we meet .

I have food here .

Allo shall cook it . "

" ' No , " said Allo .

" a Prince in his own land does not wait on wandering Emperors .

I feed my two children without asking your leave . "

he began to blow up the ashes .

" ' I was wrong , " said Pertinax .

" we are all mad .

speak up , O Madman called Emperor ! "

' Maximus smiled his terrible tight-lipped smile , but two years on the Wall do not make a man afraid of mere looks .

so I was not afraid .

" ' I meant you , Parnesius , to live and die a Centurion of the Wall , " said Maximus .

" but it seems from these , " he fumbled in his breast " you can think as well as draw . "

mother and my sister always liked my pictures .

' He handed me one that I had called " Maximus 's Soldiers " .

it showed a row of fat wine-skins , and our old Doctor of the Hunno hospital snuffing at them .

on the Wall , we always called a wine-skin a " Maximus " .

oh , yes ; and I had drawn them in Imperial helmets .

" ' Not long since , " he went on , " men 's names were sent up to Caesar for smaller jokes than this . "

' He did not actually point his hunting-spear at Maximus , but balanced it on his palm so !

" ' I was speaking of time past , " said Maximus , never fluttering an eyelid .

" nowadays one is only too pleased to find boys who can think for themselves , and their friends . "

he nodded at Pertinax .

" your Father lent me the letters , Parnesius , so you run no risk from me . "

" ' None whatever , " said Pertinax , and rubbed the spear-point on his sleeve .

" ' I have been forced to reduce the garrisons in Britain , because I need troops in Gaul .

now I come to take troops from the Wall itself , " said he .

" ' I wish you joy of us , " said Pertinax .

" we 're the last sweepings of the Empire the men without hope .

myself , I 'd sooner trust condemned criminals . "

" ' You think so ? " he said , quite seriously .

" but it will only be till I win Gaul .

one must always risk one 's life , or one 's soul , or one 's peace or some little thing . "

' Allo passed round the fire with the sizzling deer 's meat .

he served us two first .

" ' Ah ! " said Maximus , waiting his turn .

" I perceive you are in your own country .

well , you deserve it .

they tell me you have quite a following among the Picts , Parnesius . "

" ' I have hunted with them , " I said .

" maybe I have a few friends among the heather . "

' Had you ? ' said Una .

' Yes ; but that was neither here nor there .

the little green man orated like a like Cicero .

he made us out to be magnificent fellows .

Maximus never took his eyes off our faces .

" ' Enough , " he said .

" I have heard Allo on you .

I wish to hear you on the Picts . "

' I told him as much as I knew , and Pertinax helped me out .

there is never harm in a Pict if you but take the trouble to find out what he wants .

their real grievance against us came from our burning their heather .

the whole garrison of the Wall moved out twice a year , and solemnly burned the heather for ten miles North .

Rutilianus , our General , called it clearing the country .

" ' True , quite true , " said Allo .

" how can we make our holy heather-wine , if you burn our bee-pasture ? "

' We talked long , Maximus asking keen questions that showed he knew much and had thought more about the Picts .

stand away , so that you do not see Allo 's face ; and speak your own thoughts . "

" ' No , " I said .

" you cannot remake that Province .

the Picts have been free too long . "

" ' Leave them their village councils , and let them furnish their own soldiers , " he said .

" you , I am sure , would hold the reins very lightly . "

" even then , no , " I said .

" at least not now .

they have been too oppressed by us to trust anything with a Roman name for years and years . "

' I heard old Allo behind me mutter : " good child ! "

" ' Then what do you recommend , " said Maximus , " to keep the North quiet till I win Gaul ? "

" ' Leave the Picts alone , " I said .

" stop the heather-burning at once , and they are improvident little animals send them a shipload or two of corn now and then . "

" ' Their own men must distribute it not some cheating Greek accountant , " said Pertinax .

" ' Yes , and allow them to come to our hospitals when they are sick , " I said .

" ' Surely they would die first , " said Maximus .

" ' Not if Parnesius brought them in , " said Allo .

" I could show you twenty wolf-bitten , bear-clawed Picts within twenty miles of here .

but Parnesius must stay with them in hospital , else they would go mad with fear . "

" ' I see , " said Maximus .

" like everything else in the world , it is one man 's work .

you , I think , are that one man . "

" ' Pertinax and I are one , " I said .

" ' As you please , so long as you work .

now , Allo , you know that I mean your people no harm .

leave us to talk together , " said Maximus .

" ' No need ! " said Allo .

" I am the corn between the upper and lower millstones .

I must know what the lower millstone means to do .

these boys have spoken the truth as far as they know it .

I , a Prince , will tell you the rest .

I am troubled about the Men of the North . "

he squatted like a hare in the heather , and looked over his shoulder .

" ' I also , " said Maximus , " or I should not be here . "

" ' Listen , " said Allo .

" long and long ago the Winged Hats " he meant the Northmen " came to our beaches and said , ' Rome falls !

push her down ! '

we fought you .

you sent men .

we were beaten .

after that we said to the Winged Hats , ' You are liars !

make our men alive that Rome killed , and we will believe you . '

they went away ashamed .

now they come back bold , and they tell the old tale , which we begin to believe that Rome falls ! "

" ' Ah , I wish it too !

I wish to save what is left of the corn from the millstones .

then you hide behind the Wall , and scorch us with Greek fire .

how can I keep my young men from listening to the Winged Hats in winter especially , when we are hungry ?

my young men will say , ' Rome can neither fight nor rule .

she is taking her men out of Britain .

the Winged Hats will help us to push down the Wall .

let us show them the secret roads across the bogs . '

do I want that ?

no ! "

he spat like an adder .

" I would keep the secrets of my people though I were burned alive .

my two children here have spoken truth .

leave us Picts alone .

comfort us , and cherish us , and feed us from far off with the hand behind the back .

Parnesius understands us .

see , I give you three years .

I shall not grieve over that , but well I know tribe never helps tribe except for one price .

we Picts will go too .

the Winged Hats will grind us to this ! "

he tossed a handful of dust in the air .

" ' Oh , Roma Dea ! " said Maximus , half aloud .

" it is always one man 's work always and everywhere ! "

" and one man 's life , " said Allo .

" you are Emperor , but not a God .

you may die . "

" ' I have thought of that too , " said he .

" very good .

if this wind holds , I shall be at the East end of the Wall by morning .

" ' One instant , Caesar , " said Pertinax .

" all men have their price .

I am not bought yet . "

" 'Do you also begin to bargain so early ? " said Maximus .

" well ? "

" ' Give me justice against my uncle Icenus , the Duumvir of Divio in Gaul , " he said .

" ' Only a life ?

I thought it would be money or an office .

certainly you shall have him .

write his name on these tablets on the red side ; the other is for the living ! " and Maximus held out his tablets .

" ' He is of no use to me dead , " said Pertinax .

" my mother is a widow .

I am far off .

I am not sure he pays her all her dowry . "

" ' No matter .

my arm is reasonably long .

we will look through your uncle 's accounts in due time .

now , farewell till tomorrow , O Captains of the Wall ! "

' We saw him grow small across the heather as he walked to the galley .

there were Picts , scores , each side of him , hidden behind stones .

he never looked left or right .

he sailed away southerly , full spread before the evening breeze , and when we had watched him out to sea , we were silent .

we understood that Earth bred few men like to this man .

' Presently Allo brought the ponies and held them for us to mount a thing he had never done before .

" ' What do you do , O my friend ? "

I said .

then we rode back to that Wall of which we were to be Captains . '

Parnesius stopped .

the children sat still , not even asking if that were all the tale .

Puck beckoned , and pointed the way out of the wood .

' Sorry , ' he whispered , ' but you must go now . '

' We haven't made him angry , have we ? ' said Una .

' He looks so far off , and and thinky . '

' Bless your heart , no .

wait till tomorrow .

it won't be long .

remember , you 've been playing Lays of Ancient Rome . '

and as soon as they had scrambled through their gap where Oak , Ash and Thorn grew , that was all they remembered .

a Song to Mithras

Mithras , God of the Morning , our trumpets waken the Wall !

' Rome is above the Nations , but Thou art over all ! '

Mithras , God of the Noontide , the heather swims in the heat , Our helmets scorch our foreheads , our sandals burn our feet .

Mithras , God of the Sunset , low on the Western main , Thou descending immortal , immortal to rise again !

Mithras , God of the Midnight , here where the great bull dies , Look on Thy children in darkness .

oh , take our sacrifice !

many roads Thou hast fashioned : all of them lead to the Light !

Mithras , also a soldier , teach us to die aright !

THE WINGED HATS

the next day happened to be what they called a Wild Afternoon .

' If I had eyes as I could see , No mortal man would trouble me . '

they knew about rabbits already .

then they climbed up Long Ditch into the lower end of Far Wood .

' How quietly you came ! ' said Una , moving up to make room .

' Where 's Puck ? '

' I don't understand all of it , ' said Una , ' but I like hearing about the little Picts . '

' He who makes himself Emperor anywhere must know everything , everywhere , ' said Parnesius .

' We had this much from Maximus 's mouth after the Games . '

' Games ?

what Games ? ' said Dan .

Parnesius stretched his arm out stiffly , thumb pointed to the ground .

' Gladiators !

that sort of game , ' he said .

' There were two days ' Games in his honour when he landed all unexpected at Segedunum on the East end of the Wall .

in the old days the Legions kept silence before their Emperor .

so did not we !

you could hear the solid roar run West along the Wall as his chair was carried rocking through the crowds .

that chair was like a little boat among waves , dipping and falling , but always rising again after one had shut the eyes . '

Parnesius shivered .

' Were they angry with him ? ' said Dan .

' No more angry than wolves in a cage when their trainer walks among them .

was it not so , Faun ? '

' So it was .

so it always will be , ' said Puck .

I had hardly seen the General before , but he always gave me leave when I wished to take Heather .

he was a great glutton , and kept five Asian cooks , and he came of a family that believed in oracles .

we could smell his good dinner when we entered , but the tables were empty .

he lay snorting on a couch .

Maximus sat apart among long rolls of accounts .

then the doors were shut .

" ' I shall know them again , Caesar , " said Rutilianus .

" very good , " said Maximus .

" now hear !

you are not to move man or shield on the Wall except as these boys shall tell you .

you will do nothing , except eat , without their permission .

they are the head and arms .

you are the belly ! "

" ' As Caesar pleases , " the old man grunted .

" if my pay and profits are not cut , you may make my Ancestors ' Oracle my master .

Rome has been !

Rome has been ! "

then he turned on his side to sleep .

" ' He has it , " said Maximus .

" we will get to what I need . "

' He unrolled full copies of the number of men and supplies on the Wall down to the sick that very day in Hunno Hospital .

oh , but I groaned when his pen marked off detachment after detachment of our best of our least worthless men !

it was like an eagle pecking a carcass .

" ' And now , how many catapults have you ? "

he turned up a new list , but Pertinax laid his open hand there .

" ' No , Caesar , " said he .

" do not tempt the Gods too far .

take men , or engines , but not both ; else we refuse . " '

' Engines ? ' said Una .

' The catapults of the Wall huge things forty feet high to the head firing nets of raw stone or forged bolts .

nothing can stand against them .

he left us our catapults at last , but he took a Caesar 's half of our men without pity .

we were a shell when he rolled up the lists !

" ' Hail , Caesar !

we , about to die , salute you ! " said Pertinax , laughing .

" if any enemy even leans against the Wall now , it will tumble . "

but now it is a gamble a game played against the Gods , and the stakes are Britain , Gaul , and perhaps Rome .

you play on my side ? "

" ' We will play , Caesar , " I said , for I had never met a man like this man .

" good .

tomorrow , " said he , " I proclaim you Captains of the Wall before the troops . "

' So we went into the moonlight , where they were cleaning the ground after the Games .

we saw great Roma Dea atop of the Wall , the frost on her helmet , and her spear pointed towards the North Star .

we saw the twinkle of night-fires all along the guard-towers , and the line of the black catapults growing smaller and smaller in the distance .

here Pertinax was more than my right hand .

and he spoke to each as though that man were as high-minded as himself .

now I saw so strongly what things were needed to be done , that I forgot things are only accomplished by means of men .

that was a mistake .

so I made ready in haste , and none too soon .

I shifted our best men to the ends of the Wall , and set up screened catapults by the beach .

' Now a ship coming in to land men must furl her sail .

then she turns over , and the sea makes everything clean again .

a few men may come ashore , but very few ....v

it was not hard work , except the waiting on the beach in blowing sand and snow .

and that was how we dealt with the Winged Hats that winter .

' Early in the spring , when the East winds blow like skinning-knives , they gathered again off Segedunum with many ships .

Allo told me they would never rest till they had taken a tower in open fight .

certainly they fought in the open .

I waited , and a wave tumbled him at my feet .

' As I stooped , I saw he wore such a medal as I wear . '

Parnesius raised his hand to his neck .

' Therefore , when he could speak , I addressed him a certain Question which can only be answered in a certain manner .

he answered with the necessary Word the Word that belongs to the Degree of Gryphons in the science of Mithras my God .

I put my shield over him till he could stand up .

you see I am not short , but he was a head taller than I. he said : " what now ? "

I said : " at your pleasure , my brother , to stay or go . "

' He looked out across the surf .

there remained one ship unhurt , beyond range of our catapults .

I checked the catapults and he waved her in .

she came as a hound comes to a master .

when she was yet a hundred paces from the beach , he flung back his hair , and swam out .

they hauled him in , and went away .

I knew that those who worship Mithras are many and of all races , so I did not think much more upon the matter .

' At first I thought it was a bribe from some tradesman in the town meant for old Rutilianus .

" Nay , " said Allo .

" this is a gift from Amal , that Winged Hat whom you saved on the beach .

he says you are a Man . "

" ' He is a Man , too .

tell him I can wear his gift , " I answered .

they think you and Pertinax could lead them to victories . "

Allo looked at me like a one-eyed raven .

" ' Allo , " I said , " you are the corn between the two millstones .

be content if they grind evenly , and don't thrust your hand between them . "

" ' I ? " said Allo .

time is what we need you and I and Maximus .

let me carry a pleasant message back to the Winged Hats something for them to make a council over .

we barbarians are all alike .

we sit up half the night to discuss anything a Roman says .

eh ? "

" ' We have no men .

we must fight with words , " said Pertinax .

" leave it to Allo and me . "

' Indeed , they permitted the corn-ships which I sent to the Picts to pass North that season without harm .

therefore the Picts were well fed that winter , and since they were in some sort my children , I was glad of it .

he could not spare them .

he needed them to win more victories in Gaul .

he answered : " you will learn that I have at last settled accounts with the pup Gratian .

Just now I can spare none . " '

' What did he mean by his General 's son ? ' said Dan .

it was his fate , and it was his fall .

but Theodosius the Emperor is a good man .

as I know . '

Parnesius was silent for a moment and then continued .

he answered : " you must live a little longer under the shadow of my victories , till I can see what young Theodosius intends .

he may welcome me as a brother-Emperor , or he may be preparing an army .

in either case I cannot spare men just now . "

' But he was always saying that , ' cried Una .

' It was true .

yes , the Wall looked strong .

for myself , I knew how weak we were .

for the Picts I never cared , but in those years I learned something of the strength of the Winged Hats .

they increased their strength every day , but I could not increase my men .

' Thus , my friends , we lived on the Wall , waiting waiting waiting for the men that Maximus never sent .

' Presently he wrote that he was preparing an army against Theodosius .

I hope within a year to finish with Theodosius , son of Theodosius , once and for all .

then you shall have Britain to rule , and Pertinax , if he chooses , Gaul .

today I wish strongly you were with me to beat my Auxiliaries into shape .

do not , I pray you , believe any rumour of my sickness .

I have a little evil in my old body which I shall cure by riding swiftly into Rome . "

' Said Pertinax : " it is finished with Maximus .

he writes as a man without hope .

I , a man without hope , can see this .

what does he add at the bottom of the roll ?

" ' That is proof , " said Pertinax .

" Nicaea is not far by sea from Rome .

a woman there could take ship and fly to Rome in time of war .

yes , Maximus foresees his death , and is fulfilling his promises one by one .

but I am glad my uncle met him . " '

" ' You think blackly today ? "

I asked .

" ' I think truth .

the Gods weary of the play we have played against them .

Theodosius will destroy Maximus .

it is finished ! "

" ' Will you write him that ? "

I said .

even I , reading over his shoulder , took comfort from it till I saw his face !

" ' And now , " he said , sealing it , " we be two dead men , my brother .

let us go to the Temple . "

' We prayed awhile to Mithras , where we had many times prayed before .

after that , we lived day by day among evil rumours till winter came again .

turning him over , we saw by his belt-buckle that he was a Goth of an Eastern Legion .

suddenly he opened his eyes and cried loudly , " he is dead !

the letters were with me , but the Winged Hats sank the ship . "

So saying , he died between our hands .

' We asked not who was dead .

we knew !

we raced before the driving snow to Hunno , thinking perhaps Allo might be there .

we found him already at our stables , and he saw by our faces what we had heard .

" ' It was in a tent by the sea , " he stammered .

" he was beheaded by Theodosius .

he sent a letter to you , written while he waited to be slain .

the Winged Hats met the ship and took it .

the news is running through the heather like fire .

blame me not !

I cannot hold back my young men any more . "

" ' I would we could say as much for our men , " said Pertinax , laughing .

" but , Gods be praised , they cannot run away . "

" ' What do you do ? " said Allo .

" ' It grieves me , " said Pertinax , " but we are stationed here to stop that thing . "

" ' If I carry back such an answer they will kill me , " said Allo .

" I always promised the Winged Hats that you would rise when Maximus fell .

I I did not think he could fall . "

" ' Alas ! my poor barbarian , " said Pertinax , still laughing .

" well , you have sold us too many good ponies to be thrown back to your friends .

we will make you a prisoner , although you are an ambassador . "

" ' Yes , that will be best , " said Allo , holding out a halter .

we bound him lightly , for he was an old man .

" ' Presently the Winged Hats may come to look for you , and that will give us more time .

see how the habit of playing for time sticks to a man ! " said Pertinax , as he tied the rope .

" ' No , " I said .

" time may help .

if Maximus wrote us a letter while he was a prisoner , Theodosius must have sent the ship that brought it .

if he can send ships , he can send men . "

" ' How will that profit us ? " said Pertinax .

" we serve Maximus , not Theodosius .

" ' It concerns us to defend the Wall , no matter what Emperor dies , or makes die , " I said .

" ' That is worthy of your brother the philosopher , " said Pertinax .

" myself I am without hope , so I do not say solemn and stupid things !

rouse the Wall ! "

therefore , we must stand fast ....y

my friends , it is above all things strange to see how men bear ill news !

often the strongest till then become the weakest , while the weakest , as it were , reach up and steal strength from the Gods .

so it was with us .

even our Libyan Cohort the Third stood up in their padded cuirasses and did not whimper .

' In three days came seven chiefs and elders of the Winged Hats .

we made them welcome , for they were ambassadors .

we showed them Allo , alive but bound .

they thought we had killed him , and I saw it would not have vexed them if we had .

Allo saw it too , and it vexed him .

then in our quarters at Hunno we came to council .

' They said that Rome was falling , and that we must join them .

they offered me all South Britain to govern after they had taken a tribute out of it .

' I answered , " Patience .

this Wall is not weighed off like plunder .

give me proof that my General is dead . "

" ' We are not merchants to bargain , " cried Amal .

" moreover , I owe this man my life .

he shall have his proof . "

he threw across to me a letter ( well I knew the seal ) from Maximus .

" ' We took this out of the ship we sank , " he cried .

" I cannot read , but I know one sign , at least , which makes me believe . "

he showed me a dark stain on the outer roll that my heavy heart perceived was the valiant blood of Maximus .

" ' Read ! " said Amal .

" read , and then let us hear whose servants you are ! "

' Said Pertinax , very softly , after he had looked through it : " I will read it all .

listen , barbarians ! "

he read that which I have carried next my heart ever since . '

Parnesius drew from his neck a folded and spotted piece of parchment , and began in a hushed voice :

" ' Enough , " said young Amal ; " there is your proof !

you must join us now ! "

' Pertinax looked long and silently at him , till that fair man blushed like a girl .

then read Pertinax :

the three mules which I strove to drive have torn me in pieces as your Father prophesied .

the naked swords wait at the tent door to give me the death I gave to Gratian .

" ' By the Light of the Sun , " Amal broke in .

" this was in some sort a Man !

we may have been mistaken in his servants ! "

' And Pertinax read on : " you gave me the time for which I asked .

if I have failed to use it , do not lament .

we have gambled very splendidly against the Gods , but they hold weighted dice , and I must pay the forfeit .

remember , I have been ; but Rome is ; and Rome will be .

tell Pertinax his Mother is in safety at Nicaea , and her monies are in charge of the Prefect at Antipolis .

make my remembrances to your Father and to your Mother , whose friendship was great gain to me .

give also to my little Picts and to the Winged Hats such messages as their thick heads can understand .

I would have sent you three Legions this very day if all had gone aright .

do not forget me .

we have worked together .

farewell !

farewell !

farewell ! "

' Now , that was my Emperor 's last letter . '

( the children heard the parchment crackle as Parnesius returned it to its place . )

" ' I was mistaken , " said Amal .

" the servants of such a man will sell nothing except over the sword .

I am glad of it . "

he held out his hand to me .

" ' But Maximus has given you your dismissal , " said an elder .

" you are certainly free to serve or to rule whom you please .

Join do not follow join us ! "

" ' We thank you , " said Pertinax .

" but Maximus tells us to give you such messages as pardon me , but I use his words your thick heads can understand . "

he pointed through the door to the foot of a catapult wound up .

" ' We understand , " said an elder .

" the Wall must be won at a price ? "

' They drank , and wiped their yellow beards in silence till they rose to go .

" ' Think rather what Theodosius may send , " I answered ; and though they laughed , I saw that my chance shot troubled them .

' Only old Allo lingered behind a little .

" ' You see , " he said , winking and blinking , " I am no more than their dog .

when I have shown their men the secret short ways across our bogs , they will kick me like one . "

" ' You think so ?

woe is me ! " said the old man .

" I only wanted peace for my people , " and he went out stumbling through the snow behind the tall Winged Hats .

I had this from a Pict prisoner .

they were as much our spies as our enemies , for the Winged Hats oppressed them , and took their winter stores .

ah , foolish Little People !

' Then the Winged Hats began to roll us up from each end of the Wall .

we had trouble , too , with the forage for the ponies along the Wall .

I kept ten , and so did Pertinax .

we lived and slept in the saddle , riding east or west , and we ate our worn-out ponies .

the people of the town also made us some trouble till I gathered them all in one quarter behind Hunno .

we broke down the Wall on either side of it to make as it were a citadel .

our men fought better in close order .

I think we fought in our sleep .

' The Winged Hats fought like wolves all in a pack .

where they had suffered most , there they charged in most hotly .

this was hard for the defenders , but it held them from sweeping on into Britain .

we wished for some record .

' And the fighting ?

the fight was always hottest to left and right of the great statue of Roma Dea , near to Rutilianus 's house .

I remember he said his sword was an oracle !

" let us consult the Oracle , " he would say , and put the handle against his ear , and shake his head wisely .

oh , there were jests in plenty on the Wall to take the place of food !

' We endured for two months and seventeen days always being pressed from three sides into a smaller space .

several times Allo sent in word that help was at hand .

we did not believe it , but it cheered our men .

' The end came not with shootings of joy , but , like the rest , as in a dream .

the Winged Hats suddenly left us in peace for one night and the next day ; which is too long for spent men .

we slept at first lightly , expecting to be roused , and then like logs , each where he lay .

may you never need such sleep !

when I waked our towers were full of strange , armed men , who watched us snoring .

I roused Pertinax , and we leaped up together .

" ' What ? " said a young man in clean armour .

" do you fight against Theodosius ?

look ! "

' North we looked over the red snow .

no Winged Hats were there .

South we looked over the white snow , and behold there were the Eagles of two strong Legions encamped .

East and west we saw flame and fighting , but by Hunno all was still .

" ' Trouble no more , " said the young man .

" Rome 's arm is long .

where are the Captains of the Wall ? "

' We said we were those men .

" ' But you are old and grey-haired , " he cried .

" Maximus said that they were boys . "

" ' Yes , that was true some years ago , " said Pertinax .

" what is our fate to be , you fine and well-fed child ? "

" ' I am called Ambrosius , a secretary of the Emperor , " he answered .

" show me a certain letter which Maximus wrote from a tent at Aquileia , and perhaps I will believe . "

if you choose to serve Theodosius , he will give you a Legion .

if it suits you to go to your homes , we will give you a Triumph . "

" ' Oh , I see you are a boy , " said Ambrosius .

" and you ? " turning to me .

" ' We bear no ill-will against Theodosius , but in War- " I began .

" ' In War it is as it is in Love , " said Pertinax .

" whether she be good or bad , one gives one 's best once , to one only .

that given , there remains no second worth giving or taking . "

" ' That is true , " said Ambrosius .

" I was with Maximus before he died .

he warned Theodosius that you would never serve him , and frankly I say I am sorry for my Emperor . "

" ' He has Rome to console him , " said Pertinax .

" I ask you of your kindness to let us go to our homes and get this smell out of our nostrils . "

' None the less they gave us a Triumph ! '

' It was well earned , ' said Puck , throwing some leaves into the still water of the marlpit .

the black , oily circles spread dizzily as the children watched them .

' I want to know , oh , ever so many things , ' said Dan .

' What happened to old Allo ?

did the Winged Hats ever come back ?

and what did Amal do ? '

' And what happened to the fat old General with the five cooks ? ' said Una .

' And what did your Mother say when you came home ? ... '

' Hst ! ' he whispered .

' Oh , Mus ' Reynolds , Mus ' Reynolds ! ' said Hobden , under his breath .

' If I knowed all was inside your head , I 'd know something wuth knowin ' .

Mus ' Dan an ' Miss Una , come along o ' me while I lock up my liddle henhouse . '

a Pict Song

we are the Little Folk we !

too little to love or to hate .

leave us alone and you 'll see How we can drag down the Great !

we are the worm in the wood !

we are the rot in the root !

we are the germ in the blood !

we are the thorn in the foot !

mistletoe killing an oak Rats gnawing cables in two Moths making holes in a cloak How they must love what they do !

no indeed !

we are not strong , But we know Peoples that are .

yes , and we 'll guide them along , To smash and destroy you in War !

we shall be slaves just the same ?

we are the Little Folk , we , etc

HAL O ' THE DRAFT

a rainy afternoon drove Dan and Una over to play pirates in the Little Mill .

he was dressed in a plum-coloured doublet and tight plum-coloured hose , and he drew busily in a red-edged book .

' Sit ye !

sit ye ! '

Puck cried from a rafter overhead .

' See what it is to be beautiful !

sir Harry Dawe pardon , Hal says I am the very image of a head for a gargoyle . '

the man laughed and raised his dark velvet cap to the children , and his grizzled hair bristled out in a stormy fringe .

he was old forty at least but his eyes were young , with funny little wrinkles all round them .

a satchel of embroidered leather hung from his broad belt , which looked interesting .

' May we see ? ' said Una , coming forward .

' Surely sure-ly ! ' he said , moving up on the window-seat , and returned to his work with a silver-pointed pencil .

' Oh , what a beauty ! ' cried Dan .

" ware fingers !

that blade is perilous sharp .

I made it myself of the best Low Country cross-bow steel .

and so , too , this fish .

when his back-fin travels to his tail so he swallows up the blade , even as the whale swallowed Gaffer Jonah ....y

yes , and that 's my inkhorn .

I made the four silver saints round it .

press Barnabas 's head .

the children gasped , for it fairly leaped from the page .

' Didn't you hate that ? ' said Dan after a great many other questions .

' I never thought on't .

I knew them .

I worked for them : that was enough .

no wonder ' He stopped and laughed .

' You became a great man , Hal , ' said Puck .

' They said so , Robin .

Even Bramante said so . '

' Why ?

what did you do ? '

Dan asked .

the artist looked at him queerly .

' Things in stone and such , up and down England .

you would not have heard of ' em .

to come nearer home , I rebuilded this little St Barnabas ' church of ours .

it cost me more trouble and sorrow than aught I 've touched in my life .

but ' twas a sound lesson . '

' Um , ' said Dan .

' We 've had lessons this morning . '

' I 'll not afflict ye , lad , ' said Hal , while Puck roared .

' Pirate ? ' said Dan .

he wriggled like a hooked fish .

' Even that Andrew Barton you were singing of on the stair just now . '

he dipped again in the inkwell , and held his breath over a sweeping line , as though he had forgotten everything else .

' Pirates don't build churches , do they ? ' said Dan .

' Or do they ? '

' They help mightily , ' Hal laughed .

' But you were at your lessons this morn , Jack Scholar . '

' Oh , pirates aren't lessons .

it was only Bruce and his silly old spider , ' said Una .

' Why did Sir Andrew Barton help you ? '

' I question if he ever knew it , ' said Hal , twinkling .

' Robin , how a ' mischief 's name am I to tell these innocents what comes of sinful pride ? '

' Oh , we know all about that , ' said Una pertly .

' If you get too beany that 's cheeky you get sat upon , of course . '

Hal considered a moment , pen in air , and Puck said some long words .

' Aha ! that was my case too , ' he cried .

' Beany you say but certainly I did not conduct myself well .

but Father Roger sitting in Merton College Library , he did not forget me .

" Out !

Son of my Art ! " said he .

" fight the Devil at home ere you call yourself a man and a craftsman . "

and I quaked , and I went ....v

how 's yon , Robin ? '

he flourished the finished sketch before Puck .

' Me !

me past peradventure , ' said Puck , smirking like a man at a mirror .

' Ah , see !

the rain has took off !

I hate housen in daylight . '

' Whoop !

holiday ! ' cried Hal , leaping up .

' Who 's for my Little Lindens ?

we can talk there . '

they tumbled downstairs , and turned past the dripping willows by the sunny mill-dam .

' Body o ' me , ' said Hal , staring at the hop-garden , where the hops were just ready to blossom .

' What are these ?

vines ?

no , not vines , and they twine the wrong way to beans . '

he began to draw in his ready book .

' Hops .

New since your day , ' said Puck .

' They 're an herb of Mars , and their flowers dried flavour ale .

we say

' Turkeys , Heresy , Hops , and Beer Came into England all in one year . '

' Heresy I know .

I 've seen Hops God be praised for their beauty !

what is your Turkis ? '

the children laughed .

they knew the Lindens turkeys , and as soon as they reached Lindens orchard on the hill the full flock charged at them .

out came Hal 's book at once .

' Hoity-toity ! ' he cried .

' Here 's Pride in purple feathers !

Here's wrathy contempt and the Pomps of the Flesh !

how d'you call them ? '

' Turkeys !

turkeys ! ' the children shouted , as the old gobbler raved and flamed against Hal 's plum-coloured hose .

' Save Your Magnificence ! ' he said .

' I 've drafted two good new things today . '

and he doffed his cap to the bubbling bird .

then they walked through the grass to the knoll where Little Lindens stands .

the old farmhouse , weather-tiled to the ground , took almost the colour of a blood-ruby in the afternoon light .

the old spaniel in his barrel barked once or twice to show he was in charge of the empty house .

Puck clicked back the garden-gate .

' D'you marvel that I love it ? ' said Hal , in a whisper .

' What can town folk know of the nature of housen or land ? '

the old man was cutting a faggot in his garden by the hives .

it was quite a second after his chopper fell that the chump of the blow reached their lazy ears .

' Eh yeh ! ' said Hal .

' I mind when where that old gaffer stands was Nether Forge Master John Collins 's foundry .

Many a night has his big trip-hammer shook me in my bed here .

Boom-bitty !

Boom-bitty !

if the wind was east , I could hear Master Tom Collins 's forge at Stockens answering his brother , Boom-oop !

yes .

the valley was as full o ' forges and fineries as a May shaw o ' cuckoos .

all gone to grass now ! '

' What did they make ? ' said Dan .

' Guns for the King 's ships and for others .

Serpentines and cannon mostly .

when the guns were cast , down would come the King 's Officers , and take our plough-oxen to haul them to the coast .

look !

here 's one of the first and finest craftsmen of the Sea ! '

he fluttered back a page of his book , and showed them a young man 's head .

underneath was written : ' Sebastianus . '

I drafted him thus sitting by our fire telling Mother of the new lands he 'd find the far side the world .

and he found them , too !

there 's a nose to cleave through unknown seas !

Cabot was his name a Bristol lad half a foreigner .

I set a heap by him .

he helped me to my church-building . '

' I thought that was Sir Andrew Barton , ' said Dan .

' Ay , but foundations before roofs , ' Hal answered .

' Sebastian first put me in the way of it .

they cared not , and it served me right , one split straw for my craft or my greatness .

what a murrain call had I , they said , to mell with old St Barnabas ' ?

only Sir John Pelham up yonder at Brightling bade me heart-up and go on .

yet how could I ?

did I ask Master Collins for his timber-tug to haul beams ?

the oxen had gone to Lewes after lime .

did he promise me a set of iron cramps or ties for the roof ?

they never came to hand , or else they were spaulty or cracked .

so with everything .

nothing said , but naught done except I stood by them , and then done amiss .

I thought the countryside was fair bewitched . '

' It was , sure-ly , ' said Puck , knees under chin .

' Did you never suspect ary one ? '

' Not till Sebastian came for his guns , and John Collins played him the same dog 's tricks as he 'd played me with my ironwork .

then John Collins would shake his head , and vow he could pass no cannon for the King 's service that were not perfect .

saints !

how Sebastian stormed !

I know , for we sat on this bench sharing our sorrows inter-common .

' Ah !

the pirate ! ' said Dan .

' Yes .

so I took ' em off the foundations , which we were strengthening , and went into the Bell Tavern for a cup of ale .

and they all wagged their sinful heads , and agreed .

less afraid of the Devil than of me as I saw later .

' When I brought my sweet news to Lindens , Sebastian was limewashing the kitchen-beams for Mother .

he loved her like a son .

" ' Cheer up , lad , " he says .

" God 's where He was .

only you and I chance to be pure pute asses .

we 've been tricked , Hal , and more shame to me , a sailor , that I did not guess it before !

meantime Andrew Barton hawks off the Port of Rye .

and why ?

clear as the Irish coast at noonday ! "

" ' It is sure , large profit .

men 'll dare any gallows for that .

I have been a trader myself , " says he .

" we must be upsides with ' em for the honour of Bristol . "

' Then he hatched a plot , sitting on the limewash bucket .

we gave out to ride o ' Tuesday to London and made a show of taking farewells of our friends especially of Master John Collins .

a thick mist , and a moon striking through .

' I had no sooner locked the tower-door behind us than over goes Sebastian full length in the dark .

" ' Pest ! " he says .

" step high and feel low , Hal .

I 've stumbled over guns before . "

no conceal at all !

" ' There 's two demi-cannon my end , " says Sebastian , slapping metal .

" they 'll be for Andrew Barton 's lower deck .

Honest honest John Collins !

so this is his ware-house , his arsenal , his armoury !

now see you why your pokings and pryings have raised the Devil in Sussex ?

you 've hindered John 's lawful trade for months , " and he laughed where he lay .

" ' Aha !

your Devil has left his doublet !

does it become me , Hal ? "

he draws it on and capers in the shafts of window-moonlight won'erful devilish-like .

" ' If you 'd keep out the Devil , shut the door , " he whispered .

" and that 's another false proverb , Hal , for I can hear your tower-door opening . "

" ' I locked it .

who a-plague has another key , then ? "

I said .

" ' All the congregation , to judge by their feet , " he says , and peers into the blackness .

" still !

still , Hal !

hear ' em grunt !

that 's more o ' my serpentines , I 'll be bound .

one two three four they bear in !

Faith , Andrew equips himself like an Admiral !

twenty-four serpentines in all ! "

' As if it had been an echo , we heard John Collins 's voice come up all hollow : " twenty-four serpentines and two demi-cannon .

that 's the full tally for Sir Andrew Barton . "

" ' Courtesy costs naught , " whispers Sebastian .

" shall I drop my dagger on his head ? "

" ' They go over to Rye o ' Thursday in the wool-wains , hid under the wool-packs .

Dirk Brenzett meets them at Udimore , as before , " says John .

" ' Lord !

what a worn , handsmooth trade it is ! " says Sebastian .

" I lay we are the sole two babes in the village that have not our lawful share in the venture . "

' There was a full score folk below , talking like all Robertsbridge Market .

we counted them by voice .

' Master John Collins pipes : " the guns for the French carrack must lie here next month .

Will , when does your young fool " ( me , so please you ! ) " come back from Lunnon ? "

" ' No odds , " I heard Ticehurst Will answer .

" lay ' em just where you 've a mind , Mus ' Collins .

we 're all too afraid o ' the Devil to mell with the tower now . "

and the long knave laughed .

" ' Ah ! ' tis easy enow for you to raise the Devil , Will , " says another Ralph Hobden of the Forge .

" 'Aaa-men ! " roars Sebastian , and ere I could hold him , he leaps down the stairs won'erful devilish-like howling no bounds .

he had scarce time to lay out for the nearest than they ran .

Saints , how they ran !

we heard them pound on the door of the Bell Tavern , and then we ran too .

" ' What 's next ? " says Sebastian , looping up his cow-tail as he leaped the briars .

" I 've broke honest John 's face . "

" ' Ride to Sir John Pelham 's , " I said .

" he is the only one that ever stood by me . "

" 'Wel-a-well ! " he says .

" I 'll see justice done before daylight .

what 's your complaint ?

master Collins is my old friend . "

" ' He 's none of mine , " I cried .

" ' Ah , but ye see now they needed it for another use , " says he smoothly .

" also they did my serpentines , " Sebastian cries .

" I should be half across the Western Ocean by now if my guns had been ready .

but they 're sold to a Scotch pirate by your old friend "

" ' Where 's your proof ? " says Sir John , stroking his beard .

" ' Words !

Words only , " says Sir John .

" Master Collins is somewhat of a liar at best . "

" ' Yours , manifestly , " says Sir John .

" you come with the King 's Order for ' em , and Master Collins casts them in his foundry .

what a coil to make of a mere act of neighbourly kindness , lad ! "

" ' I fear I have requited him very scurvily , " says Sebastian , looking at his knuckles .

" but what of the demi-cannon ?

I could do with ' em well , but they are not in the King 's Order . "

" ' Kindness loving-kindness , " says Sir John .

" Questionless , in his zeal for the King and his love for you , John adds those two cannon as a gift .

' Tis plain as this coming daylight , ye stockfish ! "

" 'So it is , " says Sebastian .

" oh , Sir John , Sir John , why did you never use the sea ?

you are lost ashore . "

and he looked on him with great love .

" ' I do my best in my station . "

ye surprise him , I say , cruelly . "

" ' Truth , Sir John .

if you had seen him run ! " says Sebastian .

are ye content , lads ? "

" ' I 'd commit any treason for two demi-cannon , ' said Sebastian , and rubs his hands .

" ye have just compounded with rank treason-felony for the same bribe , " says Sir John .

" Wherefore to horse , and get the guns . " '

' But Master Collins meant the guns for Sir Andrew Barton all along , didn't he ? ' said Dan .

' Questionless , that he did , ' said Hal .

' But he lost them .

' And what did we I mean , what did our village do ? ' said Dan .

' Oh !

bore it nobly nobly , ' cried Hal .

' Though they had tricked me , I was proud of them .

they came out of their housen , looked at that little army as though it had been a post , and went their shut-mouthed way .

never a sign !

never a word !

they 'd ha ' perished sooner than let Brightling overcrow us .

even that villain , Ticehurst Will , coming out of the Bell for his morning ale , he all but runs under Sir John 's horse .

" " Ware , Sirrah Devil ! " cries Sir John , reining back .

" ' Oh ! " says Will .

" Market-day , is it ?

and all the bullocks from Brightling here ? "

' I spared him his belting for that the brazen knave !

' But John Collins was our masterpiece !

he happened along-street ( his jaw tied up where Sebastian had clouted him ) when we were trundling the first demi-cannon through the lych-gate .

" ' I reckon you 'll find her middlin ' heavy , " he says .

" if you 've a mind to pay , I 'll loan ye my timber-tug .

she won't lie easy on ary wool-wain . "

' That was the one time I ever saw Sebastian taken flat aback .

he opened and shut his mouth , fishy-like .

" ' No offence , " says Master John .

" you 've got her reasonable good cheap .

I thought ye might not grudge me a groat if I helped move her . "

ah , he was a masterpiece !

' Neither then nor later ? ' said Puck .

' Once .

' Twas after he gave St Barnabas ' the new chime of bells .

" ask and have " was their song . )

we had rung ' em in , and he was in the tower with Black Nick Fowle , that gave us our rood-screen .

the old man pinches the bell-rope one hand and scratches his neck with t'other .

" sooner she was pulling yon clapper than my neck , he says .

that was all !

that was Sussex seely Sussex for everlasting . '

' And what happened after ? ' said Una .

' I went back into England , ' said Hal , slowly .

' I 'd had my lesson against pride .

but they tell me I left St Barnabas ' a jewel just about a jewel !

Wel-a-well !

' Twas done for and among my own people , and Father Roger was right I never knew such trouble or such triumph since .

that 's the nature o ' things .

a dear dear land . '

he dropped his chin on his chest .

' There 's your Father at the Forge .

what 's he talking to old Hobden about ? ' said Puck , opening his hand with three leaves in it .

Dan looked towards the cottage .

' Oh , I know .

it 's that old oak lying across the brook .

Pater always wants it grubbed . '

in the still valley they could hear old Hobden 's deep tones .

' Have it as you 've a mind to , ' he was saying .

' But the vivers of her roots they hold the bank together .

if you grub her out , the bank she 'll all come tearin ' down , an ' next floods the brook 'll swarve up .

but have it as you 've a mind .

the Mistuss she sets a heap by the ferns on her trunk .

' Oh !

I 'll think it over , ' said the Pater .

Una laughed a little bubbling chuckle .

' What Devil 's in that belfry ? ' said Hal , with a lazy laugh .

' That should be a Hobden by his voice . '

' Why , the oak is the regular bridge for all the rabbits between the Three Acre and our meadow .

the best place for wires on the farm , Hobden says .

he 's got two there now , ' Una answered .

' He won't ever let it be grubbed ! '

' Ah , Sussex !

a Smugglers ' Song

watch the wall , my darling , while the Gentlemen go by !

if you meet King George 's men , dressed in blue and red , You be careful what you say , and mindful what is said .

knocks and footsteps round the house whistles after dark You 've no call for running out till the house-dogs bark .

Trusty 's here , and Pincher 's here , and see how dumb they lie They don't fret to follow when the Gentlemen go by !

Five-and-twenty ponies , Trotting through the dark Brandy for the Parson , ' Baccy for the Clerk .

them that asks no questions isn't told a lie Watch the wall , my darling , while the Gentlemen go by !

' DYMCHURCH FLIT '

the Bee Boy 's Song

bees !

bees !

hark to your bees !

a Maiden in her glory , Upon her wedding-day , Must tell her Bees the story , Or else they 'll fly away .

fly away die away Dwindle down and leave you !

but if you don't deceive your Bees , Your Bees will not deceive you .

marriage , birth or buryin ' , News across the seas , All you 're sad or merry in , You must tell the Bees .

don't you wait where trees are , When the lightnings play ; Nor don't you hate where Bees are , Or else they 'll pine away .

pine away dwine away Anything to leave you !

but if you never grieve your Bees , Your Bees 'll never grieve you !

Just at dusk , a soft September rain began to fall on the hop-pickers .

the mothers wheeled the bouncing perambulators out of the gardens ; bins were put away , and tally-books made up .

the young couples strolled home , two to each umbrella , and the single men walked behind them laughing .

as he closed the shutter , the oast-house seemed dark before the day 's end , and he lit the candle in the lanthorn .

the children liked all these things because they knew them so well .

they only guessed it when Bess 's stump-tail wagged against them .

a big voice began singing outside in the drizzle :

' There can't be two people made to holler like that ! ' cried old Hobden , wheeling round .

a man showed at the doorway .

' Well , well !

they do say hoppin ' ' ll draw the very deadest , and now I belieft ' em .

you , Tom ?

tom Shoesmith ? '

Hobden lowered his lanthorn .

' You 're a hem of a time makin ' your mind to it , Ralph ! '

the stranger strode in three full inches taller than Hobden , a grey-whiskered , brown-faced giant with clear blue eyes .

they shook hands , and the children could hear the hard palms rasp together .

' You ain't lost none o ' your grip , ' said Hobden .

' Was it thirty or forty year back you broke my head at Peasmarsh Fair ? '

' Only thirty , an ' no odds ' tween us regardin ' heads , neither .

you had it back at me with a hop-pole .

how did we get home that night ?

Swimmin ' ? '

' Same way the pheasant come into Gubbs 's pocket by a little luck an ' a deal o ' conjurin ' . '

old Hobden laughed in his deep chest .

see you 've not forgot your way about the woods .

D'ye do any o ' this still ? '

the stranger pretended to look along a gun .

Hobden answered with a quick movement of the hand as though he were pegging down a rabbit-wire .

' No.

that 's all that 's left me now .

Age she must as Age she can .

An ' what 's your news since all these years ? '

' Oh , I 've bin to Plymouth , I 've bin to Dover I 've bin ramblin ' , boys , the wide world over , '

the man answered cheerily .

' I reckon I know as much of Old England as most . '

he turned towards the children and winked boldly .

' I lay they told you a sight o ' lies , then .

I 've been into England fur as Wiltsheer once .

I was cheated proper over a pair of hedgin'-gloves , ' said Hobden .

' There 's fancy-talkin ' everywhere .

you 've cleaved to your own parts pretty middlin ' close , Ralph . '

' Can't shift an old tree ' thout it dyin ' , ' Hobden chuckled .

' An ' I be no more anxious to die than you look to be to help me with my hops tonight . '

the great man leaned against the brickwork of the roundel , and swung his arms abroad .

' Hire me ! ' was all he said , and they stumped upstairs laughing .

' Who is it ? '

Una whispered to the Bee Boy .

' Dunno , no more'n you if you dunno , ' said he , and smiled .

the voices on the drying-floor talked and chuckled together , and the heavy footsteps moved back and forth .

presently a hop-pocket dropped through the press-hole overhead , and stiffened and fattened as they shovelled it full .

' Clank ! ' went the press , and rammed the loose stuff into tight cake .

' Gentle ! ' they heard Hobden cry .

' You 'll bust her crop if you lay on so .

you be as careless as Gleason 's bull , Tom .

come an ' sit by the fires .

she 'll do now . '

that 'll show you the sort o ' man I be.'Again he winked , and again the Bee Boy laughed and Una stared at Dan .

' I know what sort o ' man you be , ' old Hobden grunted , groping for the potatoes round the fire .

' Do ye ? '

Tom went on behind his back .

' Middlin ' well . '

old Hobden let himself down on the coals by the fire-door .

' I was courtin ' my woman on the Marsh that year .

Carter to Mus ' Plum I was , gettin ' ten shillin 's week .

mine was a Marsh woman . '

' Won'erful odd-gates place Romney Marsh , ' said Tom Shoesmith .

' I 've heard say the world 's divided like into Europe , Ashy , Afriky , Ameriky , Australy , an ' Romney Marsh . '

' The Marsh folk think so , ' said Hobden .

' I had a hem o ' trouble to get my woman to leave it . '

' Where did she come out of ?

I 've forgot , Ralph . '

' Dymchurch under the Wall , ' Hobden answered , a potato in his hand .

' Then she 'd be a Pett or a Whitgift , would she ? '

' Whitgift . '

Hobden broke open the potato and ate it with the curious neatness of men who make most of their meals in the blowy open .

and she was a won'erful hand with bees . '

he cut away a little piece of potato and threw it out to the door .

' Ah !

I 've heard say the Whitgifts could see further through a millstone than most , ' said Shoesmith .

' Did she , now ? '

' She was honest-innocent of any nigromancin ' , ' said Hobden .

' Only she 'd read signs and sinnifications out o ' birds flyin ' , stars fallin ' , bees hivin ' , and such .

An , she 'd lie awake listenin ' for calls , she said . '

' That don't prove naught , ' said Tom .

' All Marsh folk has been smugglers since time everlastin ' .

' Twould be in her blood to listen out o ' nights . '

' Nature-ally , ' old Hobden replied , smiling .

' I mind when there was smugglin ' a sight nearer us than what the Marsh be .

but that wasn't my woman 's trouble .

' Twas a passel o ' no-sense talk ' he dropped his voice ' about Pharisees . '

' Yes .

I 've heard Marsh men belieft in ' em.'Tom looked straight at the wide-eyed children beside Bess .

' Pharisees , ' cried Una .

' Fairies ?

oh , I see ! '

' People o ' the Hills , ' said the Bee Boy , throwing half of his potato towards the door .

' There you be ! ' said Hobden , pointing at him .

my boy he has her eyes and her out-gate sense .

that 's what she called ' em ! '

' And what did you think of it all ? '

' Um um , ' Hobden rumbled .

' But settin ' that aside ? ' said Tom , coaxingly .

' I saw ye throw the Good Piece out-at-doors just now .

do ye believe or do ye ? '

' There was a great black eye to that tater , ' said Hobden indignantly .

' My liddle eye didn't see un , then .

it looked as if you meant it for for Any One that might need it .

but settin ' that aside , d'ye believe or do ye ? '

' I ain't sayin ' nothin ' , because I 've heard naught , an ' I 've see naught .

now turn again , Tom .

what 's your say ? '

' I 'm like you .

I say nothin ' .

but I 'll tell you a tale , an ' you can fit it as how you please . '

' Passel o ' no-sense stuff , ' growled Hobden , but he filled his pipe .

' The Marsh men they call it Dymchurch Flit , 'Tom went on slowly .

' Hap you have heard it ? '

' My woman she 've told it me scores o ' times .

Dunno as I didn't end by belieftin ' it sometimes .

Hobden crossed over as he spoke , and sucked with his pipe at the yellow lanthorn flame .

Tom rested one great elbow on one great knee , where he sat among the coal .

' Have you ever bin in the Marsh ? ' he said to Dan .

' Only as far as Rye , once , ' Dan answered .

' Ah , that 's but the edge .

' The Marsh is just about riddled with diks an ' sluices , an ' tide-gates an ' water-lets .

you 've seen how flat she is the Marsh ?

you 'd think nothin ' easier than to walk eend-on acrost her ?

ah , but the diks an ' the water-lets , they twists the roads about as ravelly as witch-yarn on the spindles .

so ye get all turned round in broad daylight . '

' That 's because they 've dreened the waters into the diks , ' said Hobden .

' Who was he ? ' said Dan .

' Why , the Marsh fever an ' ague .

he 've clapped me on the shoulder once or twice till I shook proper .

a won'erful place for bees an ' ducks ' tis too . '

' An ' old , ' Tom went on .

' Flesh an ' Blood have been there since Time Everlastin ' Beyond .

I lay the Marsh men ought to know .

they say there was always a middlin ' few Pharisees to be seen on the Marsh .

Impident as rabbits , they was .

yes , an ' times they 'd lock the church doors against parson an ' clerk of Sundays . '

' That ' ud be smugglers layin ' in the lace or the brandy till they could run it out o ' the Marsh .

I 've told my woman so , ' said Hobden .

' I 'll lay she didn't belieft it , then not if she was a Whitgift .

a won'erful choice place for Pharisees , the Marsh , by all accounts , till Queen Bess 's father he come in with his Reformatories . '

' Would that be a Act of Parliament like ? '

Hobden asked .

' Sure-ly .

can't do nothing in Old England without Act , Warrant an ' Summons .

he got his Act allowed him , an' , they say , Queen Bess 's father he used the parish churches something shameful .

Just about tore the gizzards out of I dunnamany .

' Same as bees , ' said the Bee Boy .

' Bees won't stay by a house where there 's hating . '

' True , ' said Tom .

' This Reformatories tarrified the Pharisees same as the reaper goin ' round a last stand o ' wheat tarrifies rabbits .

' Did they all see it that way ? ' said Hobden .

' All but one that was called Robin if you 've heard of him .

what are you laughin ' at ? 'Tom turned to Dan .

' The Pharisees 's trouble didn't tech Robin , because he 'd cleaved middlin ' close to people , like .

but Flesh an ' Blood must always think of their own concerns , an ' Robin couldn't get through at ' em , ye see .

they thought it was tide-echoes off the Marsh . '

' What did you what did the fai Pharisees want ? '

Una asked .

' A boat , to be sure .

their liddle wings could no more cross Channel than so many tired butterflies .

A boat an ' a crew they desired to sail ' em over to France , where yet awhile folks hadn't tore down the Images .

they couldn't abide it no shape .

I don't know as you 've ever heard say Pharisees are like chickens ? '

' My woman used to say that too , ' said Hobden , folding his brown arms .

' They be .

they don't mean it , an ' Flesh an ' Blood don't know it , but that 's the truth as I 've heard .

it lay on the Marsh like thunder .

oh , I lay they sweated !

but they was Flesh an ' Blood , an ' Marsh men before all .

they reckoned the signs sinnified trouble for the Marsh .

so they looked for the meanin ' in the sea or in the clouds far an ' high up .

they never thought to look near an ' knee-high , where they could see naught .

she had two sons one born blind , an ' t'other struck dumb through fallin ' off the Wall when he was liddle .

they was men grown , but not wage-earnin ' , an ' she worked for ' em , keepin ' bees and answerin ' Questions . '

' What sort of questions ? ' said Dan .

she felt the Trouble on the Marsh same as eels feel thunder .

she was a wise woman . '

' My woman was won'erful weather-tender , too , ' said Hobden .

' I 've seen her brish sparks like off an anvil out of her hair in thunderstorms .

but she never laid out to answer Questions . '

' This woman was a Seeker , like , an ' Seekers they sometimes find .

oh , what is it ? "

' Three times she called , an ' three times the Tide-wave did her down .

she felt a liddle hand lay hold on her gown-hem , an ' she stooped to the pull o ' that liddle hand . '

Tom Shoesmith spread his huge fist before the fire and smiled at it as he went on .

" ' Will the sea drown the Marsh ? " she says .

she was a Marsh woman first an ' foremost .

" ' No , " says the liddle voice .

" Sleep sound for all o ' that . "

" ' Is the Plague comin ' to the Marsh ? " she says .

them was all the ills she knowed .

" ' No.

Sleep sound for all o ' that , " says Robin .

" ' Lend us your sons , " says all the Pharisees .

" give ' em Leave an ' Good-will to sail it for us , Mother O Mother ! "

" ' One 's dumb , an ' t'other's blind , " she says .

" but all the dearer me for that ; and you 'll lose them in the big sea . "

the voices just about pierced through her ; an ' there was children 's voices too .

she stood out all she could , but she couldn't rightly stand against that .

so she says : " if you can draw my sons for your job , I'D not hinder ' em .

you can't ask no more of a Mother . "

Tom Shoesmith threw back his head and half shut his eyes .

' Eh , me ! ' he said .

' She was a fine , valiant woman , the Widow Whitgift .

the Pharisees all about they hushed their children from cryin ' an ' they waited dumb-still .

she was all their dependence .

' Thout her Leave an ' Good-will they could not pass ; for she was the Mother .

so she shook like a aps-tree makin ' up her mind .

' Last she drives the word past her teeth , an ' " go ! " she says .

" go with my Leave an ' Goodwill . "

' I never heard she was all alone , ' said Hobden .

' I remember now .

the one called Robin , he stayed with her , they tell .

she was all too grieevious to listen to his promises . '

' Ah !

she should ha ' made her bargain beforehand .

I allus told my woman so ! ' Hobden cried .

' No.

Tom laughed softly .

' She done that .

yes , she done that !

folks come out fresh an ' shinin ' all over the Marsh like snails after wet .

An ' that while the Widow Whitgift sat grievin ' on the Wall .

she might have belieft us she might have trusted her sons would be sent back !

she fussed , no bounds , when their boat come in after three days . '

' And , of course , the sons were both quite cured ? ' said Una .

' No-o .

that would have been out o ' nature .

she got ' em back as she sent ' em .

the blind man he hadn't seen naught of anythin ' , an ' the dumb man nature-ally he couldn't say aught of what he 'd seen .

I reckon that was why the Pharisees pitched on ' em for the ferryin ' job . '

' But what did you what did Robin promise the Widow ? ' said Dan .

' What did he promise , now ? '

Tom pretended to think .

' Wasn't your woman a Whitgift , Ralph ?

didn't she ever say ? '

' She told me a passel o ' no-sense stuff when he was born . '

Hobden pointed at his son .

' There was always to be one of ' em that could see further into a millstone than most . '

' Me !

that 's me ! ' said the Bee Boy so suddenly that they all laughed .

' I 've got it now ! ' cried Tom , slapping his knee .

' They was the exact words she told me when we first found he wasn't like others .

but it beats me how you known ' em , ' said Hobden .

' Aha !

there 's more under my hat besides hair ? '

Tom laughed and stretched himself .

An ' where might you live ? ' he said , gravely , to Dan .

' An ' do you think your Pa ' ud give me a drink for takin ' you there , Missy ? '

they giggled so at this that they had to run out .

' Oh , Puck !

puck !

I guessed you right from when you talked about the salt .

how could you ever do it ? '

Una cried , swinging along delighted .

' Do what ? ' he said , and climbed the stile by the pollard oak .

Tom was almost running .

' Yes .

' Here you be . '

he strode into the old kitchen yard , and slid them down as Ellen came to ask questions .

' I 'm helping in Mus ' Spray 's oast-house , ' he said to her .

' No , I 'm no foreigner .

I knowed this country ' fore your mother was born ; an ' yes , it 's dry work oastin ' , Miss .

thank you . '

Ellen went to get a jug , and the children went in magicked once more by Oak , Ash , and Thorn !

a Three-Part Song

I 've buried my heart in a ferny hill , Twix ' a liddle low shaw an ' a great high gill .

oh , hop-bine yaller an ' wood-smoke blue , I reckon you 'll keep her middling true !

I 've given my soul to the Southdown grass , An ' sheep-bells tinkled where you pass .

oh , Firle an ' Ditchling an ' sails at sea , I reckon you keep my soul for me !

THE TREASURE AND THE LAW

Song of the Fifth River

when first by Eden Tree The Four Great Rivers ran , To each was appointed a Man Her Prince and Ruler to be .

but after this was ordained , ( the ancient legends tell ) , There came dark Israel , For whom no River remained .

so it was said and done .

he is Lord of the Last The Fifth , most wonderful , Flood .

he hears Her thunder past And Her song is in his blood .

he can foresay : ' She will fall , ' For he knows which fountain dries Behind which desert-belt A thousand leagues to the South .

he can foresay : ' She will rise . '

he knows what far snows melt Along what mountain-wall A thousand leagues to the North .

A Prince without a Sword , A Ruler without a Throne ; Israel follows his quest .

in every land a guest , Of many lands a lord , In no land King is he .

but the Fifth Great River keeps The secret of Her deeps For Israel alone , As it was ordered to be .

now it was the third week in November , and the woods rang with the noise of pheasant-shooting .

Dan and Una found a couple of them towling round the kitchen-garden after the laundry cat .

he headed for Far Wood , and there they frightened out all the Pheasants , who were sheltering from a big beat across the valley .

then the cruel guns began again , and they grabbed the beagles lest they should stray and get hurt .

' I wouldn't be a pheasant in November for a lot , ' Dan panted , as he caught Folly by the neck .

' Why did you laugh that horrid way ? '

' I didn't , ' said Una , sitting on Flora , the fat lady-dog .

' Oh , look !

the silly birds are going back to their own woods instead of ours , where they would be safe . '

' Safe till it pleased you to kill them . '

an old man , so tall he was almost a giant , stepped from behind the clump of hollies by Volaterrae .

the children jumped , and the dogs dropped like setters .

then he looked at them steadily , and they stared back without doubt or fear .

' You are not afraid ? ' he said , running his hands through his splendid grey beard .

you see , Mr Meyer will fire at rabbits .

but he gave Waxy Garnett a quid sovereign , I mean and Waxy told Hobden he 'd have stood both barrels for half the money . '

' He doesn't understand , ' Una cried , watching the pale , troubled face .

' Oh , I wish '

she had scarcely said it when Puck rustled out of the hollies and spoke to the man quickly in foreign words .

Puck wore a long cloak too the afternoon was just frosting down and it changed his appearance altogether .

' Nay , nay ! ' he said at last .

' You did not understand the boy .

a freeman was a little hurt , by pure mischance , at the hunting . '

' I know that mischance !

what did his lord do ?

laugh and ride over him ? ' the old man sneered .

' It was one of your own people did the hurt , Kadmiel . '

Puck 's eyes twinkled maliciously .

' So he gave the freeman a piece of gold , and no more was said . '

' A Jew drew blood from a Christian and no more was said ? '

Kadmiel cried .

' Never !

when did they torture him ? '

' No man may be bound , or fined , or slain till he has been judged by his peers , ' Puck insisted .

' There is but one Law in Old England for Jew or Christian the Law that was signed at Runnymede . '

' Why , that 's Magna Charta ! '

Dan whispered .

it was one of the few history dates that he could remember .

Kadmiel turned on him with a sweep and a whirr of his spicy-scented gown .

' Dost thou know of that , babe ? ' he cried , and lifted his hands in wonder .

' Yes , ' said Dan firmly .

' Magna Charta was signed by John , That Henry the Third put his heel upon .

again Puck translated to Kadmiel in the strange , solemn-sounding language , and at last Kadmiel laughed .

' Out of the mouths of babes do we learn , ' said he .

for he was a King . '

Dan looked sideways at his sister .

it was her turn .

' Because he jolly well had to , ' said Una softly .

' The Barons made him . '

' Nay , ' Kadmiel answered , shaking his head .

' You Christians always forget that gold does more than the sword .

our good King signed because he could not borrow more money from us bad Jews . '

he curved his shoulders as he spoke .

that was my work , ' he cried , triumphantly , to Puck .

' Spirit of Earth , bear witness that that was my work ! '

he shot up to his full towering height , and his words rang like a trumpet .

' Many people can bear witness to that , ' Puck answered .

' Tell these babes how it was done .

remember , Master , they do not know Doubt or Fear . '

' So I saw in their faces when we met , ' said Kadmiel .

' Yet surely , surely they are taught to spit upon Jews ? '

' Are they ? ' said Dan , much interested .

' Where at ? '

Puck fell back a pace , laughing .

' Kadmiel is thinking of King John 's reign , ' he explained .

' His people were badly treated then . '

it stuck in their lesson-memory that King John used to pull out Jews ' teeth to make them lend him money .

Kadmiel understood the look and smiled bitterly .

' No.

your King never drew my teeth : I think , perhaps , I drew his .

listen !

I was not born among Christians , but among Moors in Spain in a little white town under the mountains .

yes , the Moors are cruel , but at least their learned men dare to think .

it was prophesied of me at my birth that I should be a Lawgiver to a People of a strange speech and a hard language .

we Jews are always looking for the Prince and the Lawgiver to come .

why not ?

my people in the town ( we were very few ) set me apart as a child of the prophecy the Chosen of the Chosen .

we Jews dream so many dreams .

he paced back and forth through the wood as he talked .

the rattle of the shot-guns never ceased , and the dogs whimpered a little and lay flat on the leaves .

' I was a Prince .

yes !

he !

such a little Prince it was !

one eye he kept on the stone-throwing Moorish boys , and the other it roved about the streets looking for his Kingdom .

yes , and he learned to cry softly when he was hunted up and down those streets .

he learned to do all things without noise .

they came across the mountains , from out of all the world , for my Prince 's father was their counsellor .

they came from behind the armies of Sala-ud-Din : from Rome : from Venice : from England .

all over the world the heathen fought each other .

why not ?

how should the foolish Kings know that while they fight and steal and kill ? '

the children 's faces showed that they knew nothing at all as , with open eyes , they trotted and turned beside the long-striding old man .

' No matter , ' he said .

such power had we Jews among the Gentiles .

ah , my little Prince !

do you wonder that he learned quickly ?

why not ? '

he muttered to himself and went on :

' My trade was that of a physician .

when I had learned it in Spain I went to the East to find my Kingdom .

why not ?

a Jew is as free as a sparrow or a dog .

he goes where he is hunted .

in the East I found libraries where men dared to think schools of medicine where they dared to learn .

I was diligent in my business .

therefore I stood before Kings .

I have been a brother to Princes and a companion to beggars , and I have walked between the living and the dead .

there was no profit in it .

I did not find my Kingdom .

so , in the tenth year of my travels , when I had reached the Uttermost Eastern Sea , I returned to my father 's house .

God had wonderfully preserved my people .

none had been slain , none even wounded , and only a few scourged .

I became once more a son in my father 's house .

but I was not rich not very rich .

therefore , when those that had power and knowledge and wealth talked together , I sat in the shadow .

why not ?

he cannot do much harm .

if thou doubtest , come with me to Bury in England and live as I live . "

' I saw my mother 's face across the candle flame , and I said , " I will come with thee to Bury .

maybe my Kingdom shall be there . "

' So I sailed with Elias to the darkness and the cruelty of Bury in England , where there are no learned men .

how can a man be wise if he hate ?

at Bury I kept his accounts for Elias , and I saw men kill Jews there by the tower .

no none laid hands on Elias .

he lent money to the King , and the King 's favour was about him .

a King will not take the life so long as there is any gold .

this King yes , John oppressed his people bitterly because they would not give him money .

yet his land was a good land .

if he had only given it rest he might have cropped it as a Christian crops his beard .

therefore his people turned against us Jews , who are all people 's dogs .

why not ?

lastly the Barons and the people rose together against the King because of his cruelties .

they joined then , as cats and pigs will join to slay a snake .

I kept the accounts , and I watched all these things , for I remembered the Prophecy .

if he swore to keep those Laws , they would allow him a little money .

that was the King 's God Money to waste .

they showed us the roll of the New Laws .

why not ?

we had lent them money .

we knew all their counsels we Jews shivering behind our doors in Bury . '

he threw out his hands suddenly .

' We did not seek to be paid all in money .

we sought Power Power Power !

that is our God in our captivity .

power to use !

' I said to Elias : " these New Laws are good .

lend no more money to the King : so long as he has money he will lie and slay the people . "

" ' Nay , " said Elias .

" I know this people .

they are madly cruel .

better one King than a thousand butchers .

I have lent a little money to the Barons , or they would torture us , but my most I will lend to the King .

he hath promised me a place near him at Court , where my wife and I shall be safe . "

if we lend he will fight again . "

" ' Who made thee a Lawgiver in England ? " said Elias .

" I know this people .

let the dogs tear one another !

I will lend the King ten thousand pieces of gold , and he can fight the Barons at his pleasure . "

' Oh ! ' said Dan .

' Pevensey again ! ' and looked at Una , who nodded and skipped .

they called him Joseph , and threw torches at his wet head .

why not ? '

' Why , of course ! ' cried Dan .

' Didn't you know it was ' Puck held up his hand to stop him , and Kadmiel , who never noticed , went on .

some wicked treasure of the old days put away , and the secret cut off by the sword .

I have heard the like before . '

' So have we , ' Una whispered .

' But it wasn't wicked a bit . '

the great store of it still remained , and by long brooding he had come to look on it as his own .

yet when we thought how we should lift and convey it , we saw no way .

this was before the Word of the Lord had come to me .

a walled fortress possessed by Normans ; in the midst a forty-foot tide-well out of which to remove secretly many horse-loads of gold !

Hopeless !

so Elias wept .

Adah , his wife , wept too .

why not ?

she was born in England an odious woman .

Wherefore the King in his camp stopped his ears against the Barons and the people .

Wherefore men died daily .

why not ?

this Elias refused to do , for he looked on the gold as his own .

Elias and Adah went to their chamber . '

Kadmiel laughed scornfully in his beard .

the shots across the valley stopped as the shooting party changed their ground for the last beat .

' What terms ? ' said Puck quickly .

' The Fortieth of the Great Charter says : " to none will we sell , refuse , or delay right or justice . " '

' True , but the Barons had written first : to no free man .

it cost me two hundred broad pieces of gold to change those narrow words .

Langton , the priest , understood .

then he went out stealthily , as men do who deal with Israel by night .

I think he spent my gift upon his altar .

why not ?

I have spoken with Langton .

he was such a man as I might have been if if we Jews had been a people .

but yet , in many things , a child .

therefore I saw that the gold must be put away from the reach of any man .

Kadmiel halted , all black against the pale green sky beyond the wood a huge robed figure , like the Moses in the picture-Bible .

' I rose .

I answered : " there is no need .

the Lord is with me . "

' In that hour the Lord gave me full understanding of all that I must do ; and His Hand covered me in my ways .

first I went to London , to a physician of our people , who sold me certain drugs that I needed .

you shall see why .

thence I went swiftly to Pevensey .

men fought all around me , for there were neither rulers nor judges in the abominable land .

that also God showed me . '

he was as calm as though he were speaking of some stranger , and his voice filled the little bare wood with rolling music .

Nay , I did no harm .

the more we physicians know , the less do we do .

only the fool says : " I dare . "

I caused a blotched and itching rash to break out upon their skins , but I knew it would fade in fifteen days .

I did not stretch out my hand against their life .

they in the Castle thought it was the Plague , and they ran out , taking with them their very dogs .

' A Christian physician , seeing that I was a Jew and a stranger , vowed that I had brought the sickness from London .

this is the one time I have ever heard a Christian leech speak truth of any disease .

thereupon the people beat me , but a merciful woman said : " do not kill him now .

why not ?

they drove me across the drawbridge of the Castle , and fled back to their booths .

thus I came to be alone with the treasure . '

' But did you know this was all going to happen just right ? ' said Una .

' My Prophecy was that I should be a Lawgiver to a People of a strange land and a hard speech .

I knew I should not die .

I washed my cuts .

I found the tide-well in the wall , and from Sabbath to Sabbath I dove and dug there in that empty , Christian-smelling fortress .

he !

I spoiled the Egyptians !

he !

if they had only known !

I drew up many good loads of gold , which I loaded by night into my boat .

there had been gold dust too , but that had been washed out by the tides . '

Puck shook his head and pursed his lips .

' Often ; for the gold was new to me , ' Kadmiel replied .

' I know the Golds .

I can judge them in the dark ; but this was heavier and redder than any we deal in .

perhaps it was the very gold of Parvaim .

eh , why not ?

' Oh , Marvel ! ' said Puck , beneath his breath , rustling in the dead leaves .

I went out by the little gate where the Castle 's refuse is thrown .

' Weren't you afraid ? ' said Una .

' Why ?

there were no Christians in the boat .

at sunrise I made my prayer , and cast the gold all all that gold into the deep sea !

a King 's ransom no , the ransom of a People !

' But you hadn't , ' said Una .

' Oh , yes !

I see !

you meant that King John might have spent it on that ? '

' Even so , ' said Kadmiel .

the firing broke out again close behind them .

the pheasants poured over the top of a belt of tall firs .

' But what did Elias of Bury do ? '

Puck demanded .

' He had promised money to the King . '

Kadmiel smiled grimly .

' I sent him word from London that the Lord was on my side .

he and Adah hurried to Lewes and asked me for an accounting .

he still looked on the gold as his own .

I told them where I had laid it , and I gave them full leave to pick it up ....y

eh , well !

the curses of a fool and the dust of a journey are two things no wise man can escape ....y

but I pitied Elias !

they took ship from Lewes to Spain .

that was wise ! '

' And you ?

did you see the signing of the Law at Runnymede ? ' said Puck , as Kadmiel laughed noiselessly .

' Nay .

who am I to meddle with things too high for me ?

I returned to Bury , and lent money on the autumn crops .

why not ? '

there was a crackle overhead .

a cock-pheasant that had sheered aside after being hit spattered down almost on top of them , driving up the dry leaves like a shell .

' Well , ' said Puck calmly , ' what did you think of it ?

Weland gave the Sword !

the Sword gave the Treasure , and the Treasure gave the Law .

it 's as natural as an oak growing . '

' I don't understand .

didn't he know it was Sir Richard 's old treasure ? ' said Dan .

' And why did Sir Richard and Brother Hugh leave it lying about ?

and and '

' Never mind , ' said Una politely .

' He 'll let us come and go and look and know another time .

won't you , Puck ? '

' Another time maybe , ' Puck answered .

' Brr !

it 's cold and late .

I 'll race you towards home ! '

they hurried down into the sheltered valley .

there was Oak and Ash and Thorn enough in that year-end shower to magic away a thousand memories .

so they trotted to the brook at the bottom of the lawn , wondering why Flora and Folly had missed the quarry-hole fox .

old Hobden was just finishing some hedge-work .

they saw his white smock glimmer in the twilight where he faggoted the rubbish .

' Winter , he 's come , I reckon , Mus ' Dan , ' he called .

' Hard times now till Heffle Cuckoo Fair .

they heard a crash , and a stamp and a splash of water as though a heavy old cow were crossing almost under their noses .

Hobden ran forward angrily to the ford .

' Gleason 's bull again , playin ' Robin all over the Farm !

oh , look , Mus ' Dan his great footmark as big as a trencher .

no bounds to his impidence !

he might count himself to be a man or or Somebody '

A voice the other side of the brook boomed :

' I wonder who his cloak would turn When Puck had led him round , Or where those walking fires would burn '

then the children went in singing ' Farewell , Rewards and Fairies ' at the tops of their voices .

they had forgotten that they had not even said good-night to Puck .

the Children 's Song

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Puck of Pook 's Hill , by Rudyard Kipling

produced by David Garcia , Beginners Projects , Lee Ann Rael , and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team

the Mysterious Key and What it Opened

by L M Alcott

chapter I

THE PROPHECY

" this is the third time I 've found you poring over that old rhyme .

what is the charm , Richard ?

not its poetry I fancy . "

Richard Trevlyn looked up with a smile and threw by the book , as if annoyed at being discovered reading it .

is it all true , Richard ? "

" yes , dear .

I wish it was not .

ours has been a wild , unhappy race till the last generation or two .

" yes , I remember , and his daughter Clotilde held the castle during a siege , and married her cousin , Count Hugo .

' Tis a warlike race , and I like it in spite of the mad deeds . "

" married her cousin !

that has been the bane of our family in times past .

being too proud to mate elsewhere , we have kept to ourselves till idiots and lunatics began to appear .

" I hope it will do you honor by blossoming bravely .

I never forget that you took me from a very humble home , and have made me the happiest wife in England . "

" Nay , don't call yourself old , Richard ; you are only forty-five , the boldest , handsomest man in Warwickshire .

but lately you look worried ; what is it ?

tell me , and let me advise or comfort you . "

" it is nothing , Alice , except my natural anxiety for you Well , Kingston , what do you want ? "

an instant he stood staring at it , then asked , " is the man here ? "

" In the library , sir . "

" I 'll come . "

lie and rest till I come . "

she said nothing , and lay motionless for several minutes evidently struggling with some strong impulse .

a murmur of voices met her ear .

her husband spoke oftenest , and suddenly some word of his dashed the smile from her face as if with a blow .

she started , shrank , and shivered , bending lower with set teeth , white cheeks , and panic-stricken heart .

" I am faint and cold .

help me to my bed , but do not disturb Sir Richard . "

that black-bearded man came for no good , I'll warrant . "

at the door of the library she paused .

" please , sir , my lady is ill .

shall I send for anyone ? "

no answer .

Hester repeated her words , but Sir Richard never stirred .

much alarmed , the woman raised his head , saw that he was unconscious , and rang for help .

but Richard Trevlyn was past help , though he lingered for some hours .

he spoke but once , murmuring faintly , " will Alice come to say good-bye ? "

" bring her if she can come , " said the physician .

Hester went , found her mistress lying as she left her , like a figure carved in stone .

they thought her dying , and at her own command gave her the sealed letter bearing her address which her husband left behind him .

on the third day she rallied wonderfully , and some purpose seemed to gift her with unnatural strength .

Lady Trevlyn seemed to sleep , but suddenly put back the curtain , saying abruptly , " where does he lie ? "

" help me to go there ; I must see him . "

" it would be your death , my lady .

five minutes had not elapsed when she reappeared with no sign of grief on her rigid face .

take comfort , and cheer up , for the dear child 's sake if no more . "

" I shall never wear them again " was all the answer as Lady Trevlyn drew the curtains , as if to shut out hope .

for a year Lady Trevlyn 's reason was in danger .

she seemed to have forgotten everything , even the shock which had so sorely stricken her .

who the stranger was , what his aim in coming , or why he never reappeared , no one discovered .

Sir Richard had died of heart disease , the physicians said , though he might have lived years had no sudden shock assailed him .

chapter II

PAUL

" come , child , the dew is falling , and it is time we went in . "

" no , no , Mamma is not rested yet , so I may run down to the spring if I like . "

and Lillian , as willful as winsome , vanished among the tall ferns where deer couched and rabbits hid .

there 's a man there , a dead man .

I saw him and I 'm frightened ! "

" Nonsense , child , it 's one of the keepers asleep , or some stroller who has no business here .

take my hand and we 'll see who it is . "

he was sleeping like one quite spent with weariness , and never stirred , though Hester bent away the ferns and examined him closely .

" he 's not dead , my deary ; he 's asleep , poor lad , worn out with his day 's tramp , I dare say . "

" I 'm glad he 's alive , and I wish he 'd wake up .

he 's a pretty boy , isn't he ?

see what nice hands he 's got , and his hair is more curly than mine .

make him open his eyes , Hester , " commanded the little lady , whose fear had given place to interest .

" hush , he 's stirring .

I wonder how he got in , and what he wants , " whispered Hester .

" Bella cara , " he said , in a musical voice .

" yes .

the lad followed with a composed air , and Hester brought up the rear , taking notes as she went with a woman 's keen eye .

as the child approached , she held out her hand to welcome her , but neither smiled nor spoke .

" A note from Colonel Daventry , my lady , " and with a bow the boy delivered the missive .

scarcely glancing at him , she opened it and read :

my Dear Friend ,

the bearer of this , Paul Jex , has been with me some months and has served me well .

hoping you may be able to give him shelter , I venture to send him .

he is honest , capable , and trustworthy in all respects .

pray try him , and oblige ,

yours sincerely ,

J R Daventry

" I do , madam , " he answered respectfully .

" the colonel says you are English , " added the lady , in a tone of surprise .

my father was an Englishman , but I 've lived abroad a good deal since he died , and got foreign ways , perhaps . "

" your age , Paul ? "

" sixteen , my lady . "

" you understand gardening ? "

" yes , my lady . "

" and what else ? "

" I want Lillian to ride soon , and Roger is rather old for an escort to such a little horsewoman .

don't you think we might try Paul ? " she said , turning to Hester .

I like him very much , and I hope you 'll let him train my pony for me .

Will you , Paul ? "

" yes . "

Hester saw it and said within herself , " that boy has good blood in his veins .

he 's no clodhopper 's son , I can tell by his hands and feet , his air and walk .

poor lad , it 's hard for him , I 'll warrant , but he 's not too proud for honest work , and I like that . "

" you may stay , Paul , and we will try you for a month .

Hester , take him to Parks and see that he is made comfortable .

tomorrow we will see what he can do .

come , darling , I am rested now . "

as she spoke , Lady Trevlyn dismissed the boy with a gracious gesture and led her little daughter away .

if you want to see Parks , you 'd best come , for I 'm going . "

" you look as if you 'd had a long walk ; where are you from ? "

" London . "

" bless the boy !

it 's fifty miles away . "

" so my shoes show ; but it 's a pleasant trip in summer time . "

" but why did you walk , child !

had you no money ? "

" plenty , but not for wasting on coaches , when my own stout legs could carry me .

I took a two days ' holiday and saved my money for better things . "

" I like that , " said Hester , with an approving nod .

" thank you .

that 's friendly , and I 'll prove that I am grateful .

please tell me , is my lady ill ? "

" always delicate since Sir Richard died . "

" how long ago was that ? "

" ten years or more . "

" are there no young gentlemen in the family ? "

" no , Miss Lillian is an only child , and a sweet one , bless her ! "

" a proud little lady , I should say . "

" yes .

why do you ask ? "

" mere curiosity ; I know something of heraldry and often paint these things for my own pleasure .

one learns odd amusements abroad , " he added , seeing an expression of surprise on the woman 's face .

" you 'll have little time for such matters here .

" I seldom ask questions of men , as they are not fond of gossip . "

and the boy nodded with a smile of mischievous significance as he entered the keeper 's lodge .

a sharp lad and a saucy , if he likes .

he has a taking way with him , though , and knows how to flatter .

it 's well he does , poor lad , for life 's a hard matter to a friendless soul like him .

pretty child , I wish I had never seen her ! "

chapter III

SECRET SERVICE

Satisfied of his merits , my lady yielded to Lillian 's demands , and Paul was installed as page to the young lady .

this sad story touched the woman 's heart , and the boy 's manly spirit won respect .

she had lost a son years ago , and her empty heart yearned over the motherless lad .

" Paul , come in .

dropping his tools and pulling off his hat , Paul obeyed , looking a little anxious , for the month of trial expired that day .

Lady Trevlyn saw and answered the look with a gracious smile .

" have no fears .

you are to stay if you will , for Lillian is happy and I am satisfied with you . "

" thank you , my lady . "

and an odd glance of mingled pride and pain shone in the boy 's downcast eyes .

" that is settled , then .

now let me say what I called you in for .

you spoke of being able to illuminate on parchment .

can you restore this old book for me ? "

she put into his hand the ancient volume Sir Richard had been reading the day he died .

I like the work , and will gladly do it if you like . "

" do it , then , but be very careful of the book while in your hands .

provide what is needful , and name your own price for the work , " said his mistress .

" Nay , my lady , I am already paid "

" how so ? " she asked , surprised .

" let that pass , my boy .

do this little service for me and we will see about the recompense afterward . "

and with a smile Lady Trevlyn left him to begin his work .

the moment the door closed behind her a total change passed over Paul .

" another proof , another proof !

" what is that you 'll keep , lad ? " said a voice behind him .

" ah , that 's the last book poor Master read .

I hid it away , but my lady found it in spite of me , " said Hester , with a doleful sigh .

" did he die suddenly , then ? " asked the boy .

a mysterious business and a sad one . "

" tell me about it .

I like sad stories , and I already feel as if I belonged to the family , a loyal retainer as in the old times .

while you dust the books and I rub the mold off this old cover , tell me the tale , please , Mrs Hester . "

" and the letter ?

what was in it ? " asked the boy , as she paused at the catastrophe .

" no one ever knew but my lady . "

" she destroyed it , then ? "

I dared ask no more , but I fancy she has it safe somewhere and if it 's ever needed she 'll bring it out .

it was only some private matters , I fancy . "

" and the stranger ? "

" oh , he vanished as oddly as he came , and has never been found .

a strange story , lad .

keep silent , and let it rest . "

See , here is a rabbit already done , and I 'll soon have a stag also . "

" it 's very pretty !

how many nice things you can do , and how kind you are to think of my liking something new .

was this wax what you went to get this morning when you rode away so early ? " asked the child .

" yes , Miss Lillian .

I was ordered to exercise your pony and I made him useful as well .

would you like to try this ?

it 's very easy . "

Lillian was charmed , and for several days wax modeling was her favorite play .

" you are getting pale and thin , keeping such late hours , Paul .

" and how do you know I don't go to bed ? " he asked , wheeling about .

" my lady has been restless lately , and I sit up with her till she sleeps .

but really you are the worse for late hours , child . "

" I shall soon finish restoring the book , and then I 'll sleep .

I hope I don't disturb you .

I have to grind my colors , and often make more noise than I mean to . "

no , it doesn't trouble me , so grind away , and make an end of it as soon as may be . "

the boy 's light burned no more after that , and Hester was content till a new worry came to trouble her .

" if the house ever owned a ghost I 'd say that 's it , but it never did , so I suspect some deviltry .

I 'll step to Paul .

he 's not asleep , I dare say .

he 's a brave and a sensible lad , and with him I 'll quietly search the house . "

away she went , more nervous than she would own , and tapped at the boy 's door .

no one answered , and , seeing that it was ajar , Hester whisked in so hurriedly that her candle went out .

the bed was empty .

a disagreeable thrill shot through her , as she assured herself of the fact by groping along the narrow bed .

" Lord bless me , what is the boy about !

without a pause he flung it off , laid himself in bed , and seemed to sleep at once .

" Paul !

Paul ! " whispered Hester , shaking him , after a pause of astonishment at the whole proceeding .

" hey , what is it ? "

and he sat up , looking drowsily about him .

" come , come , no tricks , boy .

what are you doing , trailing about the house at this hour and in such trim ? "

" yes , and well it is me .

if it had been any of those silly girls , the house would have been roused by this time .

what mischief is afoot that you leave your bed and play ghost in this wild fashion ? "

" leave my bed !

why , my good soul , I haven't stirred , but have been dreaming with all my might these two hours .

what do you mean , Hester ? "

she told him as she relit her lamp , and stood eyeing him sharply the while .

I walk in my sleep sometimes , Hester , that 's the truth .

I thought I 'd got over it , but it 's come back , you see , and I 'm sorry for it .

don't be troubled .

I never do any mischief or come to any harm .

I just take a quiet promenade and march back to bed again .

did I frighten you ? "

" just a trifle , but it 's nothing .

" it won't last long , for I 'll get more tired and then I shall sleep sounder .

don't tell anyone , please , else they 'll laugh at me , and that 's not pleasant .

I don't mind your knowing for you seem almost like a mother , and I thank you for it with all my heart . "

he held out his hand with the look that was irresistible to Hester .

" good night , dear .

I 'll say nothing , but give you something that will ensure quiet sleep hereafter . "

Chapter IV

VANISHED

he stood leaning against the docile creature , sunk in thought , and quite unconscious of the watchers and whisperers close by .

I wish to talk . "

" how nice .

let us rest a minute here , and while I eat a few , please pull some of those flowers for Mamma .

she likes a wild nosegay better than any I can bring her from the garden . "

" Thanks , Miss Lillian , I 'll wear your colors with all my heart , especially today , for it is my birthday . "

and Paul looked up at the blooming little face with unusual softness in his keen blue eyes .

" is it ?

why , then , you 're seventeen ; almost a man , aren't you ? "

" yes , thank heaven , " muttered the boy , half to himself .

" I wish I was as old .

I shan't be in my teens till autumn .

I must give you something , Paul , because I like you very much , and you are always doing kind things for me .

what shall it be ? "

and the child held out her hand with a cordial look and gesture that touched the boy .

" you have that already , Paul , and I shall find something to add to it .

but what is that ? "

and she laid hold of a little locket which had slipped into sight as Paul bent forward in his salute .

I heard Bessy , my maid , tell Hester she was sure you had one because you took no notice of them .

let me see it .

is she pretty ? "

" very pretty , " answered the boy , without showing the picture .

" do you like her very much ? " questioned Lillian , getting interested in the little romance .

" very much , " and Paul 's black eyelashes fell .

" would you die for her , as they say in the old songs ? " asked the girl , melodramatically .

" yes , Miss Lillian , or live for her , which is harder . "

" dear me , how very nice it must be to have anyone care for one so much , " said the child innocently .

" I wonder if anybody ever will for me ? "

sang Paul , quoting one of Hester 's songs , and looking relieved that Lillian 's thoughts had strayed from him .

but he was mistaken .

" shall you marry this sweetheart of yours someday ? " asked Lillian , turning to him with a curious yet wistful look .

" perhaps . "

" she is very young and I must wait , and while I wait many things may happen to part us . "

" is she a lady ? "

" yes , a wellborn , lovely little lady , and I 'll marry her if I live . "

Paul spoke with a look of decision , and a proud lift of the head that contrasted curiously with the badge of servitude he wore .

" how do you know what I am ? " he asked quickly .

I was not to speak of it , but she means to be your friend and help you by-and-by . "

" does she ? "

" would you like one , or a sister ? " asked Paul , looking straight into her face with his piercing eyes .

" yes , indeed !

I long for someone to be with me and love me , as Mamma can't . "

" I think I should .

indeed I would , Paul , pray believe me . "

she spoke earnestly , and leaned on his shoulder as if to enforce her words .

both were silent for a moment , Paul looking down and Lillian busy with her nosegay .

she spoke first , assuming an air of satisfaction as she surveyed her work .

" that will please Mamma , I 'm sure , and make her quite forget my naughty prank of yesterday .

do you know I offended her dreadfully by peeping into the gold case she wears on her neck ?

she was asleep and I was sitting by her .

in her sleep she pulled it out and said something about a letter and Papa .

" a key !

what sort of a key ? " cried Paul in an eager tone .

" oh , a little silver one like the key of my piano , or the black cabinet .

she woke and was very angry to find me meddling . "

" what did it belong to ? " asked Paul .

poor Mamma !

I 'm always troubling her in some way or other . "

with a penitent sigh , Lillian tied up her flowers and handed them to Paul to carry .

as she did so , the change in his face struck her .

" how grim and old you look , " she exclaimed .

" have I said anything that troubles you ? "

" no , Miss Lillian .

I 'm only thinking . "

" I have got a deal of work to do , so no wonder I look old and grim . "

" what work , Paul ? "

" to make my fortune and win my lady . "

he 's got a trouble .

I wish he 'd tell me and let me help him if I can .

I 'll make him show me that miniature someday , for I 'm interested in that girl , thought Lillian with a pensive sigh .

" here 's a letter for you , lad , all the way from some place in Italy .

who do you know there ? " said Bedford , as the boy came back .

for an hour the boy sat thinking intently , with locked door , curtained window , and several papers strewn before him .

over these he pored with a face in which hope , despondency , resolve , and regret alternated rapidly .

taking the locket out he examined a ring which lay in one side , and the childish face which smiled on him from the other .

his eyes filled as he locked and put it by , saying tenderly , " dear little heart !

I 'll not forget or desert her whatever happens .

time must help me , and to time I must leave my work .

one more attempt and then I 'm off . "

" I 'll go to bed now , Hester ; but while you get my things ready I 'll take a turn in the corridor .

the air will refresh me . "

she kept the key herself and neither she nor Hester had been there that day .

obeying a sudden impulse , my lady sprang forward and tried to open the door .

it was locked , but as her hand turned the silver knob a sound as if a drawer softly closed met her ear .

she stooped to the keyhole but it was dark , a key evidently being in the lock .

" what is it , my lady ? " cried the woman , alarmed at the agitation of her mistress .

" a light , a sound , a shadow in the state chamber .

do you see it ? "

" no , my lady , it 's dark , " returned Hester .

nothing appeared , not even a mouse , and Hester turned to my lady with an air of relief .

but her mistress pointed to the bed shrouded in dark velvet hangings , and whispered breathlessly , " you forgot to look there . "

she believed the light and sound to be phantoms of my lady 's distempered fancy , and searched merely to satisfy her .

" where 's Paul ?

he 's the heart of a man , boy though he is , " she said angrily as the men hung back .

" he 's not here .

Lord !

maybe it was him a-playing tricks , though it ain't like him , " cried Bessy , Lillian 's little maid .

" no , it can't be him , for I locked him in myself .

he walks in his sleep sometimes , and I was afraid he 'd startle my lady .

let him sleep ; this would only excite him and set him to marching again .

follow me , Bedford and James , I 'm not afraid of ghosts or rogues . "

with a face that belied her words Hester led the way to the awful room , and flinging back the curtain resolutely looked in .

Sir Richard has been here . "

" good Lord , ma'am , don't say that !

we can never rest in our beds if such things are to happen , " gasped Bedford , backing to the door .

chapter V

a HERO

no tidings of him had ever come , and no trace of him was found after his flight .

nothing was missed , he went without his wages , and no reason could be divined for his departure except the foreign letter .

Bedford remembered it , but forgot what postmark it bore , for he had only been able to decipher " Italy . "

" Lillian , Lillian , I 've such news for you !

" well my , dear , just listen and you 'll be as enthusiastic as I am , " cried Maud .

" yes , what of him ? " asked Lillian , sitting up .

" he is my hero , and we are to see him tonight . "

" go on , go on !

tell all , and tell it quickly , " she cried .

" yes , yes , I remember ! "

and Lillian 's listless face kindled at the recollection .

" I 'm glad , I 'm glad ! " cried Lillian , clapping her hands with a joyful face .

" how romantic and charming it is ! "

" isn't it ?

but , my dear creature , the most romantic part is to come .

young Talbot served in the war , and then came to England to take possession of his property .

it 's somewhere down in Kent , a fine place and good income , all his ; and he deserves it .

Mamma heard a deal about him from Mrs Langdon , who knew old Talbot and has seen the young man .

of course all the girls are wild to behold him , for he is very handsome and accomplished , and a gentleman by birth .

here Maud was forced to stop for breath , and Lillian had a chance to question her .

" how old is she ? "

" about eighteen or nineteen , they say . "

" very pretty ? "

" ravishing , regularly Greek and divine , Fred Raleigh says . "

" when is she to be married ? "

" don't know ; when Talbot gets settled , I fancy . "

" and he ?

is he as charming as she ? "

" quite , I 'm told .

he 's just of age , and is , in appearance as in everything else , a hero of romance . "

" how came your mother to secure him for tonight ? "

" Mrs Langdon is dying to make a lion of him , and begged to bring him .

he is very indifferent on such things and seems intent on his own affairs .

" a thousand thanks .

I meant to rest , for Mamma frets about my being so gay ; but she won't object to a quiet evening with you .

what shall we wear ? "

and here the conversation branched off on the all-absorbing topic of dress .

Maud was called away , and she was alone when the crowd about the inner room thinned and permitted young Talbot to be seen .

she recognized him instantly , in spite of increased height , a dark moustache , and martial bearing .

for the childish affection still existed , and this discovery added a tinge of romance that made it doubly dangerous as well as doubly pleasant .

leaving her nook , she joined a group of young friends and held herself prepared for the meeting .

presently she saw Maud and Mrs Langdon approaching , evidently intent on presenting the hero to the heiress .

" Mr Talbot , Miss Trevlyn , " said the lady .

and looking up with a well-assumed air of indifference , Lillian returned the gentleman 's bow with her eyes fixed full upon his face .

not a feature of that face changed , and so severely unconscious of any recognition was it that the girl was bewildered .

at the sight all the happy past rose before her , and if her telltale eyes had not been averted they would have betrayed her .

a sudden flush of maidenly shame dyed her cheek as she remembered that last ride , and the childish confidences then interchanged .

I was here a few years ago , for a short time , and left with regret . "

" then you have old friends here ? "

and Lillian watched him as she spoke .

" I had .

they had doubtless forgotten me now , " he said , with a sudden shadow marring the tranquillity of his face .

" why doubt them ?

if they were true friends , they will not forget . "

" that remains to be proved .

do you sing , Miss Trevlyn ? "

" a little . "

and Lillian 's tone was both cold and proud .

" a great deal , and very charmingly , " added Maud , who took pride in her friend 's gifts both of voice and beauty .

" come , dear , there are so few of us you will sing , I know .

Mamma desired me to ask you when Edith had done . "

to her surprise Lillian complied , and allowed Talbot to lead her to the instrument .

at the last verse her voice suddenly faltered , but Talbot took up the song and carried her safely through it with his well-tuned voice .

" you know the air then ? " she said in a low tone , as a hum of commendation followed the music .

provoking boy ! why won't he know me ? thought Lillian .

and her tone was almost petulant as she refused to sing again .

" Pretty , isn't it ? " she said , as he paused to look at it instead of taking the chair before her .

" I used to enjoy modeling tiny deer and hinds in wax , as well as making daisy chains .

is sculpture among the many accomplishments which rumor tells us you possess ? "

" no .

for if she betrayed her knowledge of his past , she would be forced to tell where and how that knowledge was gained .

he did remember her , she was sure , yet was trying her , perhaps , as she tried him .

well , she would stand the test and enjoy the joke by-and-by .

" yes !

' All for love or the world well lost ' is a saying I heartily agree to .

La belle Helene is my favorite heroine , and I regard Paris as the most enviable of men . "

" I should like to see her . "

" some women are beauties without knowing it , and the heroines of romances never given to the world .

I think you and Helen will yet meet , Miss Trevlyn . "

" how do you like him ? " whispered Maud , slipping into the empty chair .

" very well , " was the composed reply ; for Lillian enjoyed her little mystery too much to spoil it yet .

" what did you say to him ?

I longed to hear , for you seemed to enjoy yourselves very much , but I didn't like to be a marplot . "

Lillian repeated a part of the conversation , and Maud professed to be consumed with jealousy at the impression her friend had evidently made .

" but that is absurd , for he 's only a boy himself .

it 's very odd , isn't it ?

never mind , I shall soon know all about it . "

" how ? " cried Maud , amazed at Lillian 's assured manner .

" wait a day or two and , I 'll tell you a romance in return for yours .

your mother beckons to me , so I know Hester has come .

good night .

I 've had a charming time . "

and with this tantalizing adieu , Lillian slipped away .

" good night , my little mistress . "

chapter VI

FAIR HELEN

to no one but her mother and Hester did Lillian confide the discovery she had made .

" no , dear , it is for him to seek us , and till he does , I shall make no sign .

he knows where we are , and if he chooses he can renew the acquaintance so strangely broken off .

" I wish I was , for then I might act as I feel , and not be afraid of shocking the proprieties . "

and Lillian went to bed to dream of her hero .

" that is Talbot 's fiancee , " said Maud Churchill , who had joined her .

" isn't she beautiful ? "

" not at all yes , very , " was Lillian 's somewhat peculiar reply , for jealousy and truth had a conflict just then .

" he 's so perfectly absorbed and devoted that I am sure that story is true , so adieu to our hopes , " laughed Maud .

" did you have any ?

good-bye , I must go . "

and Lillian rode home at a pace which caused the stout groom great distress .

" mamma , I 've seen Paul 's betrothed ! " she cried , running into her mother 's boudoir .

" I was about to do so when you appeared with news concerning my cousin , " he began .

" your cousin ! " exclaimed Lillian .

" yes , Helen 's mother and my own were sisters .

both married Englishmen , both died young , leaving us to care for each other .

we were like a brother and sister , and always together till I left her to serve Colonel Daventry .

the death of the old priest to whom I entrusted her recalled me to Genoa , for I was then her only guardian .

but when your cry showed me what I had done , I was filled with remorse , and escaped as quickly and quietly as possible .

" and when is the other half of the work to be accomplished , Paul ?

that depends on your cousin , perhaps . "

and Lady Trevlyn regarded him with a gleam of womanly curiosity in her melancholy eyes .

" it does , but not in the way you fancy , my lady .

whatever Helen may be , she is not my fiancee yet , Miss Lillian . "

" I merely accepted the world 's report , " she said , affecting a nonchalant air .

" the world is a liar , as you will find in time " was his abrupt reply .

" I hope to see this beautiful cousin , Paul .

will she receive us as old friends of yours ? "

" Thanks , not yet , my lady .

she is still too much a stranger here to enjoy new faces , even kind ones .

I have promised perfect rest and freedom for a time , but you shall be the first whom she receives . "

again Lillian detected the secret disquiet which possessed him , and her curiosity was roused .

" I will see her in spite of her refusal , for I only caught a glimpse in the Park .

something is wrong , and I 'll discover it , for it evidently worries Paul , and perhaps I can help him . "

Lady Trevlyn went to her room to rest , leaving the girl free to ride , drive , or amuse herself as she liked .

" I think you 'll like it , and if it 's found out I 'll take the blame .

there is some mystery about Paul 's cousin , and I 'm going to find it out . "

" bless you , child , how ? "

" she lives alone here , is seldom seen , and won't go anywhere or receive anyone .

that 's not natural in a pretty girl .

Paul won't talk about her , and , though he 's fond of her , he always looks grave and grim when I ask questions .

that 's provoking , and I won't hear it .

I 'm going to do the same . "

" you are to do the talking with the old woman , and give me a chance to look .

now say you will , and I 'll behave myself like an angel in return . "

Helen was there , and with eager eyes the girl scrutinized her .

but as the first effect of her beauty passed away , Lillian found something peculiar about her .

around and around she went , with an elastic step and a mechanical regularity wearisome to witness .

what is the matter with her ? thought Lillian anxiously , as this painful impression increased with every scrutiny of the unconscious girl .

so abashed was she that Hester 's call was unheard , and Hester was unseen as she came and stood beside her .

" poor dear , poor dear .

no wonder Paul turns sad and won't talk of her , and that she don't see anyone , " sighed Hester pitifully .

" what is it ?

I see , but don't understand , " whispered Lillian .

" she 's an innocent , deary , an idiot , though that 's a hard word for a pretty creature like her . "

" how terrible !

come away , Hester , and never breathe to anyone what we have seen . "

waiting her opportunity , she seized a moment when her mother was absent , and with her usual frankness spoke out impetuously .

" Paul , I 've done wrong , and I can have no peace till I am pardoned .

I have seen Helen . "

" where , when , and how ? " he asked , looking disturbed and yet relieved .

" can you forgive me for discovering this affliction ? "

" I think I could forgive you a far greater fault , Lillian , " he answered , in a tone that said many things .

" yes , it would be hard ; but in those I loved , I could forgive much for love 's sake . "

with a sudden gesture he took her hand saying , impulsively , " how little changed you are !

do you remember that last ride of ours nearly five years ago ? "

" yes , Paul , " she answered , with averted eyes .

" and what we talked of ? "

" A part of that childish gossip I remember well . "

" which part ? "

" the pretty little romance you told me . "

and Lillian looked up now , longing to ask if Helen 's childhood had been blighted like her youth .

" what did I say ? " he asked , smiling at her sudden shyness .

" you vowed you 'd win and wed your fair little lady-love if you lived . "

" and so I will , " he cried , with sudden fire in his eyes .

" what , marry her ? "

" Aye , that I will . "

" A what ? " he demanded , excitedly .

" an innocent , one bereft of reason , " stammered Lillian , entirely forgetting herself in her interest for him .

" of whom do you speak ? " asked Paul , looking utterly bewildered ,

" of poor Helen . "

" good heavens , who told you that base lie ? "

and his voice deepened with indignant pain .

" I saw her , you did not deny her affliction ; Hester said so , and I believed it .

have I wronged her , Paul ? "

" yes , cruelly .

she is blind , but no idiot , thank God . "

" I am so grieved and ashamed at what I have said and done .

I shall never dare to see Helen .

forgive me , and forget this folly .

" it is your birthday also .

I remembered it , and ventured to bring a little token in return for the one you gave me long ago .

this is a talisman , and tomorrow I will tell you the legend concerning it .

wear it for my sake , and God bless you , dear . "

we must risk everything and abide the consequences now .

I 'll have no more torment for any of us . "

chapter VII

THE SECRET KEY

" no , sir , my lady and Miss Lillian went down to the Hall last night . "

" no ill news , I hope ? "

and the young man 's eye kindled as if he felt a crisis at hand .

" not that I heard , sir .

" did they leave no message for me ? "

" yes , sir .

will you step in and read the note at your ease .

we are in sad confusion , but this room is in order . "

leading the way to Lillian 's boudoir , the man presented the note and retired .

tender little heart !

I 'll comfort it without delay . "

he sat looking about the dainty room still full of tokens of her presence .

he arose but lingered near the table , as if longing to search for some forgotten hint of himself .

" no , there has been enough lock picking and stealthy work ; I 'll do no more for her sake .

this theft will harm no one and tell no tales . "

and snatching up the glove , Paul departed .

" Helen , the time has come .

are you ready ? " he asked , entering her room an hour later .

" I am ready . "

and rising , she stretched her hand to him with a proud expression , contrasting painfully with her helpless gesture .

" they have gone to the Hall , and we must follow .

I am tired of disguise .

I want to be myself and enjoy what I have won , unless I lose it all . "

" Paul , whatever happens , remember we cling together and share good or evil fortune as we always have done .

I am a burden , but I cannot live without you , for you are my world .

do not desert me . "

she groped her way to him and clung to his strong arm as if it was her only stay .

my courage fails me , and in spite of the hard past I would gladly leave them in peace . "

" you have waited so long , worked so hard , suffered so much , you must not lose your reward .

you promised , and you must keep the promise . "

" but it is so beautiful , so noble to forgive , and return a blessing for a curse .

let us bury the old feud , and right the old wrong in a new way .

those two are so blameless , it is cruel to visit the sins of the dead on their innocent heads .

my lady has suffered enough already , and Lillian is so young , so happy , so unfit to meet a storm like this .

oh , Helen , mercy is more divine than justice . "

something moved Paul deeply , and Helen seemed about to yield , when the name of Lillian wrought a subtle change in her .

we are as innocent as they ; we have suffered more ; and we deserve our rights , for we have no sin to expiate .

go on , Paul , and forget the sentimental folly that unmans you . "

something in her words seemed to sting or wound him .

his face darkened , and he put her away , saying briefly , " let it be so then .

in an hour we must go . "

on the evening of the same day , Lady Trevlyn and her daughter sat together in the octagon room at the Hall .

" yes , Mamma , a little . "

" what is it ?

are you ill ? "

" no , Mamma ; I think London gaiety is rather too much for me .

I 'm too young for it , as you often say , and I 've found it out . "

" then it is only weariness that makes you so pale and grave , and so bent on coming back here ? "

Lillian was the soul of truth , and with a moment 's hesitation answered slowly , " not that alone , Mamma .

I 'm worried about other things .

don't ask me what , please . "

" but I must ask .

tell me , child , what things ?

have you seen any one ?

had letters , or been annoyed in any way about anything ? "

my lady spoke with sudden energy and rose on her arm , eyeing the girl with unmistakable suspicion and excitement .

" ah , a love trouble , nothing more ?

thank God for that ! "

and my lady sank back as if a load was off her mind .

" tell me all , my darling ; there is no confidante like a mother . "

" because he loves you , Lillian ? " asked my lady , with a frown and a half smile .

" because he does not love me , Mamma . "

" my child , how is this ?

I cannot but be glad that he does not love you ; yet it fills me with grief to see that this pains you .

he is not a mate for you , Lillian .

remember this , and forget the transient regard that has sprung up from that early intimacy of yours . "

but , darling , are you sure he does not care for you ?

" it was to spare myself .

oh , Mamma , he loves Helen , and will marry her although she is blind .

it is now too late to spare you this ; you have had your wish and must pay its price , dear .

but , Lillian , call pride to aid you , and conquer this fruitless love .

it cannot be very deep as yet , for you have known Paul , the man , too short a time to be hopelessly enamored .

" have no fears for me , Mamma .

I 'll not disgrace you or myself by any sentimental folly .

I do love Paul , but I can conquer it , and I will .

give me a little time , and you shall see me quite myself again . "

I feared it was some new terror like the old one .

" oh , Richard , Richard !

I forgave you long ago , and surely I have expiated my innocent offense by these years of suffering !

for her sake I did it , and for her sake I still keep dumb .

God knows I ask nothing for myself but rest and oblivion by your side . "

half an hour later , Paul stood at the hall door .

it was ajar , for the family had returned unexpectedly , as was evident from the open doors and empty halls .

entering unseen , he ascended to the room my lady usually occupied .

" I wish I could spare her this , " he sighed , stooping to wake her with a word .

that night , in the darkest hour before the dawn , a figure went gliding through the shadowy Park to its most solitary corner .

here stood the tomb of the Trevlyns , and here the figure paused .

nearest the door stood a long casket covered with black velvet and richly decorated with silver ornaments , tarnished now .

chapter VIII

WHICH ?

" a Gentleman , my lady . "

Lillian stood beside her and saw the line .

" I will see him , " she said .

I cannot see him yet .

I 'll hide in the alcove , and can appear or run away as I like when we know why he comes . "

hiding her agitation with a woman 's skill , my lady rose with outstretched hand to welcome him .

hear what I have to say ; and then if you offer me your hand , I shall gratefully receive it . "

speak freely , Paul , and remember I am an old friend . "

" I wish I could forget it .

" I must tell you a long story , and ask your forgiveness for the offenses I committed against you when a boy .

a mistaken sense of duty guided me , and I obeyed it blindly .

now I see my error and regret it , " he said earnestly .

still standing pale and steady , Paul spoke rapidly , while his eyes were full of mingled sternness , pity , and remorse .

" twenty years ago , an English gentleman met a friend in a little Italian town , where he had married a beautiful wife .

a few months passed , and the Englishman was called home to take possession of his title and estates , the father being dead .

he went alone , promising to send for the wife when all was ready .

he told no one of his marriage , meaning to surprise his English friends by producing the lovely woman unexpectedly .

Accident threw in his way another lovely woman , and he married again .

in the terror and confusion of the plague , the priest had mistaken one sister for the other , as the elder did die . "

" this friend had met with misfortune after flying from the doomed village with the surviving sister .

we can imagine the grief and horror of the unhappy man .

the pistol lay ready , but death came without its aid , and Sir Richard was spared the sin of suicide . "

Paul paused for breath , but Lady Trevlyn motioned him to go on , still sitting rigid and white as the marble image near her .

" the friend only lived to reach home and tell the story .

it killed the wife , and she died , imploring the old priest to see her child righted and its father 's name secured to it .

he promised ; but he was poor , the child was a frail baby , and he waited .

" why not ? " breathed my lady in a faint whisper , as hope suddenly revived .

" because I was grateful , " and for the first time Paul 's voice faltered .

" I was a stranger , and you took me in .

I never could forget that , nor tie many kindnesses bestowed upon the friendless boy .

this afflicted me , even while I was acting a false part , and when I was away my heart failed me .

Talbot 's benefaction left me no excuse for delaying longer , and I came to finish the hardest task I can ever undertake .

" found !

where ? " cried Lady Trevlyn , springing up aghast .

" in Sir Richard 's coffin , where you hid it , not daring to destroy , yet fearing to keep it . "

" who has betrayed me ? "

and her eye glanced wildly about the room , as if she feared to see some spectral accuser .

" your own lips , my lady .

last night I came to speak of this .

I divined the truth .

" I do , I do !

I confess , I yield , I relinquish everything , and ask pity only for my child . "

" who should pity her , if not I ?

tell Lillian this , and do not let her hate me . "

brother !

now I may love you ! "

Paul held her close , and for a moment forgot everything but the joy of that moment .

oh , Paul , you are still mine , and I care for nothing else . "

" but , Lillian , I am not your brother . "

" then , in heaven 's name , who are you ? " she cried , tearing herself from his arms .

" your lover , dear ! "

" I am . "

Helen spoke , and Helen stood on the threshold of the door , with a hard , haughty look upon her beautiful face .

" you told your story badly , Paul , " she said , in a bitter tone .

I am Sir Richard 's eldest daughter .

I can prove my birth , and I demand my right with his own words to sustain me . "

I only want my father 's name .

Title and fortune are nothing to one like me .

" I 'll have none of it , " he answered , almost fiercely .

" I have kept my promise , and am free .

you chose to claim your own , although I offered all I had to buy your silence .

it is yours by right take it , and enjoy it if you can .

I 'll have no reward for work like this . "

he turned from her with a look that would have stricken her to the heart could she have seen it .

I am tired of pity .

power is sweet , and I will use it .

" oh , Lillian , where shall we go ?

" I will . "

and Paul 's face shone with a love and loyalty they could not doubt .

" my lady , you gave me a home when I was homeless ; now let me pay my debt .

I dared not speak before , but now , when other hearts may be shut against you , mine stands wide open to welcome you .

come , both .

let me protect and cherish you , and so atone for the sorrow I have brought you . "

they clung to him instinctively , feeling that there still remained to them one staunch friend whom adversity could not estrange .

we must not forget her , for , with all her wealth , she is poor compared to us .

we both had one father , and should love each other in spite of this misfortune .

Helen , may I call you sister ? "

" not yet .

wait till I deserve it . "

I , too , can forgive .

I bury the sad past .

See !

I yield my claim , I destroy my proofs , I promise eternal silence , and keep ' Paul 's cousin ' for my only title .

yes , you are happy , for you love one another ! " she cried , with a sudden passion of tears .

" oh , forgive me , pity me , and take me in , for I am all alone and in the dark ! "

end of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mysterious Key And What It Opened , by Louisa May Alcott

transcribed from the @number@ Charles Scribner 's Sons edition by David Price , email @email@

THE BLACK ARROW A TALE OF THE TWO ROSES

Critic on the Hearth :

no one but myself knows what I have suffered , nor what my books have gained , by your unsleeping watchfulness and admirable pertinacity .

that others may display more constancy is still my hope .

it was not without its reward at the time .

those who read volumes and those who read story papers belong to different worlds .

the verdict on Treasure Island was reversed in the other court ; I wonder , will it be the same with its successor ?

R. L. S.

SARANAC LAKE , @date@ .

PROLOGUE JOHN AMEND-ALL

on a certain afternoon , in the late springtime , the bell upon Tunstall Moat House was heard ringing at an unaccustomed hour .

Tunstall hamlet at that period , in the reign of old King Henry VI . , wore much the same appearance as it wears to-day .

a score or so of houses , heavily framed with oak , stood scattered in a long green valley ascending from the river .

half-way up the village , the church stood among yews .

on every side the slopes were crowned and the view bounded by the green elms and greening oak-trees of the forest .

he , at the least , would know , and they hailed him and begged him to explain .

the express , it appeared , had brought great news .

a battle was impending .

Sir Oliver would come shortly himself , and Bennet Hatch was arming at that moment , for he it was who should lead the party .

" it is the ruin of this kind land , " a woman said .

" if the barons live at war , ploughfolk must eat roots . "

" Nay , " said Dick , " every man that follows shall have sixpence a day , and archers twelve . "

" they cannot better die than for their natural lord , " said Dick .

" no natural lord of mine , " said the man in the smock .

" I followed the Walsinghams ; so we all did down Brierly way , till two years ago , come Candlemas .

and now I must side with Brackley !

it was the law that did it ; call ye that natural ?

but King Harry praised be the saints ! has come again into his right mind , and will have all things peaceably ordained .

and as for Sir Daniel , y ' are very brave behind his back .

but I will be no tale-bearer ; and let that suffice . "

" I say no harm of you , Master Richard , " returned the peasant .

" Y ' are a lad ; but when ye come to a man 's inches , ye will find ye have an empty pocket .

I say no more : the saints help Sir Daniel 's neighbours , and the Blessed Maid protect his wards ! "

" Clipsby , " said Richard , " you speak what I cannot hear with honour .

Sir Daniel is my good master , and my guardian . "

" come , now , will ye read me a riddle ? " returned Clipsby .

" on whose side is Sir Daniel ? "

" ay , " returned Clipsby , " you , nor no man .

for , indeed , he is one that goes to bed Lancaster and gets up York . "

" Clipsby , " he shouted , " off to the Moat House , and send all other laggards the same gate .

Bowyer will give you jack and salet .

we must ride before curfew .

look to it : he that is last at the lych-gate Sir Daniel shall reward .

look to it right well !

I know you for a man of naught .

Nance , " he added , to one of the women , " is old Appleyard up town ? "

" I 'll warrant you , " replied the woman .

" in his field , for sure . "

" ye will see the old shrew , " said Bennet .

" he will waste more time grumbling and prating of Harry the Fift than would serve a man to shoe a horse .

and all because he has been to the French wars ! "

" now , dear lady , if thy will be , I pray you that you will rue on me . "

the old fellow looked up .

" save you , my masters ! " he said , grinning .

" and where goeth Master Hatch ? "

" master Hatch is off to Kettley , with every man that we can horse , " returned Bennet .

" there is a fight toward , it seems , and my lord stays a reinforcement . "

" ay , verily , " returned Appleyard .

" and what will ye leave me to garrison withal ? "

" I leave you six good men , and Sir Oliver to boot , " answered Hatch .

" it 'll not hold the place , " said Appleyard ; " the number sufficeth not .

it would take two score to make it good . "

" why , it 's for that we came to you , old shrew ! " replied the other .

" who else is there but you that could do aught in such a house with such a garrison ? "

" ay ! when the pinch comes , ye remember the old shoe , " returned Nick .

" Nay , Nick , there 's some can draw a good bow yet , " said Bennet .

" draw a good bow ! " cried Appleyard .

" yes !

but who 'll shoot me a good shoot ?

it 's there the eye comes in , and the head between your shoulders .

now , what might you call a long shoot , Bennet Hatch ? "

" well , " said Bennet , looking about him , " it would be a long shoot from here into the forest . "

" why , what are you looking at ? " asked Bennet , with a chuckle .

" do , you see Harry the Fift ? "

the veteran continued looking up the hill in silence .

" what is it , Appleyard ? " asked Dick .

" why , the birds , " said Appleyard .

" what of the birds ? " said Bennet .

" ay ! " returned Appleyard , " y ' are a wise man to go to war , Master Bennet .

birds are a good sentry ; in forest places they be the first line of battle .

" hear him ! " grinned Appleyard .

" how many a rogue would give his two crop ears to have a shoot at either of us ?

Saint Michael , man ! they hate us like two polecats ! "

" well , sooth it is , they hate Sir Daniel , " answered Hatch , a little sobered .

" you , for a good wager , " answered Hatch .

" my surcoat to a leather belt , it would be you ! " cried the old archer .

" ye burned Grimstone , Bennet they 'll ne'er forgive you that , my master .

I am an old man , and draw fast to homeward , where the bed is ready .

" Y ' are the shrewishest old dolt in Tunstall Forest , " returned Hatch , visibly ruffled by these threats .

" get ye to your arms before Sir Oliver come , and leave prating for one good while .

An ye had talked so much with Harry the Fift , his ears would ha ' been richer than his pocket . "

hatch , with a broken cry , leapt into the air ; then , stooping double , he ran for the cover of the house .

not a leaf stirred .

the sheep were patiently browsing ; the birds had settled .

" D'ye see aught ? " cried Hatch .

" not a twig stirs , " said Dick .

" I think shame to leave him lying , " said Bennet , coming forward once more with hesitating steps and a very pale countenance .

" keep a good eye on the wood , Master Shelton keep a clear eye on the wood .

the saints assoil us ! here was a good shoot ! "

Bennet raised the old archer on his knee .

" Can ye hear , old Nick ? " asked Hatch .

" have ye a last wish before ye wend , old brother ? "

" pluck out the shaft , and let me pass , a ' Mary 's name ! " gasped Appleyard .

" I be done with Old England .

pluck it out ! "

" master Dick , " said Bennet , " come hither , and pull me a good pull upon the arrow .

he would fain pass , the poor sinner . "

dick laid down his cross-bow , and pulling hard upon the arrow , drew it forth .

Hatch , upon his knees among the cabbages , prayed fervently for the welfare of the passing spirit .

" ay , " he said , " it 'll be my turn next . "

" who hath done this , Bennet ? "

Richard asked , still holding the arrow in his hand .

" Nay , the saints know , " said Hatch .

sir Daniel driveth over-hard . "

" this is a strange shaft , " said the lad , looking at the arrow in his hand .

" ay , by my faith ! " cried Bennet .

" black , and black-feathered .

here is an ill-favoured shaft , by my sooth ! for black , they say , bodes burial .

and here be words written .

wipe the blood away .

what read ye ? "

" ' Appulyaird fro Jon Amend-All , ' " read Shelton .

" what should this betoken ? "

" Nay , I like it not , " returned the retainer , shaking his head .

" John Amend-All !

here is a rogue 's name for those that be up in the world !

but why stand we here to make a mark ?

this will be a rare shog to poor Sir Oliver ; he will turn paper colour ; he will pray like a windmill . "

they took up the old archer , and carried him between them into his house , where he had dwelt alone .

Appleyard 's house was clean and bare .

Hatch began to look about him curiously .

" Nick had money , " he said .

" he may have had three score pounds put by .

I would I could light upon't !

when ye lose an old friend , Master Richard , the best consolation is to heir him .

see , now , this chest .

I would go a mighty wager there is a bushel of gold therein .

he had a strong hand to get , and a hard hand to keep withal , had Appleyard the archer .

now may God rest his spirit !

" come , Hatch , " said Dick , " respect his stone-blind eyes .

would ye rob the man before his body ?

Nay , he would walk ! "

" Appleyard " the newcomer was saying , as he entered ; but he stopped dead .

" Ave Maria ! " he cried .

" saints be our shield !

what cheer is this ? "

" Cold cheer with Appleyard , sir parson , " answered Hatch , with perfect cheerfulness .

" shot at his own door , and alighteth even now at purgatory gates .

ay ! there , if tales be true , he shall lack neither coal nor candle . "

Sir Oliver groped his way to a joint-stool , and sat down upon it , sick and white .

" this is a judgment !

O , a great stroke ! " he sobbed , and rattled off a leash of prayers .

Hatch meanwhile reverently doffed his salet and knelt down .

" ay , Bennet , " said the priest , somewhat recovering , " and what may this be ?

what enemy hath done this ? "

" here , Sir Oliver , is the arrow .

See , it is written upon with words , " said Dick .

" Nay , " cried the priest , " this is a foul hearing !

John Amend-All !

a right Lollardy word .

and black of hue , as for an omen !

Sirs , this knave arrow likes me not .

but it importeth rather to take counsel .

who should this be ?

Bethink you , Bennet .

of so many black ill-willers , which should he be that doth so hardily outface us ?

Simnel ?

I do much question it .

the Walsinghams ?

Nay , they are not yet so broken ; they still think to have the law over us , when times change .

there was Simon Malmesbury , too .

how think ye , Bennet ? "

" what think ye , sir , " returned Hatch , " of Ellis Duckworth ? "

" Nay , Bennet , never .

Nay , not he , " said the priest .

now , Sir Daniel , having once more joined him to the Queen 's party , is in ill odour with the Yorkist lords .

thence , Bennet , comes the blow by what procuring , I yet seek ; but therein lies the nerve of this discomfiture . "

so did this poor sinner , Appleyard .

" Nay , Bennet , y ' are in the wrong .

Bennet , ye should be glad to be corrected , " said Sir Oliver .

" Y ' are a prater , Bennet , a talker , a babbler ; your mouth is wider than your two ears .

mend it , Bennet , mend it . "

" Nay , I say no more .

have it as ye list , " said the retainer .

" ' Tis time we were on the road , Sir Oliver , " said Hatch , as he held the priest 's stirrup while he mounted .

" ay ; but , Bennet , things are changed , " returned the parson .

" there is now no Appleyard rest his soul ! to keep the garrison .

I shall keep you , Bennet .

I must have a good man to rest me on in this day of black arrows .

well , let us ride forth , Master Hatch .

the jackmen should be at the church by now . "

ten or a dozen houses clustered immediately round it ; but to the back the churchyard was next the meadows .

at the lych-gate , near a score of men were gathered , some in the saddle , some standing by their horses ' heads .

" we have not done amiss , praised be the cross of Holywood !

Sir Daniel will be right well content , " observed the priest , inwardly numbering the troop .

" who goes ?

stand ! if ye be true ! " shouted Bennet .

the men at the gate , who had been hitherto unaware of the stranger 's presence , woke and scattered .

the wisest of all had been Dick Shelton .

" shoot ! shoot ! " cried the priest , with sanguinary violence .

" cover him , Master Dick , " said Bennet .

" bring me him down like a ripe apple . "

the quarrel sped .

the man stumbled and fell , and a great cheer arose from Hatch and the pursuers .

but they were counting their corn before the harvest .

" and the plague go with him ! " cried Bennet .

" he has thieves ' heels ; he can run , by St Banbury !

but you touched him , Master Shelton ; he has stolen your quarrel , may he never have good I grudge him less ! "

" Nay , but what made he by the church ? " asked Sir Oliver .

" I am shrewdly afeared there has been mischief here .

Clipsby , good fellow , get ye down from your horse , and search thoroughly among the yews . "

Clipsby was gone but a little while ere he returned carrying a paper .

" this writing was pinned to the church door , " he said , handing it to the parson .

" I found naught else , sir parson . "

" now , by the power of Mother Church , " cried Sir Oliver , " but this runs hard on sacrilege !

for the king 's good pleasure , or the lord of the manor well !

but what have we here ?

the light falls apace .

good Master Richard , y ' have young eyes .

read me , I pray , this libel . "

Dick Shelton took the paper in his hand and read it aloud .

it contained some lines of very rugged doggerel , hardly even rhyming , written in a gross character , and most uncouthly spelt .

with the spelling somewhat bettered , this is how they ran :

one is gone ; one is wele sped ; Old Apulyaird is ded .

one is for Maister Bennet Hatch , That burned Grimstone , walls and thatch .

one for Sir Oliver Oates , That cut Sir Harry Shelton 's throat .

Sir Daniel , ye shull have the fourt ; We shall think it fair sport .

ye shull each have your own part , A blak arrow in each blak heart .

get ye to your knees for to pray : ye are ded theeves , by yea and nay !

" JON AMEND-ALL of the Green Wood , And his jolly fellaweship .

" item , we have mo arrowes and goode hempen cord for otheres of your following . "

" now , well-a-day for charity and the Christian graces ! " cried Sir Oliver , lamentably .

" Sirs , this is an ill world , and groweth daily worse .

neither was his throat cut ; for therein they are again in error , as there still live credible witnesses to show . "

" it boots not , sir parson , " said Bennet .

" here is unseasonable talk . "

" Nay , Master Bennet , not so .

keep ye in your due place , good Bennet , " answered the priest .

" I shall make mine innocence appear .

I will , upon no consideration , lose my poor life in error .

I take all men to witness that I am clear of this matter .

I was not even in the Moat House .

I was sent of an errand before nine upon the clock "

Goffe , sound to horse . "

and while the tucket was sounding , Bennet moved close to the bewildered parson , and whispered violently in his ear .

Dick Shelton saw the priest 's eye turned upon him for an instant in a startled glance .

he had some cause for thought ; for this Sir Harry Shelton was his own natural father .

but he said never a word , and kept his countenance unmoved .

in the meantime , as Bennet was to remain behind , the command of the reinforcement was given to Master Shelton .

keep a sure man fifty paces afore you , to draw shots ; and go softly till y ' are past the wood .

if the rogues fall upon you , ride for ' t ; ye will do naught by standing .

keep an eye on Sir Daniel ; he is unsure .

get your good lordship where ye go ; make you strong friends ; look to it .

and think ever a pater-noster-while on Bennet Hatch .

there are worse rogues afoot than Bennet .

so , God-speed ! "

" and Heaven be with you , Bennet ! " returned Dick .

" ye were a good friend to me-ward , and so I shall say ever . "

" ye shall have your will of it , Bennet , " answered Dick .

" but , what cheer , man ! we shall meet again , where ye shall have more need of ale than masses . "

" the saints so grant it , Master Dick ! " returned the other .

" but here comes Sir Oliver .

An he were as quick with the long-bow as with the pen , he would be a brave man-at-arms . "

and Dick , putting it in the bosom of his jacket , gave the word and set forth westward up the village .

BOOK I THE TWO LADS

CHAPTER I AT THE SIGN OF THE SUN IN KETTLEY

Sir Daniel and his men lay in and about Kettley that night , warmly quartered and well patrolled .

by his elbow stood a pottle of spiced ale .

the host of the Sun stood before the great man .

I must have good men for head boroughs , and I will have Adam-a-More high constable ; see to it narrowly .

if other men be chosen , it shall avail you nothing ; rather it shall be found to your sore cost .

for those that have paid rent to Walsingham I shall take good measure you among the rest , mine host . "

Nay , bully knight , I love not the rogue Walsinghams ; they were as poor as thieves , bully knight .

give me a great lord like you .

Nay ; ask me among the neighbours , I am stout for Brackley . "

" it may be , " said Sir Daniel , dryly .

" ye shall then pay twice . "

" bring up yon fellow , Selden ! " cried the knight .

" Sirrah , " said Sir Daniel , " your name ? "

" I have heard you ill reported on , " returned the knight .

" ye deal in treason , rogue ; ye trudge the country leasing ; y ' are heavily suspicioned of the death of severals .

how , fellow , are ye so bold ?

but I will bring you down . "

" right honourable and my reverend lord , " the man cried , " here is some hodge-podge , saving your good presence .

I am but a poor private man , and have hurt none . "

" the under-sheriff did report of you most vilely , " said the knight .

" ' Seize me , ' saith he , ' that Tyndal of Shoreby . ' "

" Condall , my good lord ; Condall is my poor name , " said the unfortunate .

" Condall or Tyndal , it is all one , " replied Sir Daniel , coolly .

" for , by my sooth , y ' are here and I do mightily suspect your honesty .

if ye would save your neck , write me swiftly an obligation for twenty pound . "

" for twenty pound , my good lord ! " cried Condall .

" here is midsummer madness !

my whole estate amounteth not to seventy shillings . "

" Condall or Tyndal , " returned Sir Daniel , grinning , " I will run my peril of that loss .

" alas ! my good lord , it may not be ; I have no skill to write , " said Condall .

" Well-a-day ! " returned the knight .

" here , then , is no remedy .

yet I would fain have spared you , Tyndal , had my conscience suffered .

fare ye well , good Master Condall , dear Master Tyndal ; y ' are post-haste for Paradise ; fare ye then well ! "

" Friend , " quoth Sir Daniel , " ye will now write two score .

go to ! y ' are too cunning for a livelihood of seventy shillings .

Selden , see him write me this in good form , and have it duly witnessed . "

meanwhile , the boy upon the floor began to stir , and presently sat up and looked about him with a scare .

" by the rood ! " he cried , " a sturdy boy ! "

the lad flushed crimson with anger , and darted a look of hate out of his dark eyes .

now that he was on his legs , it was more difficult to make certain of his age .

" ye have called me , Sir Daniel , " he said .

" was it to laugh at my poor plight ? "

" Nay , now , let laugh , " said the knight .

" good shrew , let laugh , I pray you .

An ye could see yourself , I warrant ye would laugh the first . "

" well , " cried the lad , flushing , " ye shall answer this when ye answer for the other .

laugh while yet ye may ! "

I will make you a marriage of a thousand pounds , go to ! and cherish you exceedingly .

I took you , indeed , roughly , as the time demanded ; but from henceforth I shall ungrudgingly maintain and cheerfully serve you .

ye shall be Mrs Shelton Lady Shelton , by my troth ! for the lad promiseth bravely .

Tut ! ye will not shy for honest laughter ; it purgeth melancholy .

they are no rogues who laugh , good cousin .

good mine host , lay me a meal now for my cousin , Master John .

sit ye down , sweetheart , and eat . "

" Nay , " said Master John , " I will break no bread .

since ye force me to this sin , I will fast for my soul 's interest .

" ye shall have a dispensation , go to ! " cried the knight .

" shalt be well shriven , by my faith !

content you , then , and eat . "

" save you , Sir Daniel , " he said .

" how !

Dickie Shelton ! " cried the knight ; and at the mention of Dick 's name the other lad looked curiously across .

" what maketh Bennet Hatch ? "

" how say you ?

Sore bested ? " returned the knight .

" Nay , then , we will make speed sitting down , good Richard .

as the world goes in this poor realm of England , he that rides softliest rides surest .

Delay , they say , begetteth peril ; but it is rather this itch of doing that undoes men ; mark it , Dick .

but let me see , first , what cattle ye have brought .

Selden , a link here at the door ! "

and Sir Daniel strode forth into the village street , and , by the red glow of a torch , inspected his new troops .

" Nay , by the rood ! " he cried , " what poor dogs are these ?

here be some as crooked as a bow , and some as lean as a spear .

friends , ye shall ride in the front of the battle ; I can spare you , friends .

mark me this old villain on the piebald !

a two-year mutton riding on a hog would look more soldierly !

Ha !

Clipsby , are ye there , old rat ?

" I will show you any way , Sir Daniel , but the way to change sides , " returned Clipsby , sturdily .

Sir Daniel laughed a guffaw .

" why , well said ! " he cried .

" Hast a shrewd tongue in thy mouth , go to !

I will forgive you for that merry word .

Selden , see them fed , both man and brute . "

the knight re-entered the inn .

" now , friend Dick , " he said , " fall to .

here is good ale and bacon .

eat , while that I read . "

Sir Daniel opened the packet , and as he read his brow darkened .

when he had done he sat a little , musing .

then he looked sharply at his ward .

" Dick , " said he , " Y ' have seen this penny rhyme ? "

the lad replied in the affirmative .

" he did most eagerly deny it , " answered Dick .

" he did ? " cried the knight , very sharply .

" heed him not .

he has a loose tongue ; he babbles like a jack-sparrow .

some day , when I may find the leisure , Dick , I will myself more fully inform you of these matters .

there was one Duckworth shrewdly blamed for it ; but the times were troubled , and there was no justice to be got . "

" it befell at the Moat House ? "

dick ventured , with a beating at his heart .

dick 's face fell sorely .

" Prithee , Sir Daniel , " he cried , " send one of the villains !

I beseech you let me to the battle .

I can strike a stroke , I promise you . "

" I misdoubt it not , " replied Sir Daniel , sitting down to write .

" but here , Dick , is no honour to be won .

I lie in Kettley till I have sure tidings of the war , and then ride to join me with the conqueror .

Toss-pot and Shuttle-wit run in , but my Lord Good-Counsel sits o ' one side , waiting . "

and without turning his head , he fell again to eating .

but with the tail of his eye he caught a glimpse of the young lad called Master John stealthily creeping from the room .

" why , " thought Dick , " he is a young as I.

' Good boy ' doth he call me ?

An I had known , I should have seen the varlet hanged ere I had told him .

well , if he goes through the fen , I may come up with him and pull his ears . "

half an hour later , Sir Daniel gave Dick the letter , and bade him speed to the Moat House .

and , again , some half an hour after Dick 's departure , a messenger came , in hot haste , from my Lord of Risingham .

" Sir Daniel , " the messenger said , " ye lose great honour , by my sooth !

the fight began again this morning ere the dawn , and we have beaten their van and scattered their right wing .

only the main battle standeth fast .

An we had your fresh men , we should tilt you them all into the river .

what , sir knight !

will ye be the last ?

it stands not with your good credit . "

" Nay , " cried the knight , " I was but now upon the march .

Selden , sound me the tucket .

sir , I am with you on the instant .

it is not two hours since the more part of my command came in , sir messenger .

what would ye have ?

spurring is good meat , but yet it killed the charger .

bustle , boys ! "

the chief part were in Sir Daniel 's livery , murrey and blue , which gave the greater show to their array .

Sir Daniel looked with pride along the line .

" here be the lads to serve you in a pinch , " he said .

" they are pretty men , indeed , " replied the messenger .

" it but augments my sorrow that ye had not marched the earlier . "

" well , " said the knight , " what would ye ?

the beginning of a feast and the end of a fray , sir messenger ; " and he mounted into his saddle .

" why ! how now ! " he cried .

" John !

Joanna !

Nay , by the sacred rood ! where is she ?

host , where is that girl ? "

" Girl , Sir Daniel ? " cried the landlord .

" Nay , sir , I saw no girl . "

" Boy , then , dotard ! " cried the knight .

" could ye not see it was a wench ?

she in the murrey-coloured mantle she that broke her fast with water , rogue where is she ? "

" Nay , the saints bless us !

master John , ye called him , " said the host .

" well , I thought none evil .

he is gone .

I saw him her I saw her in the stable a good hour agone ; ' a was saddling a grey horse . "

" now , by the rood ! " cried Sir Daniel , " the wench was worth five hundred pound to me and more . "

" it is well said , " replied Sir Daniel .

" Selden , fall me out with six cross-bowmen ; hunt me her down .

I care not what it cost ; but , at my returning , let me find her at the Moat House .

be it upon your head .

and now , sir messenger , we march . "

CHAPTER II IN THE FEN

it was near six in the May morning when Dick began to ride down into the fen upon his homeward way .

he had been all night in the saddle , but his heart was good and his body sound , and he rode right merrily .

the path lay almost straight through the morass .

instantly , as though it had divined the neighbourhood of help , the poor beast began to neigh most piercingly .

" Alack ! " thought Dick , " can the poor lad have perished ?

there is his horse , for certain a brave grey !

Nay , comrade , if thou criest to me so piteously , I will do all man can to help thee .

shalt not lie there to drown by inches ! "

and he made ready his crossbow , and put a quarrel through the creature 's head .

" are ye there ? " he said , reining in .

" ye lay so close among the reeds that I had passed you by .

but come forth out of your hiding .

here be none to trouble you . "

" why call me ' boy ' ? " cried Dick .

" Y ' are not , I trow , the elder of us twain . "

" good Master Shelton , " said the other , " prithee forgive me .

I have none the least intention to offend .

to have a riding-rod and spurs , and never a horse to sit upon !

and before all , " he added , looking ruefully upon his clothes " before all , to be so sorrily besmirched ! "

" Tut ! " cried Dick .

" would ye mind a ducking ?

Blood of wound or dust of travel that 's a man 's adornment . "

" Nay , then , I like him better plain , " observed the lad .

" but , prithee , how shall I do ?

Prithee , good Master Richard , help me with your good counsel .

if I come not safe to Holywood , I am undone . "

" Nay , " said Dick , dismounting , " I will give more than counsel .

" how call ye your name ? " asked Dick .

" call me John Matcham , " replied the lad .

" and what make ye to Holywood ? "

Dick continued .

" I seek sanctuary from a man that would oppress me , " was the answer .

" the good Abbot of Holywood is a strong pillar to the weak . "

" and how came ye with Sir Daniel , Master Matcham ? " pursued Dick .

" Nay , " cried the other , " by the abuse of force !

I was even grazed in the right foot , and walk but lamely .

Nay , there shall come a day between us ; he shall smart for all ! "

" would ye shoot at the moon with a hand-gun ? " said Dick .

" ' Tis a valiant knight , and hath a hand of iron .

An he guessed I had made or meddled with your flight , it would go sore with me . "

" ay , poor boy , " returned the other , " y ' are his ward , I know it .

" boy again ! " said Dick .

" Nay , then , shall I call you girl , good Richard ? " asked Matcham .

" never a girl for me , " returned Dick .

" I do abjure the crew of them ! "

" ye speak boyishly , " said the other .

" ye think more of them than ye pretend . "

" not I , " said Dick , stoutly .

" they come not in my mind .

A plague of them , say I !

give me to hunt and to fight and to feast , and to live with jolly foresters .

Master Matcham crossed himself with fervour , and appeared to pray .

" what make ye ? "

dick inquired .

" I pray for her spirit , " answered the other , with a somewhat troubled voice .

" for a witch 's spirit ? "

dick cried .

" but pray for her , an ye list ; she was the best wench in Europe , was this Joan of Arc .

Old Appleyard the archer ran from her , he said , as if she had been Mahoun .

Nay , she was a brave wench . "

" Faugh ! " said Dick .

" Y ' are a milk-sopping baby , so to harp on women .

" Nay , I am no fighter , " said Matcham , eagerly .

" I mean no tittle of offence .

I meant but pleasantry .

and if I talk of women , it is because I heard ye were to marry . "

" I to marry ! "

Dick exclaimed .

" well , it is the first I hear of it .

and with whom was I to marry ? "

" one Joan Sedley , " replied Matcham , colouring .

it seems she is of your mind , or else distasted to the bridegroom . "

" well ! marriage is like death , it comes to all , " said Dick , with resignation .

" and she bemoaned herself ?

I pray ye now , see there how shuttle-witted are these girls : to bemoan herself before that she had seen me !

do I bemoan myself ?

not I An I be to marry , I will marry dry-eyed !

but if ye know her , prithee , of what favour is she ? fair or foul ?

and is she shrewish or pleasant ? "

" Nay , what matters it ? " said Matcham .

" An y ' are to marry , ye can but marry .

what matters foul or fair ?

these be but toys .

Y ' are no milksop , Master Richard ; ye will wed with dry eyes , anyhow . "

" it is well said , " replied Shelton .

" Little I reck . "

" your lady wife is like to have a pleasant lord , " said Matcham .

" she shall have the lord Heaven made her for , " returned Dick .

" it trow there be worse as well as better . "

" ah , the poor wench ! " cried the other .

" and why so poor ? " asked Dick .

" to wed a man of wood , " replied his companion .

" O me , for a wooden husband ! "

" good Dick , forgive me , " cried the other .

" Nay , y ' are the best heart in England ; I but laughed .

forgive me now , sweet Dick . "

" Nay , no fool words , " returned Dick , a little embarrassed by his companion 's warmth .

" no harm is done .

I am not touchy , praise the saints . "

" hark ! " said Dick , " the tucket soundeth . "

" Nay , what cheer ! " returned Dick .

" Y ' have a long start , and we are near the ferry .

and it is I , methinks , that am unhorsed . "

" Alack , I shall be taken ! " cried the fugitive .

" Dick , kind Dick , beseech ye help me but a little ! "

" why , now , what aileth thee ? " said Dick .

" Methinks I help you very patently .

but my heart is sorry for so spiritless a fellow !

the saints so do to me again if I default you .

come , pick me up a good heart , Sir White-face .

the way betters here ; spur me the horse .

go faster ! faster !

Nay , mind not for me ; I can run like a deer . "

CHAPTER III THE FEN FERRY

it was a dingy stream ; but upon this bright , spirited morning everything was become beautiful .

a creek ran up to meet the path , and close under the bank the ferryman's hut lay snugly .

it was of wattle and clay , and the grass grew green upon the roof .

Dick went to the door and opened it .

" hey , Master Shelton , " he said , " be ye for the ferry ?

ill times , ill times !

look to yourself .

there is a fellowship abroad .

ye were better turn round on your two heels and try the bridge . "

" Nay ; time 's in the saddle , " answered Dick .

" time will ride , Hugh Ferryman .

I am hot in haste . "

" a wilful man ! " returned the ferryman , rising .

" An ye win safe to the Moat House , y ' have done lucky ; but I say no more . "

" it is my kinsman , Master Matcham , " answered Dick .

" give ye good day , good ferryman , " said Matcham , who had dismounted , and now came forward , leading the horse .

" launch me your boat , I prithee ; we are sore in haste . "

the gaunt ferryman continued staring .

" by the mass ! " he cried at length , and laughed with open throat .

Matcham coloured to his neck and winced ; and Dick , with an angry countenance , put his hand on the lout 's shoulder .

" how now , churl ! " he cried .

" fall to thy business , and leave mocking thy betters . "

Hugh Ferryman grumblingly undid his boat , and shoved it a little forth into the deep water .

then Dick led in the horse , and Matcham followed .

Nay , Master Shelton , I am for you , " he added , getting to his oars .

" a cat may look at a king .

I did but take a shot of the eye at Master Matcham . "

" Sirrah , no more words , " said Dick .

" bend me your back . "

they were by that time at the mouth of the creek , and the view opened up and down the river .

everywhere it was enclosed with islands .

clay banks were falling in , willows nodding , reeds waving , martens dipping and piping .

there was no sign of man in the labyrinth of waters .

he bears me a black grudge to all Sir Daniel 's .

how if I turned me up stream and landed you an arrow-flight above the path ?

ye were best not meddle with John Fenne . "

" how , then ? is he of this company ? " asked Dick .

" Nay , mum is the word , " said Hugh .

" but I would go up water , Dick .

how if Master Matcham came by an arrow ? " and he laughed again .

" be it so , Hugh , " answered Dick .

" look ye , then , " pursued Hugh .

" Sith it shall so be , unsling me your cross-bow so : now make it ready good ; place me a quarrel .

ay , keep it so , and look upon me grimly . "

" what meaneth this ? " asked Dick .

" do these churls ride so roughly ? "

dick inquired .

" do they command Sir Daniel 's own ferry ? "

" Nay , " whispered the ferryman , winking .

" mark me !

Sir Daniel shall down .

his time is out .

he shall down .

Mum ! "

and he bent over his oars .

then Hugh held water in midstream .

" I must land you here among the willows , " he said .

" here is no path but willow swamps and quagmires , " answered Dick .

" master Shelton , " replied Hugh , " I dare not take ye nearer down , for your own sake now .

he watcheth me the ferry , lying on his bow .

all that go by and owe Sir Daniel goodwill , he shooteth down like rabbits .

I heard him swear it by the rood .

content you ; I can no more , on my salvation ! "

" a murrain ! " cried Hugh .

" he was on the upper island all the while ! "

he pulled straight for shore .

" threat me with your bow , good Dick ; threat me with it plain , " he added .

" I have tried to save your skins , save you mine ! "

the boat ran into a tough thicket of willows with a crash .

the horse neighed and trampled ; and the boat , which was swinging in an eddy , came on and off and pitched with violence .

a tall man appeared upon the shore of the island , a long-bow in his hand .

" who goes ? " he shouted .

" Hugh , who goes ? "

" ' Tis Master Shelton , John , " replied the ferryman .

" Stand , Dick Shelton ! " bawled the man upon the island .

" ye shall have no hurt , upon the rood !

stand !

back out , Hugh Ferryman . "

dick cried a taunting answer .

" Nay , then , ye shall go afoot , " returned the man ; and he let drive an arrow .

it was the riding-rod , that Matcham , crawling forth upon an overhanging willow , had opportunely thrust into his grasp .

" by the mass ! " cried Dick , as he was helped ashore , " that makes a life I owe you .

I swim like a cannon-ball . "

and he turned instantly towards the island .

" come , Jack , " said Shelton , " run for it !

but here Matcham , who had been dragging far into the rear , threw himself fairly down .

" leave me , Dick ! " he cried , pantingly ; " I can no more . "

dick turned , and came back to where his companion lay .

" Nay , Jack , leave thee ! " he cried .

drowning , in sooth ; for why I did not pull you in along with me , the saints alone can tell ! "

" Nay , " said Matcham , " I would ' a ' saved us both , good Dick , for I can swim . "

" can ye so ? " cried Dick , with open eyes .

it was the one manly accomplishment of which he was himself incapable .

in the order of the things that he admired , next to having killed a man in single fight came swimming .

" well , " he said , " here is a lesson to despise no man .

" well , Dick , we 're friends now , " said Matcham .

" Nay , I never was unfriends , " answered Dick .

" Y ' are a brave lad in your way , albeit something of a milksop , too .

I never met your like before this day .

but , prithee , fetch back your breath , and let us on .

here is no place for chatter . "

" my foot hurts shrewdly , " said Matcham .

" Nay , I had forgot your foot , " returned Dick .

" well , we must go the gentlier .

I would I knew rightly where we were .

I have clean lost the path ; yet that may be for the better , too .

An they watch the ferry , they watch the path , belike , as well .

I would Sir Daniel were back with two score men ; he would sweep me these rascals as the wind sweeps leaves .

come , Jack , lean ye on my shoulder , ye poor shrew .

Nay , y ' are not tall enough .

what age are ye , for a wager ? twelve ? "

" Nay , I am sixteen , " said Matcham .

" Y ' are poorly grown to height , then , " answered Dick .

" but take my hand .

we shall go softly , never fear .

I owe you a life ; I am a good repayer , Jack , of good or evil . "

they began to go forward up the slope .

" we must hit the road , early or late , " continued Dick ; " and then for a fresh start .

by the mass ! but y ' ' ave a rickety hand , Jack .

if I had a hand like that , I would think shame .

" Nay , never ! " cried the other , colouring high .

" A ' did , though , for a wager ! "

Dick exclaimed .

" Small blame to him .

ye would be well favoured for a wench . "

" well , " said Matcham , " ye know right well that I am none . "

" Nay , I know that ; I do but jest , " said Dick .

" ye 'll be a man before your mother , Jack .

what cheer , my bully !

ye shall strike shrewd strokes .

' Sir Richard Shelton , Knight ' : it soundeth bravely .

but ' Sir John Matcham ' soundeth not amiss . "

" and O , Dick , if I might come by anything to eat ! my very heart aches with hunger . "

" why , fool , did ye not eat at Kettley ? " asked Dick .

" sit ye , then , and eat , " said Dick , " while that I scout a little forward for the road . "

suddenly a doe passed like a shadow through the underwood in front of him , and he paused , disgusted at the chance .

luck had served him well .

the boat had been righted it was even now midway on the ferry .

beyond that there was no sign of man , nor aught moving but the wind .

CHAPTER IV A GREENWOOD COMPANY

the trees grew more and more in groves , with heathy places in between , sandy , gorsy , and dotted with old yews .

the ground became more and more uneven , full of pits and hillocks .

and with every step of the ascent the wind still blew the shriller , and the trees bent before the gusts like fishing-rods .

for all reply , Dick pointed with his finger .

for about fifty feet above the ground the trunk grew straight and solid like a column .

the lads exchanged glances .

" let us try to the left , " said Dick .

" we had near fallen foully , Jack . "

ten minutes afterwards they struck into a beaten path .

" here is a piece of forest that I know not , " Dick remarked .

" where goeth me this track ? "

" let us even try , " said Matcham .

a few yards further , the path came to the top of a ridge and began to go down abruptly into a cup-shaped hollow .

" what may this be ? " whispered Matcham .

" Nay , by the mass , I know not , " answered Dick .

" I am all at sea .

let us go warily . "

with beating hearts , they descended through the hawthorns .

yet a little farther and they came forth before the ruins of the house .

it had been a pleasant mansion and a strong .

a dry ditch was dug deep about it ; but it was now choked with masonry , and bridged by a fallen rafter .

already in the interior a few plants were springing green among the chinks .

" now I bethink me , " whispered Dick , " this must be Grimstone .

it was a hold of one Simon Malmesbury ; Sir Daniel was his bane !

' Twas Bennet Hatch that burned it , now five years agone .

In sooth , ' twas pity , for it was a fair house . "

" Hist ! " he said .

then came a strange sound , breaking on the quiet .

it was twice repeated ere they recognised its nature .

it was the sound of a big man clearing his throat ; and just then a hoarse , untuneful voice broke into singing .

the singer paused , a faint clink of iron followed , and then silence .

the two lads stood looking at each other .

whoever he might be , their invisible neighbour was just beyond the ruin .

dick would have withheld him , had he been in time ; as it was , he was fain to follow .

into this the lads silently lowered themselves .

there they were perfectly concealed , and through an arrow-loophole commanded a view upon the farther side .

peering through this , they were struck stiff with terror at their predicament .

to retreat was impossible ; they scarce dared to breathe .

A little further off , another man lay slumbering , rolled in a brown cloak , with a butterfly hovering above his face .

" O , sir , we walk not here at all an evil thing to do .

but if we meet with the good king 's deer to shoot a shaft into . "

at length , apparently , he judged the mess was ready ; for taking the horn from his girdle , he blew three modulated calls .

the other fellow awoke , rolled over , brushed away the butterfly , and looked about him .

" how now , brother ? " he said .

" dinner ? "

" Nay , " returned the other , " y ' are too set on meat and drinking , Lawless .

bide ye a bit ; the good time cometh . "

" look ye , " returned the cook , " I have even waited for this good time sith that I was so high .

what cometh of it ?

naught !

I were better to have bided in the cloister .

John Abbot availeth more than John Amend-All .

by ' r Lady ! here they come . "

one after another , tall , likely fellows began to stroll into the lawn .

they came in the silence of hunger , and scarce growled a salutation , but fell instantly to meat .

but what said I ever ?

abide Fortune constantly ; she turneth , turneth swift .

and lo ! here is her little firstling even that good creature , ale ! "

there was a murmur of applause as the bearers set down the stretcher and displayed a goodly cask .

" and now haste ye , boys , " the man continued .

" there is work toward .

who , then , hath done this evil ?

Sir Daniel , by the rood !

I trow not .

Lawless the cook was by this time already at his second horn of ale .

he raised it , as if to pledge the speaker .

he had liever a gold noble and a pottle of canary wine than all the vengeances in purgatory . "

" Lawless , " replied the other , " to reach the Moat House , Sir Daniel must pass the forest .

we shall make that passage dearer , pardy , than any battle .

' Tis a fat buck ; he will make a dinner for us all . "

and meanwhile what do we ?

we make black arrows , we write rhymes , and we drink fair cold water , that discomfortable drink . "

" Y ' are untrue , Will Lawless .

ye still smell of the Grey Friars ' buttery ; greed is your undoing , " answered Ellis .

" we took twenty pounds from Appleyard .

we took seven marks from the messenger last night .

a day ago we had fifty from the merchant . "

" and to-day , " said one of the men , " I stopped a fat pardoner riding apace for Holywood .

here is his purse . "

Ellis counted the contents .

" five score shillings ! " he grumbled .

" fool , he had more in his sandal , or stitched into his tippet .

Y ' are but a child , Tom Cuckow ; ye have lost the fish . "

but , for all that , Ellis pocketed the purse with nonchalance .

he stood leaning on his boar-spear , and looked round upon the rest .

they , in various attitudes , took greedily of the venison pottage , and liberally washed it down with ale .

this was a good day ; they were in luck ; but business pressed , and they were speedy in their eating .

the first-comers had by this time even despatched their dinner .

but now there came a strange interruption .

the tall chimney which over-topped the remainder of the ruins rose right above their hiding-place .

there came a whistle in the air , and then a sounding smack , and the fragments of a broken arrow fell about their ears .

but to the fellows on the lawn , this shaft was an expected signal .

they were all afoot together , tightening their belts , testing their bow-strings , loosening sword and dagger in the sheath .

" Lads , " he said , " ye know your places .

let not one man 's soul escape you .

Appleyard was a whet before a meal ; but now we go to table .

another man came , red with hurry , through the thorns .

" ' Tis not Sir Daniel ! " he panted .

" they are but seven .

is the arrow gone ? "

" it struck but now , " replied Ellis .

" a murrain ! " cried the messenger .

" Methought I heard it whistle .

and I go dinnerless ! "

CHAPTER V " BLOODY AS THE HUNTER "

the lads lay quiet till the last footstep had melted on the wind .

Matcham had picked up the windac and went first , Dick following stiffly , with his cross-bow on his arm .

" and now , " said Matcham , " forth to Holywood . "

" to Holywood ! " cried Dick , " when good fellows stand shot ?

not I !

I would see you hanged first , Jack ! "

" ye would leave me , would ye ? "

Matcham asked .

" ay , by my sooth ! " returned Dick .

" An I be not in time to warn these lads , I will go die with them .

what ! would ye have me leave my own men that I have lived among .

I trow not !

give me my windac . "

but there was nothing further from Matcham 's mind .

" dick , " he said , " ye sware before the saints that ye would see me safe to Holywood .

would ye be forsworn ?

would you desert me a perjurer ? "

" Nay , I sware for the best , " returned Dick .

" I meant it too ; but now !

but look ye , Jack , turn again with me .

" ye but deride me , " answered Matcham .

" these men ye go to succour are the I same that hunt me to my ruin . "

dick scratched his head .

" I cannot help it , Jack , " he said .

" here is no remedy .

what would ye ?

ye run no great peril , man ; and these are in the way of death .

death ! " he added .

" think of it !

what a murrain do ye keep me here for ?

give me the windac .

Saint George ! shall they all die ? "

have ye not ears ?

' Harry Shelton , ' he said ; and Sir Harry Shelton was your father , as the sun shines in heaven . "

" what would ye ? "

dick cried again .

" would ye have me credit thieves ? "

" Nay , I have heard it before now , " returned Matcham .

" the fame goeth currently , it was Sir Daniel slew him .

he slew him under oath ; in his own house he shed the innocent blood .

heaven wearies for the avenging on't ; and you the man 's son ye go about to comfort and defend the murderer ! "

" Jack , " cried the lad " I know not .

it may be ; what know I ?

Nay , Jack , ye would not ask it ; ye would not wish me to be base . "

" but your father , Dick ? " said Matcham , somewhat wavering .

" your father ? and your oath to me ?

ye took the saints to witness . "

" my father ? " cried Shelton .

" Nay , he would have me go !

and for mine oath , good Jack , ye shall absolve me of it here .

for the lives ' sake of many men that hurt you not , and for mine honour , ye shall set me free . "

" I , Dick ?

never ! " returned Matcham .

" An ye leave me , y ' are forsworn , and so I shall declare it . "

" my blood heats , " said Dick .

" give me the windac !

give it me ! "

" I'll not , " said Matcham .

" I 'll save you in your teeth . "

" not ? " cried Dick .

" I 'll make you ! "

" try it , " said the other .

they stood , looking in each other 's eyes , each ready for a spring .

Matcham lay where he had fallen , with his face in the grass , not thinking of resistance .

dick bent his bow .

" I 'll teach you ! " he cried , fiercely .

" Oath or no oath , ye may go hang for me ! "

and he turned and began to run .

Matcham was on his feet at once , and began running after him .

" what d'ye want ? " cried Dick , stopping .

" what make ye after me ?

stand off ! "

" Will follow an I please , " said Matcham .

" this wood is free to me . "

" Stand back , by ' r Lady ! " returned Dick , raising his bow .

" ah , y ' are a brave boy ! " retorted Matcham .

" shoot ! "

dick lowered his weapon in some confusion .

" see here , " he said .

" Y ' have done me ill enough .

go , then .

go your way in fair wise ; or , whether I will or not , I must even drive you to it . "

" well , " said Matcham , doggedly , " y ' are the stronger .

do your worst .

I shall not leave to follow thee , Dick , unless thou makest me , " he added .

Dick was almost beside himself .

" Y ' are mad , I think , " he cried .

" Fool-fellow , I am hasting to your foes ; as fast as foot can carry me , go I thither . "

" I care not , Dick , " replied the lad .

" if y ' are bound to die , Dick , I 'll die too .

I would liever go with you to prison than to go free without you . "

" well , " returned the other , " I may stand no longer prating .

follow me , if ye must ; but if ye play me false , it shall but little advance you , mark ye that .

shalt have a quarrel in thine inwards , boy . "

at a good pace he rattled out of the dell , and came again into the more open quarters of the wood .

to the left a little eminence appeared , spotted with golden gorse , and crowned with a black tuft of firs .

" I shall see from there , " he thought , and struck for it across a heathy clearing .

he had gone but a few yards , when Matcham touched him on the arm , and pointed .

Dick looked at Matcham with a kindlier eye .

" so y ' are to be true to me , Jack ? " he asked .

" I thought ye were of the other party . "

Matcham began to sob .

" what cheer ! " cried Dick .

" now the saints behold us ! would ye snivel for a word ? "

" ye hurt me , " sobbed Matcham .

" ye hurt me when ye threw me down .

Y ' are a coward to abuse your strength . "

" Nay , that is fool 's talk , " said Dick , roughly .

" Y ' had no title to my windac , Master John .

I would ' a ' done right to have well basted you .

if ye go with me , ye must obey me ; and so , come . "

below , in the bottom of a considerable valley , the short cut from Tunstall hamlet wound downwards to the ferry .

it was well beaten , and the eye followed it easily from point to point .

here it was bordered by open glades ; there the forest closed upon it ; every hundred yards it ran beside an ambush .

" now , mark , " Dick whispered .

" they be already well advanced into the wood ; their safety lieth rather in continuing forward .

there were their safety .

An they but come sound as far as that , I will make shift to warn them .

but my heart misgiveth me ; they are but seven against so many , and they but carry cross-bows .

the long-bow , Jack , will have the uppermost ever . "

meanwhile , Selden and his men still wound up the path , ignorant of their danger , and momently drew nearer hand .

once , indeed , they paused , drew into a group , and seemed to point and listen .

they were but just abreast of this , when an arrow shone flying .

one of the men threw up his arms , his horse reared , and both fell and struggled together in a mass .

a second arrow from somewhat farther off glanced in a wide arch ; a second rider bit the dust .

from every clump they passed an arrow sped .

soon a horse fell , but the rider found his feet and continued to pursue his comrades till a second shot despatched him .

all this time not one of the assailants had for a moment shown himself .

the solitary survivor stood bewildered in the road beside his fallen charger .

he had come the length of that broad glade , with the island of timber , pointed out by Dick .

but nothing came ; and the man began to pluck up his courage , and suddenly unslung and bent his bow .

at the same time , by something in his action , Dick recognised Selden .

at this offer of resistance , from all about him in the covert of the woods there went up the sound of laughter .

a score of men , at least , for this was the very thickest of the ambush , joined in this cruel and untimely mirth .

then an arrow glanced over Selden 's shoulder ; and he leaped and ran a little back .

another dart struck quivering at his heel .

he made for the cover .

a third shaft leaped out right in his face , and fell short in front of him .

and then the laughter was repeated loudly , rising and reechoing from different thickets .

chance favoured him , for a slight cry responded .

the companions of the Black Arrow now began to shoot in earnest .

a whistle sounded thrice , and then again twice .

it was repeated from another quarter .

Selden still ran , bounding ; ever and again an arrow followed him , but still would miss .

it began to appear as if he might escape .

he was within fifty yards of them , when an arrow struck him and he fell .

Dick leaped to his feet and waved to him .

" here ! " he cried .

" this way ! here is help !

Nay , run , fellow run ! "

" O , the poor heart ! " cried Matcham , with clasped hands .

and Dick stood petrified upon the hill , a mark for archery .

" hold ! " it roared .

" shoot not !

take him alive !

it is young Shelton Harry 's son . "

and immediately after a shrill whistle sounded several times , and was again taken up and repeated farther off .

the whistle , it appeared , was John Amend-All 's battle trumpet , by which he published his directions .

" ah , foul fortune ! " cried Dick .

" we are undone .

swiftly , Jack , come swiftly ! "

and the pair turned and ran back through the open pine clump that covered the summit of the hill .

CHAPTER VI TO THE DAY'S END

it was , indeed , high time for them to run .

on every side the company of the Black Arrow was making for the hill .

dick plunged into the nearest cover .

there followed next a piece of open , which Dick avoided , holding to his left .

two minutes after , and the same obstacle arising , the lads followed the same course .

the lads paused to breathe .

there was no sound of pursuit .

three minutes later , they were breasting through a low thicket of evergreen .

high overhead , the tall trees made a continuous roof of foliage .

on the other side , pushing through the last fringe of evergreen , they blundered forth again into the open twilight of the grove .

" stand ! " cried a voice .

Matcham stopped with a cry ; but Dick , without a pause , ran straight upon the forester , drawing his dagger as he went .

the arrow went one way and the bow another with a sounding twang .

the disarmed forester grappled his assailant ; but the dagger shone and descended twice .

" on ! " said Dick ; and he once more pelted forward , Matcham trailing in the rear .

Matcham had a cruel stitch , and his head swam ; and as for Dick , his knees were like lead .

but they kept up the form of running with undiminished courage .

presently they came to the end of the grove .

they were plainly fugitives from the great battle .

Close after him there followed several baggage-waggons , fleeing at an ungainly canter , the drivers flailing at the horses as if for life .

these must have run early in the day ; but their cowardice was not to save them .

Dick stood sombre .

he had meant to follow the highway till the turn for Holywood , and now he had to change his plan .

it was an ugly choice .

for some time they continued to thread the forest in silence .

" if there were anything to eat ! " cried Dick , suddenly , pausing as he spoke .

Matcham sat down and began to weep .

" Y ' ' ave seven deaths upon your conscience , Master John ; I 'll ne'er forgive you that . "

" conscience ! " cried Matcham , looking fiercely up .

" mine !

and ye have the man 's red blood upon your dagger !

and wherefore did ye slay him , the poor soul ?

he drew his arrow , but he let not fly ; he held you in his hand , and spared you !

' Tis as brave to kill a kitten , as a man that not defends himself . "

dick was struck dumb .

" I slew him fair .

I ran me in upon his bow , " he cried .

" it was a coward blow , " returned Matcham .

ye care not for vengeance , neither for your father 's death that goes unpaid , and his poor ghost that clamoureth for justice .

Dick was too furious to observe that " she . "

" Marry ! " he cried , " and here is news !

of any two the one will still be stronger .

the better man throweth the worse , and the worse is well served .

ye deserve a belting , Master Matcham , for your ill-guidance and unthankfulness to meward ; and what ye deserve ye shall have . "

and Dick , who , even in his angriest temper , still preserved the appearance of composure , began to unbuckle his belt .

" here shall be your supper , " he said , grimly .

Dick took a step , swinging the belt .

then he paused , embarrassed by the large eyes and the thin , weary face of his companion .

his courage began to subside .

" say ye were in the wrong , then , " he said , lamely .

" Nay , " said Matcham , " I was in the right .

come , cruel !

I be lame ; I be weary ; I resist not ; I ne'er did thee hurt ; come , beat me coward ! "

the strap fell by his side , and he stood irresolute , feeling like a fool .

" a plague upon thee , shrew ! " he said .

" An ye be so feeble of hand , ye should keep the closer guard upon your tongue .

but I 'll be hanged before I beat you ! " and he put on his belt again .

" beat you I will not , " he continued ; " but forgive you ? never .

Nay , by the mass ! the measure is filled , and runneth over .

Tut ! fool words ! "

" and yet ye beat me not , " returned Matcham .

" let be , " said Dick " let be .

I will instruct you .

Nay , I had forgotten it ; I am as thankless as thyself .

but , come , let us on .

An we be for Holywood this night , ay , or to-morrow early , we had best set forward speedily . "

but though Dick had talked himself back into his usual good-humour , Matcham had forgiven him nothing .

" I will thank you , for the form 's sake , " said Matcham .

" but , in sooth , good Master Shelton , I had liever find my way alone .

here is a wide wood ; prithee , let each choose his path ; I owe you a dinner and a lesson .

fare ye well ! "

each turned aside , and they began walking off severally , with no thought of the direction , intent solely on their quarrel .

but Dick had not gone ten paces ere his name was called , and Matcham came running after .

" Dick , " he said , " it were unmannerly to part so coldly .

here is my hand , and my heart with it .

for all that wherein you have so excellently served and helped me not for the form , but from the heart , I thank you .

fare ye right well . "

but I misdoubt it shrewdly .

Y ' are too disputatious . "

so then they separated for the second time ; and presently it was Dick who was running after Matcham .

" here , " he said , " take my cross-bow ; shalt not go unarmed . "

" a cross-bow ! " said Matcham .

" Nay , boy , I have neither the strength to bend nor yet the skill to aim with it .

it were no help to me , good boy .

but yet I thank you . "

the night had now fallen , and under the trees they could no longer read each other 's face .

" I will go some little way with you , " said Dick .

" the night is dark .

I would fain leave you on a path , at least .

my mind misgiveth me , y ' are likely to be lost . "

without any more words , he began to walk forward , and the other once more followed him .

the blackness grew thicker and thicker .

only here and there , in open places , they saw the sky , dotted with small stars .

at the end of half an hour of silent progress they came forth upon a broad patch of heathy open .

it glimmered in the light of the stars , shaggy with fern and islanded with clumps of yew .

and here they paused and looked upon each other .

" Y ' are weary ? "

dick said .

" Nay , I am so weary , " answered Matcham , " that methinks I could lie down and die . "

" I hear the chiding of a river , " returned Dick .

" let us go so far forth , for I am sore athirst . "

the ground sloped down gently ; and , sure enough , in the bottom , they found a little murmuring river , running among willows .

" Dick , " said Matcham , " it may not be .

I can no more . "

" I saw a pit as we came down , " said Dick .

" let us lie down therein and sleep . "

" Nay , but with all my heart ! " cried Matcham .

and soon sleep fell upon them like a cloud , and under the dew and stars they rested peacefully .

CHAPTER VII THE HOODED FACE

half starved and over-weary as they were , they lay without moving , sunk in a delightful lassitude .

and as they thus lay , the clang of a bell fell suddenly upon their ears .

" a bell ! " said Dick , sitting up .

" can we be , then , so near to Holywood ? "

" Nay , what should this betoken ? " said Dick , who was now broad awake .

" it is some one walking , " returned Matcham , and " the bell tolleth ever as he moves . "

" I see that well , " said Dick .

" but wherefore ?

what maketh he in Tunstall Woods ?

Jack , " he added , " laugh at me an ye will , but I like not the hollow sound of it . "

" Nay , " said Matcham , with a shiver , " it hath a doleful note .

an the day were not come "

" it is as though the bearer had run for a pater-noster while , and then leaped the river , " dick observed .

" and now beginneth he again to pace soberly forward , " added Matcham .

" Nay , " returned Dick " nay , not so soberly , Jack .

' Tis a man that walketh you right speedily .

' Tis a man in some fear of his life , or about some hurried business .

see ye not how swift the beating draweth near ? "

" it is now close by , " said Matcham .

the daylight , which was very clear and grey , showed them a riband of white footpath wandering among the gorse .

it passed some hundred yards from the pit , and ran the whole length of the clearing , east and west .

by the line of its course , Dick judged it should lead more or less directly to the Moat House .

upon this path , stepping forth from the margin of the wood , a white figure now appeared .

at every step the bell clanked .

fear fell upon the lads , as cold as death .

" a leper ! " said Dick , hoarsely .

" his touch is death , " said Matcham .

" let us run . "

" not so , " returned Dick .

" see ye not ? he is stone blind .

he guideth him with a staff .

let us lie still ; the wind bloweth towards the path , and he will go by and hurt us not .

alas , poor soul , and we should rather pity him ! "

" I will pity him when he is by , " replied Matcham .

the blind leper was now about halfway towards them , and just then the sun rose and shone full on his veiled face .

he had been a tall man before he was bowed by his disgusting sickness , and even now he walked with a vigorous step .

as he came about level with the pit , he paused , and turned his face full upon the lads .

" Mary be my shield !

he sees us ! " said Matcham , faintly .

" hush ! " whispered Dick .

" he doth but hearken .

he is blind , fool ! "

the leper looked or listened , whichever he was really doing , for some seconds .

then he began to move on again , but presently paused once more , and again turned and seemed to gaze upon the lads .

Even Dick became dead-white and closed his eyes , as if by the mere sight he might become infected .

" he saw us , " said Matcham .

" I could swear it ! "

" Tut ! " returned Dick , recovering some sparks of courage .

" he but heard us .

he was in fear , poor soul !

" Dick , good Dick , he saw us , " repeated Matcham .

" when a man hearkeneth , he doth not as this man ; he doth otherwise , Dick .

this was seeing ; it was not hearing .

he means foully .

hark , else , if his bell be not stopped ! "

such was the case .

the bell rang no longer .

" Nay , " said Dick , " I like not that .

Nay , " he cried again , " I like that little .

what may this betoken ?

let us go , by the mass ! "

" he hath gone east , " added Matcham .

" good Dick , let us go westward straight ; I shall not breathe till I have my back turned upon that leper . "

" jack , y ' are too cowardly , " replied Dick .

next moment he had disappeared into a little thicket .

the lads , at the first glimpse , had crouched behind a tuft of gorse ; there they lay , horror-struck .

" Certain , he pursueth us , " said Dick " certain !

he held the clapper of his bell in one hand , saw ye ? that it should not sound .

now may the saints aid and guide us , for I have no strength to combat pestilence ! "

" what maketh he ? " cried Matcham .

" what doth he want ?

who ever heard the like , that a leper , out of mere malice , should pursue unfortunates ?

Hath he not his bell to that very end , that people may avoid him ?

Dick , there is below this something deeper . "

" Nay , I care not , " moaned Dick ; " the strength is gone out of me ; my legs are like water .

the saints be mine assistance ! "

" would ye lie there idle ? " cried Matcham .

" let us back into the open .

we have the better chance ; he cannot steal upon us unawares . "

" not I , " said Dick .

" my time is come , and peradventure he may pass us by . "

" bend me , then , your bow ! " cried the other .

" what ! will ye be a man ? "

Dick crossed himself .

" would ye have me shoot upon a leper ? " he cried .

" the hand would fail me .

Nay , now , " he added " nay , now , let be !

with sound men I will fight , but not with ghosts and lepers .

which this is , I wot not .

one or other , Heaven be our protection ! "

" now , " said Matcham , " if this be man 's courage , what a poor thing is man !

but sith ye will do naught , let us lie close . "

then came a single , broken jangle on the bell .

" he hath missed his hold upon the clapper , " whispered Matcham .

" Saints ! how near he is ! "

but Dick answered never a word ; his teeth were near chattering .

suddenly , with a cry , the leper sprang into the open close by , and ran straight upon the lads .

they , shrieking aloud , separated and began to run different ways .

but their horrible enemy fastened upon Matcham , ran him swiftly down , and had him almost instantly a prisoner .

dick heard the cry and turned .

but ere he had time to shoot , the leper held up his hand .

" hold your shot , Dickon ! " cried a familiar voice .

" hold your shot , mad wag !

know ye not a friend ? "

" Sir Daniel ! " cried Dick .

" ay , by the mass , Sir Daniel ! " returned the knight .

" would ye shoot upon your guardian , rogue ?

" Nay , " said Dick , " I call him Master Matcham .

know ye him not ?

he said ye knew him ! "

" ay , " replied Sir Daniel , " I know the lad ; " and he chuckled .

" but he has fainted ; and , by my sooth , he might have had less to faint for !

hey , Dick ?

did I put the fear of death upon you ? "

" indeed , Sir Daniel , ye did that , " said Dick , and sighed again at the mere recollection .

but what made ye , sir , in such a guise ? "

Sir Daniel 's brow grew suddenly black with anger .

" what made I ? " he said .

" ye do well to mind me of it !

what ?

I skulked for my poor life in my own wood of Tunstall , Dick .

we were ill sped at the battle ; we but got there to be swept among the rout .

where be all my good men-at-arms ?

Dick , by the mass , I know not !

at length I came by you and Matcham .

moreover , in the open , where I had to go slowly and tap with my staff , I feared to disclose myself .

but see , " he added , " this poor shrew begins a little to revive .

a little good canary will comfort me the heart of it . "

" what cheer , Jack ! " said Dick .

" it was no leper , after all ; it was Sir Daniel !

see ! "

" swallow me a good draught of this , " said the knight .

" this will give you manhood .

thereafter , I will give you both a meal , and we shall all three on to Tunstall .

but I be not yet shent .

some of my lads will pick me their way home .

hatch hath ten fellows ; Selden , he had six .

and so saying , the knight filled himself a horn of canary , and pledged his ward in dumb show .

" Selden , " dick faltered " Selden " and he paused again .

Sir Daniel put down the wine untasted .

" how ! " he cried , in a changed voice .

" Selden ?

speak !

what of Selden ? "

dick stammered forth the tale of the ambush and the massacre .

the knight heard in silence ; but as he listened , his countenance became convulsed with rage and grief .

" now here , " he cried , " on my right hand , I swear to avenge it !

if that I fail , if that I spill not ten men 's souls for each , may this hand wither from my body !

Nay , but , Duckworth , this time it shall go bitter hard ! "

he was silent for some time , his face working .

" eat ! " he cried , suddenly .

" and you here , " he added to Matcham , " swear me an oath to follow straight to the Moat House . "

" I will pledge mine honour , " replied Matcham .

" what make I with your honour ? " cried the knight .

" swear me upon your mother 's welfare ! "

Matcham gave the required oath ; and Sir Daniel re-adjusted the hood over his face , and prepared his bell and staff .

to see him once more in that appalling travesty somewhat revived the horror of his two companions .

but the knight was soon upon his feet .

" eat with despatch , " he said , " and follow me yarely to mine house . "

" and so ye go to Tunstall ? "

dick inquired .

" Yea , verily , " said Matcham , " when needs must !

I am braver behind Sir Daniel 's back than to his face . "

come , Dick , forgive him what he did amiss , as he , for his part , cheerfully and lovingly forgiveth you . "

" and wherefore so ? " asked Dick .

" An we both go to Tunstall , I shall see you yet again , I trow , and that right often . "

he held his arms open , and the lads embraced and kissed .

" and , Dick , " continued Matcham , " my spirit bodeth ill .

we go down into that house , Saint Mary guide us forth again ! "

BOOK II THE MOAT HOUSE

CHAPTER I DICK ASKS QUESTIONS

the Moat House stood not far from the rough forest road .

within , it enclosed a narrow court .

the moat was perhaps twelve feet wide , crossed by a single drawbridge .

some were making arrows , some sharpening swords that had long been disused ; but even as they worked , they shook their heads .

twelve of Sir Daniel 's party had escaped the battle , run the gauntlet through the wood , and come alive to the Moat House .

this raised the force of the garrison , counting Hatch , Sir Daniel , and young Shelton , to twenty-two effective men .

and more might be continually expected to arrive .

the danger lay not therefore in the lack of men .

it was the terror of the Black Arrow that oppressed the spirits of the garrison .

for their open foes of the party of York , in these most changing times , they felt but a far-away concern .

" the world , " as people said in those days , " might change again " before harm came .

but for their neighbours in the wood , they trembled .

it was not Sir Daniel alone who was a mark for hatred .

his men , conscious of impunity , had carried themselves cruelly through all the country .

nor had there been lacking grisly advertisements of what they might expect .

at different periods of the evening and the night , no fewer than seven riderless horses had come neighing in terror to the gate .

two were from Selden 's troop ; five belonged to men who had ridden with Sir Daniel to the field .

" Nay , Master Shelton , " said Hatch , at last " nay , but what said I ?

we shall all go .

Selden was a man of his hands ; he was like a brother to me .

well , he has gone second ; well , we shall all follow !

for what said their knave rhyme ?

' A black arrow in each black heart . '

was it not so it went ?

Dick gave ear .

Out of a low window , hard by where they were talking , groans and murmurs came to his ear .

" Lieth he there ? " he asked .

" ay , in the second porter 's chamber , " answered Hatch .

" we could not bear him further , soul and body were so bitterly at odds .

at every step we lifted him , he thought to wend .

but now , methinks , it is the soul that suffereth .

ever for the priest he crieth , and Sir Oliver , I wot not why , still cometh not .

' Twill be a long shrift ; but poor Appleyard and poor Selden , they had none . "

Dick stooped to the window and looked in .

the little cell was low and dark , but he could make out the wounded soldier lying moaning on his pallet .

" Carter , poor friend , how goeth it ? " he asked .

" master Shelton , " returned the man , in an excited whisper , " for the dear light of heaven , bring the priest .

Alack , I am sped ; I am brought very low down ; my hurt is to the death .

ye may do me no more service ; this shall be the last .

he groaned , and Dick heard the grating of his teeth , whether in pain or terror .

just then Sir Daniel appeared upon the threshold of the hall .

he had a letter in one hand .

rather it imputeth to get speedily again to saddle .

this old Harry the Sixt has had the undermost .

wash we , then , our hands of him .

I have a good friend that rideth next the duke , the Lord of Wensleydale .

doubt not but he will lend a favourable ear .

a prayer without gifts is like a song without music : I surfeit him with promises , boys I spare not to promise .

what , then , is lacking ?

Nay , a great thing wherefore should I deceive you ? a great thing and a difficult : a messenger to bear it .

the woods y ' are not ignorant of that lie thick with our ill-willers .

haste is most needful ; but without sleight and caution all is naught .

one man instantly arose .

" I will , an't like you , " said he .

" I will even risk my carcase . "

" Nay , Dicky Bowyer , not so , " returned the knight .

" it likes me not .

Y ' are sly indeed , but not speedy .

ye were a laggard ever . "

" An't be so , Sir Daniel , here am I , " cried another .

" the saints forfend ! " said the knight .

" Y ' are speedy , but not sly .

ye would blunder me headforemost into John Amend-All 's camp .

I thank you both for your good courage ; but , in sooth , it may not be . "

then Hatch offered himself , and he also was refused .

" now , " he said , " upon your good speed and better discretion we do all depend .

but mark it well , Throgmorton : the matter is not easy .

" I can swim , " returned Throgmorton .

" I will come soundly , fear not . "

" well , friend , get ye to the buttery , " replied Sir Daniel .

" ye shall swim first of all in nut-brown ale . "

and with that he turned back into the hall .

" sir Daniel hath a wise tongue , " said Hatch , aside , to Dick .

" see , now , where many a lesser man had glossed the matter over , he speaketh it out plainly to his company .

here is a danger , ' a saith , and here difficulty ; and jesteth in the very saying .

Nay , by Saint Barbary , he is a born captain !

not a man but he is some deal heartened up !

see how they fall again to work . "

this praise of Sir Daniel put a thought in the lad 's head .

" Bennet , " he said , " how came my father by his end ? "

" ask me not that , " replied Hatch .

" I had no hand nor knowledge in it ; furthermore , I will even be silent , Master Dick .

for look you , in a man 's own business there he may speak ; but of hearsay matters and of common talk , not so .

ask me Sir Oliver ay , or Carter , if ye will ; not me . "

and Hatch set off to make the rounds , leaving Dick in a muse .

" Wherefore would he not tell me ? " thought the lad .

" and wherefore named he Carter ?

Carter nay , then Carter had a hand in it , perchance . "

at his entrance Carter started eagerly .

" have ye brought the priest ? " he cried .

" not yet awhile , " returned Dick .

" Y ' ' ave a word to tell me first .

how came my father , Harry Shelton , by his death ? "

the man 's face altered instantly .

" I know not , " he replied , doggedly .

" Nay , ye know well , " returned Dick .

" seek not to put me by . "

" I tell you I know not , " repeated Carter .

" then , " said Dick , " ye shall die unshriven .

here am I , and here shall stay .

there shall no priest come near you , rest assured .

" ye say what ye mean not , Master Dick , " said Carter , composedly .

" it is ill threatening the dying , and becometh you ( to speak truth ) little .

and for as little as it commends you , it shall serve you less .

stay , an ye please .

ye will condemn my soul ye shall learn nothing !

there is my last word to you . "

and the wounded man turned upon the other side .

now , Dick , to say truth , had spoken hastily , and was ashamed of his threat .

but he made one more effort .

" Carter , " he said , " mistake me not .

but I begin to learn upon many sides that this great duty lieth on my youth and ignorance , to avenge my father .

the wounded man lay silent ; nor , say what Dick pleased , could he extract another word from him .

" and yet , " he thought , " of what use is courage without wit ?

had his hands been clean , he would have spoken ; his silence did confess the secret louder than words .

Nay , upon all sides , proof floweth on me .

Sir Daniel , he or his men , hath done this thing . "

dick paused in the stone passage with a heavy heart .

the necessity , if it should prove to be one , was cruel .

" pray Heaven he be innocent ! " he said .

and then steps sounded on the flagging , and Sir Oliver came gravely towards the lad .

" one seeketh you earnestly , " said Dick .

" I am upon the way , good Richard , " said the priest .

" it is this poor Carter .

Alack , he is beyond cure . "

" and yet his soul is sicker than his body , " answered Dick .

" have ye seen him ? " asked Sir Oliver , with a manifest start .

" I do but come from him , " replied Dick .

" what said he ? what said he ? " snapped the priest , with extraordinary eagerness .

" he but cried for you the more piteously , Sir Oliver .

it were well done to go the faster , for his hurt is grievous , " returned the lad .

" I am straight for him , " was the reply .

" well , we have all our sins .

we must all come to our latter day , good Richard . "

" ay , sir ; and it were well if we all came fairly , " answered Dick .

the priest dropped his eyes , and with an inaudible benediction hurried on .

" he , too ! " thought Dick " he , that taught me in piety !

Nay , then , what a world is this , if all that care for me be blood-guilty of my father 's death ?

vengeance !

alas ! what a sore fate is mine , if I must be avenged upon my friends ! "

the thought put Matcham in his head .

he smiled at the remembrance of his strange companion , and then wondered where he was .

about an hour after , mass being somewhat hastily run through by Sir Oliver , the company gathered in the hall for dinner .

neither Sir Daniel nor his lady made their appearance .

Sir Oliver himself was absent , and here again there was no word of Matcham .

after dinner he found Goody Hatch , who was hurrying to my Lady Brackley .

" goody , " he said , " where is Master Matcham , I prithee ?

I saw ye go in with him when we arrived . "

the old woman laughed aloud .

" Nay , but where is he , indeed ? " persisted Dick .

" ye will never see him more , " she returned " never .

it is sure . "

" An I do not , " returned the lad , " I will know the reason why .

there be too many mysteries ; I do begin to weary of the game ! "

but as Dick was speaking , a heavy hand fell on his shoulder .

it was Bennet Hatch that had come unperceived behind him .

with a jerk of his thumb , the retainer dismissed his wife .

" friend Dick , " he said , as soon as they were alone , " are ye a moon-struck natural ?

An ye leave not certain things in peace , ye were better in the salt sea than here in Tunstall Moat House .

Y ' have questioned me ; y ' have baited Carter ; y ' have frighted the Jack-priest with hints .

Y ' are to be sharply questioned .

look to your answers . "

" hatch , " returned Dick , " in all this I smell a guilty conscience . "

" An ye go not the wiser , ye will soon smell blood , " replied Bennet .

" I do but warn you .

and here cometh one to call you . "

and indeed , at that very moment , a messenger came across the court to summon Dick into the presence of Sir Daniel .

CHAPTER II THE TWO OATHS

Sir Daniel was in the hall ; there he paced angrily before the fire , awaiting Dick 's arrival .

none was by except Sir Oliver , and he sat discreetly backward , thumbing and muttering over his breviary .

" Y ' have sent for me , Sir Daniel ? " said young Shelton .

" I have sent for you , indeed , " replied the knight .

" for what cometh to mine ears ?

have I been to you so heavy a guardian that ye make haste to credit ill of me ?

or sith that ye see me , for the nonce , some worsted , do ye think to quit my party ?

by the mass , your father was not so !

those he was near , those he stood by , come wind or weather .

but you , Dick , y ' are a fair-day friend , it seemeth , and now seek to clear yourself of your allegiance . "

" An't please you , Sir Daniel , not so , " returned Dick , firmly .

" I am grateful and faithful , where gratitude and faith are due .

I have but a little company remaining ; is it grateful or faithful to poison me their hearts with your insidious whisperings ?

save me from such gratitude !

but , come , now , what is it ye wish ?

speak ; we are here to answer .

if ye have aught against me , stand forth and say it . "

" sir , " replied Dick , " my father fell when I was yet a child .

it hath come to mine ears that he was foully done by .

it hath come to mine ears for I will not dissemble that ye had a hand in his undoing .

Sir Daniel sat down in a deep settle .

he took his chin in his hand and looked at Dick fixedly .

" and ye think I would be guardian to the man 's son that I had murdered ? " he asked .

all these years have ye not enjoyed my revenues , and led my men ?

have ye not still my marriage ?

I wot not what it may be worth it is worth something .

" when I was lad of your years , " returned Sir Daniel , sternly , " my mind had not so turned upon suspicions .

and Sir Oliver here , " he added , " why should he , a priest , be guilty of this act ? "

" Nay , Sir Daniel , " said Dick , " but where the master biddeth there will the dog go .

it is well known this priest is but your instrument .

I speak very freely ; the time is not for courtesies .

even as I speak , so would I be answered .

and answer get I none !

ye but put more questions .

I rede ye be ware , Sir Daniel ; for in this way ye will but nourish and not satisfy my doubts . "

" I will answer you fairly , Master Richard , " said the knight .

" were I to pretend ye have not stirred my wrath , I were no honest man .

but I will be just even in anger .

come to me then , and I will answer you as ye merit , with a buffet in the mouth .

" I desire nothing more earnestly , Sir Daniel , than to believe you , " he replied .

" assure me ye are free from this . "

" will ye take my word of honour , Dick ? " inquired the knight .

" that would I , " answered the lad .

" I give it you , " returned Sir Daniel .

he extended his hand , and Dick took it eagerly .

" ah , " cried Dick , " ye must find it in your great-heartedness to pardon me !

I was a churl , indeed , to doubt of you .

but ye have my hand upon it ; I will doubt no more . "

" Nay , Dick , " replied Sir Daniel , " y ' are forgiven .

ye know not the world and its calumnious nature . "

as he spoke , he turned towards the priest , and paused in the middle of the last word .

Sir Daniel was by him in two strides , and shook him fiercely by the shoulder .

at the same moment Dick 's suspicions reawakened .

" Nay , " he said , " Sir Oliver may swear also .

' Twas him they accused . "

" he shall swear , " said the knight .

Sir Oliver speechlessly waved his arms .

" ay , by the mass ! but ye shall swear , " cried Sir Daniel , beside himself with fury .

" what !

ye make me doubt you !

swear , I say ; swear ! "

but the priest was still incapable of speech .

his terror of Sir Daniel , his terror of perjury , risen to about an equal height , strangled him .

the sentries were all on the alert .

the sun shone quietly on green lawns dotted with trees , and on the wooded hills of the forest which enclosed the view .

there was no sign of a besieger .

" whence came that shot ? " asked the knight .

" from yonder clump , Sir Daniel , " returned a sentinel .

the knight stood a little , musing .

then he turned to Dick .

" Dick , " he said , " keep me an eye upon these men ; I leave you in charge here .

as for the priest , he shall clear himself , or I will know the reason why .

I do almost begin to share in your suspicions .

he shall swear , trust me , or we shall prove him guilty . "

Dick answered somewhat coldly , and the knight , giving him a piercing glance , hurriedly returned to the hall .

his first glance was for the arrow .

again there was some writing : one word " earthed . "

" ay , " he broke out , " they know I am home , then .

earthed !

ay , but there is not a dog among them fit to dig me out . "

Sir Oliver had come to himself , and now scrambled to his feet .

it shall be on the blessed cross of Holywood .

look to it ; get the words ready .

it shall be sworn to-night . "

" now , may Heaven lighten you ! " replied the priest ; " may Heaven incline your heart from this iniquity ! "

but if y ' are in any sense bent upon wisdom , hear me .

this lad beginneth to irk me like a wasp .

I have a need for him , for I would sell his marriage .

but I tell you , in all plainness , if that he continue to weary me , he shall go join his father .

I give orders now to change him to the chamber above the chapel .

there is for your thinking on . "

" the chamber above the chapel ! " gasped the priest .

" that same , " replied the knight .

for an I had been a hasty man , I would already have put my sword through you , for your intolerable cowardice and folly .

have ye chosen ?

say ! "

" I have chosen , " said the priest .

" Heaven pardon me , I will do evil for good .

I will swear for the lad 's sake . "

" so is it best ! " said Sir Daniel .

" send for him , then , speedily .

ye shall see him alone .

yet I shall have an eye on you .

I shall be here in the panel room . "

the knight raised the arras and let it fall again behind him .

there was the sound of a spring opening ; then followed the creaking of trod stairs .

" Richard Shelton , " he said , " ye have required an oath from me .

by the true cross of Holywood , I did not slay your father . "

" Sir Oliver , " returned Dick , " when first we read John Amend-All 's paper , I was convinced of so much .

but suffer me to put two questions .

ye did not slay him ; granted .

but had ye no hand in it ? "

" none , " said Sir Oliver .

dick regarded him in wonder ; then he turned and looked all about him at the empty hall .

" what make ye ? " he inquired .

" why , naught , " returned the priest , hastily smoothing his countenance .

" I make naught ; I do but suffer ; I am sick .

I I prithee , Dick , I must begone .

on the true cross of Holywood , I am clean innocent alike of violence or treachery .

content ye , good lad .

farewell ! "

and he made his escape from the apartment with unusual alacrity .

gradually , as his mind grew clearer , suspicion took the upper hand , and was succeeded by certainty of the worst .

he raised his head , and , as he did so , violently started .

High upon the wall there was the figure of a savage hunter woven in the tapestry .

with one hand he held a horn to his mouth ; in the other he brandished a stout spear .

his face was dark , for he was meant to represent an African .

now , here was what had startled Richard Shelton .

in this light the figure of the black hunter had winked at him with a white eyelid .

he continued staring at the eye .

the light shone upon it like a gem ; it was liquid , it was alive .

again the white eyelid closed upon it for a fraction of a second , and the next moment it was gone .

there could be no mistake .

the live eye that had been watching him through a hole in the tapestry was gone .

the firelight no longer shone on a reflecting surface .

and instantly Dick awoke to the terrors of his position .

Hatch 's warning , the mute signals of the priest , this eye that had observed him from the wall , ran together in his mind .

" if I cannot get me forth out of this house , " he thought , " I am a dead man !

and this poor Matcham , too to what a cockatrice's nest have I not led him ! "

" a new chamber ? " he repeated .

" Wherefore so ?

what chamber ? "

" ' Tis one above the chapel , " answered the messenger .

" it hath stood long empty , " said Dick , musing .

" what manner of room is it ? "

" Nay , a brave room , " returned the man .

" but yet " lowering his voice " they call it haunted . "

" haunted ? " repeated Dick , with a chill .

" I have not heard of it .

Nay , then , and by whom ? "

the messenger looked about him ; and then , in a low whisper , " by the sacrist of St John 's , " he said .

" they had him there to sleep one night , and in the morning whew ! he was gone .

the devil had taken him , they said ; the more betoken , he had drunk late the night before . "

dick followed the man with black forebodings .

CHAPTER III THE ROOM OVER THE CHAPEL

from the battlements nothing further was observed .

when the night was at length fairly come , Throgmorton was led to a room overlooking an angle of the moat .

for some half hour Sir Daniel and Hatch stood eagerly giving ear ; but all remained quiet .

the messenger had got away in safety .

Sir Daniel 's brow grew clearer .

he turned to Hatch .

" Bennet , " he said , " this John Amend-All is no more than a man , ye see .

he sleepeth .

we will make a good end of him , go to ! "

at length , with a lamp in one hand , he mounted to his new apartment .

it was large , low , and somewhat dark .

the window looked upon the moat , and although it was so high up , it was heavily barred .

the bed was luxurious , with one pillow of down and one of lavender , and a red coverlet worked in a pattern of roses .

all about the walls were cupboards , locked and padlocked , and concealed from view by hangings of dark-coloured arras .

dick made the round , lifting the arras , sounding the panels , seeking vainly to open the cupboards .

for what reason had he been given this chamber ?

it was larger and finer than his own .

could it conceal a snare ?

was there a secret entrance ?

was it , indeed , haunted ?

his blood ran a little chilly in his veins .

immediately over him the heavy foot of a sentry trod the leads .

below him , he knew , was the arched roof of the chapel ; and next to the chapel was the hall .

certainly there was a secret passage in the hall ; the eye that had watched him from the arras gave him proof of that .

to sleep in such a place , he felt , would be foolhardy .

he made his weapons ready , and took his position in a corner of the room behind the door .

if ill was intended , he would sell his life dear .

the sound of many feet , the challenge , and the password , sounded overhead along the battlements ; the watch was being changed .

and just then there came a scratching at the door of the chamber ; it grew a little louder ; then a whisper :

" Dick , Dick , it is I ! "

dick ran to the door , drew the bolt , and admitted Matcham .

he was very pale , and carried a lamp in one hand and a drawn dagger in the other .

" shut me the door , " he whispered .

" Swift , Dick !

this house is full of spies ; I hear their feet follow me in the corridors ; I hear them breathe behind the arras . "

" well , content you , " returned Dick , " it is closed .

we are safe for this while , if there be safety anywhere within these walls .

but my heart is glad to see you .

by the mass , lad , I thought ye were sped !

where hid ye ? "

" it matters not , " returned Matcham .

" since we be met , it matters not .

but , Dick , are your eyes open ?

have they told you of to-morrow 's doings ? "

" not they , " replied Dick .

" what make they to-morrow ? "

I had the proof of it ; I have heard them whisper ; nay , they as good as told me . "

" ay , " returned Dick , " is it so ?

I had thought as much . "

and he told him the day 's occurrences at length .

when it was done , Matcham arose and began , in turn , to examine the apartment .

" no , " he said , " there is no entrance visible .

yet ' tis a pure certainty there is one .

Dick , I will stay by you .

An y ' are to die , I will die with you .

and I can help look !

I have stolen a dagger I will do my best !

give me your hand , Jack . "

and he grasped the other 's hand in silence .

" I will tell you , " he resumed .

" there is a window , out of which the messenger descended ; the rope should still be in the chamber .

' Tis a hope . "

" Hist ! " said Matcham .

both gave ear .

there was a sound below the floor ; then it paused , and then began again .

" some one walketh in the room below , " whispered Matcham .

" Nay , " returned Dick , " there is no room below ; we are above the chapel .

it is my murderer in the secret passage .

well , let him come ; it shall go hard with him ; " and he ground his teeth .

" blow me the lights out , " said the other .

" perchance he will betray himself . "

they blew out both the lamps and lay still as death .

the footfalls underneath were very soft , but they were clearly audible .

it widened ; a trap-door was being opened , letting in a gush of light .

they could see the strong hand pushing it up ; and Dick raised his cross-bow , waiting for the head to follow .

but now there came an interruption .

here was a moment 's respite .

" Joanna ! " repeated Dick .

" why , who the murrain should this be ?

here is no Joanna , nor ever hath been .

what meaneth it ? "

Matcham was silent .

he seemed to have drawn further away .

" Jack , " said Dick , " I wot not where ye were all day .

saw ye this Joanna ? "

" Nay , " returned Matcham , " I saw her not . "

" nor heard tell of her ? " he pursued .

the steps drew nearer .

Sir Daniel was still roaring the name of Joanna from the courtyard .

" did ye hear of her ? " repeated Dick .

" I heard of her , " said Matcham .

" how your voice twitters !

what aileth you ? " said Dick .

" ' Tis a most excellent good fortune , this Joanna ; it will take their minds from us . "

" Dick , " cried Matcham , " I am lost ; we are both lost .

let us flee if there be yet time .

they will not rest till they have found me .

or , see ! let me go forth ; when they have found me , ye may flee .

let me forth , Dick good Dick , let me away ! "

she was groping for the bolt , when Dick at last comprehended .

the girl paused , and stood silent and motionless .

dick , too , was silent for a little ; then he spoke again .

she answered nothing .

" come , " he said , " speak up , Jack .

come , be a good maid , and say ye love me ! "

" why , Dick , " she cried , " would I be here ? "

but now that I think , how found ye my chamber ? "

" I asked it of Dame Hatch , " she answered .

" well , the dame 's staunch , " he answered ; " she 'll not tell upon you .

we have time before us . "

and just then , as if to contradict his words , feet came down the corridor , and a fist beat roughly on the door .

" here ! " cried a voice .

" open , Master Dick ; open ! "

dick neither moved nor answered .

" it is all over , " said the girl ; and she put her arms about Dick 's neck .

one after another , men came trooping to the door .

then Sir Daniel arrived himself , and there was a sudden cessation of the noise .

" Dick , " cried the knight , " be not an ass .

the Seven Sleepers had been awake ere now .

we know she is within there .

open , then , the door , man . "

Dick was again silent .

" down with it , " said Sir Daniel .

and immediately his followers fell savagely upon the door with foot and fist .

solid as it was , and strongly bolted , it would soon have given way ; but once more fortune interfered .

in the first moment of alarm it sounded as if the foresters were carrying the Moat House by assault .

and Sir Daniel and his men , desisting instantly from their attack upon Dick 's chamber , hurried to defend the walls .

" now , " cried Dick , " we are saved . "

he seized the great old bedstead with both hands , and bent himself in vain to move it .

" help me , Jack .

for your life 's sake , help me stoutly ! " he cried .

" ye do but make things worse , " said Joanna , sadly .

" he will then enter by the trap . "

" not so , " replied Dick .

" he durst not tell his secret to so many .

it is by the trap that we shall flee .

hark !

the attack is over .

Nay , it was none ! "

" he will return anon , " said Dick .

" to the trap ! "

he lighted a lamp , and they went together into the corner of the room .

the trap moved , gaped a little , and at length came widely open .

seizing it with their hands , the two young folk threw it back .

it disclosed a few steps descending , and at the foot of them , where the would-be murderer had left it , a burning lamp .

" now , " said Dick , " go first and take the lamp .

I will follow to close the trap . "

CHAPTER IV THE PASSAGE

the passage in which Dick and Joanna now found themselves was narrow , dirty , and short .

heavy cobwebs hung from the roof ; and the paved flooring echoed hollow under the lightest tread .

beyond the door there were two branches , at right angles .

Dick chose one of them at random , and the pair hurried , with echoing footsteps , along the hollow of the chapel roof .

the top of the arched ceiling rose like a whale 's back in the dim glimmer of the lamp .

at the other end , they descended a few steps .

these were certainly some of the late arrivals .

" here is no help , " said Dick .

" let us try back . "

" Nay , " said Joanna ; " maybe the passage goeth farther . "

and she pushed on .

they retraced their steps with all imaginable speed , and set forward to explore the other branch .

" we must be in the dungeons , " Dick remarked .

" and still there is no outlet , " added Joanna .

" Nay , but an outlet there must be ! "

Dick answered .

presently , sure enough , they came to a sharp angle , and then the passage ended in a flight of steps .

on the top of that there was a solid flag of stone by way of trap , and to this they both set their backs .

it was immovable .

" some one holdeth it , " suggested Joanna .

" not so , " said Dick ; " for were a man strong as ten , he must still yield a little .

but this resisteth like dead rock .

there is a weight upon the trap .

sit ye then down , and let us talk .

but , in my poor opinion , we are as good as shent . "

" Dick ! " she cried , " alas the day that ever ye should have seen me !

for like a most unhappy and unthankful maid , it is I have led you hither . "

" what cheer ! " returned Dick .

" it was all written , and that which is written , willy nilly , cometh still to pass .

but still Lord Foxham kept me in his hands , and was a good lord to me .

and at last I was to be married or sold , if ye like it better .

five hundred pounds Lord Foxham was to get for me .

Hamley was the groom 's name , and to-morrow , Dick , of all days in the year , was I to be betrothed .

had it not come to Sir Daniel , I had been wedded , sure and never seen thee , Dick dear Dick ! "

" ay ! " cried Dick , " and so ye loved this Hamley ! "

" Nay , " replied Joanna , " not I ..y I did but hate Sir Daniel .

and if , by cruel destiny , it may not be , still ye 'll be dear to me .

while my heart beats , it 'll be true to you . "

I had a pity to you , and knew not why .

when I would have belted you , the hand failed me .

hark ! " he said , breaking off " one cometh . "

and indeed a heavy tread was now audible in the echoing passage , and the rats again fled in armies .

Dick reconnoitred his position .

the sudden turn gave him a post of vantage .

he could thus shoot in safety from the cover of the wall .

presently , at the far end of the passage , Bennet hove in sight .

he seemed to be alone , and he carried in his hand a burning torch , which made him the better mark .

" Stand , Bennet ! " cried Dick .

" another step , and y ' are dead . "

" so here ye are , " returned Hatch , peering forward into the darkness .

" I see you not .

aha ! y ' ' ave done wisely , Dick ; y ' ' ave put your lamp before you .

and now , what make ye ? what seek ye here ?

why would ye shoot upon an old , kind friend ?

and have ye the young gentlewoman there ? "

" Nay , Bennet , it is I should question and you answer , " replied Dick .

" why am I in this jeopardy of my life ?

why do men come privily to slay me in my bed ?

" master Dick , Master Dick , " said Bennet , " what told I you ?

Y ' are brave , but the most uncrafty lad that I can think upon ! "

" well , " returned Dick , " I see ye know all , and that I am doomed indeed .

it is well .

here , where I am , I stay .

let Sir Daniel get me out if he be able ! "

Hatch was silent for a space .

but you , if ye are no fool , had best be gone ere I return . "

" Begone ! " repeated Dick .

" I would be gone already , an ' I wist how .

I cannot move the trap . "

" put me your hand into the corner , and see what ye find there , " replied Bennet .

" Throgmorton 's rope is still in the brown chamber .

fare ye well . "

and Hatch , turning upon his heel , disappeared again into the windings of the passage .

dick instantly returned for his lamp , and proceeded to act upon the hint .

at one corner of the trap there was a deep cavity in the wall .

pushing his arm into the aperture , Dick found an iron bar , which he thrust vigorously upwards .

there followed a snapping noise , and the slab of stone instantly started in its bed .

they were free of the passage .

a torch or two , each stuck in an iron ring against the wall , changefully lit up the scene .

CHAPTER V HOW DICK CHANGED SIDES

dick , blowing out his lamp lest it should attract attention , led the way up-stairs and along the corridor .

in the brown chamber the rope had been made fast to the frame of an exceeding heavy and ancient bed .

" Dick , " she said , " is it so deep ?

I may not essay it .

I should infallibly fall , good Dick . "

it was just at the delicate moment of the operations that she spoke .

dick started ; the remainder of the coil slipped from his grasp , and the end fell with a splash into the moat .

instantly , from the battlement above , the voice of a sentinel cried , " who goes ? "

" a murrain ! " cried Dick .

" we are paid now !

down with you take the rope . "

" I cannot , " she cried , recoiling .

" An ye cannot , no more can I , " said Shelton .

" how can I swim the moat without you ?

do you desert me , then ? "

" Dick , " she gasped , " I cannot .

the strength is gone from me . "

before he could shoot the bolt , strong arms were thrusting it back upon him from the other side .

he struggled for a second ; then , feeling himself overpowered , ran back to the window .

at the same moment the men who had forced the door against him laid hold upon him .

and then he lost hold , and fell , and soused head over ears into the icy water .

but all this had not been done without a considerable splashing , which had so far indicated his position to the men along the battlements .

it had served its purpose .

an arrow struck him in the shoulder , another grazed his head .

he leaned against a tree , streaming with blood and water , bruised , wounded , alone , and unarmed .

it was more probable he would make haste to marry her to some friend of his own .

In the meanwhile , here he was in a sore plight .

when he awoke from something betwixt sleep and swooning , the grey of the morning had begun to take the place of night .

the progressive brightening of the day and the return of his own senses at last enabled him to recognise the object .

it was a man hanging from the bough of a tall oak .

dick clambered to his feet , and , staggering and leaning on the tree-trunks as he went , drew near to this grim object .

dick raised the hood ; it was Throgmorton , Sir Daniel 's messenger .

he had not gone far upon his errand .

and he put the paper in his own bosom , said a prayer over the dead man , and set forth again through the woods .

a rough voice bid him stand .

" stand ? " repeated Dick .

" by the mass , but I am nearer falling . "

and he suited the action to the word , and fell all his length upon the road .

two men came forth out of the thicket , each in green forest jerkin , each with long-bow and quiver and short sword .

" why , Lawless , " said the younger of the two , " it is young Shelton . "

" ay , this will be as good as bread to John Amend-All , " returned the other .

" though , faith , he hath been to the wars .

here is a tear in his scalp that must ' a ' cost him many a good ounce of blood . "

" and here , " added Greensheve , " is a hole in his shoulder that must have pricked him well .

who hath done this , think ye ?

if it be one of ours , he may all to prayer ; Ellis will give him a short shrift and a long rope . "

" up with the cub , " said Lawless .

" clap him on my back . "

" keep ye the post , brother Greensheve .

I will on with him by myself . "

the sun rose as he came out of the skirts of the wood and saw Tunstall hamlet straggling up the opposite hill .

" who goes ? " cried the man in command .

" Will Lawless , by the rood ye know me as well as your own hand , " returned the outlaw , contemptuously .

" give the word , Lawless , " returned the other .

" now , Heaven lighten thee , thou great fool , " replied Lawless .

" did I not tell it thee myself ?

but ye are all mad for this playing at soldiers .

" Lawless , ye but show an ill example ; give us the word , fool jester , " said the commander of the post .

" and if I had forgotten it ? " asked the other .

" Nay , an y ' are so ill a jester , " said Lawless , " ye shall have your word for me .

" Pass , Lawless , " said the sentry .

" and where is John ? " asked the Grey Friar .

" he holdeth a court , by the mass , and taketh rents as to the manner born ! " cried another of the company .

so it proved .

there the lad 's hurts were looked to ; and he was recalled , by simple remedies , to consciousness .

rest ye a little quietly , for ye are somewhat out of case .

then shall ye tell me your story , and betwixt the two of us we shall find a remedy for all . "

" will ye assault the house ? " asked Dick .

" I were mad , indeed , to think of it , " returned Ellis .

" my mind misgiveth me for Jack , " said the lad .

" for Jack ! " repeated Duckworth .

" O , I see , for the wench !

presently one of them , taking heart of grace , came forward , and with the lowliest salutations , presented a letter to the knight .

his face darkened as he read the contents .

it ran thus :

to the most untrue and cruel gentylman , Sir Daniel Brackley , Knyght , These :

I fynde ye were untrue and unkynd fro the first .

ye have my father 's blood upon your hands ; let be , it will not wasshe .

the first step therinne will be thy first step to the grave .

RIC .

SHELTON .

BOOK III MY LORD FOXHAM

CHAPTER I THE HOUSE BY THE SHORE

months had passed away since Richard Shelton made his escape from the hands of his guardian .

these months had been eventful for England .

the party of Lancaster , which was then in the very article of death , had once more raised its head .

the small town of Shoreby-on-the-Till was full of the Lancastrian nobles of the neighbourhood .

the world had changed indeed .

in an obscure alehouse in a by-street near the harbour , three or four men sat drinking ale and eating a hasty mess of eggs .

" Nay , " said one of the men at the table , " I like it not .

ill will come of it .

this is no place for jolly fellows .

" ' Tis for Master Shelton there , " said another , nodding his head towards the lad before the fire .

the door of the inn opened , and another man entered hastily and approached the youth before the fire .

" master Shelton , " he said , " Sir Daniel goeth forth with a pair of links and four archers . "

dick ( for this was our young friend ) rose instantly to his feet .

" Lawless , " he said , " ye will take John Capper 's watch .

Greensheve , follow with me .

Capper , lead forward .

we will follow him this time , an he go to York . "

they moved at a brisk walk , threading the intricate lanes and drawing nearer to the shore .

" he hath gone each night in this direction ? " asked Dick , in a whisper .

Sir Daniel and his six men were now come to the outskirts of the country .

the lane which Sir Daniel had been following came to an abrupt end .

before him there was a stretch of rough down , and the noise of the sea-surf was audible upon one hand .

there were no guards in the neighbourhood , nor any light in that quarter of the town .

" hey , " said Dick , " I smell treason . "

meanwhile , Sir Daniel had come to a full halt .

the torches were stuck into the sand , and the men lay down , as if to await the arrival of the other party .

this drew near at a good rate .

it consisted of four men only a pair of archers , a varlet with a link , and a cloaked gentleman walking in their midst .

" is it you , my lord ? " cried Sir Daniel .

" my lord , " returned Sir Daniel , " beauty will be the more beholden , misdoubt it not .

but shall we forth ? for the sooner ye have seen my merchandise , the sooner shall we both get home . "

" but why keep ye her here , good knight ? " inquired the other .

" I have told you , my lord , " replied Sir Daniel , " the reason thereof concerneth me only .

neither do I purpose to explain it farther .

ye will find him with an arrow in his back . "

close upon the heels of these , Dick followed .

presently they came close down upon the beach .

they sat down in a tuft of furze and waited .

" Capper , ye will give me a back up , " he said .

and so saying he dropped into the garden .

it was all pitch dark ; there was no light in the house .

the wind whistled shrill among the poor shrubs , and the surf beat upon the beach ; there was no other sound .

the path led him straight to the group of buildings .

any one would have supposed the place to be deserted .

but Dick had good reason to think otherwise .

he continued his inspection , visiting the offices , trying all the windows .

he stepped back a little way , till he thought he could see the movement of a shadow on the wall of the apartment .

he dropped back again to the top round of the ladder in a kind of amazement .

he had never thought of his sweetheart as of so superior a being , and he was instantly taken with a feeling of diffidence .

but he had little opportunity for thought .

a low " Hist ! " sounded from close by , and he hastened to descend the ladder .

" who goes ? " he whispered .

" Greensheve , " came the reply , in tones similarly guarded .

" what want ye ? " asked Dick .

" the house is watched , Master Shelton , " returned the outlaw .

" by my sooth , " said Dick , " but this is passing strange !

were they not men of Sir Daniel 's ? "

" white , chequered with dark , " repeated Dick .

" Faith , ' tis a badge I know not .

it is none of this country 's badges .

beyond all question there are men of Sir Daniel 's in that house , and to be taken between two shots is a beggarman's position .

take me this ladder ; I must leave it where I found it . "

they returned the ladder to the stable , and groped their way to the place where they had entered .

" now , John Capper , " said Dick , " back with you to Shoreby , even as for your life .

bring me instantly what men ye can collect .

Greensheve and I lie here to watch .

speed ye , John Capper , and the saints aid you to despatch .

I would fain see whether thine eyes betrayed thee . "

keeping well outwards from the wall , and profiting by every height and hollow , they passed about two sides , beholding nothing .

as he dropped again to the earth , another arose a little farther on and repeated the same performance .

and so , like a silent watch word , these gesticulations made the round of the beleaguered garden .

" they keep good watch , " Dick whispered .

" let us back to land , good master , " answered Greensheve .

" ye speak sooth , " returned Dick .

" ashore with us , right speedily . "

CHAPTER II A SKIRMISH IN THE DARK

thoroughly drenched and chilled , the two adventurers returned to their position in the gorse .

" I pray Heaven that Capper make good speed ! " said Dick .

" I vow a candle to St Mary of Shoreby if he come before the hour ! "

" Y ' are in a hurry , Master Dick ? " asked Greensheve .

Unfriends , for sure ! "

" well , " returned Greensheve , " an John come speedily , we shall give a good account of them .

and yet , Master Dick , an she be in Sir Daniel 's power already , it will little hurt that she should change into another 's .

who should these be ? "

" I do suspect the Lord of Shoreby , " Dick replied .

" when came they ? "

" they began to come , Master Dick , " said Greensheve , " about the time ye crossed the wall .

I had not lain there the space of a minute ere I marked the first of the knaves crawling round the corner . "

of two evils , Dick preferred the least .

but the time passed , and still there was no movement .

presently Dick 's reinforcements began to arrive .

the night was not yet old before nearly a score of men crouched beside him in the gorse .

separating these into two bodies , he took the command of the smaller himself , and entrusted the larger to the leadership of Greensheve .

post them strongly , and wait till that ye hear me falling on upon the other side .

it is those upon the sea front that I would fain make certain of , for there will be the leader .

the rest will run ; even let them .

and now , lads , let no man draw an arrow ; ye will but hurt friends .

the prospect of a sharp encounter and possible spoils restored them to good humour , and they joyfully prepared for battle .

the bows , quivers , and tabards were concealed among the gorse , and the two bands set resolutely forward .

then they all shouted with one voice , and closed upon the enemy .

these , lying widely scattered , stiff with cold , and taken at unawares , sprang stupidly to their feet , and stood undecided .

thereupon they gave themselves up for lost and ran .

for all that , the fight was but beginning .

dick 's outlaws , although they had the advantage of the surprise , were still considerably outnumbered by the men they had surrounded .

the strangers were well armed ; they fell in silence upon their assailants ; and the affray became a series of single combats .

the giant still pursued his advantage , and still Dick fled before him , spying for his chance .

the next moment he was engaged , upon more equal terms , with his second pursuer .

Dick ground his teeth .

while he was still submerged , Dick forced his dagger from his grasp , and rose to his feet , victorious .

" yield ye ! " he said .

" I give you life . "

" I yield me , " said the other , getting to his knees .

Dick turned to the beach .

" lead me to your captain , youth , " said the conquered knight .

" it is fit this butchery should cease . "

" call off your dogs , then , and I will bid my villains hold , " returned the other .

there was something noble both in the voice and manner of his late opponent , and Dick instantly dismissed all fears of treachery .

" lay down your arms , men ! " cried the stranger knight .

" I have yielded me , upon promise of life . "

the tone of the stranger was one of absolute command , and almost instantly the din and confusion of the mellay ceased .

" Lawless , " cried Dick , " are ye safe ? "

" ay , " cried Lawless , " safe and hearty . "

" light me the lantern , " said Dick .

" is not Sir Daniel here ? " inquired the knight .

" Sir Daniel ? " echoed Dick .

" now , by the rood , I pray not .

it would go ill with me if he were . "

" ill with you , fair sir ? " inquired the other .

" Nay , then , if ye be not of Sir Daniel 's party , I profess I comprehend no longer .

but before Dick could answer , a voice spoke in the darkness from close by .

dick could see the speaker 's black and white badge , and the respectful salute which he addressed to his superior .

" Hawksley is in the right , " added the lord .

" how please ye , sir ?

whither shall we march ? "

" Nay , my lord , " said Dick , " go where ye will for me .

" Y ' are too trustful , boy , " said the other ; " but this time your trust is not misplaced .

I will meet you at the point of day at St Bride 's Cross .

come , lads , follow ! "

he put his ear to the ground , and it seemed to him as if he heard a jarring and hollow noise from townward .

back to the beach he went hurrying .

CHAPTER III ST .

BRIDE'S CROSS

St Bride 's cross stood a little way back from Shoreby , on the skirts of Tunstall Forest .

here , then , about seven in the morning , Dick arrived .

Dick set him down upon the lowest step of the cross , wrapped himself well in his tabard , and looked vigilantly upon all sides .

he had not long to wait .

his visor was raised , and showed a countenance of great command and dignity , answerable to the richness of his attire and arms .

and it was with some confusion of manner that Dick arose from the cross and stepped down the bank to meet his prisoner .

" I thank you , my lord , for your exactitude , " he said , louting very low .

" will it please your lordship to set foot to earth ? "

" are ye here alone , young man ? " inquired the other .

" Y ' ' ave done wisely , " said the lord .

" it pleaseth me the rather , since last night ye fought foolhardily , and more like a salvage Saracen lunatic than any Christian warrior .

but it becomes not me to complain that had the undermost . "

ye were pleased to make me yours with several dagger marks , which I still carry .

" Y ' are shrewd enough to make light of it , I see , " returned the stranger .

" Nay , my lord , not shrewd , " replied Dick , " in that I shoot at no advantage to myself .

" ye speak well , " said the stranger .

" your name ? "

" my name , an't like you , is Shelton , " answered Dick .

" men call me the Lord Foxham , " added the other .

" but are ye not ward to Sir Daniel ?

Methought , if y ' are Harry Shelton 's son , that I had heard it so reported , " said Lord Foxham .

" will it please you , my lord , to alight ?

I would fain tell you fully who I am , how situate , and why so bold in my demands .

beseech you , my lord , take place upon these steps , hear me to a full end , and judge me with allowance . "

be of a good cheer ; for ye have made a friend who is devoid neither of power nor favour .

" ay , my lord , and now Sir Daniel hath promised her to my Lord Shoreby , " interrupted Dick .

" and his promise , for all it is but young , is still the likelier to be made good . "

" ' Tis the plain truth , " returned his lordship .

aid me with your good fellows "

" my lord , " cried Dick , " they are these same outlaws that ye blame me for consorting with . "

" let them be what they will , they can fight , " returned Lord Foxham .

" come , " he said , " an y ' are to marry Joan , we must be early friends . "

CHAPTER IV THE GOOD HOPE

the obstacles , however , were many ; and as one after another of his scouts arrived , each brought him more discomfortable news .

Sir Daniel was alarmed by the skirmish of the night before .

the adventure of the night appeared more and more difficult of execution , till suddenly Dick 's countenance lightened .

" Lawless ! " he cried , " you that were a shipman , can ye steal me a ship ? "

" master Dick , " replied Lawless , " if ye would back me , I would agree to steal York Minster . "

presently after , these two set forth and descended to the harbour .

many decked ships and many open boats either lay there at anchor , or had been drawn up on the beach .

he was disturbed by a touch upon his shoulder .

" there , sir , " said Lawless , " mark ye it well !

there is the ship for to-night . "

Lawless turned to a loiterer .

" how call ye her ? " he asked , pointing to the little vessel .

" they call her the Good Hope , of Dartmouth , " replied the loiterer .

" her captain , Arblaster by name .

he pulleth the bow oar in yon skiff . "

this was all that Lawless wanted .

hurriedly thanking the man , he moved round the shore to a certain sandy creek , for which the skiff was heading .

there he took up his position , and as soon as they were within earshot , opened fire on the sailors of the Good Hope .

" what !

Gossip Arblaster ! " he cried .

" why , ye be well met ; nay , gossip , ye be right well met , upon the rood !

and is that the Good Hope ?

ay , I would know her among ten thousand ! a sweet shear , a sweet boat !

but marry come up , my gossip , will ye drink ?

I have come into mine estate which doubtless ye remember to have heard on .

come , fellow ; thy hand upon ' t !

come , drink with an old shipfellow ! "

" Nay , " he said , " I cannot mind you .

but what o ' that ?

I would drink with any man , gossip , and so would my man Tom .

let's go drink with him and his shore friend . "

in the middle , and besieged by half a hundred violent draughts , a fire of wreck-wood blazed and vomited thick smoke .

here 's to the Good Hope !

may she ride easy ! "

" ay , " said Skipper Arblaster , " 'tis good weather to be ashore in , that is sooth .

man Tom , how say ye to that ?

gossip , ye speak well , though I can never think upon your name ; but ye speak very well .

may the Good Hope ride easy !

Amen ! "

" friend Dickon , " resumed Lawless , addressing his commander , " ye have certain matters on hand , unless I err ?

well , prithee be about them incontinently .

we are not like shore-men , we old , tough tarry-Johns ! "

" it is well meant , " returned the skipper .

the skiff of the Good Hope lay among many others , from which it was easily distinguished by its extreme smallness and fragility .

the Good Hope , as we have said , was anchored far out , where the swell was heaviest .

in a trice they had leaped upon the heaving deck , and the skiff was dancing at the stern .

the Good Hope was captured .

she was a good stout boat , decked in the bows and amidships , but open in the stern .

she carried one mast , and was rigged between a felucca and a lugger .

" well , Jack , keep me a good watch , " said the young commander , preparing to follow his subordinate .

" ye will do right well . "

Nay , the poor shrew heard the words , and the heart misgave her in her oak-tree ribs .

but look , Master Dick ! how black the weather gathers ! "

the darkness ahead was , indeed , astonishing .

" in sooth , it looketh evilly , " said Dick .

" but what cheer !

' Tis but a squall , and presently it will blow over . "

at the landing-creek there had already gathered about a dozen of the outlaws .

to these the skiff was left , and they were bidden embark without delay .

" Young Shelton , " he said , " are ye for sea , then , truly ? "

" well , " returned Lord Foxham , " lead on .

I will , in some sort , follow you for shame 's sake ; but I own I would I were in bed . "

" here , then , " said Dick .

" hither we go to fetch our pilot . "

and he led the way to the rude alehouse where he had given rendezvous to a portion of his men .

the young leader cast a rapid glance about the shed .

it was plain , however , that the outlaws very largely outnumbered the remainder of the guests .

" hey ? " cried the skipper , tipsily , " who are ye , hey ? "

and he showed him a gold noble in the glimmer of the firelight .

the shipman's eyes burned , although he still failed to recognise our hero .

" ay , boy , " he said , " I am with you .

gossip , I will be back anon .

drink fair , gossip ; " and , taking Dick 's arm to steady his uneven steps , he walked to the door of the alehouse .

but it was now too late , whether for recovery or revenge .

with the aid of these , a slice of sail was got upon her .

the cable was cut .

Richard took his place beside the weather rigging .

CHAPTER V THE GOOD HOPE ( continued )

when some degree of order had been restored , Dick , with a few chosen men , set forth in advance .

a strong discouragement assailed him .

he gave a cautious whistle , the signal previously agreed upon .

it proved to be a signal far more than he desired .

that was perhaps the chief cause of the disaster which made haste to follow .

" on board , lads , for your lives ! " cried another .

a third , with the true instinct of the coward , raised that inevitable report on all retreats : " we are betrayed ! "

one coward thrust off the ship 's stern , while another still held her by the bows .

the fugitives leaped , screaming , and were hauled on board , or fell back and perished in the sea .

some were cut down upon the pier by the pursuers .

but perhaps they had already begun to understand somewhat more clearly , or perhaps another ear had overheard , the helmsman's speech .

this growing ill-feeling turned upon Lawless .

in order to get a proper offing , the old outlaw had put the head of the Good Hope to seaward .

" what ! " bawled one of the grumblers , " he carrieth us to seaward ! "

" ' Tis sooth , " cried another .

" Nay , we are betrayed for sure . "

Lawless , grinding his teeth , continued in silence to steer the true course , guiding the Good Hope among the formidable billows .

to their empty terrors , as to their dishonourable threats , between drink and dignity he scorned to make reply .

the malcontents drew together a little abaft the mast , and it was plain they were like barnyard cocks , " crowing for courage . "

presently they would be fit for any extremity of injustice or ingratitude .

" Lads , " he began , " y ' are right wooden heads , I think .

for to get back , by the mass , we must have an offing , must we not ?

and this old Lawless "

at this the wrath of Lawless rose and broke .

" steer yourselves , " he bellowed , with a curse ; and , careless of the result , he left the helm .

the Good Hope was , at that moment , trembling on the summit of a swell .

she subsided , with sickening velocity , upon the farther side .

nor did Lawless wait to be twice bidden .

the terrible result of his fling of just resentment sobered him completely .

" Bootless , my master , bootless , " said the steersman , peering forward through the dark .

none but the honest and the bold can endure me this tossing of a ship . "

but , prithee , how go we ?

do we lie well ?

are we in good case ? "

" is it so ? " asked Dick .

" it is right so , " replied the outlaw .

" do ye not feel how heavy and dull she moves upon the waves ?

do ye not hear the water washing in her hold ?

she will scarce mind the rudder even now .

" ye speak with a good courage , " returned Dick .

" ye are not then appalled ? "

they had gathered , instead , into the hold of the merchandise , among the butts of wine , and lighted by two swinging lanterns .

here a few kept up the form of revelry , and toasted each other deep in Arblaster 's Gascony wine .

Many sat apart , tending their hurts , but the majority were already prostrated with sickness , and lay moaning in the bilge .

CHAPTER VI THE GOOD HOPE ( concluded )

the moans of the wounded baron blended with the wailing of the ship 's dog .

Lord Foxham had been laid in a berth upon a fur cloak .

" I am sore hurt , " said he .

" how ! " demanded his lordship .

" come sound ashore ?

there is , then , a question of it ? "

" Ha ! " said the baron , gloomily , " thus shall every terror attend upon the passage of my soul !

Howbeit , I have that upon my mind that must not be delayed .

we have no priest aboard ? "

" none , " replied Dick .

I fall in an evil hour for me , for England , and for them that trusted me .

will he obey ?

I know not . "

" but , my lord , what orders ? " inquired Dick .

" ay , " quoth the baron , " ay the orders ; " and he looked upon Dick with hesitation .

" are ye Lancaster or York ? " he asked , at length .

" I shame to say it , " answered Dick , " I can scarce clearly answer .

but so much I think is certain : since I serve with Ellis Duckworth , I serve the house of York .

well , if that be so , I declare for York . "

" it is well , " returned the other ; " it is exceeding well .

for , truly , had ye said Lancaster , I wot not for the world what I had done .

but sith ye are for York , follow me .

" I do soberly take this up on me , " said Dick .

" in so far as in me lieth , your purpose shall be done . "

" it is good , " said the wounded man .

" my lord duke shall order you farther , and if ye obey him with spirit and good will , then is your fortune made .

give me the lamp a little nearer to mine eyes , till that I write these words for you . "

he wrote a note " to his worshipful kinsman , Sir John Hamley ; " and then a second , which he-left without external superscripture .

" this is for the duke , " he said .

" the word is ' England and Edward , ' and the counter , ' England and York . ' "

" and Joanna , my lord ? " asked Dick .

" Nay , ye must get Joanna how ye can , " replied the baron .

" I have named you for my choice in both these letters ; but ye must get her for yourself , boy .

I have tried , as ye see here before you , and have lost my life .

more could no man do . "

the day was beginning to break , cold and blue , with flying squalls of snow .

both the wind and the sea had gone down ; but the vessel wallowed deep , and scarce rose upon the waves .

" are we going ashore ? " asked Dick .

" ay , " said Lawless , " unless we get first to the bottom . "

" now , boys , " cried Lawless , " the saints have had a care of us , indeed .

upon a hillock on one side of their way a party of men lay huddled together , suspiciously observing the movements of the new arrivals .

" they might draw near and offer us some comfort , " Dick remarked .

" well , an ' they come not to us , let us even turn aside to them , " said Hawksley .

" the sooner we come to a good fire and a dry bed the better for my poor lord . "

" back ! back ! " cried his lordship .

" beware , in Heaven 's name , that ye reply not . "

" Nay , " cried Greensheve , pulling an arrow from his leather jack .

" they take us to be French pirates , " answered Lord Foxham .

it is the pity and reproach of this poor land . "

BOOK IV THE DISGUISE

CHAPTER I THE DEN

about a mile into the forest they came to a place where several ways met , under a grove of lofty and contorted oaks .

" Lead on , Will , " answered Dick .

" a cup of wine and a good fire !

Nay , I would go a far way round to see them . "

the roots served him for rafters , the turf was his thatch ; for walls and floor he had his mother the earth .

with a sigh of great contentment , Lawless spread his broad hands before the fire , and seemed to breathe the smoke .

" here , then , " he said , " is this old Lawless 's rabbit-hole ; pray Heaven there come no terrier !

but here is my place , Master Shelton .

this is my native land , this burrow in the earth !

it 's here I come back to , and it 's here , so please the saints , that I would like to die . "

" ' Tis a warm corner , to be sure , " replied Dick , " and a pleasant , and a well hid . "

" Aright ! " returned Dick , nodding his head .

" well , now , " continued Lawless , " hear an old fool that hath been nigh-hand everything , and seen nigh-hand all !

ye go too much on other people 's errands , Master Dick .

ye go on Ellis 's ; but he desireth rather the death of Sir Daniel .

ye go on Lord Foxham 's ; well the saints preserve him ! doubtless he meaneth well .

but go ye upon your own , good Dick .

come right to the maid 's side .

court her , lest that she forget you .

be ready ; and when the chance shall come , off with her at the saddle-bow . "

" ay , but , Lawless , beyond doubt she is now in Sir Daniel 's own mansion . " answered Dick .

" thither , then , go we , " replied the outlaw .

dick stared at him .

" Nay , I mean it , " nodded Lawless .

" and if y ' are of so little faith , and stumble at a word , see here ! "

" here , " he said , " is for you .

on with them ! "

boldly to Sir Daniel 's we shall go , and there be hospitably welcome for the love of Mother Church . "

" and how , dear Lawless , " cried the lad , " shall I repay you ? "

" Tut , brother , " replied the outlaw , " I do naught but for my pleasure .

mind not for me .

I am one , by the mass , that mindeth for himself .

" Wherefore do ye that ? " asked the lad .

" Wherefore arrows , when ye take no bow ? "

a black arrow , Master Dick , is the seal of our abbey ; it showeth you who writ the bill . "

where shall I conceal them , Will ? "

" never ! " cried Richard .

" I trust you , man .

I were base indeed if I not trusted you . "

" I am a kind old Christian , and no traitor to men 's blood , and no sparer of mine own in a friend 's jeopardy .

but , fool , child , I am a thief by trade and birth and habit .

can it be clearer spoken ?

no . "

and he stumped forth through the bushes with a snap of his big fingers .

each looked upon the other , and each laughed , so thorough and so droll was the disguise .

presently at sight of one of these , Lawless pulled up .

Pax vobiscum !

but look ye a little , what an excellent thing it is to be a Jack-of-all-trades !

he was by this time close to the window of the farm , and he rose on his tip-toes and peeped in .

" Nay , " he cried , " better and better .

we shall here try our false faces with a vengeance , and have a merry jest on Brother Capper to boot . "

and so saying , he opened the door and led the way into the house .

three of their own company sat at the table , greedily eating .

" we want no beggars here ! " he cried .

but another although he was as far from recognising Dick and Lawless inclined to more moderate counsels .

" not so , " he cried .

mind him not , my father ; but come , drink of my cup , and give me a benediction . "

" Y ' are men of a light mind , carnal , and accursed , " said the monk .

" now , may the saints forbid that ever I should drink with such companions !

" so , " he said , " we have proved our false faces , Master Shelton .

I will now adventure my poor carcase where ye please . "

" good ! " returned Richard .

" it irks me to be doing .

set we on for Shoreby ! "

CHAPTER II " IN MINE ENEMIES ' HOUSE "

Sir Daniel , in his profusion , in the gaiety and gallantry of his establishment , rivalled with Lord Shoreby , and eclipsed Lord Risingham .

all guests were made welcome .

two monks a young and an old had arrived late , and were now warming themselves at a bonfire in a corner of the shed .

two ladies , muffled in thick furs , led the way , and were followed by a pair of waiting-women and four stout men-at-arms .

dick followed close behind .

it was already the dusk of the day ; and in the house the darkness of the night had almost come .

on the stair-landings , torches flared in iron holders ; down the long , tapestried corridors , a lamp burned by every door .

two floors were passed , and at every landing the younger and shorter of the two ladies had looked back keenly at the monk .

dick mounted with a swift foot , and holding to the corner , thrust forth his head and followed the three women with his eyes .

without turning or looking behind them , they continued to descend the corridor .

" it is right well , " thought Dick .

" let me but know my Lady Brackley 's chamber , and it will go hard an I find not Dame Hatch upon an errand . "

he was somewhat abashed to find , in the person whom he had so roughly seized , the short young lady in the furs .

she , on her part , was shocked and terrified beyond expression , and hung trembling in his grasp .

dick , who could read these changes on her face , became alarmed for his own safety in that hostile house .

what do ye here ?

why are ye thus sacrilegiously tricked out ?

come ye in peace or war ?

and why spy ye after Lady Brackley like a thief ? "

" madam , " quoth Dick , " of one thing I pray you to be very sure : I am no thief .

" are ye , then , a spy a Yorkist ? " asked the maid .

" madam , " he replied , " I am indeed a Yorkist , and , in some sort , a spy .

I will wholly put my life in your discretion .

I am a lover , and my name "

" hush ! " she said , " and come !

shalt talk hereafter . "

I have life and death over you , and I will not scruple to abuse my power .

look to yourself ; y ' ' ave cruelly mauled my arm .

he knew not I was a maid , quoth he !

had he known I was a maid , he had ta'en his belt to me , forsooth ! "

" Ta'en my belt to her ! " he repeated .

" Ta'en my belt to her ! "

and then he was recalled to the dangers of the present .

she was attired in costly stuffs of deep and warm colours , such as befit the winter and the snow .

upon her head , her hair had been gathered together and became her as a crown .

without a start , without a tremor , she raised her lamp and looked at the young monk .

" what make ye here , good brother ? " she inquired .

" ye are doubtless ill-directed .

whom do ye require ?

and she set her lamp upon the bracket .

" Joanna , " said Dick ; and then his voice failed him .

" Dick ! " she cried .

" Dick ! "

" oh , the fool fellow ! " she cried .

" oh , dear Dick !

oh , if ye could see yourself !

Alack ! " she added , pausing .

" I have spoilt you , Dick !

I have knocked some of the paint off .

but that can be mended .

what cannot be mended , Dick or I much fear it cannot ! is my marriage with Lord Shoreby . "

" is it decided , then ? " asked the lad .

there is no help in tears , or I could weep mine eyes out .

I have not spared myself to pray , but Heaven frowns on my petition .

" Nay , " said Dick , " not I ; I will never say that word .

' Tis like despair ; but while there 's life , Joanna , there is hope .

yet will I hope .

ay , by the mass , and triumph !

" ay , " she said , dryly , " ye make a great ado about a sky-blue robe ! "

" Nay , Joan , " protested Dick , " 'tis not alone the robe .

but , lass , ye were disguised .

here am I disguised ; and , to the proof , do I not cut a figure of fun a right fool 's figure ? "

" ay , Dick , an ' that ye do ! " she answered , smiling .

" well , then ! " he returned , triumphant .

" so was it with you , poor Matcham , in the forest .

In sooth , ye were a wench to laugh at .

but now ! "

but presently there was a noise behind them ; and they were aware of the short young lady , with her finger on her lips .

" saints ! " she cried , " but what a noise ye keep !

can ye not speak in compass ?

and now , Joanna , my fair maid of the woods , what will ye give your gossip for bringing you your sweetheart ? "

Joanna ran to her , by way of answer , and embraced her fierily .

" and you , sir , " added the young lady , " what do ye give me ? "

" madam , " said Dick , " I would fain offer to pay you in the same money . "

" come , then , " said the lady , " it is permitted you . "

but Dick , blushing like a peony , only kissed her hand .

I am all black and blue , wench ; trust me never , if I be not black and blue !

and now , " she continued , " have ye said your sayings ? for I must speedily dismiss the paladin . "

" and supper ? " asked the young lady .

" must we not go down to supper ? "

" Nay , to be sure ! " cried Joan .

" I had forgotten . "

he had not been long in this position , when he was somewhat strangely disturbed .

and while he was still hesitating , a new cause of concern was added .

" what make ye here , my merry men , among the greenwood shaws ? " sang the voice .

" what make ye here ?

lawless , alas ! rolling drunk , was wandering the house , seeking for a corner wherein to slumber off the effect of his potations .

dick inwardly raged .

what was to be done ?

if he lost touch of Lawless for the night , he was left impotent , whether to plan or carry forth Joanna 's rescue .

it was , nevertheless , upon this last hazard that Dick decided .

slipping from behind the tapestry , he stood ready in the doorway of the chamber , with a warning hand upraised .

lawless , flushed crimson , with his eyes injected , vacillating on his feet , drew still unsteadily nearer .

Dick leaped upon and shook the drunkard furiously .

" beast ! " he hissed " beast and no man !

it is worse than treachery to be so witless .

we may all be shent for thy sotting . "

but Lawless only laughed and staggered , and tried to clap young Shelton on the back .

and just then Dick 's quick ear caught a rapid brushing in the arras .

CHAPTER III THE DEAD SPY

" it is well , " said Dick , at length ; " they have not heard us , praise the saints !

but , now , what shall I do with this poor spy ?

at least , I will take my tassel from his wallet . "

the name awoke Dick 's recollection ; and he instantly broke the wax and read the contents of the letter .

it was short , but , to Dick 's delight , it gave evident proof that Lord Shoreby was treacherously corresponding with the House of York .

my Lord of Shoreby , ye that writt the letter , wot ye why your man is ded ?

but let me rede you , marry not .

JON AMEND-ALL .

" Nay , I will have the credit for mine order , " he hiccupped .

" if ye should drink the clary wine "

" peace , sot ! " cried Dick , and thrust him hard against the wall .

go ! "

so soon as he was out of sight , Dick returned to his hiding-place , resolutely fixed to see the matter out .

wisdom , indeed , moved him to be gone ; but love and curiosity were stronger .

time passed slowly for the young man , bolt upright behind the arras .

the fire in the room began to die down , and the lamp to burn low and to smoke .

some ran forward and some back , and all together began to cry aloud .

soon a way was cleared , and Sir Daniel came forth in person , followed by the bridegroom of the morrow , my Lord Shoreby .

" my lord , " said Sir Daniel , " have I not told you of this knave Black Arrow ?

to the proof , behold it !

" in good sooth , it was a man of mine , " replied Lord Shoreby , hanging back .

" I would I had more such .

he was keen as a beagle and secret as a mole . "

" ay , gossip , truly ? " asked Sir Daniel , keenly .

" and what came he smelling up so many stairs in my poor mansion ?

but he will smell no more . "

" give it me , arrow and all , " said the knight .

and when he had taken into his hand the shaft , he continued for some time to gaze upon it in a sullen musing .

" ay , " he said , addressing Lord Shoreby , " here is a hate that followeth hard and close upon my heels .

this black stick , or its just likeness , shall yet bring me down .

and , gossip , suffer a plain knight to counsel you ; and if these hounds begin to wind you , flee !

' Tis like a sickness it still hangeth , hangeth upon the limbs .

but let us see what they have written .

but what wrote ye in a letter ? "

he rose to his feet with a somewhat unsettled countenance .

but let us , first of all , secure the issues of the house .

here is enough harm already , by St George ! "

meanwhile , the body of the spy was carried out through the falling snow and deposited in the abbey church .

he , upon his side , recounted the visit of the spy , his dangerous discovery , and speedy end .

Joanna leaned back very faint against the curtained wall .

" it will avail but little , " she said .

" I shall be wed to-morrow , in the morning , after all ! "

" what ! " cried her friend .

" and here is our paladin that driveth lions like mice !

ye have little faith , of a surety .

but come , friend lion-driver , give us some comfort ; speak , and let us hear bold counsels . "

dick was confounded to be thus outfaced with his own exaggerated words ; but though he coloured , he still spoke stoutly .

" truly , " said he , " we are in straits .

" and for the lions , " mimicked the girl , " they shall be driven . "

" I crave your excuse , " said Dick .

take me , I pray you , rightly . "

" why said ye he was rustic , Joan ? " the girl inquired .

" I warrant he hath a tongue in his head ; ready , soft , and bold is his speech at pleasure .

what would ye more ? "

" Nay , " sighed Joanna , with a smile , " they have changed me my friend Dick , ' tis sure enough .

when I beheld him , he was rough indeed .

but it matters little ; there is no help for my hard case , and I must still be Lady Shoreby ! "

" Nay , then , " said Dick , " I will even make the adventure .

how call they the name of this spy ? "

" Rutter , " said the young lady ; " and an excellent good name to call him by .

but how mean ye , lion-driver ?

what is in your mind to do ? "

they will be praying over his poor clay even now . "

" the device is somewhat simple , " replied the girl , " yet it may hold . "

" ye say true , " she said .

" well , go , a-Mary 's name , and may Heaven speed you !

ye leave here a poor maid that loves you entirely , and another that is most heartily your friend .

be wary , for their sakes , and make not shipwreck of your safety . "

" ay , " added Joanna , " go , Dick .

ye run no more peril , whether ye go or stay .

go ; ye take my heart with you ; the saints defend you ! "

" Pax vobiscum , " answered Dick .

" I go to pray over the body of this poor Rutter . "

" like enough , " returned the sentry ; " but to go alone is not permitted you . "

he leaned over the oaken balusters and whistled shrill .

" one cometh ! " he cried ; and then motioned Dick to pass .

" let him not slip , my lads , " he said .

" bring him to Sir Oliver , on your lives ! "

in the midst of the choir the dead spy lay , his limbs piously composed , upon a bier .

" a monk ! " returned Sir Oliver ( for he it was ) , when he had heard the report of the archer .

" my brother , I looked not for your coming , " he added , turning to young Shelton .

" in all civility , who are ye ? and at whose instance do ye join your supplications to ours ? "

" my life is in your hands . "

Sir Oliver violently started ; his stout cheeks grew pale , and for a space he was silent .

" Richard , " he said , " what brings you here , I know not ; but I much misdoubt it to be evil .

nevertheless , for the kindness that was , I would not willingly deliver you to harm .

but if your purpose be bloody , it shall return upon your head .

Amen ! "

and the priest devoutly crossed himself , and turned and louted to the altar .

his mind and his eyes , however , were continually wandering .

here , then , he was trapped .

but , for all that , he obtained a command upon his mind , and built himself up in patience to await the issue .

CHAPTER IV IN THE ABBEY CHURCH

Rutter , the spy , was nobly waked .

once only , in the course of the hours , Sir Oliver leaned across to his captive .

Sinful in the eye of Heaven I do declare myself ; but sinful as against you I am not , neither have been ever . "

" a man may be innocently guilty , " replied the priest .

" he may be set blindfolded upon a mission , ignorant of its true scope .

so it was with me .

" it may be , " returned Dick .

Methinks , if ye had been all your life a true man and good priest , ye would neither thus fear nor thus detest me .

and now to your prayers .

I do obey you , since needs must ; but I will not be burthened with your company . "

he joined no longer in the psalms ; but Dick could hear the beads rattle through his fingers and the prayers a-pattering between his teeth .

the light slowly broadened and brightened , and presently through the south-eastern clerestories a flush of rosy sunlight flickered on the walls .

the outlaw , at the same moment , recognised his leader , and privily signed to him with hand and eye .

Lawless , as though he had understood , disappeared at once behind a pillar , and Dick breathed again .

instantly Sir Oliver arose from his place , and , gliding behind the stalls , made for the soldiers in the aisle .

if the priest 's suspicions had been so lightly wakened , the harm was already done , and Lawless a prisoner in the church .

" move not , " whispered Dick .

" we are in the plaguiest pass , thanks , before all things , to thy swinishness of yestereven .

" Nay , " returned Lawless , " I thought ye had heard from Ellis , and were here on duty . "

" Ellis ! " echoed Dick .

" is Ellis , then , returned ?

" for sure , " replied the outlaw .

" he came last night , and belted me sore for being in wine so there ye are avenged , my master .

a furious man is Ellis Duckworth !

I had a fair choice , by the rood ! to lose my sweetheart or else lose my life !

well , the cast is thrown it is to be my life . "

" by the mass , " cried Lawless , half arising , " I am gone ! "

but Dick had his hand at once upon his shoulder .

" friend Lawless , sit ye still , " he said .

yield ye , friend .

" master Dick , " gasped Lawless , " the thing hath come upon me somewhat of the suddenest .

" here is my bold fellow ! " returned Dick .

" Nay , that indeed ! " chimed Lawless .

" and a fig for death , at worst !

it has to be done , my master , soon or late .

" and for the matter of that , " Dick added , " it is yet our best chance to keep quiet .

and now came the hour of Ellis Duckworth .

following these signs , he beheld three or four men with bent bows leaning from the clerestory gallery .

right in the midst of the nave the bridegroom lay stone-dead , pierced by two black arrows .

the bride had fainted .

and now , pale with horror , Sir Oliver rose to his feet and called upon Sir Daniel , pointing with one hand to Dick .

" here , " he cried , " is Richard Shelton alas the hour ! blood guilty !

seize him ! bid him be seized !

for all our lives ' sakes , take him and bind him surely !

he hath sworn our fall . "

Sir Daniel was blinded by anger blinded by the hot blood that still streamed across his face .

" where ? " he bellowed .

" hale him forth !

by the cross of Holywood , but he shall rue this hour ! "

Lawless , on his part , sat as still as a mouse .

Sir Daniel , brushing the blood out of his eyes , stared blinkingly upon his captive .

away with him ! " he added .

" here is no place !

off with him to my house .

I will number every joint of thy body with a torture . "

but Dick , putting off his captors , uplifted his voice .

" sanctuary ! " he shouted .

" sanctuary !

Ho , there , my fathers !

they would drag me from the church ! "

" from the church thou hast defiled with murder , boy , " added a tall man , magnificently dressed .

" on what probation ? " cried Dick .

" they do accuse me , indeed , of some complicity , but have not proved one tittle .

but what then ?

to love a maid is no offence , I trow nay , nor to gain her love .

in all else , I stand here free from guiltiness . "

he , in his turn , was dragged from his seat and set beside his leader .

dick 's ears rang and his brain swam dizzily , like a man struggling in the eddies of a furious river .

but the tall man who had already answered Dick , by a prodigious exercise of voice restored silence and order in the mob .

" search them , " he said , " for arms .

we may so judge of their intentions . "

at this there was a great shout among Sir Daniel 's followers , which the tall man suppressed by a gesture and an imperious glance .

" how say ye now ? " asked the tall man , frowningly , of Dick .

" sir , " replied Dick , " I am here in sanctuary , is it not so ?

to you , then , I will yield me prisoner , and that blithely , foregoing the advantage of this holy place .

your own ears have heard him , how before that I was proven guilty he did threaten me with torments .

" my lord , " cried Sir Daniel , " ye will not hearken to this wolf ?

his bloody dagger reeks him the lie into his face . "

" my Lord of Risingham , " she cried , " hear me , in justice .

I am here in this man 's custody by mere force , reft from mine own people .

and then the short young lady fell on her knees by Joanna 's side .

it was I , unworthy , that did lead the young man in . "

Earl Risingham had heard in silence , and when the voices ceased , he still stood silent for a space .

the air is shrewd , and I would not ye took cold upon these scratches . "

he made a sign with his hand ; it was passed down the nave by obsequious servants , who waited there upon his smallest gesture .

CHAPTER V EARL RISINGHAM

thus it was that , from lack of space , Dick and Lawless were clapped into the same apartment .

" indeed , my poor friend , I do believe it , " answered Dick .

" yet have we a string to our bow , " returned Lawless .

" it may not be , " said Dick .

" what can he do ?

he hath but a handful .

but now there is no help . "

it shall naught avail us ; but an I be to hang , it shall not be for lack of swearing . "

soon he was loudly snoring , so utterly had his long life of hardship and adventure blunted the sense of apprehension .

on his captive 's entrance he looked up .

I slew this fellow Rutter ; and to the proof " searching in his bosom " here is a letter from his wallet . "

Lord Risingham took the letter , and opened and read it twice .

" ye have read this ? " he inquired .

" I have read it , " answered Dick .

" are ye for York or Lancaster ? " the earl demanded .

my lord , I am for York . "

the earl nodded approvingly .

" honestly replied , " he said .

" but wherefore , then , deliver me this letter ? "

" Nay , but against traitors , my lord , are not all sides arrayed ? " cried Dick .

" I would they were , young gentleman , " returned the earl ; " and I do at least approve your saying .

for I have inquired , and it appears ye have been hardly dealt with , and have much excuse .

Methought he had changed sides intolerably often . "

" Nay , it is the way of England .

what would ye have ? " the earl demanded .

even in our last reverses he stood firm . "

" ye have read this also ? " he asked .

" even so , " said Dick .

" it is your lordship 's own estate he offers to Lord Wensleydale ? "

" it is my own estate , even as ye say ! " returned the earl .

" I am your bedesman for this letter .

it hath shown me a fox 's hole .

go , a Mary 's name !

but judge it right that I retain and hang your fellow , Lawless .

the crime hath been most open , and it were fitting that some open punishment should follow . "

" my lord , I make it my first suit to you to spare him also , " pleaded Dick .

" it is an old , condemned rogue , thief , and vagabond , Master Shelton , " said the earl .

" he hath been gallows-ripe this score of years .

and , whether for one thing or another , whether to-morrow or the day after , where is the great choice ? "

" master Shelton , ye are troublesome , " replied the earl , severely .

" it is an evil way to prosper in this world .

Howbeit , and to be quit of your importunity , I will once more humour you .

go , then , together ; but go warily , and get swiftly out of Shoreby town .

for this Sir Daniel ( whom may the saints confound ! ) thirsteth most greedily to have your blood . "

CHAPTER VI ARBLASTER AGAIN

they paused in shelter of the garden wall to consult on their best course .

the danger was extreme .

if one of Sir Daniel 's men caught sight of them and raised the view-hallo , they would be run down and butchered instantly .

" how if we lay there until the night fall ? "

dick proposed .

the daylight rapidly departed ; and presently the moon was silvering the frozen snow .

now or never was their opportunity to gain the Goat and Bagpipes unobserved and change their tell-tale garments .

this course was a long one .

instantly they stopped , and made believe to be engaged in earnest conversation .

three men , one after another , came out of the ale-house , and the last closed the door behind him .

the tallest of the three was talking in a loud , lamentable voice .

" I have bad losses , too , " interrupted one of the others .

" I have had losses of mine own , gossip Arblaster .

I was robbed at Martinmas of five shillings and a leather wallet well worth ninepence farthing . "

dick 's heart smote him at what he heard .

the ship 's dog had , however , made his escape from the wreck and found his way back again to Shoreby .

his master unsteadily followed him .

" hey , shipmates ! " he cried .

" have ye ever a penny pie for a poor old shipman , clean destroyed by pirates ?

ask my man Tom , if ye misdoubt me .

hey ! what say ye ?

come , a penny piece . "

" are ye dumb , boy ? " inquired the skipper .

" mates , " he added , with a hiccup , " they be dumb .

the affair passed in a second .

" bring me him back into the alehouse , till I see his face , " said Arblaster .

" Nay , nay , " returned Tom ; " but let us first unload his wallet , lest the other lads cry share . "

" blessed Virgin ! " he cried , " it is the pirate ! "

" hey ! " cried Tom .

" by the Virgin of Bordeaux , it is the man himself ! " repeated Arblaster .

" what , sea-thief , do I hold you ? " he cried .

" where is my ship ?

where is my wine ?

hey ! have I you in my hands ?

when he had done , the lad was a mere package in his hands as helpless as the dead .

the skipper held him at arm 's length , and laughed aloud .

then he fetched him a stunning buffet on the ear ; and then turned him about , and furiously kicked and kicked him .

" my masters , " he began , " are ye gone clean foolish ?

beat me ? nay ; so would an angry child !

" ay , " said Tom , " now y ' are trussed ye would cozen us . "

" cozen you ! " repeated Dick .

" Nay , if ye be fools , it would be easy .

but if ye be shrewd fellows , as I trow ye are , ye can see plainly where your interest lies .

one incontestably that hath much gold .

" what meaneth he ? " asked one of the men .

" he seeks but to cozen us , " said Tom , contemptuously .

" cozen ! cozen ! " cried the third man .

" I would I could see the man that could cozen me !

he were a cozener indeed !

Nay , I was not born yesterday .

shall we go hear him , indeed ?

say , shall we go hear him ? "

" I would look gladly on a pottle of strong ale , good Master Pirret , " returned Arblaster .

" how say ye , Tom ?

but then the wallet is empty . "

" I will pay , " said the other " I will pay .

I would fain see this matter out ; I do believe , upon my conscience , there is gold in it . "

" Nay , if ye get again to drinking , all is lost ! " cried Tom .

" Gossip Arblaster , ye suffer your fellow to have too much liberty , " returned Master Pirret .

" would ye be led by a hired man ?

Fy , fy ! "

" peace , fellow ! " said Arblaster , addressing Tom .

" will ye put your oar in ?

truly a fine pass , when the crew is to correct the skipper ! "

" well , then , go your way , " said Tom ; " I wash my hands of you . "

" set him , then , upon his feet , " said Master Pirret .

" I know a privy place where we may drink and discourse . "

" he saith true , " laughed Pirret .

" truly , he could not walk accoutred as he is .

give it a slit out with your knife and slit it , gossip . "

so much he owed already to the owlish silliness and greed of Master Pirret .

" and now , young man , " said Pirret , " to your tale .

it doth appear , indeed , that ye have somewhat abused our gossip Arblaster ; but what then ?

make it up to him show him but this chance to become wealthy and I will go pledge he will forgive you . "

to squander time was the first necessity .

the longer his stay lasted , the more would his captors drink , and the surer should he be when he attempted his escape .

here was the position of the parties towards the end : Arblaster , three-parts drunk and one-half asleep , hung helpless on his stool .

Even Tom had been much delighted with the tale , and his vigilance had abated in proportion .

meanwhile , Dick had gradually wormed his right arm clear of its bonds , and was ready to risk all .

" and so , " said Pirret , " y ' are one of these ? "

here be we four ; good !

let us , then , go forth into the forest to-morrow ere the sun be up .

Pirret licked his lips .

" and this magic , " he said " this password , whereby the cave is opened how call ye it , friend ? "

it is a thing not trusted twice a year beyond the captain 's wallet . "

" a spell ! " said Arblaster , half awakening , and squinting upon Dick with one eye .

" Aroint thee ! no spells !

I be a good Christian .

ask my man Tom , else . "

" Nay , but this is white magic , " said Dick .

" it doth naught with the devil ; only the powers of numbers , herbs , and planets . "

" ay , ay , " said Pirret ; " ' tis but white magic , gossip .

there is no sin therein , I do assure you .

but proceed , good youth .

this spell in what should it consist ? "

" Nay , that I will incontinently show you , " answered Dick .

" have ye there the ring ye took from my finger ?

good !

now hold it forth before you by the extreme finger-ends , at the arm's-length , and over against the shining of these embers .

' Tis so exactly .

thus , then , is the spell . "

with a haggard glance , Dick saw the coast was clear between him and the door .

he put up an internal prayer .

in itself , it was impotent , for he made sure no seaman in the port could run him down .

but the return of the last seaman did not , even yet , set free young Shelton from his cold imprisonment in the doorway .

BOOK V CROOKBACK

CHAPTER I THE SHRILL TRUMPET

the frost was more rigorous than ever ; the air windless and dry , and stinging to the nostril .

the moon had gone down , but the stars were still bright and numerous , and the reflection from the snow was clear and cheerful .

there was no need for a lamp to walk by ; nor , in that still but ringing air , the least temptation to delay .

it was blown once , and then hurriedly a second time ; and then the clash of steel succeeded .

at this young Shelton pricked his ears , and drawing his sword , ran forward up the hill .

presently he came in sight of the cross , and was aware of a most fierce encounter raging on the road before it .

" hold ye well , sir !

but that ear-piercing summons had been heard at last .

the original assailants ; seeing themselves outnumbered and surrounded , threw down their arms without a word .

" Sir , " said this lad , " ye came in good time for me , and none too early . "

Howbeit , it was certainly well for me that your men delayed no longer than they did . "

" how knew ye who I was ? " demanded the stranger .

" even now , my lord , " dick answered , " I am ignorant of whom I speak with . "

" is it so ? " asked the other .

" and yet ye threw yourself head first into this unequal battle . "

a singular sneer played about the young nobleman's mouth as he made answer :

" these are very brave words .

but to the more essential are ye Lancaster or York ? "

" my lord , I make no secret ; I am clear for York , " Dick answered .

" by the mass ! " replied the other , " it is well for you . "

and so saying , he turned towards one of his followers .

truss me them up . "

there were but five survivors of the attacking party .

" my lord duke , " said one man , " beseech you , tarry not here alone .

keep but a handful of lances at your hand . "

" fellow , " said the duke , " I have forborne to chide you for your slowness .

cross me not , therefore .

I trust my hand and arm , for all that I be crooked .

ye were backward when the trumpet sounded ; and ye are now too forward with your counsels .

but it is ever so ; last with the lance and first with tongue .

let it be reversed . "

and with a gesture that was not without a sort of dangerous nobility , he waved them off .

the day was by this time beginning to break , and the stars to fade .

the first grey glimmer of dawn shone upon the countenances of the two young men , who now turned once more to face each other .

but I would not have you , for all Christendom , suppose me thankless .

and so saying , the young leader held out his arms for an embrace .

" and now , my lord duke , " he said , when he had regained his freedom , " do I suppose aright ?

are ye my Lord Duke of Gloucester ? "

" I am Richard of Gloucester , " returned the other .

" and you how call they you ? "

dick told him his name , and presented Lord Foxham 's signet , which the duke immediately recognised .

" ye come too soon , " he said ; " but why should I complain ?

ye are like me , that was here at watch two hours before the day .

Methinks , Shelton , here were a great blow to be stricken , an we could strike it silently and suddenly . "

" I do think so , indeed , " cried Dick , warming .

" have ye my Lord Foxham 's notes ? " inquired the duke .

" how many do ye count ? " asked Gloucester .

" they number not two thousand , " Dick replied .

shall we attend their coming , or fall on ? "

" my lord , " said Dick , " when ye hanged these five poor rogues ye did decide the question .

Churls although they were , in these uneasy , times they will be lacked and looked for , and the alarm be given .

" I do think so indeed , " returned Crookback .

" well , before an hour , ye shall be in the thick on't , winning spurs .

a swift man to Holywood , carrying Lord Foxham 's signet ; another along the road to speed my laggards !

Nay , Shelton , by the rood , it may be done ! "

therewith he once more set his trumpet to his lips and blew .

this time he was not long kept waiting .

in a moment the open space about the cross was filled with horse and foot .

his plan was simple .

Gloucester turned round to Dick .

two Richards are we .

well , then , Richard Shelton , they shall be heard about , these two !

their swords shall not ring more loudly on men 's helmets than their names shall ring in people 's ears . "

CHAPTER II THE BATTLE OF SHOREBY

the whole distance to be crossed was not above a quarter of a mile .

the young duke ground his teeth together .

in the town , however , the Lancastrians were far from being in so good a posture .

it was as Dick had said .

these got speedily to horse , and , the alarm still flying wild and contrary , galloped in different directions .

to Dick he assigned the guard of one of the five streets .

" go , " he said , " win your spurs .

win glory for me : one Richard for another .

I tell you , if I rise , ye shall rise by the same ladder .

go , " he added , shaking him by the hand .

but , as soon as Dick was gone , he turned to a little shabby archer at his elbow .

" go , Dutton , and that right speedily , " he added .

" follow that lad .

if ye find him faithful , ye answer for his safety , a head for a head .

Woe unto you , if ye return without him !

but if he be faithless or , for one instant , ye misdoubt him stab him from behind . "

In the meanwhile Dick hastened to secure his post .

with the rest , under his own immediate eye , he lined the barricade .

then there befell a long pause , which was followed by the almost simultaneous sounding of four trumpets from four different quarters of the town .

the attack had begun , by a common signal , on all the five issues of the quarter .

" it is from my Lord of Gloucester , " said the page .

" he hath observed , Sir Richard , that ye went unarmed . "

immediately , from behind the barrier and from the windows of the houses , a counterblast of arrows sped , carrying death .

then followed an obstinate and deadly struggle , hand to hand .

the assailants , wielding their falchions with one hand , strove with the other to drag down the structure of the barricade .

on the other side , the parts were reversed ; and the defenders exposed themselves like madmen to protect their rampart .

So for some minutes the contest raged almost in silence , friend and foe falling one upon another .

and now the footmen in the market-place fell back , at a run , on every side .

of the first two horsemen , one fell , rider and steed , and was ridden down by his companions .

the second leaped clean upon the summit of the rampart , transpiercing an archer with his lance .

almost in the same instant he was dragged from the saddle and his horse despatched .

and then the full weight and impetus of the charge burst upon and scattered the defenders .

yet was the fight not over .

then , and not till then , did Dick hold up his reeking blade and give the word to cheer .

meanwhile Gloucester dismounted from his horse and came forward to inspect the post .

" despatch these horses , " he said ; " they keep you from your vantage .

Richard Shelton , " he added , " ye have pleased me .

kneel . "

were it your last man , let me hear of it incontinently .

I had rather venture the post than lose my stroke at him .

" my lord duke , " said one of his attendants , " is your grace not weary of exposing his dear life unneedfully ?

why tarry we here ? "

" Catesby , " returned the duke , " here is the battle , not elsewhere .

the rest are but feigned onslaughts .

here must we vanquish .

Howbeit , if ye will , let us ride on and visit the other posts .

Sir Richard here , my namesake , he shall still hold this entry , where he wadeth to the ankles in hot blood .

him can we trust .

but mark it , Sir Richard , ye are not yet done .

the worst is yet to ward .

sleep not . "

Dick quailed before his eyes .

the insane excitement , the courage , and the cruelty that he read therein filled him with dismay about the future .

CHAPTER III THE BATTLE OF SHOREBY ( concluded )

dick , once more left to his own counsels , began to look about him .

the arrow-shot had somewhat slackened .

on his own side the loss had been cruel .

at the same time , the day was passing .

dick turned to the man who was at his elbow , a little insignificant archer , binding a cut in his arm .

" it was well fought , " he said , " and , by my sooth , they will not charge us twice . "

" sir , " said the little archer , " ye have fought right well for York , and better for yourself .

never hath man in so brief space prevailed so greatly on the duke 's affections .

that he should have entrusted such a post to one he knew not is a marvel .

but look to your head , Sir Richard !

Dick looked at the little man in amaze .

" you ! " he cried .

" and from behind ! "

" it is right so , " returned the archer ; " and because I like not the affair I tell it you .

ye must make the post good , Sir Richard , at your peril .

if any fail or hinder , they shall die the death . "

" now , by the saints ! " cried Richard , " is this so ?

and will men follow such a leader ? "

he will go far , will Crookback Dick o ' Gloucester ! "

the young knight , if he had before been brave and vigilant , was now all the more inclined to watchfulness and courage .

his sudden favour , he began to perceive , had brought perils in its train .

and he turned from the archer , and once more scanned anxiously the market-place .

it lay empty as before .

" I like not this quietude , " he said .

" doubtless they prepare us some surprise . "

but there was something hesitating in the attack .

they came not on roundly , but seemed rather to await a further signal .

Dick looked uneasily about him , spying for a hidden danger .

at the same time , the assailants in the market-place redoubled their shot , and began to close in stoutly upon the barricade .

and meanwhile the fight swayed to and fro in the street without determinate result .

suddenly Dick was aware of a great trumpeting about the outskirts of the town .

the war-cry of York began to be rolled up to heaven , as by many and triumphant voices .

some one gave the word to fly .

trumpets were blown distractedly , some for a rally , some to charge .

and then , like a theatre trick , there followed the last act of Shoreby Battle .

the men in front of Richard turned tail , like a dog that has been whistled home , and fled like the wind .

Conspicuous in the mellay , Dick beheld the Crookback .

a moment more and they had met ; the tall , splendid , and famous warrior against the deformed and sickly boy .

CHAPTER IV THE SACK OF SHOREBY

but this was not yet the hour for repose .

Sir Daniel 's great house had been carried by assault .

the most sickening apprehension fell upon Dick .

Dick , almost without thinking , trod out the incipient conflagration , and then stood bewildered .

he caught a passing archer by the tabard .

" fellow , " he asked , " were ye here when this house was taken ? "

" let be , " said the archer .

" a murrain ! let be , or I strike . "

" hark ye , " returned Richard , " two can play at that .

stand and be plain . "

thereupon the full wrath of the young leader burst from his control .

" I pray you mercy ! " gasped the archer .

" An I had thought ye were so angry I would ' a ' been charier of crossing you .

I was here indeed . "

" know ye Sir Daniel ? " pursued Dick .

" well do I know him , " returned the man .

" was he in the mansion ? "

" alone ? " cried Dick .

" he may ' a ' had a score of lances with him , " said the man .

" Lances !

no women , then ? " asked Shelton .

" Troth , I saw not , " said the archer .

" but there were none in the house , if that be your quest . "

" I thank you , " said Dick .

" here is a piece for your pains . "

but groping in his wallet , Dick found nothing .

and then an idea struck Dick .

he hastily descended to the courtyard , ran with all his might across the garden , and came to the great door of the church .

even as Dick entered , the loud chorus began to thunder in the vaulted roofs .

he hurried through the groups of refugees , and came to the door of the stair that led into the steeple .

and here a tall churchman stepped before him and arrested his advance .

" whither , my son ? " he asked , severely .

" my father , " answered Dick , " I am here upon an errand of expedition .

stay me not .

I command here for my Lord of Gloucester . "

" for my Lord of Gloucester ? " repeated the priest .

" Hath , then , the battle gone so sore ? "

and now , with your good leave , I follow mine affairs . "

it was now near upon noon ; the day exceeding bright , the snow dazzling .

and as Dick looked around him , he could measure the consequences of the battle .

a confused , growling uproar reached him from the streets , and now and then , but very rarely , the clash of steel .

over all the open ground there lay a prodigious quantity of fallen men and horses , clearly defined upon the snow .

" Murrey and blue ! " cried Dick .

" I swear it murrey and blue ! "

the next moment he was descending the stairway .

" Sir Richard Shelton , ye are well found , " he said .

Catesby , if I had ten such captains as Sir Richard , I would march forthright on London .

but now , sir , claim your reward . "

" freely , my lord , " said Dick , " freely and loudly .

one hath escaped to whom I owe some grudges , and taken with him one whom I owe love and service .

" how call ye him ? " inquired the duke .

" Sir Daniel Brackley , " answered Richard .

" Out upon him , double-face ! " cried Gloucester .

Crookback Dick was pleased to cheer the exploit , and pushing his horse a little nearer , called to see the prisoners .

the young duke passed them for a moment under a severe review .

" good , " he said .

" hang them . "

and he turned the other way to watch the progress of the fight .

" my lord , " said Dick , " so please you , I have found my reward .

grant me the life and liberty of yon old shipman . "

Gloucester turned and looked the speaker in the face .

" Sir Richard , " he said , " I make not war with peacock 's feathers , but steel shafts .

those that are mine enemies I slay , and that without excuse or favour .

if , then , I did begin to grant these pardons , I might sheathe my sword . "

Richard of Gloucester flushed .

" mark it right well , " he said , harshly .

" I love not mercy , nor yet mercymongers .

ye have this day laid the foundations of high fortune .

if ye oppose to me my word , which I have plighted , I will yield .

but , by the glory of heaven , there your favour dies !

" mine is the loss , " said Dick .

" give him his sailor , " said the duke ; and wheeling his horse , he turned his back upon young Shelton .

Dick was nor glad nor sorry .

one thing alone he feared that the vindictive leader might revoke the offer of the lances .

but here he did justice neither to Gloucester 's honour ( such as it was ) nor , above all , to his decision .

In the meanwhile , Dick turned to the old shipman , who had seemed equally indifferent to his condemnation and to his subsequent release .

but the old skipper only looked upon him dully and held his peace .

" come , " continued Dick , " a life is a life , old shrew , and it is more than ships or liquor .

say ye forgive me ; for if your life be worth nothing to you , it hath cost me the beginnings of my fortune .

come , I have paid for it dearly ; be not so churlish . "

' Murrain ! ' quoth he , and spake never again .

' Murrain ' was the last of his words , and the poor spirit of him passed .

' A will never sail no more , will my Tom . ' "

dick was seized with unavailing penitence and pity ; he sought to take the skipper 's hand , but Arblaster avoided his touch .

" Nay , " said he , " let be .

Y ' have played the devil with me , and let that content you . "

the words died in Richard 's throat .

but there was no time left to him for vain regret .

Catesby had now collected the horsemen , and riding up to Dick he dismounted , and offered him his own horse .

" suffer me yet a moment , " replied Dick .

" this favour of mine whereupon was it founded ? "

" upon your name , " answered Catesby .

" it is my lord 's chief superstition .

were my name Richard , I should be an earl to-morrow . "

Catesby laughed .

" Nay , " said he , " of a verity he that rides with Crooked Dick will ride deep .

well , God keep us all from evil !

speed ye well . "

thereupon Dick put himself at the head of his men , and giving the word of command , rode off .

the streets were strewn with the dead and the wounded , whose fate , in the bitter frost , was far the more pitiable .

gangs of the victors went from house to house , pillaging and stabbing , and sometimes singing together as they went .

Dick 's heart had just been awakened .

and here Dick spied among the rest the body of a very young lad , whose face was somehow hauntingly familiar to him .

he halted his troop , dismounted , and raised the lad 's head .

as he did so , the hood fell back , and a profusion of long brown hair unrolled itself .

at the same time the eyes opened .

" ah ! lion driver ! " said a feeble voice .

" she is farther on .

ride ride fast ! "

and then the poor young lady fainted once again .

one of Dick 's men carried a flask of some strong cordial , and with this Dick succeeded in reviving consciousness .

then he took Joanna 's friend upon his saddlebow , and once more pushed toward the forest .

" why do ye take me ? " said the girl .

" ye but delay your speed . "

" Nay , Mistress Risingham , " replied Dick .

" Shoreby is full of blood and drunkenness and riot .

here ye are safe ; content ye . "

" I will not be beholden to any of your faction , " she cried ; " set me down . "

" madam , ye know not what ye say , " returned Dick .

" Y ' are hurt "

" I am not , " she said .

" it was my horse was slain . "

" it matters not one jot , " replied Richard .

" ye are here in the midst of open snow , and compassed about with enemies .

whether ye will or not , I carry you with me .

Glad am I to have the occasion ; for thus shall I repay some portion of our debt . "

for a little while she was silent .

then , very suddenly , she asked :

" my uncle ? "

" my Lord Risingham ? " returned Dick .

" I would I had good news to give you , madam ; but I have none .

I saw him once in the battle , and once only .

let us hope the best . "

CHAPTER V NIGHT IN THE WOODS : ALICIA RISINGHAM

at this point Sir Daniel had turned a little to his left , and then plunged straight under a grove of very lofty timber .

" Sir Richard , " replied the man-at-arms , " I would follow the line until they scatter . "

how say ye , lads ?

will ye stand a pinch for expedition 's sake , or shall we turn by Holywood and sup with Mother Church ?

the men answered , almost with one voice , that they would follow Sir Richard where he would .

and Dick , setting spur to his horse , began once more to go forward .

the snow in the trail had been trodden very hard , and the pursuers had thus a great advantage over the pursued .

plainly , profiting by the road , Sir Daniel had begun already to scatter his command .

Dick drew bridle in despair .

" well , we are outwitted , " Dick confessed .

" strike we for Holywood , after all .

it is still nearer us than Tunstall or should be by the station of the sun . "

so they wheeled to their left , turning their backs on the red shield of sun , and made across country for the abbey .

now they must plough at a dull pace through the encumbering snow , continually pausing to decide their course , continually floundering in drifts .

presently , indeed , the moon would clear the hilltops , and they might resume their march .

but till then , every random step might carry them wider of their march .

there was nothing for it but to camp and wait .

she sat upon one horse-cloth , wrapped in another , and stared straight before her at the firelit scene .

at the offer of food she started , like one wakened from a dream , and then silently refused .

" madam , " said Dick , " let me beseech you , punish me not so cruelly .

at least , madam , punish not yourself ; and eat , if not for hunger , then for strength . "

" I will eat nothing at the hands that slew my kinsman , " she replied .

" dear madam , " dick cried , " I swear to you upon the rood I touched him not . "

" swear to me that he still lives , " she returned .

" I will not palter with you , " answered Dick .

" pity bids me to wound you .

in my heart I do believe him dead . "

" and ye ask me to eat ! " she cried .

" ay , and they call you ' sir ! '

Y ' have won your spurs by my good kinsman's murder .

" I did but my man 's best , even as your kinsman did upon the other party , " answered Dick .

" were he still living as I vow to Heaven I wish it ! he would praise , not blame me . "

" sir Daniel hath told me , " she replied .

" he marked you at the barricade .

upon you , he saith , their party foundered ; it was you that won the battle .

well , then , it was you that killed my good Lord Risingham , as sure as though ye had strangled him .

and ye would have me eat with you and your hands not washed from killing ?

but Sir Daniel hath sworn your downfall .

he ' tis that will avenge me ! "

the unfortunate Dick was plunged in gloom .

old Arblaster returned upon his mind , and he groaned aloud .

" do ye hold me so guilty ? " he said ; " you that defended me you that are Joanna 's friend ? "

" what made ye in the battle ? " she retorted .

Wherefore did ye fight ?

for the love of hurt , pardy ! "

" Nay , " cried Dick , " I know not .

he may not stand alone ; ' tis not in nature . "

" they that have no judgment should not draw the sword , " replied the young lady .

" ye that fight but for a hazard , what are ye but a butcher ?

war is but noble by the cause , and y ' have disgraced it . "

" madam , " said the miserable Dick , " I do partly see mine error .

I have made too much haste ; I have been busy before my time .

and for this morning , I did but design to do myself credit , and get fame to marry with , and , behold !

I have brought about the death of your dear kinsman that was good to me .

and what besides , I know not .

for , alas !

I may have set York upon the throne , and that may be the worser cause , and may do hurt to England .

O , madam , I do see my sin .

I am unfit for life .

I will , for penance sake and to avoid worse evil , once I have finished this adventure , get me to a cloister .

I will forswear Joanna and the trade of arms .

I will be a friar , and pray for your good kinsman's spirit all my days . "

it appeared to Dick , in this extremity of his humiliation and repentance , that the young lady had laughed .

raising his countenance , he found her looking down upon him , in the fire-light , with a somewhat peculiar but not unkind expression .

I give up all to undo what I have done amiss ; I make heaven certain for Lord Risingham .

and all this upon the very day that I have won my spurs , and thought myself the happiest young gentleman on ground . "

" O boy , " she said " good boy ! "

A pitiful bewilderment came over simple-minded Dick .

" but come , " she said , with great cheerfulness , " you that are a captain , ye must eat .

why sup ye not ? "

I were better to fast , dear lady , and to pray . "

" call me Alicia , " she said ; " are we not old friends ?

" Lion-driver , " she said , at length , " ye do not admire a maid in a man 's jerkin ? "

the moon was now up ; and they were only waiting to repose the wearied horses .

by the moon 's light , the still penitent but now well-fed Richard beheld her looking somewhat coquettishly down upon him .

" madam " he stammered , surprised at this new turn in her manners .

and she made bright eyes at him .

" ye are something smallish , indeed " began Dick .

and here again she interrupted him , this time with a ringing peal of laughter that completed his confusion and surprise .

" Smallish ! " she cried .

" Nay , madam , exceedingly fair , " said the distressed knight , pitifully trying to seem easy .

" and a man would be right glad to wed me ? " she pursued .

" O , madam , right glad ! " agreed Dick .

" call me Alicia , " said she .

" Alicia , " quoth Sir Richard .

" I do , madam , " said Dick .

" although , upon my heart , I do hold me but partially guilty of that brave knight 's blood . "

" would ye evade me ? " she cried .

" madam , not so .

I have told you ; at your bidding , I will even turn me a monk , " said Richard .

" then , in honour , ye belong to me ? " she concluded .

" in honour , madam , I suppose " began the young man .

" go to ! " she interrupted ; " ye are too full of catches .

in honour do ye belong to me , till ye have paid the evil ? "

" in honour , I do , " said Dick .

Nay , now , no words ! " cried she .

" they will avail you nothing .

for see how just it is , that you who deprived me of one home , should supply me with another .

not one whit ! "

" Dick , " she said , " ye sweet boy , ye must come and kiss me for that word .

CHAPTER VI NIGHT IN THE WOODS ( concluded ) : DICK AND JOAN

the horses had by this time finished the small store of provender , and fully breathed from their fatigues .

hence he could look far abroad on the moonlit and snow-paven forest .

and there his eye was caught by a spot of ruddy brightness no bigger than a needle 's eye .

he blamed himself sharply for his previous neglect .

but now he must no longer squander valuable hours .

" but yet , for sure , I heard the clash of harness , " whispered Alicia .

" it came not thence .

it came from westward , " she declared .

" it may be what it will , " returned Dick ; " and it must be as heaven please .

Reck we not a jot , but push on the livelier , and put it to the touch .

up , friends enough breathed . "

presently they could see the smoke pouring from among the trees , ruddily coloured on its lower edge and scattering bright sparks .

he himself , placing Alicia in the shelter of a bulky oak , stole straight forth in the direction of the fire .

at last , through an opening of the wood , his eye embraced the scene of the encampment .

he began to have a terrible misgiving that he was out-manoeuvred .

Bennet , at the sound , started to his feet ; but ere he had time to spring upon his arms , Dick hailed him .

" Bennet , " he said " Bennet , old friend , yield ye .

ye will but spill men 's lives in vain , if ye resist . "

" ' Tis Master Shelton , by St Barbary ! " cried Hatch .

" yield me ?

ye ask much .

what force have ye ? "

" I tell you , Bennet , ye are both outnumbered and begirt , " said Dick .

" Caesar and Charlemagne would cry for quarter .

I have two score men at my whistle , and with one shoot of arrows I could answer for you all . "

" master Dick , " said Bennet , " it goes against my heart ; but I must do my duty .

the saints help you ! "

and therewith he raised a little tucket to his mouth and wound a rousing call .

in the hurry of their change of place , Joanna sprang from her seat and ran like an arrow to her lover 's side .

" here , Dick ! " she cried , as she clasped his hand in hers .

his own men became restive .

then Dick awoke .

" on ! " he cried .

" shoot , boys , and keep to cover .

England and York ! "

at the same time , answering tuckets repeated and repeated Hatch 's call .

" rally , rally ! " cried Dick .

" rally upon me !

rally for your lives ! "

Dick stood for a moment , bitterly recognising the fruits of his precipitate and unwise valour .

his had been throughout the part of a sagacious captain ; Dick 's the conduct of an eager boy .

" the saints enlighten me ! " he thought .

" it is well I was knighted for this morning 's matter ; this doth me little honour . "

and thereupon , still holding Joanna , he began to run .

well , we live and learn ; next time it shall go better , by the rood . "

" Nay , Dick , " said Joanna , " what matters it ?

here we are together once again . "

he looked at her , and there she was John Matcham , as of yore , in hose and doublet .

" sweetheart , " he said , " if ye forgive this blunderer , what care I ?

make we direct for Holywood ; there lieth your good guardian and my better friend , Lord Foxham .

there shall we be wed ; and whether poor or wealthy , famous or unknown , what , matters it ?

there was a downfall for conceit !

" my Dick ! " she cried .

" and did they knight you ? "

" that will I , Dick , with a glad heart , " she answered .

" ay , sir ?

Methought ye were to be a monk ! " said a voice in their ears .

" Alicia ! " cried Joanna .

" even so , " replied the young lady , coming forward .

" I 'll not believe it , " cried Joanna .

" Dick ! "

" Dick ! " mimicked Alicia .

" Dick , indeed !

ay , fair sir , and ye desert poor damsels in distress , " she continued , turning to the young knight .

" ye leave them planted behind oaks .

but they say true the age of chivalry is dead . "

" madam , " cried Dick , in despair , " upon my soul I had forgotten you outright .

madam , ye must try to pardon me .

ye see , I had new found Joanna ! "

" I did not suppose that ye had done it o ' purpose , " she retorted .

" but I will be cruelly avenged .

I will tell a secret to my Lady Shelton she that is to be , " she added , curtseying .

go to ye may do your pleasure with him !

" but did my Dick make love to you ? " asked Joanna , clinging to her sweetheart 's side .

" Nay , fool girl , " returned Alicia ; " it was I made love to him .

I offered to marry him , indeed ; but he bade me go marry with my likes .

these were his words .

Nay , that I will say : he is more plain than pleasant .

but now , children , for the sake of sense , set forward .

shall we go once more over the dingle , or push straight for Holywood ? "

but how think ye ?

if the men , upon the alarm of the fighting , had fled away , we should have gone about for nothing .

" agreed , " cried Alicia ; but Joanna only pressed upon Dick 's arm .

at length , from a rising hill , they looked below them on the dell of Holywood .

" by the mass , " said Richard , " there are Lord Foxham 's fellows still encamped .

the messenger hath certainly miscarried .

well , then , so better .

we have power at hand to face Sir Daniel . "

Dick , not quite with his good will , was brought before them .

" how , sir ? " asked Richard .

" have ye brought me Sir Daniel 's head ? "

I have been , so please your grace , well beaten . "

Gloucester looked upon him with a formidable frown .


" my lord duke , I had but fifty men-at-arms , " replied the young knight .

" how is this ? " said Gloucester .

" he did ask me fifty lances . "

" may it please your grace , " replied Catesby , smoothly , " for a pursuit we gave him but the horsemen . "

" it is well , " replied Richard , adding , " Shelton , ye may go . "

" stay ! " said Lord Foxham .

" this young man likewise had a charge from me .

it may be he hath better sped .

say , Master Shelton , have ye found the maid ? "

" I praise the saints , my lord , " said Dick , " she is in this house . "

" is it even so ?

this young squire "

" young knight , " interrupted Catesby .

" say ye so , Sir William ? " cried Lord Foxham .

" I did myself , and for good service , dub him knight , " said Gloucester .

" he hath twice manfully served me .

it is not valour of hands , it is a man 's mind of iron , that he lacks .

he will not rise , Lord Foxham .

' Tis a fellow that will fight indeed bravely in a mellay , but hath a capon 's heart .

Howbeit , if he is to marry , marry him in the name of Mary , and be done ! "

" Nay , he is a brave lad I know it , " said Lord Foxham .

" content ye , then , Sir Richard .

I have compounded this affair with Master Hamley , and to-morrow ye shall wed . "

" victory , my lord , " he cried .

CHAPTER VII DICK'S REVENGE

his thoughts were both quiet and happy .

he turned to go home ; but even as he turned , his eye lit upon a figure behind , a tree .

" stand ! " he cried .

" who goes ? "

the figure stepped forth and waved its hand like a dumb person .

it was arrayed like a pilgrim , the hood lowered over the face , but Dick , in an instant , recognised Sir Daniel .

" well , Dickon , " said Sir Daniel , " how is it to be ?

do ye make war upon the fallen ? "

" Nay self-defence , " replied the knight .

" ye may not go to Holywood , " said Dick .

" how !

May not ? " asked the knight .

your life is forfeit doubly forfeit , for my father 's death and your own practices to meward .

An ye were the devil , I would not lay a hand on you .

An ye were the devil , ye might go where ye will for me .

seek God 's forgiveness ; mine ye have freely .

but to go on to Holywood is different .

I carry arms for York , and I will suffer no spy within their lines .

" ye mock me , " said Sir Daniel .

" I have no safety out of Holywood . "

" I care no more , " returned Richard .

" I let you go east , west , or south ; north I will not .

Holywood is shut against you .

go , and seek not to return .

" ye doom me , " said Sir Daniel , gloomily .

" I doom you not , " returned Richard .

so shall I avenge my father , with a perfect conscience . "

" ay , " said Sir Daniel , " y ' have a long sword against my dagger . "

" I rely upon Heaven only , " answered Dick , casting his sword some way behind him on the snow .

" I did but try you , Dickon , " returned the knight , with an uneasy semblance of a laugh .

" I would not spill your blood . "

" go , then , ere it be too late , " replied Shelton .

" in five minutes I will call the post .

I do perceive that I am too long-suffering .

had but our places been reversed , I should have been bound hand and foot some minutes past . "

" well , Dickon , I will go , " replied Sir Daniel .

" when we next meet , it shall repent you that ye were so harsh . "

and with these words , the knight turned and began to move off under the trees .

Herein , all of a sudden , a bow sounded like a note of music .

Dick bounded to his side and raised him .

his face desperately worked ; his whole body was shaken by contorting spasms .

" is the arrow black ? " he gasped .

" it is black , " replied Dick , gravely .

at length he , also , rose , and showed the countenance of Ellis Duckworth .

" Richard , " he said , very gravely , " I heard you .

ye took the better part and pardoned ; I took the worse , and there lies the clay of mine enemy .

pray for me . "

and he wrung him by the hand .

" sir , " said Richard , " I will pray for you , indeed ; though how I may prevail I wot not .

Hatch he is dead , poor shrew !

I would have spared a better ; and for Sir Daniel , here lies his body .

but for the priest , if I might anywise prevail , I would have you let him go . "

a flash came into the eyes of Ellis Duckworth .

" Nay , " he said , " the devil is still strong within me .

but be at rest ; the Black Arrow flieth nevermore the fellowship is broken .

CHAPTER VIII CONCLUSION

he looked upon her sourly for a little .

" ye are fair , " he said at last , " and , as they tell me , dowered .

how if I offered you a brave marriage , as became your face and parentage ? "

" my lord duke , " replied Joanna , " may it please your grace , I had rather wed with Sir Richard . "

" how so ? " he asked , harshly .

" marry but the man I name to you , and he shall be my lord , and you my lady , before night .

for Sir Richard , let me tell you plainly , he will die Sir Richard . "

" I ask no more of Heaven , my lord , than but to die Sir Richard 's wife , " returned Joanna .

" look ye at that , my lord , " said Gloucester , turning to Lord Foxham .

" here be a pair for you .

I did warn him freely , but he was stout in his besottedness .

it shall be so , by the rood ! "

" said he so ? " cried Alicia .

" then well said , lion-driver ! "

" who is this ? " asked the duke .

" a prisoner of Sir Richard 's , " answered Lord Foxham ; " Mistress Alicia Risingham . "

" see that she be married to a sure man , " said the duke .

" I had thought of my kinsman , Hamley , an it like your grace , " returned Lord Foxham .

" he hath well served the cause . "

" it likes me well , " said Richard .

" let them be wedded speedily .

say , fair maid , will you wed ? "

" he is straight , my mistress , " replied Richard , calmly .

" I am the only crookback of my party ; we are else passably well shapen .

A captain , in the time of war , hath not the ordering of his hours . "

and with a very handsome salutation he passed on , followed by his officers .

" Alack , " cried Alicia , " I am shent ! "

" ye know him not , " replied Lord Foxham .

" it is but a trifle ; he hath already clean forgot your words . "

" he is , then , the very flower of knighthood , " said Alicia .

" Nay , he but mindeth other things , " returned Lord Foxham .

" tarry we no more . "

in the chancel they found Dick waiting , attended by a few young men ; and there were he and Joan united .

but the wedding party turned upon the other side , and sat down , with sober merriment , to breakfast .

the father cellarer attended on their wants , and sat with them at table .

Hamley , all jealousy forgotten , began to ply the nowise loth Alicia with courtship .

Thenceforth the dust and blood of that unruly epoch passed them by .

they dwelt apart from alarms in the green forest where their love began .

one had been all his life a shipman , and continued to the last to lament his man Tom .

so Lawless had his will , and died a friar .

Footnotes :



produced by David Widger

TWICE TOLD TALES

SUNDAY AT HOME

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

now , the loftiest window gleams , and now the lower .

the carved framework of the portal is marked strongly out .

Methinks , though the same sun brightens it every fair morning , yet the steeple has a peculiar robe of brightness for the Sabbath .

by dwelling near a church , a person soon contracts an attachment for the edifice .

but the steeple stands foremost , in our thoughts , as well as locally .

a glance at the body of the church deepens this impression .

time , where man lives not , what is it but eternity ?

we will say more of this , hereafter .

many have fancied so .

and ever let me recognize it !

some illusions , and this among them , are the shadows of great truths .

if it have gone astray , it will return again .

I love to spend such pleasant Sabbaths , from morning till night , behind the curtain of my open window .

are they spent amiss ?

my heart , perhaps , has not such holy , nor , I would fain trust , such impious potency .

but I am there , even before my friend , the sexton .

how glad , yet solemn too !

all the steeples in town are talking together , aloft in the sunny air , and rejoicing among themselves , while their spires point heavenward .

meantime , here are the children assembling to the Sabbath school , which is kept somewhere within the church .

or I might compare them to cherubs , haunting that holy place .

about a quarter of an hour before the second ringing of the bell , individuals of the congregation begin to appear .

would that the Sabbath came twice as often , for the sake of that sorrowful old soul !

I sometimes fancy that the old woman is the happier of the two .

those pretty girls !

why will they disturb my pious meditations !

were I the minister himself , I must needs look .

the greater part , however , have adopted a milder cheerfulness of hue .

a white stocking is infinitely more effective than a black one .

here comes the clergyman , slow and solemn , in severe simplicity , needing no black silk gown to denote his office .

his aspect claims my reverence , but cannot win my love .

by middle age , or sooner , the creed has generally wrought upon the heart , or been a-tempered by it .

as the minister passes into the church , the bell holds its iron tongue , and all the low murmur of the congregation dies away .

O , I ought to have gone to church !

the hustle of the rising congregation reaches my ears .

they are standing up to pray .

" Lord , look down upon me in mercy ! "

with that sentiment gushing from my soul , might I not leave all the rest to Him ?

hark ! the hymn .

at this distance , it thrills through my frame , and plays upon my heartstrings , with a pleasure both of the sense and spirit .

it is my misfortune seldom to fructify , in a regular way , by any but printed sermons .

I , their sole auditor , cannot always understand them .

suppose that a few hours have passed , and behold me still behind my curtain , just before the close of the afternoon service .

the hour-hand on the dial has passed beyond four o'clock .

around the church-door all is solitude , and an impenetrable obscurity beyond the threshold .

a commotion is heard .

this instantaneous outbreak of life into loneliness is one of the pleasantest scenes of the day .

I have taken a great liking to those black silk pantaloons .

the Sabbath eve is the eve of love .

at length , the whole congregation is dispersed .

poor souls !

to them the most captivating picture of bliss in heaven is " there we shall be white ! "

all is solitude again .

who are the choristers ?

on the wings of that rich melody they were borne upward .

this , gentle reader , is merely a flight of poetry .

yet , it lifted my soul higher than all their former strains .

they are gone , the sons and daughters of music , and the gray sexton is just closing the portal .

O , but the church is a symbol of religion !

there is a moral , and a religion too , even in the silent walls .

and may the steeple still point heavenward , and be decked with the hallowed sunshine of the Sabbath morn !

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TWICE TOLD TALES

LITTLE ANNIE'S RAMBLE

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

DING-DONG !

Ding-dong !

Ding-dong !

let me listen too .

perhaps little Annie would like to go .

Little Annie shall take a ramble with me .

See !

smooth back your brown curls , Annie ; and let me tie on your bonnet , and we will set forth !

what a strange couple to go on their rambles together !

yet there is sympathy between us .

now we turn the corner .

Hitherward , also , comes a man trundling a wheelbarrow along the pavement .

is not little Annie afraid of such a tumult ?

now her eyes brighten with pleasure !

who heeds the poor organ-grinder ?

but where would Annie find a partner ?

it is a sad thought that I have chanced upon .

what a company of dancers should we be !

for I , too , am a gentleman of sober footsteps , and therefore , little Annie , let us walk sedately on .

it is a question with me , whether this giddy child , or my sage self , have most pleasure in looking at the shop-windows .

all that is bright and gay attracts us both .

here is a shop to which the recollections of my boyhood , as well as present partialities , give a peculiar magic .

here are pleasures , as some people would say , of a more exalted kind , in the window of a bookseller .

is Annie a literary lady ?

that would be very queer .

O , my stars !

is this a toy-shop , or is it fairy-land ?

betwixt the king and queen should sit my little Annie , the prettiest fairy of them all .

here stands a turbaned Turk , threatening us with his sabre , like an ugly heathen as he is .

and next a Chinese mandarin , who nods his head at Annie and myself .

but what cares Annie for soldiers ?

this is the little girl 's true plaything .

Little Annie does not understand what I am saying , but looks wishfully at the proud lady in the window .

we will invite her home with us as we return .

meantime , good by , Dame Doll !

come , little Annie , we shall find toys enough , go where we may .

now we elbow our way among the throng again .

look up , Annie , at that canary-bird , hanging out of the window in his cage .

poor little fellow !

what a pity that he does not know how miserable he is !

there is a parrot , too , calling out , " Pretty Poll !

pretty Poll ! " as we pass by .

if she had said , " Pretty Annie , " there would have been some sense in it .

see that gray squirrel at the door of the fruit-shop , whirling round and round so merrily within his wire wheel !

being condemned to the treadmill , he makes it an amusement .

admirable philosophy !

Success to your search , Fidelity !

O sage puss , make room for me beside you , and we will be a pair of philosophers !

here we see something to remind us of the town crier , and his ding-dong bell !

but they are choosing neither a king nor a president ; else we should hear a most horrible snarling !

Annie returns the salute , much to the gratification of the elephant , who is certainly the best-bred monster in the caravan .

the lion and the lioness are busy with two beef-bones .

are there any two living creatures who have so few sympathies that they cannot possibly be friends ?

in fact , he is a bear of sentiment .

but , O , those unsentimental monkeys the ugly , grinning , aping , chattering , ill-natured , mischievous , and queer little brutes .

Annie does not love the monkeys .

merrily , merrily plays the music , and merrily gallops the pony , and merrily rides the little old gentleman .

come , Annie , into the street again ; perchance we may see monkeys on horseback there !

Mercy on us , what a noisy world we quiet people live in !

did Annie ever read the Cries of London City ?

with what lusty lungs doth yonder man proclaim that his wheelbarrow is full of lobsters !

what cares the world for that ?

Annie sympathizes , though without experience of such direful woe .

Lo ! the town crier again , with some new secret for the public ear .

I guess the latter .

Ding-dong !

Ding-dong !

Ding-dong !

what saith the people 's orator ?

whoever will bring her back to her afflicted mother "

stop , stop , town crier !

the lost is found .

but I have gone too far astray for the town crier to call me back .

Sweet has been the charm of childhood on my spirit , throughout my ramble with little Annie !

has it been merely this ?

not so ; not so .

they are not truly wise who would affirm it .

their influence on us is at least reciprocal with ours on them .

all this by thy sweet magic , dear little Annie !

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TWICE TOLD TALES

THE TOLL-GATHERER'S DAY

a SKETCH OF TRANSITORY LIFE

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

if any mortal be favored with a lot analogous to this , it is the toll-gatherer .

sitting on the aforesaid bench , I amuse myself with a conception , illustrated by numerous pencil-sketches in the air , of the toll-gatherer 's day .

the toll is paid , creak , creak , again go the wheels , and the huge haymow vanishes into the morning mist .

as yet , nature is but half awake , and familiar objects appear visionary .

the morn breathes upon them and blushes , and they forget how wearily the darkness toiled away .

the old man looks eastward , and ( for he is a moralizer ) frames a simile of the stage coach and the sun .

while the world is rousing itself , we may glance slightly at the scene of our sketch .

beneath the window is a wooden bench , on which a long succession of weary wayfarers have reposed themselves .

and there sits our good old toll-gatherer , glorified by the early sunbeams .

now the sun smiles upon the landscape , and earth smiles back again upon the sky .

frequent , now , are the travellers .

the bottom of the chaise is heaped with multifarious bandboxes and carpet-bags , and beneath the axle swings a leathern trunk dusty with yesterday 's journey .

Luckless wight , doomed , through a whole summer day , to be the butt of mirth and mischief among the frolicsome maidens !

the vinegar-faced traveller proves to be a manufacturer of pickles .

he is a country preacher , going to labor at a protracted meeting .

the next object passing townward is a butcher 's cart , canopied with its arch of snow-white cotton .

see there , a man trundling a wheelbarrow-load of lobsters .

but let all these pay their toll and pass .

but methinks her blushing cheek burns through the snowy veil .

another white-robed virgin sits in front .

take my blessing too , ye happy ones !

may the sky not frown upon you , nor clouds bedew you with their chill and sullen rain !

may the hot sun kindle no fever in your hearts !

in a close carriage sits a fragile figure , muffled carefully , and shrinking even from the mild breath of summer .

she leans against a manly form , and his arm infolds her , as if to guard his treasure from some enemy .

and now has morning gathered up her dewy pearls , and fled away .

the sun rolls blazing through the sky , and cannot find a cloud to cool his face with .

glisten , too , the faces of the travellers .

no air is stirring on the road .

nature dares draw no breath , lest she should inhale a stifling cloud of dust .

" awful hot !

dreadful dusty ! " answers the sympathetic toll-gatherer .

yes , old friend ; and a quiet heart will make a dog-day temperate .

and as the wayfarer makes ready to resume his journey , he tells him a sovereign remedy for blistered feet .

now comes the noontide hour , of all the hours nearest akin to midnight ; for each has its own calmness and repose .

meanwhile , on both sides of the chasm , a throng of impatient travellers fret and fume .

and what are the haughtiest of us , but the ephemeral aristocrats of a summer 's day ?

here a Frenchman , with a hand-organ on his shoulder ; and there an itinerant Swiss jeweller .

what miracle shall set all things right again ?

the sage old man !

strollers come from the town to quaff the freshening breeze .

one or two let down long lines , and haul up flapping flounders ? or cunners , or small cod , or perhaps an eel .

the horses now tramp heavily along the bridge , and wistfully bethink them of their stables .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Toll Gatherer 's Day ( from " twice Told Tales " ) , by Nathaniel Hawthorne

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TWICE TOLD TALES

THE VISION OF THE FOUNTAIN

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

at fifteen , I became a resident in a country village , more than a hundred miles from home .

the ground was rocky , uneven , overgrown with bushes and clumps of young saplings , and traversed only by cattle-paths .

one solitary sunbeam found its way down , and played like a goldfish in the water .

from my childhood , I have loved to gaze into a spring .

the bottom was covered with coarse sand , which sparkled in the lonely sunbeam , and seemed to illuminate the spring with an unborrowed light .

wherever she laid her hands on grass and flowers , they would immediately be moist , as with morning dew .

they were the reflection of my own .

the vision had the aspect of a fair young girl , with locks of paly gold .

my description can give no idea how suddenly the fountain was thus tenanted , and how soon it was left desolate .

I breathed ; and there was the face !

I held my breath ; and it was gone !

had it passed away , or faded into nothing ?

I doubted whether it had ever been .

my sweet readers , what a dreamy and delicious hour did I spend , where that vision found and left me !

thus have I often started from a pleasant dream , and then kept quiet , in hopes to wile it back .

Deep were my musings , as to the race and attributes of that ethereal being .

had I created her ?

was she the daughter of my fancy , akin to those strange shapes which peep under the lids of children 's eyes ?

and did her beauty gladden me , for that one moment , and then die ?

I watched and waited , but no vision came again .

I departed , but with a spell upon me , which drew me back , that same afternoon , to the haunted spring .

there was the water gushing , the sand sparkling , and the sunbeam glimmering .

Methought he had a devilish look !

I could have slain him !

thus did the Vision leave me ; and many a doleful day succeeded to the parting moment .

weeks came and went , months rolled away , and she appeared not in them .

I withdrew into an inner world , where my thoughts lived and breathed , and the Vision in the midst of them .

in the middle of January , I was summoned home .

most of the day was spent in preparing for the journey , which was to commence at four o'clock the next morning .

a gust of wind blew out my lamp as I passed through the entry .

there was no light , except the little that came sullenly from two half-burned brands , without even glimmering on the andirons .

I noticed that there was less room than usual , to-night , between the collegian 's chair and mine .

as people are always taciturn in the dark , not a word was said for some time after my entrance .

nothing broke the stillness but the regular click of the matron 's knitting-needles .

were we not like ghosts ?

we were aware of each other 's presence , not by sight , nor sound , nor touch , but by an inward consciousness .

would it not be so among the dead ?

the silence was interrupted by the consumptive daughter , addressing a remark to some one in the circle , whom she called Rachel .

had I ever heard that sweet , low tone ?

whom had my heart recognized , that it throbbed so ?

she knew me !

fair ladies , there is nothing more to tell .

if I transformed her to an angel , it is what every youthful lover does for his mistress .

therein consists the essence of my story .

but slight the change , sweet maids , to make angels of yourselves !

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TWICE TOLD TALES

THE VILLAGE UNCLE

AN IMAGINARY RETROSPECT

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

come ! another log upon the hearth .

toss on an armful of those dry oak chips , the last relics of the Mermaid 's knee-timbers , the bones of your namesake , Susan .

and now , come , Susan , come , my children , draw your chairs round me , all of you .

there is a dimness over your figures !

hark ! let me listen for the swell of the surf ; it should be audible a mile inland , on a night like this .

how strangely the Past is peeping over the shoulders of the Present !

but it was paler than my rugged old self , and younger , too , by almost half a century .

thank Heaven , I am an old man now , and have done with all such vanities !

still this dimness of mine eyes !

come nearer , Susan , and stand before the fullest blaze of the hearth .

there , you made me tremble again !

do you remember it ?

you stood on the little bridge , over the brook , that runs across King 's Beach into the sea .

now , Susan , for a sober picture of our village !

the village was picturesque , in the variety of its edifices , though all were rude .

two grocery-stores stand opposite each other , in the centre of the village .

you see , children , the village is but little changed , since your mother and I were young .

in the autumn , I trolled and caught those lovely fish , the mackerel .

he looked like a harbinger of tempest , a shipmate of the Flying Dutchman .

one of Uncle Parker 's eyes had been blown out with gunpowder , and the other did but glimmer in its socket .

even now I seem to see the group of fishermen , with that old salt in the midst .

they are a likely set of men .

be it well with you , my brethren !

but where was the mermaid in those delightful times ?

what a picture was Susan behind the counter !

a few freckles became beauty-spots beneath her eyelids .

Nature wrought the charm .

she made you a frank , simple , kind-hearted , sensible , and mirthful girl .

it was beautiful to observe , how her simple and happy nature mingled itself with mine .

she gave me warmth of feeling , while the influence of my mind made her contemplative .

except the almanac , we had no other literature .

in truth I dreaded him .

I feared to trust them even with the alphabet ; it was the key to a fatal treasure .

sometimes my voice lost itself in a tremulous depth ; for I felt His eye upon me as I spoke .

strange illusion !

like Uncle Parker , whose rheumatic bones were dashed against Egg Rock , full forty years ago , I am a spinner of long yarns .

with a broken voice I give utterance to much wisdom .

with such awful fidelity did that lover return to fulfil his vows !

thus do I talk , and all my auditors grow wise , while they deem it pastime .

I recollect no happier portion of my life , than this , my calm old age .

but with me , the verdure and the flowers are not frostbitten in the midst of winter .

show me anything that would make an infant smile , and you shall behold a gleam of mirth over the hoary ruin of my visage .

why should not an old man be merry too , when the great sea is at play with those little children ?

next , they are smit with wonder at the black shells of a wagon-load of live lobsters , packed in rock-weed for the country market .

for I launch my boat no more .

for I am a patriarch !

Susan !

my children !

will you meet me there ?

and now for a moral to my revery .

be this the moral , then .

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TWICE TOLD TALES

SNOW-FLAKES

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

it is to be , in good earnest , a wintry storm .

the cloud-spirits are slowly weaving her white mantle .

thus gradually , by silent and stealthy influences , are great changes wrought .

we , likewise , shall lose sight of our mother 's familiar visage , and must content ourselves with looking heavenward the oftener .

now , leaving the storm to do his appointed office , let us sit down , pen in hand , by our fireside .

in our brief summer , I do not think , but only exist in the vague enjoyment of a dream .

however transitory their glow , they at least shine amid the darksome shadow which the clouds of the outward sky fling through the room .

now look we forth again , and see how much of his task the storm-spirit has done .

Slow and sure !

he has the day , perchance the week , before him , and may take his own time to accomplish Nature 's burial in snow .

very sad are the flower shrubs in midwinter !

the roofs of the houses are now all white , save where the eddying wind has kept them bare at the bleak corners .

look next into the street , where we have seen an amusing parallel to the combat of those fancied demons in the upper regions .

it is a snow-battle of school-boys .

what pitched battles , worthy to be chanted in Homeric strains !

what storming of fortresses , built all of massive snowblocks !

what feats of individual prowess , and embodied onsets of martial enthusiasm !

who reared it ?

and what means it ? "

the shattered pedestal of many a battle monument has provoked these questions , when none could answer .

would it might inspire me to sketch out the personification of a New England winter !

and that idea , if I can seize the snow-wreathed figures that flit before my fancy , shall be the theme of the next page .

how does Winter herald his approach ?

it is stern Winter 's vesture .

it is the voice of Winter ; and when parents and children bear it , they shudder and exclaim , " Winter is come !

Cold Winter has begun his reign already ! "

there he lies stark and stiff , a human shape of ice , on the spot where Winter overtook him .

on strides the tyrant over the rushing rivers and broad lakes , which turn to rock beneath his footsteps .

his dreary empire is established ; all around stretches the desolation of the Pole .

such fantasies , intermixed among graver toils of mind , have made the winter 's day pass pleasantly .

on the window-sill , there is a layer of snow , reaching half-way up the lowest pane of glass .

the garden is one unbroken bed .

next comes a sledge , laden with wood for some unthrifty housekeeper , whom winter has surprised at a cold hearth .

but what dismal equipage now struggles along the uneven street ?

a sable hearse , bestrewn with snow , is bearing a dead man through the storm to his frozen bed .

O , how dreary is a burial in winter , when the bosom of Mother Earth has no warmth for her poor child !

alas !

I shiver , and think it time to be disconsolate .

whence come they ?

where do they build their nests , and seek their food ?

I know not whence they come , nor why ; yet my spirit has been cheered by that wandering flock of snow-birds .

end of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Snow Flakes ( from " twice Told Tales " ) , by Nathaniel Hawthorne

produced by Dianne Bean

TANGLEWOOD TALES

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

THE WAYSIDE .

INTRODUCTORY .

but to me there is a peculiar , quiet charm in these broad meadows and gentle eminences .

" Simple as it looks , " said he , " this little edifice seems to be the work of magic .

it is full of suggestiveness , and , in its way , is as good as a cathedral .

" it would , indeed , " answered I.

but , by the by , have you added any more legends to the series , since the publication of the ' Wonder-Book ' ? "

I have run away from home partly to escape the importunity of these little wretches !

but I have written out six of the new stories , and have brought them for you to look over . "

" are they as good as the first ? "

I inquired .

" better chosen , and better handled , " replied Eustace Bright .

" you will say so when you read them . "

" possibly not , " I remarked .

after that , it falls into its true place , quietly enough .

but let us adjourn to my study , and examine these new stories .

it would hardly be doing yourself justice , were you to bring me acquainted with them , sitting here on this snow bank ! "

it will be remembered that Mr Bright condescended to avail himself of my literary experience by constituting me editor of the " Wonder-Book . "

I was not insensible to the advantages of his proposal , and gladly assured him of my acceptance .

how were they to be purified ?

how was the blessed sunshine to be thrown into them ?

the objectionable characteristics seem to be a parasitical growth , having no essential connection with the original fable .

when the first poet or romancer told these marvellous legends ( such is Eustace Bright 's opinion ) , it was still the Golden Age .

a few years will do all that is necessary towards showing him the truth in both respects .

his auditors were even more delighted with the contents of the present volume than with the specimens which have already been given to the world .

they are all , I am happy to say ( unless we except Clover ) , in excellent health and spirits .

Primrose is now almost a young lady , and , Eustace tells me , is just as saucy as ever .

squash Blossom , Blue Eye , Plantain , and Buttercup have had the scarlet fever , but came easily through it .

but all this will pass over , and it is predicted that she will turn out a very pretty girl .

if so I shall be very sorry for the little that I have had to do with the matter , in encouraging these first beginnings .

Heaven bless them , and everybody else , whether grown people or children !

THE MINOTAUR .

his mother 's name was Aethra .

as for his father , the boy had never seen him .

" ah , my dear son , " answered Aethra , with a sigh , " a monarch has his people to take care of .

your father will never be able to leave his kingdom for the sake of seeing his little boy . "

" that may happen by and by , " said Aethra .

" be patient , and we shall see .

you are not yet big and strong enough to set out on such an errand . "

" and how soon shall I be strong enough ? "

Theseus persisted in inquiring .

" you are but a tiny boy as yet , " replied his mother .

" see if you can lift this rock on which we are sitting ? "

the little fellow had a great opinion of his own strength .

it seemed to be rooted into the ground .

she could not help being sorrowful at finding him already so impatient to begin his adventures in the world .

" you see how it is , my dear Theseus , " said she .

but when you can lift this rock , and show me what is hidden beneath it , I promise you my permission to depart . "

meanwhile the rock seemed to be sinking farther and farther into the ground .

to all appearance , the rock was as firmly fastened as any other portion of the earth 's substance .

" mother , I do believe it has started ! " cried he , after one of his attempts .

" the earth around it is certainly a little cracked ! "

" no , no , child ! " his mother hastily answered .

" it is not possible you can have moved it , such a boy as you still are ! "

it was not more than a year afterwards when they were again sitting on the moss-covered stone .

the eyes of Theseus glowed with enthusiasm , and he would hardly sit still to hear his mother speak .

" dear mother Aethra , " he exclaimed , " I never felt half so strong as now !

I am no longer a child , nor a boy , nor a mere youth !

I feel myself a man !

it is now time to make one earnest trial to remove the stone . "

" ah , my dearest Theseus , " replied his mother " not yet ! not yet ! "

" yes , mother , " said he , resolutely , " the time has come ! "

then Theseus bent himself in good earnest to the task , and strained every sinew , with manly strength and resolution .

he put his whole brave heart into the effort .

he wrestled with the big and sluggish stone , as if it had been a living enemy .

Aethra stood gazing at him , and clasped her hands , partly with a mother 's pride , and partly with a mother 's sorrow .

the great rock stirred !

Theseus had conquered !

while taking breath , he looked joyfully at his mother , and she smiled upon him through her tears .

" yes , Theseus , " she said , " the time has come , and you must stay no longer at my side !

within the cavity lay a sword , with a golden hilt , and a pair of sandals .

" that was your father 's sword , " said Aethra , " and those were his sandals .

" I will set out for Athens this very day ! " cried Theseus .

but his mother persuaded him to stay a day or two longer , while she got ready some necessary articles for his journey .

" the roads are very bad by land , " quoth the venerable king ; " and they are terribly infested with robbers and monsters .

a mere lad , like Theseus , is not fit to be trusted on such a perilous journey , all by himself .

no , no ; let him go by sea . "

I cannot stop to tell you hardly any of the adventures that befell Theseus on the road to Athens .

thus , however weary a man might be , he never liked to lie in the bed of Procrustes .

another of these robbers , named Scinis , must likewise have been a very great scoundrel .

his fame traveled faster than he did , and reached Athens before him .

yet this was the truth .

thus these bad-hearted nephews of King Aegeus , who were the own cousins of Theseus , at once became his enemies .

with all their evil designs against him , they pretended to be their cousin 's best friends , and expressed great joy at making his acquaintance .

Theseus consented ; for he fancied that his father would know him in a moment , by the love that was in his heart .

" and he is now waiting for admission to your majesty 's presence , " added they .

" aha ! " cried the old king , on hearing this .

" why , he must be a very wicked young fellow indeed !

pray , what would you advise me to do with him ? "

in reply to this question , the wicked Medea put in her word .

as I have already told you , she was a famous enchantress .

so , when the king asked what he should do with Theseus , this naughty woman had an answer ready at her tongue 's end .

" leave that to me , please your majesty , " she replied .

" only admit this evil-minded young man to your presence , treat him civilly , and invite him to drink a goblet of wine .

your majesty is well aware that I sometimes amuse myself by distilling very powerful medicines .

here is one of them in this small phial .

as to what it is made of , that is one of my secrets of state .

and King Aegeus , like most other kings , thought any punishment mild enough for a person who was accused of plotting against his life .

observing this , Medea looked round at the nephews , and smiled again .

when Theseus was ushered into the royal apartment , the only object that he seemed to behold was the white-bearded old king .

there he sat on his magnificent throne , a dazzling crown on his head , and a scepter in his hand .

and this was what Theseus resolved to do .

he could scarcely wait to see whether King Aegeus would recognize him , so eager was he to throw himself into his arms .

the cunning Medea observed what was passing in the young man 's mind .

" does your majesty see his confusion ? " she whispered in the king 's ear .

" he is so conscious of guilt , that he trembles and cannot speak .

the wretch lives too long !

Quick ! offer him the wine ! "

now King Aegeus had been gazing earnestly at the young stranger , as he drew near the throne .

the enchantress again whispered in the king 's ear , and compelled him , by her witchcraft , to see everything under a false aspect .

he made up his mind , therefore , to let Theseus drink off the poisoned wine .

" young man , " said he , " you are welcome !

I am proud to show hospitality to so heroic a youth .

do me the favor to drink the contents of this goblet .

none is more worthy to quaff it than yourself ! "

so saying , King Aegeus took the golden goblet from the table , and was about to offer it to Theseus .

" has your Majesty any doubt of this stranger 's guilt ?

this is the very sword with which he meant to slay you .

how sharp , and bright , and terrible it is !

Quick ! let him taste the wine ; or perhaps he may do the deed even yet . "

" drink ! " said he , in the stern tone with which he was wont to condemn a criminal to be beheaded .

" you have well deserved of me such wine as this ! "

Theseus held out his hand to take the wine .

but , before he touched it , King Aegeus trembled again .

his eyes had fallen on the gold-hilted sword that hung at the young man 's side .

he drew back the goblet .

" that sword ! " he exclaimed : " how came you by it ? "

" it was my father 's sword , " replied Theseus , with a tremulous voice .

" these were his sandals .

my dear mother ( her name is Aethra ) told me his story while I was yet a little child .

" yes , these are Aethra 's eyes .

it is my son . "

I have quite forgotten what became of the king 's nephews .

and now Prince Theseus was taken into great favor by his royal father .

his ambition was to perform other and more heroic deeds , which should be better worth telling in prose and verse .

but pretty soon , he undertook an affair that made all his foregone adventures seem like mere boy 's play .

the occasion of it was as follows :

this is the wofulest anniversary in the whole year .

" what kind of a monster may that be ?

is it not possible , at the risk of one 's life , to slay him ? "

for three years past , this grievous calamity had been borne .

" O my dear son , " cried King Aegeus , " why should you expose yourself to this horrible fate ?

you are a royal prince , and have a right to hold yourself above the destinies of common men . "

Theseus , however , felt that he was in the right , and therefore would not give up his resolution .

and finally , since he could not help it , King Aegeus consented to let him go .

a sorrowful multitude accompanied them to the shore .

Just as Prince Theseus was going on board , his father bethought himself of one last word to say .

now , being weighed down with infirmities , I know not whether I can survive till the vessel shall return .

Theseus promised that he would do so .

that sight , to be sure , made them all very grave again .

" did you see that flash of light ? " he inquired of the master of the vessel .

" no , prince ; but I have seen it before , " answered the master .

" it came from Talus , I suppose . "

as the breeze came fresher just then , the master was busy with trimming his sails , and had no more time to answer questions .

the nigher the vessel came , the more Theseus wondered what this immense giant could be , and whether it actually had life or no .

the figure looked all the more terrible because it carried an enormous brass club on its shoulder .

" what is this wonder ? "

Theseus asked of the master of the vessel , who was now at leisure to answer him .

" it is Talus , the Man of Brass , " said the master .

" and is he a live giant , or a brazen image ? " asked Theseus .

" that , truly , " replied the master , " is the point which has always perplexed me .

some say , indeed , that this Talus was hammered out for King Minos by Vulcan himself , the skilfullest of all workers in metal .

he is a puzzler , take him how you will . "

but just when Theseus and his companions thought the blow was coming , the brazen lips unclosed themselves , and the figure spoke .

" whence come you , strangers ? "

" from Athens ! " shouted the master in reply .

" on what errand ? " thundered the Man of Brass .

" we bring the seven youths and the seven maidens , " answered the master , " to be devoured by the Minotaur ! "

" pass ! " cried the brazen giant .

that one loud word rolled all about the sky , while again there was a booming reverberation within the figure 's breast .

the vessel glided between the headlands of the port , and the giant resumed his march .

surrounded by these armed warriors , Prince Theseus and his companions were led to the king 's palace , and ushered into his presence .

now , Minos was a stern and pitiless king .

he bent his shaggy brows upon the poor Athenian victims .

but this immitigable Minos cared only to examine whether they were plump enough to satisfy the Minotaur 's appetite .

for my part , I wish he himself had been the only victim ; and the monster would have found him a pretty tough one .

but when his eyes rested on Theseus , the king looked at him more attentively , because his face was calm and brave .

" I have offered my life in a good cause , " answered Theseus , " and therefore I give it freely and gladly .

Dost thou not tremble , wicked king , to turn shine eyes inward on shine own heart ?

" aha ! do you think me so ? " cried the king , laughing in his cruel way .

take them away , guards ; and let this free-spoken youth be the Minotaur 's first morsel . "

Near the king 's throne ( though I had no time to tell you so before ) stood his daughter Ariadne .

" peace , foolish girl ! " answered King Minos .

" what hast thou to do with an affair like this ?

it is a matter of state policy , and therefore quite beyond thy weak comprehension .

the seven maidens and six of the young men soon sobbed themselves to slumber .

but Theseus was not like them .

so he kept himself awake , and paced to and fro across the gloomy dungeon in which they were shut up .

Just before midnight , the door was softly unbarred , and the gentle Ariadne showed herself , with a torch in her hand .

" are you awake , Prince Theseus ? " she whispered .

" yes , " answered Theseus .

" with so little time to live , I do not choose to waste any of it in sleep . "

" then follow me , " said Ariadne , " and tread softly . "

what had become of the jailer and the guards , Theseus never knew .

but , however that might be , Ariadne opened all the doors , and led him forth from the darksome prison into the pleasant moonlight .

" Theseus , " said the maiden , " you can now get on board your vessel , and sail away for Athens . "

" I knew that this would be your resolution , " said Ariadne .

" come , then , with me , brave Theseus .

here is your own sword , which the guards deprived you of .

you will need it ; and pray Heaven you may use it well . "

that Daedalus was a very cunning workman ; but of all his artful contrivances , this labyrinth is the most wondrous .

were we to take but a few steps from the doorway , we might wander about all our lifetime , and never find it again .

yet in the very center of this labyrinth is the Minotaur ; and , Theseus , you must go thither to seek him . "

Theseus even fancied a rude articulation in it , as if the creature that uttered it were trying to shape his hoarse breath into words .

" you must follow that sound through the windings of the labyrinth , and , by and by , you will find him .

farewell , brave Theseus . "

how this labyrinth was built is more than I can tell you .

but so cunningly contrived a mizmaze was never seen in the world , before nor since .

Theseus had not taken five steps before he lost sight of Ariadne ; and in five more his head was growing dizzy .

O , indeed , I can assure you , there was a vast deal of human sympathy running along that slender thread of silk .

and at last , in an open space , at the very center of the labyrinth , he did discern the hideous creature .

sure enough , what an ugly monster it was !

ah ! the bull-headed villain !

was Theseus afraid ?

by no means , my dear auditors .

what ! a hero like Theseus afraid , Not had the Minotaur had twenty bull-heads instead of one .

but probably this was the sense of what he uttered :

" ah , wretch of a human being !

I 'll stick my horns through you , and toss you fifty feet high , and eat you up the moment you come down . "

after this , the two antagonists stood valiantly up to one another , and fought , sword to horn , for a long while .

but Theseus by this time had leaped up , and caught the monster off his guard .

so now the battle was ended .

" thou hast slain the monster , " cried Ariadne , clasping her hands .

" thanks to thee , dear Ariadne , " answered Theseus , " I return victorious . "

if morning finds thee here , my father will avenge the Minotaur . "

" dear maiden , " said he , " thou wilt surely go with us .

thou art too gentle and sweet a child for such an iron-hearted father as King Minos .

he cares no more for thee than a granite rock cares for the little flower that grows in one of its crevices .

come with us , then ; for King Minos will be very angry when he knows what thou hast done . "

but , had the noble Theseus heard these falsehoods , he would have served their slanderous authors as he served the Minotaur !

here is what Ariadne answered , when the brave prince of Athens besought her to accompany him :

my father is old , and has nobody but myself to love him .

hard as you think his heart is , it would break to lose me .

I have saved you , Theseus , as much for my father 's sake as for your own .

farewell !

Heaven bless you ! "

on the homeward voyage , the fourteen youths and damsels were in excellent spirits , as you will easily suppose .

they spent most of their time in dancing , unless when the sidelong breeze made the deck slope too much .

In due season , they came within sight of the coast of Attica , which was their native country .

but here , I am grieved to tell you , happened a sad misfortune .

thus the vessel returned , like a raven , with the same sable wings that had wafted her away .

THE PYGMIES .

their principal temple , or cathedral , was as lofty as yonder bureau , and was looked upon as a wonderfully sublime and magnificent edifice .

all these structures were built neither of stone nor wood .

and O , my stars ! if the fathers and mothers were so small , what must the children and babies have been ?

you might have hidden a year-old baby under a thimble .

he was so very tall that he carried a pine tree , which was eight feet through the butt , for a walking stick .

but at noonday in a clear atmosphere , when the sun shone brightly over him , the Giant Antaeus presented a very grand spectacle .

how are you , my good fellow ? "

and , on their parts , the Pygmies loved Antaeus with as much affection as their tiny hearts could hold .

in short , as I said before , Antaeus loved the Pygmies , and the Pygmies loved Antaeus .

it was written about in the Pygmy histories , and talked about in their ancient traditions .

indeed , it has always seemed to me that the Giant needed the little people more than the Pygmies needed the Giant .

no other being like himself had ever been created .

no creature of his own size had ever talked with him , in thunder-like accents , face to face .

" poor creature ! " they said one to another .

let us be kind to the old fellow .

why , if Mother Earth had not been very kind to ourselves , we might all have been Giants too . "

on all their holidays , the Pygmies had excellent sport with Antaeus .

so fearless were they , that they made nothing of creeping in among the folds of his garments .

you would have laughed to see the children dodging in and out among his hair , or swinging from his beard .

it was another favorite feat with them to march along the bridge of his nose , and jump down upon his upper lip .

" Ho ! ho ! ho ! " quoth the Giant , shaking his mountainous sides .

" what a funny thing it is to be little !

if I were not Antaeus , I should like to be a Pygmy , just for the joke 's sake . "

the Pygmies had but one thing to trouble them in the world .

they were constantly at war with the cranes , and had always been so , ever since the long-lived Giant could remember .

from time to time , very terrible battles had been fought in which sometimes the little men won the victory , and sometimes the cranes .

one day the mighty Antaeus was lolling at full length among his little friends .

his pine-tree walking stick lay on the ground , close by his side .

sometimes , for a minute or two , the Giant dropped asleep , and snored like the rush of a whirlwind .

at first he mistook it for a mountain , and wondered how it had grown up so suddenly out of the earth .

but soon he saw the mountain move .

" halloo , brother Antaeus !

get up this minute , and take your pine-tree walking stick in your hand .

here comes another Giant to have a tussle with you . "

" Poh , poh ! " grumbled Antaeus , only half awake .

" none of your nonsense , my little fellow !

don't you see I 'm sleepy ?

there is not a Giant on earth for whom I would take the trouble to get up . "

but the Pygmy looked again , and now perceived that the stranger was coming directly towards the prostrate form of Antaeus .

with every step , he looked less like a blue mountain , and more like an immensely large man .

he was soon so nigh , that there could be no possible mistake about the matter .

" get up , Antaeus !

bestir yourself , you lazy old Giant !

here comes another Giant , as strong as you are , to fight with you . "

" nonsense , nonsense ! " growled the sleepy Giant .

" I 'll have my nap out , come who may . "

and , in truth , what a pair of shoulders they must have been !

as I told you , a long while ago , they once upheld the sky .

so they kept shouting to him , and even went so far as to prick him with their swords .

" get up , get up , get up , " they cried .

" Up with you , lazy bones !

Antaeus could not endure to have it said that any mortal was half so mighty as himself .

" who are you ? " thundered the Giant .

" and what do you want in my dominions ? "

some persons affirm that he grew ten times stronger at every touch ; others say that it was only twice as strong .

but only think of it !

but these great lubberly fellows resemble mountains , not only in bulk , but in their disinclination to move .

but the stranger did not seem at all disturbed .

" who are you , I say ? " roared Antaeus again .

" what 's your name ?

why do you come hither ?

speak , you vagabond , or I 'll try the thickness of your skull with my walking-stick ! "

as for my name , it is Hercules .

" neither shall you go back whence you came ! "

" how will you prevent me , " asked Hercules , " from going whither I please ? "

I am ashamed to kill such a puny little dwarf as you seem to be .

I will make a slave of you , and you shall likewise be the slave of my brethren here , the Pygmies .

" come and take it off my shoulders , then , " answered Hercules , lifting his club .

" this time , rascal , " shouted he , " you shall not escape me . "

as for his rage , there is no telling what a fiery furnace it had now got to be .

his one eye was nothing but a circle of red flame .

" come on ! " roared this thundering Giant .

" let me hit you but one box on the ear , and you 'll never have the headache again . "

" step forward , " cried he .

" since I 've broken your pine tree , we 'll try which is the better man at a wrestling match . "

" villain , I 'll fling you where you can never pick yourself up again . "

just imagine it , my dear little friends .

but , alas me !

what a wailing did the poor little Pygmies set up when they saw their enormous brother treated in this terrible manner !

his sentiments were pretty much as follows ; or , at all events , something like this was probably the upshot of his speech :

" Tall Pygmies and mighty little men !

he was our faithful ally , and fell fighting as much for our national rights and immunities as for his own personal ones .

we and our forefathers have dwelt in friendship with him , and held affectionate intercourse as man to man , through immemorial generations .

dead !

Silent !

Powerless !

a mere mountain of clay !

forgive my tears !

Nay , I behold your own .

were we to drown the world with them , could the world blame us ?

such is the question .

he bowed , and , making a gesture for silence , wound up his harangue in the following admirable manner :

in the latter case , though not unconscious that there may be taller men among you , I hereby offer myself for that enviable duty .

so the Pygmies resolved to set aside all foolish punctilios , and assail their antagonist at once .

a body of twenty thousand archers marched in front , with their little bows all ready , and the arrows on the string .

it was found necessary , therefore , to hit upon some other method of carrying on the war .

the archers , meanwhile , were stationed within bow shot , with orders to let fly at Hercules the instant that he stirred .

but no sooner did Hercules begin to be scorched , than up he started , with his hair in a red blaze .

" what 's all this ? " he cried , bewildered with sleep , and staring about him as if he expected to see another Giant .

" villain ! " shouted all the Pygmies at once .

" you have killed the Giant Antaeus , our great brother , and the ally of our nation .

we declare bloody war against you , and will slay you on the spot . "

at last , however , looking narrowly on the ground , he espied the innumerable assemblage of Pygmies at his feet .

" what in the world , my little fellow , " ejaculated Hercules , " may you be ? "

" I am your enemy , " answered the valiant Pygmy , in his mightiest squeak .

" you have slain the enormous Antaeus , our brother by the mother 's side , and for ages the faithful ally of our illustrious nation .

but here , on the palm of my hand , stands a wonder that outdoes them all !

your body , my little friend , is about the size of an ordinary man 's finger .

pray , how big may your soul be ? "

" as big as your own ! " said the Pygmy .

your hearts seem to me so exceedingly great , that , upon my honor , I marvel how your small bodies can contain them .

good-bye .

I shall pick my steps carefully , for fear of treading upon some fifty of you , without knowing it .

Ha , ha , ha !

Ho , ho , ho !

for once , Hercules acknowledges himself vanquished . "

but this is a mistake .

THE DRAGON'S TEETH .

the three boys were very happy , gathering flowers , and twining them into garlands , with which they adorned the little Europa .

and whence could this bull have com ?

" brother Cadmus ! " cried Europa , starting up out of the midst of the roses and lilies .

" phoenix !

Cilix !

where are you all ?

help !

help !

come and drive away this bull ! "

never before did a bull have such bright and tender eyes , and such smooth horns of ivory , as this one .

with his spotless hue , he resembled a snow drift , wafted along by the wind .

" come back , pretty creature ! " she cried .

" here is a nice clover blossom . "

" come , dear child , " was what he wanted to say , " let me give you a ride on my back . "

at the first thought of such a thing , Europa drew back .

and how it would surprise her brothers to see her riding across the green meadow !

" I think I will do it , " said the child to herself .

and , indeed , why not ?

it would be the quickest way of rejoining them , to get upon the white bull 's back .

" softly , pretty bull , softly ! " she said , rather frightened at what she had done .

" do not gallop too fast . "

" good-bye , " shouted Cadmus , Phoenix , and Cilix , all in one breath .

and what do you think the snowy bull did next ?

the white spray rose in a shower over him and little Europa , and fell spattering down upon the water .

then what a scream of terror did the poor child send forth !

but it was too late .

nothing more was ever seen of the white bull nothing more of the beautiful child .

this was a mournful story , as you may well think , for the three boys to carry home to their parents .

although it was now twilight , and fast growing dark , he bade them set out instantly in search of her .

Begone , and enter my presence no more , till you come leading her by the hand . "

" O , no , mother ! " cried the boys .

" the night is dark , and there is no knowing what troubles and perils we may meet with . "

if I should lose you , too , as well as my little Europa , what would become of me ! "

" and let me go likewise ! " said their playfellow Thasus , who came running to join them .

the whole party , therefore , set forth together .

" remember !

never ascend these steps again without the child ! "

" never ! " sobbed Queen Telephassa ; and the three brothers and Thasus answered , " never !

never !

never !

never ! "

and they kept their word .

we must now leave King Agenor to sit on his throne , and must go along with Queen Telephassa , and her four youthful companions .

they went on and on , and traveled a long way , and passed over mountains and rivers , and sailed over seas .

here , and there , and everywhere , they made continual inquiry if any person could tell them what had become of Europa .

but certain it is , that , before they reached any place of rest , their splendid garments were quite worn out .

when they had been gone a year , Telephassa threw away her crown , because it chafed her forehead .

" it has given me many a headache , " said the poor queen , " and it cannot cure my heartache . "

as fast as their princely robes got torn and tattered , they exchanged them for such mean attire as ordinary people wore .

the four boys grew up to be tall young men , with sunburnt faces .

each of them girded on a sword , to defend themselves against the perils of the way .

if payment was offered , they shook their heads , and only asked for tidings of Europa .

a snow-white bull with a little princess on his back !

Ho ! ho !

I ask your pardon , good folks ; but there never such a sight seen hereabouts . "

" I can go no farther , " said Phoenix .

our sister is lost , and never will be found .

my father has forbidden us to return to his palace , so I shall build me a hut of branches , and dwell here . "

but , for my part , I will still go in quest of my poor child . "

" and we three will go along with you ! " cried Cadmus and Cilix , and their faithful friend Thasus .

but , before setting out , they all helped Phoenix to build a habitation .

when completed , it was a sweet rural bower , roofed overhead with an arch of living boughs .

but , when they bade him farewell , Phoenix shed tears , and probably regretted that he was no longer to keep them company .

however , he had fixed upon an admirable place to dwell in .

for the inhabitants of the new city , finding that he had royal blood in his veins , had chosen him to be their king .

these thoughts made them all melancholy at times , but appeared to torment Cilix more than the rest of the party .

at length , one morning , when they were taking their staffs in hand to set out , he thus addressed them :

" my dear mother , and you , good brother Cadmus , and my friend Thasus , methinks we are like people in a dream .

there is no substance in the life which we are leading .

were we to find her , she would now be a woman grown , and would look upon us all as strangers .

" not I , for one !

in the depths of my heart , little Europa is still the rosy child who ran to gather flowers so many years ago .

she has not grown to womanhood , nor forgotten me .

Stop here who may , there is no repose for me . "

" nor for me , " said Cadmus , " while my dear mother pleases to go onward . "

and the faithful Thasus , too , was resolved to bear them company .

if she really believed that they would ever find Europa , he was willing to continue the search with them , even now .

but Telephassa bade him remain there , and be happy , if his own heart would let him .

one morning , however , poor Thasus found that he had sprained his ankle , and could not possibly go a step farther .

but that would only delay you , and perhaps hinder you from finding dear little Europa , after all your pains and trouble .

do you go forward , therefore , my beloved companions , and leave me to follow as I may . "

" thou hast been a true friend , dear Thasus , " said Queen Telephassa , kissing his forehead .

without thy loving help , and that of my son Cadmus , my limbs could not have borne me half so far as this .

now , take thy rest , and be at peace .

from that day forward , Cadmus noticed that she never traveled with the same alacrity of spirit that had heretofore supported her .

her weight was heavier upon his arm .

Thasus , however , did not spend all his days in this green bower .

he returned after a lengthened absence , and sat down wearily upon his throne .

Telephassa and Cadmus were now pursuing their weary way , with no companion but each other .

the queen leaned heavily upon her son 's arm , and could walk only a few miles a day .

but for all her weakness and weariness , she would not be persuaded to give up the search .

" it is no dream , " said Cadmus .

" everything else is a dream , save that . "

" a good long rest ! " she repeated , looking Cadmus tenderly in the face .

" a good long rest , thou dearest one ! "

" as long as you please , dear mother , " answered Cadmus .

Telephassa bade him sit down on the turf beside her , and then she took his hand .

you must not wait till it is finished .

dear Cadmus , you do not comprehend me .

you must make a grave here , and lay your mother 's weary frame into it .

my pilgrimage is over . "

he therefore repressed his sorrow , and listened to her last words .

who else would have borne with my infirmities as thou hast !

it is enough .

thou shalt wander no more on this hopeless search .

" O mother , mother , " cried Cadmus , " couldst thou but have seen my sister before this hour ! "

" it matters little now , " answered Telephassa , and there was a smile upon her face .

" I go now to the better world , and , sooner or later , shall find my daughter there . "

he received various answers .

some told him one thing , and some another .

Poor Cadmus found it more wearisome to travel alone than to bear all his dear mother 's weight , while she had kept him company .

his heart , you will understand , was now so heavy that it seemed impossible , sometimes , to carry it any farther .

but his limbs were strong and active , and well accustomed to exercise .

full of these remembrances , he came within sight of a lofty mountain , which the people thereabouts told him was called Parnassus .

on the slope of Mount Parnassus was the famous Delphi , whither Cadmus was going .

this Delphi was supposed to be the very midmost spot of the whole world .

it reminded him of those which he had helped to build for Phoenix and Cilix , and afterwards for Thasus .

" sacred oracle of Delphi , " said he , " whither shall I go next in quest of my dear sister Europa ? "

but Cadmus was more fortunate than many others who went to Delphi in search of truth .

by and by , the rushing noise began to sound like articulate language .

" seek her no more !

seek her no more !

seek her no more ! "

" what , then , shall I do ? " asked Cadmus .

for , ever since he was a child , you know , it had been the great object of his life to find his sister .

and now , if he must give up the search , he seemed to have no more business in the world .

but again the sighing gust of air grew into something like a hoarse voice .

" follow the cow ! " it said .

" follow the cow !

follow the cow ! "

" where the stray cow lies down , there is your home . "

he turned away from the oracle , and thought himself no wiser than when he came thither .

whenever he met anybody , the old question was at his tongue 's end .

but he smiled at himself for fancying such a thing .

he could not seriously think that this was the cow , because she went along so quietly , behaving just like any other cow .

perhaps she was going home to be milked .

" cow , cow , cow ! " cried Cadmus .

" hey , Brindle , hey !

stop , my good cow ! "

if he walked slowly , so did the cow , and seized the opportunity to graze .

when Cadmus saw that it was impossible to come up with her , he walked on moderately , as before .

the cow , too , went leisurely on , without looking behind .

wherever the grass was greenest , there she nibbled a mouthful or two .

" I do believe , " thought Cadmus , " that this may be the cow that was foretold me .

if it be the one , I suppose she will lie down somewhere hereabouts . "

whether it were the oracular cow or some other one , it did not seem reasonable that she should travel a great way farther .

but still , whether he liked the place or no , the brindled cow never offered to lie down .

" O brindled cow , " cried he , in a tone of despair , " do you never mean to stop ? "

indeed , it seemed as if there were something about the animal that bewitched people .

several persons who happened to see the brindled cow , and Cadmus following behind , began to trudge after her , precisely as he did .

Cadmus was glad of somebody to converse with , and therefore talked very freely to these good people .

" why , ' tis a very wonderful affair , " answered one of his new companions .

if my legs will let me , I 'll never leave following the beast till she lies down . "

" nor I ! " said a second .

" nor I ! " cried a third .

" if she goes a hundred miles farther , I am determined to see the end of it . "

they could not possibly help following her , though all the time they fancied themselves doing it of their own accord .

what a weary business it was !

but still they kept trudging stoutly forward , and talking as they went .

" Joy ! joy ! " cried he , clapping his hands .

" Brindle is going to lie down . "

and slowly , slowly did she recline herself on the soft grass , first bending her forelegs , and then crouching her hind ones .

" this , then , " said Cadmus , gazing around him , " this is to be my home . "

a home feeling stole into the heart of poor Cadmus .

the days and the years would pass over him , and find him still in this pleasant spot .

" yes , my friends , " said he to them , " this is to be our home .

here we will build our habitations .

the brindled cow , which has led us hither , will supply us with milk .

we will cultivate the neighboring soil and lead an innocent and happy life . "

not far off they saw a tuft of trees , which appeared as if there might be a spring of water beneath them .

drawing his sword , he rushed at the monster , and flung himself right into his cavernous mouth .

it seemed as if he were doomed to lose everybody whom he loved , or to see them perish in one way or another .

" what shall I do ? " cried he aloud .

" it were better for me to have been devoured by the dragon , as my poor companions were . "

the next thing was to plant them .

Cadmus , quite out of breath , stood leaning upon his sword , and wondering what was to happen next .

the sun was shining slantwise over the field , and showed all the moist , dark soil just like any other newly-planted piece of ground .

next appeared a vast number of bright sword blades , thrusting themselves up in the same way .

so rapidly did they grow , that Cadmus now discerned the fierce countenance of a man beneath every one .

every tooth of the dragon had produced one of these sons of deadly mischief .

so enraged did they all look , that Cadmus fully expected them to put the whole world to the sword .

how fortunate would it be for a great conqueror , if he could get a bushel of the dragon 's teeth to sow !

in an instant , those nearest the fallen warrior began to strike at one another with their swords , and stab with their spears .

the confusion spread wider and wider .

each man smote down his brother , and was himself smitten down before he had time to exult in his victory .

well , this memorable battle continued to rage until the ground was strewn with helmeted heads that had been cut off .

of all the thousands that began the fight , there were only five left standing .

" Cadmus , " said the voice again , " bid those five warriors sheathe their swords .

they will help you to build the city . "

" sheathe your weapons ! " said he .

these five men had probably sprung from the biggest of the dragon 's teeth , and were the boldest and strongest of the whole army .

they were almost giants indeed , and had good need to be so , else they never could have lived through so terrible a fight .

" come ! " said he .

" you are sturdy fellows .

make yourselves useful !

Quarry some stones with those great swords of yours , and help me to build a city . "

the five soldiers grumbled a little , and muttered that it was their business to overthrow cities , not to build them up .

at first , to be sure , the workmen showed a quarrelsome disposition .

and now the city was built , and there was a home in it for each of the workmen .

what should it be but the most magnificent palace that had ever been seen in the world .

when the five workmen beheld the dome , with the morning sunshine making it look golden and glorious , they gave a great shout .

" long live King Cadmus , " they cried , " in his beautiful palace . "

his heart thrilled with delight .

you will find all those dear ones in her alone . "

they called him father , and Queen Harmonia mother .

CIRCE'S PALACE .

immediately after escaping from this peril , a still greater one had befallen him .

so , taking a spear in his hand , he clambered to the summit of a cliff , and gazed round about him .

a blue smoke went curling up from the chimney , and was almost the pleasantest part of the spectacle to Ulysses .

Ulysses tried to catch the bird .

" have you anything to tell me , little bird ? " asked Ulysses .

" peep ! " said the bird , " peep , peep , pe weep ! "

so he resolved , for the present , to return to the vessel , and tell his companions what he had seen .

this appeared to satisfy the bird .

on his way to the shore , Ulysses had the good luck to kill a large stag by thrusting his spear into his back .

I have already hinted to you what gormandizers some of the comrades of King Ulysses were .

a dish of venison , however , was no unacceptable meal to them , especially after feeding so long on oysters and clams .

the next morning , their appetites were as sharp as ever .

" now , " said he , " when I was on the cliff , yesterday , I discovered that this island is inhabited .

" aha ! " muttered some of his companions , smacking their lips .

" that smoke must have come from the kitchen fire .

there was a good dinner on the spit ; and no doubt there will be as good a one to-day . "

if these can be obtained , all is well .

as nobody objected to this scheme , Ulysses proceeded to count the whole band , and found that there were forty-six men , including himself .

Ulysses took command of the remaining twenty-two men , in person .

a gush of smoke came from a chimney in the rear of the edifice .

when people 's appetites are keen , they have a very quick scent for anything savory in the wind .

" and , as sure as I 'm a half-starved vagabond , I smell roast meat in it . "

" pig , roast pig ! " said another .

" ah , the dainty little porker .

my mouth waters for him . "

" let us make haste , " cried the others , " or we shall be too late for the good cheer ! "

but scarcely had they made half a dozen steps from the edge of the cliff , when a bird came fluttering to meet them .

it hovered about Eurylochus , and almost brushed his face with its wings .

" peep , peep , pe weep ! " chirped the bird .

and what is the message which you bring ? "

" peep , peep , pe weep ! " replied the bird , very sorrowfully .

Eurylochus and a few of the others were inclined to turn back .

but the rest of the voyagers , snuffing up the smoke from the palace kitchen , ridiculed the idea of returning to the vessel .

" this troublesome and impertinent little fowl , " said he , " would make a delicate titbit to begin dinner with .

just one plump morsel , melting away between the teeth .

if he comes within my reach , I 'll catch him , and give him to the palace cook to be roasted on a skewer . "

" that bird , " remarked Eurylochus , " knows more than we do about what awaits us at the palace . "

" come on , then , " cried his comrades , " and we 'll soon know as much as he does . "

the party , accordingly , went onward through the green and pleasant wood .

every little while they caught new glimpses of the marble palace , which looked more and more beautiful the nearer they approached it .

it was bordered , too , with a great many sweet-smelling flowers , such as the mariners had never seen before .

" well said ! " cried the others .

" but I 'll warrant you there 's a kitchen garden in the rear of the palace . "

at one place they came to a crystal spring , and paused to drink at it for want of liquor which they liked better .

and after they had drank , they grew still merrier than before .

" it has a twang of the wine cask in it , " said one , smacking his lips .

then they quickened their pace , and capered for joy at the thought of the savory banquet at which they hoped to be guests .

but Eurylochus told them that he felt as if he were walking in a dream .

this kind of dreamy feeling always comes over me before any wonderful occurrence .

if you take my advice , you will turn back . "

the terrified mariners started back , expecting no better fate than to be torn to pieces and devoured .

their mildness seemed unreal , and a mere freak ; but their savage nature was as true as their teeth and claws .

Eurylochus and his followers now passed under a lofty portal , and looked through the open doorway into the interior of the palace .

it was either magic or some very curious machinery that caused the gushing waterspout to assume all these forms .

" what a sweet song that was ! " exclaimed one of the voyagers .

" too sweet , indeed , " answered Eurylochus , shaking his head .

" what a domestic , household , home-like sound it is !

ah , before that weary siege of Troy , I used to hear the buzzing loom and the women 's voices under my own roof .

shall I never hear them again ? nor taste those nice little savory dishes which my dearest wife knew how to serve up ? "

" Tush ! we shall fare better here , " said another .

" but how innocently those women are babbling together , without guessing that we overhear them !

let us show ourselves at once .

what harm can the lady of the palace and her maidens do to mariners and warriors like us ? "

no warning or persuasion , however , had any effect on his companions .

Eurylochus , meanwhile , had stepped behind a pillar .

there were four other young women , who joined their hands and danced merrily forward , making gestures of obeisance to the strangers .

they were only less beautiful than the lady who seemed to be their mistress .

the folding doors swung quickly back , and left him standing behind the pillar , in the solitude of the outer hall .

footsteps , it is true , seemed to be passing and repassing , in other parts of the palace .

then there was a clatter of silver dishes , or golden ones , which made him imagine a rich feast in a splendid banqueting hall .

it looked like nothing but a hog , which lay wallowing in the marble basin , and filled it from brim to brim .

but we must leave the prudent Eurylochus waiting in the outer hall , and follow his friends into the inner secrecy of the palace .

she took the hand of the foremost among them , and bade him and the whole party welcome .

" you have been long expected , my good friends , " said she .

" I and my maidens are well acquainted with you , although you do not appear to recognize us .

look at this piece of tapestry , and judge if your faces must not have been familiar to us . "

for this purpose , my honored guests , I have ordered a banquet to be prepared .

if your appetites tell you it is dinner time , then come with me to the festal saloon . "

it was built in a perfect oval , and lighted from a crystal dome above .

" our good hostess has made kings of us all , " said one .

" Ha ! do you smell the feast ?

I 'll engage it will be fit to set before two and twenty kings . "

ah , the gluttons and gormandizers !

you see how it was with them .

and , once in a while , the strangers seemed to taste something that they did not like .

" here is an odd kind of spice in this dish , " said one .

" I can't say it quite suits my palate .

down it goes , however . "

" send a good draught of wine down your throat , " said his comrade on the next throne .

" that is the stuff to make this sort of cookery relish well .

though I must needs say , the wine has a queer taste too .

but the more I drink of it , the better I like the flavor . "

but at length they began to give over , from mere incapacity to hold any more .

" that last bit of fat is too much for me , " said one .

" and I have not room for another morsel , " said his next neighbor , heaving a sigh .

" what a pity !

my appetite is as sharp as ever . "

and the louder they all laughed , the more stupid and helpless did the two and twenty gormandizers look .

but it will require only the slightest exercise of magic to make the exterior conform to the hoggish disposition .

assume your proper shapes , gormandizers , and begone to the sty ! "

they tried to groan and beg for mercy , but forthwith emitted the most awful grunting and squealing that ever came out of swinish throats .

so he ran as fast as he could down the steps , and never stopped to draw breath till he reached the shore .

" why do you come alone ? " asked King Ulysses , as soon as he saw him .

" where are your two and twenty comrades ? "

at these questions , Eurylochus burst into tears .

" alas ! " he cried , " I greatly fear that we shall never see one of their faces again . "

at this intelligence , all the voyagers were greatly affrighted .

wait for me here until tomorrow .

if I do not then return , you must hoist sail , and endeavor to find your way to our native land .

I will either bring them back with me , or perish . "

had his followers dared , they would have detained him by force .

but King Ulysses frowned sternly on them , and shook his spear , and bade them stop him at their peril .

" what mean you , little bird ? " cried Ulysses .

" you are arrayed like a king in purple and gold , and wear a golden crown upon your head .

is it because I too am a king , that you desire so earnestly to speak with me ?

if you can talk in human language , say what you would have me do . "

" Peep ! " answered the purple bird , very dolorously .

" peep , peep , pe we e ! "

but Ulysses had no time to waste in trying to get at the mystery .

" whither are you going in such a hurry , wise Ulysses ? " asked Quicksilver .

" do you not know that this island is enchanted ?

by her magic arts she changes every human being into the brute , beast , or fowl whom he happens most to resemble . "

" yes , " answered Quicksilver .

" and my poor companions , " said Ulysses .

" have they undergone a similar change , through the arts of this wicked Circe ? "

" so you will not be surprised to hear that they have all taken the shapes of swine !

if Circe had never done anything worse , I really should not think her so very much to blame . "

" but can I do nothing to help them ? " inquired Ulysses .

but do as I bid you ; and the matter may end better than it has begun . "

" take this flower , King Ulysses , " said he .

keep it in your hand , and smell of it frequently after you enter the palace , and while you are talking with the enchantress .

follow these directions , and you may defy her magic arts to change you into a fox . "

after listening attentively , Ulysses thanked his good friend , and resumed his way .

the wild beasts yelped and glared at him , and stood at a distance , while he ascended the palace steps .

on entering the hall , Ulysses saw the magic fountain in the center of it .

but Ulysses did not waste much time in listening to the laughter or the song .

" welcome , brave stranger ! " cried she .

" we were expecting you . "

if such be your pleasure , you shall first take some refreshment , and then join them in the elegant apartment which they now occupy .

See , I and my maidens have been weaving their figures into this piece of tapestry . "

she pointed to the web of beautifully-woven cloth in the loom .

the work had not yet gone any further .

O , no , indeed .

the enchantress was far too cunning to let Ulysses see the mischief which her magic arts had since brought upon the gormandizers .

deign to follow me , and you shall be treated as befits your rank . "

the enchantress took Ulysses by the hand , and made him sit down upon this dazzling throne .

then , clapping her hands , she summoned the chief butler .

" bring hither , " said she , " the goblet that is set apart for kings to drink out of .

that good and amiable child !

were she now here , it would delight her to see me offering this wine to my honored guest . "

but Ulysses , while the butler was gone for the wine , held the snow-white flower to his nose .

" is it a wholesome wine ? " he asked .

at this the four maidens tittered ; whereupon the enchantress looked round at them , with an aspect of severity .

but , delightfully as the wine looked , it was mingled with the most potent enchantments that Circe knew how to concoct .

" drink , my noble guest , " said Circe , smiling , as she presented him with the goblet .

" you will find in this draught a solace for all your troubles . "

then , drinking off all the wine , he looked the enchantress calmly in the face .

take the form of the brute whom you most resemble .

thou hast quaffed off my wine , and canst be man no longer . "

he gave the magic goblet a toss , and sent it clashing over the marble floor to the farthest end of the saloon .

" Wicked Circe , " cried he , in a terrible voice , " this sword shall put an end to thy enchant meets .

" spare me ! " cried Circe .

" spare me , royal and wise Ulysses .

thou only couldst have conquered Circe .

spare me , wisest of men .

" on these conditions , " said he , " I consent to spare your life .

otherwise you must die upon the spot . "

she therefore led Ulysses out of the back entrance of the palace , and showed him the swine in their sty .

when men once turn to brutes , the trifle of man 's wit that remains in them adds tenfold to their brutality .

the comrades of Ulysses , however , had not quite lost the remembrance of having formerly stood erect .

and yet they did not seem to know what they wanted , nor whether they were merely hungry , or miserable from some other cause .

" these must certainly be my comrades , " said Ulysses .

" I recognize their dispositions .

they are hardly worth the trouble of changing them into the human form again .

nevertheless , we will have it done , lest their bad example should corrupt the other hogs .

let them take their original shapes , therefore , Dame Circe , if your skill is equal to the task .

it will require greater magic , I trow , than it did to make swine of them . "

finally , there stood the twenty-two comrades of Ulysses , looking pretty much the same as when they left the vessel .

you must not imagine , however , that the swinish quality had entirely gone out of them .

when once it fastens itself into a person 's character , it is very difficult getting rid of it .

then , recollecting themselves , they scrambled to their feet , and looked more than commonly foolish .

" Thanks , noble Ulysses ! " they cried .

" from brute beasts you have restored us to the condition of men again . "

" do not put yourselves to the trouble of thanking me , " said the wise king .

" I fear I have done but little for you . "

at this moment , the note of a bird sounded from the branch of a neighboring tree .

" peep , peep , pe wee e ! "

Ulysses ordered Circe instantly to make a king of this good little fowl , and leave him exactly as she found him .

he and King Ulysses exchanged with one another the courtesies which belong to their elevated rank .

so he let them howl as much as they liked , but never troubled his head about them .

THE POMEGRANATE SEEDS .

mother Ceres was exceedingly fond of her daughter Proserpina , and seldom let her go alone into the fields .

" dear mother , " said Proserpina , " I shall be very lonely while you are away .

" yes , child , " answered Mother Ceres .

" the sea nymphs are good creatures , and will never lead you into any harm .

but you must take care not to stray away from them , nor go wandering about the fields by yourself .

young girls , without their mothers to take care of them , are very apt to get into mischief . "

" O no , dear Proserpina , " cried the sea nymphs ; " we dare not go with you upon the dry land .

we are apt to grow faint , unless at every breath we can snuff up the salt breeze of the ocean .

if it were not for that , we should look like bunches of uprooted seaweed dried in the sun .

" it is a great pity , " said Proserpina .

I long to make you some wreaths that shall be as lovely as this necklace of many colored shells . "

" we will wait , then , " answered the sea nymphs .

" but while you are gone , we may as well lie down on a bank of soft sponge under the water .

the air to-day is a little too dry for our comfort .

but we will pop up our heads every few minutes to see if you are coming . "

the young Proserpina ran quickly to a spot where , only the day before , she had seen a great many flowers .

Proserpina 's apron was soon filled , and brimming over with delightful blossoms .

but , a little farther on , what should she behold ?

it was a large shrub , completely covered with the most magnificent flowers in the world .

how strange it is that I did not see the flowers ! "

to tell you the truth , foolish as it may seem , she was half inclined to turn round and run away .

" what a silly child I am ! " thought she , taking courage .

" it is really the most beautiful shrub that ever sprang out of the earth .

I will pull it up by the roots , and carry it home , and plant it in my mother 's garden . "

what a deep-rooted plant it was !

again the girl pulled with all her might , and observed that the earth began to stir and crack to some distance around the stem .

she gave another pull , but relaxed her hold , fancying that there was a rumbling sound right beneath her feet .

did the roots extend down into some enchanted cavern ?

in the chariot sat the figure of a man , richly dressed , with a crown on his head , all flaming with diamonds .

as soon as this personage saw the affrighted Proserpina , he beckoned her to come a little nearer .

" do not be afraid , " said he , with as cheerful a smile as he knew how to put on .

" come !

will you not like to ride a little way with me , in my beautiful chariot ? "

but Proserpina was so alarmed , that she wished for nothing but to get out of his reach .

and no wonder .

as is always the case with children in trouble , Proserpina 's first thought was to call for her mother .

" mother , Mother Ceres ! " cried she , all in a tremble .

" come quickly and save me . "

but her voice was too faint for her mother to hear .

indeed , it is most probable that Ceres was then a thousand miles off , making the corn grow in some far distant country .

they immediately broke into so swift a gallop , that it seemed rather like flying through the air than running along the earth .

in a moment , Proserpina lost sight of the pleasant vale of Enna , in which she had always dwelt .

but Mother Ceres was a great way off , and could not hear the cry .

as they rode on , the stranger did his best to soothe her .

" why should you be so frightened , my pretty child ? " said he , trying to soften his rough voice .

" I promise not to do you any harm .

what ! you have been gathering flowers ?

can you guess who I am ?

they call my name Pluto ; and I am the king of diamonds and all other precious stones .

do you see this splendid crown upon my head ?

you may have it for a plaything .

" let me go home ! " cried Proserpina .

" let me go home ! "

" my home is better than your mother 's , " answered King Pluto .

you never saw anything half so magnificent as my throne .

if you like , you may sit down on it , and be my little queen , and I will sit on the footstool . "

" I don't care for golden palaces and thrones , " sobbed Proserpina .

" oh , my mother , my mother !

carry me back to my mother ! "

but King Pluto , as he called himself , only shouted to his steeds to go faster .

" pray do not be foolish , Proserpina , " said he , in rather a sullen tone .

and this is what you must do for King Pluto . "

" never ! " answered Proserpina , looking as miserable as she could .

" I shall never smile again till you set me down at my mother 's door . "

who , but Mother Ceres , making the corn grow , and too busy to notice the golden chariot as it went rattling along .

King Pluto had taken a road which now began to grow excessively gloomy .

the black horses had rushed along so swiftly , that they were already beyond the limits of the sunshine .

but the duskier it grew , the more did Pluto 's visage assume an air of satisfaction .

how much more agreeable is lamplight or torchlight , more particularly when reflected from diamonds !

it will be a magnificent sight , when we get to my palace . "

" is it much farther ? " asked Proserpina .

" and will you carry me back when I have seen it ? "

" we will talk of that by and by , " answered Pluto .

" we are just entering my dominions .

do you see that tall gateway before us ?

when we pass those gates , we are at home .

and there lies my faithful mastiff at the threshold .

Cerberus !

Cerberus !

come hither , my good dog ! "

So saying , Pluto pulled at the reins , and stopped the chariot right between the tall , massive pillars of the gateway .

but , my stars , what a strange dog it was !

he seemed as fond of his three-headed dog as if it had been a sweet little spaniel , with silken ears and curly hair .

" will the dog bite me ? " asked Proserpina , shrinking closer to Pluto .

" what an ugly creature he is ! "

" O , never fear , " answered her companion .

down , Cerberus !

now , my pretty Proserpina , we will drive on . "

on went the chariot , and King Pluto seemed greatly pleased to find himself once more in his own kingdom .

not far from the gateway , they came to a bridge , which seemed to be built of iron .

Pluto stopped the chariot , and bade Proserpina look at the stream which was gliding so lazily beneath it .

" this is the River Lethe , " observed King Pluto .

" is it not a very pleasant stream ? "

" I think it a very dismal one , " answered Proserpina .

" it suits my taste , however , " answered Pluto , who was apt to be sullen when anybody disagreed with him .

I will send for some , in a golden goblet , the moment we arrive . "

" O , no , no , no ! " cried Proserpina , weeping afresh .

" I had a thousand times rather be miserable with remembering my mother , than be happy in forgetting her .

that dear , dear mother !

I never , never will forget her . "

" we shall see , " said King Pluto .

" you do not know what fine times we will have in my palace .

here we are just at the portal .

these pillars are solid gold , I assure you . "

" I will neither drink that nor anything else , " said Proserpina .

" nor will I taste a morsel of food , even if you keep me forever in your palace . "

you recollect , too , the loud scream which Proserpina gave , just when the chariot was out of sight .

of all the child 's outcries , this last shriek was the only one that reached the ears of Mother Ceres .

" where is Proserpina ? " cried Ceres .

" where is my child ?

tell me , you naughty sea nymphs , have you enticed her under the sea ? "

" we never should dream of such a thing .

this was early in the day , and we have seen nothing of her since . "

Ceres scarcely waited to hear what the nymphs had to say , before she hurried off to make inquiries all through the neighborhood .

but nobody told her anything that would enable the poor mother to guess what had become of Proserpina .

the stupid people !

so she lighted a torch , and set forth , resolving never to come back until Proserpina was discovered .

" Ha ! " thought Mother Ceres , examining it by torchlight .

" here is mischief in this flower !

the earth did not produce it by any help of mine , nor of its own accord .

it is the work of enchantment , and is therefore poisonous ; and perhaps it has poisoned my poor child . "

but she put the poisonous flower in her bosom , not knowing whether she might ever find any other memorial of Proserpina .

but nobody had seen Proserpina , nor could give Mother Ceres the least hint which way to seek her .

it was not merely of human beings that she asked tidings of her daughter .

but not one of these leafy damsels had seen Proserpina .

when she stopped to question them , they would only laugh the louder , and make new merriment out of the lone woman 's distress .

how unkind of those ugly satyrs !

but neither could Pan tell her what had become of Proserpina , any better than the rest of these wild people .

it flickered , and struggled with the duskiness , but could not half light up the gloomy cavern with all its melancholy glimmer .

so she stepped into the cave , and sat down on the withered leaves by the dog-headed woman 's side .

in all the world , since her daughter 's loss , she had found no other companion .

" O Hecate , " said she , " if ever you lose a daughter , you will know what sorrow is .

tell me , for pity 's sake , have you seen my poor child Proserpina pass by the mouth of your cavern ? "

something terrible has happened to the child , you may rest assured .

as well as I could judge , a dragon , or some other cruel monster , was carrying her away . "

" you kill me by saying so , " cried Ceres , almost ready to faint .

" where was the sound , and which way did it seem to go ? "

I can tell you nothing more , except that , in my honest opinion , you will never see your daughter again .

" not yet , dark Hecate , " replied Ceres .

" but do you first come with your torch , and help me to seek for my lost child .

the dismal Hecate did not much like the idea of going abroad into the sunny world .

so she finally consented to go , and they set out together , both carrying torches , although it was broad daylight and clear sunshine .

as the pair traveled along in this woe-begone manner , a thought struck Ceres .

why did not I think of him before ?

it is Phoebus . "

" what , " said Hecate , " the young man that always sits in the sunshine ?

O , pray do not think of going near him .

he is a gay , light , frivolous young fellow , and will only smile in your face .

" you have promised to be my companion , " answered Ceres .

" come , let us make haste , or the sunshine will be gone , and Phoebus along with it . "

by and by , after a pretty long journey , they arrived at the sunniest spot in the whole world .

for , beside a great many other accomplishments , this young man was renowned for his admirable poetry .

but as for Ceres , she was too earnest in her grief either to know or care whether Phoebus smiled or frowned .

" Phoebus ! " exclaimed she , " I am in great trouble , and have come to you for assistance .

can you tell me what has become of my dear child Proserpina ? "

" Proserpina !

" ah , yes , I remember her now .

a very lovely child , indeed .

I am happy to tell you , my dear madam , that I did see the little Proserpina not many days ago .

you may make yourself perfectly easy about her .

she is safe , and in excellent hands . "

" O , where is my dear child ? " cried Ceres , clasping her hands , and flinging herself at his feet .

Gold , diamonds , pearls , and all manner of precious stones will be your daughter 's ordinary playthings .

I recommend to you , my dear lady , to give yourself no uneasiness .

" hush !

say not such a word ! " answered Ceres , indignantly .

" what is there to gratify her heart ?

what are all the splendors you speak of without affection ?

I must have her back again .

will you go with me you go with me , Phoebus , to demand my daughter of this wicked Pluto ? "

" pray excuse me , " replied Phoebus , with an elegant obeisance .

besides , I am not upon the best of terms with King Pluto .

" ah , Phoebus , " said Ceres , with bitter meaning in her words , " you have a harp instead of a heart .

farewell . "

but Ceres shook her head , and hastened away , along with Hecate .

accordingly , though Phoebus sang a very sad song , he was as merry all the while as were the sunbeams amid which he dwelt .

Poor Mother Ceres had now found out what had become of her daughter , but was not a whit happier than before .

her case , on the contrary , looked more desperate than ever .

as long as Proserpina was above ground , there might have been hopes of regaining her .

poor Mother Ceres !

then , indeed , she would stand and gaze at them with tears in her eyes .

ascending a lofty flight of steps , she entered the portal , and found the royal household in very great alarm about the queen 's baby .

" will you trust the child entirely to me ? " asked Ceres .

" yes , and gladly , too , " answered the queen , " if you will devote all your time to him .

for I can see that you have been a mother . "

" you are right , " said Ceres .

" I once had a child of my own .

well ; I will be the nurse of this poor , sickly boy .

but beware , I warn you , that you do not interfere with any kind of treatment which I may judge proper for him .

if you do so , the poor infant must suffer for his mother 's folly . "

then she kissed the child , and it seemed to do him good ; for he smiled and nestled closely into her bosom .

their wonder was the greater , because he was never seen to taste any food ; not even so much as a cup of milk .

" pray , nurse , " the queen kept saying , " how is it that you make the child thrive so ? "

but Queen Metanira , as was very natural , had a great curiosity to know precisely what the nurse did to her child .

one night , therefore , she hid herself in the chamber where Ceres and the little prince were accustomed to sleep .

Ceres sat before the hearth with the child in her lap , and the firelight making her shadow dance upon the ceiling overhead .

she undressed the little prince , and bathed him all over with some fragrant liquid out of a vase .

she then raked the ashes over him , and turned quietly away .

he immediately set up a grievous cry , as babies are apt to do , when rudely startled out of a sound sleep .

she now turned to Mother Ceres , and asked her to explain the mystery .

" foolish woman , " answered Ceres , " did you not promise to intrust this poor infant entirely to me ?

you little know the mischief you have done him .

do you imagine that earthly children are to become immortal without being tempered to it in the fiercest heat of the fire ?

but you have ruined your own son .

the weak tenderness of his mother has cost the poor boy an immortality .

farewell . "

poor baby !

he never slept so warmly again .

but now , having nothing else to busy herself about , she became just as wretched as before .

she even forbade the flowers to bloom , lest somebody 's heart should be cheered by their beauty .

the husbandmen plowed and planted as usual ; but there lay the rich black furrows , all as barren as a desert of sand .

the pastures looked as brown in the sweet month of June as ever they did in chill November .

the rich man 's broad acres and the cottager's small garden patch were equally blighted .

every little girl 's flower bed showed nothing but dry stalks .

but Mother Ceres , though naturally of an affectionate disposition , was now inexorable .

" never , " said she .

and while they settle their business together , we must inquire what Proserpina had been doing ever since we saw her last .

all this time , being of a cheerful and active disposition , the little damsel was not quite so unhappy as you may have supposed .

the immense palace had a thousand rooms , and was full of beautiful and wonderful objects .

after Proserpina came , the palace was no longer the same abode of stately artifice and dismal magnificence that it had before been .

the inhabitants all felt this , and King Pluto more than any of them .

" my own little Proserpina , " he used to say .

" I wish you could like me a little better .

we gloomy and cloudy-natured persons have often as warm hearts , at bottom , as those of a more cheerful character .

" ah , " said Proserpina , " you should have tried to make me like you before carrying me off .

and the best thing you can now do is , to let me go again .

then I might remember you sometimes , and think that you were as kind as you knew how to be .

perhaps , too , one day or other , I might come back , and pay you a visit . "

" no , no , " answered Pluto , with his gloomy smile , " I will not trust you for that .

you are too fond of living in the broad daylight , and gathering flowers .

what an idle and childish taste that is !

" O my sweet violets , shall I never see you again ? "

and then she burst into tears .

King Pluto gazed after her , and wished that he , too , was a child .

she ran back to him , and , for the first time in all her life , put her small , soft hand in his .

" I love you a little , " whispered she , looking up in his face .

" well , I have not deserved it of you , after keeping you a prisoner for so many months , and starving you besides .

are you not terribly hungry ?

is there nothing which I can get you to eat ? "

" no indeed , " said Proserpina .

but he might just as well save himself the trouble , poor , fat little man that he is .

when Pluto heard this , he began to see that he had mistaken the best method of tempting Proserpina to eat .

as soon as Proserpina saw the pomegranate on the golden salver , she told the servant he had better take it away again .

" I shall not touch it , I assure you , " said she .

" if I were ever so hungry , I should never think of eating such a miserable , dry pomegranate as that . "

" it is the only one in the world , " said the servant .

he set down the golden salver , with the wizened pomegranate upon it , and left the room .

to be sure , it was a very wretched-looking pomegranate , and seemed to have no more juice in it than an oyster shell .

but there was no choice of such things in King Pluto 's palace .

" at least , I may smell it , " thought Proserpina .

dear me ! what an everlasting pity !

before Proserpina knew what she was about , her teeth had actually bitten it , of their own accord .

at the first noise of their entrance , Proserpina withdrew the pomegranate from her mouth .

as for honest Pluto , he never guessed at the secret .

to confess the truth , I myself had already reflected that it was an unjustifiable act to take you away from your good mother .

it was a silly expectation . "

" not so extremely silly , " whispered Proserpina .

" you have really amused me very much , sometimes . "

" thank you , " said King Pluto , rather dryly .

" but I can see plainly enough , that you think my palace a dusky prison , and me the iron-hearted keeper of it .

I give you your liberty .

go with Quicksilver .

hasten home to your dear mother . "

I know not how many kind things she might have said to the disconsolate king of the mines , had not Quicksilver hurried her way .

" come along quickly , " whispered he in her ear , " or his majesty may change his royal mind .

and take care , above all things , that you say nothing of what was brought you on the golden salver . "

it was delightful to behold , as Proserpina hastened along , how the path grew verdant behind and on either side of her .

wherever she set her blessed foot , there was at once a dewy flower .

the violets gushed up along the wayside .

mother Ceres had returned to her deserted home , and was sitting disconsolately on the doorstep , with her torch burning in her hand .

she had been idly watching the flame for some moments past , when , all at once , it flickered and went out .

" what does this mean ? " thought she .

" it was an enchanted torch , and should have kept burning till my child came back . "

" does the earth disobey me ? " exclaimed Mother Ceres , indignantly .

" then open your arms , dear mother , " cried a well-known voice , " and take your little daughter into them . "

and Proserpina came running , and flung herself upon her mother 's bosom .

their mutual transport is not to be described .

when their hearts had grown a little more quiet , Mother Ceres looked anxiously at Proserpina .

" my child , " said she , " did you taste any food while you were in King Pluto 's palace ? "

" dearest mother , " exclaimed Proserpina , " I will tell you the whole truth .

until this very morning , not a morsel of food had passed my lips .

the instant I tasted it , King Pluto and Quicksilver came into the room .

" ah , unfortunate child , and miserable me ! " exclaimed Ceres .

" for each of those six pomegranate seeds you must spend one month of every year in King Pluto 's palace .

you are but half restored to your mother .

only six months with me , and six with that good-for-nothing King of Darkness ! "

" do not speak so harshly of poor King Pluto , " said Prosperina , kissing her mother .

THE GOLDEN FLEECE .

this learned person was one of the people , or quadrupeds , called Centaurs .

he lived in a cavern , and had the body and legs of a white horse , with the head and shoulders of a man .

the famous Hercules was one , and so was Achilles , and Philoctetes likewise , and Aesculapius , who acquired immense repute as a doctor .

little children , not quite understanding what is said to them , often get such absurd notions into their heads , you know .

I wonder what the blacksmith charged him for a set of iron shoes ?

this was very unwise , to be sure ; and I hope none of you , my little hearers , will ever follow Jason 's example .

the part of his dress on which he most prided himself was a pair of sandals , that had been his father 's .

they were handsomely embroidered , and were tied upon his feet with strings of gold .

the bed of the stream seemed to be strewn with sharp and rugged rocks , some of which thrust themselves above the water .

by and by , an uprooted tree , with shattered branches , came drifting along the current , and got entangled among the rocks .

now and then , a drowned sheep , and once the carcass of a cow , floated past .

in short , the swollen river had already done a great deal of mischief .

" see the poor lad , " said a cracked voice close to his side .

" he must have had but a poor education , since he does not know how to cross a little stream like this .

or is he afraid of wetting his fine golden-stringed sandals ?

it is a pity his four-footed schoolmaster is not here to carry him safely across on his back ! "

Jason looked round greatly surprised , for he did not know that anybody was near .

the old woman had a pomegranate in her hand , although the fruit was then quite out of season .

" whither are you going , Jason ? " she now asked .

while Jason was gazing at her , a peacock strutted forward , and took his stand at the old woman 's side .

just take me on your back , there 's a good youth , and carry me across the river .

I and my peacock have something to do on the other side , as well as yourself . "

" good mother , " replied Jason , " your business can hardly be so important as the pulling down a king from his throne .

I would gladly help you if I could ; but I doubt whether I am strong enough to carry you across . "

" then , " said she , very scornfully , " neither are you strong enough to pull King Pelias off his throne .

and , Jason , unless you will help an old woman at her need , you ought not to be a king .

what are kings made for , save to succor the feeble and distressed ?

but do as you please .

either take me on your back , or with my poor old limbs I shall try my best to struggle across the stream . "

but Jason , by this time , had grown ashamed of his reluctance to help her .

remembering these maxims , the vigorous and beautiful young man knelt down , and requested the good dame to mount upon his back .

" the passage seems to me not very safe , " he remarked .

" but as your business is so urgent , I will try to carry you across .

if the river sweeps you away , it shall take me too . "

" that , no doubt , will be a great comfort to both of us , " quoth the old woman .

" but never fear .

we shall get safely across . "

as for the peacock , it alighted on the old dame 's shoulder .

it rushed past , however , without touching him .

at this accident Jason could not help uttering a cry of vexation .

" what is the matter , Jason ? " asked the old woman .

" matter enough , " said the young man .

" I have lost a sandal here among the rocks .

" do not take it to heart , " answered his companion cheerily .

" you never met with better fortune than in losing that sandal .

it satisfies me that you are the very person whom the Speaking Oak has been talking about . "

there was no time , just then , to inquire what the Speaking Oak had said .

there is your path .

go along , my good Jason , and my blessing go with you .

and when you sit on your throne remember the old woman whom you helped over the river . "

with these words , she hobbled away , giving him a smile over her shoulder as she departed .

when the old dame and her peacock were out of sight , Jason set forward on his journey .

he inquired of one of the multitude what town it was near by , and why so many persons were here assembled together .

" this is the kingdom of Iolchos , " answered the man , " and we are the subjects of King Pelias .

Yonder is the king , where you see the smoke going up from the altar . "

" look at him ! only look at him ! " said the man to his next neighbor .

" do you see ?

he wears but one sandal ! "

besides , he could hear them whispering to one another .

" one sandal !

one sandal ! " they kept saying .

" the man with one sandal !

here he is at last !

whence has he come ?

what does he mean to do ?

what will the king say to the one-sandaled man ? "

" who are you ? " cried the king , with a terrible frown .

" and how dare you make this disturbance , while I am sacrificing a black bull to my father Neptune ? "

" it is no fault of mine , " answered Jason .

when Jason said this , the king gave a quick startled glance down at his feet .

" Ha ! " muttered he , " here is the one-sandaled fellow , sure enough !

what can I do with him ? "

" the one-sandaled man has come !

the prophecy must be fulfilled ! "

pray what may I call your name ? and where did you receive your education ? "

" my name is Jason , " answered the young stranger .

" ever since my infancy , I have dwelt in the cave of Chiron the Centaur .

it gives me great delight to see one of his scholars at my court .

" I do not pretend to be very wise , " said Jason .

" but ask me what you please , and I will answer to the best of my ability . "

So , with a crafty and evil smile upon his face , he spoke as follows :

still he scorned to tell a falsehood .

like an upright and honorable prince as he was , he determined to speak out the real truth .

therefore , after a moment 's consideration , he spoke up , with a firm and manly voice .

" I would send such a man , " said he , " in quest of the Golden Fleece ! "

this enterprise , you will understand , was , of all others , the most difficult and dangerous in the world .

in the first place it would be necessary to make a long voyage through unknown seas .

the eyes of King Pelias sparkled with joy , therefore , when he heard Jason 's reply .

" well said , wise man with the one sandal ! " cried he .

" go , then , and at the peril of your life , bring me back the Golden Fleece . "

" I go , " answered Jason , composedly .

" if I fail , you need not fear that I will ever come back to trouble you again .

" that I will , " said the king , with a sneer .

" meantime , I will keep them very safely for you . "

this wonderful tree stood in the center of an ancient wood .

" what shall I do , " said he , " in order to win the Golden Fleece ? "

at first there was a deep silence , not only within the shadow of the Talking Oak , but all through the solitary wood .

the sound grew louder , and became like the roar of a high wind .

" go to Argus , the shipbuilder , and bid him build a galley with fifty oars . "

then the voice melted again into the indistinct murmur of the rustling leaves , and died gradually away .

this showed some intelligence in the oak ; else how should it have known that any such person existed ?

he visited it again , therefore , and standing beside its huge , rough trunk , inquired what he should do next .

this time , there was no such universal quivering of the leaves , throughout the whole tree , as there had been before .

accordingly , Jason took the branch at its word , and lopped it off the tree .

a carver in the neighborhood engaged to make the figurehead .

on the left arm was a shield , and in its center appeared a lifelike representation of the head of Medusa with the snaky locks .

the right arm was extended , as if pointing onward .

" when you desire good advice , you can seek it of me . "

Jason had been looking straight into the face of the image when these words were spoken .

but he could hardly believe either his ears or his eyes .

it would have been very odd , indeed , if it had not .

they must have sturdy arms to row , and brave hearts to encounter perils , or we shall never win the Golden Fleece . "

" go , " replied the oaken image , " go , summon all the heroes of Greece . "

and Jason himself would be the fiftieth .

at this news , the adventurous youths , all over the country , began to bestir themselves .

there was a fair prospect that they would meet with plenty of such adventures before finding the Golden Fleece .

the mighty Hercules , whose shoulders afterwards upheld the sky , was one of them .

one of the rowers was a beautiful young woman , named Atalanta , who had been nursed among the mountains by a bear .

Jason appointed Tiphys to be helmsman because he was a star-gazer , and knew the points of the compass .

to confess the truth , few people believed him when he said it .

well !

all at once , Jason bethought himself of the galley 's miraculous figure-head .

at the first ringing note of the music , they felt the vessel stir .

In order to make the time pass away more pleasantly during the voyage , the heroes talked about the Golden Fleece .

one of the children , whose name was Helle , fell into the sea and was drowned .

there was no lack of wonderful events , as you may judge from what you have already heard .

but the Argonauts saw that this good king looked downcast and very much troubled , and they therefore inquired of him what was the matter .

and while they were talking about it , Cyzicus pointed to the mountain , and asked Jason and his companions what they saw there .

" I see them very plainly , " remarked Lynceus , whose eyes , you know , were as far-sighted as a telescope .

" you have excellent eyes , " said King Cyzicus .

besides , if they had been like the hundred-armed Briareus , the brave Argonauts would have given them their hands full of fight .

these ugly wretches were in the habit of snatching away his dinner , and allowed him no peace of his life .

then the Argonauts sailed onward and met with many other marvelous incidents , any one of which would make a story by itself .

some of them stuck in the ground , while others hit against their shields , and several penetrated their flesh .

these feathers were the steel-headed arrows that had so tormented them .

so he ran to the galley as fast as his legs would carry him .

we are in great peril from a flock of birds , who are shooting us with their steel-pointed feathers .

what can we do to drive them away ? "

" make a clatter on your shields , " said the image .

now , who do you imagine these two voyagers turned out to be ?

they were now on their way to Greece , in hopes of getting back a kingdom that had been wrongfully taken from their father .

when the princes understood whither the Argonauts were going , they offered to turn back , and guide them to Colchis .

at the same time , however , they spoke as if it were very doubtful whether Jason would succeed in getting the Golden Fleece .

" there are other difficulties in the way , " continued the young princes .

" but is not this enough ?

ah , brave Jason , turn back before it is too late .

" my young friends , " quietly replied Jason , " I do not wonder that you think the dragon very terrible .

at all events , turn back who may , I will never see Greece again , unless I carry with me the Golden Fleece . "

" we will none of us turn back ! " cried his nine and forty brave comrades .

when the king of the country , whose name was Aetes , heard of their arrival , he instantly summoned Jason to court .

" you are welcome , brave Jason , " said King Aetes .

" pray , are you on a pleasure voyage ?

" true , " said the king , with a smile that did not look particularly good-natured .

" very true , young man .

for example , you must first tame my two brazen-footed and brazen-lunged bulls , which Vulcan , the wonderful blacksmith , made for me .

what do you think of this , my brave Jason ? "

" I must encounter the peril , " answered Jason , composedly , " since it stands in the way of my purpose . "

" my master Chiron , " replied Jason , " taught me , long ago , the story of Cadmus .

perhaps I can manage the quarrelsome sons of the dragon 's teeth as well as Cadmus did . "

why , what a foolhardy , self-conceited coxcomb he is !

we 'll see what my fire-breathing bulls will do for him .

while the king talked with Jason , a beautiful young woman was standing behind the throne .

" I am the king 's daughter , " she said to him , " and my name is Medea .

gazing at Medea , he beheld a wonderful intelligence in her face .

" Princess , " he exclaimed , " you seem indeed very wise and very powerful .

but how can you help me to do the things of which you speak ?

are you an enchantress ? "

" yes , Prince Jason , " answered Medea , with a smile , " you have hit upon the truth .

I am an enchantress .

I am acquainted with some of your secrets , you perceive .

what it is I leave you to find out in the moment of peril .

" only be brave , " added she , " and before daybreak the brazen bulls shall be tamed . "

the young man assured her that his heart would not fail him .

at the appointed hour he met the beautiful Medea on the marble steps of the king 's palace .

after entering the pasture , the princess paused and looked around .

" there they are , " said she , " reposing themselves and chewing their fiery cuds in that farthest corner of the field .

it will be excellent sport , I assure you , when they catch a glimpse of your figure .

it makes a holiday in Colchis whenever such a thing happens .

for my part , I enjoy it immensely .

you cannot imagine in what a mere twinkling of an eye their hot breath shrivels a young man into a black cinder . "

he therefore let go Medea 's hand , and walked boldly forward in the direction whither she had pointed .

now he could see glowing sparks , and vivid jets of flame .

their breath scorched the herbage before them .

greatly encouraged at finding himself not yet turned into a cinder , the young man awaited the attack of the bulls .

well , he must have been wonderfully strong in his arms , to be sure .

" must we wait long for harvest time ? " he inquired of Medea , who was now standing by his side .

" whether sooner or later , it will be sure to come , " answered the princess .

" a crop of armed men never fails to spring up , when the dragon 's teeth have been sown . "

but by and by , all over the field , there was something that glistened in the moonbeams , like sparkling drops of dew .

these bright objects sprouted higher , and proved to be the steel heads of spears .

the first look that they gave at the upper world was a glare of wrath and defiance .

wherever a dragon 's tooth had fallen , there stood a man armed for battle .

then they began to shout " Show us the enemy !

lead us to the charge !

death or victory ! "

" come on , brave comrades !

Medea , however , bade him snatch up a stone from the ground .

" throw it among them quickly ! " cried she .

" it is the only way to save yourself . "

victory !

immortal fame ! " when he himself fell down , and lay quietly among his slain brethren .

and there was the end of the army that had sprouted from the dragon 's teeth .

that fierce and feverish fight was the only enjoyment which they had tasted on this beautiful earth .

" let them sleep in the bed of honor , " said the Princess Medea , with a sly smile at Jason .

could you help smiling , Prince Jason , to see the self-conceit of that last fellow , just as he tumbled down ? "

" it made me very sad , " answered Jason , gravely .

" you will think differently in the morning , " said Medea .

come !

agreeably to Medea 's advice , Jason went betimes in the morning to the palace of King Aetes .

entering the presence chamber , he stood at the foot of the throne , and made a low obeisance .

" your eyes look heavy , Prince Jason , " observed the king ; " you appear to have spent a sleepless night .

" that is already accomplished , may it please your majesty , " replied Jason .

had you acted fairly , you would have been , at this instant , a black cinder , or a handful of white ashes .

I forbid you , on pain of death , to make any more attempts to get the Golden Fleece .

to speak my mind plainly , you shall never set eyes on so much as one of its glistening locks . "

Jason left the king 's presence in great sorrow and anger .

but , as Jason was hastening down the palace steps , the Princess Medea called after him , and beckoned him to return .

these enchantresses , you must know , are never to be depended upon .

" what says King Aetes , my royal and upright father ? " inquired Medea , slightly smiling .

" will he give you the Golden Fleece , without any further risk or trouble ? "

" yes , Jason , " said the princess , " and I can tell you more .

but be of good courage .

the Golden Fleece you shall have , if it lies within the power of my enchantments to get it for you .

wait for me here an hour before midnight . "

how they contrived to keep themselves alive is more than I can imagine .

but now , instead of emitting jets of flame and streams of sulphurous vapor , they breathed the very sweetest of cow breath .

at length , when they had gone farther and farther into the heart of the duskiness , Medea squeezed Jason 's hand .

" look yonder , " she whispered .

" do you see it ? "

" what is it ? " asked Jason .

it is the Golden Fleece . "

Jason went onward a few steps farther , and then stopped to gaze .

" how gloriously it shines ! " cried Jason , in a rapture .

" it has surely been dipped in the richest gold of sunset .

let me hasten onward , and take it to my bosom . "

" stay , " said Medea , holding him back .

" have you forgotten what guards it ? "

soon , however , something came to pass , that reminded him what perils were still to be encountered .

an antelope , that probably mistook the yellow radiance for sunrise , came bounding fleetly through the grove .

the gape of his enormous jaws was nearly as wide as the gateway of the king 's palace .

Jason answered only by drawing his sword , and making a step forward .

" stay , foolish youth , " said Medea , grasping his arm .

" do not you see you are lost , without me as your good angel ?

in this gold box I have a magic potion , which will do the dragon 's business far more effectually than your sword . "

as it approached , Medea tossed the contents of the gold box right down the monster 's wide-open throat .

" it is only a sleeping potion , " said the enchantress to Prince Jason .

" one always finds a use for these mischievous creatures , sooner or later ; so I did not wish to kill him outright .

Quick !

snatch the prize , and let us begone .

you have won the Golden Fleece . "

a little way before him , he beheld the old woman whom he had helped over the stream , with her peacock beside her .

she clapped her hands for joy , and beckoning him to make haste , disappeared among the duskiness of the trees .

" make haste , Prince Jason !

for your life , make haste ! "

with one bound , he leaped aboard .

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tanglewood Tales , by Nathaniel Hawthorne